LaManzanilla Clean Beach project
Posted by Mary Jo  on March 6, 2015, 2:41 pm
66.187.64.112
I heard that a few people were upset about the lagoon drainage. We are all having a hard time understanding how this smell can be good for us. However, we (Ari: Tierralegre) Mary Jo and Gerardo are taking steps to understand the problem and do action steps, rather than inspire ill will. 1) We gathered signatures in November and December 2) We asked and received 3 samples of the ocean-water done by U of Guad, and will compare to the water samples taken 2009-2010. 3) We are informing the Ejido of all our steps 4) We are in cooperation with Dennis Kalson, who is a resident of LaManzanilla who has studied and solved sewer and water problems all over the world. 5) We are inviting the Engineers Without Borders to visit us in July-August, whose investigation will pinpoint the problems found in the sewer system. We are working on providing them with housing, food, recreation and as much pre-data as we can find. 6) We are investigating the possibility of applying for a CLEAN BEACH stamp of approval from the "Blue Flag Program". You can find out about them on the Web. The 3 goals of the Blue Flag program is a) monitor the quality of the water; b) Provide environmental management for the town c) Environmental Education IF we qualify, our town can fly the Blue Flag which is a great invitation to tourists world-wide as well as residents. 7) We are meeting one on one with the officials in all the levels: CEA, Semarnat, Tourist Dept, the Municipality, Conagua etc. We are bringing the signatures; data from the Centro Salud re: sicknesses from ocean-water-born diseases, the evidence of water samples; and the information about the Engineers without Borders. We are petitioning these officials and whomever else is appropriate, after the June elections, to help us solve the problems here. The municipal budget comes due in December. Our goal is to be the squeaky wheel that makes a sound loud enough to repair the sewer system. We are using the assistance of experts and an attitude of positivity and confidence that we, together with all of you, can make a change. If you want more information or want to help please email: tierralegreac@gmail.com
http://www.ewb-usa.org
http://www.blueflag.org
|
------------------------Re: LaManzanilla Clean Beach project
Posted by shane on March 6, 2015, 4:03 pm, in reply to "LaManzanilla Clean Beach project"
74.192.131.201|
Kudos for taking positive action !
|
------------------------Re: LaManzanilla Clean Beach project
Posted by Erin on March 6, 2015, 4:41 pm, in reply to "Re: LaManzanilla Clean Beach project"
187.148.135.222|
I think it was more than just the drainage, however, thank you for both the positive action and update. We are all concerned about a healthy La Manzanilla (even the Crocs)
|
------------------------Re: LaManzanilla Clean Beach project
Posted by Vicki and Robin on March 6, 2015, 4:57 pm, in reply to "LaManzanilla Clean Beach project"
187.148.186.195|
Fantastic! Thank you to all at Tierralegre for doing this.
|
------------------------Re: LaManzanilla Clean Beach project
Posted by Larry F on March 7, 2015, 9:52 am, in reply to "Re: LaManzanilla Clean Beach project"
189.164.250.10
Way to go, Mary Jo. Walk the talk.
The Blue Flag Program captures my interest. A very appealing goal, although judging from the stated guidelines, there would be some huge challenges here in La Manz., such as:
- stopping further development on the beach
- preventing vehicular traffic on the beach
- stopping outflow of contaminated water, including sewage system discharge
- providing sanitation facilitiesfor beach visitors
- providing recycling facilities
All these are likely possible with local government support, although containing beach development may not be possible without some kind of park designation.
|
------------------------Re: LaManzanilla Clean Beach project
Posted by mark on March 7, 2015, 10:17 am, in reply to "Re: LaManzanilla Clean Beach project"
64.134.156.21|
Thank you for the very encouraging report!
|
------------------------Re: LaManzanilla Clean Beach project
Posted by Karen Meyer on March 7, 2015, 12:09 pm, in reply to "LaManzanilla Clean Beach project"
Mary Jo, Ari and Gerado,Thank you very much for taking the initiative on this positive, much-needed work.
I spoke with Tierralegre to see if funds are needed for the project costs, and the answer was, "Yes!" Today I am going to make a $US100 donation to Tierralegre to help offset the hard costs of the water tests and costs of hosting the Engineers Without Borders this summer. I encourage all who are concerned about the water quality and want to support finding a solution to make a tax-deductible donation to Tierralegre. Their office is located across the street from Lydia's market. If you are not in La Manzanilla now but would like to contribute, Tierralegre accepts donations online via the International Community Foundation. For more information on this or for any questions, email Tierralegre: tierralegreac@gmail.com
|
------------------------Re: LaManzanilla Clean Beach project
Posted by Stephanie Tambien on March 7, 2015, 12:50 pm, in reply to "LaManzanilla Clean Beach project"
189.164.206.232|
Congratulations on your work.
|
------------------------Re: LaManzanilla Clean Beach project
Posted by mary shanti on March 7, 2015, 2:41 pm, in reply to "LaManzanilla Clean Beach project"
189.164.239.220
Wow maryjo
good job and thank you for taking this on and seeing it through. amazing work that you are doing.
mary s
|
------------------------Re: LaManzanilla Clean Beach project
Posted by julie on March 8, 2015, 10:19 am, in reply to "Re: LaManzanilla Clean Beach project"
173.254.199.83
Thank you all for your proactive work for the benefit of all.
I recently heard there is a large condo project going in on the beach very near where one was proposed years ago. I believe that one was turned down due to environmental concerns for the lagoon and the protection it gives to protect our beach from erosion.
I know Dave Collins worked very hard to protect our beach from this type of development.
Any news on this???
|
------------------------Re: LaManzanilla Clean Beach project
Posted by kim on March 9, 2015, 6:52 pm, in reply to "LaManzanilla Clean Beach project"
198.144.53.21|
Would you post the details of the test that where done in 2009-2010?
|
------------------------Re: LaManzanilla Clean Beach project
Posted by Tim Edwards on March 9, 2015, 10:12 pm, in reply to "Re: LaManzanilla Clean Beach project"
76.234.72.204
all this being said........ I think if there is ever any testing done on the bacterial content of the water going from the lagoon to the ocean it will show that sewer effluent very little to do with the SMELL or the color of the water.
I realize this is not a popular thought and if I am proved wrong, I'll be the first to admit it.
|
------------------------How to Donate to La Manzanilla Clean Beach Fund
Posted by Dave Collins on March 10, 2015, 1:21 pm, in reply to "Re: LaManzanilla Clean Beach project"
If you are interested in donating specifically to the "Clean Beach Fund" which will be used first for the priority of implementing constant water testing and to bring Engineers Without Borders to La Manzanilla this summer to help solve our sewage system problem; and after that for all things that need to be done in order to achieve the international Blue Flag Certification (these items can be found at: Blue Flag Certification Page) you have a couple easy options listed below. NOTE: Make sure to earmark all donations for the “Clean Beach Fund.”
1. If you´d like to simply make a donation to this cause and are not worried about receiving a tax-deductible donation, then you can personally drop your donation by the Tierralegre office at María Asunción 49-A in front of Lidia´s Mini Market between 9:30 a.m to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Please note that Saturday, March 28 is the final day of the season when the aforementioned regular office hours will be in effect.
2. If you´d like to make a donation within Mexico and receive a Mexico tax-deductible receipt which is honored in Mexico and should be honored in the US, Canada and most of Europe (we´re still waiting to hear from our accountant the final word on which other countries will honor a tax deduction based on the Mexico tax-deductible receipt) then you can either drop it by the office following the instructions above or you can make a deposit directly to the Tierralegre Banamex account which is set up exclusively for this fund. In this case, the account number is: 8433582; the sucursal is: 7002; and the Clabe Interbancario is: 002385700684335826. Note that in kind donations are also accepted—e.g., water testing equipment, etc. (but check with us first to see if the in kind donation is something we can actually use for the cause).
3. If you'd like to make a US tax-deductible donation please visit our “Friends of Fund” page on the International Community Foundation website—where you will find various options, including paying with a credit card online, for donating—at: [url=http://donate.icfdn.org/#npo/tierralegre-a-c ]Tierralegre Friends of Fund Page
Thank you in advance to all interested in donating for your support with this cause, and thank you to Mark Richardson, Vicki and Robin and Karen Meyer for your donations! Any questions, please get in touch with Tierralegre on this message board thread, by e-mail: tierraelgreac@gmail.com, or by phone: (315) 351-5305. The results from the most recent water tests should be out by the end of this week. We will publish those when we have them along with the previous 2009-10 results for comparison sake.
Together as a community we can insure that La Manzanilla / Boca de Iguanas beach and the surrounding aquatic ecosystems are clean, safe and sustainable for years to come!
|
------------------------Re: How to Donate to La Manzanilla Clean Beach Fund
Posted by Dave Collins on March 10, 2015, 1:24 pm, in reply to "How to Donate to La Manzanilla Clean Beach Fund"|
Hi, Julie: I´ve only heard rumors about the condo project of which you speak. I don´t have any facts at the moment, but I will certainly let folks know if I am able to gather them
|
------------------------Re: How to Donate to La Manzanilla Clean Beach Fund
Posted by Elizabeth Eve King on March 10, 2015, 2:08 pm, in reply to "How to Donate to La Manzanilla Clean Beach Fund"
73.52.185.117
This is a wonderful project,
thanks fr the info,
I will post it on Facebook
|
------------------------Re: How to Donate to La Manzanilla Clean Beach Fund
Posted by Dave Collins on March 10, 2015, 5:40 pm, in reply to "Re: How to Donate to La Manzanilla Clean Beach Fund"|
Forgot to thank the Director of the Center for the Sustainable Development of Coastal Zones Francisco de Asís Silva Bátiz for all the support with the water testing. This awesome Center is hosted at the marine biology campus of the University of Guadalajara in Melaque. ¡Gracias, Paco!
|
------------------------Re: How to Donate to La Manzanilla Clean Beach Fund
Posted by Arleen on March 10, 2015, 6:20 pm, in reply to "Re: How to Donate to La Manzanilla Clean Beach Fund"
187.148.171.102
I know that 'Bare Bones' Readers' Theatre, wants to contribute as well. However, many people are also concerned with the street contaminants.
Any ideas about that?
Gracias.
|
------------------------Re: How to Donate to La Manzanilla Clean Beach Fund
Posted by mark on March 11, 2015, 3:51 pm, in reply to "How to Donate to La Manzanilla Clean Beach Fund"
64.134.155.96|
Dave- Thanks to you and all who have collaborated with you on this water testing/clean beach project. Your diligence is impressive. Testing and publishing the data will empower everyone to make informed choices in their aquatic recreation, and will drive us all to a higher standard of sanitation. I am curious to know if Morgan tests the municipal water supply for pathogens on a regular basis, and if so, where is that data? Also, is there a date set yet for the visit from Engineers Without Borders?
|
------------------------Re: How to Donate to La Manzanilla Clean Beach Fund
Posted by Dave Collins on March 12, 2015, 8:57 pm, in reply to "Re: How to Donate to La Manzanilla Clean Beach Fund"
Arlene, I´m not on top of the street contaminants issue at the moment. We´re just starting to try to establish a baseline for how contaminated the water actually is.
Mark, I assume you´re referring to the consistent testing of the well water? There are three wells in La Manzanilla that provided all its water. I am not sure if the water master Morgan consistently monitors the well water for pathogens. I´m thinking probably not; he does, however (last time I checked), constantly shock it with chlorine. I am not sure what quantity, etc.
There is still no set date for Engineers Without Borders to come to La Manzanilla, but we´re shooting for July and/or August
|
------------------------Re: How to Donate to La Manzanilla Clean Beach Fund
Posted by Nicole on March 13, 2015, 6:51 am, in reply to "Re: How to Donate to La Manzanilla Clean Beach Fund"
189.164.251.89|
I confess to my ignorance about how things really work down here however if a condo development were to go ahead wouldn't' they be required to contribute in a significant way to the infrastructure so that their project not only did not stress the existing infrastructure but improved it ?
|
------------------------
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|