6 November 2008
New Report Calls on Cambodia to Set International ‘Best Practice’ Standards in Hydropower Development Beginning with the Kirirom 3 Dam
Phnom Penh - By building and operating the 18 MW Kirirom 3 hydropower dam in the best possible manner, Cambodia could set a new ‘best practice’ standard for hydropower development within the region, according to a new research report released today. The research report prepared by the American Friends Service Committee and the Rivers Coalition in Cambodia highlights Cambodia’s infancy in hydropower development and its ability to be one of the best developers in the world, if it chooses to draw on lessons learnt elsewhere.
By ensuring meaningful public participation, a full environment impact assessment, and that proper mitigation measures are in place, the Kirirom 3 dam may be able to avoid the negative impacts that often plague larger hydropower projects and destroy healthy rivers and the livelihoods they support in other countries around the world.
Located on a tributary of the Prek Kampong Saom River in Koh Kong province, the 18 MW Kirirom 3 dam was first proposed in 2004 with an estimated cost of USD 40.3 million. Agreement was later made in 2008 for China Electric Power Technology Import and Export Corporation (CETIC), a subsidiary of Chinese state-owned State Grid Corporation of China to
construct and operate the dam.
Changes to the river’s flow and quality, loss of common areas and private land due to flooding, and impacts to the livelihoods of surrounding communities are just some of the impacts that will need to be mitigated according to the report.
“When the villagers approached us with their concerns regarding the proposed dam, we had to admit we did not know about the possible impacts either,” said Russell Peterson, AFSC Country Representative. “That’s why we commissioned this study.”
In order to adequately mitigate impacts, the report recommends that a national public consultation on the Environment Impact Assessment be held before proceeding with the dam’s development. Guidelines outlined by the World Commission on Dams, which is widely viewed as the ‘best practice’ standard for dam building, can help ensure that decision-making is based on equity, sustainability, efficiently, participatory decision-making, and accountability.
"We encourage the government to hold a stakeholder consultation on the EIA report, so that affected communities and civil society can raise their concerns to the dam builder and government, in order to find ways to mitigate environmental and social impacts and compensate for lost livelihoods," said Chhith Sam Ath, Executive Director of The NGO Forum on Cambodia".
A Press Conference will be held at The NGO Forum on Cambodia’s Office on Thursday, November 6th 2008 from 09:00 to 10:30 AM, in order to launch the report and provide recommendations on how to achieve standards. The report’s author Wayne McCallum, as well as representatives from NGO Forum on Cambodia and American Friends Service Committee, and community representatives who will be impacted by the dam will be present.
The report can be downloaded from:
http://www.ngoforum.org.kh/Environment/Docs/mekong/Before_the_Dam_Kirirom_3.pdf
and from: www.ngoforum.org.kh
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Chhith Sam Ath, Executive Director, NGO Forum on Cambodia, E: samath@ngoforum.org.kh, T: +855 (0) 12 928 585.
2 comments:
It's good to lesson to the viewpoint and expertise of the NGOs.
That is good to raise up. However, we can not only consider in the negative point only positive point also need to be taken into account.
:)
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