Environmental Impact Assessment of Water Transfer Tunnel to Kerman City

Summary Kerman water transfer tunnel with north - south direction has a length of 37.5 kilometers and a diameter of 3.8 meters has been established with the aim of long - term water supply in Kerman City. Environmental impact of this tunnel is assessed using RIAM matrix approach in two ways. After examining the environmental effects of the tunnel, the most positive effects of the plan for exploitation, as well as the negative impacts on the construction phase are determined.   Introduction Kerman water transfer tunnel with north - south direction and a length of 37.5 kilometers and a diameter of 3.8 meters is very important for the purpose of long - term water supply in Kerman City. Due to the length of the tunnel track and using TBM for the tunnel excavation, and considering the negative effects of the tunnel project, it is necessary to assess the environmental impacts of the project.   Methodology and Approaches In this study, to assess the environmental impacts of Kerman water transfer tunnel, the RIAM matrix approach is used in two ways and also, the possibility of non-implementation of the project in two phases, as well as the effects of its construction and operation from the physical, chemical, biological, economic and social-cultural aspects are investigated.   Results and Conclusions After examining the environmental effects of the tunnel, the most positive effects of the plan for exploitation, as well as the negative impacts on the construction phase are determined, and then, a program is implemented for the  management and environmental monitoring of the tunnel by considering the environmental and the positive effects in short and long terms.