Costa Rica Tiffany Earl Chris Wise Brandi Rood Whitney Clift Jean Caballero Vong Martinez

Geographic Location

La Amastad National Park Background Information La Amastad National Park Discussions started in 1983 about putting hydroelectric dams in numerous rivers in the Talamanca Range in Costa Rica. The area supports life for unique aquatic life and indigenous inhabitants and highly studied by ecological and conservation groups. 7-17 dams proposed – 2 already constructed.

Resident’s Perspective Vong Martinez Resident’s Perspective

Resident’s perspective Dam Problems Relocating the indigenous people. Lived this way for thousands of years. Most likely disrupt their way of living. If they cannot continue their way of life you create unskilled and uneducated poor.

Resident’s perspective Dam Problems Violence towards those who protest. Chixoy dam in Guatemala in the 1980’s. The Babilonia, Patuca, and Parota dams in Honduras and Mexico from 2001 and 2007. Protesters were kidnapped, tortured, and murdered.

Government’s Perspective Tiffany Earl Government’s Perspective

Building Dams will Help Costa Rica Grow Government’s Perspective Building Dams will Help Costa Rica Grow Hydroelectric power is the cleanest and most renewable source of power There will be more employment opportunities The tourism industry will grow Boost the economy Stimulate economic growth Improve the quality of life Putting in the dams will “increase Costa Rica’s energy production capability by as much as 50%...not only will the project satisfy national electrical demand, it will also stimulate economic growth, assist in the development of new technological corridors and new tourism projects, increase employment opportunities, and improve the quality of life for indigenous peoples living in Boruca area (El Diquis Hydroelectric Dam in Costa Rica, 2010).”

El Diquis Hydroelectric Project Government Perspective Government’s Perspective El Diquis Hydroelectric Project Government Perspective Planned to be the largest dam in Central America Generating power to more than 1,000,000 people Giving 3,500 people jobs Provide water monitoring Other Projects http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVtm0Pc0t1U A lot of people are suffering from water-bourn illnesses because the water is not clean

Trying to Please the People of Costa Rica Government’s Perspective Trying to Please the People of Costa Rica Many protesters against the dams People are worried about the environment Will help the indigenous people to relocate Animals can be relocated if they will be in any way of harm Will make sure water is still available for crops and farms

Tourism Related Provider Perspective Brandi Rood Tourism Related Provider Perspective

Tourism Related Provider Perspective “The Zone is Hot” Improvements: Lake and Dam Recreational Activity New Infrastructure & Economic Upgrade Largest Hydroelectric Dam in South America

Tourism Related Provider Perspective Lake Size and Dam Facts Three times the size of Lake Arenal 8-mile-long tunnel 550 feet tall Dam wall Encompass 6 million acres

Recreational Activities Tourism Related Provider Perspective Recreational Activities Sail Boating Boat Tours Windsurfing Kyaking Fishing Beaches Nature Hikes

Tourism Related Provider Perspective New Infrastructure International Airport Roads Businesses Real Estate

Largest Hydroelectric Dam in South America Tourism Related Provider Perspective Largest Hydroelectric Dam in South America One of a Kind Spreads Popularity & Recognition Combines Nature with Growing Economy

Hospitality Industry Perspective Whitney Clift Hospitality Industry Perspective

Problems and Ethical Repsonsibility Hospitality Industry Perspective Problems and Ethical Repsonsibility Cause increased traffic & pollution. Change current cultural habits. Drain resources from native tribes and wildlife. Ethical questions about moving native tribes, disrupting unique wildlife.

Hospitality Industry Perspective Solution Allow minimal “green” businesses. Strict environmental requirements. Educate guests about culture and environmental concerns. Limit number of permits into the area.

Hospitality Industry Perspective Responsibility 1st the Costa Rican government. Delegate to environmental groups. Closely monitored by frequent and regular checks on impacts.

Tourism Operator Perspective Jean Caballero Tourism Operator Perspective

The Negative Effects of a Dam Tourism Operator Perspective The Negative Effects of a Dam

The Negative Effects of a Dam Tourism Operator Perspective The Negative Effects of a Dam The Natural flow of water becomes disrupted Tribes unique to the park will be displaced

Tourism Operator Perspective Marketing

Preventing the Building of the Dam Tourism Operator Perspective Preventing the Building of the Dam Awareness and Eduction Appealing to the government

International Tourist Perspective Chris Wise International Tourist Perspective

International Tourist Perspective Issue and Research Issue facing the park is if multiple hydroelectric dams should be allowed to be built within this park. “Of a total of 28 fish species known from the Uren watershed, 9, plus all 3 of the shrimp species, are diadromous, and would disappear in the event that the Talamanca Dam is constructed” (http://anaicr.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/informe-final-usfws.pdf)

International Tourist Perspective Solutions Alternative solutions to keep the environment pristine and allow visitors such as myself, to travel there in a sustainable manner and yet also work for the local residents energy need

International Tourist Perspective Leader The leader spearheading this decision to building dams or not, from the international tourist perspective, should be the government and local people.

Ethical Considerations International Tourist Perspective Ethical Considerations Ethical consideration for this problem from an international tourist perspective should look at the advantages for sustainable tourism, the local population, and also the environment.

International Tourist Perspective Changes The rainforest of the region are beautiful landscapes coving the mountains but these are very delicate environments. Small changes in rainfall amounts or temperature changes can mean the differences between life and death for many of these species. Building of a dam, let alone multiple dams, can cause large changes to the environment in a small amount of time.

Costa Rica Conclusion The dam plans and construction are currently being worked on for the future The dams will boost the country’s economic status and provide a sustainable future The dams will provide opportunities for tourism The dam construction will harm the environment and it’s inhabitants

Costa Rica References http://www.allcountries.org/photos/panama/water_fall_cloud_forest_la_amistad_international_park_chiriqui_province_panama_photo.jpg http://www.cloudbridge.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Map-La-Amistad-Biosphere-Reserve.jpg Costa rica real estate. (2010, October 12). Retrieved from http://www.costa-rican-real-estate.com/2010/10/el-diquis-hydroelectric-dam-in-costa-rica/ Dams - threatened world heritage sites. (2011, January 14). Retrieved fromhttp://www.internationalrivers.org/node/6608 Finley-Brook, M. and Thomas, C. 2010. From malignant neglect to extreme intervention: Treatment of displaced indigenous populations in two large hydro projects in Panama. Water Alternatives 3(2): 269-290 http://www.internationalrivers.org/en/latin-america/panama/unesco-world-heritage-committee-expresses-serious-concern-over-dams-changuinola Menkveld, Nathan. "Costa Rica: Stop the Savegre River Dam." Places I Have Written About. N.p., 3 Feb. 2011. Web. 22 Mar. 2012. <nathanmenkveld.wordpress.com/2012/02/03/costa-rica-stop-the-savegre-river-dam/\\>. http://metaefficient.zippykidcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/costa_rica_wind_turbines_renewable_power.jpg http://ourworldheritages.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/la-amistad.jpg "Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves / La Amistad National Park - UNESCO World Heritage Centre." UNESCO World Heritage Centre. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2012. <http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/205>. Thomas , J. (2008, April 08). The guide to efficient living. [0].Retrieved fromhttp://www.metaefficient.com/renewable-power/costa-rica-is-99- powered-by-renewable-energy.html http://www.unep-wcmc.org/medialibrary/2011/06/29/2e1234b7/Talamanca%20La%20Amistad.pdf United Nations Environment Programme. (2011). Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves/La Amistad National Park Costa Rica & Panama. Retrieved from http://www.unep-wcmc.org/medialibrary/2011/06/29/2e1234b7/Talamanca%20La%20Amistad.pdf U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Threats to aquatic biodiversity and biological corridor function in Talamanca, Costa Rica- a participatory approach to analyzing and addressing problems. By Dr. William McLarney, Lic. Maribel Mafla, andLic. Ana Maria Arias. N.p.: n.p., 2010. Google search. Web. 15 Mar. 2012.< http://anaicr.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/informe-final-usfws.pdf>. http://www.worldheritagesite.org/sites/talamanca.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tour_operator World heritage centre. (2010, September 15). Retrieved from http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/205 Yan, Katy. "List of Dam-Threatened World Heritage Site | International Rivers." International Rivers. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2012. <http://www.internationalrivers.org/node/6608