PLANNED DAMS FOR THE USUMACINTA

Río Usumacinta is in danger of drowning. On a recent Usumacinta trip (March 2013) SierraRios learned from residents near Boca del Cerro that companies and government individuals had come in to survey the value of the forest that would be drowned. Residents are opposed to the dams. Yet the projects seem to still be planned. Apparently bidding was or will be opened to dam construction companies this year (2013), with a 41 m project (Tenosique Dam) intended to be built at Boca del Cerro between 2014-2017. Several articles discuss this:

METAB article (Español) discusses some specifics of the planned projects, targeted dates, and opposition in Tabasco
El Milenio article, (Español) discusses the opposition from ecological groups
CSF economic study (English and Español) is an economic feasibility analysis.

Specifically, the METAB article describes:

La Presa Tenosique se construirá sobre el río Usumacinta en la cuenca del mismo nombre con un potencial instalado de 420 MW. Este proyecto fue nombrado anteriormente como Hidroeléctrica Boca de Cerro y forma parte de una red de presas que el gobierno federal pretende instalar a lo largo del río Usumacinta que divide a México con Guatemala por el estado de Chiapas. Los otros proyectos para este río son las Presas Yaxchilán, Isla El Cayo, El Porvenir y La Línea que sumarían 690 MW de potencia instalable, antes de desembocar en la presa ahora llamada Tenosique que solo este proyecto tendrían un potencial instalado de 420 MW entre los estados de Chiapas y Tabasco. Con una cortina flexible de 41 metros de altura y 305 metros de largo en su corona. Con tres turbinas Kaplan la casa de máquinas tendría una altura de 75 metros por 172 de largo y 20 metros de ancho. Su presupuesto inicial son 545.67 millones de dólares. La licitación se prevé en 2013 y su construcción entre 2014 al 2017.

The Tenosique Dam will be built on the Usumacinta River, in the basin of the same name, and will carry 420 MW of power. This project was formerly named Boca de Cerro Hydro and is part of a network of dams that the federal government intends to install along the Usumacinta River, which divides Mexico and Guatemala through the state of Chiapas. The other projects planned for this river are Yaxchilán Dam, Isla El Cayo Dam, El Porvenir Dam, and La Línea Dam, which would add 690 MW of power before flowing into the dam now called Tenosique, and this project would carry 420 MW of power between the states of Chiapas and Tabasco. With a flexible curtain 41 meters high and 305 meters long at the crown, with three Kaplan turbines, the powerhouse would have a height of 75 meters by 172 long and 20 meters wide. Its initial budget is 545.67 million dollars. Bidding is expected to take place in 2013 and construction between 2014 and 2017.

VOICE YOUR OPPOSITION TO THE TENOSIQUE DAM!

Actions to take:

PETITION: sign the petition against the dam and forward to others. "Like" on Facebook, email the link, share!

RAFT TRIP: we invite you to experience the Usumacinta yourself and become familiar with the ruins, jungle, and residents. Launches scheduled Dec-Apr each year. See DETAILS HERE.

DONATION: SierraRios can spread the word more and increase appreciation of the river with donations.

LETTER: Write your own letter to Presidente Peña Nieto of Mexico expressing your concern about the river and desire to see this unique Mayan heritage area preserved for future generations. Use this link to send a message: http://www.presidencia.gob.mx/contacto/

SAMPLE LETTER:

Dear President Enrique Peña Nieto,

The Usumacinta River is one of the wonders of Mexico and deserves protection in its natural state. This river, known as the River of the Sacred Monkey, was a major route of transportation of the ancient Maya. With its forests, ruins, jungle wildlife, beaches, and rapids, it is of the same value to México as the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River is to the United States. These special places deserve conservation and protection. I was concerned to read that there are plans to build a dam on the Usumacinta River at Boca del Cerro, Yaxchilan, and elsewhere. Apparently those in the CFE proposing these projects do not realize they are going to destroy a magnificent natural and cultural resource with these reservoirs.
As President of the Republic of Mexico, I ask you that you follow the example of President Teddy Roosevelt when he protected the Grand Canyon of the Colorado of the United States as a national park. Please protect Río Usumacinta in its free-flowing state so future generations can enjoy and appreciate it.

Sincerely,

James "Rocky" Contos
Director, SierraRios

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23 Febrero 2013

Estimado Presidente Enrique Peña Nieto,

El Río Usumacinta es una de las maravillas de México como una vía de transportación antigua de los Mayas, y conocido como El Río de los Monos Sagrados. Con sus bosques, ruínas, monos, playas, y rápidos, es equivalente al Grand Canyon de los Estados Unidos. Estos lugares especiales merecen conservación y protección. Me preocupa leer que hay planes para construir unas presas en el Río Usumacinta en Boca del Cerro, Yaxchilán, y otros lugares. Aparentemente los que están a cargo de estos proyectos no se dan cuenta que van a destruir un recurso natural magnífico con estos embalses.
Como Presidente de la República de México, le pido a Ud. que siga el ejemplo del Presidente Teddy Roosevelt cuando protegió el Grand Canyon del Colorado de los Estados Unidos. Por favor, le suplico que proteja el Usumacinta en su estado de aguas libres, como el Grand Canyon. Nuestros nietos y bisnietos le agradecerá.

Les saluda atentamente,

James "Rocky" Contos
Director, SierraRios

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