KARACHI - The guidelines for Environmental Assessment of Wind Farms in the Gharo Wind Corridor are sufficient enough for environmental protection considered to be taken in this regard, The Nation has learnt. For soils and geology the normal engineering practice is to implement regular inspection and maintenance of all operational areas to ensure the proper performance of the facilities. While potential soil management issues during operation and construction phases are related to soil occupation, the activities such as the construction of site access tracks, foundation construction, ancillary works and cable trench construction and vehicle movement around the site could result in increased levels of soil degradation. Moreover, potential for soil erosion from runoff discharge points (around the substation and control building), and general erosion from runoff around the site, such as from site access tracks and parking areas. Potential for soil contamination from possible spills of chemicals used in operation and maintenance activities, such as lubricating oils within the turbines, transformer oil within the substation or paints. It also includes the slope stability which means the installation of wind turbines may require the modification of the hillside; this may affect the stability of the slopes or hillsides. According to the mitigation measures and their implementation, the development and implementation of a Restoration Plan, detailed geo-technical investigation, regular inspection of disturbed ground, particularly after rain, to ensure sediment control devices are installed/maintained, manage traffic on site to minimise the potential for dust generation and soil erosion, provision and use of appropriate containment facilities for chemical storage in control room facility building to prevent discharge to the ground, and maintenance of site tracks to prevent erosion and discharge of sediments from site. While with the implementation of the proposed mitigation measures, it is expected that the project will not have a significant impact on soil and geology. However, some disturbances within acceptable limits are likely to occur. Moreover, the residual impact is characterised in nature as direct, its duration of impact is medium-term, the timing of design is pre-construction, construction, and operation, the consequence is minor, and significance of impact is low. It also includes environmental management and monitoring system which covers information like detailed geo-technical investigation including testing for acid generating material within the bedrock, inspection of soil compaction to ensure site maintenance, inspection of soil contamination, and inspection of disturbed ground, particularly after rain, to identify any erosion problems. The assessment of Hydrology and Water quality shows that the main potential impacts of the development of wind farm projects (in absence of mitigation measures) are the introduction of sediments to the watercourses (and potentially the reservoirs) by way of sediment laden runoff from excavations and tracks, and the entry of chemical pollutants to the watercourses via spills and leaks. However, mitigation measures should be put in place during the construction and operation phases to prevent these effects from occurring. These measures include the prevention of sediment erosion and the removal of any sediment in runoff before it enters the watercourses. The devices that may be used include sediment settlement sumps and vegetative barriers. When crossing over wet areas, specially designed 'floating roads should be used to minimise the effect on its sensitive hydrological environment. A pollution incidence response plan should be implemented and chemicals should be stored in designated areas. Implementation of the appropriate mitigation measures will ensure that the wind farm development will not have significant effect on the hydrological environment and its surroundings. The construction activities and any routine operational activities should be undertaken with full regard for current best practices, which will reduce the likelihood of abnormal or accidental occurrences, as well as ensure that there are response measures in case such occurrences result like spillages. The assessment has demonstrated that the residual effects of the development on hydrology will be minimal and are not considered significant. This has been primarily achieved through the identification of sensitive features to inform the wind farm layout, in conjunction with the incorporation of appropriate mitigation measures. The mitigation measures implementation for water quantity include minimising of the creation of impervious areas through retention of existing vegetation, planting of native vegetation and use of water efficient landforms. Road to have sufficient cross-fall gradient to allow runoff into the swale drains designated as stormwater controls, and road design to incorporate a crown in the centre with 3 per cent cross-fall gradient on either side, where the swale drains would be located to collect the runoff from the road, it was further.