Minister of Environment Frank Moya Pons told El Caribe newspaper that construction cannot begin on the Manabao-Bejucal dam in the province of La Vega until the Environment Ministry grants a license to the builders, under Law 64-00. He said that his department has just received the environmental impact study carried out by the builders and will issue an opinion in due time. President Hipolito Mejia had announced that the project would start this month. Community, environmental and ecotourism businesses in La Vega oppose the dam. President Mejia himself had at first rejected the plan but changed his mind. The project was rejected during the Balaguer administration in 1986 on grounds that it was economically and environmentally unsustainable. Less than a month after taking office, President Mejia issued Decree 689-00 declaring the project of national interest. The electricity producing dam is said to cost around RD$10,000 million and will affect 26 kilometers of virgin mountain terrain. For more on the dam, see http://www.dr1.com/daily/news050201.shtml
