Dominican Republic bans aggregates extraction, ship bone yards

Santo Domingo.- Environment minister FranciscoDominguez on Monday announced a ban on extracting aggregates from rivers nationwide.

He said the suspension is temporary but willbecome permanent, except for the reservoirs of dams.

In a meeting with the Chamber of Deputies EnvironmentCommission, Dominguez said Environment will soon release a roadmap on the rulesto extract aggregates.

"For now we inform that we will promotedry quarries and maintain strict supervision over sand extraction in riversbecause this practice must be discontinued and find new sources to meet the demandsof this material," the official said.

During the meeting, Dominguez also referredto the protected areas under the Land and Water Management Law, and thelegislation on payments for environmental services.

Bans ship bone yards on rivers

The Environment Minister also announced a banon dismantling ships in the two rivers flowing through the capital and issued aJanuary 1 deadline to companies currently scrapping boats to halt operations, andclean up and restore the site.