Thousands of sinkholes have opened up around the Dead Sea?s coastal plain

[Emily]

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/06/090629-deadsea-sinkholes-video-ap.html

Geologist Eli Raz himself became the victim of a sinkhole several years ago.

SOUNDBITE (English) Eli Raz, Geologist: "I just remember that I was busy by documenting a new sinkhole and then suddenly I found myself covered by a pile of avalanche on the bottom of a sinkhole."

He spent 14 hours at the bottom before his rescue, and even wrote his will, not knowing he would be saved...

http://e360.yale.edu/feature/the_dead_sea_is_dying_can__a_controversial_plan_save_it/2551/

12 Jul 2012: Report
The Dead Sea is Dying: Can
A Controversial Plan Save It?
The Dead Sea ? the lowest terrestrial point on the planet ? is dropping at an alarming rate, falling more than 1 meter a year. A $10 billion proposal to pipe water from the Red Sea is being opposed by conservationists, who point to alternatives that could help save one of the world?s great natural places.
by dave levitan

On a quiet stretch of coastline along the western shore of the Dead Sea, a sinkhole had swallowed a piece of a road, pulling in concrete and rusted fence posts. The sea lay a short distance beyond, its turquoise-colored waters dropping at the rate of more than one meter a year.

The sinkholes are among the most visible effects of the continuing slow ?death? of the Dead Sea, which borders Israel, Jordan, and the West Bank. Thousands of sinkholes have opened up around the Dead Sea?s coastal plain, threatening roads and structures alike. Near this particular sinkhole, a grove of date palms sat withered and dead, abandoned because of the dangerous ground on which they stood...

http://foeme.org/www/?module=projects&record_id=51

TFoEME is closely monitoring the proposed building of a canal linking the Dead Sea and the Red Sea. The building of this canal raises many environmental concerns...
[snip]
The building of this water conveyance raises many questions, such as:

1. What impact will the pumping of vast quantities of seawater out of the Gulf of Aqaba have on the fragile coral reefs in this area?

2. What changes will occur to the natural landscape of the Arava Valley both during the construction of the proposed 110 mile water conveyance and after?

3. What will happen when the Dead Sea is 'filled up' and can no longer receive desalination brine generated from the desalination activities of the project?

4. How will the threat posed by gypsum and other microorganism growth from the mixing of Red Sea and Dead Sea waters be addressed? Will toxic odours be released as a result of the mixing of the two seas, scaring away tourists?

5. Will control over pumping, desalinated water production, and distribution be handed over to private, for-profit business concerns? If so, what kinds of guarantees exist to protect the public's interests?

6. What kinds of solutions will be found for silt and potential leakage of water during transport?

7. Will changing the chemical composition of the Dead Sea result in loss of its unique characteristics? In particular, the health benefits that lead to tourism?

8. Will man made lakes and other infrastructures be built as part of the project in the Arava Valley?

9. Will decisions regarding this project be made in consultation with environmental NGO's, local communities, and experts not on the payroll of governments and business concerns?

10. Should a project that raises such serious environmental concerns move forward without a thorough independent assessment of possible alternatives such as the rehabilitation of the Jordan River to arrest the decline of the Dead Sea, as required by World Bank guidelines?