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Matt,
Thank you! You are absolutely correct....and the authorities DID take
notice thanks to efforts of SAVE and individuals such as yourself
expressing concerns.
I was informed yesterday that the Secretary of Ecology visited the
SAVE office and expressed concern and will send a Technician to
the dump for an inspection this week. SAVE will continue to monitor the
dump as well as other environmental issues in the Akumal area.
Again, thanks for taking your time to do something positive.
Connie
http://www.cavediving.com/connie/ Ginnie Springs 904-454-2202
MAJ Matt Litchfield wrote:
>
> Connie,
> as requested I emaied each one and mentioned that if the cenotes are ruined
> my vacation $$ will go elsewhere. Didn't think a "Mother Earth" pitch would
> sink in as fast as a threat to the pocket book.
>
> Glad to help
> Matt
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Katherine Irvine [mailto:kirvine@sa*.ne*]
> > Sent: Sunday, July 04, 1999 11:04
> > To: Connie LoRe
> > Cc: cavers@cavers.com
> > Subject: Re: [Fwd: This is my Contribution.]
> >
> >
> > A good start would be to remove this guy and his pals from the area.
> >
> >
> > Connie LoRe wrote:
> > >
> > > Fellow Cave Divers,
> > >
> > > The attached regarding an environmental issue is forwarded for your
> > > information and in the hope that you will consider corresponding to the
> > > appropriate parties.
> > >
> > > Connie
> > > http://www.cavediving.com/connie/ Ginnie Springs 904-454-2202
> > > Yucatan Cave Trips Home 727-862-2676 voice/fax
> > > 18237 Oshawa Dr.,Hudson,FL 34667
> > >
> > > ---------------------------------------------------------------
> > >
> > > Subject: This is my Contribution.
> > > Date: Sat, 31 Jul 1999 10:13:55 -0400
> > > From: Steve Gerrard <104164.1441@co*.co*>
> > > To: Connie LoRe <connie97@gt*.ne*>
> > >
> > > AN ALARMING POTENTIAL DISASTER!
> > >
> > >
> > > By STEVE GERRARD
> > >
> > > Jack and Jill had just climbed out of the entrance of
> > SISTEMA VACA
> > > HA from a glorious cave
> > > dive exploring new passageways looking for the mystery connection to the
> > > SISTEMA CARWASH. They knew they were within 150 feet (45
> > meters) from the
> > > downstream passage known as "THE DRAIN". In their excitement, they
> > > compared their mental notes and ideas of what could be the "key" to the
> > > doorway of making another historical connection between two
> > different cave
> > > systems. Several connections have been made during 1999
> > between separate
> > > cave systems and they wanted to add their names to this very productive
> > > year of underwater cave exploration in the Riviera Maya of
> > Mexico's Yucatan
> > > peninsula.
> > >
> > > Removing their equipment and laying it down in their van,
> > they begin
> > > stripping their wetsuits and drying off their wet bodies with
> > towels. Jill
> > > quickly noticed her skin on her left arm was blotched with patches of a
> > > bright red pigmentation. Odd, perhaps it was the insect
> > repellent she had
> > > used prior to the dive that caused this. Suddenly, looking
> > down at her
> > > ankles she saw her skin had erupted into large boils leaking a
> > yellow puss.
> > > The smell that drifted slowly upward knock her head back as
> > her nostrils
> > > caught the bitter stench. In the same moment, Jack ran from
> > back of the
> > > van screaming in horror holding his crotch area. His entire
> > stomach area
> > > was covered with shreds of skin as if boiling pizza hot out of the oven.
> > > Pulling his hands away, Jack saw in disbelief a grisly and bloody mess
> > > hanging from his groin. Jill fainted falling to the ground.
> > What the hell
> > > was going on?
> > >
> > > Now that I have your undivided attention, all the above
> > could be true
> > > in the near future. It is possible. What happened to Jack & Jill?
> > >
> > > In recent years, an eruption of construction and growth has evolved
> > > along Mexico's Caribbean coast now known as the Riviera Maya. A clever
> > > marketing tool to promote and build a giant tourist destination
> > and money
> > > machine for the Mexican government and those who claim the
> > position of the
> > > elite. Obvious corruption and irresponsibility is largely to
> > blame. Hey,
> > > there's nothing wrong with making money, right? But when growth is not
> > > properly managed and a total disregard for the impact of the fragile
> > > ecosystems that exists in our beautiful area then something is terribly
> > > wrong. The fringing reefs in the Caribbean sea, the filtering mangroves
> > > that allow the perpetuation of life to continue and the
> > hundreds of cenotes
> > > that pilfer the jungle which represent the "windows" to most important
> > > ingredient to this entire story - the aquifer - our precious
> > water supply.
> > > These three specific areas all endure in a delicate balance of survival.
> > >
> > >
> > > Mexico has an extensive track record of being insensitive to the
> > > environment. When 10% of the population represents the ruling class and
> > > all the other people work hard and long hours just to eat and
> > survive, the
> > > importance of protecting the land, the resources and the future does not
> > > measure very high on the popularity scale. The lack of
> > education is the #1
> > > casualty. But, the good news is its changing. It is slowing
> > changing but
> > > will take many years to become better. Recognizing and preventing the
> > > problem would certainly be the superior approach but
> > unfortunately learning
> > > the "hard way" and fixing the problem(s) after it occurs always
> > seems to be
> > > the choice that dictates our human behavior. Maybe one day that will
> > > change too!
> > > So, let us focus on one problem, our problem as cave
> > divers. A
> > > year ago, the village of Tulum moved their local landfill from
> > the old site
> > > located at the corner of Highway 307 and the Coba road. That
> > was a smart
> > > move. (So you know, Sistema K'Oxul goes right under this
> > site.) Their
> > > choice for a new landfill site was stupid. Now, I will not
> > claim to know
> > > how the local politics works or the available sites to choose from (are
> > > there ever any good choices for garbage dumps?). This choice
> > is simple -
> > > it sucks. Why? It is located too close to several underwater cave
> > > systems. These caves represent the pipelines for the water
> > drainage for
> > > everything northwest of the Tulum area. With the porous
> > limestone and the
> > > extensive amount of rainfall each year, severe contamination to
> > the aquifer
> > > will occur. It's just a matter of time when we will see it.
> > > There are three cave systems in question:
> > > 1. Sistema Carwash
> > > 2. Sistema Vaca Ha
> > > 3. Sistema Touch Ha
> > > The jungle was cleared by bulldozers and covers an area of
> > 10 acres or
> > > ½ hectare. The landfill is located northwest of the Cenote Carwash by
> > > less than a kilometer. That is 3000 feet (900 meters) away
> > from the main
> > > opening to the surface. Let's not forget that there are two
> > more openings
> > > further upstream of this cave system. But, my money is
> > betting on Sistema
> > > Toucha Ha will see the first traces of corruption from this
> > garbage dump.
> > > It has an enormous upstream conduit that goes 7000 feet (2,121
> > meters) in a
> > > northwest direction south of Sistema Casrwash. This dump will
> > contaminate
> > > this cave very soon.
> > > Two weeks ago I took my cave diving class of three
> > students out to the
> > > landfill area to show them the problem and to take photos. The Mayan
> > > caretaker took me around and showed me SEVEN cenote openings
> > that meander
> > > down to the aquifer. One was stuffed with dead cow carcasses along with
> > > the typical trash. All seven openings had material stuffed in them. We
> > > found it appalling and disgusting.
> > > We looked for automobile batteries and other toxic and chemical
> > > contaminants with no success but I'm
> > > sure those types of materials exist. There was no evidence of
> > procedures
> > > to separate bad waste or any
> > > methods of recycling. This garbage dump is an environmental situation
> > > waiting to explode into a disaster.
> > > How do we solve this specific problem as a cave diving community?
> > > Why should you care about a problem in far away Mexico? I realize that
> > > North Florida has the same problems with surface contamination entering
> > > into its own aquifer system. It's happening all over the world.
> > Luckily,
> > > many people are doing the necessary actions to create the awareness and
> > > education to help correct those problems from continuing. And
> > that's by
> > > writing your local politicians and government officials expressing your
> > > concern and anguish about this important and critical issue.
> > You may live
> > > far away but if you enjoy cave diving the beautiful cenotes and
> > cave system
> > > of the Akumal - Tulum area then please help and get involved.
> > Yes, it's
> > > easy to ignore or care less about this little, isolated
> > problem. All the
> > > effort and work may not do a damn thing. But, if we don't try you will
> > > never know if you can make a difference. To many of us just
> > plow through
> > > life with blinders on ignoring everything that goes on that is
> > wrong or bad
> > > for our environment.
> > > What about the local population doing something? Well,
> > good question,
> > > tough answer. Most people lack the skills or the ability to express
> > > themselves. Like I said, when you are busting your ass to feed your
> > > family, things like a dump don't factor in. For those of us
> > who do have
> > > the ability and skills, you would think that they are doing their part.
> > > Fact or fantasy, that is the question.
> > > This is what we are asking of everyone within the cave diving
> > > community. Please write a short letter or e-mail to the
> > following people.
> > > It's not that difficult and it will only take a few minutes of
> > your time.
> > > Do not worry about language. The message will get across.
> > Please express
> > > your concern about the garbage dump of Tulum located 8 kilometers
> > > northwest on the Coba road. With consistent pressure from divers all
> > > around the world, each you can make a difference in making the political
> > > community and government agencies recognize that there is a
> > serious problem
> > > and their actions must correct this potentially deadly crisis.
> > Your help
> > > is asked.
> > > If enough people respond, these efforts will open the eyes of those
> > > who have the power and ability to makes changes better for the
> > future. No
> > > one wants to have what happened to Jack and Jill. You can make the
> > > difference.
> > >
> > > For more information contact:
> > > SAVE
> > >
> > > Society of
> > Akumal's Vital
> > > Ecology
> > > Email:
> > Internet:save@ce*.co*
> > > www.cenote.com/eclogy
> > > Telephone/Fax:
> > (011-52) 987-59020
> > >
> > > Please write to:
> > >
> > > -C. Lic. Ernesto Zedillo y Ponce de Leon
> > > Presidente Contitucional de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos
> > > Residencia Presidencia De La Pinos
> > > Puerto Central, Primer Piso, Col. San Miquel
> > > Chapultepec, CP 11850
> > > Mexico D.F.
> > > Fax: (011-52) 55-22-41-17
> > >
> > > -M. en C. Julia Carabias Lillo
> > > Secretaria del Medio Ambiente Recursoso Naturales y Pesca
> > > Lateral de Anillo Periferico Sur 4209, Piso 6
> > > Fracc. Jardines de la Montana
> > > Delegacion Tialpan, 14210
> > > Mexico. D.F.
> > > Internet: carabias@se*.dg*.un*.mx*
> > > Tel. (001-52) 56-28-06-02 y 628 0603
> > >
> > > -Ing. Pedro Alavarez - Icaza Longoria
> > > Director General de Ordenamiento Eciologico e Impacto Ambiental
> > > Instituto Nacional de Ecologia (INE)
> > > Av. Revolucion 1425-16
> > > Col. Tlacpac 01040
> > > Mexico D.F.
> > > Internet: dgoeia@in*.go*.mx* y palvarez@in*.go*.mx*
> > > Tel. (011-52) 56-24-33-66 y 67 Fax. (011-52) 56-24-35-87 y 624-3368
> > >
> > > -Biol. Magdallena Garcia Rendon.
> > > Directoria de Ordenamiento Ecologico
> > > Instituto Nacional de Ecologia (INE)
> > > Av. Revolucion 1425 nivel 5
> > > Col. Tlacopac. San Angel
> > > Alvaro Obregon 01040
> > > Mexico D.F.
> > > Internet: mrendon@in*.go*.mx* y doe@in*.go*.mx*
> > > Tel. (011-52) 56-24-33-77 Fax: (011-52) 56-24-33-68 y 624-3587
> > >
> > > -C. Enrique Provencio
> > > Presidente del Instituto Nacional de Ecologia
> > > Av. Revolcion 1425
> > > Col. Tlacopac San Angel
> > > Del. Alvaro Obregon
> > > Mexico D.F.
> > > Internet: cpdurazo@se*.un*.mx*
> > > Tel. (011-52) 56-24-34-00 al 03 Fax: (011-52) 56-24-34-98
> > >
> > > Sr. Joaquin Hendricks Diaz
> > > Gobernador Del Estado De Quintana Roo
> > > Calle 22 de Enero
> > > S/n Palacio Governo en Chetumal, Q. Roo 07000
> > > Mexico
> > > Tel. (011-52) 983-20266 ext. 110 Fax: (011-52) 983-24257
> >
> >
--
http://www.cavediving.com/connie/ Ginnie Springs 904-454-2202
Yucatan Cave Trips Home 727-862-2676 voice/fax
18237 Oshawa Dr.,Hudson,FL 34667
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