Regulatory Frameworks for Dam Safety : A Comparative Study

by Bradlow, Daniel D.; Palmieri, Alessandro; Salman, Salman M. A.

• ISBN13: 9780821351918
• ISBN10: 0821351915
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-10-01
• Publisher: World Bank

Summary

'Regulatory Frameworks for Dam Safety' was conceived and prepared in response to growing concern over the safety of dams. Given the large number of dams around the world, the safe operation of dams has significant social, economic, and environmental relevance. A dam failure can result in extremely adverse impacts, including a large-scale loss of human life. For countries with large stocks of dams, the issue of dam safety is critical.The book examines the dam safety regulatory frameworks of 22 countries. It draws comparisons and highlights similarities among the various systems. Most important, it identifies essential elements, desirable features, and emerging trends for dam safety regulatory frameworks.The authors are leading experts in their fields. Daniel Bradlow is professor and director of the International Legal Studies Program at the Washington College of Law at American University and was a consultant to the World Commission on Dams. Alessandro Palmieri is Lead Dam Specialist in the Quality Assurance and Compliance Unit of the Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Development Vice Presidency at the World Bank. Salman Salman is Lead Counsel in the Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Development and International Law Group of the World Bank's Legal Vice Presidency and has published extensively in the area of water law.

Author Biography

Alessandro Palmieri is Lead Dam Specialist in the Quality Assurance and Compliance Unit of the Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Development Vice Presidency at the World Bank.

Table of Contents

Foreword	vii
Abstract	ix
Acknowledgments	xi
Acronyms and Abbreviations	xiii
Introduction	1	(4)
PART ONE: Country Study of Regulatory Frameworks for Dam Safety	5	(52)
Argentina	5	(1)
Australia	6	(8)
Austria	14	(1)
Brazil	15	(1)
Canada	15	(6)
China	21	(1)
Finland	22	(2)
France	24	(2)
India	26	(3)
Ireland	29	(1)
Latvia	29	(2)
Mexico	31	(1)
New Zealand	32	(2)
Norway	34	(3)
Portugal	37	(2)
Romania	39	(1)
Russian Federation	39	(1)
Republic of South Africa	40	(2)
Spain	42	(3)
Switzerland	45	(2)
United Kingdom	47	(2)
United States	49	(8)
PART TWO: Comparative Analysis of Dam Safety Regulatory Frameworks	57	(14)
The Form of the Regulation	58	(1)
The Institutional Arrangements	58	(1)
The Powers of the Regulating Authority	59	(3)
The Contents of the Regulatory Scheme	62	(9)
PART THREE: Essential Elements, Desirable Elements, and Emerging Trends for Dam Safety	71	(22)
The Essential Elements of a Regulatory Scheme	72	(13)
Elements That Would Be Desirable to Include in a Regulatory Scheme	85	(3)
Emerging Trends in Dam Safety Regulation	88	(1)
Institutional Arrangements	89	(1)
The Contents of the Regulatory Scheme	90	(3)
Conclusion	93	(4)
Appendix I: World Bank: Operational Policy 4.37 on the Safety of Dams	97	(6)
Appendix II: World Bank: Bank Procedure 4.37 on the Safety of Dams	103	(4)
Appendix III: World Bank: Bank Procedure 4.37 on the Safety of Dams, Annex A on Dam Safety Reports: Content and Timing	107	(2)
Appendix IV: Republic of South Africa, 1998 National Water Act, Chapter 12: Safety of Dams	109	(16)
Appendix V: British Columbia, Canada, Dam Safety Regulation	125	(12)
Appendix VI: Canadian Dam Association: Sample Operations, Maintenance, and Surveillance Manual	137	(16)
Appendix VII: Selected Legislation on Dam Safety and Additional Information Sources	153