U.S.-CHILE ENVIRONMENTAL MEETINGS, OCT 23-24

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 002369 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR OES - CAMCMURRAY STATE ALSO FOR OES/PCI - LSPERLING STATE ALSO FOR OES/ENV - RWING STATE ALSO FOR WHA/EPSC - FCORNEILLE STATE PLEASE PASS TO USTR FOR MBURR EPA FOR TPRATHER BRASILIA FOR HUB - JSTORY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV PREL ECON ETRD CI SUBJECT: U.S.-CHILE ENVIRONMENTAL MEETINGS, OCT 23-24 ¶1. SUMMARY. Chile and the United States met in Santiago October 23-24 to review bilateral environmental cooperation under the Environmental Chapter of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the Environmental Cooperation Agreement (ECA). Talks focused on reviewing the successful eight projects implemented under the FTA and detailed future areas of cooperation. END SUMMARY. Third Annual Meeting of FTA's Environmental Affairs Council -------------- -------------- ¶2. A U.S. delegation headed by Oceans, Environment and Science (OES) Assistant Secretary Claudia A. McMurray visited Santiago October 23-24 to review and broaden environmental cooperation begun under the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement (FTA). This was the third annual meeting of the Environmental Affairs Council (Chapter 19 of the FTA) as well as the second meeting of the Joint Commission of the Environmental Cooperation Agreement, since the FTA came into force in 2004. The delegations evaluated the FTA's eight joint projects, as well as six projects undertaken through the Environmental Cooperation Agreement. The parties identified cooperative measures for the 2007-2008 Work Program, seeking to enhance enforcement of environmental regulations, promote ecotourism, and build capacity for public participation. Ambassador Cristian Maquieira, Chief of the Environment, Antarctic and Oceans Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led the Chilean delegation. FTA's Eight Projects -------------- ¶3. The eight projects mandated under the FTA are: (1) a national Pollutant Release and Transfer Registry (PRTR); (2) reduction of mining pollution; (3) capacity building to enforce environmental laws; (4) workshop and study tour on voluntary environmental efforts; (5) exchange of agricultural best practices; (6) a study tour on alternatives to use of methyl bromide; (7) capacity building to improve wildlife protection and management; and, (8) a pilot project to retrofit diesel buses in Santiago to reduce emissions. ¶4. The delegations agreed all eight FTA projects have either been successfully completed or are currently being implemented. Both parties agreed to follow up on the eight project themes in the ECA Work Program. The GOC expressed particular interest in future amplification of four of the programs under the 2007-2008 Work Program: the PRTR, reduction of methyl bromide emissions, reduction of mining pollution and improvement of good agricultural practices. 2007-2008 Work Program -------------- ¶5. In addition to the mechanism provided by the FTA, the U.S. and Chile jointly plan environmental projects under the Environmental Cooperation Agreement (ECA). A/S McMurray's visit provided the opportunity to convene the second ECA meeting to elaborate a 2007-08 Work Program. The top priorities for the 2007-08 Work Program are: (1) enforcement of environmental legislation; (2) adoption of sound environmental practices, particularly through private sector stewardship and sound agricultural practices; (3) sustainable management of natural resources and biodiversity conservation, including collaboration on ecotourism, combating wildlife trafficking; and, (4) fisheries and marine protected areas. Chile Needs Compliance Assistance -------------- ¶6. The GOC singled out enforcement of existing environmental legislation as its top priority. Environmental regulation in Chile is in its early stages, and several projects have been undertaken in order to improve it. Chilean officials have made field visits to both Washington, D.C. and Seattle to work with the EPA, Departments of Justice and Interior, and NOAA. In country, the U.S. has collaborated with the GOC to hold judicial workshops to make the courts more cognizant of the legal framework of environmental law. ¶7. To continue to improve compliance and enforcement of environmental legislation, the GOC had several specific requests: (1) the loan of an EPA attorney to advise Chile on future legislation; (2) software to assess environmental damage and resources, as well as provide economic evaluations of the environment; and, (3) an amplified judicial capacity building program to further Chilean understanding of environmental litigation and legislation. Public Participation -------------- ¶8. During the public session, representatives from civil society voiced several concerns. The main concerns were: (1) lack of transparency in monitoring of aquaculture, salmon farming in particular; (2) a tendency for the GOC to view all issues, including environmental ones, from a Santiago-centric perspective; (3) that as a consequence rural areas often lack access to information; and, (4) lack of experience in environmental law and compliance among local municipalities and judiciaries. Conclusion -------------- ¶9. The environmental chapter of the FTA has been faithfully implemented by both sides. The successful FTA-related and ECA meetings were testament to that fact. The GOC has a solid legislative basis for protecting its environment but would benefit from U.S. assistance in developing the capacity to implement fully that legislation. Chile has a growing appreciation of environmental issues, and the GOC is keen to maintain and enhance environmental cooperation with the U.S. The challenge will be finding the USG personnel and resources to make sure the environmental leg of the U.S.-Chile relationship does not falter. KELLY