Initial Environmental Examination June 2012 Sri Lanka: Northern Road Connectivity Project – Additional Financing National Roads Prepared by the Road Development Authority, Ministry of Ports and Highways for the Asian Development Bank. CURRENCY EQUIVALENTS (as of 5 June 2012) Currency unit – Sri Lankan rupee (SLR) SLR1.00 = $0 .0076917160 $1.00 = SLR 130.010000 ABBREVIATIONS ADB – Asian Development Bank ADT – average daily traffic AC – asphalt concrete AP – affected person BIQ – basic information questionnaire CEA – Central Environmental Authority CSC – construction supervision consultant DA – Department of Archeology DoAS – Department of Agrarian Services DoF – Department of Forestry DoI – Department of Irrigation DS – Divisional Secretary DSD – Divisional Secretariat Division DWLC – Department of Wild Life Conservation EA – Executing Agency EIA – environmental impact assessment EMP – environmental management plan EMoP – environmental monitoring plan EMS – environment method statement EO – Environment Officer ES – Environment Specialist GN – Grama Niladhari GND – Grama Niladhari Divisions GRC – Grievance Redress Committee GRM – Grievance Redress Mechanism GSMB – Geological Survey and Mining Bureau IEE – initial environmental examination LA – local authority LHS – left hand side MOPH – Ministry of Ports and Highways MSL – mean sea level NEA – National Environmental Act NRCP (PC) – Northern Road Connectivity Project (Provincial Component) NP – North Province NGO – nongovernment organization PD – Project Director PIU – Project Implementation Unit RE – Resident Engineer REA – rapid environmental assessment RHS – right hand side ROW – right-of-way TOR – terms of reference WEIGHTS AND MEASURES km – kilometer m – meter NOTE In this report, "$" refers to US dollars. 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. Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................................. vi Chapter 1 - Introduction ............................................................................................ 1 1.1. Project Background and Justification ............................................................ 1 1.2. Extent and Scope of the Study ..................................................................... 1 1.3. Objective of the IEE Report .......................................................................... 3 1.4. Structure of IEE Report ................................................................................ 3 1.5. Applicable Environmental Legislations ......................................................... 4 1.6. Methodology ................................................................................................ 5 Chapter 2 - Description of the Project ........................................................................ 7 2.1. Type of the Project ....................................................................................... 7 2.2. Category of the Project ................................................................................. 7 2.3. Need for the Project ..................................................................................... 8 2.4. Location ....................................................................................................... 9 2.5. Analysis of Alternatives ...............................................................................11 2.6. Size and Magnitude of Operation ...............................................................11 2.7. Cost for the Project .....................................................................................13 2.8. Proposed Schedule for the Implementation .................................................13 Chapter 3 - Description of the Existing Environment of the project affected area .... 14 3.1. Description of the Existing Condition of Subprojects Roads ........................14 3.2. Description of the Existing Environment of Subprojects Roads ...................17 Chapter 4 - Screening of the Potential Environment Impacts and Mitigation Measures ...................................................................................................... 56 4.1. Environmental Impacts Associated with Pre Construction and Construction Stage ......................................................................................56 4.2. Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures Associated With Operation Period .........................................................................................68 Chapter 5 - Institutional Requirements and Grievance Redress Mechanism ............ 71 5.1. Institutional Arrangements ...........................................................................71 5.2. Capacity Building ........................................................................................72 5.3. Grievance Redress Mechanism ..................................................................72 Chapter 6 - Environment Management Plan and Environment Monitoring Plan ....... 75 Chapter 7 - Public Consultation and Information Disclosure ................................... 77 7.1. Public Consultation .....................................................................................77 7.2. Consultation Findings ..................................................................................78 7.3. Information Disclosure .................................................................................79 Chapter 8 - Conclusion and Recommendations ....................................................... 80 Chapter 9 - References ............................................................................................ 82 v Annexures A. Typical cross sections B. Topographical maps C. Drainage – catchment maps D. Environment Management Plan E. Environment Monitoring Plan F. Public consultation Attachments 1. CEA Consent letter for BIQ 2. Culvert list 3. Bridge list 4. Material Extraction Sites 5. Inundation Sections vi Executive Summary 1. Introduction Project Background and the Justification 1. The proposed Feasibility Study and Detail Design of Northern Road Connectivity Project (NRCP) includes rehabilitation and upgrading of 117.5 km of five A, B & AB Class National roads located within Anuradhapura, Mannar and Jaffna districts of North Central and Northern Provinces of Sri Lanka. 2. The dilapidated conditions, lack of drains, poor alignments, narrow road sections structurally damaged culverts, bridges and causeways of the subproject roads contributes to high vehicular operation cost, long travel time and high transport cost. Main objective of developing these seven roads with standard two/ four lane status is to assist the existing and predicted traffic flow in the area in future. In addition the road network is mainly seen as a tool for poverty alleviation, allowing war affected people in the area to directly access other areas of the country to engage in a number of social and economic activities. Additionally this project will improve and strengthen the National Highways Network efficiency in Sri Lanka thereby establishing a smooth traffic flow, reduce costs and travel time incurred by users of the road network, increase lifetime of the roads by appropriate, periodic maintenance and consequently contributing to economic development of the country. Extent and Scope of the Study 3. The Environmental Assessment was carried out as a requirement of the Feasibility Study for a total of 117.5 km 2 A, 1 AB and 2 B class roads located within Anuradhapura, Mannar and Jaffna districts in NCP and NP. The project comprises a total area of 177.17 ha over a project stretch of 117.5 km with an average strip of 15 to 27.2 m width. Scope of the study was determined by stipulations given in the ADB, IEE outline and include field data collection, Public consultation, Assessment of potential environmental impacts and development of preventive and/or mitigation measures for significant impacts, preparation of BIQs, REAs, EMPs, EMoP and finally the IEE report Objective of the IEE Report 4. Main objective of this IEE report is the preparation of a comprehensive account of the current environment condition of the project affected area of NCP & NP. Accordingly a single consolidated IEE report will be submitted for ADB to facilitate their decision making. vii Methodology 5. Field observation of the roads located within NCP and NP was carried out during the period from February to April 2012. A line transect survey was carried out along all the proposed roads about 25 m either side and direct observations were made to identify road side trees, important flora, fauna, water resources, land use pattern, environmentally sensitive and protected areas. Other reliable information was collected from villagers and respective authorities during public consultation meetings. Secondary information for the report was gathered from printed materials and other sources of Government Departments, Authorities, Ministries, NGOs and relevant websites etc. 2. Description of the Project Type of the Project 6. Proposed roads for rehabilitation