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.