SANTO DOMINGO.-Taking into account the observations issued by environmental groups who believe that the construction of the Cabo Rojo Port would endanger marine species in the area, yesterday the ITM Group, the concessionary company that will carry out the work, announced a modification to the original design proposal.
The Cabo Rojo Port is one of the main bets of the Pedernales Tourism Development project, it will have the capacity to dock four ships simultaneously, with the projection that more than 1,000,000 tourists will arrive per year with an average expenditure of between US$80 and US$100 per cruise passenger.
Although environmental groups will learn about the changes today, the president of Grupo Jaragua expressed her disappointment yesterday because the redesign maintains the same construction site. “We are disappointed that they are keeping the same location,” said Yolanda León, president of Grupo Jaragua, who added that she does not yet have further details about the new design.
“Continuing to maintain that site with a design that is highly unlikely given the depth there doesn’t seem feasible to me,” León emphasized, while also pointing out that the space chosen for the initiative is “vulnerable and eliminates a tourist attraction in Pedernales for everyone’s use,” he explained, as published today by Diario Libre.
The changes
The new design of the Cabo Rojo cruise project in Pedernales (southwest of the country) includes a single breakwater, located away from coral reefs, and relocating seagrass, sponges, sea urchins, snails, and starfish.
The representatives explained that the changes made aim to minimize the impact on the environment, after exhausting consultation processes with different sectors of civil society and engaging in dialogue with local authorities.
Project representatives reported that the design of a cruise port away from the coral reef was finalized.
They commented that they seek to prioritize its care and conservation with an innovative construction method that would decrease the number of underwater structures, while reducing the dredging area by 90%, meaning that less of the seabed will be removed.
This proposal for the environmental impact study consists of a 670-meter breakwater in the southern area of the cape, instead of the two breakwaters contemplated in the previous design.
Karen López, spokesperson for ITM, stated that with this design, four “Oasis” class ships will be able to dock, and the innovative construction method will reduce the number of piles by 13 and the docking depth by 9.5 meters.
Job creation
López spoke about the eventual benefits to the community that the implementation of this project entails from its initial phase with the generation of 1,500 jobs, both direct and indirect, as well as 2,160 indirect and 1,500 direct jobs in its operational stage.
Speaking about tourists, he said they expect an arrival of 300,000 in the first year, and 1,000,000 million by the end of the five-year period.
The new project will have the capacity to dock four vessels simultaneously, with the projection that more than 1,000,000 tourists will arrive annually with an average expenditure of between US$80 and US$100 per cruise passenger.
The opening date is estimated for December 15, 2023.
Likewise, the company's technical expert and marine biologist, Alonso Reyes, confirmed that the site where this new position is planned is mostly composed of sand, seagrass and slopes that lead to the submarine canyon, located in the center of the bay, where the ships will pass.
announced
that the design of this project will soon be presented to the Ministry of the Environment for its authorization.
ITM members will hold a meeting today with the Environmental Civil Society Organization (CSO) at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD).
Furthermore, they will later present the project to the communities of Pedernales, where a training and skills development program is also planned for the creation of decent jobs in this province, which seeks to develop the eco-friendly tourism offer and strengthen skills for people and integrate them into the provincial growth plan, through the economic boost of the region.
