The mayor of Coamo, Juan Carlos García Padilla, has requested an inspection of a cattle farm, Ganadería Don Corral, in Quebrada Grande, due to months of complaints from residents about strong odors. The complaints come from residents of Quebrada Grande, Sierrita, and a family from Villa Paraíso. García Padilla explained that the farm’s previous owner had received incentives from the Department of Agriculture to produce marbled meat, which may have generated stronger odors during certain stages of operation.
Although the farm was sold to a new owner, César Borges of Ganaderos Borges, the mayor has asked Borges to take measures to address the issue. The municipality has sent letters to the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA), the Department of Health, and the Department of Agriculture, requesting inspections and evaluations. The DRNA has referred the request to its Division of Agropecuary Enterprises, and the mayor has also requested a study on air quality.
The Secretary of Agriculture has informed the mayor that the new owner has submitted a waste management plan, which the owner confirmed to the mayor.