Many institutions require an environmental impact assessment (EIA) prior to construction activities associated with new projects or the rehabilitation of existing projects. The objectives are to identify potential adverse environmental effects, the magnitude of these effects, and to develop mitigative measures. Positive benefits are also identified. In cases where the adverse impacts far outweigh the expected benefits, the project may be completely redesigned or suspended. This is also the case where mitigative measures would be either too costly or technically not feasible. The EIA should be conducted in the earliest stages of decision making, when crucial decisions are still being deliberated.
Environmental effects can be classified as:
- Direct and indirect,or first order and higher order. These are chain effects which are felt throughout, and possibly downstream of a catchment.
- Secondary.The primary activity of a drainage project may be extended to include secondary activities.
- Synergistic.These effects include an increased threat to the survival of certain species of wildlife that are under pressure in several ways as a result of the same project.
Following is the ICID checklist of possible environmental impacts of irrigation, drainage and flood control projects.
ICID Checklist |
|
Hydrology |
1-1 Low flow regime |
1-2 Flood regime |
|
1-3 Operation of dams |
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1-4 Fall of water table |
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1-5 Rise of water table |
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Pollution |
2-1 Solute dispersion |
2-2 Toxic substances |
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2-3 Organic pollution |
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2-4 Anaerobic effects |
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2-5 Gas emissions |
|
Soils |
3-1 Soil salinity |
3-2 Soil properties |
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3-3 Saline groundwater |
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3-4 Saline drainage |
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3-5 Saline intrusion |
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Sediments |
4-1 Local erosion |
4-2 Hinterland effect |
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4-3 River morphology |
|
4-4 Channel structures |
|
4-5 Sedimentation |
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4-6 Estuary erosion |
|
Ecology |
5-1 Project lands |
5-2 Water bodies |
|
5-3 Surrounding area |
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5-4 Valleys and shores |
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5-5 Wetlands and plains |
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5-6 Rare species |
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5-7 Animal migration |
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5-8 Natural industry |
|
Socio-economic |
6-1 Population change |
6-2 Income and amenity |
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6-3 Human migration |
|
6-4 Resettlement |
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6-5 Women's role |
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6-6 Minority groups |
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6-7 Sites of value |
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6-8 Regional effects |
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6-9 User involvement |
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6-10 Recreation |
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Health |
7-1 Water and sanitation |
7-2 Habitation |
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7-3 Health services |
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7-4 Nutrition |
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7-5 Relocation effect |
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7-6 Disease ecology |
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7-7 Disease hosts |
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7-8 Disease control |
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7-9 Other hazards |
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Imbalances |
8-1 Pests and weeds |
8-2 Animal diseases |
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8-3 Aquatic weeds |
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8-4 Structural damage |
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8-5 Animal imbalances |
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Irrigation
Sources of Irrigation
Irrigation History +
Sources of Irrigation +
IMPROVING SOIL MOISTURE +
Ponds +
Tanks +
Diversion Weirs +
Dams and Reservoirs +
Groundwater +
Conjunctive Water Use +
Wastewater +
Poor Quality Water +
Application of Irrigation water
Canal Irrigation +
Flood Irrigation +
Deficit Irrigation +
Supplemental Irrigation +
Sprinkler Irrigation +
Drip Irrigation +
Lift Irrigation +
Centre Pivot Irrigation +
Tidal Irrigation +
Micro-Irrigation Technologies for Small Holders +
Automatic Irrigation Systems +
Pressurized Irrigation +
Irrigation in Viticulture +
Purpose of Irrigation
Instruments and implements of Irrigation
Pumps +
Centrifugal Pumps +
Submersible Pumps +
Turbine and Jet Pumps +
Conveying Pipes +
Sprinklers +
Drippers +
Canal Automation Systems +
Irrigation Management
Economics of Irrigation System +
I&D System Types +
I&D Investment Functions +
I&D Management Issues +
Participatory I&D Management +
Equity in Irrigation +
Irrigation Services +
Irrigation and environment
Pollution and Irrigation +
Irrigation and Climate Resilience +
Environmental Aspects of Irrigation +
Environmental Impacts of Irrigation +
Green Lawn Irrigation +
Safe Use of Waste Water in Irrigation +
Organic Agriculture +
Soil Health +
Soil Health Management +
Quality of Irrigation Water +
Capacity Development
Drainage
Drainage Types and Systems
Agricultural Drainage +
Field Drainage systems +
Canal Irrigation and Drainage +
Surface Drainage Systems +
Subsurface Drainage +
Mole Drainage +
Bio-Drainage +
Regional Bio-Drainage +
Drainage Issues
- Moment of force (torque or impact)
- Impact stilling basin, or Impact basin
- Impact
- Impact loss
- Impact pressure
- Impact resistance factor
- Environmental protection
- Minimal-impact threshold velocity
- Ecological impact
- Environmental quality
- Environmental agents
- Environmental stress
- Environmental geology
- Environmental region
- Aesthetic impact
- Environmental change
- Environmentally sensitive area
- Environmental parameters
- Impact indicator
- Direct impact
- Environmental tracer
- Environmental resources
- Environmental pollution
- Environmental fate
- Exposure assessment
- Environmental elements
- Environmental criteria
- Environmental analysis
- Environmental standards
- Environmental statement
- Environmental assessment
- Environmental review
- Environmental planning and design
- Environmental forecasting
- Environmental monitoring
- Environmental surveillance
- Environmental fragility
- Environmental impact
- Long‑term impact
- Environmental impact analysis
- Environmental quality standards
- Risk assessment
- Implementation plan (environmental)
- Climate Impact Assessment:
- Risk assessment/analysis
- Impact Printer
- Environmental planning
- Assessment of irrigation charges
- Water rate, Water charge, Irrigation rate, or Irrigation assessment
- (Climate) Impacts
- Integrated Assessment