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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