8.5 Dam Development and Management 8.5.1. Policy: Integrated planning, development and management of dams will be promoted so as to optimise the use of the water resources, maximise derived benefits (such as hydropower, tourism, flood control, irrigation and water supply) and take both positive and negative externalities into account for both upstream and downstream countries. In the past large dams, for example hydro-electricity schemes, have invariably served as single-purpose developments. In planning such initiatives, scant attention has been paid to the potential for the co-development of additional consumptive and non-consumptive use initiatives. Once a large dam has been built on a river, flood control is an important benefit. Consequently all dams, whether large or small, shall be designed and operated to maximize multipurpose uses wherever these are financially, physically and environmentally feasible. In future, when building a large dam, Member States will consider the potential multi-functionality of dams that will serve to, promote integrated water resources development and management. The use of small dams for multiple purposes should not be underestimated; they could contribute significantly to ensuring reliable domestic and livestock water supply in rural areas, support small scale irrigation, promote tourism, and regulate seasonal flows to provide reliable all-year round flows. They directly support local commercial and community initiatives and mitigate against drought. In view of the fact that, in future, more large dams are expected to be built in the region for energy development, storage for irrigation, water supply as well as for flood control, dam safety considerations will have to strengthened through development of appropriate safety guidelines, as well as the establishment of institutional capacities for enforcement of such guidelines. Dams may have varying impacts on the environment, and the society. Negative impacts include inundation of productive farmlands, habitats, cultural sites, and displacement of communities. In some instances, there may be a concomitant increase in diseases such as malaria. Comprehensive and objective assessment of the economic, social, and environmental impacts should be carried out and adequate mitigation measures put in place. 8.5.2. Policy: SADC shall encourage the participation of all stakeholders in decision-making processes for dam development and, where appropriate, with adequate facilitation and empowerment of vulnerable groups to ensure their effective involvement in decision-making. Dams, particularly large dams, have significant impacts on the environment and society. Consequently all stakeholders at regional, basin, national and local levels who will be impacted by dam development need to be involved in decision making. For dams on shared watercourses the stakeholders include officials of governments of the watercourse States or representatives of river basin organisations, as well as the communities who will be directly affected. - 41 -