Update

Since the previous documents were written another five months of forward momentum has gained with additional studies and investigations. These have further advanced the cause and bring an even better understanding of the extent of the problems at hand.  The extensive efforts cited so far have yielded even more citizens who are concerned with all of the aforementioned facts, and the importance of the ecological balances to many aspects of their lives. Whether they have only learned bits and pieces, or are well informed via a combination of sources provided by Ciudadanos Preocupados to date, the general public education efforts have had significant and ecologically positive impacts upon the community-at-large.

Our partner group, from the beginning, ConCiencia, has begun beach and mangrove clean ups, and environmental educational field studies with students from various area primary and secondary schools. Ciudadanos Preocupados efforts & information are a part of the study programs.It is a fusion of the two groups efforts, which furthers our overall objectives.

These projects were presented at the last Public Forum on April 29th of 2005. The next combined effort will be an area clean up and environmental field studies program at Balandra Bay with groups of school children. These will be led and presented by advanced university students and imminently qualified professors leading the study programs. The public-at-large is also invited to participate.

The last two Public Forums, done by Ciudadanos Preocupados, included a day of trips to the El Mogote Peninsula via pangas (24ft. open launches), kayaks and catamarans. Doctors, Masters, and Bachelor degreed guides accompanied these trips. They taught the general public members of the importance of the mangrove eco-system. Each participant of the voyages also learned about the importance of the dune structures. Learning, in general, about the flora and fauna of El Mogote. Additionally, educating the participants in regards to the endangered (and protected) species of the area.

Ciudadanos Preocupados has also been writing and submitting scientifically based articles and providing the graphics for An�lisis, Alternativa & Compas magazines, as well as other media publications.

Academics, scientists and professional environmental investigators primarily read these publications. As well as a better-educated segment of this areas more learned people. In fact, a good number of these contribute articles in general, and numerous of those in conjunction & support of Ciudadanos Preocupados efforts. 

One of the most recent efforts has included addressing a proposed four-lane highway: complete with conduits for massive amounts of water (to handle as much as 120 liters of water per second, or 378,432,000,000,000 liters per year); electrical cables to supply the massive amounts of energy this project would use during its construction and habitation; and pipes for all of the waste waters generated by this proposed project.

Ciudadanos Preocupados has made history by challenging and denouncing the Federal Agencies, SEMARNAT and PROFEPA on their enforcement practices and acceptance of faulty Environmental Impact Statements in regards to these proposed projects. The first time any citizens group has ever done this in Baja California Sur.

A Public Forum resulting from Ciudadanos Preocupados denunciations was held April 1st 2005 in the Crown Plaza Hotels? Conference Facilities, and attended by approximately 140-160 participants.

A very significant number of those being some of this areas three leading universities most highly respected Professors, Research Scientists and Investigators. All prepared to address major deficiencies in the Environmental Impact Statements for the highway project, and those of the Paradise of the Sea projects, which were faulty to the extreme.

Only the professor who authored the faulty impact statement spoke in its' defense. While his very doctoral professor, who authored a genuine study of the El Mogote Peninsula, which was misused in the impact statement, took him to task for his not learning anything, nor even understanding the very study that he cited. This was followed by a list to highly educated specialists who testified to the actual conditions of the geology and ecology of El Mogote. As well as the negative, irreversible impacts of the proposed highway, and the proposed project itself.

Numerous private and concerned citizens also spoke in opposition to the highway, with a few lone voices of the developers and vested interests speaking on behalf of their business interests and personal wishes. At least 10 to 1 were in opposition to the proposed highway and the Paradise of the Sea projects in general. This action is still pending at this moment and Ciudadanos Preocupados, with their legal representatives, CEMDA (thee most respected Environmental Rights legal organization in Mexico) are preparing to take the all of the issues involved to the Federal Courts.

On the latter, Ciudadanos Preocupados is more than adequately prepared, with nearly a half of a gigabyte of files on every aspect of this effort, which we have undertaken over the past year plus of our existence. There is a proverbial mountain of essentially irrefutable studies which will make this one of the, if not thee, most thoroughly documented cases that has ever been presented to any court, anywhere. Including all local, state, national and international laws, treaties & regulations applicable to the diverse issues to be raised. These cover a broad spectrum of legal challenges, some of which we hope to use to establish Landmark Decisions, ranging from the myriad of environmental issues, to the Constitutional issues, violations, and civil, human rights involved. The latter requiring more in depth research so that all of the issues are properly addressed.

Another major current issue being addressed by Ciudadanos Preocupados is the use of Public Waters for the proposed Paradise of the Sea project.

In order for that project to obtain any permits to begin with, the project plans included the building and maintaining of a Desalinization Plant for the production of all of their own fresh water needs, from the sea and brackish waters in the area. According to said stipulation, the project claimed that it would not only produce more than sufficient water for all of their projects needs, but indeed would be able to give water to the Municipal of La Paz. A grand promise, which at the very same time acknowledged that La Paz has continued to struggle to meet its' own citizens needs to have adequate fresh water supplies to their homes and businesses.

However, since that promise, and a legally enforceable stipulation, said project has solicited both: the National Water Commission for permits for wells to extract the natural fresh water sources there on the El Mogote Peninsula; and SAPA, the municipal water commission, for access to Public Waters in the amount of 120 liters per second, or over a years usage being as much as 378,432,000,000,000 liters per year! The equivalent of the adequate needs, which are not currently met, for tens of thousands of local residents!!!

The National Water Commission refused access to the sub-surface fresh water sources and granted access for two wells to tap brackish water sources for the proposed Desalinization Plant. SAPA to date has denied access to the incredible amounts of water requested, but has tentatively granted them access to an existing tube that can supply 3 liters per second, and will reconsider the much larger amount of water requested when/if an adequate pipeline exist. As the project was not supposed to obtain any public waters, this tentative agreement by SAPA is an open violation of the stipulations of the projects original contacts, and goes beyond SAPAs' authority to grant.

Challenges are currently being prepared on this issue as it is of vital importance in this desert area, which already has to support a population approaching a quarter of the million Mexican National Citizens. The people, by law, have the primary Constitutional Rights granted in Article 27 section 1 to all natural and naturalized citizens, guaranteeing first rights to all public waters and mineral resources. Legally and Constitutionally, all citizens must have adequate water supplies before any development, which will be owned almost in its' totality by foreign citizens, can even be considered.

Several eco-tourism businesses currently loan Ciudadanos Preocupados pangas, kayaks and catamarans for our uses to transport and educate the general public first-hand about the natural wonders of the area, which need to be preserved. One closes for their off- season and will make available unlimited use of their equipment, and another has said that we will have similar access to theirs in the off-season. Some assistance from others is already happening, and more are on the agenda.

As we are primarily educating local and national citizens, this works very well for our efforts. The off season for those businesses are also during the prime season for Mexican National Tourism, and of course locals are here on a year round basis. Our objective is to make at least weekly-guided trips and hopefully more, depending more upon the availability of expert guides, or our ability to train other volunteers to teach the essentials.

Another project being recently undertaken is the preservation of the Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) species in this region and particularly the La Paz Bay region. A very recent discovery, right here in the Bay of La Paz, was the sightings of infant Whale Sharks. Though the worldwide range of these amazing creatures is known, it had never before been known where this species spawned its offspring. The western shore of the El Mogote Peninsula and beyond to San Juan de la Costa to the west and the mouth of the Ensenada of La Paz (the inner bay) is thee first area in the world with such sightings. The mangrove forests of El Mogote and Balandra Bay are a primary food source for this species, which is considered highly endangered.

This discovery and a resulting masters thesis was done by > insert name <, and M.S. Denni Ramirez, a long time and highly active participant, and Board of Directors member of Ciudadanos Preocupados, as well as ConCiencia. This study was presented at the last Ciudadanos Preocupados' Public Forum. It is also presently being presented at an International Conference on Whale Sharks in Australia, by its' authors.

Dr. Gina Holguin Ph.D., Professor, Research Scientist and Environmental Investigator, at the Center for Biological Investigations North/CIBNOR is now formulating plans for a mangrove reforestation project, as part of Ciudadanos Preocupados ongoing expansion of efforts. 

Dr. Holguin is one of the worlds leading experts on mangrove forest eco-systems and also a one-year participant of the group. She has created, and presented her studies at several of the groups' Public Forums, as well as having acted as a guide for our public voyages to the mangrove area of El Mogote. She is currently the Vice President of the Board for Ciudadanos Preocupados A.C.

This reforestation project will focus first upon a badly damaged existing strand of mangroves, Estero Enfermeria, which the developers were supposed to do as part of their agreements for their proposed marina project, but of course did not.

This areas mangrove forests have been seriously impacted due to human encroachment and it is essential that its' degradation be halted and reversed. The project will act as a model for future mangrove reforestation projects, and currently also involves efforts by CIBNOR and CICIMAR.

Ciudadanos Preocupados envisions the restoration, or reintroduction, of the 50% of our local regions mangroves that have been lost in the last 30 years of development(s) in the La Paz area. And, if possible, additional areas that those mangroves would have expanded to in their natural course of evolution, had they not been destroyed.

A citizen based volunteer project is in progress for Balandra Bay and will include installing basic sanitary facilities (composting toilets), waste collection and recycling, beach and mangrove clean-ups, and ongoing environmental field studies for the general public and interested visitors, conducted by some of our most competent group members and in conjunction with ConCiencia, as well as studies being done by CIBNOR, CICIMAR and U.A.B.C.S., and other interested universities, institutes, investigators, governmental agencies and non governmental groups.

Another projected project is the creation of a mobile unit capable of transporting and housing volunteers for extended project efforts. Essentially this would require acquiring and converting a used, but serviceable, commercial long distance transport bus so that it can transport, house and feed the volunteers, as well as being capable of transporting essential materials and tools to various sites throughout the State and beyond. It would also be utilized to present Public Forums State and Nation wide (and possibly beyond). Additionally it could be used in support of emergency efforts following natural disasters, and natural areas/species rescue operations.

Group members, and active participants in Ciudadanos Preocupados, have to date produced three video shorts (ten-twenty minutes) titled: Ciudadanos Preocupados; La Mascara (produced by group members involved with the Social Sciences Dept. of the Autonomous University of Baja California Sur/U.A.B.C.S.); and El Mogote (also produced by group members, done as a thesis in the Media Arts Dept. of U.A.B.C.S.). Ciudadanos Preocupados members who are parts of the Media Arts Dept. of the Autonomous University of Baja California Sur are also working together toward producing more films, as well as integrating our existing films into a major full-length feature film that will incorporate many environmental issues in this State, the Nation, and their resulting affects on the planets? eco-systems as a whole.

Dr. Juan Guzman Poo of the U.A.B.C.S., another long time participant of the group and Board Member, has recently discovered a Sea Tortoise nesting grounds on the El Mogote Peninsula, on the outer bay side. These species are on the verge of extinction and more than warrant active support for its? protection. Further studies are currently being done on this discovery and we hope to come up with a feasible plan to save this turtle nesting grounds.

For this we will further our already existing contacts with major protection groups for these species and hopefully come up with an integrated approach to protect all Sea Turtles in this region, and beyond.   

Ciudadanos Preocupados is also currently seeking to set up an Internet Website that will include everything, in its? totality, which has been done, and all new materials to be added as they evolve. Our current files of nearly a half of a gigabyte contain all the information imparted here, but with far more in depth materials and not as the simple synopsis that this document is.

It will include photos of all of the species of flora and fauna in the endangered areas of the entire Bay of La Paz; and complete geological and social studies done by eminently qualified faculty of the areas leading universities, as well as Ciudadanos Preocupados.

A complete overview of the impacts upon the people, resources and culture will be included. And of course all laws, treaties, rules and regulations involved in all aspects of our efforts as well. Our videos will also be on the Website.

Ciudadanos Preocupados has continued to do informal surveys of local residents, national visitors and foreign tourists, which at the same time serve to inform the respondents of all of the facts involved, and which we can legally and scientifically document. The general opinion, by far (well above 90%), has been in total opposition to the proposed projects for El Mogote, Balandra Bay and other areas commonly used by locals and visitors alike.

Additionally, the International Water Keepers Alliance has suggested that Ciudadanos Preocupados become the official La Paz Bay Keepers and take over centering Bay Keeper efforts in this State.

This is a brief synopsis of the history and the evolution of Ciudadanos Preocupados, the work we have done and that which we are currently involved with. This has all been done on a 100% volunteer basis and has received absolutely no outside funding.

Considering the vast amounts (by any standards) accomplished, in the relatively short time which Ciudadanos Preocupados has been in existence, one could easily rationalize that this is a genuine citizens? based association of very dedicated, committed, highly educated, and sincere people.

Nothing short of that could have possibly achieved the same results in the same time frame, with absolutely no outside funding sources.

In regards to the latter, Global Green Grants has just confirmed a Seed Grant to help maintain the office costs and to provide a major computer up-grade for all of the offices communications needs. It should be mentioned that up to this point, Ciudadanos Preocupados office computer has been a donated, seven year old, Dell Latitude laptop, with Windows 98, and having very limited capabilities.

That grant will enable the purchase of one higher-end state-of-the-art computer to act as a server; another with state-of-the-art home/office user capacities; the continued use of our original computer (with minor up-grades); a copier/scanner/printer/fax machine; and the networking hardware necessary to integrate the entire system. As well as permitting high speed Internet access services. Our current need of having at least five operable computers for the offices actual needs is our next objective in this process.

The combined studies, investigations, legal actions and hands-on work done by Ciudadanos Preocupados would have cost far in access of a million dollars, if sponsored by Foundations, Governmental Agencies, or private business interests.

The time and energy involved via volunteers is in the tens of thousands of hours combined, with the volunteer time of its' co-directors alone being close to ten thousand hours.

All of the financial cost factors have been met, even if at best on the most basic of levels.

Ciudadanos Preocupados has opened (on Dec. 24, 2004); maintained the costs of its' office, and very basic (though admittedly inadequately) volunteers needs.

Various local businesses have assisted on occasion and we will seek to expand in that area.

The local press, for the most part, has been very supportive with over 150 articles to date.

Several political parties and/or their candidates came out in opposition to the Paradise of the Sea project on El Mogote during the last election period here, as a result of Ciudadanos Preocupados efforts.

We have the most competent team of environmental attorneys in Mexico, CEMDA (Centro Mexicano de Derecho Ambiental: http://www.cemda.org.mx), as our legal representatives, and have legal actions pending, and others in various stages of preparation.

Several project plans are in their final stages of preparation to add to those already cited.

A good number of civil service employees and administrators continue to provide otherwise unknown to the public & suppressed information, which greatly assists our efforts. The new State Transparency Law, in conjunction with the existing Federal Transparency Law, will also be a vital resource for obtaining all official government departments documentation, to assist all of our present and future investigations.

Ciudadanos Preocupados has submitted it's final paperwork to obtain official Civil Association status (Non profit / non-governmental-organization).

With the continued expansion of all of our efforts we are in urgent need of financial assistance. Our costs have outstripped our resources and we are now in the process of formulating a comprehensive grant proposal outlining all of our projects, their needs and the realistic cost factors involved.

Individual contributions, from concerned citizens, have been our exclusive source of funding to date, besides the pending Global Green Grants confirmed contribution to assist with our basic operational and office needs. We welcome and urgently request ongoing and increased contributions by all concerned citizens, on all levels.