Arab Republic of Ministry of Environmental Affairs Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency

Public Disclosure Authorized

Public Disclosure Authorized

Alexandria Coastal Zone Management Project (ACZMP)

Environmental and Social Management Plan For Reed Removal in Mariout

Public Disclosure Authorized

Ver. 6

Public Disclosure Authorized Revision Date: 9 February 2015

Introduction

The Strategic Action Plan for the Mediterranean1 has identified several “hot spots and sensitive areas” on the , which for several decades have been experiencing a continuous increase in population, development, and environmental degradation. Two of these “hot spots” are located in (El-Mex Bay and Abu-Qir Bay). Lake Mariout is one of the major sources of conveyance of land-based pollution to the El-Mex Bay. According to the Trans- boundary Diagnostic Analysis for the , the pollution load reaching the Mediterranean Sea via the two hot spots in the Alexandria area are significant with more than a third of the total Biochemical Oxygen Demand and Chemical Oxygen Demand discharges in the area. The main sources of pollution are untreated domestic, agricultural and industrial wastewater.

The Alexandria Coastal Zone Management project (2010-2015) is financed by a grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) of US$7.15 million managed through the World Bank. The Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) is the agency responsible for overall implementation.

The overarching objective of the project is to contribute to the reduction of land-based sources of pollution entering the Mediterranean Sea through the identified hot spots in the Alexandria area, especially Lake Mariout.

The results of the projects would be measured by the following outputs:

 A coastal zone management plan for Alexandria is implemented.  Investments are made in pollution reduction measures to Mediterranean Sea.

The project consists of three components:

Component (1): Planning and Capacity Strengthening. The outcome is an increased capacity by the various relevant entities to manage the coastal zones in and around Alexandria in an integrated, participatory and sustainable manner. The outputs for this component include (i) a master plan for the management of the coastal zones of Alexandria including Lake Mariout; (ii) the strengthening of the new Alexandria Coastal Zone Management Committee to address the sustainability of the pollution reduction measures including cost recovery and any other issues encountered during implementation of the project and (iii) water quality software, circulation modeling and monitoring equipment. The recommendations of the master plan will be reflected in the future land use plan for the city of Alexandria.

1 The Mediterranean countries have also worked together to set priorities related to these trans-boundary problems and have jointly agreed on what interventions are needed to address such priorities through two Strategic Action Programs (SAPs): (a) The Strategic Action Program to Address Pollution from Land-Based Activities (SAP MED); and (b) The Strategic Action Program for the Conservation of Mediterranean Marine and Coastal Biological Diversity (SAP BIO). The two Strategic Action Programs are aimed at: (i) reducing land-based sources of marine pollution (SAP-MED) and (ii) protecting the biodiversity and living resources of the Mediterranean, as well as their habitats (SAP-BIO).

Component (2): Pollution Reduction. The outcome is a reduction in the land-based source of pollution entering the Mediterranean.

Component (3): Project Management. The outcome is the documentation of the project results for the purpose of up-scaling and replication.

The Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) introduced in this context relates to component 2 of the Project. The Intermediate Outcome of Component 2 is: a) improvement in the water quality of El Mex Bay and subsequently the water quality of the Mediterranean Sea; and b) efficiency and sustainability of pollution reduction measures. The Intermediate Outcome indicators include: a) a minimum reduction of pollution loads of 5 % at El-Mex pumping station which is leading to the Mediterranean Sea by the end of project; and b) increase in percentage of surveyed population noticing an improvement in daily lives (in terms of improved water quality, fishing quantity, and quality).

ACZMP has contracted with a national modeling consulting for applying a hydrodynamic and water quality numerical modeling study at Lake Mariout. The main objectives of the hydrodynamic and water quality numerical model study can be summarized as follows:

 Studying the current status of the Lake Mariout and using the available data to simulate the main basin of Lake Mariout subject to the discharges and pollution loadings coming from the agricultural drains and the point sources discharge directly to the Lake.  Investigate the flow circulation inside the main basin of Lake Mariout and its effect in minimizing the negative impacts on the water quality of the lake.  Investigate the transport and advection of the pollutants due to the effluent discharges from drains and other sources of pollutants.  Identify and develop the most critical surface drainage water quality indicators to simulate and predict the temporal and spatial variation of pollution.  Examine and evaluate different modelling scenarios to study the impact of alternative water quality management practices in the selected drainage catchment, and their effect on the environmental condition of the lake as an important component of the watershed.  Perform sensitivity analysis for modeling parameters and variables showing the response of the model to influential parameters and coefficients used in the modeling process, especially those with high degree of uncertainties on their values.

One of the main outputs of this study is the reed removal scenario in 6000 feddan basin of Lake Mariout which will help in improvement of water circulation. Further illustration is contained in the following sections.

The main purpose of this report (ESMP) is to present a set of potential environmental impacts, mitigation, monitoring, and institutional measures to be undertaken during the reeds removal and disposal. The objectives of these measures are to eliminate or minimize the adverse environmental and social impacts, offset them, or reduce them to acceptable levels.

Technical Concept for Reed removal

Results of modelling the hydrodynamics and the water quality of the lake made by the project showed that flow velocity in the 6000 fed basin doesn't exceed 0.01 m/s in any location. This indicates that there is no circulation in water due to the intensive weed growing in the basin; mainly common reed; that emerge from the bed of the lake. The modelling consultant suggest a couple of scenarios to improve the circulation of water inside the basin and concluded that the best scenario would be removing the common reeds from area no.1 & 2 shown in the below map combined with increasing the flow to the basin from any other source like Risha or Omoum Drain. This will require complete removal of reeds to clear the path of water in the basin not only reed cutting for few cm below the water surface. Removal of reed will also enlarge free water surface of the lake increasing the exposure of the surface to the winds. This will result in increased entrainment of oxygen into the water column and also improved water circulation preventing the formation of stagnant waters.

Figure 1: Shows three areas where reed removal potentially seem obvious Expected Quantities of Reed

Based on the modeling analysis, it has been recommended by the Consultant to remove around 1000 feddans of reeds from the 6000-feddan basin of the lake. According to the normal practices of General Authority for Fish Resources Development (GAFRD) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation (MALR), around 1 to 1.2 feddan per day will be covered using three mechanical dredgers and two barges. This will produce around 200 cubic meters of reeds per each feddan. From the above, the process of reed removal will be completed in the two exact locations within three years (may be less if the GAFRD will buy another dredgers in the upcoming days). Using and disposal of reeds

After harvesting the reeds by the dredgers, the barges will collect the cut reeds and spread them in groups beside the Risha drain as shown in fig. 2 for 7 days till dry. Following this, the dried reeds will be transported to the storage area as shown in figure 3. Taking in consideration that high level of caring is needed when transporting and disposing of trimmings from cutting of reeds strands because new strands can establish from the dispersal of seeds.

As per GAFRD calculations, there will be about 200 m3 of dried reed from each feddan; this means that there will be about 5000 m3 of dried reeds per month. After harvesting of the reeds, Representative samples of the reeds will be analyzed to ensure they are free of pollutants especially heavy metals. The sampling and analysis of the reeds will be undertaken by Alex RBO (within the water quality monitoring activity funded by the project). Once confirmed that reeds are free of pollutants, they are stored, and can be utilize in several uses including for example animal feed and Handicrafts. In case of increase of heavy metals value, the reeds will be disposed in the Alexandria landfill (9 N). Knowing that 9N landfill is a certified landfill which developed in year 1980 under the Alexandria governorate in Nagaa Abou Seisa area, Ameraya district. The total area of the land fill is about 238 feddan and the nearest residential area is far about 1.5 Km as shown in fig. 2. In 1993, the operation of the landfill has been assigned to the Alexandria Sanitary drainage company. The sludge is represented as one of the main waste disposed in this landfill.

Figure 2: Shows the proposed area for disposal of reed (9 N landfill)

On a monthly basis, the dried reeds will be used for the following:

 In supporting or strengthening the banks of the Risha drain  Used as animal feed  Transported by trucks to landfill 9 N 2 in Alexandria.

Figure 3: Shows the proposed area for storage and Risha drain Socio-economic impacts

In Lake Mariout, further degradation of water quality and fish production is significantly affecting people’s livelihoods. Fishermen rely both on the fishery to support their living, as fishing is the main source of income for the majority of fishermen. In this regard, Reed removal will potentially improve water circulation in the basin, thus both improving its aeration and entraining some of the deteriorated sediments. The second order effect of both direct impacts will be to improve the basin’s self-cleaning capacity to a rate higher than the current for COD and BOD. All of these improvements will increase the income of the fishermen and therefore improve their life.

During operation, it is not expected to interrupt or prohibit any fishing activities close to the planned reed removal areas due to the fact that fishermen are not currently accessing the main basin for fishing due to the dense vegetation covering that basin. As the GAFRD have a good access with the fishermen, they will be responsible for coordination with the fishermen to inform them with the work schedule, identifying the storage area and any other issues related to the reed removal procedures. On the other hand, removing the reeds

2 landfill where located in area called Nagaa Abou Sisa in Ameraya from the defined area will have great socioeconomic impact on livelihoods of this area. Clearing the area will create more places for the fishermen to fish in the lake. Also, by clearing the defined area from the reeds, the circulation in the main basin will be improved and the water quality will, consequently be better. This will impact the quality and quantity of the fish in the main basin and accordingly, will positively improve the income of the fishermen.

Environmental and Social Safeguard Responsibilities

The reed removal will be implemented through the coordinated efforts of:

 Egyptian Environmental Agency Authority (EEAA),and  Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation (MALR).

The Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA): is the competent authority in Egypt responsible for coordinating and implementing environmental projects and initiatives nation- wide. EEAA and its RBO’s have gained high technical skills and they have strong institutional capacity. EEAA represented by Alexandria RBO will monitor and follow-up the reed removal activity that is being done to ensure that the social and environmental management plan is fully addressed and applied. In this regard, the EEAA is signing an MOU with the GAFARD that describe and identify the rule of each party in the reed removal process including the application of the ESMP (attachment 1).

The Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation (MALR): the General Authority for Fish Resources Development (GAFRD) under MALR is the officially responsible body for managing Lake Mariout. GAFRD will be responsible for all the procedures related to the reed removal which staring from planning till reed safe disposal .Also, GAFARD will be fully responsible for applying environmental and social safeguards described in this plan for the safe removal and disposal of reeds from the 6000 feddan basin of Lake Mariut.

Analysis of activities and their Impacts Potential negative environmental and social impacts that have been identified and ranked as “High”, “Moderate” or “Low”, in order to eliminate or reduce the environmental and social impacts identified due to the project activities as follow:

Temporary storage of contaminated reeds: The removed reeds from the lake will need to be temporarily stored before deciding on their final destination. Some parts of the reeds may accumulate pollutants, including heavy metals. The reeds will be left for drying on the banks of the Risha Drain. This may be lead to land contamination and disruption of terrestrial ecosystems. The overall impact is ranked “Low”.

Transportation of removed reed to the landfill: The main adverse impacts associated with transportation are air pollution and increased noise levels. The reeds will be covered during transportation by trucks. The impacts are expected to be temporary and will end by the completion of the transportation activities. Its impact on air quality and noise levels is ranked as “Low”.

Table 1: Mitigation Measures and Associated Institutional and Financial Responsibilities Proposed Responsibility Environmental/S Activity Mitigation Timeframe Cost (US$) ocial Impact(s) Implementation Monitoring Measure(s) Temporal Solid wastes Conduct Alex RBO Alex RBO storage of causing health Sampling and contaminated risks Analysis for the reeds removed reeds. Included in the Water Designate area Before Quality for temporary harvesting Program of storage of reeds of reeds the Project before final GAFRD Alex RBO disposal (beside the lakeshore)

Transportation Air Pollution Only vehicles of removed reed which pass the GAFRD Alex RBO to the storage legal area or the environmental landfill tests for exhaust are allowed to have access to the site. Reeds will be covered during GAFRD Alex RBO After drying None transportation. the Reed Health and Safety Drivers to be provided with Safe Driving Instructions

Interaction with Lack of Involve GAFRD PMU Before and 5,000 (from fishermen participation fishermen in During the project community threatening the reeds removal. harvesting budget) sustainability of (working area Reeds the project and time frame) Total Estimated Costs (US$) 5,000

Table 2: Overall Environmental Impact Assessment Matrix

Environmental Receptors Affected

Activity Environmental Aspects

Air Soil Water Bodies Aquatic Ecosystem Terrestrial Ecosystem Noise Health & Safety Overall Impact

Use of heavy machinery L N N N N L L L Disruption of aquatic ecosystems N N N M N N N M Removal of Reeds Temporary storage of contaminated N L N M L N N L reeds Disposal of contaminated reeds M M N N M N M M

N: Neutral or Negligible L: Low M: Moderate H: High

Attachment 1

GAFRD MOU

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Attachment 2

GAFRD letter