A signature-gathering event in San José del Cabo is drawing attention to several disputed projects across Baja California Sur. Organizers say the effort targets projects related to water, air quality, and ecosystems, including a proposed power plant, coastal developments, and work near the San José estuary. The event also comes as some of the projects remain under public review, giving residents a formal way to register opposition.
Signature drive called in Plaza Mijares
Organizations and residents called a Thursday signature-gathering event at Plaza Mijares in San José del Cabo against projects they say could affect water, air, and ecosystems in Baja California Sur.
The event was scheduled from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Organizers said the signatures would be used to support public opposition to several projects in Los Cabos and other parts of the state.
The projects named by organizers include the Central de Combustión Interna in Cabo San Lucas, work by Puerto Los Cabos that they say affects the San José del Cabo estuary, the Punta Nayu development near a sea turtle nesting area, and the Punta Colorada project planned for La Ribera.
Organizers also said they want to bring attention to other environmental issues that are in public consultation processes.
Several projects are under review or dispute
The proposed CCI Los Cabos power plant is part of the federal electricity planning process. Federal project records list it as a Commission Federal de Electricidad project in Los Cabos, with a planned capacity of 240 megawatts.
A public consultation period for the plant was opened as part of the federal environmental review. The project has raised concerns among environmental groups about potential impacts on air quality and marine ecosystems.
Punta Colorada is also in a public consultation process. A published public notice describes the project as a tourist-residential development planned for the Nuevas Palmas property in La Ribera, in the municipality of Los Cabos. The notice says the project area covers 577,260.56 square meters.
The same notice describes residential lots, a hotel, villas, club areas, and supporting infrastructure. It also notes that the site includes desert vegetation and coastal dune areas, and that possible impacts include air, noise, soil, water, vegetation, and fauna.
Estuary and turtle nesting concerns are central
The San José del Cabo estuary is one of the main environmental sites named in the call. The estuary is a state ecological reserve and is listed as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
Local planning and conservation sources describe the estuary as an important habitat for birds, including migratory and at-risk species.
The Punta Nayu dispute centers on a planned tourism and residential development near Playa San Cristóbal. Reports on the municipal approval describe a project with 1,499 homes and 2,891 hotel rooms, along with public beach access requirements and environmental conditions.
The area also has sea turtle protection activity. ASUPMATOMA, a Los Cabos turtle protection organization, says it works at Rancho Punta San Cristóbal, where it protects six kilometers of beach during nesting months.
Organizers point to past citizen action
The people calling the signing event said citizen signatures had helped stop projects before, including the Camino Costero.
They said the current effort is meant to show public opposition while some projects remain in consultation or review.
The event does not decide the future of any project. It is a public pressure action tied to environmental permitting, land use, and consultation processes already underway.
