Dear petitioners, The new year celebration was emotional. To wake up the first day of 2018 knowing that Playuela remains a natural landscape of dreamy views is to wake up in a dream. Last year was a year full of tension and hard work to protect Playuela. Although a reason to start the year positive, we have not forgotten the constant urbanization threat still being debated in the Appellate Court. After hurricane Maria, the coastal plain of Playuela has been through a lot. The power of the ocean reminded us about sea level rise and climate change. Some sections of the coastline in Pressure Point lost at lest 1 meter of land to the intense storm surge and swell. At least 70 hat palm tree (Sabal causiarum) individuals were snapped by the strong winds. Now more than ever, Playuela is in need of sound restoration projects that defend, maintain, and enhance its natural and cultural values. But recovery efforts and positive attitudes were challenged by more destructive planning and deforestation. In days when environmental agencies are more limited than ever due to the crisis, bulldozers removed several acres of vegetative layer and subsequently burned the evidence. Unauthorized cut of trees with significant trunk diameter (more than 6 inches) was documented. As to be expected from CMG, no permit signs and mitigation measures were observed. This recent habitat modification, exceeded earth crust removal authorized in previous permits for the access road! While the case in still in the Appellate Court, heroic activists were able to fill in a compliant with the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources. Only one official was in the office, arguing he could not leave to inspect the site. Given the lack of enforcement personnel, the information was shared with high level staff in charge of important conservation programs of the Agency. However they argued the could not do anything until the case was referred to them by another office within the Agency. For pictures and video: https://www.facebook.com/salvemosaplayuela/videos/1440286146069045/ https://www.facebook.com/jjstapalanca/posts/2000355843513979 Our lawyers are on the case and recurring to the Police of Puerto Rico to claim justice against this environmental crime. It seems 2018 will be a decisive year for the future of Playuela. Every signature and every gesture of support counts! Thanks for staying in touch!