Anonymous - 5-10-2005 at 08:07 AM
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/mexico/20050510-9999-1b10...
By Diane Lindquist
May 10, 2005
The Commission for Environmental Cooperation has agreed to review a complaint by seven U.S. and Mexican citizen groups against a proposed liquefied
natural gas terminal near the Coronado Islands.
The commission, an advisory body established under a side agreement of the North American Free Trade Agreement, received the complaint last week and
announced yesterday that it would take up the matter.
The complaint addressed a project proposed by Chevron Corp., which shortened its name yesterday from ChevronTexaco Corp., reverting to the identity it
used before the oil company took over one of its largest rivals 3? years ago.
Greenpeace Mexico, Wildcoast, the Los Angeles Audubon Society and four other U.S. and Mexican groups allege in the complaint that Mexico's
environmental secretariat wrongly made the assessment that the $650 million industrial project anchored to the ocean floor eight miles off the Tijuana
coast would not significantly harm bird, plant and sea life nor pose a safety threat to the San Diego-Tijuana region.
In agreeing to take on the project, the NAFTA environmental commission said it is first analyzing the complaint to establish whether it falls under
its purview.
"The CEC might decide to investigate the complaint and publish a factual record of its findings, which then would be forwarded to the . . . parties,"
a statement from the Montreal-based panel said.
The panel does not have the authority to halt the project, but the environmentalists said a ruling in their favor would strengthen their hand as they
continue their opposition to the LNG terminal.
The terminal is expected to deliver supplies of natural gas from Western Australia to Baja California and Southern California. The fuel is liquefied
for transport in tankers across the ocean.
Lights and activity at the terminal will threaten the breeding of the endangered Xantu's murrelet and other species considered at risk, the
environmental groups contend. They also allege that the Mexican government did not take into account the Coronado Islands' status as a specially
protected area.
Aaron Quintanar, a project manager of San Diego's Wildcoast, said the conservation organization is pleased with the CEC decision.
"It's great that the CEC is willing to take on the complaint, but we shouldn't have to resort to an international tribunal. Mexico should be upholding
its environmental laws and regulations," he said, adding that the laws are some of the most protective of the environment in existence.
Representatives of the Mexican environmental ministry, known as Semarnat, did not respond to e-mails sent last week and again yesterday seeking
comment on the complaint.
Although the complaint addresses Chevron's proposed project, it is not directed at the energy firm, company spokeswoman Nicole Hudson said yesterday.
"We believe (the Semarnat permits) were issued in full and complete compliance with all applicable laws and that the Mexican government has followed a
clear process for granting the permits under its laws," she said.
Hudson said Chevron will comply with the conditions Semarnat required to protect the environment.