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RS 458

Para ordenar a la Comisión Planificación, Permisos, Infraestructura y Urbanismo del Senado de Puerto Rico realizar una investigación exhaustiva sobre la posible destrucción, relleno y alteración de un humedal localizado en el Barrio Bajuras del Municipio de Isabela, identificado en el Catastro Digital de Puerto Rico como la finca número 003-000-009-16, presuntamente propiedad de Hauger Martin, incluyendo la evaluación de todo trámite de permisología relacionado, particularmente el expediente 2022-471582-REA-011482 asociado a servicios de consultoría ambiental y permisología (“Scape”); examinar el cumplimiento con la Ley Núm. 161-2009, conocida como la Ley para la Reforma del Proceso de Permisos de Puerto Rico, el Reglamento 4860 del Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales, el Reglamento Conjunto de Permisos, así como con las disposiciones aplicables de la Clean Water Act de los Estados Unidos; requerir información a las agencias pertinentes del Gobierno de Puerto Rico y al Municipio de Isabela, incluyendo la Oficina de Gerencia de Permisos, la Junta de Planificación, el Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales, y cualquier otra entidad con jurisdicción, para determinar si se han expedido permisos, endosos o autorizaciones relacionadas con el movimiento de tierra, relleno, construcción o alteración del humedal; investigar si se solicitaron o concedieron permisos federales aplicables, incluyendo aquellos bajo la jurisdicción del U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, conforme a la Sección 404 de la Clean Water Act; examinar si el Municipio de Isabela otorgó autorizaciones municipales o cobró patentes municipales o arbitrios de construcción por las actividades realizadas en el predio; rendir un informe con hallazgos, conclusiones y recomendaciones dentro de un término no mayor de noventa (90) días; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Senate inquiry to audit Isabela wetland alterations and permitting, determine compliance with local/federal laws, and report findings within 90 days.

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Bill Summary · RS 458

Summary of RS 458 (Session 2025-2028) – Puerto Rico

Main purpose and intent

  • Order a formal, exhaustive investigation by the Senate of Puerto Rico’s Commission on Planning, Permits, Infrastructure and Urbanism.
  • Focus of the investigation: possible destruction, filling, and alteration of a wetland located in Barrio Bajuras (also described as Barrio Guayabo in the text) of the Municipality of Isabela, on the property identified in the Puerto Rico Digital Cadastre as finca 003-000-009-16, allegedly owned by Hauger Martin.
  • Specifically examines the permitting process and related environmental assessments, including the case file 2022-471582-REA-011482 linked to environmental consulting and permitting services ("Scape").
  • Assess compliance with Puerto Rico law and federal law related to environmental permitting and wetlands protection.

Key provisions and changes the bill would make

  • Section 1: Directs the Senate’s Commission on Planning, Permits, Infrastructure and Urbanism to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into activities on the cited Isabela property, including land movement, filling, and alterations.
  • Section 2: Requires the Commission to request information, documents, and testimony from:
    • Office of Permits Management (OGPe)
    • Puerto Rico Planning Board
    • Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs (DRNA)
    • Municipality of Isabela
    • Any other relevant agencies or instrumentalities
  • Section 3: Outlines specific investigative elements, including:
    1. Whether permits related to land movement, construction, land filling, or wetland alteration were sought or granted.
    2. Examination of the administrative file for expediente 2022-471582-REA-011482, including environmental assessments and determinations (categorical exclusion, environmental evaluation, or environmental impact statement, as applicable).
    3. Evaluation of compliance with:
      • Ley Núm. 161-2009 (Law for Reform of the Puerto Rico Permitting Process)
      • Reglamento Conjunto de Permisos (Joint Permitting Regulations)
      • Reglamento 4860 (DRNA)
      • Other applicable environmental laws
    4. Determination of whether the discussed activities altered or filled a wetland and whether required permits/authorizations were obtained.
    5. Investigation of any federal permissions or approvals, including Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and involvement of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) or other federal agencies.
    6. Determination of whether the Municipality of Isabela issued municipal permits or collected municipal licenses or construction taxes/arbitrios for the activities on the property.
    7. Assessment of interagency endorsements and supervisory compliance by related agencies.
  • Section 4: Requires the Commission to deliver a report to the Puerto Rico Senate outlining findings, conclusions, and recommendations (including potential legislative, administrative, or regulatory actions) within 90 days of approval.
  • Section 5: Effective immediately upon approval.

Who or what would be affected

  • Government agencies and municipalities involved in environmental permitting and land development:
    • OGPe, Junta de Planificación, DRNA, and Isabela Municipality (and any other jurisdictional entities)
  • The property owner or alleged owner (Hauger Martin) and any developers involved
  • Potential federal agencies if Section 404/USACE involvement is identified
  • Public and environmental interests relying on transparent permitting for wetlands protection

Significant procedural or timeline aspects

  • The bill requires a 90-day timeline to complete the investigation and produce a final report to the Senate.
  • Effective immediately upon approval.
  • A public hearing or prior investigative steps appear to be part of the process (as indicated by the “Vista Pública” entry noted in action history, though not explicitly mandated in the text).

Contextual notes

  • The Exposición de Motivos emphasizes the ecological importance of wetlands and the sensitivity of coastal wetlands in northern Puerto Rico, particularly near Isabela.
  • The bill cites concerns about compliance with Puerto Rico environmental permitting reforms and federal wetlands protections, including potential Section 404 implications under the Clean Water Act.

This summary provides an objective overview of RS 458: its purpose, the scope of the investigation, entities involved, key legal standards referenced, and the expected deliverable and timeline.

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

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