Cumulative impact assessment: Application of a methodology

Conference · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:5629483

Witmer, G W; Bain, M B; Irving, J S; Kruger, R L; O'Neil, T A; Olsen, R D; Stull, E A

We expanded upon the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) Cluster Impact Assessment Procedure (CIAP) to provide a practical methodology for assessing potential cumulative impacts from multiple hydroelectric projects within a river basin. The objectives in designing the methodology were to allow the evaluation of a large number of combinations of proposed projects and to minimize constraints on the use of ecological knowledge for planning and regulating hydroelectric development at the river basin level. Interactive workshops and evaluative matrices were used to identify preferred development scenarios in the Snohomish (Washington) and Salmon (Idaho) River Basins. Although the methodology achieved its basic objectives, some difficulties were encountered. These revolved around issues of (1) data quality and quantity, (2) alternatives analysis, (3) determination of project interactions, (4) determination of cumulative impact thresholds, and (5) the use of evaluative techniques to express degrees of impact. 8 refs., 1 fig., 2 tabs.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 5629483
• Report Number(s): CONF-8708124-1; ON: DE88003052
• Resource Relation: Conference: Water power '87, Portland, OR, USA, 19 Aug 1987; Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

13 HYDRO ENERGY
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
EVALUATION
HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
INTERACTIONS
RIVERS
DATA ACQUISITION
DATA ANALYSIS
ECOLOGY
US FERC
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
POWER PLANTS
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
US DOE
US ORGANIZATIONS
130600* - Hydro Energy- Environmental Aspects
130100 - Hydro Energy- Resources & Availability