Press Release

April 19, 2007
  • Environmental Policy

Opinions of the Minister of the Environment on the Environmental Impact Statement for the Construction of the Shitara Dam

On April 19, 2007, the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) submitted the Minister's opinions on the environmental impact statement for the construction of the Shitara Dam in Aichi Prefecture to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, in accordance with the provisions of the Environmental Impact Assessment Law.

This project plans to construct a multi-purpose dam on 297 ha of the reservoir area. As the project implementation area includes the habitat of Nekogigi (endemic fresh water fish) and Hodgson's hawk-eagle, part of the Tokai Nature Trail, and the Aichi Kogen and the Tenryu-Okumikawa Quasi-national Parks, the MOE pointed out the following:

1. Take necessary measures, including transplanting Nekogigi, as its habitat is damaged. The transplantation should be implemented with sufficient care, and it should be confirmed that the transplanted populations are stable.

2. Conduct follow-up surveys on the habitat of Hodgson's hawk-eagle, and take measures, such as discontinuance of the construction, if needed.

3. In setting a new route for the Tokai Nature Trail, consult sufficiently with concerned organizations to maintain the continuous landscape scenery of the Quasi-national Parks.

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