Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Obtains Naval Station Roosevelt Roads Ecological Site for Conservation and Recreation Preserve

Ceiba, PR – The National Park Service's Federal Lands to Parks program is transferring 2,986 acres of the former Naval Station Roosevelt Roads to the Commonwealthof Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, at no cost for public park and recreation use. For the past 60 years, the U.S. Navy has recognized and protected these shoreline, riverine and estuarine wetland parcels. The Puerto Rico Conservation Trust will assist the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources in the development and management of this outstanding resource. The property will be used for environmental education and nature interpretation, hiking and nature trails, wildlife observation, snorkeling and scuba diving, and mountain bicycle trails. The estimated value of the property is $14.9 million.

The National Park Service is also transferring 140.7 acres of beachfront land, valued at $4 million, at no cost, to the Municipality of Ceiba, Puerto Rico. In a ceremony last April, Mayor Camacho said, “The chance to acquire undeveloped beachfront land in the heart of our community is virtually unheard of. This park will have a profound effect on Ceiba. It will give families the opportunity to play, relax on the beach, and enjoy local music concerts and festivals just a few minutes drive from home. Our community is grateful for the efforts of the National Park Service to make this parcel of land available for our citizens to use.” Portal of the Future Executive Director Antonio Colorado said “The signing of this first transfer [from Roosevelt Roads base closure] is a moment awaited by all Puerto Ricans, especially the people of Ceiba, since it means an important step in the process of converting Roosevelt Roads into a model project of sustainable economic development.”

Photo Credits: Puerto Rico Department of Conservation and Environmental Resources