New Lao dam does not breach Mekong agreement: official
Developing the Don Sahong dam on the Hou Sahong channel of the Mekong River in Champassak province does not breach the 1995 Mekong Agreement, a senior government official has told local media. Deputy Minister of Energy and Mines, Mr Viraphonh Viravong, made the comment on Thursday, 10 days after the Lao government notified the intergovernmental Mekong River Commission (MRC) of its decision to proceed with development of the 260MW run-of-river dam. Some foreign media and environmental activists have alleged Laos is in violation of the Mekong agreement as it failed to conduct prior consultation with downstream neighbours before giving the project the go-ahead. Laos describes the Don Sahong dam as “an intra-basin water use” – a category in the agreement under which the developer is only required to notify downstream neighbours, not undergo consultation. Mr Viraphonh said Laos strictly abides by the 1995 Mekong Agreement for sustainable development of the Mekong. … Mr Viraphonh said Laos did not regard the dam as on the “Mekong mainstream”, which would require prior consultation. He said the Hou Sahong was just one of 17 channels in the Siphandone area and water flow through the channel represented only 5 percent of total river flow. However, Mr Viraphonh said Laos would welcome discussion on any issues of concern. … “I am confident that the project will have no significant impact on our downstream neighbours,” he [Viraphonh Viravong] said. The authorities plan to invite representatives from media, non-government organisations and interested parties to visit the project site soon. …
Cambodia Herald News Staff
http://www.thecambodiaherald.com/cambodia/detail/1?page=13&token=ZWRmZDI3MWU5ODE
