Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico – The government of Luis Munguía is taking major steps to protect Puerto Vallarta’s natural resources by launching the city’s first eco-hydrological restoration project at El Coapinole Lagoon. This initiative aims to breathe new life into the struggling ecosystem while supporting long-term environmental sustainability.
The lagoon, which dries up regularly due to its intermittent nature, will undergo a thorough transformation. Councilman Christian Omar Bravo Carbajal, head of the Clean, Free, and Certified Beaches Commission, emphasized the importance of preserving the site and its wildlife. The plan includes recovering surface runoff, removing excess sediment, and managing both native and invasive species.
Dr. Bartolo Cruz, Director of Environmental Sustainability, explained that the restoration plan involves assessing how much water the lagoon can hold, redirecting surface runoff that currently flows elsewhere, removing excess sediment, and controlling both wildlife and invasive species. Japanese turtles, which are not native to the area, are being contained to protect the lagoon’s ecosystem, while local turtle species are expected to survive, even in low-water conditions.
Funding for the project could come from environmental agencies or compensation programs, with plans to put the work out to tender once studies are completed.
The initiative also supports the proposed Coapinole Linear Park project, which will connect the revitalized lagoon with the long-neglected La Bobadilla Sports Complex. The goal is to create more green spaces in lesser-developed parts of the city and offer residents new areas for recreation, health, and community activities.
If successful, this restoration will not only rescue a struggling ecosystem but also set a new standard for ecological care in Puerto Vallarta.
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