Dear Friends,

I am writing to follow up on the proposal I sent to all of you to fund Environmental Defense Patrols in your area.  I haven’t heard back so I wanted to stress the urgency of establishing these patrols immediately.  I have included two links to stories which have been published in the online newspaper AMCosta Rica about the serious environmental problems which are now coming to light in Tamarindo.  Although the focus of the Tamarindo stories is the level of sewage pollution on the beach, this catastrophe is closely linked to the larger problem of uncontrolled development.

Tamarindo Awaits Word on Massive Ocean Pollution, Oct 24, 2007

http://www.amcostarica.com/102407.htm  

Getting a Straight Story About Tamarindo’s Pollution Woes Is Not Easy, Nov. 6, 2007

http://www.amcostarica.com/110607.htm

It is clear that both local and national government institutions are not acting to protect the environment of Costa Rica’s most popular tourism destinations.  Thus, it is up to the tourism business owners ourselves to act.  Environmental Defense Patrols are an important first step toward defending your community’s forests and beaches.  These assets are the foundation for the success of your businesses.  Also, the financial support which the Fund for Costa Rica is requesting to defend your environment is reasonable and affordable.

Time is running out both for your businesses and for our ability to help save the tourism industry in your communities.  As a new entrant in Costa Rica’s nature tourism industry, I am deeply distressed about the seriousness of the problems facing the industry.  Here is an email in its entirety which I received a short time ago from a client:

“Hello Matt,

I am very much looking forward to working with you in the future and bringing my students to Costa Rica but I felt that I should write to you to express a concern that I have. This may affect my decision as to where to take my students in their leisure time.

I was recently visiting Manuel Antonio National Park and I have learned some disturbing information concerning the environmental protection of this area and the safety of tourists. None of my guide books indicated that I would have to cross an open stream (or tide pool) to enter the National park. When I approached the area it was clear that local men were offering to cart tourists across in small boats for a small fee. Considering that I noticed the "Crocodiles" sign across the way this seemed the only option. That said, I witnessed many people braving the water (likely because they didn't want to pay to cross) and they waded in up to their armpits to get across. So I took the boat across and took it back again after spending an enjoyable day in the park.

Later that day, speaking with locals I was told that in actuality the stream outside of Manuel Antonio park is full of raw sewage and that the Crocodile sign is merely there to scare tourists into taking the boats. I suppose it really would put a damper on the scene if the sign said "Raw Sewage" so something MUST be done! I am shocked that nothing has been done to resolve this issue. It is clearly a health concern for those tourists that have no idea what they are wading into when they choose to brave the waters. How can anyone turn a blind eye to this? Additionally it is clearly an environmental concern and will undoubtedly effect the surrounding National Park.

It is clear that tourism has begun to take over this beautiful part of Costa Rica but I am saddened that it has not been approached in a sustainable or safe manner. It is simply disgusting, shocking and just plain criminal that developers in this area are not working to make it more sustainable and safe. Why do they not invest in the sustainability of their own investment? If more people find out about the raw sewage stream flowing past the gates of Manuel Antonio I am sure less people would visit.

What can be done to resolve this issue? I know that you have done extensive work in this area and before I bring my students I would like reassurance that this problem is being addressed and that we are not further contributing to an environmental crisis.

Thank you for your time.”

Please let me know as soon as possible your thoughts about our proposal and if you and your fellow business owners are willing to support us in taking a stand to protect your businesses and to stop uncontrolled development before it is too late.

Sincerely,  Matt