News has emerged of plans to establish a dam for irrigation and agricultural purposes between Bodrom and Milas.

It was announced that an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Positive decision was given by the Ministry for the Kemikler (Gökçeler) Dam and Irrigation, Material Quarries, Crushing-Screening-Washing Facility and Concrete Plant project, which was initiated for the construction of Kemikler Dam between Milas and Bodrum districts.

It was stated that the Kemikler (Gökçeler) Dam and Irrigation Project, which is planned to be built by DSI 21st Regional Directorate for irrigation purposes on Koca Dere within the borders of Kemikler and Yakaköy Districts, has become ready.

Based on the report submitted by DSI General Directorate, DSI 21st Regional (Aydın) Directorate, a positive EIA decision was given to the project by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change.

It was stated that the main purpose of the Dam and Irrigation Project is irrigation, and the aim is to irrigate the Ekinanbarı Plain with regulated water, and with the project, the agricultural lands in the region will be opened to irrigated agriculture and sufficient irrigation water will be provided to insufficiently irrigated areas.

The construction is planned to be finalized in 5 years.

According to the information in the EIA file; the project area consists of treasury areas, privately owned agricultural areas and forest lands. Since expropriation is not possible for forest areas, permission will be obtained from the Regional Directorate of Forestry in accordance with Article 16 of the Forest Law No. 6831 regarding these areas.

The project area includes Koca Creek, Yardibi Creek and Kanlıgöl Creek and the areas specified in the Law on the Improvement of Olive Cultivation and Vaccination of Wild Animals.

Bodrum and Milas are currently supplied with water from the Geyik and Mumcular Dams in the region.

Source: Anter Haber