Nové Heřminovy - Environment Minister Martin Bursík took pains Monday to visit the village of Nové Heřminovy in the Jeseníky Region where a new dam is to be built.

In April, the Czech government approved the dam construction in spite of some Green Party members being against the project. The dam is to help protect surrounding villages against floods.

"I apologize for not being able to get to your municipality before the dam project was approved by the government," Bursík said during a debate with the locals, which disarmed some who wanted to reproach him for not coming earlier.

Read more: Bursík debates approved dam project with locals

Many locals are concerned and angry because eighteen families will have to move out of their houses in the town. The government, however, promises generous compensation to all of them. 

Aid to boost economy

Bursík claimed that the ministry didn't find sufficient arguments to dissuade the government from building the dam, but at least it managed to negotiate that only a small dam will be built. On top of that, strict pro-environmental measures are included in the plan.

Minister Bursík also promised that he would help the municipality to obtain financial grants that could be used to develop the region where the displaced families will have to move. Boosting entrepreneurship and tourism will be a priority for the ministry.  

Compensation, grants, subsidies

The owners of the houses that stand on the land which will be flooded will be given compensation of hundreds of millions of Czech crowns.

"Other households in the village could be given subsidies, too," said Bursík.

And is this enough to compensate the people of Nové Heřminovy?

"I don't know. The people are to decide. Just now, I have received a demand for a referendum on the dam. Only after the municipality finds out the people's opinion, we will decide whether we'll stand firmly against the dam, or whether we settle for what they offer us," mayor of Nové Heřminovy Radovan Jílka said.

It is already clear, though, that the compensations are more than generous. The owners will get six times more than what the value of their property is.