A FLORIDA International University (FIN) unit, the Southeast Environmental Research Center (SERC), has cast doubt on the validity of the eco-assessment from Environmental Resources Management (ERM), hired by Hong Kong Nicaragua Canal Development Company (HKND), which plans to build a waterway across Central America to surpass the Panama Canal.
In a press release the Miami-based SERC said: "A group of international scientists have released their findings about a proposed trans-isthmus shipping canal in Nicaragua, raising concerns about environmental impact and lack of information."
But the names of the scientists were not mentioned in the press release or attached to the unsigned report itself. The only name included was that of FIN biology professor, Todd Crowl, the SERC director, who rallied the "scientists".
The only other names included were attached to a slew of cryptic footnotes to back up points made in the report.
No findings other than expressions of the dissatisfaction with the quality of the work done by the ERM consultancy on behalf of the HKND canal builders were presented. The Nicaraguan government has approved the ERM study and says the project is good to go.
SERC's people "determined the ERM assessment does not adequately measure the potential impacts of the project, noting insufficient data collection on water quality, geology, sediments, species, erosion and fisheries.
"The spring workshop included ecology, conservation and water law experts from FIU and other US and international universities, as well as scientists from the United States Geological Survey, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama, Fauna & Flora International, Wildlife Conservation Society and Paso Pacifico in Nicaragua," the press release said.
"The ERM assessment does not adequately measure the potential impacts of the project, noting insufficient data collection on water quality, geology, sediments, species, erosion and fisheries.
"The time period in which the study was conducted - two years - is a shorter timeframe than what is needed to adequately evaluate long-term impacts of such a large-scale infrastructure project," said the press release.
(It took 15 years of environmentalist tests and litigation before all the studies were done to dredge the Savannah River in Georgia.)
"For a project of this magnitude with so much at stake, it seems that very careful and thorough consideration is a must," said Dr Crowl. "The time frame was simply too short to fully understand the potential ramifications and likely outcome."
WORLD SHIPPING
22 June 2015 - 20:03
Eco-profs move to shoot down HK's Nicaraguan canal scheme
A FLORIDA International University (FIN) unit, the Southeast Environmental Research Center (SERC), has cast doubt on the validity of the eco-assessment from Environmental Resources Management (ERM), hired by Hong Kong Nicaragua Canal Development Company (HKND), which plans to build a waterway across Central America to surpass the Panama Canal.
WORLD SHIPPING
22 June 2015 - 20:03
Eco-profs move to shoot down HK's Nicaraguan canal scheme
This news 5094 hits received.
These news may also interest you