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

2. Geographic Location

3. 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.

4. Resident’s Perspective
Vong Martinez
Resident’s Perspective

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. Government’s Perspective
Tiffany Earl
Government’s Perspective

8. 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).”

9. 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
A lot of people are suffering from water-bourn illnesses because the water is not clean

10. 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

11. Tourism Related Provider Perspective
Brandi Rood
Tourism Related Provider Perspective

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

13. 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

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

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

16. 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

17. Hospitality Industry Perspective
Whitney Clift
Hospitality Industry Perspective

18. 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.

19. 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.

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

21. Tourism Operator Perspective
Jean Caballero
Tourism Operator Perspective

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

23. 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

24. Tourism Operator Perspective
Marketing

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

26. International Tourist Perspective
Chris Wise
International Tourist Perspective

27. 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” (

28. 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

29. 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.

30. 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.

31. 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.

32. 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

33. Costa Rica
References
Costa rica real estate. (2010, October 12). Retrieved from
Dams - threatened world heritage sites. (2011, January 14). Retrieved fromhttp://
Finley-Brook, M. and Thomas, C From malignant neglect to extreme intervention: Treatment of displaced indigenous populations in two large hydro projects in Panama. Water Alternatives 3(2):
Menkveld, Nathan. "Costa Rica: Stop the Savegre River Dam." Places I Have Written About. N.p., 3 Feb Web. 22 Mar <nathanmenkveld.wordpress.com/2012/02/03/costa-rica-stop-the-savegre-river-dam/\\>.
"Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves / La Amistad National Park - UNESCO World Heritage Centre." UNESCO World Heritage Centre. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar <
Thomas , J. (2008, April 08). The guide to efficient living. [0].Retrieved fromhttp:// powered-by-renewable-energy.html
United Nations Environment Programme. (2011). Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves/La Amistad National Park Costa Rica & Panama. Retrieved from
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., Google search. Web. 15 Mar <
World heritage centre. (2010, September 15). Retrieved from
Yan, Katy. "List of Dam-Threatened World Heritage Site | International Rivers." International Rivers. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar <