Officials Criticize Laos Over Don Sahong Dam
A day after the Cambodia National Mekong Committee (CNMC) received impact assessment documents from Laos for their controversial Don Sahong dam, Cambodian and Vietnamese officials criticized Laos’ lack of transparency on the mainstream Mekong dam. Located less than 1 km from the Lao-Cambodian border, the 240-MW dam could lead to the extinction of the Irrawaddy Dolphin and the Giant Mekong Catfish, as well as block the migratory passages of the river’s robust fisheries, environmentalists say. Te Navuth, secretary-general of the CNMC, said Cambodia received all the relevant documents concerning the Don Sahong dam on Wednesday. “These documents include the environmental impact assessment and social impact assessment, engineering documents, drawing reports and impact reports on fisheries,” he said, adding that the CNMC will send copies to relevant ministries, including Environment, Agriculture and Water Resources. … Former Environment Minister Mok Mareth, who currently chairs the National Assembly’s Third Commission on Environment and Water Resources, said the government is very concerned with the lack of transparency Laos has shown in handling the Don Sahong dam and the Xayaburi dam—which began construction in November amidst criticism from neighboring countries. … Echoing these concerns, Tran Van Thong, Vietnamese Embassy spokesman, said Laos should have provided these impact assessment documents before announcing that construction was going to move forward. He also stressed the need for an emergency meeting between all MRC members. …
Kuch Naren and Dene-Hern Chen
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/officials-criticize-laos-over-don-sahong-dam-44888/
