The overall objective of this edition of the sensitivity atlas is to:
“display, identify and provide the ability to analyse the relative environmental sensitivities(physical, biological and socio-economic) to oil spill and oil development activities within the exploration areas in the Albertine graben region of western Uganda”.
This objective was agreed upon through a consultative process involving all key stakeholders in the sector.
A concrete lined waste mud and cuttings pit at Kingfisher in Bugoma, EA 3A. (Source: Petroleum Exploration and Production Department (PEPD) 2006
The following detailed and specific objectives are derived from the overall objective. The specific objectives form the basis for modeling of the various data layers to determine the environmental sensitivities to oil development activities.
The first objective is to identify and protect:
- fragile land cover types;
- designated protected areas;
- endemic and threatened species;
- areas of high biodiversity;
- cultural, religious and historical sites;
- economic activities that could be negatively impacted by oil activities and;
- location and size of water courses.
The second objective is to:
- identify and preserve areas currently covered by vegetation but, which areas are susceptible to erosion;
- identify and locate permeable soils or areas with high ground water and shallow aquifers that could easily be contaminated by oil development activities, and also;
- identify fault lines and advise against major construction of major infrastructure such as, pipelines on fault lines. This objective also covers issues of oil spill risk reduction on lake shorelines.
- provide information to guide decision making.