Mexico Cancels Controversial Baja Resort Project Associated Press
go to original June 15, 2012

Greenpeace drops 2.5 tons of manure in protest against the Cabo Cortes development. (Greenpeace/Prometeo Rodríguez)

MEXICO CITY –  Mexico's president has announced the cancellation of provisional permits for an enormous, Cancun-sized resort planned for the Baja California shoreline in front of a protected coral reef.

President Felipe Calderon says the Cabo Pulmo reef is the only coral reef in the Gulf of California, and as such merits special care and protection.

The reef is also one of Mexico's most successful environmental rescue projects. Marine life has exploded after local fishermen decided almost two decades ago to stop fishing the area and use it for ecotourism instead.

A Spanish developer had obtained provisional permits for about 30,000 hotel rooms, golf courses and a marina near the Los Cabos resorts.

But Calderon said Friday the company hadn't performed required additional studies needed to rule out any impact on the reef.

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