Project Number: 38236 Grant Number: 0084-KGZ; Loan Number 2667-KGZ Reporting Period: Environmental Report № 6

The Kyrgyz Republic: CAREC Regional Road Corridor Improvement Project (Sary-Tash – Karamyk)

Environmental Report № 6

Prepared by the Ministry of Transport and Communications of Republic of the Kyrgyz Republic МАRCH 2014 г.

This report is an update to the Environmental Report. It is designed for ready use by the project executing agencies to provide direct input into ADB’s internal Project Progress and Project Completion Reports.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION ...... 3 2. PROJECT BACKGROUND ...... 3

3. ACTIONS TAKEN ...... 4

THE MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS OF THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC FOR GRANT 0084-KGZ: CAREC REGIONAL ROAD CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND EVALUATION REPORT KARAMYK-SARY TASH ROAD March 2014

1. INTRODUCTION

1. This report is prepared by the Investment Projects Implementation Group of the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC) of the Kyrgyz Republic, with assistance provided by TERA International Group, Inc. (TERA, and the “Consultant” hereafter) under the terms and conditions of the Contract for Consultant’s Services dated 6 May 2008 (Contract) between the MOTC and TERA to provide Design Review, Procurement, Construction Supervision and Monitoring and Evaluation as part of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) funding to assist the government of the Kyrgyz Republic under ADB Grant 0084-KGZ: “CAREC Regional Road Corridor Improvement Project (Sary Tash – Karamyk).” This report discusses implementation of the Environmental Management Plan during construction season 2013.

2. The Contractor (China Road and Bridge Corporation) signed the contract in August 2008 and officially began preliminary operations in October. In November 2008, the Contractor submitted the Health, Safety and Environmental Management Plan and the Construction Methodology as scheduled. In addition, the Contractor prepared the organizational chart, staffing plan, and cash flow for the Project.

2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

3. The Project is designed to produce the following outputs: (i) improved two-lane road of about 136 km from Sary Tash in the Kyrgyz Republic to the Kyrgyz-Tajik border; (ii) improved infrastructure at the Kyrgyz-PRC border crossing (Irkeshtam) and the Kyrgyz-Tajik border crossing (Karamyk); (iii) increased sustainability and capacity of the road subsector through outsourcing maintenance operations to the private sector in the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan; and (iv) a cross-border agreement among the Kyrgyz Republic, PRC, and Tajikistan. Grant 0084-KGZ focuses on outputs (i) and (iii), with the border crossing improvements and agreements covered by other funding allocations.

4. As such, the Project road will facilitate corridor development in the Kyrgyz Republic, and provide linkages to other Central Asian Republics (CAR) and the Xinjiang Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China (PRC). This project focuses on the continuation of the CAREC Corridors 2 and 51 linking the village of Sary Tash through the Karamyk pass to the Tajikistan border at the Karamyk border crossing point and the road which is undergoing rehabilitation that continues on to Dushanbe. The Sary Tash-Karamyk road is thus an important regional artery, and its upgrade will lead to increased trade and economic development. (See Figures 1, 2 and 3, which show the regional significance of the Project road.

5. The Project road, about 136 km long, links Sary Tash westward to the Tajikistan border near Karamyk. It is located in the most southern area of the Kyrgyz Republic. It follows the Alay valley from an altitude of 3,200 m near Sary Tash descending to 2,500 m in Karamyk. Sary Tash is situated on the major international road EM 02 linking Osh to the PRC through the Irkeshtam cross border point.

3. ACTIONS TAKEN 6. Physical works under the project were completed in 2013 and there was no adverse impact to the environment. Generally, the ecological conditions at the site were acceptable and met the requirements of the EMP. 7. In March 2013 during the inspection of environmental management aspects, carried out by the TERA environmental specialist, the following observations were made: - At the team 1 worker camp, the water reservoir, located behind the residential houses, used for dust suppression contains solid waste and garbage. - At the Team 2 worker camp, where the workers live, enclosing ditch around the perimeter of the camp, contains household garbage (especially the parts close to the gate). - Visiting the site for the production of bitumen and fillers, revealed that the situation with the spillage of industrial oils and tar has worsened when compared to last year’s conditions. The Consultant identified numerous and large enough spots of tar spill and industrial oils in places where the covering protection). 8. All above-mentioned violations, observed by the Consultant (in March 2013), were rectified by the Contractor. 9. The Contractor cleaned up territories of Camp1 and 2. Biodegradable household garbage were utilized in dumping sites (approved by territorial management of Environmental Protection Department) except items made of plastic and foam which were subject to recycling. Contaminated soil also was utilized in approved dumping sites in accordance with local legislation, due to the fact that in the vicinities of Daroot-Korgon, there are no authorized dumping sites for household waste. 10. Also in 2013, the Contractor recultivated the areas where the Contractor built its camps.

11. There were 21 borrow pits on the project. The table indicating their locations is given below. According to China Roads, all borrow-pits were recultivated in 2013 and taking-over documents were signed by Ayil Okmotu (village council) in accordance with approved project’s recultivation plan. All borrow pits were handed over to local authorities, taking over certificates were signed by ayil okmotu, representatives of regional department of environmental protection and others.

№ km Borrow-pit location in relation to the road 10+000 км LHS 50 18+000 км LHS 70 24+700 км LHS 70 28+500 км LHS 80 32+900 км LHS 60 37+000 км LHS 60 48+000 км LHS 50 48+500 км LHS 50 53+000 км LHS 70 57+000 км LHS 80 62+500 км LHS 80 68+500 км LHS 80 71+300 км LHS 80 77+000 км LHS 80 80+000 км RHS 70 82+200 км RHS 70 89+000 км LHS 60 105+800 км LHS 50 109+000 км LHS 50 110+500 км LHS 60 114+000 км LHS 60 21 borrow pits