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Canadian-backed dam in Belize faces legal challenge by Canadian Press The following text excludes some non-indexable words. For the full text, please register. London: British Privy Council begins hearing Wednesday will determine future Canadian-backed dam Belize, which its opponents say will damage country's sensitive environment destroy Mayan archeological sites.The Chalillo dam project on Macal River has been subject long legal battle, pitting growing demand electricity Belize against preservation Central American country's fragile natural resources. The 49-metre high dam built Belize Electric Co. Ltd. – BECOL, subsidiary Newfoundland-based Fortis Inc. – would flood about 810 hectares land Macal River valley, says coalition nine environmental groups fighting its construction. A large part valley consists ancient rainforest has been left untouched humans since age Mayas, about 500 years ago. "This dam heralds catastrophic dawn one Belize's most precious natural treasures," said Ute Collier World Wildlife Fund International, one groups behind Belize Association Non Governmental Organizations, BACONGO. "An unblemished wilderness teeming with exotic flora fauna risks being razed ground flushed face earth." The group will argue an environmental assessment geological study done on dam site British-based consulting company are deeply flawed. It claims, among other things, geological survey has misidentified rock area granite, raising questions about safety cost building $30-million (U.S.) dam. A judicial panel Privy Council – effectively Belize's supreme court under its membership Commonwealth – being asked environmental coalition stop construction until new environmental geological surveys project are done. council has scheduled two days hear case. A spokesman Fortis couldn't reached comment on Tuesday, but August company defended dam after Privy Council rejected an application an interim injunction stop construction until rules on project. "We view court's ruling another vindication BECOL misleading allegations made BACONGO," said Lynn Young, director electricity company. Fortis said environmental coalition has lost seven legal rulings its battle against dam. Sharon Matola, director Belize Zoo Tropical Education Centre, said hydroelectric project would have modest impact on country's hydro supply, but places risk rare species, including jaguars, tapirs last 200 scarlet macaws left Belize. "What we're selling off order (generate electricity) one most pristine areas left northern-central America, an area where you find species have been driven extinction other parts central America" said Matola. "These species play direct role socio-economics, I mean you are looking country growing its stature its nature-based tourism industry, dam would serious harm that."
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