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 Natural Reserve in Isabela, protecting coastal land and marine areas to nine miles offshore with a framework for management and community collaborative govern

Referido a Comisión(es)

Summary of Bill PC 1270 (Session 2025-2028, Puerto Rico)

Purpose and intent

Designates a coastal area as a Natural Reserve, named Mabodamaca.

The designated area covers approximately 204.5 cuerdas (a Puerto Rican land measurement) and includes both land and submerged marine ecosystems from the shoreline to nine (9) nautical miles offshore.

The bill aims to guide management and conservation of the reserve, and to promote community participation through collaborative agreements.

Key provisions and changes

Creation of Mabodamaca Natural Reserve:

Geographic scope: Coastal area between Las Golondrinas Beach and Shore Island Beach in the Bajuras barrio of Isabela municipality, plus submerged areas extending to nine nautical miles offshore.
Land surface included: The terrestrial area within the designated coastal strip.
Marine area included: All underwater ecosystems from the coast out to nine miles offshore.

Management and conservation:

Establishes regulatory framework for the reserve’s management and conservation measures (specific rules are not detailed in the bill summary but would be defined by the designation).

Community participation:

Requires or encourages community involvement through collaborative agreements, signaling a participatory approach to stewardship and decision-making.

Related objectives:

May address related conservation goals, ecosystem protection, sustainable use, and potential restrictions to protect natural resources (exact restrictions to be defined in accompanying regulations).

Affected parties and scope

Geographic and ecological scope:

Land: Isabela municipality, Bajuras barrio, specifically the coastal stretch between Las Golondrinas Beach and Shore Island Beach.
Marine: Waters from the shoreline to nine nautical miles offshore.

Stakeholders likely impacted:

Local residents and communities in Isabela, particularly those involved in coastal and marine activities (fishing, tourism, recreation).
Public agencies responsible for natural resources, environmental protection, and coastal planning.
Potential stakeholders in conservation, science, and community-based organizations engaged in collaborative governance.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Status: Radicado (filed) on May 11, 2026.

The bill’s passage would entail:

Legislative consideration, potential committee review, and amendments.
Development of a management plan and regulatory rules consistent with the reserve designation.
Establishment of collaborative agreements with community groups as part of implementation.

Implementation timeline:

Not specified in the summary; typically would follow final enactment with phased rules and management plans to be developed by the responsible agencies.

Potential impacts and considerations

Conservation impact:

Aims to protect coastal and offshore ecosystems within the reserve boundaries, potentially safeguarding biodiversity, habitats, and coastal resources.

Local involvement:

Emphasizes participatory governance, which could foster local stewardship and compatible uses if clear guidelines and enforcement are established.

Regulatory considerations:

The bill would necessitate regulations detailing permissible activities, fishing restrictions, development limits, tourism use, and enforcement mechanisms within Mabodamaca Natural Reserve.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to emphasize particular aspects (e.g., environmental, economic, or community impacts) or compare it to existing Puerto Rico natural reserve designations.