He said one of the biggest sticking points has been the price the government is offering for farmers’ land, reportedly $8,000 for every manzana, a local unit of measurement that’s equivalent to 0.7 hectares, or 1.7 acres. Hernández and other residents rejected the price, which works out to $11,400 per hectare, or $4,600 per acre. (El Salvador uses the U.S. dollar and bitcoin as its official currencies.)
“They take four manzanas, three manzanas,” Hernández said. “They’re taking my livelihood from me. What can I do with $8,000 that they’re offering me per manzana? What can I do with $24,000?”
CEPA didn’t respond to Mongabay’s request for comment for this story.
In addition to relocating many families, construction of the airport would likely destroy mangroves in La Unión Bay and the protected El Tamarindo swamp. The surface area that would actually be affected is relatively small — the project covers between 1.9 and 2 hectares (4.7-4.9 acres). But conservationists say it could still have a significant ecological impact that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
“No matter how small the mangrove area is,” said José Maria Argueta, program director for local NGO the Mangrove Association, “it serves as a rest area for migratory birds and a livelihood for communities.”
A rendering of what the airport would look like. (Photo courtesy of CIPA)
Argueta said the mangroves are also a nursery for crabs, mollusks and other crustaceans. If they can’t reproduce, the species might decline, preventing residents from collecting and selling them — a common source of income in the area.
Mangroves and their soil are also excellent at capturing carbon, which is key to preventing the release of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.
The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN) didn’t respond to a request for comment. Its environmental impact study noted the importance of the wetland ecosystems of the area, and that threatened species like the critically endangered yellow-naped parrot (Amazona auropalliata) need to be taken into account during construction.
Under Bukele, MARN has worked with local communities to monitor mangroves, protect the yellow-naped parrot and support fisheries. But his government has also passed several laws that will make it easier for the airport project, among other controversial infrastructure projects, to bypass environmental regulations.
Last year, it passed an eminent domain law saying landowners “may be deprived of their property rights or legitimate patrimonial interests” if the development is considered to be in the public’s best interest. In April, it stripped standard oversight and transparency standards to accelerate railway and airport construction.
The April law passed with 67 votes in the 84-seat legislature, with some of the 17 opposed saying the weaker regulations could result in corruption as construction of the airport continues into 2023.
“We can’t continue on the path of destroying these ecosystems,” said Araujo, the former environment minister. “We have to understand how much value they have and what they provide to the well-being of our people and the region.”
Banner image: A rendering of what the airport would look like. (Photo courtesy of CIPA)
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Animals, Biodiversity, Birds, Climate Change, Development, Environmental Law, Environmental Politics, Fisheries, Infrastructure, Mangroves, Protected Areas, Wildlife, Wildlife Conservation
Central America, El Salvador, Latin America
Source link : https://news.mongabay.com/2022/11/critics-cite-threats-to-communities-mangroves-from-el-salvador-airport-plans/
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Publish date : 2022-11-15 03:00:00
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