World Bank Document

Public Disclosure Authorized WATER SECTOR DEVELOPMENT AND INSTITUTIONAL IMPROVEMENTS PIU Public Disclosure Authorized Environmental Management Plan Rehabilitation of Primary Canals of Shirak Irrigation Scheme: Public Disclosure Authorized Shirak canal, DM13+40 – DM24+04 Distributor canal No. 26, DM91+64 – DM169-84 30 September 2008 Public Disclosure Authorized Revised – 9 August 2011 WSDII PIU 75/44 Baghramyan Street Yerevan 0033, Armenia Tel +374 10 277943 Rehabilitation of primary canals of Shirak irrigation scheme CONTENT Glossary ........................................................................................................................................................ 3 Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................................... 4 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 6 2 Project Description .................................................................................................................................... 6 3 Description of Existing Conditions ............................................................................................................. 7 4 Environmental and Social Impacts .......................................................................................................... 12 5 Mitigation and Enhancement Measures ................................................................................................. 13 6 Institutional Responsibilities, Reporting and Budget .............................................................................. 15 6.1 Institutional Responsibilities .............................................................................................................. 15 6.2 Reporting Format and Schedule ......................................................................................................... 15 6.3 Budget ................................................................................................................................................. 16 7 Public Consultation .................................................................................................................................. 17 8 Environmentally Sound Clauses for Civil Works Contracts ..................................................................... 18 9 Main Findings .......................................................................................................................................... 18 Annexes ...................................................................................................................................................... 20 Annex A: Environmental Management Plan: Mitigation Measures ........................................................... 20 Annex B: Monitoring Plan .......................................................................................................................... 26 Annex C: Incident Report Form .................................................................................................................. 28 Annex D: Check List of Potential Environmental and Social Impacts ......................................................... 29 Annex E: Environmental Clauses for Contracts .......................................................................................... 41 Annex F: Minutes of Public Consultation Meetings…………………………………………….………………………….………47 2 Rehabilitation of primary canals of Shirak irrigation scheme Glossary AMD Armenian Dram ARD Armenian Road Directorate DM Distance Marker (or “Picket Number”) EA Environmental Assessment EIA Environmental Impact Assessment ESIA Environmental and Social Impact Assessment EMP Environmental Management Plan Environmental Expertise State Environmental Expertise SNCO of the MNP ESAOC Environmental and Social Assessment and Oversight Consultant ESIO Environmental and Social Impact Officer, MCA-Armenia GIS Geographic Information System GoA Government of Armenia ICID International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage ICOLD International Commission on Large Dams Irrigation PIU Water Sector Development and Institutional Improvements PIU MCC Millennium Challenge Corporation MCA-Armenia Millennium Challenge Account - Armenia State SNCO MNP Ministry of Nature Protection of the Republic of Armenia NGO Non-Governmental Organization RAP Resettlement Action Plan RA Republic of Armenia RPF Resettlement Policy Framework RRRP Rural Road Rehabilitation Project SCWS State Committee on Water Systems USD United States of America Dollars WB World Bank WSA Water Supply Agency WUA Water User Association 3 Rehabilitation of primary canals of Shirak irrigation scheme Executive Summary Rehabilitation of primary canals of Shirak irrigation scheme is envisaged under the Additional Financing for the Irrigation Rehabilitation Emergency Project (AF IREP). The rehabilitation of Shirak main canal was envisaged under the MCA-Armenia program. For this purposes Environmental Management Plan (EMP) was prepared under the MCA-Armenia, however because of the limited time and resources these rehabilitation works were not carried out under the MCA-Armenia program. This Environmental Management Plan (EMP) was revised for the rehabilitation of the following primary canals of Shirak irrigation scheme: • Shirak canal; • Distribution canal No. 26. The overall objective of the EMP is to bring the project into compliance with the environmental and social requirements set by the legislation of the Republic of Armenia and World Bank’s environmental and social policies. The EMP links the mitigation measures into a comprehensive implementation scheme, designed to ensure action. It describes institutional responsibilities, compliance monitoring and reporting requirements, and cost for implementing the EMP, all in order to answer the “who?”, “how?” and “how much?” questions. Shirak irrigation scheme is one of the major irrigation systems of Armenia. The feasibility study and final design for the Shirak irrigation scheme was prepared by "Hayjrnakhagits" CJSC under the contract IA06/003 for Design and Construction Supervision for Rehabilitation of Six Main Canals. The canals proposed for rehabilitation are located in the north-western part of Armenia within Amasia, Akhuryan and Maralik districts of Shirak Marz. The irrigation systems supplied from the Shirak irrigation scheme are served by Akhuryan-Araks Water Supply Agency and Achapnyak-Vorogum, Shir-Vorogum and Aygabats-Vorogum WUAs. The command area of the Shirak irrigation scheme is Shirak valley which spreads over altitudes of 1,300-1,935 meters above sea level. The rehabilitation works are expected to start in winter 2011 and end in early spring 2013 covering two off-irrigation seasons. 53 communities get water from Shirak irrigation scheme system. However, only 14 communities are considered to be direct beneficiaries as they are located right within the rehabilitation area of the Shirak irrigation scheme. Main agricultural activities include growing wheat, potatoes, vegetables, perennial plants and tobacco while orchards are also observed. The proposed rehabilitation works will have insignificant, short-term and localized 4 Rehabilitation of primary canals of Shirak irrigation scheme environmental impacts during implementation of rehabilitation works and further operation and maintenance of the canal systems. The impacts during the construction period are expected to be mainly caused by the need for removal of degraded concrete slabs lining canals under rehabilitation; removal of outtake fixtures and piping prior to replacement; extensive dredging of canals under rehabilitation; upgrading of service roads; and earthworks as required. All debris, spillage and construction waste, including silt taken from canals must be properly removed and disposed off at approved landfills/dump sites that do not encroach upon areas inhabited by local residents. Contractors shall agree with the relevant local/regional authorities the sites for disposal of excavated materials and construction wastes. Earth borrowing and mining of local aggregates and spoils disposal sites will have a temporary negative impact on the environment. Clearing of vegetation and excavations may also take place for some parts of the access roads. Base camps with storage of oil, chemicals and other pollutants will be removed. Following rehabilitation, canal embankments will be planted with ground cover and steep slopes strengthened with vegetation, grass and plants or gabions. Dust and smoke arising from construction machines can have a negative impact on the ambient air quality. Such effects are expected to be minimal and transient. During operation, negative environmental impacts will be less apparent but might result from inadequate attention to removal of silt debris and waste from canal beds during routine maintenance. Leakage from canals will be monitored to prevent excess soil saturation and water logging. Rehabilitation of Shirak irrigation scheme will bring positive changes to delivery of irrigation water, and water users will more easily obtain the required quantity of irrigation water in a timely manner. Greater water use efficiency can lead to increased levels of agricultural productivity, including more water for landholders at the end of the canal delivery system. Rehabilitation can lead to the adoption of higher value cropping patterns, as well as the

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