
The small hydroelectric plant (SHP) Santa Laura was granted the Fritz Müller
Award in 2007, which is a landmark in public recognition of the company’s
actions towards an environmentally responsible development.
The Fritz Müller Award is one of the most respected
titles in the environmental fields in Brazil, and it has completed 25 years of
existence in 2007. It was created in 1982 by FATMA (environmental protection
agency of the state of Santa Catarina), with the mandate to stimulate
sustainable development in the region.
The Santa Laura SHP is part of a new model of energy production, in which
SHPs are spreading across the country, since they generate smaller impacts in
the environment in comparison to large plants (due to the power capacity/flooded
area ratio).
The Santa Laura SHP project features a Basic Plan, that includes activities
of environmental education, communication, conservation of fauna and flora,
resettlement of population, and historic, archaeological, cultural and landscape
heritage conservation.
Out of 47 hectares of construction site, 15 will be used for permanent
structures and the other 32 will be recovered by planting native species. Some
seedlings and seeds from native species used in the recovery of the riparian
forest and on the Permanent Conservation area (APP) were collected in the
reservoir area. Other plants come from a nursery located in Faxinal dos Guedes.
This initiative will preserve species and recover the riparian forest that has
been degraded by farming in many locations.
A team is working at the site rescuing animals that are under risk due to the
implementation and operation of the plant, and is also studying the native
species. The program to monitor and manage the fish species comprises a study of
fish species found in the area, monitoring of changes resulting from the
implementation of the venture and the rescue of animals if necessary.