CHAPTER FIVE

Environmental Impacts Of Major

Water Resource Development Projects

By: ENG. Hamda Mowlid Nur

 Water channeling refers to the process
of directing water flow through a
channel or conduit, typically for the
Water purpose of irrigation, flood control, or
Channelization hydroelectric power generation.
projects Channeling water can have both
positive and negative impacts on the
environment, depending on the specific
context and how the channeling is
carried out.
  One potential positive impact of water
channeling is the ability to irrigate
crops and support agriculture in areas
where there is limited natural water
supply. This can help to increase food
Positive production and support economic
Impact development. However, if the water
channeling infrastructure is not
properly designed and maintained, it
can also have negative impacts on the
environment.
  Water channeling can disrupt natural water flow
patterns and lead to erosion, sedimentation, and
loss of habitat for aquatic species. It can also alter
Negative water quality and cause changes in water
temperature, which can have impacts on the health
impacts of
and survival of aquatic plants and animals.
water
channeling In addition, the construction of water channeling
infrastructure can have negative impacts on the
environment, including habitat loss and alteration,
and the potential for water pollution.
 Overall, the environmental
impact of water channeling
depends on how it is
implemented and managed.
It is important to consider
Cont… the potential impacts and
take steps to minimize any
negative effects on the
environment.
How can I
conduct an Conducting an EIA for a water channeling project in a
EIA for a developing country involves several steps:
water 1. Scoping: This involves defining the scope of the
channeling EIA, including the specific issues and impacts that will
be assessed.
project in
developing 2. Baseline studies: This involves collecting data on
the project site and surrounding area, including
countries physical, biological, and social information. This can
include field surveys, literature reviews, and
consultation with relevant stakeholders.
 3. Impact assessment: This involves evaluating
the potential impacts of the project on the
environment and assessing their significance. This
can include analyzing the potential impacts on air
and water quality, soil, vegetation, wildlife, and
human health.
Cont… 4. Mitigation and management: This involves
identifying measures to mitigate or manage any
negative impacts identified during the impact
assessment. These measures can include design
changes to the project, the implementation of
best management practices, and the
establishment of monitoring programs.
 5. Public consultation: This involves engaging with the
public and other stakeholders to gather their input and
feedback on the project and the EIA process.
6. Reporting: This involves preparing a written report
that summarizes the findings of the EIA and presents the
proposed mitigation and management measures.
Cont… It is important to follow the appropriate EIA guidelines
and regulations in the country where the project is being
proposed. In many developing countries, there may be
specific EIA guidelines and regulations that apply to
water channeling projects. It may also be necessary to
obtain the appropriate permits and approvals before
proceeding with the project.
 An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a water
WHAT channeling project in Somalia might include the following
elements:
WOULD AN 1. Executive summary: A summary of the key findings and
EIS conclusions of the EIS.
2. Introduction: A description of the project and its purpose,
DOCUMENT including the need for the project and the alternatives that
LOOK LIKE were considered.
3. Description of the project: A detailed description of the
IN THIS project, including its location, size, design, and intended

SCENERIO? use.
4. Assessment of potential impacts: An assessment of the
potential impacts of the project on the environment,
including physical, biological, social, and economic impacts.
 5. Discussion of alternatives: A discussion of the
alternative ways of achieving the project objectives and
an evaluation of the potential impacts of each alternative.
6. Mitigation and management measures: A
description of the measures that will be taken to mitigate
or manage any negative impacts of the project, including
Cont… design changes, best management practices, habitat
restoration, and stakeholder engagement.
7. Monitoring and reporting measures: A description
of the measures that will be put in place to monitor the
impacts of the project and the effectiveness of the
mitigation and management measures.
 8. Conclusion: A summary of the key findings and
conclusions of the EIS, including a determination of
whether the project should proceed and any conditions
that should be imposed to ensure that the project is
developed in a sustainable and responsible manner.

9. Appendices: Supporting documentation, including

Cont… maps, aerial photographs, and technical reports.

It is important to ensure that the EIS is thorough and

comprehensive, and that it addresses all of the potential
impacts of the project in a transparent and unbiased
manner. It is also important to involve relevant
stakeholders in the EIA and EIS processes to ensure that
their needs and concerns are taken into account.
 Here is a hypothetical example of an
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for a
A water channeling project in a developing
HYPOTHETICAL country:
The government of a developing country is
WATER planning to build a new water channel to
CHANNELING bring water from a distant river to a drought-
prone region of the country. The channel will
PROJECT be 60 kilometers long and will cross several
different types of ecosystems, including
forests, grasslands, and agricultural lands.
 Before the project can proceed, the
government is required to conduct
an EIA to assess the potential
environmental impacts of the project.
The EIA will consider a range of
Cont… factors, including the impact on
water quality, the impact on local
ecosystems and wildlife, and the
potential for soil erosion and
landslides.
 To gather information for the EIA, the
government might conduct a variety of studies,
including:
• A hydrological study to assess the potential
Cont… impact on water flow and quality in the region
• A biological study to evaluate the potential
impacts on local ecosystems and wildlife
• A geotechnical study to assess the potential
for soil erosion and landslides
 Impact Planning Construction Operation

Water quality Low Medium High

Ecosystems
IMPACT and wildlife Low High High
ASSESMENT
Soil erosion Low High Low

Livelihoods
of local
communities Low Medium Medium
 We used a matrix to identify and evaluate the
potential impacts of a water channeling project:
In this example, the matrix has four rows
representing the key impacts (water quality,
Cont… ecosystems and wildlife, soil erosion, and
livelihoods of local communities) and three
columns representing the different stages of the
project (planning, construction, and operation).
 For each stage of the project, the potential
impacts on each of the key factors have
been assigned a rating based on the
likelihood and severity of the impact.
Cont… For example, the impact on water quality
during the planning stage has been rated as
"low," while the impact on ecosystems and
wildlife during construction has been rated
as "high.“
 Based on this matrix, it would be clear that
the key impacts to consider during the EIA
process are the impacts on ecosystems and
wildlife during construction, as well as the
impacts on water quality and livelihoods of
Cont… local communities during operation.
These impacts could then be further studied
and considered in the EIA process, and
strategies could be developed to mitigate
or minimize any negative impacts.
 By using a matrix to identify and
evaluate the potential impacts of a
water channeling project, it is
possible to ensure that the project
Cont… is designed and implemented in a
way that minimizes negative
impacts and maximizes positive
benefits for the environment and
local communities.
 Mitigation and management measures:
To mitigate and manage the potential impacts of the water
channeling project, the project team has developed a
Mitigation comprehensive plan that includes the following measures:

and • Design changes: The design of the channel will be modified to

minimize erosion and sedimentation, and to incorporate natural
Management features into the design where possible.
Measures • Best management practices: Measures will be implemented
to reduce the risk of erosion, sedimentation, and other
environmental impacts, such as using vegetation to stabilize the
channel banks and installing sediment control structures.
 • Habitat restoration: Efforts will be made to
restore and enhance habitat for aquatic species,
such as planting native vegetation and installing
fish passages.
• Water quality monitoring: A monitoring
program will be implemented to assess the
Cont… quality of the water in the channel and ensure
that it meets regulatory standards.
• Stakeholder engagement: The project team
will engage with stakeholders such as local
communities, environmental groups, and
government agencies to gather their input and
feedback on the project and address any
concerns they may have
 Here is a mock draft of an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) for a hypothetical water channeling project in Somalia:
Executive summary:
A MOCK The proposed water channeling project in Somalia is intended
to provide irrigation and drinking water to local communities.
DRAFT OF The project will involve the construction of a 60-kilometer-long
EIS FOR THIS channel that will divert water from a nearby river.
SCENERIO
Positive impacts: The water channeling project is expected
to bring much-needed water to the drought-prone region,
improving the livelihoods of local communities and
supporting agricultural production.
 In addition, The project has the potential to
have significant impacts on the environment,
including changes to natural water flow
patterns, erosion, sedimentation, loss of habitat
Cont… for aquatic species, and changes to the
availability and quality of water for domestic and
agricultural use.
 After considering a range of alternatives, including an
alternative to not build the channel, the project team
has concluded that the proposed project is the most
environmentally and socially responsible option.
EXECUTIVE
SUMMERY The project team has also developed a comprehensive
plan to mitigate and manage any negative impacts of
the project, including design changes to minimize
erosion and sedimentation, implementation of best
management practices, habitat restoration efforts,
and stakeholder engagement.
 INTRODUCTION:
The proposed water channeling project in Somalia is
intended to provide irrigation and drinking water to
local communities. The project will involve the
construction of a 60-kilometer-long channel that will
INTRODUCTION divert water from a nearby river. The project is being
proposed in response to a growing need for irrigation
and drinking water in the region, and is intended to
support the local economy and improve the quality of
life for local communities.
 Description of the project:
The water channeling project will involve the
construction of a 60-kilometer-long channel that will
divert water from a nearby river. The channel will be
approximately 2 meters wide and 2 meters deep, with
DESCRIPTION a concrete lining to prevent erosion and
OF THE sedimentation. The channel will be equipped with
PROJECT control structures to regulate the flow of water and
prevent flooding.
The project will also include the construction of a pump
station to lift water from the river and into the channel,
as well as a treatment plant to ensure that the water
meets regulatory standards for irrigation and drinking.
The project will be located in rural areas of Somalia,
and will be accessed via existing roads.
 Assessment of potential impacts:
The proposed water channeling project has the
potential to have significant impacts on the
Assessment of environment, including physical, biological, social,
and economic impacts.
potential
Physical impacts: The construction of the channel
impacts and associated infrastructure is likely to result in
changes to the natural water flow patterns in the
area, as well as erosion and sedimentation. The
project may also result in the loss of habitat for
aquatic species, as well as changes to the soil and
vegetation in the area.
 Biological impacts: The project may have impacts on the
flora and fauna in the area, including changes to the
composition of aquatic ecosystems and alterations in the
distribution and abundance of species. The project may
also have impacts on the health and survival of aquatic
plants and animals.
Social impacts: The project may have impacts on the
Cont… human population in the area, including changes to the
availability and quality of water for domestic and
agricultural use, changes in land use patterns, and impacts
on the livelihoods and well-being of local communities.
Economic impacts: The project may have impacts on the
local and regional economy, including changes in the cost
and availability of water, changes in land values, and
impacts on agriculture and other industries.
 Based on impact matrix, it would be clear
that the key impacts to consider during the
EIA process are the impacts on ecosystems
IMPACT and wildlife during construction, as well as
the impacts on water quality and livelihoods
ANALYSIS of local communities during operation. These
impacts could then be further studied and
considered in the EIA process, and strategies
could be developed to mitigate or minimize
any negative impacts.
 Discussion of alternatives:
The project team considered a range of alternatives
to the proposed water channeling project, including
an alternative to not build the channel. The
NO ACTION alternative of not building the channel was deemed
ALTERNATIV to be less environmentally and socially responsible,
as it would not address the need for irrigation and
E drinking water in the region. The project team also
considered alternative locations and designs for the
channel, and determined that the proposed location
and design were the most environmentally and
socially responsible options.
 An EMP (Environmental Management Plan) for
the impacts identified include the following
measures:
 Ecosystems and wildlife during construction:
Mitigation and To minimize impacts on ecosystems and
Management wildlife during construction, the EMP might
(EMP) include measures such as protecting and
relocating sensitive species, establishing
buffer zones around construction areas, and
implementing erosion control measures to
prevent sediment runoff.
  Water quality during operation: To ensure that water
quality is not negatively impacted during the operation
of the water channelization project, the EMP might
include measures such as monitoring water quality
regularly, implementing treatment systems to remove
pollutants, and implementing strict discharge
regulations.
Cont…
 Livelihoods of local communities: To minimize the
negative impacts on the livelihoods of local communities,
the EMP might include measures such as compensation
for any losses incurred by the project, training and
employment opportunities for local residents, and the
establishment of a community liaison group to address
any concerns or issues that may arise.
 Overall, the EIA concludes that the water channeling project is feasible and
can be implemented in a way that minimizes negative impacts and
maximizes positive benefits. The following recommendations are made to
ensure that the project is implemented in an environmentally sustainable
manner:

 Implement appropriate water quality monitoring and treatment measures

to ensure that water quality is maintained at acceptable levels
 Develop and implement erosion control measures to minimize the
Conclusion potential for soil erosion and landslides
 Develop and implement a plan to mitigate any negative impacts on local
ecosystems and wildlife
 Engage with local communities and other stakeholders throughout the
planning and implementation process to ensure their needs and concerns
are taken into account
Based on the findings of the EIA and the input of the panel of experts, the
government of Somalia will decide whether or not to proceed with the water
channeling project.