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Res. 14487-2025 Sala Constitucional · Sala Constitucional · 16/05/2025
OutcomeResultado
The Chamber orders the severance of the brief and other filings to be processed as a non-compliance proceeding in case file 20-015603-0007-CO, where a determination on the merits already exists (vote 2020-18319).La Sala ordena desglosar el escrito y demás memoriales para que se tramiten como una gestión de desobediencia en el expediente 20-015603-0007-CO, en el cual ya existe un pronunciamiento de fondo sobre el mismo asunto (voto 2020-18319).
SummaryResumen
The Constitutional Chamber resolves an amparo action filed against the Ministry of Health, the Municipality of San José, and MINAE for alleged inaction regarding pollution from an illegal dump at Tajo COMAG and the CBZ asphalt plant in Pavas. The petitioner claims a violation of the right to a healthy environment. However, the Chamber finds that the same matter was already heard and decided in vote 2020-18319, which partially granted the amparo and ordered the Ministry of Health and the Municipality to resolve the complaint within 18 months. Since the new action concerns the same facts, the Chamber orders the severance of the petitioner's brief so that it is processed as a non-compliance proceeding against the earlier judgment, rather than opening a new case. The current file is archived.La Sala Constitucional resuelve un recurso de amparo interpuesto contra el Ministerio de Salud, la Municipalidad de San José y el MINAE por la presunta inacción ante la contaminación generada por un botadero ilegal en el Tajo COMAG y la planta asfáltica CBZ en Pavas. El recurrente alega violación al derecho a un ambiente sano. Sin embargo, la Sala constata que este mismo asunto ya fue conocido y resuelto en el voto 2020-18319, en el cual se declaró parcialmente con lugar el amparo y se ordenó al Ministerio de Salud y a la Municipalidad resolver la denuncia en 18 meses. Dado que el nuevo recurso se refiere a los mismos hechos, la Sala dispone desglosar el escrito del recurrente para que sea tramitado como una gestión de desobediencia a lo ordenado en aquella sentencia, en lugar de abrir un nuevo proceso. Se archiva el expediente actual.
Key excerptExtracto clave
Having reviewed the foregoing, and because, as stated, this Chamber has already issued a decision on the merits regarding the matter under study, the appropriate course is to sever the brief filed by the petitioner on April 3, 2025, as well as the other documents (reports and evidence) submitted to the record, so that they are incorporated into the aforementioned case file No. 20-015603-0007-CO and processed as a non-compliance proceeding against the provisions of the cited Vote No. 2020-18319. It should be noted that, even though the petitioners are not the same, we are dealing with a matter of great magnitude and environmental significance, where diffuse interests are also at stake; hence, this Chamber considers the severance to be appropriate. Specifically, the petitioner's request shall be treated as non-compliance with what was already heard and decided by the Chamber on that occasion, and it is so ordered.Revisado lo anterior y, debido a que, como se dijo, esta Sala ya vertió pronunciamiento por el fondo sobre el tema bajo estudio, lo que procede es desglosar tanto el memorial presentado por la parte accionante el 3 de abril de 2025, así como el resto de escritos (informes y pruebas), aportados a los autos, para que se incorporen al citado expediente No. 20-015603-0007-CO y se tramiten como una gestión de desobediencia a lo dispuesto en el mencionado Voto No. 2020-18319. Nótese que, aunque no se trate de las mismas partes recurrentes, estamos frente a un asunto de gran envergadura y trascendencia ambiental, donde, además, se encuentran de por medio intereses difusos; de ahí que, esta Sala considere procedente el citado desglose. En concreto, la gestión del recurrente se debe tener como una desobediencia a lo ya conocido y resuelto por la Sala en aquella oportunidad y así se dispone.
Pull quotesCitas destacadas
"Nótese que, aunque no se trate de las mismas partes recurrentes, estamos frente a un asunto de gran envergadura y trascendencia ambiental, donde, además, se encuentran de por medio intereses difusos."
"It should be noted that, even though the petitioners are not the same, we are dealing with a matter of great magnitude and environmental significance, where diffuse interests are also at stake."
Considerando II
"Nótese que, aunque no se trate de las mismas partes recurrentes, estamos frente a un asunto de gran envergadura y trascendencia ambiental, donde, además, se encuentran de por medio intereses difusos."
Considerando II
"En concreto, la gestión del recurrente se debe tener como una desobediencia a lo ya conocido y resuelto por la Sala en aquella oportunidad y así se dispone."
"Specifically, the petitioner's request shall be treated as non-compliance with what was already heard and decided by the Chamber on that occasion, and it is so ordered."
Considerando II
"En concreto, la gestión del recurrente se debe tener como una desobediencia a lo ya conocido y resuelto por la Sala en aquella oportunidad y así se dispone."
Considerando II
"…una de sus obligaciones es eliminar los vertederos ilegales."
"…one of its obligations is to eliminate illegal dump sites."
Voto 2020-18319, transcrito
"…una de sus obligaciones es eliminar los vertederos ilegales."
Voto 2020-18319, transcrito
Full documentDocumento completo
CONSTITUTIONAL CHAMBER Case File: 25-009642-0007-CO Type of Matter: Amparo petition Case File: 25-009642-0007-CO CONSTITUTIONAL CHAMBER OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUSTICE. San José, at nine thirty-five in the morning of May sixteenth, two thousand twenty-five.
Amparo petition filed by Nombre01, identity card CED06, against THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH, THE MUNICIPALITY OF SAN JOSÉ, AND THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY.
WHEREAS:
Despite actions having been taken such as operations by the Public Force (Fuerza Pública) and the placement of piles in coordination with INCOFER and the Municipality of San José (Municipalidad de San José) to prevent the entry of trucks, the problem persists; some piles have been ripped out and trucks continue to arrive to illegally dump waste. Additionally, it is hardly feasible to maintain 24-hour surveillance every day. Consequently, these dumps are exploited by other individuals, addicts or those of limited means, who subsist on scrap metal and other artifacts they can salvage from the mountains of rubble and waste generated there, and therefore they constantly set fires to more easily obtain metal and copper from the cables they find, causing toxic smoke. It is in response to this problem that inter-institutional working groups or meetings have been convened and held with the purpose of establishing and developing local and inter-institutional actions, in accordance with their competencies, leading to its eradication.
Statement of Facts 1. On June 24, 2016, a complaint was received at this office, filed via email by Tajo COMAG regarding trash problems, as there is an illegal dump on its property located in Pavas, Lomas Del Río. It was recorded in file 9606 (currently 1143 and 173-21) of this Health Governing Area Directorate (Dirección de Área Rectora de Salud). 2. On July 21, 2016, official letter CS-ARS-P-0291-2016 was sent by Dr. Christina Corrales, acting director of the Health Governing Area of Pavas (Área Rectora de Salud Pavas), at that time, requesting support from the regional director Dr. Guillermo Flores Galindo to notify official letter CS-ARS-P-0290-2016 to Mr. Marcelo Solano, director of the Citizen Security and Municipal Police Directorate (Dirección Seguridad Ciudadana y Policía Municipal), requesting a joint inspection at the site. 3. On July 26, 2016, official letter CS-ARS-P-0290-2016 was received at the Proximity Police of Pavas (Policía de Proximidad de Pavas). 4.
On August 10, 2016, an inspection was conducted by the Health Governing Area of Pavas at Tajo COMAG S.A., where Mr. Nombre02, manager of the site, was present and directed us to the back of the quarry (Tajo), on the boundary on the south side a mound with wood, cardboard, and various types of trash was observed, and minutes later a truck was observed in the distance throwing some type of material onto said mound. The manager indicated that trucks from different places come to dump such materials there. 5. On September 2, 2016, official letter CS-ARS-P-0345-2016 was notified to Intendant Roberto Mora of the Public Force to request an escort to the south side of the COMAG Quarry and to conduct an inspection at the site, as it is high risk. 6. On September 6, 2016, an inspection of the reported site was conducted accompanied by officers Leslie Solano and Daniel Morales of the Public Force. At the site, a large quantity of waste such as wood, ceramics, and plastics was observed between the railway line and the boundary line of the COMAG Quarry. 7.
On October 11, 2016, sanitary order CS-ARS-P-061-2016-BAG was notified to Mr. Nombre02, legal representative of Tajo COMAG, requiring him to submit in writing to the Health Governing Area of Pavas an action plan for the proper disposal of the solid waste located on the south side of the Tajo COMAG property, granting a reasonable period of 15 business days to do so. 8. On October 12, 2016, official letter CS-ARS-P-430-2016 was sent to Mr. Johnny Araya Monge, mayor of the Municipality of San José, informing him of the problem existing on the south side of the Tajo COMAG due to trash and waste issues on public roads, and requesting that he proceed based on Article 08 of the Comprehensive Waste Management Law No. 8839 (Ley de Gestión Integral de Residuos No 8839). 9. On October 19, 2016, an Action Plan was received at the Health Governing Area of Pavas from Mr. Nombre02, General Manager of Tajo COMAG. 10.
On November 15, 2016, official letter CS-ARS-P-509-2016 was notified to Mr. Nombre02, General Manager of Tajo COMAG, informing him that said plan received on October 19, 2016, did not comply with aspects such as actions to be taken by Tajo COMAG, nor did it indicate responsible parties or timeframes for execution, therefore a more detailed plan was requested again. 11. On November 22, 2016, the new Action Plan was received at the Health Governing Area of Pavas from Mr. Nombre02, General Manager of Tajo COMAG. S.A. 12. On November 30, 2016, via official letter CS-ARS-P-536-2016, technical support was requested from the Governing Unit of Central South Health (Unidad de Rectoría de la Salud Central Sur) to the director of Human Environment Protection, Eng. Eugenio Androvetto. 13. On November 30, 2016, official letter CS-ARS-P-537-2016 was sent to Mr. Nombre02 in response to the new plan delivered on November 22, 2016, and it was requested that it not be implemented, as said plan contemplated that such waste would be moved from one place to another and disposed of in an area where there is land under recovery.
The plan also indicated it would become a kind of sanitary landfill (relleno sanitario), so it was requested not to implement it until a technical criterion from a professional was obtained. 14. On January 10, 2017, via official letter CS-ARS-P-010-2017, technical support was again requested from the Governing Unit of Central South Health to the director of Human Environment Protection, Eng. Eugenio Androvetto. 15. On January 26, 2017, an inspection visit to the site was conducted by Bach. Bryan Arias Gutiérrez of this Health Governing Area Directorate and Eng. Juan Carlos Oreamuno Hernández, from the Administration Unit of Health Services in Human Environment (Unidad de Administración de los Servicios de Salud en Ambiente Humano). 16. On April 7, 2017, the Health Governing Area of Pavas received technical criterion DPAHUASSAH-798-2017 from Eng. Juan Carlos Oreamuno and Eng. Ana Villalobos of the Administration Unit of Health Services in Human Environment, indicating that the following must be textually clear: a) What must be done at the site are mitigation works (obras de mitigación) to control the possible undesirable effects on health and the environment due to the accumulated material, an aspect defined in the Remedial Plan (Plan Remedial). b) The mitigation works are precisely the closure works of a dump (vertedero); in no way would it be under the modality of a sanitary landfill, in response to what is stated in a certain way in the official letter. c) When implementing closure works, it must be taken into account that this type of measure is regulated in national legislation, specifically in Decree No. 38925-S, “Regulation on Sanitary Landfills” (“Reglamento sobre Rellenos Sanitarios”), where its articles 41, 42, and 43 establish the requirements that must be met for its execution, an aspect that must be contemplated among the activities to be implemented within the Remedial Plan, duly scheduled. d) That the area of land where the waste is located and where this type of mitigation works will be carried out must respect the river protection alignment (Río Torres), and the coverage surface on the land must be identified, because given the intentions of installing another activity, it would be an area that could not be used for constructions, in accordance with Article 46 of Decree No. 38928-S, “Regulation on Sanitary Landfills” (“Reglamento sobre Rellenos Sanitarios”). 17.
Said technical criterion also recommends that such actions do not guarantee the cessation of the illegal practice by third parties of disposing waste on the property, and recommends that the Health Governing Area of Pavas request the Costa Rican Railway Institute (Instituto Costarricense de Ferrocarriles, INCOFER) to immediately assess the risk due to the presence of vehicles in the train passage area on the south side of the COMAG Quarry. 18. On April 28, 2017, official letter CS-ARS-P-148-2017 was notified to Mr. Johnny Araya Monge, mayor of the Municipality, reporting the trash problem on the south side of the COMAG Quarry and following the recommendations of Report DPAH-UASSAH-798-2017 to involve the Municipality of San José in said problem. 19. On April 28, 2017, official letter CS-ARS-P-147-2017 was notified to Eng. Christian Vargas Calvo, Executive Presidency of INCOFER, informing of the problem on the south side of the COMAG Quarry due to the presence of trash and trucks that arrive to unload at the site, which could cause a train derailment, following the recommendations of Report DPAHUASSAH-798-2017. 20.
On May 2, 2017, official letter CS-ARS-P-153-2017 was notified to Mr. Nombre02, legal representative of Tajo COMAG, so that he would adjust the Action Plan sent to the Health Governing Area of Pavas considering technical report DPAH-UASSAH-798-2017 from the Administration Unit of Health Services in Human Environment. 21. On May 9, 2017, an email was received at the Health Governing Area of Pavas from the presidency of INCOFER, confirming receipt and that they would be coordinating the solution internally. 22. On May 15, 2017, the Readjustment of the Action Plan was received at the Health Governing Area of Pavas from Tajo COMAG. 23. On June 5, 2017, official letter CS-ARS-P-226-2017 was notified to Mr. Johnny Araya Monge, mayor of the Municipality, requesting information on actions taken, and in the event no work had been done, to proceed in accordance with his competencies and report promptly to the Health Governing Area of Pavas. 24.
On June 5, 2017, official letter CS-ARS-P-227-2017 was notified to Lic. Elizabeth Briceño Jiménez, Executive Presidency of INCOFER, requesting information on actions taken, and if nothing had been done yet, to act in accordance with their competencies. 25. On June 26, 2017, official letter ALCALDIA-A2-00654-2017 was received via email from Lic. Danny Vargas Serrano, assistant to the Mayor, indicating that the cleanup would be scheduled for June 23, 2017. 26. On June 30, 2017, official letter CS-ARS-P-262-2017 was notified to Mr. Nombre02, legal representative of Tajo COMAG, indicating that said plan was not adjusted as indicated by technical report DPAH-UASSAH-798-2017 from the Administration Unit of Health Services in Human Environment, and that 10 business days were granted to adjust the plan; otherwise, a complaint would be filed with the Public Prosecutor's Office (Ministerio Público) for Disobedience to Authority (Desobediencia a la Autoridad) as established in Article 314 of the Penal Code. 27.
On July 6, 2017, the Health Governing Area of Pavas received a Motion for Revocation with Subsidiary Appeal and Concomitant Nullity (Recursos de Revocatoria con Apelación en Subsidio y Nulidad Concomitante) against official letter CS-ARS-P-262-2017 from Mr. Nombre02, General Manager of Tajo COMAG S.A. 28. On July 10, 2017, official letter CS-ARS-P-282-2017 was sent to the Governing Unit of the Central South Region of the Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud) with information on the actions taken by the Health Governing Area. 29. On February 21, 2019, document DM-A-1068-2019 was received from the Legal Affairs Unit of the Central South Region (Unidad de Asuntos Jurídicos de la Región Central Sur) from the Minister of Health, Dr. Daniel Salas Peraza, dismissing the appeal filed by Mr. Nombre02 and instructing that its dependencies be informed about the degree of compliance with the administrative acts issued in the present case. 30.
On March 4, 2019, via official letter CS-ARS-P-101-2019, the Minister of Health, the Legal Affairs Directorate (Dirección de Asuntos Jurídicos), and the Central South Regional Directorate were informed of the follow-up conducted at Tajo COMAG, where wagons with earth were observed, and sectors of the Quarry that have been filled with said earth and rubble were also observed. At the time of the visit, the person in charge did not know if the remedial plan had been readjusted to what was indicated by the Administration Unit of Health Services in Human Environment. 31. On April 8, 2019, via official letter CS-ARS-P-159-2019, the Minister of Health, the Legal Affairs Directorate, and the Central South Regional Directorate were informed of the follow-up conducted at Tajo COMAG, where the son of Mr. Nombre02, Mr. Nombre03, was present. Wagons with earth and land recovery works on the boundary with La Carpio on the north side were observed.
The trash mound on the west side was still observed. Subsequently, the offices of Tajo COMAG in Pavas were visited, where Mr. Nombre02 was present and indicated that for the moment the remedial plan had not been readjusted, but indicated that once it was ready, he would send it to the Health Governing Area, and he was given the email address. He also indicated that he had spoken with INCOFER but had not received a response, and that the OIJ had helped him only for a time with the problem in the area adjacent to the Quarry. 32. On May 16, 2019, a document called Progress Report on Compliance (Reporte de Avance en Cumplimientos) was received from Mr. Nombre02, President of Tajo COMAG. 33. On June 7, 2019, via official letter MS-DRRSCS-ARS-P-0306-2019, the Minister of Health, the Legal Affairs Directorate, and the Central South Regional Directorate were informed of the follow-up conducted at Tajo COMAG, where Mr.
Nombre03 was present, and a tour of the Quarry was conducted. Land recovery works were observed on the side adjacent to La Carpio; Mr. Nombre02 indicated that said works in that sector had already concluded and they would later continue with the west side of the Quarry. During said visit, the trash mound on the southwest side was still observed, along with persons unrelated to the Quarry sorting materials; Mr. Nombre02 indicated that they are people who collect scrap metal and are given permission. 34. Along with the aforementioned official letter addressed to the Minister of Health, the Legal Affairs Directorate, and the Central South Regional Directorate, the document called Progress Report on Compliance sent by Mr. Nombre02 was forwarded. 35. On September 3, 2019, official letter N°403-FAA-2019 was received from Lic. Scarleth Izquierdo of the Judicial Investigation Agency (Organismo de Investigación Judicial), requesting information on the actions taken by the Ministry of Health and the Municipality of San José on this matter. 36.
On September 4, 2019, a response was given to said official letter via official letter MS-DRRSCS-ARS-P-0479-2019. 37. On October 24, 2019, a joint inspection was conducted with various social actors, namely the Municipality of San José, Fire Department (Bomberos), and National Emergency Commission (Comisión Nacional de Emergencias). At the time of the inspection, the trash mound was observed on the west side of the COMAG Quarry, as well as visible incipient fires. The social actors indicated that they would hold another meeting on October 29, 2019. 38. On August 31, 2020, official letter MS-AJ-UGJ-EE-2166-2020 was received from the Legal Affairs Unit in response to an Amparo Appeal (Recurso de Amparo) by Mr. Nombre02, file No. 20-015603-0007-CO, against the Ministry of Health and other institutions. 39. On September 1, 2020, official letter MS-DRRSCS-DARS-P-0552-2020 was sent to the Legal Affairs Unit, with a copy to the Central South Region, in response to the aforementioned official letter. 40.
On October 2, 2020, resolution No. 2020018319 was received regarding the Amparo Appeal filed by Mr. Nombre02, legal representative of Tajo COMAG, in which Dr. Daniel Salas, Minister of Health, and Johnny Araya Monge, Municipal Mayor of San José, were ordered to take the necessary actions and coordination to resolve the complaint filed by the appellant, referring to the illegal trash dump and the burning of waste that pollute the environment, all within a period not exceeding 18 months, counted from the notification of the judgment. 41. On January 15, 2021, sanitary order MS-DRRSCS-DARS-P-OS-004-2021-BAG was notified to Lic. Elizabeth Briceño Jiménez, executive president of the Costa Rican Railway Institute, or whoever holds her position, on the grounds that the problem of disposal of this waste affecting Tajo COMAG is occurring on the territory of the Costa Rican Railway Institute, ordering: “Take the necessary measures to prevent the railway line adjacent to the south side of the COMAG Quarry, located in Rincón Grande de Pavas, from being invaded and used by vehicles of any kind, as well as by third parties as a point of unloading and disposal of solid waste at the COMAG Quarry.
DEADLINE: (06 months). Keep this Health Governing Area Directorate, as well as the Municipality of San José, informed about the measures taken to adequately respond to the Constitutional Chamber (Sala Constitucional).” 42. On February 12, 2021, official letter INCOFER-PE-OF-0115-2021 was received from the executive president of INCOFER, Lic. Elizabeth Briceño Jiménez, requesting that the incident of evident and manifest absolute nullity (incidente de nulidad absoluta evidente y manifiesta) against sanitary order MSDRRSCS-DARS-P-OS-004-2021-BAG be fully accepted. 43. On May 5, 2021, document DM-EE-831-2021 was received. MINISTRY OF HEALTH. San José, at ten hours and twenty minutes on April twenty-ninth, two thousand twenty-one. INCIDENT OF ABSOLUTE NULLITY, EVIDENT AND MANIFEST, filed by Mrs. ELIZABETH AUXILIADORA BRICEÑO JIMÉNEZ, identity card CED01, in her capacity as Executive President of the Costa Rican Railway Institute (INCOFER), legal ID CED02, with powers of Unlimited General Power of Attorney, against Sanitary Order MS-DRRSCS-DARS-P-OS-004-2021-BAG of January 13, 2021, issued by Dr. William Barrantes Barrantes, Director of the Health Governing Area of Pavas.
THEREFORE: THE MINISTER OF HEALTH RESOLVES: In accordance with what is set forth herein and with support in Articles 11, 21, 41, 50, and 129 of the Political Constitution; 1, 60, and 61 of the Organic Law of the Ministry of Health, No. 5412; 11, 13, 132, 152, 153, 275, 282, and 283 of the General Law of Public Administration; 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the General Health Law; REJECTS AS UNTIMELY the INCIDENT OF ABSOLUTE NULLITY, EVIDENT AND MANIFEST, initiated by Mrs. ELIZABETH AUXILIADORA BRICEÑO JIMÉNEZ, in her capacity as executive president of the Costa Rican Railway Institute (INCOFER), with powers of Unlimited General Power of Attorney, against Sanitary Order MS-DRRSCS-DARS-POS-004-2021-BAG of January 13, 2021, issued by Dr. William Barrantes Barrantes, Director of the Health Governing Area of Pavas, since the administrative act appealed herein was notified personally on January 15, 2021, whereas the appellant herein filed the Incident of Absolute Nullity, Evident and Manifest until February 12, 2021, outside the legal period she was entitled to, which expired on January 22, 2021, sufficient reason to reject the presented Incident as untimely.
Sanitary Order MSDRRSCS-DARS-P-OS-004-2021-BAG of January 13, 2021, issued by Dr. William Barrantes Barrantes, director of the Health Governing Area of Pavas, is confirmed. 44. On August 18, 2021, Sanitary Order MS-DRRSCS-DARS-P-OS-0131-2021-BAG was issued TO: Johnny Francisco Araya Monge or Whoever holds his position, Identity Card: CED14, in his capacity as: mayor of the Municipality of San José, which states: “With authorization from Dr. William Barrantes, director of the Health Governing Area of Pavas, and in compliance with Resolution No. 2020018319 from the Constitutional Chamber regarding the complaint by Tajo COMAG for improper disposal of solid waste, converting it into an illegal waste dump, it is ordered: 1. Properly dispose of all solid waste located on the south side of the COMAG Quarry in Pavas, adjacent to the railway line, and take the pertinent measures to prevent it from continuing to become an illegal dump.
DEADLINE: (06 months) 2. Keep this Health Governing Area Directorate informed about the measures taken to adequately respond to the Constitutional Chamber.” 45. On September 14, 2021, as inferred from technical report MS-DRRSCS-DARS-P-IT0461-2021-BAG, “a follow-up visit to the COMAG quarry was conducted in the company of Municipality of San José officials Vanessa Acosta and Heydi Campos. During said visit, mounds of waste were observed along the southwest side of the Quarry. Third parties were also observed burning and extracting materials to obtain metals or items of some value. On the railway line, a truck belonging to third parties was observed dumping trash and other waste onto the mounds located in the Quarry. The Municipality officials stated that they would assess the legal aspects of the situation and would communicate with the Constitutional Chamber.” 46. On October 28, 2021, a definitive dismissal (sobreseimiento definitivo) was received in case 21-1117-648-pe against Elizabeth Briceño Jiménez, accused of the crime of disobedience to authority against administrative act MS-DRRSCS-DARS-P-OS-004-2021. 47.
On November 5, 2021, based on the Law of the Meritorious Fire Department of Costa Rica. LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY. LAWS. No. 8228, in its Article 5 Functions. The Fire Department shall have the following functions: a)…………., b) The prevention, attention, mitigation, control, investigation, and evaluation of fires, official letter MSDRRSCS-DARS-P-0576-2021 was issued and communicated, addressed to Héctor Chaves: “Referral of complaint for failure to address burnings,” communicated via email and copied to him personally. 48. On November 9, 2021, at 11:12, an email was received (textually quoting): “From: Malena Valencia Badilla ...01 Sent: Tuesday, November 9, 2021 11:12 To: William Barrantes Barrantes < ...02 > Subject: FW: REFERRAL OF COMPLAINT FOR BURNINGS AND ATTACHMENT Good morning. Dear Mr. William, we acknowledge receipt. This case is in the hands of our Services Comptroller's Office. Best regards.” 49.
On December 2, 2021, as inferred from technical report MS-DRRSCS- DARS-PIT-0677-2021-BAG, “On December 2 of the current year at 9:58 am, as recorded in inspection report No. CS-ARSP-BAG-348-2021, a follow-up visit was made to the Comag Quarry in Pavas, where Mr. Nombre04 attended and granted us permission to enter. During said visit, at the time of inspection, mounds of waste were observed along the southwest side of the Quarry, and these were observed to be composed of rubble, fibrolit, wood, among others. Additionally, on the boundary of the southwest side, on the railway line, trucks with third parties were observed dumping said rubble and materials onto the mounds inside the Quarry.” 50. As inferred from technical report MS-DRRSCS- DARS-P-IT-0685-2021-BAG, “On December 3 of the current year at 9:49 am, as recorded in inspection report No. CS-ARSP-BAG350-2021, a follow-up visit was made to the Comag Quarry in Pavas, where Mr.
Nombre04 attended and granted permission to enter. During said visit, mounds of waste composed of rubble, fibrolit, wood, among others, were observed along the southwest side of the Quarry. Additionally, on the southwest side boundary on the railway line, a truck from which people exited and dumped rubble and materials onto the mounds inside the Quarry was observed. During said visit, smoke was observed coming from some mounds, and people were seen rummaging through the mounds and extracting materials; said mounds were located along the boundary with the railway line; about 5 mounds were observed along the Quarry. An unknown person was observed burning a tire where the Comag Quarry wagons pass.” 51. Documented in technical report MS-DRRSCS-DARS-P-IT-0707-2021-BAG, “On December 13 of the current year at 02:24 pm, as recorded in inspection report No. CS-ARSP-BAG-365-2021, a follow-up visit was made to the Comag Quarry in Pavas, where Mrs.
Irvia Jiménez attended and granted us permission to enter. During said visit, at the time of inspection, mounds of waste were observed along the southwest side of the Quarry, and these were observed to be composed of rubble, fibrolit, wood, among others. Additionally, on the southwest side boundary on the railway line, two trucks were observed from which third parties exited and dumped rubble and materials onto the mounds inside the Quarry. During said visit, smoke was observed coming from some mounds; no active incipient fires were observed; two people were seen rummaging through the mounds and extracting materials; said mounds were located along the boundary with the railway line.” 52. On December 20, 2021, a meeting was held at the Municipality of San José for a case follow-up, with the participation on behalf of the Municipality of Mrs. Lorena Romero, Mr. Oscar Núñez, Mr. Jonathan Arias, and Mr.
Mariano Rodríguez. In said meeting, it was agreed: a) That the Municipality of San José would prepare a proposal for the management of waste in situ at the Comag Quarry. b) To present a comprehensive waste management plan for the case. c) To assess filing an amparo appeal against the National Railway Institute if the activity of invading the railway line and transporting rubble does not cease. 53. On January 13, 2022, Mr. Héctor Chaves León, general director of the Fire Department, sent an official letter via email with a copy to this office, number CBCR-0017-2022-DBG00049. 54. On January 26, 2022, Mr. Bryan Arias Gutiérrez, Environmental Manager and official of the Health Governing Area of Pavas, conducted an in-situ follow-up visit to the COMAG Quarry, which he documented via technical report MS-DRRSCS-DARS-P-IT-0035-2022-BAG, who textually states: “On January 26 of the current year at 9:36 am, as recorded in inspection report No. CSARS-P-BAG-29-2022, a follow-up visit was made to the Comag Quarry in Pavas, where Mr.
Nombre03 attended and granted permission to enter. During said visit, at the time of inspection, 06 mounds of waste were observed along the southwest side of the Quarry, and these were observed to be composed of rubble, fibrolit, wood, among others, some smaller or larger than others. During said visit, smoke emanations were observed coming from the second mound; these were located along the boundary with the railway line. IV. Conclusion The problem of improper waste disposal continues to occur, aggravated even further because third parties enter the Quarry.” 55. On February 23, 2022, Mr. Bryan Arias Gutiérrez, Environmental Manager and official of the Health Governing Area of Pavas, conducted an in-situ follow-up visit to the COMAG Quarry, which he documented via technical report MS-DRRSCS-DARS-P-IT-0065-2022-BAG: “On February 23 of the current year at 9:54 am, as recorded in inspection report No. CSARS-P-BAG-70-2022, a follow-up visit was made to the Comag Quarry in Pavas, where Mr.
Nombre04 attended and granted permission to enter. During said visit, at the time of inspection, mounds were observed along the southwest side of the Quarry, and these were observed to be composed of rubble, fibrolit, wood, among others, some smaller or larger. A person was observed sorting rubble on one of the mounds. During said visit, smoke emanations were observed coming from the second mound; these were located along the boundary with the railway line. No active incipient fires were observed during the inspection.” 56. On March 29 of the current year, an inter-institutional meeting was held with the Municipality of San José, INCOFER, and the Ministry of Health, where agreements were reached based on “Inter-institutional coordination for addressing vote exp. 20-015603-0007-CO of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice and Sanitary Orders regarding the clandestine dump at the Comag Quarry, Pavas.” 57.
In a visit conducted on April 1, 2022, recorded in inspection report No. CS-ARS-PBAG-0131-2022, it was observed that the mounds still existed; trucks were observed on the railway line dumping materials such as rubble and wood at the Comag Quarry; third parties, among them street dwellers, were also observed extracting materials from the mounds. During said visit, Mr. Nombre05 attended and indicated that he cannot control the entry of such persons, as they enter via the Río Torres bordering the La Carpio sector. 58. On April 6, 2022, an official letter was received from the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice, dated seven hours and fifty-one minutes on April six, two thousand twenty-two, which indicates: “via a brief filed on April four, 2022, the Minister of Health reports on the actions taken in compliance with judgment 2020-018319 of 09:15 hours on September 25, 2020.
These statements are hereby noted; therefore, let them be added to the file. (folio 512).” 59. On April 18, 2022, as recorded in technical report No. MS-DRRSCS-DARS-P-IT-0168-2022-BAG, “A follow-up visit was conducted to the boundary with the Comag Quarry on the south side on the railway line, accompanied on said visit by Licda. Vanesa Acosta, Lic. Jonathan Arias of the Municipality of San José, Lic. Gustavo Briceño, and Engineer Angela Osorno of the Costa Rican Railway Institute, where an on-site inspection was performed along the railway line with the Comag Quarry.” Once the in-situ inspection was completed, the following agreements were reached by the Municipality of San José and the Costa Rican Railway Institute, as recorded in inspection report No. CS-ARS-P-BAG-137-2022: a) A high-resistance cast-in-place concrete barrier (wall) of approximately 4 to 5 meters in height is viable. b) Conduct a topographic survey, soil studies, and boring every 20 meters. c) The Costa Rican Railway Institute authorizes construction on the railway line. d) Evaluate the critical points (with the largest amount of waste) at 1.5 meters clear, measured from the railway line. 60.
On April 22, 2022, official letter No. MS-DRRSCS-DARS-P-0314-2022 was sent to Mr. Gustavo Briceño, Operations Director of INCOFER, and official letter No. MS-DRRSCS-DARS-P-0315-2022 to Lic. Jonathan Arias and Licda.
Vanessa Acosta of the Municipality of San José to inform this Health Governing Area as soon as possible when the agreements have approximate dates, corresponding permits, or when these are to be executed by their department, all to provide the respective follow-up. 61. On June 30, 2022, an inter-institutional meeting was scheduled with the Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos, Ministry of Health, and Municipality of San José. 62. On July 6, 2022, an in-person meeting was held at the Pavas Health Governing Area to address the reported problem of the Comag Pit (Tajo Comag) Case with the Cuerpo de Bomberos and the Pavas Health Governing Area. 63. On July 6, 2022, Mr. Bryan Arias Gutiérrez, an official of the ARS of Pavas, conducted an in-situ follow-up visit to the COMAG Pit (Tajo COMAG), which he documented through technical report, MSDRRSCS-DARS-P-IT-0065-2022-BAG, which textually states: "On July 6 of this year, verified in inspection report No. CS-ARS-P-BAG-240-2022, a follow-up visit was made to the Comag Pit (Tajo Comag) in Pavas, where Mr.
Nombre03 attended and granted permission to enter. At the time of inspection, mounds made up of debris (escombros), fibrolit, wood, among others, some smaller or larger, were observed along the southwest side of the pit (Tajo). One of the mounds was observed with slight smoke emanations (see photo), the others were observed without emanations; these are located along the boundary with the railway line. No active fire outbreaks (conatos de fuego) were observed during the inspection. Third parties were observed digging through one of the mounds. 64. On July 7, 2022, an inter-institutional meeting was held in follow-up to the Environmental Problem (Problemática Ambiental) of the Comag Pit (Tajo Comag), where officials from institutions such as the Instituto Costarricense de Ferrocarriles, Municipality of San José, and Ministry of Health participated, proposing a series of agreements which are: a) Drafting of an inter-institutional technical cooperation agreement between INCOFER and MSJ b) Quotation for geotechnical studies (estudios geotécnicos) of specific sectors to determine costs and manage resources by the MSJ. c) Management of municipal resources for contracting a geotechnical study (estudio geotécnico). d) Site visit for construction-type matters. e) Establish a roadmap (línea de ruta) with activities, costs, timelines, and responsible parties. f) Invitation to the Cuerpo de Bomberos to the next inter-institutional meeting. g) A next inter-institutional meeting was agreed upon for September 8, 2022.
(WAS NOT HELD) 65. On November 15, 2022, a follow-up meeting was held on the Environmental Problem of the COMAG Pit, where officials from institutions such as the Instituto Costarricense de Ferrocarriles, Municipality of San José, Bomberos, and Ministry of Health participated, reporting that the budget (11 MILLION) is now available for the following contractual object: OFFICIAL IN CHARGE OF THE CONTRACT: Ing. Job Villarreal Granados • Geotechnical analysis (Análisis geotécnico) and wall design on the side of the railway line at the COMAG Pit. • The contractual object consists of 8 lines. • The contract must be awarded entirely to a single bidder. • The bidder must quote all line items, to provide clarity on the prices of each line, which namely shall be: 1. Topographic survey (Levantamiento topográfico) of the area where the retaining wall (muro de retención) will be built and the study area. 2.
SPT studies (13 boreholes) 3. Slope stability analysis (Análisis de estabilidad de taludes) and profile development 4. Block wall design 5. Construction drawings (Planos constructivos), details, plans, sections, levels, workshop drawings of the wall. 6. Detailed work budget (yields, areas, unit costs) 7. Technical specifications of the detailed works 8. Renders, three-dimensional views of the project. 66. On Tuesday, January 10, 2023, an extraordinary meeting was convened at the Municipality of San José to take urgent containment measures for the entry via the railway line of vehicles entering to dump garbage and debris (escombros) in the COMAG Pit, involving officials from the Municipality of San José, Fuerza Pública, Municipal Police (Policía Municipal), and Pavas Health Governing Area, during which it was agreed: a) Within a period of 6 weeks, concrete piles (pilotes de concreto) 1 meter by 1 meter in diameter, reinforced with steel rebar, funded by the Municipality of San José, will be prefabricated and installed along the margin of the railway line. b) During construction, security will be provided by the Fuerza Pública and the Municipal Police (Policía Municipal). c) A planimetry (planimetría) of the intervention zone will be prepared, indicating formal streets and accesses to inform the general public and emergency response institutions in case of events requiring their intervention. d) Issue a press release informing about the works to be carried out to mitigate the impact on public health and the environment caused by the illegal distribution and consequent accumulation of waste (residuos) in the COMAG pit (tajo COMAG). e) On January 19, 2023, a meeting was again convened at the CME for Follow-up on operational mitigation actions for the environmental problem at TAJO COMAG: MATTERS DISCUSSED • Follow-up on operational mitigation actions for the environmental problem at the COMAG pit- Pavas: • Identification of critical focus points to intervene. • Identification of emergency routes. • Assessment of placement of a security camera at a specific and strategic site.
AGREEMENTS REACHED • Verification of access routes for emergency situations by rescue services. Confirming that the INCOFER Right-of-Way is the only access route to informal human settlements. • Identification and lengths of the points or foci to intervene: Point 1: 15 m Point 2: 23 m Point 3: 67 m Point 4: 13 m (Special section of 7 m since there is 1.3 m of width from the slope edge. Point 5: 15 m Point 6: 40 m • Identification by INCOFER, Cruz Roja, and Cuerpos de Bomberos to determine the space that must be left clear for the transit of the Train and emergency vehicles. Note: 1.10 meters must be left on both sides of the railway line, and in special cases, 1 meter and 4 meters for emergency vehicles (Bomberos and Cruz Roja). • Technical assessment for the placement of a security camera. Confirming that having only a single post at the entrance to the pit (tajo) and the INCOFER easement (servidumbre) does not meet the technical conditions for its placement and connection. 67.
On March 1 at 9 am, a field visit requested by the Vice Minister of Health, Ms. Carolina Gallo, was conducted, accompanied by Diana Vindas Corrales, advisor to the Office of the Vice Minister of Health, Luis Fernando Salas Sánchez, Operational Director of Bomberos, Dr. William Barrantes, Director ARS Pavas, Mariano Guardia, owner of the property, and from the affected property, at least 7 debris (escombros) foci were observed, some with active fire and "people apparently throwing garbage from the top of the railway line." 68. On March 9, 2023, the Vice Minister of Health convened a virtual meeting with municipal representatives, the Ministry of Health, Bomberos, and INCOFER, where the problem of the TAJO COMAG and the 9 years it has gone unresolved were presented in detail. There are no agreements. 69. On Wednesday, April 19, 2023, a new tour was conducted by the Vice Minister, Ms. Carolina Gallo, to see progress on the planned work.
Accompanied by Dr. Barrantes and a municipal technical representative in charge of the work. Travel was via the railway line with police custody, and evidence was found of the placement of at least 20 concrete piles (pilotes de concreto) over one of the garbage dumping foci, which does not prevent or obstruct the garbage dumping, as there were even trucks parked between the piles and the edge of the pit (tajo). We withdrew from the site. There are no agreements. 70. On May 4, via the TEAMS platform, Diana Vindas Corrales, advisor to the Office of the Vice Minister of Health, asked me for information to prepare a report for the Presidential Office, which I am unaware whether or not it has been done. 71. On June 12, 2023, Mr. Nombre06 was notified via email of official letter MSDRRSCS-DARS-P-0259-2023 regarding the update on actions taken by the Pavas Health Governing Area in relation to his complaint. 72.
On June 21, 2023, official letter MS-DRRSCS-DARS-P-0275-2023 was sent to Mr. Jeffry Aguilar Aguilar of the Bomberos command at the Pavas station, requesting: "In accordance with what was discussed today first thing in the morning, I request that you inform us in detail of the actions taken to address the problem in question, as well as the favorable and unfavorable variables that limit your functions in accordance with the provisions of the Law of the Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos de Costa Rica, Number N.º 8228, and the powers assigned to you." Response is pending. 73. According to an email chain on June 23, 2023, Dr. Mariela Marín Mena, Director General of Health, forwarded an email with the following text: Ing. Eugenio Androvetto. Director of Radiological Protection and Environmental Health Dear Sir: For your attention, I am forwarding HT-DM-1176-2023 and annex. Therefore, I ask you to coordinate with Mr.
Nombre06, as due to multiple scheduled activities, it is difficult for me to schedule the meeting as soon as possible. I request that you send the Meeting Log (Bitácora de Reunión) of the meeting held to this General Directorate and to the Office of the Minister of Health. 74. On the same sequence of days, Friday, June 30, 2023, at 9:30 am, Dr. Guillermo Flores sent an email: Dear Ing. Androvetto: In response to the email dated June 29 at 6:33 p.m. regarding the complaint filed by Mr. Nombre06. I would like to inform you that this case is being exhaustively addressed by the Pavas Health Governing Area with Regional support; however, what Mr. Nombre06 presents and requests is another assessment; therefore, (emphasis added) we respectfully request your good offices so that it is handled by the Environmental Health Unit (Unidad de Salud Ambiental), as requested by the General Directorate of Health.
Sincerely, Guillermo Flores Galindo, Regional Director. 75. On July 10, 2023, via official letter No. MS-DRRSCS-DARS-P-0313-2023, requested by reference official letter MS-DM-6494-2023 from the ministerial office, an audience was requested with Mr. Nombre06, the complainant. Said official letter was addressed to Dr. Nelson Cordero, acting Medical Director of the Regional Directorate of the Central South Region, requesting collaboration to jointly attend to Mr. Nombre06, for which the date and time are awaited. 76. On July 14, 2023, a response was received from the Regional Directorate of the Central South Region scheduling the appointment for July 18, 2023, at 9:30 am in person at the Regional headquarters. 77. On July 19, 2023, via official letter MS-DRRSCS-2125-2023, Dr. Nelson Cordero Rodríguez, acting Regional Director, informed the General Directorate, Dr. Mariela Marín, that Mr. Nombre06 was awaited at the previously mentioned time and day, but he did not appear at said summons.
The corresponding log (bitácora) was completed by those present. 78. On August 7, 2023, via official letter No. MS-AJ-UGJ-EE-1824-2023, the Directorate of Legal Affairs (Dirección de Asuntos Jurídicos) requested a copy of the administrative file. 79. On August 8, 2023, via official letter No. MS-DRRSCS-DARS-P-0354-2023, Dr. Adolfo Ortiz Barboza, acting director, responded to official letter No. MS-AJ-UGJ-EE-1824-2023. 80. On September 20, 2023, a meeting was held at the Instituto Nacional de Seguros building with the institutions competent to resolve the problem occurring at the Comag Pit, namely the Municipality of San José, Instituto Nacional de Ferrocarriles, and Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos, whose participation was coordinated by the Instituto Nacional de Seguros. In that meeting, among the agreements reached, the following were made clear: a. At the next meeting, a roadmap (hoja de ruta) must be established with response times and responsible parties; the Fuerza Pública, COSEVI, and owner of the private property (Nombre02, IDENTITY CARD CED15) must be present, in addition to the actors already attending this first meeting. b. At the next meeting, each actor must provide a proposed solution from within their competence, with concrete actions and response times. c. At the next meeting, the cadastral map (mapa catastral) of the area must be provided with all necessary data to make decisions with real data. d. At the next meeting, statistical data on the current situation at the Comag Pit must be provided, if possible with updated photos of the area. e. At the next meeting, present a report on the current situation and actions taken. 81.
On November 28, 2023, the Comag Pit was visited, where approximately 7 mounds of debris (escombros) and materials were observed along the south boundary, as well as smoke emanations from the last two mounds. Trucks were observed from above dumping materials from the railway line. 82. On May 3, 2024, an email was sent to Ms. Ligia Valverde, who coordinated the 2023 working group (mesa de trabajo), requesting that she keep the Health Governing Area informed about meetings with the different institutions. 83. On May 3, 2024, Ms. Ligia Valverde responded indicating that she is no longer working at the Presidency. 84. On May 14, 2024, official letter N°MS-DRRSCS-DARS-P-0190-2024 was attached, addressed to Mrs. Ericka Corrales Esquivel, Assistant to the Executive Presidency of the Instituto Nacional de Seguros, requesting coordination for an Inter-institutional working group (mesa de trabajo Interinstitucional) (Fuerza Pública, Municipal Police (Policía Municipal), Municipality of San José, INCOFER, CNE, Bomberos, MOPT, Comag Pit Company) regarding the problem of trucks invading the railway line and the Comag Pit. 85.
On June 21, 2024, the inter-institutional working group (mesa de trabajo interinstitucional) was held with the following aspects: • Explanation of the problem (context). • Presentation of alternatives by the institutions (Municipality of San José and Municipal Police (Policía Municipal) indicate that vehicles and trucks have been taken to the flagrante delicto court (tribunal de flagrancia)). Mr. Nombre02 (Representative of the Comag Pit) indicates that the problem occurs at the edge of the line and the pit (tajo). • INCOFER indicates that in some sectors they have moved 1.20 m away from the edge and they cannot notify those people who are invading (housing) with such proximity to the railway line. • The Cuerpo de Bomberos indicates the resource drain and risk for them in addressing the problem. • The MSJ indicates that they plan to narrow the entrance so that only light and emergency vehicles can pass, preventing the passage of trucks that invade the railway line. • The Police (MSJ-Fuerza Pública) indicate that police presence helps, but it is a palliative measure; they indicate that they will help with visits, weekly actions, and ex officio.
Fuerza Pública indicates that they will collaborate with the prosecutor's office to intercept trucks as much as possible, intermittently and at certain hours. • Municipality of San José and the Environmental Services Area (Área de Servicios Ambientales) indicate that it is not an easement (servidumbre), nor a public or private road; they mention that they will investigate the Hardware Store business located in the area, and that they have been coordinating with the Agrarian Prosecutor's Office (Fiscalía Agraria). • Mr. Nombre02 indicates the need for police entities. • The MSJ indicates that institutions needing protection can coordinate with them. • Ms. Lourdes Sánchez (Ministry of Health) indicates that actions must be proposed by each institution. • Roadmap (Hoja de Ruta): Develop an Action Plan (Plan de Acción), with a timeline to carry out the actions. Agreements: a) Municipality of San José to review the agreement for the right-of-way (derecho de vía) of the railway line together with INCOFER. b) Municipal Police (Policía Municipal) and Fuerza Pública will conduct sporadic and coordinated visits to the area. c) A meeting was agreed upon for Thursday, July 18, 2024, at 9:30 am at the headquarters of the Cuerpo de Bomberos Metropolitana Norte to review the progress and plans of each institution based on the problem.
The meeting closed at 12:20 pm. 86. On July 18, 2024, the inter-institutional working group (mesa de trabajo interinstitucional) was held with the Municipality of San José, Cuerpo de Bomberos, Comag Pit, Municipal Police (Policía Municipal), and Ministry of Health. Among the agreements of that group was: INCOFER will send the plan for an additional working group (mesa de trabajo) solely between the Municipality of San José and the Ministry of Health, and this must be sent as soon as possible to initiate it. 87. On August 23, 2024, an email was sent to INCOFER to Marielos López, management assistant, who indicated that she will forward the email to Eng. Osorno to schedule the prior meeting, and she will notify the Health Governing Area when it is scheduled. 88. On November 18, 2024, an inspection was conducted at the Comag Pit, where the person in charge, Mr. Nombre03, attended, indicating that extraction activities are no longer taking place and that reforestation (reforestando) is being carried out in different sectors of the pit (tajo) for about four to five years.
Small wagons carrying soil were observed entering the site. 89. On November 18, 2024, a complaint was received from the complainant, Ms. Nombre07, who indicates living in Belén, regarding the illegal dump (botadero ilegal) located at the Comag Pit for violations of Conventional Norms on Climate Change (Normas Convencionales sobre Cambio Climático). 90. On November 22, 2024, official letter No. MS-DRRSC-DARS-P-0460-2024 was sent to the Regional Directorate of Health for the Central South Region, requesting indication as to whether the complaint should be elevated as it involves two Health Governing Areas (Área Rectoras) located in two different Regional Directorates (Central South and North). 91. On November 25, 2024, it was verified in Inspection Report N°CS-ARS-P-BAG-206-2024 that on the south side of the Comag Pit, trucks were observed invading the INCOFER property and third parties dumping materials such as debris (escombros), wood, and other materials.
Third parties were observed burning materials further down from the mounds located in the pit (Tajo). Trucks with license plates ( and ) were observed with people on board engaged in unloading such materials and debris (escombros). 92. On November 25, 2024, via official letter No. MS-DRRSCS-DARS-P-0463, the complainant, Ms. Nombre07, was informed that a consultation regarding the complaint had been elevated since it involves two Health Governing Areas (Áreas Rectoras) located in two different Regional Directorates (Central South and North). 93. On December 1, 2024, a complaint was received from Ms. Mayeli Martínez Mairena, who indicates living in La Carpio, regarding trucks that come to dump debris (escombros) at the Comag Pit; she indicates that the Cuerpo de Bomberos is called and does not show up to extinguish the fires started by homeless individuals (habitantes de la calle); she also indicates that people also come to dump in the area. 94.
Via official letter No. MS-DRRSCS-DARS-P-0463, Ms. Mayeli Martínez Mairena was informed that a consultation regarding the complaint had been elevated since it involves two Health Governing Areas (Áreas Rectoras) located in the Central South Regional Directorate (Pavas-Carmen Meced Uruca). She was also informed that the pit (Tajo) is not in operation and that third parties (whose identity is unknown) invade the property of the pit (Tajo) and the INCOFER railway line to carry out burning of materials, therefore she will be informed when higher levels indicate the actions to be taken. 95. On December 3, 2024, official letters No. MS-DRRSC-DARS-P-0479-2024 and MSDRRSC-DARS-P-0480-2024 were sent, addressed to the Municipality of San José and the Instituto Nacional de Ferrocarriles, to attend an Inter-institutional Working Group (Mesa de trabajo Interinstitucional) on January 8, 2025, at the Ministry of Health. 96.
On December 12, 2024, official letter No. MS-DRRSCS-3031-2024 was received from Dr. Nelson Cordero Rodríguez, acting director of the Central South Regional Directorate, attaching official letter No. MSDGS-3725-2024 from Dr. Berny Villareal, Director General of Health, requesting a report on actions taken based on the respective complaint. 97. On December 19, 2024, official letter No. MS-DRRSCS-DARS-P-0512-2024 was sent to the General Directorate of Health in response to the request in the aforementioned official letter, along with inspection report No. CS-ARS-P-BAG-218-2024 from the visit conducted. 98. On January 8, 2025, an inter-institutional roundtable (mesa interinstitucional) was held with the Municipality of San José and the Instituto Costarricense de Ferrocarriles. In that meeting, among the agreements reached, the following were made clear: According to the log (bitácora), the following most relevant data were reported: a) The Municipality of San José indicates that it has conducted field visits and has sent truck owners and their license plate numbers to the prosecutor's office for dumping waste (desechos) at the site. b) INCOFER indicates that the case has been elevated to other instances, including the Sala Primera. c) The Municipality of San José indicates that the "markers (mojones)", which are structures that prevent the dumping of debris (escombros), have been torn out by unknown persons and no more have been installed for the moment. d) The Municipality of San José indicates that part of the invaded land belongs to the Instituto Mixto de Ayuda Social. e) The Municipality of San José indicates that in said area there is a "warehouse" belonging to the Diablos gang, which they are going to close since said gang charges for each truck that invades the INCOFER line and dumps materials into the Comag pit (tajo Comag). f) The Municipality of San José indicates that they have conducted studies to coordinate the eviction of dwellings that are invading the INCOFER zone and transform it into a park or similar, and that this was coordinated with the IMAS. g) The Municipality of San José indicates that they visit the area continuously to collect waste (desechos) in situ. h) A field visit was coordinated for February 7 of this year. i) It was agreed to hold a meeting with technicians from different areas at the Municipality of San José for February 27 of this year. 99.
On January 9, 2025, a copy of an email was received attaching official letter No. CARTA-MSDGS-19-2025, where Dr. Berny Villareal, Director General of Health, responds on actions taken to Mr. Nombre08, the applicant, regarding the matter of open-air garbage burning. 100. On January 10, 2025, official letters No. MS-DRRSC-DARS-P-0011-2025 and No. MSDRRSC-DARS-P-0012-2025 were sent, addressed to the Municipality of San José and the Instituto Nacional de Ferrocarriles, as a reminder of the field visit to the Pavas Rincón Grande site adjacent to the railway line bordering the Comag Pit. 101. On February 7, 2025, as recorded in inspection report No. CS-ARS-P-BAG-22-2025, a site visit was conducted to verify current conditions, where the following was observed: Disposal of materials and waste (desechos) along the railway line and third parties on the boundary with materials. 102. On February 10, 2025, a copy of official letter No. CARTA-MS-DGS-348-2025 was received from Dr. Ariana Alvarado Angulo, acting director of the General Directorate of Health, addressed to Ms.
Ana Murillo Delgado, secretary of the Municipal Council of the Municipality of Belén, due to an agreement reached in ordinary session No. 01-2025, reporting the problem of improper waste disposal (mala disposición de desechos) at the boundary between the Comag pit (tajo Comag) and the Instituto Nacional de Ferrocarriles, which states: IT IS UNANIMOUSLY AGREED: FIRST: To acknowledge receipt of the email from Nombre09, president of the Bosques de Doña Rosa Neighborhood Association. SECOND: Remit to the administration to provide a response, with a copy to this Municipal Council. THIRD: Ratify the agreement in minutes 68-2024, Article 40, which states: “FIRST: To acknowledge receipt of filing 3587 from Nombre07, Colectivo Ciudad Cariari. SECOND: Remit to the Minister of Health, Dr. Mary Denisse Munive Angermuller, to the Municipal Council of San José, to the Mayor's Office of San José, so that the complaint may be analyzed and action taken.
Third: Request the administration to compile the file.” FOURTH: Invite Mr. Nombre10, as president of Aso Cariari, and the other representatives of the Cariari community (Colectivos Ciudad Cariari), to the meeting that the mayor would be proposing.” 103. On February 13, 2025, report No. MS-DRRSCS-DARS-P-IT-0022-2025-BAG and letter MS-DRRSCS-DARS-P-0053-2025 “Executive Summary of Actions Taken to Date on the Complaint Regarding Open-Air Dump of Debris (Escombros) and Burning - Bimonthly Report” were sent. Said report summarizes the agreements reached in the January 8, 2025 meeting detailed in point 98 of this report, in addition to the field visit conducted on February 7, 2025, detailed in point 101. 104. On February 28, 2025, as agreed, the Municipality of San José was visited to hold the Inter-institutional meeting together with the Instituto Costarricense de Ferrocarriles, but due to a logistical problem at the Municipality of San José, it was not held. 105.
On March 17, 2025, an inter-institutional working group (mesa de trabajo interinstitucional) was held with the presence only of Ministry of Health officials and representatives of the TAJO COMAG, where Mr. Avendaño, advisor to the Minister of Health, indicated that a new sanitary order (orden sanitaria) must be issued to INCOFER and other institutions to report monthly on interventions carried out and to coordinate with the Municipality of San José to clarify who the owners are within 50 m of the railway line, given some doubts. 106. On March 20, 2025, in a joint inspection, the invasion of property and burning by some unknown persons were observed. On that occasion, no trucks were observed dumping waste (desechos). 107. On March 27, 2025, an inter-institutional working group (mesa de trabajo interinstitucional) was held with the presence only of Ministry of Health and INCOFER officials.
Topics discussed included the need to issue sanitary orders (órdenes sanitarias) to involved institutions by the Ministry of Health, the non-completion of the pile (pilotes) installation, improper buildings on INCOFER land requiring evictions in conjunction with the municipality, PANI, and other institutions. 108. Recently, on April 8, 2025, a visit (documented in report N°CSARS-P-CRR-35-2025) was made to the TAJO COMAG by officials from the Pavas Health Governing Area, Mr. Verny Avendaño Moya, advisor to the minister, and other central-level officials from the Ministry of Health, also accompanied by Fuerza Pública personnel; this for the purpose of conducting a drone flyover and capturing aerial images for subsequent analysis and study of the area to facilitate decision-making in the scheduled working groups (mesas de trabajo), also as part of the control and surveillance in the area. Also present at the site was Mr.
Nombre03, responsible for the TAJO COMAG, who indicated that they only receive debris (escombro) and soil, as could be observed; he also provided document DGM-CRC1-068-2022 issued by the Dirección de Geología y Minas related to mining file concession N°1559, authorizing the receipt of soil and debris (escombros) from third parties exclusively, without solid waste (desechos sólidos) such as garbage. 109. On the same April 8, 2025, it was agreed with Mr. Avendaño to notify the sanitary orders (órdenes sanitarias) that were under review (N°MS-DRRSCS-DARS-P-OS-009-2025, N°MSDRRSCS-DARS-P-OS-011-2025, and N°MS-DRRSCS-DARS-P-OS-012-2025); these are addressed respectively to the mayor of the Municipality of San José, the Minister of MOPT, and the Minister of the Ministry of Public Security, which are planned to be notified directly to the heads, scheduled for after Semana Santa, as soon as work resumes. 110.
Regarding the establishment called Asfaltos CBZ S.A., it is located on land adjacent to the TAJO COMAG, totally independent and fenced, engaging in the activity of asphalt mix production and operating under Sanitary Operating Permit N°1005, valid until November 27, 2025. As the complainant rightly indicates, a request for access to the file was made on October 26, 2023, which was not provided by this health authority because Mr. Nombre01 did not present the requested documentation, the same criterion upheld by the Sala Constitucional in response to an amparo appeal filed by Mr. Nombre01, declared without merit; an extract of the resolution dated May 10, 2024, at nine twenty hours, is provided, stating: “For that reason, no arbitrary action by the respondent authority is observed; rather, the refusal to provide the documentation sought by the appellant is based on current regulations. Therefore, the appropriate action is to declare the appeal without merit, as is hereby ordered.” Now, regarding the establishment Asfaltos CBZ S.A., the problem of solid waste (residuos sólidos) is not present; however, in the past, due to complaints received about smoke, it has been chosen on some occasions, including July 12, 2024, to conduct a State Control of Atmospheric Emissions (Control Estatal de Emisiones Atmosféricas), where the results obtained, documented in the Emission Analysis Report 20240712-01 conducted by the accredited laboratory SOLARA, determined that it is within permissible limits.
Therefore, what the plaintiff says is not accepted, as controls are indeed carried out on these operations and no evidence of non-compliance with current regulations has been detected. Thus, the actions taken and those to be carried out after the Semana Santa vacation period demonstrate that this authority has acted in accordance with its powers and has coordinated with other institutions to solve the waste (desechos) problem at the TAJO COMAG…” Official communication from the Central South Health Rectorate Regional Directorate, No. MS-DRRSCS-0851-2025: “…Regarding matters pertaining to this Central South Health Rectorate Directorate, I refer to what is alleged by Mr. Nombre01 with respect to: “He further adds that on October 26, 2023, he sent an email to the Central South Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Health requesting access to public information corresponding to the CBZ Asphalt Plant in Rincón Grande de Pavas, which was not provided.” In relation to the foregoing, the petitioner filed an amparo appeal indicating that he requested the information through emails ...03 and ...04 .
In response to what was requested in the report sent to the Constitutional Chamber, it was indicated that the email corresponded to Dr. Guillermo Flores, the owner of the aforementioned electronic address, who served as Regional Director of this Directorate until September 18, 2023, and it was from that date that he accepted his retirement, the certification of exclusion from the payroll being accredited at the time as proof. Therefore, addressing Mr. Nombre01’s matter via the aforementioned email was impossible because access to Mr. Flores Galindo’s personal account cannot be obtained. Likewise, institutional email ...05 was reviewed, and no petition from the protected party was found. Regarding the actions taken by the local authority with respect to the aforementioned request for information, in the attached report at point 110, evidence was left that the petitioner did not present the requested documentation, therefore, based on Articles 272 and 273 of the General Public Administration Act (Ley General de la Administración Pública) and failing to demonstrate proper standing (legitimación), in addition to the file of the Asfalto CBZ establishment being active.
Therefore, this authority considers that no right of Mr. Nombre01 was violated, and the Constitutional Chamber confirms this in Resolution No. 2024012468, of May 10, 2024, at 09:20, which is attached. Thus, it is evident that there has been no omission in the fulfillment of duties by the health authorities, and that the regional, local, and Central levels have coordinated with other institutions with the purpose of solving the existing problems at the COMAG quarry (tajo). A copy of Resolution No. 2024012468, of May 10, 2024, at 09:20, from the Constitutional Chamber is attached. Report MS-DRRSCS-DARS-P-140-2025 on the actions carried out by the Pavas Health Rectorate Area…”. CONCLUSIONS It being evident from the report provided the efforts and concatenation of actions that the Pavas Health Rectorate Area, as well as the Carmen Merced Uruca Health Rectorate Area, and in general the Ministry of Health have undertaken in addressing the complaints filed—complaints that continue under due follow-up until their final resolution—despite not having a specific Regulation for the problem of odors, it has not been a limitation for the Ministry of Health, adjusted to the constitutional mandate as the governing body and in compliance with Articles 8, 9, 16, and subsequent articles of Law No. 8839, known as the "Ley para la Gestión Integral de Residuos", to be vigilant and overseeing the actions of all institutions involved in the proper management of waste.
Acts that have continued to be followed up from 2016 to date, as evidenced in the provided report. Inter-institutional meetings have been held with all the institutions involved, trying to find a solution to the problems occurring at the COMAG quarry. In addition to this, this Ministry has issued numerous health orders for the effective compliance of adjustments to the quarry as regulated by our legal system. It is verified from the evidence provided here the existence of repeated joint inspections carried out with the purpose of verifying the proper functioning of the URUKA Environmental Technology Park Sanitary Landfill (Relleno Sanitario Parque de Tecnología Ambiental URUKA), as well as the approach to and surveillance of clandestine burning in the former COMAG quarry, it being demonstrated that the URUKA Sanitary Landfill operates lawfully and technically, where no unpleasant odors or pests are perceived, both at the disposal point and in the surroundings of the wastewater treatment plant; furthermore, they are up to date with the submission of operational reports.
The existing complaints have been attended to in a timely manner (tiempo y forma), both regarding waste treatment and foul odors, as evidenced in official communications MS-DRRSCS-DARSCMU-303-2023, MSDRRSCS-URS-IT-0424-2023, MS-DRRSCS-DARSCMU-1603-2023, MS-DRRSCS-DARSCMU1720-2023. Inspections were carried out where it is presumed that the odor problem was due to the days designated as holidays by law, since garbage collection was not as usual and therefore the collection trucks did not carry out the final disposal, storing the garbage for more days and the same having a more putrid odor, being solid waste from households in this country. In view of said assumption, a request was made before the Municipality of San José, as seen in official communication No. MS-DRRSCSDARSCMU-1153-2023 and MS-DRRSCS-DARSCMU-1563-2023, regarding surveillance of garbage collection trucks at the Environmental Technology Park (PTA Uruka) La Carpio, maintaining weekly information through the reports provided, evidenced on October 6, 2023, by the company EBI Berthier, a report of trucks entering the facilities of the Uruka Environmental Technology Park for the months of August and September.
Mention is made that Mrs. Iria Ramírez Hernández did not file a complaint as stipulated by the Ministry of Health; this not being an exemption for this ministerial representation to look into the facts expressed and their due follow-up, as has been evidenced, a response was given to her via email after the investigation was carried out and demonstrating that it did not originate from the URUCA sector or from the EBI Berthier Company.
It should be clarified that regarding the issue of clandestine burning, the Carmen Merced Uruca Health Rectorate Area resolved it at the time, and no complaints for illegal burning have been filed again. This issue was also addressed by the Pavas Health Rectorate Area, stating that despite there being no open complaints since 2022 for odor issues, the Rectorate Area is in constant coordination with other institutions to seek a solution to clandestine burning at undetermined times and places, taking advantage of the vastness and neglect in the area, reiterating our commitment to the citizens and the environment, in being willing to follow up, investigate, and accompany complaints filed with this body until any source of contamination to the detriment of the supreme right to health is eradicated.
Thus, the health authorities, acting in pursuit of obtaining a healthy environment for the well-being of all the country's inhabitants, and in compliance with Article 50 of the Constitution, have attended to the inquiries made by Mrs. Iria Ramírez Hernández, which have been resolved, answered, and notified in a timely manner (tiempo y forma). On September 6 of this year, official communications MS-DRRSCS-URS-1389-2023 and MS-DRRSCS-URS-IT-0468-2023 were issued, providing a response to inquiries regarding the elevation level (cota) reached by the Sanitary Landfill, the technical support from the Ministry of Health for the increase of the elevation level (cota) in the Sanitary Landfill, which professional is responsible for carrying out the measurements of the Sanitary Landfill elevation level (cota), and what actions are being executed by the Ministry of Health regarding the technical closure. Therefore, it is evident that Mrs. Ramírez is aware of this institution's actions in accordance with the provisions of current legislation.
Finally, regarding what the appellant here alleges that on October 26, 2023, he made a request to this Ministry, specifically to the Central South Health Rectorate Regional Directorate, for access to the file of the CBZ Asphalt Plant in Rincón Grande de Pavas, the same, as indicated in the report from the Central South Health Rectorate Regional Directorate, was sent to an email of an official who no longer worked for this Ministry as of that date. Furthermore, after that, documentation was requested from him in order to provide the required information; however, he did not present the requested documentation, therefore, in compliance with the law, said information was denied to him. Thus, we consider that no right has been violated against the appellant here (…).”
In official communication No. CA-107-2025, the following was expressly stated: “(…) Subject: Response to official communication DAJ-MINAE-675, related to the complaint and amparo appeal of Mr. Nombre01: FOR CONTAMINATION OF AQUIFERS, SOIL, WILDLIFE, AND SERIOUS RISKS TO HUMAN HEALTH. AGAINST THE ILLEGAL DUMP AT TAJO COMAG AND THE CBZ ASPHALT PLANT. When the document arrived at the office, Mrs. Kattya Vega Aguilar, Advisor to the Office, sent the complaint document on Thursday, April 3, 2025, indicating the following: “Dear directors, please review the attached complaint and indicate if to any extent we have to do with it or if it is for the Ministry of Health, in order to forward it.” Additionally, the message was received by this Environmental Comptroller's Office. In response to this request, there were two pronouncements; which were sent to this comptroller's office and a third generated by this comptroller's office.
The first from the National Environmental Technical Secretariat (Secretaría Técnica Nacional Ambiental, SETENA), Mr. Andrés Cortez Orozco, acting Secretary of SETENA, states: “I hereby indicate that indeed said quarry does not have an approved VLA (Environmental Viability - Viabilidad Ambiental) according to our databases. Therefore, I recommend that the complaint be sent to the Administrative Environmental Tribunal (TAA) for its respective attention, given the commencement of works and operation of the activity without the legal-environmental requirement for such purposes.” The second, from the Directorate of Environmental Quality Management (Dirección de Gestión de Calidad Ambiental, DIGECA), the director, Shirley Soto Montero, after reading the allegations denounced, indicates that “the primary responsible party for addressing the issue is the Ministry of Health as the governing body on waste matters and the entity responsible for granting operating permits (permisos de funcionamiento) to all productive activities in the country.” From the Environmental Comptroller's Office, I inform you that, on April 7, 2025, I sent an email (copied to the office from which the complaint document came), requesting Mr.
Nombre01 to formally file the complaint by entering the SITADA website “mi denuncia” or through the telephone line Telf05 of RACSA. Furthermore, to provide a contact telephone number in order to speak with him about details beyond what he wrote in the document sent to the ministerial office and in this way continue with the processing of the complaint in the field through the corresponding offices. To date, I have not received any email in this regard nor have I been able to speak with Mr. Nombre01. At the moment, relevant information is lacking, and there is no specific complaint number according to the requirements of the Environmental Complaint Investigation and Attention System (Sistema de Investigación y Atención de Denuncias Ambientales, SITADA), so it has not been possible, for order and precision, to redirect the denounced case to the pertinent administrative bodies, including technicians from the Ministry of Health, so that an investigation can be carried out in situ, where the environmental anomaly occurs, and reach a positive solution for the good of the environment and the people.
Finally, reviewing past emails regarding the same complainant and denounced issues, in June 2021, the Environmental Comptroller's Office rejected his complaint for another case related to a quarry for extracting materials, for not having acted in accordance with the established procedures for attention to complaints (…).” In official communication No. O-276- 2025-TAA, the following was stated: “(…) In response to your official communication DAJ-MINAE-0676-2025 dated April 10, 2025, signed by you, received in this Tribunal today, I hereby present the information requested by you: - Whether in the records of the Tribunal under your charge, there is any complaint from Mr. Nombre01 in relation to the facts denounced in the document…”. In order to respond to what was requested by the Constitutional Chamber in Judicial File No. 25- 009642-007-CO, I inform you that the Administrative Environmental Tribunal has a Complaint in process, which was received on April 4, 2025. The Processing Sheet (Hoja de Trámite) from the Office of the Minister Priv 259 was received, through which an environmental complaint from Mr. Nombre01 is sent for the alleged environmental impact of an illegal dump in the COMAG quarry and the CBZ Asphalt Plant; this complaint is under technical analysis prior to the opening of the administrative file.
However, it is not overstating to indicate that, regarding the facts alleged in the amparo appeal, the following files exist:
- Administrative File No. 345-09-03-TAA: In this file, an environmental complaint filed on September 4, 2009, by the neighbors of the area is processed, for the alleged impact produced by the COMAG quarry of Pavas and the CBZ Asphalt Plant. This file is in the investigation stage. - Administrative File No. 068-23-02-TAA: That through Official Communication DA-UHTPCOSJ-0751- 2023 dated May 3, 2023, from the Water Directorate of MINAE, signed by Mr. Dani Olivares Rivera, an environmental complaint is filed for the alleged impact resulting from a deposit of earth and debris affecting the left slope of the Río Torres, on lands of the COMAG quarry of Pavas Sociedad Anónima. This file is in the investigation stage.
I hope to have informed your request in the best manner (…).”
Drafted by Magistrate Araya García; and,
CONSIDERING:
The petitioner accuses the authorities of the Ministry of Health, the Municipality of San José, and the Ministry of Environment and Energy of not having addressed an environmental contamination problem produced by the operation of the dump at the COMAG quarry and the CBZ asphalt plant.
Through a document submitted to this Chamber on April 3, 2025, the petitioner files an amparo appeal and states that on March 28, 2025, the digital media outlet Radio Zurquí published news regarding the operation of an illegal dump (COMAG quarry), whose waste produces serious environmental contamination of aquifers, soil, and wildlife, and puts human health at risk. He refers that the CBZ asphalt plant operates in that same place and also participates in that contamination.
He accuses that said situation is generated without control from the respondent authorities (MINAE, Ministry of Health, and Municipality of San José), despite the complaints that have been filed. He thus alleges “a failure to execute on the part of the State through those Public Institutions that have not truly exercised actions to prevent the continued environmental and public health damage.” He indicates that, by virtue of the foregoing, he files this amparo in protection of the right to enjoy a healthy and ecologically balanced environment. He requests, therefore, that the appeal be declared with merit and that the respondents be ordered to exercise the necessary actions to prevent greater damage to the environment and public health.
Having reviewed the case record, it is evident that this particular matter has already been known on its merits by this Chamber through amparo appeal No. 20-015603-0007-CO filed by Mr. Nombre02 against the Ministry of Health, the Municipality of San José, and the Ministry of Environment and Energy, among others. Thus, through Vote No. 2020-18319 at 09:15 a.m. on September 25, 2020, this Tribunal ordered the following:
“(…) I.- OBJECT OF THE APPEAL: The petitioner accuses injury to Article 50 of the Political Constitution. The appellant details that he is the representative of the Company TAJO COMANG de Pavas, owner of the property registered under Folio Real 1-172997-000, located in Pavas, La Carpio. He argues that unauthorized third parties enter the property with trucks and dump garbage, turning the property into an illegal dump; additionally, third parties enter and cause fires to extract metals. He maintains that this situation damages the environment and the emanation of toxic gases. He emphasizes that he reported this issue since 2016, and to date, the problem persists (…)
After analyzing the evidentiary elements provided, this Tribunal verifies the injury to Article 50 of the Political Constitution. From the evidence in the case record, it is determined that the company TAJO COMAG DE PAVAS S.A., legal entity identification number CED03, is the owner of the property registered under Folio Real CED04, located in La Carpio, Pavas, measuring twenty-eight thousand eight hundred square meters, plan SJ-1887236-2016. That unauthorized third parties enter with trucks and dump garbage on the property registered under Folio Real CED04, turning the property into an illegal dump. Likewise, third parties come to the property and cause fires to obtain metals.
On June 24, 2016, the petitioner filed a complaint before the Pavas Health Rectorate Area for the existence of an illegal dump on its property located in Pavas, Lomas Del Río. A complaint registered under file number 9606.
On July 21, 2016, the Acting Director of the Pavas Health Rectorate Area sent official communication CS-ARS-P-0291-2016 to the Regional Director, requesting support to notify official communication CED05 to the Director of the Citizen Security and Municipal Police Directorate, where assistance is sought to carry out a joint inspection at the site.
On July 26, 2016, official communication CS-ARS-P-0290-2016 was received by the Proximity Police of Pavas.
On August 10, 2016, an inspection was carried out by the Pavas Health Rectorate Area at Tajo Comag S.A. The person in charge of the place directed them to the back of the quarry. On the boundary to the south side, a mound with wood, cardboard, and garbage of different kinds was observed, and minutes later, a truck was observed in the distance throwing some type of material toward said mound. The person in charge indicates that trucks come from different places to dump said materials there.
On September 2, 2016, official communication CS-ARS-P-0345- 2016 was notified to the local chief of the Public Force (Fuerza Pública) to request an accompaniment to the south side of the COMAG quarry and conduct an inspection at the site because it was high risk. On the 6th, by officers of the Public Force. At the site, a large quantity of waste such as wood, ceramics, and plastics was observed between the train line and the boundary limit of the COMAG quarry, as recorded in the inspection report of September 6, 2016.
On October 11, 2016, health order CS-ARS-P-061- 2016-BAG was notified to the legal representative of the COMAG quarry to submit in writing before the Pavas Health Rectorate Area a plan of actions for the correct disposal of solid waste found on the south side of the COMAG quarry property, granting a prudential period of 15 business days to do so.
On October 12, 2016, official communication CS-ARS-P-430-2016 was sent to the Mayor of the Municipality of San José, making known the problem that exists on the south side of the COMAG quarry due to garbage and waste on public roads and to proceed based on Article 8 of the Integrated Waste Management Act No. 8839 (Ley de Gestión Integral de Residuos No 8839).
On October 19, 2016, the Pavas Health Rectorate Area received an Action Plan from the General Manager of Tajo Comag. S.A.
On November 15, 2016, official communication CS-ARS-P-509-2016 was notified to the General Manager of COMAG quarry informing him that said plan received on October 19, 2016, does not comply with aspects such as actions to be taken by the COMAG quarry, nor does it indicate responsible parties or timeframes in which it will be done, so a more detailed plan was requested again.
On November 22, 2016, the Pavas Health Rectorate Area received the new Action Plan from the General Manager of Tajo Comag. S.A.
On November 30, 2016, official communication CS-ARS-P-537-2016 was sent to the General Manager of the Company, regarding the new plan delivered on November 22, 2016, and it is requested not to implement it since said plan contemplates that such waste will be moved from one place to another and that it will be disposed of in an area where there is land under recovery; also, said plan indicates that it will become a type of sanitary landfill, so it was requested not to implement it until having a technical criterion from a professional.
On January 26, 2017, an inspection visit was conducted at the site by Bachelor Bryan Arias Gutiérrez of this Pavas Health Rectorate Area Directorate and Engineer Juan Carlos Oreamuno Hernández of the Health Services in Human Environment Administration Unit (Unidad de Administración de los Servicios de Salud en Ambiente Humano).
On April 7, 2017, the Pavas Health Rectorate Area received technical criterion DPAH-UASSAH-798-2017 from Engineer Juan Carlos Oreamuno and Engineer Ana Villalobos of the Health Services in Human Environment Administration Unit, indicating the following: a.) What must be done at the site are mitigation works to control possible undesirable effects on health and the environment due to the accumulated material, an aspect that is defined in the Remedial Plan. b) The mitigation works are precisely the closure works of a dump; at no time would it be under the modality of a sanitary landfill. c) That when having to implement closure works, it must be taken into account that these types of measures are regulated in national legislation, specifically in Decree No. 38925-S, “Reglamento sobre Rellenos Sanitarios”, where its Articles 41, 42, and 43 establish the requirements that must be met for its execution, an aspect that must be contemplated among the activities to be implemented within the Remedial Plan, duly scheduled. d) That the area on the land where the waste is located and this type of mitigation works are carried out must respect the river protection alignment (Río Torres), and the coverage surface on the land must be identified, since given the intentions to install another activity, it would be an area that could not be used for constructions, in accordance with Article 46 of Decree No. 38928-S, “Reglamento sobre Rellenos Sanitarios”.
Additionally, it is recommended that the Pavas Health Rectorate Area request the Costa Rican Railway Institute (Instituto Costarricense de Ferrocarriles, INCOFER) to immediately assess the risk due to the presence of vehicles in the train passage area on the south side of the COMAG quarry.
On April 28, 2017, official communication CS-ARS-P-148-2017 was notified to Mr. Johnny Araya Monge, Mayor of the Municipality, denouncing the garbage problem on the south side of the COMAG quarry and following the recommendations of Report DPAH-UASSAH-798-2017 to involve the Municipality of San José in said problem.
On April 28, 2017, official communication CS-ARS-P-147-2017 was notified to the Executive Presidency of INCOFER informing of the problem on the south side of the COMAG quarry due to the presence of garbage and trucks that arrive to unload at the site, which could cause a derailment of the train, following the recommendations of Report DPAHUASSAH- 798-2017.
On May 2, 2017, official communication CS-ARS-P153-2017 was notified to the legal representative of the COMAG quarry to adapt the Action Plan sent to the Pavas Health Rectorate Area, considering the technical report DPAHUASSAH-798-2017 from the Health Services in Human Environment Administration Unit.
On May 9, 2017, the Pavas Health Rectorate Area received an email from the presidency of INCOFER, confirming receipt and that they will be coordinating internally for the solution.
On May 15, 2017, the Pavas Health Rectorate Area received the Re-adaptation of the Action Plan from the COMAG quarry.
On June 5, 2017, the Pavas Health Rectorate Area notified official communication CS-ARS-P-226-2017 to the Mayor of the Municipality of San José, requesting information on what was done and if no work had been done, to proceed according to his competencies.
On June 5, 2017, the Ministry of Health notified official communication CS-ARS-P-227-2017 to the Executive Presidency of INCOFER requesting information on what was done and if nothing has been done yet, to act according to their competencies.
On June 26, 2017, the Ministry of Health received an email -official communication ALCALDIA-A2-00654- 2017- from the Municipality of San José- indicating that it will schedule the cleanup for June 23, 2017.
On June 30, 2017, the Ministry of Health notified official communication CS-ARS-P-262-2017 to the legal representative of the COMAG quarry indicating that said plan is not adapted as indicated in technical report DPAHUASSAH- 798-2017 from the Health Services in Human Environment Administration Unit, and that he is granted 10 business days to adapt the plan, otherwise, a complaint will be filed before the Public Ministry for Disobedience to Authority, as established in Article 314 of the Penal Code.
On July 6, 2017, the Pavas Health Rectorate Area received Appeals for Revocation with Subsidiary Appeal and Concomitant Nullity against official communication CS-ARS-P-262- 2017 from the General Manager of Tajo Comag S.A.
On July 10, 2017, the Pavas Health Rectorate Area sent official communication CS-ARS-P-282-2017 to the Rectorate Unit of the Central South Region of the Ministry of Health.
On February 21, 2019, the Health Rectorate Area received from the Legal Affairs Unit of the Central South Region DM-A-1068-2019, from the Ministry of Health where the appeal filed by the Company's Manager is declared without merit and it indicates that its dependencies be informed about the degree of compliance with the administrative acts issued.
On March 4, 2019, the Pavas Health Area (Área de Salud de Pavas), by official letter CS-ARS-P-101-2019, informed the Minister of Health, the Directorate of Legal Affairs (Dirección de Asuntos Jurídicos), and the Central South Regional Directorate (Dirección Regional Central Sur) of the follow-up conducted at the Comag Quarry (Tajo Comag), where carts with earth were observed and sectors of the Quarry were also observed to have been filled with said earth and debris; at the time of the visit, the person in charge did not know whether the remedial plan had been readjusted to what was indicated by the Health Services Administration Unit in Human Environment (Unidad de Administración de Servicios de Salud en Ambiente Humano). On April 8, 2019, by official letter CS-ARS-P-159-2019, the Minister of Health, the Directorate of Legal Affairs, and the Central South Regional Directorate were informed of the follow-up conducted at the Comag Quarry.
On May 16, 2019, the Health Area received from the President of the Comag Quarry a document entitled Compliance Progress Report (Reporte de Avance en Cumplimientos). On June 7, 2019, the Pavas Health Area sent official letter MS-DRRSCS-ARS-P-0306-2019 informing the Minister of Health, the Directorate of Legal Affairs, and the Central South Regional Directorate of the follow-up conducted at the Comag Quarry. On September 3, 2019, the Health Area received official letter No. 403-FAA2019 from Ms. Scarleth Izquierdo of the Judicial Investigation Organism (Organismo de Investigación Judicial) requesting information on the actions taken by the Ministry of Health and the Municipality of San José, which was answered on September 4, 2020, by official letter MS-DRRSCS-ARS-P-0479-2019. On October 24, 2019, the Ministry of Health conducted an inspection jointly with the Municipality of San José, the Fire Department (Bomberos), and the National Emergency Commission (Comisión Nacional de Emergencias), where at the time of the inspection, a mound of garbage was observed on the west side of the Comag Quarry, as well as visible incipient fires.
On October 29, 2019, a meeting was held on the third floor of the Municipality of San José, attended by representatives of the Ministry of Health, the Fire Department of Costa Rica (Bomberos de Costa Rica), the Municipality of San José, the National Emergency Commission, the Public Force (Fuerza Pública), and representatives of the Comag Quarry, and it was analyzed that this is a more social problem due to the area being led by the “Diablos” gang, which is the gang that dominates the territory of the railway line where waste is dumped at the Comag Quarry; alternatives were proposed, such as preventing trucks with waste from reaching the railway lines to unload, regulating passage along the railway line, building a structure so that waste trucks cannot pass over the railway lines, and having the Public Force intervene with the drivers. From the foregoing, the Chamber corroborates that the complaint filed by the petitioner on June 24, 2016, has been addressed by the officials of the Pavas Health Governing Area (Área Rectora de Salud de Pavas).
It should be noted that inspections have been carried out with the support of the public force – because it is a place of high social risk as it is located in La Carpio and, as indicated, the area is led by the antisocial gang known as “Los Diablos.” It is determined that sanitary orders have been issued and follow-up has been given to them. In addition to the above, it is observed that meetings have been held involving the Municipality of San José, the National Emergency Commission, officials of the Fire Department, representatives of the company, and officials of the Ministry of Health to seek a solution to the problem of the illegal garbage dump and the burnings caused by third parties searching for metals in the waste – which produce toxic gases. Hence, this Court observes that the Ministry of Health has taken multiple actions to seek a solution to the reported environmental problem; however, the problem persists, and therefore it must be addressed.
Thus, the injury to the right to the environment is verified due to the existence of an illegal dump and the pollution caused by the garbage burnings. Consequently, the proper course is to uphold the appeal. V.- REGARDING THE MUNICIPALITY OF SAN JOSÉ: For the resolution of this matter, it is important to transcribe subsection f) of Article 8 of the Ley para la Gestión Integral de Residuos, which provides: “ARTICLE 8.- Functions of the municipalities. The municipalities shall be responsible for the integrated waste management generated in their canton; to this end, they must (…) f) Prevent and eliminate dumps in the canton and unauthorized waste stockpiling. (…)” Therefore, contrary to what was stated by the Mayor of the Municipality of San José, one of its obligations is to eliminate illegal dumps. In the specific case, the Chamber determines that on October 12, 2016, the Ministry of Health sent official letter CS-ARS-P-430-2016 to the Mayor of the Municipality of San José, making known the problem that exists on the south side of the Comag Quarry, due to garbage and waste problems on public roads, and requesting that he proceed in accordance with Article 8 of the Ley de Gestión Integral de Residuos No. 8839.
We see that on April 28, 2017, the Pavas Health Governing Area notified official letter CS-ARS-P-148-2017 to the Mayor of the Municipality of San José, reporting the garbage problem on the south side of the Comag Quarry and following the recommendations of Report DPAH-UASSAH-798-2017. Likewise, it is verified that on October 24, 2019, an inspection was conducted by the Ministry of Health jointly with officials of the Municipality of San José, the Fire Department, and the National Emergency Commission, where garbage and incipient fires were observed. On October 29, 2019, a meeting was held on the third floor of the Municipality of San José, attended by officials of the Fire Department of Costa Rica, the Municipality of San José, the National Emergency Commission, the Ministry of Health, the Public Force, and representatives of the Comag Quarry, where it was analyzed that it is a social problem because the area is led by the “Diablos” gang, a gang that dominates the territory of the railway line where waste is dumped at the Comag Quarry; alternatives were proposed, such as preventing trucks with waste from reaching the railway lines to unload, regulating passage along the railway line, building a structure so that waste trucks cannot pass over the railway lines, having the Public Force intervene with the drivers, among others.
In this regard, it is evident that the officials of the municipal entity are, to date, aware of the problem and have participated in the search for a viable solution; however, nothing has been finalized. Therefore, the proper course is to uphold the appeal in this regard. V.- REGARDING THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY: The Chamber rejects the injury to the fundamental rights of the petitioner. It is corroborated that in the records of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, there is no complaint or grievance regarding the illegal garbage dump or the burning of waste on the property registered under real folio 1-172997-000, located in La Carpio. Therefore, the proper course is to dismiss the appeal in this regard. (…)
THEREFORE: The appeal is partially upheld. Dr. Daniel Salas Peraza, Minister of Health, and Johnny Araya Monge, Municipal Mayor of San José, or whoever holds those positions in their stead, are ordered to take the necessary actions and coordination to resolve the complaint filed by the petitioner on June 24, 2016, regarding the illegal garbage dump and the burning of waste that pollute the environment, all within a period not exceeding eighteen months, counted from the notification of this judgment. The foregoing under the warning that, should they fail to comply with said order, they shall incur the crime of disobedience and that, in accordance with Article 71 of the Ley de esta jurisdicción, 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 does not enforce it, provided that the crime is not more severely punished.
The State and the Municipality of San José are ordered to pay the costs, damages, and losses caused by the facts that serve as the basis for this declaration, which shall be liquidated in the execution of the judgment of the administrative contentious jurisdiction. In all other respects, the appeal is dismissed. Magistrate Hernández López files a note. Let this resolution be notified to the parties and to the President of the Administrative Environmental Tribunal (Tribunal Ambiental Administrativo) and the Secretary General of SETENA. Magistrate Salazar Alvarado files a note. Magistrate Rueda Leal dissents and dismisses the appeal (…)”.
Having reviewed the foregoing and, because, as stated, this Chamber has already issued a ruling on the merits of the matter under study, the proper course is to detach both the brief submitted by the petitioner on April 3, 2025, as well as the remaining writings (reports and evidence) contributed to the record, so that they may be incorporated into the cited file No. 20-015603-0007-CO and processed as a proceeding for disobedience of what was ordered in the aforementioned Voto No. 2020-18319.
It should be noted that, although they are not the same petitioners, we are dealing with a matter of great magnitude and environmental significance, where, moreover, diffuse interests are at stake; hence, this Chamber considers said detachment to be proper.
Specifically, the petitioner's proceeding must be considered as disobedience to what was already known and resolved by the Chamber on that occasion, and so it is ordered.
The parties are warned that if any document has been provided 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 removed from the office within a maximum period of 30 business days counted from the notification of this judgment. Otherwise, all material that is not removed within this period will be destroyed, in accordance with the provisions of the "Reglamento sobre Expediente Electrónico ante el Poder Judicial," approved by the Corte Plena in session number 27-11 of August 22, 2011, Article XXVI, and published in the Boletín Judicial number 19 of January 26, 2012, as well as the agreement approved by the Consejo Superior del Poder Judicial, in session number 43-12 held on May 3, 2012, Article LXXXI.
THEREFORE:
The brief filed by the petitioner before the Chamber on April 3, 2025, as well as the remaining memorials added to this proceeding, shall be detached, to be processed as a proceeding for disobedience in the amparo appeal processed in file No. 20-015603-0007-CO. Let this matter be archived.
Fernando Castillo V. President Fernando Cruz C.
Paul Rueda L.
Luis Fdo. Salazar A.
Jorge Araya G.
Ana Cristina Fernandez A.
Rosibel Jara V.
*CZYSHG6ITCC61* FILE No. 25-009642-0007-CO Telephones: Telf01/ ALA-4TA (Telf02). Fax: Telf03 / Telf04. Electronic address: www.poder-judicial.go.cr/salaconstitucional. Address: (Dirección01, Dirección02, 100 mts. Sur de la iglesia del Perpetuo Socorro).
It is a faithful copy of the original - Taken from Nexus.PJ on: 05-08-2026 10:08:35.
SALA CONSTITUCIONAL DE LA CORTE SUPREMA DE JUSTICIA. San José, a las nueve horas treinta y cinco minutos del dieciseis de mayo de dos mil veinticinco .
Recurso de amparo interpuesto por Nombre01, cédula de identidad CED06, contra EL MINISTERIO DE SALUD, LA MUNICIPALIDAD DE SAN JOSÉ Y EL MINISTERIO DEL AMBIENTE Y ENERGÍA.
RESULTANDO:
Redacta el Magistrado Araya García; y,
CONSIDERANDO:
El recurrente acusa que las autoridades del Ministerio de Salud, de la Municipalidad de San José y del Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía no han atendido un problema de contaminación ambiental producido por la operación del botadero en el Tajo COMAG y de la planta asfáltica CBZ.
Por escrito aportado a esta Sala el 3 de abril de 2025, el recurrente interpone recurso de amparo y manifiesta que el 28 de marzo de 2025 el medio digital Radio Zurquí publicó una noticia referente a la operación de un botadero ilegal (Tajo COMAG), cuyos desechos producen una grave contaminación ambiental en mantos acuíferos, el suelo, la vida silvestre y ponen en riesgo la salud humana. Refiere que en ese mismo lugar opera la planta asfáltica CBZ que participa también de esa contaminación.
Acusa que dicha situación se genera sin control de las autoridades recurridas (MINAE, Ministerio de Salud y Municipalidad de San José), pese a las denuncias que se han presentado. Alega, así, “una inejecución de parte del Estado a través de esas Instituciones Públicas que no han ejercido verdaderamente acciones que eviten que se continue con el daño ambiental y al de la salud pública”.
Indica que, en virtud de lo anterior, formula el presente amparo en resguardo del derecho a disfrutar de un ambiente sano y ecológicamente equilibrado. Solicita, entonces, que se declare con lugar el recurso y se les ordene a los recurridos ejercer las acciones necesarias para evitar un daño mayor al ambiente y a la salud pública.
Revisados los autos, consta que este asunto en particular ya fue conocido por el fondo por esta Sala mediante el recurso de amparo No. 20-015603-0007-CO interpuesto por el señor Nombre02 en contra del Ministerio de Salud, de la Municipalidad de San José y del Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía, entre otros. Así, mediante el Voto No. 2020-18319 de las 09:15 hrs. de 25 de septiembre de 2020, este Tribunal dispuso lo siguiente:
“(…) I.- OBJETO DEL RECURSO: Acusa el accionante lesión al artículo 50 de la Constitución Política. Detalla el recurrente que es representante de la Sociedad TAJO COMANG de Pavas, dueña de la finca folio real 1-172997-000, ubicada en Pavas, La Carpio. Arguye que terceras personas sin autorización alguna ingresan a la propiedad con camiones y lanzan basura, convirtiendo el inmueble en un botadero ilegal; además ingresan terceras personas que provocan quemas para extraer metales. Sostiene que esta situación daña el ambiente y la emanación de gases tóxicos. Recalca que denunció esta problemática desde el año 2016, y a la fecha el problema persiste (…)
Después de analizar los elementos probatorios aportados este Tribunal verifica la lesión al artículo 50 de la Constitución Política. De la prueba que consta en autos se determina que la empresa TAJO COMAG DE PAVAS S.A. cédula de personería jurídica CED03 es propietaria de la finca inscrita a folio real CED04, ubicada en la Carpio, Pavas, mide veintiocho mil ochocientos metros cuadrados, plano SJ-1887236-2016. Que terceras personas sin autorización alguna ingresan con camiones y lanzan basura la propiedad inscrita a folio real CED04, convirtiendo el inmueble en un botadero ilegal. Asimismo, terceras personas se apersonan a la finca y provocan incendios para obtener metales. El día 24 de junio del 2016, la parte accionante presentó una denuncia ante el Área Rectora de Salud de Pavas, por la existencia de un botadero ilegal en su propiedad sita Pavas, Lomas Del Río. Denuncia que fue registrada bajo el número de expediente 9606.
El 21 de julio del 2016, la Directora a.i. del Área Rectora de Salud Pavas envía oficio CS-ARS-P-0291-2016 al Director Regional, solicitando apoyo para notificar el oficio CED05 al Director de la Dirección Seguridad Ciudadana y Policía Municipal donde se gestiona ayuda para efectuar una inspección conjunta en el sitio. El 26 de julio 2016 se recibe en la Policía de Proximidad de Pavas el oficio CS-ARS-P-0290-2016. El 10 de agosto del 2016 se realiza inspección por parte del Área Rectora de Salud de Pavas al Tajo Comag S.A. el encargado del lugar los dirige al fondo del Tajo, en la colindancia al lado sur se observa un montículo con madera, cartón y basura de distinta índole y minutos después se observa a un camión a lo lejos arrojando algún tipo de material hacia dicho montículo. Indica el encargado que llegan camiones de distintos lugares a tirarle dichos materiales. El 2 de septiembre del 2016 se notifica oficio CS-ARS-P-0345- 2016 al intendente de la Fuerza Pública para solicitar un acompañamiento al lado sur del Tajo Comag y realizar inspección en el sitio por ser de alto riesgo.
El 6 de oficiales de la Fuerza Pública. En el sitio se observó gran cantidad de desechos como madera, cerámica y plásticos entre la línea del tren y la colindancia del límite del Tajo Comag como consta en acta de inspección del día 6 de septiembre del 2016. El 11 de octubre del 2016 se notifica la orden sanitaria CS-ARS-P-061- 2016-BAG al representante legal del Tajo Comag para que presente por escrito ante el Área Rectora de Salud Pavas, un plan de acciones para la correcta disposición de los residuos sólidos que se encuentran al lado sur de la propiedad del Tajo Comag, dando un tiempo prudencial de 15 días hábiles para realizarlo. El 12 de octubre del 2016 se envía oficio CS-ARS-P-430-2016 al Alcalde de la Municipalidad de San José dando a conocer la problemática que existe al lado sur del Tajo Comag por los problemas de basura y desechos en vía pública y que proceda con base al artículo 8 de la Ley de Gestión Integral de Residuos No 8839.
El 19 de octubre del 2016 se recibe en el Área Rectora de Salud Pavas Plan de Acción por parte del Gerente General del Tajo Comag. S.A. El l5 de noviembre del 2016 se notificó oficio CS-ARS-P-509-2016 al Gerente General Tajo Comag informándole que dicho plan recibido el 19 de octubre 2016 no cumple con aspectos como acciones a tomar por parte del Tajo Comag ni tampoco indica responsables ni períodos en que tomará hacerlo por lo que se volvió a solicitar un plan más detallado. El 22 de noviembre del 2016 se recibe en el Área Rectora de Salud Pavas el nuevo Plan de Acción por parte del Gerente General del Tajo Comag. S.A. El 30 de noviembre del 2016 se envía oficio CS-ARS-P-537-2016 al Gerente General de la Empresa, referente al nuevo plan entregado en fecha 22 de noviembre 2016 y se solicita no ponerlo en marcha ya que dicho plan contempla que dicho residuos serán movidos de un lugar a otro y que se dispondrá de éstos en una zona donde existe un terreno en recuperación, también dicho plan indica que se estará convirtiendo en una especie de relleno sanitario por lo que se solicitó no ponerlo en marcha hasta contar con un criterio técnico por parte de un profesional El 26 de enero del 2017 se realizó visita de inspección al sitio por parte del Bach.
Bryan Arias Gutiérrez de esta Dirección de Área Rectora de Salud y el Ing. Juan Carlos Oreamuno Hernández, de la Unidad de Administración de los Servicios de Salud en Ambiente Humano. El 7 de abril del 2017 se recibe en el Área Rectora de Salud Pavas criterio técnico DPAH-UASSAH-798-2017 por parte del Ing. Juan Carlos Oreamuno y la Ing. Ana Villalobos de la Unidad de Administración de los Servicios de Salud en Ambiente Humano, indicando lo siguiente: a.) Lo que se debe realizar en el sitio son obras de mitigación para controlar los posibles efectos indeseables a la salud y el ambiente debido al material acumulado, aspecto que está definido en el Plan Remedial. b) Las obras de mitigación precisamente las obras de cierre de un vertedero, en ningún momento se estaría bajo la modalidad de un relleno sanitario. c) Que al tener que implementar obras de cierre, se debe tomar en cuenta que este tipo de medidas están regulas en la legislación nacional, específicamente, en el Decreto No 38925-S, “Reglamento sobre Rellenos Sanitarios”, donde en sus artículos 41, 42 y 43 se establece los requerimientos que debe cumplir para su ejecución, aspecto que debe estar contemplado entre las actividades a implementar dentro del Plan Remedial, debidamente calendarizadas. d) Que la zona en el terreno donde se ubique los residuos y se haga esta clase de obras de mitigación, debe respetar el alineamiento de protección de río (río Torres), y debe estar identificada la superficie de cobertura en el terreno, pues ante las pretensiones de instalar otra actividad, sería una zona sobre la cual no se podría utilizar para construcciones, conforme al artículo 46 del Decreto No 38928-S, “Reglamento sobre Rellenos Sanitarios”.
Además se recomienda al Área Rectora de Salud Pavas solicitar al Instituto Costarricense de Ferrocarriles (INCOFER) valorar de forma inmediata el riesgo por la presencia de vehículos en la zona de paso del tren costado sur del Tajo Comag. El 28 de abril del 2017 se notifica oficio CS-ARS-P-148-2017 al Sr. Johnny Araya Monge Alcalde de la Municipalidad denunciando el problema de basura al costado sur del Tajo Comag y siguiendo las recomendaciones del Informe DPAH-UASSAH-798-2017 de involucrar a la Municipalidad de San José en dicha problemática. El 28 de abril del 2017 se notifica oficio CS-ARS-P-147-2017 a la Presidencia Ejecutiva del INCOFER informando de la problemática al costado sur del Tajo Comag por la presencia de basura y camiones que llegan a descargar en el sitio lo que podría ocasionar un descarrilamiento del tren, siguiendo las recomendaciones del Informe DPAHUASSAH- 798-2017.
El 2 de mayo del 2017 se notifica oficio CS-ARS-P153-2017 al representante legal del Tajo Comag para que adecúe el Plan de acción enviado al Área Rectora de Salud Pavas considerando el informe técnico DPAHUASSAH-798-2017 de la Unidad de Administración de los Servicios de Salud en Ambiente Humano. El 9 de mayo del 2017, el Área Rectora de Salud Pavas, recibe correo por parte de la presidencia de INCOFER, haciendo confirmar el recibido y que estarán coordinando a lo interno la solución. El 15 de mayo del 2017 se recibe en el Área Rectora de Salud Pavas, Readecuación del Plan de Acción por parte del Tajo Comag. El 5 de junio del 2017, el Área Rectora de Salud Pavas, notifica el oficio CS-ARS-P-226-2017 al Alcalde de la Municipalidad de San José, solicitando información de lo actuado y en caso de no haber realizado trabajo alguno proceder conforme a sus competencias. El 5 de junio del 2017, el Ministerio de Salud, notifica oficio CS-ARS-P-227-2017 a la Presidencia Ejecutiva del INCOFER solicitando información de lo actuado y si no se ha realizado nada aún actuar de acuerdo a sus competencias.
El 26 de junio del 2017, el Ministerio de Salud recibe correo electrónico -oficio ALCALDIA-A2-00654- 2017- de la Municipalidad de San José- indicando que programará la limpieza para el 23 de junio del 2017. El 30 de Junio del 2017, el Ministerio de Salud notifica oficio CS-ARS-P-262-2017 al representante legal del Tajo Comag indicando que dicho plan no está adecuado como lo indica el informe técnico DPAHUASSAH- 798-2017 de la Unidad de Administración de los Servicios de Salud en Ambiente Humano y que se le conceden 10 días hábiles para adecuar el plan de lo contrario se procederá a interponer denuncia ante el Ministerio Público por Desobediencia a la Autoridad conforme lo establece el artículo 314 del Código Penal. El 6 de julio del 2017, se recibe en el Área Rectora de Salud Pavas Recursos de Revocatoria con Apelación en Subsidio y Nulidad Concomitante contra el oficio CS-ARS-P-262- 2017 por parte del Gerente General del Tajo Comag S.A. El 10 de julio del 2017 el Área Rectora de Salud de Pavas, envía a la Unidad de Rectoría de la Región Central Sur del Ministerio de Salud el oficio CS-ARS-P-282-2017.
El 21 de febrero del 2019 el Área Rectora de Salud recibe de la Unidad de Asuntos Jurídicos de la Región Central Sur, DM-A-1068-2019, por parte del Ministro de Salud donde se declara sin lugar recurso de apelación por parte del Gerente de la empresa e indica que se informe a sus dependencias sobre el grado de cumplimiento de los actos administrativos girados. El 4 de marzo del 2019, el Área de Salud de Pavas, por oficio CS-ARS-P-101-2019, informa al Ministro de Salud, a la Dirección de Asuntos Jurídicos y a la Dirección Regional Central Sur el seguimiento realizado al Tajo Comag, donde se observó vagonetas con tierra y además se observan sectores del Tajo que han rellenado con dicha tierra y escombro, al momento de la visita la persona encargada no conocía si el plan remedial fue readecuado a lo indicado por la Unidad de Administración de Servicios de Salud en Ambiente Humano. El 8 de abril del 2019 mediante oficio CS-ARS-P-159-2019 se informa al Ministro de Salud, a la Dirección de Asuntos Jurídicos y a la Dirección Regional Central Sur seguimiento realizado al Tajo Comag.
El 16 de mayo del 2019 el Área de Salud recibe del Presidente del Tajo Comag documento denominado Reporte de Avance en Cumplimientos. El 7 de junio del 2019, el Área de Salud de Paveas remite oficio MS-DRRSCS-ARS-P-0306-2019 donde se informa al Ministro de Salud, a la Dirección de Asuntos Jurídicos y a la Dirección Regional Central Sur el seguimiento realizado al Tajo Comag. El 3 de septiembre del 2019, el Área de Salud recibe oficio No 403-FAA2019 por parte la Licda. Scarleth Izquierdo del Organismo de Investigación Judicial donde solicita información de las acciones realizadas por el Ministerio de Salud y Municipalidad de San José, la cual fue contestada el 4 de setiembre de 2020, por oficio MS-DRRSCS-ARS-P-0479-2019. El día 24 de octubre del 2019, el Ministerio de Salud, realiza inspección en conjunto con la Municipalidad de San José, Bomberos y Comisión Nacional de Emergencias donde al momento de la inspección se observa el montículo de basura al costado oeste del Tajo Comag así como conatos de incendio visibles.
El 29 de octubre del 2019, se realiza reunión en el tercer piso de la Municipalidad de San José, donde asistieron representantes del Ministerio de Salud, Bomberos de Costa Rica, Municipalidad de San José, Comisión Nacional de Emergencias, Fuerza Pública y representantes del Tajo Comag, y se analizó de que esto es un problemas es más social debido a la zona que es liderada por la pandilla los “Diablos” que son la banda que domina el territorio de la línea del tren donde se descargan los desechos al Tajo Comag, se planteaban alternativas como evitar que los camiones con desechos llegaran a la líneas férrea a descargar, regular el paso por la línea férrea, construir una estructura para que los camiones con desechos no pasen por las líneas del tren, que Fuerza Pública interviniera a los choferes. De lo expuesto, la Sala corrobora que la denuncia formulada por la parte accionante el 24 de junio de 2016 ha sido atendida por los personeros del Área Rectora de Salud de Pavas.
Nótese que se han realizado inspecciones con soporte de la fuerza pública – por ser un lugar de alto riesgo social por encontrarse en la Carpio y según se indica el área está liderada por la banda antisocial conocida como “Los Diablos”-. Se determina que se han emitido órdenes sanitarias y se ha dado seguimiento a las mismas. Aunado a lo anterior, se observa que se han efectuado reuniones donde ha participado la Municipalidad de San José, la Comisión Nacional de Emergencias, personeros del Cuerpo de Bomberos, representantes de la empresa y funcionarios del Ministerio de Salud para buscar una solución al problema de botadero ilegal de basura y las quemas provocadas por terceros buscan metales que hay en los desechos -lo que producen gases tóxicos-. De ahí que, este Tribunal observa que el Ministerio de Salud ha realizado múltiples acciones para buscar una solución al problema ambiental denunciado, no obstante lo anterior, el problema persiste, y por ello debe ser atendido.
De manera que se verifica la lesión al derecho al ambiente por la existencia de un botadero ilegal y por la contaminación que provocan las quemas de basura. En consecuencia, lo procedente es declarar con lugar el recurso. V.- SOBRE LA MUNICIPALIDAD DE SAN JOSÉ: Para la resolución de este asunto es importante transcribir el inciso f) del artículo 8 de la Ley para la Gestión Integral de Residuos, el cual dispone: “ARTÍCULO 8.- Funciones de las municipalidades. Las municipalidades serán responsables de la gestión integral de los residuos generados en su cantón; para ello deberán (…) f) Prevenir y eliminar los vertederos en el cantón y el acopio no autorizado de residuos. (…)” Por ello, contrario a lo manifestado por el Alcalde de la Municipalidad de San José, una de sus obligaciones es eliminar los vertederos ilegales. En el caso concreto, la Sala determina que el 12 de octubre del 2016, el Ministerio de Salud envía oficio CS-ARS-P-430-2016 al Alcalde de la Municipalidad de San José, dando a conocer la problemática que existe al lado sur del Tajo Comag, por los problemas de basura y desechos en vía pública y que proceda de conformidad con el artículo 8 de la Ley de Gestión Integral de Residuos No 8839.
Vemos que el 28 de abril del 2017 el Área Rectora de Salud de Pavas notificó el oficio CS-ARS-P-148-2017, Alcalde de la Municipalidad de San José denunciando el problema de basura al costado sur del Tajo Comag y siguiendo las recomendaciones del Informe DPAH-UASSAH-798-2017. Asimismo, se verifica que el 24 de octubre del 2019 se realizó inspección por parte del Ministerio de Salud de consuno con personeros de la Municipalidad de San José, Bomberos y Comisión Nacional de Emergencias donde se observa basura y conatos de incendio. El 29 de octubre del 2019, se realiza reunión en el tercer piso de la Municipalidad de San José donde asistieron funcionarios del Cuerpo de Bomberos de Costa Rica, Municipalidad de San José, Comisión Nacional de Emergencias, Ministerio de Salud, Fuerza Pública y representantes del Tajo Comag y donde se analizó que es un problemas social debido a que la zona que es liderada por la pandilla los “Diablos”, banda que domina el territorio de la línea del tren donde se descargan los desechos al Tajo Comag, se planteaban alternativas como evitar que los camiones con desechos lleguen a las líneas férreas a descargar, regular el paso por la línea férrea, construir una estructura para que los camiones con desechos no pasen por las líneas del tren, que Fuerza Pública interviniera a los choferes, entre otras.
En este sentido es evidente de los personeros del ente municipal a la fecha conocen del problema y han participado en la búsqueda de una solución viable, sin embargo, no se ha concretado nada. Por ello, lo procedente es declarar con lugar el recurso en este extremo. V.- SOBRE EL MINISTERIO DE AMBIENTE Y ENERGÍA: La Sala rechaza la lesión a los derechos fundamentales del promovente. Se corrobora que en los registros del Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía no consta ninguna denuncia o queja referente al botadero ilegal de basura o la quema de los residuos en la finca inscrita a folio real 1-172997-000, ubicada en la Carpio. Por ello, lo procedente es declarar sin lugar el recurso en este extremo. (…)
POR TANTO: Se declara parcialmente con lugar el recurso. Se ordena al Dr. Daniel Salas Peraza, Ministro de Salud y a Johnny Araya Monge, Alcalde Municipal de San José, o a quienes en sus lugares ejerzan esos cargos, que realicen las actuaciones y coordinaciones necesarias para que se resuelva la denuncia formulada por la parte recurrente el 24 de junio del 2016, referente al vertedero ilegal de basura y la quema de residuos que contaminan el ambiente, todo en un plazo no mayor a dieciocho meses, contado a partir de la notificación de esta sentencia. Lo anterior bajo la advertencia que, de no acatar la orden dicha, incurrirá en el delito de desobediencia y que, de conformidad con el artículo 71 de la Ley de esta jurisdicción, se le 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 no la hiciere cumplir, siempre que el delito no esté más gravemente penado.
Se condena al Estado y a la Municipalidad de San José al pago de las costas, daños y perjuicios causados con los hechos que sirven de base a esta declaratoria, los que se liquidarán en ejecución de sentencia de lo contencioso administrativo. En lo demás, se declara sin lugar el recurso. La Magistrada Hernández López pone nota. Notifíquese esta resolución a las partes y a la Presidenta del Tribunal Ambiental Administrativo y a la Secretaria General de SETENA. El Magistrado Salazar Alvarado pone nota. El Magistrado Rueda Leal salva el voto y declara sin lugar el recurso (…)”.
Revisado lo anterior y, debido a que, como se dijo, esta Sala ya vertió pronunciamiento por el fondo sobre el tema bajo estudio, lo que procede es desglosar tanto el memorial presentado por la parte accionante el 3 de abril de 2025, así como el resto de escritos (informes y pruebas), aportados a los autos, para que se incorporen al citado expediente No. 20-015603-0007-CO y se tramiten como una gestión de desobediencia a lo dispuesto en el mencionado Voto No. 2020-18319.
Nótese que, aunque no se trate de las mismas partes recurrentes, estamos frente a un asunto de gran envergadura y trascendencia ambiental, donde, además, se encuentran de por medio intereses difusos; de ahí que, esta Sala considere procedente el citado desglose.
En concreto, la gestión del recurrente se debe tener como una desobediencia a lo ya conocido y resuelto por la Sala en aquella oportunidad y así se dispone.
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, estos 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 número 27-11 del 22 de agosto de 2011, artículo XXVI y publicado en el Boletín Judicial número 19 del 26 de enero de 2012, así como en el acuerdo aprobado por el Consejo Superior del Poder Judicial, en la sesión número 43-12 celebrada el 3 de mayo de 2012, artículo LXXXI.
POR TANTO:
Desglósese el escrito presentado por el recurrente a la Sala el 3 de abril de 2025, así como el resto de memoriales agregados a este proceso, para que se tramiten como una gestión de desobediencia en el recurso de amparo tramitado en el expediente No. 20-015603-0007-CO. Archívese el presente asunto.
Fernando Castillo V.
Fernando Cruz C.
Paul Rueda L.
Luis Fdo. Salazar A.
Jorge Araya G.
Ana Cristina Fernandez A.
Rosibel Jara V.
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