President Hipolito Mejia said his government would go ahead and build the Manabao-Bejucal-Tavera Dam, a hydroelectric project that has met with strong opposition from the community of Jarabacoa. Jarabacoa residents fear the changing of course of the Yaque del Norte will affect ecotourism and farming activities in La Vega province. Studies carried out by the government of Taiwan and during a Balaguer administration resulted in the discarding of the project for the ecological damages it would cause and its high cost. President Mejia said in Denver, Colorado that a feasibility study carried out by a Brazilian firm proves the contrary. President Mejia says that if he “waited for studies underway by wise men, his government would not build even a letrine.” The Manabao dam is pending a report by the Ministry of Environment on the environmental study provided by the chosen contractors of the dam as per Law 64-00.
