IAD has been for the past 4 years been clearing forests in all the lake area, but has not handed in a signle parcel of land.  They allege many resasons for this, however we believe one of the leading ones (they don't mention) is the high bill you can generate for the rental of heavy machinery to your friends.  To continue these payments, now they need to clear protected areas.  Also, in the information brochure "Proyectos Especiales" the project Trocha de Zoquete will benefit with just 11.5 tareas (1 tarea = 659 m2) per family, a ridiculous sum.  And, local informants say many beneficiaries did not have land inundated by the lake, or simply had no land in that area. 

 

TThe Provincial Director for the Environment in Independencia, Teresa Gil, told GJ by phone on july 16th that she had denied the environmental permit for this projet.  However, on 6 July, the IAD director publicly said that "the issue with that environment woman"had been solved.  Who do we believe? 

The area in question includes the most important habitat portion remaining for Ricord's iguana, which is only found in this region of the island (in contrast to the Rhinocerous iguana, which has a broader distribution).  Ricords iguana is considered Critically Endangered by IUCN's Red List and also the National Red List, mostly due to habitat destruction.  Now the Dominican State is added to the threats its facing.  The Reserve was established also to protect another regional endemic: the Bay-breasted Cuckoo, which occurs in the higher parts of the Reserve.