Uruguay orders river cleanup plan

Uruguay's President Tabaré Vázquez issued a decree that orders the implementation of a plan to "prevent, control, stop and reverse the deterioration process" of the Negro river. The plan, among other measures, establishes the creation of a multi-ministry committee to execute and supervise all measures taken under this initiative.

According to the decree, this committee – formed by the housing, mining and agriculture ministries – will also be supported by the country's environment and climate change secretary in the elaboration of the river plan. Later phases of the plan will entail agricultural initiatives, recovery of riverside forests and monitoring water reservoirs to prevent algae blooms.

The decree also proposes the creation of a second committee that would analyze and propose actions to the ministerial committee.

"The CCE (ministerial committee) will inform the Negro river basin committee about its proposed measures for the initiative, and later will receive the recommendations and adjust its plans," the decree said.

This first stage will be funded partially by Finish firm UPM, which is currently negotiating the installation of a second pulp mill in the country.

In the contract the firm and the government signed last year, UPM agreed to provide US$1.5mn per year to a fund that will finance several local initiatives, including the Negro river initiative. These payments will last for 20 years after the plant is opened, according to the contract.

UPM sources told daily La Diaria that the firm's technicians are currently working with local authorities to assess the state of the basin and to determine actions to improve water quality.