Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan
AzRIP AF
Azerbaijan Second Rural Investment Project Additional Financing
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN FRAMEWORK
Baku, February 2014
1
Table of Contents
Background……………… 3
Para.A. IBRD Safeguards Policy 3
Para.B. Azerbaijan Environmental Legislation and Procedures 3
Para.C. Project Description 4
Para.D. Potential Environmental Impacts of AzRIP 2 AF Community Projects 5
Para.E. Institutional Arrangements 7
Para.F. Environmental Assessment Implementation Steps 7
Para.G. Public Consultations…….….….……….…….…….…………………………………….9
Annex 1: ENV: Screening Checklist 11
Annex 2: Environmental Review (ER) Checklist 13
Annex 3: Limited Environmental Assessment (LEA) Sample Form (Drinking Water) 17
Annex 4: Environmental Management Plan Format (Mitigation Plan) 20
Annex 4A: Environmental Management Plan Format (Monitoring Plan) 21
Annex 5: Community Project Check Lists 22
Annex 5.1: Water Supply 25
Annex 5.2: Rural and Suburban Roads 31
Annex 5.3: Small Road Bridges and Footbridges 35
Annex 5.4: Wastewater, Drainage and Sewerage 39
Annex 5.5: Small-scale Irrigation 44
Annex 5.6: Educational Facilities/Community Centers/School/Kindergartens 48
Annex 5.7: Health Facilities 50
Annex 5.8 : Checklist: Livelihoods……………………………………………………………………………………53
Annex 5.9: Security of Agdam and Fuzuli regions’ villages close to frontline ………………60 Appendix 1: Sample Voluntary Agreement 63
Annex 6: Minutes of Public Consultations 64
1
Background
AzRIP 2 AF has been assigned environmental category B since it is not expected to raise major environmental issues, and would instead likely contribute to improved environmental conditions in the project communities. Given that specific activities will only be identified in the course of project implementation, a framework mechanism for screening for environmental impacts, developing mitigation plans and monitoring environmental progress is needed. This Environmental Management Plan provides the framework to address environmental considerations of the Community Projects financed under the AzRIP 2 AF.
The World Bank requires environmental assessment (EA) of projects proposed for Bank financing to help ensure that they are environmentally sound and sustainable, and thus improve decision- making (OP 4.01, July 2005). The Bank favors preventive measures over mitigatory or compensatory measures, whenever feasible.
The coverage and depth of the Environment Assessment (EA) process for AzRIP2 AF are determined by the specific characteristics of the proposed Community Projects. It is anticipated that AzRIP 2 AF-funded Community Projects, as a rule, will not trigger a full-scale environmental impact assessment (EIA) process. The EA is an integral part of the process of identifying a potential community based Community Project, and of designing, appraising, implementing and evaluating it.
A IBRD Safeguards Policy
Key considerations to be taken into account during the EA process include:
· Generic initial screening to determine appropriate environmental assessment;
· Compliance with existing environmental regulations and law on State national parks, reserves and protected areas in Azerbaijan;
· Linkages with social assessment;
· Livelihoods, socio-economic assessment
· Analysis of alternatives;
· Public participation and consultation with affected people and organizations; and
· Disclosure of information.
B. Azerbaijan Environmental Legislation and Procedures
Activities carried out under the project will conform to current laws in Azerbaijan and sound environmental principles. In general, Community Projects will not contribute to the degradation of the physical and human environment.
The environmental protection in Azerbaijan is governed by the Law on Environment Protection (1999). The Law establishes the main environmental protection principles, and the rights and obligations of the State, public associations and citizens regarding environmental protection. It establishes the requirements for the preparation of environmental impact assessments, environmental quality standards, requirements for permitting the activities that affect the environment, prevention and reduction of environmental pollution, environmental monitoring and control, the role of the public and sanctions imposed on law violators. Other laws governing specific issues such as sanitary-epidemiological welfare, land reform, energy, health, water, forests, cadastre and land use, industrial and domestic wastes, fauna, fish breeding, ecological safety, water supply and wastewater, atmospheric protection and specially protected areas have been adopted since 1992. In addition, a large number (some 75+) of Decisions of the Cabinet of Ministers have been issued to help interpret the body of environmental legislation and related Presidential Degrees and Orders.
According to Article 42 of the Law on Environmental protection, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources (MENR) is the competent authority for reviewing the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) request and documentation prepared by independent experts hired by the project developer prior to initiation of a new investment project. Other key laws forming the legal basis for EIA are the Law on Ecological Safety (1999) and the Provision on the Process of Environmental Impact Assessment in Azerbaijan (1996). The EIA application may be submitted to the head office of the MOE or to a local branch office. In the process of reviewing the EIA application the MOE evaluates the following criteria:
· Whether the proposed project envisions new technologies;
· The volumes and complexity of the proposed processes or technologies;
· The expected environmental consequences;
· Whether the proposed project would create significant changes for the local population; and
· Public response to the proposal.
C. Project Description
The Government of Azerbaijan has requested the World Bank to provide additional financing to the Azerbaijan Second Rural Investment Project (AzRIP2). The original AzRIP 2 has been designed to improve the living conditions of the rural poor in Azerbaijan through rural infrastructure upgrading and access to and use of community-driven rural infrastructure, and to expand economic activities for rural households. The original project covers 56 rayons, 45 being served under the AzRIP and 11 added under AzRIP 2 (see Table 1 below) and consists of three components: (1) Community Rural Infrastructure; (2) Technical Assistance for Rural Infrastructure; and (3) Project Management and Results Monitoring.
Table 1. Rayons added under AzRIP 2
Region / New rayonsNorth / Shabran, Siyazan, Khizi, Absheron
Northwest / Agdzhebedi, Beilagan
South / Masally, Lenkoran, Astara, Lerik, Yardymly
The Additional Financing (AF) is proposed to cover additional scope of work to support pilot investments in local connector roads which do not go beyond the current objectives of the project, but will engage with clusters rather than individual communities and allow extended distribution of project benefits whilst addressing a key mobility and services and market access concern. These pilots will also serve to enhance the project’s contribution to the shared prosperity agenda. Specifically, the AF will support: (i) extended delivery of community rural infrastructure projects to 2 new rayons Fizuli and Agdam; (ii) scaling up the livelihood pilots; and (iii) to pilot a connector road concept. It is expected that an additional 1,500,000 people will benefit from investments to be supported by AF through further 600 community projects.
D. Potential Environmental Impacts of AzRIP 2 AF Community Projects
The original AzRIP 2 includes rural roads, water supply, sewerage, electricity, small bridges, small irrigation systems, schools and kindergartens, health centers, community centers, etc. The community projects which require using private lands of households are not financed under AzRİP2. Several rural income generation and livelihood support are implemented on a pilot basis. The types of the activities are determined in the course of the project implementation, based on the community priorities and project eligibility criteria.
There are environmentally sensitive areas in the economic zones of the original AzRIP 2: 5 nature reserves, 7 wildlife preserves and the Shahdag National Park. In order to avoid any damage to ecological balance and relict biodiversity in the sensitive areas, the implementation of community projects in nature reserves is strictly prohibited. Some projects, such as potable water, artesian and sub-artesian wells, intra- and inter-village roads and other projects related with agricultural micro-corporations, can be implemented in the zones of allowed economic activity of the Shahdag National Park only upon written permission from the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and other relevant agencies (Ministry of Emergency Situations, Economic Development, ExCom etc.), In such cases mitigation measures will remain the same as specified in Annex 5 for relevant project types.
There are environmentally sensitive areas and areas dangerous for human health and life in the villages of Agdam and Fizuli rayons that are close to the occupied areas and frontline, planned in AzRIP2 Additional Financing. Any project to be implemented in these areas requires specific approach for the protection of local population, farmers, as well as of envinonment. These projects can be implemented only after getting written permission from the Ministry of Emergency Situations, Ministry of National Security and Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. Implementation of any micro-projects may result in the disturbance of ecological balance in the existing ecosystems and damage to relict biodiversity in the sensitive areas.
Below mentioned micro-projects can be implemented. E.g.: Potable water supply, artesian and sub-artesian wells, intra- and inter-village roads, livelihoods, alternative energy and other agricultural projects related with micro-corporation cultivation; however, special permit letter has to be obtained for implementing these projects
Mitigating measures that may be adopted for each impact are detailed in the annexes for each of the Community Project types and summarized below. However, as the degree and scope of the impacts will vary according to their type and scope, the mitigating measures may vary too. The environmental considerations associated with the activities to be supported under AF are similar to those dealt with under the original AzRIP 2, because the nature of the proposed activities is mainly the same. The proposed higher level of connector roads triggers environmental impacts which should be addressed individually for each community project though a sub-project specific EMP, and are detailed in Annex 5.3 below.
Construction and General Impacts.
In general the environmental considerations for the construction of each Community Project will include one or more environmental impacts such as health and safety hazards for the construction workers and the public; noise; dust – leading to adverse air quality; soil and/or water pollution from fuel and oil, waste materials, surface run-off, etc; excavation of materials and disposal of surplus soil/earth and other materials, risks to environmentally sensitive areas (wildlife refuges, protected areas, swamps, national parks etc), flora and fauna, subsoil and surface water contamination risks etc. Construction projects are prohibited in environmentally sensitive areas. Some Community Projects may also encounter items of cultural value.
As the duration of each Community Project is expected to be no more than 12 months, and the works may not take place in each area at the same time, the beneficiaries may only feel some of the impacts for a short time. However, some impacts may also be longterm, e.g.visual impacts, noise, impacts to ecosystems and electromagnet pollution etc. These effects/risks will be mitigated through measures specific to each Community Project, as suggested below and in the relevant annexes.
Water Supply
Impacts associated with the rehabilitation and construction of water supply systems involve managing the resource in a sustainable manner, to avoid over-utilization and negative impacts on the associated ecosystems, and avoiding contamination of the supply post-treatment. There may also be impacts from the noise of pumps and the disposal of wastewater. Annex5.2 summarizes the most typical impacts and measures that may be used to mitigate them. Implementation of any projects in the environmentally sensitive and dangerous areas for human health is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and Ministry of National Security of Azerbaijan Republic .
Rural and Suburban Roads
Impacts associated with the repair/rehabilitation and construction of roads generally include noise, air quality and other such nuisances, vehicle and pedestrian safety, provision of improved drainage and other supporting infrastructure such as retaining walls, etc., and changes in drainage and traffic patterns. Annex 5.3 summarizes the most typical impacts and measures that may be used to mitigate them. Road construction is strictly prohibited in protected areas (wildlife refuges, reserves). Construction of roads in the areas of Agdam and Fizuli rayons neighboring with frontline is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Ministries of Emergency Situations and National Security.
Small Bridges and Footbridges
In addition to the effects associated with roads, the impacts associated with the rehabilitation and construction of small bridges and footbridges generally center on potential changes to the river regime and the riverbanks and on aquatic habitats and water quality around the bridge structures and downstream. Annex 5.4 summarizes the most typical impacts and measures that may be used to mitigate them.
Wastewater, Drainage and Sewerage
Impacts associated with the rehabilitation and construction of sewerage systems will generally focus on any treatment facility that may be provided, notably issues of smell, and the outfall/disposal point. The latter may include effects to the river regime, as described under Bridges (above), as well as the effects of pollution by the effluent, especially if inadequately treated. Annex 5.5 summarizes the most typical impacts and measures that may be used to mitigate them.
Small-Scale Irrigation
Impacts associated with the rehabilitation and construction of irrigation systems will generally be associated with effects on the water resources (see Water Supply, above), water logging of the soil, discharge of the wastewater, especially if to a local watercourse, etc. Annex5.6 summarizes the most typical impacts and measures that may be used to mitigate them. Construction of irrigation systems in protected areas (wildlife refuges and reserves) is strictly prohibited. Construction of irrigation systems in the areas of Agdam and Fizuli rayons close to the occupied areas and frontline is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Ministries of Emergency Situations and National Security of Azerbaijan Republic.
Minor buildings: Health Facilities, Education Facilities, Cultural Centers, Parks
Impacts associated with the rehabilitation and construction of minor buildings will also be minor, and apart from any sanitation services provided and the disposal of any other wastes generated, they will also be relatively local. In this respect it is particularly important that wastes generated at markets and at health facilities are addressed during Community Project design and monitored during operation. Annexes 5.7 and 5.8 summarize the most typical impacts and measures that may be used to mitigate them. All construction projects in the areas of Agdam and Fizuli rayons close to occupied areas and frontline is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and Ministry of National Security.