Environmental Impact Assessment - adb.org · This Environmental Impact Assessment is a document of the borrower. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB's

Environmental Impact Assessment

Document stage: Updated Project Number: 50130-002 July 2019

Uzbekistan: Sustainable Hydropower Project

Main Document A

Prepared by Uzbekenergo for the Asian Development Bank. This is an updated version of the draft originally posted in May 2019 available on https://www.adb.org/projects/documents/uzb-50130-002-eia.

https://www.adb.org/projects/documents/uzb-50130-002-eiahttps://www.adb.org/projects/documents/uzb-50130-002-eia

This Environmental Impact Assessment is a document of the borrower. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB's Board of Directors, Management, or staff, and may be preliminary in nature. Your attention is directed to the “terms of use” section on ADB’s website. In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.

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The Construction of Rabat, Chappasuy and Tamshush Hydro Power Plants on the Aksu River in Kashkadarya Region Environmental Impact Assessment

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CURRENCY EQUIVALENTS (as of 9 December 2018)

Currency unit – sum (SUM)

$1.00 = SUM8,267

ABBREVIATIONS

ADB – Asian Development Bank AH – Affected Household APC – Approximate permissible concentration BISA – Amu Kashkadarya Basin Irrigation System Authorities BOD – Biochemical oxygen demand CAP – Corrective Action Plan CIS – Commonwealth of Independent States COD – Chemical oxygen demand dB – Decibel DMS – Detailed Measurement Survey EA – Executing Agency EHS – Environmental, Health, and Safety EIA – Environmental Impact Assessment EL – Elevation EM – Environmental Manager EMP – Environmental Management Plan EN – Endangered EO – Environmental Officer EPC – Engineering, Procurement and Construction ERP – Emergency Response Plan FGD – Focused Group Discussion FGFO – Foreign Governmental Finance Organizations GHG – Greenhouse Gases GoU – Government of Uzbekistan GRC – Grievance Redressal Committee GRM – Grievance redress mechanism HCCH – Hexachlorocyclohexane HH – Household HPP – Hydroelectric Power Plant HSO – Health and safety officer IES – International Environmental Specialist IFC – International Finance Corporation IFI – International Financial Institutions IFIM – Instream Flow Incremental Methodology ISA – Aksu Irrigation System Authority IUCN – International Union for Conservation of Nature IWMI – International Water Management Institute JSC – Joint-stock company KBA – Key Biodiversity Area KRK – Kashkadarya Region Khokimiat (Kashkadarya Region local

government) LARP – Land Acquisition and Resettlement Plan LC – Land Code


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LC – Least concern MAC – Maximum Admissible Concentrations MAWR – Ministry of Agriculture and Water Management MAWR – Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources MIA – Ministry of the Internal Affairs MOH – Ministry of Health MPC – Maximum Permissible Concentration MPC – Maximum Permissible Emissions MPD – Maximum Permissible Discharge MPD – Maximum Permissible Discharges MPE – Maximum permissible emissions MSK – Medvedev–Sponheuer–Karnik MSW – Municipal solid waste NES – National Environmental Specialist NGO – Non-governmental Organization NT – Near Threatened PC – Public Consultation PGA – Peak ground acceleration PKM – Regulation of the Cabinet of Ministers PMU – Project Management Unit PMU – Project Management Unit PZVOS – Draft of Concept Statement on Environmental Impact RES – Renewable energy sources RQ – Residual quantities SanPiN – Sanitary Regulations and Standards SB – Spoil Bank SCEEP – State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Ecology and

Environmental Protection SEE – State Environmental Expertise SEMPs – Specific Environmental Management Plans SES – Sanitary and epideological service SniP – Construction Standards SPS – Safeguard Policy Statement SPZ – Sanitary Protection Zones UZS – Uzbekistani soʻm VU – Vulnerable WPI – Water Pollution Index ZEP – Statement on Environmental Consequences ZVOS – Concept Statement on Environmental Impact (Uzbekistan EIA)

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

°C – degrees celsius Km – kilometer Km2 – square kilometer mg/l – milligrams per liter mgO / l – milligrams of oxygen per liter MW – megawatt


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GLOSSARY

Adyr – Foothills Aryk – Irrigation system Kishlak – Village Khokim – Governor of administrative unit Khokimiyat – Local government Makhalla – Community Sai – Stream Tau – Mountains Tugai – Flood-plain Glavgosexpertiza – State department responsible for conducting

environmental expertise under SCEEP Goskomekologiya – State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Ecology

and Environmental Protection Sanoatgeocontechnozarat – The State Inspectorate for Supervision of Exploration,

Supervision over the Safety of Operation of Industry, Mining and Public Utilities

Uzbekenergo

– Managerial body in the electric power and coal industries, which are major structural components of the national economy

Uzbekgidroenergo – Joint stock company with the aim of forming a unified management system for water energy resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and providing centralized process management of hydropower facilities

Uzhydromet – State governing body specially authorized for the solution of tasks in the field of hydrometeorology in the Republic of Uzbekistan and in its activities, it is accountable to Ministry of Emergency Situations

This environmental impact assessment is a document of the borrower. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB's Board of Directors, Management, or staff, and may be preliminary in nature. Your attention is directed to the “terms of use” section on ADB’s website. In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.


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Table of Contents

A EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................. A-8

A.1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................ A-8 A.2 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT .................................................................................................... A-8 A.3 ALTERNATIVES .......................................................................................................................... A-10 A.4 DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT .......................................................................................... A-12 A.5 IMPACT IDENTIFICATION ............................................................................................................. A-16 A.6 MANAGEMENT AND MITIGATION ACTIONS .................................................................................... A-21 A.7 MONITORING ACTIONS ............................................................................................................... A-26 A.8 CONSULTATIONS ....................................................................................................................... A-27 A.9 CONCLUSIONS ........................................................................................................................... A-27 A.10 IMPLEMENTATION....................................................................................................................... A-29

B INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................... B-1

B.1 GENERAL .................................................................................................................................... B-1 B.2 OVERVIEW OF THE ENERGY SECTOR IN UZBEKISTAN ..................................................................... B-1 B.3 PROPOSED PROJECT ................................................................................................................... B-2 B.4 PURPOSE OF EIA REPORT ........................................................................................................... B-3 B.5 CATEGORY OF THE PROJECT ........................................................................................................ B-4 B.6 STRUCTURE OF THE REPORT ....................................................................................................... B-4

C POLICY, LEGAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK ............................................................ C-1

C.1 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION ...................................................................................... C-1 C.2 THE ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK .............................................................................................. C-5 C.3 NATIONAL EIA REGULATION ......................................................................................................... C-6 C.4 ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS ......................................................................... C-8

C.4.1 Air Quality .............................................................................................................................. C-8 C.4.2 Water quality ......................................................................................................................... C-8 C.4.3 Noise ..................................................................................................................................... C-8 C.4.4 Vibration ................................................................................................................................ C-8 C.4.5 Waste .................................................................................................................................... C-9 C.4.6 Hazardous material ............................................................................................................... C-9 C.4.7 Sanitary-Protection Zone ...................................................................................................... C-9 C.4.8 IFC performance standard and guidelines ............................................................................ C-9 C.4.9 Environmental Flow ............................................................................................................. C-10

C.5 PERMIT AND LICENSES ............................................................................................................... C-10 C.6 INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS ON NATURE CONSERVATION AND THE PREVENTION OF TRANSBOUNDARY IMPACTS ................................................................................................................................................ C-10 C.7 ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK SAFEGUARD POLICIES 2009 ............................................................ C-14 C.8 GAP ANALYSIS ........................................................................................................................... C-17

D DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT ................................................................................................. D-1

D.1 PROJECT LOCATION ..................................................................................................................... D-1 D.2 PROJECT DESIGN AND LAYOUT ..................................................................................................... D-3 D.3 PROJECT ACTIVITIES DURING CONSTRUCTION ............................................................................... D-9

D.3.1 Preparatory Works ............................................................................................................ D-9 D.3.2 Temporary Facilities ........................................................................................................ D-10 D.3.3 Civil Works ...................................................................................................................... D-13 D.3.4 Hydraulic Steel Structures ............................................................................................... D-17 D.3.5 Electro-mechanical works ............................................................................................... D-17 D.3.6 Transmission Line ........................................................................................................... D-18

D.4 ACTIVITIES DURING OPERATION.................................................................................................. D-21 D.5 ENVIRONMENTAL FLOW ............................................................................................................. D-21


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E ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES ..................................................................................................... E-1

E.1 NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ............................................................................................................. E-1 E.2 ALTERNATIVE WEIR AND POWER HOUSE CONFIGURATION ............................................................. E-2 E.3 WATERWAY ................................................................................................................................. E-3 E.4 MAXIMUM PLANT DISCHARGE ....................................................................................................... E-4 E.5 ENVIRONMENTAL FLOWS ............................................................................................................. E-5

F DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT ......................................................................................... F-1

F.1 PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT .............................................................................................................. F-1 F.1.1 Climate ................................................................................................................................... F-1 F.1.2 Air quality ................................................................................................................................ F-2 F.1.3 Hydrology ............................................................................................................................... F-3 F.1.4 Topography ............................................................................................................................ F-6 F.1.5 Mudflow .................................................................................................................................. F-7 F.1.6 Land slides ........................................................................................................................... F-13 F.1.7 Seismic Hazards .................................................................................................................. F-15 F.1.8 Geology ................................................................................................................................ F-16 F.1.9 Soils ...................................................................................................................................... F-17

F.2 BIODIVERSITY ............................................................................................................................. F-21 F.2.1 Internationally Designated Sites ........................................................................................... F-21 F.2.2 Nationally Designated Sites ................................................................................................. F-25 F.2.3 Habitats and Notable Flora .................................................................................................. F-27 F.2.4 Critical Habitat and Notable Species.................................................................................... F-59

F.3 SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT ................................................................................................................ F-68 F.3.1 Administrative area............................................................................................................... F-68 F.3.2 Demography ......................................................................................................................... F-71 F.3.3 Land Use .............................................................................................................................. F-71 F.3.4 Utilities .................................................................................................................................. F-75 F.3.5 Public Facilities ..................................................................................................................... F-76 F.3.6 Roads and transportation ..................................................................................................... F-76 F.3.7 Economic activities (Industry, Commercial business, Agriculture, and Fishery).................. F-77 F.3.8 Poverty ................................................................................................................................. F-77 F.3.9 Vulnerable Households ........................................................................................................ F-78 F.3.10 Gender analysis ............................................................................................................... F-78 F.3.11 Ethnic groups, culture and religion ................................................................................... F-79 F.3.12 Physical Cultural Resources (PCR) ................................................................................. F-79 F.3.13 The use of resources of the Aksu river. ........................................................................... F-79

G ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES ..................................................... G-1

G.1 GENERAL .................................................................................................................................... G-1 G.2 IMPACT ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY .......................................................................................... G-1

G.2.1 Identification of Significant Environmental Aspects .......................................................... G-1 G.2.2 Impact Significance Rating ................................................................................................ G-3 G.2.3 Mitigation, Management and Good Practice Measures .................................................... G-6 G.2.4 Mitigation Hierarchy........................................................................................................... G-6

G.3 PHYSICAL RESOURCES ................................................................................................................ G-6 G.3.1 Air Quality .......................................................................................................................... G-6 G.3.2 Hydrology ........................................................................................................................ G-10 G.3.3 Natural Hazards and Processes ..................................................................................... G-37 G.3.4 Soils ................................................................................................................................. G-41

G.4 BIODIVERSITY ............................................................................................................................ G-43 G.4.1 Generic Impacts and Mitigation ....................................................................................... G-45 G.4.2 Specific Impacts and Mitigation ....................................................................................... G-49 G.4.3 Designated Areas ............................................................................................................ G-50 G.4.4 Vegetation ....................................................................................................................... G-52


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G.4.5 Terrestrial Fauna ............................................................................................................. G-59 G.4.6 Fish .................................................................................................................................. G-62

G.5 SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT .............................................................................................. G-66 G.5.1 Land acquisition and Compensation ............................................................................... G-66 G.5.2 Waste Management ........................................................................................................ G-68 G.5.3 Construction Camps and Ancillary Facilities ................................................................... G-71 G.5.4 Emergency Response Planning ...................................................................................... G-76 G.5.5 Utilities and Infrastructure ............................................................................................... G-77 G.5.6 Workers Rights and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) ......................................... G-80 G.5.7 Community Health and Safety ........................................................................................ G-83 G.5.8 Physical Cultural Resources (PCR) ................................................................................ G-86 G.5.9 Noise and Vibration ......................................................................................................... G-87 G.5.10 Positive impacts .............................................................................................................. G-93 G.5.11 Cumulative and Induced Impacts .................................................................................... G-95

H STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT, INFORMATION DISCLOSURE & GRIEVANCE MECHANISM H-1

H.1 PUBLIC CONSULTATION REQUIREMENTS ....................................................................................... H-1 H.2 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES ..................................................................................... H-1

H.2.1 General Principles ............................................................................................................. H-1 H.2.2 Stakeholder Engagement Undertaken to Date ................................................................. H-2

H.3 INFORMATION DISCLOSURE .......................................................................................................... H-5 H.4 GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISM .............................................................................................. H-5

H.4.1 General .............................................................................................................................. H-5 H.4.2 Process ............................................................................................................................. H-6 H.4.3 Communication ................................................................................................................. H-9

I ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN ....................................................................................... I-1

I.1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................. I-1 I.2 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLANS .......................................................................................... I-1

I.2.1 Design/Pre-Construction/Construction stage .......................................................................... I-2 I.2.2 Operation stage ..................................................................................................................... I-41

I.3 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PLAN ............................................................................................ I-48 I.4 SPECIFIC EMP (SEMP) .............................................................................................................. I-51 I.5 BID DOCUMENTS ......................................................................................................................... I-52 I.6 CONTRACT DOCUMENTS .............................................................................................................. I-52 I.7 IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS ............................................................................................... I-52

I.7.1 UZBEKGIDROENERGO ....................................................................................................... I-53 I.7.2 PMU ...................................................................................................................................... I-53 I.7.3 Contractor .............................................................................................................................. I-53 I.7.4 The Engineer (Project Supervision Consultant) .................................................................... I-54

I.8 REPORTING AND REVIEW OF THE EMP ......................................................................................... I-54 I.9 EMP COST ................................................................................................................................. I-56

I.9.1 Mitigation cost ....................................................................................................................... I-56 I.9.2 Monitoring cost ...................................................................................................................... I-61

J CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................. J-1

J.1 CONCLUSIONS .............................................................................................................................. J-1 I.2 RECOMMENDATIONS ..................................................................................................................... J-2


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Appendix I Environmental Standard Appendix II Flora and vegetation survey Appendix III Terrestrial fauna survey Appendix IV Fish survey Appendix V Interview survey for historical changing of watershed Appendix VI Irrigation survey Appendix VII IFIM Appendix VIII Public consultation Appendix IX Ecological Impact Assessment Appendix X Seismological Studies Appendix XI Cumulative Impact on fish Appendix XII Map of protected species Appendix XIII E-flows Assessment and Management Plan Appendix XIV Biodiversity Action Plan Appendix XV Framework Management Plans


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A EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A.1 Introduction

1. This Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is part of the process of compliance with the ADB guidelines in relation to the Construction of Rabat, Chappasuy and Tamshush Hydro Power Plants on the Aksu River in Kashkadarya Region, or the “Project”. 2. The EIA provides a road map to the environmental measures needed to prevent and/or mitigate negative environmental effects associated with the project. More specifically, the EIA: Describes the existing socioenvironmental conditions within the project area;

Describes the project design, construction activities and operational parameters;

Describes the extent, duration and severity of potential impacts;

Analyzes all significant impacts; and

Formulates the mitigation actions and presents it all in the form of an Environmental Management Plan (EMP).

3. Based on the existing ADB Environmental Safeguards Policy (2009), this project falls under ADB’s project Category A as the project is considered to have significant diverse impacts over a wide area on hydrology and biodiversity.1 A.2 Description of the project

4. The project consists of three run-of-the-river Small Hydro Power Plants (HPP) (small is classified as a hydropower plant below 30MW in Uzbekistan): Rabat (6.2 MW) Chappasuy (7.5 MW) Tamshush (10.3 MW) 5. All of the HPPs are located in Shakhrisabz District of Kashkadarya Region in Uzbekistan on the middle course of the Aksu River, which flows into the Akdaraya River. 6. The project is not a storage project, and none of the intakes has any ability to store water. All three HPPs are Run-of-River type and are located upstream of the existing Hisorak hydro power plant (HPP) approximately 12km down the river from the project area which has essentially dammed the valley. On completion of the project there will be a cascade of four hydropower projects in the Aksu river. 7. Figure A-1 shows the layout of the project. The heights of the required two first two weirs are 7m and 6m respectively. The outlet of Chappasuy is directly connected to intake of Tamshush by water pipe and as such no weir is required. 8. The total project area for all HPPs is 51.9 ha including temporary areas and Right-of-Way of the transmission line. The areas of pondages behind the weirs are 1.4 ha and 1.6 ha (Rabat

1 According to ADB “A proposed project is classified as category A if it is likely to have significant adverse

environmental impacts that are irreversible, diverse, or unprecedented. These impacts may affect an area larger than the sites or facilities subject to physical works. An environmental impact assessment is required.”


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and Chappasuy respectively). Some road diversions will be required but no access roads are planned under the project. The total length of the water pipe is 11 km and transmission line is 21 km.

Figure A-1: General Project Plan

9. Table A-1 summarizes the key characteristics of the project.

Table A-1: Project profile

Item Unit Rabat HPP Chappasuy

HPP Tamshush HPP

1 Hydrological Conditions

Catchment Area km2 443 494 494

Annual Mean Discharge m3/s 7.16 8.87 8.87

2 Hydropower Planning

Type of Development Run-of-river Run-of-river Run-of-river

Max. Plant Discharge m3/s 15 15 15

High Water Level EL.m 1,445 1,355 1,284.80

Tail Water Level EL.m 1,385 1,285 1,190

Gross Head m 60.0 70.0 94.8

Effective Head m 48.9 59.2 81.0

Installed Capacity MW 6.2 7.5 10.3

Number of Units nos. 4 4 4


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Item Unit Rabat HPP Chappasuy

HPP Tamshush HPP

Unit Capacity MW 1.55 1.875 2.575

Annual Energy GWh 21.3 29.3 39.9

3 Main Structures

Intake Weir concrete gravity,

7m high concrete gravity,

6m high N/A

Reservoir ha 1.4 1.6 N/A

Waterway pressurized steel

pipe, D2.5m x L3,500m

pressurized steel pipe, D2.5m x

L3,400m

free flow conduit, W3.0m x H3.0m

x L200m pressurized steel

pipe, D2.5m x L4,600m

Powerhouse surface type

W22m x L48m x H20m

surface type W22m x L48m x

H20m

surface type W22m x L48m x

H25m

Tailrace open channel open channel open channel

Turbine horizontal Francis, 4 units

horizontal Francis, 4 units

horizontal Francis, 4 units

Generator 3 phase

synchronous, 4 units

3 phase synchronous,

4 units

3 phase synchronous,

4 units

4 Power Evacuation

Transmission Line 110kV/35kV, 21km in total

5 Construction Plan

Construction period month 42 months including design stage

Temporary Allocated Area ha 18.6 ha for spoil banks and contractor’s camps

A.3 Alternatives

10. No Action alternatives. The electricity demand in Uzbekistan has been increasing for the past several years, and the government estimates its power demand will be doubled by 2030. The key factors fueling the increasing power demand include increasing population, rapid urbanization, industrialization, improvement in per capita income and village electrification programs of Uzbekistan’s central and provincial governments. In order to match the increasing trend in the power demand, regular investments in various segments of the power network – generation, transmission, and distribution are vitally important. Otherwise, the gap between the supply and demand will keep on increasing. In case the proposed project is not undertaken, the Uzbekistan will not be able to cope with the increasing demand and the existing system will remain over-loaded, line losses will also remain high, and the system reliability will progressively decrease, with increasing pressure on the system. The utility will also forego the opportunity of increasing its consumers’ base as well as revenue associated with the system expansion. In view of the above, the ‘no project’ option is not a preferred alternative. Further, if this growth is fueled by burning fossil fuels, notably natural gas, this will lead to larger increase in greenhouse gas emission. No Action alternatives will cause consumption gas of 21.45 million m3/year or coal 28.45 thousand tons per year. The savings of natural resources used as fuel for electricity generation


A-11

at thermal power plants of similar capacity will be: gas – 21.45 million m3/year, while working on coal – 28,453 tons/year. 11. Notwithstanding the above, construction and operation of the project will lead to a number of environmental and social impacts which are discussed in detail and include as examples:

Reduction of discharge in the Aksu River, which will impact upon the ecology of the river, but less so on the local community.

Short term construction impacts, such as noise and air emissions, although due to the relatively low population levels in the project corridor these are not anticipated to be significant and will only be short term in duration.

12. These and other potential impacts have been assessed in detail as part of this EIA and management measures have been provided to reduce or mitigate any significant impacts occurring. A number of residual impacts will remain after construction and into the operational phase, however, as noted in the impact assessment portion of this EIA and its conclusions, these residual impacts are only anticipated to be of low to moderate significance. 13. The ‘No Action’ alternative, whilst eliminating short term construction impacts, would result in longer term impacts associated with thermal power generation, such as air pollution and climate change which will have local, regional and global consequences. 14. Height and location of weirs – The original Plan included high weirs of 75m (Rabat), 40m (Chappasuy), and 40m (Tamshush) and large storage reservoirs. This would have required Yakkakhona village to be inundated which would have significant social impacts. In addition, inundation due to the construction of the reservoirs would have also led to significant impacts upon biodiversity and habitat and potential negative impacts on the Gissar Key Biodiversity Area (KBA). In order to avoid the high weirs and the impact on village, the locations of weirs and heights of the weirs have been modified to 6m (Rabat) and 7m (Chappasuy). The weir of Tamshush was changed to direct intake system from Chappasuy power plant. 15. Type of headrace waterway - Three options are conceivable as the type of headrace waterway; that is, open canal, underground tunnel or pressurized pipeline. The following summarizes the environmental issues associated with each option: Open Canal: Substantial Impact: Large scale of open excavation on the mountainside slope

may cause slope instability. Lot of waste rocks will require huge area for dumping. Blasting operation in open area will be needed substantially. Higher impact on slope vegetation.

Underground Tunnel: Moderate Impact. Blasting operation will be needed, but mainly in underground operation. Large scale open excavation is needed to approach to the top of penstock at high elevation.

Pressurized Pipeline . Moderate Impact. Pipeline alignment will interfere the

existing road in part, which involves partial re-alignment of the road. Pipeline alignment will interfere the existing vegetation along the river in part.

16. Maximum Plant Discharges. Wide range of plant discharges were modelled to optimize the plant capacity in a way to minimize the cost per kWh. From this analysis, Maximum Plant Discharges of 15 m3/s and 20 m3/s were shortlisted and compared further from technical,


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economical, social and environmental points of view. Out of these, Q=15 m3/s was finally selected as it will require lower weir height and less impact on the environment. Social issues related to this weir height are also comparatively lesser than Q=20 m3/s. A.4 Description of the Environment

17. Air quality – There are no major point sources of industrial emissions within 30km of the project area. Dust and vehicle emissions from the local roads in the project area are the only anthropogenic sources of air pollution in the project area. However, according to observations, the intensity of vehicles along the road is low, and does not exceed 2-3 units per hour, mainly cars. In the area where the studied site is located, the existing state of the atmospheric air can be assessed as good quality. 18. Water quality- According to the national Water Pollution Index (WPI), the water quality of the Akdaraya River 2 in all river stations, as in the previous year, corresponded to Class II clean water. Water quality monitoring was undertaken several times as part of this EIA. The initial results showed elevated levels of suspended solids and BOD in one samples. The value of BOD5 (and COD) increased in proportion to the population upstream. There is no waste water treatment system in the project area villages. Domestic waste water is discharged into the river without suitable treatment. Additional analysis of water quality was undertaken and showed that water quality does not exceed the permissible level and is within the norm established in normative documents with the exception of sustpended solids and bacteria coliforms. This is explained by the fact that during the period when water samples were taken, the Aksu River was subjected to repeated mudflows, which brought the specified pollution into the river water. 19. River water discharge – Monthly discharge varies by season. Water discharge from the Aksu in the dry season from September to March is between 3 to 6 m3/s. Discharge increases from April up to June by meltwater from the Gissar range. The Maximum discharge in June is around 20 to 25 m3/s. 20. Sedimentation - Sediment (suspended load) sampling at Hisorak HPP (catchment area=755 km2) has been conducted by Uzbekhydromet in daily basis from 1985 to date. Annual mean suspended load at Hisorak Hydro Post is calculated at 85,316 ton/year, which means the annual suspended load yield is 113 t/km2/year. With assumption that annual bed load yield ratio is at 20% of suspended load, the total sediment load is assessed to be at 136 t/km2/year. Using this total yield, annual sediment volume at each proposed intake weir sites are estimated 60,248 m3/year at the Rabat intake weir site, and 67,184 m3/year at Chappasuy intake weir site. 21. Groundwater - Groundwater is not so plentiful in the project Area with the exception of four natural springs located along the river. They are used for domestic water when the Aksu river water is too turbid for domestic water use. 22. Geology - The Gissar Range is a folded structure made up of Paleozoic formation which consists mainly of limestones and shales. According to geological mapping, several faults are running in parallel with the Aksu River in the vicinity of the HPP sites, with intervals of several kilometers. These faults as shown do not directly intersect the project area, however it can be assumed that the project area may have suffered weathering due to rock deformation of folds.

2 The project is located on the Aksu river which becomes the Akdarya river after the Hisorak dam located downstream

of the project.


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23. Seismic hazards - All three construction sites are located directly within the South Tien Shan seismically active zone, characterized by both seismotectonic and seismological data, a very high seismic potential. The initial score of the site for the construction of small hydropower stations corresponds to I = 8.0 points with a probability of P = 0.98 not exceeding the specified value for 50 years. In this case, the expected values of peak accelerations on medium soils with a probability of P = 0.98 should not exceed the value of PGA = 350 cm / s2. In all instrumental observation points, the seismic magnitude increment was more than 0.5 points (from 0.66 to 1.15). This means that the ground conditions of the observation points are characterized by weak elastic properties. Typically, such values are characteristic of sandy sediment. Considering the ground conditions, the calculated seismicity in all sites equals 9 points on the MSK-64 scale.3 24. Mudflow – Mudflows are formed as a result of torrential rains or intense snow melting. The project zone belongs to hazardous mudflow areas with mudflow frequency once every 4–10 years. Plots with debris and rockfalls that threaten the existing road in several places were identified near the project site. 25. Landslides - A visual study of the shape and nature of the relief near the projected sites showed that despite the steepness of the slopes of the Aksu valley, no traces of a landslide were found. Although on the left slope there are thin loamy sediments, which may be landslide due to strong earthquakes. To assess the landslide hazard of the territory, it is necessary to carry out further engineering surveys during the design phase with the inclusion of mining and geophysical works. 26. Erosion - In the project area, flood waters are capable of changing the river morphology and riverbanks, re-deposing the material to be drawn in the form of islands, more indirectly. Mudflows from lateral Sais (streams) form a cone of outflows, which in turn lead to morphometric changes in the bed of the main river. In the period of flooding, low floodplain terraces may be affected (flooding, washing out of the fertile soil layer, deposits of coarse clastic material, disturbance of irrigation devices, etc.). Soil erosion processes are also observed in pasture areas. Overgrazing of livestock has led to the degradation of land cover. The reduction of grass and shrub vegetation creates a condition for the activation of erosion processes of the soil layer. Reduction of soil undergrowth contributes to the development of erosion processes initiated by thawed snow and rainwater. In this case, loose soils are the mud-forming material. 27. Soil contamination - Considering the location of the project area, its poor accessibility, its remoteness from large industrial facilities, the specifics of the economic activities of the population, it can be assumed that the soils of this region are not polluted by any human activities. 28. Designated Sites – These sites are divided according to national and international designations as follows: National Designated Sites – There are two national reserves designated by GoU within the

proximity of the project area. The Gissar Reserve is 7.5 km south east of the project site. The Kitab Geological Mountain Forest Reserve is 8 km north from the project site.

International Designated Sites – The project site is located in MOUNTAINS OF CENTRAL

ASIA, Biodiversity hotspot. The left bank of the project area (approximately 7.6 ha) is located in the Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA), named Gissar State Nature Reserve. This site has been

3 MSK-64, is a macroseismic intensity scale used to evaluate the severity of ground shaking on the basis of observed

effects in an area of the earthquake occurrence. The MSK scale has 12 intensity degrees. Magnitude VIII / IX can be compared to 6–7 on the richter scale.


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identified as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area based on the presence of significant populations of globally threatened species and significant populations of species known only to be found in a particular biome and/or significant regional/sub-regional populations of trigger species.

29. Vegetation and flora – The vegetation around the project site is mainly “Grassland” and “Rock massifs and talus”. The natural vegetation around the river is “Flood-plain Tugai” with other areas of gardens and highly modified habitats. Some local springs also support very small wetland ecosystems (65 to 341 m2 in size) around the river valley. Site surveys recorded many weedy, not eaten by livestock and poisonous plant species in the floristic composition of the project area, as well as cultivated plantings (orchards: apple, pear, plum, cherry, walnut, almond, etc.) and introduced species (poplar, willow, sophora, elm, and ash) in cultivated areas. Site surveys did identify 5 species that appear in the IUCN RDB list, but all of of these are introduced (plantation) species. Three national red book species were also recorded including 1 category 1 species (Cousinia praestans) and 2 category 2 species (Tulipa ingens and Tulipa korolkowii). The locations of these have been mapped and special mitigation (including translocation if required) will be applied to address any potential impacts. 30. Birds - IBAT data indicates that some 27 species of notable birds may be present in and around the broader project area and some 29 species were recorded during the surveys, These included 4 IUCN RDB list species namely Aquila chrysaetos (Golden Eagle -VU:R); Gypaetus barbatus (Bearded Vulture - VU:R); Aegypius monachus (Cinereous Vulture -NT LR) and Gyps fulvus (Griffon Vulture - NT). 12 species of birds were also recorded in camera trap, with the most captured species being Common Blackbird, Chukar Partridge and Blue Whistling Thrush. None are considered particularly sensitive to the proposed construction works. 31. Mammals - IBAT data indicates that four notable mammal species may be found within and around the project area. Of these the goitered gazelle is only recorded from downstream areas whilst, a fifth species, the Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia: VU) is found in the nearby state reserve but is not believed to be present in the project area. None of these species are considered globally critically endangered or endangered and do not trigger Critical Habitat from an international perspective. Site surveys recorded some 8 species of mammal through camera trapping. Of particular conservation interest were 8 pictures of two Tien Shan Brown Bears (probably a female and cub) taken by two cameras on different days in November and local experts have confirmed that 3 families live in and around the project area and come to the river to feed in autumn and spring . An otter, a national Endangered species, is reported to have been caught and killed by vilaagers in Hisorak. Despite specific surveys, no other traces of otters have yet been recorded, although the river was in flood during the most recent surveys. Given that the habitat (especially closer to the reservoir) is considered potentially suitable for otter, a precautionary approach has been adopted and a Biodiversity Action Plan has been developed for both this species and brown bear. 32. Reptiles - IBAT records only one IUCN RDB reptile species as potentially present in the project area, the restricted-range Strauch's Even-fingered Gecko (Alsophylax loricatus, VU). One other species was also recorded at the site, the levantine [blunt-nosed, lebetina] viper (Vipera (Macrovipera) lebetina). No rare or endangered amphibians are recorded from the area. 33. Fish – IBAT records 2 notable fish species as potentially present in the project AoI as shown in the table below and associated distribution maps. A third species, Luciobarbus capito (VU) is found within the State Nature Reserve but is not expected to be present within the project area. 8 species of fish were recorded in the Aksu river/ Hisorak reservoir during fish catches and


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E-DNA sampling. Of these 5 are lentic (Still water) fish, such as Alburnoides taeniatus, Hemiculter leucisculus, Carassius sp., Cyprinus carpio, Pseudorasbora parva and 3 are lotic (fast water) fish: Noemacheilus stoliczkai, Salmo trutta, and Schizothorax intermedius. 6 of the species recorded are introduced, including Salmo trutta, and the original fish fauna of Aksu river has been changed by introduced species since Hisorak reservoir was constructed. 34. Administrative area and Demographics - The project area is situated in Shakhrisabz District of Kashkadarya Region. Villages (Makhallas) around project site include Sayod, Kul, Gilon, Hisorak, Sarchashma, and Hisorak. There are 7 smaller settlements within Hisorak village, Tamshush settlement, Nondek settlement, Chingurak settlement, Mingkuchar settlement, Duoba settlement, and Yakkakhona settlement. According to local authorities, the total population of villages of Yakkakhona and Hisorak, which are located directly in the area of the proposed construction, was 1,854 people (1,522 people or 281 households in Hisorak and 337 people or 56 households in Yakkakhona) as of September 2018. According to the makhalla committees’ data, women make up 49% of the population of the project area; the proportion of children under 16 is very high, at 32%. 35. Potable water sources - As the population of the project area does not have access to piped water, the local community take water for drinking, cooking and domestic needs from local open water bodies (rivers and springs (as noted above springs are only used when water turbidity is high in the river). According to surveys undertaken as part of this EIA, the average water consumption per family is 50 liters per day. The Average family size in the project area is 6.2, meaning that the average domestic water consumption per capita in the project area is around 8 liters per day. 36. Irrigation – 26 irrigation systems are confirmed around the project site sourced by water from the Aksu river. Most of them are small stream type fed by pipe or open canal. The number of water users in the project area is more than 40 families. Water intake from the river is carried out by the device of dams, from which water is supplied to the sites by small streams, or by means of hoses and pipes. A pump is used to supply water to the local irrigation system (known as a ‘aryk’). Floodplain terraces of the Aksu River fed by the irrigation waters are widely used as farmland (gardens, gardens, artificial poplar planting as a building material, flood meadows for forage for livestock). According to surveys undertaken as part of this EIA, the average irrigation water use in the project area is around 11.9 liters per square meter per day. 37. Utilities - The region has neither centralized water/natural gas supply nor heating and sewerage systems. Almost all households have access to electricity, with the exception of new houses whose owners have to connect individually, e.g. they have to install (legally) pillars and stretch the wires up to the mains. 38. Public facilities - On the territory of the 5 makhallas there are only 2 kindergartens; the only college of information technologies is located in Hisorak and has a branch in Gilon; there are almost neither stationary healthcare establishments, nor bank branches, etc. 39. Land use - The whole area suitable for farming is used for gardening, growing construction wood (Afghan poplar), and haymaking. Vacation homes used by local people during the warm period of the year have been built around the valley. Steeper slopes are used for livestock grazing. 40. Economic activities - In the project area the level of the population’s economic activity is not high at 66.8%. The household members who neither work nor seek employment (22.3%) along with students (11.3%) The largest group among the employed are labor migrants, who


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make up 38% of people in employment. Employees of budgetary organizations make up 27% of all workers, employees of non-budgetary organizations - only 4%. Entrepreneurs make up about 30% of the employed population, and unregistered entrepreneurs prevail among them (89% of all entrepreneurs). 1% of the employed population does not have a permanent job (that is, they are hired for one-time, temporary and seasonal work). 41. Poverty - According to the poverty, social and gender survey, the rate of poverty in the project area was 42.4% in September 2018. To calculate the poverty rate, the study relied on the methodology that makhalla committees use to award makhalla poverty allowances (households where average monthly per capita incomes did not exceed 1.5 minimum wages or 276,450 UZS fall into the poor ones; the figure is adjusted when a household has a land plot, children under 2 years of age and other persons in need of constant care, private farmers and registered business owners, unemployed household members at working age, etc.) If the poverty rate is calculated in terms of average per capita incomes, it proves to be even higher, at 60% of the surveyed households. 42. Gender analysis - The share of female-headed households is not sizeable, at 14% of the surveyed. As a rule, women become the heads of their households at an old age, when their husbands die; in some cases the incomes of such households are generated from the pensions received by the women. The poverty level of female-headed and male-headed households shows a marked difference (55.7% and 40.2% respectively) in the project area. The average per capita incomes for households with female heads are similar in comparison with those of the members of male-headed households. 43. Ethnic groups - According to the survey, the ethnic composition of the population in the project area is homogeneous - 95% are Tajiks, 5% are Uzbeks. None of the ethnic groups is socially excluded in terms of either legislation or the actual situation. The ethnic groups do not differ from each other regarding both cultural and social features. Therefore, neither of the ethnic groups falls into the category of ethnic minorities/indigenous peoples to trigger safeguard policies in accordance with the ADB SPS 2009.4 44. Noise – Due to the remote setting of the project, noise levels are low. 45. Cultural Heritage –There is one sacred place (a saint person’s grave) located in mountains more than 30 km upstream from the upper point of the project area. The project will not affect on access to this area.

A.5 Impact Identification

46. The EIA has identified a range of environmental and social impacts that will arise during all phases of the project. The key impacts are summarized below. Construction Phase 47. Air Quality – Dust will be generated around the construction zone and transportation route. Earthwork, Blasting (if required), Batching Plant, Crushing Plant, Temporary working area, Bypass road, Rock and soil dumping, and Construction vehicle operation will be also be a source of dust generation. Around 37 houses are located in the potentially dust affected areas. During the construction phase, vehicle and engine emissions (nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, carbon,

4 ADB Safeguard Policy Statement (2009) Appendix 3, para: 6, p.56.


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benzo (a) pyrene) will increase. In addition, the state of the atmospheric air will be affected by instantaneous emissions of inorganic dust, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon oxides during any blasting. 48. Noise and vibration - Blasting, rock crushing plant, batching plant, construction vehicles and transportation trucks will be a source of noise and to a lesser extent vibration. The noise impact area will be up to 480m from the construction site in the day time. 49. Water pollution and Water Use – During construction, earthworks, concrete batching plant, rock crushing plant, workers camp operation, ttorage of oil and hazardous materials, and rock and spoil disposal will be potential sources of river water pollution. Construction work along the river might increase turbidity in the Aksu river. It is also possible that spills or leaks of hazardous liquids could pollute the river to some extent. The two water drawing points on the river which many villagers are using for domestic water will be affected, quality wise, by construction works. The water volume during construction will be unaffected as the weir will not be operational. 50. Natural springs – Five springs out of six around the project site might be affected by construction work. But it will not significantly affect the water use of the villagers, because they only use the spring water when Aksu river water is highly turbid (spring time). The springs also support very small wetland ecosystems but these are expected to be replicated once the springs are recreated. 51. Hazardous material and soil contamination – Leaks of fuels, lubricants, construction waste, and septic tanks might cause soil contamination, however, such events are only likely to be of minor significance. 52. Waste – Workers camp sites generate domestic waste and earth works generate waste rock and soil. Other construction activities generate construction waste such as woods, metal, plastic, grass, paper, and hazardous waste. Without suitable waste management measures in place pollution of the local environment could occur. 53. Mudflow, rock fall and erosion – Road rehabilitation (which is required at some locations where water pipes and other infrastructure will pass close to or across the existing road), Earth work, and blasting might be a trigger of rock fall. High risk places are roads near the steep slopes more than 45 degree. Mudflow may also occur during heavy rain. The high-risk areas are the roads near the gravelly screes. 460,000 m3 rocks will be excavated and stored at two spoil disposal areas (the potential locations of which have been identified, but will be confirmed as part of detailed design works). Erosion might happen at temporary spoil disposal areas during heavy rains. Temporary spoil locations will be determined by the Contractor. 54. Designated Sites - The project is located immediately adjacent to the Gissar IBA and KBA and some 7.5km from the Gissar State Nature Reserve. None of the features for which these sites have been designated are expected to be affected by the works. 55. Notable and Natural Habitats - No notable habitats have been identified and the route has been selected to avoid impacts to natural habitats to the extent practical. Some small areas of natural habitat, including local springs and their associated small wetlands, will be affected but this will be minimized by mitigation measures provided below and by oversight by the Contractors Ecological Clerk of Works. The three notable species recorded will be protected to avoid disturbance and trans-located should avoidance be inpractical.


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56. Notable Fauna Species - A number of notable species are present within the broader project area, although none of these are expected to trigger Critical Habitat. Potential impacts include direct mortality, fragmentation of habitats, visual and noise disturbance and impacts from pollution. Impacts to otter and brown bear will be avoided through the use of a biodiversity action plan. 57. Fish – Earth work might discharge turbid water into the river. Two (2) domestic lotic species, Noemacheilus stoliczkai and Schizothorax intermedius, will be affected by the polluted water. Construction of weir will block the migration of Schizothorax intermedius. The shallow and slow velocity areas which are important habitat for fingerings might be destroyed by construction work. Fish might be killed when they pass through the turbines. However, no protected native species have been identified. 58. Land acquisition – In total 40.5 ha of land will be permanently affected due to the project. Out of total 40.5 ha of land, 8.8 ha is required for construction of the towers of 110kV Transmission Lines while 31.7 ha is required for construction of Intake Weirs, River Diversions, Power Houses, landfills, and laying down of pipes. Out of 31.7 ha of land, 6.0 ha of impacted orchard land belongs to 33 AHs’ orchard land. 59. Livelihoods - Agriculture serves as the main source of income for the affected household (66.6% within the weighted structure of AHs incomes). According to the data received from AHs, 81.8% of them have monetary incomes and/or consumption of products grown on the plots to be affected by the project. The average monthly income of AHs from the affected plots situated on Aksu river banks is 752,400 UZS per AH and this type of incomes constitutes 42.8% of all the incomes of AHs. There are a few fishery activities in and along the Aksu river, but according to consultations and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) they are recreational and are not catching fish for their livelihoods. 60. Structures – According to the Resettlement Plan, there is no physically displaced household. Permanent impacts due to land retrieval include loss of orchard lands used by the households, which are required for the construction of HPPs, pipelines, weirs, expanding some parts of the access road along the Aksu River. Permanent land allocation includes also allocation of the unused/unsettled rangelands and unproductive land of the State Reserve and lands of the safety zone of Aksu river for the construction of structures of HPPs, pipelines, weirs, extension of some parts of the access road. Additionally, for the construction of towers of transmission lines, the lands will be allocated permanently out of the State’s Reserve Lands. Temporary land allocation includes the allocation of the rangelands from the State’s Reserve Lands during the construction of the 110kV transmission line, and for camping of construction sites. Land retrieval (in case household lands are affected) and land allocation (in case unsettled/unused lands are affected) will facilitate the installment of pipelines and the construction of the SHPPs. The land for the temporary period will be acquired/allocated from the safety zones of Aksu River and State Reserve Land over the mountainous area. All lands that are allocated for the temporary period for the construction of the transmission line will be returned as of the pre-project level and is addressed in the environment management plan. 61. Roads – The construction of the project will inevitably cause temporary inconveniences for the residents because pipes will be laid near the road and the road will be occupied on a regular basis by heavy machines. According to poverty, social and gender survey data and Resettlement Plan, the majority of the population (60%) uses this stretch of the road no more than once a week even in the summer period, while about 4% uses it daily. The road is used not only by residents, e.g., to get to a college or a district center and to drive livestock to pasture but also


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by ambulance cars. It is noted that the road is a gravel road, and will not be upgraded as part of the project, e.g. no asphalt plant or borrow pits will be required. 62. Public health and safety – Workers from outside of the region might introduce some communicable disease or sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Storage of fuel, chemicals and explosives pose health and safety risks that could also affect local communities. The trucks of material transportation and other construction vehicles will use the same road of community roads. The length would be around 27km. The risk of traffic accidents with local cars, pedestrians and livestock will be increased during the construction phase although the current low levels of traffic on the road mean that the actual risk itself will still be low. 63. Occupational Health and Safety - Workers’ rights including occupational health and safety need to be considered to avoid accidents and injuries, loss of man-hours, labor abuses and to ensure fair treatment, remuneration and working and living conditions. 64. Construction Camps - Construction camps constitute a temporary land use change and raise issues related to activities such as impacts to air quality; poor sanitation arrangement and improper methods used for disposal of solid wastes and effluent; and transmission of communicable diseases to the local people by the construction workers due to inappropriate health monitoring facilities. The Contractor is responsible for choosing the location of his camp, and as such it is not possible at this stage of the project to make specific assessment of the camps impacts, e.g. on biodiversity. 65. Waste - Construction works will inevitably generate solid and liquid waste products including inert waste (e.g. concrete, wood, plastics, etc.) and hazardous waste (e.g. waste oils, batteries, etc.). In addition, uncontrolled discharges of sewage and ‘grey water’ (e.g. from washrooms and canteens) from construction sites and worker’s camps may also cause odors and pollute local water resources. 66. Physical and Cultural Resources – Field-based surveys indicate no physical and cultural resources have been identified that would be significantly impacted by the project. Chance of finds could occur during the excavation works. The report provides for the use of “chance find” procedures that include a pre-approved management and conservation approach for materials that may be discovered during project implementation Operational Phase 67. Air Quality - During operation, diesel generators will emit emissions to air. However, impacts are not anticipated to be significant as the power plants are not located close to any sensitive receptors, e.g. residential areas. 68. GHG emissions – Methane from small hydro power plant can be estimated as zero based on the Guidelines for estimating greenhouse gas emissions of Asian Development Bank projects: Additional guidance for clean energy projects (ADB, 2017). 69. Water Quality - During operation oil leaks from the engine room might cause water pollution. Turbines and hydrogenerators have oil lubricated bearings. If the moving parts runout and seals fail, traces of oil can get into the water passing through the turbine. Waste water from operational buildings may be a source of river water contamination.


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70. General Water Use and Demand - This issue of decreased water supply was assessed regarding impacts to; a) Household Requirements, b) Irrigation Requirements and c) Wildlife Requirements. A water balance was prepared using existing literature and site survey data and compared the potential water extraction from the Aksu river against the proposed project e-flows. The water balance shows that in all scenarios, using the highest potential irrigation consumption rates, the most significant water demand represents only 3.3% of the lowest e-flows and only for one month. Notwithstanding the above, the project e-flows assessment has identified the potential for terraces reliant on flood waters to be impacted by low flows in certain reaches of the river. 71. E-flows – As part of the project, river flow will be diverted for energy use. To ensure impacts to the ecology of the river are minimized a certain discharge rate, or environmental “e-flow” is required. The reduced flows will result in several impacts to the Aksu river including; a) reduction of floodwaters in terraces reliant on the floodwater, b) impacts to aryks and piped irrigation systems (e.g. the reduced water levels may not reach the existing intake points), c) impacts to fish biodiversity and fisheries and d) impacts to riparian mammal and bird biodiversity. 72. Natural Springs - If the proposed spring water discharge points are located in unsuitable places, people will not be able to use them. 73. Sedimentation and flood – In the operational stage, sediments will be captured upstream of the intake weir and/or in the sand settling basin. The sediment will be flushed during the high flow season by operating sand flushing gates equipped at the intake weir and/or sand settling basin. The total sedimentation volume flushed during the year will be the same during the operational period as the baseline situation. However, the flushed sediment will not be distributed over the same period as the current natural situation. This will result in the river bed immediately downstream of the weir being higher that it is currently with its level decreasing gradually as it goes more downstream. This may affect fish habitat and water intake location of the irrigation intakes along the river. 74. Induced Impacts – The project might increase the income of the villagers in the short term construction period. It is possible the population of the villages may increase during the operational phase of the project, but this is purely speculative. 75. Cumulative Impacts – No other hydropower projects are currently planned for the Aksu river and no other development plans and projects have been identified in the project area, or upstream of the project. Accordingly, no cumulative impacts that might affect water supply are envisaged. 76. The project will not have any significant negative cumulative impacts in association with the existing Hisorak dam as the water will be discharged back to the Aksu before it reaches the dams reservoir in exactly the same volumes as the current flow. 77. The only cumulative impact envisaged is a positive one, the construction of the planned water treatment and supply facility in Hisorak. As mentioned above the proposed project will provide domestic water meeting national water quality requirements and reduce time taken to collect water directly for the Aksu river.


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A.6 Management and Mitigation Actions

78. Initially the Contractor and the PMU will be responsible for setting up a range of pre-construction plans and stakeholder consultation / engagement procedures. The following table provides a summary of those requirements.

Table A-2: Pre-Construction Management Measures # Issue Proposed Management Measures

1 Development and implementation of the mechanism to resolve environmental complaints due to the project implementation

The Contractor and the PMU will establish the GRM.

2 Lack of Consultation Prior to the establishment of areas, such as construction camps the Contractor will undertake consultations with local stakeholders to ensure that the sites selected are agreeable from an environmental and social perspective. In addition, throughout the construction phase the Contractor will be responsible for regular community meeting to consult with local residents regarding issues that arise through construction, e.g. dust on local roads.

3 Development of subplans

Prior to start of site works, the Contractor will prepare his Specific Environmental Management Plan (SEMP) which will include the following topic specific and site-specific plans:

Topic Specific

Air Quality Management Plan Surface Water Management

Plan

Spring Diversion Management Plan

Water Use Efficiency Plan Rock fall Protection Plan Mudflow Protection Plan Soil Management Plan Invasive Plants Prevention

Plan

Hazardous Material Management Plan

Biodiversity Mitigation and Management Plan

Fish Management Plan Waste Management Plan Traffic Management Plan Community and Occupational

Health and Safety Plan

Code of Conduct Chance Find Procedure Noise Management Plan Construction Vibration

Management Plan (CVMP)

Emergency Response Plan

Site Specific

Construction Camp Management Plan

Concrete Batching Plant Management Plan

Spoil Disposal Plan Community Infrastructure

Rehabilitation Plan


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# Issue Proposed Management Measures

The EIA has included an Appendix of framework plans, including:

SEMP Chance Find Procedure Spoil Disposal Plan

4 Biodiversity Action Plan In addition to the above plans to be prepared by the Contractor, the EIA includes a project Specific Biodiversity Action Plan which has been prepared to manage and mitigate potential impacts to notable species, including Otter and Brown Bear. The Engineer will retain overall responsibility for implementing the BAP and will report and monitor on the progress of BAP implementation via a Biodiversity Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (BMEP). The BAP is provided by Appendix XIV.

5 Preparation of Construction Method Statements

Method statements shall be prepared for works in sensitive locations, such as irrigated areas, wetlands and if applicable, the KBA.

6 Obtaining licenses, permits and agreement

JSC “Uzbekigidroenergo” is responsible for obtaining permits and licenses for: a) Construction permit, b) Environment decision, c) Cultural Heritage Clearance, d) Visual geological-engineering conclusion, e) Waste passport, f) Hazardous materials permission, g) SPZ permits before construction. The contrantor is responsible for obtaining a) Forest Use Agreement, b) Mineral extraction license, c) Approval of construction or upgrade activities, d) Transportation permit, e) Spoil disposal approval, and f) Permit to import explosives.

7 E-flows The following studies and surveys will commence as soon as possible and continue through the pre-construction and construction stages:

Continuous automated collection of flow data at the Rabat and Chappsuy intake sites. This will improve the hydrological record of both sites, and enable calibration of the Khazarnova/Gissarak and tank model data series;

Updated e-Flows assessment and economic analysis. On the basis of improved hydrological understanding, review and updating of the e-Flows assessment and economic analysis, prior to operation, to confirm the above proposed monthly minimum flows regime or confirm an alternative variable flow (such as Case-8), taking account of ecological and economic objectives;

Additional baseline fish species surveys, IFIM analysis, and fish passage design. Additional surveys of fish in Spring, Summer and Autumn seasons to establish a clearer understanding of migration and spawning locations. Quality assurance of the IFIM analysis by a specialist experienced in the use of habitat availability modeling. Additional review of fish passage design that is most suitable for these species;

Additional Otter surveys to confirm / refute its presence, and propose mitigation measures;

Consultation with local and national stakeholders on the e-flow assessment and management plan to finalise the selection of an e-flow regime.

79. In addition to the above a range of impacts and mitigation and management measures have been prepared as part of this EIA to be implemented by the Contractor during the


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Construction phase and the PMU during the operational phase. The following tables provides a summary of the key potential mitigation and management measures for the project and notes the residual impacts.

Table A-3: Summary of Construction Phase Key Mitigation # Aspect Impact Mitigation

1 Air quality The Contractor will strictly implement approved Air Quality Management Plan. In addition, he will follow all of the mitigation and management measures included the EIA for Air Quality, Section G.3.1 including for example, routine watering of access roads and using construction equipment and vehicles that meet national emission standards.

2 Noise and Vibration

The Contractor will strictly implement approved Noise Management Plan. In addition, he will follow all of the mitigation and management measures included the EIA for Noise, Section G.5.10 including for example; the use temporary noise barriers while working in sensitive locations; no noisy activities (e.g., transport of materials along residential areas and other sensitive receptors, piling, etc.) during the night, etc. Management measures for vibration impacts mainly involve monitoring of vibration during the construction phase and taking measures to reduce vibration if limits are exceeded. In addition, a Construction Vibration Management Plan will be prepared.

3 Hydrology Impact on surface water quality – The Contractor will strictly implement approved Surface Water Management Plan, Spring Diversion Management Plan and Water Use Efficiency Plan. He will also follow all of the mitigation and management measures included the EIA for Hydrology Section G.3.2.

Prepare and implement measures outlined in Method Statements when working around irrigated areas to be temporarily affected by construction works.

Implement the Spring Diversion Management Plan for five affected natural springs and demarcate areas around springs to ensure sites are protected from construction works.

If works are to take place in the wetland area, or if works are likely to impact the natural springs the Contractor will prepare a Method Statement for working in Wetlands / Natural Springs.

Wetland vegetation will be translocated from affected areas and new wetlands established at the spring diversion sites.

4 Soils During construction, the Contractor will be responsible for ensuring re-vegetation of exposed areas. To reduce impacts to topsoil a range of measures will be implemented as stated in section G.3.4 – Soils. In addition, the Contractor will strictly implement his Soil Management Plan which will include measures for the mitigation and management of soil erosion, soil contamination and impacts to top soils.

5 Waste Management

The Contractor will strictly implement the approved Waste Management Plan. He will also follow all of the mitigation and management measures included the EIA for Waste Management, Section G.5.3 including general measures such as providing garbage bins and facilities within the project site for temporary storage of domestic solid waste and construction waste and training staff in best practice. The Contractor will also implement his Spoil Disposal Plan. No spoil storage will be allowed until the Engineer and the PMU have approved the plan and all national licenses and approvals have been received from the relevant agencies.

6 Natural Processes and Hazards

The Contractor will strictly implement the approved Rockfall Protection Plan. In order to prevent deadly accidents during construction, unstable rocks should be removed before earthwork. Traffic controllers should be allocated at the high-risk rock fall points and stop the traffic at the high vibration work.


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# Aspect Impact Mitigation

The Contractor will strictly implement the approved Mudflow Protection Plan. Pass-through structures (laying of metal pipes) under the road or concrete trays (overflows) might reduce the impact.

The Contractor will strictly implement the approved Erosion Protection Plan. Temporary dumps of subsoil should be arranged in places eliminating creep or erosion by heavy rains.

9 Protected and Designated Sites

To minimize impacts on designated areas arising from the construction works, the Contractor shall include the following minimum specific safeguards for the KBA as part of the SEMP.

Before starting construction the Contractor shall mark off the construction areas to prevent unintended interventions to the KBA.

No temporary access roads will be built within the KBA without specific approval from the Engineer.

No temporary or permanent storage areas or camps will be allowed in the KBA.

Workers will be prohibited from entering into the KBA or Protected Areas, catching animals, and harvesting plants.

Any works (including temporary works) within the boundary of the KBA, will require a specific Method Statement to be prepared for works in these areas and approved in advance by the Engineer.

10 Flora and Vegetation

The location of important species from the surveys undertaken to date will be included in the Contractors Biodiversity Mitigation and Management Plan. Invasive plants control will be included in the SEMP. Other general measures for protection of riparian habitats, topsoil, habitats, etc. are included in section G.4.1 Flora and Vegetation. The Biodiversity Mitigation and Management Plan will include both restoration of temporarily disturbed habitat offset mitigation for any impacted areas of natural habitat at a 3:1 ratio.

11 Fauna The contractor will implement Biodiversity Mitigation and Management Plan as part of his SEMP. The plan will as a minimum include the commitments included within this ESIA. Ahead of all works, notable species will be identified and mapped in ‘pre-works surveys’ by the Contractors Ecological Clerk of Works. Bespoke mitigation will be applied in all areas where sensitive habitats and notable species are identified. As noted above a Biodiversity Action Plan has been produced for otter and brown bear as an Appendix to this EIA – the BAP contains explicit mitigation and management measures for these species. In addition, a range of generic measures for protection of fauna are outlined in section G.4.1 Fauna.

12 Fish The Contractor will strictly implement his simple Fish Management Plan which will include specific measures to:

minimize impacts to fingerling habitat during the construction phase. Control sedimentation and minimize water pollution pond (in line with the

water management plan)

Avoid works in the river bed during fish spawning periods. A fish ladder will be attached on two weirs to allow fish to migrate upstream. The angle of the ladder, location, and ladder type should be carefully examined for Schizothorax intermedius during the design phase (note this EIA has been prepared for Feasibility, not design phase). Screening filters for fish at the intake will also be included in the project design.

13 Social Aspects Land acquisition, Crop and tree loss, Irrigation system damage will be compensated based on LARP. Contractor will restore public and community infrastructure (roads, wooden bridges, relatively big irrigation ditches etc.) to at


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least pre-project level. Livelihoods will be compensated based on LARP. Considering the scale of the loss of income, the project proposes a livelihood restoration plan (LRP) for the affected households with detailed set out in LARP. Health training program, Fire safety program, Road safety program should be managed as part of Community and Occupational Health and Safety Plans, Traffic Management Plans and Emergency Response Plans. Historical monuments or cultural objects should be preserved if they are found at the construction site. A chance find procedure is included in this report.

Table A-4: Summary of Operational Phase Key Mitigation


1 Air Quality During operation emission source is the generators installed in the three power plants. The generators should be regularly checked and maintained adequately to meet the emission standards of IFC and MPE.

2 E-flows Uzbekhydroenergo will provide minimum flows downstream of both Rabat and Chappasuy intakes, throughout the operation of the project. This is based on approximately 20% of monthly average flows, or 10% of annual average flows, whichever is higher. Uzbekhydroenergo will also review the minimum flow regime in response to additional analysis and the results of monitoring. In the immediate, pre-construction period, further analysis will be undertaken of varying the minimum flow regime further (30% of the monthly average flow in the highest flow months of May and June and 20% in other months, or 10% of the annual average, whichever is larger). Specific measures for each reach of the river include:

In Reach 1 (Rabat intake to the Rabat powerhouse), Reach 3 (Chappasuy intake to t

Documents

Environmental Impact Assessment - adb.org · This Environmental Impact Assessment is a document of the borrower. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB's