Producers Opposing Casupá Dam Plan to Appeal to Pope Leo XIV

Producers in the Casupá region, who are opposing the government-backed dam construction project, intend to present their grievances to Pope Leo XIV during his visit to Florida on November 7. They aim to deliver a document outlining their stance on the controversial obra.

The project, designed to secure potable water for the metropolitan area, has been defended by Environment Minister Edgardo Ortuño. He stated in an interview that the project is not only essential but also technically sound, conducted with full environmental impact assessments and strict adherence to legislation and the Constitution.

However, the producers voice strong objections, citing the inevitable loss of productive land and native forest. They have formally requested a meeting with President Yamandú Orsi to discuss their concerns, though a meeting has not yet been granted. Some producers are advocating for a halt to expropriations until the environmental impact report and mitigation plan are finalized.

The dam is projected to cost approximately $130 million and would permanently inundate 450 hectares of native forest and 1,400 hectares of pastureland currently used for livestock. The project involves expropriating 3,418 hectares across 102 land parcels. OSE, the public water company, aims to create raw water reserves capable of supplying the metropolitan area for at least 60 days under any circumstance, even in the event of severe source dysfunction.