DECREE by which the region known as Archipiélago de Revillagigedo [Revillagigedo Archipelago], composed of four areas: San Benedicto Island, Clarión or Santa Rosa Island, Socorro or Santo Tomás Island and Roca Partida Island, is declared a protected natural area with the character of biosphere reserve.

(In the margin, a seal with the National Shield which says: United Mexican States - Presidency of the Republic.)
I, CARLOS SALINAS DE GORTARI, Constitutional President of the United Mexican States, exercising the authority conferred on me by Article 89 (I) of the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States, based on the provisions of Articles and

CONSIDERING

That the National Development Plan 1989-1994 establishes that planning and execution of government action on environmental matters must be done under the basic premise that natural resources form a fundamental strategic reserve for national sovereignty and integral development of the country, consolidation of the National Protected Natural Area System is therefore proposed, as is implementation of programs for conservation, management, and administration of said areas.

That the region known as "Archipiélago de Revillagigedo," located in the Pacific Ocean, which includes the Socorro or Santo Tomás, San Benedicto or Anublada, Clarión or Santa Rosa and Roca Partida Islands has a wealth of species of land and marine flora y fauna with a high biological value, some of them unique in the world.

That in the land portion of said region are located types of vegetation, some of them endemic, with a high value to the preservation of ecological equilibrium, like those that are located in arid, halophyte, brake, shrub, meadowland, pastureland and woodland zones, as well as fauna rich in reptiles, mammals, and insects.

That in the marine portion of said region there is a large variety of algae; coral; annelids like polychaeta; echinoderms; crustaceans; mollusks; mammals like whales, Orcas and dolphins; sharks; and a wide range of scaled fish.

That the ecosystem has suffered damage due to introduction of some animal species that have caused extinction of birds, particularly the Grasson dove and reduction of the cenzontle population.

That the Ministry of the Navy did technical studies from which the necessity is shown of establishing the protected natural area, with the character of National Marine Park, named "Archipiélago de Revillagigedo," the delimitation of which is provided on the official map that is in the National Ecology Institute, in order to preserve the natural environment of the zone; protect and conserve its land and aquatic flora and fauna; safeguard the genetic diversity of species; and provide a field appropriate for scientific research and the study of the ecosystem and its equilibrium.

That the Ministry of Social Development, in coordination with the Ministries of Interior, Navy, Agriculture and Hydraulic Resources, Communications and Transportation, and Fisheries, has proposed to the Federal Executive Branch which is my responsibility the incorporation of the zone known as "Archipiélago de Revillagigedo" into the National Protected Natural Area System, with the character of Biosphere Reserve, and therefore I have deemed it appropriate to issue the following

DECREE

ARTICLE FIRST.- It being in the public interest, the region known as "Archipiélago de Revillagigedo" is declared a Protected Natural Area with the character of a Biosphere Reserve, which includes a total area of 636,685-37-50 hectares, made up of four areas identified as: San Benedicto Island, with a total area of 137,002-00-00 hectares, including a nuclear zone of 39,915-87-50 hectares and its corresponding buffer zone; Clarión or Santa Rosa Island, with a total area of 161,345-87-50 hectares, which includes a nuclear zone of 47,501-12-50 hectares and its corresponding buffer zone; Socorro or Santo Tomás Island, with a total area of 225,701-00-00, including a nuclear zone of 89,841-50-00 hectares and its corresponding buffer zone; and Roca Partida Island, with a total area of 112,636-50-00 including a nuclear zone of 28,236-50-00 hectares and its corresponding buffer zone, the analytical-topographical description of which is the following:


ARTICLE SECOND.- The management, conservation, development and oversight of the "Archipiélago de Revillagigedo" Biosphere Reserve shall be the responsibility of the Ministry of Social Development, with participation from the Ministries of Interior, Navy, Agriculture and Hydraulic Resources, Communications and Transportation, and Fisheries.

Said agencies of the Federal Executive Branch shall jointly formulate the management program for the area, inviting research and higher education institutions, researchers and specialists to participate in its preparation and fulfillment of its objectives, along with representatives of interested public groups, executing the cooperative agreements that are appropriate;


ARTICLE THIRD.- The management program for the "Archipiélago de Revillagigedo" Biosphere Reserve must include at least the following:

I. Description of the physical, biological, social and cultural characteristics of the Biosphere Reserve, in the national, regional and social context;

II. Actions to be performed in the short, mid- and long term, establishing their connection to the National Democratic Planning System. Said actions shall include research, use of resources, extension, diffusion, operation, coordination, follow-up and control;

III. The specific objectives of the Biosphere Reserve;

IV. The rules for use of the land and aquatic flora and fauna, for protection of the ecosystems, and those intended to avoid contamination of soil and waters;

V. An inventory of the aquatic fauna and flora species found in the zone;

VI. The requirements that applicants for concessions, permits, or authorizations must comply with for exploitation, extraction, or use of the resources of the Biosphere Reserve, in accordance with the applicable legislation;

VII. Activities permitted inside the Biosphere Reserve;

VIII. The restrictions on construction, occupation, and operation of marine installations and other kinds of building; and

IX. Activities for protection of ecosystems and their elements for scientific research and ecological education.

ARTICLE FOURTH.- The Ministry of Social Development shall not authorize execution of public or private construction in the nuclear zones of the "Archipiélago de Revillagigedo" Biosphere Reserve.

ARTICLE FIFTH.- Any plan for public or private construction planned inside the buffer zones of the Reserve must have, prior to its implementation, the corresponding environmental impact statement pursuant to the General Law of Ecological Equilibrium and Environmental Protection and its Regulations on Environmental Impact.

ARTICLE SIXTH.- The works and activities that are done in the buffer zone of the "Archipiélago de Revillagigedo" Biosphere Reserve must be subject to the guidelines established in the area management program and the applicable legal provisions.

ARTICLE SEVENTH.- Foundation of new population centers shall not be authorized in the Biosphere Reserve.

ARTICLE EIGHTH.- The productive activities performed in the buffer zones of the "Archipiélago de Revillagigedo" Biosphere Reserve; the activities for preservation of ecosystems and their elements; scientific research and ecological education; and use of the wild fauna and flora for research and experimental purposes shall be subject to the restrictions set forth in the management program and the applicable Official Mexican Standards.

ARTICLE NINTH.- The Ministry of Social Development shall promote establishment of closed season on land fauna and flora and for forestry use in the "Archipiélago de Revillagigedo" Biosphere Reserve, attending to the technical studies done in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Hydraulic Resources.

ARTICLE TENTH.- The use, exploitation, and use of the national waters located in the Reserve shall be governed by the legal provisions applicable on the subject and shall be subject to:

I. The Official Mexican Standards for conservation and use of wild flora and fauna and their habitat, as well as those intended to avoid water contamination;

II. The policies and restrictions for protection of wild flora and fauna species that are established in the management program for the Reserve; and

III. The cooperative agreements for ecosystem protective actions which are executed with the productive sectors and academic and research institutions.

ARTICLE ELEVENTH.- Within the Biosphere Reserve, it is prohibited to dump or discharge contaminants into the soil and subsoil, or into the sea, and into any kind of standing or running water, and to perform contaminating activities.

ARTICLE TWELFTH.- The competent agencies shall only grant permits, licenses, concessions and authorizations for exploitation, exploration, extraction or use of natural resources in the Biosphere Reserve pursuant to the provisions of the General Law of Ecological Equilibrium and Environmental Protection, this decree, the Reserve management program, and the other applicable legal provisions.

ARTICLE THIRTEENTH.- In the Biosphere Reserve, sports fishing shall be permitted, as shall commercial fishing for ichthyic and mollusk species, in the areas, seasons and subject to the limits, skills, equipment and methods established in the management program, closed season notices, Official Mexican Standards, and the other applicable legal provisions.

ARTICLE FOURTEENTH.- In the "Archipiélago de Revillagigedo" Biosphere Reserve, establishment of fish farms may be authorized for cultivation of mollusks, fish, crustaceans, algae, and other species that may be used for the repopulation of the area.

ARTICLE FIFTEENTH.- Recreational activities in the "Archipiélago de Revillagigedo" Biosphere Reserve may only be performed in accordance with the guidelines established in the management program for the area.

ARTICLE SIXTEENTH.- The navigation channels and areas established in the Biosphere Reserve shall continue in use, and the anchorage area must be delimited.

ARTICLE SEVENTEENTH.- The final disposal of solid waste produced by the desilting of the navigation channels located in the "Archipiélago de Revillagigedo" Biosphere Reserve must be removed outside the boundaries of the territorial sea.

ARTICLE EIGHTEENTH.- Violations of the provisions herein shall be administratively sanctioned by the competent authorities pursuant to the General Law of Ecological Equilibrium and Environmental Protection, the General Law of National Assets, the Hunting Law, the Forestry Law, the Federal Sea Law, the Law of General Means of Communication, the Navigation Law, the Fisheries Law, the Law of National Waters, the Regulations to Prevent and Control Ocean Contamination by Pouring Out Waste and other Materials, and the other applicable legal provisions.

TRANSITION ARTICLES

FIRST.- This Decree shall become effective on the day following its publication in the federal Diario Oficial.

SECOND.- The management program for the "Archipiélago de Revillagigedo" Biosphere Reserve must be created in a period of 365 calendar days counted from and after the effective date of this Decree.

THIRD.- The Ministry of Social Development shall proceed to process registration of this Decree in the public registries of federal property and in the National Protected Natural Area System within a period of 90 calendar days counted from and after its publication in the federal Diario Oficial.

FOURTH.- The administrative provisions that are contrary to the provisions hereof are derogated.

Given at the Residence of Federal Executive Power in Mexico City, Federal District, on the fifth day of the month of June, nineteen hundred and ninety-four.