Hasn't started yet. They're still working on the malecon and roads. Step one is to remove the islands and trees/brush thereon because they will damage the dredge.
Aaaack! This sounds like archaic U.S. Army Corps of Engineers policy circa 1930! You don't just 'remove the islands' without major change or damage to the estuary and it's wildlife habitat in the region. Those islands are full of birds including herons, perhaps nesting (I don't know for sure), not to mention other fauna and flora. Repeating earlier question: does anybody know any specifics on this project? Who? When? What? How Much? JanuaryBill very worried!
Thanks David K, for the caustic reply and mini-lecture. I'm surprised --- you've seen Mulege and the valley and floodplain upstream. The whole area is a "development disaster" but worse, it continues, with more lots and homes being sold and built right there in the sand of the floodplain, eg, near Ray's restaurant as one example. Bought by Canadians and Gringos (I just met a proud new buyer in the Loreto airport)who then whine and complain when the next flood wipes out their vacation home. Why should these folks, part of your "planet's people," be accommodated by costly and damaging river dredging to protect their investments? January Bill
OK, Peace David K. Our politics are different --- no longer can(should) we afford to allow ourselves to buy and build anywhere, that's freedom without responsibility, a favorite American posture and anachronism. But back to the topic at hand: does anyone know whether there is any attempt at 'regional planning' in the Mulege area? Including how to 'manage' the watershed? No frivolous or naive question intended here. I like Mulege and the Mulegenos I've met, including some of the Gringos! But given that a whole lot more is known now about landscape and watershed management than even just 50 years ago, can't we hope that BCS and Mexico (federal) can be moving toward more sensible development planning and restrictions in the Mulege region? OK, let me have it now, I can hear your laughs!! January Bill
All of us who bought or built homes on the river realize that we are subject to flooding. After all, it has flooded 3 times in the last 50 years. The real problem is that all the silt and debris that has washed into the river with the flooding has killed many types of fish and endangered the entire town of Mulege as we saw in 2006. There are responsible ways to remove the danger and still be environmentally responsible. Building in the arroyo is another story.
Baja Princess: Have you heard of any discussion or plans about "development" in the river floodplain above town? On my one drive in the vicinity of Ray's, I saw new homes being built and lots of acreage for sale --- all on the sands of the outwash floodplain, etc. Is it really just a buyer's free-for-all there? Rick and Glenne, you must know a lot about this too. Or am I just bringing up a taboo subject? January Bill
I don't know much about what is going on in that area, as we have a home near Jungle Jim's. We will be leaving for there in a week, so I will let you know what I hear. Rick and some of the others who live there year round should know more than I, but I will inquire while there.
Thanks Princess, I'll be interested to hear what you may find out, etc. On the other hand, if I'm the only one interested in this topic, I'll drop it and go on to other Baja diversions. January Bill
