Major Seaport Proposed for Baja California Norte

Chinese and Korean interests want a port facility in Baja California

Baja California sea port proposed.

A Los Angeles firm, fronting for Chinese and Korean concerns, is lobbying the Mexican government to be granted permission to build a $1 billion dollar port in the agricultural area of Punta Colonet, 150 miles south of Tijuana.

The port project would be one of the largest Mexican public works projects ever, according to the LA Times. Roads, rail lines, port facilities and even a small city will have to be constructed to accommodate the project. The consortium believes it is necessary to accommodate the growing demand for Asian goods; imports from China grew at the astounding rate of 15% last year.

Baja sea port. It would improve Baja’s current port facilities which are limited, although it is anticipated most of the cargo would be destine for the US. If the plan is thorough, it would include vast improvements to Hwy 1 north to the Mexico-US border.

The down-side is the obvious environmental impact. The LA Times described the intended area as ‘deserted farmland’ This is far from fact. Punta Colonet south San Quintin is one of the most productive agricultural areas in Baja. It’s proximity to Hwy 1 and the US have spurred the growth of large commercial farming in the area. Having anchored in Punta Colonet, it is a beautiful, unspoiled area where orchards and farms run right to the oceans edge. There has been tremendous growth in the region over the last 5 years.

Chinese and Korean firms have not been known for their environmental planning or concerns. One US environmentalist is quoted as saying, “This is just another case of exporting California’s dirty environmental problems to the pristine coastline of Baja California. This is one of the last places we can preserve the beauty that once was the entire west coast”

http://www.bajainsider.com/environment/port-punta-colonet.htm