Why didnʹt EIA work in the Chilean project canal laja-diguillín?

This paper discusses some reasons why Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), as currently practiced, may not contribute to sound planning. We present a case study of an important irrigation canal in Chile. Local peopleʹs strong opposition to the project is discussed, and an analysis of the causes for such a reaction is presented. We thus show that EIA cannot cope effectively with the problems that this project poses, mainly because EIAʹs potential has been strongly limited by the recently issued Chilean environmental law. This legal weakness seems to be shared by some other countries. Suggestions to improve this situation are made.