16.12.2008
Environmental crime: hydroelectric project kills 3 tons of fish

Local press in the State of Rondônia released yesterday shocking images of tons of dead fish floating on Madeira River, close to the worksite of the Santo Antônio dam. There is an awful smell in the region which has attracted hundreds of urubus and the workers of the construction consortium Madeira Energia are sharing improvised masks in order to breath. There are at least three tons of surubins, jaraquis, tambaquis, pirapitingas, pescadas, tucunarés, douradas and other dead species from the lack of oxygen which was caused just after the initiation of the project.

For the Movement of Dam Affected People, this is a proof that the environmental license of Santo Antônio dam was fraudulent and was given due to the pressure from Furnas and Odebrecht, the majority shareholders of the construction consortium. Their hurry to profit from the energy of the Madeira Complex is stronger than any concern for the environment and the surrounding riverine populations.

The other license in question is that of the Jirau dam, also on Madeira River. The Federal and State Public Ministries in the State of Rondônia pressed a Public Civil Action (ACP) for administrative misconduct against the president of Ibama (Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Energy Resources) and the licensing director of the same institute. The acts seek the dismissal of the two officials and the cancellation of the licenses for both dams.

Foto: TV Rôndonia