A recent column, "Another canal? Really?", mischaracterized the environmental review of the proposed Nicaraguan Grand Canal Project-currently in progress-and the role of Environmental Resources Management (ERM; OGJ, July 28, 2014, p. 14).
ERM has been contracted by the company seeking to build the canal, Honk Kong Nicaragua Development Group (HKND), to provide an independent assessment of the environmental and social impacts of the proposed project and to advise HKND on international environmental and social standards.
As with all of our projects, we are committed to an open and comprehensive assessment, including carefully considering stakeholder input. In fact, in July we conducted 2 weeks of public meetings across Nicaragua, which were attended by approximately 5,000 stakeholders, including the public, nongovernmental organizations, academics, and the media. At those meetings, we shared information about the project and solicited feedback and any concerns from local residents about its potential effects on communities and ecosystems.
It is premature to discuss the details of the ongoing assessment, but ERM intends to conduct a rigorous and transparent environmental and social impact assessment, including the sharing of all studies and reports with the public once completed.
Dave Blaha, Principal Partner
Environmental Resources Management
Impact Assessment and Planning Practice
Washington, DC
