I posted a story the other day about closings of developments in the Central and Southern Pacific due to lack of permissions and environmental damage. Today in La Nacion an article appeared stating that 1 in 4 of the homes being constructed in the cantones of Santa Cruz and Nicoya, Guancaste are without permissions.  The Colegio Federado de Ingenieros y de Arquitectos warned that this could create environmental and social problems.  For instance, there is no assurance that the supply of water in this driest region of Costa Rica will be adequate to supply the surging demand.  The municipalidades, who are responsible for doling out building permits, claim that there just aren’t enough inspectors.  However, municipalidades are taking action.  For example, the municipalidad of Carillo, where it is estimated that some 27% of constructions are undertaken without proper permissions, has closed 115 new constructions recently. 

This is another proof that Costa Rica needs to take action immediately to prevent further damage to its environment.  If it doesn’t the many great reasons to come here may no longer exist.  However, it is also important that the municipalidades be given the resources necessary to adequately analyze new projects and deny or grant permissions based on the facts of each case (and not money under the table).

Link to Article in La Nacion (in Spanish):

http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2008/abril/11/pais1493411.html