Actually, according to Lapointe, the project plans appear to have included, from the start, a routine Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to be completed in 1999, and therefore, there is no "delayed project starting date". The scheduled conclusion of the EIS had nothing to do with the noises lately generated by various groups. Greenpeace, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, Earth Island Institute, and other similar groups have recently focused publicity/fund-raising efforts on this proposed project, alleging a possible affect on breeding grounds of the gray whale. 

"The protest industry has tried to make news, with themselves as star players, in this artificially manufactured issue," said Lapointe, "but there is no news to speak of here, in spite of protest claims that 'concern' for gray whale breeding grounds has 'delayed' the project". 

Lapointe noted that Mitsubishi Corporation and the Mexican Government, lead agencies in this salt production facility proposal, had originally agreed to abide by the recommendations of an independent panel of scientists who would evaluate the project's impact on all factors of the environment surrounding the San Ignacio Lagoon. Facility plans include pumping seawater from the Lagoon into huge evaporating ponds, where the salt would be deposited through a natural open-air process. A similar facility to the north has had no impact on the behavior of gray whales in that lagoon, according to scientists who have observed their rates of entering, giving birth, and breeding, in comparison with such behavior before development began there. 

Lapointe said he wished that all organizations, which come under these spurious attacks, would respond strongly. "It is not fair that the public come under a propaganda deluge without the facts to allow them to make rational decisions," he said, "the best solution to rhetoric is facts". 

Mitsubishi has taken an initial step in this direction by putting plans for the project and the various issues under discussion on a website. This may be reviewed at www.bajasalt.com. �