Nicaragua says study finds canal 'viable'; no details public

[Little Tich]

Source: Yahoo! News / AP

MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) — An environmental study has concluded a planned $50 billion canal across this Central American nation is "viable," officials said Monday, but without releasing details of the report.

Canal Commission spokesman Telemaco Talavera said the next step is to submit the findings to an analysis conducted jointly with the Environment Ministry. He said the proposed 172-mile (278-kilometer) route for the canal has been determined to be the right one.

Environmental activists, Nicaraguans who stand to be displaced and President Daniel Ortega's political opponents have criticized the project, including what they say has been a lack of transparency since it was first announced.

Crews broke ground on access roads related to the canal in December, but have yet to start digging the waterway itself. Some experts doubt it will ultimately be built due to financial, environmental and social concerns.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/nicaragua-says-study-finds-canal-viable-no-details-013657654.html

[DetlefK]

1. Your damn environment better not get in the way of my 50 billion bucks.

Connecting the country's biggest freshwater-source to the oceans? What's the worst that could happen?

[on point]

2. Waste of $50 billion. This is unneeded world infrastructure.

Spend the $50 B on something more needed like telco, trains, or education.

A completely stupid idea that should die right away.

[Sunlei]

5. actually, I think Hong Cong $$ will build and fund it.

Apparently when the USA wanted to build the Panama canal they made a treaty with Nicaragua (paid bribes)preventing them from this canal build, way back in the old days. Back when the USA was a 'world controller'

[on point]

7. You miss the point. It is not if money is available, but is spent on bad idea

The world has many needs, and not enough money to accomplish them all.

Spend the money on something that is needed. Again like Alternative energy generation, education, telco/web, roads, trains, housing etc.

Not on duplicating existing infrastructure (Panama canal) , even if they can make a profit on it. This is a HORRIBLE idea and needs to die right away.

[Sunlei]

9. I think water transportation/shipping canals is a great idea for any country.

Panama canal is not owned by Nicaragua. Hong Cong will fund it. China will 'own' that country for a longtime.

Nicaragua doesn't have the money for anything like - "Spend the money on something that is needed. Again like Alternative energy generation, education, telco/web, roads, trains, housing etc."

It will be a great economic boost for any country to have a shipping lane similar to panama canal, but I am sure a much larger, wider and simpler design. I bet there will not even be any locks.

[on point]

10. New canal not needed. Duplicates existing capability. Complete waste of resources

[LanternWaste]

11. Strategic points are strategic due to their unique location.

Strategic points are strategic due to their unique location, and give leverage to the operator (e.g., the Suez Canal and Straights of Gibraltar in WW2 being held by Britain completely removed Italian naval influence from the Atlantic and Indian Oceans). Remove its uniqueness, and the leverage is gone.

In a world of peace, lacking any conflict or potential conflict, it would indeed be a waste of resources, yet in this world, the Chinese cost benefit analysis may indicate the burden of resources is far outweighed by the reduction of the U.S.'s sphere of economic influence in Central America, and its leverage over this strategic waterway neutered.

[Sunlei]

12. newer shipping barges (chinas) will not fit in the panama canal, its about 100 years old

China plans to dominate global trade. To build your own shipping canal & make your own regulations (no more Panama canal boat searches) is a huge advantage.

[geek tragedy]

3. Ortega is so corrupt. How much money from this project

do you suppose will find its way to his buddies, family, and own pockets.

[Sunlei]

4. Actually I think we should build a wide canal from the gulf to the NW passage for transportation.

water transportation.

[Panich52]

6. Hell of difference between viable and economic disaster

Displaced indiginous people, loss of jungle habitat, disruption of ecological system, endangered species... but none of that should get in the way of corporate profits or filling Cayman bank accounts of corrupt gov officials.


Link posted on Envir&Energy

[FLPanhandle]

8. By "Viable", they mean it will increase China's influence

Not that it's a good economic idea, environmental idea, or social idea.

It will increase Chinese influence and line quite a few Central American politician pockets, so it's considered "viable"