Temperature - European Investment Bank

WEST AFRICAN POWER POOL (WAPP) PÖYRY ENERGY LTD.
Mount Coffee HPP ESIA and RAP 2012-09-18
ESIA Report Page D
endangered species, is provided. Vegetation of the reservoir area was identified as
potentially important issue, and was analysed and described in detail. No rare or
endangered species, and no especially valuable habitats, were identified in the reservoir
area. This is easily understandable, since there was a reservoir until 20 years ago, and
the vegetation is a secondary forest or fallow area type of vegetation, a type which is
very frequent in the entire area and beyond. Considerable parts of the reservoir area are
also cultivated. No specific mitigation measures, except for the pre-impoundment
clearing and a general restriction for using additional areas during the construction
period (in addition to the really required ones), are required. Nevertheless, in the interest
of a sustainable development of the area, and for reducing pressure on remaining
forests, it is recommended to evaluate the need for and possibility of local development
programs, like e.g. the plantation of fast growing trees for charcoal production.
As for the vegetation, no important populations of any rare, protected or vulnerable
species of terrestrial fauna (mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibia) were recorded.
Hunting is an important activity of the local population, mainly for getting meat for own
consumption. The main hunted species is the grass cutter or cane rat. The only impact
on local fauna of some importance could occur during reservoir impoundment, where
some species might be trapped on islands forming temporarily, and then drown.
Reservoir area clearing could also minimise this impact, since this activity would drive
most animals out of the area before the water rises. The loss of habitat as such due to the
formation of the reservoir is not considered as relevant.
The fish fauna in St. Paul river is rather diversified, with 92 species recorded so far. 42
species could be identified during the study. The following species are the dominant in
the project area: Labeo sp. (rock fish), Barbus sp (horse fish) and Tilapia sp. in dry
season, then Hydrocynus sp (leopard fish), Gymnarchus sp (plain fish), and Chrisichthys
sp. (white catfish) during the rainy season. Brackish water species as Machrobrahium
sp. and Cynoglossus sp. are observed downstream of the studied area. Brackish water
species as Machrobrahium sp. and Cynoglossus sp. are observed downstream of the
studied area.
Nearly all people living in the vicinity of Mount Coffee hydropower do at least some
fishing as a complementary activity to agriculture which is the main occupation in the
area. A total of 566 fishers including 500 household heads (out of about 3000
inhabitants) could be inventoried. One third of the fishers are women. Most fishermen
are adults (82% are above 30 years old). Total yearly fish production resulting from
fishing activity in the Mount Coffee area is estimated at 972 tons, generating a market
chain amounting to 150’000 USD/year. Home consumption in fishermen household is
estimated at 25%. Local fisheries consistently contribute to the nutritional equilibrium
of populations, with a strong presence of women in processing and commercialization.
Smoked fish constitutes 20% of sales in average, with higher amounts in upstream part
of Mount Coffee (35%). Fishing activities are done all year round, with peaks in
January-April. Women are directly involved in fishing activity mostly in the middle of
the dry season (February-March), using hand nets and baskets in drying pools. The state
of the fisheries is currently not overexploited, even if training in sustainable
management is necessary to prevent destructive fishing gears. Fish farming is
marginally practiced in Bensonville area, and the potential of this activity is very high
given different good sites, and the availability of the national aquaculture station at
Klay. Interviews of old fishermen who were in activity prior dam breakage said that the