I am deeply concerned about the lack of attention given to a resource that is a fountain of life and a water reservoir, our Wetlands. This attitude has contributed to its rapid deterioration and dissapearence. We cannot keep tolerating such disastrous policy of ignoring the continuous attacks on this unique resource.

The number of agencies caring for the resource can be explained in one sentence; Responsibility of everyone, responsibility of no-one.  Net effect, the violations to the laws and regulations get lost within the bureocracy between agencies while developers keep on destroying the resource.  In the end, if caught, a simple penalty or a "mitigation proposal" unequal to the loss of the resource is agreed upon, simple and easy for the perpetrator.

For our aquifers and wildlife; for the safety of our food supplies I urge you to: establish that our wetlands are protected areas and stop all developments on or nearby them until an inventory is done to evaluate their status; allocate the resources needed to comply and enforce the law; increase the penalty fees for those found guilty, and establish the Cero Loss policy in full within the island (at present it is .69 for every acre loss). I urge you to eliminate the practice of accepting proposals with "mitigation alternatives" that include creating new wetland spaces or the improvement and restauration of areas which has been proven to be a risk for the systems due to the time they take to recover and regain their productivity and functionality to its previous state.