Pipeline project threatens important Chilean wetland

Pipeline project threatens important Chilean wetland
Birdwatch news team

Posted on: 22 Aug 2013


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A mixed flock of Elegant Terns and Franklin's Gulls on the Important Bird Area of Rocuant-Andalien, Chile. Photo by Patricio Ortiz
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The Rocuant-Andalién wetland, located between the cities of Talcahuano, Penco and Concepción in the Bio-bio region of Chile, is under threat from the proposed construction of a liquid gas pipeline. The pipe will connect a new maritime terminal called ‘OCTOPUS Maritime Terminal, Concepción Bay, VIII region of Bio-bio’ with two new thermo-electric plants to be built inland. This huge project, which is likely to affect the hydrological and ecological integrity of this and other coastal and riverine wetlands, is backed by a group of investors from the United States, Germany and Chile to the tune of US$150 million (about £96 million).

CODEFF (BirdLife in Chile), the wetland’s local conservation group and the BirdLife Americas Secretariat have registered their objections to the plans, sending a long list of detailed comments and observations to the Environmental Evaluation Service of Bio-bio regarding the Environmental Impact Assessment for the first phase of the project, which is currently being considered by the relevant authorities. In addition, on 31 July, the mayors of the communities of Talcahuano, Penco and Tomé met and declared their complete rejection of the OCTOPUS scheme.

Rocuant-Andalién wetland is recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA) for its high concentrations of Elegant Tern and Peruvian Pelican, both of which are listed as Near Threatened by IUCN, as well as for migratory birds such as Franklin’s Gull, Black Skimmer and Lesser Yellowlegs.

Due to its importance for migratory waterbirds from the Northern Hemisphere, and particularly for the presence of Franklin’s Gull, the site was selected as part of the Linking Sites, Linking People project funded by the US Fish and Wildlife Service NMBCA and Rio Tinto. The project, due to finish later this year, has made enormous advances in raising awareness of this wetland’s importance for birds and people and towards securing its legal declaration as a Nature Sanctuary under Chilean law.

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