Proposed Mali Dam is Drowning

Jan Piercy
The World Bank
1818 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20433

cc: Ruth Jacoby, Hasan Tuley, Torbjorn Damhaug

Re: Delaying Board decision on Manantali Project

Dear Ms. Piercy:

I am writing to express concerns regarding the Manantali Energy Project, which I understand is coming before the Board on June 24. This project presents the World Bank with a great opportunity to follow through with President Wolfensohn's new "green top ten" list, which includes a commitment to "conserve and manage critical ecosystems," and to "be consistent with environmental and social assessment." Because of our concerns over this project, we ask you to help delay a Board decision on the project.

The Manantali Dam devastated the livelihoods of nearly a million downstream farmers, fishers and herders living on the Senegal River, damaged river–dependent ecosystems, and greatly increased the incidence of disease for people in the river valley. A comprehensive dam management plan could help reduce many of these dire impacts by recreating a reliable downstream flood that would make flood–recession agriculture and fisheries viable again, and reduce risks from water–borne diseases. International Rivers believes the plan now being considered by the Bank for water management planning on this project is too little, too late:

* The plan's objectives do not include management for water–borne disease vectors, despite a recommendation from a panel of experts from WHO/UNEP/FAO. The Bank proposal to instead combine monitoring with drug treatment is inadequate.

* The proposed non–power flows are inadequate to restore minimum levels of flood–recession agriculture. The plan should allow for 50,000 hectares of flood–recession farming with reasonable frequency. The current plan allows only 30,000 ha, and even that is precluded once every three
years.

* The plan's objectives do not include protection of important ecosystems, despite a recommendation in the project's environmental assessment. The dams' alteration of natural floods destroyed an estimated 350,000 ha of downstream fish habitat. Restoration of an adequate flood is key to protect remaining Senegal River fisheries.

* The plan is weak on public participation. The dam authority lacks mechanisms for participation from downstream stakeholders. In addition, in privatizing the operation of the dam––and compensating the private operator based on how much power is generated––the plan creates incentives to maximize power production at the expense of other needs.

* The plan is scheduled too late in the process, after power generation plans are in place. By pushing forward with installation of power infrastructure before a strong reservoir–management plan is in place, the Bank loses leverage to press for a stronger plan or alter power–generation output.

Thank you for your consideration of these issues. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Lori Pottinger
Director, Africa Program