WRITTEN QUESTION E-3665/01 by Didier Rod (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Construction of a hydro-electric dam in Belize.
Date: 2002-01-15
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Belize, EU programme, European Development Fund, archaeology, engineering structure, environmental protection, heritage protection, hydraulic works

C 229 E/44

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

26.9.2002

(2002/C 229 E/045)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3665/01

by Didier Rod (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(15 January 2002)

Subject: Construction of a hydro-electric dam in Belize

The Government of Belize, Central America, has announced its support for construction of a hydro-electric
dam in the Macal River Valley, proposed by Fortis Incorporated, based in Canada. The builder’s own
wildlife consultants, the Natural History Museum of London, have shown that the dam would cause a
‘significant and irreversible reduction in biodiversity’, fragment the MesoAmerican biological corridor and
lead to the destruction of habitat for rare and endangered species, including the jaguar, the tapir, and the
scarlet macaw. The dam would also flood unexplored Maya archaeological sites.

The EU currently has 18 projects in Belize, worth EUR 21 118 929,49. Many of these projects will be
directly or indirectly affected by the construction of this dam, including the Maya Archaeological Sites
Development Programme (ACP.RPR.544) which is intended to further the understanding of the Maya
heritage in the region. The proposed dam would flood an important part of the archaeological record
forever and undermine the value of our investment.

Projects to preserve biodiversity would also be affected,
including a € 1 million project focussed on
management of the Crooked Tree and Cockscomb Basin reserves (B7-6200/1999-41). As one prominent
expert noted, the dam ‘could definitely affect jaguar dispersal patterns and genetic exchange into and out
from the Cockscomb Basin, currently recognised as one of
the world’s premier sites for jaguar
conservation’. (Dr. Alan Rabinowitz, Director of Science, Wildlife Conservation Society, March 22, 1999.)

Has the EU approached the Belize Government on the problems the project will cause to its own projects?
If not, when and in which context does it intend to do so?

As the project contradicts the principles of the Biodiversity Convention, has the EU approached the
secretariat of the Biodiversity Convention regarding this project? Does it intend to do so?

This dam’s capacity is only 7 megawatts of power. Would the EU be willing to assist in financing less
harmful energy projects in Belize such as cogeneration using biomasse?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(28 February 2002)

The Commission is aware of the proposal by Fortis Incorporated, a Canadian Company, to construct a
hydro-electric dam with a large reservoir in Chalillo on the Macal River.

The Government of Belize has indeed announced its support for this project, which went through a series
of prefeasibility studies, feasibility studies including environmental and social impact assessments.

The support of
is a result of a no objection statement made by the National
Environmental Appraisal Committee (NEAC) which reviewed all project documents including the
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

the Government

The construction of this hydro-electric dam is still raising a lot of controversy between the Government of
Belize, local and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) concerned by the possible adverse
environmental impact of the project.

The Office of the Commission in Belize has never received nor been consulted by the Government during
the appraisal phase of the project, the initiative of which comes from the private sector.

Without having full knowledge of the content of the EIA, it is difficult for the Commission to advocate for,
or against, this project.

26.9.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 229 E/45

Referring to the Maya Archaelogical Site Development Programme funded by the sixth European
Development Fund (EDF), two maya sites in Lubantuum and Nim Li Punit mainly benefited. Both sites are
located in the Southern part of the country in an area that is not downstream of the Macal River Valley.
The proposed dam would therefore not specifically undermine the value of the investment made with the
contribution of the Community. The projects funded from the environmental budget line and focusing on
the management of the Crooked Tree and Cockscomb Basin reserves are implemented by the Belize
Audubon Society which is a member of the NEAC. According to Commission’s information the Belze
Audubon Society is not advocating against the construction of the dam. The Society is fully aware of the
EIA documents and is known to insist on a strict implementation of the environmental management and
mitigation plan.

The proposed dam will only have a capacity of seven megawatts of power. Belize Electricity Ltd. would
most certainly have to consider alternative sources of energy to meet an increasing electricity demand in
the country. The Belize sugar industry had the intention to approach the EIB to seek a financial
contribution for the implementation of a bagasse co-generation plant, according to the Commission’s
knowledge.

The focal area of the ninth EDF will be poverty alleviation with emphasis on rural development and
agricultural production. Given the limited amounts available for Belize under the programmable ninth EDF
resources (€ 7,8 million) it is not possible to consider funding for activities outside the above-mentioned
focal sector of intervention. Subject to availability of funds and high quality project proposals it is however
possible to approve NGO-projects in the field of environmental protection under the available budget lines
on the basis of the annual Call for Proposals.

On the basis of the above information, the Commission does not intend to raise this matter with the
Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Moreover, under the CBD, the Secretariat has
no regulatory role in controlling the implementation of the Convention, nor is there any Compliance or
Implementation Body. As far as the Commission is aware, Belize has not yet submitted its second National
Report on the implementation of the Convention, which is supposed to be available before the next
Conference of the Parties (The Hague, 8/19 April 2002). The report might provide a basis for informed
‘peer review’ of Belize’s approach on this case if the authorities so desired. When available, such reports are
posted on the Website of the Convention (http://www.biodiv.org/world/reports.asp?t=s).

(2002/C 229 E/046)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3678/01

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Protection of Hellenistic cultural treasures in Afghanistan

(17 January 2002)

Before the civil war broke out in Afghanistan, Greek archaeologists had discovered priceless articles from
the Hellenistic period dating back over 2500 years. Many of these finds, whose fate is unknown at the
present time, were stored in the vaults of the Bank of Afghanistan and the Kabul museum.

Now that hostilities are coming to an end and rumour has it that many of the finds have already been
taken out of the country to be sold, will the Commission support an investigation to find, save and protect
these antiquities wherever they may be?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(21 February 2002)

As suggested by the Honourable Member in his question, it does appear, sadly, that many of the historical
artefacts which were stored either in the Bank of Afghanistan or the Kabul museum have been looted or
destroyed during the extended period of civil war in Afghanistan.