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CNN
03-06-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Peru's plan to drastically reduce Nazca Lines park size sparks concerns over environmental and heritage risks
Peru's decision to shrink its archeological park home to the famous Nazca Lines by around 42% — an area roughly the size of 1,400 soccer fields — has sparked alarm among conservationists, archaeologists and environmental advocates. Critics say the rollback paves the way for informal mining and weakens decades of cultural and ecological protection, while the government says the adjustment reflects updated scientific studies and does not compromise the UNESCO World Heritage status or the site's core protections. 'The reduction not only removes protections — it does so precisely where extractive activity is expanding,' said Mariano Castro, Peru's former vice minister of the environment, adding that the decision could cause 'very serious risks and cumulative damage,' as it excludes zones with active or pending mining claims. Castro added that safeguards for archaeological heritage during the formalization of artisanal mining are already limited. 'This is made worse by the ministry of culture's failure to consider the cumulative impact of dozens or even hundreds of mining operations on sensitive archaeological zones,' he said. The area in question forms part of a UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Site, home to the Nazca Lines — massive geoglyphs etched into the desert thousands of years ago — and one of Peru's most fragile desert ecosystems. UNESCO told The Associated Press it hasn't been notified by Peruvian authorities of any changes to the boundaries of the World Heritage site, which are crucial for its protection. The organization will request more information from the authorities. Peruvian environmental lawyer César Ipenza, who has closely followed the decision, said the resolution has already been approved and that it reduces the Nazca zone by more than 1,000 hectares. 'This is a weakening of both environmental and cultural protections,' Ipenza said. 'The state should be upholding its commitments under international agreements, not yielding to private interests.' Ipenza and others say the rollback reflects a pattern of regulatory concessions to mostly informal gold miners. 'There's an alliance between the current government and informal mining sectors,' he said. 'The legal framework continues to be relaxed to benefit them.' Peru's ministry of culture, which decided on May 30 to reduce the Nazca reserve from about 5,600 square kilometers to roughly 3,200 square kilometers, declined to answer specific questions from the AP. Instead, it sent a press release saying the adjustment was based on updated archaeological studies and does not affect the UNESCO World Heritage designation or its buffer zone. The ministry said it remains committed to preserving the site's cultural heritage through regulated management. A day after the May 30 decision, Peru's Minister of Culture Fabricio Valencia acknowledged that illegal mining exists within the reserve. 'Unfortunately, informal mining is an activity present in this area, but the measure we have taken does not mean it will be encouraged, nor that the likelihood of any harm from informal mining will increase. That will not happen,' Valencia said on RPP, one of Peru's largest radio programs. When asked for more details about the presence of illegal activity in the reserve, Valencia said, 'there are some mining deposits, but I don't have exact information on what type of mineral is there.' Castro, the former vice minister, warned the move could violate Peru's own laws. 'It contravenes Article 5(h) of the Environmental Impact Assessment Law, which mandates the protection of archaeological and historical heritage,' he said. Ipenza said the government is enabling illegality under the guise of technical adjustments. 'It is shameful to forget our ancestors and our heritage, and to disguise decisions that pave the way for sectors seeking to impose illegality, such as illegal and informal mining,' he said. 'This decision benefits those groups and harms all Peruvians.'
CNN
03-06-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Peru's plan to drastically reduce Nazca Lines park size sparks concerns over environmental and heritage risks
Peru's decision to shrink its archeological park home to the famous Nazca Lines by around 42% — an area roughly the size of 1,400 soccer fields — has sparked alarm among conservationists, archaeologists and environmental advocates. Critics say the rollback paves the way for informal mining and weakens decades of cultural and ecological protection, while the government says the adjustment reflects updated scientific studies and does not compromise the UNESCO World Heritage status or the site's core protections. 'The reduction not only removes protections — it does so precisely where extractive activity is expanding,' said Mariano Castro, Peru's former vice minister of the environment, adding that the decision could cause 'very serious risks and cumulative damage,' as it excludes zones with active or pending mining claims. Castro added that safeguards for archaeological heritage during the formalization of artisanal mining are already limited. 'This is made worse by the ministry of culture's failure to consider the cumulative impact of dozens or even hundreds of mining operations on sensitive archaeological zones,' he said. The area in question forms part of a UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Site, home to the Nazca Lines — massive geoglyphs etched into the desert thousands of years ago — and one of Peru's most fragile desert ecosystems. UNESCO told The Associated Press it hasn't been notified by Peruvian authorities of any changes to the boundaries of the World Heritage site, which are crucial for its protection. The organization will request more information from the authorities. Peruvian environmental lawyer César Ipenza, who has closely followed the decision, said the resolution has already been approved and that it reduces the Nazca zone by more than 1,000 hectares. 'This is a weakening of both environmental and cultural protections,' Ipenza said. 'The state should be upholding its commitments under international agreements, not yielding to private interests.' Ipenza and others say the rollback reflects a pattern of regulatory concessions to mostly informal gold miners. 'There's an alliance between the current government and informal mining sectors,' he said. 'The legal framework continues to be relaxed to benefit them.' Peru's ministry of culture, which decided on May 30 to reduce the Nazca reserve from about 5,600 square kilometers to roughly 3,200 square kilometers, declined to answer specific questions from the AP. Instead, it sent a press release saying the adjustment was based on updated archaeological studies and does not affect the UNESCO World Heritage designation or its buffer zone. The ministry said it remains committed to preserving the site's cultural heritage through regulated management. A day after the May 30 decision, Peru's Minister of Culture Fabricio Valencia acknowledged that illegal mining exists within the reserve. 'Unfortunately, informal mining is an activity present in this area, but the measure we have taken does not mean it will be encouraged, nor that the likelihood of any harm from informal mining will increase. That will not happen,' Valencia said on RPP, one of Peru's largest radio programs. When asked for more details about the presence of illegal activity in the reserve, Valencia said, 'there are some mining deposits, but I don't have exact information on what type of mineral is there.' Castro, the former vice minister, warned the move could violate Peru's own laws. 'It contravenes Article 5(h) of the Environmental Impact Assessment Law, which mandates the protection of archaeological and historical heritage,' he said. Ipenza said the government is enabling illegality under the guise of technical adjustments. 'It is shameful to forget our ancestors and our heritage, and to disguise decisions that pave the way for sectors seeking to impose illegality, such as illegal and informal mining,' he said. 'This decision benefits those groups and harms all Peruvians.'
CNN
03-06-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Peru's plan to drastically reduce Nazca Lines park size sparks concerns over environmental and heritage risks
Peru's decision to shrink its archeological park home to the famous Nazca Lines by around 42% — an area roughly the size of 1,400 soccer fields — has sparked alarm among conservationists, archaeologists and environmental advocates. Critics say the rollback paves the way for informal mining and weakens decades of cultural and ecological protection, while the government says the adjustment reflects updated scientific studies and does not compromise the UNESCO World Heritage status or the site's core protections. 'The reduction not only removes protections — it does so precisely where extractive activity is expanding,' said Mariano Castro, Peru's former vice minister of the environment, adding that the decision could cause 'very serious risks and cumulative damage,' as it excludes zones with active or pending mining claims. Castro added that safeguards for archaeological heritage during the formalization of artisanal mining are already limited. 'This is made worse by the ministry of culture's failure to consider the cumulative impact of dozens or even hundreds of mining operations on sensitive archaeological zones,' he said. The area in question forms part of a UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Site, home to the Nazca Lines — massive geoglyphs etched into the desert thousands of years ago — and one of Peru's most fragile desert ecosystems. UNESCO told The Associated Press it hasn't been notified by Peruvian authorities of any changes to the boundaries of the World Heritage site, which are crucial for its protection. The organization will request more information from the authorities. Peruvian environmental lawyer César Ipenza, who has closely followed the decision, said the resolution has already been approved and that it reduces the Nazca zone by more than 1,000 hectares. 'This is a weakening of both environmental and cultural protections,' Ipenza said. 'The state should be upholding its commitments under international agreements, not yielding to private interests.' Ipenza and others say the rollback reflects a pattern of regulatory concessions to mostly informal gold miners. 'There's an alliance between the current government and informal mining sectors,' he said. 'The legal framework continues to be relaxed to benefit them.' Peru's ministry of culture, which decided on May 30 to reduce the Nazca reserve from about 5,600 square kilometers to roughly 3,200 square kilometers, declined to answer specific questions from the AP. Instead, it sent a press release saying the adjustment was based on updated archaeological studies and does not affect the UNESCO World Heritage designation or its buffer zone. The ministry said it remains committed to preserving the site's cultural heritage through regulated management. A day after the May 30 decision, Peru's Minister of Culture Fabricio Valencia acknowledged that illegal mining exists within the reserve. 'Unfortunately, informal mining is an activity present in this area, but the measure we have taken does not mean it will be encouraged, nor that the likelihood of any harm from informal mining will increase. That will not happen,' Valencia said on RPP, one of Peru's largest radio programs. When asked for more details about the presence of illegal activity in the reserve, Valencia said, 'there are some mining deposits, but I don't have exact information on what type of mineral is there.' Castro, the former vice minister, warned the move could violate Peru's own laws. 'It contravenes Article 5(h) of the Environmental Impact Assessment Law, which mandates the protection of archaeological and historical heritage,' he said. Ipenza said the government is enabling illegality under the guise of technical adjustments. 'It is shameful to forget our ancestors and our heritage, and to disguise decisions that pave the way for sectors seeking to impose illegality, such as illegal and informal mining,' he said. 'This decision benefits those groups and harms all Peruvians.'
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Tree-sitter enters third week in WA's Olympic Foothills to halt logging
The Brief A tree-sitter is protesting a timber sale in the Elwha River watershed, remaining perched 80 feet up. A judge declined to halt the sale, which aims to generate revenue for public schools. Environmental advocates argue the logging threatens rare ecosystems and restoration efforts. PORT ANGELES, Wash. - A tree-sitter who has suspended themselves more than 80 feet above the forest floor in the Elwha River watershed remains perched in protest after a Clallam County judge declined to issue an injunction halting a controversial timber sale. The protestor, whose identity has not been confirmed, has occupied the treetop for more than two weeks in a bid to stop the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) from logging part of a 314-acre section of state-managed forestland. The area lies just outside Port Angeles, in the foothills of the Olympic Peninsula. What they're saying Authorities escorted FOX 13's Lauren Donovan past two barricades, three miles up a dirt road so she could speak with the tree-sitter. They told her they were not pleased by the outcome in the courtroom Friday, and they do not plan on coming down from the massive Grand Fir anytime soon. "I'm not too worried about an extended camping trip," said the tree-sitter from their perch. "This is a sacred place, and you can look around here and see the scars of generations of clear cutting but there are a few places that are still intact on state land and one of them is up that road." The protestor's rigging system constructed with rope, tar, shards of glass and cement functions like a human booby trap, designed to collapse if tampered with. The setup, described as resembling a carnival game, is allegedly highly sensitive—any disturbance to the lines could trigger the platform to collapse, much like a dunk tank. "The rope could easily release, dropping me down to where you are," they told Donovan from above. Authorities have sealed off the area and stationed officers around the clock out of concern that someone could accidentally trigger the rigging. The DNR has stated that the sale of this forestland is part of its mandate to generate revenue for public schools and other state services. Environmental advocates, including the Earth Law Center, argue that the trees at stake are part of a rare and increasingly scarce ecosystem. This advocacy group is not affiliated with the tree-sitter, but they share the same mission. "The overarching argument is that this forest should not be cut down," said Elizabeth Dunn, Director of Legal Advocacy at the Earth Law Center. "These are very rare remaining forests on DNR state land. It's not about stopping all logging, it's about protecting these types of forests." Dunn argues that logging in the Elwha River watershed is especially misguided given the millions of dollars recently spent on restoring the area following the Elwha River dam removal. She contends that destroying the surrounding forest habitat undermines the restoration efforts and threatens the health of the watershed. Dunn contests, that the land slated for logging is also home to small river tributaries that flow into the Elwha. She believes that cutting down these forests, which are vital to the recovery of the river system, would be a step backward for the long-term environmental restoration of the region. Dunn said the group has formally appealed the timber sale and is seeking key records from DNR to support their case—records she claims have been slow to arrive. According to Dunn on Friday, a Clallam County judge ordered DNR to produce the requested documentation by mid-June but stopped short of issuing a full injunction on the logging operation. Dunn argues that while the trees may not be old-growth by strict definition, they are on their way. "The real point is these are on their way to becoming old growth," argued Dunn. "They're very different than a monocrop, blocked, plantation." DNR maintains that no old-growth trees are included in the timber harvest and that its policy strictly prohibits harvesting old-growth anywhere in the state. Still, the protestor—dubbed the "tree-sitter" has made clear they will not be coming down until DNR halts the sale outright. The Source Information in this story came from the Washington Department of Natural Resources, Earth Law Center, and original FOX 13 Seattle reporting and interviews. Luxury Seattle hotel sues 'nuisance' building next door Firefighters in western WA train for possibility of 'above average' wildfire season Shawn Kemp lawyers claim bias in Tacoma Mall shooting case as trial nears Federal judge blocks Trump's dismantling of the Department of Education 'Where is Teekah?': Mother speaks out after Tacoma, WA cold case Activist marks 2 weeks in tree to protest logging near Port Angeles Driver arrested after deadly crash in Kent, WA To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
E&E News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- E&E News
Conservatives plot to revive ‘REINS Act' in reconciliation
House Republicans ditched a massive overhaul of federal regulations from their party-line megabill, but champions of the effort in the Senate say it's all part of a plan. Still, they have some work to do to avoid running up against the procedural landmines that could doom their effort. Initial versions of the House reconciliation package would have given Congress final approval over any 'major rule that increases revenue' and expanded mechanisms for undoing existing rules. The deregulatory language, based on the 'Regulations from the Executive In Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act,' would have upended federal agencies' independent rulemaking powers. Advertisement Such an overhaul alarmed environmental advocates, who forcefully pushed against it. The League of Conservation Voters said the provision would 'cripple federal agencies' ability to implement major climate and environmental rules.'
