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dam-l LS: Ministry to Probe Ralco Water Dispute
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CHIP NEWS
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Date: 9/21/99
Subject: Ministry to Probe Ralco Water Dispute
Sources: El Mercurio, La Tercera
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-- MINISTRY TO PROBE RALCO WATER DISPUTE.
The General Water Authority (DGA), part of the Public Works Ministry,
says it will carry out a full investigation into a water rights dispute in the
Upper Bio Bio Valley in southern Region VIII which could affect the Ralco
hydroelectric project. The conflict arose after both power company Endesa
Chile, owner of the 570 MW Ralco project, and the ocal Pehuenche indigenous
leader of opposition to the project, Nicolasa Quintrean, applied for water
rights to the same segment of the Bio Bio River. Lawyers for environmental
groups claim that if Endesa does not hold the rights at stake, it will have to
move some work on the power station further upstream, which could seriously
affect the profitability of the US$500 million project. Sources at the company,
however, say the dispute does not threaten Ralco's feasibility. Public Works
Minister Jaime Toha said, "this delicate situation will be analyzed fully" and that
the controversy "once again demonstrates the shortfalls of our Water Code."
**Chip News**
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Monti Aguirre
Latin American Campaigns
International Rivers Network
1847 Berkeley Way
Berkeley, CA. 94703 USA
Phone: 510 . 848.11.55 and 707 . 591 .91.49
Fax: 510 . 848.10.08
e-mail: monti @irn.org
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