**Primary Article**
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**Baja California Sur Congress Urges Withdrawal of “Baja Bay Club” Permits**
In a significant move against a controversial development, the Baja California Sur Congress has called on the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) to revoke the permits for the “Baja Bay Club” mega-project proposed within the Cabo Pulmo National Park. The initiative was led by Guadalupe Saldaña Cisneros, a legislator from the National Action Party (PAN), who highlighted the project’s violations of Mexican and state constitutions, as well as international environmental protections like the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
Lawmakers concluded that the development, planned by Fideicomiso Cabo Dorado, fails to align with the park’s regulations. They pointed to a ruling by the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (Conanp) deeming the project incompatible with the ecological aims of Cabo Pulmo. As a result, the Congress has urged Semarnat to annul the August 2024 environmental impact authorization issued under the designation ORE.SEMARNAT-BCS.00335/24.
Additionally, the Congress has demanded a review of the technical justification for the project and urged authorities to deny any change in land use from forest to development, as well as rights to utilize subterranean or surface water, and waste discharge permits. Initial environmental clearance was given during the administration of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador but gained public attention as current President Claudia Sheinbaum took office.
Environmental groups like Greenpeace have raised alarms about the project, which plans to build 422 villas, a hotel with 275 rooms, a beach club, boating facilities, and a golf course over 600 hectares. They warn of dire consequences for Cabo Pulmo’s marine diversity and exacerbated water scarcity for local communities. Erick Iván Agúndez Cervantes, head of the Ecology and Environment Commission, voiced a firm opposition to any development threatening the region’s ecosystems, pledging to protect the natural beauty of Baja California Sur’s beaches.
**Secondary Article**
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**Public Outcry Against “Baja Bay Club” Intensifies**
As the debate around the “Baja Bay Club” project intensifies, environmentalists and local communities are uniting in opposition. The proposed development, which plans extensive tourist facilities in the ecologically sensitive Cabo Pulmo National Park, has drawn criticism for its potential impact on biodiversity and local resources.
Conservationists argue that Cabo Pulmo, home to one of the most diverse coral reefs in the world, is worth more as an untouched natural resource than as a luxury destination. They stress the importance of preserving the ecological integrity of the park, which supports a rich array of marine life and contributes to the area’s sustainable tourism.
The project’s opposition has gained traction with rising concerns over water availability, which is already a critical issue for residents. The introduction of such a large-scale development could exacerbate water shortages and strain existing environmental resources.
This case has highlighted the broader tensions in balancing development and conservation in Mexico, and it poses a critical question for future policy: how to encourage economic growth while preserving natural heritage for generations to come. As voices of concern grow louder, the decision on “Baja Bay Club” could set a precedent for future projects within protected regions.