Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Urges Puerto Rico to Block Hotel Projects on Beach

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. urged Puerto Rican legislators on Monday to block the construction of resorts on an undeveloped beach on the island's northeast coast.

In a letter to the U.S. territory's House of Representatives, the environmental lawyer said he welcomed local legislation that would declare the area a natural reserve and warned the resorts would destroy the environment and ruin drinking water.

"These proposed developments would involve the filling of wetlands, channelization of rivers, and clearance of coastal vegetation, thus destroying the natural integrity" of the area, he said.

Marriott International Inc. and Four Seasons Hotels Inc. have plans to build resorts on the beach near the town of Fajardo. Ringed by forested mountains, it is favored by surfers and fishermen and is a prime nesting spot for endangered leatherback sea turtles.

Environmental groups are pushing to protect the 3,200-acre (1,295-hectare) area.

Backers of the resorts have said the businesses would generate thousands of jobs for the economically depressed area. The developers have also said the projects were planned to minimize the damage to the environment.