three Dutch environmental groups will appeal against a German court's decision lifting restrictions on building a dam on the river Eems that flows near the border between the two countries.

A German court in Oldenburg lifted a 1998 temporary ban imposed on plans to build a flood control dam on the river on the northern Dutch-German border. The Waddenvereniging, Natuurmonumenten and Groninger Landschap said in a joint statement that they were appealing because the construction of the dam would harm the flora and fauna in the region. They said freshwater will seep into the nearby Dollard estuary and damage the natural balance, they said. German environmental groups were also appealing against a similar court case that went against them, the statement said.