Costa Rica’s National Environmental Organization
(Setena) rejected the construction of the dam on grounds that
ICE (the Costa Rican Institute of Electricity) had not provided
sufficient information about the project’s social and environmental
impact on the communities surrounding the Pacuare River. According
to Setena, ICE’s environmental impact report did not evaluate
what effect the sporadic discharging of water would have down
river. In addition, the report did not include any effort to consult
with the indigenous populations of the area, as stipulated in
international indigenous labor agreements.
Ever since ICE announced its proposed hydroelectric
project, the local community, tour operators and concerned individuals
have been waging a publicity campaign to educate the public about
the dam’s disastrous consequences to the local ecology,
local communities and tourism in general. Residents of eight different
communities along the river, including the indigenous community
of Bajo Pacuar, have actively protested construction of the dam.
The Siquirres Dam would have been180 mts. (590.5 ft) high and
would have been located at the scenic ravine of Dos Montañas
in the Río Pacuare Protected Zone. The Guayabo Dam, a 43.5
mts (142.7 ft) tall structure on the Reventazón River,
would have been located 8 km northeast of Turrialba in an area
called Guayabo. A 9.6 km (5.9 m) tunnel had been planned to conduct
the waters from the Guayabo Dam to the Siquirres Dam for efficient
energy production in the dry season.
Ecotourism is Costa Rica’s number one source
of income. The Pacuare and Reventazón Rivers lie in the
heart of Costa Rica’s Atlantic region where ecotourism related
activities are the area’s chief attraction. The Pacuare
is considered one of the world's top ten white water runs with
class III, IV and V rapids along a spectacular route within virgin
forests. The Siquirres dam would have flooded seven miles of these
rapids, as well as the virgin rainforest along the river, where
innumerable plant and tree species exist.
According the Turrialba’s Mayor, Marvín
Orocú, the resolution is a victory for the community of
Turrialba, which had recently voted to reject ICE’s proposed
hydroelectric project. ICE has not indicated whether or not it
will appeal the decision.
