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Chalillo Dam Project in Belize Threatens Endangered Wildlife - Action
Wednesday May 16, 10:30 AM
Jaguars, tapirs, and scarlet macaws are among the 10 endangered species
listed by CITES that may face extinction from the dam project in the Macal
River Valley, Belize.
Belize Electricity Limited (BEL), the majority of which is owned by Fortis,
Inc. of St. John's, Newfoundland, plans to build a hydro-electricity dam
which would flood important areas of the Macal River and its tributaries.
Belizeans have joined with international environmental groups such as the
Natural Resources Defense Council, the Sierra Club of Canada, and Probe
International to protect this important biological gem.
Please voice your concerns about the dam's environmental effects. See below
for details or visit http://www.ryakuga.org/belize/first.html for more
information.
Duke Energy of North Carolina (US), a potential investor in the Chalillo Dam
Project, sold its interests in Belize this January, following receipt of
20,000 letters from people concerned about the dam's environmental effects.
Make sure that Fortis does the same!
Write: H. Stanley Marshall
President and CEO, Fortis, Inc.
PO Box 8837
Suite 1201, Fortis Building
139 Water Street
St. John's, NFLD A1B 3T2
Join us Wednesday, May 16 at 10:30 AM in front of Fortis-owned Maritime
Centre, Barrington Street, Halifax to let Fortis know that Canadian
companies should not profit from environmental and economic devastation.
The Chalillo Dam Project is:
1. Environmentally Irresponsible
An environmental impact assessment done by BEL in 2000 ommitted wildlife
studies. The dam threatens habitat for 10 CITES -listed species, including
the only reserve set aside for jaguar protection. One of the few remaining
habitat strongholds of the tapir, Belize's national animal, and the only
nesting sites of the Scarlet Macaw would be flooded. As well, recent
studies of the Macal River show that the existing Mollejon Dam has caused
eutrophication of the river.
2. Not Economically Feasible
The $30 mill (US) project cost will exceed the estimated benefits by $3.5 -
5.4 mill (US). The probability that the dam will lose money is 97%
(Conservation Strategy Fund, John Reid). Energy imported from Mexico is far
less expensive than hydro-power, and other sources, such as Biomass energy,
can be developed within Belize.
-----------------------------
Cyndi Gilbert
Co-ordinator, Atlantic Canada Chapter
Sierra Club of Canada
1312 Robie Street, Halifax NS B3H 3E2
Tel: (902)422-5091 Fax: (902)422-9440
www.sierraclub.ca/atlantic
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