JUNE 2015
CAÑO NEWS MONTHLY UPDATE OF THE ENLACE CAÑO MARTIN PEÑA PROJECT
The Caño communities voice their struggle in the National PR Day Parade A delegation from the Caño Martín Peña communities marched in the 58th edition of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade (NPRDP) in New York, as part of the efforts to raise awareness on the dire health situation and gain support for the environmental restoration of the tidal channel. Young and adult leaders from the grassroots G-8, Inc, walked through 5th avenue in an attempt to reach a broader audience and spread the word about the communities ongoing struggles that date back to the 1950’s. The board of the NPRDP chose the Caño as one of the main themes surrounding
the Parade’s festivities. During the event’s official Gala, the delegates – sponsored by the Ford Foundation– received an award and other invitees learned about the resident’s situation. Twenty six thousand people live in eight Caño communities, located in the heart of San Juan, that are constantly flooded with untreated wastewater every time there is a rain e vent. The approval for the proposed environmental restoration, through the canalization and dredging of the Caño, is in the fifth stage (out of seven) by the US Army Corps of Engineers. By the end of this year, the project should finally have compliance with
the National Environmental Policy Act and an authorization of $150M. Therefore, the attention turns toward the Congressional appropriations of $9.1M for engineering and design. We extend special thanks to: NRPDP Board Members, Ford Foundation, the Andrus Family Fund, and organizations and individuals that marched alongside the Caño’s delegation.
See what a flood looks like in Martín Peña: www.aguamala.org
Express your support for the Caño’s restoration Sign our online petition to request the US Congress to fund on the next fiscal year the Pre-construction Engineering and Design (PED) phase of the environmental restoration of the Caño Martín Peña. http://tinyurl.com/q6x4qq6
ENLACE strengthens relations with the Puerto Rican Diaspora As part of the Caño’s delegation visit to New York City, several meetings were held to further raise awareness, obtain support, and identify financial options to fund the environmental restoration of the Caño Martín Peña.
reception by Mayor Bill Di Blasio honoring Puerto Rican Heritage, the group received a Proclamation for their fight for environmental and social justice.
El Puente to learn about housing and youth leadership initiatives. The delegation also met with several foundations at an activity hosted by the Ford Foundation.
The delegation met with City These activities were complemented officials on participatory budget, by presence in the media, coordinated During the four day stay in the Big and in other meetings, exchanged by the Parade organizers. Apple, the delegates visited City experiences with several community Hall, where they met with New York organizations from the Puerto City Council Members and Speaker Rican diaspora.Site visits were held Melissa Mark-Viverito. At the at Asian Americans for Equality and Proyecto ENLACE • (787) 729-1594 • info@martinpena.org • www.cano3punto7.org• FB: Proyecto ENLACE del Caño Martín Peña