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puree Inventory process for hydroelectric generation in Ontario 
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maries for the 
ventional data 
collection techniques often tend to be "one-shot" 
efforts that remain static in time, and require 
extensive effort and expense to update. Recent 
successes in merging geographic information systems 
(GIS) and remote sensing based digital image analysis 
(DIA) systems are likely to vastly improve the 
utility of remotely sensed data for broad level 
planning applications in the future. 
Based on the success achieved in the LJR mapping 
exercise, a second project has been undertaken with 
OCRS to provide land cover mapping for the Moose 
River basin (100,000 km 2 ) in northeastern Ontario. 
Mapping here will be used to improve broad level 
river basin planning, and as input to detailed 
hydroelectric project studies currently underway in a 
portion of the basin. 
3.2 Conceptual assessments 
Conceptual assessments are usually low budget, 
iterative planning exercises to determine if there 
are any major obstacles constraining future 
hydroelectric development in a given river basin. 
These studies typically look at a number of 
alternative concepts, and recommend preferred 
projects for more detailed engineering and 
environmental studies (in a Definition Phase). 
Environmental studies at this stage are largely 
qualitative in nature, and rely heavily on existing, 
readily accessible data, with a minimal provision for 
field reconnaissance. Broad categorization of cover 
type and land use is usually adequate for conceptual 
assessment purposes. LANDSAT imagery provides a 
convenient and readily updatable source of this type 
of information, which is well-suited to the 
conceptual level of detail. In remote northern areas 
particularly, it may be the only source of 
comprehensive data for an entire study area. LANDSAT 
imagery provides essentially a uniform data base for 
a river basin which is usually, or can be made to be, 
temporally consistent. 
An important part of conceptual level assessments 
is a requirement to evaluate a large number of 
alternative development schemes. An analysis of 
alternative dam sites, as well as variations in 
flooding elevations at these sites, is particularly 
critical. While topographical contour information 
cannot be directly interpreted from LANDSAT imagery, 
the ability of the OCRS system to utilize digitized 
information makes it possible to manually input a 
series of flooding elevations, and derive statistical 
summaries of displaced vegetation and other resource 
uses for a large number of alternatives within a 
basin. Digitization can also be used to overlap, 
certain other spatial information (e.g., provincial 
park boundaries, sensitive areas) on a classified 
image to improve the data base available for 
feasibility assessment. It should be noted that 
manual digitization is time-consuming. Tests 
conducted during the pilot study suggest that time 
commitments may be a real controlling factor in 
determining the optimum number of alternatives that 
can be realistically examined at the conceptual 
phase. Evolving techniques that permit video camera 
input of topographic data (to a combined GIS and DIA 
system) should significantly simplify this process, 
and provide increased analytical capabilities at a 
relatively low cost. 
In addition to potential environmental 
applications, generalized land cover mapping may have 
some value for preliminary techno-engineering studies 
at the conceptual level. For example, the 
availability of construction (e.g., aggregate) 
materials is a key consideration in judging the 
viability of future development. Maps produced for 
the LJR provide information on the location of active 
gravel pits within the basin, and suggest that the 
availability of readily accessible construction 
materials is somewhat limited. Some measure of 
aggregate potential may also be possible using remote 
sensing imagery (Ross and Singhroy 1983). 
Another technical aspect that can be addressed is 
reservoir clearing. Vegetative and other resource 
use loss data for various reservoir areas in the 
basin can be used to broadly estimate clearing costs, 
major conflicting uses and potential compensation 
costs for single headponds or a series of 
reservoirs. The type and quality (e.g., merchantible 
vs non-merchantible) of forest vegetation in a 
reservoir can also be generally assessed; and this 
might influence clearing strategies for one reservoir 
vs another. While further detailed studies will be 
required to confirm a preferred reservoir clearing 
strategy, information provided by LANDSAT imagery 
appears quite suitable for determining the 
preliminary feasibility of alternative approaches. 
3.3 Project scoping 
An important part of early project planning for 
detailed EA studies (in the Definition Phase) is the 
definition of study area boundaries and the 
identification of critical or publicly sensitive 
environmental and other parameters within the study 
area. EA practitioners and regulators refer to this 
early planning phase as scoping. Scoping is viewed 
as a cost-effective method of focussing baseline