Dr. Gilbert Canton
Chairman
The Public Utilities Commission
63 Regent Street, Belize City
Dear Dr. Canton,
We write to you as members of the Cayo Tour Guide Association to
request that the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) reconsider its
decision to approve a license for Fortis-BECOL to build the Chalillo
dam on our Macal River.
We are dependent on our country’s spectacular natural beauty and
cultural heritage for our livlihoods. One in four Belizeans is employed
in a tourism-related occupation. The Chalillo dam could affect the
Macal River, one of the main attractions of our area
We are concerned that the design for the dam has not been made
available, nor do we know what added costs there will be or what plans
there are for releasing the flow of water for the river. How can we
know what effects this dam will have on our river, and potentially on
the safety of people, both those of us who live downstream and the
visitors we take up and down the river.
We do not feel there has been reasonable consideration of our concerns,
and we are hopeful the PUC would at least hold a public inquiry and/or
a public hearing to allow for a wise and intelligent decision, based on
facts, not promises.
Sincerely,
Members of the Cayo Tour Guide Association