Are There (International) Solutions For The Amur River basin?

Eugene Simonov. Rivers without Boundaries Coalition
Dauria International Protected Area –DIPA‐ Daursky Biosphere Reserve
Yury Darman, WWF Russia Amur Branch
Are There (International)
Solutions For The Amur River
basin?
Freshwater biodiversity ‐ 7 ecoregions
15 Ramsar
wetlands
Major water bird habitat
130 fish species
Карта водно‐болотных угодий Амурского бассейна. Wetlands of Amur River Basin
Amur (Heilong, Khara‐muren) –
divided by 12 provinces of 3 countries, with population of almost 100 divided
by 12 provinces of 3 countries with population of almost 100
million people.
• Amur Basin Area –
•
•
•
•
•
2100 000 square
q
kilometers
Annual discharge
approx 360 cubic
kilometers
kil
Amur River length 4444 kilometers
W tl d occupy
Wetlands
approximately 361 820
square kilometers 17%
of those are inside
protected areas
Forests occupy 1110194
q
kilometers or
square
53% of watershed
3500 kilometers of
rivers serve as national
b d
borders
PRESSURES
“Human
Human Footprint
Footprint” in Amur Basin
in Amur Basin
Russia: Great impacts from Zeya and Bureya dams
Drastic hydro‐ecological alteration on Zeya, Bureya and even the main Drastic
hydro ecological alteration on Zeya Bureya and even the main
channel of Amur. g
p
In addition 14000 dams fragment China part of the Amur Basin
CHINA:
Songhua River – the best known problematic tributary of the Amur River.
Majiagou River mouth in Harbin
•
Annual discharge –80
80 000 000
000 cubic meters, with additional
40 000 000 000 cubic meters of
groundwater resources.
•
Recorded annual water use 40
000 000 000 cubic meters, with
half of that not returning to
streams.
•
Agriculture –70% of water
consumption,
i
with
i h only
l 20% off
agricultural fields irrigated
•
On-going water crisis and
desertification in south-western
part of the basin
•
2005 spill of 100 tonnes of
benzene triggered new antipolution policies and greater
cooperation
p
with Russia
Mining – growing source of impacts
More than 400 mining operations
just in Mongolia part of
The Amur River Basin
COOPERATION
Si
Sino‐Russian Dialogue on Water Issues
i
i l
• clarification of the border line and its changes with meandering of river channel
meandering of river channel
• regulation of fisheries and protection of fish reserves
• wetland conservation, l d
i
• hydrological monitoring and flood control • impacts of dams built on tributaries on common watercourse • inter‐basin water‐transfers;
i
b i
f
• prevention and monitoring of transboundary pollution • adaptation of water use to climate fluctuations
• harmonization of water quality standards
Sino‐Russian Joint Scheme for Amur 6 hydropower plants according to “Russia-China Joint Comprehensive
Scheme for Water Resource Management in Transboundary Stretches of
the Argun and Amur Rivers”.
Rivers”
Relevant Agreements
1994 ‐Trilateral Agreement on Dauria International Protected Area (DIPA)
1994 ‐ Sino‐Russian Agreement on c aquatic bioresources of Amur
1994‐‐Mongolia‐China – Agreement on Use and Protection of Transboundary Waters 1995‐‐Russia‐Mongolia ‐
1995
Russia Mongolia Agreement on Use and Protection of Agreement on Use and Protection of
Transboundary Waters
2006 ‐Environmental Sub‐commission under Mechanism for Sino‐Russian Meetings of Heads of State has a working groups on protection and monitoring of transboundary waters and
on protection and monitoring of transboundary waters and biodiversity
2006 Provincial agreement on protection of Argun River
g
p
g
2008 Sino‐Russian Agreement on Transboundary Waters
RAMSAR CONVENTION
Amur Basin has 15
designated Ramsar Wetlands
Рамсарские угодья
Ramsar
regional
initiatives –
new
cooperation
tool
Amur-Heilong
Regional
Initiative –was
promoted by
WWF, but never
got government
support.
NATIONAL PLANS
RECENT RELEVANT NATIONAL MEASURES:
CHINA DEVELOPED
STRONG NATIONAL
WETLANDS PROTECTION
POLICY
AND ACTION PLAN
RUSSIA ADOPTED WATER CODE
PRESCRIBING
Mongolia adopted a new law DEVELOPMENT OF “Standards of
acceptable impact” (SAI)
“On prohibition of mining in for environmental flows, as well as
water protection zones”(2009)
water protection zones
(2009). chemical, thermal, radioactive
Implementation is slow
and microbial pollution)
IF ONLY 3 COUNTRIES COULD WORK TOGETHER…
ВСЕ ТРИ СТРАНЫ ТЕПЕРЬ ОЗАБОЧЕНЫ АДАПТАЦИЕЙ К ИЗМЕНЯЮЩЕМУСЯ КЛИМАТУ
ALL THREE COUNTRIES BY 2010 FINALLY GOT CONCERNED WITH CLIMATE ADATIATION ISSUES
Priorities set for China’s “Revitalization of
Old industrial
i d t i l Bases”
B
” sett in
i 2003:
2003
-Pollution
prevention, including regulation by water
i f t
infrastructure.
t
-Halting wetland conversion to agriculture,
agriculture with sharp
increase in irrigated areas in place of non-irrigated
agriculture.
g
-Ensuring “ecologically sufficient” water supply to
wetlands,
tl d often
ft with
ith help
h l off existing
i ti and
d new water
t
infrastructure.
-More efficient water consumption
“Revitalization of Old industrial Bases”
“Additional measures” Since in projected water balance for 2030 supply does not meet demand it is l d
t
td
d it i
recommended to proceed with:
Increasing agricultural water supply from Increasing
agricultural water supply from
transboundary watercourses (Ussuri‐
Wusuli, Amur‐Heilong, Argun‐Eerguna).
Developing water transfer schemes within the Amur‐Heilong River Basin and to the Liao River Basin, where already achieved
Liao River Basin, where already achieved water deficit is much worse.
Construction of dams on the main channel of Amur‐Heilong River
RUSSIAN HYDROPOWER PLANS RUSSIA PLANS TO EXPORT 60 BILLION KW*H/YEAR
RUSSIA PLANS TO EXPORT 60 BILLION KW
H/YEAR TO CHINA
TO CHINA
12 dams planned just in Amur River Basin:
Amur River Basin:
POWERMWT
HPP
Triburary
Dalnerechensky
Bolshaya
B
l h
Ussurka
Bureisky
Bureya
2000
Nizhnebureisky
Bureya
321
Ust-nimanskaya
Bureya
400
Giluysky
Giluy
380
Khorskoye
Khor
133
Nizhne-Nimansky
Niman
450
Rusinovskoye
Selemdzha
550
Ikindinskaya
Selemdzha
140
Shilkinsky
Shilka
1300
Zeyskoye
Zeya
1330
Gramatukhinskoye
Zeya
300
660
MONGOLIA ‐ headwaters of the Amur River Basin
Changing pattern of development – growing water demand for industry and “
“preventing desertification”.
i d
ifi i ”
GOBI
• Demand from mining
industries in Gobi Desert
and “Green Belt of
Mongolia” anti
antidesertification plan
• Proposed water transfers
from Selenge, Onon,
Kherlen, Uldz, Baldj Rivers
into Gobi Desert.
• National
i
Water Program off
2010 calls for 60
hydropower plants and
many irrigation schemes
.Map
M
off the
h pipelines
i li
from
f
Orkhon
O kh and
d
Kherlen Rivers’ into South Gobi for new mining towns.
Controversy as a conservation tool….
ti t l
River has been effectively protected by military boundary zone
closed for visitors which occupied riverbanks for 4000 kilometers
CASE STUDY
Argun River Trial
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Rivers of Argun Basin have dramatic change of water resource availability during
availability during 30‐year climate cycle. (See graph y
(
g p
below )
Amur River basin
Argun River basin
Argun River Basin is
the principal river of
Dauria Steppe.
Steppe Annual
A
l
р. Аргунь - с.Олочи
Олочи измеренные
Хайлар - Цаган
400
300
м3/с
с
discharge 12 cubic km.
Area -300,977
,
km2:
in China150,900 km² (50%)
in Russia 49,100 km² (16%)
in Mongolia 101,000 km2 (34%)
500
200
100
0
1940
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010
Network of important transboundary wetlands in Dauria
l d i D i
Uldz River basin:
• Torey Lakes Ramsar site (Russia)
• Mongol Daguur (Mongolian
Dauria) Ramsar site (Mongolia)
Argun River basin:
• Dalai Lake National Nature
Reserve Inner Mongolia Ramsar
Reserve,
site (China)
• Lake Buir and its surrounding
wetlands Ramsar site, (Mongolia)
• Upper Argun River floodplain
(Sino-Russian border –not listed
and not pprotected yyet)
While all major lakes are Ramsar sites,
floodplains receive little protection
Cyclical change in annual rainfall (green)
1,2
период
влажный
период
сухой
период
10
1,0
0,8
0,6
0,4
0,2
-1,0
-1,5
-2,0
20
-2,5
30
-3,0
-3,5
0,0
40
-4,0
-0,2
-4,5
-0
0,4
4
1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005
-5
5,0
0
о
влажный
Изменения атмосферных осадков и температуры воздуха
сухой
период
температ
тура, С
осадки
и, модульны
ые коэффиц
циенты
1,4
интегральная разностная кривая годовых сумм осадков
30‐year drought cycles and flooding dynamics are one of factors shaping regional температура воздуха, осредненная по периодам увлажненности
biodiversity. Average temperature (RED) for the last 55 years has risen up for 1.5‐2.0˚С
g
p
(
)
y
p
that led to an increase of the period with positive temperatures in northern part of Daurian Steppe from 165‐167 to 173‐179 days.
Torey
y Lakes ((Uldz river basin)) dynamics:
y
Change
g of the shore
line and water volume.
Coastal p
plant communities change
g
Changes in numbers
and species
p
composition
p
of waterbirds.
In 1999 Torey lakes yielded
thousand tons of fish annually,
and in 2009 meadow at Barun-Torey lake bottom
is a favorite pasture for Mongolian Gazelle….
The Argun river at high flow
Th A
The Argun river at low flow
i
tl
fl
Flooding is the most important ecosystem process sustaining riverine wetlands
sustaining riverine wetlands
Cyclical re-distribution of bird populations.
Torey Lakes
Upper Argun ValleyUldz River
Valley-
Dalai and
Buir
lakes
It makes
k little
littl sense to
t protect
t t one single
i l wetland
tl d cluster
l t in
i the
th Daurian
D
i Ecoregion,
E
i
most of the area’s wildlife migrates among the steppe’s scattered wetlands accordin
30-year drought cycle patterns.
RED circles
i l are protected
t t d by
b Dauria
D
i International
I t
ti
l Protected
P t t d Area,
A
BLUE circle of Argun Valley is not yet protected internationally.
Intensity and structure of human activity depends on Intensity
and structure of human activity depends on
phases of the climate cycle
Nomadic lifestyle of Mongolian tribes
is the key cultural value of Dauria –
which has been the most effective
socio--economic adaptation to climate
socio
fluctuations.
fluctuations
If only the modern society
could adapt to the local
climate cycle,
there would be no problem
adapting to any changes in
climate…
THREATS to river ecosystems in Argun River basin:
Hailaer (Argun) River ‐Dalai Lake water transfer – 1.05 cubic kilometers annually ( in operation since 2009)
ti
i
2009)
Water consumption from new reservoirs upstream in Hailaer basin ‐1.0 cub. km. annually (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
China Gold Co copper mine – water pipeline from Dalai Lake ( stopped due to Ramsar convention requirements in 2008)
Kherlen‐Gobi
Kherlen
Gobi water transfer scheme
water transfer scheme
Hulunbeier Oil fields (in operation)
Coalmines and thermal power stations‐
p
thermal pollution and change in hydrology
p
g
y
gy
Polluting industry along Hailaer river‐ (in operation and under construction)
Municipal sewage from Hailaer and Manzhouli Irrigation schemes along Hailaer and Khalkh rivers
Halaha‐ Xilingol water transfer (EIA in 2010)
Mongolian oil fields
)
WATER CONSUMPTION: CRISIS PLANNED IN ADVANCE
:
Planned increase of water consumption in Argun‐
ti i A
Eerguna River basin by 1000%.
Hailaer‐Dalai water transfer – 1.05 cubic kilometers annually
Water consumption from new reservoirs upstream ‐1.0 cub. km. annually
Halaha‐ Xilingol water transfer
Mean annual flow of Argun‐Hailaer river – only 3.5 cub. km.
river –
only 3 5 cub km
Hailaer(Argun) River‐Dalai Lake water transfer 2009
Hailaer River‐Dalai Lake water transfer
Alteration of flooding regime with 1.05 cubic kilometer withdrawal. Alteration
of flooding regime with 1 05 cubic kilometer withdrawal
Upper Argun river Kuti Village. Modelling ordered by Amur Water Authority 2009
350
300
1.Without water withdrawal
Выход воды на пойму
250
Level of floodplain
1
3
м /с
200
150
2
2.After water withdrawal
100
50
0
17.апр
07.май
27.май
16.июн
06.июл
26.июл
15.авг
04.сен
24.сен
1.Water level dynamics in 2004 (P=50%)‐ 50 days of flooding –
2. Water level after withdrawal – no flooding –
Год 50% обеспеченности ‐при проектном отборе воды пойма не заполнится водой
14.окт
03.ноя
Water pollution in Argun River
Water withdrawal will further Water
withdrawal will further
severe already acute pollution levels in transboundary Agrun river
and water transfer will bring pollution to Dalai Lake
pollution to Dalai Lake. Hailaer(Argun) River‐Dalai Lake water transfer
Impacts on Dalai Lake Ramsar site
Impacts on Dalai
Lake Ramsar site
increased pollution from Hailaer/Argun River concentrated in the lake threatens public health and security, fisheries, and tourism. p
y y
g
disrupted natural wet‐dry cycle degrades lake biodiversity and productivity, converting it into a brackish reservoir.
excuse to start industrial water supply to mines from this Ramsar wetland
Another threat to Argun River‐
boundary river embankments‐
for protection of the Motherland
for protection of the Motherland.
This may disrupt and arrest meandering processes MORE ON
WWW.DAURIARIVERS.ORG
Necessary measures planned by WWF‐DIPA “Dauria Rivers” pilot project :
1) Strategic assessment of river management options in the light of climate adaptation in the Dauria region, based on the UNECE “Guidance on water and adaptation to climate change". 2) Develop environmental flow norms for the Argun and Uldz Rivers to determine environmental requirements during different phases of the climate cycle.. This will provide the technical foundation for harmonizing bilateral water management policies with Mongolia and China. l
h
l
d h
3) Wetland monitoring system in both Argun and Uldz basins will be enhanced by p g
g
g
developing combined remote‐sensing and field‐transect monitoring methods in transboundary wetlands to measure the effects of climate change and human impacts. 4) Wetland protected area network enhancement as one of key adaptation measures is 4)
Wetland protected area network enhancement as one of key adaptation measures is
that provides for migration and breeding of species and preserves key hydrological features and important refugia during drought.
5) Awareness raising program program on climate adaptation in transboundary Dauria 5)
Awareness raising program program on climate adaptation in transboundary Dauria
is needed to make climate cycling/climate change and limitations/advantages it brings better understood by local people and considered by governments in key planning/decision‐making. Proposed expansion of Dauria International Protected Area
AN IMPORTANT WISH…..
Establishment of Chinese‐Russian‐Mongolian g
intergovernmental commission on economic and ecological adaptation of management policies in g
p
g
p
Dauria to changing climate conditions with the aim p
to ensure favorable environmental and political situation.
Questions:
1.
Would three countries benefit from impartial outside experts p
p
facilitating introduction of advanced integrated basin management policy concepts to the region?
2.
How do to insist on considering environmental flow requirements when clear international competition over water resources has already occurred in the basin?
3.
How do you promote the value of Amur as FREE‐FLOWING RIVER vs use of its enormous hydropower potential?
4.
What international mechanisms (institutions) may provide (
) yp
incentive\venue for joint trilateral program in adaptation to climate change and climate fluctuations? What are appropriate adaptation strategies in such variable climate?
d t ti
t t i i
h
i bl li t ?
Inappropriate development triggers improper water management
Thank you for listening!
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