REPUBLIC OF RWANDA Public Disclosure Authorized MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND ANIMAL RESOURCES THIRD RURAL SECTOR SUPPORT PROJECT (RSSP III) Crédit IDA No: Public Disclosure Authorized Dam Construction and Irrigation infrastructure of Rwinkwavu Marshland ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT (Final Report) October, 2012 Public Disclosure Authorized Compiled for: Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources Third Rural Sector Support Project (RSSP III) P.O. Box 6961 Kigali – Rwanda Compiled by: Green World Consult Ltd Kijyambere Building, Kisementi, REMERA P.O. Box 816 Kigali – Rwanda Public Disclosure Authorized Report Details Page Project name: Development of irrigation infrastructures in Rwinkwavu marshland Report Title: Draft EIA Report Authors: Green World Consult Ltd Crédit IDA No: H4080-RW Status of Report: Draft EIA report Second Issue: April, 2012 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PRACTITIONER Approved for Green World Consult i Executive summary: Rwinkwavu Marshland is located in the Eastern Province, Kayonza District, stretching across two sectors, which include Rwinkwavu and Mwiri Sectors. The dam will be constructded in Cyinzovu Cell shared by Kabarondo and Murama Sectors of Kayonza District. This proposed marshland to be developed is estimated to cover over 1,000 ha, and so far from the feasibilty irrigation studies over approximately 1,000 ha downstream of Byimana proposed dam site has been considered as favorable for the proposed project (CIMA-International feasibility Report, 2011). The dam to be constructed at Byimana will have a maximum height of 9,50m, 192 linear meters with a storage capacity of 6,750,000 m3 spread over a water surface of approximately 145 ha. Rwinkwavu marshland water balances simulations from the feasibility indicate that twice as much rice cropping on an area of: 1,000 ha in season A and 1,000 ha in season B totaling up to 2,000 ha to be utilized every year. In an average year 1,000ha in season A, and 800ha in season B, that is 1,800ha to be utilized with the anticipation that the fifith year being a dry year. It is also important to note that the filling up of the storage dam will only be completed after one year given the annual contribution of the watershed. This therefore, will be taken into account during the development of the perimeter. It is also important to note that results from the sensitivity tests indicate that in all scenarious the development option chosen remain very profitable and suitable with an internal rate of return exceeding 20% in all cases. Objective of the study The construction of the dam & irrigation infrastructures are planned to enhance irrigated rice production in Rwinkwavu marshland of Kayonza District. This activity requires the preparation of an EIA/EMP. It is in this context that an EIA study was conducted to identify potentially significant environmental and social impacts, both positive and negative, and propose mitigation measures of negative impacts. Green World Consult Limited was therefore contracted by Rural Sector Support Project (RSSP) to undertake the EIA for the proposed project. Methodology We applied different techniques for data collection in this assignment and these include; a comprehensive literature review, interview schedule for key informants, general interviews, focused group discussions, field visits, and surveys during the detailed impact assessment phase. To commence this assignment we had a one week period to mobilize the consultants with the key role players and commence the detailed planning of the project and compilation of the draft progress report. An initial meeting was held with the client to establish the following: - Establish the study team; - Review deliverables and schedule; - Obtain all pertinent information from the client; - Establish communication lines and procedures; - Establish and reconfirm accountability requirements. The scope of work broadly comprised of four main implementation phases namely; - Stakeholder mobilization, consultation and data collection - Scoping phase; - Detailed EA study; - Data evaluation and reporting ii Stakeholder mobilization: Immediately after the assignment was awarded to us, our Team Leader made arrangements to mobilize all team members needed at the commencement of the assignment. At this stage the Project Management and Quality Assurance procedures was established to ensure the correct and efficient methods for communication, document management procedures, were set up. Consultation in this was made covering over 262 people. Data Collection: The objective of the Data Collection was to make sure that all interested and affected parties are consulted and all relevant data is considered and reviewed. Every effort was made to ensure that maximum benefits drawn from previous experience to consult and also involve key stakeholder from local community members in the proposed project site, Cell, Sector and District officials. Data Collection comprised of consultation with all the various authorities and interested and affected parties involved, document reviews, and ensuring that all existing data relevant to the study is available to the technical team of consultants. Sources of relevant data were identified with the assistance of the Client’s representatives. Assessment of Project Alternative The project is proposed to be developed on land, which comprises existing agricultural activities hence no environmentally sensitive areas will be endangered. As such, no other sites of comparable size and location within a 10 km radius of the marshlands that would be suitable for the type of the intended development was identified, and therefore no alternative sites have been considered for the project Potential Project Impacts (positive and negative) and Mitigation measures A number of environmental issues were identified during the scoping process of the study. Impacts that could occur are summarized and discussed in detailed in section 6 under heading assessment of environmental impacts and mitigations measures are also presented in section 7 under a heading mitigation and enhancement measures. An assessment of these impacts is made on the basis of information gathered during the scoping, and detailed EIA analysis process, the environmental baseline study of the project area which included several field visits to the project site and its surrounding, public consultation meetings, as well as a desk study of relevant existing documents and information pertaining to the area of study and information describing the nature and design of the proposed project. To this end, identified impacts are discussed within the component headings in the light of the following: Potential Positive project impact: The identified potential posisitve project impacts include; Provision of employment (skilled and unskilled): Local contractors employing staff from within Kayonza District and particularly Rwinkwavu and Mwiri sector will economically benefit from the implementation of the project. It is anticipated that the project will provide up to more than 3,000 direct employment opportunities over the entire construction cycle to ensure its completion, with a sizable locally contracted workforce of between 500-1000 persons at any one time. The project will require skilled technicians and crafts people as well as un-skilled labour and will offer many employment opportunities for persons from within local communities, including women. Women are generally regarded as reliable workers with a good eye, and there is an increasing trend to employ women in semi-skilled and skilled construction work. Contractors also generally hire women as casual workers for cleaning out operations in preparation for handover, who will undoubtedly come from the local communities surrounding the project site. Food security and contribution to National Rice Production and National Economy: The project will contribute to increased rice production in the country and the hence lead to food security. The project is estimated to generate over 10.000 TN of rice per year. iii Increased public revenue / taxes: The implementation of the project will increase revenue and taxes for both the central (Rwanda Revenue Authority) and local authorities. This includes scrutiny fees for the local planning authorities (Kayonza District) and other indirect taxes resulting from the construction project such as VAT on materials and services, PAYE (construction workers and other formally employed persons will form by far the majority of created employment opportunities) as well as revenue to pension funds. Impacts on Local Capacity :The scale of the construction project with the logistics involved and speeds of construction that will be required, while maintaining construction, health and safety standards will involve considerable management and planning skills and will contribute to capacity building within the Rwandese engineering and construction sector. Co-operation between international suppliers of specialized equipment and contractors (who have the expertise in the technology to be introduced) and local contractors and sub- contractors and companies will result in the transfer of skills and will also build additional local capacity. Cooperative to operate the rice scheme will be trained by RSSP to improve their capacity. Flood control in Rwinkwavu marshland: The construction of a Dam for irrigation of the marshland will provide a range of economic, environmental, and social benefits, including; flood control, water storage and supply for irrigation