E1067 V12 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Introduction Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) study was carried out for the construction of Al Abdiah District Center Road Project as part of the Rural Access Program (RAP). This ESIAwas prepared for the Central Management Office (CMO) of the Ministry of Public Works and Highways (MPWH).The Environmental Assessment (EA) was carried out according to the guidelines set in the Sectoral Environmental Assessment (SEA) and RAP Environmental and Social Processes. It complies with the World Bank’s relevant safeguards policies and the Relevant Yemen Regulations. The report identifies and assesses the environmental and social risks and impacts. In addition, this report determines the necessary mitigation measures and elaborates the necessary management and monitoring plans to ensure that impacts are dealt with and mitigation measures are followed during construction and maintenance phases. The Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) follows at the end of this report. Sub-Project Description and Objectives Al Abdiah District Center Road Project is locatedin the far Southern border of Ma’rib Governorate - at the border with As Swadiah District of Al Baydha Governorate. The total length of the road is 18.975 km. The road alignment starts in Qaniyah Village, which is located 52.5km away from Al Swadiah City. The main objective of the proposed road project is to meet the future demand for better transportation and communication between many villages in Ma’rib Governorate. Considering the anticipated overall development in the central region of the country, the road will reduce travel time and reduce the cost of freight traffic between the central region of the governorate and the district area of Al Abdiah. The road will serve directly and indirectly 18 settlements with a population of about 13,000 inhabitants in Al Abdiah District within the project area that will attract heavy and medium freight traffic. Based on the final and approved design, the road alignment follows mostly the already existing track, which is generally5 to 9 m wide, except for the re-alignment at the new entrance and the widening at few narrow segmentssuch as at stations2+250, 12+350and17+900. Most of the land use along the proposed road is arid with few places used for agriculture. The project area is considered as about 70% flat terrain and about 30 % rolling (hilly) terrain. The highest grade is 12.38% at station 6+325 to 6+475, for 150m length. The proposed work will comprise earthworks, structural works, environmental works and the provision of road pavement layers and road furniture. Legal and Institutional Framework Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in Yemen is enacted by the Environment Protection Law No. 26 of 1995 (EPL). The provision of this framework law is implemented through the Executive Regulations (By-Law 148-2000), issued by a decree of the Council of Ministers. In October 2002, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) issued the “Environment & Sustainable Investment Program 2003-8� (ESIP), which constitutes the framework for the government’s environmental policy for the next years. The ESIA has also been prepared according to OP 4.01 of the World Bank Safeguard Policy - Environmental Assessment.This project is classified as category (B). This category is justified because the expected adverse environmental and social impacts will be limited in most cases, temporary and for the most part reversible. Baseline Data Al Abdiah District Center Road alignment is located in the Central Highland of Yemen. The land along the proposed road is mostly arid land with few agricultural locations. The soil of the area is dominated mainly by dry desert soil with no major rocks. Scarce rainfall in the project area is noted in the summer months. The average annual rainfall varies from 90 to 120mm. The climate of Ma’rib area - especially the project area is considered dry (UNESCO category: arid climate). The existing water harvesting systems identified in the project area are confined to irrigation stream crossing the road to agricultural landsand are likely to be affected during the road construction. The current air quality is good because the proposed road is located in a remote area with no sources of air pollution. The baseline noise levels are very low (below 30 dB) because no heavy traffic uses the road and there are no sensitive receptors near the project area. No special or unique biological resources have been identified as a result the road does not affect any sensitive, specially designated area or protected species. The total population of Al Abdiah District is about 13,000.The average population density is about 21 persons per sq. km. The proposed alignment is serving 5 villages directly with about 3,311persons and 13 villages indirectly. Environmental and Social Impacts and Mitigation Measures The expected adverse environmental and social impacts are limited in most cases, temporary and for the most part reversible. The expected negative environmental and social impacts during construction stage could be summarized as follows: 1- Impacts on land resources and biodiversity: i) Permanent land taking: will occur at narrow segments of the alignment. However, the land taking is addressed by voluntary land donation and is managed by the Beneficiary Committee (BC) through the Social Framework Agreement (SFA). Please, refer to annex 4 for more details. ii) Temporary land use(site for contactor’s camp): the location of workers camp is not site specific and its land will be obtained through mutual agreement with the land owners. The process is considered as voluntary and is managed by the BC. iii) Disposal of excess material: there are specific locations for waste disposal as in clause 6.6 of the General Regulations: I. Safety, Health & Environmental Regulations attached to volume II of the bidding document. These sites must be approved by the Engineer and the local community. iv) No adverse impacts are anticipated in respect of sensitive habitat, wildlife or cultural heritage as such sites are not located along the road alignment. 2- Impacts on hydrology and water resources: i) Alternation of water harvesting patterns: it is expected to occur near agricultural lands. However, this issue is addressed by incorporating irrigation pipes and culverts into design to accommodate water flow channels made by farmers. 3- Impacts on air quality and noise: i) Dust from construction machinery: during implementation, dust is expected to occur from earthworks and transport of fine grade materials. It can be mitigated by water spraying and covering of trucks.During the standard maintenance phase, no major air pollution is expected on the paved road with low traffic volume of about 80 vehicles per day. ii) Noise: this impact is expected during road works. It will be mitigated by good maintenance of vehicles and equipment; restriction of road works to day time; and dissemination of information to the local communities. 4- Impacts on socio-economic activities: i) During construction, the contractor’s workforce is expected to be largely recruited locally, which will reduce social problems associated with the presence of a large workforce from outside the project area. Contractor’s camp should be located away from local villages. ii) Re-location of utility services: there are few electric poles and existing water pipes adjacent and/or crossing the alignment that can be affected by the project. This impact is managed by re-location of these services in coordination with the local authorities and the beneficiary committee. iii) Positive impact: Positive socio-economic impacts of the upgraded road alignment include: improved safety and comfort, stimulus to economic development, increased mobility, reduced travel time and transport costs, improved community cohesion and intercommunity cooperation, and improved accessibility to social services and markets. iv) Positive impact during the maintenance phase: suppression of traffic-raised dust resulting from road paving, improved road drainage, provision of electricity, education and health. The identified impacts during the construction phase are minor, short-term and reversible. The impacts during the maintenance phase are negligible. All potentially adverse impacts arising during construction can be mitigated satisfactorily, and residual impacts would be reduced to an acceptable level, through the inclusion of suitable Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) in the construction contract documents and its full implementation. No cumulative impacts of the project are expected. The baseline conditions do not indicate any possibility of significant cumulative impacts. Similarly, no other infrastructure projects are expected during the road project implementation that could give rise to cumulative impacts. Land Donations Process According to the final design alignment, the discussions with the Technical Department Engineers in the Rural Access Program and the recent land survey, Al Abdiah District Center Road project will need 22,827 m2 of additional land. The new land mainly involves two types (arid land and agricultural land). According to the survey, it will need 18,754 m2 of arid land and 4,073 m2 of agricultural land. All lands needed for the project will be obtained through voluntary land donation. The process of land donation is managed by the Beneficiary Committee (BC) in consultation with local people. A Social Framework Agreement (SFA) has been prepared, which documents the process of land donation. Based on the findings of the final land survey,it shows that no land donation exceeds 10% of the land holding of each landowner. Please, refer to annex 4 for more details. All landowners are well informed about the principles of the land donation. They can make the decision to donate the land or not without any coercion. A scanned copy of the land donation process is attached at the end of this report showing location of land, total land area, percentage of land donation and the land owners’ signature. The land donation process is stamped by Local Council, Chairman of Beneficiary Committee and endorsed by the Governor. In addition,the Social Framework Agreement has been prepared, which documented the process of land donation. Please, see annex 1 for more details. Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) The ESMP consists of three components; Mitigation Plan, Monitoring Program and Institutional Arrangements. The Mitigation Plan includes measures to mitigate potential negative project impacts during construction and during normal operation of the road. These mitigation measures are summarized in the comprehensive ESMP tables. The tables were prepared for the Construction as well as MaintenancePhases (see tables 1.1 and 1.2 below). The ESMP tables identify also the Organizations who are responsible for monitoring of implementation of the mitigation measures. Implementation of Environmental and Social Management Plan will be the responsibility of supervision consultant. The costs of mitigation measures are expected to reach 45,500USD. Bulks of the mitigation costs are standard measures, which will be part of the works contract. The Monitoring program is designed to provide quantitative assessments of environmental parameters during project implementation. The monitoring program comprises site inspection designed to determine contractor’s compliance or otherwise with the ESMP and other applicable regulations and statutes. The costs of the monitoring program during the construction works include the costs of part time monitoring specialist, vehicle and camera. They are expected to reach 25,000 USD. The Environmental Specialist would monitor all construction activities on a regular basis and reflect the contractor compliance or otherwise with all expected impacts stated within the ESMP table in the monthly report. The Environmental and Social Unit (E&SU) of the Rural Access Project Central Management Office (RAPCMO) will be responsible for implementing the environmental and social monitoring program. Consultations Program The consultations program has multiple and diverse objectives: 1. To provide a forum for the initial definition of critical environmental and social issues. 2. To establish from regional stakeholders and Potential Affected People their concerns of key development issues and their linkages to the environment and social development. 3. To confirm the suitability of the initial list of beneficiary’s communities selected for consultations. 4. To obtain assistance by contacting leading members of target communities whenever necessary. Men Consultations Men consultation was conducted on 2nd Dec. 2013 and included discussions with communities in the affected road areas at three locations and attended by 79 persons. The local beneficiaries showed their cooperation and willingness to provide all necessary means and help to facilitate the implementation of the project.All land owners cooperate to voluntarily donate part of their lands where the alignment passes through narrow segments adjacent to agricultural lands to widen the road. Women Consultations Women consultation was conducted on 19th and 20th Feb.2014 .The number of women that have been conducting interviews and consultation with them in the Directorate of Marib were attended by 140 women .The aim of this consultation was to solicit women’s views and conc erns because of road construction and incorporate them into this ESIA report and contract documents during design stage. A gender expert undertook the consultations in two villages along the road, interviewed women from different levels and discussed with them the expected impact and the appropriate mitigation measures with regard to daily activities. The main concerns raised during women consultations the danger to children and women near schools and near villages and requested to build speed bumps and warning signs. Since the road passes through farm lands, the owners of these lands requested protection walls for their lands. The last request is to install road warning signs to avoid sheep killing. Table (1.1)Summary of ESMP during Construction Phase Mitigations Responsibility Impact Contract Clauses and Cost [USD] Implementation Monitoring Mitigation Measures Social Framework Agreement (SFA) Mitigations Responsibility Impact Contract Clauses and Cost [USD] Implementation Monitoring Mitigation Measures Social Framework Agreement (SFA) A.1 Expected Impacts on Land Resources A.1.1 Permanent Voluntary donation Issues identified during Design Engineer, Environmental land taking at according to land screening; design Resident Engineer and Social narrow segments of donation process shown measures in Contract Unit None the road in annex 4. Data, contract drawings and SFA. A.1.2 Temporary Proper location of site General Regulations: I. Design Engineer, Environmental Part of the contract. land use compounds, diversions Safety, Health & Resident Engineer, and Social Consultants will and haul roads; traffic Environmental Contractor Unit issue work orders to management. Regulations Clause 7.3; be financed by works II. Other Regulations and contract. Input of Requirements Clause part time 17.2.2. environmental monitoring specialist A.1.3 Contractor’s Provision of adequate General Regulations: I. Resident Engineer, Environmental site compounds, living and sanitation Safety, Health & Contractor and Social materials and facilities; adequate Environmental Unit equipment storage materials management Regulations Clauses 6.1, 10,000 USD and safety plan; 6.4; II. Other Regulations handoverofrehabilitated and Requirements Clauses compound site. 17.3, 17.4, 17.5. A.1.4 Disposal of Controlled disposal of General Regulations: I. Design Engineer, Environmental Part of the contract. cut materials and cut material and surplus Safety, Health & Resident Engineer, and Social 5,000 USD. surplus fill – fill in designated Environmental Contractor Unit Input of part time agricultural land locations. Regulations Clause 6.6. environmental destruction monitoring specialist A.1.5 Borrow Pits Prudent selection of site; General Regulations: I. Environmental Part of the contract. and Quarry Areas management during use Safety, Health & and Social Consultants will and reinstatement Environmental Unit issue work orders to Resident Engineer, Regulations be financed by works Contractor Clause contract. Input of part time environmental monitoring specialist A.2 Hydrology and Water Resources A.2.1 Sources of Appropriate sourcing of Contractor’s obligation Design Engineer, Environmental Part of the contract. construction water water and prior defined in contract Resident and Social Consultants will arrangements with local document and community Engineer,Contract Unit issue work orders to communities. obligations defined in or be financed by works SFA. contract. Input of part time environmental monitoring specialist Mitigations Responsibility Impact Contract Clauses and Cost [USD] Implementation Monitoring Mitigation Measures Social Framework Agreement (SFA) A.2.2 Pollution Measures to prevent General Regulations: I. Design Engineer, Environmental Part of the contract. from wastewater, groundwater or surface Safety, Health & Resident and Social Consultants will diesel or asphalt water contamination.The Environmental Engineer,, Unit issue work orders to spills from site provision of containers Regulations Clause 6.3. Contractor be financed by works compounds and for camp waste disposal contract. Input of machinery and fueling and oil part time change in specified environmental location as a general monitoring specialist practice. A.2.3 Alteration of Incorporate current Issues identified during Design Engineer, Environmental water harvesting water harvesting screening; design Resident and Social 6,000 USD patterns practices into road measures in Contract Engineer,, Unit Input of part time design; use of irrigation Data, contract drawings Contractor environmental pipes; improvement of and in SFA. monitoring specialist channel performance by riprap work. A.2.4 Wadi cross Appropriate drainage Issues identified during Design Engineer, Environmental Part of the contract. drainage and scour design; use of culverts, screening; design Resident and Social Consultants will effects on new fill. Irish crossings, measures in Contract Engineer,, Unit issue work orders to protection walls, riprap, Data, contract drawings Contractor be financed by works side drainage ditches and SFA. contract. Input of and outlets; tree part time planting. environmental monitoring specialist A.2.5 Discharge to: Appropriate positioning Issues identified during Design Engineer, Environmental Part of the contract. - New fill and design of drainage screening; measures in Resident and Social Contractor will issue - Unstable slopes structures; protection Contract Data, contract Engineer,, Unit work orders to be - Channel in a stack walls or riprap. drawings and SFA. Contractor financed by works - Graveyards contract. Input of - Agriculture part time terraces environmental monitoring specialist A.3 Air Quality and Noise Water spraying during A.3.1 Dust and air General Regulations: I. Resident Engineer, Environmental Part of the contract. pollutants from dry periods and strong Safety, Health & Contractor and Social Additional costs: construction winds for dust control Environmental Unit 2,500 USD. machinery, storedCleaning of vehicle tires. Regulations Clause 6.2. Input of part time Cover material-laden material and spoil environmental heaps trucks monitoring specialist Locate heaps away from dwellers and farmlands. A.3.2 Smoke from Prohibition of burning General Regulations: Resident Engineer, Environmental Input of part time burning of waste waste material. Safety, Health & Contractor and Social environmental materials Environmental Unit monitoring specialist Regulations Clause 6.2. A.3.3 Noise Use of well-maintained General Regulations: I. Resident Engineer, Environmental Part of the contract. Nuisance equipment Safety, Health & Contractor and Social Input of part time Limiting noisy activities Environmental Unit environmental to normal daylight hours Regulations Clause 6.5. monitoring specialist Inform the public about the location and timing of noisy activities Mitigations Responsibility Impact Contract Clauses and Cost [USD] Implementation Monitoring Mitigation Measures Social Framework Agreement (SFA) A.4 Socio-Economic and Cultural Resources The re-location of water General Regulations: 6,000 USD water A.4.1 Destruction Design Engineer, Environmental pipes and electricity Safety, Health & pipes; or relocation of Resident Engineer, and Social lines will be Environmental 9,000 USD electric utility services Contractor, Unit implemented by Regulations Clause poles; (electricity and Beneficiary contractor in association 16.2.4. Issues identified 7,000 USD phone phone lines, water Committee with Authorities and during screening; poles pipes and wells, with the help of the measures in Contract Input of part time etc.) (Plate 4, 5, 6, Beneficiary Committee Data, contract drawings environmental and 7). and SFA. monitoring specialist A.4.2 Public health Safety rules for work General Regulations: I. Resident Engineer, Environmental and safety at operations (equipment Safety, Health & Contractor, and Social construction site operation procedures, Environmental Beneficiary Unit protective helmets, shoes Regulations Clauses 4, 5 Committee -Safety and health and clothing for & 6. Community for the construction workers; first aid and precautions defined in Part of the contract. workers. medical kits and SFA. Contractor will issue procedures); work orders to be -Public safety at the Health and safety financed by works site and interaction regulations clearly contract. Input of between the displayed. part time workers and the Public health and safety environmental public. measures, such as monitoring specialist barriers and warning signs for borrow areas or other dangerous sites; Public information on health risks. A.4.3 Road closure Traffic management; General Regulations: I. Design Engineer, Part of the contract. Environmental and detours define closures and Safety, Health & Resident Engineer, Contractor will issue and Social detours with Beneficiary Environmental Contractor, work orders to be Unit Committee; install and Regulations Clause 7.3; Beneficiary financed by works maintain warning guides II. Other Regulations and Committee contract. Input of to drivers. Requirements Clause part time 17.2.2. environmental monitoring specialist A.4.4 Chance finds Application of Chance Chance Find Procedures Part of the contract. Resident Engineer, Environmental of Cultural Find Procedures to specified in Annex 2 of Contractor will issue Contractor, and Social Resources or other assess requirements and Cultural Resources Policy work orders to be Beneficiary Unit socio-economic implement mitigation Framework; agreements financed by works Committee, resources measures. and commitments carried contract. GOAMM Informing the Cultural out within the SFA Input of part time Authority about finds. framework. environmental Assessment and monitoring specialist mitigation plan under the Cultural Resources Policy Framework. Mitigations Responsibility Impact Contract Clauses and Cost [USD] Implementation Monitoring Mitigation Measures Social Framework Agreement (SFA) A.4.5 Gender Women’s consultations Issues identified during Women Input of Environmental considerations and incorporate concerns screening, design Consultant, Design environmental and and Social into EMP. measures in Contract DataEngineer, social monitoring Unit and SFA. Contractor, specialist Beneficiary Committee A.4.6 Employment Mechanisms to General Regulations: I. Design Engineer; None. Environmental maximize local Safety, Health & Resident Engineer, Input of and Social employment benefits Environmental Contractor, environmental and Unit explored during Regulations Clause 4.11. Beneficiary social monitoring consultations. Committee specialist 45,500 USD cost of mitigation. 25,000 USD cost of Total expected costs: monitoring specialist with car and camera Total: 70,500 USD Table (1.2) Summary of ESMP during Maintenance Phase Mitigation Responsibility Impact Contract Clauses and Social Framework Mitigation Measures Implementation Monitoring Agreement (SFA) B.1 Land Resources B.1.1 Reduced Slope stability Regular maintenance of stabilization Maintenance measures defined in contract Resident Engineer, Environmental and measures; protection works data. Contractor, Beneficiary Social Unit Committee B.1.2 Agricultural land or terrace Controlled disposal of cut and fill during General Regulations: I. Safety, Health & Resident Engineer, Environmental and damage during maintenance maintenance; controlled equipment Environmental Regulations Clause 6.6. Contractor, Beneficiary Social Unit operations. Committee B.1.3 Maintenance contractor site Provision of adequate living and sanitation General Regulations: I. Safety, Health & Resident Engineer, Environmental and compounds, materials and facilities; adequate materials management Environmental Regulations Clauses 6.1, 6.4; Contractor, Beneficiary Social Unit equipment storage and safety plan; limitation of construction II. Other Regulations and Requirements Committee site. Clauses 17.3, 17.4, 17.5. B.1.4 Management of induced Land use planning and zoning for Not applicable. Beneficiary Committee, Environmental and development intersections and village extensions. Local Government Social Unit, MPWH B.2 Hydrology and Water Resources B.2.1 Water harvesting Regular maintenance of water harvesting Maintenance measures defined in contract Resident Engineer, Environmental and structures. data and SFA. Contractor, Beneficiary Social Unit Committee B.2.2 Blockage of cross Regular maintenance of drainage structures; Maintenance measures carried by the Resident Engineer, Environmental and Drains/culverts Avoid uncontrolled community discharges. beneficiaries defined in SFA. Contractor, Beneficiary Social Unit Uncontrolled discharge Committee B.2.3 Erosion of road platform Maintenance of retaining structures, such as Maintenance measures defined in Contract Resident Engineer, Environmental and from drainage discharge walls, gabions, riprap; planting of shrubs Data and SFA. Contractor, Social Unit and grasses. B.2.4 Pollution from vehicle diesel Timely clean up following accidents. Beneficiary Committee Environmental and and oil spills or accidents with Not applicable. Social Unit hazardous cargo. B.3 Air Quality and Noise B.3.1 Air pollution from increased Vehicle maintenance; enforcement of Not applicable. Ministry of Transport Environmental and traffic emission controls; lead free fuels. Social Unit B.3.2 Noise Nuisance Speed controls in populated areas; signs and General Regulations: I. Safety, Health & Resident Engineer, Environmental and warnings in sensitive areas; driver Environmental Reg. Clause 6.5. Contractor, Beneficiary Social Unit information/education campaigns. Committee Mitigation Responsibility Impact Contract Clauses and Social Framework Mitigation Measures Implementation Monitoring Agreement (SFA) B.4 Socio-Economic and Cultural Resources B.4.1 Increased road accidents Maintenance of speed reduction measures, Local maintenance and actions defined in RE, Contractor, E&SU signs and warnings; Information campaigns SFA. Beneficiary Committee to drivers and at villages. B. 4.2 Public health and safety Safety rules for work operations, such as General Regulations: I. Safety, Health & RE, Contractor, E&SU during maintenance equipment operation procedures, safety Environmental Regulations Clauses 4, 5 & Beneficiary Committee barriers, warning signs, protective hard 6. Community precautions defined in SFA. -Maintenance works site risks to hats, shoes and clothing for workers; first workers and the public aid and medical kits and procedures; appointment of Safety Officer. -Health risks from compound sanitation and communicable Information campaigns on health practices diseases and communicable diseases; Health and safety regulations clearly displayed in English and Arabic. B.4.3 Socio-economic benefits None. Monitoring of market prices. Consultants’ contracts to carry out data Consultants, E&SU E&SU collection, analysis and reporting. B.4.4 Chance finds of Cultural Application of Chance Find Procedures to Chance Find Procedures specified in Annex RE, Contractor, E&SU Resources or other socio-economic assess requirements and implement 2 of Cultural Resources Policy Framework; Beneficiary Committee. resources mitigation. If found during operation, the agreements and commitments carried out Cultural Authority should be contacted and within the SFA framework. seek help. Assessment and mitigation plan under the Cultural Resources Policy Framework.