Environmental and Aeronautical Risks Cited: Organizations Urge New Location for Rocha Airport

A coalition of over 55 Uruguayan civil society organizations has formally requested national and departmental authorities to re-evaluate the proposed location for the Rocha International Airport. The current site, situated between the ecologically sensitive Rocha and Garzón lagoons, is a major concern for these groups.

The organizations, including prominent environmental advocates like Fundación Lagunas Costeras, COENDU, and Karumbé, argue that the airport should be situated in a location that respects the conservation of the lagoons, aligns with territorial planning, and ensures flight safety. They are not opposing the airport's construction itself, but are questioning the chosen site.

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the airport should be installed in a site compatible with the conservation of the lagoons, territorial ordering, and the safety of air operations.

Their primary argument centers on the project's placement within a critical ecological corridor. This area is part of the Bañados del Este Biosphere Reserve, recognized by UNESCO, and serves as a vital flyway for numerous aquatic, coastal, and migratory bird species. The organizations warn that the intersection of bird migration routes with planned flight paths could create a dual risk: endangering biodiversity and compromising aviation safety.

Citing guidelines from the International Civil Aviation Organization, the groups highlight the increased risk of bird collisions when an aerodrome is located between multiple water bodies. They are calling for an objective comparison of alternative sites before the current location is cemented, emphasizing the need to balance development with environmental preservation and operational security.

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increase in bird movement and the risk of collisions when there are several bodies of water around an aerodrome.