Environmental impact assessments of the Three Gorges Project in China: issues and interventions

The paper takes China's authoritative Environmental Impact Statement for the Yangzi (Yangtze) Three Gorges Project (TGP) in 1992 as a benchmark against which to evaluate emerging major environmental outcomes since the initial impoundment of the Three Gorges reservoir in 2003. The paper particularly examines five crucial environmental aspects and associated causal factors. The five domains include human resettlement and the carrying capacity of local environments (especially land), water quality, reservoir sedimentation and downstream riverbed erosion, soil erosion, and seismic activity and geological hazards. Lessons from the environmental impact assessments of the TGP are: (1) hydro project planning needs to take place at a broader scale, and a strategic environmental assessment at a broader scale is necessary in advance of individual environmental impact assessments; (2) national policy and planning adjustments need to react quickly to the impact changes of large projects; (3) long-term environmental monitoring systems and joint operations with other large projects in the upstream areas of a river basin should be established, and the cross-impacts of climate change on projects and possible impacts of projects on regional or local climate considered. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.Xibao Xu, Yan Tan, Guishan Yan

The Conservation Of Arboreal Marsupials In The Montane Ash Forests Of The Central Highlands Of Victoria, South-Eastern Australia - VII. Modelling The Persistence Of Leadbeater's Possum In Response To Modified Timber Harvesting Practices

A computer model for Population Viability Analysis (PVA) was used to simulate the relationship between the persistence of populations of the endangered species, Leadbeater's possum, Gymnobelideus leadbeateri and the implementation of a range of possible modified timber harvesting practices in two wood production blocks within the montane ash forests of the central highlands of Victoria, south-eastern Australia. The results of our analyses revealed that under the existing conservation strategies there was a high probability of extinction over the next 150 years in both blocks. Given that timber production areas comprise more than 75% of the distribution of G. leadbeateri, our findings highlight a need for additional conservation measures to enhance the survival prospects of the species. The range of upgraded conservation strategies that were examined included (1) extending the rotation time between logging operations; (2) modifying silvicultural practices to increase the amount of forest retained within each harvested coupe; and (3) permanently withdrawing areas from wood production. All of each of these approaches were found significantly to reduce the probability of extinction of populations of G. leadbeateri. However, when the relative merits of the various strategies were compared, the permanent withdrawal of potential logging coupes from timber harvesting was predicted to be the most efficient approach. Importantly, this strategy would have a number of practical advantages including that it overcomes both (1) the logistic difficulties of ensuring the long-term survival of retained trees within logged areas; and (2) human safety issues arising from implementing modified silvicultural practices. This practical application of PVA to compare the merits of different potential management options has provided new information that will enhance present efforts to conserve G. leadbeateri in wood production areas

Compensatory approaches and engagement techniques to gain flood storage in England and Wales

Flood storage involves creating sacrificial land for water to purposefully inundate protect land downstream. Obtaining the right or co-operation to flood on private property remains a challenge. This paper based on empirical qualitative research with 14 key stakeholders involved in the practice of gaining land to flood in England and Wales the different forms of financial and economic approach that might be used to facilitate this right. Expropriation of land, one off-payment, annual single payment and flood event losses compensation were explored. Availability of funding as compensation is the main driver for landowner adoption of flood storage schemes. Three funding approaches were revealed; flowage easement, full land purchase and Agricultural Schemes funding diffuse storage. Rather than attempting to gain partnerships between spatially dislocated stakeholders in upper storage and lower impacted catchments success resides on the storage land and persuading landowner co-operation. A clear enforced legal framework of ownership of land and funding mechanisms is also viewed as essential

Kakadu Conservation Zone contingent valuation survey, Australia, 1990

The objective of this study was to provide information on environmental values, and in particular to estimate the dollar value Australians would place on the Conservation Zone and Kakadu National Park if mining were not permitted in the Zone compared with their valuations if mining were permitted, with possible environmental damage. The survey was split into two samples: a sample of Northern Territory residents; and a sample of residents of all other states. These individual valuations were determined using contingent valuation, a method of placing dollar values on aspects of the natural environment. The contingent valuation method constructs a hypothetical market for the amenity in question. In this survey, respondents were asked how much they would be willing to pay to prevent possible environmental damage from mining in the Conservation Zone. Because the extent of environmental damage from proposed mining is in dispute, the survey group was split in two. A different description of environmental impact was presented to each group: the first stated that there would be very little damage and that damage would be limited (the minor impact scenario); and the second described the risks of damage as significant and the impact substantial (the major impact scenario). In addition, respondents were asked to respond to values already defined, that is, instead of respondents being asked what they would be willing to pay, they were asked if they would be willing to pay a specified amount. In addition to specific contingent valuation questions, the survey also asked respondents a series of attitude questions ranging from the importance of recreational activities within national parks, the relationship between jobs and natural resources, the importance of Aboriginal cultural concerns, and the financial benefits to Australia. Respondents were also asked whether they thought governments paid attention to individual views on natural resources; the importance of forests and Australia's timber resources; and four behavioural questions - whether they recycled household materials, the purchase of environmentally sound products, the watching of environmental programs on TV and membership of a conservation organisation. Background information covered age, sex, education level, income, job status, industry, occupation and country of birth

Forests community attitudes survey, Australia, 1990

This study was conducted as part of the Resource and Assessment Commission Forest and Timber Inquiry. It was designed to assess public opinion towards the environment, forests, and forest management in Australia. Variables covered include concern about various social issues, environmental problems in the respondent's locality, concern about national and global environmental problems, preferred goals for Australia, political affiliation, value placed on environmental protection, the respondent's conceptualisation of environmental damage, support for various lobby groups, attitudes to logging and various forestry issues, and whether the respondent has visited a native forest in the preceding twelve months. Background variables covered were sex, year of birth, marital status, age at leaving school, years of tertiary education, highest qualification since leaving school, employment status, occupation, type of employer, and membership of a trade union or staff association

Total Maximum Daily Load for Dissolved Nickel in the San Jacinto River Tidal, Houston Ship Channel, and Buffalo Bayou in the San Jacinto River Basin

137 pagesThis TMDL (total maximum daily load) was developed for dissolved nickel in the San Jacinto River Tidal (Segment 1001), Houston Ship Channel (Segments 1005, 1006, 1007), Buffalo Bayou (Segments 1013 and 1014), Greens Bayou Above Tidal (Segment 1016), Whiteoak Bayou Above Tidal (Segment 1017), Tabbs Bay (Segment 2426), San Jacinto Bay (Segment 2427), Black Duck Bay (Segment 2428), Scott Bay (Segment 2429), Burnet Bay (Segment 2430), and Barbours Cut (Segment 2436). The purpose of this TMDL is to define the allowable permitted limit of dissolved nickel for all wastewater dischargers in the above segments. It was prepared by the Research and Environmental Assessment Section in the Water Planning and Assessment Division of the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission