| An epic surf spot at Playa Santana, Nicaragua, is threatened by a real estate development company known as Pinnacle Properties, who plan to alter the Playa Santana River in order to suit the needs of a new multi-home development project. Pinnacle considers the river alteration a “clean-up” to clean the river and beach, and to guarantee continuous beach access to local residents.
Pinnacle also claims that this river “stabilization” will prevent seasonal flooding of the beach, which occurs during the rainy season, and is a naturally occurring phenomenon. Currently, the river’s natural course bends parallel to the beach all the way to the rocks that frame this protected area before leading out into the ocean. The river’s course changes naturally, according to seasonal tide, swell and rain patterns, and is responsible for creating the sandbar at this beach, which frequently produces excellent surfing conditions.
The project, called Seagate, is being built on land that was previously designated as open space by the company that formerly owned the land. Pinnacle purchased the property and subsequently proposed a massive housing development, part of which involves building condominiums on the beach. The project will also involve intensive restructuring of naturally existing river paths, beach shores and sand bars, as well as the introduction of new non-native sediments from erosion of the “new” river path.
Additionally, should Pinnacle decide to reroute the river, there is still no guarantee that the new condominiums would be safe from flooding. Residents also cite the issue of maintenance, which could involve continuous dredging and any number of other costly tasks to reshape the natural path of the river. The continuous impact of such tasks will adversely affect an abundance of sea life which rely on this river to live, feed and breed. Most affected will be shrimp and snook, which not only spawn in the river before moving out into the ocean, but also supply the local fishing village of Limon with a much needed food source.
The thought of altering the natural course of the river has already brought outrage from the local community, who feels powerless against this large-scale developer. Consensus says that redirecting this river will change the waves, the fishing and the way of life in the area. The addition of many homes has also raised concerns over water supplies, as the aquifer-fed wells in the area are already strained. Additionally, redirecting the river places many local businesses in jeopardy. The surf based camps, hotels, restaurants and other local business supported in large by surf tourism at Limon and Salinas will be negatively impacted if the Pinnacle developers are allowed to move forward and destroy one of the best beach breaks in the area.
Save the Waves has requested the opportunity to review Pinnacle's plans for the Seagate community and development, but these requests have been repeatedly denied. This is a situation where nothing is broken, and “fixing” the river is not needed, nor something the local community desires. The plan to alter the natural course of a river, which has flowed unimpeded to the sea for eons, seems to suit only one purpose: to make Pinnacle Properties a great deal of money. Please help Save the Waves ensure that the wave at Playa Santana is not altered in any way.
Save the Waves needs your support! A donation will greatly help us continue our conservation work, as well as our ongoing effort to educate the world's government and industry leaders that surf spots are an invaluable and irreplaceable asset to any coastline.
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