The Chamber of Deputies approved on Wednesday (20) bill 2,486/2026 that reduces the Jamanxim National Forest in Pará by 486,438 hectares — equivalent to 37% of the 1.3 million hectares of the conservation unit created in 2006. The bill converts the dismembered area into an Environmental Protection Area, a category with lower protection that allows productive activities. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"A Câmara dos Deputados aprovou nesta quarta-feira, 20, o projeto de lei 2.486/2026, que altera os limites da Floresta Nacional do Jamanxim e cria a Área de Proteção Ambiental do Jamanxim, em Novo Progresso, no Pará."
"O substitutivo desmembra 486.438 hectares da floresta, de um total de 1,3 milhão, para conversão em área de proteção ambiental."
The proposal was fast-tracked under urgency and approved in symbolic voting without going through committees, now proceeding to the Senate. Deputy Isnaldo Bulhões (MDB-AL) presented the bill identical to what had been drafted by the Temer government in 2017, after the Lula government requested the original bill be removed from the agenda on Tuesday (19), claiming it was authored by the Executive. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"O projeto entrou em regime de urgência e foi aprovado em votação simbólica. O texto segue para o Senado."
"Mas, no mesmo dia, o deputado Isnaldo Bulhões (MDB-AL) propôs um projeto de lei igual ao que havia sido elaborado pelo governo Temer."
The Ministry of Environment positioned itself against the proposal, with Minister João Paulo Capobianco classifying the ruralist caucus initiative as a "steamroller." The vote was attended in person by Pará Governor Helder Barbalho (MDB) and is part of a broader offensive by the agricultural sector in Congress.
Press quotes (1)
"O relator justificou que o projeto retira da Flona do Jamanxim apenas áreas ocupadas pelos produtores que desenvolvem atividades econômicas e nas quais a floresta já foi convertida e há uso consolidado do solo"
PL 2,486/2026 was approved on May 20, 2026, reducing 486,438 hectares of Jamanxim National Forest
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
Covered by only some sources (1)
Project allows mining activities in the national forest area
Conflicting versions (1)
Percentage of national forest reduction
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What are the fiscal impact estimates for creating the new EPA and relocating occupants?
Why it's still unknown: No source presented cost calculations for project implementation
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How was the nominal vote by party and what is the specific position of each caucus?
Why it's still unknown: Project was approved in symbolic voting, without nominal vote record
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What is the specific timeline for Senate proceedings and possible amendments?
Why it's still unknown: Sources only mentioned the project goes to the Senate, without procedural details