Temperature - European Investment Bank

WEST AFRICAN POWER POOL (WAPP) PÖYRY ENERGY LTD.
Mount Coffee HPP ESIA and RAP 2012-09-18
ESIA Report Page 62
9.1.2 Conclusion
9.2 Impact
Nesogordonia papaverifera is a timber species which grows in dense stands commonly
in areas where savannah has been replaced by forest. It has good regeneration in
disturbed forest.
� No habitat will disappear in the dam’s zone of influence. Each vegetation chance
in the reservoir and downstream is found in upstream.
� All the 33 short height species found in the reservoir have been recorded
elsewhere.
As concerns plants, no species will disappear due to the future water reservoir. In fact
these plants are also found outside the project impact area, and everywhere in the
region. However, there is not cause to worry about availability of any one of them in the
region, even though some plants are becoming scarce near inhabited areas.
Impact related to project limits
The submersion and clearing of forest-covered surfaces to construction works present
several impacts.
� Vegetation change: Loss of land habitat and extension of adapted aquatic or
river bank habitat, e.g. near the power house, the level of water will increase and
trees like Pterocarpus santalinoides will be killed by submersion in and along
the river borders.
� Submersion of areas used by populations will result in the reduction of family
land.
� Loss of plants and very few traded timbers in the reservoir.
� Loss of agroforest of Hevea brasiliensis in the reservoir.
� Possibility of greenhouse gas emission.
Impact related to rehabilitation works
� The main risk during the rehabilitation of the dam and the power house is the
overexploitation of the forest resources.
o Influx of people to the project area will increase the charcoal production.
o Illegal timber exploitation and charcoal production by the workforce, for
firewood and construction wood.
o Increase in production of charcoal by local people to sell it to the
workforce.
Impact related to hydroelectric power plant greenhouse gas emission
� In addition to the reservoir, the project will clear considerable surface area
situated outside the reservoir for keeping the building materials and for the
following infrastructures:
o Rehabilitation of the hydroelectric plant and power house,