CONSEJO INTERNACIONAL DE TRATADOS INDIOS

Okama Guaitiao (Attention Relatives):

As we have in the past we are forwarding you an urgent action message which was presented to us by the Environmental Defense organization. As Taíno, Carib and Arawak Peoples, we should all understand the importance and sacredness of our animal relatives. This is especially the case for our relative the sea turtles.

With this in mind, we are forwarding information on how you can help the save leatherback sea turtles from new Caribbean Mega Resorts. I had the opportunity to work directly with these turtles during the filming of the BBC/WNET series "Spirits of the Jaguar" and so I know

first hand how amazing these creatures are. Currently, there are important leatherback sea turtle nesting grounds that are being are threatened by new mega resorts on Puerto Rico's overdeveloped coast.

As the Elders say, we as Indigenous Peoples need to understand our spiritual responsibility and take action as a united community! On behalf of the UCTP, I am asking you all to consider urging the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to protect this tropical coastal habitat and its wildlife.

What's at stake is Puerto Rico's fragile tropical coast, which is already jam packed with half empty tourist resorts and it may get a few more.  The Northeastern Ecological Corridor (NEC) in Puerto Rico is one of the most important nesting sites for leatherback sea turtles.  Yet this critical turtle nesting ground is being eyed by developers as the site of a new mega resort complex to be built by

the Four Seasons Resorts and Marriott International. 

Despite letters from over 22,000 Environmental Defense e-mail activists last August opposing this resort, project plans continue to threaten the extinction of leatherback sea turtles in Puerto Rico. 

This campaign ends on July 4, 2003 so please spread the word. You can even invite your friends and family to take action by going to the webs site at: http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/leatherback/forward/i6kskbra783bt3

You can also consider sending a letter like the one I just recently sent on behalf of the UCTP (See our Letter below) to Mr. Craig Manson of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. His email is craig_manson@ios.doi.gov.

In closing my dear family, I say bo'matum (thank you) in advance for your time and consideration and as always, we look forward to hearing from all of you. Peace and blessings!

Oma'bahari (With Respect),

Roberto Múcaro Borrero,

President, UCTP

U.S. Regional Coordinating Office

http://www.uctp.org/

___________________________________________________________

To: Mr. Craig Manson

Caribbean Field Office

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

craig_manson@ios.doi.gov

PRNEECO_Corridor@fws.gov

Re: Taíno Indian Opposition to Resort Construction on Puerto Rico's Northeastern Ecological Corridor (NEC)

Dear Mr. Mason:

On behalf of the United Confederation of Taíno People (UCTP), I am writing to you because we as Indigenous Taíno Peoples of Puerto Rico and other islands of the Caribbean oppose the construction of new hotel and resort developments in Puerto Rico's Northeastern Ecological Corridor (NEC). This threatened coastline is one of the

Caribbean's last great unprotected areas, and home to over 40 endangered, threatened, and endemic species, including the leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). Although we consider all animal life sacred, the Taíno People have a special relationship with the leatherback and other sea turtles.

We as an indigenous community consider it a priority to continue this spiritual relationship not only for our present but our future generations.  

It is interesting to note that even though the Taíno People have continuously inhabited the island of Borikén (Puerto Rico) for thousands of years, the sea turtles have only become threatened and endangered in recent years as many inhabitants of the island do not value or understand the spiritual significance of these special creatures. With this in mind, we are particularly concerned about the San Miguel-Four Seasons Resort and the Dos Mares-J.W. Marriott

Resort, which the USFWS has advised would destroy the most important nesting habitat for the leatherbacks on the main island of Borikén, jeopardizing their continued survival and recovery of this and other unique species.

Given the negative impacts these proposed resorts would have, we the Taíno People represented by the UCTP hereby request the USFWS to issue a formal Endangered Species Act finding that these projects would jeopardize the continued existence of the sea turtle species that make use of the NEC.

We thank you in advance for your attention and we look forward to your support and reply.

Respectfully,

Roberto Múcaro Borrero,

President, UCTP

U.S. Regional Coordinating Office

CC: UCTP Representatives & Affiliates (Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, St. Lucia, Barbados, Trindad,  U.S.),

    Gov. Sila Maria Calderon, Puerto Rico