A coalition of indigenous, community and labor groups in Bolivia and western Brazil has declared an emergency in response to Brazil’s plans to build the Madeira River Hydroelectric Complex, a series of four dams along the Madeira River in the Amazon.

To date, Bolivia has denied permission for two of the dams, one to be built entirely in Bolivian territory and the other along the border. The declaration of emergency urged Bolivia”not to negotiate or sign any type of agreement” concerning these or any other dams.

Contracts have already been awarded for the Jirau and San Antonio Dams in Brazil. Once built, these dams would flood and otherwise devastate Bolivian communities upstream, forcing the relocation of 300 known communities, as well as possibly destroying the territory of uncontacted indigenous communities.

In spite of strong local opposition, Brazil recently started construction on the Madeira Complex. It has informed Brazilian river communities that they have until August 30 to abandon their homes.

At $9 billion, the Madeira River Hydroelectric Complex would be Brazil’s second largest dam complex, after the Itaipú complex on the Paraná River.