China - Hubei Hydroelectric Project - environmental assessment (Vol. 3 of 7) : EIA report on Songshuling hydropower plant (revised)

E-416 VOL. 3 Hubel Prolect on Hvdronower Plants Loaned bv World Bank Songshuling Hydropower Plant in Zhushan, Hubei Province Environmental Assessment Report (Draft) Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences October, 2000   PROJECT: Songshuling Hinge Hydropower Plant in Zhushan, Hubei Province Report: Environmental Assessment Report (Draft) Consignor: Hubei Provincial Planning Committee Purveyor: Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences (CRAES) Environmental Assessment Certification Number: State Environmental Assessment Certification A No. 1001 Person in Charge of the Unit: CHEN Fu President, Researcher Chief Engineer: XIA Qing Deputy President, Researcher Person in Charge of the Project: ZHANG Yutian Director, Researcher Technical Examination: LI Yanwu Vice Researcher Project Participants: MAO Wenyong Researcher SONG Fu Researcher SU Yibing Vice Researcher Sun Xueli Engineer JIANG Hua Engineer NIE Yihuang Engineer LIANG Zhenming Engineer ZHOU Yun Engineer JIAO Yang Assistant Engineer   Environmental Report of Songshuling Water Conservancy & Hydropower Pivotal Project, Zhushan, Hube Index Content Chapter 1 General ................ 1 1.1. Background .-.1.. 1.2. Categorization of Environmental Assessment & Objective of Report Compilation . 2 1.3. Basis of Compilation .3 1.4. Standard of Assessment .6 1.5. Scope & Time Period of the Assessment .7 1.6. Objectives of Environmental Conservation .8 Chapter 2 Overview & Analysis of Project's Environmental Impacts.. 9 2.1. Project Overview .9 2.2. Analysis of Project's Enviromnental Impacts during Construction Period .24 2.3. Analysis of Project's Environmental Impacts during the Operation Period .26 2.4. Summary of Analysis of Factors in Project's Environmental Impacts .27 Chapter 3 Status Quo & Assessment of Environment ..30 3.1. Geographic Location ..30 3.2. Basic Features of Ecological Environment ..30 3.3. Social Environment Status Quo ..36 3.4. Major Existing Environmental Problems ..37 3.5. Assessment of Status Quo of Ecological Environment ..38 3.6. Water Quality ..52 Chapter 4 Forecast & Assessment of Environmental Impacts .61 4.1. Analysis of Impacts on Ecological Environment 61 4.2. Reservior Submersion & Migration ..74 4.3. Forecast of Impacts on Water Quality ..87 4.4. Forecast on Reservior Water Temperature ..95 4.5. Analysis on Extent of Impacts by Greenhouse Gases ..99 4.6. Analysis of Impacts by Silting ..101 4.7. Analysis of Environmental Impacts by Other Factors During Construction Period .104 4.8. Local Climate ..105 4.9. Analysis of Project's Impacts on Hydrological Regime ..109 4.10. Analysis of Impacts on Environmental Geology .110 J.  Environmental Report of Songshuling Water Conservancy & Hydropower Pivotal Project. Zhushan, Hube Index 4.11. Analysis of Project's Impacts on Human Health ..................................................................... 114 4.12. Analysis of Environmental Impacts on Natural Scenery & Tourism Resources ........................ 117 4.13. Analysis of Impacts on Social Economy ..................................................................... 117 4.14. Impacts on Environment by Project of Power Transmission & Conversion .............................. 119 Chapter 5 Schemes of Soil & Water Conservation ...................................................... 125 5.1. Status Quo of Soil Erosion & Soil & Water Conservation .125 5.2. Forecast for Soil Erosion in the Construction Period .126 5.3. Protective Measurements against Soil Erosion .131 5.4. Monitoring of Soil Erosion .133 5.5. Analysis of Feasibility of Water & Soil Conservancy Scheme .134 Chapter 6 Environmental Risk Analysis ..................................................1.35 6.1. Risk Analysis of Flooding ........................................................... 135 6.2. Risk Analysis of Earthquakes ........................................................... 136 6.3. Integrated Risk Analysis of Dam Break ........................................................... 137 Chapter 7 Analysis of Substitutional Schemes to the Project ...................................1 39 7.1. Nonperformance of the Project .139 7.2. Analysis of Substutional Schemes of Power Generation .139 7.3. Comparison & Selection of Damsite .140 7.4. Comparison & Selection of Normal Water-Retaining Level .142 7.5. Comparison & Selection of Dam Type .143 7.6. Comparison & Selection of Privotal Allocation .143 7.7. Analysis .144 Chapter 8 Participation of the Public ...............................1A5 8.1. Overview .145 8.2. Public Participants .145 8.3. Method of Public Participation .145 8.4. Survey Content of Public Participation .146 8.5. Analysis of Survey Results .148 8.6. Issues of Public Concerns .149 8.7. Public Enviromnental Education .150 Chapter 9 Measures & Suggestions of Environmental Conservation .152 9.1. Measures & Suggestions for Protection of Ecological Environment .152 9.2. Protective Treatment Measures & Suggestions for Water & Soil Erosion .152 .Ji.  Environmental Report of Songshuling Water Conservancy & Hydropower Pivotal Project, Zhushan, Hube Index 9.3. Measures & Suggestions for Environmental Conservation in Submersion & Migration .......... 153 9.4. Measures & Suggestions fro Water Quality Conservation ........................................................ 154 9.5. Measures & Suggestions on Environmental Conservation Against Electromagnetic Radiation by Power Transmnission & Conversion Project .......................................................... 155 9.6. Measures & Suggestions for Environmental Conservation in Construction Period ................... 155 9.7. Measures & Suggestions for Human Health Protection .......................................................... 155 9.8. Protective Measures Against Environmental Risks .......................................................... 156 Chapter 10 Estimation of Investment in Environmental Conservation & Analysis of Environmental Economic Losses and Benefits .157 10.1. Estimation of Investment in Environmental Conservation . 157 Chapter 11 Environmental Administration & Environmental Monitoring .165 11.1. Department of Environmental Administration & Its Responsibilities . 165 11.2. Department of Environmental Monitoring & Its Responsibilities . 166 11.3. Plan of Environmental Monitoring . 166 Chapter 12 Conclusions & Suggestions of Environmental Impact Assessment . 170 12.1. Conclusion of Assessment . 170 12.2. Suggestions . 172 .W11.   Environmental Report of Songshuling Water Conservancy & Hydropower Pivotal Project, Zhushan, Hubei Chapter I General Chapter 1 General 1.1. Background 1.1.1. Progress of Project Songshuling Hydropower Plant Project, Zhushan County, Hubei Province (Abbreviation:. Songshuling Hydropower Plant), is planned to be constructed at the middle reach of the Guandu River, Songshuling, west of the Jiazhu Village, Zhushan County, Hubei Province. The total investment in the project is RMB 0314 million. The reservoir will have a capacity of 57.5 billion cubic meters, an area of 2.74 square kilometers and a damming length of 19 kilometers. The total installed capacity of the power plant will be 50 million watts. The preparation for the Songshuling Hydropower Plant Project started in 1991. So far the completed preparatory work are as follows: * From September 1991 to April 1992, Hubei Province Water Conservancy & Hydropower Exploring & Designing Institute did geological prospecting to research into the feasibility of Songshuling Hydropower Plant; In March 1994 Hubei Province Water Conservancy & Hydropower Exploring & Designing Institute completed the research report on forecast of the feasibility of Songshuling Hydropower Plant. In May 1994, Hubei Water Conservancy Department organized an expert team to assess the report; In May 1995, Hubei Province Water Conservancy & Hydropower Exploring & Designing Institute submitted the draft designing report for the project of Songshuling Hydropower Plant; In September 1998 and June 1999, Hubei Province Water Conservancy & Hydropower Exploring & Designing Institute began the revision on the feasibility research report respectively because the project was planned to be loaned by World Bank and because of the need for further research. 1.1.2. Progress of Environment Assessment The assessment of the project's environmental impacts began in 1999. So far the major progress according to the domestic procedures is as follows: In August 1999, Zhushan County Hydropower Development Company entrusted the assessment of the project's environmental impacts to Hubei Research Institute for Environmental Sciences; In December 1999, Hubei Province Environmental Conservation Bureau organized experts for technical assessment of The Outline of Assessment of Environmental Impacts by the Project of Songshuling Hydropower Plant, Zhushan County, Hubei Province by Hubei Research Institute for Environmental Sciences. An official reply was given to the outline in the form of Hubei Environment [1999]206; In August 2000 Hubei Research Institute for Environmental Sciences completed the assessment of environmental impacts and compiled The Report of Environmental Impacts by the Project of Songshuling Hydropower Plant, Zhushan County, Hubei Province. In September 2000 Hubei Province Environmental Conservation Bureau .1.  Environrnental Report of Songshuling Water Conservancy & Hydropower Pivotal Project, Zhushan, Hubel Chapter I General assessed the report. 1.1.3. Whence of Task Since the project is planned to be loaned by World Bank, the assessment of environmental impacts should fulfill the relevant requirements by World Bank. In response to the suggestions raised by World Bank in February 20001, Hubei Province Planning Commission entrusted the consultation for the environmental assessment to Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, focusing on making supplementation and revisions to the report on the environmental impacts. On the basis of the report of environmental impacts submitted by Hubei Research Institute for Environmental Sciences 2, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences began the following work in April 2000: * Analysis of the major supplementation and revisions to the report according to the World Bank's suggestions and requirements for the environmental assessment of the project. Preparation of the relevant materials after contacting the organizations in charge of the project; Additional on-site work including exploration of damsite, collection of sample of living species, gathering of additional materials and consultation and surveys of the project in multiple methods; Discussion with experts from World Bank about revisions to the outlines3 and the content of the report4 and revision to the project's environmental impacts report, in combination with completed additional work As per the requirements by the domestic procedure of the approval of environmental assessment and by World Bank, the report after supplementation and revision will be submitted to relevant governmental divisions and representatives of World Bank in bilingual versions of Chinese and English. 1.2. Categorization of Environmental Assessment & Objective of Report Compilation 1.2.1. Categorization of Environmental Assessment According to The Guiding Regulations of Environmental Impacts Assessment Technology of the People's Republic of China, this project belongs to the Non-pollution eco-category. In World Bank's Operational Guide: Environmental Assessment OP4.01, this project belongs to (Category A Projects/Components (a) Dams and reservoirs). The two categorizations are different in expression, but in the assessment of environmental impacts, they can be unified as follows: Identify and define the project's potential impacts on natural environment and social environment and the extent of the impacts; I Please refer to Suggestionsjo, rhe Envioomental Impoer Assessment Repoet. Appendix B of the Memorandum by Hubei Province Hydropower Project Assessment Teatm in Febuary 2000. 2 This report is developed on the basis of the report submitted by Hubei Rescarch Institute of Environmental Sciences and used a large quantity of data. diagrams and literal contents in the original report. 3 Please refer to the suggestions foT revising the outline of the repori by World Bank project expet Mr. Scott Hanna on June 22. 2000. 4 Piease refer to the suggestions for revising the content of the report, by World Bank project expen Mr. Scott Hanna om September 2. 2000. .2.  Environmental Report of Songshuling Water Conservancy & Hydropower Pivotal Project, Zhushan, Hubei Chapter I General * Assess how the altemative schemes of the project can reduce negative environmental impacts by the project and increase environmental benefits; * Verify the feasibility of various measurements to reduce environmental impacts and Projects for environmental supervision and management; and * Provide valuable suggestions for further operations of the project (e.g. loan assessment, execution of compensation activities and implementation of the project). 1.2.2. Objective of Report Compilation The objective of compiling this report is: Identify the positive/negative impacts on the surrounding environment by the construction of Songshuling Hydropower Plant on the basis of the existing report and supplementation, assess measurements to reduce environmental impacts by the project, conduct public consultation, develop plan of environmental management, draw conclusions to the project's environmental impacts, and provide scientific basis for further assessment of the project by the local public, relevant domestic departments and experts of World Bank. 1.3. Basis of Compilation 1.3.1. Policies & Regulations The assessment of the environmental impacts of the project of Songshuling Hydropower Plant is based on the following policies: a) Administrative Regulations for Environmental Conservation of Constructioni Projects, Directive No. 253, State Council, People's Republic of China; b) State Council's Decisions on a Number of Issues in Environmental Conservation, State Multigation [1996J31, State Council, People's Republic of China; c) Notification of Issuing "Regulations on Environmental Conzservation Designing of Construction Projects ", (87) State Environment No. 002, National Planning Commission and Environmental Conservation Commission. State Council: d) Notification of Reinforcing Administration of Environmental Impact Assessnme'nt of Construction Projects Loaned bv International Financial Organi iat ions, Env ironnen t Monitoring (1993) No. 324, National Environmental Conservation Bureau, National Planning Commission, Ministry of Finance and People's Bank of China: In compilation of the report, the following laws, regulations and guides are referred to: a) Regulation on Environmental Conservation, People's Republic of China. 1989; b) Regulation on Water Protection, People's Republic of China, 1988, c) Regulation on Prevention Against Water Pollution, People's Republic of China, 1995; d) Regulation on Prevention Against Air Pollution, People's Republic of China, 1996; e) Regulation on Prevention Against Noise Pollution, People's Republic of China, 1996; .3.  Environmental Report of Songshuling Water Conservancy & Hydropower Pivotal Project, Zhushan, Hubei Chapter I General f) Regulation on Land Administration, People's Republic of China, 1999; g) Enforcement Regulations on Land Administration Law, People's Republic of China, Directive No. 256, State Council; h) Regulations on Conservation of Basic Farmland, Directive No. 257, State Council; i) Regulation on Water and Soil Conservation, People's Republic of China; j) Enforcement Regulations on Plantation Law, People's Republic of China, Directive No. 278, State Council; k) Regulations of Compensation for Land Requisition & Resettlement of Migrants in Construction of Large/Medium-scale Water Conservancy & Hydropower Projects (1991), Directive No. 74, State Council, People's Republic of China; I) Notification of Reinforcing Preparations for Manipulation of Reservoir Submersion, Water Regulation (1991)No. 67, Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Water Conservancy and Water Conservancy & Hydropower Planning Head Institute; m) Notification of Several Suggestions for Reinforcing Operation of Reservoir Migration, State Multigation (1992) No. 20, State Council; n) Administrative Regulations of Village & Market Town Planning & Construction (1993), Directive No. 116, State Council; o) Specifications of Planning & Designing of Hydropower Project Reservoir, DLUT5064- 1996; p) Tentative Specifications of Assessment ofEnvironmental Impacts bv Water Conservancy & Hydropower Projects, SDJ302-88; q) Technical Guidance to Assessment of Environmental Impacts: Non-polluting Ecological Imnpacts, HJ/Tl 9-1997; r) Technical Guidance to Assessment of Environmental Impacts: Overview, Atmosphere Environment, Surface Water Environment, HJ/T2.1-2.3-93: s) Technical Guidance to Assessment of Environmental Impacts: Soiudl En irininenlt. HJ/T2.4- 1995; t) Technical Specifications of Assessment of Environmental Impacts bh Electromagnetic Radiation of 500kV Ultrahigh-Voltage Power Transmission & Conversion Projects, HJ/T24- 1998; u) Guide to World Bank's Work: Environmental Assessment: OP4.01 & BP4.01. 1.3.2. Basis of Compilation Major administrative and technical basis of compilation of this report is as follows: a) Official Letter about Entrusting of Consultations for Preparatory Work of Environmental Assessment of Small-scale Hydropower Projects in Hubei Province, Hubei Province Development Planning Commission, March 8, 2000; .4.  Environmental Report of Songshuling Water Conservancy & Hydropower Pivotal Project, Zhushan, Hubei Chapter I General b) Reply to the Proposal for Songshuling Water Conservancy & Hydropower Pivotal Project in Zhushan County, Hubei Province Planning Commission , Hubei Energy Planning (94) No. 691, August 1994; c) Research Report of Feasibility of Songshuling Hydropower Plant Project, Zhushan County, Hubei Province, Hubei Province Water Conservancy & Hydropower Survey & Designing Institute, March 1994; d) Suggestions after Examination of the Research Report of Feasibility of Songshuling Hydropower Plant Project, Zhushan County, Hubei Province, Hubei Province Water Conservancy Department, Hubei Hydropower [1994] No. 235, May 20, 1994; e) Suggestions after Examination of the Research Report of Feasibility of Songshuling Hydropower Plant Project, Zhushan County, Hubei Province, Hubei Province Water Conservancy Department, Hubei Hydropower [1995] No. 466; f) Reply to the Research Report of Feasibility of Songshuling Hydropower Plant Project, Zhushan County, Hubei Province, Hubei Province Planning Commission , Hubei Energy Planning (1995) No. 0854, September 1995; g) Designing Report of Songshuling Hvdropower Plant Project, Zhushan County, Hubei Province (Draft), Hubei Province Water Conservancy & Hydropower Survey & Designing Institute, May 1995; h) Suggestions after Examination of the Designing Report of Songshuling Hydropower Plant Project, Zhushan County, Hubei Province (Draft), Hubei Province Water Conservancy Department, Hubei Hydropower [1995] No. 508; i) Reply to the Designing Report of Songshuling Hydropower Plant Project, Zhushan County, Hubei Province (Draft), Hubei Province Planning Commission , Hubei Planning Management (1995) No. 0945, October 1995; j) Supplementary Research Report of Feasibility of Songshuling Hydropower Plant Project, Zhushan County, Hubei Province, Hubei Province Water Conservancy & Hydropower Survey & Designing Institute, September 1998; k) Research Report of Feasibility' of Songshuling Hydropower Plant Project, Zhushan County, Hubei Province (Revised), Hubei Province Water Conservancy & Hydropower Survey & Designing Institute, Zhushan Songshuling Hydropower Co. Ltd., June 1999; 1) Planning Report of Resettlement of Migrants of Songshuling Hydropower Plant Project, Zhushan County, Hubei Province, Zhushan County Migration Development Bureau, Zhushan County Songshuling Hydropower Co. Ltd., April 2000; m) Outline of Assessment of Environmental Impacts by Songshuling Water Conservancy Hydropower Plant Pivotal Project, Zhushan County, Hubei Province (Version Submitted for Examination & Approval), Hubei Research Institute of Environmental Sciences, December 1999; n) Official Letter of Suggestions after Examination of the Outline of Assessment of Environmental Impacts by Songshuling Water Conservancy Hydropower Plant Pivotal Project, Zhushan County, Hubei Province, Hubei Province Environmental Conservation Bureau, Hubei Environment [1 999] No. 206, 1999; .5.  Environmental Report of Songshuling Water Conservancy & Hydropower Pivotal Project, Zhushan, Hubei Chapter I General o) Suggestions for Executive Standards of Assessment of Environmental Impacts by Songshuling Water Conservancy Hydropower Plant Pivotal Project, Zhushan County, Hubei Province, Shiyan City Environmental Conservation Bureau, Shiyan Environment[1999]No. 119, December 16, 1999; p) Report of Environmental Impacts of Songshuling Water Conservancy Hydropower Plant Pivotal Project, Zhushan County, Hubei Province, (Version Submitted for Examination & Approval), Hubei Research Institute of Environmental Sciences, August 2000. 1.4. Standard of Assessment The standards adopted in the assessment are defined by Shiyan City Environmental Conservation Bureau on Basis of Suggestions for Executive Standards of Assessment of Environmental Impacts by Songshuling Water Conservancy Hydropower Plant Pivotal Project, Zhushan County, Hubei Province, (Shiyan Environment [1999]No. 119). Assessment objects not listed in the document are assessed according to relevant environmental standards and administrative requirements regulated by the state. The standards, standard classification (categories) and assessment objects are grouped into Standard of Environment Quality and Standard of Pollutant Emission: Standard of Environment Quality a) Quality Standard of Surface Water Environment (GHZB 1 - 1999) The assessment object is the water areas between Longbei River Bend (tail end of backwater) in Guandu River Basin to 12km downstream of Songshuling damsite (1 km downstream of Guandu River Township), which is assessed by the Classification II of the above standard; b) Quality Standard of Atmosphere Environment (GB 3095-1996) The assessment object is the construction area, which is assessed by the Classification II of the above standard; c) Environmental Noise Standard in Urban Areas (GB 3096-93) The assessment object is the construction area, which is assessed by the Classification 11 of the above standard; d) Regulations of Conservation against Electromagnetic Radiation (GB 8702-88) The assessment object is the surrounding of the power transmission & conversion project, which is assessed by the above standard. Standard of Pollutant Emission a) Standard of Comprehensive Emission of Sewage (GB 8978-1996) The assessment object is. the sewage in the construction area, which is assessed by Standard I of the second classification of pollutants in the above standard; b) Standard of Comprehensive Emission of Atmosphere Pollutants (GB 16297-1996) .6.  Environmental Report of Songshuling Water Conservancy & Hydropower Pivotal Project, Zhushan, Hubei Chapter I General The assessment object is the waste gas produced by new pollution sources during the construction period, whose highest emission speed rate is limited to Standard II of the above standard. For those environmental factors to which no assessment standards can be applied, those applicable with commonly-recognized limits are assessed by the limits, and others are taken into comparative analysis according to the status quo. 1.5. Scope & Time Period of the Assessment The scope of the assessment on non-pollution ecological impacts is mainly deternined by the ecological integrity of the assessed area and its surrounding environment. As per the content of the project, the scope of the environmental impacts assessment of the planned project includes areas submerged by the reservoir, areas for resettlement of migrants, the construction area, lower stream areas of the dam and areas along the power transmission and conversion project. a) Areas Submerged by the Reservoir At the normal retaining water level, the reservoir has an area of 2.74km2, and the scope submerged is from the location of Songshuling dam to the backwater of the Longbei River Bend at the end of the reservoir, covering a watercourse of about 19.0km. According to field survey, when retaining water, the reservoir will affect its upperstream areas, with its scope expanding to areas with residents, habitat of terrestrial animals and forest zone. Therefore the scope of the assessment is twice the area of the reservoir, which is about 5.5km2. The period of time for the assessment is mainly the project operation period. b) Areas for resettlement of migrants According to survey data of submersion and migrant examination, the number of migrants in the project will be 214. Initially it is planned to have them resettled scatteredly in nearby areas, which are farther from the reservoir and in the same townships/villages. The scope of resettlement and impact assessment will be about 2.0 km2 above the submersion line. The period of time for the assessment is the period of migrant resettlement. c) Construction Area The scope includes the construction site, the stope, new transportation roads and living area for constructors. The land acquired for the project's construction is about IOhm2, of which the area used for construction is about 39.0km2, the area affected by construction is about 4.0km2. The period of time for assessment is mainly the construction period. d) Lower Stream Areas of the Dam and The scope covers a reach with a length of 12.0km, from the dam site to downstream Guandu Town. The period of time for assessment is mainly the operation period. e) Power Transmission & Conversion Project The scope covers a powerline of about 40.0km from the edge of Zhushan Town to the Power Transmission and Conversion Station. The period of time for assessment includes .7.  Environmental Report of Songshuling Water Conservancy & Hydropower Pivotal Project, Zhushan, Hubel Chapter I General the construction period and the operation period. 1.6. Objectives of Environmental Conservation The following are the major objectives of the assessment of the planned project to control destruction and to conserve the ecological environment: a) Water Quality During its construction period, the project should not affect the functions of the water body of the Guandu River. The water quality of the completed reservoir area and downstream of the dam should not be worse than the present water quality. b) Soil Resources The project should limit to the minimum usage ofplowland and woodland. Precaution against new occurrences of soil erosion is a focus in the project's construction and operation. c) Ecological Resources TIhe key objects protected are the first tier of plants in the List of Rare Plants on Brink of Extinction Under Protection in China, the living species which are required to be protected according to the List of Major Wild Animals Under Protection by the State. and other major bios with economic value. d) Quality of Life The key objects protected are migrants and original residents where the migrants are resettled. The objective of assessment will be a living standard no lower than the original standard (including income per capita, residential conditions, medical care conditions and public facilities). .8.  Environmental Report of Songshuling Water Conservancy & Hydropower Pivotal Project, Zhushan, Hubei Chapter III Status Quo & Assessment of Environment Chapter 2 Overview & Analysis of Project's Environmental Impacts 2.1. Project Overview 2.1.1. Project Name, Location & Nature Project Name: Songshuling Hydropower Plant, Zhushan County, Hubei Province. Project Location: Songshuling Hydropower Plant Project is located at lkm upperstream of the outfall where the midstream reach of the Guandu River, the southern branch of the Du River, joins its branch, the Yangyu Ravine. The damsite is about 40.7k from the joining point of the Guandu River and the Du River and 74.0km from the edge of Zhushan County. Please see Fig. 2.1.1 for the geographic location of the Songshuling Hydropower Plant. Project Nature: Newly built 2.1.2. Mission of Project Development The key function of the Songshuling Hydropower Plant will be electricity generation. Other multiple functions include diverting water for irrigation, providing drinking water for humans and live stock, forming a reservoir for fish-breeding and water transportation. A) Electricity Generation According to Zhushan County's demand of economic development and the status quo of power development, the Report of Development Plans for the Chain of Locks in the Du River Basin specified that the development of the region between the Guandu River and the outfall of the Du River will be in five terraces: Longbei River Bend, Songshuling, Pankou, Xiaoxuan and Huanglongtan (from upperstream to down stream). The hydropower plant at Huanglongtan, the lowermost tread, has been completed with an installed voltage of 150MW in the first period. The project scheme of the Songshuling Hydropower Plant is: in the recent period, the project has a normal water-retaining level of 394.0m, an installed voltage of 50MW, an guaranteed power generation capacity of 5.36MW, an annual average power generation capacity of 153.9 million kw.h, an annual working hour of 3,078h, and the function of self-adjusting with seasonal changes. With the unfolding of the long-term plans for the terrace-by-terrace development of the Guandu River, i.e. after the completion of the Longbei River Bend hydropower plant, the normal water-retaining level of the Songshuling hydropower plant drops to 388m for operation; when the Songshuling hydropower plant operates alone and jointly operate with the Pankou hydropower plant in the downstream terrace, the installed voltage at 394m and 388m are both 50MW, with guaranteed power-generating capacities of respectively 5.36MW and 5.30MW, annual working hours of respectively 3,078h and 2,987h and perennial average power generation capacities of respectively 153.9 million kw.h and 149.4 million kw.h; when jointly operate with the Longbei River Bend hydropower plant and the Pankou hydropower plant, the normal water-retaining level is lowered to 388m with a guaranteed power generation capacity of 14.14MW, a perennial average electricity generation capacity of 153 million kw/h, and annual working hours of 3,059h. .9.  Environmental Report of Songshuling Water Conservancy & Hydropower Pivotal Project, Zhushan, Hubei Chapter III Status Quo & Assessment of Environment B) Comprehensive Development After the completion of the Songshuling Reservoir, there will form a water area of about 2.74km2 for fish-breeding and a shipping lane of about 19km, which can improve the irrigation conditions of the woodland and farmlands within and surrounding the reservoir. Meanwhile, it can improve the irrigation conditions of the woodland and farmland in the reservoir area and surrounding the reservoir, while solving the inconvenience of getting drinking water for residents and live stocks along the banks. The improvement of water shortage and electricity will enhance the development of township enterprises in the reservoir area and surrounding the reservoir. After the reservoir retains water, there will form a good regional climate in the reservoir area that benefits the growth of commercial crops, thus raising farmers' quality of life. 2.1.3. Project Scale & Buildings Layout A) Project Scale Songshuling Hydropower Plant has a normal water-retaining level of 394.0m, a maximum height of dam at 65.5m, a total reservoir capacity of 57.48 million m3, a fixed reservoir capacity of 25.7 million mi, an installed voltage of 50MW, a guaranteed power generation capacity of 5.36MW, an average annual power generation capacity of 153.9 million kw