AGP Executive Report

Climate & Oceans: NOAA data show record-warm sea surface temperatures in Niño 3.4, with water near Puerto Rico and Miami this week—raising alarms for marine life and coral reefs as El Niño strengthens fast. Public Health & Mosquitoes: Florida’s dengue outbreak is now the largest in decades in the continental U.S., with local emergencies and intensive mosquito spraying—while Puerto Rico continues to face higher dengue burdens. Disaster Readiness for Seniors: A new editorial in the Journal of Applied Gerontology highlights how hurricanes, heat, air pollution, and repeated hazards hit older adults in Puerto Rico and the U.S. especially hard. Local Environment & Land Use: A UPR-led project received $99,999 to strengthen farmland protection tools and help educators enforce land-use safeguards on the ground. Water Quality & Pollution: Monsanto agreed to pay Arkansas at least $32M (up to $80M) over PCB contamination claims, with funds restricted to water-quality work. Skills for Resilience: Puerto Rico’s BuildStrong Academy (via HUD and disaster recovery dollars) is training adults for skilled trades to support rebuilding after natural disasters.

Drought & Water Stress: Puerto Rico’s ornamental plant producers are bracing for a poinsettia shortage as drought lingers in parts of the island, with growers citing hotter conditions and higher water costs. Mosquito-Borne Disease Watch: Florida reported its dengue outbreak is the largest in decades in the continental U.S., with Tampa-area emergency spraying—an alert for the region where Puerto Rico is consistently hit hard. Farmland Protection: A University of Puerto Rico project received $99,999 to strengthen farmland protection tools and training so protections move from “paper” to enforcement on the ground. Skilled Trades & Resilience: A Puerto Rico program using HUD and disaster recovery funds is offering free hands-on training for masonry, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC, aiming to keep workers local as infrastructure needs and natural disasters continue. Food Safety: A CDC report says marine toxins like scombroid and ciguatoxin still drive most noninfectious foodborne outbreaks in the U.S., with many linked to fish and tropical reef algae.

Puerto Rico Spotlight: Miss Universe 2026 is set to return to San Juan with a futuristic, transformable stage at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot—moving scenic elements, 3D graphics, and advanced lighting/video designed to shift the show’s look throughout the night. Climate & Disaster Resilience: A new drought-and-weather roundup points to an intensifying El Niño driving extreme conditions across the U.S., with major rain relief in the Southwest and storm impacts in the Mid-Atlantic/New England. Water & Public Health: Leptospirosis cases in the Philippines are surging after monsoon flooding, underscoring how contaminated water and soil can fuel outbreaks. Local Environment & Wildlife: A global study highlights Biscayne Bay as a critical refuge for threatened sharks and rays, adding weight to conservation needs in Puerto Rico’s wider Caribbean ecosystem. Community & Governance: Puerto Rican elected officials urged NYC to resist financial, political, and environmental pressures displacing Puerto Ricans and weakening public services.

Puerto Rico Water & Drought Response: The Financial Oversight and Management Board approved $2.42M from Puerto Rico’s Emergency Reserve to assess whether five inactive PRASA wells can be restored, starting with investigations, testing, engineering, and environmental reviews. Local Planning & Natural Hazards: Aguas Buenas received an updated territorial map and revised Master Zoning Plan after 15+ years, expanding the Urban Center and integrating newer natural-risk data from the 2017 hurricanes to steer safer, more sustainable growth. Vieques Cleanup Tech: U.S. Naval Research Laboratory completed a live-site demo of an autonomous underwater sonar system (Skyfish) to help locate unexploded ordnance near a Navy munitions response site in Vieques. Marine Life Conservation: A new global IUCN map highlights critical shark and ray nurseries, including Biscayne Bay’s seagrass shallows that support multiple threatened species. Equine Welfare in the Caribbean: Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare marked 10 years of second chances, raising concerns about horse overpopulation and the need for better equine education across island environments.

Puerto Rico Water & Drought Response: The Financial Oversight and Management Board approved $2.42 million from Puerto Rico’s Emergency Reserve to assess whether five inactive PRASA wells can be restored, a key step in the island’s drought-response plan. Local Planning for Safer Growth: Aguas Buenas received an updated territorial map and a revised Master Zoning Plan after more than 15 years, with new urban boundaries and updated natural-risk data drawn from lessons after the 2017 hurricanes. El Yunque Sustainable Tourism: A U.S. Forest Service and Cornell program released early recommendations for “low volume, high value” tourism along PR-186, aiming to grow adventure and ecotourism while protecting El Yunque and supporting local businesses. Vieques Underwater Munitions Tech: U.S. Naval Research Laboratory scientists completed a live-site demo of an autonomous sonar system to locate unexploded ordnance near Vieques, moving from controlled tests toward real-world operations. Environmental Justice in U.S. Territories: Eighteen community groups filed a Supreme Court amicus brief urging the Air Force to meet federal environmental and community engagement standards for open detonation decisions tied to risks in Guam. Wildlife Conservation: A new global mapping effort highlights Biscayne Bay as a critical nursery for threatened sharks and rays, underscoring the value of protecting coastal habitats.

Disaster Recovery Funding: FEMA approved more than $71 million for Puerto Rico, including nearly $43 million in Public Assistance and over $28 million via the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, targeting repairs to public facilities, roads and bridges, and future risk reduction. Local Resilience & Energy: A solar microgrid story from North Carolina highlights how battery-backed systems can keep community hubs running during outages—an approach that’s spreading as disaster resiliency becomes a priority. El Yunque Sustainable Tourism: A U.S. Forest Service and Cornell effort released recommendations for “low volume, high value” tourism around El Yunque, pointing to adventure, ecotourism, education, and wellness opportunities that aim to protect the forest while supporting local businesses. Marine Life Conservation: A new global mapping effort identifies critical shark and ray nursery areas, with Biscayne Bay flagged for seagrass-rich habitat that supports multiple threatened species—relevant to how Puerto Rico can think about coastal protection. Public Safety at Sea: A shipwreck near Mona Island left two dead and 40 survivors rescued after a machete fight and passengers jumped into the water without life jackets, with search operations continuing.

Disaster Recovery Funding: FEMA approved more than $71M in additional support for Puerto Rico, including nearly $43M in Public Assistance and over $28M via Hazard Mitigation, with major projects like DRNA repairs at the Punta Santiago pier in Humacao and DOT infrastructure work on EFL Bridge No. 1199. Reconstruction Push: Governor González-Colón also announced $87.1M in FEMA obligations for 47 recovery and reconstruction projects, spanning street lighting modernization, water and wastewater systems, roads, and hazard mitigation. Marine & Coastal Safety: A shipwreck near Mona Island left a provisional toll of two dead and 40 survivors rescued after an onboard machete fight; authorities say no one had life jackets and the search for missing people continued. Local Resilience & Nature-Based Tourism: A U.S. Forest Service and Cornell team is mapping “low volume, high value” sustainable tourism opportunities around El Yunque, aiming to protect the forest while boosting community recovery. Wildlife & Habitat: A new global mapping effort highlights Biscayne Bay as critical nursery habitat for sharks and rays—an approach that could inform marine protection planning across the region. Water & Health: Puerto Rico is urged to protect kids during water shortages as drought conditions intensify.

Disaster Recovery Funding: FEMA approved more than $71M in additional recovery support for Puerto Rico, including nearly $43M via Public Assistance and over $28M through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, with major projects like repairs at the Punta Santiago pier in Humacao and bridge work. Infrastructure Reconstruction: Gov. González-Colón also announced $87.1M in FEMA obligations for 47 projects, including PREPA street-light modernization and drinking water, wastewater, roads, and hazard mitigation. Marine Life Protection: A new global mapping effort highlights Biscayne Bay as a critical nursery for threatened sharks and rays, pointing to seagrass meadows and old reef remnants as key habitat. Local Conservation & Tourism: Maricao’s Fish Hatchery is set for a major rehabilitation after Hurricane Maria, with $13.1M obligated, while the Maricao State Forest ranger station is scheduled to reopen Oct. 1 after nine years. Water Shortage Preparedness: A guide focuses on how to protect kids during water shortages as drought conditions intensify. Safety at Sea: A shipwreck near Mona Island left a provisional toll of two dead and 40 survivors rescued, with reports of a fight onboard and no life jackets reported.

Disaster Recovery Funding: Gov. Jenniffer González-Colón announced FEMA has obligated $87.1M for 47 Puerto Rico reconstruction projects, including $38.0M for PREPA street-light modernization and $9.2M for permanent work at the Punta Santiago Pier in Humacao, alongside drinking water, wastewater, roads, hazard mitigation, and emergency protective measures. Water Shortages & Kids: A pediatric-focused guide explains how drought and water shortages can affect children’s health and what families can do to protect them. Climate & Weather Outlook: Scientists warn that a strengthening “super” El Niño could bring extreme heat to Puerto Rico through at least next fall, with public-health and environmental impacts. Marine Life & Coastal Resilience: Maricao’s Fish Hatchery is set for a major rehabilitation after $13.2M in obligated funds tied to Hurricane Maria damage, with design about 80% complete and FEMA approval needed before construction. Aquaculture & Food Security: The Caribbean Blue Foods Stakeholder Workshop (Sept. 29–Oct. 2) will spotlight climate-resilient aquaculture as a path to marine conservation and regional food security. Local Environmental Advocacy: In New York, Puerto Rico advocates rallied for resolutions targeting debt predation, the unelected oversight board “La Junta,” and ecological harm tied to the Esencia luxury project in Cabo Rojo. Flood Risk Tools: NOAA expanded its Flood Inundation Mapping tool to cover nearly 100% of the U.S., improving neighborhood-scale river flood forecasts for emergency managers and communities.

Climate & Health: Puerto Rico is bracing for extreme heat as El Niño strengthens, with scientists warning of environmental and public-health impacts through at least next fall. Disaster Recovery: Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández announced nearly $43 million in FEMA funds for recovery and infrastructure repair across 18 Puerto Rico municipalities, including resilient upgrades for water, energy, roads, bridges, and the Punta Santiago recreational pier in Humacao. Pollution & Wildlife: Key West and the wider Caribbean are facing an unprecedented sargassum surge; officials warn of public-health risks from rotting seaweed and push for better collection and reuse strategies. Conservation & Local Impact: Walmart’s Acres for America program says it has helped permanently protect 2.2 million acres of wildlife habitat, including projects in Puerto Rico. Governance & Environment: A U.S. judge dismissed Michigan’s climate lawsuit against oil companies, underscoring limits on state-level attempts to sue over climate damages. Regional Weather Watch: A magnitude 4.8 earthquake shook the Dominican Republic, with light to moderate shaking reported across parts of the island and concerns for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Climate & Courts: Former U.S. AG Bill Barr warns the Supreme Court’s climate-damage case (Suncor v. Boulder County) could end up helping China and Russia by shifting costs onto private U.S. energy firms. El Niño Heat Prep (PR): Puerto Rico is urged to plan for extreme heat through next fall as El Niño strengthens, with possible public-health and environmental impacts. FEMA Recovery (PR): Resident Commissioner Pablo Hernández announced nearly $43M in FEMA Public Assistance for 18 Puerto Rico municipalities, including roads, water systems, electrical infrastructure, and a more resilient pier in Humacao. Solid Waste & Data Centers: A county commission approved a revised solid waste ordinance allowing yard waste storage for composting and habitat/erosion control, while also moving toward a data-center development moratorium. Public Health (Dengue): Florida counties declared emergencies as dengue spreads, with officials ramping up mosquito control. Sargassum Crisis (Caribbean/Key West): Seaweed washups are driving health and economic concerns, with calls to manage and reuse sargassum. Maritime & Tourism: Direct Relief is sending emergency medical aid ahead of Hurricane Nolo, while Guyana will host SOTIC 2026 with a focus on smart, sustainable tourism.

Puerto Rico Disaster Funding: Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández announced nearly $43 million in FEMA Public Assistance for recovery and infrastructure repairs across 18 Puerto Rico municipalities, including roads, bridges, water systems, electrical infrastructure, and a $9.2 million resilient pier restoration in Humacao. Hazardous Waste Enforcement: The U.S. EPA and Kroger Specialty Pharmacy 5-60 in San Juan reached an expedited settlement over hazardous waste paperwork violations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, with a $1,250 civil penalty. Local Business & Sustainability: The Puerto Rico United Retailers Center (CUD) unveiled its 2026–2028 “Fomento Local” plan to strengthen small and midsize businesses, improve the business environment, and expand market access beyond the island. Climate & Health Context: A “super” El Niño is being flagged as a major upcoming weather risk across the Americas, while Florida’s dengue surge has prompted emergency declarations in multiple counties—reminders of how climate-linked conditions can quickly strain public health systems.

Disaster Recovery Funding: Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández announced nearly $43 million in FEMA Public Assistance for recovery and infrastructure repair across 18 Puerto Rico municipalities, including $9.2M for a more resilient recreational pier at Punta Santiago in Humacao and major work for roads, bridges, water systems, and electrical infrastructure. Hazardous Waste Enforcement: The EPA and Kroger Specialty Pharmacy 5-60 in San Juan reached an expedited settlement over Resource Conservation and Recovery Act violations tied to hazardous waste shipments without an EPA identification number; the case ends with a $1,250 civil penalty. Solid Waste & Land Use: A county commission approved a revised solid waste ordinance allowing yard waste storage for composting, wildlife habitat, and erosion control, while also issuing a notice of intent to adopt a moratorium on data center development—raising local concerns about air quality, water, and electricity rates. Public Health & Storm Prep: Direct Relief is sending emergency medical aid to Hawaiʻi ahead of Hurricane Nolo, highlighting how repeated storms can disrupt care and strain local clinics. Marine Pollution Watch: Key West officials are dealing with an unprecedented sargassum influx, underscoring the broader Caribbean region’s environmental and public health risks from seaweed die-offs.

Puerto Rico Disaster Recovery: Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández announced nearly $43 million in FEMA Public Assistance for recovery and infrastructure repairs across 18 municipalities, including roads, bridges, water systems, electrical infrastructure, and a resilient pier restoration in Humacao. Hazardous Waste Enforcement: The EPA and Kroger Specialty Pharmacy 5-60 in San Juan reached a $1,250 expedited settlement over alleged Resource Conservation and Recovery Act violations tied to hazardous waste shipments without an EPA identification number. Local Business & Sustainability: The CUD (United Retailers Center) unveiled its 2026–2028 “Fomento Local” plan to strengthen Puerto Rico’s small and midsize businesses, expand market opportunities, and improve the business environment. Marine Life & Coastal Health: A record-breaking sea turtle nesting season in Volusia County will be discussed at an Oct. 1 panel, while the broader region continues grappling with sargassum beach impacts and public health concerns. Climate & Risk Messaging: A Miami meteorologist described how climate change warnings led to emotional strain after major hurricanes, underscoring the human toll of extreme weather.

FEMA Funding for Resilience: Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández announced nearly $43 million in FEMA Public Assistance for recovery and infrastructure repairs across 18 Puerto Rico municipalities, including roads, bridges, water systems, and electrical infrastructure, with a major allocation for restoring the Punta Santiago recreational pier in Humacao. Hazardous Waste Compliance: The EPA and Kroger Specialty Pharmacy 5-60 in San Juan reached an expedited settlement over alleged hazardous waste paperwork violations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, with a $1,250 civil penalty. Air Pollution Enforcement: EPA also moved on Puerto Rico emissions with a separate Clean Air Act settlement tied to a sterilizer fined for failing to operate pollution controls, underscoring ongoing enforcement pressure. Local Business Growth: CUD (United Retailers Center) unveiled its 2026-2028 “Fomento Local” plan to expand opportunities for Puerto Rico’s small and midsize businesses, including cross-border market push and steps to reduce barriers to doing business. Sustainability in Higher Ed: Universidad del Sagrado Corazón was named among the first 14 U.S. and Puerto Rico institutions to earn a Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability, citing campus-wide work on water conservation, climate resilience, and food security. Water Guidance Update: A new measure seeks to expand public guidance on rainwater harvesting in Puerto Rico.

Climate & Disaster Preparedness: A “super” El Niño is taking shape, with warnings that the federal government should be doing more to prepare rather than waiting for impacts. Civil Liberties & Security: The ACLU is demanding the immediate withdrawal of Puerto Rico National Guard troops from Washington, D.C., calling the deployment unjustified and politically motivated. Legal Fight Over Climate Accountability: Former U.S. AG Bill Barr urged the Supreme Court to halt state climate “lawfare,” arguing Clean Air Act authority is federal. Local Environment & Resilience Funding: FEMA awarded Puerto Rico first responders over $1.2 million for fire safety, vehicles, and protective equipment. STEM for the Environment: NSF’s Arecibo C3 opened new labs and a makerspace to expand hands-on science access across Puerto Rico. Sustainability in Education: Universidad del Sagrado Corazón became one of the first 14 U.S./Puerto Rico institutions to earn a Carnegie sustainability classification, citing work on water conservation, climate resilience, and food security. Energy Transition: Puerto Rico’s solar sector got a boost as Infinigen secured financing for the Yabucoa Solar Park and plans for battery storage.