The Environmental Protection Authority / EPA/, 2003, EIA Guidelines are on the Constitution, the Environmental Policy of Ethiopia, the Proclamations on EIA, Pollution Control and Establishment of EPA and other Environmental Organs in the country. The document gives detailed required procedures for conducting an EIA in the country and the requirements for environmental management. The EPA EA Procedural Guideline mainly aims particularly at: ensuring the implementation of the EPE and compliance of EA related legal and technical requirements, providing a consistent and good practice approach to EA administration in Ethiopia, assisting proponents and consultants in carrying out their environmental assessment related tasks, assisting Interested and Affected Parties, especially communities in realizing their environmental rights and roles, assisting Environmental Protection Organs, Competent and Licensing agencies in discharging their roles and responsibilities, and Establishing partnership and networking and between key stakeholders in EA administration. Sectoral Environmental Policies Among the sectoral policies, the wildlife policy is the one developed by the Ministry of Agriculture aiming to preserve, develop and sustainably utilize the countries wildlife resources. Water resource policy is to enhance and promote all national efforts towards the efficient and optimum utilization of the available water resources for socio-economic development on sustainable bases. The policy is to establish and institutionalize environmental conservation and protection requirements as internal parts of water resources planning and project development. Environmental Framework Legislation Proclamation on Institutional Arrangement for Environmental Protection The proclamation for the establishment of Environmental Protection Organs, No. 295/2002, was issued to establish a system that fosters coordinated but differentiated responsibilities Environmental Protection Agencies at Federal and Regional levels. The proclamation recognizes assigning responsibilities to separate organizations for environmental development and management activities on the one hand and environmental protection, regulations and monitoring on the other, is instrumental for the sustainable use of environmental resources, thereby avoiding possible conflicts of interests and duplication of efforts. Proclamation on Environmental Impact Assessment The primary aim of the proclamation on Environmental Impact Assessment (No.299/2002) is to make ESIA mandatory for specified categories of activities undertaken either by the
Table 20: - Synthesis of Environmental Impact Matrix No. Environment components Pre-drilling phase Drilling stage activity components Operation phase Site survey Land acquisition Equipment and material mobilization Foundation pad preparation Excavation of foundation ponds Induction influence EMF Wave effluence Radio interference I Social -economic Environment Residential houses Income Cultural and historical sites Health & safety Quit life Society unrest 0 0 0 0 0 a c 0 0 0 c 0 E 0 c d 0 0 E c c d 0 0 E c c d 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 E 0 0 0 0 0 II Physical Environment Soil Air quality Land use Water 0 0 0 0 0 0 c 0 e c 0 0 c c c 0 c c c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 III Biological Environment Parks and reserves d e 0 d d 0 e 0 0 c e 0 c e 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Positive Impact Negative Impact O=Not important A=Very important a=Very important B=More Important b=More Important C=Important c=Important D=Fair Important d=Fair Important E=Less Important e=Less
Table21:- Environmental and Social Management Plan Environmental Impact Issues Mitigation Measures Location Timing Responsible Organization Implementation Supervision Monitoring Pre-Construction Stage Land acquisition Safety and health issues HIV/AIDS Complete all land acquisition necessary for the project activity in accordance with land administration of the Woreda (Local Administration) Provide copies of land acquisition details to the SE and contractor. Provide a list of affected land owners to the contractor. Notify students, teachers, women children, the elderly and the community’s at large living around the project area about the commencement of the project activity, increase of traffic movement, safety precautions, etc. Notify the community and schools around the project area about noise emissions. Create awareness program to workers and to the community living around the project area. During the implementation the project work closely with the Woreda Health Bureau, HIV/I/AIDS Coordination office. Drilling Site Drilling site Around the Project area Around the Project area At the project site and around the project areas Before the commencement of construction Before the commencement of construction Before the commencement of construction Before the commencement of construction EEPCo EEPCo EEPCo Engineer EEPCo/ Engineer EEPCo/ Engineer
Health and Safety issues Public safety issues Organize environmental management and safety training. All contractor and subcontractor and supervising consultant’s supervisors shall attend the training. Provide safety orientation to workers Provide PPE and other gadgets to workers Place warning signs wherever deemed necessary Collection and proper disposal of waste Management of pollution incident Ensure that debris is disposed of at specified and approved dumping area. Compliance with standard health and safety regulations Provision of standard first aid kit at the construction sites. Make Fire- fighting equipment available Keep authorized personnel away from construction areas Post warning wherever it is necessary Begin educational programs in schools and communities. Educate people about hazards and safe practice when working and playing. Drilling site On site On site On site On site On site On site On site On site On site On site Around the project area Before the commencement of construction At list one prior to commencement of construction During the construction period Before the commencement of construction During construction Before the commencement of construction Before the commencement of construction Contractor Supervision consultant contractor Contractor Engineer Engineer
Erosion Clearly mark the areas to be cleared of vegetation before clearing commences. No clearing of vegetation shall occur outside of approved areas. Whenever possible, avoid unnecessary clearing, access trucks and construction camp on steep slope / productive agricultural land. Following completion of works, prepare areas for rehabilitation by re-vegetation and engage local community in the plantation program. Ensure topsoil is left in a non-compacted condition following completion of works. Ensure re-vegetation at the earliest time Within the drilling site Drilling area Drilling sites Drilling and dumping sites At all work sites Prior to commencement of vegetation clearing Prior to commencement of construction Immediately following completion of works Immediately following completion of works Immediately following completion of works Contractor Contractor Contractor Contractor Contractor Engineer Engineer Engineer Engineer Engineer
Archaeological sites Fence off archeological sites, if any sighted /uncovered during excavation works and report it to the appropriate authority “chance findings”. At all drilling sites Prior to the commencement of works and throughout construction Contractor Engineer issues Advise the local community on project plans in advance of construction and involve them in the site construction planning process. Identify cultural sensitive areas and avoid disturbing them. Control run-off and manage sediment near residential areas. Arrange for local people to be employed and trained. Include women, poor and vulnerable groups in the implementation of the project activities. Negotiate and agree with community about disposal areas and stockpiles sites. For the whole drilling time At all drilling sites For the whole project duration During the implementation period For the whole project duration During the implementation period Prior to commencement of works. Prior to commencement of and throughout construction Throughout construction Prior to commencement of and throughout construction Contractor Engineer
Dust Nuisance Heavy truck delivering materials shall water / sprinkle roads to reduce dust problem. Throughout project site Beginning with and continuing through out construction. Contractor Engineer Noise Vehicles will be maintained to keep noise at minimum Noise level shall be kept within acceptable limits and practice Workers in the vicinity of high noise to wear protective device Schools and other noise sensitive areas shall be notified at least 5 days before construction is due to commence. Throughout drilling period Beginning with and continuing through out construction. Contractor Engineer Siltation Construction materials containing fine particles e.g. aggregates, limestone etc. will be stored in an enclosure away from water bodies to ensure that sediment laden water does not drain into nearby water courses. Near drainage structures and water bodies Through construction Contractor Engineer
Sanitation and waste disposal in construction camps Camps shall be located at a minimum distance of 100 m from any water sources. Sufficient measures will be taken in the construction camps, septic tanks and sanitation facilities including soak pits. Waste in septic tanks will be cleaned periodically. Drinking water should meet national standards. Garbage will be collected in covered bins and disposed of daily. Special attention shall be paid to the sanitary condition of The contract document shall specify the proper disposal of waste during construction period. At all construction and camp sites Before and during building of construction camps. Throughout construction period Contractor Engineer Increase in Water-borne, Insect-borne Communicable Diseases Make certain that there is good drainage at all construction areas, to avoid creation of stagnant water bodies especially in old tires. Provide adequate health care for workers and locate camp away from vulnerable groups. At all drilling and camp sites During construction Contractor Engineer Cultural Resources If archaeological relics or remains are discovered, that is, “Chance finds”, the appropriate authority should be notified immediately. The construction should be stopped until the authorized organization assesses the remains and approves the continuation of work after appropriate measures are complemented. Whenever such archaeological remains are discovered Throughout drilling activity Archeological organization (ARCCH) Engineer EEPCo
Post Construction Stage Re-vegetation All the areas that are cleared during the construction shall be rehabilitated. Re-vegetation will be with local indigenous plants, grass, shrubs and trees. Progressively sow all disturbed construction and ancillary site surfaces with a cover crop mix immediately following final use of each ancillary site. Progressively implement re-vegetation commencing in the correct planting season. Regularly monitor the effectiveness of re-vegetation measures Throughout project lifespan After completion construction activities Contractor Engineer Site Establish a site re-vegetation plan. possible involve local community and the Woreda Agricultural Office to provide materials and implement re-vegetation. An ancillary sites Immediately following completion of construction work Contractor Engineer Ancillary site Rehabilitation Rehabilitate ancillary sites such as borrow areas, camp sites, material storage sites etc. within one month of the final use, including the removal of structures, refuse, stock piles and other temporary features. Re-vegetate the sites with a cover crop and permanent vegetation as appropriate. At all ancillary Within 1 month of final use of the ancillary site Contractor Engineer
ESTIMATED MITIGATION COSTS The project cost for environmental and social mitigation, monitoring and compensation payment is estimated to be 1,445,125.00 Birr in local currency (77,155.63 USD),and the cost summary is depicted below: The cost estimate considers the different project activities that require land. For the budget preparation purpose it is assumed that the land is fully farmland and average production per quintal is taken. According to the expropriation of landholdings for public purposes and payment of compensation, Proclamation No. 455/2007, Article 9 and 10, valuation of property will be carried out by property valuation committee that will be established by the Woreda Administration. Table 23:- Cost Estimate No Items Method Average unit price (Birr) Estimated Total Cost (Birr) Cost USD 1 Compensation for crop loss for 6 drilling wells 60m X 100m X 6 wells =3.6 ha 10 900.00 32,400.00 1,729.85 2 Compensation for crop loss for 6 ponds 50m X 40m X 6 wells =1.2 ha 10 900.00 10,800.00 576.62 3 Compensation for crop loss for plant construction 150mX150m=2.25 ha 10 900.00 20,250.00 1,081.15 4 Compensation for crop loss for 13 km transmission line X 30m width 13,000 m X 30 m =39 ha 10 900.00 351,000.00 18,739.99 5 Compensation for crop loss for access 190mX6mX6 access roads =0.7 ha 10 900 6,300.00 336.36 6 Compensation for houses (tukuls) 60 m2 400.00 24,00.00 360,000.00 19,220.50 Sub total 780,750.00 41,684.47 1 Tree plantation 2 ha -- 86,000.00 152,000.00 8,115.32 2 Water pipe and water distribution centre + cattle trough for the 3 kebeles -- 90,000.00 270,000.00 14,415.38 Sub total 422,000.00 22,530.70