Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves / La Amistad National Park

• Construction of hydroelectric dams near the property in Panama and associated effects (greater human presence near the property, interruption of aquatic species migratory corridor)
• Lack of a long-term biological monitoring program to implement mitigation measures that minimize the negative impacts on the property caused by hydroelectric projects
• Approval of a new hydropower project (Changuinola II or CHAN 140) without prior finalization of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for the entire property
• Encroachment (settlements, cattle ranching)
• Planned road construction, which would traverse the property on the side of Panama (issue resolved)

Total amount granted: USD 30 000 from the Rapid Response Facility

On 31 January 2017, the States Parties of Costa Rica and Panama submitted a joint report on the state of conservation of the property, available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/205/documents/, and providing the following information in relation to the implementation of Decision 40 COM 7B.72 and the recommendations of the 2016 mission:

• Threats to the property from cattle ranching and agricultural activity have not increased, although a number of small areas with signs of deforestation and encroachment were detected during the recent overflight of the Costa Rican part of the property undertaken by the authorities, including signs of illegally constructed buildings. Visits to the affected areas are planned to investigate the cases;
• A marijuana plantation was detected and destroyed within the property in August 2016. Efforts are continuing to combat all illegal activities, including joint patrolling and cooperation between different authorities;
• Regarding the new dam Changuinola II, it is confirmed that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of this project was approved in 2013. The company responsible for the construction of the dam has committed to a period of permanent dialogue with the communities directly affected by involuntary relocation, but has not initiated any construction activities. The company is carrying out planning among other activities;
• The State Party of Panama commits not to approve any further hydroelectric projects until the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for the property has been approved. In Costa Rica, the planned Diquís hydroelectric project is currently “being stopped by the indigenous consultation process”, and national authorities were reminded about the responsibility to conduct environmental assessments and consider potential impacts of projects on the OUV for all heritage sites;
• The first phase of the SEA has been completed in Panama and options for funding the preparation of the SEA for the Costa Rican part are being discussed. It is planned to finalize an integrated SEA for the entire property in 2018 and to submit it to the World Heritage Centre for review by IUCN. An evaluation of cumulative impacts will also be undertaken as part of the process. The preparation of the SEA foresees a participatory process, including involvement of indigenous communities;
• An update is provided on mitigation measures and monitoring undertaken for Chan 75 and Bonyic projects;
• Renegotiation of the concession contract with the company Hidroecológica del Teribe S.A., responsible for the Bonyic project, is underway, including an establishment of a provision for an external audit of the concession contract every five years. Once the results of the audit are available, the contract will be renegotiated in order to strengthen participation of indigenous communities in the “plans, programmes and projects with an impact in the area”.

On 14 April 2017, the State Party of Panama submitted a letter stating that a decision to cancel the contract to build the Changuinola II dam had been taken at a recent Presidential cabinet meeting.

The information provided by the States Parties regarding threats from illegal activities and encroachment is noted. As demonstrated by the results of the recent overflight of the property and patrolling activities, it is clear that the property continues to be affected by encroachment and cultivation of illegal crops, even if only small areas currently appear affected by such activities. It is recommended that the Committee request the States Parties to continue their efforts to combat illegal activities within the property.

The commitment of the States Parties to finalize an integrated SEA for the entire property by 2018 and the commitment of the State Party of Panama not to approve any new projects until the SEA is available, and the information that the contract to build the Changuinola II dam has been cancelled are noted with appreciation. It is recommended however that the Committee request the State Party of Panama to confirm the cancellation of the contract once this decision has officially entered into force following the necessary procedures, and to clarify whether the cancellation of this contract means that the plans for Changuinola II hydropower project will be definitely abandoned. It is also recommended that the Committee reiterate its position that any development of new hydropower projects prior to the finalization and adequate review of the SEA for the entire property would represent a danger to the OUV of the property in line with Paragraph 180 of the Operational Guidelines, and would lead to its inscription on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

It is further recommended that the Committee request the State Party of Panama to continue monitoring activities of the Chan 75 and Bonyic dams, to establish a long-term monitoring programme for these two projects to evaluate the effectiveness of their mitigation measures and to ensure that the results of this monitoring, even if very limited at this early stage, are taken into account during the preparation of the SEA and of the assessment of cumulative impacts.