Model TOR for Hydropower Projects
EIA Studies
Policy,
Legal and Administrative Framework
Review of the Country's legislative and administrative frame
work within which the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) is to be undertaken
to ensure that the project is in compliance with national environmental and
social requirements.
Scoping and Assessment of Alternatives
Scoping should be done before EIA, using suitable standard
matrices. All the alternatives explored
by project proponent should be studied from the environmental angle. Scoping matrix, likely impacts identified for
various aspects of environment (aquatic, terrestrial and socio-economic) during
construction and operation phase of the project must be discussed in brief for
each alternative and reasons for selecting the best and optimum alternative on
social and environmental considerations, and reasons for rejecting other
alternatives be mentioned.
Methodology
Methods used for collecting data must be mentioned. In analysis of Air, Water and Noise,
methodology adopted, instruments used etc., should be mentioned. The land-use/land-cover pattern of the area
should be determined through remote sensing studies, interpretation of
satellite imagery, topographic sheets coupled with ground truthing. In analysis of terrestrial as well as aquatic
biota, the references used as guidelines should be cited. Standard methods must be used for
characterizing the diversity and other significant features of the biota and details
of field survey given.
The baseline studies will consist of 3 seasonal studies (Pre-monsoon,
monsoon and winter seasons) and will be conducted in the following study area.
Study Area: The study area should include the following areas:
·
Catchment Area
·
Submergence Area
·
Project Area to be acquired for various
appurtenant works area within
·
To examine the cascading effect, a clear map showing the approved/under
construction/completed HEPs on the both U/S and D/S to this project. Connect
such information to establish the total length of interference of natural river
flow, the total length of tunnelling of the river and the committed
unrestricted release from the site of diversion into the main river.
·
Adverse impact on land stability, catchment soil erosion, reservoir
sedimentation and spring flow (if any) due to (a) considerable road
construction/ widening activity (b) interfere of reservoir with the in-flowing streams (c) blasting for
commissioning the HRT, TRT and some other structures should be studied
·
Various maps
providing salient features of the project need to be depicted in proper scale
map of at least 1:15,000 like
1. The location map of the proposed project.
2.
The project layout
shall be superimposed on a contour map of ground elevation showing main project
features (viz. location of dam, head works, main canal, branch
canals, quarrying etc.) shall be depicted in a scaled map.
3. Drainage map of the catchment up to the project
site.
4. Soil map of the study area.
5.
Geological and
seismotectonic maps of the study area showing main project features.
6. Remote sensing studies, interpretation of
satellite imagery, topographic sheets along with ground verification shall be
used to develop the land use/land cover pattern of study area using overlay
mapping techniques viz. Geographic Information Systems (GISs). False
colour composite (FCC) generated from satellite data of study area should be
presented.
A.
BASELINE DATA
1.
Geological and
Geophysical Aspects
·
Geography & physiography of the project area
·
Design discharge & its RI ( Recurrence interval)
·
Regional Geology and structure of the catchment
·
Seismicity, tectonics and history of past earthquakes in the area
·
Critical review of the geological features around the project area
·
Impact of project on geological environment
·
Justification for location & execution of the project in relation
to structural components (dam/barrage height)
2.
Seismo-tectonics:
Study of Design Earthquake Parameters
A site
specific study of earth quake parameters will be done. The results of the site
specific earth quake design parameters will be sent for approval of the NCSDP
(National Committee of Seismic Design Parameters, Central Water Commission,
3.
Hydrology of the basin
to be done during EIA to get actual silt flow rate (to be expressed in
ha-m km-2 year-1). The one year of EIA study will provide an opportunity to do
this for ascertaining the actual silt flow rate.
4.
Biological Resources
i. Flora
·
General vegetation
pattern and floral diversity viz. trees, shrubs,
grasses, herbs, significant microflora etc. Vegetation
should cover all gropus of plants including lichens and orchids.
·
Forests and forest types
·
Water body inundating forest area
·
Vegetation profile, no. of species in the project area, etc.
·
Community Structure through Vegetation mapping
·
Species Diversity Index (Shanon-Weaver Index) of the biodiversity in
the project area as well as plant fossil & phytoplankton
·
Documentation of economically important plants, medicinal as well as
timber, fuel wood etc.
·
Endemic, endangered and threatened species
·
Impact of impoundment and construction activities on the vegetation
·
Cropping and
Horticulture pattern and practices in the study area.
·
Location of any Biosphere Reserve, National Park or Sanctuary in the
vicinity of the project , if any
·
For categorization of sub-catchments into various erosion classes and
for the consequent CAT plan, the entire catchment (Indian portion) is to be
considered and not only the directly draining catchment,
ii. Fauna
· Fauna study should be
carried-out for all group of animals
·
Inventorisation of terrestrial wildlife and present status
·
Zoogeographic distribution/affinities, Endemic, threatened and
endangered species and animal fossil
iii. Avifauna
· Fauna study should be carried-out
for all group of animals
·
Status
·
Resident/Migratory/Passage migrants
·
Zoogeographic distribution/affinities, endemic, threatened and
endangered species & animal fossils
·
Impact of project on threatened/endangered taxa, if any
·
Inventorisation of terrestrial wildlife and present status along
with schedule of the species
iv. Aquatic Ecology
·
Aqua- fauna like macro-invertebrates, zooplankton, phytoplanktons,
benthos etc.
·
Conservation Status
Fish and Fisheries
·
Fish migrations, if any
·
Breeding grounds
·
Impact of dam building on fish migration and habitat degradation
·
Overall ecological impact upto
v. Conservation areas and
status of threatened/endangered taxa
·
Biotic Pressures
·
Management plan for conservation areas and threatened/endangered taxa
vi.
Remote Sensing & GIS studies – various maps Various maps providing salient features of the
project need to be depicted in proper scale map of at least 1:15,000 like
§
The project layout
shall be superimposed on a contour map of ground elevation showing main project
features (viz. location of dam, head works, main canal, branch
canals, quarrying etc.) shall be depicted in a scaled map.
·
Delineation of critically degraded areas in the directly draining
catchment on the basis of Silt Yield Index as per the methodology of AISLUS
· The location map of the proposed project.
·
Land use and land cover mapping
·
Drainage pattern/map
·
Soil map of the study area
·
Geo-physical features, slope and relief maps Geological and seismotectonic maps of the study
area showing main project features.
Remote sensing studies, interpretation of
satellite imagery, topographic sheets along with ground verification shall be
used to develop the land use/land cover pattern of study area using overlay
mapping techniques viz. Geographic Information Systems (GISs). False
colour composite (FCC) generated from satellite data of study area should be
presented
·
Demarcation of Snow fed and rain fed areas for a realistic estimate of
the water availability.
vii. Socio-economic
aspects
·
Land details*
·
Demographic profile
·
Ethnographic Profile
·
Economic structure
·
Development profile
·
Agricultural practices
·
Cultural and aesthetics sites
·
Infrastructure facilities: education, health and hygiene, communication
network, etc.
·
Impact on socio-cultural and ethnographic aspects due to dam building
report.
*Report would include list of all the Project Affected Families with
their names, education, land holdings, other properties, occupation, etc.
viii. Collection of data
pertaining to water (physico-chemical and biological parameters), air and noise
environment and likely impact during construction and post construction
periods.
ix. Air Environment
·
Baseline Information on ambient air quality in the project area
covering aspects like SPM, RSPM, Sox, NOx
·
Noise Environment
·
Traffic density in the project area
x. Construction
Methodology and Schedule including the tunnel driving operations, machinery and
charge density, etc.
B.
IMPACT PREDICTION
Air
·
Changes in ambient levels and ground level concentrations due to total
emissions from point, line and area sources
·
Effects on soils, material, vegetation, and human health
·
Impact of emissions DG sets used for construction power if any, on air
environment.
Noise
·
Changes in ambient levels due to noise generated from equipment,
blasting operations and movement of vehicles
·
Effect on fauna and human health
Water
·
Changes in quality
·
Sedimentation of reservoir
·
Impact on fish fauna
·
Impact of sewage disposal
Land
·
Changes in land use and drainage pattern
·
Changes in land quality including effects of waste disposal
·
Riverbank and their stability
·
Impact due to submergence
Biological
·
Deforestation and shrinkage of animal habitat
·
Impact on fauna and flora (including aquatic species if any) due to
decreased flow of water
·
Impact on rare and endangered species, endemic species, and migratory
path/route of animals, if any
·
Impact on breeding and nesting grounds, if any
·
Impact on animal distribution, migration routes (if any), habitat
fragmentation and destruction due to dam building activity
Socio-economic Aspects
·
Impact on the local community including demographic changes
·
Impact on economic status
·
Impact on human health
·
Impact on increased traffic
·
Impact on Holy Places and Tourism
·
Downstream impact on water, land & human environment due to drying
up of the river in the stretch between dam site and powerhouse site.
·
Positive as well as negative impacts likely to be accrued due to the
project are to be listed.
I.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGENET
PLAN (EMP)
a)
Catchment Area Treatment Plan
Delineation of
micro-watersheds in the river catchment and mapping of critically degraded
areas requiring various biological and engineering treatment measures.
Identification of area for treatment based upon Remote Sensing & GIS
methodology and Silt Yield Index (SYI) method of AISLUS coupled with ground
survey. The prioritization of watershed for treatment based upon SYI. Spatial
Information in each micro watershed should be earmarked on maps in the scale of
1:50,000. The Cat plan would be prepared with year-wise Physical and financial
details.
b)
Creation of Green Belt Plan around the Periphery
of the Reservoir and Compensatory Afforestation Scheme in consultation with the
c) Biodiversity Conservation
and Wild life Management Plan for conservation and preservation of endemic,
rare and endangered species of flora and fauna (in consultation with the State
Wildlife Department)
c)
Fisheries Development plan for
conservation/management of
reverine fishes.
d)
Resettlement & Rehabilitation (R&R) Plan along with
social/community development. R&R plan would be framed in consultation with
the Project Affected Persons (PAPs), Project Authorities and the State
Government. R & R Plan would be drafted according to the NPRR 2003 and the
policy of State Government.
e)
Muck Disposal Plan (Suitable sites for
dumping of excavated material would be identified in consultation with the
State Pollution Control Board and Forest Department)
f)
Energy Conservation Measures
g)
Dam Break Analysis & Disaster Management
Plan.
h)
Restoration and landscaping of working Areas: reclamation of borrow
pits (quarry sites) and construction areas.
i)
Public Health Delivery System including the
provisions for drinking water facility for the local community.
j)
Management during the Road Construction
k)
Sanitation & Solid Waste Management Plan for domestic waste from
colonies and labour camps, etc.
l)
Water and Air Quality & Noise Environment
Management during construction and post-construction periods.
m)
n)
Reservoir RIM Treatment Plan
o)
Environmental Monitoring Programme (With physical
& financial details covering all the aspects form EMP).
p)
For such a large and high budget project,
neglecting drinking water component may not be justified. Therefore, if
supplying safe drinking water to the population surrounding the project area is
not to be considered, a clear justification for this may be given
q)
Option assessment study to show that are the
option available for fulfilling the needs of the people that the project hopes
to fulfill. This section should also show if and how the proposed project is
the least cost option and also include reducing the transmission and
distribution losses to the minimum.
r)
A summary of Cost Estimate for all the plans (Cost for implementing
all the Environmental Management Plans including the cost for implementing
Environmental Monitoring Programme, aforesaid compensation, mitigation and
management measures, etc.)
In respect of North-East,
the following should be added
·
Tribal area development plan as the
area is predominantly tribal.
·
Mitigations measures to check
shifting cultivation (Zhum Cultivation) in the catchment area with provision
for alternative and better agricultural practices
·
In addition to
Socio-economic aspects of the study area, a
separate chapter on socio-cultural aspects based upon study on Ethnography of
the area.