| This research proposes to help answer the following question: How can review agencies and proponents achieve ecological sustainability in the environmental assessment of run-of-river hydropower projects in British Columbia? For federal agencies in particular, how should they “…take actions that promote sustainable development” in their reviews as encouraged by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (Canada, 1992, s.4). In response, this research proposes a vision, that “lower impact run-of-river hydropower projects are identified, encouraged, and reviewed, through an environmental assessment process, to consistently and efficiently meet the goals of ecological sustainability.” The question of ecological sustainability needs to be addressed from the “how” or process and people issues, the “what” or environmental substance issues, and the interrelationships of these issues.; The research surveys current practice and literature to understand the challenges and the opportunities faced by both proponents and agencies during environmental assessment reviews. An important challenge relates to fisheries' and other ecological streamflow needs. For reviews under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA), the use of class screenings or class assessments offers a potential solution for those run-of-river project elements that are routine and generally understood. More immediate solutions lie with best management and technical guidelines that clearly and reasonably outline expectations. Other solutions lie with adaptive environmental management, building team learning capacity into interagency reviews, and the use of strategic environmental assessment to help address the cumulative environmental effects of many run-of-river projects within a single region. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
