Environmental and Social Impact Assessment - Gibe III

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Gibe III – Environmental and Social Impact Assessment 300 ENV R CS 002 C - A9003099 operation phase (environmental release and artificial flood), combined with mitigation measures associated with the other projects would minimise any cumulative impacts to fishery and other aquatic resources. iv) Forestry and Natural Vegetation On the basis of the land cover assessment carried out as part of this study, it is estimated that Gibe III reservoir will submerge an estimated 17,158 ha of deciduous woodland and 1,839 ha of riparian vegetation. The vegetation that will be impacted as compared to the available resources in the affected weredas is only 5.0% and 1.0% of the available woodlands and riparian vegetation respectively. However, there would be no overlap in the area impacted by the cascade schemes. Thus, any cumulative impact to natural vegetation resources associated with Gibe III scheme in combination with existing and other future projects would be minor. To compensate for the loss of woodland and riparian forest it is recommended to develop a buffer area around the future reservoir area. When implemented, the buffer zone around the future reservoir area will also support the bio-diversity conservation as it would enhance the biological value of the area. Therefore, any cumulative impacts would be beneficial v) Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat Although the presence of wildlife within the project area is reported and confirmed by the local communities, the area harbours only limited number of wildlife which justifies the minimum opportunity cost lose suffered by the dam construction and creation of reservoir. Currently, there are no endangered or rare species with restrictive habitat preference around any of these schemes. No adverse impacts in respect of sensitive wildlife habitat and wildlife reserves. Because of the spatial distance between the reservoirs of these projects no cumulative impacts on wildlife resources and their habitat is expected due to the construction and operation of the Gibe III Hydroelectric Project. vi) Socio-Economic Impacts One of the most important points to note is that although the Gibe III project is one of the largest hydropower project ever undertaken in the country, the impact from the reservoir in terms of population displacement is very small (47 households). This is because the impounded water will be confined within the gorge of the river far from large population settlement areas. Because of the spatial distance between the Gibe III scheme and the other projects, no cumulative socio-economic impact will result from construction and operation of the proposed Gibe III scheme. When Gibe III is implemented it is expected to create significant economic and social benefits, and will contribute to the attainment of the country’s priority goals and ongoing national and regional efforts to accelerate economic growth and alleviate poverty. Therefore, any cumulative impact would likely be generally beneficial. vii) Cultural Heritage Sites Preliminary survey has been carried out for objects and sites of physical cultural resources within the project area. The result of the survey indicated that small section of historical sites known as King Ijajo Kella and Halala Walls are located within the future Gibe III reservoir area. However, no other known protected cultural or historical sites like local religious facilities, local monuments, holy trees etc. were identified. Although Gibe III scheme will impact very small sections of the Historic Walls of Halala and Ijajo, the other cultural heritage sites available in the region would not be directly impacted by construction or operation of CESI SpA - Mid-Day International Consulting Engineers Page 241
Gibe III – Environmental and Social Impact Assessment 300 ENV R CS 002 C - A9003099 any of these schemes. Therefore, the Gibe III would not contribute to cumulative impacts on any cultural resources. viii) Agriculture and Grazing Resources There is very little farming and grazing activity in the Gibe III reservoir area due to less favourable rainfall and Tsetse fly infestation and the consequent occurrence of cattle disease, trypanosomiasis. The steepness of the slope on either side of the valley appears to be another important factor which has discouraged the use of the valley for agricultural and grazing purpose. The loss of land to flooding for Gibe III reservoir would not bring about marked differences in the carrying capacity, for cattle as it represents less than 5% of the available woodland grassland vegetation in the affected weredas. However, the nearby communities will significantly benefit from the recommended buffer area development plan (which is integrated with development of livestock feed resources). Therefore, the potential adverse cumulative impacts to the region’s agriculture and grazing land resources are considered negligible. 7.8 Synthesis of Environment Impact Matrix A table summarizing the results of the impact assessment has been compiled from the technicians, in order to give a comprehensive evaluation of positive and negative impacts caused by the new plant. The table contains the synthesis of the aspect listed below: • Physical environment • Geothermal activity • Seismology • Hydrology • Hydrogeology • Water quality • Climate • Landscape • Natural Environment • National Parks and protected areas • Ecologically sensitive areas • Priority forest areas • Wildlife and wildlife corridor • Fishery resources • Wetland ecosystem • Aquatic ecosystem • Aquatic weeds • Eutrophication • Socio-Economical Environment • Property residence • Agricultural land • Grazing land • Disease ecology CESI SpA - Mid-Day International Consulting Engineers Page 242
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