Final Environmental Impact Assessment – Vlorë Combined
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Final Environmental Impact Assessment – Vlorë Combined Prepared for: REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY & ENERGY Sponsored by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency Activity No. 2000-70093A Grant No. GH2793403 October 6, 2003 Prepared By: ALBANIA MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND ENERGY Final Environmental Impact Assessment MWH DISCLAIMER MWH Consulting (MWH), a business unit within MWH Americas, Inc., prepared this document. Neither MWH nor any person acting on their behalf, including any party contributing to this document: (a) makes any warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the use of any information or methods disclosed in this report; or (b) assumes any liability with respect to the use of any information or methods disclosed in this report. Any recipient of this report, including any prospective lenders, owner or third parties, by their receipt and use of this report, hereby releases MWH from any liability for direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage, whether arising in contract, tort (including negligence), strict liability or otherwise. TDA DISCLAIMER This report was funded by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA), an export promotion agency of the United States Government. The opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this document are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of TDA. The U.S. Trade and Development Agency 1000 Wilson Blvd. Suite 1600 Arlington, VA 22209-3901 TDA MISSION STATEMENT The U.S. Trade and Development Agency assists in the creation of jobs for Americans by helping U.S. companies pursue overseas business opportunities. Through the funding of feasibility studies, orientation visits, specialized training grants, business workshops, and various forms of technical assistance, we enable American businesses to compete for infrastructure and industrial projects in middle-income and developing countries. 2 Project # 1003316.013901 ALBANIA MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND ENERGY Final Environmental Impact Assessment TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................................6 1.1 Background ................................................................................................................6 1.2 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Process......................................................8 1.2.1 EIA Requirements ...............................................................................................8 1.2.2 Project Description ..............................................................................................8 1.2.3 Modeled Impacts...............................................................................................12 1.2.4 Social Requirements .........................................................................................14 1.3 Conclusion................................................................................................................15 2 Introduction and Background...........................................................................................16 2.1 Policy, Legal, and Administrative Framework Requirements of Cofinancers............18 2.2 Project Description ...................................................................................................19 2.3 Baseline Site Conditions...........................................................................................19 2.4 Impact Identification and Proposed Mitigation ..........................................................19 2.5 Analysis of Alternatives.............................................................................................19 2.6 Environmental Management Plan.............................................................................19 2.7 Public Consultation and Disclosure Plan ..................................................................19 3 Legislative, Regulatory, and Policy considerations ..........................................................20 3.1 Albanian Institutional framework...............................................................................22 3.1.1 Key Albanian Environmental legislation.............................................................23 3.1.2 Environmental Impact Assessment ...................................................................24 3.1.3 Permitting Requirements...................................................................................24 4 Project Description...........................................................................................................26 4.1 Combined Cycle Technology Description.................................................................26 4.1.1 Major Processes................................................................................................27 4.1.2 Major Equipment and Systems..........................................................................27 4.2 Plant Description ......................................................................................................29 4.2.1 Fuel Supply .......................................................................................................30 4.2.2 Transmission.....................................................................................................31 4.2.3 Water Requirements .........................................................................................31 4.2.4 Water Supply and Treatment.............................................................................32 4.2.5 Wastewater .......................................................................................................32 4.2.6 Transportation ...................................................................................................33 4.2.7 EPC Project Schedule.......................................................................................33 5 Baseline Site Conditions..................................................................................................34 5.1 Physical Conditions ..................................................................................................34 5.1.1 Topography and Physiography..........................................................................34 5.1.2 Regional Geology and Soils ..............................................................................35 5.1.3 Seismicity ..........................................................................................................36 5.2 Atmospheric Conditions............................................................................................36 5.2.1 Meteorology.......................................................................................................36 5.2.2 Air Quality..........................................................................................................38 5.2.3 Noise.................................................................................................................38 5.3 Water Resources......................................................................................................38 3 Project # 1003316.013901 ALBANIA MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND ENERGY Final Environmental Impact Assessment 5.3.1 Vjose and Shushices Rivers..............................................................................38 5.3.2 Narta Lagoon.....................................................................................................38 5.3.3 Vlorë Floodplain ................................................................................................39 5.3.4 Adriatic Sea / Bay of Vlorë.................................................................................39 5.3.5 Groundwater......................................................................................................42 5.3.6 Water Availability...............................................................................................42 5.4 Biological Resources ................................................................................................43 5.4.1 Narta Lagoon.....................................................................................................43 5.4.2 Karaburuni Peninsula ........................................................................................45 5.4.3 Threatened and Endangered Species...............................................................46 5.5 Socioeconomic Conditions .......................................................................................49 5.5.1 Overview of National and Regional Socioeconomic Conditions ........................49 5.5.2 Socioeconomic Conditions in Vlorë...................................................................49 5.5.3 Cultural Resources............................................................................................54 6 Impact Identification and Proposed Mitigation..................................................................55 6.1 Construction Phase: Sources of Potential Environmental Impacts ...........................55 6.1.1 Site Access........................................................................................................55 6.1.2 Site Preparation.................................................................................................55 6.1.3 Transmission Line Preparation..........................................................................55 6.1.4 Site Dewatering.................................................................................................55