E. Kalimantan paddies destroyed by pollution, Unocal denies responsibility

Although there are indications that oil waste led to the ruin of hundreds of hectares of rice paddies in East Kalimantan, Unocal Indonesia denies responsibility for the destruction. Unocal claims that 'research results' from Gajah Mada University prove their innocence, but findings from the Sucofindo laboratory in Samarindo suggest otherwise.

Farmers in East Kalimantan, returning to their fields for the planting season to cultivate their soil, fertilize, and plant seeds, discovered to their horror that their fields had yellowed and the plant life had withered away. The disaster struck the villages of Marangkayu, Rampaklama and Terusan in the district of Kutai.

Evidently, Unocal Indonesia had been drilling for crude oil in the vicinity of the three villages. Local farmers claim that oil waste dumped by the American mining contractor company had spread onto their fields. Relations between Unocal and local residents rapidly declined two years ago when floods led to the overflow of Unocal waste processors, resulting in the spillage of waste water into neighboring fields, and the consequent ruin of field productivity. As a result, more than 180 farmers commenced legal action to sue Unocal for damages.

In response to the threat of legal action, Unocal formed an investigation team to examine and report on pollution levels. The team consisted of local government representatives, local inhabitants and experts from Gajah Mada University in Yogyakarta. The Yogya-based team concluded that the barren soil was not in fact due to pollution but rather was the result of over-submersion. They blamed the farmers for not fertilizing their fields adequately.

Local inhabitants have rejected the findings, claiming that only the fields in Unocal's close vicinity were affected. They claim that two years ago, irrigation water reeking of oil led to the failed harvests of 471 hectares of fields inundated with pollution. They also claim that last year 12 cows were found dead after drinking water dumped by Unocal near the oil transportation terminal's fence.

The East Kalimantan House of Representatives attempted to negotiate a peace deal between local inhabitants and Unocal. As a result, although Unocal denied accusations that they were the cause of pollution, they requested the local inhabitants to estimate losses, constituting the first positive step after many unsuccessful meetings. However, just when hostility between the farmers and Unocal had begun to subside, tragedy struck again. An embankment alongside the Tanjungsantan terminal's fence collapsed resulting in the overflow of waste into neighboring fields.

This time joint tests from local residents and Unocal at the Sucofindo laboratory in Samarinda, indicated that the water was indeed polluted. According to the laboratory's results, oil levels reached 985 milligrams per liter, far exceeding the allowable quality standard level of 10 milligrams per liter. In addition, water oxygen levels had decreased-the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) reached a staggering 1,720 milligrams per liter (allowable levels are 50-150 milligram per liter). Furthermore, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) levels tripled from the allowable levels of 100-300 milligrams per liter. Iron content levels also exceed the recommended sulphur and phenol limits.

The East Kalimantan Department of Health Investigation substantiates the above findings. It concluded that water within and around the embankment exceeded the recommended environmental standards. Furthermore, the Chief Investigating Officer for Animal Diseases concluded that water around Unocal's oil wells consisted of oil, phenol and sulfur, and could not be absorbed by the environment.

The local inhabitants are suing Unocal. "Unocal should also fulfil its promise to build the village hall, asphalt streets, provide information, prepare clean water, and provide local inhabitants with employment opportunities," said local representative Buherah.

However, Agustinus Moedjiatno, External Affairs Manager of Unocal responded by saying: "we will not pay damages". Last Wednesday August 23, Unocal said they would only provide compensatory assistance. Although the Sucofindo results clearly show that Unocal was at fault, Unocal are still relying on the UGM investigation results, which state that the farmers were at fault for not adequately fertilizing their fields. In response to the Sucofindo findings, Moedjiatno asserted: "we'll prove it in court". (*)