Although many Chileans are not physically affected by hydro projects, the common lack of awareness for those outside of development impact zones can be partially attributed to a pattern of environmental passivity. However, this pattern is exacerbated not only by a government system where fundamental change largely appears futile to its citizens, but also by a national media sector which promotes the centralized voice alienating vast portions of the country. Furthermore, the animosity often felt between the rest of Chile and Santiago moves to abandon the remaining free flowing rivers to private interests that are often connected to transnational entities. Gonzalez presents a historical perspective: “During the military government a lot of people thought everything was okay too, there were a lot of things that were hidden…Usually people don’t realize the power they have, and they don’t want to realize the power they have, because that means responsibility. So all the things we knew after the military government, we knew them afterwards, and now it’s more like a general conception that it was horrible, but during that time not a lot of people knew, or they didn’t want to know, and now I think it’s the same thing. There are a lot of things that people don’t make connections to because they would rather just live their life.” Despite this acquired passivity, there are those who have accepted the responsibility of awareness and continue to fight the uphill battle. As we have seen with the Baker, Pascua and Futaleufú rivers, there are victories to be had. Whether or not the Maipo, Puelo, and other rivers will also prevail has yet to be seen.
One factor that could play a larger role in determining these rivers’ fates is the Chilean whitewater industry. Although whitewater companies historically incorporated many foreigners, in places like Futaleufú, Pucón, Puerto Varas, and Maipo, Chilean boaters have stepped to the forefront. While underlying tensions between the whitewater industry and communities such as Futaleufú appear to hold back some of its social influence and thus political momentum, there more examples to the contrary. Marisol Conuequir emphasized Puesco Fest, a river festival centered around Pucòn, one of the most famous river towns in Chile. Although the festival has only been around for the past few years, it already draws more than 6,000 people, bringing in kayakers from different regions in Chile and the world. Conuequir adds that kayakers want to see the rivers free and clean, and so do the Mapuche, displaying a common cultural bond to river conservation. Ortega also emphasizes that the kayakers bring life to the river and allow younger generations to become involved. In 2009, both the Petrohué and Cochamó rivers’ water rights were solidified under local municipality’s management through the DGA (Belmar, et al. 2010). Pinilla emphasized that this was done in the name of tourism and conservation. While this case is rare, the fact that it happened at all emphasizes that renationalization of water rights in Chile is possible, if only on a local scale, especially with the economic incentive of whitewater.