Neighbors just will not pay
the small cost of  trash pickup

Dear A.M. Costa Rica:

So my question is what does one do when they live in a community with no garbage pickup because "la gente no quiere"?  Will this law make a difference? Time will tell.

Letters of petition by neighbors and numerous requests lead to the same answer.  People in this farming community are used to digging a hole in the backyard and burning their garbage. (There is no mention of the fact that many farms have since been sold and are now replaced with homes.)  No one wants to pay the 1,200 colons a month (less than $2.50)  for twice a week pickup.  One young neighbor suffered second degree burns when the fumes of the gas he used to light the fire ignited his skin and hair. Other neighbors cart their garbage down one kilometer to the neighboring community and dump it in their receptacles or in front of vacant houses only to be spread around by dogs.  Of course, that community has to pay in more ways than one.

I've given up asking.  I've covered up my three-meter-deep hole.  I got tired of fishing out hungry dogs that would fall in and couldn't get out — and this would be after burning the trash.  I also worry about water contamination.  The three natural springs a short distance away feed the Central Valley communities downstream. Yep, you are all drinking the residues of our waste products.  I now recycle what I can and use a barrel for burning and endure the smoke in my lungs, my clothes and in my house.

This is not a political issue but a matter of health and safety. Money is tight for me, too, but I'm willing to sacrifice the 1,200 colons for a cleaner, healthier environment, that is, if I had the choice.

Lack of property fraud action
sends the wrong message

Dear A.M. Costa Rica:

With regard to the various letters regarding squatting and Herradura in particular what must be addressed is why is the Costa Rican justice system so reluctant to enforce the law? Why is this blight on Costa Rican society allowed to flourish? Is the government so shortsighted or corrupt it fails to understand the consequences of this unrestrained white collar criminal trade?  Who benefits from this seemingly countenanced organized racket?
 
This convenient lack of action encourages criminal fraud, and the perpetrators are encouraged in the knowledge that the authorities do nothing. A wink and a nod seems to be the prevailing attitude to this cynical and parasitic trade.  Even a major bank clucked pompously that this was a "private matter" involving one of its directors. Such backhanded approval sends a message to fraudsters which is "Go ahead — we won't prosecute, and if we have to, don't worry, it will take years and years!"
 
In our particular case the Judicial Investigating Organization and fiscal inform us they know who the crooked lawyers, notaries etc. are and that arrests were forthcoming.  That was well over a year ago — and nothing. These individuals (some of whom have criminal records) remain free and continue their trade.  Until the powers that be, realize that they have to clean up this cesspool, this country will remain steeped in the politics of money, influence and selfishness and, in the end, they themselves will become the problem and suffer the consequences.  Until that happens this winked at "Toys for the Boys'' system will continue to flourish.

Protecting the waters
should be a priority

Dear A.M. Costa Rica:

Thank you for your excellent article involving the new environmental protection law covering trash and dangerous substance disposal.  I believe that it merits further coverage and encourage you to keep on this important story.
 
A small group of us have been quietly working to correct the gross pollution that is taking place in the rivers that flow through Cartago.  I personally have investigated many of the major pollution sites downstream from Cartago.  These rivers end up in the Orosi Valley, Navarro River, and finally the reservoir.  This beautiful valley is currently the end disposal site for most of the cities along the way.  It is also one of the bread baskets of Costa Rica.
 
The local people that I have interviewed have told me that the current situation is the worse it has ever been.  Many of those who live near the rivers fear for their health and the health of their children.  Some of those people that I have interviewed indicate that the hospitals in Cartago dump very hazardous untreated bio waste directly into the river without any treatment whatsoever.  This is a situation that should be of great concern under the new law.
 
Currently there are groups of young people cleaning these rivers of trash as public service projects.  It is important to inform the public of the risks that these young people are taking if the hospitals are dumping untreated hospital wastes into the local waterways. If this hospital bio waste dumping situation is true, it is a ticking time bomb.
 
There is also a very large concrete plant that presents the appearance of going through the motions of pollution control.  The final treated water dumped directly into the river appears to be less than clean.  It truly appears to be totally discolored and full of slurry and waste.  To document these claims I have photos that I have taken both near the final disposal area of the plant and at the two electrical generation plants downstream from the concrete plant.
 
Our group is asking for a national day of prayer to include the health of the rivers during the sacred days honoring La Negrita.  We are asking individuals to include prayers for the healing of the Costa Rican environment with their individual prayers during Aug. 2.  Also we are asking that they obtain containers of water from the Basilica then ask La Negrita to help heal the rivers and the hearts of those polluting the rivers.  Finally asking them to pour the sacred La Negrita water into the rivers, lakes and reservoirs near their homes as an action of commitment.
 
Together we can change the abuse of our environment.
 
It is predicted that water will be the next form of gold.  Wealthy individuals and corporations have been quietly buying up water rights in the United States for decades.  If their predictions are correct, then Costa Rica will truly become the Switzerland of the Western Hemisphere as the holder of wealth.  To reach this level we must first learn how to protect one of our most precious assets, our water, by cleaning it and keeping it clean.