Summary of Environmental and Social Consideration in Development Study (Preparatory Study)

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Summary of Environmental and Social Consideration in Development Study (Preparatory Study)"

Paul Hunter
6 years ago
Views:

1 Summary of Environmental and Social Consideration in Development Study (Preparatory Study) 1. Project Title: The Feasibility Study on Development of Toamasina Port in the Republic of Madagascar 2. Type of the Study: Feasibility Study 3. Environmental and social consideration category: A The project is classified as Category A because of the following reasons: (1) Grand Reef, one of the sensitive areas, is located near Toamasina Port although it is deteriorated more than coral reefs around St. Marie Island and ay of Antongil due to human activities for a long time. (2) There might be impact on whales passing offshore along Toamasina coast if construction equipment generates specifically harmful sonar, noise or vibration to them during construction. (3) There might be serious accumulation of sand in port sea area if the breakwater is extended more because major cause of past sand sedimentation near mole A has been neither analyzed nor elucidated. 4. Responsible agencies which implement the project Societe du Port a Gestion Autonome de Toamasina (SPAT) / Agence Portuaire et Fluviale (APMF) / Ministry of Transport (MOT) 5. Outline of the Project (1) Objective The objectives of the Study are: i. to conduct the feasibility study on development project of the Toamasina Port ii. to transfer relevant skills and technologies to personnel concerned with the Study (2) Component The components of the project (shown in Figure 1) are: i. Extension of Mole C ii. Extension of reakwater iii. Reclamation of Point Hastie Reef iv. Dredging to get reclamation material

2 Grand Reef 1. Extension of Mole C 2. Extension of reakwater 4. Dredging to get reclamation material Mole A 3. Reclamation of Point Hastie Reef Point Hastie Reef Figure1 Component of the Project

3 6. Description of the project site (1) Natural condition The Republic of Madagascar is the world s fourth largest island located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa. Its long separation from the neighboring continent resulted in a unique mix of fauna and flora. It is estimated that 5% of the world s biological species exist on the main island, and 80% of which are endemic to Madagascar. It is estimated that recent human activities have affected a third of Madagascar s native vegetation since 1970, and only 18% remains intact. For this reason, this country s unique fauna and flora are considered to be under an endangered threat. The government of Madagascar established the Madagascar Action Plan (MAP) in 2006, and the government agencies realize its environmental conservation effort through the General Policy of Government (PGE). Now the government conducts the Environmental Program (PE) together with the World ank and other donors, and is practicing phase 3 (PE3) of the program. In addition, the president declared to establish 5 million hectare new protected areas, in which 1 million hectare is expected to be marine protected areas. Toamasina is the capital of the Toamasina Province, and locates in the east coast of Madagascar at latitude S and 49 32' E. The port of Toamasina is the proposed project site, and serves as Madagascar s most important seaport since 1930s. The climate of Toamasina is subtropical, with two seasons: a hot and rainy season between November and April, and a cooler dry season from May to October. Cyclone season starts January and ends March each year. Toamasina lies in the tropical Western Indian Ocean, surrounded by waters of the Southern Equatorial Current (SEC) and forming part of the Agulhas Large Marine Ecosystem (LME). The Southern Equatorial Current is driven directly by the trade winds which blow from east to west, and turns into the East Madagascar Current that flows southward on the east coast of Madagascar. There are two (2) coral reefs around the Toamasina Port: The Grand Reef and the Point Hastie Reef. The Toamasina port was developed besides the Point Hastie Reef, and proposed port expansion project may reclaim a part of this reef to create a container yard. This reclamation obviously has negative impacts to the reef, however local ecological specialists pointed out that there may not be a special nor endangered coral species around these reefs. Madagascar is famous for the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) watching from June to September each year. The humpback whales typically migrate to tropical or sub-tropical waters to breed and give birth in the winter, and it is estimated that the 4000 to 5000 individuals to migrate both east and west sides of Madagascar. The ay of Antongil and around the Saint Marie Island, which locates the north of Toamasina, is the place where people visit to watch whales. In addition to

4 whales, Indo-Pacific ottlenose Dolphin is a common species around the Madagascar, and is often observed around the Toamasina port. (2) Social condition A lot of employees are working for the port and some of them come fishing to Point Hastie Reef to make up for their daily life suffered from low wages. They catch fish there by setting a net or by hand at low tide. They could come fishing to the reef after completion of the reclamation because more than half part of it will be left untouched as it is although the land of approximately 15.5 hectare is reclaimed. There are 24 small boats on the beach and poor fishermen go fishing by the boat no matter how fishing in the port area is prohibited to ensure the safety of navigation for other large ships. Since they catch fish by setting a net or by hand around west side of Grand Reef, there might be little impact on their fishery even if the breakwater is extended up to Grand Reef and water channel between the port and the reef is closed. During construction, however, the proponent has to take impact on them into consideration because they will be restricted to enter the sea area concerned with construction by boat. On the other hand, the boats belonging to Tazara, a society of fishermen, go fishing to a south island usually through the water channel between the breakwater and Grand Reef. If the water channel is closed due to extension of the breakwater, fuel cost of the boats would run up because they have to take a long way (approx. 5 km) around Grand Reef. (3) Environmental pollution The wastewater, including night soil, has been collected from the town area and discharged into the sea water through the beach. The sea water in the bay seems to be diluted by the water coming through the water channel between the breakwater and Grand Reef. Therefore, there might be impact on sea water quality if the channel is closed due to extension of the breakwater and dilution is reduced. Secretary general of Toamasina II and chief of regional office of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Tourism are anxious about the fact that traffic accidents have increased recently. 7. Legal Framework of environmental and social considerations In compliance with Article 10 of law No of December 21st, 1990 on the Malagasy Environment Charter, and law No of June 6th, 1997 modifying and supplementing some of its provisions, public or private investment projects likely to have an adverse impact on the environment should be subjected to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). In application of Article 10 of the Environment Charter, the decree No of December 15th, 1999 revising decree No of May 23rd, 1995 relative to the Compatibility of Investments with the Environment (MECIE), sets forth the rules and procedures to be followed by project proponents in

5 conducting an EIA. This decree defines the scope of the impact assessment, the projects subjected to EIA, the process to be followed, the study contents, the assessment procedure, public participation as well as coordinating role of National Office for Environment (ONE) of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Tourism. The proponent s impact assessment should comply with the decree s requirements and the project should be assessed in accordance with rules set forth in the decree. Figure 2 summarizes EIA process.

6 Proponent Ministry of Environment, Forest and Tourism/ONE Stakeholder 1Preparation of TOR Submit Approval after Revision 2Hearing from Ministries concerned Hearing 3Opinion on TOR 4 aseline study Impact Assessment Environmental Management Plan Preparation of EIA Report Submit 5Setting up of Committee for Technical Evaluation (CTE) (EIA Evaluation) (No.1 & 2 of public participation takes 60 days) (No.3 of public participation takes 120 days) Notice (15 days) Particip ate Notice (15days) 6 Decision on the form of public participation 1. On-site Consultation of Document (10-30days) 2. Public Survey (15-45days) 3. Public Hearings (25-70days) 7Conduct of public participation 9Prepare /Submit the public participation report and opinion from CTE to Minister of Environment 10Granting of Permission by Minister 8Opinion on EIA/Project Figure 2 Process of EIA

7 8. Provisional Scoping The project is divided into three stages of planning, construction and operation. Scoping matrix is shown in Table 1. The impacts on Soil Erosion and Hydrological Situation are rated C because erosion and sedimentation of sand cannot be elucidated without more detailed analysis. Social Environment * the impacts on Gender and Children s Right might be related to all criteria of Social Environment. Natural Environment Pollution Name of Cooperation Project Likely Impacts No 1 Involuntary Resettlement Local economy such as employment and 2 livelihood, etc. 3 Land use and utilization of local resources Social institutions such as social infrastructure 4 and local decision-making institutions 5 Existing social infrastructures and services 6 The poor, indigenous and ethnic people Table 1 Scoping Matrix Overall Rating Development of Toamasina Port in The Republic of Madagascar Plan ing Construction Phase Operation Phase Land acquisition Expansion of Mole C Expansion of reakwater up to Grand Reef Reclamation of Point Reef Dredging of sea area Operation of Construction Equipment and Vehicles Operation of expanded Mole C Expanded breakwater up to Grand Reef Reclamation of Point Reef 7 Misdistribution of benefit and damage 8 Cultural heritage 9 Local conflict of interests 10 Water Usage or Water Rights and Rights of Common 11 Sanitation 12 Hazards (Risk) Infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS 13 Topography and Geographical features 14 Soil Erosion C C 15 Groundwater 16 Hydrological Situation C C 17 Coastal Zone (Coral reef) A A 18 Flora, Fauna and iodiversity A A A A A 19 Meteorology 20 Landscape 21 Global Warming 22 Air Pollution 23 Water Pollution 24 Soil Contamination 25 Waste 26 Noise and Vibration A A A A 27 Ground Subsidence 28 Offensive Odor 29 ottom sediment C 30 Accidents A: Serious impact is expected, : Some impact is expected, C: Extent of impact is unknown. No mark: Little impact is expected. Increase of ships and trucks Regular dredging

8 Table 2 The Result of Provisional Scoping Social Environment Natural Environment Items 2 Local economy such as employment and livelihood, etc. 7 Misdistribution of benefit and damage 9 Local conflict of interests 11 Sanitation 12 Hazards (Risk) Infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS 14 Soil Erosion 16 Hydrological Situation 17 Coastal Zone (Coral reef) 18 Flora, Fauna and iodiversity C C A A There are opportunities for local people to be hired as unskilled workers during construction and as employees for operation of port facility when the amount of cargo increases owing to extended mole C. It is necessary, however, to study employment terms of Ambatovy Project (approx. 9,000 workers to be hired) for reference to solve the problem of low wages of workers. There might be some impact on poor fishermen catching fish by handling a small boat because their fishing area is restricted during construction, specially dredging near the beach to get material for reclamation. Local people walking about and catching fish on Point Hastie Reef have to change the fishing ground from northern part of it to southern area. As it is necessary to monitor impact on them, Environmental Management Plan (EMP) should be formulated including a monitoring plan of impact on local people catching fish on Point Hastie Reef, by researching number of them, profession, haul of fish and income, etc. in F/S. It is necessary to propose mitigation measures in EMP because there might be some impact on poor fishermen handling a small boat and local people catching fish on Point Hastie Reef during construction and operation of port facility as mentioned above. Fishing boats belonging to Fishermen s Society have to take a long way (approx. 5 km) around northern part of Grand Reef due to extension of the breakwater during its construction as well as after its completion. Compensation should be considered for them by researching fuel cost of fishing boat, general expenses and income, etc. in F/S. A lot of people come probably into Toamasina from outside during operation of port facility as well as during construction. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare EMP relating to sanitation to mitigate the sanitary impact due to them. A lot of people come probably into Toamasina from outside during operation of port facility as well as during its construction. As even foreign workers might be engaged in construction, possibility of infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS cannot be deniable. Therefore, prior to construction, preventive sanitation plan, including medical service system, should be formulated to monitor the onset of the diseases. It is said that sand has been continuously eroded and accumulated near the mole A and the beach, because mole C and breakwater had been extended in the past. At this stage, however, there is no way to know whether extension of the breakwater is the route cause of the sand sedimentation. Prior to designing of mole C and breakwater extension, more detailed analysis should be conducted and appropriate extension plan should be prepared according to the result of analysis by accurate simulation with the existing data of tidal flow and wave. At this stage there is no way to know whether extension of the breakwater is the route cause of the sand sedimentation as mentioned above. Prior to designing of mole C and breakwater extension, more detailed analysis should be conducted and appropriate extension plan should be prepared according to the result of analysis by accurate simulation with the existing data of tidal flow and wave. As impact on Grand Reef is expected if extended breakwater reaches the Grand Reef, extension of the breakwater should be designed to minimize the impact on Grand Reef. The detailed study should be conducted for Point Hastie Reef including southern part of it to make an inventory of flora and fauna because the half area of it is lost due to reclamation. There might be impact on flora and fauna in sea areas for mole C extension, breakwater extension, reclamation and dredging to get reclamation material. Therefore, in case that data for Ambatovy Project is not available, baseline study should be carried out in every sea area. It is taken into consideration that heavy machines which might give serious impact on whales and dolphins by emitting specific sound or frequency should not be used during construction. ased on opinion from experts it is necessary to conserve ecosystem and biodiversity.

9 Pollution 22 Air Pollution 23 Water Pollution 25 Waste 26 Noise and Vibration 29 ottom sediment 30 Accidents A Although air pollutant emitted from heavy construction machines give little impact on local people because construction areas are more than 1 km apart from the beach and air pollutant can disperse in open space on the sea, emission gas from vehicles transporting construction material might give some impact on environment along the access road. Therefore, EMP should be formulated taking into account access routes, frequency of transportation, days of the week and time zone of the day, etc. during construction. After completion of the new port facility, impact on citizens life due to emission gas from increased trucks should be minimized by controlling access route and time zone for transportation. Since there is no data of current air quality, it is proposed to measure concentration of SOx, NOx, CO, SPM at 3 points (port area, central district of the town and around Town Hall). Water pollution might occur due to construction for mole C extension, breakwater extension, reclamation of Point Hastie Reef and dredging to get reclamation material near the beach. Curtain wall can prevent spread of turbidity during construction in the sea. In order to conserve biologically critical reef edge of Point Hastie Reef, EMP should be formulated including mitigation measures and monitoring plan to prevent polluted water from running out of reclamation area. If the breakwater is extended up to Grand Reef, water quality in the bay might be worse because circulation of the water in the port area is more difficult. It is proposed that water sampling would be conducted two times at 7 points, i.e. mole A,, C, 2 points along the beach, 2 points in the sea area of mole C extension and breakwater extension in order to know current situation of water quality. The samples will be analyzed according to items and methods stipulated in the regulation of waste water in the Republic of Madagascar. Since the waste might be possibly discharged more because cargo increases on the extended mole C, EMP should be formulated by SPAT to dispose of it sanitarily in cooperation with user companies of the port On the stage of F/S it is necessary to study how the waste generated in the port area has been treated and disposed. There might be little impact of noise and vibration on the beach where local people enjoy recreation because it is approximately 1 km apart from construction areas for mole C extension, breakwater extension and reclamation. However, it is necessary for proponent to pay attention to noise and vibration emitted from vehicles transporting construction material and dredging activities to get reclamation material near the beach. Since there is no data of noise and vibration, it is proposed to measure noise at 3 points (port area, central district of the town and around Town Hall). ased on specialist s opinion, it is necessary to identify survey and construction which give out specially harmful noise and vibration to whales and dolphins and to prepare mitigation measures to minimize impact on whales passing 1 km offshore along Toamasina coast. At this stage there is no way to know whether extension of the breakwater is the route cause of the sand sedimentation as mentioned above. Prior to designing of mole C and breakwater extension, more detailed analysis should be conducted. It is necessary to analyze bottom sediment quality near mole A prior to using it as reclamation material because the bottom sediment may be polluted due to port activity for a long time. It is proposed that sediment sampling is conducted at three points of dredging area and the samples are analyzed according to metal items and hazardous items stipulated in the regulation of waste water in the Republic of Madagascar. Accident might occur during construction regardless of kind of works. Therefore, EMP should be formulated to prevent accidents and make clear urgent contact system in cooperation with medical institutes. Traffic system for ships is controlled according to the Port Operation and Management Plan prepared by SPAT and the system for vehicles is controlled according to the plan to be prepared in cooperation with police, road management organization, Toamasina municipality and SPAT.

10 9. Analysis of alternatives The breakwater is extended up to Grand Reef to protect mole C to be extended. When the impact on sand erosion and sedimentation is analyzed and assessed by simulation, the following alternatives are considered. 1 No project (sand sedimentation will continue) 2 Extension of breakwater (not to Grand Reef) 3 Extension of breakwater up to Grand Reef 10. Public participation There are three kinds of public participation, On-site Consultation of Document, Public Survey and Public Hearing. They are conducted by ONE after submission of EIA report by proponent. Although MICIE recommends that ONE and proponent can present a draft TOR to people and entity concerned to determine content and scope of EIA, they have no experience. 11. Provisional Terms of Reference for Environmental and Social Considerations (1) Preparation of TOR for EIA (2) Collection and analysis of existing information and data (3) Analysis by re-using information and data from Ambatovy Project (4) Field survey of Air Quality, Water Quality, Noise Level, Coral Reef, Fauna and Flora, Sediment quality and Socio-economic Situation (5) Sand Sedimentation Analysis by Simulation (6) Environmental Impact Assessment (7) Proposal of Mitigation Measures (8) Formulation of Environmental Management Plan (9) Observation of Public Participation (10) Negotiation with ONE and CTE

Summary of Environmental and Social Consideration in Development Study (Preparatory Study)

Summary of Environmental and Social Consideration in Development Study (Preparatory Study) 1. Full title of the Project The Study on Integrated Development Strategy for Danang City and Its Neighboring