Page 1 E2248 V7 Page 2 2 | Pa g e Supplementary Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (SESIA) Trung Son Hydropower Project Prepared by: Integrated Environments (2006) Ltd. Prepared for: Trung Son Project Management Board (TSHPMB) September 2009 Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.......................................................................................................... 21   1.   INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................... 32   1.1   Project Overview and the SESIA................................................................................ 32   1.1.1   Key Project Features........................................................................................... 32   1.1.2   Purpose of the SESIA ......................................................................................... 32   1.1.3   Key SESIA Features........................................................................................... 32   1.1.4   Previous Environmental Assessment Documentation ......................................... 33   1.2   Impact Assessment Methodology............................................................................... 33   1.2.1   Impact Criteria..................................................................................................... 34   1.2.2   Impact Rankings ................................................................................................. 34   Page 3 3 | Pa g e 1.3   Project Regulatory and Legal Framework................................................................... 35   1.3.1   Vietnamese Legislation....................................................................................... 35   1.3.2   Other Applicable Environmental Policy and Standards........................................ 36   1.4   Previous Environmental and Social Plans and Reports.............................................. 39   2.   PROJECT DESCRIPTION................................................................................................ 42   2.1   General Overview ...................................................................................................... 42   2.2   Project Location ......................................................................................................... 42   2.3   Project Area............................................................................................................... 43   2.4   Project Scope............................................................................................................. 46   2.5   Auxiliary Components ................................................................................................ 48   2.5.1   Co Luong to Co Me Access Road ....................................................................... 49   2.5.2   Construction Site Roads...................................................................................... 49   2.5.3   Construction Camps............................................................................................ 50   2.5.4   Water Supply System.......................................................................................... 51   2.5.5   Construction Materials......................................................................................... 51   2.5.6   Transport of Equipment and Materials to the Project Site.................................... 52   2.6   Construction Schedule............................................................................................... 52   2.7   Manpower Utilization.................................................................................................. 54   2.8   Reservoir Operation................................................................................................... 54   2.8.1   Flood Control ...................................................................................................... 54   2.8.2   Electricity Production........................................................................................... 56   3.   ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES...................................................................................... 58   3.1   Without the Project..................................................................................................... 58   3.2   Technical Alternatives with the Project....................................................................... 58   3.2.1   Altering the Direction of Construction/Power lines............................................... 58   3.2.2   Altering the Full Supply Level.............................................................................. 59   3.2.3   Altering the Installed Capacity and Flood Control Procedures............................. 59   4.   ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE........................................................................................ 62   4.1   Air Quality and Noise.................................................................................................. 62   4.1.1   Air Quality ........................................................................................................... 62   4.1.2   Noise................................................................................................................... 62   4.2   Climate....................................................................................................................... 63   4.2.1   Temperature ....................................................................................................... 64   Page 4 4 | Pa g e 4.2.2   Rainfall................................................................................................................ 64   4.2.3   Wind.................................................................................................................... 65   4.2.4   Humidity.............................................................................................................. 66   4.2.5   Evaporation......................................................................................................... 66   4.3   Hydrology................................................................................................................... 66   4.3.1   General Description ............................................................................................ 66   4.3.2   Annual Flow........................................................................................................ 67   4.3.3   Flood Season...................................................................................................... 69   4.3.4   Sediment Transport............................................................................................. 70   4.3.5   Water Quality...................................................................................................... 71   4.3.6   Aquifers............................................................................................................... 74   4.4   Geology and Soils...................................................................................................... 74   4.4.1   Bedrock Geology................................................................................................. 74   4.4.2   Lithology ............................................................................................................. 74   4.4.3   Tectonics............................................................................................................. 75   4.4.4   Quarries.............................................................................................................. 75   4.4.5   Hydrogeology...................................................................................................... 76   4.4.6   Soil...................................................................................................................... 76   4.4.7   Soil Erosion......................................................................................................... 77   4.5   Terrestrial Ecology..................................................................................................... 78   4.5.1   Flora.................................................................................................................... 78   4.5.2   Fauna.................................................................................................................. 81   4.5.3   Listed Species..................................................................................................... 82   4.6   Aquatic Ecology ......................................................................................................... 82   4.6.1   River Description and Aquatic Habitat................................................................. 82   4.6.2   Aquatic Biodiversity............................................................................................. 86   4.6.3   Listed Aquatic Fauna Species............................................................................. 86   4.6.4   Other Aquatic Fauna........................................................................................... 86   4.6.5   Reproduction and Migration ................................................................................ 88   4.6.6   Aquaculture Production....................................................................................... 88   4.7   Protected Areas and Biodiversity ............................................................................... 91   4.7.1   Xuan Nha Natural Reserve ................................................................................. 94   4.7.2   Pu Hu Natural Reserve ..................................................................................... 100   Page 5 5 | Pa g e 4.7.3   Hang Kia – Pa Co Natural Reserve................................................................... 104   4.8   Regional Importance of the Natural Reserves.......................................................... 109   4.8.1   Summary........................................................................................................... 110   4.9   Archaeological, Cultural and Historical Resources................................................... 112   5.   SOCIO-ECONOMIC BASELINE..................................................................................... 114   5.1   Population................................................................................................................ 114   5.1.1   Demographics................................................................................................... 114   5.1.2   Project Affected Communes.............................................................................. 115   5.1.3   Ethnic minorities................................................................................................ 117   5.2   Community Structure and Services.......................................................................... 119   5.2.1   Culture.............................................................................................................. 119   5.2.2   Family and Community Structure...................................................................... 120   5.2.3   Housing............................................................................................................. 121   5.2.4   Education.......................................................................................................... 121   5.2.5   Community and Health Services ....................................................................... 122   5.2.6   Infrastructure..................................................................................................... 124   5.3   Economy.................................................................................................................. 125   5.3.1   Income.............................................................................................................. 125   5.3.2   Labour............................................................................................................... 127   5.3.3   Poverty.............................................................................................................. 128   5.4   Land Productivity...................................................................................................... 128   5.4.1   Land Use........................................................................................................... 128   5.4.2   Agriculture......................................................................................................... 130   5.4.3   Forestry............................................................................................................. 133   5.4.4   Aquaculture....................................................................................................... 134   6.   ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT ASSESSMENT........................ 135   6.1   Construction Phase.................................................................................................. 135   6.1.1   Air ..................................................................................................................... 157   6.1.2   Noise and Vibration........................................................................................... 157   6.1.3   Land.................................................................................................................. 158   6.1.4   Protected Areas ................................................................................................ 163   6.1.5   Social Impacts................................................................................................... 166   6.1.6   Economic Impacts............................................................................................. 171   Page 6 6 | Pa g e 6.1.7   Worker Camp.................................................................................................... 172   6.2   Operation Phase...................................................................................................... 177   6.2.1   Hydroelectric Plant Operation............................................................................ 177   6.2.2   Road Traffic ...................................................................................................... 184   6.2.3   Reservoir Impoundment.................................................................................... 184   6.2.4   Dam Operation and Power Generation ............................................................. 186   6.2.5   Operational Staff Support.................................................................................. 189   6.2.6   Co Luong - Co Me Road Operation................................................................... 190   6.3   Cumulative Impacts of theTSHPP............................................................................ 191   7.   PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND DISCLOSURE............................................................. 195   7.1   Consultation Objectives............................................................................................ 195   7.2   Public Consultation Methods.................................................................................... 195   7.3   Impacted Communes and Villages........................................................................... 196   7.4   Public Consultation Results...................................................................................... 197   7.4.1   General Comments........................................................................................... 197   7.5   Resettlement Alternatives ........................................................................................ 198   7.6   Disclosure Process .................................................................................................. 213   8.   REFERENCES................................................................................................................ 214   9.   APPENDICES................................................................................................................. 218   List of Tables Table 1-1: Impact Assessment Criteria.......................................................................................................34   Table 1-2: Applicable World Bank Environmental and Social Safeguards .................................................36   Table 2-1: TSHPP Main Technical Parameters ..........................................................................................47   Table 2-2: Bridge Details Co Luong to Co Me Access Road......................................................................49   Table 2-3: Road Network.............................................................................................................................49   Table 2-4: Construction Camps...................................................................................................................50   Table 2-5: Water Supply System.................................................................................................................51   Table 2-6: Construction Schedule...............................................................................................................53   Table 2-7: Construction Workforce per Year...............................................................................................54   Table 3-1: Characteristics of Development Options based on Construction and Power Route .................59   Table 3-2: Characteristics of the Selected Option.......................................................................................61   Table 4-1: Air Quality in the Project Area....................................................................................................62   Table 4-2: Noise Levels in the Project Area................................................................................................63   Table 4-3: List of Meteorological Stations and Recorded Parameters........................................................64   Page 7 7 | Pa g e Table 4-4: Average Annual Temperatures ( 0 C) in the Ma River Basin .......................................................64   Table 4-5: Average Annual Rainfall (mm) in the Ma River Basin................................................................64   Table 4-6: Average Annual Wind Speed (m/s) in the Ma River Basin........................................................66   T able 4-7: Average Annual Humidity (%) in the Ma River Basin ................................................................66   Table 4-8: Average Annual Evaporation (mm) in the Ma River Basin ........................................................66   Table 4-9: Annual Flow to the TSHPP Dam Site on the Ma River..............................................................67   Table 4-10: Variation of Average Module of Flow 1957-2006 Arriving at Various Sites on Ma River Next To Trung Son HPP ..............................................................................................................................68   Table 4-11: Characteristics of Mean Annual Flow at Gauging Stations......................................................68   Table 4-12: Flow distribution at C m Th y gauging station ........................................................................68   Table 4-13: Calculated Flood Peak (m 3 /s) at the TSHPP Dam Site ...........................................................69   Table 4-14: Distribution of Seasonal Flow Correspondent to Designed Flood Frequencies......................70   Table 4-15: Distributions of Monthly Flows (m 3 /s) in TypicalSpecific Years ...............................................70   Table 4-16: Estimated Sediment Accumulation at Trung Son Reservoir....................................................70   Table 4-17: Water Quality Parameters........................................................................................................72   Table 4-18: Water Quality of the Sampling Points at the Project Area .......................................................73   Table 4-19: Types of Soil in the Reservoir Area .........................................................................................77   Table 4-20: Number of Plant Species Identified..........................................................................................79   Table 4-21: Species Observed during Survey in the Project Area..............................................................81   Table 4-22: Attributes of the Ma River.........................................................................................................84   Table 4-23: Density of Phytoplankton at Collection Stations ......................................................................87   Table 4-24: Migration and Breeding Patterns in the Ma River Catchments................................................88   Table 4-25: Aquatic Production in Thanh Hoa Province in Tons ................................................................90   Table 4-26: Characteristic Features of Three Natural Reserves in TSHPP Basin......................................95   Table 4-27: Diversity of Flora in the Xuan Nha Natural Reserve................................................................98   Table 4-28: Threatened Plant Species in Xuan Nha Natural Reserve........................................................99   Table 4-29: Diversity of Fauna in the Xuan Nha Natural Reserve..............................................................99   Table 4-30: Threatened Animal Species in the Xuan Nha NR..................................................................100   Table 4-31: Diversity of Flora in the Pu Hu Natural Reserve....................................................................103   Table 4-32: Threatened Plant Species in the Pu Hu Natural Reserve......................................................103   Table 4-33: Diversity of Fauna in the Pu Hu Natural Reserve..................................................................104   Table 4-34: Threatened Fauna in the Pu Hu Natural Reserve..................................................................104   Table 4-35: Diversity of Flora in the Hang Kia – Pa Co Natural Reserve.................................................107   Table 4-36: Threatened Plant Species in the Hang Kia – Pa Co Natural Reserve...................................107   Table 4-37: Diversity of Fauna in the Hang Kia – Pa Co Natural Reserve...............................................108   Table 4-38: Threatened Animal Species in the Hang Kia – Pa Co Natural Reserve................................109   Table 4-39: Diversity of Flora in the Natural Reserves of TSHPP ............................................................111   Table 4-40: Endemic and Threatened Species of Flora in the Three Natural Reserves ..........................112   Table 4-41: Diversity of Fauna in the Three Natural Reserves.................................................................112   Table 4-42: Archaeological Sites Investigation Results............................................................................112   Table 5-1: Communes within TSHP Project Area.....................................................................................114   Table 5-2: Households Affected by the TSHPP........................................................................................116   Table 5-3: Percent (%) of Ethnic Groups Potentially Impacted by TSHPP...............................................119   Table 5-4: Number of Health Facilities and Patient Beds .........................................................................123   Table 5-5: Average Number of Health Staff per Administrative Unit.........................................................123   Table 5-6: Project Affected Communes’ Average Income........................................................................127   Table 5-7: Project Area Commune’s Land Use.........................................................................................128   Table 5-8: Commune Agricultural Productivity in 2006.............................................................................132   Page 8 8 | Pa g e Table 6-1: Construction Impacts and Proposed Mitigation Measures ......................................................136   Table 6-2: Operation Impacts and Proposed Mitigation Measures...........................................................178   Table 6-3: Summary of Cumulative Project Impacts.................................................................................192   T able 7-1: Impacted Villages and Communes..........................................................................................196   Table 7-2: Summary of Village Concerns and Requests..........................................................................199   List of Maps Map 2-1: Project Area..................................................................................................................................44   Map 2-2: Site Plan.......................................................................................................................................45   Map 2-3: Project Location - Vietnam...........................................................................................................46   Map 4-1: Sampling Sites and Catchment Areas in the Ma River Basin......................................................83   Map 4-2: Location of Natural Reserves in the Trung Son Hydropower Plant Basin...................................93   Map 4-3: Xuan Nha Natural Reserve..........................................................................................................94   Map 4-4: Pu Hu Natural Reserve ..............................................................................................................101   Map 4-5: Hang Kia - Pa Co Natural Reserve............................................................................................105   Map 4-6: The Greater Annamites Region .................................................................................................111   Map 4-7: Archaeological Sites Discovered in TSHPP (VIA, 2008) ...........................................................114   Page 9 9 | Pa g e List of Figures Figure 2-1: Schematic of the TSHPP..........................................................................................................48   Figure 2-2: Characteristics of TSHPP Reservoir-Bed.................................................................................55   Figure 2-3: Correlation between Discharge and Downstream Water Level of TSHPP...............................56   Figure 2-4: TSHPP Reservoir Operation Regulation Curve........................................................................57   Figure 4-1: Average Monthly Rainfall in the TSHPP Area (mm).................................................................65   Figure 4-2: Average Monthly Discharge in Cam Thuy and Trung Son Stations.........................................69   Figure 4-3: Aquatic Production in Thanh Hoa Province..............................................................................90   List of Photos Photo 2-1: Existing Access Road................................................................................................................49   Photo 2-2: Area Designated for the Worker Construction Camp................................................................51   Photo 4-1: Tropical Evergreen Forest in the Xuan Nha Natural Reserve...................................................97   Photo 4-2: Secondary Tropical Evergreen Forest in the Pu Hu Natural Reserve.....................................102   Photo 4-3: Tropical Dense Evergreen Forest in Hang Kia – Pa Co Natural Reserve...............................106   Photo 4-4: Huoi Pa Burial Site...................................................................................................................113   Photo 5-1: Home in the TSHPP Area........................................................................................................117   Photo 5-2: Brocade – Traditional handcraft of Thai people (DRCC, 2008b).............................................119   Photo 5-3: Nang 1 Khieng San..................................................................................................................120   Photo 5-4: Communal Meeting (DRCC, 2008b)........................................................................................121   Photo 5-5: Typical Housing in the TSHPP Area........................................................................................122   Photo 5-6: Discarded Syringes..................................................................................................................124   Photo 5-7: Typical Roads in TSHPP Communes......................................................................................125   Photo 5-8: Village in the TSHPP Area.......................................................................................................126   Photo 5-9: Bamboo forests bordering Ma River........................................................................................129   Photo 5-10: Eroding Slopes in the TSHPP Area.......................................................................................130   Photo 5-11: Agriculture Production ...........................................................................................................131   Photo 5-12: Livestock in the TSHPP Area ................................................................................................133   Photo 5-13: Bamboo Products..................................................................................................................134   Page 10 10 | Pa g e Abbreviations Abbreviation Description B/C Benefit-Cost BP Bank Procedure BOD 5 Biological Oxygen Demand CEC Cation exchange capacity CLIP Community Livelihood Development Plan COD Chemical Oxygen Demand DO Dissolved Oxygen DONRE Department of Natural Resources and Environment DPA District Protected Area DSF Dam Safety Framework DWL Dead Water Level EA Environmental Assessment EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EMDP Ethnic Minority Development Plan EMP Environment Management Plan EMPF Ethnic Minority Policy Framework EP Ethnic Minority Plan EPC Environmental Protection Commitment ERR Economic Rate of Return ESF Environmental Safeguards Framework ESIA Environmental and Social Impact Assessment EVN Electricity of Vietnam FSL Full Supply Level FLMEC Forests of Lower Mekong Eco-region Complex GDP Gross Domestic Product GHG Greenhouse gases HPP Hydropower projects ICB International Competitive Bidding Page 11 11 | Pa g e Abbreviation Description IDA International Development Association IEBR Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources IRR Internal Rate of Return IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature & Natural Resources MASL Meters Above Sea Level MODIS Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer MOF Ministry of Finance MoIT Ministry of Industry and Trade MOL Minimum Operating Level MONRE Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment MOU Memorandum of Understanding NBCA National Biological Conservation Area NGO Non-governmental Organization NO x Nitrogen Oxides NPA National Protected Area NPV Net Present Value NR Natural Reserves OM Operation Manual OP Operational Policy PB Participating Bank PHAP Public Health Action Plan PIB Project Information Brochures PMB Project Management Board PMP Probably maximum precipitation PPA Power Purchase Agreement PPC Provincial People Committee QCBS Quality and Cost Based Selection RCC Roller-compacted Concrete RE Renewable Energy REDP Renewable Energy Development Project Page 12 12 | Pa g e Abbreviation Description RLDP Resettlement Livelihood Development Plan ROW Right of Way RP Resettlement Action Plan SA Social Assessment SEA Strategic Environmental Assessment SESIA Supplementary Environmental and Social Impact Assessment SO x Sulphur Oxides SPPA Standard Power Purchase Agreement TA Technical Assistance TSHPP Trung Son Hydropower Project TSHPMB Trung Son Hydropower Project Management Board WWF World Wildlife Fund Page 13 13 | Pa g e Units Unit Symbol Unit Description % percent 0 C degrees Celsius cells/l cells per liter (used for vertical distribution and concentration) dBA decibel g grams g/m 3 grams per cubic meters GWh gigawatt hour ha hectares kg/s kilograms per second km kilometer km/km 2 density (for stream network) km 2 square kilometers kV kilovolts l/s/km 2 liters per second per kilometer squared or runoff per unit area m meter m/s meters per second m 3 cubic meters m 3 /day cubic meters per day m 3 /ha cubic meters per hectare m 3 /s cubic meters per second m 3 /year cubic meters per year meq/100g milli-equivalents per 100 grams mg/m 3 milligrams milligrams per cubic meters mg/mL milligrams per milliliters mm millimeters MPN/mL most probable number of coliform per 100 mL MW megawatt pH potential of hydrogen Page 14 14 | Pa g e Unit Symbol Unit Description ton/m 3 tons per cubic meter USD U.S. Dollars V volts VND Vietnam Dong Page 15 15 | Pa g e Glossary Term Definition Alternatives The evaluation of alternatives to project development in EIA (timing, location, technologies etc) including the no go, or no development option. Baseline A description of the biophysical and socio-economic state of the environment at a given time, prior to development of a particular project. Biota All living plants and animals in a given area. Biodiversity The variety of life on earth. Biophysical Pertaining to the natural environment. Catchment Area A geographical area where watrer from precipitation drains downhill into a body of water. Also known as: drainage basin, catchment, catchment basin, drainage area, river basin, water basin and watershed Contamination Pollution. Conservation The preservation of natural resources for use by future generations. Consultation A process of communication with those potentially affected by a project, policy, plan or program. Cumulative effects Changes to the environment that are caused by an action in combination with other past, present and future actions. Displaced person (or people) A person (or household of people) that will lose their house or another productive asset due to the TSHPP. These individuals will require relocation. Ecology A branch of science dealing with the interrelationships of organisms and their environment. Ecosystem An interconnected and symbiotic grouping of microorganisms, fungi, plants and animals. Endangered species An animal or plant in danger of extinction. Environment The combination of elements whose complex interrelationships make up the settings, surroundings and conditions of life of the individual and society as they are or are felt. Environmental flows The water regime provided within a river, wetland or coastal zone to maintain ecosystems and the benefits of ecological goods and services they provide, where there are competing water uses and where flows are regulated. The goal of environmental flows is to provide a flow regime that is adequate in terms of quantity, quality and timing for sustaining the health of the rivers and other aquatic ecosystems. Environmental impact assessment A critical evaluation of the likely effects of a project on the environment, including the prescription of mitigation and management actions. Environmental A comprehensive plan for the implementation of mitiga tion Page 16 16 | Pa g e Term Definition management plan measures prescribed in the environmental impact assessment. Fauna The total animal population in a given area. Flora The total vegetation assemblage in a given area. Groundwater Water found beneath the Earth’s surface. Habitat The home of a plant or animal. Impact The consequence of a action or activity on the human or natural environment. Impacts may be positive, negative or neutral. Intact Rivers A management approach to ensure that entire river sequences, from headwaters to sea, are kept free from barriers, allowing for the protection of a full sequence of habitats and migratory routes. Irreversible A result whereby once occurred cannot be changed or reverted to its prior state. Issue A question or concern regarding an environmental impact, consequence or effect. Landfill A disposal area for waste that is eventually covered with soil. Macadam Type of road construction consisting of single sized aggregates coated with a binding agent. Magnitude The size or degree of a predicted impact. Mitigation Prescribed actions taken to prevent, avoid, reduce or minimize the impacts, or potential adverse effects, of a project. Monitoring A combination of observation and measurement to assess the environmental and social performance of a project and its compliance with the EIA/EMP, or other approval and regulatory conditions. Natural habitats Land and water areas where most of the native plant and animal species are still present, and either are legally protected, officially proposed for protection, or unprotected but of known high conservation value. Physical cultural resources Important sources of valuable historical and scientific information, assets for economic and social development, and integral parts of a people's cultural identity and practices. Polyclinic A place where a wide range of health care services (including diagnosis and treatment) can be obtained, without requiring an overnight stay. Proponent The proposer, or applicant, of a project. Protected Area A clearly defined geographical space, recognized, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values. Reservoir An artificial water body created and used for water storage for irrigation, flood control, flow regulation or power generation purposes. Residual impact Those impacts that remain after the application of mitigation Page 17 17 | Pa g e Term Definition measures. Risk The likelihood of occurrence of an adverse project effect. Runoff Precipitation falling on the ground that is not absorbed and eventually reaches rivers, lakes or other water bodies. Safeguard Policy A set of ten policies of the World Bank with the objective to prevent and mitigate undue harm to people and their environment in the development process. Scoping A tool to assess, evaluate and prioritize relevant issues or concerns arising from a project. Screening Process to assess which projects require an environmental impact assessment and to what extent. Severely Affected Household Households affected by the TSHPP which either lose 10% or more of their productive lands/assets; and/or have to relocate and/or lose 10% of more of their household income. Significance The relative importance of an issue or impact to society. Social impact assessment A component of EIA that assesses the impacts of a project, policy, plan or program on people and society. Stakeholder Someone who has an interest in the outcome of a project, or a decision affecting them. Strategic Environmental Assessment A systematic process for evaluating the environmental consequences of proposed policy, plan or program initiatives in order to ensure they are fully included and appropriately addressed at the earliest appropriate stage of decision-making on par with economic and social considerations. Tay Nguyen Term used to describe the Western Highland region in Vietnam. Tiger Action Plan A plan of World Wildlife Fund to improve the protection and management of key tiger populations and their habitats in top priority conservation landscapes, through measures than can be sustained and supported over the long term by governments, local communities and stakeholders. Water quality A measurement of the purity of water, or drinking water. Watershed The entire region or area where water flows into a lake, river, stream or other water body. Wetland An area of land saturated with water that has high biodiversity importance. Page 18 18 | Pa g e Technical Parameters Parameter Unit Parameter Description/Application Al 2 O 3 Aluminum oxide b Crest width C s Coefficient of asymmetry C v Flow Coefficient E Accumulated sediment ratio F Area Fe 2 O 3 Ferric oxide H m ax Maximum water head (m) H m in Minimum water head (m) H tt Design Head L Discharge canal length Lc Crest length M Average flow per unit area m upstream slope m downstream slope N Capacity N T * Turbine type and number P Frequency Q Daily flow discharge Q 0 Average annual discharge to dam site (m 3 /s) Q p Peak discharge Q tb Discharge through turbine (m 3 /s) Ro Suspended sediment volume (kg/s) Vd Total accumulated volume of river bed sediment (m 3 /year) Vll Total accumulated volume of suspended sediment (m 3 /year) W Volume W nl Capacity with NRWL W pl Useful capacity prevention flood Page 19 19 | Pa g e Parameter Unit Parameter Description/Application X axis Horizontal line X o Year average rainfall Y axis Vertical axis Z Depth Correlation coefficient d Weight of river bed sediment (t/m 3 ) ll Weight of suspended sediment (t/m 3 ) Average muddy level Page 20 20 | Pa g e Acknowledgements The Supplementary Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (SESIA) of the Trung Son Hydropower project was prepared to address a number of issues required for World Bank financing appraisal, including the preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) compliant with World Bank safeguard requirements. As such the document relied on previous EIA drafts prepared by the Power Engineering Consulting Company No. 4 (PECC 2008a) and Chi and Garcia-Lonzano (2009). The authors acknowledge the contribution of these previous efforts towards compilation of this document and much of the information quoted within is derived from those sources. In addition, the World Bank initiated a number of additional baseline studies to address data concerns arising from the environmental assessment process, particularly in the areas of water quality, hydrology, fish and aquatic ecology, physical cultural resources, protected areas and biodiversity and human health. These results of these studies are summarized in the SESIA and form an important component of impact assessment and environmental management. The SESIA also draws on companion reports of the Resettlement Livelihood Development Plan (RLDP) and the results of ongoing public consultation. The authors would also like to thank staff of the Trung Son Hydropower Project Management Board (TSHPMB) and World Bank for their review and important contribution towards the finalization of the SESIA and EMP documents. Page 21 21 | Pa g e Executive Summary Project Overview The Trung Son Hydropower Project (TSHPP) is a medium sized hydropower project intended to serve as a best practice example of the development of Vietnam’s power sector. It will be installed with a capacity of 260 megawatt (MW), generating an annual total of 1018.6 gigawatt hour (GWh) to the national power grid. The project will also provide downstream flood control benefits, supplement water supplies during the dry season and be used as an alternative energy resource for greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction. Key components of the TSHPP include the following: · An 84.5 m high dam with a crest length of 513 m; · A total reservoir area of 13.1 km 2 , with a volume of 348.5 million m 3 , a full supply level (FSL) at an elevation of 160 m and a minimum operating level (MOL) at 150 m; · A 20.4 km access road from Co Luong (Mai Chau, Hoa Binh province) to Co Me (Trung Son, Thanh Hoa province); · A number of borrow pits. · A construction work camp for approximately 4000 workers; and · Transmission lines The total project cost is estimated at $386 million U.S. dollars (USD), of which $24.6 million USD has been allocated for compensation and resettlement purposes, two million USD for livelihood development and approximately two million USD for implementation of the Environmental Management Plan. Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) has requested a total of $330 million USD in financing from the World Bank. Construction is intended to take place over five years and the dam is expected to be operational by 2015. SESIA Purpose and Features The purpose of this Supplementary Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (SESIA) is to predict potential biophysical and socio-economic effects which may result from the TSHPP and prescribe mitigation measures to ensure sustainable project development. This SESIA addresses a number of issues required for World Bank financing appraisal, including the preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) compliant with World Bank OP/BP 4.01; identification of mitigation measures to minimize impacts during the construction phase of the project; providing a summary of public consultation results to date; and to provide linkages with the Resettlement Livelihood Development Plan (RLDP). The project’s main environmental issues are related to the impacts on water quality, hydrology, health, fish and fisheries – both upstream and downstream of the dam; the impact of the construction work camp; the impacts of auxiliary project components including the access road and borrow pits; and indirect impacts on the areas’ natural resources and biodiversity, including adjacent nature reserves (World Bank, 2007). Page 22 22 | Pa g e The main social issues associated with the project include: resettlement from dam construction; the restoration of livelihoods of project-affected people and minimization of impacts during the construction phase, when a 4000 person camp will be constructed in an area largely unaffected by infrastructure development. An estimated 5976 people will be affected by the project, most of who are of Thai or Muong ethnic minority. Of these, approximately 451 people will be affected from the development of access roads (Tercia Consultants, 2009). These project impacts will be addressed through the implementation of a (RLDP) which encompasses three parts: Resettlement Plan (RP), Community Livelihood Improvement Plan (CLIP), and Ethnic Minorities Development Plan (EMDP). A key component of effective environmental management will be the implementation of an EMP, including measures for construction supervision, monitoring and additional baseline data collection over the life of the project. Project Location The TSHPP is located on the Ma River, approximately 700 m downstream of its confluence with Quang brook, in the Trung Son commune, Quan Hoa district in the province of Thanh Hoa, Vietnam (Map 0-1 and Map 0-2). The project site is located near three protected areas, the Xuan Na and Pu Hu and Hang Kia Pa Co Nature Reserves (World Bank, 2007). Analysis of Alternatives The main purpose of the p roject is to help satisfy Vietnam’s growing electricity demands. Peak load is forecasted to grow by approximately 15,000 MW between 2015 and 2020. In order to help meet this demand, Vietnam is planning to increase its hydropower generation capacity. Economically, when social mitigation costs, the value of forest lost in the reservoir, and GHG emissions from reservoirs are taken into account, its strategy for hydropower generation is justified and TSHPP is one of the best projects in terms of its cost of electricity and capital cost (Meier, 2009). The current site for TSHPP was chosen because it was likely to cause the least social and environmental impact while meeting the objectives of this project with a potential for high investment revenue. Page 23 23 | Pa g e Environmental Setting Key environmental conditions in the project area are described as follows. Air Quality and Noise Air samples collected in the project area were compared with the Vietnamese air quality standard (Vietnamese Standard 5937:2005), and the air quality was found to be within the permissible limit (PECC4, 2008a). Based on previous surveys, noise levels in the project area were within permissible limits compared to Vietnamese Standard (TCVN 5949: 1998) (PECC4, 2008a). Climate Vietnam’s climate varies from one region of the country to another due to differences in latitude and a marked variety of topographical relief. During the winter (or dry) season, extending roughly from November to April, monsoon winds usually blow from the northeast along the coast of China and across the Gulf of Tonkin, picking up considerable moisture. Consequently, the winter season in most parts of the country is dry, only by comparison with the rainy or summer season. Hydrology The Ma River is 512 km long, 410 km of which is within Vietnam’s borders (Duc, 2008a).From the river’s source to the proposed TSHPP, the river runs over 239 km with an average slope of 4.5%. The TSHPP was designed to create a reservoir confined entirely within Vietnam, approximately 13.1 km 2 in size with an average elevation of 160 meters above sea level (MASL). The Ma River originates withinthe Pu Huoi Long mountain range of Lai Chau province. Its’ catchments are located between two mountain ranges and have an average elevation of 760 MASL. The Ma River originates at an elevation of 2,179 MASL and flows northwest to southeast, crossing Son La, Sam Nua (Lao People’s Democratic Republic), Hoa Binh, and Thanh Hoa provinces. The river’s basin is 28,400 km 2 . Of this, 10,800 km 2 or 38% of the basin is located within Laos. The Ma River merges with the Chu River and flows into the Pacific Ocean through the Sung, Lach Truong and Cua Hoi tributaries. Geology and Soils The Ma River is underlain by Pre-Devonian and Lower Paleozic formations. The area is characterized by ancient Proterozic sediments, which have formed a wide, gentle syncline, bordered by several faults and structural failures. The Thanh Hoa anticline was formed by the Dong Son Early Paleozic and Nam Co Proterozic formations. Generally, the faults within this area are ancient, but stable (PECC4, 2008a). In general, the geological composition of the river valley is stable with a low erosion tendency and good stability against slides. Any induced slides will likely be small and localized (PECC4 2008a). There are two major fault systems within the project area: Ma River and Son La. The Ma River fault is 390 km long with general direction tending NW-SE. The Son La fault line is approximately 360 km in length, with general direction tending NW-SE. It commences in Tuan Giao (Lai Chau province) and terminates in the vicinity of Nga Son (Thanh Hoa province). No transcendent seismic movements have been recorded within the project site to date. There are no mineral deposits of economic value within the project area. However, there are a number of quarries that can be exploited for construction materials. During the rainy season, there is a thick groundwater layer that is assisted by a well-developed terrestrial biodiversity. The aquifers are generally unconfined with rapid drainage due to the Page 24 24 | Pa g e area’s topographical conditions. Reservoir leakage will be restricted to the abutments and the dam foundation due to the absence of limestone formations in this area. According to the soil maps of Son La, Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa provinces there are three main soil categories based on altitude, which include: Lowlands Soils, Medium Mountain Soils and High Mountain Soils. There are four main factors affecting soil erosion in the project area, which include: soil type, slope, rain and land cover. The total potential erosion volume within the reservoir is approximately 1,108,250,451 tons/year. The potential erosion volume for the north bank and the south bank is approximately 561,087,027 tons/year and 547,163,424 tons/year, respectively. Rates would suggest that erosion forces are generally weak due to large areas of natural and re- planted forest cover. Terrestrial Ecology According to surveys conducted in the project area there are 1,873 species of plants that belong to 152 families in the TSHPP area. These species were classified based on their economic and commercial importance (PATB, 2008), which include the following: wood (319 species), medicine (592 species), food (239 species), resin, fat and oil (44 species), essential and scent oil (15 species), fibre (25 species), tanning and dyeing material (25 species), and food for cattle (34 species). An abundant amount of vegetation exists throughout Vietnam, except where the landscape has been denuded. Vegetation cover within the TSHPP area contains mixed forest stands, which include broad leaf trees, bamboo, pine and grasslands. Surveys indicate an abundance offauna in the project area.The TSHPP area provides habitat for a large number of animals. Vietnam is one of the highest centers of biodiversity in the world. The tropical and subtropical forests in the project area are rich in species diversity. The natural forest in the TSHPP area has been significantly exploited for domestic and commercial activities. During baseline surveys, PECC4 has identified some of the rare and precious species that are listed in the Vietnam’s Red Data Book. Aquatic Ecology Vietnam as a whole has an extensive diversity of aquatic species. In the vicinity of the TSHPP, 198 fish species of 141 genera, 57 families and 13 orders have been identified. This represents 19% of the total number of fish species within the country. Ninety-six percent of these species were of local origin and the remaining four percent are classified as exotics. In total, there were 95 freshwater (48%) and 103 brackish (52%) water species. The Ma River generally has lower biodiversity levels when compared to other rivers in Vietnam due to heavy flooding. Nine of 198 fish species are listed in the Vietnam Red Data Book. However, none of the species recorded in Vietnam Red Book appear in Red List of IUCN 2006 because they are all widely distributed in rivers of North and Northern Central Vietnam. A total of 56 species of phytoplankton have been identified within the Ma River catchments. Phytoplankton quantities vary between ecosystems; the lowest densities inhabit running water ecosystems (rivers, creeks) while the highest densities are common to balanced ecosystems (ponds, lakes). Thirty-two planktonic species were identified including: copepods (Order Copepoda), cladocerans (Order Cladocera), rotifers (Order Rotatoria), Ostracoda crustacean and insects (Order Insecta). Of these, cladocerans were the most abundant while Ostracoda crustaceans and insect larvae were the least common. Page 25 25 | Pa g e There are 10 species of benthonic animals, including snails (Class Gastropoda), oyster (Class Bivalvia), shrimp and crab (Class Crustacea). Snails were the most common benthonic animal, with seven different species identified. Sixteen different aquatic insects frequent mountain river areas. These species included: Ephemeroptera , Plecoptera, Tricoptera , dragonflies ( Odonata ), Hemipter a and Diptera . Ephemeroptera and dragonflies ( Odonata ) comprise the largest number of species and congregate in streams. Most specieslive in clean water flows. There are no phytoplankton, zooplankton or benthos species from the study area that were identified in the Red Data Book of Vietnam (2000) or the Red List of IUCN (Mach and Hai, 2004). There is a conspicuous migration of brackish fish species into the upper catchments of the Ma River. Out of the 60 species which migrate upstream, only 44 reach the lower catchment, which is 30 km from the river’s mouth. Twelve species reach the middle catchment, which is over 30 km from the river’s mouth and the remaining species migrate 100 km upstream to the upper catchment. There are several economic fish species withinthe TSHPP area.Among these, only four species ( Cyprinus carpio, Hemiculter leucisculus, Cranoglanis sinensis and Mastacembelus armatus ) currently inhabit the entire area; 12 species are confined to the upper catchment; 17 species inhabit primarily the middle catchment and 29 species occupy the lower catchment (Duc 2008a). Aquatic resources are currently under the pressures of exploitation, pollution and habitat destruction. It is anticipated that biodiversity levels of freshwater, estuarine and coastal marine species will continue to decline. Nutrient levels are likely to continue to increase in downstream areas due to pollution, which would promote eutrophic conditions. Protein from fish plays an important role for local people; it represents 50 to 59% of total daily protein consumed. Because the lower catchment enjoys the highest productivity it also enjoys the highest rates of protein consumption. A number of factors are affecting fish production and subsequently fishermen income, including: destruction of riparian forests, exploitation of sand and gravel for construction and water pollution. Protected Areas and Biodiversity TSHPP is located in the transition zone between Greater Annamites Eco-region and Northern Highlands. The Greater Annamites Eco-region is one of the WWF’s global 200 ecoregions characterized by earth’s most outstanding biodiversity values and as world hotspots of biodiversity conservation (Baltzer et al. 2001; Tordoff et al. 2003). There are three Natural Reserves (NR) located in the TSHPP area: Pu Hu natural reserve (Thanh Hoa Province), Xuan Nha NR (Son La Province) and Hang Kia – Pa Co natural reserve (Hoa Binh Province).These three NR are characterized by tropical and sub-tropical evergreen forests with high biodiversity values(PECC4, 2008a). Preliminary studies have identified nine types of vegetation cover in the natural reserves. The biodiversity includes 936 species of vascular plants, 79 species of mammals, 258 species of birds and 30 species of amphibians. A total of 216 species are considered as species at risk by NICS; 41 species of plants and 33 species of animals are considered as internationally endangered; 93 species of plants and five species of animals identified in the natural reserves are endemic to Vietnam (PATB, 2008). Archaeological, Cultural and Historical Resources Page 26 26 | Pa g e Archaeological investigations were undertaken to identify and study potential areas containing relics and artifacts. All areas where artifacts and cultural spots were discovered were at a medium altitude and had some form of water supply year-round. Investigations found 11 sites, seven of which are within the new TSHPP reservoir site (VIA, 2008). It is recommended that the Hu i Pa burial and Nàng 1 paleolithic sites be excavated prior to flooding the reservoir to preserve the artifacts and cultural remains (VIA, 2008). Socio-Economic Setting Key socio-economic conditions in the project area are described as follows. Population The TSHPP, reservoir and main facilities are situated in two provinces and three districts. The Muo Lat district of Thanh Hoa province has a population of 29,408 people. Quan Hoa district, also located in Thanh Hoa province, has a population of 42,474 people. Moc Chau district has the largest population in Son La province, with approximately 139,805 people (DRCC, 2008b). Though population ranges between communes, the project area is sparsely populated. The development of the TSHPP will affect approximately 1691 households and 7,556 people within the project area (Tercia Consultants, 2009). Fifty percent of Son La and Thanh Hoa provinces are comprised of ethnic minority groups. This is considerably higher than the national percentage of 14% (DRCC, 2008b). The population within the project area is comprised of three ethnic groups: Thai (85%), the Muong (13%), and the Mong (2%) (Tercia Consultants, 2009). Community Structure and Services The cultural customs of Thai and Muong are very similar; most of the minor cultural differences are centered on traditional ceremonies. These groups coexist with the ethnic majority, the Kinh, and have similar agricultural production activities (CPRD, 2008). Traditional family structures have changed dramatically amongst Thai, Muong and Mong people as nuclear households, consisting of three to four generations, no longer exist due to state control over land. This has had a large impact on maintaining family connections (DRCC, 2008b). At present, communes of Thai and Muong groups either live separately or share the same village, resulting in numerous multi-ethnic couples. There appears to be no discrimination between families of two ethnic groups; however, each group has their own customs and traditions (CPRD, 2008). The majority of landowners are male and homes owned by women tend to have limited agricultural production and are highly dependent on other people in the village. There is a lack of funding available for women to help them develop their own agricultural cultivation or livestock breeding practices. Approximately 90% of inhabitants live in good condition homes, which are usually situated on stilts. Solid and semi-solid homes are mainly built adjacent to roads or village centers (Ly and Kaul, 2009). Presently, all of the communes within the Thanh Hoa province are equipped with both primary and secondary schools. Though schools are well maintained, attendance rates are rather low (PECC4, 2008a). Illiteracy is very prominent, particularly within the villages with a high percentage of Mong people and females tend to have higher rates of illiteracy (DRCC, 2008b). Although word of mouth is the most common medium for spreading information within villages, every commune, with the exception of Muong Ly and Tan Xuan, has a loudspeaker system that Page 27 27 | Pa g e broadcasts twice a day (DRCC, 2008b).In 2005, the number of telephones in Quan Hoa and Mai Chau districts was 820 and 1,460, respectively. Communication amongst villages is restricted as telephone services are unavailable in several communes, such as Tan Xuan (PECC4, 2008a; DRCC, 2008b). None of the project area communes have a community market. In each village, there are some families that sell the necessary goods for subsistence. Since transportation is inconvenient between villages, prices tend to be higher for local goods (DRCC, 2008b). There is one market in Muong Lat district, while the majority of shops are a minimum of 45 km (in Moc Chau and Quan Hoa districts) away from the project site. Five of the communes have stable or semi-stable medical centres. Medical centres normally have one physician and one to two nurses on staff. Tan Xuan does not have a medical centre (DRCC, 2008b). Public health care and family planning programs have been implemented to reduce the spread of diseases such as malaria (PECC4, 2008a). At the provincial level, Hoa Bihn and Son La each have four hospitals while, Thanh Hoa has seven (HESDI, 2008). Clinics tend to be poorly equipped and more serious health cases are usually directed to district hospitals (PECC4, 2008a). Most of the project area communes are covered by health insurance due to their poverty status and Government subsidies (HESDI, 2008). Within the project area, the most common health issues are flu, food poisoning and diarrhea and medical issues relating to traffic incidences (Tercia Consultants, 2009).Other serious health concerns include drug addiction and associated diseases, the project area Districts are considered to be “hot spots” for illicit drugs (Tercia Consultants, 2009). Son La, Thanh Hoa and Hoa Binh Provinces have the highest infant mortality rates in Northwest Vietnam (Tercia Consultants, 2009). Almost all women within the communes perform home births due to their ethnic minority status, remote location with restricted access and an overall lack of health services (DRCC, 2008b). Transportation throughout the Ma River Basin is generally poor as roads are mainly soil-based and the terrain is full of obstacles and steep hills (DRCC, 2008b). Less than 10% of households within the project area are connected to the national grid or use micro-hydropower turbines (56%) (Tercia Consultants, 2009). The remaining households use other methods for lighting such as candles and oil lamps (DRCC, 2008b). Mountain water, or mó water, is the main source of water for the region’s communes (DRCC, 2008b). A smaller number of homes dig their own water wells (HESDI, 2008). Economy The socio-economic standard in Moc Chau district is lower than other Son La and Thanh Hoa provinces due to the isolated terrain, high mountains, traffic problems and deficiencies in infrastructure (DRCC, 2008b). Rice production is the most common agricultural practice, accounting for 65% of activities, while livestock only contributes 25%. Though 75% of the Ma River Basin is devoted to forest production, the production value is quite low.Industry in the region is developing slowly, concentrating primarily on sugar cane and building material production (DRCC, 2008b). Surveys illustrate that average income within project area communes is very low and often below poverty standards. Income is derived from four main sources which include: crop production, livestock, bamboo and other forestry activities and collection of non-traditional forestry products (Tercia Consultants, 2009): Page 28 28 | Pa g e Regional topography and vegetation characteristics limit the development of the industrial sector. Within the project area communes, industrial and small-industrial production only meets local demands and the labour force has limited productivity. Poor transportation infrastructure and limited access have further restricted trade within the local area (PECC4, 2008a). The low labour supply in the Ma River Basin is primarily due to a lack of trained and qualified labourers. Traditional knowledge is the main source of information transfer for both the agriculture and forestry sectors (DRCC, 2008b). High poverty rates are more common within communes residing in remote, mountainous areas or areas where ethnic minority groups reside. Isolated regions, restricted access, poorly developed infrastructure and adverse weather conditions all contribute to difficult and challenging living conditions. These villages have limited services and underdeveloped infrastructure (DRCC, 2008b). The economic livelihoods of ethnic minorities in Vietnam are not as robust as those of the Kinh. As such, the government has implemented programs in the areas of healthcare, education, society and economy to encourage the economic development of ethnic minority groups and reduce the prosperity gap between ethnic groups and regions (DRCC, 2008b). Land Productivity The natural area surrounding the project area communes is approximately 73,000 ha. The total land devoted to agriculture is rather small as the majority is used for forestry. Despite this imbalance, 75-95% of the households within the project area communes are devoted to agriculture production (DRCC, 2008b). Farmland is severely degraded during each rainy season as a result of cultivation on 15-30% slopes. Erosion is the biggest challenge for agriculture production as land fertility declines rapidly after two to three years (DRCC, 2008b). Agriculture is the primary activity within the project area. Approximately 70-80% of total household income depends on cultivation activities (Tercia Consultants, 2009). Paddy and dry rice, corn, and cassava are the primary crops grown (PECC4, 2008a). The topography of Thanh Hoa province is not suitable for paddy rice cultivation with the exception of Xuan Nha commune, which is relatively flat and has abundant water resources (PECC4, 2008a). In the mountain regions, dry land cultivation or terrace cultivation is a popular activity and the average household has between two to three hectares of dry land. A rice-maize-cassava rotation is currently practiced, followed by a three to four year fallow period (Tercia Consultants, 2009). Livestock is not considered as a main source of income for the area, although the Thai and Mong people traditionally breed cattle and raise poultry. Limited technology, smaller local breeds and growth, and unprotected livestock all contribute to the region’s low economic efficiency rates within the livestock sector (PECC4, 2008a). Forests occupy a large percentage of the natural lands within the project area (DRCC, 2008b) and the forestry industry is an important part of communes’ livelihoods (CAHAEE, 2008). The soils bordering the Ma River are classified as fertile and contribute to the forestry sector’s production (CPRD, 2008). Those forests which border villages are typically allocated to individual households, while the adjacent protected forests are managed by the Government The majority of households have adjacent hill-side plots for harvesting timber and forest production is usually devoted to growing bamboo or bead-trees. Many households in the Trung Ly, Muong Ly and Trung Son communes have developed bamboo farms, which have provided a stable source of income. Currently, planted trees cover a large part of the potential flood area within the project area (DRCC, 2008b). Page 29 29 | Pa g e Within the mountainous districts, there is minor surface water and thus, the aquaculture sector has not developed as extensively as the agricultural and forestry sectors. Fish ponds are not frequent and are mostly located in the wider valleys of Tam Chung and Tan Xuan communes. Fishing in the Ma River is an important source of income for communes downstream of the dam site, especially since the majority of fish have a high market value (Tercia Consultants, 2009). Aquaculture is common in coastal communities and freshwater fish breeding has just begun to develop in recent years (PECC4, 2008a). Environmental and Socio-Economic Impact Assessment The purpose of any impact assessment, whether it is environmental or socio-economic, is to anticipate and prevent the consequence of a potential action. For the TSHPP, it is critical to identify potential construction and operation impacts in order to minimize or eliminate their effects within the project area and region. The most significant potential impacts of TSHPP are summarized below. This summary includes the issue, the associated impacts, proposed mitigation measures and the residual impact after mitigation measures have been implemented. Construction Phase Issue: Resettlement of communes and villagers as a result of reservoir creation Impact: Disturbance to family networks, community structure and cultural and ethnic identities Mitigation Measures: Training and education programs for income diversification; and provision of communication networks and social programs to assist in resettlement transition Residual Impact: Moderate Impact Gap: Impact analysis and mitigation to be further addressed in RLDP Issue: Expansion of communes for resettled households Impact: Disturbance to family networks, community structure and cultural and ethnic identities Mitigation Measures: Provision of communication networks and social programs to assist in resettlement transition Residual Impact: Moderate Impact Gap: Impact analysis and mitigation addressed in RLDP Operation Phase Issue: Sedimentation in reservoir Impact: Increased sedimentation behind impoundment Mitigation Measures: Develop the reservoir sedimentation model and erosion management to maximize the useful life of reservoir; and minimize sedimentation in entire catchment area through implementation of an Intact River approach to catchment area management Residual Impact: High Impact Gap: Sedimentation model for reservoir needed Cumulative Project Impacts The analysis of cumulative impacts for the TSHPP considered the interaction of the following four project components: · Construction and operation of the dam; · Construction and operation of the construction camp; · Construction and operation of the access road; and · Resettlement of over 2500 people. Page 30 30 | Pa g e Issue: Terrestrial Biodiversity Impact: Increased pressure on harvesting of wildlife for food and other consumptive usage Mitigation Measures: Worker code of conduct prohibiting hunting and fishing; prohibition of consumption of wildlife or bush meat products in camps; control ingress and egress on access roads to minimize poaching Residual Impact: Moderate Issue: Parks and Protected Areas Impact: Increased pressure on harvesting of wildlife for food and other consumptive usage; and increased pressure for logging in protected areas Mitigation Measures: Implement park management plans; implement park patrols and wardens; education campaign to workers and local communities; and control of ingress and egress to the TSHPP site Residual Impact: Moderate Issue: Demand on Natural Resources Impact: See above (parks and protected areas and terrestrial biodiversity) Mitigation Measures: See above (parks and protected areas and terrestrial biodiversity) Residual Impact: Moderate Public Consultation and Disclosure Public consultation was a key component of the TSHPP and pivotal in creating the Resettlement, Livelihood and Ethnic Minority Development Program (RLDP). The consultation process was designed to be an open dialogue between TSHPP authorities, village leaders and affected households. The goal was to ease the transition into resettlement areas, while improving living conditions and quality of life of affected households (CPRD, 2009). Consultation Objectives Early and continuous communication between affected households, stakeholders and project developers would (DRRC, 2008a): · Inform and educate local residents about the project; · Gain feedback on the project and its potential impacts; · Reduce project-related conflicts and minimize the risk of project delays; · Design the RP to specifically meet the needs and priorities of affected people; and · Maximize the project’s economic and social benefits. Public Consultation Methods The consultation team discussed the TSHPP, potential impacts and consultation methods with village leaders. Afterwards, the consultation team met with individual affected households to gain feedback on resettlement options, financial compensation plans being offered and other project-related concerns (CPRD, 2009). Published reports indicate that there have been two rounds of public consultation. During each round, displaced people were interviewed regarding relocation preferences (self-relocation, resettlement commune or financial compensation), land acquisition impacts and livelihood restoration programs (DRRC, 2008a). Additional rounds of public consultation are planned, especially with those affected villagers and communes that have not been consulted with to date. Impacted Communes and Villages Page 31 31 | Pa g e Impacted villages were subsequently segregated and classified as the following: · Level 1 – Households and their land for cultivation is impacted (14 villages); · Level 2 – Households require resettlement based on construction of Co Luong-Co Me access road (12 villages); · Level 3 – Only cultivation (not residential) land is impacted by reservoir creation (15 villages); and · Level 4 – Inhabitants are located downstream from the TSHPP (six villages). Public Consultation Results Agricultural land and its productivity are the main concerns of local villagers. Resettlement land and its productivity need to be of equal or greater value to the land lost. Resettled and affected areas will also receive financial support and health, education and community services and programs. Village security and maintaining order were also common concerns. The rapid population increase, particularly the number of males in the Co Me and Chieng Po communes, could dramatically increase the amount of gambling, prostitution, theft, drugs and disease. Several villages have requested state guards during construction activities. Resettlement Alternatives Households requiring resettlement were provided with the option of either relocating to a designated village or if feasible, relocating within their existing village. The third alternative was for self-relocation, whereby the affected household would receive financial compensation and would be responsible for finding new accommodation (DRCC, 2008a). Disclosure Process Consultation is currently on-going and will continue throughout the TSHPP construction. The consultation team will focus on communes that have not been contacted to date. Page 32 32 | Pa g e Introduction Project Overview and the SESIA Key Project Features The Trung Son Hydropower Project Management Board (TSHPMB) is developing the Trung Son Hydropower Project (TSHPP); a medium sized hydropower project that is intended to serve as a best practice example of the development of Vietnam’s power sector. It will be installed with a capacity of 260 megawatt (MW), generating an annual average of 1018.6 gigawatt hour (GWh) to the national power grid. The project will also provide downstream flood control benefits, supplement water supplies during the dry season and be used as an alternative energy resource for global greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction. Key components of the TSHPP include the following: · An 84.5 m high dam with a crest length of 513 m; · A total reservoir area of 13.1 km 2 , with a volume of 348.5 million m 3 , a full supply level (FSL) at an elevation of 160 m and a minimum operating level (MOL) at 150 m; · A 20.4 km long access road from Co Luong (Mai Chau, Hoa Binh province) to Co Me (Trung Son, Thanh Hoa province); · A number of borrow pits. · A construction work camp for approximately 4000 workers; and · Transmission lines The total project cost is estimated at $386 million U.S. dollars (USD), of which $24.6 million USD has been allocated for compensation and resettlement purposes, $2 million USD for livelihood development and approximately $2 million USD for implementation of the Environmental Management Plan. Construction is intended to take place over 5 years and the dam is expected to be operational by 2015. Purpose of the SESIA The purpose of this Supplementary Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (SESIA) is to predict potential biophysical and socio-economic effects that may result from the TSHPP and prescribe mitigation measures to ensure sustainable project development. This SESIA is designed to incorporate information collected from previous environmental and social studies conducted on behalf of the TSHPMB and highlight areas that require additional information and project planning. The SESIA also provides the framework for the associated Environmental Management Plan (EMP), which is presented under a separate cover. Key SESIA Features This SESIA addresses a number of issues required for World Bank financing appraisal, including the preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) compliant with World Bank OP 4.01; identification of mitigation measures to minimize impacts during the construction phase of the project; providing a summary of public Page 33 33 | Pa g e consultation results to date, and to provide linkages with the Resettlement Livelihood Development Plan (RLDP). The project’s main environmental issues are related to the impacts on water quality, hydrology, health, fish and fisheries – both upstream and downstream of the dam; the impact of the construction work camp; the impacts of auxiliary project components including the access road and borrow pits; and indirect impacts on the areas’ natural resources and biodiversity, in particular in adjacent nature reserves. The main social issues associated with the project include: resettlement from dam construction; the restoration of livelihoods of project-affected people and minimization of impacts during the construction phase, when a camp of approximately 4000 workers will be inserted into a remote area that is largely unaffected by infrastructure development. An estimated 1,691 households will be affected by the project, most of who are of Thai or Muong minority. Of these, approximately 486 households will be affected from the development of access roads (Tercia Consultants, 2009). These impacts will be addressed through the implementation of a (RLDP) which encompasses three parts: Resettlement Plan (RP), Community Livelihood Improvement Plan (CLIP), and Ethnic Minorities Development Plan (EMDP). A key component of effective environmental management will be the implementation of an EMP, including measures for construction supervision, monitoring and additional baseline data collection over the life of the project. Previous Environmental Assessment Documentation This document is considered to be a supplement to previous project environmental assessments including the EIA approved by MONRE in 2008 and other reports prepared on behalf of the Trung Son Hydropower Project Management Board (TSHPMB). The SESIA and the accompanying EMP provide additional information to these previously completed documents as follows: · Additional baseline information collected since the aforementioned documents; · Analysis of project alternatives; · An analysis of project impacts that are linked to specific mitigation measures to be implemented as part of the accompanying EMP; · Measures to strengthen the environmental and social management capacity of the TSHPMB; and · Supervision, monitoring and follow-up measures to be implemented during the construction phase and over the life of the project. Impact Assessment Methodology The project has incorporated a number of environmental design features to minimize adverse impacts of the project on the natural and human environments. Issues were identified from the baseline information collected (Sections 4.0 and 5.0), and the description of the project (Section 2.0) was used to identify potential impact agents. A matrix approach table was then used to assess potential project impacts resulting from the interaction of the issues and the impact agents. Page 34 34 | Pa g e Impact Criteria To assess the significance of each potential impact from the construction and operation phases of the project, the following criteria were used (Table 0-1): · Likelihood of Occurrence · Magnitude · Geographic Extent · Duration · Reversibility Table 0-1: Impact Assessment Criteria Criteria Low Moderate High Likelihood of Occurrence The impact is unlikely to occur, or may occur rarely on an accidental basis. There is a reasonable likelihood that the impact will occur. The impact is certain to occur. Magnitude Slight negative effects on the ecosystem component characteristics, geographical distribution or abundance. For socio-economic components, does not significantly affect component or its use by the community or a regional population. Negatively affects a minor portion of the ecosystem component, which leads to a limited change in its characteristics, geographical distribution or abundance. For socio-economic components, affects use by part of the community or a regional population without threatening the component or its use. Negatively affects the ecosystem component characteristics or significantly changes geographical distribution or abundance. For socio-economic components, significantly limits its use by a community or regional population. Geographic Extent Within the footprint of the facility. In close proximity to the project. Regional (Study area of Trung Son HPP) Duration Continuous or intermittent for less than 3 years. Continuous or intermittent for 3 to 9 years. Continuous or intermittent for 10 years or more. Reversibility Impact is reversible within the construction phase of the project. Impact is reversible within the lifespan of the project. Impact is irreversible. Impact Rankings The assessment of the significance of impacts for the construction and operation phases incorporates recognition of the project environmental and socio-economic design to minimize potential impacts. Page 35 35 | Pa g e The ranking of each impact considers the following criteria: Impact Agent : What aspect of the project is a potential source or potential cause of an impact on the issue? Potential Impact : How could the impact agent affect the issue? Mitigation Objective/Standard : To ensure potential impacts are minimized, what is the ideal outcome? Mitigation Measure : What features can be included in the design of the project to reduce environmental and social effects? What specific actions will the project take to address impacts? Significance of the Potential Impact : Is this impact rated as high, moderate or low according to project evaluation criteria? Residual Impact Evaluation : After mitigation measures are applied and are successful at reducing and/or eliminating impacts, how significant is the impact, if it persists? The description of residual impacts above is the summation of each impact criteria after the implementation of project mitigation measures. Additional mitigation or compensatory measures will be required, as noted in the Impact Gap column, to reduce the level of residual impact to a low or an acceptable level. Low : These impacts are considered negligible, of short duration, reversible and restricted to the project site. Moderate : These impacts are considered likely to occur, to be minor in nature, occurring during the construction phase, reversible and in close proximity to the project. Additional mitigation will be required to reduce the impact to a low level. High: These impacts are certain to occur, bringing significant changes to natural and human environments, long-term in nature (four years or more), irreversible and regional in extent. Impact Gaps : In summarizing mitigation measures, it was noted that some scenarios required additional studies or further clarification to reduce residual impacts to a low or an acceptable condition. These are discussed in more detail in Section 6.0. Project Regulatory and Legal Framework Vietnamese Legislation The environmental regulatory and legal framework in Vietnam has recently been implemented, but is extensive and includes the following provisions: · Law on Environmental Protection, number 52/2005/QH11 approved by the National Assembly XI, meeting 8 th on November 29, 2005; became effective July 2, 2006. · Land Law of Vietnam in 2003; became effective July 1, 2004. · Law on Water Resource approved by the National Assembly X, meeting 3 rd on May 20, 1998; became effective January 1, 1999. · Law on Forest Protection, number 29/2004/QH11 approved by the National Assembly on December 03 20, 1998; became effective April 01, 2005. · Decree number 80/2006/ND-CP dated August 09, 2006 issued by the Government to instruct implementation of clauses of Law on Environmental Protection. · Circular 08/2006/TT-BTNMT dated September 08, 2006 issued by Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) providing guidance on strategy environmental Page 36 36 | Pa g e impact assessment, environmental impact assessment and environmental protection commitment. · Decision number 22/2006/QD-BTNMT dated December 18, 2006 issued by MONRE on mandatory using of Vietnamese standard on environment. · Decree No.21 dated May 28, 2002 issued by the Government detailing the implementation of the Ordinance on Entry, Exit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam. · Circular No.05/2008/TT-BTNMT dated December 8, 2008 issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment guiding strategic environmental assessment, environmental impact assess and environmental protection commitment. · Circular No.04/2008/TT-BTNMT dated September 18, 2008 issue by Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment guiding the formulation and approval or certification of environmental protection schemes and the examination and inspection of implementation of environmental protection schemes. · Decision of Minister of Industry approving hydropower development master plan for Ma River; number 1195/QD-NLDK dated March 31, 2005. · Instruction of the Prime Minister allowing preparation of investment project for Ban Uon hydropower project, number 865/TTg-CN dated June 28, 2005 on pre-feasibility study of Ban Uon hydropower project, Thanh Hoa province. · Decision number 907/QD-EVN-HDQT of Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) dated November 02, 2007 on establishment of TSHPMB (Source: PECC4, 2008a). Other Applicable Environmental Policy and Standards In addition to the requirements of national legislation, the TSHPP must also comply with other applicable environmental policy and standards of the World Bank Group. The World Bank's environmental and social safeguard policies are a cornerstone of its support towards sustainable poverty reduction. The objective of these policies is to prevent and mitigate undue harm to people and their environment in the development process. These policies provide guidelines to the World Bank and borrowers in the identification, preparation, and implementation of programs and projects. The World Bank environmental and social safeguards that apply to TSHPP are listed below inTable 0-2. Table 0-2: Applicable World Bank Environmental and Social Safeguards World Bank Safeguard Policy Operational Policy (OP)/ Bank Procedures (BP) 4.01 Environmental Assessment (January 1999) OP/BP 4.04 Natural Habitats (June 2001) OP/BP 4.10 Indigenous Peoples (July 2005) OP/BP 4.11 Physical Cultural Resources (July 2006) OP/BP 4.12 Involuntary Resettlement (December 2001) OP/BP 4.37 Safety of Dams (October 2001) Page 37 37 | Pa g e OP/BP 7.50 International Waterways (June 2001) World Bank Policy on Disclosure of Information (January 2002) OP/BP 4.36 Forests A summary of the relevance of these safeguards follows in regard to construction and operation of TSHPP. OP/BP 4.01 Environmental Assessment: In World Bank operations, the purpose of Environmental Assessment is to improve decision making, to ensure that subproject options under consideration are sound and sustainable, and that potentially affected people are consulted. To meet this objective, the World Bank policy defines procedures to: · Identify the level of environmental risk (screening) associated with a project; · Assess the potential environmental impacts associated with the risk and how they should be reduced to acceptable levels (environmental assessment and management); · Ensure the views of local groups that may be affected by the project are reflected in identifying the environmental risk and managing any impacts (public consultation); · Make certain that procedures followed in the environmental assessment process are adequately disclosed and transparent to the general public (disclosure); and · Include measures for implementation and supervision of commitments relating to findings and recommendations of the EMP. Public consultation and disclosure are essential elements of World Bank environmental assessment policy and the necessary procedures and documentation for consultation and disclosure are addressed within the context of this SESIA and the accompanying EMP. OP/BP 4.04 Natural Habitats: The Natural Habitats safeguard seeks to ensure that World Bank- supported infrastructure and other development projects take into account the conservation of biodiversity, as well as the numerous environmental services and products which natural habitats provide to human society. The policy strictly limits the circumstances under which any Bank- supported project can damage natural habitats (land and water areas where most of the native plant and animal species are still present). Specifically, the policy prohibits Bank support for projects that would lead to the significant loss or degradation of any Critical Natural Habitats, including those that are legally protected, officially proposed for protection or unprotected but of known high conservation value. Natural habitats are defined as land and water areas where the ecosystems' biological communities are formed largely by native plant and animal species, and human activity has not essentially modified the area's primary ecological functions. OP/BP 4.10 Indigenous Peoples and Ethnic Minorities : This policy contributes to the Bank's mission of poverty reduction and sustainable development by ensuring that the development process fully respects the dignity, human rights, economies, and cultures of Indigenous Peoples. In deciding whether to proceed with the project, the borrower ascertains, on the basis of the social assessment and the free, prior, and informed consultation, whether the affected Indigenous Peoples’ communities provide their broad support to the project. Through the policy, project proponents are to identify indigenous peoples, consult with them, ensure that they participate in, Page 38 38 | Pa g e and benefit from Bank-funded operations in a culturally appropriate way and that adverse impacts on them are avoided, or where not feasible, minimized, or mitigated. Bank-financed projects are also designed to ensure that the Indigenous Peoples receive social and economic benefits that are culturally appropriate and gender and inter-generationally inclusive. In the context of TSHPP a Resettlement Action Plan (RP), Community Livelihood Improvement Plan (CLIP) and an Ethnic Minority Development Plan (EMDP) have been prepared. The EP must be reviewed and approved by the respective provincial authorities (Provincial Peoples Committee (PPC)). OP/BP 4.11 Physical Cultural Resources : The objective of this policy is to avoid, or mitigate, adverse impacts on cultural resources from development projects that the World Bank finances. Physical cultural resources include: movable or immovable objects, sites, structures, groups of structures, natural features and landscapes that have archeological, paleontological, historical, architectural, religious, aesthetic or other cultural significance. In addition to surveys conducted prior to construction , an “accidental” or “chance find” of artifacts or structures important to Vietnam's cultural heritage may be uncovered. Details of the “chance find” process for physical cultural resources are provided in the accompanying EMP. OP/BP 4.12 Involuntary Resettlement: The Involuntary Resettlement safeguard will apply in those situations involving involuntary taking of land and involuntary restrictions of access to legally designated parks and protected areas. The policy aims to avoid involuntary resettlement to the extent feasible, or to minimize and mitigate its adverse social and economic impacts.It promotes participation of displaced people in resettlement planning and implementation, and its key economic objective is to assist displaced persons in their efforts to improve or at least restore their incomes and standards of living after displacement. The policy prescribes compensation and other resettlement measures to achieve its objectives and requires that project proponents prepare adequate resettlement planning instruments prior to Bank appraisal of proposed projects. OP/BP 4.37 Safety of Dams: The Safety of Dams Safeguard requires that experienced and competent professionals design and supervise construction, and that the borrower adopts and implements dam safety measures through the project cycle. The policy also applies to existing dams where they influence the performance of a project. In this case, a dam safety assessment should be carried out and necessary additional dam safety measures implemented. OP/BP 7.50 Projects on International Waterways : The objective of this safeguard policy is to ensure that World Bank-financed projects affecting international waterways will not affect relations between the World Bank and its Borrowers and between riparian states. It applies to projects that involve the use and/or involve potential pollution of international waterways. OP/BP 4.36 Forests : The World Bank’s Forest policy aims to reduce deforestation, enhance the environmental contribution of forested areas, promote reforestation, reduce poverty, and encourage economic development. The Forest Strategy suggests three equally important and interdependent pillars which guide future Bank involvement with forests: harnessing the potential of forests to reduce poverty; integrating forests in sustainable economic development; and protecting vital and global environmental services and forest values. In the context of the TSHPP, the area surrounding the proposed project is largely forested. Local villagers depend highly on bamboo production for their subsistence and many communes’ land production will be affected by the TSHPP. Page 39 39 | Pa g e Previous Environmental and Social Plans and Reports In addition to the information discussed in Section 1.1.3, several environmental studies and social initiatives have been undertaken in preparation for the construction of the TSHPP. The EIA and supplementary environmental and social reports are interlinked; therefore, the SESIA and accompanying EMP represent a consolidation of potential impacts, proposed mitigation measures and over-arching protective plans. Feasibility studies identified locations which would maximize the dam’s power generation and minimize the potential impacts to the surrounding environments.Due to the nature of the project, several aquatic surveys were conducted to document the Ma River’s current water quality levels and aquatic species. Impacts to fish biodiversity, aquaculture income, erosion and sedimentation and displacement of affected people were also addressed and proposed mitigation measures were outlined. The Trung Son Hydro Project – Economic Analysis report describes the hydrology and estimated power generation of the proposed TSHP and examines the potential effects of climate change on hydrology. The report also reviewed the potential benefits from Trung Son’s incremental methane and carbon dioxide offsets. The economic analysis was completed according to the standard World Bank format and finally, the analysis of alternatives, reviewed the main policy choices underlying the circumstances which combined cycle gas or coal represented a realistic alternative to Trung Son. The Assessment of Impacts Caused by Trung Song Hydropower Project to Protect Areas and Terrestrial Biodiversity illustrates the high number of vascular plant species, numerous species of mammals and amphibians and a high diversity of avian species within the three Natural Regions of the Trung Son area. Currently, the project area is facing considerable external pressures (i.e. hunting, trapping, etc.) and conservation efforts sub-standard due to a lack of conservation awareness and management capacity. Mitigation measures have been prescribed to address indirect and direct project-related impacts on the Natural Regions biodiversity. The Reservoir Vegetation Cover Clearance Plan documents the vegetation within the proposed flooded area of the reservoir. The report describes the current landscape within the TSHPP area, identifies the amount of potential bamboo and forest material lost and associated social and economic impacts for individuals currently inhabiting the area. As a result of clearing and inundation potential impactsassociated with the build-up of debris and eutrophication of the river in the reservoir area are also discussed. The Investigation of Tangible Cultural Resources in the Area of the Trung Son Hydropower Project report documents the current archaeological, historical and culturally significant landscapes within the TSHPP area. Several burial sites, holy places and artifacts will be directly impacted by the proposed project and require relocation. Report findings summarize potential excavation methods and recommend subsequent research initiatives on selected culturally significant sites. Initial fisheries studies identified a variety of important ecological attributes and fisheries species inhabiting the Ma River. To address a lack of basic biological and ecological understanding presented in preliminary assessment reports, the Fisheries Development Plan for the Trung Son Hydropower Project report ensures management decisions will be made with the minimum amount of adverse affects to these biological and ecological features. The report also focuses on methods to enhance the fisheries industry through taking advantage of the newly created reservoir system. Page 40 40 | Pa g e The 2008 Impact Assessment of Trung Son Hydropower Project to Fish-biodiversity and Suggested Mitigation Measures report summarizes the five spatial regions of a river system: upstream of the reservoir; flooded areas; river sections between the dam and power station; river sections between the power station and the confluence of the first major tributary; and downstream of the project. Each area will be indirectly and/or directly influenced by the construction and operation of the dam. This report identifies these major influences and describes their likely effects on various environmental processes. The Survey Results and Data Analysis of Fish Biodiversity and Fisheries Final Report illustrates the rich aquatic species diversity within the TSHPP project area and describes the economic role of fish for the local villagers that are currently living adjacent to the Ma River. The purpose of the report was to evaluate the fish biodiversity value within the project-affect area, both up and downstream, of the dam site and to determine the socio-economic conditions and importance that aquaculture have for local inhabitants. Fish protein does play an important role for the diet of local people; however, the economic return from the fish industry is rather low and is dependent on the location within the Ma River. The Health Impact Assessment and Public Health Action Plan forTrung Son Hydropower Project report assesses the health of individuals living within the proposed project area, campsite and adjacent areas. The associated Public Health Action Plan (PHAP) describes the Resettlement and Regional Health Programs which are responsible for preventing and mitigating the adverse health impacts. The report has two purposes: complete the preparation and construction of the hydro project with high quality and satisfy international health standards; and to combine various approaches into one support project which will ensure the livelihood of project affected people is stable and improved. The Reinstatement Study on Construction Activities and Worker Camps for the Trung Song Hydropower Project report defines, analyzes and estimates the quantity, the composition and characteristics of wastes and the associated impacts of wastes produced. The report also details methods to minimize impacts to the environment and describes a number of programs, plans and implementation arranges to properly manage these components. A Construction and Camp Management report assesses the impacts of construction-related activities and the operation of approximately 4,000 workers within the construction camp. Mitigation measures have been designed to minimize potential impacts on the surrounding environments and livelihoods of local villagers. Since the initiation of the TSHPP, two rounds of public consultation have occurred and a third is currently planned. The level of potential project-related impacts varies between an individual household’s location, livelihood and income level, family and community networks and ethnicity. Consultation allowed affected individuals voice their concerns and partake in the decision-making process to avoid potential conflicts during the THSPP’s implementation. The consultation process is currently ongoing; however, the previous two rounds of consultation are documented in the Public Consultation Results on Affected Households of the Trung Son Hydropower Project report. The Resettlement Action Plan for the Construction of the Access Road and Bridges – Trung Son Hydropower Project discusses the potential impacts associated with the construction of the Co Luong-Co Me access road and bridges. The Plan is based on the Land Law, Decree No 197-ND- CP and World Bank’s OP 4.12 to mitigate any potential impacts to local villagers and surrounding environment. Page 41 41 | Pa g e The Resettlement, Livelihood and Ethnic Minority Development Program encompasses three parts: the RP, which identifies communes and villages requiring relocation; the CLIP, which addresses land acquisition impacts and proposes support programs to be implemented; and finally, the EMDP, which describes methods to maintain people’s ethnic cultural identity throughout the resettlement transition period. Page 42 42 | Pa g e Project Description General Overview The TSHPP aims to provide inexpensive electricity to support Vietnam’s further economic development and to raise living standards through socially responsible and environmentally sustainable development of its hydropower resources. The intention of the TSHPP is for the medium-sized hydropower development to serve as a “good practice” case in its power sector (World Bank, 2007). The TSHPP will be installed with a capacity of 260 MW, generating an average 1018.6 GWh annually that will be used to supply energy to the national grid. The project will also control flooding downstream of the reservoir by using 112.1 million m 3 of the reservoir’s capacity. The TSHPP will provide a non-carbon based energy supply that may assist in reducing GHG emissions (PECC4, 2008a). The TSHPP will consist of a dam which measures 84.5 m in height, with a crest length of 513 m. The dam will create a reservoir of 348.5 million m 3 , with the FSL at an elevation of 160 m and the MOL at 150 m. The total area of the reservoir is 13.1 km 2 (PECC4, 2008a). The inundated area is primarily on forested lands (World Bank, 2007). In addition to the dam, other civil works of this project include a 20.4 km long access road from Co Luong (Mai Chau, Hoa Binh province) to Co Me (Trung Son, Thanh Hoa province), a construction work camp and a number of borrow pits (PECC4, 2008a). An estimated 1,691 households (7,596 people) will be affected by the project components, most of who are of Thai and Muong minorities; Muong people account for 90% of the total affected (DRCC, 2008a). Of these, the Co Luong to Co Me access road will affect approximately 486 households (Tercia Consultants, 2009). A resettlement livelihood development plan (Tercia Consultants, 2009) and an indigenous people’s development plan (DRCC, 2008a) will also be completed for this project (World Bank, 2007). 1 The project’s main environmental issues are related to the impacts on water quality, hydrology, health, fish and fisheries; the impact of the construction work camp; the impacts of auxiliary structures including the access road and borrow pits; and indirect impacts on the areas’ natural resources and biodiversity, including within three adjacent nature reserves (World Bank, 2007). The total project cost is estimated at $386 million U.S. dollars (USD), of which $24.6 million USD has been allocated for compensation and resettlement purposes, two million USD for livelihood development and approximately two million USD for implementation of the Environmental Management Plan. EVN has requested a total of $330 million USD in financing from the World Bank. Project Location The TSHPP is located on the Ma River, approximately 700 m downstream of its confluence with Quang brook, in the Trung Son commune, Quan Hoa district in the province of Thanh Hoa, Vietnam (Map 0-1 and Map 0-2). The project’s headwork is 95 km southwest of the town of Hoa Binh and 195 km northwest of the city of Thanh Hoa; the reservoir tail is approximately 9.5 km 1 In the context of the TSHPP, an Ethic Minority Development Plan was prepared. Page 43 43 | Pa g e from the Laos border (Map 0-3). The geographic coordinates of the project headwork are X = 2 279 739.48 and Y = 482 791.16 (VN2000) (PECC4, 2008a). The project site is located near three protected areas, the Xuan Na and Pu Hu and Hang Kia Pa Co Nature Reserves (World Bank, 2007). Project Area The main project area includes four communes in Thanh Hoa Province and two in Son La Province (Map 0-1), as shown on the following page. In Thanh Hoa Province, the reservoir-flooded area on the Ma River will affect Trung Son Commune, where the project’s headworks will be built, Muong Ly Commune, Trung Ly Commune and Tam Luong Commune and this flooded area will extend to Muong Lat Town. In Son La Province, the reservoir-flooded area on an auxiliary of the Ma River will affect the communes of Tan Xuan and Xuan Nha in Moc Chau District. The provinces of Thanh Hoa and Hoa Binh will also be affected by the project’s access road and transmission line (Tercia Consultants, 2009). Page 44 44 | Pa g e Source: Tercia Consultants, 2009 Map 0-1: Project Area Page 45 45 | Pa g e So urce: ITUEC, 2008b Map 0-2: Site Plan Page 46 46 | Pa g e Map 0-3: Project Location - Vietnam Project Scope The TSHPP will include the construction of a reservoir, main dam, spillway, intake gate, tunnel, powerhouse, and discharge canal (Table 0-1). The project will also include the diversion structure used during construction, the transmission lines, including a 35 kV (kilovolt) transmission line built for the construction of the project which will run along the access road, construction material, or borrow pits (soil, rock and sand/gravel), auxiliary structures (construction camps, operation houses, storages, and disposal fields), the Co Luong to Co Me access road, and resettlement areas (PECC4, 2008a).Refer to Figure 0-1 for a schematic representation of the TSHPP. Page 47 47 | Pa g e Table 0-1: TSHPP Main Technical Parameters Source: PECC4, 2008a The spillway is designed as part of the main dam and includes six spillway chambers made from reinforced concrete with valves. Its energy dissipation is designed as a flip bucket form (PECC4, 2008a). Four Francis turbines will be installed with a total capacity of 260 MW. There will also be four generators which is equivalent to four units with an initial voltage of 13.8 kV (PECC4, 2008b) as well as control and auxiliary equipment (PECC4, 2008a) and a 220 kV switchyard and evacuation line (PECC4, 2009). The switchyard will be located north of the powerhouse at an elevation of 164 m; its dimensions are 147 m x 66 m. The transmission line will connect to the Hoa Binh – Noa Quan 220kV line, using a 220 kV double-circuit line, approximately 70 km from the TSHPP plant distribution system (PECC4, 2005). Specification Number Unit Specification Number Unit Basin Main dam Catchment Area of Reservoir 14660 km 2 Crest elevation 162.8 m Years average rainfall (X 0 ) 1420 mm Crest length (L c ) 513.0 m Annual average discharge (Q 0 ) 235 m 3 /s Maximum height 84.5 m Total annual flow (W 0 ) 7695 million m 3 Crest width (b) 10.0 m Reservoir Upstream slope (m) 0.35 Full Supply Level (FSL) 160 m Downstream slope (m) 0.4-0.8 Minimum operating level (MOL) 150 m Barrage-type spillway Pre-flood level 150 m Spillway threshold elevation 145.0 m Checked water level 161.7 m Number of spillway chambers 6 Capacity with FSL (W nl ) 348.5 million m 3 Dimension of spillway chambers (BxH) 14x15 m Flood control capacity (W pl ) 112.1 million m 3 Dimension of radial gates (BxH) 14x15.5 m Water surface area with FSL 13.1 km 2 Designed flood discharge P=0.5% 9900 m 3 /s Flood peak discharge P=0.5% 10400 m 3 /s Checked Flood Discharge P=0.1% 12534.0 m 3 /s Discharge canal Flood peak discharge P=0.1% 13400 m 3 /s Discharge canal length (L) 80.0 m Page 48 48 | Pa g e Figure 0-1: Schematic of the TSHPP Auxiliary Components The TSHPP’s auxiliary components consist of the access road, associated construction roads, the construction camp and borrow pits; these will only be used during the construction phase. With the exception of the components that will be used during the operational phase of the project, auxiliary components will be constructed as temporary structures (PECC4, 2008a). There will be two types of houses built at the dam site. Type 1 houses will be made of brick, have a steel frame and tile roof and a cement foundation and will be used for administration purposes. Type 2 houses will have a steel frame and tile roof. Type 2 houses will have three purposes: · In-house stores, made of brick, cement foundation and roofed by tile, they will be used to keep valued materials and equipment which may be sensitive to temperature and humidity; · Roofing house stores, used for keeping materials or equipment which may be sensitive to humidity and sunlight but not to temperature; and · Open stores, have mixed macadam foundation, and will be used for materials which are not sensitive to temperature or humidity (PECC4, 2008a). Page 49 49 | Pa g e Co Luong to Co Me Access Road An access road will be built connecting the village of Co Me (Trung Son Commune, Quan Hoa – Thanh Hoa) to National Road No. 15A (NR 15A) at the village of Co Luong (Van Mai commune – Quan Hoa – Thanh Hoa). The road will be approximately 20.4 km in length and 7.5 m wide, of which 5.5 m will be paved. An existing dirt path currently meanders along the route planned for the access road (Photo 0-1). Source: ITUEC, 2008a. Photo 0-1: Existing Access Road Seven bridges and 74 culverts will be constructed along the access road (IESE, 2008). Bridge details are presented in Table 0-2. Table 0-2: Bridge Details Co Luong to Co Me Access Road Bridge Span Span Length (m) Total Length (m) Co Luong 4 33 132 Quyen stream 1 33 33 Cai stream 1 33 33 Pu stream 3 24 72 Po stream 1 33 33 Pao stream 1 33 33 Co Me 8 33 264 Source: IESE, 2008 Construction Site Roads Based on the natural conditions, layout of the project components and transportation requirements, the road system for the construction of the project will consist of a total of 13.4 km of roads that are 7.5 m wide, of which 5.5 m will be, paved (Table 0-3). Three kilometers of these roads will also make up part of the operation road network (PECC4, 2008a). Table 0-3: Road Network Page 50 50 | Pa g e Road Name Purpose Length (km) Width (m) Cover Operation Road 1 Construction of main dam, spillway and intake gate 2.1 7.5 Phase 1 – 5.0 m of macadam Phase 2 – 5.5 m of macadam Operation Road 2 Construction of power house 0.9 7.5 5.5 m of macadam Construction Road Road to quarries, auxiliary infrastructure, dumping ground, store ground and other locations 10.4 7.5 5.5 m of macadam Source: PECC4, 2008a Construction Camps Camps for construction workers, contractors, project management board members and engineering board members will be constructed for the project on site (Table 0-4). Three of the camps will also be used as offices during construction and operation of the project (Table 0-4 and Photo 0-2) (ITUEC, 2008a). Table 0-4: Construction Camps Camp Area Type Number of People (approximately) Accommodation for workers Temporary 3360 Accommodation and office for contractors Permanent 390 Accommodation and office for Project Management Board Permanent 50 Accommodation and office for Engineering Board Permanent 50 Source: ITUEC, 2008a The most significant camp will be the construction worker camp that will accommodate approximately 4000 workers for the entire construction period. A contractor camp will also accommodate 390 people (ITUEC, 2008a). Page 51 51 | Pa g e Source: ITUEC, 2008a Photo 0-2: Area Designated for the Worker Construction Camp Water Supply System Surface water will be sourced for domestic purposes at the construction site. Drinking water will come from groundwater sources that will be exploited via drilled wells. Water from these wells will be distributed to worker camps and offices via a pipeline system. The demand for water for domestic purposes is estimated to be approximately 487 m 3 /day (Table 0-5). Water for construction purposes will be taken from nearby streams and/or will be pumped from the river. Demand for water for construction is estimated to be approximately 1,100 m 3 /day (PECC4, 2008a). Table 0-5: Water Supply System Construction Year Number of people Demand on Domestic Water Supply (m 3 /day ) Camp Use Construction Use Other uses Total 1 (6 months) 1850 185 18.5 20.35 223.85 2 4030 403 40.3 44.33 487.63 3 3140 314 31.4 34.54 379.94 4 2830 283 28.3 31.13 342.43 5 (10 months) 1480 148 14.8 16.28 179.08 Source: PECC4. 2008a Construction Materials Naturally exploited construction materials for the project will come from a series of quarries and borrow pits. The quarries will have a total capacity of eight million m 3 and are located on both sides of the Ma River, approximately eight km upstream from the dam site and above the water level of the reservoir. There are no current access roads to the quarry on the north bank of the Ma River and the current access roads to the quarry on the south bank are in very poor condition. The stone at the quarries is of good quality and is located under a thin cover layer that could be used for concrete and materials for the roller-compacted concrete (RCC) dam. Page 52 52 | Pa g e There are three sand/gravel mines located near the project site with a total capacity of approximately 225,000 m 3 , of which pebbles account for roughly 34,250 m 3 . The mines can be accessed by existing roads. Of the three mines, the mine at Thanh Xuan commune is of good quality and the closest in proximity to the project site. There is a surveyed soil mine on the south bank of the river, located 10 km from the project site with a capacity of four million m 3 . The materials are considered good quality; however, the distance from the project site will complicate transport of the soil material to the project site (PECC4, 2008a). Transport of Equipment and Materials to the Project Site The project site is located in a mountainous area, therefore materials and equipment will be transported primarily via existing roads and the new access roads mentioned in Sections 0 and 0. Other construction materials, such as steel and cement, will be transported from Hoa Binh to the project site (PECC4, 2008a). Construction Schedule Project activities will be carried out over a period of five years, including one year for preparation and four years for construction of the main civil works (Table 0-6). Initiation of the project will take place in the fourth quarter of 2010, the first unit will be completed in 2014 and project completion is expected in 2015. The resettlement process will be completed in 2011. Page 53 53 | Pa g e Table 0-6: Construction Schedule Year Activity 1 2 3 4 5 Preparation Construction of access road Water/power supply systems Housing and workers camp Resettlement process 2 Excavation of dam foundation Diversion of natural flow Construction Excavation of foundations for powerhouse Intake and penstock Diversion culvert Start river closing Placing RCC on main dam Concrete work at intake Concrete work at spillway and main da Spillway gates installation Concrete work at tailrace channel Hydro-mechanical equipment installation Culvert plugging to fill reservoir Spillway equipment installation Comprehensive testing Discharge diverted Project in operation Source: PECC4, 2008a 2 Pending finalization of implementation schedule in Tercia Consultants, 2009 Page 54 54 | Pa g e Manpower Utilization The estimated utilization of manpower during the construction phase of the project is presented in Table 0-7. It is important to note that person-days are a rough estimate that does not take into account overtime, holidays, etc. This estimate will be used for environmental impact assessment purposes only. Table 0-7: Construction Workforce per Year Year Number of People Number of Person days 2010 368 134320 2011 3750 1368750 2012 3225 1177125 2013 3263 1190995 2014 1697 619405 2015 163 59495 Source: PECC4, 2005 Reservoir Operation Flood Control Reduction of the risk of flood downstream of the Trung Son dam, with a period of return 1000 years, depends on the operation of the reservoir that, in turn, is linked to climatologic conditions of the area. With well-differentiated rainy and dry seasons in the Trung Son area, it is evident that operation of the reservoir must involve storing water during the rainy period and subsequently releasing flow during the dry period (MoIT, 2008). The flow downstream of the project site decreases as the dry season progresses because flows depend largely on the atmospheric water supply (i.e. precipitation as rainfall) (PECC4, 2009). For operation purposes, the following flood periods are considered, taking into account a flood prevention storage volume of 150 million m 3 , from which nearly 75% are devoted as a permanent storage for flood prevention: · Early, from the beginning of June to mid-July; · Main, from mid-July to mid-September; and · Late, from mid-September to mid-November. During the early to late flood periods, the water level in the reservoir should be maintained at an elevation of FSL (160 m), even if a flood peak level has been reached. In certain cases, based on the flood forecasts, the reservoir must be restored to a water level of 150 m, according to the limit water supply regulation curve (Figure 0-2) (MoIT, 2008). Page 55 55 | Pa g e Note: Area (F (km2) – blue line) and capacity (W (millionm3) – pink line) vs. depth (Z (m)) Source: MoIT, 2008 Figure 0-2: Characteristics of TSHPP Reservoir-Bed During the mainflood period the water level should not be lower than the regular flood prevention water level (150 m); although in some cases it may be as low asthe maximum flood prevention water level (145 m). If forecasts point out a rise in flooding downstream, and the water level in the reservoir reaches and even surpasses the checked water level (161.7 m), the spillway will release flow. Once the checked water level is reached, all gates and intake gates must be fully opened. According to operational procedures, discharge capacity of the spillway and aperture of gates are defined by the design documents. Discharge capacity of spillway, opening sequence and aperture of gates must be adjusted on the basis of the hydraulic model test results and actual operation (Figure 0-3) (MoIT, 2008). Model simulations show that by constructing the TSHPP in its proposed location, there will be a higher flow during the dry season and, consequently, a lower flow in the rainy season. Page 56 56 | Pa g e Source: MoIT, 2008 Figure 0-3: Correlation between Discharge and Downstream Water Level of TSHPP The procedures for operation of the TSHPP for flood control indicate that this task requires the coordination of Headquarters for Prevention of Flood, Storm and Salvage of Thanh Hoa Province. For flow requirements in excess of those determined by the rules of operation described in Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) (2005) and the synthesis provided above, the agency should submit a request to the People’s Committee of Thanh Hoa Province and the TSHPMB for consideration and approval (MoIT, 2008). Given that the runoff from tributaries in the 45 km stretch to the confluence with the Luong River is very low, this section requires the release of compensatory environmental flow during the driest periods of the year. The compensation discharge to ensure the environmental flow is estimated at 15 m 3 (PECC4, 2009). Electricity Production The powerhouse will be equipped with four Francis-PO type turbines that have a total maximum discharge of 504 m 3 /s. The installed capacity of 260 MW will generate a total annual of 1018.6 million GWh, with an effective storage volume of 112.1 million m 3 between FSL and MOL; this quantity of water represents 1.5% of the mean annual inflow. Water level in the reservoir and total quantity of water used for generating electricity is calculated monthly following the Reservoir operation regulation curve of the TSHPP (Figure 0-4) (PECC4, 2009). Page 57 57 | Pa g e Note: HCCN: water level at limitation of water supply; PPH: water level at prevention case; CXT: water level at redundant discharge control Source: Adapted from Phong, 2008 Figure 0-4: TSHPP Reservoir Operation Regulation Curve Page 58 58 | Pa g e Analysis of Alternatives Several alternatives were considered during the pre-feasibility and feasibility studies of the TSHPP. The following summarizes the analyses behind these decisions. Without the Project The main purpose of the project is to help satis fy Vietnam’s growing electricity demands. Peak load is forecasted to grow by approximately 15,000 MW between 2015 and 2020. Vietnam’s demand for electricity will continue to increase as a result of its continued economic growth and development. Transmission and distribution losses in Vietnam are already relatively low when compared to many of their South Asian neighbors and increased spending on efficiency is expected to reduce these losses further, from a current level of 11% to 9%. However, these improvements to supply- side efficiency will not be enough to meet demand (Meier, 2009). In order to help meet this demand, Vietnam is planning to increase its hydropower generation capacity. TSHPP is part of a national development strategy that includes the development of Vietnam’s remaining hydro resources in the short to medium term in order to alleviate pressure on its remaining domestic coal and natural gas reserves (Meier, 2009). In Vietnam, the most probable alternative to hydro projects is natural gas based combined cycle projects. This alternative has been shown to be less cost-effective than hydro projects and would result in significant GHG emissions. Economically, when social mitigation costs, the value of forest lost in the reservoir, and GHG emissions from reservoirs are taken into account, its strategy for hydropower generation is justified (Meier, 2009). The TSHPP is one of a number of hydropower projects that are planned for Vietnam. Among the projects evaluated the results of an analysis by Meier (2009) show that TSHPP is one of the best projects in terms of its cost of electricity and capital cost, as well as, its potential environmental impact which includes the loss of forest and persons displaced. Without this project, Vietnam’s ability to satisfy its energy requirements domestically may come at a higher economic, environmental and social cost. In addition to these benefits, the project will also provide a significant means of flood control. The area currently has no means of flood control. Without this project the area will not have a reservoir to secure water for irrigation in dry periods or to mitigate floods in the Ma River basin (PECC4, 2008a). Technical Alternatives with the Project The original project site for TSHPP was at Ban Uon, which is located approximately 10 km downstream of the current project site. The original option was dropped for technical, economical, social and environmental reasons. The current site for TSHPP was chosen because it was likely to cause the least social and environmental impact while meeting the objectives of this project with a potential for high investment revenue. There are two other projects planned upstream of TSHPP in Son La Province which need to be reviewed by the PMB. Altering the Direction of Construction/Power lines Several alternative dam sites were studied during the pre-feasibility and feasibility studies for this project, of these, four dam sites were found to be viable options. These sites were located Page 59 59 | Pa g e very close to one another, with negligible differences in social impacts. PA4A was chosen for its reduction in reservoir and downstream impacts (PECC4, 2008a). Four dam sites were studied, Dam Site I, II, III, and IV, with Dam Site IV selected as the best option (Table 0-1). During the basic design stage, Dam Site IV and the Power Line 4A were developed and studied. Dam Site III, which is located approximately two km from Dam Site IV, was also examined during this stage. Dam Site IV was selected because of its low risk for water leakage through the reservoir and because the arrangement of the project components in alternative 4A requires no tunnel excavation (PECC4, 2008a). Table 0-1: Characteristics of Development Options based on Construction and Power Route Dam Site Power Line Main Dam Site Spillway Energy Line III PA3 RCC in river bed line 3 on north side of Ma River III PA3A RCC in river bed line 3 on south side of Ma River IV PA4 mixed concrete north side north side IV PA4B mixed concrete north site north side IV PA4A RCC in river bed north side Chosen alternative indicated in bold. The detailed investigations indicated that the best option was Dam Site IV, Power Line PA4A, RCC dam, Spillway in the river bed and the Energy Line located on the north side of the river, with an open type hydropower plant located on the north side of the river behind the dam line (PECC4, 2008a). Altering the Full Supply Level Two additional locations were considered for the TSHPP power station: at the foot of the dam and further downstream. Both alternatives were found to be less economically viable than PA4A, which is mentioned above. This option has a shorter construction time requirement which would lead to reduced environmental impacts (PECC4, 2008a). Five FSL alternatives were considered: FSL 156, 158, 160, 164 and 165 m. When compared to FSL 165m, FSL 160 m has the potential to create better conditions for natural fishery production in the reservoir, while limiting downstream impacts and ensuring safety and ecology at the Viet- Laos border. Four of the five alternatives, FSL 156, 158, 160 and 164, were analyzed from an economic perspective. The loss inventory and calculations show that FSL 160 m has the potential to cause less damage to the land and resettled people and a reduction in biological and environmental impacts (PECC4, 2008a). Altering the Installed Capacity and Flood Control Procedures Alternatives with no flood control and with flood control capacities of 112,000,000 m 3 ; 150,000,000 m 3 and 200,000,000m 3 were evaluated. An economic analysis was conducted which used the following indicators: NPV, IRR, and B/C. The results of this analysis indicate that the best option is an installed capacity of 260 MW and a flood control capacity of 112,000,000m 3 . Page 60 60 | Pa g e Several options were considered with respect to the optimal number of installed turbines. When compared to installation of two, three, or five units, the installation of four turbines has the greatest potential to reach the economic target for this project. The analysis of alternatives for Dead Water Level (DWL) between 156 m and 150 m show that operation of the reservoir at FSL 160 m and MOL 150 m has the potential to have the best economic value and reduced environmental impacts (PECC4, 2008a). Technological characteristics and equipment specifications for the chosen option, with flood prevention of 112,000,000 m 3 , are presented in the following table (Table 0-2). Page 61 61 | Pa g e Table 0-2: Characteristics of the Selected Option Parameter/property Value Unit FSL 160 M MO 150 M Maximum high head (H max ) 71.1 M Minimum low head (H min ) 54.2 M Average head (H tb ) 62.79 M Design head (H tt ) 56.5 M Installed capacity 260 MW Turbine type and number (N T *) 4 Frances, vertical shaft Turbine efficiency corresponding to H tt and N t * 92.67 % Water delivery through the turbine 125.96 m 3 /s Total annual power energy 1.05533 GWh NPV 5,764,000,000,000 VND IRR 13.1 % B/C ratio 1.13 - Cost of electricity produced 614 $/kWh Return time 17 Years N T : Number of turbines Source: Adapted from Meier, 2009 Page 62 62 | Pa g e Environmental Baseline The following section describes, in a summary manner, the environmental baseline of the Trung Son area based on the existing project EIA (PECC4, 2008a) and is supplemented by additional baseline studies and other environmental reports prepared for the TSHPMB. Air Quality and Noise Air Quality The project area is located within the mountainous region of Thanh Hoa province. The local population is largely composed of ethnic minorities, whose subsistence depends largely on agriculture and forestry. In order to assess the quality of air in the project area, PECC4 and the Centre for Environmental Research and Community Development conducted surveys and collected air samples in August, 2007. These results were compared with the Vietnamese air quality standard (Vietnamese Standard 5937:2005), and the air quality was found to be within the permissible limit (Table 0-1) (PECC4, 2008a). The absence of industries and transportation facilities are responsible for low emissions in the project area. Sampling was limited in locations and carried out only in late summer (rainy season). However, it has to be noted that the readings taken from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Sensor indicates there is a recurring pattern of aerosol pollutants traveling across southeast China into Northern Vietnam. This pattern is due to burning of secondary forests and croplands during the winter season in China. Table 0-1: Air Quality in the Project Area Sampling Location Dust (mg/m 3 ) Particulate Matter (PM 10 ) (mg/m 3 ) Lead (Pb) (mg/m 3 ) Nitrous Oxide (NO 2 ) (mg/m 3 ) Carbon Monoxide (CO) (mg/m 3 ) Sulphur Dioxide (SO 2 ) (mg/m 3 ) 1 Chieng Nam village 0.097 0.070 0.00068 0.002121 0.298948 0.011156 2 Co Me village 0.088 0.061 0.00062 0.001937 0.363936 0.010527 3 Ban Tao (School) 0.114 0.083 0.00091 0.001895 0.489310 0.010678 4 Near Chieng bridge 0.114 0.083 0.00091 0.001895 0.489310 0.010678 5 Co Luong village 0.138 0.100 0.00091 0.003828 2.598459 0.017143 6 TCVN 5937:2005 0.20 0.15 0.0015 0.20 30 0.35 Source: Center for Environmental Research and Community Development, 2007 Noise Based on previous surveys, noise levels in the project area were within permissible limits compared to Vietnamese Standard (TCVN 5949: 1998) (PECC4, 2008a). A noise survey was conducted in the following locations in the project area: Chieng Nam Village, Co-Me village, Ban Tao (School), Chieng bridge and Co –Luong village (Table 0-2). Page 63 63 | Pa g e Table 0-2: Noise Levels in the Project Area Sampling Location Noise (dBA) 1 Chieng Nam village 29.8 2 Co Me village 30.4 3 Ban Tao (School 45.9 4 Near Chieng bridge 45.9 5 Co Luong village 59.0 6 TCVN 5949-1998 75 Source: Chi and Garcia, 2008 Climate Vietnam’s climate varies from one region of the country to another due to differences in latitude and a marked variety of topographical relief. During the winter (or dry) season, extending roughly from November to April, monsoon winds usually blow from the northeast along the China coast and across the Gulf of Tonkin, picking up considerable moisture. Consequently, the winter season in most parts of the country is dry, only by comparison with the rainy or summer season. A total of 14 stations were monitored to assess meteorological conditions in the project area (PECC4, 2008a). Table 0-3 provides a list of monitoring stations, parameters recorded and the period of monitoring in the Ma River basin. Page 64 64 | Pa g e Table 0-3: List of Meteorological Stations and Recorded Parameters Station Parameters Period 1 Tu n Giáo Rainfall, evaporation, temperature and wind 1961-2007 2 i n Bi ên Rainfall, evaporation, temperature and wind 1959-2007 3 S n La Rainfall, evaporation, temperature and wind 1961- 2007 4 Sông Mã Rainfall, evaporation, temperature and wind 1962-2007 5 M c Châu Rainfall, evaporation, temperature and wind 1961-2007 6 Mai Châu Rainfall, evaporation, temperature and wind 1961-2007 7 L c S n Rainfall, evaporation, temperature and wind 1961-2007 8 H i Xuân Rainfall, evaporation, temperature and wind 1956-2007 9 Nho Quan Rainfall, evaporation, temperature and wind 1961-2007 10 Yên nh Rainfall, evaporation, temperature and wind 1965-2007 11 Bái Th ng Rainfall, evaporation, temperature and wind 1961-2007 12 Nh Xuân Rainfall, evaporation, temperature and wind 1964-2007 13 T nh Gia Rainfall, evaporation, temperature and wind 1964-2007 14 Thanh Hoá Rainfall, evaporation, temperature and wind 1955-2007 Source: PECC4, 2008a. Temperature The average temperature in the Ma River basin is relatively high throughout the year. Table 0-4 shows average annual temperatures (in degrees Celsius ( o C)) recorded at 14 meteorological stations in the Ma River basin. The differences reflect the topographical characteristics and locations in terms of altitude. Table 0-4: Average Annual Temperatures ( 0 C) in the Ma River Basin Station Tu n Giáo i n Biên S n La Sông Mã M c Châu Mai Châu L c S n H i Xuân Nho Quan Yên nh Bái Th ng Nh Xuân T nh Gia Thanh Hoá Temp o C 20.9 21.9 21 22.3 18.5 23.2 23.2 23.1 23.4 23.4 23.4 23.4 23.6 23.6 Source: PECC4, 2005 Rainfall Annual rainfall is substantial with dominant winds from south and southeast during May to September months. However, the Ma River catchment, where the TSHPP will be constructed, receives different patterns of rainfall ranging from 1.165 mm in Song Ma to 1.984 mm in Lac Son. Table 0-5 represents annual rainfall pattern in the Ma River basin recorded at 14 hydrological stations (1961-2007). Table 0-5: Average Annual Rainfall (mm) in the Ma River Basin Page 65 65 | Pa g e Meteorological Stations Tu n Giáo i n Biên S n La Sông Mã M c Châu Mai Châu L c S n H i Xuân Nho Quan Yên nh Bái Th ng Nh Xuân T nh Gia Thanh Hoá Rainfall (mm) 1.597 1.538 1.443 1.165 1.628 1.760 1.984 1.525 1.253 1.210 1.788 1.914 1.535 1.966 Source: Adapted from Chi and Garcia-Lozano, 2008 Annual rainfall in the project area amounts to 1.380 mm, of which 80% of the rainfall occurs during the monsoon (May to September) season. Figure 0-1represents average monthly rainfall in the project area (PECC4, 2008a). Source: Adapted from PECC4, 2008a Figure 0-1: Average Monthly Rainfall in the TSHPP Area (mm) Wind There are two factors that influence the wind characteristics in the Ma River basin: the southeast winds in summer, originating from the Bay of Bengal, which increases the density of water vapor leading to monsoon rains; and the presence of two parallel mountain ranges surrounding the Ma River basin that partially blocks incoming air from the southwest in summer or from the north in winter. Table 0-6 presents average annual wind speed (m/s) in the Ma River basin (PECC4, 2008a).The spatial differences in terms of wind speed do not show a lot of variations: on an average, the lowest value corresponds to Tuan Giao (0.7 m/s) and the highest value to Moc Chau (2 m/s). Page 66 66 | Pa g e Table 0-6: Average Annual Wind Speed (m/s) in the Ma River Basin Meteorological Stations Tu n Giáo i n Biên S n La Sông Mã M c Châu Mai Châu L c S n H i Xuân Nho Quan Yên nh Bái Th ng Nh Xuân T nh Gia Thanh Hoá Wind (m/s) 0.7 0.9 1.1 1.2 2 1.2 1.2 1.5 1.8 1.5 1.3 1.5 1.9 1.8 Source: PECC4, 2005 Humidity Humidity in the Ma River basin is considered high throughout the year. Table 0-7 shows a gradual increase in the humidity towards the lower regions of catchments, and humidity is higher in summer compared to winter. The average annual humidity in the project area is between 84-89 % (PECC4, 2008a). Table 0-7: Average Annual Humidity (%) in the Ma River Basin Meteorological Stations Tu n Giáo i n Biên S n La Sông Mã M c Châu Mai Châu L c S n H i Xuân Nho Quan Yên nh Bái Th ng Nh Xuân T nh Gia Thanh Hoá Humidity (%) 84 84 80 83 86 82 86 86 85 86 86 86 86 85 Source: PECC4, 2005 Evaporation Evaporation shows a reverse trend in time compared to temperature, rain and humidity. Evaporation levels vary in summer (due to monsoon rains, high humidity and high temperatures) compared to winter. Table 0-8shows average annual evaporation levels recorded in the Ma River basin. Table 0-8: Average Annual Evaporation (mm) in the Ma River Basin Meteorological Stations Tu n Giáo i n Biên S n La Sông Mã M c Châu Mai Châu L c S n H i Xuân Nho Quan Yên nh Bái Th ng Nh Xuân T nh Gia Thanh Hoá Evaporation (mm) 815 892 939 933 874 910 726 645 970 854 770 925 850 832 Source: PECC4, 2005 On the contrary, differences in evaporation levels can be observed from the spatial point of view. For example, Lac Son receives an average of 2 mm of rain annually with an annual evaporation level of 726 mm, while places with low rainfall (Yen Dinh receives an average of 1.2 mm of rain annually) show annual evaporation levels as high as 900 mm. Hydrology General Description The Ma River is 512 km long, 410 km of which is within Vietnam ’s borders (Duc, 2008a).From the river’s source to the proposed TSHPP, the river runs over 239 km with an average slope of 4.5%. The stream network density is 0.68 km/km 2 . The TSHPP was designed to create a reservoir confined entirely within Vietnam, approximately 13.1 km 2 in size with an average elevation of 160 meters above sea level (MASL). Page 67 67 | Pa g e The Ma River originates within the Pu Huoi Long mountain range of Lai Chau province. The Ma River’s catchments are located between two mountain ranges and have an average elevation of 760 MASL. The Ma River originates at an elevation of 2,179 MASL and over its length in Vietnam, it flowsnorthwest to southeast, crossing Son La, Sam Nua (Lao People’s Democratic Republic), Hoa Binh, and Thanh Hoa provinces. The river’s basin is 28,400 km 2 . Of this,10,800 km 2 or 38% of the basin is located within Laos. The Ma River merges with the Chu River and flows into the Pacific Ocean through the Sung, Lach Truong and Cua Hoi tributaries. Annual Flow Though the Ma River basin receives low annual levels of rainfall, it contributes approximately 41.2% to the catchment’s total volume. The annual flow (Table 0-9) to the dam site is 7.7 billion m 3 , which equals approximately 1,420 mm of rainfall. Table 0-9: Annual Flow to the TSHPP Dam Site on the Ma River Q p m 3 /s F (km 2 ) N(years) Qo,m 3 /s C v C s P=10% P=50% P=90% 13175 47 244 0.25 2C v 325 239 172 Source: PECC4, 2008a Hydrological data at the proposed TSHPP site were taken from a gauging station located 500 m downstream between August 2003 and December 2006 (Table 0-10). Prior to its confluence with the Chu River, the annual flow rate of the Ma River is approximately 284 m 3 /s. At the TSHPP site, the average annual flow arriving at the dam site is 200 m 3 /s. Page 68 68 | Pa g e Table 0-10: Variation of Average Module of Flow 1957-2006 Arriving at Various Sites on Ma River Next To Trung Son HPP Stations F (km 2 ) Q tb (m 3 /s) M (l/s/km 2 ) Xa La 6.430 117,9 18.34 Hoi Xuan 15.500 283.8 18.30 Cam Thuy 17.500 332.2 18.98 Trung Son 13.175 219.9 16.69 Source: Adapted from Chi and Garcia-Lozano, 2008 The Ma River’s discharge rate is 18.5 l/s/km 2 and has a flow level of 584 mm.Table 0-11 illustrates the historical mean annual flows for three of the Ma River’s stations.Low Cv rates reflect discharge differences at the same station. Table 0-11: Characteristics of Mean Annual Flow at Gauging Stations 1957 – 2003 1957 - 2006 Gauge Qtb (m3/s) Cv Cs Qtb (m3/s) Cv Cs Xa La 119.6 0.236 2Cv 117.8 0.240 2Cv Hoi Xuan 282 0.226 2Cv 283.8 0.224 2Cv Cam Thuy 330 0.224 2Cv 332.2 0.222 2Cv Source: Adapted from Chi and Garcia-Lozano, 2008 According to the report on Climate and Hydrographical Conditions prepared by PECC4, groundwater flow has a discharge rate of 4.38 l/s/km 2 and accounts for 26.7% of the total flow to the reservoir (PECC4, 2008a). Table 0-12: Flow distribution at C m Th y gauging station F J F M A M J J A S O N D A Q Source: PECC4, 2008a A monthly flow comparison between the Cam Thuy and the Trung Son hydrological (Figure 0-2 ) stations during a period of 39 months (October 2004-December 2007) is presented in Table 0-12. Page 69 69 | Pa g e Figure 0-2: Average Monthly Discharge in Cam Thuy and Trung Son Stations Flood Season The flood season varies across the Ma River basin. For the TSHPP site in particular, the flood season is from June to October. The TSHPP site’s average runoff rate is 34 l/s/km 2 , accounting for 74% of the total annual flow. Upstream, the largest flows occur during August. During this month, flow rates range between 47 to 52 l/s/km 2 and account for 20% of the total annual flow. Downstream, the highest flows occur during November and account for 24-25% of the total annual flow. Flood rates in this month range between 80 to 100 l/s/km 2 . In the Chu River, the largest flows occur in September with flow accounting for 19.6% of total annual flow (PECC4, 2008a). TheTSHPP site has a flood peak of 9,100 m3/s (P =1%), 12% higher than flood rates calculated within Cam Thuy station (Table 0-13). Table 0-13: Calculated Flood Peak (m 3 /s) at the TSHPP Dam Site   P% Calculated line F(km 2 ) 0.1 0.5 1 5 10 C m Thu Station 17,500 14,900 11,600 10,200 7,050 5,730 Trung Son dam site 13,175 13,400 10,400 9,100 6,200 5,000 Source: PECC4, 2005 Downstream terrain is less than 10% slope and the Ma River receives waters from the Chu and Buoi Rivers. The combined rivers increase the flood volume, inundating approximately 44,000 hectares (ha) in low lying areas every year. The remaining seven to eight months contribute to the remaining 25% of the total annual flow. The driest period is between February and April, which comprises 8% of the annual flow (yield Page 70 70 | Pa g e is approximately 6.291 l/(s/km 2 ). March tends to have the lowest flow rates, contributing only 2.4% of the total. Table 0-14: Distribution of Seasonal Flow Correspondent to Designed Flood Frequencies   Flood Season Jun/Oct Dry Season Nov/May Year Frequency (%) W (1,000,000 m 3 ) (%) W (1,000,000 m 3 ) W (1,000,000 m 3 ) P=10% 81.0 7,543 19.0 1,779 9,322 P=50% 71.1 5,238 28.9 2,130 7,368 P=90% 72.1 3,821 27.9 1,478 5,299 Source: PECC4,2008a Adapted from Chi and Garcia-Lozano, 2008 Flow distributions by seasons in specific years are illustrated in the Table 0-14 and Table 0-15, respectively. It could be concluded that water flow to the TSHPP reservoir is not abundant and unequally distributed across the seasons. Table 0-15: Distributions of Monthly Flows (m 3 /s) in TypicalSpecific Years   Year/ Month June July Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Year Large Q 1960-61, p=10% 226.6 567.8 1082.9 633.9 351.1 194.8 148.2 3.4 0.5 8.3 1.5 8.3 294.8 Average Q 1981-82, p=50% 291.2 307.4 594.9 515.7 287.3 195.1 136.1 103. 95.3 83.3 9.5 9.3 234.0 Small Q 1968-69, p=90% 168.3 164.9 487.1 361.3 200.6 133.5 90.1 70.6 56.1 48.5 64.6 71.4 159.7 Q = discharge Source: Modified from Hoa N.T., 2007 and PECC4, 2008a Sediment Transport Reservoir sediments have two main components: river bed and suspended particles. The river bed particles are estimated at about 20% of the suspended particles. The level of sediments in the TSHPP reservoir was calculated based on measurements taken at the Cam Thuy station. It was estimated that the reservoi r’s mean annual sediment was 1.3 million m 3 (Table 0-16). This would suggest that it would take more than a century to fill the reservoir’s storage area. However, due to the reservoir’s bottom irregularities, sediment deposition is uneven and the upper part of the reservoir would fill first. A sedimentation pattern is expected due to the length of the reservoir (approximately 38.5 km),. Coarser particles (sand) will deposit in areas near the tail of the river, while fine particles (silt and clay) would occupy the area near the dam site. Table 0-16: Estimated Sediment Accumulation at Trung Son Reservoir   Feature Value Page 71 71 | Pa g e A Average muddy level, (g/m 3 ) 222.00 B Suspended sediment volume, Ro (kg/s) 54.20 C Accumulated sediment ratio, E 0.75 D Weight of suspended sediment, ll (ton/m 3 ) 1.18 E Weight of river bed sediment, d (ton/m 3 ) 1.55 F Total accumulated volume of suspended sediment, Vll (m 3 /year) 1,084,047.00 G Total accumulated volume of river bed sediment, Vd (m 3 /year) 216,810.00 H Total annual accumulated sediment (1,000,000 m 3 /year) 1.30 I Total annual accumulated sediment in 100 years (1,000,000 m 3 ) 130.10 Source: Modified from PECC4, 2008a Water Quality Numerous surveys were performed to assess the quality of water resources at the TSHPP site. Chemical analysis confirmed low concentrations of dissolved substances, suitable for the RCC gravity dam, which was selected for the TSHPP. Water sampling results are summarized in Table 0-17. Page 72 72 | Pa g e Table 0-17: Water Quality Parameters Parameter Symbol Unit Upper Ma River Trung Son Stretch Pre - flood plain Flood Plain Mean Monthly Temperature T °C 23.2 23.2 23.2 pH pH pH 7.32 7.5 8.12 Dissolved Oxygen DO mg/mL 6.43 6.6 6.83 Biological Oxygen Demand BOD 5 mg/L 4.9 5.2 5.6 5.6 Total Dissolved Solids Sd mg/L 80 92 95 Alkalinity mg/L 2.13 2.25 Hardness mg/L 84.72 1.98 Bicarbonates mg/L 130 117 Phosphates mg/L 0.285 0.143 0.174 Sulphates mg/L 5.4 5.11 4.91 Nitrates mg/L 2.079 2.487 4.065 5.8 Nitrites mg/L 0.001 0.001 <0.001 Ammonia mg/L 0.678 0.823 0.925 Coliform bacteria MPN/mL 290 280 360 Source: PECC4, 2008a Based on water quality results (Table 0-18) and according to the Vietnamese standard TCVN 5942-1995, all measured parameters, with the exception of suspended solids, were below standard levels. Suspended solids were found to be eight times higher than Level A and twice Level B water levels. Suspended solid (140 mg/l) levels in conjunction with turbidity levels (140 to 196 mg/l) are associated with higher erosion levels during the rainy season. Biological oxygen demand (BOD 5 ) levels are higher than the TCVN5942-1995 Level A, which indicate there are low levels of organic matter contamination within the Ma River. All other monitored parameters were within acceptable ranges of Environmental Standard TCVN5942- 1995 Level B. Nutrient analysis results (nitrogen components and phosphorus compounds) yielded low concentrations (Thanh, 2007). Streams and rivers within the TSHPP area had phosphate (PO 4 -3 ) levels ranging between 0.73 to 1.22mg/l. The water was adequately saturated with oxygen and pH was slightly alkaline (8.1) downstream of the dam site at Co Luong. Conductivity values vary from 80 to 177 mg/l, which indicate relatively soft water. Page 73 73 | Pa g e Table 0-18: Water Quality of the Sampling Points at the Project Area   Sample Codes TCVN5942- 1995 Standards No Item Unit NTS1 NTS2 NTS3 NTS4 NTS5 NTS6 NTS7 NTS8 NTS9 A B 1 pH - 7.32 7.36 7.35 7.66 7.48 7.50 7.68 7.41 8.12 6.0- 8.5 5.5- 9.0 2 BOD5 mg/l 4.9 4.9 5.1 5.3 5.4 5.2 5.5 6.0 5.6 <4 <25 3 Colour (Pt-Co) 76.2 68.5 62.1 62.2 66.5 59.8 43.2 30.8 45.0 - - 4 Odour - None None None None None None None None None - - 5 Taste - None None None None None None None None None - - 6 COD mg/l 8 9 9 8 8 9 10 10 9 <10 <35 7 DO mg/l 6.43 6.51 6.59 6.79 6.73 6.60 6.51 6.44 6.83 <=2 <=6 8 SS mg/l 197 189 152 180 160 165 178 140 196 20 80 9 Fe 2+ mg/l 0.12 0.12 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.02 0.11 1 2 10 Fe 3+ mg/l 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.02 0.03 1 2 11 NH 3 mg/l 0.68 0.73 0.79 0.80 0.81 0.82 0.86 0.79 0.93 0.05 1 12 NO 3- mg/l 2.08 3.01 2.25 2.33 2.41 2.49 3.03 3.32 4.07 10 15 13 NO 2- mg/l <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 - - 14 PO 4 3- mg/l 0.29 0.29 0.13 0.13 0.14 0.14 0.15 0.74 0.17 - - 15 TDS mg/l 80 86 82 86 88 92 98 177 95 - - 16 Coliforms NMP/dl 290 290 230 240 250 280 300 320 360 5000 10000 *Note: TCVN5942-1995: Quality standard for surface water: Level A is applied to water sources which can be used for residential uses (but require to be treated as regulations). Level B is applied to surface water for other purposes. From upstream to downstream, the concentrations of phosphorus (0.126 – 0.738mg/l) and nitrogen (in the NH 3+ form; 0.68–0.93mg/l) were higher than the Standard TCVN 5942-1995 Level A. Higher nutrient content levels may contribute to eutrophication within the reservoir. However, phosphorus levels fluctuate with turbidity, indicating that phosphorus is being absorbed and precipitated. Ammonia levels were relatively high due to the amount of chemical fertilizers used within the catchment area, as well as livestock and human wastes frequently deposited into the river. Human error could have contributed to fluctuations in observed nutrient levels. In January 2005, BOD 5 levels were between 4 and 7mg/l. This is higher than Vietnam Standard TCVN 5942-1995 Level A. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) was approximately 10-17mg/l. Under the Aleskin 1970 classification, water within the reservoir bed was soft and had weak alkali reactions. The contents of some nutritive substances (nitrogen) and organic substances were higher than Vietnam Standard TCVN 5942-1995. Page 74 74 | Pa g e Aquifers Aquifers within the mountain region of the TSHPP are unconfined and are interconnected with the current drainage system. In the upper basin, springs are used frequently as a local water source and water wells are commonly used during the dry season. The majority of water wells are handmade, superficial and located near households. Geology and Soils Bedrock Geology The Ma River is underlain by Pre-Devonian and Lower Paleozoic formations. The area is characterized by ancient Proterozic sediments, which have formed a wide, gentle syncline, bordered by several faults and structural failures. The Thanh Hoa anticline was formed by the Dong Son Early Paleozic and Nam Co Proterozic formations. Generally, the faults within this area are ancient, but stable (PECC4, 2008a). Lithology The main strata and their subcomponents within the project area can be classified into the following groups: · Ma River ophiolite o Schists, scattered from Muong Lat to the Vietnam-Laos border · Ma River stratum o Biotite crystal schist, sericit crystal schist, argillite schist, charcoal slate, limestone, marble, and quartzite · Nam Pia stratum (D1np) o Quartzite, clotted clay, and charcoal clay slate · Ban Pap stratum (D2bp) o Clay limestone, slated lime schist, dolomite, and limestone · Suoi Be stratum (J3-k1sb) o Basalt and olivine There are three types of igneous rocks: Moung Lat ( Cml) which is comprised of bi-mica, light coloured granite, and pegmatite; Dien Bien ( P2- T1 b), found adjacent to the Vietnam -Laos border and comprised of hornblende dominates; and Nam Chien ( Knc) which includes gabbros diabases. In general, the geological composition of the river valley is stable with a low erosion tendency and good stability against slides. Any induced slides will likely be small and localized (PECC4, 2008a).   Page 75 75 | Pa g e Tectonics There are two major fault systems within the project area: Ma River and Son La. The Ma River fault is 390 km long with general direction tending NW-SE. The Son La fault line is approximately 360 km in length, with general direction tending NW-SE. It commences in Tuan Giao (Lai Chau province) and terminates in the vicinity of Nga Son (Thanh Hoa province). According to the Institute of Geology, the proposed TSHPP site is approximately 19 and 16 km away from the Ma River and Son La faults, respectively. Collectively, these two faults systems can potentially produce seismic tremors of up to 6.1 on the Richter scale with a cross acceleration towards the project site with a force of 0.2404 grams (g). This is equivalent to a level 8 earthquake on the MSK-64 scale. This cross acceleration corresponds to a 950-year cycle of 0.1947 g. No transcendent seismic movements have been recorded within the project site to date. \03 Quarries There are no mineral deposits of economic value within the project area. However, there are a number of exploitable quarries: \03 Quarry Number 1 .This quarry is located on the north bank of Ma River, 25 km downstream from the project site, within the Hyalo basalt formation. It is characterised by crystalline particles and solid structures with a limited number of nucleuses. The ground has a halophytic structure with a mineral composition of plagioclase and pyroxene. The cutting layer has a thickness between 4 and 6 m, covering an area of 200,000 m 2 . If exploited to a depth of 40 m, this would give approximately 8,000,000 m 3 of material reserve. \03 Quarry Number 2 . This quarry is located on the north side of Ma River, 8 km upstream from the project site. This quarry is within the Muong Lat granite complex. The cutting layer has a thickness between 2 and 3 m, covering an area of 200,000 m 2 . If exploited to a depth of 40 m, this quarry would also provide 8,000,000 m 3 of material reserve. Sand/Gravel Materials . In addition to the following sand/gravel mines, there is a soil mine adjacent to the Ma River, 10 km from the project site. It has an area of 1,600,000 m 2 with a reserve of about 4,000,000 m 3 , taking into account a scraped layer thickness of 0.5 m and a useful cutting deepness of 2.5 m. Additional quarries are summarized below: · Sand/gravel mine number 1 . Located in Thanh Xuan commune, approximately 45 km downstream of the project site. This mine has a sand module size of 2.22. The useful cutting layer is between 2.5 and 3.0 m, covering an area of 20,000 m 2 . This would provide a reserve of 50,000 m 3 , 18% of which would be gravel. · Sand/gravel mine number 2 . Located in the Hoi Xuan commune, approximately 1 km downstream from the Hoi Xuan Bridge (adjacent to provincial road 15A). The quarry has over 50,000 m 3 of reserve material. The sand module size is 2.16, which meets the basic requirements for concrete construction. Page 76 76 | Pa g e · Sand/gravel mine number 3 . This mine is located within the village of Quan Hoa, adjacent to the Na Sai Bridge and provincial road 15A, 65 km downstream from the TSHPP site. The sand module size is 2.44. The useful cutting layer has a thickness of 2.5 m, which would provide over 125,000 m 3 of reserve material. Hydrogeology The aquifers are generally unconfined with rapid drainage due to the area’s topographical conditions. Reservoir leakage will be restricted to the abutments and the dam foundation due to the absence of limestone formations in this area. The top of the riverbed is composed of sand and clay with pebbles to a depth of 3.6 m. There are layers of slate with granite underneath. In the riverbed, water pressure tests results illustrate the water loss for zone IIA is 16.7 lugeon, while in zone IIB it is <1 lugeon.   Soil According to the soil maps of Son La, Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa provinces there are three main soil categories based on altitude (Chi and Garcia-Lozano, 2008). Lowlands Soils .Ferralitic soils (or Ferrasols) are largely distributed within Vietnam’s lowland catchments. These soils are located under 900 m directly under of influence the monsoon climatic conditions and are highly weathered. Main soil components are caolinite and haloizit. Medium, Mountain Soils .Located between 900 and 1,800 m, there is a band of red-yellowish and greyish-yellow humus within the boundary of Thanh Hoa- Son La, Thanh Hoa- Hoa Binh provinces and the mountains along the Vietnam- Lao borders. These soils have been developed from clays, weathered rocks and granite. In areas where forest cover dominates, organic material content can reach 3.5-5.0%, and the structure is of medium clay. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) is less than 15 meq/100 g. Reddish-yellow and greyish-yellow humus has developed on weathered clays. These soils range from having medium to good organic content and fertility and they are usually localized to mountain summits. To maintain the soils high water storage capacity forests in this area should be protected. Page 77 77 | Pa g e High Mountain Soils . The Alit layer dominates the soils in Vietnam’s highest (1,800 – 2,800 m) mountain range. Under the influence of cool and humid weather, the area is foggy year-round. Soil layers are very thin and usually less than 0.60 m thick. In the soil profile, layer B is barely visible. The content of Al 2 O 3 is much higher than that of Fe 2 O 3 . A higher content of organic matter can be attributed to a thick layer (which can be 20-30 cm) of decomposed matter. The humus layer has a high content offulvic acid. On gentler slopes, the soil is saturated and very acidic (pH< 4.5). Though these soils are considered to have medium fertility, they are unevenly distributed within the area. Because of this, the forest industry is diversified to produce a number of high quality commodities, such as cinnamon and cinnamon essence, pressed boards, chopsticks, and wooden hand-made products. Table 0-19 refers the Vietnam soils classification in comparison to FAO-UNESCO. Table 0-19: Types of Soil in the Reservoir Area Vietnam Classification FAO-UNESCO classification I - Alluvium 1. Ma River Alluvium I- Fluvisols 1. Umbric Fluvisols II- Black soil 2. Black soil on weathered products of limestone II- Luvisols 2. Calcic Luvisols III- Eroded grey soil 3. Eroded grey soil on weathered products of axit magma III- Haplic Acrisols 3. Arenic Acrisols IV- Yellowish red soil (Feralit) 4. Brown and red soil on medium magma and base 5. Brown and red soil on limestone 6. Brown and red soil on clay and degenerated stones 7. Brown and red soil on granite. III- Ferralsols 4. Rhodic Ferralsols 5. Rhodic Ferrasols 6. Rhodi-Leptic Acrisols 7. Chromic- Leptic Acrisols V -Grayish yellow Humus (Feralit) 8. Mountainous Yellowish red humus and grayish yellow humus IV- Humic Acrisols 8. Humic Acrisols , · Humic Ferralsols VI – Mountainous Alit Humus 9. Mountainous Alit Humus V- Aplitic Humic Acrisols 9. Aplitic Humic Acrisols VII- Splitting soil 10. Splitting soil V- Mixed Gleysols 10. Mixed Gleysols Soil Erosion There are four main factors affecting soil erosion in the project area: · Soil type : In general, stable soils help reduce the amount of erosion caused by surface water and wind. Page 78 78 | Pa g e · Slope : Steeper slopes result in higher surface flow, which can cause erosion and landslides. · Rain : Floods are frequent during the rainy season, causing erosion and landslides, especially on steep slopes. · Land cover : Vegetation, such as natural and planted forests, can reduce the amount of soil erosion. The total potential erosion volume within the reservoir is approximately 1,108,250,451 tons/year. Potential erosion volume for the north bank and the south bank is approximately 561,087,027 tons/year and 547,163,424 tons/year, respectively. Rates would suggest that erosion forces are generally weak due to large areas of natural and re-planted forest cover. Currently, the total volume of eroded land in the entire reservoir basin is approximately 24,417,059 tons/year. Total volume of eroded land at the north bank is approximately 13,721,313 tons/year. Changes in erosion volume reflect the amount of forests cut within the Southern-West of Moc Chau district (Son La province) and West of Mai Chau district (Hoa Binh province). Total volume of current eroded land at the south bank is about 10,695,746 tons /year. This rate would suggest that the integrity of Quan Hoa and South-East Muong Lat districts have been maintained and replanted with cinnamon-trees and bamboo. \03 A comparison between the potential and current land erosion illustrates that the potential volume is 2.2 % of the current volumes which are in the basin. This percentage indicates that the forests within the basin are large enough that vegetation cover has an important role in protecting land and water resources. Terrestrial Ecology This section focuses on baseline information of flora, fauna and listed species in the project area and surrounding areas. Flora According to the survey carried out by Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources (IEBR) and Institute of Geography, National Centre for Science and Technology in February 1998 and again in January 2005, there are 1,873 species of plants that belong to 152 families in the TSHPP area. Additional vegetation surveys would be conducted if deemed necessary prior to construction. The species identified through extensive survey belongs to six plant divisions (Table 0-20) (PATB, 2008). Page 79 79 | Pa g e Table 0-20: Number of Plant Species Identified Plant Kingdom Families and Species Psilotophyta 1 family, 1 species Lycopodiophyta 2 families, 9 species Equisetophyta 1 family, 2 species Polipodiophyta 15 families, 153 species Pinophyta 7 families, 16 species Magnophyta 126 families, 1692 species Total 152 families, 1873 species Source: PATB, 2008 Survey results indicate that out of 152 families, 10 have a minimum of 30 or more species compared to the rest of the families within the project area: The families and the number of species observed in the project area are as follows: · Euphorbiaceae : 127 species · Fabaceae : 112 species · Lauraceae : 83 species · Rubiaceae : 67 species · Moraceae : 60 species · Poaceae : 59 species · Orchidaceae : 49 species · Fagaceae : 46 species · Scrophulaceae : 33 species Botanical Resources: The number of species observed (1,873) within the project area are classified based on their economic and commercial importance (PATB, 2008). Numerous plants species provide: wood (319 species), medicine (592 species), food (239 species), resin, fat and oil (44 species), essential and scent oil (15 species), fibre (25 species), tanning and dyeing material (25 species), and food for cattle (34 species). The remaining species of plants (i.e. 580 species) have no economic value and they are not listed in this section.This list indicates that the TSHPP area contains a high percentage of flowering plants that are of medicinal value. Examples of these species include families of Polypodiaceae, Araliaceae, Aristolochiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Loranthaceae, Menispermaceae, Myrsinaceae, Sargentodoxaceae, Simaroubaceae, Symplocaceae, Thymeleaceae, and Araceae. Some species have creeping characteristics or specialized organs such as twining stems, hooks or tendrils, which are used for attaching themselves to objects. Examples of these families include: · Creepers with wooden stem: Celastraceae, Annonaceae (custard apple), Vitaceae (grapes), Gnetaceae , Apocynaceae (species fragnant cynanthe ), Myrsinaceae. Page 80 80 | Pa g e · Creepers with grass stem: Berberidacea (genus goldthread), Menispermaceae , Stemonaceae (species Stemone tuberosa) , Convolvulaceae (sweet potato), Cucurbitaceous (calabash). Vegetation Cover: An abundant amount of vegetation exists throughout Vietnam, except where the landscape has been denuded. Vegetation cover within the TSHPP area contains mixed stands, which include broad leaf trees, bamboo, pines and grasses: A) Forests with broad leaf trees: Vegetation cover consists of bush, grass and wood species. Broad leaf trees range in height from 15-20 m and 20-25 mm in diameter. The most popular species are: Alphonsea sp., Polyalthia sp. (Annonaceae), Alnus nepalensis, Betula alnoides (Betulaceae), Hopea sp . (Diptercarpaceae), and Ficus sp . (Moraceae). B) Forest with broad leaf trees generated from weathered rocks (limestone): This type of forest has high commercial and economic value. The vegetation cover consists of bush, grass and wood species. Some of the species include: Hopea chinensis, Vatica chevalieri, Parashorea chinensis (Dipterocarpaceae), Nageia fleuryi, Podocarpus pilgeri (Podocarpaceae), and Mitrephora calearea (Annonaceae). C) Forest with hybrid trees – broad leaf trees and bamboo: Dominant species include Arundiari sp., Bambusa sp., and Dendrocalamus sp. Popular broad leaf trees species include Alphonsea sp. ( Annonaceae ), Elaeocarpus sp. ( Elaeocarpaceae ), Macaranga sp. (Euphorbiacea e), Dillenia sp. (Dilleniaceae), and Michelia sp. ( Magnoliaceae ) . D) Bamboo forest: The most common and popular trees belong to Bambusa and Dendrocalamus species. E) Forest with coniferous trees and broad leaf trees: This type of forest cover is located at an elevation of 900 MASL. Vegetation cover includes broad leaf trees, bamboo, pines and grasses. The broad leaf trees are taller, ranging from 15-20 m in height and 20-25 m in diameter. The most popular species include: Cephalotaxus sp. (Cephalotaxaceae), Cycas sp. (Cycadaceae), Pinus sp. (Pinaceae), Dacrycarpus imbricatus, Nageia fleuryi (Podocarpaceae), Acer sp. (Aceraceae), Castanopsis sp., Lithocarpus sp., and Quercus sp. (Fagaceae). The bush cover includes herbs and small trees from the Rubiaceae and Magnoliaceae families, whereas the grass cover includes the families of Ericaceae, Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Aralliaceae, and Araceae. Page 81 81 | Pa g e F) Shrubby vegetation: This category consists of shrubs ranging from 5-6 cm in height. Some of the species include: Desmos chinensis, Desmos cochinchinensis, Fissistigma sp. (Annonaceae), Ilex sp. (Aquifoliaceae), Acalypha sp., Alchornea sp., Mallotus sp., Antidesma sp., and Bridelia sp. (Euphorbiaceae), Rhamnus sp. (Rhamnaceae), Rubus sp. (Rosaceae), Randia sp. (Rubiaceae ), Helicteres sp. (Sterculiacea e), and Callicarpa sp. (Verb enaceae) . G) Grassy vegetation : Grass species belong to three families: Poacea, Asteracea and Cyperaceae . Plants of Economic Importance: A) Planted trees: The TSHPP area has a limited number of planted trees. Bamboo species account for a large area in comparisonto other species. In particular, Dendrocalamus membranaceae is planted extensively because of their economic importance to local villagers. B) Fruit crops: These include pineapple, orange, grapefruit, longan, and lithchi. C) Annual crops: Rice and corn are the main annual crops in the project area. Fauna Survey results indicate abundant fauna in the project area. The initial surveys not only illustrate their abundance, but also indicate that the TSHPP area provides habitats for a large number of animals. Table 0-21 presents a list of species observed during a completed faunal survey (PATB, 2008). Table 0-21: Species Observed during Survey in the Project Area   Class Lineage* Family Species Mammals (Mammalia) 8 22 65 Birds (Aves) 15 41 169 Reptiles (Reptilia) 2 13 25 Amphibians (Amphibia) 1 4 12 Total 26 80 271 * - Single evolving species Source: PATB, 2008 Diversity Page 82 82 | Pa g e Vietnam is known world-wide for having a rich biodiversity. The tropical and subtropical forests in the project area are rich in species diversity. Clouded Leopard ( Pardofelis nebulosa) and Grey Langur ( Trachypithecus crepusculus ) are just two of the common wildlife species observed in the project area . Common species observed in the bamboo forest are Asian black bear ( Ursus thibetanus), Chinese Pangolin ( Manis pentadactyla ) and Serow ( Naemorrhedus umatraensis ) (PATB, 2008). Listed Species Rare and Precious Species – Flora and Fauna The natural forest in the TSHPP area has been significantly exploited for domestic and commercial activities. During past baseline surveys, PECC4 has identified some of the rare and precious species which are listed in the Vietnam’s Red Data Book. Species in Vietnam are classified as “Rare and Precious” because of their rate of decline, population size, area of geographic distribution, degree of population and distribution fragmentation. A complete list of rare and precious flora is presented in PECC4 (2008a). Baseline surveys illustrate the presence of rare and precious animal species whichare listed in the Vietnam’s Red Data Book. For a complete list of rare and precious fauna, refer to PATB (2008). Aquatic Ecology River Description and Aquatic Habitat Ma River’s attributes were analyzed based on the river’s three main sections: upper, middle and lower catchments (Map 0-1). Their attributes are summarized in Table 0-22. The estuary and delta represent the final segment of the Ma River prior to merging with the Pacific Ocean. This area is influenced daily by tidal and seashore currents, which distribute sediments forming sand and mud bars at the river’s mouth. This area also represents the physiochemical and biological transition from fresh to brackish water, which promotes the precipitation of mud and colloids. Mangrove forests and swamps are the dominant vegetation cover in this area. This ecosystem is the main hatchery for crustaceans (shrimps and crabs) and other important economic marine species. Page 83 83 | Pa g e Map 0-1: Sampling Sites and Catchment Areas in the Ma River Basin Page 84 84 | Pa g e Table 0-22: Attributes of the Ma River Characteristic Upper Catchment Middle Catchment Lower Catchment Morphology Small waterfalls and rapids Few waterfalls and rapids - Bed width (m) 120-150 300-500 600-800 Depth (m) 2-4 5-6 (dry season); 9- 13 (rainy season) 6-7 (dry season); 10-15 (rainy season) Bed material Stone and gravel bed Small gravels, sands, fine silt and mud Mud and organics River Characteristics Tidal influence No No 33 km upstream (dry season) and 21 km upstream (rainy season) Position in water column Bottom dwellers dominate (84%) Mid-water and bottom dwellers dominate (92%) Bottom dwellers dominate (85%) Lateral position Majority are river edge species (66%) Majority are river edge species (73%) Majority are river edge species (61%) Substrate preference Majority prefer rocky bottoms (61%) Majority prefers rocky bottoms (52%) Majority prefers muddy bottoms (35%) Fish Characteristics Location Majority of species use tributary confluences, rapids and pools (60%) Majority of species use tributary confluences, rapids and pools (66%) Majority of species use tributary confluences, rapids and pools (75%) Page 85 85 | Pa g e Seasonal exploitation of juveniles During rainy season (18%) During rainy season (23%) During rainy season (45%) Page 86 86 | Pa g e Aquatic Biodiversity Vietnam has an extensive diversity of aquatic species (see Duc (2008b) Final Report – Survey Results and Analysis Data of Fish Biodiversity and Fisheries) . In the vicinity of the proposed TSHPP, 198 fish species of 141 genera, 57 families and 13 orders have been identified. This represents 19% of the total number of fish species within the country. Ninety-six percent of these species are of local origin and the remaining four percent are classified as exotics. In total, there were 95 freshwater (48%) and 103 brackish (52%) water species. The Ma River generally has lower biodiversity level when compared to other rivers in Vietnam primarily due to its heavy flooding. There is a mixture of upstream and downstream species that congregate in the middle of the Ma River basin. The lack of physical barriers allows the migration of some fish into the breeding and spawning grounds of other fish species (Duc, 2008a). According to historic aquatic surveys, some species (for example, Barramundi ( Lates calcarifer)) migrate upstream up to 100 km from the river mouth, as far as Ba Thuoc District; however, none of these brackish species have been found at the Trung Son dam site or further upstream (Duc, 2008a). Bottom dwelling fish are common throughout the upper, middle and lower catchments of the Ma River. In the lower catchment, most fish species prefer mud beds, while in the upper and middle catchments, fish species prefer stony bottoms. Listed Aquatic Fauna Species Nine of 198 fish species are listed in the Vietnam Red Data Book.One of these species, Bostrichthys sinensis is critically “endangered”; Lupanodon thrissa is classified as “endangered” and seven other species have been classified as “vulnerable” ( Konosirus punctatus, Tor brevifilis, Sinilabeo lemassoni, Elopichthys bambusa, Bagarius rutilus, Hemibagrus guttatus and Anguilla marmorata ). All nine species are likely to be influenced by the construction of the TSHPP; however, none of these species are endemic to the project area. Upstream, four vulnerable species ( Elopichhthys bambusa, Sinilabeo lemassoni, Hemibagrus guttatus, and Bagarius rutilus) have been identified. None of the species recorded in Vietnam Red Book appear in the Red List of World Conservation Union / International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) 2006 as they are widely distributed in the rivers of North and Northern Central Vietnam. Other Aquatic Fauna Phytoplankton: A total of 56 species of phytoplankton have been identified within the Ma River catchments. Phytoplankton quantities vary between ecosystems.The lowest species densities Page 87 87 | Pa g e inhabit running water ecosystems (rivers, creeks), while the highest densities are common to more balanced ecosystems (ponds, lakes). In streams, phytoplankton densities (Table 0-23) range from 2,657 cells/l to 18,593 cells/l, with an average of 9,375 cells/l. In rivers, species densities range from 24,944 cells/l to 77,097 cells/l, with an average of 49,093 cells/l. In ponds, phytoplankton densities vary from 15,873 cells/l to 106.577 cells/l. High densities of floating plants in ponds and streams form brown silica algae (69% and 50%, respectively) and blue and green algae (16 and 36%, respectively). Table 0-23: Density of Phytoplankton at Collection Stations Density of Algae (tb/l) Collecting stations Total Bacillariophyta Cyanophyta Chlorophyta Euglenophyta Streams Phú Thanh Stream (N m Quang) 9 750 6 349 1 814 1 587 0 Thành Yên Stream- Thành S n 18 593 14 512 1 814 2 267 0 Nam Quang Stream Trung S n 2 675 2 222 0 453 0 M ng lý Stream 3 650 1 908 1 834 908 0 PoKong Stream M ng Lát 11 207 7 126 2 267 1 814 0 Average 9 375 6 423 (69%) 1 546 (16%) 1 406 (15%) 0 Rivers Mã river- Phú Thanh 65 760 18 141 43 084 4 535 0 Mã river Thành S n 28 570 6 349 9 070 13 151 0 Mã river- Trung lý 24 944 2 268 18 141 4 535 0 Mã river- Th tr n M ng lát 77 097 11 338 24 943 40 816 0 Average 49 093 9 524 (19%) 23 810 (49%) 15 759 (32%) 0 Ponds Phú Thanh pond 20 181 10 884 3 628 5 442 227 Chi ng village - Trung Thành pond 15 873 15 646 0 0 227 X c village - Trung S n pond 86 168 36 282 29 478 20 408 0 M ng Lý pond 106 577 49 887 49 887 6 803 0 Average 57 087 28 175 (50%) 20 748 (36%) 8 165 (14%) 0 Page 88 88 | Pa g e Zooplankton. Thirty-two planktonic species were identified including copepods (Order Copepoda), cladocerans (Order Cladocera), rotifers (Order Rotatoria), ostracoda (Class Crustacea) and insects (Order Insecta). Of these, cladocerans were the most abundant while ostracoda crustaceans and insect larvae were the least common. Planktoninc densities are low, ranging from 14 to 16 individuals/m 3 . The density of zooplankton in all three water body types (river, streams, ponds and lakes) was dominated by Copepoda (60%) (Adapted from Duc, 2008b). Benthos : Ten benthonic species, including snails (Class Gastropoda), oyster (Class Bivalvia), shrimp and crab (Class Crustacea) were identified within the project area. Snails were the most common benthonic animal, with seven different species being identified. Sixteen different aquatic insects frequent mountain river areas. These species include mayfly ( Ephemeroptera) , stonefly ( Plecoptera), rainfly ( Tricoptera ), dragon flyers ( Odonata ), Hemipter a and Diptera . Ephemeroptera and dragonflies ( Odonata ) comprise the largest number of species and congregate in streams. Most species live in clean water flows. There are no phytoplankton, zooplankton or benthos species from the study area that were identified in the Red Data Book of Vietnam (2000) or the Red List of IUCN (Adapted from Duc, 2008b). Reproduction and Migration Fish species migration and reproduction rates vary among three catchments of the Ma River (Table 0-24). Table 0-24: Migration and Breeding Patterns in the Ma River Catchments Catchment Species Migrating (%) Species Breeding (%) Villages Adjacent to Spawning Grounds Upper 10 53 Paxay (Uon) * Middle 17 53 Vinh Ninh (Ving Loc), Ban Cong (Ba Thuoc) and Bai Gian (Cam Thuy) * Lower 13 32 Thua Hop (Thieu Hoa) ** * - Critical grounds for Cyprinus carpio ** - Critical grounds for Cyprinus carpio and Silurus asotus There is a conspicuous migration of brackish fish species into the upper catchments of the Ma River. Out of the 60 species which migrate upstream, only 44 reach the lower catchment, which is 30 km from the river’s mouth. Twelve species reach the middle catchment, which is well over 30 km from the river’s mouth and the remaining species migrate up to 100 km upstream. Aquaculture Production Aquatic surveys were conducted in 19 villages of 10 districts of Thanh Hoa province and one district in Son La province. A full list of fish species identified is available in Duc (2008b) Final Page 89 89 | Pa g e Report – Survey Results and Analysis Data of Fish Biodiversity and Fisheries . Poor aquatic resources indicate that some species are declining and survey reports represent only 80% of the original number of species which were documented over 10 years ago. Seven species which had historically large catches are currently observed in lower numbers; one common species appears now to be extinct. Representatives of 927 households were interviewed based on their aquaculture activities. Three hundred of interviewees considered themselves fishermen, while the remaining 627 designated themselves as farmers (Duc, 2008a). Fishermen use a variety of equipment, including the increasingly popular monofilament nylon gill nets. Boats are used to capture fish in the lower (67%), middle (45%) and upper (19%) catchments. In each of these catchments, 92% of fish caught are used for human consumption. There are several economic fish species within the TSHPP area. Among these, only four species (Common carp ( Cyprinus carpio ) , Korean sharpbelly ( Hemiculter leucisculus ) , Catfish ( Cranoglanis sinensis ) and Tire track eel ( Mastacembelus armatus ) currently inhabit the project area; 12 species are confined to the upper catchment; 17 species inhabit primarily the middle catchment; and 29 species occupy the lower catchment (Duc 2008a). Aquaculture productivity frequently fluctuates throughout Thanh Hoa province (Figure 0-3) and has gradually increased from 2001 to 2006. Despite this increase, 96% of fish productivity is from the sea, while only 4% is attributed to the Ma River itself. Collectively, the number of fish cages used is small, with middle catchment areas using more cages than upper catchment areas. Aquatic resources are currently under the pressures of exploitation, pollution and habitat destruction. It is anticipated that biodiversity levels of freshwater, estuarine and coastal marine species will continue to decline. Nutrient levels are likely to continue to increase in downstream areas due to pollution, which will continue the promotion of eutrophic conditions. Page 90 90 | Pa g e Figure 0-3: Aquatic Production in Thanh Hoa Province The total fishing output for the 927 households is approximately 262.5 tons/year. This averages to 0.28 tons/year/household. Aquatic production has increased in recent years (Table 0-25) and based on household interviews, it is apparent that total fish output and average fish output varies depending on the Ma River catchment section. The lower catchment has the highest output (117.5 tons/year), followed by the upper (86.5 tons/year) and finally the middle (58.5tons/year) catchment. Table 0-25: Aquatic Production in Thanh Hoa Province in Tons Production Type 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 River Fishery 438.9 454.9 458.9 595.5 650.5 619.6 Aquaculture 1,501.4 1,793.5 1,992.7 1,945.3 2,231.1 2,278.7 Sea Fishery 8,451.9 9,283.2 9,307.4 10,091.4 10,823.6 12,029.9 Source: Adapted from Duc, 2008a Protein from fish plays an important role for local people and represents 50 to 59% of total daily protein consumed. The rate of protein consumption varies depending on catchment location. Since the lower catchment enjoys the highest productivity, it also enjoys the highest rates of protein consumption. Regardless of the level of productivity, the highest percentage of protein is obtained from sea fish species which dominates the lower catchments and natural fish populations in the upper catchment. Page 91 91 | Pa g e The average number of fishing days per person in the project area is 171 days per year. In the upper catchment, it is 110 days, while in the middle and lower catchments it is 203 and 202 days, respectively. A number of factors are affecting fish production and subsequently fishermen income. They include the following: · Destruction of riparian forests o Overhanging trees, contributing to shadow and nutritious litter · Exploitation of sand and gravel for construction o Increased turbidity changes the flow of the riverbed structure o Some fish species ( Acrossocheilus krempfi, Sinilabeo lemassoni, Pseuduhemiculter dispar, Osteochilus salsburyi, Liza carinata, Pisoodonophis boro, Liza seheli, and Lates calcarifer ) that historically had high populations are currently declining · Water pollution produced by fumigation and waste waters from sugar, tapioca and chopstick factories. Protected Areas and Biodiversity In 1992, the World Conservation Monitoring Centre ranked Vietnam as one of the 16 most biologically diverse countries in the world. Its biodiversity is characterized by species diversity – 295 species of mammals (Can et al., 2008), 828 species of birds (Quy and Cu, 1995), 296 species of reptiles, 162 species of amphibians (Sang et al., 2005), and more than 700 species of fresh water fish and 15,000 species of fauna have been identified (Thin, 2005). New species are discovered every year. Forests in Vietnam have a diverse and abundance of endemic flora and fauna, consisting of 100 species and subspecies of birds (Quy and Cu, 1995), 88 species and subspecies of mammals (Can et.al., 2008) and about 20% of plant species (Thin, 2005). The TSHPP is located in the transition zone between Greater Annamites Eco-region and Northern Highlands. The Greater Annamites Eco-region is one of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)’s global 200 ecoregions, characterized by world’s most outstanding biodiversity values and hotspot for biodiversity conservation (Baltzer et al. 2001; Tordoff et al. 2003). Northern Highlands also contain biodiversity centers with a large number of species of high conservation significance (BAP, 1994). The importance of ecoregions in relation to the protected areas will be discussed in detail in the later part of this section. Page 92 92 | Pa g e There are three Natural Reserves (NR) located in the TSHPP area: Pu Hu natural reserve (Thanh Hoa Province), Xuan Nha natural reserve (Son La Province) and Hang Kia – Pa Co natural reserve (Hoa Binh Province). Map 0-2 shows the location of the three NR in the TSHPP area. All of the natural reserves are characterized by tropical and sub-tropical evergreen forests with high biodiversity values (PECC4, 2008a). Page 93 93 | Pa g e Map 0-2: Location of Natural Reserves in the Trung Son Hydropower Plant Basin Preliminary studies have identified nine types of vegetation cover in the NR. There are 936 species of vascular plants, 79 species of mammals, 258 species of birds, 30 species of amphibians. According to the National and International Conservation Significance, a total of 216 species are considered species at risk (complete list of species available in PATB, 2008); 41 species of plants and 33 species of animals are considered as internationally endangered; 93 species of plants and fivespecies of animals identified in the NR are endemic to Vietnam (PATB, 2008). Characteristic features of the three NR are presented inMap 0-3: Xuan Nha Natural Reserve Page 94 94 | Pa g e Table 0-26. Pu Hu natural reserve is the largest natural reserve in the TSHPP area, whereas Xuan Nha natural reserve has the largest area of buffer zone. The IUCN have designated the three NRas “wilderness areas”. Xuan Nha Natural Reserve Xuan Nha natural reserve lies in the Moc Chau district in the south-west of Son La province. To the south and east, the natural reserve is bordered by Hoa Bin and Tanh Hoa provinces. To the west, it is bordered by Laos (Map 0-3). The natural reserve is located adjacent to the five communities of Son La province - Xuan Nha, Chieng Xuan, Tan Xuan, Long Sap and Chieng Son (Map 0-3). The total area of Xuan Nha natural reserve is 27,084.5 ha. In December, 2007 the natural reserve boundary was revised to exclude areas that were affected by human settlements and agriculture activities. As a result of re-zoning, the area of the natural reserve was reduced to 16,316.8 ha (Decision 2955/UB-QDUB of Son La Provincial People Committee, dated 17 December 2007). Map 0-3: Xuan Nha Natural Reserve Page 95 95 | Pa g e Table 0-26: Characteristic Features of Three Natural Reserves in TSHPP Basin Data Xuan Nha Pu Hu Hang Kia-Pa Co Location Moc Chau District, Son La Province Quan Hoa and Muong Lat Districts, Thanh Hoa Province Mai Chau District, Hoa Binh Province Coordinates N20 0 34’45”-20 0 54’54” E 104 0 28’42” -104 0 50’26” N 20 o 0’00”-20 o 22’30” E 104 o 40’00”- 105 o 05’00” N20 0 40’30’’- 20 0 45’30” E 105 0 51’ 20’’- 105 0 00’35’’ Year of establishment 1986 1999 1986 Year of Management Board establishment 2002 1999 2000 Ownership agency Management Board of Xuan Nha Natural Reserve Management Board of Pu Hu Natural Reserve Management Board Hang Kia - Pa Co Natural Reserve Management Authority FPD of Son La Province FPD of Thanh Hoa Province FPD of Hoa Binh Province IUCN category Category Ib (Wilderness Area) Category Ib (Wilderness Area) Category Ib (Wilderness Area) Area (in hectares (ha)) (core zone) 16,316.8 ha 23,149.45 ha 7,091ha Area of buffer zone 87,336 ha. 27,306 ha 8,135 ha Objectives · Conservation of Tropical and Sub- tropical forest ecosystems of Northwest Vietnam · Conservation of precious and endangered species · 3) Protection of Watershed area of Ma and Da rivers; environmental protection, and supporting socio- economic development of local communities · Conservation of typical forests and biodiversity of North Central Vietnam · Conservation of precious and endangered species · Protection of watershed areas of Ma and Luong Rivers; environment protection and socio- economic development of local communities · Conservation of limestone forest ecosystems of Northwest Vietnam · Conservation of precious and endangered species · Protection of natural environment and Supporting socio- economic development of local communities Source: Protected Areas and Terrestrial Biodiversity (PATB), 2008 Page 96 96 | Pa g e The natural reserve is divided into 2 functional zones: Strict Protection Zone (10,173.3 ha) and Ecological Restoration Zone (6,143.5 ha). The management board of the natural reserve is located in the Chieng Son commune. The buffer zone of the natural reserve includes eight communes: Xuan Nha, Tan Xuan, Long Sap and Chieng Sonof Son La Province; Tam Chung, Muong Ly, Trung Ly and Trung Son of Thanh Hoa Province and Hang Kia of Hoa Binh Province. The total area of the buffer zone is approximately 87,336 ha. According to Protected Areas and Terrestrial Biodiversity Report, the buffer zone is not included in the actual area of the natural reserve, which is usually referred as “core zone” (PATB, 2008). The highest point in the natural reserve, Mount Pha Luong (at an elevation of 1.970 MASL), lies on the mountain ridge which forms the international border with Laos. The elevation in the natural reserve ranges from 260 to 1,970 MASL. The topography of the nature reserve is composed of three limestone mountain ranges which run eastward across the Xuan Nha natural reserve from the Laotian border. There are two streams, Con and Quanh, which meet at the southeast foothills of the natural reserve before joining the Ma River at the TSHPP dam site. However, when the reservoir’s water level rises to 160 m (MASL), some part of Quanh and Con stream habitats are expected to be submerged (PATB, 200). The distance from the natural reserve to the dam site is approximately four km. The confluence of Quanh stream with Ma River is about two to three km upstream from the dam site; therefore, Quanh stream will be a part of TSHPP reservoir. Biodiversity of Xuan Nha Natural Reserve Vegetation Cover: Three types of forests have been identified in the Xuan Nha natural reserve: tropical evergreen forest, sub-tropical forest, and mixed sub-tropical evergreen forest. The primary forest occupies about 45% of the natural reserve and the remaining area consists of secondary forests, which are regenerated from successive logging and shifting cultivation, scrublands and grasslands (PATB, 2008). A) Tropical Evergreen Forest: Tropical evergreen forests occupy 15 % of the total forest area in the natural reserve. The total volume of timber is approximately 300-400 m 3 /ha. Tree storey is dominated by following species: Dipterocarpus tonkinensis, Parashorea chinensis, Vatica fleuryana, Aglaia gigantea, Castanopss sp., and Pometia pinnata . Merchantable timber includes species of Markhamia stipulata, Madhuca pasquieri, Vatica fleuryana, and Chukrasia tabularis . In the Limestone Mountains, the forest cover is dominated by following species: Burretiodendron tonkinensis, Garcinia fagracoides, and Dracontomelum duprreanum . (Photo 0-1) (PATB, 2008). Page 97 97 | Pa g e Photo 0-1: Tropical Evergreen Forest in the Xuan Nha Natural Reserve B ) Sub-tropical Evergreen Forest: Sub-tropical evergreen forest occupies about 30% of the total forest cover in the natural reserve, mainly in the strict protection zone, at 700 MASL. The total volume of timber is approximately 250-300 m 3 /ha. Some of the dominant species are Castnopsis indica, Michelia balansae, Michelia mediocris , and Camelia and Machilus species. Coniferous species include: Keteleeria evelyniana, Dacrydium elatum , Cunninghamia knonishii , Nageia fleuryii and Podocarpus pilgeri . In the Limestone Mountains, the forest cover is characterized by the presence of following species: Burretiodendron tonkinensis, Garcinia fagracoides, Dracontomelum duprreanum, Pomertia pinata, and Annamocarya sinensis (PATB, 2008). C) Mixed Sub-tropical Evergreen Forest: Mixed sub-tropical evergreen forest is characterized by the presence of broad-leaf and coniferous trees. Examples of these include: Lithocarpus sp., Bur oak (Fabaceae ), Machillus sp., Phoebe sp. ( Lauracea e), Ficus and Streblus sp. ( Moraceae ), Michelia sp., Magnolia sp. ( Magnoliaceae ), Engelhartia sp. ( Juglandaceae ), Hydnocarpus sp. ( Flacourtiaceae ), and Diospyros sp. (Ebenaceae ). Examples of coniferous species include Keteleeria evelyniana, Dacrydium elatum , Cunninghamia knonishii , and Nageia fleuryii (PATB, 2008). D) Secondary Forest Regenerated After Logging: Secondary forestsoccupyapproximately10% of the total forest cover in the natural reserve. These forests are distributed at an elevation within 800-900 MASL. The total volume of timber is between 50-80 m 3 /ha. The species observed at lower elevations include: Saraca dives , Ormosia sp ., Castacopsissp sp. , and Gironniera subaequalis . Some of the species observed at higher elevations are Castacopsis sp., Castnopsis indica, Ormosia sp ., Schima wallichi , Camelia sp ., Machilus and Phebe sp. (Lauraceae) . Examples of species observed in the Limestone Mountains are Tacxotrophis macrophylla , Streblus macrophyllus , and Garcinia obolongifolia (PATB, 2008). Page 98 98 | Pa g e E) Secondary Forest Regenerated in Abandoned Areas: Regenerated forests in abandoned areas constitute approximately 25 % of the total forest cover. The volume of timber is in the range of 50 m 3 /ha. Examples of regenerated species are: Trema angustifolia , Macranga denticulata , Styax tonkinensis , Mallotus paniculatus , Castanopsis sp. , and Engelhardtia roburghiana. F) Scrubland and Grassland Scrublands and grasslands are generally found at lower elevations. Some of the dominant scrubland species include: Cratoxylon polyanthum, Cratoxy lon prunìlirium , Aporosa sphaerosperma, Aporosa serrata , Phyllanthus emblica , and Phyllanthus reticulatus. Examples of grasslands include: Saccharum spontaneum , Thysanolaena maxima , Miscanthus japonica , and Imperata cylindrica . Flora Preliminary field investigations from FDP Son La (2003) and IEBR (2006) indicate that there are 851 species of plants belonging to 458 genera, 144 families and sixphyla. A complete list of all the species recorded in the natural reserve is presented in Duc (2008b). Taxonomic diversification is presented in the table below (Table 0-27) Table 0-27: Diversity of Flora in the Xuan Nha Natural Reserve Phylum Species Family Genera Psilotophyta 1 1 1 Lycopodiophyta 8 2 3 Equisetophyta 2 1 1 Polypodiophyta 45 17 27 Pinophyta 18 6 11 Magnoliophyta 777 117 415 Total: 851 144 458 Source: Protected Areas and Terrestrial Biodiversity (PATB), 2008 Field investigations illustrate the presence of threatened species within the natural reserve. Table 0-28 indicates the number of species identified as “threatened” under Vietnam Red Data Book and IUCN Red List. When discussing the IUCN Red List, the official term “threatened” is a grouping of three categories: “Critically endangered”, “endangered”, and “vulnerable” (IUCN, 2006). The inclusion of these species in the Red List is based on the rate of decline; population size; area of geographic distribution; degree of population; and distribution fragmentation. The threatened species in the IUCN Red List and Vietnam Red Data Book are classified as follows: · Extinct (EX) - No individuals remaining. Page 99 99 | Pa g e · Extinct in the Wild (EW) - Known only to survive in captivity, or as a naturalized population outside its historic range. · Critically Endangered (CR) - Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. · Endangered (EN) - Very high risk of extinction in the wild. · Vulnerable (VU) - High risk of extinction in the wild. · Near Threatened (NT) - Likely to become endangered in the near future. · Least Concern (LC) - Lowest risk. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category. · Data Deficient (DD) - Not enough data to make an assessment of its risk of extinction. · Not Evaluated (NE) - Has not been evaluated against the criteria. Table 0-28: Threatened Plant Species in Xuan Nha Natural Reserve Threatened Category Vietnam Red Data Book IUCN Red List Threatened Species (Global& National) Critically Endangered(CR) - 4 Endangered (EN) 8 4 Vulnerable (VU) 25 10 Near threatened (NT) - 2 Low Risk (LR) - 12 Data deficient (DD) - 3 Total: 33 35 Hopea chinensis; Hopea mollissimia; Podocarpus pilgeri, Vatica diospyroides, Amentotaxus yunnanensis, Burretiodendron tonkinensis, Cinnamomum balansae, Parashorea chinensis, Acanthopanax trifoliatus, Calocedrus macrolepis, Drynaria fortunei, Fokienia hodginsii, Madhuca pasquieri, Pauldopia ghorta, and Sindora tonkinensis. Source: Protected Areas and Terrestrial Biodiversity (PATB), 2008 Listing of taxa in this category indicates that more information is required and acknowledges the possibility that future research will indicate that threatened classification is required. Fauna Preliminary faunal investigations from Sang and La (2003) and IEBR (2006) indicate that there are 283 species of vertebrates, including 69 species of mammals, 147 species of birds, 44 species of reptiles, and 23 species of amphibians in the Xuan Nha NR area. A complete list of all the species observed in the Xhan Nha natural reserve is presented in PATB (2008b). Table 0-29 provides a list of the number of species recorded in the Xuan Nha natural reserve. Table 0-29: Diversity of Fauna in the Xuan Nha Natural Reserve Class Species Family Order Mammals 69 25 9 Birds 147 39 14 Reptiles 44 16 2 Amphibians 23 5 1 Page 100 100 | Pa g e Total: 283 85 26 Source: Protected Areas and Terrestrial Biodiversity (PATB). 2008 The list presented above is not complete and further studies are required to obtain a complete list of fauna present in the natural reserve (PATB, 2008). However, the list indicates the natural reserve is rich in biodiversity. The table below (Table 0-30) provides a list of species listed under Vietnamese Red Data Book and IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Table 0-30: Threatened Animal Species in the Xuan Nha NR Threatened Category Vietnam Red Data Book IUCN Red List Threatened Species (Globally & Nationally) Critically Endangered (CR) 4 3 Endangered (EN) 17 10 Vulnerable (VU) 20 13 Near threatened (NT) - 6 Low Risk (LR) 2 - Data deficient (DD) - - Total: 43 32 Cuora trifasciata, Panthera tigris, Cuon alpinus, Nomascus concolor, Platysternon megacephatum, Pyxidea mouhoti, Palea steindachneri, Panthera pardus, Python molurus, Ophiophagus hannah, Trachypithecus francoisi, Manis pentadactyla, Catopuma temminckii, Helarctos malayanus, Ursus thibetanus, Bos frontalis , Capricornis sumatraensis , Petaurista elegans, Varanus salvator, Ptyas korros, Bungarus fasciatus , Naja atra, and Cuora galbinifrons. Source: Protected Areas and Terrestrial Biodiversity (PATB), 2008 There are 43 nationally threatened species (24 species of mammals, 1 species of birds, 17 species of reptiles and one species of amphibians) and 32 globally threatened species (19 species of mammals, one species of birds, eight species of reptiles and four species of amphibians) in the natural reserve. Two endemic species of herpetofauna, Sapa Skink ( Mabuya chapaensis ) and Granular Spiny Frog ( Paa verrucospinosa ) , were also recorded . In addition, species of national and global conservation importance (primates and testudinates) were observed. Filed investigations also observed seven primate species, including Bengal Slow Loris ( Nycticebus bengalensis) , Pygmy Slow Loris ( Nycticebus pygmaeus), Stump-tailed Macaque ( Macaca arctoides) , Assam Macaque ( Macaca assamensis) , Rhesus Monkey ( Macaca mulatta), Grey Langur ( Trachypithecus crepusculus), Delacour’s Langur ( Trachypithecus francoisi), and Western Black-crested Gibbon ( Nomascus concolor ). Six testudinates (turtle and tortoise) species were recorded in Xuan Nha natural reserve, five of which are globally threatened, including Big-headed Turtle ( Platysternon megacephatum) (EN), Indochinese Box Turtle ( Cuora galbinifrons ) (CR), Keeled Box Turtle ( Pyxidea mouhoti ) (EN), Impressed Tortoise ( Manouria impressa ) (VU) and Wattle-necked Softshell Turtle ( Palea steindachneri )(EN). Pu Hu Natural Reserve Pu Hu natural reserve lies in the Quan Hoa and Muong Lat districts in the north-west of Thanh Hoa province (Map 0-2). The natural reserve encompasses 11 communities of Quan Hoa and Muong Lat districts; 10 communities of Quan Hoa (Hien Chung, Hien Kiet, Nam Tien, Phu Son, Page 101 101 | Pa g e Phu Thanh, Thanh Xuan, Thien Phu, Trung Son and Trung Thanh) district and a community of Muong Lat district (Map 0-4) (PATB, 2008). Map 0-4: Pu Hu Natural Reserve The protected area covers a total area of 23,149.72 ha and is divided in to three functional zones: Strict protection zone (10,573.72 ha), Ecological restoration zone (12,253.23 ha), and an Administrative and Service zone (322.5 ha). The buffer zone of the Pu Hu natural reserve covers 11 communities (communities from Quan Hoa and Muong Lat districts), and the total area of the buffer zone is approximately 54,000 ha. Pu Hu natural reserve is situated west of a belt of limestone karst, which runs south-east from Pu Luong nature reserve to Cuc Phuong national park, Ninh Binh province. The highest point in Pu Hu natural reserve is Mount Hoc, which is 1, 440 MASL. The terrain is divided into ridges and narrow valleys with steep slopes ranging between 25 – 30 degrees. The lowest point in the natural reserve is 50 m. The Pu Hu natural reserve is heavily dissected by streams. Streams from the west, north and east flow into the Ma River. Streams from the south flow into the Luong River, which flows to the south of the reserve and joins the Ma River to the south-east of the TSHPP area. The Ma River runs along the northern and eastern boundaries of Pu Hu natural reserve. The distance from the dam site to the natural reserve boundary is approximately three km. However, the reservoir does not extend into the core of the natural reserve, only to the buffer zone. Biodiversity of Pu Hu Natural Reserve Vegetation Cover: Two types of forests have been identified in the Pu Hu natural reserve: tropical evergreen forests and sub-tropical evergreen forests. The primary forests (old-growth forest) occupy about 40% of the natural reserve. The rest are secondary forests, regenerated from selective logging, shifting cultivation, scrublands and grasslands (Map 0-4) (PATB, 2008). A) Tropical Evergreen Forest: Tropical evergreen forests occupy approximately 1,000 ha of forest cover in the natural reserve, primarilyin the strict protection zone, at an elevation of 700 MASL. The total volume of timber Page 102 102 | Pa g e is between 300-400 m 3 /ha. Trees are dominated by timber species, including: Vatica fleuryana , Anamocarya sinensis , Parashorea chinensis , Nephelium melliferum , Pometia pinnata , Aglaia dasyclada , Chisocheton thorelli , and Disoxylum tonkinensis. B) Sub-tropical Evergreen Forest: Sub-tropical forests occupy 3,000 to 3,500 ha of forest cover in the natural reserve, mainly in the strict protection zone, at an elevation of 700 MASL. The total volume of timber is in the range of 250-300 m 3 /ha. Dominant trees species include: Vatica fleuryana , Anamocarya sinensis, Paramichelia baillonii , Michelia mediocris , and Diospyros apiculata. Coniferous species are low in numbers and scattered throughout the forest. Examples include: Nageia fleuryi , Podocarpus neriifolius, and Fokienia hodginsii. C) Secondary Forest Regenerated after Logging and Shifting Cultivation: Secondary forests occupy a large percent (40 %) of the natural reserve. The total volume of timber is between 50-80 m 3 /ha. The species composition is comprised of diverse group of families such as Lauraceae, Myristicaceae, Fabaceae, Fagaceae, Judlandaceae, Theaceae, Ulmaceae, and Euphorbiaceae (Photo 0-2). Photo 0-2: Secondary Tropical Evergreen Forest in the Pu Hu Natural Reserve D) Scrublands and Grasslands The vegetation pattern in this region is different compared to the other areas. The difference can be attributed to shifting cultivation and over logging conditions. Some of the scrubland species are Cratoxylon polyanthum, Cratoxylon prunilirium , and Aporosa sphaerosperma . Grasslands are widely distributed at 1000 MASL. Some of these species include: Saccharum spontaneum , Thysanolaena maxima , Miscanthus japonica , and Imperata cylindrica . Flora Flora surveys, combined with previous studies (Tuoc and Trai 1998), indicate that there are 753 vascular plants species belonging to 368 genera, 130 families, and sixphyla. A complete list of all the species recorded in the natural reserve is presented in PATB (2008). Table 0-31 provides a list of number of species recorded in the Pu Hu natural reserve. Page 103 103 | Pa g e Table 0-31: Diversity of Flora in the Pu Hu Natural Reserve Phylum Species Family Genera Psilotophyta 1 1 1 Lycopodiophyta 10 2 3 Equisetophyta 2 1 1 Polypodiophyta 29 13 19 Pinophyta 9 5 6 Magnoliophyta 702 108 338 Total: 753 130 368 Source: Protected Areas and Terrestrial Biodiversity (PATB), 2008 The natural reserve contains 76 endemic species and 49 threatened species (PATB, 2008). Out of 76 endemic species, 40 species of plants are endemic to North Vietnam. Threatened species include 30 nationally endangered and 31 globally threatened species. Table 0-32 provides a list of species listed under Vietnam’s Red Data Book and IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (PATB, 2008). Table 0-32: Threatened Plant Species in the Pu Hu Natural Reserve Threatened category Vietnam Red Data Book IUCN Red List Highly Threatened species (Globally: CR, EN & Nationally: CR, EN) Critically Endangered (CR) 1 5 Endangered (EN) 9 4 Vulnerable (VU) 20 8 Near threatened (NT) - 2 Low Risk (LR) - 8 Data deficient (DD) - 4 Total: 30 31 Aquilaria crassna sp. , Diospyros mun, Hopea chinensis , Hopea mollissimia , Vatica diospyroides, Burretiodendron tonkinensis, Erythrophleum fordii, Parashoreachinensis Smilaxpetelotii, Acanthopanax trifoliatus , Sindora tonkinensis , Drynaria fortunei, Fokienia hodginsii, Madhuca pasquieri, and Pauldopia ghorta. Source: Protected Areas and Terrestrial Biodiversity (PATB), 2008 Fauna Based on the preliminary survey conducted by Power Engineering Consulting Company No.4, and secondary studies byTuoc and Trai (1998), a total of 260 species of vertebrates, including 59 species of mammals, 161 species of birds, 27 species of reptiles and 13 species were identified in the Pu Hu natural reserve. A complete list (names) of all the species recorded in the natural reserve is presented in PATB (2008). Table 0-33 provides a list of number of species recorded in the Pu Hu natural reserve. Page 104 104 | Pa g e Table 0-33: Diversity of Fauna in the Pu Hu Natural Reserve Class Species Family Order Mammals 59 23 8 Birds 161 37 11 Reptiles 27 14 3 Amphibians 13 4 1 Total: 260 78 23 Source: Modified from PATB, 2008 There are 42 nationally threatened species (25 species of mammals, two species of birds, 13 species of reptiles and two species of amphibians), and 33 globally threatened species (23 species of mammals, nine species of reptiles and one species of amphibians) in the natural reserve. Out of 42 species, 26 species are considered as highly threatened (Table 0-34). One endemic species known as Granular Spiny Frog ( Paa verrucospinosa ), is classified as nationally and globally threatened. Table 0-34: Threatened Fauna in the Pu Hu Natural Reserve Threatened category Vietnam Red Data Book IUCN Red List Highly threatened species (Globally: CR, EN & Nationally: CR, EN) Critically Endangered(CR) 6 3 Endangered (EN) 15 9 Vulnerable (VU) 19 14 Near threatened (NT) - 6 Low Risk (LR) 2 - Data deficient (DD) - 1 Total: 42 33 Cuora trifasciata, Panthera tigris, Cuon alpinus, Platysternon megacephatum, Palea steindachneri, Panthera pardus, Belomys pearsonii, Python molurus, Ophiophagus hannah, Nomascus leucogenys, Trachypithecus francoisi, Manis pentadactyla, Catopuma temminckii, and Neofelis nebulosa. Source: Protected Areas and Terrestrial Biodiversity (PATB), 2008 Hang Kia – Pa Co Natural Reserve The Hang Kia – Pa Co natural reserve lies in the Mai Chau district of Hoa Binh province (Map 0-2). The natural reserve encompasses five communes of the Mai Chau district - Hang Kia, Pa Co, Cun Pheo, Pieng Ve and Bao La. The total area of the natural reserve is approximately 7,091 ha and is divided in to two functional zones: Strict protection zone (2,681 ha) and Ecological restoration zone (4,410 ha). The buffer zone covers four communities (Bang, Cun Pheo, Pieng Ve and Bao La) with a total area of 8,135 ha (Map 0-5) (PATB, 2008). The natural reserve is a located in the extreme west of Hoa Binh province. The natural reserve lies within the limestone range that extends south-east Page 105 105 | Pa g e from the Son La plateau to Cu Phuong National Park in Ninh Binh province. The main physical feature within Hang Kia – Pa Co natural reserve is a high ridge, which reaches 1,536 m in the north-west of the natural reserve and gradually decreases it’s altitude to the east (PATB, 2008). Map 0-5: Hang Kia - Pa Co Natural Reserve A large portion of the Hang Kia – Pa Co natural reserve is made of Limestone Mountains that contain numerous valleys, caves and the slopes are in the range of 28-32 degrees. The northern part of natural reserve consists of valleys with flat bottoms where local communities are located. The natural reserve containsa few streams and the surface water is quickly absorbed into underground systems. Increased absorption results in shortage of water in the dry season affecting wildlife, and surface water is seasonal in the natural reserve, even in the populated valleys. Hang Kia – Pa Co natural reserve represents a watershed of two rivers: Ma River and Da River. The Xia stream runs from Cun Pheo commune through Pieng Ve, Mai Hich and Van Mai communesto join the Ma River in downstream of TSHPP area. The distance from the dam site to the reserve’s boundary is 13 km, and the buffer zone shares the border with Trung Son community that belongs to TSHPP area (PATB, 2008). Page 106 106 | Pa g e Biodiversity of Hang Kia – Pa Co Natural Reserve Vegetation Cover: Three types of forests have been identified in the Hang Kia – Pa Co natural reserve: tropical evergreen forests, limestone sub-tropical evergreen forests, and mixed sub-tropical evergreen forests. The primary forest occupies about 40% of the natural reserve. The rest are secondary forests going through succession, as a result from regeneration attributed to logging and shifting cultivation, scrublands and grasslands (Map 0-5). A) Tropical Evergreen Forest: Tropical evergreen forests occupy about 200 ha of forest cover whichbelongs to Bao La and Pieng Ve communes and a part of National Highway 6. The total volume of timber is approximately 300-400 m 3 /ha and is comprised of a three-tiered canopy structure. Trees are dominated by following timber species: Vatica fleuryana , Parashorea chinensis, and Dipterocarpus tonkinensis (Photo 0-3).   Photo 0-3: Tropical Dense Evergreen Forest in Hang Kia – Pa Co Natural Reserve B) Limestone Sub-tropical Evergreen Forest: Limestone sub-tropical evergreen forests occupy an area of 2,000 ha, located at 700 m MASL. The total volume of timber is between 250 – 300 m 3 /ha, with a two-tiered canopy structure. Some of the tree species include: Lithocarpus sp., Quercus sp. (Fabaceae), Machillus sp., Phoebe sp., Cinnamomum sp. (Lauraceae), Ficus Streblus (Moraceae), Michelia sp., and Magnolia sp. (Magnoliaceae). C) Mixed sub-tropical evergreen forest: Mixed sub-tropical evergreen forestsarecharacterized by broad-leaf and coniferous trees, scattered on mountain slopes at 800 MASL. Coniferous trees represent about 15 – 20% of the forest, including Nageia fleuryii , Pinus kwangtungensis , Podocarpus neriifolius , and Taxus chinensis . D) Secondary Forest Regenerated after Logging: Secondary forest occupies an area of 1,000 ha. The forest is located at an elevation of 300 – 900 MASL. The total volume of timber is in the range of 50 – 80 m 3 /ha with a 2 storey tree structure. Page 107 107 | Pa g e E) Scrublands and Grasslands: Scrublands and grasslands occupy 1,800 ha of the natural reserve. Some of the dominant species are: Rhodomyrtus tomentosa , Wendlandia paniculata , Psichotria montana , Aporosa planchonania , and Antidesma sp. Examples of grassland species include Saccharum spontaneum , Thysanolaena maxima , Miscanthus japonica , and Imperata cylindrica . Flora Preliminary investigations indicate that there are 589 species of plants in the Hang Kia natural reserve. These species belong to 339 genera, 125 families and six phyla. Table 0-35 provides a list of number of species recorded in the Hang Kia – Pa Co natural reserve. Table 0-35: Diversity of Flora in the Hang Kia – Pa Co Natural Reserve Phylum Species Family Genera Psilotophyta 1 1 1 Lycopodiophyta 8 2 3 Equisetophyta 2 1 1 Polypodiophyta 35 12 24 Pinophyta 14 6 12 Magnoliophyta 529 103 298 Total: 589 125 339 Source: Modified from PATB, 2008 There are 45 endemic and 40 threatened species in the Hang Kia –Pa Co natural reserve (PATB, 2008). Based on the IUCN Red List and Vietnam Red Data Book, there are 27 globally threatened and 21 nationally threatened species. Out of 48 species, 10 species are considered as highly threatened (Table 0-36). Table 0-36: Threatened Plant Species in the Hang Kia – Pa Co Natural Reserve Threatened category Vietnam Red Data Book IUCN Red List Highly threatened species (Global & National) Critical Endangered (CR) - 2 Endangered (EN) 5 4 Vulnerable (VU) 16 6 Near threatened (NT) - 2 Low Risk (LR) - 11 Data deficient (DD) - 2 Total: 21 27 Podocarpus pilgeri , Vatica diospyroides , Amentotaxus yunnanensis , Burretiodendron tonkinensis, Melodinus annamensis , Parashorea chinensis , Acanthopanax trifoliatus , Fokienia hodginsii , Madhuca pasquieri , and Pauldopia ghort. Page 108 108 | Pa g e Source: Protected Areas and Terrestrial Biodiversity (PATB), 2008 Fauna Preliminary investigations indicate that there are 249 species of vertebrates, including 44 species of mammals, 142 species of birds, 40 species of reptiles and 23 species of amphibians in the natural reserve (Table 0-37). A complete list of all the species recorded in the natural reserve is presented in PATB (2008). Table 0-37: Diversity of Fauna in the Hang Kia – Pa Co Natural Reserve Class Species Family Order Mammals 44 20 8 Birds 142 38 14 Reptiles 40 12 2 Amphibians 23 6 2 Total: 249 76 26 Source: Protected Areas and Terrestrial Biodiversity (PATB), 2008   There are 34 nationally threatened species (14 species of mammals, three species of birds, 13 species of reptiles and four species of amphibians) and 21 globally threatened species (12 species of mammals, one species of birds, seven species of reptiles and one species of amphibians) in the natural reserve. Out of 55 species identified, 17 species are considered highly threatened. Refer to the table for a list of highly threatened species (Table 0-38). Page 109 109 | Pa g e Table 0-38: Threatened Animal Species in the Hang Kia – Pa Co Natural Reserve Threatened category Vietnam Red Data Book IUCN Red List Very highly threatened species (Global & National) Critical Endangered (CR) 3 1 Endangered (EN) 12 6 Vulnerable (VU) 16 8 Near threatened (NT) - 5 Low Risk (LR) 3 - Data deficient (DD) - 1 Total: 34 21 Cuora galbinifrons,Cuon alpinus , Pyxidea mouhoti, Sacalia quadriocellata , Indotestudo elongala, Palea steindachneri, Belomys pearsonii,Python molurus, Ophiophagus hannah, Manis pentadactyla , Catopuma temminckii,Ursus thibetanus, Capricornis sumatraensis , Ptyas korros, Ptyas mucosus, Bungarus fasciatus , and Naja atra . Source: Protected Areas and Terrestrial Biodiversity (PATB), 2008 Four endemic species of herpetofauna were recorded in the natural reserve: Many-spotted Cat Snake ( Boiga multomaculata ) , Tonkin Asian Frog ( Chaparana delacouri ), Mo-son frog ( Rana maosonensis ) and Granular spiny frog ( Paa verrucospinosa ) . The biodiversity value of natural reserves in relation to ecoregions and areas affected by TSHPP is discussed in the next section. Regional Importance of the Natural Reserves In 1998, WWF identified 238 ecoregions that were considered as high priority areas for conservation of biodiversity worldwide. The global ecoregion is a science based global ranking of the most biologically outstanding and diverse terrestrial, freshwater and marine habitats. Five ecoregions were identified in the Indochina region: · The Annamite Range Moist Forests · The Indochina Dry Forests · The Cardamom Mountain Moist Forests · The Northern Indochina Sub-tropical Moist Forests · The Mekong River (entire catchments). The Forests of the Lower Mekong Eco-region Complex (FLMEC), which the WWFselected to initiate ecoregion based conservation programs for the Indochina region, contains three ecoregions. They are the Greater Annamites, the Central Indochina Dry Forests, and the Cardamom Mountains (Baltzer et al. 2001). The Greater Annamites ecoregion (also called as Trung Son in Vietnam and Sayphou Louang in Laos) is a long chain of mountains which support a diverse range of precious plants and animals. The ecoregion is comprised of unique and diverse habitats within the FLMEC (Tordoff et al. 2003). The discovery of Sao la ( Pseudoryx nghetinhensis ) by WWF and Vietnamese scientists in Page 110 110 | Pa g e 1992, in the Vu Quang natural reserve, drew the world’s attention and promoted the world-wide recognition of the region’s biological importance. Since then, many other species have been discovered, including large mammals such as the Giant muntjak ( Muntiacus vuquangensis ) and the Annamite striped rabbit ( Nesolagus timminsi ). These discoveries strengthen the Greater Annamites as one of the world’s most remarkable and unique ecoregions. In addition to these species, a number of highly threatened species like the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), tiger ( Panthera tigris) and the world’s most endangered mammal, one horned rhinocerous ( Rhinocerous sondacius ), are found in this ecoregion. The TSHPP, along with three natural reserves, is located in the northern transition zone between Greater Annamites and Northern Highlands (Map 0-6) ecoregions. The transition zone between Greater Annamite flora and fauna and that of Northern Highlands has been the focus of surveys to date. There is reason to believe that this transition zone may contain species requiring significant conservation, which would suggest that this zone should be recognized as a critical conservation priority landscape (Balter et al. 2001). Furthermore, the three natural reserves act a corridor to other protected areas in Vietnam and Laos (with Pu Luong NR and Cuc Phuong NR to the East; with Xuan Lien NR and Pu Hoat NR to the South and with Nam Yet and Nam Xam protected areas in Laos to the West). The most common threat to biodiversity in this region is forest fragmentation as corridors play an important role in conserving biodiversity in the region (PATB, 2008). Summary The natural reserves (Map 0-6) in the TSHPP are dominated by tropical evergreens and sub- tropical evergreen forests. These forest types are typical to the Northwest region of Vietnam. At present, 40-45 % of the three natural reserves remain in primary status (forest), the rest are converted to secondary forest due to various human activities in recent decades. Nine vegetation types have been identified in the three natural reserves (Table 0-39). Page 111 111 | Pa g e Map 0-6: The Greater Annamites Region Table 0-39: Diversity of Flora in the Natural Reserves of TSHPP Phylum Species Family Genera Psilotophyta 1 1 1 Lycopodiophyta 11 2 3 Equisetophyta 2 1 1 Polypodiophyta 68 17 36 Pinophyta 18 6 13 Magnoliophyta 836 118 451 Total 936 145 505 Source: Modified from PATB, 2008 The flora of three natural reserves is characterized largely by a number of endemic and threatened species. Out of the 936 species recorded, 93 species are endemic to Vietnam (mainly in the northern region), and 39 species are considered as nationally threatened and 30 species considered internationally threatened (Table 0-40). Loc ation O f three NRs Page 112 112 | Pa g e Table 0-40: Endemic and Threatened Species of Flora in the Three Natural Reserves Threatened category Vietnam Red Data Book IUCN Red List Species Endemic to Vietnam Critical Endangered (CR) 1 6 Endangered (EN) 10 6 Vulnerable (VU) 28 11 40 Near threatened (NT) - 2 Low Risk (LR) - 1 Data deficient (DD) - 4 53 Total: 39 30 93 Source: Modified from PATB, 2008 The fauna of three natural reserves is also characterized largely by the number of endemic and threatened species. Four hundred and twenty-five species of animals, including 79 species of mammals, 258 species of birds, 58 species of reptiles and 30 species of amphibians were recorded in the three natural reserves (Table 0-41). Table 0-41: Diversity of Fauna in the Three Natural Reserves Class Species Family Order Mammals 79 26 9 Birds 258 44 14 Reptiles 58 16 2 Amphibians 30 6 2 Total: 425 92 27 Source: Protected Areas and Terrestrial Biodiversity (PATB), 2008 Archaeological, Cultural and Historical Resources Archaeological investigations were undertaken to identify and study potential areas containing relics and artifacts. All identified areas were at a medium altitude and had some form of water supply year-round. Investigations found 11 sites (Table 0-42; Map 0-7), seven of which are within the TSHPP reservoir site (VIA, 2008). Table 0-42: Archaeological Sites Investigation Results District Commune Village Artifact/Cultural Site Name Description Impacted? Page 113 113 | Pa g e Mái á Nàng Chanh Rockshelter No Hu i Pa (Photo 4- 4) Burial area * Yes Quan Hoa Trung Son Ta Bán Khiêng s n Village holy site Yes - Paleolithic site * Yes Ban Nàng 1 Khiêng s n Village holy site Yes Tài Chánh Khiêng s n Village holy site Yes Muong Ly Chiêng Nua Tiên Tâng Burial site No Trung Ly Chiêng Nua - Burial site No Ko ôc - Stones carved with characters No Muong Lat Tam Chung Muong Lát Cú Cave Neolithic Bronze Age site No Quan Hoa, Muong Lat Ta Bán, Tài Chánh, Ban Nàng 1 and Ban Lin Collections of 26 Metal Age and several historical artifacts Yes *Site requires further investigation prior to reservoir flooding Source: Modified from VIA, 2008 Twenty-six Metal Age artifacts (five bronze, 20 stone and one bone-horn objects) and several historical artifacts (one bronze bar and a collection of zinc coins) were also collected from several villages. Artifacts impacted by the TSHPP will be donated to the Law on Culture Heritage in order to preserve and display national cultural heritage artifacts. It is recommended that the Hu i Pa (Photo 0-4) burial and Nàng 1 paleolithic sites be excavated prior to flooding the reservoir to preserve the artifacts and cultural remains (VIA, 2008). Photo 0-4: Huoi Pa Burial Site A Khiêng s n is a village’s sacred place where rituals are performed. Three of these shrines are within the proposed submerged area of the reservoir. Khiêng s n s in Ta Bán and Tài Chánh villages have also been identified as cultural sites within the region. Upon leaving the village, the Khiêng s n will have no functional value and will lose its holiness (VIA, 2008). Page 114 114 | Pa g e Map 0-7: Archaeological Sites Discovered in TSHPP (VIA, 2008) Socio-Economic Baseline Population In 2006, the population in the Ma River Basin was approximately 4,386,600 people, which accounted for 5.21% of Vietnam’s total population. The TSHPP, reservoir and main facilities are situated in two provinces and three districts. The Muo Lat district of Thanh Hoa province has a population of 29,408 people. Quan Hoa district, also located in Thanh Hoa province, has a population of 42,474 people. Moc Chau district has the largest population in Son La province, with approximately 139, 805 people (DRCC, 2008b). Though population ranges between communes, the project area is sparsely populated. Tan Xuan and Xuan Nha communes, of the Moc Chau district, are the most remote communes within the project area (HESDI, 2008). Demographics Table 0-1 highlights the six directly impacted communes. Table 0-1: Communes within TSHP Project Area Thanh Hoa Province Son La Province Page 115 115 | Pa g e Quan Hoa District Muong Lat District Moc Chau District Trung Son Tam Chung Muong Ly Trung Ly Xuan Nha Tan Xuan* Land Area (ha) 7,680.66 12,127.56 8,508.39 19,290.32 9,336 15,819 No. of Villages 7 8 21 18 19 9 Households 574 602 796 894 1515 672 Population 2,642 3,266 4,556 5,349 9895 3,722 Males 1,286 1,542 2,151 2,498 1,680 1,824 Females 1,316 1,724 2,103 2,706 1,637 1,799 Population Growth Rate (%) 0.6 3.6 2.5 3.6 0.3 Average Income (VND/month) 420,000 191,600 150,000 187,500 375,000 160,000 Agriculture (%) 100 - Forestry (%) 60 99.5 - 99 - 100 Other (%) 40 - - 1 - - Poor Households (%) 50 91.7 91 65 61 - * Community established in 2007 – limited information Source: Modified from Ly and Kaul, 2009 and DRCC, 2008b Project Affected Communes The development of the TSHPP will affect approximately 1,691 households and 7,546 people within the project area (Table 0-2) (Tercia Consultants, 2009). Land acquisition surveys and two rounds of public consultation have illustrated that a number of villages will either be positively and/or negatively affected by the project through one or more of the following ways (Tercia Consultants, 2009): · Village(s) require relocation; · Village(s) affected from the creation and development of access roads; · Village(s) affected due to their downstream location; · Village(s) affected due to their location adjacent to transmission lines or the electricity bringing power to the site; · Village(s) affected due to loss of land, agricultural productivity; and · Village(s) affected due to influx of construction workers. A detailed description of individual villages affected is presented in Section 7.0. Some of the villages contain severely affected households . These are homes that potentially will lose 10% or Page 116 116 | Pa g e more of their productive land/assets; and/or have to relocate; and/or lose 10% or more of their household income. In addition to households and individuals being affected by the project, the public works in four communes (Trung Son, Trung Ly, Muong Ly and Tan Xuan) will be impacted. These sites include four schools, one health station, roads, water diversion pipes and power generators and 632 graves (Tercia Consultants, 2009). Table 0-2: Households Affected by the TSHPP Impact Source Number of Households Affected Number of People Affected Reservoir flooded areas Relocated households 509 2,289 Productive land affected, but not relocated 292 1,593 Productive assets (eg. shops) affected, but not relocated 7 23 Subtotal 808 3,899 Within Construction Site Subtotal 40 168 Households loosing land to incoming resettlers Subtotal 357 2 1535 Access Road Relocated household 66 274 Productive land affected, but not relocated 420 1680 Productive assets (eg. shops) affected, but not relocated 20 75 Subtotal 486 1944 Transmission Lines Subtotal TBD 1 TBD Total Number of People Affected Total number of people being relocated 575 2,506 Total number of people losing productive land, but not being relocated 1691 3,140 Total number of people losing productive assets (eg. shops), but not being relocated 27 98 Total Number Affected 1,691 3 7,546 4 Note: Table 5.2 does not account for people affected by downstream impacts which can only be assessed fully when dam enters operation Page 117 117 | Pa g e 1 – The routing of the transmission lines have yet to be determined 2 – Part of the 357 households are losing land to the project and have been accounted from in the above 292 households 3 – Not including those households that are affected by the transmission line 4 – Not including those who are affected by the transmission line and those Source: Modified from Tercia Consultants, 2009 Ethnic minorities Fifty percent of Son La and Thanh Hoa provinces are comprised of ethnic minority groups. This is considerably higher than the ethnic minority national percentage, which is approximately 14% (DRCC, 2008b). The population within the project area is comprised of three ethnic groups: Thai (85%), from the Tay-Thai ethnolinguistic family; the Muong (13%), from the Viet-Muong ethnolinguistic family; and the Mong (2%), from the Mong-Dao ethnolinguistic family (Tercia Consultants, 2009). Approximately 75% of these ethnic minority groups live within the Northern Mountain Area and a part of Tay Nguyen (the Western Highlands of Vietnam), while the remaining percent occupy the Southern Provinces and other urban areas (Table 0-3) (DRCC, 2008b). As a whole, ethnic minority groups primarily inhabit rural, deep lying or remote areas (Photo 0-1). Photo 0-1: Home in the TSHPP Area Almost all of the Thai individuals within the Trung Ly, Muong Ly and Trung Son communes can be traced back to the same ancestors which emigrated from Xuan Nha (in Moc Chau district) (DRCC, 2008b). Migration is common amongst provinces and, unlike the ethnic majority (Kinh); ethnic groups often migrate collectively as a family or groups of families (DRCC, 2008b). Thai and Muong people have customs whereby blood relatives either occupy the same household or commune. After the process of living together for years, it has become hard to distinguish between Muong and Thai individuals (DRCC, 2008b). When Thai people relocate, there is an offering ceremony to the village and earth spirits for leaving an area and entering into a new one (CPRD, 2008). The TSHPP area has a long history of Thai people, reaching back 400 to 500 years ago. Thai people speak the languages that originally belonged to the Thai-Kadai system (DRCC, 2008b). Thai groups tend to settle in lowland areas which are near water sources and suitable for paddy rice cultivation and fishing (PECC4, 2008a). Paddy (especially sticky) rice is their primary food source. Though paddy rice is their main agricultural crop, these ethnic groups depend heavily on Page 118 118 | Pa g e forestry products, largely bamboo, for subsistence. For example, houses are often built on stilts, designed to maximize agricultural production (DRCC, 2008b). Page 119 119 | Pa g e Table 0-3: Percent (%) of Ethnic Groups Potentially Impacted by TSHPP Ethnic Group Trung Son Tam Chung Muong Ly Trung Ly Xuan Nha Tan Xuan Thai 59.15 52.99 22.73 29.09 6060.1 5252.89 Muong 40 9.80 15.06 4.10 2121.4 10.25 Mong - 36.87 62.19 65.02 18.3 36.55 Kinh 0.84 0.33 - 1.49 0.2 0.29 Source: Modified from DRCC, 2008b Every family raises their own cattle and often their own produces ceramics. The textile industry and family traditional crafts of brightly coloured brocades (Photo 0-2) developed by Thai and Muong people are rapidly disappearing within communes. With no major market to produce brocades, these weaved products are generally used within families and traditionally prepared for the daughter who is to be wed (DRCC, 2008b). Photo 0-2: Brocade – Traditional handcraft of Thai people (DRCC, 2008b) Mong people migrated to Vietnam in two distinct waves within the last 300 and 100 years. Ethnological and linguistic studies have indicated that Mong people have subdivided into various “Mong” subgroups. Mong people are well known to inhabit a region only while their capsicum plants are productive (DRCC, 2008b). According to some village leaders, several households intend to move to Laos to escape the region’s poverty. The Government is currently working on projects to stabilize the Mong people in Muong Ly district by providing them with more reliable living services (DRCC, 2008b). Mong people have a significant cultural gap between both the mainstream Vietnamese society and the two other ethnic groups. They live predominantly in Mong villages and there isvirtually no intermarriages (Tercia Consultants, 2009). Community Structure and Services Culture Cultural customs of Thai and Muong communes are very similar, with minor differences between the female costumes. Thai and Muong groups coexist with the Kinh and have similar Page 120 120 | Pa g e agricultural production activities. There are minor cultural differences between the groups, most of which are centered on traditional ceremonies (CPRD, 2008). Worship tends to last for two days and involves households sharing pigs, chickens, wine and sticky rice. People pray for good rain and wind and healthy crops for prosperity (DRCC, 2008b). A holy place or Khiêng s (Photo 0-3) is where prayers takes place. Prayers are conducted by the local prestigious man or village head during the fourth and fifth lunar month. In villages where Thai and Muong live together, spirit offerings are often more complicated and require two representatives (one from each minority group) to lead prayers (CPRD, 2008). Photo 0-3: Nang 1 Khieng San Family and Community Structure Traditional family structures have dramatically changed amongst Thai, Muong and Mong people as nuclear households, consisting of three to four generations, no longer exists. Since land is under state control and subdivided amongst households, it is more economical for families to live separately from one another as this allowsfor more land to be collectively owned by a group. The subsequent division of land amongst former extended families has had a large impact on maintaining family connections, especially between Thai and Mong people (DRCC, 2008b). Most villages are physically separated by the Ma River and people tend to disperse based on marriage. Though some communes do not have immigrants, people of the same ethnic descent often join other villages for meetings (Photo 0-4) or to help family members (DRCC, 2008b). At present, communes of Thai and Muong groups either live separately or share the same village, resulting in numerous multi-ethnic couples. There appears to be no discrimination between families of two ethnic groups; however, each group has their own customs and traditions (CPRD, 2008). Page 121 121 | Pa g e Photo 0-4: Communal Meeting (DRCC, 2008b) Resources for women are considerably fewer than those available to men. The majority of landowners are male and homes owned by women tend to have limited agricultural production and are highly dependent on other people in the village. There is a lack of funding available for women to help them develop their own agricultural cultivation or livestock breeding practices. Housing Approximately 90% of inhabitants live in good condition homes, which are usually situated on stilts (Photo 0-5). Of these stilt homes, 56.5% are made from wood, while 32.5% are bamboo. Solid and semi-solid homes are mainly built adjacent to roads or village centers. Approximately 10% of homes are one to two-floors (Ly and Kaul, 2009) and only 60% of homes have a simple toilet constructed from bamboo (CPRD, 2008). Education Presently, all of the communes within the Thanh Hoa province are equipped with both primary and secondary schools. Though schools are well maintained, attendance rates are rather low (PECC4, 2008a). Classrooms generally lack proper teaching equipment and have minimal furniture for their students. The majority of teachers are male and of Kinh descent. Minority ethnic teachers are not as common; however, approximately 50% of teachers in Muong Ly village are of ethnic minorities (DDRC, 2008b). Illiteracy is very prominent, particularly within the villages with a high percentage of Mong people. Females tend to have higher rates of illiteracy because most of their spare time is devoted to rearing children, thus limiting their time for study. It has been speculated that the lack of education amongst females directly affects the quality of education of their children (DRCC, 2008b). Page 122 122 | Pa g e Photo 0-5: Typical Housing in the TSHPP Area Community and Health Services Although word of mouth is the most common medium for spreading information within villages, every commune, with the exception of Muong Ly and Tan Xuan, has a loudspeaker system that broadcasts twice a day (DRCC, 2008b). In 2005, the number of telephones in Quan Hoa and Mai Chau districts was 820 and 1,460, respectively. Communication amongst villages is restricted as telephone services are unavailable in several communes, such as Tan Xuan (PECC4, 2008a; DRCC, 2008b). The percentages of households with television are: 81.3% in Trung Son, 14.9% in Muong Ly, 30% in Trung Ly, 40.8% in Tam Chung and 80% in Xuan Nha (DRCC, 2008b). None of the project area communes have a community market. In each village, there are some families that sell the necessary goods for subsistence. Since transportation is inconvenient between villages, prices tend to be higher for local goods (DRCC, 2008b). There is one market in Muong Lat district, while the majority of shops are a minimum of 45 km (in Moc Chau and Quan Hoa districts) away from the project site. There is a sizable market for maize; however, wholesale operators tend to provide seed on credit while purchasing the product a lower price (Tercia Consultants, 2009). Five of the communes have stable or semi-stable medical centers. Medical centers normally have one physician and one to two nurses on staff. Tan Xuan does not have a medical centre (DRCC, 2008b). Table 0-4 represents the quality of health facilities in the three provinces. Table 0-5 illustrates the number of health staff per administrative unit in the project affected provinces in comparison to the Northwest region and country. The average number of health workers in the project affected area is four; this is lower than the national average, which is five. There are some private health facilities; however data could not be collected, but it is believed there are at least 100 private beds in Thanh Hoa province (Ly and Kaul, 2009). Page 123 123 | Pa g e Table 0-4: Number of Health Facilities and Patient Beds Provincial Hospital District Hospital Inter Commune Polyclinic Communal Health Center Province Facilities Beds Facilities Beds Facilities Beds Facilities Beds Son La 4 620 11 850 19 270 201 1005 Hoa Binh 4 420 11 805 23 115 209 836 Thanh Hoa 7 1660 26 2760 29 491 627 3600 Source: Ly and Kaul, 2009 Regional polyclinics mainly provide health services within certain communes or wards within districts. Their purpose is to ease the burden on public hospitals, which tend to have a shortage of patient beds. These clinics have also helped facilitate early diagnosis and treatment without visiting a regional hospital. Communal health centers are the primary units for public health care treatment. These stations are responsible for implementing health services and for managing the health of a village (Ly and Kaul, 2009). Table 0-5: Average Number of Health Staff per Administrative Unit Administrative Unit Vietnam Northwest Son La Hoa Binh Than Hoa Commune 5.4 5 5 5 4 District 100 92 101 64 112 Province 1308 636 936 517 2072 Source: Ly and Kaul, 2009 Public health care and family planning programs have been implemented to reduce the spread of diseases such as malaria (PECC4, 2008a). The rate of inoculation amongst children is 100% (DRCC, 2008b). At the provincial level, Hoa Bihn and Son La each have four hospitals while, Thanh Hoa has seven (HESDI, 2008). Clinics tend to be poorly equipped and more serious health cases are usually directed to district hospitals (PECC4, 2008a). In Moc Chau district, the most common diseases are flu, diarrhea, pneumonia, neuralgia and tonsillitis, while in the Quan Hoa and Muong Lat districts, the most prevalent diseases are sore throat, tonsillitis, bronchitis, diarrhea, tuberculosis and arthritis. Most of the project area communes are covered by health insurance due to their poverty status and Government subsidies (HESDI, 2008). Marsh fever, petechial fever, liver and renal cancer, drug addiction, HIV and AIDs are widespread. According to the Ministry of Health, there is a high prevalence of malaria in the three provinces. The disease patterns of communes within Moc Chau district focus primarily on flu, diarrhea, pneumonia, neuralgia and tonsillitis. In Quan Hoa and Muong Lat districts, the most common diseases are sore throat, tonsillitis, bronchitis, diarrhea, tuberculosis and arthritis (Ly and Kaul, 2009). HIV testing cannot be performed at local commune medical centers. Within the project area, the most common health issues are flu, food poisoning and diarrhea and medical issues relating to traffic incidences (Tercia Consultants, 2009). From the health perspective, drug addiction and associated diseases receive the most attention within the project area communes (Photo 0-6) (DRCC, 2008b). The project area Districts are Page 124 124 | Pa g e considered to be “hot spots” for illicit drugs (Tercia Consultants, 2009). Muong Lat also has a rehabilitation center that is controlled by border guards. Both Trung Ly and Muong Ly communes, which are situated directly within the construction area, are arterial venues of drug transportation organized primarily by Mong people (HESDI, 2008). Infant mortality rates (IMR) are often used as a country’s health indicator since IMR reflect the living standards, conditions, education and quality of health services provided, especially for mothers and children (Ly and Kaul, 2009). Son La, Thanh Hoa and Hoa Binh Provinces have the highest infant mortality rates in Northwest Vietnam (Tercia Consultants, 2009). Almost all women within the communes perform home births due to their ethnic minority status, remote location with restricted access and an overall lack of health services. The husband usually assists in child delivery, unless there are complications during labour (DRCC, 2008b). Photo 0-6: Discarded Syringes Infrastructure Transportation Transportation throughout the Ma River Basin is generally poor as roads are mainly soil-based and the terrain is full of obstacles and steep hills (Photo 0-7). Currently, Trung Ly, Trung Son, Xuan Nha and Tan Xuan have roads that reach their communes (DRCC, 2008b). The main roads linking Quan Hoa and Muong Lat districts to Thanh Hoa and Hoa Binh provinces are asphalted. In the Quan Hoa district, the road is in relatively good condition until Muong Lat district (Tercia Consultants, 2009). The existing inter-village roads are challenging pathways, filled with mountain passes and stream crossings, which pose difficulties particularly during the flood season (CAHAEE, 2008). It is often difficult to access communes as the road networks are mainly unpaved, restricting transportation and trade, especially during the rainy season (DRCC, 2008b). In the dry season, cars may access Trung Song, Trung Ly and Xuan Nha communes (CAHAEE, 2008). Due to the natural rugged terrain, roads within the project area are often too small and difficult to use a car or truck. Tam Chung and Muong communes can only be accessed by motorcycle (DRCC, 2008b). Page 125 125 | Pa g e Photo 0-7: Typical Roads in TSHPP Communes Electricity Less than 10% of households within the project area are connected to the national grid or use micro-hydropower turbines (56%) (Tercia Consultants, 2009). Approximately 404 households in the project area communes are connected to receive some form of network electricity (DRCC, 2008b). The majority of these households are located within Muong Lat District (Tercia Consultants, 2009). The remaining households use other methods for lighting such as candles and oil lamps (DRCC, 2008b). Water Mountain water, or mó water, is the main source of water for the region’s communes (DRCC, 2008b). A smaller number of homes dig their own water wells (HESDI, 2008). Fresh water from streams supplies about 97% of households (CPRD, 2008). The majority of water used for daily activities is supplied directly from ponds, rivers, lakes and streams (41%), while 32% of people channel water from springs to their home using bamboo semi-circular pipes (Máng lan water) (HESDI, 2008). Economy The socio-economic standard in Moc Chau district is lower than other Son La and Thanh Hoa provinces due to high mountains, traffic problems and deficiencies in infrastructure (DRCC, 2008b). Thanh Hoa province’s gross domestic product (GDP) contributes 2.83% to the national GDP and within the last five years, the average GDP growth rate was 10.1%. In Thanh Hoa province, agriculture (35%), industry (32%) and services (33%) are the three main economic drivers. Rice production is the most common agricultural practice, accounting for 65% of activities, while livestock only contributes 25%. Though 75% of the Ma River Basin is devoted to forest production, the production value is quite low. Industry in the region is developing slowly, concentrating primarily on sugar cane and building material production (DRCC, 2008b). Income Surveys illustrate that average income within project area communes is very low and often below poverty standards. The average income per person per month also varies amongst project affected communes (Table 0-6) (DRCC, 2008b). The ethnic minorities within the project area Page 126 126 | Pa g e exist in a traditional economic system, depending primarily on upland cultivation and utilization of natural resources (Photo 0-8) (DRCC, 2008b). Photo 0-8: Village in the TSHPP Area Income is derived from four main sources (Tercia Consultants, 2009): · Crop production (70-80%), upland rice being the primary source of income within the project affected communes: · Livestock (10%), which is mostly from cattle raising; · Luong bamboo and other forestry activities (5-20%); and · Collection of non-traditional forestry products, which provides income during slower agricultural seasons. Additional income can be obtained by selling garden vegetables and fruit tree products. The average household income for the region is between six and 15 million Vietnam Dong (VND) per year, of which 3-15 million comes from agriculture, while 3-10 million comes from the forestry industry (Ly and Kaul, 2009). Page 127 127 | Pa g e Table 0-6 : Project Affected Communes’ Average Income Commune Per person per year (VND) Per household per year (VND) Trung Son 5,040,000 22,227,254 Muong Ly 1,800,000 10,489,315 Trung Ly 2,250,000 12,619,881 Tam Chung 4,500,000 20,905,462 Xuan Nha 1,920,000 10,336,047, Trung Thanh 3,600,000 17,750,093 Thanh Son 4,680,000 26,945,454 Source: Modified from DRCC, 2008b In most villages, there are bamboo and grain collectors which contribute to annual incomes. Transportation on the Ma River is a profitable activity, ranging between VND 15-20 million per year, for those families or households which own a boat (Tercia Consultants, 2009). Regional topography and vegetation characteristics limit the development of the industrial sector. Within the project area communes, industrial and small-industrial production only meets local demands and the labour force has limited productivity. Poor transportation infrastructure and limited access have further restricted trade within the local area (PECC4, 2008a). Processing industries in the Moc Chau, Quan Hoa and Muong Lat districts are mainly small private organizations. These districts produce materials (stone, sand, brick, tile, etc), processed products (food, beverages, weaving products, clothes, wood products and paper) and mechanical products (machines, motored vehicles) (PECC4, 2008a). Textile labour was once a prominent activity amongst Thai and Muong people, though it is less common today (DRCC, 2008b). Some families weave brocade to meet family needs and for traditional ceremonies, but there is no external market for these products (DRCC, 2008b). Labour The low labour supply in the Ma River Basin is primarily due to a lack of trained and qualified labourers. Traditional knowledge is the main source of information transfer for both the agriculture and forestry sectors (DRCC, 2008b). Currently, there are approximately 11,394 people in the Trung Son, Muong Ly, Trung Ly, Tam Chung and Xuan Nha communes’ labour force. Of this group, 98% of individuals work within the agricultural sector (PECC4, 2008a). This accounts for approximately 51% of the area’s total population (PECC4, 2008a). Heavier manual labour is carried out by the males in a village, while the females perform lighter works for longer periods of time. Other activities in agriculture-forest production, such as clearing land, sowing seeds, cutting grass, harvesting, are chores shared by both the men and the women of a household, but the amount of time devoted to chores varies between the sexes. A woman’s time for harvest production ranges between 9-11 hours/day, while men contribute between 7-8 hours/day. In the family structure, the woman has the main role of rearing children. Due to ethnic customs, men rarely perform household chores (preparing food, cleaning, washing, etc.).Very few men Page 128 128 | Pa g e share household chores with women, especially within Mong ethnic communes, and women, will often carry their children on their backs while performing household chores. The burden of household work has strongly influenced a woman’s ability to go to school or participate in social events. A lack of education and training has limited females’ knowledge base, directly affecting the quality of care devoted to children. This is believed to be the main reason why females in remote areas are often poverty-stricken (DRCC, 2008b). Poverty Poverty is clearly characterized by regions and there is a clear link between the number of poverty-stricken households and the occupation structure of the commune (DRCC, 2008b). High poverty rates are more common within communes residing in remote, mountainous areas or areas where ethnic minority groups reside. Isolated regions, restricted access, poorly developed infrastructure and adverse weather conditions all contribute to difficult and challenging living conditions (DRCC, 2008b). These villages have limited services and underdeveloped infrastructure (DRCC, 2008b). The Muong Lat district is one of the poorest districts in Vietnam and 91% of the households in Trung Ly commune are categorized as poor. Thirty-five percent of these homes suffer from hunger year-round (HESDI, 2008). Tam Chung, which has the highest poverty rate (91.7%), and Muong Ly (90.7%) communes are dominated by Mong people (DRCC, 2008b). A large number of people have emigrated to Tay Nguyen for better “economic prospects” (DRCC, 2008b). Rural households with an average income of 200,000 (or less) VND per person per month are considered to be poor, while urban households with average incomes of 260,000 (or less) VND per person per month are considered poor (DRCC, 2008b). The economic livelihoods of ethnic minorities in Vietnam are not as robust as those of the Kinh. As such, the government has implemented programs in the areas of healthcare, education, society and economy to encourage the economic development of ethnic minority groups and reduce the prosperity gap between ethnic groups and regions (DRCC, 2008b).Despite government efforts, the rate of poverty reduction within ethnic minorities is still slower than that of the Kinh, even when individuals occupy the same area or commune (DRCC, 2008b.) Land Productivity Land Use The natural area surrounding the project area communes is approximately 73,000 ha. The total land devoted to agriculture is rather small as the majority is used for forestry (Table 0-7; Photo 0-9) (DRCC, 2008b). Despite this imbalance, 75-95% of the households within the project area communes are devoted to agriculture production (DRCC, 2008b). Land use right certificates have been allocated to each household; however, demarcations are unclear, particularly within the upland areas. The amount of land allocated per household is often skewed, as some have 1.5 ha, while others have 50 ha (Tercia Consultants, 2009). Table 0-7: Project Area Commune’s Land Use Agriculture Growing Area (ha) Forestry Area (ha) Project Area Communes Wet-rice Hill-side Natural Production Trung Son 54.14 350.6 2,774.3 2,818.0 Page 129 129 | Pa g e Muong Ly 10 450 1,768 2,100.39 Trung Ly 33 879 7,526 6,500 Tam Chung 62.6 270 20 2361.8 Xuan Nha 6.73 142.25 Tan Xuan 71.81 397 Source: Modified from DRCC, 2008b Four communes in the Thanh Hoa province have approximately 36,000 ha of forestry, which comprises 73.64% of the total natural area. Approximately 42.3% (15,243.58 ha) of land is currently used for forestry production, while 23.7% (8,515 ha) and 33.86% (12,165 ha) are designated as protected forests, respectively. In Xuan Nha commune, 16, 121 ha is forestry land, 25 ha of which has been previously replanted. Specific and basin protected forestry accounts for 16,096 ha (PECC4, 2008a). Photo 0-9: Bamboo forests bordering Ma River Farmland is severely degraded during each rainy season as a result of cultivation on 15-30% slopes (Photo 0-10). Erosion is the biggest challenge for agriculture production as land fertility declines rapidly after two to three years (DRCC, 2008b). Due to the steep slopes, fragile and infertile soils, and extended dry seasons, the project area is more suitable for upland rice cultivation (DRCC, 2008b). Page 130 130 | Pa g e Photo 0-10: Eroding Slopes in the TSHPP Area Agriculture Crop Production Agriculture is the primary activity within the project area. Approximately 70-80% of total household income depends on cultivation activities (Photo 0-11) (Tercia Consultants, 2009). Paddy and dry rice, corn, and cassava are the primary crops grown (PECC4, 2008a), though production focuses on rice (DRCC, 2008b). Agriculture communes, especially remote areas in Muong Lat, belong to the Vietnam 135 program , which encourages the building of small infrastructure for poor communes and develops activities to encourage agricultural and forestry expansion through application of advanced technology and skill development (DRCC, 2008b). Traditional cultivation methods are water farm and fields of rice, corn and manioc (DRCC, 2008b). Farms located near streams can be harvested twice a year, though productivity remains low due to a lack of water, absence of fertilizers, and minimal investment in intensive cultivation practices (PECC4, 2008a). The topography of Thanh Hoa province is not suitable for paddy rice cultivation with the exception of Xuan Nha commune, which is relatively flat and has abundant water resources (PECC4, 2008a). Three villages along the Ma River in Tam Chung and Tan Xuan communes account for almost all of the paddy rice fields within the project area. Paddy fields account for approximately 14% of the rice production in Trung Son and only 2% in both Muong Ly and Trung Ly communes (Tercia Consultants, 2009). There are no large-scale irrigation systems, with the exception of some small weirs constructed by the locals to help irrigate paddy rice fields. Page 131 131 | Pa g e Photo 0-11: Agriculture Production In the mountain regions, dry land cultivation or terrace cultivation is a popular activity and the average household has between two to three hectares of dry land. A rice-maize-cassava rotation is currently practiced, followed by a three to four year fallow period. Home-grown gardens are often limited and usually confined to growing fruit trees (Tercia Consultants, 2009). Local households cultivate peanuts, beans and a variety of fruit trees. Tree productivity is generally low due to a lack of investment and modern cultivation techniques (PECC4, 2008a). Table 0-8 describes commune agricultural productivity. There are limited agricultural and livestock extension services, which are normally provided by the District Economic Section through the Farmer’s Union and District Ethnic Unit. Locals have shown interest in improving cultivation techniques with participation from the Farmer’s Union and the Women’s Union (DRCC, 2008b). Page 132 132 | Pa g e Table 0-8: Commune Agricultural Productivity in 2006 Paddy Rice Commune Winter Summer Dry Rice Corn Cassava Peanut Vegetables Beans Trung Son Area 1 19.7 1.2 58.5 135.0 264.0 19.5 74.7 Productivity 2 30 28 8 30 70 120 20 Yield 3 59.6 3.4 46.8 405.0 1848 0 234 149.4 Trung Ly Area 37 5.0 323.7 475.0 29.70 3.0 7.0 1.0 Productivity 30 27 8 30 70 7 120 20 Yield 111.0 13.5 258.9 1425.0 207.7 2.0 84.0 2.0 Tam Chung Area 88.7 28.6 108.7 246.0 45 1.5 0.5 Productivity 27 24 8 30 70 20 20 Yield 241.3 68.6 86.9 738.0 315.0 0 3.0 1.0 Muong Ly Area 8.5 7.5 380.0 220.0 44.7 0 0.5 0.5 Productivity 30 26 8 30 70 0 120 20 Yield 25.5 19.5 304.0 660.0 312.7 0 6.0 0 Xuan Nha Area 151 85 200 400 110 4 6 170 Productivity 32 29 10 31 75 120 20 51 Yield 483.2 246.5 200 1240 825 48 12 868 1 Area Units = ha 2 Productivity Units = quintal/ha 3 Yield Units = ton Source: Modified from PECC4, 2008a Livestock Livestock is not considered as a main source of income for the area, although the Thai and Mong people traditionally breed cattle and raise poultry. Limited technology, smaller local breeds and growth, and unprotected livestock all contribute to the region’s low economic efficiency rates within the livestock sector (PECC4, 2008a). Breeding animals are used as family offerings during ceremonies such as weddings, funerals, and the construction of new homes (DRCC, Page 133 133 | Pa g e 2008b).In 2007, the blue-ear pig epidemic spread across Thanh Hoa province, preventing locals from slaughtering their livestock and exporting products to other villages (DRCC, 2008b). The average household has between one to two cows and/or buffalo; however, there are some households with three to four cows/buffalos, one to two pigs and 10 to 15 chickens. Livestock rearing is performed without any planning (PECC4, 2008a) and farmers permit their livestock to wander for breeding (Photo 0-12) (DRCC, 2008b).No fodder grass or crops are grown and manure is generally not used as an organic fertilizer (Tercia Consultants, 2009). Photo 0-12: Livestock in the TSHPP Area Forestry Forests occupy a large percentage of the natural lands within the project area (DRCC, 2008b) and the forestry industry is an important part of communes’ livelihoods (CAHAEE, 2008). The soils bordering the Ma River are classified as fertile and contribute to the forestry sector’s production (CPRD, 2008). Those forests which border villages are typically allocated to individual households, while the adjacent protected forests are managed by the Government (DRCC, 2008b). Wood and non-wood products, such as bamboo shoots and mushrooms, are collected from April to July each year. The majority of households have adjacent hill-side plotsfor harvesting timber and forest production is usually devoted to growing bamboo or bead-trees (DRCC, 2008b). Many households in the Trung Ly, Muong Ly and Trung Son communes have developed bamboo farms, which have provided a stable source of income. Currently, planted trees cover a large part of the potential flood area within the project area. Of these, bamboo trees produce the highest quality. According to previous surveys, bamboo trees occupy a large portion of the Muong Lat district and are currently too young to harvest (CAHAEE). Forestry productivity ranges from 20- 40 kg dry bamboo shoot/household/year. Other products, such as honey and wild animals, are also obtained during these months, but productivity levels are low (DRCC, 2008b). Households dependent on the forestry sector mainly sell native bamboo species (Photo 0-13). Giant bamboo ( Dendrocalamus sp.) is the primary forestry income source and is planted along the banks of the Ma and Quanh Rivers in Trung Son and Tan Xuan communes. During the first three years of planting, bamboo is inter-planted with cassava. In higher slope regions with scarce water supplies, people have developed planted forests to help combat hunger and decrease poverty (DRCC, 2008). Page 134 134 | Pa g e Photo 0-13: Bamboo Products Aquaculture Within the mountainous districts, there is little surface water and therefore, the aquaculture sector has not developed as extensively as the agricultural and forestry sectors. Fish ponds are not frequent and are mostly located in the wider valleys of Tam Chung and Tan Xuan communes. Fishing in the Ma River is an important source of income for communes downstream of the dam site, especially since the majority of fish have a high market value (Tercia Consultants, 2009). Aquaculture is common in coastal communities and freshwater fish breeding has just begun to develop in recent years (PECC4, 2008a). Raising fish is common in some households in Tam Chung commune (Tercia Consultants, 2009). There are 41 harvestable fish species within the Ma River and 100% of the fish caught are used for food. Though the Ma River is rich in fish species, aquaculture productivity is low. Fishermen in the area have commented that aquatic products from the Ma River are rapidly declining due to (Duc, 2008b): · Number of fishermen has been increasing due to population increases; · Many fishermen use unproductive fishing equipment; · Use of destructive catching methods (toxic chemicals, explosives, etc) is spreading ; · Fish are being harvested during the breeding season and fishermen concentrate on spawning grounds; · Widespread loss of river headwaters and alteration of flood frequencies (longer durations with greater intensities); and · Water in the Ma River is regularly polluted. Page 135 135 | Pa g e Environmental and Socio-economic Impact Assessment The purpose of any impact assessment, whether it is environmental or socio-economic, is to anticipate and prevent the consequences of a potential action. For the TSHPP, it is critical to identify potential construction and operation impacts to minimize or eliminate their effects within the project area and region. Therefore, the following tables (Table 0-1and Table 0-2) have five key functions: · Identify potential construction and operation impact agents and their associated impacts on the project area; · Highlight mitigation measure standards or ideal criteria for each project-related impact; · Describe mitigation measures which would minimize and/or eliminate potential construction or operation impacts; · Rank the residual impact or the significance of the potential impact after mitigation measures have been applied; and finally · Identify project impact gaps or areas where additional information is required to properly assess project-related issues. Residual impacts are the potential impacts of an issue after mitigation measures have been applied. The ranking of residual impacts illustrates the summation of each impact criterion considering the implementation of project mitigation measures. The impact gap column indicates that additional research or clarification is required to reduce the residual impact to a low or acceptable level. Cumulative project impacts, or the impacts associated from the TSHPP project components interacting, are discussed in Section 6.3. These tables follow the impact methodology and rankings which were introduced in Section 1.2.2. Construction Phase Generally, there are many significant impacts (Table 0-1) which occur during the construction of a hydroelectric project. Most construction activities impact water and air. Other construction specific impacts are associated with the excavation of quarries and borrow pits; creation of worker camps; high demand for work areas and labor force; development of the head race tunnel, power stations, construction of access roads, transmission lines, resettlement sites; alteration to the downstream channel; and finally, those impacts associated with the biophysical, socio- economic and cultural resources within the project area. Page 136 1 3 6 | P a g e T a b l e 0 - 1 : C o n s t r u c t i o n I m p a c t s a n d P r o p o s e d M i t i g a t i o n M e a s u r e s I m p a c t S i g n i f i c a n c e I m p a c t A g e n t I s s u e I m p a c t M i t i g a t i o n O b j e c t i v e / S t a n d a r d P r o j e c t M i t i g a t i o n M e a s u r e s Duration Magnitude Geographic Extent Likelihood of Occurrence Reversibility Residual Impact I m p a c t G a p N o i s e c r e a t i o n D i s t u r b a n c e t o l o c a l v i l l a g e r s , l i v e s t o c k a n d w i l d l i f e N o i s e l e v e l s s h o u l d n o t a f f e c t l o c a l h o u s e h o l d s , l i v e s t o c k o r w i l d l i f e s p e c i e s · C o n s t r u c t i o n a c t i v i t i e s s h o u l d b e c o n f i n e d t o d a y l i g h t h o u r s · I f a c t i v i t i e s o c c u r o u t s i d e o f d a y l i g h t h o u r s , i n f o r m l o c a l v i l l a g e r s L L L L L L A d d i t i o n a l i n f o r m a t i o n o n m a c h i n e r y u s e d f o r c l e a r i n g n e e d e d R e s e r v o i r P r e p a r a t i o n ( C l e a r i n g , g r a d i n g , e x c a v a t i o n , l e v e l i n g , t r u c k h a u l i n g , e t c . ) D u s t c r e a t i o n D e c r e a s e d a i r q u a l i t y f o r c o n s t r u c t i o n w o r k e r s , l o c a l v i l l a g e r s a n d s u r r o u n d i n g e n v i r o n m e n t D u s t c r e a t e d m u s t n o t b e c o m e a h e a l t h h a z a r d o r n u i s a n c e t o a f f e c t e d g r o u p s · W a t e r w o r k a r e a a n d a s s o c i a t e d r o a d s · M i n i m i z e t r a f f i c i n l o c a l v i l l a g e s a n d o b s e r v e i m p o s e d s p e e d l i m i t s · U s e e x p o s e d s t o c k p i l e s a n d m a t e r i a l a s s o o n a s p o s s i b l e · C o v e r a n y e x p o s e d m a t e r i a l s d u r i n g t r a n s p o r t a t i o n L L M M L L Page 137 1 3 7 | P a g e I m p a c t S i g n i f i c a n c e I m p a c t A g e n t I s s u e I m p a c t M i t i g a t i o n O b j e c t i v e / S t a n d a r d P r o j e c t M i t i g a t i o n M e a s u r e s Duration Magnitude Geographic Extent Likelihood of Occurrence Reversibility Residual Impact I m p a c t G a p L o s s o f p r o d u c t i v e l a n d F o r e s t r e m o v a l i s c o n f i n e d t o d e s i g n a t e d a r e a s · R L D P w i l l a l l o w a f f e c t e d v i l l a g e r s t o r e m o v e t r e e s t h a t h a v e e c o n o m i c o r p r a c t i c a l v a l u e b e f o r e c o n s t r u c t i o n c l e a r i n g a r e a s · A v o i d e x c e s s c l e a r i n g f o r p r o j e c t r e q u i r e m e n t s · V e g e t a t i o n d e b r i s s h a l l b e e i t h e r d i s p o s e d a n d / o r b u r n e d a t d e s i g n a t e d s i t e s M M M L M M C l a r i f i c a t i o n i n V e g e t a t i o n C l e a r i n g a n d S a l v a g e P l a n ( R e s e r v o i r C l e a r i n g P l a n ) n e e d e d f o r d i s p o s a l o f d e b r i s L o s s o f f o r e s t c o v e r L o s s o f p o t e n t i a l i n c o m e N o l o n g t e r m i m p a c t s t o t h o s e h o u s e h o l d s d e p e n d e n t o n f o r e s t r y p r o d u c t i o n · F i n a n c i a l c o m p e n s a t i o n f o r l o s s o f f o r e s t r e s o u r c e s · R e s e t t l e m e n t a r e a s s h a l l h a v e s u i t a b l e p r o d u c t i v e l a n d f o r f o r e s t p r o d u c t i o n · R L D P w i l l h a v e t r a i n i n g p r o g r a m s t o d i v e r s i f y i n c o m e s M M M L L M Page 138 1 3 8 | P a g e I m p a c t S i g n i f i c a n c e I m p a c t A g e n t I s s u e I m p a c t M i t i g a t i o n O b j e c t i v e / S t a n d a r d P r o j e c t M i t i g a t i o n M e a s u r e s Duration Magnitude Geographic Extent Likelihood of Occurrence Reversibility Residual Impact I m p a c t G a p L o s s o f b i o d i v e r s i t y a n d h a b i t a t N o l o s s o f l i s t e d s p e c i e s , b i o d i v e r s i t y a n d h a b i t a t · A v o i d c l e a r i n g i n r e s t r i c t e d a n d p r o t e c t e d a r e a s · M i n i m i z e c o n s t r u c t i o n a c t i v i t i e s d u r i n g s e n s i t i v e b r e e d i n g / n e s t i n g p e r i o d s · E n v i r o n m e n t a l a w a r e n e s s a n d e d u c a t i o n f o r C o n t r a c t o r a n d c o n s t r u c t i o n w o r k e r s · S t r e n g t h e n / i m p r o v e a c t i v i t i e s a n d c a p a c i t y f o r p r o t e c t i o n f o r c e . L L M L L L B i o d i v e r s i t y a n d l i s t e d s p e c i e s m a n a g e m e n t p l a n n e e d e d D u s t C r e a t i o n R e f e r t o a b o v e s e c t i o n o n “ D u s t c r e a t i o n ” R o a d T r a f f i c I n c r e a s e d r o a d t r a f f i c N o r i s k t o l o c a l p o p u l a t i o n · M i n i m i z e t r a f f i c i n v i l l a g e s a n d o t h e r p o p u l a t e d a r e a s · I n c r e a s e s i g n a g e a n d p o s t e d s p e e d l i m i t s · R o a d s s h a l l b e k e p t f r e e f r o m m u d , d e b r i s a n d o t h e r o b s t a c l e s · C o m m u n i t y t r a f f i c a w a r e n e s s p l a n L L M H L M T r a f f i c m a n a g e m e n t p l a n n e e d e d Page 139 1 3 9 | P a g e I m p a c t S i g n i f i c a n c e I m p a c t A g e n t I s s u e I m p a c t M i t i g a t i o n O b j e c t i v e / S t a n d a r d P r o j e c t M i t i g a t i o n M e a s u r e s Duration Magnitude Geographic Extent Likelihood of Occurrence Reversibility Residual Impact I m p a c t G a p D e t e r i o r a t i o n o f r o a d s I n t e g r i t y o f r o a d s s h a l l n o t b e c o m p r o m i s e d · R e p a i r r o a d s , a s r e q u i r e d , p a r t i c u l a r l y t h o s e w h i c h a r e d a m a g e d b y c o n s t r u c t i o n v e h i c l e s L L L L L L N o i s e a n d v i b r a t i o n N o i s e a n d v i b r a t i o n l e v e l s s h o u l d n o t a f f e c t l o c a l h o u s e h o l d s , l i v e s t o c k o r w i l d l i f e s p e c i e s · R o a d t r a f f i c s h o u l d b e c o n f i n e d t o d a y l i g h t h o u r s · I f r o a d t r a f f i c o c c u r s o u t s i d e o f d a y l i g h t h o u r s , i n f o r m l o c a l v i l l a g e r s · M a c h i n e s s h o u l d b e p e r i o d i c a l l y e x a m i n e d t o m a k e s u r e o f t e c h n i c a l s p e c i f i c a t i o n s L L L L L L A c c i d e n t s a n d u n p l a n n e d e v e n t s I n c r e a s e d r i s k t o p e r s o n a l h e a l t h a n d s a f e t y d u r i n g c o n s t r u c t i o n a c t i v i t i e s M i n i m i z e r i s k s t o l o c a l v i l l a g e r s o r c o n s t r u c t i o n w o r k e r s ’ p e r s o n a l h e a l t h a n d s a f e t y · T r a i n i n g a n d o r i e n t a t i o n o f c o n s t r u c t i o n w o r k e r s · S u p p l y i n g p r o t e c t i v e a n d e m e r g e n c y e q u i p m e n t a n d t o o l s · I m p l e m e n t r e g u l a r i n s p e c t i o n s f o r e q u i p m e n t a n d m a c h i n e r y L L L L L L V e h i c l e a n d e q u i p m e n t m a i n t e n a n c e a n d s t o r a g e G a s e m i s s i o n s a n d p a r t i c u l a t e m a t t e r d e c r e a s e a i r q u a l i t y A i r q u a l i t y s t a n d a r d s a r e m a i n t a i n e d t h r o u g h o u t c o n s t r u c t i o n · M a i n t a i n v e h i c l e s i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h m a n u f a c t u r e s p e c i f i c a t i o n s · R e p a i r v e h i c l e s a n d e q u i p m e n t , a s n e c e s s a r y L L L L L L Page 140 1 4 0 | P a g e I m p a c t S i g n i f i c a n c e I m p a c t A g e n t I s s u e I m p a c t M i t i g a t i o n O b j e c t i v e / S t a n d a r d P r o j e c t M i t i g a t i o n M e a s u r e s Duration Magnitude Geographic Extent Likelihood of Occurrence Reversibility Residual Impact I m p a c t G a p S t o r a g e a n d d i s c h a r g e o f o i l s , l u b r i c a n t s a n d o t h e r h a z a r d o u s m a t e r i a l s d u r i n g o p e r a t i o n a n d m a i n t e n a n c e N o h a z a r d o u s m a t e r i a l s s h a l l b e r e l e a s e d i n t o t h e e n v i r o n m e n t . · P r o v i s i o n a n d m a i n t e n a n c e o f d e s i g n a t e d s t o r a g e a n d f u e l l i n g a r e a s L L L L L L H a z a r d o u s m a t e r i a l m a n a g e m e n t p l a n n e e d e d D o m e s t i c w a s t e ( g a r b a g e , l i t t e r , h u m a n w a s t e , e t c . ) P o l l u t i o n o f e c o s y s t e m s ( w a t e r , s o i l s , v e g e t a t i o n , e t c . ) W a s t e p r o d u c t i o n s h a l l n o t i m p a c t s u r r o u n d i n g e c o s y s t e m s · D o m e s t i c w a s t e i s p r o p e r l y c o l l e c t e d a n d d i s p o s e d o f a t a p p r o v e d l o c a t i o n s · I m p l e m e n t r e c y c l i n g p r o g r a m w h e r e p o s s i b l e . L L L L L L N a t u r a l d e b r i s ( u n s a l v a g e a b l e w o o d , v e g e t a t i o n , e t c . ) D i s r u p t i o n o f e c o s y s t e m s ( w a t e r , s o i l , v e g e t a t i o n , e t c . ) W a s t e p r o d u c t i o n s h a l l n o t d i s r u p t s u r r o u n d i n g e c o s y s t e m s · N a t u r a l d e b r i s s h a l l b e e i t h e r d i s p o s e d a n d / o r b u r n e d a t d e s i g n a t e d s i t e s L L L L L L D a m a g e o r d e s t r u c t i o n o f s i t e c o n t e n t s M i n i m i z e d a m a g e d u r i n g e x c a v a t i o n a c t i v i t i e s · F o l l o w e x c a v a t i o n a n d s a l v a g e p l a n p r o c e d u r e s · C o n s t r u c t n e w g r a v e s i t e s / c e m e t e r i e s / h o l y p l a c e s i n r e s e t t l e m e n t a r e a s , a s r e q u i r e d L L L L H L A d d i t i o n a l s t u d i e s f o r b u r i a l s i t e s n e e d e d L o s s o r a l t e r a t i o n o f c u l t u r a l / a r c h a e o l o g i c a l / h i s t o r i c a l s i t e s D a m a g e o r d e s t r u c t i o n o f n e w l y d i s c o v e r e d s i t e s N o s i t e s h a l l b e d i s t u r b e d u n t i l p r o p e r l y i n v e s t i g a t e d · D i s c o v e r y o f n e w s i t e s s h a l l f o l l o w “ C h a n c e F i n d P r o c e d u r e s ” L L L L H L Page 141 1 4 1 | P a g e I m p a c t S i g n i f i c a n c e I m p a c t A g e n t I s s u e I m p a c t M i t i g a t i o n O b j e c t i v e / S t a n d a r d P r o j e c t M i t i g a t i o n M e a s u r e s Duration Magnitude Geographic Extent Likelihood of Occurrence Reversibility Residual Impact I m p a c t G a p L o s s o f h o m e s V i l l a g e r s s h a l l b e e i t h e r r e s e t t l e d o r c o m p e n s a t e d · P r o v i s i o n o f n e w h o m e s i n d e s i g n a t e d r e s e t t l e m e n t a r e a s · F i n a n c i a l c o m p e n s a t i o n p r o v i d e d f o r s e l f - r e l o c a t i o n L L L L L L I m p a c t a n a l y s i s a n d m i t i g a t i o n a d d r e s s e d i n R L D P R e s e t t l e m e n t o f c o m m u n e s a n d v i l l a g e r s a s a r e s u l t o f r e s e r v o i r c r e a t i o n D i s t u r b a n c e t o f a m i l y n e t w o r k s , c o m m u n i t y s t r u c t u r e a n d c u l t u r a l a n d e t h n i c i d e n t i t i e s R e s e t t l e d v i l l a g e r s s h a l l r e - e s t a b l i s h t h e i r c u r r e n t w a y o f l i f e i n n e w c o m m u n e s · T r a i n i n g a n d e d u c a t i o n p r o g r a m s f o r i n c o m e d i v e r s i f i c a t i o n · P r o v i s i o n o f c o m m u n i c a t i o n n e t w o r k s a n d s o c i a l p r o g r a m s t o a s s i s t i n r e s e t t l e m e n t t r a n s i t i o n H H M M M M I m p a c t a n a l y s i s a n d m i t i g a t i o n a d d r e s s e d i n R L D P A l t e r a t i o n t o c o m m u n i t y c u l t u r e a n d e t h n i c h e r i t a g e V i l l a g e r s i n a f f e c t e d c o m m u n e s s h a l l m a i n t a i n c u r r e n t w a y o f l i f e · P r o v i s i o n o f c o m m u n i c a t i o n n e t w o r k s a n d s o c i a l p r o g r a m s t o a s s i s t i n r e s e t t l e m e n t t r a n s i t i o n H M L M M M I n c r e a s e d e m a n d f o r s h a r e d n a t u r a l r e s o u r c e s N o o v e r - e x p l o i t a t i o n o f n a t u r a l r e s o u r c e s · E d u c a t i o n a n d a w a r e n e s s p r o g r a m s o n n a t u r a l r e s o u r c e m a n a g e m e n t · C o - m a n a g e m e n t o f e x i s t i n g n a t u r a l r e s o u r c e s b e t w e e n c o m m u n e s M M M M L M I m p a c t a n a l y s i s a n d m i t i g a t i o n a d d r e s s e d i n R L D P E x p a n s i o n o f c o m m u n e s f o r r e s e t t l e d h o u s e h o l d s I n c r e a s e d d e m a n d o n c o m m u n i t y & h e a l t h s e r v i c e s A d e q u a t e s e r v i c e s s h a l l b e p r o v i d e d · E x p a n s i o n o r c r e a t i o n o f n e w m e d i c a l , e d u c a t i o n a n d c o m m u n i t y f a c i l i t i e s a n d s e r v i c e s L L L L L L Page 142 1 4 2 | P a g e I m p a c t S i g n i f i c a n c e I m p a c t A g e n t I s s u e I m p a c t M i t i g a t i o n O b j e c t i v e / S t a n d a r d P r o j e c t M i t i g a t i o n M e a s u r e s Duration Magnitude Geographic Extent Likelihood of Occurrence Reversibility Residual Impact I m p a c t G a p I n c r e a s e d i s e a s e t r a n s m i s s i o n N o i n c r e a s e i n d i s e a s e t r a n s m i s s i o n r a t e s · E d u c a t i o n a n d a w a r e n e s s o f s a n i t a t i o n p r a c t i c e s a n d d i s e a s e v e c t o r s · E x p a n s i o n o r c r e a t i o n o f n e w s a n i t a t i o n f a c i l i t i e s L L L L L L D i s t u r b a n c e t o f a m i l y n e t w o r k s , c o m m u n i t y s t r u c t u r e a n d c u l t u r a l a n d e t h n i c i d e n t i t i e s E x i s t i n g v i l l a g e r s s h a l l m a i n t a i n t h e i r c u r r e n t w a y o f l i f e · P r o v i s i o n o f c o m m u n i c a t i o n n e t w o r k s a n d s o c i a l p r o g r a m s t o a s s i s t i n r e s e t t l e m e n t t r a n s i t i o n H H M M M M I m p a c t a n a l y s i s a n d m i t i g a t i o n a d d r e s s e d i n R L D P N o i s e a n d v i b r a t i o n c r e a t i o n D i s t u r b a n c e t o l o c a l h o u s e h o l d s , l i v e s t o c k a n d w i l d l i f e s p e c i e s N o i s e a n d v i b r a t i o n l e v e l s s h o u l d n o t i n t e r f e r e w i t h d a i l y a c t i v i t i e s · C o n s t r u c t i o n a c t i v i t i e s s h o u l d o c c u r o n l y d u r i n g d a y l i g h t h o u r s · I f c o n s t r u c t i o n i s r e q u i r e d o u t s i d e o f w o r k i n g h o u r s , c o m m u n e s a n d h o u s e h o l d s s h a l l b e c o n s u l t e d · W a r n i n g s s h a l l b e i s s u e d p r i o r t o b l a s t i n g a c t i v i t i e s L M M H L M D a m S i t e C o n s t r u c t i o n ( C l e a r i n g , s t r i p p i n g , g r a d i n g , e x c a v a t i o n , b l a s t i n g , s t o c k p i l i n g , w a s t e d i s p o s a l , r i v e r d i v e r s i o n , t r a n s p o r t v e h i c l e s , e t c . ) L o s s o f f o r e s t c o v e r R e f e r t o a b o v e s e c t i o n o n “ L o s s o f f o r e s t c o v e r ” L L L M M L F u r t h e r d e t a i l s o n c l e a r i n g p l a n n e e d e d Page 143 1 4 3 | P a g e I m p a c t S i g n i f i c a n c e I m p a c t A g e n t I s s u e I m p a c t M i t i g a t i o n O b j e c t i v e / S t a n d a r d P r o j e c t M i t i g a t i o n M e a s u r e s Duration Magnitude Geographic Extent Likelihood of Occurrence Reversibility Residual Impact I m p a c t G a p I n c r e a s e d s e d i m e n t a t i o n M i n i m i z e s o i l e r o s i o n a n d s e d i m e n t a t i o n · I m p l e m e n t s o i l e r o s i o n a n d s e d i m e n t a t i o n c o n t r o l m e a s u r e s a t s u s c e p t i b l e l o c a t i o n s ( i . e . S t e e p s l o p e s , s a n d y s o i l s , e t c . ) C o n s t r u c t i o n a c t i v i t i e s s h a l l a v o i d w o r k i n g i n w e t c o n d i t i o n s L L L L L L F u r t h e r d e t a i l s n e e d e d i n c o n s t r u c t i o n i m p a c t m a n a g e m e n t p l a n S l o p e i n s t a b i l i t y S l o p e i n t e g r i t y s h a l l b e m a i n t a i n e d t h r o u g h o u t c o n s t r u c t i o n · I n s t a l l a t i o n o f r o c k o r s t a b i l i z a t i o n s t r u c t u r e s · P r o p e r g r a d i n g p r a c t i c e s a n d w a t e r d i v e r s i o n s t r u c t u r e s L L L L L L S o i l e r o s i o n L o s s o f p r o d u c t i v e t o p s o i l M a i n t a i n t o p s o i l s t o c k p i l e s f o r f u t u r e u s e · R e f e r t o C o n s t r u c t i o n I m p a c t M a n a g e m e n t P l a n ( i n a s s o c i a t e d E M P ) L L L L L L F u r t h e r d e t a i l s n e e d e d i n c o n s t r u c t i o n i m p a c t m a n a g e m e n t p l a n D u s t c r e a t i o n R e f e r t o a b o v e s e c t i o n o n “ D u s t c r e a t i o n ” D o m e s t i c w a s t e a n d N a t u r a l D e b r i s R e f e r t o a b o v e s e c t i o n s “ D o m e s t i c W a s t e s ” a n d “ N a t u r a l D e b r i s ” f o r f u r t h e r d e t a i l s Page 144 1 4 4 | P a g e I m p a c t S i g n i f i c a n c e I m p a c t A g e n t I s s u e I m p a c t M i t i g a t i o n O b j e c t i v e / S t a n d a r d P r o j e c t M i t i g a t i o n M e a s u r e s Duration Magnitude Geographic Extent Likelihood of Occurrence Reversibility Residual Impact I m p a c t G a p R e m o v a l o f s u b s u r f a c e a n d s u r f a c e m a t e r i a l s L a n d g r a d i e n t a n d d r a i n a g e s a r e m a i n t a i n e d · E x c a v a t e d r o c k o r g r a v e l s h a l l n o t c o m p r o m i s e r i v e r b e d a n d b a n k s , i m p e d e f l o w s · C o n f i n e a c t i v i t i e s t o a p p r o v e d l o c a t i o n s L L L L L L D u s t a n d d e b r i s c r e a t e d d u r i n g t r a n s p o r t a t i o n o f m a t e r i a l s M i n i m i z e t h e c r e a t i o n o f d u s t a n d d e b r i s d u r i n g t r a n s p o r t a t i o n · I m p l e m e n t p r o t e c t i v e m e a s u r e s d u r i n g t r a n s p o r t a t i o n ( i . e . c o v e r i n g l o a d s , r e d u c e d t r a v e l s p e e d s , e t c . ) L L L L L L F u r t h e r d e t a i l s n e e d e d i n c o n s t r u c t i o n i m p a c t m a n a g e m e n t p l a n B o r r o w p i t a n d q u a r r y c r e a t i o n A b a n d o n m e n t o f b o r r o w p i t s a n d q u a r r i e s A l l d i s t u r b e d a r e a s a r e p r o p e r l y r e c l a i m e d a f t e r c o n s t r u c t i o n · R e - c o n t o u r s l o p e s · E n s u r e p r o p e r d r a i n a g e i s m a i n t a i n e d · R e f e r t o R e c l a m a t i o n P l a n L L L L L L F u r t h e r d e t a i l s o n r e c l a m a t i o n n e e d e d i n c o n s t r u c t i o n i m p a c t m a n a g e m e n t p l a n Page 145 1 4 5 | P a g e I m p a c t S i g n i f i c a n c e I m p a c t A g e n t I s s u e I m p a c t M i t i g a t i o n O b j e c t i v e / S t a n d a r d P r o j e c t M i t i g a t i o n M e a s u r e s Duration Magnitude Geographic Extent Likelihood of Occurrence Reversibility Residual Impact I m p a c t G a p D i s c h a r g e o f c o n t a m i n a n t s f r o m t u n n e l D e c r e a s e d w a t e r q u a l i t y ( t o t a l s u s p e n d e d s o l i d s , o i l , f u e l , e t c . ) a n d i m p a c t s o n a q u a t i c l i f e N o d i r e c t d i s c h a r g e o f t u n n e l w a t e r i n t o a n y w a t e r c o u r s e o r w a t e r b o d y · I m p l e m e n t m o n i t o r i n g s t a t i o n s u p s t r e a m a n d d o w n s t r e a m o f t h e d i s c h a r g e · D i s c h a r g e s h o u l d o c c u r d u r i n g h i g h f l o w a n d w i t h i n c l o s e p r o x i m i t y t o t h e o u t f a l l · P r o v i d e s p i l l k i t s a n d h a v e e m e r g e n c y p r o c e d u r e s p r e p a r e d w h e n d e a l i n g w i t h o i l s , f u e l s , e t c . · T r a i n s t a f f f o r p r o p e r h a n d l i n g p r o c e d u r e s w h e n d e a l i n g w i t h c o n t a m i n a n t s . L L L L L L Page 146 1 4 6 | P a g e I m p a c t S i g n i f i c a n c e I m p a c t A g e n t I s s u e I m p a c t M i t i g a t i o n O b j e c t i v e / S t a n d a r d P r o j e c t M i t i g a t i o n M e a s u r e s Duration Magnitude Geographic Extent Likelihood of Occurrence Reversibility Residual Impact I m p a c t G a p I n - s t r e a m c o n s t r u c t i o n a c t i v i t i e s ( i n s t a l l a t i o n o f c o f f e r d a m s , r i v e r d i v e r s i o n , m a c h i n e r y / e q u i p m e n t o p e r a t i n g i n - s t r e a m , e t c . ) D e c r e a s e d w a t e r q u a l i t y ( s e d i m e n t a t i o n , p o l l u t i o n , e t c . ) a n d i m p a c t s o n a q u a t i c e c o s y s t e m s M i n i m a l d i s t u r b a n c e t o w a t e r q u a l i t y a n d a q u a t i c e c o s y s t e m s · C o n s t r u c t i o n a c t i v i t i e s s h o u l d o c c u r d u r i n g l o w w a t e r l e v e l s · M a i n t a i n r i v e r d i v e r s i o n s t r u c t u r e s t h r o u g h o u t c o n s t r u c t i o n · M i n i m i z e i n - s t r e a m a c t i v i t i e s · C o n s t r u c t i o n o f c u l v e r t s t o m a i n t a i n w a t e r f l o w · P r o p e r m a i n t e n a n c e o f v e h i c l e s a n d e q u i p m e n t · I m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f c l e a n - u p a c t i v i t i e s a n d r e s t o r a t i o n o f s i d e c h a n n e l s · I m p l e m e n t a q u a c u l t u r e p r o g r a m f o r l o s s o f f i s h i n r e s e r v o i r a r e a L L M M L L F u r t h e r d e t a i l s n e e d e d i n c o n s t r u c t i o n i m p a c t m a n a g e m e n t p l a n S i t e c l e a r i n g R e f e r t o a b o v e s e c t i o n s i n “ D a m S i t e a n d R e s e r v o i r P r e p a r a t i o n ” f o r a d d i t i o n a l d e t a i l s o n c l e a r i n g i m p a c t s C o n s t r u c t i o n C a m p C r e a t i o n ( s i t e c l e a r i n g , c a m p s i t e c o n s t r u c t i o n , l a b o u r f o r c e C o n s t r u c t i o n o f n e w c a m p b u i l d i n g s I n c r e a s e d d e m a n d f o r b u i l d i n g m a t e r i a l s N a t u r a l r e s o u r c e s s h a l l n o t b e o v e r - e x p l o i t e d f o r c o n s t r u c t i o n p u r p o s e s · U s e e x c a v a t i o n s i t e a n d r e s e r v o i r c l e a r i n g m a t e r i a l s t o c o n s t r u c t b r i c k s o r p r o v i s i o n o f l u m b e r L M M M L M F u r t h e r d e t a i l s r e q u i r e d i n C o n s t r u c t i o n C a m p Page 147 1 4 7 | P a g e I m p a c t S i g n i f i c a n c e I m p a c t A g e n t I s s u e I m p a c t M i t i g a t i o n O b j e c t i v e / S t a n d a r d P r o j e c t M i t i g a t i o n M e a s u r e s Duration Magnitude Geographic Extent Likelihood of Occurrence Reversibility Residual Impact I m p a c t G a p I n s t a l l a t i o n r e q u i r e m e n t f o r s a n i t a t i o n s e r v i c e s A d e q u a t e p r o v i s i o n o f s a n i t a t i o n a n d d i s p o s a l s e r v i c e s · P r o v i d e a d e q u a t e a n d c o m p l i a n t s a n i t a t i o n s e r v i c e s · I d e n t i f y d i s c h a r g e p o i n t s a n d m o n i t o r c o m p l i a n c e ; n o d i s c h a r g e u n d e r n o n - c o m p l i a n t c o n d i t i o n s L L L L L L M a n a g e m e n t P l a n N o i s e a n d d u s t c r e a t i o n R e f e r t o p r e v i o u s “ N o i s e ” a n d “ D u s t ” s e c t i o n f o r f u r t h e r d e t a i l s D o m e s t i c w a s t e R e f e r t o a b o v e s e c t i o n o n “ D o m e s t i c w a s t e ” f o r f u r t h e r d e t a i l s P o t e n t i a l e x p l o i t a t i o n o f l o c a l w o r k f o r c e a s i n e x p e n s i v e l a b o u r E q u a l e m p l o y m e n t o p p o r t u n i t i e s · S t a n d a r d p a y r e g u l a t i o n s a n d h i r i n g p r a c t i c e s · P r o v i s i o n o f l o c a l t r a i n i n g p r o g r a m s M L M L L L a n d c a m p f o l l o w e r s ) C o n s t r u c t i o n J o b c r e a t i o n C h a n g e i n l i v e l i h o o d a n d t r a d i t i o n a l a c t i v i t i e s S t a n d a r d o f l i v i n g s h a l l b e i m p r o v e d a n d t r a d i t i o n a l a c t i v i t i e s s h a l l b e s u p p o r t e d · P r o v i d i n g s e r v i c e s f o r b o t h l o c a l w o r k e r s a n d o u t s i d e c o n s t r u c t i o n w o r k e r s · P r o v i d e f i n a n c i a l s u p p o r t t o m a i n t a i n t r a d i t i o n a l a c t i v i t i e s M L M L L L I m p a c t a n a l y s i s a n d m i t i g a t i o n a d d r e s s e d i n c o n s t r u c t i o n c a m p m a n a g e m e n t p l a n Page 148 1 4 8 | P a g e I m p a c t S i g n i f i c a n c e I m p a c t A g e n t I s s u e I m p a c t M i t i g a t i o n O b j e c t i v e / S t a n d a r d P r o j e c t M i t i g a t i o n M e a s u r e s Duration Magnitude Geographic Extent Likelihood of Occurrence Reversibility Residual Impact I m p a c t G a p D i s t o r t i o n o f h o u s e h o l d a n d m a n u a l l a b o u r ( a g r i c u l t u r a l , f o r e s t r y , e t c . ) F e m a l e s / e l d e r l y / y o u n g s h a l l n o t b e o v e r b u r d e n e d i n m a i n t a i n i n g h o m e s · R L D P s h a l l i m p l e m e n t f i n a n c i a l s u p p o r t p r o g r a m s t o a s s i s t f e m a l e s / e l d e r l y / y o u n g i n h o u s e h o l d a c t i v i t i e s ( s u c h a s c o o k i n g , c l e a n i n g , r a i s i n g c h i l d r e n , a g r i c u l t u r a l a c t i v i t i e s , e t c . ) a n d e n c o u r a g e u n e m p l o y e d m a l e s t o s h a r e h o u s e h o l d r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s M H M L L M I m p a c t a n a l y s i s a n d m i t i g a t i o n a d d r e s s e d i n c o n s t r u c t i o n c a m p m a n a g e m e n t p l a n “ B o o m - t o w n ” e f f e c t f r o m r a p i d p o p u l a t i o n a n d r e s o u r c e d e m a n d i n c r e a s e R e g i o n a l i n f l a t i o n o f l o c a l r e s o u r c e s d u e t o i n c r e a s e d p o p u l a t i o n a n d r e s o u r c e d e m a n d s M i n i m a l i n f l a t i o n a n d m a n a g e m e n t o f r e s o u r c e s d u r i n g r a p i d e x p a n s i o n o f c o m m u n e s · E n c o u r a g e o u t s i d e s o u r c i n g o f m a t e r i a l s , f o o d s t u f f a n d w a t e r s u p p l i e s M M H M M M I n c r e a s e d d e m a n d f o r i n f r a s t r u c t u r e a n d u t i l i t i e s I n c r e a s e d d e m a n d f o r b u i l d i n g m a t e r i a l s m a y c a u s e s o c i a l c o n f l i c t s C o n s t r u c t i o n a c t i v i t i e s s h a l l n o t e x p l o i t e x i s t i n g n a t u r a l r e s o u r c e s · E n s u r e c o n s t r u c t i o n c a m p r e s o u r c e s d o n o t c o n f l i c t w i t h l o c a l c o m m u n e s u p p l i e s · I n c r e a s e s e c u r i t y a r o u n d p r o t e c t e d a n d n a t u r a l a r e a s M M M L L M Page 149 1 4 9 | P a g e I m p a c t S i g n i f i c a n c e I m p a c t A g e n t I s s u e I m p a c t M i t i g a t i o n O b j e c t i v e / S t a n d a r d P r o j e c t M i t i g a t i o n M e a s u r e s Duration Magnitude Geographic Extent Likelihood of Occurrence Reversibility Residual Impact I m p a c t G a p I n c r e a s e d d e m a n d f o r c o m m u n i t y s e r v i c e s s t a f f ( m e d i c a l , e m e r g e n c y , s a f e t y , e t c . ) C o n s t r u c t i o n w o r k e r s a n d l o c a l v i l l a g e r s s h a l l r e c e i v e a d e q u a t e s e r v i c e s · P r o v i d e t r a i n e d a n d e d u c a t e d s t a f f t o p e r f o r m c o m m u n i t y s e r v i c e s F i n a n c i a l a s s i s t a n c e t o s u p p o r t s e r v i c e s a n d m a i n t a i n o p e r a t i o n s M M L L L L I m p a c t a n a l y s i s a n d m i t i g a t i o n a d d r e s s e d i n R e g i o n a l H e a l t h P l a n a n d C o n s t r u c t i o n W o r k e r H e a l t h P r o g r a m I n c r e a s e d d e m a n d f o r p o t a b l e w a t e r ( d r i n k i n g , f o o d p r e p a r a t i o n , l i v e s t o c k w a t e r i n g , e t c . ) C o n s t r u c t i o n w o r k e r s a n d l o c a l v i l l a g e r s s h a l l r e c e i v e c l e a n , r e l i a b l e w a t e r s u p p l i e s · E n s u r e c o n s t r u c t i o n c a m p r e s o u r c e s d o n o t c o n f l i c t w i t h l o c a l c o m m u n e s u p p l i e s · P r o v i d e c o n s t r u c t i o n c a m p w i t h w a t e r s t o r a g e f a c i l i t i e s · E n s u r e w a t e r r e s e r v e s a n d w a t e r s t o r a g e f a c i l i t i e s m a i n t a i n s u f f i c i e n t w a t e r l e v e l s , e s p e c i a l l y f o r t h e d r y s e a s o n s M L M L L L W a s t e w a t e r p r o d u c t i o n a n d s a n i t a t i o n s e r v i c e s m a y c a u s e s o c i a l c o n f l i c t s C o n s t r u c t i o n w o r k e r s a n d l o c a l v i l l a g e r s s h a l l b e p r o v i d e d w i t h p r o p e r f a c i l i t i e s f o r w a s t e d i s p o s a l · C o n s t r u c t i o n c a m p s a n d p r o j e c t a f f e c t e d v i l l a g e s s h a l l b e p r o p e r l y e q u i p p e d w i t h s a n i t a t i o n s e r v i c e s i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h V i e t n a m e s e s t a n d a r d s o r W B s t a n d a r d s M M L M L M Page 150 1 5 0 | P a g e I m p a c t S i g n i f i c a n c e I m p a c t A g e n t I s s u e I m p a c t M i t i g a t i o n O b j e c t i v e / S t a n d a r d P r o j e c t M i t i g a t i o n M e a s u r e s Duration Magnitude Geographic Extent Likelihood of Occurrence Reversibility Residual Impact I m p a c t G a p I n c r e a s e d p o w e r / f u e l d e m a n d s m a y c a u s e s o c i a l c o n f l i c t s P o w e r / f u e l s h a l l b e s u p p l i e d w i t h o u t c o m p r o m i s i n g e x i s t i n g r e s o u r c e s o r e x p l o i t i n g n a t u r a l a r e a s ( i . e . f i r e w o o d ) · E n f o r c e r e g u l a t i o n s t o p r e v e n t e x p l o i t a t i o n o f n a t u r a l r e s o u r c e s ( f i r e w o o d ) · P r o v i d e a d d i t i o n a l f u e l s u p p l i e s t o p r e v e n t c o n f l i c t w i t h l o c a l v i l l a g e r s · I n c r e a s e s e c u r i t y a r o u n d p r o t e c t e d a r e a s , e s p e c i a l l y a l o n g r o a d s M M M L L M Page 151 1 5 1 | P a g e I m p a c t S i g n i f i c a n c e I m p a c t A g e n t I s s u e I m p a c t M i t i g a t i o n O b j e c t i v e / S t a n d a r d P r o j e c t M i t i g a t i o n M e a s u r e s Duration Magnitude Geographic Extent Likelihood of Occurrence Reversibility Residual Impact I m p a c t G a p H e a l t h I m p a c t s o n C o n s t r u c t i o n W o r k e r s / C a m p s I n c r e a s e d d i s e a s e t r a n s m i s s i o n r a t e s C a m p w o r k e r s a r e v a c c i n a t e d a n d m o n i t o r e d f o r d i s e a s e s · P r o v i s i o n o f h e a l t h c a r e s e r v i c e s a n d p r o g r a m s f o r c o n s t r u c t i o n w o r k e r s a n d l o c a l v i l l a g e r s · P r o v i d e c o n s t r u c t i o n c a m p w o r k e r s w i t h p r o p e r l y t r a i n e d m e d i c a l s t a f f a n d m e d i c a l s u p p l i e s E d u c a t e a n d p r o m o t e a w a r e n e s s o n p e r s o n a l h y g i e n e a n d s e x u a l l y t r a n s m i t t e d d i s e a s e · C l e a n / s a n i t i z e p u b l i c l y s h a r e d a r e a s ( c a m p k i t c h e n s , e t c . ) · P r o v i d e m o s q u i t o n e t s f o r a l l c a m p w o r k e r s l e e p i n g a r e a s · E n c o u r a g e c a m p w o r k e r s t o c o n s u m e c o o k e d f o o d a n d b o i l e d w a t e r · T o p r e v e n t s t a g n a n t w a t e r , p r o p e r d r a i n a g e s h a l l b e m a i n t a i n e d M M M L L M Page 152 1 5 2 | P a g e I m p a c t S i g n i f i c a n c e I m p a c t A g e n t I s s u e I m p a c t M i t i g a t i o n O b j e c t i v e / S t a n d a r d P r o j e c t M i t i g a t i o n M e a s u r e s Duration Magnitude Geographic Extent Likelihood of Occurrence Reversibility Residual Impact I m p a c t G a p I n c r e a s e d d r u g u s e a n d t r a d e R e c r e a t i o n a l d r u g u s e s h a l l b e p r o h i b i t e d · I m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f r o u t i n e d r u g t e s t s c r e e n i n g s · I n c r e a s e s e c u r i t y , e s p e c i a l l y o n r o a d s a n d w a t e r w a y s · D r u g e d u c a t i o n a n d a w a r e n e s s p r o g r a m s f o r l o c a l v i l l a g e r s a n d c o n s t r u c t i o n w o r k e r s M M M M L M H e a l t h I m p a c t s t o l o c a l v i l l a g e r s a n d c o m m u n e s I n c r e a s e d d i s e a s e t r a n s m i s s i o n r a t e s M i n i m i z e t h e r i s k o f e x p o s u r e t o l o c a l v i l l a g e r s · E n s u r e l o c a l m e d i c a l c e n t e r s a r e a d e q u a t e l y s t a f f e d a n d h a v e a m b l e t r e a t m e n t s u p p l i e s · E d u c a t e a n d p r o m o t e a w a r e n e s s o n p e r s o n a l h y g i e n e a n d s e x u a l l y t r a n s m i t t e d d i s e a s e · P r o m o t e m o n i t o r i n g o f r e s e t t l e d i n d i v i d u a l s a n d t h o s e m o s t v u l n e r a b l e t o c h a n g e s i n c l i m a t e ( i . e . T e m p e r a t u r e , a d v e r s e w e a t h e r c o n d i t i o n s , p r e c i p i t a t i o n , e t c . · T o p r e v e n t s t a g n a n t w a t e r , p r o p e r d r a i n a g e s h a l l b e m a i n t a i n e d M M M L L M Page 153 1 5 3 | P a g e I m p a c t S i g n i f i c a n c e I m p a c t A g e n t I s s u e I m p a c t M i t i g a t i o n O b j e c t i v e / S t a n d a r d P r o j e c t M i t i g a t i o n M e a s u r e s Duration Magnitude Geographic Extent Likelihood of Occurrence Reversibility Residual Impact I m p a c t G a p N e e d f o r p r o p e r s a n i t a t i o n a n d w a s t e s e r v i c e s w i t h i n r e s e t t l e m e n t a r e a s R e s e t t l e d i n d i v i d u a l s h a v e p r o p e r a c c e s s t o p o t a b l e w a t e r , s a n i t a t i o n s e r v i c e s a n d m e d i c a l t r e a t m e n t f o r w a t e r - b o r n e d i s e a s e s · E d u c a t e i n d i v i d u a l s o n m e t h o d s t o i m p r o v e p e r s o n a l h y g i e n e · P r o v i s i o n o f a c c e s s t o c l e a n a n d s a f e w a t e r s u p p l i e s · P r o v i s i o n o f h o u s e h o l d b a t h r o o m f a c i l i t i e s i n n e w h o m e s · E n s u r e r e s e t t l e m e n t a r e a s h a v e e d u c a t e d a n d t r a i n e d m e d i c a l s t a f f · E n s u r e m e d i c a l c e n t e r s h a v e a d e q u a t e s u p p l i e s f o r d i s e a s e t r e a t m e n t L M M L L L Page 154 1 5 4 | P a g e I m p a c t S i g n i f i c a n c e I m p a c t A g e n t I s s u e I m p a c t M i t i g a t i o n O b j e c t i v e / S t a n d a r d P r o j e c t M i t i g a t i o n M e a s u r e s Duration Magnitude Geographic Extent Likelihood of Occurrence Reversibility Residual Impact I m p a c t G a p L o s s o f c u l t u r a l , b i o d i v e r s i t y a n d e t h n i c i d e n t i t i e s i n c r e a s e d p r e s s u r e o n p r o t e c t e d a r e a · I n t r o d u c t i o n o f d r u g s , p r o s t i t u t i o n , g a m b l i n g , a n d d i s e a s e · L o s s o f f o r e s t c o v e r · I n c r e a s e d t r e s p a s s r o a d t r a f f i c · N o i s e a n d v i b r a t i o n c a u s i n g d i s t u r b a n c e t o l o c a l v i l l a g e r s , l i v e s t o c k a n d t h e f t · L o s s o f c u l t u r a l a n d e t h n i c c u s t o m s · L o s s o f s e l f e s t e e m i n m i n o r i t y g r o u p s a n d w o m e n , y o u t h , a n d e l d e r s , w i l d l i f e s p e c i e s C o m m u n i t i e s a n d i n d i v i d u a l w a y s o f l i f e s h a l l n o t b e p e r m a n e n t l y a f f e c t e d . M i n i m i z e d i s t u r b a n c e s t o t h e p r o t e c t e d a r e a · S t r e n g t h e n p r o t e c t i o n a n d m a n a g e m e n t m e a s u r e s f o r t h e p r o t e c t e d a r e a i n t h e v i c i n i t y o f t h e a c c e s s r o a d · C o n s t r u c t i o n a c t i v i t i e s s h o u l d o c c u r d u r i n g d a y l i g h t h o u r s · M i n i m i z e t r a f f i c i n l o c a l v i l l a g e s a n d a r o u n d t h e p r o t e c t e d a r e a s · I n c r e a s e d v i l l a g e s e c u r i t y · S e p a r a t e l i v i n g a r e a s f o r c o n s t r u c t i o n w o r k e r s · E d u c a t i o n a n d a w a r e n e s s p r o g r a m s f o r l o c a l v i l l a g e r s , e s p e c i a l l y y o u n g e r g e n e r a t i o n s · P r o v i d e f i n a n c i a l s u p p o r t f o r p r o g r a m s a n d a c t i v i t i e s t o h e l p m a i n t a i n c u l t u r a l a n d e t h n i c h e r i t a g e ( i . e . c u l t u r a l f e s t i v a l s , b u r i a l c e r e m o n i e s , e t c . ) · I m p l e m e n t m i t i g a t i o n m e a s u r e s o f t h e R L D P M H M M L M I m p a c t a n a l y s i s a n d m i t i g a t i o n a d d r e s s e d i n R L D P A c c e s s R o a d C o n s t r u c t i o n ( C o - L u o n g t o C o M e r o a d ) L o s s o f b i o d i v e r s i t y a n d i n c r e a s e d p r e s s u r e o n · L o s s o f f o r e s t c o v e r · I n c r e a s e d r o a d t r a f f i c · N o i s e a n d v i b r a t i o n M i n i m i z e d i s t u r b a n c e s t o t h e p r o t e c t e d a r e a · S t r e n g t h e n p r o t e c t i o n a n d m a n a g e m e n t m e a s u r e s f o r t h e p r o t e c t e d a r e a i n t h e v i c i n i t y o f t h e a c c e s s r o a d L M M L L L Page 155 1 5 5 | P a g e I m p a c t S i g n i f i c a n c e I m p a c t A g e n t I s s u e I m p a c t M i t i g a t i o n O b j e c t i v e / S t a n d a r d P r o j e c t M i t i g a t i o n M e a s u r e s Duration Magnitude Geographic Extent Likelihood of Occurrence Reversibility Residual Impact I m p a c t G a p p r o t e c t e d a r e a d i s t u r b i n g l o c a l v i l l a g e r s , l i v e s t o c k a n d w i l d l i f e s p e c i e s · C o n s t r u c t i o n a c t i v i t i e s s h o u l d o c c u r d u r i n g d a y l i g h t h o u r s · M i n i m i z e t r a f f i c i n l o c a l v i l l a g e s a n d a r o u n d t h e p r o t e c t e d a r e a s D u s t c r e a t i o n R e f e r t o a b o v e s e c t i o n o n “ D u s t c r e a t i o n ” N o i s e a n d v i b r a t i o n c r e a t i o n R e f e r t o a b o v e s e c t i o n o n “ N o i s e a n d v i b r a t i o n c r e a t i o n ” L o s s o f f o r e s t c o v e r R e f e r t o a b o v e s e c t i o n o n “ L o s s o f f o r e s t c o v e r ” A l t e r a t i o n o f c u l t u r a l / a r c h a e o l o g i c a l / h i s t o r i c a l s i t e s R e f e r t o a b o v e s e c t i o n o n “ A l t e r a t i o n o f c u l t u r a l / a r c h a e o l o g i c a l / h i s t o r i c a l s i t e s ” S o i l E r o s i o n R e f e r t o a b o v e s e c t i o n o n “ S o i l e r o s i o n ” I n c r e a s e d r o a d T r a f f i c R e f e r t o a b o v e s e c t i o n o n “ I n c r e a s e d r o a d t r a f f i c ” A u x i l i a r y P r o j e c t T r a n s m i s s i o n L i n e C o n s t r u c t i o n ( t r a n s m i s s i o n l i n e s , o p e r a t i o n r o a d s e t c . ) A c c i d e n t s a n d u n p l a n n e d e v e n t s R e f e r t o a b o v e s e c t i o n o n “ A c c i d e n t s a n d u n p l a n n e d e v e n t s ” Page 156 1 5 6 | P a g e I m p a c t S i g n i f i c a n c e I m p a c t A g e n t I s s u e I m p a c t M i t i g a t i o n O b j e c t i v e / S t a n d a r d P r o j e c t M i t i g a t i o n M e a s u r e s Duration Magnitude Geographic Extent Likelihood of Occurrence Reversibility Residual Impact I m p a c t G a p V e h i c l e a n d e q u i p m e n t m a i n t e n a n c e a n d s t o r a g e R e f e r t o a b o v e s e c t i o n o n “ V e h i c l e a n d e q u i p m e n t m a i n t e n a n c e a n d s t o r a g e ” R e s e t t l e m e n t o f a f f e c t e d c o m m u n e s a n d v i l l a g e r s R e f e r t o a b o v e s e c t i o n o n “ R e s e t t l e m e n t o f a f f e c t e d c o m m u n e s a n d v i l l a g e r s ” L o s s o f c u l t u r a l a n d e t h n i c i d e n t i t i e s R e f e r t o a b o v e s e c t i o n o n “ L o s s o f c u l t u r a l a n d e t h n i c i d e n t i t i e s ” Page 157 157 | Pa g e Air Air Quality Impact Agent Air quality can be affected through clearing, grading, excavation, leveling, blasting, truck hauling, stockpiling, waste disposal, road development, and transport vehicles. Potential Impact Reservoir and dam site preparation, road development and transport vehicles may affect the air quality in the project area. Dust is a potential impact during construction and operation activities. The dust generated during construction activities may decrease air quality for construction workers, local villagers and the surrounding environment. Additionally, quarry site activities including operation of crushers, concrete batch mixing, blasting and road traffic on unpaved roads combined with idling of vehicles, can generate air born dust (suspended particulate matter) and gaseous emissions such as NO x , SO x and carbon monoxide. The dust generated during road construction activities may also affect the health of the construction workers, and the communities living in the vicinity of the project area. Mitigation Measures To mitigate impacts in the construction area, dust control measures shall be implemented on all unpaved roads and construction surfaces, particularly during dry and windy conditions. Dust watering operations shall occur only during designated hours (to be confirmed by contractor in agreement with villagers). Air quality standards shall be maintained throughout the construction process. Villages close to construction sites shall be notified in advance to help them prepare and/or adapt to the new environment. All unpaved roads and construction sites shall be sprayed with water as needed in order to adequately control dust. The dust generated from stockpiles shall be controlled by compaction and the stockpiles shall not be allowed to expose for extended periods. The main access road (Co Luong to Co Me) to dam site and to the power station shall be paved and sprayed with water. All trucks carrying construction materials shall be covered and no vehicles shall be left idling. Regular maintenance of vehicles (daily/weekly) shall be performed at designated areas. The traffic on access and service roads shall be regulated in order to minimize air pollution. In addition, all processes shall follow the code of practice during construction and operation phase that meets the requirements of Vietnamese standard (TCVN 5939-2005). All water abstraction locations for watering shall be identified and volumes of water withdrawn shall be recorded so as not to create conflicts with local communities. The duration and magnitude of the impact is anticipated to be low if appropriate mitigation measures are applied during the construction phase. The geographic extent of impact should be moderate as road construction activity is expected to affect construction workers, households and communities living in the vicinity of the area. The likelihood of occurrence should be moderate due to vehicular traffic and construction activities which generate airborne dust and gaseous emissions. The residual impact is anticipated to be low if appropriate mitigation measures are applied during construction. Noise and Vibration Impact Agent Clearing, grading, excavation, leveling, blasting, truck hauling, stockpiling, waste disposal, road development, and transport vehicles. Potential Impact Page 158 158 | Pa g e Reservoir and dam site preparation, road development and transport vehicles may cause disturbance to local households, livestock and wildlife species. During the construction phase, equipment and vehicle operation used for excavation, drilling, leveling and concrete batch mixing are the key sources of noise. These activities may interfere with daily activities of local communities and lead to displacement of wildlife species. The other source of noise and vibration may be caused from the use of explosives for blasting and quarrying and crushing activities. Noise levels from equipment and vehicles in the construction area are estimated to be approximately 80-95 dBA (PECC4, 2008a). The dam site is located in the Trung Son area and the commune (Trung Son) may be affected from construction activities. Also, Xuan Nha natural reserve is about 7 km from the dam site; therefore, wildlife species might be affected from the blasting noise. The noise created during the construction of Co-Luong to Co Me access road may impact worker camps and communes living near the construction site. Mitigation Measures Construction and blasting activities and road traffic shall occur only during daylight hours. If the construction and road traffic is required outside of working hours, communities and households shall be notified and consulted. Blasting shall take place at set times each day, and/or warnings shall be issued prior to blasting. Construction machinery and vehicles shall be maintained in good condition and mufflers shall be installed on all the machines to reduce noise levels. Equipment such as the concrete batch mixing plant shall be located as far as possible from nearby communities. The contractor shall maintain a complaint register to any address noise issues as they arise. The duration of impact is anticipated to be low as appropriate mitigation measures shall be applied during the construction phase. The magnitude of the impact should be moderate as some of the activities like blasting, drilling, excavation, road development, and transport vehicles, are going to affect local households, livestock and wildlife species. The geographic extent of the impact should be moderate as the noise and vibration could be heard several kilometers from the dam site. The likelihood of occurrence might be high due to the noise from construction activities and road traffic affecting communities and wildlife species. Reversibility should be low as appropriate mitigation measures shall be applied during the construction phase. The residual impact has been assessed to be moderate as additional mitigation or compensatory measures will be required, to reduce the level of residual impact to a low, or acceptable level. Land Borrow pit and Quarry creation Impact agent Clearing, grading, excavation, leveling, blasting, truck hauling, stockpiling, waste disposal, road development, and transport vehicles. Potential Impact Discharges from quarries, borrow pits, concrete plants and dust and debris created during transportation of materials can significantly impact surface and subsurface waters because of the sediment in water and runoff from material storage and handling areas. Also, abandoned borrow pits and quarries might spread vector-born diseases, especially when stagnant water accumulates. Mitigation Measures Page 159 159 | Pa g e To mitigate impacts in the construction area, land gradients and drainages shall be maintained for proper discharge of wastes. Excavated rock or gravel shall not compromise river bed or banks, impede flows. Measures shall be taken to confine activities to designated locations and to minimize the creation of dust and debris during transportation. Protective measures shall be implemented during transportation (i.e. covering loads, reduced travel speeds etc.). All disturbed areas shall be properly reclaimed after construction and, slopes shall be re-contoured and proper drainage facilities will be maintained. The duration, magnitude, geographic extent and reversibility of the impact has been assessed as low if appropriate mitigation measures shall be applied during construction activities. The residual impact has also been assessed to be low as impacts are considered negligible subject to application of appropriate mitigation measures during construction activities. Tunnel Dewatering and Tunnel Portal Construction Impact agent Clearing, grading, excavation, leveling, blasting, truck hauling, stockpiling, waste disposal, road development, and transport vehicles. Potential Impact Discharge of contaminants from tunnel polluting water sources. Mitigation Measures To mitigate impacts in the construction area, direct discharge of tunnel water shall not be allowed into any water course or water body and water will be treated, where feasible, to reduce suspended solids. Measures shall be taken to implement monitoring stations up and downstream to monitor water quality. Discharge shall occur during high flow and within close proximity of the outfall. Spill kits and emergency procedures shall be prepared when dealing with oils and fuels. Staff shall be trained for proper handling of contaminants. The duration, magnitude, geographic extent and reversibility of the impact has been assessed to be low as appropriate mitigation measures shall be applied during construction activities. The residual impact has been assessed to be low as impacts are considered negligible subject to application of appropriate mitigation measures during construction activities. In-stream Construction Activities Impact agent Clearing, grading, excavation, leveling, blasting, truck hauling, stockpiling, waste disposal, road development and transport vehicles. Potential Impact In stream construction activities like installation of coffer dams, river diversion, machinery/equipment, roads and bridges will disturb water quality and aquatic ecosystems and increases sediment load affecting freshwater fishes. Mitigation Measures To mitigate impacts during in-stream impacts, construction shall occur during low water levels and river diversion structures shall be maintained throughout the construction process. Culverts shall be constructed to maintain water flow and in-stream activities will be minimized. Measures shall be taken to maintain vehicles and equipment and roads and bridges shall be stabilized to avoid washing of construction materials in the stream. Clean-up activities and restoration of side channels shall be implemented during construction process. The duration, magnitude and reversibility of the impact have been assessed to be low if appropriate mitigation measures shall be applied during construction activities. The geographic Page 160 160 | Pa g e extent and likelihood of occurrence of the impact will be moderate as in-stream activities will lead to some limited changes in the aquatic environment. The residual impact has been assessed to be low if impacts are considered negligible subject to application of appropriate mitigation measures during construction activities. Page 161 161 | Pa g e Other In-stream Activities Impact agent Clearing, grading, excavation, leveling, blasting, truck hauling, stockpiling, waste disposal, road development, and transport vehicles. Potential Impact Other in-stream impacts during construction activities include use of explosives to catch fish and other aquatic species and construction of dam which would become an impassable barrier to the migration of fish species. Mitigation Measures Staff shall be trained not to use explosives in the water and measures shall be taken to store explosives in a secure location. Selected streams of the Ma River shall be left unaltered or unaffected to allow connectivity for migration of fish species. Barriers shall be minimized along the streams. A high level protection from other impacts such as mining-related pollution, wastewater pollution and destructive fishing practices shall be implemented. The duration, magnitude and reversibility of the impact have been assessed as low if appropriate mitigation measures are applied prior to construction. The geographic extent and likelihood of occurrence of the impact shall be moderate given the extent of the area and the number of species affected. The residual impact has been assessed as low as impacts are considered negligible subject to application of appropriate mitigation measures during construction activities. Flora in the TSHPP Area Impact Agent Clearing, stripping, grading, excavation, leveling, blasting, truck hauling, stockpiling, waste disposal, road development, and transport vehicles. Potential Impact Approximately 1,300 ha of vegetation will be cleared for construction of reservoir at the TSHPP site. The clearing of the reservoir and the construction of Co Luong – Co Me access road is expected to alter plant species composition, structure and abundance and modify their habitats. Clearing of vegetation will lead to loss of biodiversity and habitat. The project area is rich in rare and precious species (PECC4, 2008a). The impact to the threatened species is considered minimal due to their distribution pattern. Another issue from clearing will be the debris resulting from unsalvageable wood, vegetation and weeds. The waste produced may lead to disruption of local ecosystems (water, soil, and vegetation). Species with special status may be affected by site preparation activities, including Acanthopanax trifoliatus , Acanthopanax gracilistylus , Aquilaria crassna, Amentotaxu s argotaenia, Illicium ternstroenioides, and Leparis petelotii . Mitigation Measures Construction activities shall be confined to designated areas to prevent additional land clearing. The Resettlement Livelihood Development Plan (RLDP) will allow affected villagers to remove trees that have economical and practical values. The Construction Contractor shall also prepare a Vegetation Clearing and Salvage Plan to coordinate this activity and avoid timing conflicts. Page 162 162 | Pa g e Construction activities shall be minimized during sensitive breeding and nesting periods. Apart from trees removed in reservoir clearance, trees in other areas must be re-established after construction or compensated for at some other location. The duration of impact is anticipated as moderate as the construction process is expected to last for four to five years. The magnitude and geographic impact is ranked as moderate as the construction activity affects minor portions of the ecosystem and has limited changes in plant species composition, characteristics and geographical distribution. Clearing of vegetation requires relocation and resettlement of communities. The likelihood of occurrence and reversibility are anticipated as low if appropriate mitigation measures are applied during the construction phase. The residual impact has been assessed as moderate and additional mitigation or compensatory measures will be required to reduce the level of residual impact to a low or acceptable level. Impact Gaps · Clarification in Reservoir Cleaning Plan needed for disposal of debris Fauna in the TSHPP Area Impact Agent Clearing, stripping, grading, excavation, leveling, blasting, truck hauling, stockpiling, waste disposal and transport vehicles. Potential Impact The Trung Son forest is an important habitat for a wide range of animals, particularly vertebrates (mammals, birds, and reptiles). The clearing of large areas of land for the reservoir ’s (approximately 1,300 ha) construction and Co Luong – Co Me access road is expected to alter species composition, structure and abundance and modify species habitats in the Ma River basin. This may result in the loss of endemic species, contributing to biodiversity degradation. Another significant impact is the presence of worker camps. Construction workers may exploit forest products and wildlife for their food. Some of the species that could be affected due to construction activities include: Pardofelis nebulosa, Trachypithecus crepusculus, Ursus thibetanus, Manis pentadactyla and Naemorrhedus umatraensis (PECC4, 2008a). Noise in the construction area (blasting and transport vehicles) and increased human activity may also lead to displacement of animals and affect behavioral patterns. Mitigation Measures Construction activities shall be confined to designated areas to prevent loss of biodiversity and wildlife habitat. Access into/near sensitive areas shall be restricted. Minimizing facility and infrastructure footprints, stabilizing and rehabilitating or restoring disturbed areas and minimize construction activities during sensitive breeding and nesting periods shall be implemented. A worker code of conduct, prohibiting the hunting, fishing, capture or trade in wildlife and fish, shall be strictly enforced. An environmental awareness and education program shall be implemented for increasing contractors and construction workers awareness on the need for protectingadjacentareas and biodiversity conservation. A pre-disturbance inventory shall be conducted, emphasizing rare and precious species inhabiting the project area. There is no practical mitigation measure available for blasting except for organizing the activity during daylight hours. The duration of impact has been assessed as low if appropriate mitigation measures are applied during the construction phase. The magnitude of the impact should be moderate as it will lead to limited changes in habitat characteristics or geographic distribution and abundance of species. Page 163 163 | Pa g e The geographic extent should be moderate given the relatively large surface area affected. The likelihood of occurrence and reversibility should be considerably low if the appropriate mitigation measures are applied during construction activities. The residual impact ranked as low as impacts are considered negligible and subject to the application of appropriate mitigation measures. Impact Gaps · Further details on clearing plan required · Biodiversity and listed species management required Protected Areas Xuan Nha Natural Reserve Impact Agent Clearing, stripping, grading, excavation, leveling, blasting, truck hauling, stockpiling, waste disposal, road development, and transport vehicles. Potential Impacts The loss of forest cover dramatically affects species and reduces a protected area ’s integrity. Xhan Nha natural reserve supports 16,316 ha of natural forest and is a significant habitat for numerous flora and fauna species.The new reservoir will inundate a part of the buffer zone since it is adjacent to the construction site. Approximately 367.26 ha of the buffer zone will be submerged after construction activities (PATB, 2008). It is also expected that when the water level in the reservoir rises to 160 m (ASL), habitats along Quanh and Con streams will also be submerged.The distance from the natural reserve to the dam site is approximately four km. When the water level in the reservoir is increased, it inundates some part of the natural reserve impacting vegetation and wildlife habitats. According to Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Hydropower Master Plan VI report, 31% (11,298 ha) of the total natural reserves area is considered to be Key Biodiversity Areas (SEA, 2009). The natural reserve supports some endangered species (otters, sambar, turtles, snakes, and amphibians). Indirect impacts include clearing of forest cover for agriculture, illegal logging of timber and non timber forest products, hunting and trappingand forest fires from local communities and worker camps. Mitigation Measures Compensation measures shall be established to maintain and enhance the protected area in the vicinity of the TSHPP area. This should involve funding for park wardens, developing protected area management plans and coordinating activities in the buffer zone around the area to be affected. Hunting shall be prohibited and penalties shall be imposed on any illegal activities under a joint management program involving provincial forest department and natural reserve management board. A worker code of conduct shall be introduced to ban consumption of bushmeat in construction camps. Programs shall be implemented to stabilize and rehabilitate disturbed area and minimize construction activities and noise during sensitive breeding and nesting periods. The duration of impact will be low as appropriate mitigation measures shall be applied during the construction process. The magnitude and geographic extent of the impact will be moderate as approximately 900 ha of buffer zone of the natural reserve will be flooded. There may be some limited changes in ecosystem components (characteristics and geographical distribution) of flora Page 164 164 | Pa g e and fauna species. The likelihood of occurrence will be low as appropriate mitigation measures shall be applied during the construction process. Reversibility will be high, considering the extent of surface area affected. The residual impact has been assessed to be moderate as additional mitigation or compensatory measures will be required, to reduce the level of residual impact to a low, or acceptable level. Pu Hu Natural Reserve Impact Agent Clearing, stripping, grading, excavation, leveling, blasting, truck hauling, stockpiling, waste disposal, road development, transport vehicles, etc. Page 165 165 | Pa g e Potential Impact The Pu Hu natural reserve covers a total area of 23,149 ha and it is the most impacted natural reserve in the Trung Son project area (SEA, 2009). The distance from the dam site to the natural reserve boundary is approximately three km. However, the reservoir does not flow into the core of the natural reserve, but into the buffer zone. A part of the natural reserve in the buffer zone will be occupied for construction activities, such as the clearing of forest cover (131 ha), storage ground for construction materials (20ha), construction wastes (21 ha), worker camps (2 ha), and fixed resettlement and fixed cultivation area (1050 ha) (Chi and Garcia-Lozano, 2008).The headwork of the dam will be located close to the natural reserve and there will be some significant environmental impacts to wildlife and vegetation. According to the Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Hydropower Master Plan VI report, 40% (12,533 ha) of the total area of the natural reserve is considered to be a Key Biodiversity Area (SEA, 2009). The natural reserve contains important and threatened species, including a wide range of indigenous birds, plants, mammals and other species. Some of these species are of international biodiversity significance. Indirect impacts include clearing of forest cover for agriculture, illegal logging of timber and non timber forest products, hunting and trapping, forest fires from local communities and worker camps. Mitigation Measures Compensation measures shall be established to maintain and enhance protected areas in the vicinity of the TSHPP area. This should involve funding for park wardens, developing protected area management plans and coordination of activities in the buffer zone around the area to be affected. Hunting shall be prohibited and penalties imposed on illegal activities under a joint management program involving provincial forest department and natural reserve management board. A worker code of conduct should be introduced to ban consumption of bushmeat in construction camps. Programs shall be implemented to stabilize and rehabilitate disturbed areas and minimize construction activities and noise during sensitive breeding and nesting periods. The duration of impact should be low if appropriate mitigation measures are applied during the construction process. The magnitude and geographic extent of the impact should be moderate as approximately 131 ha of buffer zone of the natural reserve will be flooded. There may also be some limited changes in ecosystem components (characteristics and geographical distribution) of the flora and fauna species in the natural reserve. The likelihood of occurrence will be low as appropriate mitigation measures shall be applied during the construction process. Reversibility will be moderate considering the extent of surface area affected. The residual impact has been assessed as moderate as additional mitigation or compensatory measures are required, to reduce the level of residual impact to a low, or acceptable level. Hang Kia – Pa Co Natural Reserve Impact Agent Clearing, stripping, grading, excavation, leveling, blasting, truck hauling, stockpiling, waste disposal, road development, and transport vehicles. Potential Impacts Loss of forest cover, impacts on species and reduction in protected area integrity. The total area of the natural reserve is 7,091 ha. The distance from the dam site to the natural reserve boundary Page 166 166 | Pa g e is 13 km. The natural reserve’s buffer zone is shared the border with Trung Son commune. The construction of roads will impact wildlife species and the communities (Trung Son and Van Mai communities) along the buffer zone. The natural reserve is home for threatened and endemic species. However, the dam site is located far from the core zone and the impact on wildlife and vegetation is considerably low. Other impacts include clearing of forest cover for agriculture, illegal logging of timber and non timber forest products, hunting and trapping, and forest fires from local communities and worker camps. Mitigation Measures Compensation measures shall be established to maintain and enhance protected areas in the vicinity of the TSHPP area. This shall involve funding for park wardens, developing protected area management plans and coordination of activities in the buffer zone around the area to be affected. Hunting shall be prohibited and penalties imposed on illegal activities under a joint management program involving the provincial forest department and natural reserve management board (Chi and Garcia-Lozano, 2008). A worker code of conduct shall be introduced to ban consumption of bushmeat in construction camps. TSHPMB will also coordinate the preparation of a Protected Areas and Biodiversity Management Plan. Programs shall be implemented to stabilize and rehabilitate disturbed areas and minimize construction activities and noise during sensitive breeding and nesting periods. The duration of impact will be low if appropriate mitigation measures shall be applied during the construction process. The magnitude and geographic extent of the impact will be moderate as some parts of the buffer zone will be cleared for the construction of Co Luong – Co Me access road. This will lead to some limited changes in ecosystem components (characteristics and geographical distribution) of flora and fauna species. The likelihood of occurrence and reversibility will be low if appropriate mitigation measures shall be applied during the construction process. The residual impact has been assessed to be low if impacts are considered negligible subject to application of appropriate mitigation measures during construction activities. Social Impacts The creation of the TSHPP and inundation of the newly created reservoir will impact over 5000 people, more than 800 households and several communes in the region. Construction impacts are summarized below. Impact Agent Clearing, stripping, grading, excavation, leveling, blasting, construction of dam and ancillary structures, truck hauling, stockpiling, waste disposal, road development, river diversion, transport vehicles, camp site construction, labor force and camp followers. Potential impacts Potential impacts include: · Displacement/resettlement of households · Change in family networks and community structures · Loss/alteration of culturally significant areas · Increased levels of noise, dust and traffic Page 167 167 | Pa g e · Creation of resettlement communes Displacement/Resettlement of Households: Resettlement of communes and villagers as a result of reservoir creation and Co Luong to Co Me access road. Approximately 575 households will require relocation to either a designated resettlement area or an area of their choosing. Affected households will lose their homes, the lands that they harvest for subsistence and excavate ancestor’s grave sites, which are often located underneath their individual homes. Due to their location within the new reservoir, Muong Ly, Tung Ly, Trung Son, Tan Xuan and Xuan-Nha are the most heavily impacted communes (Map 5-1). The resettled communes may pollute (domestic waste and natural debris) the environment due to lack of waste disposal facilities which will lead to degradation of the local ecosystem. Mitigation Measures Displaced households shall be provided new homes in designated resettlement areas. The households shall receive assistance during relocation. This may include the physical support of development staff during relocation, provision of trucks and other vehicles to transport personal belongs and transport their livestock. Financial compensation and food caches shall also be provided to adequately support families during the transition period. The duration, magnitude, geographic extent, likelihood of occurrence and reversibility of the impact will be low if appropriate mitigation measures shall be applied during construction activities. The residual impact has been assessed to be low if impacts are considered negligible subject to application of appropriate mitigation measures during construction activities. Page 168 168 | Pa g e Impact Gaps Impact analysis and mitigation further addressed inthe Resettlement, Livelihood and Ethnic Minority Development Program. Change in Family Networks, Community Structures and Income: Disturbance to family networks, community structure and cultural and ethnic identities. Project area communes are dominated by ethnic minority groups. Numerous family members tend to occupy the same village and in rare cases, the same household. There are also several households which are occupied by either the elderly, the disabled or are female. These households will be more severely impacted than others due to their physical limitations and dependency on others. Relocation of households will disrupt families and community networks as households appear to be interrelated in their daily activities and traditional practices. Mitigation Measures Training and support programs shall be implemented to aid diversification of income and educate locals on methods to improve agricultural techniques. Restoration and development programs, provisions of communication networks and social programs shall be designed to aid the social transition for both resettled households and those that are currently in the resettlement areas. These programs shall focus on the continuation of traditional agricultural practices, integration of minority groups and education. The duration of impact will be high if the communes have to be relocated, and may never return once the construction process is completed. Affected households will be deprived of their existing social environment and may not experience the same family network and community structures. The magnitude of the impact will be high as it will be difficult for households to resettle and occupy the same village or the same household. The geographic extent of the impact will be moderate if the communes have to be resettled in close proximity to the project area. The likelihood of occurrence and reversibility will be moderate as relocation will affect families and community networks disrupting their daily activities and traditional practices. The residual impact has been assessed to be moderate as minority groups may lose their cultural and ethnic identities due to relocation. Additional mitigation measures will be required to reduce the impact to a low category. Impact Gaps Impact analysis and mitigation further addressed inthe Resettlement Livelihood Development Plan. Loss/Alteration of Culturally Significant Areas: Damage or destruction of site contents and newly discovered sites. In order to prepare for the TSHPP, reservoir and Co Luong to Co me road construction, seven known archaeological and cultural sites will require excavation. Three holy sites and one burial site will require excavation. To date, none of these ethnic minority groups have had to excavate the remains of their ancestors and will require special mitigation measures in order to address their cultural beliefs. During clearing activities, there is also the potential of discovering unknown archaeological, historical or cultural site as well. Mitigation Measures To mitigate impacts during construction activities, steps shall be taken to minimize damage during excavation activities, and no site shall be disturbed until properly investigated. Excavation of known archaeological, historical and cultural sites shall require proper ceremonies before their Page 169 169 | Pa g e decommissioning. Offerings, such as rice and livestock, shall be provided at the expense of the developer. Additional research studies may also be required prior to excavation. If additional sites are discovered during clearing activities, the Contractor shall consult the “Chance Find Procedures” identified in the EMP in order to preserve artifacts. Also, the Contractor shallassist the resettled communes in constructing new graves, sites, cemeteries, and holy places as required. The duration, magnitude, geographic extent and likelihood of occurrence will be low if appropriate mitigation measures shall be applied during construction. The reversibility will be high if the resettled communes can never reestablish the original social and cultural environment. The residual impact is anticipated to be low if appropriate mitigation measures are applied during construction. Impact Gap Additional studies for burial sites needed. Increased Levels of Noise, Dust and Traffic Clearing activities will increase the amount of traffic on local roads. This will impede local villager’s transportation methods and increase the potential of road-related accidents. Clearing will also increase the level of dust and particulate matter, decreasing the air quality for local residents and construction workers. The noise created during construction may disrupt local villagers daily activities disturb livestock and impede cultural customs. Mitigation Measures To mitigate increased road traffic and subsequent dust and noise levels, additional traffic shall be confined to designated areas. Roads shall be routinely water and equipped with appropriate signage and road traffic shall be confined to daylight hours. Construction activities shall be confined to daylight hours and villagers shall be warned prior to blasting activities. Also, efforts shall be taken to minimize traffic in villages and other populated areas and roads shall be kept free from mud, debris and other obstacles. The duration and magnitude will be low if appropriate mitigation measures shall be applied during construction activities. The geographic extent of the impact will be moderate if resettled communes are located close to Co Luong – Co Me access road, and road traffic will impede local villager’s transportation methods. The likelihood of occurrence will be high as noise, dust and traffic is expected to impact certain sections of the local households and villagers. The reversibility will be low if appropriate mitigation measures shall be applied during construction activities. The residual impact has been assessed to be moderate as additional compensatory measures will be required to reduce the level of residual impact to a low, or acceptable level. Impact gaps Traffic management plan needed to create awareness in the communes. Creation of Resettlement Communities Approximately 357 households will be impacted from the creation of resettlement areas and an increasing number of people within communes.This may lead to: increased competition over natural resources, increased demand for adequate health and community services, increased transmission of diseases, disturbance to family networks and community structure, and alteration to existing ethnic minority groups and traditional practices. Mitigation Measures Prior to resettlement, designated resettlement communes shall be assessed for their ability to support additional households and accommodate the influx of people. This would include Page 170 170 | Pa g e ensuring that sufficient natural resources (i.e. water, firewood, fuel, etc.), food sources (i.e. livestock, rice, etc.), and community services (medical services, education centers, etc.) will be able to sustain the total population. Additional efforts shall be taken to limit the over-exploitation of natural resources in the project area. Provision of communication networks and social programs to assist in resettlement transition, and training and support programs shall be implemented to create awareness on natural resource management, income diversification, sanitation practices and disease vectors. The duration of impact will be high if resettled communities are impacted throughout the construction process. The magnitude of the impact will be moderate if the creation of resettlement areas will exert pressure on the existing/designated resettlement communes. The geographic impact will be low if appropriate mitigation measures shall be applied during construction. The likelihood of occurrence and reversibility will be moderate if the resettled communes are going to experience additional pressure from the influx of people, which will create increased demand for natural resources, food sources and community services. The residual impact has been assessed to be moderate as additional compensatory measures will be required to reduce the level of residual impact to a low, or acceptable level. Impact gaps Impact analysis and mitigation further addressed in the Resettlement Livelihood Development Plan. Page 171 171 | Pa g e Economic Impacts Impact Agent Clearing, stripping, grading, excavation, leveling, blasting, truck hauling, stockpiling, waste disposal, road development, river diversion, transport vehicles, camp site construction, labor force and camp followers. Potential Impacts · Loss of productive land, employment and income · Increased demand for natural resources Loss of Forest and Productive Land, Employment and Income Approximately 357 households will be affected by the loss/alteration of their land. Several affected households will lose bamboo timber prior to its harvestable age and therefore, will not be able to sell or distribute the product. These households and communes rely on natural resources for their subsistence. Families with no additional sources of income will be the most severely impacted resulting in poverty. This may result in households having to self-relocate to more productive areas or alter their traditional practices to financially support themselves. Mitigation Measures Construction activities shall be confined to designated areas to prevent additional land clearing or disruption to adjacent households. During initial clearing, the implementation of the RLDP shall allow project-affected household to collect natural resources that have economic value prior to disposal to financially assist household during the relocation process. The RLDP shall organize training and support programs to diversify incomes, and create awareness programs on natural resource management to the displaced people. Resettlement areas shall have suitable productive land to support communes as rely on forest resources for food and income. The duration of the impact has been assessed to be moderate if construction activities are going to affect communes throughout the construction process. The magnitude of the impact will be moderate if clearing of forest cover leads to loss of productive land and income for households. The geographic extent of the impact will be moderate if the area to be cleared includes communes and other households. The likelihood of occurrence and reversibility has been assessed to be low if appropriate mitigation measures shall be applied during construction. The residual impact has been assessed to be moderate as approximately 357 households will be affected by construction activities resulting in loss of productive land, income and employment. Additional mitigation will be required to reduce the impact to a low category. Loss of Forest Land for Livelihood Forestry is also one of the main sources of income for the project-affected communes. However, it also takes between six to seven years before bamboo can be harvested. Designated resettlement areas must be able to support existing residents and resettled households that depend on forestry production. Resettled households will also have to sustain themselves until next harvest or receive additional financial compensation during the bamboo growth period. For households that are relocating within their existing village and those relocating into a designated resettlement area, there will be increased demand for finite resources. In both cases, land will be divided amongst numerous households. This will decrease the amount of productive Page 172 172 | Pa g e land for each individual home to use. Decreased levels of available resources will escalate competition amongst users resulting in decrease household income. Mitigation Measures Relocated households shall be provided with harvestable lands to support the continuation of bamboo and agriculture production. Measures shall be taken to provide livelihood development and support for a sufficient time to allow communes to return to bamboo harvesting as well as ways to change their livelihoods. Training programs to create awareness on natural resource management and facilitation of co -management of existing natural resources between communes. In resettlement areas, seed mixtures shall be provided to encourage harvesting. Project-affected households have also requested low-interest loans to help them purchase additional livestock and other resources. The duration, magnitude, geographic extent and likelihood of occurrence of the impact has been assessed to be moderate if residents and resettled households will be affected throughout the construction process. Designated resettlement areas may not be able to support the influx of the people. The outcome may be decreased levels of available resources resulting in increased completion among users and decreased income. The reversibility of the impact will be low if appropriate mitigation measures shall be applied during construction. The residual impact has been assessed to be moderate if existing residents and resettled households are likely to be affected due to increase in demand for finite resources. Additional mitigation measures will be required to reduce the impact to a low category. Worker Camp Impact Agent Construction camp creation (site clearing, camp site construction, labor force and camp followers). Potential Impacts · Introduction of approximately 4000 construction workers · Division of household labour · Transition away from agricultural cultivation and forestry production · Increased demand for infrastructure and services from the creation of a “boom-town” effect · Increased levels of disease transmission, prostitution, gambling, drugs, theft and trespass · Social changes within ethnic minority groups Introduction of Approximately 4000 Construction Workers The creation of the TSHPP will introduce approximately 4000 construction workers to the project area. The addition of male workers will distort the current demographics in the area. The majority of the project-affected communes have equal amounts of females and males. The influx of males could potentially lead to social conflict between local villagers and construction workers. Construction workers may also bring their families with them to relocate in a nearby village. This would also alter community dynamics and strain limited resources. There will be an Page 173 173 | Pa g e increase in demand for improved sanitary facilities and adequate disposal services for construction workers. However, these services will benefit local villagers and people inhabiting adjacent communes when the construction process in completed. Mitigation Measures Measures shall be taken to create temporary and reasonable living conditions for construction workers and camp followers, and to control the scale of impacts by minimizing population influx. The Contractor shall ensure there is no conflict between construction workers and local villagers. A construction camp worker management plan shall be implemented by the contractor. Also, efforts shall be taken to maintain community dynamics and equal sharing of resources. Construction workers shall be provided with adequate and compliant sanitation and disposal facilities. Waste disposal points shall be indentified and monitored i.e. no discharge under non- compliant conditions to maintain the integrity of the local ecosystem. The duration, magnitude, geographic extent, likelihood of occurrence and reversibility will be low if appropriate mitigation measures shall be applied during construction. The residual impact is anticipated to be low if appropriate mitigation measures are applied during construction. Division or Transfer of Household Labor The majority of agricultural and household labour (including, household chores and child rearing) are the responsibility of the females of the house. Males are responsible for assisting with the agricultural activities, but generally do not perform household chores. With the prospect of new jobs and income, there may be an increase in female household/agriculture workload (if the male of the household becomes a construction worker) or there may be the transition of household/agricultural chores to the elderly or young (if both the male and female of the household become construction workers). The subsequent division or transition of household labour could lead to: reduced food production; poor education levels in both children and females as they would devote more time working the land; and heightened levels of poverty due to low production levels. Regional inflation will be high due to over dependence on local food, water supplies and materials required for daily activities. However, construction employment could also assist household income and help decrease poverty levels within communes. Page 174 174 | Pa g e Mitigation Measures The RLDP shall implement support programs to assist females, elderly and/or young in household activities and encourage unemployed males to share household responsibilities. Price monitoring of essential goods shall be maintained since inflation is certain to occur with demand exceeding supply during construction. Efforts shall be taken to encourage outside food sourcing of materials, food stuff and water supplies. The duration of impact will be moderate if local villagers will be impacted throughout the construction process. The magnitude of the impact will be high if females, elderly and/or young have to bear the burden of manual labor, household chores and child rearing resulting in division of labor. Also, increased demand for local resources will result in high inflation during construction. The geographic extent of the impact will be moderate if resettled communes, households, and camps will be located close to the construction site. The likelihood of occurrence and reversibility will be low if appropriate mitigation measures shall be applied during construction. The residual impact has been assessed to be moderate as additional mitigation or compensatory measures will be required, to reduce the level of impact to a low, or acceptable level. Impact Gaps Impact analysis and mitigation addressed in Construction Camp Management Plan. Increased Demand for Infrastructure and Services from the Creation of “Boom Town” Effects The construction camp could dramatically affect the existing infrastructure and community services. The dramatic increase in population levels, or “boom-town” effect, will increase the demand for additional services such as community services and staff (medical, emergency, safety, etc.), markets, education centre, waste water production and sanitation services, power/fuel and potable water (drinking, food preparation, livestock watering etc.). These services may cause social conflicts with local villagers as the demand increases. However, the services will also benefit local villagers and people inhabiting adjacent communes. Mitigation Measures Camp managers shall ensure that camp resources do not conflict with local commune supplies. Security measures shall be strengthened to maintain the integrity of protected areas. Construction camps and communes shall have trained and educated staff to improve community services and financial assistance shall be provided to maintain operations. Efforts shall be taken to ensure the availability of potable water, especially during dry season and regulations shall be enforced to prevent exploitation of natural resources (firewood). Camp managers shall ensure that camps are properly equipped with sanitation services that comply with Vietnamese standards. The duration and magnitude of the impact has been assessed to be moderate if construction camp will affect the existing infrastructure and community services due to continuous fluctuations of camp workers and camp followers. The geographic extent of the impact will be moderate if resettled communes, households, and camps will depend on limited resources available in the project area. The likelihood of occurrence and reversibility will be low if appropriate mitigation measures shall be applied during construction. The residual impact has been assessed to be moderate as additional mitigation or compensatory measures will be required, to reduce the level of residual impact to a low, or acceptable level. Impact Gaps Page 175 175 | Pa g e Impact analysis and mitigation addressed in Regional Work Health Plan and Construction Worker Health Program. Impacts on Health and Quality of Life The majority and the most immediate adverse health impacts are expected to occur where construction workers and camp followers concentrate. These impacts would consist of communicable diseases (food- and water-borne, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS), road traffic and construction-related accidents. Social impacts have the potential to cause social, psychological, physiological stress among affected people, particularly those who need to be relocated. Local communities face the risk of losing their cultural and ethnic identities due to increased fluctuation of construction workers and camp followers. Higher concentrations of people may result in prostitution, drugs, gambling, trespassing, theft and other social disturbances, altering community dynamics and straining relationships among ethnic minority groups. Mitigation Measures Construction workers and local villagers shall receive proper health care services. Camp clinics shall have trained medical staff and medical supplies. Health services shall promote awareness and educate communes and camp workers on personal hygiene, sexually transmitted diseases and drugs related activities. Contractors shall ensure that publicly shared areas shall be clean and sanitized. Security levels shall be increased, especially on roads and waterways for drug trafficking and alcohol related incidents. Construction workers and local villagers shall be routinely tested for drugs and diseases. Village security shall be increased to prevent trespassing and theft. Cultural and ethnic heritage shall be maintained through support programs and activities through implementation of the RLDP. The duration of the impact has been assessed to be moderate if continuous monitoring of camp workers and camp followers is required throughout the construction process. The magnitude of the impact will be moderate since a large number of households and construction workers will be affected and communes may never be able to retain their identities. The geographic extent and likelihood of occurrence of the impact will be moderate if communicable diseases are transmitted to the nearby communes and households. Reversibility of the impact will be low if appropriate mitigation measures shall be applied during construction. The residual impact has been assessed to be moderate as additional mitigation or compensatory measures will be required, to reduce the level of residual impact to a low, or acceptable level. Impact Gaps Impact analysis and mitigation further addressed inthe Resettlement Livelihood Development Plan. Local Job Creation and Transition Away From Local Livelihood The TSHPP may also hire local villagers, leading to the possible exploitation of locals as a cheap labour. Construction employment could detract from traditional agricultural practices. Since the project will take approximately four years, peoplemay not be able to maintain their traditional agricultural or forestry activities, which would impact these communities income and subsistence levels post-construction. Though jobs will benefit local villagers and people inhabiting adjacent communes during the interim, people will require new employment or return to traditional activities once construction has completed. People will have to maintain their agricultural/forestry activities throughout construction to maintain their levels of productivity. Mitigation Measures Page 176 176 | Pa g e Standard pay regulations and hiring practices shall be introduced to create equal employment opportunities. Traditional activities, such as crop cultivation and bamboo harvesting shall be supported to avert people from switching to non-agricultural jobs. Standard of living of communes and construction workers’ shall be improved and traditional activities shall be supported. Basic services shall be provided to both local workers and construction workers to avoid social conflicts. The duration and geographic extent of the impact have been assessed to be moderate if TSHPP hires more villagers, leading to possible exploitation of locals as a cheap labour. Construction employment paves way for migrants and illegal immigrants from bordering countries, which will create competition among long population. Also, males in the communes and households may never be able to practice traditional activities once the construction is completed. The magnitude, likelihood of occurrence, and reversibility of the impact will be low if appropriate mitigation measures shall be applied during construction. The residual has been assessed to be low as impacts are considered negligible subject to the application of appropriate mitigation measures during construction activities. Impact Gaps Impact analysis and mitigation addressed in construction camp management plan Loss of Biodiversity and Increased Pressure on Protected Areas The construction campsite will require significant resources to sustain the workers for approximately four years. Increased demand in food sources, water, fuel, firewood, building materials will directly compete with those currently used by the local villagers. Increase demand may result in exploitation of natural resources in protected areas leading to loss of forest cover, impacts on species and reduction in protected area integrity. Also, camp workers may pollute the environment due to lack of proper waste disposal facilities, resulting in degradation of local ecosystems (water, soils, vegetation etc). Mitigation Measures Training programs shall be created to increase awareness about the importance of protected areas. Contractors shall strengthen protection and management measures for protected areas. Security shall be increased to avoid illegal logging, hunting and poaching activities. Workers code of conduct banning consumption of bushmeat in construction camps shall be introduced. Wastes produced by construction camps and local villagers shall be properly collected (implement recycling program) and disposed of at approved locations to maintain the integrity of environment. The duration of the impact will be low if appropriate mitigation measures shall be taken during construction. The magnitude of the impact will be moderate as human activities may affect the integrity of protected areas, which leads to limited changes in wildlife and vegetation distribution pattern. The geographic extent and likelihood of occurrence of the impact will be low if appropriate mitigation measures shall be taken during construction. The reversibility of the impact will be high if resources lost due to human activities can never be recovered in time. The residual impact has been assessed to be moderate as additional mitigation or compensatory measures will be required, to reduce the level of residual impact to a low, or acceptable level. Co Luong – Co Me Access Road Impact Agent Construction of Co Luong - Co Me access road. Potential Impact Page 177 177 | Pa g e Loss of forest cover and productive land – the construction of Co Luong – Co Me road is expected to alter species composition and modify habitats. The construction activities might interfere with the daily activities of local villagers and disturb livestock. The noise created during construction may impact worker camps near the construction site. Mitigation Measures To mitigate impacts during construction of Co Luong – Co Me access road, efforts shall be taken to strengthen protection and management measures in order to maintain the integrity of the protected area. The traffic on access road shall be regulated in order to minimize air pollution and construction activities shall be restricted to day light hours to minimize disturbance to local villagers, worker camp and wildlife species. The duration of the impact will be low if appropriate mitigation measures shall be applied during construction phase. The magnitude of the impact will be moderate if construction activities will affect local villagers and wildlife species. The geographic extent of the impact will be medium considering the length of the Co Luong Co - Me access road which is 20.4 km. The likelihood of occurrence and reversibility will be low if appropriate mitigation measure shall be taken prior to construction. The residual impact has been assessed to be low as impacts are considered negligible subject to the application of appropriate mitigation measures during construction activities. Operation Phase Operation impacts may potentially occur upon completion of the dam’s construction. This includes the inundation of the newly created reservoir, operation of the hydropower plant itself, housing and support for operation staff and road operation of the Co-Luong to Co-Me road. Hydroelectric Plant Operation Noise Impact Agent Stockpiles, powerhouse, truck hauling, transport vehicles, etc. Potential Impacts Continuous, low noise affecting local communities. During operation, the generator in the power house and transport vehicles will be the key sources of noise occurring at the operation site. The impactsare considerably low compared to construction. The noise generated during the operation of Co Luong – Co Me road has the potential of affectinglocal villager’s daily activities, disturb livestock and impede cultural customs. Mitigation Measures Proper design and operation of facility equipments will help reduce the amount of noise generated during operation phase. Regular maintenance of operation equipment and vehicles shall be practiced, and appropriate sound barriers shall be installed on all the machines to reduce noise impacts. The duration, magnitude, geographic extent, likelihood of occurrence, and reversibility will be low if appropriate mitigation measures shall be applied during operation. The residual impact has been assessed to be low if impacts are considered negligible subject to the application of mitigation measures during operation activities. Impact Gaps Confirm noise abatement measures, if required. Page 178 1 7 8 | P a g e T a b l e 0 - 2 : O p e r a t i o n I m p a c t s a n d P r o p o s e d M i t i g a t i o n M e a s u r e s I m p a c t S i g n i f i c a n c e I m p a c t A g e n t I s s u e I m p a c t M i t i g a t i o n O b j e c t i v e / S t a n d a r d P r o j e c t M i t i g a t i o n M e a s u r e Duration Magnitude Geographic Extent Likelihood of Occurrence Reversibility Residual Impact I m p a c t G a p N o i s e C o n t i n u o u s , l o w l e v e l n o i s e a f f e c t i n g l o c a l c o m m u n e s N o i s e l e v e l s s h o u l d n o t i n t e r f e r e w i t h d a i l y a c t i v i t i e s · P r o p e r d e s i g n a n d o p e r a t i o n o f f a c i l i t y e q u i p m e n t a n d s o u n d b a r r i e r s L L L L L L C o n f i r m n o i s e a b a t e m e n t m e a s u r e s i f r e q u i r e d R o a d T r a f f i c I n c r e a s e d n o i s e , d u s t , a n d v e h i c l e s o n c o m m u n i t y r o a d s O p e r a t i o n v e h i c l e s s h a l l n o t i n t e r f e r e o r a f f e c t l o c a l v i l l a g e r s · P r o p e r m a i n t e n a n c e o f v e h i c l e s · I n s t a l l a t i o n o f s p e e d l i m i t s a n d r o a d s i g n a g e · P r o p e r m a i n t e n a n c e o f r o a d a n d r e p a i r , a s r e q u i r e d L L L L L L F u r t h e r d e t a i l s r e q u i r e d i n T r a f f i c M a n a g e m e n t P l a n I n c r e a s e d l e v e l s o f f l o a t i n g d e b r i s I n t e r f e r e n c e t o t u r b i n e s D e b r i s s h a l l n o t o b s t r u c t w a t e r i n t a k e d e v i c e s · F o l l o w p r e s c r i b e d m e a s u r e s i n V e g e t a t i o n C l e a r i n g a n d S a l v a g e P l a n ( R e s e r v o i r C l e a r i n g P l a n ) L L L L L L C l a r i f i c a t i o n r e q u i r e d i n V e g e t a t i o n C l e a r i n g a n d S a l v a g e P l a n ( R e s e r v o i r C l e a r i n g P l a n ) R e d u c t i o n o f o x y g e n l e v e l s M a i n t a i n o x y g e n l e v e l s f o r a q u a t i c l i f e · F o l l o w p r e s c r i b e d m e a s u r e s i n V e g e t a t i o n C l e a r i n g a n d S a l v a g e P l a n ( R e s e r v o i r C l e a r i n g P l a n ) L L L L L L H y d r o e l e c t r i c P l a n t O p e r a t i o n ( S t o c k p i l e s , p o w e r h o u s e , t r u c k h a u l i n g ) D e c o m p o s i t i o n a n d d e c a y o f v e g e t a t i o n b i o m a s s I n c r e a s e d o d o u r s N o g e n e r a t i o n o f n o x i o u s o d o u r s · F o l l o w p r e s c r i b e d m e a s u r e s i n V e g e t a t i o n C l e a r i n g a n d S a l v a g e P l a n ( R e s e r v o i r C l e a r i n g P l a n ) L L L L L L Page 179 1 7 9 | P a g e I m p a c t S i g n i f i c a n c e I m p a c t A g e n t I s s u e I m p a c t M i t i g a t i o n O b j e c t i v e / S t a n d a r d P r o j e c t M i t i g a t i o n M e a s u r e Duration Magnitude Geographic Extent Likelihood of Occurrence Reversibility Residual Impact I m p a c t G a p E u t r o p h i c a t i o n N u t r i e n t l e v e l s a n d w a t e r q u a l i t y i n r e s e r v o i r s h a l l b e m a i n t a i n e d · F o l l o w p r e s c r i b e d m e a s u r e s i n V e g e t a t i o n C l e a r i n g a n d S a l v a g e P l a n ( R e s e r v o i r C l e a r i n g P l a n ) L L L L L L W a t e r Q u a l i t y M o d e l r e q u i r e d b o t h f o r r e s e r v o i r a n d d o w n s t r e a m S e d i m e n t a t i o n i n r e s e r v o i r I n c r e a s e d s e d i m e n t a t i o n b e h i n d i m p o u n d m e n t M a x i m i z e u s e f u l l i f e o f r e s e r v o i r · D e v e l o p t h e r e s e r v o i r s e d i m e n t a t i o n m o d e l a n d e r o s i o n m a n a g e m e n t t o m a x i m i z e t h e u s e f u l l i f e o f r e s e r v o i r · M i n i m i z e s e d i m e n t a t i o n i n e n t i r e c a t c h m e n t a r e a t h r o u g h i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f a n I n t a c t R i v e r a p p r o a c h t o c a t c h m e n t a r e a m a n a g e m e n t H H M H L H S e d i m e n t a t i o n m o d e l f o r r e s e r v o i r n e e d e d C h a n g e s t o h y d r o l o g i c a l f l o w I n c r e a s e d p e a k f l o w s a n d f l o o d d u r a t i o n l e a d t o e r o s i o n a n d d e g r a d a t i o n o f e c o s y s t e m s M a i n t a i n f l o w s a n d f l o o d d u r a t i o n l e v e l s t o e n s u r e i n t e g r i t y o f d o w n s t r e a m h a b i t a t s a n d c o m m u n i t i e s · M i n i m i z e f l u c t u a t i o n s i n t h e w a t e r l e v e l t o m a n a g e h y d r o l o g i c a l c h a n g e s · I m p l e m e n t p r o c e d u r e s t o p r o m o t e m a i n t e n a n c e o f d a i l y d i s c h a r g e l e v e l s · C o n s t r u c t i o n o f c u l v e r t s t o m a i n t a i n w a t e r f l o w M M M L L M D o w n s t r e a m i m p a c t s t o a q u a t i c s p e c i e s C h a n g e s t o l o c a l s p e c i e s b r e e d i n g a n d s p a w n i n g g r o u n d s d u e t o f l o w a n d w a t e r q u a l i t y i m b a l a n c e s N o n e t l o s s o f f i s h a n d a q u a t i c s p e c i e s · A d d i t i o n a l r e s e a r c h a n d m o n i t o r i n g i s r e q u i r e d H L L L L L Page 180 1 8 0 | P a g e I m p a c t S i g n i f i c a n c e I m p a c t A g e n t I s s u e I m p a c t M i t i g a t i o n O b j e c t i v e / S t a n d a r d P r o j e c t M i t i g a t i o n M e a s u r e Duration Magnitude Geographic Extent Likelihood of Occurrence Reversibility Residual Impact I m p a c t G a p D e c l i n e i n f i s h e r i e s o f e c o n o m i c v a l u e S p a w n i n g a r e a s i n u p s t r e a m a n d m i d s t r e a m w i l l b e a f f e c t e d d u e t o c h a n g e i n f l o w A l t e r a t i o n o f f i s h s t r e a m h a b i t a t s t o l a k e - t y p e h a b i t a t s · P r o m o t e f i s h s t o c k i n g t o r e s t o r e p o p u l a t i o n · P r o v i d e s u p p o r t f o r f i s h c u l t u r e a n d s t o c k i n g p r o j e c t s L M M L L L A l t e r a t i o n o f e x i s t i n g f i s h s p e c i e s C h a n g e s t o l o c a l s p e c i e s b r e e d i n g a n d s p a w n i n g g r o u n d s N o n e t l o s s o f f i s h s p e c i e s · A d d i t i o n a l r e s e a r c h a n d m o n i t o r i n g i s r e q u i r e d H L L L L L C h a n g e s t o f i s h e r i e s s e c t o r p r o d u c t i o n F i s h e r i e s p r o d u c t i o n i s m a x i m i z e d w i t h o u t c o m p r o m i s i n g s p e c i e s · P r o m o t e r e g i o n a l a q u a c u l t u r e p r o g r a m · E d u c a t e p e o p l e o n p r o p e r h a r v e s t i n g m e t h o d s a n d t e c h n i q u e s H M L M M M A l t e r a t i o n o f f i s h p r o d u c t i o n I n c r e a s e d l e v e l s r e c r e a t i o n a l a n d t o u r i s m o p p o r t u n i t i e s E n c o u r a g e s u s t a i n a b l e r e c r e a t i o n a l a n d t o u r i s m a c t i v i t i e s · P r o m o t e r e c r e a t i o n a n d t o u r i s m a c t i v i t i e s M M L M M M D a m O p e r a t i o n a n d E l e c t r i c a l G e n e r a t i o n ( t u r b i n e s , v o l u m e o u t f l o w , e t c . ) R e d u c t i o n i n e n v i r o n m e n t a l f l o w s a n d d o w n s t r e a m i m p a c t s A l t e r a t i o n o f e n v i r o n m e n t a l f l o w s M a i n t e n a n c e o f d o w n s t r e a m e n v i r o n m e n t a l f l o w s · I m p l e m e n t p o l i c y a n d p r o c e d u r e t o p r o m o t e m a i n t e n a n c e o f e n v i r o n m e n t a l f l o w s · D e v e l o p o p e r a t i n g p r o c e d u r e s f o r m a i n t a i n i n g e n v i r o n m e n t a l f l o w s · C o n s i d e r i n t a c t r i v e r a p p r o a c h t o w a t e r s h e d m a n a g e m e n t L L L L L L F u r t h e r a n a l y s i s r e q u i r e d o n d o w n s t r e a m i m p a c t s a n d i m p a c t s o n d o w n s t r e a m f l o w s Page 181 1 8 1 | P a g e I m p a c t S i g n i f i c a n c e I m p a c t A g e n t I s s u e I m p a c t M i t i g a t i o n O b j e c t i v e / S t a n d a r d P r o j e c t M i t i g a t i o n M e a s u r e Duration Magnitude Geographic Extent Likelihood of Occurrence Reversibility Residual Impact I m p a c t G a p F l o o d c o n t r o l b e n e f i t s R e d u c t i o n o f f l o o d d a m a g e s P r e v e n t i o n o f d a m a g i n g f l o o d s d o w n s t r e a m · D e v e l o p o p e r a t i n g p r o c e d u r e s t o m a i n t a i n e n v i r o n m e n t a l f l o w s w h i l e m a x i m i z i n g f l o o d c o n t r o l b e n e f i t s · C o n s i d e r i n t a c t r i v e r a p p r o a c h t o c a t c h m e n t a r e a m a n a g e m e n t L L L L L L L a c k o f s e d i m e n t t r a n s p o r t d o w n s t r e a m ( e r o s i o n ) L o s s o f i m p o r t a n t h a b i t a t s e . g . a g r i c u l t u r a l a r e a s E n s u r e i n t e g r i t y o f d o w n s t r e a m h a b i t a t s · I m p l e m e n t w a t e r q u a l i t y m o d e l i n g p r o g r a m d o w n s t r e a m · M o n i t o r c h a n g e s i n d o w n s t r e a m h a b i t a t s L L H L L L G A P – i n s u f f i c i e n t c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f i m p a c t I m p a c t s o n d o w n s t r e a m w a t e r q u a l i t y I m p e d e d w a t e r q u a l i t y d o w n s t r e a m M a i n t a i n w a t e r q u a l i t y i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h V i e t n a m e s e s t a n d a r d s · I m p l e m e n t w a t e r q u a l i t y m o d e l i n g p r o g r a m d o w n s t r e a m L L H L L L G A P – i n s u f f i c i e n t c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f i m p a c t L o s s o f h i s t o r i c a l / c u l t u r a l l y s i g n i f i c a n t a r t i f a c t s E r o s i o n o f d o w n s t r e a m h i s t o r i c a l / c u l t u r a l a r t i f a c t s N o d a m a g e a n d / o r l o s s o f d o w n s t r e a m h i s t o r i c a l / c u l t u r a l s i t e s · I d e n t i f i e d s i t e s s u b j e c t t o p o t e n t i a l e r o s i o n s h a l l b e m o n i t o r e d d u r i n g d a m o p e r a t i o n · S t e p s w i l l b e t a k e n t o p r e s e r v e a n d / o r r e l o c a t e h i s t o r i c a l / c u l t u r a l a r t i f a c t s ( i . e . a d d i t i o n a l s u r v e y s , c o n s u l t a t i o n w i t h L a w o n C u l t u r a l H e r i t a g e e t c . ) M L M L L L G A P – n e e d o n g o i n g m o n i t o r i n g p r o g r a m C h a n g e i n s a l i n i t y l e v e l s i n t i d a l z o n e s D e c r e a s e d a g r i c u l t u r a l p r o d u c t i v i t y , e s p e c i a l l y r i c e M a i n t a i n a g r i c u l t u r a l p r o d u c t i v i t y · I m p l e m e n t f l o o d m o d e l i n g t o m o n i t o r s a l i n i t y l e v e l s L L M L L ` L G A P – i n s u f f i c i e n t c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f i m p a c t Page 182 1 8 2 | P a g e I m p a c t S i g n i f i c a n c e I m p a c t A g e n t I s s u e I m p a c t M i t i g a t i o n O b j e c t i v e / S t a n d a r d P r o j e c t M i t i g a t i o n M e a s u r e Duration Magnitude Geographic Extent Likelihood of Occurrence Reversibility Residual Impact I m p a c t G a p I m p e d e d r i v e r t r a n s p o r t a t i o n I m p e d i m e n t o f t r a n s p o r t a t i o n o f g o o d s , f o r e s t r y m a t e r i a l s a n d p e o p l e R i v e r t r a n s p o r t a t i o n s h a l l b e m a i n t a i n e d · I n t e r c o n n e c t r o a d s t o m a i n t a i n t r a f f i c o v e r c a t c h m e n t a r e a · C o n s t r u c t w h a r f o r l a n d i n g a r e a a t d a m s i t e l o c a t i o n t o c o n n e c t w i t h a c c e s s r o a d L L M L L L A l t e r a t i o n o f a q u a c u l t u r e a n d f i s h e r i e s s e c t o r L o s s o f f o o d s o u r c e a n d i n c o m e N o n e t l o s s o f a q u a c u l t u r e a n d f i s h s p e c i e s · I m p l e m e n t a q u a c u l t u r e a n d f i s h e r i e s m a n a g e m e n t p l a n L L M L L L G A P – a d d i t i o n a l c l a r i f i c a t i o n r e q u i r e d O v e r e x p l o i t a t i o n o f r e s o u r c e s S u s t a i n a b i l i t y o f n a t u r a l r e s o u r c e s s h a l l b e m a i n t a i n e d · E d u c a t i o n a n d a w a r e n e s s p r o g r a m s o n n a t u r a l r e s o u r c e m a n a g e m e n t · C o - m a n a g e m e n t o f e x i s t i n g n a t u r a l r e s o u r c e s b e t w e e n c o m m u n e s a n d o p e r a t i o n a l s t a f f L L L L L L I n c r e a s e d d e m a n d f o r c o m m u n i t y a n d h e a l t h s e r v i c e s S e r v i c e s s h a l l a d e q u a t e l y s u p p o r t o p e r a t i o n a l s t a f f a n d l o c a l v i l l a g e r s · U s e e x i s t i n g c a m p f a c i l i t i e s a n d s e r v i c e s L L L L L L O p e r a t i o n a l S t a f f S u p p o r t A d d i t i o n o f 1 3 0 p e r m a n e n t r e s i d e n t s I m p a c t t o e x i s t i n g c u l t u r a l a n d e t h n i c m i n o r i t y g r o u p s C u l t u r a l a n d e t h n i c m i n o r i t y g r o u p s s h a l l n o t b e p e r m a n e n t l y a f f e c t e d · P r o v i s i o n o f c o m m u n i c a t i o n n e t w o r k s a n d s o c i a l p r o g r a m s t o a s s i s t m i n o r i t y g r o u p s , i f n e c e s s a r y L L L L L L C o L u o n g – C o M e R o a d o p e r a t i o n D u s t D e c r e a s e d a i r q u a l i t y f o r a f f e c t e d c o m m u n e a n d h o u s e h o l d s D u s t c r e a t e d m u s t n o t b e a h e a l t h h a z a r d t o a f f e c t e d g r o u p s · C o n t i n u o u s m a i n t e n a n c e o f r o a d s · P a v e r o a d s , i f n e c e s s a r y L L L L L L Page 183 1 8 3 | P a g e I m p a c t S i g n i f i c a n c e I m p a c t A g e n t I s s u e I m p a c t M i t i g a t i o n O b j e c t i v e / S t a n d a r d P r o j e c t M i t i g a t i o n M e a s u r e Duration Magnitude Geographic Extent Likelihood of Occurrence Reversibility Residual Impact I m p a c t G a p N o i s e a n d v i b r a t i o n c r e a t i o n R e f e r t o “ N o i s e a n d v i b r a t i o n c r e a t i o n ” s e c t i o n s u n d e r “ C o n s t r u c t i o n I m p a c t s ” f o r f u r t h e r d e t a i l s E a s y a c c e s s i n t o m o r e r e m o t e a n d / o r p r o t e c t e d a r e a s N a t u r a l r e s o u r c e s a n d p r o t e c t e d a r e a s s h a l l n o t b e e x p l o i t e d f o r p e r s o n a l c o n s u m p t i o n · E n h a n c e s e c u r i t y a l o n g r o a d s · R e s t r i c t a c c e s s i n t o n a t u r a l a n d p r o t e c t e d a r e a s H L M L H M I m p r o v e d t r a n s p o r t a t i o n R o a d s s h a l l b e m a i n t a i n e d t o f a c i l i t a t e l o c a l t r a n s p o r t a t i o n · R o a d m a i n t e n a n c e a n d r e p a i r H L M L M M I m p r o v e d A c c e s s I n c r e a s e d t r e s p a s s a n d d r u g t r a d e L o c a l r o a d s s h a l l n o t b e u s e d f o r i l l e g a l a c t i v i t i e s · I m p l e m e n t a c c e s s m a n a g e m e n t p l a n · E n h a n c e s e c u r i t y a l o n g r o a d s · M o n i t o r r o a d s i d e c o m m u n e s a n d t h e i r e x p o r t a t i o n M L M L L L Page 184 184 | Pa g e Road Traffic Impact Agent Stockpiles, powerhouse, truck hauling, transport vehicles, etc. Potential Impacts Increased dust and vehicles on community roads will affect local villagers and households. Operation vehicles will increase the amount of traffic on local roads impeding local villager’s transportation and increase the potential of road-related accidents. Transport vehicles will also increase the levels of dust and particulate matter, decreasing the air quality for local residents. Mitigation Measures To mitigate increased road traffic and subsequent dust levels, additional traffic shall be confined to populated areas. Roads and transport vehicles shall be properly maintained and repaired, as required. Installation of speed limits and road signage will minimize traffic and reduce road- related accidents. The duration, magnitude, geographic extent, likelihood of occurrence, and reversibility will be low if appropriate mitigation measures shall be applied during operation. The residual impact has been assessed to be low if impacts are considered negligible subject to the application of mitigation measures during operation activities. Impact Agent Further details required in Traffic Management Plan Reservoir Impoundment 1. Increased levels of floating debris 2. Decomposition of vegetation biomass 3. Sedimentation in the reservoir 4. Alteration of existing fish species Increased levels of Floating Debris Impact Agent Flooding Potential Impacts Flooding of land and vegetation would release nutrients and vegetation debris into the water. The floating debris will obstruct water intake devices, reducing the water flow to the turbine, resulting in reduced and less efficient power generation. Mitigation Measures Follow prescribed measures in Vegetation Clearing and Salvage Plan (Reservoir Clearing Plan). Impact Gaps Clarification required in Vegetation Clearing and Salvage Plan (Reservoir Clearing Plan). Decomposition of Vegetation Biomass Impact Agent Flooding Potential Impacts Decomposition of biomass leads to reduced oxygen levels, increased odors, and eutrophication in the reservoir. Increased nutrient levels will affect water quality resulting in low oxygen levels Page 185 185 | Pa g e and noxious odours. These activities will affect the aquatic life resulting in net loss of fish species. Mitigation Measures Oxygen levels shall be maintained to sustain aquatic life in the reservoir area. The Contractor shall ensure periodic clearing of biomass to avoid generation of noxious odours. Nutrient levels and water quality in the reservoir shall be maintained to sustain aquatic life. Follow prescribed measures in Vegetation Clearing and Salvage Plan (Reservoir Clearing Plan). Impact Gaps Water Quality Model required both for reservoir and downstream. Sedimentation in the Reservoir Impact Agent Flooding of the reservoir and buildup of sediment. Potential Impacts Increased sedimentation behind impoundment will lead to downstream impacts. As the sediment load increases, fish habitats will be modified (e.g., rocky River bed to mud cover), destroy spawning areas, and reduce primary production and fish food. Mitigation Measures Maximize useful life of reservoir by developing reservoir sedimentation model and erosion management plan. Sedimentation shall be minimized in the entire catchment area through implementation of an intact river approach to watershed management. The duration and magnitude of the impact will be high if sediment load is expected to increase throughout the operation phase resulting in loss of fish species and poor water quality. The geographic extent of the impact will be moderate if sediments in the upstream will have direct impacts on downstream users and aquatic life. The likelihood of occurrence of the impact will be high if sediments will decrease the quality of water and destroy breeding and spawning areas. The reversibility will be low if appropriate mitigation measures shall be applied during operation. The residual impact has been assessed to be high if impacts are certain to occur due to increased sedimentation of the reservoir. It will bring significant changes to aquatic and human environments. Impact Gaps Sedimentation model for reservoir needed. Alteration of Existing Fish Species Impact Agent Flooding Potential Impacts Changes to local species breeding and spawning grounds due to increased sedimentation and improper harvesting methods. The impoundment of the reservoir and changes to water quality will displace many fish species and introduce new species. Initially, fish populations will likely increase due to exploitation of reservoir resources, followed by decline in population. Key factors affecting the long term stability of fish populations will be determined primarily by water quality and the degree of fluctuation in annual flow. The dam will block possible migration routes between the reservoir and downstream areas affecting fisheries sector production. Increased levels of recreational and tourism opportunities will alter fish habitats leading to net loss of fish species. Mitigation Measures Page 186 186 | Pa g e Fisheries production shall be maximized without compromising species composition. A Regional Aquaculture program shall be promoted to enhance fisheries sector. Training programs to educate people on proper harvesting methods and techniques shall be implemented. In order to ensure the growth of fisheries, sustainable recreational and tourism activities shall also be encouraged. The duration and magnitude of impact will be moderate if impoundment of the reservoir will alter existing fish species throughout the operation phase. The geographic extent of the impact will be low if appropriate mitigation measures are applied to the affected sectors of the reservoir. The likelihood of occurrence and reversibility will be moderate if increased tourism and recreation activities will affect fisheries sectors. Also, the dam will block the migration pattern of fish as some species may not adapt to stagnant water conditions. The residual impact has been assessed to be moderate if additional mitigation measures or compensatory measures will be required, to reduce the impact level to a low, or acceptable level. Dam Operation and Power Generation 1. Reduction in environmental flow 2. Flood control benefits 3. Lack of sediment transport downstream 4. Change in salinity levels 5. Alteration of aquaculture and fisheries sector Reduction in Environmental Flows and Downstream Impacts Impact Agent Turbines, volume outflow, etc. Potential Impact Alteration of environmental flows will increase impacts on downstream river ecosystems and affect the livelihoods of people living alongside them. Fluctuations in flow will alter river form and function, loss or increase in the abundance of riverine animals and plants. Fisheries sector could be impacted resulting in reduction of indigenous species. Mitigation Measures Downstream environmental flows shall be maintained to reduce downstream impacts to the people and environment. Policies and procedures shall be implemented and operation procedures shall be developed to maintain environmental flows. An Intact River Approach shall be considered to manage land uses throughout the Ma River catchment area. The duration, magnitude, geographic extent, likelihood of occurrence, and reversibility will be low if appropriate mitigation measures shall be applied during operation. The residual impact has been assessed to be low if impacts are considered negligible subject to the application of mitigation measures during operation activities. Impact gap Further analysis required on downstream impacts and impacts on downstream flows. Flood Control Benefits Impact Agent Turbines, volume outflow, etc. Page 187 187 | Pa g e Potential Impact Creation of a physical barrier will control flood levels and reduce the potential of flood damages downstream. This is perceived as a positive impact as communities downstream will benefit from a reduction in damaged crops and river-side households. Mitigation Measures Downstream environmental flows shall be maintained to reduce downstream impacts. Policies and procedures shall be implemented and operation procedures shall be developed to maintain environmental flows. Intact river approach shall be considered to catchment area management. The duration, magnitude, geographic extent, likelihood of occurrence, and reversibility will be low if appropriate mitigation measures shall be applied during operation. The residual impact has been assessed to be low if impacts are considered negligible subject to the application of mitigation measures during operation activities. Lack of Sediment Transport Downstream Impact Agent Turbines, volume outflow, etc. Potential Impact Alteration of environmental flows will result in loss of important habitats and agricultural areas. Reduced sediment transport will affect aquaculture production in the downstream resulting in loss of fish biodiversity and habitat. Mitigation Measures Implement water quality modeling program to reduce downstream impacts. The integrity of downstream habitats shall be maintained and monitored continuously for any changes in riverine ecosystem. The duration, magnitude, likelihood of occurrence and reversibility will be low if appropriate mitigation measures shall be applied during operation. The geographic extent of the impact will be high if downstream impacts are certain to occur due to lack of sediment transport. The residual impact has been assessed to be low if impacts are considered negligible subject to the application of mitigation measures during operation activities. Impact Gaps Insufficient consideration of impact. Impacts on Downstream Water Quality Impact Agent Turbines, volume outflow, etc. Potential Impact Low oxygen levels will impact water quality affecting downstream users and fish habitats. Salinity levels could be affected in tidal zones affecting agriculture production, especially rice fields downstream. Mitigation Measures Water quality shall be maintained in accordance with Vietnamese standards. This will help in maintaining species composition and productivity of the river. Agriculture productivity shall be maintained through implementation of water quality modeling program downstream and flood modeling to monitor salinity levels. The duration, magnitude, likelihood of occurrence and reversibility will be low if appropriate mitigation measures shall be applied during operation. The geographic extent of the impact will be high if the impact will not be confined to the project site and potentially affect associated Page 188 188 | Pa g e downstream tributaries. The residual impact has been assessed to be low if impacts are considered negligible subject to the application of mitigation measures during operation activities. Impact Gaps Insufficient consideration of impact. Potential Damage or Loss of Historical/Culturally Significant Artifacts Impact Agent Turbines, volume outflow, etc. Potential Impact The fluctuating volume outflows in conjunction with the project areas’ steep slopes, instable soils, and the lack of transported sediments may potentially lead to increased downstream erosion and potential damage or loss of historical/culturally significant sites. Maintaining historical/cultural relics in good condition is considered a priority and requires mitigation measures individually designed for each historical/cultural site. Mitigation Measures Historical/culturally significant sites located outside of the project area also have the potential to be influenced by the project’s operation; and therefore, require proper recognition under the Law on Cultural Heritage. Historical/culturally significant sites downstream of the dam require monitoring and a risk assessment to ensure their structural integrity. Additional research and site investigations are recommended to document individual sites and prescribe their respective mitigation measures. Additional mitigation measures may be described in the project’s Physical Cultural Resources Plan. The magnitude, likelihood of occurrence and reversibility will be low if appropriate mitigation measures are applied during operation. The duration is expected to be moderate because the impacts are expected to occur within the lifespan of the project. The geographic extent is expected to be moderate because the impacts are expected to occur downstream, or outside of the immediate project area. Impeded River Transportation Impact Agent Turbines, volume outflow, etc. Potential Impacts Closure or restrictions to use land or transport routes will impede transportation of goods, forestry, materials and people downstream. Mitigation Measures Roads shall be interconnected to maintain traffic over catchment areas. A wharf or landing area shall be constructed upstream of the dam site to connect with the project access road to allow for transport of goods to downstream markets. The duration, magnitude, likelihood of occurrence and reversibility will be low if appropriate mitigation measures shall be applied during operation. The geographic extent of the impact will be high if the amount and frequency of river users is not confined to the project site. The river is the main source of transporting goods downstream; therefore, those incomes dependent on using the river to ship and/or receive material shall be impacted on a larger scale. The residual impact has been assessed to be low if impacts are considered negligible subject to the application of mitigation measures during operation activities. Page 189 189 | Pa g e Alteration of Aquaculture and Fisheries sector Impact Agent Turbines, volume outflow, etc. Potential Impacts Aquaculture and fisheries sector will be altered due to change in salinity levels. Increased salinity levels lead to loss of aquaculture and fish species. Mitigation Measures Implement aquaculture and fisheries management plan. Decline in Fisheries of Economic Value Impact Agents Stockpiles, powerhouse, truck hauling, turbines, volume outflow, etc. Potential Impact Spawning areas in upstream and midstream will be affected due to change in flow, reducing the productivity of fish species that are of economic value. Mitigation Measures Fish habitats shall be altered to lake-type habitats to facilitate spawning and fish stocking shall be promoted to restore population of important species. Support shall be provided to promote fish culture and stocking projects in order to enhance productivity of declining population. The duration, likelihood of occurrence and reversibility of impact will be low if appropriate mitigation measures shall be applied prior to construction. The magnitude and geographic extent of the impact has been assessed to be moderate if spawning areas in upstream and midstream will be affected due to change in flow, and it will have direct impact on aquatic life, downstream users and fisheries economy. The residual impact has been assessed to be low if impacts are considered negligible subject to application of appropriate mitigation measures during construction activities. Operational Staff Support Impact Agent Addition of 130 permanent residents Potential Impacts The addition of 130 permanent residents will lead to over exploitation of resources in the project area. There will be an increased demand for natural resources and community and health services. The operational staff will be sharing the services with communes and local villagers which could result in social conflicts. Local communities face the risk of losing cultural and ethnic identities due to increased inflation of operational staff. Mitigation Measures Sustainability of natural resources management shall be maintained through education and awareness programs. Co-management of existing natural resources between communes and operational staff shall be encouraged in order to maintain the integrity of natural resources in the project area. Existing camp facilities and services shall be used to minimize overdependence on outside resources. The Contractor shall ensure that cultural and minority groups will not be permanently affected. Communication networks and social programs shall be introduced to assist minority groups, if necessary. The duration, magnitude, geographic extent, likelihood of occurrence, and reversibility will be low if appropriate mitigation measures shall be applied during operation. The residual impact has Page 190 190 | Pa g e been assessed to be low if impacts are considered negligible subject to application of mitigation measures during operation activities. Co Luong - Co Me Road Operation Air Quality Impact Agent Truck hauling and road traffic. Potential Impacts The operation of Co-Luong – Co Me road will affect the air quality in the project area. The dust generated during road operation may decrease air quality for operation workers, communes, local villagers and the surrounding environment. Additionally, road traffic on unpaved roads combined with idling of vehicles will generate air borne dust (SPM) and gaseous emissions such as SOx, NOx and carbon monoxide. Mitigation Measures To mitigate impacts during the operation of Co Luong- Co Me access road, dust control measures shall be implemented on unpaved roads in dry and windy conditions. Air quality standards shall be maintained throughout operation and all unpaved roads shall be either paved (if necessary) or sprayed with water. The duration, magnitude, geographic extent, likelihood of occurrence, and reversibility will be low if appropriate mitigation measures shall be applied during operation. The residual impact has been assessed to be low as impacts are considered negligible subject to the application of mitigation measures during operation activities. Noise and Vibration Refer to “Noise and vibration creation” sections under “Construction impacts for further details. Improved Access Impact Agent Truck hauling and road traffic. Potential Impact The construction of Co-Luong – Co Me road will lead to increased activities in the project area. Operation workers, local villagers and communes will have easy access into more remote and or/ protected areas. As the demand for food and natural resources increase, affected people tend to rely on natural and protected areas for personal consumption, and Co-Luong-Co Me road will help them gain access to these areas. It will also increase illegal activities like trespassing and drug exportation, altering community dynamics and straining relationships among local population. However, communes and local villagers can benefit from improved transportation to facilitate their customs and daily activities. Mitigation Measures To mitigate impacts in the operation area, security shall be enhanced along roads and access shall be restricted into natural and protected areas. The Contractor shall ensure that adequate measures are taken to prohibit people from exploiting natural resources for personal consumption. Security shall be increased along roads to monitor roadside communes and their exportation and other illegal activities. Roads shall be maintained and repaired, if necessary and implement access management plan to maintain the integrity of local ecosystem. The duration of impact will be high if local villagers and operation workers will rely on natural resources throughout the life of the project. The magnitude and likelihood of occurrence of the Page 191 191 | Pa g e impact will be low if appropriate measures shall be taken during operation. The geographic extent of the impact will be moderate if Co-Luong and Co Me road is located close to natural and protected areas. The road will provide easy access to these areas. The reversibility will be moderate considering the extent of impact on protected areas. The residual impact has been assessed to be moderate as additional compensatory measures will be required to reduce the level of residual impact to a low, or acceptable level. Cumulative Impacts of theTSHPP The analysis of cumulative impacts for the TSHPP considered the interaction of the following four project components: · Construction and operation of the dam; · Construction and operation of the construction camp; · Construction and operation of the access road; and · Resettlement of over 2500 people. In order to evaluate and assess potential cumulative impacts, an analysis was made of the interaction between these three project components on key environmental and social components identified in the baseline. Mitigation and management measures were also proposed. A summary of the anticipated cumulative project impacts is presented in Table 6-3. Page 192 1 9 2 | P a g e T a b l e 0 - 3 : S u m m a r y o f C u m u l a t i v e P r o j e c t I m p a c t s I m p a c t S i g n i f i c a n c e E n v i r o n m e n t a l a n d S o c i a l C o m p o n e n t A n t i c i p a t e d C u m u l a t i v e I m p a c t M i t i g a t i o n o r M a n a g e m e n t M e a s u r e Duration Magnitude Geographic Extent Likelihood of Occurrence Reversibility Residual Impact A i r Q u a l i t y a n d N o i s e I n c r e a s e d n o i s e a n d d u s t l e v e l s d u r i n g c o n s t r u c t i o n · I m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f d u s t s u p p r e s s i o n m e a s u r e s L L L L L L W a t e r Q u a l i t y I m p a c t s o n r e g i o n a l w a t e r q u a l i t y f r o m i n c r e a s e d s e w a g e · S e w a g e t r e a t m e n t i n a c c o r d a n c e t o V i e t n a m e s e s t a n d a r d s L L L L L L W a t e r Q u a n t i t y I m p a c t s o n r e g i o n a l w a t e r s u p p l y · C o m p l e t e g r o u n d w a t e r s u s t a i n a b i l i t y s t u d y a s p a r t o f n e w w e l l i n s t a l l a t i o n L L L L L L S o i l s I m p a c t s d u e t o c h a n g e s t o l a n d u s e · A p p l i c a t i o n o f t h e C L I P M M M L L M T e r r e s t r i a l B i o d i v e r s i t y I n c r e a s e d p r e s s u r e o n h a r v e s t i n g o f w i l d l i f e f o r f o o d a n d o t h e r c o n s u m p t i v e u s a g e . · W o r k e r c o d e o f c o n d u c t p r o h i b i t i n g h u n t i n g a n d f i s h i n g · P r o h i b i t i o n o f c o n s u m p t i o n o f w i l d l i f e o r b u s h m e a t p r o d u c t s i n c a m p s · C o n t r o l i n g r e s s a n d e g r e s s o n a c c e s s r o a d s t o m i n i m i z e p o a c h i n g H H M L L M A q u a t i c B i o d i v e r s i t y C u m u l a t i v e e f f e c t s o n f i s h n o t e x p e c t e d b y p r o j e c t c o m p o n e n t s , b u t t h e T S H P P w i l l h a v e a n e f f e c t o n f i s h p o p u l a t i o n s i n t h e T r u n g S o n c a t c h m e n t a r e a i n c o m b i n a t i o n w i t h o t h e r p r o p o s e d h y d r o e l e c t r i c p r o j e c t s · I m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f a n i n t a c t r i v e r s a p p r o a c h H M M L M M Page 193 1 9 3 | P a g e I m p a c t S i g n i f i c a n c e E n v i r o n m e n t a l a n d S o c i a l C o m p o n e n t A n t i c i p a t e d C u m u l a t i v e I m p a c t M i t i g a t i o n o r M a n a g e m e n t M e a s u r e Duration Magnitude Geographic Extent Likelihood of Occurrence Reversibility Residual Impact P a r k s a n d P r o t e c t e d A r e a s I n c r e a s e d p r e s s u r e o n h a r v e s t i n g o f w i l d l i f e f o r f o o d a n d o t h e r c o n s u m p t i v e u s a g e . I n c r e a s e d p r e s s u r e f o r l o g g i n g i n p r o t e c t e d a r e a s · I m p l e m e n t p a r k m a n a g e m e n t p l a n s · I m p l e m e n t p a r k p a t r o l s a n d w a r d e n s · E d u c a t i o n c a m p a i g n t o w o r k e r s a n d l o c a l c o m m u n i t i e s · C o n t r o l o f i n g r e s s a n d e g r e s s t o t h e T S H P P s i t e H H M L L M C u l t u r a l R e s o u r c e s R e g i o n a l l o s s o f c u l t u r a l r e s o u r c e s · I m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f c u l t u r a l r e s o u r c e m a n a g e m e n t p l a n · I m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f c h a n c e f i n d p r o c e d u r e s L L L L L L L i v e l i h o o d a n d E c o n o m i c W e l l B e i n g I n c r e a s e d d r u g t r a f f i c k i n g a n d t r a n s p o r t · C o n t r o l a c c e s s a n d e g r e s s i n t o t h e T S H P P a r e a H L M M L M D e m a n d o n N a t u r a l R e s o u r c e s S e e a b o v e ( p a r k s a n d p r o t e c t e d a r e a s a n d t e r r e s t r i a l b i o d i v e r s i t y ) · S e e a b o v e H H M L L M D e m a n d o n I n f r a s t r u c t u r e a n d S e r v i c e s I n c r e a s e d r e g i o n a l d e m a n d f o r s e r v i c e s D a m w i l l c a u s e a t r a n s p o r t a t i o n b o t t l e n e c k o n t h e a c c e s s r o a d · R E D P w i l l c o n t i n u e i n f r a s t r u c t u r e d e m a n d s · L o a d i n g d o c k w i l l b e c o n s t r u c t e d a t t h e d a m s i t e a n d t i e d i n t o t h e a c c e s s r o a d t o a l l o w f o r u n i m p e d e d t r a n s p o r t a t i o n H L M M L M H e a l t h I m p a c t s o n r e g i o n a l h e a l t h i n c l u d i n g · I m p l e m e n t c a m p w o r k e r h e a l t h p l a n H L M M L M Page 194 1 9 4 | P a g e I m p a c t S i g n i f i c a n c e E n v i r o n m e n t a l a n d S o c i a l C o m p o n e n t A n t i c i p a t e d C u m u l a t i v e I m p a c t M i t i g a t i o n o r M a n a g e m e n t M e a s u r e Duration Magnitude Geographic Extent Likelihood of Occurrence Reversibility Residual Impact i n c r e a s e d d i s e a s e t r a n s m i s s i o n I m p a c t s o n h e a l t h s e r v i c e c a p a c i t y · I m p l e m e n t r e g i o n a l h e a l t h p l a n Page 195 195 | Pa g e Public Consultation and Disclosure Public consultation was a key component of the TSHPP and pivotal in creating the Resettlement Livelihood Development Plan (RLDP) three main components: the Resettlement Action Plan (RP), Community Livelihood ImprovementDevelopment Plan (CLIP) and Ethnic Minority Development Plan (EMDP). The consultation process was designed to be an open dialogue between TSHPP authorities, village leaders and affected households. The goal was to ease the transition into resettlement areas, while improving living conditions and quality of life of affected households (CPRD, 2009). Consultation Objectives Early and continuous communication between affected households, stakeholders and project developers would (DRRC, 2008a): · Inform and educatelocal residents about the project; · Gain feedback on the project and its potential impacts; · Reduce project-related conflicts and minimize the risk of project delays; · Design the RP to specifically meet the needs and priorities of affected people; and · Maximize the project’s economic and social benefits. Public Consultation Methods General consultation methods began w ith meeting the commune people’s committee, where the following information was disclosed (CPRD, 2009): · Total number of villages within communes; · Total number of affected villages; · Total number of affected households; · Current living situation and main sources of income; and · Potential project-related impacts, both positive and negative, to the village and individual households. The consultation team then discussed the TSHPP, potential impacts and consultation methods with village leaders. Afterwards, the consultation team met with individual affected households to gain feedback on resettlement options, financial compensation plans being offered and other project-related concerns (CPRD, 2009). Published reports indicate that there have been two rounds of public consultation. During each round, displaced people were interviewed regarding relocation preferences (self-relocation, resettlement commune or financial compensation), land acquisition impacts and livelihood restoration programs (DRRC, 2008a). Additional rounds of public consultation are planned, especially with those affected villagers and communes that have not been consulted with to date. Page 196 196 | Pa g e Impacted Communes and Villages Impacted villages were subsequently segregated and classified as the following (Table 0-1): · Level 1 – Households and their land for cultivation is impacted · Level 2 – Households require resettlement based on construction Co Luong-Co Me access road · Level 3 – Only cultivation (not residential) land is impacted by reservoir creation · Level 4 – Inhabitants are located downstream from the TSHPP Table 0-1: Impacted Villages and Communes Commune Level 1 Village Level 2 Village Level 3 Village Level 4 Village Nang 1 Mau Tai Chanh Kit Muong 2 Chieng Nua Muong Ly Cha Lan Tai Lin Ta Com Co Cai Ca Giang Pa Bua Canh Cong Hoc Xa Lao Trung Ly Tung Pom Khung Lat Can Tam Chung Tan Hong Ta Ban Po Co Me Xoc Pao Chieng Trung Son Quan Nhuc Xuan Nha Pu Lau Dong Ta Lao Tan Xuan Tay Ta Lao Tan Huong Son Thanh Thanh Son Nam Thanh Page 197 197 | Pa g e Commune Level 1 Village Level 2 Village Level 3 Village Level 4 Village Chieng Yen Thanh Tan Uon Pang Phu Thanh En Thanh Mai Nam Dien Van Mai Don Mai Hich Choi Muong Lat Bom Buoi Phai Chieng Tang Trung Thunh Say Source: Modified from CPRD, 2009 Public Consultation Results General Comments The following were general comments from project-affected households: · Welcome and support the construction of TSHPP; · Believe that quality of life should improve with additional community services and infrastructure; · Compensation rates for land acquisition, agricultural and/or bamboo productivity are too low; · State policies should financially assist impacted villages, especially after construction and resettlement; · Environmental policies minimize the extent of environmental pollution; and · Village safety, cultural style and environment remain intact. Agricultural land and its productivity are the main concerns of local villagers. Resettlement land and its productivity need to be of equal or greater value to the lost land. Bamboo takes approximately six to seven years before it can be harvested; therefore, adequate financial or “land-for-land” compensation will be vital in supporting villages during and more importantly, after construction. Resettled and affected areas will also receive financial support and health, education and community services and programs. Village security and maintaining order were also common concerns. The rapid population increase, particularly the number of males in the Co Me and Chieng Po communes, could dramatically increase the amount of gambling, prostitution, theft, drugs and disease. Several Page 198 198 | Pa g e villages have requested state guards during construction activities. Table 0-2 summarizes issues and requests raised by village leaders and household residents. Resettlement Alternatives Households requiring resettlement were provided with the option of either relocating to a designated village or if feasible, relocating within their existing village. The third alternative was for self-relocation, whereby the affected household would receive financial compensation and would be responsible for finding new accommodation. Resettlement alternatives were selected based family members locations, land productivity within the existing village and potential limitations within resettlement areas (DRCC, 2008a). Page 199 1 9 9 | P a g e T a b l e 0 - 2 : S u m m a r y o f V i l l a g e C o n c e r n s a n d R e q u e s t s C o m m u n e V i l l a g e E t h n i c M a j o r i t y I n c o m e S o u r c e s M a i n C o n c e r n s V i l l a g e R e q u e s t s M a u M u o n g · R i c e , m a i z e , c a s s a v a p r o d u c t i o n · L o s s o f a g r i c u l t u r a l l a n d a n d p r o d u c t i v i t y · P o l l u t i o n o f M a R i v e r a n d t r i b u t a r i e s · L o w i n t e r e s t l o a n s f o r p u r c h a s e o f c a t t l e K i t T h a i · R i c e , m a i z e , c a s s a v a p r o d u c t i o n · L i v e s t o c k b r e e d i n g · A d e q u a t e a n d f a i r “ l a n d - f o r - l a n d ” c o m p e n s a t i o n · C o m p e n s a t i o n f o r g r a v e e x c a v a t i o n · T r a i n i n g a s s i s t a n c e a n d p r o g r a m d e v e l o p m e n t f o r i n c o m e d i v e r s i f i c a t i o n · L o w i n t e r e s t l o a n s C h e i n g N a T h a i · R i c e , m a i z e , c a s s a v a p r o d u c t i o n · L i v e s t o c k b r e e d i n g · L o s s o f i n c o m e · A d e q u a t e a n d f a i r “ l a n d - f o r - l a n d ” c o m p e n s a t i o n · T r a i n i n g a s s i s t a n c e a n d p r o g r a m d e v e l o p m e n t f o r i n c o m e d i v e r s i f i c a t i o n · L o w i n t e r e s t l o a n s f o r p u r c h a s e o f c a t t l e · Y o u t h e d u c a t i o n a n d j o b c r e a t i o n M u o n g L y C h a n L a n M o n g · R i c e , m a i z e , c a s s a v a p r o d u c t i o n · A d e q u a t e a n d f a i r “ l a n d - f o r - l a n d ” c o m p e n s a t i o n · L o w i n t e r e s t l o a n s f o r p u r c h a s e o f c a t t l e a n d g o a t s · Y o u t h e d u c a t i o n a n d j o b c r e a t i o n Page 200 2 0 0 | P a g e C o m m u n e V i l l a g e E t h n i c M a j o r i t y I n c o m e S o u r c e s M a i n C o n c e r n s V i l l a g e R e q u e s t s T a C o m M o n g · R i c e , m a i z e , c a s s a v a p r o d u c t i o n · F o r e s t r y · R i v e r t r a n s p o r t a t i o n b l o c k e d · A d e q u a t e a n d f a i r “ l a n d - f o r - l a n d ” c o m p e n s a t i o n · S u p p o r t p o l i c i e s a n d p r o g r a m s f o r t h e p o o r · P r o v i s i o n o f a g r i c u l t u r a l a n d f o r e s t r y t r a i n i n g c o u r s e s · W a t e r p o l l u t i o n p o l i c i e s C a R a n g M o n g · R i c e a n d c a s s a v a p r o d u c t i o n · F o r e s t r y · L i v e s t o c k b r e e d i n g · V i l l a g e s e c u r i t y a n d p r o t e c t i o n · S t a t e g u a r d s · L o a n s w i t h i n c e n t i v e s C a n h C o n g M o n g · R i c e a n d c a s s a v a p r o d u c t i o n · L i v e s t o c k b r e e d i n g · V i l l a g e s e c u r i t y a n d p r o t e c t i o n · L o a n s w i t h i n c e n t i v e s · S t a t e g u a r d s T r u n g L y H o c M o n g · R i c e a n d c a s s a v a p r o d u c t i o n · F o r e s t r y · R a i s i n g p o u l t r y · V i l l a g e s e c u r i t y a n d p r o t e c t i o n · S t a t e g u a r d s · L o a n s w i t h i n c e n t i v e s Page 201 2 0 1 | P a g e C o m m u n e V i l l a g e E t h n i c M a j o r i t y I n c o m e S o u r c e s M a i n C o n c e r n s V i l l a g e R e q u e s t s X a L a o M o n g · R i c e a n d c a s s a v a p r o d u c t i o n · F o r e s t r y · R a i s i n g p o u l t r y · I n c r e a s e d g a m b l i n g , a l c o h o l c o n s u m p t i o n a n d p r o s t i t u t i o n · V i l l a g e s e c u r i t y a n d p r o t e c t i o n · A d e q u a t e c o m p e n s a t i o n r a t e s · S u p p o r t l o a n s w i t h p r e f e r e n t i a l r a t e s · E n h a n c e d v i l l a g e s e c u r i t y T u n g M o n g · R i c e a n d c a s s a v a p r o d u c t i o n · F o r e s t r y · R a i s i n g p o u l t r y · V i l l a g e s e c u r i t y a n d p r o t e c t i o n · C o n s t r u c t i o n w o r k e r s a r e p r o p e r l y m a n a g e d · A d e q u a t e c o m p e n s a t i o n r a t e s · L o w i n t e r e s t l o a n s T a m C h u n g L a t T h a i · F o r e s t r y · M a i z e a n d c a s s a v a p r o d u c t i o n · L i v e s t o c k · S m a l l - s c a l e b u s i n e s s e s · A d e q u a t e a n d f a i r “ l a n d - f o r - l a n d ” c o m p e n s a t i o n · T e m p o r a r y r e s i d e n c e o f c o n s t r u c t i o n w o r k e r s a r e a p p r o v e d b y v i l l a g e · Y o u t h e d u c a t i o n p r o g r a m s · T r a i n i n g a s s i s t a n c e a n d p r o g r a m d e v e l o p m e n t f o r i n c o m e d i v e r s i f i c a t i o n · S o c i a l o r d e r , c u l t u r a l s t y l e a n d e n v i r o n m e n t r e m a i n i n t a c t Page 202 2 0 2 | P a g e C o m m u n e V i l l a g e E t h n i c M a j o r i t y I n c o m e S o u r c e s M a i n C o n c e r n s V i l l a g e R e q u e s t s C a n M u o n g · M a i z e a n d c a s s a v a p r o d u c t i o n · L i v e s t o c k · I n c r e a s e d c o m p e t i t i o n f o r r e s o u r c e s · V i l l a g e s e c u r i t y a n d p r o t e c t i o n · C o n f l i c t b e t w e e n l o c a l s a n d c o n s t r u c t i o n w o r k e r s · H i g h c o n c e n t r a t i o n o f m a l e s · G a m b l i n g a n d d r u g a d d i c t i o n · P o l l u t i o n o f t h e M a R i v e r · L o w i n t e r e s t l o a n s · Y o u t h e d u c a t i o n p r o g r a m s · S e p a r a t e r e s i d e n t i a l a r e a f o r w o r k e r s · F i n a n c i a l a s s i s t a n c e f o r v i l l a g e s e c u r i t y · E n s u r e M a R i v e r t r a n s p o r t a t i o n · N o t i f i c a t i o n p r i o r t o b l a s t i n g T a n H u o n g T h a i · M a i z e p r o d u c t i o n · C a t t l e b r e e d i n g · C o m p e n s a t i o n r a t e s t o o l o w · Y o u t h e d u c a t i o n p r o g r a m s · T r a i n i n g a s s i s t a n c e a n d p r o g r a m d e v e l o p m e n t f o r i n c o m e d i v e r s i f i c a t i o n · L o w i n t e r e s t l o a n s M u o n g L a t B o m B u o i T h a i · M a i z e , c a s s a v a , b a m b o o , f r u i t t r e e p r o d u c t i o n · L i v e s t o c k · C o m p e n s a t i o n r a t e s t o o l o w · L o w i n t e r e s t l o a n s · Y o u t h e d u c a t i o n p r o g r a m s · T r a i n i n g a s s i s t a n c e a n d p r o g r a m s f o r i n c o m e d i v e r s i f i c a t i o n Page 203 2 0 3 | P a g e C o m m u n e V i l l a g e E t h n i c M a j o r i t y I n c o m e S o u r c e s M a i n C o n c e r n s V i l l a g e R e q u e s t s C o M e T h a i · M a i z e a n d b a m b o o p r o d u c t i o n · L i v e s t o c k · H i g h f o o d d e m a n d s a n d p r i c e s · C o n f l i c t b e t w e e n l o c a l s a n d w o r k e r s · D r u g s , g a m b l i n g , d i s e a s e t r a n s m i s s i o n a n d H I V · T r a f f i c a c c i d e n t s · P o l l u t i o n o f w a t e r s u p p l y · S e c u r i t y f o r v i l l a g e a n d c e m e t e r y · I n c r e a s e h e a l t h s u p p o r t ( s t a f f , m e d i c a t i o n a n d e q u i p m e n t ) · T r a i n i n g a s s i s t a n c e a n d p r o g r a m d e v e l o p m e n t f o r i n c o m e d i v e r s i f i c a t i o n T r u n g S o n P a o T h a i · B a m b o o , m a i z e a n d c a s s a v a p r o d u c t i o n · L i v e s t o c k · V i l l a g e s e c u r i t y a n d p r o t e c t i o n · G a m b l i n g , d r u g s , s m o k i n g , p r o s t i t u t i o n a n d t h e f t · P o l l u t i o n o f w a t e r s u p p l y · D u s t · L o w i n t e r e s t l o a n s t o f u r t h e r d e v e l o p c a t t l e b r e e d i n g · P o l i c i e s f o r y o u t h r e c r u i t m e n t Page 204 2 0 4 | P a g e C o m m u n e V i l l a g e E t h n i c M a j o r i t y I n c o m e S o u r c e s M a i n C o n c e r n s V i l l a g e R e q u e s t s V o M u o n g · B a m b o o , m a i z e , c a s s a v a a n d r i c e p r o d u c t i o n · L i v e s t o c k · C o n f l i c t b e t w e e n l o c a l s a n d w o r k e r s · S m o k i n g , d r u g s a n d g a m b l i n g · P o l l u t i o n o f M a R i v e r a n d w a t e r s u p p l y · N o t i f i c a t i o n p r i o r t o b l a s t i n g · S i n g l e p a y m e n t f o r f i n a n c i a l c o m p e n s a t i o n · T r a i n i n g a s s i s t a n c e a n d p r o g r a m s f o r i n c o m e d i v e r s i f i c a t i o n · Y o u t h e d u c a t i o n p r o g r a m s · L o w i n t e r e s t l o a n s C h i e n g ( P a o ) T h a i · B a m b o o , m a i z e , c a s s a v a a n d r i c e p r o d u c t i o n · C a t t l e b r e e d i n g · V i l l a g e s e c u r i t y a n d p r o t e c t i o n · C o n f l i c t b e t w e e n l o c a l s a n d w o r k e r s · P o l l u t i o n o f w a t e r s u p p l y · D u s t · H a r v e s t p a r t o f p r e s e r v e d f o r e s t f o r i n c o m e · S i n g l e p a y m e n t f o r f i n a n c i a l c o m p e n s a t i o n · L o w i n t e r e s t l o a n s Page 205 2 0 5 | P a g e C o m m u n e V i l l a g e E t h n i c M a j o r i t y I n c o m e S o u r c e s M a i n C o n c e r n s V i l l a g e R e q u e s t s T a n H u o n g T h a i · B a m b o o , m a i z e , c a s s a v a a n d r i c e p r o d u c t i o n · C a t t l e b r e e d i n g · L a r g e n u m b e r o f c o n s t r u c t i o n w o r k e r s · I n c r e a s e d c o m p e t i t i o n f o r r e s o u r c e s · H i g h c o n c e n t r a t i o n o f m a l e s · G a m b l i n g a n d d r u g s · S e p a r a t e r e s i d e n t i a l a r e a f o r w o r k e r s · V i l l a g e s e c u r i t y · S i n g l e p a y m e n t f o r f i n a n c i a l c o m p e n s a t i o n T h a n h S o n S o n T h a n h T h a i · B a m b o o p r o d u c t i o n · L a r g e n u m b e r o f c o n s t r u c t i o n w o r k e r s · H i g h n u m b e r o f m a l e w o r k e r s · G a m b l i n g a n d p r o s t i t u t i o n · I n c r e a s e c o m p e n s a t i o n r a t e s · T r a i n i n g f o r l i v e s t o c k b r e e d i n g , c u l t i v a t i o n a n d l i v e s t o c k d i s e a s e p r e v e n t i o n Page 206 2 0 6 | P a g e C o m m u n e V i l l a g e E t h n i c M a j o r i t y I n c o m e S o u r c e s M a i n C o n c e r n s V i l l a g e R e q u e s t s N a m T h a n h T h a i · B a m b o o p r o d u c t i o n · L i v e s t o c k · S o m e a q u a c u l t u r e · V i l l a g e s e c u r i t y a n d p r o t e c t i o n · H i g h c o n c e n t r a t i o n o f m a l e s · I n c r e a s e d c o m p e t i t i o n f o r r e s o u r c e s · Y o u t h e d u c a t i o n p r o g r a m s · S e p a r a t e r e s i d e n t i a l a r e a f o r w o r k e r s · I n c r e a s e h e a l t h s u p p o r t ( s t a f f , m e d i c a t i o n a n d e q u i p m e n t ) · E n s u r e M a R i v e r t r a n s p o r t a t i o n · T r a i n i n g a s s i s t a n c e a n d p r o g r a m s f o r i n c o m e d i v e r s i f i c a t i o n Page 207 2 0 7 | P a g e C o m m u n e V i l l a g e E t h n i c M a j o r i t y I n c o m e S o u r c e s M a i n C o n c e r n s V i l l a g e R e q u e s t s C h i e n g Y e n M u o n g · M a i z e , c a s s a v a a n d b a m b o o p r o d u c t i o n · L i v e s t o c k · I n c r e a s e d c o m p e t i t i o n f o r r e s o u r c e s · C o n f l i c t b e t w e e n l o c a l s a n d w o r k e r s · G a m b l i n g a n d d r u g a d d i c t i o n · P o l l u t i o n o f w a t e r s u p p l y · D u s t · Y o u t h e d u c a t i o n p r o g r a m s · S e p a r a t e r e s i d e n t i a l a r e a f o r w o r k e r s · V i l l a g e s e c u r i t y · I n c r e a s e h e a l t h s u p p o r t ( s t a f f , m e d i c a t i o n a n d e q u i p m e n t ) · E n s u r e M a R i v e r t r a n s p o r t a t i o n · T r a i n i n g a s s i s t a n c e a n d p r o g r a m s f o r i n c o m e d i v e r s i f i c a t i o n Page 208 2 0 8 | P a g e C o m m u n e V i l l a g e E t h n i c M a j o r i t y I n c o m e S o u r c e s M a i n C o n c e r n s V i l l a g e R e q u e s t s T h a n h T a n M u o n g · M a i z e , c a s s a v a a n d b a m b o o p r o d u c t i o n · L i v e s t o c k · I n c r e a s e d c o m p e t i t i o n f o r r e s o u r c e s · C o n f l i c t b e t w e e n l o c a l s a n d w o r k e r s · P o l l u t i o n o f w a t e r s u p p l y · S o i l e r o s i o n d a m a g e · S e p a r a t e r e s i d e n t i a l a r e a f o r w o r k e r s · V i l l a g e s e c u r i t y · L o w i n t e r e s t l o a n s · Y o u t h e d u c a t i o n a n d t r a i n i n g p r o g r a m s · T r a i n i n g a s s i s t a n c e a n d p r o g r a m s f o r i n c o m e d i v e r s i f i c a t i o n T r u n g T h a n h P h a i T h a i · R i c e , c a s s a v a , m a i z e p r o d u c t i o n · L i v e s t o c k · F o r e s t r y · I n c r e a s e d c o m p e t i t i o n f o r r e s o u r c e s · V i l l a g e s e c u r i t y a n d p r o t e c t i o n · G a m b l i n g a n d d r u g a d d i c t i o n · P o l l u t i o n o f w a t e r s u p p l y · D u s t · V i l l a g e s e c u r i t y · S e p a r a t e r e s i d e n t i a l a r e a f o r w o r k e r s · I n c r e a s e h e a l t h s u p p o r t ( s t a f f , m e d i c a t i o n a n d e q u i p m e n t ) Page 209 2 0 9 | P a g e C o m m u n e V i l l a g e E t h n i c M a j o r i t y I n c o m e S o u r c e s M a i n C o n c e r n s V i l l a g e R e q u e s t s C h i e n g T h a i · R i c e a n d b a m b o o p r o d u c t i o n · C a t t l e · G a m b l i n g , b o o z e , p r o s t i t u t i o n , t h e f t , d r u g a d d i c t i o n a n d H I V · D u s t a n d n o i s e · P o l l u t i o n o f w a t e r s u p p l y · I n c r e a s e d c o m p e t i t i o n f o r r e s o u r c e s · C o n f l i c t b e t w e e n l o c a l s a n d w o r k e r s · H i g h n u m b e r o f m a l e w o r k e r s · S e p a r a t e r e s i d e n t i a l a r e a f o r w o r k e r s · V i l l a g e s e c u r i t y · S t r e n g t h e n h e a l t h c a r e a n d d i s e a s e c o n t r o l · T r a i n i n g a s s i s t a n c e a n d p r o g r a m s f o r i n c o m e d i v e r s i f i c a t i o n T a n g M u o n g · R i c e , c a s s a v a a n d b a m b o o p r o d u c t i o n · C a t t l e · I n c r e a s e d c o m p e t i t i o n f o r r e s o u r c e s · H i g h n u m b e r o f m a l e w o r k e r s · C o n f l i c t b e t w e e n l o c a l s a n d w o r k e r s · P o l l u t i o n o f w a t e r s u p p l y · V i l l a g e s e c u r i t y · T r a i n i n g a s s i s t a n c e a n d p r o g r a m s f o r i n c o m e d i v e r s i f i c a t i o n Page 210 2 1 0 | P a g e C o m m u n e V i l l a g e E t h n i c M a j o r i t y I n c o m e S o u r c e s M a i n C o n c e r n s V i l l a g e R e q u e s t s S a y M u o n g · R i c e a n d b a m b o o p r o d u c t i o n · C a t t l e · I n c r e a s e d c o m p e t i t i o n f o r r e s o u r c e s · C o n f l i c t b e t w e e n l o c a l s a n d w o r k e r s · P o l l u t i o n o f w a t e r s u p p l y · S e p a r a t e r e s i d e n t i a l a r e a f o r w o r k e r s · S t r e n g t h e n h e a l t h c a r e a n d d i s e a s e c o n t r o l · E n s u r e M a R i v e r t r a n s p o r t a t i o n · L o w i n t e r e s t l o a n s P h u T h a n h P a n g T h a i · M a i z e , r i c e , c a s s a v a , b a m b o o p r o d u c t i o n · L i v e s t o c k · I n c r e a s e d c o m p e t i t i o n f o r r e s o u r c e s · C o n f l i c t b e t w e e n l o c a l s a n d w o r k e r s · H i g h c o n c e n t r a t i o n o f m a l e s · G a m b l i n g a n d d r u g a d d i c t i o n · P o l l u t i o n o f w a t e r s u p p l y · V i l l a g e s e c u r i t y · S e p a r a t e r e s i d e n t i a l a r e a f o r w o r k e r s Page 211 2 1 1 | P a g e C o m m u n e V i l l a g e E t h n i c M a j o r i t y I n c o m e S o u r c e s M a i n C o n c e r n s V i l l a g e R e q u e s t s E n T h a i · R i c e , c a s s a v a , m a i z e p r o d u c t i o n · L i v e s t o c k · F o r e s t r y · L o s s o f h o m e s , g a r d e n s , l a n d · C o n f l i c t b e t w e e n l o c a l s a n d w o r k e r s · I n c r e a s e d c o m p e t i t i o n f o r r e s o u r c e s · D r u g a d d i c t i o n a n d g a m b l i n g · P o l l u t i o n o f w a t e r s u p p l y · V i l l a g e s e c u r i t y · S e p a r a t e r e s i d e n t i a l a r e a f o r w o r k e r s · S t r e n g t h e n h e a l t h c a r e a n d d i s e a s e c o n t r o l · E n s u r e M a R i v e r t r a n s p o r t a t i o n U o n T h a i · A g r i c u l t u r e · F o r e s t r y · H i g h c o n c e n t r a t i o n o f m a l e s · I n c r e a s e d c o m p e t i t i o n f o r r e s o u r c e s · P o l l u t i o n o f w a t e r s u p p l y · S e p a r a t e r e s i d e n t i a l a r e a f o r w o r k e r s · L o w i n t e r e s t l o a n s · Y o u t h t r a i n i n g c o u r s e s V a n M a i T h a h n M a i K i n h · A g r i c u l t u r e · P o l l u t i o n o f w a t e r s u p p l y · D u s t · V i l l a g e s e c u r i t y · T r a i n i n g c o u r s e s · L o w i n t e r e s t l o a n s Page 212 2 1 2 | P a g e C o m m u n e V i l l a g e E t h n i c M a j o r i t y I n c o m e S o u r c e s M a i n C o n c e r n s V i l l a g e R e q u e s t s N a m D i e n K i n h · F o r e s t r y · P o l l u t i o n o f w a t e r s u p p l y · H i g h c o n c e n t r a t i o n o f m a l e s · I n c r e a s e d c o m p e t i t i o n f o r r e s o u r c e s · R o a d - s i d e h o m e s a f f e c t e d b y l a n d s l i d e s · V i l l a g e s a f e t y · S h o r t c o n s t r u c t i o n p e r i o d D o n K i n h · A g r i c u l t u r e · L i v e s t o c k · I m p a c t s t o t r a n s p o r t a t i o n · R o a d - s i d e h o m e s a f f e c t e d b y l a n d s l i d e s · I n c r e a s e d c o m p e t i t i o n f o r r e s o u r c e s · C o n f l i c t b e t w e e n l o c a l s a n d w o r k e r s · P o l l u t i o n o f w a t e r s u p p l y · A l l o c a t e p o r t i o n o f y o u n g e r f o r e s t s f o r h a r v e s t i n g · I n c r e a s e d c o m p e n s a t i o n r a t e s · T r a i n i n g o n c u l t i v a t i o n a n d b r e e d i n g t a c t i c s · V i l l a g e s e c u r i t y M a i H i c h C h o i K i n h · A g r i c u l t u r e · B a m b o o p r o d u c t i o n · I n c r e a s e d c o m p e t i t i o n f o r r e s o u r c e s · H i g h c o n c e n t r a t i o n o f m a l e s · P o l l u t i o n o f w a t e r s u p p l y · S e p a r a t e r e s i d e n t i a l a r e a f o r w o r k e r s · L o w i n t e r e s t l o a n s Page 213 213 | Pa g e Disclosure Process Consultation is currently on-going and will continue throughout the TSHPP construction. The consultation team will focus on communes that have not been contacted to date. Additional feedback will be incorporated into the RP, CLIP and EMDP (DRCC, 2008a). Once the RP is approved, Project Information Brochures (PIB) will be issued to all displaced people. The PIB will disclose information on: the project; compensation and relocation, potential project impacts, principles for evaluating households and assets; consultation process; procedures for complaints and grievances; monitoring and evaluation; and project contact information. The RP, CLIP and EMDP will be disclosed to the World Bank, Government of Vietnam and associated departments, project-affected communes head offices and the Project Management Board. Supporting documents, including compensation and resettlement policies, will be issued to all displaced people and head offices of project-affected communes, when available (DRCC, 2008a). Page 214 214 | Pa g e References Baltzer M. C., Thi Dao N. and Shore R. G.(eds.). 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Integrated Safeguards Data Sheet – Concept Stage .VN-Hydropower Development Project. Report No.: AC3056. Page 217 217 | Pa g e World Bank. (2006). Vietnam Hydropower Development Project – Project Concept Note . East Asia and Pacific EASEG. Page 218 218 | Pa g e Appendices Due to the length of this report and in an attempt to keep the document as succinct as possible, appendices have not been included. Readers interested in further background information and additional appendices should contact the TSHPMB.