E1776 v16 REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA MINISTRY OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT ON THE COMPLETION OF CONSTRUCTION WORKS FOR PLOVDIVTSI DAM Sofia, May 2009, Final Document i TABLE OF CONTENTS . EXECUTIVE SUMMARY......................................................................................................... 1 . LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK ................................................................... 7 . DESCRIPTION OF THE DESIGN OF PLOVDIVTSI DAM..................................................10 V. BASELINE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC INFORMATION..................13 4.1. AIR....................................................................................................................................13 4.1.1. Climate ....................................................................................................................13 4.1.2. Air Quality ..........................................................................................................18 4.2. WATER.............................................................................................................................18 4.3 GEOLOGIC BASE ............................................................................................................20 4.4. SOILS .................................................................................................................................23 4.5. WASTE...............................................................................................................................24 4.6. HARMFUL PHYSICAL FACTORS ­ NOISE ...................................................................24 4.7. FLORA..............................................................................................................................24 4.8. FAUNA.............................................................................................................................25 4.8.1 Ichtiofauna ...............................................................................................................25 4.8.2 Herpetofauna (Amphibia and Reptiles).....................................................................26 4.8.3 Mammalian Fauna....................................................................................................26 4.8.4 Ornitofauna..............................................................................................................27 4.9. LANDSCAPE....................................................................................................................28 4.10. SOCIO-CULTURAL ENVIRONMENTAND HEALTH FACTOR ....................................28 4.11. CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL HERITAGE...........................................................................29 V. POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS..........................30 5.1. AIR....................................................................................................................................30 5.2. WATER.............................................................................................................................33 Surface water .....................................................................................................................33 Defining of the Ecological Runoff......................................................................................35 Ground water .....................................................................................................................40 5.3. GEOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT..........................................................................................40 5.4. SOILS................................................................................................................................41 5.5. WASTE.............................................................................................................................41 5.6. HARMFUL PHYSICAL FACTORS - NOISE....................................................................44 5.7. FLORA..............................................................................................................................45 5.8. FAUNA.............................................................................................................................46 5.8.1 Ichtiofauna ...............................................................................................................46 5.8.2 Amphibia and Reptiles .............................................................................................47 5.8.3 Mammalian Fauna....................................................................................................47 5.8.4 Ornitofauna..............................................................................................................47 ii 5.9. LANDSCAPE..........................................................................................................48 5.10. Health factor and Social Significance .......................................................................49 5.11. SAFETY OF PLOVDIVTSI DAM .............................................................................................50 5.11.1 DAM SAFETY PRACTICE IN BULGARIA ...............................................................................50 5.11.2 SPECIFIC NORMS AND REGULATIONS ................................................................................51 5.12. TRANS-BORDER EFFECT.................................................................................................56 5.13. SOCIAL EFFECT..............................................................................................................57 V. ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES ...........................................................................................57 V. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN........................................................................59 VII.. ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION MEASURES........................................................59 V.. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PLAN.................................................................63 VIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS ................................................................................................................64 APPENDICES 1. Annex 1 ­ Terms of Reference for Supplementary Information related to Environmental Impact Assessment for Completion of the Construction of Plovdivtsi Dam 2. Annex 2 ­Environment Management Action Plan for Plovdivtsi Dam 3. Annex 3 ­ Environmental Monitoring Plan 4. Annex 4 ­ Methodologies and Sources used in the Environmental Impact Assessment Report 5. Annex 5 ­ Waste Classification 6. Topographic map 1:25 000 7. BG 0000372 Tsigansko gradishte Protected Area Map 8. Forest map 1:10 000 9. Construction Master Plan of Plovdivtsi Dam 1:25 000 10. Cross section of Plovdivtsi Dam 11. Photographs 12. List of Design Documents of Plovdivtsi Dam 13. Excerpt from Protocol No. 2 to Art.3, paragr. of the Agreement on Settlement of Outstanding Financial Matters and Development of the Economic Cooperation between Peoples Republic of Bulgaria and the Kingdom of Greece 14. Minutes of Meetings, Views at the Municipalities of Madan, Rudozem, Smolian in 2007 and 2008 . 15. Protocols of laboratory analysis of water iii ABBREVIATIONS USED AIM ARCHAEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE AND MUSEUM BAN BULGARIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES BD BASIN DIRECTORATE VIK WATER SUPPLY AND SEWERAGE COMPANY EU EUROPEAN UNION EEB ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERT BOARD EPA ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT EEA ENVIRONMENTAL EXECUTIVE AGENCY IWI INSTITUTE ON WATER ISSUES IPP INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH AND DESIGN MRDPW MINISTRY OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS MOEW MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND WATER EIA ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT NGO NON GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS ALV ADMISSIBLE LIMIT VALUES PWPP DRINKING WATER TREATMENT PLANT RIEW REGIONAL INSPECTORATE OF ENVIRONMENT AND WATER RIHSC REGIONAL INSPECTORATE ON HEALTH SAFETY AND CONTROL WSS WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM CMS CENTRAL MEASURING STATION KOPS COMMITTEE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION BCA BULLETIN FOR CONSTRUCTION AND ARCHITECTURE UF UNIVERSITY OF FORESTRY UASG UNIVERSITY OF CONSTRUCTION, ARCHITECTURE AND GEODESY CFSP CRUSHING & FLUSHING SORTING PLANT MS METHODOLOGIES AND SOURCES iv Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report . EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Background This is the final Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIA) concerning the completion works for Plovdivtsi Dam. Work on the dam started in 2000 and stopped in 2001 because of lack of funds was prepared on the basis of the following background documents: (i) the Plovdivtsi Dam EIA report prepared before commencement of works in 2000 and approved by Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water (RIEW) - Smolyan Region) and (ii) the Environmental Due Diligence Report (EDDR) prepared by the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works (MRDPW) in October 2007, and (iii) site visits and information and documents obtained additionally. This final EIA Report is part of the documents required for granting the World Banks financing requested by the Government of Bulgaria (GOB) for the investments proposed under the Municipal Infrastructure Development Project including completion of the construction of the Plovdivtsi Dam water supply system. This EIA report is prepared in compliance with the World Banks requirements stated in the Terms of Reference (ToR) (Annex 1) in addition to the regulation on environmental protection prevailing in the Republic of Bulgaria (RB). This Final Report presents an assessment of the condition of the environmental components and factors, possible environmental impacts due to completion of Plovdivtsi Dam and its future operation including respective mitigation measures and monitoring actions, as well as public discussion process. Also, this final report includes the legal and institutional framework and describes the design of Plovdivtsi Dam prepared in 2000. Environmental protection is a country policy priority. Depending on the classification of infrastructure projects they can be either subject to a mandatory EIA or subject to assessment of the need for an EIA. Plovdivtsi dam, which has a total capacity of 4,04×106 m3 was subject to a mandatory EIA performed and approved by RiEW in 2000 in accordance with the old EA legislation. In accordance with the new legislation (2003) (Appendix 1 to the Environmental Protection Act ­ EPA), because the construction works have started prior to the establishment of the EIA procedure and the dam was already granted a construction permit based on which some works started; this construction permit has not been cancelled and is still valid. Therefore, no EIA would be required under Bulgarian law for completing the construction. However, an EIA is required for World Bank financing to include the gaps between the national requirements and the Bank in terms of content format of the EIA report for category A project. This EIA report presents the current normative documents of the RB that have to be complied with in the course of work, as well as those required by the Bank. The organizational diagram referring to the environmental management is presented in Appendices (e.g., table in Regulations). Page 1 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report Plovdivtsi Dam Project The investment project at Plovdivtsi dam site planned by the MRDPW is oriented to improve the quality of water supply services to population in the towns of Rudozem, Madan, Srednogortsi, as well as to about 35 settlements in Smolyan region with about 40 000 residents. In this sense, efforts will be focused on the completion of the unfinished dam at Plovdivtsi site designed to supply water to about 52,000 inhabitants. The design and exploration were carried out in 1980-1985. The construction of the dam designed as an annual compensating basin for water supply with a total back water volume of 2.45 million m3 started in 2000 and its implementation continued in compliance with the technical detailed designs (following the design stages prepared in 1985 and updated in 2000) until its suspension in 2001 due to lack of financial sources. Since suspension of the works, maintenance and security of the dam and the associated drinking water treatment plant (DWTP) have been provided by Zhiva Voda LLC. The construction of the DWTP is particularly important for the improvement of the quality of drinking water. Currently, water is supplied to these settlements from 67 water sources including surface basins and springs. These springs have variable flow rates and during the summer low-water period the flow rate drastically decreases, while during the spring and autumn high-water period the flow rate increases and the water quality deteriorates. Environmental Baseline Conditions and Current Status of the Dam Site The status of the environment surrounding the Plovdivtsi dam site has been evaluated based on inspection of the territory, field research, review of the available technical data provided by the Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water (RIEW) in Smolyan, the 2000 EIA approved by MoEW, other existing relevant literature and survey data. The area of the Plovdivtsi Dam is not in a natural state but has been significantly impacted by the construction works which were carried out in the past and then stopped due to lack of funds. The dam has been built up to a height of about 17 m, which constitutes about 30% of the required construction work. However, the construction of the DWTP has not started. Erection works of the mechanical and electrical equipment of these two facilities still have to be performed. The dam is situated in the southern part of the Rhodopi Mountain and in Smolyan District (South central of Bulgaria) close to the border with Greece. The partially constructed dam is located on the river Iskrets, which is a right hand tributary of river Elhovska that further falls into Arda River. The Plovdivtsi village is situated downstream of the dam (first houses are about 400 m far). The Iskrets River meets the Elhovska River about 700 m downstream of the Elhovets village. The Iskret River is a mountain river with well developed tributary network and high banks. Therefore, its run-off is distributed non-uniformly during the year - the spring high water period starts around February, one month later compared to the other rivers but during August - October the run-off drastically decreases (about 4% of the annual amount). The partially dam construction has separated the upper course of the river from its lower zones but the natural flow of the river is unimpeded because its flow is maintained through a bottom outlet already constructed. During the construction, filling and operation of the dam, an environmental flow will be maintained. The volume of this flow, which will vary Page 2 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report seasonally to approximate the natural hydrology, has been calculated, using an accepted methodology, to maintain good environmental conditions downstream. The river downstream of the dam lacks of water in summer due to the summer low-water season and the water drawn for the supply of Plovdivtsi village and the other settlements. The sedimentation reaching the Iskrets is limited due to the character of the water catchment area. The average altitude is 700-900 m and the area is mainly hilly and low mountainous. The climate is typical for mountain with average altitude. In the vicinity of the dam reservoir and downstream the Iskrets River, there are no endangered or protected species affected by the works performed until 2001. The "Tsigansko gradishte" Natura 2000 Protected Area (PA) (code BG 0000372) is situated near the border with Greece on Bulgarian territory. However, it has not been confirmed yet by the MoEW and Regional Inspectorate in Smolyan if the water reservoir and the sanitary-protected zone of the Plovdivtsi dam are part of this PA. Preliminary assessment carried out as part of this EIA report concluded based on maps comparison that the far end of the dam as well as the sanitary zone might overlap with the PA. However, since complete details of the size and extent of the reservoir will only be known when the detailed designs are updated, the location of Plovdivtsi dam site versus the "Tsigansko gradishte" PA will be confirmed during project implementation. The river eco-system is currently affected from the suspended dam construction. The construction site is situated inside the reservoir and as such a substantial part of the forest has been cut and a considerable part of the humic soils has been removed from the site. This has contributed to an accelerated erosion process after construction suspension in 2001. The eroded terrains, clearing of forest and removal of the humic soils have impacted the herpetofauna, the mammals and the ornitofauna at the dam site. The flow of the river is not currently impeded because it continues to flow through the diversion tunnel constructed in the past. However, the river at the dam site and downstream from the site naturally experiences strong fluctuations in flow volume, with high flows in spring and little or no flow during summer months. As a result the ichthyofauna is limited at the dam site. From the most recent available information on groundwater and surface water quality collected from Municipality of Smolyan and performed by the Central Chemical and Biological Laboratory during 1996-2009, the water quality fails to comply with the drinking water requirements for ammonia, organic content, and microbial indicators. There is need of treating the water before it is supplied to local consumers due to the failure to meet the minimum quality standards. The Water Treatment Plant is envisaged to be constructed during project implementation. The current soil pollution at the dam site is not known but it will be analyzed during the update of the dam feasibility study and design. Based on land use and topography there is no reason to expect significant pollution of soil at the site. Potential Environmental Impacts of the Completion of Plovdivtsi Dam The main environmental impact will be the creation of a lake upstream of the dam where the water would be stored. This will change the existing riverine ecosystem to a lacustrine ecosystem with impacts on the flora and fauna communities. However, the areas which will be converted do not include critical habitats or resources for endangered or protected species. The retention volume of the reservoir (2,45×106 m3) is not expected to be significant enough to create seismic risks or other severe environmental damage. A substantial part of the Page 3 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report potential negative environmental impacts resulting from the construction of Plovdivtsi dam have already occurred due to the works already undertaken, as described above. Most of the forest and other vegetation on and around the site has already been cut and has not regrown. Completion of the dam including restoration of the landscape and vegetation and specific counter-erosion measures will have a positive impact compared with the current situation. The existing dam wall (17 m already constructed) will provide for the settlement of runoff from the construction site during the completion of works for Plovdivtsi Dam, reducing the risk of polluting the river water. Overall, the construction related impacts for completion of the dam are likely to be localized and can be prevented by applying international construction practice and planning. Such potential impacts may be related to: (i) air pollution/dust, noise, vibration, and access restriction, (ii) improper disposal of construction related waste; (iii) temporary pollution of soil and surface waters due to accidental spillage of fuel and oil from construction activities; (v) safety hazards including worker safety; (vi) damage to remaining trees and vegetation, and (vii) chance finds of physical cultural resources. These impacts will be properly managed during the construction phase by the contractor and closely supervised by PIU and designated supervisor engineer. Potential environmental effects due to the existence and operation of the future dam and its reservoir may be related to: (i) changes in downstream morphology of riverbed and banks due to altered sediment loads of the river that would result in increased local erosion; (ii) changes in downstream hydrology (total flows, seasonal flows, short-term fluctuations); (iii) changes in downstream water quality (e.g., nutrient load, concentration of heavy metals, temperature); (iv) reduction of biodiversity and river ecosystem due to blockage of movement of local species (e.g. fish) and because of elimination of floods; and (v) impacts on existing infrastructure such as roads and bridges. These potential impacts can be reduced and managed through mitigation and monitoring measures outlined in the Environment Management Plan (Section VII of this study; summary presented in the following section). Transborder Effects The Iskrets River is a small tributary of the Arda River which enters Greece and then Turkey downstream of Bulgaria. The mean flow at the Plovdivtsi dam site is 500 l/sec, compared with a mean flow of 72,600 l/sec for the Arda River at the border where it exits Bulgaria. During the construction period there will be no interruption or reduction in flow of the river and measures will be taken to avoid pollution of the water. During the impoundment period there will be a reduction in the river flow downstream of the dam site as part of the flow will be captured to fill the reservoir. The amount of the reduction will depend on the reservoir size, filling period and precipitation levels but even with rapid dam filling (less than one year) the impact on the flow of the Arda river at the border with Greece would be less than 0.2%. During the operational period there will be little or no impact because the great majority of water taken from the reservoir returns to the same watershed. Summary of the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) The EMP provides a thorough presentation of mitigation measures proposed to reduce the adverse consequences resulting from the construction works and the operation of the future dam. The mitigation measures will be further refined once the FS and detailed designs for this dam works are updated. The measures during construction include: site management and Page 4 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report institutional controls limiting access at the site during construction works and restricting land and water use where appropriate; health and safety protection for workers and population ­ air pollution monitoring, noise, use of protective working equipment, communications during works; contingency planning and emergency response including on-site and community emergency response, incident reporting, first aid procedures and equipment; waste management and soil removal and transport mitigation measures; protection of fauna and flora species (detonation works); performance of construction works in the day time, agreed transport routes across settlements, and compliance with dam safety regulations. Mitigation measures for the operational phase include maintaining the required environmental flow, the sanitary protection zones, monitoring of water quality and the water influx in the reservoir and implementation of the dam safety plans. The EMP also summarizes a series of environmental monitoring actions aimed at measuring contamination in air, surface and groundwater, drinking water and sediments in the river beds, during construction and during operation. Monitoring parameters, including specific physical and biological parameters, location and frequencies are also provided. The monitoring program will be refined based on the updated FS and detailed design to clearly define monitoring protocols for the various parameters on the basis of future dam operating rule including features built such as outlet valves, gates or relevant features that would physically allow environmental flow releases. This will ensure that the stipulated environmental flow of 0,030m3/s (calculated based on the approved national methodology and in accordance with the EU Water Framework Directive) is being met. Institutional arrangement and estimated costs for implementing the mitigation and monitoring are also described, with costs to be refined with completion of the detailed design. Implementation will be primarily accomplished through a project management unit within the MRDPW and supported by staff and governmental and private agencies relevant to the project. Alternatives Considered This EIA identifies and evaluates several alternatives to the proposed project discussed during the earlier design phase, including the "no action" alternative; alternatives related to location of the dam and of the drinking water treatment plant (e.g., building the dam in another location further from the Plovdivtsi village, and two different DWTP locations downstream the Plovdivtsi village or 280 m downstream the proposed dam location); type of dam wall and related facilities alternatives (considering the seismic magnitude; hydrological and geological information; related cost indicators, and terrain configuration); other alternatives considering various water supply discharge options in the region including the possibility for providing water to more towns (e.g., Smolian) or demolishing the partially constructed wall. The "do-nothing" alternative was rejected since Plovdivtsi dam is considered the only feasible water supply source for the surrounding. The proposed location and design were selected based on technical, environmental and social considerations. The selected option was preferred due to the following reasons: (i) the narrow valley of the Iskrets River at the proposed location; (ii) a large area exists behind the dam location suitable for the future reservoir; and (iii) no settlements are within the water catchment area of the river. Also from the proposed dam site there is a 4th category road to the village of Plovdivtsi; furthermore, the proposed location at elevation 880,65 m seems be the most Page 5 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report acceptable from water economy and topographic point of view compared to all other considered locations along the Iskrets river. Consultation with Affected Groups An EIA document was prepared in 2000 in conformity with the national EIA procedures prevailing at that time including also public discussions carried out in the concerned municipalities. Based on the review of this EIA, an Environmental Expert Board of the competent authority RIEW in Smolian issued a positive decision on December 21, 2000 based on which a construction permit for works at Plovdivtis dam was issued. Furthermore, in accordance with the Bank policies, an extended public consultation process has been implemented for the proposed project at national and local levels on several occasions during project preparation; initial public meetings were held on the EDD Reports and social due diligence reports in the municipalities of Rudozem and Madan in October and December 2007, when consultations were held with RIEW ­ Smolian, Rudozem municipality, Madan municipality, Smolian municipality, and Smolian District. Final public consultations were held in February 2009 when the summary of EIA prepared in 2000 and of the revised EDDRs prepared in 2007 were discussed at the MRDPW premises and in Rudozem Municipality in accordance with the revised project components. Minutes of these meetings are attached in Appendix 14. Subscription lists were circulated in the municipalities Rudozem and Madan in support of works completion of this dam and about 5000 signatures were collected in three days. The discussions underlined the importance to finalize construction of Plovdivtsi dam in order to overcome the current negative environmental status resulting from the suspension of construction works and to establish healthy and comfortable living conditions for about 40,000 people who suffer water supply interruption and restrictions (specially in summer) in the respective municipalities (e.g., the towns Rudozem and Madan). The three draft EIAs, EDDs and the project Environment Framework (2007) were publicly disclosed in Bulgaria (on the website of MRDPW) and at the World Bank (Infoshop). This final document (including supplemental update to the 2000 EIA for Plovdivtsi Dam) that fill the gaps between the document prepared in accordance with the national legislation and approved by the Ministry of Environment in 2000, and the requirements of OP 4.01 was disclosed on the website of MRDPW and at the World Bank (Infoshop) before project appraisal. EIAR (2000) and DDR (2007) were presented again for public discussion in Rudozem on 11.02.2009. They enjoyed strong support from the public in the regions to be supplied with water from Plovdivtsi Dam, for completion of the dam. Compliance with World Bank Safeguards The project is rated as environmental assessment category A in compliance with Bank policies which call for a full environmental assessment to be carried out for the construction of a large dam. This EIA report has been prepared and submitted in compliance with all applicable World Bank safeguard policies relating to OP/BP 4.01. The Bulgarian dam safety requirements are in line with those of the Bank and for the project design, construction, and operation the Bulgarian legislation and the Bank policiy OP/BP 4.37 Safety of Dams will be followed. Investigations during the EIA preparation process did not raise concerns regarding possible cultural properties at the proposed dam site, and therefore the Bank policy OP/BP 4.11 on Physical Cultural resources is not triggered. However, the EMP includes provisions Page 6 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report to address impacts to cultural heritage and archeology if chance finds occur during the construction works. The Bank OP/BP 4.36 Forestry is also not triggered because no existing forest ecosystem will be affected. Although a small number of trees will need to be removed from the future reservoir basins once civil works will start, these trees are scattered individuals which were left in place when the area was cleared of vegetation years ago during the initial dam construction period. The OP/BP 4.04 Natural Habitats will apply since it is possible that a small part of the sanitary-protection zone of the Plovdivtsi Dam to be located on the territory of the "Tsigansko gradishte" Natura 2000 Protected Area (PA) (code BG 0000372) situated near the border with Greece on Bulgarian territory. Since complete details of the size and extent of the reservoir will be known when the designs are updated, the location of Plovdivtsi dam site versus the "Tsigansko gradishte" PA will be confirmed during project implementation. However, it is expected that the construction site and the reservoir will not impinge on this area, and the nature of the sanitary protection zone is such that it will not have an adverse effect on ecological resources, flora and fauna in the area. In fact, the need to maintain the sanitary protection zone for the dam is expected to assist in ensuring the protection of the area. As part of the updating of the feasibility study and refinement of the EMP, further surveys will be carried out to confirm the situation on the ground and determine whether any measures are required to avoid or minimize effects on any biodiversity of the area. The policy OP/BP 7.50 Projects on International Waterways is applicable because the dam will create an impoundment on the Iskrets River - which is a right hand tributary of river Elhovska that further falls into Arda River. Arda River starts in the Bulgarian Rhodope Mountains and then flows through Greece and further enters the Maritza River east of Edirne in Turkey. In accordance with the policy, the Borrower notified the riparian countries about the project goal and investments. Environment-related Loan Conditionalities and Covenants Environmental loan conditionalities and covenants will relate to the implementation of recommended mitigation measures and monitoring activities. During project implementation, the EMP will be updated to reflect specific monitoring actions and indicators and estimated costs as a result of the update of the Feasibility Study and Detail design. The updated EMP will be reviewed and approved by the Bank before the procurement for civil works are initiated. Respective covenants on EMP have been integrated in the Financial Agreement. . LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK The design and construction of Plovdivtsi Dam was implemented in conformity with a Council of Ministers decision in 1980. For Plovdivtsi Dam there is a construction permit (of 2000) which is still valid. No Environmental Impact Assessment procedure was implemented in Bulgaria before 1991; for the Plovidvtsi Dam a preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment Report was prepared in 1998 followed by a final document in 1999. After a public discussion (held in Madan and Rudozem) the reports were accepted by the competent authority, RIEW of Smolian, at Environmental Expert Board meetings in 1998 and 2000 with positive opinion and decision for implementation of the project. Environmental status studies and assessments of possible impacts due to the dam construction and operation were prepared within the EIA documents Page 7 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report of 1998 and 2000. Analyses for assessment of water quality in the river Iskrets were performed between 1979 and 1999 by Vodocanalengineering SPLLC, W&S SPLLC ­ Smolian and EcoAquaTech Sofia ­ a Research Institute under Vodocanalengineering SPLLC (note the list of design documents, the EIA Report and study results in the Appendix). Supervision during construction works was carried out by RIEW Smolian, but no annual reports were produced because of the short construction period (2000-2001). This final report was developed in line with related national legislation harmonized with the EU legislation and in compliance with the Bank safeguard policies relevant to Plovdivtsi dam, including: 1. / 4.01 Environmental Assessment 2. / 4.37 Dam Safety 3. / 4.04 Natural Habitats 4. / 4.36 Forestry 5. / 7.50 International Waterway Projects 6. Environmental Protection Act (State Gazette No.91/25.09.2002, amendments & supplements as in 94/2008) 7. Waters Act (State Gazette No.67/01.09.1999, amendments & supplements as in 70/2008). 8. Biological Diversity Act (State Gazette No. 77/09.08.2002, amendments & supplements as in 94/2007). 9. Fisheries and Aquaculture Act (State Gazette No. 41/24.04.2001 amendments & supplemental document as in 108/2006). 10. Waste Management Act (State Gazette No. 86/2003 amendments & supplemental document as in 34/2006). 11. Forestry Act (State Gazette No. 125/1997, amendments and supplemental document as in no.6/2009). 12. Act on Protection against Noise in the Environment (SG No.74/2005, amendments and supplemental document as in No.30/2006) 13. Air Purity Act (SG No.45/1996 amendments and supplemental document as in 6/2009). 14. Order No. -272/03.05.2001 on the Categorization of Surface Waters in Water Bodies or Parts of Them ­ MoEW. 15. Regulation No. 3/01.04.2004 on Waste Classification (State Gazette No. 44/25.05.2004). 16. Regulation No. 04/2/26.02.2004 on the Minimum Labor Health and Safety Requirements for Construction and Erection Works (State Gazette No. 37/04.05.2004). 17. Council of Ministers Decision 122/02.03.2007 on Approval of a List of Protected Areas for Protection of the Wild Birds and the List of Protected Areas for Protection of the Natural Wildlife Habitats. 18. Regulation No. 9/16.03.2001 of MH, MRDPW and MoEW on the Quality of Potable and Washing Water. 19. Regulation No. 3/16.10.2000 of MoEW, MH, and MRDPW on the Terms and Procedure for Exploration, Planning, Approval and Operation of Sanitary Page 8 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report Protection Zones around Water Sources and Potable Water Supply Facilities, and around Mineral Water Springs Used for Treatment, Prophylaxis, Drinking and Sanitary Purposes. 20. MoEW Regulation No. 10/03.07.2001 on Granting of Permits for Waste Water Discharge in Water Bodies and Establishing of the Individual Emission Restrictions of Point Sources of Pollution 21. Regulation No. 6 on Environmental Noise Indicators ­ MH, MoEW (State Gazette No. 58/2006). 22. Regulation No. 7/24.08.2005 on the Sanitation Requirements for the Health Protection of Community Environment. 23. MH, MoEW Regulation No. 14/1995 amendments & supplements as of 2007 on Permissible Limit Concentrations in the Air of Settlements. 24. Regulation No. 26/01.10.1996 (amendments & supplements as of 2007) on the Recultivation of Disturbed Lands, Amelioration of Low-Productive Lands and Utilization of the Humus Layer 25. Protocol No. 2 to Art.3, 6 of the Agreement on Settlement of Outstanding Financial Matters and Development of the Economic Cooperation between Peoples Republic of Bulgaria and the Kingdom of Greece (on annual delivery of 186×106 m3/year from Arda River at the border for 60 years as from 1968, regulated water from Ivailovgrad Dam after an agreed monthly schedule). The MRDPW requested MoEWs advice regarding the new required EIA procedure as of 2008 in relation to the started construction works at Plovdivtsi site stopped in 2001 due to lack of further financing. Since these works started in 2000 based on a decision on the EIA together with a construction permit was issued by the competent authority, according to the prevailing legislation in Republic of Bulgaria it is not necessary to develop a new EIA report for the Plovdivtsi Dam. However, based on the new legislation, in the process of project updating before starting the completion works of Plovdivtsi Dam, a water drawing and water-body use permit must be obtained from the East-Aegean Region Basin Directorate, for which purpose the decision issued by MoEW is needed. Monitoring of the implementation of environmental protection measures in the course of construction works will be exercised by RIEW ­ Smolian, and by the Regional Inspectorate for Protection and Control of Public Health (RIPCPH). Furthermore, the environmental expert of Rudozem municipality will carry out regular supervision of the implementation of the measures and environmental conditions and reports the findings to RIEW - Smolian. In the event of non-compliance, RIEW - Smolian will impose penalties, define deadlines for implementation of the recommendations and, in the last resort, terminate activity in violation of the recommendations. The plan for environmental monitoring during the construction and operation phase of the dam is developed at the start of construction and operation and approved by the Basin Directorate (BD), RIEW and the Ministry of Environment and Water (Environmental Executive Agency ­ EEA). Such plan is updated annually and approved by these three institutions. Page 9 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report At the end of each year, annual statements are submitted, based on which either additional requirements may be included to the monitoring or others may be withdrawn. The monitoring period is determined in the EIA and specified in the Monitoring plan for the construction and operation period, which can be revised as many times as needed. Standing obligations are those of the Ministry of Health (MH) to control water quality through its regional unit RIPCPH, Water and Sewerage, Smolian and, if needed, or in case the dam is included in the National Monitoring Network, of the MOEW (in compliance with a MOEW decision to come into effect after dam commissioning). The dam operation unit shall be responsible for all waters supplied from the dam during its operation phase. The control on the quantity of environmental flow and run-off is exercised by Basin Directorate - town of Plovdiv. . DESCRIPTION OF THE DESIGN OF PLOVDIVTSI DAM The Plovdivtsi dam was designed as an annual compensating basin by Vodocanalengineering SPLLC to provide water supply to the towns of Rudozem, Madan, Srednogortsi, as well as to the settlements within these municipalities with about 40 000 residents. Currently, water is supplied to the above-mentioned settlements from 67 water sources including water intakes from surface basins and springs. These springs have variable flow rates and in direct relation with the surface run-off ­ during the summer low-water period the flow rate drastically decreases, and during the spring and autumn high-water period the flow rate increases while the water quality deteriorates. The water supply pipelines to Rudozem, Madan and Srednogortsi have been built. The preliminary studies performed by Vodocanalengineering SPLLC in 1982 justify the need for construction of Plovdivtsi Dam on the basis of collection and calculation of hydrological information, water-economy investigations to determine the typical capacities (sedimentation, unavailable, effective and total) and dam elevations, and cost analysis to prove the project efficiency. The engineering design was completed in 1983, while all engineering solutions and development of the detailed designs and elaborations of the Engineering design were finalized in 1985. The Drinking Water Plant Treatment (DWPT) design was prepared in 1985 (In 1985 there were three design phases in the Bulgarian design practice: preliminary investigation, engineering design and detailed design). An update of the dam and DWPT designs was performed in 2000 when construction of the dam wall started. The main facilities of the Plovdivtsi Water Supply System are: dam wall, cofferdam (included in the dam bulk), water intake tower with a well overflow and bottom outlet, a diversion gallery and a Drinking Water Plant Treatment (DWPT). Construction of Plovdivtsi Water Supply System was performed by Zhiva Voda LLC and started in 1985, while that that of the dam started in 2000 and was suspended in 2001. Maintenance and security of the partial dam and DWPT have been provided by Zhiva Voda LLC since suspension of the project. Plovdivtsi Dam is state public property under the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works (MRDPW). Water Supply and Sewerage LLC ­ Smolian will be the future Operator of the dam. Page 10 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report Dam Wall The dam wall was designed as the rock-fill type, with asphalt-concrete diaphragm (ACD) and 35,0 m deep two-layer grout curtain. The main parameters of the dam wall and the water reservoir are as follows: Maximum height 47,35 m Crest length 224,71 m Total storage reservoir: 2,45×106 m3 Dam lake length 1100 m Effective storage capacity 1,84×106 m3 Unavailable storage capacity 0,61×106 m3 Water catchment area: 13,55 km2 Water catchment area mean height above sea level 1325 m Water catchment area afforestation 90% Annual mean influx 15,20×106 m Ponded area 16,10 ha Crest elevation 928,00 Elevation at the highest operating water level (HOWL) 925,00 Elevation at the highest water level (HWL) 926,81 Elevation at the lowest operating water level (LOWL) 896,00 Elevation at the lowest water intake level (LWIL) 890,50 Elevation of unavailable capacity (silt) 888,75 Elevation at the bottom outlet axis 885,30 Maximum water supply discharge 200 l/s Total water supply capacity 4,04×106 m3 Flooding volume (ecological runoffs) 0,95×106 m3 Water Intake Tower with Well Overflow and Bottom Outlet The well overflow is dimensioned for Q0.01% = 189,00 m3/s. The designed height of the structure is 40.00 m with an overflow body diameter of 12.00 m and a well diameter of 4,00 m. The water intake is designed to provide water supply in three levels, with switching over performed in a gate chamber where the required locks have been installed. Above the overflow foundation is the port of the bottom outlet through which the water reservoir is drained in 16.9 days. Drinking Water Treatment Plant Water is brought to the treatment plant from the dam through steel pipe, passes through the wells and is fed to the filter building containing fast-acting sand filters. The reagents are mixed in the inlet pipe and the treated water is delivered to the consumers through the outlet well. (Note the Appendix including Topographic Map (#1), Site Plan (#3), Cross Section of the Wall (#4), Relevant Photos (#5), List of Designs of Plovdivtsi Dam(#6). Page 11 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report Current Situation of Plovdivtsi Dam During the visual inspection of the dam and the facilities in 2007 and 2008 it was established that: the dam has been built up to a height of about 17 m, which represents about 30% of the required construction work. The reinforced-concrete slab in the wall axis for curtain injection below the diaphragm and the diaphragm foundation is completed. The asphalt concrete diaphragm has been built up to the part of the embankment height, which after suspension of the construction has been covered with a layer of sand. The measuring instrumentation (as part of the control and instrumentation system including piezometers, inclinometers, devices for measuring of sagging in the diaphragm and filtered water metering in relation to the embankment level) has been installed. There are no visible damages to the construction or cable breaks. The construction of DWTP has not actually started. No erection works have been performed on the intake tower or the bottom outlet, as well as for the DWTP. The following facilities of the Plovdivtsi Water Supply System are fully completed: water intake tower (well overflow), bottom outlet, diversion gallery slide valve well, stilling basin at the end of the gallery, a bridge across the river downstream of the stilling basin and the road to DWTP, water pipes and relevant access roads. The current situation of the required auxiliary facilities could be described as follows: a quarry is opened within the water reservoir basin; the construction sites at the dam and at the DWTP have been prepared; the disposal sites for spoil material - No. 1 and for humus - No.2 remained opened, as well as the operating disposal site No.3 and the disposal site "Zastava". The disposal site No.1 is at the DWTP site and covers the current site, disposal site No.2 for humus is located below the village of Plovdivtsi and disposal site No.3 used as temporary storage of the rock used for the dam embankment is located inside the basin. The main disposal site for spoil material not used for construction of the dam entitled "Zastava" is located in the reservoir far end at the frontier post. The materials from the Zastava disposal site are used for technical recultivation and once construction works are finalized it will be also recultivated. The following civil works need to be finalized for completion of the dam: rock-fill embankment, asphalt-concrete diaphragm, installation of the Control and Instrumentation System (C&I); DWTP construction; erection works at the Intake Tower, bottom outlet and DWTP; asphalting the national road network damaged by vehicles during the construction works. The construction works for the dam and DWTP will be performed simultaneously. All construction service roads have been built, including the bridge to the DWTP. Upon the design update, the waste quantities, construction work time schedule, and construction effluent treatment technology during DWTP construction will be revised. The cofferdam will ensure effluent settling capacity during construction of the dam. The Contractor will be in charge of the construction works in accordance with the signed contracts; W&S LLC ­ Smolian will appoint the operating unit that has the competence to implement the technical and economical aspects of the dam operation. Monitoring reports related to implementation of construction works will be submitted annually by the appointed operating unit to the East-Aegean Region Basin Directorate and to RIEW ­ Smolian. The EDDR submitted to the Bank in 2007 specifies the activities to be performed prior to commencement of construction works for Plovdivtsi Dam, as follows: detailed review of as- built drawings of performed construction works, including protocols for hidden works, Page 12 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report injections in the base, construction supervision of the embankment and the diaphragm; reassess the high water amounts taking into consideration hydrological data from the recent 20 years and update the dam crest elevation depending on the required freeboard; conduct micro-seismic studies to determine the seismic hazard on the dam site; collect samples of the embankment in the filters and the rock massif and evaluate geo-engineering indicators of the materials; check the deposits of filling materials in the borrow pits used; assess the condition of concrete structures (intake tower, diversion gallery, concrete slabs below the ACD on both banks); update the cross-section profile of the dam wall depending on the results of geo- engineering, hydrological and seismic studies; check the condition of installed measuring instrumentation and update the C&I design if required; update the available dam and facility designs; collection of soil samples from the dam reservoir for the purposes of quality analysis. If needed, this EIA will be revised in according with the findings of the above-noted studies. The maximum daily water demand is defined as 200 l/s. The existing construction site located on the reservoir bed and the depot in the village of Plovdivtsi (which was used during works performed in 2000) will be used for completion of the construction. The concrete works on the facilities belonging to the dam wall are completed (intake tower, bottom outlet, stilling basin). The time required for dam completion is assumed to be 3years. The workforce required for the implementation of construction is estimated at about 200 persons (including those needed for the DWTP). During operation of the site the maximum number of operating staff will be 15 - 20 persons including those needed for the DWTP. The operational lifetime of the dam as per the regulatory documents shall be 100 years. The required foreign investments are estimated at 23 million , according to financial plan. V. BASELINE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC INFORMATION 4.1. AIR 4.1.1. Climate The climate in the region of Plovdivtsi Dam is Continental Mediterranean. The region more particularly belongs to the East-Rhodopean low-mountain climate region of the South- Bulgaria climate subregion. This region encompasses the highlands and hills in the water catchment area of the river of Arda altitude from 400 m to 1,000 m. The altitude of the dam water plane is 925 m in the case of normal filling. Winter ­ This region has relatively colder winter than the adjacent valley region. The mean temperature in January is within the range -1,3 to 0,3. The mean temperature minimum in January is about -5C, and in the events of formation of anticyclone weather the air temperature can drop to about -14C. The winter precipitation amount is about 230-260 mm. At the same time, due to the altitude, snowfalls are about 50% of the winter precipitations. There is snow cover for about 55-60 days during the year. Page 13 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report Summer ­ The summer is moderately warm with average temperature of about 17-18C in July and reach maximums of 22-25. On several occasions the maximum temperature may exceed 30. The period with air temperatures above 10 lasts for about 160-170 days. The summer precipitation sum is about 220-230 mm. Spring and autumn ­autumn is warmer than spring. The mean temperature is about 8 in April, and about 9C in October. The mean precipitation sum is about 210 mm during both seasons. Autumn is the calmest season with average wind velocity around 1 m/s, while spring is characterized by relatively higher wind velocities, about 1-1,5 m/s. Precipitations and evaporation influence the water reserves in closed water basins. In this region, precipitations are relatively high reaching an annual precipitation amount of about 900-1,000 mm, while winter precipitations are 5 to 10% higher than the summer precipitations. Sometimes the maximum daily precipitations may exceed 100 mm. The annual sum of potential evapo-transpiration is 500-600 mm, exceeding 100 mm in July. . Page 14 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report 12 12 10.7 11.2 10.7 7.5 9.1 10 8.3 7 6.2 7 3.1 4.9 0 C 2.3 2 3.6 1.6 -2.2 0.8 1 11 12 -2.5 -3 2-3.7 3 -1.5 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 -5 -3.1 -4.5 -5.5 -8 Fig.1 Monthly mean minimum air temperature 20 18.9 18.8 16.7 17.9 17.5 15.6 15 13.2 13.5 15 12.4 10.2 10 8.78 9.2 0 5.2 6.4 5 3.6 2.8 0.9 2.2 0.11.5 0 -0.3 -1.3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 -5 Fig.2 Monthly mean air temperature 30 26.1 26.4 25 24.7 22.1 23.5 25.1 20.2 22.6 20 18.7 15.1 21.2 0 C 15 16.9 14.1 15.9 9.5 11.6 10 6.4 8.3 10.5 6.5 5 4.3 5.2 5.5 3.4 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Page 15 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report Fig.3 Monthly mean maximum air temperature 105 100.5 98.4 96 95 88.9 90.5 90.6 87.2 87.1 88.387.7 85 83.1 78.5 75 69.9 70 71.2 65.7 65 6262 59.157.6 55 53.154.5 53.9 49.6 45 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Fig.4 Monthly mean precipitation amount 1.5 1.3 1.1 / 0.9 0.7 0.5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 1.2 1.4 1.3 1.1 0.9 1 1 1 1 0.9 0.8 0.8 1.3 1.4 1.2 0.8 0.9 0.9 1 0.9 0.7 0.8 0.9 Fig.5 Monthly mean wind velocity 90 7979 8081 8080 80 7677 76 7677 74 72 71 7272 72 71 % 69 70 69 70 68 6766 60 50 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Page 16 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report Fig.6 Monthly mean relative humidity N N 30 30 25 25 NW NE NW 20 20 NE 15 15 10 10 5 5 W 0 E W 0 E SW SE SW SE S S January calm 58.5 April calm 51.4 N N 30 35 25 30 NW 20 NE NW 25 NE 15 20 15 10 10 5 5 W 0 E W 0 E SW SE SW SE S S July calm 49.6 October calm 57.7 N 35 30 NW 25 NE 20 15 10 5 W 0 E SW SE S Annual calm 55.2 Fig.7 Wind rose patterns, Smolian Station Page 17 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report 4.1.2. Air Quality Following suspension of the construction, the air quality in the region reverted to the natural conditions it had prior to commencement of the project. Suspension of ore mining and the remoteness from Rudozem, Madan and Smolian towns does not allow transport of air pollutants. The traffic to the villages Plovdivtsi and Frontier Post (at border with Greece) is low, (e.g., 2 to 5 vehicles per day), and is not considered a source of pollution. In this region, there are no National Monitoring System stations for air quality monitoring; the only nearby station is at Peak Rozhen located within about 70 km from the village Plovdivtsi. The air quality levels are within acceptable limits due to restrictions along the border with Greece according to which construction of industrial enterprises is not permitted in this area. These restrictions were required since 1990s and are still applicable today. 4.2. WATER Surface Water The dam is constructed on the river Iskrets, which falls into river Elhovska about 700 m downstream of the Elhovets village. The river Elhovska falls into the Arda. The Iskrets river is a mountain river that takes its source from springs at an elevation of 1,735 m and has a well developed network of rivers with high banks. The water catchment area of the river Iskrets is in the northern part of the Rhodopi Mountain at the border with Greece and is entirely in the Bulgarian territory. The run-off to the Plovdivtsi Dam was determined on the basis of data collected from four hydro meteorological stations (HMS); the data collected at the HMS No. 346 (new No. 61330) on the river Elhovska near Rudozem town was used as analogue. The dam inflow was determined as 15,20×106 m3. The run-off in the Iskrets at the Water Supply System has the following characteristics (typical occurrence for water economy analysis, water flows and volumes): Occurrence (%) 25 50 75 95 Water quantity Q( l/s) 538,4 482,0 392,3 297,4 Volume of the wave W( m3×106 ) 16,98 15,20 12,37 9,38 Water Quality Laboratory analyses have been performed for the water quality of the Iskrets River. Such data was collected in 1979 and 1987 by Vodocanalengineering SPLLC ­ Sofia, in 1996 by Eco Aqua Tech EOOD Sofia and during 1996- 1998 by VIK EOOD - Smolian (Records of these laboratory analyses are enclosed in the Appendix). Page 18 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report The major physical and chemical analyses from the latest laboratory examinations of mixed waters towards Plovdivtsi Dam indicate that: The water temperature varies between 8 and 13,5; Color was established to be 5 to 11 grades,(with an average of 8 by the Rublyov Scale); No odor or taste were established; Transparency varies from 2,5 to over 30 cm; Turbidity is within the range 0,2 - 51 mg/l, depending on precipitations; is within the neutral range, close to the lower limit, i.e. characterizing the water as mildly acidic; Total hardness reaches 2,5 which defines the water as typically mountain and very soft; these characteristics are confirmed by the low mineralization results Heavy and rare metals were not detected Several samples proved presence of ammonium, and organic matter contamination. The overall results show that the water is low-carbonaceous, aggressive to solid concrete. Hydro-biological studies performed by Vodocanalengineering SPLLC indicate that the river had different levels of biological indicators showing that the water does not meet the standard requirements due to high values of the microbial indicator, although the coli-titre indicator recorded a lower value; the water exceeds the limits of 166 cm3/m3 for BDS in Seston content; the phyto plankton cells content varies (e.g., 185 nos./cm3 in July versus the standard value of 100 nos/cm3; and the total beta- radioactivity as well as the uranium and radium concentrations were found to be within the standard limits in May. The run-off in the Iskrets is unevenly distributed annually. During the summer low-water season (August, September, October) the run-off in the river drastically decreases to about 4% of the annual run-off while about 70% of the annual run-off flows during December ­ March. The construction of the dam wall has separated the upper river section from the lower sections. The river flows now from the upper to the lower section via the diversion tunnel. The partially drying of rivers within the watershed during summer is also typical downstream of the dam due to the fact that there are water intakes on the rivers. These water intakes draw water for the current water supply of the town of Plovdivtsi and other settlements. These waters feature not only a fluctuating flow, but are also influenced by precipitations. The dam bed is characterized by active natural erosion processes influenced also by cutting of the forest vegetation. This determines a reduced sedimentation in-wash rate in the Iskrets river. The elevation to which the dam has been constructed creates potential hazards for the population of the town of Plovdivtsi and the settlements downstream during high waters. Couple of critical flooding events took place since 2001 threatening to destroy the embankment and triggering a destructive wave. Zhiva Voda LLC performs regular inspections during intensive rainfall periods. Page 19 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report Ground water The region belongs to the West-Thracian hydro-geological area of the East-Rhodopi subregion and it is characterized by its low water abundance, forming mainly springs along the interface between andesites and rhyolites. On the basis of hydro-geologic data obtained in the course of development of ore massifs, the host rocks, are heavily cracked and highly chloritized, seritized and in some places kaolinitized. In the subsurface rock layer the tectonic cracks became open systems as a result of weathering processes through which a hydraulic connection is established between the precipitation water to the deeper aquifers. Some apophysic and plume-like branching are observed in addition to the main tectonic disruptions which created larger-area pore water- bearing system. Rhyolites occur mainly as mantles and lie over a mixed base. Prismatic and slabby cracking, as well as weathering and tectonic cracks are typical of them. The prismatic cracks are open and usually gaping. That makes the rhyolites a good accumulator of ground water where a free-flowing pore-water stream has formed wherefrom, in the lower sectors, the water flows out and gives the beginning of almost all rivers and gullies. In that part, the total average annual precipitations is over 900 mm/m2/g and the run-off modulus is 20 l3/s km2; about 60- 70% of this is at the expense of the ground run-off. Water temperature in the rhyolite mantles is low, 4-5 to 9. The water is fresh to ultra-fresh with 0,05 to 0,1 g/l total mineralization. The dam area terrain consists of volcanic rocks including rhyolites of the Oligocene covered with Quaternary formations. High-crystalline series such as gneisses, amphibolite intercalations, and marblesoccur widely in the geological structure of the region. They are dislocated and faulted, and highly cracked at the surface. This creates favorable conditions for formation of ground water. The hydrographic network is highly broken and deeply indented which creates conditions for quick discharge of the precipitation and draining of the ground water from the terrain. The main source of water supply is the precipitation water which is more than 900- 1000 mm/m2 in this region (Zlatograd Station ­ 1058 mm/m2). The precipitation water has also a short route of circulation and draining which is the prerequisite for a number of springs with a delivery rate of 0,05 to 0.2 l/s. Most of these springs dry up in summer. However, the springs near the erosion basis of the Arda River are comparatively more resistant. The shallow ground water is bound to the alluvial deposits. The level of groundwater is near the surface and varies between 2 and 5 m below the ground. 4.3 GEOLOGIC BASE Plovdivtsi Dam area belongs to the Rhodopi supergroup, more particularly, to the Bogutevo suite. It has outcropped in the core of the South-Rhodopi anticline as two areas separated by the Smilian granite ­ in the region of the village Borikovo and to the south of the Smilian­ Goliam Palas line village up to the state border. Fragments of the suite are observed in the rest of the outcrops in individual tectonic blocks. The Bogutevo suite forms the peripheral zone of the Madan- Davidkovo swell, the Shiroka Laka anticline and the Lyaskovo swell. The rocks forming it lie in complete concordance over the Chepelare suite with a quick, yet gradual transition. The suite consists of uniform, mainly medium-grained biotiteplagioclase gneiss changing to fine-grained in places, sometimes containing garnet or graphite. The entire suite is affected by magmatization processes, as a result of which the gneisses have non-uniformly, in individual sectors, taken on the textural features of intercalating, streaked, banded or porphyroblasticmigmatites. Page 20 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report All rocks in the suite contain intercalating and secant migmatic pegmatoid lodes which, in the vicinity of the Smilian granite are intersected by granite lodes and young pegmatite related to it. The thickness of the stripped parts of the suite varies from 250-300 to 600-700 m. Phanerozoic Granitoids This group includes the intrusive bodies and lodes, medium- to fine grain biotite granites, pegmatoid and fine-grain to aplitoid granites passing into granosyenites and granodiorites. They intersect and alterthe Precambrian metamorphites and are covered by Priabonian sediments, constituting part of the fragmentary component of brecciaconglomerates. The Smilian intrusive is the largest representative body that illustrates all specific features of these granitoids. It outcrops between the villages Smilian, Sivino and Plovdivtsi where it is introduced among the rocks of the Vatcha and Dobrostan suite. In the endocontact zones the granite has often a parallel texture and includes numerous xenoliths, mainly marbles that have re-crystallized. The internal structure of the Smilian intrusive is non-homogeneous. Its central parts consist of leucocratic, predominantly medium-grain, and biotite granites with varying mica content that gradually decreases at the periphery. Paleogene In the Plovdivtsi dam region Paleogene ion is represented by Paleogenic vulcanite and by felsitic rhyolites, phenolatites, porphyroclastic rhyolites and rhyodacites. The porphyroclastic rhyolites constitute parts of two large volcanic massifs: the Smolyan massif to the east of the town of Smolian forming the massif of peak Perelik and the Vitinmassif situated between the villages Arda and Plovdivtsi. Their color is pink; grey to pitch black at the foot of the massif. The porphyroclastic rhyolites are weakly affected by regional and local post-volcanic alterations. Quaternary Quaternary deposits are common everywhere. They do not play a significant role in the geologic structure due to their small thickness and lack of links between the individual disclosures. Page 21 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report GEOLOGIC MAP 1 : 100 000 Lithology Rhyolites Smilyan granites The Bogutevo suite forms Page 22 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report Tectonics The region where the Plovdivtsi dam is constructed is distinguished for its complex tectonic structure. It belongs to the Southwest portion of the East-Rhodopi block where tectonic motions of varied intensity and time of duration are recorded. The Smilian fault is the largest and most significant structure in this region. From west to east the marbles of the Dobrostan suite are displaced to the mixed rocks of the Vatcha suite with a steep dip to the north (about 70-80 to vertical). Consequently, with such inclination, it intersects the Smilian granites, while to the east of Smilian the dip varies from 60-70 to 40- 50 and thus stretches to the road to Rudozem. Before the Paleozoic and Upper-Cretaceous intrusions, the Precambrian foundation had been metamorphozed, folded and broken up in blocks. Such is the case with the Smilian granitoids which break up and intersect the structures of the old consolidated Precambrian base and impose partial reorientation of the rocks in the contact parts of the bodies. The largest body - the Smilian intrusive has lifted, in the process of its intrusion, the rocks of the Bogutevo suite in the east contact, raising predominantly marbles in the form of xenolyths from the underlying Chepelare suite. Assuming that the granites are of the Upper-Cretaceous age, we refer the related deformations to that period. The seismicity of the region has been determined as 8th degree with = 0.15. Mineral resources The region is characterized by the largest polymetal deposits in Bulgaria including the Madan ore field and the southern parts of the Luckinsko and Davidsko ore fields. The deposits are related to the Late-Alpine magmatism and represented by the galenite- sphalerite-pyrite formation. The ore lodes are, in most cases, ore-bearing sectors of the faults separated by ore-fewer intervals. They are quarz-carbonate with nest-like, massive or dispersed lead-zinc ore deposits. There are no mineral deposits in the reservoir basin. 4.4. SOILS The soils in the region of Plovdivtsi Dam are of the Metamorphic (Cambisols) class, brown forest type. They were formed under the influence of forest ligneous vegetation, mostly deciduous, and as a result of succession processes includes also coniferous. They are characterized by a deep to moderately deep humus layer. Their mechanical composition is clayey-sandy, slightly to moderately rocky, of medium depth, moderately acidic reaction of the soil solution, and good water conditions. In the area affected by construction of the Plovdivtsi Water Supply System, the soils are currently subject to strong anthropogenic influence. Over a significant area, the humus layer is stripped and stored at the disposal site, and in the process of building the new road to the frontier post (along the right-hand bank of the river) the excavated earth and rocks have covered the slope below the roadway. However, the soil erosion in the region is insignificant due to woods located in the rivers water-catchment area. The soils in the region of Plovdivtsi Dam (bed and dam area) are not contaminated with chemical substances or heavy metals due to the location in the border area and the specificity of the agricultural practices in the area (e.g., gathering of hay for animal feed and small Page 23 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report pasture grounds). Due to the absence of sources of such pollutants no soil samples have been taken. Soil samples to define soil quality are to be taken from the bed of the dam in the course of design update. The environmental monitoring includes control soil sample-taking during the operation period. It is necessary to take measures against contamination with waste from settled areas in sanitary-security zones and . 4.5. WASTE The on-site inspection did not establish abandoned construction waste or unregulated landfills. 4.6. HARMFUL PHYSICAL FACTORS ­ NOISE Currently, there are no noise sources in the territory of Plovdivtsi Dam since the construction has been suspended. The background noise is the natural background of the environment within the limits 30 dBA ­ 43 dBA (in the immediate vicinity of the river). 4.7. FLORA According to the classification of forest habitat types (forest and other vegetation territories) in Bulgaria, the region of Plovdivtsi Dam falls into the southern border forest and other vegetation region, Arda subregion, median mountain belt of the beech and coniferous woods. Some mesophite phytocenoses with prevailing Scots pine (Pinus silvestris) and presence of beech (Fagus silvatica) and birch (etula alba) are directly affected by the dam construction. In the initial phase of the Plovdivtsi Water Supply System construction, the older ligneous vegetation (e.g., wood mass) found in the bed of the water reservoir was cut. Currently, there are some islands of young trees ­ undergrowth of Scots pine and deciduous offshoot (mainly beech) which are not of national or regional significance (see Appendix: Forest Map). The afforestated area affected by the construction of Plovdivtsi dam belongs to the Smilian State Forestry. The land encompassed by the reservoir basin has been alienated in conformity with the respective procedure before the start of construction. The reservoir basin area does not belong to the Smilian Forestry. The natural vegetation communities in the reservoir basin are affected by the construction works performed, due to the cutting of ligneous vegetation and removal of a major part of the humus. In the vicinity of the dam lake, down to the confluence of the Big River with Iskrets river, there are no rare species or species endangered by the works performed till 2000. The information was obtained through study of available sources, survey data, consultations and visual inspection of the territory (see Appendix: Forest Map showing the areas covered with forest vegetation and agricultural plants). Protected Natural Territories The Protected Area (PA) "Tsigansko Gradishte" (code BG 0000372) Natura 2000 ­is situated in Bulgaria near the Greek border in the area where Plovdivtsi dam is constructed. A brief assessment comparing the current dam map with the one of the PA concluded that the Tsigansko Gradishte PA is partly overlapping with the sanitary protected zones of Plovdivtsi Dam. However, this needs to be confirmed by the MoEW in collaboration with related Regional Inspectorate of Environment during the process of PA designation and development of respective Management Plan for this Natura 2000 site (CoMD No. 349/27.01.2009). MRDPW will cooperate for the development of the PA Management Plan with high priority. Page 24 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report However, it is expected that the future dam operation and completion of construction works will not impact negatively any critical habitats or sensitive ecosystems in the Plovdivtsi dam zone. In accordance with current national rules and procedures related to development of management plans for PA (SG7/2009), the regimes of the Natura 2000 PAs are advised to be assessed in coordination with those of sanitary-protected zones; furthermore, in the case of full or partial overlap between the boundaries of a PA with the sanitary­protected zones of dams, the applicable restrictions for activities is coordinated with the Water Act. It is noted that construction of the Plovdivtsi dam started in 1986 prior to the designation of the Protected Areas at this site. Consultations carried out with the Directorate "National service for nature protection" within the MOEW confirmed that for those sites for which a construction permit is in place and constructions have commenced, there is no need for a compatibility assessment with Natura 2000 (as per Art.4 of the Ordinance) on the terms and conditions for assessment of compatibility of investment proposals with the subject and purpose of conservation of Protected areas. However, it is also noted that the regime of management for sanitary-protected zones of dams is consistent with environmental protection objectives of Natura 2000 sites. 4.8. FAUNA 4.8.1 Ichtiofauna The investigation for the EIA purposes was performed in 2007. The section of the Elhovska river was visited in the zone of the prospective dam reservoir, which included walks, visual observations and fishing by means of net devices. The analysis made also used data collected during the ecological studies for the Elhovska performed in 2005 and 2006 (see Methodologies and Sources 11, 12, 13, 14). Present Condition of the Ichtiofauna The data from the studies undertaken in 2005 and 2006 indicate that the ichtiofauna of the Elhovska river is depleted in the area between the villages Burchevo and Plovdivtsi. The dominating fish species in this river is the minnow (Phoxinus phoxinus) which is the only representative of the ichtiofauna downstream of the village of Plovdivtsi. It seems that this fragmentary minnow population has survived in a few preserved flooded zones. These fish species are not listed in any Bulgarian or international environmental documents and do not present conservation significance. Presence of some fish fauna represented by a small population of Brown trout (Salmo trutta fario) has been notified only in the upper river course upstream of the reservoir. The operation of the dam is not expected to have a negative impact on the local population of these species. In connection with completion of the revised design this will be confirmed and the updated EMP will include any measures necessary to ensure the protection of these species. The river bed along almost the whole length of the future dam lake has run dry, obviously as a result of the natural water shortage, but also due to diversion of a part of the water for water supply to the town of Madan. Page 25 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report 4.8.2 Herpetofauna (Amphibia and Reptiles) These data have been obtained as a result of the inspection performed on site and study of various sources on the herpetofauna within the range of the territory of Plovdivtsi Dam [see Methodologies and Sources, items 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20]. Table 1 presents the amphibian and reptiles found in the project area, their environmental protection status and the places where they were observed. Table 1 List of species, their conservation status and habitat location in the dam wall and reservoir areas Environmental status Species BDA Berne Conv. Dir.92/3 Found at: 4 Salamander village of Vitina Yellow-bellied toad , V village of Plovdivtsi Brown toad Elhovets, Vitina Big water frog V V Plovdivtsi, Vitina Grecian frog V Plovdivtsi, Elhovets Common frog , V V Vitina Wall lizard V Plovd.,Elhovets,Vitina Green lizard V Vitina Slow-worm Vitina Note: BDA ­ Biological Diversity Act; Berne Conv. ­ Convention on Preservation of the European Wildlife, Appendices , ; Dir. 92/43 ­ EU Directive 92/43 on Preservation of the Natural Habitats and Wildlife, Appendices , V and V. The protection status of these species has low conservation value. The wall and green lizards are widely distributed in Bulgaria, forming very dense populations. The species included in Table 1 are not listed in the Bulgarian or World Red Books nor protected by the CITES Convention. The population density of the established species (with the exception of wall lizard and yellow-bellied toad) is considered low. 4.8.3 Mammalian Fauna The construction of Plovdivtsi Dam is suspended since 2001. During the site inspection in 2007 the river bed was dry and the state of the site could be evaluated as serious anthropogenic pressure on the environment. The fauna of the Rhodopi area encompasses representatives of all animals typical of Bulgaria. The massive structure of the mountain and the ground profile diversity provide an opportunity for full representation of animal species distributed at different altitudes. The endangered and rare mammal species such as the wolf (Canis lupus), the Pine-marten (Martes martes) and bats - are well preserved in the region. The Hare (Lepus capensis), the Fox (Vulpes vulpes), the Badger (Meles meles), the Wild boar (Sus scrofa), the European polecat (Putorius putorius), the Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris), the Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) could be found frequently in the region. The hunting fauna is represented by 15 mammal species. There are about 36 Bat species (Chiroptera), of which 27 occur in the Rhodopi mountain, including 12 of the 18 species listed in the Red Book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). There are no abandoned mine galleries in the region around Plovdivtsi Dam inhabited by bat colonies. Page 26 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report Small mammals such as Rodents (Rodentia) ­ various kinds of Mice (Apodemus spp. and Mus spp.), Rats (Rattus spp.), Pile voles (Microtus spp.) and insect eating species (Insectivora) ­ Hedgehogs (Erinaceus concolor), Moles (Talpa europaea), and Long-tailed shrews (Sorex spp., Crocidura spp.,) are permanent inhabitants of the region [see Methodologies and Sources, items 21, 22, 23, 24]. 4.8.4 Ornitofauna The information presented in this section was collected during the 2007 inspection at the dam site and from several studies available on the ornitofauna in the country, such as the assessment of ornitofauna in the West Rhodopi region, consulting services for delineation of the Via Aristotelis and Via Pontica migration corridors, and preparation of an EIA Report for hydro-power projects, wind parks and sport complexes in the Rhodopi area [see Methodologies and Sources, item 25]. Consequently, 48 bird species (Aves) are registered at the dam site and in its vicinity. The overall species composition at the dam site can be evaluated as scarce, due to the relative uniformity of the territory including slopes occupied by coniferous and deciduous forest with highly closed leaf canopy. The species characteristic to the dam area and presented in Appendix 2 of the Biological Diversity Act including plant and animal species endangered by extinction, for which preservation is a priority are the following: 1. Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos (L.)) ­ flitting and flying round specimens 2. Honey buzzards (Pernis apivorus (L.)) ­ flitting and flying round specimens 3. Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus Tunstall) ­ flitting specimens 4. Hazel hen (Tetrastes bonasia (L.) 5. Red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio L.) None of the five species are immediately dependent on the river habitat and therefore are not expected to be affected by the change of river to reservoir habitat. Of the first 3 species listed above only flitting and flying round specimens have been registered. However, the dam site and the adjacent territories are not their reproductive habitats. The Hazel hen breeds in the forests in the region, but no longer in those already affected by construction works for the future dam. These species have restored in the forests throughout the country and are not considered rare or endangered with extinction. The Red-backed shrike lives and nests in low ligneous vegetation in open territories or in forest edges including settlements. Two couples of that species were observed in the vicinity of the dam wall itself and about 150 m upstream of it. The mammalian fauna and the ornitofauna are mobile species and have been subjected to intense anthropogenic pressure (construction works and their suspension, harvesting of the forest vegetation and removal of the humus layer). There are no critical habitats or sensitive ecosystems of flora and fauna, or any animal species of high conservation significance in the area affected by Plovdivtsi dam. Page 27 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report 4.9. LANDSCAPE To a great extent changes have already occurred in the landscape and environment in the area under consideration The dam wall of Plovdivtsi has been constructed to elevation 17 m height, the entire vegetation has been cut, the stone quarry has been developed and the construction sites of the dam and DWTP have been set up. Suspension of construction works has a negative effect on the landscape because of the active development of erosion and as a consequence of the unfinished activities for remediation of areas disrupted by construction and the incomplete implementation of facilities. 4.10. SOCIO-CULTURAL ENVIRONMENTAND HEALTH FACTOR The main sources of air pollution in the region are only the emissions from motor vehicles and from domestic heating and combustion appliances. About 10-15 years ago a large part of the residents working in the underground mines was exposed to excessive dust emissions. Currently, the health and social status of the population is characterized by a downward trend of the population numbers observed in the region of Plovdivtsi Dam. However, about 59% of the population in Rudozem Municipality as well as in Madan has an active age which is due to gradual stabilization of existing activities and opening of new ones. The population of the Rudozem and Madan municipalities totals about 45 000. The economic activity and living conditions of the population deteriorated due to liquidation of the ore mining industry before 2003-2004. Currently, both municipalities are working towards development of rural tourism centers. A hotel complex was built in Plovdivtsi where a number of health and services sport facilities are offered. The construction of a border checkpoint to Greece is pending but will create new opportunities. There are small business enterprises in both towns such as dressmaking factories and cosmetics shop. The two municipalities are situated among unique natural landscapes offering good prospects for development. The Elhovska River provides conditions for fishing. The transport infrastructure is good but restricted to motor roads (Madan-Rudozem-Smolian- Plovdiv; Rudozem-Madan-Kirdjali-Plovdiv). The demographic pattern of the population compared to the average data for the country is presented in Table 2. Table 2 Demographic data at the project area (2006) Settlement Born* Deceased* Growth* 1. For the country 9,2 14,4 -5,4 - towns in Bulgaria 9,6 12,0 -3,8 - Villages in Bulgaria 8,1 20,8 -12,7 2. Smolian District 7,4 11,8 -4,4 - Towns 8,4 9,5 -1,1 - Villages 6,3 14,3 -8,0 Note: * - number per 1000 persons of the population Data in Table 2 indicate a relatively lower negative growth of the population in Smolian District versus the background of negative demographic growth for the country 5,4 per 1000 persons. However, data indicate lower number of children born in the villages of Smolian District compared to other villages in the country. The smaller growth population decline recorded in villages in Smolian versus the rest in Bulgarians due to a smaller number of deceased. Page 28 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report Beside the demographic indicators, the data on morbidity are also important for assessment of the populations health condition and cases registered for socially significant diseases such as cardio-vascular, infectious and malignant. Table 3 presents data on the tuberculosis and malignant diseases cases registered recently in Bulgaria. Table 3 Cases of Turbeculoisis and Malignant Diseases Registered in Bulgaria and Smolian Disease Group Average for Data on Smolian the country * District * 1. Recorded cases of active tuberculosis 127,7 91,7 2. Newly found cases of tuberculosis in 2005 40,7 30,1 3. Recorded cases of malignant diseases 3069,9 2633,1 4. Newly found cases of malignant diseases in 2004 379,3 299,2 Note - * - number of cases per 100000 persons of the population Data in Table 3 indicates that the noted socially significant diseases tend to show a lower rate than the average for the country. Consequently, information presented in Tables 2 and 3 shows that the health status of the population in Smolian District does not differ significantly from the one observed at the level of entire country. Table 4 presents data on occurrence of infectious diseases that can be spread by water. Table 4 Water related infectious diseases registered during 2005-2006 * - number of cases per 100000 persons of the population Disease Group Average for Data on Smolian the country * District * 1. Virus hepatitis data of 2005 85,2 26,2 Virus hepatitis data of 2006 109,4 92,0 2. Leptospirosis data of 2005 0,6 - Leptospirosis data of 2006 0,3 - 3. Dysentery data of 2005 21,2 10,6 Dysentery data of 2006 11,4 19,1 Note - * - number of cases per 100000 persons of the population Data presented in Table 4 indicate that, with respect to infectious diseases that can be spread by water, there are no differences between the average data for the country and those for Smolian District. There is no data about any relation between these diseases and water quality. Dangerous infections of cholera and typhoid fever have not been recorded in Bulgaria for more than 40 years. 4.11. CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL HERITAGE There are no data of any historical, archaeological or architectural finds on the territory of the dam. None of the above has been registered during the construction of the Plovdivtsi dam to this point. Visual observations and consultations with authorities undertaken during preparation of this report did not indicate the presence of any such features. Should any finds be uncovered on site in the course of dam completion and reservoir remediation, the procedures envisaged in the Law on Monuments of Culture shall be undertaken by the Institute of Archaeology and the Archaeological museum. Water supply system "Plovdivtsi" Page 29 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report is not connected and does not impact cultural, archeological and architectural landmarks in Plovdivtsi municipality. V. POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS 5.1. AIR 5.1.1 Climate Dam construction will inevitably result in changes in the thermo-physical properties of the base surface ­ and hence of the microclimate in the zone around the dam. The impact of artificial reservoirs on the environment has been the subject of many years of research in Bulgaria. A methodology has been developed for evaluation of microclimate characteristics in areas around dams [see Methodologies and Sources, items 7, 8, 9, 10]. According to preliminary studies in Bulgaria, that change affects mainly the area of the dam since the gradient of meteorological elements is great and may have only a favorable impact on the unaffected flora and fauna. However, the characteristics of the ground profile and some features of the microclimate caused should also be taken into account. The location of the dam at high altitude, the location of the Rhodopi mountain to the south (peak Tsigansko Gradishte, 1827 m altitude), and the river direction contribute to increased frequency of higher winds with a southern component. On the other hand, on clear and calm nights, a valley breeze is characteristic to this area that will bring cold air from the mountain down to the valley. The recent decades feature significant climate fluctuations exhibited in alteration of dry and wet years, as well greater frequency of extreme phenomena such as long periods of high temperatures, lengthy draughts and heavy rains. Numerous examinations of climatic changes in Bulgaria exhibit significant statistic trends toward decrease of rainfalls and increase of temperatures, which results in reduced humidity. Plovdivtsi Dam will not affect adversely local climatic conditions in the region. The management plan for the water supply facility and the recommendations and measures will secure normal conditions for operation of Plovdivtsi dam. 5.1.2. Air quality During construction phase The completion of Luda Yana Dam is related to the application of technologies that are the main source of the considerable dust emissions (including of fine particulate matter, FPM). These will occur during excavation of earth and its loading, transportation and disposal, as well as during extraction and transportation of rock and other construction materials, necessary for completion of the site and the accompanying transportation and logistics infrastructure. The availability of rock quarry materials at the on-site borrow pit and the crushing plant means that the application of blast technologies will be a significant factor for air pollution during the construction phase. Thus, the air pollution may exceed the admissible limit value for a working environment (10 mg/m3). This calls for adoption of efficient protection measures including permanent use of personal protection means by the workers. Page 30 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report The type and quantity of harmful substances due to extraction and transportation of construction materials (including blast technologies) may reach tens of milligrams per cubic meter of air and will depend strongly on the manner of extraction, physical and chemical properties of materials (e.g. humidity) and type of blast substances. Emissions from construction machinery The use of highly productive diesel-fuelled construction equipment will be a dominating factor of chemical pollution of the air. The fleet of construction machines will consist of: bulldozers, excavators, jackhammers, rollers for compaction of the dam, compressors, and dump trucks. Their total power may exceed 1000 KW and will be the main factor in the emissions of: - sulphur dioxide/PCL*, mean/hour = 350 mg/Nm3 (MOEW and MH Ordinances No. 9 and No. 14); - nitrogen dioxide/PCL*, mean/hour = 200 mg/Nm3; - carbon oxide/PCL*, single-time maximum = 60 mg/Nm3; - methane ­ unfixed air concentration; - volatile organic substances (VOS) Note - *PCL - Permissible concentration limits Table 5 Emissions from Construction and Erection Equipment used at Plovdivtsi dam site construction Emission Noxious substances regime SO2 NO2 VOS CH4 Per hour g/h 1200 14640 2124 4740 51 Per shift Kg/shift 1,2 14,6 2 4,7 0,5 The emissions from construction and erection equipment (Table 5) at the site due to machinery were determined on the basis of: - Diesel fuel consumption per hour 300 kg - Work shift duration 10 hours - Specific fuel consumption 0,25-0,3 kg/kWh Emissions from transport vehicles The location of the aggregate borrow pit in the immediate vicinity of the site is favorable for less air pollution given the short route of transport vehicles. Four heavy-duty trucks are expected to be used - each with a 167 kW diesel engine. The emission data in Table 6 were calculated according to the MOEW standards for this type of machines subject to: - length of a full run1 km; - 10 runs per shift of 4 trucks Page 31 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report - maximum loading of the trucks Table 6 Transport vehicle emissions expected at the Plovdivtsi dam site Emission Noxious substances regime SO2 NO2 VOS CH4 for 4 runs Kg 4,2 44 8,3 35 0,2 for 1 work shift Kg 41,6 436 83,6 348 2,4 The calculated emissions presented in Table 6 do not appear to affect the air quality due to their relatively low levels in comparison with the admissible concentrations. The dam construction requires use of asphalt-concrete diaphragm thus some aromatic and polyaromatic hydrocarbons will be released into the atmosphere in the process of laying the asphalt mix. These specific emissions were determined as 0,644 g/t placed asphalt in accordance with Methodology CORINAIR, MOEW 2000, 04.06.11. The work site specific conditions during construction seem to be unfavorable for dispersion of pollution in the air due to the following aspects: - orographically landlocked terrain: high and steep escarpments which, in the process of building the dam, will exceed > 0,9; and - lack of horizontal and convective air flows that may cause an accumulating pollution effect, quickly reaching and exceeding the permissible levels (PCL) of pollutants according to the Bulgarian legislation. These conditions call for adoption of efficient and protective measures during dam construction, including engineering and organizational aspects that should be reflected in the project EMP. DWTP Construction of the water treatment plant is of a limited scale. The main works performed are concrete placing, masonry, and erection works. Therefore, insignificant and short-time impacts from transport vehicles are possible at the work site. Hazardous substances and raw materials Construction of the Plovdivtsi Dam requires use of varied equipment as well as transport vehicles for supply of construction materials and use of appropriate machinery. Different fuels and lubricants will be used and their quality should meet the requirements of Ordinance No. 66/2003 issued by the Ministry of Transport, as well as MOEW Ordinance on fuel quality in conformity with Council of Ministers Decree 156 / 2003. The recommended measures against the harmful effect of fuels and lubricants consist in their storage in closed vessels and premises in conformity with the fire prevention rules applicable to flammable and explosive substances (Act of the Ministry of Interior Affairs of 1994). Page 32 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report Prolonged stay in the presence of evaporations from such materials should be avoided, and the quantities stored on the site should not exceed the quantities needed for a single refueling of the machines. Table 7 Hazardous Substance Classification* Hazardous Class and substances UN No.* subclass Extra hazard Other characteristics Petrol 1202 6.1 - High-octane Gas oil 1203 3 - Euro Diesel Brand Lubricant oils 1992 3 6.1 - Explosives 0473-0485 1,1-1,4 "NSD" Note - * according to the UN List of Hazardous Substances "NSD" "not specifically designated" Table 7 lists the substances (less explosives) that are subject to the "permit" regime within the meaning of MOEWs Ordinance on Hazardous Substances, Appendix No. 4 to Art.3.4. The advanced construction phase, discontinued haulage of materials from the quarry across v. Plovdivtsi will have a beneficial effect and will not cause any air pollution in Plovdivtsi during the construction. During operation There will be no harmful effects on the environment and the population during the operation of Plovdivtsi Dam due to absence of harmful substances in the air 5.2. WATER SURFACE WATER During construction The water required for construction needs and the respective water sources have been calculated. They will provide resources for the site works during the construction phase and supply it until the dam complete construction. The workers camp including the canteen, the offices, storage facilities and utility premises with bathrooms was located in the village of Plovdivtsi during the construction of the first 17 m wall construction and considered to be used for the completion of these works. There is limited risk of water pollution of the Iskrets River by un-dissolved particles (thus generating increased turbidity) in the course of completing the dam construction since excavation works have been completed and the cofferdam and diversion gallery have been already constructed. Also, there is limited risk of water pollution with oil leakages and spills during construction of the dam if proper monitoring of the technical condition of machinery, use of local gas stations services and existence of a duly secured fuel and lubricant storage is implemented. Page 33 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report The movement of construction machinery and transportation vehicles should be strictly limited on the territory of the construction site. Transport routes should be marked. The technical condition of the machines must be inspected before each shift and those in faulty technical condition should not be operated. In case of potential emergency oil leakage, it is necessary to carry out an immediate deactivation of the soil through mechanical removal against contamination of surface and groundwater and soils. The use of the equipped and operated machinery on the Zhiva Voda LLC and the base at Plovdivtsi construction site provides the possibility for servicing the machinery park of the site. Chemical toilets are placed on the construction sites of the quarries and the dam wall and a contract is signed with a company to service them. There is no sewerage system in Plovdivtsi. Instead, cesspits and detritus tanks are used. During operation Changes in the condition of the Iskrets riverbed The completion of Plovdivtsi Dam forms an artificial lake with a volume of 2,45×106 m3. The water level will rise to an elevation of 925,00 m (the highest operating water level - HOWL). A dam is created with a slowed water exchange despite the continuous supply of water quantities for water supply. At the same time, the dam will stop the erosion processes in the bed. It will stop the drying up of the river section after the dam during the summer period. Water Quality The data from the analysis of the water quality of the Iskrets river indicate that a DWTP should be constructed.. The DWTP construction and the water quality monitoring downstream will meet the up-to-date provisions and normative requirements. In order to ensure the quality of the dam water, cleaning vegetation and organic material from the reservoir bowl and design of sanitary security zones (SSZ) , and is recommended. The design and allocation of the zones is under Ordinance No. 3 on the conditions for analysis, design, approval and operation of SSZ around water sources and facilities for domestic drinking water supply. The initial designation of the zones was carried out in the preliminary developments from 2007. The precise planning of the cleaning of the lake bowl and the zones will be carried out in the technical working design following the geodesic survey. In zones , and , there is strict regulation of the prohibition and restrictive activities, the observation of which is controlled by the Ministry of Healthcare (MH) through its units ­ the Regional for Protection and Control of Public Health (RIPCPH). Sedimentation The design of Vodocanalengineering LLC defines the sedimentation conditions at which the unavailable storage capacity for the Plovdivtsi dam will be 0,61×106 m3. There are no data on the quality of the sediment load in Iskrets river, however, the boundary zone guarantees its protection against pollution to a certain extent. After cleaning of the reservoir bed and the constructed SSZ , and , there is limited danger of contamination of the deposits. Page 34 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report The environmental management plan of the Plovdivtsi Dam will include the possibility for cleaning the reservoir of sediment deposits when the main water outlet is put in operation in the event of high water when the turbidity in the river increases naturally. Defining of the Ecological Runoff The construction of Plovdivtsi Dam disturbs the regime of the natural river runoff of Iskrets River. In order to preserve the river ecosystem of Iskrets River in the construction of the water supply system, the design envisages the discharge of ecological water quantity of 0,030 m3/s. An additional model analysis was carried out to specify the ecological runoff under a methodology developed in Bulgaria [see Methodologies and Sources, items 1, 2, 3, 4]. A mathematical model is used, based on the dependency of the total number of the zoobenthos on the runoff. The change of the total number is viewed as a probability process. In order to determine the model parameters, data are necessary on corresponding values of the total number and the average monthly water quantity, covering an overall vegetation period. To this end, summarized data were used from long-term nature monitoring for the whole territory of Bulgaria. The Fisher criterion and the change of the zoobenthos cenosis in different regimes of the ecological runoff are used. A program has been developed, with the help of which the calculations were made. The regime of ecological runoff is determined under the following scheme: Modeling the development of the zoobenthos in natural runoff regime; Modeling the disturbed runoff regime after the dam, under a balanced method in different ecological runoff regimes (Figure 10). Modeling the development of the zoobenthos in the obtained different regimes of disturbed runoff (Figure 11); Comparison of the obtained rows of average monthly values of the total number of zoobenthos in a disturbed regime with that obtained in a natural one, in order to select a suitable ecological runoff regime (Figure 11). To obtain the monthly values, HMS No. 61 330 on the Elhovska River (the Iskrets river is within the watershed of the Elhovska river) was used as analog. A hydrological series of monthly values for the period 1961 ­ 1998 was calculated. Figure 8 shows the hydrographic pattern of annual runoff in natural conditions. Figure 9 shows the average annual hydrographic pattern in natural conditions. The disturbed runoff regime was calculated based on water-balance with the following assumptions: 0,200 m3/s is delivered for water supply; the ecological runoff is the one proposed in the design amounting to 0,030 m3/s; the dam lake capacity is 2,45×106 m3. Figure 10 compares the average annual hydrographs of the runoff in a natural and in a disturbed regime after water balance computations have been made. Page 35 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report The disturbed runoff is the sum of the prognostic ecological runoff and the overflow water volumes. During the summer/autumn low-water season (July-November) water delivered through the ecological runoff flows into the river downstream of the dam. During the winter- spring high-water season (December-June) the runoff in the river downstream of the dam is generated mainly by the overflow water volumes. The average annual value of ecological runoff downstream of the dam is 0,298 m3/s, or 60% of the runoff in natural conditions. The disturbed ecological runoff thus generated is in compliance with the requirements of 125 of Transitional and Final Provisions to the Act on Amendment and Supplement of the Water Act: "Before promulgation of the methodology under Art.135, paragr. 1 the minimum acceptable flow in rivers is set at 10% of the mean annual discharge which shall not be less than the mean monthly discharge with Qp (probability of occurrence coefficient) 95% as at the point of runoff control or water drawing of every facility". This law provision regulates the minimum admissible runoff in rivers in case their natural regime has been disrupted as a result of construction of hydro-engineering facilities. For Plovdivtsi Dam 60% is the value obtained. The analysis of the results obtained from this model study t that took into account the small capacity of the reservoir, the waterflow over during the high-water season, and the ecological release during low-water seasons proves that the proposed ecological runoff will maintain a stable ecosystem in the river downstream of the dam wall (Figure 11). 1000 m downstream of the dam \Iskrets falls into r. Elhovska which follows the seasonal runoff variations in addition to flow-over from Plovdivtsi Dam and the natural runoff of Golyamata Reka River. 0.900 Q, m3/s 0.800 0.700 0.600 0.500 0.400 0.300 0.200 0.100 0.000 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 Year Figure 8 Page 36 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report 1.000 Q, m3/s 0.900 0.800 0.700 0.600 0.500 0.400 0.300 0.200 0.100 0.000 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Month Figure 9 1.000 Q, m3/s 0.900 0.800 0.700 undisturbed conditions 0.600 disturbed conditions 0.500 0.400 0.300 0.200 0.100 0.000 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Month Figure 10 Page 37 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report 180 totalbenthos 160 abundance 140 120 100 simulated data under 80 disturbed conditions 60 simulated data under undisturbed conditions 40 20 0 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Month Figure 11 The development of a model for determining of the environmental runoff (minimum admissible runoff) in river flows after construction of water supply facilities was launched in the 1980-ies of the former century by a team comprising a hydroengineer and hydrobiologists. In 1986 the model was presented and adopted by a Scientific Council with the Research Center at the Environmental Protection Committee (the present MOEW). In 1987 a doctoral thesis was defended [MS 4] on the topic. The model is based on the connection between the water quantities flowing through the river and the total number of zoobenthos (the abundance of zoobenthos). Zoobenthos is recognized as an indicator for the status of the river eco-system and its abundance relates directly to the water quantity in the river. The model applies hydrological indicators, and is not based on hydraulic parameters. It allows by means of various regimes of disturbed natural river runoff to determine the size of the disturbed runoff, at which the river eco-system preserves its biological integrity. Since 1987 the panel of experts who prepared the EIAS for Plovdivtsi Dam and hydrobiologists from the Institute of Zoology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences have been caring out a research of the condition of river flows at one of the largest hydro-technical facilities in the country ­ ,,Batashki vodnosilov pat (after all dam walls and water intakes). The impact of disturbed runoff on zoobenthos has been established (at ,,Batashki vodnosilov pat no water quantity had been let after the facilities, which were commissioned in operation in 1957-1959). At the same time it was observed that the river flow recovers along the river sections after water containment facilities as a result of the additional water confluence, as well as the impact on the ground water, land eco-systems and residential areas. Monitoring activities were launched on many of the large rivers in Bulgaria by means of hydrobiological sample- taking for zoobenthos. Data was collected for different rivers ranging from 1 to 20 years (Osum, Vit, Iskar, Yantrs, Arda, Mesta, Vucha). It was established that zoobenthos in the rivers of northern and southern Bulgaria is identical. That made it possible to apply the model in 1995 to the 14 largest rivers in the country for a "Strategy on the utilization of water resources and water protection in the Republic of Bulgaria" [MS 1]. The mathematical model was upgraded in that period and in 2000 its application was expanded to the "Master plans for water utilization in basin management areas of the Republic of Bulgaria" [MS 2]. The upgrading of the mathematical model was defended in a doctor thesis in 2004 [MS 4]. Based on the results achieved from monitoring of both natural river flows, and below disturbed Page 38 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report water supply facilities, including such where the model has been applied to an EIAS and the proposed minimum admissible runoff is secured, it is recommended that the adopted size should be Q. 10%Qo. This Condition underlies 125 of the Water Act (2007). The panel of experts is currently performing monitoring under the operating hydro-engineering facilities (the Iskar river, the Arda river, the Vucha river) and very good results are being achieved due to the secured minimum admissible runoff recommended in the EIAS for those sites, while for each specific case additional conditions are being considered. In the last 10 years, different possibilities have been studied for discharge of these waters from the dams. In Plovdivtsi dam, this will take place from the water intake tower from a depth of 10m below the water level of the lake. About 1 km downstream of the dam is the confluence point of Iskrets river with Elhovska River, which further follows the seasonal runoff variations in addition to the overflow from Plovdivtsi Dam and the natural runoff of the Golyamata Reka River. The environmental runoff for Plovdivtsi Dam has been estimated to 0,298 m3/s taking into account past anthropogenic impacts and the location of Plovdivtsi town below the dam, with the purpose of getting the river in good environmental shape in the town. Release of high waters The release of high waters was determined for 1st class dam at Q0,01%. The well overflow was dimensioned on the basis of results obtained. The hydrological information will be revised during the updated of the design but the dam class will not be changed. Transformation of the river ecosystem The construction of Plovdivtsi dam and the formation of a water reservoir will have both a negative and a positive impact on the river inhabitants and the transformation of the river ecosystem into the system of a water reservoir (still water). Gradually, the formation of a habitat typical of still water reservoirs will take place. The negative impact comprises: Significant reduction of the reobionte (river species), and respectively, the species, biocenotic and functional diversity due to the decrease of the flow speed (this concerns the dam reservoir). Changes of the nature of the ground under the dam. Possibility of appearance of eutrophication. The positive impact comprises: Settling of the suspended insoluble matter. Large-scale development of limnophila species, so that the impact is not a net loss of species richness and diversity, but instead a conversion from one type of aquatic community to another. Increase in the trophic resources and, respectively, productivity of the ecosystem. No studies have been carried out in Iskrets river in terms of the macro-zoobenthos. The studies in Austria and Bulgaria of Zhrebchevo dam show that under the dam walls, the river condition is at least one saprobe degree better than that of the respective dam lake (Prof. B. Russev, Institute of Zoology to the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences). Page 39 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report If the management plan of Plovdivtsi dam is observed and taking into account the environmental factors (eutrophication, environmental runoff, deposits, etc.), there will be little deterioration of the water quality and biological value of the river ecosystem downstream of the dam, and if the measures prescribed in the EIA report are applied, an improvement of the overall ecological condition of the Iskrets river can be achieved. Cumulative effect In the vicinity of the Plovdivtsi water supply system there are no hydro-technical facilities constructed or planned for construction to contribute to a cumulative effect from its completion. The construction of Plovdivtsi dam ensures adequate water supply for the population in the municipalities Rudozem and Madan, creates the possibility for achieving a "good" ecological condition of Iskrets river, development of certain recreation activities, and as a whole contributes to the economic development of the village of Plovdivtsi, the towns of Rudozem, Madan and the municipality including as a tourist destination. GROUND WATER Control is necessary on water infiltration through, under and along the wall, especially of the waters filtrating through the wall, for presence of suffusion. Control is exercised through a piesometric system, which is a part of the control and measurement system at the water power facility for monitoring and evaluation of the dam wall condition. 5.3. GEOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT During construction Construction of the dam has reached an advanced phase at the time when works were stopped in 2001. The dam intake tower and other auxiliary facilities have been built, as well as the asphalt-concrete diaphragm (up to an elevation of about 904 m) and the cofferdam. The construction material used to build the dam is rubble with very good physical and mechanical indicators. The two slopes against which the dam will be blocked are prepared. The filtration loss calculations indicate a value of 391 m3/d. which calls for construction of a grout curtain with thickness of 15 m. Due to the high water permeability of the rock base and the calculated high infiltration rate, special attention shall be paid to implementation of seal works as well as precise grout injection works during the dam construction in order to reduce the infiltration rate around the dam. It is also recommended to perform clay coating (sanitization) of the dam reservoir bottom in the dam area. During operation The design includes a monitoring system of piezometers for observations of the infiltrated water properties as well as of the presence of suffusion in order to control water infiltrations under and round the dam. . Observations of the behavior of the dam itself (e.g., deformations of the dam, its base, condition of the diaphragms, crest and berm subsidence and displacement) shall be carried out. Regular monitoring should be carried out of the regime of inflow in the dam bowl and runoff from it, in order to prevent emergency situations during heavy rainfall and intensive snow thaw. Page 40 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report Contingency plans should be implemented to guarantee dam security in the event of accidents. The dam is located in an 8th degree seismicity zone. 5.4. SOILS During construction The change in land use was carried out in accordance with legal procedures. Land expropriation was completed in conformity with the prevailing regulations. Soil erosion in the region is insignificant due to high afforestation of the river catchment basin. Soil impact due to completion of the construction of Plovdivtsi Dam is related to the fact that Plovdivtsi Water Supply System will be built on lands subjected to strong anthropogenic influence. The temporary structures and the main types of work are confined within the dam basin with the exception of the DWTP site (0.65 ha). The soil contamination on adjacent lands with dust, gas fumes and blast works during construction is insignificant. Cleanup of the dam bed requires stripping of the humus and its proper storage in order to use it later on for recultivation. About 36,000 m3 of humus has been stripped and deposited. About 2,0 ha humus shall be stripped from some parts of the reservoir bed. This humus will be stored at Disposal Site No. 2 (below the village of Plovdivtsi). The site for temporary structures is being guarded by Zhiva Voda LLC. During operation The total flood area is 16,1 ha including forest and agricultural land, of which 1,7 ha is rocks; thus, soil will be removed on about 14,4 ha. The expropriated agricultural lands are abandoned and are not used. 5.5. WASTE Type, nature and quantities of generated wastes The forecast assessment of the type and nature of waste generated during the Plovdivtsi Water Supply System completion is related to the construction works performed so far , and the need for activities to be carried out during implementation of construction works for completion of the dam and DWTP. Generated waste resulting from implementation of the construction and mounting works in dam completion can be viewed in two stages: During the construction of the remaining part of the site works. During site operation. The waste generated during construction will result from the completion dam construction and the DWTP. The wastes generated during operation of the Plovdivtsi Water Supply System will be mainly domestic waste and waste left from repair works. Their collection, storage and transportation should also be in compliance with the Waste Management Act. Page 41 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report During the completion of Plovdivtsi dam, the generated waste can be divided into: Domestic waste, generated by the construction workers and staff involved in site operation. Construction waste. These will be generated during excavation, embankment, formwork, reinforcement, concrete works and formwork on the site. These comprise mainly of: Waste from forestry. These result from the necessary cleanup of the dam basin (uprooting of vegetation) and of grown vegetation and anthropogenic species on the territory of the DWTP site. Hazardous waste A small amount of moderately hazardous waste is generated both in the implementation of the investment proposal and during its operation. It comprises as follows: Laminated boxes from paint and varnish. Packaging containing residues of hazardous substances. Glue packaging. Spent engine oil from construction machinery. Waste from oil and liquid fuel. Mixed packaging from raw materials and materials. Fluorescent lamps. Industrial waste The industrial waste is generated mainly by operation of the DWTP and includes various types of solid waste related to the operation of the drinking water purification process such as initial filtering, coagulation of substances, clarification, flushing of the filters, etc. is the waste is mainly: Solid waste generated from the filter presses of the treatment plant Solid waste generated during the mechanical stage of the treatment plant Sediments from clarification of the water treated. Sediments from flushing of the sand bed filters. The waste generated by the DWTP operation contains of both organic and inorganic components depending on the nature of impurities in the treated water and the reagents introduced in the purification cycle. The individual waste types with their codes, according to MOEW and MH Ordinance No. 3 of 2004 on waste classification (SG No. 44/25.05.2004) generated during the implementation of the investment proposal and operation of the Plovdivtsi Water Supply System are listed in Annex 5. Page 42 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report Methods of collection, transportation, storage, sequestration, treatment, recycling and disposal Collection, transportation, temporary storage, detoxication, treatment, recycling and disposal shall be performed compliance with the requirements of the Wastes Management Act. Description, analysis and assessment of probable significant impact on the population and environment, resulting from waste generation and creation of discomfort During the completion of Plovdivtsi dam, there is a risk that the waste generated during site construction and operation will have an impact on the individual components of the environment (air, landscape, surface and groundwater, soils, wildlife) and human health, if the measures for their reliable management under the normative framework (the Waste Management Act) are not implemented. Possible impact during construction During construction, more construction waste will be generated compared to the domestic waste. This waste should be treated in compliance with the normative waste management framework adopted in Bulgaria. The possible impacts can be summarized as follows: Air Quality Harmful impact on the air could be generated by potential unregulated and illegal incineration of some types of construction waste instead of their source separation and storage, transportation and sequestration in an environmental way. Their incineration could result in harmful emissions, which will contaminate in an uncontrolled way the air in the site region for a certain period of time. This type of waste includes packaging from polyethylene, ligneous materials, composite multi-layer packaging, mixed packaging from raw materials and materials, residue from paint, inks, glues, adhesives and resins containing hazardous substances, wood material from construction, paper and cardboard packaging, packaging containing residue from hazardous substances or contaminated with hazardous substances. Landscape In the event of uncontrolled disposal of construction waste, the surrounding landscape will be disturbed on adjacent terrains as a result of the anthropogenic impact of this waste. As a result of dissemination by the wind of small fractions of this waste at long distances and their detention in shrubs and trees, a negative visual effect will be observed. The predominant part of this scattered waste is hardly degradable in the course of many years and will result in sustainable damage of the landscape. Water There is a risk of water contamination in the event that the generated waste during construction is not collected, stored, transported and deposited in the depot in the town of Rudozem. First, the ambient water running along the slopes of the waste stored on site and not transported will be contaminated. It, In turn, can contaminate the surface water, in this case ­ the water in Iskrets river ­ or some of it can infiltrate down to the subsurface aquifers and cause significant and sustainable contamination in some aquifers. Soil Some of the waste generated during construction is classified as hazardous. If irresponsible and uncontrolled disposal (storage) of this waste is allowed on the site, as a result of the flow Page 43 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report of ambient water down the slopes or their infiltration through the waste, the soil layer below will be contaminated. Wildlife The uncontrolled dumping (storage) of waste allows free access of animals and birds to it. This free access to illegally deposited waste, the use of the surrounding vegetation and the waste itself for food can lead to the spread of diseases at undetermined distance, as well as the death of some animals and birds. In this way, the biodiversity in the region will be disturbed. Possible impact during operation During operation, mainly waste from operation of the DWTP as well as from required repair works would be generated. Taking into account, however, the fact that repair works will not be frequently required, it can be said that their generation would be one-time and in small quantity, and the collection, storage and transportation for sequestration will not pose a problem. The domestic waste during operation will be insignificant in quantity. It is necessary to place suitable containers for their collection and storage and organize their transportation to the waste depot in the town of Rudozem. Cumulative impact If the prescriptions and conditions in the normative framework related to waste management are observed, the impact of waste generated on site upon the individual components of the environment will be insignificant and without cumulative effect. 5.6. HARMFUL PHYSICAL FACTORS - NOISE During Construction The sources of noise in the environment are mostly types of works related to the completion of the water supply system (excavation, embankment, concrete, formwork, erection, drilling and blasting, transport). The levels of noise emitted by the main machines and equipment used are: excavator ­ 8091 dBA; bulldozer ­ 97105 dBA; truck-mounted crane ­ 9298 dBA; asphalt mixer ­ 84 dBA; concrete mixer ­ 8893 dBA; roller ­ 87 dBA; joggling table ­ 98106 dBA; stone crushing plant ­ 8896 dBA; bore hammers ­ 105120 dBA; heavy duty trucks ­ 8590 dBA; compressors ­ 8699 dBA. During blast works, impulse noise is emitted with levels depending on the blast system. Construction equipment is concentrated on specially designated territories and sites: terrain for construction of the main site ­ dam wall, the DWTP, auxiliary and production facilities ­ stone quarry, crushing and grinding plant, aggregate quarries, clay pit, concrete facility, service road network connecting the work sites. The expected equivalent levels of noise on the individual construction sites in the immediate vicinity of the groups of operating machinery and facilities are around, and sometimes above, 90 d. The service road network for the transport vehicles servicing the construction has been completed. The heavy-duty vehicles ( 5 runs per hour on the average) will generate equivalent level noise of about 60-61 d, at a distance of 7.5 m from the axis of traffic. The limit values of the noise level for the different territories and zones regulated by Ordinance No. 6 on the indicators for noise in the environment (MH, MOEW, 2006) are for residential regions: daytime ­ 55 d, evening ­ 50 d, night ­ 45 d; Page 44 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report For production and storage areas: daytime, evening and night ­ 70 d. The nearest settlement ­ the village of Plovdivtsi ­ is about 400 m away from the site of the prospective dam. From the dam site, there is direct visibility to a group of 4-5 houses in the south end of the village. Due to the sufficient distance from these residential areas (see Ordinance No. 6), the construction activity on the site will not be a source of excessive noise The sites of the stone quarry and the crushing plant are about 950 m from the boundaries of Plovdivtsi village and will not be a source of noise in the residential areas of the village due to the sufficient distance and the screening effect of the ground profile. The reduced number of blasts planned (maximum two per month) will not have a significant disturbing effect on the settlement in terms of noise. The filling and concrete works for completion of the dam will be alternated. The transport vehicles traveling to and from the construction site will affect the acoustic environment of the residential areas adjacent to the transport routes with current noise background of about 35 dBA due to the very low traffic load of the roads in the region and lack of other significant noise sources. The trucks carrying crushed stone will pass by a residential area including about 20 houses in the south end of the village of Plovdivtsi due to lack of a direct road between the quarry and the dam. Once the dam construction reaches certain height, a direct transport route will become possible. The trucks delivering asphalt and concrete, and the waste, will pass through Rudozem and the villages of Voykova Laka, Burchevo, Elhovets and Plovdivtsi. The expected noise in excess of the sanitary noise limits for the residential areas along the road is about 5 dBA for the daytime and about 10 dBA ­ for the night. The noise impact is time-limited, during completion of the construction works at the Plovdivtsi dam site. During operation During site operation, a source of noise will be the future DWTP equipment (pumps, mixers, air blowers, hydrophore, etc.) . According to their technical characteristics the levels of emitted noise are within the range of 70-75 dBA. The equipment is installed in a massive building, with concrete structure and expected sound insulation of the façade walls of minimum 35 dBA. The noise levels outside the building are not expected to exceed 45 dBA which is below the sanitary limit of 70 dBA. The operation of DWTP will not be a source of noise for settlements in the region. 5.7. FLORA During construction During the construction of the Plovdivtsi dam, an area of 16,1 ha will be cleaned up by cutting the ligneous vegetation and removing the humus layer). No impacts on the vegetation outside the reservoir area are expected during the construction period. The construction works at the DWTP building were in initial phase when overall works stopped at the site. Page 45 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report During operation According to the design, a total area of 16,1 ha will be flooded in the dam basin of which 9,9 ha are represented by forest belonging to the Smilyan State Forestry, and about 6,2 ha are agricultural lands such as pasture and meadows . The procedure of land reassignment with respective compensation is concluded in conformity with the prevailing regulation. The studies carried out in 2007 for the Due Diligence report concluded that there are no rare or endangered species among the plant species affected by the dam construction according to the law provisions. Securing the minimum admissible run-off during the summer low water period will impact favorably the lower section of Iskrets river, including the forest ecosystems (over an affected zone of about 1000 m subject to availability of afflux downstream of Plovdivtsi village). The Iskrets river runs through the village Plovdivtsi before the confluence with its left-hand tributary. In this area there is no forest, frutescent or herbaceous vegetation, or rare and endangered plant species. 5.8. FAUNA The assessment of the impact of Plovdivtsi Dam on the fauna was based on the assessment of the status made in item 4.8. No endangered species are expected to be affected and most animals presently located within the reservoir basin are expected to move to other locations. 5.8.1 Ichtiofauna Assessment of the Impact on Ichtiofauna Expected impacts on the river ichtiofauna The dam reservoir will provide conditions for forming a stable ichtiocenosis on the basis of the Brown trout population and its attendant species. The Brown trout population can develop naturally through ingress of fish from the upper course of the river and through artificial fish breeding2. The operation of the future dam, will create the opportunity to stabilize the environmental conditions for the aquatic fauna of the Iskrets and Elhovska rivers which will mitigate the negative impacts of summer low waters through regular release of flood discharges Construction of the dam will reduce the risk of floods that currently pose adverse consequences for the ichtiofauna and the Valley of Elhovska River. Potential threats Although the biota along the middle course of Elhovska River is subject to significant negative anthropogenic impacts, there are two specific forms of additional potential negative impacts related to management of the future water reservoir: Insufficient flooding of the river bed; Releasing of water from the lower layers of the dam characterized by permanently low temperature and increased nutrient content. Page 46 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report The prevention of the potential negative effects and the improvement of the ecological status of the affected river stretch require measures for the achieving of good ecological status of the surface water bodies: Ensuring of sufficient water in the river bed downstream of the dam (with minimum 30 l/s in the low-water season). Release of the "ecological runoff" from a height not exceeding 10 m. Ensuring water flow over from the dam during the period April-June, which is the fish breeding period. Preparation of a water management plan for the basin of Elhovska river in link with the Arda Management Plan, including measures for restoration and protection of the biological potential of the river (restore the habitats of fish, amphibia and invertebrates, prevent torrents that may cause destruction of river-floor habitats and river terraces, etc.). Development of the water management plan is pending. 5.8.2 Amphibia and Reptiles Assessment of the Impact on Amphibia and Reptiles The changes in the herpetofauna will be insignificant. All amphibian species will be preserved. Some water-loving reptiles (e.g., Ringed snakes, European pond tortoise) may populate the area. The Grecial frog populations may be slightly affected; however, sufficient sectors of the river will be left upstream and downstream of the dam to support them. These conclusions were drawn on the basis of over a decades research in the herpetofauna in Bulgaria. The species considered to be linked to Plovdivtsi Dam have their habitats in riverside pools or pits made during construction works and filled with water. According to research data about 70% of these species inhabit the shores of small dams. No special measures or monitoring of the populations of the species considered are needed during the construction and operation of the dam. The amphibian and reptile fauna in the region of Plovdivtsi Dam is scarce and does not include any species with high conservation value. Construction and operation of the dam will not pose negative consequences to the few common species existing in this area. 5.8.3 Mammalian Fauna Assessment of the Impact on Mammalian The reservoir area and the completed dam will have no significant impact on the existing mammal fauna. The relatively limited time for finalization of construction works will not affect the nutrition base or habitats of any individual mammal species and will not have any effect on their total abundance. The mammalian fauna common to this particular region is usually of considerably larger territories than the Plovdivtsi reservoir area. 5.8.4 Ornitofauna Assessment of Impact on Ornitofauna Page 47 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report The construction of the dam has already affected the land surface and the vegetation as well as the habitats of certain bird species living there. However, the flooded area is small in comparison to the overall extent of habitat for these species in the region. Implementation of the project might affect partially the habitat of the Red-backed shrike species listed in Appendix No. 2 of BDA, since only two registered couples were observed in the dam area. A year-round releasing of the minimum admissible water quantity of 30 l/s required for the normal functioning of the river ecosystem is envisaged taking into account that the dam overflows every year during the period December-June. Therefore, completion of the Plovdivtsi dam works will not affect the animal species inhabiting the river downstream of the dam, or those using its water for drinking, including some bird species feeding along the river banks and shallows (e.g. The White and Grey Wagtail). The dam regime does not cover places where regular concentration of large numbers of certain bird species has been registered. During the dam operation, some fish species inhabiting still or slowly running waters, may increase their population, which may result in increase of the feeding base for some fish catching diving bird species such as Grebes (Podicipedidae), Cormorants (Phalacrocoracidae), Smew (Mergus albellus L.), Red-crested pochard (Netta rufina (Pallas), Aythya sp. Etc.,) etc.,. It is possible that the reservoir may attract other water loving bird species such as Ducks (Anas sp.), Storks (Ciconia sp.), and Herons (Ardeidae). This assessment means that no negative changes of the state of the species of significance conservation can be expected as a result of the water reservoir. The area used for the reservoir is of insignificant size and will not cause any significant reduction in the trophic base of the bird species inhabiting the area. The species mentioned occur all along the boundary between the East and West Rhodopi. The partially constructed Plovdivtsi dam is located upstream the confluence of Iskrets river with Elhovska River. The run-off of the Iskrets river is uneven in seasonal terms and naturally has a very low flow for part of the year, especially during summer time. Currently, the natural flow of the river is unimpeded because its flow is maintained through an outlet constructed beneath the partially completed dam. During the construction, filling and operation of the dam, an environmental flow will be maintained. The volume of this flow, which will vary seasonally to approximate the natural hydrology, has been calculated, using an accepted methodology, to maintain good environmental conditions downstream. There are no protected habitats or sensitive ecosystems or species which will be adversely affected by the change in the hydrological regime resulting from construction and operation of the dam. 5.9. LANDSCAPE The appropriate architectural design for the administrative building on the dam crest and of the DWTP, and proposed site reclamation will create new landscape for the dam and good esthetics. The quarry and Disposal Site 3 are inside the dam basin. The Zastava disposal site and the humus storage site near the village Plovdivtsi are subject to restoration. The evaluation of the self-cleaning potential and recovery of landscape in the region underlines its substantial capacity for inclusion and harmonization of the Plovdivtsi Water Supply System within the natural environment. Page 48 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report 5.10. Health factor and Social Significance During construction works Concerning the population Transportation of materials and equipment through the Plovdivtsi village from the interior of the country is limited; therefore, it is expected that the transportation of construction materials related to the dam works will have a temporary effect and no adverse health effect are expected. With respect to the workers During the construction works, negative health impacts could be produced by a number of factors, occurring in the working environment during the construction process, namely: Unfavorable microclimate Work will be going on in all four seasons in the open, in both excessive heat and cold. Excessive heat could be a risk factor for incidents such as heat and/or sunstroke. If prolonged, such conditions could lead to dehydration, loss of salts and microelements and heat exhaustion. Excessive cold contributes to increased incidence of colds, muscular and bone complaints and disturbances of the peripheral nervous system. Noise Drivers of heavy-duty trucks and excavator operators will be exposed to excessive noise levels of the order 80 - 90 to 100 dB/A. Noise could have negative consequences for the central nervous system, sleep disturbances, neurosis-type complaints and is a risk factor for arterial hypertension as well. Vibrations The drivers of heavy-duty trucks will be exposed to general and local vibrations. Given the new technology, such vibrations, may not exceed the admissible levels. The excessive levels of vibration in some machines (mostly outdated machinery) may cause damages to the vestibular system, the locomotory system and the parenchyma; also the s. c. "vibration disease" may develop, which is a common occupational disease among workers in this branch. Air pollution Drivers of heavy-duty machinery and excavator operators will be exposed to exhaust gas emissions. No harmful health effects are expected in this case, since they will work in the open air. Furthermore, earth works will be limited in volume. Dust Construction workers are exposed to dust emissions. Coarse dust particles can only have an irritation effect on the upper respiratory system. Exposure to metal aerosols and noxious gasses During welding operations various quantities of carbon oxide, carbon dioxide, nitric gases and metal aerosols (manganese, lead, iron or others, depending on the type of welding material) are emitted. Traumas Construction workers suffer from the highest incidence of occupational traumas during excavation and assembly works. Hard Labor Page 49 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report Notwithstanding the fact that a large part of the construction operations are performed by machinery, still hard physical labor is required in a number of operations, including the lifting and carrying of excessive loads. Another unfavorable aspect of construction work is that a lot of the operations are performed in an unfavorable pose, requiring considerable strain of muscles and limbs. This leads to micro-traumas, diseases of the locomotory system, the nervous system and the muscles. Conclusion The site is located away from settlements and no unfavorable health effects on the population can be expected during its construction. The working environment will exert certain temporary impact on the health of the construction workers during construction works. It can be minimized by taking adequate health and safety protection measures. During operation No changes in air humidity or the climate are expected during the operation of the dam. Operation of the facility is expected to have a favorable impact on the population including opening of new job vacancies and creation of new recreation sites in its vicinity. Improved quality of drinking water supply will guarantee prevention of epidemic diseases through water. The fact that the population will use drinking water that meets Bulgarian and European quality standards will have an indirect positive health effect for the population. The normal quality of water supplied to the Madan and Rudozem municipalities is a significant and indispensable condition for their economic and social development by availing themselves of the advantages offered by their situation in the Rhodopi Mountain and the proximity of the prospective border checkpoint to Greece. After closing down of ore mining in the two municipalities, the priorities set by them are the strategies for economic and social prosperity and development of rural tourism. 5.11. SAFETY OF PLOVDIVTSI DAM 5.11.1 Dam Safety Practice in Bulgaria According to ICOLD1 definition, there are 215 large dams in Bulgaria. 200 dams are of the embankment type, 15 are concrete structures. The total water storage in the country is 7.6 km3. The dams proposed within the Municipal Infrastructure Development Project are regulated by the Water Sector Department of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works. Such ministry is in charge of all water supply dams, for both domestic and industrial uses, in the country. Hydropower and irrigation dams are regulated by different ministries. There is clear separation between: a) Dam Onwer: municipal water agencies; b) Dam Regulator: Ministry of Regional Development, and c) Independent panel of experts: academics and practitioners. 1International Commission on Large Dams Page 50 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report Dams are classified in accordance to the potential hazard that they represent. The classification follows the one developed by ICOLD. Dam safety procedures are the same for all dams, irrespective of the hazard classification. At each dam, permanent monitoring staff is responsible for: instrumentation readings; periodic geodetic survey work; visual inspections, and routine maintenance works. An operation manual contains instructions for observations and measurements to be carried out following special of extraordinary events such as large floods and earthquakes. Each dam has a program of technical control, which includes measurements, frequency and places of measurement for the various kinds of phenomena occurring during operation. A procedure is in place for the interpretation of observations and measurements, and for action taking based on the findings thereof. Data from the control/ measuring systems are visualized and analyzed during the same day. In case of observation of abnormal parameters and deviations from the usual values, additional measurements are carried out. At periodic intervals, generally one year, the responsible staff in the head office prepares a report on the technical performance of the dam. That report is reviewed by an expert council with participation of leading specialists. The council makes decisions about needed measures pertaining to maintenance of the dam, repairs or improvements, modifications to the program of technical control, etc. Every dam in Bulgaria has an emergency plan, which is strictly inspected by the Regulator. Each dam site is permanently connected to the head office, the civil defense, and local government representatives. The Department of Civil Defense is responsible for the establishment of emergency preparedness plans, including evacuation. In case of emergency, the dam owner immediately informs the Department of Civil Defense on the type of risk or occurrence. On every dam site there are emergency stockpiles of the necessaries materials for handling emergency situations. 5.11.2 Specific Norms and Regulations The safety of the dam walls is of considerable economic, social and ecological significance. Safety of Plovdivtsi dam is a consideration serving as basis for development of the investment proposal for the dam. In Bulgaria dam design is regulated by the following regulations the Earth and Rockfill Dam Design Standards, published in 1986; Hydro-engineering Facility Design Standards, Basic Principles / 1985, Hydro-engineering Facility Wave, Ice and Vessel Load and Impact Rates / 1988, Building and Facility Design Standards for Highly-Seismic Regions / 1989 are applied. As the above-listed regulations are not recent, and given the lack of an EC code on hydro- engineering facility design, internationally recognized standards are also used, such as those of the Department of the Army US Army Corps of Engineers, German standards and others. Also, followed are Bulgarian regulatory documents and standards for construction design, Page 51 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report which are described in the design Contract. Various risks are being considered in the process of design, such as the hydrological risk of large floods, with the respective precautions envisaged and seismic risk from an earthquake of a given intensity. The designs comprise a section on a control and measurement system (CMS). Upon commissioning the site, the designs feature also a Program of Surveillance and Measurements by means of a CMC, Operations Guidelines and Emergency Action Plan (Crises Management Plan) for the duration of construction works and subsequent operation of the site. The Plovdivtsi dam wall is category I, hence the high safety requirements. Existence of and adherence to regulatory requirements are checked by a State Acceptance Board before commissioning of any facility (Ordinance No. 2/2003 on commissioning construction sites in Bulgaria and minimum warranty terms on approval of construction and assembly works (State Gazette 72/2003). The operational staff is employed at the beginning of construction and the specific teams are defined as the site is being commissioned. The duration for dams being operable is deemed to be 100 years (the time for the established volume to be filled by deposits). To ensure safety of dam facilities, Ordinance No. 13/29.01.2004 on the conditions and procedures for technical operation of dam walls and related facilities is to be followed. At each stage of the operation the Surveillance and Measurement Program is updated. On the basis of the measurements the structural and engineering security is being assessed, as well as the impact of the dam wall on the environment (degree of danger to valuable natural and material goods and human health and life). Safety is assessed for normal operational mode, for work under extreme conditions and for emergencies. Two times per year, the operation teams perform a visual check on the wall, the water area and the related facilities and issue a report with respective recommendations. Engineering analysis of the wall status is performed by a person in charge of the site operation (on the basis of the results of the engineering checks, measurements and monitoring) for a period not exceeding three years, and is approved at an expert engineering board appointed by the owner. Inspections to evaluate the safety of the dam walls and related facilities are carried out by hired experts who are not on the Operators payroll. The first inspection is to be carried out before flooding, then at the end of the first operational period, not later than the 5th year of regular operation, and later on ­ by decision of an expert engineering board, appointed by the owner. In case of large floods of a level close or equal to the highest water level (hydrological risk), and if an earthquake of a magnitude above VI by the SK-64 scale (seismic risk), inspections are to be carried out and full measurements taken by all Control and Instrumentation System tools for all facilities, in accordance with the Program on Status Analysis and Registration. In extreme and emergency conditions the Crises Management Plan is to be implemented, which formulates all tasks, relationships and responsibilities of the institutions, whose responsibility it is to react in times of crises under the Crises Management Act. The operation team and the managers of operational unit and the operator company in Smolian ­ VIK Smolian, as well as the respective government institutions ­ the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works and the Ministry of Emergency Situations ­ Center for Early Warning responsible for early warning in cases of disasters are in charge of the dam safety. The operation unit is responsible for the technical operation of the dam and the related facilities, aquatic area of the lake and the river 500 m below the dam wall, in compliance with the requirements of Ordinance No. 13/29.01.2004 . Risk Page 52 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report The risk is a possibility of certain damages occurring during an event of a given probability of occurrence. In terms of operating the Plovdivtsi dam, the following need to be considered: Hydrological risk; Seismic risk; Environmental risk. Hydrological risk The hydrological risk is the probability of certain damages caused by large floods with very low probability of occurrence.. To manage such risk, , the following is needed (these points will be addressed in the updated EMP prepared as part of detailed design): The expected flood should be defined and taken into account in calculating the type and category of the facility to be constructed (calculations provided in the updated hydrological description).. The dimensions need to be established of the facilities needed to safely discharge the large flood described above (the spillway and the chute need to be designed anew).Emergency rules and an action plan need to be formulated (Operating Instructions, Crises Management Plan). Seismic risk The seismic risk is defined as the probability of certain damages occurring if earthquakes of a given magnitude take place. To reduce, to the maximum extent possible, the damages from occurring, the following should be done as part of the detailed design review: Mandatory micro-seismic study of the river area where the Plovdivtsi dam is to be built; The geological survey report on the site, including the updated geological report should include an assessment of possible consequences on dam foundations in the event of a heavy earthquake; Facilities should be designed and built in such a way as to provide for a safe outcome in the event of a rated seismic impact; Rules and action plan in case of heavy earthquake during operation need to be formulated (Operating Instructions, Crises Management Plan). The assessment of the possible negative impacts that the existing environment can have on the investment proposal should be carried out both in the course of micro-seismic tests and of determining the hydrologic parameters, taking into account meteorological factors and climate characteristics (provided in the updated hydrology study). Environmental risk The environmental risk for the dam wall and related facilities is linked to the risk of changes in the quality of environmental components, as discussed in the EIAS. The environmental risk for the Plovdivtsi dam is assessed in the risk assessment table on the basis of forecast. Page 53 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report Page 54 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report Table of the Environmental Risk Related to the Construction and Operation of the Plovdivtsi Dam Components Impact Sources Health Notes Free air Water Geological conditions Soils Waste Noise Flora Fauna factor In the course of construction Plovdivtsi Dam and reservoir + + + + + + + + + ++ in an initial phase until Transport routes (++) + + + + ++ + + + + reaching an elevation where the route from the borrow pit does not pass near 20 houses of Plovdivtsi In the course of operation Plovdivtsi Dam and reservoir + + ++ + + + + + + DWTP (++) + + + + + + + + + ++ on the work site upon an accident + prognosticated low degree ++ prognosticated medium degree The impact on the water during operation is indicated as low-degree due to drying up of the river Iskrets in summer. After completion of the dam it will cease. The impact on the soils during construction is assessed as low-degree considering the lake area, 14 ha and the tree cutting and humus stripping performed. During the completion of dam construction (all other related facilities have been built), practically there may be a neglectable impact from construction of of the PWPP building on the water, for which reason the above-indicated low degree was assumed. Page 55 of 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report 5.12. TRANS-BORDER EFFECT The Plovdivtsi Dam is situated immediately above the village Plovdivtsi and within 8 km from the border with the Republic of Greece towards the Iskrets River. The catchment area of the river is entirely in the Bulgarian territory. The Iskrets River is a small tributary of the Arda River which is shared with Greece downstream. As the dam is located in the interior of the country there will be no direct physical transborder impacts. Potential transborder effects relate to the quality and quantity of water in the Maritsa River where it leaves Bulgaria, but these will be negligible, as explained below. Construction Period: During construction there will be no impact because water flow will not be interrupted or reduced. The normal flow will continue through a diversion channel and measures will be taken as outlined in the EMP to prevent pollution of water from construction activities. Impoundment Period: During the impoundment period of the dam there will be a significant reduction in the flow of the Iskrets River at the dam site. The amount of the reduction cannot be known precisely at this time as it will depend on certain factors to be determined through the feasibility study as well as the actual amount of precipitation. The proposed volume of the reservoir at present is 2.45 million m3. The feasibility study will evaluate option for the rate of reservoir filling. For illustrative purposes, the following table provides estimated impacts on the volume of the Arda River at the Bulgarian border based on filling periods of 2 months up to one year. These estimates are based on a reservoir capacity of 2.45 million m3, the mean baseline flow rate of the Iskrets River at the dam site equal to 0.5 m3 /sec, and the baseline mean flow of the Arda River at the Bulgarian-Grece border equals to 72.6 m3 per second (2,290 million m3 per year). The run-off of the river Arda at the border is estimated in General Schedules of Water Use in the Basin Management Regions of R. Bulgaria (BAS-IW 2000). Based on these estimates, the reservoir could potentially be filled in 2 months while still maintaining the required minimum ecological flow of 0.03 m3/sec (i.e. retaining 0.47 m3/sec during the impoundment period) with about 0.1% flow reduction at the border. Impoundment Gross Water retained Average Flow of Flow time (months) Volume each year flow Arda River reduction at during retained for at Bulgaria border (ratio impoundment impoundme border column nt 2:column 3) 2 months 2.45 mill 2.45 mill m3 0.47 m3/sec 2,290 mill 0.11% m3 m3/year Operational Period: According to Protocol No. 2 to Art.3, paragraph B of the Agreement on Settlement of Outstanding Financial Matters and Development of the Economic Cooperation between Peoples Republic of Bulgaria and the Kingdom of Greece, "...R.Bulgaria shall feed, on annual basis, a regulated water flow for irrigation from the river Arda to the Greek territory amounting to 186x106 m3/year for 60 years (as from 1968) after an agreed monthly schedule". The Plovdivtsi dam is built for the purpose of water supply. According to the design, the maximum demand for water supply in the area is 4,04x106 m3/year. Assuming (as stipulated in the sewerage dimensioning rates in Bulgaria) that approximately 80% of the water fed to the water supply system is returnable , that is, it returns to the rivers through the sewer systems, the 56 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report water retained in the territory of R. Bulgaria amounts to 0,808x106 m3/year, in other words about 0.035% of the run-off of the River Arda at the border. The Plovdivtsi River is a tributary of the Arda River. On the Arda River, there is the Dolna Arda Cascade which consists of 3 dams: Kirdjali Dam (532,0x106 m3), Studen Kladenets Dam (489,0×106 m3), and Ivailovgrad Dam, the last dam in this Cascade located within 9 km from the border (188,0×106 m3) (Appendix: Excerpt from the Protocol). Given the scale of the dams in this cascade, the impact of the 0,808x106 m3/year of the Plovdivtsi dam is negiligible. As required by World Bank policy, in March 2008 the World Bank (on behalf of the Government of Bulgaria) sent letters to the Governments of Greece and Turkey and to the Danube Commission, notifying them of the intended project and its implications for downstream water flow. Following the initial notification, several letters have been exchanged between the Government of Turkey and the World Bank relating to the Governments general concerns regarding potential adverse impacts of the project on water quality and quantity, bio-capacity for cropland, grazing land and forests downstream of the proposed dams. Both Governments will receive this final EIA report and monitoring information as requested on water quality and quantity during the dam operation. 5.13. SOCIAL EFFECT The construction of the Plovdivtsi dam will solve a major social problem in the municipalities of Rudozem and Madan by providing regular water supply for the population. Opportunities will be created for economic development of the municipalities, reduction of unemployment, higher incomes for the population related to the opportunity for Rudozem and Madan to become an attractive destination for rural and eco-tourism. The project has the following advantages: no resettlement of the population is needed, no new loss of agricultural lands or pastures (those have already been expropriated when construction had begun2). Forests in the reservoir basin area have also been expropriated and cut. The humus layer has been taken away to a large extent. The anthropogenic impact within the vicinity of the dam wall and the reservoir has mostly been exerted already. No infrastructure sites are to be affected. The road to the frontier post was rerouted to pass above the HOWL because otherwise it would have remained in the reservoir area. The bridges along the national road network will permit transportation of construction equipment and building materials during completion works. No waste depots, irrigation or drainage systems exist on the sites territory. The Plovdivtsi dam will has a positive impact on the river eco-system downstream by providing the need ecological flow. Favorable conditions are created for the fish population both in the reservoir and below it. The minimum runoff ensured downstream of the dam creates gradually opportunities for new habitats to be created and enrichment of the fauna of amphibians and reptiles, mammals and birds along the river. V. ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES Possible alternatives for the Plovdivtsi dam construction have been considered in the DDR of 2007. 2See separate Land Acquisition Policy Framework 57 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report The studies on the possible alternatives for the Plovdivtsi dam construction date back to the 1970-ies. The following alternatives have been considered: Location options. Several sites have been studied. The location of the dam proposed in 1978 was preferred due to the following reasons: (i) the narrow valley of the Iskrets river at the proposed location; (ii) a large area exists behind the dam location suitable for the future reservoir; and (iii) no settlements are within the water catchment area of the river. The only presence of population in the region is the Border Troops unit that guards the state frontier. From the proposed dam site there is a 4th category road to the village of Plovdivtsi; furthermore, the proposed location at elevation 880,65 m seems be the most acceptable from water economy and topographic point of view compared to all other considered locations along the Iskrets river. The dams catchment area is entirely in the Bulgarian territory. Water supply demand options. Various options related to the development strategy for the region and various possibilities for water supplied to more settlements (including Smolian) were considered. The selected option considering the water supply demand of Q = 200 l/s corresponds to the economic and demographic development of the three municipalities. Water pumping that would considerably increase the cost of supplied water will not be necessary. Options of dam wall and related facility types. The dam wall type was selected taking in consideration the cost indicators of several similar dams and the operation safety needed for the conditions required by the 8th degree of seismicity for a 1st class structure. The choice of related facilities (intake tower with a well overflow) was selected because of the terrain configuration and the overflow parameters. A zero option of taking "no action"was considered but not accepted since it was proven that Plovdivtsi Dam was the only possible source of providing water to the considered towns. DWTP location Two options were considered for the DWTP site one about 280 m downstream of the dam and another one downstream of the village of Plovdivtsi. The first option was the selected one due to: better geological-engineering indicators; smaller need for recultivation of the engineering work; and use of an existing road. Currently, the dam has reached a height of 17 m and the construction has been suspended for seven years. Possible alternatives at present time The need for Plovdivtsi Dam All data collected by the team, the public discussion of the EDDR in Rudozem in 2007 and 2008, as well as the long-term water supply investment studies prepared by W&S LLC do suggest the need for supplying water to the settlements under discussion. According to data from W&S LLC ­ Smolian, an increased water demand was observed during the past two years. These towns prove to have better demographic indicators than the average for the country. The tourism and vacation opportunities are under development, part of the mining industry is restored, and establishment of a border checkpoint to Greece is under discussions. Part of the settlements in the municipalities of Rudozem, Madan and the Madan city are subject to water supply rationing at night during the low-water seasons, while in high-water seasons water quality is poor due to increased turbidity at the source To the population and the competent authorities, Completion of Plovdivtsi Dam construction is the only possible solution for the population of these region and the competent authorities to assure normal water supply. Environmental impacts Preservation of the present state. The dam condition will have to be updated for 30% completion of the construction works, taking into account the incremental costs of safety 58 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report measures. Construction of an overflow is required and assurance of high floods in the lower river area through construction of a stilling basin and its regulation. Twice in the last seven years there was a risk of the water flowing over the dam which could cause its destruction. The operating staff should monitor the dam condition using the updated C&I system. The borrow pits and disposal sites should be recultivated. A plan should be drawn up to mitigate the visual impact from the stone embankment. Other remaining issues are the dewatering of the Plovdivtsi- Burchevo section below the wall and isolation of the ichthyofauna upstream the dam Partial completion. The partial completion option requires search for an additional water source for the respective towns. It has been proven over the years that there is no additional water source available in the area. In addition, the dam design should be updated as required by the regulations. This option cannot be estimated as one requiring lower capital investments due to the need for new facilities. The operation costs are almost the same but without meeting the necessary requirements for water supply to the three municipalities. Liquidation of the dam. Liquidation of the dam will result in environmental impacts due to the need to restore the natural setting in which case more than 150 000 m3 fill material will have to be taken away and disposed of, the concrete structure will have to be demolished, and the area re-cultivated. Also, a new Operating Instruction and Emergency Action Plan is required during liquidation The three alternative options discussed above are considered ungrounded and unacceptable to the Bulgarian authorities from an economic, social and environmental point of view. The first option involves capital investments without solving the water supply problems. Partial completion with a current dam height of 17 m does not solve the water supply problems and an additional water source will have to be sought (which in fact is not available. Liquidation of the existing part of Plovdivtsi Dam leaves the settlements in Madan, Rudozem and Srednogortsi municipalities in a water rationing regime (during the low-water seasons). Development of the dam completion project requires adoption and implementation of all related environmental impact mitigation measures and monitoring actions. Therefore, the only option is completion of Plovdivtsi Dam without having to change either the technology, estimated investments (external investments included), operation costs, or modify the control and measuring instrumentation system (monitoring devices). Having proven the cost efficiency and interest demonstrated on the part of the private sector, it will be possible to build a hydro-power station that will process 200 l/s of water demand for water supply. The equipment of such power station should have a certificate for drinking water supply issued based on the development of an environmental impact assessment. V. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN VII.. ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION MEASURES The proposed Environmental Mitigation Plan including specific mitigation actions, institutional responsibilities and some related estimated costs is presented in Annex 2. A substantial part of the measures proposed in the 2000 EIA Report for Plovdivtsi Water Supply System, has been implemented during the construction phase. A front cofferdam was built which ensured settling of the effluents from the quarry, crushing plant and all activities at the bed of the water reservoir .to avoid pollution of the Iskrets river during construction. Opportunities were provided to use the facilities in the village of Plovdivtsi (canteen, kitchen). 59 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report The following works were completed in the past: excavation and concrete works, building of site service roads, opening of disposal sites for spoil material and humus, building of a road to the frontier post, and organizationof the structures for construction of the dam wall. One of the disposal sites and the quarry are in the bed of the water reservoir. The water supply main from the dam to the settlements was built. There is no need for reinforcement of bridges or building of new roads. No population needs to be relocated. The following works still have to be performed: dam embankment to the crest elevation (26,0 m), the asphalt-concrete diaphragm, injections and C&I installation on the dam as well as DWTP construction. The remaining construction activities require adherence to the process sequence of building the embankment and asphalt-concrete diaphragm, C&I and injections, and quality control. These are dam construction activities for which the building companies have accumulated the needed experience (there are 16 high rock-fill dams in the country, such as Belmeken of 98 m height and 98 high earth-fill dams such as Ogostaof 59 m height). Water samples from the reservoir for water quality assessment are taken in accordance with schedule indicated by VIK LLC - Smolian. The following paragraphs are the background for proposal of the Environmental Mitigation plan. It includes the required measures both during the construction phase and during the operation phase of Plovdivtsi Water Supply System. Plovdivtsi Water Supply System. Air Quality 7.1. Restriction of the impacted area within the construction period. 7.2. Use of mobile water sprinkling systems to suppress dust emission on the temporary service roads, the construction sites and at the aggregate material quarry; 7.3. The operation of building machines and service transport vehicles shall be supported by regular adjustment of the diesel and gasoline units; observation of the daily construction schedules with a view to the best utilization of the working hours; minimization of the ,,idle running" of machines. 7.4. Monthly checks of the condition of building machines and transport vehicles for spills and leakages every shift; in the event of accidents, sequestration of the pollutants. Water 7.5. Construction of a water meter station in the dam lake tail for metering of water inflow 7.6. Construction of measuring profile in a suitable place below the dam, after discharge of environmental waters to control the size of environmental water quantity and securing the supply of minimum environmental flow of 0,030 m3/s from the level of the water intake tower at an appropriate depth (up to 10 m from the lake surface). 7.7. Maintaining of sanitary protection zones , and around the dam 7.8. Sanitization of the dam bed ­Felling and removal of the remaining tree vegetation and removing of the humus 7.9. Provision of chemical toilets during the construction phase, and consider a solution combined with a treatment module for the operation phase 60 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report 7.10. For the waste water from DWTP, collect samples and analyze their quality after treatment. Geology 7.11. Sampling of the diaphragm and the embankment to get deformation-strength properties in view of computing the dam wall robustness 7.12. Devote special attention to compaction works in the course of dam building and precise performance of anti-seepage grouting works for construction of the grout curtain. Soils 7.13. Cleanup of pollutants in case of emergency spillages and leakages from mechanical equipment and vehicles to prevent soil pollution. 7.14. Compliance with the requirements for waste management in order to avoid soil pollution in adjoining areas. 7.15. Perform regular supervision of the water area of the lake for establishing of any land erosion or collapse during operation. 7.16. Remove the humus layer and dispose it to the two depots. 7.17. Comply with the restrictions on the Tsigansko Gradishte zone and prevent encroachment upon it beyond the site boundaries. Harmful Physical Factors - Noise 7.18. The heavy-duty vehicles serving the dam construction shall keep within the permissible speed limit while crossing the settlements, the speed and routes being agreed with the municipalities. 7.19. Construction activities shall be performed mainly during the daytime. 7.20. The building equipment and works shall be concentrated, as far as possible, at the main construction site. 7.21. Build a direct service road between the quarry and the dam at the respective stage of its construction. Waste 7.22. The provisions of the Waste Management Act shall be complied with during construction and operation. 7.23. Construction works shall not be launched on the site prior to the Employers submission of a contract with a licensed company for transportation and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes that will be generated during the construction and operation. 7.24. Exercise control on the Investors activities for collection and transportation of wastes to the relevant site for their treatment to be performed by a licensed company contracted in advance. 7.25. Establish and observe a system for separate collection of wastes, having the Investor responsible for the smooth functioning of the system. 7.26. Collection and proper storage of any generated wastes in the course of construction works. 7.27. Foresee sufficient number of containers for collection of domestic or similar wastes. 61 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report 7.28. Transport to the depot in Rudozem the generated domestic and similar in terms of composition wastes. 7.29. Construction wastes, as well as industrial wastes from the DWTP, shall be removed after a preliminary agreement (contract) with the depot in Rudozem. 7.30. The generated "hazardous" wastes shall be collected, stored in environmentally friendly manner and submitted for disposal by licensed companies. 7.31 Unregulated burning of flammable construction wastes shall not be allowed. 7.32. Envisage a proper mode of operation and machine fleet for wastes transportation in order to prevent from pollution roadside areas. 7.33. Ban replacement of oils and idle stay of construction machinery on site, in order to reduce to a minimum pollution with used motor oils. 7.34. Avoid and prevent leakages of fuels and oils during operation of the construction equipment to be able to take measures to prevent pollution of soils and waters (surface and ground). Flora 7.35. Blasting works at the quarry near ligneous vegetation shall be performed by a "contained blast" technology. 7.36. Species appropriate for the climatic conditions in the region and with the relevant landscaping qualities shall be used for the biological remediation envisaged for the areas impacted by construction works. No invasive non-native species will be used Fauna 7.37. The blasting works, as far as possible, shall not coincide with the breeding period (end of April or May). 7.38. Maintain the required environmental flow, varied as appropriate according to season Landscape 7.39. Design and implement a landscaping plan of the territory. 7.40. Perform at the end of construction remediation of the affected lands beyond the facility. 7.41. The DWTP building and the administrative building at the crest of the dam shall have an appropriate architectural style. 7.42 . At the end of construction works, the damaged sections of the national road network should be repaired. Health Factor 7.43. Proper bath, toilet and kitchen facilities, working outfit, personal protection kits and work and rest balance shall be secured for the workers and drivers at the dam wall. The operational personnel at the DWTP shall be equipped with the necessary protection means, including in case of emergency. 62 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report 7.44. Implementation of Ordinance No 13/2004, Operational Manual and Emergency Action Plan. The Emergency Action Plan shall be developed at the beginning of the construction works ­ for the construction period, and as of the commissioning in operation ­ for the operation period. It comprises all actions and situation related to industrial emergencies and natural disasters ­ high water, earthquakes etc. V.. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PLAN The Environmental Monitoring Plan including proposed monitoring actions, locations of sampling and frequency of collection as well as institutional repsonisbilities and some estimated costs is presented in Annex 3. Prior to construction and operation the Contractor, the Implementation Unit and the Owner shall update the project environmental monitoring plan, including specifying targets and standards (for noise, water quality, etc.) to comply with the requirements in the regulatory base specified in chapter 2 and in accordance with the feasibility study and updated design. The Monitoring Plan shall be updated, implemented, reported and controlled in compliance with Chapter 2. The Project control unit established with the MRDPW shall receive all the documentation related to environmental management. The regular reports will be forwarded to the World Bank quarterly. Institutional responsibilities for application of the impact mitigation measures and environmental monitoring for Plovdivtsi Dam During construction works Responsibilities for Decision making on monitoring implementation measures impact mitigation and Reporting implementation of (who reports to whom and Accountable monitoring how frequently) Operations institutions and persons MRDPW (Employer) Construction supervisor and Implementation Contractor RIEW RIEW, RIHSC (as per the of mitigation Construction Regional Inspectorate on Monitoring Plan) measures and supervision Health Safety and Control Construction supervisor of implementation Employer (MRDPW) (RIHSC) MRDPW of monitoring RIEW; RIHSC MOEW (EEA) - from the PIU with MRDPW to the East-Aegean Region accredited laboratory as Bank (quarterly) BD, Plovdiv required PIU at MRDPW to the Bank Institutional responsibilities for application of the mitigation measures and environmental monitoring for Plovdivtsi Dam During the operation phase Responsibilities for Decision making on monitoring impact mitigation and Reporting implementation measures implementation of (who reports to whom and Accountable monitoring how frequently) Operations institutions and persons 63 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report VIK EOOD - Smolian VIK-P EOOD Smolian Implementation VIK EOOD - RIEW Smolian RIEW Smolian of measures for Smolian East-Aegean Region East-Aegean Region BD, impact RIEW Smolian BD, Plovdiv Plovdiv (as per the mitigation and East-Aegean Region monitoring plan) implementation BD, Plovdiv of monitoring Environmental management is performed by the competent institutions, i.e. MOEW, BD, and EEA to MOEW, RIEW, and RIHSC. The procedure for development, evaluation and acceptance of EIA, as well as control on the implementation of adopted decisions in Bulgaria are regulated by law and are observed strictly. They are harmonized with the European directives. The MOEW comprises a Directorate on "Prevention Activities" and a line deputy minister, while RIEW comprise departments on "Prevention Activities". The authority of the above-mentioned bodies and their actual activities show their professional competence. There have been many cases in which they have rejected EIAS or have returned them for a revision, they have imposed sanctions, suspended construction works and operation of sites because of failure to implement their decisions, and they have withdrawn rights under EIA in case of failed deadlines. Competent authorities cooperate actively with the municipalities and through them with the population and the NGOs. The mayors of municipalities affected by the investment proposal and representatives of NGOs are members of the Expert environmental councils for consideration of EIA. Control on use of water and water facilities, as per the decision for water intake and use of a water facility, is under the competences of the BD. At local level recruitment of personnel for implementation of environmental management is done on a competitive basis. All employees within the system are subject to annual training at national or local level. Once per year the knowledge and skills of the operational personnel is checked and they get ,,no objection to proceed with the implementation of their tasks at work. Thanks to state financing and support under EU programs, EEA and RIEW have been equipped with modern devices for laboratory control on the status of environmental components and factors. EEA with MOEW has been accredited for performance of environmental monitoring at national level. An annual Bulletin is issued on the condition of all components. Water and Sewerage Company of Smolian will take over the operation of Plovdivtsi Dam (the dam wall and the adjoining facilities, water area and 500 m of the river section under the dam wall). It will set up an operation unit with the required skills and responsibility (Water Act, Ordinance 13). VIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS The EIA reports prepared in 1998 and 2000 including the public discussions that took place met the requirements of the national EIA Regulation in force at that time (1994). The publics strong support for the construction of Plovdivtsi Dam was confirmed at the Environmental Expert Board of RIEW ­.Smolian attended by the Mayors of Rudozem and Madan municipalities as the only opportunity for normal supply of high-quality of drinking water. The public discussions and consultations on the EDDR that took place in 2007 are described below: On 22.10.2007 a public discussion was held in Rudozem to discuss the Environmental Due Diligence Report in compliance with the requirements to meet Bank requirements. The people 64 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report attending the meeting expressed their support for the completion of Plovdivtsi Dam due to the water supply rationing during the low-water seasons (summer and autumn) and the poor quality of water during the heavy rains. Also requests were made for repair of some sections of the national road network to the village of Plovdivtsi damaged in the course of construction works. Consultations with the following administrative and competent authorities were held as follows: 1. RIEW - Smolian. At a meeting with Mr. Spilkov ­ Director of RIEW ­ Smolian and Mr. K. Kondov ­ Head of the Environmental Monitoring Department it was understood that there was an EIA Report developed for Plovdivtsi Water Supply System in 2000. The national procedure required for an EIA has been observed, with public discussions held in Rudozem and Madan. No objections were raised by the residents at this meeting. After the public discussions, at a meeting of the Environmental Expert Board of RIEW-Smolian a decision was made for implementation of the Plovdivtsi Water Supply System (Appendix: EIA Decision of RIEW ­ Smolian No. 15-8/2000). 2. Rudozem Municipality ­ a meeting was held with the Mayor of Rudozem, Mr. Asan Chakarov and the municipalitys environmental engineer Mr. M. Belev. The municipality expressed its support for construction of the dam stressing its extreme significance for the municipalitys water supply. No objections were raised by the residents. (Appendix: Minutes of Meeting). 3. Madan Municipality ­ a meeting was held with the Mayor of Madan Mr. . Gadgev. The municipality supports the construction of Plovdivtsi Water Supply System, whereby the problem of normal water supply of the settlements in the region will be solved. No objections have been received at the municipality. (Appendix: Minutes of Meeting). 4. Smolian Municipality ­ a meeting was held with the Deputy Mayor for construction Mrs. R. Yanchevska. The municipality provides financial support to socially significant projects related to provision of regular water supply to the settlements. (Appendix: Position Paper). 5. Smolian District. A meeting was held with the Deputy Governor of Smolian District Dr. P. Fidanov. The District, represented by its district administration, emphasized the social significance of Plovdivtsi Water Supply System, repair of the water supply and sewerage networks, and new construction in the settlements with envisaged financing by the World Bank. (Appendix: Position Paper). The Environmental Due Diligence Report was disclosed at the respective Municipalities so the population of the municipalities of Rudozem, Madan and Srednogortsi could be familiarized with the document in detail. By announcements on notice boards and in the mass media access to this document was assured in every municipality. W&S LLC, as future operator of the project, disclosed the document on its web site. On 12.12.2007 a national discussion of the project, including the EDDR, was carried out at MRDPW in the presence of representatives of the mass media and NGOs. No remarks or recommendations were made on the EDDR which was placed on the web site of MRDPW within the time limits provided by law. The procedure of public discussions on the EIA for Plovdivtsi Dam included discussion of the DDR / 2007 with oral presentation of additional information in conformity with the Banks requirements. On 11.02.2008 a public discussion was held in Rudozem. The public discussion was covered by the local newspaper "Rodopi Vest", on the first page under the title "Plovdivtsi Dam started after 8 years freeze". The Mayor of Rudozem municipality, Mr. Nikolay Boyadgiev and the Deputy 65 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report mayor of Madan municipality - Mrs. Maria Bliznakova - handed in the signatures of about 5000 citizens in support of the construction of the dam. The social significance, to the residents, of completing Plovdivtsi Dam was emphasized once again at the public discussion (see enclosed Minutes of Meeting). This Final EIA Report will be disclosed at the web-site of Rudozem municipality, Madan municipality, WS&S -.Smolian and MRDPW. As a result of the status evaluation and the envisaged insignificant environmental impact during the construction completion phase and future operation of Luda Yana Dam, in view of the social significance and improvement of the health and sanitary conditions in the municipality of Rudozem and Madan, it is considered that the completion of Plovdivtsi Dam is imperative. 66 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report Annex 1 BULGARIA MINISTRY OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS MUNICIPAL INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT TERMS OF REFERENCE SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE PLOVDIVTSI DAM I. BACKGROUND The Consultant will prepare a supplemental EIA Update document to the Plovdivtsi EIA document approved by MoEW in 2000. This document will provide updated and additional information and content needed to satisfy the requirements of the World Bank's OP/BP 4.01 on Environmental Assessment. It will draw upon the Environmental Due Diligence report for Plovdivtsi Dam (October 2007) and other relevant documents or information sources. The document to be prepared by the Consultant should include the following elements (in bold below) which have been identified as requiring either updating or further elaboration. For each aspect, the document should briefly summarize the key points presented in the 2000 EIA and add any updated, new and supplemental information required to present a full and up-to-date picture and analysis of site conditions and potential project impacts. Where no new/updated information is available the document should indicate this. The resulting document should be readable as a freestanding document. The Table of Content of the final report should include the following recommended chapters: Executive Summary; Legal and institutional framework; Description of the proposed project (including map of project location); Baseline information (including environmental and socio-economic data); Potential Environmental and Socio-economic Impacts (including cumulative effects); Analysis of alternatives; Environmental Mitigation Plan; Environmental Monitoring Plan (including monitoring evaluation and reporting system); Public Consultation procedures and Minutes of public meetings; Associated annexes (including information on any modeling and analysis performed, relevant maps, etc). 67 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report II. SCOPE OF CONSULTANT WORK The following elements should be presented in the report: · Executive Summary - provide a non-technical summary of the main findings and conclusions of the 2000 EIA as supplemented by the additional information outlined above, with particular emphasis on any significant negative impacts identified and the associated proposed mitigation measures, and on the process and results of public consultations; · Legal and institutional framework ­ provide a description of relevant legislation, including international agreements (specially related to water rights, effects of river flows on riparian, dissemination of water quality information, the Center of Early Warning mechanism established with Turkey, Greece etc); provide reference to any relevant technical guidelines, regulations and standards that will be followed during construction works; present the current status of construction and other environmental permits required for the proposed works; · Environmental and socio-economic baseline information - provide a current description of environmental conditions at the project site and upstream and downstream of the project site, within the zone of influence of the project, including description of downstream ecosystems (habitats, flora and fauna including any protected habitats or threatened or endangered species; nature and quality of surface and ground water sources (based on latest available data/protocols); hydrological and hydro-geological conditions; air pollution and soil contamination in and around the project area (latest available sampling results); · Potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts of the proposed project, including both direct/local impacts and indirect, cumulative and induced impacts. This should take into account both the construction and operational phases and include the dam site, the reservoir basin and surrounding areas which would be influenced by the construction or operation of the dam. Elements of the project to be considered include the dam structure, water treatment plant, facilities such as workers camps and vehicle and machine depots; access infrastructure such as roads, bridges and power lines; waste management facilities. The assessment of potential impacts should include special attention to impacts on natural habitats (forests, wetlands and others), threatened or endangered species, environmental services, and physical cultural property. Special attention should be paid to potential impacts of water impoundment on the volume, timing and quality of downstream water flows, including an explanation of the environmental flows to be maintained and the basis on which these environmental flows will be determined. Positive or negative linkages with climate change (e.g. vulnerability to impacts of climate change; potential for increasing or decreasing atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions) should also be discussed, as should potential impacts on HIV-AIDS transmission; · Analysis of alternatives ­ identify possible alternative to the proposed project and comparison of positive and negative environmental and social impacts of the proposed project and of these alternatives. For example, alternative options for water supply; other development options for the site (e.g. hydropower plant); · Environmental Management Plan (EMP) ­ prepare an EMP consisting of a Mitigation Plan and Monitoring Plan. The Mitigation Plan should present specific, feasible and monitorable mitigation measures to avoid or reduce negative impacts which were identified, covering construction and operational phases (see above). The Monitoring Plan should 68 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report present specific, relevant and practical monitoring indicators which can be used to assess the effectiveness of the mitigation measures. Both the Mitigation and Monitoring Plans should include relevant measures to reduce any negative social as well as environmental impacts. Both the Mitigation and Monitoring Plans should include estimated costs of the specified measures and institutional responsibilities for implementation and for monitoring. The document should also include an assessment of the Clients capacity to implement the EMP and suggest institutional strengthening and capacity building measures as needed along with estimated costs. The Monitoring Plan should take in consideration all the monitoring aspects and request for studies proposed by the MoEW in their approval of the 2000 EIA; · Description of Stakeholder Consultations during the EIA process - present the Minutes of the public meeting and summarize key discussion points and conclusions and how they have been or can be addressed in the design of the project. III. Schedule The Consultant should prepare one draft report (by March 15, 2009) and the final report including all relevant annexes by March 20, 2009. The report will be delivered in English and Bulgarian languages, and disseminated at the project site/municipality and on the Ministry of Regional Development website in local language. IV. QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE The Consultant will have the following qualifications and experience: Knowledge and experience in conducting EIA related to dam sites, review of infrastructure projects, including economic and financial analyses; Specific experience in hydrology (including modeling); terrestrial ecology (plant ecology, forestry and wildlife); aquatic ecology and fisheries; watershed management; soil science and geology (where relevant); public health, in particular water borne and water-related diseases; Knowledge of current Bulgarian environmental legislation and procedures as well as Banks guidelines, EA procedures and operational policies; Significant knowledge on public consultations for major infrastructure projects, in particular for water and sanitation infrastructure; Experience in participatory design and monitoring in at least one WB funded project is a plus; Proficiency in English and in the use of computers, word processing, spreadsheets and other basic software. 69 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report ANNEX 2. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT MITIGATION PLAN Impact on: Impact Mitigation Measure Environmental effect Place and time of Implementation Person in Control functions performance Funds Charge performed by: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 During the Construction Phase Construction supervisor, Limit the affected land areas within the construction Smaller area of affected Dam and PWPP No additional The Rudozem site boundaries. and destroyed land construction sites; funds are permanently required. Contractor Municipality environmental expert, RIEW Use mobile water sprinkling systems for dust Construction suppression on the temporary service roads, the Prevention /reduction Dam, SQ, service supervisor, construction sites and at the aggregate material of dust pollution and roads; in dry hot Included in the The Rudozem quarry; improvement of work completion costs Contractor Municipality site conditions weather environmental expert, RIEW Ambient air The operation of building machines and service transport vehicles shall be supported by regular Restriction of exhaust Included in the adjustment of the diesel and gasoline units; gas emissions and of Dam, SQ, service costs of machine The Construction observation of the daily construction schedules with the pollution of roads; permanently. fleet Contractor supervisor a view to the best utilization of the working hours; working environment maintenance minimization of the ,,idle running" of machines. with them Construction Checks of the condition of building machines and Dam, SQ, service Included in the supervisor, transport vehicles for spills and leakages every shift;Prevention of odors and roads, national road costs of machine The Rudozem in the event of accidents, sequestration of the evaporations from oil network; fleet Contractor Municipality pollutants spills permanently maintenance environmental expert, RIEW 70 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report Impact on: Impact Mitigation Measure Environmental effect Place and time of Implementation Person in Control functions performance Funds Charge performed by: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Included in the Obtaining of Lake tail in the cost of dam Construction Construction of a water meter station in the dam lake information on the river sector; completion, with The supervisor, RIEW, tail for metering of water inflow. influx needed for dam Dam construction a view to inflow Contractor East Aegean Region control phase monitoring and BD - Plovdiv prevention of floods Construction, in an appropriate place downstream of To be included the environmental discharge outlet, of a water gauge Guaranteed Downstream of the in the cost* RIEW, East Aegean station for monitoring of the ecological discharge environmental release dam; upon the design The Region BD ­ quantity. to maintain the river Dam construction Contractor ecosystem phase update ­ 10 000 Plovdiv, RIPCPH BGN * A staff gauge is erected in the measuring template As per From the Design for sanitary protection zones , requirements for To be included RIEW, East Aegean and around the water reservoir - benchmarking of Protect water purity in zone I ; in the cost upon The Region BD ­ Water zone . Plovdivtsi Dam Before the end of the design Contractor Plovdiv construction update Included in the project cost. The whole lake Include the additional work- RIPCPH, East Sanitization of the reservoir bed Protect water purity in basin; The Plovdivtsi Dam Before offshoot clearingContractor Aegean Region BD commissioning and humus ­ Plovdiv stripping in the design update ­ 300 000 BGN 71 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report Impact on: Impact Mitigation Measure Environmental effect Place and time of Implementation Person in Control functions performance Funds Charge performed by: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 RIEW, East Aegean Ensure the water Region BD ­ Secure delivery of ecological discharge at 0,030 m3/s quality needed for the Intake tower level; Included in the The Plovdiv, from the intake tower level; river ecosystem During intake tower project cost. Contractor environmental downstream of the dam erection works expert of Rudozem Municipality At SQ, dam, PWPP Funds acc. to the RIEW, Erect permanent chemical toilets during the Protection of the water construction sites; contract with the The environmental construction and operation phases in the river Iskrets Before start of firm performing Contractor expert of Rudozem construction the maintenance Municipality Budget for Geological Perform sampling of the diaphragm and the engineer, embankment to get deformation-strength properties Operation safety Diaphragm and 150 000 BGN design Construction in view of computing the dam wall robustness dam embankment upon the design engineer, Supervisor Geological update Contractor base Devote special attention to compaction works in the course of dam building and precise performance of Reduce seepage for Performance of Included in the Construction anti-seepage grouting works for construction of the safe dam operation required works at project costs Contractor Supervisor grout curtain the dam Included in the machine In the event of accidental spills and leakages from On the roads, SQ, maintenance mechanical or transport equipment, perform Protect the soils from dam and PWPP; costs. The Construction sequestration of the pollutants against soil pollution. pollution with oils In the event of Sequestration in Contractor Supervisor Soils accidents the event of accidents to be determined by the work volume Meet the waste management requirements to prevent Protect the soils from All over the Measures within The Construction soil pollution in the adjoining areas pollution with waste construction area, the "Waste" Contractor Supervisor, RIEW, 72 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report Impact on: Impact Mitigation Measure Environmental effect Place and time of Implementation Person in Control functions performance Funds Charge performed by: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 at temporary waste component environmental collection & expert of Rudozem disposal sites; Municipality permanently Strip the entire humus layer and dump it at a disposalProtect the dam water From reservoir Included in the The Construction site purity and secure basin; before humus for recultivation commissioning project cost Contractor Supervisor, RIEW Comply to the restrictions on the Tsigansko Gradishte zone and not encroach upon it beyond the Protection of the Water Power Included in the The Construction site boundaries protected area Works project cost Contractor Supervisor, RIEW The heavy-duty vehicles serving the dam construction shall keep within the permissible speed Protection of the On the routes Municipalitys limit while crossing the settlements, the speed and residents health and through No funds The Environmental routes being agreed with the municipalities. comfort settlements; required. Contractor permanently expert, the Mayor Construction Construction activities shall be performed mainly Maintain a healthy On the constructionNo funds The Supervisor, RIEW, Harmful during the daytime. environment in site; required. Contractor environmental physical Plovdivtsi Permanently expert of Rudozem factors Municipality Noise The building equipment and works shall be On the construction concentrated, as far as possible, at the main Minimum noise impact site; No funds The Construction construction sites. Permanently required. Contractor Supervisor At the appropriate Build a direct service road between the quarry and Protection of the health elevation of dam Included in the The Construction the dam at the respective stage of its construction and comfort of height; Plovdivtsi residents At a defined project costs Contractor Supervisor construction stage Waste The requirements of the Waste Management Act Protection of the air, Collection, Funds The Construction shall be met during the construction and operation water, soils from temporary storage, depending on Contractor Supervisor 73 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report Impact on: Impact Mitigation Measure Environmental effect Place and time of Implementation Person in Control functions performance Funds Charge performed by: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 phases pollution. Protection of transportation and waste volume, RIEW (see items 7.22 to 7.34 in Chapter VII) the flora, fauna and disposal; permanent landfills location human health and contracts with them Blasting works at the quarry near ligneous Protect vegetation vegetation shall be performed by a "contained blast" around the quarry from On the SQ site; Included in the The Construction technology. damage during blasting project cost Contractor Supervisor Flora For biological recultivation of areas affected by the To prevent import of On the construction Budget for an construction as envisaged in the design, use species foreign, aggressive sites and terrains additional Construction appropriate for the climate conditions of the region species into the subject to The 250 000 BGN Supervisor and possessing the respective "landscaping" territory to be recultivation; at the Contractor RIEW properties recultivated end of construction upon the design update Reflect in the The blasting works, as far as possible, shall not Protection of the fauna construction coincide with the breeding period (end of April or during the breeding At SQ; calendar plan forThe Construction May); period End of April-May the period end ofContractor Supervisor RIEW April-May Fauna Provide water quality Ensure release of the ecological discharge from an suitable (to) for fish and Intake tower; appropriate level of the Intake Tower (not exceeding other aquatic life during Intake Included in the The Construction 10 m) downstream of the Tower erection project costs Contractor Supervisor dam works Construction Design and implement a landscaping plan of the In all areas affected Provide for Supervisor, RIEW, Landscape territory; Good fit between the by the construction; additional funds The environmental site and the landscape At the end of in the design Contractor expert of Rudozem construction update Municipality 74 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report Impact on: Impact Mitigation Measure Environmental effect Place and time of Implementation Person in Control functions performance Funds Charge performed by: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Construction In the end of construction, perform recultivation of Recultivation of In all areas affected by the construction; Included in the The Supervisor, RIEW, the affected lands outside the facility; disturbed land outside environmental the facilities At the end of project costs Contractor construction expert of Rudozem Municipality Provide for The PWPP building and the administrative building 50 000 BGN on the dam wall crest shall be in an appropriate Good visual effect of Dam, PWPP, additional fundsThe Construction architectural style. the site during construction in the design Contractor Supervisor update Restore the good condition of the road 700 000 BGN In the end of construction, repair the damaged network for support of National road funds shall be The Construction sectors of the national road network normal traffic (if any network; in the end provided for in Supervisor, national damages due to of construction the design Contractor road infrastructure construction works are update found) Proper hygiene and living conditions, work clothes, Ensure a healthy work Health personal protection means, and regimen of work and environment to protect On work sites at the Included in the The Construction Factor rest shall be ensured for the construction workers the workers health and dam and PWPP, project costs Contractor Supervisor, RIPCPH and vehicle drivers. life SQ; permanently 75 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report Impact Place and time of Person in Control functions on: Impact Mitigation Measure Environmental effect performance Implementation Funds Charge performed by: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 During the operation phase Adhere to the plan of PWPP By the effluent outfalling after Protection of water purity in At PWPP; Included in the project Operating The Owner and RIEW treatment r. Iskrets permanently cost Team Water Erect permanent chemical Protection of water purity in For dam and PWPP Funds acc. to the contract By the toilets for the operation phase the dam and in r. Iskrets operation staff; Operating The Owner and RIEW permanently with the maintaining firm Team During operation, perform regular visual inspections of the Abrasion and landfall control The lake area; by the Included in the project By the The Owner, RIEW, East Soil lake water area for possible against increase of the observation and costs of observation and Operating Aegean Region BD - development of erosion and sediments in the reservoir measurement program measurement program Team Plovdiv landfall processes Adherence to the law Administrative Funds depending on waste By the Waste The requirements of the Waste provisions against pollution building of dam and Management Act shall be met of environmental components PWPP operation; volume, landfills location Operating The Owner and RIEW and risks to human health permanently and contracts with them Team The PWPP operating staff shall Health be supplied with the required Provide health working Included in the operation By the Factor means of protection, inclusive conditions and protect PWPP; permanently costs Operating The Owner and RIPQPH for events of accidents operating staffs life Team The Owner, RIEW, East Dam Compliance with Regulation Operating safety of the dam On the dam and PWPP Included in the operation By the Aegean Region BD ­ Safety 13/2004, Operation Instructions and the related facilities in the Operating Plovdiv, Civil Defense and the Accident Action Plan event of natural disasters site; permanently costs Team Dept. at the Ministry of Emergency Situations 76 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report ANNEX 3. MONITORING PLAN How shall the When shall the Where shall the parameter be parameter be Impact on: What parameter shall be Required Funds Organization in monitored? parameter be monitored?/ type of monitored? (at what monitored? monitoring intervals or /Cost/ charge of Monitoring equipment continuously) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 During construction The Contractor, Construction Dust, gas pollution by Inspection. Checks at regular At express Supervisor, RIEW, building machines and On the construction Measurement by an intervals, urgent analysis prices ofRIPCPH, transport vehicles sites and roads accredited laboratory checks upon report the accredited laboratory environmental expert of Rudozem Free Air Municipalicy The Contractor, Construction Dust, gas pollution by Checks at regular At express Supervisor, RIEW, building machines and village of Plovdivtsi Measurement by an intervals, urgent analysis prices ofRIPCPH, transport vehicles accredited laboratory checks upon report the accredited laboratory environmental expert of Rudozem Municipalicy The Contractor, Water pollution due to At prices of the Construction Water failure to adopt the planned downstream of the Observation, sampling Permanently. In the accredited Supervisor, RIEW, measures dam and PWPP event of accidents laboratory environmental expert of Rudozem Municipalicy Possible leaks and accidental Fund for The Contractor, Soils spills At the accident sites Observation Permanently sequestration of Construction actual volumes Supervisor 77 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report How shall the When shall the Where shall the parameter be parameter be Impact on: What parameter shall be Required Funds Organization in monitored? parameter be monitored?/ type of monitored? (at what monitored? monitoring intervals or /Cost/ charge of Monitoring equipment continuously) The Contractor, Check measurement by At express Construction Noise On the construction Checks at regular analysis prices of Supervisor, RIEW, sites an accredited laboratory intervals the accredited environmental expert laboratory of Rudozem Municipalicy Noise The Contractor, Construction Check measurement by Checks at regular At express Supervisor, RIEW, Noise village of Plovdivtsi an accredited intervals, urgent analysis prices of RIPCPH, laboratory checks upon report the accredited laboratory environmental expert of Rudozem Municipalicy The Contractor, Collection, temporary At sites designated by Construction Wastes storage, transportation and the Waste Observation Permanently No funds Supervisor, RIEW, disposal Management Plan required environmental expert of Rudozem Municipalicy Final sanitization of the lake Permanently in the No funds The Contractor, bed Lake bed Observation course of work required Construction Supervisor, RIEW The Contractor, Flora Construction The planned terains Supervisor, RIEW, Recultivation affected by Observation Permanently in the No funds East Aegean Region construction work course of work required BD, Plovdiv 78 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report How shall the When shall the Where shall the parameter be parameter be Impact on: What parameter shall be Required Funds Organization in monitored? parameter be monitored?/ type of monitored? (at what monitored? monitoring intervals or /Cost/ charge of Monitoring equipment continuously) The Contractor, Fauna Blast work Quarry Inspection In the period end of No funds Construction April-May required Supervisor, RIEW Provision of personal The Contractor, Health Factor protections to builders and No funds machine operators On construction sites Inspection Permanently required Construction Supervisor, RIPCPH During operation Meteorological Free air; Climate Meteorological factors station near the dam With the installed Permanently after a Included in the above water level instrumentation developed program project Operating team elevation In compliance with the Influx to the dam Reading gauge Permanently 3 times / Included in the station Observation and day project costs Operating team Water Measurement Program Release of minimum flow In compliance with Minima; cost to (ecological discharge) from Measuring template measurement At regular intervals be included in Operating team the Intake Tower requirements the design update Acc.to parameters indicated Operating team, Water quality in the in the Monitoring Program ­ At various sections At prices of the RIPCPH, W&S dam lake and hydro-chemical, and levels in the dam In compliance with the In compliance with accredited Smolian, MOEW eutrofication control bacteriological and lake Control Program the Control Program laboratory (IAE) if involved in hydrobiological indicators the National Monitoring At the Central In compliance with Dam safety and Implementation of an Measurement Station In compliance with Observation and Included in the aquatory inspection Observation and C&I instructions and Operating team Measurement Program and along the Measurement project costs waterfront visual inspections Program 79 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report How shall the When shall the Where shall the parameter be parameter be Impact on: What parameter shall be Required Funds Organization in monitored? parameter be monitored?/ type of monitored? (at what monitored? monitoring intervals or /Cost/ charge of Monitoring equipment continuously) Quality of water received and fed to the In compliance with Observed PWPP inlet and In compliance with the Included in the Operating team, water supply system Parameters Program outlet Measurement Program Permanently project costs RIPCPH, W&S from PWPP Smolian Quality of sediments At regular intervals from the mud basins of As indicated in the ReferenceAt the mud basins In compliance with the till the possibility of Included in the Operating team, PWPP Parameter Program Control Program their use is clarified project costs RIEW, RIPCPH 80 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report Annex 4 METHODOLOGIES AND SOURCES USED IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT 1. National Strategy for Utilization of Water Resources and Protection of Waters in the Republic of Bulgaria, 1995 ­ MOEW, leader R.Nikolaeva Master plans of water use in the basin management regions in Bulgaria, Sofia, July 2000. ­ MOEW ­ Institute on Water Issues ­ Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Volume I. "General background, methodological baseline and principles, general assessments and major outcomes" 2. Part VIII. Evaluation of water volumes for conservation of river ecosystems, team leader R. Nikolaeva 7.4. Methodology for water evaluation for conservation of river systems Volume IV. Dunavski region 3. General diagram for use of water in the Maritsa river basin Zarbova K. et al., Evaluation of certain environmental changes in case of disruptions in the 3. regime of the river runoff in the riverbeds of the Yantra and the Osum rivers, NVIC of KOPS, ., 1989. Zaharieva V., Mathematical models for establishing of flooding water quantity, Yearbook of the 4. University of Architecture, Construction and Geodesy, volume LI, section Hydroengineering 2003/04 ., 2004. 5. Methodology for balance computation of pollutants released in the atmosphere, 2000 ­MOEW 6. Euro-3 EU standards for emissions of harmful substances emitted by motor transports 7. Study of the geodynamic processes in the region of the G.Dimitrov dam evaluation of the anthropogenic impact, 1984-1990. Concept Note and Investigation Plan for Big Dams in Bulgaria, National conference 8. "Environmental Status of Bulgaria and future projections, Sofia, 1990, NACID No18, page 7 ­ G.Gergov, .Tsenkova, .Tsenev Investigation of the components of the mass-energy exchange within the surface air layer 9. around the "Koprinka lake", A.S.Tzenkova-Bratoeva, J.N.Ivancheva, and B.Veleva; W.L.Smith and Yu.M.Timofeev (Eds.), IRS 2000: Current Problems in Atmospheric Radiation. A.Deepak Publishing, Hampton, Virginia, 2001, 1360-1366 pp. 10. Anna Tzenkova, Meteorogical investigation around the mountain reservoir. 24th International Conference on Alpine Meteorology (ICAM 1996), Bled, Slovenia, 9-13 September 1996 11. Pehlivanov L. Z. 2000. Ichthyofauna of East Rhodopes (South Bulgaria): Composition and Distribution. ­ Acta Zoologica Bulgarica, 52 (3): 45-53 Pehlivanov L., Vassilev, M. 2003. Feeding of Age-1 Perch (Perca fluviatilis) with a View to the Diurnal Dynamics of its Distribution in the Alexander Stamboliiski Resevoir, Bulgaria. ­ Acta Zoologica Bulgarica, 55 (2): 81-90 12. Vassilev, M., L. Pehlivanov. 2005. Checklist of the Bulgarian Freshwater Fishes. ­ Acta zool. Bulgarica, 57 (2): 161-190 13. Beshkov V. 1961 Contribution to the zoogeographic study of herpetofauna in Bulgaria ­ Institute and museum of zoology 373-380 14. Beshkov V. 1972 Item III Examinations on ecology and distribution V 125-136 15. Beshkov V. 1985 Amphibian. Reptiles ­ : Red Book of Bulgaria para. Animals 32-41 Casc J-P et all 1997 Atlas of Amphibians and Reptiles in Europe Paris Soc Europe Herpetol and 16. Mus.Nat.Hist Natur 95th authors of the various chapters, paragraphs, species reviews and distribution maps in the Atlas for Bulgaria ­ Beshkov V. 17. Beshkov ., K.Nanev 2002 Amphibians and reptiles in Bulgaria, Pensoft 1-120 18. Petrov B., P.Stoev, V.Beshkov 2001 Review of composition and distribution of Amphibia and Reptilia in the eastern Rhodopes Beltcheva, M., R. Metcheva. 1996. Methods for estimation the food eaten, the place and 19. functional role of small mammals in ecosystems. "National Parks and their role in biodiversity protection on Balcan Peninsula.", Ohrid, 143-146 20. Metcheva, R., A. Artinian, E. Nikolova, M. Belcheva, R. Laleva. 1997. Estimation of 81 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report environmental quality using monitor species small mammals from two regions with different antropogenic influence in Bulgaria. A. Bioaccumulation of toxic elements and their influence on some hystological and hematological indices. Ecomonitoring in Rozhen Srednogorie - Bulgaria. Theory and Practice-Ministry of Environment, SDC - Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. Sofia,113 - 119 21. Mecheva, R., . Topashka-Ancheva, M. Belcheva, Tsv. Yordanova 2004. Bioindicating capacity of petty mammals in zoological monitoring - Lesovudska misal.1, v.10 (29):135 ­ 143 Chassovnikarova T., R. Metcheva, K.Dimitrov. 2005. Microtus guentheri (Danford & Alston) 22. (Rodentia, Mammalia): A Bioindicator Species for Eestimation of Polymetal Dust Emissions Influence. Belgian Journal of Zoology 135 (2): 135-137 23. Environmental analysis Small HPP Apriltsi (catchment area of the Yantra River) ­ bird fauna 1999 . ­ team leader R.Nikolaeva 24. National plan for protection of bio diversity, 2000, MOEW. 25. WMO (1997)Technical Reports in Hydrology and Water Resource, No 56, Estimation of areal evapotranspiration 26. Popov V., Sedevchev . 2003. Mammals in Bulgaria. . 291 27. Popov V., Spasov N., Ivanova T., Mihova B., Georgiev . 2007. Mammals important for conservation in Bulgaria. Dutch Mammal Society Vzz. 328 . 82 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report Annex 5 WASTE CLASSIFICATION Code under No Type of waste Ordinance No. 3 of 2004 1. 2. 3. . During construction 1. Waste from mining of non-metal ores and minerals 01.01.02 2. Waste from forestry ­ felling of tree vegetation (Scots pine culture) on a small area and from completion of cleaning of the lake 02.01.07 3. Waste fine rubble/ ballast and rubble rock materials, different from those listed in 01.04.07 01.04.08 4. Waste sand and clay 01.04.09 5. Waste from liquid fuel ­ other fuels (including mixtures) 13.05.08* 6. Spent engine oil from construction machinery 13.08.99* 7. Paper and cardboard packaging 15.01.01 8. Plastic packaging 15.01.02 9. Packaging from wood materials 15.01.03 10. Metal packaging 15.01.04 11. Composite/ multi-layer packaging 15.01.05 12. Mixed packaging 15.01.06 13. Glass packaging 15.01.07 14. Packaging containing residues from hazardous substances or contaminated with such 15.01.10* 15. Concrete waste 17.01.01 16. Waste from tiles, plates, faience and ceramic materials 17.01.03 17. Wood material used in construction 17.02.01 18. Plastic used in construction 17.02.03 19. Asphalt mixtures containing coal tar 17.03.01* 20. Asphalt mixtures containing other substances different from those listed in 17.03.01* 17.03.02 21. Mixed metal waste 17.04.07 22. Cables different from those listed in code 17.04.10 17.04.11 23. Soil and stones different from those listed in code 17.05.03 17.05.04 24. Excavated land masses different from those listed in code 17.05.05 17.05.06 25. Insulation materials different from those listed in codes 17.06.01 and 17.06.03 17.06.04 26. Construction plaster-based materials different from those listed in code 17.08.01* 17.08.02 27. Mixed waste from construction and demolition different from those mentioned in 17.09.01, 17.09.02 and 17.09.03* 17.09.04 28. Paint, ink, glue/ adhesives and resins containing hazardous substances 20.01.27* 29. Paint, ink, glue/ adhesives and resins different from those listed in code 20.01.27 20.01.28 30. Mixed domestic waste 20.03.01 31. Domestic waste not mentioned elsewhere 20.03.99 . During operation 83 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report Code under No Type of waste Ordinance No. 3 of 2004 1. 2. 3. 32. Mixed metal waste ­ from repair works 17.04.07 33. Cables different from those listed in code 17.04.10 ­ from repair works 17.04.11 34. Insulation materials different from those listed in codes 17.06.01 and 17.06.03 ­ from repair works 17.06.04 35. Solidified waste different from those mentioned in 19.03.06 19.03.07 36. Solid waste from initial filtration and from screens and racks 19.09.01 37. Sediments from water purification 19.09.02 38. Waste not mentioned elsewhere 19.09.09 39. Paper and cardboard 20.01.01 40. Fluorescent tubes and other waste containing mercury 20.01.21* 41. Paint, inks, glue/ adhesives and resins containing hazardous substances from repair works and maintenance 20.01.27* 42. Paint, ink, glue/ adhesives and resins different from those listed in code 20.01.27* from repair works and maintenance 20.01.28 43. Plastic 20.01.39 44. Metals 20.01.40 45. Mixed domestic waste 20.03.01 46. Domestic waste not mentioned elsewhere 20.03.99 84 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report REGULATORY ACTS 1. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT (STATE GAZETTE NO.91/25.09.2002, AMENDMENTS & SUPPLEMENTS AS OF 94/2008) 2. WATERS ACT (STATE GAZETTE NO.67/01.09.1999, AMENDMENTS & SUPPLEMENTS AS OF 70/2008). 3. BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY ACT (STATE GAZETTE NO. 77/09.08.2002, AMENDMENTS & SUPPLEMENTS AS OF 94/2007). 4. PISCICULTURE AND AQUACULTURE ACT (STATE GAZETTE NO. 41/24.04.2001 AMENDMENTS & SUPPLEMENTS AS OF 108/2006). 5. WASTE MANAGEMENT ACT (STATE GAZETTE NO. 86/2003 AMENDMENTS & SUPPLEMENTS AS OF 34/2006). 6. REGULATION ON THE TERMS AND PROCEDURE FOR PERFORMANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS, STATE GAZETTE NO.3/10.01.2006). 7. FORESTRY ACT (STATE GAZETTE NO. 125/1997, AMENDMENTS & SUPPLEMENTS 6/2009). 8. ACT ON PROTECTION AGAINST NOISE IN THE ENVIRONMENT (SG NO.74/2005, AMEND. AND SUPPL NO.30/2006) 9. AIR PURITY ACT (SG NO.45/1996 AMEND. AND SUPPL.45/1996 ...... NO.6/2009). 10. RED BOOK OF THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA, VOL.2 ­ 1985. 11. UN CONVENTION ON PRESERVATION OF THE BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (IN EFFECT IN BULGARIA SINCE 16.07.1996 ­ STATE GAZETTE NO. 19/1999). 12. ORDER NO. -272/03.05.2001 ON THE CATEGORIZATION OF SURFACE WATERS IN WATER BODIES OR PARTS OF THEM ­ MOEW. 13. REGULATION NO. 3/01.04.2004 ON WASTE CLASSIFICATION (STATE GAZETTE NO. 44/25.05.2004). REGULATION NO. 04/2/26.02.2004 ON THE MINIMUM LABOR HEALTH AND SAFETY 14. REQUIREMENTS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND ERECTION WORKS (STATE GAZETTE NO. 37/04.05.2004). COUNCIL OF MINISTERS' DECISION 122/02.03.2007 ON APPROVAL OF A LIST OF 15. PROTECTED AREAS FOR PROTECTION OF THE WILD BIRDS AND THE LIST OF PROTECTED AREAS FOR PROTECTION OF THE NATURAL WILDLIFE HABITATS. 16. WATER SUPPLY AND SEWERAGE SERVICE REGULATION ACT, 2005. 17. REGULATION NO. 13/2004 ON THE OPERATION OF DAMS AND RELATED FACILITIES MOEW, MH, MRDPW. 18. REGULATION NO. 9/16.03.2001 OF MH, MRDPW AND MOEW ON THE QUALITY OF POTABLE AND WASHING WATER. REGULATION NO. 3/16.10.2000 OF MOEW, MH, AND MRDPW ON THE TERMS AND PROCEDURE FOR EXPLORATION, PLANNING, APPROVAL AND OPERATION OF 19. SANITARY PROTECTION ZONES AROUND WATER SOURCES AND POTABLE WATER SUPPLY FACILITIES, AND AROUND MINERAL WATER SPRINGS USED FOR TREATMENT, PROPHYLAXIS, DRINKING AND SANITARY PURPOSES. 85 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report MOEW REGULATION NO. 5/08.11.2000 ON THE PROCEDURE AND METHOD OF 20. ESTABLISHING THE NETWORKS AND ACTIVITY OF THE NATIONAL WATER MONITORING SYSTEM MOEW REGULATION NO. 10/03.07.2001 ON GRANTING OF PERMITS FOR WASTE 21. WATER DISCHARGE IN WATER BODIES AND ESTABLISHING OF THE INDIVIDUAL EMISSION RESTRICTIONS OF POINT SOURCES OF POLLUTION. 22. REGULATION NO. 6 ON ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE INDICATORS ­ MH, MOEW (STATE GAZETTE NO. 58/2006). 23. REGULATION NO. 7/24.08.2005 ON THE SANITATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE HEALTH PROTECTION OF COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT. 24. MH, MOEW REGULATION NO. 14/1995 AMENDMENTS & SUPPLEMENTS AS OF 2007 ON PERMISSIBLE LIMIT CONCENTRATIONS IN THE AIR OF SETTLEMENTS. REGULATION NO. 26/01.10.1996 (AMENDMENTS & SUPPLEMENTS AS OF 2007) ON 25. THE RECULTIVATION OF DISTURBED LANDS, AMELIORATION OF LOW- PRODUCTIVE LANDS AND UTILIZATION OF THE HUMUS LAYER. 26. HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE HANDBOOK ­ MOEW, 2003. 27. EARTH- AND ROCKFILL DAM DIMENSIONING RATES 1986 CIVIL ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE NEWSLETTER ISSUES 1 AND 6 28. HYDRO-ENGINEERING FACILITY DESIGN STANDARDS, BASIC PRINCIPLES, 1985, CIVIL ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE NEWSLETTER ­ ISSUE NO.11/85 29. HYDRO-ENGINEERING FACILITY WAVE, ICE AND VESSEL LOAD AND IMPACT RATES (1988) 30. BUILDING AND FACILITY DESIGN STANDARDS FOR HIGHLY-SEISMIC REGIONS (CIVIL ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE NEWSLETTER ­ ISSUE NO.1/1989) REGULATION ON THE TERMS AND PROCEDURE OF ASSESSING THE 31. COMPATIBILITY OF PLANS, PROGRAMS, PROJECTS AND INVESTMENT PROPOSAL WITH THE SUBJECT AND PURPOSES OF ZONE PROTECTION (STATE GAZETTE NO.73/2007) 32. EEC DIRECTIVE 92/43 ON PRESERVATION OF NATURAL HABITATS AND WILD FLORA AND FAUNA 33. EEC DIRECTIVE 79/409 ON THE PROTECTION OF WILD BIRDS 34. PROTECTED AREA ACT (STATE GAZETTE, NO. 133 / 1998, AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS AS OF 2007). 86 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report APPENDICES 87 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report Topographic map 1:25 000 88 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report BG 0000372 Tsigansko gradishte Protected Area Map Tsigansko gradishte 89 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report Forest map 1:10 000 90 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report Construction Master Plan of Plovdivtsi Dam 1:25 000 91 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report Cross Section of the wall of Plovdivtsi Dam 92 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report Photos A general view of the dam and the potable water purification plant View from the dam to the lower sector and the potable water purification plant Walk-down of the ground 93 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report View of the overflow and the intake tower View of the bottom outlet and the stilling basin Monitoring measurement system 94 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report View of the stone borrow pit View of the potable water purification plant View of the water mains of the existing running-water supply system 95 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report River of Polidivtsi in the low-water season View of the village of Plovdivtsi 96 Plovdivtsi Dam Final EIA Report View of the town of Rudosem View of the town of Madan 97 List of Designs for Plovdivtsi Dam 1. Preliminary Studies by Vodocanalengineering SPLLC - 1982-1992 2. Engineering Design by Vodocanalengineering SPLLC - 1993 3. Elaborations on the Engineering Design by Vodocanalengineering SPLLC - 1993-1995 4. PWPP Design by Vodocanalengineering SPLLC - 1985 5. Update of Dam and PWPP by Vodocanalengineering SPLLC- 2000 6. Water Analysis Results Protocol No. 2 To Article 3, paragraph "b" of the Agreement on the Settlement of Pending Financial Issues and on the Development of Economic Cooperation between the Peoples Republic of Bulgaria and the Kingdom of Greece Article 1 The supply of regulated quantity of water from the Arda River by the Peoples Republic of Bulgaria to the Kingdom of Greece for the irrigation of land on Greek territory, amounting to 186 (one hundred and eighty-six) million cubic meters per year for a period of 60 (sixty) years, shall take place according to the following monthly schedule (in millions of cubic meters of water): V VI VII VIII IX Total 25 46 51 47 17 186 The regulation of water shall take place at equal amounts, daily in the course of every 15 days. The annual flow corresponding to the average relative duration 85% (eighty- five percent) at the location of Ivaylovgrad Dam, amounts to 1,400 (one thousand four hundred) cubic meters of water. This flow constitutes the benchmark for the extent to which the guaranteed quantity of 186 (one hundred and eighty six) million cubic meters of water shall be supplied in whole, during every irrigation period, or reduced by up to 20% (twenty percent). Alternatively, when the current annual flow to the Ivaylovgrad Dam is equal to or higher than the above-mentioned benchmark, 186 (one hundred and eighty-six) million cubic meters of water shall be supplied over the irrigation period. If, however, the flow is lower than the above benchmark, a quantity reduced by up to 20% (twenty percent) shall be supplied. It is desirable that these quantities vary within 20%, above or below, of the total requested amount, month by month, not readable possible during periods of severe drought to request small quantity of water and in April. The regulation of water on the part of the Peoples Republic of Bulgaria, as per the above data, shall start one year PROTOCOL Today, on February 11, 2009 in Rudozem Municipality, a meeting was held on the subject of Public Discussion of Plovdivtzi Dam. The meeting was attended as follows: Mr. Dimcho Mihalevski - deputy minister of MRDPW Mr. Plamen Nikiforov ­ MRDPW Mr. Orlin Dikov ­ representative of the World Bank Ass. Prof. Rositza Nikolaeva Todorova ­ team leader of the team that has prepared the project Eng. Dimitar Krastanov ­ deputy regional governor Mrs. Maria Bliznakova- deputy mayor of Madan Municipality Mr. Nikolay Boyadjiev ­ mayor of Rudozem Municipality Mr. Mitko Mladenov ­ chairman of the municipality council of Rudozem Mr. Ferdo Argatski ­ deputy mayor of Rudozem Municipality Mr. Krastyo Chipev ­ secretary of Rudozem Municipality. Citizens of Rudozem Municipality and Madan Municipality. The meeting was opened by Mr. Boyadjiev ­ Mayor of Rudozem Municipality. Today, as we know, we have a Public Discussion of the project which has started in the period 1992-1993 as an effort and later in 96-97 as realization of the Plovdivtzi dam which will give a possibility for the development of the municipalities of Madan and Rudozem, and I say Madan and Rudozem, not by chance, because this project, though on the territory of Rudozem municipality, is primarily related to the development and the future of our neighbours, the municipality of Madan, since as we know, the problem with the lack of water there is extremely important, and I am happy that today we have here Mr. Mihalveski, who in the recent years is the main motive power of the project among us, as well as the representatives of the World Bank that will finance eventually this site. We, as citizens representing the local self governance, shall indisputable and emphatically present this project as vital. In 21st century, it is unpardonable that in the centre of the Rhodopy region people are put to such tests and we are not speaking of water regime, but of a more serious situation in the two municipalities which predetermines the future. With these introductory words I am giving the floor to Mr. Mihalevski, but before that I would like to say that a few days ago we have afforded to collect subscription list of 2519 citizens of Rudozem Municipality in support of the construction of Plovdivtzi dam. In the Plovdivtzi populated area, almost 100 % of the people expressed their opinion in support of this project. Mr. Mihalevski ­ I would like to thank you for the subscription list and the very fact that the citizens of Plovdivtzi village have no objection and for that reason we are having here our discussion. The truth is that for a very long time the story of the Plovdivtzi dam goes on. I would like to inform you that this discussion that we are going to have now is by the request of our colleagues from the World Bank, because you remember that in October 2007, we had a similar discussion when the environmental impact assessment was reviewed for the dams but our colleagues from the World Bank, with regard to the increased requirements related to the impact of big investment projects, have asked us to prepare, with the help of our team, reports which Mrs. Nikolaeva shall present to you briefly. We have set an objective with our colleagues from the World Bank, that till May, we have to sign the loan agreement, and simultaneously with that, the notices for expression of interest, prequalification and contractors of the functions of the construction itself of the dams shall start in the end of this month, and our goal is to have a contract for construction with a construction supervision permit till 31 May, 2009 and to have a contract for construction till June 30, 2009. Practically, till the second half of this year the construction should start. Mr. Nikiforov ­ let us start with a short presentation of the environmental impact assessment and after that, if you have questions, we shall respond to them if they are related to the environmental impact assessment, the construction of the site, social and economic impact on the region etc. so now I am giving the floor to Ass. Prof. Rositza Nikolaeva, who is to make a brief presentation of the ecological aspect of the project. Ass. Prof. Rositza Nikolaeva ­ it is possible that we have seen each other last year when again, we have spoken about the construction of Plovdivtzi dam. At the presentation of the report, because it has been discussed with you, all procedures related to our legislation have been completed and many of the problems are clear to all of you. We all agree that Plovdivtzi dam is the only possible alternative and is vital for the population of the two municipalities so that these people, who love their region, can have the chance to stay and live in it. As for the environmental impact assessment I would like to say a few words on each of the three issues. First ­ it is true that normal water supply will be provided with good quality. Plovdivtzi dam, as you know, in its main part is completed and this also relates to the water treatment plant. The second issue is related to the fact that the environment in which the dam shall be constructed from the point of view of the requirements of the Ministry of Environment and Water is not that natural environment. The third issue is the safety of the dam. With the construction of the dam, there will be a period of security for the labour, securing work for 100 -150 people who will be able to work. Mr. Nikiforov ­ I would like to add to this what was said with regard to the safety. There is a commission for safety and exploitation which will review all documents and will control the construction of the facilities. Mrs. Maria Bliznakova, deputy mayor of Madan Municipality­ In Madan Municipality there is a lack of water available all year through and it is a major problem. It is a matter of no luxury or comfort, but it is a matter of ensuring minimum of conditions for a normal life. Thank you once again for the understanding showed from the World Bank and we hope that soonest, the Plovdivtzi dam shall be completed and the people of Madan and Rudozem Municipality will drink clean and good quality water all year through. For a very short time we have gathered the signature of 2400 people from Madan Municipality in support of the project. Mr. Boyadjiev ­ I would like to ask a question or rather metion the land acquisition. I would like to say only that to the moment, with the exception of one case only, all land has been compensated. The only case that we have is of one of our citizens who is contesting not the evaluation of the land but the fact that he is having 25 decares of forests and he is putting a claim on the price of the wood material. Mr. Mitko Mladenov ­ chairman of the regional municipality council of Rudozem, reminded the audience that the municipality is one of the municipalities with a highest percentage of unemployment in the country and that creates extremely big tension among the people. Mr. Lobodov ­ Mayor of Plovdivtzi village ­ the construction of that dam started as far back as 1997 and the existing project of the conductive water-conduit dates back to the 70ties. A lot was said for the construction of the dam and in my position of a mayor of Plovdivtzi village I would like you to answer me flatly and clearly, when will the construction of the dam start because I think that in the condition it is now this dam is dangerous for the citizens of Rudozem Municipality and at the same time it is useless for the rest of the citizens because it is not completed and does not provide a possibility for solving heavy problem related to the lack of water. Mr. Mihalevski ­ Dear Mr. Mayor, Dear Citizens, The Bulgarian government makes everything possible so that yet this year, in June, to continue the construction of Plovdivtzi dam realizing that its construction is important for the provision of the water balance of the affected municipalities and for the provision of employment alternatives for the population of the municipality. As a result of the world financial crisis the unemployment in the municipalities is dangerously high and the alternatives are extremely limited. Mr. Orlin Dikov ­ representative of the World Bank; Dear Mr. Mayor ­ The World Bank shall make everything that is necessary so that the contract between the Bulgarian government and the World Bank is signed in June realizing the extreme importance of the site. Mr. Hariton Topalov ­ citizen of Plovdivtzi village Dear sirs, 15 years ago I was Mayor of Plovdivtzi village and I have always accepted the statement that we shall have a constructed dam skeptically. Usually, that is what happens in life ­ when you need something badly it comes to you in the hardest way possible. I would like to declare that I am a 75-year man and I would like to underline to you that there is not a single person against the construction of the dam. We need it so much and I do hope that my destiny would allow me to be alive and see this dam completed. Mr. Piskov ­ executive director of the Zhiva Voda consortium. Dear Mr. Mihalevski, dear Mr. Nikiforov, in my capacity of an executive director of the Zhiva Voda consortium we have tried to preserve everything that was done to the moment the construction of the Plovdivtzi dam was terminated. During the years of no construction work going on under the project, there was no Act 10 signed and as chief contractor we have tried to preserve the working site in such a condition so that the work on the site could start immediately. From what I hear I understand the intentions of the Government are serious as are the intentions of the World Bank for the financing of the site. Mr. Ahmed Michenov ­ resident of Plovdivtzi village ­ Mr. Mihalevski, I would like to ask you, in your opinion, with the start of the work on the dam, would you give priority for the local people so that we, as unemployed, dismissed from the mines, will be given an opportunity for a decent life. Mr. Mihalevski ­ Dear Sir, in such cases, such objects have always been an instrument for reduction of the social tensions and the Bulgarian government will make everything possible to ensure work for people like you and for the many people that are expecting the start of the construction. Mr. Nikolay Boyadjiev ­ Dear Sirs, I have yet another question, in my opinion the positions of the Bulgarian government and the World Bank are clear, they are convinced that we should continue the work, and as a mayor of Rudozem municipality, I would ask the World Bank more quickly to decide the financial aspects of the contract, because I think that this is the greatest possibility for overcoming the financial crisis in the region. With these words, I am closing the public discussion and I hope for quick results. MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND WATER REGIONAL INSPECTORATE OF ENVIRONMENT AND WATER - SMOLYAN DECISION Re: Environmental Impact Assessment No 15-8/2000 Resting on Art. 20, para 1, item1 and Art. 23bofthe EnvironmentalProtection Act, Art. 20, para , item 1 and in relation to Art. 23, para 1, item 2 of Ordinance No 4/98 on EIA I GRANT A PERMIT: for the implementation of PLOVDIVTSI Water Supply System, village of Plovdivtsi,Rudozem Municipality, Smolyan district Proponent: Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works - Sofia with the following justification: The project implementation will result in a significant improvement in drinking water supply of the population in the region, and under the following conditions: 1. The following documents shall be submitted to RIEW ­ Smolyan by the date for state acceptance of the site: Emergency plan in case of high waters and for emergency release of dam water; Emergency plan for the chlorination plant; Plan for treatment of industrial wastes; Permit for discharge of wastewaters. 2. To provide monitoring in view of securing the minimal water quantity for the environment In compliance with Art.23b, para 5 4 ofthe EnvironmentalProtection Act and Art. 24, para 1 ofOrdinance No 4/93 for EIA, this decision shall be valid for a period of1 (one) year. Incompliance with 8oftheEnvironmentalProtectionAct, CoMDECREE No 9110/2000the fee for issuance of the decision on the EIAS amounts to BGN 2600 (two thousand and six hundred). If it is established that the conditions of the EIA Decision have been violated, resting on Art. 25, para 3 of Ordinance 4/98, the competent authorities on environment and water shall have the right to declare invalid the issued decision with all the ensuing consequences. Date: 21 December 2000 Director of RIEW ­ Smolyan: Ilya Smilkov MINUTES Today 28.08.2007, a meeting was held at Rudozem Municipality between Mr. Asan Chakarov, Mayor of the municipality and the environmental specialist Mr. Miroslav Belev on the one hand, and the team of "Omonit-consult" OOD headed by eng. Iveta Marinova and associate professor Rositsa Nikolaeva, team leader of the environmental assessment, on the other hand. The issues discussed at the meeting concerned the construction of Plovdivtsi dam for the purposes of municipal water supply. At the design stage of Plovdivtsi dam and at the phase of EIA preparation a public hearing was organized involving the community. The social significance of the site and the opportunity to secure regular water supply for the settlements in the municipality are fully supported by the community. The measures required to protect the environment have been undertaken. The municipality, represented by its mayor, supports entirely the construction of the dam FORTHEMUNICIPALITY Mr. Asan Chakarov, Mayor Mr. Miroslav Belev, environmental specialist FOR"OMONITCONSULT" OOD eng. Iveta Marinova - Manager ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR Dr. eng. Rositsa Nikolaeva Environmental Assessment Team Leader WATER TEST RESULTS OF THE ISKRETS RIVER Indicators Bulgarian Vodokanal engineering VIK- EOOD-SMOLYAN EcoAquaTech state standard /BDS/ - "Drinking water" 1979 1987 1997 1997 1998 1999 07.96 Color(degree) Up to 15 8-11 5 5 0 0 0 - Odor (degree) Up to 2 No No No No No No - Taste none none none none none none none Transparency(m) Over 30 Over 30 Over 3 Over 30 - - Over 30 - Turbidity (mg/l) 1,5 0,3-51 1 0,0-2,0 0,3 0,3 0,2 - Temperature (°) 6-16 6-12 13,5 8-13,5 8 9 13 - Act reaction () 6,5-8,5 6,6-6,8 7 6,6-7,0 7 6,8 6,8 7.3 Oxidizability (mg/l) 2,6 1,36-1,68 1,88 0,9-1,8 0,96 1,36 0,88 1,5 Nitrogen (mg/l) Not allowed 0,0 0,5 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,14 Nitrites (mg/l) Not allowed 0,0 0,01 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 Nitrates (mg/l) 50 0,0 3,6 0,3-1,6 1,0 1,7 1,8 0,0 Chlorides (mg/l) 250 3,55 8,86 6,0-8,8 6,0 6,0 5,0 16,5 General tv-st(n.degree 25 1,26 - 1,15 1,12 1,12 0,84 2,4 Sulphates (mg/l) 250 16,5-18,8 20,20 15-20,0 12 - 21,0 41,8 Magnesium (mg/l) 50 1,22-1,82 3,65 1.3-3,3 2,43 1-45 1,82 6,0 Calcium (mg/l) 150 7,01-7,91 12,02 5,0-11, 4,0 4,0 7,0 20 Phosphates(mg/l) 0,5 0,00-0,14 0,28 0,0-0,1 - - 0,11 Iron (mg/l) 0,2 0,00-0,05 0,0 0,0 0,01 0,0 0,0 0,01 Zinc (mg/l) 3,0 0,00-0,2 0,2 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,1 - Manganese (mg/l) 0,1 0,0 0,0 0,0 0.0 0,0 0,0 0,0 Copper (mg/l) 0,2 0,0-0,011 0,006 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 - Chrome (mg/l) 0,05 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,01 0,0 0,01 - Lead (mg/l) 0,05 .0,0 0,0 0,0 Hydrocarb. (mg/l) _ 15,2-18,3 33,56 16-23,0 - - - 52 Arsenic (mg/l) 0,05 0,0-0,002 0,006 0,0 - 0,0 0,0 - Cyanides (mg/l) Not allowed 0.0 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 Fluorine (mg/l) - 0,0-0,5 0,3 0,0 - - - - Free 3 (mg/l) - - - - - - - 6,1 Agres. O2 (mg/l) - - - - - 5,0 Dry residue (mg/l) 1000 32,5-45,0 72,0 32-41.0 - - - 60,0 MINUTES Today 28.08.2007, a meeting was held at Madan Municipality between Mr. Valentin Gadzhev, Mayor of the municipality on the one hand, and the manager of "Omonit-consult" OOD eng. Iveta Marinova and associate professor Rositsa Nikolaeva, team leader of the environmental assessment, on the other hand. The issues discussed at the meeting concerned the construction of Plovdivtsi dam for the purposes of municipal water supply. At the design stage of Plovdivtsi dam and at the phase of EIA preparation a public hearing was organized involving the community. The social significance of the site and the opportunity to secure regular water supply for the settlements in the municipality are fully supported by the community. The measures required to protect the environment have been undertaken. The municipality, represented by its mayor, supports entirely the construction of the dam. Issues related to the improvement of the water supply for the town of Madan - ,,Reconstruction of the urban water supply network" under the investment plan for rehabilitation of the water supply and sewerage infrastructure included in the Municipal Infrastructure Development Project for Bulgaria financed with a World Bank Loan ­ were also discussed at the meeting. . The social significance of the site and the opportunity to secure regular water supply for the settlements in the municipality are fully supported by the community. The measures required to protect the environment have been undertaken. The municipality, represented by its mayor, supports entirely the construction of the dam. FOR THE MUNICIPALITY FOR "OMONIT CONSULT" OOD Mr. Valentin Gadzhev, eng. Iveta Marinova Mayor of the municipality Manager Associate professor Dr.eng. Rositsa Nikolaeva - Environmental Assessment Team Leader SMOLYAN MUNICIPALITY ."" 12, 4700 , .:+359/301/626 62 :++359/301/624 26; -mail: smol@abv.bg 29 August, 2007 Opinion RE: : Water Supply Improvement Investment program for the Municipality of Smolyan under the investment plan for rehabilitation of the water supply and sewerage infrastructure included in the Municipal Infrastructure Development Project for Bulgaria financed through a World Bank Loan The Municipality of Smolyan represented by its deputy mayor eng. Rumyana Yanchevska fully supports the sub-projects proposed by VIK EOOD ­ Smolyan and included in the investment plan. Those will enhance the quality of water supply services proposed to the residents in the municipality. Deputy mayor of Smolyan Municipality, Eng. Rumyana Yanchevska THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA DISTRICT GOVERNOR OF SMOLYAN DISTRICT Outgoing No 26-124- 29.08.2007 Opinion Re: Water Supply Improvement Investment program on the territory of Smolyan District under the investment plan for rehabilitation of the water supply and sewerage infrastructure included in the Municipal Infrastructure Development Project for Bulgaria financed through a World Bank Loan The territory of Smolyan district features mountainous relief and remoteness of the settlements, many of which are inhabited by few residents, which creates severe operational conditions for the water supply and sewerage infrastructure. Considering the importance of water supply and nature conservation at a meeting held on 24 October 2003 the Regional Council for Development adopted an Investment Strategy for the water supply and sewerage sector of Smolyan District. Recognizing the fact that the construction of Plovdivtsi Dam and the implementation of specific projects for enhancement of the WSS infrastructure in the settlements of municipalities under the Investment plan for rehabilitation of the water supply and sewerage infrastructure included in the Municipal Infrastructure Development Project for Bulgaria financed through a World Bank Loan, will help resolve concrete problems, I express my positive opinion for the implementation of these activities on the territory of the district. District Governor: Dr. P. Fidanov