By Oliver Pérez
Each year the Nosareños are affected by the floods caused by the growth of the Nosara River and, since there won’t be a retaining wall, or dam, that will prevent the water from reaching many homes in the community, this year won’t be the exception.
The Comisión Nacional de Emergencias (CNE) (National Emergency Committee) is currently conducting a topographical upheaval survey, which will technically define the type of intervention that must be done, such as building a dam. This work is being conducted by a private firm that was hired by the CNE for ¢13 million colones.
This was informed by Vanessa Rosales, President of the CNE, who explained that they are complying with the resolution issued by the Sala Constitucional in regards to an appeal based on resolution number 2009-011205.
The aforementioned resolution states that “the Municipalidad and the Comisión Nacional de Emergencias must issue the necessary instructions in order to implement the necessary coordination measures and to promote the intervention of all the competent institutions, in order to take efficient, effective and timely measures that will allow for the necessary work to be done in the Nosara River”.
“The CNE is currently fulfilling this resolution by conducting the necessary studies that will help determine the type of intervention that must be done in the river. We hope to complete this work as soon as possible in order to make a decision of what must be done in order to prevent the floods”, explained the head of the CNE.
According to Rosales, the Servicio Nacional de Aguas Subterráneas Riego y Avenamiento (SENARA) is conducting a hydraulic research in order to know the movement capacity of the river’s water.
Based on these results, the CNE will determine the type of work that must be done as well as the institution that will be in charge of the job, whether it is the Municipalidad, the Ministerio de Ambiente, Energía y Telecomunicaciones or the Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT).
Vanessa Rosales explained to the VON that the work is well underway. However, the topographical work that is being done by the institution was to be finished by the end of April.
With this outlook and with the government’s bureaucracy, the communities that are affected year after year will have to summon their patience and stay alert once the rainy season arrives.