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dam-l Environmentalists React to Brazilian Rejection of Hidrovia with

Cautious Optimism
To: Hidrovia list
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International Rivers Network

PRESS RELEASE
Friday, March 20, 1998
Glenn Switkes
Latin America Program Director
+55.65.627.1689 or
+55.65.971.6306
 email: glen@nutecnet.com.br

Environmentalists React to Brazilian Rejection of Waterway Plan with
Cautious Optimism

(Cuiabá, Brazil) Environmentalists cautiously welcomed today's announcement
by the head of Brazil's environmental agency that the country is abandoning
its current plans to construct the Paraguay-Paraná industrial waterway,
called the "hidrovia". Instead, the government says it will restrict its
interventions in the Pantanal wetlands to "minor works" which will not
place the ecosystem at risk. Ecologists expressed their concern that the
project may still move ahead -- in a different form, but still causing
significant environmental impacts.

The Hidrovia project, as designed in studies funded by the Inter-American
Development Bank and the United Nations Development Programme plans the
channeling of 3,400 km. of the Paraguay and Paraná Rivers for industrial
use. The project is being promoted by the governments of Brazil, Bolivia,
Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay.

Scientists and other technical experts have warned the engineering works
for the hidrovia could alter the hydrology of the river system, causing the
Pantanal to dry out. This, they say, would have disastrous effects on the
biodiversity and the populations of the region.

Today's announcement by Eduardo Martins, President of the Brazilian
Environment Institute IBAMA may not be the final word on Brazil's position.
"It's too early to celebrate", said Alcides Faria, of the Brazilian NGO
Ecology and Action, and executive secretary of the 300-member Rios Vivos
coalition. The network of non-governmental organizations has led the
criticism of the project, and produced technical studies showing the
project to be both environmentally unwise and economically unnecessary.
"The Transportation and Foreign Relations Ministries, which have been
promoting this project for a decade still need to define which works they
will carry out as part of the hidrovia project. Brazil has said for a long
time it won't do anything to damage the Pantanal, but meanwhile it is
carrying out dredging without adequate environmental studies."

According to Silvia Ribeiro of Redes - Friends of the Earth Uruguay, "The
other countries of the region are still determined to carry out extensive
dredging, channel straightening, and to detonate rock outcroppings along
the course of the Paraguay and Paraná Rivers. They, along with the economic
interests behind this project, will try to pressure Brazil to reconsider
its decision".

Glenn Switkes, of International Rivers Network said "it's a positive sign
that an important Brazilian environmental official has come out against the
project. We hope that this means that sound arguments and common sense have
won out, and that the hidrovia's days are numbered."

The government of Paraguay, based upon a critical study by the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, is also reportedly waivering in its plans to dynamite
rock passes along the Paraguay River.

According to Faria, "We have an opportunity to change the course of
economic development in our region -- to move away from megaprojects that
benefit only a few companies, toward sustainable development activities
which provide a better livelihood for the majority of the population,
without harming the environment."
-end-

For more information:

Alcides Faria, Ecoa  +55.67.724.3230
Silvia Ribeira, Redes  +598.2.307.2455
Owen Lammers, IRN  +1.510.848.1155

INTERNATIONAL RIVERS NETWORK
1847 Berkeley Way, Berkeley, California 94703 USA
Tel: (510) 848-1155 / Fax: (510) 848-1008 / E-mail irn@igc.apc.org
 

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      Glenn Switkes, Director, Latin America Program,
           International Rivers Network
              1847 Berkeley Way, Berkeley, California 94703-1576, USA
                  Tel. (510) 848 1155   Fax (510) 848 1008
                        http://www.irn.org

          South America:
                     Tel/Fax/Message: +55 65 627 1689
                        Tel: +55 65 627 6402
                                email: glen@nutecnet.com.br
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