Update (10 March, 2014): In response to citizens’ concerns, the Ministry of Environment clarified [es] that the regulation that would eliminate environmental impact studies is still under development and that no final decisions have been made. The newly appointed Minister of Energy and Mines, Eleodoro Mayorga, announced that he is working in conjunction with the Ministry of the Environment on a regulation that eliminates the need to submit environmental impact studies on the seismic exploration phase of oil lots. The purpose is to accelerate investment in the sector. The news [es] was announced during an event [es] held by the Peruvian Hydrocarbons Society on March 6, 2014. The event introduced the Hydrocarbon White Paper, a proposal from the private sector to the government with the goal of establishing a new social contract with businesses and communities. The Minister of Energy and Mines further stated that “the industry is well established and the idea is to move from red tape to practical action.” By its very nature, seismic exploration has a high impact on an ecosystem, as it is usually done in areas that are still pollution-free. In this regard, an article [es] by Elizabeth Bravo in Grain says: Para la prospección sísmica, por ejemplo se abren trochas o líneas sísmicas de alrededor de 1 kilómetro de largo por 3-10 metros de ancho, si se aplican las mejores normas, pero con frecuencia superan los 10 metros de ancho. Además se construyen helipuertos para dar servicios a las operaciones sísmicas. En una campaña sísmica típica se talan hasta 1000 kilómetros y se construyen entre 1000 y 1200 helipuertos. Cada helipuerto tiene media hectárea, o más. In seismic prospecting, for example, seismic trails or lines about 1 kilometer long by 3-10 meters wide are opened, if the best rules apply, but they often exceed 10 meters wide. Also helipads are built to provide services for the seismic operations. In a typical seismic survey up to 1,000 kilometers are cut, and between 1,000 and 1,200 helipads are built. Each heliport uses half a hectare or more. But that isn't all. Bravo adds: Durante la prospección sísmica se producen niveles de ruido de gran magnitud, debido a las detonaciones de dinamita que se hacen cada 6 metros, así como el ruido producido por los helicópteros que suplen de materiales y alimentación a los trabajos sísmicos. Durante la perforación el ruido es menos fuerte, pero más constante. El movimiento constante de vehículos, el funcionamiento de las estaciones de separación y refinación, son también actividades muy ruidosas. Este ruido hace que los animales escapen o cambien su comportamiento alimenticio y reproductivo. During seismic prospecting, noise of great magnitude occurs due to detonation of dynamite every 6 meters, and the noise produced by helicopters that supply materials and food for the seismic work. During drilling the noise is not as loud, but is more constant. The constant movement of vehicles, and the operation of the separation and refining stations are also activities that are very noisy. This noise causes the animals to run away or change their nutritional and reproductive behavior. The first reactions of people involved with environmental conservation are of surprise and astonishment. Noticias Ser interviewed the anthropologist Alberto Chirif who stated [es]: No he leído las declaraciones del ministro, pero si ha dicho eso me parece un gravísimo error. Con eso, simplemente han superado las apariencias porque, ciertamente, los EIA [estudios de impacto ambiental] han sido hasta hoy muy aparentes. Nunca un EIA ha llegado a frenar algún tipo de proyecto. Por otro lado, estos estudios son realizados por las mismas empresas que luego van a realizar intervenciones para extraer minerales o petróleo. En ese sentido, hay una cosa bastante perversa en el mecanismo de difusión de los estudios. Pero de ahí a decir que ya no se van a hacer me parece peor. Por lo menos con los EIA hay un mecanismo de presión a las empresas. Ahora los límites se desbordan. I haven’t read the Minister’s statement, but if he said that, I think it’s a serious mistake. They’ve simply overcome appearances, because certainly the EIAs (environmental impact assessments) up until now have been very evident. An EIA has never stopped any type of project. On the other hand, these assessments are done by the same companies that will later step in to extract minerals or oil. In that sense, there is something very wrong in the diffusion mechanism for the assessments. But going from that to saying there won’t be any at all I think is worse. At least with the EIAs there is some mechanism for pressuring the companies. Now there are no limits.