RECE'VED CSTP20 pH I:23 LUOYAN-$E8MM,IAEXPEWWA Y Linking Road Project ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION PLAN Henan Provincial Communications Department August, 1995 Table of Contents 1. General Descriptio of Project 2. Predicted Environmental Impacts 3. Environmental Impact Mitigat;ng/Offsetting Measures 4. Environmental Management Program 5. Environmental Monitoring Program 6. Personnel Training Program Apoendixes 1 Background of Linking Roads 2 Environmental Monitoring Program for Construction Stage 3 Environmental Monitoring Program for Operation Stage 4. Summary of Environmental Mitigation Measures in Design Stage 5. Summary of Environmental Mitigation Measures for Construction Period 6. Summary of Environmental Mitigation Measures for Operation Period 7. Key Elements of EAP for Linking Roads 8. Distribution Map of Sensitive Sites and Environmental Monitoring Points i. Xinan Linking Road ii. Yima Linking Road iii. Mianchi Linking Road 1. General Description of Project 1.1 Luoyang-Sanmenxia expressway, a section of the national trunk road from Lianyungang to Huoerguosi, has already succeeded in project identification by a World Bank mission. Linking roads to this expressway, including Jiangzhuang-Baiqiang linking road in Xinan County, Yima linking road in Yima and Mianchi linking road in Mianchi, are also proposed to partly financed by the World Bank. Background of these roads is described in Table 1 attached hereto. 1.2 Starting at Jiangzhuang which 3 km west of Xinan County seat, Xinan linking road goes north 3 km to reach the expressway at k27+500, and then covers 6.3 km before it ends at Baiqiang where it connects with the existing Xinan-Sicun highway. The total length of this linking road is 9.3 km. The startpoint of Yima linking road is at k784+ 700 of National Road 310. After leaving the planned Xiangshan Street, it heads north to join the expressway at k52 + 180. The total length is 3.1 km. With a total length of 2 km, Mianchi linking road starts at Donghuancheng Road in Mianchi County seat and ends at k63 + 518 of the expressway. 1.3 These linking roads have a total length of 14.4 km. As designed, these roads are to be built according to standards for Grade 2 roads in mountain and heavy-hilly areas except Mianchi linking road which is to be completed in coincidence with standards for Grade 2 roads in plain and slight-hilly areas. The calculated driving speed is 40 km/h. These linking roads are to be created except Yima road which is to be expanded. 1.4 Altogether, 4 bridges with a total length of 170 m and 28 culverts will be provided for these 3 linking roads. The roadbed will require a total of 643100 m3 earth works. 1.5 Each of these roads will be completed, as a separate lot, in the period from March 1997 to September 1998. So they will be completed before the expressway comes into existence. 2. Predicted Environmental Impacts 2.1 In the construction stage, blown dust, asphalt smoke and equipment noise will cause environmental impacts which will cover the range 200 m off the worksite. However, the focus will be the range 100 m away. In night hours, noise due to construction activities will affect the 200 m range. 2.2 In the operation period, the environmental impact will be mainly traffic noise. Other eco-environmental impacts will not be significant. None of these roads involves any cultural relics. Likewise, there is no rare and endangered species involved in the road construction. 2.3 At the day average traffic volume in all operation phases, the traffic noise L.q at all of the sensitive sites will not exceed the standard to a great extent. At night time, however, such excess will be as high as 7-14.3 dB(A) by the late operation phase. Page- 1 3. Environmental Impact Mitigation Measures 3.1 The following mitigation measures have been incorporated into the project design: 3.1.1 Every effort will be made to complete earth works within the property line of the roads such that minimum farmland will be destroyed beyond such line. 3.1.2 All and any streams and canals to be crossed by these roads will be provided with bridges and culverts designed to withstand floods once in 100 years such that the existing functions and discharge capacity will not be adversely affected. 3.1.3 Archeological agencies have explored the areas involved in these roids for possible cultural relics in line with the alignment provided by the project design. It is proven that there is no cultural relics involved in construction of these roads. 3.1.4 Detailed resettlement action plans and well-established resettlement agencies are available such that all relocation and resettlement work will be completed prior to the commencement of these roads. 3.1.5 All of these roads are provided with complete slope protection design schemes and side ditches will be provided to catch road surface run-off. Shoulders of the roads will he planted with shrubs while arbor is planted beyond the side ditches. The afforestation design has considered aesthetic effect. 3.1.6 In the operation stage, traffic noise will be the principal environmental impact. So mitigating/offsetting measures- are developed to mainly deal with such impact. 3.1.7 Perfect afforestation efforts will proceed with the main works. 3.1.8 Green belts with a width not less than 10 m will be provided for the village side immediately facing any of the roads. 3.2 Environmental Impact Mitigation Measures for Construction Stage 3.2.1 At any road section far from villages, lime soil will be in-situ mixed. At any section close to villages (at a distance less than 200 m), lime soil mixing time will be properly arranged in light of ground wind direction in the due course such that blown dust impacts on the local residents will be minimized. Workers to be engaged in such activities will be provided with necessary protection devices such as gauge masks and goggles. Water spray will be undertaken as appropriate. Stockpiies and hauling trucks will be covered to minimize dust. An adequate hauling plan will be developed. 3.2.2 Central mixing of asphalt concrete will be carried out at least 200 m leeward of any village. 3.2.3 Land use for temporary purposes will be minimized such that use of farmland beyond the property line will be minimized as far as possible. Soil works will be longitudinally allocated. Any unavailability of soil will be gained from waste highland. Page-2 3.2.4 To avoid possible disturbance to the normal livelihood of the local residents as a result of construction noise, work will suspend from 22:00 to 6:00 in the next morning. 3.2.5 Road sections under construction will be watered at least twice a day (especially in the summer) to reduce blown dust, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. 3.2.6 Any solid and liquid waste stemming from construction workers' camps will be centrally treated before discharged. 3.2.7 Afforestation efforts shall proceed together with the main works. 3.2.8 All of the aforesaid environmental measures should be incorporated into the project tender documents such that all contractors will be aware of and implement, in deed, such measures. 3.3 Environmental Impact Mitigation Measures for Operation Stage 3.3.1 Fences on the side facing any of these roads will.be raised and double-windows will be provided for the first-row of housings on such side. 3.3.2 New hospital, school and residential site among other noise-sensitive points shall not be located within 200 m off the roadside. 3.3.3 Enhanced efforts will be made for traffic management and public awareness of traffic safety so as to reduce traffic accidents. 3.3.4 3eparating measures will be taken, as necessary, to take motorway apart from bicycle lane such that traffic accidents as a result of mixed traffic will be reduced. 3.3.5 Enhanced management and check will be exercised on vehicles and drivers to get rid of driving in drunkness among other defaults. 3.3.6 Any vehicle transporting hazardous materials will be required to obtain permissions from public security, communications and fire departments. 3.3.7 Coal transportation must be covered and any overloading shall be forbidden. 4. Environmental Management Program 4.1 Each of the involved counties (city) has established its own project office staffed with a full-time environmental inspector. 4.2 Any contractor to be engaged in construction of these roads will provide a part-time environmental worker who will assist the full-time environmental inspectors in fulfilling environmental responsibilities. Page-3 4.3 Upon completion of the roads, environmental responsibilities will be handed over to environmental protection sections under the local communications agencies. Each of such environmental sections will be provided with 1-2 full-time staff who will be responsible for environmental management during the operation stage of their separate road but also such environmental management of any other graded highways within their boundaries. 5. Environmental Monitoring Program 5.1 The local environmental monitoring stations will be entrusted with the environmental monitoring activities in both construction and operation stages of these roads. 5.2 The environmental monitoring program for both construction and operation stages is as stated in Tables 2 and 3 attached hereto. 5.3 Environmental monitoring data to be obtained in the construction stage will be submitted to relevant project offices as may be concerned. In the operation stage, such data in the operation stage will be submitted to environmental protection sections under the local communications agencies. In addition, such data to be obtained in construction and operation stages will have to be provided for the relevant local environmental protection agencies as may be concerned. 6. Personnel Training Program 6.1 Training services for the full-time environmental staff of project offices will be provided by the Highway Administration under Henan Provincial Communications Department. When these roads are completed, such full-time staff will be incorporated into the environmental protection section of corresponding communications agencies. 6.2 Environmental monitoring staff of the county (city) eivironmental monitoring stations to be responsible for monitoring activities in both construction and operation stages will be separately trained by Luoyang and Sanmenxia Environmental Monitoring Stations. Nobody will be allowed to be engaged in such monitoring activities unless he is trained to be competent for his duty. This will ensure correct and reliable monitoring data. Page-4 Appendix 1 Background of Linking Roads to Luoyang-Sanmenxia Expressway Linking Road Location Pavement Grade Nature Length (kin) Joint & Cheinage Jiangzhuang- Xlnan County Asphalt Concrete Grade 2 In Mountain New 9.3 Xinan Interchange at Baiqiang _ _t,& Heavy-hilly Area k27 + 500 Yima Ylma City Asphalt Concrete Grade 2 in Mountain Widening, 3.1 Yime Interchange at & Heavy-hilly Area Upgrading 1k52+180 Mianchi Mianchl County Aspholt Concrete Grade 2 In Plain & New 2.0 Manchi Interchange Slight-hilly Area at k63 +-518 Appendix 2 Environmental Monitoring Program for Construction Stage Environmental Monitoring Monitoring Monitoring Time Monitor Element Point Item & Frequency l At asphalt concrete TSP, asphalt smoke, TSP & asphalt smoke: 4 County (city) mixing plant and dmes/year, executive 3 days environmental residential site nearby, each time: monitoring 2 points for each road. Dust: once a week. station Air At worksite & TSP, dust residential side, 2 points for each road. At worksite, Equivalent One day a week, once at day Environmental residential site and environmental noise and once at night time, and Noise hauling road, 3 points level at day and also irregular random for each road night hours inspection. Appendix 3 Environmental Monitoring Program for Operation Stage Environmental Linking Monitoring Monitoring Monitoring Time Implementor Element Road Point Item & Frequency Xinen Heishangou, TSP, CO, NO, 4 times a year (in Xinan Environmental Baiqiang January, April. July & Monitoring Station Yima Rugeta October); each lasts 3 Yima Environmental Air days; 4 times a day (at Monitoring Station 7:00, 11:00, 15:00 Mianchi Maling 19:00) Mianchi Environmental l_____________ ___________________ M onitoring Station Xinan Heishangou, Equivalent 4 times a year (in Xinan Environmental Baiqiang environmental January, April, July & Monitoring Station noise level at day October); one day Environmental Yima Rugeta & night time each time; once in day Yima Environmental ||Noise & once in night; nd ad Monitoring Station hoc monitoring will be Mianchi Maling undertaken as Mianchi Environmental appropriate. Monitoring Station Page-5 Appendix 4 Summary of Environmental Mitigation Measures in Design Stage Environmental Issue Mitigation Measure Responsibility Social Disruption With low subgrade and unclosed roads, social The Designer disruption will be greatly mitigated. Soilworks 1. To get as much subgrade soil as possible from the land area acquired; 2. To properly arrange longitudinal allocation of subgrade soil works; 3. To consider use of solid industrial wastes for road fragments with oversized embankment works. Flooding 1. To provide rivers and streams with bridges and culverts; 2. To design bridges/culverts to withstand floods once in 100 years and to ensure adequate discharge capacity; 3. To recover damaged irrigation facilities, if any, upon road completion. Cultural Relics There is no cultural relics within the acquired land area as investigated by the local archeological agencies in the design stage. Afforestation Improved afforestation design includes slope grassing and side ditch planting efforts as well as aesthetic effect. Page-6 Appendix 5 Summary of Environmental Mitigation Measures for Construction Stage Environmental Issue Environmental Mitigation Measure Responsibility Protection of Land 1. To minimize use of land for temporary purposes: Contractor Resources 2. To properly arrango longitudinal allocation of subgrade soilworks; 3. To consider use of solid industrial wastes: 4. To borrow soil from highland in case of inadequate soil availability. Air Pollution 1. To mix lime and soil materials at roadside where it is farm from any village and to centrally mix such materials where it is relatively close to any village, but the mixing site shall be placed leeward of the village, with a distance more than 200 m in between; 2. To place central asphalt concrete mixing plant, if any, at leeward of any village, with a distance more than 200 m In between; 3. To equip asphalt concrete mixing plant with dust precipitators; 4. To water road fragments and hauling truck roads at least twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon (especially in summer); 5. To provide lime/soil and aspha't concrete mixing plant operators with necessary protection measures. Noise 1. To keep construction equipment and vehicles in good condition; 2. To equip high-noise equipment with sound-proof shiels; 3. To suspend construction activities during night hours from 22:00 to 6:00. Cultural Relics 1. To suspend work for the purpose of protecting any discovered cultural relics; 2. To report to archaeological departments; 3. To provide cooperation and assistance in archaeological salvation; 4. Excavation will not be resumed until identification of cultural relics by the authorized institution of preservation is completed and necessary measures identified. Page-7 Appendix 6 Summary of Environmental Mitigation Measures for the Operation Period Environmental Issue Environmental Measure Responsibility 1. Use of horn will be strictly forbidden at night; Local traffic & 2. To raise the fences and provide double-windows for the first-row houses close to the highway management Noise/Air Pollution roadside within 200 m; authorities 3. To provide green belts for both sides of the road. 1. Better vehicle maintenance/management and training will be provided to minimize traffic accidents; Transportation 2. To provide necessary dividing devices such that motor cars, bicycles and passersby Management will be separated; 3. Public awareness and education will be promoted to familiarize the residents nearby with traffic regulations; 4. To provide various traffic marks. 1. Any vehicle transporting hazardous materials will be required to obtain permissions Transportation of from public security, communications and fire departments; Hazardous Material 2. Vehicles hauling coal shall be covered and any overloading shall be forbidden; K 3. Any traffic accident or pollution shall be promptly reported to the local public security, fire and environmental protection agencies. Page-8 Appendix 7 Key Elements of the EAP for Linking Roads Environmental Issue Action Taken/To Be Taken Resoonsibilill A. Design Phase 1. Social Disruption Low subgrade was designed to minimize soil disruption. 2. Earthworks Every effort will be made to complete earthworks within the property line of the roads. 3. Drainage System Adequate number of bridges and culverts were designed. The design floods of these bridges and culverts will be once in 100 years such that the surface flow pattern, existing func!ions and discharge capacity of rivers and canals will not be adversely affected. 4. Cultural Relics Local archeological agencies have explored the areas involved in these roads. It is proven that there is no cultural relics involved in construction of these roads. 5. Afforestation Afforestation plans were developed to reduce noise, air pollution problems and to enhance better landscape. B. Construction Phase 1. Protection of Land use for temporary purposes will be minimized. Soil works will be longitudinally allocated. Any unavailability of soil will be gained from waste highland. 2. Dust/Air Pollution Lime-soil mixing centrally or in-situ will be selected according tot he distance from Land Resources residential sites. Asphalt mixing plants will be located at least 200 m from residential areas on the lee side of the wind direction. Water spray will be undertaken as appropriate. Necessary protection measures will be taken for asphalt plant and lime-soil mixing operators. Page-9 Environmental Issue Action Taken/To Be Taken Responsijility 3. Noise Noisy construction works will not be undertaken during night time (22:00- 6:00). 4. Cultural Relics Excavation will be suspended immediately if cultural relics are discovered. And the local cultural authority will be informed of such discovery. Excavation will not be resumed until identification of cultural relics by authorized institute of preservation is completed and necessary measures identified. C. Operation Phase 1. Noise/Air Pollution Unnecessary horn will be strictly restricted at night. Double-windows or other appropriate noise-prevention measures will be taken for the first row houses by the road side. 2. Transport Management Separating measures will be taken, as necessary, to take motorway apart from bicycle lane. Enhanced management and check will be exercised on vehicles and drivers to get ride of driving in drunkness among other defaults. 3. Hazardous Material Any vehicle transporting hazardous materials will be required to obtain permissions from Transportation public security, communications and fire departments. Coal transporting vehicles must be covered, overloading will be forbidden. Page-10