by Dr. Edward Kornbluh ( an original NCA member)
Nosara is an obscure little village on the Nicoya peninsula about 3 kms. from the gorgeous beaches, Guiones, famous for surfing, Pelada and Nosara. In the late 1960’s, a North American developer started a project called “Beaches of Nosara.” When he reneged on a number of promises to investors, including one to keep lots of space “forever wild,” he was
successfully sued, though much of the damage was irretrievable. In response to these shenanigans, the pioneers formed the Nosara Civic Association, whose mission, from the get-go, was to protect the beaches and habitat of the “Beaches of Nosara.” For more than 30 years, now with 250 dues paying members, the NCA has fought an expensive, uphill battle against environmental predators. Despite having no police powers and with little help from governmental agencies, the NCA is the prime reason that Nosara is one of the few places in Guanacaste that has not been completely denuded of trees and the natural habitat of animals.. Now, however, Nosara is under siege..
In the last 5 years, the pace and scope of development has exploded as developers and 22 real estate companies attract investors by advertising about the charm and beauty of a place they are doing their level best to decimate. They often begin their projects without proper permits, or with permits for small deals that somehow morph into huge ones, or, before an inspector arrives at a site, another group of big old Guanacaste trees has already been leveled or an entire hillside has been gouged out like a strip mine. One talks about “a family-friendly destination with a community feel” as they plan an eight story Godzilla on the top of a hill. Recently, one big company wrote that “folks enjoy the nice lifestyle and comfort zone of a well-planned community regulated more by common sense than by rigid laws and master planning.”. Translate that into a strong preference for “anything goes.” Having said all of this, , the era of the cowboy mentality may be coming to an end.
El Banco Interamericano Desarrolla (BID), in full consort with the municipality of Nicoya, is funding the creation of a Master Plan for responsible, sustained development of the whole peninsula. On Dec. 18, 2006, after close collaboration with the NCA and Samara residents, the Municipal Counsel of Nicoya issued a ruling to the effect that, from that day forward, any construction would have to be approved by the Gestiones Ambientales (environmental commission). Then, on January 18, 2007, Elizabeth Fernandez Ramirez, chief honcho of Gestiones Ambientales, confirmed , along with Nicoya counsel president, Marco Antonio Mendez,, that this ruling will be applied throughout the canton of Nicoya. The NCA hopes that this means that local government has finally recognized that past failures to provide prudent oversight were on their way towards killing the golden goose of environmental tourism. The NCA will continue it’s mission and work for responsible development that responds to the needs of the people, as well as investors, in Nosara and the entire region. The days of eight story pies in the sky may be ending, but it will require eternal vigilence by individuals and community organizations to insure a new day.
