Santo Domingo.- Environment Ministry affirmed Thursday that it has approved 21 projects in northeastern Las Terrenas, Samaná since 2009, of the 42 that entered the Environmental Authorizations System, while 16 others await the required documents from the promoters and five are in the final processing phase.

“We currently have 11 projects halted in Las Terrenas, two of them violate the 60 meter strip along the shore; another is pending payment of a fine levied against  the promoters for violation the Law; six have administrative impediment and have yet to enter the Environmental Authorizations System; one hasn’t submitted the environmental study for evaluation and the other hasn’t clarified the legal status of the lands to be able to issue a them permit,” Environment said in a statement.

It said it’s willing to collaborate with development as long as it doesn’t jeopardize the natural resources and the environment. “That’s the natural patrimony we own, and if to develop it we allow its destruction by foreign as well as local investment, future generations will not benefit from the advantage of their rational use.”

The Ministry said it doesn’t understand the position stated by Tourism vice minister Elsa de Leon and some investors, who in its view seek a “disorderly and harmful development.” “We know perfectly well that marked interests exist that in fact aren’t those of sustainable development and instead a development level which only benefits  individuals regardless of the damage or negative impact on the island’s natural patrimony.”

The Ministry’s statement responds to an article by newspaper Hoy on complaints by Las Terrenas investors and authorities on the halt of several works, delaying the zone’s development.

It affirmed that it’s wiling to expedite permits for all projects that meet the legal requirements and the norms on sustainability, but “never flexible or yielding to pressures of particular interests; all those who wish to develop a project, local or foreigner, and want to do so within the law, will have the Ministry’s doors  open and will receive all the attention that we as public servants are obliged to provide.”