A Comparison between two Methods of Maps Overlaying  and Matrix in Identifying and Predicting the Environmental Impacts of Water Resources Development Projects

Homeira Ekhtari*

     Nature has been long considered by man as an unlimited provider of physical resources. The economists have only allocated and distributed , inter alias, the resources. Projects of development plans, thus, were assessed financially. However, the attitude that human activities should be in harmony with nature, has been gradually reinforced, and in many countries, the Environmental Impact Assessment ( EIA ) was considered as important as development plans. EIA was, therefore, taken into account as a useful means of project planning and management during the construction and operation process. As time passes , new models and technologies have been proposed and tested for comparing and selecting the project alternatives. Eventually, regarding the sustainability of development in the course of time ,  prediction and prevention , even in spite of uncertainties, were considered again a necessary.

     Regarding the vital role of water resources in the economic and social development and the fact that the sustainable development of this invaluable resources guarantees the sustainable development of other sectors , making access to efficient and useful approaches in the development planning are eventually considered as the important issues of environmental research.

     Since agricultural development has a pivotal role in Iran’s development plan, the utilization of water resources and other ecosystems pertaining to it are , willy nilly , overshadowed. The accelerating process of reservoir dams

construction in different parts of the country , the freshness of assessment issues beside such limitations as insufficient environmental reports, inaccessibility to the proper selection criteria of appropriate methodologies, make the comparative studies in the application of existing methodologies , regarding the present conditions, a necessary.

     This article makes a comparison between the efficiency of both methods of maps overlaying  and matrix in identifying and predicting the environmental impacts and applied it , as a case study, to Sattarkhan dam. The selection of the Dam, in watershed basin of Aharchie river , was based on the present conditions of eastern Azerbaijan province regarding economic and social poverty. Increasing emigration as well as deterioration of natural resources of the province, and the strong need for the water resources development, pave the way for comparing and assaying the said methodologies. In addition, the role of EIA in decreasing Sattarkhan dam’s future negative impacts has been more and more highlighted. The preparation of complete interactive matrixes as a basic and essential activity is generally necessary for EIA.      

*Expert of the Office for Water and Soil Pollution Study, Department of Environment.

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