have built three dams, quelling the river's free flow and covering many of the rapids with a series of reservoirs. Several Chilean as well as international non-profit organizations joined forces to fight the dam project and protect the natural areas and communities of the Futaleufú watershed, regarding the area as an international treasure. In October 2014, citing international opposition, Endesa removed the Futaleufú from its list of future projects. Despite their initial victory, international environmentalists remain vigilant in their advocacy for the Futaleufu. Chile's extensively privatized economy has allowed Endesa to purchase water rights throughout the country—effectively owning a portion of the Futaleufú's water to use at its discretion. In addition, mining companies have filed claims to extract mineral deposits beneath and surrounding the Futaleufú. These companies need only the infrastructure and power supply brought by the dams to begin capitalizing on their claims. In addition, Endesa could reasonably sell water rights to any other company, which could then actualize plans for hydroelectric development in the future. Any such large-scale development project, hydroelectric or mining, is subject to an environmental impact assessment and permitting by the Chilean government, which wields power to override ownership rights in the face of unacceptable impact or risk. This legal tool has been used to halt projects elsewhere in the past, but the policy implications of a would-be impact assessment in the Futaleufú watershed remain unclear. Usage conflicts The Futaleufú area of Palena District Chile, is rich in natural resources of timber, water, precious metal, and natural scenery that attract competing interests concerning utilization. This predominantly rural region relies on small-scale agriculture and fisheries as its principal industries, and currently ranks among Chile's lowest in economic performance. Adventure travel and ecotourism have been steadily contributing to growth in recent years, as Chilean and international visitors are attracted to the area's rugged mountains and whitewater rivers. X Region is, in fact, visited by international tourists more than any other rural region of Chile. These same mountains and rivers, however, are prime targets for resource development by mining and hydropower companies. Hydropower development promises affordable electricity and creation of new jobs in the region, and mining industry would likely follow with more jobs. However, such activities would exclude much traditional economy and tourism around the Futaleufú, possibly displacing more jobs than they create for local residents. Reservoirs, new roads, land degradation, and mining sites are largely incompatible