Page 1/54 E2468 Draft WB/International Development Association REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA DISASTER AND CLIMATE RISK MANAGEMENT PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN March 3, 2010 Page 2/54 Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4 1 INTRODUCTION 8 2 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT RULES AND PROCEDURES 10 2.1 WB EA policies 10 2.2 National EA rules and procedures 12 2.2.1 Environmental Laws 12 2.2.2 International Conventions 15 2.2.3 Environmental Assessment by-laws 16 3 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT 16 3.1 Scope of the EIA 16 3.2 Baseline conditions 16 3.2.1 The Leova project site 16 3.2.2. The Ceadir-Lunga site 18 3.2.3 The Malovata-Veche site 20 3.2.4. The Balti site 21 3.2.5. The Soroca Site 23 3.2.6. The airport site 24 3.3 Potential Environmental Impacts 25 4 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN 26 4.1. Mitigation measures to be applied 26 4.2. Monitoring Plan 32 5 INTEGRATION OF EMPs INTO PROJECT DOCUMENTS 34 6 RESPONSIBILITY FOR EMP IMPLEMENTATION AND FINANCING 34 7 PUBLIC DISCLOSURE AND CONSULTATION 34 Annexes Annex 1. List of consulted people 35 Annex 2. Map of project sites 36 Annex 3. Blue prints of the premises 37 Annex 4. Local Council's and Government Decision in land allocation in Leova 41 Annex 5. Local Council's Decision on land allocation in Balti 43 Annex 6. Local Council's and the Government Decision on land allocation in Soroca 45 Annex 7. Local Council's decision on land allocation in Malovata-Veche 48 Annex 8. Local Council's decision on land allocation in Ceadir-Lunga 49 Annex 9. Minutes of public hearings 51 Page 3/54 Abbreviations SHS State Hydrometeorological Service ECC Emergency Command Center DES State Department of Emergency Situations EA Environment Assessment EMP Environment Management Plan EIA Environment Impact Assessment PMT Project Management Team MOE Ministry of Environment GEF Global Environment Facility POPs Persistent Organic Pollutants EU European Union NGO Non-governmental organization WB World Bank SEE State Ecological Expertise TOR Terms of Reference MoldATSA Moldavian Air Traffic Services Authority Page 4/54 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. Project Objective. The objective of the proposed Disaster and Climate Risk Management Project (DCRMP) for Moldova is to strengthen the State Hydrometeorological Service's ability to forecast severe weather and improve the GoM's capacity to prepare for and respond to natural disasters. The PDO will be achieved through strengthened capacities to: (i) monitor weather and issue early warnings of weather-related hazards by providing timely and accurate hydrometeorological forecasts and services; (ii) manage and coordinate responses to natural and man-made disasters; and (iii) help individuals, particularly farmers, be aware of, and adapt to natural hazards and climate variability.. 2. Project description. The Moldova DCRMP proposes three main components: (a) strengthen severe weather forecasting; (b) improve disaster preparedness and emergency response; and (c) initiate adaptation to climate risks in agriculture. A small fourth component will be to support project implementation. Component A: Strengthen Severe Weather Forecasting. The component will have 3 subcomponents: A.1 ­ Develop Early Warning/Nowcasting Capabilities. Economic losses from severe weather, flash floods and floods can be significantly reduced by establishing a "nowcasting" system. This sub-component will strengthen data, communications, and modeling technology to provide timely, accurate, and geographically precise weather hazard warnings. . A.2 ­ Dual Polarization Doppler Radar Technology for Localized Forecasts. A Dual polarization Doppler radar is now the most effective meteorological tool to predict floods, high winds, hail, and other severe weather, and issue warnings. This sub-component will improve meteorological modeling systems by providing a mesoscale model and Integrated Meteorological Workstation, and eventually a hydrologic modeling system for predicting flash­floods. A.3 ­ Development of Plans for Seasonal/Climate Forecasts. Building a real-time hydrometeorological data system is a first step to improving medium- to long-term forecasting. Improving and automating agrometeorological data collection and distribution will improve drought forecasting. Component B: Improve Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response. It will include three subcomponents:B.1 ­ Feasibility Study and Design. The Project will support feasibility and design studies as a basis to establish the ECC. The two studies will include: (a) ECC architectural design within the DES headquarters that ensures seismic resilience of structural and non-structural features, and efficient space planning; and (b) information management system design to link DES headquarters with DES local offices and sectoral institutions such as SHS, Ministries of Environment and Agriculture, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, and others. . B.2 ­ Establish Emergency Command Center. When feasibility and design studies are complete, the Project will support ECC establishment by financing the following: (i) facility renovation and refurbishment works; (ii) ECC furniture and equipment; (iii) information technology (IT) hardware; (iv) emergency information management software; and (v) communication equipment. B.3 ­ Capacity Building and Evaluation. DES employees will staff the ECC on an as-needed basis, along with staff from other agencies, particularly during emergencies. The Project will support capacity building for DES and other agencies by providing training in emergency management information system, particularly operating the IT decision-support system, for an estimated 100 staff from 15 agencies and all regional and local DES units. Page 5/54 Component C: Initiate Adaptation to Climate Risks in Agriculture. This component will support the following subcomponents and activities: C.1 ­ Development of Just-in-Time (JIT) Communication Platform. This sub-component will support development of a mobile JIT communication platform as a tool to rapidly disseminate critical local weather information to a large number of farmers and many rural communities. The component would support the design and testing of the communication platform, including free dissemination of the service to a farmer focus group. C.2 ­ Adverse Weather Adaptation Advisory Services. The Project would support investments for farmers, farmer groups and rural communities to pilot and test activities to improve agricultural sector resilience to adverse weather. The sub-component will build on the national extension services experience in implementing demonstration plots for adaptation to drought. The risk spectrum will be expanded to include frost, hail, flash- floods, and other hazards. . Outside of technical assistance (TA) and capacity building activities, the Project will also support several small-scale construction activities for a tower for installing a weather radar Chisinau International Airport, weather and hydrologic stations in Leova, Ceadir-Lunga, Balti, Soroca, and Malovata-Veche locations. 3. Project location. The TA and Capacity building activities will be implemented country wide while the proposed new constructions will be done at Chisinau airport, and in Leova, Ceadir-Lunga, Balti, Soroca, Malovata-Veche locations. The proposed sites are located outside of the residential areas or on the outskirts of towns and villages. There are no any significant natural habitats and or physical cultural resources in the vicinity of the sites. Furthermore, construction of the premises will be done on available lands which are owned either by the state or by the local public administration from these areas and are not legally and or illegally used by local population and, thus, will not imply any involuntary resettlement issues. The locations were selected in order to ensure proper observations and to provide representative data. 4. Project environment category. In accordance with the World Bank's safeguard policies and procedures, including OP/BP/GP 4.01 Environmental Assessment, this project has been classified as a Category B project for environmental assessment purposes. Based on that, the project EA includes an Environmental Assessment of the project sites and of the proposed construction activities, as well as a simple EMP which specifies mitigation measures, monitoring activities, and its implementing arrangements. The Environment Assessment and EMP address the needs of the applicable laws and regulations of the Government of Moldova, and the World Bank's safeguard policies and disclosure requirements. 5. Purpose of the Environmental Assessment. The purpose of the Environmental Assessment (EA) is to identify potential environmental impacts of the project (both positive and negative), and to specify appropriate preventive actions and mitigation measures (including appropriate monitoring) to prevent, eliminate or minimize any anticipated adverse impacts. An Environmental Assessment (EA) was carried out by the borrower, based on what was prepared a simple Environmental Management Plan (EMP). The EA report was prepared based on the following: (i) analysis of the existing national legal documents, regulations and guidelines; (ii) WB safeguard policies, as well as guiding materials; (iii) national EA and Construction legal framework; (iv) existing EIAs for similar projects; (v) environmental evaluation of the proposed project sites; and, (vi) results of consultations with the representatives from all interested parties and stakeholders. Page 6/54 6. National Regulatory framework for EA. Moldova has in place a well developed EA system, environmental legal instruments and technical standards which will be applied for the Project implementation. The main regulatory acts in this area are: the Law on Environmental Protection, the Law on Ecological Expertise and Environment Impact Assessment, the Law on Quality in Construction, and the The Law on Grounds of Town-planning and Territorial Development. The national EA regulatory framework is generally in line with World Bank rules and procedures. 7. EA Institutional framework and capacities. The evaluation of the EA institutional capacity has shown that national institutions and implementing entity have relevant capacities to perform its duties concerning reviewing EA studies and enforcing the EMP provisions. The implementation of project environmental safeguards will be done by the existing Project Management Team (PMT) under the Ministry of Environment (MOE). The PMT has an assigned staff member with such responsibilities, and adequate experience, as the PMT is currently implementing the full-size GEF POPs Stockpiles Management and Destruction Project, which is a Category A project. The results of implementation of the GEF POPs project environmental safeguards are considered very positive. The Project will support additional information dissemination and training activities to ensure the environmental requirements and the EMP provisions would be fully implemented. 8. Potential environmental impacts. It is expected that the project will not generate any large scale and significant environmental and social impacts. The following are the main potential impacts implied by proposed construction activities: a. Dust, noise and vibration: These impacts will occur during construction activities on all sites. To avoid these impacts it is needed to follow up the existing best construction practices which are well known and applied in the country and set up in the EMP; b. Asbestos management: this is an issue only at the airport site. Asbestos management measures are provided in the EMP. c. Land contamination: Construction activities may cause some contamination of the soil by hydro-carbon, or while it is moved during construction works, which also results in the contamination of surface and underground water. Contractors should take measures to avoid this; d. Waste handling and spill response: Routine construction activities will generate solid and liquid wastes including drywall, machine oil, paints, and solvents. Minor spills of fuel and other materials are likely to occur during the course of construction. Improper handling of on-site wastes and response to spills could result in adverse effects on the local environment including groundwater, surface waters, terrestrial ecosystems, and local residents; e. Wastewaters discharge: construction activities may generate sanitary wastewaters discharge. Permanent and/or temporary sanitary facilities should be envisaged at the construction site. The same facilities might be used during operation phase. These should be in accordance with the environmental regulations; and, f. Potential impacts associated with indoor construction activities in the case of the usage of noxious/toxic solvents and glues and of lead-based paints. 9. Land acquisition and resettlement issues. Based on the proposed activities, it is not expected that the project will have any significant adverse social impacts. There will be no need for land acquisition triggering resettlement. Construction of 6 new weather stations and of the tower for installing the meteorological radar will be done on land that is owned either Page 7/54 by the state or the local public administration and which is not legally or illegally used by the local population. Public consultations were conducted for all sites within the framework of the Environmental Assessment (EA) and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) before appraisal in which the local population was informed about the scope, impact and expected benefits of the project. 10. Environment Management Plan. The EMP covers typical mitigation approaches to common civil works with localized impacts and is based on preliminary environmental sites' evaluation, as well as on the national construction standards. It is proposed that the contractor will ensure the workers safety, will undertake relevant measures for preventing dust and noise pollution, proper handling, transportation and disposal of construction and medical waste materials. The EMP would be directly usable and applicable in bidding documents and as an integral part of contract documents for civil works under Bank-financed projects. 11. Monitoring Plan. The EMP includes a Monitoring Plan with measures that will be employed to track the effectiveness of the mitigation measures and described the environmental indicators to be monitored, along with the monitoring methods, frequency, as well as the monitoring and reporting procedures, including institutional arrangements. 12. EA reporting and consultations. The PMT of the Ministry of Environment and the State Hydro-meteorological Service disclosed the draft summary of the EMP for wide public on the web-page of the PMT (www.moldovapops.md) on and of the Hydro-meteorological Service (www.meteo.md) on 03/09/10, inviting all the interested parties to provide comments on and to attend the document public consultation. The invitation was also send directly to the administration of involved localities and to the Chisinau airport administration in hard copies. During March-May, 2010 the PMT and Hydro-meteorological Service representatives have conducted in all involved settlements public consultations where representatives from local councils, from rayon environmental and construction authorities participated. During all conducted meetings it was concluded that the draft EMP covers practically all potential impacts and possible mitigation measures. The final version of the EMP was provided to the World Bank, and will be used by the government agencies during the project implementation. Page 8/54 Page 9/54 1 INTRODUCTION Project Objective. The objective of the proposed Disaster and Climate Risk Management Project (DCRMP) for Moldova is to strengthen the State Hydrometeorological Service's ability to forecast severe weather and improve the GoM's capacity to prepare for and respond to natural disasters. The PDO will be achieved through strengthened capacities to: (i) monitor weather and issue early warnings of weather-related hazards by providing timely and accurate hydrometeorological forecasts and services; (ii) manage and coordinate responses to natural and man-made disasters; and (iii) help individuals, particularly farmers, be aware of, and adapt to natural hazards and climate variability.. Project description. The Moldova DCRMP proposes three main components: (a) strengthen severe weather forecasting; (b) improve disaster preparedness and emergency response; and (c) initiate adaptation to climate risks in agriculture. A small fourth component will be to support project implementation: Component A: Strengthen Severe Weather Forecasting. The component will have 3 subcomponents: A.1 ­ Develop Early Warning/Nowcasting Capabilities. Economic losses from severe weather, flash floods and floods can be significantly reduced by establishing a "nowcasting" system. This sub-component will strengthen data, communications, and modeling technology to provide timely, accurate, and geographically precise weather hazard warnings. This sub-component will support automation of the hydrometeorological observation network to accelerate accurate data delivery to users for more effective decisionmaking. This sub-component will upgrade meteorological instruments and hydrologic gauges to automated sensing systems to provide users with data; the sub-component will also increase computer quantity and software quality to create more useful data and effective forecast products for users. A.2 ­ Dual Polarization Doppler Radar Technology for Localized Forecasts. A Dual polarization Doppler radar is now the most effective meteorological tool to predict floods, high winds, hail, and other severe weather, and issue warnings. This sub- component will improve meteorological modeling systems by providing a mesoscale model and Integrated Meteorological Workstation, and eventually a hydrologic modeling system for predicting flash­floods. These will provide best practices in delivering effective warnings to the Department of Exceptional Situations (DES), Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAFI) and other users of SHS services. A.3 ­ Development of Plans for Seasonal/Climate Forecasts. Building a real-time hydrometeorological data system is a first step to improving medium- to long-term forecasting. Improving and automating agrometeorological data collection and distribution will improve drought forecasting. The next phase in strengthening hydrometeorological forecasting for drought involves expanding forecasting capability to monthly and seasonal scales. SHS is developing a monthly climate forecasting program, and starting to build a national drought forecasting center, which is part of the World Meteorological Organization Eastern Europe Regional drought forecasting program. Building the data system leads to more effective input to Global and Regional Decadal climate forecasting models to improve accuracy of model simulations to use for adaptation. This sub- component will support the SHS to develop plans for such a data system and, if resources permit, to provide investments for equipment. Component B: Improve Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response. It will include three subcomponents: B.1 ­ Feasibility Study and Design. The Project will support feasibility and design studies as a basis to establish the ECC. The two studies will include: (a) ECC architectural design within the DES headquarters that ensures seismic resilience of structural Page 10/54 and non-structural features, and efficient space planning; and (b) information management system design to link DES headquarters with DES local offices and sectoral institutions such as SHS, Ministries of Environment and Agriculture, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, and others. The design would include voice and data transfer capacity and two-way information processing, support daily DES operations, and integrate existing legacy systems. This design will be informed by existing coordination mechanisms in the country as well as by seeking input from other agencies that participate in disaster preparedness and response. B.2 ­ Establish Emergency Command Center. When feasibility and design studies are complete, the Project will support ECC establishment by financing the following: (i) facility renovation and refurbishment works; (ii) ECC furniture and equipment; (iii) information technology (IT) hardware; (iv) emergency information management software; and (v) communication equipment. B.3 ­ Capacity Building and Evaluation. DES employees will staff the ECC on an as-needed basis, along with staff from other agencies, particularly during emergencies. The Project will support capacity building for DES and other agencies by providing training in emergency management information system, particularly operating the IT decision-support system, for an estimated 100 staff from 15 agencies and all regional and local DES units. To ensure sustainability and facilitate knowledge transfer, capacity building will be designed as "train the trainers" so participants can transfer knowledge to their colleagues. Component C: Initiate Adaptation to Climate Risks in Agriculture. This component will support the following subcomponents and activities: C.1 ­ Development of Just-in-Time (JIT) Communication Platform. This sub-component will support development of a mobile JIT communication platform as a tool to rapidly disseminate critical local weather information to a large number of farmers and many rural communities. The component would support the design and testing of the communication platform, including free dissemination of the service to a farmer focus group. The communication platform would issue severe SHS weather alerts to farmers via the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAFI), and include collaboration with mobile communication companies, and development of technical specifications. After design and testing are complete, a full roll-out can be planned by MAFI in coordination with the SHS and mobile phone companies. Synergies with the proposed e- Governance project that is under preparation will also be explored. This sub-component is linked to SHS improvements under Component A. C.2 ­ Adverse Weather Adaptation Advisory Services. The Project would support investments for farmers, farmer groups and rural communities to pilot and test activities to improve agricultural sector resilience to adverse weather. The sub-component will build on the national extension services experience in implementing demonstration plots for adaptation to drought. The risk spectrum will be expanded to include frost, hail, flash-floods, and other hazards. Investments supported will include on-farm irrigation, water-harvesting basins, anti-hail net systems, protective forest belts, conservation land cultivation, among other adaptation activities. The program would be implemented using a competitive grant scheme with specified technical, social and financial eligibility criteria. The sub-component will be implemented in consultation with and under the monitoring of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAFI). Outside of technical assistance (TA) and capacity building activities, the Project will also support several small-scale construction activities for a tower for installing a weather radar Chisinau International Airport, weather and hydrologic stations in Leova, Ceadir-Lunga, Balti, Soroca, and Malovata-Veche locations.. Project location. The capacity building activities will be implemented country wide while the proposed new constructions will be done in Leova, Ceadir-Lunga, Balti, Soroca, and Page 11/54 Malovata-Veche locations (see Annex 1). The proposed sites for the premises are situated outside the residential areas or on the outskirts of towns and villages. The locations were selected in order to ensure proper observations and to provide representative data. The premises will accommodate the Hydrometeorological Service personnel in these areas that currently are based in old crumbling buildings which during Soviet period belonged to the airports. 2 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT RULES AND PROCEDURES 2.1 WB EA policies WB safeguards triggered by the project. There are ten key Environmental and Social World Bank Safeguard Policies which are intended to ensure that potentially adverse environmental and social consequences of the projects financed by the Bank are identified, minimized and mitigated (Environmental Assessment (OP/BP 4.01), Natural Habitats (OP/BP 4.04), Forestry (OP/BP 4.36), Pest Management (OP 4.09), Physical Cultural Resources (OP/BP 4.11), Indigenous Peoples (OP/BP 4.10), Involuntary Resettlement (OP/BP 4.12), Safety of Dams (OP/BP 4.37), Projects on International Waterways (OP/BP 7.50), Disputed Areas (OP/BP 7.60), and Disclosure Policy (BP 17.50). The Project has been rated "B" as activities under the project are not expected to generate significant adverse environmental effects as they are focusing on construction of a small scale tower for the meteorological radar at Chisinau airport, of 4 one-floor and 1 two-floor offices for the the Leova, Ciadir-Lunga, Balti, Soroca, and Malovata-Veche Hydro-meteorological Service branches. Based on that, the project triggers the following WB policies: OP/BP/GP 4.01 Environmental Assessment and OP 17.50 Disclosure Policy. Based on the proposed activities, it is not expected that the project will have any significant adverse social impacts. There will be no need for land acquisition requiring resettlement and thus the Involuntary Resettlement OP is not triggered. Construction of the tower at Chisinau airport and 6 new weather stations will be done on land that is owned either by the state or the local public administration and which is not legally or illegally used by the local population. Public consultations were conducted for all sites within the framework of the Environmental Assessment (EA) and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) before appraisal in which the local population and all other interested parties were informed about the scope, impact and expected benefits of the project. Other safeguards policies are not triggered. Environmental Assessment (OP/BP 4.01). The World Bank requires environmental assessment (EA) of projects proposed for Bank financing to help ensure that they are environmentally sound and sustainable, and thus improve decision making (OP 4.01, January 1999). EA is a process whose breadth, depth, and type of analysis depend on the nature, scale, and potential environmental impact of the proposed project. EA evaluates a project's potential environmental risks and impacts in its area of influence; examines project alternatives; identifies ways of improving project selection, silting, planning, design, and implementation by preventing, minimizing, mitigating, or compensating for adverse environmental impacts and enhancing positive impacts; and includes the process of mitigating and managing adverse environmental impacts throughout project implementation. The Bank favors preventive measures over mitigation or compensatory measures, whenever feasible. EA takes into account the natural environment (air, water, and land); human health and safety; social aspects (involuntary resettlement, indigenous peoples, and cultural property); and trans- Page 12/54 boundary and global environmental aspects. It also takes into account the variations in project and country conditions; the findings of country environmental studies; national environmental action plans; the country's overall policy framework, national legislation, and institutional capabilities related to the environment and social aspects; and obligations of the country, pertaining to project activities, under relevant international environmental treaties and agreements. The Bank does not finance project activities that would contravene such country obligations, as identified during the EA. The Bank undertakes environmental screening of each proposed project to determine the appropriate extent and type of EA. The Bank classifies the proposed project into one of four categories, depending on the type, location, sensitivity, and scale of the project and the nature and magnitude of its potential environmental impacts. In this way risks associated with project actions can be effectively anticipated in advance before project implementation, and addressed by direct mitigation activities in the design, planning and construction supervision process as well as during the operation of the facilities. Disclosure Policy (BP 17.50). This policy supports decision making by the borrower and Bank by allowing the public access to information on environmental and social aspects of projects and has specific requirements for disclosure. For all Category A and B projects proposed for WB financing, during the EA process, the borrower consults all involved parties, including project-affected groups and local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) about the project's environmental aspects and takes their views into account. The borrower initiates such consultations as early as possible. For meaningful consultations between the borrower and project-affected groups and local NGOs, the borrower provides relevant material in a timely manner prior to consultation and in a form and language that are understandable and accessible to the groups being consulted. Any Category B EIA report is made available to project-affected groups and local NGOs. Public availability in the borrowing country and official receipt by the Bank of any Category B EA report for projects proposed for WB funding, are prerequisites to Bank appraisal of these projects. This EMP (as well as developed further site specific EMP) will be disclosed and consulted in the country and disclosed in the WB Infoshop before the project appraisal. 2.2 National EA rules and procedures The national legal basis for environmental assessment and protection is fairly comprehensive. It includes a set of environmental laws and regulations and there is a general opinion that this existing body of laws, governmental and ministerial decrees, official rules and standards is a sufficient base for effectively addressing the country's environmental issues. 2.2.1 Environmental Laws This section describes the laws which may have a relevance to environmental management of sub-projects to be supported by the DRMA. Law on Environmental Protection (1993). This is a basic law that provides general framework for the environment protection in Moldova and options for sustainable development. The central environmental body shall (art. 16): i) conduct state environmental expertise which is its exclusive area of responsibility and competence; ii) prohibit/or suspend the construction and reconstruction of industrial, agricultural and other activities which exploit natural Page 13/54 resources; and likewise to other activities that are in defiance of environmental legislation. State Ecological Expertise should be conducted (art. 21) for: i) construction, extension, reconstruction and modernization of any economic and social activity (administrative and military activities are exemptions) that may cause an impact to the environment. Expertise must be conducted (art. 22), among other activities, for: i) hydro technical installations, dykes, irrigation and drainage systems; ii) establishment of vineyards and orchards in zones with water protection schemes; iii) production, sale and use of pesticides and other toxic substances; iv) any other activity that may have a negative effect on environmental quality. Law on Ecological Expertise and Environment Impact Assessment (1996). The law determines goals, objectives and principles of Ecological Expertise and Environmental Impact Assessment, as well as fundamentals of both procedures. The Law describes in details Environmental Impact Assessment procedures, demands the reporting, rules of complying and submission of documentation on Environmental Impact Assessment, public involvement, revision of Environmental Impact Assessment documentation, rules for conducting of the state ecological expertise. Ecological expertise is a part of a complex of activities toward environment protection through which the potential impacts on environment from planned economic activity, compliance of parameters of these activities with legislation and normative acts, norms and standards in force are identified and mitigated. According to the Law, project documentation for the objects that may adversely affect environment is a subject of state ecological expertise which in turn determines whether it complies with environmental protection requirements. Decision on ecological expertise can be considered as the basis for approval or refusal of project documentation. Ecological expertise is conducted prior to making decision on planned economic activities, and is mandatory for all economic activities which may have likely negative impact on environment regardless their destination, ownership, investments, location, source of financing etc. In case the objects can affect severely environment, their planning documentation is a subject of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to be conducted prior to Ecological Expertise. The EIA/SEE documents shall also include, i) a comparison of alternatives and justification for the selected alternative, ii) mitigation measures and conditions to avoid or minimize impacts. These impacts have to be considered during all stages of the project including construction, operation and decommissioning. Public ecological expertise may be organized and conducted on the basis on initiative of officially registered public organizations/ associations. However, until approval from Central Environmental Authority, results obtained within branch or public ecological expertise are considered as ones having a recommendation character. Water Code (1993). This law establishes the right of the state to determine water use (art. 1). It provides the general legal framework for water use, control and protection. Protective measures must be provided for the location, construction and operation of any developments or activities regarding water bodies. For natural and juridical persons it is prohibited to construct and put into operation objects that did not pass ecological expertise, or that are not equipped with water-protective facilities. Construction and operation of developments without water protective measures and procedures and without approval through ecological expertise is prohibited. The law subdivides water consumption into general and special uses. Land Code (1991). The Land Code establishes relations and rights of land ownership and the basic framework of land use. Art. 5 states that land conservation should be a priority while implementing any kind of activities. Art. 23 is particularly important because it stipulates cases of termination of land rights, including use of the land in ways that result in soil degradation, chemical and other pollution, deterioration and destruction of ecosystems or their Page 14/54 components. The obligations of the land owners (art. 29) are: use of land to conform to its intended and planned use, observe conditions of land exploitation, to ensure structure of crop rotation to conform to good agricultural practices, to apply chemical inputs only to recommended levels and to provide protection and improvement of soil fertility. Forest Code (1997). The Law aims to regulate housekeeping of the forest fund through its rational use and regeneration, forest defense and protection, maintenance, conservation and improvement of forest biodiversity towards to ensure current and future needs of society for forest resources. Code on Mineral Resources (2009). This new Code adopted has replaced the old Code on mineral resources as of 1993. It provides improved regulatory frameworks for mineral resources management to ensure scientifically substantiated, rational and complex use of mineral resources to ensure their long-term availability for the national economy, and establishes responsibilities physical and juridical persons in the field. Law on Water Protection Strips along the Rivers and Water Bodies (1995). The law establishes the rules for creation of water protection zones and strips along rivers and water bodies, the regime of their use and protection. The law determines: (i) dimension of protected zones and strips; (ii) water protection regime (permitted economic activities) within the water protection strips, etc. According to the Law, use of pesticides is restricted on the strip of 300 m width along the river bank; ii) sitting of livestock farms, septic tanks and solid waste from livestock farms, location of technical services stations, machinery and transport wash, location of municipal and industrial waste disposals, and irrigation by sewage is to be controlled with respect to distance from river bank. Law on Air Protection (1997). The main objectives of the Law are maintenance of clean air, improvement of air quality, prevention and mitigation of harmful physical, chemical, biological and radiological impacts on air quality, and accordingly protection of human health and environment. Law on Animal Kingdom (1995). The main purpose of the law is creating conditions for effective protection and rational use of fauna resources. The law determines that design and construction of any facility should be implemented only if animal protection measures (habitat, reproduction, and migration ways) are undertaken. Art. 13 stipulates that sites of construction of enterprises, facilities, installations and other objects are co-ordinated with Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, with local public authorities and other agencies; Art. 14: while carrying out of agricultural and construction works, exploitation of transport and implementing of other activities physical and juridical persons are obliged to undertake measures toward prevention of animals losses. Law on Regime of Harmful Products and Substances (1997). The Law establishes role and responsibilities of the Government and other central and local authorities in relation to harmful products and substances, and describes the regime of harmful products and substances (licensing, production, storing, transportation, use, registration, neutralization, import and export). Law on Law on Production and Consumption Wastes (1997). The Law provides basic principles in the field of waste management generated during the process of production and consumption, and aims to reduce wastes and prevent environmental pollution. Art. 17 (2) of Page 15/54 the Law stipulates that construction and put into operation new and reconstructed enterprises and other objects not provided with equipment and technologies ensuring safe use, treatment and removal of wastes and not provided by a positive decision from ecological and sanitary- epidemiological expert services are prohibited. Art.18 describes the requirements regarding wastes disposals, i.e., disposal and storage of wastes is executing by means not affecting the human health and environment. Law on the Fund for Natural Areas Protected by State (1998). This law establishes the list of objects/areas under state protection, protection regime and buffer zones around protection objects/areas. Law on Quality in Construction (1996). This law determines juridical, technical, economic and institutional aspects related to the construction activities related to the quality in construction. The Law stipulates that the constructions next requirements should be ensured: resistance and stability; fire, hygiene and environmentally safety, etc. Art. 13: construction, modernisation, strengthening, repair/ renovation are implemented only in accordance with project documentation worked out by physical and juridical persons authorised for such kinds of works and verified by authorised specialists in the field; Art 14: design and construction of buildings is implemented by physical and juridical persons licensed for activity in the field. The Law on Grounds of Town-planning and Territorial Development (1996). This law relates to planning, location and construction of buildings, including any modifications to buildings. Art. 6 (3) states that documentation for town-planning and territorial development establishes location of land zones and rules for their use. Town-planning certificates and permits for construction are issued on the basis of this documentation. For construction purposes based on approved documentation, art. 52 stipulates that local public administration shall provide permits for operations and also for any changes of operation location. Assessment of potential environmental impacts of above activities and developments, and the provision of ecological expertise is to be conducted in accordance with the Law on Ecological Expertise and Environmental Impact Assessment. Law on Sanitary-Epidemiological Protection of the Population (1993). It is an umbrella law ensuring sanitary-epidemiological safety of the population. Art. 10 indicates that planning and construction should envisage a creation the most favorable conditions for living and health of population, improvement of localities, prevention and liquidation of harmful effect of environment on human health. Art. 19 requires that while exploitation of industrial and public buildings and equipment, the favorable work and relax conditions should be ensured. Art. 30 declares that administration of state enterprises and owners of private entrepreneurs are responsible for ensuring of established sanitary rules in the production process and for implementation activities toward environmental pollution prevention. 2.2.2 International Conventions Moldova is a party to about 26 International Environmental Conventions. Among them are the following: Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espoo, 1991); ratified in 1993; Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern, 1979); ratified in 1993; Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Species (Hague, 1995); Page 16/54 ratified in 2000; Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (Bonn,1979); ratified in 2000; Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar, 1971); ratified in 1999; Convention on Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents (Helsinki, 1992); ratified in 1993; Convention on the Protection of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Helsinki, 1992); ratified in 1993; Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (Stockholm, 2001); ratified in 2004; Convention on Cooperation for the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Danube River (Sofia, 1994); ratified in 1999; Convention on Biological Diversity (Rio de Janeiro, 1992); ratified in 1993; United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), ratified in 1995; Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Washington, 1973); European Landscape Convention (Floren, 2000), ratified in 2001; The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (Paris, 1994), ratified in 1999; Convention on Plant Protection Service (Rotterdam, 1998); ratified in 2004; Cartagena Protocol on the Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity; ratified in 2003; Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (Geneva, 1979); ratified in 1995; Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making Process and Access to Justice in Environment (Aarhus, 1998); ratified in 1999. 2.2.3 Environmental Assessment by-laws Regulation on Environmental Impact Assessment (2000). The Regulation is presented as an Annex to the Law on Ecological Expertise and Environmental Impact Assessment and establishes the goal of preparing of documentation on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), its procedure, coordination and approval, and includes the List of objects and types of activities for which EIA is mandatory. EIA is carried out in order to determine the requisite measures toward negative ecological responses due to realization of planned objects and types of activities included in the List of objects and types of activities for which the carrying out of EIA is compulsory. The Statute describes requirements on documentation stuff, EIA content, order of elaboration and submission documentation on EIA, state ecological expertise of EIA documentation, decision on a state ecological expertise of EIA documentation as well as provides a list of objects and types of activities for which carrying out of EIA prior to their design is mandatory. Instruction on Order of Organization and Conducting of the State Ecological Expertise (2003). State Ecological Expertise (SEE) is applied for any new construction, its modernization and up-grading at the stage then designing documentation are prepared, including relevant studies. All design documentations should be presented to the State Ecological Expertise units (MENR for important projects, headquarters of the State Ecological Inspection and rayonal Ecological Inspectorates). Technical solutions, reflected in the submitted for SEE technical documentation have to be sufficiently substantiated in relation to reduction/mitigation of impact on environment. The instruction is accompanied by Page 17/54 a series of annexes, which (i) describe in details requirements for project documentation submitted to SEE; (ii) nominate subdivisions of MENR responsible for SEE in relation to the various types and scales of projects; (iii) establish requirements for every chapter or volume of project documentation, etc. 3 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT 3.1 Scope of the EA The purpose of the environmental assessment (EA) is to identify the potential environmental impacts of the project (both positive and negative) and to specify appropriate preventive actions and mitigation measures (including appropriate monitoring) to prevent, eliminate or minimize any anticipated adverse impacts. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was carried out by an independent local consultant, based on what was prepared a simple Environmental Management Plan (EMP). The EIA report was prepared based on the following: (i) analysis of the existing national legal documents, regulations and guidelines; (ii) WB safeguard policies, as well as guiding materials,; (iii) national EA and Construction legal framework; (iv) existing EIA for similar projects; (v) site visits and evaluation; and, (vi) results of consultations with the representatives from all interested parties and stakeholders (see Annex 9). 3.2 Baseline conditions 3.2.1 The Leova project site Overview of the site. Civil works to be conducted at the Leova weather station envisages construction of a new office to accommodate the personnel working at this station. Currently, the staff working at this station is based in an old crumbling house which has only one room and it is belonging to the vocational school existing nearby. Since the house is owned by the vocational school and there are no legal documents certifying the right of the Hydro- meteorological Service people to be here, they could be on the street any time. The proposed land for the office of the Leova weather station belongs to the state and in accordance with the Law it has been handed over for use by the Hydro-meteorological Service. The Government Decision on handing over the land for use by the Hydro- meteorological Service is attached as Annex 4. All construction works will be conducted within this area which legally can be used by the Hydro-meteorological Service and there is no need for any additional land for this purpose. The site is 5 km away from the Leova town and it is 0.4707 ha large. The area would encompass the already existing weather station and a one-floor office of 80 m2. Five people will be working in this office. The foundation walls of the office will be made of rocks, the walls of "dressed" stones and the roof of metal tiles. Therefore, no asbestos will be used during construction. The proposed windows and doors shall be thermo pane. No basement is envisaged for the office. Approximately 160-180 m away to the west the remitter of the Orange Company (a mobile phone operator) is located along with a one-floor building which also belongs to the vocational school. Presently, it accommodates the staff of the mobile company. One hundred fifty meters to the north the Chisinau-Leova main road lies. It connects the southern part of Moldova with the rest of the country. Alongside the road is a forest belt planted many years Page 18/54 ago for aesthetic purposes. A 100 m long windbreak made of fruit trees and coniferous species lies to the east. From the southern side the site is bounded by a vineyard. There is electricity available at the site but no gas, water and the sewage system. Construction of a well and an outhouse is needed at this site. Satellite image of the project location is presented in the illustration below: Land for the new office Weather station Old office Soil, Geology and Climate characteristics. The Leova project site is 90 km southwest of the capital Chisinau situated on the plain of the left bank of the Prut River. Its tectonic foundation is uneven which emerged during the Pre-Cambrian and is part of the Moldovan Plateau. The foundation of Moldovan Plateau is made of igneous and metamorphic rocks covered by sedimentary deposits of various age such as limestone, sandstone, shale and conglomerates slightly sloping to the south which developed during Mezozoic and Neozoic eras. The soils are typical and carbonated chernozem with good physical properties. The maximum earthquake intensity can reach a rating of 7 on the Richter scale. The project site is relatively flat with reduced erosion potential. Underground waters are 8-10 m deep. The climatic conditions of the Leova project site heavily depend on the existing relief which influences the distribution and the volume of precipitation, air temperature, humidity, wind, etc. In this line, the wind direction in this part of country is north and south because the river valleys are oriented from the north to south. The number of days with dry winds is 25, but lately is increased to 40-63. The highest wind speed is recorded during winter and spring and the lowest during summer and fall. The annual temperature is 9-10° C, January being the coldest with -3 to -3.5°C, and July the warmest +22°C. The maximum temperature recoded in this area is 41°C and the minimum - 28°C. Only 370-450 mm of precipitation fall in this region, of which 250-300 mm are during the warm period of the year. Below are the tables indicating the average monthly and annual air temperatures and precipitation and the data presented were recorded during 1949-2000. Table 1. Average monthly and annual air temperatures in the Leova town I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII Yearly - 3.1 -1.5 2.9 10.2 16.0 19.5 21.2 20.9 16.2 10.2 4.2 -0.5 9.7 Table 2. Average monthly and annual precipitations (mm) in the Leova town Page 19/54 I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII Yearly 29 28 27 40 54 74 59 57 41 28 40 37 514 Generally, the climate of the project site is typical of an arid steppe, with the greatest number of warm days (180-200) and shorter winters. 3.2.2. The Ceadir-Lunga site Overview of the site. Ceadir-Lunga is a city in Gagauzia which is an autonomous region of Moldova with 19,400 people living here. The main economy base is agriculture and viticulture. Civil works to be conducted at this site envisages construction of a new office to accommodate the personnel working in this area. According to the design the office is going to have 80 m2, one floor and will accommodate 5 people. The foundation walls of the office will be made of rocks, the walls of "dressed" stones and the roof of metal tiles. Therefore, no asbestos will be used during construction. The proposed windows and doors shall be thermopane. Currently, the staff collecting data in this part of the country is based in an old crumbling building which formerly was the airport's building and presently is belonging to the local administration. Since the building is the property of the local administration the Hydro- meteorological Service staff could be on the street any time. The proposed site is situated on the outskirt of the town and there is a distribution zone to the west, several houses to the east and the city road to the south. It is 1 ha large. There is nothing to the north, just an open field. Approximately 10 m to the south, between the above- mentioned road and the project site, one can see a pit of 8x20 m width which looks like a landfill with several piles of wastes in it. The pit is not too deep. The electricity is available at a distance of 300 m, but there is no gas, sewage system and water. Construction of an access road of 200 m from the southern part is needed, as well as of a well and an outhouse. In May 2010 the Ceadir-Lunga administration decided to allocate the land for construction of the premises and for installing the weather station in this area which is attached as Annex 8. In addition, the Government Decision for allowing to use the land for construction of the premises is to be received by the end of May. Soil, Geology and Climate Characteristics. The Ceadir-Lunga city is situated at 100 km to the south from the national capital, Chisinau. It is located in the `Budjak steppe', which is a part of the southern Moldovan rolling plain. The region's terrain is characterized by steppes and small uplands. The geologic profile of the area is represented with Neogen and quaternary sandshale and loess deposits mostly. The project site is part of the Moldovan plateau the foundation of which is more than 3,000 m deep. The project site has 2 degrees inclination and the soil here is degraded cernozem. In the past it was used as arable land. The underground water is 15-30 m deep. The climate is warm, the temperature of 10 degrees Celsius and higher lasts over 179-187 days, which is significantly longer than in other parts of Moldova. The yearly geothermal coefficient is 0.7-0.8. For this reason this area is frequently exposed to winds. The wind Page 20/54 direction in this part of country is north and south. Below is the table with average monthly and early air temperature for the measured periods of 1957-64 and 1974-2000. Table 3. Average monthly and yearly air temperatures in Ceadir-Lunga town I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII Yearly -2.3 -1.1 3.1 9.7 15.7 19.5 21.3 21.0 16.1 10.4 4.3 -0.3 9.8 This table shows that the average yearly temperature in the Ceadir-Lunga town is 9.8°C, January being the coldest with -2.3°C, and August being the warmest with 21°C. The minimum ever recorder temperature was 25.9°C and the maximum 40.2°C. The average precipitation in Ceadir-Lunga town amounts to 492 mm. Below is the table demonstrating the average monthly and yearly precipitation volume for the measured period of 1954-2000. Table 4. Average monthly and yearly precipitation (mm) in Ceadir-Lunga town I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII Annual 27 32 27 37 50 68 57 52 45 24 37 36 492 With the highest temperature and very little precipitations this area is the most arid in the country. 3.2.3 The Malovata-Veche site Overview of the site. The Malovata-Veche site is situated in the commune having the same name which is part of the Dubasari raion. It is located on the eastern bank of the Nistru River and has a population of 1,800 people. The site is 0.8 ha of land and it is situated on the outskirt of the Malovata-Veche village. From the western side at a distance of 150 m it is bounded by the Nistru River. Approximately 200 m to the north there is a tourist station while to the east- private houses. The land is flat with no signs of erosion and in the past it was used for vine growing and presently it is part of the expanding residential area. Satellite image of the project location is presented in the illustration below: MalovataVeche site Page 21/54 T The Malovata-Veche Administration issued a decision of land allocation for project purposes which is attached as Annex 7. Nevertheless, the administration has to approve the cadastral plan for this site and SHS has to get the Government Decision for allowing its usage as envisaged. This is to be done by the end of May. The Hydro-meteorological Service will have at this site a two-floor building expecting to accommodate both weather specialist and hydrologists. The foundation walls of the office will be made of rocks, the walls of "dressed" stones and the roof of metal tiles. Therefore, no asbestos will be used during construction. The proposed windows and doors shall be thermo pane. No basement is envisaged for the office, but it is expected to have a garage. The electricity and gas are available at a distance of 300 m, but there is no sewage system and water. Construction of an access road of 400 m from the southern part is needed, as well as of a well and an outhouse. Soil, Geology and Climate characteristics. The eastern bank of the Nistru River is low and flat consisting of steppe plain where the foundation of the Moldovan Plateau is only 500 m deep. The deposits of Neogen age characteristic for this area are made of sand and clay. The soil is typical cernozem. The risk of erosion is very low in this area. Due to the fact that this region is flat and the altitude above the sea level is up to 200 m it receives little precipitations. The average precipitation volume amounts to 511 per year. June is the month during which falls the greatest amount of precipitation. These data are incorporated in the table below and they refer to the measurement periods of 1893-1901, 1924-1933,1935-1941,1946-2000. Table 5. Average monthly and yearly precipitation (mm) in the Malovata-Veche commune Page 22/54 I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII Yearly 32 33 29 36 52 69 62 51 41 33 38 35 511 Below is the table showing the monthly and annual air temperature in the Malovata-Veche commune and according to it the yearly average air temperature is 9.8°C, July being the warmest with 21,8°C, and January the coldest with -3.3°C. The maximum temperature that could be recorded here is 40.4°C and the minimum -29.6°C. Table 6. Average monthly and annual air temperature in the Malovata-Veche commune I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII Annual 3.3 2.0 2.8 10.2 16.4 20.0 21.8 21.0 16.3 10.4 4.5 0.7 9.8 In addition, the number of sunny days is 300-310 and of daylight hours is 2200. The yearly geothermal coefficient is 0.7-0.8. The wind direction is mostly north-east and south-east. 3.2.4. The Balti site Overview of the site. Balti city is one of the five Moldovan localities having the status of municipalities. It is the major industrial, cultural and commercial centre and transportation hub in the north of the country. It is situated 127 kilometers north of the capital Chisinau and is located on the river Raut, a tributary of the Nistru, on a hilly landscape in the Balti steppe. According to the 2004 Census, Balti has a population of 122, 700 people. The project site is located on the outskirt of the town. Previously this site was used as airport land, now it belongs to the Balti Town Hall which decided to allocate 1 ha to the SHS. The decision of allocation of the Balti Council is attached as Annex 5. Now the Government Decision enabling the SHS to use this piece of land should be sought. This procedure is to finalized by the end of May. The Balti office is going to be a one-floor building and will accommodate 10 people. The foundation walls of the office will be made of rocks, the walls of "dressed" stones and the roof of metal tiles. Therefore, no asbestos will be used during construction. The proposed windows and doors shall be thermo pane. The building will not have a basement, but according to the design it will have a garage. The project site is flat and in order to have access to it construction of a road is needed. The access road should be 400 m long. On the northern side it is bounded by the Soroca road and on the western side by a row of forest belt that is alongside the city road. From the south and east it is bounded by unused plots. Satellite image of the project location is presented in the illustration below: Page 23/54 Soil, Geology and Climate Characteristics. The geologic profile of the site is represented with Neogen deposits such as sandy, clay, limestone, and marl. Geographically, Balti region is one of the three components of the Moldovan Plain, called Balti steppe. Despite the name, Balti steppe is not a flatland, but a region dotted with hills. However, the project site is flat land, with no signs of erosion. The water table is shallow. Generally, due to its location the Balti steppe is characterized by moderate but unstable seasons, generally hot summers and cold winters. The all-time maximum temperature registered in the city was 38 °C, and the all-time minimum -32 °C. There are 450 to 550 mm of annual rainfall, mostly during summer and fall. The number of days with precipitation is 120 on average per year which allows maintaining the optimum moist level for the vegetation period. The data below refer to the measurement periods 1899-1901,1915-1917,1938-1944 and 1949-2000. Table 7. Average monthly and annual precipitation (mm) for the Balti site I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII Yearly 27 27 25 42 53 74 72 50 43 30 37 29 509 According to the table below the average yearly air temperature recorded in this area is 9.1°C, the warmest month being July with 20.6°C, and the coldest is January with -3.7°C. Table 8. Average monthly and annual air temperature for the Balti site Page 24/54 I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII Yearly -3.7 -2.2 2.3 9.9 15.7 19.2 20.6 20.0 15.3 9.2 3.4 -1.0 9.1 Winds are generally from the north-east or the north-west at about 2­5 m/s. The number of sunny days is up to 300. 3.2.5. The Soroca Site Overview of the site. Another site proposed by the SHS for construction of the office is located in Soroca raion 2.5 km from Soroca town and 1 km from Cosauti commune. It is on the territory of the former airport, and the land is currently belonging to the State. According to the papers the latter can use it for project purposes. The papers confirming the right of the SHS to use it are attached as Annex 6. It is a flat land being surrounded from the north and east by arable land. On the western side it is bounded by remains of an old building and a forest belt composed on fruit trees. To the north there is an old building which previously was used as airport. Although presently it accommodates the SHS personnel because it is crumbling it is not safe for the people to be here. Satellite image of the project location is presented in the illustration below: Old building Soroca Site The Soroca office is going to be a one -floor building and will accommodate 5 people. The foundation walls of the office will be made of rocks, the walls of "dressed" stones and the roof of metal tiles. Therefore, no asbestos will be used during construction. The proposed windows and doors shall be thermopane. The building will not have a basement. The access road is available. Connection to electricity will be needed, as well as construction of a well and an outhouse. Geology and Climate Characteristics. The Soroca Site is part of the Ukrainian Crystalline Shield with an elevation of approximately 300m. It is a narrow strip that was formed during Page 25/54 the Archaic and Proterozoic represented by solid crystalline type of rocks. The latter is covered by sediments such as sandstone, granite etc. The Soroca project site is located in the first agri-climatic region with the optimum moist level in the soil and the shortest active vegetative period. It is benefiting from the smallest number of sunny days of up to 290 as opposed to the other sites of the project making it the coldest region of Moldova. The yearly average air temperature is ranging between 7-8.5 °C as shown below. The measurement period for the data below is 1945-2000. Table 9. Average monthly and yearly air temperature at the Soroca site I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII Yearly -4.2 -2.9 1.7 9.5 15.3 18.5 19.9 19.5 14.8 8.8 2.8 -1.5 8.5 The all-time minimum temperate is -35 °C, and the maxim is 39 °C. The hydro-thermic coefficient is 0.7-0.9. The average yearly rainfall is 533 mm. Therefore, drought occurs here only once in 10 years. Table 10. Average monthly and annual precipitation (mm) at the Soroca site I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII Yearly 29 28 27 39 57 75 72 52 45 36 39 34 533 The wind is north-west and south-east which bring colder weather and more precipitations very often as rain storms. 3.2.6. Chisinau airport site Under the Component A Strengthening capacity of the Hydro-meteorological Service it is intended to purchase a Doppler Radar which is to be installed at the Chisinau airport. The airport is located 13 km southeast of Chisinau, capital of Moldova. The closest residential area is Singera, 3 km away from the proposed site and the Airport settlement which is 2 km distance from the project site. At the airport the radar will replace the old radar MRL-5 type, and the given location is at a distance of 0.5 km from the airport building. There is a windbreak on the east side of the site and an old MoldATSA building which currently is not used on the north. The latter hosted the MRL-1 radar long time ago. On the south there is the take-off runaway. The given area is fenced. Within the fenced area fruit trees grow. The old type radar used currently by MoldATSA is located on a two-floor building, which is 12m x 12 m large, and it hosts 2 people during the day and one at night. The building has an asbestos roofing. A metal tower will be built for the new radar right next to the two-floor building accommodating MoldATSA personnel. The tower will be 20-23 m high in order to ensure collection of representative data. The project site is flat area with no signs of erosion, with access road and connection to electricity. Page 26/54 Chisinau with all its suburbs, including airport, is the largest municipality of Moldova having a surface of 635 km2. It lays in the central part of Moldova the area being made of shale and sandstones of Miocene and Quaternary. This area of Moldova has a continental climate with hot dry summers and windy cold winters. In winter the temperatures are below 0°C, rarely dropping below -10 °C. In summer, the average temperature is approximately 25 °C, however, temperatures sometimes reach 35 to 40 °C in mid-summer in the city centre. Although average precipitation and humidity during summer is low, there are infrequent yet heavy storms. Spring and autumn temperatures vary between 16 to 24 °C, and precipitation during this time tends to be lower than in summer but 3.3 Potential Environmental Impacts As described in the Project scope, activities supported by this Project relate to construction of the tower for installing of meteorological radar at Chisinau airport, as well as of premises for 4 weather and 1 both weather and hydrologic stations in the Leova, Ciadir-Lunga, Balti, Soroca, and Malovata-Veche locations. The Project activities are not expected to generate significant adverse environmental impact as these are small-scale construction activities and the project sites are situated outside the residential areas or on the outskirts of towns and villages. The following are the main potential impacts implied by the proposed construction activities: a. Dust, noise and vibration: These impacts will occur during construction activities on all sites and are sites specific. To avoid these impacts it is needed to follow up the existing best construction practices which are well known and applied in the country and set up in the EMP; b. Asbestos management: this is an issue only at the airport site. Asbestos management measures are provided further in the EMP. c. Land contamination: construction activities may cause some contamination of the soil by hydro-carbon, or while it is moved during construction works, which also results in the contamination of surface and underground water. Contractors should take measures to avoid this; d. Waste handling and spill response: Routine construction activities will generate solid and liquid wastes including drywall, machine oil, paints, and solvents. Minor spills of fuel and other materials are likely to occur during the course of construction. Improper handling of on-site wastes and response to spills could result in adverse effects on the local environment including groundwater, surface waters, terrestrial ecosystems, and local residents; e. Wastewaters discharge: construction activities may generate sanitary wastewaters discharge. Permanent sanitary facilities should be envisaged at the construction site. The same facilities will be used during operation phase. These should be in accordance with the environmental regulations; and, f. Potential impacts associated with indoor construction activities in the case of the usage of noxious/toxic solvents and glues and of lead-based paints. Page 27/54 All these impacts can be efficiently tackled if they are approached through this EMP before launching of any works. The mitigation measures should be feasible and cost- effective aiming at removing, offsetting and reducing adverse environmental impacts. The measure should not only deal with recognized risks, but should as well be used as guidance to make the facilities more sustainable and environmentally-friendly. 4. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN Scope of EMP. The Environmental Management Plan (EMP) has been prepared in order to integrate environmental concerns into the design and implementation of the proposed Project. The EMP covers typical mitigation approaches to common civil works contracts with localized impacts and will be applyied in bidding documents and as an integral part of contract documents for civil works under the project. 4.1 Mitigation measures to be applied Design phase. During the design phase designer should apply the best construction practices with regard to proposed activities, design the premises in a manner that are accessible, energy efficient, taking into consideration adaptation of building to the existing surrounding landscape and surrounding architecture. Construction phase. During this phase the emphasis should be on possible environmental impacts that follow the construction works. Issues that could be addressed are: proper management of access roads, management of construction wastes, minimization of dust and noise, site restoration, traffic management plan, working hours, encroachment into the neighbor territory. Noise reduction. Before any beginning of the work it is recommended to inform neighbors either directly or through local billboards or newspapers on the construction activities. The noise should be limited by using good management practice and limiting works on regular daily shift. The equipment and machinery used should be calibrated according to the Moldovan Norms in Construction of February 4, 2007 "Protection from noise". Dust minimization. Temporary technical solutions and measures for dust minimization during construction should be used. For the transportation of earthlike or any other dusty material to the construction site or of the construction site watering or covering of the cargo should be implemented. Reduction of dust on construction site during dry season of the year can be accomplished by watering the ground surface. At the same time, water should not be wasted. Reducing speed of the vehicles can be another applicable measure. Construction wastes and spills. It is recommended that contractor prior to start of the works ask the facility to remove all equipment and material that will no longer be used and to dispose of it or recycle it in a proper manner. Wastes where ever possible should be minimized, separated and handled accordingly in accordance with the Law on production and domestic wastes no. 1347 of October 9, 1997. Asbestos. In the case of reconstruction activities for installing the radar at Chisinau airport it is necessary to inform beneficiaries about the asbestos potential harm for health. Secondly, the constructors should avoid crushing/destruction of asbestos plates from the roofs and deposit them in an organized manner on the construction sites, after what to dispose them at the authorised landfill. It is also imperative while working with asbestos plates the workers have to wear special closing, gloves and respirators. Page 28/54 Site organization and restoration. Construction site should be fenced off in order to prevent entry of public, and general safety measures would be imposed. The projection is that there would not be any major temporary inconveniences regarding traffic or other due to construction works, and the ones that arise will be minimized through planning and coordination with contractors, neighbors and authorities. The traffic in the project localities will be somewhat burdened by trucks supplying construction material and removing waste, but not to the extent of having to stop the traffic, or having it rerouted. Therefore, during construction, the traffic would remain uninterrupted, and it is the Contractor's responsibility to make sure this is the case throughout the construction phase. After completion of works the site should be restored as planned in the design. All wastes and machinery should be removed from the location. Temporary storage of material (including hazardous materials). Stockpiling of construction material should be avoided if possible. If not, construction material should be stored on the construction site, and protected from weathering. Hazardous materials like paints, oils, enamels and others should be kept on impermeable surface, and adsorbents like sand or sawdust should be kept for handling small spillage. Encroachment into neighboring territory. There is no need for encroachment into neighboring territory and it is not permitted. Working hours. To avoid noise and disturbance of neighbors the works should be conducted in a daily shift, meaning from 7 am to 6 pm. For other working hours special permits are required. The proposed mitigation measures are presented below in Table. 11. Table 11. MITIGATION MEASURES ACTIVITY PARAMETER MITIGATION MEASURES 0. General Conditions Notification and (a) The local construction and environment inspectorates and communities have been Worker Safety notified of upcoming activities (b) The public has been notified of the works through appropriate notification in the media and/or at publicly accessible sites (including the site of the works) (c) All legally required permits have been acquired for construction. (d) The Contractor formally agrees that all work will be carried out in a safe and disciplined manner designed to minimize impacts on neighboring residents and environment. (e) Workers' PPE will comply with international good practice (always hardhats, as needed masks and safety glasses, harnesses and safety boots) (f) Appropriate signposting of the sites will inform workers of key rules and regulations to follow. A. Construction Air Quality (a) Demolition debris shall be kept in controlled area and sprayed with water mist to Activities reduce debris dust (b) During pneumatic drilling/wall destruction dust shall be suppressed by ongoing water spraying and/or installing dust screen enclosures at site (c) The surrounding environment (sidewalks, roads) shall be kept free of debris to minimize dust (d) There will be no open burning of construction / waste material at the site (e) There will be no excessive idling of construction vehicles at sites Noise (a) Construction noise will be limited to restricted times agreed to in the permit (b) During operations the engine covers of generators, air compressors and other powered mechanical equipment shall be closed, and equipment placed as far away from residential areas as possible Water Quality (a) The site will establish appropriate erosion and sediment control measures such as e.g. hay bales and / or silt fences to prevent sediment from moving off site and causing excessive turbidity in nearby streams and rivers. Waste management (a) Waste collection and disposal pathways and sites will be identified for all major waste types expected from demolition and construction activities. (b) Mineral construction and demolition wastes will be separated from general refuse, organic, liquid and chemical wastes by on-site sorting and stored in appropriate containers. (c) Construction waste will be collected and disposed properly by licensed collectors (d) The records of waste disposal will be maintained as proof for proper management as designed. (e) Whenever feasible the contractor will reuse and recycle appropriate and viable materials (except asbestos) B. Individual Water Quality (a) The sanitary facilities to be used during construction works and afterwards will be wastewater treatment built on the septic tanks in order to prevent leakage of organic wastes into the system/sanitary groundwater (b) Before being discharged into receiving waters, effluents from the sanitary facilities facilities must be treated in order to meet the minimal quality criteria set out by national guidelines on effluent quality and wastewater treatment (c) Monitoring of new sanitary facilities wastewater systems (before/after) will be carried out (d) Construction vehicles and machinery will be washed only in designated areas where runoff will not pollute natural surface water bodies. C. Historic building(s) Cultural Heritage N/A D. Acquisition of land Land Acquisition N/A Plan/Framework E. Toxic Materials Asbestos (a) If asbestos is located on the project site, it shall be marked clearly as hazardous management material (b) When possible the asbestos will be appropriately contained and sealed to minimize exposure (c) The asbestos prior to removal (if removal is necessary) will be treated with a wetting agent to minimize asbestos dust (d) Asbestos will be handled and disposed by skilled & experienced professionals (e) If asbestos material is to be stored temporarily, the wastes should be securely enclosed inside closed containments and marked appropriately. Security measures will be taken against unauthorized removal from the site. (f) The removed asbestos will not be reused Toxic / hazardous N/A waste management F. Affected forests, Protection N/A wetlands and/or protected areas Page 32/54 4.5. MONITORING PLAN The EMP specifies also monitoring activities. Parameters to be monitored, frequency, modality and schedule of monitoring activities are presented in the table below (see table 12). The project supervision will be done by the MoE Project Management Team (PMT) and by the WB (during its supervision missions) and by the local ecological and environmental construction inspectors. The project implementation progress semiannually reports will contain a special section concerning EMP implementation and compliance with the WB and National environmental requirements. Page 33/54 Table 12. Monitoring Plan Construction of the premises What Where When Why Cost Who How Phase (Is the parameter (Is the (Define the (Is the (if not included (Is responsible (Is the parameter to be parameter to be frequency / or parameter being in project for to be monitored?) monitored?) monitored?) continuous?) monitored?) budget) monitoring?) Dust level Noise level Vibration Construction To ensure that wastes PMT; Local is conforms to environmental Presence of oil Building code and During construction Cost of Construction At the site and spills inspection construction and contractors construction environmental Erosion control inspectors, standards and slope stability Wastewaters discharge Solid wastes Local Operation At the site Monthly disposal administration Page 34/54 Construction of the access roads Where How Why Cost What When Who (Is the (Is the (Is the (if not Phase (Is the parameter (Define the (Is responsible parameter to parameter to parameter included in to be frequency / or for be be being project monitored?) continuous?) monitoring?) monitored?) monitored?) monitored?) budget) PMT; Local To ensure that construction Building code During Cost of Construction Road At the site is conforms to and and inspection construction contractors construction standards environmental inspections, To ensure that road is Local Local Operation Road conditions At the site inspection Quarterly properly administration administration maintained Page 35/54 6. Integration of the EMP into project documents The MoE PMT and the WB will monitor that EMP provisions are in place in the bidding documents and follow-up contracts. Furthermore, the consultants to be engaged at the design stage would be advised by the Bank team on management of environmental risks, including those arising from construction works and related to appropriate disposal of construction wastes and mitigation of noise and dust. Contracts and bill of quantities will include clauses for appropriate disposal of unacceptable construction material and disposal of construction waste. Procurement documents will specify that no environmentally unacceptable materials will be used. It is proposed also that the contractor will ensure the workers safety, will undertake relevant measures for preventing dust and noise pollution, proper handling, transportation and disposal of construction waste materials. 7. RESPONSIBILITY FOR EMP IMPLEMENTATION AND FINANCING PMT established under the MOE will serve as the implementing agency, responsible for the overall management of the project, planning and budgeting, use of funds and generation of outputs, accounting, reporting, monitoring and evaluation of the project, TOR's preparation, tendering and supervision of the sub-contracts, environmental safeguards and audit of financial resources. The main objective of PMT will be regular monitoring of project activities to ensure that mitigation is carried out, and identification and assessment of unanticipated impacts. PMT will reports on: (a) compliance with measures agreed with the Bank on the basis of the findings and results of the site specific EMPs; (b) the status of implementation of mitigation measures; and (c) the findings of monitoring programs. The PMT has an assigned staff member with environmental safeguards responsibilities, and adequate experience, as the PMT is also the implementing unit for the full-size GEF POPs Stockpiles Management and Destruction Project, which is a Category A project. The results of implementation of the GEF POPs project environmental safeguards were considered as very positive. 8. PUBLIC DISCLOSURE AND CONSULTATION The PMT of the Ministry of Environment and the State Hydrometeorological Service disclosed the draft summary of the EMP for wide public on the web-page of the PMT (www.moldovapops.md) on and of the SHS (www.meteo.md) on 03/09/10, inviting all the interested parties to provide comments on and to attend the document public consultations. The invitation was also send directly to the administration of involved localities and to the Chisinau airport administration in hard copies. During March-May, 2010 the PMT and representatives from Hydro-meteorological Service have conducted in all involved settlements and at Chisinau airport public consultations where have participated representatives from local councils, from rayon environmental and construction authorities (see annex 9). During all conducted meetings were concluded that the draft EMP covers practically all potential impacts and possible mitigation measures. The final version of the EMP was provided to the World Bank, and will be used by the government agencies during the project implementation. Page 36/54 Annexes Annex 1. List of consulted people Ilie Boian - First Deputy Director, State Hydro-meteorological Service Alexandru Mazur - Deputy Director, State Hydro-meteorological Service Nicolae Moldovanu - Deputy Head of Meteorological Division, SHS Valetina Coreni - Head of Leova weather station, SHS Dumitru Marinov - Head of Ceadir-Lunga weather station, SHS Petru Popa - Cadastral engineer, Malovata-Veche mayoralty Liubovi Pancenco - Head of Balti weather station, SHS Adelaida Malic - Head of Balti Hydrological Station, SHS Vasile Cojocari - Head of Costesti-Stinca Knot operation division Sergiu Sandu - Technical Director of Moldavian Air Traffic Services Authority Page 37/54 Annex 2. Map of project sites Page 38/54 Annex 3. Blue prints of the premises Front view of the onefloor office in Leova, CeadirLunga, Balti and Soroca Page 39/54 Top view of the onefloor office in Leova, CeadirLunga, Balti and Soroca Page 40/54 Side view of the twofloor office in MalovataVeche Page 41/54 Top view of the twofloor office in MalovataVeche Page 42/54 Annex. 4 Decision of the local council and the Government Decision to allocate the land in Leova Page 43/54 Page 44/54 Annex 5. Decision of the local council to allocate the land in Balti Page 45/54 Page 46/54 Annex 6. The local council's and the Government Decision to allocate the land in Soroca Page 47/54 Page 48/54 Page 49/54 Annex 7. The local council's decision to allocate the land in Malovata-Veche Page 50/54 Annex 8. The Council's Decision to allocate the land in Ceadir-Lunga Page 51/54 Page 52/54 Annex 9. Minutes of public hearings Hard copies of the EMPs Summaries for the construction works to take place in Leova, Balti, Soroca, Malovata-Veche, Ceadir-Lunga and at airport site were sent to the local administration 2 weeks in advance of the hearings. In addition the EMPs were posted on the www.moldovapops.md and www.meteo.md sites. The public hearings were conducted by the PMT and the Hydro-meteorological Service. May 13, 2010 Ceadir-Lunga Mayoralty The public hearing on the Environment Management Plan for the construction works of the premises for the Hydromet personnel in Ceadir-Lunga took place on May 13, 2010 at 11.30 am. The following people attended the hearing: Curdov Ivan, deputy mayor of Ceadir-Lunga; Niseev Dmitrii, Architect of Ceadir-Lunga town; Rusev Gheorghii, Construction Inspector in Ceadir-Lunga; Kiseev Serghei and Ruseva Lilia, Territorial Development Engineers of Ceadir-Lunga; Kojohari Ecaterina, Head of local NGO; Tabanli Irina, registrator at the Ceadir-Lunga Mayoralty; Zinaida Iamandi, representative of Ceadir-Lunga Environment Agency; Lidia Trescilo, Head of Division, SHS; Marinov Dmitrii, Head of Ceadir-Lunga Weather Station. The participants were informed in brief on the purpose of the hearing and the DRMAP objective and components. Only one question was raised during the hearing and it related to the threat that the weather station might pose on human health. The attendees were informed that the weather station doesn't contain any of such equipment which could impact the human health. There were no other questions and comments therefore the meeting was adjourned at 12.00 pm. March 22, 2010 Leova Town Hall The public hearing on the Environment Management Plan for the construction works of the premises for the Hydromet personnel in Leova town took place on March 22, 2010 at 11.00 o'clock. The meeting was held inside the Leova Town Hall and the following people attended it: Gospodinov Alexandru, Chief of Youth and Sport Division, Leova Town Hall; Antoniu Victor, General Director of Leova "Apa-Canal" Enterprise; Plesu Ion, cadastre engineer, Leova Town Hall; Avram Nicolae, Chief of Construction Division, Leova Town Hall; Jalalau Mihail, Director of "Mihai Eminescu" High School; Chitcanu Iurie, Chief-Inspector, Leova Environmental Agency; Gavrilas Valeriu, worker, Leova "Apa-Canal" Enterprise; Tomita Nicolae, Chief- manager, "Salubritate" Enterprise; Focsa Gheorghe, Mayor of Leova town; Blaje Dumitru, Deputy Mayor of Leova town; Domenco Elena, Director of "L. Tolstoi" High Page 53/54 School; Cazacu Liliana, Director of the Creation Center; Antonovici Viorica, Director of Environmental Center; Raileanu Ion, Director of the Sport School; Petrov Svetalana, director of kindergarten; Goian Ion, PR specialist, Leova Town Hall. The PMT presented an overview of the Disaster and Climate Risk Management Project objectives and components and also of the World Bank EA policies. The Mayor informed that the land for which the EMP was prepared was allocated some time ago and that it has all the necessary papers confirming land ownership right. There were no public comments and objections on the proposed EMP in Leova and therefore the hearing was closed at 11.20. March 15, 2010 Malovata-Veche Mayoralty The public hearing on the Environment Management Plan for the construction works of the premises for the Hydromet personnel in Malovata-Veche comuna took place on March 15, 2010 at 10.00 o'clock. The following attended the hearing: Brinza Igor, Chief Accountant, Malovata-Veche Mayoralty; Popa Petru, Cadastre engineer, Malovata-Veche Mayoralty; Leohu Nicolai, Director of School; Pricop Eugenia, Librarian; Castravet Valentina, Secretary of the Malovata-Veche Council; Popa Maria, Director of Speranta Ltd.; Grojdion Anatolie, Head of Dubarasi Environmental Agency; Terenti Ilie, member of the Malovata- Veche Concil. Similarly to Leova public hearing the attendees were briefed on the Project objective and components and the existing EA World Bank rules and policies. The only wish that the Mayor of Malovata-Veche expressed during the hearing was a bigger power transformer to be installed at the Hydromet premises in order to be used by the houses which will be constructed nearby at a later stage. Since there were no public comments and objections on the proposed EMP in Malovata-Veche the hearing was adjourned at 10.15 in the morning. March 12, 2010 Balti City Hall The public hearing on the Environment Management Plan for the construction works of the premises for the Hydromet personnel in Balti city took place on March 12, 2010 at 14.00 o'clock. The following people attended this hearing: Neaga Igor, Deputy Mayor of Balti; Vasile Romanciuc, Chief of Architecture Section, Balti City Hall; Bodrug Ion, Director of the Rural Development Agency, Northern Branch; Ina Ciuciuian, editor at the Radio Balti; Varvariuc Natalia, Community Center for Aged People located in Balti; Calasnicova Valentina, Deputy Director of "Voice of Balti" Radio; Josan Galina, reporter at the "Voice of Balti"; Ceremus Raisa, "Uniunea" NGO; Serdiuc Irina, Secretary of Balti Concil; Moscalu Nicolae, Director of "Mostenitorii" NGO; Derevenco Ludmila, Chief of Local Page 54/54 Public Administration Section; Gavdiuc Ion, Head of Balti Environment Agency; Pirogan Ion, Chief of Sanitary Division; Bragari Larisa, Chief of Construction Division. The attendees received brief information on the purpose of the visit and project objectives. Further there were several clarification questions on the exact date of land allocation in Balti and a suggestion made by Vasile Romanciuc, Chief of Architecture Division, according to which the Balti Mayor's Office could seek another land for the project's needs rather that the one for which the EMP was prepared. The reason for that is that the selected site is part of an area which later could become a residential area. The Deputy Mayor clarified that he is aware of this but there are no other available sited in Balti which could be allocated for this project. The last suggestions was made by Gavdiuc Ion, Head of Balti Environmental Agency, who asked for the list of devices to be installed at the Balti weather station in order to make sure that these fit into the sanitary zone according to the law. There were no other comments and suggestions therefore the hearing was adjourned at 14.30. March 12, 2010 Cosauti Mayoralty The public hearing on the Environment Management Plan for the construction works of the premises for the Hydromet personnel in Cosauti comuna, Soroca district, took place on March 12, 2010 at 11.00 o'clock. The following people attended this hearing: Sirghii Vasile, Mayor of Cosauti comuna; Grosu Evghenia, Social Assistant; Zolotoriova Valentina, Aocial Assistant; Zagaevschi Mihail, Land Engineer; Popov Mariana, Chief Accountant; Pislaru Nicolai, bunessman; Repetchi Nicanor, Member of Cosauti Council; Rosca Raisa, Director of Cosautui kindergarten; Lozan Valentina, kindergartener; Ciumac Constantin, Director of the Palace of Culture. Similar to the previous hearings the attendees received brief information of the EA World Bank rules and DRMAP objectives and components. They expressed their satisfaction with this hearing because this gives them the opportunity to be informed before the works start. In addition, we were informed that the underground waters are very deep at the site and that probably it could be difficult to identify where to dig the well. There were no other remarks and suggestions therefore the meeting was adjourned at 11.30 am.