Jordan Times
Wednesday, June 2, 2004
Red-Dead terms of reference to go to World Bank — minister
DEAD SEA (JT) — A senior official on Tuesday said terms of reference for a strategic plan to save the Dead Sea from degradation will be sent to the World Bank for approval.
Minister of Water, Irrigation and Agriculture
Hazem Nasser told the International Water Demand Management Conference that the
World Bank is expected to fund a $10 million feasibility study on the Red-Dead
Conveyance Canal project after Jordan, the Palestinian Authority and Israel
agreed on “satisfactory” terms of reference for the mega-plan.
Nasser added that the first stage of the project, which would preserve the Dead
Sea's environment, is expected to cost $1 billion.
The Red-Dead Conveyance Canal would generate 550 megawatts and supply 850
million cubic metres (mcm) of potable water a year, according to the minister.
Urging a swift action, Nasser warned that the diversion of Jordan River water
for agricultural use is degrading the Dead Sea's level by a metre every year and
causing a 330mcm loss of freshwater annually from aquifers surrounding the sea.