Initial Environmental Examination

Project Number: 45389-004 July 2020

AZE: Second Road Network Development Investment Program

Prepared by IRD Engineering S.R.L., Italy for The State Agency of Automobile Roads of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Asian Development Bank.

This initial environmental examination 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.

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. REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN

SECOND ROAD NETWORK DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENT PROGRAM, TRANCHE 2

INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION REPORT

for Rehabilitation of Local Roads in Ujar, Zardab, Agjabadi, , Sheki Regions

ADB Loan No: 3144 AZE

Contract No. CSC-03/3144AZE

Prepared by: IRD Engineering S.R.L., Italy

Prepared for: State Agency of Azerbaijan Automobile Roads REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN

Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 3 I. INTRODUCTION ...... 5

A. PROJECT BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE ...... 5 B. OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE OF THE STUDY ...... 6 C. PROJECT AREA ...... 7 II. POLICY, LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK ...... 16

A. ADB SAFEGUARDS POLICY STATEMENT ...... 16 B. NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AND APPROVAL PROCEDURE ...... 16 C. INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS ...... 19 III. PROJECT DESCRIPTION ...... 20

A. SELECTED ROADS ...... 20 B. UJAR REGION ROADS ...... 21 C. ZARDAB REGION ROADS ...... 23 D. AGJABADI REGION ROADS ...... 31 E. YEVLAKH REGION ROADS...... 33 F. SHEKI REGION ROADS ...... 38 G. SIZE OR MAGNITUDE OF OPERATION ...... 43 H. NEED FOR THE PROJECT AND ALTERNATIVES ...... 44 IV. DESCRIPTION OF ENVIRONMENT ...... 45

A. PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT ...... 45 B. BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT ...... 52 C. SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT AND BENEFITS ...... 56 V. ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES ...... 57

A. IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES RELATED TO PRELIMINARY PLANNING AND DESIGN ...... 57 B. IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES REFERRING TO THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE ...... 57 C. IMPACTS DURING OPERATION STAGE ...... 61 D. COMMUNITY SAFETY ...... 61 VI. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN ...... 62

A. OBJECTIVES ...... 62 B. MONITORING AND REPORTING ...... 62 C. INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY ...... 63 VII. GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISM ...... 64

A. OBJECTIVE, AWARENESS, AND ACCESSIBILITY ...... 64 B. THE GRM PROCESS ...... 64 C. INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY ...... 64 D. ADB’S ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM ...... 65 VIII. INFORMATION DISCLOSURE, CONSULTATION AND PARTICIPATION ...... 66 IX. CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 66

ANNEX 1. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN...... 67 ANNEX 2: DISCLOSURE AND PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS ...... 75

Initial Environmental Examination Report for Rehabilitation of Local Roads in Ujar, Zardab, Agjabadi, Yevlakh, Sheki Regions Page 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. The Government of Azerbaijan has received Loan (3144-AZE) from Asian Development Bank (ADB) for construction of highways under the Second Road Network Development Investment Program (Program) Tranche 2 within the Multi-Tranche Financing Facility (MFF2). The State Agency of Azerbaijan on Automobile Roads (SAAAR) is an Executing Agency (EA) for the Program and will be for this Project too. Part of the fund under the MFF has been used for upgrading roads R32 road and M5, motorways of Azerbaijan. The EA expect savings around USD 15-20 Million (exc. VAT) under the loan that will be utilized for rehabilitating 10 existing local roads (62,5 km) in Ujar, Zardab, Agjabadi, Yevlakh and Sheki regions (Project). The rehabilitated local roads will improve accesses to R32 road and M5, and connectivity till end users and villagers to main roads and nearby markets that will support the Program‟s objectives. Construction Supervision Consultant and Contractors for upgrading of M5 and R32 road sections have been procured and construction is in progress.

2. The Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) has been carried out for the Project following ADB`s Safeguard Policy (SPS 2009), including environmental legislation and regulations of Azerbaijan, and international conventions as defined in Appendices I of ADB SPS 2009. The IEE identified the expected environmental impacts, provide measures for management and mitigation of adverse impacts related to local roads rehabilitation.

3. The Project impact will be minimum and temporary during construction work as the roads rehabilitation works will be carried out within the Right-of-Way (ROW) of the existing local roads, though certain impacts also occur in the operational stage. The IEE have reviewed environmentally sensitive receptors and the Project‟s potential impacts.

4. All road rehabilitation works will be carried out within existing Right of Way (ROW). Therefore, the magnitude of impacts will be minor and temporary during the construction phase. The identified impacts include:

(i) Noise impacts, emission of pollutants to air and vibration, which is especially of high significance within the settlements alongside the Project road and where sensitive receptors are located such as schools, hospitals; (ii) Potential impact on water courses and rivers, soil and vegetation, inclusive tree plantations alongside the Project road due to site clearance activities; (iii) Impacts from aggregate sourcing at borrow sites, asphalt plant and aggregate crushers; (iv) Impacts from bridge and drainage facilities rehabilitation and contractor's working camps;

5. The temporary impacts will be managed and mitigated as per mitigation measures provided in Environmental Management Plan following ADB SPS 2009 and laws of Azerbaijan. To avoid land acquisition and resettlement impact, embankments will be adjusted as per site conditions keeping carriageway parameters same. The Engineer will provide training to workers of Contractors to support implementation of the EMP as per ADB SPS (2009) and laws of Azerbaijan.

6. Project information disclosure and public consultations have been carried out in all 5 regions of the project in January 2020. Representatives of the PIU, CSC have presented the key information about the project, requirements of ADB SPS (2009) and laws of Azerbaijan on social and environmental safeguards and measures that will be applied during the project implementation, the GRM that will be during the Project‟s implementation.

Initial Environmental Examination Report for Rehabilitation of Local Roads in Ujar, Zardab, Agjabadi, Yevlakh, Sheki Regions Page 3 7. Rehabilitation of the local roads will improve social, agricultural, and economical opportunities and access of rural population to regional cities and the capital city-. This will make a significant positive impact in living standards of rural populations.

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I. INTRODUCTION

A. Project Background and Rationale

8. The Government of Azerbaijan has received Loan (3144-AZE) from Asian Development Bank (ADB) for construction of highways under the Second Road Network Development Investment Program (Program) Tranche 2 within the Multi-Tranche Financing Facility (MFF2). The State Agency of Azerbaijan on Automobile Roads (SAAAR) is an Executing Agency (EA) for the Program and will be for this Project too. Part of the fund under the MFF has been used for upgrading roads R32 road and M5, motorway of Azerbaijan. The EA expect savings around USD 15-20 Million (exc. VAT) under the loan that will be utilized for Rehabilitation of Local Roads in Ujar-Zardab-Agjabadi and Yevlakh-Sheki Regions (10 local roads, in total 62 km, hereinafter “Project)). The local roads provide accesses to R32 road and M5, improve connectivity till end users and villagers to access main roads and nearby markets that will support the Program‟s objectives. Construction Supervision Consultant (CSC) and Contractors for upgrading of M5 and R32 road sections have been procured and construction is in progress.

9. The EA has engaged the current SC (IRD Engineering SRL, Italy) for the proposed Project to conduct:

(i) Selection of local roads to be rehabilitated under this Loan, prepare designs, cost estimate, safeguard report, engineering report and bid documents for rehabilitation of these local roads and to assist SAAAR in bidding process and procurement of Contractors; (ii) Conducting survey of selected operational highways and identify a specific program of road safety measures.

10. The Project Implementation Unit (PIU) of the EA will be in charge of project management, among others, to ensure that appropriate budget will be provided for the implementation of social and environmental mitigation measures and monitoring, and ensure that the contract provisions are properly implemented.

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B. Objective and Scope of the Study

11. The environmental examination has been carried out and this IEE Report is prepared for the Project as per environmental laws of Azerbaijan, international conventions and procedures as defined in Appendix I of ADB`s Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS) (2009). The EA and ADB are committed to ensure the environmental sustainability by protecting the environment and people from potential adverse impacts of the Project. ADB‟s SPS (2009) objectives include:

(i) Avoid adverse social and environmental impacts of projects, where possible; (ii) Minimize, mitigate, and/or compensate adverse social and environmental impacts of projects when avoidance is not possible; and (iii) Help borrowers/clients to strengthen their safeguard systems and develop the capacity to manage environmental and social risks.

12. This IEE Report documents the environmental examination of the rehabilitation works for ten local roads and identifies potential environmental impacts to be considered in the Project planning and design stages following ADB‟s SPS (2009) and national laws. It provides information about:

(i) Baseline environmental setting of the project area, (ii) Potential environmental impacts of the project and mitigation measures, (iii) Disclosure and public consultations, (iv) Environmental management and monitoring plans, institutional responsibility, and grievance redress mechanism, monitoring and mitigation measures.

13. The scope of the examination includes all 10 local roads in five regions of Azerbaijan, as specified in the Project Description Section and Table 1. The study included analysis of collected topographic, demographic, technical and economic data for the proposed local roads. The study methodology also included:

(i) Review of the available project documents, environmental settings of the project area, review of the maps and existing road alignments, the parameters for the ROW; (ii) Site-visits and observations in the project area, and photo documentation of the Project sites and impact area, (iii) Stakeholders‟ consultations, meetings and discussions with local residents, contractors and local municipality;

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C. Project Area

UJAR REGION

14. The existing local roads for rehabilitation in Ujar region are (i) Alpi village road (Y-61- 07) and (ii) Gulebend village road (Y-61-08). The Alpi village has approximately 1,215 and Gulebend village approximately 1,103 residents. The main economical businesses of these villages are production of agricultural, poultry, live-stock products.

15. The Alpi village road crosses with the M2 Motorway, Baku-Alat-Gazakh-Georgian Border Road at km 232 of the motorway and the total length is 3,562.18 m. The width of the carriageway at the entrance of the existing road is 5.50 m, and the shoulders are 0.75 m wide. Starting from km 0+200 of the existing road pavement has extremely worn out. Starting from km 1+400 there is a need for widening of the road. Reconstruction activities will be followed based on the existing road alignment. Gas supply pipelines and irrigation channels exist on the left- and right sides of the existing road.

Figure 1: General layout of Alpi Village Road – Road 1

16. The Gulebend village road is located at km 233 of the M2 Motorway, Baku-Alat- Gazakh-Georgian Border Road and is 3,384.41 m in total length. The width of the carriageway at the entrance of the existing road is 4.00 m, and the shoulders are 0.5 m wide. Starting from km 0+050 the road pavement has extremely worn out. Reconstruction activities will be based on the existing road alignment. Starting from km 1+700 there is no pavement. Gas supply pipelines and irrigation channels exist on the left and right sides of the existing road.

Initial Environmental Examination Report for Rehabilitation of Local Roads in Ujar, Zardab, Agjabadi, Yevlakh, Sheki Regions Page 7

Figure 2: General layout of Gulebend Village Road (Y-61-08) – Road 2.

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ZARDAB REGION

17. During the visual site inspection Yarmemmedbagi-Pervanli (Y-63-08), Korpukend and Zardab-Alvand village roads (Y-63-15) were identified and selected to be rehabilitated according to their conditions. The main economical businesses of these villages are production of agricultural, poultry, live-stock products.

Figure 3: General layout of Yarmammadbagi – Pervanli Village Road, Y-63-08 – Road 3

18. Yarmammadbagi– Pervanli village road was located at km 41 of R32, Ujar-Zardab- Agjabadi road and the total length of these village roads is L=15,866.00 m. This village connects Yarmammadbagi and Pervanli villages. The existing width of the roads is 7.0 m. There is no pavement of these two village roads. Reconstruction activities will be followed based on the existing road alignment.

19. Korpukend village road was located in the vicinity of R32 and M-2 road junction at km 11 in Zardab region has a total length of 4,658.30 m. The width of the carriageway at the entrance of the existing road is 5.00 m, and the shoulders are 1.0 m wide. There is no pavement till km 1+000 that exists. Starting from km 1+000 the pavement has seriously worn out. Reconstruction activities will be followed based on the existing road alignment.

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Figure 4: General layout of Korpukend Village Road, Y-63-11 – Road 4

20. Alvand village road is a branch road of Zardab-Chol Arab road and is L=5,030.00 m long. The village is known as one of the ancient villages of Zardab region for the historical discoveries found in the village area. The width of the existing road is 7.0 m and it has no pavement. Reconstruction activities will be followed on the existing road alignment.

Figure 5. General layout of Alvand village road, Y-63-15 – Road 5

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AGJABADI REGION

During the visual site inspection Shenlikkend village road was identified and selected to be rehabilitated according to their conditions. Demographic information for Shenlikkend village of Agjabadi region is as follow: Shenlikkend village: approximately 3,101 persons. The main economical businesses of this village are production of agricultural, sugar-cane, sunflower, poultry, and live-stock products. There is a cultural-historical house in Shenlikkend which displays the ancient history of Agjabadi region.

Shenlik village road, Y-04-20 – Road 6

21. Shenlik village road is a branch of R32, Ujar-Zardab-Agjabadi Road and is L=10,236.74 m in total. The width of the carriageway of the existing road is 7.0 m wide. There is no pavement on the road. Reconstruction activities will be followed on the existing road alignment.

Figure 6. General layout of Shenlik village road, Y-04-20 – Road 6

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YEVLAKH REGION

22. The Gushchu (Y-66-01) and Qaraoglan village roads (Y-66-02) roads are selected to be rehabilitated according to their conditions. Population in (i) Gushchu village is approximately 800 persons; and (ii) Qaraoglan village approximately 1,196 persons. The main economic activities of these villages are production of agricultural, poultry, live-stock, and wool products.

23. Gushchu village road crosses with M-4, Baku--Yevlakh Motorway at km 263 of the Motorway and its length is 3,222.56 m. The width of the carriageway of road at the entrance is 6.0 m, and the shoulders are 0.75 m wide. Starting from km 0+200 the pavement of the existing road has seriously worn out. Starting from km 0+700 the rest section of the road has no pavement. Reconstruction activities will be followed on the existing road‟s alignment.

Figure 7. General layout of Gushchu Village Road

Garaoglan Village Road, Y-66-02 – Road 8

24. Garaoglan village road crosses with M-4, Baku-Shamakhi-Yevlakh Motorway at km 270 of the Motorway and its length is 4,366.03 m. The width of the carriageway of road at the entrance is 6.0 m, and the shoulders are 1.00 m wide. Starting from km 0+050 the pavement of the existing road has seriously worn out. Starting from km 0+700 the rest section of the road has no pavement. There is an existing bus stop in a poor condition at km 2+500 on the right-hand side. Reconstruction activities will be followed based on the existing road alignment.

Initial Environmental Examination Report for Rehabilitation of Local Roads in Ujar, Zardab, Agjabadi, Yevlakh, Sheki Regions Page 12

Figure 8. General layout of Garaoglan Village Road

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SHEKI REGION

25. During the visual site inspection Derejennet (Y-55-04) and Tepejennet village roads were identified and selected to be rehabilitated according to their conditions. Demographic information for the listed villages of Sheki region is as follow: (i) Derejennet village: approximately 879 persons; (ii) Tepejennet village: approximately 590 persons. The main economic activities of these villages are production of agricultural, poultry, live-stock products.

26. Derejennet village road crosses with M-5, Yevlakh-Zagatala-Georgian Border Road at km 34 of the road and its total length is 6,180.00 m. The width of the carriageway of road at the entrance is 6.0 m, and the shoulders are 1.00 m wide. Starting from km 0+000 the pavement of the existing road has seriously worn out. Starting from km 2+800 the rest section of the road has no pavement. Rehabilitation works will be on the existing road alignment.

Figure 9. General layout of Derejennet Village Road

Tepejennet Village Road – Road 10

27. Tepejennet village road splits from Y-55-04, Jafarabad-Aydinbulag-Ashagi Dashagil road in Jafarabad area and its total length is 5,174.78 m. The width of the carriageway of road at the entrance is 4.5 m, and the shoulders are 0.50 m wide. Starting from km 1+000 the pavement of the existing road has seriously worn out. There are no culverts or bridges on this road. Reconstruction activities will be followed based on the existing road alignment.

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Figure 10. General layout of Tepejennet Village Road

28. Thus, the magnitude of the impacts that may arise during the construction phase will be a very small and temporary. The impacts will be removed by proposed mitigation measures and will be regulate in accordance with the management plan. According to examination and assessment the following impacts can be determined:

(i) Existing trees and bushes along the proposed road alignment; (ii) Residential buildings and other sensitive facilities throughout the villages which are located in proposed road alignment; (iii) Part of the road passing on channel and river; (iv) Irrigation pipes under the proposed road; (v) Roadside agricultural lands, planted the different types of crops;

29. Impacts to trees, bushes and plantings: There is no variation in the existing road alignment for proposed local roads. Trees and bushes lie far to the carriageway of existing road. The Project road rehabilitation will be conducted within the existing RoW and consequently the core impact area will be confined to the construction corridor only.

30. Other impacts refer to negative interferences which do not cause the loss of structures but nevertheless cause the reduction of environmental quality. Examples are the negative effects of noise emissions, the effects of emissions of pollutants or the occurrence of increased erosion due to malfunctioning of culverts or lack of retention basins. A detailed description of the impacts is given in the chapter on impacts and mitigation measures.

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II. POLICY, LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK

A. ADB Safeguards Policy Statement

31. ADB‟s SPS (2009) requires potential environmental impacts of projects should be identified, wherever possible, impact should be avoided, minimized. Unavoidable impacts should be mitigated and compensated according to ADB SPS (2009) and national laws. The project impacts are categorized and requirements are as follows:

(i) Category A: Projects with potential for significant adverse environmental impacts. An environmental impact assessment and a summary EIA (SEIA) are required to address significant impacts. (ii) Category B: Projects judged to have some adverse environmental impacts, but of lesser degree and/or significance than those for category A projects. An initial environmental examination and a summary IEE are required to determine whether or not significant environmental impacts warranting an EIA are likely. If an EIA is not needed, the IEE is regarded as the final environmental assessment report. (iii) Category C: Projects unlikely to have adverse environmental impacts. No EIA or IEE is required, although environmental implications are still reviewed. (iv) Category FI: Projects are classified as category FI if they involve a credit line through a financial intermediary or an equity investment in a financial intermediary. The financial intermediary must apply an environmental management system, unless all subprojects will result in insignificant impacts.

B. National Environmental Laws and Approval Procedure

32. Constitution of Azerbaijan provides principles for environmental protection, ownership of natural resources and preservation of cultural heritage. Article 14 of Chapter III (Basic rights and liberties of a person and citizen) entails the state ownership of natural resources in Azerbaijan, without prejudice to rights and interests of any physical persons and legal entities. Article 39 constitutes the rights of everyone to live in a healthy environment, to gain information about true ecological situation and to get compensation for damage done to his/her health and property because of violation of ecological requirements. Article 40 states the rights to practice and participate in culture and protection of historical, cultural, and spiritual inheritance and memorials. In Chapter IV (Main responsibilities of citizens), Article 77 states the responsible for protection of historical and cultural memorials; while Article 78 stipulates the citizen‟s responsibility for protection of environment.

26. Environmental impacts management are regulated by following laws and decrees:

(i) Parliamentary legislation that defines and establishes the State regulation of protected natural areas, protection and use of the environment and biodiversity; (ii) Presidential Decrees and Orders and Resolutions of Cabinet of Ministers ; (iii) By-laws of the executive authorities (Ministries and Committees); (iv) International Agreements and Conventions to which Azerbaijan is a signatory.

33. The Law of Azerbaijan on Environmental Protection (1999) provides specific regulations. and legal, economic and social bases for environmental protection measures. The objective is to protect and ensure an environmental balance, safety and prevent hazardous impact of projects and industry on natural ecological systems. The Law envisages measures for preservation of biological diversity and proper use of natural resources. Table 1 below provides summary of laws and regulations on environmental protection related to the Project.

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Table 1: Relevant Laws and Regulations on Environmental Protection and Road Rehabilitation

Reference Summary description Law on Environment The general framework for all national objectives in the area Protection, 9 February 1999 of environmental protection The Law defines legal bases of ecological safety as component safety of the state, society and population, the establishment of legal bases for protection of life and health of the person, society, its material and moral values, environment, including atmospheric air, space, water objects, resources of the ground, natural landscape, plants and animals from danger, arising as a result influence natural and anthropogenic action. Law on Ecological Safety Requires identification of the impact on the environment (04.08.1999) caused by any activities, examines the results of such impacts and predicts possible impacts in accordance with the environmental requirements and the qualitative parameters of the environment. Article 54: Objects of the Defines the types of project which require compulsory State Ecological Expertise "State Ecological Expertise (SEE)', i.e. to undergo the systematic EIA process. Articles 35, 36, 37, and 38: During the feasibility study, it should be confirmed that the Ecological Demands during project will comply with the: Project Design and (i) maximum permitted discharges and emissions of Implementation. pollutants in the natural environment maximum permitted noise and vibration levels, and other harmful physical influences as well as health norms and standards of hygiene. EIA Handbook for Regulations on EA in Azerbaijan which define the type of Azerbaijan projects requiring EA, the contents of an EA document, the (UNDP), 1996. roles and responsibilities of the developer and the competent national authorities, the procedures for public participation and the appeal process Law on Automobile Roads: Spells out that any construction or reconstruction of roads Section 39: Protection of requires the official approval of the Azerbaijan State Environment, March 10, Ecological Expertise, must introduce state of the art 2000. technology, and chemicals used must be environmentally benign. The unit of the Ministry responsible for road environment must approve the environmental, health and safety norms of the construction. Guidelines for Road Addresses environmental issues in road design, Construction, Management construction, and maintenance. and Design, February 7, 2000. Part I: Planning of Requires minimizing the impacts on the ecological, Automobile Roads. geological, hydrogeological, and other natural conditions, by implementing adequate protection measures. Part II: Construction and Requires consideration of appropriate protection measures, Reconstruction of which shall contribute to the maintenance of stable Automobile Roads. ecological and geological conditions as well as natural balance. Section III: Protection of the General overview on the protection of environment Environment Reg. 514-1Q-98: Requirements for industry and enterprises for

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Regulation on Industrial implementation of standards and norms of environmental and Municipal Waste. protection for waste when designing, constructing, or reconstructing. SNIP III-4-80: Norms of Detailed regulations on construction worker‟s health and Construction Safety. safety. Chapters 2 and 5 provide the organizational procedure of construction and work sites and transport sites. Annex 9 contains standards on maximum concentrations of toxic substances in the air of working zones; Annex 11 specifically requires that workers need to be informed and trained about sanitation and health care issues and the specific hazards of their work. SNIP 2.05.02-85 Indicates the general need to minimize adverse Building Code & environmental impacts in road design and provides, for Regulations for Automobile instructions on the removal and re-use of top soil (no. 3.4); Roads Ch. 3: the need to provide buffer between the road and populated Environmental Protection. areas and to carry out noise reduction measures to assure compliance with the relevant sanitary norms (no. 3.9); on the dumping of excess materials (no. 3.12); Safety Regulations for Compilation of safety rules related to technical safety Construction, requirements of road construction equipment, rehabilitation Rehabilitation, and of bridge, operation and maintenance of asphalt plants, Maintenance of Roads, working with toxic substances, working in borrow sites etc. 1978. Law on Sanitary and General framework provisions on the requirement to Epidemiological Safety, provide healthy and safe conditions at workplaces and work 1993 Section III: camps (and many others) in compliance with the relevant Responsibilities of State sanitary hygiene, construction regulations, and norms Bodies, Agencies, (particularly items 14, 15 and 16). Companies on the Provision of Sanitary and Epidemiological Safety VSN 8-89 Comprehensive provisions on environmental protection Regulations on measures in road construction such as use of soils, Environmental Protection in protection of surface and groundwater resources, protection Construction, Rehabilitation of flora and , use, preparation and storage of road and Maintenance of Roads. construction machinery and materials, servicing of construction machinery; temporary structures, temporary roads, fire protection, borrow pits and material transport, avoidance of dust, protection of soils from pollution, prevention of soil erosion etc. The appendices to this document also give standards for maximum permitted concentrations of toxic substances; noise control measures; soil pollution through losses of oil and fuel from construction equipment; quality of surface water. Sanitary Norms CH Ambient noise quality standards for residential, commercial 2.2.4/2.1.8.562-96; 1997. and industrial areas, hospitals and schools (day/night standards); Decree of Cabinet of Its objective of this Decree is to strengthen the protection of Ministers of Azerbaijan No. trees and bushes not included in the forest foundation. It is 173 dated September 19, included the planted trees in strips separating the railways 2005 “Regulations on Use, and highways, canals and other water bodies. Protection and Preservation of Trees and Bushes not included in the forest foundation”

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C. International Environmental Agreements

27. Constitution of Azerbaijan, Article 151 provides in case of collisions between the laws of Azerbaijan and international treaties to which the Republic of Azerbaijan is a party, the international treaties shall prevail (with the exception of the Constitution of Azerbaijan and the acts passed by Referendum). This principle is stated in Articles 81 and 82, Chapter 14 (International Cooperation on Environment Protection Issues) of the Law on Environmental Protection. Azerbaijan is signatory to most international agreements and conventions relating to environment as follows:

(i) UNESCO Convention on Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage 1993; (ii) UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, 1995 (Azerbaijan ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change on 1995 and ratified the Kyoto Protocol on 2000); (iii) Convention of the World Meteorological Organization, 1993; (iv) Meteorological Service for International Air Navigation (Annex 3 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, 1992); (v) Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (1998; (vi) European Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in the Trans-boundary Context, 1999; (vii) European Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, 1999; (viii) UN Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus Convention), 1999 (ix) Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, 2000 (x) Convention on Biological Diversity, 2000; (xi) International Convention on Plant Protection, 2000; (xii) UN Convention on the Protection and Use of Trans-boundary Watercourses and International Lakes, 2000 (Republic of Azerbaijan ratified this Convention in 2000 and 2002 the Protocol on Water and Health dated June 17, 1999 of that convention); (xiii) UNESCO Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat, 2000 ; (xiv) UN Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, 2001 (xv) Convention on Long-Range Trans-Boundary Air Pollution, 2002; (xvi) Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, 2003; (xvii) Convention on the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents, 2004; (xviii) Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the , 2006; (xix) European Landscape Convention, 2011.

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III. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

A. Selected Roads

28. The SC with the EA has conducted roads examination to select the local roads with priority rehabilitation needs. Ten local roads including 2 roads in Ujar, 3 roads in Zardab, 1 road in Agjabadi, 2 roads in Yevlakh and 2 roads in Sheki regions, in total length of 61.681 km road, have been selected and prioritized for immediate rehabilitation due to their existing poor and unsatisfactory conditions (Table 1). All road rehabilitation works will be carried out within existing Right of Way (ROW). Therefore, the magnitude of impacts will be minor and temporary during the construction phase. The temporary impacts will be managed and mitigated as per mitigation measures provided in Environmental Management Plan, following ADB‟s Safeguards Policy Statement (SPS 2009) and laws of Azerbaijan.

29. As per the project documents, the lane width of local roads to be rehabilitated will be 3.00 m, two-lane road, and width of shoulders on both sides within the existing ROW be 2.00m of which 0.50m will be paved, 1.50 m be fortify by gravel. The width of the existing local roads is between 10-12 m. Rehabilitation of the local roads will be carried out under 2 (two) independent packages and roads will be rehabilitated to category IV. To avoid land acquisition, embankment will be adjusted as per site conditions keeping carriageway parameters same. Design documents provide details about the current road conditions and the technical design of roads rehabilitation works. Summary description of roads conditions follows below:

Table 2. Selected local roads Index and No. of № Names of roads Length (km) roads Ujar region 1 Y-61-07 M-2 (232 km) – Alpi 3,562.18

2 Y-61-08 M-2 (233 km) – Gulebend 3,384.41 Zardab region R-32 (41 km) – 1 Y-63-08 15,866.00 Yarmemmedbagi-Pervanli 2 Y-63-11 (11 km) – Korpukend 4,658.30

3 Y-63-15 Zardab-Alvand 5,030.00

Agjabadi region 1 Y-04-20 (7 km) – Shenlikkend 10,236.74 Yevlakh region 1 Y-66-01 M-4 (263 km) – Gushchu 3,222.56

2 Y-66-02 M-4 (270 km) – Qaraoglan 4,366.03

Sheki region 1 Y-55-04 M-5 (34 km) – Derejennet 6,180.00

2 Y-55-07 (5 km) – Tepejennet 5,174.78 Total: 61,681.00 km

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B. Ujar Region Roads

26. The existing metal water pipes, reinforced-concrete and asbestos pipe culverts exist which need to be rehabilitated. The general condition of the existing culverts was shown at the photographs. Group of photos below in Figure 11 describes the conditions of each village road.

Alpi Village Road, Y-61-07 – Road 1

Figure 11: Existing conditions at various sections of the Alpi village road

27. Group of photos in Figure 12 below describes the conditions of each village‟s roads.

Gulebend Village Road, Y-61-08 – Road 2

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Figure 12: Existing road conditions at various sections of the Gulebend village road

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C. Zardab Region Roads

28. Numbers of existing metal water pipes, reinforced and asbestos pipe culverts need rehabilitation. General condition of the existing roads and culverts in shown group photos in Figures 13-16.

Yarmammadbagi – Pervanli Village Road, Y-63-08 – Road

Figure 13. Existing road conditions at various sections of the Yarmammadbagi – Pervanli Village road

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Figure 14. Group photos

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Figure 15. Group photos

Figure 16. Group photos

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Korpukend Village Road, Y-63-11 – Road 4

29. Existing road conditions at various sections of the village road shown in Figures 17-18.

Figure 17. Existing road conditions at various sections of the Korpukend Village road

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Figure 18. Group photos

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Alvand Village Road, Y-63-15 – Road 5

30. Existing road conditions at various sections of the village road shown in Figures 19-21.

Figure 19. Existing road conditions at various sections of the Alvand Village road

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Figure 20.

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Figure 21.

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D. Agjabadi Region Roads

31. Numbers of existing metal water pipes, reinforced pipe culverts need rehabilitation. General condition of the existing culverts and roads shown in photos in Figure 22.

Shenlik Village Road, Y-04-20 – Road 6

Figure 22. Existing road conditions at various sections of the Shenlik Village road

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32. There are 2 (two) existing bridges installed on steel pipes on Shenlik village road. The bridge located at km 3+300 of the existing road is 5.0 m wide and 25.0 m long. The other bridge is located at km 7+550 of the existing road, its width is 6.0 m, and length 12.0 m. The current conditions of these bridges are shown in photos in Figures 23-24.

Figure 23.

Figure 24

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E. Yevlakh Region Roads

33. Photos in Figure 25 below describe the conditions of each village road.

Gushchu Village Road, Y-66-01 – Road 7

Figure 25. Existing road conditions at various sections of the Gushchu Village road

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34. Numbers of existing metal water pipes, reinforced and asbestos pipe culverts need rehabilitation. The general condition of the existing culverts in group of photos Figure 26.

Figure 26

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Garaoglan Village Road, Y-66-02 – Road 8

35. Photos in Figures 27-29 below describe the conditions of each village road.

Figure 27. Existing road conditions at various sections of the Garaoglan Village road

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Figure 28.

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Figure 29.

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F. Sheki Region Roads

36. Numbers of existing metal water pipes need rehabilitation. General condition of the existing roads and pipes shown in group of photos Figure 30.

Derejennet Village Road, Y-55-04 – Road 9

Figure 30. Existing road conditions at various sections of the Derejennet Village road

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37. There is 1 (one) existing bridge built by steel and concrete on the road. This bridge is located at km 0+700, its width is 6.0 m, and length 7.0 m. Current condition of the road and bridge is shown at the group photos in Figures 31-33.

Figure 31

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Figure 32.

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Tepejennet Village Road

38. Photos in Figures 33-34 below describe the conditions of each village road.

Figure 33. Existing road conditions at various sections of the Tepejennet Village road

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Figure 34

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G. Size or Magnitude of Operation

39. The Project will rehabilitate in total 61,681 km of existing local roads within the existing ROW. No additional driving lanes will be constructed within the scope of work of this Project and rehabilitation works are restricted to the existing ROW of the already existing roads. Therefore, environmental impacts will be to a technically possible minimum. The Project will involve utilization of existing borrow pits and quarries, operation of asphalt plants and aggregate crusher, establishment of contractor‟s worker camps and storage sites, etc.

40. Traffic Volume. Traffic growth forecasts have been developed with regard to the existing traffic volumes on the project road, as revealed by the traffic surveys, and anticipated national and regional economic development.

41. Proposed Schedule for Implementation. The schedule for the construction activities has not been decided at the time of preparation of this report.

42. Proposed rehabilitation measures. Design characteristics of cross section are:

(i) Embankment width: 10.0 m (ii) Number of lanes: 2 (iii) Lane width: 3 m (iv) Carriageway width: 6 m (2 x 3.m) (v) Width of shoulder: 2m (2x2m; of which 0.50m will be paved ) (vi) Carriageway gradient: 2% (vii) Shoulder inclination: 2% (viii) Embankment slope ratio (v & h): (ix) 1:3 up to 2.5m height of embankment slope; (x) 1:2 > 2.5m to 4.0m height of embankment slope; (xi) 1;1.5 > 4.0 m height of embankment.

Figure 35. Typical Road cross-section

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43. Culverts crossing with road in different diameters exist in the different part of project alignment. Accordingly, existing culverts will be rehabilitated.

44. Road Construction Materials and Quarries. Construction materials required for the Project include: (i) sand/silt/gravel for embankment construction; (ii) gravel, rock and stone for base / sub-base; (iii) bitumen for wearing course; (iv) concrete for bridges / culverts; and (v) Topsoil for covering of embankments / landscaping.

45. The existing borrow pits and quarries in Ujar, Agjabadi, Yevlakh and Sheki regions which are under operation for a long time will be used and have the access roads.:

H. Need for the Project and Alternatives

46. Rehabilitation of the existing local roads is required to will improve social, agricultural, and economical opportunities and access of rural population to regional cities, markets and the capital city-Baku. This will make a positive impact in their living standards.

47. Traffic, especially heavy traffic will further increase. Considering the already described deficiencies of the Project roads, especially with regard to traffic safety and considering that sections of the road show severe rutting and frequent undulations which are signs of insufficient bearing capacity for actual traffic load, the rehabilitation Project is urgently needed.

48. No alternatives need to be investigated for these projects. Because the rehabilitation will be confined to the existing alignment of local village roads.

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IV. DESCRIPTION OF ENVIRONMENT

A. Physical Environment

49. Azerbaijan is situated in the Alps-Himalayan mountain belt. The three mountain ranges are the Greater and Lesser Caucasus and the Talish Mountains together covering approximately 40 % of the country. The highest point in the country is the Mount Bazarduzu (4,485 m above sea level) situated in the . Lowlands and plains make up the other 60 % of the country. 18% of the country is below sea level. The lowest point is the Caspian Sea (- 28 m under sea level). Azerbaijan is located in an active seismic zone.

50. Project area is located at – Araz lowland is a vast depression in central-southern part of the country defined by the valleys of the Kura and Rivers. It is delimited by the Greater Caucasus from the North, Lesser Caucasus from the West, Caspian Sea from the East and the Talish Mountains from the South. The lands in existing road alignment are agricultural land, some of them are used for the cultivation of agricultural crops, and some are pastures. The following sections describe the non-biotic environmental components including Geology, Soils, Climate, Air Quality, Noise and Hydrology.

51. Geologically, a large part of the study area belongs to the Neozoic group made of Middle Quaternary formations consisting of loams, sands, shingles, andesite, and basalts. In terms of landscape relief, the initial part between Xaldan and Ayrichay River can be described by the existence of arid and denuded mountains with elevations varying from 250m to 750m and characterized by intensively partitioned, folded ridges and chines. Numerous bedlands and loamy karst occur in these types of relief.

1. Geology and Soils

52. Major soil types along the project roads corridors are meadow gray, meadow and meadow-forest riparian. At the start of the road in Ujar up to Zardab intersection (km 30), the predominant soil is the sierozem soils (meadow gray soil). This soil typically occurs in areas of dry climate, 150 m elevation, and precipitation of around 200m. The soil has a moisture content of 0.10-0.15; bio-climate potential co-efficient of 0.8-1.8; ph of 8.4-8.9; and water- stability of structure is 26. Its granulometric composition is as follows: loamy – 0.78; heavy- loam – 0.60; medium-loamy – 1.0; light-loamy – 0.73; loamy sand is absent. This soil has a very low erodibility (erodibility is 0.2-1.0 km/km2) and a salinity of 0.42-1.0 g/m3. The sierozem soil is generally semi-dry, dry steppe, and light loamy type. For agricultural use this soil has low and medium quality, quite salty and suitable for winter pastures and cereals or cotton cultivation.

53. Ujar-Zardab-Agjabadi. After Zardab intersection main soil types is meadow – forest riparian. This soil typically occurs in areas of dry climate, 50-200 m elevation, and precipitation of around 200m. Degree of moisture is 0.20-0.25; humus coefficient is 3.0; ph is 7.5-8.2; and water-stability structure is 48. Its granulometric composition is as follows: loamy – 0.80; heavy-loam – 0.90; medium-loamy – 1.0; light-loamy – 0.89; loamy sand is absent. Its erodibility varies from 0.2-1.00 km/km2; and its salinity is between 0.56-1.0 g/m3. These soil characteristics indicate that this type of soil is plain dry steppe, with medium loamy structure, low coefficient of erodibility, of medium degree of salinity and low bio-climate potential. This kind of soil is mostly suitable for winter pastures and good for cultivation of grains and cotton.

54. Yevlakh-Sheki. Major soil types along the road corridors are (meadow gray) chestnut, meadow, mountain-forest brown and gray-fulvous soils. Predominant soil is sierozem soils (meadow gray soil) No 8. This soil typically occurs in areas of dry climate, 150m elevation, and precipitation of around 200m. The soil has a moisture content of 0.10-0.15; bio-climate potential coefficient of 0.8-1.8; ph of 8.4-8.9; and water-stability of structure is 26. Its

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granulometric composition is as follows: loamy – 0.78; heavy-loam – 0.60; medium-loamy – 1.0; light-loamy – 0.73; loamy sand is absent. This soil has a very low erodibility (erodibility is 0.2-1.0 km/km2) and a salinity of 0.42-1.0 g/m3. 55.

Rd. Sheki Sheki

M5

Figure 36: Geologic Map for M-5 & R-57 Roads

56. In addition, the sierozem soil is generally semi-dry, dry steppe, and light loamy type. Between Alinjachay and Ayrichay Rivers and Sheki, the Chestnut soil No 6 is the main soil type. This soil is commonly found in areas with elevations between 300-500m, and an average precipitation of 300-450mm. Its bio-climate potential coefficient is 1.80-2.20; degree of moisture is 0.20-0.25; humus coefficient is 3.0; ph is 7.5-8.2; and water-stability structure is 48. Its granulometric composition is as follows: loamy – 0.80; heavy-loam – 0.90; medium- loamy – 1.0; light-loamy – 0.89; loamy sand is absent. Its erodibility varies from 0.2-1.00 km/km2; and its salinity is between 0.56-1.0 g/m3. The soil characteristics indicate that this type of soil is plain dry steppe, with medium loamy structure, low coefficient of erodibility, medium degree of salinity and low bio-climate potential. This soil type is mostly suitable for winter pastures, cultivation of grains and sturdy plants such as vines.

57. At along the Project roads, the Mountain-forest brown soils No 3 is another major soil in the area that can be found in spots separated and enveloped by original meadow soils. This soil type exists in areas with elevation of 200-1200 m and average precipitation of 550-700 mm. This soil has a bio-climate potential coefficient of 1.8-2.3; moisture content of 0.25-0.45; water-stability structure of 78; humus coefficient of 3.0; and ph of 7.0-7.5. This soil‟s granulometric composition is as follows: loamy – 0.80; heavy-loam – 0.90; medium-loamy – 1.0; light-loamy – 0.89; loamy sand – 0.60. Erodibility varies from 0.2 to1.00 km/km2. Generally, this soil occurs in semi-dry to semi-wet, mountain-forest, heavy loamy areas and slightly susceptible to erosion. For agricultural purposes, the soil is of good quality, non- saline and moderately productive with good level of active temperatures (3000-4200 ∑To>10oC). These soils were previously habitats of oak trees.

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2. Climate

58. Azerbaijan is situated on the northern edge of the subtropical zone and has continental climate. Its climatic diversity is due to its particular geographical location and landscape, the proximity of the Caspian Sea, the effect of sun‟s radiation and air masses of different origin. The weather in the lowlands is arid, with average summer temperature over 22 °C. In the mountain regions, temperature can fall below 0 °C in winter and in severe frost may occur. Humid tropical weather prevails in the coastal zone near the Caspian Sea, mainly in lowlands in the southeast. The estimated average precipitation is 447 mm/year.

59. Ujar-Zardab-Agjabadi. Project area is located in the semi-desert dry step zone with hot summer and mild winter. Rainfall ranges between 200 – 400 mm with less than 70 – 90 rainy days during the year. Spring and autumn months are most rainy seasons of the year.

60. Yevlakh-Sheki. The Project climate varies from semi-deserts on the plains and dry steppes on arid hills at initial part with mild winter and dry hot summer. The climate gradually changes to much colder and more humid climate with increasing elevation as the project road M-5 proceeds to Sheki. The average temperature at the initial part is 14-14.5 oC. The minimum temperature in Yevlakh is -18 oC with the maximum temperature at +42 oC. The average annual rainfall in the plains and dry Bozdag hills is around 300mm, in Ayrichay valley in Qax district it is 800 mm. The rainfall in Yevlakh is even throughout the year.

61. Cyclones and anticyclones and different air masses and local type winds influence the climate of the city. The arctic and temperate air masses entering the area in the winters cause the warm weather in the city. The mountain winds form in the city in summers due to the difference in the pressure between the mountains and valleys. The Major Caucasus prevents cold winds from entering the territory from the North. The average temperature in winter totals 0.5 oC in January. The average annual temperature equals 12 oC in Sheki. It hesitates between 20-25 oC in July and August. The strong winds (the speed exceeding 15 M/cm) are seldom observed in the region, the annual number of windy days totals just 10-12 days. The disastrous weather with the wind blowing at least 1 meter/second is often observed in Sheki. The annual volume of precipitation is 730 mm in May, June, September and October for the most part. The precipitation is the lowest in August (35 mm), January (29 mm) and February (36 mm). The precipitation totals 775 mm in village Kish and over 1000 mm in Khan plateau. The region is characterized with floods, storms, hail and other natural disasters.

62. At the lowlands, the wind blows in the northwest direction during wintertime, and southeast in summer. In the valley at the Main Ridge of Greater Caucasus and Bozdag hills, the winter winds blow parallel with the valley – northwest; while the summer winds mainly blow in the north direction. In summertime, the wind blows daily at the foothills of mountains, that is up the mountains from the ravine during the day, and in a reversed direction in the evening.

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3. Air Quality and Noise

63. Ujar-Zardab-Agjabadi. Average annual air temperature ranges between +14 - 15°C. Number of days with snow is reported to be 20. Frost periods are short and usually do not exceed 1-2 days. Details for each district are given at Table 12 and illustrated in Figure 23.

Table 3. Main Climatic Features of the Study Area District Features Ujar Zardab Agjabadi Annual rainfall (mm) 350 – 400 335 300 - 500 Average temperature in summer (oC) + 25 – 30 + 27 + 25 - 30 Average temperature in winter (oC) + 3 + 3 + 1,2 – 1,7 Number of snow days per annum 10 – 20 10 - 20 10 - 20

Figure 37. Annual mean temperature and precipitation (mm) in Azerbaijan

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11 The prevailing wind directions are southeast in summer and northwest in winter. Average wind speeds are comparatively low in this part of Azerbaijan. Wind speeds are between 0 - 12,5 m/s on average throughout the study area. Figure below describes the climate features of Azerbaijan and project area (Figure 23):

Figure 38

12 The air quality in this area is generally good. There is not any industrial facility causing air pollution along the project corridor. In general, the main source of air pollution is dust eroded from flat, dry, un-vegetated agricultural or barren land soil surfaces by the wind. And also, the emissions from vehicles. But both sources cause minimal pollution in the Project area.

13 The trend in emissions from stationary sources in the districts where the Project Area is located is shown below in Table 13. As seen from these figures anthropogenic load to atmosphere has substantially decreased in the past.

Table 4. Total Emission of Air Pollutants into air from Stationary Sources by Towns and Regions (Thousand Ton)

Area 2010 2012 2013 2014 2015 Azerbaijan 214,8 226,5 197,3 189,3 178,0 Ujar 0,09 0,01 0,01 0,01 0,02 Zardab 0,005 0,02 0,01 0,009 0,01 Agjabadi 0,02 0,03 0,04 0,07 0,03

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14 Yevlakh-Sheki. Noise and air quality impact from local roads rehabilitation works are expected to be minor. Nevertheless, a detailed baseline measurement and noise modelling for actual and future traffic as well as construction activities will be undertaken.

15 Open pit quarrying is on-going at the river banks of a number of major rivers. Extraction and transport of aggregates will be by usage of hauling trucks and heavy equipment. Dust nuisance can be also expected from these quarry sites especially during the dry periods as the wind carries dust particles from the disturbed areas from the quarry. Apart from these places, air quality is not considered critical.

16 Sheki Electric Power Station is a major industrial facility in the Project area located at the junction with the road that goes to Sheki. The power plant uses natural gas to produce electricity. The burning of natural gas is less detrimental to the environment than petroleum fuel or coal, resulting to less emission to the atmosphere. Neither other major industrial plant, nor factory was found along the road that contributes to air quality problems in Project area.

4. Hydrology

17 Ujar-Zardab-Agjabadi. The main sources of water in Azerbaijan are the surface waters. However, only 24 of the 8350 rivers are greater than 100 km in length. All the rivers drain into the Caspian in the east of the country, through three main river basins - the Caspian Basin, (rivers draining directly into the Caspian), the Kura basin (in western and central Azerbaijan) and the Araz basin. The average density of river networks is 0.39 km per km2, with most of the rivers occurring in the Kura basin.

18 Out of 300 natural lakes in Azerbaijan, only six cover more than 10km2 of land area. The total area of these six lakes makes up 83 % (250 km2) of the total lake area. The lakes of the Kura and Araz basins (in the lowlands) are affected by upstream water management, causing an increase in salinity (5000-13000 mg/L), and a reduction in fish populations. Lakes on the (on the shores of the Caspian) have become salinated as a result of upstream management and polluted by industrial and domestic waste (especially from oil fields). In addition, the number and size of lakes in this area are being artificially increased. Lakes in the mountainous area tend to be small (the total area of the 90 mountain lakes is 2 km2), but face few anthropogenic threats due to distance from settlements and industry.

19 In the last 40-50 years many water reservoirs have increased five-fold, so that they now cover 1070 km2. Total volume of these artificial lakes is 22.66 km3, but only 11.24 km3 is usable water. The biggest of these by far is Reservoir, located along the Kura River which has a total volume of 16 km3 and covers some 625km2. The water in reservoirs is used primarily for electricity production and irrigation purposes. A dense network of channels irrigates more than 1300 ha of drought prone land. The channels also carry clean water to settlements, though about 40% of fresh water in Azerbaijan is taken from subsoil reserves.

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20 Yevlakh-Sheki. Along the M-5 segment there are three (3) major surface waters that are being crossed by, namely Alijanchay (km 1+759.50), Upper Channel (km 9+413.00) and Dahnachay (km 35+693.00). While along R-57 Segment the surface water crossed are Boyukkobu stream (km 00+600.00), Boyukkobu stream tributary (km 01+240.00), Sariqobu stream (km 04+740.00) and Qarasu River (05+273.00). The rivers and the Upper Shirvan Channel are shown in the below map. At all river crossings the existing bridges will be replaced as shown below. Figure 39: Rivers crossed by the Project Road

21 Alijanchay River has a huge watershed which starts from the Greater Caucasus Mountain at Oghuz and flows southward and discharges into Kur River at Yevlakh. The Upper Shirvan Channel is 123 km long with a discharge of 78 m3/sec., taking its supply from . Dahnachay is a minor branch of river that comes from the foothill of Greater Caucasus Mountain at Aliyar in the north and dissipates southwest of Boyuk Dahna.

22 At around 10-12km from the start of the M-5, on the western side, the Mingachevir Water Reservoir can be seen. This reservoir is the largest irrigation water reservoir constructed in 1953 on the Kur River. Irrigation water is being withdrawn from this reservoir via the Upper-Garabagh Channel and Upper-Shirvan Channel to bring water to10,000 square kilometers of area in the steppes of Mil-Mugan and Shirvan. It has a capacity of 16 billion m3 and the reservoir water is also being used to produce hydroelectric power. The reservoir is 70km long, 3 to 18km wide, with a maximum depth of about 75 meters, and total

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area 605 km². It is around 2 km west of the road which is already considerably far to be affected by any road rehabilitation activity.

23 Apart from the River Kur, the reservoir feeds two channels of the 172 km-long Upper Garabagh Channel and the 123 km-long Upper Shirvan Channel. These channels are used to irrigate fields in southern regions of Azerbaijan. The Ayrichay Water Reservoir, located near the Jumakend village is far from the Project roads. The reservoir was constructed to provide irrigation water to 17,000 hectares of farmlands in Sheki and Qax regions.

24 The major rivers of Sheki are the Kish River and Gurkanachay River. The Kish River is a branch of the River Ayrichay, and extends to 33 kilometers, covering an area of 265 km2 and originates for the south slopes of the Southern Caucasus at a height of 2900 meters. It is one of the Rivers with the strongest floods in Transcaucasia. In its upper reaches, it is called the Damarchyn1. Gurkanachay River flows from east to west, and divides the city into two parts: the highest in the South and the other in the northern parts of the valley.

B. Biological Environment

5. Fauna

25 Fauna of Azerbaijan is quite rich with more than 25 000 species of invertebrates and with 667 species of vertebrates: 101 species of fishes, 10 amphibians, 54 reptiles, 394 birds and 107 mammals. The information about the fauna of the project area region are mainly based on literature, Red Data Book of Azerbaijan, IUCN Red Data List, publications of BirdLife International, other related materials and field observations. According to these sources, the common mammals of the area are the Jackal (Canis aureus) and the Wolf (Canis lupus) which follows the sheep flocks to the winter pastures in the lowlands and the Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) which is a resident species of this area. Further characteristic mammals are the, hare (Lepus europaeus), the Libyan Jird (Meriones lybicus) and the Social Vole (Microtus socialis). Due to the anthropogenic influence and common landscape fauna of the project corridor is not very rich and dominated by the above-mentioned species.

26 Ujar-Zardab-Agjabadi. The avifauna of the project corridor, with exception of wetland area is characterized by Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), Rock Dove (Columba livia), Crested Lark (Galerida cristata) and Isabelline Wheatear (Oenanthe isabellina) and some other common semi-arid area species. Aviafauna of the wetland area is described above and list of species is given at relevant table.Characteristic amphibian species are Spade- footed Toad (Pelobates syriacusa), Common Toad (Bufo bufo), Green Toad (Bufo viridis) and the Common Frog (Rana ridibunda). The reptile fauna of the area is made up of the Caucasian Agama (Agama caucasica), Caspian Turtle (Mauremys caspica), European Grass Lizard (Pseudopus apodus), Dice snake (Natrix tessellata) and some other snake species.

27 Fish species that potentially occur in the river Kura are the lamprey (Caspiomyzon wagneri), the Kura nase (Chondrostoma cyri), carps (Varicorhinus capoeta), Chalcalburmus chalcoides and Cyprinus carpio), barbs (Barbus lacerta and Barbus mursa), stone loach (Nemachilus brandti), the zander like Lucioperca lucioperca, the bream (Abramis brama), the asp (Aspius aspius) and the catfish (Silurus glanis).

28 Yevlakh-Sheki. Along the M-5 Road the fauna biodiversity is not particularly high as there are only few settlements in the corridor with intensive agriculture as the predominant landuse, such that wildlife tends to avoid the place. While some threatened animal species (of both national and international importance) have their natural habitat in the wider parts of

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the region, such as the Turganchay State Nature Reserve, Illisu Reserve and Zagatala Reserve, these are not expected to be affected by the Project as the road rehabilitation project will be confined only within the existing 60m ROW.

29 The following data about the fauna of the region are mainly based on the Red Data Book of Azerbaijan, IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red Data List, and publications of Bird Life International. The superscript „a‟ after a scientific name indicates species listed in the Red Book of Azerbaijan; „b‟ indicates IUCN species (World Red Data Book) and „c‟ indicates species included in both the national and international Red Data Books.

30 Generally, the study area is related to arid foothills and mountains ("Bozdag").The Golden Jackal (Canis aureus) and Wolf (Canis lupus) that prey on sheep and the Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) are considered as resident species of the area. The African Wildcat (Felis libyca), Weasel (Mustela nivalis), Marten (Martes foina), and the American Raccoon (Procylon lotor) can be found but are quite rare in the area, particularly the wooded places. There are some bats – Western Barbastelle (Barbastella barbastella) and Blasius‟s Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus blasiib), Pipstrellus pipistrellus, P. kuhlii, hare (Lepus europaeus); Water Vole (Arvicola terrestris), Libyan Jird (Meriones lybicus) and the Social Vole (Microtus socialis). Quite rare in the area are the Marten (Martes foina) and Hyena (Hyaena hyaena). This habitat is one of their last refuges within the country. In Sheki region, the fauna is characterized by mammals such as the brown bear (Ursus arctos).

31 In this part avifauna is characterized by the presence of Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus) as nesting; Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca), Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus) - migratory, Saker (Falco cherruga) as wintering; Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) as resident; the Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) as breeding and known to nest under some of bridges; Little Bustard (Tetrax tetrax) as a wintering bird; Chukar (Alectoris chukar), Black- bellied Sandgrouse (Pterocles orientalis), Rock Dove (Columba livia), Crested Lark (Galerida cristata), Isabelline Wheater (Oenanthe isabellina) etc as resident species. There is a dense population of the Rooks (Corvus frugilegus), Jackdaws (Corvus monedula) and Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) especially in agricultural fields. Adjacent to rocky parts and open landscapes is habitat for three (3) species of vultures namely Egyptian (Neophron percnopterus), Black (Aegypius monachus) and Griffon (Gyps fulvus) Vultures.

32 The reptiles of the area consist of venomous Blunt Nosed Viper (Vipera lebetina) two species of Agama – Agama caucasica and A. ruderataa, the Greek Tortoise (Testudo graeca), and the Caspian (Mauremys caspica) and European Pond (Emys orbicularis) Turtles.

33 The characteristic amphibian species are the Spade-footed Toad (Pelobates syriacusa), Common Toad (Bufo bufo), Green Toad (Bufo viridis) and the Common (Rana ridibunda) and Tree Frog (Hyla savignyi), found in the vicinity of rivers and ponds.

34 In the rivers and channels of this part of the study area, the common fish species are mainly Caucasian Chub (Leuciscus cephalus orientalis), Kura's Bardel (Barbus curi), Caucasian Bleak (Alburnus charusini), Bitterling (Rhodeus sricous), Sazan (Cyprinus carpa), and Kura's Loach (Nemacheilus brandtii), none of which are protected nor endangered species. In some channels fishing is done in a limited scale by the local population.

35 Some rare insects in the area are the Beetles Capnodis cariosa, Carabus scabrosusa, and Calosoma sycophantaa; and the butterflies Apollo (Parnassius apollo), Colias aurorina and Manduca atroposa.

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6. Flora

36 includes approximately 4,500 species of higher plants, which represents around 65% of the floral diversity of the Caucasus region, and 11% of the world‟s flora. The main areas of plant diversity in Azerbaijan are the highlands of Nakhchivan (60% of the species occur here), the Kura-Araz plain (40%), the Shabran - Guba region east of the Greater Caucasus (38%), the center of the Lesser Caucasus (29%), (26.6%), the Lenkaran region in the Talysh Mountains (27%), and the Absheron region (22%) .

37 There are over 400 species of plants endemic to Azerbaijan. These include around 210 endemic lower plant species (including ten endemic species of lichen). Around 16 species of algae are endemic to the Caspian Sea. In addition, 210 higher plant species are considered endemic to Azerbaijan, including species from 98 genera and 32 families. The centers of both higher and lower plant endemism are in the regions of Nakhchivan, the Talysh Mountains, and east of the Greater Caucasus.

38 Ujar-Zardab-Agjabadi. Project corridor is located at central part of Kur-Araz lowland with a smaller number of flora species compared to the other regions of the Azerbaijan. Its mainly due to the intensive agricultural use along the project corridor, but also due to the other factors such as high salinity of the soil, climate, availability of water sources and etc.

39 Most part of the project alignment is crossing through agricultural fields (mainly wheat, clover and cotton), barren fields with very high salinity and through settlements Main flora is characterized with semi-desert plant species dominated by Artemisia sp., Tamarix sp. and Salicornia europaea. At several places (mainly close to the channels) tree plantations exists. Those were planted during Soviet time as a wind breaks and at some places they were planted by local authorities (close to the district entrances). But in all cases trees are outside of ROW and trees will not be touched during the construction works. Main tree species along the project road are Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia), Willow (Salix sp.) and Poplar (Populus sp.).

40 Yevlakh-Sheki. The flora of the region is mainly secondary origin or secondary growth, since most portion of lands are being used for agricultural purposes, mainly for cereals, watermelons and gourds, and huge plantations of hazelnuts and other fruits.

41 Along the M-5 of the study corridor is a typical semi-desert with numerous saline-lands. This area is primarily used as winter pasture and also under strong pressure of overgrazing. However, as the area has only seasonal use, original vegetation still can be found here, which include species of ephemeral grasses, iris, tulips, feather-grass (Stipa sp.), some cereals (Andropogon sp.) and bushes (Juniper sp., Pirus sp., Amigdalus fenzliana, Crataegus orientalis etc.). Natural xerophilous forest is still present in some of the arid hills of Bozdag ridge. This forest area is sort of diminishing where undersized trees grow quite far from each other. The main species of such forest trees are pistachio-trees (Pistacia mutica) and Junipers (Juniper sp.). Semi-desert species also exist in such forests and somewhat well-developed.

42 Some original lowland forests are still thriving along numerous rivers and as separate patches alongside study corridor. The main species include oaks (mainly Quercus longipes) Elm (Ulmus foliacea), Mulberry (Morus alba) and Poplars (Poplus sp.). The bushes that can be found are Hawthorn and Biwa. Numerous lianas found in such forests are Smilax excelsa, Periploca graeca, Vitis vinifera, Humulus lupulus, etc., with some willows (Salix australior), Loeasters (Elaeagnus angustifolia) and Tamarisk (Tamarix pallasii), which are especially numerous along the rivers.

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43 Sheki lies along the Kur-Araz eco-region, which is rich in biodiversity. This eco-region of the Kur-Araz valley and floodplain consists of 35% of the Azerbaijan territory. The Kur- Araz eco-region has an arid subtropical climate and includes semi-desert and lowland steppe habitats. Semi-desert habitats are dominated by wormwood (Artemisia fragrans), either alone or associated with saltwort (Salsola spp) or Bothriochloa. Pockets of more typical desert vegetation also occur in this area. Steppe vegetation occurs in the lowlands and foothills around 300 to 700 m and is largely the result of human influence on woodland and shrub habitats. The dominant species are grasses (Bothriochloa spp). Rich floristic communities have developed in the Bothriochloa ischaemum/ Glycyrrhiza glabra steppes of the lowlands. On the foothill slopes, Bothriochloa ephemerosa is mixed with other grasses such as Festuca sulcata and Stipa spp. Thorny shrubs, notably Christ‟s Thorn (Paliurus spina-christii), are typical. In the western part of the region, small patches of the endemic pine (Pinus eldarica) are found. About 58% of the area is cultivated with cotton, vines, grain, and vegetables.

44 Considerable area is used for winter grazing pastures for domestic livestock. Riparian forests occur along river banks and floodplain areas. Wing nut (Pterocarya pterocarpa) is a characteristic species, but others include the oak (Quercus longipes) and white poplar (Populus alba). The forests, known as tugay, are threatened throughout the Caucasus, with probably the most intact remaining examples being found along the Kura River in Azerbaijan.

45 The species of Salsola, of which, 22 are present in Azerbaijan, manifest in the Sheki plateau region, where thickets of these species are observed in slightly saline habitats, being very bright and colorful while bearing fruit. The Hippophae rhamnoides, also known as common sea buckthorn is a species of flowering plant in the family Elaeagnaceae, native to the cold-temperate regions of Europe and Asia, is most widely spread in the valleys of the Shin, Kish, Damiraparan, Turyan, Geychay, , Velvele and Terter rivers.

46 The most common landscapes in this region are meadows, mountains and forest areas, with a range of forest and mountain soils. The area is characterized by a diverse landscape, with an area more greatly forested than other regions of Azerbaijan. Alder (Alnus sp.) Caucasian wing nut (Pterocarya pterocarpa), hybrid poplar (Populus), and long-stem oak (Quercus longipes) are dominant species of trees in flatland areas of low-lying forests. There are forests of juniper (Juniperus sp.), Turkish terebinth (Pistacia sp.) and Iberian oak (Quercus iberica) in the steppe plateau areas. The dominant flora species of the down mountain forest zone (1,000–1,100 metres (3,300–3,600 ft)) are Iberian oak and eastern hornbeam (Carpinus orientalis). The middle mountain forest zone mainly consists of beech (Fagus sp.) forests.

47 Along the corridor of R-57, starting at around km 1+400 to around the entrance to Sheki City, both sides of the road are lined with trees. However, these were planted outside of the 12 m corridor and will not be affected or cut since the road maintains its current width. Generally, these trees are Tamarisk, Juniper, Cypress, Pine, Lostre tree; Mulberry, Elm, Planetree (Platanus), Poplar, Elm, Walnut and Oak.

48 The mountains around Sheki are at the height of 500-850 meters above sea level. They provide cooling effect to the city even in the summer and the mountain forests protect the city from floods as well as provide a picturesque landscape for the city. Features spread around the city of Sheki are mountain meadows, brown mountain forests, meadow forest, and gray-brown soils. The oaks, beech-tree and hornbeams dominate the forests of Sheki, which also houses a variety of flora and fauna as well as broad-leafed evergreens.

49 Located within the territory of Sheki administrative district at the basin of the River Arichay, between M-5 and R-57 on one side and Sheki-Orghuz Road on the other side, is the State Game Reserve of Sheki, established in 1964 with an area of 10,350 hectares. It is referred to as the fauna type of protected area, established to protect and restore the number

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of pheasants (Phasianus) and other valuable birds. Forests of Sheki are mostly evergreen broad-leafed forests. Disturbance in this area should be minimized by notifying contractors and subcontractors of the existence of this game reserve.

C. Socio-Economic Environment and Benefits

50 The main economic activities of people in the Project area are agricultural production, poultry and livestock. There is a cultural-historical house in Shenlikkend which displays the ancient history of Agjabadi region. Table 5 shows demographic data for the Project area.

Table 5. Gushchu and Garaoghlan villages

Region Village Population Gushchu 800 Yevlakh region Garaoghlan 1196

Total: 1996

Derejennet 879

Sheki region Tepejennet 590

Total: 1469

Alpi 1215

Ujar region Gulebend 1103 Total: 2318

Yarmemmedbagi 1,085

Pervanli 1,301 Zardab region Korpukend 1,409

Alvand 1,012

Total: 4807

Agjabadi region Shenlikkend 3,101

Total 3,101

51 Rehabilitation of the existing local roads will improve social, agricultural, and economical opportunities and access of rural population to regional cities, markets and the capital city-Baku. This will make a positive impact in their living standards. Besides, the Project will open job opportunities during construction works, reduced travel time and easy access to markets, social facilities and jobs, creates positive attitude among the local population

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V. ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES

52 Rehabilitation works will be undertaken within the existing ROW and will not impact on any critical areas such as wetlands, forests, and protected areas. The existing quarries and which are under operation for a long time will be used and thus avoid environmental impacts that could be associated with opening of any new borrow pits. Environmental protection and mitigation measures referring to the different impacts are described in EMP. Ultimately, all proposed measures for impact avoidance or mitigation that relate to construction will be incorporated into the bidding or contract documents thereby becoming binding elements of the construction and construction supervision contracts. The Contractor will prepare and implement Site Specific Environmental Management Plans (SSEMPs). The Contractor will also collect pre-construction baseline data to be used for monitoring during the construction stage.

A. Impacts and Mitigation Measures Related to Preliminary Planning and Design

53 Road rehabilitation works will be restricted to the existing roads alignments, and anticipated environmental and social impacts are at minimum level. The following sensitive receptors and environmentally adverse impacts have been identified along the proposed local roads which should to be considered in the design stage of the Project.

(i) Residential buildings and other sensitive receptors of human environment (ii) Cemetery close to road (iii) Crossing section of road on channel and river (iv) Trees and bushes alongside the Project road (v) Passing of irrigation culverts under road.

54 Since the road rehabilitation works will be confined to the already existing alignment, anticipated impacts will be restricted to the construction phase. No significant environmental impact and neither land acquisition and structure impacts are not expected. The design will avoid tree losses as far as technically feasible. As rehabilitation works will be carried out on the existing roads tree losses are expected to be minimal. At some locations tree cuts may not be avoidable for technical reasons or because of raised embankments. Where embankments will be raised the Engineer will advise whether the respective tree should be cut or not.

B. Impacts and Mitigation Measures Referring to the Construction Phase

55 During construction, direct and indirect adverse environmental impacts may arise from a series of sources and affect various receptors of both the human and the natural environment.

56 Borrow pits. The existing borrow pits which are already in operation will be used. The likely impact from obtaining materials from these sites is much less than from the opening up new borrow pits. The Contractor will apply following measures in borrow pits‟ operation to minimize impacts:

(i) Dust Management Plan will include schedule of water spraying on access roads and details of the equipment to be used; (ii) Undertake regular dust suppression on all unpaved access roads during construction works, particularly in sections where critical receptors, such as settlements, are located; (iii) Locate stockpiles away from watercourses to avoid obstruction of flow and siltation; (iv) Provide soaking of aggregates and cover on haul trucks to minimize dust emission and material spillage; and

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(v) Undertake repair of access roads to their original condition.

57 Contractors’ Work Camp. Operations of contractor‟s work camps may cause adverse impacts if aspects, such as liquid and solid waste management, equipment maintenance, materials storage, and provision of safe drinking water are not addressed properly. The site for the work yard to be selected by the contractor must be approved by the CSC. To ensure that minimal impacts from operation of such areas, the contractor shall strictly implement the following plants mitigation measures:

(i) Layout Plan of the Work Camp including a description of all precautionary measures proposed to avoid potential adverse impacts on the local environment (surface and ground water, soils, ambient air, human settlement); (ii) Sewage Management Plan for provision of sanitary latrines and proper sewage collection and disposal system to prevent pollution of water-courses or groundwater (river, channel); (iii) Waste Management Plan covering the provision of garbage bins, regular collection and disposal in a hygienic manner, as well as proposed disposal sites for various types of wastes (e.g., domestic waste, used tires, etc.) consistent with applicable national regulations; and (iv) Description and layout of equipment maintenance areas and lubricant and fuel storage facilities including distance from water sources and irrigation facilities. Storage facilities for fuels and chemicals will be located away from watercourses. Such facilities will be bunded and provided with impermeable lining to leakage into the soil and water contamination.

58 The plans will be reviewed and approved by the CSC prior to commencement of construction works. The Contractor will conduct consultations with local authorities to identify sources of construction water and potable water for workforce to avoid competing with water needs of local population. Potable water for the workforce shall comply with the national quality standards.

59 Air and Noise Pollution. Impacts on air quality are expected to occur due to exhaust emissions from the operation of construction machinery; fugitive emissions from aggregates, concrete, and asphalt plants; and dust generated from road construction/ rehabilitation works, along haul roads, exposed soils, and material stock piles. The following mitigation measures will be implemented to by the Contractor to reduce emission level:

(i) Maintenance of construction equipment to good standard and avoidance, as much as possible, idling of engines. (ii) Site the Contractor‟s yard, especially batching plant and material stockpiles, away from existing settlements, paying attention to the prevailing wind direction; (iii) Establishment of asphalt, and concrete plants as far away as possible (minimum 500 m) from human settlements; (iv) Use tarpaulins to cover loose material when transported by truck.

60 During construction, the operation of heavy machinery can generate high noise levels. A number of mitigating measures to minimize impacts of excessive noise and vibration will be taken by the Contractor as follows:

(i) Work will be restricted to from 06:00 to 21:00 hours within 500m of the settlements. (ii) A limit of 70 dBA will be set in the vicinity of the construction site and strictly followed; (iii) Construction machinery should be equipped with mufflers to minimize the generation of noise;

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(iv) Whenever possible the local population should be advised of occurrence of elevated noise levels to enable them to take the necessary preparatory measures; (v) With the rehabilitation of the local roads the vehicular traffic is expected to increase. Because of this, vehicular emissions and noise levels are anticipated to heighten. Attenuation measures against exhaust emissions and noise pollution should be implemented in areas with sensitive receptors such as residential areas, particularly schools, health centers, and hospitals; (vi) In the future should the noise reach intolerable levels, some structural noise barriers shall be constructed along the edge of the road to deflect traffic noise and minimize nuisance to the surrounding communities. Areas where structural measures may be needed, subject to the design specifications, shall be in the vicinity of the sensitive receptors like schools, hospitals, etc. (vii) Regarding air pollution / ambient air quality the Project will have both positive and negative effects. Benefits will generally result from improved traffic flow, which entails improved fuel efficiency and better engine performance, thereby reducing volume of vehicle emissions which otherwise result from bad road conditions (viii) However, in the medium to longer term, however, increasing traffic volumes will bring about higher noise levels and higher volumes of aerosol emissions, including lead and other solid particles, and also increased emissions of gaseous pollutants like NOx and CO²; Along sections of the road with sensitive receptors such as settlements and schools ambient air quality shall be monitored; (ix) Speed control signs and speed limits along sensitive areas, especially schools will keep noise and air emissions to a minimum.

61 Impact on Fauna and Flora. Impacts to vegetation and wildlife along the Project roads are not expected to be significant since the rehabilitation will be undertaken with the existing ROW. Further, there are no protected and densely vegetated areas within the influence area of the Project. At some locations, tree cuts may not be avoidable for technical reasons.

62 Health and Safety. Transmission of diseases may also occur under conditions with inadequate health and safety facilities and practices. The Contractor will provide:

(i) adequate health care facilities (including first aid facilities) within construction sites; (ii) training of all construction workers in basic sanitation and health care issues, general health and safety matters, and on the specific hazards of their workplace; (iii) personal protection gear for workers, such as safety boots, helmets, gloves, protective clothing, goggles, and ear protection in accordance with pertinent national regulations; (iv) clean drinking water to all workers; (v) adequate protection of the general public, including safety barriers and marking of hazardous areas in accordance with Safety Regulations for Construction, Rehabilitation and Maintenance, (vi) safe access across the construction site to people whose access to houses or fields are temporarily severed by road construction; (vii) adequate drainage throughout the camps to ensure that disease vectors such as stagnant water bodies and puddles do not form; and (viii) Sanitary latrines and garbage bins in construction site, which will be periodically cleared by the contractors to prevent outbreak of diseases.

63 The project will result in better road condition, increased speed of vehicles, and the increase of traffic volumes along the project road. This will lead to such impacts as elevated emissions and noise levels, and increased risk of accidents and possibly spilled pollutants.

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Due to the on-going risks and constraints imposed by the COVID-19 virus outbreak and the current pandemic situation it is highly recommended to follow the following applications to major tasks going to be carried out:

The Consultant and Contractor shall put in place measures to minimize the chances and contain the spread of the virus as a result of the movement of workers and ensure all working locations are prepared for an outbreak. The Consultant and Contractor shall also develop and practice contingency plans so that personnel know what to do if an outbreak occurs and how treatment will be provided. Further information on preparing a workplace for COVID-19 may also be found at https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/advice-for- workplace-clean-19-03-2020.pdf.

In addition, the Consultant and Contractor shall adopt the relevant recommendations given in the ADB‟s relevant documents to be used in Construction/Civil Works Projects (such as (https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/614811/safety-well-being-workers- communities-covid-19.pdf and https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/institutional-document/579616/adbs-comprehensive- response-covid-19-pandemic-redacted-version.pdf).

For various tasks, the movement of experts and other staff needs to be minimized. Experts shall be required to work from home so far as practical. Internal and external meetings shall be conducted by telecommunication and information passed digitally. For meetings with external organisations, including with the Client, the Consultant and Contractor shall ensure to have compatible video meeting software available.

Site visits and physical surveys shall only be undertaken when a practical alternative does not exist.

64 Road safety. Contractor will develop a Traffic Management Plan (TMP) that will be approved by local traffic authorities and CSC. It will include specific road traffic safety measures. It is important that truck drivers and equipment operators understand the road safety measures especially at road junction points. Village access likewise should be accorded due focus for the safety of the general population, especially children. Proper coordination with the village municipalities and traffic controllers should be done to effect road safety. Checking of safety aspects should be done continuously with safety reminder meetings and done regularly. Safety traffic signs and warning lights should be installed at appropriate locations; and flagmen should be assigned at critical spots. Monitoring will be conducted jointly by the Contractors‟ management and the CSC personnel.

65 Road closures, existing bridge closure, diversions and blocking of access routes are other important aspects that have to be carefully considered to ensure safety of local population and to avoid any disturbance. Contractor will be responsible for provision of all road diversion signs and ensure that diversion roads do not impact negatively upon private lands.

66 The Contractor will ensure that all access routes are kept open at least 50% of the day during construction works and 100% of time after construction works for the day finished. Communities will be informed about any temporary close of existing roads and bridges ahead of time. During construction, access will be maintained by providing temporary detour, by-pass or diversion paths for vehicles and people. To ensure health and safety compliance during construction works, the Contractor will hire an Occupational Health and Safety Expert.

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C. Impacts during Operation Stage

67 Rehabilitation of local roads will have positive impacts on health and safety of people through decrease of accidents, air pollution resulting from more constant rates of travel speeds on rehabilitated road sections, cleaning up solid waste from roadside drains, and reduced water pollution due to rehabilitated drainage systems. Local residents will benefit from: (i) a reduced travel times and in transport costs, (ii) improvements in quality of road passenger and cargo transport; and (iii) employment generation. However, during the operational phase, environmental impacts may arise from a variety of sources as described below.

68 Potential Surface Water Pollution. At operational stage, any accident involving vehicles transporting hazardous substances in the vicinity of a water-course can pose risk for water quality. Replacement of unsafe bridges and provision of pedestrian facilities in the Project design will improve road safety and contribute to reducing road accidents. In the vicinity of water courses, rivers, channels, speed for vehicles carrying hazardous goods will be limited and regularly monitored by traffic police.

69 Air Pollution and Noise. Regarding air pollution/ambient air quality the Project will have positive effects. Benefits will generally result from improved traffic flow, which improves fuel efficiency and better engine performance, thereby reducing the volume of vehicle emissions which otherwise result from bad road conditions. Along sections of the road with sensitive receptors such as settlements and schools ambient air quality shall be monitored.

70 Road Safety. Increased traffic volumes and speed raise the issue of road safety and the need to maintain speed limits and post appropriate signalization. In the case that accident hot spots with large mammals are identified, appropriate protective measures will be set (e.g. reflectors / local fencing, warning signs, speed reductions etc.). Speed control signs and speed limits along sensitive areas, especially schools will keep noise and air emissions to minimum.

D. Community safety

71 A Community Protection Plan (CPP) will be prepared by the Contractor, as part of the SSEMPs, to manage community safety. The traffic safety issues shall be accounted for during the design phase of the Project, they including incorporation of (i) Safety barriers, (ii) Traffic signs, (iii) Road Crossings, (iv) Speed Bumps, and (v) Speed limits.

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VI. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

A. Objectives

72 The EMP provides various measures to avoid, mitigate, or compensate the adverse environmental impacts associated with the Project, considered in all phases of the Project cycle, namely the detailed design, construction and operational phases (Table 1 in Annex 1). To ensure that the proposed mitigation measures will be carried out by the contractors during the construction stage, the design consultant will clearly set out in the tender and contract documents the contractor‟s obligation to undertake the environmental mitigation measures.

73 Prior to construction works, specific plans, Site Specific Environmental Management Plans (SSEMPs) will be prepared by the Contractor and approved by CSC as follows:

(i) Dust Management Plan which shall include schedule for spraying on hauling and access roads to construction site and details of the equipment to be used; (ii) Layout of the Work Camp and details of the proposed measures to address adverse environmental impacts resulting from its installation; (iii) Sewage Management Plan including provision of sanitary latrines and proper sewage collection and disposal system to prevent pollution of watercourses; (iv) Waste Management Plan covering provision of garbage bins, regular collection and disposal in a hygienic manner, as well as proposed disposal sites for various types of wastes (e.g., domestic waste, used tires, etc.) consistent with appropriate regulations; (v) Description and layout of equipment maintenance areas and lubricant and fuel storage facilities including distance from water sources and irrigation facilities. Storage facilities for fuels and chemicals will be located away from watercourses. Such facilities will be bound and provided with impermeable lining to contain spillage and prevent soil and water contamination; (vi) Soil Management Plan detailing measures to be undertaken to minimize effects of wind and water erosion on stockpiles of topsoil and excess materials, measures to minimize loss of fertility of top soil, timeframes, haul routes and disposal sites for excess materials; (vii) Emergency Response Plan (in case of spills, accidents, fires and the like) prior to operation of the asphalt plant; (viii) Road Traffic Management Plan.

74 The CSC will have a local Environmental Specialist who will guide the environmental management and monitoring of civil works. He/she will ensure the measures of the EMP are implemented, and provide training to the Contractors‟ personnel.

B. Monitoring and Reporting

75 Monitoring is an important aspect of environmental management during construction and operation stages of the project to safeguard the protection of environment. During construction, environmental monitoring will ensure the protection of embankment from potential soil erosion; borrow pits restoration, quarry activities, location of work sites, material storages, asphalt plants, community relations, and safety provisions. During operation, air, noise, and surface water quality monitoring will be important parameter of the monitoring program.

76 The EA/PIU will conduct a regular internal environmental monitoring, resolving of any received grievances, and identify any unanticipated environmental impact raised during the Project implementation, and submit Bi-annual environmental monitoring reports to ADB reflecting any changes in the project design and unanticipated impact, grievances and their resolution status and public consultations. PIU Safeguards Specialist should visit project

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sites on a monthly base to inspect the environmental management and regular contact with CSC and provide necessary support. In case of any unanticipated environmental impact, mitigation measures, monitoring and reporting requirements will be defined according to the significance of impact as required by ADB SPS (2009).

C. Institutional Responsibility

77 The key institutional bodies include the EA/PIU, Ministry of Environmental and Natural Resource, Ministry of Finance, local authorities, CSC and Contractor, and other entities subject to any raised issue, and ADB. These institutions in line with own roles, will take measures, monitor and ensure that the Project compliance with environmental requirements, potential grievances, as well as public information disclosure and consultation.

78 The EA/PIU will be responsible to ensure the environmental compliance. The EA has already a PIU to oversee the implementation of the overall program including this Project for rehabilitation of local roads. The PIU has a Project Director who is in-charge for overall project implementation activities. The PIU also has relevant procurement, technical and finance specialists, and Safeguards Specialist. The EA will ensure the Contractors compliance performance with social and environmental safeguards risks mitigation and management plans. EA shall (i) include in contractors‟ contracts relevant provisions on the social and environmental safeguards compliance, (ii) conduct regular monitoring for contractor‟s environmental management performance are satisfactory.

79 Contractor should have full time Environmental Specialist for daily monitoring of EMP implementation, provide necessary training and supervision to workers. Contractor will submit monthly progress reports including a section about the status of environmental management measures. The Contractor will (i) follow the social and environmental safeguards in the project sites, (ii) on a day-to-day basis, monitor their own environmental performance and that of all its subcontractors throughout the project duration, and (iii) submit periodic reports to EA/PIU.

80 CSC should have an Environmental Specialist who visit project site on a regular basis (at least every two weeks) and monitor EMP implementation. He/she should provide necessary capacity building training to ES and other relevant staff of Contractor, inspect and monitor proper implementation of al mitigation measures. The CSC will assist the EA/PIU in all task related to environmental impacts management, including (i) regular monitoring and preparing bi-annual environmental monitoring reports for ADB review, (ii) monitoring the Contractors social safeguards performance and (iii) provide guidance and corrective actions for any identified environmental issues and shortcomings.

81 Ministry of Environmental and Natural Resources is responsible for environmental policy, regulatory development, and oversight of environmental assessments and issuing permits and of environmental licenses.

82 Ministry of Finance is the responsible government body for coordination with ADB and other donors for foreign assistance. The Control Agency under the MOF will also review the grievances when needed,

83 ADB will carry out monitoring and supervision on social and environmental safeguards performance during the project implementation. This will include periodical review missions to the project area, review the implementation status of mitigation measures, and clear contract awards signing and initiation of civil works. If EA/PIU fails to comply with the agreement covenants on safeguard requirements, including those described in the ADB‟s SPS (2009), ADB will seek corrective measures and work with EA/PIU to bring it back into compliance.

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VII. GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISM

A. Objective, awareness, and accessibility

84 The Project-specific Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) will be in place as required by ADB SPS (2009) and the laws of Azerbaijan including the “Law on Acquisition of Lands for the State Needs” (dated April 20, 2010), and the “The Law on Procedures for Consideration of Citizens Appeals” (2015). The objective is to resolve potential grievances and complaints the local communities may have during the project implementation about any unanticipated land acquisition involuntary resettlement impact, environmental issues, and information disclosure and participation, in effective and meaningful manner. It will not replace the country‟s judicial system, but aims resolve the grievances in effective manner. All grievances and their resolution status will be monitored and reflected in the project‟s progress reports.

85 The EA has already a setup GRM for the Investment Program that will serve for this Project too. The PIU has also a Safeguard Specialist. The local authorities in the villages and regional levels will be involved as needed in managing grievances and public consultations. Awareness about the GRM and people‟s access to it is important. Information about the GRM will be provided to local population along with the contact information of responsible persons for the project GRM, including the staff of the Contractors, CSC, PIU and the local authorities will be provided to the local communities. Information will be disseminated through different communication means (e.g. meetings, project information brochures, posters, media, public and individual meetings).

B. The GRM Process

86 Complaining person can submit grievance in person, via phone call, email, letter or fax to the Contractor‟s Social Specialist who acts as Grievance Focal Point (GFP). He/she then registers complaints in grievance registration form. The receipt of grievance lodged in person or via phone should be acknowledged immediately by a paper issued by the GFP or other persons received the grievance. Regardless of nature, all grievances are recorded in the registration form. Upon receipt of grievances, the GFP sort them into categories to define if the complaint is eligible for the project established by the GRM. Based on the experience from ADB-assisted projects in Azerbaijan, the GRM process described in Table 2 below will be applied. All grievances and their resolution status during this process shall be monitored and reflected in the project‟s progress reports.

C. Institutional Responsibility

87 The EA/PIU will carry overall responsibility for the GRM and facilitate the resolution of grievances. Contact details of the PIU‟s Safeguards Specialist will be disseminated to residents and public through various means, including during disclosure and public consultations, distribution of the Project Information Brochures, as well as Project information display board that will be placed in the project area.

88 At the local level, the Contractor will also assign a staff responsible for social and resettlement safeguards. The received grievances will be recorded in the opened Grievance Log Book, and measures will be taken for resolution. The Contractor will forward the received grievances to the PMU/Grievance Focal Person for records.

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Table 6. Project GRM process Level 1: Project site level: The Safeguards Specialists of the Contractor and CSC will be focal persons for grievances. All the received grievances will be recorded in the Grievance Log Book including measures taken resolving. Necessary actions will be taken to resolve the grievance within 7 working days. If the grievance cannot be resolved at this stage, or if the complaining party is not satisfied with the decision, it will be forwarded to the EA and the complainant will be informed. Level 2. EAI/PIU at the Central Level: The EA at the central Level will review and resolve the grievance within 15 working days. The PIU and Land Acquisition Division of the EA will put all efforts to solve it, and involve the Legal Department and other internal/external experts if required by individual case. If the grievance cannot be resolved at this stage, or if the complaining party is not satisfied with the decision, it will be forwarded to the Control Agency under the Ministry of Finance (MOF). The complainant will be informed. Level 3. Control Agency (MoF): Control Agency of the MoF will examine the gradience and submit its recommendation for solving grievance to the EA/PIU within 30 days. The complainant will be informed. Court of Law If the grievance cannot be resolved at this stage, or if the complaining party is not satisfied with the decision, the complaint will be resolved by the court according to the legal and juridical system of Azerbaijan. Timeframe will be subject to the issue.

D. ADB’s Accountability Mechanism

90 Two or more affected persons (can be from the same family) can also submit their complaint to the ADB‟s Accountability Mechanism. The Accountability Mechanism is a last resort mechanism. The Project-affected persons are encouraged to first address the issue with the available grievance mechanism at the project level, and then they are required to make good faith efforts to address the issue with the relevant ADB operations department. Complaints will not be entertained in certain cases such as about:

(i) actions not related to something ADB did or not do in formulating, processing, or implementing an ADB-assisted project, (ii) about an ADB-assisted project for which 2 or more years have passed since the loan or grant closing date, (iii) matters that complainants have not made good faith efforts to address with the operations department concerned, (iv) about decisions made by ADB, the borrower or executing agency, or the private sector client on the procurement of goods and services, including consulting services, and (v) allegations of fraud or corruption in ADB-assisted projects (these will be managed by other means).

91 The complaint may be submitted by mail, fax, email, or in person:

Complaint Receiving Officer (CRO), Accountability Mechanism Asian Development Bank ADB Headquarters, 6 ADB Avenue, Mandaluyong City 1550, Metro Manila, Philippines (+632) 632-4444 loc. 70309 (+632) 636 2086 [email protected]

92 Alternatively, the complaint may be submitted through ADB office in Baku, which will forward the complaint to the CRO.

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VIII. INFORMATION DISCLOSURE, CONSULTATION AND PARTICIPATION

93 Public consultations for the Rehabilitation of the local roads in Yevlakh-Sheki region was scheduled on 28 January 2020 at 10 and 11.30 am in Garaoghlan and Gushchu villages of Yevlakh region, 28 January, 2020 at 15 and 17 pm Derejennet and Tepejennet villages of Sheki region , 03 February, 2020 at 12 am in Korpukend village of Zardab region and February 03, 2020 at 13 pm in Pervanli and Yarmemmedbagi villages of Zardab region, February 03 2020 at 16 pm in Gulebend and Alpi villages of Ujar, February 04 2020 at 11 am in Shenlik village of Agjabadi with the Local Executive Power of regions , wherein local residents, village officials/representatives and other stakeholders were invited.

94 A total of 30 participants in Garaoghlan and 23 participants in Gushchu villages attended public consultation in Yevlakh region; 26 participants in Derejennet and 21 participants in Tepejennet villages of Sheki region; 25 participants in Gulebend and 12 participants in Alpi villages of Ujar region; 21 participants in Korpukend and 16 participants in Yarmemmedbagi and 12 participants in Pervanli villages of Zardab region and 20 in Shenlik village of Agjabadi region. The Consultant elaborated the rehabilitation works, project‟s environmental impacts with the mitigating measures. Comments were later solicited from the participants in an open forum and by means of written documentation filled out by the participants themselves. The consultant‟s team consisted of the international and local environmental specialists.

95 The EA/PIU presented key aspects of the project preliminary design, GRM and safeguards policy requirements . Questions and remarks from local people have been received and responded, which will also be considered, and measures to minimize negative impact during the implementation and operation of the Project.

96 Disclosure and public consultation will be proceeded during the project implementation. The EA‟s approved IEE for the Project will be submitted to the ADB for review. After review and approval by ADB, it will be disclosed the websites of ADB and EA.

97 The PIU, Contractor will conduct regular public consultation meetings during the construction works to inform local communities and public project about the project progress, and provide opportunity to raise any questions and concerns they may have related the project implementation. The PIU, relevant staff of Contactor and CSC will attend public consultation. Informational leaflets including summary about the Project, construction schedule, GRM and contact persons‟ data, will be disseminated to local communities in the Project area.

IX. CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS

98 Rehabilitation of local roads will take place within existing ROW. Therefore, adverse impacts will be insignificant, localized and short-term during construction works, which will be eliminated by mitigation measures. Considerable environmental and social benefits will result from the rehabilitation of local roads. The Project will provide local people and businesses an improved access to national and regional markets and employment opportunities. Improved roads will decrease costs from wear out of vehicles. The Project will improve also road safety measures, traffic signs, and safety railings.

99 The Project is Category B for environmental impacts. The temporary and insignificant adverse impact will be managed and mitigated through measures provided in the IEE and EMP. The Contractor will prepare and implement SSEMPs. Regular environmental monitoring and supervisions will be conducted and reported as required by ADB SPS (2009). Implementation of mitigation measures during the Project‟s design, construction, and operation phases will reduce adverse impacts to acceptable level.

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Annex 1. Environmental Management Plan

Table 1: Environmental Management Plan MITIGATION MEASURES DURING DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION

Activity Potential Impact Mitigation measures Institutional Responsibility

DESIGN PHASE Road alignment in areas Tree losses that cannot be All impacted trees must be well documented and necessary Contractor implements of tree plantations. The prevented. Main species are permits should be obtained from relevant authorities (if mitigation measures under distance from the tree willows (Salix alba), (mainly required) supervision of Construction stands to the planned alongside arable plots,) Any tree losses are compensated by new plantations; Supervision Consultant (CSC). road edge shall normally poplars (Populus nigra) and Plantations shall be conducted after technical works have CSC will monitor and report to be sufficient to ensure acacia). been completed. Planting time shall be restricted to spring Project Implementation Unit preservation of the tree (March) and/or autumn (September till October); (PIU). rows. However, in some Tree are within the existing Right-of Way (ROW) where tree sections it may technically loss may occur; not feasible to pre- vent Trees to be planted shall have the following parameters: 1,5 the loss of individual – 2 m height, age 5 – 6 years. Species: Willows and trees. Poplars (Salix alba and Populusnigra) along road corridor in space areas and mulberry (Morus alba); and Tree cutting must be monitored regularly as in EMP. Project road crosses the Potential damage to irrigation According to the CSC instructions. During the road CSC instructs, monitor and existing culverts. All system when new culverts rehabilitation all existing culverts will be replaced with new report to Project Implementation existing culverts will be are constructed or existing ones. Outlet and inlet of all culverts will be reconstructed. Unit (PIU. replaced or culverts are rehabilitated, remained/improved. likewise for outlet and inlet of Outlet and inlet of all all pipes. culverts will be reconstructed Design of bridges to be Potential erosion at bridge To protect bridge abutments against flood and erosion Design Consultant , affected the erosion and river beds abutment slope protection with concrete fill will be provided. CSC will review and report to Project Implementation Unit (PIU CONSTRUCTION PHASE Top soil preservation Loss of top soil. Removing of top soil occurring within clearing corridor. Contractor to implement Topsoil shall be removed and stored for reuse. Long-term mitigation

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stockpiles of topsoil will be immediately protected to prevent CSC to routinely monitor erosion or loss of fertility. For erosion protection it will be Contractors activities. sown with a fast-growing vegetation, e. g. grass Contractor to provide clear action plan for top soil preservation A maximum fill up of the tree stem area of 30 cm can be accepted. Fill up material in the tree stem area has to be coarse water permeable substrate (e. g. coarse sand with gravel con- tent); Filling up the tree stem area by more than 30 cm or a fill up with fine impermeable substrate (e.g. loam or silt) will Contractor to implement Road alignment in areas damage the tree. In this case cutting cannot be prevented mitigation; of tree plantations. Tree losses due to and new trees, which are appropriate to local climate is to CSC will monitor and report to Embankment filling of the embankment fill. be planted as a compensation measure at the respective Project Implementation Unit tree stem area. location within the existing ROW; (PIU Plantings shall be conducted after technical works have been completed. Planting time shall be restricted to spring (March till April) and/or autumn (October).The new trees to be planted shall be the appropriate to local climate condition. Bottom of embankment of Contractor to implement Potential damaging of trees Implementation of a temporary vegetation protection fence designed road lying very mitigation; during construction activities during construction activities. close to tree rows CSC to regularly monitor The proposed borrow sites are already in operation. Therefore, environmental impacts concerning potential Contractor to submit all the disfigurement of landscape, vegetation losses and damage permission and approval; Potential disfigurement of to access roads are kept to a minimum; CSC to review and approve all landscape, vegetation losses Wet aggregates and/or provide cover on haul trucks to the permissions ; Operation of borrow areas and damage to access roads minimize dust emission and material spillage; Contractor to provide necessary and quarries Increased dust emission Locate aggregate stockpiles away from surface waters. plans and implement necessary Siltation of surface waters Prior to start operating the borrow site the required approval mitigation measures; and permit will have to be obtained from Ministry of CSC to regularly monitor Environment (MoE) and measures to minimize and mitigate activities, report to EA. . adverse impacts will be duly monitored. Operation of asphalt plant Odor emission and safety Asphalt plants shall be 500 m downwind from settlements. Contractor to provide all risks Provide spill and fire protection equipment and submit an required approvals; emergency response plan (in case of spills, accidents, fires CSC to check approvals; and the like) to the authority in responsibility prior to Contractor to provide necessary

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operation of the plant.; plans and implement necessary Secure official approval for installation and operation of mitigation measures; asphalt plants from the MoE. CSC to regularly monitor activities, report to EA. Water pollution due to spilled Bitumen will not be allowed to enter either running or dry Contractor implement mitigation bitumen streambeds nor shall it be disposed of in ditches or small measures; waste disposal sites prepared by the contractor; and CSC supervision and monitoring Bitumen storage and mixing areas must be protected against spills and all contaminated soil must be properly handled following legal environmental requirements. Such storage areas must be contained so that any spills can be immediately cleaned up. Operation of Concrete Emission of dust and noise To prevent adverse impacts site selection for the concrete Contractor to provide all Plant plant shall be approved by CSC. The selected location shall required approvals; have a minimum distance of 500 m to the settlement and CSC to check approvals; orchards. Contractor to provide necessary plans and implement necessary mitigation measures; CSC to regularly monitor activities Site selection, site Potential soil and water The contractor shall submit documents for approval (short Contractor to receive necessary preparation and operation pollution statement and site plan in appropriate scale) which indicate: approvals; of contractor’s yard (i) Site location, surface area required and layout of the Contractor to provide Camp site work camp. The layout plan shall also contain details of the MP; pro- posed measures to address adverse environmental CSC to check all approvals and impacts resulting from its installation. permits; (ii) Sewage management plan for provision of sanitary CSC to approve Camp site MP; latrines and proper sewage collection and disposal system CSC to regularly monitor to prevent pollution of watercourses; activities, report to EA. Waste management plan covering provision of garbage bins, regular collection and disposal in a hygienic manner, as well as proposed disposal sites for various types of wastes (e.g., domestic waste, used tires, etc.) consistent with appropriate regulations; (iii) Description and layout of equipment maintenance areas and lubricant and fuel storage facilities including distance from water sources and irrigation facilities. Storage facilities for fuels and chemicals will be located away from watercourses. Such facilities will be bounded and provided

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with impermeable lining to contain spillage and prevent soil and water contamination (iv) Prior to the commencement of works the site installations shall be inspected for approval. Competition for water re- Prior to establishment of the work camps (or running the Contractor CSC, PIU sources existing one), consult local authorities to identify water source that will not compete with the local population water needs. Site selection, site Health and safety risks to For health and safety protection of workers and adjacent Site selection, site preparation preparation and operation workers and adjacent com- munities the following shall be provided: and operation of contractor’s of contractor’s yard communities (i) adequate health care facilities (including first aid yard (continuation); (continuation) facilities) within construction sites; Health and safety risks to (ii) training of all construction workers in basic sanitation workers and adjacent and health care issues, general health and safety matters, communities . and on the specific hazards of their work; CSC will monitor and report to (iii) personal protection equipment for workers, such as EA safety boots, helmets, gloves, protective clothing, goggles, and ear protection in accordance with legal legislation; (iv) clean drinking water to all workers; (v) adequate protection to the general public, including safety barriers and marking of hazardous areas; (vi) safe access across the construction site to people whose settlements and access are temporarily severed by road construction; (vii) adequate drainage throughout the camps so that stagnant water bodies and puddles do not form; (viii) sanitary latrines and garbage bins in construction site, periodically cleared by the contractors to prevent out- break of diseases. Where feasible the contractor will arrange the temporary integration of waste collection from work sites into existing waste collection systems and disposal facilities of nearby communities; Work site Worker’s health and soil The contractor shall hire a qualified health and safety expert Contractor to implement operation/Operation of /water pollution who will provide safety training to the staff according to the mitigation equipment maintenance requirements of the individual work place. Prior to the CSC to monitor regularly and fuel storage areas commencement of works, the work site personnel shall be Contractor’s activities., report to instructed about safety rules for the handling and storage of EA. hazardous substances (fuel, oil, lubricants, bitumen, paint

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etc.) and also the cleaning of the equipment. In preparation of this the contractor shall establish a short list of materials to be used (by quality and quantity) and provide a rough concept explaining the training / briefing that shall be provided for the construction personnel; Locate storage facilities for fuels and chemicals away from watercourses. Such facilities will be bunded and provided with impermeable lining to contain spillage and prevent soil and water contamination. Store and dispose waste/used oil consistent with environmental legal requirements; Work site restoration: After completion of construction works the contractor shall execute all works necessary to restore the sites to their original state (removal and proper disposal of all materials, wastes, installations, surface modeling if necessary, spreading and leveling of stored top soil). Construction and Waste in Construction The Contractor will be required to coordinate all Contractor to submit Waste Domestic Waste Camps and other ancillary construction camp activities with neighboring land uses. Management Plan (WMP); CSC facilities Contractor will be responsible to maintain and clean-up to review/approve WMP; campsites and respect the rights of local landowners. If Contractor to obtain all located outside the ROW, written agreements with local necessary approvals and landowners for temporary use of the property will be permits from authorities for required and sites must be re- stored to a level acceptable disposal; to the owner within predetermined time period CSC to check all required approvals; Contractor to implement mitigation measures; CSC to regularly monitor implementation; report to EA. Spoilt soil and asphalt Contractor must not dump excess materials on private Contractor to submit Waste MP; lands without permission of the owner and approval from CSC to approve Waste MP; CSC. Excess spoil shall not be dumped or pushed into Contractor to obtain all rivers at any location. necessary approvals and permissions from relevant authorities for disposal; CSC to check all required approvals;

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Contractor to implement mitigation measures; CSC to monitor mitigation activities, report to EA. Inert Solid & Liquid waste The contractor shall be responsible to provide refuse Contractor to submit WMP; CSC containers at each worksite; to approve WMP; (i) Maintain all construction sites in a cleaner, tidy and safe Contractor to obtain all condition and provide and maintain appropriate facilities necessary approvals and as temporary storage of all wastes before transportation permissions from relevant and final disposal; authorities for disposal; (ii) Train and instruct all personnel in waste management CSC to check all required practices and procedures; approvals; (iii) Collect and transport non-hazardous wastes to all Contractor to implement approved disposal sites. The sites for waste disposal mitigation measures; shall be agreed with the local municipal authorities and CSC to regularly monitor Concerned Agencies. A specialized company may be implementation, report to EA. contracted, to ensure collection of domestic and general waste from camps and temporary storage areas and transportation to landfills approved and licensed by the concerned agencies. Asphalt Waste from the operation of asphalt should be managed Contractor to submit WMP; CSC properly. Reinstatement of the site will be necessary after to approve WMP; the project Contractor to obtain all necessary approvals and permissions from relevant authorities for disposal; CSC to check all required approvals; Contractor to implement mitigation measures; CSC to regularly monitor implementation, report to EA. Hazardous Waste Management, handling and storage of hazardous waste will Contractor to submit WMP; CSC be outlined in the Contractors WMP. Disposal locations of to approve WMP; hazardous wastes should be agreed with the Concerned Contractor to obtain all Agencies. The Contractor shall collect hydrocarbon wastes, necessary approvals and including lube oils, for safe transport off-site for reuse, permissions from relevant recycling, treatment or disposal at the temporary storage authorities for disposal;

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sites and further at the locations approved by Concerned CSC to check all required Agencies or pass it to the licensed operator having approvals; Contractor to environmental permit on operation of the hazardous wastes. implement mitigation measures; CSC to monitor mitigation activities, report top EA. Operation of construction Road construction projects Providing information to workers, encouraging changes in Contractor to implement camp bear a high potential risk to individual’s personal behavior and encouraging the use of mitigation; affect local communities and preventive measures. The goal of the information is to CSC to regularly monitor the health and well-being of reduce the risk of HIV / STD transmission among the implementation, report to EA.. those that live in or near to beneficiaries (construction workers and camp support staff) the temporary work camps by supporting the spread of STD and HIV/AIDS. In addition, the transport sector itself actually helps the epidemic, as infrastructure and associated transport services give people and infections mobility. Earthworks and various Loss of topsoil Topsoil shall be stripped and reused to cover areas where Contractor, construction activities excess materials will be dumped and on road CSC to regularly monitor embankments. In addition, a soil management plan shall be implementation. provided detailing measures to be undertaken to minimize effects of wind and water erosion on stockpiles, measures to minimize loss of fertility of top soil, timeframes, haul routes and disposal sites. Earthworks and various Siltation of surface waters Mostly all excavated material will be reused. In addition, the Contractor to implement construction activities and/or impact on soils due to re- claimed asphalt pavement will be recycled for the mitigation; (continuation) improper disposal of excess construction of new pavement. Thus, potential impacts due CSC to regularly monitor materials to the need for disposal of excess material will be kept to a implementation, report to EA. minimum. Competition for water re- Conduct consultation with local authorities to identify Contractor; sources sources of water (for spraying and other construction CSC to regularly monitor requirements) that will not compete with the local implementation population. Air pollution due to exhaust The contractor will maintain construction equipment to good Contractor emission from the operation standard and avoid, as much as possible, idling of engines. CSC to regularly monitor of construction machinery Banning of the use of machinery or equipment that cause implementation, report to EA:

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excessive pollution (e.g., visible smoke). Disturbance of adjacent Restrict work between 06-00 to 21-00 hours within 500m of Contractor; settlements due to elevated the settlements. In addition, a limit of 70 dBA will be set in CSC to regularly monitor noise levels the vicinity of the construction site and strictly followed. implementation, report to EA. Soil compaction due to Confine operation of heavy equipment within the corridor Contractor; operation of heavy that is absolutely necessary for the road construction to CSC to regularly monitor equipment avoid soil compaction and damage to pasture land. implementation, report to EA: Earthworks and various Traffic impairment Submit a traffic management plan to local traffic authorities Contractor to prepare and construction activities prior to mobilization; submit plan; (continuation) Provide information to the public about the scope and CSC to approve plans; schedule of construction activities and expected disruptions Regional Office of EA to and access restrictions; coordinate with local traffic Allow for adequate traffic flow around construction areas; authorities; and CSC to regularly monitor Provide adequate signalization, appropriate lighting, well implementation, report to EA: designed traffic safety signs, barriers and flag persons for traffic control. Rehabilitation works Noise exceeding applicable For sensitive receptors such as schools, mosques and Contractor; within villages and along noise standards. Vibrations hospitals applicable noise standards shall be applied; CSC monitor and report to EA: sensitive receptors such may result in damage to local Any unexpected damage to local infrastructure, including as schools, mosques and infra- structure, including private property and local (haulage) roads compensation hospitals private property and local procedures will have to be established/approved by the (haulage) roads CSC prior to construction; Grievance redress procedures shall be put in place to facilitate communication between the contractor and potentially affected people. In addition, haul routes and construction site access roads should be discussed and jointly approved between the contractor and local officials to minimize the risk of conflicts. OPERATION PHASE Increased traffic volumes Increased pedestrian vs. Integrate in the engineering design the safety features such Design Consultant; and higher vehicle speeds vehicle accidents due to as speed control signs, proper road markings, street EA: traffic volume and higher lightening, pedestrian and cattle crossings and other visual speed as a result of improved means in entrance and exit of settlements, especially near road design schools.

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Annex 2: Disclosure and Public Consultations

Minutes of the Public Consultation Meeting and list of participants Under the Initial Environmental Examination Report

Date: January 28, 2020 Place of meeting: Garaoghlan village of Yevlakh region Meeting started: 10.00 Construction Supervision Consultant: “IRD Engineering” LLC Local community people (List is attached).

Presented: Alizamin Mustafayev: Environmental/Safeguard Specialist; and Ilqar Allahverdiyev: Inspector

Agenda: Presentation on Local Road Rehabilitation Project in Yevlakh-Sheki regions

1. Alizamin Mustafayev presented the Project Rehabilitation of Local Roads in Yevlakh- Sheki Region to the residents of Garaoghlan, discussed the following issues: (i) Project financing source, (ii) Executing Agency, (iii) ADB Safeguards Policy, (iv) Economic and social benefits of the project , and environmental impacts‟ mitigation measures (v) Grievance Redress Mechanism to be applied for APs and others having any relation to the project implementation. After presentation, local residents asked a few questions. At the end, participants thanked and expressed hope for successful project implementation.

Question: Will the existing local roads be upgraded? Response: Alizamin Mustafayev explained that rehabilitation works will be undertaken within the existing ROW. Therefore, there is no need the upgrading.

Question: What is the width of the designed road? Response: Alizamin Mustafayev: Local roads project is categorized as IV Road Category. According to the technical parameters the designed width of roadway is 6 meters. (i) Number of lanes: 2 (ii) Lane width: 3 m (iii) Carriageway width: 6 m (2 x 3.m) (iv) Width of shoulder: 1m (1x1 m; of which 0.50 m will be paved)

Question: Will be the existing bus stop replaced with new one? Response: Alizamin Mustafayev: The old bus stop will be replaced with the new one at km 2+500.

Question: What about the road signs? Will they be provided? Response: Alizamin Mustafayev: Traffic lights, road signs are foreseen by the project. All road construction works will be carried out in accordance with all established standards; the CSC will monitor the whole construction process.

2. Then Alizamin Mustafayev explained that there would be the Grievance Redress Mechanism to be implemented within the frameworks of the Project. This mechanism would facilitate and speed up the feedback with the public. He also informed on measures to be taken to reduce the environmental impacts.

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Figure 1. Photos from consultations

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Figure 2. Participants' list

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Minutes of the Public Consultation Meeting and list of participants Under the Initial Environmental Examination Report

Date: January 28, 2020 Place of meeting: Gushchu village of Yevlakh region Meeting started: 11.30 Construction Supervision Consultant: “IRD Engineering” LLC Local community people (List is attached).

Presented: Alizamin Mustafayev: Environmental/Safeguard Specialist, and Ilqar Allahverdiyev: Inspector

Agenda: Presentation on Local Road Rehabilitation Project in Yevlakh-Sheki region

Alizamin Mustafayev presented the Project Rehabilitation of Local Roads in Yevlakh-Sheki Region to the local community (residents of Gushchu village), and discussed: (i) Source of project finance, Executing Agency, (ii) ADB Safeguards Policy and national laws, (iv) Economic and social benefits of the project, (v) Environmental impacts‟ mitigation measures, (v) Project‟s Grievance Redress Mechanism to be applied for APs and others having any relation to the project implementation. After the presentation local residents asked a few questions. At the end participants thanked the presenters and expressed hope for successful project implementation.

Question: Will the old culverts be replaced with the new ones? Alizamin Mustafayev explained that it is intended to place of new culverts if required

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Figure 3. Photos from consultations

Figure 4. List of participants of consultations

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Minutes of the Public Consultation Meeting and list of participants under the Initial Environmental Examination Report

Date: January 28, 2020 Place of meeting: Derejennet village of Sheki region Meeting started: 15.00 Construction Supervision Consultant: “IRD Engineering” LLC Local community people (List is attached). Presented: Alizamin Mustafayev: Environmental/Safeguard specialist, and Bayramov Murad: Land Surveyor Agenda: Presentation on Local Road Rehabilitation Project in Yevlakh-Sheki region

Alizamin Mustafayev presented Project Rehabilitation of Local Roads in Yevlakh-Sheki Regions to the residents of Derejennet village, covering issues: (i) Project financing sources; (ii) Executing Agency, (iii) ADB Safeguards Policy, (iv) Economic and social benefits of the project, (v) Environmental impacts‟ mitigation measures, (vi) Project‟s Grievance Redress Mechanism to be applied for APs and others having any relation to the project implementation. After presentation local residents asked some questions.

Question: Will be required the land acquisition during the construction period? Response: Alizamin Mustafayev explained that rehabilitation works will be undertaken within the existing ROW. Question: It is known that the vehicles will move in high speed on rehabilitated road. What measures will be taken for road safety? Response: Alizamin Mustafayev: Road safety measures are also improved by replacement of old road signs with new ones and providing of new road signs. These signs will provide the more careful of road users. Question: Will the local residents be recruited in construction period? Response: Alizamin Mustafayev: Of course, local residents will be recruited according to their professional qualification in the construction period.

Figure 5. Photo from consultation

F i g u r e

6 .

L i s t

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of participants of consultations

Initial Environmental Examination Report for Rehabilitation of Local Roads in Ujar, Zardab, Agjabadi, Yevlakh, Sheki Regions Page 82

Minutes of the Public Consultation Meeting and list of participants under the Initial Environmental Examination Report

Date: January 28, 2020 Place of meeting: Tepejennet village of Sheki region Meeting started: 17.00 pm Construction Supervision Consultant: “IRD Engineering” LLC Local community people (List is attached).

Presented: Alizamin Mustafayev: Environmental/Safeguard Specialist of CSC and local Land Surveyor, Murad Bayramov.

Agenda: Presentation on Local Road Rehabilitation Project in Yevlakh-Sheki region

1. Alizamin Mustafayev made a presentation on Rehabilitation of Local Roads in Yevlakh- Sheki Region to the residents of Tepejennet village. The presentation covered the following issues: (i) Source of project finance, Executing Agency, (ii) ADB Safeguards Policy and national laws, (iii) Economic and social benefits of the project, (iv) Environmental impacts‟ mitigation measures, (v) Project‟s Grievance Redress Mechanism to be applied for APs and others having any relation to the project implementation. After the presentation made by local residents asked a few questions.

Question: If the old culverts will be replaced with the new ones? Response: Alizamin Mustafayev: If the old culverts can be rehabilitated, they will remain, if not they will be replaced with the new ones.

Figure 7. Photo of consultation

Initial Environmental Examination Report for Rehabilitation of Local Roads in Ujar, Zardab, Agjabadi, Yevlakh, Sheki Regions Page 83

Figure 8. List of participants of consultations

Initial Environmental Examination Report for Rehabilitation of Local Roads in Ujar, Zardab, Agjabadi, Yevlakh, Sheki Regions Page 84

Minutes of the Public Consultation Meeting and list of participants under the Initial Environmental Examination Report

Date: February 03, 2020 Place of meeting: Gulebend village of Ujar region Meeting started: 16:00 Construction Supervision Consultant: “IRD Engineering” LLC Local community people (List is attached).

Presented: Alizamin Mustafayev: Environmental/Safeguard Specialist Agenda: Presentation on Local Road Rehabilitation Project in Ujar-Zardab-Agjabadi region

Alizamin Mustafayev made a presentation on Rehabilitation of Local Roads in Ujar-Zardab- Agjabadi Region to the residents of Gulebend village, covering issues below: (i) Source of project finance, Executing Agency, (ii) ADB Safeguards Policy and national laws, (iv) Economic and social benefits of the project, (v) Environmental impacts‟ mitigation measures, (v) Project‟s Grievance Redress Mechanism to be applied for APs and others having any relation to the project implementation. After the presentation local residents asked a few questions. Participants thanked for presentations and expressed hope for successful cooperation in the course of the project implementation.

Question: Will it be provided bus stop? Response: Alizamin Mustafayev explained that a bus stop will be provided.

Figure 9. Photos from consultations

Initial Environmental Examination Report for Rehabilitation of Local Roads in Ujar, Zardab, Agjabadi, Yevlakh, Sheki Regions Page 85

Figure 10. List of participants of consultations

Initial Environmental Examination Report for Rehabilitation of Local Roads in Ujar, Zardab, Agjabadi, Yevlakh, Sheki Regions Page 86

Minutes of the Public Consultation Meeting and list of participants Under the Initial Environmental Examination Report

Date: February 03, 2020 Place of meeting: Alpi village of Ujar region Meeting started: 17:00 Construction Supervision Consultant: “IRD Engineering” LLC Local community people (List is attached). Presented: Alizamin Mustafayev: Environmental/Safeguard Specialist Agenda: Presentation on Local Road Rehabilitation Project in Ujar-Zardab-Agjabadi region

Alizamin Mustafayev presented the Rehabilitation of Local Roads in Ujar-Zardab-Agjabadi Region to the local community (residents of Alpi village), covering the followings: (i) Source of project finance, (ii) Executing Agency, (iii) ADB Safeguards Policy and national laws, (iv) Economic and social benefits of the project, (v) Environmental impacts‟ mitigation measures, (vi) Project‟s Grievance Redress Mechanism to be applied for APs and others having any relation to the project implementation. After presentation local residents asked a few questions. The participants thanked for taking presentation and expressed hope for successful cooperation in the course of the project implementation. . Question: Will the culverts be replaced with new ones? Response: Alizamin Mustafayev explained that it is intended to place of new culverts if required.

Figure 11. Photo from consultations

Initial Environmental Examination Report for Rehabilitation of Local Roads in Ujar, Zardab, Agjabadi, Yevlakh, Sheki Regions Page 87

Figure 12. List of participants of consultations

Initial Environmental Examination Report for Rehabilitation of Local Roads in Ujar, Zardab, Agjabadi, Yevlakh, Sheki Regions Page 88

Minutes of the Public Consultation Meeting and list of participants Under the Initial Environmental Examination Report

Date: February 03, 2020 Place of meeting: Korpukend village of Zardab region Meeting started: 12:00 Construction Supervision Consultant: “IRD Engineering” LLC Local community people (List is attached). Presented: Alizamin Mustafayev: Environmental/Safeguard Specialist Agenda: Presentation on Local Road Rehabilitation Project in Ujar-Zardab-Agjabadi region

Alizamin Mustafayev presented the Rehabilitation of Local Roads in Ujar-Zardab-Agjabadi Region to the local community (residents of Korpukend village), covering the followings: (i) Source of project finance, (ii) Executing Agency, (iii) ADB Safeguards Policy and national laws, (iv) Economic and social benefits of the project, (v) Environmental impacts‟ mitigation measures, (vi) Project‟s Grievance Redress Mechanism to be applied for APs and others having any relation to the project implementation. After presentation local residents asked a few questions. At the end, participants thanked for presentations and expressed hope for successful project implementation.

Question: Will you employ the local people during the project? Response. Alizamin Mustafayev explained that the local people will be employed in the project construction works.

Figure 13. Photos from consultations

Initial Environmental Examination Report for Rehabilitation of Local Roads in Ujar, Zardab, Agjabadi, Yevlakh, Sheki Regions Page 89

Figure 14. List of participants of consultations

Initial Environmental Examination Report for Rehabilitation of Local Roads in Ujar, Zardab, Agjabadi, Yevlakh, Sheki Regions Page 90

Minutes of the Public Consultation Meeting and list of participants Under the Initial Environmental Examination Report

Date: February 03, 2020 Place of meeting: Yarmemmedbagi-Pervanli villages of Zardab region Meeting started: 13:00 Construction Supervision Consultant: “IRD Engineering” LLC Local community people (List is attached).

Presented: Alizamin Mustafayev: Environmental/Safeguard Specialist

Agenda: Presentation on Local Road Rehabilitation Project in Ujar-Zardab-Agjabadi region

Alizamin Mustafayev presented Rehabilitation of Local Roads in Ujar-Zardab-Agjabadi Region to residents of Yarmemmedbagi-Pervanli villages), covered the following issues:, (i) Source of project finance, (ii) Executing Agency, (iii) ADB Safeguards Policy and national laws, (iv) Economic and social benefits of the project, (v) Environmental impacts‟ mitigation measures, (vi) Project‟s Grievance Redress Mechanism to be applied for APs and others having any relation to the project implementation. After presentation local residents asked a few questions. After local residents asked few questions. At the end, participants thanked for presentations and expressed hope for successful project implementation.

Question: Will the bus stops be provided? Response: Alizamin Mustafayev explained that it will be provided new bust stop at the designated places.

Figure 15. Photo from consultations

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Figure 16. Photos from consultation

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Figure 17. List of participants of consultations

Initial Environmental Examination Report for Rehabilitation of Local Roads in Ujar, Zardab, Agjabadi, Yevlakh, Sheki Regions Page 93

Minutes of the Public Consultation Meeting and list of participants Under the Initial Environmental Examination Report

Date: February 04, 2020 Place of meeting: Shenlik village of Zardab region Meeting started: 11:00 Construction Supervision Consultant: “IRD Engineering” LLC Local community people (List is attached). Presented: Alizamin Mustafayev: Environmental/Safeguard Specialist Agenda: Presentation on Local Road Rehabilitation Project in Ujar-Zardab-Agjabadi region

Alizamin Mustafayev presented the Rehabilitation of Local Roads in Ujar-Zardab-Agjabadi Region to residents of Shenlik village, covered the following issues: (i) Source of project finance, (ii) Executing Agency, (iii) ADB safeguards Policy and national laws, (iv) Economic and social benefits of the project, (v) Environmental impacts‟ mitigation measures, (vi) Project‟s Grievance Redress Mechanism to be applied for APs and others having any relation to the project implementation. After the presentation local residents asked a few questions. At the end, participants thanked for presentations and expressed hope for successful project implementation.

Question: Will the bridge and culverts replaced with new ones? Response: Alizamin Mustafayev explained that the bridge and culverts crossed with road will be replaced with new ones.

Figure 18. Photos from consultations

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Figure 19. List of participants of consultations

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