ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK
(ESMF)
FOR
THE SOLOMON ISLANDS SUSTIANABLE ENERGY PROJECT
(SISEP, PIOO31, IDA GRANT No. H415-SB)
PROJECTS PROPOSED FOR FUNDING UNDER WORLD BANK
November 2013
Prepared by:
Shannette Environmental Management Services
Honiara
Pub
lic D
iscl
osur
e A
utho
rized
Pub
lic D
iscl
osur
e A
utho
rized
Pub
lic D
iscl
osur
e A
utho
rized
Pub
lic D
iscl
osur
e A
utho
rized
Pub
lic D
iscl
osur
e A
utho
rized
Pub
lic D
iscl
osur
e A
utho
rized
Pub
lic D
iscl
osur
e A
utho
rized
Pub
lic D
iscl
osur
e A
utho
rized
ii
Acronyms
AP Affected Person
EA Environmental Assessment
ECD Environment Conservation Division
EIA Environment Impact Assessment
EIS Environment Impact Statement
EMP Environment Management Plan
EMS Environment Management System
ERW Explosive Remnants of War
ESMF Environment Social Management Framework
MCA Ministry of Communication Aviation
MECDM Ministry of Environment Climate Change Disaster Management Meteorology
MID Ministry of Infrastructure Development
PE Project Engineer
PER Public Environment Report
RSIPF Royal Solomon Island Police Force
SDA Seventh Day Adventist
SIEA Solomon Islands Electricity Authority
SIG Solomon Islands Government
SINU Solomon Islands National University
SISEP Solomon Islands Sustainable Energy Project
SOPs Standard Operating Procedures
UXO Unexploded Ordinance
WB World Bank
iii
Executive Summary
This Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) is an assessment tool for the capital works under the Solomon Islands Sustainable Energy Project (SISEP, P100311, IDA Grant No. H415-SB), which the Solomon Islands Government has sought from the World Bank / IDA. The capital works will contribute to improving the reliability of power supplies by reducing the frequency and duration of power supply interruptions in Honiara. SIEA plans to use the IDA money to strengthen the power distribution network in Honiara, to improve the network efficiency and reliability, and to meet growing and new demands for electricity. Planning and design of the Honiara network upgrade is underway by SIEA and its Engineers. The proposed works to be co-financed by the IDA Credits include – upgrading and installing new transformers, up-rating and extending the existing distribution lines and installing a new dispatch / systems control room. Following the requirements for environmental managements in all SIEA projects, an environmental and social management framework (ESMF) has been prepared to provide a mechanism to carryout appropriate environmental and social assessment in line with the World Bank (WB) safeguard policies and the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) legislation. The purpose of the ESMF is to provide a procedure for environmental and social assessment of the proposed SIEA projects. ESMF was selected because even though the footprint of the project is known, design and other details about the investment are not available prior to appraisal of the project. It will guide SIEA in determining the appropriate level of environmental and social assessment required for current and future projects and in preparing the necessary environmental and social mitigation measures for these projects during the preconstruction, construction and operational phases.
OP4.01(Environmental Assessment) sets out the general policies and principles for environmental and social protection for projects financed by WB and the requirements for assessment of impacts and implementation of plans and measures to mitigate or manage impacts. Based on OP4.01 criteria for classifying projects, the proposed project has minimum adverse environmental impacts which are temporary and which can be readily mitigated. Therefore the project has been classified as a Category B project by the Bank. This level of assessment is equivalent to the “screening / scoping” process required to prepare the Public Environment Report (PER) for most development project under the Environment Regulations 2008 of Solomon Islands. The findings of the ESMF show that:
All works related to the upgrading / installation of new transformers in Ranadi and Lungga Power
Station; the addition of a 33kV switchboard at Ranadi, the construction of a new Power System
Control Room and Dispatch Centre at Ranadi; upgrading of switchgears at Lungga; construction of
a Zone Substation and installation of transformer at Kola’a Ridge will be carried out in the existing
facilities and on the lands owned or leased by the SIEA. As such there will be no land acquisition.
iv
The extension of the overhead Feeder Line 12 from Lungga to the Honiara East substation will be
will be carried out within the public road right of way / easement and no new land acquisition or
impacts are envisaged.
To meet with the Civil Aviation Safety requirements, the power cables crossing the eastern end of
the runway will be buried underground, outside the airport boundary fence.
Since all installations / constructions will be carried out within the fenced boundary and basically
involves installation of equipment, construction related impacts are expected to be minor and of
short duration.
The construction of the overhead power lines will be within the right-of-way of the public road.
During the erection of power poles and stringing of the power lines, SIEA will ensure that there is
minimum impact on the traffic and that safety is strictly observed.
As part of the Project, SIEA plans to clear and maintain the over grown easement for Feeder 12.
The cleared slash will be disposed of in an environmentally safe manner.
Operationally, except for a very low humming noise from transformers, no other environmental
issues are envisaged.
Solomon Islands, like other Pacific Islands, still has a large number of Unexploded Ordinance
(UXO). Sweeping of construction sites for UXO will be carrie
The ESMF report provides a Framework which can be applied to future expansion projects.
However, future investments will prepare site specific instruments according to the environmental
and social impacts identified.
v
Table of contents
Acronyms .......................................................................................................................................... ii
Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................... iii
1. INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................1
2. POLICY, LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE / REGULATORY FRAMEWORK ...........................................1
2.1 World Bank Safeguard Policies -OP 4.01....................................................................................... 1
2.2 Solomon Island Regulatory Requirements.................................................................................... 2
3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION ................................................................................................................3
3.1 Proposed Project Components ..................................................................................................... 3
3.2 Potential Future Development ..................................................................................................... 4
4. DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT ..........................................................................................5
4.1 Physical environment .................................................................................................................... 5
4.2 Biological environment ................................................................................................................. 5
4.3 Socio-economic Environment ....................................................................................................... 6
4.4 Unexploded Ordinance (UXO) ....................................................................................................... 7
5. ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND POTENTIAL MITIGATION MEASURES....................8
5.1 Significance of Impacts ................................................................................................................. 8
5.2 Pre-construction Impacts .............................................................................................................. 8
5.3 Construction Impacts .................................................................................................................... 9
5.4 Operation Impacts ...................................................................................................................... 12
6. ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES ..................................................................................................... 12
6.1 Project location ........................................................................................................................... 12
6.2 Project technology ...................................................................................................................... 12
6.3 Do nothing................................................................................................................................... 13
7. PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS, INFORMATION DISCLOSURE .............................................................. 13
7.1 Public consultation ...................................................................................................................... 13
7.2 Results of Public Consultation .................................................................................................... 13
7.3 Disclosure .................................................................................................................................... 16
8. INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT ............................................................................................... 17
8.1 World Bank .................................................................................................................................. 17
8.2 SIEA ............................................................................................................................................. 17
vi
8.3 Environment & Conservation Division ........................................................................................ 18
8.4 Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Arrangements .......................................................... 18
8.5 Grievances redress mechanism .................................................................................................. 19
9. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................. 20
1 | P a g e
1. INTRODUCTION
The World Bank together with Solomon Islands Electricity Authority (SIEA) are embarking on improving and increasing power capacity of SIEA’s existing network. Following requirements for environmental managements in all SIEA projects, an environmental and social management framework (ESMF) was development to provide a mechanism to carry out appropriate environmental and social assessment in line with World Bank (WB) safeguard policies and the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) legislation.
The purpose of the ESMF is to provide a procedure for environmental and social assessment of SIEA projects. It will guide SIEA in determining the appropriate level of environmental and social assessment required for current and future projects and assist in implementing the appropriate environmental and social mitigation measures for these projects during the preconstruction, construction and operational phases.
2. POLICY, LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE / REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
2.1 World Bank Safeguard Policies -OP 4.01
The proposed project to be financed by World Bank requires Environment Assessment to ensure that it is environmentally friendly and sustainable. OP4.01 (Environmental Assessment) sets out the general policies and principles for environmental and social protection for projects financed by WB and the requirements for assessment of impacts and implementation of plans and measures to mitigate or manage impacts. The OP4.01 has been used to classify projects. The four categories defined in the OP4.01 are:
Category A. The projects are likely to have significant adverse impact on sensitive and valuable ecosystems (protected areas, wetlands, wild lands, coral reefs, and habitats of endangered species), cultural heritage sites (archaeological, historical sites or existing cultural sites), densely populated areas where resettlement is required or pollution may be significant, heavy development areas and conflict in natural resource allocation, water bodies and land or water containing valuable resources. Seeing the impacts are adverse, the required level of assessment is an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) or EIS as for Solomon Islands.
Category B. Potential adverse impacts on human population and environmentally important areas (e.g. wetlands, forest, grasslands and natural habitats) are less adverse, temporary, reversible and can be mitigated more readily than those of category A projects. The level of assessment required is equivalent to the SIG PER.
Category C. The projects are likely to have minimal or no adverse environmental impacts. Category C projects do not require an EIA/EIS or PER. The projects may require some form of Environment Management Plan developed.
Category FI. Projects involve credit line or an equity investment in a financial intermediary. Involves subprojects that will have insignificant environment impacts and do not require Environment Management System/Plan (EMS).
2 | P a g e
The Bank has classified the proposed Project as a Category B project because the proposed project is expected to have minimum adverse environmental impacts. These impacts are expected to be temporary and can be readily mitigated. The preparation of Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) was chosen because even though the locations are known, design and other details about the investment are not available prior to the appraisal of the project. The ESMF will guide SIEA in determining the appropriate level of environmental and social assessment required for the current and future projects and in preparing the necessary environmental and social mitigation measures for these projects during the preconstruction, construction and operational phases.
2.2 Solomon Island Regulatory Requirements
The Environment Act covers all the environmental issues in Solomon Islands and makes provisions for conservation and protection of the environment and established the Environment and Conservation Division (ECD). The Act provides for an integrated system of development control, environmental impact assessment (EIA) and pollution control. The Environment Act has considerable power by virtue of article 4 (1) which states that in the event of conflict between the Act and other Acts, the provisions of the Environment Act shall prevail.
The Environment Regulations 2008 covers detailed requirements for EIA. The Act has a schedule which lists all “prescribed’ developments’ that will need to undergo some form of EIA. All prescribed developments require a simple assessment through “screening” or “scoping” process, to see what form of additional assessment is required. Most development projects require a public environment report (PER), while many major projects will also need a second stage of appraisal which include technical, economic, environmental and social investigations presented in an EIA or environmental impact statement (EIS) report. All types and forms of aggregate extraction activities are included in the schedule as a ‘prescribe development” activity and need to undergo some form of environment impact assessment as detailed in the regulation. This report is the fulfilment of the requirement of the Act.
As required in Part III of the Act, all developer who intends to carry out or are carrying out a ‘prescribed development’ activity must make an application for development consent together with the relevant EIA report and any other relevant information as may be required by the Director. The Director with responsible staff and government agency then reviews the application with the relevant EIA report and make decision whether to grant or not to grant development consent. The developer shall not commence operation or continue to carry out any prescribe development unless it has complied with the relevant provisions of the Act, been issued a ‘development consent’ or the Director has exempted the development from the relevant approval requirements. Based on the Project description, the proposed project is expected to require a Public Environmental Report (PER).
Where environmental standards are not provided in the Regulation MECDM requires WHO standards to be used.
3 | P a g e
3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
3.1 Proposed Project Components
Under the Solomon Islands Sustainable Energy Project (SISEP, P100311, IDA Grant No. H415-SB), the World Bank is co-financing, together with SIEA, major capital works aimed at strengthening the generation and distribution capabilities of the SIEA to meet future growth demands.
The proposed project components that will be co-financed under the Solomon Islands Sustainable Energy Project grant are summarised in the table below.
The Additional Financing, totaling US$13.0 million over a 3 year period, would support the following components of the parent project: Figure 1: SIEA Project Sites
4 | P a g e
Component 1, Strengthening Management. Capacity Building ($2.7 million, of which $2.0 million is IDA Grant and $0.7 million IDA Credit). Additional financing under this component will finance the following activities:
a) Technical Assistance and training on dispatch and control, system planning, integration of renewables and Independent Power Producers;
b) Provision of engineering services (owner’s engineer) for project design and supervision (to mid-2017);
c) Capital projects managers from 2014 – 2017; and d) Finance and Due Diligence Technical Assistance (legal, finance officer, procurement
officer, for upcoming Power Purchasing Agreements, e.g., Tina River Hydro and/or Savo Geothermal).
Component 3, Technical Operations. Capital investments for improving the reliability and efficiency of the Honiara power grid ($10.2 million IDA Credit). Four priority network investments would be financed to enhance the capacity of distribution transformers, lines and substations on the Honiara grid in order to enable it to meet existing and growing power demands more efficiently, provide better quality and quantity of electric power for productive uses, and reduce power system losses. Specifically, additional financing under this component would finance the following:
a) Upgrading of the transformer capacity at Ranadi, the city’s main industrial zone, by adding one 5MVA, 33kV/11kV transformer and a second 33kV switchboard at Ranadi;
b) Construction of a new system control room and dispatch centre at Ranadi; c) Installation of a 12.5MVA transformer and upgrading of the switching arrangements at
Lungga Power Station; d) Construction of a 33kV/11kV Substation at Kola’a Ridge, including a 1x7.5 MVA
transformer; and e) Relocation of the second power circuit to supply the residential area to the south of
Honiara Airport (Feeder 12 area) by building a new overhead powerline and an
underground circuit around the airport that links the East Honiara Substation to the Feeder
12 area.
3.2 Potential Future Development
SIEA has also developed a list of a number of potential future development projects to supplement the
improvements in transformer and transmission capacity. The projects in the list are not part of the current
project. However, as an when these projects are designed and implemented, irrespective of the financing
source, the World Bank Safeguard Policy requires that the projects shall follow the same protocol outlined
in this ESMF and prepare site specific instruments to address the identified environmental and social
impacts. This is also consistent with the SIG environmental requirements.
The two near-term projects which may have larger potential environmental impacts are:
1. Construction of a new Lungga Power House and installation of the First set of 2x5 MW Diesel
Generators.
2. Installation of the Second set of 2x5 MW Diesel Generators.
5 | P a g e
As per the SIEA briefings, the proposed new power house will be built on the grounds and confines of the
existing Lungga Power House. The current workshop will be demolished and rebuilt at another vacant
location on the grounds of the Lungga power plant. The previous workshop site will be cleaned up and
used to house the new power house for the diesel generators. The potential environmental issues
associated with the demolition and clean-up of the old workshop site, the construction and operation of the
new power house, the construction and operation of the new workshop and the upgrading of the operation
of the existing power house should be included in the EA and EMP for the proposed new power projects.
The potential environmental issues to be addressed are given in Annex 6.
4. DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT
4.1 Physical environment
Solomon Islands lie at the convergence of the India-Australia crustal plate which is moving northwards and
the Pacific plate which is moving westwards. The geological processes associated with these plate
movements has resulted in the formation of Solomon Islands. Solomon Islands is geologically young and
dynamic compared to more ancient landmass like Australia. It also has high rates of uplift, active seismicity,
an erosional climate and susceptible geological materials. That is why Solomon Islands are prone to
seismic activities (Hansel et al, 1976)1.
The Solomon Islands is usually subjected to the South-easterly Trade Winds from May to October and the
North-westerly Trade Monsoon Wind from December until March. Air temperature has very little variation
due to its proximity to the equator. The average annual rainfall ranges from 3,000 to 4, 000mm. The wettest
period of the year is between the month of August to November with a daily average of 190 and 330mm.
There are 27 soil groups in Solomon Islands. Depending on parent material and land use, soils exhibit a
range of fertility. The basalt volcanic derived soils are generally rich in nitrogen, phosphorous and organic
carbon, but poor in potassium. The most fertile and agriculturally important of all soils found in Solomon
Islands are the recent alluvial soils located on the northern Guadalcanal alluvial plains.
4.2 Biological environment
The Solomon Islands is characterized by a high level of biodiversity of plants including 3,210 species of
vascular plants, although this is believed to be an under-estimation and a more correct estimate is in the
order of 4,500 when unrecorded species are included. While diversity is high, endemism is low, with no
endemic families and only three endemic genera. Endemism of species is not accurately known but is
thought to range from 10% of fern species to 80% of panadanus species. The islands with the highest rate
of endemism are Santa Cruz (Temotu) and Guadalcanal.
1Hansell, J., F and Wall J., R, D (1976), Land Resources of the Solomon Islands, Land Resource Division
Ministry of Overseas Development, England.
6 | P a g e
According to State of Environment Report (SOE) 2008, 80 reptiles are known in the country which includes
marine species2. One third is endemic and 5 identified as threatened. The report stated that the prehensile-
monkey-tailed skink (Corucia zebrata) is the largest skink in the world and is endemic to the Solomon
Islands. Solomon Islands is said to have 9 endemic snake species 27 endemic species of lizards. Salt
water crocodile was observed at Aola River and may be present at Mbokokimbo, Moga, Mberande Rivers.
Pickacha et al, 2008 reported an increase from 17 species to a total of 21 frog species for Solomon Islands.
Only 2 species are endemic to Solomon Islands, Discodeles malukuna and Platymantis sp. Of the130
species of butterflies, 35 species are endemic to Solomon Islands. There are 25 endemic snail species. It is
estimated that Solomon Islands has 14,511 described species and 46,015 total insect species. A total of 31
cicada species were recorded in the country, 30 are endemic to the country3.
4.3 Socio-economic Environment
The economy of the Solomon Islands comprises a mix of subsistence production - on which the majority of
the population depends - and a monetized sector, including public services, dominated by large-scale
commercial, and largely resource development based enterprises. In terms of nearly 100,000 tons of the
major export commodities produced in 2000, fish accounts for the largest proportion at 47 per cent, copra
accounts for 23 per cent, palm oil accounts for 13 per cent, coconut oil accounts for 4 per cent, and palm
kernel and cocoa production account for 5 per cent. Log production was in the order of 536,000 m3 (SIG,
2001)4.
The population of the Solomon Islands in the 2009 census was determined as being 515,870 which is
dispersed widely across the archipelago and a population growth rate of 2.3%/yr. The population has a
broad based age-sex structure with 40% of the population below 15 years of age. With population doubling
every 30 years, pressure on available services and natural resources has increased dramatically during the
last decade, which will require the Solomon Islands to invest large resources in social infrastructure.
The Solomon Islands is a culturally diverse country with 120 indigenous languages. Melanesian pidgin is
the lingua franca. The population is made up of 93% Melanesian, 4% Polynesian, 1.5% Micronesian, 0.8%
Europeans, and 0.3% Chinese. Honiara is the capital and main urban center and in 2010 had an estimated
population of about 64,609 persons. This is considered to be an underestimate as the census did not
capture the large number of economic migrants. While this has provided the country with distinctive
cultures the isolation of these groups has also created a high dependence on natural resources.
Development has not been uniform across the country and the resulting migration to urban areas has
created squatter settlements in and around urban areas.
Honiara is the capital of Solomon Islands and is situated on Guadalcanal Island. It serves as the main
Administrative, educational, economic centre for the country and gateway to nine provinces in the Solomon
2MECM, 2008.State of the Environment Report 2008, Honiara: MECM. 3Pikacha, P., Morrison, C and Richards, S. 2008. Frogs of the Solomon Islands. Suva: Institute of Applied Science.
4SIG, 2001.Annual Report 2000.Central Bank of Solomon Islands.
7 | P a g e
Islands. It has a population of just over 64,600 with an average density of 2,953 people per square
kilometre5. Honiara city was developed from the rubble of an American war base established during the
Second World War, and has grown at a rate of 2.7 percent per annum over the years to become the
primary city in the country. The city is made up of diverse ethnic groups and indigenous people (United
Nations Human Settlements Programme, 2012)6.The settlement patterns here in Honiara are driven by
high urban growth and increasing demands placed on the current urban services and problems relating to
increasing poverty. The settlement pattern is scattered in Honiara with more informal settlements outside
the Town boundary.
Being the nation’s capital, Honiara, is also the centre for the country’s small but growing industrial
establishment and all other urbanized development activities. Many other major national development
activities that play a big role in the country’s economy are hosted by the island of Guadalcanal. These
includes the largest oil palm plantations (GPPOL), the Gold Ridge Mine (GRML), and the now disaster
coconut and cocoa Plantation (RIPEL). The immediate area of the existing underground cable even though
under the jurisdiction of Guadalcanal province, is located within the Ranadi industrial area and is
surrounded by many small scale industrial establishments. These includes small scale and light
manufacturing industries, workshops, retail shops, the Taiwan demonstration farm, schools, road side stalls
and gravel production entities.
The existing land use of the area shows a mixture of multiple uses. These include illegal settlements,
timber yards, private company administrative offices, retail shop outlets, roads, churches, schools, road
side markets, bottle shops, fuel depot, recreation areas etc. The area also has an airfield.
4.4 Unexploded Ordinance (UXO)
Technically WWII ordnance found in the Pacific Islands can be defined as either unexploded (UXO) or
abandoned (AXO). Unexploded ordnance is defined as explosive ordnance that has been primed, fused,
armed or otherwise prepared for use in armed conflict but has failed to explode. Abandoned explosive
ordnance is defined as explosive ordnance unused during an armed conflict and subsequently abandoned
or left behind. UXO and AXO are defined collectively as Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) (Francis and
Alama, 2011)7.
The areas of Solomon Islands were the scenes of bitter fighting during World War II. While this was over 60
years ago, unexploded (UXO) may still be found in the area. Should UXO be discovered, the contractor is
5 SIG (2011), Solomon Islands National Statistics Bulletin 06/2011, Report on 2009 Population and Housing Census, Basic
Tables and Census Description, Honiara, Solomon Islands.
6 UN Habitats (2012), Honiara Urban Profile, Retrieved on the 5th August 2013 at URL:
http://www.google.com.sb/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CCwQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.
unhabitat.org%2Fpmss%2FgetElectronicVersion.asp%3Fnr%3D3324%26alt%3D1&ei=ei4EUqSJEseeiQKeuYGYBg&usg=AFQj
CNHeIf11t_1NdrxxnoivuFA-L2bzCg
7Francis S, L and Alama L, 2011. World War II Unexploded Ordinance, Retrieved at URL on 29thof October 2013 at URL: http://www.forumsec.org/resources/uploads/attachments/documents/UXO%20final.pdf.
8 | P a g e
to immediately cordon off the area, arrange the evacuation of nearby residences and inform the police of
the find. Currently all UXO finds are reported to the police who arrange the pickup, transport, storage and
ultimate disposal of the finds. While construction sites are expected to be swept for and cleared of UXOs, a
chance find procedure for handling the UXOs during the construction is included in the ESMF. This will be
the responsibility of the contractor. Ultimately, the SIEA will be responsible for the supervision and
monitoring of the contractor.
5. ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND POTENTIAL MITIGATION MEASURES
5.1 Significance of Impacts
The potential environment and social impacts are assessed based on the design, scope of work as well as
the physical and biological environment at the project sites. Mitigation measures for each potential
environment and social impacts are designed to avoid, minimize or remediate the impacts. The impact
mode may be minor, moderate, major or induced. Relevant Standard Operating procedures (SOPs) are
listed in the appendix 5 to support and mange activities undertaken by SIEA on a day to day basis. SIEA
will need to develop this SOPs and train workers on how to use them.
The proposed project involves very little traditional “earth-moving” type construction. The transformers
switch gears and control rooms will be installed in and as part of the existing structures. The only new
construction involve the construction of a substation at Kola’a Ridge, installation of new power line poles to
tie in the Honiara East substation to No 12 Feeder Line from Lungga Power Station and installation of an
underground cable around the east end of the airport runway as part of the No12 Feeder Line connection.
As such the environmental impacts are expected to be minor, if any.
5.2 Pre-construction Impacts
Pre-construction impacts are expected to be associate mostly with the clearance of UXO from the proposed
location of the power line along the road on the north and south sides of the runway, the alignment of the
underground cable around the east end of the runway (along the existing road side) and the existing site of
the new sub-station at Kola’a Ridge. While the general locations of the above infrastructure is known, the
actual alignment of the above ground power line, the underground cable route and the exact location of the
Kola’a Ridge sub-station will be known after the detailed designs and surveys have been carried out.
UXO: During WWII, the area was subject to intense battles and while this occurred over 60 years ago, it is
possible that a chance discovery of a UXO may occur. The proposed project areas and alignments will be
swept for UXO and if found will be cleared as per the established procedures before the sites are handed
over to the Contractors or the SIEA personnel for construction. During construction, should UXO be
discovered, the contractor is to immediately stop work, cordon off the area, arrange the evacuation of
nearby residents and inform the Police of the find.
In Solomon Islands the responsibility for UXO typically resides with The Royal Solomon Islands Police
Force Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit (RSIPF-EOD Unit).The Ministry of Infrastructure (MID) is in the
process of developing UXO procedures which when completed and approved by the Government, will be
9 | P a g e
included in the MID Specifications for Roads and Bridges. Refer to annex 3 for the draft MID UXO protocol.
The proposed draft procedure by SIEA (which is neither complete nor approved) is attached for information.
The procedure will be used as a guide and will be updated as appropriate.
The procedure is attached as Annex 3.
Worker Safety: Pre-construction activities may involve survey activities to delineate the location of power
poles and for the overhead line and selection of the route for the laying of the underground power cable.
This would require the Contractor to observe traffic requirements to avoid congestion and minimize the
potential for accidents. The contractor will also need to observe general health and safety requirements and
as a minimum, be compliant with the Labor Act of 1978 and the Safety at Work Act of 1996.
Accidental discovery of archaeological resources: The site clearance, digging and excavation activities
undertaken during pre- construction and construction may un-earth archaeological sites or resources. In the
event this occurs, the work shall cease immediately and the National Museum Tambu Register (the
Authority), Ministry of Culture and MECDM shall be informed.
Construction will not re-commence until the Authority have signed-off that the site/resources have been
dealt with appropriately and that work may continue. The Contractor shall be responsible for complying with
the requirements of authorities, and the SIEA shall monitor the same. A chance find procedure is attaches
as Annex 7.
5.3 Construction Impacts
Soil digging / earth moving activities for the laying the underground power cable, erecting power poles, and
laying foundation for the sub-station at Kola’a Ridge may result in the generation of dust, soil erosion,
potential drainage issue and disposal of the excess excavated materials. However the scale of these
activities is small and the environmental impacts are expected to be minor. None the less the, the
Contractor is expected to prevent pollution emanating from these activities and take remedial measures.
Site Drainage: Where appropriate the Contractor will manage the site drainage as follows:
Install side drains (off-takes) to direct storm-water flows away from the project area;
Where cross drains are required provide stable outlets to carry the runoff safely to the disposal area.
Culverts and drains should not be allowed to terminate above a disposal area without considering the possible effects on the stability of the discharge area;
All drainages should be directed to safe (non-eroding) areas;
Temporary drains should be refilled after construction and the drain area should be rehabilitated.
Soil Erosion: Soil erosion is likely if the cable trench or the foundation areas at the Kola’a Ridge sites are
left open for extended period. The impacts may be either through dust erosion during dry season or soil
erosion during wet season. The scale of the excavation is small and large stock piles of excavated
materials are not expected. Because of potential threat of stealing cables, such operations as the laying of
cables are carried out expeditiously and the trench is refilled and compacted immediately after the cable is
buried.
10 | P a g e
Poles for the overhead power lines will be installed once every 25 meters. The poles will be encased in
concrete, and the excess soil will be spread in and around the poles.
At the Kola’a Ridge site, excess excavated material will be either spread on site or removed for disposal as
backfill material. Given the scale of construction, the quantity of material is very low.
Figure 2: Map showing the east of the Henderson Runway
Dust: The construction works will have a minor and temporary impact in the form of dust during dry windy
conditions. Some air pollution is expected from vehicles transporting power poles, transformers, cables,
and other construction materials. Except from concrete foundations for sub-stations there will be very little
construction related activities requiring large scale stock piling of materials. There are no air quality or
emission standards in Solomon Islands, and as the project is not a „green-fields‟ development nor is it
highly polluting, preparing a baseline for subsequent monitoring is not considered warranted. There are a
number of good engineering practices that can be employed to ensure that dust and vehicle related air
quality impacts are mitigated during construction. These include:
Construction equipment being maintained to a good standard. The equipment will be checked at regular intervals to ensure they are maintained in working order and the checks will be recorded by the SIEA as part of environmental monitoring;
11 | P a g e
Prohibition of the use of equipment and machinery that causes excessive pollution(i.e. visible smoke) at the project sites;
Ensuring that all vehicles transporting potentially dust-producing material are not overloaded, are provided with adequate tail-boards and side-boards, and are adequately covered with a tarpaulin (covering the entire load and secured at the sides and tail of the vehicle) during transportation;
Material stockpiles being located in sheltered areas and be covered with tarpaulins or other such suitable covering to prevent material becoming airborne; and
Periodic qualitative air quality monitoring (by observation rather than testing).
Construction and demolition waste: It is possible that remains of construction and demolished materials may accumulate at the project sites. Demolished materials and construction materials will be disposed of at designated site approved by SIEA. These wastes should be removed fairly immediately at the first instance during the construction phase to allow accessibility and for health and safety reasons. Solid wastes, debris, spent oil or fuel from construction machinery or plant, construction material, or waste vegetation removed from worksites will not be dumped in streams or near streams.
Impacts on Noise Levels: There are no noise standards in Solomon Islands, and the noise generated by
the project will be temporary (i.e. during construction) and intermittent.
Construction noise is generally intermittent, attenuates quickly with distance, and depends on the type of
operation, location and function of equipment. During construction, there will be a temporary adverse
impact due to the noise of the construction equipment. However, all of the works are in fairly remote areas,
away from schools or residences. Nonetheless, the following general measures will be taken to mitigate the
effects of noise:
Contractors will be required to maintain all vehicle exhaust systems and noise generating equipment in good working order and maintained regularly.
Prohibition of any construction activities between 9pm and 6am in, or close to, residential sites;
SIEA will prepare a schedule of operations that will be approved by affected stakeholders. The schedule will establish the days, including identifying days on which there should be no work, and hours of work for each construction activity and identify the types of equipment to be used;
Workers will be provided with noise abatement equipment as may be required; and
Any complaints regarding noise will be dealt with by the SIEA in the first instance through the redress grievances mechanism.
Impacts on Access: The project may cause temporary negative impacts, including inconvenience, minor
disruptions to traffic using the road and on local access during the construction period.
Mitigation of impacts on access will include:
Care taken during the construction period to ensure that disruptions to access and traffic are minimized;
Signs and other appropriate safety features will be used to indicate construction works are being undertaken; and
12 | P a g e
SIEA will ensure access roads to private owned land are not disturbed.
Impacts on Health and Safety: The project’s construction phase may cause potential health and safety
impacts. The main impacts on health and safety are associated with (i) risk of accidents at work sites, and
(ii) traffic safety issues. The risk of spread of communicable disease is considered to be negligible because
there is no expected high influx of people in search of jobs at project sites.
Observing general health and safety requirements, including supply of safety and protective gear and
equipment to workers, to reduce the risk of accidents at the work sites. Mitigation measures for reducing
and avoiding impacts on health and safety include:
Provide construction workers training in health and safety issues, and on the specific hazards of their work;
Provide workers with personal protection equipment, such as safety boots, safety glasses, reflector vests, helmets, gloves, and protective clothing;
Provision of adequate protection to the general public in the vicinity of the work site, including advance notice of commencement of works, installing safety barriers if required and signage or marking of the work areas.
5.4 Operation Impacts
There will be no operation related impacts except for low level humming noise from the transformers. The noise is not discernable from the road side and given the remote locations of these transformers, no impacts are anticipated.
6. ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES
6.1 Project location
The majority of the proposed project components will be installed in the existing facilities. The exceptions to these are the laying of the underground power cable and the extension of the No 12 Feeder line. The proposed new underground cable will replace the existing, dysfunctional (dead) underground cable beneath the airport runway. Barring the digging up of the runway, the proposed new underground cable takes the most direct route around the east end of the runway, along the existing road right of way, and therefore no land acquisition. The new overhead power line construction route provides short and direct connection to the new underground cable and also meets the IATA requirements for safety of the runway, where the power poles are placed over 145 meters from the centre of the runway. SIEA has discussed and agreed on the measures with both the Aviation Authority and the Roads Agency. There is no other realistic alternative to the existing location that will provide the same economic, environmental and social advantage.
6.2 Project technology
Apart from the installation of the new generators and switchgear, the underground cable line will be
constructed using modern, locally and internationally accepted materials to achieve public health, safety,
security and environmental aesthetic requirements. Equipment that guarantee efficient use of locally
13 | P a g e
available materials will be encouraged to ensure reliability in supply with minimum power loss and good
design to allow efficient distribution of power to Honiara.
6.3 Do nothing
The existing power line networks and transformers supplying Honiara are highly constraints in terms of
capacity and are unable to supply secure network distribution and alternative feed in case of the existing
power line and transformer dysfunction. Therefore, it is imperative for SIEA to establish and install
additional transformers and power line feed connection to provide secure supply.
7. PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS, INFORMATION DISCLOSURE
7.1 Public consultation
IDA/WB’s Safeguard Policies and the Government of Solomon Islands’ regulations require project related ESMF to be subject to public consultations and disclosure. This is done at an early stage of project preparation so as to inform the stakeholders of the project components and to seek / encourage inputs from the stakeholders on environmental and social issues.
For the proposed project, the project information and the call for public consultation was announced on:
Tue 29 October 2013,in press advertisement regarding Public Consultations on Environmental and Social issues relating to proposed network upgrades around Honiara; and
Wed 30 October 2013,in newspaper notice providing summary details on Environmental and Social issues and specific details around public consultations (in English & Pidgin).
Additionally, public consultation was carried out:
On a radio talkback show on Saturday 9 November 2013, at 10 am to 11am;
Through information posters displayed on Wednesday 6 Nov 2013 at two sites readily accessible to the public. The sites were: a) the SIEA's customer service office at the Hyundai Mall, Honiara (next door to the main city market); and b) the SIEA's Headquarters at Ranadi; and
With stakeholder including SIWA, Telecom, Pan Pacific, Solomon Island National University (SINU), Ministry of Communication and Aviation (MCA), Seventh Day Adventist Authority (SDA) and Market Vendors.
7.2 Results of Public Consultation
The result of public consultation with the stakeholder provides opportunity to understand the current social and environment issues and the need for the improving the supply of electricity. Overall, stakeholders consulted express strong support for the project.
Table 1: Consultation-Radio talk back
14 | P a g e
Caller ID Issues/question/comments SIEA Response
1 Are they any provision from the grant to cover cost incurred by customers for connection installations?
The WB funding will cover cost for the major 5 projects and not SIEA operational cost such as power service connection.
2 Safety concern over the project at East Kola’a ridge.
Public Safety is addressed in the design. The design will ensure maximum safety standards are met by SIEA e.g. raised concrete walls.
3 What time will power serge stops? The current capacity of load does not cater for the Honiara City. The current project intends to improve power serge and provide reliable service to the public.
4 Public safety concerning the substation at East Kola’a ridge.
Again the substation will be design to international requirements.
5 Public are not happy when calling SIEA for information regarding power serge (when it will happen and when it will come back).
Customer service is available on weekdays to answer public concern over power surge. It might not be reliable to call direct to Power House because the officers might be busy with maintenance etc.
Table 2: Stakeholder consultation
Organisation Names of People
Consulted
Issues/comments/questions
raised
SIEA Responses
Guadalcanal Province Victor Totu (CAO)
Pricilar Oliver (SAO)
Public Safety-Signs visible to public;
Land acquisition done before any
operation;
Reduce voltage near roads;
How safe are the cables from being
vandalised;
News letter about services provided
by SIEA published in media
Quarterly; and
Generally the upgrade is important
for the public.
Safety signs informing
the public of the
construction works will
be installed at selected
sites;
The underground
cable will run along the
existing road corridor
and no additional land
take is required;
There is radio talk
back show every
Wednesday.
Solomon Islands National
University (SINU)
Jimmy Hycent (Lecturer);
Laurel Bates (SAO)
Oswald Bako (SAO)
Patrick Turanga (Students
Well Fare Division)
Studies should prove, materials used
can avoid electrocution during
flooding;
Poles design to withstand
earthquakes;
Underground cable reduce line
congestion and land space for
expansion;
The project
components are
design to standard
international
requirements.
15 | P a g e
Where poles or cables are located,
trees and other structures should not
be there; and
Tougher penalties on public
buildings constructed under
powerlines and transformers.
Ministry of Communication
and Aviation
Nicolous L (Airport
Manager)
The airport itself requires continuous
supply of electricity;
Deliver design details to airport
planners so that it can be integrated
in the MCA management plan;
Existing powerlines within the airside
must be removed to outside
perimeter;
Close dialogue with airport
authorities is important to avoid
plans overlap; and
The cables must be underground.
One of the project
object is to improve the
power serge;
There will be
continuous dialogues
with relevant
authorities about the
project and its
schedule including
designs ect.
Seven day Adventist
Authority
Pr Samuel Panda
(Secretary Solomon Islands
Mission)
Risk of electrocution during rainy
season;
Burnscreek area where the cable
runs underground is prone to
flooding;
Temporary disturbance to access
roads during the construction;
The upgrade of the power supply will
help boost the amount and time
electricity will be available;
Can the upgrade indicate cheaper
rates for institutions?
The trench and cabling
are design to
standards and have
passed standard
safety requirements;
There will be
temporary disturbance
to work areas, affected
stakeholder will be
informed about any
disruptions.
Pan Pacific Eddie (Administration) Questions have been asked
including reducing voltages from
240V to 110 V in residence areas,
due to some electrical appliance
having 110V;
Chances of damages to other
utilities;
SIEA has obligation to provide
efficient power and services to the
public therefore the upgrade is a
good proposal;
Standard safety
requirement are
incorporated in the
design;
Restricted areas will
have safety signs
informing public of the
risk.
16 | P a g e
Safety signs warning public and
residence of the risk. (Clear caution
signs, restricted area signs, and
etc…); and
The upgrade will help in boost the
production industries.
Market vendor John T Safety signs warning public and
residence of the risk. (Clear caution
signs, restricted area signs, and
etc…);
The upgrade will help in boost the
production industries;
The transformers near the burns
creek betel nut market should be
relocated away from the roads side
and general public; and
The upgrade may require digging of
the ground. Are there any
opportunities for Burnscreek youths
to work as casual workers within the
vicinity of Burnscreek area?
Restricted areas will
have safety signs
informing public of the
risk;
The transformers are
within the road
corridor, additional
land take require land
acquisition.
The ESMF documenting the potential mitigation measures and the outcome of the consultation process will be submitted to MECDM and WB and will be disclosed for public review. Additional consultation and disclosure will be done during implementation through:
The preparation and dissemination of a brochure in English and Pidgin (and other languages as required), explaining the project, works required and anticipated timing of the works;
Setting up a formal grievance redress committee with a representation from the affected people. The contractor will be responsible for managing the grievance redress program; and
Information regarding the approved subproject and the proposed environmental management measures will be posted at suitable locations at the project site.
7.3 Disclosure
Disclosure will conform to the Public Communications Policy of the WB: Disclosure and Exchange of Information which requires that the ESMF report for WB projects be accessible to the interested parties and the general public. Prior to the Appraisal, the ESMF will be disclosed in the World Bank Infoshop and made available to the public from SIEA web site.
17 | P a g e
8. INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT
8.1 World Bank
The WB will:
Advise the SIEA about WB Safeguard Policy requirements;
Screen and determine environmental categorization of projects, including the environmental assessment requirements;
Review and clear environmental assessment reports as a basis for project approval;
Publicly disclose the ESMF in the Infoshop and on the WB website;
Review all statutory environmental clearance granted by ECD (particularly the conditions of the Development Consent) and note all conditions in approving a subproject;
Review EMP implementation and where appropriate take actions (as necessary) in close consultation with ECD;
Monitor the EMP implementation and conduct due diligence as part of review missions;
Provide assistance to SIEA, if required, in carrying out its responsibilities and for building capacity for safeguard compliance; and
Ensure that SIEA will conduct the required consultations with project affected groups and local NGOs in the project area and discloses relevant information on the project’s environmental issues in an appropriate form, manner, and language(s) accessible to those being consulted.
8.2 SIEA
The overall management of all monitoring tasks comes under the SIEA. This covers all aspects of the required activities including coordination with other agencies that have national responsibilities over some of the tasks. SIEA is responsible for general project execution and with day-to-day project management activities, as well as monitoring. SIEA will prepare and submit to ECD Monthly Progress Reports.
Once the detailed designs and site surveys are available, SIEA will prepare a detailed Environmental Management Plan (EMP) using the ESMF as a guidance document. The detailed EMP will be submitted to the World Bank and ECD for review, comments and approval. The EMP will be included as an integral part of the Bid Documents to enable the Contractors to bid on the Project with awareness of the environmental issues and mitigation measures to be implemented as part of the Project. The successful contractor will prepare a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) outlining how he intends to implement and monitor the EMP during construction.
SIEA will be responsible for updating the EMP at construction stage, whenever additional engineering information is available and for implementing the environmental, health and safety actions included in the EMP. Currently, SIEA has no in-house capacity to manage or supervise environmental and social issues related to its own activities, although it has been running a large power generation and distribution operation. It should seriously consider hiring its own in environmental / social officer, to look after its own operations especially if it plans to undertake a large Capex expenditure in the near future. The Environmental / Social Officer should:
18 | P a g e
Prepare a Brief pertaining to the design issues that are identified in the EMP for action by the technical design team;
Coordinating with ECD for updating the EMP;
Participating in monitoring to ensure that environmental management activities are reported as required; Coordinating and communicating as appropriate; consultation with the affected stakeholders and ensuring smooth implementation of the project; and
Advise SIEA on potential environmental and social impacts and their mitigation measures as they come on board.
As required, SIEA will be responsible for environmental monitoring during construction and operation of the project. The ECD will also be responsible for verifying the monitoring undertaken by the SIEA through audits and spot-checks. The outcomes of the monitoring will be included in the overall monthly progress reports to be submitted by SIEA to ECD.
8.3 Environment & Conservation Division
As the national agency responsible for environment and conservation, the ECD will need to be involved in the various aspects of the environmental management activities. Under the requirements of the Environment Act 1998, ECD will need to review the EIA and monitor the progress of implementation activities if consent is given. The ECD has been fully informed of the status of the project and also awaits the submission of the EIA.
The ECD will need to be consulted during the construction phase of the project to ensure that all monitoring requirements are adhered to. The ECD will be tasked also to assist in the auditing of implementation of the EMPs and ensure that environmental management and mitigation of the project is undertaken to a good standard.
8.4 Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Arrangements
Monitoring is a component of impact assessment setup to combat uncertainties pertaining to unanticipated impacts, to ensure mitigation measures are working and to reassure public on the progress of the development. Progressive monitoring must accompany various stages of the project activities (construction and operational phase). The Environmental monitoring plan is based on the`` potential impacts, significance of the impacts and mitigation approaches identified during the screening study. It comprises of parameters to be monitored, frequencies and responsible authorities as per impact. ECD is responsible for monitoring compliance, review SIEA monthly monitoring report and suggest ways to improve or strengthen mitigation approaches.
The ECD is required to:
Co-ordinate compliance monitoring programs; and
Review SIEA monthly monitoring report and suggest ways to strengthen mitigation approaches.
19 | P a g e
Table 3: Responsibilities for Environmental Management & Monitoring
Project Stage
Responsible Organization
Responsibilities
Feasibility studies and appointment
SIEA and WB Prepare EA including overall EMP
Preliminary design
Feasibility studies and project review and approval
ECD, SIEA and WB
Review and approval of EIA including overall ESMF / EMP
Review all feasibility study documentation, prepare Board presentation and submit to Steering Committee (as required)
Provide inputs to monitoring requirements
Detailed Design
SIEA Prepare detailed design
Update EMP based on specifics of detailed design
Submit EMP to ECD and IDA/WB for review and approval
Construction SIEA and Contractor
Implementation and Supervision of the EMP
Audit construction phase through environmental inspections and review monitoring data
Preparation and submission of monthly environmental reports
Provide awareness/training to workers
MECDM Ensure compliance with Government requirements
Review complicated issues arising from the project
Operation SIEA Provide budget to undertake long term environmental monitoring
Undertake environmental monitoring and prepare bi-annual reports
8.5 Grievances redress mechanism
Construction: It is anticipated that most complaints arising during construction are expected to be minor complaints concerning dust, health &safety implications and noise that should be able to be resolved quite easily. All complaints arriving at the Contractor’s Site Office will be entered in a Register that is kept at the site by: date, name, contact address and reason for the complaint. A duplicate copy of the entry is given to the Affected People (AP) for their record at the time of registering the complaint. The Register will show who has been directed to deal with the complaint and the date when this was made together with the date when the AP was informed of the decision and how the decision was conveyed to the AP. The Register is then signed off by the person who is responsible for the decision and dated. The Register will be kept at the front desk of the SIEA Office and is a public document. The duplicate copy given to the AP will also show
20 | P a g e
the procedure that will be followed in assessing the complaint, together with a statement affirming the rights of the AP to make a complaint. There will be no cost to the AP for making the complaint.
In the first instance, the Affected People will be directed to discuss their complaint directly with the Project Engineer (PE). For straightforward complaints, the PE can make an on-the-spot determination to resolve the issue.
For more complicated complaints, the PE will forward the complaint to the SIEA Management. The SIEA Management has a maximum of two days to resolve the complaint and convey a decision to the AP. The AP may if so desired, discuss the complaint directly with the SIEA Management. If the complaint of the AP is dismissed, the AP will be informed of their rights in taking it to the next step. A copy of the decision will be sent to the ECD.
Should the AP not be satisfied, the AP may take the complaint to the Permanent Secretary (PS) in MECDM who will appoint the Director of the ECD to review the complaint. The PS will have 15 days to make a determination.
Operation: During operation, the same procedure applies i.e., there are no fees attached to the AP for making a complaint, the complainant is free to make the complaint which will be treated in a transparent manner and the AP will not be project to retribution for making the complaint.
9. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The act responsible for EA in the Solomon Islands is the environment Act 1998 and Environment Regulation 2008. The procedures outline in the SIG Acts and WB OP4.01 are integrated in this EMSF which will form a key component and requirement when and where SIEA implements the proposed project.
The EMSF provides screening tools as Annex 2, an overview of the potential environment and mitigations, requirement for environmental management and monitoring, consultation and disclosure, redress grievances processes and institutional arrangement as a corner stone for ESMF implementation. It provides guidance for use in developing a project specific Environmental Management Plan when the detail designs are available.
Annexes
1. Excerpts of Relevant Sections of Solomon Island Regulations on Environmental Assessment
Act Date Main objectives
Labor Act 1978 This Act deal with employment of workers. Part IX Care of Workers, requires the employer
under:
o Article 65: to provide workers with rations. o Article 66: to protect workers and dependents from malaria. o Article 67: to provide workers with an accessible supply of clean, non-
polluted water for drinking, washing and for other domestic purposes. Water supplies may be inspected by a Health Officer.
o Article 68: requires the employer to make sufficient and proper sanitary arrangements for workers.
o Article 69: requires the employer to provide accommodation for the worker and his family if they are not conveniently located to the work place.
o Article 70: requires the employer to provide medical care at the workplace. o Article 71: states that depending on the circumstances the employer may
be required to provide medical facilities,
Safety at Work
Act
1996 This Act consists of 4 parts.
o Part II: Article 4 states that it is the duty of every employer to ensure the health and safety at work of his employees.
o Article 6: states that it is the duty of the employer to provide a safe workplace for persons other than his employees.
o Articles 7 and 8: requires manufacturers, suppliers of tools and equipment and suppliers of chemicals and other hazardous substances to ensure that these are safe and without health risks.
o Article 12: states that any employer who operates unsafe machinery or substances and is injured will be responsible for the damages.
o Part III: Article 15 requires the employer to protect people from dust, fumes, etc. Article 16 provides for limits of exposure to dust and fumes.
o Articles 17, 18, 19 and 20 require employers to comply with the operating requirements for: (i) pressure and vacuum systems; (ii) machinery; (iii) dangerous machinery; and (v) electrical installations.
Articles 21 and 22 require workplaces to have fire protection and to take precautions against
explosions.
River Waters 1973 Control of river waters for equitable and beneficial use; establishes activities for which
permits are required.
Lands and
Titles
1988 Covers the management of land; defines “customary land” and sets out procedures for land
acquisition. This Act is being reviewed.
Provincial
Government
Act,
1997 The Provincial Government Act of 1997 gives power to the provinces to make their own
legislation including environment and conservation. Schedule 3 of the Act provides a list of
activities for which the provinces have responsibility to pass ordinances.
The State of the Environment Report (2008) shows that eight provincial ordinances have
been passed which include:
o one environmental protection ordinance, o six wildlife and wildlife management and conservation area ordinances,
and o one marine and freshwater ordinance.
2. Field Screening Check List
E n v i r o n m e n t S c r e e n i n g C h e c k l i s t F o r m ( s o u r c e : C P I U , 2 0 1 2 )
SECTION 1. REQUIRED INFORMATION
This section presents the various information required to be submitted by the project proponent as attachments to the EA Reports.
Attachments Remarks
Topographic map (scale 1:50,000) indicating project site and significant landmarks, or straight line diagram of the project showing water bodies and other relevant areas to be traversed vital in the evaluation of the project
Preliminary engineering design/drawings
Proposed schedules of activities (construction stage)
Community consultation (Attendees)
SECTION 2. GENERAL INFORMATION
2.1 Project Title :
2.2 Project Location :
2.3 Proponent :
Contact Person :
Address :
Tel/Fax # :
SECTION 3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
3.1 Project Type
3.2 Total Project Cost
3.3 Funding Source:
3.4 Project Components
3.5 Material Requirements
3.4 Location of construction water:
3.6 Manpower and Employment
How many people will be employed by the project?
During the pre-construction/construction period: ________
During the operation and maintenance period: _________
3.7 Construction Schedule
How long will the pre-construction/construction period take? ___months____
SECTION 4. DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT SURROUNDINGS
4.1 Physical Environment
Components/Parameters Remarks
Yes No
What is the general elevation of the project area?
< 100 masl
100-300 masl
301-500 masl
501-1,000 masl
1001-1500 masl
>1,500 masl
(To determine elevation, refer to the topographic map where the elevation per contour line is indicated)
(indicate the area per elevation range or estimate the % to total area)
Slope and topography of the area
Terrain is flat or level (0-3% slope)?
Gently sloping to undulating (3-8% slope)?
Undulating to rolling (8-18% slope)?
Rolling to moderately steep (18-30% slope)?
Steeply sloping (30-50% slope)?
Very steep to mountainous (>50% slope)?
(indicating the area per slope category or estimate the % to total area)
Are there areas in the site where indications of soil erosion are occurring? If yes, what activities are causing erosion?
Causes of erosion:
[ ] heavy rains
[ ] unstable slopes
[ ] others, pls. specify
Components/Parameters Remarks
Yes No
Do you know of any landslide occurring or that has occurred at the site?
Causes of landslide:
[ ] earthquake
[ ] unstable slopes
[ ] earthmoving
[ ] others, pls. specify
Has the area experienced any flooding during the wet season or cyclones? If yes, when was the last time the area was flooded? What caused the flooding?
Period(s) of flooding:
September through April
Causes of flooding:
[ ] low area/elevation
[ ] poor drainage
[ ] water logged
Soil type of the area:
[ ] sandy soil
[ ] clayey soil
[ ] sandy loam soil
Other soil types:
Are there existing structures or developments around the project site? If yes, please list them in the space below or in the opposite space.
What is the present land use of the area?
[ ] Prime Agriculture Land
[ ] Urban area
[] Others, pls. specify:
4.2 Biological Impacts
Screening Questions Description (Quality of resources, vegetation and habitat) Yes No
Terrestrial
Will agricultural land or plantation forest be affected?
Will a declared or proposed protected area be affected?
Will a community/traditional conservation area be affected?
Will riverbank habitat be affected?
Will a mangrove/wetland area be affected?
Will primary forest be affected?
Will secondary forest be affected?
Are there any rare or endangered species
(terrestrial or aquatic) known to inhabit the area?
Is the area important for biodiversity protection?
Will the proposal increase access to protected areas or areas important for biodiversity protection?
Will any culturally or historically important sites or resources be affected?
Marine
Will the project affect any MPA
Will the project affect any buffer zone of the MPA
Are there any endangered coral species likely to be affected
Are there any endangered reef fish, pelagic fish, reptiles, ect affected
Potential Magnitude of Impact Area (m2)
Approximate loss of agricultural land or plantation forest area
Approximate loss of riverbank habitat area
Approximate loss of primary forest
Approximate loss of secondary forest
Approximate loss of mangrove/wetland area
Approximate loss of coral reef area
If answer is yes to the above answers, please provide examples of these species (common or local name)
in the table provided below.
Birds and Other Wildlife Trees and Other Important
Vegetation
Fishery Resources
4.3 Information on Environment Impacts What is the predominate type of vegetation to be affected?
What is the estimate of total area of this type of vegetation to be affected?
What is the proportion of affected area of the total area of this type of vegetation?
What is the estimate of total area of mangroves to be affected?
What is the proportion of affected area of total mangrove area at this location?
What is the viability of the total mangrove area (at this location) in respect of the loss? Briefly explain
What is the estimate of total area of coral reef area to be affected?.
What is the proportion of affected area of total coral reef area at this location?
Are there any other ongoing impacts or proposals which could increase the significance of this loss i.e. cumulative impacts?
What is the estimate of total area of riverbank habitat to be affected?
What is the proportion of affected area of total riverbank habitat at this location?
What is the viability of the riverbank habitat (in this location) in respect of the loss?
SECTION 5. PROJECT CATEGORISATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Based on the definition of impacts in WB Policy OP4.01, what is the category?
Category A, significant environmental impact, a full EIA/EIS is required [ ]
Category B, non-significant environmental impact, a PER is required [ ]
Category C, no EIA/EIS or PER is required but due diligence report to be prepared, EMP developed by the contractor [ ]
Category FI, insignificant environmental impacts and do not require Environment Management System/Plan (EMS).
[ ]
The foregoing has been reviewed and agreed with by:
Name & Signature Date…………………
Name & Signature Date…………………
Name & Signature
3. Draft MID UXO Protocol
4. UXO protocol
5. Relevant Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
SOP- Managing Air Quality during construction and operation
SOP-Fueling vehicle
SOP-Transportation of fuel + chemicals to project site
SOP-Surface water quality monitoring
SOP- Waste Oil Collection Storage and Removal
SOP- Hydrocarbon Spills
SOP- Erosion and Sediment Control
SOP- Strom water Design – Drainage Techniques
SOP- Vegetation Clearing
SOP- Wood Waste and Timber Off-cuts Handling, Disposal, and Management
SOP- Oily Rags Waste Handling, Disposal, and Management
SOP- Waste Scrap Steel and Metals Handling, Disposal, and Management
6. Potential Environmental Impacts envisaged for Future SIEA Developments
Preconstruction Impacts Construction Impacts Operation Impacts
Demolition wastes including
disposal of oil, chemicals, debris,
concrete, contaminated soil,
scrap metals ect;
Transportation of demolition
wastes creating dust;
Operation of demolition machines
creating noise and vibrations;
Worker safety a concern;
Accidental spillage of chemicals
to waterways causing pollution.
Operation of construction
machines creating noise and
emissions;
Sedimentation and siltation to
adjacent water bodies;
Water quality can be affected
during construction activities
when soils, wastewater, oils and
lubricants, sewage and other
materials are allowed to move
into the environment;
The project’s construction phase
can cause a range of health and
safety impacts;
It is possible that remains of
construction waste accumulate at
the project sites. Construction
waste will be disposed at
designated site approved by
SIEA;
Accident arises posing risk to
workers-Workers health and
safety;
Operation of generator creating
noise and emissions eg NOx,
SOx, CO and burnt
hydrocarbons;
Accidental spillage of oil and
fuel during the operation of the
generator;
Management of Waste
generated at Power station
(Solid and liquid waste);
Storm water drainages;
Continuous supply of water to
project sites (power station) for
use by generators and for use
in emergency responses when
an accident occurs important;
There are marginal impacts
involving delivery and storage
of fuel. Negligence of protocol
can result in a disaster.
7. SIEA Consultation Notices (Pidgin and English version)
8. Cultural Find procedure for physical cultural properties