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dam-l LS: Rasi's future rests with impact study.
Dam's future rests with impact study
Panel to be set up to verify land claims
Onnucha Hutasingh, Bangkok Post, June 11, 2000
The controversial Rasi Salai dam would be demolished if results of an
environmental assessment study show the dam is not cost-effective and its
benefits are outweighed by environmental costs, said the minister of
science, technology and environment yesterday.
Speaking before a group of 800 dam protesters, Arthit Ourairat said he was
awaiting the results of the study, conducted by environmental academics
from various universities.
He promised during an inspection of the dam on Saturday to demolish the
900-million-baht dam if the study showed it was not in the best interest of
the public.
Mr Arthit had earlier rejected deputy science minister Pornthep
Techapaiboon's suggestion that the dam be demolished even though the
compensation bill would be more than double the construction costs.
On the compensation issue, Mr Arthit said tambon-level committees would be
set up to verify land claims, adding each committee would comprise
representatives from the tambon administration organisations in their areas
and dam opponents.
The decision of the committee on land claims would be considered final,
said Mr Arthit. The verification results and lists of people who were
entitled to the compensation would be forwarded to district and provincial
level committees which would examine and submit them to the science ministry.
Mr Arthit said he would push for compensation payments after receiving
necessary documents, adding that the entire process was expected to be
completed within three months.
Sources said the minister was not convinced the dam was not cost-effective
although he admitted there might be some construction flaws.
Mr Arthit said representatives from all protesting groups would be invited
to discuss the dam project and jointly work out a solution on June 30.
All information and results of the environmental impact assessment study
would be raised in the meeting, said the minister.
Protesters have since May 19 demanded that all spillways be opened to allow
the riverine ecology to recover.
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Aviva Imhof
South-East Asia Campaigner
International Rivers Network
1847 Berkeley Way, Berkeley CA 94703 USA
Tel: + 1 510 848 1155 (ext. 312), Fax: + 1 510 848 1008
Email: aviva@irn.org, Web: http://www.irn.org
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