Academic panel to review Dam report

Government allocated an academic panel has been appointed to look into the environmental Mae Wong dam in Nakhon Sawan, after environmentalists up eight points of concern over the environmental and health assessment project (EHIA) report.
Meanwhile, the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) said it would stop the plant to build the dam, now listed under Bt government 350 billion water and flood management system.
The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry's deputy permanent secretary Wijarn Simachaya said that in addition to representatives from the Undo and civil groups, the Ministry allocated panel that he will steer had 15 environmental experts from such Chulalongkorn, Thammasat, Kasetsart and Mahidol University.
The panel will review the eight points raised by environmentalists, who say the effects of RID's evaluation report contains vague and unclear about how the dam will affect flora and fauna in Mae Wong National Park, especially the tiger habitat in the park.
Also under question was the lack of difference in EHIA report on the location of the dam in the park in relation to the Huay Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, which was made a World Heritage Site by the United Nations in 1991.
Previously, Mae Wong Dam plan supervised by RID. But it is now part of the Bt350-billion water and flood control system operated by the National Water Commission and flood control (NWFC).
Environmental expert panel will make recommendations when increasing public Order Administrative Court have been made. The first forum is scheduled to be held today in Lamphun. Report will be sent to the Government and the Independent Commission on Environment and Health.
Wijarn academic panel said the ministry would seek clear answers and submit its findings to the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) 's environmental experts, who is also studying at EHIA report.
"When we get clear answers from RID and environmental professionals, we will take these findings into consideration, along EHIA report, so the government has access to academic and scientific information, before deciding whether to build the dam," said Wijarn.
He said that the Ministry had not designated a deadline for academic panel, but its first meeting would be held on 21 October.
RID CEO Lertviroj Kowattana said that when the dam was now listed under mega water project authorities oversee NWFC, it would be up to the agency to make a final decision on whether or not to build the dam. "We want environmental ONEP's Expert panel to complete its work first, because we also want to know if this dam will be fit for irrigation immediate environment," he said.
Sasin Chalermlarp, ​​Secretary of Seub Nakhasathien Foundation, said he was pleased with the response to the demands of the Ministry environmentalists "and would send a representative to participate in the government allocated an academic panel.
Sasin added that although it was reported that the government would hold a public discussion on Mae Wong Dam project On 17 October state house, he had not yet received an official invitation letter to participate in the forum.
Meanwhile, public forums to get feedback and approval from residents who live in 36 provinces affected dams and projects proposed under the Bt350-billion flood control system, will begin today in Lamphun on Jakkhamkhanathorn School.
Lamphun MP Rangsan Mane Passerat said yesterday that he was confident that there would be no problem with the forum, provided that there were no external stirring up trouble. He also expressed concerns that villagers could affect the Bt500-million Huai Tang Reservoir project in Ban Hong district, and urged that the government set up remedial if the area is hit by floods. The reservoir capacity of 9.23 million cubic meters would flush and over 12,000 rai of farmland in the area