"El
derecho a vivir en un medio ambiente libre de
contaminación. Es deber del Estado velar
para que este derecho no sea afectado y tutelar
la preservación de la naturaleza".Capitulo III, Articulo 19, Sección
8 del la Constitución Chilena.
The right to live in an environment free
from pollution. It is the State’s duty
to stand guard so as to not allow for this right
to be impacted and advocate for the preservation
of the environment.Chapter
III, Article 19, Section 8 of the Chilean Constitution.
Present
Threat
The Futaleufu River is being directly threatened
by developing gold mining operations in the Espolon
Valley. FutaFriends is working to raise community
awareness of this dire situation in Patagonia
by strengthening locally-based grassroots organizations.
FutaFriends and other international and national
NGOs are protesting these developments though
public advocacy campaigns and increasing the access
to reliable information. Local groups, such as
Aguas Libres, work directly with community members,
ensuring local involvement in the fight to protect
the Futaleufu. Gold mining will have drastic repercussions.
Conservation efforts are needed to protect the
Futaleufu River and its tributaries. Join us in
standing up for the Futaleufu.
FutaFriends
is a 501(c)(3) non-profit private charity who
works to ensure the free-flow of the Futaleufu
River and to protect the natural resources of
its watershed through community stewardship, education
and sustainable development for current and future
generations.
The
rising demand and price of gold has led to increased
exploitation interests in Patagonia. Canadian
Kinross Gold Corporation and US-based Geocom Resources
are leading the mining operations in Southern
Chile, specifically in the Palena region. Already
threatened by Endesa’s future hydroelectric
dams and the HidroAysen Project, the Futaleufu
continues to be in danger of destruction.
Patagonia Under Siege
Multinationals, such as US-based
Geocom Resources, Canadian Kinross Gold
Corporation, and Endesa Spain, are part
of the HidroAysen Project, which has decidedly
put Patagonia under siege by development
mega-projects with unsustainable ends. The
environment in Southern Chile is directly
threatened and scheduled for destruction.
As a method to increase public opinion for
these horrid mega-projects, these multinationals
have led a campaign of misinformation, specifically
with local populations. To protect the natural
resources of Patagonia and increase the
access to reliable information for Chileans
and foreigners, FutaFriends has supported
the Patagonia Under Siege website as a source
for any news dealing with natural resource
extraction and Patagonia. Join the protest
against the HidroAysen Project and get informed
with the Patagonia Under Siege website.
Our
Plan Work
directly with the Futaleufú community
through a close partnership with the local
mayor and valley leaders. We keep an extensive
database on the threats to the region, and
concentrate on direct actions to inform and
educate locals about their rights and strategies
to protect their valleys from large dams and
mines. FutaFriends also maintains close contact
with Chilean environmental groups, government
agencies and members of the Senate advocating
for free flowing rivers in Patagonia. Internationally
Futafriends interacts with a network of foundations,
groups and companies involved in protecting
the region. To raise awareness in the US and
elsewhere we use film, public talks and written
media. We also advise and plan letter writing
and media campaigns calling for no dams! in
Chilean Patagonia.
