Emergency care is the only way to El Carrasco

This was one of the main conclusions of a meeting to be held in the afternoon yesterday in the Government of Santander, which was attended by some of the 17 mayors who use the cell's transient Carrasco, which, by decision Administrative Court of Santander, will be closed this Friday, September 30.According to the Mayor of Bucaramanga, Hector Moreno Galvis, at this moment is not possible to declare a health emergency, because "we still have a place now where to take the garbage, but another is the reality in less than 72 hours."In other words, this decision, could only be next Friday, when the next day there is no where to dispose of 800 tons of solid waste every day receives the Carrasco."The health emergency is a state of emergency that allows us to make exceptional decisions in the framework of the Constitution, which can be above judicial determinations," said local president, who said that is still analyzing the legal feasibility of this possibility.Be given this option, it would be released by issuing a decree in the coming days."Fortunately a new resolution that took the Ministry of Environment (1890 September 23, 2011) allows us to find a solution to the problem ... I can say is that the public will not allow a situation affecting the health of Bucaramanga and we will make the decision more fair and appropriate we can, "said Moreno Galvis, who did not venture to say how long it would extend the use of the Carrasco, and the conditions in which this would occur.El Porvenir neighborhood residents said they did not agree to declare a health emergency, as "the closure of the Carrasco is not something these days, but it is known for several years" and described as the leaders negligent local.Another that has opposed the initiative was the director of the CDMB, Elvia Gomez Hercilia Paez, who said that as environmental authority shares the concerns of mayors, "but I can not endorse the breach of an enforceable court decision, even under the premise that health emergency has been imposed. "In this regard, the Governor of Santander, Horacio Serpa Uribe, said he understands these arguments, but situations that arose this year as the injunction that halted work on Chocoa (site chosen to replace El Carrasco) and closing the current landfill poses a new context can not be ignored, which justify exceptional measures."It comes to us a problem with large social impacts at this time in the department we have no solution, none of the mayors currently have and think about where to send the garbage to Cúcuta Aguachica or transfer you to the users means an increase which can be 100% or 200%, "said Serpa Uribe.For now, be given a further extension to El Carrasco, the inhabitants of El Porvenir announced they will do a sit-in outside the entrance of the site in early October to prevent the entry of garbage trucks.The transitional cells are in the process of closure and that can not be put up as landfill may continue working until they reach their useful life, after verification of the conditions they offer (apply in the case of El Carrasco).

Transitional cells comply with the provisions of Decree 838 of 2005 may apply to the processing of such environmental authority landfills (El Carrasco does not qualify for this option because it is within the approach area of ​​the flights Palonegro Airport).Local authorities may apply to the environmental authority operated sites where a cell is used as an alternative transient within the Contingency Plan (apply in the case of El Carrasco).Local authorities may apply to the environmental authority construction and operation of landfills in areas adjacent to sites where cells had been operating temporary.

Chronological Summary

March 1, 2005

Bucaramanga Metropolitan Board adopts the Management Plan Integrated Solid Waste Management for the metropolitan area of ​​Bucaramanga.

July 12, 2005

With Resolution 1079, ordering the closure CDMB The Carrasco, giving a period of 36 months. Since then he has been given five extensions to the landfill, the absence of a proper disposal site to replace it.

October 10, 2005

The CDMB imposed the first of several fines for failing to Emab environmental standards arranged for the Carrasco.

November 20, 2007

The Civil Aeronautics Carrasco confirmed that the area is within the Airport Approach Palonegro, as it is within 13 km of the airport terminal.

September 3, 2009

Area Mayors

agree to a meeting that was attended by the governor of Santander and others that the new disposal site in the metropolitan area will Chocoa.

December 24, 2009

The Council amends POT Giron to permit the use of land required for construction of the park on the property Chocoa Bonanza.

January 13, 2010

The environmental license granted CDMB pick up litter de Colombia SA E.S.P. today S.A.S. Green Environment ESP for the landfill project called "The Park" in Monterredono, Piedecuesta.

February 16, 2011

Santander Administrative Court confirms the decision of the Circuit Court Administrative 4 Bucaramanga to close the Carrasco. The time allowed is for September 30.

March 16, 2011

The Environment CDMB Green informs that the resolution 017 of 12 January 2011, which gave environmental license to construct the landfill on the property Chocoa Park Bonanza, is duly executed.

April 12, 2011

The CDMB asked the mayors of the presentation area of ​​the contingency plan to address the solid waste disposal at the end of the Carrasco.

June 13, 2011

The Attorney requested to consider suspending the project Chocoa Park due to severe environmental problems may be present on site.

June 17, 2011

The Administrative Court orders suspended 12 all the work being developed in the Park Chocoa.

August 6, 2011

Before the suspension of works in Chocoa, the Governor and the mayors of the area conducted a meeting to define the contingency plan. These meetings will be repeated on 13, 24 and 27 September.