Corozal residents urge Senate to protect Ubah Moén forest and keep river access

Representatives of community conservation groups in Corozal told the Senate commission that long‑standing public access to river areas and community management of the Ubah Moén forest are threatened by unregulated clearing and private development.

Ramón Rodríguez de Jesús, a community ranger and representative of Naborias del Bosque (Ubau Moin), said volunteers have cared for the riverbank and paths for more than 20 years but that between 2022 and 2023 the community documented removal of 423 trees and 294 shrubs. He named companies allegedly involved—Jorge L Díaz y Asociados, AlRealty Group Inc, Puerto Rico Asfalt LLC and Greenscape Inc.—and reported that some work occurred without permits and included installation of septic wells near water bodies.

Rodríguez asked for municipal action on deslindes and formal recognition of servidumbres de paso by use and custom so communities can continue free access to the river, and he asked the DRNA and municipal authorities for legal and technical backing. The commission noted the pending querellas and requested copies of complaints, maps and related documentation within five days for its review.

The hearing closed with the commission committing to follow up on the petitions and to request agency records relevant to Corozal’s claims.