Hydroelectric Dam Project for Corsica within the Nature Park - the river Rizzanese to be diverted over 12 km. partly by a tunnel, to bypass its historic natural valley.

A Hydroelectric Dam has been envisaged on the river Rizzanese in Corsica within the territory of the Nature Park - this project is an immense blunder. Such a dam would cause irreparable damage both to the natural environment and to the well-being and livelihood of the local population as well as to that of visitors to the area. It would also destroy the economic resources of this microregion.

The declared aim of the French State Electricity Authority (Electricité de France - EDF) is a " mixed " dam - to assist agriculture by irrigation, and to produce electricity. Further details given below will show that neither of these objectives can be termed valid. The dam itself with its barrier-lake (a totally sterile addition to the scenery since no open-air or water-sports will be allowed for security reasons) will be sited within the famous beauty spots of the Corsican Nature Park - Quenza, l`Incudine, le Coscione, Zonza, and the " Aiguilles de Bavella " Several listed buildings such as the Romane church of Saint-Jean Baptiste, as well as Neolithic remains such as Cucuruzzu are close to the proposed industrial buildings housing the electrical installations..

Instead of siting these large factory installations at the foot of the actual dam, EDF wishes to tunnel through the mountain to bring water to the lower part of the original valley so that the installations will in fact be sited 12 km. down the valley where water will be returned to the river-bed. The original wild valley with its 20 or more waterfalls and deep pools - a haven for trout and for bathers - will thus be completely bypassed for 12 km.. Its river-water will be reduced to a mere 10% of its former volume, this being the quantity planned as an escapement from the dam. Experts estimate that this tiny flow of water will be, for the most part , below the surface, sinking into the alluvium of the river-bed. Trout which at present inhabit this splendid river will lose 12 km. of their natural habital, although EDF states that upstream from the dam there are trout which spawn successfully. Eels which enter from the sea will be less lucky, since they will no longer be able to attain the upper reaches when 12 km. of their river become a trickle.

As regards the economic interest of building such a dam, the following details may be noted. There would appear to be no agricultural vocations in the valley which it is proposed to bypass. Water is already there, but very few crops are raised, and only a small number of cattle farmed. Electricity produced by the dam will show a considerable deficit. At a cost of almost one thousand one hundred million francs ( 1,100,000,000 Fr.) for the project, the cost price per kilowatt hour will be l Fr 29 centimes, to be sold for tarifs varying between 32 centimes and 53 centimes per kilowatt hour, depending on the hours of utilization.

EDF estimates 500,000 working hours for the construction work , half of which would benefit local workers. At the same time, it estimates that 200 workers plus their families (about 800 people) will arrive from elsewhere to take part in the building of the dam. Spread over 6 or 7 years, this construction work would give about 50 temporary jobs. This would preclude many jobs being available for local workers. The impression is that the project has been dangled in front of the local population with a promise of jobs, and the aim of arousing hopes of commercial and housing developments.

The dam and its installations could benefit local finance with the payment of " professional taxes ", but although councillors dream of this revenue, the harmonisation of taxes throughout the EU means that these particular taxes are due to disappear.

As regards long-term employment within the region associated with the dam itself, no new jobs will be created. The whole installation will function automatically, and be remote-controlled from the suburbs of Ajaccio.

The enormous cost of the project will be borne by the " Collectivité Territoriale de Corse ", but EDF has stated that a dossier is being prepared to request financial aid from the European Union

The ill-effects of this dam and of the resultant bypassing of the river valley over 12 km… will be many and various. Expert opinion considers that as regards the quality of the water there will be a considerable risk of pollution. The municipal pumping-station which supplies all the municipalities around will be in contradiction - in fact, incompatible - with the new installations both technically and as regards the local economy.

Retention of the river-water by the barrier lake will also trap the solids which would otherwise flow to the sea to form the beaches along the coast. Experts state that an obvious consequence of damming the river Rizzanese is that the beach behind Propriano will disappear in a few decades. Very rare plants such as Anchusa crispa, (cf. Directive 92/43/CEE Habitats) and the fern known as " Osmunda de Plumier " will disappear. Certain protected animal species - the Corsican wild sheep, and Corsican deer reintroduced near the projected dam-- will be in danger. Upstream, deposits of solids will end by silting up the barrier-lake during the lifetime of EDF`s concession.( 75 years). Up to the present time the river has never run dry, but the survey carried out by EDF was done without proper information as regards the hydraulic regimen of the river, and the volumes of water estimated are open to dispute which casts doubt on many aspects of the whole scheme.

This dam will handicap, instead of enhancing the future prospects of this beautiful region. Its unspoiled scenery and natural beauty , its flora and fauna, coupled with many historic sites are the wealth of present-day Corsica. They represent an economic value which should be protected, not subject to deterioration. Fishing, swimming, sailing and other water-sports will be forbidden on the new barrier-lake, and fishing in particular will suffer considerably from the bypassing of the 12 km. of the river valley, to say nothing of bathing and canoeing. As regards the local population, it has been shown that benefits accruing from the dam are demonstrably dubious.

Instead of spending the huge sums involved on the construction of this dam, new roads could be built for better access to certain villages, some tunnels could be constructed to link up some of the valleys, new paths made for walkers, etc. Lodging, food, and other facilities should be given a new impetus to extend the tourist season beyond the summer months, and to encourage appreciation of the superb natural advantages of unspoilt Corsica.