Carolyn and Bruce Miller
Experts on wildlife of Belize

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To: NEAC
Re: Chalillo EIA/Natural History Museum Report

We have just reviewed the Natural History Museum (NHM) "Preliminary Report on the Scientific and Biodiversity Value of the Macal and Raspaculo Catchment, Belize: A Wildlife Impact Assessment for the proposed Macal River Upper Storage Facility."  It is apparent that a good effort was expended by the NHM under the limitations imposed by a constrained TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR), to evaluate ecological aspects in the proposed Chalillo dam area.

However, from an ecological perspective, problems with this survey include:

  • The TOR were inadequate to evaluate the ecological importance of the area

  • Inadequate time period during which to conduct studies
  • Survey techniques were used citing La Selva Maya monitoring protocols.  These protocols are adequate for long term monitoring but cannot substitute for a comprehensive ecological assessment using more robust survey methods.  Guidelines for appropriate methods, taxa, and timelines were outlined in a document dated November 2000, and repeatable studies should be done in subsequent years and seasons
  • Surveys were limited to the riparian edges
  • “Control" survey sites should be established away from the riparian edge so that comparative studies between the riverine and flood plain areas may be conducted to offer comparisons and contrasts

Even given the above shortcomings, the NHM report further strengthens the premise that the proposed Chalillo dam area harbors a rich and important biodiversity not duplicated elsewhere.  We believe that long term and more exhaustive local and landscape level studies need to be conducted in the Chalillo area.  However, none of us can ignore the fact that the NHM report supports the notion that the ecological importance of this area is critical to Belize and indeed, to all of northern Central America.

Sincerely,

Carolyn Miller, M.Sc., Associate Conservation Zoologist, Wildlife Conservation Society, Tropical Forest and Reserve Planning Project, Belize; specialist in tropical mammals and birds, regional expert on jaguar, and co-manager of the Belize Biodiversity Information System. Belize.

Bruce Miller, Associate Conservation Zoologist, Wildlife Conservation Society, Tropical Forest and Reserve Planning Project, Belize; specialist in tropical mammals and birds, regional expert on bats and co-manager of the Belize Biodiversity Information System. Belize.

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