THE BEACHFRONT AT LA Peņita
The Issue
The beach in La Peņita has eroded greatly in the past 30 years. The flow of
water and sand generally runs from North toward Southwest resulting in greater
deposits of sand on the southernmost corner of Guayabitos Bay. In the 1970's
a study was commissioned and paid for by an American doctor who frequented this
area and was concerned for the welfare of the beaches. The study was done by
the American Army Corps of Engineers and concluded that a number of
breakwaters, mainly constructed of large stones or boulders and
extending a distance out into the water would help slow or stop the erosion.
The government of the day reacted but in the end, constructed only a few of the
burms needed to do the job. It is noteworthy that the erosion which has taken place has caused significant
damage to the cemetery on the north side of La PeÃąita and the beach area south
of the La Peņita trailer park.
What's Being Done
In May of 2007, the Corps of Engineers in Los Angeles was contacted
and asked to try to provide a copy of the study, with the hopes the current
government could verify the benefits of concluding the construction. After two
requests, the study or a copy thereof has not been provided. Another marine
engineer has been contacted and has offered to do a survey at a greatly
reduced (below retail) cost. Our interests probably lie in approaching the
governments to determine what course of action they would intend, should a
professional engineering study indicate that the advice from the 70's is valid
today.
Another situation related to the beaches is the current number of buildings
which may be illegal insofar as their positioning is concerned. The federal
zone is that stretch of beach which is measured 20 meters inland from the high
average tide line and is not meant for buildings. Many of the existing and
uninhabited buildings are in extremely poor and unsightly condition. The
residents of La Peņita have repeatedly suggested that a major clean-up of the
beach take place, including removal of uninhabited or overly dilapidated
buildings and the building of a malecon or beach walk and a wall to maintain the
sand on the beach. Plans have apparently been drawn however work has yet to
start.
Additionally, foreign residents and business owners have repeatedly asked that
action be taken to correct the situation in regards to the cemetery. It appears
that governments at any level do not agree that action is needed
La Peņita Beachfront
Report from meeting held February 11, 2008
Bob Gibbs reported that some transients are occupying the Empajada which is a derelict building on the beach and these men are very gross and perhaps dangerous so do not give them money when they beg or approach you. It seems this building is having work done to it to perhaps open for the Holy Week when a lot of tourists come to the beach. It was suggested we attempt to prevent this from happening.
Report from meeting held January 15, 2008
Bob Gibbs reported that letters have not yet been written to Government officials but will be drafted soon. Bob reviewed the beach and cemetery erosion problem and the steps Los Amigos will take to correct the problems. The other issue is the illegal buildings that are present on the 20 meter zone from the high water line, these structures must be removed to accommodate the proposed Malecon.
Report from meeting held December 10, 2007
As soon as the correct government agency is identified, a letter will be written to that agency
asking what they are prepared to do to prevent further erosion of the beach and cemetery. The proposed Malaccan project for La Peņita was discussed and it is planned to also find out the status on that.
Report from meeting held November 26, 2007
Los Amigos beach committee will be sending a letter to government officials asking what they are prepared to do to prevent further erosion of La Peņita's beach and cemetery bordering the beach. Once we get a definite commitment from the government that they are willing to invest funds to correct this problem, we will go ahead with a new marine engineer report along with the old US Army Corp of Engineers report to state what action must be taken to resolve this problem. In other words, why spend the money for a new report if the government is not going to correct the problem.
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