Yahagi River Method Steadily Fixing in the Yahagi Basin

Abstract

Environmetal impact assessment (EIA), aiming at the environmental conservation, is penetrating into various parts of Japan, as a social system. But it contains various problems:in many cases it results in merely justifying projects and stressing safety of them, without recognizing the objective area as a whole and making allowance for the amenity of the inhabitants. An example which seems to solve these problems in its proper local characteristic shall be showed, which is called "YAHAGI RIVER METHOD". It is fixing steadily in the Yahagi basin as a social system. The substantial organization which represents and bears "YAHAGI RIVER METHOD" is "the Conference of Water Pllution Control along the Coast Yahagi River" (CWY) organized in 1964. Since the establishment, the Conference extended its activity year after year. At first it acted for the fishing association and now it plays a leading role in the resolution of the environmental problems on the local developmental projects, by adjusting opinions among inhabitants, developers and the local autonomous body.