The next stage of the WST$93 million Alaoa Multi-purpose Dam Project funded by the Asian Development Bank (A.D.B.) will commence soon amid increasing concerns at its impact on local biodiversity.

Giving an update on the multimillion tala project, Electric Power Corporation C.E.O. Faumui Iese Toimoana told the Samoa Observer in an interview this week that the E.P.C. is the implementation agency and various other Government Ministries have their own tasks in relation to the project.

He said Australian water and power consulting firm Entura is the designer of the dam and the next stage, which is tendering for the dam’s construction will commence soon.

A pet project of the previous Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) Administration, the EPC chief indicated that all consultations with all parties to be affected has been completed, and the consensus is for the construction of the dam to continue.

"There were several consultations held and many of the inhabitants of Vaimauga recognised that there is a need to control the flooding during heavy rains," Faumui said.

A draft copy of the project’s environmental impact assessment (EIA) obtained by the Samoa Observer highlighted the benefits of the project in the executive summary of the report. 

“The physical characteristics of the Vaisigano River catchment means that during extreme storm events there is rapid build-up and substantial water runoff in the river which has led to historic physical damage to property downstream, loss of life, damage to infrastructure and flooding across Apia,” reads the EIA report.

“The Alaoa Multi-Purpose Dam Project can assist in the regulation of flows during storm events to reduce damage to infrastructure (water treatment works immediately down-stream from the proposed dam site and existing hydropower stations on the Vaisigano River) and loss of property and life. 

“In addition, the project will provide water supply and electric power generation benefits.”

According to the EIA report, the project comprises the construction and operation of a 60 metre high dam on two of the four Vaisigano River sub-catchments. 

“The dam will be constructed to contain flows in the eastern and middle eastern sub-catchments of the Vaisigano River watershed.”

However, Samoa Conservation Society (SCS) President, James Atherton is not convinced by the findings highlighted in the EIA report and expressed concern about the adverse effects of the project on the biodiversity in the area.

"This is another example of the classic trade offs Samoa, like every country, faces,” Mr Atherton told the Samoa Observer. 

“While we don't have the answers, we believe it is best to make these decisions based on all the available evidence and with a clear idea of impacts, costs, benefits and a thorough understanding of all alternatives.”

Mr Atherton then pointed out what he called were the “differences” between large nations and small island nations like Samoa, whom he said “cannot afford to make too many mistakes” due to its small land mass.

"Unfortunately, one of the problems we face on our islands, not faced by other bigger countries, is that we have far less land to make mistakes," he said.

According to the conservationist, the multimillion tala project is one of the legacy projects of the former Administration and he was not sure whether the new Fa’atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (F.A.S.T.) Government would cancel it.

"It is not that I want it cancelled. I am saying that I would prefer that we look and review all options available to us first, before we go ahead with the dam," he told this newspaper. 

"I am just for full understanding of costs, benefits and impacts and also comparison with alternatives. 

“Also does the dam actually solve the flooding problem in Apia or are other additional measures needed and if so what are they and what are their benefits, impacts and costs? 

"I attended the consultations but as noted I wasn't clear that this solution actually solves Apia’s flooding and if not what else do we need to do, also is this money well spent, especially if it's a loan?”

The fate of a 60-metre high waterfall at the Vaisigano River also remains unknown, according to the S.C.S. President.

"The question is will this beautiful chasm and pool be damned? What environmental price must we pay for this extra protection on top of the millions we have already spent on river revetments/walls etc downstream and other flood mitigation works?"

"Is it necessary to also flood 20 hectares of rainforest and beautiful streams and waterfalls that are habitat for a number of endangered or rare species of plants, birds, fish, snails etc?”

"Unfortunately the dam won't solve Apia's flooding problem as much of Apia's flooding is in other catchments and areas e.g. Savalalo, Taufusi, Fugalei and Vaimoso.”