A Puerto Rico man pleaded guilty on Apr. 30 to violating the Clean Water Act by carrying out unauthorized construction and filling activities in the las Mareas area of Salinas, within the Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.
The case is significant as it addresses illegal actions that impact protected wetlands and endangered species habitats. The U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico supports public safety by handling federal crimes including civil rights violations, according to the official website.
According to court documents, Orlando Rivera-Alejandro placed fill material into Mar Negro, a federally protected waterway within Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (JBNERR), between January 2020 and March 2022. He constructed several structures on this filled land, including a gazebo, concrete boat ramp, dock, and numerous concrete-filled PVC poles. These activities involved discharging concrete directly into Mar Negro without obtaining required permits or approvals at any point.
Rivera-Alejandro agreed as part of his plea deal to pay a $50,000 fine and remove all structures and alterations from the property. He will also engage in remediation efforts to address environmental harm caused by his actions. Sentencing is scheduled for September 1.
The JBNERR was established in 1981 to protect wetlands and provide research opportunities related to estuarine habitats; it is home to several endangered species such as the brown pelican and West Indian manatee. Congress enacted the Clean Water Act in 1972 with goals that include protecting U.S. waters from pollution unless proper permits are obtained.
This case forms part of an ongoing investigation into wetland destruction in Puerto Rico; other individuals have been convicted for similar offenses since June 2024. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division joined U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow in announcing these developments.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico enforces federal laws through criminal prosecutions and civil litigation according to its official website. Muldrow held the position of United States Attorney for this district according to official records. The office serves all areas within Puerto Rico’s federal jurisdiction according to its website, offering mechanisms for reporting crimes or frauds as part of broader public safety efforts according to their information. It also addresses issues such as public corruption and drug trafficking through federal law enforcement operations as reported on its site.
