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Res. 32311-2023 Sala Constitucional · Sala Constitucional · 15/12/2023
OutcomeResultado
The amparo was partially granted, only against the Ministry of Health for failing to take concrete measures to address foul odors from the landfill; it was denied regarding the burnings (premature filing) and the municipalities (no direct complaint or undue delay). The State was ordered to pay costs and damages.Se declaró parcialmente con lugar el recurso de amparo, únicamente contra el Ministerio de Salud por la falta de medidas concretas para atender los malos olores del relleno sanitario; se desestimó en cuanto a las quemas (recurso prematuro) y a las municipalidades (falta de gestión directa o mora). Se condenó al Estado al pago de costas, daños y perjuicios.
SummaryResumen
The Constitutional Chamber heard an amparo filed by a resident of Belén against the Ministry of Health, the Municipality of San José, and the Municipality of Belén, due to pollution from foul odors emanating from the Uruka Environmental Technology Park (La Carpio landfill) and from burning at clandestine dumps. The Chamber found that the Ministry of Health had conducted inspections and received multiple complaints since May 2023 but had not issued concrete sanitary orders to remedy the odor problem; the authority itself admitted it lacked specific regulations. Regarding the burnings, the amparo was declared premature because it was filed on the same day as the complaint. The municipalities were dismissed because no direct complaint was made to them by the petitioner, or they had acted within a reasonable timeframe. The Chamber partially granted the amparo, ordering the Ministry of Health to adopt the necessary measures within one month to address the foul odors, with the State ordered to pay costs. Claims concerning the increase in the landfill's elevation were rejected on grounds of res judicata based on a prior ruling (2021-014301).La Sala Constitucional conoció un recurso de amparo interpuesto por una vecina de Belén contra el Ministerio de Salud, la Municipalidad de San José y la Municipalidad de Belén, por la contaminación generada por malos olores del Parque de Tecnología Ambiental Uruka (relleno sanitario La Carpio) y por quemas en basureros clandestinos. La Sala verificó que el Ministerio de Salud realizó inspecciones y recibió múltiples denuncias desde mayo de 2023, pero no emitió órdenes sanitarias concretas para solucionar el problema de olores; incluso la propia autoridad admitió carecer de reglamentación específica. Respecto a las quemas, el recurso se declaró prematuro porque se interpuso el mismo día de la denuncia. Las municipalidades fueron excluidas porque no se demostró gestión directa de la recurrente ante ellas o porque actuaron dentro de plazos razonables. La Sala declaró parcialmente con lugar el amparo, ordenando al Ministerio de Salud adoptar en un mes las medidas necesarias para atender la problemática de malos olores, con condenatoria en costas al Estado. Se rechazaron los reclamos sobre incremento de cota del relleno, por existir cosa juzgada material derivada de una sentencia previa (2021-014301).
Key excerptExtracto clave
Thus, this Chamber finds that the Ministry of Health authorities have not taken effective action to address and resolve the reported situation. In that regard, although inspections were conducted and the existence of an odor-control problem at the landfill in question was verified, there is no evidence that specific administrative acts (sanitary orders and similar measures) were issued to address and resolve that situation. Indeed, as can be observed in the official communications cited above, the respondents themselves argue that they lack adequate regulations to deal with this issue efficiently. Therefore, this Chamber verifies the environmental problem alleged by the petitioner, and since no specific measures and orders by the Ministry of Health seeking an integral solution have been corroborated, the appeal must be granted in this respect, under the terms set forth in the operative part of this ruling.De tal manera, no observa esta Sala que las autoridades del Ministerio de Salud hayan intervenido de manera efectiva para atender y resolver la situación denunciada. En tal sentido, si bien se efectuaron inspecciones y se constató la existencia de un problema de control de olores en el relleno sanitario de marras, no consta que se hayan emitido actos administrativos concretos (órdenes sanitarios y otros actos análogos) para atender y resolver dicha situación. Incluso, como se puede observar en los oficios citados ut supra, los propios recurridos aducen que no cuentan con una normativa adecuada para abordar de manera eficiente esta problemática. Así las cosas, esta Cámara verifica la problemática ambiental acusada por la recurrente, y al no corroborarse medidas y órdenes concretas por parte del Ministerio de Salud para procurar una solución integral del asunto, corresponde declarar con lugar el recurso en relación con este extremo, en los términos que se indican en la parte dispositiva de este pronunciamiento.
Pull quotesCitas destacadas
"no observa esta Sala que las autoridades del Ministerio de Salud hayan intervenido de manera efectiva para atender y resolver la situación denunciada. En tal sentido, si bien se efectuaron inspecciones y se constató la existencia de un problema de control de olores en el relleno sanitario de marras, no consta que se hayan emitido actos administrativos concretos (órdenes sanitarios y otros actos análogos) para atender y resolver dicha situación."
"this Chamber finds that the Ministry of Health authorities have not taken effective action to address and resolve the reported situation. In that regard, although inspections were conducted and the existence of an odor-control problem at the landfill in question was verified, there is no evidence that specific administrative acts (sanitary orders and similar measures) were issued to address and resolve that situation."
Considerando VI
"no observa esta Sala que las autoridades del Ministerio de Salud hayan intervenido de manera efectiva para atender y resolver la situación denunciada. En tal sentido, si bien se efectuaron inspecciones y se constató la existencia de un problema de control de olores en el relleno sanitario de marras, no consta que se hayan emitido actos administrativos concretos (órdenes sanitarios y otros actos análogos) para atender y resolver dicha situación."
Considerando VI
"Considero que en asuntos ambientales, si ya ha habido intervención de la Administración Pública, su conocimiento y resolución corresponde a la jurisdicción contenciosa administrativa. No obstante, sí entro a conocer el fondo del asunto cuando están de por medio otros derechos de las personas afectadas por el foco de contaminación, entre ellos, la salud, la calidad de vida y el derecho a gozar de un ambiente sano y libre de contaminación (artículo 50, de la Constitución Política)."
"I consider that in environmental matters, if the Public Administration has already intervened, their review and resolution belongs to the administrative contentious jurisdiction. Nevertheless, I do address the merits when other rights of the people affected by the pollution source are at stake, including health, quality of life, and the right to enjoy a healthy and pollution-free environment (Article 50 of the Constitution)."
Nota del Magistrado Salazar Alvarado
"Considero que en asuntos ambientales, si ya ha habido intervención de la Administración Pública, su conocimiento y resolución corresponde a la jurisdicción contenciosa administrativa. No obstante, sí entro a conocer el fondo del asunto cuando están de por medio otros derechos de las personas afectadas por el foco de contaminación, entre ellos, la salud, la calidad de vida y el derecho a gozar de un ambiente sano y libre de contaminación (artículo 50, de la Constitución Política)."
Nota del Magistrado Salazar Alvarado
Full documentDocumento completo
Size Constitutional Chamber Case File: 23-023650-0007-CO Type of Matter: Amparo appeal Judgment with Separate Note Relevance Indicators Relevant Judgment Judgment with protected data, in accordance with current regulations Content of Interest:
Content Type: Majority Vote Branch of Law: 4. GUARANTEE MATTERS Topic: PETITION Subtopics:
LACK OF RESPONSE.
032311-23. THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH IS ORDERED TO COORDINATE ACCORDINGLY AND CARRY OUT ALL ACTIONS SO THAT WITHIN ONE MONTH MEASURES ARE ADOPTED AND THE CORRESPONDING ACTS ARE ISSUED TO ADDRESS AND RESOLVE THE PROBLEM OF FOUL ODORS AT THE "URUKA TECHNOLOGY PARK" RGS12/2023 "(…)this Chamber does not observe that the authorities of the Ministry of Health have intervened effectively to address and resolve the reported situation. In this regard, although inspections were carried out and the existence of an odor control problem at the landfill in question was verified, there is no evidence that specific administrative acts (sanitary orders and other analogous acts) were issued to address and resolve said situation. Indeed, as can be observed in the official communications cited above, the respondents themselves claim that they lack adequate regulations to efficiently address this problem.
Thus, this Chamber verifies the environmental problem alleged by the appellant, and since no concrete measures and orders by the Ministry of Health to seek a comprehensive solution to the matter have been corroborated, it is appropriate to grant the appeal in relation to this point, under the terms indicated in the operative part of this pronouncement.
VII.On the other hand, the plaintiff also states that on September 25 and 26, 2023, she filed actions before the respondent governing health area (área rectora de salud), through which she reported burnings at illegal dumps; however, she claims that the respondent authority had not resolved the situation described.
In this regard, it is verified that, indeed, on the indicated dates (September 25 and 26 of the current year), the appellant sent an email to the Carmen-Merced-Uruca Governing Health Area (Área Rectora de Salud Carmen-Merced-Uruca), in which she notified said unit about the garbage burnings, and it is observed that, on that latter date, the respondent unit replied: "it is reported that the constant fire outbreaks are at the illegal dumps in the Pavas sector, which due to wind direction and the large burns in these areas (sic) the smoke reaches the Cariari sector, in the La Carpio sector there are no burnings"; and also, that same day, the respondent authority sent another email to the protected party, in which it stated: "Indeed, the corresponding Governing Health Area (Área Rectora de Salud) is working on the issue." Thus, it is not verified that the appellant provided a reasonable margin of action to the respondent authority to address and resolve the alleged situation, since it can be seen that, on September 26 itself (the same day she filed the complaint before the respondent governing health area (área rectora de salud)), she filed this amparo appeal.
Therefore, regarding this point, the appeal is premature, since at the time of its filing an unreasonable period had not elapsed for the purposes of proper attention and resolution by the respondent unit. Ergo, the appeal is dismissed regarding this point.(…)" ... See more Related Judgments Content of Interest:
Content Type: Separate Note Branch of Law: 4. GUARANTEE MATTERS Topic: PETITION Subtopics:
LACK OF RESPONSE.
032311-23. THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH IS ORDERED TO COORDINATE ACCORDINGLY AND CARRY OUT ALL ACTIONS SO THAT WITHIN ONE MONTH MEASURES ARE ADOPTED AND THE CORRESPONDING ACTS ARE ISSUED TO ADDRESS AND RESOLVE THE PROBLEM OF FOUL ODORS AT THE "URUKA TECHNOLOGY PARK" RGS12/2023 "(…)X.- NOTE FROM MAGISTRATE SALAZAR ALVARADO. I consider that in environmental matters, if the Public Administration has already intervened, its knowledge and resolution corresponds to the administrative litigation jurisdiction. However, I do examine the merits of the matter when other rights of the persons affected by the source of contamination are at stake, among them, health, quality of life, and the right to enjoy a healthy and pollution-free environment (article 50 of the Political Constitution), as is the case here, where the apparent contamination by putrid odors from garbage and other components, generated by the "Environmental Technology Park," is alleged, in addition to contamination by smoke generated from clandestine burnings, which affects the right to enjoy a healthy, ecologically balanced environment and a decent level of quality of life of the appellant and the neighbors of the place.(…)" ... See more Content of Interest:
Content Type: Majority Vote Branch of Law: 4. GUARANTEE MATTERS Topic: PETITION Subtopics:
LACK OF RESPONSE.
032311-23. THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH IS ORDERED TO COORDINATE ACCORDINGLY AND CARRY OUT ALL ACTIONS SO THAT WITHIN ONE MONTH MEASURES ARE ADOPTED AND THE CORRESPONDING ACTS ARE ISSUED TO ADDRESS AND RESOLVE THE PROBLEM OF FOUL ODORS AT THE "URUKA TECHNOLOGY PARK" RGS12/2023 "(…)The appeal is partially granted, solely against the Ministry of Health and in relation to the complaint for foul odors at the "Uruka Environmental Technology Park." Mary Denisse Munive Angermüller and Pamela Ruiz Guevara, in their order, Minister of Health and director of the Carmen-Merced-Uruca Governing Health Area (Área Rectora de Salud Carmen-Merced-Uruca), both of the Ministry of Health, or whoever occupies such positions, are ordered to coordinate accordingly and carry out all actions that are within the scope of their respective competencies, so that, within a maximum period of ONE MONTH, counted from the notification of this judgment, measures are adopted and the corresponding acts are issued to address and resolve the problem of foul odors at the "Uruka Environmental Technology Park." The respondent authority is warned that, in accordance with the provisions of article 71 of the Law of Constitutional Jurisdiction, imprisonment of three months to two years, or a fine of twenty to sixty days, will be imposed on anyone who receives an order that must be complied with or enforced, issued in an amparo appeal, and does not comply with it or enforce it, provided that the crime is not more severely punished.
The State is ordered to pay the costs, damages, and losses caused by the facts that served as the basis for this declaration, which will be settled in the execution of the judgment of the administrative litigation court. In all other respects, the appeal is dismissed. Magistrate Salazar Alvarado records a note. Notify." ... See more Case File: 23-023650-0007-CO CONSTITUTIONAL CHAMBER OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUSTICE. San José, at nine hours twenty minutes on December fifteenth, two thousand twenty-three.
Amparo appeal processed in case file no. 23-023650-0007-CO, filed by [Nombre62 001], identity card [CED62 ], against the MINISTRY OF HEALTH, THE MUNICIPALITY OF SAN JOSÉ, and THE MUNICIPALITY OF BELÉN.
Whereas:
He adds that adjacent to the misnamed "Environmental Technology Park," or La Carpio landfill, there is also a clandestine dump (or several), a situation that is known to both the Ministry of Health and the Municipality of San José, without them having taken the pertinent actions to close said dump, with the aggravating factor that in recent weeks, and especially at night and in the early morning hours, they have carried out burnings in that place, and the smoke resulting from those burnings is felt in the communities, which is why he filed another complaint. Regarding this matter, he adds that he filed two complaints before the Ministry of Health Carmen-Merced-Uruca Area, on September 25 and 26, 2023; the response provided by the Ministry of Health, on behalf of Dr. Pamela Ruiz Salas, is that said burnings were generated in illegal dumps in the Pavas area, and that in La Carpio there are no burnings.
However, in said response, it is not indicated what actions the Ministry of Health will take to eliminate said illegal dumps, whether it will issue a sanitary order compelling the Municipality of San José or the landowner to take action on the matter. He reiterates that the response was absolutely negligent. On the other hand, regarding the complaints of putrid garbage odors, gases, and other components emanating from the La Carpio landfill, he states that in recent months he filed several complaints, one before the office of the Minister of Health herself and others before the Carmen-Merced-Uruca Area of said Ministry, due to matters of territorial jurisdiction. Thus, on August 9, 2023, he filed a complaint before the Minister of Health; in that official letter, he summarized the problematic situation they live in as neighbors, and in response he received the following official letters: No. MS-DM-7750-2023 of August 24, 2023, by which his complaint is referred to Mrs.
Mariela Marín Mena, Director General of Health. Then, on August 28, 2023, according to official letter MS-DRRSCS-2521-2023, Mr. Guillermo Flores Galindo, of the Dirección1755, provides a response to the complaint and indicates that "(…) through approval of the Dirección1756 and the Dirección1757 in 2021, an increase in the elevation (cota) or capacity of the landfill was authorized, going from 995 meters above sea level (masl) to 1005 meters above sea level. It also indicates that regarding the issue of odors, the Dirección534 is in the process of drafting a specific regulation aimed at addressing the problem of offensive odors (…)," about which the petitioner affirms should have been done 20 years ago. That in said official letter it is mentioned that the Dirección1767 carries out periodic visits to the landfill; however, they do not issue sanitary orders against the company operating said landfill, which he considers an outrage against those affected.
He adds that the Regulation does not solve the underlying problem, which is the saturation of the landfill. Furthermore, he indicates that in response to Mr. Flores Galindo's official letter, he sent another official letter dated August 30, indicating that said response had been negligent and requested to expand the information regarding the increase in elevation and technical criteria. On September 23, 2023, Dr. Nelson Cordero Rodríguez, Acting Regional Director of the Dirección Regional de Rectoría de la Salud Central Sur, via email, sent 6 official letters and which in summary state the following: "(…) 1. Official letter dated September 5, 2023, MS-DRRSCS-URS-1389-2023 addressed to Mr. Nelson Cordero Rodríguez Acting Director of the Dirección Regional de Rectoría de la Salud Central Sur, in which they refer a technical report, prepared by Engineers Roberto Montero Chacón, of the Área Rectora de Salud Carmen-Merced-Uruca and Eng.
Fabricio Umaña Calvo, of the Unidad de Rectoría. 2. Official letter of September 5, 2023, MSDRRSCS-URS-IT-0468-2023, addressed to Dr. Karla Obando Mata, Head of the Unidad de Rectoría de la Salud Región Central Sur, in which they indicate the following regarding the increase in the landfill's capacity: "(…) the increase in elevation (cota) is due to the procedure carried out by the company Nombre14430 de Costa Rica S.A. before the Central Level of the Ministry of Health, who request the Dirección General de Salud to have its technical advisors review the proposal to increase the elevation to a height of 1005 m.a.s.l. That said, the Dirección General de Salud, through official letter MSDGS-0037-2021 of January 8, 2021, requests Eng. Ricardo Morales Vargas to issue a criteria on the design proposal, to which the project for the change in elevation is attached, along with the technical studies of soils, slope stability, and project stability." And they also indicate: "It should be noted that the company Nombre14430 de Costa Rica S.A. carries out its own topographic measurements for operational and design monitoring; these serve as a reference and control during the regular inspections carried out monthly at the establishment." The foregoing despite the existence of a resolution of the Constitutional Chamber, which through vote No. Nº 2017012311 of 09:15 hours on August 4, 2017, indicated the following regarding the useful life of the landfill and the maximum permitted elevation: "Regarding the useful life of the landfill, the Ministry of Health reports that the operation of the La Uruca Environmental Technology Park (La Carpio Sanitary Landfill) would remain operational until September 2021, additionally, it has not reached the maximum design elevation (cota máxima) of 985 masl.
(…) In conclusion, given that it is not shown to be true that the June 2017 landslide at the La Carpio sanitary landfill has caused contamination to rivers or dams; given that it is reported that said landfill has not concluded its useful life, it would remain operational until September 2021, and has not reached the maximum design elevation (cota máxima) of 985 masl; given that in any case the June 2017 incident is known to the Tribunal Ambiental Administrativo, which will determine the responsibilities of the case and whether there has indeed been environmental damage and which has already adopted several precautionary measures; and given that, Nombre3456 has been providing environmental monitoring of the project; no violation of the right to the environment is evident, making the dismissal of the appeal necessary, as is hereby done. The foregoing, without prejudice to what may be resolved in the Tribunal Ambiental Administrativo, after concluding the pending investigation process and without prejudice to again reminding the respondents of their obligation to continue ensuring that the La Carpio sanitary landfill remains in operation respecting the right to the environment." I reiterate, despite the existence of a resolution of the Constitutional Chamber that set an established date for the end of operation of said landfill (September 2021) and a cap on elevation or capacity, the Ministry of Health, upon a request from the very company that manages said dump, to increase the elevation, authorizes said increase, circumventing the principle of legal certainty, despite the countless complaints of environmental contamination, added to which said Ministry also authorized the installation of a sanitary landfill a few meters from population centers, where there are clinics, schools, sick children and adults, and where the terrible operation of that dump has violated the constitutional rights of the surrounding communities to live free of contamination and in a healthy environment, something which has not occurred for years. 3.
Official letter MS-DGS-0037-2021, of January 8, 2021, addressed to Eng. Ricardo Morales Vargas, Dirección de Protección Radiológica y Salud Ambiental, in which it is reported that Mr. Oscar Guzmán Coto, Technical Manager of Empresa Nombre14430 de Costa Rica S.A., forwards a design proposal where they propose the change in the elevation (cota) of the landfill. I reiterate, the official letter is from January 2021, where an increase in the elevation is requested, in opposition to the Constitutional Chamber ruling of August 4, 2017, which established the end date of the operation of said landfill for September 2021, circumventing legal principles and constitutional rights. 4. Official letter MS-DGS-0120-2021, of January 28, 2021, addressed to Oscar Guzmán Coto Technical Director of Empresas Nombre14430 de Costa Rica S.A, in which they authorize the increase in elevation, as requested by said company. 5.
Official letter MS-DFBS-UGI-112-2023, of March 27, 2023, addressed to Eng. Eugenio Androvetto Villalobos Director DPRSA, where they present topographic studies for increasing the elevation or capacity of the sanitary landfill operated by EBI. 6. Official letter MS-DPRSA-USA-113- 2021 of January 20, 2021, addressed to Dr. Priscilla Herrera García, Director of the Dirección General de Salud, in which it refers to an action plan for operational closure and indicates something relevant, regarding the need to expand the capacity of the La Carpio landfill, namely: "(…) due to delays in the start of the Bajo Pita sanitary landfill project located in Turrucares de Alajuela, in the first half of 2021, it was determined that the most prudent and reasonable action was to make a new variation of the previously approved elevation (cota) of 995 masl and raise it to 1005 masl, while continuing in parallel with the realization of the new project." (…)" (the highlighting does not correspond to the original).
He adds that to his knowledge "(…) said project in Turrúcares is not going to materialize, since the neighbors have justifiably opposed the installation of a landfill in their community, due to issues of contamination and institutional abandonment. So the obligatory questions are, what is the Ministry of Health and the Municipalities of the country going to do about the garbage issue? Are they going to continue expanding the capacity of the La Carpio dump for several more years in the absence of another viable proposal for waste treatment? What good is a Regulation and periodic visits to us, if the putrid odors from uncovered garbage, leachate, and now burnings continue to affect our quality of life? Does it mean that Nombre14430 has operated said landfill for 20 years, without the Ministry of Health having regulations to control the emission of offensive odors, to the detriment of our constitutional rights?
What concrete actions has the Ministry of Health taken to definitively correct this public health and environmental contamination problem, considering that complaints have existed for years? What has the Ministry of Health done to compel the company Nombre14430 to improve the operation of said dump? If complaints of environmental contamination have been generated for approximately 20 years, why do they continue to authorize the expansion of said dump and the increase in elevation or capacity to receive waste? What is the Ministry of Health's plan in light of the imminent technical closure of the La Carpio landfill for waste treatment? (…)". On the other hand, regarding the complaints sent to the Área Rectora Merced-Caja-Uruca of the Ministry of Health, due to the putrid odors that have affected and deteriorated his quality of life during the last months of 2023, he states he sent several emails to said Área Rectora namely: "(…) 1.
Email dated May 9, 2023 denouncing putrid odors. (I received no response). 2. Email dated August 7, 2023. On August 8, 2023, Dr. Pamela Ruiz, Director of the Área de Salud Carmen-Merced-Uruca, responds indicating that the person in charge is verifying. 3. Email dated August 8, 2023, addressed to the Área Rectora Carmen-Merced-Uruca of the Ministry of Health, again reporting odors. The responsible Area, via email of August 8, 2023, indicates that they are working on the issue. 4. Finally, by email dated September 21, from Mr. Roberto Montero Chacón, in response to another complaint of contamination filed this time by the Asociación de Vecinos de Ciudad Cariari, indicates that: "(…) the Área Rectora de Salud maintains weekly control visits and communication reports, from the operators of said establishment, who can also be reached at telephone number 7201-8806, or via email ...743 with Mrs.
Paula Marín, who makes the connections regarding the social issue with the operating company, for an initial contact." (…)" (the highlighting does not correspond to the original). The appellant reiterates that the Ministry of Health's control visits have been insufficient to solve the environmental contamination problem, and they even provide the contact of Nombre14430's official to serve as a liaison for the complaints filed, "for an initial contact," which the appellant respectfully considers a complete mockery, especially because said company knows in detail the contamination problems generated from the landfill and knows in detail the terrible operation of the landfill, plus the fact that they do not cover the garbage for days. He considers that the complaints filed have not been properly channeled; they refer them from one office to another, and the responses are summarized in that the Ministry of Health, through the competent area, carries out periodic visits to the landfill, and that the issue of burnings is being addressed; they have not used the mechanisms they have as the governing body of the country's public health to compel the company to carry out proper waste treatment; on the contrary, they have allowed the capacity of the dump to continue increasing, despite the fact that years ago a landslide was reported in that place and also despite the countless complaints filed. He considers his fundamental rights violated.".
Nonetheless, this Health Governing Area has conducted inspections jointly with the Regional Level, corresponding to the verification of the proper functioning of the Uruka Environmental Technology Park Sanitary Landfill, as evidenced in the inspection date schedule MS-DRRSCS-URS-562-2023 and MS-DRRSCS-URS-IT-0200-2023. From these inspections, the respective verification reports are issued regarding the conditions found with the operation of the Uruka Environmental Technology Park Sanitary Landfill, and this is demonstrated in the following official letters:
• MS-DRRSCS-DARSCMU-694-2023 of 24-4-2023, Inspection Visit Report for the EBI Sanitary Landfill, accompanying the Central South Regional Directorate, and it was concluded: that the treatment plant is in operation and sample collection is performed, the work front is assessed, the gas extraction and burning system is evaluated, and it was evidenced that gas extraction is carried out by means of chimneys, simultaneously producing electrical energy. • MS-DRRSCS-URS-IT-0209-2023 of 24-4-2023, Follow-Up Inspection Report on the operation and maintenance of the Uruka Environmental Technology Park Sanitary Landfill, according to a visual inspection visit conducted on April 19, 2023, in which it was concluded that it is evidenced that the establishment is operating in accordance with the sanitary landfill technique, which corresponds to the disposal and compaction of waste at the work front. • MS-DRRSCS-URS-IT-0335-2023 of 19-6-2023, Inspection Report of the wastewater treatment plant (PTAR) of the Uruca Sanitary Landfill project, in which it was concluded “that the regulated party Empresa Nombre14430 de Costa Rica maintains the wastewater treatment system of the Uruka sanitary landfill in operation; no unpleasant odors or pests are perceived, either at the discharge point or in the surroundings of the Wastewater Treatment Plant.” • MS-DRRSCS-URS-IT-0423-2023 of 10-8-2023, Inspection Report of the wastewater treatment plant (PTAR) of the Uruca Sanitary Landfill project, in which it was concluded that it maintains the wastewater treatment system of the Uruka sanitary landfill in operation; no unpleasant odors or pests are perceived, either at the discharge point or in the surroundings of the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and furthermore, they are up to date with the submission of operational wastewater reports. • MS-DRRSCS-URS-IT-0484-2023 of 11-9-2023, Follow-Up Inspection Report on the operation and maintenance of the Uruka Environmental Technology Park Sanitary Landfill, according to a visual inspection visit conducted on August 23, 2023, in which it was concluded that the southern sector must be cleaned with respect to lightweight waste deposited as a consequence of strong winds.
On the other hand, complaints have been addressed in a timely manner, conducting inspections to verify odor complaints, and this is evidenced by the complaint response reports: • MS-DRRSCS-DARSCMU-303-2023: 20-2-2023, Conclusions: What was reported could not be evidenced. • MS-DRRSCS-URS-IT-0424-2023: 10-8-2023, Conclusions: It is evidenced that the regulated party Empresa Nombre14430 de Costa Rica maintains routine operating conditions; the health governing area is recommended the action plan executed to correct the situation presented by unpleasant odors. • MS-DRRSCS-DARSCMU-1603-2023: 18-8-2023, Conclusions: There is no Regulation for odor management and control; follow-up must be given to the properties and waste collection trucks. Inspection record of September 14, 2023, Follow-up on the odor issue, and cleaning of the southern sector is evidenced, as the existence of lightweight waste deposited as a consequence of strong winds is not evident. (Photographs) • MS-DRRSCS-DARSCMU-1720-2023: 22-9-2023, Conclusions: Actions to follow were defined with Empresa Nombre14430 in order to improve the management of waste reception and handling, including implementing at the work cut a reduction of the work front for broader control thereof, implementing the use of sprinklers in the work zone, and increasing odor control processes with the use of specific products.
III.This Health Governing Area evidences through inspections that the odor problem could have been due to legally mandated public holidays, since garbage collection was not the usual routine and therefore the collection trucks did not perform final disposal, storing the garbage for more days, and the same having a more putrefactive odor, dealing with solid waste from the households of this country. Therefore, the following was carried out: • June 23, 2023: Official letter MS-DRRSCS-DARSCMU-1153-2023 is sent, addressed to the Mayor of the Municipality of San José, forwarding a complaint for non-compliance by Garbage Collection Trucks at the Environmental Technology Park (PTA Uruka) La Carpio. • April 15, 2023: Weekly reports are received from Empresa Nombre14430 regarding the operational process on a periodic basis, which indicates aspects of the operational process carried out, adjusted to the specific needs of that period. • April 19, 2023: An inspection is conducted at the Environmental Technology Park (PTA Uruka) La Carpio, verifying its operating conditions. • June 3, 2023: Weekly reports are received from Empresa Nombre14430 regarding the operational process on a periodic basis, which indicates aspects of the operational process carried out, adjusted to the specific needs of that period. • June 17, 2023: Weekly reports are received from Empresa Nombre14430 regarding the operational process on a periodic basis, which indicates aspects of the operational process carried out, adjusted to the specific needs of that period. • July 26, 2023: An inspection is conducted at the Environmental Technology Park (PTA Uruka) La Carpio, verifying its operating conditions. • August 30, 2023: Official letter MS-DRRSCS-DARSCMU-1563-2023 is issued to the Central South Regional Health Governance Directorate, requesting support for the verification of Garbage Truck Parking Facilities, so that they proceed with the review of trucks, since on some occasions they deposit waste in a high state of decomposition in the Sanitary Landfill, generating strong odors at the time of depositing them for treatment, and the verification of truck washing was also requested. • August 31, 2023: Received from Empresa Nombre14430 Berthier, the possible causes and the mitigation actions carried out immediately. • October 6, 2023: Received from Empresa Nombre14430 Berthier, a report of trucks entering the facilities of the Uruka Environmental Technology Park for the months of August and September.
IV.With respect to the email from Mrs. [Nombre 001], dated September 25 of this year, exposing the apparent burning of garbage at night and recognizing that she did not know if the burning was in the dump administered by the company Nombre14430 or in another site, as evidenced in the attached email. On September 26, 2023, this Health Governing Area issues a response to Mrs. [Nombre62 001], informing her that no fire outbreaks have been reported in the Uruca area; however, it is reported that they originate from the district of Pavas, and due to the wind direction and the large burns in that area, the smoke reaches the Cariari sector. That same day, Mrs. Nombre173 indicates via email that as the governing body of public health, measures can be taken in the matter, with this Health Governing Area responding to Mrs. Nombre173's inquiry that in effect, the corresponding Health Governing Area (Health Governing Area of Pavas) is working on the issue.
It is worth mentioning that Mrs. [Nombre62 001] did not file a complaint as stipulated by this Ministry of Health, which is the following: Type of Complaint RELATED TO HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT. Health complaints are intended to bring to the attention of the competent authority the facts, acts, or omissions in health or environmental matters that affect or represent a risk or cause damage to the health of the population and the environment, to the complainant themselves, the community, or the complainant's environment. To file your complaint by email, you must send the corresponding documents to the email ...554. Forms • Anexo 6. Unified Form for the Attention of Complaints https://www.ministeriodesalud.go.cr/index.php/biblioteca-de archivosleft/documentos-ministerio-de salud/tramites/denuncias/denunciassanitarias/5881-anexo-6-formulario unificado-para-la-atencion-de-denuncias/file • Instructions for Completing the Unified Complaint Form https://www.ministeriodesalud.go.cr/index.php/biblioteca-de archivosleft/documentos-ministerio-de salud/tramites/denuncias/denunciassanitarias/5434-instructivo-de-llenado del-formulario-unificado-de-denuncias/file • Anexo A. Health Complaint Form (Related to Health and the Environment) https://www.ministeriodesalud.go.cr/index.php/biblioteca-de archivosleft/documentos-ministerio-de salud/tramites/denuncias/denunciassanitarias/5428-anexo-a-formulario-de denuncias-sanitarias-relacionadas-a-lasalud-y-el-ambiente/file • Anexo D Confidential Information Document for the Complainant https://www.ministeriodesalud.go.cr/index.php/biblioteca-de-archivosleft/documentos-ministerio-de salud/tramites/denuncias/denunciassanitarias/5431-anexo-d-documento-de informacion-confidenciales-para-eldenunciante/file • Guide of Regulations for the Attention of Complaints Related to Health and the Environment. https://www.ministeriodesalud.go.cr/index.php/biblioteca-de archivosleft/documentos-ministerio-de salud/tramites/denuncias/denunciassanitarias/5435-guia-de-las-normativas para-la-atencion-de-denunciasrelacionadas-a-salud-y-el-ambiente/file
Since she did not submit the forms and annexes to file a complaint before the Ministry of Health and the information is available on the main page of this Ministry of Health www.ministeriodesalud.go.cr, a response was nonetheless provided via email after the investigation conducted, demonstrating that it did not originate from the URUCA sector or from Empresa Nombre14430 Berthier. It is worth clarifying that this Health Governing Area resolved the issue of clandestine burns at the time, and no further complaints of illegal burns have been filed, through the following actions: • MS-DRRSCS-DARSCMU-668-2023 of 21-4-2023, addressed to the Mayor of San José, Forwarding complaint of illegal Solid Waste burning in Dirección1762 . • MS-DRRSCS-DARSCMU-669-2023 of 21-4-2023, addressed to Mr. Mario Zamora Cordero, Minister of Public Security, Forwarding complaint of illegal Solid Waste burning in Dirección1762 . • MS-DRRSCS-DARSCMU-1004-2023 of 05-06-2023, addressed to Mr. Mario Zamora Cordero, Minister of Public Security, Forwarding complaint of illegal Solid Waste burning in Dirección1762 .
V.In effect, this Health Governing Area, jointly with the Central South Region Health Governance Regional Directorate, conducts periodic and scheduled inspections according to MS-DRRSCS-URS-IT-0200-2023, in which no anomalies have been found in the operation of the Uruka Environmental Technology Park, applying the Regulation on Sanitary Landfills N°27378-S. Furthermore, in official letter MS-DRRSCS-1809-2023 addressed to the Vice President of the Republic and Minister of Health, the current situation of the Sanitary Landfill is detailed, informing the following: “(…) TECHNICAL CLOSURE: Closure plan for the end of the useful life of the Uruka Environmental Technology Park sanitary landfill: This project has, to date, more than 20 years of operation, and as mentioned before, its useful life is linked to its growth, taking as a reference an elevation level in meters above sea level. Before 2019, a maximum elevation level of 985 meters above sea level (m.s.n.m.) was managed.
Through the construction plan approval process via the Construction Project Administrator (APC) platform of the Federated College of Engineers and Architects of Costa Rica, project No. 884423, called Uruca PTA Operational Technical Closure, was submitted for review, which is accompanied by resolution No. 2064-2019-SETENA, approving the “Action Plan for the Operational Closure of PTA URUKA,” within which the project’s height increase to the 995 m.s.n.m. level is established, thus moving from a maximum elevation level of 985 m.s.n.m. to a maximum elevation level of 995 m.s.n.m. In January 2021, the approval for “Update of the Uruca PTA operational technical closure, volumetric capacity increase from the 995 m.s.n.m. level” was processed through CFIA project 956545. With this procedure, the maximum level is updated from 995 m.s.n.m. to 1005 m.s.n.m. It should be noted that this constitutes the last possible level update for the landfill under current conditions, since the area of the final level terrace is approximately 5521 m2, according to what is stated in official letter MSDPRSA-USA-113-2021 of January 20, 2021, and MS-DGS-0120-2021 of January 28, 2021; this indicates to the company Nombre14430 de Costa Rica, in the person of Eng.
Óscar Guzmán, Technical Director, that with “the new update and new level 1005 msnm, this would be the last level update possible for the sanitary landfill under current conditions …” In the Update document of the Action Plan for the Operational Closure of PTA Uruka, the TECHNICAL CLOSURE and post-closure activities are recorded. These activities included in the plan are: • Surveillance of the facilities • Construction and maintenance of green zones • Construction and maintenance of trails and internal roads • Control of settlements and landslides • Construction and maintenance of the Gas Evacuation System • Construction and maintenance of the Stormwater Evacuation System • Construction and maintenance of basic networks (electricity, potable water, wastewater, etc.) • Construction and maintenance of the final leachate collection and pumping station • Construction and maintenance of the leachate treatment system • Environmental surveillance and monitoring • Construction and maintenance of infrastructure and equipment
For this procedure to extend the level from 995 m.s.n.m., a Stability Analysis for the Technical Closure Proposal at Level 1005 m.s.n.m. is provided, prepared by the company INSUMA S.A., in which it is concluded that: “Based on the information obtained in this Stability Analysis, it is concluded that in the future condition, if the height increase of PTA Uruka to the 1,005 m.s.n.m. level is carried out, it will exhibit adequate behavior.” (page 21, GT 201-2020). That said, the technical backup documentation for the admissibility of the project’s growth to the 1005 m.s.n.m. level is provided, which was already approved, and the respective follow-up is being given. (…)”
VI.It is reported that Empresa Nombre14430 Berthier has a Corporate Social Responsibility Department, which has direct contact via a telephone number 47031900 ext 851, where contact with the community of Belén, Cariari, and La Carpio is evidenced through emails, for the positive attention of complaints filed. It should be clarified that the Ministry of Health's schedule is Monday to Friday from 8 am to 4 pm, so this Department is of great help for problems that afflict during nighttime hours or weekends, since the response from Empresa Nombre14430 is immediate.
VII.The Health Governing Area is responsible for handling complaints, so responses are issued from this Organizational Unit since it is the one that holds the administrative file, and if necessary, support is requested from the Higher Levels on various issues. Complaints have been addressed in a timely manner according to the current regulations for Sanitary Landfill matters. Regarding the technical closure, it was detailed in point IV. Furthermore, in official letter MS-DPRSA-USA-113-2021, of January 20, 2021, issued by the Environmental Health Unit, the conclusions detail the following: “The update of the Action Plan for the operational closure of the La Uruka Environmental Technology Park consists solely of the variation from level 995 msnm to level 1005 msnm and is technically justified through a stability analysis performed by the company Insuma S.A. The construction plans for this level update must be processed before the APC of the Federated College of Engineers and Architects (CFIA) and reviewed by the Central South Health Governance Regional Directorate.
It is advisable to update the useful life of the sanitary landfill with this new update; the submitted documents do not indicate it. With the new update and new level of 1005 msnm, this would be the last level update possible for the sanitary landfill under current conditions, since the terrace area of the final level is approximately 5,521 m2.” A situation that has been fully complied with and demonstrated through the Sanitary Landfill 2023 follow-ups: •MS-DFBS-UGI-112-2023, of 27-3-2023, the highest point of the sanitary landfill is 995.4 msnm. •MS-DFBS-UGI-394-2023, of 21-9-2023, the highest point of the sanitary landfill is 1000.8 msnm.
Regarding the issue of landslides, this Health Governing Area has not received complaints on this subject for several years, as the company has worked continuously on the process, and this Health Governing Area has periodically supervised the operating functions. It is worth mentioning that the inquiries made by Mrs. [Nombre62 001] have been resolved, answered, and notified in a timely manner, wherein on September 6 of this year, official letters MS-DRRSCS-URS-1389-2023 and MS-DRRSCS-URS-IT0468-2023 were issued to her, providing a response to inquiries regarding the level reached by the Sanitary Landfill, the technical support from the Ministry of Health for the level increase in the Sanitary Landfill, which professional is responsible for measuring the level of the Sanitary Landfill, and what actions are being executed by the Ministry of Health regarding the technical closure. Therefore, it is evidenced that Mrs. [Nombre62 001] is aware of this Institution's actions as established in current legislation.
As such, the allegations in the amparo appeal that the fundamental rights of the protected party have been violated due to lack of information or action by this Health Governing Area are not acceptable, since it is evidenced that, despite the lack of Regulation on the issue of odors, work has been done on the matter with Empresa Nombre14430 for the mitigation of odors. Sincerely …”-sic-.
Likewise, I attach Report No. MS-DRRSCS-DARS-P-0470-2023 dated October 11, 2023, on the topic of burns in the former COMAG QUARRY located in Pavas, regarding the pertinent parts as follows: “… A cordial greeting, and as a corollary to the matter, I proceed to apprise you of the local and inter-institutional actions taken in addressing occasional and clandestine burns in the Comag Quarry. Relation of facts: 1. From 2022 to date, the Health Governing Area of Pavas has no record of complaints regarding burns carried out on the property of the Comag Quarry in Pavas. 2. To date, there is no complaint from Mrs. [Nombre62 001], the protected party herein, in the database of the Health Governing Area of Pavas. 3. Existing broad local, regional, central, and inter-institutional commitment, within our competencies, to prevent these irregular and clandestine burns, under the precautionary principle, being a complex matter in form and substance, but which is being given the required follow-up according to the scope available, its approach continues by the inter-institutional commission formed by institutions such as the Municipality of San José, the National Railroad Institute, the Fire Department, and the Ministry of Health.
Follow-up is being given by the Municipality of San José, such as the placement of boundary markers to prevent trucks from dumping more debris on the mounds along the boundary with the railway line and the Quarry. Also, by the Costa Rican Railroad Institute regarding the placement of some mechanism to contain the trucks that arrive to dump debris and/or waste. I reiterate that it is unknown who is carrying out these burns and who the people are that continue bringing debris and waste and depositing it in the Quarry via the railway line. We have not been negligent, as demonstrated in the actions described in this official letter. As part of the inter-institutional commission, we are witnesses to the Fire Department's interventions to extinguish the occasional and clandestine fires of the material deposited there, which later generates residual smoke, which probably originates from the “improvised and clandestine charcoal pit,” which is the illegal action by third parties of burning the debris from the mounds along the existing Quarry to recover recyclable material.
Reiterating our commitment to the citizenry and the environment, in being willing to follow up, investigate, and accompany the complaints filed in this Health Governing Area, until any source of contamination detrimental to the Constitutional right to Health is eradicated. Hoping to have informed you. Sincerely …”.
Drafted by Judge Alvarado Paniagua; and,
Considering:
I.Preliminary clarification. Before analyzing the merits of the appeal, it must be clarified that, as of judgment No. 2008-02545 of 8:55 a.m. on February 22, 2008, this Chamber has referred to the contentious-administrative jurisdiction – with some exceptions – those matters in which it is disputed whether the public administration has complied or not with the deadlines set by the General Law of Public Administration (articles 261 and 325) or the sectoral laws for special administrative procedures, to resolve by final act an administrative procedure – initiated ex officio or at the request of a party – to hear the appropriate administrative appeals. Precisely, in this case, an exception scenario is presented, as we are dealing with complaints regarding health situations that allegedly cause environmental and health impacts on people.
II.Object of the appeal. The appellant states that she is a resident of San Antonio de Belén, La Asunción, Ciudad Cariari, Bosques de Doña Rosa. She claims that for 20 years she has suffered from contamination from putrefactive garbage odors and other components, generated by the so-called “Environmental Technology Park,” located in the La Carpio housing project, and administered by the company Nombre14430 de Costa Rica. She claims that the affected communities have filed multiple complaints before the respondent authorities; however, the problem still persists. She explains that in recent weeks the putrefactive odors have increased, so they have sent emails to the respondents; however, there is no solution. She adds that, in addition to the putrefactive odors, for approximately 5 days they have also suffered contamination from smoke, due to burns in the La Carpio area. Due to this, she points out that she filed an additional complaint before the Ministry of Health, to which it was replied that it is a clandestine dump; however, the actions to be taken to resolve the situation, jointly with the Municipality of San José, were not indicated, despite the fact that it is a dump that has been at the site for a long time.
III.Proven facts. Of importance for the decision in this matter, the following facts are deemed duly demonstrated, either because they have been accredited or because the respondent authority omitted to refer to them, according to what was ordered in the initial order:
1.1. Regarding the complaint about bad odors:
MS-DRRSCS-2521-2023 of August 28, 2023, addressed to the appellant, the respondent governing health area detailed: “Regarding the increase in landfill capacity, it is important to note that said increase was submitted for consideration and approval by the Dirección General de Salud and the Dirección de Protección Radiológica y Salud Ambiental during the year 2021. This change involved raising the altitude from 995 meters above sea level (msnm) to 1005 meters above sea level (msnm). Regarding the issue concerning the presence of putrefactive odors, a specific regulation intended to address the problem of offensive odors is in the process of being drafted, which is being evaluated by the Dirección General de Salud and the Dirección de Protección Radiológica y Salud Ambiental, with the collaboration of specialized technical personnel. In relation to the operation of the landfill, both the Área Rectora de Salud Carmen Merced Uruca and this Directorate have implemented periodic visits for the purpose of verifying its proper operation.” (Documentary evidence).
In order to assess the scope of complaints regarding the issue of odors, both in general activities and in the Operation of a Sanitary Landfill, due to the known complaints, it is necessary to have Regulatory and Technical Regulations on the issue of odors, which is currently non-existent for these purposes. Therefore, we request that your good offices be interposed to carry out the necessary management on the subject of Health Regulation, so that said Control Regulation may soon be available. Likewise, based on the multiple existing complaints, a meeting is requested with the Regional Directorate, to address them, and the criteria for attention and response to complainants on said matter.” (Documentary evidence).
For the month of January 2021, the approval for “Update of the technical-operational closure PTA Uruca, increase in volumetric capacity from the 995 m.a.s.l. elevation” was processed through CFIA project 956545. With this procedure, the maximum elevation is updated from 995 m.a.s.l. to 1005 m.a.s.l., it should be noted that this constitutes the last possible update of elevations for the landfill under current conditions since the area of the final elevation terrace is around 5521 m2, according to what is recorded in official communication MS-DPRSA-USA-113-2021 of January 20, 2021, and MS-DGS-0120-2021 of January 28, 2021. This indicates to the company Nombre14430 de Costa Rica, in the person of Ing. Óscar Guzmán Technical Director, that with “the new update and new 1005 masl elevation, it would be the last update of elevations, possible for the sanitary landfill under current conditions …”.
In the Update document of the Action Plan for the Operational Closure of PTA Uruka, the TECHNICAL CLOSURE and post-closure activities are recorded. These activities include in the plan: • Surveillance of the facilities • Construction and maintenance of green areas • Construction and maintenance of trails and internal roads • Control of settlements and landslides • Construction and maintenance of the Gas Evacuation System • Construction and maintenance of the Stormwater Evacuation System • Construction and maintenance of basic networks (electricity, drinking water, wastewater, etc.) • Construction and maintenance of the final leachate collection and pumping station • Construction and maintenance of the leachate treatment system • Environmental surveillance and monitoring • Construction and maintenance of infrastructure and equipment. For this procedure of expanding the elevation to 995 m.a.s.l., a Stability Analysis for the Technical Closure Proposal at the 1005 m.a.s.l.
Elevation, prepared by the company INSUMA S.A., is provided, in which it is concluded that: “Based on the information obtained in this Stability Analysis, it is concluded that in the future condition, if the raising of PTA Uruka to the 1,005 m.a.s.l. level is carried out, it will exhibit adequate behavior.” (p.21, GT 201-2020). That said, the technical supporting documentation for the admissibility of the project’s growth to the 1005 m.a.s.l. elevation is provided, which has already been approved and the respective follow-up is being carried out. (…).’” (Documentary evidence).
1.2. Regarding the complaint about burnings:
THIRD: That this Section has received complaints from the community of La Carpio for the accumulation of waste, which are attended to in ordinary duties by rotation, but it is not aware of complaints for burning of waste in public spaces in the settlement. FOURTH: That regarding the useful life of the Parque de Tecnología Ambiental La Carpio, this unit has nothing to add.” (Documentary evidence).
PTA Uruka implements preventive and corrective actions for odor control of its ordinary solid waste final disposal operations. The inspection carried out did not find inconsistencies that could attribute what was denounced by the neighbors of the cantón of Belén to the operation of the sanitary landfill. 2. The work front currently exceeds 1000 masl, which possibly increases the exposure of waste and, consequently, the movement of air masses from the area to nearby, lower-altitude sites. The increase in precipitation is a factor that increases the movement of odors outside the sanitary landfill… It is recommended to review odor mitigation actions based on the current working height and the precipitation regime of the last quarter. 3. The odor control systems using Effective Microorganisms and chlorine were not found to be operating at the time of the inspection. However, the equipment was present at the site and its frequent use in the Sanitary Landfill was evidenced.
It is recommended to review the application procedure of the odor control systems in order to identify if improvements in the frequency and quantity of application of these control products are required. 4. Several unregulated dumps were evidenced outside the PTA Uruka facilities which could be sources of pollution and odor generation in the vicinity of the Sanitary Landfill. It is recommended to notify the depositing municipalities at the landfill when unregulated dumps are identified that could generate odor and pollution problems in the vicinity of the project, as well as to notify the municipality responsible for attending to these cases. 5. It is recommended to notify public and private operators of collection services when their collection trucks do not comply with the minimum cleaning provisions, with a copy to the respective Governing Health Area. Additionally, it is recommended to assess the entry of these trucks into the landfill, considering the environmental impact on neighboring communities. 6.
It is recommended that the Governing Body apply the conditions for control and monitoring of collection trucks of municipal corporations and private entities that use PTA Uruka as the final disposal site for solid waste established in current legislation, in order to reduce the risk that these trucks are a source of odor pollution.” (Documentary evidence).
V.On the specific case. In the sub lite, the appellant states that she is a resident of San Antonio de Belén, La Asunción, Ciudad Cariari, Bosques de Doña Rosa. She argues that for 20 years she has suffered from pollution by putrefactive odors of garbage and other components, generated by the so-called “Parque de Tecnología Ambiental”, located in the La Carpio settlement, and managed by the company Nombre14430 de Costa Rica. She argues that the affected communities have filed multiple complaints before the respondent authorities; however, the problem still persists. She explains that in recent weeks the putrefactive odors have increased, so they have sent emails to the respondents; however, there is no solution. She adds that, in addition to the putrefactive odors, for approximately the last 5 days they have also suffered air pollution from smoke, due to burnings in the La Carpio area. Due to this, she indicates that she filed an additional complaint before the Ministerio de Salud, to which she was responded that it involves a clandestine dump; however, the actions to be taken to resolve the situation, jointly with the Municipalidad de San José, were not indicated, despite it being a dump that has been at the site for a long time.
From the study of the case records, it is proven that on May 9, 2023, the appellant sent an email to the Directorate of the Área Rectora de Salud Carmen-Merced-Uruca (...744), in which she indicated: “I have repeatedly reported through this medium putrefactive odors coming from the so-called ‘Parque de Tecnología Ambiental’ managed by EBI, and on this occasion I again denounce terrible odors that have been produced since last week; however, today the situation has reached the limit, since even with doors and windows closed, the disgusting odors enter our homes. Due to the foregoing, I urgently request that you carry out an UNANNOUNCED visit to the landfill, since possibly leachate (lixiviados) has been overflowing for several days. Likewise, I request that you please provide me with the email address of the new Minister of Health, as well as that of her assistant, for the purpose of informing her about this situation, since the competent Health Area has been overwhelmed by this matter.” On August 7, 2023, the appellant sent an email to account ...744 of the Directorate of the Área Rectora de Salud Carmen-Merced-Uruca, in which she stated: “Good day, repeatedly the communities surrounding the so-called Parque de Tecnología Ambiental in Uruca, managed by the company Nombre14430 have suffered from the putrefactive odors emanating from said landfill; the excuses come and go, without, to this day, the authorities who by law have the obligation to resolve this matter having taken action.
I again send you another complaint, since for approximately a week the emanating odors have been unbearable, the smell of garbage and other components is felt all day, penetrating our homes even with doors and windows closed. Due to the foregoing, I request that you interpose your good offices to carry out an URGENT inspection of said place and verify the contamination to which we are exposed.” That same day, the plaintiff received an email from the respondent governing health area, in which it was detailed: “The person in charge is already verifying.” Through technical report MS-DRRSCS-URS-IT-0424-2023 of August 10, 2023, the Unidad de Rectoría de la Salud Región Central Sur of the Ministerio de Salud indicated: “(…) This inspection is carried out to assess the condition of the complaint regarding bad odors coming from the sanitary landfill (…) In an interview with the project engineer, he indicates that on August 7, a quantity of 857 tons of waste was received.
In ordinary operation, an average of 550 tons are received (…) It is recommended to the Área Rectora de Salud de Carmen Merced Uruca the action plan executed to correct the situation presented by unpleasant odors and the measures to be executed as preventive measures when an increase in the volume of waste is received at the sanitary landfill in order to avoid inconveniences from bad odors.” Through official communication no. MS-DRRSCS-DARSCMU-1603-2023 of August 18, 2023, from the Área Rectora de Salud Carmen-Merced-La Uruca, it was recorded: “On the issues of the existence and management of odors, the following is indicated: 1. There is currently no Regulation for the management and control of odors that regulates said condition. 2. Follow-up must be given to the properties and waste collection trucks, on the issues of optimization of collection routes, so that solid waste is not stored for several days in homes, nor inside collection trucks, and the adequate washing of these is practiced after each collection and disposal workday. 3.
Take into account the recommendations of the chemical engineering professional of the Región Central Sur based on his report.” Through official communication no. MS-DRRSCS-2521-2023 of August 28, 2023, addressed to the appellant, the respondent governing area detailed: “Regarding the increase in landfill capacity, it is important to note that said increase was submitted for consideration and approval by the Dirección General de Salud and the Dirección de Protección Radiológica y Salud Ambiental during the year 2021. This change involved raising the altitude from 995 meters above sea level (msnm) to 1005 meters above sea level (msnm). Regarding the issue concerning the presence of putrefactive odors, a specific regulation intended to address the problem of offensive odors is in the process of being drafted, which is being evaluated by the Dirección General de Salud and the Dirección de Protección Radiológica y Salud Ambiental, with the collaboration of specialized technical personnel.
In relation to the operation of the landfill, both the Área Rectora de Salud Carmen Merced Uruca and this Directorate have implemented periodic visits for the purpose of verifying its proper operation.” Through official communication no. MS-DRRSCS-URS-IT-0468-2023 of September 5, 2023, from the Unidad de Rectoría de la Salud Central Sur and the Área Rectora de Salud Carmen-Merced-Uruca, it was detailed: “The Ministerio de Salud monitors the elevation level of the Parque de Tecnología Ambiental Uruka sanitary landfill, conducting topographic surveys twice a year, by a topographical engineer (…) Thus, in monitoring the elevation of the sanitary landfill, through official communication MS-DFBS-UGI-112-2023, on March 13 and 14, 2023, topographic surveys were carried out by the Ministerio de Salud, finding elevations ranging from 990 m.a.s.l. (meters above sea level) to 995.4 m.a.s.l., therefore, the highest point at the time was 995.4 m.a.s.l., thus, in this measurement, the elevation of 1005 m.a.s.l. has not been reached.
As part of the oversight, the Ministerio de Salud has scheduled the second annual measurement for monitoring the height of the elevation for the month of September 2023 (…).” This official communication was communicated to the plaintiff on September 6, 2023. In report no. MS-DRRSCS-DARSCMU-1720-2023 of September 22, 2023, from the Área Rectora de Salud Carmen-Merced-La Uruca, it was detailed: “Conclusions: (…) the company defined some actions to date, in order to improve the reception and management of waste, such as: ‘1. Implement, in the cut, the reduction of the work front, for broader control of the same. 2. Implementation of the use of sprinklers in the work zone, for the reduction of odors at the disposal point. 3. Increase odor control processes, with the use of various products, more intensely.’” By means of official communication no. MS-DRRSCS-DARSCMU-1786-2023 of Dirección1763, addressed to the director of the Dirección Regional Central Sur of the Ministerio de Salud, the Área Rectora de Salud Carmen-Merced-La Uruca indicated: “(…) According to what was observed and perceived in different visits and inspections organoleptically, where odors have been perceived in the area of the Residencial Cariari, and in La Carpio, which, apparently, come from the operation of the Sanitary Landfill, located in La Carpio, Uruca district, with odor gusts being perceived at intermittent intervals, gusts variable due to the variable and changing wind direction.
In relation to the foregoing, it is evident that odors exist, in gusts varying in odor intensity, so control of the situation up to this point rests with the operators of said establishment, there being an absence of Regulations, Rules, and Technical inputs to address this issue and these complaints in a timely manner based on (sic) criteria and technical specifications in the matter. In order to assess the scope of the complaints regarding odors, both in general activities and in the Operation of a Sanitary Landfill (Relleno Sanitario), based on the known complaints, it is necessary to have Regulatory and Technical Rules on the topic of odors, which are currently nonexistent for these purposes. Therefore, we request that you use your good offices to carry out the necessary steps in the area of Health Regulation, so that said Control Regulations may be available soon. Likewise, based on the multiple existing complaints, a meeting with the Regional Directorate is requested to address them, and for the criteria for handling and responding to the complainants on said topic.".
By means of official letter no. MS-DRRSCS-DARSCMU-1831-2023 of the Dirección1764, the Directorate of the Carmen-Merced-Uruca Health Area (Área Rectora de Salud) indicates: "This Health Area (Área Rectora de Salud), evidences through inspections that the odor problem may have been due to legal public holidays, since garbage collection was not the usual one and therefore the collection trucks did not carry out the final disposal (disposición final), storing the garbage for more days and the same having a more putrid odor as it is solid waste from the homes of this country, for which the following was done: • June 23, 2023: Official letter MS-DRRSCS-DARSCMU-1153-2023 is sent to the Mayor of the Municipality of San José, forwarding a complaint for non-compliance by the Garbage Collection Trucks at the Environmental Technology Park (Parque de Tecnología Ambiental, PTA Uruka) La Carpio • April 15, 2023: Weekly reports are received from the Company Nombre14430 regarding the operational process on a periodic basis, which indicate aspects of the operational process carried out adjusted to the specific needs of that period. • April 19, 2023: An inspection is carried out at the Environmental Technology Park (Parque de Tecnología Ambiental, PTA Uruka) La Carpio, verifying its operating conditions. • June 3, 2023: Weekly reports are received from the Company Nombre14430 regarding the operational process on a periodic basis, which indicate aspects of the operational process carried out adjusted to the specific needs of that period. • June 17, 2023: Weekly reports are received from the Company Nombre14430 regarding the operational process on a periodic basis, which indicate aspects of the operational process carried out adjusted to the specific needs of that period. • July 26, 2023: An inspection is carried out at the Environmental Technology Park (Parque de Tecnología Ambiental, PTA Uruka) La Carpio, verifying its operating conditions. • August 30, 2023: Official letter MS-DRRSCS-DARSCMU-1563-2023 is issued to the Central South Regional Directorate of Health (Dirección Regional de Rectoría de la Salud Central Sur), requesting support for the verification of the Garbage Truck Parking Facilities, so that they proceed with the inspection of the trucks since on some occasions they deposit waste in a high state of decomposition in the Sanitary Landfill (Relleno Sanitario), generating strong odors when depositing it for treatment, and verification of truck washing was also requested. • August 31, 2023: Received from the Company Nombre14430 Berthier, the possible causes and the mitigation actions carried out immediately. • October 6, 2023: Received from the Company Nombre14430 Berthier, a report of trucks entering the facilities of the Environmental Technology Park Uruka for the months of August and September.".
By means of official letter no. MS-DRRSCS-DARSCMU-1831-2023 of October 9, 2023, the Directorate of the Carmen-Merced-Uruca Health Area (Área Rectora de Salud) indicates: "Additionally, in official letter MS-DRRSCS-1809-2023 addressed to the Vice President of the Republic and Minister of Health, the current situation of the Sanitary Landfill (Relleno Sanitario) is detailed, reporting the following: “(…) TECHNICAL CLOSURE (CIERRE TÉCNICO): Closure plan due to end of the useful life (vida útil) of the Uruka Environmental Technology Park sanitary landfill (relleno sanitario): This project currently has more than 20 years of operation and as mentioned before, its useful life (vida útil) is linked to its growth taking as a reference an elevation level in meters above sea level (cota de elevación en metros sobre el nivel del mar). Before 2019, a maximum elevation level (cota) of 985 meters above sea level (m.s.n.m.) was handled.
Through the process of approval of construction plans by the platform of the Construction Projects Administrator (Administrador de Proyectos de Construcción, APC) of the Federated College of Engineers and Architects of Costa Rica, Project No. 884423, called PTA Uruca Operational Technical Closure (Cierre Técnico Operativo), was submitted for review, which is accompanied by resolution No. 2064-2019-SETENA, approving the "Action Plan for the Operational Closure of PTA URUKA", within which the regrowth (recrecimiento) of the project up to the 995 m.s.n.m. level (cota) is established, going then from a maximum elevation level (cota) of 985 m.s.n.m. to a maximum elevation level (cota) of 995 m.s.n.m. By January 2021, through project CFIA 956545, the approval is processed for the "Update of the PTA Uruca operational technical closure (cierre técnico operativo), increase in volumetric capacity of the 995 m.s.n.m. level (cota)." With this procedure, the maximum level (cota) is updated, going from 995 m.s.n.m. to 1005 m.s.n.m., it should be noted that this is the last possible level (cota) update for the landfill under current conditions since the area of the final level terrace is approximately 5521 m2, the foregoing according to what is stated in official letter MS-DPRSA-USA-113-2021 of January 20, 2021, and MS-DGS-0120-2021 of January 28, 2021, this indicates to the company Nombre14430 of Costa Rica, in the person of Eng.
Óscar Guzmán Technical Director, that with "the new update and new level (cota) 1005 msnm, it would be the last possible level (cota) update for the sanitary landfill (relleno sanitario) under current conditions …" In the document Update of the Action Plan for the Operational Closure of PTA Uruka, the TECHNICAL CLOSURE (CIERRE TÉCNICO) and post-closure activities are recorded. These activities include in the plan: • Surveillance of the facilities • Construction and maintenance of green areas • Construction and maintenance of trails and internal roads • Control of settlements and landslides • Construction and maintenance of the Gas Evacuation System • Construction and maintenance of the Stormwater Evacuation System • Construction and maintenance of basic networks (electricity, potable water, wastewater, etc.) • Construction and maintenance of the final leachate (lixiviados) collection and pumping station • Construction and maintenance of the leachate (lixiviados) treatment system • Environmental surveillance and monitoring • Construction and maintenance of infrastructure and equipment For this procedure to extend the level (cota) from 995 m.s.n.m., a Stability Analysis for the Technical Closure Proposal at the 1005 m.s.n.m.
Level (Cota) prepared by the company INSUMA S.A. is provided, in which it is concluded that: "Based on the information obtained in this Stability Analysis, it is concluded that in the future condition, if the regrowth (recrecimiento) of PTA Uruka to the 1,005 m.s.n.m. level is carried out, it will present adequate behavior." (p.21, GT 201-2020) Having said the above, the technical backup documentation is provided for the admissibility of the project's growth to the 1005 m.s.n.m. level (cota), which has already been approved and is being given the respective follow-up. (…)". Regarding the complaint about burning: On September 25, 2023, the appellant sent an email to the Directorate of the Carmen-Merced-La Uruca Health Area (Área Rectora de Salud) (...744), in which she stated: "I wish to report that on September 24, 2023, at night, the residents of Ciudad Cariari, affected by the putrid odors from the La Carpio dump (botadero), also suffered from the burning of garbage at night, a situation that lasted for more than 5 hours, affecting the entire community.
I do not know if the burning was in the dump administered by Nombre14430 or in another site, but I request that you investigate what happened.". Similarly, on the 26th of that same month, she sent another email to the indicated address, through which she detailed: "I once again report burnings in the La Carpio dump (botadero) sector, large clouds of smoke in the surrounding areas, this occurred before 6:00 am, please verify and close that clandestine dump (botadero clandestino) that operates in plain sight and with the forbearance of the authorities.". On September 26, 2023, the director of the respondent health area (área rectora de salud) sent an email to the protected party, stating: "In response to your email and the 911 reports, it is reported that the constant fire outbreaks are in the illegal dumps (botaderos ilegales) in the Pavas sector, which due to the wind direction and the large burnings in those areas (sic), the smoke reaches the Cariari sector; in the La Carpio sector there are no burnings.
Photographic evidence is attached.". Likewise, in another email sent to the amparo claimant on that same day, the appealed health area (área rectora de salud) indicated: "Indeed, the corresponding Health Area (Área Rectora de Salud) is working on the issue.". The appealed authority was notified of the resolution on the course of this process on October 9, 2023. Regarding the Municipality of San José: By means of official letter no. SLU-1530-2023, signed by the head of the Urban Cleaning Section of the respondent municipality, it was detailed: "FIRST: Regarding the problematic situation related to the operation of the La Carpio Environmental Technology Park, under the administration of the company Nombre14430 of Costa Rica, the Urban Cleaning Section, as responsible for managing a fraction of the waste that the MSJ within the framework of Law 8839 and the Municipal Code must attend to, is one more user of the service provided by the company EBI, which acts as a provider to the MSJ under a contract managed through procedures dictated by the Administrative Contracting Law.
In this case, the company Nombre14430 is responsible for administering the Environmental Technology Park, under the rules governing the subject at the national level. SECOND: That the Urban Cleaning Section, in attention to its functions, maintains a role of attending to the public spaces surrounding the location of the La Carpio Environmental Technology Park, such as the public roads of the La Carpio neighborhood, and the Dirección1758, with manual sweeping and grass cutting (chapea) services, the collection from clandestine dumps (botaderos clandestinos) with frequencies of at least 2 times a week, and the scheduling of special or non-traditional waste collection campaigns, this in order to meet the community's needs and to avoid contamination problems given the inadequate culture of the generator who tends not to adjust to the ordinary waste collection schedules offered by this entity, for a total of waste managed in 2022 and 2023 of 1,283,080.00 kilograms of waste, according to attached databases.
THIRD: That complaints have been received in this Section from the La Carpio community regarding the accumulation of waste, the same ones that are addressed in ordinary duties by role, but it does not know of complaints about waste burnings in public space in the neighborhood. FOURTH: That regarding the useful life (vida útil) of the La Carpio Environmental Technology Park, this unit has nothing to add.". In official letter no. GPS-OMGRD-312-2023, signed by official Lorena Romero Vargas, head of the Municipal Office for Disaster Risk Management of the Municipality of San José, it was recorded: "In response to official letter DAJ-2087-9-2023, this Office has not participated in any intervention process at the site, nor does it have information about the environmental problem due to solid waste described in the amparo appeal filed by Mrs. [Nombre62 001].". The appealed authority was notified of the resolution on the course of this process on October 9, 2023.
Regarding the Municipality of Belén: The main final disposal (disposición final) site for solid waste of the canton of Belén is the ACZARRI Environmental Technology Park located in El Huaso de Desamparados, and not the "Uruka Environmental Technology Park", which is an alternative disposal site for the Municipality of Belén. In September 2023, residents of Dirección1765, of the canton of Belén, reported bad odors to the Municipality of Belén, coming from the La Carpio sanitary landfill (relleno sanitario). On October 6, 2023, the Municipality of Belén carried out an inspection at the site. The respondent authority was notified of the resolution on the course of this process on October 9, 2023. By means of inspection report no. ASP-SAB-073-2023 of October 23, 2023, from the Basic Environmental Sanitation Subprocess of the Municipality of Belén, it was recorded: "It is clear to this Local Government that the follow-up, control, and regulation process of the PTA Uruka falls under the legal competencies under the guardianship of the Ministry of Health as the Governing Body on waste matters and territorially assigned to the Municipality of San José.
Therefore, the report presented below corresponds to an administrative action validated within the inspection capacities given by the contractual conditions agreed upon by the parties of the administrative contracting process of electronic file 2021LN-000001-0002600001 and in follow-up of the effects expressed by the taxpayers of the Canton of Belén. However, it constitutes solely a follow-up act, which is forwarded to the competent institutions and interested parties so that what is administratively considered pertinent may be done (…) General Conclusions and Recommendations 1. PTA Uruka implements preventive and corrective actions for odor control of its ordinary solid waste final disposal (disposición final) operations. The inspection conducted did not find inconsistencies that could attribute what was reported by the residents of the canton of Belén to the operation of the sanitary landfill (relleno sanitario). 2.
The current work front currently exceeds 1000 meters above sea level (msnm), which possibly increases the exposure of the waste and, therefore, the movement of air masses from the area to nearby lower altitude sites. The increase in precipitation is a factor that increases the movement of odors outside the sanitary landfill (relleno sanitario)… It is recommended to review the odor mitigation actions based on the current working height and the precipitation regime of the last quarter. 3. The odor control systems using Efficient Microorganisms and chlorine were not found operating at the time of inspection. However, the equipment was present at the site and its frequent use in the Sanitary Landfill (Relleno Sanitario) was evidenced. It is recommended to review the application procedure of the odor control systems in order to identify if improvements are needed in the frequency and quantity of application of these control products. 4.
Several unregulated dumps (botaderos) outside the PTA Uruka facilities were evidenced that could be sources of contamination and odor generation in the vicinity of the Sanitary Landfill (Relleno Sanitario). It is recommended to notify the municipalities depositing waste in the landfill when unregulated dumps (botaderos) are identified that could generate odor and contamination problems in the vicinity of the project, as well as to notify the municipality responsible for addressing these cases. 5. It is recommended to notify the public and private operators of collection services when their collection trucks do not comply with the minimum cleaning provisions, with a copy to the respective Health Area (Área Rectora de Salud). Additionally, it is recommended to assess the entry of these trucks to the landfill, considering the environmental impact on neighboring communities. 6. It is recommended that the Governing Body apply the control and follow-up conditions for the collection trucks of municipal corporations and private entities that use PTA Uruka as the final disposal (disposición final) site for solid waste established in current legislation, in order to reduce the risk that these trucks become a source of odor contamination.".
VI.Regarding the authorities of the Ministry of Health. In the first place, the appellant claims that the respondent authority has neglected the complaints made regarding the bad odors produced at the "Uruka Environmental Technology Park" sanitary landfill (relleno sanitario), and has not issued the corresponding acts for a solution to the problem.
In this regard, it is verified that since May 9, 2023, the appellant brought to the attention of the Carmen-Merced-Uruca Health Area (Área Rectora de Salud) of the Ministry of Health the situation of bad odors coming from the aforementioned sanitary landfill (relleno sanitario); however, no concrete action by the respondent authority to attend to and resolve the claimed situation at that time is confirmed. Subsequently, it is observed that on August 7, the appellant filed a new action, relating to the same situation of "putrid odors". Thus, in response to said complaint, the Ministry of Health authorities carried out an inspection at the site, and through the technical report of August 10, 2023, they detailed: "In an interview with the project engineer, he indicates that on August 7, an amount of 857 tons of waste was received. In ordinary operation, an average of 550 tons are received (…) It is recommended to the Carmen Merced Uruca Health Area (Área Rectora de Salud) the action plan executed to correct the situation presented by unpleasant odors and the measures to be implemented as preventive measures when an increase in the volume of waste is received at the sanitary landfill (relleno sanitario) in order to avoid inconveniences due to bad odors.".
Likewise, in official letter no. MS-DRRSCS-DARSCMU-1603-2023 of August 18, 2023, the Carmen-Merced-La Uruca Health Area (Área Rectora de Salud) indicated: "On the issues of existence and management of odors, the following is indicated: 1. There is currently no Regulations for the management and control of odors that regulate said condition. 2. Follow-up must be given to the premises and waste collection trucks, on the topics of optimization of collection routes, so that solid waste is not stored for several days in homes, nor inside collection trucks, and proper washing of these is practiced after each collection and disposal day (…)". Subsequently, through report no. MS-DRRSCS-DARSCMU-1720-2023 of September 22, 2023, the Carmen-Merced-La Uruca Health Area (Área Rectora de Salud) detailed: "Conclusions: (…) the company defined some actions to date, in order to improve the management of reception and handling of waste, such as: '1.
Implement in the cut, the reduction of the work front, for a broader control thereof. 2. Implementation of the use of sprinklers in the work area, for the reduction of odors at the disposal point. 3. Increase the odor control processes, with the use of various products, in a more intense manner.'". Finally, in official letter no. MS-DRRSCS-DARSCMU-1786-2023 of October 2, 2023, addressed to the director of the Central South Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Health, the respondent health area (área rectora de salud) details: "(…) it is evident that odors exist, in gusts varying in odor intensity, so control of the situation up to this point rests with the operators of said establishment, there being an absence of Regulations, Rules, and Technical inputs to address this issue and these complaints in a timely manner based on (sic) criteria and technical specifications in the matter. In order to assess the scope of the complaints regarding odors, both in general activities and in the Operation of a Sanitary Landfill (Relleno Sanitario), based on the known complaints, it is necessary to have Regulatory and Technical Rules on the topic of odors, which are currently nonexistent for these purposes.
Therefore, we request that you use your good offices to carry out the necessary steps in the area of Health Regulation, so that said Control Regulations may be available soon. Likewise, based on the multiple existing complaints, a meeting with the Regional Directorate is requested to address them, and for the criteria for handling and responding to the complainants on said topic.".
Thus, this Chamber does not observe that the Ministry of Health authorities have intervened effectively to attend to and resolve the reported situation. In this sense, although inspections were carried out and the existence of an odor control problem in the sanitary landfill (relleno sanitario) in question was verified, it is not recorded that concrete administrative acts (sanitary orders and other analogous acts) have been issued to attend to and resolve said situation. In fact, as can be observed in the official letters cited ut supra, the respondents themselves argue that they do not have adequate regulations to address this problem efficiently.
This being the case, this Chamber verifies the environmental problem claimed by the appellant, and as concrete measures and orders by the Ministry of Health are not corroborated to seek a comprehensive solution to the matter, it is appropriate to grant the appeal in relation to this point, in the terms indicated in the operative part of this pronouncement.
VII.On the other hand, the claimant also points out that on September 25 and 26, 2023, she filed actions before the respondent health area (área rectora de salud), through which she reported burnings in illegal dumps (basureros ilegales); however, she claims that the respondent authority had not resolved the described situation.
In this regard, it is confirmed that, indeed, on the indicated dates (September 25 and 26 of the current year), the appellant sent an email to the Carmen-Merced-Uruca Health Area (Área Rectora de Salud), in which she communicated to said unit about the garbage burnings, and it is observed that, on that last date, the respondent unit answered her: "it is reported that the constant fire outbreaks are in the illegal dumps (botaderos ilegales) in the Pavas sector, which due to the wind direction and the large burnings in those areas (sic), the smoke reaches the Cariari sector; in the La Carpio sector there are no burnings"; and also, that same day, the respondent authority sent another email to the amparo claimant, in which it stated: "Indeed, the corresponding Health Area (Área Rectora de Salud) is working on the issue.".
This being the case, it is not verified that the appellant provided a reasonable margin of action to the respondent authority to attend to and solve the claimed situation, as it can be seen that, on September 26 itself (the same day she filed the complaint before the respondent health area (área rectora de salud)), she files this amparo appeal.
Thus, regarding this point, the appeal becomes premature, since at the time of its filing, a disproportionate period had not elapsed for the purposes of correct attention and resolution by the respondent unit. Ergo, the appeal is dismissed on this point.
VIII.On another note, in subsequent arguments, the claimant questions the increase in the level (cota) of the La Carpio sanitary landfill (relleno sanitario) (from 995 m.s.n.m. to 1005 m.s.n.m), as well as aspects relating to the deadline for its technical closure (cierre técnico), which she indicates should have been in 2021.
However, in this regard, it is appropriate to warn that in judgment no. 2021014301 of 9:15 a.m. on June 25, 2021, this Chamber heard analogous claims, and specifically resolved:
The appellant alleges the violation of the right to a healthy and ecologically balanced environment, since the Ministry of Health and Nombre3456 have endorsed and approved the extension of the operation of the La Carpio sanitary landfill (relleno sanitario), known as La Uruka Environmental Technology Park, which has also led to the approval of increases in the level (cota) (…)
d.- Conclusions. By virtue of the analysis carried out in this amparo process, it is not possible to establish that, in this case, there is a violation of the right to the environment, in accordance with the following conclusions:
d.1.- The level (cuota) of 985 meters above sea level (msnm) was self-imposed by the developer (EBI S.A.), which could be modified in the different stages of the project, including the technical closure (cierre técnico) phase, provided it was supported by technical-scientific criteria and studies, and also had environmental viability.
d.2.- Based on the Regulation on Sanitary Landfills (Reglamento sobre Rellenos Sanitarios), the useful life (vida útil) must be periodically updated by the sanitary landfill (relleno sanitario) administrator, which is a function of the daily intake of waste for final disposal (disposición final). The Ministry of Health has the competence to verify the useful life (vida útil) of the sanitary landfill (relleno sanitario), in accordance with its legal powers, based on which it approved the increases in the level (cota) at the La Carpio sanitary landfill (relleno sanitario), having ordered that the maximum level (cota) contemplated for the definitive closure is 1005 msnm.
d.3.- As indicated, one of the project stages is its technical closure (cierre técnico), which is under development, manifested in the reduction of solid waste received and treated at the sanitary landfill (relleno sanitario). However, according to the technical and scientific studies provided by the company in charge of the garbage dump operation, the level (cota) could be increased to 1005 msnm, which was approved by the Ministry of Health according to its competencies and with the environmental approval of SETENA.
d.4.- The Ministry of Health has remained vigilant regarding its environmental commitments and, furthermore, has remained alert so that Nombre14430 S.A. also complies with its obligations in the matter, according to its operation commitments for the landfill.
d.5.- Nombre3456 granted the different environmental viabilities based on technical studies that determined a balance between the impact on the environment and the works developed at the La Uruka Technology Park. Furthermore, it has remained vigilant regarding compliance with the environmental commitments of the Ministry of Health and the sanitary landfill (relleno sanitario) operator, as it reported based on the following chart (…)
d.6.- The sanitary landfill (relleno sanitario) remains in operation and in execution of its closure stage according to its capacity, since from a technical-scientific criterion, the height of the level (cota) could be increased, as happened, establishing a maximum of 1005 msnm. This, furthermore, as indicated by the respondent authorities, does not entail an environmental impact beyond those established since the garbage dump began operation, which are mitigated by monitoring compliance with environmental commitments, as the respondent authorities here have done.
VI.The respondent authorities are warned that, according to the technical criteria provided in this project and as ordered by the Environmental Administrative Tribunal, the elevation level (cota) of the La Uruka Environmental Technology Park may not exceed 1005 msnm, and once that level is reached, the operation of said sanitary landfill (relleno sanitario) must cease. Furthermore, while said level (cota) is being reached, they must remain vigilant and execute all those actions that are necessary to guarantee environmental balance in the operation of the garbage dump.".
Thus, as indicated in the precedent cited ut supra, in accordance with the corresponding technical criteria (which are not to be discussed in this summary proceeding), it was determined that the height of the level (cota) could be increased to a maximum of 1005 msnm; likewise, the respondents were warned that said margin could not be exceeded, and that the operation of the sanitary landfill (relleno sanitario) in question must cease "once that level is reached".
Now, the respondent authority, in official letter MS-DRRSCS-URS-IT-0468-2023 of September 5, 2023, states that in the last measurement the highest point was "995.4 m.s.n.m.", so "in this measurement the 1005 m.s.n.m. level (cota) has not been reached". Therefore, regarding this point, any situation contrary to the terms indicated in the judgment cited ut supra that at this time warrants the intervention of this Chamber is dismissed a priori.
Ergo, the appeal is dismissed on this point.
IX.Regarding the Municipality of San José and the Municipality of Belén. In this respect, it does not emerge from the record that the claimant has filed any concrete and direct action or complaint before such units, for the specific situations claimed in the sub lite.
Now, despite this, in its report, the Municipality of Belén states that in September 2023, some residents of the La Asunción and Dirección1766 sector reported the bad odors coming from the sanitary landfill (relleno sanitario) located in La Carpio, for which reason on October 6, the municipal authorities carried out an inspection at the site and subsequently prepared inspection report no. ASP-SAB-073-2023 of October 23, 2023.
Thus, although it is observed that the Municipality of Belén was aware of the odor situation through actions by other residents, it is no less true that no disproportionate delay is verified regarding the attention to such circumstance.
Thus, it is noted that it was reported that the complaints were received in September of the current year, such that at the time this amparo appeal was filed (September 26), not even a month had elapsed since the municipality became aware of the specific matter. In addition to this, prior to the notification of the commencement of this proceeding (an event that occurred on October 9, 2023), it had already conducted an on-site inspection and was in the process of preparing the report of that diligence, which was ultimately issued on October 23 of last year.
Thus, under the terms set forth in the filing brief and from the elements contained in the case file, no evident and manifest negligence or omission on the part of the respondent municipalities is deemed to have been demonstrated, which at this time warrants being declared in this summary proceeding. Hence, the appeal must be dismissed with respect to this point.
I consider that in environmental matters, if the Public Administration has already intervened, their cognizance and resolution corresponds to the contentious-administrative jurisdiction. However, I do enter into the merits of the matter when other rights of the persons affected by the source of contamination are at stake, among them, health, quality of life, and the right to enjoy a healthy and pollution-free environment (article 50 of the Political Constitution), as is the case here, in which the apparent contamination by putrid odors of garbage and other components, generated by the "Parque de Tecnología Ambiental," is alleged, in addition to contamination by smoke generated from clandestine burning, which affects the right to enjoy a healthy, ecologically balanced environment and a dignified level of quality of life of the appellant and the residents of the place.
The parties are warned that, if they have provided any document on paper, as well as objects or evidence contained in any additional electronic, computer, magnetic, optical, telematic device or one produced by new technologies, these must be withdrawn from the office within a maximum period of 30 business days counted from the notification of this judgment. Otherwise, any material not withdrawn within this period will be destroyed, pursuant to the provisions of the "Reglamento sobre Expediente Electrónico ante el Poder Judicial," approved by the Corte Plena in session No. 27-11 of August 22, 2011, article XXVI and published in Boletín Judicial number 19 of January 26, 2012, as well as in the agreement approved by the Consejo Superior del Poder Judicial, in session No. 43-12 held on May 3, 2012, article LXXXI.
Por tanto:
The appeal is declared partially with merit, only with respect to the Ministry of Health and in relation to the complaint regarding foul odors at the “Parque de Tecnología Ambiental Uruka”. Mary Denisse Munive Angermüller and Pamela Ruiz Guevara, in their order, Minister of Health and Director of the Área Rectora de Salud Carmen-Merced-Uruca, both of the Ministry of Health, or whoever occupies those positions, are ordered to coordinate what is necessary and carry out all actions within the scope of their respective competencies, so that, within the maximum period of ONE MONTH, counted from the notification of this judgment, the corresponding measures are adopted and acts are issued to address and resolve the problem of foul odors at the “Parque de Tecnología Ambiental Uruka”. The respondent authority is warned that, in accordance with the provisions of article 71 of the Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, imprisonment of three months to two years, or a fine of twenty to sixty days, shall be imposed on anyone who receives an order that must be complied with or enforced, issued in an amparo appeal, and does not comply with it or enforce it, provided that the offense is not more severely punished.
The State is ordered to pay the costs, damages, and losses caused by the facts that served as the basis for this declaration, which shall be liquidated in the enforcement of judgment phase of the contentious-administrative proceeding. With respect to the rest, the appeal is declared without merit. Justice Salazar Alvarado records a note. Notifíquese.
Name152 C.
Presidente a.i Luis Fdo. Salazar A.
Jorge Araya G.
Ingrid Hess H.
Name6376 B.
Name5272 A.
Alexandra Alvarado P.
Clasificación elaborada por SALA CONSTITUCIONAL del Poder Judicial. Prohibida su reproducción y/o distribución en forma onerosa.
Sentencia con nota separada Indicadores de Relevancia Sentencia relevante Sentencia con datos protegidos, de conformidad con la normativa vigente Contenido de Interés:
Tipo de contenido: Voto de mayoría Rama del Derecho: 4. ASUNTOS DE GARANTÍA Tema: PETICIÓN Subtemas:
FALTA DE RESPUESTA.
032311-23. SE ORDENA AL MINISTERIO DE SALUD A COORDINAR LO CORRESPONDIENTE Y LLEVAR A CABO TODAS LAS ACTUACIONES PARA QUE EN UN MES SE ADOPTEN LAS MEDIDAS Y SE DICTEN LOS ACTOS CORRESPONDIENTES PARA ATENDER Y SOLUCIONAR LA PROBLEMÁTICA DE MALOS OLORES EN EL "PARQUE DE TECNOLOGÍA URUKA" RGS12/2023 “(…)no observa esta Sala que las autoridades del Ministerio de Salud hayan intervenido de manera efectiva para atender y resolver la situación denunciada. En tal sentido, si bien se efectuaron inspecciones y se constató la existencia de un problema de control de olores en el relleno sanitario de marras, no consta que se hayan emitido actos administrativos concretos (órdenes sanitarios y otros actos análogos) para atender y resolver dicha situación. Incluso, como se puede observar en los oficios citados ut supra, los propios recurridos aducen que no cuentan con una normativa adecuada para abordar de manera eficiente esta problemática.
Así las cosas, esta Cámara verifica la problemática ambiental acusada por la recurrente, y al no corroborarse medidas y órdenes concretas por parte del Ministerio de Salud para procurar una solución integral del asunto, corresponde declarar con lugar el recurso en relación con este extremo, en los términos que se indican en la parte dispositiva de este pronunciamiento.
VII.Por otra parte, la accionante también señala que el 25 y 26 de septiembre de 2023 planteó gestiones ante el área rectora de salud accionada, mediante las cuales denunció quemas en basureros ilegales; empero, acusa que la autoridad accionada no había resuelto la situación descrita.
Al respecto, se constata que, efectivamente, en las fechas señaladas (25 y 26 de septiembre del año en curso), la recurrente remitió un correo electrónico al Área Rectora de Salud Carmen-Merced-Uruca, en el que comunicó a dicha dependencia sobre las quemas de basura, y se observa que, en esa última fecha, la dependencia accionada le contestó: “se informa que los constantes conatos de incendio son en los botaderos ilegales en el sector de Pavas, los cuales por la dirección del viento y las grandes quemas de esas areas (sic) el humo llega hasta el sector de Cariari, en el sector de La Carpio no hay quemas”; y también, ese mismo día, la autoridad accionada remitió otro correo electrónico a la amparada, en el que señaló: “En efecto el Área Rectora de Salud correspondiente trabaja en el tema.”.
Así las cosas, no se constata que la parte recurrente le haya brindado un margen de acción razonable a la autoridad recurrida para atender y solucionar la situación acusada, pues véase que, el propio 26 de septiembre (mismo día en el que planteó la denuncia ante el área rectora de salud accionada) formula el presente recurso de amparo.
De tal modo, en cuanto a este extremo el recurso deviene prematuro, pues al momento de su interposición no había transcurrido un plazo desproporcionado a los efectos de la correcta atención y resolución por parte de la dependencia recurrida. Ergo, se desestima el recurso en cuanto a este extremo.(…)” ... Ver más Sentencias Relacionadas Contenido de Interés:
Tipo de contenido: Nota separada Rama del Derecho: 4. ASUNTOS DE GARANTÍA Tema: PETICIÓN Subtemas:
FALTA DE RESPUESTA.
032311-23. SE ORDENA AL MINISTERIO DE SALUD A COORDINAR LO CORRESPONDIENTE Y LLEVAR A CABO TODAS LAS ACTUACIONES PARA QUE EN UN MES SE ADOPTEN LAS MEDIDAS Y SE DICTEN LOS ACTOS CORRESPONDIENTES PARA ATENDER Y SOLUCIONAR LA PROBLEMÁTICA DE MALOS OLORES EN EL "PARQUE DE TECNOLOGÍA URUKA" RGS12/2023 “(…)X.- NOTA DEL MAGISTRADO SALAZAR ALVARADO. Considero que en asuntos ambientales, si ya ha habido intervención de la Administración Pública, su conocimiento y resolución corresponde a la jurisdicción contenciosa administrativa. No obstante, sí entro a conocer el fondo del asunto cuando están de por medio otros derechos de las personas afectadas por el foco de contaminación, entre ellos, la salud, la calidad de vida y el derecho a gozar de un ambiente sano y libre de contaminación (artículo 50, de la Constitución Política), tal y como sucede en este caso, en el que se acusa la aparente contaminación por olores putrefactos de basura y otros componentes, generados por el “Parque de Tecnología Ambiental”, además de la contaminación por humo generado de las quemas clandestinas, lo que afecta el derecho a disfrutar de un ambiente sano, ecológicamente equilibrado y de un nivel digno de calidad de vida de la parte recurrente y los vecinos del lugar.(…)” ... Ver más Contenido de Interés:
Tipo de contenido: Voto de mayoría Rama del Derecho: 4. ASUNTOS DE GARANTÍA Tema: PETICIÓN Subtemas:
FALTA DE RESPUESTA.
032311-23. SE ORDENA AL MINISTERIO DE SALUD A COORDINAR LO CORRESPONDIENTE Y LLEVAR A CABO TODAS LAS ACTUACIONES PARA QUE EN UN MES SE ADOPTEN LAS MEDIDAS Y SE DICTEN LOS ACTOS CORRESPONDIENTES PARA ATENDER Y SOLUCIONAR LA PROBLEMÁTICA DE MALOS OLORES EN EL "PARQUE DE TECNOLOGÍA URUKA" RGS12/2023 “(…)Se declara parcialmente con lugar el recurso, únicamente en cuanto al Ministerio de Salud y en relación con la denuncia por malos olores en el “Parque de Tecnología Ambiental Uruka”. Se ordena a Mary Denisse Munive Angermüller y Pamela Ruiz Guevara, por su orden, ministra de Salud y directora del Área Rectora de Salud Carmen-Merced-Uruca, ambas del Ministerio de Salud, o a quienes ocupen tales cargos, que coordinen lo correspondiente y lleven a cabo todas las actuaciones que estén dentro del ámbito de sus respectivas competencias, para que, dentro del plazo máximo de UN MES, contado a partir de la notificación de esta sentencia, se adopten las medidas y se dicten los actos correspondientes para atender y solucionar la problemática de malos olores en el “Parque de Tecnología Ambiental Uruka”.
Se advierte a la autoridad recurrida que, de conformidad con lo establecido en el artículo 71, de la Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, se impondrá prisión de tres meses a dos años, o de veinte a sesenta días multa, a quien recibiere una orden que deba cumplir o hacer cumplir, dictada en un recurso de amparo, y no la cumpliere o hiciere cumplir, siempre que el delito no esté más gravemente penado. Se condena al Estado al pago de las costas, daños y perjuicios causados con los hechos que sirvieron de base a la presente declaratoria, los que se liquidarán en ejecución de sentencia de lo contencioso-administrativo. En lo demás, se declara sin lugar el recurso. El magistrado Salazar Alvarado consigna nota. Notifíquese.” ... Ver más SALA CONSTITUCIONAL DE LA CORTE SUPREMA DE JUSTICIA. San José, a las nueve horas veinte minutos del quince de diciembre de dos mil veintitres .
Recurso de amparo que se tramita en el expediente nro. 23-023650-0007-CO, interpuesto por [Nombre62 001], cédula de identidad [CED62 ], contra el MINISTERIO DE SALUD, LA MUNICIPALIDAD DE SAN JOSÉ Y LA MUNICIPALIDAD DE BELÉN.
Resultando:
Redacta la Magistrada Alvarado Paniagua; y,
Considerando:
I.Aclaración previa. De previo a analizar el fondo del recurso, debe aclararse que, a partir de la sentencia No. 2008-02545 de las 8:55 horas de 22 de febrero de 2008, esta Sala ha remitido a la jurisdicción contencioso administrativa – con algunas excepciones– aquellos asuntos en los que se discute si la administración pública ha cumplido o no los plazos pautados por la Ley General de la Administración Pública (artículos 261 y 325) o las leyes sectoriales para los procedimientos administrativos especiales, para resolver por acto final un procedimiento administrativo – instruido de oficio o a instancia de parte– conocer de los recursos administrativos procedentes. Precisamente, en este caso, se plantea un supuesto de excepción, pues, se está ante denuncias por situaciones sanitarias que presuntamente ocasionan afectaciones ambientales y para la salud de las personas.
II.Objeto del recurso. La recurrente manifiesta que es vecina de San Antonio de Belén, La Asunción, Ciudad Cariari, Bosques de Doña Rosa. Aduce que desde hace 20 años ha sufrido por la contaminación por olores putrefactos de basura y otros componentes, generados por el llamado “Parque de Tecnología Ambiental”, ubicado en la ciudadela La Carpio, y administrado por la empresa Nombre14430 de Costa Rica. Aduce que las comunidades afectadas han presentado múltiples de denuncias ante las autoridades recurridas; empero, aún el problema persiste. Expone que en las últimas semanas los olores putrefactos han incrementado, por lo que han enviado correos a los recurridos; sin embargo, no hay solución. Agrega que, además de los olores putrefactos, desde hace aproximadamente 5 días han sufrido también contaminación por humo, debido a quemas en la zona de La Carpio. Debido a ello, señala que planteó una denuncia adicional ante el Ministerio de Salud, ante lo cual se le respondió que se trata de un botadero clandestino; empero, no se indicaron las acciones que se tomarán para resolver la situación, en conjunto con la Municipalidad de San José, pese a que se trata de un botadero que lleva mucho tiempo en el sitio.
III.Hechos probados. De importancia para la decisión de este asunto, se estiman como debidamente demostrados los siguientes hechos, sea porque así han sido acreditados o bien porque la autoridad recurrida haya omitido referirse a ellos, según lo prevenido en el auto inicial:
1.1. Sobre la denuncia por malos olores:
Con el fin de valorar el alcance de las denuncias en el tema de olores, tanto en actividades generales, como en la Operación de un Relleno Sanitario, por las denuncias conocidas, es necesario, contar con la Normativa Regulatoria y Técnica en el tema de olores, la cual es inexistente en este momento para estos fines. Por lo anterior, solicitamos se interpongan sus buenos oficios, para realizar la gestión necesaria en el tema de Regulación de la Salud, de forma que se pueda contar próximamente con dicha Normativa de Control. Igualmente, con base en las múltiples denuncias existentes, se solicita una reunión con la Dirección Regional, para el abordaje de las mismas, y el criterio de atención y respuesta, a los denunciantes sobre dicho tema.”. (Prueba documental).
Para el mes de enero de 2021 se tramita mediante el proyecto CFIA 956545, el visado para “Actualización del cierre técnico operativo PTA Uruca, aumento de capacidad volumétrica de la cota 995 m.s.n.m.” Con este trámite se actualiza la cota máxima pasando de 995 m.s.n.m. a 1005 m.s.n.m., cabe señalar que esta es se constituye en la última actualización de cotas posible para el relleno bajo las condiciones actuales ya que el área de la terraza de cota última es de alrededor de 5521 m2, lo anterior según lo consignado en el oficio MS-DPRSA-USA-113-2021 del 20 de enero de 2021 y el MS-DGS-0120-2021 del 28 de enero de 2021, este se indica a la empresa Nombre14430 de Costa Rica, en la persona del Ing. Óscar Guzmán Director Técnico, que con “la nueva actualización y nueva cota 1005 msnm, sería la última actualización de cotas, posible del relleno sanitario bajo las condiciones actuales …” En el documento de Actualización del Plan de Acciones para el Cierre Operativo del PTA Uruka, se consignan las actividades de CIERRE TÉCNICO y de post-cierre, Estas actividades incluyen en el plan: • Vigilancia de las instalaciones • Construcción y mantenimiento de zonas verdes • Construcción y mantenimiento de senderos y caminos internos • Control de asentamientos y deslizamientos • Construcción y mantenimiento del Sistema de Evacuación de gases • Construcción y mantenimiento del Sistema de Evacuación pluvial • Construcción y mantenimiento de redes básicas (electricidad, agua potable, aguas residuales, etc) • Construcción y mantenimiento de la estación final de recolección y bombeo de lixiviados • Construcción y mantenimiento del sistema de tratamiento de lixiviados • Vigilancia y monitoreo ambiental • Construcción y mantenimiento de infraestructura y equipos Para este trámite de ampliación de la cota de 995 m.s.n.m. se aporta Análisis de Estabilidad para la Propuesta de Cierre Técnico a la Cota 1005 m.s.n.m. confeccionado por la empresa INSUMA S.A. en la cual se concluye que: “Con base en la información obtenida en el presente Análisis de Estabilidad, se concluye que en la condición futura si se realiza el recrecimiento del PTA Uruka al nivel 1.005 m.s.n.m., el mismo presentará un comportamiento adecuado”.
(pág.21, GT 201-2020) Dicho lo anterior, se aporta la documentación técnica de respaldo para la admisibilidad de crecimiento del proyecto a la cota 1005 m.s.n.m,, la cual ya fue aprobada y se está dando el seguimiento respectivo. (…)”. (Prueba documental).
1.2. Sobre la denuncia por quemas:
TERCERO: Que en esta Sección se han recibido denuncia de parte de la comunidad de la Carpio por la acumulación de residuos, mismas que se atienden en labores ordinarias por rol, pero no conoce denuncias por quemas de residuos en espacio público en la ciudadela. CUARTO: Que al respecto de la vida útil de Parque de Tecnología Ambiental La Carpio, esta dependencia no tiene nada que agregar.”. (Prueba documental).
El PTA Uruka implementa acciones preventivas y correctivas para el control de olor de sus operaciones de disposición final de residuos sólidos ordinarios. La inspección realizada no encontró inconsistencias que pueda atribuir lo denunciado por los vecinos del cantón de Belén a la operación del relleno sanitario. 2. El frente de trabajo actualmente sobrepasa los 1000 msnm, lo que posiblemente incrementa la exposición de los residuos y por ende, el movimiento de las más de aires desde la zona hasta los sitios cercanos con menor altitud. El incremento en las precipitaciones es un factor que incrementa el movimiento de los olores fuera del relleno sanitario… Se recomienda revisar las acciones de mitigación de olores en función de la altura de trabajo actual y el régimen de precipitación del último trimestre. 3. Los sistemas de control de olores por el uso de Microorganismos Eficientes y cloro no se encontraron operando al momento de la inspección.
Sin embargo, el equipo estaba presente en el sitio y se evidenció su uso frecuente en el Relleno Sanitario. Se recomienda revisar el procedimiento de aplicación de los sistemas de control de olores con el fin de identificar si se requieren mejoras en la frecuencia y cantidad de aplicación de estos productos de control. 4. Se evidenciaron varios botaderos no regulados fuera de las instalaciones del PTA Uruka que podrán ser fuentes de contaminación y generación de olores en las cercanías del Relleno Sanitario. Se recomienda notificar a las municipalidades depositantes en el relleno cuando se identifiquen botaderos sin regulación que podrían generar problemas de olores y contaminación en las cercanías del proyecto, así como notificar a la municipalidad responsable de la atención de estos casos. 5. Se recomienda notificar a los operadores públicos y privados de los servicios de recolección cuando sus camiones recolectores no cumplen con las disposiciones de limpieza mínima, con copia al Área Rectora de Salud respectiva.
Adicionalmente se recomienda valorar el ingreso de estos camiones al relleno, considerando el impacto ambiental hacia las comunidades vecinas 6. Se recomienda al Ente Rector aplicar las condiciones de control y seguimiento de los camiones recolectores de las corporaciones municipales y entes privados que utilizan el PTA Uruka como sitio de disposición final de los residuos sólidos establecidas en la legislación vigente, con el fin de reducir el riesgo de estos camiones sean un foco de contaminación de olores.”. (Prueba documental).
V.Sobre el caso concreto. En el sub lite, la recurrente manifiesta que es vecina de San Antonio de Belén, La Asunción, Ciudad Cariari, Bosques de Doña Rosa. Aduce que desde hace 20 años ha sufrido por la contaminación por olores putrefactos de basura y otros componentes, generados por el llamado “Parque de Tecnología Ambiental”, ubicado en la ciudadela La Carpio, y administrado por la empresa Nombre14430 de Costa Rica. Aduce que las comunidades afectadas han presentado múltiples de denuncias ante las autoridades recurridas; empero, aún el problema persiste. Expone que en las últimas semanas los olores putrefactos han incrementado, por lo que han enviado correos a los recurridos; sin embargo, no hay solución. Agrega que, además de los olores putrefactos, desde hace aproximadamente 5 días han sufrido también contaminación por humo, debido a quemas en la zona de La Carpio. Debido a ello, señala que planteó una denuncia adicional ante el Ministerio de Salud, ante lo cual se le respondió que se trata de un botadero clandestino; empero, no se indicaron las acciones que se tomarán para resolver la situación, en conjunto con la Municipalidad de San José, pese a que se trata de un botadero que lleva mucho tiempo en el sitio.
Del estudio de los autos se tiene por demostrado, que, el 9 de mayo de 2023, la recurrente remitió un correo electrónico a la Dirección del Área Rectora de Salud Carmen-Merced-Uruca (...744), en el que indicó: “en reiteradas ocasiones he reportado por este medio olores putrefactos que provienen del mal llamado "Parque de Tecnología Ambiental" administrado por EBI, y en esta ocasión nuevamente denuncio olores terribles que se han producido desde la semana pasada, sin embargo el día de hoy la situación ha llegado al límite, ya que incluso con puertas y ventanas cerradas, los olores asquerosos ingresan a nuestros hogares. En razón de lo antes expuesto, solicito por favor y con carácter de urgencia, ejecuten SIN AVISAR una visita al relleno, ya que posiblemente los lixiviados se están desbordando desde hace varios días. Asimismo, solicito por favor suministrarme el correo electrónico de la nueva Ministra de Salud, así como el de su asistente, con el propósito de ponerla en conocimiento de esta situación, ya que el Area (sic) de Salud competente este tema le ha quedado enorme.”.
El 7 de agosto de 2023, la recurrente remitió un correo electrónico a la cuenta ...744 de la Dirección del Área Rectora de Salud Carmen-Merced-Uruca, en el que señaló: “Buenos días, en reiteradas ocasiones las comunidades aledañas al mal llamado Parque de Tecnología Ambiental en la Uruca, administrado por la empresa Nombre14430 hemos sufrido con los olores putrefactos que emanan de dicho relleno, las excusas van y vienen, sin que al día de hoy las autoridades que por ley tienen la obligación de resolver este asunto hayan tomado cartas en el asunto. Nuevamente remito a ustedes otra denuncia, ya que desde hace aproximadamente una semana los olores emanados son insoportables, el olor a basura y otros componentes se siente todo el día, penetrando a nuestros hogares incluso con puertas y ventanas cerradas. En razón de lo antes expuesto solicito a ustedes interponer sus buenos oficios para que realicen una inspección URGENTE a dicho lugar y comprueben la contaminación a la que nos tienen expuestos.”.
Ese mismo día, la accionante recibió un correo electrónico del área rectora de salud accionada, en el que se detalló: “Ya el encargado se encuentra verificando.”. Mediante el informe técnico MS-DRRSCS-URS-IT-0424-2023 de 10 de agosto de 2023, la Unidad de Rectoría de la Salud Región Central Sur del Ministerio de Salud indicó: “(…) Esta inspección es efectuada para valorar la condición de la denuncia por malos olores provenientes del relleno sanitario (…) En entrevista con el ingeniero del proyecto nos indica que el día 7 de agosto se recibió una cantidad de 857 toneladas de residuos. En la operación ordinaria, se recibe en promedio 550 toneladas (…) Se recomienda al Área Rectora de Salud de Carmen Merced Uruca el plan de acción ejecutado para corregir la situación presentada por olores desagradables y las medidas a ejecutar como medidas preventivas cuando se reciba en el relleno sanitario un incremento en el volumen de residuos con el objetivo de evitar los inconvenientes por malos olores.”.
Por medio del oficio nro. MS-DRRSCS-DARSCMU-1603-2023 de 18 de agosto de 2023 del Área Rectora de Salud Carmen-Merced-La Uruca, se consignó: “Sobre los temas de existencia y manejo de los olores se indica lo siguiente: 1. No se cuenta con un Reglamento de manejo y control de olores hoy en día, que regule dicha condición. 2. Se debe dar seguimiento a los predios y camiones recolectores de residuos, en los temas de optimización, de las rutas de recolección, de forma que no se almacenen los residuos sólidos, por varios días en las viviendas, ni dentro de los camiones recolectores y se practique el adecuado lavado de estos, después de cada jornada de recolección y disposición. 3. Tomar en cuenta, las recomendaciones del profesional en ingeniería química de la Región Central Sur con base en su informe.”. Mediante el oficio nro. MS-DRRSCS-2521-2023 de 28 de agosto de 2023, dirigido a la recurrente, el área rectora accionada detalló: “En lo que respecta al incremento de la capacidad del relleno, es importante destacar que dicho aumento fue sometido a la consideración y aprobación de la Dirección General de Salud y la Dirección de Protección Radiológica y Salud Ambiental en el transcurso del año 2021.
Este cambio conllevó la elevación de la altitud de 995 metros sobre el nivel del mar (msnm) a 1005 metros sobre el nivel del mar (msnm). Respecto al asunto concerniente a la presencia de olores putrefactos, se encuentra en proceso de elaboración un reglamento específico destinado a abordar la problemática de los olores ofensivos, el cual está siendo evaluado por la Dirección General de Salud y la Dirección de Protección Radiológica y Salud Ambiental, contando con la colaboración de personal técnico especializado. En relación con el funcionamiento del relleno, tanto el Área Rectora de Salud Carmen Merced Uruca como esta Dirección, han implementado visitas periódicas con el propósito verificar el buen funcionamiento del mismo.”. Mediante el oficio nro. MS-DRRSCS-URS-IT-0468-2023 de 5 de septiembre de 2023 de la Unidad de Rectoría de la Salud Central Sur y el Área Rectora de Salud Carmen-Merced-Uruca, se detalló: “El Ministerio de Salud brinda seguimiento al nivel de la cota del relleno sanitario Parque de Tecnología Ambiental Uruka, realizando estudios topográficos dos veces al año, por parte de un ingeniero topógrafo (…) Así las cosas, en el seguimiento a la cota del relleno sanitario, mediante oficio MS-DFBS-UGI-112-2023, los días 13 y 14 de marzo de 2023, se realizaron los levantamientos topográficos por parte del Ministerio de Salud encontrándose elevaciones que van desde 990 m.s.n.m (metros sobre el nivel del mar) hasta los 995.4 m.s.n.m., por tanto, el punto más alto en el momento fue de 995.4 m.s.n.m,. así las cosas, en esta medición no se ha alcanzado la cota de 1005 m.s.n.m.
Como parte de la fiscalización, se tiene programado por parte del Ministerio de Salud para el mes de septiembre 2023, la segunda medición anual para el seguimiento de la altura de la cota (…)”. Tal oficio se comunicó a la accionante el 6 de septiembre de 2023. En el informe nro. MS-DRRSCS-DARSCMU-1720-2023 de 22 de septiembre de 2023 del Área Rectora de Salud Carmen-Merced-La Uruca, se detalló: “Conclusiones: (…) definió la empresa algunas acciones a la fecha, con el fin de mejorar la gestión de recepción y manejo de residuos, como son: “1. Implementar en el corte, la reducción del frente de trabajo, para un control más amplio del mismo. 2. Implementación del uso de aspersores en la zona de trabajo, para la reducción de olores en el punto de disposición. 3. Aumentar los procesos de control de olores, con el uso de productos varios, de manera más intensa.”. Por medio del oficio nro. MS-DRRSCS-DARSCMU-1786-2023 de Dirección1763 , dirigido al director de la Dirección Regional Central Sur del Ministerio de Salud, el Área Rectora de Salud Carmen-Merced-La Uruca indicó: “(…) Según lo observado y percibido en diferentes visitas e inspecciones de forma organoléptica, donde, se ha logrado percibir olores, en la zona del Residencial Cariari, y en la Carpio, que, en apariencia, provienen de la operación del Relleno Sanitario, ubicado en la Carpio, distrito Uruca, percibiéndose ráfagas de olor, en lapsos intermitentes, ráfagas variables por el viento variable y cambiante de dirección.
Con relación a lo anterior, se evidencia, la existencia de olores, en ráfagas variables en intensidad de olor, por lo que el control de la situación hasta este momento, está en control de los operadores de dicho establecimiento, careciéndose de Normativa, Reglamento e insumos Técnicos, para abordar este tema y estas denuncias, de manera oportuna con base a (sic), criterios y especificaciones técnicas en la materia. Con el fin de valorar el alcance de las denuncias en el tema de olores, tanto en actividades generales, como en la Operación de un Relleno Sanitario, por las denuncias conocidas, es necesario, contar con la Normativa Regulatoria y Técnica en el tema de olores, la cual es inexistente en este momento para estos fines. Por lo anterior, solicitamos se interpongan sus buenos oficios, para realizar la gestión necesaria en el tema de Regulación de la Salud, de forma que se pueda contar próximamente con dicha Normativa de Control.
Igualmente, con base en las múltiples denuncias existentes, se solicita una reunión con la Dirección Regional, para el abordaje de las mismas, y el criterio de atención y respuesta, a los denunciantes sobre dicho tema.”. Por medio del oficio nro. MS-DRRSCS-DARSCMU-1831-2023 de Dirección1764 , la Dirección del Área Rectora de Salud Carmen-Merced-Uruca indica: “Esta Área Rectora de Salud, evidencia mediante las inspecciones que el problema de olores se pudo deber a los días feriados por Ley, ya que la recolección de basura no fue la habitual y por ende los camiones recolectores no realizaron la disposición final almacenando la basura por más días y la misma teniendo más olor putrefacto tratándose de residuos solidos de los hogares de este país, por lo que se realizó lo siguiente: • 23 de junio del 2023: Se realiza el oficio MS-DRRSCS-DARSCMU-1153-2023 dirigido al Señor Alcalde de la Municipalidad de San José traslado de denuncia por incumplimientos de los Camiones Recolectores de Basura en el Parque de Tecnología Ambiental (PTA Uruka) La Carpio • 15 de abril del 2023: Se reciben reportes semanales de la Empresa Nombre14430 con respecto al proceso operativo de manera periódica la cual nos indica aspectos del proceso operativo realizado ajustado a las necesidades específicas de ese periodo. • 19 de abril del 2023: Se realiza inspección en el Parque de Tecnología Ambiental (PTA Uruka) La Carpio, verificando las condiciones de operación del mismo. • 3 de junio del 2023: Se reciben reportes semanales de la Empresa Nombre14430 con respecto al proceso operativo de manera periódica la cual nos indica aspectos del proceso operativo realizado ajustado a las necesidades específicas de ese periodo. • 17 de junio del 2023: Se reciben reportes semanales de la Empresa Nombre14430 con respecto al proceso operativo de manera periódica la cual nos indica aspectos del proceso operativo realizado ajustado a las necesidades específicas de ese periodo. • 26 de julio del 2023: Se realiza inspección en el Parque de Tecnología Ambiental (PTA Uruka) La Carpio, verificando las condiciones de operación del mismo. • 30 de agosto del 2023: Se emite el oficio MS-DRRSCS-DARSCMU-1563-2023 a la Dirección Regional de Rectoría de la Salud Central Sur, solicitando apoyo para la verificación de los Planteles de Estacionamiento de Camiones de Basura, para que procedan con la revisión de los camiones ya que en algunas ocasiones depositan los desechos en alto estado de descomposición en el Relleno Sanitario, generando fuertes olores a la hora de depositarlos para su tratamiento y también se solicitó la verificación del lavado de los camiones. • 31 de agosto del 2023: Se recibe por parte de la Empresa Nombre14430 Berthier, las posibles causas y las acciones de mitigación realizadas de forma inmediata. • 06 de octubre del 2023: Se recibe por parte de la Empresa Nombre14430 Berthier, reporte de camiones que ingresan a las instalaciones del Parque de Tecnología Ambiental Uruka de los meses agosto y septiembre.”.
Mediante el oficio nro. MS-DRRSCS-DARSCMU-1831-2023 de 9 de octubre de 2023, la Dirección del Área Rectora de Salud Carmen-Merced-Uruca indica: “Además en el oficio MS-DRRSCS-1809-2023 dirigido a la Señora Vicepresidenta de la República y Ministra de Salud, se le detalla la situación actual del Relleno Sanitario, informando lo siguiente: “(…) CIERRE TÉCNICO: Plan de cierre por finalización de vida útil del relleno sanitario Parque de Tecnología Ambiental Uruka: Este proyecto cuenta a la fecha con más de 20 años de operación y como se mencionó antes, su vida útil está ligada a su crecimiento tomando como referencia una cota de elevación en metros sobre el nivel del mar. Para antes del año 2019 se manejaba una cota máxima de elevación de 985 m.s.n.m. Mediante el trámite de visado de planos constructivos por la plataforma del Administrador de Proyectos de Construcción (APC) del Colegio Federado de Ingenieros y Arquitectos de Costa Rica, se sometió a revisión el proyecto No. 884423, denominado Cierre Técnico Operativo PTA Uruca, el cual se acompaña de la resolución No. 2064-2019-SETENA, que aprueba el “Plan de Acciones para el Cierre Operativo del PTA URUKA”, dentro del cual se establece el recrecimiento del proyecto hasta la cota 995 m.s.n.m, pasando entonces de una cota de elevación máxima de 985 m.s.n.m. a una cota de elevación máxima de 995 m.s.n.m.
Para el mes de enero de 2021 se tramita mediante el proyecto CFIA 956545, el visado para “Actualización del cierre técnico operativo PTA Uruca, aumento de capacidad volumétrica de la cota 995 m.s.n.m.” Con este trámite se actualiza la cota máxima pasando de 995 m.s.n.m. a 1005 m.s.n.m., cabe señalar que esta es se constituye en la última actualización de cotas posible para el relleno bajo las condiciones actuales ya que el área de la terraza de cota última es de alrededor de 5521 m2, lo anterior según lo consignado en el oficio MS-DPRSA-USA-113-2021 del 20 de enero de 2021 y el MS-DGS-0120-2021 del 28 de enero de 2021, este se indica a la empresa Nombre14430 de Costa Rica, en la persona del Ing. Óscar Guzmán Director Técnico, que con “la nueva actualización y nueva cota 1005 msnm, sería la última actualización de cotas, posible del relleno sanitario bajo las condiciones actuales …” En el documento de Actualización del Plan de Acciones para el Cierre Operativo del PTA Uruka, se consignan las actividades de CIERRE TÉCNICO y de post-cierre, Estas actividades incluyen en el plan: • Vigilancia de las instalaciones • Construcción y mantenimiento de zonas verdes • Construcción y mantenimiento de senderos y caminos internos • Control de asentamientos y deslizamientos • Construcción y mantenimiento del Sistema de Evacuación de gases • Construcción y mantenimiento del Sistema de Evacuación pluvial • Construcción y mantenimiento de redes básicas (electricidad, agua potable, aguas residuales, etc) • Construcción y mantenimiento de la estación final de recolección y bombeo de lixiviados • Construcción y mantenimiento del sistema de tratamiento de lixiviados • Vigilancia y monitoreo ambiental • Construcción y mantenimiento de infraestructura y equipos Para este trámite de ampliación de la cota de 995 m.s.n.m. se aporta Análisis de Estabilidad para la Propuesta de Cierre Técnico a la Cota 1005 m.s.n.m. confeccionado por la empresa INSUMA S.A. en la cual se concluye que: “Con base en la información obtenida en el presente Análisis de Estabilidad, se concluye que en la condición futura si se realiza el recrecimiento del PTA Uruka al nivel 1.005 m.s.n.m., el mismo presentará un comportamiento adecuado”.
(pág.21, GT 201-2020) Dicho lo anterior, se aporta la documentación técnica de respaldo para la admisibilidad de crecimiento del proyecto a la cota 1005 m.s.n.m,, la cual ya fue aprobada y se está dando el seguimiento respectivo. (…)”. Sobre la denuncia por quemas: El 25 de septiembre de 2023, la recurrente remitió un correo electrónico a la Dirección del Área Rectora de Salud Carmen-Merced-La Uruca (...744), en el que apuntó: “deseo denunciar que el día 24 de setiembre del 2023, en horas de la noche, los vecinos de Ciudad Cariari, afectados por los olores putrefactos del botadero de La Carpio, también sufrimos por la quema de basura en horas de la noche, situación que se mantuvo por más de 5 horas, afectando a toda la comunidad. Desconozco si la quema era en el botadero administrado por Nombre14430 o en otro sitio, pero solicito que investiguen lo ocurrido.”. Asimismo, el 26 de ese mismo mes remitió otro correo electrónico a la dirección señalada, mediante el cual detalló: “nuevamente reporto quemas en el sector del botadero de La Carpio, grandes nubes de humo en las zonas aledañas, eso ocurrió antes de las 6:00 am, favor verificar y cerrar ese botadero clandestino que opera a vista y paciencia de las autoridades.”.
El 26 de septiembre de 2023, la directora del área rectora de salud accionada remitió un correo electrónico a la tutelada, en el señaló: “Ante su correo electrónico y los reportes del 911, se informa que los constantes conatos de incendio son en los botaderos ilegales en el sector de Pavas, los cuales por la dirección del viento y las grandes quemas de esas areas (sic) el humo llega hasta el sector de Cariari, en el sector de La Carpio no hay quemas. Se adjunta la evidencia fotográfica.”. Asimismo, en otro correo electrónico, remitido a la amparada ese mismo día, el área rectora de salud recurrida indicó: “En efecto el Área Rectora de Salud correspondiente trabaja en el tema.”. La autoridad recurrida fue notificada de la resolución de curso de este proceso el 9 de octubre de 2023. En cuanto a la Municipalidad de San José: Mediante el oficio nro. SLU-1530-2023, suscrito por el jefe de la Sección de Limpieza Urbana de la municipalidad accionada, se detalló: “PRIMERO: En torno la problemática planteada con la operación del Parque de Tecnología Ambiental La Carpio, bajo la administración de la empresa Nombre14430 de Costa Rica, la Sección de Limpieza Urbana, como responsable de gestionar una fracción de los residuos que la MSJ en el marco de la Ley 8839 y el Código Municipal debe atender, es un usuario más del servicio que brinda la empresa EBI, quien funge como proveedora de la MSJ bajo contrato gestionado mediante procedimientos dictado por la Ley de Contratación Administrativa.
En este caso la empresa Nombre14430 es la responsable de administrar el Parque de Tecnología Ambiental, bajo las normas que rigen el tema a nivel nacional. SEGUNDO: Que la Sección de Limpieza Urbana, en atención a sus funciones, mantiene un rol de atención a los espacios públicos aledaños a la ubicación del Parque de Tecnología Ambiental La Carpio, tales como las vías públicas de la ciudadela La Carpio, y la Dirección1758 , con el servicio de barrido manual y chapea, la recolección de botaderos clandestinos con frecuencias de al menos 2 veces a la semana y la programación de campañas de recolección de residuos especiales o no tradicionales, esto con el fin de atender las necesidades de comunidad y de evitar problemas de contaminación ante la inadecuada cultura del generador que tiende a no ajustarse a los horarios de recolección de residuos ordinarios que ofrece esta entidad, para un total de residuos gestionas en el 2022 y 2023 de 1.283.080,00 kilogramos de residuos, según base de datos adjuntas.
TERCERO: Que en esta Sección se han recibido denuncia de parte de la comunidad de la Carpio por la acumulación de residuos, mismas que se atienden en labores ordinarias por rol, pero no conoce denuncias por quemas de residuos en espacio público en la ciudadela. CUARTO: Que al respecto de la vida útil de Parque de Tecnología Ambiental La Carpio, esta dependencia no tiene nada que agregar.”. En el oficio nro. GPS-OMGRD-312-2023, suscrito por la funcionaria Lorena Romero Vargas, encargada de la Oficina Municipal de Gestión de Riesgo a Desastres de la Municipalidad de San José, se consignó: “En atención al oficio DAJ-2087-9-2023, esta Oficina no ha participado en ningún proceso de intervención en el sitio, ni dispone de información sobre la problemática ambiental por residuos sólidos descritos en el recurso de amparo interpuesto por la señora [Nombre62 001].”. La autoridad recurrida fue notificada de la resolución de curso de este proceso el 9 de octubre de 2023.
En cuanto a la Municipalidad de Belén: El sitio principal de disposición final de residuos sólidos del cantón de Belén es el Parque de Tecnología Ambiental ACZARRI ubicado en el Huaso de Desamparados, y no el “Parque de Tecnología Ambiental Uruka”, que es un sitio de disposición alternativo de la Municipalidad de Belén. En septiembre de 2023, vecinos del Dirección1765 , del cantón de Belén, denunciaron ante la Municipalidad de Belén malos olores, provenientes del relleno sanitario de La Carpio. El 6 de octubre de 2023, la Municipalidad de Belén realizó una inspección en el sitio. La autoridad accionada fue notificada de la resolución de curso de este proceso el 9 de octubre de 2023. Mediante el informe de inspección nro. ASP-SAB-073-2023 de 23 de octubre de 2023 del Subproceso Saneamiento Ambiental Básico de la Municipalidad de Belén, se consignó: “Es claro para este Gobierno Local que el proceso de seguimiento, control y regulación del PTA Uruka se encuentra por competencias de Ley bajo tutela del Ministerio de Salud como Ente Rector en materia de residuos y territorialmente adscrito a la Municipalidad de San José.
Por cuanto, el informe que se presenta a continuación corresponde a una acción administrativa validada en las capacidades de inspección dadas por las condiciones contractuales acordadas por las partes del proceso de contratación administrativa del expediente electrónico 2021LN-000001-0002600001 y en seguimiento de las afectaciones expresadas por los contribuyentes del Cantón de Belén. Sin embargo, constituye un acto únicamente de seguimiento, el cual es trasladado a las instituciones competentes y a los interesados para que lo que administradamente se considere pertinente (…) Conclusiones y recomendaciones generales 1. El PTA Uruka implementa acciones preventivas y correctivas para el control de olor de sus operaciones de disposición final de residuos sólidos ordinarios. La inspección realizada no encontró inconsistencias que pueda atribuir lo denunciado por los vecinos del cantón de Belén a la operación del relleno sanitario. 2.
El frente de trabajo actualmente sobrepasa los 1000 msnm, lo que posiblemente incrementa la exposición de los residuos y por ende, el movimiento de las más de aires desde la zona hasta los sitios cercanos con menor altitud. El incremento en las precipitaciones es un factor que incrementa el movimiento de los olores fuera del relleno sanitario… Se recomienda revisar las acciones de mitigación de olores en función de la altura de trabajo actual y el régimen de precipitación del último trimestre. 3. Los sistemas de control de olores por el uso de Microorganismos Eficientes y cloro no se encontraron operando al momento de la inspección. Sin embargo, el equipo estaba presente en el sitio y se evidenció su uso frecuente en el Relleno Sanitario. Se recomienda revisar el procedimiento de aplicación de los sistemas de control de olores con el fin de identificar si se requieren mejoras en la frecuencia y cantidad de aplicación de estos productos de control. 4.
Se evidenciaron varios botaderos no regulados fuera de las instalaciones del PTA Uruka que podrán ser fuentes de contaminación y generación de olores en las cercanías del Relleno Sanitario. Se recomienda notificar a las municipalidades depositantes en el relleno cuando se identifiquen botaderos sin regulación que podrían generar problemas de olores y contaminación en las cercanías del proyecto, así como notificar a la municipalidad responsable de la atención de estos casos. 5. Se recomienda notificar a los operadores públicos y privados de los servicios de recolección cuando sus camiones recolectores no cumplen con las disposiciones de limpieza mínima, con copia al Área Rectora de Salud respectiva. Adicionalmente se recomienda valorar el ingreso de estos camiones al relleno, considerando el impacto ambiental hacia las comunidades vecinas 6. Se recomienda al Ente Rector aplicar las condiciones de control y seguimiento de los camiones recolectores de las corporaciones municipales y entes privados que utilizan el PTA Uruka como sitio de disposición final de los residuos sólidos establecidas en la legislación vigente, con el fin de reducir el riesgo de estos camiones sean un foco de contaminación de olores.”.
VI.En cuanto a las autoridades del Ministerio de Salud. En primer lugar, la recurrente acusa que la autoridad recurrida ha desatendido las denuncias efectuadas en cuanto a los malos olores que se producen en el relleno sanitario “Parque de Tecnología Ambiental Uruka”, y no ha emitido los actos correspondientes para una solución de la problemática.
Al respecto, se verifica que desde el 9 de mayo de 2023, la recurrente puso en conocimiento del Área Rectora de Salud Carmen-Merced-Uruca del Ministerio de Salud la situación de malos olores provenientes del relleno sanitario aludido; empero, no se constata alguna acción concreta por parte de la autoridad recurrida para atender y resolver en ese momento la situación acusada. Posteriormente, se observa que el 7 de agosto la recurrente planteó una nueva gestión, relativa a la misma situación de “olores putrefactos”. Así, ante dicha queja, las autoridades del Ministerio de Salud efectuaron una inspección en el sitio, y mediante el informe técnico de 10 de agosto de 2023, detallaron: “En entrevista con el ingeniero del proyecto nos indica que el día 7 de agosto se recibió una cantidad de 857 toneladas de residuos. En la operación ordinaria, se recibe en promedio 550 toneladas (…) Se recomienda al Área Rectora de Salud de Carmen Merced Uruca el plan de acción ejecutado para corregir la situación presentada por olores desagradables y las medidas a ejecutar como medidas preventivas cuando se reciba en el relleno sanitario un incremento en el volumen de residuos con el objetivo de evitar los inconvenientes por malos olores.”.
Asimismo, en el oficio nro. MS-DRRSCS-DARSCMU-1603-2023 de 18 de agosto de 2023, el Área Rectora de Salud Carmen-Merced-La Uruca indicó: “Sobre los temas de existencia y manejo de los olores se indica lo siguiente: 1. No se cuenta con un Reglamento de manejo y control de olores hoy en día, que regule dicha condición. 2. Se debe dar seguimiento a los predios y camiones recolectores de residuos, en los temas de optimización, de las rutas de recolección, de forma que no se almacenen los residuos sólidos, por varios días en las viviendas, ni dentro de los camiones recolectores y se practique el adecuado lavado de estos, después de cada jornada de recolección y disposición (…)”. Posteriormente, mediante el informe nro. MS-DRRSCS-DARSCMU-1720-2023 de 22 de septiembre de 2023, el Área Rectora de Salud Carmen-Merced-La Uruca detalló: “Conclusiones: (…) definió la empresa algunas acciones a la fecha, con el fin de mejorar la gestión de recepción y manejo de residuos, como son: “1.
Implementar en el corte, la reducción del frente de trabajo, para un control más amplio del mismo. 2. Implementación del uso de aspersores en la zona de trabajo, para la reducción de olores en el punto de disposición. 3. Aumentar los procesos de control de olores, con el uso de productos varios, de manera más intensa.”. Finalmente, en el oficio nro. MS-DRRSCS-DARSCMU-1786-2023 de 2 octubre de 2023, dirigido al director de la Dirección Regional Central Sur del Ministerio de Salud, el área rectora de salud accionada detalla: “(…) se evidencia, la existencia de olores, en ráfagas variables en intensidad de olor, por lo que el control de la situación hasta este momento, está en control de los operadores de dicho establecimiento, careciéndose de Normativa, Reglamento e insumos Técnicos, para abordar este tema y estas denuncias, de manera oportuna con base a (sic), criterios y especificaciones técnicas en la materia.
Con el fin de valorar el alcance de las denuncias en el tema de olores, tanto en actividades generales, como en la Operación de un Relleno Sanitario, por las denuncias conocidas, es necesario, contar con la Normativa Regulatoria y Técnica en el tema de olores, la cual es inexistente en este momento para estos fines. Por lo anterior, solicitamos se interpongan sus buenos oficios, para realizar la gestión necesaria en el tema de Regulación de la Salud, de forma que se pueda contar próximamente con dicha Normativa de Control. Igualmente, con base en las múltiples denuncias existentes, se solicita una reunión con la Dirección Regional, para el abordaje de las mismas, y el criterio de atención y respuesta, a los denunciantes sobre dicho tema.”.
De tal manera, no observa esta Sala que las autoridades del Ministerio de Salud hayan intervenido de manera efectiva para atender y resolver la situación denunciada. En tal sentido, si bien se efectuaron inspecciones y se constató la existencia de un problema de control de olores en el relleno sanitario de marras, no consta que se hayan emitido actos administrativos concretos (órdenes sanitarios y otros actos análogos) para atender y resolver dicha situación. Incluso, como se puede observar en los oficios citados ut supra, los propios recurridos aducen que no cuentan con una normativa adecuada para abordar de manera eficiente esta problemática.
Así las cosas, esta Cámara verifica la problemática ambiental acusada por la recurrente, y al no corroborarse medidas y órdenes concretas por parte del Ministerio de Salud para procurar una solución integral del asunto, corresponde declarar con lugar el recurso en relación con este extremo, en los términos que se indican en la parte dispositiva de este pronunciamiento.
VII.Por otra parte, la accionante también señala que el 25 y 26 de septiembre de 2023 planteó gestiones ante el área rectora de salud accionada, mediante las cuales denunció quemas en basureros ilegales; empero, acusa que la autoridad accionada no había resuelto la situación descrita.
Al respecto, se constata que, efectivamente, en las fechas señaladas (25 y 26 de septiembre del año en curso), la recurrente remitió un correo electrónico al Área Rectora de Salud Carmen-Merced-Uruca, en el que comunicó a dicha dependencia sobre las quemas de basura, y se observa que, en esa última fecha, la dependencia accionada le contestó: “se informa que los constantes conatos de incendio son en los botaderos ilegales en el sector de Pavas, los cuales por la dirección del viento y las grandes quemas de esas areas (sic) el humo llega hasta el sector de Cariari, en el sector de La Carpio no hay quemas”; y también, ese mismo día, la autoridad accionada remitió otro correo electrónico a la amparada, en el que señaló: “En efecto el Área Rectora de Salud correspondiente trabaja en el tema.”.
Así las cosas, no se constata que la parte recurrente le haya brindado un margen de acción razonable a la autoridad recurrida para atender y solucionar la situación acusada, pues véase que, el propio 26 de septiembre (mismo día en el que planteó la denuncia ante el área rectora de salud accionada) formula el presente recurso de amparo.
De tal modo, en cuanto a este extremo el recurso deviene prematuro, pues al momento de su interposición no había transcurrido un plazo desproporcionado a los efectos de la correcta atención y resolución por parte de la dependencia recurrida. Ergo, se desestima el recurso en cuanto a este extremo.
VIII.Por otro lado, en alegatos posteriores la accionante cuestiona el incremento en la cota del relleno sanitario de La Carpio (de 995 m.s.n.m. a 1005 m.s.n.m), así como aspectos relativos a la fecha límite de su cierre técnico, que indica debió ser en 2021.
Sin embargo, al respecto conviene advertir que en la sentencia nro. 2021014301 de las 9:15 horas de 25 de junio de 2021, esta Sala conoció reclamos análogos, y concretamente resolvió:
La recurrente alega la lesión del derecho al ambiente sano y ecológicamente equilibrado, toda vez que el Ministerio de Salud y Nombre3456 han avalado y aprobado la prórroga del funcionamiento del relleno sanitario La Carpio, conocido como Parque de Tecnología Ambiental La Uruka, lo que ha conllevado, además, que se aprueben aumentos en el nivel de la cota (…)
d.- Conclusiones. En virtud del análisis realizado en este proceso de amparo, no es posible establecer que, en la especie, exista lesión del derecho al ambiente, de conformidad con las siguientes conclusiones:
d.1.- La cuota de 985 msnm fue autoimpuesta por el desarrollador (EBI S.A., la cual podía ser modificada en las diferentes etapas del proyecto, las cuales incluyen la fase de cierre técnico, siempre que se sustentara en criterios y estudios técnico científicos, y que además, contara con la viabilidad ambiental.
d.2.- Con base en el Reglamento sobre Rellenos Sanitarios, la vida útil debe ser actualizada periódicamente por el administrador del relleno sanitario, misma que está en función del ingreso de residuos diarios para su disposición final. El Ministerio de Salud tiene la competencia para verificar la vida útil del relleno sanitario, conforme a sus competencias legales, a partir de lo cual aprobó los aumentos de la cota en el rellano sanitario de La Carpio, siendo que dispuso que la cota máxima contemplada para el cierre definitivo es la de 1005 msnm.
d.3.- Tal como se indicó, una de las etapas del proyecto es su cierre técnico, el cual se encuentra en desarrollo, lo que se manifiesta en la disminución de desechos sólidos que se reciben y tratan en el relleno sanitario. No obstante, según los estudios técnicos y científicos aportados por la empresa a cargo de la operación del basurero, la cota podía aumentarse a 1005 msnm, lo cual fue aprobado por el Ministerio de Salud según sus competencias y con la aprobación ambiental de SETENA.
d.4.- El Ministerio de Salud se ha mantenido vigilante de sus compromisos ambientales y, además, se ha mantenido alerta para que Nombre14430 S.A. también cumpla con sus obligaciones en la materia, según sus compromisos de operación del relleno.
d.5.- Nombre3456 otorgó las diferentes viabilidades ambientales a partir de estudios técnicos que determinaron un equilibrio entre el impacto al ambiente y las obras desarrolladas en el Parque Tecnológico La Uruka. Además, se ha mantenido vigilante del cumplimiento de compromisos ambientales del Ministerio de Salud y de la operadora del relleno sanitario, tal como lo informó a partir del siguiente cuadro (…)
d.6.- El relleno sanitario se mantiene en funcionamiento y en ejecución de su etapa de cierre de conformidad con su capacidad, siendo que desde criterio técnico científico, se podía aumentar la altura de la cota, tal como sucedió, estableciendo un máximo de 1005 msnm. Esto, además, según se indicó por las autoridades recurridas, no conlleva un impacto ambiental más allá de los dispuestos desde que inició el funcionamiento del botadero, mismos que se atenúan con la vigilancia del cumplimiento de los compromisos ambientales, tal como lo han hecho las autoridades acá recurridas.
VI.Se advierte a las autoridades acá recurridas que, según los criterios técnicos aportados en este proyecto y según lo dispuesto por el Tribunal Ambiental Administrativo, la cota de elevación del Parque Tecnológico Ambiental La Uruka, no podrá superar los 1005 msnm, siendo que una vez alcanzado ese nivel, deberá cesar el funcionamiento de dicho relleno sanitario. Además, entre tanto se alcanza dicha cota, deberán mantenerse vigilantes y ejecutar todas aquellas acciones que resulten necesarias para garantizar el equilibrio ambiental en la operación del botadero de basura.”.
De tal manera, como se indicó en el antecedente citado supra, de acuerdo con los criterios técnicos correspondientes (los cuales no corresponde ser discutidos en esta vía sumaria) se determinó que podía aumentarse la altura de la cota a un máximo de 1005 msnm; asimismo, se advirtió a los recurridos que no podía superarse dicho margen, y que debía cesar el funcionamiento del relleno sanitario de marras “una vez alcanzado ese nivel”.
Ahora, la autoridad recurrida, en el oficio MS-DRRSCS-URS-IT-0468-2023 de 5 de septiembre de 2023, señala que en la última medición el punto más alto fue de “995.4 m.s.n.m.”, de modo que “en esta medición no se ha alcanzado la cota de 1005 m.s.n.m.”. De tal forma, en cuanto a este extremo a priori se descarta alguna situación contraria a los términos señalados en la sentencia citado ut supra, que en este momento amerite la intervención de esta Cámara.
Ergo, se desestima el recurso en cuanto a este punto.
IX.En cuanto a la Municipalidad de San José y la Municipalidad de Belén. Al respecto, de los autos no se desprende que la accionante haya planteado alguna gestión o denuncia concreta y directa ante tales dependencias, por las situaciones específicas acusadas en el sub lite.
Ahora, pese a ello, en su informe la Municipalidad de Belén señala que en septiembre de 2023 algunos vecinos del sector de La Asunción y Dirección1766 denunciaron los malos olores que provenían del relleno sanitario que se ubica en La Carpio, por lo que el 6 de octubre las autoridades municipales efectuaron una inspección en el sitio y posteriormente se elaboró el informe de inspección nro. ASP-SAB-073-2023 de 23 de octubre de 2023.
Así, si bien se observa que la Municipalidad de Belén tenía conocimiento de la situación de los olores a través de gestiones de otros vecinos, no menos cierto es que no se constata alguna mora desproporcionada en cuanto a la atención de tal circunstancia. Así, véase que se informó que las denuncias fueron recibidas en septiembre del año en curso, de manera que al momento en el que se interpone este recurso de amparo (26 de septiembre), ni siquiera había transcurrido un mes desde que la municipalidad adquirió conocimiento del asunto concreto. Aunado a ello, antes de la notificación del curso de este proceso (hecho que acaeció el 9 de octubre de 2023), ya había efectuado una inspección en el sitio y estaba en proceso de confección del informe de esa diligencia, el cual finalmente se emitió el 23 de octubre anterior.
De tal modo, en los términos planteados en el escrito de interposición y de los elementos que constan en autos, no se tiene por acreditada alguna negligencia u omisión evidente y manifiesta de las municipalidades recurridas, que en este momento amerite ser declarada en esta vía sumaria. De ahí que corresponde desestimar el recurso en cuanto a este extremo.
Considero que en asuntos ambientales, si ya ha habido intervención de la Administración Pública, su conocimiento y resolución corresponde a la jurisdicción contenciosa administrativa. No obstante, sí entro a conocer el fondo del asunto cuando están de por medio otros derechos de las personas afectadas por el foco de contaminación, entre ellos, la salud, la calidad de vida y el derecho a gozar de un ambiente sano y libre de contaminación (artículo 50, de la Constitución Política), tal y como sucede en este caso, en el que se acusa la aparente contaminación por olores putrefactos de basura y otros componentes, generados por el “Parque de Tecnología Ambiental”, además de la contaminación por humo generado de las quemas clandestinas, lo que afecta el derecho a disfrutar de un ambiente sano, ecológicamente equilibrado y de un nivel digno de calidad de vida de la parte recurrente y los vecinos del lugar.
Se previene a las partes que, de haber aportado algún documento en papel, así como objetos o pruebas contenidas en algún dispositivo adicional de carácter electrónico, informático, magnético, óptico, telemático o producido por nuevas tecnologías, éstos deberán ser retirados del despacho en un plazo máximo de 30 días hábiles contados a partir de la notificación de esta sentencia. De lo contrario, será destruido todo aquel material que no sea retirado dentro de este plazo, según lo dispuesto en el "Reglamento sobre Expediente Electrónico ante el Poder Judicial", aprobado por la Corte Plena en sesión N°27-11 del 22 de agosto del 2011, artículo XXVI y publicado en el Boletín Judicial número 19 del 26 de enero del 2012, así como en el acuerdo aprobado por el Consejo Superior del Poder Judicial, en la sesión N°43-12 celebrada el 3 de mayo del 2012, artículo LXXXI.
Por tanto:
Se declara parcialmente con lugar el recurso, únicamente en cuanto al Ministerio de Salud y en relación con la denuncia por malos olores en el “Parque de Tecnología Ambiental Uruka”. Se ordena a Mary Denisse Munive Angermüller y Pamela Ruiz Guevara, por su orden, ministra de Salud y directora del Área Rectora de Salud Carmen-Merced-Uruca, ambas del Ministerio de Salud, o a quienes ocupen tales cargos, que coordinen lo correspondiente y lleven a cabo todas las actuaciones que estén dentro del ámbito de sus respectivas competencias, para que, dentro del plazo máximo de UN MES, contado a partir de la notificación de esta sentencia, se adopten las medidas y se dicten los actos correspondientes para atender y solucionar la problemática de malos olores en el “Parque de Tecnología Ambiental Uruka”. Se advierte a la autoridad recurrida que, de conformidad con lo establecido en el artículo 71, de la Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, se impondrá prisión de tres meses a dos años, o de veinte a sesenta días multa, a quien recibiere una orden que deba cumplir o hacer cumplir, dictada en un recurso de amparo, y no la cumpliere o hiciere cumplir, siempre que el delito no esté más gravemente penado.
Se condena al Estado al pago de las costas, daños y perjuicios causados con los hechos que sirvieron de base a la presente declaratoria, los que se liquidarán en ejecución de sentencia de lo contencioso-administrativo. En lo demás, se declara sin lugar el recurso. El magistrado Salazar Alvarado consigna nota. Notifíquese.
Nombre152 C.
Presidente a.i Luis Fdo. Salazar A.
Jorge Araya G.
Ingrid Hess H.
Nombre6376 B.
Nombre5272 A.
Alexandra Alvarado P.
Clasificación elaborada por SALA CONSTITUCIONALdel Poder Judicial. Prohibida su reproducción y/o distribución en forma onerosa.
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