Surfrider Foundation: Rincón, Puerto Rico

WHAT'S AT RISK?

Tres Palmas photo

The Local Economy:

The Tres Palmas region is the 'economic engine' for the local tourist economy. Dr. Linwood Pendleton, Assistant Professor of International Relations and Environmental Studies at the University of Southern California, estimates that more that 60% of the formal workforce in Rincón, 56% of retail earnings in Rincón and more than 40% of the community's income are generated by coastal tourism. Major hotel and condominium changes will dramatically alter the current small business structure. Rincón is unique. Tourists come to Rincón to enjoy the unique small town qualities. They don't come for a heavily urbanized beach experience like you find in San Juan or Isla Verde. At first glance, the new development may appear to improve the local economy but this is only temporary. The resulting condos will do little to improve the economic situation in Rincón. In fact, they may make it worse by destroying one of the community's best assets — the pristine Tres Palmas beaches, waves and reefs. "Should the quality of the coastal and ocean resources of the area become impaired, it is likely that a large portion of Rincón's economy will be lost." Dr. Pendleton estimates that the value generated by coastal tourists that is at risk is greater than $51.9 million. Finally, the current local business structure guarantees that the money that surfers and other coastal tourists spend stays in Rincón.

Read the entire economic report by Dr. Linwood Pendleton.

The Environment:

Humpback Whales: Massive development and associated water quality impacts may impact the Humpback whale breeding and calving areas.
Sea Turtles: Nesting turtles are very sensitive to lights and noise. Massive coastal development will negatively impact turtle nesting.
The Reef: Coral reefs experts see coastal development as a direct threat to the coral reef. If the reef is negatively affected, fish populations will be at risk. The reef protects the coast from erosion, loss of a healthy reef could lead to coastal erosion and disappearing beaches. The reef is a major draw for tourists that come to snorkel. Corals reefs are a major source of biodiversity and marine productivity.
See the Natural Resources page for more info.

Quality of Life: sedimentation of coast

Tres Palmas is a popular local beach with public access to the beach and surfing. Development will threaten this access.
Massive hotel and condo development will stress the already weak infrastructure and could lead to diminished availability of drinking water, more frequent power failures, poor water quality, and traffic problems.
Carlos Lopez, the current mayor, sees beach access, availability of drinking water and power failures as the three biggest problems facing Rincón. Massive development will makes these problems worse.