Once a large public works project is decided on, it is very hard to stop it because of political and bureaucratic inertia. But Kumamoto Gov. Ikuo Kabashima has called on the central government to cancel its plan to build a dam on the Kawabe River, a tributary of the Kuma River, known for its rapid and clean flow and its tendency to flood. The days when the central government can push large public works projects regardless of local opinions are almost over. In fact, 20 dam projects of the central government have been halted since fiscal 1996.

The infrastructure ministry disclosed the plan for the dam in 1966. The projected total cost has swelled about 10 times to more than ¥300 billion, even though the plan has been scaled down for the purpose of flood control only. Four past Kumamoto governors supported the plan, and Mr. Kabashima's predecessor, Gov. Yoshiko Shiotani, was neutral. Mr. Kabashima, elected last March with Liberal Democratic Party support, set up an experts' panel and visited areas due to be affected by the dam to talk with officials and residents. In his Sept. 11 announcement, he said, "The current plan should be totally retracted and flood-control measures pursued that don't depend on a dam."

He described the Kuma River as a treasure for local people that must be protected. Although the governor's decision is not legally binding, the central government is required to hear opinions of local governments. It should investigate all possibilities for controlling floods short of constructing a dam, including making embankments higher and river beds deeper and building flood- retarding basins. The governor also now takes on the great responsibility of keeping floods under control.

The long confrontation between supporters and opponents of the dam plan must have made Mr. Kabashima's decision a difficult one. The village of Itsuki, a large part of which would be submerged by the dam, accepted the dam construction plan in 1996 and some 500 households have already moved out. The central and Kumamoto prefectural governments should push local development plans for the areas affected by the dam plan and heal the division between supporters and opponents.