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dam-l Environmental mitigation measures for dams
November 29, 1999
Dear Sir/Madam:
As you are aware the World Commission on Dams is undertaking a broad review
of the experience of planning and management of large dams worldwide.
To complete the activity concerning the evaluation of environmental effects
of large dams throughout the world, WCD is now developing a review of the
mechanisms that have been used to incorporate mitigation and compensation
measures into the design and operation of new and existing projects.
Governments, engineers and environmental scientists have developed a broad
range of measures that address various effects of dams but little seems to
have been done to bring these measures together in a comprehensive manner
for use by others in planning for a new dam or rectifying adverse conditions
caused by existing dams. The result: engineers and scientists in the field
do not have comprehensive access to the kinds of approaches that can
assist them in planning an environmentally friendly project.
We are therefore interested in learning more about mitigation and
compensation measures that have been implemented in projects throughout the
world and, where possible, the degree to which they have been successful.
It is very important to know what has and hasn't worked, so success and
failure experiences are both welcome and encouraged. Another issue of
relevance is to gather experiences from both, developing and developed
countries.
For each measure, we would appreciate learning where possible the following
kind of information:
What is the mitigation or compensation measure/program?
What was the impetus for adopting the measure? (legal
requirement or voluntary)
Does the measure meet its intended objective? Why or why
not?
What effect did the measure have on the cost and/or benefits
from the project?
How was the measure financed?
Who is responsible for implementing and managing the
measure?
Some models we have come across include:
1. Dam developers participating in, and sometimes funding, the creation
of protected areas or planting of forests, as offset for environmental
damage by a dam.
2. Negotiating an environmental compensation package at the time of
licensing (capital costs only)
3. Diversion of part of the project revenue stream to fund
environmental activities throughout the project life.
4. Accepting lower project benefits in order to reduce downstream
impacts (eg increased river flows for fish or people, or to maintain water
quality)
We would like to locate examples of these, and there are certainly other
models related to particular circumstances. Please do not feel restricted to
the examples given.
As indicated, descriptions of both successful and unsuccessful mitigation or
compensation programs are welcomed. We are aware that many mitigation and
compensation measures are supported directly by the developers. However, we
would greatly appreciate learning of other mechanisms that have been used to
finance and implement both mitigation and compensation measures.
Thank you in advance for your contribution. We shall ensure that these are
acknowledged, and that contributors receive a copy of the final report.
Yours sincerely,
Jamie Skinner
Senior Advisor - environment
World Commission on dams
58 Loop street
PO Box 16002
Vlaeberg, Cape Town
8018 South Africa
tel : ++ 27 21 426 4000
fax : ++ 27 21 426 0036
www.dams.org