El Siglo newspaper features an extensive interview with several environmental specialists that criticize the modifications the environmental bill has suffered in the Chamber of Deputies. Moises Alvarez, national coordinator for Capacidad 21; Sixto Inchaustegui, environmental officer of the United Nations Development Plan and environmental expert Jose Rafael Almonte met at El Siglo to stress that the changes made to the environmental law kill the essence of the bill. They explain that long discussions went on and a consensus reached prior to the Executive Branch submitting the bill to Congress. Alvarez said that many of the changes are being to tailor the bill to the desires of the next officers of the Ministry of Environmental Affairs contemplated in the bill. For instance, the bill stipulates that important decisions of the Minister are subject to approval by a Council of Environment and Natural Resources. This council was eliminated from the bill so that the new officers can have entire liberty of action, and not need to consult with anyone. Alvarez also criticized that while the bill sought to promote sustainable development, the modifications make it strictly of conservationist nature. He said this eliminates the possibility of achieving the long-term objectives of the bill.
