Asociación de Vecinos de Akumal Norte A.C.

The costs of the Government Project are not included in Vecinos' annual budget because we strive to keep member dues low. However, we need to raise $500,000 pesos for the next phase of the project.

Please click here to donate as generously as you can and help keep Akumal Norte as we all know it and love it. Thank you!

GOVERNMENT PROJECT PHASE ONE

Summary of Findings

HIGHEST PRIORITY ISSUES

Survey of official Akumal Norte community boundaries and communal lands

There is a Catastro map of Akumal Norte on file in Tulum
In 2021, Vecinos had the community and communal lands surveyed as a result of the many changes in government oversight and control of the Akumal area since it was established in 1975
We need to go to Catastro and bring our surveys to be integrated into Tulum’s surveys to create a unified survey of the boundaries (not the individual lots) of Akumal Norte
Accurate maps are important to determine where electrical and sewage systems will be placed
Next step: negotiate recognized legal boundaries for Akumal Norte

Security

Presently Guardia National, Tulum police, and Target patrol Akumal Norte
However, we need to attain government guidelines for operating the Pluma with legal permits and follow agreements reached with Federal law enforcement
The Vecinos Security Committee has set up a meeting in September with the commanding general of the Guardia, the Director of police for Tulum municipality, and the private Target security service Vecinos employs to establish operational policies between the three security elements, and establish procedures for owners and tourists to report any incidents

Sewer System

- Sewage runoff is the leading cause of pollution in the bay, lagoon, and mangrove.
- We need to act as managers before the authorities do and propose a model that can benefit all concerned
- CAPA estimated cost for the project is 46 million pesos
- Vecinos continues to have good relations with CAPA, but the municipality does not yet have a definitive plan for Akumal
- We are also studying joining in with a private system, but much more information is needed before any decision can be made or presented to the community

OTHER ISSUES REQUIRING ATTENTION

Urban Development

Akumal Norte will continue to grow, with new construction and higher loads for roads and service
Vecinos will evaluate the federal government’s urban development plan as it affects Akumal Norte and develop a joint plan based on the Federal urban plan and a community plan from Vecinos

Electrical system

Akumal Norte’s electrical infrastructure is vulnerable to short circuits and other failure due to lack of maintenance
Branches rubbing against wires produces voltage fluctuations that damage air conditioners and other equipment
Members of the Vecinos Electrical Committee met with the superintendent of CFE and we have set up a bi-annual foliage cutting plan
Cutting dates will be announced two weeks before each date
The plan is set for mid-October and again mid-March each year

Street lighting

To maintain our non-urban character and retaining our private status, we need to continue and upgrade our lighting program
Areas to be lit and types of lighting used should maintain the environmental approach that protects our turtle program while giving our community safety

Urban Image

As a complement to street lighting, the roadway and the vegetation strip that borders the mangrove swamp require attention
It currently looks overgrown and, in some cases, abandoned

Trash (solid and hazardous waste)

- There is no comprehensive plan for the management and final disposal of solid and hazardous waste. We must comply with an organic waste collection program.
- We need to design a plan for the management and final disposal of solid and hazardous waste in a way that guarantees recycling and/or correct confinement of waste and enables Akumal Norte to obtain international certificates of environmental responsibility.