Last night, I spoke with one of the locals who is spearheading the drive to prevent homes from being built on the dunes in the Todos Santos area. He told me that the battle is nearly lost and the government will not step up to protect the fragile eco-system and the part the dunes play in it. He also told me that one building permit has already been granted to Ed Ogden Gutierrez, who some of you may recall once headed a local real estate company and originally sold the dune lots. If this is true, it is indeed very sad.
I was informed that there are building restrictions, including a 20 meter offset from the peak of the dune and a height limitation. But no matter what the limitations are, damage will be done to the dunes if people build near them. Native grasses will be trampled and no one knows how this will effect them and their part in holding the dunes together.
On a happier note, last night was a pot luck going away party for Gretchen and Melch. They are moving to England to enjoy the cold wet winter. It seemed that most of Todos Santos’ ex-pats attended the party. Sorry, no photos.
