Chile's Environment Minister Francisca Toledo stated that the review of withdrawn supreme decrees prioritizes those with greater local interest, such as the Villarrica lake decontamination plan. This follows controversy over withdrawing 43 decrees from the previous administration. Toledo stressed an agile and responsible review process.
The José Antonio Kast government faced one of its first environmental controversies when Minister Francisca Toledo, shortly after taking office, sent a request to the Comptroller General of the Republic to withdraw 43 supreme decrees pending approval. These, submitted during Gabriel Boric's administration, included declaring the Humboldt penguin a natural monument, the Salar de Pedernales National Reserve, and the Darwin's frogs conservation plan. The action drew criticism from opposition and environmentalists, leading to the reinstatement on March 18 of the Darwin's frogs decree. In an interview with Radio Duna, Toledo framed the decision within the ministry's 'installation context.' 'We have a mandate from the President of the Republic to conduct a complete review of everything,' she explained, encompassing administrative acts at the Comptroller. Toledo emphasized ensuring projects are 'well designed so they work well' upon implementation. Decrees already reviewed and reinstated include the targets plan for electronic articles under the REP law, with the Villarrica lake decontamination plan expected this week. Prioritization focuses on 'those with greater local interest,' such as Villarrica. 'We will conduct an agile and responsible review,' Toledo asserted. The challenge, she said, is balancing sustainable development with people at the center.
