SFG3426 V14 Arrangement of Park in Village Udabno Environmental and Social Screening Report February 2017 Project Description The sub-project (SP) envisages installing street illumination at the entrance point of village Udabno. One of the regions of Georgia interesting the tourists is Kakheti region, and visiting village Udabno in Sagarejo region being the only desert in Georgia with its geographical location attracts the visitors. Village Udabno is a border-line community with a strategic designation. 185 homesteads of 700 people, with 425 women and 125 children live in the village. To date, there is no street illumination along the road leading to village Udabno. Distance between the village and municipal center (Sagarejo) is 40-45 km with no settled villages at all. The road runs across the devastated field. There is the Davit-Gareji Monastic and cave Complex founded in the VI century in the village. As the road enters the village, it forks. One branch runs to the Davit-Gareji Monastic Complex, and another branch leads to the village. 600 m2 area will be flattened and 4 decorative and 2 street lightings will be installed around it; a waiting area in the form of a Svanetian tower for the tourists and local people will be built on this territory. The tower will be 4 m long and 6 m high, with a landscape viewing point at the mid-height. The upper part of the tower will be lit with 5 decorative lamps. The first floor of the tower will have a bench where tourists can have a rest; a spring with stone facing will be built; 2 refusal bins will be installed and 3 decorative benches to take a rest with cemented pillars will be installed on the territory; a place to set a tent will be allotted and flattened; 1 pavilion-type building will be built, and a table and benches for a picnic will be installed. The illuminated resting area will be fenced to protect it from the pollution or destruction by cattle. During the summer, the number of visitors to village Udabno daily is 30-40 people. Having access to the public park in village Udabno will help increase the tourist potential and organize long-term tours what on its turn, will contribute to the higher income of the population, who will start local stores and cafés. Increasing number of tourists will also help the start of family guesthouses helping the income generation for the village dwellers. ENVIRONMENTAL SCREENING AND CLASSIFICAITON (A) Impact Identification Has sub-project a tangible impact on the The sub-project (SP) construction phase covers 2 environment? months’ period. Consequently, the SP will have a small-scale and short impact on the environment only in the construction phase, while its long-term impact on the natural and social environment will be positive. What are the significant beneficial and SP is expected to have positive long-term adverse environmental effects of the sub- environmental and social impact through project? arrangement of park and will improve touristic attraction. The increased tourist flows will have positive social impact through improvement of employment opportunities. Construction new Svaneti tower and arrangement of park will improve infrastructure services and institutional capacity to support the development of tourism-based economy and cultural heritage circuits in the Kakheti region. The expected negative environmental and social impacts are likely to be short term: as a result of construction new Svaneti tower and conduction of other rehabilitation activities, dust and emissions from the operation of construction machinery will be increased, background noise and vibration levels will rise, generation of different types of construction waste is expected, the flow of traffic not expected to be obstructed. In operation phase increased tourist flows may have indirect negative environmental impacts: waste generation etc. May the sub-project have any significant The long-term social impact of the SP will be impact on the local communities and other beneficial (improvement of local population living affected people? conditions and growth of tourist flow), which will cause significant improvement of the conditions for local population and tourists. Significant social impact of construction and rehabilitation activities, like change of local demographic structure, influx of new settlers, and secondary development is not envisaged. Negative environmental impacts described above will be short term and limited to the construction site. What impact has the sub-project on the The dust, vibration and noise originated during the human health? small-scale rehabilitation/construction works will not have impact on the human health or safety (B) MITIGATION MEASURES Were there any alternatives to the sub- At the designing stage, a no-project alternative was project design considered? considered, which was discarded, as the implementation of the SP will help attract both, the local and foreign visitors what will have a positive impact on the social standing of the local population. Have concerned communities been involved During community mobilization several priorities and have their interests and knowledge been were identified, including rehabilitation of the adequately taken into consideration in sub- public park and stadium and waste disposal. project preparation? Rehabilitation of the public park was selected. (C) CATEGORIZATION AND CONCLUSION Conclusion of the environmental screening: Sub-project is declined □ Sub-project is accepted ■ Sub-project is classified as environmental Category B and needs EMP ■ Sub-project is classified as environmental Category C and does not need EMP □ SOCIAL AND CULTURAL SCREENING Social safeguards screening information Yes No 1 Is the information related to the affiliation, ownership and land use status of the sub-project site available and verifiable? (The screening cannot be completed until this is available)  2 Will the sub-project reduce people’s access to their economic resources, such as land, pasture, water, public services, sites of common public use or other  resources that they depend on? 3 Will the sub-project result in resettlement of individuals or families or require the acquisition of land (public or private, temporarily or permanently)  for its development? 4 Will the project result in the temporary or permanent loss of crops, fruit trees and household infrastructure (such as ancillary facilities, fence, canal,  granaries, outside toilets and kitchens, etc.)? If answer to any above question (except question 1) is “Yes�, then OP/BP 4.12 Involuntary Resettlement is applicable and mitigation measures should follow this OP/BP 4.12 and the Resettlement Policy Framework Cultural resources safeguard screening information Yes No 5 Will the sub-project require excavation near any historical, archaeological  or cultural heritage site? 6 Will the sub-project require excavation near any historical, archaeological  or cultural heritage site? If answer to question 5 is “Yes�, then OP/BP 4.11Physical Cultural Resources is applicable and possible chance finds must be handled in accordance with OP/BP and relevant procedures provided in the Environmental Management Framework Arrangement of Park in Village Udabno Environmental Management Plan PART 1: GENERAL PROJECT AND SITE INFORMATION INSTITUTIONAL & ADMINISTRATIVE Project title Empowering Poor Communities and Micro-Entrepreneurs in the Georgia Tourism Sector Sub-project title Arrangement of public park in Village Udabno Scope of sub-project and 600 m2 area will be flattened and 4 decorative and 2 street lightings will be installed around it; activity a waiting area in the form of a Svanetian tower for the tourists and local people will be built on this territory. The tower will be 4 m long and 6 m high, with a landscape viewing point at the mid-height. The upper part of the tower will be lit with 5 decorative lamps. The first floor of the tower will have a bench where tourists can have a rest. Institutional Task Team Leader: Safeguard Specialists: arrangements Gloria La Cava Darejan Kapanadze, Environment (Name and contacts) Rebecca Lacroix and David Jijelava, Social Implementation Implementing entity: Works Supervisor: Contactor arrangements Biological Farming Biological Farming Association TBD (Name and contacts) Association “Elkana� “Elkana� SITE DESCRIPTION Who owns the building Sagarego Municipality to be constructed/ extended/reconstructed? Who owns the land Sagarego Municipality allocated for sub- project? Who uses the land (formal/informal)? Description of Sagarejo Municipality (historically known as Gare Kakheti) is located in the eastern part of geographic, physical, Georgia. The municipality center is Sagarejo, located 45 km eastwards from the Capital city of biological, geological, Tbilisi, 772 meter above the sea level. The municipality area is 1,553.69 km2. In Population – hydrographic and socio- 59.8 thousand. The ethnicity of Sagarejo municipality population is diverse. It consists of economic context Georgians, Azeri, Armenians, Russians, Ukrainians, Osetians, Greeks, Qists, etc. According to the tectonics, Kakheti region includes three large geotectonic blocks. Sagarejo municipality is located in eastern subsidence zone of Georgian lump (intermontane depression), which is presented by Outer Kakheti sub-zone within the limits of Kakheti. Low- and middle- mountainous Tsiv-Gombori ridge (1000-2000 m) of a common Caucasus direction, which is a large young anticline developed on the substrate of Pliocene Molassa deposits. The given deposits are situated in an unconformity on the Cretaceous and Paleogene complex-folded flysch deposits. In the crest part of Tsiv-Gombori ridge and upper step of its northern slope, there are fragments of plain-wavy watersheds and denudation surfaces survived. Its surfaces are dissected by breakthrough gorges and all of them are characterized with strong mudflows. The main river of the municipality is river Iori. Since the construction of Sioni water reservoir on the river Iori, the river flow in the lower reaches has been totally regulated. The river Iori crosses the Iori slope from south. Geo-botanical district of Iori upland comprises vast territory between rivers Kura-Alazani. It is stretched over 168 km to the south-east of Tbilisi till border with Azerbaijan. The maximum width of the area is 55-60 km. Iori upland is bordered with Saguramo-Ialno and Gombori ridges to the north and Azerbaijan border and Eldari lowland from the south, east and north-east. Hydrographic system of the district is fairly poor. Entire Iori upland is dissected with r. Iori, which has almost no tributaries within the district. Only small streams (Lotchiniskhevi, etc.) flow down the upland (slopes of the hills). Dry gorges are also present. They are filled in spring and the water reaches the mother river. Salt lakes (Kajiri, Ujarma, etc.) and salt springs are also present. Old troughs (Shiraki, Taribana, etc.) are filled with Quaternary sediments. Deep horizons contain significant supply of artesian water. The district is characterized with dry continental climate, which alternates from sub-tropical to temperate along with change of the altitude. Annual temperature in Alazani and Iori gorges is 13-14°C and 9-10°C in the highest points of the upland. Annual precipitations within the district are fairly different; in the south-eastern part of the territory precipitations are just 200-300 mm and reach 400-500 mm in the north-eastern part, while the maxim falls in the northernmost part – 600-700 mm. The majority of the precipitations fall in May-June. Summer is very hot and droughty. Soils of Iori upland are characterized with diverse composition. Black soils are most abundant. Their formation started long ago (after destruction of forests). Chestnut and solonchak- solonetz soils are widespread as well. Forest brown and different alternatives of transitional soils after forest destruction are observed. The activities under the SP are small-scale, and will be accomplished by using the local resources (water, stones, etc.) as necessary. Which of the project Regional Development Project finances provision of tourist infrastructure, water supply and intervention sites does sanitation for David Gareji monastic complex and provision of light tourist infrastructure for sub-project related to Ninotsminda monastery. and how? LEGISLATION Identify national & local According to the law of Georgia on Permit on Environmental Impact (2008), the SP does not legislation & permits require preparation of EIA and obtaining of Permit on Environmental Impact. that apply to project activity The SP triggers to the OP/BP 4.01 Environmental Assessment of the World Bank. According to this safeguard policy and the Environmental Management Framework of the Project for Empowering Poor Communities and Micro-Entrepreneurs in the Georgia Tourism Sector, the SP is classified as environmental category B and requires preparation of Environmental Management Plan (EMP). PUBLIC CONSULTATION Identify when / where SP-specific draft EMP will was disclosed for village Udabno population and was discussed in a the public consultation consultation meeting on April 26, 2017. process took place Attachments Attachment 1 SP site and photos; Attachment 2: Land allocation and support letter from Sagarejo Municipality Attachment 3: Minutes of public consultation meeting on draft EMP PART 2: SAFEGUARDS INFORMATION ENVIRONMENTAL /SOCIAL SCREENING Activity Status Triggered Actions A. Building rehabilitation [ ] Yes [X] No See Section A below B. Minor new construction [X] Yes [ ] No See Section A below Will the site C. Individual wastewater treatment system [ ] Yes [X] No See Section B below activity D. Historic building(s) and districts [ ] Yes [X] No See Section C below include/involve 1 E. Acquisition of land [ ] Yes [X] No See Section D below any of the 2 following?? F. Hazardous or toxic materials [ ] Yes [X] No See Section E below G. Impacts on forests and/or protected areas [ ] Yes [X] No See Section F below H. Handling / management of medical waste [ ] Yes [X] No See Section G below I. Traffic and Pedestrian Safety [X] Yes [ ] No See Section H below 1 Land acquisitions includes displacement of people, change of livelihood encroachment on private property this is to land that is purchased/transferred and affects people who are living and/or squatters and/or operate a business (kiosks) on land that is being acquired. 2 Toxic / hazardous material includes but is not limited to asbestos, toxic paints, noxious solvents, removal of lead paint, etc. PART 3: MITIGATION MEASURES ACTIVITY PARAMETER MITIGATION MEASURES CHECKLIST 0. General Conditions Notification and Worker (a) The local construction and environment inspectorates and communities have been notified of upcoming activities Safety (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 and/or rehabilitation; (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. General Rehabilitation Air Quality (a) During interior demolition debris-chutes shall be used above the first floor and /or Construction (b) Demolition debris shall be kept in controlled area and sprayed with water mist to reduce debris dust (c) During pneumatic drilling/wall destruction dust shall be suppressed by ongoing water spraying and/or installing Activities dust screen enclosures at site (d) The surrounding environment (sidewalks, roads) shall be kept free of debris to minimize dust (e) There will be no open burning of construction / waste material at the site (f) 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 wastewater Water Quality (a) The approach to handling sanitary wastes and wastewater from building sites (installation or reconstruction) treatment system must be approved by the local authorities (b) Before being discharged into receiving waters, effluents from individual wastewater systems 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 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 (a) If the building is a designated historic structure, very close to such a structure, or located in a designated historic district, notification shall be made and approvals/permits be obtained from local authorities and all construction activities planned and carried out in line with local and national legislation. (b) It shall be ensured that provisions are put in place so that artifacts or other possible “chance finds� encountered in excavation or construction are noted and registered, responsible officials contacted, and works activities delayed or modified to account for such finds. D. Acquisition of land Land Acquisition (a) If expropriation of land was not expected but is required, or if loss of access to income of legal or illegal users of Plan/Framework land was not expected but may occur, that the Bank’s Task Team Leader shall be immediately consulted. (b) The approved Land Acquisition Plan/Framework (if required by the sub-project) will be implemented E. Toxic Materials Asbestos management (a) If asbestos is located on the sub-project site, it shall be marked clearly as hazardous 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 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 waste (a) Temporarily storage on site of all hazardous or toxic substances will be in safe containers labeled with details of management composition, properties and handling information (b) The containers of hazardous substances shall be placed in an leak-proof container to prevent spillage and leaching (c) The wastes shall be transported by specially licensed carriers and disposed in a licensed facility. (d) Paints with toxic ingredients or solvents or lead-based paints will not be used F. Affected forests, Protection (a) All recognized natural habitats, wetlands and protected areas in the immediate vicinity of the activity will not be wetlands and/or protected damaged or exploited, all staff will be strictly prohibited from hunting, foraging, logging or other damaging activities. areas (b) A survey and an inventory shall be made of large trees in the vicinity of the construction activity, large trees shall be marked and cordoned off with fencing, their root system protected, and any damage to the trees avoided (c) Adjacent wetlands and streams shall be protected from construction site run-off with appropriate erosion and sediment control feature to include by not limited to hay bales and silt fences (d) There will be no unlicensed borrow pits, quarries or waste dumps in adjacent areas, especially not in protected areas. G. Disposal of medical Infrastructure for medical (a) In compliance with national regulations the contractor will insure that newly constructed and/or rehabilitated waste waste management health care facilities include sufficient infrastructure for medical waste handling and disposal; this includes and not limited to:  Special facilities for segregated healthcare waste (including soiled instruments “sharps�, and human tissue or fluids) from other waste disposal; and  Appropriate storage facilities for medical waste are in place; and  If the activity includes facility-based treatment, appropriate disposal options are in place and operational H Traffic and Pedestrian Direct or indirect hazards (b) In compliance with national regulations the contractor will insure that the construction site is properly secured Safety to public traffic and and construction related traffic regulated. This includes but is not limited to  Signposting, warning signs, barriers and traffic diversions: site will be clearly visible and the public warned pedestrians by of all potential hazards construction  Traffic management system and staff training, especially for site access and near-site heavy traffic. activities Provision of safe passages and crossings for pedestrians where construction traffic interferes.  Adjustment of working hours to local traffic patterns, e.g. avoiding major transport activities during rush hours or times of livestock movement  Active traffic management by trained and visible staff at the site, if required for safe and convenient passage for the public.  Ensuring safe and continuous access to office facilities, shops and residences during renovation activities, if the buildings stay open for the public. PART 4: MONITORING PLAN When What Where How Why Who (Define the Phase (Is the parameter to be (Is the parameter (Is the parameter (Is the parameter being (Is responsible frequency / or monitored?) to be monitored?) to be monitored?) monitored?) for monitoring?) continuous?) Transportation of Technical condition of vehicles Construction site Inspection Unannounced Limit pollution of soil and Elkana construction materials and and machinery inspections during air from emissions; waste work hours and Confinement and protection of beyond Limit nuisance to local Movement of construction truck loads with lining communities from noise machinery and vibration; Respect of the established hours and routes of transportation Minimize traffic disruption. Earth works (small scale) Temporary storage of excavated Construction site Inspection In the course of Prevent pollution of the Elkana material in the pre-defined and earth works construction site and its agreed upon locations; surroundings with construction waste; Backfilling of the excavated material and/or its disposal to the Prevent damage and loss of formally designated locations; physical cultural resources In case of chance finds immediate suspension of works, notification of the Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection, and resumption of works exclusively upon formal consent of the Ministry. Trafic disruption and Installation of traffic At and around the Inspection In the course of Prevent traffic accidents; Elkana limitation of pedestrian limitation/diversion signage; construction site construction works access Limit nuisance to local Storage of construction materials residents and temporary placement of construction waste in a way preventing congestion of access roads. Workers’ health and safety Provision of uniforms and safety Construction site Inspection Unannounced Limit occurrence of on-the- Elkana gear to workers; inspections in the job accidents and course of work emergencies Informing of workers and personnel on the personal safety rules and instructions for operating machinery/equipment, and strict compliance with these rules/instructions operation of rehabilitated Waste management and Rehabilitated Inspection During operation Prevent pollution and Sagarejo municipality facilities sanitation facilities of facilities improper waste disposal Maintenance of historical Prevent new construction features of cite approved design or installation or activities changing cultural appearance of the cite Attachment 1: Site plan and photos Attachment 2: Land allocation and support letter from Sagarejo Municipality Attachment 3: Minutes of Public Consultation Meeting on draft EMP Date: April 26, 2017 Venue: Sagarejo municipality, village Udabno Donor: Biological Farming Association “Elkana�, through funding from the Japanese Social Development Fund and the World Bank Aim: Consult with the local community on the Draft Environment and Social Management Plan for the project “Arrangement of park in village Udabno� Elkana Assistant Project Manager, representatives of NGO “Women for future�, local government and community representatives attended the meeting. In total 13 people participated in the gathering, including 4 women. Elkana Assistant Project Manager presented planned project and activities, as well as the draft Environment Management Plans prepared to mitigate their possible negative impacts on the natural and social environment. After the presentation, meeting participants were given the floor for questions and comments. During the meeting, participants asked the following questions: Question: Is arrangement of the public toilet considered? Answer: Arrangement of the park does not consider construction of the public toilet due to lack of financial resources. Question: Who will be responsible for waste management after completion of projects? Answer: Sagarejo municipality will be responsible for waste management, as confirmed in support letter of December 9, 2016. Question: How will the park arrangement contribute to income generation of local community members? Answer: In the framework of the project, tourist information board will be installed showing directions to the guesthouses, shops, bakeries and different services that are located near the park site and they will attract more tourists, which will increase their sales. Community members were satisfied with the received information and supported implementation of the project. Signatures of attendees: Photo illustration