Ongoing Projects in Caño Martín Peña
Previous initiatives to rehabilitate the Caño Martín Peña (CMP) overlooked the relationship between environmental degradation and poverty. Past land use proposals included community displacement as a common denominator. However, most residents of the designated relocation areas do not want to leave their neighborhoods. The CMP environmental restoration project, through its dredging and other infrastructure works, depends on the rehabilitation of existing homes and the development of new housing. The project was designed to emphasize that whenever possible, housing opportunities within the communities must be provided for those families wishing to remain in the area. Communities also want continued access to the CMP once the channel is dredged, and to benefit from the investment made in their communities to promote entrepreneurship. Economic development and education are important concerns. Residents will continue their participation in the decision-making process and the implementation phase. The project will improve connectivity within the Estuary by 61% and will represent significant ecological uplift. It is probably the most important comprehensive development initiative currently underway in Puerto Rico. Some of the project components are:
- Channel Dredging: To re-establish the hydraulic connection between the San José Lagoon and the San Juan Bay by dredging the CMP to a width of 150 feet and a depth of 10 feet. The project will include conservation areas for mangrove wetlands as well as waterfront plazas to provide continued access to the channel. The estimated 700,000 cubic yards of dredged material will be used to fill currently anoxic depressions within the adjacent San José Lagoon, thus increasing the environmental benefits of the dredging.
- Relocation of families: Over 2,300 families will need to be relocated. One thousand (1,000) families are in the right-of-way or footprint of the proposed channel. Of these, 300 have already been relocated. 1,300 new public housing units will need to be constructed. Community Block Grant Disaster Recovery Funds, as well as Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Mitigation Funds, could be a good fit to advance some of these projects.
- Wastewater and Drinking Water Infrastructure: Relocation of several sewer lines, including the Rexach Avenue 66” diameter sewer line and the San José Community 66” diameter sewer line, are required projects that have been developed in past years. A sewer system is needed in portions of the area. A drinking water line, known as the Borinquen 36” line, must also be relocated and is currently under construction. The relocation cost of these lines is estimated at $35M. A vacuum sewer system has already been constructed at the Barrio Obrero Marina sector at a cost of over $6.5M.
- CMP Ecosystem Restoration Project total cost: The total cost of the project is estimated at $744M. The Government of Puerto Rico has invested over $120M in the area, including the relocation of the Barbosa Bridge ($35M), relocation of over 300 households, the Barrio Obrero Marina Vacuum Sewer System ($6.5M), the relocation of Borinquen potable water line and the Rexach trunk sewer, as well as other housing projects. In January 2022, the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced that $163.3M have been allocated and assigned through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 to proceed with construction of the Caño Martín Peña Ecosystem Restoration Project.
- Ecosystem Restoration Project Schedule: The proposed implementation of the project is divided in three contracts: (1) Vegetation removal (2022); (2) Western bridges scour protection (2024); (3) Channel excavation and stabilization (2025).
- Improvement of socio-economic conditions: The development of new businesses has been encouraged in the area, resulting in an ecotourism small enterprise and a small recycling community business owned by community residents.
- Other Infrastructure Projects: In addition to relocating/constructing new wastewater and drinking water lines, new streets, stormwater sewer systems, and electric power lines, among other utilities, must be constructed.