E.I.A. to be carried out at Chalillo Dam site
An environmental assessment and feasibility study is being carried out for the proposed construction of a holding reservoir for the Macal River Hydro-Electric Project. According to the Macal River Chalillo Project under the Ministry of Budget Planning and Management, B.E.L. has entered into an agreement with Agri C.I. Power of Canada to carry out the studies. Local environmentalists, who will be involved with the project, are Jose “Pepe” Garcia, Manager of Tunich-Nah Consultants and a number of specialists in ecology, forestry, wildlife, fisheries, water quality and archaeology. B.E.L. has also awarded a contract to Swissboring Overseas Corporation to provide drilling and geo-technical investigative services at the Chalillo dam site. According to the Ministry, the E.I.A. will be carried out in compliance with Belize’s environmental laws including the Environment Protection Act of 1992 and the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations of 1995. The pre-feasibility report has determined that the Rubber Camp area is not suitable for the construction of a dam for both environmental and economic reasons and that it is habitat to certain species of wildlife. In related news, the Belize Alliance for Conservation Non-Government Organizations umbrella agency BACONGO held a special meeting today to discuss the Chalillo proposal. BACONGO says they stand ready to facilitate a B.E.L. sponsored national public forum on the proposed dam and sustainable renewable energy options for Belize. They ask that factual documentation of all the technical, environmental, social and economic aspects of the project be made available to all concerned agencies in Belize as well as the general public. In addition they urge the government to review all alternatives for generating energy before any option is undertaken and that the issue be put to a national referendum. BACONGO members include the Belize Audubon Society, Programme for Belize, the Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center, the Sibun Watershed, Toledo Institute for Development, the Association of Friends of Freshwater Creek and Green Reef.
