OCP pipeline construction impacts sensitive Amazon Watershed

24 May 2002 - Recent surveys by BirdLife International along the río Papallacta revealed heavy siltation at a site where OCP is constructing the Trans Ecuadorian oil pipeline.[1,2,3].

The río Papallacta watershed supports several globally threatened birds [4]. Several species, such as the Torrent Ducks, depend on clear mountain rivers like the Papallacta for their survival. Recent surveys indicate that the Torrent Duck has disappeared from the section of the río Papallacta where construction has been ongoing for several months.

On May 18, Techint tractors and power shovels were observed excavating river rock from the río Papallacta creating siltation downstream for several kilometres. In addition, construction along certain sections of the río Papallacta has resulted in extensive changes to river banks, exposing them to flooding and erosion, further resulting in the river's contamination. And in some areas, tractors were clearing primary riverine forest, habitat that has not been sufficiently assessed in the Environmental Impact Assessment carried out by Entrix on behalf of OCP.

In recent weeks the German government of North Rhine-Westphalia sent a team of observers to assess if the latest pipeline developments met basic international standards as it has a financial stake in the project. OCP claims that the project meets the best practice standards subscribed by the World Bank but the construction undertaken near Papallacta casts doubt on this claim.

CECIA, BirdLife's Partner in Ecuador, state that there is increasing concern in Ecuador that OCP is not meeting its promises to ensure international standards are adhered to. The World Bank and international Conservation non-governmental organizations like BirdLife International, Conservation International, the Nature Conservancy, and the World Wildlife Fund have identified the eastern foothills of Ecuador's Amazon basin as one of the most critical regions for conservation on this planet. Dr. Mike Rands, BirdLife International's CEO, says that "international consortiums like OCP have a moral responsibility to ensure that their practices minimize impact on the fragile and rapidly disappearing habitats that support the region's unique biodiversity."

Last year, over 100 million USD was spent by tourists travelling to Ecuador to observe wildlife; a good example of the emerging economic value of biodiversity and the opportunity to benefit local communities in remote areas through wildlife tourism. "Too often, in the name of economic growth, development projects undermine other more sustainable sources of income such as ecotourism" notes Dr Rands.

BirdLife and CECIA have been critical of OCP's choice to construct the pipeline through the sensitive Mindo Nambillo Reserve, another location on the pipeline's route which was identified as the first globally Important Bird Area (IBA) in South America [5,6]. While efforts have been made to monitor the project and minimize impacts through parts of the Mindo IBA, OCP is unwilling to consider any major changes to the planned route through this area. The Mindo Nambillo Forest Reserve protects large tracts of Pacific slope Andean Tropical Forest that is home to over 46 globally threatened or endemic bird species.

BirdLife International urges OCP to review its current practices and that the Government of Ecuador and the North Rhine-Westphalia Government monitor closely OCP's work to ensure adherence to World Bank guidelines.

NOTES:

1. BirdLife International is a global alliance of conservation organizations working in more than 100 countries who, together, are the leading authority on the status of birds, their habitats and the issues and problems affecting bird life. Partners include the National Audubon Society (USA), the Canadian Nature Federation & Bird Studies Canada (Canada), Sociedad Espanola de Ornitologia/SEO (Spain), Aves Argentina (Argentina), and Liga Italiana Protezione Uccelli/LIPU (Italy).

2. The pipeline will be run by a consortium of US, Italian, Canadian, Spanish, Argentinian and Ecuadorian companies comprising Occidental, Agip, EnCan, Kerr-McGee and Repsol-YPS.

3. The impact was sighted and photographed approximately 5km downstream from the town of Papallacta on the río Papallacta in the Amazon watershed due east of Quito. The upper section of the río Papallacta collects freshwater emanating from two world renowned Andean ecological reserves: Caymambe Coca and Antisana. Freshwater from these reserves feed the upper tributaries of the río Napo and enters the Amazon River 700 km downstream.

1. The río Papallacta watershed supports several globally threatened birds such as Spot-winged Parrotlet, Little Woodstar, Coppery-chested Jacamar, Bicoloured Antvireo, and Masked Mountain-tanager, all classified as Vulnerable.

2. Important Bird Areas or IBAs are internationally important sites for the conservation of birds and biodiversity, selected by BirdLife International according to internationally recognised criteria.

3. Mindo was the first ever Important Bird Area to set up in South America because of its spectacular bird life which includes five globally threatened species including the Critically Endangered Black-breasted Puffleg a species of hummingbird. For further information please contact Ade Long at BirdLife International in Cambridge, UK, on +44 (0) 1223 277 318 or 07779 018332 (mobile), or Ian Davidson in Quito, Ecuador on + 593 2453 645. Please note that Quito is five hours behind GMT.

OCP pipeline construction impacts sensitive Amazon Watershed Quito, Ecuador