The Federal Public Ministry (MPF) sent a series of recommendations to the City of Cabo Frio, in the Lagos Region of Rio de Janeiro, so that measures can be adopted to contain environmental impacts on the municipality's beaches, especially during the summer.
The region is known for its natural beauty and attracts travelers looking to relax or have fun in breathtaking settings. The beaches with crystal clear waters and the famous Cabo Frio dunes are some of the city's highlights.
In total, 14 actions are recommended. Among them is the annulment of licenses and authorizations granted in the last 12 months for commerce on the beaches (vendors, stalls and kiosks, for example) and the non-issuance of new authorizations without a due environmental impact study.
The measures must be put into practice within 10 days. The deadline is non-extendable.
This is because, according to the body, all proposed measures have already been agreed between the MPF and the city hall within the scope of the MPF Praia Limpa project and in several meetings and recommendations made to municipal bodies. Although the project has been in force since 2018, according to the MPF, the current municipal management has been ignoring the agreed measures.
The recommendations are being given after the MPF verified a series of irregularities on the municipality's beaches, such as an excess of traders, fixed structures on the sand strip and improper disposal of garbage on the beaches of Forte, Dunas, Foguete and Peró.
According to Public Prosecutor Leandro Mitidieri, who signed the recommendation, the granting of new licenses for traders must be based on a study of beach capacity. He believes that a technical environmental analysis should be taken into consideration that precisely points out the limits and number of beneficiaries of authorizations. The MPF also recommends that no more than one license be granted to the same person, whether natural or legal.
Fixed structures
The MPF also draws attention to another problem. According to the agency, the municipality has been allowing the installation of irregular structures on beaches, including in restinga areas, contributing to pollution and overcrowding of the sand strip.
“In this case, it appears that there is not only the omission of the municipality of Cabo Frio in its duty to monitor, which in itself would be serious, but also the conduct of allowing the strip of sand in Praia do Forte to be occupied in the at night, permanently, by tents and equipment related to private commercial activities, making the recurring problem of overcrowding of beaches more serious”, explains prosecutor Leandro Mitidieri. To resolve the issue, the MPF directs the City Hall to cancel the licenses for installing fixed or permanent structures on the beaches and not to issue new authorizations. In addition, two daily patrols must be carried out on each beach for inspection and possible application of sanctions. The document also recommends that street vendors be prohibited from providing tables, chairs and umbrellas to customers. Stalls and other structures must be removed by traders by 6pm, except during Carnival, Holy Week and New Year. Kiosks should also be prohibited from operating on sidewalks, placing tables and chairs on the sand strip and restinga vegetation, mainly on Praia do Peró.
Garbage disposal
The large amount of irregular trash on the beaches also raises concerns for the MPF. The agency recommends that the city place at least one dumpster at the entrance to each beach. Merchants will also need to maintain at least three medium or large trash cans in their operating area and one small trash can or trash bag on each table available to customers.
Vehicle traffic
Among the recommendations are also some regarding traffic in the region, which tends to be quite congested and confusing during the hottest period of the year. The MPF had access to images showing the irregular parking of vehicles such as buggies and quad bikes on the beaches. The situation has already been the subject of another recommendation from the MPF, but the problem persists. The new recommendation calls for the prohibition of traffic and parking of vehicles on the sand strip and restinga vegetation on the beaches, with the exception of public service cars. Furthermore, licenses and authorizations that allow cars to travel in these areas should not be issued.
If the problems highlighted are not clarified or corrected, the case may be taken to the Judiciary, including the filing of a public civil action aimed at holding public agents accountable, in addition to the payment of compensation for any damages caused to society.
A CNN Brazil contacted Cabo Frio city hall, which sent a note.
Cabo Frio City Hall clarifies that the municipality was not notified of any Recommendation issued by the Federal Public Ministry. The municipality also informs that it will provide all requested information within the legal deadline, highlighting the importance of correct planning and inspection of Praia do Forte in order to guarantee an ecologically balanced environment as provided for in the Federal Constitution.
Source: CNN Brasil
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