World Commission On Dams To Build Consensus Out Of Dam Controversies

On Monday, February 16th, the World Bank and the World Conservation Union will officially launch an independent World Commission on Dams to review the environmental, social, and economic impacts of large dams and to develop new guidelines for the industry. Deborah Moore, senior scientist with the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), will be one of 12 commissioners (list below) reviewing the impacts of large dams in the U.S. and throughout the world.

“There is a serious need to rigorously investigate the benefits and costs to society of dam projects,” said Commissioner Moore. “There are so many stories from people affected by dams that need to be heard, and many worthy solutions that, if implemented, can end most of the conflicts.”

Controversies surrounding dam projects, including environmental destruction and high price tags, have grown, especially in the last twenty years in developing countries. Major dams are defined as dams higher than 450 feet (150 meters); large dams are those higher than 45 feet (15 meters). Dams like the Sardar Sarovar Dam on India’s Narmada River, the Three Gorges Dam on China’s Yangtze River, the Lesotho Highlands Water Project in southern Africa, proposals for many mega dams on the Mekong River, and the Auburn Dam on California’s American River have all been fraught with opposition resulting in some projects being canceled or delayed in favor of alternative proposals for water and power.

The Commission’s mandate is to review the performance and “development effectiveness” of large dams and to set guidelines for the future. This work will include assessing alternatives for water resources and energy development, developing guidelines for de-commissioning dams, and developing internationally-accepted standards, guidelines, and criteria for the planning, management, design, and construction of dams.

The Commission will work for two years to perform the analysis, hold hearings with key stakeholders, convene expert panels, evaluate case studies and will produce a report with final recommendations. The Commission will be independent of the World Bank, the World Conservation Union, and the other organizations that assisted in its establishment. The anticipated budget is $8.4 million with funds committed from the World Bank, and Norwegian, Swiss, and German governments, thus far. The Chair of the Commission is Professor Kader Asmal, the Minister of Water and Forest Affairs for South Africa, and the Commission will have its headquarters in Cape Town.

“The World Commission on Dams will elevate the debate over the fundamental issues of how the world will manage its scarce water resources into the next century,” said Commissioner Moore.

The Environmental Defense Fund, a leading, national, NY-based non profit organization, represents 300,000 members. EDF links science, economics and law to create innovative, economically viable solutions to today’s environmental problems.

Kader Asmal (Commission Chair) is Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry for South Africa, where he is leading a fundamental revision of the water management system. He is a former law professor at Trinity College, Dublin, and received the Prix UNESCO for the advancement of human rights.

Donald Blackmore is Chief Executive of the Murray-Darling Basin Commission in Australia, a river basin authority managing irrigation, hydropower, and natural resources.

Joji Cari