Maxus and the Ecuadorian Amazon

THE AMAZONIAN CAMPAIGN FOR LIFE - Ecuador DEMANDS AN ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT to MAXUS INC.

THESE ARE THE RESULTS OF PETROLEUM EXPLOITATION ON THE PART OF THE COMPANY MAXUS. WITH THESE RESULTS, CAN MAXUS BE CONSIDERED, "A PETROLEUM COMPANY RESPECTFUL OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND ITS INHABITANTS?"

- Systematic destruction of the Huaorani culture - Bio-prospecting activities outside of the scope of its contract for oil exploitation, through its contractor Jatsun Sacha (affiliated with the Missouri Botanical Garden, which is affiliated with the transnational phatmaceutical companies Monsanto and Elli Lyli).

- With Ecuambiente, ethno-botanical, biological, botanical, zoological and soil studies have been performed whose results are restricted.

- On January 12, 1995, through CITES, the Smithsonian Institute was permitted to collect 5 specimens of each INSECT species found in Maxus's Block 16.

- On January 17, CITES gave another authorization for the exportation of 69 animal specimens to the Royal Museum of Ontario.

- In August of 1994, the Yasuni Scientific Station was opened in order to give Maxus a "green" image and to legitimize its bio-prospecting.

- Deforestatiion of 29,355 ha. of primary rain forest.

- 350 has. affected by selective logging to obtain wooden planks.

- 300 dumptrucks daily of sand and gravel removed from the banks of the Aguarico and Napo rivers during the construction of roads, with the danger of disappearance of Pompeya Island.

- 540 streams affected by the construction of roads.

- 3 permanent gas flares burning 40,000 cubic feet of natural gas per day released to the atmosphere.

- Highly toxic debris spread on the road that crosses Yasuni National Park and the territory of the Huaorani.

- Overflowing of the pits which contain toxic wastes.

- Toxic fluids released to the rivers and streams of Yasuni National Park.

- Formation waters destined for reinjection without knowledge of depth or security systems.

- Consequent damages to the acuatic fauna and microfauna.

- Deposit of Maxus's solid wastes in the Chiche River near Quito.

- Helicopter flights over the forest with the intent of contacting the Tagaeri culture.

- Disruption of hunting and fishing due to the constant noise, subsistence practices used by the Huaorani, Quichua and Cofan cultures located in this area.

- Slopes up to 20 m high with permanent danger of landslide.

- Stagnant ponds of water that lead to the incubation of diseases.

- Domestic wastes deposited directly in rivers and streams used by local communities, for example, 10,000 plastic glasses daily.

- Introduction of agressive grasses-Bracharia decumberis and Desmodium sp. from Asia and Africa-for grazing of livestock.

- Destruction of approximately 30 salt licks essential for the feeding and reproduction of species.

- 3 boats filled with chemicals sunk in the Napo and Tiputini Rivers in February and April of 1993 within Yasuni National Park.

- Oil spills at the AMO 2 and BOGI-A4 wells.

- The subcontractor Harbert spilled between 900 and 1000 barrels of petroleum and productiion waters containing heavy metals and salt, and burned 3000 cubic feet of gas.

- Oil Spill in Limoncocha next to a town.

- 2 landfills built within Yasuni National Park and Limoncocha Biological Reserve.

- Exploitation of a gravel mine belonging to the community of Dureno.

- Violations of the following: Treaty 107, Art. 4 of International Workers Organization Universal Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 3rd part, paragraph 14 Constitution of Ecuador, all points of art. 19 Civil Code, all points of Title 29, book 1.

If you want to support the Campaign please send letters to:

Maxus Energy Corporation
717 North Harwood Street
Dallas, Texas 75201
USA

For more information:
Camapania Amazonia por la Vida,
Casilla 17-15-246-C,
Quito - Ecuador,
Fax: 593-2-547516.

Rainforest Action Network
450 Sansome St #700
San Franciso, CA 94111
Fax.: 415-398 2732


Date: Fri, 21 Apr 1995 03:57:35 -0600
From: verde@acecol.ecx.ec
To: Multiple recipients of list elan@csf.colorado.edu
Subject: MAXUS Y LA AMAZONIA ECUATORIANA