World Bank Document

E444 Vol. 2 Public Disclosure Authorized ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR THE ACQUISITION OF 2000 KM OF 2D LAND SEISMIC IN NORTHERN SENEGAL Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized ; .o,~~~~~~~~~~~~~~a _>_LO FOR THE Public Disclosure Authorized WORLD BANK I PETROSEN FEBRUARY 2001 Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................... 4 1 INTRODUCTION .9 2 POLICY, LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK .9 2.1 WORLDBANK'S OPERATIONAL POLICY .9 2.2 SENEGALLEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK .9 2.2,. International legislation. 10 2.2.2 National Legislation .10 2.2.2.1 The EnvironmentalCode .. 10 2.2.2.2 The Forest Code .. 11 2.2.2.3 The Hunting Code .. 12 2.2.2.4 The Petroleum Code .. 12 2.2.3 Governmental organizations .12 2.2.3.1 NationalLevel .. 12 2.2.3.2 RegionalLevel .. 13 2.2.3.3 Authorisationsand permits .. 13 2.2.4 Other Organisations and.Non Governmental Organisations (NGO 's).13 3. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED SEISMIC ACQUISITION PROJECT .15 3.1 PURPOSEOF THE SEISMIC ACQUISITION .. 15 3.2 LocATiON .. 15 3.3 METHODS .. 16 3.3.1 The Vibroseis method .16 3.3.2 Flexibility in line location .17 3.3.3 Working activities and staffing .17 3.3.4 Petrosen 's responsibilities .19 4. BASELINE DATA .20 4.1 INFLUENCEARA .. 20 4.2 PHYSICALENVIRONMENT .. 20 4.2.1 Climate and meteorolog. .20 4.2.2 Geology and topography .21 4.2.3 Rivers and waterways .22 4.3 SOCIO-CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT .. 23 4.3.1 Population .23 4.3.2 Infrastructure and community structure .23 4.3.3 Land-use and agriculture .23 4.3.4 Important hunting andfishing areas .25 4.3.5 Areas of recreational value .25 4.3.6 Historical sites .26 4.4 DESCRIPTIONOF'[HEECo-GEOGRAPHICALZONESINTHEINFLUENCEAREA . .26 4.4.1 The Senegal River valley zone .28 4.4.2 The northern sandy, pastorale zone .28 4.4.3 The central agricultural zone .30 4.4.4 Saloum estuarine zone .31 4.4.5 Saloum agricultural zone .32 4.5 PROTECTEDAREAS AND SPECIES .. 33 4.5.1 iVational Parks .35 4.5.2 Nature Reserves.36 4.5.3 Other protected natural habitats .36 4.5.4 Protected species .37 4.5.5 Occurrence of malaria and HI V/aids.37 5. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES ... 38 5.1 GENERALIMPACTS.38 EIA 2 5.2 POTENTIAL IMPACT ON CROPS AND PROPERTY ................................................ 38 5.2.1 General issues ................................................ 38 5.2.2 Mitigation measurements ................................................ 39 5.3 POTENTIAL IMPACT ON VEGETATIONAND PROTECTEDAREAS ............................................... 41 5.3.1 General issues ................................................ 4] 5.3.2. General mitigation measures ................................................ 43 5.3.3 Issues in protected areas ................................................ 43 5.3.3.1 Authorizations ...................................................... 43 5.3.4 National Parks and Natuire Reserves ................................................ 44 5.3.4.1 Classified fores and t s sylvo-pastoralreserves ....................................... ,.,,. 46 5.4 POTENTIALIMPACT ON WATERWAYS AND LANDSCAPE, MITIGATION MEASURES .. 50 5.5 HISTORICAL SITES.................. ,51 5.6 ENVIRONMENTALISSUES RELATEDTO TIIE ACTIVITYAT TlE CAMPSITES............. ....................51 5.7 POTENTIAL CONFLICTSWITH OTHER ACTIVITIES....................................................................... 52 5.8 POTENTIAL IMPACTOF NOISE AND DUST ....................................................................... 52 5.9 POTENTIAL IMPACTON INFRASTRUCTURE....................................................................... 52 5.10 MITIGATION MEASURESTO PREVENT MALARIAAND AIDS INFECTIONS.................................. 53 5.11 SUMMARYOF SIGNIFICANTNEGATIVE AND POSITIVEIMPACTS .............................................. 53 5.11 SUMMARYOF PROPOSED MITIGATIONMEASUREMENTS AND ANALYSESOF ALTERNATIVES....... 53 6. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING PLAN ...................................... 55 7. APPENDICES ....................................................................... 56 Appendix A List of Environmental Assessments Prepares Appendix B Written material used in study preparation Appendix C References Record of Interagency/Forum/Consultation Meetings Minutes of meetings Appendix D Protected tree species in Senegal Appendix E Historical sites in the seismic acquisition area EIA 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Introduction As part of a nationalpolicy of promoting the potential for hydrocarbondevelopment of the sedimentarybasins within the Republic of Senegal, Petrosen,which is the responsible organisation,has negotiated part financingfrom the World Bank for the acquisition of a new land seismic survey. This seismic survey extends over the northern part of Senegal, from the Gambian border to the Senegal River at the Mauritaniaborder. It will consist of approximately2000 line km of 2D seismic recording.The acquisitionis expectedto start early in the year 2001 and to continue for 8-12 months. In order to mitigateany environmentaldisturbance from the planned operation an environmental impact assessment(EIA) is required by the World Bank. Environmentaland social aspects which may be affected shall be identified, and mitigationand remedial measures shall be recommended. Seismic AcquisitionMethod and Activities The seismic acquisitionwill employ a mechanicalvibrating tool (Vibroseis) mounted on heavy, 15 tonnes, vehicles. Access to acquisition lines will be required by a number of vehicles and associatedpersonnel, and for alignment of geophonesand cables. The seismic survey team will consist of 60-80 people. In addition to the Vibroseisvehicles, 15-20 cars and trucks for transport of personnel and equipmentwill be required. The right-of-way(3-4 m) and access roads will be cleared by hand. Inspectionsof the planned seismic lines concluded that it is possibleto clear the lines without using bulldozers and caterpillars. Seismic shot points will be established every 60-120 m along the seismic lines. The Vibroseisvehicles are equipped with geographicalpositioning systems (GPS), and minor deviationsfrom the seismic line do not constitute a technicalproblem. A minimum of three camp sites will be established during the seismic survey,which is expected to take 8-12 months to complete. Baseline data The EIA includes a description of the physical, socio-culturaland eco-geographical environment,as well as the protected and sensitive areas in the seismic acquisition area. The description is based on written material, informationobtained througha number of consultationmeetings and a field surveycarried out in Senegal. The climate is dominatedby the dry and the rainy seasons. The rainy season lasts from July- Septemberin the northern part of the area, and from June-Octoberin the southern parts. The topographyof the area is largely flat, though fixed dunes occur in the northern parts. The soils are sandy and rich in iron. Saline flats occur in the Senegal River delta. The southern part of the seismic acquisitionarea is intensivelycultivated. Main crops are millet and groundnuts. Irrigated rice and sugar plantations are established on suitable soils in the Senegal River delta. The northernpart of the area, with poor soils and low annual precipitation,is mainly unsuitablefor agriculture,and vast areas are used for pasture for livestock during the rainy season. The populationin the seismic acquisitionarea is dominatedby four larger groups; the Wolof, the Tukolor,the Peul and the Serer. The Peul people are traditionally semi-nomadiccattle herders. The remaining groups are traditionallytraders and farmers. Rapid increaseof the populationover the last 30 years has caused an increased pressure on agricultural land, and the agriculturalzones have expanded to areas allocated for grazing and forest protection. EIA 4 The vegetation in the area is mainly tree and bush savannah. The impact of desertification is most severe in large areas of the seismic acquisition area. The Senegalese Government has implemented extensive programs to plant and conserve trees in order to protect the dry sandy soils in agricultural areas. A number of protected areas are located within the seismic acquisition area. These include Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary, Saloum Biosphere Reserve, Ndiael and Bao Bolon Special Wildlife Reserves, three classified pasture reserves (sylvo-pastoral reserves) and seven classified forests. Several tree species occurring in the seismic acquisition area are completely or partly protected. The general hunting season is from September-December. Three important hunting areas are located within the seismic acquisition area, but hunting is generally performed everywhere in the area. Historical sites located in the seismic acquisition area includes battlefields and grave mounds. Malaria is widespread in the seismic acquisition area. The HIV-virus (aids) is widespread on the African continent, although the infection frequency in Senegal is less than in other West- African countries. Environmental Impact Assessment and Proposed Mitigation Measures Agricultural land Seismic operations conducted during the main growing season of Julv-October would result in crop losses in areas of intensive agriculture. Extensive areas might be affected. Soil compaction from vehicle operations, which can inhibit crop growth, is most likely to occur during the wet season in moist areas. The seismic survey should be conducted during the dry season in the intensively cultivated southern parts of the influence area

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