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SCOPING REPORT
ESIA – HYDROPOWER PLANT KALIVAÇ ESIA Scoping Assessment Report for the Proposed Kalivaç HPP
July 2019 Tirana, Albania
REPORT SUMMARY
PROJECT TITLE HYDRO POWER PLANT KALIVAÇ
ESIA SCOPING ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR THE PROPOSED DOCUMENT TITLE KALIVAÇ HPP
REV. PURPOSE OF ISSUE REMARK/ DESCRIPTION ORIGINATOR DATE
1 Draft Scoping Report 00 Internal review Abkons 29/06/2019
2 Draft Scoping Report 01 Internal review Abkons 15/06/2019
3 Draft Scoping Report Internal review Abkons 17/06/2019
4 Final Scoping Report 21/07/2019
FINAL PURPOSE OF ISSUE
CONSULTANT CONTRACTOR
Originator Checker Approver Checked Approved
Abkons sh.p.k Name/ Saltus Surname Abkons sh.p.k Consulting Ltd Saltus Consulting
Ltd
Signature
Date 12/06/2019 15/06/2019 21/07/2019 Document
Status
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Table of Contents
1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 11
2 INTRODUCTION ...... 12
2.1 PROPOSED ACTIVITY ...... 12 2.2 PROJECT LOCATION ...... 13 2.3 PROJECT JUSTIFICATION ...... 16 2.3.1 PURPOSE OF THE SCOPING STUDY ...... 18 2.3.2 Scoping Objectives ...... 19 2.3.3 Scoping Report Structure ...... 19 3 LEGAL AND POLICY FRAMEWORK ...... 21
3.1 INTRODUCTION ...... 21 3.2 ENVIRONMENTAL LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT ...... 21 3.2.1 Environmental Approval Procedure ...... 23 3.2.2 National Albanian Legislation ...... 24 3.2.3 Protection of Biodiversity Framework ...... 25 3.2.4 Protection of physical environment framework ...... 27 3.2.5 Health and Safety Framework ...... 33 3.2.6 Other Relevant National Legislation ...... 35 3.2.7 International Conventions and Agreements ...... 36 3.2.8 Albanian Legislation for the Energy Sector ...... 40 3.3 INTERNATIONAL BEST PRACTICE STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES ...... 41 3.3.1 World Bank Group Environmental and Social Framework ...... 43 3.3.2 The IFC Performance Standards ...... 43 3.3.3 IFC Environmental, Social and Stakeholder Engagement Guidelines ...... 44 3.3.4 WHO Guidelines ...... 45 3.3.5 International Union for the Conservation of Nature ...... 45 4 PROJECT DESCRIPTION ...... 46
4.1 INTRODUCTION ...... 46 4.2 PROJECT OVERVIEW ...... 46 4.2.1 Site Context ...... 46 4.2.2 Project Components ...... 49 4.2.3 Kalivaç HPP Technical Description and Plant Process ...... 49 4.2.4 New Kalivaç HPP structures ...... 51 4.2.5 Specific design criteria ...... 52 4.3 PROJECT PHASES ...... 52 4.3.1 Pre-Construction and Construction Phase ...... 52 4.3.2 Operational Phase ...... 53 4.3.3 Decommissioning Phase ...... 54 4.3.4 Analysis of Alternatives ...... 54 5 BIOPHYSICAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC BASELINE ...... 55
5.1 INTRODUCTION ...... 55 5.2 BIOPHYSICAL RESOURCES ...... 55 5.2.1 Basic data on the location of the project ...... 55 5.2.2 Climate and Meteorology ...... 56 5.2.3 Hydrology of Vjosa River at Kalivaç Dam ...... 57
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5.2.4 Annual Flow Rates with Different Exceedance Probability ...... 58 5.2.5 Sediment Flow ...... 58 5.2.6 Terrestrial Soils and Geology ...... 59 5.2.7 Topography and Landscape ...... 60 5.2.8 Soil and Pedological Characteristics ...... 60 5.2.9 Mining ...... 61 5.2.10 Flora ...... 61 5.2.11 Fauna ...... 63 5.2.12 Protected Areas ...... 64 5.2.13 Groundwater ...... 64 5.2.14 Surface Water ...... 65 5.3 SOCIOECONOMIC RESOURCES ...... 66 5.3.1 General Area ...... 66 5.3.2 Demographics ...... 69 5.3.3 Ethnicity and Religion ...... 69 5.3.4 Livelihood and Micro-economy ...... 71 5.3.5 Land Use ...... 72 5.3.6 Land Tenure and Land Fragmentation ...... 73 5.3.7 Remittances and Social Assistance ...... 73 5.3.8 Energy Use ...... 75 5.3.9 Transport and Access ...... 75 5.3.10 Education and Literacy ...... 75 5.3.11 Community Health ...... 76 5.3.12 Resettlement activities ...... 76 5.3.13 Cultural Heritage and Socio-cultural Values ...... 77 6 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT ...... 79
6.1 INTRODUCTION ...... 79 6.2 OVERVIEW ...... 79 6.2.1 Defining Stakeholder Engagement ...... 79 6.2.2 Objectives ...... 80 6.2.3 Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) ...... 80 6.2.4 SCOPING ...... 80 6.2.5 Stakeholder Identification ...... 81 6.2.6 Notification of Stakeholders during Scoping Phase ...... 81 6.2.7 Public Consultation of Scoping Phase ...... 81 6.3 ESIA BASELINE STUDY ...... 82 6.3.1 Introduction ...... 82 6.3.2 Stakeholder Engagement Activities ...... 82 6.3.3 Community Engagement ...... 82 6.3.4 Engagement with Other Stakeholders and the General Public ...... 83 6.3.5 ESIA Disclosure ...... 83 6.3.6 Grievance Mechanism ...... 84 7 IMPACT ASSESSMENT APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY FOR THE ESIA PROCESS . 86
7.1 INTRODUCTION ...... 86 7.2 SCREENING PHASE ...... 87 7.3 SCOPING PHASE ...... 88 7.4 BASELINE AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT PHASE ...... 88 7.4.1 Final Definition of the Areas of Influence (AoI) for the Project ...... 89 7.5 ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS AND METHODOLOGY ...... 90 7.6 DEALING WITH UNCERTAINTY IN THE ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS ...... 95
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8 PRELIMINARY IDENTIFICATION OF IMPACTS ...... 96
8.1 INTRODUCTION ...... 96 8.2 SCOPING PROCESS ...... 96 8.3 DESCRIPTION OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS ...... 96 8.3.1 Air Quality ...... 96 8.3.2 Noise, Vibration and Lighting ...... 97 8.3.3 Wastes ...... 97 8.3.4 Soil and Geology...... 98 8.3.5 Hydrology and Surface Water Quality ...... 99 8.3.6 Hydrogeology and Groundwater Quality ...... 100 8.3.7 Terrestrial and Aquatic Flora ...... 101 8.3.8 Terrestrial and Aquatic Fauna ...... 102 8.3.9 Terrestrial and Aquatic Habitats ...... 103 8.3.10 POTENTIAL SOCIAL-ECONOMIC IMPACTS ...... 103 8.3.11 Landscape and Visual Impact ...... 104 8.3.12 Land use and Livelihoods ...... 104 8.3.13 Infrastructure and Services ...... 105 8.3.14 Traffic and Transportation ...... 106 8.3.15 Electromagnetic Field (EMF) ...... 106 8.3.16 Cultural Heritage ...... 107 8.3.17 Community Health and safety ...... 107 8.3.18 Employment and Local Economy ...... 108 8.4 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS ...... 109 9 SUMMARY OF TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE ESIA ...... 110
9.1 INTRODUCTION ...... 110 9.2 ESIA OBJECTIVES AND OVERVIEW ...... 110 9.3 ESIA STEPS ...... 110 9.3.1 Baseline Studies ...... 111 9.3.2 Desktop Studies ...... 111 9.3.3 Field Studies ...... 112 9.4 SPECIALIST INVESTIGATIONS ...... 112 9.4.1 Soils ...... 112 9.4.2 Terrestrial Flora ...... 112 9.4.3 Terrestrial Fauna ...... 113 9.4.4 Environmental Flows ...... 113 9.4.5 Aquatic Ecology ...... 113 9.4.6 Impoundment and Downstream Water ...... 115 9.4.7 Socioeconomic ...... 116 9.4.8 Cultural and Heritage ...... 117 9.5 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT ...... 117 9.6 Impact Assessment ...... 117 9.6.1 Impact Identification, Prediction and Evaluation ...... 117 9.7 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN ...... 118 9.8 DOCUMENTATION ...... 118 9.9 DRAFT STRUCTURE OF THE ESIA REPORT ...... 119
REFERENCES ...... 122
ANNEX A: SCREENING CHECKLIST ...... 124
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ANNEX B: SCOPING CHECKLIST ...... 141
ANNEX C: BACKGROUND INFORMATION DOCUMENT (BID) ...... 186
ANNEX D: LIST OF SETTLEMENTS IN THE AOI/SURVEY AREA ...... 192
ANNEX E: KEY STAKEHOLDER GROUPS AND RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS ...... 193
ANNEX F: LIST OF IDENTIFIED NGOS ...... 195
ANNEX G: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ...... 196
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List of Figures
Figure 1 Project Location ...... 13 Figure 2 The limits of the Kalivaç HPP area ...... 14 Figure 3 Administrative Map of Inundation Line at 113 asl ...... 15 Figure 4 Aerial Map of Inundation Line at 113 a.s.l ...... 15 Figure 5 INSTAT Albania: Balance of electric power, 2014-2018 ...... 16 Figure 6 Disaster Risk in Albania ...... 18 Figure 7 EIA Procedure and Timeline according to Albanian Legislation ...... 24 Figure 8 River Vjosa, Hydro-Potential considerations ...... 47 Figure 9 Exploitation of Vjosa (Aoos’) River in the Upper Catchment ...... 48 Figure 10 Figure General Layout of the Kalivac HPP ...... 50 Figure 11 Excavations of the left bank of the Dam ...... 51 Figure 12 Kalivaç HPP Overall Schedule ...... 53 Figure 13 Satellite overviews of the lower Vjosa valley with the delta into the Adriatic Sea and the Narta lagoon...... 56 Figure 14 The map of the Vjosa River catchment ...... 58 Figure 15 Albanian Adriatic and Ionian Seas coastline area. (Albanian Sedimentary Basin; 2- Periadriatic Depression; 3- Ionian tectonic zone; 4- Kruja (Gavrovo-Dalmatic-Montenegro) tectonic zone; 5- Apulia platform, Paksos zone.) ...... 59 Figure 16 Administrative Map of Albanian ...... 68 Figure 17 EIA Approval schedule according to Albanian Legislation ...... 84 Figure 18 Overview of the ESIA Process ...... 87 Figure 19 Environmental Impact Assessment Methodology ...... 91 Figure 20 The EIA/ESIA Process and Stages in compliance with IFC Standards ...... 189 Figure 21 Mapping and location of the proposed development HPP Kalivaç ...... 190
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List of Tables
Table 1 The positions of the HPP structures on the project area in coordinates ...... 14 Table 2 Albanian Legislation for an EIA ...... 21 Table 3 Albanian Legislation on Biodiversity Relevant to the Project ...... 25 Table 4 Legislation for the protection of cultural heritage ...... 26 Table 5 Legislation related to protection of the physical environment ...... 27 Table 6 Legislation for health and safety ...... 34 Table 7 Other Relevant national legislation ...... 35 Table 8 International Conventions and agreements signed/ratified Albania ...... 36 Table 9 Albanian Legislation on the Energy Sector ...... 40 Table 10 Development on the upper Vjosa ...... 48 Table 11 Salient Features of Kalivaç HPP ...... 50 Table 12 Annual flows with different exceedance probability ...... 58 Table 13 Parameters of the suspended sediment flow in Dorëz station ...... 58 Table 14 The main vegetation habitats at Gjirokastër region in percentage ...... 62 Table 15 List of fish species in Vjosa River and their conservation status ...... 63 Table 16 Administrative organization of Socio-economic baseline area...... 66 Table 17 Population in the Project area ...... 69 Table 18 Religious affiliation of the resident population ...... 69 Table 19 Resident population by ethnic and cultural affiliation ...... 70 Table 20 Resident population by mother tongue ...... 71 Table 21 Economic Activities per Each Municipality ...... 71 Table 22 Farms and related area by land use and classes of utilised agricultural area (UAA) (area in Ha), ...... 72 Table 23 Total area and utilized agriculture area by tenure, in prefecture level ...... 73 Table 24 Population by prefectures January 1st, Source INSTAT ...... 74 Table 25 Remittances in million Euro ...... 74 Table 26 Population according to 2011 Census and 2011 Civil Registry ...... 74 Table 27 Number of families, persons, tutors receiving social assistance ...... 75 Table 28 Number of schools per each municipality ...... 76 Table 29 Number of health care centres ...... 76 Table 30 Characteristics of Impacts ...... 91 Table 31 Impact likelihood definition ...... 92 Table 32 Impact Significance Matrix ...... 93 Table 33 Colour scale ratings for Impact Significance ...... 93 Table 34 Impact Significance Explanation ...... 93 Table 35 Mitigation Hierarchy ...... 94 Table 36 Structure of the ESIA Report ...... 119
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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATION
Abbreviation Meaning
AB Albania Bank BC Base Case CAEMP Construction Activities Environmental Management Plan C/CRT Communications/Community Relations Team CA Concession Agreement CAI Census and Asset Inventory CBO Community Based Organization CDP Community Development Plan CEMP Contractor’s Environmental Management Plan CEU Contractor’s Environmental Unit CFRD Concrete faced rock fill dam CLO Community Liaison Officer CLT Community Liaison Team CPR Common Property Resource CRSD Community Relations and Sustainable Development DIZ Direct Impact Zone DMS Detailed Measurement Survey DS Dam Site EBRD European Bank for Reconstruction and Development EC Electrical Conductivity ECAT Environmental Centre for Administration & Technology ECT European Energy Charter Treaty EFR Environmental Flow Release EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EIS Environmental Impact Statement EMAS Eco Management and Audit Scheme ESIA Environmental and Social Impact Assessment ESM Environmental and Social Management ESMP Environmental and Social Management Plan ESMS Environmental and Social Management System ESMU Environmental and Social Management Unit SEA Strategic Environmental Assessment EU European Union FGD Focus Group Discussion GAD Gender and Development Approach GCC Global Conservation Concern GEF Global Environment Facility GoA Government of Albania GWh Giga Watt hours HPP Hydropower Project HRWL Highest Regulated Water Level
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Abbreviation Meaning
HSE Health, Safety and Environment HSS&E Health, Safety, Social and Environment IAP Interested and Affected People ICOLD International Commission on Large Dams ICS Impact Consultation Specialist IFC International Finance Corporation IHA International Hydropower Association IRDP Integrated Rural Development Programme IRR Issues and Response Report IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature JV Joint Venture KI Key Informant KII Key Informant Interview KPI Key Performance Indicator kW Kilo Watt M&E Monitoring and Evaluation MARD Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development m asl Metres above sea level MTE Ministry of Tourism and Environment MIE Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy MoM Minutes of Meeting MW Mega Watt NEA National Environmental Agency NGO Nongovernmental Organisation NTS Non-Technical Summaries NWC National Water Counsel PA Project Area PAA Project Affected Area PAC Project Affected Community PAP Project Affected Person PCD Public Consultation and Disclosure PCDP Public Consultations and Disclosure Plan PID Project Information Documents PRA Participatory Rural Appraisal PRSP Poverty Reduction Strategy Plan PS Performance Standard of IFC Q10 Flood with 10-year return interval Q100 Flood with 100-year return interval RAP Resettlement Action Plan RCC Roller Compacted Concrete dam ROW Right of Way RPF Resettlement Policy Framework RRA Rapid Rural Appraisal
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Abbreviation Meaning
SAP Sustainability Assessment Protocol SD Sustainable Development SDS Sustainable Development Strategy SES Socioeconomic Survey SIA Social Impact Assessment SMP Social Management Plan SMS Social Management System STEL Short Term Economic Loss SSES Sample Socioeconomic Survey TWh Terra Watt hours ToR Terms of Reference UFS Updated Feasibility Study UN United Nations UN ECE United Nations Economic Commission of Europe UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNEP United Nations Environment Programme VC Village Committee WB World Bank WBG World Bank Group WPA Wider Project Area
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1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This document presents the Scoping Study of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) of the Hydro Power Plant Kalivaç (HPP Kalivaç-the Project). The proposed project is classified as Category A, as stated in the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Guideline Manual for ESIA, and therefore consequently it will be subject to a Full/In-depth ESIA Study Report.
The project has been awarded a concession agreement between AYEN-Alb sh.a and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy in Albania, which considers the proposed project as an important development for the country. As such, the ESIA process is considered a key component for the implementation of the project. The ESIA will meet the requirements of the IFC in support of their decision on whether to finance and provide guarantees for the proposed HPP Kalivaç; and comply with national (Albanian law) and EU legislation on preparation of environmental and social assessments required for future permitting and other authorisation purposes. In line with the above-mentioned standards and guidelines, the ESIA process will consist of two main study phases:
• Environmental and Social Scoping Study; and
• Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Study.
This Scoping Report represents the first phase of the ESIA and is intended to support engagement with stakeholders in the ESIA process, inviting them to provide relevant information and to comment on the proposed approach to the ESIA, to ensure that a robust ESIA is prepared and ultimately informs the development of HPP Kalivaç. In this regard, the main elements of the biological, physical and socioeconomic environment likely to be significantly affected by the construction, operation and decommissioning of the proposed Hydro Power Plant in Kalivaç have been identified. A number of environmental and social impacts are considered within this Scoping Report. The identification of impacts within this Scoping Report has been based upon an understanding of the environmental and social conditions likely to be encountered within the proposed area for development, utilising information that has been gained from independent studies, previous EIA studies, feasibility study of HPP Kalivaç, Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) studies and other publicly available desktop data sources. For several identified potential impacts, further data collection and assessment will be required in order to determine the significance of the effect. These impacts have been scoped into the assessment. This document also outlines the extent of relevant environmental and social studies to be undertaken as part of the Full/In-depth ESIA.
This version represents the Draft Scoping Report, which will be published for 60 days, allowing for receipt of written comments from stakeholders. These comments, together with feedback received during scoping phase presentations, consultations and meetings will support the finalization of the Scoping Report.
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2 INTRODUCTION
This Scoping Report has been compiled on behalf of AYEN-Alb sh.a as part of the ESIA process for the proposed hydropower plant near the village of Kalivaç, in Albania (the Project). “AYEN-ALB sh.a is the developer of the Hydro Power Plant Kalivaç (HPP Kalivaç) based on a Concession Agreement (CA) between the Joint Venture (JV) of the Turkish Company AYEN ENERJI A.S 92% and Albanian Company FUSHA shpk 8% with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy (MIE) in Albania.
ABKONS sh.p.k has been appointed as the Consultant who will conduct the ESIA process in line with Albanian legislation, EU legislation and IFC Standards. ABKONS will identify and assess the potential environmental and social impacts associated with the proposed activity by conducting an objective and independent ESIA process in which all the relevant information and opinions of Interested and Affected Parties (IAPs) will be collected and passed on to the Ministry of Tourism and Environment (MTE), and National Environmental Agency (NEA). In this way an informed decision-making process can take place.
2.1 PROPOSED ACTIVITY
The construction of Kalivaç HPP started 20 years ago through a concession given to an Italian company, which carried out some partial works, but the project, was not completed. Hence, the Albanian Government decided to open the bid on the project in 2016, putting as preconditions that previous uncompleted works have to be completed by the new concessionaire. The works already performed by the previous concessionaire in the proposed site of Kalivaç HPP have in a certain scale influenced the layout of the structures. On the other hand, starting of the works in some structures have predefined the type of these structures. Excavations on the river valley banks and bed at the dam location have predefined the dam axes and type of the dam body.
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy reopened the bid for concession where specific criteria for the evaluation of offers were defined in order to reduce environmental impact and improve the initial project. Criticisms and suggestions made by different stakeholders were taken into consideration. Moreover, the Ministry highlighted that special attention was paid to the environmental impact of the projects.
The Contracting Authority (Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy) has given the selected concessionaire all the rights to invest, design, build, operate, manage, maintain of Kalivaç HPP, in exchange for the payment of the concession tariff.
The concessionaire AYEN-ALB sh.a,, intends to construct and operate a Hydro Power Plant (HPP Kalivaç) by developing HPP facilities, creating a reservoir and constructing a transmission line through the territories of Memaliaj, Tepelenë and Selenica Municipalities (overhead transmission line, OHL). Other associated temporary and permanent facilities to be developed include access roads, onsite labour camp, offices, camp water supply and electricity network, quarries, batching plant, cement batchers, aggregate batchers, aggregate bins, cement bins, cement silos, batch plant controls, and dust collectors, vehicle parking and maintenance, etc. HPP Kalivaç, through the construction of a dam, will create a reservoir fed by the Vjosa River. The HPP will have a total installed capacity of 111 MW and will produce an average of 367 GWh/year.
HPP Kalivaç will create a reservoir with a total volume of 375 million m3, out of which 205 million m3 are considered as useable volume for energy production. The reservoir will be created from a rock-filled dam with concrete surface and will be located on a narrow river section of about 200 m. The Vjosa River catchment at the dam site is of about 5,420 km2, creating a reservoir of about 16 km2 (at 113 m a.s.l).
Electricity produced by HPP Kalivaç, will be connected to the national power grid through a 29 km-long- overhead transmission line (OHL), to the SS Babicë 220/110/35 kV.
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2.2 PROJECT LOCATION
The project area is situated in the southern part of Albania, approximately 170 to 180 km south of Tirana. Administratively, it belongs largely to prefecture of Gjirokastër and a smaller area belongs to Vlorë prefecture. The area is part of Albania’s southern Mountain Region.
Figure 1 Project Location
The CA grants the right to develop the hydropower potential in the Vjosa River basin between Kalivaç at elevation +73 m.a.s.l. and elevation +113 m.a.s.l., upstream of Vjosa River, close to Memaliaj city.
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The Kalivaç hydroelectric scheme is located on the Vjosa river in the South-West of Albania. Kalivaç area is situated in Tepelenë, Albania. The project, according to the feasibility study, is expected to affect an area of about 16 km2, including structures and reservoir to be created.
The Kalivaç HPP area is located along the Vjosa River about 19 km on the North-West of Memaliaj city. The extension of the project area on the international coordinative system (Fig.2) is limited within the points: 1. N 40023’57.86’’; E 19048’12.12’’ 2. N 40023’47.42’’; E 19048’2.49’’ 3. N 40023’57.81’’; E 19047’45.46’’ 4. N 40024’9.95’’; E 19047’57.20’’
Figure 2 The limits of the Kalivaç HPP area
The area of the project and the structures have been studied topographically, defining exactly the positions of the HPP structures following the Albanian Geodetic System. The positions of the HPP structures have been defined by the characteristic and axial points given in Table 1 below.
Table 1 The positions of the HPP structures on the project area in coordinates
Structure No. 1 2 3 4 Description X = 4398864 X = 4398864 1 Dam axes Y = 4474473 Y = 4474473 X = 4398535 X = 4398593 X = 4398470 X = 4398427 2 Spillway Y = 4474166 Y = 4474217 Y = 4474356 Y = 4474323 X = 4398848 X = 4398875 X = 4398657 X = 4398651 3 Deviation tunnel Y = 4474323 Y = 4474341 Y = 4474646 Y = 4474628 X = 4398832 X = 4398856 X = 4398741 X = 4398751 4 Headrace tunnel Y = 4474353 Y = 4474369 Y = 4474529 Y = 4474507 X = 4398752 X = 4398712 X = 4398689 X = 4398720 5 Power House Y = 4474504 Y = 4474487 Y = 4474541 Y = 4474555 Figure 3 shows the administrative map of inundation line at 113 asl and Figure 4 shows an areal view of the same area.
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Figure 3 Administrative Map of Inundation Line at 113 asl
Figure 4 Aerial Map of Inundation Line at 113 a.s.l
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2.3 PROJECT JUSTIFICATION
The Albanian Government is working towards a reliable and sustainable energy sector, development of which shall be based on using all energy options in order to meet Albania’s energy demand and to create added value for Albanian citizens, in alignment with the principles of environmental, economic and social responsibility.
Electricity generation historically was met almost exclusively by hydropower plants, in 2017 the country had a total installed capacity of about 2,100 MW from which 100 MW was thermal. Albania has exploited only 35% of its hydropower potential, and future expansion of hydropower capacity is possible mainly along the Drini, Mati, Vjosa, Devolli, and Bistrica rivers.
The annual electricity consumption was about 7.1 TWh in 2017 and peak load demand was 1.4GW.
Albania imports electricity from neighbouring countries. However, imports have progressively dropped in the last ten years following the increase in domestic power generation and the reduction in electricity losses, which have been reduced from 45% in 2013 to 23% by the end of 2018 with a clear investment and management plan to reduce them further to 17% by the end of 2020.
Even though the total installed hydropower generation capacity has been increased in the last years, Albania is highly import-dependent, particularly in drought years. Depending on the available water, supply hydropower production can vary significantly (see Figure 5 below).
INSTAT Albania: Balance of electric power, 2014-2018
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Available electricity 7,793,736 7,265,089 7,094,061 7,439,609 7,638,848 Hydro + Thermo 4,726,246 5,865,671 7,135,914 4,524,981 8,552,154 Gross import (including exchanges) 3,355,987 2,355,358 1,826,753 3,403,043 1,771,740 Gross export (including exchanges) 288,497 955,941 1,868,605 488,415 2,685,045 Electrical losses 2,783,182 2,195,837 1,985,901 1,876,138 1,783,118
Figure 5 INSTAT Albania: Balance of electric power, 2014-2018
According to Albanian National Strategy on Energy1 2018 -2030, the context is aiming at “Enhancing security of energy supply and minimizing environmental impacts at affordable cost for Albanian citizens”. The guiding principles of the strategy are:
• Increasing the reliability and security of energy supply, while ensuring growth in welfare
• Developing internal energy sources of primary energy in a sustainable and competitive manner
• Improving the cost effectiveness of power supply systems
1 Albanian National Strategy on Energy https://qbz.gov.al/share/Z_CZm47wTD2M5se3AVu2ng
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• Achieving objectives for renewable energy sources and energy efficiency set out in the National Energy Efficiency Action Plans and Renewable Energy Sources
• Integration of the Albanian electricity market and natural gas with Kosovo, the region and European markets
• Achieving National Targeted Target Contribution (NDC) Objectives for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHGs).
Referring to the above-mentioned strategic objective of the Albanian Government, this investment is considered important in terms of fulfilling the needs of the energy sector in Albania, by increasing the hydropower potential of the Vjosa River.
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy (MIE) has announced the winner of the tender for the concession of the hydropower plant. Referring to the contract, the winning consortium will invest about 125.3 million Euros for the construction of the hydro power plant on the River Vjosa. The plant will have a total installed power of 111 MW and annual output of 367 GWh.
An additional benefit will be through potential mitigation of coastal flooding. Flooding in Albanian coastal areas can be considered as highly hazardous. According to historical disaster records, floods in Albania during the last 10 years, count for about 54 % of all casualties and of about 27 million EURO annual loss. The River Vjosa contributes almost yearly in flooding its lower part. During the 2015 floods, it was reported that the River Vjosa affected 10,000 ha of land, 4 villages, 709 damaged houses, 300 business, 16 primary schools, 10 damaged bridges. In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture and Emergency Protection Agency spends considerable amount of funds to finance river protection civil works, with limited results to date. Though official information is limited in this sector in Albania, below is some information collected from the webpage of UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)2, showing the effect of floods in Albania.
It is common practice to use dam reservoirs to help prevent the loss of life and property caused by flooding. Flood control is done by impounding floodwaters and then release it under control below the dam or store the water to be used later, mitigating the risks of floods downstream. Kalivaç HPP, will have a relatively large live storage of more than 200 million m3 of water, which would help mitigate flood impact or at least minimize its impact.
2 https://www.preventionweb.net/english/
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Figure 6 Disaster Risk in Albania3
2.3.1 PURPOSE OF THE SCOPING STUDY
This Scoping Report documents the scoping study activities associated with the ESIA process in accordance with IFC Standards. One of the main objectives of the scoping study is to identify the potentially significant environmental and social issues related to the construction, operation and decommissioning of the proposed development that will need to be addressed as part of the ESIA.
The scoping study is intended to enable the developer to identify and address the key issues at the start of the ESIA process and allow for early recognition of these issues in the design of the project. The Scoping process helps to focus the ESIA on the key environmental and social issues.
3 https://www.preventionweb.net/countries/alb/data/
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The report also indicates a summary of the Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the remainder of the ESIA and provides an appropriate program for consultation with stakeholders.
The scope of the ESIA may also be updated during project development and study process, for example, as a result of the findings of additional technical studies or feedback provided by stakeholders during meetings and public consultations.
2.3.2 Scoping Objectives
The main objectives of scoping phase, to be undertaken as part of the ESIA process, related to the project are to:
• Provide an overview description of the project;
• Describe the existing environmental and socio-economic baseline (based on secondary data);
• Undertake a preliminary identification of the potential environmental and socio-economic issues associated with the proposed project;
• Obtain early input from key stakeholders in the identification of potential impacts and mitigation measures; and,
• Identify key data gaps and define a proposal for the ToR for an ESIA study and define an appropriate program for consultation with stakeholders.
This Scoping Report presents the results of the scoping phase for HPP Kalivaç.
2.3.3 Scoping Report Structure
The Scoping Report is structured as follows:
• Chapter 1 - includes a brief introduction of the proposed project.
• Chapter 2 - provides an overview of the relevant Albanian and International regulatory framework within which this project will be managed.
• Chapter 3 - describes the main components of the project.
• Chapter 4 - provides an overview of the baseline environmental, socio-economic and cultural heritage characteristics with regards to scoping phase.
• Chapter 5 - provides a brief overview of the stakeholder engagement process undertaken during scoping phase.
• Chapter 6 - describes the impact assessment approach and methodology.
• Chapter 7 - identifies potential significant interactions between project activities and key resource/receptors, which will be investigated in more detail during the subsequent phases of the ESIA.
• Chapter 8 - presents a summary of the ToRs for the undertaking of the impact assessment and the structure of the detailed ESIA.
The main report is supported by additional supporting stakeholder documentation described in more details in Chapter 5.
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The draft Scoping Report will be published for 30-60 days, allowing for receipt of written comments from stakeholders. These comments together with feedback received during scoping phase consultations and meetings will support the finalization of the Scoping Report.
In compliance with Albanian legislation for EIA4, the Draft Scoping Report will be sent also submitted to the Ministry of Tourism and Environment (MTE) and National Environmental Agency (NEA), in accordance with IFC Standards and Albanian legislation (Environmental Interaction Report as per DCM 686 requirements) for associated with a request for obtaining the opinion of the Ministry and NEA on the procedure and ToR of full/in-depth EIA study.
4 The Albanian legislation refers to EIA and not ESIA. If references are made to the Albanian procedure the acronym EIA will be used. If references are made to HPP Kalivaç’s broader approach the acronym ESIA will be used.
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3 LEGAL AND POLICY FRAMEWORK
3.1 INTRODUCTION
This Chapter provides a preliminary overview of the legal framework on EIA, Energy and Hydropower Sector and other relevant legislation in Albania, IFC Standards, and EU Directives, international treaties and best industry practices that the proposed Project HPP Kalivaç will follow.
3.2 ENVIRONMENTAL LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Albania has specific legislation requiring the need for an Environmental Impact Assessment. The 2002 Law on Environmental Protection established environmental protection requirements, including the requirement to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and to obtain an environmental permit before initiating a project. It establishes monitoring requirements to identify project impacts during construction, operation and rehabilitation, as well as requirements during the project closure phase. The law was substituted by Law No.10431, dated 09.06.2011 “On Environmental Protection” amended, which aims to mirror European Union Directives and best practice towards environment management. The 2011 Law on Environmental Protection (as amended) establishes the environmental protection framework, institutional framework and competencies, environmental impact assessment principles and environmental permitting. It defines activities affecting the environment as “any economic and social activity that uses the environment or part of it, or that discharges materials and energy by changing its characteristics”.
The legal framework for the EIA5 procedure in Albania is based on Law No. 10440 “On Environmental Impact Assessment”, approved on 07.07, 2011 and later amended with Law No. 12/2015 “On some changes to the law No. 10440, dated 07.07.2011, On the Environment Impact Assessment” and DCM No. 10 448, date 14.07.2011 “On Environmental Permits” amended. An important legal framework for EIA is also the DCM No. 686, dated 29.07.2015 “On the rules, responsibilities, timelines for the EIA procedure and the transfer procedure of the decision for the environmental declaration” amended and DCM No. 247, date 30.04.2014 “On the determination of rules, requirements and procedures for public information and involvement in the environment decision making process”.
The framework and procedural legislation relevant for the undertaking of an EIA is provided in Table 2
Table 2 Albanian Legislation for an EIA Legislation Overview Relevance to the Project Law No. 10431 “On Environmental Protection” (as It is required that an EIA is amended) – This law establishes conducted and an environmental (09.06.2011) the environmental protection permit obtained before initiating the amended framework, institutional framework Project. It establishes monitoring and competencies, environmental requirements to identify project impact assessment principles and impacts during construction, environmental permitting. The law operation and rehabilitation, as well is based on European Union as requirements during the project principles and best practice toward closure phase. environment management.
5 The Albanian legislation refers to EIA and not ESIA. If references are made to the Albanian procedure the acronym EIA will be used. If references are made to HPP Kalivaç’s broader approach the acronym ESIA will be used.
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Legislation Overview Relevance to the Project Law No. 10440 “On Environmental Impact The EIA for the Project will be (07.07.2011) assessment” (as amended), sets submitted to MTE and NEA for amended the principles of an EIA, determines control, review and approval. the project categories with environmental impacts, and establishes the responsibilities and rights of institutions and public in the EIA procedure. The law determines the competencies of National Environmental Agency (NEA) and Ministry of Tourism and Environment (MTE) in the procedure, review of EIA report and final approval. Law No. “On Environmental Permits” (as Environmental Declaration 10448 amended) - defines the terms and applies for hydropower (14/07/2011) conditions for granting construction (regulated under law amended environmental permits to industrial 10440/2011) operators and determines measures for the prevention and control of pollution emissions and the safe management of chemicals. Generally, the objective of the regulatory regime is to: prevent environmental damage; comply with health and environmental standards; and protect against any residual liability. Decision of “On the rules, responsibilities, The EIA report has been prepared Council of timelines for the EIA procedure and in accordance with this DCM. Ministers the transfer procedure of the (DCM) No.686 decision for the environmental (29.07.2015) declaration” amended - The act amended sets specific and detailed rules for the procedure, framework and structure of EIA report and appendices, timeframe of the procedure, application for approval, final decision and impact monitoring and reporting during the project execution. Decision of “On the determination of rules, Stakeholders will be Council of requirements and procedures for engaged/consulted throughout the Ministers (DMC) public information and involvement EIA process; a Stakeholder No. 247 in the environment decision making Engagement Plan (SEP) has been (30.04.2014) process” – The act sets specific developed and implemented by the requirements for consultation with developer and consultant. stakeholders, focusing on consultation with local communities. It also gives details on the procedure to be followed, timeline and media publishing. 4
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3.2.1 Environmental Approval Procedure
All projects associated with potential impacts on the environment shall undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment prior to starting the implementation. The EIA report and other necessary documents will be submitted to the Ministry of Tourism and Environment (MTE) who will transfer the project files to the National Environmental Agency (NEA) for review. The project shall be approved with Environmental Decision/Declaration of the NEA and MTE. The procedure of EIA is detailed in DCM No.686 dated 29.07.2015 “On the rules, responsibilities, timelines for the EIA procedure and the transfer procedure of the decision for the environmental declaration” amended.
The EIA procedure flowchart is illustrated in Figure 7. Based on the legal requirements of Law No.10440/2011, “On Environmental Impact Assessment” amended, Annex I point 15: “Dams and other installations designed to prevent water release or to deposit water permanently, where a new or additional water suppression is installed or stored water is above 10 million m3/day” – The proposed project is subject to a Full/In-depth EIA. However, this project is classified to require a full EIA based on; previous classifications and procedures for such projects, and meetings with EIA officials during the first round of stakeholder engagement. Although Albanian legislation requires an EIA, a more comprehensive Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) report will be prepared to satisfy the project proponent’s and IFC requirements.
According to Law No.10440/2011 (Article 11), at the conclusion of the EIA process, NEA will decide if an Environmental Declaration will be issued or if further studies are required (i.e. and ‘in depth’ EIA is required). It is anticipated that at the end of the EIA process, an Environmental Declaration will be issued by the Ministry; hence an application to MTE will be made for an Environmental Declaration. The documents required to be submitted to MTE along with the application for the Environmental Declaration include:
• Environmental Interaction Report;
• Full EIA report;
• Non-technical Summary;
• Technical report summarizing the project;
• A summary of consultation process with the public and other stakeholders, conducted during the EIA process;
• A copy of the payment of the service fee as defined in the relevant legislation;
National institutions with a role during the EIA process include:
• The Ministry of Tourism and Environment;
• The National Environmental Agency;
• Regional Directory of Environment;
• National Agency of Protected Area;
• Regional Administration of Protected Areas;
• Municipality of Gjirokastra;
• Municipality of Tepelena;
• Municipality of Memaliaj;
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• Municipality of Selenica;
• Municipality of Mallakastër.
3.2.2 National Albanian Legislation
In addition to the legislation specifically pertaining to the need for an EIA, there are national policies, laws, and regulations applicable to the proposed Project and its environmental and social aspects. Furthermore, Albania has developed environmental standards that are mainly based in the European Commission Directives. Existing standards include: protection of the biodiversity; cultural heritage, air emissions; noise levels; water quality and discharge, and waste management.
Figure 7 EIA Procedure and Timeline according to Albanian Legislation
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3.2.3 Protection of Biodiversity Framework
The MTE is responsible for natural resources conservation and management in Albania, including the protection of the environment, forest resources, biodiversity, pastures and watercourses. Biodiversity within Albania is protected by specific legislation and practical means as establishment as a system of Protected Areas (PAs). Albanian legislation for the protection of biodiversity and relevance to the Project is summarised in Table 3.
The central government is currently restructuring and decentralising the administration and management system of nature conservation focused mainly in the forest resources and pastures. The aim is to strengthen the existing policy and regulatory framework; create a more effective PAs administration; enable participation and active involvement of local governments in the management of PAs, Forest Areas and pasturelands; facilitate appropriate training of administration staff; and provide financial support and technical assistance for PAs management and biodiversity conservation.
Table 3 Albanian Legislation on Biodiversity Relevant to the Project Legislation Overview Relevance to the Project Biodiversity Law No. 9587 “On the Protection of Biodiversity” The EIA baseline characterization (20.07.2006) (as amended) – This law of biodiversity in the Project Area establishes requirements for the includes a description of protected preservation and protection of areas, sensitive habitats and biological diversity, including species based on a desktop protected area, sensitive habitats review of available literature and species. The law requires a supplemented by data collected biological assessment as part of as part of the baseline field environmental assessment and studies. The impact assessment collection of all relevant data for considers potential impacts to the decision-making process. biodiversity and proposes mitigation measures for the protection of biodiversity.
Protected Areas Law No. 81/2017, “On Protected Areas” – This law The Project of Hydropower dated 04.07.2017 governs all matters related to building and construction activity Protected Areas in Albania. It does not affect any protected determines the categories of the areas. protected areas in Albania, management rules and roles on decision-making process. It requires compliance with the specific rules when accessing, working and performing any other related activities nearby and/or within in the protected areas. Ordinance No. “On the approval of the Red List Species of conservation interest 1280, of Wild Flora and Fauna” (as based on literature and recent dated 20.11.2013 amended) - This ordinance lists studies conducted. and Further the status of the conservation for studies will be conducted within flora and fauna species in the scope of the EIA Albania
The Law No. 81/2017 “On Protected Areas” defines the different categories of the Protected Areas in Albania and their management prescriptions. Albanian Law No. 81/2017 on PA defines 7 categories of PA, each with varying degrees of protection that have been found to be present in the study area:
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• Strict Nature Reserve (Category I);
• National Park (Category II);
• Natural Monument (Category III);
• Municipal Natural Park (Category IV);
• Protected Landscape (Category V);
• Protected Area of Managed Resource (Category VI);
• Protected areas of international interest (no specific protection category).
The category designation does not necessarily define the protection afforded to a protected area. Additional information on protected areas in the Study Area is provided in Chapter 4 Baseline.
Albanian legislation for the protection of cultural heritage and relevance to the Project is summarised in Table 4.
Table 4 Legislation for the protection of cultural heritage
Legislation Overview Relevance to the Project Cultural Heritage Law 27/2018 “On Cultural Heritage and Cultural heritage monuments (17.05.2018) Museums” - All matters nearby the project area have relating to cultural heritage been preliminary identified in Albania are governed by based on literature data and this law”. The law defines ASIG portal. Further studies the preservation and chance will be performed during EIA finds procedures baseline. (archaeological objects or items of cultural heritage value which are discovered by chance) to be used during Project implementation. Article 146 of the law Requires and obliges any A chance finding procedure will be persons who discover or developed and implemented excavate objects of cultural during the course of the heritage value by chance hydropower construction and in during construction works to the event of a chance find, the suspend work immediately authorities will be notified as and inform the relevant local required. The local authorities authorities within three days. responsible for the preservation, The relevant local restoration, and management of authorities consist of the cultural monuments are the RDCH local government office under the authority of Ministry of (municipality), the Police Culture. The regional directorate Department and the that applies for this project is Regional Directory of Memaliaj County RDCH. Cultural Heritage (RDCH) The RDCH verifies the situation/findings and reports to the Institute of Cultural Monuments (IoCM). These institutions are responsible for assessing
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Legislation Overview Relevance to the Project the archaeological value of the objects found and determining whether work may continue or whether work must remain suspended until further ground investigations have been undertaken. Article 5, paragraph 64 Defines the conservation of At this moment, the project has and article 31 non-material cultural not identified non-tangible (non- heritage by measures that material) cultural assets. aim of long-lasting preservation of such cultural assets.
3.2.4 Protection of physical environment framework
Albania has developed legislation for the protection of the physical environment including guidelines, thresholds and limits for emissions. Legislation related to water, air, noise, vehicle and equipment emissions, fuel quality, waste and wastewater is summarised in Table 5.
Table 5 Legislation related to protection of the physical environment
Legislation Overview Relevance to the Project
Water Law No. 111/2012, “On integrated management of Where for purposes of protection amended with Law water resources” amended with of water and aquatic ecosystems No. 6/2018 Law No. 6/2018 “On some it is necessary to undertake changes and updates “On special protection measures, integrated management of water protected areas shall be resources” based on Directive determined, based on this Law 2000/60/EC Water Framework. and other specific laws. Protected The aim of the law focuses on: (i) areas may include the following: environmental protection and a) sanitary protected zones for improvement of water, surface potable water; b) areas for fish water, either temporary or and shellfish farming, according permanent, internal sea waters, to the fishing legislation; c) areas territorial waters, exclusive for bathing and recreation; d) economic zones, continental areas prone to eutrophication shelf, trans-boundary waters, and areas vulnerable to nitrates; groundwater, and their status; (ii) and e) areas intended for security, protection, development protection of humans, plants or and rational utilization of water animals or habitats where resources, protection of water maintaining or improving water resources from pollution etc. This status is a significant element for law provides the definition of their protection. The Minister, water bodies and sets some acting on a proposal of the River protection and use restrictions Basin Councils, shall designate and requires others to be protected areas. approved by several by-laws. No River Bank Management The law defines the banks of the Plan (RBMP) has yet been water resources, restriction of adopted for the Vjosa River certain harmful construction Basin (the river within the project area); the water protection areas are not defined
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Legislation Overview Relevance to the Project activities in the banks6/shores yet. and water protection areas. Mitigation measures for the protection of groundwater and surface water quality have been proposed. DCM No. 177 “On the allowed norms of liquid All liquid effluents must comply (31.3.2005) discharges and host water with Albanian standards and environmental criteria” - provides regulations for quality, the allowed norms for effluent temperature and odour before discharges on the environment, being discharged to the for the protection water environment. The water emissions resources. norms related to the project are regulated only from discharge norms with respect to the construction of the fly camps. Several options for wastewaters will be evaluated within the scope of the EIA process. It shall be noted that there are no norms for small waste water discharge facilities and current norms consider only community discharge norms after treatment in a specific plant. Currently, there are no specific norms for discharges of small agglomerates (as might be the camps with less than 200 workers). In the absence of such emission norms for the project, an international norm or regulation can be applied but this shall be agreed with authorities through a clarification procedure for (potential) field camps installations and management. DCM No. 379 “On the approval of the The standard set by this (25.5.2016) regulation7 on Drinking Water regulation (immediate zone of Quality” - Its objective is to protection) has been protect human health from considered in the EIA and adverse effects of any appropriate mitigation contamination of water intended measures have been for human consumption by proposed. ensuring that it is wholesome and clean. Regulates several issues related with, testing of drinking waters and protection zones around water well or community ground water deposit. The
6 Banks” are strips of land adjoining seas, lakes, reservoirs, lagoons, ponds, rivers and streams which comprise a minimum of two areas of land: i. 5 meters at a right angle upper edge of the natural banks on steep banks and 20 meters from the maximum water level over a period of 25 years on flat banks, which can be used, on the basis of special provisions, for public purposes, ii. 100 meters at a right angle from the upper edge of the natural banks on the steep banks, and 200 meters from the maximum water level over a period of 25 years on flat banks, where every activity undertaken will be determined by the water authorities. 7 Based on Council Directive 98/83/EC of 3 November 1998 on the quality of water intended for human consumption) concerns the quality of water intended for human consumption.
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Legislation Overview Relevance to the Project regulation sets three protection zones (buffer zones) from ground water well or water deposit places on the ground. The immediate zone of protection ranges from 15 to 100 m from the axe of the well or the deposit. The precise distance is set based on the evaluation of the geological formations by the hydrogeological expert. The second and third buffer zone are circling the first one, for those zones the regulation do not set any distance criteria but restricts the activities that can impact the water quality such as disposal or burial of waste, mining, etc.
Air Law No. 162 “On protection of ambient air Mitigation measures to limit the (04.12.2014 quality”, fully transpose Directive impact of project activities have enforced by the 2008/50/EC on ambient air been proposed in the EIA. January 2018) quality and cleaner air for Europe, as well as Directive 2004/107/EC relating to arsenic, cadmium, mercury, nickel and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient air. This Law entered in force in 1 January 2018 and provides the institutional framework, regulations, roles, penalties to ensure compliance. The law stipulates that natural and legal persons, public or private, native or foreign, have a duty to keep the air clean and protect it from pollution caused by the activities they conduct in the territory of the Republic of Albania
Vehicle Emissions Guideline No. 6527 Minister of Environment and Certificate of technical (24.12.2004) Minister of Transport “Over the compliance is issued by SGS permissible values of the Albania8 and it is mandatory for elements of air pollutants from all vehicle registered in Albania the environment and noise (with Albanian license plate). emissions caused through road Compliance with this guideline vehicles and methods to control has been considered in the them” amended by Guideline No. development of mitigation 12, dated 15.6.2010 “On measures of the EIA. amendments and addenda to Guidelines No 6527, of 24.12.2004 accompanied by the
8 https://www.automotivealbania.sgs.com/
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Legislation Overview Relevance to the Project Manual of Vehicles Control.
Transport, vehicle and equipment emissions Order of Minister “On the approval of the rules on Compliance with this order has of Transport and implementing the airworthiness been considered in the Infrastructure No. and environmental certification of development of mitigation 149 aircraft and related products, parts measures of the EIA. (07.04.2014) and appliances, as well as for the certification of design and production organizations”, fully aligned with the Commission Regulation (EU) No 748/2012 of 3 August 2012, laying down implementing rules for the airworthiness and environmental certification of aircraft and related products, parts and appliances, as well as for the certification of design and production organizations. Instruction “On allowed vehicle air emission, Heavy machinery, 4-wheel No.6527 noise generation levels, and drive vehicles and pick-up (24.12.2004) control methods “amended - This trucks will be used for the hydro instruction includes requirements power plant activity. Certificate for annual vehicle inspections and of technical compliance is allowed air emissions. All vehicles issued by SGS Albania and it is must comply with these norms. mandatory for all vehicle registered in Albania (with Albanian license plate). Compliance with this instruction has been considered in the development of mitigation measures of the EIA. DCM “Approval of the technical rules Heavy machinery will used for the No.613 for the assessment of the noise power plant activity. Compliance (07.9.2011) conformity for the equipment with this decision has been installed in open spaces or considered in the development of environment”. Sets noise release mitigation measures of the EIA. norms for certain equipment generating noise such as electricity generators, tractors, compressors, etc. The regulation lists set thresholds. Guidance “Relating to the type-approval of Compliance with this guidance No.10 agricultural or forestry tractors, has been considered as mitigation (30.5.2015) their trailers and interchangeable and recommendation measures towed machinery, together with at the EIA report. their systems, components and separate technical units” based on EU Directive 2003/37/EC dated 26.5.2003.
Noise Law No. 9774, dated “On the assessment and Heavy machinery and trucks will 12.07.2007, amended administration of ambient noise” be used during the power plant by Law No. 39/2013 – defines the requirements for activity. For the EIA process of
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Legislation Overview Relevance to the Project environmental protection from importance is the day time noise, how to avoid and to classification9 for the operation of prevent, reduce and eliminate the noise generating machinery. harmful effects of exposure to Compliance with this law will be them including inconvenience considered as a relevant from noise. This Law aims to document for suggesting protect human health and the mitigation and management environment from adverse effects measures within the scope of the caused by noise emissions and EIA process. sets general rules, authorities, inspection etc. DCM No. 587, dated “On monitoring and control of Compliance with this law will be 07.07.2010 noise levels in urban and touristic considered as a relevant areas” – sets the rules and document for suggesting regulations on the protection mitigation and management from noise generation and noise measures within the scope of the level administration in urban and EIA process. touristic areas. DCM No. 1063 “On the Approval of the technical Compliance with this decision (23.12.2015) rules for the assessment of the has been considered in the noise conformity for the development of mitigation equipment installed in open measures of the EIA. Application spaces or environment” sets the of these rules needs to be noise release norms for certain ensured from sub-contractor equipment’s generation noise based on list of equipment and such as electricity generators, vehicles that will be employed for tractors, compressors etc. The operations. regulation lists set thresholds (mainly power capacity - kW). Guideline No. The guideline regulates vehicle Compliance with this guideline 6527/2004 noise generation levels and has been considered in the control methods. This includes development of mitigation requirements for the annual measures of the EIA. Application vehicle inspections and to comply of these rules needs to be with predetermined norms. The ensured from sub-contractor compliance of these norms shall based on list of equipment and be verified with certification of vehicles that will be employed for control issued from SGS operations. Albania10. Instruction No.8 Ministry of Environment and Compliance with this instruction (27.11.2007) Ministry of Health on “Noise has been considered in the levels in different media”, sets the development of mitigation numerical values of noise in measures of the EIA. specific zones and aims to ensure adequate noise exposure protection for human health. Instruction No.6527 “On allowed vehicle air emission, Compliance with this instruction (24.12.2004) noise generation levels, and has been considered in the control methods” amended - This development of mitigation includes requirements for annual measures of the EIA. vehicle inspections and allowed air emissions. All vehicles must comply with these norms.
9 Daytime lasts 13 hours from 6 am to 7 pm 10 https://www.automotivealbania.sgs.com/index.php
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Legislation Overview Relevance to the Project Fuel Quality DCM No. 147 “On the quality of petrol and Only fuel available in Albania (21.03.2007) diesel fuels”. that is in compliance with this decision will be used. DCM No.781 “On the quality of certain liquid Only fuel available in Albania (14.11.2012) fuels for thermal, civil, industrial that is in compliance with this and water transport use (sea, decision will be used. river and lake)”.
Waste Law No.10463 "On the integrated waste Both hazardous and non- (22.09.2011) management" (as amended) - hazardous wastes will be amended aims to protect human health and generated during the hydropower the environment and to ensure plant. Waste management has environmentally sound been considered in the management of waste through development of mitigation integrated management. measures and will be addressed in the Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan (EMMP) DMC No.99 “Albanian waste catalogue” (as This Law has been considered in (18.02.2005) amended) - which makes the the classification of the wastes to amended classification of the waste based be generated during the on industry types, and the criteria hydropower plant construction to assess the hazardousness of and operation. the waste. The regulation codifies the waste types based on the European Waste Catalogue. DCM No. 229 “On the approval of the rules for Non-hazardous wastes (23.04.2014) non-hazardous waste transfer generated during the and the data to register in the hydropower plant construction transferring document” - The will be transferred and newly enforced regulation disposed of in accordance requires transferring the waste at with this directive. licensed companies and ensuring final disposal in approved facilities. The act requires documenting the waste transfers and providing the final disposal certificate to the National Environmental Agency (NEA). The regulation requires for all waste generating companies to be registered at NEA and obtain a personal waste generation number. DCM No. 371 “On the approval of the rules for Hazardous wastes will be (11.06.2014) transferring the hazardous waste considered within the scope of and the data to register in the the ESIA process. Personal transferring document” - The waste generation number with newly enforced regulation be registered to the NEA in requires transferring the waste at compliance with Albanian law licensed company and ensuring requirements. final disposal in approved facilities. The act requires documenting the waste
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Legislation Overview Relevance to the Project transferring and delivering the final disposal certificate at the National Environmental Agency (NEA). The regulation requires for all waste generating companies to be registered at NEA and obtain a personal waste generation number.
Wastewater Law No. 9115/2003 “On the Treatment of polluted Compliance with this law has been (24/07/2003) water” provides regulations that considered in the development of state the need for treatment of mitigation measures of the EIA. polluted water before it is discharged. Article 6 sets the obligations of physical and legal entities that discharge polluted waters. Physical and legal entities, the activity of which discharges polluted waters, are obligated to take measures to: a) continuously reduce the amount of used waters they discharge in the receiving environment; b) reduce the degree of pollution in discharged waters, especially such pollution as caused by hazardous substances and waste; c) manage and treat polluted waters. To comply with these obligations, the physical and legal entities whose activities discharge polluted waters must design a program of technical, technological and organizational measures. This program is subject to control by the Environmental Inspectorate, the licensing authority and the local government structures.
3.2.5 Health and Safety Framework
Law No. 10237/2010 “On safety and health at work” ensures the security and protection of health through prevention of professional risks, eliminating the factors that constitute risk and accident, inform, advice, balanced participation in accordance with the law. The present law applies the following:
• The Directive of the European Council 89/391/EEC, dated 12 July 1989 “On the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work”;
• The Directive of the European Council 94/33 EEC, dated 22 July 1994 “On the protection of young people at work,” article 6; and
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• The Directive of the European Council 92/85 EEC “On the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health at work of pregnant workers and workers who have recently given birth or are breastfeeding"
Albanian legislation on health and safety and the relevance to the project are highlighted in Table 6.
Table 6 Legislation for health and safety
Legislation Overview Relevance to the Project
Health and Safety Law No. “On Safety and Health at The project will comply with this law to 10237/2010 Work” - This law regulates protect the health safety of its workers. (18/02/2010) the framework of health and Specific measures will be included in the safety in the work place and mitigation plan. determines the roles of each party subject to the law. The State Sanitary The project will comply with this law to Law No. Inspectorate aims to protect protect the health safety of its workers. 9863/2008 workers from the impacts of Specific measures will be included in the adverse working conditions, mitigation plan. such as exposure to toxic substances, radiation, unworkable noise, vibrations, unfavourable microclimate, and controls the level of occupational diseases and accidents as a result of adverse conditions. “On food” specifies the rules The project needs to ensure the safety of Law No. of food safety in Albania food consumed by its workers. Specific 9863/2008 measures will be included in the mitigation plan. (28/01/2008) Law No. “On Inspection in the The project is subject to inspections for 10433/2011 Republic of Albania” adherence to health and safety regulations. (16/06/2011) DCM No. Decision of Council of The project/employer needs to ensure the 562/2013 Ministers concerning the safety of its workers in the work place. A (3/07/2013) approval of the regulation specific set of rules are to be drafted in the on minimum safety and Safety Regulation of the Employer. Specific health requirements for measures will be included in the mitigation the workplace. plan. DCM No. “On safety in site The installation of worker camps needs to 312/2010 construction” sets the comply with the rules of this decision. (5/5/2010) rules of safety for Specific measures will be included in the construction activities. mitigation plan. DCM No. “On the establishment, The project may be the subject of several 410/2015 organization and operation of inspections as regulated in Albanian (13/05/2015) technical and industrial state legislation and standards. Compliance with inspectorate”. This act these rules is to be ensured by the Sub regulates the inspection of Contractor for power-plant operations. An the installations related with initial screening of equipment that will be industrial processes in used and communication with the Albania appropriate inspectorate is required in order to determine any obligation before starting the field operations of importing the equipment. Decision No. “On special measures on The project will comply with this law to
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Legislation Overview Relevance to the Project 692/2001 safety and health protection protect the health safety of its workers. (13/12/2001) at work” Specific measures will be included in the mitigation plan. DCM No. “For the health safety and Specific measures will be included in the 842/2014 protection of the employee mitigation plan. (3/12/2014) from noise risks in the working places” requires the employer to assess the noise levels at the working place and ensure the protection of its workers
3.2.6 Other Relevant National Legislation
Other Albanian legislation of relevance to the project is highlighted in Table 7.
Table 7 Other Relevant national legislation
Legislation Overview Relevance to the Project
Land Use and territory planning Law No. “On Territory Planning The law and its by-laws require declaration 107/2014 and Development” - for any construction. The project is only The law aims to integrate temporary; protection of natural and cultural the urban planning heritage, and community’s health and safety legislative framework into will be included in the EIA mitigation a single law, and includes measures. the concept of the protection of natural and cultural heritage, and community’s health and safety for territory planning. DCM No. 408 The regulation for territorial This regulation specifies the type of (13.5.2015 development. installations requiring a construction permit. amended by A preliminary clearance should be sought for DCM the construction of field camps. 231/2017) Installations of mobile structures require a preliminary clearance (or declaration of works) issued by the municipality. Law No. “On Agricultural Land The project is obliged to inform the local 9244/2004 Protection” determines authority of any damage to agricultural land the protection status of from the operations. The authority assesses given agricultural the damage and requires that the land user fields. to restore any damage in agricultural land. Mitigation measures have been proposed. Law No. "On the establishment The land administration department of each 8752/2001 and functioning of the municipality is responsible for land (26/03/2001) structures for land management and leasing of state-owned amended administration and land. This authority will be responsible for several times protection", amended by the coordination of the implementing Law No. procedures and execution of the 10257/2010 regulates compensation during the project land uses issues, and implementation. their compatibility with Regional Planning.
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Legislation Overview Relevance to the Project
Explosive and detonating substances Decision No. This decision defines Explosives, designed for use in power 467/2011 procedures for issuing plant construction will be used as a source (29/06/2011) import, export, and of vibration. The contractor will be production licenses for responsible for abiding by all the civilian use of explosive requirements of this decision. material. The governing institution is the Ministry of Defence, which is responsible for issuing the licenses. Upon evaluation by the licensing committee of the Ministry of Defence, an import license is issued for a period of one year, subject to renewal. Decision No. This decision defines The project needs to comply with the 533/2005 (07/08/ the procedures for explosive importation rules. The application 2005) amended issuing import, export, for explosives importation and the required by 467/2011 and production documentation is to be submitted to the licenses for civilian use Ministry of Defence. of explosive material.
3.2.7 International Conventions and Agreements
Albania is signatory to a number of international agreements relevant to the Project
Table 8 International Conventions and agreements signed/ratified Albania Convention/Agreement Overview Ratified Relevance to the Project
General Aarhus Convention on The Convention 26 October Arrangements are to be Access to Information, establishes a 2000 made by public authorities to Public Participation in number of rights enable the public potentially Decision-making and of the public with affected by the project and Access to Justice in regard to the environmental non- Environmental Matters environment; governmental organizations (1998) including access to to comment on proposals for environmental projects affecting the information; public environment, or plans and participation in programmes relating to the environmental environment. The comments decision- making received are to be taken into and access to due consideration in justice11. decision- making, and information to be provided on the final decisions and the reasons for it.
11 http://ec.europa.eu/environment/aarhus/index.htm
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Convention/Agreement Overview Ratified Relevance to the Project Climate Change UN Framework The United Nations 01/12/1994 As Albania is signatory to the Convention on Climate Framework convention, every effort Change (UNFCCC) Convention on should be made to limit (1992) entered into Climate Change GHGs. force in 1994 (UNFCCC) has been crucial in addressing climate change and the need for a reduction of emissions of greenhouse gases. The ultimate objective of the Convention is to stabilize greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. Paris Agreement at The Paris 21/09/2016 The project should adopt the COP21 in Paris on Agreement builds mitigation measures to 12 December 2015, on the Climate minimize greenhouse gas entered into force on 4 Change emissions. November 2016 Convention to combat climate change12. Kyoto Protocol The Kyoto Protocol 01/04/2005 The project should adopt is an international mitigation measures to agreement linked minimize greenhouse gas to the United emissions Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change; signatories commit to setting internationally binding emission reduction targets13.
Water Convention on the Avoid or minimize 5 January The study area is situated in Protection and Use of adverse effects on 1994 the Vjosa River watershed Trans boundary water resources basin. The Vjosa flows Watercourses and and water quality northward to the Adriatic Sea. International Lakes
12 http://unfccc.int/files/paris_agreement/application/pdf/qa_paris_agreement_entry_into_force.pdf 13 https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-kyoto-protocol/what-is-the-kyoto-protocol
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Convention/Agreement Overview Ratified Relevance to the Project (1992)
Biodiversity Convention on Avoid or minimize 5 April The Convention requires, Biological Diversity adverse effects on 1994 under Principle 17, that EIA (CBD) (1992) important habitats shall be undertaken for and species, proposed activities that are internationally and likely to have a significant naturally adverse impact on the designated nature environment and are subject conservation sites; to a decision of a competent conservation, national authority. sustainable and equitable use of biodiversity. Convention on the The Convention 2 March There are IUCN protected Protection of Wild aims to ensure 1998 areas within the Study area Flora and Fauna and conservation of including Category 1a (Strict Natural Habitats in wild flora and Nature Reserve), Category II Europe (Bern fauna species and (National Park), Category III Convention) (1976) their habitats. (Natural Monument) and Special attention is Category IV (Species given to Management Area. endangered and vulnerable species, including endangered and vulnerable migratory species14; to avoid or minimize adverse effects upon important habitats and species, internationally and naturally designated nature conservation sites. Convention on the Avoid or minimize 1 The Project Area includes Conservation of adverse effects September protected sites that contain Migratory Species of upon migratory 2001 globally vulnerable species of Wild Animals (Bonn species birds as well as migratory Convention) (1979) birds. There are specific resolutions and instruments such as species action plans under this convention that apply to Albania. Agreement on the African-Eurasian 1 Species and habitats Conservation of Migratory Water September protected by this agreement African-Eurasian birds Agreement 2001 may be present in the study Migratory Water birds (AEWA) covers area. Mitigation measures for (1995) 254 species of the protection of flora and birds ecologically fauna have been identified in
14 https://www.coe.int/en/web/conventions/full-list/-/conventions/treaty/104
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Convention/Agreement Overview Ratified Relevance to the Project dependent on the EIA. wetlands for at least part of their annual cycle. All AEWA species cross international boundaries during their migrations and require good quality habitat for breeding as well as a network of suitable sites to support their annual journeys15. Avoid or minimize adverse effects upon migratory water bird species. Convention on CITES (the 27 June Threatened and endangered International Trade in Convention on 2003 species and their habitats Endangered Species of International Trade have been identified in the Wild Fauna and Flora in Endangered study area. Mitigation (CITES) (1975) Species of Wild measures for the protection Fauna and Flora) is of flora and fauna have been an international identified in the EIA. agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival16.
Cultural Heritage Convention on the Avoid adverse 10 July Cultural and natural heritage Protection of the World effects upon 1989 sites have been identified in Cultural and Natural Albanian and World the Study area including two Heritage (1989) Cultural Heritage world heritage sites. sites; minimize Mitigation measures for the adverse effects on protection of cultural unknown and heritage have been intangible cultural proposed. heritage sites, material assets and another infrastructure.
Labor ILO Convention 29 Its object and 25 June Local workers will be
15 https://www.cms.int/en/legalinstrument/aewa 16 https://www.cites.org/eng/disc/what.php
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Convention/Agreement Overview Ratified Relevance to the Project Forced Labour purpose are to 1957 employed on the project. Convention (1930) suppress the use of 27 and ILO 105 Abolition forced labour in all February of Forced Labour its forms 1997 Convention (1957)) irrespective of the nature of the work or the sector of activity in which it may be performed. ILO Convention 87 Protects the rights 3 June Local workers will be Freedom of of workers and 1957 employed on the project. Association and employers to “join Protection of the organisations of Right to Organise their own (1948) choosing without previous authorization. ILO Convention 98 Right The convention 3 June Local workers will be employed to Organize and provides for workers 1957 on the project Collective Bargaining to be able to join unions and engage in collective bargaining. ILO Convention 100 Each Member 03 Jun Local workers will be Equal Remuneration shall, by means 1957 employed on the project Convention (1951) appropriate to the methods in operation for determining rates of remuneration, promote and, in so far as is consistent with such methods, ensure the application to all workers of the principle of equal remuneration for men and women workers for work of equal value.
3.2.8 Albanian Legislation for the Energy Sector
Table 9 Albanian Legislation on the Energy Sector
Legislation Overview Relevance to the Project
Law No. 125/2013 For concessions and Article 4 of the law requires the Operator of dates 25/04/2013 private public partnership the concessions Agreement to comply with amended by 1. The purpose of this law environmental legislation during the
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Legislation Overview Relevance to the Project
88/2014 is to create a favourable implementation of its operations. and sustainable The Project will comply with national and framework for promoting, international environmental standards. absorbing and creating facilities for investments that are realized as private public concessions / partnerships. DCM nr.147, On the adoption of the Construction of the dam / dam begins after dated 18/03/2004 regulation on dam safety the construction permit has been obtained and dams. according to Law No. 8405, dated 17.9.1998 "On urban planning" amended and after the requirements of Law No. 8402, dated 10.9.1998 "On the control and discipline of construction works", of Law no.8681, dated 2.11.2002 "On the Design, Construction, Use and Maintenance of Dams and Dams" and the requirements of this regulation.
3.3 INTERNATIONAL BEST PRACTICE STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES
International lending institutions provide guidance on their requirements for the assessment of environmental and social (E&S) impacts and place emphasis on achieving sustainable environmental and social outcomes. They also provide environmental standards and limits for emissions and discharges. A number of key project impact mitigation measures such as resettlement (if necessary) are also specified.
The overall project design and this ESIA17 process is based on relevant guidelines published by the World Bank Group and the IFC. They therefore are expected to meet the environmental and social requirements of potential lending institutions. The ESIA will be based upon environmental, social and other baseline data, specific site characteristics and project technical specifications and mitigation measures as applicable to hydropower plants in line with EU Directives, World Bank policies and Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines; IFC Performance Standards and compliant with Albanian legislation and the official procedures. As such, it has been agreed in principle that projects developed under this program will be required to reference the Performance Standards of IFC.
The ESIA will be prepared in line with the following international guidance:
• International Best Practice Standards and guidelines, including the IFC Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability. This includes guidance published by the World Bank Group, World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN);
• Good International Industry Practices (GIIPs);
• Relevant international agreements and conventions to which Albania is a signatory, published by the United Nations (UN), International Labour Organization (ILO) and other parties; and
17 The Albanian legislation refers to EIA and not ESIA. If references are made to the Albanian procedure the acronym EIA will be used. If references are made to HPP Kalivaç’s broader approach the acronym ESIA will be used.
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• International Organization for Standardization (ISO) (including ISO 9001:2015 (Quality management systems), ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental management systems), and ISO 18001:2004 (Information technology – Radio frequency identification for item management).18
18 https://www.iso.org/standard/40733.html
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3.3.1 World Bank Group Environmental and Social Framework
Since October 1, 2018, the World Bank has been applying the Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) to all new investments of project financing. The ESF sets out the World Bank’s commitment to sustainable development, through a Bank Policy and a set of Environmental and Social Standards that are designed to support Borrowers’ projects, with the aim of ending extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity.
The ten Environmental and Social Standards establish the standards that the Borrower and the project will meet through the project life cycle, as follows:
1. Environmental and Social Standard 1: Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts;
2. Environmental and Social Standard 2: Labour and Working Conditions;
3. Environmental and Social Standard 3: Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention and Management;
4. Environmental and Social Standard 4: Community Health and Safety;
5. Environmental and Social Standard 5: Land Acquisition, Restrictions on Land Use and Involuntary Resettlement;
6. Environmental and Social Standard 6: Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources;
7. Environmental and Social Standard 7: Indigenous Peoples/Sub-Saharan African Historically Underserved Traditional Local Communities;
8. Environmental and Social Standard 8: Cultural Heritage;
9. Environmental and Social Standard 9: Financial Intermediaries; and
10. Environmental and Social Standard 10: Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure.
3.3.2 The IFC Performance Standards
The IFC applies Performance Standards to manage social and environmental risks and impacts and to enhance development opportunities in the private sector. The Performance Standards may be applied by other financial institutions electing to apply them to projects in emerging markets. Together, the eight Performance Standards establish standards that a project is to meet throughout the life of an investment by IFC or other relevant financial institutions. Based on IFC Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability, approved January 1, 2012, these performance standards are;
1. Performance Standard 1: Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts;
2. Performance Standard 2: Labor and Working Conditions;
3. Performance Standard 3: Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention;
4. Performance Standard 4: Community Health, Safety and Security;
5. Performance Standard 5: Land Acquisition and Involuntary Resettlement;
6. Performance Standard 6: Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources;
7. Performance Standard 7: Indigenous Peoples;
8. Performance Standard 8: Cultural Heritage.
With respect to the Albanian requirements for the EIA19, the application of IFC Standards requires the following additional processes:
1. Focus on Scoping Phase: a process by which stakeholders are consulted to contribute to the identification of key issues to be investigated as part of the ESIA. This Scoping Report for the ESIA process was prepared in application of this requirement.
2. Stakeholder Engagement Plan: a comprehensive approach to the communication and consultation with the identified stakeholders throughout the whole project lifecycle.
3. Focus on Social Issues: whereas the Albanian legislation mainly refers to environmental impacts the IFC approach also focuses on the identification of impacts on the impacted communities and subsequent definition of necessary mitigation measures.
3.3.3 IFC Environmental, Social and Stakeholder Engagement Guidelines
This Scoping Report was prepared in line with best practices put forward in the IFC guidelines and in particular:
• 2018 Environmental, Health, and Safety Approaches for Hydropower Projects20
• 2007 Systems EHS Guidelines for Electric Power Transmission and Distribution21;
• 2007 Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines22;
• 2007 Stakeholder Engagement Handbook23;
• 2009 Good Practice Note Addressing Grievances from Project-Affected Communities
• 2009 Handbook for Addressing Project-Induced In-Migration24 and
19 The Albanian legislation refers to EIA and not ESIA. If references are made to the Albanian procedure the acronym EIA will be used. If references are made to HPP Kalivaç’s broader approach the acronym ESIA will be used. 20 https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/cefc36ec-9916-4ec4-b5ac- 1d99602a3ef3/GPN_EHSHydropower.pdf?MOD=AJPERES 21 https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/66b56e00488657eeb36af36a6515bb18/Final+- +Electric+Transmission+and+Distribution.pdf?MOD=AJPERES 22 https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/554e8d80488658e4b76af76a6515bb18/Final+- +General+EHS+Guidelines.pdf?MOD=AJPERES 23 https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/938f1a0048855805beacfe6a6515bb18/IFC_StakeholderEngagement.pdf? MOD=AJPERES 24 http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/415141468176677099/pdf/626310PUB0Proj00Box0361488B0PUB LIC0.pdf
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• 2009 Introduction to Health Impact Assessment25.
3.3.4 WHO Guidelines
Relevant WHO guidelines relevant and used within this Scoping Report include:
• WHO Air Quality Guidelines (2005)26;
• WHO Guidelines for Community Noise (1999)27; and
• WHO Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality (2011)28.
3.3.5 International Union for the Conservation of Nature
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species29, one of the most well-known objective assessment systems for classifying the status of plants, animals, and other organisms threatened with extinction. It contains explicit criteria and categories to classify the conservation status of individual species on the basis of their probability of extinction. The IUCN Red List (2017) for Albania is utilized for the descriptions of flora and fauna within the Study Area.
25 https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/a0f1120048855a5a85dcd76a6515bb18/HealthImpact.pdf?MOD=AJPER ES 26 https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/69477/WHO_SDE_PHE_OEH_06.02_eng.pdf;jsessionid=8F4 BA767DF15C66FF677BCF52BF85383?sequence=1 27 https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/document/2322958 28 https://apublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Guidelines-OMS-2011.pdf 29 https://www.iucn.org/resources/conservation-tools/iucn-red-list-threatened-species
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4 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
4.1 INTRODUCTION
The Contracting Authority, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, has given to the concessionaire all the rights to invest, design, build, operate, manage and maintain the Kalivaç HPP, in exchange for the payment of the concession tariff.
This concession will last for 35 years following the signature of the agreement, from 8 June 2018 till 8 June 2053.
The concessionaire has the responsibility to replace all the existing infrastructure, to be impacted by the project development.
The Concession Agreement (“CA”) grants the right to develop the hydropower potential in the Vjosa River basin between Kalivaç at elevation +73 m.a.s.l. and elevation +113 m a.s.l., upstream of Vjosa River, close to Memaliaj city. The total installed capacity shall be 111MW developed in one generation plant, according to the requirements of the CA.
The construction of Kalivaç HPP started 20 years ago through a concession given to an Italian company which carried some partial works, but the project was not completed. Hence, the Albanian government decided to open the bid on the project in 2016, putting as preconditions that previous uncompleted works have to be completed by the new concessionaire. The works already performed by the previous concessionaire in the proposed site of Kalivaç HPP have in a certain scale influenced the new layout of the structures. On the other hand, starting of the works in some structures have predefined the type of these structures. Excavations on the river valley banks and bed at the dam location have predefined the dam axes and type of the dam body. For this reason, the design process has not started with a screening and ranking process of development options, but with evaluation and assessment in detail of the already established layout of the HPP and structures.
The Kalivaç HPP utilises the head a reservoir at Kalivaç (HRWL + 110 m a.s.l.) to the riverbed downstream of Kalivaç Dam at elevation +73 m a.s.l. The maximum allowable elevation of the reservoir during the design flood routing into the reservoir will be 113 m a.s.l.
4.2 PROJECT OVERVIEW
4.2.1 Site Context
The Vjosa is a river flowing in north-western Greece and southwestern Albania. Its total length is about 272 kilometres, of which the first 80 kilometres are in Greece, and the remaining 192 kilometres are in Albania. The Kalivaç hydroelectric scheme is located on the Vjosa River in the South-West of Albania. Kalivaç area is situated in Memaliaj Municipality, Albania.
In Albania, the hydropower resources of the Vjosa River have long been considered for utilisation. The studies started in early ‘70s and the first concession of Kalivaç HPP was signed in 1997. The initial concession signed more than 20years ago, was amended several times and operation date was postponed continuously.
The Albanian Government decided to terminate the existing contract and to open a new bid on the project in 2016, putting as preconditions that previous uncompleted works have to be completed by the new concessionaire. The works already performed by the previous concessionaire in the proposed site of Kalivaç HPP have in a certain scale influenced the layout of the structures. On the other hand, starting of the works in some structures have predefined the type of these structures. Excavations on the river valley banks and bed at the dam location have predefined the dam axes and type of the dam body.
The timeline in Figure 8, provides a summary overview of project development to date.
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Figure 8 River Vjosa, Hydro-Potential considerations
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Meanwhile in the Greek part of the Vjosa River (known as Aoos in Greece), the first interference was the construction of the Pigai HPP, in 1984, very close to Vjosa main source. Approximately 140 million m3 of water is retained annually and supplies the lake of Aoos' Hydroelectric Station.
Figure 9 Exploitation of Vjosa (Aoos’) River in the Upper Catchment30
The following table shows some of the development on the upper Vjosa, according to the Register of Large Dams in Greece.
Table 10 Development on the upper Vjosa31 Res. net Dam DAM River: Year capacity Purpose Coordinates Prefecture height (mi m3)
39°50'13.60" N Piges Aoou Aoos Ioannina 1989 78 m 144,3 Hydropower 21°04'02.96" E
Voithitiko 39°49'01.80"N Aoos 1990 40 m Hydropower Ioannina Pigon Aoou 21°04'56.76"E
Pente 39°49'57.10"N Aoos 1990 30 m Hydropower Ioannina Alonia 1 21°03'31.30"E
Pente 39°49'49.60"N Aoos 1990 17 Hydropower Ioannina Alonia 2 21°03'30.00"E Politses 1 Aoos 1990 18 Hydropower 39°49'18.60"N Ioannina 21°04'19.30"E Politses 2 Aoos 1990 15 Hydropower 39°49'19.70"N Ioannina 21°04'27.08"E
30 http://alter-project.eu/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/FLOOD_EVENTS_ROILOS_DEC-2018.pdf 31 http://www.eeft.gr/Fragmata_Elladas_201311.pdf
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4.2.2 Project Components
The planning of the Kalivaç Hydroelectric Scheme has been developed based on the previous original design plant layout as most of the HPP structures works have started and locations defined. There has been no need for technical or economic reasons to change the original layout of the HPP structures. As a result, only one development option has been identified and considered for further assessment for the hydropower potential of Vjosa River and its tributaries between elevation 113 m a.s.l. and elevation 73 m a.s.l., near the Kalivaç village.
The HPP Kalivaç, utilizes a head of 37m along an approximate 17 km long stretch of Vjosa River. The intake is situated in the reservoir created by the 43 m high rockfill dam, Kalivaç Dam. The powerhouse is located on the right bank of Vjosa River just on the downstream of the dam, and the outlet is directly to the river.
New Transmission Lines will be constructed to connect the Project to the Albanian grid. HPP Kalivaç will be connected to Babice220/110/35 KV sub-station by a 29 km long head power line 220 kV double circuit line. However, the final option for connection of the Kalivaç HPP with the National Transmission Grid will be decided at the detailed design phase, jointly with the National Transmission Operator of Albania.
4.2.3 Kalivaç HPP Technical Description and Plant Process
HPP Kalivaç utilises a head of 37 m between 110 m a.s.l. and 73 m a.s.l. The main project components are:
• Kalivaç Dam comprising a 43 m high concrete faced rockfill dam. HRWL is at 110 m a.s.l. The spillway has 4 gates. The dam reservoir has a live storage volume of about 205 Mm³ and dead storage volume of about 170 Mm3.
• Deviation tunnel 340 m long built on the right bank and inside the dam body
• Power intake with trash rack and roller gate.
• Headrace tunnel comprising a 250 m long tunnel inside the dam body and above the deviation tunnel.
• Surface powerhouse on the right bank of the river.
• A short tailrace canal leading back to the Vjosa River.
The powerhouse has one Francis unit and two Kaplan units with total combined capacity of 111 MW. Transmission voltage is 220 kV and estimated average annual energy production is 362.62 GWh. The site locations for temporary facilities have been identified mainly by desk studies and could be subject to adjustment. Flat suitable areas are generally near and within a reasonable distance from the construction site of HPP Kalivaç. Temporary camp and rig areas are situated at the areas used in the previous period of construction. They are located close to the dam at the downstream side and near to the powerhouse location. Existing facilities are expected to have a complete renewal.
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General layout of the Kalivaç HPP is given in the Figure below.
Figure 10 Figure General Layout of the Kalivac HPP
Table 11 Salient Features of Kalivaç HPP Description Unit HPP Kalivaç Direct catchment area km2 5420 Specific run-off l/s/km2 26.88 Mean run-off m3/s 145.7 Average yearly run-off Mm3/year 4598 Available for energy production Mm3/year 4221 Headwater reservoir Live storage Mm3 205 Dead storage Mm3 170 Reservoir surface area km2 16.0 River bed elevation at dam m a.s.l. 73 HRLW Headwater m a.s.l. 110 LRWL Headwater m a.s.l. 95 Tail water m a.s.l. 73 Maximum Gross Head m 37
Maximum Net Head (at Qmax) m 36.3 Power Station Length Waterway km 0.25
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Description Unit HPP Kalivaç Powerhouse location surface Number of Units 2+1 Turbine type 2 V. Kaplan + 1Francis Max.turbine discharge m3/s 2×156 + 1x28 Installed capacity (power) MW 102 + 9 Average energy equivalent kWh/ m3 0.086 Average Annual energy production GWh 362.62
Excavations on the river valley banks and bed at the dam location, have predefined the dam axes and type of the dam body. The excavated banks and storage of a huge part of the excavated material have predefined the type of the dam, as a rockfill dam. Figure 11 shows the present status of the works in Kalivaç HPP.
Completion of some works in the deviation gallery including reinforced concrete works condition the position of the deviation structures and type of the structure as well. The inlet and outlet elevations of the deviation gallery and the hydraulic capacity are already predefined. The Figure on the right side shows the status of the Figure 11 Excavations of the left bank of the Dam works at the deviation gallery.
4.2.4 New Kalivaç HPP structures
4.2.4.1 Kalivaç Dam
The Kalivaç Dam axes will be on the same location as on the previous project as construction of some of the structures have been commenced (and ceased) and changing the location of the dam axes will create difficulties combining the layout of the new structures.
4.2.4.2 Deviation gallery
Construction of the deviation gallery has commenced (and ceased) with the excavations completed and some reinforcing works also commenced. The gallery is designed on the right bank of the river valley and the dam supported on the rocky formations on the skirts of the limestone valley. The axes of the deviation gallery will not change from the previously commenced design.
4.2.4.3 Headrace Galleries
The headrace gallery will be located on the right side of the dam, above the deviation structure and on the same locations as the previous project. The headrace structure consists of two separate galleries with diameter 6.5 m diameter.
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4.2.4.4 The surface Spillway
The Spillway will be located on the left bank of the river valley and dam, supported on the limestone formations. The Spillway will have four radial gates, a cute with a jump and stilling basin. On the left of the Spillway will be designed a surface automatic spillway with crest elevation at 110.0 m a.s.l (HRWL).
4.2.4.5 Power House
The powerhouse will be located just downstream at the Kalivaç dam on the right side. In the power house three turbines and associated equipment will be installed. Two of the turbines will be Vertical Kapllan type and one small Francis type.
4.2.4.6 Power substation and Transmission line
The sub-station will be located on the right side of the river bank close to the power house. From the sub-station will start the Transmission 220 Kv power line to the Babicë Sub-station where it will be integrated into the National Transmission System of Albania.
4.2.5 Specific design criteria
Optimisation of dam heights, installed capacity and waterway cross sections has been part of the Feasibility Study. In the final detailed design, cross sections of waterways may be modified when the civil works contract has been assigned and marginal costs of adjusting the dimensions are known.
For Kalivaç Dam only one type has been investigated in the Feasibility Study: Concrete faced rockfill dam (CFRD). The other types have not been under discussions because some filling on the dam embankments has commenced and it would not be economically viable to remove the works done and change the type of the dam, into for example: Roller Compacted Concrete dam (RCC) or Embankment dam with a centrally placed asphalt core (ACC) or clay core.
4.3 PROJECT PHASES
4.3.1 Pre-Construction and Construction Phase
The overall implementation schedule can be divided in a Pre-Construction Phase and a Construction Phase.
The work to be performed in the Pre-construction Phase includes the following main activities:
1. Performing the EIA/ESIA;
2. Developing Tender and “Detailed design”32;
3. Acquiring Licences and Permits;
4. Land acquisition and expropriation;
5. Assigning Construction Contracts;
6. Financing.
32 Defined in the CA as ”Detailed Design” which means the design proposal with respect to each Plant, which shall be submitted by the Concessionaire in its application for a Construction Authorization”.
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Most of these activities have to be completed prior to commencement of construction. Key processes such as land acquisition and obtaining of licences and permits shall be finished prior to the start of construction works. Settlement of these main issues is also often a pre-requisite for achieving “Financial close” as the Lenders would require confirmation on access to land and other approvals prior to signing a financial agreement.
In the CA the start of the Construction Phase is named the ‘Construction Works Commencement Date’, which will occur when a set of pre-requisites have been met by the Concessionaire and the Concession Authority. One of the Concessionaires obligations is to assign all construction contracts within 6 months of obtaining all licences and permits.
For HPP Kalivaç the Construction Phase shall finish not later than 30 months after ‘Construction Works Commencement Date’.
The overall schedule is given in the following Figure:
Figure 12 Kalivaç HPP Overall Schedule
4.3.2 Operational Phase
The Contracting Authority has given to the Concessionaire all the rights to invest, design, build, operate, manage and maintain the Kalivaç HPP, in exchange for the payment of the concession tariff. This concession will last for 35 years following the signature of the agreement, from 8 June 2018 till 8 June 2053.
The total average energy production of an average hydrological year is estimated to equal 366.2 GWh accumulated for the power station.
The hydropower operation is planned for daily peaking operation. The 205 mill m3 live storage reservoir at Kalivaç Dam may well be used for seasonal regulation if such mode of operation proves profitable in the future. Several rivers in Albania, including Vjosa river as one of the most problematic rivers, are overflowing their banks, mainly close to the river mouth area, flooding and damaging nearby buildings and crops, and sometimes and destroying or damaging bridges. Attempts have been made to alleviate flood situation in Albania by building protective dykes and creating upstream storage.
Though the eventual operation of the reservoir and turbines will be governed by power price and inflows to determine the optimum water volume that will achieve the highest possible power sales price, detailed operating procedures will be prepared ahead of operation. These procedures will also address the needs for:
• Continuous environmental flow • Downstream irrigation of the existing networks • Flood mitigation or minimization, targeting water release even in extreme situations, to be less than the inflow of the river at the HPP section • Early warning procedures related to dam safety, floods or any other unexpected event • Monitoring of water use and water availability both for energy production and other needs, • Need for training of planning and operational staff
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At this stage it is not possible to provide a more precise definition of the flow regimes from the dams. Environmental and irrigation requirements estimated during the feasibility study, have to be more accurately determined in advance and accounted for in the operation rules as restrictions.
4.3.3 Decommissioning Phase
The expected service lifetime of the hydropower plant is 50 years. Decommissioning of the Dam, its reservoir and associated plant will be undertaken in accordance with the legislation prevailing at that time, in liaison with the relevant regulatory authorities. The eventual decommissioning requirements will be taken into account in the design stage by ensuring that all possible options will be available. Kalivaç HPP will only process the Vjosa River water to produce energy and release it without altering its physical or chemical characteristics, but the sedimentation in the reservoir to be created might have quality issues. The quality of the sediment deposits has to be monitored periodically during operation and decommissioning phase, in order to define the best handling alternative.
4.3.4 Analysis of Alternatives
As mentioned, the development of Kalivaç HPP under the new agreement, is limited in options by being required to develop on the already commenced civil works. The feasibility study states: “some of the works on the structures of the Kalivaç HPP has already started and do not give any technical and economic reasons for changing the scheme, type of structures and HPP layout”.
• A Concrete faced rockfill high dam (CFRD) at Kalivaç gives a long-life span for the reservoir for the plant. • Short deviation tunnel combined with the short headrace tunnel on the same location on the left bank of the river and dam • A Power house just at the downstream toe of the dam on the left bank • The substation very close to the power house on the flat area on the left bank • The Spillway for flood control on the right bank of the river
All the efforts for the optimisation of the scheme have been to define the turbine flow, their number and their installed capacity.
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5 BIOPHYSICAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC BASELINE
5.1 INTRODUCTION
This Chapter describes the environmental and socio-economic baseline conditions. The study area for the scoping phase is the general region around the proposed Project site. The baseline conditions described in this chapter are, in many instances described at a regional or even national level since they are largely based on secondary data collected during scoping.
Specific description of environmental and socio-economic aspects referring to the exact location of the proposed hydropower plant and existing conditions will be determined during baseline study and will be included in the final ESIA Report. Where further information is required to inform the impact assessment, primary baseline data will be collected as part of specific ESIA studies and these will fill any knowledge gaps for the baseline section of the ESIA report.
The recent publication of “The Vjosa in Albania – a riverine Ecosystem of European significance33” paper published in 2018 based on field research provides an overview and newly found species on the ecology of the Vjosa river system. This publication was considered during our scoping phase desk review in combination with other existing publications.
5.2 BIOPHYSICAL RESOURCES
5.2.1 Basic data on the location of the project
Vjosë (Albanian) or Aoös (Greek) is a river in north-western Greece and south-western Albania. Its total length is about 272 km, where the first 80 km are in Greece, and the remaining 192 km are in Albania. It is fed by several tributaries, such as the Voidomatis, Sarantaporos, Drino and Shushicë. It has a catchment area of 6.710 km2, out of which 2.085 km2 or about 31 % is in Greece.
The source of the Vjosa is in Greece, specifically in the Pindus Mountains near the village of Vovousa. An artificial lake has been constructed at an altitude of 1,350 m asl and there is a hydroelectric dam in place since 1987. It flows through the Vikos–Aoös National Park, where it forms towering canyons and then flows through the town of Konitsa, where it is joined by the Voidomatis. It enters Albania near Çarshovë, where it is joined by the Sarantaporos and then continues northwest through Përmet, Këlcyrë, Tepelenë (where it is joined by the Drino), Memaliaj, Selenicë and Novoselë. It then flows into the Adriatic Sea, northwest of Vlorë; the mouth of the river is situated within the boundaries of the Vjosa- Narta Protected Landscape. It discharges an average of 204 m³/s into the Adriatic Sea.
The project area is situated in the southern part of Albania, and is within 170 to 180 km in southern distance of Tirana. Administratively, it belongs to the prefectures of Gjirokastër and a very small area at the Vlora. The area is part of Albania’s southern Mountain Region.
The Memaliaj Municipality is the most impacted municipality by the project development. Memaliaj town, was created as a small industrial centre in 1946. The town supported the coal mining industry in the area, one of the most significant coal producers during communism. Following the fall of the communist regime, mining was not economically viable anymore and the coal mine was closed. This created a stagnation of the city economy and many of its inhabitants migrated to other areas.
33 Acta ZooBot Austria, The Vjosa in Albania – a riverine ecosystem of European significance, (https://www.univie.ac.at/zoobot/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Acta-155-1_Cover-und-Inhalt.pdf)
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Memaliaj municipality consists of six administrative units: Memaliaj, Memaliaj Fshat, Luftinjë, Buz, Wallachia and Qesarat. These administrative units are currently part of the Gjirokastër region. Kalivaç Hydropower plant will be built on Vjosa River around 15 km down the Memaliaj town.
5.2.2 Climate and Meteorology
Due to the great extent of Vjosa catchment, from the Greek-Albanian border up to Adriatic Sea, it is understandable that the climatic zones of the catchment will be different. However, the impact of the sea inside Vjosa valley appears through the winds and is reflected in the particular climatic features of Vjosa catchment.
Figure 13 Satellite overviews of the lower Vjosa valley with the delta into the Adriatic Sea and the Narta lagoon.
Figure 13 above shows the short meander reach upstream of Mifoli and the intersection between the meandering and the braided river course.
In general, the Mediterranean climate prevails, with all its special features, such as the typical Mediterranean lowland, hilly, paramount and mountainous climate. In the colder part of the year, weather activity is more pronounced and is associated with cloudy and precipitation weather, which in the winter season in the eastern area take the snow form. The winter season is characterized by intense rainfall, often in the form of rain storms. In the warm part of the year, especially in summer, there is prevalence of high-temperature anticyclonic weather of high temperature and little precipitation up to drought, which causes the reduction of water resources. In spite of this, Vjosa river is distinguished for a high-water resource stability even during the warm part of the year, compared to other rivers in the country.
One of the climatic elements that directly affects the water resources of a region is undoubtedly atmospheric precipitation. The Vjosa catchment includes the hydrographic areas of Drinos and Shushicë, which are distinguished for large quantities of precipitation in the whole southern region of Albania. Here most of the precipitation falls in the mountains bordering Vjosa from the west, Lungara Mountains, Cika Mountains, Mali i Gjere Mountain and Kurvelesh Mountains, where annual average precipitation exceeds 1500 mm and reaches 2,300 mm. Significant annual precipitation is also seen in Dhëmbel-Trebeshinë-Nemerçkë massif. Moving to the right slope of Vjosa, there is a noticeable and immediate decrease of precipitation. This happens due to the fact that saturated air masses from the sea discharge most of the precipitation in the first generation of mountain ranges opposite the sea (Çika
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Mountain, Mali i Gjerë Mountain) and then in the second generation (Lunxhëri-Bureto). The remaining part discharges on the right eastern side of Vjosa. Thus, while in Kuç and Nivica there is about 2,300 mm annually, in Kardhiq 2310 mm, in Gjirokastër 1,860 mm and in Llongo about 2000 mm, in the eastern slope there is less rainfall such as in Leskovik 1,170 mm, in Gërmenj 1250 mm, in Peshtan 968 mm, in Përmet 1,250 mm and in Këlcyra 1,290 mm.
5.2.3 Hydrology of Vjosa River at Kalivaç Dam
Vjosa River, with a total catchment area of 6,710 km2 and 272 km length, is the longest river in southern Albania. Vjosa River originates outside the Albanian territory, from the southern slope of Voljakallid Mountains, which extend to the south of Pindus Mountain Range in Greece. Before entering Albania, Vjosa is joined by Vojdomare (from the left) and shortly after entering the Albanian territory is joined by the main branch of Sarandaporos, coming from the Greek territory. Outside the territory of Albania, the catchment area is 2,085 km2, which represents 31.1% of the total catchment area, and its length in the Greek territory is 85.6 km.
Within the Albanian territory, Vjosa enters as an established river and passes through the lowlands between Nemerçka mountain ranges from the northwest and the mountains of Leskovik and Grabovo from the northeast. Once entering the Albanian territory up to Dragot, the river has formed a valley accompanied by river terraces on either side or in one side only. The river bed in this part is narrow and its banks are composed of conglomerates.
In Kelcyra-Drago section, Vjosa enters an erosional valley of east-west direction, which traverses anticlinal structures, such as Nemercke-Dhembel Mountains from Trebeshina Mountain and further downstream Lunxheri-Golik Mountains from Shëndëllia Mountain. Here the valley has a "V" shape and is generally symmetrical. Particularity of this part is the fact that the limestone massif of Nemerëke- Dhembel anticline as well as Trebeshinë and Shëndëllia drain their waters in the Gorge of Këlcyra directly in Vjosa, where the most prominent is the so-called "Black Water" spring, of a flow rate which ranges of several m3/s. Vjosa hydrographic area after Dragot and after joining Drinos river up to its flow into the sea, is characterized by a wider valley. In places where it meets limestone massifs, it has created narrow gorges such as Dorëz-Kalivaç, which is about 4 km long and about 150 m wide. Downstream Poçem gorge, Vjosa river bed expands greatly and its slope is reduced, creating opportunities for gravel and sand deposits. After being joined by Shushicë River up to the sea, the river bed gradually narrows down with windings and deep shores.
Vjosa is joined by many tributaries. In addition to the two main tributaries, Drinos and Shushica, which in fact can be considered separate rivers due to their large catchment area and amount of water, there are also a number of streams with a catchment area of up to 300 km2. Thus, from the entrance to the Albanian territory up to Dragot, it is joined by the streams of Çarshova (90.8 km2), Langarica (337 km2), Lemnica (103 km2), Dishnica (173 km2) from the right side and Zagori stream (171.6 km2) from the left. Drinos River, just like Vjosa, originates in Greece.
In the Greek territory, Drinos catchment area is 256 km2, representing 19.4% of the whole area, while its length is 23 km. The main tributaries that flow into Drinos River are Suha stream (264.9 km2) from the right side and Kardhiq stream (181.9 km2) from the left. One of the main hydrographic features of Drinos River is the fact that some of the waters of its catchment flow underground, through the limestone massif of Mali i Gjerë, to supply the water spring of "Blue Eye" in Bistrica, outside Drino's catchment.
Drinos River has an average elevation ranging from 687 to 746 m above sea level, slope ranging from 21 to 28% and an average catchment width of 10.1 to 15.7 km. Shushicë River is the second largest tributary of Vjosa. It originates from Zhuri i Kuçit, but it becomes a proper river after Kuçi's water springs. The two main tributaries that flow into Shushicë are Vranishti stream from the left side and Smokthina stream from the right. Shushica is also distinguished for supplying karstic underground waters such as Kurvelesh area.
Shushicë River has an average catchment elevation ranging from 759 to 540 m above sea level, slope ranging from 21 to 28% and catchment width from 8.8 to 10.1 km.
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Figure 14 The map of the Vjosa River catchment
5.2.4 Annual Flow Rates with Different Exceedance Probability
For the calculation of annual flow rates with different probability of exceedance according to the feasibility study, are based on the annual flow series of the hydrological stations. The method involved a statistical analysis using "SAFARHY" software. Based on this, Normal, Log-Normal and Pearson III distributions were tested, which then underwent a Khi2 statistical test to determine which of these probabilistic distributions were best suited to the series under study. From the analysis it turned out that the best distributions were Log-Normal and Pearson III. The results are given in the table below:
Table 12 Annual flows with different exceedance probability Run-off probability% Station 1 2 5 10 25 50 75 90
Dorëz 286 263 232 207 171 143 122 102
5.2.5 Sediment Flow
The sediment flow is an important characteristic of the hydrologic regime of river catchments. Solid flow data are essential parameters during the design and operation of various hydro technical works. In the hydro graphic network of Vjosa River there have been several measurement sites where there have been suspended solid flow observations. Specifically, solid flow measurements were performed for the stations in Çarshova, Përmet and Lekli Bridge (from the stations under consideration). The observation period has started since the opening of this station until 1990, when observations were discontinued. The results of the relevant calculations for the multiyear period are given in the table below.
Table 13 Parameters of the suspended sediment flow in Dorëz station Station F (km2) Q (m3/s) Average turbidity Sediment flow (gr/m3) (kg/s)
Vjosa Dorëz 5420 145.7 1000 146
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5.2.6 Terrestrial Soils and Geology
Geologically, the Vjosa catchment is embedded within five tectonic zones, the largest of which is the Ionian zone.
They are part of the Albanides-Hellenides chain, which together with the `Dinarides composes the dominant mountain range in the Western Balkans, representing the southern zone of the orogenic Alpine belt. Tectonic movements during the Permian-Triassic, the Jurassic, Cretaceous and the Neogene period led to a “fault and thrust” system in Albania and NW Greece (Durmishi et al. 2014, Durmishi et al. 2018 this vol.). The complex tectonic structure consists of two domains, the eastern or Internal and the western or External Albanides (Aliaj 2006). The Ionian zone developed as a deep pelagial trough from the Triassic period onward. The oldest Permo-Triassic layers are covered by dolomitic limestone sedimented during the Upper Triassic to the Lower Jurassic period. The hard and consistent carbonate formations made of pelagic limestone of Upper Jurassic to Paleogene origin is covered by Oligocene to Lower Miocene flysch. The succession is completed by pre-molasse to molasse formations from the Middle Miocene onwards, consisting of various sediments like marl, sandstone and organ-genic limestone (for details see Durmishi et al. 2018 this vol.). The south-eastern part of the catchment is characterized by Ophiolite, which is represented in the fine-grained sediments of the Vjosa river and its eastern tributaries.
Figure 15 Albanian Adriatic and Ionian Seas coastline area34. (Albanian Sedimentary Basin; 2- Periadriatic Depression; 3- Ionian tectonic zone; 4- Kruja (Gavrovo-Dalmatic-Montenegro) tectonic zone; 5- Apulia platform, Paksos zone.)
“This section extends from the mountains of Pindos and Grammos in North-Western Greece to Çarshova in Albania (Fig.15). The following tectonic zones have been described by Papanikolaou & Royden (2007):
Ionian zone represents a series of syncline/anticline structures having a large variety of rock formations dating from Permian to Quaternary. At the base, the Permian evaporites and shallow carbonates of Triassic ages are situated, continuing with the lower Jurassic dolomites and limestones with algae (low and middle Lias), as well as ‘Ammonitico Rosso’ facies of upper Lias (Toarian), which characterize the western part of the Ionian Zone. Pelagic turbiditic carbonates with chert intercalations are developed during the middle Jurassic up to late Eocene. Micritic and biomicritic limestones are dominant during
34 N. FRASHERI, N. PANO, A. FRASHERI, S. BUSHATI, Outlook on seawaters dynamics and geological setting factors for the Albanian Adriatic coastline developments http://itc.upt.al/~nfra/papers/papers2/N%20Frasheri,%20N%20Pano,%20A%20Frasher,%20S%20Bushati%20Di namika%20bregdetit%20ADRIATIKUT.pdf
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the upper Cretaceous. Flysch deposits took place during the Oligocene and the lower Miocene. Frequent synsedimentary slumps are observed within flysch deposits. During the Miocene marls and clayey marls, sandstones and bioclastic limestones are encountered. Molasses characterize the middle Miocene up to Pliocene age. The molasses are composed of intercalations of conglomerates, sandstones, siltstones and shales. Evaporites are also present. In the Ionian zone three sub-zones are identified in (ShGjSh 2002, Xhomo et al. 2003)35”.
5.2.7 Topography and Landscape
The total catchment size of Vjosa river is 6,704 km2 of which 4,365 km2 are on Albanian territory. In the upper section the Vjosa follows a sequence of steep canyons between Përmet, Këlcyra and Dragot, entrenched in steep gorges intersected by areas with large alluvial fans and islands. After Dragot the river valley widens except for the gorges of Kalivaç and Poçemi. At the city of Tepelena – before and after the confluence with the river Drino – large gravel and sand bars formed by the braiding river dominate the fluvial landscape. After Selenica the watershed slope of the river decreases, the valley becomes wide, and the river starts meandering. The Vjosa discharges into the Adriatic Sea north of the Narta lagoon, a managed “Nature Reserve“36.
Important tributaries are the Sarandoporo, Lengarica, Drino (catchment size 1,302 km2),Benca and Shushica (catchment size 715 km2)37. The overall geomorphology of the Vjosa basin is characterized by a NW-SE orientation of the folded structures and tectonic planes. The valleys of the Vjosa and their tributaries follow predetermined tectonic lines of the Alpine thrust system. The middle part of the valley is surrounded by mountain ranges with an elevation between 300 m in the north to almost 2000 m. a.s.l. in the south. The Gribe mountain range with its highest peak Mt. Kudhesit (1,907 m) separates the Vjosa in the north and northeast from the Shushica valley in the southwest. At Poçem, the river is situated between two parallel mountain ranges composed of limestone and flysch.
Along the midstream, the Vjosa River (Project area) along with the hilly and hilltop system creates small areas that are the main source of agricultural activity in the area. It is distinguished by two terraces with total surface area of about 400 ha, flat, with a slope of 2-5%. The villages that lie on the hills and affected by the reservoir are: Shesh (Allkaj-Salari), Sinanaj, Qesarat, Memaliaj village, Dhemblan, Krahas and Iliras.
5.2.8 Soil and Pedological Characteristics
In midstream of Vjosa river and in the surrounding area the main characteristics of the agricultural soils are relatively fertile of alluvial type, mainly originated from alluvial deposition during stream sedimentation deposition, diluvia activity and landslide.
The parent materials/rock on which (or under whose influence) the lands are formed consists of carbonate and flysch deposits from the Upper Cretaceous to the Middle Oligocene. The Upper Cretaceous deposits are represented by neritic deposit, consisting of dolomitized limestone at its lower part. In the upper part of the Upper Cretaceous the deposits are represented by bio-constructed limestone Rudists. A sedimentary hiatus is observed during the Eocene up to Middle Oligocene. During the Middle Oligocene, due to tectonic movements, the deposit outcropped and consequently the Upper Cretaceous limestone were eroded. The main soil types are as following:
35 Acta ZooBot Austria, The Vjosa in Albania – a riverine ecosystem of European significance, (https://www.univie.ac.at/zoobot/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Acta-155-1_Cover-und-Inhalt.pdf) 36 Fritz Schiemer, Anton Drescher, Christoph Hauer & Ulrich Schwarz: The Vjosa River corridor: a riverine ecosystem of European significance Die Vjosa in Sudalbanien: eine Flusslandschaft von europaischer Bedeutung 37 Durmishi C., Daja S., Ago B., Dindi E., Sinojmeri, A., Nazaj S.J., Qorri A., Muci R., 2018: Synthesis of geological, hydrogeological, sedimentological settings and geo-touristic features of the Vjosa Watershed. Acta ZooBot Austria 155
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• Luvisols are formed on colluvial and/or alluvial deposits made up by unconsolidated materials. Their profile is distinguished by the clayey and deep B horizon, presented with A, Bt, C with brown to brownish colour of A horizon. • Fluvisols are formed on sedimentary materials of Quaternary of marine, river and sandy origin interweaved with silt and clays. The soils are flat and located on both sides of rivers: Shesh, Sinanaj, Kalivaç. Their profile is deep. Due to the deposition of materials in different periods, pedogenetic horizons are not discernible. The phenomenon of stratification and sedimentation is visible in these soils. • Arenosols are soils less developed in the pedogenetic context, with sandy texture; with a profile reaching 100 cm. Soils have gleyic and calcaric features. These soils are located on both sides of Iliras and Qesarat and are formed by sediments left by waters after periodical floods. These soils have a high agricultural potential and the agricultural technologies are adequate. Based on the concept of capability the soils are moderately fertile: The amount of organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus are at the average level. The yields are also moderate; alfalfa and other forage are frequently cultivated and their yields are high due to the water abundance that need for a better harvest.
In relation to suitability, the potential of area is limited by low temperature during the winter season and the high humidity at the Vjosa valley. According to the Albanian classification (IST, 1992) the soil is in the categories III, IV and V. The main crops that are cultivated are forage, wheat, corn and orchards such as walnuts and olives. Agriculture is not very intensive and vegetation cover is dominated by forages and low herbaceous plants. Parent material at the flat surface are 'unconsolidated' alluvial type. Texture is clayey loamy, with no stones on the surface (<10%), deep (>75 cm), flat surface (<6% slope gradient), with low erosion degree and well drained.
5.2.9 Mining
The Municipality of Memaliaj still has mineral resources in the form of coal reserves with high calorific power (but with high sulphur content, 3 times higher than EU standards). For more than two decades the mine has been closed and no one has appeared interested from state or private entities for its re- use. The Memaliaj Municipality strategic plan predicts that the area of the mine continues to have industrial, non-mining character, and can serve as a cluster for business activities in certain fields of industry and services (production lines, warehouses, logistics park etc.).
5.2.10 Flora
The Vjosa river basin includes the main river in the south of Albania and its important tributaries. Its basin is characterized by a wide typology of biological ecosystems, wild species of flora and fauna, beautiful landscape, where are founded a number of protected areas and a large number of natural monuments. The diversity of climatic and land conditions creates the conditions for a variety of choices: 179 types of woods and bushes out of 208 found in Albania. 71% of all types are found in Gjirokastër and Përmeti, while 52% are found in Tepelena (Mullaj, A, 20-31). The Mediterranean Forest and scrub vegetation are commonly present, consists mainly of evergreen shrubs (maquis) that represent degradation stages of the evergreen broadleaf forests and pseudomaquis (which comprises mixed evergreen and deciduous shrub thickets of the periphery of the range of Mediterranean sclero-phyllous scrublands). The maquis occupies the forest at lower elevation, up to 800m - 1000 m ASL. Characteristic species of this vegetation assemblage are Erica arborea, Pistacia lentiscus, Pistacia terebentinus, Rosa sempervirens, Spartium junceum, Olea sylvestris, Rhamnus alaternus, etc. Deciduous broadleaf forests are the main and most widespread type of forest in the region of the project. This vegetation assemblage is situated above the Mediterranean shrub zone, at elevations up to 1600m – 1800m ASL (in our case at the elevations of 500-700m). The oak forests are dominated by Quercus cerris, Q. pubescens, and Q. frainetto. Some of the rare plants of Albania threatened by extinction are the caduceus bushes, which are mostly found along the valleys of Vjosa and Drino, consist mainly of hornbeams and willows, but also of Mediterranean forests of pines, oaks etc. The forests with clutter and black pine, with cluster pine and no endemic kinds are located in the hills of Libohova, Dropolis, Tepelena, hills of Memaliaj, Buz, Krahës and in the valley of Vjosa. The forests of Mediterranean oaks
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are found in the Upper Dropolis, Krahës and Luftinjë (The earth ecosystem in the Region of Gjirokastra, Sinani 201138).
Table 14 The main vegetation habitats at Gjirokastër region in percentage
Denomination Gjirokastër Region
Inhabited surfaces, arable land, water and unproductive terrains 2 % Alpine pasture with herbage predomination 4.3 % Wood formations with plane trees predomination 0.8 % Wood formations with hornbeam and low oak predomination- 49.2 % associated habitats
Wood formations with Italian oak and holly bush predomination 38.4 %
Wood formation with The Macedonian fir tree predomination 2.5 % Wood formation with the black pine and the Macedonian fir tree 1.4 % predomination
Wood formation with the Mediterranean oak predomination 0.9 %
Wood formation with the beech and the Macedonian fir tree 0.3 % predomination
Bush formations at pasture land 0.2 % Source: Albina Sinani, “The Earth Ecosystem in the Region of Gjirokastra”
The shrub layer consisted of Carpinus orientalis, Carpinus orientalis, Fraxinus ornus, Juniperus oxycedrus, Crataegus monogyna, etc. There is a variation in species composition in the project area and mixed oak-coniferous forests of black pine (Pinus nigra), and pine plantations. In some areas the predominantly oak forest is mixed with other deciduous trees, such as Ostrya carpinifolia, Fraxinus ornus, etc.
More than 700 higher plant taxa were reported by Malo39 (2010) in his PhD about flora and vegetation of Gjirokastër district; about 12 taxa were new for Albania, 40 taxa were sub-endemics, and 30 taxa were rare or endangered (Malo & Shuka 2008a, 2009, 2013); Viola acrocerauniensis and Stachys sericophylla (Malo & Shuka 2008b, Shuka & Malo 2009), for example, are endemics of the region. Another study points out the presence of other endemic species. According to a recent study40, along the river banks including its tributaries and the alpine limestone grasslands can be found three other threatened species on the IUCN Red List: Aesculus hippocastanum (Vulnerable C2a(i)), Galanthus reginae-olgae (Vulnerable B2ab (iii,v)), and Solenanthus albanicus (Endangered B1ab(v)+2ab(v)). Rare, or relict species are also present in sandy dunes or wetlands, like Anacamptis morio ssp. caucasica, Ephedra distachya, etc.
It is reported that about 380 species of medical and aromatic species are commonly present in the Vjosa watershed with high interest from private collectors and medicinal and aromatic plant industry. Tepelena area counts more than 60 medicinal herbs, like sage, linden leaves, juniper berries, wormwood, laurel, white thorn and mountain tea plant, which are all picked illegally in large quantities.
Different kind of flowers are present in the project area and are important for local beekeeping activities. Similar in other regions in Albania, illegal cutting, fires and over-pasturing are likely to be occurred even
38 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/270622479_The_Earth_Ecosystem_In_The_Region_Of_Gjirokastra 39 Malo S., 2010: Studimi i diversitetit bimor në rrethin e Gjirokastrës. PhD Theses, FNS, UT 40 Shumka, S., Bego, F., Beqiraj S., Paparisto, A, Kashta, L., Miho, …….A., Shuka, L.,(2018): The Vjosa catchment – a natural heritage- Acta ZooBot Austria
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in the project area causing damage to the natural plant coverage, especially to the forests with cluster pines in the massive of Mali i Gjere (Broad Mountain), hills of Libohova, Valare and Tepelena.
5.2.11 Fauna
The Vjosa and Drinos rivers are important ecological corridors characterized by wetlands and riparian areas. Invertebrates comprise the bulk of animal species diversity in both terrestrial and freshwater habitats. The sensitivity of these groups is due to the fact that most species have annual life cycles and depend on suitable breeding conditions being present every year at the appropriate time. Habitat continuity and structural variation of the vegetation are important for these species’ survival.
More than 40 species of endangered aquatic invertebrates have been recorded from brackish waters of Vjosa delta, including a large number of gastropods, bivalves and crustaceans. Additional information about different invertebrate groups of the Vjosa River is reported by Degasperi (Komnenov, Bauernfeind, Paill et al., Graf et al., Rabitsch, Rabl & Kunz, Wagner et al. and Beqiraj et al. (2018 The Vjosa in Albania – a riverine ecosystem of European significance).
Table 15 List of fish species in Vjosa River and their conservation status41 National IUCN Red Bern Species Habitat Occurrence red list* list* convention* Petromyzon marinus Anadromous native VU LC III Acipenser sturio Anadromous native EN CR II Acipenser naccarii Anadromous native EN CR II Anguilla anguilla Katadromous native - CR - Alosa fallax Anadromous native VU LC - Alburnoides aff. Freshwater native - - III prespensisAlburnus scoranza Freshwater native - LC - Barbus prespensis Freshwater endemic LRcd LC - Carassius spp. Freshwater introduced - - - Chondrostoma nasus Freshwater endemic LRcd NT III Gobio skadarensis Freshwater endemic LRnt EN - Luciobarbus albanicus Freshwater endemic - LC - Pachychilon pictum Freshwater endemic - LC III Pelasgus thesproticus Freshwater endemic - NT - Pseudorasbor aparva Freshwater introduced - LC - Squalius platyceps Freshwater endemic - LC - Cobitis ohridana Freshwater endemic LRcd LC - Oxynoemacheilus pindus Freshwater endemic - VU - Oncorhynchus mykiss Freshwater introduced - - - Salmo farioides Freshwater native - - - Chelon aurata Saltwater native - - - Chelon labrosus Saltwater native - LC - Chelonramada Saltwater native - - - Chelonsaliens Saltwater native - - - Mugilcephalus Saltwater native - LC - Atherina boyeri - native - LC - Gambusia holbrooki Freshwater introduced - LC - Aphanius fasciatus Freshwater native EN LC II Dicentrarchus labrax Saltwater native - LC - Platichthys flesus Saltwater native VU LC -
* CR - Critically Endangered, EN - Endangered, LR/cd - Lower Risk (conservation dependent), LR/nt - Lower Risk (near threatened), VU - Vulnerable, LC - Least Concern, II - strictly protected fauna species and III - Protected fauna species.
41 Source: Acta ZooBot Austria, The Vjosa in Albania – a riverine ecosystem of European significance, (https://www.univie.ac.at/zoobot/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Acta-155-1_Cover-und-Inhalt.pdf)
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The project area has particular importance for birds of prey such as; Aquilachrysaetos (listed as EN in RLA), Egyptian vulture Neophron percnopterus (Listed as EN under IUCN) and Lesser kestrel Falco naumanni (VU under RLA). Both the two last species have been used as trigger species from Birdlife International to establish a specific IBA along the Drinos River Valley (the Gjirokastër IBA).
Nowadays, hunting is banned, however the fauna habitats and rare species can be subject to illegal hunting. Other factors damaging the fauna species are deforestation, human activities, fires or noise. For these and other reasons some rare species like wild goat, roe deer, wild swine, wild hares, and the mountain grouse are almost extinct (Sinani 2011b).
More than 150 species of winged insects (Pterygote) have been reported from different studies in different aquatic and terrestrial habitats in the IUCN category V (protected landscape/ seascape) Vjosa- Narta zone (Paparisto 2001, Shkëmbi et al. 2015, Shkëmbi et al. 2018, Cuvelier et al. 2018). It is reported that Vjosa floodplain system is one of the richest ecosystems regarding Odonata of Albania and the Balkan region. Nearly half of the Odonata species found in Albania are recorded for the Vjosa watershed (70 species based on authors’ data)42.
Referring to the Albanian Red List (MoE 2013), important endangered species are the Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages), the Inky Skipper (Erynnis marloyi), the Alexanor (Papilio alexanor), the African Monarch (Danaus chrysippus), the Dryad (Minois dryas), the Hermit (Chazara briseis), etc.
5.2.12 Protected Areas
Following the Albanian legislation, a protected area is defined as an area with legal protection status, either through national and/ or international legislation. Examples of protected areas in Albania include: • Ramsar sites (international level); • National Parks; and • Nature Monuments (national-level) Designated areas are areas that have been identified to be of significant scientific, environmental or cultural value however may not necessarily be officially protected. Examples of designated in Albania include Important Bird Areas (IBAs), Important Plant Areas (IPAs) as well as Areas of Special Conservation Interest (ASCIs) under the Emerald Network and CORINE biotopes (also referred to as Areas of Conservation Interest, ACIs).
There are no protected areas located nearby to the project area. Protected areas such as Vjosa-Narta Protected Landscape and Hotova- Dangellia National Park are in far distance from the project area.
5.2.13 Groundwater
According to Durmishi et al43 (2018) four main rock formations are distinguished in the Vjosa watershed:
1. Karstic carbonate rock formations originated and structured in different geological periods representing high water-bearing potential aquifers. The groundwater in karstified rocks follows a tortuous path from the recharge areas through karstic systems before discharging. The areas between two river valleys where the massif emerges, as well as river valleys in contact with carbonate formations, serve as recharge zones. Drainage zones, moreover, are composed by
42 Shkëmbi, e., Gerken, B., Pepa, B., Kiçaj, H., Misja, K., Paparisto, A., (2018): Contribution to the knowledge of Odonata from Vjosa catchment- Acta ZooBot Austria 155, 2018, 239–250 43 Durmishi C., Daja S., Ago B., Dindi E., Sinojmeri A., Nazaj S., Qorri A. & Muci R, 2018, Synthesis of geological, hydrogeological, and geo-touristic features of the Vjosa Watershed, in The Vjosa in Albania – a riverine ecosystem of European significance, Acta ZooBot Austria, 2018.
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the following formations: tectonic contact of flysch with carbonate formations; karstified or fractured rock to erosional basis of the streams; Quaternary Breccias (formations).
2. Terrigenous rock formations originated in deep sea, into a turbiditic environment. These deposits represent rhythmic intercalations, of claystones, siltstones and sandstones with rare conglomerates. These formations are characterized by a low water bearing potential.
3. Sedimentary rock formations of the Neogenic molasses of the Peri-Adriatic Depression represented by intercalations of the sedimentary rocks formed in different sedimentation environments as Fluvial, Deltaic, Littoral, Turbiditic, etc. These deposits are characterized by a moderate water bearing potential.
4. Quaternary deposits represent the highest water bearing potential due to their high hydraulic conductivity.
The Vjosa and Drinosi Rivers due to content of limestone in their watershed, are among the least erosive rivers of Albania. Its total suspend solids flow rate reaches 212 kg sediment particles/second, average turbulence 1,087gr/m3 and annual alluvium module is 997 ton/km2. Vjosa and Drinos water have average mineralization respectively of 335 mg/liter and 286 mg/lit. In the region there are the largest karstic water resources in Albania the resources of Viro, Libohova, Këlcyra and Cold Water in Tepelenë. In addition to these resources, there are many smaller ones as well as dozens of streams and rivers flowing into the River Vjosa and Drinos.
5.2.14 Surface Water
The area of Vjosa Watershed is about 6,710 km2of which 4,455 km2 are included within the territory of Albania and an area of 2805 km2 belongs to the Greek territory (Ihme 2008).
The main tributaries of Vjosa in Greece are Sarandoporos and Voidomare. In the Albanian territory the Vjosa River represents a complex hydrographic network (Pano 198444). The main tributaries are Drino and Shushica rivers. Shushica has a drainage area of 715 km2, an average discharge of 24.2 m3/s and a runoff coefficient of 0.53. Its main tributaries are the torrents of Smokthina, Vajza and Vllahina. Other important tributaries are the Carshova torrent, Langarica, Lemnica, Dishnica and Zagoria with drainage areas of 90km2, 337 km2, 103 km2, 173 km2 and 171.6 km2, respectively. Benca River and the torrents of Luftinje and Salaria are also tributaries of Vjosa.
3 The average multiannual water discharge of Vjosa River is Q0=195m /s with a runoff coefficient of 0.61. The annual water volume is about 6.2 billion m3 (Pano 2015) 82 % of which occurs during the wet period (October–May) and 18% during the dry period (June – September). Its alimentation comes from precipitations and the groundwater. The contribution of groundwater to the Vjosa water discharge is about 31% of its total. The quantity of precipitation in the watershed increases from its southeastern to the northwestern part. The average precipitation in the southeastern part varies from 1,170 mm/year at Leskoviku to 1,290 mm/year to Kelcyra hydro-meteorological station. Higher quantities of rainfalls are observed in the areas corresponding to the mountainous chain of Trebeshina – Dhembeli – Nemercka, Mali Gjere, Kurveleshi and Cika Mountains. They vary from 1,890 mm/year at Gjirokastër to 2,300 mm/year at Nivica and Kuci.
The quality of the Vjosa waters is "very good" in the upper part of the basin, up to where it joins Langarice. In the river segment after passing through Përmet, water is categorized in class II ("good"). In the course of water flow, the water quality is classified between Classes II and III because of the effluent of sewage from urban centres without any processing. Such as Përmet, Gjirokastër, Tepelenë, Kelcyrë and Memaliaj, with close to 100,000 inhabitants all. Because of the relatively dry limestone, the carbonates dominate the natural salts in the water of the River. In the area around the proposed site the water within the river is used primarily for agriculture and various domestic purposes. Along its course, it reportedly receives effluents from industries, domestic wastewater, and non-treated wastewater such as Përmeti, Gjirokastra, Tepelena and Memaliaj. The
44 Pano N., 1984: Hidrologjia e Shqiperise. Insituti i Hidrometeorogjise, Akademia e Shkencave.Tirane.
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quality of Vjosa water is “good” to “very good,” first class in the upper part and second class in the midstream. The main causes of degradation of water quality are the sewage discharges of the four above-mentioned cities and also sediments, especially the suspended clays coming from the Luftinja and Krahas tributaries that grind the clay schists along their path. Macronutrients, heavy metals and hydrocarbons in the River Vjosa are low, classifying it as a clean river. The presence of pathogens is moderate due to the factors mentioned above.
5.3 SOCIOECONOMIC RESOURCES
5.3.1 General Area
According to the new Territorial Reform, Albania is divided into 12 counties, 61 Municipalities and 373 Administrative Units (former Communes)45. The Albanian local government is organized in two layers.
• Municipalities and Administrative Units; • Prefect and county council. The Municipalities are governed by an elected Mayor. The Administrative Units are formed by one or more city, town or villages within the Municipality territory and are governed by an appointed administrator. In addition, each village is represented by a village head, which is subordinate to the Mayor. Traditionally, village heads were elected among generally elder who solved disputes between residents and counselled the villagers on different matters, but nowadays their role is more as a villager’s representative in administrative matters.
The second larger levels of local government are the counties. The county council consist of head of the Municipalities and by counsellors, while the Central Government (Council of Ministers) appoints Prefect.
The project area that extends from the north-western part of Gjiroakstër and eastern part of Vlorë County. It is developed in the four Municipalities territory pertaining to the counties of Gjirokastër and Vlorë: respectively Memaliaj, Tepelenë, being part of Gjirokastër County and Selenicë and Vlorë Municipality part of Vlorë County.
The four Municipalities, have the project being developed in eight Administrative Units: Krahës, Qesarat, Memaliaj Fshat, Qendër Tepelenë, Lopës, Sevaster, Vllahinë, Qendër Vlorë. A detailed list of all counties, Municipalities and Administrative Units whose villages will be part of the socio-economic baseline are provided in the Table 16.
Table 16 Administrative organization of Socio-economic baseline area. No County Municipality Administrative units Villages 1 Krahës Kalivaç, Leshnje, Përparim, Lulëzim, 2 Memaliaj Memaliaj Fshat Memaliaj Fshat, Vasjar, Mirinë 3 Qesarat Qesarat, Ilirias, Anë- Vjosë, Toç Gjirokastër 4 Qendër Tepelenë Dukaj (Kordhaj), Salari Tepelenë Sinanaj, Dhëmbla, Lap Martalloz, 5 Lopës Matohasanaj, Dorëz 6 Sevaster Shkozë, Sevaster, Golimbas Selenicë 7 Vlorë Vllahinë Mallkeq, Gërnec, Ondriç, Peshkëpi 8 Vlorë Qendër Vlorë Xhyherinë, Babicë e Madhe
45 Law on Territorial Reform 115/2014 http://prefektitirane.gov.al/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Ligj_115- 2014_31.07.2014.pdf and Law 139/2015 for Local Government https://shtetiweb.org/wp- content/uploads/2016/03/LIGJI_139_2015_PER_VETEQEVERISJEN_VENDORE1.pdf
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The direct project study area for the social baseline assessments includes the settlements near and within the project-affected area. This is considered to the highest impacted area and will therefore be studied in detail.
The study area is classified into two zones: settlements directly affected by the lake (highly impacted) and belong to the Municipality of Memaliaj and, to a lesser extent, in Tepelena. The second zone are the settlements impacted by the transmission line where the project is expected to cause smaller or indirect impact, belonging to the Municipality of Selenicë and, to a lesser extent, in Vlorë. There are 27 settlements located in the overall study area.
The settlements in Memaliaj Municipality, such as Kalivaç, Qesarat, Iliras, Anë Vjosë are the main urban centres in the municipality of Memaliaj where main project impacts are expected. Therefore, more thorough studies are planned for its impacted areas.
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Figure 16 Administrative Map of Albanian
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5.3.2 Demographics
Albania has a current resident population of 2,821,977 according to the National Census in 201146. The population of Albania started to decline from 1990, as a consequence of massive emigration. Compared to previous census in 200147, the population decreased by 8%.
The table below summarizes 2011 census data on total population and gender for each area impacted by the project.
Table 17 Population in the Project area48 Inhabitants No County Municipality Administrative units Total Male Female 1 Krahës 2,554 1,282 1,272 2 Qesarat 1,379 697 682 Memaliaj 3 Memaliaj Fshat 1,606 832 774 Gjirokastër 4 City of Memaliaj 2,647 1,336 1,311 5 Qendër Tepelenë 3,179 1,665 1,514 Tepelenë 6 Lopes 723 379 344 7 Sevaster 1,720 904 816 Selenicë 8 Vlorë Vllahinë 3,111 1,562 1,549 9 Vlorë Qendër Vlorë 7,621 3,816 3,805
5.3.3 Ethnicity and Religion
Religion in the project area reflects the Country overall ratio of declared religion, where there is a larger affiliation towards Islam compared with Christianity.
According to 2011 census49 the religious affiliation of the resident population in each of the Counties are shown in Table 18.
Table 18 Religious affiliation of the resident population50 Resident Percentage of resident County Religious affiliation population population Sunni Muslims 27,815 38,54 Bektashi Muslim 6,118 8,48 Christian Catholics 1,493 2,07 Christian Orthodox 12,583 17,43 Christian Evangelists 59 0,08 Gjirokastër Other Christians 50 0,07 Believers without denomination * 6,050 8,38 Atheists 4,550 6,30 Other 52 0,07 Prefer not to answer 10,945 15,16
46 INSTAT Census Data (2011) 47 INSTAT Census Data (2001) 48 Source INSTAT 2011 Census 49 INSTAT 2011 Census *Persons who answered “I don`t belong to any religion, but I am a believer” 50 Source: INSTAT 2011 Census
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Resident Percentage of resident County Religious affiliation population population Not relevant/not stated 2,461 3,41 Sunni Muslims 74,013 42,14 Bektashi Muslim 1,903 1,08 Christian Catholics 3,369 1,92 Christian Orthodox 24,125 13,74 Christian Evangelists 109 0,06 Vlorë Other Christians 126 0,07 Believers without denomination * 19,627 10,97 Atheists 10,563 6,01 Other 60 0,03 Prefer not to answer 36,749 20,92 Not relevant/not stated 5,356 3,05
According to 2011 Census the ethnicity and cultural affiliation of the resident population in each County is shown in Table 19.
Table 19 Resident population by ethnic and cultural affiliation51
County Ethnicity Resident population Percentage of resident population Albanian 56,193 77,86 Greek 5,363 7,43 Macedonian 1 0,00 Montenegrin 1 0,00 Aromanian 688 0,95 Gjirokastër Roma 91 0,13 Egyptian 21 0,03 Other 56 0,08 Prefer not to answer 8,729 12,09 Not relevant/not stated 1,033 1,43 Albanian 120,637 68,68 Greek 12,079 6,88 Macedonian 7 0,00 Montenegrin 1 0,00 Aromanian 876 0,50 Vlorë Roma 282 0,16 Egyptian 15 0,01 Other 55 0,03 Prefer not to answer 38,253 21,78 Not relevant/not stated 3,435 1,96
51 Source: INSTAT 2011 Census
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The official language of the area is Albanian, although the citizens are distinguished by their dialect in the commonly spoken language. According to 2011 Census the resident population by mother tongue of each county is shown in Table 20.
Table 20 Resident population by mother tongue52
County Mother tongue Resident population Percentage of resident population Albanian 67,337 93,30 Greek 4,051 5,61 Macedonian 0 0,00 Rome 55 0,08 Gjirokastër Aromanian 618 0,86 Italian 4 0,001 Other 39 0,05 Not relevant/not stated 72 0,10 Albanian 165,595 94,28 Greek 9,412 5,36 Macedonian 7 0,00 Rome 15 0,01 Vlorë Aromanian 361 0,21 Turkish 29 0,02 Italian 41 0,02 Other 50 0,03 Not relevant/not stated 130 0,07
More accurate data regarding the project study area will be gathered during baseline study.
5.3.4 Livelihood and Micro-economy
The economic activities of the project study area are mainly focused on farming and on small business. Generally, these businesses are family run or medium size in the bigger urban areas. The table below indicates the economic activities per each municipality that were active in 201753.
Table 21 Economic Activities per Each Municipality
Agriculture, Transport Accommodation Information forestry and and and food service and Other Municipality fishing Industry Construction Trade storage activities communication Services
Memaliaj 153 12 6 63 - 48 - 19
Selenicë 368 31 9 90 43 47 - -
Tepelenë 389 33 27 147 16 80 6 69
Vlorë 560 521 297 2,432 318 1,296 78 1,155
52 Source: INSTAT 2011 Census 53 INSTAT Economic activities of the municipalities
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The economy of Memaliaj municipality is characterized by the dominance of small and family businesses. Most of the business activities (about 52%) are focused in the agriculture and livestock sector. These sectors represent almost half of output and employment. Existing agriculture and livestock activities aim not only to meet the family needs, but also to generate income. Farmers usually have fragmented small parcels with an estimated total size per family of about 1-1.5 ha. This limits their farming activities and production54.
The service sector is the most developed in the municipality of Tepelenë This sector is represent half of output and employment and has grown constantly with an average annual rate of 1-2%. In the last years the growth is closely related with tourism activities. In addition, light industrial activities consisting of food businesses (Tepelena Mineral Water) but also processing of medicinal plants which are supporting the local economy growth in the area. Regarding farming activities, they are more interested in livestock rearing than agriculture, due to land fragmentation55.
The major contributor in the economy of Selenicë municipality is the bitumen that goes by the same name (Selenicë Bitumen), which is well known product. The economy of this Municipality strongly relies also on agriculture and rearing activities.
The Municipality of Vlorë has the biggest number of businesses registered due to the fact that is one of the most important and extended municipality in south Albania, having a commercial Port on the Ionian sea and also the economy based on tourism and services, counting in such way a large number of economic activities.
5.3.5 Land Use
Albania has a total area of 28,748 km2, 24% of which is agricultural land (696,000 ha), 36% forest (1,014 million ha), 15% pastures and meadows (423,000 ha) and 25% unproductive land, including mountainous lands, urban land and waterbodies.
Albania has one of the smallest areas of agricultural land per capita (0.22 hectares) in the region.
Table 22 Farms and related area by land use and classes of utilised agricultural area56 (UAA) (area in Ha),
Utilized agricultural area (UAA) Unutilized Non- Wooded Prefectures agricultural agricultural Total Total Arable Permane Permanent Kitchen area UAA land nt crops grassland garden area area
NUMBER OF FARMS Gjirokastër 10,365 9,296 3,245 3,745 7,799 1,723 226 5,575 10,398 Vlorë 18,171 13,029 12,594 4,174 12,340 3,512 550 7,557 18,387
AREA (ha) Gjirokastër 56,947 9,187 1,011 46,601 148 938 1,084 209 59,178 Vlorë 81,374 17,301 6,270 57,581 222 2,660 1,672 331 86,037
The flat areas along the Vjosa valley are used for agriculture purposes, mainly annual crops but not only. The hilly area is mostly used for perennial crops (olives, vineyards, etc.). Overall agricultural land use within the study area, mostly concentrated along Vjosa valley, has been identified as key sensitivities to the project because of its productivity and concerns.
Relevant information will be gathered during baseline survey.
54 Operational Plan of Local Development (Municipality of Memaliaj https://www.undp.org/content/dam/albania/docs/STAR/Bashkia%20Memaliaj.pdf 55 Operational Plan of Local Development (Municipality of Tepelene) https://www.undp.org/content/dam/albania/docs/STAR/Bashkia%20Tepelene.pdf 56 INSTAT, www.instat.gov.al
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5.3.6 Land Tenure and Land Fragmentation
Being a mountainous country, Albania is characterized by low share of agricultural land. At prefecture level, INSTAT data show the following picture:
• Low share agricultural/high share forests, Gjirokastër (16/64) • Balanced (mixed), Vlorë (23/29)
This percentages show the limited arable land compared to forest and “other land”. The table below tries to provide some overall information regarding arable land tenure.
Table 23 Total area and utilized agriculture area by tenure, in prefecture level57
In Utilized In Total In In In rent other Agriculture In rent other Prefectures Area Ownership Ownership use Area use Gjirokastër 25,171 12,585 11,103 1,483 22,939 10,848 10,895 1,196
Vlorë 52,801 25,671 25,193 1,937 48,138 22,064 24,324 1,750
The relatively equitable distribution of agricultural land to rural households in the ‘90s has resulted in an extreme fragmentation of landholdings. The high number of landowners complicates decision making on developments as well as on large-scale agricultural utilization of the land. Some plots of land are poor quality for agricultural purposes.
Though land fragmentation is one of the main issues Albania is facing, statistical or other information is missing.
Also, the issue of restitution/compensation of property rights is still unresolved. The restitution of agricultural land has been debated since 1993 when the original Law 7698 on Restitution of Property to Former Owners exempted this category. Implementation of this law continues to be incomplete.
Illegal Building: During the 1990s many parcels were subdivided, and structures were built on land without legal authorization. These actions resulted in informal urban districts on the periphery of cities, concentrated hotel and tourist service areas on the seacoast, scattered trade and service buildings on highways, and houses on agricultural fields outside the village centres. Such unauthorized land parcels and illegal buildings now constitute a large share of all immovable properties.
5.3.7 Remittances and Social Assistance
Following the fall of communism in the 1990s, several cycles of emigration have occurred, which could be considered intensive, irregular and evolving, as a result of the combined action of the economic impacts and politics. The exact number of emigrants is impossible to be estimated. However, according to UNDP, in 201758, the number of Albanian emigrants, currently living and working abroad has been estimated at 1.15 million.
According to INSTAT, the population of Gjirokastër region has been reduced during the last years at a rate of 2 – 5 % every year, while that of Vlorë region is stable with a slight tendency towards increase.
57 INSTAT, www.instat.gov.al 58 United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2017). Trends in International Migrant Stock: The 2017 Revision (United Nations database, POP/DB/MIG/Stock/Rev.2017).
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Table 24 Population by prefectures January 1st, Source INSTAT Qarku/Prefectures 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Gjirokastër 69,557 68,020 65,939 62,952 61,423
Vlorë 188,399 188,033 188,795 189,282 189,311
In this context, the incomes from remittances has had a significant impact on the Albanian economy since the 1990s. According to Bank of Albania (June 201859) remittances constitute an important item in Albania's balance of payments statistics. During 2008-2017, the ratio of remittances to GDP averaged 9.1%. This has only suffered a slight decline in the global crises period, without affecting the important contribution of this item in the country's macroeconomic framework.
The table below represents the estimates from the Bank of Albania, for the whole country.
Table 25 Remittances in million Euro60
Remittance (Mil Euro) 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Inflow of Remittance 964.81 1,073.25 1,165.11 1,179.84 1,157.95 1,236.96
Out of which Income from Work 189.23 250.05 271.20 279.75 285.49 309.47 Personal transfers 775.58 823.20 893.91 900.09 872.47 927.49
Outflow of Remittance 143.45 134.77 138.27 132.72 94.51 97.51
Out of which Income from Work 35.09 30.44 25.89 19.40 22.52 24.54 Personal transfers 108.36 104.32 112.38 113.32 71.99 72.97
Based on the 2011 census61 and the Civil Registry of the same year, this for all the municipalities in the project area, the difference between the two number is explained by the number of migration still not reflected in the civil registry in this area. Below is the table showing the data discrepancies that indicates the probable number of emigrants.
Table 26 Population according to 2011 Census and 2011 Civil Registry
Population according to 2011 Population according to No Municipality Census Civil Registry in 2011 1 Memaliaj 10,657 21,476 2 Tepelenë 8,949 16,371 3 Selenicë 18,476 35,793 4 Vlorë 104,827 195,848
59 Albanian Bank Remittances https://www.bankofalbania.org/rc/doc/Remitancat_Revista_eng_12103.pdf 60 Bank of Albania https://www.bankofalbania.org/Botime/Remitancat_Nje_mbeshtetje_per_zhvillim.html 61 INSTAT 2011 Census
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The number of families receiving social assistance per each of the municipalities is shown in the Table below.
Table 27 Number of families, persons, tutors receiving social assistance62 No of tutors receiving social assistance because No of families receiving No of persons family members with No Municipality social assistance with disabilities disabilities 1 Memaliaj 539 310 70 2 Tepelenë 390 563 73 3 Selenicë 233 817 146 4 Vlorë 780 5473 415
5.3.8 Energy Use
Energy production in Albania is dominated by hydroelectric power plants, which accounts for almost half of Albania’s energy consumption. Despite Albania’s hydropower production, within the study area, households use wood, electric and gas power as the main source of domestic energy use.
During construction, electric energy will be needed for the construction camp and other related on-site equipment and machinery. Administration, dormitory and other facilities will be constructed on-site which will require electricity. It is also expected a large consumption of electric energy and several fuel types for the machineries.
During operation, the project will be a significant production source of green energy.
5.3.9 Transport and Access
The proposed project is located in Kalivaç village and will use the existing infrastructure, national, regional and rural road. At this stage the construction of any new access road into the construction area is not foreseen. However existing roads might need an upgrade in dimensions and loading capacity. Road improvement is considered a positive impact on the socio-economic perspective.
Sections of the National Road Levan-Tepelenë of about 2,800m will be affected and submerged by the reservoir lake construction. Other sections of rural roads of the villages within the project area and surrounding areas could be affected.
Possible growth of traffic in the areas affected by the project, due to increase of traffic caused by increase of movement of heavy machineries and inundation and deviation of the inundated section of the national road.
Also, following the competition of dam civil works and filling of the reservoir, 2,800 m of national road that connects south of Albania, including Municipalities of Memaliaj, Tepelenë, Gjirokastër, Përmet, Kelcyrë, Sarandë, Delvinë, Konispol
5.3.10 Education and Literacy
The region of Gjirokastër is an important cultural centre in Albania. Residents consider education and literacy as important for the development of their social and professional life. The first school opened in this town in March 1908.
Nowadays the region counts numerous primary and secondary schools and also a public university in many disciplines of technology and trade, economic branches and expertise.
62 Star project http://star2lgm.com/sq/
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Even villages and communes in the district of the area have primary schools and in some large areas the Secondary School (which is a mandatory education level) cover all the children and teenagers from vicinities.
The number of nursery school, kindergarten, primary and high School per each municipality is shown on the table below.
Table 28 Number of schools per each municipality63
Municipality School level Memaliaj Tepelenë Selenicë Vlorë No of nursery school 0 1 0 3 Nursery school No of pupils 0 17 0 71 No of teachers 0 2 0 3 No of Kindergarten 18 16 21 49 Kindergarten No of pupils 337 301 475 3,297 No of teachers 31 34 31 210 Primary No of schools 32 23 22 45 secondary (9 No of pupils 1,106 932 1,378 10,382 years) school No of teachers 94 118 135 782 No of schools 5 1 8 12 High school No of pupils 380 276 468 4,314 No of teachers 36 21 50 289
5.3.11 Community Health
Generally, in most of the villages of the area there is a health centre. These health centres offer basic services and first aid. The main health centre or the hospital mainly is located in the city. Relevant information regarding community health in the area will be gathered during baseline study of ESIA.
The number of health care centres, policlinics and ambulance services per each municipality are shown in the table below.
Table 29 Number of health care centres64 Number of health No of Ambulance No Municipality No of polyclinics care centers services 1 Memaliaj 6 1 29 2 Tepelenë 4 1 21 3 Selenicë 6 1 2 4 Vlorë 9 1 38
5.3.12 Resettlement activities
Referring to international best practices and specifically to IFC Performance Standard 5 (Land Acquisition and Involuntary Resettlement), resettlement is considered as a process of planning and
63 Star project http://star2lgm.com/sq/ 64 Star project http://star2lgm.com/sq/
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implementing of activities which are addressed in a way to mitigate the harmful effects of displacement. Involuntary resettlement refers both to physical displacement (relocation or loss of shelter) and to economic displacement (loss of assets or access that leads to loss of income sources or other means of livelihood) as a result of project-related land acquisition and/or restrictions on land use65.
In case of physical displacement, the Investor shall develop a Resettlement Action Plan that covers, at a minimum, the applicable requirements of PS 566. Resettlement activities can include payment of compensation at replacement cost, transitional assistance in relocation, measures to improve or restore living standards, and measures providing opportunities for those economically displaced to improve or restore their livelihoods.
A census and asset inventory shall be carried out to collect data and identify the persons who will be displaced by the project, determine who will be eligible for compensation and assistance, and discourage ineligible persons, such as opportunistic settlers, from claiming benefits. The Investor shall establish a cut-off date for eligibility. Information regarding the cut-off date will be well documented and disseminated through the project area.
Actually, the investor has carried out a preliminary identification of the state-owned facilities and properties that are located inside the reservoir area of 113 m a.s.l.
The categories of these properties are as following:
• Elementary and High school of Qesarat; • State Building, (administrative unit of Qesarat and cultural centre); • Electrical buildings; • Electric lines, low and high tension; • Pumping stations; • Roads (national and local); • Bridges. Detailed inventory of all the private and public assets that will be affected by the project will be categorised and registered during the census and asset inventory (CAI).
5.3.13 Cultural Heritage and Socio-cultural Values
The Gjirokastër and Vlorë regions are significant archaeological and cultural representatives not only for Albania, but also for the Balkan region.
According to a preliminary report67 published by the Ministry of Culture, the earliest evidence of human activity dated from the Upper Paleolithic, Middle Paleolithic and Bronze period, following the surface finds in a place called Luadh in the Dukaj village. This emphasizes the fact that the Vjosa valley was inhabited by early humans.
The most significant cultural heritage site of the area is the castle located in the north of Tepelena city; a geographic position that helped protected the castle. According to the history resources this castle was the second residence of Ali Pashe Tepelena in 19th century, an Ottoman Albanian ruler who served as pasha of a large part of western Rumelia, the Ottoman Empire's European territories.
The area is well known for iso-polyphony, a traditional Albanian folk music included in UNESCO`s intangible cultural heritage list68. The genre is characterized by a slow tempo, low pitch and small range.
65 IFC Performance Standard 5 “Land Acquisition and Involuntary Resettlement 66 IFC Performance Standard 5 “Land Acquisition and Involuntary Resettlement 67 Ministry of Culture Survey Report http://www.asha.gov.al/wp- content/uploads/2016/06/Raporti%20paraprak%20i%20sondazheve%20arkeologjike%20%20ne%20fshatin%20 %20Dukaj-Tepelene.pdf 68 UNESCO Intangible cultural heritage https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/albanian-folk-iso-polyphony-00155
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Most of the best-known songs were referred to Heroes or which details a battle between Albania Hero and the enemy.
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6 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
6.1 INTRODUCTION
A major part of any ESIA process is to solicit views, opinions and concerns on the proposed activities from various stakeholders, including representatives of local communities, interest groups, non- governmental organisations (NGOs), government agencies and any other stakeholder as may be relevant to the proposed activities. Public access to and participation in environmental decision-making is sanctioned in Albanian legal and institutional frameworks, particularly by Law No. 8672/2000 (from 26/10/2000), “On Albania's Adherence to the Aarhus Convention”. The mechanism and importance of public consultation is also established under Chapter III of Law No. 10440/2011, which requires a comprehensive consultation during the EIA for projects listed in its Annex 1.
Decision No. 247, dated 30.04.2014, “On rules, request and procedures for informing and involving the public in environmental decision making” relates to the disclosure of information during EIA procedure. This includes access to information and consultation and public hearings in order to raise awareness of the public about the potential impacts of the project on the environment during the drafting stage of the EIA. Interested parties have the right to appeal against acts, actions or omissions during full EIA process and disclosure.
During the ESIA process, the developer undertakes stakeholder consultation and also organizes and delivers a public hearing with local government, NGOs and the general public. Their opinions must be prepared and submitted with the application documents. Therefore, it is prerequisite to carry out the public consultation before the application for an environmental declaration. Project activities, as well as the findings of the ESIA, must be disclosed for consultation and stakeholders and interested/affected parties are allowed 20 calendar days to present any comments. Public meetings/hearing should take place at the end of the disclosure period.
6.2 OVERVIEW
This Section describes the activities that the ESIA will carry out to engage and consult with key stakeholders during the Scoping phase. It also describes the process by which stakeholders have been identified, the means by which stakeholders were engaged and the outcomes of the engagement activities to date and actions that the Project will take to disclose the information to stakeholders.
This document also describes a framework for a plan to ensure that stakeholders continue to be engaged during the ESIA process and into the construction of the facilities and ultimately during operations.
6.2.1 Defining Stakeholder Engagement
Stakeholder engagement is the basis for building strong, constructive, and responsive relationships with interested parties, which are essential for the successful management of the Project. The purpose of stakeholder engagement is to establish and maintain a constructive relationship with a variety of external stakeholders over the entire life of the Project. Initiating the engagement process since the early phases helps ensure the timely public access to all relevant information and gives the stakeholders an opportunity to provide inputs into the Project design and the assessment of impacts.
If there are risks or adverse impacts from a project, consultation must be inclusive and provide stakeholders with opportunities to express their views. In line with current guidance from the IFC, consultation should ensure ‘free, prior and informed consultation of the affected communities’ (IFC, 2012). In other words, effective consultation requires the prior disclosure of relevant and adequate Project information to enable stakeholders to understand the risks, impacts, and opportunities.
The Project’s consultation program is intended to ensure that stakeholder concerns are considered, addressed and incorporated in the development process, especially during the ESIA.
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The objective of stakeholder engagement during this stage of the ESIA process is to provide further detail on the project and an opportunity for stakeholders to provide feedback on the scope, approach and key issues as well as respective mitigation measures and management plans that have been addressed in the ESIA. The main emphasis of the engagement is to present the project to government agencies, NGOs and other key groups as well as to local communities and the public at large and provide communication channels to receive and handle their feedback.
6.2.2 Objectives
The stakeholder engagement process is designed to conform to international standards, including the IFC Performance Standards. The focus is for building two-way communication between the Company and its stakeholders. This helps to ensure that the impacts are identified, assessed and addressed in consultation with the communities affected by the Project and that the mitigation/enhancement measures are devised with due consideration of public feedback and active input from the public. For this Project, the key objectives for stakeholder engagement are:
• inform and educate stakeholders about the Project; • gather local knowledge to improve the understanding of the environmental and social context; • better understand locally-important issues; • enable stakeholders to input into the Project planning process; • take into account the views of stakeholders in the development of effective mitigation measures and management plans; and • lay the foundation for future stakeholder engagement.
6.2.3 Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP)
In order to fulfill the objectives for stakeholder engagement, the Consultant has developed a plan for engagement with stakeholders through all the Project lifecycle. The plan lays out the process for consultation and disclosure based on IFC standards. The Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) consist of four stages as listed below:
1. Scoping phase; 2. ESIA Study (baseline studies); 3. ESIA Disclosure; and, 4. Project Execution (perquisite for stakeholder engagement during construction and operation phases).
The SEP describes the roadmap of stakeholder consultation and engagement process for the Project. It outlines a systematic approach to stakeholder engagement that will help the company to develop and maintain over time a constructive relationship with their stakeholders throughout the duration of the Project.
The goal of the SEP is to improve and facilitate decision making and create an atmosphere of understanding of project’s activities that actively involves project-affected people and other interested parties in a timely manner, giving opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns. The SEP is a useful tool for managing communications between Company and its stakeholders.
6.2.4 SCOPING
The Scoping phase of the ESIA aims at integrating stakeholder issues within the ESIA process from an early stage. It enables stakeholders to raise issues of concern and make suggestions for enhancing benefits from the proposed Project. It also provides stakeholders with an opportunity to evaluate alternatives and to contribute relevant local knowledge to the process.
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An important objective of the ESIA Scoping disclosure process is to allow stakeholders to provide feedback on the Project. In this regard, the Consultant will envisage a process that allows stakeholders to address their comments and suggestions in writing to the Company (via a dedicated website- www.Kalivaçhpp.com) after the consultation meetings have taken place.
6.2.5 Stakeholder Identification
During the scoping phase has been defined a preliminary list of project stakeholders. These stakeholders consist of individuals, groups, and organizations that may be affected or are likely to be impacted directly or indirectly by the Project, have interest on the project or are arable to influence the Project. The list was developed using international guidance of IFC and has considered the following groups:
• National, regional and local authorities; • Local community leaders: • Community members, including vulnerable sub-groups; • National, regional and local NGOs operating in the fields of environment and social;
The list of potential stakeholders is illustrated in Annex E and will be continuously revised (expanded or reduced as necessary) throughout the future phase of ESIA study.
6.2.6 Notification of Stakeholders during Scoping Phase
Notification of stakeholders has been conducted through an invitation letter prepared for stakeholder meetings in order to introduce the proposed Project and invitation for participation at the Scoping Phase. The same method will be used for invitation of the Scoping Public Consultation.
All the letters of notification were distributed to key stakeholder groups identified as listed in Annex E. As well the content of the notification letter was sent by email to these stakeholders. Other forms of notification used for dissemination of information and consultations of scoping phase include posters in public places at the affected villages and the city of Memaliaj.
6.2.7 Public Consultation of Scoping Phase
The first engagement with stakeholders started with the stakeholders mapping. The engagement at this phase was through meetings held in offices (mainly in stakeholder offices) for the National, Regional and Local while meetings with NGOs were organized in two groups, held in Tirana. The local community meetings69 are held in their own locations in order to facilitate the participation and also to give them the opportunity to speak clearly and freely. All these meetings are arranged in collaboration with local authorities. Stakeholder meetings are planned in Tirana as well as in the regions to facilitate the participation of all concerned stakeholders, in particular regional and local communities including heads of villages travelling from remote areas. The aim of this phase of engagement was: • Introduce the project and ESIA process to key stakeholders • Further identify stakeholders related to the Project • To gather stakeholder opinions on the proposed project and ensure that these opinions are fed into the assessment process • To understand any issues raised by stakeholders, which had been addressed during the baseline and further studies.
69 Note: For villages which are very close to each other, the community meetings take place in one location for both communes but may differ in time.
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In addition, there will be two public consultation meetings of Scoping phase; one of them is to present the first draft of scoping report, which will be published in the Company website in order to receive the comments from stakeholders and the other for the Scoping Report disclosure.
6.3 ESIA BASELINE STUDY
6.3.1 Introduction
Engagement activities carried out in the ESIA study stage will include consultations designed to inform local stakeholders about project design, to obtain their key concerns and high-level issues and to inform the development of mitigation for the Project. This consultation will enable the ESIA team to refine the ESIA analysis by generating additional feedback on the ESIA approach, key issues and analysis of potential impacts (such as assessment of their relative significance).
6.3.2 Stakeholder Engagement Activities
Further consultation may be carried out with the stakeholder consulted during scoping phase. This may include meetings and consultations during the ESIA process with government institutions, but not limited to:
• Ministry of Tourism and Environment (MTE); • National Environment Agency (NEA); • Municipalities; • Regional Environmental Directories’ • Other relevant institutions.
6.3.3 Community Engagement
The Community Engagement in this phase of ESIA is established in such way in order to gather socio- economic data to be included in the Baseline Study. Baseline data covers the field surveys as a key element of the social and health survey. Information will be gathered on areas of interest, within the “Area of Influence (AoI)”.
The field observation will be carried out in a full-scale field survey for direct affected people as a qualitative data collection on site. On the other side, the AoI will be considered to carry out a sample survey in order to cover all the project area affected.
On this subject a preliminary geographic dispersion of the area will be done, based on:
• the population/habitants for each village; • the village area (project affect in m2); • coverage and typology of land/plots/housing of all project area per each village (including land/pastures/farms/housing/living business areas etc.); • the discovering of any points of interest – per each village.
Other important activities include understanding whether there are any sensitive spots that may require changes to current Project design, showstoppers, or areas that require the application of special mitigation measures. In addition, the team needs to observe how settlements are growing, at what speed and in which direction (i.e., towards or away from any facility locations) in addition to sites of future planned activity.
Field observations will also include social and health infrastructure profiling and high-level traffic observations. The Project team will use desk studies and partial surface reconnaissance to identify cultural heritage sites. Field observations will require the recording of GPS waypoints and at least two photographs of each of the sites in question. All information, including a detailed description of the sites
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and any potential issues, will be recorded in a waypoint and photo logbook. Each day a different worksheet will be used to record waypoints and photos.
The Background Information Document (BID) or other informative documents (e.g. flyers) will be distributed to the community in advance of the consultation meetings. This will explain the Project and the ESIA process in simple terms and will provide details on the dates and venues for the community consultation meetings.
The results of these consultations and feedback will be presented in the ESIA report.
6.3.4 Engagement with Other Stakeholders and the General Public
During the scoping phase, a short BID will be prepared for stakeholder engagement activities related to the Project. This document will provide a short description of the project and the ESIA process in simple terms in order to be easily understood by the wide public.
Attached to the BID, will be a Registration and Comment Sheet which gives to stakeholders the opportunity to give their input and express their opinions, suggestions and comments related to the proposed project.
The BID will be used during the public consultation of scoping phase with stakeholders and will be of further use as a notification tool for additional engagement activities during the ESIA process.
In addition, other information tools can be documents such as flyers, posters, leaflets, etc.
6.3.5 ESIA Disclosure
In addition to the legislation specifically pertaining to the need for an EIA, there are national policies, laws, and regulations applicable to the proposed Project and its environmental and social aspects. Furthermore, Albania has developed environmental standards that are mainly based in the European Commission Directives. Existing standards include: protection of the biodiversity; cultural heritage, air emissions; noise levels; water quality and discharge, and waste management. Following draft Scoping Report of ESIA publishing and submitted to the MTE (Ministry of Tourism and Environment), it will be subjected to a review from experts of MTE, NEA and other national, regional and local institutions, as well as review from external specialists of the related field (environmental and social experts). All comments, suggestions and questions related to the report and project can be addressed to the official website of the Company. Following the review period of Scoping Report of ESIA, the findings will be collected and addressed as per procedures and guidelines in accordance with IFC Standards. The Project proponent will then need to take appropriate actions to address these findings and comments received from public and government authorities for the Scoping ESIA Report. This may include additional studies, revision of the Scoping ESIA Report text to correct or clarify content, or development of additional management actions. Upon satisfactory completion of the actions required to address the findings, the draft Scoping Report of ESIA will be finalized and the MTE will issue the authorization for full ESIA.
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Figure 17 EIA Approval schedule according to Albanian Legislation
6.3.6 Grievance Mechanism
During pre-construction and construction phase, it can be anticipated that the affected people or the community will have grievances and complaints against the project activities. In this way it is important to ensure that these grievances are accepted, investigated and in a short time to be resolved all the open grievances.
The aim of the Grievance Mechanism procedure is to receive and record grievances and ensure adequate response to all complaints and appeals by stakeholders including local population affected by the Project. The Company shall have the duty for managing and handling complaints and grievances. They will receive, register, communicate with the competent department and supervise responses on complaints and resorts of the interested parties.
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The company will establish a grievance mechanism to be aware of and respond to stakeholders’ concerns and to facilitate a resolution for stakeholders’ grievances. The grievance mechanism will address concerns promptly and effectively, using an understandable and transparent process that is culturally appropriate and readily accessible to all segments of the affected parties, at no cost and without retribution.
International good practice outlines requirements for grievance mechanisms. Grievance mechanisms should receive and facilitate resolution of the affected communities’ concerns impedes access to judicial or administrative remedies.
The process requires the following steps:
• Identification; • Registration and categorization; • Acknowledgement; • Investigation/response; • Communication of the response and request for stakeholder’s feedback; and • Close-out.
In order to ensure that the grievance mechanism is inclusive and culturally appropriate stakeholders have several methods of communication available to them to report a grievance.
These stands for:
• Verbally: Stakeholders can contact the company offices on the following numbers 0035544510010/1.Verbal grievances are directed to the company representatives, who will fill out grievance form with all required details and pass it over to the Stakeholder Manager at head office; and
• In writing: Stakeholders can submit by completing a grievance form which will be available at company website, or more conveniently, they can be submit their concern by email at info@Kalivaçhpp.com or in writing at the following address: HPP Kalivaç http://Kalivaçhpp.com/contact/ Email: info@Kalivaçhpp.com Phone 0035544510010/1
It is important to register all the issued grievances and to address all the accepted ones in a timely inclusive manner.
Grievances can be an indication of growing stakeholder concerns -real and perceived- and can escalate if not identified and resolved. The management of grievances is therefore a vital component of stakeholder management and an important aspect of risk management for a project.
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7 IMPACT ASSESSMENT APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY FOR THE ESIA PROCESS
7.1 INTRODUCTION
An impact is considered to be any change to a resource or receptor which results from the presence of a Project component or by the execution of a Project related activity. The assessment of the potential impacts and benefits associated with the proposed Project requires a well-defined methodology in order to accurately determine the significance of the predicted impacts on, or benefits to, the surrounding biological, physical and socioeconomic environment.
For the impact assessment phase of the ESIA process a clearly defined system will be used to rate impacts in order to achieve the following objectives:
• to apply an analytical assessment and rating of impacts associated with the activities of the proposed HPP Kalivaç development and its facilities;
• to prioritize and define mitigation measures and enhancement measures for the predicted impact; and,
• to provide applicable and well-defined mitigation measures in order to reduce negative impacts, enhance benefits and compile adequate monitoring program for possible residual impacts.
The impact assessment process for this ESIA is illustrated in the Figure below. In addition, the principles and steps of the impact assessment methodology are described in the following paragraphs.
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Figure 18 Overview of the ESIA Process Source: Abkons 2019, adapted from IFC Guidelines
7.2 SCREENING PHASE
The Screening phase is the initial phase of the process outlined in the IFC Procedure for Environmental and Social Review of Projects in order to decide if an ESIA is required for the proposed Project and determine the extent of the required environmental analysis.
The purpose of screening process is to decide on the nature and extent of the environmental assessment needed for the proposed project. Projects are categorized by into environmental review
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category A, B, C, or FI in accordance with IFC/World Bank Standards. The classification of a project depends on the type, location, sensitivity, and scale of the project, as well as the nature and magnitude of its potential impacts. In line with these requirements, the first level of impact assessment involves the preliminary identification and screening of potential environmental impacts by anticipating activity- environment interactions. This requires an understanding of the project activities (project description), the project setting (the biophysical and socioeconomic description), and the interaction with environmental components. This stage has already been completed and confirmed the need for an ESIA. For additional information refer to Annex A – Screening Checklist.
7.3 SCOPING PHASE
In the Scoping phase, the key issues identified during screening phase will be further investigated through desktop analysis and stakeholder meetings to ascertain whether additional information is needed to evaluate baseline conditions and potential impacts within the Project Area. The desktop evaluation includes reviewing applicable environmental and social data collected from external sources with published information and previous studies of the Project Area.
The Consultant and Project Investor’s representatives will meet with stakeholder groups identified (e.g., governmental authorities, agencies and officials, regional and local authorities, agencies and officials, and interested NGOs), and representatives of local communities to discuss the scope of the currently proposed studies including alternatives and the criteria for the impact assessment and determine additional baseline studies that will be required for a comprehensive analysis. The key objectives for the Scoping phase are to:
• Identify stakeholders and inform them of the proposed Project and the ESIA process;
• Provide stakeholders with the opportunity to identify any issues and concerns associated with the proposed Project since the early phases;
• Identify areas that could be subject to possible impacts or that could result in environmental or social issues which may require further investigation in the ESIA process (including the initial results of the screening phase);
• Provide a preliminary definition of the Areas of Influence (AoI) for the project in order to conduct in-depth studies during baseline phase;
• Determine a summary of ToR for specialist baseline and impact assessment studies in response to initial stakeholder input; and,
• Release the Draft Scoping Report of the ESIA for stakeholder review and comment. Following on from the preliminary impacts identified during the screening and scoping phase, a detailed assessment of all potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts will be undertaken as part of the full ESIA.
7.4 BASELINE AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT PHASE
Based on the key issues identified in scoping phase, available information on the existing environmental and social conditions (also referred to as baseline conditions) will be gathered. This will be supplemented by field studies and surveys where necessary. Baseline studies of physical, biological, socioeconomic (including social, economic and health) resources provide a reference point against which any future changes associated with a project can be assessed and offer information for subsequent monitoring of environmental performance.
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Overall, the baseline information is based on specialized studies in the area, gathering of secondary data and site visits interactions with stakeholders. Secondary information for the baseline will be sourced from publicly available information including current scientific literature, non-technical literature (environmental reports, articles, and other EIA and SEA documents if available), online databases and other secondary data sources.
For the proposed project of HPP Kalivaç the following environmental and social aspects will be studied within the scope of the ESIA related to Project Area, but not limited to:
• Air quality;
• Soil quality;
• Surface water bodies upstream and downstream of the reservoir to be created, including streams, freshwater swamps, creeks, irrigation and drainage channels;
• Groundwater within the zone of hydrological influence;
• Ambient noise, vibration and lighting;
• Flora and Fauna, (including avifauna and aquatic ecology);
• Protected Areas;
• Cultural Heritage;
• Village Assessment and Land Use/Cover;
• Socio-economic aspects (primary and secondary data on income, education, health, skills, );
• Demographic factors
• Social organisation
• Social needs and values
• Road Infrastructure & Road Pavement;
• Waste Generation;
• Electro-Magnetic Field (EMF).
7.4.1 Final Definition of the Areas of Influence (AoI) for the Project
The extent of the effect of a project activity on a particular physical, biological or social resource will vary and is termed as the AoI. Referring to the proposed project, there will be a specified area of influence for each aspect/component of the environment, including the socioeconomic aspect. A preliminary identification of the AoI has already been conducted; however, there may be changes during baseline studies if it is considered necessary by respective specialists of the Consultant’s team for HPP Kalivaç.
Where the project involves specifically identified physical elements, aspects, and facilities that are likely to generate impacts, the environmental and social risks and impacts will be identified in the context of the project’s AoI. This AoI will include the following, as appropriate:
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• The area likely to be affected by: (i) the project70 and the client’s activities and facilities that are directly owned, operated or managed (including by contractors) and that are a component of the project;71 (ii) impacts from unplanned but predictable developments caused by the project that may occur later or at a different location; or (iii) indirect project impacts on biodiversity or on ecosystem services upon which Affected Communities’ livelihoods are dependent.
• Associated facilities72, which are facilities that are not funded as part of the project and that would not have been constructed or expanded if the project did not exist and without which the project would not be viable.
• Cumulative impacts73 that result from the incremental impact, on areas or resources used or directly impacted by the project, from other existing, planned or reasonably defined developments at the time the risks and impacts identification process is conducted.
The Consultant considers that the AoI will vary depending on the component or aspect of the environment and type of effect, but in each case, it is defined to include the entire Project Area where it is likely that significant impacts could result.
7.5 ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS AND METHODOLOGY
The Impact Assessment phase will be based on the results of the baseline study for HPP Kalivaç. Potential environmental and social risks and impacts will first be avoided, or if not avoidable, then minimised as far as practicable through identified mitigation measures. Compensation or offsetting of negative impacts may be used. Residual impacts will be reassessed assuming proposed mitigation measures have been implemented. The biophysical and socioeconomic findings will be integrated into the ESIA report, which will be the main document on which environmental decisions regarding the project are based. The steps involved in the impact assessment stage are described in greater detail below.
The environmental and social impact assessment that will be used for the proposed project (HPP Kalivaç) is based on an approach that combines Impact Magnitude and Receptor Sensitivity to determine Impact Significance. The methodology that will be used to identify and assess the potential impacts of the Proposed Project is described in the figure below.
70 Source: IFC Performance Standard 1 - Examples include the project’s sites, the immediate air shed and watershed, or transport corridors. 71 Source: IFC Performance Standard 1 - Examples include power transmission corridors, pipelines, canals, tunnels, relocation and access roads, borrow and disposal areas, construction camps, and contaminated land (e.g., soil, groundwater, surface water, and sediments). 72 Source: IFC Performance Standard 1 - Associated facilities may include railways, roads, captive power plants or transmission lines, pipelines, utilities, warehouses, and logistics terminals. 73 Source: IFC Performance Standard 1 - Cumulative impacts are limited to those impacts generally recognized as important on the basis of scientific concerns and/or concerns from Affected Communities. Examples of cumulative impacts include: incremental contribution of gaseous emissions to an air shed; reduction of water flows in a watershed due to multiple withdrawals; increases in sediment loads to a watershed; interference with migratory routes or wildlife movement; or more traffic congestion and accidents due to increases in vehicular traffic on community roadways.
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Figure 19 Environmental Impact Assessment Methodology
The first step of the environmental assessment methodology is predicting the potential impacts associated with project activities. This step includes a prediction of what is likely to happen to the environmental resources and social receptors as a consequence of construction and operation of the hydropower plant.
The second step consists in evaluating the predicted impacts. Environmental and social impacts can be of different nature, type and extent. Depending on the existing conditions of the environment and interaction with project activities, the effects of the impact could either be direct, indirect, inducted or cumulative. For this ESIA the quantitative and qualitative techniques to classify the impacts are shown in the following tables.
Table 30 Characteristics of Impacts74 Characteristic Designation
Nature • Positive; • Negative. Type • Direct; • Indirect; • Induced; • Cumulative. Extent • Local; • Regional; • International; • Trans boundary.
Duration • Temporary; • Short-term; • Long-term; • Permanent. Scale There are no fixed designations for this characteristic. Frequency There are no fixed designations for this characteristic.
Once the impact characteristics are clear and understood, the above showed characteristics are used to assign each impact a magnitude. Magnitude is a combination and function of the following impact characteristics:
• Extent;
• Duration;
74 ISO 14000 family - Environmental management, https://www.iso.org/iso-14001-environmental- management.html
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• Scale;
• Frequency; and,
• Likelihood.
Table 31 Impact likelihood definition75
Impact likelihood – the likelihood that an impact will occur
Unlikely The impact is unlikely to occur
Likely The impact is likely to occur under most conditions.
Definite The impact will occur.
Essentially, magnitude describes the degree of change that the impact is likely to impart upon the resource/receptor. As in the case of extent and duration, the magnitude designations themselves are universally used and across resources/receptors, but the definitions for these designations will vary on a resource/receptor basis, as is discussed further below. The universal magnitude designations are:
• Positive or Negative Impact
• Negligible Impact
• Small Impact
• Medium Impact
• Large Impact
In addition to characterizing the magnitude of impact, the other principal step necessary to assign significance for a given impact is to define the sensitivity or importance of the impacted resource/receptor. As in the case of magnitude, the sensitivity/importance designations themselves are universally consistent, but the definitions for these designations will vary on a resource/receptor basis. The universal sensitivity/vulnerability/importance designations are:
• Low;
• Medium; and,
• High.
When the magnitude of impact and sensitivity/importance of resource or receptor have been characterized, the significance can be assigned for each impact. For the assessment of this ESIA will be applied the following categories for impact significance assessment:
• Positive or negative impact;
• Negligible significance;
• Minor significance;
75 ISO 14000 family - Environmental management, https://www.iso.org/iso-14001-environmental- management.html
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• Moderate significance; and
• Major significance.
In addition, once a rating is determined for magnitude and sensitivity/vulnerability/importance Impact Significance is designated by using the matrix shown in the table below.
Table 32 Impact Significance Matrix76
Sensitivity/Vulnerability/Importance of Resource/Receptor
Impacts Significance Low Medium High
Negligible Negligible Negligible Negligible
Small Negligible Minor Moderate Magnitude of Impacts Medium Minor Moderate Major
Large Moderate Major Major
A Colour scale for negative and positive ratings is given in the below table.
Table 33 Colour scale ratings for Impact Significance77 Negative ratings Positive ratings Negligible Negligible Minor Minor Moderate Moderate Major Major
The matrix and colour scale ratings apply universally to all resources/receptors, and all impacts to these resources/receptors, as the resource/receptor or impact specific considerations are factored into the assignment of magnitude and sensitivity designations that enter into the matrix. Table 33 Impact Significance Explanation provides a context for what the various impact significance ratings signify.
Table 34 Impact Significance Explanation
• An impact of negligible significance is one where a resource/receptor (including people) will essentially not be affected in any way by a particular activity or the predicted effect is deemed to be ‘imperceptible’ or is indistinguishable from natural background variations. • An impact of minor significance is one where a resource/receptor will experience a noticeable effect, but the impact magnitude is sufficiently small (with or without mitigation) and/or the resource/receptor is of low sensitivity/ vulnerability/ importance. In either case, the magnitude should be well within applicable standards. • An impact of moderate significance has an impact magnitude that is within applicable standards but falls somewhere in the range from a threshold below which the impact is minor, up to a level that might be just short of breaking a legal limit. Clearly, to design an activity so that its effects only just avoid breaking a law and/or cause a major impact is not best practice. The emphasis for moderate impacts is therefore on demonstrating that the impact has been reduced to a level that is as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP). This does not necessarily mean that impacts of moderate significance have to be reduced to minor, but that moderate impacts are being managed effectively and efficiently.
76 ISO 14000 family - Environmental management, https://www.iso.org/iso-14001-environmental- management.html 77 ISO 14000 family - Environmental management, https://www.iso.org/iso-14001-environmental- management.html
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• An impact of major significance is one where an accepted limit or standard may be exceeded, or large magnitude impacts occur to highly valued/sensitive resource/receptors. An aim of impact assessment is to get to a position where the Project does not have any major residual impacts, certainly not ones that would endure into the long term or extend over a large area. However, for some aspects there may be major residual impacts after all practicable mitigation options have been exhausted (i.e. ALARP has been applied). An example might be the visual impact of a facility. It is then the function of regulators and stakeholders to weigh such negative factors against the positive ones, such as employment, in coming to a decision on the Project.
The third step of the assessment methodology is the determination of relevant mitigation measures. This is considered a key component of the ESIA process which explores practical ways of avoiding or reducing potentially significant impacts of the proposed project. In addition, these mitigation measures identified are then incorporated into the proposed Project as commitments. The objective of mitigation is to prevent, minimize or manage significant negative impacts to as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP)78 and to optimize and maximize any potential benefits of the Project, where applicable. For this ESIA, mitigation will be aimed at ensuring that wherever possible potential impacts are mitigated at source rather than mitigated through restoration after the impact has occurred.
The fourth step of the assessment methodology is to reassess the impacts remained after the mitigation measures will be applied. These impacts are commonly known as residual impacts. Since the mitigation measures will be applied to reduce impacts to ‘as low as reasonably practicable’ ALARP, they may not be eliminated entirely. It is important to understand the significance of these residual impacts in order to define some forms of monitoring or measurement to control these impacts.
The approach taken to defining mitigation measures is based on a typical hierarchy of decisions and measures, as described below.
Table 35 Mitigation Hierarchy79 The Mitigation Hierarchy for Planned Project Activities Avoid at Source; Reduce at Source Most Avoiding or reducing at source is essentially ‘designing’ the Project so that a feature preferred causing an impact is designed out (e.g. a waste stream is eliminated) or altered (e.g. option reduced waste volume). Often called minimization. Abate on Site This involves adding something to the basic design to abate the impact - pollution controls fall within this category. Often called ‘end-of-pipe’. Abate at Receptor If an impact cannot be abated on-site then measures can be implemented off-site - an example of this would be to use the stand-by vessel to help control the level of interference with fishing activity. Repair or Remedy Some impacts involve unavoidable damage to a resource, e.g. land disturbance. Repair essentially involves restoration and reinstatement type measures, such as base camp closure or rehabilitation of affected areas by the project. Compensate in Kind
78 As Low as Reasonably Practicable (ALARP) is the point at which the cost and effort (time and trouble) of further risk reduction is grossly disproportionate to the risk reduction achieved. 79 ISO 14000 family - Environmental management, https://www.iso.org/iso-14001-environmental- management.html
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Where other mitigation approaches are not possible or fully effective, then Least compensation, in some measure, for loss, damage and general intrusion might be preferred appropriate. option
7.6 DEALING WITH UNCERTAINTY IN THE ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS
ESIA is a process that deals with the future and there is inevitably uncertainty that arises between the predictions made and what will actually happen during the course of the Project. Impact predictions will, wherever practicable, be made using available data, but where significant uncertainty remains, it will be acknowledged in the ESIA Report. Where the sensitivity of a resource to any particular activity is unknown and the magnitude of impacts cannot be predicted, the ESIA team will use a conservative approach and its professional experience to judge whether a significant impact is likely to occur or not and will be reported accordingly.
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8 PRELIMINARY IDENTIFICATION OF IMPACTS
8.1 INTRODUCTION
This Chapter provides a preliminary identification and evaluation of the environmental and social impacts of the Project. It sets out the impacts resulting from the following:
• Construction phase activities and
• Operational phase activities
8.2 SCOPING PROCESS
In the Scoping phase (current study phase), the key issues identified during screening phase will be further investigated through desktop analysis and stakeholder meetings to ascertain whether additional information is needed to evaluate baseline conditions and potential impacts within the Project Area. The desktop evaluation includes reviewing applicable environmental and social data collected from external sources with published information and previous studies of the Project Area.
For impacts identified during the screening and scoping phase, a detailed assessment of all potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts will be undertaken as part of the full ESIA.
8.3 DESCRIPTION OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS
8.3.1 Air Quality
Construction phase
During construction phase there may be release of air pollutants and dust generation (particulate matter) as a result of construction works (heavy machineries operation, vehicles and road traffic). The primary contributors to air emissions would arise from mobile and/or stationary sources, such as on- and off-road vehicles, diesel generation sets, use of heavy equipment, etc. Fugitive dust arising from land/vegetation clearing and working on crushers/concrete making plants may impact air quality as well. The quantity of dust generated would be dependent on, in which season the construction takes place and the prevailing wind directions.
However, it can be anticipated that potential impacts are likely to be in low levels and easily managed with proper mitigation measures (e.g. during summer period, dust control in working areas can be managed by spraying water by means of water trucks). Operation phase
During operation phase the main potential emissions could result from greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) due to decay of organic material within the water storage after the dam construction (Reservoir Lake) of HPP Kalivaç. Referring to previous studies conducted on large storage hydropower dams, there are potential risk which may create low stream flow conditions, potentially leading to significant thermal stratification and therefore anoxic conditions in the colder, bottom layers of water of the reservoir. In this case, greenhouse gases are released in the form of methane which is converted to carbon dioxide (CO2) as it travels up to the surface through the water column.
The Consultant will conduct an Air Quality Study. Based on the result of air quality study, meteorological conditions and simulations will be determined the CO2 emissions forecasted in the reservoir. In addition, these data and results must be compared with relevant standards of air quality (national and international standards) to determine the significance of the impact and proposed mitigation measures (if necessary) in order to not pose effects on the environment.
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Further Studies are required in the following phase of the ESIA. An Air Quality Study will be conducted for both construction and operation phases.
8.3.2 Noise, Vibration and Lighting
Construction phase
During construction phase noise emissions and lighting generation are expected to be short-term, low- medium intensity and local, restricted within the project area. Noise will be also generated during traffic movements of vehicles and heavy machineries work due to earthworks for several buildings and facilities needed for HPP Kalivaç construction.
Vibration will be generated only during construction phase due to earthworks within the project area. During this phase the conventional drill and blast method may be adopted. Blasting will likely be required for some of the rock masses for excavation and tunnelling process. Conventional excavators will be also used on surface rock material, which may cause local vibrations in working areas. Operation phase
During operation phase ambient noise will be generated from turbines operation. It can be anticipated that potential impacts will be local and restricted within the project area, in considerable distance from the inhabited buildings/residents. While noise from turbines during operation, will be managed only within Power Plant building, which will be designed and build in such way to manage those effects. Preliminary assessment for ambient noise generation during operation phase indicates minimal impacts on the environment and human receptors.
There are no anticipated impacts from vibrations during operation phase of the HPP. Impacts from lighting cannot be assessed at this stage, thus further information will be needed from the Developer in order to properly assess these impacts.
Further Studies are required in the following phase of the ESIA. An Air Quality Study will be conducted for both construction and operation phases.
8.3.3 Wastes
Construction phase
During construction phase, there will be generation of spoil material (soil and rock mass) as a result of different earthworks. Operationally the developer would implement recycling regimes for dam filling and rehabilitation works, which as a consequence are unlikely to result in large amounts of waste that would result in a significant effect on the environment. Only a small quantity of the excavated spoil material (surplus material) will not be suitable for reuse in construction works. Exact quantities of excess/surplus materials (excavated materials during construction phase) will be calculated by the Client during the ESIA process and will be detailed in the EIA/ESIA report.
Taking into account the various types of works that will be conducted and spoil material to be generated, the potential impacts on the environment appear to be present. Potential impacts may result as a result of non-proper management by Contractor. During this phase other types of urban solid wastes from human activities (workforce activities) and construction works will also be generated. Urban waste may include a variety of non-hazardous materials, including wood, organic wastes, paper, cardboard, plastics, and packaging materials from the use of equipment, tools and machineries to be used within the scope of the project. Thus, disposal of solid wastes and surplus material during construction phase will have to be determined in close cooperation with local authorities (Municipalities of Memaliaj and Tepelenë).
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Other types of wastes that may be generated during construction include hazardous wastes and wastewaters. Non-proper disposal/handling of hazardous waste and wastewaters, and their disposal along with urban waste would pose a high risk to environmental pollution.
Operation phase
During the operational phase, minimal waste will be generated, mainly resulting from human activities at the hydropower plant (such as plastics, paper/cardboard, organic waste, etc.). No inert wastes and hazardous wastes are anticipated to be generated. As such, potential impacts are considered to be much lower than those during construction phase.
For both phases of the project, a detailed study will be conducted within the scope of the ESIA for waste generation and management. All wastes to be generated will be classified according to DCM No. 99/2005 “On the approval of the Albanian Waste Classification Catalogue”, as amended.
8.3.4 Soil and Geology
Construction phase
Construction activities associated with the proposed Project could lead to significant soil disturbance at a number of locations, including the dam site, the power house, aggregate quarry site, the workers’ camps and access roads. Topsoil stripping and vegetation clearance works will be present in all planned construction areas for hydropower plant construction. The removal of topsoil and vegetation could result in alterations to the drainage and surface run-off regime on the site, particularly during the wet season, and result in the potential for increased surface erosion within the project area.
With reference to the existing independent studies performed80, the majority of soils in the Project Area are susceptible to erosion. These soils could be exposed to an increased risk of soil erosion and degradation (e.g. through earthworks and compaction due to other construction works) which could subsequently lead to increased turbidity and sedimentation of water courses.
Other related impacts may include accidental events (spills, leaks and uncontrolled releases) due to the presence of hazardous materials on site, including fuel. In addition, storage and handling of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes within the site may pose risks for possible contamination of soil, especially in cases of non-proper waste management practices.
These risks shall all be considered within the scope of ESIA and mitigated by means of effective implementation of standard practices for soil management and conservation, waste management and housekeeping on construction sites. Operation phase
During the operation phase, potential impacts are likely to be less significant. However, potential impacts anticipated may include erosion of the river bed due to water releases downstream from hydropower plant.
Referring to the literature for large hydropower plant construction, sediment supply is usually reduced in the reaches immediately downstream of dams due to the trapping of sediment in the upstream reservoir.
Other potential impacts of large hydropower plants include sediment transport. HPP Kalivaç will alter sediment transport through containing the sediment coming from upstream the dam, into the reservoir to be created and also by the amount and periodicity of water release, which can increase downstream erosion and reduce the energy of water to transport sediment. This may have a significant impact on the river morphology downstream of the dam, whereby patterns of erosion, transport and deposition
80 Acta ZooBot Austria 2018: The Vjosa in Albania – a riverine ecosystem of Europe significance.
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along the river downstream to the proposed HPP Kalivaç may gradually shift until a new status quo is established over time.
Further Studies are required in the following phase of the ESIA, both during construction and operation.
8.3.5 Hydrology and Surface Water Quality
Construction phase
During construction phase, the flow of Vjosa River will be diverted around the dam construction site, resulting in localized changes and disruption to existing water streams and drainage patterns for the duration of the construction period. Although, it shall be considered the actual conditions of the dam site, which have been already altered due to previous construction works conducted for this hydropower plant.
This may have consequent effects on riverine habitats and water users in the vicinity of the construction site, although these impacts may be very localized and taken within the context of the overall disturbance caused by the construction activities themselves, are unlikely to be significant. In addition, the downstream flow regime in the river could remain largely unchanged since the releases that are being proposed during construction do not provide any significant impoundment to the flow or create any significant storage that would affect the flood hydrograph.
Other potential impact that may occur is water quality deterioration. The main water quality risks that may occur from dam construction relate to the potential accidental spillage of fuels and lubricants (in case of unplanned events) at the construction site, and the inadequate management and disposal of waste and wastewater from workforce and staff. Operation phase
During operation phase, main impact can be considered the transformation of a section of the river from free flow into a lake. By changing the water flow in a section of Vjosa River from free flow to a lake, it will have an effect on the natural habitat of the project area, flora and fauna, including also the landscape and visual impact. Several water streams in the area will be also affected by the reservoir lake inundation.
Other potential impact may occur during the filling period of the reservoir lake to be created. There could be significant pressure to fill the HPP Kalivaç reservoir as quickly as possible after construction, and so it is likely that a significant flow volume in the river may be captured in the reservoir until filling is complete and turbine operation has commenced. Unless there are adequate compensation flows releases downstream during this filling period (for all water users, including ecological flow and irrigation flow) then this could have a significant impact on environmental conditions downstream of the dam location. The impact analysis shall therefore consider this issue and make recommendations for a suitable release regime based on national practices and international best practices.
During normal operation of the dam the regulation of flows through the turbines could create a modified flow regime (including low flows, both large and small floods and flow variability) in the river(s) downstream, which may have a significant impact on aquatic and riverine habitats downstream, affecting aspects such as bed sediments, fish and macro-invertebrates, water quality and riparian vegetation. Although the release for irrigation is regulated by the criteria and the terms of the CA between the investor and the Ministry of Energy, operation of the HPP may cause issues for irrigation water quantity due to factors related with plot or energy production graphs. Water take and canals downstream of Kalivaç (Vjose-Levan-Fier and other irrigation schemes, including irrigation pump stations), need approximately, 40 m3/sec (ref. Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development comments).
Water quality issues may also occur in the reservoir and downstream of Vjosa River due to a range of factors. While the main use of reservoir water is for hydropower generation, possible water quality impacts could affect aquatic habitats and may affect downstream subsistence fishing and/or water supplies.
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Potential issues related to water quality aspect can be listed as follows:
• Insufficient clearance of vegetation at the reservoir site prior to inundation may lead to the widespread decomposition of organic matter on the reservoir bed, which subsequently could result in the generation of methane gas and possible depletion of oxygen levels in the water, such that impact to fish species may occur.
• Depending on the stratification patterns and the depth of the euphotic zone in the new impoundment (i.e. the depth of the water in a dam that is exposed to sufficient sunlight for photosynthesis to occur), temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity and nutrient concentrations may change drastically when compared to the previous flowing river environment. These changes could determine which species could adapt, which could die out and which may take on pest proportions in the impoundment.
• The timing of water releases downstream and the depth from which these releases are made, may affect the temperature, oxygen concentration, sediment loads and nutrient concentrations in the release water that could in turn, potentially impact on the river downstream and on what lives there.
Further Studies are required in the following phase of the ESIA, both during construction and operation.
8.3.6 Hydrogeology and Groundwater Quality
Construction phase
During the construction phase there is a potential risk for pollutants to enter the aquatic environment (surface and groundwater) from surface water run-off and/or in case of unplanned events. River floods might also pose a high risk of accidents during construction phase. However, the likelihood of these potential impacts can be anticipated as low in case we consider best practices are being followed at all times.
A considerable part of the existing supply wells and/or community facilities (e.g. pump station in Kordhaj village) within the project site will most likely be affected by construction works. Another potential impact may result at the proposed dam site from construction works which may arise from dewatering activities for dam foundation construction. It can be anticipated that these impacts are likely to be localized and not pose any significant effects on the settlements downstream of the proposed dam location. It is unlikely that there are any existing water supply wells or boreholes in the immediate vicinity of the dam construction site which would be affected by the above-mentioned dewatering activities.
Operation phase
During operation phase, the reservoir will inundate about 16 km2 surface, including all existing supply wells and boreholes within the project area. The proposed HPP Kalivaç reservoir could raise the water table upstream of the dam. The geology of the area (specifically fracture zones and areas affected by erosion) surrounding the dam could influence the extent to which changes are experienced in the groundwater regime downstream and in the area of inundation of the dam.
Changes to groundwater in the proposed Project area and surrounds will likely result in social impacts due to the inundation of water supply wells of the villages affected (e.g. boreholes and individual wells) and water supply station of Memaliaj city located in village Kordhaj. As to the environmental and social aspects there will likely be potential impacts which will be further assessed in the following phases of the ESIA.
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8.3.7 Terrestrial and Aquatic Flora
Construction Phase
Considering this project typology and size, through the construction of the power plant, the project will result in changes of flora habitats. Construction of the dam and associated HPP facilities will involve large equipment operations, material storage areas, and administrative space (i.e. construction camps, etc.), which will lead to removal and/or disturbance of vegetation in affected areas by the project. This may primarily affect agricultural plots, abandoned lands, riparian habitats and hill-slope vegetation (including forests). Overall, as a result of construction works, site clearing will result in removal of vegetation (wild flora and crops) and permanent fragmentation of local habitat within the project area.
Construction of new and rehabilitation of existing access roads could also result in the removal and/or disturbance of other vegetated areas. In addition, the construction of the OHL to SS Babicë will also result in vegetation clearance, although it is likely that affected areas will only encompass the proposed places of electric towers. In this case, vegetation clearance will be restricted only to the working areas for electric towers installation.
Other related impacts may include accidents/unplanned events. Depending on the method of waste management, management of spillages and temporary disposal of soils, impacts could be felt on flora and fauna. However, the likelihood for accidental and unplanned events is considered very low if we suppose best management practices are always being followed.
Operation phase
Inundation from the reservoir lake of HPP Kalivaç will result in the direct loss of vegetation, primarily riparian vegetation as well as hill-slope vegetation, and vegetated woodland. Once inundation of the reservoir is complete, new wetlands and riparian vegetative communities should establish along its shoreline (littoral zone). Operation of the reservoir, including peaking and ponding operations and water level draw-downs, could define the vegetation communities that establish in the new littoral zone of the reservoir.
It can be anticipated that relatively stable water levels may result in relatively homogenous aquatic vegetation along the reservoir shoreline. In case of significant daily or weekly fluctuations events in water levels, this may result in a more diverse shoreline vegetation community that thrives with periodic water level changes. The presence of the reservoir could alter the groundwater table in the area immediately surrounding the reservoir (the new riparian zone), which could also affect vegetation composition and density in the vicinity of the reservoir. The magnitude and direction of this effect may depend on soils (soils quality) and topography, as these factors could influence the capacity for new vegetation species and/or habitats in the area.
Other possible effects may result due to the reduction of river flow downstream. Operation of the dam could reduce the amount of flow received by riparian systems downstream of the dam, which could alter the composition of riparian vegetation. Vjosa River flow delivers critical nutrients, sediment, coarse debris, and other critical ecosystem components to riparian habitats. Also, riparian wetlands could become drier due to the lack of flow.
Large reservoirs often experience eutrophication, which can increase primary producers (phytoplankton and zooplankton) and spur the growth of aquatic vegetation. Aquatic weed species can degrade aquatic ecosystems by growing and spreading rapidly, forming dense floating mats of vegetation that overwhelm native vegetation, restricting light to the underwater environment, and depleting oxygen levels in the water.
The breakdown of organic matter (i.e. woody vegetation) in the reservoir could result in emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs), particularly carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4). The amount of these gases that could be produced generally depends on the amount of vegetation that is inundated by the reservoir, the total surface area of the reservoir, and the flux rate. It is strongly recommended that the Contractor removes/clears all vegetated areas within the project area prior to the inundation from the reservoir lake.
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Further Studies are required in the following phase of the ESIA, both during construction and operation.
8.3.8 Terrestrial and Aquatic Fauna
Construction phase
The change in flora habitats due to construction works will also affect upon the availability of the relevant habitats for fauna species. The increased presence of traffic and people on site will contribute to the disturbance of fauna species that are normally mobile in the area, such as bird species.
Construction works at the dam site may cause effects on aquatic fauna; however, associated impacts can be managed and mitigated through implementation of best working practices. Other activities that may contribute to impacts on fauna include dust emissions during excavation process, noise and vibration generation and vehicle movement. These construction activities could affect disturbance- sensitive animals and potentially result in their temporary displacement from current habitats. In addition, the construction of new roads to enable access to construction areas may cause fragmentation of terrestrial habitats, also causing wildlife disturbance and displacement.
Operation phase
Reservoir inundation may result in displacement or drowning of terrestrial fauna from flooded riparian forest and open woodland habitats. Mortality due to drowning is likely to be more prevalent in ground- dwelling animals and smaller animals with limited mobility. If inundation occurs during the dry season when reptiles are aestivating (which is a state of dormancy similar to hibernation), these individuals could face mass drowning.
Inundation for the reservoir of HPP Kalivaç could cause a change in habitat conditions, which may increase the abundance of zooplankton, and have a subsequent impact on both aquatic and terrestrial fauna. The number and diversity of riverine aquatic species (riverine fish and macro-invertebrates) may decrease and conversely, the abundance and diversity of lacustrine species (phytoplankton, zooplankton, lacustrine fish and macro-invertebrates) could increase. The presence of the reservoir may also cause a shift in the terrestrial wildlife species assemblage from riparian to lacustrine. For example, the reservoir could reduce habitats for wildlife species that require flowing water (some insectivorous birds and bats) but increase foraging habitat for wildlife that prefers still or slow-moving waters such as water birds. Also, the reservoir may increase the perimeter of the existing river shoreline, and may increase the littoral habitat for wildlife.
Inundation could submerge tree trunks and other vegetation, which could significantly increase the habitat available for macro-invertebrates, molluscs, snails and mussels, and generate nutrient material into the food chain for fish.
The presence of the dam may potentially reduce downstream floods, potentially reducing riparian wetlands and the aquatic and terrestrial fauna that spawn, rear, and/or breed in these habitats. Migration patterns of fish and other aquatic species may be blocked by the dam, which could lead to a possible decrease of fish species. In this case, the project shall definitely provide a safe fish passage, which would allow fish species pass through the downstream part of the river without being affected or blocked by the dam.
Further Studies are required in the following phase of the ESIA, both during construction and operation.
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8.3.9 Terrestrial and Aquatic Habitats
Construction Phase
During construction phase potential effects on terrestrial habitats are related to the loss and/or disturbance of riparian areas and other vegetation species in the immediate vicinity of construction activities as per proposed works. The loss or disturbance of riparian vegetation could cause increased river bank erosion in the vicinity of the construction areas. Large equipment operations and equipment laydown needed for HPP Kalivaç will remove and/or disturb vegetation, potentially resulting in facilitation of erosion phenomena in the disturbed soils and compaction process, thus increasing run-off velocity and erosion of down-gradient habitats.
Effects on aquatic habitats during construction phase of the Project relate to the deviation of surface flows (especially in Vjosa River due to construction of the HPP dam), increased sedimentation due to construction activities and the direct loss and disturbance of in-stream aquatic habitats in the immediate vicinity of construction sites. It is anticipated that these construction-related effects on aquatic habitats will be localized within the project area and smaller in magnitude and scale of impacts compared to the operational effects of the Project (inundation due to the creation of the reservoir).
Operation Phase
Alterations of depth and flow regimes due to the creation of the reservoir may result in change of microclimate in the area and alter the surface water temperature within and downstream of the affected reach. Increased water temperature can affect the suitability of aquatic habitats for fish and macro invertebrates and potentially cause a shift in species composition to more generalist species that are tolerant of a wide range of temperature conditions and that may adapt easily to the new conditions created by the construction of the reservoir.
Natural flow regimes such as environmental flow (and irrigation flow) are important factors in determining the morphological characteristics downstream HPP dam, and thus directly affecting the habitat value. With reference to the latest studies conducted, Vjosa River is known for frequent flooding events. It is also known that in general habitat forming flows often could correspond to high-volume flows during flood events. In addition, the operation of the dam (and environmental flow and irrigation flow releases) could limit the magnitude or duration of downstream high flow events and this could retard the natural progression of aquatic habitat formation in Vjosa River and potentially result in changes in species composition, density, and diversity of aquatic fauna downstream of the HPP Kalivaç dam.
Operation of the HPP Kalivaç may also interrupt natural sediment transport mechanisms, especially for coarse gravel and cobble, and the availability of course substrate downstream of the dam could decline. The depletion of coarse substrate may reduce fish spawning habitat and substrate for invertebrates (macro-invertebrates, molluscs, and crustaceans).
8.3.10 POTENTIAL SOCIAL-ECONOMIC IMPACTS
This section describes the potential impacts to the socio-economic environment as a result of the construction and operation of the Project. Social impacts are often less tangible and more potentially risk-based. Socio-economic impact assessment weights the socioeconomic costs against the socioeconomic benefit. As far as possible, the analysis includes the consequences for all the community and all kinds of impacts.
Potential social-economic impacts are presented both for the construction and operations phases of the proposed Kalivaç HPP.
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8.3.11 Landscape and Visual Impact
Construction Phase
The project area is situated in a highly visible area, next to the national road Levan-Tepelenë and villages in surrounding, including the city of Memaliaj. There will be a significant visual impact during the construction of the hydropower Dam or other facilities. Construction works will include excavations, above ground structures, quarries, spoil tips, workshops, etc. which will be visible to local residents in the area and passers-by/visitors along the national road Levan-Tepelenë.
Operation Phase
As a consequence of the hydropower project it is inherent the creation of the reservoir. The operational phase will create an approximately 16 km2 reservoir. The visual impact of reservoirs has positive or negative connotations depending on the subjective attitude of the observer. It is assumed that most people will regard the new reservoir as a positive element on the landscape as it will provide options for new economic and recreational activities.
In addition, impact on landscape will be the transmission line that will emerge as new features in the landscape.
8.3.12 Land use and Livelihoods
Construction Phase
Since the construction activities will be carried out in an existing site, impacts on land use are anticipated to be less significant in some areas of the project site. Although unlikely, there is a small possibility that land may be lost due to the construction and presence of the Project temporary components, such as temporary above ground installations, quarries and transmission line.
The precise location and surface areas of the construction camp and associated infrastructure has been defined through a preliminary Work Organization Plan. Mostly these facilities cause temporary land occupation and during the site demobilization the land will be reinstated.
It is not defined yet where quarries and borrow pits for dam construction material will be situated.
Regarding the transmission line, several options are discussed in the feasibility study. The precise route is yet to be designed in detail; however, the concessionaire suggested that, the route connecting the HPP with Babicë substation in Vlorë should be the only one to be considered. During construction of the transmission line, temporary land will be used as working strip; vegetation will be only cleared within the transmission line way-leave. Impacts will be temporary on annual crops, which can be grown once the land will be reinstated.
Operation Phase
Permanent land acquisition for the project facilities will change land use, in particular agricultural land for permanent crops production (e.g. olive trees, orchards, vineyards). The main impact during operational phase is land loss and assets due to inundation from the reservoir.
Loss of land, houses, crops due to inundation are direct and long-term effects of the project.
From the preliminary assessment, once the dam construction is complete and the reservoir begins to fill, all the land in the inundation footprint will be affected. There are approximately 16 km2 that will be inundated in the 113 a.s.l. Impacts due to inundation may include complete submergence of any potential homesteads in the footprint. Referring to the preliminary identification, there are houses and infrastructure services inside the inundation footprint. Also, inundation will submerge lands that are used for common access to natural resources, such as woodlands and grazing land.
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The majority of agriculture land of the villages located inside the inundation footprint will be submerged. Also, several households, homesteads/cattle posts and service facilities that are under identification, could be completely inundated and as a consequence would require resettlement. In addition to the loss of land and assets, the communities are likely to face disruption to livelihood practices and social fabric; some of which can become long term or permanent impacts. In other words, physical relocation of households may result in the disruption of traditional and social practices.
Impacts could also extend to the host communities (areas to where the resettled populations could be moved). These may include cultural changes, increased health risks and greater competition for resources and economic opportunities. A Resettlement Action Plan is required to be developed from the investor to identify relevant measures to resettle, compensate and rehabilitate the affected populations.
Beside the resettlement, there will be households that potentially lose a significant proportion of their land. The extent to which, the proposed Project will cause disruption to livelihood practices, because for some of the household’s agriculture activities might be the main source of income. In this context, where significant land is submerged, alternatives for land need to be found. Also, in the same context, there might be households that potentially will lose their houses due to the inundation but not their agriculture land. In this regard there might be a fear from the community that will be resettled that will lose control over their land and resources. This issue will be studied further.
At the actual stage of the study, the potential impacts and the compensation of land loss and assets can be inaccurate, but relevant and detailed studies will follow in the next steps of the land easement and acquisition process. There might be some confusion over the compensation and resettlement processes and conflict over land ownership and registration, which is an issue inherited over the years in Albania, starting from the Land Reform of 1991. The compensation and resettlement processes have to be extremely accurate to avoid this type of confusion.
Following the above-mentioned potential impacts, a more comprehensive assessment will be conducted after baseline studies and included in the EIA/ESIA report.
8.3.13 Infrastructure and Services
Construction Phase
During the construction phase, water supply systems could be impacted from the increased traffic wear on piping systems, when they run near or under roads. There might be potential impacts on the roads that could be damaged due to the increase of traffic and this can exacerbate the landslide threat. The presence of workers on site during the construction works could result as a pressure on already inadequate amenities (water, electricity, roads and health centres).
The level of Project accommodation to be provided on site is yet unknown; however, it can be assumed that any infrastructure requirement for these accommodations would be developed by the Project, and would not impact on existing community facilities.
The main impact on road infrastructure will be that on the National road Levan-Tepelenë which will be inundated and disrupted for approximately 2.8 km, at the road section near the villages of Iliras and Qesarat. Other road segments that will be inundated are those connecting villages between each other (both paved and unpaved) and also unpaved roads connecting neighbourhoods between each other (Zotaj and Shehaj) and to the national road. Also, in Qesarat village other structures will potentially be affected by the creation of the reservoir such as schools, health centres and other infrastructure services, that will be identified in further stages.
The positive impacts to infrastructure associated with the construction phase, will be reinforcement and paving of existing roads, construction of new roads and the investments made by the developers on local community projects.
The duration of the negative impacts is restricted to the period of the construction phase; meanwhile the duration of the positive impacts is likely to subsist beyond the construction phase.
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Operation Phase
The main impact of the operation phase is due to reservoir creation. Pumping stations can be inundated and must be replaced by some other source. Changes in river water levels in the downstream are perceived to have a negative impact, such as loss of water for crops or animals. Also, potential loss of roads, bridges, pathways, crossing points may have significant impacts.
The Project will make use of public roads for Project-related transport and the frequency of vehicle movements will be significantly lower than that experienced during the construction phase.
Further studies are required in the following phases of the ESIA.
8.3.14 Traffic and Transportation
Construction Phase
During construction phase, traffic intensity will be increased due to transport of equipment and heavy machinery which may impact local communities currently using and living along the roads that are to be transited by the project’s vehicles, including secondary roads.
The construction of the dam will require large quantities of building material and other supplies, some of which could be delivered to the site by trucks that are likely to pass by homesteads (although the exact access routes to site are yet to be defined). Also, transportation of the waste materials from the Project area may impact local transport.
The road to the construction site is unpaved and the traffic through these homesteads could result in significant disruption of everyday activities and increase of dust and noise from passing traffic. Rural roads are more sensitive to the traffic intensity due to the road width and may result in impacts on access to local transport. Also, due to the rural nature of the affected communities, they would have experienced little traffic so far, increasing their susceptibility to disturbance.
Road safety could also be an important issue for residents who are unused to increased traffic.
Operation Phase
During operation phase, unlike the construction one, the traffic intensity will be much lower. Permanent employees will be the most commonly users of the local roads, but only in determined hours of the day, e.g. change of shift.
8.3.15 Electromagnetic Field (EMF)
Construction Phase
During construction of the OHL there are no foreseen potential impacts, except temporary loss of agriculture land in a limited area. There are going to be permanent loss of land where the electric poles will be installed and access roads to poles locations, but the surface needed is relatively limited. The transmission line will be in process for construction and installation of related equipment. Since the electric transmission line and HPP switchyard will be not in function, there will not be any impacts related with the EMF.
Operation Phase
The operation OHL and HPP switchyard electrical appliances will result in development of electrical and magnetic fields. Electric overhead lines and high voltages electrical equipment are considered a source of power frequency, electric and magnetic fields, which may have a perceived health effect. EMF’s are invisible lines of force emitted by and surrounding any electrical device (e.g. power lines and electrical equipment). The strength of both electric and magnetic fields is a function of the voltage (increase in
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strength as the voltage increases), distance from the conductors to the ground and the lateral distance from the line to the receptor. Both electric and magnetic fields decrease rapidly with distance.
Up to date, there are still no empirical data demonstrating adverse health effects from exposure to typical EMF levels from power transmissions lines and equipment81. However, while the evidence of adverse health risks is weak, it is still sufficient to warrant limited concern82.
8.3.16 Cultural Heritage
Construction Phase
Ground disturbing construction activities including permanent and temporary occupations can potentially cause significant impacts on cultural heritage and archaeological findings, if any. There is potential for cultural and/or heritage resources to be lost as a result of the proposed Project. As such, a detailed cultural and heritage study will identify any significant cultural and/or heritage resources.
Operation Phase
The archaeological and cultural heritage study, will define if there is going to be any permanent impact on by the construction of the dam and reservoir.
8.3.17 Community Health and safety
Construction Phase
Safety of the communities might potentially be impacted as a result of construction works because of increased traffic loads in local roads, including secondary roads. Community along transportation routes or those who currently use and live along the roads including secondary ones that are to be transited by the project’s vehicles can potentially be impacted. A significant increase in traffic levels combined with a number of factors, including poor current road conditions, and the limited understanding of road safety among communities who currently use and live along the road, is likely to increase the number of accidents.
Even that it can be assumed that any infrastructure requirements for the work force accommodations would be developed by the Project, and would not impact on existing community facilities, there is a risk that the workforce employed during the construction period of the Project could impact the local communities’ health status. The origin and health status of the workforce (some of which could be recruited outside of area), and their cultural norms, might influence the nature and severity of these risks. Also, location of workforce in camps near local communities could result in disruption and nuisance.
Plans to manage the interaction between the local community and the workforce would need to be developed and implemented.
Operation Phase
During operation phase safety risks for communities might appear as a result of project operation activities, in particular those related to traffic operations. That means communities along transportation routes that are currently using and living along the roads to be transited by the project vehicles.
81 International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) (2001); International Agency for Research on Cancer (2002); U.S. National Institute of Health (2002); Advisory Group to the Radiation Protection Board of the UK (2001), and U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (1999)). 82 U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (2002)
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In some respects, dam projects can improve the well-being of populations around the reservoir area. Improved or new infrastructure, increased fish catches from a reservoir fishery, which may be potential resource for new economic and recreational activities might be some of the positive impacts of the project.
However, it is possible that the inundation of the upstream of the dam will lead to flooding of wells and septic tanks, leading to cross-contamination of drinking water sources with human waste. In addition, the reservoir creation might increase the numbers of insects, particularly mosquitoes and blackfly may have harmful effects on populations adapting to the new environment. This will have wide-ranging direct and indirect effects, including on the health, sanitation and hygiene profile in the areas surrounding the reservoir.
8.3.18 Employment and Local Economy
Construction Phase
The proposed Project is scheduled to have a construction phase of 24 to 36 months. The project is expected to require a considerable direct workforce that will be primarily recruited via contractors and will include both skilled and unskilled roles, most of which will be temporary.
The construction phase it is expected to influence in economic benefits to households and to the local economy as a result of direct/indirect and induced job creation, increase in household income through wages and Project spending. Development of skills through job training and applied work experience is another positive impact. Also, there might be an increase of benefits to the local community and economy, as a result of local procurement of materials for construction and other services to supply the project.
All of the major semi-skilled and unskilled jobs should be sourced from the local residents.
High unemployment rates amongst semi-skilled youth means that the majority of the semi-skilled workforce required for the construction phase will be available within the area. It is therefore likely that the majority of the Project benefits will be retained within the region.
In addition to direct and indirect employment, increased economic activity among Project suppliers and Project expenditure will result in induced employment and income generation.
On the other hand, the introduction of temporary influx of outsourced workers is associated with an increase in vulnerability and susceptibility of local communities to various social pathologies, such as increased crime, alcoholism, risk of spread of communicable diseases, increased volume of traffic and higher risk of accidents etc.
The duration of the impacts will be primarily limited to the construction phase, and will therefore be short term.
Operation Phase
The Operation Phase of the Project is expected to begin in 2023 and continue until 2053. The number of permanent employees required for this Phase is not known yet. Where the skills base exists, the company and its contractors will source these positions from the Project area. Based on the assessed workforce capacity in the region, the majority of local and regional recruitment will be for semi-skilled and unskilled positions.
Other positions during this phase will require technical supervisory and managerial skills which are less likely to be available locally, and will therefore be sourced from outside.
The HPP will create the reservoir as an inevitable consequence. Beyond different connotations, previous projects indicate that the reservoir creation is potential resource for new economic and recreational activities. The creation of a micro-climate, landscape and visual impact can be an attraction for tourism development.
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In addition, the area advantage is that the nearest cities of Tepelenë and Gjirokastër are well known for the archaeological sites and are quite populated with tourists. Making use on this fact and the national road crossing along the reservoir can potentially include the area in the tourists’ agenda.
8.4 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS
Cumulative impacts are those impacts that result from the successive, incremental, and/or combined effects of an action, project, or activity (collectively referred to in this document as “developments”) when added to other existing, planned, and/or reasonably anticipated future ones. For practical reasons, the identification and management of cumulative impacts are limited to those effects generally recognized as important on the basis of scientific concerns and/or concerns of affected communities83.
Cumulative impacts are specifically defined as those impacts which:
• Are caused by the aggregate of past, present and future actions;
• Are the total effect, including both direct and indirect effects on a given resource, ecosystem and human community of all actions, no matter who has taken the actions;
• Result from the accumulation of similar effects or the synergistic interaction of different effects, both positive and negative; and,
• Need to be analysed in terms of the capacity of specific resources, ecosystems and human communities to accommodate these cumulative impacts.
In order to gain an understanding of the Project or activities overall contribution to impacts within HPP Kalivaç and the broader region in the proposed area for development, a Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) is required to be undertaken within the scope of the Full ESIA Report. In this regard, the objectives of the assessment in the following phases of the ESIA will be:
• Recognize and identify how the project may contribute to cumulative impacts on valued environmental and social components on which other existing or future developments may also have detrimental effects; and,
• Develop measures to ensure these impacts are avoided and/or minimized to the greatest extent possible.
83 Affected communities are defined as local communities directly affected by the project (IFC Performance Standard 1, paragraph 1)
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9 SUMMARY OF TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE ESIA
9.1 INTRODUCTION
The screening and preliminary assessment of impacts represents an initial step of the ESIA process. This step is followed by a scoping of the Project’s potential impact. This includes consultations with key stakeholders that will include government authorities, regional and local authorities, and community. A key outcome of scoping includes the creation of Terms of Reference for a full ESIA study. The ESIA studies will then be carried out prior to approval and environmental licensing of the Project.
This chapter serves as the Terms of Reference for the ESIA and sets out the following:
• objectives and overview of the ESIA process
• specialist studies;
• stakeholder engagement activities;
• impact assessment;
• outline structure for the ESIA report; and
• provisional schedule for the ESIA process.
These are described further in the following Sections.
9.2 ESIA OBJECTIVES AND OVERVIEW
It is recognised that comprehensive planning and management of environmental and socioeconomic issues are essential to the execution of any successful project. As such, the ESIA process seeks to fully integrate environmental and socioeconomic considerations into the life cycle of the Project.
To support this, an integrated ESIA shall be conducted in accordance with IFC Standards and the following Albanian requirements:
• Law No. 10431 dated 9.6.2011 “On Environmental Protection” as amended
• Law No. 10440 dated 7.7.2011 “On Environmental Impact Assessment” as amended
• DCM No. 686, dated 29.07.2015 “On the rules, responsibilities, timelines for the EIA procedure and the transfer procedure of the decision for the environmental declaration” as amended.
• DCM No. 247, dated 30.04.2014 “On the determination of rules, requirements and procedures for public information and involvement in the environment decision making process” The purpose of the ESIA shall be to assess the potential impacts of the Project and project-related activities on the environment (including biophysical, biological and socioeconomic resources), and where applicable to design mitigation or enhancement measures to remove, reduce or avoid negative impacts to the environment.
9.3 ESIA STEPS
The ESIA will be conducted by a locally-based firm (Abkons sh.p.k) with appropriate qualifications and registrations with involvement from an international consultant to provide technical input and quality control.
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Following on from the scoping phase of the project, the ESIA team will:
• update and finalise the technical project description as further engineering details become available, working closely with project engineers to confirm details such as the final facility layout and construction and operation plans;
• conduct additional consultation and further refine the scope of the ESIA as necessary;
• collect additional baseline data through desktop research and field studies to complete a comprehensive description of the environmental and social conditions.
• develop mitigation and enhancement measures and outline a Social and Environmental management plan (ESMP, Refer to Section 9.6.2) including an approach for monitoring; and
• report findings in a comprehensive ESIA report.
9.3.1 Baseline Studies
To develop a complete understanding of the existing environmental and social conditions (resources and receptors) in the Project area of influence, further desktop and field studies will be carried out.
• Soils;
• Terrestrial and aquatic flora;
• Terrestrial fauna;
• Environmental flows and associated impacts to downstream aquatic ecology;
• Water quality, both within the impoundment (on the Vjosa River) and downstream;
• Socioeconomic impacts; and
• Cultural heritage.
These aspects will be further investigated and assessed within the ESIA phase through specialist studies. The ESIA will suitably identify, investigate and address all environmental and social issues in order to inform all stakeholders and provide the authorities with sufficient information to make an informed decision regarding the proposed project.
9.3.2 Desktop Studies
Further desktop studies shall be undertaken to acquire environmental data for the ESIA study. Materials to be considered shall include other ESIA’s, articles, reports, maps, and photographs.
The consultant will review similar studies referring to relevant projects and obtain any data in the public domain. In addition, a literature search will be carried out to identify publicly available research and scientific reports with relevance to the Project site and general area.
Finally, project engineering studies will be reviewed for quantitative information on environmental elements. Studies that may provide useful data would include geotechnical investigations, process and operations water source investigations, surface water drainage studies, and air emission studies.
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9.3.3 Field Studies
Primary data will be collected by field studies carried out by biophysical and socioeconomic specialists. Specialists with qualifications in the particular resource area and knowledgeable of the local conditions will be used. National specialists will be used to provide technical guidance and quality assurance. Specifically, the surveys shall cover the following environmental and social components:
• the physical environment – surface water, groundwater, soil, air, ambient noise, and natural hazards;
• the biological environment – surface water and terrestrial ecology, , flora and fauna species;
• the socioeconomic and cultural environment - population, land use/ patterns of land ownership, tenure, community structure, employment, distribution, public health, cultural heritage, education data, religion data, skills audit, customs, aspirations and attitudes.
9.4 SPECIALIST INVESTIGATIONS
Information obtained through available secondary data provided an overview of the environmental and socioeconomic aspects of the Project Area. The objective of specialist input at this scoping stage is to validate the secondary data obtained, to identify any gaps in data, and to suggest a plan of study for the ESIA. This plan of study is aimed at addressing any data deficiencies that exist in order that comprehensive specialist studies may be carried out to properly assess and address those environmental and social impacts identified.
The following specialist studies are proposed during the EIA phase of the proposed Kalivaç HPP:
9.4.1 Soils
This study is set out to identify and determine the presence, distribution and extent of soil types in the Project Area. The objectives relate directly to land capability while land use aspects will be covered primarily by the socio- economic study.
This study will consist of field observations on a chosen grid supported by a predictive soil mapping technique. The following data will be captured at identified sites:
• Soil form, classified according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Soil Classification System;
• Soil depth;
• Estimated texture;
• Current land use; and
• Land capability.
Soil properties will be evaluated and categorised into land capability classes, using a best practice approach. The extent of all land use practices will be surveyed and mapped. This process will be facilitated by aerial photography available for the immediate Project Area.
9.4.2 Terrestrial Flora
During the baseline assessment, information will be drawn from existing secondary data and preliminary field work to produce a vegetation community map. This map will aid the study in determining field sites for the analysis of vegetation types and the estimate of biomass loss in the area of inundation and OHL.
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The extent and composition of vegetation types will be verified using surveys. The riparian vegetation downstream of the dam at accessible sites will also to be sampled in order to determine potential impacts of altered flow regimes. The data will be analysed using multivariate techniques for both classification and ordination. Once classified, the above data collected in the field will enable the preparation of an updated vegetation community map. From the survey data and additional observations and collections from the area, a species list will be compiled, with an estimate of the relative abundances of the species. In this way, the potential impact on any especially rare and endangered species, endemics and near-endemics, as well as protected species can be highlighted. Using the vegetation map and other additional collected data, a vegetation sensitivity map of the Project area and its surrounds will also be compiled. This will be used to inform the ESMP in terms of sensitive areas to be avoided, and will assist in planning the layout of infrastructure, in particular access roads, construction camp location, location of borrow pits (if applicable) and the routing of transmission lines. Rescue missions for specific species can be incorporated into the recommended mitigation measures in the ESMP, if applicable.
9.4.3 Terrestrial Fauna
The preliminary inventory of the major habitats identified by the terrestrial flora will be used to aid the fauna specialist’s study. The aim of the study is to provide an updated list of species known and likely to occur in the Project Area with respect to their global, national and local status. Endemic, migrating and Red List species occurring in the Project Area will be identified and the impact of the proposed development on their local and global status assessed. The possible changes to the faunal diversity and abundance and the possible conservation and operational impacts of the proposed dam and its associated infrastructure on fauna will also be assessed. Whether the proposed development is likely to pose any significant threat to any species will also be assessed.
9.4.4 Environmental Flows
There is no standard definition for environmental flows, however a good general description is provided by the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) pre-release to the 3rd World Water Forum in Kyoto, as follows:
“An ‘environmental flow’ is the provision of water within rivers and groundwater systems to maintain downstream ecosystems and their benefits, where the river or groundwater system is subject to competing water uses and flow regulation.”
Environmental flows are therefore more than minimum flows defined on the basis of hydrological conditions. Rather, they are flows that are optimally designed to allow for the multipurpose use of water, including water’s ecological functions and the integrity of river systems and wetlands. These functions, or ‘ecosystem services’, include the provision of clean drinking water, biodiversity conservation, aquatic food sources, flood protection, and various other recreational, cultural or religious based uses.
Although there are various methods for undertaking Environmental Flow Assessments (EFAs), they fall into four discrete groups, namely hydrological index methods, hydraulic rating methods, habitat simulation methods, and holistic methodologies (Acreman and Dunbar, 2004).
The chosen holistic EFA method should incorporate an integrated assessment of environmental, social and economic effects and benefits. The EFA methodology to be adopted should be scoped according to the levels of environmental and/or socioeconomic risk, available data and expertise.
9.4.5 Aquatic Ecology
The objective of this specialist study is to determine the baseline aquatic ecological status of the Project area. This data will be used to assess the ecological health of the Vjosa River and its tributaries within the Project area, against which future monitoring can be carried out in order to quantify those impacts as a result of the Project. The study will include the following:
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Aquatic macro-invertebrates live on the bottom of rivers and are for most of their lives immersed in water. The quality of the water will therefore have an impact on their health and survival. Natural adaptations ensure different tolerance and reactions to disturbance and pollution. The composition of an in-stream community can therefore be used as an indicator of the water quality and more specifically the ecological condition or health of the river at a specific site. A suitable method to sample aquatic macro-invertebrates will be identified by the specialist. This method will measure the changes in the benthic community in response to changing water quality and other conditions in the river. It will therefore be a direct measure of the effects of changing conditions in the invertebrate community. Suitable sites will be selected in-field and sampled using the identified methodology. Sites will be sampled to determine baseline conditions prior to the Project development.
Determination of Fish Species. Fish species are internationally recognised as one of the most important indicators of river health. An assessment of the biological integrity of a river is often based on indices that make use of attributes of fish assemblages, such as diversity of species and abundance. This kind of assessment, in combination with the assessment of other groups of biota, contributes to an understanding of the current ecological state of the river. Fieldwork will include identifying species and will be supplemented with information from local data available. The presence/absence of fish species of importance will be highlighted.
Determination of Habitat Integrity. The habitat integrity of a river refers to the maintenance of a balanced composition of physic-chemical and habitat characteristics on a temporal and spatial scale. These conditions are comparable to the natural characteristics and habitats of a region. The habitat integrity assessment is approached from an in-stream habitat and riparian zone habitat perspective. The assessment is based on an interpretation of the deviation from the reference condition. Information on changes to reference conditions are interpreted in terms of modification and relate to the drivers of the system; namely hydrology, geomorphology and physic-chemical conditions. The In-stream Habitat Integrity Assessment will be based on five metric groups, namely:
• Hydrological modification
o Base flow;
o Zero flow; and
o Floods.
• Physic-chemical modification
o pH;
o Nutrients;
o Water temperature;
o Water clarity;
o Oxygen concentration; and
o Toxics.
• Bed modification
o Sedimentation; and
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o Benthic growth (algal).
• Bank modification
o Marginal characteristics; and
o Non-marginal characteristics.
• Connectivity modification
o Longitudinal; and
o Lateral.
The Riparian Zone Habitat Integrity will be based on three metric groups, namely:
• Habitat modification
o Base flow;
o Zero flow;
o Moderate flows and flushing; and
o Floods.
• Bank structure
o Marginal; and
o Non-marginal.
• Riparian zone connectivity
o Lateral; and
o Longitudinal.
The Habitat Integrity Category will be determined (i.e. unmodified or natural to critically modified). Baseline conditions will be established against which future assessments could be compared.
Diatom Sampling: Where aquatic biota sampling is not suitable due to habitat constraints, diatom samples will be collected. Specific diatom species occupy habitats described by specific physic- chemical and biological attributes. Diatoms have also shown to be reliable indicators of specific water quality problems. Samples will be collected through “brushing off” substrates. Samples collected will be sent away for laboratory identification to species level, the community composition will be analysed, and an assessment of river health assessed.
Determination of Odonata Assemblages: Adult Odonata (Dragon- and damselflies) are recognized worldwide as indicators of habitat quality in ecosystems. Baseline data collection will include gathering information of species present and their habitat preferences will be noted. Species will be collected for laboratory verification where field identification is not possible.
9.4.6 Impoundment and Downstream Water
Based on the calculated residence time of water in the impoundment and the quality of water inflows, the likely nutrient status within the impoundment will be discussed.
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In addition, and based on datasets such as local meteorology, the quantity of river in-flows (and other in-flows) and outflows, and the characteristics of the proposed dam site, the likely levels of stratification within the impoundment will be calculated, using recognised empirical equations. On this basis, the presence of anoxic conditions and temperature stratification within the proposed impoundment will be calculated. This information will be used in determining release strategies for water downstream of the proposed impoundment.
9.4.7 Socioeconomic
The objective of this specialist study is to characterize the existing socioeconomic conditions of the Project Area, thus providing the initial setting to predict change during project construction and operation, as well as determining the affected population’s sensitivity to disturbance, and ability to withstand any such disturbance. This will enable the identification and assessment of potential impacts arising from the Project and the establishment of measures to mitigate potential negative impacts and to enhance the potential positive impacts.
Secondary data will be validated and substantiated by the undertaking of socioeconomic surveys in the Project area. Field surveys will include verification of rural communities, households, relevant socioeconomic landmarks and household interviews.
The objectives of the Social Impact Assessment can be summarised as follows:
• To define the area affected by the Project and people associated with these areas;
• To provide a detailed description of the people living and working in the project affected area, including all demographic information;
• To describe all economic and livelihood activities in the project affected area;
• To thoroughly describe the specific land ownership structures and land uses, including a description of all land users e.g. residential, farming, renters, farm workers;
• To count the number of directly affected households living and/or working (formally and informally) in the directly affected Project area;
• To describe the status of education, including levels of education, skills, literacy, and type, quantity and quality of education facilities;
• To describe the status of health, including common diseases, causes of diseases, and type, quantity and quality of health care facilities;
• To provide an overview of all infrastructure in the Project area;
• To identify social and economic impacts that will result from the Project; and
• To propose appropriate mitigation measures for addressing the impacts identified.
A methodological process will be defined that is rigorous, defendable and appropriate to the local context, objectives of the study and target audience (e.g. a combination of household surveys and focus groups). The sampling method to be used to select respondents will be outlined and appropriate survey tools prepared.
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9.4.8 Cultural and Heritage
The archaeological specialist study will determine the presence (or otherwise) of sites of archaeological or cultural significance in the Project Area, in order to ensure that the proposed project will not result in the destruction of these sites.
Areas identified in the baseline assessment as having a cultural and/or heritage significance will be surveyed in order to identify and document the presence of structures or artefacts of archaeological interest, and areas of cultural significance.
Identified sites (if applicable) will be GPS marked for later mapping. Lithic materials and/or other relevant materials will be collected in order to create a reference collection. Any collected materials will be registered, studied and described, with clear reference to respective collection unit and site. Collected archaeological remains from every collection unit will be separately processed, according to type of material (stone, bone, pottery, metal, etc.).
Each new location yielding artefacts will be carefully identified, and the site will be accurately plotted on a map. Sites will also be systematically photographed. Records will contain, at least, the following data:
• Descriptive memoir of sites and their immediate surroundings at environmental level;
• Technical design of sites limits and layout, photographic and cartographic records and GPS references. Photographic records will be organised by site and collecting unit ; and
• Fieldwork (strategy, soil, site dispersion) will be cartographically described. Maps should be produced at a 1:50 000 scale.
The photographic record will include an image database illustrating sediments, soils, environmental niches and relevant features of the Project area, thus building up a comprehensive archaeological database for the area.
A procedure for dealing with chance-finds during project construction will be produced, as per the requirements of IFC Performance Standard 8.
9.5 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
Having completed initial scoping consultation, additional stakeholder engagement activities will be undertaken during the ESIA study. These engagement activities will include consultation during the socioeconomic baseline studies, and disclosure of the ESIA report through the IFC Standards process and requirements.
9.6 Impact Assessment
9.6.1 Impact Identification, Prediction and Evaluation
Once data is acquired from the baseline study, the ESIA would be conducted using the following steps: 1. Identification of Potential Environmental Issues and Impacts: This shall be done by identifying potential environmental issues and impacts (including social ones) due to the proposed development for both routine and accidental events. All impacts shall be identified and assessed as positive or negative, beneficial or adverse, cumulative, short or long-term, temporary or permanent, direct or indirect, residual or immediate. Techniques shall be used which link project activities to individual components of the environment. The techniques shall lead to a refinement in the number of impacts being studied. The associated and potential impacts of the proposed project shall be identified and described for the various phases of the project. These shall include impacts resulting from:
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o Project location/siting;
o Project installation activities;
o Project operational activities; and
o Project abandonment/decommissioning. 2. Evaluation and Interpretation of Impacts: The significance of each impact will be evaluated. Such evaluation shall involve comparison with national, international as well as international/ industry standards, and consensus of the opinions. 3. Impact Mitigation and Control: All significant impacts identified shall be considered for mitigation and control through preventive, reductive/enhancement and curative strategies and control measures. Measures will be identified, described and recommendations incorporated in the proposed development to minimise or avoid the key impacts. Where the effectiveness of mitigation measures is uncertain, or depends on assumptions about operational procedures, monitoring programmes and/or hydro power plant operations / management procedures will define the required practice.
9.7 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN
The ESMP, which will include social aspects in addition to environmental aspects, shall specify guidelines for ensuring conformance to project implementation with the procedures, practices and recommendations outlined in the ESIA report. In this way, it will ensure that the commitments inherent in the assessment are fully managed and that the unforeseen and unidentified impacts of the project are detailed and resolved. The plan shall as a minimum provide information pertaining to:
• Personnel resourcing and assignment of responsibilities;
• Conformance to detailed design with concept design;
• Conformance to installation activities with specified standard practices and philosophies;
• Conformance to operations and maintenance activities with specified standard practices and philosophies;
• Procedures for dealing with changes and project modifications;
• Inspection, auditing and monitoring guidelines for all phases of project; and
• Decommissioning and abandonment of project.
9.8 DOCUMENTATION
The EIA84/ESIA process shall be documented in accordance with regulatory requirements and guidelines. The technical output/ milestones for report writing to reflect the various stages of the EIA/ESIA process are indicated below:
• Draft Scoping ESIA Report in line with IFC Standards;
• Final Scoping ESIA Report to have addressed all comments and observations made by the regulatory authorities and stakeholders;
84 The Albanian legislation refers to EIA and not ESIA. If references are made to the Albanian procedure the acronym EIA will be used. If references are made to HPP Kalivaç’s broader approach the acronym ESIA will be used.
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• Environmental Interaction Report in line with Albanian requirements (for submission to the national authorities);
• Draft EIA/ESIA report in accordance with Albanian Law and IFC Performance Standards;
• Publishing of the Non-Technical Summary Report of the EIA/ESIA, in line with Albanian law requirements; and
• Final EIA/ESIA report to have addressed all comments and observations made by the regulatory authorities and stakeholders.
The Project Team shall make the Scoping Report of the ESIA and Environmental Interaction Report available to the MTE and regulatory agency (NEA), which are expected to express their opinion on the main environmental and social aspects to be considered within the scope of the Full/In-depth EIA/ESIA.
After baseline studies and preparation of the Draft EIA/ESIA report, a Non-Technical Summary of the Report will be published in the official website of the NEA and HPP Kalivaç website. Final EIA/ESIA Report will be finalized after receiving of comments/suggestions from stakeholders and public hearing consultation meeting. Once completed, the report will be submitted to MTE and NEA for final decision- making on the proposed project.
9.9 DRAFT STRUCTURE OF THE ESIA REPORT
An outline of the proposed contents of the main volume of the ESIA report is provided in Table 36. The proposed structure follows the guidance provided by IFC Standard integrated with the Albanian law requirements (DCM No. 686, dated 29.07.2015 “On the rules, responsibilities, timelines for the EIA procedure and the transfer procedure of the decision for the environmental declaration” as amended). The content may be altered during the evolution of the Project or based on the findings of on-going consultation. However, it is anticipated that the contents of the ESIA report will accord broadly within the suggested framework.
Table 36 Structure85 of the ESIA Report Chapter Content Reading Explanatory Note Number
Front Piece Title page, acknowledgements, authors and contributors, table of contents (including lists of figures, tables, and maps) 1 Non-Technical Executive Summary of the entire ESIA report in a simplified Summary language in order to be easily understood by the broad public. 2 Legal, Regulatory and Policy Discusses the policy, legal, and administrative Framework framework within which the ESIA is carried out. Identifies relevant international environmental and social agreements to which the country is a party.
3 Description of the Project and Concisely describes the proposed project and its Project Components geographic, ecological, social, and temporal context, including any offsite investments that may be required (e.g. access roads, water supply, and raw material and product storage
85 Structure of the ESIA Report is defined in the above table. Structure of the EIA Report will be in line with the Albanian law requirements, DCM No. 686, dated 29.07.2015 “On the rules, responsibilities, timelines for the EIA procedure and the transfer procedure of the decision for the environmental declaration” as amended.
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Chapter Content Reading Explanatory Note Number
facilities). Includes a map showing the project site and the project's area of influence. 4 Baseline Environmental Assesses the existing conditions and dimensions Information and Data of the study area and describes relevant physical, biological, and socio-economic conditions, including any changes anticipated before the project commences. Also takes into account current and proposed development activities within the project area but not directly connected to the project. Data should be relevant to decisions about project location, design, operation, or mitigation measures. The section indicates the accuracy, reliability, and sources of the data. 5 Socioeconomic Assessment 6 Environmental and Social Predicts and assesses the project's likely positive Impacts and negative impacts, in quantitative terms to the extent possible. Identifies mitigation measures and any residual negative impacts that cannot be mitigated. Explores opportunities for environmental and social enhancement. Identifies and estimates the extent and quality of available data, key data gaps, and uncertainties associated with predictions, and specifies topics that do not require further attention.
7 Analysis of alternatives as Systematically compares feasible alternatives to identified and agreed in the the proposed project site, technology, design, ESSS and operation--including the "without project" situation--in terms of their potential environmental impacts; the feasibility of mitigating these impacts; their capital and recurrent costs; their suitability under local conditions; and their institutional, training, and monitoring requirements. For each of the alternatives, quantifies the environmental impacts to the extent possible, and attaches economic values where feasible. States the basis for selecting the particular project design proposed and justifies recommended emission levels and approaches to pollution prevention and abatement. 8 Environmental and Social Covers mitigation measures, monitoring, and Management Plan, including institutional strengthening. decommissioning 9 Public Consultation and Covers the results of meetings and consultations Communication Plan and undertaken as part of the ESIA, plus Records communication plan and records, and also plans for possible future consultation. It will identify key project stakeholders and present their feedback on the HPP Kalivaç Project. Conclusion Summarises the conclusions that are made based on the assessment as well as outline any further recommendations.
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Chapter Content Reading Explanatory Note Number
Annexes • List of ESIA report preparers--individuals and organizations. • References--written materials both published and unpublished, used in study preparation. • Record of consultation meetings, including consultations for obtaining the informed views of the affected people and local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). The record specifies any means other than consultations (e.g., surveys) that were used to obtain the views of affected groups and local NGOs. • Tables presenting the relevant data referred to or summarized in the main text. • List of associated reports.
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References 1. Albanian legislation, (https://qbz.gov.al/) 2. Albanian National Strategy on Energy 2018-2030 (https://qbz.gov.al/share/Z_CZm47wTD2M5se3AVu2ng) 3. UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) (https://www.preventionweb.net/english/) 4. Council Directive 98/83/EC, 3 November 1998, On the Quality of Water Intended for Human Consumption 5. Aarhus Convention, (http://ec.europa.eu/environment/aarhus/index.htm) 6. Paris Agreement, (http://unfccc.int/files/paris_agreement/application/pdf/qa_paris_agreement_entry_into_force. pdf) 7. Kyoto Protocol, (https://unfccc.int/kyoto_protocol) 8. Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, (https://www.coe.int/en/web/conventions/full-list/-/conventions/treaty/104) 9. Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, (https://www.cms.int/en/legalinstrument/aewa) 10. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, (https://www.cites.org/eng/disc/what.php) 11. IFC, Performance Standards, (https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/Topics_Ext_Content/IFC_External_Corporate_Site/Sus tainability-At-IFC/Policies-Standards/Performance-Standards) 12. IFC, good practice notes, Environmental, Health, and Safety Approaches for Hydropower Projects, (https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/cefc36ec-9916-4ec4-b5ac- 1d99602a3ef3/GPN_EHSHydropower.pdf?MOD=AJPERES) 13. IFC, Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines for Electric Power Transmission and Distribution, (https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/66b56e00488657eeb36af36a6515bb18/Final+- +Electric+Transmission+and+Distribution.pdf?MOD=AJPERES) 14. IFC, Environmental, Health, and Safety General Guidelines, (https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/554e8d80488658e4b76af76a6515bb18/Final+- +General+EHS+Guidelines.pdf?MOD=AJPERES) 15. IFC, Stakeholder Engagement: A Good Practice Handbook for Companies Doing Business in Emerging Markets, (https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/938f1a0048855805beacfe6a6515bb18/IFC_Stakehold erEngagement.pdf?MOD=AJPERES) 16. IFC, Good Practice Note Addressing Grievances from Project-Affected Communities, Guidance for Projects and Companies on Designing Grievance Mechanisms, (https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/cbe7b18048855348ae6cfe6a6515bb18/IFC%2BGrieva nce%2BMechanisms.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=cbe7b18048855348ae6cfe6a6515bb 18) 17. IFC, A Handbook for Addressing Project-Induced In-Migration, (http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/415141468176677099/pdf/626310PUB0Proj00B ox0361488B0PUBLIC0.pdf) 18. IFC, Introduction to Health Impact Assessment, (https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/a0f1120048855a5a85dcd76a6515bb18/HealthImpact.p df?MOD=AJPERES) 19. WHO, Air quality guidelines for particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide Global update 2005, Summary of risk assessment, (https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/69477/WHO_SDE_PHE_OEH_06.02_eng.p df;jsessionid=8F4BA767DF15C66FF677BCF52BF85383?sequence=1) 20. World Health Organization – Guidelines for Community Noise, (https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/document/2322958)
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21. WHO, Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality, (https://apublica.org/wp- content/uploads/2014/03/Guidelines-OMS-2011.pdf) 22. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, (https://www.iucn.org/resources/conservation- tools/iucn-red-list-threatened-species) 23. Acta ZooBot Austria, The Vjosa in Albania – a riverine ecosystem of European significance, (https://www.univie.ac.at/zoobot/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Acta-155-1_Cover- und-Inhalt.pdf) 24. Fritz Schiemer& Christoph Hauer& Anton Drescher, The Vjosa River corridor: a riverine ecosystem of European significance, (https://www.univie.ac.at/zoobot/wordpress/wp- content/uploads/2018/11/Acta-155-1_Cover-und-Inhalt.pdf) 25. Fritz Schiemer, Anton Drescher, Christoph Hauer & Ulrich Schwarz, The Vjosa River corridor: a riverine ecosystem of European significance, (https://www.univie.ac.at/zoobot/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Acta-155-1_Cover- und-Inhalt.pdf) 26. Albina Sinani, The Earth Ecosystem In The Region Of Gjirokastra, (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/270622479_The_Earth_Ecosystem_In_The_Regio n_Of_Gjirokastra) 27. N. FRASHERI, N. PANO, A. FRASHERI, S. BUSHATI, Outlook on seawaters dynamics and geological setting factors for the Albanian Adriatic coastline developments 28. Niko Pano, Hidrologjia e Shqipërisë, (http://www.bksh.al/adlib/scripts/wwwopac.exe?DATABASE=catalo&OPAC_URL=/adlib/exper t/index_al.html&LANGUAGE=1&%250=60936&LIMIT=50) 29. INSTAT Census Data (2011&2001), (http://www.instat.gov.al/en/themes/censuses/) 30. INSTAT, (http://www.instat.gov.al) 31. Municipality of Memaliaj, Operational Plan of Local Development (https://www.undp.org/content/dam/albania/docs/STAR/Bashkia%20Memaliaj.pdf) 32. Municipality of Tepelenë, Operational Plan of Local Development, (https://www.undp.org/content/dam/albania/docs/STAR/Bashkia%20Tepelenë.pdf) 33. UN, United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2017). Trends in International Migrant Stock: The 2017 Revision, (https://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/migration/data/estimates2/docs/Migratio nStockDocumentation_2017.pdf) 34. Bank of Albania, (https://www.bankofalbania.org/) 35. Star project, (http://star2lgm.com/sq/) 36. Ministry of Culture Survey Report, (http://www.asha.gov.al/wp- content/uploads/2016/06/Raporti%20paraprak%20i%20sondazheve%20arkeologjike%20%20 ne%20fshatin%20%20Dukaj-Tepelenë.pdf) 37. UNESCO, Intangible cultural heritage list, (https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/albanian-folk-iso- polyphony-00155) 38. ISO, 14001, (https://www.iso.org/iso-14001-environmental-management.html) 39. ICNIRP Guidelines, Guidelines for Limiting Exposure to Time-Varying Electric, Magnetic and Electromagnetic Fields, (https://www.icnirp.org/cms/upload/consultation_upload/ICNIRP_RF_Guidelines_PCD_2018_ 07_11.pdf) 40. WHO, International Agency For Research On Cancer, IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, (https://monographs.iarc.fr/wp- content/uploads/2018/06/mono82.pdf) 41. ELF Electromagnetic Fields and the Risk of Cancer: Report of an Advisory Group on Non- Ionizing Radiation, (https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20140722194350/http://www.hpa.org.uk/Publicati ons/Radiation/NPRBArchive/DocumentsOfTheNRPB/Absd1201/
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Annex A: Screening Checklist
REPORT SUMMARY
[ABKONS] [REV 3]
PROJECT TITLE ESIA – HYDROPOWER PLANT KALIVAÇ DOCUMENT TITLE ESIA Screening Assessment Checklist for the Proposed Kalivaç HPP
REV. PURPOSE OF ISSUE REMARK/ DESCRIPTION ORIG. DATE 0 Screening Assessment Checklist Report Abkons sh.p.k 16/01/2019 1 Screening Assessment Checklist Revision 1 Abkons sh.p.k 21/01/2019 2 Screening Assessment Checklist Revision 2 Abkons sh.p.k 23/01/2019 3 Screening Assessment Checklist Draft Final Report Abkons sh.p.k 24/01/2019
FINAL PURPOSE OF ISSUE
CONSULTANT ORIGINATOR CHECKER APPROVER NAME/SURNAME ABKONS ABKONS AYEN DATE 07/01/2019 24/01/2019 24/01/2019 NAME/SURNAME DATE
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ESIA Screening Assessment Checklist for the Proposed Project Hydropower Plant Kalivaç (HPP Kalivaç)
Yes / No/? Is this likely to result in a Screening Criteria Briefly describe significant effect? Yes / No /? – Why? Brief Project Description: AYEN-ALB sh.a intends to construct and operate a Hydropower Plant - HPP Kalivaç in affecting through HPP and transmission lines the territories of Memaliaj, Tepelenë, Mallakastër and Selenica Municipalities. HPP Kalivaç through a construction of a dam will create a reservoir fed by Vjosa river. The HPP will have a total installed capacity of 111 MW and will produce an average of E=366.62 GWh/year.
HPP Kalivaç will create a reservoir with a total volume of 375 million m3, out of which 205 million m3 are considered as useful volume for energy production. The reservoir will be created from a rock- filled dam with concrete surface and will be located on a narrow river section of about 200 m. Vjosa catchment at dam site is of about 5,420 km2, creating a lake of about 16 km2 (at 110 m a.s.l).
Energy produced by HPP Kalivaç, will be connected to the national power grid through a 29 km long overhead transmission line (OHL), to the SS Babicë 220/110/35 kV.
1. Will construction, Yes Yes operation or decommissioning of the The project will include construction Considering this project Project involve actions of a new Hydropower Plant and typology and the considerable which will cause associated components/ facilities size, though the construction physical changes in the (including a dam, reservoir HPP and operation of the power locality (topography, Station and 29 km overhead plant, dam and reservoir to be land use, changes in transmission line (OHL) from the created, the project will result in water bodies, etc.)? project area to SS Babicë changes of land use, water 220/110/35 kV). bodies (surface water), The concession agreement for HPP microclimate and settlements of Kalivaç is in the form of BOT (Build- the villages. Operate-Transfer) for 35 years. Main impact can be considered the transformation of a section of the river from free flow into a lake. The lake created by the project will inundate arable land and other civil infrastructure such as buildings, facilities and roads.
Settlements to be partially affected are: Memaliaj, Iliras, Qesarat, Anë Vjosë, Përparim, Dukaj (Kordhaj), , Toç, Mirinë, Vasjar, Leshnje, Sinanaj, Dorëz, Lap Martalloz, Dhëmblan, Sevaster, Golimbas, Peshkëpi, , Shkozë,
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Yes / No/? Is this likely to result in a Screening Criteria Briefly describe significant effect? Yes / No /? – Why? Mallkeq, Gërnec, Ondricë (Kocul), Xhyherine, and Babicë e madhe. 2. Will construction or Yes Yes operation of the Project use natural resources HPP Kalivaç project during The project is expected to such as land, water, development phase will be a large create a 16 km2 reservoir materials or energy, construction site. (according to initial feasibility especially any Some/part of the Land will be studies); this represents a major resources which are exploited for construction material use of natural resources. non-renewable or in and also will be lost due to inundation Also, it will use construction short supply? and creation of the reservoir. materials targeting areas that Water from Vjosa river will be used will be inundated in the future. during the construction and By changing the water flow in a operational phase. section of Vjosa river from free Electric energy will be needed for the flow to a lake, it will have an construction camp and other related effect on the natural habitat of on site equipment and machinery. It the project area, flora and is expected a large consumption of fauna, including also the electric energy and several fuel landscape and visual impact. types for the machineries. The use of large amounts of Hydropower, generated from fuels for machineries and trucks hydroelectric dams, is a clean, is a potential threat to the renewable, non-emitting source of environment. energy that provides low-cost Though during operation, water electricity and helps reduce carbon that is used to power the emissions. turbines is not lost in the process. It can be reused over and over again to produce electricity. 3. Will the Project Yes No involve use, storage, transport, handling or During construction phase will be The proposed development will production of used several construction materials be constructed and operated in substances or materials such as concrete, fuel for accordance with national which could be harmful machineries and equipment, etc., requirements and best to human health or the which could be harmful if not handled international practices. environment or raise carefully and allow for direct releases Construction area will be limited concerns about actual into the environment. and under strict observation or perceived risks to Different types of materials will be from the supervision consultant, human health? stored on site, including possible investor, concession hazardous materials. authorities. Construction works will include Specific control plans and transportation of materials to the site proper mitigation measures will and transportation of excess spoil be put in place to manage from the site to the approved hazardous materials and disposal area(s). wastes. There will be an impact during construction from machinery
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Yes / No/? Is this likely to result in a Screening Criteria Briefly describe significant effect? Yes / No /? – Why? During the operational phase may and vehicle movement, also be used some materials that transport of materials and could be harmful to humans and installation of turbines. environment such as: chemicals, oils, containers with hazardous substances, etc. 4. Will the Project Yes No produce solid wastes during construction or During construction phase, there will It can be anticipated that a operation or be generation of spoil material (soil significant quantity of spoil decommissioning? and rock mass) in significant material (natural soil and rock quantities as a result of different mass) will be (re)used within the earthworks. During this phase will scope of the project in different also be generated other types of construction components of the solid wastes from human activities HPP (such as dam) and also for (workforce activities) and the rehabilitation phase. construction works. A small quantity of the During the operational phase the excavated spoil material main types of waste will result from (surplus material) will not be human activities (such as plastics, suitable for reuse in paper/cardboard, organic waste, construction works. Exact etc.). quantities of excess/surplus All wastes to be generated will be materials (excavated materials classified according to DCM No. during construction phase) will 99/2005 “On the approval of the be calculated by the Client Albanian Waste Classification during the ESIA process and will Catalogue”, amended. be detailed in the ESIA/EIA report. Disposal of solid wastes and surplus material during construction and operation phases will be determined in close cooperation with local authorities (e.g. Municipalities). Speculating that equipment and machinery service will be carried onsite, limited amounts of hazardous waste of used oils or other flammable materials may be generated. Management of hazardous wastes will be conducted in compliance with Albanian law requirements and best international practices. If necessary, management and disposal of hazardous wastes will be conducted in collaboration with licensed
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Yes / No/? Is this likely to result in a Screening Criteria Briefly describe significant effect? Yes / No /? – Why? companies for hazardous wastes. Considering the preliminary measures that will be undertaken within the scope of ESIA, it can be concluded that there will not be any significant effects on the environment due to waste generation. Potential risks are considered manageable through various plans and monitoring measures. Detailed assessment of impacts will be conducted in the following phases of the ESIA process. 5. Will the Project Yes Yes release pollutants or any hazardous, toxic or During construction phase there may During construction, the primary noxious substances to be release of air pollutants and dust contributors to air emissions air? generation (particulate matter) as a would arise from mobile and/or result of construction works, heavy stationary sources, such as on- machineries operation, vehicles and and off-road vehicles, diesel road traffic. generation sets, use of heavy During operational phase the main equipment, etc. Fugitive dust potential emissions to be assessed arising from land/vegetation are greenhouse gas emissions clearing and working on which could be released in air crushers/concrete making (carbon dioxide (CO2) due to large plants may impact air quality as storage hydropower dam). well. However, it can be anticipated that potential impacts are likely to be in low levels and easily managed with proper mitigation measures (e.g. during summer period, dust control in working areas can be managed by spraying water by means of water trucks).
During operation phase the main potential emissions could result from greenhouse gas emissions due to decay of organic material within the water storage after the dam construction (reservoir lake) of HPP Kalivaç,
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Yes / No/? Is this likely to result in a Screening Criteria Briefly describe significant effect? Yes / No /? – Why? Based on similar projects and previous studies conducted on large storage hydropower dams, there are potential risk which may create low stream flow conditions, potentially leading to significant thermal stratification and therefore anoxic conditions in the colder, bottom layers of water of the reservoir. In this case, greenhouse gases are released in the form of methane which is converted to carbon dioxide (CO2) as it travels up to the surface through the water column. Based on the result of air quality study, meteorological conditions and simulations will be determined the CO2 emissions forecasted in the reservoir. In addition, these data and results must be compared with relevant standards of air quality (national and international standards) to determine the significance of the impact and proposed mitigation measures (if necessary) in order to not pose effects on the environment. 6. Will the Project cause Yes Yes noise and vibration or release of light, heat Noise will be generated during both During construction phase energy or construction and operation. Vibration noise emissions and vibration electromagnetic will be generated only during generation are expected to be radiation? construction phase due to short-term, low intensity and earthworks within the project area. local, restricted within the Electromagnetic radiation will be project area. At this stage, there generated during operational phase are no anticipated effects from due to operation of overhead noise and vibration generation. transmission line (OHL) 110 kV from In addition, during the the project area to SS Babicë and at operational phase ambient the switchyard close to HPP noise will be generated from turbines operation. Electromagnetic radiation from OHL is not expected to pose any health risks as it will be
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Yes / No/? Is this likely to result in a Screening Criteria Briefly describe significant effect? Yes / No /? – Why? mainly located on hilly terrain and in substantial distance from inhabited buildings. However, the exact influence and impact cannot be predicted in this stage. Ambient noise generation, vibration and EMF should be subject to a detailed study within the scope of ESIA.
7. Will the Project lead to Yes Yes risks of contamination of land or water from During the construction phase, there During the construction phase it releases of pollutants is a potential risk of pollutants is not expected to be any major onto the ground or into entering the land or water contamination consequence on surface waters, environment due to unplanned the environment. groundwater, coastal events and/or accidents. While, During both phases wasters or the sea? during operation phase risks from (construction & operation unplanned events and/or accidents phase) there could be potential are considered minor, restricted only impacts due to unplanned in case of maintenance activities. events, accidents or force Floods might pose a high risk of major, however the risk is accidents during construction and considered low and quickly operation phase. mitigated through various plans and monitoring measures. Floods might pose a major risk of accidents during construction phase and at a lesser extend during operation, by damaging machineries and equipment or flooding pollutants storages.
8. Will there be any risk Yes No of accidents during construction or During the construction phase there It is a legal obligation to adopt operation of the Project is a potential for polluting matter to mitigation measures and which could affect enter onto land, surface water and relevant management plans. human health or the groundwater due to construction Those are to be developed and environment? activities. implemented, avoiding potential During the operation stage, there is accidents of construction a risk of pollutants entering the materials or other substances aquatic environment (surface and into the aquatic environment ground) from surface run-off and/or and land nearby. in case of unplanned events during During the operational phase of maintenance activities. the proposed development, it is Floods might pose a high risk of expected the risk of accidents to accidents during construction phase be reduced due to fewer and at a lesser extend during machineries and trucks, operation. operation activities and
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Yes / No/? Is this likely to result in a Screening Criteria Briefly describe significant effect? Yes / No /? – Why? Land slide might pose a high risk of operation procedures of the accidents during construction phase plant. and operation.
9. Will the Project result Yes Yes in social changes, for example, in The reservoir to be created will 16 km2 of land (according to demography, traditional inundate about 16 km2 of land feasibility study) to be inundated lifestyles, employment? (according to feasibility study). This will cause: will cause social changes in • resettlement (several demography, traditional lifestyles, village residences); and employment. • resettlement of few business; • loss of arable land, bring loss or change of cropping structure and* income generation; • loss of forest and pasture; • Change in scenery form a flowing river into reservoir stored water; • Change from river fish species into lake, will also change the local eating lifestyle; • Flooding parts of national road; • From river into lake recreation potential. During construction it will bring midterm employment opportunity directly or indirectly by the project. Possibility to exploit new business opportunities, as needed by the project development. Attaining of new professional skills to adapt to employment opportunities by the project. Change in traditional roads and other infrastructure. Such large projects are associated with a large number of employees with a variety social background, skills, origin, traditions, language and
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Yes / No/? Is this likely to result in a Screening Criteria Briefly describe significant effect? Yes / No /? – Why? dialects, which might affect the local tradition. Also the large number of employees is a risk for higher level of crimes and offense.
10. Are there any other Yes Yes factors which should be considered such as Over the last few years there have It can be anticipated that the consequential been several discussions for the construction of other development which construction of the proposed HPP hydropower plants in could lead to Kalivaç and HPP Poçem projects downstream river will potentially environmental effects or over Vjosa River. HPP Poçem is cause environmental effects the potential for another proposed hydropower and cumulative impacts, cumulative impacts with development on the downstream of especially if these projects will other existing or Vjosa River. The construction of be developed at the same planned activities in the another hydropower plant in time/period. This is due to the locality? downstream river of HPP Kalivaç will ecological functions and potentially lead to environmental specific biodiversity of river- effects and cumulative impacts. floodplain ecosystems, which are highly dependent on their geomorphic dynamics. Other potential impacts may result due to project activities (e.g. building of dams during construction stage) that may cause potential degradation of water quality. The quality of water in streams may be modified due to construction works for the hydropower project, the morphology of the river, quantity and dynamics of downstream releases. However, the exact environmental effects and potential cumulative impacts associated with other existing or planned activities cannot be accurately estimated at this stage.
11. Are there any areas Yes Yes on or around the location which are There are no protected areas located Considering the distance of protected under nearby the proposed site. Protected protected areas and natural international or national areas such as Vjosa-Narta Protected monuments from the project or local legislation for Landscape and Hotova-Dangellia area, there are no anticipated their ecological, impacts.
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Yes / No/? Is this likely to result in a Screening Criteria Briefly describe significant effect? Yes / No /? – Why? landscape, cultural or National Park are in far distance from “Rrepet e Dervenit” natural other value, which could the proposed development. monument within project be affected by the i) Vjosa-Narta Protected affected area is claimed to be project? Landscape – approximately destroyed, as verified during the 30 km in aerial distance from Walk Through conducted on the HPP (north-western 17.01.2019. part); However this preliminary ii) Hotova-Dangellia National assessment has to be Park – approximately 42 km confirmed with the NAPA in aerial distance from the (National Agency of Protected HPP (south-eastern part). Areas) through an official With reference to the preliminary communication. desktop study, there are five (5) natural monuments nearby the project area, as below: During the Walk Through was i) Rrepet e Donies, Kalivaç – observed a tomb from the approximately 535 m from Second World War period. This the project area; tomb might be located within the ii) Rrapi i Qesaratit - project area and be affected by approximately 340 m from the reservoir lake. the project area; iii) Mogilat e Vasjarit - Referring to the cultural heritage approximately 484 m from monuments (archaeological the project area; monuments) identified on iv) Rrap i Dames - desktop survey, they will be approximately 2,200 m from subject to a detailed the project area; assessment during the ESIA Rrepet e Dervenit – within the project baseline studies. area With reference to the preliminary desktop study and ASIG Geo-portal, there are three (3) cultural heritage monuments (archaeological monuments) nearby the project area, one near Leshnjë village, one near Qesarat village and the other at Kordhaj village.
12. Are there any other Yes No areas on or around the location which are Please refer to point 11, above. Please refer to point 11, above. important or sensitive for reasons of their ecology e.g. wetlands, watercourses or other water bodies, the coastal zone, mountains, forests or woodlands, which could
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Yes / No/? Is this likely to result in a Screening Criteria Briefly describe significant effect? Yes / No /? – Why? be affected by the project? 13. Are there any areas Yes Yes on or around the location which are used Independent reports published During the construction phase it by protected, important recently mention several protected is the main anticipated impact is or sensitive species of species in the Vjosa river, with no expected to come from civil fauna or flora e.g. for exact reference on their location. works such as excavation and breeding, nesting, Such reports mention the presence earth filling in the river body, foraging, resting, of the European eel, the Ohrid loach causing increased turbidity and overwintering, and the Pindus loach, etc. turbulences. migration, which could While, during operation the be affected by the main impact will be the change project? of the river flow from free into a reservoir and released from the dam. During both phases (construction & operation phase) there could be potential impacts due to unplanned events or accidents, however the risk is considered manageable through various plans and monitoring measures.
14. Are there any inland, Yes Yes coastal, marine or underground waters on The project is developed somewhere During the construction phase it or around the location the middle of Vjosa river, far from is not anticipated that there will which could be affected coastal or marine water and there be any significant effects on the by the project? are no inland lakes to be affected by environment. the project. The effect of increased ground Ground water will be affected by the water surface area is expected increase of the water surface on the as a direct impact of water level reservoir to be created. in the reservoir. Another potential impact is from During both phases accidents during construction or (construction & operation operation. phase) there could be potential impacts due to unplanned events or accidents, however the risk is considered manageable through various plans and monitoring measures.
15. Are there any areas Yes Yes or features of high landscape or scenic The scenery will be changed due to The exact influence amount value on or around the creation of the dam, reservoir, cannot be predicted at this location which could be stage.
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Yes / No/? Is this likely to result in a Screening Criteria Briefly describe significant effect? Yes / No /? – Why? affected by the project? powerhouse and the transmission lines. Also temporary impact will be during the construction time.
16. Are there any routes Yes Yes or facilities on or around the location which are There are a few roads that are The impact is such that requires used by the public for affected. The national road on the the replacement of the village access to recreation or right side of the river and the village road on the left side of the river other facilities, which connecting road on the left side of and increased of road base on could be affected by the the river. the right side. project? 17. Are there any Yes Yes transport routes on or around the location Part of the National Road of Potential impacts are expected which are susceptible to Tepelenë (Levan-Tepelenë) will be on transport routes due to the congestion or which submerged by the reservoir area. reservoir construction. Also the cause environmental Other road routes (rural roads) may uprising of the existing national problems, which could be affected by construction works. road would require for the traffic be affected by the in about 4 km be diverted during project? construction works. Though there is estimated a low intensity traffic in general in the national road, the traffic increases heavily during summer vacation period. This may cause temporary increased traffic in the national road segment from and to Memaliaj and Tepelenë.
18. Is the project in a Yes Yes location where it is likely to be highly visible to The proposed location for the Regarding the construction many people? development of HPP Kalivaç is works, they will be visible to the located in the territories of Memaliaj local residents in the villages municipality, approximately 16 km in near the proposed area to build aerial distance from Memaliaj city. the dam and the hydropower. The project reservoir to be created Though the dam and will be accompanied by the national hydropower itself are road on along the right side of the surrounded by high hills which river, with no visible barriers. somehow hide the construction The project will also affect the area from the sight. territories of the villages Iliras, During the operational phase Qesarat, Ane Vjose, Leshnje, Dukaj the proposed hydropower plant (Kordhaj) and Përparim. The and lake reservoir will be visible proposed location will be highly to local residents and passers, visible. because of the size of the lake
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Yes / No/? Is this likely to result in a Screening Criteria Briefly describe significant effect? Yes / No /? – Why? to be created. The effects in this case will be of long term and therefore there could be significant impacts anticipated.
19. Are there any areas Yes No or features of historic or cultural importance on Based on the preliminary desktop Referring to the preliminary or around the location study, there are three (3) cultural desktop study, no cultural which could be affected heritage monuments (archaeological heritage monuments are by the project? monuments) located nearby the located within the project area project area, one near Leshnjë even though they might be village, one near Qesarat village and located in close distance. the other at Kordhaj village. Though relevant surveys and studies will be conducted in order to accurately identify if there are cultural heritage sites, assess potential impacts and proposes mitigation measures if necessary. 20. Is the project located Yes Yes in a previously undeveloped area where There are some areas of forest, In this stage, it is difficult to there will be loss of agricultural and pasture lands that estimate the exact surfaces of greenfield land? will be inundated by the project. forest, agricultural and pasture lands to be affected/ impacted by the project, mostly the lake to be created. Though relevant surveys and studies will confirm the amount and significance of these impacts.
21. Are there existing Yes Yes land uses on or around the location e.g. homes, The project has large impacts mostly The proposed hydropower plant gardens, other private due to the reservoir to be created. It development would lead to property, industry, will involve the acquisition of both about 16 km2 of land commerce, recreation, land and property. It is foreseen that requirement. Effects on land public open space, private property and public property use are more likely to be community facilities, lands will be affected. Based on the negative due to construction agriculture, forestry, actual information, forests and activities, reservoir lake, need tourism, mining or agricultural plots of villages in for access roads and need for quarrying which could surroundings will be affected. resettlement or compensation be affected by the The reservoir lake will also affect part of those directly impacted. project? of the settlements of villages Iliras, Significant effects are Qesarat, Ane Vjose, Leshnje, Dukaj anticipated on villages of Iliras, (Kordhaj), Përparim and Memaliaj Qesarat, Ane Vjose, Leshnje, city. Also the cemetery of Memaliaj Përparim, Dukaj (Kordhaj) and Memaliaj city due to the
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Yes / No/? Is this likely to result in a Screening Criteria Briefly describe significant effect? Yes / No /? – Why? city might be affected by the construction of reservoir lake reservoir water during floods. which will submerge part of Also the source of drinking water of these areas. Memaliaj Municipality will be Community buildings, services affected. and other facilities (such as The discharged sewerage outlet of cemetery of Memaliaj, Memaliaj also expected to be wastewater discharge point of flooded; Memaliaj city, pump station of Other industrial buildings or drinking water supply in Dukaj community facilities may be also (Kordhaj) village, overhead affected by the project. transmission lines, etc.) will be affected by the project.
Further investigation and details are required in the following phases of the ESIA to make a better assessment in regard.
22. Are there any plans Yes No for future land uses on or around the location The only identified project to be Though the project is on hold for which could be affected developed near the Kalivaç Project is the moment, it will be developed by the project? the Poçem HPP Project. few km downstream Kalivaç, with little to no impact to this project. Through consultation with all level stakeholders will be identified if other projects are foreseen in the project area.
23. Are there any areas Yes Yes on or around the location which are The reservoir lake will also affect part Main potential impacts are densely populated or of the settlements of villages Iliras, predicted for socio-economic built-up, which could be Qesarat, Ane Vjose, Dukaj aspects (direct impacts). affected by the project? (Kordhaj), Leshnje, Përparim and See point 21, above. Memaliaj city. See point 21, above.
24. Are there any areas Yes Yes on or around the location which is Settlements of the villages nearby, Main potential impacts are occupied by sensitive cemetery of Memaliaj city and other predicted for socio-economic land uses e.g. hospitals, industrial buildings and community aspects. schools, places of facilities will be affected by the Further investigation and details worship, community project. are required to make a better facilities, which could be For additional information, see point assessment. affected by the project? 21 and 23, above. See point 21 and 23, above.
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Yes / No/? Is this likely to result in a Screening Criteria Briefly describe significant effect? Yes / No /? – Why? 25. Are there any areas Yes Yes on or around the location which contain Settlements of the villages nearby, The lake to be created will have important, high quality minerals and other agricultural, impact on groundwater, surface or scarce resources e.g. tourism, fisheries and community waters, forestry, agriculture, groundwater, surface facilities will be affected by the fisheries, etc. waters, forestry, project. Based on the actual Based on the Walk Through agriculture, fisheries, information, forests and agricultural conducted on site, the pump tourism, minerals, which plots of villages in surroundings will station of drinking water supply could be affected by the be affected. of Memaliaj city will be directly project? affected by the project. Also the wastewater discharge point of Memaliaj city will be submerged by the reservoir lake. Furthermore, several drinking water pipes could be affected by the project and reservoir lake. Further investigation and details are required in the following phases of the ESIA to make a better assessment in regard. See point 21 and 23, above
26. Are there any areas Yes Yes on or around the location which are Existing flood events, urban and Based on literature, several already subject to construction waste illegal dumping studies conducted in this area pollution or and riverbank erosion along Vjosa have noted a number of flood environmental damage River. events and riverbank erosion e.g. where existing legal along Vjosa River. environmental The proposed hydropower plant standards are exceeded, development on its feasibility which could be affected study has recommendations to by the project? ensure the safety of the dam and minimize the risk of flooding. Though no significant effects are expected by the project itself, there might be some affects from other human activities upstream the project area.
27. Is the project Yes Yes location susceptible to earthquakes, Albania is considered as highly Both seismicity and floods need subsidence, landslides, seismic area and Kalivaç project further careful assessment. and erosion, flooding or area is close to one of the most extreme or adverse sensitive.
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Yes / No/? Is this likely to result in a Screening Criteria Briefly describe significant effect? Yes / No /? – Why? climatic conditions e.g. Also by being a project developed at temperature inversions, a river section, there is always the fogs, severe winds, risk of flooding during construction which could cause the and at a lesser extend in operation. project to present Though is expected during operation environmental the new dam will help to minimize problems? also the frequent floods downstream the project area. Landslides are foreseen to be a risk during construction, especially by the excavation works and during operation by the increase and reduction of water level in the lake.
Summary of features of project and of its location indicating the need for EIA
In conclusion, the checklist (Screening Checklist) above represents a preliminary assessment of environmental, social and technical aspects and location of the proposed project HPP Kalivaç. Considering the size of the plant, type of industry and potential effects related to the environment and social aspects, the proposed Project is subject to a Full/In-Depth ESIA in accordance with IFC Standards and Albanian Legislation. This assessment is based on:
1. IFC Guideline Manual (dated December 1998 and updated in 2016) - Procedure for Environmental and Social Review of Projects i) Project screening (point 22) – The proposed project is classified as Category A, as stated in the IFC Guideline Manual: A proposed project is classified as Category A if it is likely to have significant adverse environmental impacts that are sensitive86, diverse, or unprecedented. These projects may affect an area broader than the sites or facilities subject to physical works. EA for a Category A project examines the project’s potential positive and negative impacts, compares them with those of feasible alternatives (including the “without project” scenario), and recommends any measures needed to prevent, minimize, mitigate, or compensate for adverse impacts and to improve performance. For a Category A Project, the project sponsor is responsible for preparing a full report, normally an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and for preparing and updating an Environmental Action Plan (EAP). ii) Annex B (Project categorizations and examples) – Category A - Projects: With reference to examples of Category A, the proposed development Kalivaç Hydropower Plant is classified as to belong Large dams and reservoirs.
2. Albanian Law No. 10 440 dated 07.07. 2011 “On Environmental Impact Assessment” amended, Annex I, point 15: “Dams and other installations designed to prevent water release or to deposit water permanently, where a new or additional water suppression is installed or stored water is above 10 million m3/day” – The proposed project is subject to a Full/In-depth EIA.
86 A potential impact is considered “sensitive” if it may be irreversible (e.g., lead to loss of a major natural habitat), affect vulnerable groups or ethnic minorities, involve involuntary displacement and resettlement, or affect significant cultural heritage sites.
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Yes / No/? Is this likely to result in a Screening Criteria Briefly describe significant effect? Yes / No /? – Why?
Screening Checklist shows the following environmental and social aspects to be studied within the scope of the ESIA related to project area, but not limited to:
• Air quality; • Soil quality; • Surface water bodies into and near the lake to be created, including streams, freshwater swamps, creeks, irrigation and drainage channels; • Groundwater within the zone of hydrological influence; • Ambient noise, vibration and lighting; • Flora and Fauna, (including avifauna and aquatic ecology); • Protected Areas; • Cultural Heritage; • Village Assessment and Land Use/Cover; • Socio-Economic aspects; • Road Infrastructure & Road Pavement; • Waste Generation; • Electro-Magnetic Field (EMF).
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Annex B: Scoping Checklist
REPORT SUMMARY
[ABKONS] [REV]
PROJECT TITLE ESIA – HYDROPOWER PLANT KALIVAÇ DOCUMENT TITLE ESIA Scoping Assessment Checklist for the Proposed Kalivaç HPP
REV. PURPOSE OF ISSUE REMARK/ DESCRIPTION ORIG. DATE
0 Scoping Assessment Checklist Draft Report Abkons sh.p.k 24/01/2019 1 Scoping Assessment Checklist Version 01 Abkons sh.p.k 25/02/2019
FINAL PURPOSE OF ISSUE
CONSULTANT ORIGINATOR CHECKER APPROVER NAME/SURNAME ABKONS ABKONS AYEN DATE 28/01/2019 25/02/2019 /03/2019 NAME/SURNAME DATE
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ESIA Scoping Assessment Checklist for the Proposed Project Hydropower Plant Kalivaç (HPP Kalivaç) (Checklist adapted from European Guidance on EIA Scoping, Directive 2011/92/EU as amended by 2014/52/EU)
Part 1 of the Scoping Checklist: QUESTIONS ON PROJECT CHARACTERISTICS
No. Questions to be Yes / Which Characteristics of the Project Is the effect likely to be significant? Why? considered in Scoping No/? Environment could be affected and how?
1. Will construction, operation or decommissioning of the Project involve actions which will cause physical changes in the locality (topography, land use, changes in water bodies, etc.)?
1.1 Permanent or temporary Yes The project will include construction of a new Highly significant, having regarded the change in land use, land Hydropower Plant and associated components/ typology and size of proposed project. Impacts cover or topography facilities (including a dam, reservoir HPP Station on land use intensity are considered to have including increases in and 29 km overhead transmission line (OHL) from significant effects on the existing environment. intensity of land use? the project area to SS Babicë 220/110/35 kV). Main impact is the decrease of land use intensity (especially agricultural plots which will Considering this project typology and the size, be submerged by the reservoir lake). though the construction and operation of the power plant, dam and reservoir to be created, the project Change of topography and landscape on local will result in changes of land use, water bodies and surrounding area will be visible over a (surface water), microclimate and settlements of the wider area due to the creation of the reservoir villages. lake.
During construction and operation phase there will be change of the type of land and land use intensity due to the creation of the reservoir lake. Land use intensity will be significantly decreased due to inundation by the reservoir to be created.
1.2 Clearance of existing Yes Clearance of existing land and vegetation due to Significant, due to volume and surface of land, vegetation and construction of the HPP buildings and associated proposed reservoir and associated facilities of buildings? facilities. the HPP.
The project will also inundate a section of the Potential impacts on land, vegetation, existing national road to Memaliaj and some rural roads buildings, landscape and visual amenity. connecting nearby villages with each other and Significant effects are anticipated on villages of Memaliaj town. Iliras, Qesarat, Ane Vjose, Leshnje, Përparim, Community buildings, services and other facilities Dukaj (Kordhaj) and Memaliaj city due to the (such as cemetery of Memaliaj, wastewater construction of reservoir lake which will discharge point of Memaliaj city, pump station of submerge part of these areas. drinking water supply in Kordhaj village, overhead Effects on land use are more likely to be transmission lines, etc.) will be affected by the negative due to construction activities, project. reservoir lake, need for access roads and need
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No. Questions to be Yes / Which Characteristics of the Project Is the effect likely to be significant? Why? considered in Scoping No/? Environment could be affected and how?
Possible demolition of existing buildings within the for resettlement or compensation of those project area (reservoir lake) due to visual amenity directly impacted. and safety issues.
Main characteristics of the environment that could be affected are land, vegetation, landscape and visual amenity.
1.3 Creation of new land No uses?
1.4 Pre-construction Yes During detail design phase, core samples are Not significant, provided good practice is investigations e.g. expected to be drilled within and near project area. followed at all times. boreholes, soil testing? Within the scope of ESIA there will be several Soil sampling and testing methodology will be environmental studies and pre-construction detailed in the following phases of the ESIA investigations, including soil sampling and soil process. quality testing.
Investigations are required to be carried out prior to construction, but are unlikely to cause physical changes in the locality.
1.5 Construction works? Yes HPP Kalivaç project during development phase will Significant - due to the type of industry, size of be a large construction site. the project and areas of potential interest.
Land will be utilised for construction material and The project is expected to create a 16 km2 also will be lost due to inundation and creation of the reservoir (according to initial feasibility reservoir lake. studies); this represents a major use of existing natural resources and poses major risks for Water from Vjosa river will be used during the environmental impacts. By changing the water construction and operational phase. flow in a section of Vjosa river from free flow to River flow will be deviated through a deviation canal a lake, it will have an effect on the natural during dam construction. habitat of the project area, flora and fauna, including also the landscape and visual impact. Significant excavation work will be carried out in both side of river flow for dam shoulders and other required work.
1.6 Demolition works? Yes Possible demolition works related to infrastructure Significant – due to the sensitivity in regard of and buildings in the project area. the social aspect (affected people) and visual amenity. Demolition works may be required to be conducted due to safety reasons and visual amenity issues.
1.7 Temporary sites used for Yes Temporary sites for construction works will be Not significant, provided good practice is construction works or located on site, within the project area. followed at all times regarding urban solid
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No. Questions to be Yes / Which Characteristics of the Project Is the effect likely to be significant? Why? considered in Scoping No/? Environment could be affected and how?
housing of construction The contractor will consider both options, housing waste and wastewater management due to the workers? for construction workers or accommodation in activity of workforce. Memaliaj city and villages nearby. This will be detailed in the following stages of the project.
1.8 Above ground buildings, Yes The project will include construction of a new Significant – construction of built structures, structures or earthworks Hydropower Plant and associated buildings/ reservoir lake and stockpiles during including linear structures, facilities (including a dam, reservoir HPP Station construction will pose impacts on topography, cut and fill or and overhead transmission line (OHL)). soil, surface water streams and landscape. excavations? During construction there will be several work activities related to earthworks, fillings and building of structures.
1.9 Underground works Yes Probable during work activities due to construction Significant – construction of the pressurised including mining or of deviation canals and other facilities of the HPP. grout curtain will stop the ground water tunnelling? Excavation of sections which later will be covered communication at the axis of the dam. by the dam structure such as penstocks, deviation Because of the reservoir to be created, ground tunnels, etc. are expected. water level will be increased upstream the dam and ground water level will be decreased Construction material excavated within inundation downstream the dam. area might also be considered as surface mining. Other excavations related to construction Also grout curtain consisting of a row of vertically materials and HPP structures are expected to drilled holes filled with pressurised grout along dam have effects only during construction phase. foundation, perpendicular to the river section. The holes are expected to be drilled in intervals and in such a way that they cross each other, creating a
curtain.
1.10 Reclamation works? No
1.11 Dredging? Yes Dredging works are expected in the dam foundation Significant – dredging in the river section, will and deviation structures. create an increase of turbidity and suspended sediments for a short period. This might disturb the aquatic life downstream the project.
1.12 Coastal structures e.g. No . seawalls, piers?
1.13 Offshore structures? No
1.14 Production and Yes During construction rock will be acquired by Not significant, provided good practice is manufacturing excavation for dam body filling. followed at all times. processes? It is expected that the concrete for all the structures, (e.g. powerhouse, concrete face, spillway, etc.) is to be produced on site
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No. Questions to be Yes / Which Characteristics of the Project Is the effect likely to be significant? Why? considered in Scoping No/? Environment could be affected and how?
Due to the large mechanical structures needed, steel works and welding of steel structures is expected to be carried out onsite (e.g. penstock, turbine assembling, spillway gates, etc.)
1.15 Facilities for storage of Yes Facilities for storage or goods and materials during Not significant, provided good practice is goods or materials? construction phase and operation will be restricted followed at all times. to within the downstream project area.
Stockpiling of excavated material and infilling materials for construction works are expected upstream of the project area.
Main characteristics of the environment that could be affected are topography and landscape (visual impact).
1.16 Facilities for treatment or Yes During construction phase, spoil material (soil and Moderately significant. Preliminary measures disposal of solid wastes rock mass) will be generated in significant quantities and management plans will be developed or liquid effluents? as a result of different earthworks. Excess/surplus within the scope of the ESIA process. rock and soil material will mostly be deposited within the reservoir area to be created.
During construction a machinery workshop building, is expected to be used to collect and temporarily store different types of used oils.
Main characteristics of the environment that could be affected are land, air, surface water and groundwater.
1.17 Facilities for long term No The developer has foreseen the creation of a housing of operational number of light structure buildings to be used during workers? construction phase, estimated about 36 months.
Though some of the building will be used in the future for administrative purposes, due to the vicinity with Memaliaj town, it is not expected housing of labour workers during operational phase.
1.18 New road, rail or sea Yes Sections of the National Road Levan-Tepelenë will Significant - additional analysis are required to traffic during construction be affected and submerged by the reservoir lake define the impact on material goods. or operation? construction. Other sections of rural roads of the Impact on immediate surrounding roads and villages within the project area and surrounding within the project area. Impacts on the National areas could be affected.
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No. Questions to be Yes / Which Characteristics of the Project Is the effect likely to be significant? Why? considered in Scoping No/? Environment could be affected and how?
Possible unrestrained growth of traffic in the areas Road Levan-Tepelenë are considered to be affected by the project. significant.
Increase of traffic in the national road. Significant impacts may also result in traffic issues during construction works.
1.19 New road, rail, air, Yes The project will affect several infrastructure facilities, Significant – additional analysis are required to waterborne or other roads and community buildings. define the impact on material goods and social transport infrastructure aspects. The Investor has to provide replacement, including new or altered compensation and rehabilitation measures for the Impacts on infrastructure and community routes and stations, ports, affected facilities, community buildings and facilities. airports, etc.? infrastructure.
1.20 Closure or deviation of Yes See point 1.18 and 1.19, above. See point 1.18 and 1.19, above. existing transport routes or infrastructure leading to changes in traffic movements?
1.21 New or diverted Yes A new transmission line will be constructed to Significant – additional analysis is required to transmission lines or connect the hydropower plant to SS Babicë. define the impact on community pipelines? facilities/services and social aspects. Several transmission lines (overhead transmission lines) and electric cabins will be affected (e.g. such as in village Dukaj (Kordhaj)).
Water supply station and pipeline of Memaliaj Municipality and several villages also will be inundated.
The sewerage outlet of Memaliaj town will be inundated by the tail-end of the reservoir. The sewerage of is discharged untreated into Vjosa River.
1.22 Impoundment, damming, Yes The project will include construction of a new Significant – main impact can be considered culverting, realignment or Hydropower Plant and associated buildings/ the transformation of a section of the river from other changes to the facilities (including a dam, reservoir HPP Station free flow into a lake and ground water level hydrology of and overhead transmission line (OHL)). increase upstream the dam and decrease watercourses or aquifers? downstream the dam Though the construction and operation of the power plant, dam and reservoir to be created, the project Additional analyses are required to define the will result in changes of land use, water bodies impact on environment and community. (surface water, from free flow into running reservoir, ground water level increase upstream the dam and
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No. Questions to be Yes / Which Characteristics of the Project Is the effect likely to be significant? Why? considered in Scoping No/? Environment could be affected and how?
decrease downstream the dam), microclimate and settlements of the villages.
1.23 Stream crossings? Yes The project is developed in a section of Vjosa River, Significant. Related construction and operation by diverting, storing and releasing in a controlled plans need to be drafted. Main issue is way the inflow at the project section. considered also the flooding events. To be investigated further in the following phases of the ESIA.
1.24 Abstraction or transfers of Yes Construction of the dam will result in changes of Considered to be significant due to utilization water from ground or surface water streams and creation of the reservoir of surface water resources, changes of water surface waters? lake, which will release the inflow in a controlled streams free flow, topography and landscape. manner Further assessment of impacts will be conducted in the following stages of the ESIA.
1.25 Changes in water bodies Yes See point 1.22, 1.23 and 1.24 above. Significant - due to nature of scale of the or the land surface proposed development. Flooding issues. affecting drainage or run-
off?
1.26 Transport of personnel or Yes Transportation of materials to site for construction, Significant in respect of the increased number materials for construction, transport of excavated materials from site to of vehicle movements; operation or disposal areas (within the project area and/or in the Potential impact of noise generation and air decommissioning? approved disposal areas by the municipality). emissions from vehicles during movement on Transport of personnel during construction phase. local road network.
Increased lorry, truck and other vehicle movements on local roads.
1.27 Long term dismantling or Yes Predicted long term dismantling/ decommissioning Significant – due to nature of scale of the decommissioning or and restoration works related to dam and its proposed development, sedimentation restoration works? structures, including the power house. process due to the creation of the reservoir and change of water streams in the area from
a lake back to free flow river.
1.28 On-going activity during Yes There are two decommissioning phases. 1st Phase Not Significant - provided good practice is decommissioning which is the decommissioning of the construction followed during decommissioning of civil works
could have an impact on contractors and the 2nd stage is the contractor. the environment? decommissioning of the dam and reservoir at the Significant (see point 1.27 above) the life of the end of its lifecycle. reservoir is estimated to be over 50 years if no sediment management measures are taken. Typically these types of projects have a midlife
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No. Questions to be Yes / Which Characteristics of the Project Is the effect likely to be significant? Why? considered in Scoping No/? Environment could be affected and how?
reassessment to take proper measures to increase the operation lifetime of the structure.
Decommissioning of a long term operational dam needs a full technical design and EIA study based on actual conditions at the end of the lifetime period.
1.29 Influx of people to an area Yes During construction works there will be temporary Potentially significant – social impacts to be in either temporarily or influx of workforce in the area, both as residents and further assessed in the following phases of the permanently? temporary workers. ESIA.
1.30 Introduction of alien Yes The project purpose on itself does not have any Significant - due to nature of scale of the species? component on introducing any alien species into the proposed development alien species might be existing environment or on the reservoir to be introduced from other water bodies, or by created. Though is expected alien species may be humans, to be used as fish farming introduced naturally or artificially (human factor) by opportunity. Aquaculture in the reservoirs will the change of the water course from free flow into a most probably be promoted as new income regulated flow. generation activity for the local communities. Any species cultured in net pens will inevitably escape and possibly establish populations in the reservoirs, provided that the habitat is suitable for the species in question.
To be investigated further in the following phases of the ESIA
1.31 Loss of native species or Yes The transformation of Vjosa River section from free Significant – due to potential impacts genetic diversity? flow into a lake with regulated flow, will affect current associated with the project construction. aquatic species by removing a part of their habitat To be detailed in the following phases of the or by forcing some of them to adapt to the new ESIA. environment. This might bring also genetic adaption of some species.
Independent reports published recently mention several threatened species in the Vjosa river.
1.32 Any other actions? No
2. Will construction or operation of the Project use natural resources such as land, water, materials or energy, especially any resources which are non-renewable or in short supply?
2.1 Land especially Yes Land will be exploited for construction material and Significant - Large areas of agricultural land will undeveloped or also will be lost due to inundation and creation of the be lost due to inundation. agricultural land? reservoir.
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No. Questions to be Yes / Which Characteristics of the Project Is the effect likely to be significant? Why? considered in Scoping No/? Environment could be affected and how?
Also undeveloped, forest or agricultural land will be lost by construction of replacement infrastructure, such as national and rural roads, administrative buildings, resettlement houses, etc.
2.2 Water? Yes Water from Vjosa river will be used during the Significant – During the construction phase, construction and operational phase. there is a potential risk of pollutants entering the land or water environment due to By changing the water flow in a section of Vjosa unplanned events and/or accidents. While, River from free flow to a lake it will have an effect on during operation phase risks from unplanned the natural habitat of the project area flora and events and/or accidents are considered minor. fauna, including also the scenery. Floods might pose a high risk on environment During the construction phase there is a potential for and humans during construction and operation polluting matter to enter into surface water and phase. groundwater due to construction activities. During operation phase the main potential During the operation stage, there is a risk of emissions could result from greenhouse gas pollutants entering the aquatic environment (surface emissions due to decay of organic material and ground) from surface runoff and/or in case of within the water storage after the dam unplanned events during maintenance activities. construction (reservoir lake) of HPP Kalivaç. Floods might pose a high risk of accidents during Based on similar projects and previous studies construction phase and at a lesser extend during conducted on large storage hydropower dams, operation. there are potential risk which may create low stream flow conditions, potentially leading to During the operation stage, there is a risk of significant thermal stratification and therefore pollutants entering the aquatic environment (surface anoxic conditions in the colder, bottom layers and ground) from surface runoff and/or in case of of water of the reservoir. In this case, unplanned events during maintenance activities. greenhouse gases are released in the form of methane which is converted to carbon dioxide Floods might pose a high risk of accidents during (CO2) as it travels up to the surface through the construction phase and at a lesser extend during water column. operation. To be detailed in the following phases of the
ESIA.
2.3 Minerals? Yes Construction Minerals such as crushed rock Moderately Significant – The developer has (limestone, igneous rock and sandstone) and sand planned to extract the construction minerals and gravel will be used during the project through surface excavation in a location within construction phase. inundation zone. Construction minerals will be mostly used as aggregates (see point 2.4
below).
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Expected construction minerals: limestone, igneous rock, sandstone, clay, limestone, brick clay, gypsum, slate and building stone.
2.4 Aggregates? Yes Construction aggregates such as sand, gravel, Significant - . Effects on land use are more crushed stone, recycled concrete. Aggregates will likely to be negative due to construction be used as component of composite materials such activities, reservoir lake, need for access roads as concrete and asphalt concrete; as reinforcement and need for resettlement or compensation of to add strength to the overall composite material. those directly impacted.
The construction phase will use construction Major impacts are related to loss of habitat, aggregates in every structure, such as building, noise, dust, erosion, sedimentation, and dam, control structures, administrative and changes to the visual scene. residence building, temporary and permanent Other impacts to be detailed in the following roads, replacement infrastructure and in every phases of the ESIA. construction activity of the project.
2.5 Forests and timber? Yes There are some areas of forests and timber that will Further investigation and details are required in be impact by the project. the following phases of the ESIA to make a better assessment in regard.
2.6 Energy including Yes Electric energy will be needed for the construction Further investigation and details are required in electricity and fuels? camp and other related on site equipment and the following phases of the ESIA to make a machinery. better assessment in regard.
Administration, dormitory and other facilities will be constructed on site which will require electricity.
It is expected a large consumption of electric energy and several fuel types for the machineries.
2.7 Any other resources? No
3. Will the Project involve use, storage, transport, handling or production of substances or materials which could be harmful to human health or the environment or raise concerns about actual or perceived risks to human health?
3.1 Will the project involve Yes During construction phase may be used several Potentially significant – due to possible impacts use of substances or types of substances and materials such as arising from non-proper management on site materials which are concrete, fuel for machineries and equipment, etc., and in case of spillages/accidents. hazardous or toxic to which could be harmful if not handled carefully and Further investigation and details are required in human health or the allow for direct releases into the environment. the following phases of the ESIA to make a environment (flora, fauna, Different types of materials will be stored on site, better assessment in regard. and water supplies)? including possible hazardous materials.
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3.2 Will the project result in No changes in occurrence of disease or affect disease vectors (e.g. insect or water borne diseases)?
3.3 Will the project affect the Yes The project will directly affect the welfare of people Highly significant – on the long term the project welfare of people e.g. by in the project area and its vicinity. Firstly there will will improve access to markets and the changing living be changes due to loss of arable land, houses, opportunity on higher income. Improved rural conditions? businesses, which will directly impact resident’s roads would lead to improved access to welfare and living conditions. Secondly the size and markets and therefore have a positive impact schedule of the project will create employment and of increased income. business opportunities during construction phases Aquaculture in the reservoirs will most and thirdly during operation it will create long term probably be promoted as new income employment and business opportunity in the areas generation activities for the local communities. of energy services, maintenance, tourism and Any species cultured in net pens will inevitably accommodation, etc. escape and possibly establish populations in the reservoirs, provided that the habitat is suitable for the species in question.
Complex measures for protection and enhancement of natural values, economic development, welfare and safety of impacted individuals and communities, etc. have to be addressed in the Environmental and Social Management Plans.
Requires further investigation and detail within the scope of ESIA.
3.4 Are there especially Yes The project has large impacts mostly due to the Highly significant – effects from the reservoir to vulnerable groups of reservoir to be created. It will involve the acquisition be created. Resettlement will be needed. people who could be of both land and property. It is foreseen that private Categories of vulnerable groups to expected to affected by the project property and public property lands will be affected. be affected are 1) women; 2) children 3) e.g. hospital patients, the Based on the actual information, forests and elderly; by loss of livelihood means, potential elderly? agricultural plots of villages in surroundings will be temporarily restricted access to school and affected. administrative offices, etc., but also from the The reservoir lake will also affect part of the risk of harassment by the influx of migrant settlements of villages Iliras, Qesarat, Ane Vjose, workers into the area. Perparim, Kordhaj and Memaliaj city. Also the It will be further investigated on other cemetery of Memaliaj city might be affected by the potentially affected vulnerable groups. reservoir water during floods.
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Other industrial buildings or community facilities (such as school in village Qesarat) may be also affected by the project.
3.5 Any other causes? No
4. Will the Project produce solid wastes during construction or operation or decommissioning?
4.1 Spoil, overburden or mine Yes The size and typology of the project will eventually Significant – It can be anticipated that a wastes? produce construction waste. During construction significant quantity of spoil material (natural phase, there will be generation of spoil material (soil soil and rock mass) will be (re)used within the and rock mass) in significant quantities as a result scope of the project in different construction of different earthworks. components of the HPP (such as dam) and also for the rehabilitation phase.
A small quantity of the excavated spoil material (surplus material) will not be suitable for reuse in construction works. Exact quantities of excess/surplus materials (excavated materials during construction phase) will be calculated by the Client during the detailed design and will be included the ESIA/EIA Report.
The ESIA process will elaborate more on findings, potential impacts and mitigation measures, to be presented in the ESIA/EIA Report.
4.2 Municipal waste Yes The resident workers and staff administration of Significant – (household and or project will produce waste, which is expected to be Possible risks from household, urban, and commercial wastes)? handled carefully within the site and transported in commercial waste generation are expected to designated landfills/approved disposal sites. During be associated as a result of the project the operational phase the main types of waste will implementation. Potential impacts may also result from human activities (such as plastics, result due to non-proper management of paper/cardboard, organic waste, etc.). wastes on site. However, it can be anticipated that all wastes Disposal of solid wastes during construction generated during both construction and operation and operation phases will be determined in phase will be collected, segregated and transported close cooperation with local authorities (e.g. to the designated/approved sites by the Municipalities). Municipality. There is the risk that the Municipalities of Referring to the existing situation in the area, Memaliaj and Tepelen and surrounding villages are reportedly not being fully covered by villages continue with the common practice of the municipal waste management service, and urban and construction waste management, consequently waste is dumped on any available site
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in the villages or nearby localities. Also illegal which might influence negatively the dumping of construction waste has created environment. additional pressure on the environment. It is not Requires further investigation and detail within uncommon for waste to be dumped along the river the scope of ESIA. bed, and as it is not removed and it takes a long time to degrade and the riverbed is affected for extended amounts of time.
4.3 Hazardous or toxic Yes Different types of materials will be stored on site wastes (including during construction, including possible hazardous Highly significant – Potential contamination of radioactive wastes)? materials. Substances such as fuel will be present the environment in case of accidental and/or on site for heavy machineries supply. Given that unplanned events. Potential contamination equipment and machinery service will be carried from non-proper management of hazardous onsite, limited amounts of hazardous waste of used wastes. oils or other flammable materials may be generated. However, it can be anticipated that within the During operation phase there will be may be little or scope of the ESIA hazardous wastes will be no presence of hazardous wastes. properly addressed. Recommendations will Hazardous wastes to be generated will be classified include proper management measures for in accordance with the DCM No. 99/2005 “On the hazardous wastes in compliance with Albanian approval of the Albanian Waste Classification law requirements and best international Catalogue”, amended. practices. If necessary, management and disposal of hazardous wastes will be conducted in collaboration with licensed companies for hazardous wastes.
4.4 Other industrial process No wastes?
4.5 Surplus product? Yes There will be a small quantity of surplus/spoil Not Significant - Most part of the excavated material due to earthworks during construction material will be reused in regard of the project phase. for rehabilitation purposes and filling of the HPP dam (rock-filled dam). A small quantity of the excavated spoil material (surplus material) will not be suitable for reuse in construction works. Exact quantities of excess/surplus materials (excavated materials) will be calculated during the project design and will be detailed in the ESIA/EIA report. Disposal of surplus material during construction phase will be determined in close cooperation with local authorities (e.g. Municipalities).
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4.6 Sewage sludge or other Yes Sewage from human activities onsite, administration Significant – the development has completed sludge’s from effluent and resident workers. the feasibility study, where there is not enough treatment? information regarding the technology to be At this stage, the developer has not specified the used on construction activities and wastewater exact management practices for wastewater management practices. generation. While the sewage (wastewater) produced by human activity on site is expected to be properly design, build and managed by the developer.
It can be either managed through septic pits or portable toilets on site. In the case of septic pit solution there will be generation of sewage sludge. In the case of portable toilets use, the developer will have to periodically remove wastewater quantities by means of a licensed company with similar services.
Further investigation and details are required in the following phases of the ESIA to make a better assessment in regard.
4.7 Construction or demolition Yes Construction waste is foreseen to be managed Significant – Demolition of buildings will result wastes? within project site. in generation of inert wastes which have to be properly managed and deposited in the The feasibility study does not present any cases of approved disposal areas by the Municipality. need on demolition. However, it is anticipated that a few affected buildings might be demolished within However further investigation and details are project area to be inundated. required in the following phases of the ESIA to make a better assessment in regard.
4.8 Redundant machinery or Yes Kalivaç HPP and dam had previous developer, Not Significant – Concession agreement refer equipment? leaving some of their machineries and equipment on to some machinery and equipment on site. site. Even though it’s up to the developer to decide on their adequacy for the project. It is also expected that following the completing of construction activities the developer will clean the However further investigation and details are site of any equipment and machineries. required in the following phases of the ESIA to make a better assessment in regard. .
4.9 Contaminated soils or Yes During construction phase there may be risks Potentially Significant - Soil and water pollution other material? associated with contamination of soils due to from fuels / lubricants and/or other hazardous accidents and/or unplanned events. There will be substances presence of hazardous substances and materials However with more information on the detail on site (e.g. fuel, oil, lubricants, etc.). design and construction technology
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Other related impacts may include non-proper information, further investigation and details management of wastes and poor housekeeping are required in order to make a proper practices. assessment in the following phases of the ESIA.
4.10 Agricultural wastes? No The proposed project will not result in generation of agricultural wastes.
4.11 Any other solid wastes? No
5. Will the Project release pollutants or any hazardous, toxic or noxious substances to air?
5.1 Emissions from Yes Potential emissions of gases from vehicle Not significant – it can be anticipated that no combustion of fossil fuels movements during construction and operation significant effects are predicted on local air from stationary or mobile phase. quality. sources? However, further investigation will be needed as part of the air quality study within the scope of ESIA.
5.2 Emissions from Yes During construction process it is expected that Potentially significant - full emissions production processes? during the production of gravel, stone, concrete, assessment to be detailed within the ESIA asphalt, etc. will be released some dust emissions report. (particulate matter) from the production processes. During construction process emissions might During operational phase the main potential be released by factories or machineries on the emissions to be assessed are greenhouse gas production of gravel, stone, concrete, asphalt, emissions which could be released in air (carbon etc. Though dust from construction activities is dioxide (CO2) due to large storage hydropower accepted as the main emission in construction dam). process.
During operation phase the main potential emissions could result from greenhouse gas emissions due to decay of organic material within the water storage after the dam construction (reservoir) of HPP Kalivaç,
Based on similar projects and previous studies conducted on large storage hydropower dams, there are potential risk which may create low stream flow conditions, potentially leading to significant thermal stratification and therefore anoxic conditions in the colder, bottom layers of water of the reservoir. In this case, greenhouse gases are released in the form of methane which is converted to carbon dioxide
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(CO2) as it travels up to the surface through the water column.
Based on the result of air quality study, meteorological conditions and simulations will be determined the CO2 emissions forecasted in the reservoir. In addition, these data and results must be compared with relevant standards of air quality (national and international standards) to determine the significance of the impact and proposed mitigation measures (if necessary) in order to not pose effects on the environment.
5.3 Emissions from materials Yes Construction materials handling such as sand, Potentially Significant – Dust emissions can be handling including storage gravel, stone, cement, are in solid form, during significantly reduced through proper or transport? transport from quarries and from storage point to management and handling. factories dust might be created.
5.4 Emissions from Yes Sand and gravel production, dam body filling and Potentially Significant - Dust emissions can be construction activities compaction can create dust. significantly reduced through proper including plant and management and handling. While concrete and asphalt production can create equipment? dust and also other emissions (e.g. gases emissions The production of concrete and asphalt can for asphalt production) from the production plant. minimize dust emissions through best practices, it’s expected that respective production plants to be used will fulfil Albanian environmental requirements.
5.5 Dust or odours from Yes Possible emissions of dust during construction Potentially significant – especially during handling of materials phase due to earthworks, heavy machineries summer period in construction phase. including construction operation, vehicle movements and road traffic. However, dust emissions can be easily materials, sewage and controlled by means of water trucks/tanker and waste? specific management plans.
5.6 Emissions from No incineration of waste?
5.7 Emissions from burning of No waste in open air (e.g. slash material, construction debris)?
5.8 Emissions from any other No sources?
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6. Will the Project cause noise and vibration or release of light, heat energy or electromagnetic radiation?
6.1 From operation of Yes Noise will be generated during both construction Considered to be significant during equipment e.g. engines, and operation phases. construction. ventilation plant, Vibration will be generated during construction During construction phase noise emissions crushers? phase due to earthworks within the project area. and vibration generation are expected to be While vibration and noise from turbines during short-term, low intensity and local, restricted operation, will be managed only within Power Plant within the project area. At this stage, there are building, which will be designed and build in such no anticipated effects from noise and vibration way to manage those effects. generation.
Electromagnetic radiation will be generated during In addition, during the operational phase operational phase due to operation of sub-station, ambient noise will be generated from turbines overhead transmission line (OHL) 110 kV from the operation. project area to SS Babicë and at the switchyard Electromagnetic radiation from OHL is not close to HPP. expected to pose any health risks as it will be mainly located on hilly terrain and in substantial distance from inhabited buildings.
However, the exact influence and impact cannot be predicted in this stage. Ambient noise generation, vibration and EMF should be subject to a detailed study within the scope of ESIA
6.2 From industrial or similar Yes See point 6.1, above. See point 6.1, above. processes?
6.3 From construction or Yes Noise and vibration will be generated from Moderately significant – due to possible demolition? construction activities and traffic movement. disturbance to local residents and biodiversity of the area. Possible demolition works may be foreseen. Potential noise and vibration generation from To be further detailed in the following phases demolition activities. of the ESIA.
6.4 From blasting or piling? Yes Blasting is not reported as an option at the current Significant – noise and vibration assessments stage of feasibility study. Though when detailed requested in case of blasting activities during technology of construction will be defined, there is construction phase. the possibility of blasting during construction works (e.g. for tunnelling).
6.5 From construction or Yes See point 6.3, above. See point 6.3, above. operational traffic?
6.6 From lighting or cooling Yes From lighting systems as part of HPP construction Moderately significant. An assessment of systems? and operation and associated facilities / buildings. pollution from light on local amenity will be
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needed in order to detail any potential effects on wildlife from light.
6.7 From sources of Yes From overhead transmission line associated with Potentially significant - dependant on final electromagnetic radiation HPP. route of the transmission line from plant area to (consider effects on the SS Babicë. nearby sensitive Further investigation is needed within the equipment as well as scope of ESIA. people)?
6.8 From any other sources? No
7. Will the Project lead to risks of contamination of land or water from releases of pollutants onto the ground or into sewers, surface waters, groundwater, coastal waters or the sea?
7.1 From handling, storage, Yes Several types of materials needed for construction Potentially significant – potential risks from use or spillage of works will be handled and stored on site. spillages and contamination in case of hazardous or toxic unplanned events and/or accidents. Wastes will also be handled on site. materials? Best practices should be followed at all times. Pollution control measures and related information should be included within the ESIA Report.
7.2 From discharge of Yes During construction phase will be generated Potentially significant – The main concern is sewage or other effluents wastewater effluents from human activity (workforce during the construction phase due to the (whether treated or activity). wastewater generation from workforce activity. untreated) to water or the It can be anticipated that management of There is potential for wastewater pollutants to land? wastewater will be conducted by means of contaminate land and water in case of non-proper mini-toilets (portable toilets) which will be put in management and/or accidents. different sites of the project area in accordance to work activities.
Details and full investigation is requested within the ESIA Report.
7.3 By deposition of Yes Risk of contamination of site from operation Potentially Significant - potential risks from pollutants emitted to air, activities. This could enter into irrigation channels of spillages and contamination in case of onto the land or into agriculture lands and ground water systems. Also unplanned events and/or accidents. water? air emissions from the plant following production of Best practices should be followed at all times. energy. Pollution control measures and related Oil and fuel leaks from vehicles or other equipment information should be included within the ESIA operation entering/ leaving site should also be Report. considered.
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7.4 From any other sources? Yes Potential flooding events during construction and Potentially significant – it is a legal obligation to operation phase. adopt mitigation measures and relevant management plans. Those are to be During the construction phase there is a potential for developed and implemented, avoiding polluting matter to enter onto land, surface water potential accidents of construction materials or and groundwater due to construction activities. other substances into the aquatic environment During the operation stage, there is a risk of and land nearby. pollutants entering the aquatic environment (surface Further assessment and mitigation details and ground) from surface runoff and/or in case of required within the ESIA Report. unplanned events during maintenance activities.
Floods might pose a high risk of accidents during construction phase and at a lesser extend during operation.
Land slide might pose a high risk of accidents during construction phase and operation
7.5 Is there a risk of long term Yes In case of flooding events. Potentially significant – further assessment build-up of pollutants in and mitigation details required within the ESIA the environment from Report. these sources?
8. Will there be any risk of accidents during construction or operation of the Project which could affect human health or the environment?
8.1 From explosions, Yes Technology dependant potential to affect human Significant – Health and Safety measures and spillages, fires etc., from health and the environment especially during procedures should be in place before the storage, handling, use or operational phase – in respect of different types of construction mobilisation phase and been production of hazardous wastes generated from the gas power plant. followed up with strict HSE monitoring and or toxic substances? workers HSE equipment have to be used in every occasion.
Also there is a risk of entering non-related workers in the endangered area. Safety measures to ensure that non-related workers enter the construction area during construction activities.
8.2 From events beyond the Not Cannot be defined in this stage of assessment. Potentially significant – further assessment limits of normal Kno and mitigation details required within the ESIA environmental protection wn Report. e.g. failure of pollution controls systems?
8.3 From any other causes? No
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8.4 Could the project be Yes Based on literature, several studies conducted in Potentially significant – natural disasters may affected by natural this area have noted a number of flood events and cause environmental impact in case mitigation disasters causing riverbank erosion along Vjosa River. measures are not properly foreseen prior to environmental damage construction works. The proposed hydropower plant development on its (e.g. floods, earthquakes, feasibility study has recommendations to ensure the Design of the project should consider possible landslip, etc.)? safety of the dam and minimize the risk of flooding. risks from natural causes.
To be further detailed in the following phases of the ESIA.
9. Will the Project result in social changes, for example, in demography, traditional lifestyles, employment?
9.1 Changes in population Yes The project result in some changes; Highly Significant – Because the size, age, structure, social socioeconomic survey of the affected villages 1. Resettlement (several village residences) groups etc.? and people (including age, background, resettlement of few business loss of arable land, income and health issues) forms the basis for bring loss or change of cropping structure and developing the economic target and the income generation loss of forest and pasture. livelihood restoration plan for each of the 2. Population will be increased slightly due to resettled persons. construction activities. Also the concessionaire is recommended to 3. There is the potential for more tourist visitors into develop a more detailed, thorough local skills the reservoir to be created, which might attract or audit and an Employment Plan with local create a new community. priority hire recognising the capabilities of the local population to meet project needs and 4. The creation of the reservoir creates the minimise the potential influx. It should also aim opportunity for fish farming. This might result in to manage environmental and social stresses, adaption of a segment of the community into this and even possible conflict issues arising from newly opportunity. outsider workers who move to Kalivaç project area seeking benefits of employment. 5. The project will result in reduced arable land, which will have an impact on rural population converting from agricultural farming into more animal farming, construction or any other skilled jobs.
9.2 By resettlement of people Yes The project will result in resettlement of people, Highly Significant – the project will permanently or demolition of homes or demolition of homes some community facilities e.g. impact houses, businesses and some communities or schools, kindergarten, and other private and public administrative and community building. community facilities e.g. facilities New roads and increased traffic disrupt schools, hospitals, social access. Loss of roads and pathways (due to facilities? inundation). Loss of bridges and river crossing points. Loss of houses and assets requiring resettlement.
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Damage to buildings due to increase of erosion and landslides (due to rising water levels).
Inaccurate compensation of land loss. Loss of cash crops and farm land (due to inundation). Loss of access to schools (due to inundation). Traffic and Construction Accidents. Regional economic decline. Marginalisation of excluded groups. Increase (or decrease) of political tension (negative or positive).
Health damage caused by pollution in reservoir. Increase of land prices (may also be a positive impact). Temporary and short-term employment leaves higher unemployment.
The list of assets is incomplete and further investigations are needed in the next steps of ESIA/EIA.
9.3 Through in-migration of Yes There is the potential of migrant workers, or Vjosa Potentially Significant - Expectation of new residents or creation valley residents coming back from migration due to movement of local people back to Vjosa Valley of new communities? employment opportunity. Villages for employment opportunities. Most villages have economic out-migrants with PAPs expecting these ‘sons’ return.
Out-Migration of Local People Away from Vjosa Valley, due to insufficient jobs for local people, land loss /reduced economic opportunity = de-population and community fragmentation.
Migration of Non-local Workers to the Vjosa Valley perceived as a threat to PAPs employment chances.
DHP Workers Perceived as a Threat to village security and / or culture / privacy.
Economic Benefits of Influx of Migrant Workers perceived as an opportunity, e.g. increased sales of farm produce.
Expectations of Transference of Skills perceived as helping the community to learn new skills and enable cultural exchange.
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Economic benefits of Construction Workers Camp might be perceived as opportunity or threat by different villages.
Further investigations are needed in the next steps of ESIA/EIA.
9.4 By placing increased Yes Lack of social services (housing, hotels, and leisure Potentially Significant – Memaliaj town and its demands on local facilities) faced by in-migrant workers would it is surrounding villages has been affected by facilities or services e.g. expected to place strain on health and possible internal migration and emigration abroad. This housing, education, education infrastructure and services as well as creates the opportunity that a number of health? raise food and house rental prices. unused properties to be renovated and rented to the incoming workforce. This is also expected to have a positive impact on the food industry (restaurants and markets) Though services such as health centres and education are adapted based on the current number of population, it is not expected that a significant number of labour will be temporally move in the area with their family, putting manageable stress on the current education system. Regarding health centres, the contractor will provide basic health services on site for their workforce, but slight stress might be put on regional hospitals in case of severe illness.
Though rough estimation can be made at this time, further investigation will be needed in the future phases of the ESIA/EIA.
9.5 By creating jobs during Yes During construction and operation phases new job Significant – Negative impacts may include construction or operation opportunities will be created for local community displacement or disruption of existing or causing the loss of jobs around the project area of HPP Kalivaç. businesses in the project area due to with effects on permanent land take needed for the reservoir These impacts are considered both to be positive unemployment and the to be created. On the other side, business in and negative. economy? the surrounding area (not directly affected by the project) may perceive a positive impact due to the impact brought by the increased daily money flow. The presence of workers in the project area during construction phase and the money they will earn and spend will in short term increase the profit for the local businesses, such as small cafeterias, restaurants, and other services. The presence of construction workers in the project area may
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enhance the local economy through their purchase of local goods.
During construction and operation phases new job opportunities will be created for local community around the project area of HPP Kalivaç, which is undoubtedly considered as positive direct impact. .
Transference of Skills is also perceived as a positive impact during construction and operation phase by helping the community to learn new skills and enable cultural exchange.
Economic benefits of Construction Workers Camp might be perceived as opportunity or threat by different villages.
Further investigations are needed in the next steps of ESIA/EIA.
9.6 Any other causes? No
10. Question - Are there any other factors which should be considered such as consequential development which could lead to environmental effects or the potential for cumulative impacts with other existing or planned activities in the locality?
10.1 Will the project lead to Yes The project has large impacts mostly due to the Highly significant – the project will lead to pressure for reservoir to be created. It will involve the acquisition inundation of about 16 km2 of land (according consequential of both land and property. It is foreseen that private to feasibility study). The proposed project will development which could property and public property lands will be affected. cause: have significant impact on Several settlements, buildings and community the environment e.g. facilities will be affected by the project. • resettlement (several village residences) more housing, new roads, • resettlement of few business
new supporting industries • loss of arable land, bring loss or change of cropping structure and income generation or utilities, etc.? Settlements to be partially affected are: • loss of forest and pasture Memaliaj, Iliras, Qesarat, Anë Vjosë, Përparim, • Change in scenery form a flowing river into Dukaj (Kordhaj), Toç, Mirinë, Vasjar, Leshnje, reservoir stored water Sinanaj, Dorëz, Lap Martalloz, Dhëmblan, Sevaster, • Change from river fish species into lake, Golimbas, Peshkëpi, , Shkozë, Mallkeq, Gërnec, will also change the local eating lifestyle Ondricë (Kocul), Xhyherine and Babicë e madhe. • From river into lake recreation potential During construction it will bring midterm
employment opportunity directly or indirectly by Also part of existing national and rural roads will be the project. inundated and needs replacement.
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No. Questions to be Yes / Which Characteristics of the Project Is the effect likely to be significant? Why? considered in Scoping No/? Environment could be affected and how?
Possibility to exploit new business opportunities, as needed by the project development.
Attaining of new professional skills to adapt to employment opportunities by the project.
Change in traditional roads and other infrastructure.
During detail design phase will be decided on deviation or technical solutions for the inundated national road segment.
10.2 Will the project lead to Yes National road deviation route will be needed during Highly Significant – due to the scale of the development of construction works. The reservoir lake will inundate affected areas in region. supporting facilities, part of the national road. As a consequence an Part of village settlements will be submerged ancillary development or appropriate solution shall be developed by the by the reservoir lake. Agricultural plots and development stimulated Investor for rerouting of the sections of the road. several other buildings/facilities will be also by the project which could Several community buildings, services and facilities affected by the project. have impact on the will be affected in Memaliaj city, Iliras, Qesarat, Anë environment e.g.: The pump station of drinking water supply (in Vjosë, Përparim, Leshnje and Dukaj (Kordhaj), Kordhaj village) of Memaliaj city will be directly • Supporting affected by the project. Several transmission infrastructure (roads, lines (overhead transmission lines) and electric power supply, waste cabins will be affected. or waste water treatment, etc.); Several transmission lines and electric cabins • Housing will be affected. To be further detailed in the development; following phases of the ESIA. • Extractive industries; • Supply industries • Other? 10.3 Will the project lead to No after-use of the site which could have an impact on the environment?
10.4 Will the project set a Yes Kalivaç HPP is the first project commenced on Significant – Cannot be assessed at this stage precedent for later Vjosa river, following earlier studies on the river as there is no Vjosa River Integrated developments? hydropower potential. Though there are opposition Management Plan. from environmental groups, the Albanian Government plans to contract at least another HPP, downstream of Kalivaç HPP.
10.5 Will the project have Yes Over the last few years there have been several Significant - The construction of hydropower cumulative effects due to discussions for the construction of the proposed plants downstream will potentially cause
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No. Questions to be Yes / Which Characteristics of the Project Is the effect likely to be significant? Why? considered in Scoping No/? Environment could be affected and how?
proximity to other existing HPP Kalivaç and HPP Poçem projects on the Vjosa cumulative environmental impacts, particularly or planned projects with River. HPP Poçem is another proposed hydropower if these projects will be developed at the same similar effects? development on the downstream of Vjosa River. time/period. This is due to the ecological The construction of another hydropower plant in functions and specific biodiversity of river- downstream river of HPP Kalivaç will potentially floodplain ecosystems, which are highly lead to cumulative environmental impacts. dependent on their geomorphic dynamics.
Other potential impacts may result due to project activities (e.g. building of dams during construction stage) that may cause potential degradation of water quality. The quality of water in streams may be modified due to construction works for the hydropower project, the morphology of the river, quantity and dynamics of downstream releases.
However, the exact environmental effects and potential cumulative impacts associated with other existing or planned activities cannot be accurately estimated at this stage.
Part 2 of the Scoping Checklist: CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROJECT ENVIRONMENT For each project characteristic identified in Part consider whether any of the following environmental components could be affected.
Question 1 - Are there features of the local environment on or around the Project location which could be affected by the Project?
Areas which are protected under international or EU, national or local legislation for their ecological, landscape, cultural or other value, which could be affected by the Project? Other areas which are important or sensitive for reasons of their ecology e.g.
• Wetlands - Yes Further investigations are needed on the impact of this project on Narta Lagoon. • Watercourses or other water bodies- Considering this project typology and the size, though the construction and operation of the power plant the project will result in changes of land use, water bodies (surface and groundwater). • The coastal zone - Yes. The project is developed somewhere in the middle of Vjosa river, far from coastal or marine water and there are no inland lakes to be affected by the project. However sediment transport and its impact on Vjosa River delta needs further assessment. • Forests or woodlands - Yes. There are some areas of forest that will be impact by the project. • Areas used by protected, important or sensitive species of fauna or flora e.g. for breeding, nesting, foraging, resting, overwintering, migration, which could be affected by the Project - Independent reports published recently mention several protected species in the Vjosa river, with no exact reference on their location. • Inland, coastal, marine or underground waters - Considering this project typology and size, the construction and operation of the power plant will result in changes of land use, water bodies (surface and ground water). Further investigations are needed in this regard and on the impact of this project on Narta Lagoon. • Areas or features of high landscape or scenic value - Landscape will be changed permanently in the section of the reservoir. The scenery will be changed due to the creation of the dam reservoir, powerhouse and the transmission line. As with any road development, the Project
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by means of its very presence and notwithstanding the various impacts from severance through to visual impact will have a permanent and therefore residual impact on the character of its immediate environs along its entirety. • Routes or facilities used by the public for access to recreation or other facilities - Yes routes or facilities will be affected by the project. A segment of national road that connects Memaliaj with central Albania will be flooded and needs to be rebuilt. Also a number of rural roads and pathways will be affected and need replacement. • Transport routes which are susceptible to congestion or which cause environmental problems - Part of the National Road of Tepelenë (Levan-Tepelenë) will be submerged by the reservoir area. Other road routes (rural roads) may be affected by construction works. • Areas or features of historic or cultural importance – The area is known for its cultural and historic importance. Cultural heritage will be subject to an in-depth study during baseline phase.
Question 2 – Is the Project in a location where it is likely to be highly visible to many people?
The proposed plant will be located in a highly visible and inhabited area. Regarding the construction works, they will be visible to the local residents near the proposed area and people travelling along the related roads. During the operational phase the proposed hydropower plant will be visible to local residents. Also local and Memaliaj’s residents and travellers on the national road will have a clear view of the reservoir to be created. The effects in this case will be of long term and therefore there could be significant impacts anticipated.
The proposed development would affect the amenities currently enjoyed by people living in the area, including Vjosa river, agricultural plots and pasture lands. This may contribute towards a reduction in the quality of life for residents of the area and high visual impacts.
Question 3 - Is the Project located in a previously undeveloped area where there will be loss of greenfield land?
There are some areas of forest, agricultural and pasture lands that will be inundated by the project.
In this stage, it is difficult to estimate the exact surfaces of forest, agricultural and pasture lands to be affected/ impacted by the project, mostly the lake to be created. Though relevant surveys and studies will confirm the amount and significance of these impacts.
Question 4 - Are there existing land uses on or around the Project location which could be affected by the Project? For example:
• Homes, gardens, and other private property - Yes the scheme will involve the acquisition of both land and property. The exact number is still under assessment by the concessionaire. • Industry – Yes. Local Water industry (Drinking Water Pumping Station; Municipality Waste Water Discharge). • Commerce - Yes. By inundation of the directly affected villages, national and rural roads. Also by creating an increased demand for work force, new or existing products, services or skills. • Recreation - Yes. The lake to be created will bring more tourism opportunities for the surrounding villages and towns. • Public open space - Yes. By inundation in the directly affected villages • Community facilities - Yes. Community facilities may be also affected by the project. • Agriculture - Yes. Based on actual information agricultural plots of village in directly affected by the reservoir. The main impacts on agriculture will be: temporary/permanent deviation of access to fields, temporary/ permanent land take, relocation of livestock drinking points, permanent splitting of the original properties, and permanent disturbance of drainage and/or irrigation networks. • Forestry - Yes. There are some forest areas that will be impact by the project. • Tourism - No. There is no indication that there are any touristic sites in the project direct affected areas. • Mining or quarrying - Yes. Regarding quarrying surrounding area will be affected.
Question 5 - Are there any plans for future land uses on or around the location which could be affected by the Project?
Yes. There is another project planned to be developed downstream, which is cancelled at the moment this report is prepared. There is no official document or other strategic development plan that clearly states other projects in the area.
Question 6 - Are there any areas on or around the location which are occupied by sensitive land uses which could be affected by the Project?
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• Hospitals – No. • Schools – Yes, school in village Qesarat may be affected by the project and reservoir lake creation. • Places of worship – No. • Community facilities – Yes, several community facilities will be affected by the project and reservoir lake creation. The project has large impacts mostly due to the reservoir to be created. It will involve the acquisition of both land and property. It is foreseen that private property and public property lands will be affected. Based on the actual information, forests and agricultural plots of villages in surroundings will be affected. The reservoir lake will also affect part of the settlements of villages Iliras, Qesarat, Ane Vjose, Perparim, Kordhaj and Memaliaj city. Also the cemetery of Memaliaj city might be affected by the reservoir water during floods. Also the source of drinking water of Memaliaj Municipality will be affected. Other industrial buildings or community facilities may be also affected by the project.
Question 7 - Are there any areas on or around the location which contain important, high quality or scarce resources which could be affected by the Project? For example:
• Groundwater resources – Yes, the reservoir to be created will inundate about 16 km2 of land, including possible groundwater effects in the project area. • Surface waters – Yes, several water streams of the area will be affected by the project. Change of the river flow from free into a reservoir and afterwards released from the dam. • Forestry – Yes, significant surfaces of forests will be affected by the project. • Agriculture – Yes, several agricultural plots will be affected by the project. • Fisheries – Yes, will be affected by the project and creation of the reservoir lake. • Tourism – Yes, due to the creation of the Reservoir Lake and HPP facilities. • Minerals – Yes. Settlements of the villages nearby, minerals and other agricultural, tourism, fisheries and community facilities will be affected by the project. Forests, agricultural plots and pasture lands of villages in surroundings will be affected.
Based on the Walk Through conducted on site, the pump station of drinking water supply of Memaliaj city will be directly affected by the project. Also the wastewater discharge point of Memaliaj city will be submerged by the reservoir lake. Furthermore, several drinking water pipes could be affected by the project and reservoir lake.
Further investigation and details are required in the following phases of the ESIA to make a better assessment in regard.
Question 8 - Are there any areas on or around the location of the Project which are already subject to pollution or environmental damage e.g. where existing legal environmental standards are exceeded, which could be affected by the Project?
It is understood that Municipalities of Memaliaj and Tepelenë do not have proper urban waste disposal sites. During the field studies (baseline) the urban and construction waste collection and deposit points should be identified.
During the operation stage, there is a risk of pollutants entering the aquatic environment (surface and underground) from surface runoff and/or in case of unplanned events during maintenance activities. However the risk is considered low and according to the pollution permitted rates.
Question 9 - Is the Project location susceptible to earthquakes, subsidence, landslides, erosion, flooding or extreme or adverse climatic conditions e.g. temperature inversions, fogs, severe winds, which could cause the Project to present environmental problems?
Yes. Kalivaç project area is close to a seismic area. Being also a project developed at a river section, there is always the risk of flooding during construction and operation of the HPP. Landslides are foreseen to be a risk during construction, especially by the excavation works and during operation by the increase and reduction of water level in the lake.
Question 10 - Is the Project likely to affect the physical condition of any environmental media?
• The atmospheric environment including microclimate and local and larger scale climatic conditions? – Yes, possible dust emissions during construction phase due to earthworks and vehicle/heavy machineries movement.
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Air quality and microclimate changes will be further investigated and detailed in the following phases of the ESIA. • Water (e.g. quantities, flows or levels of rivers, lakes, groundwater) – Yes, due to creation of the reservoir and impermeability at dam section. The river section will be transformed from free flow into a controlled flow. • Soils (e.g. quantities, depths, humidity, stability or erodibility of soils?) – Yes, during construction works soils and • Geological and ground conditions? – Yes, geological and ground conditions will change due to construction works for the HPP and creation of the reservoir lake. Question 11 - Are releases from the Project likely to have effects on the quality of any environmental media?
• Air quality? – Yes, • Climate change and ozone depletion? – Yes. There is the possibility for greenhouse gas (GHGs) release due to the creation of the reservoir. • Water quality (rivers, lakes, groundwater. Estuaries, coastal waters or the sea?) – Yes. During construction (mostly turbidity) and operation phase (reservoir organic matter related). • Nutrient status and eutrophication of waters? – No. • Acidification of soils or waters? – No. • Soils? – Yes. During construction works soil excavation. During operation, risk of erosion. • Landscape? – Yes, changes in topography and landscape of the area during construction phase. During operational phase, visual impact of the power plant operation is considered as a potential effect. • Noise? – Yes, during construction and operational phase of the proposed site; hydropower plant, machineries and equipment, and vehicles, lorries and trucks. • Temperature, light or electromagnetic radiation including electrical interference? – Yes, electromagnetic field (EMF) which will be generated due to the operation of the overhead transmission line (OHL) 29 km from HPP to SS Babicë. • Productivity of natural or agricultural systems? – Yes, major effects on natural and agricultural lands due to creation of the reservoir lake which will submerge a big surface of lands in the area and villages nearby.
Question 12 - Is the Project likely to affect the availability or scarcity of any resources either locally or globally?
• Fossil fuels? - Yes. The use of large amounts of fuels for machineries and trucks is a potential threat to the environmental. • Water? - Yes. Water from Vjosa river will be used during the construction and operational phase. Main impacts associated with the construction phase include: temporary changes to the flow of watercourses due to the establishment of bridges; temporary physical interfaces with features/resources, including direct damage to aquatic habitats and watercourses; changes to surface water quality due to contaminant release; modification of flood defense structures. Irrigation needs assessment has to be considered during design and operation phase. • Minerals and aggregates? - Yes. Settlements of the villages nearby, minerals will be affected by the project. • Timber? - Possible. Timber of the villages might be directly affected by the project. • Other non-renewable resources? – No. • Infrastructure capacity in the locality - water, sewerage, power generation and transmission, telecommunications, waste disposal roads, rail? - Yes. Energy will be needed for the construction camp, equipment and machinery. It is expected a large consumption of electric energy and several fuel types for the machineries. Impacts that are expected to occur and, therefore assessed, during construction, include: changes in road traffic flows arising from temporary road closures; temporary increases in public road traffic; temporary increases in traffic flows due to construction vehicles crossing roads; temporary changes in the rerouting of agricultural circulation; temporary changes to pedestrian routes and footways; increased traffic and network modifications. Traffic safety regulations will be managed in accordance with the relevant Albanian legislation.
Question 13 - Is the Project likely to affect human or community health or welfare?
• The quality or toxicity of air, water, foodstuffs and other products consumed by humans? - No. It is not clear if respiratory illnesses are common in all the villages in the Direct Impact Area, although dust-related asthma can be considered as a (minority) concern. Increase in dust from construction and traffic may exacerbate respiratory conditions. • Morbidity or mortality of individuals, communities or populations by exposure to pollution? - No. • Occurrence or distribution of disease vectors including insects? - No
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• Vulnerability of individuals, communities or populations to disease? - Yes. Workflow influx might bring an increase or endemic diseases into the area. Also, there is a risk of increased sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). • Individuals’ sense of personal security? - Yes. Workers Perceived as a Threat to village security and/or culture/privacy. • Community cohesion and identity? - Yes. Families might experience future insecurity by loss of land or assets on land, or being put into a detrimental life situation. Farming and land is crucial to rural areas identity, culture, and way of life and future. • Cultural identity and associations? - Yes Different behaviours and attitudes between outside workers and villagers (especially on gender issues) could lead to Negative Impacts on cultural norms • Minority rights? - Yes. Limiting access to, or damaging, educational facilities through construction, infrastructure or other projects. Other human rights related mostly toward workforce, such as migrant workers, underage workers (ILO standards prohibit hazardous work for all persons under 18 years), arbitrarily or unfairly dismissing a worker, barriers to the formation of trade unions among employees or contract workers, social security, including social insurance, adequate standard of living, privacy, • Housing conditions? - Yes. Disabilities or illnesses amongst household members that make it difficult for them to carry out livelihood activities, either because of the disability or illness or because they are caring for others. Resettlement of houses will have the planning and operative responsibility in developing, implementing and managing the Livelihood Support and Development Programs, compensation solutions, consultations and negotiations as well as the physical resettlement of households and affected private business locations. • Employment and quality of employment? - Yes. Such large projects are associated with a large number of employees with a variety social background, skills, origin, traditions, language and dialects, which might affect the local tradition. Positive cycle of employment, investment and infrastructure improvement linking in with longer-term improvements in education and skills development. • Economic conditions? - Yes. Hydropower construction will have a better impact on the economy of the people of the area. • Social institutions? - No.
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Part 3 of the Scoping Checklist: Summary of Potential E&S Impact Assessment Matrix of the Proposed Development HPP Kalivaç Major Subject Area Activity/Issue Phase Potential Receptor Scoping Reason/ Note Receptor/ Response Environmental and Social Construction Operation Scoped Scoped Aspects in out
Dust Emissions Site preparation Local residents of the Plant and machinery and construction villages and city of will cause emissions works on site. Memaliaj. to atmosphere. Also ✔ site vehicles and Footpath users, lorries associated for ✔ surrounding waste properties, imports/exports will Air Quality employees of the produce emissions. HPP. May be significant as Gases Construction Local community and proposal may Emissions activities, vehicle residents. increase vehicular movement and ✔ ✔ ✔ movements traffic. significantly during construction phase. Creation of the In addition, during reservoir lake. operational phase are expected greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) due to the creation of the reservoir lake.
An air quality study and modelling of GHGs emissions is required in addition to a full ESIA Report based on IFC Standards and
Major Subject Area Activity/Issue Phase Potential Receptor Scoping Reason/ Note Receptor/ Response Environmental and Social Construction Operation Scoped Scoped Aspects in out
Albanian law requirements.
Contamination Potential Water/land quality. Issues relating to soil of land contamination of management, land as a result of ✔ ✔ management of the work wastes and site activities. management plan are Possible required. A soil quality contamination of study and a waste
lands in case of generation study will unplanned events be conducted in and/or accidents. regard of the project. Issues with regard to Soil/Land and Change of land Soil/land type, land use and potential Soil/Land land use structure due to structure and quality. accidents/unplanned
the project events associated Local community and construction. with the project will be ✔ ✔ residents. ✔ Decrease of land also studied. use intensity. PAPs – person Further information affected people from Loss of arable and proper mitigation the project. land, forest and measures will be pasture lands. included in the ESIA Report. Disposal of There may be Water/land quality. waste to land temporary disposal of excavated ✔ ✔ material (spoil material) on site
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Major Subject Area Activity/Issue Phase Potential Receptor Scoping Reason/ Note Receptor/ Response Environmental and Social Construction Operation Scoped Scoped Aspects in out
during construction.
Disposal of surplus material in the approved disposal areas by the government authorities.
Drainage and The reservoir to Land quality and Considering this irrigation canals be created will crops of agriculture project typology and inundate about 16 ✔ ✔ land. ✔ size, through the 2 km of land, construction and including operation of the agricultural plots, power plant, dam and pasture lands, reservoir to be
drainage and created, the project irrigation canals. will result in changes of water bodies Groundwater The reservoir to Groundwater level (surface water & reserves and be created will and water quality. groundwater). Main ✔ ✔ ✔ groundwater inundate a impact can be Potential loss of quality surface of about considered the Water groundwater 16 km2, including transformation of a possible section of the river groundwater reserves.
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Major Subject Area Activity/Issue Phase Potential Receptor Scoping Reason/ Note Receptor/ Response Environmental and Social Construction Operation Scoped Scoped Aspects in out
Surface water Several water Surface water flow, from free flow into a streams and streams will be water quality and lake. surface water affected by the biodiversity species. Several studies will quality project, including the main source be conducted within of water of the ✔ ✔ ✔ the scope of ESIA, HPP, Vjosa river. including hydrological and hydrogeological During the study, surface water construction and groundwater phase the main quality. anticipated impact is expected to Issues relating to come from civil management of water works such as reserves, surface excavation and water stream earth filling in the crossings, surface river body, run off, discharge of causing increased wastewater turbidity and generated from plant turbulences in activities and site water streams. management plan are required. While, during operation the Further information main impact will and proper mitigation be the change of measures will be the river flow from included in the ESIA free into a Report. reservoir and
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Major Subject Area Activity/Issue Phase Potential Receptor Scoping Reason/ Note Receptor/ Response Environmental and Social Construction Operation Scoped Scoped Aspects in out
released from the dam.
Flora Site preparation Habitats or species ✔ As mentioned, due to and construction on or adjacent to the the project size and works site. A large ✔ ✔ site. scale of direct surface with impacts, it will result vegetation will be in changes of the affected by the biodiversity in the project and area. A large surface
reservoir lake to of lands covered with be created. vegetation will be inundated by the Fauna Site preparation Habitats or species reservoir lake. and construction on or adjacent to the works site. ✔ ✔ site. ✔ It can be anticipated Operation of plant that there will be
due to possible significant impacts on Biodiversity generation of flora and fauna due to noise by the HPP the creation of the facilities. reservoir lake. By changing the water Protected areas During screening Habitats or species of flow in a section of and scoping protected areas Vjosa river from free phase there have (natural monuments). flow to a lake, it will been no identified have an effect on the protected areas natural habitat of the that could be project area, flora and affected by the fauna, including also proposed
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Major Subject Area Activity/Issue Phase Potential Receptor Scoping Reason/ Note Receptor/ Response Environmental and Social Construction Operation Scoped Scoped Aspects in out
development of the landscape and HPP Kalivaç. visual impact. ✔ ✔ A natural Referring to the monument named existing literature and “Rrepet e studies, there are Dervenit” was several independent identified within reports published project affected recently which area. As verified mention the variety of during the Walk species with Through protection status in conducted on Vjosa river. 17.01.2019, this monument is In addition, detailed claimed to have surveys will be been destroyed conducted for flora (trees have been and fauna during cut). baseline studies. Also protected areas and However this natural monuments preliminary will be studied within assessment has the scope of the to be confirmed ESIA. with the NAPA (National Agency Findings, potential of Protected impacts and Areas) through an mitigation measures official will be included in the communication. ESIA Report. Furthermore,
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Major Subject Area Activity/Issue Phase Potential Receptor Scoping Reason/ Note Receptor/ Response Environmental and Social Construction Operation Scoped Scoped Aspects in out
additional recommendations and management plans such as ecological management plan and rehabilitation plan will be suggested/ developed in regard of the project.
Landscape Construction Local landscape, Significant potential Character activities local community. impact on landscape (excavation from visual impact of works) and ✔ ✔ ✔ development. By restoration phase. changing the water Changes to flow in a section of quality and Vjosa river from free Landscape character of flow to a lake, it will landscape from have an effect on the site activity and natural habitat of the disposal of project area, excavated including the material. landscape and visual impact. Impacts on Creation of the landscape and visual reservoir lake. amenity will be Loss of
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Major Subject Area Activity/Issue Phase Potential Receptor Scoping Reason/ Note Receptor/ Response Environmental and Social Construction Operation Scoped Scoped Aspects in out
vegetation, conducted in the agriculture and following stages of pasture lands. the ESIA process.
Visual Impact Construction Visual impact on local Rehabilitation and activities, community, tourists restoration plan of the reservoir lake ✔ ✔ and passers-by. ✔ affected areas have creation, to be included in the restoration phase, ESIA Report. A and operation of detailed description of plant. Zone of rehabilitation works visual influence will be also included and changes in within the ESIA day/night views. Report.
Socioeconomic During Local community, A detailed Changes and construction it will labor market, local socioeconomic Implications bring midterm businesses. assessment will be employment performed in regard opportunity of the project. directly or Stakeholder indirectly by the engagement will be
project. conducted during all the phases of the Possibility to ESIA, through face to exploit new ✔ ✔ ✔ face meetings and business public consultations
opportunities, as with state authorities, needed by the local and regional authorities and local
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Major Subject Area Activity/Issue Phase Potential Receptor Scoping Reason/ Note Receptor/ Response Environmental and Social Construction Operation Scoped Scoped Aspects in out
project community. These development. meetings will serve as a source of Attaining of new information in order to professional skills detail possible to adapt to socioeconomic and employment environmental issues
opportunities by in regard of the the project. Population project. During Such large baseline, several projects are socioeconomic associated with a questionnaires will be large number of performed on site. employees with a Based on the variety social accumulated data, background, the Consultant will skills, origin, perform the traditions, socioeconomic language and assessment within dialects, which the scope of the might affect the ESIA. Through this local tradition. methodology, the Consultant will propose possible mitigation measures and management plans, which will be included in the final ESIA Report.
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Major Subject Area Activity/Issue Phase Potential Receptor Scoping Reason/ Note Receptor/ Response Environmental and Social Construction Operation Scoped Scoped Aspects in out
Resettlement The construction Local community, A detailed survey will and creation of buildings, private be performed on site the reservoir properties, for the identification of (HPP Kalivaç) will community services affected resident lead to and facilities within buildings and resettlement of ✔ ✔ the project area. ✔ community/public directly affected facilities. residents structures and The Developer shall community/public perform a detailed facilities. Affected plan of resettlement areas will include prior to Memaliaj city, and commencement of villages of Iliras, works. Qesarat, Anë An overview of Vjosë, Leshnje, potential impacts Përparim and from resettlement will Dukaj (Kordhaj). be taken in consideration within the scope of the ESIA. However, the preparation of the Resettlement Management Plan will not be part of the Consultant’s study process.
Emissions Air emissions Local community, An air quality study from the work properties/businesses and modelling of
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Major Subject Area Activity/Issue Phase Potential Receptor Scoping Reason/ Note Receptor/ Response Environmental and Social Construction Operation Scoped Scoped Aspects in out
activities of the ✔ and those in the path ✔ GHGs emissions is HPP and also as of prevailing winds. required in addition to a result of a full ESIA Report increased vehicle based on IFC movements. Standards and Albanian law requirements. The Consultant will address air quality and emission issues together with possible mitigation and management measures within the scope of the ESIA.
Land use and Decrease of land Local community and During baseline, livelihoods use intensity. PAPs. several socioeconomic Loss of arable ✔ ✔ ✔ questionnaires will be land, forest and performed on site, pasture lands. including questions Loss of on land use and livelihoods from livelihoods. Based on direct person the accumulated affected people data, the Consultant by the project. will perform the socioeconomic assessment for land use and livelihood
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aspects. Through this methodology, the Consultant will propose possible mitigation measures and management plans, which will be included in the final ESIA Report.
Road Impacts on Local community, Road infrastructure infrastructure national road and and road pavement other rural roads will be subject to a of the area which ✔ ✔ ✔ detailed study within will be affected by the scope of the the project. ESIA. The Investor and the Consultant Change in will propose new traditional roads sections of the roads and other to be constructed, infrastructure. rehabilitated and/or upgraded in the area.
The Investor will have to develop a community investment plan.
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Further details will be addressed within the ESIA Report.
Electromagnetic Potential impacts Local residents within An Electromagnetic field (EMF) from the EMF due or nearby the Field study will be to the ✔ overhead ✔ conducted for the construction of transmission line construction and the overhead (OHL) route. operation of the transmission line overhead (OHL) from the transmission line. HPP to SS Assessment of the Babicë. EMF impacts will be conducted based on best practices, IFC standards and Albanian law requirements.
Noise, Vibration Construction Local community and Noise and vibration and lighting activities of the noise sensitive impact surveys will be HPP and vehicle properties. required. Noises are movements. expected to be Operation of associated during plant/ equipment, ✔ ✔ ✔ both phases of vehicle construction and movements. operation. Vibration issues are mainly restricted to the construction phase.
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An Ambient Noise, Vibration and Lighting study will be conducted during baseline.
Further details on potential impacts and mitigation measures will be addressed within the ESIA Report.
Traffic and Construction and Lorry, trucks and Transportation operation of plant/ vehicle movements equipment, would have a vehicle significant impact movements, within the locality. transport of ✔ ✔ ✔ Additionally a traffic wastes generated impact assessment on site, transport would be required to of other assess impact upon construction local road network, materials needed both in respect of or equipment for safety and additional the power plant. disturbance. Generation of traffic on local The Investor will road network, develop a traffic capacity of management plan for network (local
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roads), safety both construction and issues, operation phases. environmental capacity. Further details will be addressed within the ESIA Report.
Cultural Archaeology At the moment Archaeological Based on Screening, Heritage there are no resource. there are no anticipated issues anticipated direct regarding cultural impacts related to heritage. From archaeological or the desktop cultural heritage preliminary monuments.
survey are A tomb from the identified 3 cultural heritage Second World War monuments ✔ ✔ period was observed located outside during the Walk the project area. Through conducted th However, from on 17 January 2019. the consultation This tomb is located meetings and within the project relevant area, and will be information for the affected by the area, there are reservoir lake. It is to indications that be assessed whether this area might this tomb is represent an considered an archaeological object or not. This will be
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Major Subject Area Activity/Issue Phase Potential Receptor Scoping Reason/ Note Receptor/ Response Environmental and Social Construction Operation Scoped Scoped Aspects in out
important site for detailed by a cultural cultural heritage. heritage expert who will conduct the A detailed survey cultural heritage for cultural survey during heritage will be baseline study. conducted during baseline phase. In addition, during construction works there may be discoveries of archaeological objects. Detailed mitigation measures and proper management measures shall be included within the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) (such as Cultural heritage Management Plan) and ESIA Report.
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Annex C: Background Information Document (BID)
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION DOCUMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA/ESIA) PROCESS FOR THE PROPOSED PROJECT HPP KALIVAÇ
PURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENT The planning of the Kalivaç Hydroelectric Scheme has been developed based on the This Background Information Document (BID) previous original design plant layout as most of aims to inform Interested and Affected Parties the HPP structures works have started and (I&APs) about the Environmental and Social locations are defined. Impact Assessment (EIA/ESIA) that is being The HPP will have a total installed capacity of 111 conducted for the proposed construction and MW and will produce an average of E=366.62 operation of Hydro Power Plant Kalivaç (HPP GWh/year. HPP Kalivaç will create a reservoir Kalivaç). with a total volume of 375 million m3, out of which This document will provide the broad public with 205 million m3 are considered as useful volume a brief description of the proposed project and the for energy production. The reservoir will be Environmental and Social Impact Assessment created from a rock-filled dam with concrete (ESIA) Process that will be followed, as well as surface and will be located on a narrow river provide the opportunity to: section of about 200 m. Vjosa catchment at dam • Register as stakeholders in the public site is about 5,420 km2, creating a lake of about participation process; and, 16 km2 (at 113 m a.s.l). • Provide initial comments on any Energy produced by HPP Kalivaç, will be environmental, social and economic issue connected to the national power grid through a 29 relating to the proposed development. km long overhead transmission line (OHL), to the SS Babicë 220/110/35 kV. During the EIA/ESIA Process which will be followed, issues of concern and potential EIA/ESIA PROCESS AND METHODOLOGY environmental and social impacts will be evaluated. Referring to the EIA/ESIA of HPP Kalivaç, the Comments from stakeholders and public will Consultant has conducted a preliminary study in ensure that relevant issues are evaluated and will compliance with Albanian law requirements and form part of the EIA/ESIA Report. The decision- IFC Standards. In addition, this EIA/ESIA will be making authority for the environmental permitting performed based on the following Albanian key approval is the Ministry of Tourism and regulatory framework: Environment (MTE) and the National • Law No. 10431, dated 09.06.2011 “On Environmental Agency (NEA) in accordance with Environmental Protection” amended; the Albanian legislation and IFC Standards. • Law No. 10440, dated 07.07.2011 “On Environmental Impact Assessment” DESCRIPTION OF THE DEVELOPMENT amended; • Law No. 10448, dated 14.07.2011 “On AYEN-ALB sh.a (the concessionaire) intends to Environmental Permits” amended; construct and operate a Hydropower Plant - HPP • DCM No. 686, dated 29.07.2015 “On the Kalivaç in affecting through HPP facilities, rules, responsibilities, timelines for the EIA reservoir to be created and transmission lines the procedure and the transfer procedure of the territories of Memaliaj, Tepelenë and Selenica decision for the environmental declaration” Municipalities (overhead transmission line). amended; The Concession Agreement (“CA”) grants the right to develop the hydropower potential in the • DCM No. 247, dated 30.04.2014 “On the Vjosa River basin between Kalivaç at elevation determination of rules, requirements and +73 m a.s.l. and elevation +113 m a.s.l., procedures for public information and upstream of Vjosa River, close to Memaliaj city. involvement at the environment decision making process”.
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potential environmental and social impacts, With respect to the Albanian law requirements, including cumulative and trans-boundary effects, IFC Standards require a special focus on and also will be identified mitigation measures scoping phase, social aspects and stakeholder that could minimize/reduce or compensate engagement process. Based on IFC Standards negative impacts and/or enhance benefits. requirements, the EIA/ESIA process will be Afterwards, the residual impacts will be conducted in four stages as described below: reassessed after the foreseen mitigation measures will be implemented. These residual The first stage is Screening Study to determine impacts are then monitored and controlled whether an Environmental and Social Impact through the suggested Environmental and Social Assessment (EIA/ESIA) is required for the Management Plans that will be included in the proposed Project and provide a preliminary EIA/ESIA report. determination of the nature and extent of the required environmental analysis and legal The fourth stage is Decision-Making phase of requirements. the EIA/ESIA, which involves a decision by the decision-making authority, the NEA and MTE in The second stage is Scoping Study, which this case. identifies potential issues requiring more detailed An overall view of the schematic process and investigation via specialist studies. A complete list EIA/ESIA stages is illustrated in Figure 1. of specialist studies and the issues they should address will be detailed in the Scoping Report, PUBLIC PARTICIPATION which will be made available for the broad public and authorities for review upon publishing online Public participation is the cornerstone of the and hard copy dissemination. Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (EIA/ESIA) process. This includes the ongoing The third stage is the Impact Assessment, provision of sufficient information (in a during which detailed investigations of the issues transparent manner) to Interested and Affected identified during scoping phase will be Parties (IAPs). undertaken. In regard of the EIA/ESIA, the During the Public Participation Process, input Consultant will undertake specialized baseline from the applicant, technical experts, government studies as identified in the previous stages and authorities and the general public will be gathered also during the ongoing process. These studies to result in a better understanding of the project include: for all stakeholders involved, and a more • Air quality; informed decision-making throughout the • Soil quality; EIA/ESIA process. IAPs will be given the • Surface water bodies into and near the lake opportunity to comment on the findings of both to be created, including streams, freshwater the Scoping Report and other reports of the swamps, creeks, irrigation and drainage EIA/ESIA, and findings of the Specialist studies channels; during the specified comment periods. • Groundwater within the zone of hydrological th influence; The Registering process started on 12 June • Ambient noise, vibration and lighting; 2019 and will continue up to the end of • Flora and Fauna, (including avifauna and EIA/ESIA Process aquatic ecology); • Protected Areas; You are hereby invited to register your interest in the proposed activity and provide your input by • Cultural Heritage; completing the Registration & Comment Form at • Village Assessment and Land Use/Cover; the end of this document or either sending it via • Socio-Economic aspects; email, post or fax to: • Road Infrastructure and Road Pavement; • Waste Generation; Web: www.Kalivaçhpp.com • Electro-Magnetic Field (EMF). Email: info@Kalivaçhpp.com In addition to the studies that will be performed during baseline phase and data analysis results, the Consultant will assess the significance of the
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WHO IS DOING THE EIA/ESIA?
In terms of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (EIA/ESIA) regulations, an independent Environmental Assessment Practitioner must be appointed to conduct the EIA/ESIA. ABKONS sh.p.k has been appointed as the Consultant who will conduct the EIA/ESIA process. ABKONS teamwork will identify and assess the potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed activity by conducting an objective and independent EIA/ESIA process, in which all the relevant information and opinions of Interested and Affected Parties (IAPs) will be collected, reflected and reported to the Ministry of Tourism and Environment (MTE) and National Environmental Agency (NEA). In this way an informed decision- making process can take place while taking in consideration the Albanian law requirements and IFC Standards.
Figure 20: The EIA/ESIA Process and Stages in compliance with IFC Standards
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Figure 21: Mapping and location of the proposed development HPP Kalivaç
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REGISTRATION AND COMMENT SHEET
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA/ESIA) PROCESS FOR THE PROPOSED PROJECT HYDRO POWER PLANT KALIVAÇ (HPP KALIVAÇ)
I request to be registered as an Interested and Affected Party (IAP) in respect of the proposed project HPP Kalivaç. Please ensure that I receive all updates of information and that I am invited to the meetings, as well as kept fully informed of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (EIA/ESIA) Process.
First Name/Surname:
Organization/Institution:
Designation:
Postal address/City:
Telephone/Mobile:
Fax:
Email:
My interest in this project:
Comments and matters of concern: I suggest that the following issues of concern should be (further) investigated in the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (EIA/ESIA):
Signature: Date:
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION!
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Annex D: List of Settlements in the AoI/survey area
No. District Municipality Settlement/village Affected by 1 Gjirokastër Memaliaj Memaliaj Fshat Reservoir Lake 2 Gjirokastër Memaliaj Mirine Reservoir Lake 3 Gjirokastër Memaliaj Vasjar Reservoir Lake 4 Gjirokastër Memaliaj Ilirias Reservoir Lake 5 Gjirokastër Memaliaj Qesarat Reservoir Lake 6 Gjirokastër Memaliaj Ane Vjose Reservoir Lake 7 Gjirokastër Memaliaj Toç Reservoir Lake 8 Gjirokastër Memaliaj Perparim Reservoir Lake 9 Gjirokastër Memaliaj Leshnje Reservoir Lake 10 Gjirokastër Memaliaj Kalivaç Reservoir Lake 11 Gjirokastër Tepelenë Dukaj (Kordhaj) Reservoir Lake 12 Gjirokastër Tepelenë Salari Reservoir Lake 13 Gjirokastër Tepelenë Lap Martalloz Reservoir Lake 14 Gjirokastër Tepelenë Dhëmblan Reservoir Lake 15 Gjirokastër Tepelenë Dorëz Reservoir Lake 16 Gjirokastër Tepelenë Sinanaj Reservoir Lake 17 Vlorë Selenicë Shkoze Transmission line 18 Vlorë Selenicë Golimbas Transmission line 19 Vlorë Selenicë Sevaster Transmission line 20 Vlorë Selenicë Mallkeq Transmission line 21 Vlorë Selenicë Gernec Transmission line 22 Vlorë Selenicë Ondric (Kocul) Transmission line 23 Vlorë Selenicë Xhyherine Transmission line 24 Vlorë Selenicë Babice e Madhe Transmission line
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Annex E: Key stakeholder groups and relevant stakeholders
Stakeholder Stakeholder Group Stakeholders Category Municipal and Key Municipal and Municipality of Memaliaj, Tepelenë, Selenicë , Communal Communal Authorities Vlorë or their Administrative Units and Government87 departments/directories a. Directory of Health and Social Welfare/Assistance b. Directory of Agriculture and Rural Development c. Directory of Public Services and Emergencies d. Directory of Cadaster and Property Municipality of Tepelenë, or Administrative Units of Qendër Tepelenë and Lopes and departments/directories a. Directory of Health and Social Welfare/Assistance b. Directory of Agriculture and Rural Development c. Directory of Public Services and Emergencies d. Directory of Cadaster and Property Municipality of Selenicë and Vlorë and/or Administrative Units of Sevaster, Vllahine and Qender Vlorë with departments/directories a. Directory of Health and Social Welfare/Assistance b. Directory of Agriculture and Rural Development c. Directory of Public Services and Emergencies d. Directory of Cadaster and Property Traditional • Customary Local leaders and village councils of the communities Authorities authorities in the Area of Influence (AoI) Communities • Community • Residents of the communities defined within members the AoI, under Memaliaj Municipality: 1. Memaliaj Fshat 2. Mirine 3. Vasjar 4. Ilirias 5. Qesarat 6. Ane Vjose 7. Leshnje 8. Kalivaç 9. Toç 10. Përparim • Residents of the communities defined within the AoI, under Tepelenë Municipality: 1. Sinanaj 2. Dukaj 3. Dorez 4. Lap Martalloz 5. Dhemblan
87 This group will serve as a Key Informant group
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Stakeholder Stakeholder Group Stakeholders Category 6. Salari • Residents of the communities defined within the trasmision line (TL) AoI, under Selenicë and Vlorë Municipality: 1. Shkoze 2. Sevaster 3. Golimbas 4. Mallkeq 5. Ondric (Kocul) 6. Gernec 7. Xhyherine 8. Babice e Madhe Vulnerable Vulnerable groups within the Vulnerable people living in the settlements in the AoI: Persons/Groups study area • Women and Female-headed households including single mothers and widows • Unemployed youth • Elderly and orphans • Disabled persons • Roma people Key Informants Key informants are selected • Government representatives, lawyers, local individuals who have leaders, healthcare professionals knowledge of a specific subject or are informed members of the community.
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Annex F: List of Identified NGOs
Nr NGO name Contact Name of Phone & Representatives Address 1 The Regional Environmental Center info.albania.rec.org Mihallaq Qirjo Rr. Ismail Qemali, for Central and Eastern Europe No. 27, Kati/Floor (REC) 3, 1000 Tirana, Albania Phone: +355 4 223 2928 2 “Ecomovement” Group [email protected] 042226853, 0684053164 (Ecomovement - Ekolëvizja) 4 Institute of Nature Conservation in [email protected]; Genti Kromidha, Mihat 042231437; Albania (INCA) Dragoti, Vilma Kadiu, 0682080733 ilirjan Qirjazi, Zamir Dedej
5 EDEN Center (Environmental Center [email protected]; Lira Hakani, Reirta Fero, 042227615; for Development, Education and ermelinda.mahmutaj@e jonida Mamj - Hafizi 0672030512 Networking) den-al.org; 6 ACEG (Albanian Center for [email protected]; Margarita Buxhaku 693529375 Environmental Governance) 7 Protection and Preservation of Elisabeta Shkruti 682137184 Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA) 8 Institute for Environmental Policy - iep(at)iep-al.org 355 682450332 Albania 355 682121765
9 Mbrojtja dhe Zhvillimi Mjedsior e [email protected] 684023424 Social ILIRIA 10 AlbaForest Center - Albania [email protected]; Sherif Lushaj 682194044 mehmet.metaj@yahoo. com; 11 CO-Plan 12 Milieu Contact valbona.mazreku@milie 042256528; ukontakt.org; 0682065353 [email protected]
13 National Center for Environment, [email protected] 673826165 Tourism and Sustainable Development (NCETSD) 14 Mjedis, Ujëra, Pyje [email protected]; 081323184; 0692035222 15 Vjosa Explorer [email protected] 068474369; om; 0686303487
16 EcoAlbania ( [email protected] Olsi Nika 17 Riverwatch cornelia.wieser@river watch.eu 18 EuroNatur ([email protected]) 19 AOS taulant.bino@aos- Taulant Bino alb.org
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Annex G: Questions and Answers
Document type: Question & Answers (Q&A) to be used during ESIA process Project Phase: Environmental Impact Assessment ESIA – HYDROPOWER PLANT KALIVAÇ Company: AYEN ALB sha
1. Basic Project information 2. What is “HPP Kalivaç”?
HPP Kalivaç is an electric generation project from hydro sources rewarded to AYEN – ALB Concessionaire Company by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy of Republic of Albanian, through concession legal process. HPP Kalivaç is located on Kalivaç Village, Memaliaj, Tepelenë Region over Vjosa River. HPP Kalivaç shall be utilized between 113 m a.s.l. and at 73 m a.s.l. The form of the concession is Built – Operate – Transfer. The concession stipulates that the development scheme shall consist of one power plant with a total installed generation capacity of 111 MW.
2. Why are you here?
We are here to develop the potential energy projects offered by Albania, because Albania is a fast reforming country with focus on the ease of doing business, with its excellent strategic location, free market access, foreign investor friendly environment and great incentives, as well as a motivated, educated and cost competitive work force, Albania is an excellent investment destination. Albania has attracted rising net FDI inflows over the recent years.
3. Who will build the project?
The HPP Kalivaç project shall be financed and developed by AYEN – ALB Concessionaire Company and in its construction shall take part the most experienced and successful construction companies.
4. Who will operate it?
The operation shall be done by AYEN – ALB Concessionaire Company
5. When will the construction start and how long will it last?
The construction foreseen to be started on June 2020 and shall be lasted 30 months until September 2023.
6. Who will be employed for the construction works?
For construction works shall be employed experienced and non-experienced personnel, and 75% of them shall be local employees.
7. Are there any major risks related to the project?
Since our Company is an experienced one in this field and during technical – engineering evaluation of the project we hadn’t noticed any major risk.
8. What are the risks from the project and what do you plan to do to limit the risk to people?
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The project will be developed based on national and international standards in terms of safety and health at work. Also, risk and dangerous assessment will be carried out systematically and consistently and will always be subject to appropriate measures to minimize and eliminate these risks.
9. Will there be restrictions to the future developments of the areas close to the project?
No restrictions have been identified for various development opportunities in areas near the Project.
10. What will be the benefits that local communities will receive from the project?
Benefits of local communities shall consist of qualitative employment opportunities, economic development, local investment, energy, tourism, fishing, nature sports, urban development, and cultural cooperation.
1. LEA/Compensation/Resettlement
(This process shall be evaluated according to IFC standards and the law on expropriation of the Republic of Albania, since legally all the property belonging to this project will be subsequently owned by the Contracting Authority)
11. How will you compensate the affected land and assets?
The assessment and compensation of lands affected by the Project will be carried out based on the principles of common understanding, market rules, IFC standards, which will then be subject to the expropriation law of the Republic of Albania. Compensation will be made through the way of payment to the persons who will be compensated for the respective compensation value for all compensating assets. The total amount of compensation shall be paid by the budget of AYEN – ALB Concessionary Company. The process will be initiated and will be run by the contracting authority in full cooperation with our concessionary company, under the respective agreement to be signed between the Parties in full compliance with the applicable legislation. Resettlement as a result of project development shall be taken into consideration in cooperation with affected persons from this process and central and local authorities.
12. What prices will be considered for compensation of landowners? Is the perceived value of a purchase, easement or compensation contract equal to the value of the expropriation? Will the landowners be compensated for the loss of their crops?
As mentioned above, the value of the compensation of assets affected by this project will be based on the principles of mutual understanding, market rules, IFC standards, and then expropriation law. In this logic shall be determined the respective land price/property price as well. Not always the price of a purchase, evaluation or compensation contract is the same as the expropriation price. All corps owners will be compensated for their crops.
13. How are you going to acquire the land for the Power line?
If the land from which the transmission line trace shall passes, shall be private land, the entire evaluation and assessment process will be carried out according to the procedures mentioned for other lands affected by the project.
14. How are you going to acquire land for the hydro power plant?
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If the land on which the Hydro Power Plant shall be built, shall be private land, the entire evaluation and assessment process will be carried out according to the procedures mentioned for other lands affected by the project.
15. When and how will be the compensation payment executed?
The payments for the compensation value of the assets affected by this project will be carried out immediately after the completion of assessment process of these assets mentioned above through regular notary and bank procedures.
16. How can PAPs obtain ownership certificates in case they do not have it?
In case the persons affected by the project do not have the relevant ownership certificates, for the purpose of applying for these ownership certificates to the respective Regional Immovable Properties Registration Offices, these persons may submit to our company their request for obtaining free of charge the relevant Topographical Survey Plan necessary for issuing from Regional Immovable Properties Registration Offices their Ownership Certificates.
17. Do you have a resettlement plan as per IFC requirements? What will happen with the families that will be resettled?
Potential population resettlement plans affected by the development of this project, if necessary, will be implemented in cooperation with local and central authorities, because the settlement of the population is a concept, process and procedure that goes beyond the competences of a private company. The applicable policies regarding the possible resettlement of the population are competence and are governed by competent state bodies.
18. What happens in case a family is against resettlement?
Community – local government – central government – concessionary company cooperation will enable the handling and resolution of such cases.
19. Are there any schools or other facilities affected? If yes, will you build new ones?
Yes, there are state buildings (including schools) that are affected by the development of this project. Our company will build new facilities according to the nature of the objects affected by the project as a compensation for the proper buildings that shall be out of use.
20. What happens in case a farmer is against the project crossing his parcel/s?
Community – local government – central government – concessionary company cooperation will enable the handling and resolution of such cases.
1. ESIA – Environmental Impact Assessment 2. What will be the environmental and social impacts of the project?
All environmental and social impacts of the project will be kept at the lowest possible level, and in order to reduce these impacts and increase their benefits, we will prepare a detailed report and develop some relevant long-term choices.
22. How will local communities be involved in the decision-making process?
After hearing processes, preliminary consultations, dedicated meetings, etc. the local communities will be involved in the decision-making process through mutual understanding decisions, agreements and
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signing of various acts on issues of common interest, and then their involvement in the project’s employment and decision-making processes with the status of the employee.
23. What impacts will the operational have on houses (other than residential buildings), running so close to it?
From the technological aspect of electricity generation from water, during the HEC operation phase there is no negative impact on any building, building, etc. Considering that for the production of electricity during the operation phase a large basin with considerable surface will be created, our company will take all physical security measures to protect not only humans, but also animals that can be enter, or stay in dangerous places.
24. How will people be protected from dangers (heavy machinery moving around, blasts, etc.) caused by the construction works?
Entire international and national procedures for health and safety at work, protection against fire, for measures to be taken for work accidents shall be followed, implementing rigorously any obligation for life protection from risks and dangerous.
25. Will there be emissions into air from the operations? If yes, are they dangerous for the communities that live near the project?
There will be no polluting or harmful emissions during operation. The electricity that will be produced will be electricity produced from water, which means green electricity, which means clean electricity from pollutants.
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