Today, the Sabor river is threatened by a large hydropower dam.

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The proposed 125-meter-high Baixo Sabor dam would create a 50 km-long reservoir that would seriously affect a floodplain containing villages harboring Iron Age art and Roman ruins.

In 2001, 200 leading Portuguese scientists signed a petition to the government stating that in view of the unique value of the Sabor valley, the river should be protected from the construction of dams.

Ironically, among the parties promoting the dam is the country's environment minister who views the dam's hydroelectric power as a means to abide by European Union targets requiring nations to increase renewable energy sources. "Under the EU guidelines, every country has to have 39% of its energy coming from renewable sources by 2010," said Environmental Defense Senior Economist Korinna Horta. "The environment ministry said, 'The dam is a great idea, because we meet our renewable targets.' But the government certainly didn't look at any alternative measures. It just didn't want to spend money looking into energy efficiency and conservation issues. Plus the construction lobby here is very strong - you see it by the overbuilding in very scenic areas. The construction industry is just looking to use up cement wherever it can."

What is indefensible is that the project would supply a mere 0.6% of Portugal's projected energy needs, at a huge environmental cost.

"Such an ecological loss cannot be mitigated," said Horta. "Alternative investments in energy conservation and efficiency could ensure a more affordable and ecologically sustainable energy supply than the construction of one more dam."

Environmental Defense helped local organizations form a coalition opposing the dam and enlisted support from leading scientists. Our coalition advocates greater energy efficiency and alternative sources of power. "We must lose the idea that big dams mean progress," says Horta.

The European Commission has yet to take position on financing the dam. "There's still time to halt this project," says Horta.

Damming the Sabor River, featuring photographs by Jose Alves Teixeira.

Take Action! Send a message to Portugal's Prime Minister and Environment Minister asking that this environmental treasure be saved.

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Find Out More:

• Saborlivre.org - Web site developed by coalition of environmental NGOs opposed to the Sabor dam, with documents, image galleries and links to resources available in Portuguese and English.
• Proposed Portugal Dam Would Flood Culturally Rich, Biologically Diverse Area - World Rivers Review article by Helena Freitas and Korinna Horta (June 2003)
• Sabor Transmontano, Jose Alves Teixeira's book of photography documenting the environment and ethnography of the Sabor Valley, is available from the author (jteixeira@mail.icav.up.pt).
• Quercus - Associacao Nacional de Conservacao da Natureza
• Liga para a Proteccao da Natureza (LPN)
• Fundo para a Proteccao dos Animais Selvagens (FAPAS)
• Grupo de Estudos de Ordenamento do Territorio e Ambiente (GEOTA)
• Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves (SPEA)
• The World Commission on Dams