many of you probably got this too, but i thought i would post it for those who did not. i received it today.
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Dear Jane,
I'm writing to you on behalf of the Coalition to Save the Macal River Valley with an exciting update on recent events in Belize:
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in Belize is now deliberating on the landmark case brought by the Belize Alliance of Conservation NGOs challenging approval of the Chalillo dam. The case concluded on August 1, and marks an important achievement for efforts to save the Macal River Valley. A decision is expected in September.
BACONGO showed in detail how the rubber-stamped environmental approval for the dam was illegal and why it should be overturned. In response, the government of Belize denied ever giving approval for the project--despite overwhelming proof brought to the contrary. This proof included letters from the government purporting to give 'environmental clearance' for the Chalillo dam. These letters were made public for the first time as part of the case by lawyers for Belize Electricity Limited (BECOL), owned by Fortis.
A detailed update on the court case can be found at
http://www.stopfortis.org/CaseUpdate8_13_02.html, with photos from the courtroom and BACONGO's dynamic legal team, Lois Young Barrow and Dean Barrow. News reports of the case were featured on national television in Belize and Newfoundland's Telegram newspaper and CBC radio.
Your signature on the StopFortis petition, and your support of this campaign are invaluable in helping the Coalition to Save the Macal River Valley--and BACONGO in particular-- make environmental history. Please contact us at
[email protected] to get further involved.
Sincerely,
Ari Hershowitz
Director, BioGems Project, Latin America
Natural Resources Defense Council,
for the Coalition to Save the Macal River Valley (see
www.stopfortis.org/coalition.html) "
AmbergrisCaye.com 
