An environmental impact assessment (EIA) is an assessment of the possible impact—positive or negative—that a proposed project may have on the environment, considering natural, social and economic aspects. The purpose of the assessment is to ensure that decision makers consider the ensuing environmental impacts to decide whether to proceed with the project.
Small, run-of-the-river projects are free from many of the environmental problems associated with their large-scale relatives because they use the natural flow of the river, and thus produce relatively little change in the stream channel and flow. The dams built for some run-of-the-river projects are very small and impound little water—and many projects do not require a dam at all. Thus, effects such as oxygen depletion, increased temperature, decreased flow, and rejection of upstream migration aids like fish ladders are not problems for many run-of-the-river projects. Source: Small Hydropower Systems (Dept. of Energy USA, 2001)
Environmental impact
Unlike traditional
power stations that use fossil fuels, micro-hydro generators have practically
no effect on the environment. And because they don’t depend on dams to store
and direct water, they’re also better for the environment than large-scale
hydro-electric stations.
In fact, by reducing
the need to cut down trees for firewood and increasing farming efficiency,
micro-hydro has a positive effect on the local environment. </meta></meta></meta></meta>
Environmental Impacts of Small Hydro Power Projects
Case study India
EIA Resources on the Web
EIA in Wikipedia
EIA in the European Commission
EIA in a Transboundary Context - Espoo Convention
Environmental Assessment by the World Bank
Environmental Assessment by the Asian Development Bank
