Published by Development - On 19 January 2010

Meeting held in San Pedro Columbia, Toledo District, Belize
Information/narrative provided by Nicanor Requena

For the past couple of months, villagers of San Pedro Columbia and other communities in the Toledo District have been voicing their concerns regarding the proposed Hydroelectric Development in Toledo. Of greatest concern to the community is the lack of information from the Government of Belize and Belize Hydroelectric Development and Management Company Limited (BHD) regarding a concession agreement signed between the Government of Belize and BHD on December 5, 2008. The community is opposing the concession particularly where it states the following:

BHD proposes to continue and intensify its ongoing studies and develop, to its fullest potential, the hydroelectric resources of the Rio Grande River and its Tributaries including the Central River, all upstream of the Rio Grande Hydroelectric Project, to design, construct, own and operate hydroelectric generating facilities, all in the Toledo District, Belize, C.A.

On November 28, 2009 when the villagers of San Pedro Columbia formed the Columbia River Forest Reserve and Bladen Nature Reserve Committee, they were tasked with seeking information regarding this proposed project and making the community’s concerns and opposition known to the government. The community members agreed on the following response:

First, we categorically reject the proposed hydro-electric development and its related activities including research, based on the fact that our communities have for all our existence protected and depended on these resources for food, shelter, medicinal purposes, water, subsistence agriculture, and for cultural and spiritual reasons.

Second, the community would like to highlight the fact that the Central River and all its tributaries are our primary source of water and that hydro-electric development would negatively affect our lives.

Third, our experience with Hydro Maya in San Miguel (pioneered by the same developer) found that such development threatens to destroy our resources such as our forests, land, and rivers. To this end, we reject any further destruction of our resources.

Finally, we would like to state for the record that the communities affected by this development were never properly consulted nor did they give their consent. The communities will resist any form of development that does not first seek their consent.

On January 17, 2010, a public meeting was held in San Pedro Columbia to further discuss this proposed development.  Present on the part of the government were: the Chief Forest Officer Mr. Wilber Sabido, Mr. Franco from the Department of Environment, and Hon. Juan Coy Toledo West Area. Present on the part of the communities were: Alcaldes and village council chairmen of villages in the Toledo District, the Toledo Alcaldes Association, Maya Leaders Alliance, Ya’axché Conservation Trust, BELPO, TIDE, Human Rights Attorneys, the police department, and others.

The following were the main outcomes of the meeting:

• That Chief Forest Officer, Mr. Wilber Sabido, confirmed that he first became aware of the Concession agreement in June 2009, almost six months after it was signed by the Prime Minster and the Developer.
• Mr. Wilber Sabido confirmed that a “cease and desist” order was served by the Forestry Department to Belize Hydroelectric Development and Management Company Limited (BHD) on January 7, 2010.
• That the Cease and Desist is in effect until a full assessment of the activities being conducted by BHD in the Columbia River Forest Reserve and Bladen Nature Reserve is completed, reporting finished, and a decision made.
• Mr. Sabido confirmed that the Committee will form part of this entire process, including conducting the assessment, reporting, and making recommendations in order to arrive at a decision. Mr. Sabido confirmed that BHD has acknowledged receiving the order issued by the Forestry Department. Mr. Sabido confirmed that, upon receiving permission, he will deliver to the committee an official copy of the Cease and Desist order given to BHD.
• The community members and other participants present at the meeting reaffirmed their disapproval of the hydroelectric dams in Toledo before government representatives. It was very clear that the people present at the meeting were against this form of development and were hopeful that this message would reach the Prime Minster and his cabinet.
• The Area Representative Juan Coy assured the community that he would support and take the position of the community and voice this position before the Cabinet.

As the committee continues to engage in an open process to resolve this issue in Toledo, we anticipate that the government will honor the position taken by the community. If our concerns are not adequately addressed, the committee will continue to advocate and stand against this injustice. We encourage the government of Belize to explore and consider other energy-generating options that would be less harmful to Belizeans' lives and to the environment.