RECONSTRUCTION OF RECREATIONAL AND NATURAL AREAS FOR SOCIAL ENJOYMENT
IS UNDERWAY
[https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20231204/reconstruction-recreational-and-natural-areas-social-enjoyment-underway]


Release Date: 
Tháng 12 3, 2023 

_FEMA has awarded nearly $5.7 million for natural reserves and
lighthouses around the island._

GUAYNABO, PUERTO RICO – Aldo Escabi is a frequent visitor to the
Cabezas de San Juan nature reserve in the municipality of Fajardo. He
enjoys the contact with nature and the landscapes, since from there he
can appreciate the old structure of the lighthouse, different small
islands and even the island municipalities of Vieques and Culebra.

For Escabi, it is important to preserve the nature reserve's
facilities because “they foster a sense of adventure and raise
awareness among new generations about how to protect our natural
resources.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) allocated nearly $5.7
million for damage following Hurricane María to repair diverse
recreational and natural areas that will support the preservation,
tourism and economic development of its communities. 

“Puerto Ricans frequent local events and excursions that allow us to
enjoy diverse cultural offerings throughout the country, especially
this holiday season. The agency continues to support municipalities,
agencies and nonprofit entities in order to rebuild these spaces for
the physical and emotional health of the communities, while supporting
local merchants,” said Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator, José
Baquero.

Las Cabezas de San Juan is part of the group that has funding from the
agency. The Puerto Rico Conservation Trust has approved over $701,000
for repairs to the lighthouse building, observation deck and
boardwalk, including mitigation measures to protect the facilities
from infiltration, soil erosion and wind. The nonprofit has already
completed repairs to the administration office, visitor's pavilion and
other areas with over $24,000 in additional obligations. Construction
on the lighthouse and observation platform is underway, while repairs
to the boardwalk are in the planning process.

While in Fajardo, residents and visitors can also enjoy sunbathing and
the warm waters of the Seven Seas resort, which is currently in the
auction process to be able to rebuild gazebos, a camping area and
trailers, lifeguard towers and lighting, among other work, after an
allocation of nearly $2.7 million. 

Further south, the Punta Tuna Lighthouse in the municipality of
Maunabo will also get improvements. The impact of Hurricane María
caused damage to this 150-year-old historic building and FEMA granted
nearly $660,000 to paint walls and ceilings. The infrastructure will
also be repaired to match all aspects, including design, color,
equipment, and labor.

Furthermore, to the north of the island in Vega Baja is the Tortuguero
Lagoon, which offers open spaces with gazebos and seven miles of
trails for community recreation. The agency allocated nearly $486,000
to the municipality to repair the nature reserve from water damage to
its buildings and hiking trails. 

According to Vega Baja resident Ramses Rivera Sánchez, visiting the
lagoon brings a sense of peace and helps to recharge one's batteries.
“Spending a day in this place is to experience happiness and respite
from the daily routine.” Rivera Sánchez explained that the reserve
was greatly affected with the passage of Hurricane María and
understands that its preservation is important because, in addition to
being the habitat of many species, it fosters physical activity and
community togetherness. “It is important to take action to remodel
these facilities. There is a lot of potential to take advantage of for
the well-being of the entire community and the country.”

And, if historic buildings, music and crafts are on the agenda for the
day, Old San Juan will provide that cultural offering at Plaza
Dársenas and Paseo La Princesa. Ludiscari Negrón is one of the
area's artisans and has been offering her products in the plaza and
the promenade for 25 years. Her clientele is varied: visitors from all
over the world and residents, particularly the elderly who share with
her their struggles and tales of overcoming adversity. 

Meanwhile, María Santiago, a 15-year resident of the urban center,
reaffirms the importance of the repairs because of their historical
relevance. The musical activities for senior citizens at Paseo La
Princesa and the artisan events are part of her most significant
memories. She also enjoys walking the promenade and drinking coffee in
the plaza. 

FEMA allocated over $1.1 million to the Tourism Company for lighting,
painting and repairs to the cement walls and water fountain of the
Plaza and Paseo, among other already completed work.

For his part, the Executive Director of the Central Office for Puerto
Rico Recovery, Reconstruction and Resiliency (COR3) Manuel A. Laboy
Rivera, noted that “as part of the assistance we offer, COR3
disbursed approximately $958,000, per the subrecipients' request,
through the Working Capital Advance pilot program get work underway at
the Seven Seas beach in Fajardo, the Punta Tuna Lighthouse in Maunabo,
and the Tortuguero Lagoon Nature Reserve in Vega Baja. We will
continue to work as a team to ensure that these projects are completed
in compliance with applicable regulations.”

To date, FEMA has allocated over $31.5 billion for nearly 10,900
projects to address Puerto Rico's recovery.

For more information about Puerto Rico’s
recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4339
[https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4339], fema.gov/disaster/4473
[https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4473] and recovery.pr
[https://recovery.pr.gov/en]. Follow us on our social media
at Facebook.com/FEMAPuertoRico
[http://www.facebook.com/femapuertorico], Facebook.com/COR3pr
[http://www.facebook.com/cor3pr] and Twitter @COR3pr
[https://twitter.com/cor3pr].

 

SEVEN SEAS BEACH, FAJARDO, PUERTO RICO

 [Aerial view of the Seven Seas Beach in Fajardo, Puerto Rico] 
FAJARDO, PUERTO RICO (June 21, 2023) – Residents and visitors can
also enjoy sunbathing and the warm waters of the Seven Seas beach in
Fajardo, which will benefit from rebuilt gazebos, a camping area and
trailers, lifeguard towers and lighting, among other work, after an
allocation of nearly $2.7 million. Photo FEMA/Eduardo Martínez