Assignment 1 ENST 3022 Emma Keary
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Carleton University *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
3022
Subject
Geography
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
Pages
8
Uploaded by ElderFangGiraffe20
GEOG/ENST 3022. Integrated Resource and Environmental Management
[Evaluation of the GRAND diversion Water Export]
Submitted by
[Emma Keary, 101147039]
Section 1. Introduction
1.0 Purpose of the Project
Purpose of the Project Assessment
The purpose of the GRAND diversion assessment is to create a “continental
water management complex” that will divert more than 60% of Hudson’s Bay
freshwater annually to comply with the rights and obligations set under the UN 2010
Resolution to address the ongoing global issue on water scarcity and security.
Context of the Project
Projects that focus on water security on dominantly along a widespread
global platform, however, the Grand diversion project is localized with strong
social constructs in North America. Since the post-WWII era, there has been a
larger focus on sustainability, where governmental officials regulated massive
water diversion projects for hydroelectric purposes. Society has continued to
move forward on this path of sustainability when drought-ridden regions were
in sudden declining water security. Extending the water diversion project not
only secures everyone has adequate access to water but complies with the UN
2010 resolution that details the right to potable water and security.
The demand for further development on this current project is often
distinguished because of the effect of water scarcity on other regions. Society
works on water diversion methods to accommodate for the most drought-
ridden areas in North America, while also building relations with each country
through cooperation.
Potential Influencing Factors to be Considered in the Proposed Assessment
Category/Facto
r
Possible Factors/Issues
Political
The Political factors of the project assessment are defined
through the natural principles, however dominantly by Canada,
with assistance from the United States in relation to Canada’s
interpretation of the status of available water and current policies
and guidelines.
One of the natural principles of water currently, is the
repeatedly increasing global issue of water scarcity and
security.
The process of water exportation has set authorizes, which
apply to the Canadian federal government, that dictate the
ability to export to other provinces and countries.
The United States political matter becomes a necessity for
water import more than ever because drought levels
severity has affected more than 60% of the total country.
Economic
Economic factors that are considered in the proposed
1
assessment of the Grand diversion project as positive and both
negative attributes.
It is estimated that this project in revenue from the process
of exportation can bring in anywhere from $8 -$16 billion
dollars.
Not only would the revenues from water export be
significant and sustainable it also works in the relationship
that Canada, the United States, and Mexico continuously
develop.
this project sees an initial cost of implementation spanning
the course of the next 30 years that could cost anywhere
from $100-$200 billion dollars.
Social
The social implications involved in this current assessment
apply to the everchanging nature, and unrelated political and
environmental issues.
One Influencing social factor in the assessment is the
change in social situations in the region. As this project is
focusing on the environmental implications, unlike previous
projects that focus on similar implications aimed to support
the indigenous. As a result, we could see some unfortunate
circumstances revolving around social and cultural ties.
Some also believe that they could be confronted by several
people who clearly disagree with the addition of
hydroelectricity and damming.
Environmental
As environmental factors are often emphasized in the current
assessment, we acknowledge the impacts made on the
ecosystems.
There is a profound impact on the watershed ecosystems.
Table 1.0.1.
Potential influencing factors to be considered in the Assessment.
Factors/Issues to be excluded from the Proposed Assessment
Category/Facto
r
Possible Factors/Issues + Explanation why
Political
Political factors that are often excluded in the scope of the
assessment show different relations.
The Sovereignty limits apply because there is a connection
between three countries and the assurance that there is no
assessment outside of their own region, as well as the
indigenous as closer to the north we go, the larger
community of indigenous we get.
Economic
Economic factors that are excluded from the current
assessment of the GRAND diversion project often relate to the
implementation of the status of the project.
We learn the overall cost of the project in the upcoming
years, but what is not disclosed is the method of whether
we will see a rise in taxes, or if the government had room in
the budget to accommodate.
Social
Social factors and issues excluded relate to the impact of the
surrounding communities, and specifically the indigenous within.
2
The assessment addresses concerns from these
communities, however, it’s all theoretical, and they
excluded the information directly from the source.
Environmental
The Grand diversion project excludes practical applications on
the home front of environmental factors.
We continue to see a theoretical approach on whether we
will see an improvement in water scarcity and security.
Table 1.0.2.
Limitations of the proposed Assessment.
1.1Describing the Project
Description of the Proposed Project
The proposed GRAND diversion project will seek to divert freshwater to Western
Canada, Southern United States, and Northern Mexico where currently droughts most
emanate. To do so, the Canadian government
will aim to cut off James Bay from Hudson’s
Bay, by converting James Bay into a
freshwater reservoir fed by surrounding rivers
and streams. The conversion of a reservoir
with the feedings from additional bodies of
water will allow the production of a major dike,
that will further be developed to produce
hydroelectric power with the development of
hydro powerplants, but dominantly the
benefits that subside with the diversion of
water are the sense of security in a time of
water scarcity. In correlation to basic human
rights and set out in the UN 2010 resolution,
this project secures that everyone in North
America will have equal access to freshwater
as well as the security of water. Figure 1 shows
the route of the diversion project which
correlates to the regions of high-water scarcity,
so with the conclusion of this project all regions
will be complying with methods set out by the
United Nations.
Project Physical Components to be included in the Assessment
Component
Explanation
Formation
of
Major dike
The formation of a major dike overall will help to control the water
flow levels during high and low tides. They will utilize this and build
outflow gates and hydroelectric equipment; this would generate
electricity during the pumping/transferring of water
Build multiple
powerplants
Utilizing the dikes for powerplants does not just occur naturally,
there is the infrastructure that needs to be considered for safety,
ethics, and practical uses. As well as the cost of the initial project,
Figure 1. Path of route for
diversion project, with emphasis
on regions with water scarcity.
3
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
and the funding required.
Other routes
Over time there has been discussion of connecting the James Bay
reservoir to the Ottawa river and building a canal system
connecting the reservoir to Lake Superior.
Table 1.1.1.
Physical components of the proposed project.
Other Considerations to be Included in the Assessment
Category/Facto
r(s)
Explanation
Technological
Technological equipment will be used for flood control, through
water reservoirs and flood control enclosures.
Regulatory
Regulating the diversion process in which all areas along the west
and southern coast receive equal access.
Economic
The outcome the use of a diversion of water will have on the
economy, as all regions will have access to water.
Social/cultural
The safety of the population living around the enclosure will be
confirmed by using some already existing technological systems.
Environmental
The water collection and transfer system will therefore provide a
controllable and sustainable freshwater lake for use
Table 1.1.2.
Other components of the proposed project to be considered in the
Assessment.
Dynamic Nature of the Project
Category/Facto
r(s)
Explanation
Change
Environmental change is dominant between the two major bodies
of water involved in the proposed assessment because of the
impact on the watershed ecosystem in the case that the James Bay
ecosystem has an immediate effect on the ecosystem of Hudson’s
Bay.
Complexity
The population pressures are acknowledged in the regions of
development, with disagreements as well as the pressure being
put on the indigenous community, and the disbelief, of the impact
on their own land.
Uncertainty
The uncertainty of the current project revolves around its current
ability to aid the goals of the United Nations and allow all in North
America to have access to fresh water. With the cost of the project,
the likelihood of delays set out. Over time there can be uncertainty
in the current legislation put into effect could change, and the
relations between the country with its ability to allow for the
diversion of water internationally.
Conflict
Conflicts can emerge through issues associated with this project
through either resource scarcity conflicts or resource abundance
conflicts. This is the case for Scarcity conflicts that revolve around
the natural resource Canadians often take for granted which is
fresh water, and the current work with other regions and their
access to water.
Table 1.1.3.
Dynamic considerations of the proposed project to be considered in the
Assessment.
4
1.2Scale(s) of the Proposed Assessment
Category/Unit(
s)
Explanation
Local
Safety is often associated along the scale of the proposed
assessment because while assuring the safety of others with
access to water, one cannot exclude the ones who are having to
either be near the different powerplants to work directly on the
project.
Regional
Regulating the diversion process will become a regional unit, as the
regions with the plants will be obligated to serve at the hand of the
scarce regions, causing further environmental impacts.
National
The Canadian federal government uses its authority over water
destined for export beyond any province’s borders.
International
The assessment is an international ordeal, as it pertains to Canada,
The United States, and Mexico.
Table 1.2.
Scale(s) of the proposed assessment.
Section 2: Scoping of Issues
The purpose of this section is to present a summary of potential issues associated
with the proposed project that may require analysis in the proposed assessment. Each
issue includes its category (E = Economic; En = Environmental; SCP = Social, Cultural
and Political) and its scaling, both geographic (L = Local; R = Regional; N = National;
G = Global) and temporal (I = Immediate; S = Short-term; L = Long-term/ongoing).
The section concludes with an analysis of the issues, and which will be incorporated
into the assessment, and which are beyond the scope of the assessment.
2.1 Overall Project Impacts and Issues
Impacts/Issues
Description
Catego
ry
GeoSc
ale
Tempor
al
Finances
Over 30 years, the cost of
implementation
E
G
L
Politics of
drought
Relations between Canada, USA, and
Mexico
P
G
L
The people of
disbelief
Not all agree with the involvement in
the project, in hydroelectric and
damming in the region
S
R
S
Legislation
The federal government disclosed in
2009, the proposal to produce
multiple powerplants and dikes across
James Bay, for the transfer of water
P
N
S
Water scarcity
Increasingly global issue, that can
lead to sources such as wildfires, in
dominant regions that include the
Prairies, Southern United States, and
Mexico
P
G
I
Sovereignty
Indigenous sovereignty and the land
that we are on and taking over, with
any effort to confront their
communities, and establish their
beliefs
P
L
S
2.2 By Project Component
5
Component: formation of a major dike
Impacts/Issues
Description
Catego
ry
GeoSc
ale
Tempor
al
Water control
The location of the James Bay dike
would help control the flow of water
from the James Bay reservoir to the
great lakes
En
R
L
It will be built
with outflow
gates
This will produce hydroelectric
equipment for electricity, that can be
generated through the transfer of
water
P
R
L
Water
collection
The transfer system will provide
controllable and sustainable
freshwater for use
En
G
L
infrastructure
The context of the project, the ability
to construct and adapt the dike, and
following systems
P
L
S
Component: building of multiple powerplants
Impacts/Issues
Description
Catego
ry
GeoSc
ale
Tempor
al
Finances
Nothing these days are free of
charge, and apart from the cost of the
project, there is the cost of building
and maintaining multiple power
plants for hydroelectric purposes.
E
R
L
safety
There is concern that there along with
the need for water, there is a need for
safety for the communities living near
the powerplants
S
L
I
Infrastructure
Tools and equipment needed to build
the powerplants
S
L
S
Component: Other routes development
Impacts/Issues
Description
Catego
ry
GeoSc
ale
Tempor
al
Possible
extension of
project
assessment
Over the course of many years, the
federal government has also
proposed the extension to connect
the James Bay reservoir to the Ottawa
River
P
R
L
Future
expenses
The limits are how this will develop
with no knowledge of how this will
cost, and the infrastructure that
comes along.
E
I
L
2.3 Selection of Impacts/Issues for Assessment
Impacts/Issues
Explanation
Water Scarcity
This is a global immediate issue pressing the
assessment. This is the overall idea along with water
security.
6
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
Finances
The project cannot proceed without any method of
putting money into it to produce the assessment
Politics of drought and
export
This belongs to and continues to support the
assessment as it works to rid North America of water-
scarce regions while building the relationship
between the three countries, which in respect builds
revenue. This also applies to the local politics
Safety
The safety and well-being of the local communities to
the regions requires the water diversion project to
supplement their access to water.
2.4 Finalised Proposed Study Area for your Assessment
Scale
Issues associated with the scale/Explanation
Local
Safety is a concern at the local level for the communities that will
be living near the power plants, this could escalate to political
matters, as officials are also concerned with backlash from the
communities. There is also the safety and security that this project
could see, given approval by the communities, with others
receiving access to water
Regional
Possible extension, with the politics of drought and export, comes
possible extensions of the project if all goes well with the GRAND
diversion project.
National
Legislation is associated, as it will detail the process of exportation
from around Hudson’s Bay, as well as governs and looks over the
project, these overall details the politics of drought
International
Water scarcity is a global issue as set out by the United Nations,
and this project works to improve the situation. Finances, shows
the overall ability to go through with the project and assessment.
Based upon the above analysis of water scarcity and security with supporting
evidence from financial support to the politics of drought within the GRAND diversion
project, it is concluded that the area associated with strong assessment is bounded to
the area surrounding Hudson and James Bay. Figure 2 depicts the current borders of
assessment, whereas the initial boundaries were condensed to the continent of North
America.
Figure 2. Depicts the finalized
boundaries for the current GRAND
diversion project assessment.
7
3.0 Summary of Sections 1 and 2
The purpose of the opening two sections has been to introduce the
proposed project
for which an IREM is being proposed and the context of the specific
project in the issue
of water scarcity and security. The GRAND diversion project sets to plan and
accommodate the economic, socio-cultural, and political issues of related to financial
support, decision-making, exportation, and country relations to accomplish a major
environmental impact of the 21
st
century by tackling the issue of water scarcity in
North America. However, the entire continent to large of a focus area to conduct an
assessment, whereas the region of focus in dominantly surrounding Hudson’s and
James Bay, as this physical location takes practical applications, while the conclusion
of this project with drought-ridden regions feeling water security is theoretical and
needs the development of physical date sets.
8