Environment and natural resources strategy in Chile

This is especially true since the country"s most dynamic export sectors are natural resource-based. Already, expanded and intensified use of natural resources -- in forestry and agriculture particularly -- has been accompanied by costly environmental degradation (e.g., soil loss and loss of native forests) and environmental contamination (e.g., the use of chemicals in agriculture and chemical wastes in mining). This report begins by describing the institutional and legal framework for environment and natural resource management in Chile, as well as regional characteristics. The report then reviews major environmental issues which cut across sectors, including national policies, research, education, and public awareness. The next section examines sectoral issues, covering agriculture, forestry, protected areas and biological diversity, fisheries and coastal resources, mining and energy, other industries, and urbanization. The final section presents an environment and natural resource strategy for USAID/Chile. Appendices present a list of projects and FY90 activities.