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They don't ask much. Belize Association Non-Government Organizations simply seeks fresh environmental assessment on proposed hydroelectric dam Canadian operator Fortis Inc. busily constructing on Macal River, flooding more than 1,000 hectares Belizean rainforest.

Two days Privy Council hearings London last week can summed up concise phrase unnamed law lord who pondered proceedings wondered why relevant facts pertinent dam construction had "squeezed out dribs drabs." Excellent question: Why?

Here's big fat fact stands out. While Fortis' commissioned environmental assessment asserted groundstone area question granite, thereby just thing dam construction, foundation material has since been proved ... not granite, but sandstone.

Fortis has offered verbal assurances concerned environmentalists, people Belize Privy Council distinction matters not. Ergo, systems go.

I've studied enough post mortems on megaprojects suggest more astute course action order fresh, independent review.

The Chalillo Dam project has been out news years, drifting initially U.S. operators first became entangled — backstopped British money — privatization Belize's electricity sector, then waxing waning environmentalists itemized ecological damage will ushered by-product Chalillo.

It's issues such these force dimwits such me learn: scarlet macaw very short supply, with current population estimates running about 200 birds. That resoundingly beautiful red parrot extremely fond Macal river basin. That like tour about small groups call each other what has been described "raucous hoarse voices."

The scarlet macaw — black howler monkey tapir, matter — line fire, were, Chalillo project, which sits upriver town San Ignacio (population: 14,200). A line-up celebrities, including but not limited Cameron Diaz Harrison Ford, have lent their names stop-Chalillo movement.

Through narrative, downstream habitat preservation has lost out bigger push Belizean government cut deals with series private-sector suitors, going back likes Virginia Electric Power Co. mid-'90s. Beginning late 1990s, Fortis grew presence both transmission distribution electricity Belize through country's monopoly operator, Belize Electricity Ltd., which now owns 67 per cent interest, Belize Electric Co. Ltd., Becol, which owns 95 per cent. (The remaining 5 per cent Becol held government Belize.)

The rainforest expansion, commencing with Fortis making investments Belize Electricity via two Cayman Island subsidiaries, always seemed unlikely St. John's-based company, whose primary assets include Newfoundland Power Inc. Maritime Electric Co. Yet Fortis has emerged owner operator Mollejon hydroelectric facility, which sits downriver new dam.

It's key point. Mollejon has been chronic underperformer, consistently operating below capacity dry season, leaving Belize import electricity Mexico. Chalillo dam meant redress problem add new capacity electricity starved region.

At what cost?

Last week, Godfrey Smith, Belize's attorney general, reiterated future economic development country relies on dam going forward, sounded somewhat embarrassed having "the world financial community" — aka, prospective investors — ponder "this kind indecisiveness."

The Privy Council considered Smith's position once before, last summer, fact, when dismissed an application an injunction stop dam construction. But application, council examined whether government's granting project work on up up. didn't consider whether geological presumptions project were accurate.

Alastair Rogers, who co-authored report on environmental effects dam on behalf Britain's Natural History Museum, quoted Independent last spring saying: "Fortis claims bedrock area granite. We believe presence large amount porous rock such limestone could render dam useless. forest would flooded, but water would drain away. You'd left with negatives none positives."

The Natural History report appended initial assessment commissioned Fortis, recommended much deeper analysis potential aftershocks project. That didn't happen.

The Privy Council, which far anyone can figure has never before adjudicated an environmental issue, now considers whether file should reopened. Last week, court reserved judgment. Bacongo, group fighting dam's construction, wants much more than new rock analysis. They want Chalillo project stopped its tracks. Knowing what know now about actual foundation dam, Privy Council now has reason order reprieve.