AMIGOS DEL LAGO – ACTIVITIES – 2007-8

Invasions of the Federal Zone

• Filed a citizen complaint on Sept. 7 with the National Water Commission for violations in El Bajia, Ajijíc.
• Submitted article to 12 periodicals about the federal zones and what a citizen can do to complain about violations.
• Supported individuals with problems in this area.
• Invited the Environmental Law Institute (IDEA) to Riberas to see the problem there.

Collaboration/Expansion of the Amigos del Lago Network

• Worked with IDEA to submit questions about the lake’s water quality, using the national Transparency Law.
• Participated each month in Chapala’s Council of Ecology and Tourism and on a committe to evaluate the lake’s water quality.
• Worked with CETAC to find a way to analyze heavy metals and fecal coliforms in the lake.
• Participated in the Jalisco’s Grand Alliance, at work sessions on Environment and more.
• Advised Ocotlán officials about working with Lake Balaton (Hungary) and also about a pesticide they were considering against the lirio.
• Supported Erica Gwynn, M.S. who, with Rotary Intl. Sponsorship, did studies of mercury in the lake and the region.
• Supported Dr. Todd Stong’s efforts to implement alternative models for treating wastewater.
• Established contact with new municipal officials from around the lake.

Improving Water Treatment

• Under the sponsorship of Tuxcueca, investigated the large pig farm in Puruagua (Tuxcueca). Determined the impact of the farm’s wastes, finding it’s three times more contaminated than normal wastewater. Held a public information session about the work.
• Monitored and analyzed water quality at Mismaloy and La Reserva beaches in Tizapán and Tuxcueca.

Environmental Education:

• Held public meetings each month on various environmental topics and the lake’s situation.
• Issued monthly newsletters published on the web site, mailed to members, and submitted to media around the lake.
• Worked with University Radio of the University Center of the Cienega in Ocotlán to present weekly radio programs on Lake Chapala issues.
• Organized a bilingual tour of a proposed reserve called Zapotitán de Hidalgo.
• Organized a bilingual bus tour to Ocotlán and Jamay to learn about the Zula River. Learned of their collaboration with 3 other municipios to reduce pollution going into the river.
• Organized a tour to Mezcala to discuss environmental issues and what’s happening at Presidio Island.
• Participated in a round table organized by University Radio about water quality in Lake Chapala.

Lectures

• Topic: The Lerma-Chapala Basin. Presented by Antonio Flores to the Tizapán high school.
• Topic: Lake Chapala. Presented by Antonio Flores at the Superior Technology Institute of Chapala (ITS).
• Topic: Lake Chapala Issues. Presented by Antonio Flores at ITS Chapala.Topic: Lake Chapala and the Degradation of the Basin. Presented by Antonio Flores and Azucena Bateman for the Daughters of the American Revolution (Ajijíc).

Regional Trails

• Reached an agreement with the municipio of Chapala to print and install trail signs in Ajijíc.
• Designed signs for trails in the hills.

Integrated Garbage Management

• Spoke several times with the head of Aseo Público in Chapala.
• Encouraged people to recycle plastics, paper, and batteries in Chapala and Ajijíc.

Publicity

• Started a bumper sticker project (“Let’s Save Lake Chapala for our Children”)
• Had tables at various community events to recruit members and share info about AdL.
• Designed and got t-shirts for members.

Internal Activities

• Named an AdL Technical Committee with specialties related to various sustainability themes. The advisors include Antonio Machuca (flowers of the cuenca), Sergio Ortez, M.S., Lic. Francisco Martínez, and Ing. Hans Beets.
• Revised the membership process for AdL.
• Organized the organization’s files.
• Maintained financial records.
• Got advice from an accountant and attorney about the organization’s status.
• Maintained the web page for use by members and the public.
• Sent articles and announcements to members each month.
• Made follow-up contacts with individuals who indicated their interest in volunteering.
• Wrote an action plan for the year.