President Hipolito Mejia announced the start this month of the construction on the Manabao-Bejucal-Tavera dam in the province of La Vega. The President had said in Taiwan during a recent visit that the dam would not be built. The construction is vehemently opposed by environmental and community groups in Jarabacoa that fear it will cause major ecological damage. They say it would require diverting the Rio Yaque del Norte for some 40 kilometers, affecting Jarabacoa ecotourism projects. The construction of the dam had been discarded years ago after studies done during the Balaguer administration recommended it not be built. President Mejia said a study carried out by a Spanish company, Union Espa?ola, concluded the dam and hydroelectric project would not cause important ecological damage. President Mejia said there are plans to turn Jarabacoa into a true tourism center with the construction of new roads, sewage systems and the improvement of the La Confluencia vacation area. Furthermore, he said the government plans to convert the state-owned Hotel Monta?a into a school to train environment specialists. The Minister of Environment has not issued an opinion on the dam project. Those who defend the dam argue that it would save US$23 million in fuel imports and create 2,000 jobs.
