E1856 v2 Palestinian National Authority Energy & Natural Resources Authority Electric Utility Management Project (EUMP) Environment and Social Safeguards Documents 1. Environmental Management Plan 2. Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) 3. Consultation March 2011 Table of Contents 1ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN ................................................................................. 1 1.1PROJECT BACKGROUND ............................................ 2 1.2PROJECT WORKS ............................................ 2 1.3POLICY, LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK ............................................ 3 1.4ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ............................................ 3 1.5CONCLUSIONS ............................................ 4 2RESETTLEMENT ACTION PLAN (RAP) ................................................................................. 7 2.1INTRODUCTION ............................................ 8 2.2LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK ............................................ 8 2.3EXECUTING ROLES AND RESPONSIBLE AGENCIES ............................................ 9 2.3.1JENIN SUBSTATION ............................................ 9 2.3.2SARRAH SUBSTATION ........................................... 10 2.3.3BEIT OULA SUBSTATION ................................................... 10 2.3.4QALANDIA SUBSTATION ........................................... 10 2.3.5ACCESS ROADS ........................................... 10 3CONSULTATIONS ................................................................................ 12 3.1CONSULTATIONS WITH AFFECTED PEOPLE .......................................................................................... 13 ANNEX 1: RPF TABLE ................................................................................ 14 ANNEX 2: MAPS ................................................................................ 19 MAP 1: SARRAH LANDS ................................................................................ 20 MAP 2: JENIN LANDS ................................................................................ 21 MAP 3: BEIT OULA LANDS ................................................................................ 22 MAP 4: QALANDIA LAND ................................................................................ 23 ANNEX 3: A LOCATION PROOF ................................................................................ 24 ANNEX 4: ADVERTISEMENTS ................................................................................ 25 1 Environmental Management Plan 1 1.1 Project Background The Electric utility Management Project (EUMP) which is funded by the World Bank and other donors aims to improve the performance of the Palestinian power sector through development of new transmission and distribution systems and institutional strengthening of PEA and regional distribution companies. The Environmental Assessment and Management Plan (EAMP) covers the engineering works for the development of a four new high voltage (161kV) substations in West Bank (Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah & Hebron) and the development of the distribution system in the northern, central and southern areas of West Bank. The EAMP covers many proposed locations of the high voltage substations and reflects more optimal proximity to load centers and available non-disputed/ agreeable land. It has been necessary to modify the locations of substation sites and introduce alternative locations to mitigate environmental and social impacts. Following the submittal of the initial version of the EAMP in January of 2008 a Palestinian Environmental Specialist was commissioned to prepare an independent study on the legal context and biodiversity on the West Bank. This was to support local ownership and to ensure that the EIA covered all relevant aspects. The same specialist together with appropriate staff from PEA have also conducted field visits and impact assessments for the new substations sites. To facilitate clarity while at the same time providing insight to the evolution of the assessments updates including inherent infrastructure and locations are specified in relation to their phased progression. 1.2 Project Works It is important to understand the scope of the works in the EUMP, in order to also understand the approach in dealing with both the evaluation of the environmental impacts, and the subsequent reporting. The summarized works items are shown in Table A below. Table A. Components of the EUMP Component Transmission system Works Element Activity Substations - Construction of 4 new sub- - Techno-economic assessment stations in Jenin, Nablus, - System analyses and design Ramallah & Hebron - Procurement and equipment - Installation of NCC/ installation SCADA Distribution Rehabilitation and - System configuration and - Techno-economic assessment extension of existing design System analyses system - Installation of pre-paid and - Procurement and equipment automatic meters installation - Development of distribution system Institutional Technical assistance and - Improved customer service - Technical assistance, improved capacity building - Strengthening of NEDCO customer metering, use of - Sector reforms accounting and billing systems, - Consultancy services for: operation and maintenance Detailed design and - Construction supervision for: construction supervision of detailed design and tender specs 2 transmission and distribution - Policy formulation for, components Palestinian Electric Regulatory - Promoting utilization of Commission) and Palestinian renewable energy sources, Electricity Transmission Limited, development of appropriate promotion of renewable energy institutional and legal sources framework 1.3 Policy, Legal and Administrative Framework The World Bank Governing policy is OP 4.12. At present this project is categorized as “B�. This means all components of the Project with the exception of capacity building will be subject to Environmental Assessment (EA). The Palestinian National Authority, Ministry of Environmental Affairs MEA has two formats for environmental assessment: The first is an Environmental Scoping termed Initial Environmental Evaluation (IEE), which covers small projects, and/or projects that undertake works in already disturbed areas. The second is a full Environmental Impact Assessment, which covers projects where impacts will occur to natural areas and/or to natural resources, as a result of new activities. The regulations covering environmental assessment are covered principally by the Environment Law (No. (7) 1999) and the Environmental Assessment Policy (2000). In terms of this project, the works are covered under Annex 1 of the latter. The work associated with construction of the four substations brings the need of compensation as all the four sites land owners are private owners. For this purpose PEA has prepared a Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) and public consultation will be held to be led by Ministry of Finance (MOF) for the compensation purpose. For the distribution component where existing structures are likely to limit access and OP4.12 may be triggered in by: o Encroachments - resulting from locations where the right of ways of new medium voltage overhead lines conflict with existing structures, properties etc. o Unforeseen events, accidents, and by minor changes in project specifications that may cause damage to or loss of assets. In areas where dwellings, fences, etc. are close to proposed infrastructure rehabilitation and access is very confined. Then a public consultation with the relevant stakeholders to be led by the distribution utilities will be implemented before the commencement of the distribution development component. 1.4 Environmental Impacts Overall Overall, once the works are completed, there will be a significant net positive social and environmental benefit to the people of the West Bank and Gaza. However, limited and temporary negative environmental and social impacts will occur for short periods during the works stage. By careful pre- planning by the organisation contracted to undertake the rehabilitation works all the negative impacts can be addressed through an EMP. Compensation issues if any arising from damage or destruction to assets will also be addressed. 3 The bulk of the impacts fall under Construction phase works, mainly excavation works for site preparation, foundations (distribution towers and poles) and transformers and stringing of overhead wires. The secondary or indirect impacts of the line installation works will be disruptions to traffic, pedestrians, and safety issues where right of ways are located along pedestrian pathways and where they may block access to private and/or public property in both residential and commercial areas. These impacts can be minimised, in terms of severity and duration, by ensuring that the excavation and construction works are limited to short working sections, and that works are carried out rapidly and efficiently. The remainder of the impacts will be site specific, and generally within the operating sites of PEA and regional distribution companies. The EMP for the project has been drawn up according to the anticipated impacts from all the Project components, starting with construction to the rehabilitation works and subsequent operating phases. The substation sites in Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah and Hebron do not entail to any significant extents additional on-site impacts and/ or concerns compared to the sites that already have been assessed. 1.5 Conclusions The representative works as identified (construction of the distribution grid) will entail limited land acquisition for tower foundations and substations. In addition, to enable stringing of overhead wires (conductors) and line maintenance clearing of for the right of way (ROW) will be necessary. The proposed network will be routed to avoid conflicts with existing houses and any special habitats (e.g. remnant forests). Destruction of houses and any movement or resettlement of people will not be done. If assets are damaged or people’s lives disrupted, the RPF has been prepared to compensate for these actions. From the impact assessment carried out the environmental acceptability of the project may be summarized thus: Terrestrial Ecology: None of the current proposed substation locations in Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah and Hebron entail significant impacts on the terrestrial ecology. In all cases any negative impacts will be minor, capable of being reduced to an acceptable level through environmental management planning. Water Quality: Potential serious negative impacts on groundwater quality can result from accidental leakage or spills of oils, lubricants from construction machinery and/ or transformers. The risk of such impacts will consequently need to be managed through safety procedures and installation of structures for containment of spills (i.e. for transformers). Air and Noise Quality: Minor negative impacts associated with dust, fumes and noise from construction works and rock blasting. Landscape: Very small-scale and largely temporary negative impacts associated with works areas. Socio-Economic and Cultural Environment: Minor short-duration socio-economic impacts associated with construction works. Land owners will need to be compensated for permanent land take from the erection of towers, temporary loss of cropping income for clearing and maintaining of RoWs and decreased property value due to the presence of the transmission line. Mitigation is possible through an effective environmental management plan and resettlement policy framework. Environmental Management Plans for the Substation and Distribution System: The construction of substations and electrical distribution networks is undertaken according to the recommendations of the 4 environmental assessment and EMP in a way that is respectful to the local people and their land and resources. All operations will be managed in a manner that protects the environment, health and safety of employees, customers, contractors and the public. A “Measures Plan� is prepared that establishes the steps required to ensure conformity with the principles and procedures laid down in the national environmental legislation during the planning/project design, construction and operation activities of the proposed Electrical Distribution System and Substations project in the northern, central and southern parts of West Banks. Table B. Measures Plan table for the Construction of the Electrical Distribution System and substations: Stage activity Measures to be Taken Responsible Agency/Party Earth-moving wastes to be excavated Earth-moving in scope of this project shall be Contractor Construction wastes disposed safely in areas permitted by the relevant Municipality. In case any historical, cultural or archeological assets is encountered Historical, during excavations, the excavation cultural and work shall be stopped and the Contractor archeological Provincial Culture and Tourism assets Directorate shall be informed thereof. The work will carry on after reaching an agreement The vehicles transporting materials shall be covered. In particular, the Dust/air work sites shall be watered under Contractor pollution warm, dry and windy weather conditions. The noise levels of the excavation and work machines shall not exceed the levels indicated in the Regulation Noise Contractor on the Evaluation and Management of Ambient Noise; Impulse noise may not exceed 70 dBA Construction Whether each vehicle used for construction works has measured its exhaust emission levels in accordance with the criteria set by Exhaust the Ministry of Environment and Contractor Emission Forestry as well as their “Motorized Vehicle Exhaust Emission Measurement License� shall be checked and supervised. In order to avoid any damage on other infrastructure systems (water, natural gas, sewerage, Excavation communication, transportation, etc.), Contractor the related agencies and utilities shall be informed in writing before starting excavation works. In order to avoid any danger that may Public Safety be posed by the project against public Contractor safety (particularly for children), 5 people must be prevented from entering the construction sites, using plastic stripes, barriers as well as phosphorous enlightened warning signs. Furthermore, the necessary measures shall be taken to ensure a safe flow of traffic in cooperation with the related agencies. Restoration of The Construction Site shall be Construction restored to its previous position. Contractor Site A monitoring plan table has been provided to potential contractors, this table shows the monitoring stages required to ensure conformity with the principles and procedures laid down in the national environmental legislation during the planning project design construction and operation activities of the proposed Electrical Distribution System and Substations. Table D. Monitoring plan table for the Construction of the Electrical Distribution System and Substations: When will the How will the parameters be What are the parameters be Where will be monitored? parameters to monitored/what Responsible Stage the parameters Measurement be are the Agency/Party are monitored? frequency/ monitored? monitoring continuous instruments? measurements Construction Earth-moving Visual EQA & the routes/storage continuously wastes Contractor areas Historical, If cultural EQA , MOTA cultural and Construction Visual assets & the archeological route encountered Contractor assets Construction site Dust/air and vehicles Visual continuous Contractor pollution moving materials Noise Monthly, or Noise(work Work machinery measurement when the machinery and at the shall be people living in Contractor transportation Construction site performed at the the environs vehicles) construction site complain The permits Once, when received must be vehicles enters checked for Excavation work site for Construction site properness and Contractor first time the durations of (expiration date permits must not of license) be exceeded Construction Public Safety Visual continuously Contractor route Restoration of At the end of Construction Construction site Visual Construction Contractor Site period 6