Just Hanging Around: Wal-Mart Costa Rica gathered some of its Costa Rican providers together yesterday for the 2007 Agro-Industrial Development Fair. A range of items, including this cow, were on display at the fair, which highlighted Wal-Mart's initiatives to increase the productivity and lower the costs of its small and medium agriculture providers.

The National Oil Refinery (RECOPE) this week started dragging sediment away from the dock at the Caribbean port of Moín to allow larger fuel-carrying ships to enter.

Czech Film Festival
With films by Jan Svankmejer, today and July 26, 7 p.m., Czech Embassy, Barrio Otoya.

“La Otra Cara del Matrimonio”
Comedy, today and tomorrow, 8 p.m., La Máscara Theater, San José, Calle 13, Ave. 2/4. Info: 222-4574.

By Gillian Gillers
Tico Times Staff | ggillers@ticotimes.net

President Oscar Arias signed a law yesterday to crack down on the sexual exploitation of minors.

Among its main provisions, the law criminalizes the possession of child pornography, making it punishable by up to two years in prison, and increases protection for victims of sexual exploitation ages 13 and under.

“We are an international destination for child sex tourism, and we are also a transit zone for the trade of young people for sexual exploitation,” said Arias at a press conference. “Denial won't get us anywhere.”

Arias said child sexual exploitation has its roots in poverty, inequality, lack of opportunity, drug addiction, school dropout and family problems. Tackling these problems, he added, is essential to waging a successful battle against sexual exploitation of children.

The law was proposed by Social Christian Party legislator Ana Helena Chacón and approved by the legislature in June, according to the wire service ACAN-EFE.

Aquifers in the Central Valley are being depleted, putting the area's drinking supply at risk, according to the results of a study released yesterday by the National Subterranean Water and Irrigation Service (SENARA).

According to the study, the Barva and Colima aquifers, north of San José, have the ability to replenish up to 9.72 liters of water per second. About 9.8 liters per second are being extracted through both legitimate and unauthorized wells, and if this continues, there will be a 15% water deficit by 2015, according to a statement from SENARA.

Key areas that provide water to these aquifers include the higher-altitude regions of Alajuela, northwest of San José; Moravia, northeast of San José; and the Heredia cantons of San Isidro, San Rafael, Santa Bárbara and Santo Domingo.

The results of the study have been shared with officials at the Environment and Energy Ministry (MINAE), the municipalities affected, the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) and the Public Services Company of Heredia (ESPH).

SENARA also suggested potential solutions to these problems including encouraging municipalities to carefully consider how development and growth projects affect water sources and draft “vulnerability maps.”

Another recommendation is that MINAE study the Colima aquifer to regulate its uses and draft a plan to crack down on illegal water extraction.

-Tico Times

The National Oil Refinery (RECOPE) this week started dragging sediment away from the dock at the Caribbean port of Moín to allow larger fuel-carrying ships to enter.

Making room for these larger boats is an effort to reduce boat traffic entering the port and make space for “other economic activities,” said a statement from RECOPE.

The refinery estimates that allowing ships carrying up to 60,000 metric tons of oil to enter the port will save $4.5 million per year. Sediment deposits now prohibit ships carrying more than 30,000 metric tons of petroleum from docking.

The project, which is expected to be completed by January 2008, was planned to avoid paralyzing the port's normal activities; the dragging is being done in areas that are out of use, the statement said.