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flyfishinPam
Super Nomad
Posts: 1727
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Loreto, BCS
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Alarma a ecologistas auge turistico e inmobiliaro en Loreto, BCS
http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2007/02/19/index.php?section=esta...
Loreto, BCS, 18 de febrero. La apacible e histórica ciudad de Loreto, Cuna de las Californias, vive un auge turístico e inmobiliario, lo que, según el
Programa Subregional de Desarrollo Urbano de la zona, incrementará su población actual de 14 mil habitantes hasta en nueve veces en los próximos 25
años.
El grupo ecologista Antares sostuvo que este crecimiento demográfico "espanta" por sus implicaciones sociales, económicas y ambientales. Advirtió que
las autoridades subestiman los números, pues suponen que por cada cuarto de hotel construido arribarán al municipio entre 2.7 y 13.5 personas, según
el lugar, cuando en Los Cabos y Cancún la densidad promedio es de 20 personas por habitación edificada.
"Sólo en el desarrollo turístico inmobiliario Loreto Bay empresarios prevén construir 13 mil cuartos; es decir, habrá 260 mil nuevos habitantes en la
región", señaló Sergio Morales Polo, representante del grupo no gubernamental en el Comité de Planeación Municipal.
Agregó que el Programa de Desarrollo Urbano sólo abarca el corredor Loreto-Nopoló-Puerto Escondido-Notri-Ligüi-Ensenada Blanca, es decir, 65
kilómetros de litoral, cuando todo el municipio cuenta con 225 kilómetros de playa, y hay desarrollos proyectados al norte y al sur, en San Bruno, San
Bacilio, Tembabichi, Agua Verde y San Nicolás, sin injerencia de autoridades.
Precisó que el programa autoriza erigir 31 mil 914 cuartos de hotel en el corredor planificado, que generaría un impacto poblacional de 167 mil 203
personas -de acuerdo con autoridades- o de 638 mil 238 si se toma como parámetro el desarrollo de otros centros impulsados por el Fondo Nacional de
Fomento al Turismo (Fonatur).
En general, se proyectan 80 mil cuartos de hotel, y crecimiento de un millón y medio de habitantes, en una región donde los mantos acuíferos sólo
pueden soportar a 42 mil 200, sin padecer intrusión salina, señaló Morales Polo.
Desarrollos turísticos
Loreto, localizado en la parte media de la península de Baja California Sur -de donde partieron misiones religiosas de conquista hacia el sur del
estado y al norte hasta la Alta California-, tiene 225 kilómetros de litorales en el mar de Cortés. En los años 70 fue elegido por Fonatur como
emporio turístico de calidad mundial.
La dependencia adquirió en 1976 3 mil 522 hectáreas en la zona de Nopoló, 6 mil 400 en Puerto Escondido y 743 en Loreto, para construir hoteles,
condominios y residencias turísticas; marinas y asentamientos humanos.
Los primeros hoteles comenzaron a operar en 1982 con una oferta de 454 cuartos, que incluían 138 habitaciones en el poblado de Loreto. El número de
turistas registrados ese año fue de 46 mil.
A pesar de 3 mil 600 millones de pesos que Fonatur dijo invertir en infraestructura para Loreto, el proyecto quedó estancado hasta 2001, cuando el
gobierno foxista lo relanzó.
Loreto Bay Company, de capital canadiense, fue la primera en tomar la palabra a Fonatur, con un proyecto de mil 600 cuartos de hotel, 6 mil 374
viviendas, 4 mil 571 villas residenciales, campo de golf, marina, spa, centro de pesca deportiva, restaurantes e instalaciones comerciales,
recreativas y culturales.
En el corredor se contempla inversión de empresarios de Arizona en el proyecto Golden Beach -que ocupará 3 mil 458 hectáreas-, donde se pretende
construir cuatro hoteles, dos campos de golf, una marina, villas residenciales, spa, área comercial y restaurantes.
Villas de Group, con experiencia en Los Cabos, promueve el complejo Ensenada Blanca, donde invertirá 750 millones de dólares en la construcción de 2
mil 200 cuartos de hotel en un plazo de 15 años, que generarán 6 mil 500 empleos.
Al norte del municipio, en San Bruno, fuera del área de planeación, ya se hizo oficial el inicio del proyecto Loreto Paraíso, del grupo español
Fadesa, que contempla invertir 5 mil millones de dólares en una superficie de 3 mil hectáreas, y generar 3 mil empleos directos.
El plan maestro del complejo turístico que se presentó al gobernador Narciso Agúndez Montaño contempla 12 hoteles y 7 mil cuartos de hotel, dos campos
de golf tipo campeonato y dos más tipo turista, 6 mil 500 unidades residenciales, una marina de 23 hectáreas con capacidad de mil amarres y una
reserva natural de 800 hectáreas.
Ante la profusión de inversiones, el director del grupo Antares, Fernando Arcas, advirtió que el crecimiento será caótico y sus repercusiones en la
naturaleza, devastadoras.
Sostuvo que autoridades y desarrolladores "toman con mucha ligereza" el tema del agua. Dicen que construirán desaladoras, pero no aclaran el tamaño de
sus plantas, dónde las instalarán ni dónde depositarán la salmuera. Recordó que Antares impulsó "el parque nacional Bahía de Loreto, ya hay una
regulación, pero no sabemos qué va a pasar con tanta gente".
Expresó que hay muchas preguntas sin responder, como dónde vivirán los trabajadores y sus familias; el uso de las playas de la zona, que son pequeñas,
y el asunto de los servicios básicos para la población.
Arcas expuso que el argumento de las autoridades para traer inversiones a Loreto es el desarrollo y el empleo, pero la realidad es los buenos puestos
serán para los de afuera, los lugareños deberán conformarse con ser jardineros, albañiles, plomeros y ejercer oficios por el estilo.
Puntualizó que en Loreto Bay, donde se construye un "Infonavit de lujo", se da la especulación de la tierra: pequeños terrenos ejidales que antes
costaban 20 mil pesos, ahora se comercializan en un millón y medio, porque tienen playa al frente. "Son precios de locos, la tierra no los vale,
porque carece de servicios, pero hay quien paga esas cantidades, sobre todo la gente que viene de Estados Unidos y Canadá", dijo.
Indicó que "por todos lados" se venden lotes, y comentó que el turismo se incrementó el año pasado, porque personas de La Paz, Los Cabos y extranjeros
buscaban tierra para comprar.
Destacó que están en riesgo la sierra de la Giganta, el parque nacional Bahía de Loreto, islas, islotes, manglares, esteros y ojos de agua de la zona,
sobre todo porque el Plan de Desarrollo Urbano los ignora, sólo ubica dónde estarán los desarrollos, cuántos cuartos se construirán y cuántos pisos
van a tener los hoteles, además de que la mayor parte de los litorales, entre ellos San Bruno, no están planificados por el municipio.
"Si hay lugares que van a madrear son los manglares, Loreto Paraíso tiene un manglar precioso", señaló.
El presidente municipal panista de Loreto, Rodolfo Davis Osuna, más optimista, aceptó en entrevista que habrá un crecimiento poblacional acelerado,
pero confió en que pronto habrá tres instrumentos para controlarlo: el Plan de Desarrollo Urbano, el Plan de Ordenamiento Ecológico y estudios
científicos de los acuíferos de la región.
Admitió que el tema de la ecología preocupa a todos, y por eso se trabaja en la elaboración de documentos que den certidumbre al desarrollo con
respeto al medio ambiente.
No obstante, Morales Polo, del grupo Antares, consideró "increíble que se haga un plan estratégico de desarrollo y no se tengan estudios científicos
sobre el problema del agua en la región".
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Oso
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2637
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: on da border
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Translation: Some suckers are going to lose some money.
All my childhood I wanted to be older. Now I\'m older and this chitn sucks.
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Bedman
Senior Nomad
Posts: 523
Registered: 9-4-2002
Location: Orange County, CA.
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Oso, thanks for the brief. I barely read English and really struggle with Spanish articles that are short, let alone one that is 25+ paragraphs long.
I've yet to find ANY free translation web site that comes close to making any sense after translation. If anybody knows of one please post the site.
With that said, I'm sure this is something I'd like to know more about. Unfortunately, I'm just going to pass on it. IF, someone would like to post a
readable copy, I will take the time.
Thanks,
Bedman
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64834
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bedman
Oso, thanks for the brief. I barely read English and really struggle with Spanish articles that are short, let alone one that is 25+ paragraphs long.
I've yet to find ANY free translation web site that comes close to making any sense after translation. If anybody knows of one please post the site.
With that said, I'm sure this is something I'd like to know more about. Unfortunately, I'm just going to pass on it. IF, someone would like to post a
readable copy, I will take the time.
Thanks,
Bedman |
This is one of those terrible translations, but until a bilingual Nomad puts into real words, this might give you some idea of the contents:
Babel Fish Translation
In English:
Alarm to ecologists turistico height and inmobiliaro in Loreto, BCS http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2007/02/19/index.php?section=esta...
Loreto, BCS, 18 of February. The calm and historical city of Loreto, Cradle of the Californian, lives a tourist height and real estate, which,
according to the Subregional Program of Urban Development of the zone, will increase its present population of 14 thousand inhabitants until in nine
times in next the 25 years.
The ecological group Antares maintained that this population increase "frightens" by its social implications, economic and environmental. It noticed
that the authorities underestimate the numbers, because they suppose that by each room of constructed hotel they will arrive at the municipality
between 2,7 and 13,5 people, according to the place, when in the Cabos and Cancún the density average is of 20 people by built room. "Only in the
tourist development real estate Loreto Bay industralists prevén to construct 13 thousand quarters; that is to say, there will be 260 thousand new
inhabitants in the region ", indicated to Sergio Pole, representative of the nongovernmental group in the Committee of Municipal Planning Moral.
He added that the Program of Urban Development only includes the running White Escondido-Notri-Ligüi-Ensenada Loreto-Nopolo'-Port, that is to say, 65
kilometers of the coast, when all the municipality counts on 225 kilometers of beach, and is developments projected to the north and the south, in San
Bruno, San Bacilio, Tembabichi, Green Water and San Nicholas, without interference of authorities. It needed that the program authorizes to erect 31
thousand 914 quarters of hotel in the planned runner, who would generate a population impact of 167 thousand 203 people - in agreement with
authorities or of 638 thousands 238 if he is taken as parameter the development from other centers impelled by the National Bottom of Promotion to the
Tourism (Fonatur).
In general, 80 thousand quarters of hotel project, and growth of a million and average one of inhabitants, in a region where the water-bearing mantles
only can support to 42 thousands 200, without suffering saline intrusión, indicated to Morals Pole. Tourist developments Loreto, located in the
average part of the peninsula of South Baja California - of where they divided religious missions of conquest for the south of the state and to the
north until the High California -, has 225 kilometers of the coasts in the sea of Courteous.
In years 70 it was chosen by tourist Fonatur like emporio of world-wide quality. The dependency acquired in 1976 3 thousand 522 hectares in the zone
of Nopoló, 6 400 in Hidden thousand Port and 743 in Loreto, to construct hotels, condominiums and tourist residences; navy and slumses. The first
hotels began to operate in 1982 with a supply of 454 quarters, that included 138 rooms in the town of Loreto. The number of registered tourists that
year was of 46 thousands. In spite of 3 thousand 600 million weights that Fonatur said to invest in infrastructure for Loreto, the project was
suspended until 2001, when the foxista government relaunched it. Loreto Bay Company, of Canadian capital, was first in taking the word to Fonatur,
with a project of thousand 600 quarters of hotel, 6 thousand 374 houses, 4 thousand 571 residential villas, golf course, navy, spa, commercial,
recreational and cultural center of sport fishing, restaurants and facilities.
In the runner investment of industralists of Arizona in the project Golden Beach is contemplated - that will occupy 3 thousand 458 hectares -, where
it is tried to construct four hotels, two golf courses, a residential navy, villas, spa, commercial area and restaurants. Villas of Group, with
experience in the Cabos, promote the Embosomed complex White, where it will invest 750 million dollars in the construction of 2 thousand 200 quarters
of hotel in a term of 15 years, that will generate 6 thousand 500 uses.
To the north of the municipality, in San Bruno, outside the area of planning, already official was made the beginning of the Loreto project Paradise,
the Spanish group Fadesa, that contemplates to invest 5 billion dollars in a surface of 3 thousand hectares, and to generate 3 thousand uses direct.
The masterful plan of the tourist complex that appeared the governing Narcissus Agúndez Montaño contemplates to 12 hotels and 7 thousand quarters of
hotel, two golf courses type championship and two more type tourist, 6 thousand 500 residential units, a navy of 23 hectares with capacity of thousand
moorings and one natural reserve of 800 hectares.
Before the profusion of investments, the director of the group Antares, Fernando Coffers, warned that the growth will be chaotic and its repercussions
in the nature, devastating. It maintained that authorities and developers "take with much lightness" the subject from the water. They say that they
will construct desaladoras, but do not clarify the size of his plants, where they will install them nor where will deposit the brine. It remembered
that Antares impelled "the national park Bay of Loreto, already is a regulation, but we do not know what is going to happen with as much people".
He expressed that there are many questions without responding, as where the workers and their families will live; the use of the beaches of the zone,
that are small, and the subject of the basic services for the population. Coffers exposed that the argument of the authorities to bring investments to
Loreto is the development and the use, but the reality is the good positions will be for those of outside, the villagers will have to be satisfied to
being gardeners, bricklayers, plumbers and exerting offices of the sort. It emphasized that in Loreto Bay, where a "Infonavit of luxury" is
constructed, the Earth speculation occurs: small ejidales lands that before cost 20 thousand pesos, now are commercialized in a million and average
one, because they have beach to the front. "They are prices of crazy people, the Earth she is not worth them, because she lacks services, but is one
that pays those amounts, mainly the people that come from the United States and Canada", said. She indicated that "by all sides" lots are sold, and
commented that the tourism was increased the last year, because people of La Paz, the Cabos and foreigners looked for earth to buy. She emphasized
that they are in risk the mountain range of the Giganta, the national park Bay of Loreto, islands, small barren islands, manglares, matting and water
eyes of the zone, mainly because the Plan of Urban Development ignores them, she only locates where they will be the developments, how many quarters
will be constructed and how many floors are going to have the hotels, in addition of which most of the coasts, among them San Bruno, is not planned by
the municipality. "If there is places that are going to madrear are manglares, Loreto Paradise must manglar precious", indicated.
The panista municipal president of Loreto, Rodolfo Davis Osuna, more optimistic, accepted in interview that will be an accelerated population growth,
but trusted that soon there will be three instruments to control it: the Plan of Urban Development, the scientific Plan of Ecological Ordering and
studies of the water-bearing ones of the region. It admitted that the subject of the ecology worries all, and for that reason it works in the document
elaboration that gives certainty to the development with respect to the medio.ambiente. However, Morals Pole, of the Antares group, considered
"incredible that formulates a strategic plan of development and scientific studies are not had on the problem of the water in the region".
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Oso
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2637
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: on da border
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Mood: wait and see
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Sorry, I'm just feeling too lazy for that much work. You can probably figure it out from that "machine" translation. My prediction is that the
predictions of exponential growth ain't gonna happen. When it gets to the point of a water crisis, the growth will come to a screeching halt and the
late buyers in this huge ponzi scheme will lose their burros. Desalinazation plants? Yeah, right...
All my childhood I wanted to be older. Now I\'m older and this chitn sucks.
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Osprey
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3694
Registered: 5-23-2004
Location: Baja Ca. Sur
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Pam, I am heartened that Mexico is starting to talk openly about desal salt brine and the problems it brings. I'm also feeling better about the whole
thing when I learned the new port is the Keystone of the Sea of Cortez project and that it is control central for the vast experiment -- think
Keystone and Cops. This bottleneck alone could stop or set back the whole project for years. Comments by the guy you met with the ponytail, the
water guy for LBC, notwithstanding, they ain't gonna make new water unless it's with desal. Is it possible all the new homes in the first stage will
get to the Notice of Completion date and find they have no water service?
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flyfishinPam
Super Nomad
Posts: 1727
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Loreto, BCS
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Mood: gone fishin'
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Hi there,
My secretary stumbled upon the article and I am too lazy to translate it. The reason I am too lazy is because this is an issue that Loretanos Spanish
speakers need to understand. The main thing that I found important is that GEA is FINALLY speaking out about this issue of water that constantly has
been swept under the rug. There will be uncontrolled development. The investors of these developments are here for reasons of investment and if it
doesn't work they'll just pull out and leave Loretanos with the mess. There are a lot of issues apart from the water issue that were discussed in the
article, where will all the workers live who will have to be here to maintain these second homes, timeshares, etc. Is this the only future our
Loretano children have if they want to continue living here. So much to translate, so little time. I lose sleep over this as I've set roots here, my
kids were born here and who's to say they have to leave if they are to have a good future? This is a timeless situation and it has happened in other
parts of the world. Now it is happening here but its not too late to change it or at least put some semblence of control on it NOW. So I have
printed many copies of this and passing it on to many people.
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flyfishinPam
Super Nomad
Posts: 1727
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Loreto, BCS
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Mood: gone fishin'
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Oso
Sorry, I'm just feeling too lazy for that much work. You can probably figure it out from that "machine" translation. My prediction is that the
predictions of exponential growth ain't gonna happen. When it gets to the point of a water crisis, the growth will come to a screeching halt and the
late buyers in this huge ponzi scheme will lose their burros. Desalinazation plants? Yeah, right... |
Oso I had the same opinion, yeah right I'll believe it when I see it, really never thought it would happen. But you are not here and I am, I hardly
ever leave. Its happening and its happening fast and it is not good. The people in town don't coplain about the fact that the water doesn't come out
of their faucets on a consistent basis anymore. Loreto Bay who wasn't supposed to be getting the city's water, continues to get the city's water.
There are not enough medical services, basic services, education, the list goes on, to support the people who are here now. Interesting to note is
that the major projects are happening out of the city's small limits and the city people are kept in the dark as to what's going on. Indiginous being
kicked off their land at San Bruno, townsfolk being threatened in Ensenada Blanca, a constant stream of lies from that 6000+ unit development in
Nopolo. time for the information age to prove itself now. Already there is a desal plant in poeration at Puerto Penasco. What will the health of
the Sea of Cortez be like once there's a desal plant right next to every single rung of the escalera nautica?
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Oso
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2637
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: on da border
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Mood: wait and see
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Pam, I usually make fun of just about anything, it's just my way. But, I am truly sorry to see this disaster in the making and I only hope for your
sake and that of the rest of the Loretanos that this can somehow be stopped.
"Infonavit de lujo" is a pretty funny description, though...
All my childhood I wanted to be older. Now I\'m older and this chitn sucks.
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flyfishinPam
Super Nomad
Posts: 1727
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Loreto, BCS
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Mood: gone fishin'
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Hey I re-read the article at home a few hours ago and its an important story. So I will translate it and it will be with tears in my eyes. Since I'm
pretty busy with other stuff I'll need the weekend. You'll hear back from me then. hasta mas tarde
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Don Alley
Super Nomad
Posts: 1997
Registered: 12-4-2003
Location: Loreto
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The article throws a new one in the breach, Golden Beach, but it doesn't say where it will be and I haven't heard of that one.
Getting information is just so difficult, and that makes any meaningful input or dialog with government officials nearly impossible. It's not like the
states where you can walk in to the local courthouse and find the plans, and see exactly where the water lines come from, and where the sewer lines
go.
I am astonished, though, at these people who spend so much for these places with nothing but eco-babble to explain where their water will come from.
Then again, while I've invested far less, I may end up the fool for assuming that my water supply would be secured by living in an established
neighborhood, in town, sharing water lines with Mexican citizens. But it seems I won't know, until perhaps the day will come when saltwater comes
through the pipes.
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Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Oso
Desalinazation plants? Yeah, right... |
I'm involved with two developments on the West coast of Baja. Desal will be used for both. It's proven technology that works.
Where you put the brine is a legitimate concern, though.
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Oso
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2637
Registered: 8-29-2003
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Well, they're cranking up the humongous one here in Yuma for a trial run, so we'll see.
All my childhood I wanted to be older. Now I\'m older and this chitn sucks.
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Medina
Newbie
Posts: 6
Registered: 2-22-2007
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Lorerto Development
Hola Everyone,
I am researching setting up a small guest house in Baja and Loreto is a location which appeals. As part of my research I have received the marketing
info from the Loreto Bay Company to see what exactly they are doing. I spoke with one of their sales people recently and enquired about the
development at San Bruno. They feigned any knowledge of this. Now, reading this thread today, and seeing that there are multiple proposals for the
Loreto coastline I cannot help but wonder if a lovely part of Mexican coastline is going to go the way of the Costa del Sol in Spain. The LBC say they
will be water neutral but I wonder how this can be. Baja has a much drier climate than here so where is all the water going to come from. With so many
new houses programmed for the Loreto area one wonders just how smart it is to invest there? In
Spain the Fadesa group are not noted for quality!I would be interested to hear from any of you guys who know Loreto what the existing water supply
situation is like. Do you ever get cuts?
Saludos,
Medina
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Crusoe
Senior Nomad
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Don Jorge.....Great post.......Dont ever let up.You have a great way with words....... It truly was the best place for "climate and dirt" in the world
bar none!!! When I was a very young boy I would catch the school bus and ride to school looking at all the beautiful oarange groves and coast line and
snow capped mountains and then on the way home after school where once stood an oarange grove their would be a shopping center.It all went to hell
very quickly.Most people by their own human nature cant and wont see the big picture, and dont really care. The only thing that is a saving grace for
the Loreto area now, is the fact that there is no mega 8 lane,70mph access freeway to all of Baja yet.I have been visiting, beach camping,sailing,
and kayacking the area for 45 years now and have watched all the change.I just cant see it change as fast as the movers and shakers seem to think it
will.Its a real big developer frenzy now.It will hopefully level out. Sorry to hear of the folks at San Bruno are getting displaced,and of the
problems in Ensenada Blanca.My 3 cents worth.
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
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Medina: no part of what Loreto Bay is doing is "sustainable"! Friggin lowlife, lying sacks of caka. There simply is not the water locally to support
such absurd projections.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64834
Registered: 8-30-2002
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Welcome to Baja Nomad, Medina!
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
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| Quote: |
31,914 new hotel hotel rooms
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gotta be global/local economic downturn to make the $ signs disappear from the developers eyes. 'tis gonna happen sooner than you think.
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Don Alley
Super Nomad
Posts: 1997
Registered: 12-4-2003
Location: Loreto
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Medina
I would be interested to hear from any of you guys who know Loreto what the existing water supply situation is like. Do you ever get cuts?
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We sometimes lose service, but usually it is maintenence related, I think. Pressure varies; today mine was the highest I've seen.
Currently we pay a flat rate. Only some places have meters installed, so everyone pays the low flat rate. The water authority claims that as a result
of the flat rate, and badly leaking pipes, the system is very inefficient and we are currently using enough water for a much larger city. 60% of the
people do not pay for water, and the law does not allow them to be cut off. This reduces needed revenue to replace leaking pipes and install meters.
But progress is being made in that regard and the city hopes that conservation will go a long way in meeting future water demand.
However, a professor from the University of Arizona believes the city is overly optimistic, and does not support their claims that the current supply
can serve a population of 150,000. He put it closer to 45,000 maximum.
Interesting that Loreto Bay claims they will be "water neutral." They used to say they would "create" more than they use, and give the excess to
Loreto. Generous? Maybe not when you figure most of the new demand resulting from development will be off site demand, in Loreto proper. In any event,
they are building like crazy, yet most aspects of "sustainability" remain just talk.
It is looking like desalinization is where local government expects future supplies for the resorts to come from. Energy to run the deal plants?
Solar. (Practical? I don't know). Salt residue? They don't take care of the Sea of Cortez and its resources today so I don't see government being too
concerned with that.
So will you be wise to invest here? Well, you are a little late, prices are high. I do hope that you are excited about coming here and are interested
in the people, the mountains, desert, and sea. Then you will receive value for your "investment." I understand that there are many visitors lately who
could care less, and have only come becuase they are speculators looking for a hot investment location. I hope they lose their shirts.
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Medina
Newbie
Posts: 6
Registered: 2-22-2007
Member Is Offline
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Lorerto Development
Hola Don Alley,
Many thanks for the reply. Just to put your mind at rest I am not a land speculator! I use the word "investment" in its pure term ,meaning that what I
invest in my business I would hope to see grow over a period of time as a result of my input and an uplift in the economy.
I used the expression"water neutral" - my own words. I have read the info I received from LB Co. again and see they say they will return more water
than they use. I am curious to know how this can be? Where I live in Spain there are plans to build a golf course etc but the developer will be using
the recycled water from the sewage treatment plant to irrigate the course. That seems sensible.
What attracts me to Baja is the desert, the unusual flora and fauna, the sea activities, the marine life,the rawness of its environment.....
etc. If all the development proposals see the light of day the area will inevitably lose part of what attracts people to it in the first place.
As one of the other posters said "progress is inevitable". We can all debate if building houses,golf courses, hotels etc is progress. However, in many
parts if the world the only means of providing work for the local population is through tourism development. This inevitably means
building houses etc. There is nothing wrong with this so long as the infrastructure can support the development planned and there are tight controls
on the density and scale of the new build. In Spain, a mix of corrupt town hall officials and a shortage of central government funding for local
government has led to mayors reclassifying rustic land as buildable land in return for a hefty payment from the developer.
I suspect this practice is widespread in many developing countries with tourist potential.
It will be interesting to see how things pan out.For my part I will continue to research the possibilities, buy more books about Baja ( I see my
fellow countryman Graham MacKintosh has two titles I haven't read), keep reading the posts on the forum......
Un saludo muy cordial,
Medina
PS: Hi David K. You've clearly sussed my new identity
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