The Tico Times Online

Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, September 30, 2002

MESSY WORK: Report raises concerns about Orosí residents cleaning mud out of homes without taking basic sanitary precautions.
TT Photo/ JulioLaínez

September 30

Movies: V Centennial of Columbus' Arrival and The Conquest, free admission, Intima Raíz, Mon., Sept. 30, Centro de Cine, Av. 9, Ca. 11, 222-9329.
Spanish Cultural Center Talks: Mon., Sept. 30, 7 p.m., "El Dispositivo Cinematografico;" by Lourdes Elizarrarás, actress and script writer; Av. 13, Ca. 31, 257-2919.
Aya Sofya Restaurant: Mondays, 8:30 p.m., jazz music 221-7185.

Rally for Peace!
Silent Vigil against U.S. Intervention in Iraq
Wed. Oct. 2, 10:00 a.m. to noon in front of the U.S. Embassy in Pavas
All U.S. citizens welcome.

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Private Report Reveals Landslide Risk
By Tim Rogers
Tico Times Staff
A private risk-assessment report by a retired U.S. government emergency expert warns that the area surrounding the devastating Aug. 31 avalanche in Orosí is still at high risk of additional mudslides, even though some 53 evacuated families were apparently given the green light to return to their homes.

John LaTourelle, a retired development planner for the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Act (FEMA) - the highest U.S. government authority charged with responding to natural disasters - assessed the area last week and claims another mudslide could come at any time.

LaTourelle and his wife Terri - a retired emergency room nurse - were also appalled by the fact that no one has apparently instructed residents how to take basic sanitary precautions when cleaning the mud out of their homes.

LaTourelle says he has contacted several of his FEMA buddies in the U.S., who have indicated interest in coming down here to get a look at the situation and make recommendations.

Meanwhile, there is new controversy over whether the residents living around the original landslide were ever given the okay by the government to return to their homes.

Read Friday's TT print edition for the whole story

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Pacheco: Tourism and Environment go Hand in Hand
Addressing a group of international tourism promoters gathered here last Friday to celebrate World Tourism Day, President Abel Pacheco stressed that environmental protection is imperative to the future of sustainable tourism.

"We are convinced that preservation, conservation and sustainable ecology are fundamental to our tourism industry today and in the future," the President said. "For this reason, tourism projects must be developed in harmony with the environment."

Noting that Costa Rica contains 5 percent of the world's biodiversity and that 47 percent of national territory is under some sort of state protection, Pacheco referred to the country's natural beauty as "a blessing from God."

In addition to Costa Rica's natural attractions, the President also listed judicial security, social peace and cultural diversity as some of the country's other selling points.

To ensure the future of tourism as a viable economic model, Pacheco said his government will continue with conservation initiatives, such as the Blue Flag program for clean beaches, as well as work with school children to teach the importance of environmental protection and English as a second language.

The President also reiterated his commitment to combating sexual tourism.

"We do not want a type of tourism that exploits our children," he stressed. "To this type of tourism, we say NO!"

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4.6 Quake Felt Throughout Country
An earthquake measuring 4.6 on the Richter Scale was felt through the country Sunday morning, although no damage or injuries were reported anywhere.

The several-second-long quake occurred at 7:45 a.m., with the epicenter in the Pacific Ocean, 43 kilometers southwest of Playa Dominical.

According to the Red Cross' Mario Viquez, earthquake construction codes in Costa Rica often prevent damage from smaller tremors, such as Sunday's.

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