Update: In response to appeals filed by environmental groups and legislators, a Chilean court has suspended the plan to dam Patagonia’s rivers. The ruling came after mass protests and outrage from Chile’s civil society—more than 60% of the population are against the proposed dams—and in response to lack of environmental consideration given to the project.
According to the appeals court, the government commission that approved the project on May 9th did not account for a technical review. The decision temporarily halts the government’s approval process for the five dams proposed as part of the HidroAysen complex.
Although the ruling inspires hope for ultimate cancellation of the destructive project, for now it remains just a temporary delay. A Mario Galindo, a lawyer for the project, told the Chilean newspaper La Tercera that the decision would do nothing to stop it. The ruling was “purely formal,” he said, “and there are no decisions about the legality or illegality” of the dam complex, according to The New York Times.
Chilean authorities have approved a $3.2 billion project to dam two of the world’s purest free-flowing rivers. On May 9th, despite widespread public opposition, commissioners voted to pursue the construction of five dams on the Baker and Pascua rivers in Aysen, southern Chile.
Global Greengrants Fund has been supporting grassroots groups in Chile for years in their struggle to protect one of our planet’s most pristine wildernesses. We maintain hope in the power of grassroots opposition, that this project can still be stopped.
You can send a message of support to longtime grantee Patagonia Sin Represas (Patagonia Without Dams) on their Facebook Page. We also hope you share this story on your own social networks to raise awareness about the recent decision.
Stay tuned for more ways to get involved in the campaign to protect Patagonia’s rivers.
******
Another Global Greengrants Fund grantee, Latin American Observatory of Environmental Conflicts (OLCA), released this public statement about the tragic decision:
Regarding the unfortunate environmental approval of the HydroAysén dam project recently conducted by the Environmental Assessment Committee, the Latin American Observatory for Environmental Conflicts publicly expresses its full support to the community that has historically spoken out against the project’s construction, adding to the many protests against the biggest mega-hydropower project in the country.
The direct and indirect damage that this project would generate on the well-being of local communities and their access to common property have been recognized only by the resistance movement. This movement has successfully implemented various communication strategies that have established widespread popular opposition to the project. This has raised awareness in the country of the harmful impacts inherent in the HidroAysén project.
Of course, such environmental and social threats have been omitted and denied by the multinational energy companies running the project (Endesa and Colbún), always with the support of the government. However, this approval is only possible by weak environmental legislation and the political will of government, as has been done before with countless projects evaluated by the same institutions.
We are aware that the way to stop the mega-hydroelectric project and achieve the preservation of a Patagonia Without Dams is to continue the unity and conviction of those who seek to defend common interests and the region. We will continue trying to overcome the economic interests of a few that promote “doubling energy today so that in 10 years Chile will not develop at half rate.” Those few are the big industries that will demand 70% of new energy for the next few years and are the ones who must destroy Patagonia, without regard for protected areas, indigenous lands, agricultural areas, and ultimately the life of South of our country.
Once again, we see how a few authorities have decided for an entire country, expressing a tremendous gap between the interests of government and transnational corporations at the expense of communities to defend their territories.
Therefore, it is of vital importance to continue with citizen action and to support the regional community of Aysen, clarifying that this unfortunate environmental approval is not the end of a process, but is the beginning of a new phase aimed always to stop construction and prevent it from materializing.
Finally, we posted the names of the officials of the Sebastian Pinera government, who will be scarred for life before the country, having to answer what happened to the Patagonia.
– Pilar Cuevas, Intendant Aysen region. – Alejandro Escobar, Secretary of Transportation. – Monica Saldías, Seremi Energy. – Rodrigo Solis, Seremi (s) MINVU. – Raul Rudolphi, Seremi of Agriculture. – Geoconda Navarrete, Seremi Mideplan. – Claudio Vallejos, Health Seremi* – Carolina Bascur, Seremi (s) of Economics. – Carol Alvarado, Seremi (s) of the Environment. – Bolivar Ruiz, Director of SEA. – Burn it Sade, Seremi the MOP.
* One vote of abstention