ANNEX 6 PUBLIC CONSULTATION

Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Environmental Assessment (EA) A6.1. Objective and Methodology A6.2. Identification of Project Stakeholders ANNEX 6 PUBLIC CONSULTATION A6.3. Public Consultation Methods and Techniques A6.4. Summary of Public Consultation Activities A6.5. Public Consultation Results during the First Meeting A6.6. Public Consultation Results during the Second Meeting A6.7. List of Participants of the Consultation Meetings A6.1. Objective and Methodology 1. The objective of Public Consultation is to ensure affected populations can participate in the decision-making and implementation of the project, improve knowledge of the communities on the project and project impacts on their life. The contribution of stakeholders will ensure that the project will meet the communities demands and will bring potential benefits to the communities. 2. During the preparation of the EA and ESMF, two Public Consultations were carried out, as presented in Table A6.1. Table A6.1. Public Consultation during the development of the EA and ESMF Stage Objective Methodology Identification of scope of EA and ESMF (First Public Consultation) June and July, 2011 Identify key stakeholders Introduce the project Identify environmental background elements Preliminary study of project impacts and mitigation measures Finalization of EA and ESMF (Second Public Consultation) September, 2011 Discuss and collect feedbacks on the contents and results of EA and ESMF A6.2. Identification of Project Stakeholders 3. In VN-Haz project, stakeholders are identified as follow: E2993 v6 Organize meetings with stakeholders such as CPC, DPC, DARD, DONRE, NGOs, Farmer Association, water user groups (WUs), some affected households Survey questionnaires Organize meetings with stakeholders such as CPC, DPC, DARD, DONRE, NGOs, Farmer Association, WU, and some affected households. Moreover, consultation was also carried out at the central level, including MARD, MONRE and MPI. Sending EA and ESMF reports to stakeholders and ask for feedbacks 1

- Directly affected populations: populations currently living in the subproject areas, under direct impacts from project activities, including farmer households, ethnic minority groups living next to dikes, embankments, reservoirs, rescue roads, fishermen, etc. - Indirectly affected populations: some communities living in communes and districts near subproject areas (or on the other side of the river in subprojects of upgrading river dikes and revetments), households living downstream, fishermen of provinces and districts adjacent to subproject areas, etc. - State agencies, including: MARD, MONRE, MOET, DARDs, DONREs, etc. - Other organizations and individuals, including: national and regional NGOs, regional civil society organizations. A6.3. Public Consultation Methods and Techniques 4. As summarized in Table A6.1, methods and techniques used in the Public Consultation during the first Public Consultation are organizing meetings with stakeholders such as local authorities (CPC, DPC relevant to subprojects), State agencies (DARDs, DONREs), NGOs (Farmer associations, WUs, other NGOs, etc), and some affected households. In addition, to enable the communities to raise their voices and express their opinions and expectations, Public Consultation was also carried out using survey method. Two Survey questionnaires were developed, including a survey questionnaire on environmental background and a survey questionnaire on natural disaster situation and consequences, which include questions about respondents expectations and requests to the project. Communities selected to carry out Public Consultation were directly related to the project, beneficiary communes and affected communes were especially taken into account. 5. During the second Public Consultation to collect feedbacks on the draft EA and ESMF, apart from methods and techniques used in the first Public Consultation, another method was applies, which was sending the draft EA and ESMF reports directly or via official dispatch to stakeholders and ask for feedbacks in writing. A6.4. Summary of Public Consultation Activities 6. The WB5 consultant team carried out two Public Consultations with contents as follow: 7. First Public Consultation: Public Consultation was carried out in June and July, 2011 with representatives of DARD, PPMU under DARD, Agency of Irrigation, Flood and Storm Control Agency/Dams and Dyke Management Agency, etc., DONRE, Environmental Protection Agency, DPC, CPC, WU, Farmer Association, and commune Fatherland s Fronts. 8. Public Consultation contents include: General introduction about Vietnam Managing Natural Hazards Project (VN-Haz) and its subprojects. Identifying stakeholders, beneficiary and affected communities of the project. Finding out about the baseline situation and progression of environmental conditions, including geographical, geological conditions, hydro-meteorological conditions, elements of natural environment, socio-economical conditions, key environmental hazards and underlying causes in the project areas, other significant development plans and projects in the region; Consultation on environmental conditions and natural disaster risks using consultation form. Early screening the project s environmental impacts. Discussion on the project s impacts on the natural environment, socio-economic conditions, natural disaster consequences, measures for prevention, response and mitigation. 2

Discussion on suitable measures for natural disasters and environmental breakdowns prevention, response and mitigation. Expectations and requests of the community around the implementation of the project. 9. Inventory of collected materials and information: Sub-project files. Province s environmental baseline reports within the last 5 10 years and environmental monitoring reports within the last 5 10 years. The latest socio-economic development report and socio-economic development planning of the province. Land use Planning Report and Mapping. Irrigation Planning Report and Mapping. Overview report on natural disasters and damages within the last 5 10 years and Natural disaster response and mitigation Plan of the province. Disaster risk management framework to 2020 (WB4). Community s support for natural disaster risks. The latest statistical yearbooks of the project provinces and districts. The Northern Central economic development planning report. Report on river basin master plan and related maps. Information on the province s ecology and biodiversity information on cultural and historical works, etc. 10. During the first Public Consultation, the Consultant team carried out 41 meetings in total, with attached minutes. An overview of organizations and individuals interviewed can be found in at the end of the Annex. 11. Second Public Consultation: Public Consultation was carried out in September, 2011 with representatives of DARD, PPMU under DARD, Agency of Irrigation, Flood and Storm Control Agency/Dams and Dyke Management Agency, etc., DONRE, Environmental Protection Agency, DPC, CPC, WU, Farmer Association, and commune Fatherland s Fronts. Moreover, consultation was also carried out at the central level, including MARD, MONRE and MPI. 12. Public Consultation contents include: - General introduction about the Project and its sub-projects. - Brief introduction of the contents of REA and ESFM reports. - Discussion, recommendations for finalizing the two reports (with reference to specific items in the consultation forms for REA and ESFM reports). - Recommendations of local authorities or communities to the investment owner and project owner during the project implementation. 13. During the second Public Consultation, the Consultant team carried out 36 meetings in total, with attached minutes. An overview of organizations and individuals interviewed can be found in Table A6.2. A6.5. Public Consultation Results during the First Meeting 14. Overview of opinions gathered from the Public Consultation: Most of the provinces and communities in the project area showed enthusiasm in supporting the implementation of the project because natural disasters have an enormous impact on these areas, 3

causing great losses to the people and affecting the overall development rate of many provinces, districts and communes. Therefore, this is an urgent issue and a top priority of the Central provinces. The local communities within the project area all wished that the project would be carried out soon. The provinces would support and facilitate the project implementation as best as they could, especially in land acquisition issues during site clearance and regarding construction of items which have potential negative environmental and social impacts. The project beneficiaries mainly include farmers, fishermen, many of which are poor households and some of which are ethnic minority peoples. Affected populations are not large, most of them expressed support to the project, many households volunteered to donate land or didn t demand compensation for potentially lost crops and houses, etc. The subprojects involve mainly upgrading and improving existing degraded or unqualified works, therefore the project s potential adverse impacts are not extensive, which would only occur mainly during the construction stage and can be mitigated with appropriate measures. 15. Below are the recommendations and expectations of the provinces and communities in the project area which should be taken into account. More information could be found in the Meeting minutes. 16. Thanh Hoa - Wished that the project would be carried out as soon as possible. - During the project implementation, the project needs to disclose information and inform the districts and communes in advance. - To those communes which are seriously affected by natural disasters, where natural disasters have potential serious impacts on the life of the people and the overall development rate of the provinces, districts and communes: this is an urgent matter, the people wanted the project to be carried out immediately, they were willing to support the project, donating lands and facilitating the implementation of the project - Upgrading the dikes is necessary because they are under threat of breaches and floods every year. - In the project area, there are some ethnic minority groups, therefore policies to encourage the development of the EMGs are needed. 17. Nghe An Thanh Luong commune, Thanh Chuong district: - This is a commune frequently affected by inundation, the existing dike system now can only be enough to prevent small floods (happening around May), while a historical flood happens every 9-10 years, which can be as high as the roof-top of a house. When flooded, the 5 hamlets are completely separated, which can only be accessed by boats, this affects the children s study and the life of local people, 100% of agriculture is inundated. - The commune has implemented some measures in response to natural hazards such as carrying out communication activities to encourage the people to take initiative in preventing floods, setting up a radio system to inform the people in lowland areas of floods and inundations, mobilizing people to build rafts and boats, etc. However, such measures are often not effective; due to a low and sunken typography and a small dike system, the local people are often brought into a passive position when there is flooding. 4

- The beneficiaries of the project would be all of the people in the mountainous hamlets where floods and droughts are often the case. - There would be no affected populations because the local people were willing to donate their lands for road construction. - The local authorities and people were willing to support the project; there was no request for compensation because the project will improve local traffic in flooding conditions, reducing human and property losses, protecting the crops, and the children wouldn t need to be off school when there are floods. 18. Ha Tinh - Requested that the project would be carried out soon because it would be very practically helpful to the people s life. - Requested to support the province s flood prevention and response activities. 19. Quang Binh: - Requested that projects should be carried out effectively, avoiding delay during implementation. - Scientific and carefully-studied measures to protect river banks and sea shores are needed. - Improve capacity for natural disaster forecast. Quang Ninh district: - Policies to support affected households are needed. - Select appropriate time to carry out construction activities, avoiding hinderance to local people s life and production. - Carry out surveys for appropriate road widening to ensure traffic safety. 20. Quang Tri: - During the project implementation, strictly comply with the Environmental monitoring program or Environmental Protection Commitment, raising the responsibilities of the PMUs, contractors, district DONREs, etc. 21. Da Nang: - The Environmental Protection Agency representative expressed support for the project and agreed on the necessity of the project in natural hazard management, environmental, social, people s welfare and economic protection. Hoa Tien commune, Hoa Vang district: - Need to upgrade and improve the flood drain system for Dien Tien (Quang Nam), Hoa Tien, Hoa Khuong, Dai Hiep and Hoa Chau. - Every year, due to poor flood drain capacity, production and residential lands are inundated, there are threats of drain breaches, and the drains have now degraded. - The local authorities showed support for the upgrading An Trach weir project. - Suggested allocating more funds for reinforcing main drains and critical sections, and dredging of Tay Tinh river to facilitate flood draining. 22. Quang Nam Duy Thu commune, Duy Xuyen district: Apart from investment in construction of Thu Bon river revetments, the commune wished to receive support for: - Construction of flood prevention buildings for communes in flood-prone areas (communes whose most part is often flooded 1-3m high) - Upgrading Hoc Ket reservoir which functions in flood stopping and irrigation. Environmental Protection Agency: 5

- Suggested reinforcing river revetments. - Repair and upgrade reservoirs. - No discharge of reservoir water which can cause inundation in the downstream areas. 23. Quang Ngai - In the recent years, the section of Ve river banks from Cau Lim creek (Hanh Tin Dong) to Lo Mouth (Duc Loi) has often been eroded whenever there is a flood, with increasing rate of erosion. The erosion has changed the river form in many sections and caused great losses of agriculture and residential lands, threatening the safety of people s lives and infrastructure (transport roads, schools, etc.). Many households have lost their houses, some communities have to move frequently to avoid floods, and a lot of production land areas have been reduced. - The river bank erosion has caused many urgent problems for the local people, therefore the communes would like to receive investment for dike upgrading to ensure people s safety before natural disasters and preserve land for the people along the river banks. 24. Ninh Thuan: - The Dinh river dike (11.5km) holds an important function of protecting Phan Rang city the economic, political and social center of Ninh Thuan province. - The compensation needs for the subproject implementation are quite significant due to the subproject involves lining of the route but most of the people wished that the dike would be upgraded to ensure their safety. - The ecological conditions would not be affected when upgrading the dikes Ninh Phuoc district suggested: - Technical measures to mitigate soil salination on the southern bank of Dinh river and measures for flood draining and prevention are needed. - An Hai, An Phuoc and Phuoc Thuan communes would be included in Component 3 of WB5 project. Phuoc Thuan commune: - There needs to be a plan to balance both banks of Dinh river, maximize benefits and minimize damages and impacts on local people s lives, especially on the southern bank (Phuoc Thuan commune has 18,000 people, An Hai commune has 12,000 people and 1,500 ha of agricultural land). 25. Binh Dinh: Tuy Phuoc district: - This is the most flood-prone area of the province, which bears the most severe losses from floods from October to December every year. During the 3 flood months, Phuoc Thuan, Phuoc Son, Phuoc Hoa and Phuoc Thang communes are separated up to a month; means of transports are mainly canoes or boats. In 2-threat floods, people already need to use boats to pass 15 weir and Huynh Mai weir. Huynh Mai village is often separated and isolated. - The district wished that the project would be carried out (based on the urgent needs of the people). The district authorities would coordinate in the site clearance process. The district will bear 70% of the compensation money for lost agricultural and residential lands and lost crops, while the communes will bear the rest 30%, according to the Government s regulations. The district and communes would arrange on the spot resettlement or arrange agricultural and residential lands for relocated households. - Some farmer households in Phuoc Loc commune were willing to donate lands for the project 6

A6.6. Public Consultation Results during the Second Meeting 26. Overview of opinions gathered from the Public Consultation: - Most of the local authorities and communities agreed on the project implementation, however, they requested that the construction would be carried out as quickly as possible, reducing delays and prolonged time of construction, ensuring environmental protection and the project staff perform their responsibilities and ensure quality of work. - Agreed with the contents of the EA and ESMF reports and environmental pollution mitigation measures mentioned in the reports; - Requested that the investors would be committed to strict compliance with potential negative impacts mitigation activities such as environmental monitoring and management. - To mitigate potential negative impacts of the project on local communities and people s lives, the project components need to be effectively implemented step by step, avoiding mass and disorderly construction - Requested that the contractors would comply with their commitment to mitigation of the project s potential impacts such as environmental management and monitoring; - Some local authorities proposed to develop policies for punishment or even unilateral termination of contracts with the contractors in case they don t comply with the commitment. Especially, the environmental monitoring systems will need to be carried out adequately and periodically in line with the environmental protection programs. - The local authorities and community representatives of the communes will collaborate in sharing and solving the problems arising during the project implementation. 27. Below are the noteworthy recommendations and expectations of the provinces and communities in the project area which should be taken into account. 28. Thanh Hoa: DARD - The REA report has mentioned adequate information related to the project such as project name, investment owner, socio-economic benefits, environmental background, potential positive and negative impacts of the project, mitigation measures, and the ESMF. - The potential positive and negative impacts were classified and analyzed in details in the report; in particular, the report focused on listing, analyzing and assessing impacts according to different types of investment and different stages. - However, the environmental background section is quite long, it should be more concise. - The EGMs were adequately taken into account. Environmental Protection Agency: - Apart from construction of dikes and revetments, construction of community shelters (from floods) and planting of mangrove forests to protect the dikes in erosion-prone areas are necessary (which will be more difficult but of great values). - Special attention should be paid to the number of affected people and the project s impacts to the environment, based on which satisfactory compensation and appropriate communication and education policies are to be developed. 29. Nghe An DARD - The two reports have good structures which contain all sections as required by the Government and the WB. The REA report has clearly, adequately and appropriately mentioned the potential 7

negative environmental impacts of the project during the site clearance, construction and operation stages. The report also proposed appropriate mitigation measures for negative impacts, environmental management and capacity building programs. - Remarks: To Nghe An, the subprojects mainly involve upgrading existing works, therefore, the potential negative impacts of these subprojects are not as large in quantity and quality as stated in the REA report (impacts such as flooding the vegetation cover during water retention for reservoirs and changing flow regimes in subprojects of upgrading reservoirs; affecting traffic safety and causing dust and smoke during the operation stage of rescue roads, etc.) - Recommendations: The project needs to be carried out as soon as possible, avoiding delays; EMGs should be adequately taken into consideration. Environmental Protection Agency: - During the project implementation, EIA reports are required for each component. - WB5 project has a great deal of potential positive impacts, the potential negative impacts only arise in a few processes, the site clearance process in particular. During the construction stage, attention should be paid to the transportation of construction materials (noise, dust, etc.). In the rainy season, leakages during the waste disposal would affect the water sources, therefore dangerous waste materials (such as oil, etc.) need to be carefully managed. 30. Ha Tinh: DARD - Agreed on the contents of the two reports - The environmental background section is too long; some sources were not clearly cited. - Need to highlight positive impacts of the project even more. - Strictly carry out mitigation of negative impacts as proposed in REA report ot EPC. Cam Phuc commune - More attention should be paid to the use of transport roads during the transportation of construction materials which can cause depressions on the roads. - The existing dike system is being degraded; special attention is required to issues related to tidal and salinity intrusion prevention. Kẻ Gỗ subproject management unit: - The sub-sections of Section 5.4.3 needs to be revised to be aligned with other sections in the report (potential positive and negative impacts in different stages). - Reinforce construction site safety (such as signal lights, safety signs). - The construction units should be responsible for their negative impacts on other works. 31. Quang Binh: DARD - Agreed on the contents of the two reports in general. - Need to state more clearly the roles and responsibilities of provincial and district DONREs during the project implementation. - Need to organize capacity building programs for project staff in charge of environmental management on WB s safeguard policies. - Need to strictly implement the environmental monitoring activities and reporting mechanisms. - Revise Section 4.7.2. in the REA report with the addition of Nhat Le river basin. 32. Quang Tri: Flood prevention for depressed area of Hai Lang Quang Tri Subproject Management unit 8

- The river basin approach according to large rivers and small rivers: the assessment of small river basins is still cursory, which hasn t presented the urgent needs of small river basins. - The operation stage of the construction: besides the project owner, there should be operation management units and environmental monitoring consulting units. - To the subprojects of upgrading dikes and revetments and reservoirs: include additional positive impacts such as enhancing safety and reducing maintenance costs. Trieu Thuong commune, Trieu Phong district: - Additions to include to the reports: - About 1000 households will benefit from the project. - Measures for epidemics response during the construction stage, attention to social order and security problems caused by conflicts between the workers and local people. - Provide consultancy to the community so that the works can be affectively operated. - Ensure traffic and environmental safety during the project implementation; ensure good housekeeping in the construction sites for the workers. - The construction route from Nhat Le Bridge is of low weight limits, a more appropriate route should be considered. - Assess the impacts of rock cutting machines (such as noises, impacts on water sources), impacts of gases and welding operations. 33. Da Nang Environmental Protection Agency: - Required the contractors to comply with the commitment to mitigation of project impacts as well as environmental management and monitoring; - Proposed to develop policies for punishment or even unilateral termination of contracts with the contractors in case they don t comply with the commitment - Requested the project would be carried out as soon as possible, avoiding delays and prolonged time of implementation which could affect the people s lives and lose their trust. Hoa Vang district - Select appropriate construction time to avoid affecting local people s life and production. - The construction units must be competent and ensure construction quality and progress, ensuring completion before the flood season. 34. Quang Nam Environmental Protection Agency: - Concerned about the exploitation of hill soil for construction. - Minimize the use of agricultural and forestry land for construction. Ensure that water pollution will be avoided and the reservoir basin is cleaned before water retention process. 35. Quang Ngai Nghia Hiep commune, Tu Nghia district - The transport roads in the project area have low traffic density with few heavy-weight vehicles. On the inter-commune roads used for material transportation, apply weight limits according to the roads designed weight limits. Environmental Protection Agency - Additional attention should be paid to specific environmental issues as follow: + When to dredge, where to dispose of dredge spoils? + What are the potential impacts on the aquatic biodiversity? If necessary, careful surveys and dialogues with the local communities should be carried out. 9

+ Consider the option of constructing sand preventing dikes, avoiding affecting the safety for ships and boats coming in and out. + Study the problems of raised sea level due to storms, flood tides, climate change - During the operation stage, community supervision teams should be set up to, when necessary, survey the safety for ships coming in and out at different wave levels and propose plans for guiding ships entering and exiting the harbors. - Attention should be paid to the management of fishery logistics area, provide communication and instructions to raise community awareness and capacity and to the improvement of local landscape. Pay attention to harbor management model and operation budget. A6.7. List of Participants of the Consultation Meetings Table A6.2: Inventory of consultation meetings No. Province Total First consultation I Thanh Hoa province 11 8 3 1 Yên Định DPC 1 1 2 Irrigation Agency 1 1 3 Phương Nghi DPC, Như Thành dist. 1 1 4 Xuân Du DPC, Như Thành dist. 1 1 5 Environmental protection Agency 2 0 2 6 Dyke Management Agency 1 1 7 DARD 2 1 1 8 PPMU UNDER DARD 1 1 9 Yên Lạc DPC, Yên Định dist. 1 1 II Nghe An province 7 3 4 1 DARD 2 1 1 2 Thanh Lương CPC, Thanh Chương dist. 2 1 1 3 Thanh Chương DPC 1 0 1 4 Environmental Protection Agency 1 0 1 Dyke Management and Flood and Storm Prevention 5 and Control Agency 1 1 III Ha Tinh province 7 3 4 1 DARD 2 1 1 2 Cẩm Phúc CPC, Cẩm Xuyên dist. 1 0 1 3 Cẩm Xuyên DPC 1 0 1 4 Thạch Kim CPC, Lộc Hà dist. 1 1 5 Dyke Management and Flood and Storm Prevention and Control Agency 0 0 0 6 Environmental Protection Agency 1 0 1 7 Irrigation and FSPC Agency 1 1 IV Quang Binh province 8 4 4 1 DARD 2 1 1 2 Environmental Protection Agency 2 1 1 Second consultation 10

3 PPMU under DARD 2 0 1 4 Bắc Nghĩa Ward, Đồng Hới city 1 1 5 Nghĩa Ninh Ward, Đồng Hới city 1 1 6 Irrigation and FSPC Agency 0 7 Bảo Ninh CPC, Đồng Hới city 1 1 V Quang Tri province 7 4 3 1 Triệu Thượng CPC, Triệu Phong dist. 2 1 1 2 CFSPC&SR 1 1 3 DARD 2 1 1 4 Environmental Protection Agency 1 1 1 VI Da Nang city 7 4 3 1 PPMU under DARD 2 1 1 2 Hòa Vang DPC, CPCs 3 2 1 3 Environmental Protection Agency 2 1 1 VII Quang Ngai province 6 3 3 1 CPC Đức Thuận, Mỗ Đức 1 1 Nghĩa Hiệp CPC 1 0 1 Environmental Protection Agency 1 0 1 2 DARD 2 1 1 3 Mỗ Đức DPC 1 1 VIII Quang Nam province 9 4 5 1 Environmental Protection Agency 3 1 2 2 SARD in Duy Xuyên District 2 1 1 3 Duy Thu CPC, Duy Xuyên dist. 2 1 1 4 PPMU under DARD 2 1 1 IX Ninh Thuan province 8 3 5 1 PPMU under DARD 2 1 1 2 Irrigation Agency 2 1 1 4 Environmental Protection Agency 2 1 1 5 Phủ Hà Ward 1 1 6 Phước Mỹ Ward 1 1 X Binh Dinh province 7 5 2 1 PPMU for Water Resources Projects 2 1 1 2 Phước nghĩa CPC, Tuy Phước dist. 1 1 3 SARD in Tuy Phước District 1 1 4 Phước Lộc CPC, Tuy Phước dist. 1 1 5 Environmental Protection Agency 2 1 1 Sum 77 41 36 11