VZCZCXYZ0002
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHGT #1352/01 3341515
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 301513Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY GUATEMALA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0505
INFO WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS GUATEMALA 001352 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SENV EAID PGOV EINT GT
SUBJECT: ALGAE IN LAKE ATITL??N THREATENS TOURISM, POSES CHALLENGE TO 
GOG 
 
¶1. (U) Summary: The appearance of an unsightly and potentially 
toxic algae in Lake Atitl????n poses a significant threat to one of 
Guatemala's most well-known tourist attractions, and has created a 
high-profile environmental challenge for the Colom Administration. 
Scientists identified the bacteria on October 24 and attribute its 
appearance to wastewater and nitrates from agricultural fertilizer, 
both of which are introduced directly into the Lake by local 
communities and agricultural installations.  In response, the GoG 
developed an emergency action plan that would establish new 
wastewater treatment plants, ban non-organic fertilizers and 
suspend logging, amongst other actions.  However, the GoG still 
lacks the necessary funds and staff to implement the plan.  At 
present, USAID is working with the GoG and other donors to 
coordinate assistance and, a USAID contractor is undertaking an 
assessment of the situation.  End Summary. 
 
 
 
CYANOBACTERIA THREATENS LAKE ATITL????N 
 
 
 
¶2. (U) On October 24, local press reported that University of 
California scientists had detected an algae known as cyanobacteria 
Lyngbya hieronomysii in Guatemala's spectacular, volcano-ringed 
Lake Atitl????n, one of the country's major tourist attractions.  One 
scientist stated that cyanobacteria can produce cyanotoxins with 
potential adverse health effects on fish, crustaceans, zooplankton, 
and humans that have frequent contact with the polluted water.  Dr. 
Margaret Dix, a scientist at Guatemala's University of the Valley, 
informed Econoffs that there have been no definite reports of 
negative health effects, but rather some rumors of skin rashes, 
dead fish and crabs that could have been due to a variety of 
causes, including the bacteria.  The press reported that tests 
conducted by the University of California determined there was no 
toxicity in the lake, however Embassy Guatemala has not yet 
confirmed this report.  The GoG identified wastewater from 
lakeside, mostly indigenous communities and nitrates from 
agricultural fertilizers as the main causes of the cyanobacteria. 
Within the 15 lakeside communities, only six water treatment 
facilities were ever built, of which only two are currently 
operational.  This means that most of the surrounding communities 
dump untreated wastewater directly into Lake Atitl????n. 
Additionally, nitrates from agricultural fertilizers contaminate 
many of the local rivers and eventually make their way to the lake. 
 
 
 
 
GOG SEEKS IDEAS AND FUNDS 
 
 
 
¶4. (U) The unsightly and smelly bacteria is already impacting 
Atitl????n's USD 200 million per year tourist industry.  Local 
authorities, civil society organizations, the Vice President's 
Office and the Ministry of Environment have developed an emergency 
action plan to rescue the lake.  Proposed measures include: a ban 
on non-organic fertilizers, the construction of primary sewage 
treatment plants, and the suspension of logging licenses for a 
period of up to two years, amongst others.  Representatives from 
twenty companies and scientific institutions have also submitted 
proposals on how to manage wastewaters and solid waste.  A 
scientific committee analyzed the proposals and presented a report 
to Vice President Espada on November 13, though the results are not 
yet public.  Other ideas include a proposal by hotel owners to use 
funds from an existing 10% hotel tax to improve hotels' wastewater 
treatment systems. 
 
 
 
¶5. (U) Despite the proliferation of ideas, the GoG has not yet 
identified sufficient funds to address the problem at Lake 
Atitl????n. 
The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN) estimates 
that implementing the action plan would cost over USD 38 million. 
Thus far, the Government of Spain has pledged USD 15 million in 
assistance.  Guatemala's Institute of Municipal Development (INFOM) 
will make available a portion of a 2005 USD 3.7 million loan from 
the Inter-American Development Bank.  Though originally programmed 
for the construction of waste treatment plants after Hurricane Stan 
destroyed a sewage plant in Panajachel, some of the loan could be 
used to assist in GOG efforts. 
 
 
 
USG SEEKS "RAPID ASSESSMENT" AND COLLABORATES WITH INTERNATIONAL 
DONORS 
 
 
¶6. (U) USAID Guatemala is using an existing contract to conduct a 
"rapid assessment" of the situation.  The assessment will catalogue 
Atitl????n's needs and outline and evaluate the problem, current 
proposed plans, and available resources.  If possible, the 
consultant would work with MARN, the National Protected Areas 
Commission (CONAP), and civil society (including University of the 
Valley) to collect the information.  Additionally, USAID 
participated in a November 19 meeting with the "Donor Group for 
Environment and Water," convened by the Dutch Embassy on the 
proposed action plan and its integration with existing donor and 
GoG programs.  Other USG-led endeavors include the approval by 
USAID to use regionally earmarked CAFTA-DR environment funds for 
the Environmental Protection Agency to send one scientist on a 
scoping trip to Lake Atitl????n.  Additionally, the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration has provided the GoG with 
satellite imagery demonstrating the algae's rapid growth.  The 
images also appeared in the press on November 20. 
 
 
 
¶7. (U) Comment: Ridding Lake Atitl????n of cyanobacteria Lyngbya 
hieronomysii will be a long-term challenge for Guatemala.  Lake 
Atitl????n's status as a natural treasure and a driver of tourist 
revenue has made the bacteria problem front page news.  The GoG is 
taking measures  to address the problem, but is unlikely to find 
sufficient financial resources or the organizational capacity to 
mount an effective, rapid response.  As such, the international 
community and civil society will both be critical partners in 
resolving the issue effectively.  Post will continue to monitor the 
situation and provide support to the GoG wherever possible. 
MCFARLAND