The workshop held on December 10, 2018, focused on the environmental study of the Lancang-Mekong Development Plan (LMDP) and included discussions on assessment methodology, baseline findings, impact assessments, and mitigation strategies. The Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Mechanism (LMCM), involving six countries, aims to improve interconnectivity and economic cooperation, but faces uncertainties regarding sustainability and impact on regional agreements. The environmental study aims to identify sensitive areas affected by the LMDP and propose management strategies while evaluating the ecological and socio-economic impacts of proposed developments.

1. Final Workshop: 10 December 2018, MRC, Vientiane
Jeremy Carew-Reid
Environmental Study of the
Lancang-Mekong Development Plan
Introduction to the Project and Assessment
Methodology

2. Workshop
Morning
• Intro to the study and methodology (this presentation)
• Baseline assessment findings
• Plenary questions and discussion
Afternoon
• Impact assessment findings
• Plenary questions and discussion
• Mitigation strategies
• Plenary questions and discussion
• Panel questions and discussion
• Implementation of the Mekong River PA Network – Plenary
discussion

3. 1. The Lancang-Mekong Cooperation
Mechanism
• The LMCM launched in November 2015,
• Six country collaborative agreement - China, Myanmar,
Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam
• Covers five priority areas: interconnectivity (transport,
power, communications), production capacity, cross-
border economic cooperation, water resources and
cooperation on agriculture and poverty reduction.
• Much broader than other Mekong agreements, such as
the GMS, which has the same membership and MRC
agreement
• Potential linkages with AIIB - the Chinese Asian
Infrastructure Investment Bank launched Jan 2016

4. 2. Uncertainties over the LMCM
• Implications for
 the MRC
 the GMS arrangement
 for ADB and WB (linkage with AIIB)
 for the US Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI) (launched in
2009)
• Not founded on sustainability principles –
arrangements for member countries to assess
sustainability implications of LMCM development
initiatives uncertain
• Opportunities

5. 4. LMDP preparation and
endorsement
• ‘Agreement on Commercial Navigation on Lancang-Mekong River’
between China, Lao PDR, Thailand, Myanmar- led to waterway
improvement works and port construction in Chiang Saen (Thailand) -
2000
• The draft LMDP presented to the Joint Committee on Coordination of
Commercial Navigation on the Lancang-Mekong River (JCCCN) by the
Department of Transport of Yunnan Province and Tianjin Research
Institute for Water Transport Engineering in February 2015
• MRC informal donor meeting called for action on assessing cumulative
impacts of the plan in March 2015
• MRC ‘Master Plan for Waterborne Transport’ recommended an SEA of the
LMDP and was supported by all Member Countries in November 2015
• The JCCCN gave conditional approval of the Master Plan in February 2016

6. 3. Lancang-Mekong Development
Plan Phase 1- key ingredients
• Development of four cargo ports in study area at
Chiang Khong in Thailand and Houay Xay, Pak Beng and
Luang Prabang in Laos
• Removal of 146 rapids, rocky outcrops and shoals (from
Yunnan to Luang Prabang) to allow navigation for up to
500DWT vessels
• The construction of four emergency response and
rescue ships and 1199 aids to navigation
• Promotes increased shipping, trade and passenger
transport from Yunnan province to Luang Prabang
• Linked to other bilateral aid support from China to Laos

7. • 23 MRC surveyed ‘dangerous areas’ in study area – likely targets under the LMDP
• 4 ports to be developed under the LMDP in study area – Chiang Khong, Huay Xai,
Pak Beng and Luang Prabang

8. PAK BENG HPP – PROJECT DETAILS
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• Concrete run-of-river dam 64m high (47m from river bed) x 900m long
• 912 MW
• Located 14km upstream of Pak Beng town
• 97km long reservoir
• Additional water level at dam approx. 25m
• Navigation lock for 500t boats
• Fish passage cement canal 1.6 km long, 10 m bottom width

9. PAK BENG HPP – PROJECT DETAILS

10. LANCANG MEKONG ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY: PURPOSE
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 A site specific study focussing on biodiversity (378km river reach)
 Part of the MRC Council Study and funded by CEPF
 Two development scenarios (i) the navigation plan and (ii) the navigation plan
& Pak Beng
 If developments were to proceed what management responses are required

12. Purpose of Lancang-Mekong
Environmental study
1. To identify environmentally and socially sensitive
areas and uses which require special
management
2. To assessment the effects on those sensitive
areas and uses
a) of the LMDP
b) of Pak Beng reservoir
3. To define environmental management strategies
for the LMDP and Pak Beng HPP for
consideration by development planners

13. KEY STUDY STEPS
13
2016 2017 2018
MRC
International
Conference

14. Four key phases:
(i) Scoping: What are the key issues for
biodiversity and river basin development
between Golden Triangle and Luang
Prabang?
(ii) Baseline: What are the trends in the key
issues without the LMDP and Pak Beng HPP?
(iii) Impact: What are the impacts of the LMDP
and Pak Beng HPP on each of these key
issues and trends?
(iv) Avoidance, mitigation and enhancement
recommendations: How will the most
important risks be avoided or mitigated, and
the benefits be enhanced?
KEY STUDY STEPS AND THEMES
Key themes of the study:
1. Hydrology and sediment
2. Aquatic biodiversity and wetlands
3. Fish
4. Amphibians and reptiles
5. Birds
6. Socio-economics and livelihoods

15. Title Team Member
1. Ecologist and Environment Assessment Specialist/Team Leader Jeremy Carew-Red
2. Aquatic Biodiversity and Wetlands Specialist Peter-John-Meynell
3. International Fish Specialist Eric Baran
4. Lao PDR Fish Specialist Oudom Phonekhampheng
5. Thailand Fish Specialist Jutagate Tuantong
6. International Amphibian and Reptiles Specialist Bryan Stuart
7. Lao PDR Amphibian and Reptiles Specialist Somphouthone Phimmachak
8. Turtles Specialist Tim McCormack
9. Bird Specialist Will Duckworth
10. Navigation Safeguards/Transport Impact Assessment Specialist Rory Hunter
11. Hydrologist and Sediment Specialist Simon Tilleard
12. Hydrographic Surveying Specialist Paul Simcock
13. Waterway Design Specialist Jacques Dezeure
14. Economist Daniel Gilfillan
15. GIS Analyst Mai Ky Vinh

16. Consultations on the study
• 2016 Greater Mekong Forum on Water, Food and
Energy to present initial findings
– Workshop participants were drawn from Thai government
agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil
society, international organisations and universities and
academics.
• 2018 MRC International Conference: 2-3 April, Siem
Reap, Cambodia
• May 2018 at MRC Secretariat to advise on draft
recommendations
• 2018 Greater Mekong Forum on Water, Food and
Energy to present overview and results
• This event

17. Baseline Assessment Method
1. Biodiversity trend analysis
2. Socio-economic assessment
3. ‘From space’ assessment
4. ‘Swim Under’ assessment
5. Stakeholder consultation
6. Rapid integrated field
assessment

18. Impact Assessment Method
The impact assessment adopted an approach to include all possible
impacts.

19. Three study zones

20. ZONE 1 – GOLDEN TRIANGLE TO THAI-LAO
BORDER (98km) Habitats identified in survey – tributaries/deltas, vegetated islands,
rapids, rocky outcrops, sandbanks and shoals, off main channel
wetlands, deep pools
Whole Zone 1 =
KBA (birds and
fish)
-4 MRC surveyed
dangerous areas
likely targeted for
clearing under the
LMDP
-Construction of
the Houay Xay
and Chiang Khong
ports

21. ZONE 2 – THAI-LAO BORDER TO PAK BENG
(94km)
Whole Zone 2 =
KBA (birds and
fish)
-7 MRC surveyed
dangerous areas
But….
-Reservoir of Pak
Beng HPP
-No ports planned

22. ZONE 3 – PAK BENG TO
LUANG PRABANG (176km)
Part Zone 3
down to no. 14
rapid =
KBA (birds and
fish)
-12 MRC surveyed
dangerous areas
-Construction of
Pak Beng and
Luang Prabang
ports
-D/S impacts of
Pak Beng HPP

23. Mitigation Approach
Key steps included:
• Identifying areas where understanding needs to be improved
• Outlining measures for environmental and social management plans on
construction and operational impacts
• Defining areas requiring special conservation management and roles and
responsibilities
• Outlining how rights of vulnerable groups can be taken into account
• Laying groundwork for environmental and social management and
monitoring plans

24. THANK YOU