Profepa imposed the total temporary closure of the works and activities of the project “Construction of a dam for rainwater harvesting” in Oaxaca
The Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) imposed the total temporary closure of the works and activities of the project “Construction of a dam for rainwater harvesting” in the state of Oaxaca.
The project is located in the “Los Copales del Cerro Viejo” area, belonging to the municipality of Santa Catarina Minas, Central Valleys region, and was closed for not having the authorization in terms of environmental impact from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT).
Likewise, “it represents an imminent risk of ecological imbalance in an area of 4,437 square meters,” the institution reported.
Through a communication, he explained that this precautionary measure was applied after an inspection visit carried out by his staff in response to a citizen complaint.
Profepa personnel verified the execution of works in a total area of 4,437 square meters, corresponding to the project carried out by the municipality of Santa Catarina Minas,” he said.
He explained that among the irregularities detected, the opening of an access gap of 790 linear meters and an average width of 3 meters was found, equivalent to an area of 2,370 square meters, where clearing and clearing of natural vegetation was carried out.
In addition, he specified that the construction of a hydraulic work consisting of a rainwater catchment dam in the operation and maintenance stage in an area of 2,067 square meters was confirmed.
For this reason, it stressed that it determined to impose as a security measure the total temporary closure of the inspected site, because these works and activities were carried out without the corresponding authorization and because they are considered within the assumptions established in Article 28 of the General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection, as well as in Article Five of its Regulations on Environmental Impact Assessment.
In this way, he said that he has initiated the corresponding administrative procedure and will be substantiated according to law to determine the responsibilities and the appropriate measures.
The institution said that the authorization in terms of environmental impact is an essential requirement to prevent damage to ecosystems and guarantee the development of the works under sustainability criteria.
Source: Excelsior
