Para enmendar la Sección 3 de la R. del S. 274, aprobada el 28 de agosto de 2025, que ordena a las Comisiones de Turismo, Recursos Naturales y Ambientales; de Transportación, Telecomunicaciones, Servicios Públicos y Asuntos del Consumidor; y de Planificación, Permisos, Infraestructura y Urbanismo del Senado de Puerto Rico a realizar una investigación exhaustiva sobre el acceso público al Río Mameyes, ubicado en el Barrio Barcelona, Carretera PR-191 interior, PR-993 en el Municipio de Río Grande, a los fines de definir las delimitaciones de dicha carretera estatal que sirve de servidumbre pública para garantizar los derechos de la ciudadanía sobre los bienes de dominio público del río y su rivera; los efectos de las estructuras situadas en los bienes públicos; y otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Puerto Rico Senate expands investigation into public river access rights on Río Mameyes to define state road boundaries and remove structural barriers blocking citizen use of public domain lands.

Texto de Aprobación Final en Senado

Legislative bill overview

This bill amends a previous Senate resolution (RS 274 from August 28, 2025) to expand a legislative investigation into public access to the Río Mameyes in Río Grande, Puerto Rico. The investigation will examine the state road's role as a public easement, define road boundaries, assess impacts of structures on public lands, and determine how to guarantee citizens' rights to access and use the river and its banks.

Why is this important

Rivers and their banks are considered public domain in Puerto Rico, meaning citizens have legal rights to access them. This investigation directly addresses potential violations of those rights if private structures or inadequate road access restrict public use. The outcome could establish clearer legal boundaries and potentially require removal or modification of obstacles blocking citizen access to this natural resource.

Potential points of contention

Property rights versus public access: Owners of land along the river may resist findings that restrict their use or require removal of existing structures built on what they consider their property

Enforcement and remediation costs: Implementation of investigation findings could require significant public spending to create access points or remove structures, raising budget concerns

Defining "public domain" boundaries: Determining exact delimitations between the state road easement and private property requires technical surveying and legal interpretation that stakeholders may dispute