25/05/2007 | by admin
El Estero San José (The San José Estuary), the most important north western oasis in Mexico, which was also declared as an ecological reserve, is at huge risk.
A marina, part of the Puerto de Los Cabos Resort development project, is due to be opened to sea, which will contaminate the freshwater supply to the majority of the Los Cabos region. Recent findings by hydrologist, Emigdio Flores, from La Paz University confirmed that when the marina opens the freshwater aquifer will be contaminated by salt water intrusion. This will happen as the Puerto de los Cabos development crew hit groundwater when digging out the marina. The estuary and aquifer are the main freshwater supplies for the whole Los Cabos region, which includes the areas between The Sierra de la Laguna Mountains to the Coast.
Experts say that once the marina is opened the saltwater will mix with the freshwater and this salty water solution will move throughout the aquifer, contaminating all the freshwater for this area, destroying agricultural lands and posing a threat to the plant, animal and even human life around the estuary. Los Cabos region only has one desalinasation plant, which has no where near the capacity to supply freshwater to the hotels, tourists, and local population of over 200,000.
For more information and to see how you can help go to: http://www.savethewaves.org/cabos.asp