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The construction of a dam on the Rio Teta in western Panama has stalled, according to sources there. Save the Waves funded an independent environmental impact assessment (EIR) in early 2006, which led the company behind the project to halt its work. Save the Waves executive director Will Henry visited the site last June, which was reported in the Surfer's Path Magazine. "I can't figure out why anyone would want to build a dam there," stated Henry upon his return. "The river is hardly a trickle. I sincerely doubt that the true purpose behind this project is to generate electricity."
Construction began on the Rio Teta in 2005, after an initial EIR understated or omitted the effects that the a dam would have on the downstream environment. Save the Waves was alerted of the problem by local surfer Doug Allen, who claimed that the dam might have a negative impact on a surf break at the mouth of the river, at Playa Teta. Following Mr. Allen's advice, Save the Waves also provided funding for an alternate EIR, which will better study the effects of the loss of sand flow to the river mouth, as well as other problems such as saltwater intrusion into the lagoon. The added pressure has apparently caused the project to halt.
The visit in June of 2006 was a telling one. Mr. Allen took Will Henry, as well as Advisory Board member James Pribram, to the dam site for a closer look. Allen explained that the purposes behind the dam were dubious. "It's just a land grab," he said. "The only reason they want a dam here is so that they have enough water to develop the nearby land. This is the driest part of Panama. The plan to generate electricity is just a ruse."
Pribram and Henry concurred. "I can't even understand why someone would build a dam on this river," stated Pribram. "The river is barely a large stream by our standards. It would barely power a few light bulbs."
The visit also provided Henry and Pribram to visit the river's mouth and surf the famous wave at Playa Teta. "There's no doubt that a dam on this river would have a significant impact on the surrounding environment," stated Henry after his surf. "But I'm not sure that the wave would really suffer - it breaks over reef."
Allen disagreed slightly. "There are sand bars at the river mouth that sometimes show excellent wave form," he stated. "If the dam gets built, those bars will go away, and there will be even more coastal erosion."
Save the Waves will continue to monitor the situation to prevent the company behind the dam, Hidroelectrica San Carlos SA, from proceeding. We are still collecting signatures on our petition, and by clicking the link below you can still help.
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