The public consultations on draft Terms of Reference (TOR) for Regional Environmental Assessment (REA) and Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the proposed Shuren Hydropower Plant Project and the Flow Regulation of Orkhon River and Construction of Reservoir Complex Project

Dear Stakeholders in Gusinoozersk, Selenduma, Iroyskoe, Temnik, Gusinoozera, Baratii, Novoselengiyskoe, Zagustayskoe, Zhargalanta, Nizheubukunskoe, Ubur-Dzoyskoe and Sutoi of Selengsky District of the Republic of Buryatia. We are pleased to invite you to participate in public consultations on the environmental and social aspects of two proposed projects: The Shuren Hydropower Plant project (Shuren HHP) and the Flow Regulation of Orkhon River and Construction of Reservoir Complex Project (Orkhon Project). The purpose of these consultations is to gather the views and insights of interested and potentially affected stakeholders in the Republic of Buryatia and the Russian Federation to help finalize the draft terms of reference for the upcoming Regional Environmental Assessments (REA) and Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA). The purpose of these assessment studies is to make sure all potential environmental and social impacts from these proposed projects are properly and adequately understood and assessed. This includes potential impacts on communities, both in Mongolia and Russia, as well as possible impacts on the Lake Baikal ecosystem. Stakeholders: These public consultation meetings are open to all interested and potentially affected stakeholders Gusinoozersk, Selenduma, Iroyskoe, Temnik, Gusinoozera, Baratii, Novoselengiyskoe, Zagustayskoe, Zhargalanta, Nizheubukunskoe, Ubur-Dzoyskoe and Sutoi of Selenginsky District of the Republic of Buryatia. Locations and dates of the planned consultations:

Venues& Locations: Time &Dates: Cultural Center of Gusinoozersk of Selenginsky At 14:00 pm, Friday, 24 March, 2017 District of the Republic of Buryatia

Agenda

13:30 pm – 14:00 pm Registration

14:00 pm-14:10 pm Opening Remarks by Mongolian and Russian Honorable Delegates

14:10 pm -14:40 pm Presentation 1: Responses to the comments made on the draft REA and ESIA TORs by institutions and NGOs of Russian Federation and Republic of Buryatia Discussion

14:40 pm – 14:55 pm Presentation 2: Introduction of the on the draft Terms of References /TORs /of Regional Environmental Assessment / REA /and Environmental and Social Impact Assessment /ESIA/ of Flow Regulation of the Orkhon River and Construction of Reservoir Complex by Mongolian delegation

14:55 pm – 15:40 pm Question& Answers& Discussions

15:40pm – 15:55 pm Presentation 3: Introduction of the on the draft Terms of References /TORs /of Regional Environmental Assessment / REA /and Environmental and Social Impact Assessment /ESIA/ of Shuren Hydropower Plant Project by Mongolian delegation

15:55 pm – 16:40 pm Question& Answers& Discussions

16:40 pm– 16:50 pm Closing Remarks by Mongolian and Russian Honorable Delegates

The package of consultation materials provided one month in advance includes:

o Consultation Agenda, o A brief introduction of MINIS project, o Draft TORs of REA/ ESIA TORs for Shuren Hydropower plant project, Draft TORs of REA/ESIA TOR for Flow Regulation of Orkhon River and Construction of Reservoir Complex Project, o The relevant documents for International Advisory Committee, o Frequently Asked Questions – MINIS, o Public Consultation and Information Disclosure Checklist, o Grievance Resolution Mechanism, MINIS. In addition to the consultation materials are included: o Non-technical brochures providing a brief introduction of the proposed Shuren HPP and Orkhon Project, o Technical summaries for Flow Regulation of Orkhon River and Construction of Reservoir Complex Project and Shuren Hydropower plant project, These materials are available on the following websites:

http://www.minis.mn/en/announce-materials. Hard copies of these materials are available at local librarie and local governor offices of Gusinoozersk, Selenduma, Iroyskoe, Temnik, Gusinoozera, Baratii, Novoselengiyskoe, Zagustayskoe, Zhargalanta, Nizheubukunskoe, Ubur-Dzoyskoe and Sutoi of Selenginsky District of the Republic of Buryatia. Journal is available for comments on the consultation subject at the aforementioned places. To provide feedback and inputs online, please visit: http://www.minis.mn/en/feedback. The form of the consultations: The consultations will be conducted as in form of public meetings and discussions. Documenting consultation & disclosure of its results: All verbal comments and concerns expressed by participants will be fully recorded in a consultation summary. All written feedback provided online or at the consultation meetings will be also documented. All input received will be given due consideration and stakeholders will be informed through a “response matrix” how their input has been taken into account in the final terms of reference for the REA/ESIA. In the event any of the inputs or comments cannot be incorporated, this will be explained in the response matrix. All consultation documents, including an updated REA and ESIA TORs, the public consultation reports, the response matrixes, presentations and all other relevant documents will be made publicly available on the MINIS website. http://www.minis.mn/en/information-disclosure The additional comments and feedback will be accepted for 30 days after the consultation meeting is held. For additional inputs can be delivered in writing to [email protected] or directly to the MINIS project management unit at: The MINIS Project, 401, Arig Building, 1stkhoroo, Sukhbaatar District, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Additional comments can also be provided online through the MINIS website: http://www.minis.mn/en/feedback. For more detailed information about upcoming public consultations, please contact at [email protected], https://www.facebook.com/minis.wb and skype ID: MINIS WB. Viber address is MINIS+976 94129545.

We are looking forward your active participation. Sincerely,

The Mining Infrastructure Investment Support Project Unit