Urmia Lake Restoration Program Sharif University of Technology

Urmia Lake Restoration Program

Brief Report and Projects Outline

October 2015

Content

Subject Page

INTRODUCTION ...... 1 Figure 1. Changes in area of Urmia Lake (1984‐2011) ...... 2 Figure 2. , Water Level Status in May 2013 Compared to May 2015 ...... 2 1. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BASIN OF LAKE URMIA ...... 3 1-1- General Characteristics ...... 3 Figure 3. Six main basins of ...... 3 1-2- Current State of Water Resources ...... 3 Figure 4. Rivers runoff declines (%) comparing two periods: before and after crisis ...... 4 1-3- State of Water Consumption ...... 4 Figure 5. The volume of Urmia Lake water since 1963 ...... 5 1-4- Urmia Lake ...... 5 Figure 6. Area fluctuation of Urmia Lake since 1963 ...... 6 Table 1. Water Level of Urmia Lake during the last three years and Ecological Level ...... 7 Figure 7. Ecological water level of Urmia Lake ...... 7 Figure 8. Trend of well numbers within the Urmia Lake Basin for 40 years ...... 9 Figure 9. Area differences of Urmia Lake with 60cm decline of the level and Causeway situation .... 10 Figure 10. Water level of the Urmia Lake for 2012‐2015 ...... 10 1-5- Renewable Water Resources and Consumption Status in Urmia Lake Basin ...... 11 1-6- Major threats of drying Urmia Lake ...... 11 Figure 11. Possible impacts of salt dust on surrounding areas ...... 12 1-7- Urmia Lake Restoration Program (ULRP) ...... 12 Figure 12. Organizational structure of ULRP ...... 13 1-8- Phases of ULRP ...... 17 1-9- Challenges of ULRP ...... 18 1-10- Timetable for restoration of Urmia Lake ...... 19 Table 2. Water Supply Potential for Urmia Lake during ULRP ...... 19 Table 3. Urmia Lake Restoration Time Schedule up to 2023 ...... 22 1-11- Conclusion ...... 25

Urmia Lake restoration Program, Brief Report and Project Outline 1

Introduction

Urmia Lake with high brine water (now more than 450 gr/lit) and the largest lake in the Middle East and the second most saline water in the world with a surface area of approximately 5,200 km² sits northwestern Iran near borderline with Turkey. The lake is a divider of two namely East and West Azerbaijan. At its original size, it was 5200 km², 140 km length, 55 km width, and 16 m depth. The lake has been shrinking for almost 20 years and now it is about 10% of its original size. There are many reasons for the drying of the lake, mostly is damming of the rivers feeding the lake and pumping of groundwater by almost 90,000 wells within the basin of Urmia Lake. Originally, it had 102 islands. It is protected as a national park by the Department of Environment in the country. Internationally, it is a registered protected area as both a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a Ramsar site.

The Lake is home to more than 200 species of birds including flamingos, pelicans, spoonbills, ibises, storks, shelducks, avocets, stilts, and gulls. The recent drought and drying have significantly decreased the annual amount of water the lake receives. This in turn has increased the salinity (from 240 to 450 gr/lit) of the lake's water, lowering the lake viability as home to thousands of migratory birds including the large flamingo populations. By this amount of salinity, the lake no longer sustains any fish species. Nonetheless, Lake Urmia is considered a significant natural habitat of Artemia, which serve as food source for the migratory birds. In spite of having big area, it is very shallow whit an increase of annual evaporation to more than 1meter resulting in shrinking of the lake.

The government of Iran announced a national program named “Urmia Lake Restoration Program” (ULRP) looked after by a national Committee headed by first vice president to revive the lake. The monitoring and evaluation of ULRP projects implemented with different ministries and organizations of the government is given to Sharif University of Technology by the secretariat of the National Committee. In the following, there will be some detailed information regarding the Urmia Lake Basin and the ULRP.

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Figure 1. Changes in area of Urmia Lake (1984-2011)

May 2015 May 2014 May 2013

Figure 2. Lake Urmia, Water Level Status in May 2013 Compared to May 2015

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1. General Characteristics of the Basin of Lake Urmia 1-1- General Characteristics Iran has six main basins. Urmia Lake Basin located in the North-West of the country covering an area of over 50,000 sqkm2. Urmia lake, as the country’s largest in-land lake is also a significant water ecosystem. With all runoff flowing into the closed basin, proper conditions are in place to assess and control various environmental elements.

Figure 3. Six main basins of Iran 1-2- Current State of Water Resources The average precipitation as well as the number of rainy days in the basin of Lake Urmia has significantly fallen during recent years compared to previous periods on record. This, in turn has resulted in a drop in runoff and surface water inflow throughout the basin. The significant decline of the water level of the lake alongside renewable water resources reflects these events.

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Figure 4. Rivers runoff declines (%) comparing two periods: before and after crisis

1-3- State of Water Consumption Currently, the water consumption in various sectors stands at 70% of the basin’s renewable water resources, which is significantly more than the stability limit of Lake Urmia. The agricultural sector is the largest consumer with a share of 89% of total water used from renewable resources. Because of high water consumption which declines inflow into the lake, the volume of the lake has reduced immensely. Figure 5 is indicating the volume of water since 1963.

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Figure 5. The volume of Urmia Lake water since 1963 1-4- Urmia Lake Urmia, Lake, called (Daryāche-ye Urmiyeh) in local language, a salt lake in northwest Iran separating the provinces of West Azerbaijan and East Azerbaijan. It is located 1270 m above sea level, lat 37 to 38.5 N, long 45 to 46 E. It is approximately 140 km long in a north-south direction and about 85 km wide in its east-west extension with a surface area of 5,000 to 6,000 km2 verifying in wet and dry seasons. Depending on the time of observation and measurement, the height of the water table varies between 1,272 m above mean sea level to 1,280 m and the mean is 1,274 m. above sea level. While Robert Güthner (1899, p. 505) speaks of an overall basin size of “50,168 km2 , of which 4,649 km2 are at present occupied by the Lake of Urmia and its Islands”, de Macquenem speaks of only a 35,000 km2 basin size. Kaehne, on the other hand, calculates an overall size of Urmia Lake catchment area of approximately 52,500 km2, more than 13,000 km2 for the immediate lake basin, and 5,775 km2 for Lake Urmia itself. All these figures indicate the lake’s great fluctuations in time and space and its constantly changing size and depth, which is also responsible for the variations of its salt content and biogeochemistry. Figure 6 shows the area fluctuation of Urmia Lake for the last 50 years.

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Figure 6. Area fluctuation of Urmia Lake since 1963

Fluctuations of the lake’s size and oscillations of its water table are closely connected with the geographical environment of its basin. Like so many other drainage basins in Iran, Lake Urmia is the center of an internal drainage basin and distinctly separated from other basins by a high mountain environment on all sides. The overall physiography is that of an almost circular geological basin structure with the lake in its central part. As such, it receives a number of tributaries of different lengths and water-carrying intensities. The longest of them is the with a length of approximately 230 km, entering the lake from the south. The second largest is the Āji Čāy with a length of approximately 140 km. According to Ghaheri et al., a total of 21 permanent or seasonal rivers as well as 39 periodic ones discharge into the lake.

The annual average evaporation (class A pan) in the UL basin is 1500 mm, and varies between 1000 mm (at Areshtenab Meteorological Station-1950 m above sea level) and 2100 mm (at Sahlan Meteorological Station-1400 m above sea level). The evaporation varies according to the geographical conditions (Latitude and altitude), as well as distance from the Lake. Closer to the Lake, evaporation is lesser which reflects the role of the lake in humidifying the environment. The mean annual evaporation of stations around the Lake varies between 1250 (Sharafkhaneh) to 2000 () mm/yr. The mean annual evaporation from the Lake surface is estimated at around 1000 mm/yr. Due to high evaporation, the area and its level is changing frequently, resulting in the drying of the lake.

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Latest data, as of September 2015 shows 4.07 centimeters less than in ecological water level and 85% decline in Lake Urmia’s water content (Table 1 and figure 7).

Table 1. Water Level of Urmia Lake during the last three years and Ecological Level Above Sea Level (m) Date

1270.06 2015 Oct.02

1270.14 2014 Oct.02

1270.40 2013 Oct.02

1274.10 Ecological level

Figure 7. Ecological water level of Urmia Lake

Undoubtedly, since Urmia Lake is a terminal lake, feeding insufficient water to the lake is a main cause of drying. In other words, unauthorized water withdrawal and lack of environmental flow allocation were the main reasons for this crisis.

Therefore, during the last 18 years, the runoff amount feeding the lake decreased by 50% compare to its long-term recorded data (Figure 4). That is why more than 30 billion cubic meters water of the lake has been lost.

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The root cause of many complicated water problems lies at two general categories of natural and human factors.

a- Natural Factors

Drought during the last two decades decreased precipitation by 18 percent in Urmia Lake Basin (ULB) compare to its long-term data record. This led to reduction of direct flow and rivers water transmission to the lake (Figure 4).

Besides, evaporation loss rate and regional demand on water of different sectors, especially agriculture demand has increased because of annual temperature rise.

b- Human Factors

Several surveys clearly show the role of mankind on intensification of drying and unstable situation of Urmia Lake. Scientific studies on the history of Urmia Lake for more than 200 thousand years indicate that the lake had never experienced such a drying that has been occurring recently in the lake. Also, unsustainable management of water resources of the basin intensified the Urmia Lake current state. The results of professional researches show a significant reduction of basin renewable water resource (around 20%) and high rate of different sectors withdrawals from ULB resources (approximately 70%).

According to the latest analysis of resource condition and water consumption rate in the basin, total renewable water resource and use were more than 7 and 4.8 billion cubic meters respectively. However, 4.3 billion cubic meters were consumed by agriculture sector. In other words, agriculture sector used the majority of basin renewable water resource (more than 60%) which is 90% of total water consumption. Other than using surface water for agriculture purpose, there are almost 90,000 wells in the basin of which 50% are illegal. In figure 8, trend of well numbers within the Urmia Lake Basin for the last 40 years is indicated.

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Figure 8. Trend of well numbers within the Urmia Lake Basin for the last 40 years

According to Commission on Sustainable Development of UN, permissible and secured rate of renewable water resource withdrawal is between 20 to 40 percent of t, however, withdrawing more than 40 percent will result in irrecoverable risks.

The most effective human factors are as follows:

 A significant increase of irrigated farms. The total irrigated area has increased more than 200 thousand hectares during the last 35 years.

 Unbalanced development in agricultural sector; shifting farming to horticulture and also changing water-efficient crops to water-intensive crops.

 Construction of number dams in ULB; consequently, surface water withdrawal increased due to agricultural development in the basin.

 Construction of the causeway; flow cycle between northern and southern parts of the lake was disrupted (figure 9). So, sedimentation process was intensified in the lake.

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Figure 9. Area differences of Urmia Lake with 60cm decline of the level and Causeway situation

Figure 10. Water level of the Urmia Lake for 2012-2015

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1-5- Renewable Water Resources and Consumption Status in Urmia Lake Basin Approximately 70% of renewable water resources are consumed by different sectors, with the agricultural sector using a minimum 60% of total Renewable Water Resources (RWR) and 90% of total water use in the basin. This is while the admissible level of water withdrawal from RWR stands between 20 to 40%.

In order to save and restore Lake Urmia, studies necessitate significant decline in water consumption throughout the basin, provision of environmental requirements of the lake as well as water transfer to Urmia Lake.

Iran’s Ministry of Jihad-e-Agriculture along with Ministry of Energy are the government entities responsible for enforcement of the 40% water consumption decrease in the agricultural sector as a sustainable solution to address Lake Urmia crisis. The implementation of such measures leads to a 25% saving in Renewable Water Resources (RWR).

1-6- Major threats of drying Urmia Lake Experiences of other similar drying Lakes in the world reveal the upcoming threats and risks of continuous drying progression of Urmia Lake.

Undoubtedly, the consequences of this phenomenon, drying up 5000 square kilometers land is not pleasant for local dwellers. Also, the past experiences reveal the sever and horrific challenges in future. The unpleasant experience of the dried Aral Sea is a clear example of this fact.

Although no serious study has been conducted to identify the problem of drought in Urmia Lake, the major threats of drying and changing to a salt desert based on experiences and evidences are mentioned as follows:

‐ Formation of salt micro-dust and aerosols from dust sources established in dried part of the lake and adjacent salt areas

‐ Desertification and its development to agricultural and residential areas

‐ Spreading incurable diseases out ULB (ocular diseases, skin diseases, cancer, abortion, etc).

‐ Destroying of agricultural land, orchards, pastures and forest

‐ Negative impact on local livestock, husbandry and its situation

‐ Increasing local emigration especially from lake adjacent areas

‐ Intensification of regional climate changes ( temperature increase, precipitation reduction and evaporation rise)

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Ardabil

Tabriz

Ardabil

Ta br iz Urmia Rasht

zanjan Ghazvin Karaj

Sanandaj Tehran

Arak Hamedan Ghom Kermanshah

Khoramabad 100 % Ilam 75 %

50 %

Figure 11. Possible impacts of salt dust on surrounding areas

1-7- Urmia Lake Restoration Program (ULRP) Present status of Urmia Lake is the result of decades of unsustainable development in its catchment area and abnormal water withdrawal from the basin’s renewable water resources. Complex of various natural and human factors such as executing various projects on water resources development, increasing development of the agricultural sector, changing the agricultural pattern and producing high water consuming products on the basin area, low water productivity and lack of effective protection from the basin ecological and environmental resources, as well as, climate change and decreasing rate of precipitation and surface runoff all over the Urmia water basin have brought about such conditions for the largest inland lake in Iran. In other words, lack of enough water flow into the lake in the recent years resulted in an intensive trend of decreasing rate of water level and lowering its water volume.

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Worsening condition of Urmia Lake from one side and the government’s commitment to solve such national environmental crisis on the other side resulted in approving establishment of a program titled “Urmia Lake Restoration Program” in the cabinet session dated 18 August, 2013 looked after by Urmia Lake Restoration Program National Committee (ULRPNC) chaired by the first Vice president, Dr Jahangiri. Figure 12 shows the structure of ULRPNC.

ULRPNC Chairperson: Vice President Dr. Jahangiri

Secretary of ULRPNC Dr. i. Kalantari

Sharif University of Technology Secretariat of ULRP Dr. Tajrishi

Strategic Committee Social and Cultural Councils Provinces W and E Azerbaijan Planning and Resource Mobilization Unit (PRMU) Provincial Partners and Branches Budget and Monitoring University of University of Research Urmia

Economic Dept. ULRP Branch ULRP Branch E. Azerbaijan W. Azerbaijan Social Dept.

International Affairs Dept.

Figure 12. Organizational structure of ULRP

Following such program establishment, the Ministry of Energy held various professional and technical sessions and workshops, as well as, professional meetings on “executive strategies to save Urmia Lake” in Tehran University, September, 2013 which resulted as the approval of 19 prioritized projects to solve the problem of Urmia Lake. These 19 projects were approved in the program of saving Urmia Lake in the meeting dated 8 October 2013 which was eventually discussed and approved in the cabinet on 9 October 2013 for which the Minister of Energy took the responsibility to coordinate and lead the execution of Urmia Lake Restoration Program.

Considering the environment critical conditions relevant to the drying of Urmia Lake and considerable decrease of water level and volume, as well as, enhancing and focusing on the

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actions related to Urmia Lake restoration, the cabinet held a meeting on 22nd January 2014 to establish “National Staff of Urmia Lake Restoration Program” based on principal 138 of the constitutional law on which Dr. Isa Kalantari, as the staff secretary and executor of the project was elected and approved.

Accordingly, Urmia Lake Restoration Program (ULRP) as a national program to rescue Urmia Lake with the following mandates was launched by ULRNC:

‐ A better understanding of the exact dimensions of the Urmia Lake crisis including effective factors on emerging crisis, the current situation and possible circumstance of the lake in future.

‐ Evaluating of ecological, geological, environmental, economical, social, climatic and hydrological aspects and issues related to Urmia Lake.

‐ Getting participation and cooperation of all relevant organizations, institution and utilizing their expertise and professional opinions.

‐ Applying collective intelligence and contribution of national and international professionals, specialists, experts, scholars and so on.

‐ Seeking the participation of local authorities in synchronization and synergy of actions considering achieving one goal "Rescue of Urmia Lake ".

‐ Doing efforts to make the public participation to restore and improve the present situation of the Lake through public awareness and changing Urmia Lake crisis to a "public concern".

‐ Developing the roadmap and action plan for the restoration of Urmia Lake.

ULRP Committee started its activity to develop a roadmap and action plan for Urmia Lake Restoration Program by establishing a Planning and Resource Mobilization Unit (PRMU) at Sharif University of Technology and in collaboration with Tabriz and Urmia universities and professionals from other universities, national specialized organizations, local and international experts.

First of all, ULRP set up 6 technical Committees and 20 work teams and conducted survey on similar lakes of the world. Also, it reviewed the 19 programs road map and action plan prepared by the pervious national team.

The road map was discussed and approved in two meetings of ULRNC of which the first meeting was headed by First Vice President and the second one was headed by President Dr. Hassan Rouhani. Also, the necessity orders were issued to start implementation of approved action plan by him. It was decided that the all projects will be implemented by the concerned

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institutions and organizations while ULRNC undertakes only Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E).

To do M&E continuously, ULRP head office and two provincial sub-offices were established. ULRP took initiative to establish local Socio-cultural councils and utilized scientific and technological capacities of universities, especially the University of Urmia and University of Tabriz located in Urmia Lake Basin. According to the roadmap and timetable, ULRP was approved as a ten-year program including three phases of stabilizing the current status, restoration and sustainable restoration. It is a hope that the program can achieve the objective within ten years to revive the Lake.

As a roadmap, ULRP proposed six approaches in terms of controlling, protecting, surveying, implementing software and hardware projects and supplying water from other sources to ULRNC and Cabinet. The roadmap was approved and announced to the entire relevant executive institutions in format of 6 packages as follows:

I. Control and reduction of water consumption in agricultural sector

‐ Reduction of 40% allocated ground and surface water to the farmers through direct purchasing system by Ministry of Energy in five-year period.

‐ Planning for enhancing the productivity of the 60% left water in agriculture sector by Ministry of Jihad-e-Agriculture.

‐ Allocating funds and supplying required technologies by government to increase efficiency of remained water usage.

II. Control and reduction withdrawal of surface and groundwater resources in Urmia Lake Basin (ULB)

‐ Prevention of increasing water consumption and new projects development, especially in agricultural sector (no new water allocations)

‐ Prevention of unauthorized surface water withdrawal

‐ No new dam construction projects (except Cheraghveis and Shahid Madani dams), no new irrigation and water supply network in ULB and storage of water in Madani Dam’s reservoir exclusively for the purpose of releasing it to Urmia Lake.

‐ Improving the current condition of wells in ULB throughout installation of smart water volume counter to record and monitor withdrawal amount (in order to increase the river flow recharge to the lake)

‐ Performing the necessary coordination with the judiciary in order to facilitate and accelerate the implementation of the law for illegal wells, particularly wells affecting surface water condition

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III. Initiatives on Protection and mitigation of negative impacts

‐ Identification of dust source and stabilizing them

‐ Studying and implementation of ecological protection program in Urmia National Park following environmental concerns

‐ Identifying effective factors on feeding major rivers leading to the lake through watershed management in order to increase recharge rate from rivers to the lake

‐ Establishment of Urmia Lake Research Center by Department of Environment

‐ Finding out the vulnerability of health, hygienic, social and environmental problems caused by Urmia Lake dry up, preparation and implementation of prevention programs reducing and preventing the likelihood risk effects

‐ Preparation of productive programs increasing alternative employment and livelihood by relevant organization

‐ Identification of halophyte species adopting well with ULB circumstances and preparation of program in order to planting selected species in the salt marshes area around the Urmia Lake

IV. Studies and software measures

‐ Development and implementation of comprehensive training program, capacity building, awareness, and getting public and local community participation in order to illustrating the consequences of the current critical situation and the necessity of reviving Urmia Lake.

‐ Conducting cadastral survey for ULB Lands

‐ Design and implementation of a comprehensive decision support system in ULB

‐ Study and evaluation of Shahid Kalantary causeway effects on Urmia Lake ecosystem and providing constructive solutions.

‐ The feasibility study on Urmia Lake salt industrial utilization considering environment aspects

‐ Feasibility study on new technologies application especially for irrigation for the sake of Urmia Lake restoration.

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V. Facilitate and increase of the water volume entering to the Lake throughout structural measures ‐ Water transfer from rivers to the lake

‐ Water transfer from Hasanloo Dam to islands and wetlands located in borders of Urmia Lake and opening the path of waterways feeding southern wetlands.

VI. Water Supply from new water resources

‐ Appropriation of required funds and acceleration of transferring water from Zab river to ULB

‐ Priority in implementing of Silveh Dam water transfer project

‐ transfer of ULB treated wastewater into Urmia lake

‐ study of water transfer project from to the Urmia Lake

In addition, according to approval of ULRNC, the executive agencies are responsible to implement the approved projects and ULRP committee is only responsible to monitor the implementation process of those projects.

1-8- Phases of ULRP After conducting the necessary studies and approving the restoration plan, according to the approved schedule, Urmia lake restoration plan includes three main phases over a ten-year period. The three phases are:

1. Stabilization Phase (2014-2016): (main objectives)

a. stabilization of the Urmia Lake water level b. implementation of projects to decrease possible negative effects of dried Urmia Lake

2. The Urmia Lake Restoration phase (2017-2022): The purpose of this phase is implementation of solutions supplying entire lake water demand and gradually increasing the lake level.

3. Final restoration phase (2023): the expected purpose of this phase is the sustainability of restoration actions and establishment of required enforcement for final restoration and stabilization of revived condition.

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1-9- Challenges of ULRP Undoubtedly, one of the most important concerning issues in agricultural sector is the low efficiency of water consumption all across the country. Also, surveys indicate that the low efficiency of irrigation water happens in ULB, the same as other parts of the country.

Based on the 2006 national census, although the agricultural sector was consuming almost 90 percent of the total used water of the basin, it shared only 15 % of ULB Gross Domestic Production. Therefore, the promotion of water efficiency and reduction of 40% water consumption within 5 years in agriculture sector are the most important mandates of ULRP.

According to these mandates and conducting some field studies, it was approved to design, invest and implement some projects to utilize new irrigation technologies in order to improve the efficiency of water being consumed by farmers,.

Experiences of similar lake revival projects in many countries clearly represent efficiency of this approach and the necessity of fundamental improvement in water management system especially in ULB agriculture sector.

Also, it is worth to mention, protection of the farmers livelihood and circumstance have been the main concerns of Urmia Lake Restoration National Committee. In this regard, two programs such as "Job Opportunity Promotion Plan" and "Alternative Livelihood Scheme" have been considered.

It is hope that the implementation of these decisions and further ones particularly allocating fund in order to improve agricultural technology of ULB can not only reduce water consumption but also improve farmers’ livelihood condition.

Another important point is that if ULRP fails to save the Lake then the drying process will continue so that agriculture disappears in the basin. This is a very great challenge which happened in Aral Sea and as a result, all the farms near to the Aral Sea dried.

Local Communities Participations:

Worth to note, all ULB residents especially local dwellers are the main beneficiary of ULRP.

Although there were some challenges against reviving of Urmia Lake, according to the people’s intention and determination to save Urmia Lake, contribution of all stakeholder particularly local residents is an essential parameter supporting implementation of Urmia Lake rescue program successfully.

So, it is expected from all stakeholders especially agricultural sector not only to participate effectively in implementation of programs but also to cooperate completely on decreasing the volume of agricultural water consumption and supplying the lake water right.

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For example, participation of the local communities at the first quarter of 2015 on stabilizing dust and salt particles sources and stopping desertification is a successful cooperation of local people in reviving Urmia Lake.

Continuous and regular monitoring on implementation process especially in important issues such as preventing any development in agricultural sector, illegal withdrawal of groundwater and surface water and also adopting new agricultural technology. In this regard, restoration program needs two cooperation from local people e.g. people participations in the program on reducing water consumption, applying new technology and also being self motivated inspector to monitor and report illegal practices. In this regard, public awareness and strengthening of all stakeholders especially local people should be considered by responsible agencies.

1-10- Timetable for restoration of Urmia Lake The restoration process of Lake Urmia is to be implemented through increasing the inflow to Lake Urmia by reducing the water use in agricultural sector as well as the conveyance loss and seepage. Table 2 is indicating water supply potential from different resources by ULRP projects during implementation ULRP.

Table 2. Water Supply Potential for Urmia Lake during ULRP Annual Volume of Water Water Source Description Transfer To Lake (MCM) Current Volume of Water Net Water Inflow Volume to Transfer to the Lake from 1500 the Lake’s Water Body Rivers Water Transfer Project from 600 Water Resources Outside Zab River Basin Water Transfer Project from 5th 190 Lavin River (Silveh Dam) 3th 90 Unconventional Water Basin Seepage 300 Resources From Surface Savings in Water 970 Agricultural Resources Reducing the Water Water Use From Ground 370 Consumption in (40%) Water Resources Agricultural Sector Year One: 150 Releasing Water Storage of Year Two: 200 Dams Year Three: 250 Reducing the Water Loss Water Transfer to Lake’s 250 in the Lake’s Buffer Zone Body of Water

Following such approval, the program has formally started and approached the activities as follows:

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‐ Better analysis of Urmia Lake crisis dimensions such as effective factors originating such crisis, as well as present and future conditions of the lake; ‐ Attracting participation and cooperation of all responsible and relevant organizations and authorities to benefit from their professional and expertise view-points; ‐ Benefiting from know-how and participatory contributions of university professors, professionals, experts and researchers internally and externally; ‐ Emphasizing on the participation of local authorities in numerous and concordant activities to fulfill the Urmia Lake Restoration Program objectives; ‐ Attempting to create the public and comprehensive determination and participation through informative mass media to restore Urmia Lake, to improve its present condition and to observe it as “a public challenge”; ‐ Compiling the road-map of Urmia lake restoration.

Urmia Lake Restoration Program established 6 professional committees, 20 various professional work-teams, carried out comparative studies (e.g. studied strategies already made on similar challenges in the world) and established regional councils to start its activities through professional, scientific and participatory approach to prepare a road-map and to execute a comprehensive strategy harmonized with Urmia lake restoration.

Results of the expertise studies illustrate considerable decrease of the renewable water resources (about 20%) on one hand and 70% withdrawal of these resources by various sectors in the basin area on the other hand. At the present time, the total renewable water resources of the basin is about 7 billion cubic meters, while the total water uses is around 4.83 billion cubic meters of which 4.3 billion cubic meters is used in the agricultural sector, that is, the agricultural sector uses more than 60% of the whole renewable water resources and about 90% of the basin withdrawals. According to the United Nations Sustainable Development Index, the secure acceptable renewable water resources withdrawal should be between 20 to 40 percent.

Therefore, the data illustrated that the water withdrawal rate from the renewable resources of Urmia’s water basin, is at least 30% more than the acceptable range level. Such trend in the past years has seriously affected the sustainability of this water basin. Urmia’s present situation very well reveals such instability. In case such trend continues, not only the remaining life shall be perished, but the Urmia Lake water basin ecosystem shall be intensely stressed as well.

Considering the climate change interaction of the region and the lake, this problem is really important. The present evidences illustrate the changes in the basins region climate parameters especially in the rate of temperature and precipitation.

In 7 June 2014, the Urmia Lake's water level was about 1270.6 meters which illustrated a balance decrease of 3.5 meters compared with the lake ecological balance. Considering the

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decreasing trend of the lake balance and the urgent requirement of supplying water not only to stabilize the present situation but also to increase the level and volume of the lake water, Urmia Lake Restoration Program, has planned the strategy of increasing water inflow to the lake through decreasing water uses in the basin agricultural sector, as well as, minimizing the water losses through the water conveyance course to the lake water body be followed up as pivotal activities to restore Urmia Lake.

Therefore, approaching such trends plus the required coordination with the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Jihad-Agriculture, the staff has defined the required projects and presented them to be executed. It is noteworthy that using international experiences, especially the experience of Aral Sea restoration, are good enough to reveal that, by using the internal basin water resources, as well as, doing the needed activities and steps for increasing water productivity all over the basin area and securing environmental water rights for users of the lake water, the program can achieve its goal on the revival of the Urmia Lake basin. The other important point is that the Urmia Lake restoration is a time-taking approach. Executing the required strategies to revive and restore the lake to its natural ecological balance at least takes 10 years. The predicted schedule to restore Urmia Lake up to year 2024 is illustrated in Table 3.

According to the program studies, water supply volume for restoring the lake up to the year 2022 is illustrated in Table 4. It is noteworthy to take the required actions to supply more water for Urmia Lake to fulfill the planned objective. For decreasing the period of two years from the planned time-schedule of Urmia Lake restoration up to the year 2024, actions to be carried out are as follows:

‐ More volume of water conveyance to the water body and further decrease of water losses; ‐ Increasing the volume of water conveyance from River to Urmia Lake; ‐ Decreasing the agricultural water consumption trend from 8% to 10% per year; ‐ Continue water releasing from the dams up to the year 2019.

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Table 3. Urmia Lake Restoration Time Schedule up to 2023 Status 1st phase 2nd phase 3rd phase stabilizing current Urmia Lake Restoration Period Final Restoration condition

Year 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

Natural inflow of the 1800

rivers 1500 1500 1500 1500 1500 1550 1600 1650 1700

Water transfer from 600 600 600 600 600 Zab river Water transfer from 190 190 190 190 190 90 90 90 Silveh Dam Treated wastewater 100 200 250 300 300 300 transfer Water transfer to the 150 200 250 250 250 250 250 250 250 250 lake water‐body

40% water saving in (MCM)

the agricultural sector 227 450 800 (8% per year) 1070 1340 1340 1340 1340 1340 Supply Water release from the 150 200 250 dams (MCM)

Water Total water runoff to

the lake (MCM/yr) 1800 2127 2640 2740 3110 4130 4230 4230 4280 4380

Evaporation (MCM/yr) 1035 1415 1663 1907 2042 2196 2459 2626 2762 2845

Final restored volume

(MCM) 2453 3164 4141 4974 6042 7976 9747 11351 12869 14403

Final water covered 2072 2435 2792 2990 3215 3600 3845 4044 4166

area of the lake (km2) 4331`

Sea Level of the lake

(m) 1270.6 1270.9 1271.3 1271.5 1271.9 1272.4 1272.9 1273.3 1273.7 1274.1

Urmia Lake restoration Program, Brief Report and Project Outline 23

On the whole, the program has defined its mission as Urmia Lake Restoration and according to the professional and expertise studies, it has chosen its outlook in 2014, to be retrogression of the lake to its ecological balance. Following its mission, the program has established an operative plan to fulfill the outlook of Urmia lake restoration, with 26 required strategies of which 18 are executive and 9 are study strategies of which 14 strategies were approved in the meeting held by National Working Group of saving Urmia lake on 29 April 2014, which was issued to the working group members in the letter ref. 18171 dated 18 May 2014 by the honorable first deputy of president. The other 12 strategies were discussed in the meeting held by the working group and approved in 29 June 2014. It was also suggested that proper strategies be studied by the staff and the relevant entities. Such strategies are as follows:

1. The approved strategies in the meeting held on 29 April 2014 by the National Working Group of Saving Urmia Lake are as follows: a. Executive Strategies: i. Prohibition of any kind of additional withdrawal from the basin water resources and prevention of new development especially in the agricultural sector; ii. Preventing unpermitted withdrawal from the surface waters; iii. Stopping all the dam construction projects under study and under operation (except for shahid Madani and Cheragh-veis Dams), as well as, downstream irrigation and Drainage projects in Urmia lake water basin and water reservoir and release in Shahid Madani Dam, exclusively for Urmia Lake; iv. Securing the required budget and enhancing water conveyance project from the Zab river to flow into the Urmia Lake Water Basin; v. Establishing and executing the comprehensive education plan, informing and awakening procedures, as well as, absorbing public and local communities participation to highlight the results of the present situation and the importance of Urmia Lake Restoration; vi. Setting the affairs relevant to the Urmia Lake water basin and installing smart and volumetric meter to control water withdrawal in line with increasing river water inflow into the Urmia Lake; vii. Monitoring to decrease the agricultural sector water consumption: o Decreasing 40% ground and surface water rights, being purchased by the Ministry of Energy in two years; o Decreasing and performing the productivity increase plan on the 60% remaining water in the agricultural sector by the Ministry of Jihad-Agriculture; o Supplying the required capital and technologies to increase the productivity of the remained water by the government;

Urmia Lake restoration Program, Brief Report and Project Outline 24

viii. Conveying water to the islands and wetlands in the basin of Urmia Lake from Hasaan-lue Dam and re-opening the water inflow courses to the southern wetlands; ix. Preparing the Urmia Lake water basin cadaster areas; x. Executing the approved projects by the executive entities, as well as, monitoring and supervising the project’s execution by the Urmia Lake Restoration Program. b. Feasibility study strategies: i. Designing and settling the comprehensive management of decision support system of Urmia Lake water basin; ii. Studying and analyzing the Shahid Kalantari causeway on Urmia lake and presenting reforming strategies; iii. Assessing and feasibility study on industrial productivity of Urmia lake minerals by considering environmental issues. 2. Approved strategies in the meeting dated 29 June 2014 by Urmia Lake Restoration Program: a. Strategies to be done: i. Water conveyance of the river to the lake water body; ii. Reconnaissance of center’s producing tiny dusts to be stabilized; iii. Studying and executing ecological protection project of Urmia Lake national park prioritizing its southern region; iv. Performing the required coordination with the judiciary power to facilitate and enhance the execution of the law on the water-wells lacking permission, especially the ones effective on surface water; v. Reconnaissance of the area limits effective on the main aquifers conveying water to the Urmia lake; vi. Enhancing the execution of water conveyance from Aras River at the vicinity of West Azerbaijan exclusively from Urmia Lake according to the allocation approval of the Ministry of Energy; vii. Establishing Research Centre for the future of Urmia Lake by the Environment Protection Organization. b. Study strategies: i. Pathology of health, hygienic, social and environmental effects resulted from partial drying of Urmia lake, preparing the executing preventive project to decrease potential risky effects; ii. Preparing a program for increasing employment and sustainable way of living by the relevant entities; iii. Feasible study of using modern technology appropriate with Urmia lake restoration; iv. Studying the project of water conveyance from the Caspian sea to Urmia lake;

Urmia Lake restoration Program, Brief Report and Project Outline 25

v. Reconnaissance of halo culture, sustainable use of saline soil and water resources suitable for the flora of the region around Urmia Lake. 3. Strategies proposed but not approved yet: a. Stopping cultivation in shallow areas of Nowruz-Lu diversion dam and Zarrineh-rud junction to Simineh-rud areas for 3 years and paying compensatory remunerations to the farmers b. The Urmia Lake Restoration Program has already established relevant program along with the required coordination and meeting with the managers, and experts of the responsible authorities. This comprehensive program includes the required projects, the executing entity of each project, the needed budget (the title of the existing budget, and assessment of the future required budget).

1-11- Conclusion 1. The average precipitation throughout the basin has fallen by 18% (i.e. 68 mm) during recent years. 2. The average runoff inflow to Lake Urmia has decreased by 50% (i.e. 2500 MCM). 3. The volume of Renewable Water Resources (RWR) has dropped to 21% (i.e. 1850 MCM). 4. Presently, the renewable water use stands at 70%, which is significantly higher than the sustainable limit of the basin. 5. Reducing 40% water use in the agricultural sector results in 45% saving in RWR that in long term would lead to return of sustainability to the basin and eventually lake revitalization. 6. Releasing water storage of dams as well as decreasing the agricultural water use can remedy or to some extent address the critical status of the lake in short-term.

7. Implementation of various programs especially reducing water consumption, transferring water from Zab River and unconventional use require a minimum of ten years for the restoration process of Lake Urmia to reach the sustainable ecological level.

8. Projects: 88 projects are being implemented currently in the basin of which 11 are being studied. Most of the programs are addressing high efficiency of irrigation water, reducing water consumption in agriculture, transferring water from other rivers, discussing on importing water from other countries, construction wastewater treatment plant to use treated water for the lake, stabilizing of salt and dust sources to halt upcoming salt storms, preventing illegal use of water, people participation in different projects especially on changing crop pattern, applying new technology of irrigation such as drip irrigation.

Urmia Lake restoration Program, Brief Report and Project Outline 26

9. Wells: there are almost 90,000 wells in the basin of which 50% are illegal. Some projects are approved to monitor the wells operation like closing illegal wells, installing digital water meter or smart water counter for each well to monitor pumped water and accumulating different wells feeding small farms to one well.

10. Aerosols and salt dust: one of the immediate disasters emerging from dried lake is salt particles in the air affecting local people's health and covering agricultural farm, rivers and dams. Up to now, 6 sources of salt particle from storms have been identified. Some projects like plantation of locally adapted halophytes, applying Mulch over the sources, sprinkling water over the salt left from lake, and so on have been suggested.

For detail, please contact [email protected] or visit our website http://ulrp.sharif.ir/en

Urmia Lake restoration Program, Brief Report and Project Outline 27

Annex-I

Outline of projects of Urmia Lake Restoration and budget for fiscal year 2015-2016 (USD)

Total budget for

# Description of SL No. Approved Action Plan Project Title fiscal year 2015‐16 Responsible Organization Activities in 2015 (USD) Plan Action

Organizing and equipping surface 1 20 teams 500,000 East Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority water monitoring team

2 Research and Monitoring Services ‐ 117,000 East Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority

Equipping delivery points with the 3 appropriate tools for measuring and 76 units 1,270,000 East Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority controlling water flow

Feasibility studying and establishing 4 Hydrometer station to record and ‐ 334,000 East Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority monitor the water runoff to the lake Prevent unauthorized withdrawals 5 1 Monitoring and inspection team (unit) 30 teams 750,000 West Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority from surface water 6 Studying Zarrineh River Plain 334,000 West Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority

Completing and Equipping the 7 network with appropriate monitoring 306 items 2,833,000 West Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority tools

Feasibility studying and establishing 8 Hydrometer station to record and 38 station, 75 wells 667,000 West Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority monitor the water runoff to the lake

Irrigation and Drainage network of 9 500,000 West Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority Zarrineh River

Urmia Lake restoration Program, Brief Report and Project Outline 28

Total budget for

# Description of SL No. Approved Action Plan Project Title fiscal year 2015‐16 Responsible Organization Activities in 2015 (USD) Plan Action

Organizing and equipping surface 10 6 teams 150,000 Kurdistan Regional Water Authority water monitoring team

11 Construction of Silveh Dam Check out operations 85,333,000 West Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority Allocating required fund and fast‐ tracking the implementation of Transferring Water from Silveh Dam 12 2 Check out operations 11,333,000 West Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority the plan to transfer water from to Kani‐resh River Zab River to Lake Urmia basin Transferring water from Zab River to Iranian Water and Water Resources 13 100,433,000 Lake Urmia Basin Development Co.

14 Develop and implement an Public information and awareness Within the Basin 3,667,000 Governing Office education, information and public 15 awareness comprehensive Public information and awareness Within the Basin 2,667,000 Governing Office program and local communities 3 16 involvement in order to Public information and awareness Within the Basin 333,000 Governing Office communicate the current situation Developing of CEPA integrated 17 and the importance of the lake 667,000 Department of Environment Program restoration

Organizing and equipping ground 18 20 teams 500,000 East Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority water monitoring and inspection team Inventory of Lake Urmia Basin wells and installing smart meters Purchasing and Installing smart 19 4 to control withdrawal in order to meters on electronically‐operated 1000 wells 2,000,000 East Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority increase rivers’ inflow to Lake wells Urmia Installing existing smart meters on 20 600 400,000 East Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority electronically‐operated wells

Urmia Lake restoration Program, Brief Report and Project Outline 29

Total budget for

# Description of SL No. Approved Action Plan Project Title fiscal year 2015‐16 Responsible Organization Activities in 2015 (USD) Plan Action

Equipping wells with electricity and 21 200 667,000 East Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority installing smart meters

Equipping diesel wells with volume 22 1500 500,000 East Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority counter

Organizing and equipping ground 23 40 teams 1,000,000 West Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority water monitoring team

Equipping wells with electricity and 24 300 1,000,000 installing smart meters West Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority

Purchasing and Installing smart 25 meters on electronically‐operated 1000 2,000,000 wells West Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority

Organizing and equipping ground 26 6 150,000 Kurdistan Regional Water Authority water monitoring and inspection team

Equipping the surface water 27 25 stations 334,000 Kurdistan Regional Water Authority measurement network

Purchasing and Installing smart 28 meters on electronically‐operated 100 200,000 Kurdistan Regional Water Authority wells

Second Wastewater treatment plant 29 Transferring treated wastewater 5,000,000 Kurdistan Regional Water authority of Saq‐qez Town 5 from Lake Urmia Basin water treatment plants to the lake 30 Consultation fee 100,000 East Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority Feasibility study of treated

Urmia Lake restoration Program, Brief Report and Project Outline 30

Total budget for

# Description of SL No. Approved Action Plan Project Title fiscal year 2015‐16 Responsible Organization Activities in 2015 (USD) Plan Action

wasterwater of to the lake

Transferring treated wastewater from 31 Treatment plant to the 833,000 East Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority Urmia Lake

Transferring treated wastewater from 30 Km treated 32 Tabriz Treatment plant to the Urmia 13,333,000 East Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority wastewater pipeline Lake

Feasibility Study and construction of Tabriz Installing Wastewater collection 33 Wastewater 46,667,000 East Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority network and devices of Tabriz treatment plant, purchasing power and

Installing Wastewater collection 34 ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ 5,000,000 West Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority network and devices of Azar Shahr

One pump station, 1.5 Installing Wastewater collection Km treated 35 network and devices of Golman town‐ wastewater and one 5,274,000 West Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority Urmia treatment plant (cap. 3 M3)

43% of Plant and 100 Installing Wastewater collection 36 Km wastewater 16,800,000 West Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority network and devices of Urmia collection pipeline

Installing Wastewater collection 13 Km wastewater 37 1,333,000 West Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority network and devices of Shahin Dezh collection pipeline

Urmia Lake restoration Program, Brief Report and Project Outline 31

Total budget for

# Description of SL No. Approved Action Plan Project Title fiscal year 2015‐16 Responsible Organization Activities in 2015 (USD) Plan Action

100% of Plant and 39 Installing Wastewater collection 38 Km wastewater 5,600,000 West Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority network and devices of Naghadeh collection pipeline

3 Km Transfer treated wastewater pipeline Installing Wastewater collection 39 and 21.5 Km 2,627,000 West Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority network and devices of Bookan wastewater collection pipeline

40% of Plant and 43 Installing Wastewater collection 40 Km wastewater 1,320,000 West Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority network and devices of Mahabad collection pipeline

20% of Plant, 3 Km Installing Wastewater collection Transfer pipeline and 41 3,160,000 West Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority network and devices of 20 Km collection pipeline

29% of Plant, 3 Km Transfer treated Installing Wastewater collection wastewater pipeline 42 7,300,000 West Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority network and devices of Miando‐Ab and 43 Km wastewater collection pipeline

Design and implementation of 43 3600 ha 9,600,000 East Azerbaijan Agricultural Org. Control and reduce water use in pressurized drip‐irrigation systems 6 agricultural sector 44 Design and implementation of 4400 ha 9,094,000 East Azerbaijan Agricultural Org. pressurized sprinkler‐irrigation

Urmia Lake restoration Program, Brief Report and Project Outline 32

Total budget for

# Description of SL No. Approved Action Plan Project Title fiscal year 2015‐16 Responsible Organization Activities in 2015 (USD) Plan Action

systems

Design and implantation of pipeline 45 600 km 18,400,000 East Azerbaijan Agricultural Org. water transfer

Design and implementation of sub‐ 46 2540 ha 10,160,000 East Azerbaijan Agricultural Org. main irrigation and drainage network

Design and implementation of sub‐ 47 2500 ha 10,000,000 East Azerbaijan Agricultural Org. main irrigation and drainage network

Design and implementation of 48 7600 ha 20,266,000 West Azerbaijan Agricultural Org. pressurized drip‐irrigation systems

Design and implementation of 49 pressurized sprinkler‐irrigation 9400 ha 19,427,000 West Azerbaijan Agricultural Org. systems

Design and implementation for water 50 700 km 21,467,000 West Azerbaijan Agricultural Org. transfer by pipeline

Design and implementation of sub‐ 51 930 ha 4,334,000 West Azerbaijan Agricultural Org. main irrigation and drainage network

Design and implementation of sub‐ 52 6 000 ha 28,000,000 West Azerbaijan Agricultural Org. main irrigation and drainage network

Design and implementation of 53 900 ha 2,400,000 Kurdistan Agricultural Org. pressurized drip‐irrigation systems

54 Design and implementation of 600 ha 1,240,000 Kurdistan Agricultural Org. pressurized sprinkler‐irrigation

Urmia Lake restoration Program, Brief Report and Project Outline 33

Total budget for

# Description of SL No. Approved Action Plan Project Title fiscal year 2015‐16 Responsible Organization Activities in 2015 (USD) Plan Action

systems

Design and implementation for water 55 70 ha 2,147,000 Kurdistan Agricultural Org. transfer by pipeline

Study and production of less water 56 167,000 Ministry of Jihad‐e‐ Agriculture. demand seed varieties

Study on implementation of cabinet 57 approved strategy to reduce 40% of 2,867,000 West Azerbaijan Agricultural Org. water usage in Agriculture sector

Modifying the water allocation licenses from ground and surface 58 5700 lit/s 66,667,000 Ministry of Energy water of users (users will be paid if allocation amount is reduced)

Transferring water to nearby Lake Transferring water to nearby Lake Urmia islands and wetlands Urmia islands and wetlands through 59 7 through Hasanloo Dam and ‐ 667,000 Department of Environment Hasanloo Dam and reopening the reopening the inflow gateways to inflow channel south wetland

Map interpretation and land cadaster Whole basing within 60 333,000 Kurdistan Agricultural Org. operation within Lake Urmia Basin Kurdistan province

8 Mapping Urmia Lake Basin Land Whole basing within Map interpretation and land cadaster 61 Cadaster west Azerbaijan 2,000,000 West Azerbaijan Agricultural Org. operation within Lake Urmia Basin province

62 1,667,000 East Azerbaijan Agricultural Org. Map interpretation and land cadaster

Urmia Lake restoration Program, Brief Report and Project Outline 34

Total budget for

# Description of SL No. Approved Action Plan Project Title fiscal year 2015‐16 Responsible Organization Activities in 2015 (USD) Plan Action

operation within Lake Urmia Basin

Digital Aerial Imagery from 63 agricultural Lands within Urmia Lake 4,000,000 Ministry of Jihad‐e‐ Agriculture Basin and creating Data Bank

Study and assessment of Shahid Kalantari causeway impact on Including study and presenting 64 9 Lake Urmia ecosystem and 333,000 Department of Environment executive plans provision of solutions to address the negative aspects

Assessing the feasibility of Assessing and studying solution for industrial utilization of Lake Urmia utilization of Lake Urmia salts with 65 10 1,333,000 Geological Survey of Iran salts, considering environmental environmental considerations in line

considerations with restoration of the lake

Dredging and re‐opening inflow rivers 66 667,000 East Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority of East Azerbaijan to Lake Urmia

Dredging and re‐opening Aji‐Chay 67 3,333,000 East Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority River canals``‐ Transferring water through rivers 11 to the Urmia lake water body Renovation of RP including lining 200m Renovation and reconstruction of and setting up 20 68 Zarrineh River network within East 4,167,000 East Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority hydro‐mechanical Azerbaijan installations and ponds

Urmia Lake restoration Program, Brief Report and Project Outline 35

Total budget for

# Description of SL No. Approved Action Plan Project Title fiscal year 2015‐16 Responsible Organization Activities in 2015 (USD) Plan Action

Nazloo River, Shahar Dredging and re‐opening inflow rivers 69 River, Barandooz River 1,000.000 West Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority of West Azerbaijan to Lake Urmia and Rozeh River

Dredging natural drainage of Reopening of the 70 connection place of Zarrineh River to canals to Simineh 2,000,000 West Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority Simineh River River

Bank construction for sides of Bank construction for 71 1,033,000 West Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority Zarrineh River sides of Zarrineh River

Bookan Dam, Renovation and reconstruction of Noroozloo dike, an 72 4,167,000 West Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority Dams and water reservoirs modification of RP canal

Dredging and maintaining 73 2 km 1,000,000 Kurdistan Regional Water Authority River

Long‐term water supply to Saghez 74 4,667,000 Kurdistan Regional Water Authority town

75 Completion of Cheragh‐Veis Dam Completion 1,833,000 Kurdistan Regional Water Authority

Identification and remedy of tiny Identification and stabilizing of Forests, Range and Watershed Management 76 12 dusts sources (out of Urmia Lake 7,000 ha 11,667,000 dusts’ sources Organization territory)

Urmia Lake restoration Program, Brief Report and Project Outline 36

Total budget for

# Description of SL No. Approved Action Plan Project Title fiscal year 2015‐16 Responsible Organization Activities in 2015 (USD) Plan Action

Identification and remedy of tiny 77 dusts sources (within Urmia Lake 5,000,000 Department of Environment territory)

Expanding Halophyte plants especially Biotechnology Research Center, Ministry of 78 867,000 Salicornia species Jihad‐e‐Agriculture

Protecting the territory of the lake and Preventing to farrow illegally, preparing and implementation of Study and implementation of Lake management plan for wild life of the 79 13 Urmia National Park ecological ‐ 3,333,000 Department of Environment lake, preparing and implementation reserve, prioritizing its south area of management plan for keeping plantation of the islands and surroundings

Fast‐track the project of transferring water from the Aras Research and 80 14 River to Lake Urmia’s west Transferring water from Aras implementation of the 1,333,000 Ministry of Energy Azerbaijan for exclusive purpose Basin Plan of serving the Lake

Study the plan to transfer water Study the plan to transfer water from 81 15 Study 467,000 Ministry of Energy from Caspian Sea to Lake Urmia Caspian Sea to Lake Urmia

82 M & E 3,168,000 Urmia Lake Restoration Program committee monitoring and evaluation of the 16 implemented projects approved Study and design for the Urmia Lake 83 by engaged organizations 3,667,000 Urmia Lake Restoration Program committee restoration Plan

84 17 Designing and installing Decision Designing and installing Decision 667,000 Support System for integrated Support System for integrated

Urmia Lake restoration Program, Brief Report and Project Outline 37

Total budget for

# Description of SL No. Approved Action Plan Project Title fiscal year 2015‐16 Responsible Organization Activities in 2015 (USD) Plan Action

management of Urmia Lake Basin management of Urmia Lake Basin

Pathological effects on health, Pathological effects on health, environmental and social issues environmental and social issues arising from the drying of the lake, arising from the drying of the lake, 85 18 ‐ 667,000 preparing and implementing preparing and implementing

programs to prevent and reduce programs to prevent and reduce the the risk of possible effects risk of possible effects

Increasing employment and Increasing employment and Engaged organizations with Urmia Lake 86 19 facilitating alternative livelihood facilitating alternative livelihood ‐ 667,000 Restoration Program programs by relevant agencies programs by relevant agencies

Implementing cloud seeding within 87 333,000 Water Research Institute Urmia Lake Basin 20 Feasibility studies of using new technologies to restore Urmia study and implementation to reduce 88 Study 333,000 Lake evaporation from the lake

Total budget for fiscal year 2015‐16 626,092,000