Environmental Regional Council
(CORACTo because of its spanish abbreviation)

What is CORACTo?

The Environmental Regional Council of Tortuguero Conservation Area (CORACTo) was established according to the articles Nº 29 and Nº 30 of the Biodiversity Law, from April, 1998. The CORACTo is ruled by other environmental and state laws such as General Law of Public Administration, Law of Financial Administration, and Internal Control Law.

CORACTo is formed by local representatives coming from State institutions, local governments, community organizations, universities, and the private sector. All these sectors must be directly or indirectly involved with the development of ACTo as a region.

Which are the goals of CORACTo?

• Integrating different society’s sectors in order to promote and develop activities to conserve and protect natural resources, and to look for the social and cultural development of the surroundings communities.
• Guarantying an efficient conservation and administrative performance of ACTo, according to the Public Administration and Environmental Laws.
• Promoting and defending the interests of ACTo, not only in a local and national level but also in the international one.

Organization of CORACTo

CORACTo is conformed by two branches.

The General Assembly is the maximum instance of CORACTo, conformed by representatives from government institutions, private sector, and municipalities (local governments).

The main duties of the General Assembly are:

• elect the members of the Executive Committee.
• Deal with specific issues broad by the Execute Committee
• Propose plans and projects for ACTo and the region.

The Executive Committee is integrated by seven members; six of them are elected by the General Assembly. The remaining member is the Director of ACTo who assumes the Executive Secretary.

The main functions of this instance are:

• Guard for the integration of communities needs into plans and activities of ACTo.
• Encourage of society participation in analysis, discussions, and pursuit of solutions not only for the environmental problems but also for the social, cultural, and economic ones.
• Approve strategies, policies, plans, and budgets for ACTo.
• Take decisions with the Director of ACTo about the administration of Central Government budgets, specific donations, and other incomes.
• Elect two permanent members and two substitutes to form part of the Trustee Committee.
• Recommend to the National Council the establishment, modification, or change of management category for some protected areas.
• Motivate and promote the community participation and organization in environmental and development activities.
• Disclose information about ACTo in different levels.
• Approve concessions and services contracts, according to the article 39 of the Biodiversity Law.
• Elect a representative of ACTo into the National Council of Conservation Areas.
• Promote participation of representative of CORACTo into the Environmental Commission in the local governments.