Mexico Rejects New Real Estate Project in Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve

Quintana Roo, Mexico — Mexico’s federal environmental agency has denied permits for a residential construction project within the protected Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve, citing the area’s fragile ecological conditions.

The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) rejected the “Construction and Operation of a Residential House Called Casa Xaak” project, which was submitted by developer “Propiedades Xaak” in October 2023 for evaluation. The project proposed building a single-family home on approximately one hectare within the federally protected natural area.

After more than two years of evaluation, Semarnat determined that conditions do not exist for the project’s execution and rejected it.

“Information is omitted regarding the surface area occupied by the wastewater treatment plant, its concrete slab, and the treated water container connected to the plant, which would imply a larger area of clearing and construction,” the agency stated in its resolution. “It is also located outside the middle third of the property, in the northern third, violating rule 26 of the Management Program.”

Although the developer proposed an investment of approximately 25 million pesos, Semarnat decided not to grant authorization due to the fragile conditions in that area of Quintana Roo.

The developer planned to build a single-family home on the Paso Juana property within the federally protected natural area. According to the environmental impact assessment, the single-family home would be used for second-home tourism, meaning it would only be inhabited during vacation seasons.

In the last four years, at least three similar projects have been rejected. Additionally, the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) has imposed sanctions on individuals who have begun work without permits.