Sustainable development programs

Socio-environmental responsibility is one of the guidelines that serve as orientation for all Ceste’s decisions and activities and is expressed through the operating activities of the undertaking. In all phases of the implementation project of the power plant, in addition to complying with current environmental legislation in Brazil, the Consortium’s priority was to prepare social and environmental programs and actions aimed at reducing the interference of the development. It also helped promote the sustainable development of the municipalities that lie close to the Estreito power plant.

The programs were based on criteria like environment preservation, the application of natural resources, valuing regional knowledge and culture and promoting social and economic sustainability. They include actions in the areas of environmental monitoring and management, the managing of water resources, the cataloguing and conserving of fauna and flora, environmental education, support for commercial and service activities, the fostering of local production activities, tourism, handicrafts, culture, urban planning and public security.

In 2010, the Consortium made progress in carrying out the environmental programs of the Basic Environmental Project of the Estreito UHE, by complying strictly with the commitments it has made with regard to the environmental licensing of the undertaking and the current environmental legislation in Brazil. As soon as they started filling the reservoir Ceste intensified its social and environmental actions relating to this phase, like property supervision, rescuing fauna, monitoring water quality and fish and other aspects.

The Estreito UHE reservoir covers 555 km2 and its maximum depth is 156 meters. Of the total area of the reservoir, 155 km2 correspond to the natural bed of the river, while the flooded area will cover approximately 400 km2. The hydroelectric reservoir will occupy partial areas of 12 municipalities: Estreito and Carolina, in the State of Maranhão; and Aguiarnópolis, Babaçulândia, Barra do Ouro, Darcinópolis, Filadélfia, Goiatins, Itapiratins, Palmeirante, Palmeiras do Tocantins and Tupiratins, in the State of Tocantins.