The forest is rich in rattan, bamboo palms and edible wild fruits such as nuts and ferns. Wild pigs, deer, wild chicken, monitor lizards, monkeys, hornbills, wild pigeon and eagles are part of this ecosystem. Turtles and a variety of fish are found in the river. The proposed dam site is crossed by fault lines as it is just a few kilometres from the Digdig and the Casiguran fault lines. The July 1990 earthquake that rocked northern Philippines was traced to tectonic movements of the Digdig fault.
Tribal communities oppose the intrusion on indigenous territory.
They fear the destruction of their environment, livelihood, ancestral domain and culture. Tribal people also claim that if the dam is built, it could become like the Patabangan and Magat dams. These two dams are not fully harnessed because of siltation and water shortage. In addition to tribal communities, local governments in the affected areas and the Catholic church of Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya are opposing the project. The 1000 MW Chico River Hydroelectric Dam in the Cordillera was proposed by the National Power Corporation in 1974.