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Scientists Raise Alarms about Fast Tracking of Transoceanic Canal through Nicaragua

Seeking economic growth and job creation to tackle the nation’s extreme poverty, the Nicaraguan government awarded a concession to build an interoceanic canal and associated projects to a recently formed Hong Kong based company with no track record or related expertise. This concession was awarded w...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental science & technology 2015-04, Vol.49 (7), p.3989-3996
Main Authors: Huete-Pérez, Jorge A, Alvarez, Pedro J. J, Schnoor, Jerald L, Rittmann, Bruce E, Clayton, Anthony, Acosta, Maria L, Bicudo, Carlos E. M, K. Arroyo, Mary T, Brett, Michael T, Campos, Victor M, Chaimovich, Hernan, Jimenez-Cisneros, Blanca, Covich, Alan, Lacerda, Luiz D, Maes, Jean-Michel, Miranda, Julio C, Montenegro-Guillén, Salvador, Ortega-Hegg, Manuel, Urquhart, Gerald R, Vammen, Katherine, Zambrano, Luis
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Seeking economic growth and job creation to tackle the nation’s extreme poverty, the Nicaraguan government awarded a concession to build an interoceanic canal and associated projects to a recently formed Hong Kong based company with no track record or related expertise. This concession was awarded without a bidding process and in advance of any feasibility, socio-economic or environmental impact assessments; construction has begun without this information. The 278 km long interoceanic canal project may result in significant environmental and social impairments. Of particular concern are damage to Lake Cocibolca, a unique freshwater tropical lake and Central America’s main freshwater reservoir; damage to regional biodiversity and ecosystems; and socio-economic impacts. Concerned about the possibly irreparable damage to the environment and to native communities, conservationists and the scientific community at large are urging the Nicaraguan government to devise and reveal an action plan to address and mitigate the possible negative repercussions of this interoceanic canal and associated projects. Critical research needs for preparation of a comprehensive benefit-cost analysis for this megaproject are presented.
ISSN:0013-936X
1520-5851
DOI:10.1021/acs.est.5b00215