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PS 1217

Para designar como Reserva Natural Mabodamaca un área costera aproximada de 204.5 cuerdas que incluye la superficie terrestre entre la playa Las Golondrinas y la playa Shore Island en el barrio Bajuras del Municipio Autónomo de Isabela, y todos aquellos terrenos y ecosistemas sumergidos en aguas marinas que se extienden desde la costa hasta nueve (9) millas náuticas mar afuera del área designada como reserva natural; disponer sobre su manejo y conservación; promover la participación comunitaria mediante acuerdos colaborativos; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Designates Mabodamaca as a protected natural reserve with a coastal-terrestrial and submerged-marine area up to 9 miles offshore to safeguard biodiversity, ecosystem services, and

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Bill Summary · PS 1217

Summary: Bill PS 1217 (Session 2025-2028) – Designation of Mabodamaca Natural Reserve (Puerto Rico)

1) Purpose and Intent

  • Designate Mabodamaca as a protected natural reserve.
  • Establish a coastal-terrestrial and submerged-marine conservation area to safeguard biodiversity, ecosystem services, and cultural/recreational values.
  • Promote community participation and co-management through collaborative agreements.
  • Align with Puerto Rico’s environmental policy and climate resilience goals (e.g., erosion control, flood mitigation, natural barriers to storm surge).

2) Key Provisions and Changes

Designation

  • Declares Mabodamaca as a Reserva Natural Mabodamaca.
  • Area includes:
    • Land: approximately 204.5 cuerdas north of PR-466, between Las Golondrinas beach (coordinates 18.51426, -67.05674) and Shore Island beach (coordinates 18.50948, -67.02838) in the Barrio Bajuras, Isabela.
    • Marine area: all submerged ecosystems extending from the coastline to nine (9) nautical miles offshore of the designated area.

Delimitación y Plan Sectorial (Delimitation and Sectoral Plan)

  • El Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales (DRNA) must delineate the exact boundary within 180 days of enactment.
  • Junta de Planificación must integrate Mabodamaca into land-use plans, sector plans, regulations, and norms per relevant Puerto Rico laws (organic land-use planning framework).

Estudios y Trámites (Studies and Procedures)

  • DRNA responsible for studies and procedures under Law 150 (Puerto Rico Natural Heritage Program).
  • DRNA to lead or support restoration/restoration projects for dunes and mangrove reforestation.
  • Annual reporting to the Legislature on restoration progress, mechanisms, and project advancement.

Plan de Manejo (Management Plan)

  • DRNA, in consultation with Isabela municipality, community entities, and non-profits, must develop a Management Plan.
  • Plan to cover conservation strategies, public use, environmental education, and coastal risk management.

Acuerdos Colaborativos (Collaborative/Co-Management)

  • DRNA shall establish collaborative agreements with non-profit and community organizations to involve locals in conservation, research, and restoration activities.

Desafectación Administrativa (Administrative Declassification)

  • Once designated as a Reserve, the area cannot be administratively declassified.

Supremacía y Separabilidad

  • Provisions of the law prevail over any conflicting laws/regulations.
  • If any provision is found unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder remains in effect.

Vigencia

  • The law becomes effective immediately upon approval.

3) Who and What Are Affected

  • Protected Area: Mabodamaca coastal-terrestrial and marine ecosystems (dunes, wetlands, mangroves, reefs, seagrass beds) spanning land and sea up to 9 miles offshore.
  • Stakeholders:
    • Municipality of Isabela (local government and planning).
    • Local communities and community-based organizations (e.g., CoCoPR—Conservación Costera de Puerto Rico).
    • Non-profit environmental groups, conservation partners, and researchers.
    • State agencies: Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales; Junta de Planificación.
  • Uses: Ongoing and future uses would be regulated to balance conservation with recreation, tourism, and local economic activity. Emphasis on education, sustainable access, and coastal resilience.

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Delimitation: DRNA must finalize the exact boundary within 180 days of enactment.
  • Plans and Regulations: Integration into land-use plans and sector plans by Junta de Planificación; adherence to applicable environmental planning laws.
  • Studies & Reporting: Annual reports detailing restoration progress, mangrove reforestation, dune restoration, and project status.
  • Management: Development of a Management Plan with community input; establishment of co-management agreements.
  • Legislative Status: Pending approval as of the April 30, 2026 filing; if enacted, immediate effective date.

5) Rationale Emphasized in Exposition of Motives

  • Mabodamaca hosts Puerto Rico’s most extensive dune system and important coastal wetlands with all four Caribbean mangrove species.
  • Serves as habitat for resident and migratory birds, nesting for endangered sea turtles (e.g., Kemp’s ridley analogs in text; specifically mentions the loggerhead and other protected species).
  • Provides ecosystem services: erosion control, flood mitigation, water filtration, groundwater recharge, natural storm surge barrier.
  • Supports recreation (surfing, swimming, coastal trails) and sustainable tourism; historically degraded by sand extraction, deforestation, waste disposal, and hurricane impacts.
  • Community-driven protection efforts (notably CoCoPR) have advocated for formal designation to secure long-term conservation and resilience.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with current laws or a simplified one-page briefing for public outreach.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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