lunes, 14 de enero de 2013

GEOLOGIST AND GEOPHYSICIST ACT



GEOLOGIST AND GEOPHYSICIST ACT

(Business and Professions Code §§ 7800 – 7887)

INCLUDES AMENDMENTS MADE DURING THE 2012 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

(Effective January 1, 2013, unless otherwise noted)

CHAPTER 12.5. GEOLOGISTS AND GEOPHYSICISTS

Article 1. General Provisions

7800. Geologist and Geophysicist Act


This chapter of the Business and Professions Code constitutes the chapter on geologists and geophysicists. It may be cited as the Geologist and Geophysicist Act.


7801. "Board" defined


(a) "Board," as used in this chapter, means the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists established under Section 6710. Any reference in any law or regulation to the Board for Geologists and Geophysicists or the State Board of Registration for Geologists and Geophysicists shall be deemed to refer to the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists.

(b) The board shall succeed to, and is vested with, all the duties, powers, purposes, responsibilities, and jurisdiction previously vested in the Board for Geologists and Geophysicists.

(c) The board shall receive two personnel years that were previously allocated to the Board for Geologists and Geophysicists for the performance of the board's responsibilities under this chapter.


7802. "Geology" defined


"Geology," as used in this chapter, refers to that science which treats of the earth in general; investigation of the earth's crust and the rocks and other materials which compose it; and the applied science of utilizing knowledge of the earth and its constituent rocks, minerals, liquids, gases and other materials for the benefit of mankind.


7802.1. "Geophysics" defined


"Geophysics," as used in this chapter, refers to that science which involves study of the physical earth by means of measuring its natural and induced fields of force, including, but not limited to, electric, gravity, and magnetic, and its responses to natural and induced energy and the interpreting of these measurements and the relating of them to the physics of the earth.


7803. "Geologist" defined


"Geologist," as used in this chapter, refers to a person engaged in the practice of geology.


7803.1. "Geophysicist" defined


"Geophysicist," as used in this chapter, refers to a person engaged in the practice of geophysics.
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7804. Defines who may use geologist titles


Only a person registered as a geologist under the provisions of this chapter shall be entitled to take and use the title "professional geologist." Only a person registered as a geologist and certified under the provisions of this chapter shall be entitled to take and use the title of a registered certified specialty geologist.


7804.1. Defines who may use geophysicist titles


Only a person registered as a geophysicist under the provisions of this chapter shall be entitled to take and use the title "professional geophysicist." Only a person registered as a geophysicist and certified under the provisions of this chapter shall be entitled to take and use the title of a registered certified specialty geophysicist.


7805. "Responsible charge of work" defined


The term "responsible charge of work" means the independent control and direction by the use of initiative, skill and independent judgment of geological or geophysical work or the supervision of such work.


7806. Subordinate defined


A subordinate is any person who assists a professional geologist or professional geophysicist in the practice of geology or geophysics without assuming the responsible charge of work.


7807. Qualified geologist defined


A qualified geologist is a person who possesses all the qualifications specified in Section 7841 for registration except that he is not registered.


7807.1. Qualified geophysicist defined


A qualified geophysicist is a person who possesses all the qualifications specified in Section 7841.1 for registration except that he is not registered.


Article 2. Administration

7810.1. Protection of the public


Protection of the public shall be the highest priority for the board in exercising its licensing, regulatory, and disciplinary functions. Whenever the protection of the public is inconsistent with other interests sought to be promoted, the protection of the public shall be paramount.


7818. Authority to adopt, amend, or repeal rules and regulations


The board, pursuant to the provisions contained in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 11371) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, may adopt, amend or repeal rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this chapter.
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7819. Records open to inspection by the public


Except as otherwise provided by law, all records of the board shall be open to inspection by the public during regular office hours.


7820. Official Board seal


The board shall have and use a seal bearing the name "Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists."


7821. Roster


The board shall compile and maintain, or may have compiled and maintained on its behalf, a register of all licensees that contains the licensee’s name, address of record, type of branch license, license number, the date the license was issued, and the date the license will expire.


7822. Specialty certifications


The board may, by regulation, provide for the division of the certification of registration into different specialties, including, but not limited to, petroleum, mining, and ground water, and may issue certificates in one or more of the specialties in which the applicant demonstrated proficiency. The board shall provide such a certificate for those qualified in engineering geology.


7825. Establish relations with other bodies


The board shall establish relations with bodies which regulate the practice of geology and geophysics, or closely related geologic and geophysical disciplines, or which register geologists and geophysicists in the other states, and may establish relations with such bodies in other countries, for the purposes of working toward (1) uniformly high professional standards and (2) mutual recognition of registration.


Article 2.1. Technical Advisory Committees

7826. Establishment of Technical Advisory Committees


The board may establish one or more technical advisory committees to advise and assist the board with respect to the following:

(a) Application review and verification for any level of registration, licensure, authority, or title.

(b) Evaluation and investigation of potential violations of this chapter.

(c) Amendment, repeal, adoption, or revision of board rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.


7826.1. Appointment of members


Each member of each technical advisory committee shall be appointed by the board and shall serve at the pleasure of the board. Each committee shall be composed of no more than five members.
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7826.2. Qualifications of members


Each member of each technical advisory committee shall be an expert in the area of geology or geophysics within the committee's jurisdiction and shall be licensed under this chapter.


7826.3. Compensation for members


All the members of each technical advisory committee shall serve without compensation but shall receive per diem and expenses as provided in Section 103.


7826.4. Immunity for members


Each member of each technical advisory committee shall be granted the same immunity as is granted to a public employee pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 820) of Chapter 1 of Part 2 of Division 3.6 of Title 1 of the Government Code.


Article 3. Scope of Regulation

7830. Unlawful use of stamp, seal, or title by unregistered geologist


It is unlawful for anyone other than a geologist registered under this chapter to stamp or seal any plans, specifications, plats, reports, or other documents with the seal or stamp of a professional geologist or registered certified specialty geologist, or to use in any manner the title "professional geologist" or the title of any registered certified specialty geologist unless registered or registered and certified under this chapter.


7830.1. Unlawful use of stamp, seal, or title by unregistered geophysicist


It is unlawful for anyone other than a geophysicist registered under this chapter to stamp or seal any plans, specifications, plats, reports, or other documents with the seal or stamp of a registered geophysicist, professional geophysicist, or registered certified specialty geophysicist, or to use in any manner the title "registered geophysicist," "professional geophysicist," or the title of any registered certified specialty geophysicist unless registered, or registered and certified, under this chapter.


7831. Use of stamp or seal when certificate not in force


It is unlawful for anyone to stamp or seal any plans, specifications, plats, reports, or other documents with the seal after the certificate of the registrant, named thereon, has expired or has been suspended or revoked, unless the certificate has been renewed or reissued.


7832. Effect of chapter on person not exempted


Any person, except as in this chapter specifically exempted, who shall practice or offer to practice geology or geophysics for others in this state is subject to the provisions of this chapter.


7833. Business entity requirements


This chapter does not prohibit one or more geologists or geophysicists from practicing through the entity of a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation. In a partnership or corporation whose primary activity consists of geological services, at least one partner or officer shall be a professional geologist. In a partnership or corporation whose primary activity consists of geophysical services, at least one partner or officer shall be a professional geophysicist.
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7834. Effect of chapter on non-geological or non-geophysical businesses


This chapter does not prevent or prohibit an individual, firm, company, association or corporation whose principal business is other than the practice of geology or geophysics from employing a geologist or geophysicist to perform professional services in geology or geophysics incidental to the conduct of their business.


7835. Preparation of geologic documents; signing and sealing requirements


All geologic plans, specifications, reports, or documents shall be prepared by a professional geologist or registered certified specialty geologist, or by a subordinate employee under his or her direction. In addition, they shall be signed by the professional geologist or registered certified specialty geologist or stamped with his or her seal, either of which shall indicate his or her responsibility for them.


7835.1. Preparation of geophysical documents; signing and sealing requirements


All geophysical plans, specifications, reports, or documents shall be prepared by a professional geophysicist, registered certified specialty geophysicist, professional geologist, registered certified specialty geologist, or by a subordinate employee under his or her direction. In addition, they shall be signed by the professional geophysicist, registered certified specialty geophysicist, professional geologist, or registered certified specialty geologist, or stamped with his or her seal, either of which shall indicate his or her responsibility for them.


7836. Federal exemption


Officers and employees of the United States of America practicing solely as such officers or employees are exempt from registration under the provisions of this chapter.


7837. Exemption for subordinates


A subordinate to a geologist or geophysicist registered under this chapter, insofar as he or she acts solely in that capacity, is exempt from registration under the provisions of this chapter. This exemption, however, does not permit any subordinate to practice geology or geophysics for others in his or her own right or to use the title "professional geologist" or "professional geophysicist."


7838. Exemption for civil engineers and petroleum engineers


A civil engineer empowered to practice civil engineering in this state, and a petroleum engineer registered in this state, under provisions of Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 6700) of Division 3 of this code insofar as they practice civil engineering in its various branches or petroleum engineering, respectively, are exempt from registration under the provisions of this chapter.


7839. Prohibition against offering or practicing civil engineering


This chapter shall not empower a geologist or geophysicist registered under this chapter to practice or offer to practice civil engineering and any of its various recognized branches.
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7839.1. Prohibition against offering geophysics or geology


This chapter shall not empower a geologist registered under this chapter to practice or offer to practice geophysics for others in this state except as such geophysical work is related to his practice of geology.

This chapter shall not empower a geophysicist registered under this chapter to practice or offer to practice geology for others in this state except as such geological work is related to his practice of geophysics.


Article 4. Registration

7840. Application form and fee


An application for registration as a geologist or for registration as a geophysicist shall be made to the board on a form prescribed by it and shall be accompanied by the application fee fixed by this chapter.


7841. Qualifications for registration as a geologist


An applicant for registration as a geologist shall have all the following qualifications:

(a) Not have committed any acts or crimes constituting grounds for denial of licensure under Section 480.

(b) Graduation with a major in geological sciences from college or university.

(c) Have a documented record of a minimum of five years of professional geological experience of a character satisfactory to the board, demonstrating that the applicant is qualified to assume responsible charge of this work upon licensure as a geologist. This experience shall be gained under the supervision of a geologist or geophysicist licensed in this or any other state, or under the supervision of others who, in the opinion of the board, have the training and experience to have responsible charge of geological work. Professional geological work does not include routine sampling, laboratory work, or geological drafting.

Each year of undergraduate study in the geological sciences shall count as one-half year of training up to a maximum of two years, and each year of graduate study or research counts as a year of training.

Teaching in the geological sciences at college level shall be credited year for year toward meeting the requirement in this category, provided that the total teaching experience includes six semester units per semester, or equivalent if on the quarter system, of upper division or graduate courses.

Credit for undergraduate study, graduate study, and teaching, individually, or in any combination thereof, shall in no case exceed a total of three years towards meeting the requirement for at least five years of professional geological work as set forth above.

The ability of the applicant shall have been demonstrated by the applicant having performed the work in a responsible position, as the term "responsible position" is defined in regulations adopted by the board. The adequacy of the required supervision and experience shall be determined by the board in accordance with standards set forth in regulations adopted by it.

(d) Successfully pass a written examination that incorporates a national examination for geologists created by a nationally recognized entity approved by the board, and a supplemental California specific examination. The California specific examination shall test the applicant's knowledge of state laws, rules and regulations, and of seismicity and geology unique to practice within this state.

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7841.1. Qualifications for registration as a geophysicist


An applicant for registration as a geophysicist shall have all of the following qualifications. This section shall not apply to applicants for registration as geologists.

(a) Not have committed any acts or crimes constituting grounds for denial of licensure under Section 480.

(b) Meet one of the following educational requirements fulfilled at a school or university whose curricula meet criteria established by rules of the board.

(1) Graduation with a major in a geophysical science or any other discipline which in the opinion of the board is relevant to geophysics.

(2) Completion of a combination of at least 30 semester hours, in courses which in the opinion of the board are relevant to geophysics. At least 24 semester hours, or the equivalent, shall be in the third or fourth year, or graduate courses.

(c) Have at least seven years of professional geophysical work which shall include either a minimum of three years of professional geophysical work under the supervision of a professional geophysicist, except that prior to July 1, 1973, professional geophysical work shall qualify under this subdivision if it is under the supervision of a qualified geophysicist, or a minimum of five years' experience in responsible charge of professional geophysical work. Professional geophysical work does not include the routine maintenance or operation of geophysical instruments, or, even if carried out under the responsible supervision of a professional geophysicist, the routine reduction or plotting of geophysical observations.

Each year of undergraduate study in the geophysical sciences referred to in this section shall count as one-half year of training up to a maximum of two years, and each year of graduate study or research counts as a year of training.

Teaching in the geophysical sciences referred to in this section at a college level shall be credited year for year toward meeting the requirement in this category, provided that the total teaching experience includes six semester units per semester, or equivalent if on the quarter system, of third or fourth year or graduate courses.

Credit for undergraduate study, graduate study, and teaching, individually, or in any combination thereof, shall in no case exceed a total of four years towards meeting the requirements for at least seven years of professional geophysical work as set forth above.

The ability of the applicant shall have been demonstrated by his or her having performed the work in a responsible position, as the term "responsible position" is defined in regulations adopted by the board. The adequacy of the required supervision and experience shall be determined by the board in accordance with standards set forth in regulations adopted by it.

(d) Successfully pass a written examination.


7841.2. Qualifications for certification as a geologist-in-training


An applicant for certification as a geologist-in-training shall comply with all of the following:

(a) Not have committed acts or crimes constituting grounds for denial of certification under Section 480.

(b) Successfully pass the Fundamentals of Geology examination. The applicant shall be eligible to sit for the Fundamentals of Geology examination after graduation with a degree in a geological science from a college or university, the curriculum of which has been approved by the board.

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7842. Qualifications for certification in a specialty in geology


An applicant for certification in a specialty in geology shall meet all of the requirements of Section 7841 and, in addition, his seven years of professional geological work shall include one of the following:

(a) A minimum of three years performed under the supervision of a geologist certified in the specialty for which he is seeking certification or under the supervision of a registered civil engineer if the applicant is seeking certification as an engineering geologist or under the supervision of a registered petroleum engineer if the applicant is seeking certification as a petroleum geologist, except that prior to July 1, 1970, professional geological work shall qualify under this subdivision if it is performed under the supervision of a geologist qualified in the specialty for which the applicant is seeking certification or under the supervision of a registered civil engineer if the applicant is seeking certification as an engineering geologist or under the supervision of a registered petroleum engineer if the applicant is seeking certification as a petroleum geologist.

(b) A minimum of five years' experience in responsible charge of professional geological work in the specialty for which the applicant is seeking certification.


7842.1. Qualifications for certification in a specialty of geophysics


An applicant for certification in a specialty in geophysics shall meet all of the requirements of Section 7841.1 and in addition, his seven years of professional geophysical work shall include one of the following:

(a) A minimum of three years performed under the supervision of a geophysicist, certified in the specialty for which he is seeking certification.

(b) A minimum of five years' experience in responsible charge of professional geophysical work in the specialty for which the applicant is seeking certification.


7843. Qualifications for certification as a geologist-in-training


(a) An applicant for certification as a geologist-in-training shall, upon making a passing grade in the National Association of State Boards of Geology's Fundamentals of Geology examination be issued a certificate as a geologist-in-training. A renewal or other fee, other than the application fee, may not be charged for this certification. The certificate shall become invalid when the holder has qualified as a professional geologist as provided in Section 7841.

(b) A geologist-in-training certificate does not authorize the holder thereof to practice or offer to practice geology, in his or her own right, or to use the title specified in Section 7804.

(c) It is unlawful for anyone other than the holder of a valid geologist-in-training certificate issued under this chapter to use the title of "geologist-in-training" or any abbreviation of that title.


7844. Examinations in general


Examination for registration shall be held at the times and places within the state as the board shall determine. The scope of examinations and the methods of procedure may be prescribed by rule of the board.
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7845. Geologist examination requirements


Examinations for registration as a geologist or registered certified specialty geologist shall test the applicant's knowledge of geology and of any established specialty for which he or she applies and his or her ability to apply that knowledge and to assume responsible charge in the professional practice of geology or a certified specialty geology, or both geology and a certified specialty geology.


7845.1. Geophysicist examination requirements


Examinations for registration as a geophysicist or registered certified specialty geophysicist shall test the applicant's knowledge basic to geophysics and his ability to apply that knowledge and to assume responsible charge in the professional practice of geophysics or a certified specialty geophysics, or both geophysics and a certified specialty geophysics.


7846. Reexamination application and fee


An applicant failing in an examination may be examined again upon filing a new application and the payment of the application fee fixed by this chapter.


7847. Comity applicants


The board, upon application therefor, on its prescribed form, and upon the payment of the application and registration fees fixed by this chapter, which fees shall be retained by the board, may issue a certificate of registration as a geologist or as a geophysicist to a person holding an equivalent certificate of registration as a geologist or as a geophysicist, issued to him by any state or country when the applicant's qualifications meet the other requirements of this chapter and the rules established by the board.


7848. Temporary authorization for geology


A temporary authorization for the practice of geology or a certified specialty geology, or both geology and a certified specialty geology, may be granted, for a specific project, upon application and payment of the fee prescribed in Section 7887 for a period not to exceed 60 consecutive days in any calendar year if the applicant complies with all of the following:

(a) The applicant maintains no office for the practice of geology or a certified specialty geology, or both geology and a certified specialty geology, other than for the authorized project, in this state.

(b) The applicant is qualified to practice geology or a certified specialty geology, or both geology and a certified specialty geology for others, and is not legally prohibited from so doing, in the state or country where he or she maintains an office for that practice.

(c) The applicant demonstrates by means of an individual appearance before the board, or before a committee appointed by the board for that purpose, satisfactory evidence of adequate knowledge in that phase of geology for which the applicant proposes to practice under the temporary authorization.

If the applicant can satisfy the board that the completion of the specific project for which the authorization is granted will require more than 60 consecutive calendar days, the board may extend the authorization to a period not to exceed a total of 120 days.

Upon completion of these requirements as necessary, the executive officer on direction of the board shall issue a temporary authorization to the applicant.

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7848.1. Temporary authorization for geophysics


A temporary authorization for the practice of geophysics or a certified specialty geophysics, or both geophysics and a certified specialty geophysics, may be granted, for a specific project, upon application and payment of the fee prescribed in Section 7887 for a period not to exceed 60 consecutive days in any calendar year if the applicant complies with all of the following:

(a) The applicant maintains no office for the practice of geophysics or a certified specialty geophysics, or both geophysics and a certified specialty geophysics, other than for the authorized project, in this state.

(b) The applicant is qualified to practice geophysics or a certified specialty geophysics, or both geophysics and a certified specialty geophysics for others, and is not legally prohibited from so doing, in the state or country where he or she maintains an office for that practice.

(c) The applicant demonstrates by means of an individual appearance before the board, or before a committee appointed by the board for that purpose, satisfactory evidence or adequate knowledge in that phase of geophysics for which the applicant proposes to practice under the temporary authorization.

If the applicant can satisfy the board that the completion of the specific project for which the authorization is granted will require more than 60 consecutive calendar days, the board may extend the authorization to a period not to exceed a total of 120 days.

Upon completion of these requirements as necessary, the executive officer on direction of the board shall issue a temporary authorization to the applicant.


7850. Certification as a professional geologist


Any applicant who has passed the examination and has otherwise qualified hereunder as a geologist, upon payment of the registration fee fixed by this chapter shall have a certificate of registration issued to him or her as a professional geologist.


7850.1. Certification as a professional geophysicist


Any applicant who has passed the examination and has otherwise qualified hereunder as a geophysicist, upon payment of the registration fee fixed by this chapter shall have a certificate of registration issued to him or her as a professional geophysicist.


7850.5. Certification as a specialty geologist


An applicant who has passed the examination for a certified specialty geologist and has otherwise qualified under this chapter in the specialty, upon payment of the fee fixed by this chapter shall have a certificate issued to him or her as a certified specialty geologist.

A certificate of certified specialty geologist shall be signed by the president and executive officer and issued under the seal of the board.


7850.6. Certification as a specialty geophysicist


An applicant who has passed the examination for a certified specialty geophysicist and has otherwise qualified under this chapter in the specialty, upon payment of the fee fixed by this chapter shall have a certificate issued to him or her as a certified specialty geophysicist. A certificate of certified specialty geophysicist shall be signed by the president and executive officer and issued under the seal of the board.
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7852. Seal for professional geologist or certified specialty geologist


(a) Each geologist registered under this chapter may, upon registration, obtain a seal of the design authorized by the board bearing the registrant's name, number of his or her certificate, and the legend "professional geologist."

(b) Each specialty geologist certified under this chapter may, upon certification, obtain a seal of the design authorized by the board bearing the registrant's name, number of his or her certificate, and the legend of the appropriate specialty in geology in which he or she is certified under this chapter.


7852.1. Seal for professional geophysicist or certified specialty geophysicist


(a) Each geophysicist registered under this chapter may, upon registration, obtain a seal of the design authorized by the board bearing the registrant's name, number of his or her certificate, and the legend "professional geophysicist."

(b) Each specialty geophysicist certified under this chapter may, upon certification, obtain a seal of the design authorized by the board bearing the registrant's name, number of his or her certificate, and the legend of the appropriate specialty in geophysics in which he or she is certified under this chapter.


7853. Duplicate certificate


A duplicate certificate of registration to replace one lost, destroyed, or mutilated may be issued subject to the rules and regulations of the board. The duplicate certificate fee fixed by this chapter shall be charged.


7854. Certificate as evidence of registration


An unsuspended, unrevoked and unexpired certificate and endorsement of registry made under this chapter is presumptive evidence in all courts and places that the person named therein is legally registered.


7855. Denial of registration; appeal


Any applicant who is denied registration or authorization shall, in writing, be so notified and informed of the reason therefor. Within 30 days after receipt of notice, such applicant may make written request to the board for a hearing which, if granted, shall be conducted as specified in Section 7861.


Article 5. Disciplinary Proceedings

7860. Complaints; investigations; grounds for disciplinary action


(a) The board may, upon its own initiative or upon the receipt of a complaint, investigate the actions of any professional geologist, geophysicist, or person granted temporary authorizations pursuant to Sections 7848 and 7848.1, and make findings thereon.

(b) By a majority vote, the board may publicly reprove, suspend for a period not to exceed two years, or revoke the certificate of any geologist or geophysicist registered hereunder, or may publicly reprove or revoke the temporary authorization granted to any person pursuant to Section 7848 or 7848.1, on any of the following grounds:

(1) Conviction of a crime substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of a geologist or geophysicist.

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(2) Misrepresentation, fraud, or deceit by a geologist or geophysicist in his or her practice.

(3) Negligence or incompetence by a geologist or geophysicist in his or her practice.

(4) Violation of any contract undertaken in the capacity of a geologist or geophysicist.

(5) Fraud or deceit in obtaining a certificate to practice as a geologist or geophysicist, or in obtaining a temporary authorization to practice pursuant to Section 7848 or 7848.1.

(c) By a majority vote, the board may publicly reprove, suspend for a period not to exceed two years, or may revoke the certificate of any geologist or geophysicist registered under this chapter, or may publicly reprove or revoke the temporary authorization granted to any person pursuant to Section 7848 or 7848.1, for unprofessional conduct. Unprofessional conduct includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:

(1) Aiding or abetting any person in a violation of this chapter or any regulation adopted by the board pursuant to this chapter.

(2) Violating this chapter or any regulation adopted by the board pursuant to this chapter.

(3) Conduct in the course of practice as a geologist or geophysicist that violates professional standards adopted by the board.


7861. Conduct of proceedings


The proceedings under this article shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, and the board shall have all the powers granted therein.


7862. Reissuance of revoked certificate


The board may reissue a certificate of registration, certification, or authority, to any person whose certificate has been revoked if a majority of the members of the board vote in favor of such reissuance for reasons the board deems sufficient.


7863. Revocation upon conviction


A plea or verdict of guilty or a conviction following a plea of nolo contendere made to a charge substantially related to the qualifications, functions and duties of a geologist or geophysicist is deemed to be a conviction within the meaning of this article. The board may order the certificate or authorization suspended or revoked, or may decline to issue a certificate or authorization, when the time for appeal has elapsed, or the judgment of conviction has been affirmed on appeal, or when an order granting probation is made suspending the imposition of sentence, irrespective of a subsequent order under the provisions of Section 1203.4 of the Penal Code allowing such person to withdraw his plea of guilty and to enter a plea of not guilty, or setting aside the verdict of guilty, or dismissing the accusation, information or indictment.


Article 6. Offenses Against the Chapter

7870. Authority to investigate


The board shall have the power, duty and authority to investigate violations of the provisions of this chapter.
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7871. Duty to prosecute


It shall be the duty of the respective officers charged with the enforcement of laws and ordinances to prosecute all persons charged with the violation of any of the provisions of this chapter.

It shall be the duty of the executive officer of the board, under the direction of the board, to aid these officers in the enforcement of this chapter.


7872. Acts constituting misdemeanor


Every person is guilty of a misdemeanor and for each offense of which he or she is convicted is punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) or by imprisonment not to exceed three months, or by both fine and imprisonment:

(a) Who, unless he or she is exempt from registration under this chapter, practices or offers to practice geology or geophysics for others in this state according to the provisions of this chapter without legal authorization.

(b) Who presents or attempts to file as his or her own the certificate of registration of another.

(c) Who gives false evidence of any kind to the board, or to any member thereof, in obtaining a certificate of registration.

(d) Who impersonates or uses the seal of any other practitioner.

(e) Who uses an expired or revoked certificate of registration.

(f) Who shall represent himself or herself as, or use the title of, professional geologist, or any other title whereby the person could be considered as practicing or offering to practice geology for others, unless he or she is qualified by registration as a geologist under this chapter, or who shall represent himself or herself as, or use the title of, professional geophysicist, or any other title whereby the person could be considered as practicing or offering to practice geophysics for others, unless he or she is qualified by registration as a geophysicist under this chapter.

(g) Who manages, or conducts as manager, proprietor, or agent, any place of business from which geological or geophysical work is solicited, performed or practiced for others, unless the geological work is supervised or performed by a professional geologist, or unless the geophysical work is supervised or performed by a professional geophysicist or geologist.

(h) Who violates any provision of this chapter.


7873. Injunction


Whenever any person has engaged in or is about to engage in any act or practice which constitutes or which, in the opinion of the board, will constitute an offense against this chapter, the superior court of the county in which the offense has occurred or is about to occur, on application of the board, may issue an injunction or other appropriate order restraining such act or practice.

The proceedings authorized by this section shall be in accordance with the provisions contained in Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 525) of Title 7 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

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Article 7. Revenue

7880. Certificate renewal time periods


A certificate of registration as a geologist or as a specialty geologist or as a geophysicist or as a specialty geophysicist shall expire at 12 a.m. of the last day of the birth month of the certificate holder during the second year of a two-year term if not renewed. To renew an unexpired certificate, the certificate holder shall, on or before the date of expiration of the certificate, apply for renewal on a form prescribed by the board, and pay the renewal fee prescribed by this chapter.

For purposes of implementing the distribution of the renewal of registrations throughout the year, the board may establish a system of staggered certificate expiration dates and a pro rata formula for the payment of renewal fees by certificate holders affected by the implementation of the program.


7881. Renewal of expired certificates


Except as otherwise provided in this article, certificates of registration as a geologist or as a geophysicist, or certified specialty certificates, may be renewed at any time within five years after expiration on filing an application for renewal on a form prescribed by the board and payment of all accrued and unpaid renewal fees. If the certificate is renewed more than 30 days after its expiration, the certificate holder, as a condition precedent to renewal, shall also pay the delinquency fee prescribed by this chapter. Renewal under this section shall be effective on the date on which the application is filed, on the date on which all renewal fees are paid, or on the date on which the delinquency fee, if any, is paid, whichever last occurs. If so renewed, the certificate shall continue in effect through the date provided in Section 7880 that next occurs after the effective date of the renewal, when it shall expire if it is not again renewed.


7882. Expiration of suspended certificates; renewal


A suspended certificate is subject to expiration and shall be renewed as provided in this article, but such renewal does not entitle the holder of the certificate, while it remains suspended and until it is reinstated, to engage in the activity to which the certificate relates, or in any other activity or conduct in violation of the order or judgment by which it was suspended.


7883. Expiration of revoked certificate


A revoked certificate is subject to expiration as provided in this article, but it may not be renewed. If it is reinstated after its expiration, the holder of the certificate, as a condition precedent to its reinstatement, shall pay a reinstatement fee in an amount equal to the renewal fee in effect on the last regular date before the date on which it is reinstated, plus all accrued and unpaid renewal fees and the delinquency fee, if any, accrued at the time of its revocation.


7884. Effect of expiration beyond five years


Certificates of registration as a geologist or as a geophysicist or certified specialty certificates which are not renewed within five years after expiration may not be renewed, restored, reinstated, or reissued thereafter. The holder of such certificate may apply for and obtain a new certificate, however, if:

(a) He has not committed any acts or crimes constituting grounds for denial of licensure under Section 480.

2013 Geologist and Geophysicist Act 15

(b) He takes and passes the examination, if any, which would be required of him if he were then applying for the certificate for the first time.

The board may, by regulation, provide for the waiver or refund of all or any part of the application fee in those cases in which a certificate is issued without an examination pursuant to the provisions of this section.


7885. Accounting and deposit of funds


(a) The board shall report each month to the State Controller the amount and source of all revenue received by it pursuant to this chapter and at the same time pay the entire amount thereof into the State Treasury for credit to the Geology and Geophysics Account, which is hereby created within the Professional Engineer’s and Land Surveyor’s Fund established in Section 6797.

(b) All moneys in the Geology and Geophysics Fund on January 1, 2012, shall be transferred on that date to the Geology and Geophysics Account of the Professional Engineer’s and Land Surveyor’s Fund.


7886. Geology and Geophysics Fund


The moneys paid into the Geology and Geophysics Account of the Professional Engineer’s and Land Surveyor’s Fund pursuant to this chapter are hereby appropriated to be used by the board to carry out the provisions of this chapter.


7887. Fees


The amount of the fees prescribed by this chapter shall be fixed by the board in accordance with the following schedule:

(a) The fee for filing each application for registration as a geologist or a geophysicist or certification as a specialty geologist or a specialty geophysicist and for administration of the examination at not more than two hundred and fifty dollars ($250).

(b) The registration fee for a geologist or for a geophysicist and the fee for the certification in a specialty shall be fixed at an amount equal to the renewal fee in effect on the last regular renewal date before the date on which the certificate is issued, except that, with respect to certificates that will expire less than one year after issuance, the fee shall be fixed at an amount equal to 50 percent of the renewal fee in effect on the last regular renewal date before the date on which the certificate is issued. The board may, by appropriate regulation, provide for the waiver or refund of the initial certificate fee where the certificate is issued less than 45 days before the date on which it will expire.

(c) The duplicate certificate fee at not more than six dollars ($6).

(d) The temporary registration fee for a geologist or for a geophysicist at not more than eighty dollars ($80).

(e) The renewal fee for a geologist or for a geophysicist shall be fixed by the board at not more than four hundred dollars ($400).

(f) The renewal fee for a specialty geologist or for a specialty geophysicist at not more than one hundred dollars ($100).

(g) Notwithstanding Section 163.5, the delinquency fee for a certificate is an amount equal to 50 percent of the renewal fee in effect on the last regular renewal date.

16 2013 Geologist and Geophysicist Act

(h) Each applicant for registration as a geologist shall pay an examination fee fixed by the board at an amount equal to the actual cost to the board to administer the examination described in subdivision (d) of Section 7841.

(i) Each applicant for registration as a geophysicist or certification as an engineering geologist or certification as a hydrogeologist shall pay an examination fee fixed by the board at an amount equal to the actual cost to the board for the development and maintenance of the written examination, and shall not exceed one hundred dollars ($100).

jueves, 4 de octubre de 2012

Comunicación en relación a proyecto de energía Eólica, WindMar en Punta Verraco, Punta Ventana, Playa Ventana y Cerro Toro

A todo Puerto Rico:

El propósito de este comunicado es resaltar el perfil científico, la vulneralibilidad ecológica y le relevancia geológica y cultural del área compuesta por Punta Verraco, Punta Ventana, Playa Ventana y Cerro Toro en el municipio de Guayanilla. 

Mi nombre es Ángel Luis Alicea León afiliado exclusivamente a mi rol de perito el campo de la geología y de residente de este maravilloso pueblo.  Soy un mayagüezano dedicado a las ciencias de la tierra, la protección y el entendimiento de sus recursos y procesos. En la actualidad ejerzo como geólogo.  Profesión a la que he dedicado mi vida desde 1994.  Dentro de este campo he tenido la dicha de poder ser parte de varios proyectos de gran envergadura tales como:
1.  Estudio de suelos e inspección de cimentaciones en el desarrollo del Puerto las Américas en el municipio de Ponce.

2.    Estudio de Suelos de la carretera PR-9 la cual corre sobre la formación cárstica de Ponce en este mismo municipio.

3.    Inspector en el desarrollo de la represa sobre la cuenca del Río Portugués en Ponce.

4. Delineación de materiales ferrosos enterrados utilizando metodos de geofísica aplicada no intrusivos, dentro de la cuenca del Río Grande de Loíza para el Departamento de Recursos Naturales con el fin de mitigar las consecuencias de desarrollos pasados sobre esta área.

5.    Respuesta de emergencia a el derrame más grande en la historia de Estados Unidos de America; por la plataforma “Deep Water Horizon” el 20 de abril de 2010. Donde debí ubicar lugares estratégicamente designados a lo largo de las costas del Golfo de México para utilizarlos como estaciones de descontaminación.  Posteriormente, durante un periodo de seis meses inspeccione las labores de descontaminación de estas costas.

Como resultado, he vivido por experiencia propia, las consecuencias nefastas e implicaciones que pueden tener desarrollos a gran escala en ecosistemas susceptibles o frágiles.  He visto como la manipulación de documentos tales como permisos y estudios con base científica pueden llegar a confundir el entendimiento público y la sensibilidad que estos desarrollos implican. 

Este es el primer proyecto de energía eólica, sobre el tan importante y a su vez frágil  carso de Puerto Rico. No responder a este llamado seria una falta a mi ética profesional, personal y social. Este es mi pueblo, donde resido hace más de un año. Donde desde niño he soñado con el paraíso escondido de la majestuosa ventana. Por lo tanto es mi deber incurrir en la faena de proveer algunos detalles científicos sobre las riquezas que el municipio de Guayanilla y sus costas contienen.

En primera instancia, hay que hacer notar que el municipio ha sido acuñado en medio de la industrialización y los recursos naturales de nuestros vecinos en aquellos pueblos que nos delimitan.

El municipio de Guayanilla está ubicado en el suroeste de Puerto Rico a unas 12 millas lineales aproximadamente al oeste de Ponce. El pueblo está directamente situado en dentro del sensible carso del sur.  Puerto Rico cuenta con unas de las zonas cársticas más importantes, prestigiosas y hermosas del planeta. En el norte de la isla este cuerpo caracterizado por su composición química calcárea, producto en su mayoría de procesos bioquímicos desarrollados por organismos marinos. Este primero, ocupa más del 90 % del carso de Puerto Rico. La misma fisiografía cárstica, la vivimos en el sur de nuestra isla a menor escala, menor índice de humedad, conteniendo acuíferos no tan extensos como el norte, pero no menos significativos conformando cerca del 10 % (21,022 hectáreas) del carso de Puerto Rico. El carso del sur es un baluarte único en su clase y debe ser protegido. Las zonas cársticas de nuestra isla proveen más del 15 % del agua que nos llegan a nuestros hogares día a día y el carso del sur juega un rol importante dentro de esta gesta.

Desde el Este de Guayanilla, hemos sido abarrotados con una historia nefasta de impacto, tras impacto industrial.  Corporaciones petroleras que desde las costas de nuestra hermana Peñuelas, nos han cubierto de gases y químicos nocivos para la salud humana y el medio ambiente. Lo que una vez fue la imagen del progreso para nuestros abuelos, hoy se ha convirtido en un icono de la destrucción de un ecosistema, que debería representar una de las maravillas de nuestro país. Inclusive hasta de el mundo entero.  De hecho, a solo unas millas al norte de este histórico evento dentro de los terrenos de la ya conocida Corco, se encuentra uno de los parajes naturales más fascinantes de Puerto Rico; el sistema cavernario Convento Mapancha.  El cual está protegido bajo la Ley número 292 del 21 de agosto de 1999, para la protección y Conservación de la Fisiografía Cárstica de Puerto Rico, pero que en adición ha sufrido el embate de vertederos ilícitos y legítimos a través de los años. Esta es misma Ley que debería estar acobijando la zona de Punta Verraco, Punta Ventana y Cerro Toro, ya que son baluartes únicos dentro del carso del sur. 

En el Norte, también se encuentra el corredor de bosques, protegidos por la comunidad, dirigidos por la organización de autogestión comunitaria Casa Pueblo. También, desde el norte vierten sus aguas las cuencas hidráulicas del Río Loco, Río Yauco, Río Guayanilla, Río Macana y Río Tallaboa. Estos son los únicos, dentro de las llanuras costeras de la región más seca del sur de Puerto Rico. De estas el Río Loco desemboca en la Bahía de Guánica, pero los otros cuatro desembocan en las Bahías de Guayanilla y Tallaboa. Estos ríos han sido también devastados añadiendo presión sobre el ya frágil ecosistema, donde represas, generadoras hidroeléctricas, pozos de producción, actividades industriales, como las Petroquímicas y urbanismo han creado una zona inestable, llevando este lugar al borde de un irreparable daño.  Nuevamente añadiendo presión a nuestro ambiente guayanillense.

En otro entorno, hacia el Oeste de Punta Ventana tenemos el aclamado Bosque Seco; conformado en su mayoría por una fisiografía cárstica, donde se encuentran innumerables cuevas, sumideros, cañones y mogotes. Con una precipitación promedio de alrededor de 30 pulgadas de lluvia por año. El Bosque Seco ha encontrado un habitáculo único en el mundo, para flora y fauna que solo pueden ser divisadas en este paraíso. Esta reserva natural, está protegida por el Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales (DRNA) de Puerto Rico, por su complejidad, riqueza natural y su importancia científica, en el 1981.  La Organización de las Naciones Unidas (ONU), para el programa de la Organización de Educación Científica y Cultural (UNESCO), le otorgó la distinción de ser la segunda Reserva Biosférica Internacional en Puerto Rico.  Solamente superada por el bosque pluvial El Yunque en Luquillo.  El 1981 bajo el mismo plan de designación de reserva natural, para el Bosque Seco de Guánica en el Programa de Manejo de Zonas Costeras del DRNA, se proponía que la reserva fuese extendida hasta Punta Verraco. Las condiciones geológicas, ecológicas, geográficas, flora y fauna son las mismas en ambos entornos. Por lo que definir la zona de Punta Verraco, Cerro Toro y Punta Ventana como zona industrial seria un riesgo absoluto a la integridad de este ecosistema. No debe haber separación alguna sobre lo que ya se había propuesto.

Hacia el Sur, tenemos una de las zonas costeras más hermosa de la isla. Como buzo certificado desde hace más de una década, he podido verme cara a cara con los increíbles corales y zonas de arrecifes que esta costa guayanillense contiene. Un paisaje hermoso sin igual, pero con el único problema que los corales que normalmente deben proveer un colorido paisaje, aquí presentan un panorama sobrio tras el descoloramiento de los mismos. Las costas de Guayanilla han sido impactadas en gran manera, por los efluentes de los ríos que allí desembocan y las actividades industriales asociadas a esta costa (Petroquímicas).  El urbanismo a lo largo de estas cuencas hidráulicas, también ha sido un factor de impacto, depositando toneladas de basura sobre las desembocaduras de estos ríos.  Una vez más, esta área sufre la presión del resultado acumulativo de aquello que alguna vez llamamos progreso.  Entonces, creo que debemos preguntarnos,  ¿Queremos seguir presionando este frágil ecosistema?  ¿Vamos a trabajar para salvaguardar lo poco que nos queda?

Los recursos renovables de nuestro planeta, en conjunto con la crisis energética, son prioridad para todo científico hoy día. La conservación del ambiente y la adecuada planificación, más aún son prioridades dentro del proceso de adaptación humana con cada ecosistema. La energía eólica indudablemente, surge como uno de los recursos más favorecidos, para proveer una fuente inagotable de electricidad.  Más aún, cuando sabemos lo dependientes que hemos llegado a ser del petróleo, donde continuamos siendo líderes del consumo de este producto natural y a su vez nocivo. En los últimos 30 años, hemos liderado como consumidores de combustibles fósiles, acomodándonos entre los 20 países de más consumo, con sobre 70% de nuestro abastecimiento dependiendo del petróleo. A pesar de esto, los métodos de energía renovable ofrecen limitaciones, que bien merecen ser consideradas a la hora de planificar un proyecto de la magnitud de Windmar.  Entre las limitaciones ofrecidas por la energía eólica, se encuentra la magnitud del área requerida para poder posicionar los aerogeneradores. Por lo que los terrenos disponibles, aparentemente los tenemos, solo que hay que definir el concepto disponible. Nuestros terrenos ya han sido saturados por desarrollos industriales y nuestros recursos son cada día más limitados. 

Escogí esta profesión, porque amo los recursos geológicos de nuestra isla. Guayanilla tiene recursos para la recreación y distracción como ninguna otra. Punta Verraco, Punta Ventana, Playa Ventana y el Cerro Toro forman parte del Bosque Subtropical del Sur de Puerto Rico.  Pero más allá del valor ecológico, esta zona guarda muchos datos que enriquecen la historia de nuestro pueblo y país. Según reconocidos historiadores, las costas de Guayanilla han sido testigos, de innumerables eventos memorables. Aquí toman vida, relatos de nuestros antepasados Tainos, Colonos y Criollos. A solo pies de Punta Ventana, cuenta la leyenda, que el Gran Cacique Agüeybana recibió a Juan Ponce de León en una ceremonia, donde intercambiaron un respeto político y social mediante la ceremonia del Guaytiao. La misma zona, ha sido reconocida, como el lugar donde fueron halladas las controversiales piedras de teclas de Aqüeybana. Estas eran aparentemente utilizadas por el gran cacique, para dar algún tipo de consulta. Posteriormente el respetado padre Nazario párroco de nuestro pueblo, a finales del siglo 19 (1880), encuentra las piedras. Las cuales ganaron el reconocimiento, de ser genuinas obras arqueológicas y un legado invaluable para este pueblo, en 1981. El litoral también cuenta con la leyenda del gran Pirata Cofrecí. Según relata la historia, antes de ser arrestado por piratería, este heroico caborojeño; quien le robaba las riquezas de españoles y americanos para dar a los pobres; escondió varios cofres, con tesoros cerca de los rocosos acantilados de la ventana. Entre relatos, mitos y leyendas de grandes héroes de nuestra historia; entendemos, que la evidencia de muchas de estas aún vive, contenida en las entrañas de la zona de Punta Ventana y Punta Verraco. Entonces; ¿No debería; cuidar de este patrimonio ser suficiente razón para proteger estos terrenos? Al menos así lo indica la Ley 112 del 20 de junio de 1988, Ley de Protección del Patrimonio Arqueológico de Puerto Rico, la cual obliga a hacer estudios arqueológicos en caso de encontrarse material pertinente.

Disfrutar de las riquezas de esta zona es una rutina en mi familia.  Aquí les he enseñado a mis hijas y a muchas personas, algunas de las maravillas de la zona. Entre estas, nos fascina disfrutar de la sorpresiva aparición continua de aves tanto locales, como migratorias, las cuales nos encantan con sus canticos y coloridos plumajes. Entre un sin número de especies, como crustáceos (cangrejo azul), mamíferos (murciélagos), anfibios (lagartijos) y artrópodos (arañas), los cuales figuran entre algunos de nuestros favoritos. Estos son organismos los cuales en conjunto con la flora que los acompañan, forman un hábitat idéntico al ya protegido y nombrado reserva del Bosque Seco de Guanica.  Estos son solo algunas de las cosas que alimentan el valor escénico de este lugar.  Pero esto es solo el principio. 

En Estados Unidos de América, existen 102 monumentos nacionales, protegidos por una diversidad de leyes, de los cuales 55 son naturales, 22 son asociados a la herencia indio americana y 25 son de otros eventos históricos. Entre los naturales, 15 son de origen geológico y siete (7) de origen marino.  Entre los geológicos, algunos de los más famosos son los arcos.  Estos están protegidos por la agencia de Parques Nacionales de E.U. De estos, el más grande se encuentra en el estado de Utah, en el parque nacional de arcos.  Punta Ventana es un arco natural único en su clase. Este arco formado por la erosión costera de su roca caliza, queda exponiendo una gran cueva sobre esta península. Este arco es el más grande en Puerto Rico.  Este arco es evidencia de que existen cuevas de ese tamaño en el área. Pero para que sea protegida debe ser declarada reserva natural.  Posteriormente existen mecanismos  que nos ayudarían como pueblo a protegerlo, por ejemplo; bajo la tutela de la Compañía de Parques Nacionales de Puerto Rico. Esta formación geológica, me hace inmediatamente pensar que la integridad de este tipo de roca, para cualquier desarrollo de la envergadura de Windmar, representa un riesgo estructural. A aproximadamente 100 metros de la ventana, en dirección Norte, hay un sumidero colapsado de gran magnitud, con un diámetro aproximado de  unos 20 metros y más de 10 metros de profundidad. A poco más de 600 metros hacia el Oeste, se encuentra un arco colapsado, dentro de lo que se conoce, como playa sucia de Guayanilla. Windmar contempla instalar molinos según plantea, dentro de su Declaración de Impacto Ambiental (DIA), cerca de esta zona. Yo he podido identificar, varias cuencas de sumideros como estos, hacia el norte de Punta Ventana. De igual manera, Punta Verraco y Cerro Toro, contienen zonas de sumideros pequeños colapsados. Hago notar, que esto es evidencia de un sistema activo, donde a pesar de la carencia de niveles altos de precipitación ocurre disolución y erosión con bastante frecuencia. La zona costera e interior, entre valles y cañones, también sufren de estos colapsos con bastante frecuencia. En su mayoría estos colapsos son jóvenes, y han ocurrido en un periodo corto.  Por ejemplo; el arco de playa sucia colapso en los años 70s, esto basado en fotos de la época, donde aun se apreciaba la hermosa formación. A lo largo de la costa Norte de Punta Verraco y Cerro Toro, podemos divisar un sinnúmero de cuevas pequeñas. En la parte superior de ambas zonas, podemos ver pedazos de los estratos de roca caliza fracturados, y en algunas áreas colapsadas.  La erosión costera y los efectos de la disolución son notables.

El mapa del Servicio Geológico de Estados Unidos (USGS), dentro del cuadrángulo de Yauco y Punta Verraco de 1979, identifica en esta área tres formaciones principales. La más abundante, según el mapa, es la formación de Roca Cárstica de Ponce (Tp), en la cual abundan diversos fósiles de organismos marinos. Estos datan de la época del mioceno (hasta hace poco más de 25 millones de años atrás). La segunda formación resaltada sobre la superficie, según el mapa geológico, son los depósitos de playa (Qb).  Los cuales están compuestos de sedimentos superficiales arenosos. En tercer lugar, se encuentra la formación cárstica de Juana Díaz (Tjl), compuesta en esta área, de fósiles marinos pequeños. Creando una capa más débil o menos masiva, hecha de un material similar al talco o a la cal.  La formación Juana Díaz, descansa bajo la Ponce, esperando a ser erosionada o disuelta para formar cuevas, sumideros y cañones característicos de la zona. 

Si no protegemos lo poco que nos queda en Guayanilla en su estado natural entonces; ¿Qué legado le estaremos dejando a las futuras generaciones?  Es nuestro deber hacer funcionar la ley, y el orden natural de las cosas. En Puerto Rico existen regulaciones estatales como federales, para proteger recursos como estos.  Parece increíble pensar, que lo único que nos detiene es la desunión social y los intereses personales.  Miremos atrás por un segundo y analicemos, porque estamos aquí. Las siguientes leyes y reglamentos deberían ser revisados para efectos de este terreno y no manipulados a conveniencia bajo ningún tecnicismo. 

·         Ley 292 de 21 de agosto de 1999 para la protección y conservación del carso de Puerto Rico.

·         Reglamento de Zonificación de Puerto Rico bajo la Junta de Planificación donde se define los requisitos y el proceso de establecer una Reserva Natural.  Aplica a todo municipio no autónomo o que carezca de un Plan de Ordenamiento Territorial.

·         Plan de Usos de Terrenos

·         Plan de Ordenamiento Territorial

·         Programa de Manejo de la Zona Costera de Puerto Rico en donde desde 1981 contemplaba el total de los terrenos hasta Punta Verraco dentro de el Bosque Seco de Guanica.

·         Ley 112 del 20 de junio de 1988, Ley de Protección del Patrimonio Arqueológico de Puerto Rico

·         Ley 150 de 4 de agosto de 1988 conocida como la Ley de Patrimonio Natural de Puerto Rico.

·         Ley 133 de 1 de julio de 1975 conocida como la Ley de Bosques de Puerto Rico.

·         Ley 23 de 20 de junio de 1072 conocida como la Ley Orgánica del Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales.

·         Ley 60 del año 2005 para derogar la Resolución Conjunta Núm. 7 de 13 de mayo de 1927 donde le permitía al Gobierno vender terrenos con manglares para su desecación y desarrollo.  Ambas zonas tanto Punta Verraco, Punta Ventana, Playa Ventana y el Cerro Toro contienen zonas de manglares.

·         Ley 250 del 15 de agosto de 1999 conocida como la Ley para la institución del programa “ADOPTE UN PLAYA”.

·         Ley de Acceso a las Costas.

·         Ley de Agua.

Estas son solo algunas medida a tomar. Los terrenos que comprenden los predios del proyecto Windmar, deben seguir siendo una parte intrínseca del diario vivir de Guayanilla y de Puerto Rico. En este lugar el aislamiento natural que posee, único en su clase, nos ofrece recursos como el viento, mar, suelos, cuevas, formaciones rocosas, flora, fauna y muchos más, que debemos proteger, porque simplemente es lo éticamente correcto. Eso si pretendemos vivir, dentro de una sociedad enriquecida de valores tan simples, como el respeto a la vida misma. 

Es mi deber preguntar; ¿Por qué no hemos escuchado o considerado las alternativas ya propuestas, tales como la movilización de estos aerogeneradores y el resto la infraestructura asociada, (cabrería, subestaciones y áreas de control) a otro lugar?  Entiendo se ha contemplado la posibilidad, de ubicarlos en los terrenos de la Corco.  Medida que desde el punto de vista técnico, apoyo, a pesar de los aparentes costos.  Ya que surgiría como una forma de mitigación escénica. Cambiar algo del impacto, generado por la actividad petrolera, por generadores de energía limpia como lo son el aire.  Definitivamente algo muy atractivo. En cuanto a lo económico, ya existen terrenos dentro de esos predios, bajo diferentes programas de mitigación y limpieza.  Algunos costeados por el programa de “Brownfields” federal, para zonas industriales altamente impactadas.  Otra idea que se pudiera contemplar, seria utilizar parte de los terrenos adquiridos por el gobierno federal, donde se encuentra la histórica Central Rufina, y parte los terrenos donde ya son utilizados de manera industrial en el campo de la agricultura.  Otra alternativa tal vez sería, responder al llamado de nuestro vecino pueblo Yauco, quienes han ofrecido en el pasado, rendirles su aval a este proyecto dentro de sus perímetros.  Así mismo, bajo un programa adecuado de planificación, estoy seguro que pudiéramos contemplar una solución adecuada, para tanto proteger nuestro frágil ecosistema, como poder ayudar a producir energía limpia. Recomiendo que luchemos por salvaguardar estos recursos, mediante la creación de programas de conservación, y educación a nivel municipal y estatal.  Exhorto a todos los guayanillenses, que nos unamos para poder recomendar que se sume hasta Punta Verraco, como Reserva Natural de Puerto Rico. El Bosque Seco de Guánica, debe comprender hasta el litoral de Punta Ventana.  Punta Verraco y Cerro Toro, en conjunto separados geográficamente por playa Ventana, debería ser adoptado como el Bosque Seco de Guayanilla. Este con veredas y programas aptos para el desarrollo académico de nuestra gente. De esta manera, ayudamos a alimentar la idiosincrasia de nuestro pueblo. Playa Ventana debería ser protegida, bajo programas tales como “Adopte un Playa” por el pueblo, para que seamos nosotros los residentes de estas tierras, los responsables de cuidar algo nuestro y poder disfrutar de las riquezas que nos trae.  Esta ponencia no solo lleva el corazón de un geólogo apasionado con su profesión sino el alma de un puertorriqueño.  Les agradezco mucho por su tiempo y disposición a todos.


Muchas gracias;


Ángel Luis Alicea León                                                      Hoy 13 de septiembre de 2012

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