Press Release

January 21, 2008
  • Environmental Policy

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

On January 21, 2008, the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) submitted the Minister's opinions on the environmental impact statement for the construction of the Yamatosaka Dam in Ehime Prefecture to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, in accordance with the provisions of the Environmental Impact Assessment Law.

The project is to construct a dam on 76 ha of the reservoir area. As the project implementation area includes habitat of Hodgson's hawk-eagle, Grey-faced buzzard-eagle and Fairy pitta, and also considering that the dam may cause eutrophication of the dam lake and impact upon the ecosystem of the downstream of the dam, the MOE pointed out the following:

1. Conduct follow-up surveys on the inhabitation and breeding of Hodgson's hawk-eagle and Grey-faced buzzard-eagle, and take appropriate measures such as discontinuing construction if needed.

2. Conduct follow-up surveys on the inhabitation of Fairy Pitta before its breeding season, and take appropriate measures such as restricting human access to the breeding area if needed.

3. Monitor the water quality concerning eutrophication in the dam lake, and consider measures in consultation with specialists, if needed.

4. When operating the dam, consider measures to avid or reduce as much environmental impact on the downstream of the dam as possible.

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