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 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.
†Molecular Biology Center, University of Central America, Managua 14101, Nicaragua.|⚲Academy of Sciences of Nicaragua, Managua, Nicaragua.
Jorge A
JA
Huete-Pérez
‡Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States.|⚲Academy of Sciences of Nicaragua, Managua, Nicaragua.
Pedro J J
PJ
Alvarez
§Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, United States.
Jerald L
JL
Schnoor
∥School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States.
Bruce E
BE
Rittmann
⊥Institute For Sustainable Development, Mona Campus, Mona, Jamaica.
Anthony
A
Clayton
#Center for Legal Assistance to Indigenous Peoples, CALPI, Bluefields, Nicaragua.
Maria L
ML
Acosta
∇Institute of Botany, São Paulo State Department of Environment, São Paulo, Brazil.
Carlos E M
CE
Bicudo
○Instituto de Ecologia y Biodiversidad, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Mary T
MT
K Arroyo
◆Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States.
Michael T
MT
Brett
¶Centro Alexander von Humboldt, Managua, Nicaragua.
Victor M
VM
Campos
∞Instituto de Química, Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil.
Hernan
H
Chaimovich
⊗National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico.
Blanca
B
Jimenez-Cisneros
⧓Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602-2202, United States.
Alan
A
Covich
☼Institute of Marine Sciences, Universidade de Federal do Cearza, Fortaleza, Brazil.
Luiz D
LD
Lacerda
⊞Entomology Museum of León, León, Nicaragua.|⚲Academy of Sciences of Nicaragua, Managua, Nicaragua.
Jean-Michel
JM
Maes
★CH2M HILL, San José, California 45242, United States.
Julio C
JC
Miranda
⟁Centro para la Investigación en Recursos Acuáticos, UNAN, Managua, Nicaragua.
Salvador
S
Montenegro-Guillén
⚲Academy of Sciences of Nicaragua, Managua, Nicaragua.
Manuel
M
Ortega-Hegg
%Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States.
Gerald R
GR
Urquhart
⟁Centro para la Investigación en Recursos Acuáticos, UNAN, Managua, Nicaragua.
Katherine
K
Vammen
⧳Instituto de Biología, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico.
Luis
L
Zambrano
D000818:Animals; D001267:Atlantic Ocean; D019985:Benchmarking; D044822:Biodiversity; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D057217:Economic Development; D004777:Environment; D005618:Fresh Water; D006801:Humans; D060106:Lakes; D009527:Nicaragua; D010140:Pacific Ocean; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014186:Transportation