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dam-l text version DAMS newsletter (fwd)
Forwarded message:
From Kdunn@dams.org Tue Nov 16 03:32:47 1999
Message-ID: <412C517E8333D2119AA100A0C9DBD4D7211374@damsserver.dams.org>
From: Kate Dunn <Kdunn@dams.org>
To: "Diane Murray (E-mail)" <dianne@sandelman.ocunix.on.ca>
Subject: text version DAMS newsletter
Date: Tue, 16 Nov 1999 10:34:46 +0200
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Hi, Diane,
Sorry for the hassle with our newsletter. Here's a text version, hope you
can open it. Please send your mailing address so that we can send you a
paper copy as well.
Kate
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MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
T
he WCD has a unique mandate to bring together all the various interests =
in the dams debate for dialogue and to elicit knowledge. In the last =
quarter the Commission has furthered that mandate by intensifying its =
communications with interested parties in the dams debate, and with the =
news media.=20
In July, the Reuters Foundation and IUCN-The World Conservation Union =
convened a London media seminar on dams and the WCD, and the Commission =
co-hosted a two-day consultation in Geneva on indigenous peoples and =
dams. In Brazil in August the Commission held its regional consultation =
for Latin America, with 31 speakers from 12 countries. In Granada, =
Spain the WCD met with the International Commission on Irrigation and =
Drainage whose members had drafted a position paper on dams as input to =
the Commission's work programme.
I also addressed a special half-day workshop on the benefits and costs =
of dams held during the annual congress of the International Commission =
on Large Dams (ICOLD); the workshop was based on 39 ICOLD papers =
prepared for the WCD. In Washington, the WCD presented its work to =
participants in the annual meeting of the World Bank and the =
International Monetary Fund.=20
As this newsletter goes to print the WCD is preparing for a number of =
meetings: the international Conference on Cost-Benefit Analysis at Yale =
University; Transparency International's Anti-Corruption Conference in =
Durban, South Africa; the International Hydropower Association's =
conference in Austria; a meeting with the Organisation for Economic =
Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris; and the upcoming WCD =
regional consultation for Africa and the Middle East.=20
This high level of engagement reflects two objectives. First, a =
commission such as ours, midway through its brief two-year mandate, =
must invest heavily in reaching out to interested parties, to ensure =
they are aware of the WCD's work and thus able to inform and contribute =
to it. Second, the Commission also must position itself in the global =
arena of decision-making and policy dialogue. Otherwise its report will =
only be noticed by its printer and a few die-hard followers.
Professor Kader Asmal
Chair of the WCD
BUILDING BRIDGES KEY TO WCD PROCESS
T
he third quarter of 1999 marked the beginning of the second and last =
year of the WCD's brief mandate. The agenda was packed with fruitful =
meetings with a number of constituencies whose collaboration is key to =
the WCD's success:
* the irrigation and dam engineering sectors;
* a Geneva gathering of indigenous peoples;
* the international financial and development community at the annual =
meeting of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund;
* water sector professionals at the Stockholm Water Symposium;
* journalists and stakeholders at a Reuters Foundation-IUCN seminar in =
July;
* and interest groups at the WCD Latin America consultation.
=09
"These meetings are not just to answers questions about the WCD and to =
gather information for our work programme," said WCD Secretary General =
Achim Steiner. "Most importantly, we are building bridges to these =
constituencies, addressing some of the concerns they harbour regarding =
this strange animal, the WCD. We are unusual, in that we encompass both =
proponents and opponents of dams; some people on both sides find it =
hard to accept that their opponents' views get equal time in the WCD, =
but the WCD will only succeed if all parties to the debate feel they've =
been heard and represented in it."
=09
In September the WCD's Chair, Professor Kader Asmal, addressed both the =
International Commission for Irrigation and Drainage (ICID), and the =
International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD). While both pro-dam =
organisations support the WCD, some members continue to suspect it of =
being 'anti-dam'. Professor Asmal was quick to allay their concerns: =
"Believe it or not, some opponents of dams claim just as vehemently =
that we are pro-dam. We are neither pro- nor anti-dam. I would call on =
you to judge us by our outputs in due course rather than attempting to =
pre-judge our motives."
=09
There is a surprising amount of consensus already between the various =
sides in the dams debate, Professor Asmal told members of ICID and =
ICOLD. "We all are in close agreement as to the fundamental concerns." =
He listed key principles enunciated by the organisations, principles =
shared by the Commission and many of its diverse constituencies. =
(continues next page...)
In particular he mentioned the ICID position paper prepared as a =
submission to the WCD, in which the organisation details its concerns =
as to:
* realising truly integrated land and water management to maximise =
social and economic welfare without compromising the sustainability of =
vital ecosystems;
* ensuring people are better off after project implementation than they =
were before;
* empowering women; and
* ensuring everyone has a voice in determining their futures as =
stakeholders in development.
The ICOLD position paper on dams and the environment reflects the WCD's =
focus on:
* information disclosure, participation and negotiation;
* options assessment;
* realistic financial and economic appraisal;
* involuntary resettlement pursued as a development opportunity;
* appraisal of sustainability;
* dam operation and monitoring.
Theo van Robbroeck, honorary president of ICOLD, echoed Professor =
Asmal's statement when he addressed the 67th ICOLD meeting in Antalya, =
Turkey on 25 September. Mr. Van Robbroeck, a member of the WCD's =
advisory Forum, suggested that ICOLD continue to "provide the World =
Commission on Dams with the facts about dams, so that the true picture =
can emerge in their final report". In that vein, ICOLD members already =
have contributed 39 papers as submissions to the WCD. ICID members =
also have drafted their official submission to the WCD.=20
Some ICID and ICOLD delegates queried the need for a World Commission =
on Dams, when considerable expertise and experience on dams is =
available through their own organisations. Professor Asmal responded =
that, as capable and valuable as those existing organisations are, they =
represent particular interests in the dams debate.=20
Given the intensity of the debate over the benefits and costs of dams, =
"a new, independent body and process was required, one that could =
transcend the polarisation, suspicion, misinformation and even hidden =
agendas that exist in the two extremes of the debate".
He said governments and lending agencies are looking to the WCD for =
"ground rules against which they can assess dam projects and other =
options in providing flood management, irrigation, electrical =
generation, and urban water supply".=20
FEEDBACK FROM THE FIELD:
CASE STUDY MEMBERS GATHER=20
IN CAPE TOWN
The WCD is conducting case studies in 10 countries, focusing on =
particular dams and relevant aspects of their river basins. Each study =
provides analysis of the performance and development effectiveness of =
each dam in meeting goals established when it was built, and in =
addressing issues that might have emerged more recently. From these =
analyses the WCD will derive 'lessons learned' from the past several =
decades of dam construction and operation globally.
The case study teams are multi-disciplinary, including agronomists, =
economists, sociologists, hydropower and irrigation engineers, =
biologists, and ecologists, and consist of nationals of the countries =
concerned. The case study teams attended a WCD workshop in Cape Town in =
September and provided interesting perspectives on the WCD process and =
their studies in particular:
Katherine Cushing, USA, Grand Coulee Dam/Columbia river basin: The WCD =
process is an effort to better understand the realities in trying to =
put sustainable development into practice. The Grand Coulee is the =
largest generator of hydropower in the USA and provides irrigation, =
downstream flood control, and recreation, which means many parties are =
interested in this dam. Our stakeholder workshop included the US Bureau =
of Reclamation, the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Bonneville Power =
Administration, Canada's BC Hydro and the Columbia Basin Trust, along =
with NGOs, agricultural associations, and indigenous peoples' groups. A =
key question we are addressing involves balancing the different uses =
for the water. For example, how have the dam operators addressed the =
need to optimise hydropower generation with the salmon's need for river =
flow augmentation during their migration to the ocean? The study =
team's biggest challenge is identifying, according to WCD methodology, =
all the intended and unintended impacts of this dam over its 70-year =
life. (Dr. Cushing is an environmental engineer working in city and =
regional planning at the University of California at Berkeley, with an =
interest in cross-sectoral issues.)
Refik C=F6lasan, Turkey, Aslantas Dam/Ceyhan river basin: The WCD's =
multi-disciplinary process is the first of its kind in Turkey and =
should be applied to other dams and public investments which cost the =
country a great deal, as it is a good way to assess the results of any =
project. There are about 422 dams and power plants now operating in =
Turkey, while 206 more are in the planning or construction phases.=20
(continues next page...)
Irrigation and hydropower are among the major objectives of these dams. =
Certainly there are some problems caused by large dams. I believe that =
the WCD's guidelines will be valuable tools in dealing with these =
issues. (Mr. C=F6lasan is an agricultural engineer and general manager =
with AGRIN consultancy.)
Alois Hungwe, Zambia/Zimbabwe, Kariba Dam/Zambezi river basin: The WCD =
process is a new and innovative way of engaging as many people as =
possible to participate in a debate that is likely to yield some =
serious recommendations with regard to the implementation of large dams =
in the future. The Kariba dam has a 40-year history and thus presents =
us with an excellent opportunity for the world to learn about the =
likely long-term impacts of large dams. Some impacts from the dam's =
construction still linger and new impacts are arising as history =
unfolds. So this dam is a good case study for comparing predicted =
versus actual benefits and the changes that occur over time. (Dr. =
Hungwe, director of the Zimbabwean firm Soils Inc., recently led the =
environmental impact assessment of the planned Betoka Gorge Dam on the =
Zambezi River.)
Emilio La Rovere, Brazil, Tucuru=ED Dam/Tocantins river basin: The WCD =
process yields concrete examples that illustrate the dams debate. It =
reflects the increased awareness of the need for environmental and =
social protection vis-=E0-vis dams. Such has been the WCD's impact that =
the Brazilian Congress has been asked to create a similar commission on =
a national basis. For this study, we have brought together scientists, =
local peoples' movements, a number of associations, utilities, and =
regulatory bodies to form the stakeholder group advising us on the =
scope of our study. People were happy to have their status in the =
debate recognised in this way. Some interesting issues affecting the =
outcome of this study are privatisation of electricity generation; the =
Amazon's hydroelectric potential; and economic and technical =
performance of the dam and its environmental and social impacts, =
particularly on local and indigenous populations. (Dr. La Rovere is an =
engineer, part of a multidisciplinary team at the Federal University of =
Rio de Janeiro working on energy and environmental issues.)
Amir Muhammed, Pakistan, Tarbela Dam/Indus river basin: The WCD is =
conducting a comprehensive review of the design and performance of dams =
including the economic, technical, social, and environmental aspects. =
In the past the latter two aspects were not treated with the same =
intensity as engineering and economic feasibility aspects, because dams =
were planned mainly by civil engineers and the projects were reviewed =
mainly by economists. In Pakistan, agriculture is the single largest =
economic sector, contributing about 25% of the gross national product =
(GNP). The Tarbela dam is the largest storage dam and the single =
largest electricity-producing unit in Pakistan, and was built to =
resolve conflicts over water-sharing resulting from the partition of =
India and Pakistan. Issues of concern include compensation to the =
population displaced by the dam; distribution of water between the =
provinces; sharing royalties from hydropower generation; loss of =
fertile land due to water-logging and salinity; and downstream =
ecological effects. (Dr. Muhammed is the retired chairman of Pakistan's =
Agricultural Research Council and has co-led a study of agricultural =
policy reform in Pakistan.)
Jostein Skurdal, studying Norway's integrated dam/river system: The =
most valuable aspect of the WCD process is its openness, the ability to =
bring together people of diverse backgrounds and experience to talk =
about these complex issues. Our Norway study is different from most of =
the others in being a study of an entire river basin system of dams, =
enabling us to capture diverse experiences and information on issues =
such as the effect of dams on fish migration and recruitment, =
waterfalls, birds and other wildlife, and mitigation issues including =
flood control. In Norway we are lucky in that, unlike some countries, =
we have ready access to the data we need from organisations, industry, =
and government. (Dr. Skurdal is a zoologist working in the =
multi-disciplinary Eastern Norway Research Institute, and an advisor on =
fisheries issues to several European Community committees.)
The WCD is also pursuing studies of dams and river basins in Thailand, =
China, and India and has completed a pilot study of South Africa's =
Orange River..
Case Studies:
Anticipated dates for second stakeholder meetings:
Brazil - 3rd week of January 2000
China - 3rd week of January 2000
India - 3rd week of January 2000
Norway - 2nd week of January 2000
Pakistan - 1st week of December 1999
Thailand - 1st week of January 2000
Turkey - 3rd week of January 2000
Zambia/Zimbabwe - 3rd week of December 1999
USA - 3rd week of January
LISTENING TO LATIN AMERICA
SECOND WCD REGIONAL CONSULTATION
T
he WCD's Second Regional Consultation was convened for Latin America on =
12-13 August 1999 in S=E3o Paulo, Brazil. Prior to the consultation the =
WCD received 80 submissions from which 31 were selected as =
presentations for delivery during the consultation. In line with the =
Commission's commitment to inclusive and broad-based participation, the =
presenters came from 12 countries on the continent and represented the =
full range of stakeholders in the debate including public officials, =
business leaders, officials from international development agencies, =
scholars, and representatives of NGOs and social movements.
In total, 650 people attended the first day's sessions and over 250 =
the following day. Abstracts from the panels are available on the WCD =
website, http://www.dams.org/consult_region_latin.asp
Past Experience
The Commission heard a range of views on the performance and =
development effectiveness of large dams and their adverse effects on =
some communities:
* the need for growth and development in Brazil indicates that energy =
demand will increase in future, moderated by increased energy =
efficiency;
* dams have contributed benefits to industry and cities and to overall =
development of Brazil but the perspective of many was that costs have =
been borne by the local communities affected by projects;
* participants provided a range of views on the environmental impacts =
of dams and the need to consider the local, basin-wide, regional, and =
international dimensions of these impacts in decision-making processes =
both for new dams and the operation of existing dams.
Emerging Factors =20
The submissions and ensuing discussions highlighted key factors =
illustrative of the changing context surrounding dams. These factors =
will play pivotal roles in determining the future of dams:
* political change in Latin America in the 1990s, along with structural =
changes in industry, regulation, and finance, are re-defining roles in =
planning and decision-making in the energy sectors and for dams;
* governments and their institutions are on a learning curve and =
environmental and social awareness is growing; and
* regional energy networks (e.g. gas pipelines and electricity grids) =
are emerging and promise to shape future roles for hydro, natural gas, =
coal, and other energy resources.
Directions and Challenges
A number of challenges for the future direction of policies, planning, =
and action were identified in the sessions:
* dynamic and purposeful consultation at all stages of planning and =
implementation of projects are essential between project officials and =
interested communities, to maximise benefits from large projects;
* in Latin America concerns regarding significant environmental and =
social issues related to the management of existing dams remain =
unresolved and these should be addressed alongside issues related to =
the development of new projects;=20
* in the changing policy and regulatory context there is a need to =
clarify the roles of government, the private sector, civil society, and =
project-affected peoples in planning processes;
* a number of examples of innovative compensation mechanisms exist in =
the region and these must be reviewed, with the 'lessons learned' fed =
back into the planning process;
* careful assessment of renewable energy options that match local needs =
and priorities must be integrated with an evaluation of the potential =
for 'clean development mechanisms' to influence technology choices; and
* a major challenge is to implement, monitor, and enforce emerging =
policies and regulations addressing the various environmental and =
social concerns, while recognising the differences in applying them in =
different local contexts;
* the need for economic growth must be reconciled with the various =
options available to meet that need, in light of social and =
environmental priorities;
* all parties must engage constructively in identifying the array of =
options available in providing services, and acknowledge constraints on =
realising those options.
WCD'S 17 'THEMATIC REVIEWS'
PULL TOGETHER DIVERSE VIEWS=20
The WCD is midway through the globally consultative process that will =
yield its 'thematic reviews' - 17 papers grouped under five themes:
* social impacts;
* environmental impacts;
* economic/financial impacts;
* assessment of dams and non-dam options in providing services;
* institutional and governance issues related to dams.
The process of producing each thematic review is as follows:
* the WCD Secretariat and Commissioners prepare outlines for each =
thematic; the outlines are published on the WCD website at =
www.dams.org/wp_tr_main.asp;
* production of the first draft by a lead writer and contributing =
writers respected for their leadership/expertise in the field under =
study;
* review by a panel of 8-10 individuals with similar expertise as =
above;
* additional comments by interested parties external to the review =
panel;
* in some cases, additional workshops and/or website conferences to =
widen input;
* revision to accommodate comments from steps 3-5 above;
* preparation of a Commissioners' brief on each paper, to highlight =
issues for discussion;
* comments from Commissioners in December 1999;
* further revision yields final thematic review.
It is estimated the thematic reviews will be completed by February =
2000, for use in preparation of the WCD final report, due in August =
2000.
TOP LONDON JOURNALISTS AT
REUTERS-IUCN SEMINAR
"Any dam, whatever its faults or merits, will make a quick headline, =
usually focusing on its potential impacts on the environment and =
people." - Professor Kader Asmal, Chair, the World Commission on Dams.
The recognition that big dams are big news led the Reuters Foundation =
and IUCN-The World Conservation Union to build their first joint media =
seminar around the mandate and work of the World Commission on Dams.=20
Held in London at South Africa House on 15 July, the event attracted =
top journalists from The Economist, The Financial Times, The Guardian, =
The Sunday Telegraph, and several BBC programmes, to name a few.=20
Editors of specialist journals such as International Hydropower & Dams, =
New Civil Engineer, and The Corner House also attended, as did key =
stakeholders from NGOs such as the Bretton Woods Project, industry =
groups such as the British Dams Society, and governments such as that =
of Turkey.
Opening remarks were made by Paul Mylrea, representing the Reuters =
Foundation, Javed Ahmad of IUCN, and Professor Asmal. Five speakers =
illustrated the range of views on large dams:
* Maurice Strong, who advised World Bank President James Wolfensohn on =
the fate of Nepal's Arun III dam project;
* Alison Bartle of the International Hydropower Association, on the =
development benefits of large dams;
* Biksham Gujja of the World Wide Fund for Nature, on the environmental =
impacts of large dams;
* Indian journalist B.G. Verghese, who spoke of his country's =
experience in using dams as a major development/food security tool;
* and Peter Bosshard of the human rights NGO The Berne Declaration, who =
spoke of the social impacts of large dams.
Their presentations are available on the WCD website at =
www.dams.org/pressroom.asp
WCD CHAIR GIVES KEYNOTE ADDRESS
DURING STOCKHOLM WATER SYMPOSIUM
Rapid population growth and urbanisation this century have brought with =
them grim realities in terms of water supply, said Professor Kader =
Asmal, WCD Chairperson, in his keynote address during the prestigious =
Stockholm Water Symposium in August.
"Widespread chronic shortage of freshwater brings threats to food =
production and security, epidemics of water-borne and water-related =
diseases, economic crises, erosion of the natural resource base of the =
economy, and degradation of the environment," said Professor Asmal.
"The prominence of water on the global agenda in the early 1990s, on =
the trail of the established and maturing environmental period, has =
ushered in a new dimension of thinking on water and urban problems. It =
has provided a forum for the articulation of globally accepted =
principles and policies for water management, including urban needs."
"Efforts such as those at the World Commission on Dams will help us =
find ways to appropriately develop new infrastructure while protecting =
the environment and maintaining social equity."
WCD FUNDRAISING UPDATE
A total of 39 organisations around the world representing public, =
private, and civil society sectors have committed funds to support the =
innovative WCD process. During the past quarter several revised and =
new funding agreements were reached, including:
* The Swedish aid agency Sida increased its financial support to the =
WCD by a further $360 000, for a total contribution of $850 000. This =
latest contribution is being matched dollar-for-dollar by the UN =
Foundation under the latter's 'matching grant' arrangement with the =
WCD;
* The UK's Department for International Development increased its =
initial contribution to the WCD by $320 000 for a new total of $560 =
000;
* The governments of The Netherlands and Finland have confirmed =
contributions of $400 000 and $170 000 respectively;
* The David and Lucille Packard Foundation has contributed $50 000.
While significant success has been achieved, the WCD remains in a =
precarious financial situation and must raise another US$1.5million to =
complete its work programme. Further fundraising initiatives are =
underway, to solicit support from private sector organisations as well =
as the NGO sector.
INPUT FROM INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
INFORMS THE WCD PROCESS
One of the most contentious issues in the dams debate is the impact of =
dams on indigenous and tribal peoples and ethnic minorities. Such =
groups may be harmed inadvertently by development unless their specific =
circumstances are addressed in advance. =20
To ensure broad participation in the WCD's 'thematic review' paper on =
Dams, Indigenous Peoples and Ethnic Minorities, it was put on the table =
for discussion at a workshop 31 July - 1 August in Geneva. The workshop =
was timed to take advantage of the presence in Geneva of numerous =
delegates to a meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous =
Populations.
Some of the major inputs from indigenous peoples included:
* Future decisions related to water resources and energy development =
should be based on free, prior, and informed consent of the indigenous =
peoples and ethnic minorities. This would include complete and free =
access to information, participation in assessments of the =
environmental and social impacts of large dams, and full assessment and =
selection of alternatives to dams, including the 'no project' option;
* The suggested process is one of negotiated agreement involving =
indigenous peoples, government, and/or the dam developer, with full =
recourse by the affected people to legal redress;=20
* One of the provisions to enable the affected people to recover lost =
livelihoods is the principle of an exchange of land for land lost. The =
workshop participants also suggested establishment of a mechanism to =
deal with demands for restitution for past losses.=20
GLOBAL SUBMISSIONS PROGRAMME
PULLS IN VIEWS FROM ALL SIDES
To date the WCD has received over 340 submissions from a broad spectrum =
of interests around the world. Most were written in response to the =
WCD's call for submissions prior to its regional consultations in South =
Asia (December 1998) and Latin America (August 1999). Abstracts of =
those presentations then were posted on the WCD website. With the =
upcoming regional consultations for Africa and the Middle East =
(December 1999) and East and South-East Asia (February 2000), the =
number and frequency of submissions is expected to increase =
significantly.=20
CALENDAR
UPCOMING WCD EVENTS
8-9 December 1999
WCD Regional Consultation (Africa/Middle East)
Cairo, Egypt
10-12 December 1999
WCD Commissioners Meeting
Cairo, Egypt
31 January 2000
Last day for general submissions to WCD
25-26 February 2000
WCD Regional Consultation (East & South East Asia)
(venue to be announced)
April 2000
WCD Forum meeting
Cape Town, South Africa
April 2000
WCD Commissioners Meeting
6-9 July 2000
WCD Commissioners Meeting
25-28 August 2000
Final meeting of the WCD Commissioners
For information on any of the above, please contact Saneeya Hussain at: =
<shussain@dams.org>
=20
The content is varied, the single largest group of submissions being =
those leaning significantly toward the environmental aspects of large =
dams, followed by those focusing on social, economic, and institutional =
issues, and options assessment. However, submissions based on specific =
WCD case studies tend to encompass two or more of the above-mentioned =
themes.
A list of all submissions received by the WCD is available on the =
website at www.dams.org/meetings.asp
1
2
Official Newsletter of the World Commission on Dams
=20
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