HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-22-20 Desalination Project Committee PacketOTAY WATER DISTRICT
DESALINATION PROJECT COMMITTEE MEETING
and
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2554 SWEETWATER SPRINGS BOULEVARD
SPRING VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
Boardroom
WEDNESDAY
January 22, 2020
10:30 A.M.
This is a District Committee meeting. This meeting is being posted as a special meeting
in order to comply with the Brown Act (Government Code Section §54954.2) in the event that
a quorum of the Board is present. Items will be deliberated, however, no formal board actions
will be taken at this meeting. The committee makes recommendations
to the full board for its consideration and formal action.
AGENDA
1. ROLL CALL
2. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – OPPORTUNITY FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO
SPEAK TO THE BOARD ON ANY SUBJECT MATTER WITHIN THE BOARD'S JU-
RISDICTION BUT NOT AN ITEM ON TODAY'S AGENDA
DISCUSSION ITEMS
3. INFORMATIONAL UPDATE FOR THE ROSARITO DESALINATION PLANT AND
THE OTAY MESA CONVEYANCE AND DISINFECTION SYSTEM PROJECTS
(KENNEDY)
4. ADJOURNMENT
BOARD MEMBERS ATTENDING:
Mitch Thompson, Chair
Tim Smith
2
All items appearing on this agenda, whether or not expressly listed for action, may be delib-
erated and may be subject to action by the Board.
The Agenda, and any attachments containing written information, are available at the Dis-
trict’s website at www.otaywater.gov. Written changes to any items to be considered at the
open meeting, or to any attachments, will be posted on the District’s website. Copies of the
Agenda and all attachments are also available through the District Secretary by contacting
her at (619) 670-2280.
If you have any disability that would require accommodation in order to enable you to partici-
pate in this meeting, please call the District Secretary at 670-2280 at least 24 hours prior to
the meeting.
Certification of Posting
I certify that on January 17, 2020 I posted a copy of the foregoing agenda near the
regular meeting place of the Board of Directors of Otay Water District, said time being at least
24 hours in advance of the meeting of the Board of Directors (Government Code Section
§54954.2).
Executed at Spring Valley, California on January 17, 2020.
/s/ Susan Cruz, District Secretary
STAFF REPORT
TYPE MEETING:Desalination Committee MEETING DATE: January 22, 2020
SUBMITTED BY:Bob Kennedy Engineering Manager
CIP./G.F. NO: P2451- 001101
DIV. NO. ALL
APPROVED BY: Dan Martin, Assistant Chief of Engineering
Rod Posada, Chief, Engineering
Mark Watton, General Manager
SUBJECT:Informational Update for the Rosarito Desalination Plant and
the Otay Mesa Conveyance and Disinfection System Projects
GENERAL MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION:
No recommendation. This is an informational item only.
COMMITTEE ACTION:
Please see Attachment A.
PURPOSE:
To update the Otay Water District (District) Desalination Committee (Committee) on the progress of the Rosarito Desalination Plant and the Otay Mesa Conveyance and Disinfection
System Projects (Project)(see Exhibit A for District Project location).
ANALYSIS:
This item was last presented to the Committee as an update at a meeting held on August 28, 2019. The updates or significant
milestones that have been reached since the last update to the Committee include:
AGENDA ITEM 3
2
Project Direction
Aguas de Rosarito S.A.P.I. de C.V. (AdR), the special purpose company formed to own the Project, signed a 40-year definitive
public-private partnership agreement with the State of Baja California (State) on August 25, 2016 to build a desalination
plant and conveyance pipeline (Rosarito Project) and operate it for 37 years. This would be one of the first water projects delivered under the State’s Asociaciones Público Privadas (APP)
law.
The companies that make up AdR include a Mexican company called N.S.C. Agua S.A. de C.V. (NSCA), that is a subsidiary of Cayman-Islands based Consolidated Water (CWCO), together with one or
more affiliates of Greenfield SPV VII, S.A.P.I. de C.V. (Greenfield), a Mexico company managed by an affiliate of a
leading U.S. asset manager, and Suez Medio Ambiente México, S.A. de C.V., ("Suez"), a subsidiary of SUEZ International, S.A.S. In June 2018, AdR and Suez executed a contract whereby Suez will serve as the engineering, construction, and procurement contractor for the Rosarito Project, with such contract becoming
effective on the effective date of the APP Contract.
The APP Contract does not become effective until the State establishes and registers various payment trusts, guaranties, and bank credit lines for specific use by the Rosarito Project.
During the congressional session that ended in March 2019, the State congress passed Decreto #335, which renewed fiscal authorizations to put in place various obligations. Decreto #335 was set to expire at the end of 2019, however, a last-
minute extension was granted by congress. Decreto #37 amends the earlier approved Decreto #335 by extending to June 30, 2020
the expiration of authorizations related to the company's desalination project in Rosarito, Mexico. This extension will allow more time to put the obligations in place that include
payment trusts, guaranties, and bank credit lines that are obligations of the State under the public-private partnership
agreement. These obligations are sized to secure the production rate of the Project’s first phase, which includes conveyance of the water to the El Florido delivery point.
Without the Decreto’s approval, the State is not authorized to
put the payment guaranties in place and cannot complete key conditions precedent for financial close. Recently, the Board of Directors of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
authorized up to $200 million in project financing and La Comisión Nacional del Agua (CONAGUA), the Federal organization
3
for water in Mexico, granted both a seawater use concession and
a discharge permit to Comisión Estatal de Aguas (CEA) for the Rosarito Project.
Under the old administration, various water purchase and sales agreements between CEA and Comisión Estatal de Servicios
Públicos de Tijuana (CESPT) have been executed. AdR must also obtain all of the right-of-way required for the pipelines and execute all debt financing agreements needed to provide funding
to AdR for the first phase of the Rosarito Project.
CWCO estimates it could take four to six months for the State to tender with banks and put in place the lines of credit and for AdR to acquire the remaining aqueduct right-of-ways required for
the Project. Both the State and AdR will need to work with the lenders to secure all the debt commitments and reach financial
close.
Rosarito Desalination Project in the News
Desalination projects and water shortages are subjects in the
national, state, and local news, as well as in Mexico in the State of Baja California. Projects that provide a new supply of water have been mentioned on both sides of the border, including the Rosarito Beach Desalination Project.
In a July 2, 2019, article in El Sol de Tijuana entitled, “Rosarito Desal Plant is Necessary, Vega”, Governor Francisco Vega in his defense of the controversial Project stated “the construction of the desalination plant in Playas de Rosarito should have started yesterday.” He also showed a picture from
his cell phone of the Colorado aqueduct and noted sections of the aqueduct were not in good condition. He also said, “we have
to build a second source of water supply for Baja California. If it is not done, you will remember me.”
An article in AFN Tijuana on July 12, 2019, entitled, “EU construiría desaladora de Rosarito” that according to Mario
Escobedo Carignan, incoming Secretary of Economic Development “The Rosarito Desal Plant could be built entirely through US investments. Baja Californians would receive desalinated water
at no extra cost or financial liability to the State.” He also said that in recent years the maintenance of the Rio Colorado
aqueduct was neglected, and the coastal area frequently receives less water due to lack of investment in two of the existing pumps (see Exhibit B).
4
On July 16, 2019, an article in El Vigia entitled, “Se suma San
Diego a la iniciativa de descontaminación de Bonilla” about the governor-elect of Baja California, Jaime Bonilla Valdez, and the San Diego Port Commissioner efforts to jointly support
environmental works in the binational region (see Exhibit C).
On August 19, 2019, an article in Cadenas Noticias entitled, “Desaladora de Rosarito, Va: empresa” notes the Public Registry of Property canceled the embargo to NSC, Agua SA de CV. With
this resolution and release of the provisional embargo, they can proceed with construction and operation of the desalination
plant (see Exhibit D).
In an August 20, 2019 article in Newsweek (Mexico Edition)
entitled, “Araceli Brown, recognizes water shortage but does not take a position on Desal Plant”, the Elected Mayor of Rosarito,
Araceli Brown, said: “I don’t know the Rosarito Desal Project. I need to learn more to understand the benefits. The PRI and the PAN political parties approved this Project. They and Governor Kiko Vega were the ones who proposed this Project and the public-private partnership.”
On August 22, 2019, an article in Uniradio Informa entitled, “Rosarito Desal Plant and Zapata Boulevard are not a Priority”, notes that the Rosarito Desal Plant and the Zapata Boulevard are not a priority, according to a group of 20 agencies that
analyzed 400 programs. Luis Durarte Mora, President of the Urban Planning Society of Tijuana, Tecate and Rosarito, suggested starting wastewater treatments before the construction of the Rosarito Desal.
On October 31, 2019, an article in Monitor Economico entitled, “California reinicia gestiones para comprar agua de la
desalinizadora de Rosarito”, noted the District’s August 28, 2019 letter of interest in acquiring desalinated potable water resources that was sent to Comisión Estatal de Agua (see Exhibit
E).
On November 7, 2019, the San Diego Union Tribune published an article entitled, “Tijuana and Rosarito to ration water supply for the next two months”, on the water shortage in Baja
California. Two of five pumps on the Colorado River aqueduct system broke down and as of the date of this article only one
has been repaired (see Exhibit F).
On November 19, 2019, an article in Vanguardia entitled, “Las
aguas negras de 'Kiko' Vega, ex gobernador de Baja California”, that covers the Project history and states “former Panist
5
Governor of Baja California, Francisco Vega de Lamadrid, is
embroiled in a network of corruption that will leave the entity engulfed for the next 37 years and where the only beneficiaries will be businessmen and politicians” (see Exhibit G).
On November 21, 2019, an article in Radar BC Special entitled,
“Proyecto para llevar agua de México a San Diego fue avalado por Jaime Bonilla e impulsado por Kiko Vega” reported both the current Governor of Baja California, Jaime Bonilla Valdez, and
former Governor Francisco Vega de Lamadrid knew the purpose of the desalination plant in Playas de Rosarito was to sell water
to the United States (see Exhibit H).
On November 25, 2019, the San Diego Union Tribune published an
article entitled, “Bi-national conference tackles border region’s water issues” on a two-day conference looking at water
resources in the Baja California and San Diego border region and to discuss ways a secure and reliable water supply including through wastewater treatment and desalination (see Exhibit I).
On December 9, 2019, the San Diego Union Tribune published an
article entitled, “Water shut-offs in Tijuana and Rosarito suspended for December” on the announcement by Baja California State and water officials that Tijuana and Rosarito residents may have gotten a brief reprieve from scheduled water shut-offs, but the delivery of water throughout Baja California is a
vulnerable system in need of urgent repairs (see Exhibit J).
Contract with AECOM
The contract with AECOM expired on June 30, 2018 and was not
extended.
Presidential Permit
The Department of State issued a Presidential permit (Permit) to
the District on May 16, 2017, authorizing the District to construct, connect, operate, and maintain cross-border water
pipeline facilities for the importation of desalinated seawater at the international boundary between the United States and Mexico in San Diego County, California. This Permit will expire
unless work begins on the cross-border pipeline or the permit is extended by May 16, 2022. The District reached out to the State
Department to see if this Permit could be assigned by the District to another agency and early indications are this is possible.
6
It is expected Mexico’s federal agencies may need to issue a
similar permit to bring symmetry into the approval of a cross-border pipeline with the International Boundary and Water Commission, and their counterpart in Mexico, Comisión
Internacional de Límites y Agua (IBWC/CILA) as the agencies to administer the transportation of water across the border and to
protect the District from local interference in the delivery of desalinated water. IBWC/CILA currently fill this role for the existing pipeline border crossing south of Alta Road that
transport Mexico water from Mexico’s allotment from the Colorado River.
FISCAL IMPACT: Joe Beachem, Chief Financial Officer
No fiscal impact as this is an informational item only. See Attachment B - Budget Detail.
As of December 31, 2019, $4,168,651 has been spent. Staff has stopped all activities concerning the Project. All expenditures will be suspended until more progress is made in Mexico on the Project.
STRATEGIC GOAL:
This Project supports the District’s Mission statement, “To provide exceptional water and wastewater service to its
customers, and to manage District resources in a transparent and fiscally responsible manner” and the General Manager’s Vision, "To be a model water agency by providing stellar service, achieving measurable results, and continuously improving operational practices."
LEGAL IMPACT:
None.
BK/DM/RP:jf
P:\WORKING\CIP P2451 Desalination Feasibility Study\Staff Reports\Committee Desal Update 2020-1\Committee 01-22-20, Staff Report, Desal Update, (BK-RP).docxAttachments: Attachment A – Committee Action
Attachment B – Budget Detail Exhibit A – Project Location
Exhibit B – AFN Tijuana, dated July 12, 2019 Exhibit C – El Vigia, dated July 16, 2019 Exhibit D – Cadena Noticias, dated August 19,
2019 Exhibit E – Monitor Economico, dated October 31,
2019
7
Exhibit F – Tijuana and Rosarito to ration water
supply for the next two months, San Diego Union Tribune, dated November 7, 2019
Exhibit G – Vanguardia, dated November 19, 2019 Exhibit H – Radar BC Special, dated November 21,
2019 Exhibit I – Bi-national conference tackles border region’s water issues, San Diego Union
Tribune, dated November 25, 2019 Exhibit J – Baja California water supplies remain
at critical levels, San Diego Union Tribune, dated December 9, 2019
ATTACHMENT A
SUBJECT/PROJECT:
P2451-001101
Informational Update for the Rosarito Desalination
Plant and the Otay Mesa Conveyance and Disinfection System Projects
COMMITTEE ACTION:
The Desalination Committee (Committee) reviewed this informational item at a meeting held on January 22, 2020.
ATTACHMENT B – Budget Detail
SUBJECT/PROJECT:
P2451-001101
Informational Update for the Rosarito Desalination Plant and the Otay Mesa Conveyance and Disinfection System
Projects
Date Updated 12/31/2019
Budget
30,000,000
Phases
Planning
Consultant Contracts 26,369 26,369 - 26,369 BROWNSTEIN HYATT FARBER
98,577 98,577 - 98,577 CAMP DRESSER & MCKEE INC
13,311 13,311 - 13,311 CPM PARTNERS INC
380,200 380,200 - 380,200 HECTOR I MARES-COSSIO
71,531 71,531 - 71,531 MARSTON & MARSTON INC
26,700 26,700 - 26,700 REA & PARKER RESEARCH
4,173 4,173 - 4,173 SALVADOR LOPEZ
225,499 225,499 - 225,499 SILVA-SILVA INTERNATIONAL
34,600 13,400 21,200 34,600 SVPR COMMUNICATIONS
Meals and Incidentals 21,944 21,944 - 21,944 STAFF
Printing 61 61 - 61 MAIL MANAGEMENT GROUP INC
Professional Legal Fees 2,516 2,516 - 2,516 ARTIANO SHINOFF
162,041 162,041 - 162,041 GARCIA CALDERON & RUIZ LLP
43,175 43,175 - 43,175 SOLORZANO CARVAJAL GONZALEZ Y
32,612 32,612 - 32,612 STUTZ ARTIANO SHINOFF
Regulatory Agency Fees 3,120 3,120 - 3,120 COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
2,142 2,142 - 2,142 STATE WATER RESOURCES
Service Contracts 500 500 - 500 REBECA SOTURA NICKERSON
875 875 - 875 LEONARD VILLAREAL
32,463 32,463 - 32,463 (W)RIGHT ON COMMUNICATIONS INC
39,500 39,500 - 39,500 BUSTAMANTE & ASSOCIATES LLC
290 290 - 290 SAN DIEGO DAILY TRANSCRIPT
685 685 - 685 SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, THE
Standard Salaries 1,212,336 1,212,336 - 1,212,336
Total Planning 2,435,219 2,414,019 21,200 2,435,219
Design 001102
Consultant Contracts 1,432,253 1,432,253 - 1,432,253 AECOM TECHNICAL SERVICES INC
3,952 3,952 - 3,952 AIRX UTILITY SURVEYORS INC
5,000 5,000 - 5,000 ATKINS
8,818 8,818 - 8,818 CPM PARTNERS INC
5,109 5,109 - 5,109 MARSTON+MARSTON INC
35,520 35,520 - 35,520 MICHAEL R WELCH PHD PE
Meals, Travel, Incidentals 3,457 3,457 - 3,457 STAFF
Professional Legal Fees 7,761 7,761 - 7,761 STUTZ ARTIANO SHINOFF
Regulatory Agency Fees 1,127 1,127 - 1,127 STATE WATER RESOURCES
Service Contracts 1,084 1,084 - 1,084 SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE LLC
114 114 - 114 REPROHAUS CORP
Standard Salaries 250,108 250,108 - 250,108
Total Design 1,754,303 1,754,303 - 1,754,303
Construction
Standard Salaries 329 329 - 329
Total Construction 329 329 - 329
Grand Total 4,189,851 4,168,651 21,200 4,189,851
Vendor/Comments
Otay Water District
P2451 Otay Mesa Desalination Conveyance and Disinfection System
Committed Expenditures
Outstanding
Commitment &
Forecast
Projected Final
Cost
571-1RESERVOIR
870-1RESERVOIR
OTAY MESA RD
EN
R
I
C
O
F
E
R
M
I
D
R
DONOVA
N
DONOVANCORRECTIONALFACILITY
SIEMPRE VIVA RD
G.F. BAILEYDETENTION FACILITY
AIRWAY RD
AL
T
A
R
D
PASEO DE
LA
F
U
E
N
T
T
E
STATE PRISON RD
ALT
A
R
D
MEXICO
USA
OW
D
B
O
U
N
D
A
R
Y
FUTURE
FUT
U
R
E
?ò
?Ü
?Ü
FUTUREPORT OFENTRY
OTAY WATER DISTRICTOTAY MESA DESALINATION CONVEYANCEAND DISINFECTION SYSTEM PROJECT
EXHIBIT A
CIP P2451
0 2,0001,000
Feet
F
P:
\
W
O
R
K
I
N
G
\
C
I
P
P
2
4
5
1
D
e
s
a
l
i
n
a
t
i
o
n
F
e
a
s
i
b
i
l
i
t
y
S
t
u
d
y
\
G
r
a
p
h
i
c
s
\
E
x
h
i
b
i
t
s
-
F
i
g
u
r
e
s
\
E
x
h
i
b
i
t
A
,
M
a
r
c
h
2
0
1
5
.
m
x
d
Legend
Pipeline Alternative 1
Pipeline Alternative 2
Pipeline Alternative 3
VICINITY MAP
PROJECT SITE
NTSDIV 5
DIV 1
DIV 2
DIV 4
DIV 3
?ò
Aä%&s
?p
?Ë
!\
F
Translated from Spanish to English using Microsoft Translator
Exhibit B
EU to build Rosarito desalinator
TIJUANA, BC - Friday, July 12, 2019 - AFN.
*.- And the federation the Zapata-International road circuit, says Mario Escobedo*.- Will not see
k candidacy for mayor, and the governorship "is far away"
TIJUANA, BC 12 JULY 2019 (AFN).- The planned desalination plant for Rosarito could be built ent
irely with American investment, and the Californians would receive desalinated water at no extr
a cost or financial commitment to the state, while the elevated road from Zapata Canyon to the
international avenue would be built with federal funds, said Mario Escobedo Carignan, future Se
cretary of Economic Development of the State.
Translated from Spanish to English using Microsoft Translator
The former leader of organized trade said today in AFN POLICY AND SOMETHING MORE, that th
ese are just some of the commitments already set on the agenda of the first 90 days of governm
ent of the new state administration, which include eliminating at least seven slingshots of sewag
e to the beaches, and ambitious infrastructure works for the institution's five town halls.
Escobedo Carignan, who stated that he will not seek the mayoral's candidacy in 2021 and for wh
om the governorship "is far away", revealed that the original project of the desalinator, promot
ed by the current governor-elect since he was a representative of the District of Otay Waters in t
he United States was fully American investment and at no cost to the Bajacalifornianos, but the
current state government decided to do so on its own and at a high cost to the residents of the
entity.
It also said that in recent years the maintenance of the Rio Colorado aqueduct was neglected, a
nd the coastal area frequently receives less of the liquid for lack of investment in two of the exis
ting pumps, possibly to justify the construction of the desalinating.
To fill the missing it was decided to use water from the existing storage in the El Carrizo Dam wh
ere it is now known, there is "a leak" on which there is no more information, because the delive
ry-reception work is still in process and the details are know how much more information is rece
ived.
Escobedo Carignan recognized that there are many challenges to be solved to do things that ma
ke a big difference compared to what exists, and it is possible to enhance the economic develop
ment of the entity, and President López Obrador is committed to supporting Baja California, wh
ere all projects are being conjoined with the various sectors of society since before the governor
-elect took office.
Considering that federal resources for many of the projects will be indispensable, he said the fir
st representative has offered to deliver resources in the same amount that the new state admin
istration manages to make savings. In the case of the unit in his care, which will concentrate fou
r secretaries, the estimated savings will be 39 million pesos.
On the subject of water, for example, the rehabilitation of the drains of the agricultural area of t
he Mexicali Valley and the investment required to properly manage the liquid and eliminate lea
ks, will be large and could amount to one billion pesos.
Escobedo, who served as federal delegate to the Ministry of The Economy in Baja California, str
essed that the state government digitization project should be completed in five years, generati
ng significant savings in time and money for users of the government services, as well as in num
ber of staff and administrative processes internally.
Speaking about the recent legislative reform to extend the period of state government to five ye
ars, Escobedo Carignan even speculated that the reform previously passed, and that he committ
ed a defect of origin by not properly notifying municipalities so that they issued their position o
Translated from Spanish to English using Microsoft Translator
n the subject, it may have been the result of a calculation by partisan leaders "who perhaps mia
stably did not conclude, in case they won to be able to do the same," but then they were not as
jealous of the issue of legality as they are today.
He further recalled that on the day the governor-elect registered his candidacy, a term of gover
nment of more than five years was in force, and the next day he was reduced to two.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OHV7djeZR8
Exhibit B
EU construiría desaladora de Rosarito
TIJUANA, BC - viernes, 12 de julio de 2019 - AFN.
*.- Y la federación el circuito vial Zapata-Internacional, dice Mario Escobedo *.- No buscará candidatura a alcaldía, y la gubernatura “está muy lejos”
TIJUANA, BC A 12 DE JULIO DEL 2019 (AFN).- La planta desalinizadora prevista para Rosarito podría ser construida completamente con inversión estadunidense, y los bajacalifornianos recibirían agua desalada sin costo extra ni compromiso financiero para el estado, mientras que la vialidad elevada del Cañón Zapata a la avenida internacional, seria construida con fondos federales, afirmó hoy Mario Escobedo Carignan, futuro Secretario de Desarrollo Económico del Estado.
El ex dirigente del comercio organizado dijo hoy en AFN POLÍTICO Y ALGO MÁS, que estos son tan solo algunos de los compromisos establecidos ya en la agenda de los primeros 90 días de gobierno de la nueva administración estatal, que incluyen eliminar al menos siete tiraderos de aguas negras hacia las playas, y ambiciosas obras de infraestructura para los cinco ayuntamientos de la entidad.
Escobedo Carignan, quien afirmó que no buscará la candidatura a la alcaldía en el año 2021 y para quien la gubernatura “está muy lejos”, reveló que el proyecto original de la desaladora, promovido por el actual gobernador electo desde que era funcionario del Distrito de Aguas de Otay en Estados Unidos, era de inversión totalmente norteamericana y sin costo para los bajacalifornianos, pero el actual gobierno estatal decidió hacerlo por su cuenta y con un alto costo para los residentes de la entidad.
También dijo que en los últimos años se descuidó el mantenimiento del acueducto Rio Colorado, y la zona costa recibe frecuentemente menor cantidad del líquido por falta de inversión en dos de las bombas existentes, posiblemente para justificar la construcción de la desaladora.
Para suplir el faltante se decidió utilizar agua del almacenamiento existente en la Presa El Carrizo donde ahora se sabe, existe “una fuga” sobre la que no se tiene mayor información, porque los trabajos de entrega-recepción todavía están en proceso y los detalles se conocerán conforme se reciba mayor información.
Escobedo Carignan reconoció que son muchos los retos a resolver para hacer cosas que hagan una gran diferencia en comparación de lo existente, y sea posible potenciar el desarrollo económico de la entidad, y el Presidente López Obrador se ha comprometido a apoyar a Baja California, donde todos los proyectos están siendo consensuados con los diversos sectores de la sociedad desde antes de tomar posesión el gobernador electo.
Considerando que los recursos federales para muchos de los proyectos serán indispensables, dijo que el primer mandatario ha ofrecido entregar recursos en la misma cantidad en que la nueva administración estatal logre obtener ahorros. En el caso de la dependencia a su cargo, que concentrará a cuatro secretarias, el ahorro calculado será de 39 millones de pesos.
En el tema del agua, por ejemplo, la rehabilitación de los drenes de la zona agrícola del valle de Mexicali y la inversión que se requiere para administrar adecuadamente el líquido y eliminar las fugas, será cuantiosa y podría ascender a mil millones de pesos.
Escobedo, quien fungió como delegado federal de la Secretaría de Economía en Baja California, destacó que el proyecto de digitalización de gobierno estatal deberá quedar con
cluido en cinco años, generando ahorros importantes en tiempo y dinero para los usuarios de los servicios de gobierno, y también en cantidad de personal y los procesos administrativos en lo interno.
Al hablar sobre la reciente reforma legislativa para ampliar a cinco años el periodo del gobierno estatal, Escobedo Carignan especuló incluso que la reforma aprobada previamente, y que cometió un vicio de origen al no notificar adecuadamente a los ayuntamientos para que emitieran su posición al respecto, pudo haber sido producto de un cálculo de parte de líderes partidistas “que quizá mañosamente no concluyeron, por si ganaban poder hacer lo propio”, pero entonces no fueron tan celosos respecto del tema de la legalidad como hoy lo son.
Recordó además que el día que el hoy gobernador electo registró su candidatura, estaba vigente una duración del periodo de gobierno de más de cinco años, y al día siguiente la redujeron a dos.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OHV7djeZR8
Translated from Spanish to English using Microsoft Translator
Exhibit C
July 16, 2019
San Diego joins Bonilla's
decontamination initiative
The Port Commissioner, Rafael Castellanos, says that $15 million is ready to jointly support environmental works in the binational region.
By Bulletin
Tuesday, July 16, 2019 12:55
Tijuana, B.C. - With an investment of $15 million, the government of San Diego County, California,
will join the initiative of the governor-elect of Baja California, Jaime Bonilla Valdez, which consists
Translated from Spanish to English using Microsoft Translator
of the installation of storm infrastructure and t to re-encruncy blackwater runoff and eliminate
the high levels of pollution of beaches that share both states on the southern coast of the
binational territory.
The governor-elect received in his offices the Commissioner of the port of San Diego, Rafael
Castellanos, with whom he addressed various regional issues, some issues arising from his
campaign commitments to decontaminate a wide expanse of beaches from The Mission, Playas
de Rosarito, to Tijuana, and Imperial Beach, across the border.
Rafael Castellanos, a sandieguino government official, informed the elected president of Baja
California that $15 million is available and the development of 15 projects to add them to the
task that will be thrown away by the future government to end the pollution that for years has
been growing without the proper attention of the governments of Baja California.
In the cooperation agreement arose the issue of wastewater running through the pipeline of the
Tijuana River, as well as the regulation of the import of tires that in many cases, derive from
smuggling and its final disposition contributes negatively in the region's environment.
Mario Escobedo Carignan, coordinator of the economic agenda of the elected government, also
raised the need to solve with greater technology the times of international crossings. "They are
of the urgent problems to be solved," he pointed out.
Bonilla Valdez expressed the need to build an agenda or mechanism for the joint work of both
governments where greater coordination is seen. Sometimes it turns out that we work out-of-
date, like everyone says on their side. It is important not to be out of date and a coordinated pace
of work prevails," he said.
The elected representative of Baja California during the meeting with the Commissioner of the
Port of San Diego, emphasized that this is a unique region, where you must work with
brotherhood and jointly address problems such as insecurity and migration. "It is a good time to
start an affectionate and working relationship, especially to avoid those alerts or warnings that
affect our city so much," Bonilla Valdez said.
Castellanos, for its part, weighed the governor-elect's experience in binational work and assured
that the San Diego government will do its best to make the relationship with the future
government of Baja California warm, coordinated and hard work in favor of population on both
sides of the border.
Exhibit C
July 16, 2019
Se suma San Diego a la iniciativa de
descontaminación de Bonilla
El Comisionado del Puerto, Rafael Castellanos, asegura que están listos 15 millones de
dólares para apoyar de manera conjunta las obras en favor del medio ambiente de la región
binacional.
Por Boletín
martes, 16 de julio de 2019 · 12:55
Tijuana, B. C. - Con una inversión de 15 millones de dólares, el gobierno del condado de
San Diego, California, se sumará a la iniciativa del gobernador electo de Baja California,
Jaime Bonilla Valdez, que consiste en la instalación de infraestructura pluvial y plantas
de tratamiento para reencausar los escurrimientos de aguas negras y eliminar los altos
niveles de contaminación de las playas que comparten ambos estados en la costa sur
del territorio binacional.
El gobernador electo recibió en sus oficinas al Comisionado del puerto de San Diego,
Rafael Castellanos, con quien abordó diversos temas de carácter regional, algunos
asuntos derivados de sus compromisos de campaña de descontaminar una amplia
extensión de playas desde La Misión, Playas de Rosarito, hasta Tijuana, y de Imperial
Beach, al otro lado de la frontera.
Rafael Castellanos, funcionario del gobierno sandieguino le informó al mandatario electo
de Baja California que se cuenta con 15 millones de dólares y el desarrollo de 15
proyectos para sumarlos a la tarea que se echará a cuestas el futuro gobierno de acabar
con la contaminación que por años ha ido creciendo sin la debida atención de los
gobiernos de Baja California.
En el acuerdo de cooperación surgió el tema de las aguas residuales que corren a través
de la canalización del río Tijuana, así como la regulación de la importación de llantas que
en muchos de los casos, derivan de contrabando y su disposición final viene a contribuir
negativamente en el medio ambiente de la región.
Mario Escobedo Carignan, coordinador de la agenda económica del gobierno electo,
planteó además la necesidad de resolver con mayor tecnología los tiempos de los cruces
internacionales. ¨Son de los problemas urgentes a resolver¨, precisó.
Bonilla Valdez expresó por su parte la necesidad de construir una agenda o un
mecanismo para el trabajo conjunto de ambos gobiernos en donde se vea una mayor
coordinación. ¨A veces resulta que trabajamos desfasados, como quien dice cada quien
por su lado. Es importante no estar desfasados y prevalezca un ritmo de trabajo
coordinado¨, expresó.
El mandatario electo de Baja California durante la reunión con el Comisionado del Puerto
de San Diego, resaltó que esta es una región única, donde se debe trabajar con
hermandad y atender de manera conjunta problemas como la inseguridad y la migración.
¨Es un buen momento para iniciar una relación afectuosa y de trabajo, sobre todo evitar
esas alertas o warnings que tanto afectan a nuestra ciudad¨, aseveró Bonilla Valdez.
Castellanos, por su parte, ponderó la experiencia del gobernador electo en el trabajo
binacional y aseguró que el gobierno de San Diego pondrá todo de su parte para que la
relación con el futuro gobierno de Baja California sea cálida, coordinada y de mucho
trabajo en favor de la población de los dos lados de la frontera.
Translated from Spanish to English using Microsoft Translator
Exhibit D
Desaladora de Rosarito, Va: company
Share on:
Cadena Noticias - Carlos Linaldi Marquez, Mexico, Baja California, Playas de Rosarito, 19 August
2019 09:04
The legal area of the company that intends to build the Desalination Plant of Rosarito states that
the Public Registry of Property canceled the embargo to NSC, Agua SA de CV. With this resolution
and release of the provisional embargo, Rosarito's waters will proceed to the construction and
operation of the desalination plant.
Miltón Rubio executive of NSC Aguas commented that in response to the series of inaccuracies and
speculations around the commercial trial and embargo to the detriment of NSC Agua, S.A. de C.V.
legal representatives the company clarified that there is information, circulating in various means,
with multiple inaccuracies, regarding the legal process, recently canceled, on land owned by NSC
Agua, S.A. de C.V. where a seawater desalination plant will be built and operated.
Translated from Spanish to English using Microsoft Translator
"Contrary to what is intended to imply, in some means, the Governor of the State had no
knowledge or interference in the application filed by NSC Agua, nor in the resolution of the Public
Registry of Property of Baja California mentioned above, as the the performance of such functions is
delegated to other government officials. To argue otherwise would be as ridiculous as to think that
the Governor inscribes all real estate transmissions held in the state."
In this regard, he noted that in January 2018, Judge Tenth Civil in Tijuana, Lourdes Molina Morales
granted within the Trial, without requiring EWG to grant any guarantee, certain provisional
measures, including the recording of the provisional embargo and the preventive registration of
such Judgment in the actual folio corresponding to the Property.
It further explained that in October 2018, in addition to other legal remedies against that grant, NSC
Water requested that the Judge establish a guarantee to order the release of the provisional
measures wrongly granted, four months later in February 2019 the Judge issued an agreement
whereby such provisional measures were released, subject to which NSC Agua will file a guarantee
of $1,000,000.00 M.N. (one million pesos 00/100 Peso Nacional).
Immediately after the publication of such an agreement, NSC Agua submitted, in a timely manner,
the aforementioned guarantee, by means of a cash deposit certificate in the amount of
$1,000,000.00 M.N. (one million pesos 00/100 National Currency). This amount is currently under
the protection of the Administrative Support Unit of the State's High Court of Justice, he added.
After more than two months without the Judge recognizing the grant, by NSC Water, of the
guarantee for the amount of $1,000,000.00 M.N. (one million pesos 00/100 National Currency), and
consequently the lifting of the provisional measures issued in eWG's favour, on 19 June 2019, NSC
Agua filed with the Public Registry of the Property of Baja California a request for cancellation of the
provisional embargo and the preventive registration made in the actual folio of the Property,
considering the decision of the aforementioned Judge for which the provisional measures were
released, and the consequent submission of the guarantee by NSC Agua.
This was accredited to the Public Registry of the Property of Baja California, through certified copies
of the corresponding actions in file number 74/2018, before the Tenth Civil Court in Tijuana.
The Public Registry of The Property of Baja California issued a decision canceling levies on June 24,
2019, considering the judges' rulings, the granting of the aforementioned guarantee, as well as the
applicable legal provisions, by which the release of the provisional embargo and preventive
registration was determined appropriate, he said.
Exhibit D
Desaladora de Rosarito, Va: empresa
Compartir en:
Cadena Noticias - Carlos Linaldi Marquez, Mexico, Baja California, Playas de Rosarito, 19 Agosto de 2019 09:04
El área jurídica de la empresa que pretende construir la planta desaladora de Rosarito
afirma que el Registro Público de la Propiedad canceló el embargo a NSC, Agua SA de CV.
Con dicha resolución y liberación del embargo provisional, aguas de Rosarito procederá a
la construcción y operación de la planta desalinizadora.
Miltón Rubio ejecutivo de NSC Aguas comentó que en respuesta a la serie de
imprecisiones y especulaciones en torno al juicio mercantil y embargo en detrimento de
NSC Agua, S.A. de C.V. representantes legales la empresa aclararon que hay información,
circulando en diversos medios, con múltiples imprecisiones, respecto al proceso jurídico,
recientemente cancelado, en el terreno propiedad de NSC Agua, S.A. de C.V. donde se
construirá y operará una planta desalinizadora de agua de mar.
“Contrario a lo que se pretende implicar, en algunos medios, el Gobernador del Estado no
tuvo conocimiento o injerencia alguna ni en la solicitud presentada por NSC Agua, ni en la
resolución del Registro Público de la Propiedad de Baja California antes mencionada, pues
el desempeño de tales funciones es delegado a otros funcionarios de gobierno. Argumentar
lo contrario sería tan ridículo como pensar que el Gobernador inscribe todas las
transmisiones de inmuebles celebradas en el estado.”
En este sentido, refirió que en Enero de 2018, la Juez Décimo Civil en Tijuana, Lourdes
Molina Morales concedió dentro del Juicio, sin requerir a EWG el otorgamiento de garantía
alguna, ciertas medidas provisionales, incluyendo la inscripción del embargo provisional y
la inscripción preventiva de tal Juicio en el folio real correspondiente al Inmueble.
Asimismo, explicó que en Octubre de 2018, en adición a otros recursos legales en contra
de dicho otorgamiento, NSC Agua solicitó que la Juez fijará una garantía para ordenar la
liberación de las medidas provisionales otorgadas erróneamente, cuatro meses después en
febrero de 2019 la Juez publicó un acuerdo por el que tales medidas provisionales fueron
liberadas, sujeto a que NSC Agua presentará una garantía por $1,000,000.00 M.N. (un
millón de pesos 00/100 Moneda Nacional).
Inmediatamente después de la publicación de tal acuerdo, NSC Agua presentó, en tiempo
y forma, la mencionada garantía, mediante un certificado de depósito en efectivo por la
cantidad de $1,000,000.00 M.N. (un millón de pesos 00/100 Moneda Nacional). Dicha
cantidad se encuentra actualmente bajo resguardo de la Unidad de Apoyo Administrativo
del Tribunal Superior de Justicia del Estado, agregó.
Después de más de dos meses sin que la Juez reconociera el otorgamiento, por NSC
Agua, de la garantía por la cantidad de $1,000,000.00 M.N. (un millón de pesos 00/100
Moneda Nacional), y en consecuencia hiciera efectivo el levantamiento de las medidas
provisionales dictadas a favor de EWG, el 19 de junio de 2019, NSC Agua presentó ante el
Registro Público de la Propiedad de Baja California una solicitud de cancelación del
embargo provisional y de la inscripción preventiva realizadas en el folio real del Inmueble,
considerando la resolución de la Juez antes mencionada por la que se liberaron las
medidas provisionales, y la consecuente presentación de la garantía por NSC Agua.
Esto fue acreditado al Registro Público de la Propiedad de Baja California, mediante copias
certificadas de las actuaciones correspondientes dentro del expediente número 74/2018,
ante el Juzgado Décimo Civil en Tijuana.
El Registro Público de la Propiedad de Baja California emitió una resolución de cancelación
de gravámenes el 24 de junio de 2019, considerando las resoluciones de la Juez, el
otorgamiento de la mencionada garantía, así como las disposiciones legales aplicables, por
la que se determinó procedente la liberación del embargo provisional y de la inscripción
preventiva, puntualizó.
Translated from Spanish to English using Microsoft Translator
Exhibit E
California restarts efforts to buy water from Rosarito
desalination
Translated from Spanish to English using Microsoft Translator
Translated from Spanish to English using Microsoft Translator
Share: By Oscar Tafoya
The Otay Water District (OWD) reiterated on August 28 of this year its interest in buying water
from the desalination plant at Playas de Rosarito, this, prior to the entry of Jaime Bonilla as
governor, who has reiterated that he is in favor of the and has also stated that sufficient water
will be produced to export to the United States.
Thus, the water operator in Southern California sent a trade to the holder, in August, of the
State Water Commission (CEA) in Baja California, Enrique Ruelas López, re-enclosing his
intention in the acquisition of desalinated water. It should be remembered that currently,
Alfredo Babún, is the director of the CEA.
In the trade held on behalf of Mark Watton, general manager of OWD, he makes it known to
the CEA that the project "is potentially valuable to both Mexico and the United States and in
particular the Southern California region."
So the Otay Water District "remains very interested in this project and, more specifically, in
acquiring desalinated drinking water to increase its current drinking water supply," he declares
to the State Water Commission.
In this regard, OWD recalls that it had previously entered a Letter of Intent to purchase water
between the California agency and NSC Agua on February 5, 2009 and renewed its intention in
2012 when Consolidated Water acquired a 50% stake in it NSC Water.
The Otay Water District office comments that "understands that the water in the project will be
a resource controlled by the state of Baja California," but anticipates that "any agreement for
the sale of water will require the participation and consent of the government nations of our
respective nations, probably through the Water Commission (IBWC) and International
Commission on Limits and Water (CILA)".
"Notwithstanding the above, we understand that Aguas de Rosarito (AdR) continues its project
development activities and, based on techniques, finance, environmental and engineering
Translated from Spanish to English using Microsoft Translator
studies carried out, it is feasible to develop a seawater desalinaladora plant capable of provide
desalinated drinking water that meets specified water quality standards and applicable to
customers in the United States, at a reasonable price," OWD said at the trade.
According to the document, the amounts required by Otay per year are: 2023 (8 million gallons
daily), 2035 (12 million gallons per day) and 2050 (15 million gallons daily).
It is worth mentioning that just in July the California agency restarted with meetings to revisit
the desalination plant theme, just a couple of months after Jaime Bonilla, former OWD director,
will win the Baja California governorship.
Exhibit E
California reinicia gestiones para comprar agua de la
desalinizadora de Rosarito
Compartir: Por Oscar Tafoya
El Distrito de Agua de Otay (OWD por sus siglas en inglés), reiteró el 28 de agosto del presente
año, su interés de comprar agua de la planta desalinizadora en Playas de Rosarito, esto, previo
a la entrada de Jaime Bonilla como gobernador, quien ha reiterado que está a favor del
proyecto y asimismo, ha declarado que se producirá agua suficiente para exportar a Estados
Unidos.
De tal manera, el organismo operador de agua en el sur de California, envió un oficio al titular,
en agosto, de la Comisión Estatal de Agua (CEA) en Baja California, Enrique Ruelas López, dando
a conocer nuevamente su intención en la adquisición de agua desalada. Cabe recordar, que
actualmente, Alfredo Babún, es el director de la CEA.
En el oficio realizado a nombre de Mark Watton, gerente general de OWD, hace de su
conocimiento a la CEA que el proyecto “es potencialmente valioso tanto para México como
para Estados Unidos y en particular la región del sur de California”.
Por lo que el Distrito de Agua de Otay “permanece muy interesado en este proyecto y, más
específicamente, en adquirir agua potable desalinizada para aumentar su suministro actual de
agua potable”, manifiesta a la Comisión Estatal de Agua.
En ese sentido, OWD recuerda que previamente había ingresado en una Carta de Intención
para comprar agua entre el organismo de California y NSC Agua el 5 de febrero de 2009 y
renovó su intención en 2012 cuando Consolidated Water adquirió una participación del 50% de
la misma NSC Agua.
El oficio de Distrito de Agua de Otay comenta que “entiende que el agua del proyecto será un
recurso controlado por el estado de Baja California”, pero que anticipa que “cualquier acuerdo
para la venta del agua requerirá la participación y el consentimiento del gobiernos federales de
nuestras respectivas naciones, probablemente a través de la Comisión del Agua (IBWC) y
Comisión Internacional de Límites y Agua (CILA)”.
“No obstante lo anterior, entendemos que Aguas de Rosarito (AdR) continúa sus actividades de
desarrollo de proyectos y, con base en técnicas, finanzas, estudios ambientales y de ingeniería
realizados, es factible desarrollar una planta desaladora de agua de mar capaz de suministrar
agua potable desalinizada que cumpla con los estándares de calidad del agua especificados y
aplicables a clientes en los Estados Unidos, a un precio razonable”, comentó OWD en el oficio.
De acuerdo con el documento, las cantidades que requiere Otay por año son: 2023 (8 millones
de galones diarios), 2035 (12 millones de galones diarios) y 2050 (15 millones de galones
diarios).
Cabe mencionar que apenas en julio el organismo de California reinició con reuniones para
retomar el tema de la planta desalinizadora, justo una par de meses después que Jaime Bonilla,
exdirector de OWD, ganará la gubernatura de Baja California.
Exhibit F
Tijuana and Rosarito to ration water supply for the
next two months
Alica Aguirre 69, fills her 55-gallon plastic drum in preparation for the start of next week’s water rationing in Tijuana. (Alejandro Tamayo / The San Diego Union Tribune)
Roughly 140,000 households and business in the
border cities will go without water service for up to
36 hours every four days By ALEXANDRA MENDOZA REPORTER NOV. 7, 2019 6:40 PM
Roughly 140,000 households and business in the border cities will go without water service for up to 36 hours every four days. The service disruptions will be spread throughout seven districts. Customers will receive a 24-hour notice whenever water services are shut off in their district, officials said.
In each of the seven districts there will be a service reduction of 20 percent of the accounts (approx. 140,000). (Cortesía CESPT)
Homes, businesses and industries will be equally affected, although in tourist areas such as Zona Río and Centro, the water cutoff will be scheduled during the week to avoid weekends when there is a greater visitor influx.
Under this unprecedented measure, all the neighborhoods of both Tijuana and Rosarito will eventually be affected, a shift from previous rations which restricted services to the same areas.
Rigoberto Laborín Valdez, who recently began his term as director of the Baja California Public Service Commission, or CESPT, asked the community to reduce its water consumption and help the cause.
“There’s no reason to be alarmed,” he said during a news conference. “I´'m just asking for a little bit of patience to get back on track.”
Maurel Sierra Cruz, who oversees sanitation with CESPT, said conservation is essential.
“The community must understand that we are not in a time when we can be watering our yards or washing the car with a hose, and we cannot take a 20- minute shower,” he said. “We just can’t do that.”
Maurel Sierra Cruz, from Water and Sanitation, and Rigoberto Laborín Valdez, director of CESPT (centre) at a press conference on Wednesday 6 November 2019. (Alexandra Mendoza/UT en Español)
What caused the water shortage?
A number of factors have contributed to the shortage, officials said.
The water level in the El Carrizo Dam — which stores water from the Rio Colorado aqueduct — is too low.
“If the water levels in the dam are not enough, it can’t provide the water treatment plant with the volume it needs to treat the water,” Sierra Cruz said.
Tijuana needs close to 5,000 liters per second, but the water treatment plant is only receiving about 4,180. That’s why several neighborhoods in Tijuana are currently without water, authorities said.
In addition, two of five pumps in the Colorado River aqueduct system broke down. One has been repaired.
(Cortesía CESPT)
Most people were not aware they needed to conserve, Sierra Cruz said.
CESPT said it was forced to take drastic measures to help restore the dam to proper water levels as soon as possible to avoid further problems.
"(This) will allow us to first get the 5,000 liters needed and then, have enough water for next summer, otherwise, we will be in this situation again,” he said.
Alejandra Pineda, a resident of Lomas de Santa Fe in Tijuana, has suffered water shortages since late October for periods of up to five days. Her biggest concern was that she was not told of the shutoff, which left her unable to plan.
She was forced to buy water through piperos, those who sell water privately.
Since she couldn’t figure out when the water would come back she twice paid for the private water. First, she spent 36 pesos for two buckets, and the second time 67 pesos for a water drum and three buckets.
“Oh, well, it’s a vital liquid so there’s no other choice but to pay,” she said.
She was pleased the shutoffs will be implemented equally in all neighborhoods since hers had more frequent shutoffs.
“I think it’s very wise, and it can create conditions for the community to raise awareness and save water.” she said.
Martin Dominguez recently moved from Mexico City to Tijuana, and feels frustrated with the situation since the shutoffs are expected to last so long. But he said he’s not angry since there is “nothing else to do” and the measure seems necessary. “They have to do what they have to do,” the Puesta del Sol resident said.
BORDER & BAJA TOP STORIES
Translated from Spanish to English using Google Translator
Exhibit G
https://vanguardia.com.mx/articulo/las-aguas-negras-de-kiko-vega-ex-gobernador-de-baja-california-1-
de-2-partes
The black waters of 'Kiko' Vega, former
governor of Baja California
ARMANDO MISTS
The former governor of Baja California Francisco Vega de Lamadrid
simulated a serious shortage of water to justify the creation of two
desalination plants with a cost of 57 billion pesos from the treasury, under
Translated from Spanish to English using Google Translator
the blanket of a complex network of family, friends and partners , whose
final business is the sale of water to the United States
NATIONAL
Tuesday, November 19, 2019 - 07:42
CORRUPTION
JAIME BONILLA
SPECIAL REPORT
Illustrations: Gabriela Guerrero / BCJB
By: Armando Nieblas del Campo / Cristian Torres Cruz
RADAR BC Agency
Illustrations: Gabriela Guerrero / BCJB
The construction of the largest desalination plant in Latin America , the flagship
project of the former Panamanian governor of Baja California, Francisco Vega de
Lamadrid , is wrapped in a network of corruption that will leave the entity seized for
the next 37 years and where the only beneficiaries they will be businessmen and
politicians close to the ruling class.
Baja California is located in northwestern Mexico , with an estimated population of
3.7 million people.
Its semi-arid climate and the lack of rainfall have alerted the authorities, given that the
main source of supply is the Colorado River, from which one thousand 850 million cubic
Translated from Spanish to English using Google Translator
meters of water are obtained per year, 728 million more than what it receives the City
of Mexico through the Cutzamala System.
Throughout the six-year period, the State Government authorities insisted on the
need to find new sources of supply, one of them desalination, for which they used
biased information that allowed them to justify the construction of two desalination
plants in the coastal area of the entity .
Thus, in 2015 the two projects were tendered under the Public Private Partnership
(PPP) scheme , one in the municipality of Playas de Rosarito; 22 kilometers south of
Tijuana, and one more in the Bay of San Quintín, municipality of Ensenada, 300
kilometers south of the border with California.
The first to tender was the so-called “ San Quintín Integral Water System
(Production of Potable Water by desalination) in the municipality of Ensenada,
which consists of the installation of a plant with capacity to produce 250 liters of water
per second, during the next 30 years and whose construction will represent an
investment of 875 million pesos to the developer.
In this case, the State Water Commission (CEA) granted the project to the company
called “Desaladora Kenton SA de CV”, however, the contract was signed until January
20, 2016.
The second, and most important, is the “ Construction, Financing and Operation
of a desalination plant in the municipality of Playas de Rosarito” , which will
guarantee a supply of 4,400 liters per second (in 2 stages), for a period of 37 years,
which makes it the largest in Latin America.
The decision was made on June 15, 2016 in favor of the commercial company called
“Aguas de Rosarito Public Limited Investment Promotion Company” for the
construction of the Aguas de Rosarito desalination plant, with which it signed a contract
Translated from Spanish to English using Google Translator
on August 22 of the same year, in which the company will have to invest more than 9
billion pesos.
In the latter two transnational companies are involved, one of them the American
Consolidated Water, whose headquarters are in Cayman Islands, as well as the
French SUEZ Environnement, which aim to sell water to the United States.
The Government of Baja California became a joint debtor of the developers,
assuming all the financial risk and losses that the projects could cause, in addition to
allowing them to request credit lines without having to invest their own resources, all at
the expense of the treasury.
CHAPTER 1
Baja California embargoed for 37 years
Income exceeding 57 billion pesos together, are those that will receive the owners of the
companies Aguas de Rosarito and Desalination Kenton during the next 37 years,
thanks to the operation, maintenance and sale of drinking water for the Government of
Baja California .
In the case of the desalination plant Aguas de Rosarito, the State is obliged to
cover the monthly amount of 119 million pesos for the next 37 years; only
corresponding to the first stage of the project, which will represent revenues exceeding
53 billion pesos to the company.
On the other hand, the Kenton Desalination Plant, which will be located in San
Quintín, in the rural area of the municipality of Ensenada , will receive 11
million 136 thousand pesos per month for the next 30 years, that is, income of 4
thousand 009 million pesos.
Translated from Spanish to English using Google Translator
These resources will come from three sources: the total collection of the water operating
agencies of Tijuana and Ensenada, the Personal Work Remuneration Tax
(ISRT) and its surcharge , and a percentage of the federal shares if required.
To ensure the timely payment of the service, Congress authorized the State
Commissions of Public Services to create a trust, through the contracting of
credit lines that, in the case of Ensenada, represents 33 million 408 thousand pesos and
in Tijuana, 358 million 964 thousand pesos.
More expensive water and damage to state finances
An independent study conducted by the Business Coordinating Council (CCE) of
Mexicali in April of this year, established that the commissioning of the Playas de
Rosarito desalination plant, as proposed, will represent an increase in the rate for users
and also will leave the water operating agencies without liquidity, directly impacting the
finances of the State Government.
Said analysis indicates that the desalination plant will represent an annual expenditure
of 1,345 million pesos to the State Commission of Public Services of Tijuana
(CESPT), for the production of 2.2 cubic meters per second.
In comparison, the cost for the conduction of drinking water through the Río
Colorado Tijuana Aqueduct (ARCT) costs only 191 million 213 thousand pesos, for
4.2 cubic meters per second, that is, twice the water generated by the desalination plant
in A first phase, at a lower price.
According to the study, the water that is received through the ARCT is sufficient to
supply the coastal zone, so the desalination plant will generate an excess supply, but, in
addition, it will represent an increase of up to 30 percent in the user rate , derived from
the cost of electric energy.
The perfect business, profit without any risk
Translated from Spanish to English using Google Translator
Luis Ramón Irineo Romero, Executive Secretary of the State Anti-
Corruption System (SESEA) in Baja California , argues that the Public-Private
Partnerships (PPP) model promoted by the State Government and approved by
Congress does not represent any risk for individuals.
In this case, the Executive Power becomes a guarantee of the private company before
banking institutions and, in addition, it is obliged to create a trust to guarantee the
payment of the monthly service, which means that the individuals have assured the
consumption, the rate and income.
Worse, the companies that won the tender do not have enough capital to have obtained
these projects, since in both cases they are newly created, which according to Irineo
Romero will pervert the driven model.
"It is a defect that the law has, but I do not think it was an omission, it was something
well thought out because in the end it allows the mechanism that you can establish
companies, together with those that are participating, with ridiculous capitals."
Irineo Romero considered that this model allows the State to profit at its
discretion, with a human right such as water supply, which is a distortion of the
obligation it has by law.
EPISODE 2
Friends, politicians and businessmen close to the government, the
beneficiaries
The Aguas de Rosarito company was formed on August 17, 2016 with a capital of
just 100 thousand pesos, according to the Public Registry of Commerce, and only one
month after the State Water Commission (CEA) of Baja California issued the ruling in
Translated from Spanish to English using Google Translator
favor of the winning consortium, which is made up of three companies, NSC Agua
(Mexico), Degremont (France) and Nuwater (South Africa).
The main irregularity in this consortium is found in the NSC Agua company , which
was established in 2009 by the American Gough W. Thompson, a war veteran who
partnered with Mexican businessman Alejandro de la Vega Valladolid.
De la Vega Valladolid was a partner of the controversial businessman of the Atlacomulco
political group Jorge Hank Rhon, and cousin of the former Secretary of Planning and
Finance in Baja California, Antonio Valladolid Rodríguez, intellectual author of
the desalination plants.
In the absence of resources, both entrepreneurs associated with the
transnational Consolidated Water (CW) , represented by Frederick W. McTaggart,
CEO and President of the company based in Cayman Islands, giving way to NSC
Water.
Even without the existence of a state law that allowed the creation of desalination
plants, and without a public tender, De la Vega and associates spent around 20 million
dollars in the purchase of two land for the construction of the plant, one in 2013 and
Another one in 2014.
On the other hand is Nuwater, a company originally from South Africa associated with
Mexicans and established on December 22, 2014 in San Pedro Garza García,
Nuevo León, with a minimum share capital of 50 thousand pesos, as
evidenced by document number 5002Z of the Public Registry of Commerce of the State
of Nuevo León.
Among the Nuwater partners is Lautaro Manuel Millaman-Teruel , who was an
official of the Ministry of Social Development between 2010 and 2012 and an advisor to
the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit between 2012 and 2014. Precisely in 2014 he
Translated from Spanish to English using Google Translator
was sanctioned by the Secretariat of the Public Function after hiding its patrimonial
declaration.
The third company that makes up the consortium is Degremont, a subsidiary of
France's SUEZ Environnement, known for promoting water privatization projects
in different parts of the world, led by Larry Fink, an entrepreneur who, at the time,
praised the structural reforms promoted by President Enrique Peña Nieto.
Currently, Aguas de Rosarito is directed by Milton Adán Rubio Díaz, an old
member of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) originally from
Mexicali, who was a candidate for Federal Deputy in 2006 and close to the political
group of Jorge Hank Rhon.
Interviewed about the project, Rubio Díaz s pointed out that the desalination plant has
been going on for 12 years, and although he acknowledged being a friend of Jorge Hank,
he denied that there are political hands on it, therefore there is no benefit for any
official, nor “cronies "
Desalination plant Kenton, the PAN heritage
La Desladora Kenton SA de CV . It was formally constituted on December 17,
2015; only three months after the State Water Commission (CEA) granted the ruling in
its favor, with a capital of only 100 thousand pesos, as confirmed by documents of the
Public Registry of Commerce.
The company arose from the function of 3 companies, RWL Desal Holding , of
American origin; as well as Libra Ingenieros Civiles and RJ Ingeniería, both Mexican.
Libra Civil Engineers has 36.75 percent of the shares of the Kenton Desalination Plant,
was established in November 1995 with a capital of 50 thousand pesos and founded
Translated from Spanish to English using Google Translator
by Marco Antonio Tapia Grijalva and Héctor Isidro Peterson Villalobos, this
last member of the Board of Directors of the desalination plant.
Héctor Isidro Peterson Villalobos is cousin of Carlos Loyola Peterson, who
during the period of Francisco Vega de Lamadrid served as Director of the State
Commission of Public Services of Ensenada (CESPE) body responsible for buying water
from the Kenton desalination plant for the next 30 years , which, at the outset, would
mean a serious conflict of interest.
Although Carlos Loyola Peterson did not participate in the bidding process of
the desalination plant in 2018, as Director of CESPE he was part of the process
of contracting a current account loan for 33 million pesos with BANOBRAS, to cover any
lack of liquidity in the payment to the company in which your cousin benefited.
In addition to being cousins, both Héctor and Carlos are partners of Hydro Ingeniería y
Sistemas, SA de CV, which is part of the list of suppliers of the Government of Baja
California.
The relationship between the State Government and the Peterson Villalobos
family was again discovered when the son of Hector; Erick Alfonso Peterson Chinolla,
went from being an advisor to Libra Civil Engineers to a state official after being
appointed Director of Aquaculture of the Ministry of Fisheries (SEPESCA) in March
2017.
Los Rincón Vargas with a black record in Baja California
RJ Ingeniería represents 12.25 percent of the shares of the Kenton Desalination
Plant , and Jesús Octavio Rincón Vargas, brother of the Panar Municipal President of
Playas de Rosarito, Mirna Cecilia Rincón Vargas , is a partner .
Mirna Rincón Vargas was found responsible for transferring, without authorization, 10
million pesos of Popular Insurance to the civil association that makes up the Mental
Translated from Spanish to English using Google Translator
Health Hospital of Tijuana, where her brother Jesús Octavio served as Treasurer in
2013, which detected the Audit Superior of the Federation (ASF) by means of an
observation, but the sanction of the Comptroller of the State was in a simple public
warning.
Kenton was tendered in 2015, at which time Mirna Rincón Vargas held the position
of Director of Liaison and Follow-up for the General Secretariat of
Government in Baja California , while her brother obtained the desalination plant
project.
Despite attempts to have a position of both Mirna Rincon Vargas, and Carlos
Loyola Peterson , both ignored the request of this medium, so they could not give a
position.
Weak laws
According to Article Three, Section Six of the Law of Administrative
Responsibilities of the State of Baja California , public servants are obliged to
present a declaration of interests, and in case of a possible conflict they must make it
public and excuse themselves, which did not occur in the cases of Antonio Valladolid
Rodríguez and Carlos Loyola Peterson, who participated benefiting their relatives in the
bidding processes.
On the other hand, the Criminal Code for the State of Baja California
establishes in the Second Title relating to Crimes for Corruption Facts, a
series of situations that officials might incur, such as abuse of authority, bribery and
influence peddling. .
Translated from Spanish to English using Google Translator
For example, the Tenth Chapter states that a public servant makes illicit use of
powers and powers when granting, carrying out or contracting public works,
acquisitions, leases, disposals of goods or services with public resources
illegally; However, the law is so ambiguous that it does not allow these assumptions to
be framed in a simple way.
CHAPTER 3
They make up figures and violate the law to justify desalination plants
In an interview for this media, former Governor Francisco Vega de
Lamadrid explained that desalination plants were a direct recommendation of
the National Water Commission in 2014 and added that it was not a personal
issue, since a state leader could not decide on the installation of a plant because all
permits are federal.
“We went to an international tender to see who was going out with the project, and it
was made public, there was even a notary and many things, and most importantly,
several companies competed internationally. How many of them were
unconformed? None, that is the best example of transparency and decency with
which things have been done, ”said Vega de Lamadrid.
After reviewing the bidding processes a series of simulations could be found, for
example, in the bidding of the San Quintin desalination plant only
Kenton submitted a proposal, becoming the winning company by default .
Translated from Spanish to English using Google Translator
In the case of Rosarito, in addition to the winner, two more proposals were submitted,
which although they did not obtain the ruling in favor, these companies were finally
benefited with one of the 11 construction projects launched by the state government.
One of them was Urbanización y Riego Baja California SA de CV (URBACA) ,
which was accused of being the parent company of Francisco Vega de Lamadrid, and
which obtained the SIDUE-CESPM-APP-2016-001 tender for the Construction of
Trunk Main Drainage Pipeline in Mexicali.
The third company that participated and gave "validity" to the tender is Hydrochem
PTE. LTD. in consortium with the Western Construction Support Force, GSM
General Services and VAHER Real Estate, the latter winners of the SIDUE-PGJE-
APP-2016-002 tender for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of a
building of the Office of the Attorney General of State Justice (PGJE).
Among the bidders were Héctor Peterson Villalobos and Armando Aranda
Miranda , both representing the Mexican Chamber of Construction Industry
(CMIC). The first, partner of the desalination plant Kenton and the second brother of
Jorge Aranda Miranda, undersecretary of Government in the administration of the
panista José Guadalupe Osuna Millán.
Despite these irregularities and the absence of a social witness, none of the companies
challenged the CEA ruling.
Induced shortage and lack of maintenance
Leaders of the grouping Article 39 PRO BC indicated that state officials presented
false information to the legislators to justify the works, which they denounced before the
state attorney's office without their complaint being addressed.
Translated from Spanish to English using Google Translator
Armando Salinas, a member of this group, said that from May to October the aqueduct
that transports water from Mexicali to the coastal zone works at its minimum capacity
with the justification of energy savings, which translates into a reduction of 40 million
cubic meters, which represents 28 percent of the water that Tijuana and Playas de
Rosarito needed in 2017 according to data from the same State Water
Commission (CEA).
“It is the State Government that has generated a shortage of water to carry out the
project of the desalination plant of Playas de Rosarito,” said Salinas.
The figures do not match; while the State Water Commission reported in a
request for transparency that in 2018 delivered 151 million cubic meters to
the State Commission of Public Services of Tijuana (CESPT) through the
aqueduct, the parastatal responds in another request for transparency that only received
145 million cubic meters, which represents a missing 6 million, almost the water used
every year by the municipality of Tecate.
A study conducted by the government transition team of Jaime Bonilla
Valdez delivered on September 18, 2019 by the now head of the CESPT, Rigoberto
Laborín, reported the mismanagement with which the agency has operated.
The document states that "It does not overlook the prolonged abandonment in works
and maintenance of the Río Colorado-Mexicali-Tijuana Aqueduct , and hydraulic-
sanitary infrastructure, as well as treatment plants," Laborín Valdez warned .
This position coincides with that raised by the CONAGUA Basin Agency Director
in the State, Rafael Sanz Ramos, who ruled out that there is a shortage of water,
since the entity has been receiving the same amount of the Colorado River for years.
CHAPTER 4
Translated from Spanish to English using Google Translator
Sale of water to the United States, the real deal
SEE HERE: SALE OF WATER TO THE UNITED STATES
Documents SEMARNAT, minutes of the District of Otay Water in
California and reports filed with the Commission Securities and Exchange United
States, confirms what for years denied the authorities in Baja California: the intention of
exporting daily between 20 and 40 million gallons of water produced at the desalination
plant of Playas de Rosarito.
According to minute 20060313, the Otay Water District (OWD ) has managed with
Mexican authorities since 2006, the possibility of installing a desalination plant that
covers 40 percent of the demand in that area.
Simultaneously, Frederick W. McTaggart, President and CEO of Consolidated
Water, began his expansion plans in Mexico, but it was until 2009 when he officially
announced the intention to expand his operations in the "Pacific", where they could earn
money by selling of desalinated water, according to a report by the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission.
Once associated with NSC AGUA, the CEO of Consolidated Water started the legal
process and held meetings with Baja California authorities, who expressed their desire
to buy the produced water to sell it or exchange it with the United States through a
commercial mechanism.
In his statements of May 13, 2015, McTaggart goes further, indicating that it was the
same state authorities who established communication with their counterparts in
the United States in order to seek some commercial agreement.
The secret aqueduct to Otay
Translated from Spanish to English using Google Translator
To finalize the purchase and sale of water to the United States , developers and the
state government needed infrastructure, which was reflected in the Environmental
Impact Manifesto (MIA) presented to SEMARNAT, which included the construction of
an aqueduct that would cross the border between Mexico and the United States.
In section II.2.6 called “ Description of works associated with the project1 ” of the
MIA, the intention to sell the surplus water to the northern border from the CESPT to
the Otay Water District in San Diego was confirmed.
The same section indicates that the aqueduct will run from the plant through the
mountains between Rosarito and Tijuana, parallel to the Sempra gas pipeline, delivering
water to the CESPT tanks in El Florido, east of Tijuana.
Among the documentaries presented by the company for approval, they release
photographs even of the same United States - Mexico international line to show where
the project ends.
The hand of Jaime Bonilla and Francisco Vega de Lamadrid
Both the Governor of Baja California, Jaime Bonilla Valdez, and the former
Governor Francisco Vega de Lamadrid knew the project and knew that the
purpose of the desalination plant in Playas de Rosarito was to sell water to the United
States.
Minutes of the Otay Water District indicate that when Bonilla Valdez held the
position of Director of said agency in 2008, he began the steps to install a
desalination plant in Playas de Rosarito, to the extent that in 2011 he met with the then
Mayor of that municipality , Javier Robles to discuss the project.
Translated from Spanish to English using Google Translator
Already as Federal Deputy, in May 2013, Jaime Bonilla Valdez participated in a
meeting with the shareholders of NSC AGUA and a commission of the Otay Water
District, who expressed their interest in acquiring the water produced on the Mexican
coast.
"The State is considering selling the requested amount of desalinated water to the
district and is also interested in indirect water transfers from the Colorado River,"
says OWD Minute 20151019.
Both former Governor Francisco Vega de Lamadrid and former Secretary
of Economic Development, Carlo Bonfante Olache, denied during the entire
administration that the water from the desalination plant would be sold to the United
States.
"I have been asked I don't know how many times and I have told you that it is not true,
you cannot sell water," Vega de Lamadrid told an El Imparcial reporter on May 27,
2019.
However, the aforementioned minute points to Bonfante Olache as the contact with
the State Government, who even raised the intention of sending water to the United
States directly or indirectly through the Colorado River, as well as the price and quality
of the vital liquid.
Ambiguous laws
Milton Adán Rubio Díaz, director of the company Aguas de Rosarito , responsible for
the construction and operation of the desalination plant, acknowledged that the original
intention of the plant was to sell water to the United States, but clarified that legally they
cannot do it, every time that Congress prevented them, although the Mexican
Government is allowed .
Translated from Spanish to English using Google Translator
A clause of Act 323 of the International Boundary and Water Committee
(CILA) allows the exchange or direct delivery of water in case of contingency between
both nations, however, Mexican law does not expressly permit it.
Francisco Bernal Rodríguez, representative in Mexicali of the CILA, explained that
this scheme could only be given with the authorization of both countries. He explained
that ACTA 323 contemplates the exploration of desalination projects in the Sea of Cortez
to provide water to the state of Arizona, and in the Pacific Ocean to supply
California.
For his part, the Director of the CONAGUA Basin Organization in Baja
California, Rafael Sanz Ramos , said that the National Water Law does not
contemplate this scheme, which would require a special procedure and an agreement
between both governments, which does not It exists today, although it is not discarded.
CHAPTER 5
The story of Gough Thompson, the man who devised and stopped the
desalination plant
The master plan to sell water to the United States begins in 2005, when Gough
W. Thompson , a war veteran from Maryland, knows a study funded by Mexican and
US authorities, which states that Playas de Rosarito is the site ideal to install a
desalination plant and market the vital liquid.
Interviewed in the city of San Diego, California, where he lives for years,
Thompson recalls that through his company East West Group (EWG) he devised
Translated from Spanish to English using Google Translator
the desalination plant project, because due to the low water supply on both sides of the
border , was visualized as a very attractive business.
Associated with Alejandro de la Vega Valladolid, whose main task was to invest
resources and make arrangements with the Government of Baja California, Thomson
expressed the intention to produce up to 100 million gallons per day, which will make
this plant the most America's largest and sixth worldwide.
Already with the support of the Baja California government, they sought a new ally in
San Diego, in this case the Otay Water District (OWD), considering it a potential
customer. In this organism was the now Governor, Jaime Bonilla Valdez.
Both OWD and the Tijuana State Public Services Commission
(CESPT) expressed interest in acquiring part of the 100 million gallons that the
desalination plant would produce daily. The business was taking shape, but it had to be
strengthened, so they partnered with the American company Consolidated Water
Co. (CWC), headed at that time by Frederick W. McTaggart, with whom they
constituted NSC Water.
Over the months, the project progressed slower and began to get difficult, so Thompson
considered it was time to retire. Thus, he sought a buyer, thus finding “ The Carlyle
Group ”, a company based in Washington, DC that showed his interest in the
construction of the desalination plant.
However, this company sought to keep all control of the project and even buy
from CWC , which was not well seen by McTaggart, who in addition to preventing the
negotiation called a meeting of partners in which, without prior notice, increased the
capital of the company and pulverized the shares of Thomson , who went from having
25 percent, to less than 1 percent of the shares.
Translated from Spanish to English using Google Translator
With this movement, CWC would take over the project that would represent annual
earnings of at least $ 125 million, which Thompson was reason enough to leave out.
From there that litigation began between the partners of NSC Agua, since
Thompson filed complaints in Mexico and the United States with the purpose
of clarifying what happened in the assembly in which they decreased their participation,
causing an embargo to be applied to the site where they will build the desalination plant.
Although he acknowledges that this project could have presented acts of corruption, he
said that having an alternative source of supply is important so as not to depend on the
water of the Colorado River and the whims of Donald Trump, who could modify
the binational treaties on the matter and leave Mexico without water.
He recalled that the plan was for the Government of Baja California to buy 100
percent of the water produced to sell a part to the United States through a trade
agreement between the two countries or exchange it for the one that comes from the
Colorado River and is located in the Hoover Dam of The Vegas, Nevada.
He said that for years there is a connection between Tijuana and San Diego , so they
can cross water without any problem, especially in case of an emergency.
With more than three million dollars invested, Gough W. Thompson maintains a
dispute with the rest of his partners, which has prevented the construction of the plant,
however, he denied that the project is dead and although he does not know why they
have fallen The financing considers that the projects will be retaken by Jaime Bonilla
Valdez, since he was one of the main stakeholders.
CHAPTER 6
Translated from Spanish to English using Google Translator
Pollution plants put marine life at risk
SEE HERE: POLLUTANT PLANTS
The installation of desalination plants to combat water scarcity should be the last
alternative, since it would leave an important carbon footprint caused by the energy
required in the process, said researcher Leopoldo Mendoza Espinoza.
The leader of the Academic Body of Water and Environment of the
Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC), said that seawater intake
could attract plankton and crustaceans, which will represent a serious impact on marine
life, not to mention that cleanliness of the membranes that are used to desalinate water
is made with chemicals, whose waste will end up in the sea.
He said that until now the process for the installation of these plants in Baja California
has not been transparent, since everything is a business of individuals.
“It's more business than treating water to refuse. I don't like that they want to do
business with desalination, that's why we have to exhaust other alternatives, ”he said.
Neighbors will withstand noise and pollution
It was until the laying of the first stone on March 23, 2018, when residents of Colonia
Lienzo Charro in Playas de Rosarito, learned that just in front of their
homes the largest desalination plant in Latin America would be installed.
Francisco Javier Carmona López, Administrator of the Vista del Mar Housing
Complex, said that so far they are not sure what will happen just 100 meters from their
homes.
The residents are currently next to the Presidente Juarez Thermoelectric Power
Plant, belonging to the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), which already
Translated from Spanish to English using Google Translator
represents great discomfort due to the noise generated by the operation of the boilers
and the constant vibrations, which could worsen with The desalination plant.
“In itself we are already contaminated by the drainage that is discharged into the sea,
now imagine with another discharge, the waste from the Commission through the
boilers makes the foam go yellow and all that is pollution, and it is a danger to bathe on
the beach "He said.
A total of 220 families are those who reside in the Vista del Mar Housing
Complex, who have expressed their disagreement with the desalination plant, so they
ask the authorities for an approach.
Time is running out
Currently, both projects are detained due to financial problems, since the signed
contract obliges the State Government to obtain a line of credit that allows it to
obtain resources in case of not being able to cover the payment of the consideration to
individuals. The government has until December 31 to get financing.
In case the state government does not comply with that part, lawsuits could be filed for
breach by the developers.
"It is the work of the State, not the work of us," said Milton Adán Rubio Díaz,
Director of the Aguas de Rosarito company , referring to the state of the
construction of the plant.
After assuming the position as Governor of Baja California, Jaime Bonilla
Valdez spoke about the desalination plant of Playas de Rosarito, a project he
considered necessary, but described it as unfeasible
Translated from Spanish to English using Google Translator
"We cannot commit the State with a payment of 158 million pesos per month, the water
commission does not have them, so we have to change the scheme so that the impact on
the State is less painful," he said.
Bonilla Valdez said the project will remain, but has already notified the company Aguas
de Rosarito that they will have to change a number of issues to make it self-
sufficient. Therefore, they are currently working on a new scheme that facilitates the
project and is within the financial possibilities of the current administration.
A few days after leaving the position of Governor, Francisco Vega de
Lamadrid, insisted on the need to build desalination plants due to the need for
alternative sources of water for Baja California.
"We are running out of water in the coastal zone (...), it has been complicated by politics,
but sooner or later they will have to prove me right," Vega de Lamadrid said.
It is important to point out that for weeks the position of the State Water
Commission (CEA) was sought , whose direction was achemeral for months, but that
was assumed by Alfredo Babún Villarreal last September, however, the official never
responded to the Interview request of this medium. More information
at http://radarbc.com/AguasNegrasKikoVega/
This report is part of the North Border Research Journalism Hub, a
project of the International Center for Journalists in partnership with the
Border Center for Journalists and
Bloggers https://www.journalistsandbloggers.com/
Exhibit G
https://vanguardia.com.mx/articulo/las-aguas-negras-de-kiko-vega-ex-gobernador-de-baja-california-1-
de-2-partes
Las aguas negras de 'Kiko' Vega, ex
gobernador de Baja California
ARMANDO NIEBLAS
El exgobernador de Baja California Francisco Vega de Lamadrid
simuló un grave desabasto de agua para justificar la creación de
dos plantas desaladoras con un costo de 57 mil millones de pesos
con cargo al erario, bajo el manto de una compleja red de
familiares, amigos y socios, cuyo negocio final es la venta de
agua a Estados Unidos
NACIONAL
Martes, Noviembre 19, 2019 - 07:42
CORRUPCION JAIME BONILLA REPORTAJE ESPECIAL
Ilustraciones: Gabriela Guerrero / BCJB
Por: Armando Nieblas del Campo / Cristian Torres Cruz
Agencia RADAR BC
Ilustraciones: Gabriela Guerrero / BCJB
La construcción de la planta desaladora más grande de América Latina, proyecto
insignia del exgobernador panista de Baja California, Francisco Vega de Lamadrid, se encuentra envuelta en una red de corrupción que dejará embargada a la
entidad durante los próximos 37 años y donde los únicos beneficiados serán
empresarios y políticos cercanos a la clase gobernante.
Baja California se encuentra ubicada en el noroeste de México, con una población
estimada de 3.7 millones de personas.
Su clima semiárido y la escasez de lluvias han puesto en alerta a las autoridades, dado
que la principal fuente de abasto es el Río Colorado, de dónde se obtienen mil 850
millones de metros cúbicos de agua al año, 728 millones más de lo que recibe la Ciudad
de México a través del Sistema Cutzamala.
A lo largo del sexenio las autoridades del Gobierno Estatal insistieron en la
necesidad de encontrar nuevas fuentes de abastecimiento, una de ellas la
desalinización, para lo cual utilizaron información sesgada que les permitiera justificar
la construcción de dos plantas desaladoras en la zona costa de la entidad.
Es así que en 2015 fueron licitados los dos proyectos bajo el esquema de Asociación
Público Privada (APP), uno en el municipio de Playas de Rosarito; 22 kilómetros al
sur de Tijuana, y uno más en la Bahía de San Quintín, municipio de Ensenada, 300
kilómetros al sur de la frontera con California.
En este caso, la Comisión Estatal del Agua (CEA) otorgó el proyecto a la sociedad
mercantil denominada “Desaladora Kenton S.A. de C.V.”, sin embargo, se firmó el
contrato hasta el 20 de enero del 2016.
El fallo de la misma se dio el 15 de junio del 2016 a favor de la sociedad mercantil
denominada “Aguas de Rosarito Sociedad Anónima Promotora de Inversión de Capital
Variable” para la construcción de la desaladora de Aguas de Rosarito, con la que firmó
un contrato el 22 de agosto del mismo año, en el cual la empresa tendrá que invertir
más de 9 mil millones pesos.
En esta última se encuentran involucradas dos empresas transnacionales, una de ellas la
estadounidense Consolidated Water, cuya sede se encuentra en Islas Caimán, así como la francesa SUEZ Environnement, las cuales tienen por objetivo
vender agua a los Estados Unidos.
El Gobierno de Baja California se convirtió en deudor solidario de los
desarrolladores, asumiendo todo el riesgo financiero y las pérdidas que pudieran
ocasionar los proyectos, además de permitirles solicitar líneas de crédito sin tener que
invertir recursos propios, todo a costa del erario.
https://soundcloud.com/user-609994903/investigacion-sobre-corrupcion-
en-las-desaladoras-de-bc-y-entrevista-con-erick-samson
CAPÍTULO 1
Baja California embargada durante 37 años
Ingresos superiores a los 57 mil millones de pesos en conjunto, son los que recibirán los
propietarios de las empresas Aguas de Rosarito y Desaladora Kenton durante los
próximos 37 años, gracias a la operación, mantenimiento y venta de agua potable para el
Gobierno de Baja California.
En el caso de la desaladora Aguas de Rosarito, el Estado se encuentra obligado
a cubrir la cantidad mensual de 119 millones de pesos por los próximos 37
años; tan solo correspondiente a la primera etapa del proyecto, lo que representará
ingresos superiores a los 53 mil millones de pesos a la empresa.
Por otro lado, la Desaladora Kenton, que se ubicará en San Quintín, en la zona
rural del municipio de Ensenada, recibirá 11 millones 136 mil pesos mensuales por
los próximos 30 años, es decir, ingresos por 4 mil 009 millones de pesos.
Estos recursos provendrán de tres fuentes: la recaudación total de los organismos
operadores de agua de Tijuana y Ensenada, el Impuesto Sobre Remuneraciones al Trabajo Personal (ISRT) y su sobretasa, y un porcentaje de
las participaciones federales en caso de ser requerido.
Para asegurar el pago puntual del servicio, el Congreso autorizó a las Comisiones
Estatales de Servicios Públicos la creación de un fideicomiso, mediante la
contratación de líneas de crédito que, en el caso de Ensenada, representa 33 millones
408 mil pesos y en Tijuana, 358 millones 964 mil pesos.
Agua más costosa y daño a las finanzas del Estado
Un estudio independiente realizado por el Consejo Coordinador Empresarial
(CCE) de Mexicali en abril de este año, estableció que la puesta en marcha de la
planta desaladora de Playas de Rosarito, tal y como se encuentra planteada,
representará un aumento en la tarifa para los usuarios y además dejará sin liquidez a los
organismos operadores de agua, impactando directamente en las finanzas del Gobierno
Estatal.
Dicho análisis señala que la planta desaladora representará un gasto anual de mil 435
millones de pesos a la Comisión Estatal de Servicios Públicos de Tijuana
(CESPT), por la producción de 2.2 metros cúbicos por segundo.
En comparación, el costo por la conducción de agua potable a través del Acueducto
Río Colorado Tijuana (ARCT) cuesta solamente mil 191 millones 213 mil pesos, por
4.2 metros cúbicos por segundo, es decir, el doble de agua que generará la planta
desaladora en una primera fase, a un precio más bajo.
Según el estudio, el agua que se recibe a través del ARCT es suficiente para abastecer la
zona costa, por lo que la desaladora generará un sobre abasto, pero, además,
representará un incremento de hasta en un 30 por ciento en la tarifa al usuario,
derivado del costo de la energía eléctrica.
El negocio perfecto, obtienen ganancias sin ningún riesgo
Luis Ramón Irineo Romero, Secretario Ejecutivo del Sistema Estatal Anticorrupción (SESEA) en Baja California, sostiene que el modelo de
Asociaciones Público Privadas (APP) impulsado por el Gobierno Estatal y aprobado por
el Congreso, no representa ningún riesgo para los particulares.
En este caso, el Poder Ejecutivo se convierte en aval de la empresa particular ante
instituciones bancarias y, además, se obliga a crear un fideicomiso para garantizar el
pago del servicio mensual, lo que significa que los particulares tienen asegurado el
consumo, la tarifa y los ingresos.
Peor aún, las empresas que ganaron la licitación no cuentan con el capital suficiente
para haber obtenido esos proyectos, ya que en ambos casos son de nueva creación, lo
que según Irineo Romero pervertirá el modelo impulsado.
“Es un defecto que tiene la ley, pero yo no creo que haya sido una omisión, fue algo bien
pensado porque al final permite el mecanismo de que puedas constituir empresas, junto
con las que están participando, con capitales irrisorios”.
Irineo Romero consideró que este modelo le permite al Estado lucrar de forma
discrecional, con un derecho humano como es el abasto de agua, lo cual es una
distorsión de la obligación que tiene por ley.
https://soundcloud.com/user-265831946-475308812/capitulo-1-bc-embargada
CAPÍTULO 2
Amigos, políticos y empresarios cercanos al gobierno, los beneficiados
La empresa Aguas de Rosarito se conformó el 17 de agosto del 2016 con un capital de
apenas 100 mil pesos, según el Registro Público del Comercio, y tan solo un mes
después de que la Comisión Estatal del Agua (CEA) de Baja California emitiera el fallo a
favor del consorcio ganador, el cual es conformado por tres empresas, NSC Agua
(México), Degremont (Francia) y Nuwater (Sudáfrica).
La principal irregularidad en este consorcio se encuentra en la empresa NSC Agua, la
cual fue constituida en 2009 por el estadounidense Gough W. Thompson, un veterano
de guerra que se asoció con el empresario mexicano Alejandro de la Vega
Valladolid.
De la Vega Valladolid fue socio del polémico empresario del grupo político de
Atlacomulco Jorge Hank Rhon, y primo del Ex Secretario de Planeación y Finanzas
en Baja California, Antonio Valladolid Rodríguez, autor intelectual de las
desaladoras.
Ante la falta de recursos, ambos empresarios se asociaron con la
transnacional Consolidated Water (CW), representada por Frederick W. McTaggart,
CEO y Presidente de la compañía con sede en Islas Caimán, dando paso a NSC Agua.
Aún sin la existencia de una ley estatal que permitiera la creación de desaladoras, y sin
una licitación pública, De la Vega y asociados gastaron alrededor de 20 millones de
dólares en la compra de dos terrenos para la construcción de la planta, uno en 2013 y
otro más en 2014.
Por otro lado se encuentra Nuwater, una empresa originaria de Sudáfrica asociada con
mexicanos y constituida el 22 de diciembre del 2014 en San Pedro Garza
García, Nuevo León, con un capital social mínimo de 50 mil pesos, según lo
demuestra el documento número 5002Z del Registro Público del Comercio del Estado
de Nuevo León.
Entre los socios de Nuwater se encuentra Lautaro Manuel Millaman-Teruel, quien
fue funcionario de la Secretaría de Desarrollo Social entre 2010 y 2012 y asesor de la
Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Público entre 2012 y 2014. Justamente en 2014 fue
sancionado por la Secretaría de la Función Pública tras ocultar su declaración
patrimonial.
La tercera empresa que conforma el consorcio es Degremont, filial de la francesa
SUEZ Environnement, señalada por impulsar proyectos de privatización de agua en
distintas partes del mundo, dirigida por Larry Fink, empresario que, en su momento,
alabó las reformas estructurales impulsadas por el Presidente Enrique Peña Nieto.
Actualmente, Aguas de Rosarito es dirigida por Milton Adán Rubio Díaz, un viejo
militante del Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI) originario de Mexicali,
quien fuera candidato a Diputado Federal en 2006 y cercano al grupo político de Jorge
Hank Rhon.
Entrevistado sobre el proyecto, Rubio Díaz señaló que la planta desaladora lleva 12
años realizándose, y si bien reconoció ser amigo de Jorge Hank, negó que existan manos
políticas en el mismo, por lo tanto no hay beneficio para ningún funcionario, ni
“amiguismos”.
Desaladora Kenton, la herencia panista
La Desaladora Kenton S.A. de C.V. fue constituida formalmente el 17 de diciembre
del 2015; tan solo tres meses después de que la Comisión Estatal del Agua (CEA) otorgó
el fallo a su favor, con un capital de únicamente 100 mil pesos, según confirman
documentos del Registro Público de Comercio.
La empresa surgió de la función de 3 empresas, RWL Desal Holding, de origen
estadounidense; así como de Libra Ingenieros Civiles y R.J. Ingeniería, ambas
mexicanas.
Libra Ingenieros Civiles cuenta con el 36.75 por ciento de las acciones de la Desaladora
Kenton, fue constituida en noviembre del 1995 con un capital de 50 mil pesos y fundada
por Marco Antonio Tapia Grijalva y Héctor Isidro Peterson Villalobos, este
último miembro del Consejo de Administración de la desaladora.
Héctor Isidro Peterson Villalobos es primo de Carlos Loyola Peterson,
quien durante el periodo de Francisco Vega de Lamadrid fungía como Director
de la Comisión Estatal de Servicios Públicos de Ensenada (CESPE) organismo
responsable de comprar el agua a la desaladora Kenton por los próximos 30 años, lo
que, de entrada, significaría un grave conflicto de interés.
Si bien Carlos Loyola Peterson no participó en el proceso de licitación de la
desaladora en 2018, como Director de la CESPE formó parte del proceso de
contratación de un crédito a cuenta corriente por 33 millones de pesos con BANOBRAS,
para cubrir cualquier faltante de liquidez en el pago a la empresa en la que se benefició
su primo.
Además de ser primos, tanto Héctor como Carlos son socios de la empresa Hydro
Ingeniería y Sistemas, S.A. de C.V., la cual forma parte del padrón de proveedores
del Gobierno de Baja California.
La relación entre el Gobierno del Estado y la familia Peterson
Villalobos nuevamente quedó al descubierto cuando el hijo de Héctor; Erick Alfonso
Peterson Chinolla, pasó de ser asesor de Libra Ingenieros Civiles a funcionario estatal
tras ser nombrado Director de Acuacultura de la Secretaría de Pesca (SEPESCA) en
marzo del 2017.
Los Rincón Vargas con historial negro en Baja California
R.J. Ingeniería representa el 12.25 por ciento de las acciones de la Desaladora
Kenton, y en ella se encuentra como socio Jesús Octavio Rincón Vargas, hermano de la
Expresidenta Municipal panista de Playas de Rosarito, Mirna Cecilia Rincón
Vargas.
Mirna Rincón Vargas fue encontrada responsable por transferir, sin autorización, 10
millones de pesos del Seguro Popular a la asociación civil que conforma el Hospital de Salud Mental de Tijuana, donde su hermano Jesús Octavio fungía como Tesorero en
2013, lo cual detectó la Auditoría Superior de la Federación (ASF) mediante una
observación, pero la sanción de la Contraloría del Estado quedó en una simple
amonestación pública.
Kenton fue licitada en 2015, tiempo en el que Mirna Rincón Vargas ocupó el cargo
de Directora de Enlace y Seguimiento de la Secretaría General de Gobierno en Baja California, mientras su hermano obtenía el proyecto de la desaladora.
Pese a los intentos de contar con una postura tanto de Mirna Rincón Vargas, como de Carlos Loyola Peterson, ambos hicieron caso omiso a la solicitud de este medio,
por lo que no pudieron dar un posicionamiento.
Leyes débiles
Según el Artículo Tercero, Fracción Sexta de la Ley de Responsabilidades
Administrativas del Estado de Baja California, los servidores públicos se
encuentran obligados a presentar declaración de intereses, y en caso de existir un
posible conflicto deberán hacerlo público y excusarse, lo cual no ocurrió en los casos de
Antonio Valladolid Rodríguez y Carlos Loyola Peterson, quienes participaron
beneficiando a sus familiares en los procesos de licitación.
Por otra parte, el Código Penal para el Estado de Baja California establece en
el Título Segundo relativo a los Delitos por Hechos de Corrupción, una serie
de situaciones en las que podrían incurrir los funcionarios, tales como abuso de
autoridad, cohecho y tráfico de influencias.
Por ejemplo, el Capítulo Décimo señala que un servidor público hace uso ilícito
de atribuciones y facultades cuando otorgue, realice o contrate obras públicas,
adquisiciones, arrendamientos, enajenaciones de bienes o servicios con recursos
públicos de forma ilícita; sin embargo, la ley es tan ambigua que no permite encuadrar
estos supuestos de una manera sencilla.
https://soundcloud.com/user-265831946-475308812/capitulo-2-amigos-y
CAPÍTULO 3
Maquillan cifras y violan la ley para justificar desaladoras
En entrevista para este medio, el exgobernador Francisco Vega de Lamadrid expuso
que las desaladoras fueron una recomendación directa de la Comisión Nacional del
Agua en 2014 y agregó que no se trataba de un tema personal, ya que un mandatario
estatal no podría decidir sobre la instalación de una planta debido a que todos los
permisos son de carácter federal.
“Nos fuimos a una licitación internacional para ver quién salía con el proyecto, y se hizo
pública, hasta hubo notario y muchas cosas, y lo más importante, compitieron varias
compañías a nivel internacional. ¿Cuántas de ellas se inconformaron? Ninguna,
ese es el mejor ejemplo de la transparencia y decencia con las que se han hecho las
cosas”, expuso Vega de Lamadrid.
Tras revisar los procesos de licitación se pudo constatar una serie de simulaciones, por
ejemplo, en la licitación de la desaladora de San Quintín solamente Kenton presentó propuesta, convirtiéndose en la empresa ganadora por default.
En el caso de Rosarito, además de la ganadora se presentaron dos propuestas más, que
si bien no obtuvieron el fallo a favor, estas empresas finalmente fueron beneficiadas con
uno de los 11 proyectos de obra lanzados por el gobierno estatal.
Una de ellas fue Urbanización y Riego Baja California S.A. de C.V. (URBACA),
la cual fue acusada de ser la empresa de cabecera de Francisco Vega de Lamadrid, y que
obtuvo la licitación SIDUE-CESPM-APP-2016-001 para la Construcción de Tubería
Troncal de Drenajes Pluviales Prioritario en Mexicali.
La tercera empresa que participó y dio “validez” a la licitación es Hydrochem PTE. LTD.
en consorcio con Fuerza de Apoyo Constructiva de Occidente, GSM Servicios
en General y VAHER Inmobiliaria, estas últimas ganadoras de la licitación SIDUE-
PGJE-APP-2016-002 relativa al diseño, construcción, operación y mantenimiento de un
edificio de la Procuraduría General de Justicia del Estado (PGJE).
Entre los observadores de la licitación se encontraban Héctor Peterson Villalobos y
Armando Aranda Miranda, ambos en representación de la Cámara Méxicana de la
Industria de la Construcción (CMIC). El primero, socio de la desaladora Kenton y el
segundo hermano de Jorge Aranda Miranda, subsecretario de Gobierno en la
administración del panista José Guadalupe Osuna Millán.
Pese a dichas irregularidades y la ausencia de un testigo social, ninguna de las empresas
impugnó el fallo de la CEA.
Desabasto inducido y falta de mantenimiento
Líderes de la agrupación Artículo 39 PRO BC señalaron que funcionarios estatales
presentaron información falsa a los legisladores para justificar las obras, lo cual
denunciaron ante la procuraduría estatal sin que su queja fuera atendida.
Armando Salinas, miembro de esta agrupación, dijo que de mayo a octubre el acueducto
que transporta el agua de Mexicali a zona costa funciona a su mínima capacidad con la
justificación de un ahorro de energía, lo que se traduce en una reducción de 40 millones
de metros cúbicos, que representa el 28 por ciento del agua que necesitó Tijuana y Playas de Rosarito en 2017 según datos de la misma Comisión Estatal del
Agua (CEA).
“Es el Gobierno del Estado el que ha generado un desabasto de agua para poder llevar a
cabo el proyecto de la desaladora de Playas de Rosarito”, indicó Salinas.
Las cifras no coinciden; mientras que la Comisión Estatal del Agua reportó en
una solicitud de transparencia que en 2018 entregaron 151 millones de
metros cúbicos a la Comisión Estatal de Servicios Públicos de Tijuana
(CESPT) mediante el acueducto, la paraestatal responde en otra solicitud de
transparencia que únicamente recibieron 145 millones de metros cúbicos, lo que
representa un faltante de 6 millones, casi el agua que utiliza cada año el municipio de
Tecate.
El documento señala que “No pasa por alto el prolongado abandono en obras y
mantenimiento del Acueducto Río Colorado-Mexicali-Tijuana, e infraestructura
hidráulico-sanitaria, así como a las plantas de tratamiento”, advirtió Laborín Valdez.
Esta postura coincide con lo planteado por el Director del Organismo de Cuenca de la CONAGUA en el Estado, Rafael Sanz Ramos, quien descartó que exista
desabasto de agua, ya que la entidad lleva años recibiendo la misma cantidad del Río
Colorado.
https://soundcloud.com/user-265831946-475308812/capitulo-3-maquillan-cifras
CAPÍTULO 4
Venta de agua a los Estados Unidos, el verdadero negocio
VER AQUÍ: VENTA DE AGUA A ESTADOS UNIDOS
Documentos de la SEMARNAT, minutas del Distrito de Agua de Otay en
California y reportes presentados ante la Comisión de Bolsa y Valores de los Estados
Unidos, confirman lo que durante años negaron las autoridades en Baja California: la
intención de exportar diariamente entre 20 y 40 millones de galones de agua producida
en la planta desaladora de Playas de Rosarito.
Según la minuta 20060313, el Distrito de Agua de Otay (OWD por sus siglas en
inglés) gestionó con autoridades mexicanas desde el 2006, la posibilidad de instalar
una planta desaladora que cubriera el 40 por ciento de la demanda en esa zona.
Simultáneamente, Frederick W. McTaggart, Presidente y CEO de Consolidated
Water, inició sus planes de expansión en México, pero fue hasta el 2009 cuando
anunció oficialmente la intención de ampliar sus operaciones en el “Pacífico”, en donde
podían ganar dinero con la venta de agua desalada, según lo señala un reporte de la
Comisión de Bolsa y Valores de los Estados Unidos.
Una vez asociado con NSC AGUA, el CEO de Consolidated Water inició con el
proceso legal y sostuvieron reuniones con autoridades bajacalifornianas, quienes
expresaron su deseo de comprar el agua producida para venderla o intercambiarla con
Estados Unidos mediante un mecanismo comercial.
En sus declaraciones del 13 de mayo del 2015, McTaggart va más allá, señala que fueron
las mismas autoridades estatales quienes entablaron comunicación con sus similares
en Estados Unidos a fin de buscar algún el acuerdo comercial.
El acueducto secreto hasta Otay
Para concretar la compra-venta de agua a los Estados Unidos, los desarrolladores y el
gobierno estatal necesitaban infraestructura, lo cual quedó plasmado en el Manifiesto de
Impacto Ambiental (MIA) presentado ante la SEMARNAT, el cual contemplaba la
construcción de un acueducto que cruzaría la frontera entre México y Estados
Unidos.
En la sección II.2.6 denominada “Descripción de obras asociadas al
proyecto1” del MIA se confirmó la intención de vender los excedentes de agua a la
frontera norte desde la CESPT al Distrito de Agua de Otay en San Diego.
El mismo apartado señala que el acueducto correrá desde la planta a través de las
montañas entre Rosarito y Tijuana, paralelo al gasoducto de la empresa Sempra,
entregando el agua en los tanques de la CESPT en El Florido, al este de Tijuana.
Entre las documentales presentadas por la empresa para su aprobación, dan a conocer
fotografías incluso de la misma línea internacional Estados Unidos – México para dar a
conocer en donde concluye el proyecto.
La mano de Jaime Bonilla y Francisco Vega de Lamadrid
Tanto el Gobernador de Baja California, Jaime Bonilla Valdez, como el
Exgobernador Francisco Vega de Lamadrid conocían el proyecto y sabían que el
propósito de la desaladora en Playas de Rosarito era vender agua a los Estados Unidos.
Minutas del Distrito de Aguas de Otay señalan que cuando Bonilla Valdez
ocupó el cargo de Director de dicho organismo en 2008, inició las gestiones
para instalar una planta desaladora en Playas de Rosarito, al grado que en 2011 se
reunió con el entonces Alcalde de ese municipio, Javier Robles para discutir el proyecto.
Ya como Diputado Federal, en mayo del 2013, Jaime Bonilla Valdez participó en una
reunión con los accionistas de NSC AGUA y una comisión del Distrito de Agua de Otay,
quienes expresaron su interés por adquirir el agua producida en las costas mexicanas.
"El Estado está considerando vender al distrito la cantidad solicitada de agua
desalinizada y también está interesado en las transferencias indirectas de agua del agua
del Río Colorado", relata la minuta 20151019 del OWD.
Tanto el exgobernador Francisco Vega de Lamadrid como el exsecretario
de Desarrollo Económico, Carlo Bonfante Olache, negaron durante toda la
administración que el agua de la desaladora se vendería a Estados Unidos.
“Me lo han preguntado no sé cuántas veces y les he dicho que no es cierto, no se puede
vender agua”, dijo Vega de Lamadrid a un reportero de El Imparcial el 27 de mayo
del 2019.
Sin embargo, la minuta antes mencionada señala a Bonfante Olache como el contacto
con el Gobierno Estatal, a quien incluso le plantearon la intención de enviar agua a
los Estados Unidos de forma directa o indirecta a través del Río Colorado, así como el
precio y la calidad del vital líquido.
Leyes ambiguas
Milton Adán Rubio Díaz, director de la empresa Aguas de Rosarito, responsable de la
construcción y operación de la planta desaladora, reconoció que la intención original de
la planta era vender agua a Estados Unidos, pero aclaró que legalmente ellos no pueden
hacerlo, toda vez que el Congreso se los impidió, aunque si se le permite al Gobierno Mexicano.
Una cláusula del Acta 323 del Comité Internacional de Límites y Aguas (CILA) permite el intercambio o entrega directa de agua en caso de contingencia entre
ambas naciones, sin embargo, la legislación mexicana no lo permite de manera expresa.
Francisco Bernal Rodríguez, representante en Mexicali de la CILA, detalló que dicho
esquema sólo podría darse con la autorización de ambos países. Explicó que el ACTA
323 contempla la exploración de proyectos de desalación en el Mar de Cortés para dotar
de agua al estado de Arizona, y en el Océano Pacífico para abastecer a
California.
Por su parte, el Director del Organismo de Cuenca de CONAGUA en Baja
California, Rafael Sanz Ramos, aseguró que la Ley de Aguas Nacionales no
contempla este esquema, por lo cual se necesitaría un trámite especial y un acuerdo
entre ambos gobiernos, lo cual no existe en la actualidad, aunque no se descarta.
https://soundcloud.com/user-265831946-475308812/capitulo-4-venta-de-agua
CAPÍTULO 5
La historia de Gough Thompson, el hombre que ideó y frenó la desaladora
El plan maestro para vender agua a Estados Unidos inicia en 2005, cuando Gough W. Thompson, un veterano de guerra originario de Maryland, conoce un
estudio financiado por las autoridades mexicanas y estadounidenses, en el cual se
establece que Playas de Rosarito es el sitio ideal para instalar una planta desaladora y
comercializar el vital líquido.
Entrevistado en la ciudad de San Diego, California, donde reside desde hace años, Thompson recuerda que a través de su empresa East West Group
(EWG) ideó el proyecto de la desaladora, pues debido al poco abasto de agua en ambos
lados de la frontera, se visualizaba como un negocio muy atractivo.
Asociado con Alejandro de la Vega Valladolid, cuya principal tarea fue la de
invertir recursos y hacer las gestiones con el Gobierno de Baja California, Thomson
manifestó la intención de producir hasta 100 millones de galones al día, lo que
convertirá a esta planta en la más grande de América y la sexta a nivel mundial.
Ya con el apoyo del gobierno bajacaliforniano, buscaron un nuevo aliado en San Diego,
en este caso el Distrito de Agua de Otay (OWD por sus siglas en inglés), al
considerarlo un cliente potencial. En dicho organismo se encontraba el ahora
Gobernador, Jaime Bonilla Valdez.
Tanto OWD como la Comisión Estatal de Servicios Públicos de Tijuana
(CESPT) manifestaron su interés por adquirir parte de los 100 millones de galones que
diariamente produciría la desaladora. El negocio iba tomando forma, pero había que
fortalecerlo, por ello, se asociaron con la empresa estadounidense Consolidated
Water Co. (CWC), encabezada en ese momento por Frederick W. McTaggart, con
quien constituyeron NSC Agua.
Al paso de los meses, el proyecto avanzó más lento y comenzó a dificultarse, por lo que
Thompson consideró que era momento de retirarse. Es así que buscó un comprador,
dando así con “The Carlyle Group”, una empresa con sede en Washington, D.C. que
mostró su interés en la construcción de la desaladora.
Sin embargo, esta empresa buscaba quedarse con todo el control del proyecto e incluso
comprar a CWC, lo cual no fue bien visto por McTaggart, quien además de impedir la
negociación convocó a una reunión de socios en la que, sin previo aviso, incrementó el
capital de la empresa y pulverizó las acciones de Thomson, quien pasó de tener el 25
por ciento, a menos del 1 por ciento de las acciones.
Con este movimiento, CWC se apoderaría del proyecto que representaría ganancias
anuales de al menos 125 millones de dólares, lo que para Thompson fue motivo
suficiente para dejarlo fuera.
A partir de ahí que comenzó un litigio entre los socios de NSC Agua, toda vez que
Thompson presentó denuncias en México y Estados Unidos con el propósito
de aclarar lo sucedido en la asamblea en la que disminuyeron su participación,
ocasionando que se aplicara un embargo al predio donde construirán la desaladora.
Aunque reconoce que en este proyecto podrían haberse presentado actos de corrupción,
expresó que contar con una fuente alterna de abastecimiento es importante para no
depender del agua del Río Colorado y de los caprichos de Donald Trump, quien
podría modificar los tratados binacionales en la materia y dejar sin agua a México.
Recordó que el plan era que el Gobierno de Baja California comprara el 100 por ciento del agua producida para vender una parte a Estados Unidos mediante un
acuerdo comercial entre ambos países o intercambiarla por la que proviene del Río
Colorado y se encuentra en la presa Hoover de Las Vegas, Nevada.
Dijo que desde hace años existe una conexión entre Tijuana y San Diego, por lo tanto
pueden cruzar agua sin ningún problema, especialmente en caso de una emergencia.
Con más de tres millones de dólares invertidos, Gough W. Thompson mantiene un
litigio con el resto de sus socios, lo que ha impedido la construcción de la planta, sin
embargo, negó que el proyecto esté muerto y aunque desconoce por qué se han caído los
financiamientos, considera que los proyectos serán retomados por Jaime Bonilla Valdez,
toda vez que fue uno de los principales interesados.
https://soundcloud.com/user-265831946-475308812/capitulo-5-se-acaba-el-tiempo
CAPÍTULO 6
Plantas contaminadoras ponen en riesgo vida marina
VER AQUÍ: PLANTAS CONTAMINADORAS
La instalación de plantas desaladoras para combatir la escasez de agua debe ser la
última alternativa, toda vez que dejaría una importante huella de carbono ocasionada
por la energía requerida en el proceso, consideró el investigador Leopoldo Mendoza
Espinoza.
El líder del Cuerpo Académico de Agua y Ambiente de la Universidad
Autónoma de Baja California (UABC), sostuvo que la toma de agua de mar podría
atraer plancton y crustáceos, lo que representará un grave impacto en la vida marina,
sin mencionar que la limpieza de las membranas que se utilizan para desalar el agua se
realiza con productos químicos, cuyos residuos terminarán en el mar.
Dijo que hasta ahora el proceso para la instalación de estas plantas en Baja California no
ha sido transparente, ya que todo se trata de un negocio de particulares.
“Es más negocio que tratar el agua para poder rehusar. No me gusta que quieran hacer
negocio con la desalación, por eso hay que agotar otras alternativas”, puntualizó.
Vecinos soportarán ruido y contaminación
Fue hasta la colocación de la primera piedra el 23 de marzo del 2018, cuando vecinos de
la Colonia Lienzo Charro en Playas de Rosarito, se enteraron que justo
frente a sus viviendas se instalaría la planta desaladora más grande de América Latina.
Francisco Javier Carmona López, Administrador del Conjunto Habitacional Vista
del Mar señaló que hasta ahora desconocen con exactitud lo que ocurrirá a escasos 100
metros de sus viviendas.
Actualmente los residentes se encuentran junto a la Central Termoeléctrica
Presidente Juárez, perteneciente a la Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE), la cual ya representa gran incomodidad debido al ruido que genera la operación
de las calderas y las constantes vibraciones, lo que podría empeorar con la planta
desaladora.
“De por sí ya estamos contaminados por el drenaje que se descarga al mar, ahora
imagínate con otra descarga, los desechos de la Comisión mediante las calderas hacen
que la espuma salga amarilla y todo eso es contaminación, y es un peligro bañarse en la
playa”, expresó.
Un total de 220 familias son las que residen en el Conjunto Habitacional Vista del
Mar, quienes han manifestado su inconformidad con la desaladora, por lo que piden a
las autoridades un acercamiento.
https://soundcloud.com/user-265831946-475308812/capitulo-6-plantas
Se les acaba el tiempo
Actualmente, ambos proyectos se encuentran detenidos debido a problemas financieros,
toda vez que el contrato firmado obliga al Gobierno del Estado a conseguir una línea
de crédito que le permita obtener recursos en caso de no poder cubrir el pago de la
contraprestación a los particulares. El gobierno tiene hasta el próximo 31 de diciembre
para conseguir el financiamiento.
En caso de que el gobierno estatal no cumpla con esa parte, podrían presentarse
demandas por incumplimiento de parte de los desarrolladores.
“Es trabajo del Estado, no trabajo de nosotros”, señaló Milton Adán Rubio Díaz,
Director de la empresa Aguas de Rosarito, al referirse al estado en que se
encuentra la construcción de la planta.
Tras asumir el cargo como Gobernador de Baja California, Jaime Bonilla
Valdez se pronunció respecto a la desaladora de Playas de Rosarito, proyecto
al que consideró necesario, pero lo calificó de inviable
“No podemos comprometer al Estado con un pago de 158 millones de pesos mensuales,
no los tiene la comisión de agua, entonces tenemos que cambiar el esquema para que
sea menos doloso el impacto al Estado”, indicó.
Bonilla Valdez comentó que el proyecto permanecerá, pero ya notificó a la
empresa Aguas de Rosarito que tendrán que cambiar una serie de cuestiones para
que sea autosuficiente. Por ello, trabajan actualmente en un nuevo esquema que facilite
el proyecto y que esté dentro de las posibilidades financieras de la actual
administración.
A unos días de dejar el cargo de Gobernador, Francisco Vega de
Lamadrid, insistió en la necesidad de construir las plantas desaladoras debido a la
necesidad de fuentes alternas de agua para Baja California.
“Se nos está acabando el agua en la zona costa (…), se ha complicado por política, pero
tarde o temprano me tendrán que dar la razón”, dijo Vega de Lamadrid.
Es importante señalar que durante semanas se buscó la postura de la Comisión
Estatal del Agua (CEA), cuya dirección estuvo acéfala durante meses, pero que fue
asumida por Alfredo Babún Villarreal el pasado mes de septiembre, sin embargo, el
funcionario nunca respondió a la solicitud de entrevista de este medio. Más
información en http://radarbc.com/AguasNegrasKikoVega/
Translated from Spanish to English using Microsoft Translator
Exhibit H
Project to bring water from Mexico to San Diego was endorsed by Jaime Bonilla
and powered by Kiko Vega
Both the current governor of Baja California, Jaime Bonilla Valdez, and former Governor
Francisco Vega de Lamadrid knew about the project and knew that the purpose of the
desalinator in Playas de Rosarito was to sell water to the United States.
Photo: Radar BC
By Special Radar BC
November 21, 2019
Share
https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&ei=0L7eXfO_FdTa-gTrg5KgBw&q=translate&oq=translate&gs_l=psy-ab.1.0.0i131j0l9.2455.4687.. 10027...0.0..0.178.828.9j1.... 2..0....1..gws-wiz..... 6..0i362i308i154i357.. 10001%3A0%2C154.
InbH7mi76xE#spf=1574878939000
Documents from the Semarnat in Mexico, minutes from the Otay Water District in California,
USA, and reports filed with the North American Securities and Exchange Commission, confirm
what for years the government of former panist governor Francisco Kiko Vega denied: the
intention to export daily between 20 and 40 million gallons of water produced at a desalination
plant installed in Playas de Rosarito.
According to minutes 20060313, the Otay Water District (OWD) has managed with Mexican
authorities since 2006, the possibility of installing a desalinating plant that would cover 40
percent of the demand in that area.
Translated from Spanish to English using Microsoft Translator
Simultaneously, Frederick W. McTaggart, President and CEO of Consolidated Water, began his
expansion plans in Mexico, but it was until 2009 that he officially announced the intention to
expand their operations in the "Pacific", where they could make money with the desalinated
water, as noted by a report by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
To achieve this, Consolidated Water partnered with Bajacaliforniana company NSC AGUA. It
was at that time that Frederick W. McTaggart began the legal process to sell the water and held
meetings with The Californian authorities, who expressed a desire to buy the water produced
for sale or exchange with the United States through a commercial mechanism.
In his statements of May 13, 2015, McTaggart goes further, noting that it was the state
authorities themselves who communicated with their peers in the United States to seek the
trade agreement.
The secret aqueduct
To finalize the purchase and sale of water to the United States, developers and the state
government needed infrastructure, which was reflected in the Environmental Impact Manifesto
(MIA) presented to The Semarnat in June 2014, which envisaged the construction of an
aqueduct that would cross the U.S.-Mexico border.
Section II.2.6 called "Description of works associated with project1" of the MIA confirmed the
intention to sell the surplus water to the northern border from CESPT to the Otay Water District
in San Diego.
The same section states that the aqueduct will run from the plant through the mountains
between Rosarito and Tijuana, parallel to the sempra company's pipeline, delivering the water
in the tanks of the Tijuana State Public Utilities Commission in El Florido, east of Tijuana.
Among the documentaries submitted by the company for approval, they release photographs
even of the same international line United States – Mexico to publicize where the project
concludes.
The hand of Jaime Bonilla and Kiko Vega
Both the current governor of Baja California, Jaime Bonilla Valdez, and former Governor
Francisco Vega de Lamadrid knew about the project and knew that the purpose of the
desalinator in Playas de Rosarito was to sell water to the United States.
Minutes of the District of Aguas de Otay point out that when Bonilla Valdez held the position of
Director of that agency, in 2008, he initiated the efforts to install a desalinating plant in Playas
de Rosarito, to the extent that in 2011 he met with the then Mayor of that municipality, Javier
Robles, to discuss the project.
Translated from Spanish to English using Microsoft Translator
As a federal deputy, in May 2013, Jaime Bonilla Valdez participated in a meeting with the
shareholders of NSC AGUA and a commission of the Otay Water District, who expressed
interest in acquiring the water produced on the Mexican coast.
"The state is considering selling the district the requested amount of desalinated water and is
also interested in indirect water transfers from the Colorado River," says the 20151019 minutes
of the OWD.
Both former Governor Francisco Vega de Lamadrid and former Economic Development
Secretary Carlo Bonfante Olache denied throughout the administration that the desalinator's
water would be sold to the United States, even though on June 15, 2016 the BC government
awarded the desalinrating company to NSC AGUA, a company that in turn became the Aguas de
Rosarito company.
"I have been asked how many times and I have told you that it is not true, you can not sell
water," Vega de Lamadrid told a reporter from El Imparcial on May 27, 2019.
However, the above-mentioned minutes point to Bonfante Olache as contact with the State
Government, who was even asked to send water to the United States directly or indirectly
through the Colorado River, as well as the price and quality of the v liquid ital.
Ambiguous laws
Milton Adán Rubio Díaz, director of Aguas de Rosarito, responsible for the construction and
operation of the desalinating plant, acknowledged that the original intention of the plant was
to sell water to the United States, but clarified that legally they cannot do so, since Congress
prevented them, although the Mexican government could.
A clause in Act 323 of the International Committee on Limits and Waters (CILA) allows the
exchange or direct delivery of water in the event of a contingency between the two nations,
however, Mexican law does not allow it expressly.
Francisco Bernal Rodríguez, representative in Mexicali of CILA, detailed that such a scheme
could only be given with the authorization of both countries. He explained that ACTA 323
envisages the exploration of desalination projects in the Sea of Cortez to provide water to the
state of Arizona, and in the Pacific Ocean to supply California.
For his part, the Director of the Conagua Basin Agency in Baja California, Rafael Sanz Ramos,
assured that the National Water Act does not provide for this scheme, so a special procedure
and an agreement between the two governments would be needed, which does not exist in the
presentity, though not ruled out.
The man behind the project
Translated from Spanish to English using Microsoft Translator
The master plan to sell water to the United States began in 2005, when Gough W. Thompson, a
maryland-based war veteran, sees a study funded by Mexican and American authorities, which
states that Playas de Rosarito is the ideal place to install a desalination plant and market the
vital liquid.
Interviewed in the city of San Diego, California, where he has lived for years, Thompson recalls
that through his company East West Group (EWG) he desaused the desalinator project, because
due to the little water supply on both sides of the border, it was seen as a very attractive
business.
Associated with Alejandro de la Vega Valladolid, whose main task was to invest resources and
make arrangements with the government of Baja California, Thompson expressed the intention
to produce up to 100 million gallons a day, which will make this plant the most America and the
sixth in the world.
Already with the support of the Lower Californian government, they sought a new ally in San
Diego, in this case the Otay Water District (OWD), considering it a potential customer. In that
body was the now governor, Jaime Bonilla Valdez.
Both OWD and the Tijuana State Public Utilities Commission (CESPT) expressed interest in
acquiring some of the 100 million gallons that the desalinator would produce daily.
Over the months, the project progressed slower and became difficult, so Thompson felt it was
time to retire. So he sought out a buyer, thus giving up with "The Carlyle Group", a
Washington, D.C.-based company that showed interest in building the desalinator.
However, this company sought to stay in control of the entire project and even buy from CWC,
which was not well seen by McTaggart, who in addition to preventing the negotiation called for
a meeting of partners in which, without prior notice, increased the capital of the company and
pulverized the shares of Thomson, who went from 25 percent to less than 1 percent of the
company.
With this move, CWC would seize the project that would account for annual profits of at least
$125 million, which Thompson considered sufficient reason to leave him out.
From there, a lawsuit began between NSC's Partners Water, since Thompson filed complaints in
Mexico and the United States with the purpose of clarifying what happened in the assembly in
which their participation declined, causing an embargo to be applied to the where they will
build the desalinator.
The plan was for the Government of Baja California to buy 100 percent of the water produced
to sell a portion to the United States:
Translated from Spanish to English using Microsoft Translator
He said that for years there has been a connection between Tijuana and San Diego, so they can
cross water without any problem, especially in case of an emergency.
With more than $3 million invested, Gough W. Thompson is in dispute with the rest of his
partners, which has prevented the construction of the plant, however, he denied that the
project is dead and although he is unaware of why funding has fallen , considers that the
projects will be resumed by Jaime Bonilla Valdez, since he was one of the main stakeholders.
They're running out of time.
Currently, both projects are halted due to financial problems, since the signed contract obliges
the State Government to obtain a line of credit that allows it to obtain resources in case it
cannot cover the payment of the consideration to individuals. The government has until
December 31 to secure funding.
In the event that the state government does not comply with that party, non-compliance claims
may be filed by the developers.
"It's the work of the state, not our work," said Milton Rubio Rubio Díaz, Director of the
company Aguas de Rosarito, referring to the status of the plant construction.
After taking office as Governor of Baja California, Jaime Bonilla Valdez spoke about the Playas
de Rosarito desalination company, a project he deemed necessary, but described it as
unworkable.
"We cannot commit the state to a payment of 158 million pesos per month, it is not water-
commissioned, so we have to change the scheme so that the impact on the state is less
painful," he said.
Bonilla Valdez commented that the project will remain, but has already notified the company
Aguas de Rosarito that they will have to change a number of issues to make it self-sufficient.
For this reason, they are currently working on a new scheme that facilitates the project, and
that is within the financial possibilities of the current administration.
A few days after leaving the position of Governor, Francisco Vega de Lamadrid insisted on the
need to build the desalination plants due to the need for alternative water sources for Baja
California.
"We're running out of water in the coastal area (...), it's complicated by politics, but sooner or
later they're going to have to give me the reason," Vega de Lamadrid said.
It is important to note that for weeks the position of the State Water Commission (CEA) was
sought, whose management was acephalic for months, but which was taken over by Alfredo
Translated from Spanish to English using Microsoft Translator
Babún Villarreal last September, however, the official never responded to the request for an
interview from this medium.
This report was originally published on the Radar BC portal.
This research is part of the Research Journalism Hub, an International Center for Journalists
project in partnership with the Border Center for Journalists and Bloggers
Exhibit H
Proyecto para llevar agua de México a San Diego fue avalado por Jaime Bonilla e impulsado por Kiko Vega
Tanto el actual gobernador de Baja California, Jaime Bonilla Valdez, como el exgobernador Francisco Vega de Lamadrid conocían el proyecto y sabían que el propósito de la desaladora en Playas de Rosarito era vender agua a los Estados Unidos.
Foto: Radar BC
Por Especial Radar BC 21 de noviembre, 2019 Comparte
https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&ei=0L7eXfO_FdTa-gTrg5KgBw&q=translate&oq=translate&gs_l=psy-ab.1.0.0i131j0l9.2455.4687..10027...0.0..0.178.828.9j1....2..0....1..gws-wiz.....6..0i362i308i154i357..10001%3A0%2C154.InbH7mi76xE#spf=1574878939000
Documentos de la Semarnat en México, minutas del Distrito de Agua de Otay en California, Estados Unidos, y reportes presentados ante la Comisión de Bolsa y Valores de Norteamérica, confirman lo que durante años negó el gobierno del exgobernador panista Francisco Kiko Vega: la intención de exportar diariamente entre 20 y 40 millones de galones de agua producida en una planta desaladora instalada en Playas de Rosarito.
Según la minuta 20060313, el Distrito de Agua de Otay (OWD por sus siglas en inglés) gestionó con autoridades mexicanas desde el 2006, la posibilidad de instalar una planta desaladora que cubriera el 40 por ciento de la demanda en esa zona.
Simultáneamente, Frederick W. McTaggart, Presidente y CEO de Consolidated Water, inició sus planes de expansión en México, pero fue hasta el 2009 cuando anunció oficialmente la intención
de ampliar sus operaciones en el “Pacífico”, en donde podían ganar dinero con la venta de agua
desalada, según lo señala un reporte de la Comisión de Bolsa y Valores de los Estados Unidos.
Para lograrlo la empresa Consolidated Water se asoció con la empresa bajacaliforniana NSC AGUA. Fue en ese momento que Frederick W. McTaggart inició con el proceso legal para vender el agua y sostuvieron reuniones con autoridades bajacalifornianas, quienes expresaron su
deseo de comprar el agua producida para venderla o intercambiarla con Estados Unidos mediante
un mecanismo comercial.
En sus declaraciones del 13 de mayo del 2015, McTaggart va más allá, señala que fueron las mismas autoridades estatales quienes entablaron comunicación con sus similares en Estados Unidos, a fin de buscar el acuerdo comercial.
El acueducto secreto
Para concretar la compra-venta de agua a los Estados Unidos, los desarrolladores y el gobierno
estatal necesitaban infraestructura, lo cual quedó plasmado en el Manifiesto de Impacto Ambiental (MIA) presentado ante la Semarnat, en junio de 2014, el cual contemplaba la construcción de un acueducto que cruzaría la frontera entre México y Estados Unidos.
En la sección II.2.6 denominada “Descripción de obras asociadas al proyecto1” del MIA se confirmó la intención de vender los excedentes de agua a la frontera norte desde la CESPT al
Distrito de Agua de Otay, en San Diego.
El mismo apartado señala que el acueducto correrá desde la planta a través de las montañas entre Rosarito y Tijuana, paralelo al gasoducto de la empresa Sempra, entregando el agua en los tanques de la Comisión Estatal de Servicios Públicos de Tijuana en El Florido, al este de Tijuana.
Entre las documentales presentadas por la empresa para su aprobación, dan a conocer fotografías
incluso de la misma línea internacional Estados Unidos – México para dar a conocer en dónde concluye el proyecto.
La mano de Jaime Bonilla y Kiko Vega
Tanto el actual gobernador de Baja California, Jaime Bonilla Valdez, como el exgobernador Francisco Vega de Lamadrid conocían el proyecto y sabían que el propósito de la desaladora en Playas de Rosarito era vender agua a los Estados Unidos.
Minutas del Distrito de Aguas de Otay señalan que cuando Bonilla Valdez ocupó el cargo de Director de dicho organismo, en 2008, inició las gestiones para instalar una planta desaladora en Playas de Rosarito, al grado que en 2011 se reunió con el entonces Alcalde de ese municipio, Javier Robles, para discutir el proyecto.
Ya como diputado federal, en mayo del 2013, Jaime Bonilla Valdez participó en una reunión con los accionistas de NSC AGUA y una comisión del Distrito de Agua de Otay, quienes expresaron
su interés por adquirir el agua producida en las costas mexicanas.
“El Estado está considerando vender al distrito la cantidad solicitada de agua desalinizada y también está interesado en las transferencias indirectas de agua del agua del Río Colorado”, relata la minuta 20151019 del OWD.
Tanto el exgobernador Francisco Vega de Lamadrid como el exsecretario de Desarrollo
Económico, Carlo Bonfante Olache, negaron durante toda la administración que el agua de la
desaladora se vendería a Estados Unidos, aun cuando el 15 de junio de 2016 el gobierno de BC le otorgó el contrato de la desaladora a NSC AGUA, empresa que a su vez se transformó en la compañía Aguas de Rosarito.
“Me lo han preguntado no sé cuántas veces y les he dicho que no es cierto, no se puede vender
agua”, dijo Vega de Lamadrid a un reportero de El Imparcial el 27 de mayo del 2019.
Sin embargo, la minuta antes mencionada señala a Bonfante Olache como el contacto con el Gobierno Estatal, a quien incluso le plantearon la intención de enviar agua a los Estados Unidos de forma directa o indirecta a través del Río Colorado, así como el precio y la calidad del vital líquido.
Leyes ambiguas
Milton Adán Rubio Díaz, director de la empresa Aguas de Rosarito, responsable de la
construcción y operación de la planta desaladora, reconoció que la intención original de la planta era vender agua a Estados Unidos, pero aclaró que legalmente ellos no pueden hacerlo, toda vez que el Congreso se los impidió, aunque el gobierno mexicano sí lo podría hacer.
Una cláusula del Acta 323 del Comité Internacional de Límites y Aguas (CILA) permite el intercambio o entrega directa de agua en caso de contingencia entre ambas naciones, sin
embargo, la legislación mexicana no lo permite de manera expresa.
Francisco Bernal Rodríguez, representante en Mexicali de la CILA, detalló que dicho esquema sólo podría darse con la autorización de ambos países. Explicó que el ACTA 323 contempla la exploración de proyectos de desalación en el Mar de Cortés para dotar de agua al estado de Arizona, y en el Océano Pacífico para abastecer a California.
Por su parte, el Director del Organismo de Cuenca de Conagua en Baja California, Rafael Sanz Ramos, aseguró que la Ley de Aguas Nacionales no contempla este esquema, por lo cual se necesitaría un trámite especial y un acuerdo entre ambos gobiernos, lo cual no existe en la actualidad, aunque no se descarta.
El hombre detrás del proyecto
El plan maestro para vender agua a Estados Unidos inicia en 2005, cuando Gough W. Thompson, un veterano de guerra originario de Maryland, conoce un estudio financiado por las
autoridades mexicanas y estadounidenses, en el cual se establece que Playas de Rosarito es el
sitio ideal para instalar una planta desaladora y comercializar el vital líquido.
Entrevistado en la ciudad de San Diego, California, donde reside desde hace años, Thompson recuerda que a través de su empresa East West Group (EWG) ideó el proyecto de la desaladora, pues debido al poco abasto de agua en ambos lados de la frontera, se visualizaba como un
negocio muy atractivo.
Asociado con Alejandro de la Vega Valladolid, cuya principal tarea fue la de invertir recursos y hacer las gestiones con el gobierno de Baja California, Thompson manifestó la intención de producir hasta 100 millones de galones al día, lo que convertirá a esta planta en la más grande de América y la sexta a nivel mundial.
Ya con el apoyo del gobierno bajacaliforniano, buscaron un nuevo aliado en San Diego, en este
caso el Distrito de Agua de Otay (OWD por sus siglas en inglés), al considerarlo un cliente potencial. En dicho organismo se encontraba el ahora gobernador, Jaime Bonilla Valdez.
Tanto OWD como la Comisión Estatal de Servicios Públicos de Tijuana (CESPT) manifestaron su interés por adquirir parte de los 100 millones de galones que diariamente produciría la
desaladora.
Al paso de los meses, el proyecto avanzó más lento y comenzó a dificultarse, por lo que Thompson consideró que era momento de retirarse. Es así que buscó un comprador, dando así con “The Carlyle Group”, una empresa con sede en Washington, D.C. que mostró su interés en la construcción de la desaladora.
Sin embargo, esta empresa buscaba quedarse con el control de todo el proyecto e incluso
comprar a CWC, lo cual no fue bien visto por McTaggart, quien además de impedir la negociación convocó a una reunión de socios en la que, sin previo aviso, incrementó el capital de la empresa y pulverizó las acciones de Thomson, quien pasó de tener el 25 por ciento, a menos del 1 por ciento de la compañía.
Con este movimiento, CWC se apoderaría del proyecto que representaría ganancias anuales de al menos 125 millones de dólares, lo que Thompson consideró motivo suficiente para dejarlo fuera.
A partir de ahí que comenzó un litigio entre los socios de NSC Agua, toda vez que Thompson presentó denuncias en México y Estados Unidos con el propósito de aclarar lo sucedido en la asamblea en la que disminuyeron su participación, ocasionando que se aplicara un embargo al
predio donde construirán la desaladora.
El plan era que el Gobierno de Baja California comprara el 100 por ciento del agua producida para vender una parte a Estados Unidos:
Dijo que desde hace años existe una conexión entre Tijuana y San Diego, por lo tanto pueden cruzar agua sin ningún problema, especialmente en caso de una emergencia.
Con más de tres millones de dólares invertidos, Gough W. Thompson mantiene un litigio con el
resto de sus socios, lo que ha impedido la construcción de la planta, sin embargo, negó que el proyecto esté muerto y aunque desconoce por qué se han caído los financiamientos, considera que los proyectos serán retomados por Jaime Bonilla Valdez, toda vez que fue uno de los principales interesados.
Se les acaba el tiempo
Actualmente, ambos proyectos se encuentran detenidos debido a problemas financieros, toda vez
que el contrato firmado obliga al Gobierno del Estado a conseguir una línea de crédito que le permita obtener recursos en caso de no poder cubrir el pago de la contraprestación a los particulares. El gobierno tiene hasta el próximo 31 de diciembre para conseguir el financiamiento.
En caso de que el gobierno estatal no cumpla con esa parte, podrían presentarse demandas por
incumplimiento de parte de los desarrolladores.
“Es trabajo del Estado, no trabajo de nosotros”, señaló Milton Adán Rubio Díaz, Director de la empresa Aguas de Rosarito, al referirse al estatus en que se encuentra la construcción de la planta.
Tras asumir el cargo como Gobernador de Baja California, Jaime Bonilla Valdez se pronunció
respecto a la desaladora de Playas de Rosarito, proyecto al que consideró necesario, pero lo calificó de inviable.
“No podemos comprometer al Estado con un pago de 158 millones de pesos mensuales, no los tiene la comisión de agua, entonces tenemos que cambiar el esquema para que sea menos doloroso el impacto al Estado”, indicó.
Bonilla Valdez comentó que el proyecto permanecerá, pero ya notificó a la empresa Aguas de Rosarito que tendrán que cambiar una serie de cuestiones para que sea autosuficiente. Por ello, trabajan actualmente en un nuevo esquema que facilite el proyecto, y que esté dentro de las posibilidades financieras de la actual administración.
A unos días de dejar el cargo de Gobernador, Francisco Vega de Lamadrid insistió en la
necesidad de construir las plantas desaladoras debido a la necesidad de fuentes alternas de agua para Baja California.
“Se nos está acabando el agua en la zona costa (…), se ha complicado por política, pero tarde o temprano me tendrán que dar la razón”, dijo Vega de Lamadrid.
Es importante señalar que durante semanas se buscó la postura de la Comisión Estatal del Agua
(CEA), cuya dirección estuvo acéfala durante meses, pero que fue asumida por Alfredo Babún
Villarreal el pasado mes de septiembre, sin embargo, el funcionario nunca respondió a la solicitud de entrevista de este medio.
Este reportaje fue publicado originalmente en el portal Radar BC.
Esta investigación es parte del Hub de Periodismo de Investigación, un proyecto del
International Center for Journalists en alianza con el Border Center for Journalists and Bloggers
Exhibit I
Bi-national conference tackles border region’s
water issues
San Diego graduate student Brent Ameneyro read a poem he wrote about the
differences between the United States and Mexico about water supply at a
binational conference held at San Diego State on Monday.
((Wendy Fry / The San Diego Union-Tribune) )
San Diego State hosted the first part of the two-day conference.
Tuesday’s portion will be held at the Universidad Autonoma de
Baja California in Tijuana.
By WENDY FRY
NOV. 25, 2019
4:55 PM SAN DIEGO — A bi-national conference held Monday at San Diego State University was aimed at analyzing water resources in the Baja California and San Diego border region where challenges include cross-border pollution and water scarcity, experts said. Water supplies are particularly low in Tijuana right now where officials announced earlier this month citywide roving water shutoffs for the next two months to allow an important reservoir to replenish. The water shutoffs have been rotating to different neighborhoods every day with the goal of a 24-hour shutoff every five days in each neighborhood to spread the burden throughout the city. Experts at the Reborder 2019 conference discussed ways to improve regional access to “a secure and reliable water supply” through wastewater treatment and desalination. Former San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, who moderated one of the panels, asked each of the speakers to identify what the single biggest challenge with water is for the entire region. Sanders is the current president and CEO of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, which organized the event. “In my opinion, the most pressing challenge for water in the trans-border region is an over-dependence on the Colorado River for water supply and a diminishing snow pack and rainfall,” said Peter MacLaggan, the senior vice president of California project development at Poseidon Water, a seawater desalination developer that runs a desal plant in Carlsbad. SDSU hosted the first part of the two-day conference. Tuesday’s portion will be held at the Universidad Autonoma de Baja California in Tijuana. The conference entitled “The Water We Share” and “El Agua Que Compartimos” included sessions from academic experts at SDSU and UABC, and public policy
It also included students who contributed artwork like posters and poems recited at different times throughout the day. San Diego State graduate student Brent Ameneyro, who spent some of his childhood in Puebla, a city southeast of Mexico City, shared a poem he wrote about what it was like growing up with water as an extremely scarce resource. Ameneyro compared the water delivery man in Mexico to the ice cream delivery man in the United States, illustrating how precious a resource water is to children who grow up south of the border. Laura Silvan, the president of the Proyecto Fronterizo de Educacion Ambiental, a civil association in Tijuana aimed at protecting oceans and monitoring water quality, said the water issues facing the San Diego area are relative. Silvan said about 12 percent of the population in Tijuana regularly does not have access to running water in their homes, and the city’s water supply is 99 percent dependent on the Colorado River. She said, despite that, the border city is recognized throughout Mexico for good water management practices. “In the case of Tijuana, being adjacent to the United States, we are very fortunate because these challenges which might be invisible for anyone south of us, (instead) everyone in these two rooms are working to address them,” said Silvan. Regional experts also spoke about sewage from a treatment plant in Tijuana that washes into the United States through the Pacific Ocean, often closing beaches in Imperial Beach and Coronado. Faye Crevoshay, the communications and policy director of Wildcoast, an international environmental nonprofit, said plastic and tires also wash across the border and into the ocean. Crevoshay said her organization has been working on a plan to treat the sewage water in Tijuana and transport it to the Valle de Guadalupe wine region in Baja California to be used for irrigation.
“There is also a tsunami of plastic coming into the Tijuana River Valley, so we are trying to put a boon in Tijuana to stop the plastic before it flows into the Tijuana River watershed,” said Crevoshay. Alan Sweedler from SDSU’s Center for Energy Studies said more public awareness is needed. “I think what is going to change this is an uproar. A real uproar. That this is just intolerable for an industrialized society to be dealing with these issues,” said Sweedler.
Exhibit J
BORDER & BAJA Baja California water supplies remain at critical levels
The El Carrizo dam and reservoir in between Tecate and Tijuana is critically low, causing water shortages in Tijuana. Photographed on Thursday, Decemrber 5, 2019. (John Gibbins/The San Diego Union-Tribune) Water shut-offs in Tijuana and Rosarito suspended for December By WENDY FRY DEC. 9, 2019 5 AM
Tijuana and Rosarito residents may have gotten a brief reprieve from scheduled water shut-offs, but the delivery of water throughout Baja California is a vulnerable system in need of urgent repairs, state and water officials stressed this week.
Like San Diego, Tijuana gets most of its water supply — at least 95 percent — from the Colorado River. It’s delivered through a single aqueduct that carries the water all the way across the state, including up and over La Rumorosa, a mountain pass more than 4,000 feet above sea level.
A two-minute video by the state’s water commission illustrates how far the water from the Colorado River is transported by a 87-mile long aqueduct from Mexicali to Tijuana. The water is then funneled to different areas of the city through seven pipelines supplied by the El Florido Water Treatment Plant in eastern Tijuana.
“It really is a very significant engineering feat; quite complex, and requires significant maintenance and is subject to potential interruptions,” said Paul Ganster, a professor and director of the Institute for Regional Studies of the Californias at San Diego State University.
Ganster studies the California-Baja border region, border politics, and quality-of-life indicators for the San Diego-Tijuana region, among other border topics.
He said the continuing growth of northern Baja, along with reduced deliveries from the Colorado River is something to be worried about.
“Long-term, I think it’s a very concerning situation in terms of water security for the coastal zone of Tijuana, Tecate, Rosarito and Ensenada,” said Ganster.
Recent rains and a two-week water rationing program for Tijuana and Rosarito helped restore the gravely low El Carrizo dam and reservoir in between Tecate and Tijuana, but water officials in Baja California stressed Tuesday that the situation remains critical.
The water shut-offs were implemented Nov. 12 in order to allow time for the recovery of the El Carrizo dam by pumping the Colorado River aqueduct that runs from Mexicali to Tijuana, according to the Baja California Public Service Commission, or CESPT.
The rotating water shut-offs affected 1 million water users, said Alejandro Godina, a spokesman for CESPT.
The agency rotated the shutoffs on a schedule to different neighborhoods in Tijuana and Rosarito, trying to spread the burden. The goal was for each neighborhood to have their water shut off for a 24-hour period once every five days. The program left about 200,000 residents without water every day, according to Godina.
The director of the state commission, Rigoberto Laborín Valdez, said the shutoffs have been suspended for December to avoid further inconveniencing residents and businesses during the holiday season and as a reward for the patient cooperation from customers.
“It is a way to correspond to the good disposition shown by the users of the CESPT, in an exemplary effort of water care, which favored us in the recovery of levels in the El Carrizo dam. We trust that we will continue to have citizen support in this plan,” he said.
State and water officials warn that residents must continue to voluntarily conserve water. There is enough water to avoid shut-offs through December, but they could resume again in January.
Luis Granados Pacheco, the director of the State Water Commission, said Tuesday the El Carrizo dam had about 15.5 million cubic meters of water, which was up about 1.8 million cubic meters since the water rationing began.
“It’s a very important amount but we still need more,” said Granados. “This is a sample of the joint work (of the municipalities) and taking care of the details, and well, with a little help from the rains.”
Granados stressed how vulnerable the system was after previous administrations had delayed engine repairs and neglected pump maintenance, leaving current officials in urgent need of replacing one pump and making other repairs that will cost about 27 million pesos or about $1.4 million U.S. dollars.
At a meeting Tuesday with Baja California’s Secretary General of Government Dr. Amado Rodríguez Lozano, the state water official showed a picture of one single battery that is nearing the end of its lifespan and overheating.
“If that battery shuts off, it powers the engine control center in such a way that it affects the valve system and they close off, which causes the pumps to shut down... " said Granados, stressing how much of the system was dependent on replacing aging equipment.
Rodríguez, Baja California’s Secretary General of Government, said the maintenance needed to be done immediately, so as not to jeopardize the water supply for the entire state.
Officials from various municipalities across Baja California agreed.
“We want the benefit to be for the citizen, for the people who put their key in the door, and what they want is for the water to reach their home; That is why we are working in a coordinated manner,” said Rodríguez.