MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Pulp mills controversy

Wayne Dwernychuk

By Dr. Wayne Dwernychuk



Much confusion exists regarding the proposed Uruguay pulp mills near Fray Bentos and, unfortunately, it would appear the public is continually being fed misleading and erroneous information regarding the environmental impacts of these mills. Regular press articles say the same thing ... “the mills will cause irreparable damage to the environment, fisheries and tourism”. This simply is not so. Such condemnations are not based on scientific fact, and should not form the basis for discord between two countries.

There also appears to be an escalation of the conflict between Argentina and Uruguay, given the decision of the World Court in The Hague and the recent granting of a loan by the World Band to Botnia. This is most unfortunate, as much history and brotherhood exists between the two countries. The Uruguay River may be considered a symbol of the shared goals and aspirations of the two countries. Now may be an opportune time to work together, to move forward on joint environmental matters involving transnational waters and the influence of pulp mills and other industrial considerations on this and other river systems. Argentina appears now to be moving forward toward implementing actions addressing the hazardous and toxic environmental issues of the Matanza-Riachuelo Basin in Buenos Aires. This is good news for the millions of people living there who have suffered the consequences of this unsanitary region for far too long. The commitment by Argentina toward the Basin and its people could be extended to include a commitment to work closely with Uruguay on the pulp mill issue and other industrial entities on the shared river system. The proposed pulp mills on the Uruguay River will not result in widespread environmental damage, will not affect the fisheries resource, and will not adversely affect tourism, provided the mills are operated to engineering design specifications. These forecasts are all presented in detail in the revised Cumulative Impact Report ... perhaps objectors should take the time to 'thoroughly' digest the revised document, which outlines projected impacts, or more precisely, the lack thereof. The public should not rely on conclusions regarding pulp mill impacts that are 'summarized' by special interest groups ... these groups have their own specific agendas that, often as not, may not be in the overall public's best interest. In terms of mill design, these pulp mills can be categorized as amongst the most benign and most technologically advanced of all the pulp mills operating in the world today. A cooperative stance by Argentina through acceptance of the impact report and agreeing to work with Uruguay on the environmental monitoring and general oversight of the proposed Fray Bentos mills, in order to help allay public concerns, would be infinitely more useful than what is presently occurring. There may be more environmental, social and economic benefits to Uruguay, Argentina, and the river environment, in general, with the construction of these mills than without. If, for example, Argentina and Uruguay approach the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), of which the World Bank, I believe, is one of the implementing agencies for the GEF pipeline, support may be obtained to examine the Uruguay River in terms of environmental condition and cooperative research. Similarly, Argentina and Paraguay may address the highly outdated pulp mills on the Parana River, which are discharging toxic materials into that system. Paraguay has openly expressed their concern regarding the environmental pollution emanating from these outdated pulp mills on the Argentine side of the Parana River, which are using antiquated technology. The Botnia mill will be constructed, and will be operational in the timetable proposed. Little benefit will arise through the constant turmoil of negative political and public rhetoric and bridge closures. Only constructive engagement by both sides in this dispute will win out in the end. Cool heads and realistic expectations are necessary. Dr. Wayne Dwernychuk, RPBio Senior Environmental Scientist Hatfield Consultant West Vancouver - Canada Dr. Wayne Dwernychuk, Resident Professor in Biology and Senior Environmental Scientist and Advisor, has behind him 35-year of expertise on the impact of industrial developments on physical/chemical/biological components of ecological systems, in the design and implementation of environmental monitoring programs in Canada and abroad and in the environmental assessment of chemical contaminants and physical disruptions on biological systems. Dr. Dwernychuk was one of the members of the Expert Panel from Canada who made a critical assessment to the International Finance Corporation from the World Bank, on the environmental impact study of the proposed pulp mills near Fray Bentos in Uruguay.