From grbarry@students.wisc.edu Sun Jul 9 12:07:55 2000
Date: Sat, 08 Jul 2000 20:58:38 -0500
From: Glen R. Barry
Subject: BIOD AA: ExxonMobil Threatens Pristine Amazon Valley
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WORLDWIDE FOREST/BIODIVERSITY CAMPAIGN NEWS
ACTION ALERT: ExxonMobil Threatens Pristine Amazon Valley
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07/08/00
OVERVIEW & COMMENTARY
The Candamo Valley in the Peruvian Amazon "is a complex, healthy, and
intact ecosystem" that has been described by scientists as "a
complete Amazon in miniature." The area includes jaguars, pumas,
tapirs, anaconda, armadillo, and the endangered giant otter.
ExxonMobil has the rights to explore for oil and natural gas in the
region, and there are indications that the valley holds large natural
gas reserves. Environmentalists and the majority of Peruvians want
ExxonMobil to give up its claims to the Candamo Valley, so it can be
incorporated into the nearby Bahuaja-Sonene National Park. Please add
your voice to the chorus: no more ancient ecosystem destruction for
damaging fossil fuel production. You can send a free fax to
ExxonMobil from RAN's award winning web site at:
http://www.ran.org/ran/info_center/aa/aa150.html
g.b.
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Title: ExxonMobil Threatens Pristine Amazon Valley, Action Alert 150
Source: Rainforest Action Network, http://www.ran.org/
Status: Copyright 2000, contact source for permission to reprint
Date: July 8, 2000
The 350,000 acre Candamo Valley is considered one of the most
biodiverse areas in the Peruvian Amazon. Because of the geography of
the valley-it is surrounded by steep mountains and penetrated by one
swift, narrow river-it is also one of the Amazon's least spoiled
treasures. Whether the Candamo Valley remains this way will likely be
determined in the near future by a US-based corporation, ExxonMobil.
Four years ago, the Peruvian government granted Mobil and its partners
Exxon and Elf (Mobil and Exxon have since merged) the right to explore
for oil and natural gas in Candamo Valley and the surrounding region,
an area known to the oil industry as Block 78. So far, Mobil has done
only preliminary work in Candamo Valley, and its impact has been
minimal. According to the Peruvian government, however, the results of
Mobil's initial exploration indicate that the valley may hold large
reserves of natural gas.
Earlier this year, as part of its exploration contract, Mobil was
required to release twenty-five percent of the land it holds within
Block 78. Environmentalists-and, according to a recent poll, the
majority of Peruvians-hoped that Mobil would give up its claims to the
Candamo Valley, which would open the way for the valley to be
incorporated into the nearby Bahuaja-Sonene National Park. Instead,
Mobil retained its claim to explore for oil and gas in the valley.
If ExxonMobil decides to develop the valley, the risks are numerous.
Already, a hill near Mobil's exploratory well site collapsed,
heightening fears that a chemical spill from the project might enter
the nearby river and pollute the headwaters of the Amazon basin.
According to Lauren Sullivan, RAN's Amazon Oil Campaigner, "Even if
ExxonMobil uses the best available technology, oil and gas projects
inevitably pose a threat to the health and long-term survival of an
ecosystem."
The threat is particularly troubling given the unique natural riches
of the Candamo Valley. It is home to a multitude of animal species,
including jaguars, pumas, tapirs, anaconda, armadillo, and the
endangered giant otter. In the span of just two years, biologists
studying the area have identified 663 vertebrate species, one new
species of fish, and 426 species of birds. The valley is a complex,
healthy, and intact ecosystem-"a complete Amazon in miniature,"
according to some scientists, capable of existing independent of what
goes on in the rest of the Amazon.
All of this could change with oil or gas development. "Similar
projects have devastated ecosystems throughout South America,
resulting in the toxic pollution of air, soil, water, and massive
deforestation," points out RAN's Lauren Sullivan. "Furthermore, top
climate scientists agree that we cannot afford to burn even one
quarter of our existing oil and gas reserves without risking the worst
impacts of climate change. Knowing these risks, we have to ask: Is it
worth it? Is it worth sacrificing one of the last wild, pristine spots
on Earth?"
What You Can Do!
The fate of the Candamo Valley is currently in the hands of
ExxonMobil. Mobil's public relations officers claim that the company
understands the importance of Candamo; however, Mobil's decision not
to release its claim to explore for oil and gas in the valley
indicates that the company is still considering development of the
region.
Please write to ExxonMobil and urge the company not to proceed with
any oil or gas development in the Candamo Valley.
Recipient: Mr. Lee Raymond
Subject: Protect the Candamo Valley!
Mr. Lee Raymond
Chief Executive Officer
ExxonMobil
5959 Las Colinas Boulevard
Irving, TX 75039-2298
fax: (972) 444-1882
Telephone: 972-444-1000
Dear Mr. Raymond,
I was extremely disappointed to learn that ExxonMobil recently decided
not to release its claim to explore for oil and gas in the Candamo
Valley in the Peruvian Amazon.
The Candamo Valley is one of the most pristine and biodiverse places
in the Amazon region. While much of the Amazon has been irrevocably
altered by human activity, the Candamo Valley has survived in close to
its original state. I urge you to strongly reconsider any plans your
company has to open this area to oil or natural gas development.
If ExxonMobil releases its claim to the Candamo Valley, the valley
could be incorporated into the nearby Bahuaja-Sonene National Park.
I strongly support this as a way forward, as do the majority of
Peruvians. I plan to follow this issue closely, and hope that I can
count on you to ensure that ExxonMobil does the right thing.
Sincerely,
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