11/17/2016

Gmail - RE: [EXTERNAL] Ferry Dock Construction/Reconstructions on Culebra, Puerto Rico

CORALationsCulebra<coralations@gmail.com>

RE:[EXTERNAL]FerryDockConstruction/ReconstructionsonCulebra,PuertoRico
2messages
Sasso,JohannMCIVUSARMYCESAJ(US)<Johann.M.Sasso@usace.army.mil>
Wed,Nov16,2016at10:35AM
To:CORALationsCulebra<coralations@gmail.com>,"HUDSON,THERESAB"<Theresa.B.Hudson@usace.army.mil>,
JosephCarbone<jcarbone@fs.fed.us>,JaimeLoichinger<JLoichinger@achp.gov>,LisamarieCarrubba
<lisamarie.carrubba@noaa.gov>,"Guerrero.Carmen@epa.gov"<Guerrero.Carmen@epa.gov>,"Enck.Judith@epa.gov"
<Enck.Judith@epa.gov>
Cc:MiyokoSakashita<miyoko@biologicaldiversity.org>,RupertoChaparro<ruperto.chaparro@upr.edu>,EdwinHernandez
Delgado<coral_giac@yahoo.com>,ArielLugo<alugo@fs.fed.us>
Mrs.Lucking:
Acknowledgereceiptofthisemail.Pleaserefertoresponsesenttoday,toyouremailreceived101916.
V/r,
JohannM.Sasso
ProjectManager
AnnexBuilding,FundacionAngelRamos
2ndFloor,Suite202
FranklinDelanoRooseveltAve.#383
SanJuan,PR00918
7877296860
johann.m.sasso@usace.army.mil

OriginalMessage
From:CORALationsCulebra[mailto:coralations@gmail.com]
Sent:Monday,November14,20163:12PM
To:Sasso,JohannMCIVUSARMYCESAJ(US)<Johann.M.Sasso@usace.army.mil>HUDSON,THERESAB
<Theresa.B.Hudson@usace.army.mil>JosephCarbone<jcarbone@fs.fed.us>JaimeLoichinger
<JLoichinger@achp.gov>LisamarieCarrubba<lisamarie.carrubba@noaa.gov>Guerrero.Carmen@epa.gov
Enck.Judith@epa.gov
Cc:MiyokoSakashita<miyoko@biologicaldiversity.org>RupertoChaparro<ruperto.chaparro@upr.edu>Edwin
HernandezDelgado<coral_giac@yahoo.com>ArielLugo<alugo@fs.fed.us>
Subject:Re:[EXTERNAL]FerryDockConstruction/ReconstructionsonCulebra,PuertoRico
DearMs.Sasso:
ThisistoinformyouthattheMayorofCulebra,andthechallengingMayoralcandidateonthepredominantlytwoparty
islandofCulebra,unitedtosignapetitionrequestingthatlocalpublichearingsbeheldfortheabovereferencedproject
onCulebra.
Wearealsowritingtoobtaincopiesofdocumentsreflectingrecentchangestothepermitapplicationbasedonagency
inputthroughthesect7process,aswellascopiesofpermitswhentheyareissuedbytheCorps.Wewouldverymuch
appreciateelectroniccopiesifpossible.
Belowyouwillfindlinkstoinformationregardingthepetitionsigned.OurunderstandingbasedontheOct25thpublic
meetingisthatneithertheCulebraFoundation,northemunicipalgovernmentwheredocumentswereleftaccordingto
FEMAatsomeunspecifieddateinSeptemberof2016,wereinformedofthe15daycommentperiod.
FEMAindicatedthattheapublicannouncementwasmadeinapaperonSept2,2016,butwehavestillseennoevidence
ofthis.
YouindicatedapublicnoticewassentoutSeptember29,2015,butwedon'tknowthroughwhatoffice.I'mfollowingupon
ourfirstrequest(below)toaskifyoucanpleasesenddocumentationofthisnotice.
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=bf7a11e4c1&view=pt&search=inbox&th=1586d9263cb2a271&siml=1586d9263cb2a271

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Gmail - RE: [EXTERNAL] Ferry Dock Construction/Reconstructions on Culebra, Puerto Rico

Linkstorecentpetitioninfo:
Petition:
Blockedhttps://www.scribd.com/book/330265367
Article:
MiPuertoRicoVerde
Blockedhttp://www.miprv.com/contrincantespoliticosexigenvistaspublicasenculebraporconstrucciondemuellesde
ferry/
Blog:
Blockedhttps://hiramasantiago.wordpress.com/2016/11/14/culebrensesunidostrasconstrucciondenuevomuelle/?
iframe=true&theme_preview=true
TheArmyCorpspermittingprocessalsobearsanobligationtocomplytoNEPArequirementsformeaningfulpublic
participationwheretheprojectmayposeimpactstohistoric,archeologicandnaturalresourcesofparticularconcern.This
isparticularlyimportantforthetraditionallyunderserved,lowincome,environmentaljusticecommunityfoundontheisland
ofCulebra,PuertoRico.
Thankyou,
MaryAnnLucking
CORALations
POBOX750
Culebra,PR00775
7875566234
email:coralations@gmail.com<mailto:coralations@gmail.com>
Blockedwww.coralations.org<Blockedhttp://www.coralations.org>
<><<><<><
OnOct19,2016,at3:30PM,CORALationsCulebra<coralations@gmail.com<mailto:coralations@gmail.com>>wrote:

DearMs.Sasso:
Thankyouverymuchforyourrecentcommunication.
Wearerelievedtolearnthisisbeingevaluatedasanindividualpermit,andnotageneralpermit.Itishowever
astoundingthataprojectthatposesimpactstoallofthepeopleofCulebra,involvesmultiplecriticalhabitatlistedwaters,
listedspeciesandthatisproposingdirectandadverseimpactstooneofthelastremainingareasonCulebrathatenjoys
archeological/historicintegrity,wouldnothavetoprovideacompleteEISandholdformalpublichearingsontheisland.
AsFEMAconcludestheirreportfortheCorps'submission,pleasebeawarethatnomeaningfulpublicparticipation
hasbeenenjoyedontheislandofCulebratodate.
InameetingwiththeMayorofCulebralastMondayweweretoldthattheplansforthe2.5milliondollarfloating
auxillarydockwerescrappedandnowtherearenewplanstobuildacementdock.Weseethisaspositive,butwouldlike
theopportunitytoreviewthenewschematicsandcommentontheproposedchanges.ThefinalEArecentlyposted
onlineforthisproject,doesnotincludetherecentandsubstantivechangefromfloatingdocktocementdock,andwas
providedinEnglishonlytothetraditionallyunderserved,lowincome,environmentaljusticecommunityofCulebra.
Werespectfullyrequestyourassistancewiththefollowing:
1)Pleaseletusknowifthepublicwillhaveanopportunitytocommentonrecentsubstantivechangesmadetothe
EA,asthisisnotentirelycleartousfromyouremail.Pleaseexplainwhatweneedtodotoinsurethatwe,asinterested
party's,arenotifiedofanyfuturehearingsorcommentdeadlines.
2)Pleaseprovideuswiththepointofcontact,addressandemailforFEMAonthisproject,sowecanimmediately
requestanEIS.
3)PleasesendacopyofthepublicnoticeyoureferenceforSept29,2015regardingthisproject.
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=bf7a11e4c1&view=pt&search=inbox&th=1586d9263cb2a271&siml=1586d9263cb2a271

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Gmail - RE: [EXTERNAL] Ferry Dock Construction/Reconstructions on Culebra, Puerto Rico

4)WeareformallyrequestingthattheCorpsofEngineersholdpublichearingsonthemunicipalislandofCulebra,
shouldFEMAand/orthePortsAuthority,theprojectproponents,ultlimatelytofailtodoso.
5)WearerequestingthattherecentsubstantivechangesberesubmittedtoNMFSandUSFWSforSection7
oversight,aswellasPuertoRicoCoastalZoneConsistency.
Thankyouverymuch,
Sincerely,
MaryAnnLucking
Director
CORALations
P.O.Box750
Culebra,PR00775
Blockedwww.coralations.org<Blockedhttp://www.coralations.org/>
787.556.6234<tel:787.556.6234>
email:maryann@coralations.org<mailto:maryann@coralations.org>,coralations@gmail.com
<mailto:coralations@gmail.com>

TrabajandoconcomunidadesdelCaribeparaprotegeryrestaurar
susarrecifesdecoral.
<<><<<>>><>>
WorkingwithCaribbeancommunitiestoprotectandrestoretheircoralreefs.
OnWed,Oct19,2016at8:08AM,Sasso,JohannMSAJ<Johann.M.Sasso@usace.army.mil
<mailto:Johann.M.Sasso@usace.army.mil>>wrote:
Ms.Lucking:
I'mtheProjectManagerconductingtheCorpsevaluationforthisproject.Thisprojectisbeingevaluatedasan
IndividualPermitbutallcoordinationwithfederalandlocalagenciesinordertocomplywithNEPA,ESASection7,
MagnusonStevensActandanyother,wereconductedbyFEMAastheyarethefederalleadagencyprovidingfundsfor
thisproject.APublicNoticewasissuedSeptember29,2015informingthepublicoftheproposedproject.Allchanges
mustbecoordinatedwiththepertinentagencies,andoncetheCorpsisinreceiptoftheinformationthiswillbe
corroborated.FEMAiscurrentlydevelopingthefinalenvironmentaldocumentsinconjunctionwithPRPortAuthority,and
ATKINS(consultant).IfyouwanttorequestanEIS,shouldbethroughFEMAbutatthispointtheyarealreadyconcluding
theirdocumentationtosubmitforCorpsevaluation.
Thankyou
JMS

OriginalMessage
From:Acevedo,NoelSAJ
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Gmail - RE: [EXTERNAL] Ferry Dock Construction/Reconstructions on Culebra, Puerto Rico

Sent:Monday,October17,20163:11PM
To:CORALationsCulebra<coralations@gmail.com<mailto:coralations@gmail.com>>
Subject:RE:[EXTERNAL]FerryDockConstruction/ReconstructionsonCulebra,PuertoRico
Ms.Lucking:
PleaseaddresstheadministrativepermitprocessingquestionstoJohannSasso.
NoelAcevedoMndez
AssistantDistrictCounsel
AntillesOffice
JacksonvilleDistrict
USACE
(787)7296877<tel:%28787%297296877>

OriginalMessage
From:CORALationsCulebra[mailto:coralations@gmail.com<mailto:coralations@gmail.com>]
Sent:Monday,October17,201612:55PM
To:Acevedo,NoelSAJ<Noel.Acevedo@usace.army.mil<mailto:Noel.Acevedo@usace.army.mil>>
Cc:maryann@coralations.org<mailto:maryann@coralations.org>Rivera,JoseJSAJ
<Jose.J.Rivera@usace.army.mil<mailto:Jose.J.Rivera@usace.army.mil>>Hudson,TheresaSAJ
<Theresa.B.Hudson@usace.army.mil<mailto:Theresa.B.Hudson@usace.army.mil>>
Subject:[EXTERNAL]FerryDockConstruction/ReconstructionsonCulebra,PuertoRico
HelloLic.Acevedo:
ThankyouforsendingtheJPAregardingtheferrydockreconstructionandconstructionprojectsproposedfor
Culebra,PuertoRico.Willthechangesyoumentionrestarttheprocessofcoastalzoneconsistencyandsection7
evaluationover?
WhattypeofUSArmyCorpsofEngineersPermitisbeingappliedforhere?
AtthispointcanwerequestthatafullEISbecompletedforthisprojectthatenjoysmeaningfulpublic
participationfromthelocalcommunityofCulebragivenconcernsaboutlogistics,coastalwaterswithmultiplecritical
habitatlistings,multipleendangeredspeciesandimpactstohistoricresourcesoflowercamp?
OnMon,Oct17,2016at8:44AM,Acevedo,NoelSAJ<Noel.Acevedo@usace.army.mil
<mailto:Noel.Acevedo@usace.army.mil><mailto:Noel.Acevedo@usace.army.mil<mailto:Noel.Acevedo@usace.
army.mil>>>wrote:
DearMs.Lucking
Coralations,
Culebra,PR
YourbelowFOIArequestwasforwardedtotheundersignedonthe13thofthismonth.YourFOIAdoes
nothaveanArmyFOIAIDnumberduetoproblemswiththemainArmyFOIAwebpage.Assoonastheproblemis
correctedanumberwillbeassignedandforwardedtoyou.Yourrequestforexemptionforsearchandreproductioncosts
hasbeengranted.Responsetoyourrequestisattached.AccordingtoMr.JohanSassotheoriginaljointpermit
applicationwassubmittedin2014,theprojectispendinganewsubmittalwithfinaldesignsresourceagency
consultationsandenvironmentaldocumentationwillfollowoncethenewpermitapplicationisfiledandfoundcomplete.
V/R
NoelAcevedoMndez
AssistantDistrictCounsel
AntillesOffice
JacksonvilleDistrict
USACE
(787)7296877<tel:%28787%297296877><tel:%28787%297296877>
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=bf7a11e4c1&view=pt&search=inbox&th=1586d9263cb2a271&siml=1586d9263cb2a271

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Gmail - RE: [EXTERNAL] Ferry Dock Construction/Reconstructions on Culebra, Puerto Rico

OriginalMessage
From:Hudson,TheresaSAJ
Sent:Thursday,October13,201612:49PM
To:Acevedo,NoelSAJ<Noel.Acevedo@usace.army.mil<mailto:Noel.Acevedo@usace.army.mil>
<mailto:Noel.Acevedo@usace.army.mil<mailto:Noel.Acevedo@usace.army.mil>>>Rivera,JoseJSAJ
<Jose.J.Rivera@usace.army.mil<mailto:Jose.J.Rivera@usace.army.mil><mailto:Jose.J.Rivera@usace.army.mil
<mailto:Jose.J.Rivera@usace.army.mil>>>
Subject:FW:[EXTERNAL]FOIAREQUESTRESPONSE(UNCLASSIFIED)
CLASSIFICATION:UNCLASSIFIED
Here'swhatshesentme.
OriginalMessage
From:CORALationsCulebra[mailto:]
Sent:Thursday,October13,201611:57AM
To:Hudson,TheresaSAJ<Theresa.B.Hudson@usace.army.mil<mailto:Theresa.B.Hudson@
usace.army.mil><mailto:Theresa.B.Hudson@usace.army.mil<mailto:Theresa.B.Hudson@usace.army.mil>>>
Subject:[EXTERNAL]FOIAREQUESTRESPONSE
HelloTeresa:
IamwritingyoutoseeifyoucanpleasebeofassistanceregardingconfirmationofreceiptofFOIA
requests.SincetheJacksonvilleDistricttookdowntheirautomatedelectronicFOIAsubmittalform,wedependon
JacksonvilleFOIAcontactemailandtheattorneyatAntillesbranchtoconfirmreceiptofFOIA.
Herearethetworequestswesentoveraweekago.
Thesearetimesensitive.
Thankyouverymuch,

MaryAnnLucking
Director
CORALations
P.O.Box750
Culebra,PR00775
BlockedBlockedBlockedwww.coralations.org<Blockedhttp://BlockedBlockedwww.coralations.org>
<Blockedhttp://BlockedBlockedwww.coralations.org<Blockedhttp://Blockedwww.coralations.org>>
<Blockedhttp://Blockedwww.coralations.org<Blockedhttp://www.coralations.org><Blockedhttp://Blockedwww.
coralations.org<Blockedhttp://www.coralations.org>>>
787.556.6234<tel:787.556.6234><tel:787.556.6234<tel:787.556.6234>>
email:<mailto:maryann@coralations.org<mailto:maryann@coralations.org>
<mailto:maryann@coralations.org<mailto:maryann@coralations.org>>>,coralations@gmail.com
<mailto:coralations@gmail.com><mailto:coralations@gmail.com<mailto:coralations@gmail.com>>
<mailto:coralations@gmail.com<mailto:coralations@gmail.com><mailto:coralations@gmail.com
<mailto:coralations@gmail.com>>>

TrabajandoconcomunidadesdelCaribeparaprotegeryrestaurar

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Gmail - RE: [EXTERNAL] Ferry Dock Construction/Reconstructions on Culebra, Puerto Rico

susarrecifesdecoral.
<<><<<>>><>>
WorkingwithCaribbeancommunitiestoprotectandrestoretheircoralreefs.
CLASSIFICATION:UNCLASSIFIED

MaryAnnLucking
Director
CORALations
P.O.Box750
Culebra,PR00775
BlockedBlockedwww.coralations.org<Blockedhttp://Blockedwww.coralations.org><Blockedhttp://Blockedwww.
coralations.org<Blockedhttp://www.coralations.org>>
787.556.6234<tel:787.556.6234>
email:maryann@coralations.org<mailto:maryann@coralations.org><mailto:maryann@coralations.org
<mailto:maryann@coralations.org>>,coralations@gmail.com<mailto:coralations@gmail.com>
<mailto:coralations@gmail.com<mailto:coralations@gmail.com>>

TrabajandoconcomunidadesdelCaribeparaprotegeryrestaurar
susarrecifesdecoral.
<<><<<>>><>>
WorkingwithCaribbeancommunitiestoprotectandrestoretheircoralreefs.

CORALationsCulebra<coralations@gmail.com>
Thu,Nov17,2016at10:48AM
DraftTo:"Sasso,JohannMCIVUSARMYCESAJ(US)"<Johann.M.Sasso@usace.army.mil>
Cc:"HUDSON,THERESAB"<Theresa.B.Hudson@usace.army.mil>,JosephCarbone<jcarbone@fs.fed.us>,Jaime
Loichinger<JLoichinger@achp.gov>,LisamarieCarrubba<lisamarie.carrubba@noaa.gov>,"Guerrero.Carmen@epa.gov"
<Guerrero.Carmen@epa.gov>,"Enck.Judith@epa.gov"<Enck.Judith@epa.gov>,MiyokoSakashita
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=bf7a11e4c1&view=pt&search=inbox&th=1586d9263cb2a271&siml=1586d9263cb2a271

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Gmail - RE: [EXTERNAL] Ferry Dock Construction/Reconstructions on Culebra, Puerto Rico

<miyoko@biologicaldiversity.org>,RupertoChaparro<ruperto.chaparro@upr.edu>,EdwinHernandezDelgado
<coral_giac@yahoo.com>,ArielLugo<alugo@fs.fed.us>
DearMs.Sasso:
Imsorry,itisnotcleartomewhatyoumeanby:
"Pleaserefertoresponsesenttoday,toyouremailreceived101916."Doesthismeanyouwillbeabletosendthe
documentationofthepublicnoticeyousaidwentoutin2015,andcanyoukeepusinformedregardingthestateofthe
permitswiththeCorps?
TotryandcommunicateourperspectiveasasmallenvironmentalNGO,wearechallengedwiththetaskofnurturing
environmentalstewardshipintheenvironmentaljusticecommunityofCulebra.Westruggletodothisagainstthebackdrop
ofcoastalecosystemscurrentlybeingravagedbyclimatechange.Ecologicalfragmentation(e.g."deathbyathousand
cuts")frommultipleprojectsmovingbothlegalandillegally,arecarvingupthesmallisland.Weenjoylittletono
enforcementandthatwhichwedoenjoyistypicallyafterthedamageisdone.Asecologicalintegritydeclines,sodeclines
themotivationandenthusiasmofthoseneededtohelpdefendthewatersanddefendthenature.Thetaskofcreating
strongstewardsisonethatmustrespectandcherishthepastandtheexcitingancestralrelationshipthisculturehaswith
theirnaturalresources.Futurestewardshipdependsongraspinganunderstandingofyourhistoricalrelationshiptothe
nature,thefunctionalservicesnatureprovides,aswellastheservicesthathavebeenlosttoextinctionslargelyaresultof
humanabuseorneglect.
NowhereintheEAistheadjacentUSNationalWildlifeRefuge,CaoBruleyevenmentioned.Themouthofthiswetlands
lagoonislessthan350mfromtheprojectsite.Thisamazinglabyrinthofredmangrovesisnestinggroundsforeasily
startledanddisturbedseabirds.thisisanurseryareafortheWestIndianmanatee,mentionedinaletterbutnever
discussedintheEAundertheinformationaboutmanateeknowntobeinthearea.
ThewatersofCaoBruleyarealsobioluminescent,nevermentionedintheEAnorinanyagencyletters.
Thecaoisashelteredandsafeareaforkidstokayakatnight.Doorstotheimaginationareopenedtoseethiscoastal
areaandcontemplatewhattheseshoresandwaterswerelikeattheturnofthecentury,whentheirSpanishancestors
begancolonizingtheisland.ThefirsttownwasestablishedatthehistoricLowerCampareaandnamedSanIldefonsoafter
theBishopofToledo,Spain.AtthistimeanAntilleanbrother,WilliamBruleymovedtoCulebrafromTortola,andfellinlove
withawomenwhosegrandsonisnowalocalcommunityeldernamedSikito.WilliamBruley'shasdecedentsthatalsolive
onTortola.TheredmangroveCaonearLowerCampisnamedinthememoryofWilliamBruley.
KidsonanexcursioncanimagineseeingBruley'ssilhouetteagainstthelightoftheragingcampfire,littokeepthe
mosquito'satbayonastillnight,andtoilluminatenighttimetaskslikethemendingoffishnetsforthenextday'shunting.
Thefirsttownofthecolonistswasshortlived,asCulebrabecamespoilsoftheSpanishAmericanwarin1892.In1903the
LowerCampareawastakenoverbytheU.S.NavyandthetownofSanIldefonsowasrelocatedandrenamedDewey,after
athenpopularU.S.Admiral,GeorgeDewey,theonlypersonintheUnitedStatestoeverattaintherankofNavyAdmiral.It
turnsoutthatAdmiralDeweywasoneofthefirstbigcelebritiesintheUnited
AdmiralDeweyevenhadmerchandisewithtoyshipsanddollsfashionedafterhisownlikeness.Itturnsoutthatmany
placeswerenamedafterDeweyatthistime,althoughonCulebraithasalwaysstruckpeopleasbitincongruousthatthe
townofCulebrabearshisname.
TheLowerCampthenbecamethebaseofoperationsforwhatwouldbedecadesofuseoftheislandformilitarytarget
practice.For7decadesCulebrawasbombed,andkidsatthattimesleptintheirclothsincasetheyhadtoevacuatetheir
housesintheeventabombovershotthetargetareaandlodgedintheirtinroof.Apparentlythiswasnotanuncommon
occurrence,andpeoplewiselyranfromthehousefirst,andthenassessedifitwasadummybomblater.Livebombswere
firedonCulebraandcontaminatethelandstoday.Atthetimeofthisoccupation,thepeopleofCulebrawerenumberedand
trackediftheyheadedtotheeastcoastofPuertoRicoforsupplies.Asloopferriedpeoplebackandforth.Thebuildings
andstructuresthatremainatthelowercampstandasatestamenttothecommunityoflessthan1,000familieswho
managedtoendthisabuseoftheirpeoplethroughactionsofpassiveresistance.

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WatersthatGlowandTainoIndians
CaoBruleyisalsoashelteredareasafeforkidstokayakatnightandimaginetheexcitingtimesandcultureofthepre
ColumbianTainoIndianswholivedthere.OndarknightsTainoswouldharpoonfishbetrayedbythebioluminescentwaters
thatglowasfishpassthroughthemintheshallows.PerhapstheTainosweregreetedbythebarksofharborsealsalong
theseshores?Aspeciessincedriventoextinctionfromoverexploitation.TheTainosatLowerCampwerethehubof
settlementsscatteredthroughouttheisland.Tortolo,PlayaMosquito,PlayaTamarindo,Sardineraandnowburiedunderthe
CostaBonitacondoresort.CulebraTainoscanoedtotheEastCoastofPuertoRico17milesawaytolaunchstrategicraids
againsttheSpanishConquistadorswhoweretorturingandenslavingtheirpeople.Theystruckwithsuchferocitythatthe
SpaniardsrecordingthehistorydemonizedthemasthesavageandcannibalisticCaribeIndians,alsoadehumanizing
characterizationoftheCaribeindianculture.However,theartifactsfoundwhereworkisproposedbythisprojectatLower
Camp,providetheevidencethattheCampwasafterall,inhabitedonlybyTainos.
TheBruleyareaofEnsenadaHondaisalsohometothehugefishingbatswhoflyalongtheshoresoftheharborand
snatchfishfromtheirglowingsurfaceripples.Kidscanenticetheseimpressivecreaturestoapproachbymakingripples
thatmimicafishwiththetossofasmallpebble.Iftheyarelucky,theycancatchaglimpseofthebat'sbulldogfacial
features,asthelargecreaturesswooppasttheirkayaks.
IsupposeavirtualrealityvideogamecouldbedesignedtomimicsuchanexperiencebutIdon'tbelieveitwouldbeas
healthyasanexcursionthatteacheshistory,exercisestheimaginationaswellasthebody,andinstructsaboutthecultural
connectivityofapeopletotheirnaturalresourcesthatthissitepresents.
Theconcernisthatthisprojectthatwillimpacteveryresidentandmanytouristshashadnolocalpublichearing
onthisisland.TheprojectismovinginwatersthatenjoymultipleCriticalHabitatdesignationsthattookyears,many
agenciesandfederaldollarstodesignate.Theprojectismovinginwaterswithlistedspeciesthatinsomecasesour
organizationcollaboratedoncommentandsubsequentlegalactionstoattain.Theprojectmovesinwhatmaythebethe
lastareaofCulebra,eligibleforlistingasaNationalHistoricsite,theintegrityofwhichwouldbedecimatedbytheproposed
parkinglotandassociatedsecurity.
FalsePremise?
Theprojectproponentstreattheparkingasmandatorywhenourmainferryterminaldoesnotenjoyparking.Theyinsistthat
theonlywaytomodifytheexistingauxillarydockwouldbetodredgeandcarveintoahillsidetomakeparking.They
providenobenthicevidencethatwouldsupportconclusionsdrawnregardingthePuntaAloedredging.Infact,thebenthic
substrateismorelikelytowithstandpropellorresuspensionatPuntaAloethanintheshallow,fineparticulatemuddywaters
nearlowercamp.Lowercampresuspensionwillbelethaltoarealistedresourcesandlistedhabitats.
Isthereanalternative?
Weknowthereisanotheralternativethatwouldaccommodateeveryoneandmakebestuseoffedfundsforworkthat
wouldbeoflongtermbenefitforthecommunity.ThisincludeswideningareasoftheroadtoPuntaAloesocarscanalign
alongtheside,insteadofhavingahugelot.ThisiswhatisdoneinFajardowhenthestagingsiteisclosed,andwhathas
alwaysbeendoneatCulebra'sprimarydockfordecades.Weknowtheroadtotheauxillarydockisalreadywiderinmany
areas,anditisfurtherabovesealevelthantheZoniroad,increasingitschancesofsurvivingahurricane,thelikely
scenariothatwouldleavethecommunityinneedofanauxillarydock.TheexistingcementdockatPuntaAloewouldonly
havetobewidened15feetoneitherside.AlthoughtheprojecthasmovedthroughanEAandenjoyedSection7oversight,
uponreviewoftheEAthereweremanyagencycommentsandproposedchanges,butnochangestoprojectschematics.
Schematicshavenotchangedoverthepastfewyears.
Wearereadingtheinteragencycommunicationswhichraisedconcernsregardingcumulativeimpactsthatwouldextend
wellbeyondthefootprintoftheprojectsite.Proponentsignoredtheseconcernsasnotbeingwithintheprojectproponents
jurisdictionaloversight.However,theCulebrensescannotignorethemandwonthavethefundstoaddresssubsequent
problems.
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11/17/2016

Gmail - RE: [EXTERNAL] Ferry Dock Construction/Reconstructions on Culebra, Puerto Rico

Wewillcontinuetorequestthatmeaningfulpublichearingsbeheldonisland.Ifpublichearingsareheldwewill
considerinvestinginstudiestoproveourpointsregardingCulebra'scurrentauxillarydockbeingtebestlocation
fordocking,withsomework.
[Quotedtexthidden]

MaryAnnLucking
Director
[Quotedtexthidden]

www.coralations.org
787.556.6234
email:maryann@coralations.org,coralations@gmail.com

TrabajandoconcomunidadesdelCaribeparaprotegeryrestaurar
susarrecifesdecoral.
<<><<<>>><>>
WorkingwithCaribbeancommunitiestoprotectandrestoretheircoralreefs.

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