This has resulted in a years of tug-of-war with the local community over the exclusive private ownership of this shoreline, clearly by any definition within the Public's Domain of the beach. The scientist (?) Alfonso Silva was paid to guard the area and arbitrarily prevented pedestrians from entering. Here he deforested the shade trees and planted a few small sea grapes and introduced a few, 6 foot tall endangered trees to block and privatize the access. Gonzalez privatized the shady picnic/parking area used by summer camps, locals, and handicapped and elderly as the easy access to reach the shore. One was built down the side of the road toward the shore and despite the use of erosion control matting the poor placement of the road still caused damage. Two pass over powerful river beds, one considered a boulder forest. Three completely illegal dirt roads were built.poorly planned and now eroding into coastal waters. He got an agreement and money from USFWS to "reforest" coastal areas. Other land owners have stepped forward for the area he claims as private. He is continues to fight with the local municipality regarding access. Both have been torn down after serious community battles and protests. He poured a 16 inch thick concrete wall to block access to the muellecito and then constructed a concrete tower across the road that was alleged to be a bird watching tower. Well, we all have our own desires, don't we? But when our wants reach out in destruction of one of the few special places in our world, impacting a whole culture and visitors to that culture and place, silence is not possible.well, for some of us loud mouths anyway! The Goliath of the Navy (with all the political snarlings of US and PR politics) was vanquished by the courage of a few David's - and Davidess's - private developers now are a bigger threat.(the photos of the salt pond flamingo and ducks - and children brought out to see them - are here because the violence waged by Victor Gonzalez that is destroying the muellecito area is adjacent to the salt pond.and it is being impacted badly as well - take a look for yourselves if you have a chance). The tranquility that we who love this island cherish - of the land and of the sea, have been discovered by those who see Culebra as nothing more than a vehicle for their own desires. Why? Because the beauty of Culebra is being threatened again and still. Here are some of the realities of Culebra that are painful.
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