Scientists Raise Alarms about Fast Tracking of Transoceanic Canal through Nicaragua

• Published in: Environmental science & technology Vol. 49; no. 7; pp. 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: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Chemical Society 07.04.2015
• Subjects: Animals; Atlantic Ocean; Benchmarking; Biodiversity; Conservation of Natural Resources; Cost benefit analysis; Economic Development; Economic growth; Environment; Environmental impact; Fresh Water; Freshwater; Humans; Job creation; Lakes; Nicaragua; Pacific Ocean; Poverty; Risk Assessment; Socioeconomic Factors; Transportation; Atlantic Ocean; Pacific Ocean; Nicaragua; Hong Kong China; China; Central America; ASW, Nicaragua; China, People's Rep., Hong Kong
• ISSN: 0013-936X; 1520-5851
• DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b00215

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.