ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL ESIA REPORT
Bucharest 21 Constantin Daniel Street, Building A, Sector 1, 010631 Chirnogeni Wind Farm Bucharest, Romania T: +40 (0) 31 405 1680 Constanta County, Romania F: +40 (0) 31 405 1681 E: [email protected] http://www.erm.com
Supplementary Information to
Chirnogeni Wind Farm Environmental and Social
Impact Assessment Report
Chirnogeni-Cobadin-Basarabi
High-voltage Transmission Line Rehabilitation
August 2011 Administrators/Board Peter Temesvary Dr. Walter Heinz Martin Gundert
Nr. de ordine în registrul comertului: J40/11533/14.06.2007 Prepared for: Codul de Înregistrare Fiscală (C.I.F.) RO21931265 EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL
16 Albinelor Street, Chirnogeni Commune Please remit to UniCredit Ţiriac Bank, Constanţa County Branch Rosetti, Bucuresti Romania RON account: IBAN RO14 BACX 0000 0001 3825 3001 EUR account: IBAN RO84 BACX 0000 0001 3825 3002 SWIFT: BACXROBU
PROJECT NO. 0093210 Member of the Environmental Resources Management Group
ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL
This report has been prepared by ERM Environmental Resources Management S.R.L. (ERM) with all reasonable skill, care and diligence within the terms of the Contract with the client, incorporating Environmental Resources Management’s General Terms and Conditions of Business and taking account of the manpower and resources devoted to it by agreement with the client.
ERM Environmental Resources Management S.R.L. Bucharest, August, 2011
Peter Temesvary Dana Afrenie Managing Partner Senior Consultant
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 2
ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT 7
1.1 BACKGROUND OF ASSIGNMENT 7
1.2 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT 8
1.3 TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE EXISTING TRANSMISSION LINE AND PROPOSED REHABILITATION WORKS 10
1.4 TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE EXISTING SUBSTATIONS AND PROPOSED REHABILITATION WORKS 12 1.4.1 110/20 kV Basarabi Substation 12 1.4.2 110/20 kV Cobadin Substation 13 1.4.3 110/20 kV Chirnogeni Substation 14
1.5 DESCRIPTION OF THE MAIN ALTERNATIVES TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW 20 KV UNDERGROUND LINE 15 1.5.1 Zero-option / No action 15 1.5.2 Other route 16
1.6 MANAGEMENT OF REHABILITATION WORKS 17
2 SOILS, GEOLOGY AND WATER RESOURCES 21
2.1 INTRODUCTION AND SCOPE 21
2.2 BASELINE ENVIRONMENT 21 2.2.1 Topography 21 2.2.2 Soils 21 2.2.3 Geology 22 2.2.4 Seismicity 22 2.2.5 Groundwater 22 2.2.6 Surface water 22
2.3 CONSTRUCTION IMPACTS 23 2.3.1 Assessment of Impacts to Soils 23 2.3.2 Assessment of Impacts to Groundwater 25 2.3.3 Assessment of Impacts to Surface Water 26
2.4 OPERATIONAL IMPACTS 26 2.4.1 Assessment of Impacts to Soils 26
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 3
ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL
2.4.2 Assessment of Impacts to Groundwater 26 2.4.3 Assessment of Impacts to Surface Water 26
3 NOISE AND VIBRATION 28
3.1 INTRODUCTION AND SCOPE 28
3.2 METHODOLOGY 30 3.2.1 Noise Standards 30 3.2.2 Noise Goals 30 3.2.3 Noise Prediction Model 31
3.3 BASELINE ENVIRONMENT 31 3.3.1 Construction Impacts 33 3.3.2 Construction Traffic 35 3.3.3 Vibration from Construction 36
3.4 MITIGATION 36
3.5 SUMMARY 37
4 ECOLOGY AND NATURE CONSERVATION 39
4.1 INTRODUCTION AND SCOPE 39
4.2 METHODOLOGY 40 4.2.1 Sources of information 40 4.2.2 Assessment Methodology 41
4.3 ECOLOGICAL BASELINE ENVIRONMENT 42 4.3.1 Protected Areas 42 4.3.2 Habitat Context within the Project Area 48 4.3.3 Flora 49 4.3.4 Terrestrial Fauna within the Project Area 52
4.4 IMPACTS DURING THE REHABILITATION PHASE 59 4.4.1 Introduction 59 4.4.2 Habitats 60 4.4.3 Flora 60 4.4.4 Fauna 61 4.4.5 Protected Areas 63
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 4
ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL
4.5 PERMANENT AND OPERATIONAL IMPACTS 64 4.5.1 Introduction 64 4.5.2 Habitat 65 4.5.3 Flora 65 4.5.4 Fauna 65
4.6 MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT 67 4.6.1 Rehabilitation 67 4.6.2 Operational 68 4.6.3 Residual Impacts after Mitigation 68
4.7 CUMULATIVE IMPACT ASSESSMENT 68 4.7.1 Introduction 68 4.7.2 Description of Projects 69 4.7.3 Conclusion 71
5 SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT 72
5.1 INTRODUCTION AND SCOPE 72
5.2 SOURCES OF INFORMATION 72
5.3 AREA OF INFLUENCE AND BOUNDARIES 73
5.4 SOCIOECONOMIC BASELINE 73 5.4.1 Local Context 73 5.4.2 Demography 74 5.4.3 Religion 75 5.4.4 Infrastructure 75 5.4.5 Education 76 5.4.6 Employment 76 5.4.7 Unemployment 78 5.4.8 Public Health Infrastructure 79 5.4.9 Land Use and Property 79 5.4.10 Recreation and Community Facilities 81 5.4.11 Archaeology and Cultural Heritage 81
5.5 IMPACT METHODOLOGY 81
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 5
ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL
5.6 REHABILITATION IMPACTS 82 5.6.1 Impacts to Land Use 82 5.6.2 Impact on Livelihoods 83 5.6.3 Impacts on Health 83 5.6.4 Impacts on Infrastructure 84 5.6.5 Impacts on Archaeology and Cultural Practices 84
5.7 OPERATIONAL IMPACTS 85
6 OTHER IMPACTS ASSOCIATED TO REHABILITATION ACTIVITIES 86
6.1 INTRODUCTION AND SCOPE 86
6.2 IMPACTS TO AIR AND CLIMATE 86 6.2.1 Introduction 86 6.2.2 Assessment of impacts and mitigation measures 86
6.3 IMPACTS TO LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL 89 6.3.1 Introduction 89 6.3.2 Assessment of Impacts 89
7 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MITIGATION PLAN (ESMP) 90
7.1 INTRODUCTION 90
7.2 EP GLOBAL ENERGY 90
7.3 PURPOSE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MITIGATION PLAN (ESMP) 91
7.4 ROLES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING 91 7.4.1 EPGE‟s role during the rehabilitation/ construction and operation of the HV line 91 7.4.2 The role of ENEL and ENEL‟s contractors during the rehabilitation/ construction of the HV line 92 7.4.3 Ongoing stakeholder engagement 92
7.5 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MITIGATION PLAN (ESMP) 93
ANNEXES
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 6
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
1 INTRODUCTION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT
1.1 BACKGROUND OF ASSIGNMENT
EP Global Energy (EPGE), the ultimate parent company of EP Wind Project (ROM) SIX SRL (hereafter referred to as EPWP6 - the Project Beneficiary) is proposing to develop a wind farm with a total capacity of 80 MW located in Independenta and Chirnogeni Communes, Constanţa County, southeast Romania (hereinafter referred to as Chirnogeni Wind Farm 80 MW).
As part of this project, EPGE is required to rehabilitate the existing 110 kV high- voltage transmission line Chirnogeni-Cobadin-Basarabi (hereinafter referred to as HV line) which feeds the energy generated by the wind farm into the National Power Distribution Grid.
The HV line is owned by S.C. ENEL Distributie Dobrogea S.A. (“ENEL”), which is the operator of the National Power Distribution Grid in the area. The responsibility for the rehabilitation works belongs to ENEL. These works will be carried out by a subcontractor approved by ENEL and financed by EPGE.
The design of the rehabilitation works of the HV line was carried out by S.C. PET Communications S.R.L.
EPGE will appoint and finance ENEL‟s approved designer for the HV line rehabilitation works. Consequently, EPGE will control the design, with ENEL‟s approval, and will influence how the rehabilitation works will be carried out.
EPGE is considering obtaining financing for the construction of the Chirnogeni Wind Farm 80 MW and rehabilitation of the HV line from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (“EBRD”). Consequently, the scope of works of this Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (“ESIA”) is designed to comply with the international best practices for ESIA, including the EBRD‟s Social and Environmental Policy 2008(1).
(1) Refer to http://www.ebrd.com/downloads/about/sustainability/esprom.pdf
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 7
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
At the time this ESIA was produced, no permitting process according to Romanian Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) legislation had been started because these works were considered by the Local Environmental Protection Agency (LEPA) Constanta to be regular maintenance works for the proper operation of the HV line, which do not require an EIA. Consequently, this ESIA was not produced to serve as application for the relevant permitting procedure.
This ESIA report will form the basis for specifying the environmental and social provisions applicable only for the rehabilitation and operation of the HV line. However, it is important to note that EPGE is not the owner of the HV line and will not operate it after the completion of the rehabilitation works.
However, taking into account that the rehabilitation project will apply for funding from EBRD, EPGE will have to monitor environmental and social impacts associated to the operation and maintenance of the HV line (this measure was included in the Environmental and Social Mitigation and Management Plan presented in section 7).
ERM was engaged to assess the environmental and social impacts associated with the rehabilitation of the HV line. Consequently, this ESIA should be considered as supplementary information to the Chirnogeni Wind Farm 80 MW ESIA produced by S.C. ERM Environmental Resources Management S.R.L. (“ERM”) in 2009 and revised in 2011. In order to provide a comprehensive overview on the environmental and social provisions of the entire Project (Chirnogeni Wind Farm 80 MW and Rehabilitation of the 110 kV HV line Chirnogeni-Cobadin-Basarabi), ERM has also prepared a set of standalone documents, as follows:
Non-Technical Summary (“NTS”); Stakeholder Engagement Plan (“SEP”); and Environmental and Social Action Plan (“ESAP”). Information on the project owner and applicable Romanian and international legislation and guidelines is included in the Chirnogeni Wind Farm 80 MW ESIA.
1.2 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT
As noted above and shown in Annex 1 – Site Location Map, the objective of the proposed investment comprises the rehabilitation of 45 km of existing HV line going from Chirnogeni to Basarabi (currently called Murfatlar) Substations.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 8
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
The project is to be located on agricultural land approximately 2.4 km to the west of Chirnogeni Village (Chirnogeni Commune) and approximately 5 km to the southeast of Movila Verde Village (Independenţa Commune).
As part of the rehabilitation process, the following works will be undertaken:
grid upgrade from the existing ENEL substation in Chirnogeni to the existing ENEL substation in Basarabi; works required for the 110/20 kV transformer stations:
- Chirnogeni – installation of a 110 kV bar;
- Cobadin – rehabilitation of a 110 kV switchgear; installation of longitudinal coupling equipment for the 110 kV bar section; extension of the 110 kV station with a 110 kV overhead line;
- Basarabi – extension of the 110 kV station with a 110 kV overhead line with a 110 kV transfer bar; extension of 1 and 2 bar system of 110 kV; works required for the 110 kV overhead lines:
- installation of conductors between Basarabi – Cobadin;
- conversion of the existing 110 kV overhead electrical lines currently used as 20 kV lines back to the initial specifications for 110 kV use by replacing isolators along the 45 km corridor; works required for the 20 kV overhead electrical lines:
- transfer of the existing 20 kV connections between Cobadin – Chirnogeni.
- construction of a new 20 kV underground line with a length of 4.7 km in the Basarabi area, which will replace the corresponding section of the 110 kV overhead line between Cobadin – Basarabi in the area‟s 20 kV network. According to the conclusion of the feasibility study prepared in March 2011 by S.C. Cotofana Concept S.R.L., maintenance works will be required for approximately 176 poles.
As part of the agreement between ENEL and EPGE, the rehabilitation of the poles will be the responsibility of ENEL and will be conducted as part of the general maintenance program even if the Chirnogeni Wind Farm 80 MW will not be implemented. Consequently, the scope of the assessment presented in this report does not include the impacts related to the rehabilitation of the 176 poles and no EBRD funding will be necessary for this purpose.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 9
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
Although the rehabilitation of the poles is independent of the works required to rehabilitate existing transmission lines and sub-stations required for the Chirnogeni wind farm, and will be undertaken by ENEL over a period of 5-10 years, an assessement of potential impacts arising from this programme has been undertaken as part of this ESIA and is referred to in the section 4.7.
1.3 TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE EXISTING TRANSMISSION LINE AND PROPOSED REHABILITATION WORKS
The existing HV line was constructed in 1977 - 1979 and consists in the following sections:
Basarabi - Cobadin: this section comprises two 110 kV circuits, one of which is currently operating at 20 kV. Cobadin - (Movila Verde) - Chirnogeni:
- from Cobadin to Movila Verde this section comprises two 110 kV circuits currently operating at 20 kV;
- in Movila Verde the double circuit splits in two, one heading to Chirnogeni substation and the other one heading to Viroaga substation. Both circuits are designed at 110 kV and currently operating at 20 kV. The HV line goes along the existing road, crossing agricultural lands and by- passing or intersecting the following rural communities: Basarabi (currently called Murfatlar), Ciocarlia de Sus, Ciocarlia de Jos, Cobadin, Negresti, Movila Verde, Plopeni and Chirnogeni (see Annex 1 – Site Location Map).
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 10
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
Figure 1 .1 View of the existing HV line as of May 2011
The poles were constructed according to the standard design criteria ISPE E291-78 and ISPE E204-68; they are made of iron and welded between their sections.
Basarabi - Cobadin section
On the section between Basarabi and Cobadin, the line consists of two circuits of 110 kV, one of which is currently operating at 20 kV. This line is equipped with an AL-OL 185/32 mm2 conductors and VKLF chains of insulators without guard rings and shall be equipped with chains of composite isolators on a distance of 12.6 km (between pole no. 27 and the existing Cobadin substation).
A new 4.7 km 20 kV underground transmission line will be constructed in the Basarabi area, which will replace the corresponding section of the 110 kV overhead line between Cobadin – Basarabi in the area‟s 20 kV network. This new line is intended to provide energy supply for the inhabitants of the Ciocarlia de Sus village. The reasons for selecting this solution are presented in Section 1.5.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 11
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
The 20 kV underground transmission line will be buried in a 0.9 m-deep and minimum 0.5 m-wide ditch. The buried cables shall be provided with reticulate polyethylene (XLPE) insulation and shall be protected in a PVC-tube installed between two sand layers minimum 10-cm thick.
Cobadin - Chirnogeni
The line was equipped with a double circuit between poles no. 1 and 83 where the circuit splits between Viroaga and Chirnogeni substations. The derivation towards Chirnogeni substation was constructed on metal poles, with a double circuit axis. It is currently equipped with a single circuit over 93 poles.
The 110 kV Cobadin-Chirnogeni overhead line is equipped with the following types of insulation:
on the section between poles 1 and 58, the line is equipped with VKLF 75/16 insulation; on the section between poles 58 and 83, the line is equipped with PS6 insulation, double circuit axis; the derivation towards Chirnogeni (poles 1 to 93) is equipped with PS6 insulation. The existing isolator chains between 1 and 58 shall be replaced by chains of composite isolators. The 110 kV overhead line between Cobadin-Chirnogeni, which is currently operating at 20 kV, will be upgraded to operate at 110 kV.
The existing OL-AL 185/32 mm2 conductor of the 110 kV Cobadin-Chirnogeni overhead line shall not be replaced. The OL-AL S95/55 guard conductor existing in the 110 kV Cobadin-Chirnogeni overhead line shall be replaced by an optical fiber OPGW-type of conductor.
1.4 TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE EXISTING SUBSTATIONS AND PROPOSED REHABILITATION WORKS
1.4.1 110/20 kV Basarabi Substation
For the connection of circuit no. 2 corresponding to the 110 kV Basarabi- Cobadin overhead line (which is currently operating at 20 kV) it is necessary to install a line cell in Basarabi substation, according to the ENEL Distributie Dobrogea specification DY107/7 RO-D. The new line cell will be installed in
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 12
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
the vicinity of the transformers used to ensure the measurement and protection functions to the 110 kV Cobadin overhead circuit no. 1.
The new line cell will have the following technical specifications: nominal voltage 145 kV, working voltage 132 kV, frequency 50 Hz. It will consist of the following components:
transformers to ensure the measurement and protection functions; 110 kV line and bar separators operating at 1250 A; and 110 kV switch operating at 1250 A. The earth connection installation shall be extended in order to allow the connection of the newly installed equipped in compliance to the regulations in force.
The access road within the substation shall be reconfigured after the installation of the line cell in order to allow the access of the machinery to the new equipment.
Lightning arresters shall be provided in order to ensure the protection of the extended substation against atmospheric discharges.
1.4.2 110/20 kV Cobadin Substation
In order to connect the 110 kV Basarabi- Cobadin and Cobadin-Chirnogeni circuits, two new compact line cells shall be installed according to the ENEL Distributie Dobrogea specification DY107/7 RO-D. The existing 110 kV Chirnogeni cell will be removed.
The new line cells will have the following technical specifications: nominal voltage 145 kV, working voltage 132 kV, frequency 50 Hz. It will consist of the following components:
transformers to ensure the measurement and protection functions; 110 kV line and bar separators operating at 1250 A; and 110 kV switch operating at 1250 A. The new 110 kV line cells shall be connected in the existing 110 kV collection bar.
The earth connection installation shall be extended in order to allow the connection of the newly installed equipped in compliance to the regulations in force.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 13
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
Where necessary, lightning arresters shall be provided in order to ensure the protection of the extended substation against atmospheric discharges.
1.4.3 110/20 kV Chirnogeni Substation
The 110/20 kV Chirnogeni substation is currently equipped with a 110/20 kV 16 MVA transformer, which is not operational and the substation only provides connection functions. The works required for the rehabilitation of this transformer will be performed by ENEL as part of their regular maintenance program. Therefore, these are not included in the scope of the proposed investment.
In order to connect the 110 kV Cobadin-Chirnogeni circuit and the 110 kV underground transmission line from the Chirnogeni Wind Farm 80 MW, two new compact line cells shall be installed according to the ENEL Distributie Dobrogea specification DY107/7 RO-D.
In order to connect the Chirnogeni Wind Farm 80 MW in the 110/20kV Chirnogeni substation, a three-phase 110 kV bar system shall be installed, made of an OL-AL properly sized conductor.
The connection cell of the Chirnogeni Wind Farm 80 MW shall be installed parallel to the connection cell for the 110 kV Cobadin-Chirnogeni.
The new line cells will have the following technical specifications: nominal voltage 145 kV, working voltage 132 kV, frequency 50 Hz. It will consist of the following components:
transformers to ensure the measurement and protection functions; 110 kV line and bar separators operating at 1250 A; and 110 kV switch operating at 1250 A. The earth connection installation shall be extended in order to allow the connection of the newly installed equipped in compliance to the regulations in force.
The access road within the substation shall be reconfigured after the installation of the line cell in order to allow the access of the machinery to the new equipment.
Where necessary, lightning arresters shall be provided in order to ensure the protection of the extended substation against atmospheric discharges.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 14
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
1.5 DESCRIPTION OF THE MAIN ALTERNATIVES TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW 20 KV UNDERGROUND LINE
1.5.1 Zero-option / No action
The “zero-option” would mean that the new 20 kV underground transmission line (to replace the corresponding section of the 110 kV overhead line between Cobadin – Basarabi) would not be constructed at all.
The construction of this 4.7 km underground transmission line is a component of the rehabilitation project (described in Section 1.3 of this ESIA Report) which will allow the discharge of the renewable energy to be generated by Chirnogeni Wind Farm 80 MW into the National Power Grid.
If this new underground transmission line would not be constructed, no direct negative environmental and socio-economic impacts would arise because it would be possible to continue the operation of the existing overhead line (110 kV currently operated at 20 kV) to supply Ciocarlia de Sus village. Additionally, the potential negative impacts during construction (as referred to in the subsequent sections) would be avoided. Most important potential negative impacts which would thus be avoided include the temporary damage of the fields and crops during excavation works.
However, despite the fact that the current energy supply solution would avoid negative impacts related to the construction of the new 4.7 km line it will not allow the connection of the Chirnogeni Wind Farm 80 MW to the National Power Grid. Consequently, Chirnogeni Wind Farm 80 MW will not achieve its purpose and no environmental benefits will be generated.
From a socio-economic perspective, the construction of the new 20 kV underground transmission line will have both positive and negative impacts. By not completing this part of the project, a number of negative potential impacts, mainly of local scale, would be completely avoided:
temporary disruption and nuisance to villagers from noise, truck traffic and excavation works; and temporary restriction to local land use during construction. The socio-economic benefits of the construction of this project component (which will allow the connection of the Chirnogeni Wind Farm 80 MW to the National Power Grid) are mainly of a wider scale. This will allow the upgrade of the existing regional grid system, improve the quality of electric power
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 15
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
service and increase the percentage of renewable energy generated at national level. Zero-option would prevent the realization of these positive impacts.
In summary, the zero-option of not constructing the 4.7 km 20 kV underground transmission line would avoid the potential negative environmental and social impacts during the construction phase but, on the other hand, it would prolong the current sub-optimal and sub-capacity status of the grid system and hinder the successful implementation of Romanian renewable energy strategy.
1.5.2 Other route
According to the technical documents prepared for the rehabilitation of the existing 110 kV overhead transmission line, another route was considered for the construction of the 20 kV underground transmission line to supply Ciocarlia de Sus village. This route followed the existing overhead transmission line with the difference that it was 1 km longer than the final solution adopted (namely 5.7 km).
EPGE proposed an alternative solution (the construction of the 4.7 km underground transmission line described in Section 1.3) because there were no exploitation roads around the Basarabi substation. By choosing this alternative, the new 20kV underground transmission line is shorter and can be accessed via public exploitation road.
From environmental and social viewpoints, it is preferable to follow the shortest road that still avoids any sensitive land uses and residential areas.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 16
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
Figure 1 .2 Alternatives considered for the new 20 kV underground transmission line
1.6 MANAGEMENT OF REHABILITATION WORKS
Construction Principles
The project will be carried out in accordance with standard techniques and best practices in the industry, using companies with appropriate experience accepted by the owner of the Power Grid (ENEL). A project manager appointed by EPWP6 will oversee the project works and will liaise with environmental consultants who will provide technical support.
The works to install the 20 kV underground transmission line shall comply with the requirement of NTE 007/08/00 “Technical Norm for the design and execution of electrical cable networks” prepared in compliance with standards SR CEI 60502:2006, SR EN 60228:2005, SR EN 60071-1:2002, CEI 60055-1:2005, CEI 60055-2:1981, CEI 60331 and CEI 60287.
Temporary Construction Compound
During the rehabilitation works, a temporary construction compound of approximately 2,000 m2 will be required and will contain the following.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 17
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
site office and bedroom containers for 25 workers; portable toilets with septic tank incorporated , which will be emptied on a weekly basis or as necessary;
1,000 m2 for car parking - an area of compacted stone which will be restored to its original condition following construction; temporary storage for construction materials and equipment; the site will require water and electricity during construction - water will be provided via mobile tanks of about 1,000 liters each and will be used by approximately 25 workers for sanitary purposes. Electricity will be provided via one generator having an output power of 125 kW.
Construction Workforce
The construction stage of the project will involve an average daily workforce of 25 workers, 30% of which will be employed from the local available manpower. They will be accommodated in the bedroom containers to be provided within the construction compounds.
Construction Working Hours
Construction working hours will be 0700 – 1900, Monday to Friday and 0700 – 1300 on Saturday.
Indicative Construction Schedule
The execution of the works is anticipated to take approximately 12 months and will comprise the following key phases:
rehabilitation works in the existing substations; works related to the 20 kV transmission lines; works related to the 110 kV transmission lines. Figure 1 .3 presents an indicative construction schedule, illustrating how many activities will overlap.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 18
ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL
Figure 1 .3 Indicative Construction Schedule
TIMELINE FOR EXECUTION CONNECTION OF THE CHIRNOGENI WIND FARM 80MW TO THE NATIONAL POWER GRID
Timeline of the works Volume Description of the works Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4 Month 5 Month 6 Month 7 Month 8 Month 9 Month 10 Month 11 Month 12
Extention of the 110 kV Basarabi substation with a 110 kV line cell corresponding to circuit 2
Extention of the 110 kV Cobadin substation with two Volume 1: Rehabilitation 110 kV overhead line cells corresponding to circuit 2 works in the Basarabi-Cobadin, respectively Cobadin-Chirnogeni existing substations Rehabilitation of the 110 kV part of the Chirnogeni substation by installing the 110 kV bar and equipping two 110 kV cells corresponding to the 110 kV overhead circuit Cobadin-Chirnogeni, respectively 110kV underground line Chirnogeni - Chirnogeni Wind Farm
Construction of a new 20 kV underground line in Volume 2: Basarabi substation Works related to the 20 kV transmission line Upgrading the Cobadin-Chirnogeni circuit to 110kV
Volume 3: Equipping circuit 2 of the 110 kV overhead line Basarabi Works related to - Cobadin the 110 kV Coming back to the 110 kV nominal voltage of the transmission line overhead line Cobadin - Chirnogeni
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT JULY 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 19
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
Construction Materials
The main materials to be used for construction include:
reinforced concrete (for the construction of different types of foundations required); metal structures to support the equipment; low and medium-voltage cables; electrical separators and dischargers; and compacted ballast for access roads. To the extent possible, construction materials will be supplied on site from Constanta or Mangalia towns located in Constanta County, using authorized vehicles (e.g. the cement will be supplied by cement plants located in Constanta or Mangalia). It is not assumed that large quantities of these materials will be stored on site; they will be supplied periodically, depending on the construction phase.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 20
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
2 SOILS, GEOLOGY AND WATER RESOURCES
2.1 INTRODUCTION AND SCOPE
This section considers the impacts of the project upon soil, geology, groundwater and surface water resources existing in the project area. Section 2.2 provides a summary of the baseline features of the project area. Impacts of the project and associated mitigation measures are discussed for construction in Section 2.3 and for operation in Section 2.4 4.
Impacts to land use are assessed in Section 5, Social and economic environment.
2.2 BASELINE ENVIRONMENT
2.2.1 Topography
The project site is located in the Cobadin Plateau (southern route section) and Medgidia Plateau (northern route section), at altitudes ranging between 130 m above sea level in the southern section and 30 m above sea level in the northern section.
Cobadin Plateau altitude ranges between 100 m and 150 m. The western part of the plateau is hilly, heavily fragmented by Baciu, Ivrinezu and Pestera watercourses.
Medgidia Plateau altitude decreases from 120 m above sea level in the north to 10 m in the south and from 54 m in the east to 12 m in the west. This plateau is characterized by strong fragmentation resulting from erosive activity of running waters (Boasgic, Tortomanu) and other right tributaries of Carasu valley. The general appearance of the plateau is determined by slightly wavy hills descending in gentle slope to the south.
2.2.2 Soils
Please refer to the ESIA report prepared for Chirnogeni Wind Farm 80 MW, section 4.3.2.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 21
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
2.2.3 Geology
Please refer to the ESIA report prepared for Chirnogeni Wind Farm 80 MW, section 4.3.3.
2.2.4 Seismicity
Please refer to the ESIA report prepared for Chirnogeni Wind Farm 80 MW, section 4.3.4.
2.2.5 Groundwater
Groundwater is under pressure, located in Jurassic formations. Cretaceous, Miocene, Eocene and Pliocene formations are covering submerged structures of Silurian green schists structures at submerged at depths of hundreds of meters. These can be also found on the base Sarmatic plate loess.
Groundwater is generally supplied from rainfall infiltration.
In Cobadin Plateau, the water is moderately alkaline, with pH values ranging between 7.1 and 8.5 and hardness varying between 10 and 40 German degrees of hardness.
Part of the villages along the HV line route are supplied with drinking water from the system operated at county level by Regia Autonoma Judeteana de Apa Constanta (RAJA) SA. Part of the population in the area is not connected to a drinking water supply system. However, the water supply system in the area is currently under expansion.
2.2.6 Surface water
The surface water in Constanta County is characterized by a very low density (0.1 km/km2). No major rivers are located within close proximity of the HV line route, except Danube-Black Sea Channel located 1.5 – 2 km northeast of the northern endpoint of the HV line.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 22
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
The existing HV line crosses Negresti Moor; the distance of the nearest pole to the moor is approximately 5 m. However, no works will be performed to the poles and no equipment/ vehicles will need to cross this moor as part of the rehabilitation of the HV line.
According to Annex 5(2) of Law 575/2001 Approval of the Spatial Planning of the National Territory – Section V: Natural Hazard Areas, the Murfatlar area (north- east of the HV Line route) is exposed to risks of flooding at times of very heavy rainfall which may cause sudden gushes of water to pour down from the neighboring hills.
2.3 CONSTRUCTION IMPACTS
2.3.1 Assessment of Impacts to Soils
Direct and indirect impacts which may occur during construction are:
potential soil, surface water and groundwater contamination from construction equipment; generation of non-hazardous and hazardous waste during the rehabilitation works; soil compaction due to construction traffic. The rehabilitation of the transmission line consists of insulators and conductors replacement (along the entire route) and construction of a new underground transmission line on Cobadin – Basarabi (northern) route section.
The project also entails installing new line cells within Basarabi (one), Cobadin (two) and Chirnogeni (two) substations perimeters.
By their nature, construction environmental impacts are temporary and all changes to the soil are reversible.
(2) Annex 5 lists the Romanian urban and rural settlements which may be affected by flooding from the water bodies or from gushing water.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 23
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
The construction impacts on soils are associated with the construction equipment traffic and with the earthworks required for the construction the underground transmission line. The works required within the substations are associated with potential impacts on soil due to equipment traffic and reconfiguration of the access roads.
A relatively reduced area will be affected by the rehabilitation works along the transmission line route due to construction equipment traffic. Soil impacts are exected in certain areas around the poles and along the roads approaching these areas. The general construction area where direct effects can be expected is 25 m x 25 m = 625 m2 at each pole location. The poles are located at 150- 350 m from each other.
Soils compaction is associated with the movement of construction vehicles and machinery during construction, resulting in altering the soil structure. This can cause deterioration in soil fertility due to the absence of oxygen (anaerobiosis).
Indirect impacts may be expected on a 5-10 m wide stretch along access roads where dust might settle on the soil.
Stripped soil stored alongside construction areas will be vulnerable to degradation, dehydration, wind and water erosion and contamination by pesticides used to control weed invasion unless mitigation measures are implemented. Degradation may occur due to the breakdown of organic materials and biological structures binding the soils together.
During construction, soil and/or groundwater contamination can potentially occur due to lubricating oil leakages from construction equipment.
Mitigation measures will be implemented during construction as detailed within the Construction Environmental and Social Management and Monitoring Plan. Such measures will include:
Appropriate selection, maintenance and use of construction vehicles and machinery. Construction equipment maintenance and re-fuelling will be restricted. Any maintenance or re-fuelling will take place only with implementation of appropriate secondary containment and spill controls. Construction works will be executed so that subsurface contamination is prevented. Oil or fuel spills will be immediately cleaned up, and any affected areas will be remediated and restored after construction.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 24
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
Drip trays use and availability of spill clean-up kits to quickly remedy any leakages if they do occur. Construction materials, fuels, and wastes storage and handling procedures as well as emergency/spill response plans will be implemented at the construction sites. Topsoil stripping will be limited to the footprint of the cable trenches. Soil will be stored carefully to one side of the trench, in such a way that it is not mixed with sub soil or trafficked on by vehicles. Stockpiles will be a maximum of 2 m high to avoid compaction from the weight. Any surplus (uncontaminated) soil will be spread over fields subject to agreement with the landowner/occupier and/or used for landscaping within the project area. The construction working areas will be reinstated as far as practicable to the same condition as before.
2.3.2 Assessment of Impacts to Groundwater
No particular risks for groundwater are expected during construction/rehabilitation works provided that fuel and lubricants are stored and handled with diligent care. Contamination of ground water will be avoided through application of best management practices during construction.
Measures will be taken during the rehabilitation phase to prevent releases of oils from construction equipment, such as appropriate selection, maintenance and use of construction vehicles and machinery, use of drip trays, secondary containment/spill controls where any maintenance or re-fuelling is carried out, and availability of spill clean-up kits to quickly remedy any leakages if these do occur.
No water from the water supply network will be used during rehabilitation and no waste water will be generated. Bottled water will be provided for workers. Mobile washing facilities and toilets will also be provided that use self-contained domestic wastewater collection systems (i.e. no discharges will be made).
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 25
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
2.3.3 Assessment of Impacts to Surface Water
No impacts on surface water are expected as the rehabilitation works will not interfere with water bodies.
2.4 OPERATIONAL IMPACTS
2.4.1 Assessment of Impacts to Soils
No impacts on geological and geomorphological aspects are expected from the operation and maintenance of the rehabilitated HV line.
The operation of the new underground transmission line may affect the temperature or moisture of the soil on approximately 0.5 m radius around the transmission line. This impact is negligible.
No hazardous and non-hazardous waste will be generated from the operation of the HV line. The operator periodically inspects the route of the transmission line twice per year using cross-country cars, which do not generate any waste.
The new equipment to be installed at the substations has a low potential for soil impacts as the equipment will be sealed and/or will have oil spill secondary containment facilities.
During the operation of the HV line, waste generated from the maintenance activities will be disposed of through authorized contractors.
2.4.2 Assessment of Impacts to Groundwater
No impacts on groundwater are expected from the operation of the HV line and the new underground transmission line section.
The new equipment installed at the substations will be sealed and/or will have oil spill secondary containment facilities therefore potential impacts on groundwater are unlikely.
2.4.3 Assessment of Impacts to Surface Water
As there is no direct connection between the HV line and surface and/or subsurface water bodies no impacts on surface water are expected as the operation of the HV line and substation facilities. No wastewater will be discharged during facilities operation.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 26
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
Surface water contamination will be avoided through application of best practice sites management, including contractors‟ management, during the operational phase.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 27
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
3 NOISE AND VIBRATION
3.1 INTRODUCTION AND SCOPE
This assessment considers potential noise and vibration impacts associated with the rehabilitation works required to be performed to the high-voltage transmission line (as described in Section 1.2). The primary objective of this assessment is to quantify noise levels and the magnitude of any impacts at the closest noise sensitive receptors in proximity of temporary construction, as works move along the transmission line route. The electrical works required for the operation of the Chirnogeni Wind Farm 80 MW are described in Sections 1.3 and 1.4.
Figure 3.1 sets out the site location showing the route of the HV line and the noise sensitive locations alongside.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 28
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
Figure 3 .1 Site Location Map (transmission line route and noise sensitive locations)
The route of the transmission line broadly follows the alignment of roads DN 3 (national road), DJ (county road) 391 and DJ 392 between Siminoc and Plopeni.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 29
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
3.2 METHODOLOGY
3.2.1 Noise Standards
There are no Romanian national standards for noise from temporary sources such as construction. Construction works by their nature can be noisy, but are temporary. Because of this, criteria for construction noise are often higher than allowable noise criteria for permanent sources. The IFC Noise Level Guidelines(3) are not suitable because they generally apply to developments operating continuously (for example factories or mines where noise mitigation can be designed into the operation). Applying such stringent noise criteria to construction works would place significant constraints on construction works. Worker exposure to noise is covered in IFC Section 2.0 on Occupational Health and Safety.
3.2.2 Noise Goals
In the absence of Romanian national standards for noise from temporary construction, international best practice suggests that suitable criteria for construction activities should not exceed the best practice 70 dB value at the nearest noise sensitive receptor. This is consistent with construction noise guidance levels discussed in the ESIA prepared for Chirnogeni Wind Farm 80 MW by ERM in 2009 and peer reviewed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in 2011.
Noise in excess of 70 dB(A) during the day (0700 – 2200) and 45 dB(A) for any works during the night (2200 - 0700) would constitute a significant impact.
Construction noise and vibration at the wind farm site (including construction traffic) was discussed in the separate wind farm ESIA referenced in the previous paragraphs and is not considered further in this report.
(3) The IFC Guidelines suggest LAeq, 55 dB between 0700 and 1800; and LAeq 50 dB between 1800 and 0700 at residential, institutional and educational receptors
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 30
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
3.2.3 Noise Prediction Model
The noise predictions for construction activities have been undertaken using the calculation procedures set out in British Standard (BS) 5228(4). This method provides a well established calculation method for estimating noise from construction sites. The procedure takes into account:
the sound level of the work process or plant; the period of operation; distance between the noise source and sensitive receptor; presence of screening and reflection of sound. Other factors such as wind speed and direction, and the absorption of sound in the air are ignored to allow reasonable worst case noise estimation. The method predicts the equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure level
(LAeq).
3.3 BASELINE ENVIRONMENT
There are numerous noise sensitive receptors (NSRs) around the proposed Project Area. However, construction works adjacent to NSRs will be temporary as work moves along the transmission line route. To account for this, construction noise impacts have been predicted at representative NSRs along the route as listed in Table 3.1 below. A site location plan is given in Figure 3 .1.
(4) British Standard BS 5228: 2009 'Code of practice for noise and vibration control on construction and open sites'.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 31
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
Table 3 .1 Representative Noise Sensitive Receptors and Approximate Distances to the Transmission Line Construction Route
Coordinates (m) Approximate Distance to Stereo 70 (Romania Residential Transmission Line Description National System) Area Route / Substation Eastings Northings (m)
1. Siminoc Murfatlar (former Basarabi) 769337 302395 1,950 Substation
2. Siminoc The nearest residential house to 770171 302400 1,730 the Basarabi Substation, located on the site of the National road DN 3, between Basarabi and Cobadin
3. Siminoc House located on DN 3 at the 769037 299467 Property on or in very crossroad between DN3 and close proximity to high way Bucharest - Constanta route currently under construction.
4. Ciocarlia Houses located on DN3 at the 767178 297035 Property on or in very de Sus limit of Ciocarlia de Jos village close proximity to route
5. Ciocarlia Cobadin Substation, located on 764050 294923 Property on or in very DN 3 close proximity to route
6. Cobadin House located on DJ 391 758029 290747 Property on or in very (county road) at the limit of close proximity to Cobadin village route
7. Cobadin Negresti Moor, where the line is 758065 290103 Property on or in very crossing the road DJ 391 close proximity to route
8. Viisoara Unknown Property in Viisoara 755963 290788 1,580
9. Negresti On the site of DJ 391, near an 752299 283673 Property on or in very animal farm close proximity to route
10. Negresti Near Negresti Moor, where the 751889 283159 Property on or in very line is crossing the moor, at the close proximity to cross road with DJ 392 route
11. Negresti Unknown Property in Negresti 750656 281638 Property on or in very close proximity to route
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 32
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
Coordinates (m) Approximate Residential Distance to Description Stereo 70 (Romania Area Transmission Line National System) Route / Substation 12. Movila House at the limit of Movila 752727 278000 Property(m) on or in very Verde Verde village, on the site of DJ close proximity to 392 route
13. Movila House at the limit of Plopeni 752726 278002 185 Verde village, on the site of Dc 16 (commune road)
14. Plopeni Chirnogeni Substation 757206 276569 180
15. House adjacent to the 75 270611 Property on or in very Chirnogeni Chirnogeni substation close proximity to 9406 route
16. Asphalted access road 759358 270595 Property on or in very Chirnogeni branching from commune road close proximity to Dc 16 and continuing with an route earth exploitation road
17. The location where the 757022 269769 Property on or in very Chirnogeni exploitation road crosses the close proximity to irrigation channel route
Other properties in proximity to these NSRs will experience similar noise levels.
3.3.1 Construction Impacts
The precise details of the plant and equipment that will be used during construction works are not known at this stage of the Scheme. Assumptions have been made on the type and number of plant that may be working, and the duration they may be operating during a typical working day based on experience on other projects.
A reasonable worst case construction noise assessment has been carried out in accordance with the BS 5228 method for calculating construction noise. However, it is reasonable to assume that the construction will be a sequential process and will comprise a number of distinct operations. The rate of progress of each operation will be dependent on the nature of the task and construction noise at each of the NSRs (identified in Table 3.1) will be temporary. The rehabilitation works are planned to take approximately 12 months as shown in Figure 1 .3. Permitted working hours will be 0700 - 1900 Monday to Friday and 0700 - 1300 on Saturday.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 33
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
For the purpose of this assessment, a sound power level (Lw) of 117 dB(A) has been assumed to represent the plant and equipment that is expected to work on the construction of the transmission line. This noise level is greater than assumed in the ESIA prepared for Chirnogeni Wind Farm 80 MW for civil works (Lw 114 dB(A)) to present a reasonable worst-case scenario.
Based on this noise level, critical distances at which the typical noise levels from the construction of the transmission line shall meet the construction
noise criterion of LAeq 70 dB (at the façade of the property) are detailed below in Table 3.2.
Table 3 .2 Critical distance at Which Construction Work Meets the Construction Noise
Level Criterion of LAeq,,T 70 dB (façade)
Construction Phase Sound Power Level, LWA Critical distance at (dB) which 70dB(A) is met (m)
Linear Construction of Transmission Line 117 120
Civil works (1) 114 90
(1) Civil works was assumed to be the highest construction noise source in the 2008 – 2009 ESIA
As noted in Table 3.1 many of the NSRs are on or in very close proximity to
route. Noise levels are predicted to exceed the daytime noise criterion of LAeq 70 dB until work is approximately 120m from the NSRs.
NSRs identified as being set back from the route of the transmission line, specifically two properties in Siminoc (1 and 2); one in Viisoara (8) one in Plopeni (13) and in Chirogeni (14) will experience noise levels below daytime
noise criterion of LAeq 70 dB.
In the event of night time works, construction noise impacts would be experienced at all NSRs identified in Table 3.1 based on a criterion of
LAeq,T 45 dB. Noise levels are predicted to exceed the out of hours noise
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 34
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
criterion of LAeq 45 dB until work is approximately 2,100m from the NSRs. However, based on the information provided by EPGE regarding the schedule of the rehabilitation works, no night time works are expected to be conducted.
Works such as refurbishment of substations are likely to require less equipment and will be undertaken at a fixed location. For the purpose of this assessment, a conservative assumption that works will be similar in nature to civil works (Lw 114 dB(A)) has been assumed. The critical distance at which
construction noise meets the construction noise level criterion of LAeq 70 dB is approximately 90 m. This would only be for the noisiest part of the substation rehabilitation, for example demolition of old cells, and will therefore occur for a limited time only.
3.3.2 Construction Traffic
Construction traffic was discussed in the separate ESIA prepared for Chirnogeni Wind Farm 80 MW which includes details about the traffic flows in the Project area. However, that assessment was limited to construction traffic impacts associated with the wind farm site rather than the transmission line. The assessment concluded that during the worst-case period, there will be up to 58 heavy vehicle movements and up to 44 light vehicle movements per day resulting in an increase in road traffic noise of up to 2 dB(A).
For a worst case scenario, construction traffic volumes associated with the rehabilitation of the transmission lines are expected to be less than half of what was assumed in the ESIA prepared for the Chirnogeni Wind Farm 80 MW. This would mean an increase in road traffic noise of up to 1 dB(A). In the case when county roads DJ 391 and DJ 392 would be used at the same time for both construction of the Chirnogeni Wind Farm 80 MW and rehabilitation of the HV line, cumulative traffic noise would increase by up to 3 dB(A).
Changes in environmental noise of about 3 dB are generally not noticed in typical situations such as when noise sensitive receptors next to a road are subject to noise increases. A change of this magnitude would therefore not be considered significant in the context of a cumulative impact assessment. It should also be noted that the number of construction vehicles is likely to be significantly less than the volume of general traffic on the local roads.
No impacts on traffic noise are therefore predicted.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 35
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
3.3.3 Vibration from Construction
The assessment of vibration is very site specific. Measurements of vibration from construction plant have shown that, even from percussive piling equipment which would represent the highest likelihood of construction vibration, levels typically fall to imperceptibility beyond approximately 100 meters from the vibration source. Imperceptible levels (a Peak Component Particle Velocity - PCPV of less than or equal to 0.2 mm/s is typically considered to be the human threshold for perception of vibration) are reached at much smaller distances from other sources of vibration, such as the construction plant expected to be used. Taking into account that no pole rehabilitation works shall be performed as part of the Project, no percussive piling works are anticipated.
Should percussive hammers (for example during road breaking) or similar equipment be required immediately adjacent to properties, then it is anticipated that perceptible vibration is likely to occur, although only intermittently over a short period of time.
In general, significant construction vibration impacts are not expected.
3.4 MITIGATION
The following recommendations for mitigating construction noise and vibration impacts should be adopted where reasonably practicable.
limit construction to normal working hours (0700 to 1900, Monday to Friday and 0700 – 1300 on Saturday) and do not perform any night time work; local residents should be kept informed of the construction program and of any particularly noisy activities; the construction contractors should publicize the program for the duration of operations, provide details of planned noisy events; and provide named contacts to deal with complaints; the contractors should select the quietest type of plant available for the work. The program on site should also be phased where practical to reduce the combined impacts arising from several noisy operations (if applicable); where practicable, noise from fixed equipment should be contained within suitable acoustic enclosures or behind acoustic screens;
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 36
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
noise monitoring should be conducted at the start of the Project to identify the key items of noisy equipment and identify further specific noise mitigation measures. Monitoring should also be undertaken where work is in close proximity to NSRs outside the normal working hours, including evenings; vibration levels at sensitive receptors should be controlled by selecting equipment with a lower likelihood of creating vibration, for example hydraulic based equipment instead of percussive; vehicles and mechanical equipment should be fitted with exhaust silencers and maintained in good and efficient working order to minimize noise arising from mechanical vibration; silenced compressors should be used. These will be fitted with properly lined and sealed acoustic covers or enclosures that will be kept closed whenever the machines are in use. Silencers of the type recommended by manufacturers will be used on pneumatic percussive tools; machines in intermittent use should be shut down or throttled down to a minimum in non-operating periods and mains power, low noise generators and, if necessary, acoustic enclosures selected; noisy equipment will be sited away from noise sensitive receptors, and barriers will be used (e.g. soil mounds, site huts, acoustic sheds or partitions) to reduce the level of noise at receptors; care will be taken during loading and unloading of vehicles, dismantling scaffolding (or similar) and moving materials to reduce noise emissions; and construction operations and noise control measures will be designed to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that daytime noise levels do not
exceed 70 dB(A) LAeq, 1 hour and night-time noise levels do not exceed
45 dB(A) LAeq, 1 hour at the closest residential receptors.
3.5 SUMMARY
This assessment has considered the potential for noise and vibration impacts resulting from the rehabilitation works of the HV transmission line. A reasonable worst case construction noise assessment was undertaken in accordance with the calculation procedures set out in British Standard BS 5228 (2009).
Generally, significant daytime construction noise impacts will be experienced at most NSRs identified in Table 4.1 when works pass within approximately 120 m of the NSRs. However, four residential houses (two in Siminoc, one in
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 37
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
Viisoara one in Plopeni and the substation in Chirnogeni) are sufficiently distant so that construction noise will not exceed the daytime noise criterion of
LAeq 70 dB.
Rehabilitation works will be conducted on weekdays from 0700 - 1900 and no night time work is to be expected. In the exceptional event of night time works, construction noise impacts would be experienced at all NSRs identified in Table 4.1 based on a criterion of LAeq 45 dB. Noise levels are predicted to exceed this noise criterion of LAeq 45 dB until work is approximately 2,100 m from the NSRs. Where NSRs are within approximately 90 m of substation, construction noise impacts may be experienced. However, in practice, this would only occur for the noisiest activity such as demolition and therefore be of a limited duration. Actual rehabilitation works are not expected to require noisy equipment.
Significant impact associated with traffic and vibration from construction is not expected.
The construction will be a linear worksite and will move past NSRs so the duration of impact is expected to be limited. At a distance of approximately 120 m, no daytime construction noise impacts are predicted.
Implementing the mitigation measures recommended in Section 3.4 can reduce noise level by approximately 10 dB(A); however even with mitigation, residual construction noise impacts are likely to occur for a limited duration as construction works passes directly past NSRs on, or in very near proximity to the route of the transmission line.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 38
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
4 ECOLOGY AND NATURE CONSERVATION
4.1 INTRODUCTION AND SCOPE
This chapter addresses impacts arising from the proposal to rehabilitate the existing High Voltage Transmission Line (HV) between Chirnogeni and Basarabi on important biodiversity and nature conservation resources.
As part of the proposed works, and independent of whether the Chirnogeni Wind Farm 80 MW proceeds, the HV line is to be subject to maintenance works.
Impacts which could arise as a consequence of the rehabilitation include the following:
Loss of habitat and species due to land take for the project, both temporary during the rehabilitation phase and permanent loss due to underground line construction, extension of transformer stations and realignment of access roads. Bird (and possibly bat) mortality arising from collision with overhead lines, or electrocution at poles. Temporary damage to habitats and disturbance/ displacement of species arising from secondary effects around construction areas (working areas will generate noise, human disturbance and dust deposition effects as well as artificial lighting, spillage of fuels and chemicals, and emissions from plant). Impacts on habitats and species caused by temporary and permanent alterations to drainage regimes or habitat disturbance. Introduction of invasive and/or alien species during the rehabilitation works. Disturbance to ecological receptors in watercourses and at the crossing at Negresti Moor, may arise as a consequence of infrastructure (e.g. crossing points) being placed in situ to facilitate construction, or through changes in sediment loading, erosion, or the accidental release of POL (petrols, oil and lubricants) or other toxic substances. Indirect disturbance over a wider area may result from visual or auditory cues generated during the rehabilitation work. The rest of this section deals with what information was gathered to inform the assessment, identification of key receptors and impacts, an assessment of
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 39
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
impacts arising from the project, recommendations for mitigation and an assessment of residual impacts after mitigation.
4.2 METHODOLOGY
4.2.1 Sources of information
Consultation
Consultation was undertaken with the Romanian Bats Protection Association, a non government organization, with regard to the distribution of bats in the area and their publication (Bats and Environmental Impact Assessment; Guidelines 2008) was consulted.
Surveys of the Project Area
Surveys were undertaken on the 13-15th May 2011 and 1st-3rd June 2011 by an experienced field surveyor along the entire length of the 45 km HV line. The surveys concentrated on broad scale habitat mapping using the Braun- Blanquet survey method that allows rapid assessment of vegetation cover and composition.
During these surveys, data on entomology, amphibians and reptiles, mammals and birds were also collected both through casual observation and, for birds and mammals, the use of fixed point observations and transects.
The survey methodology and timing was good for assessing habitats, flora, amphibians and reptiles, most mammals and breeding birds. Assessment of bird migration, particularly autumn migration, was not possible in the timescale available although literature sources (see below) were considered.
Literature Sources
Different studies from the specialty literature about the flora and fauna from Dobrogea region have served as scientific support for the desktop study. Also, different maps have been consulted: main bird migration routes, species distribution etc. These sources are detailed in the bibliography section.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 40
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
4.2.2 Assessment Methodology
The following criteria have been used to define the magnitude of change to ecological resources:
Low Magnitude: Affects a specific group of localized individuals within a population or a particular localized habitat over a short time period; Medium Magnitude: Affects a portion of a population and may bring about a change in abundance and/or distribution over one or more generation; and High Magnitude: Affects an entire population or species in sufficient magnitude to cause a decline in abundance and/or change in distribution. The value or importance of habitats is assessed according to the following widely accepted criteria.
the presence of any habitat, plant or animal species that is internationally, nationally, regionally or locally rare; diversity of the habitats and their individual species richness; „naturalness‟ of the habitat; the fragility and sensitivity of the habitat and its ability to recover from disturbance; and seasonal vulnerability (e.g. breeding, hibernation). The sensitivity of a specific receptor also takes into account the following:
habitat extent or species population size (at a given geographical level); habitat or population fragility (including ability to recover); the rarity of a species or habitat; and susceptibility to environmental change (e.g. from disturbance or pollution). Significance is then derived as a function of the magnitude of change and the value or sensitivity of the receptor. For the purposes of this assessment the following levels of significance are referred to:
No impact: Imperceptible impacts on habitat or species. Minor impact: Slight, very short or highly localized impact on habitat or species which may be considered to be of some significance but which should not be given much weight in the decision making process.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 41
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
Moderate impact: Limited impact (by extent, duration or magnitude) which may be considered significant. Major impact: Considerable impact (by extent, duration or magnitude) of more than local significance, in which the holding would no longer be viable. Where appropriate these definitions are further refined to indicate if effects are short, medium or long term; and whether impacts are reversible or irreversible.
The use of the word significant to describe impacts has been limited to consideration of species or habitats where the EC Habitats Directive (92/43/CEE) or Bird Directive (2009/147/EC)(5) applies.
4.3 ECOLOGICAL BASELINE ENVIRONMENT
4.3.1 Protected Areas
Five sites forming part of the EC‟s Natura 2000 network and designated under either the Birds Directive or Habitats Directive are present within 20 km of the HV line route. Brief details are given in Figure 4.1 and locations are mapped in Table 4.1 and Annex 2 - Protected areas within 20 km of the Project area..
(5)This codifies and replaces the original Bird Directive 79/409/EEC.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 42
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
Table 4 .1 Protected Areas identified within 20 km of the Project Area
No. Area name Designation type Qualifying Features Distance
1 RO SPA 0001 Natura 2000, SPA, -32 species of protected Approximately Aliman-Adamclisi Bird Directive birds-Annex 1 20 km west of 2009/147/EC Cobadin
2 ROSCI 0071 Natura 2000, SCI, -6 reptiles/ batrachians The HV line Dumbraveni- Habitat Directive crosses the -6 fish Valea Urluia-Lacul 92/43/CEE protected area Vederoasa -5 invertebrates between Movila Verde and -6 mammals Negresti -4 plants
3 ROSCI0157 Natura 2000,SCI, -1 reptiles/ batrachians Approximately Habitat Directive 15 km south of Padurea Hagieni – -5 invertebrates 92/43/CEE Chirnogeni Cotul Vaii -6 mammals
-3 plants
4 ROSCI 0083 Natura 2000, SCI, -2 reptiles/ batrachians Approximately Habitat Directive 3 km east of Fantanita -3 invertebrates 92/43/CEE Siminoc Murfatlar -3 mammals
-1 plant
5 ROSPA0036 Natura 2000, SPA, - 17 species of Approximately Dumbrăveni Bird Directive protected birds-Annex 15 km west of 2009/147/EC 1 Movila Verde and Negresti
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 43
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
Figure 4 .1 Protected Areas within 20 km of the Project Area
Standard site data forms for all the sites can be viewed at: http://natura2000.eea.europa.eu/Natura2000/
The Dumbrăveni- Valea Urluia-Lacul Vederoasa Site of Community Importance (SCI)(6) is the only site that is crossed by the HV line and a summary of its key characteristics and qualifying features is given below.
The site covers an area of 18,714 ha and 38% of the site is used for agriculture but it contains the following Annex I habitats.
(6) A Site of Community Importance (SCI) is defined in the European Commission Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) as a site which, in the biogeographical region or regions to which it belongs, contributes significantly to the maintenance or restoration at a favourable conservation status of a natural habitat type or of a species and may also contribute significantly to the coherence of Natura 2000, and/or contributes significantly to the maintenance of biological diversity within the biogeographic region or regions concerned. They are proposed to the Commission by the State Members and once approved, they can be designed as SACs by the State Member.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 44
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
Table 4 .2 Annex I Habitats
Annex I Habitat Type % Cover
ponto-sarmatic deciduous thicket ; 3%
-riparian mixed forests with Quercus robur, Ulmus laevis, Fraxinus excelsior 0.10% and Fraxinus angustifolia, on major rivers Ulmenion minoris;
-naturally eutrophic lakes with Magnopotamion or Hydrocharition 5% vegetation;
-ponto-sarmatic steppes; 30%
-euro-siberian steppic woods with Quercus spp.; 2%
-hydrophilious tall herb fringe communities from the plains level, to 1% mountain or alpine level;
-eastern white oak forest; 25.5%
-pannonian-balkanic turkey oak-sessile oak forest 4.9%
In addition, the site is designated for the protection of the following species:
6 species of mammals: Rhinolophus mehelyi, Miniopterus schreibersi, Spermophilus citellus, Lutra lutra, Mesocricetus newtoni, Vormela peregusna; 6 species of batrachians and reptiles: Bombina bombina, Testudo hermanni, Testudo graeca, Emys orbicularis, Elaphe quatuorlineata, Triturus dobrogicus; 6 species of fish: Gobio albipinnatus, Aspius aspius, Rhodeus sericeus amarus, Misgurnus fossilis, Cobitis taenia, Pelecus cultratus; 5 species of invertebrata: Eriogaster catax, Lucanus cervus, Catopta thrips, Erannis ankeraria, Lycaena dispar; 4 species of plants: Potentilla emilii-popii, Centaurea jankae, Himantoglossum caprinum, Echium russicum; other important species of flora and fauna: Asphodeline lutea and Paliurus spina-christi. The new underground transmission line also passes within 230 metres at its closest point to Fântâniţa Murfatlar SCI. This is a predominately broad-leaved woodland site (97%) with a small area of extensive cereal culture (including fallow rotations). The site is designated for the protection of the following species:
3 species of mammals: Spermophilus citellus, Sicista subtilis, Vormela peregusna;
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 45
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
2 species of batrachians and reptiles: Testudo graeca, Elaphe quatuorlineata; 3 species of invertebrata: Lycaena dispar, Colias myrmidone, Paracaloptenus caloptenoides; 1 species of plants: Echium russicum. The site has a high biodiversity value and this is reflected in the large number of other important flora and fauna that, although not reasons for designation for the site, are included in the citation. These are listed in Table 4 .3.
Table 4 .3 Other Important Species of Flora & Fauna
Group Scientific name
Amphibian Hyla arborea
Bird Buteo buteo
Invertebrate Chirothrips spinulosus
Invertebrate Aeolothrips albicinctus
Invertebrate Aeolothrips fasciatus
Invertebrate Aeolothrips intermedius
Invertebrate Aeolothrips melaleucus
Invertebrate Aptinothrips elegans
Invertebrate Bolothrips icarus
Invertebrate Chirothrips manicatus
Invertebrate Frankliniella intonsa
Invertebrate Haplothrips leucanthemi
Invertebrate Haplothrips reuteri
Invertebrate Haplothrips scythicus
Invertebrate Odontothrips biuncus
Invertebrate Rubiothrips silvarum
Invertebrate Thrips tabaci
Invertebrate Thrips atratus
Invertebrate Thrips fuscipennis
Invertebrate Saga pedo
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 46
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
Group Scientific name
Plant Achillea setacea
Plant Allium saxatile
Plant Prunus tenella
Plant Astragalus onobrychis
Plant Adonis vernalis
Plant Asparagus verticillatus
Plant Aster linosyris
Plant Carduus hamulosus
Plant Carex hallerana
Plant Carpinus orientalis
Plant Cephalaria uralensis
Plant Centaurea thracica
Plant Cotinus coggygria
Plant Dianthus leptopetalus
Plant Dictamnus albus
Plant Euphorbia nicaeensis
Plant Inula ensifolia
Plant Iris pumila
Plant Iris variegata
Plant Jasminum fruticans
Plant Linum austriacum
Plant Linum pallasianum
Plant Linum tauricum
Plant Melica ciliata
Plant Orlaya grandiflora
Plant Piptatherum holciforme
Plant Phlomis herba-venti ssp. pungens
Plant Prunus mahaleb
Plant Pulsatilla montana
Plant Quercus pedunculiflora
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 47
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
Group Scientific name
Plant Quercus pubescens
Plant Rumex tuberosus
Plant Satureja coerulea
Plant Scutellaria orientalis
Plant Stipa capillata
Plant Stipa lessingiana
Plant Tanacetum millefolium
Plant Teucrium polium
Plant Thymus zygioides
Plant Xeranthemum annuum
Plant Adonis flammea
Plant Allium flavum ssp. tauricum
Plant Astragalus subuliformis
Plant Centaurea rutifolia ssp. jurineifolia
Plant Centaurea orientalis
Plant Daucus guttatus ssp. zahariadii
Plant Dianthus dobrogensis
Plant Minuartia bilykiana
Plant Stipa ucrainica
Plant Paeonia tenuifolia
Reptile Coluber caspius
4.3.2 Habitat Context within the Project Area
Overview of Habitats along the Route of the HV line
Although Constanta County contains a wide variety of habitat types, the terrain which is crossed by the HV line is characterized by agriculturally modified steppe habitat, consisting of arable fields, grassland and some wetland areas (pastures in the area of Negresti Moor).
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 48
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
Figure 4 .2 Crossing over Negresti Moor
Habitats are dominated by arable crops and grasses with some ditch and irrigation networks where arable weed and ruderal plant communities may be found.
At Cobadin, the pylons pass close to the southern edge of plantation woodland but are setback from it. The only major natural forest present along the route is the Fântâniţa Murfatlar SCI, and here the new underground transmission line at its closest point passes within 230 m to the east of the forest.
4.3.3 Flora
Overview
The predominant species of flora as well as the species of national interest in Constanta County have been described in the ESIA prepared for the Chirnogeni Wind Farm 80 MW, Section 8 - Ecology and Nature Conservation.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 49
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
Flora within the Project Area
The dominant crops found along the HV line route are Triticum aestivum (wheat) Hordeum vulgare (barley), Pisum sativum (pea), Brassica napus (oilseed rape), and Zea mays (maize). In the Chirogeni area, surveys undertaken for the wind farm also found Helianthus annuus (sunflower) and Solanum tuberosum (potato) to be commonly grown. Areas of grape Vitis vinifera production were occasionally found along the HV line route.
Figure 4 .3 Typical Agricultural Habitats within the Project Area
Surveys indicate considerable botanical biodiversity associated with these crops primarily as a result of low inputs of fertilizers and pesticides. Species found were presented in Table 4 .4.
Table 4 .4 Species of Plants Found within the Project Area
Agropyretum Medicagini- Calamagrostetum Festuca valesiaca pectiniformae Festucetum epigeii valesiacae Medicago minima Agropyron cristatum Calamagrostis Chrysopogon gryllus ssp. Pectinatum epigeios
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 50
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
Botriochloa Agropyron Melica ciliate Stipa capillata ischaemum Elymus repens Poa angustifolia Bromus tectorum Bromus squarrosus Hordeum vulgarae Bromus hordeaceus Achillea setacea Xeranthemum anuum Teucrium polium Marrubium Sideritis Montana Eryngium campestre peregrinum Salvia nemorosa Salvia austriaca Convolvulus Astragalus cantabrica onobrychis
Potentilla recta Teucrium Artemisia austriaca Artemisia campestris chamaedrys Artemisia Allium rotundum Daucus carota Orlaya grandiflora absinthium Hypericum Seseli campestre Galium humifusum Thlaspi perfoliatum perforatum Nigella arvensis Petrorhagia prolifera Verbascum Carthamus lanatus banaticum Carduus thoermeri Consolida regalis Centaurea solstitialis Thymus pannonicus Silene otites Buglossoides Crepis sancta Crepis foetida sspparviflora arvensae
Euphorbia Trifolium campestre Trifolium repens Lotus corniculatus helioscopia Euphorbia niceensis Medicago falcate Medicago lupulina Medicago minima Galium verum Galium album Senecio vernalis Galium molugo Melilotus officinalis Sisymbrium Eryssimum diffusum Tragopogon dubius Daucus carota ssp. orientale Carota Echium vulgarae Torilis arvensis Cichorium intybus Papaver rhoeas Rezeda lutea Althaea officinalis.
The only species of protected flora noted is Echium russicum (Annex II of the EC Habitats Directive) found in the SCI Fântâniţa Murfatlar Forest (approximately 3 km from Siminoc). This is not on the route alignment.
The Conacu-Negresti-Urluia area held areas of natural and semi-natural vegetation, including priority habitats under Annex I of the Habitats Directive. These were not associated with the HV line route, which crosses agricultural land, and were generally found on valley slopes approximately 4 km away from the route alignment. Priority habitats found were:
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 51
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
Table 4 .5 Annex I Habitats
Code Habitat Description
Natura 2000 code 40C0* Ponto-sarmatic deciduous scrubs – priority habitat type, represented by the plant association: Paliurus spina-christi– Crataegus monogyna). Very common on the terraced slopes of the valley Natura 2000 code 62C0* Ponto-sarmatic steppes composed of several types of meadows. Natura 2000 code 6250* Ponto-Pannonian grasslands represented by the plant association Medicagini minimae-Festucetum valesiacae. Natura 2000 code 6240* Sub-pannonic steppic grasslands of Botriochloa ischaemum and Festuca valesiaca.
Natura 2000 code 6250* Ponto-Pannonian grasslands of Agropyron cristatum and Kochia prostrata association formed by Agropyro pectinato-Kochietum prostratae si Agropyretum . Natura 2000 code 6290* West-Pontic grasslands of Poa bulbosa, Artemisia austriaca, Cynodon dactylon and Poa angustifolia represented by the plant association Artemisio austriacae-Poetum bulbosae and Cynodonto- Poetum angustifoliae.
Natura 2000 code 62A0 Daco-Balkan pastures of Chrysopogon gryllus and Festuca rupicola association composed mostly of Thymio pannonici-Chrysopogonetumgrylli .
The project route does not support any plant species of conservation interest such as those listed in Romanian Red Lists or in Annexes of the Habitats Directive or the Bern Convention.
4.3.4 Terrestrial Fauna within the Project Area
Invertebrates
Surveys and desktop studies identified large numbers of common invertebrates associated with agricultural systems and also snails associated with grassland steppes (Zebrina juncea, Z. varnensis and Cepea nemorali). None were of significant conservation interest.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 52
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
Reptiles and Amphibians
Four species of reptile and amphibian were found: Rana ridibunda, Natrix natrix, Podarcis tauricus, and Lacerta viridis. Of these Podarcis tauricus and Lacerta viridis are listed on Annex IV of the Habitats Directive(7). Both have large populations within Romania(8) and are listed as of least concern within the IUCN red list, although the global population of Lacerta viridis is noted as declining by the IUCN.
Birds
The area holds a variety of bird species, mostly those associated with open landscapes but including a number of species associated with water bodies and water margins. Bird species identified from field survey and desktop studies are listed in Table 4 .6 with those on Annex I indicated(9).
Table 4 .6 Avifauna Recorded within the Project Area
Species Annex I of 2009/147/EC Directive
Acrocephalus arundinaceus
Acrocephalus scirpaceus
Actitis hypoleucos
Alauda arvensis
Anas platyrhynchos
Anas querquedula
Anthus campestris Y
Aquila pomarina
(7) Subject to special protection under Article 12 of the Habitats Directive that prohibits deliberate killing, disturbance or damage or deterioration of habitat.
(8) Red Book of Vertebrates from Romania 2005
(9) By virtue of danger of extinction, susceptibility to change, restricted range or distribution or other reasons these are species for which member states must establish Special Protection Areas.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 53
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
Species Annex I of 2009/147/EC Directive
Ardea cinerea
Ardea purpurea Y
Ardeola ralloides
Asio otus
Athene noctua
Buteo buteo
Buteo lagopus
Carduelis carduelis
Chlidonias hybridus Y
Chlidonias leucopterus
Chlidonias niger
Ciconia ciconia Y
Circus cyaneus Y
Circus pygargus Y
Coracias garrulus Y
Corvus corone cornix
Corvus frugilegus
Coturnix coturnix
Cuculus canorus
Cygnus olor
Delichon urbica
Falco columbarius Y
Falco subbuteo
Falco tinnunculus
Falco vespertinus Y
Fulica atra
Galerida cristata
Gallinula chloropus
Hieraaetus pennatus Y
Hippolais icterina
Hirundo rustica
Ixobrychus minutus Y
Lanius collurio Y
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 54
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
Species Annex I of 2009/147/EC Directive
Larus cachinnans
Limosa limosa
Luscinia luscinia
Melanocorypha calandra Y
Merops apiaster
Miliaria calandra
Motacilla flava flava
Nycticorax nycticorax Y
Oenanthe oenanthe
Oriolus oriolus
Parus major
Passer domesticus
Passer hispaniolensis
Passer montanus
Perdix perdix
Pelecanus onocrotalus Y
Phalacrocorax carbo
Phasianus colchicus
Pica pica
Podiceps cristatus
Riparia riparia
Sterna hirundo Y
Streptopelia decaocto
Sturnus vulgaris
Tringa glareola Y
Tringa ochropus
Troglodytes troglodytes
Turdus merula
Upupa epops
Vanellus vanellus
Bird migration is believed to be concentrated along two routes, whose centers are shown in Figure 4 .4 (originally drawn for the Chirnogeni Wind Farm 80 MW project but relevant to the HV line route alignment).
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 55
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
Figure 4 .4 Center of the Bird Migration Routes and Proximity to the Project Area
It should be understand that these routes are indicative, and that in reality migration occurs on a broader front and can be influenced by weather conditions.
Aquatic birds from the Danube Delta (Orders: Gaviiformes, Podicipediformes, Ciconiiformes, Anseriformes, Gruiformes, Charadriiformes) mainly use the coastal routes and it is unlikely that large scale migration through the route alignment will occur, although local movements of wetland species such as Cygnus olor or Ciconia ciconia may be anticipated.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 56
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
Figure 4 .5 Ciconia ciconia within the Project Area
The route alignment and the surrounding agricultural areas provide suitable habitat for foraging/hunting territories for raptor species, and some observers report raptor species hunting in the area during Autumn migration in particular, often in association with agricultural activities such as ploughing(10).
(10) Roberts, J. 2000. Romania: A bird watching and wildlife guide Burton Expeditions, Somerset
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 57
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
Mammals
Information on mammals is largely gleaned from desktop studies, consultations and habitat association. The species thought likely to be present are Talpa europaea, Mus musculus, Lepus europaeus,Vulpes vulpes, Spermophilus citellus, Microtus arvalis, Erinaceus concolor, Vormela peregusna, Mustella eversmanni, M. putorius, and Mesocricetus newtoni.. Of these Spermophilus citellus, Vormela peregusna, Mustella eversmanni, and Mesocricetus newtoni are protected, by virtue of listing in annex II & IV of the Habitats Directive 92/43/CEE(11). They also listed on Appendix II(12)of the Bern Convention and V. peregusna, S. citellus and M. newtoni are listed on the IUCN red list as Vulnerable. These are all primarily steppic species, two rodents and two specialist predators whose fortunes are closely linked. Conversion to arable farming and abandonment of grazing (resulting in tall grass meadows unsuitable for them) appear to be the two main factors behind strong declines and range contractions(13) noted since the 1970‟s.
Consultation with literature sources(14) indicates that the bat species Myotis myotis, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Nyctalus noctula, Eptesicus serotinus, Nyctalus leisleri, Vespertilio murinus, Pipistrellus nathusii, Pipistrellus kuhlii occur, although detailed knowledge of their distribution is limited. The Nyctalus and Eptesicus species are known to hunt over open landscapes, particularly those containing water bodies such as those found at Lake Negresti-Conacu areas. Pipistrelle species, particularly P. nathusii, are also known to favour water bodies. These species are also known to engage in long distance migration. Evidence of migration in Romania is sketchy, but 13 Rhinolophus ferrumequinum ringed in Hungary have been recovered in Romania, some
(11) Annex II requires that Special Areas of Conservation to support the population are established. Annex IV requires member states to introduce a system of strict protection of the species wherever it occurs.
(12) Requires signatories to introduce strict protection of the species. The Habitats Directive is the EC response to its obligations under this treaty.
(13) Mitchell-Jones, A.J., Amori, G., Bogdanowicz, W., Kryštufek, B., Reijnders, P.J.H., Spitzenberger, F., Stubbe, M., Thissen, J.B.M., Vohralik, V., & Zima, J. (1999). Atlas of European Mammals. The Academic Press, London.
(14) Liliecii şi Evaluarea Impactului asupra Mediului - Ghid metodologic - Bat Protection Association of Romania 2008
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 58
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
travelling up to 80 km(15).A small number of the bat migrations (Nyctalus noctula, Pipistrellus nathusii. P. Pipistrellus, Vespertilio murinus) recorded between different countries (Hutterer et al 2005) would seem to indicate bats probably cross Romania at some point.
4.4 IMPACTS DURING THE REHABILITATION PHASE
4.4.1 Introduction
Impacts that may arise during the work to rehabilitate the HV line are:
Direct destruction of habitats and flora through temporary lay down areas, work camps and extension of Chirnogeni substation (this is likely to lead to long-term impacts): placement of wire machinery and cranes and machinery associated with replacement of conductors. Indirect impacts including disturbance to fauna and their habitats, generated by rehabilitation activities such as noise and vibration, dust, traffic, leaks and spills. The impacts of these are assessed on the ecological receptors in the following sections.
Impacts on watercourses will be minimized by using existing crossing points where ever possible. Where this cannot be done all new crossings will be subject to pre-construction checks for protected species and measures to avoid impacts such as appropriate timing of work will be adopted. Where habitats and/or flora of value are likely to be impacted these will be removed and stored appropriately and preferably replaced in situ or if necessary translocated as required. A spill plan and spill kits will be provided to deal with any accidental emissions to water, and silt traps will be positioned prior to any construction activity in water courses.
(15) Hutterer, R., Ivanova, T., Meyer-Cordes, C. & Rodrigues, L. 2005. Bat Migrations in Europe: A Review of Banding Data and Literature. Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, Bonn
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 59
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
4.4.2 Habitats
The route alignment and existing towers are located in a farmed landscape where the majority of the habitats are significantly modified and of low biodiversity value. As such, the temporary effects of machinery and rehabilitation activities within these areas will have:
a minor negative impact in the short term; neutral impacts in the long term, as they are reversible through cultivation and the peripheral habitats associated with cultivation are dominated by opportunistic communities readily adapted to rapid colonisation. The construction of a new underground 110 kV transmission line in the Basarabi area (to supply Ciocarlia de Sus village)will require a 4.7 km trench that will potentially disrupt 2350 ha assuming a 50 m working width, although not all habitat within the work way is likely to be damaged. Effects are predicted to be similar to those above, although recovery time may be slightly longer (i.e. 2-3 years). Again, habitats are subject to cultivation and have low levels of conservation interest.
The route does not directly affect the Fântâniţa Murfatlar SCI but some disturbance may result from noise, dust and human disturbance. It will be important to control the activities of the contractors around the area to reduce human impacts.
Impacts will be further reduced by the application of appropriate mitigation and good working practices (see section on mitigation). In addition, the route alignment and work areas avoid the Annex I priority habitats noted in the baseline section.
4.4.3 Flora
The flora species recorded along the route alignment during field surveys are typical of agricultural habitats and the species recorded are all common and widespread with no species of conservation interest noted, whilst those associated with Fântâniţa Murfatlar SCI are outside the operational footprint of the new underground transmission line . As a consequence, of the low conservation value it is predicted there will be a short term minor impact on botanical communities, particularly those subject to removal along the route of the new underground transmission line. As such communities are typically composed of opportunistic arable species, re-colonisation is likely and such disturbance is not unnatural in a farmed landscape. Long term impacts are therefore anticipated to be minor.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 60
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
Mitigation will be employed to reduce impacts further (see mitigation section).
There will be some permanent loss of flora and habitats associated with land take for extension of Chirnogeni substation. This is discussed under operational impacts.
4.4.4 Fauna
Invertebrates, Reptiles and Mammals
The placing of the underground cable in the Basarabi area will involve soil and vegetation removal over an area of 9.4 hectares (assuming the new underground transmission line will be laid in trenches with a 20 m diameter). This is likely to see the almost complete destruction or displacement of the invertebrate populations and therefore in the short term there will be a locally negative impact. In the longer term, given the opportunistic nature of the invertebrate population present, re-colonisation is certain and the long term effect will be neutral.
With regard to reptiles and amphibians Rana ridibunda and Natrix natrix are primarily aquatic species and as such no impacts are anticipated, although the latter species hibernates and breeds in terrestial habitats and could therefore be disturbed or potentially killed. Both species are regarded as of least concern in the IUCN red list and have large and robust populations. Impacts are therefore, on the basis of the low level of risk and low conservation status of the species, to be short term and minor.
Two species of reptiles listed on Annex IV of the Habitats Directive (Podarcis tauricus and Lacerta viridis, also identified on the wind farm site), were recorded within the route alignment and working area. It is possible that rehabilitation work relating to lay down areas, construction traffic, dust, noise, vibration and human disturbance related to the project may lead to death or disturbance of the species and temporary deterioration of the habitat available to them. Given the small footprint of the project and the robustness of the Romanian populations such impacts are likely to be limited; however, the underground section could potentially have a more damaging impact particularly if it occurred at a time when the species were hibernating. Given the legal status of the species concerned mitigation to minimise death and disturbance and to ensure that habitat is available in the short and longer term is likely to be required. Without mitigation, given the sensitivity due to their legal status, impacts could be moderate but are likely to be short to medium term as re-colonisation is likely once the project is completed.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 61
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
For ground dwelling mammals, given the already disturbed nature of the farmed landscape and the generally small footprint of the project impacts are primarily associated with the new 4.7 km underground transmission line route. For burrowing mammals such as the Annex IV Spermophillus citellus (which may be present along the HV line route), both the legal status and ecology of the animal indicates that impacts could be moderate to major depending on the numbers present on the underground route without mitigation. Mitigation, including detailed preconstruction surveys to establish if they are present will be needed. In case individual burrows or a colony of Spermophillus citellus is identified, mitigation measures will include minor alterations of the transmission line route in order to avoid colonies, or alternatively animals will have to be excluded from construction area and appropriate habitat management (e.g. manipulation of grazing levels) to accommodate displaced or translocated animals.
In general, transmission lines are not serious threats to bats. Additionally, as the route is primarily over open agricultural landscapes and no new overhead lines will be constructed, no disruption to breeding or roosting sites of bats is anticipated, and even where it passes close to woodland or water bodies, bats are likely to be able to detect and avoid lines and poles due to the discriminatory powers of their echolocation(16).
As a consequence of the low likelihood of disturbance being caused by rehabilitation to bats and the low likelihood of collision with structures and wires. No change in the landscape encountered by bats is likely to arise from the HV line rehabilitation. No Impacts are predicted.
Birds
Construction impacts are primarily disturbance related and if work takes place during the breeding season, particularly on the underground section, to direct and indirect loss of nests and young. Without mitigation, such impacts are likely to be minor and short term as the majority of species present are common agricultural species, although where the project impacts on Annex I
(16) Altringham, J.D. 1996. Bats: Biology and Behaviour. Oxford University Press
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 62
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
species, the sensitivity of the receptor may increase this to a moderate short term impact. However, if for imperative reason construction of the new 4.7 km transmission line has to take place during the breading season, survey will be undertaken to identify and mark bird‟s nests and no work will be allowed in the vicinity of such sites until the young have fledged. Additionaly, in order that construction does not cause adverse impacts to ground nesting birds, clearance activities will be undertaken outside of the bird breeding season (May – June).
4.4.5 Protected Areas
The only protected area likely to be directly impacted by rehabilitation activities is SCI Dumbrăveni- Valea Urluia-Lacul Vederoasa. A section of aproximately 1.5 km of the HV line crosses the SCI from the south to the north, between Movila Verde and Negresti villages. This crossing area is through the part of the SCI dominated by agriculture (pasture) and follows the existing HV line route. The qualifying features of the SCI are primarily located in other parts of the site or associated with waterbodies where no project impacts are anticipated. Rehabilitation works in this crossing are likely to take approximately one month. Therefore, no impacts are predicted and no likely significant effects are predicted on the qualifying features of the SCI arising from the rehabilitation/construction activities. Standard mitigation and good working practices to minimise construction impacts should be applied however.
The Fântâniţa Murfatlar SCI is unlikely to be directly impacted by construction activities as the route does not run parallel to the SCI and never approaches closer than 230 m from the SCI boundary with this proximity confined to the last section of the new underground transmission line only. Indirect effects such as peripheral disturbance from noise, or increased human disturbance by the workforce using the forest (e.g. hunting, collecting) may have a short or medium term minor to moderate impact as although the designated species are likely to be resilient to noise disturbance they may be more vulnerable to collecting and hunting. In addition where species associated with the forest utilise habitat within 230 m of the forest edge to support themselves and they are either directly harmed during the trenching operation or prevented from using the habitat by disturbance this may reduce population levels. If appropriate mitigation is applied impacts are likely to be minor and short term and no significant effect is likely.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 63
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
Figure 4 .6 HV line Proximity to Fântâniţa Murfatlar SCI
Red line indicates existing HV line, Orange indicates the new underground transmission line.
4.5 PERMANENT AND OPERATIONAL IMPACTS
4.5.1 Introduction
Permanent and long term operational impacts of the Project may include:
Displacement of fauna and loss of flora as a result of direct habitat loss required for the extension of the Chirnogeni substation; disturbance of protected species of nature conservation interest; barrier effects caused by the location of the HV wires habitual flight routes; and death or injury of birds as a result of collision with towers or wires, or electrocution from contact with wires (this latter more of an issue for large species that may perch on wires or towers).
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 64
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
4.5.2 Habitat
The extension of the Chirnogeni substation will lead to the permanent loss of 0.045 ha hectares of agricultural habitat of low conservation value. As a consequence, impacts are predicted to be long term, irreversible, but due to the low value of the habitats and small area lost effects are imperceptible and therefore no impact is predicted.
Following the rehabilitation works, reinstatement of temporary compound areas, laydown sites and access roads will be undertaken to a high standard and put back to agricultural use. Therefore no impacts are anticipated on any other part of the route.
4.5.3 Flora
Habitat and associated flora will continue to exist below the refurbished HV line. As with habitats there will be a long term loss of some flora associated with the extension of the Chirnogeni substation; however, as the species are common and widespread impacts will very minor but long term.
4.5.4 Fauna
Invertebrates, Reptiles and Mammals
No impacts are anticipated to invertebrates during operation of the pylons as their habitats will be restored in the short to medium term. For similar reasons, no impacts are predicted for the reptile and amphibian species present.
The restoration of habitat under the pylons means that colonisation by rodent and other mammal species is likely and therefore any depression in population levels will be short term and in the long term no Impacts are expected.
Impacts on bats are unlikely as most of the evidence from studies elsewhere indicate that collisions and electrocution is primarily a problem associated
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 65
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
with megachiroptera(17), due to their larger size (ability to earth between wires) and poor or absent echolocation. Therefore, no impacts are predicted during operation of the transmission line.
Birds
Long term effects on birds through displacement are unlikely as the habitat will be available to them post construction and the landscape will not have changed substantially.
Collisions with transmission lines and electrocution are poorly understood, but recent American research indicates that in the US deaths from transmission lines could be as high as 175 million birds per annum(18). Concern in Europe is such that an international conference was hosted in Hungary in April 2011. http://www.mme.hu/binary_uploads/6_termeszetvedelem/elektromos_hal ozat_es_madarvedelem/Budapest_Conference_Programme_FINAL.pdf. Much good mitigation practice exists and has benefits not only ecologically but also significantly reduces disruption to services and lowers costs.
Collision and electrocution risks will be reduced if the refurbishment of the lines includes mitigation methods to reduce the likelihood of birds earthing and increase the visibility of transmission lines. Increasing HV line visibility will be particularly important near waterbodies such as those near Negresti, and their incorporation into the rehabilitation is likely to have a moderately positive long term impact on bird populations, particularly migratory and wetland species.
(17) Krystufek, B. 2009. Indian flying fox Pteropus giganteus colony in Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, Sri Lanka. Hystrix - Italian Journal of Mammalogy Vol 20 Issue 1.
(18) Manville, A.M. 2005. Bird Strikes and Electrocutions at Power Lines, Communication Towers, and Wind Turbines: State of the Art and State of the Science –Next Steps Toward Mitigation. USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR- 191
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 66
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
4.6 MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT
4.6.1 Rehabilitation
Prior to works starting, subcontractor teams will be given an ecological toolbox talk outlining legal and environmental responsibilities, highlighting particularly sensitive species or habitats, explaining mitigation proposals and the reasoning behind them. Plans for dealing with Annex IV or other protected species will be explained. Workers will be reminded that they are not to hunt or kill wildlife on the route.
Collision and electrocution risks will be reduced if the refurbishment of the lines includes mitigation methods to reduce the likelihood of birds earthing and increase the visibility of transmission lines.
During rehabilitation works, generated dust will be mitigated as far as reasonably practical through the pre-wetting of surfaces where necessary.
Housekeeping will be managed to a high standard and activities such as refuelling of vehicles and machinery will be undertaken offsite and on-site spill response and clean-up plans will be implemented in order to minimise risks spills of materials such as paints or oil.
Working areas will be kept to the minimum required, particularly on the underground transmission line route.
Preconstruction checks for Habitat Directive Annex IV species will be undertaken by an experienced reptile specialist ecologist at all laydown sites, compounds, tower bases and particularly along the underground transmission line route extending to 25 m either side of the cable trench.
If Annex IV species are found an appropriate working method to minimise harm by creation of suitable habitat outside of the working width of the underground transmission line (or work area associated with other areas such as laydown sites, compounds and tower bases) will be undertaken prior to work beginning. Additionaly, it will be necesary to prenvent their re-entry by using suitable reptile fencing. A safe method of exclusion or possibly translocation of Annex IV species will also be required, and if this work requires consultation with the relevant authorities, it will be conducted prior to works beginning.
The requirement to maintain favourable conservation status means that mitigation in the form of enhanced habitat to which displaced animals may be
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 67
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
temporarily removed will be provided. The most effective way of doing so is to provide receptor areas of brash (cut down scrub) along the periphery of the working corridor. These areas will be retained for a period of at least 6 months after works have ceased in order to allow habitats damaged during the laying of the underground transmission cable to re-establish. The implementation of these precautionary mitigation measures during rehabilitation works will reduce impacts to a negligible level and ensure compliance with the Habitats Directive.
Where possible work will avoid the breeding bird season, however where it cannot a competent ecologist will checks sites for breeding birds and where species are protected work will have to avoid these areas until the nesting attempt is concluded.
4.6.2 Operational
All land will be restored to its former use other than where there is permanent land take.
Lines, particularly through the SCI and over waterbodies, will be fitted with bird deflectors to increase their visibility and reduce collisions.
4.6.3 Residual Impacts after Mitigation
The application of mitigation reduces all impacts to either negligible levels or minor impacts with the exception of the measures to reduce collision which have a long term moderately positive impact.
4.7 CUMULATIVE IMPACT ASSESSMENT
4.7.1 Introduction
EC Directive (85/337/EEC) (as amended) “The EIA Directive” requires that in addition to undertaking an Environmental Impact Assessment of the project
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 68
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
in isolation, cumulative impacts that may arise directly or indirectly from interaction with other projects must also be considered(19). Reference to cumulative assessment is also made within the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) although this tends to be more strictly associated with appropriate assessment procedures.
4.7.2 Description of Projects
The main projects likely to have in-combination and cumulative impacts with the transmission line rehabilitation are the Chirnogeni Wind Farm and other similar wind generation projects within Dobrogea. The upgrade of the HV line is largely in response to the need to distribute power from the proposed Chirnogeni Wind Farm 80 MW.
The ecological effects of the Wind Farm 80 MW have been reported through the ESIA process and are summarized below. The assessment of the Chirnogeni wind farm concluded that no significant impacts on flora or fauna are predicted for the following reasons:
The largely disturbed and agricultural nature of the site indicates low botanical diversity. For the same reasons the terrestrial fauna is unremarkable and with the exception of populations of Annex IV reptiles (Podarcis tauricus and Lacerta viridis) associated with field margins and irrigation channels no significant ecological constraints were identified. Bird studies, although limited in scope, methodology and timing, indicate limited spring migration and a breeding bird community that comprises mainly common and widespread species. The exception to these are the presence of five Annex I bird species (Coracias garrulous, Anthus campestris, Lanius minor, Circus aeruginosus and Falco vespertinus). The ESIA has concluded that significant impacts on these latter species are unlikely given the large area available within and adjacent to the wind farm,
(19) EC DG XI Environment, Nuclear Safety & Civil Protection. Guidelines for the Assessment of Indirect and Cumulative Impacts as well as Impact Interactions. May 1999
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 69
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
although there is potential for Falco vespertinus in particular to lose one pair through collision. This would equate to 0.07% of the Romanian breeding population. Migrant species are believed to use routes that avoid the proposed wind farm area. Overall the open nature of the habitat, absence of roost sites within the wind farm boundary, and the low number of bat contacts led to the judgement that the area was of low conservation value for bats. Impacts on protected sites and their qualifying features was considered unlikely due to the distance from them (the nearest is Dumbrăveni-Urluia Valley-Lake Vederoasa SCI 5 km to the north) and absence of connectivity with such sites. Information on other wind farms proposed for the area is difficult to obtain but in total there are currently at least 16 proposed within 30 km of the Chirnogeni Wind Farm 80 MW.
The primary in combination effects likely to arise from this expansion of wind generation projects are impacts on protected species during construction and the likelihood that once operational, wind farms will lead to an increase in bird and bat mortality although it is uncertain if this will have population level effects.
Given the low level of impacts, after mitigation, on protected species predicted during the construction phase of the HV line rehabilitation it is unlikely cumulative effects will occur, particularly given the dispersed nature of the other projects over a wide area (94 km2).
There is less certainty, due to methodological issues in wind farm assessments and the availability of data from other projects on the operational cumulative effects. It should be noted however that the proposed improvements to the visibility of the line to reduce the risk of collision may mitigate some of the potential collision risks arising from wind farms.
The other potential in-combination impact is ENEL‟s proposed repair and/or replacement of towers along the existing HV transmission line. These works are anticipated to require 5-10 years, although within that time the area of the HV transmission line affected at any one time will be very limited. The main impacts arising from these works will be direct damage to habitats and species due to the need to access the towers with heavy plant, and indirect effects to a wider area around each tower arising from dust, noise, and visual disturbance. As the towers cross agricultural land subject to regular perturbation arising from farming practices, such impacts are likely to be
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 70
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
minor, short term and reversible. If ENEL adopt some of the generic proposed in this ESIA such effects will be reduced to negligible levels. As a consequence no additional cumulative or in-combination impacts are predicted.
EPGE will work with ENEL to promote the use of safer towers that reduce the likelihood of electrocution risk to birds through the adoption of the latest bird friendly configurations and technical innovations. Such an approach has benefits not only in reducing impacts on birds but also in reducing the costs caused by power outages and repairs. The adoption of safer towers would produce positive long term impacts for bird populations.
4.7.3 Conclusion
Overall the rehabilitation of the HV line is not thought to be likely to have negative in-combination or cumulative impacts in relation to the other projects.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 71
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
5 SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT
5.1 INTRODUCTION AND SCOPE
This section addresses social, economic and health impacts in the local communities where the HV line which will connect Chirnogeni Wind Farm 80 MW with the National Power Grid.
The study focuses on impacts to the Project area which is represented by Chirnogeni, Independenta, Cobadin and Basarabi Communes (namely Siminoc village). This area is most likely to experience impacts from the rehabilitation works.
The assessment considers the following types of potential impacts during construction:
impacts on land use and local activities; impacts on community facilities including recreation; employment generation, economic impacts and capacity building; impacts on livelihoods; impact on the health and wellbeing of local communities; impacts on infrastructure and services; and impacts on cultural heritage such as archaeological monuments.
5.2 SOURCES OF INFORMATION
All the data used in preparing this report are from official sources such as:
County Council of Constanta Local Environmental Protection Agency of Constanta Regional Environmental Protection Agency of Galati Statistical Bureau of Constanta local municipalities from project area; list of historical monuments published by the National Institute of Historical Monuments on the website of the Romanian Ministry of Culture; National Archaeological Record of Romania.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 72
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
5.3 AREA OF INFLUENCE AND BOUNDARIES
The project area of influence is stretching from Chirnogeni village all the way to Basarabi town, more precisely near Siminoc village. The total length of the rehabilitated HV line is 45 km (see Annex 1 – Site Location Map).
The primary area of influence is referring to all the impacts on the communities located nearby the HV line (see Table 5.1). The regular distance between the HV Line and the nearest house should be at least 30 m. The primary area of influence is the focus of the impact assessment.
The secondary area of influence is the whole of Constanta County, the region of the country where the project is located. The study assessed the larger scale economic and infrastructure impacts for this secondary area.
Table 5 .1 Project site neighbours
Village Commune/City Approximate distance from the site boundary*(m)
Chirnogeni Chirnogeni 100
Plopeni Chirnogeni 56
Movila Verde Independenţa 157
Independenţa Independenţa 1500
Negresti Cobadin 84
Cobadin Cobadin 52
Ciocarlia Ciocarlia 61
Ciocarlia de Sus Ciocarlia 80
Siminoc Basarabi 384
5.4 SOCIOECONOMIC BASELINE
5.4.1 Local Context
This ESIA is a supplementary report for the ESIA Chirnogeni Windfarm 80 MW. The municipalities impacted by the HV line rehabilitation project are: Chirnogeni, Independenta, Cobadin, Ciocarlia and Basarabi. Information regarding Chirnogeni and Independenta communes, where the wind farm will be located is presented in the ESIA prepared for the Chirnogeni Wind Farm 80 MW, section 10 and has not been repeated in this supplementary ESIA
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 73
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
report. Consequently, this section presents only the socio-economic baseline data about the following communes which are on the HV line route: Cobadin, Ciocarlia and Siminoc (Basarabi town – currently named Murfatlar).
5.4.2 Demography
Available data about the five Mayoralties (Chirnogeni, Independenta, Cobadin, Ciocarlia, Siminoc) indicate that in 2009:
total population of Independenta and Chirnogeni Communes was 7,041 inhabitants (44% male and 56% female); total population of Cobadin Commune was 9,046 inhabitants (49% female and 51% male); total population of Ciocarlia Commune was 2,973 inhabitants (49% female and 51% male); total population in Siminoc Village(20) was 1,058 inhabitants. According to these statistical data, the total population from the Project area is about 20,000 persons.
According to the 2002 census in Cobadin Commune, 80% of the population is Romanian. The ethnic structure also comprises Turkish (approximately 13%), Tartars (approximately 6%), Gypsy (approximately 1%) people as well as other ethnics like Hungarians, Germans, Slovaks in a small percentage.
In Ciocarlia Commune, the 2002 census revealed that 86% of the total population is Romanian. The rest of the ethnic structure of the Commune is represented by: Tartars (12%), Turkish (approximately 1%), Gypses and Hungarian (approximately 1%).
The Siminoc village (Basarabi town) is represented in majority by Romanians.
(20) Murfatlar city has a total population of 10884. Separate data about Siminoc village are not available at present. Official data about Siminoc village are available only for 2002 census.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 74
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
According to the 2002 census, in Cobadin Commune, 49% from the total population is represented by females as follows: 10% are females between 0 - 14 years, 30% between 15 – 59 years and 9% are over 60 years.
In Ciocarlia Commune, the 2002 census revealed that 49% from the total population is represented by females as follows: 12% are females between 0-14 years, 30% between 15 – 60 years and 7% over 60 years.
5.4.3 Religion
The majority of the people living in the Project area are orthodox Christian believers. In Cobadin, there are two Orthodox and one Pentecostal Churches. Siminoc village has one Orthodox and one Baptist Church.
5.4.4 Infrastructure
Road infrastructure
The HV line follows the route of national and county roads existing in the Project area. These are presented in the table below.
Table 5 .2 Existing national and county roads in the Project Area
Road Code Name of the localities linked by the road in the project area
DN 3 Cobadin - Murfatlar
DJ 391 Chirnogeni - Cobadin
DJ 392 Plopeni - Independenta
Ciocarlia Commune is crossed by national road DN3. Ciocarlia de Sus Village is crossed by county road DJ 391, which makes the connections with Medgidia (15 km) to the north and with Movilita to the south (22 km).
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 75
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
Water infrastructure(21)
Cobadin is supplied with water from two sources: Ciobanita and Viisoara (deep wells). The total length of the water supply system is 40.1 km. Cobadin has a sewerage system from 1980. The length of the main collector and of the pipes is about 1600 m. The other villages from the commune do not have a sewerage system. The collection of used water is made by cesspools and septic tanks.
The total length of the water supply system in Ciocarlia Commune is approximately 24.6 km.
No information related to the water and sewage systems in the other communes of the Project area is available.
5.4.5 Education
According to the Annual Statistic Report 2010, Cobadin Commune had in 2009 one school with 857 pupils registered, one high school with 537 students registered and one kindergarten with 308 pupils. Ciocarlia Commune has two schools with 351 students registered. No similar data were available for Siminoc village.
5.4.6 Employment
Most of the people living the Project area are involved in the agricultural sector. The official figures are only presenting the people employed by a company /farm. This figure is not entirely reflecting the reality since many people are self-employed and working the agricultural land by themselves. Detailed employment figures with regard to the Independenta, Chirnogeni, Cobadin and Ciocarlia Communes and the associated villages are presented in the Table 5.3.
(21) Source: Environmental report for PUG for Cobadin Commune May 2010. http://primaria-cobadin.ro/wp- content/uploads/2011/03/cobadin-raport-de-mediu-mai-2010.pdf
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 76
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
Table 5 .3 Employment figures for Chirnogeni and Independenta Communes
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Independenta Commune Chirnogeni Commune
Average 165 157 171 222 220 229 211 171 188 185 194 200 number of employees - TOTAL
Agriculture 68 58 52 105 109 110 92 65 89 84 83 83
Industry 7 7 9 7 6 6 17 17 15 16 17 17
Processing 2 2 3 3 2 2 5 4 3 3 3 3 industry
Energy, gas, 5 5 6 4 4 4 12 13 12 13 14 14 water production, waste management
Constructions - - 11 5 4 4 12 13 12 13 14 14
Commerce 28 27 27 29 25 27 12 12 12 14 15 12
Transport 4 2 2 2 2 3 13 4 3 2 2 2
Public 9 12 13 13 13 14 14 14 15 14 14 14 administration
Education 40 41 48 53 53 53 35 35 37 38 42 48
Health and 5 5 5 4 4 4 12 6 6 5 5 5 social care
Table 5 .4 Employment figures for Cobadin and Ciocarlia Communes
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Cobadin Commune Ciocarlia Commune
Average 632 622 616 580 632 654 158 175 162 150 148 142 number of employees - TOTAL
Agriculture 182 142 130 97 102 126 58 45 35 28 28 35
Industry 88 108 100 96 74 123 0 2 2 2 3 3
Processing 42 61 54 54 42 96 0 2 2 2 3 3 industry
Energy, gas, 46 47 46 42 32 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 water
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 77
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Cobadin Commune Ciocarlia Commune
production, waste management
Constructions 33 31 40 35 45 16 0 0 0 0 0 2
Commerce 112 118 117 122 126 40 23 25 20 20 22 25
Transport 10 25 23 18 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 7
Public 21 21 22 23 23 23 12 12 13 13 13 13 administration
Education 123 109 120 118 111 118 38 63 48 45 45 45
Health and 27 25 25 23 23 20 5 4 4 3 3 4 social care
No data about employment in Siminoc village are available.
5.4.7 Unemployment
From official statistics, one can easily observe that Cobadin and Ciocarlia communes have more unemployed people that the other two communes from the Project area. Table 5.5 presents unemployment figures for Independeta, Chirnogeni, Cobadin and Ciocarlia Communes.
Table 5 .5 Unemployment in the Project area
Employment Active population(23) Total number of Unemployed statistics (begining unemployed persons persons in % out of of 2010)(22) the total active population
Chirnogeni 2041 57 2.8
(22) Source: AJOFM Constanta, http://www.constanta.anofm.ro/pages/Statistica/stat3.htm
(23) Population between 18 and 62 years old
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 78
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
Employment Active population(23) Total number of Unemployed statistics (begining unemployed persons persons in % out of of 2010)(22) the total active population
Independenta 1897 28 1.5
Cobadin 5698 253 4.4
Ciocarlia 1862 79 4.2
5.4.8 Public Health Infrastructure
In 2008, Cobadin Commune had 4 public health care units, 3 private dental clinics and 1 private general medicine health care unit. In the commune there is also a private pharmacy. Ciocarlia Commune had in 2008, 5 public health care units.
5.4.9 Land Use and Property
The land use pattern in the project area has changed significantly over the past 15 years and this process is ongoing. Categories of land are defined according to the type of use: agricultural lands, lands for housing, nature protection land, recreation land, and land used by industries, etc. At this stage there is no detailed information available on land ownership and land use in the HV Line area.
Information about the landuse is presented in the following tables (5.6 to 5.13):
Table 5 .6 Land Use in Independenta Commune (Movila Verde village)
Village
(ha)
Total areaTotal (ha) Unincorporat ed(ha) area Incorporated area (ha) Arable area (ha) Vineyard (ha) Forest Grazing fields(ha) Unproductiv e land(ha) Movila Verde 4,661 4,530 131 4,072 4 - 356 98
Table 5 .7 Predominant crops in Independenta Commune (Movila Verde village)
Village Corn Wheat Rape Sun Barley Oat Alfalfa Herbs (ha) (ha) (ha) flower (ha) (ha) (ha) (ha) (ha)
Movila Verde 200 2,000 450 1,000 600 100 100 -
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 79
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
Table 5 .8 Land Use in Chirnogeni Commune (Chirnwqaogeni and Plopeni villages)
Village Total Unincorporated Incorporated Arable Vineyard Grazing area area (ha) area (ha) area (ha) (ha) fields (ha) (ha)
Chirnogeni 5,616 5,455 161 4,984 340 292
Plopeni 4,516 4,390 126 3,956 4 556
Table 5 .9 Predominant crops in the Chirnogeni Commune and associated villages (Chirnogeni and Plopeni villages)
Village Corn (ha) Wheat (ha) Rape (ha) Sun flower Forage crops (ha) (ha)
Chirnogeni 280 2,500 750 900 554
Plopeni 220 1,900 500 600 736
Table 5 .10 Land Use in Cobadin Commune in 2008
Village Total area Arable area Vineyard Orchards Grazing (ha) (ha) (ha) (ha) fields (ha)
Cobadin 17130 16350 40 2 738
Table 5 .11 Predominant crops in Cobadin Commune
Village Corn (ha) Wheat and Potatoes (ha) Sun flower Vegetables rye(ha) (ha) (ha)
Cobadin 3875 2984 50 6026 50
Table 5 .12 Land Use in Ciocarlia Commune in 2008
Village Total area Arable area (ha) Vineyard Grazing (ha) (ha) fields (ha)
Ciocarlia 12871 12461 13 387
Table 5 .13 Predominant crops in Ciocarlia Commune
Village Corn (and Wheat and Potatoes (ha) Sun flower Vegetables rye ha) rye(ha) (ha) (ha)
Ciocarlia 3551 1416 161 5258 51
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 80
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
5.4.10 Recreation and Community Facilities
According to the data available for 2008, there were two public libraries in Cobadin Commune: one in Cobadin (43,000 volumes) and the other in Viisoara village (10,000 volumes). In Ciocarlia Commune, there were three libraries, one of which was public.
5.4.11 Archaeology and Cultural Heritage
A desktop survey was performed in order to identify known archaeological monuments and sites along the HV line. The following historical monuments are located in Cobadin Commune and are included in the list approved by the Ministry of Culture ( Order no. 2314/2004):
list number 154; code CT- I-s-B-026.26 “Cobadin archeological site“; list number 155; code CT- I-s-B-026.26.01 “Ancient rural settlement“; list number 156; code CT- I-s-B-026.26.02 “Tumuli in the Cobadin area“. The National Archaeological Institute identified 24 tumuli(24) in Cobadin Commune. No excavations, soil samples or tree planting are allowed in the areas where tumuli are located.
Another listed archaeological site consisting of a mound of soil (fortification) is located three km away from Ciocarlia village. No other known archaeological sites or monuments are listed to be located along the HV line.
5.5 IMPACT METHODOLOGY
The rehabilitation of the HV line is considered to have minimum impacts on socio-economic conditions of the affected communities. This is based on the following arguments:
the aim of the rehabilitation works is to improve an existing line and corresponding substations and only minor new construction will be made;
(24) An ancient grave mound, a barrow (source: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/tumulus)
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 81
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
the works will not have a direct impacts on the inhabitants of the local communities. However, potential direct and indirect impacts mainly on land use practices may be associated with the rehabilitation of the HV line.
The methodology used for assessing the potential impacts has considered the following aspects:
type of works to be conducted for the rehabilitation of the HV line; duration of works; socially sensitive areas along the existing HV line.
5.6 REHABILITATION IMPACTS
This assessment focused on direct and indirect socio-economic impacts on:
land use; employment; public health; infrastructure; livelihoods; and archaeological and cultural assets.
5.6.1 Impacts to Land Use
During the rehabilitation of the HV line, the following impacts may occur on land use:
rehabilitation works on the HV line may result in temporary interference with the land use practices; EPGE will constantly monitor the mitigation measures which will be set together with ENEL and subcontractors; rehabilitation works (extension) of the Chirnogeni substation will require an area of 0.045 ha to be permanently taken out of the agricultural use. EPGE will purchase this land according to the internal land acquisition procedure; construction of the new underground transmission line may consist of the temporary or permanent interference with the current land use practices. EPGE must ensure that the following measures are implemented by ENEL
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 82
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
and its subcontractors in order to manage and mitigate the direct loss of access to and use of agricultural land:
- ensure the area impacted during the rehabilitation/ construction is limited and access by construction workers to land not directly affected by the works will be restricted so as not to disturb arable land.
- where ever possible access to agricultural land is not restricted. Where access to land is restricted those communes using the land are informed in good time of this restriction through the correct channels;
- methods will be put in place to remove vegetation and soil in order to minimize the impacted agricultural land areas:
- where possible, construction will avoid the crops growing season; however, should crops be damages during this period, compensation will be provided and land will be fully reinstated according to the provisions of the Compensation Action Plan;
- on completion of the rehabilitation/construction works all equipment and construction related facilities will be removed and the area will be returned to its prior use.
5.6.2 Impact on Livelihoods
According to the provided data, the HV line is currently located outside the livelihood areas and will have no major impacts on the inhabitants of the area. According to the observations made during the field trip conducted in May 2011, there were no illegal or temporary occupants of the land under the HV line which could be impacted by this project.
No major changes are foreseen to impact the livelihoods of the local communities. As mentioned in the previous section 5.6.2 some land might temporary lose its purpose of use or access to certain plots may be restricted, thus contributing to direct economic loss for the owners. For this, a compensation model should be developed by ENEL and its sub-contractors and should be discussed with relevant stakeholders before implementing it. EPEG will be responsible for implementing this compensation model.
5.6.3 Impacts on Health
Based on the available information, the HV line rehabilitation works will not directly affect the health status of the local communities. An important aspect which should be taken into consideration is related to the health and safety regulation applicable to the employees who will work in this project. EPGE
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 83
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
will have no employees directly involved but will constantly monitor this aspect with representatives of ENEL and its subcontractors.
Impacts associated to the dust generated during the rehabilitation of the HV line and construction of the new underground transmission line have been assessed in Section 6.2.2. These impacts will be mitigated as far as reasonably practical through the pre-wetting of surfaces where necessary.
Working hours will be restricted to 0700 to 1900, Monday to Friday and 0700 – 1300 on Saturday and no night time work will be performed. Local residents will be kept informed of the construction programme and of any particularly noisy activities; the construction contractors should publicise the programme for the duration of operations, provide details of planned noisy events and the named contacts to deal with complaints.
5.6.4 Impacts on Infrastructure
Another reason for this concern is related to interference of the electromagnetic fields with electronic devices. The rehabilitation works conducted to the HV line will not interfere with any local infrastructure. There may be minor impacts on local traffic from the transportation of pieces of equipment or due to replacement of conductors over the existing road transport infrastructure.
Certain impacts may arise in association with the construction of the new underground transmission line. According to the information provided by EPGE, the new underground transmission line is not likely to undercrosss any infrastructure elements (roads, gas pipes, water supply pipes, sewage systems). However, a land clearance survey should be carried out prior to the beginning of construction works.
5.6.5 Impacts on Archaeology and Cultural Practices
The rehabilitation of the HV line will have no impact on known archaeological sites or other cultural practices. Furthermore, as the majority of the works will be above ground on the existing HV line, archaeological issues will not be of concern. However, certain impacts may arise in association with the construction of the new underground transmission line. Due to the fact that the south eastern part of Romania has a significant potential for finding new archeological sites, the following mitigation measures shall be applied:
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 84
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
construction works of the new underground transmission line will include supervision by an archaeological expert to avoid or reduce any potential impacts on archaeology or other cultural practices; EPGE will assure that Romanian legislation and its chance find procedure is fully acknowledged and implemented by ENEL and its subcontractors. By implementing these mitigations measures, no significant impacts are anticipated on archaeology and cultural practices.
5.7 OPERATIONAL IMPACTS
Once the rehabilitation works have been completed and the HV line is back in operation, there will be no changes induced by the wind farm in terms of operating the HV line. The positive impacts of the rehabilitation, i.e., replacement of old infrastructure with new, will be: improved visual impact, potentially less noise due to more modern equipment and materials, and likely less maintenance required.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 85
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
6 OTHER IMPACTS ASSOCIATED TO REHABILITATION ACTIVITIES
6.1 INTRODUCTION AND SCOPE
The rehabilitation of the HV transmission line raises the potential for a number of other specific impacts relevant to this type of works, which are examined in this chapter. These are:
impacts to air and climate (see Section 6.2.2); impacts to landscape and visual (see Section 6.3.2).
6.2 IMPACTS TO AIR AND CLIMATE
6.2.1 Introduction
This section considers the risk of adverse impacts on the atmospheric environment during the rehabilitation of the HV transmission line.
The sources of information and methodology used for this assessment as well as the baseline information collected are presented in the separate ESIA report prepared for Chirnogeni Wind Farm 80 MW.
6.2.2 Assessment of impacts and mitigation measures
During the 12-month rehabilitation period, emissions to air from the Project may be generated by the following two mechanisms:
dust from the excavation activities, land moving and construction vehicles; and combustion related emissions from construction equipment and transport vehicles.
Impacts from dust
If unmitigated, dust from construction sites can cause impacts on neighbouring properties and vegetation by causing soiling and blanketing of plant surfaces. In extreme cases, it can also cause respiratory problems through inhalation.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 86
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
Dust can become airborne due to the action of winds on material stockpiles and other dusty surfaces, or when thrown up by mechanical action, for example the movement of tyres on a dusty road or activities such as sanding or drilling.
There are many types of particulate matter that are included in the definition of dust, varying in size and chemical composition. Large particles (i.e. greater than 100 μm in diameter) are likely to settle within 6 m to 10 m of their source under a typical mean wind speed of 4 m s-1, and particles between 30 μm and 100 μm diameter are likely to settle within 100 m. Smaller particles, particularly those below 10 μm in diameter, can be transported further from their source. These particles can be small enough to be inhaled deep into the lungs and cause respiratory illness.
As part of this project, there will be relatively small areas of ground breaking or disturbance to land, mainly associated to the construction of the new 20 kV underground transmission line in length of 4.7 km. Based on this, it is not anticipated that significant adverse impacts will arise. Agricultural activities presently being conducted in the area where the new transmission line will be constructed would incorporate some soil management, such as ploughing, which would have generated dust from the area at certain times in the past. The receptors in the area would have experienced dusty episodes at these times.
The closest receptor to the area where the new underground transmission line will be constructed is Ciocarlia de Sus village (located in the very close proximity). There may be temporary impacts during the construction of the new underground transmission line but not significant dust effects to residents are anticipated.
The protected Natura 2000 ecological site, ROSCI0071 Dumbraveni-Valea Urluia-Lacul Vederoasa is at a distance of approximately 8 kilometres to the nearest construction site. Impacts related to construction dust are therefore not anticipated.
Impacts related to combustion emissions
Combustion emissions generated by construction equipment and transport vehicles were discussed in the separate ESIA prepared for Chirnogeni Wind Farm 80 MW. However, this was limited to construction traffic impacts associated with the wind farm site rather than the transmission line. This assessment concluded that any potential impacts will be distributed across the
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 87
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
travel route, will not be large in nature, and are not likely to impact regional air quality.
Combustion emissions associated to construction traffic volumes of the transmission line are not expected to be greater than what was assumed in the ESIA prepared for Chirnogeni Wind Farm 80 MW. No impacts are therefore predicted.
Mitigation measures
The following mitigation measures will be applied to reduce impacts arising from air emissions and dust. These measures shall also be detailed in the Construction Method Statement to be prepared by the construction contractor.
The construction contractor will employ machinery and tools which have passed the respective mandatory inspections according to local regulation. As far as possible, the construction contractor will avoid raising dust in the loading and unloading of dusty material operations. To reduce the movement of dust, the construction contractor will water roads and areas where there is movement of machinery. During the transport of dusty material, the use of tarpaulins and reduced speed will be imposed on the vehicles whenever deemed suitable by the construction contractor. No waste or other materials shall be disposed from the site by means of burning. The construction contractor will comply with their corporate preventive measures deemed suitable to minimize atmospheric emissions at the site (for example, limit the number of machines working simultaneously; carry out ground level measurements, etc.). The affected areas will be arranged as soon as practicable to prevent or minimize wind blown dust. Whenever possible, the construction contractor will stack fine materials in areas protected from the wind. On strong wind days, dust producing activities shall be stopped or postponed if possible. Areas of exposed soil and open excavation shall be kept to a minimum. Engines of construction equipment and transport vehicles shall be switched off when not use.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 88
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
6.3 IMPACTS TO LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL
6.3.1 Introduction
This section addresses potential impacts which may arise to landscape during the rehabilitation of the HV transmission line.
The sources of information and methodology used for this assessment as well as the baseline information collected are presented in the separate ESIA report prepared for Chirnogeni Wind Farm 80 MW.
The following main types of wider landscape can be found along the existing route of the HV transmission line:
large flat plateaus and plains; steppe vegetation and woodland; and valleys with lakes - Dumbraveni - Valea Urluia - Lake Vederoasa is crossed by the existing HV transmission line. Small nucleated settlements or communes are seen in the surrounding areas which are connected by rural roads. Most of the surrounding communes are small in size and typically characterised by single storey rural dwellings with basic amenities.
6.3.2 Assessment of Impacts
As typical for such types of works, the rehabilitation of the HV transmission line will temporarily change the landscape. Local area will be prepared to store materials and machinery, which will be visible. However, these will only be temporary features which constitute relatively little change to the overall background of agricultural activities in the Project area.
Within the landscape overhead, transmission lines, pylons and the smaller electricity poles are a dominant feature within the landscape and are visually intrusive elements in the existing landscape. Therefore sensitivity to the proposed works is considered to be low.
No mitigation measures are considered necessary.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 89
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
7 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MITIGATION PLAN (ESMP)
7.1 INTRODUCTION
EPGE is committed to high standards of environmental and social performance for its operations. This section provides an outline of how the rehabilitation of the HV line (the Project)is to be managed with respect to Environmental, Health and Safety and Social issues. It presents an outline of the Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Management System that is being developed for the Project and its associated design, rehabilitation/ construction and operational EHS management procedures.
EHS and social management issues at various stages in the life of the project from detailed design through to operation, will be governed or guided by a number of „standards‟, including:
those contained in legislation; those established by industry codes of practice; those required by EPGE EHS policy; and those that are specific to the EPGE Project including commitments made in the ESIA, commitments made during consultations, and measures as may be set out in environmental consents or licences for the project. Relevant environmental legislation is presented in section 1.3 of the ESIA prepared for Chirnogeni Wind Farm 80 MW.
7.2 EP GLOBAL ENERGY
EP Global Energy (EPGE) is the ultimate parent company of EP Wind Project (ROM) SIX SRL (EPWP6), part of The Paraskevaides Group. EPGE is a private development company active in the power generation field, with its head office in Cyprus and five regional offices (Cyprus, Greece, Albania, the United Arab Emirates, and Romania: Bucharest and Constanţa). EPGE proposes to carry out several development projects in power production in Romania in the near future.
The company‟s team consists of specialists with experience in the development and implementation of projects, starting from the phase of rehabilitation/ construction of the HV line and commissioning/ operation.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 90
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
Information about “Human resource (HR) policy”, “Labour and working conditions for employees”, “Grievance mechanism for employees” as well as “Subcontractors management” are presented in the section 13 of the ESIA prepared for Chirnogeni Wind Farm 80 MW.
7.3 PURPOSE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MITIGATION PLAN (ESMP)
The broad purpose of the ESMP is:
to provide a mechanism for ensuring that measures to mitigate potentially adverse environmental and social impacts are implemented; to ensure that standards of good construction practice are adopted throughout the rehabilitation/construction of the HV line; to provide a framework for mitigating impacts that may be unforeseen during rehabilitation/ construction of the HV line; to provide assurance to third parties that their requirements with respect to environmental and social performances will be met; to provide a framework for compliance auditing and inspection to enable EPGE to be assured that its aims with respect to environmental and social performances are being met by the ENEL and its subcontrcators; ensure appropriate stakeholder engagement; minimize risks of injuries or illness to construction workers. A key element will be the implementation of this ESMP which incorporates all the mitigation measures identified through this ESIA report.
7.4 ROLES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
7.4.1 EPGE’s role during the rehabilitation/ construction and operation of the HV line
As project proponent, EPGE has responsibility for:
monitoring contractor performance; monitoring the subcontractors activities in order to assure that all environmental and socio-economic legislation and conditions established in the contract with ENEL will be fully complied with; handling issues as they arise; and
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 91
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
acting as a point of contact for consultation and feedback with the public and other interested stakeholders.
7.4.2 The role of ENEL and ENEL’s contractors during the rehabilitation/ construction of the HV line
The ENEL and its subcontractors will be responsible for the following:
ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation (including waste management), as well as with the environmental and social mitigation measures contained in this ESMP; training of the construction staff to raise the EHS consciousness and assigning a responsible manager for the Project in order to contribute to the project‟s environmental and social performance; ensuring the implementation of environmental or other codes of conduct required by EPGE. This ESMP as part of the ESIA Report including the impact assessment and mitigation measures, as well as monitoring activities proposed for the rehabilitation/ construction phase will be presented to the construction contractors in order to be aware of the environmental and social requirements of the Project.
The contractors‟ performance in complying with the ESMP will be monitored and audited by an independent auditor, following an audit program developed as part of the EHS management system.
Information about training, inspection and auditing process, as well as about the contingency planning for the emergency and environmental incidents is provided in the section 13 of the ESIA prepared for Chirnogeni Winf Farm 80 MW.
7.4.3 Ongoing stakeholder engagement
For the purposes of this Project (as well as for the Chrinogeni Wind Farm 80 MW), a Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) has been prepared as a standalone document. Within this document, a stakeholder engagement strategy has been developed and divided into four phases, each having slightly different objectives.
Phase 1: Screening and scoping – The screening and scoping phases aim to identify the stakeholders, introduce the Project and generate feedback on the scope, approach and key issues. Consultation during this phase has
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 92
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
been conducted with government bodies, representatives of the local administrations, NGOs and members of the public. Phase 2: Preparation of the ESIA report – This phase aims to provide information on the Project, whilst also obtaining baseline information about the Project area from local communities, local economic operators and NGOs, as appropriate. Phase 3: ESIA disclosure – This phase consists in the finalization of the ESIA report and aims to study the impacts and mitigation measures envisaged as part of the Project. Studies will look to identify any local benefits that can be delivered through the Project and ensure that measures to be implemented are appropriate to the local situation. All stakeholder groups will be consulted during this phase. In this phase the ESIA findings will be subject to public disclosure as part of the Project financing process. Phase 4: Ongoing Engagement – This phase will be taken forward by the project partners during construction, operation and final decommissioning of the Project. Stakeholders‟ participation will be fundamental to the success of the Project implementation and stakeholder feedback will be a key component in monitoring the success of the mitigation measures. A grievance procedure in accordance with EBRD requirements will be prepared and implemented by EPGE. This procedure will enable any complaints to be made direct to a nominated Romanian speaking member of staff. Details related to this procedure are presented in the section 5 of the SEP.
7.5 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MITIGATION PLAN (ESMP)
This section presents the ESMP for the rehabilitation of the HV line, setting out all the environmental, health and safety and social commitments with which EPGE will comply during the rehabilitation/ construction of the Project established through the ESIA. These are organised under seven topics as detailed in the Table 7.1:
Soils, Geology, Land Use and Water Resources; Noise and Vibration; Ecology and Nature Conservation; and Socioeconomics. The relevant mitigation measures related to the general EHS and social aspects were included and presented within the section 13 of the ESIA prepared for the Chirnogeni Wind Farm 80 MW.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 93
ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL
Table 7 .1 Environmental and Social Mitigation Plan
ESIA Topic Mitigation Measure Design/Construction /Operation/ Monitoring Decommissioning
Soils, Geology, Land Best practice soil handling techniques will be Construction Regular auditing during Use and Water implemented including the following measures: construction Resources Appropriate selection, maintenance and use of construction vehicles and machinery.
Construction equipment maintenance and re-fuelling will be restricted. Any maintenance or re-fuelling will take place only with implementation of appropriate secondary containment and spill controls.
Construction works will be executed so that subsurface contamination is prevented. Oil or fuel spills will be immediately cleaned up, and any affected areas will be remediated and restored after construction.
Drip trays use and availability of spill clean-up kits to quickly remedy any leakages if they do occur.
Construction materials, fuels, and wastes storage and handling procedures as well as emergency/spill response plans will be implemented at the construction sites.
Topsoil stripping will be limited to the footprint of the cable treches.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 94
ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL
ESIA Topic Mitigation Measure Design/Construction /Operation/ Monitoring Decommissioning
Soil will be stored carefully to one side of the trench, in such a way that it is not mixed with sub soil or trafficked on by vehicles.
Stockpiles will be a maximum of 2 m high to avoid compaction from the weight.
Any surplus (uncontaminated) soil will be spread over fields subject to agreement with the landowner/occupier and/or used for landscaping within the project area.
The construction working areas will be reinstated as far as practicable to the same condition as before. The contractor will also develop procedures for Construction Regular auditing during emergency/ spill response, and for the storage and construction handling of hazardous fuels, construction materials and wastes. Full reinstatement will take place of land drainage After construction Regular auditing during features disturbed during construction. construction and after A water pipeline survey needs to be conducted within the Prior to construction Not required area where the 4.7 km new undourground transmission line will be constructed; the aim of the survey is to avoid unexpected events. In case this survey identifies any pipelines the Areal Centre Mangalia shall be urgently notifed and the costs related to the diversion of the pipes shall be incurred by the developer. Moreover, in such a case further specific conditions to protect the pipelines
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 95
ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL
ESIA Topic Mitigation Measure Design/Construction /Operation/ Monitoring Decommissioning
shall be discussed on the spot.
Impacts on watercourses will be minimized by using Prior constrcution Not required existing crossing points where ever possible. Where this cannot be done all new crossings will be subject to pre- construction checks. A spill plan and spill kits will be provided to deal with any accidental emissions to water, and silt traps will be positioned prior to any construction activity in water courses.
Noise and Vibration Working hours will be restricted to 0700 to 1900, Monday Construction Regular auditing during to Friday and 0700 – 1300 on Saturday and no night time construction work will be performed. Local residents should be kept informed of the Construction Regular auditing during construction programme and of any particularly noisy construction activities; the construction contractors should publicise the programme for the duration of operations, provide details of planned noisy events and the named contacts to deal with complaints. Noise monitoring should be conducted at the start of the Construction and operation Regular auditing during Project to identify the key items of noisy equipment and construction and identify further specific noise mitigation measures. operation during
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 96
ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL
ESIA Topic Mitigation Measure Design/Construction /Operation/ Monitoring Decommissioning
Monitoring should also be undertaken where work is in maintenance activities close proximity to NSRs outside the normal working hours, including evenings. Vehicles and mechanical equipment should be fitted with Construction Regular auditing during exhaust silencers and maintained in good and efficient construction working order to minimise noise arising from mechanical vibration. Ecology and Nature Prior to works starting, subcontractor teams will be given Prior construction Not required Conservation an ecological toolbox talk outlining legal and environmental responsibilities, highlighting particularly sensitive species or habitats, explaining mitigation proposals and the reasoning behind them. Plans for dealing with Annex IV or other protected species will be explained. Workers will be reminded that they are not to hunt or kill wildlife on the route.
Collision and electrocution risks will be reduced if the Prior construction Not required refurbishment of the lines includes mitigation methods to reduce the likelihood of birds earthing and increase the visibility of transmission lines.
During rehabilitation works, generated dust will be Construction Regular auditing during mitigated as far as reasonably practical through the pre- construction wetting of surfaces where necessary.
Housekeeping will be managed to a high standard and Construction Regular auditing during activities such as refuelling of vehicles and machinery will construction
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 97
ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL
ESIA Topic Mitigation Measure Design/Construction /Operation/ Monitoring Decommissioning
be undertaken offsite and on-site spill response and clean- up plans will be implemented in order to minimise risks spills of materials such as paints or oil. Prior the starting the rehabilitation works to the Prior construction 15 days monitoring prior existing owerhead transmission lines, checks for construction Habitat Directive Annex IV species will be undertaken by an experienced reptile specilais ecologist at all laydown sites, compounds, tower bases and particularly along the underground transmission line route extending to 25 m either side of the cable trench.
If Annex IV species will be found and appropriate working method to minimize harm by creation of suitable habitat outside of the working width of the underground transmission line will be undertaken. Additionaly, it will be necessary top revent their re- entry by using suitable reptile fencing. These actions will be conducted following the consultation of the relevant authorities.
Habitat to which displaced animals may be temporarily removed will be provided. The most effective way of doing so is to provide receptor areas of brash (cut down scrub) along the periphery of the working corridor. These areas will be retained for a period of at least 6 months after works have ceased in order to allow habitats damaged during the laying of
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 98
ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL
ESIA Topic Mitigation Measure Design/Construction /Operation/ Monitoring Decommissioning
the underground transmission cable to re-establish. Prior to starting the works for the construction of the 4.7 Prior to construction 15 days monitoring prior km underground transmission line, an experienced construction ecologist will perform a detailed survey in order to check the site for burrowing mammals (with special focus on the presence of Annex IV Spermophillus citellus). In case individual burrows or a colony of Spermophillus citellus is identified, mitigation measures will include minor alterations of the transmission line route in order to avoid colonies, or alternatively animals will have to be excluded from construction area and appropriate habitat management (e.g. manipulation of grazing levels) to accommodate displaced or translocated animals. If for imperative reason construction of the new 4.7 km Construction transmission line has to take place during the breading season, survey will be undertaken to identify and mark bird‟s nests and no work will be allowed in the vicinity of such sites until the young have fledged. Additionaly, in order that construction does not cause adverse impacts to ground nesting birds, clearance activities will be undertaken outside of the bird breeding season (May – June).. For the cumulative impact with the ENEL‟s proposed Prior ENEL‟s project for repair/ Not required repair and/ or replacement of towers along the existing replacemet of towers HV line, EPGE will work with ENEL to promote the use of safer towers that reduce the likelihood of electrocution
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 99
ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL
ESIA Topic Mitigation Measure Design/Construction /Operation/ Monitoring Decommissioning
risk to birds through the adoption of the latest bird friendly configurations and technical innovations.
Socio-economics EPGE will constantly monitor the impact mitigation Construction and operation Regular auditing during measures which will be set together with ENEL and sub- construction and operation contractors The area of 0.045 ha required for the extention of the Prior construction Not required Chirnogeni substation (which will be permanently taken out of the agricultural use) will be purchased by the EPGE according to the internal land acquisition procedure. Where possible, construction will avoid the crops growing Prior construction Not required season; however, should crops be damages during this period, compensation will be provided and land will be fully reinstated according to the provisions of the Compensation Action Plan. Ensure the area impacted during the rehabilitation/ Construction Regular auditing during construction is limitated and access of construction construction workers to land not directly affected by the Project will be restricted so as not to disturb arable land. Where ever possible access to agricultural land is not Construction Regular auditing during restricted. Where access to land is restricted those construction communes using the land are informed in good time of this restriction through the correct channels Methods will be put in place to remove vegetation and Construction Regular auditing during soil in order to minimize the impacted agricultural land construction areas.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 100
ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL
ESIA Topic Mitigation Measure Design/Construction /Operation/ Monitoring Decommissioning
Construction personnel will be trained by the construction Construction Regular auditing during contractor with regard to environmental, health and safety construction risks associated with the rehabilitation/ construction of the HV line and necessary measures to avoid incidents and increased the project‟s environmental performance. The accommodation containers will provide housing Construction Regular auditing during conditions compliant with all applicable health and safety construction regulations and norms as identified in the technical construction documents. A Traffic Management Plan will be developed to set out Construction Regular auditing during general measures to mitigate traffic-related environmental construction impacts associated to rehabilitation/ construction works and include information on more detailed site specific measures as required. Transportation of over-size loads will comply with all Construction Regular auditing during applicable regulations and conditions stipulated in the construction relevant permit and will be accompanied by appropriate safety vehicles. Construction works will include supervision by an Construction Regular auditing during archaeological expert to avoid or reduce any potential construction impacts on arheology or other cultural practices; EPGE will assure that Romanian legislation and its chance find procedure is fully acknowledged and implemented by ENEL and its subcontractors. A land clearance survey should be carried out prior to the Prior construction Not required beginning of construction works in order to identify any
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 101
ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL
ESIA Topic Mitigation Measure Design/Construction /Operation/ Monitoring Decommissioning
infrastructure elements (gas pipes, water supply pipes, sewage system). All land used temporarily during construction will be Construction Regular auditing during fully rehabilitated and returned to its use prior to start of construction operation. All health and safety applicable regulations will be During construction and Regular auditing during enforced. operation construction and operation Some land might temporary lose its purpose of use or During construction and Regular auditing during access to certain plots may be restricted, thus conducting operation construction and to direct economic lose for owners. A compensation model operation for the direct economic lose should be developed by ENEL and its subcontractors and implemented by the EPGE. Stakeholder engagement and consultations/communication of the stages of the Project will be ensured with the local communities as described in the SEP.
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA 102
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
CONTENTS
ANNEXES
1: Site Location Map
2: Protected areas within 20 km of the Project area
P0093210, EP WIND PROJECT (ROM) SIX SRL ESIA REPORT AUGUST 2011
HIGHVOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE, CONSTANŢA, ROMANIA103 ANEXE
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
ANNEX 1
Site Location Map
ERM Environmental ERM Environmental Resources Management SRL Resources Management SRL
ANNEX 2
Protected areas within 20 km of the Project area
ERM has offices across the following countries worldwide
Argentina New Zealand Australia Panama Belgium Peru Brazil Poland Canada Portugal China Puerto Rico Colombia Romania France Russia Germany Singapore Hong Kong Southern Africa Hungary Spain India Sweden Indonesia Taiwan Ireland Thailand Italy The Netherlands Japan United Arab Emirates Kazakhstan United Kingdom Korea United States Malaysia Vietnam
ERM’s Bucharest Office
21 Constantin Daniel St., Corp A Sector 1 010631 Bucharest Romania
T: +40 31 405 1680 F: +40 31 405 1681 www.erm.com
ERM consulting services worldwide www.erm.com