ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO FORMAL ADOPTION OF THE RBMP FOR AKHURYAN RBD OF ARMENIA, INCLUDING EIA AND EXPERT EXAMINATION

COMPLETION REPORT

Prepared by: “Geoinfo” LLC

September 9, 2016

List of acronyms

BMO Basin Management Organization

CWME Country Water Management Expert

EIA Environmental Impact Analysis

EPIRB Environmental Protection of International River Basins

EU European Union

IWRM Integrated Water Resources Management

KFW German Reconstruction Credit Bank

LLC Limited Liability Company

MES Ministry of Emergency Situations

MNP Ministry of Nature Protection

NGO Non-Governmental Organization

RBD River Basin District

RBMP River Basin Management Plan

ROA Republic of Armenia

SNCO Sate Non-Commercial Organization

WRMA Water Resources Management Agency

2 ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO THE FORMAL ADOPTION OF THE RBMP FOR AKHURYAN RBD OF ARMENIA, INCLUDING EIA AND EXPERT EXAMINATION

This report is prepared according to the requirements of the contracts signed between Hulla & Co Human Dynamics KG and “Geoinfo” LLC on May 30, 2016. The overall objective of the contract was to provide additional support to the formal adoption of the RBMP for Akhuryan RBD of Armenia, including environmental impact assessment and expert examination.

The report includes the following 2 deliverables as envisaged in the contract:

Deliverable 1: Proceedings of two public hearing meetings: (i) on preliminary assessment of the RBMP for Akhuryan RBD; and (ii) on strategic assessment/environmental impact assessment of the RBMP for Akhuryan RBD;

Deliverable 2: Preliminary environmental impact assessment report and primary impact assessment report for RBMP of Akhuryan RBD.

The procedures of environmental impact assessment and expert examination of the RBMP for Akhuryan RBD of Armenia and corresponding public hearings are regulated by the Republic of Armenia law “On Environmental Impact Assessment and Expert Examination” (2014) and Government of Armenia Resolution “On Procedures of Public Notification and Public Discussions” (2015).

According to Article 15 of the law the RBMP for Akhuryan RBD shall undergo environmental impact assessment and expert examination prior to formal adoption. The assessment and expert examination shall be carried out in two phases: (1) initial phase, during which application for preliminary assessment shall be reviewed; and (2) primary phase, during which the main assessment report shall pass expert examination.

To start the process, pursuant to the requirements of the Contract with Hulla & Co Human Dynamics KG, preliminary environmental impact assessment of the RBMP for Akhuryan RBD was prepared by the “Geoinfo” LLC, and together with an application submitted to the authorized entity.

Following that, the first public hearing was organized on the preliminary assessment on June 17, 2016 in Akhuryan community of Shirak Marz of Armenia. Pursuant to the requirement of the legislation, 7 days in advance of the intended public hearing data corresponding announcement was posted in the daily newspaper “Hayastani Hanrapeturyun” (Republic of Armenia). The public hearing was video recorded and corresponding written protocol of discussions were prepared. Annex 1 provides Minutes of the first public hearing.

All the materials and documents were properly included in the application package, submitted to the “Environmental Impact Expertise Centre” SNCO on June 28, 2016.

After submission of the preliminary assessment application by “Geoinfo” LLC to the “Environmental Impact Expertise Centre” State Non-Commercial Organization (SNCO) of the Ministry of Nature Protection of Armenia, the initial phase of expert examination was carried out. In the initial phase of assessment: (i) completeness of the submitted preliminary assessment application was checked; and (ii) the scope of potential environmental impact of the RBMP for

3 Akhuryan RBD was determined, content and terms of the assessment report were established, list of the participants of the process were prepared, and, terms of reference for preparation of consolidated impact assessment report were prepared and submitted by the “Environmental Impact Expertise Centre” SNCO to the “Geoinfo” LLC.

The second public hearing on strategic assessment/environmental impact assessment of the RBMP for the Akhuryan RBD was organized in the primary assessment phase on July 21, 2016 in Armavir city of Armavir Marz of Armenia. As required by the Law, 7 days before the public hearing, public notification was posted in “Hayastani Hanrapetutyun” (Republic of Armenia) daily newspaper. During the second public hearing a comprehensive and complete information on RBMP for Akhuryan RBD was presented, including environmental impact assessment, and responses to all questions raised by the participants of the hearing were provided. The protocol of discussions of public hearing, as well as video recording of all discussions was prepared by “Geoinfo” LLC. Annex 2 provides Minutes of the second public hearing.

Despite the fact that according to the Contract “Geoinfo” LLC was responsible for organization of the above-mentioned two public hearings, taking into consideration the request of the Ministry of Nature Protection, “Geoinfo” LLC agreed and organized the third public hearing on August 18, 2016 in Gyumri city of Shirak Marz of Armenia. Parallel to this, pursuant to the requirements of the Contract, “Geoinfo” LLC prepared a corresponding report on environmental impact assessment and present to the “Environmental Impact Expertise Centre” SNCO. The report was published in the official website of Shirak Regional Administration (http://shirak.mtad.am/Q/) 7 days before organization of the third public hearing. Also, public notification in the “Hayastani Hanrapetutyun” (Republic of Armenia) daily newspaper was made 7 working days before the third public hearing. Based on the discussions of the public hearing corresponding protocol was developed. Annex 3 provides Minutes of the third public hearing.

In total, 88 participants attended the 3 public hearings, organized by “Geoinfo” in different cities and communities of the Akhuryan RBD of Armenia.

The Preliminary environmental impact assessment report was prepared by “Geoinfo” LLC and submitted to “Environmental Impact Expertise Centre” SNCO on June 28, 2016. Pursuant to the requirements of the legislation, the report was prepared in Armenian language, and consisted of 5 tables, 4 maps and 4 diagrams. It included sections on the approach and methodology, water resources of the Akhuryan RBD, water use, pressure-impact analysis and significant issues, supply- demand analysis and the program of measures.

Afterwards, within 30 days, as required by the Armenian legislation, the “Environmental Impact Expertise Centre” SNCO conducted screening and review of the report, and provided positive conclusion. Based on that, Terms of Reference was developed, and officially provided to “Geoinfo” LLC on July 29, 2016, for preparation of the primary EIA report, as the last step required from the initiator of the EIA process.

“Geoinfo” LLC officially submitted the Primary impact assessment report for RBMP of Akhuryan RBD to the “Environmental Impact Expertise Centre” on August 20, 2016. The report consists of 23 pages, and includes 14 tables, 4 maps and 2 diagrams. The structure of the primary EIA report corresponded to the requirements of the Terms of Reference, developed by the “Environmental Impact Expertise Centre” SNCO, and included the following:

4 • The objective and approach; • List of the 6 urban and 235 rural target communities in the RBD; • Natural conditions, including geography, climate, vegetation, geology, landslides, mudflows, floods; • Population and demography; • Water resources in the RBD; • Hydrological characteristics, including rivers, lakes, water balance; • Groundwater resources; • Overall volume of water resources and usable water resources; • Water use; • Pressure-impact analysis and significant water management issues; • Impacts; • Perspective water supply and demand assessment; • Program of measures, including addressing urban wastewater, livestock breeding, industry, fish-farming, hydromorphological alterations; • Economic analysis and definition of priority measures; • Financial assessment of proposed measures; • Public participation, including summary table of all proposals made in the 3 public hearing meetings organized pursuant to the requirements of the Republic of Armenia law “On Environmental Impact Assessment and Expert Examination”.

5 Annex 1: Minutes of the First Public Hearing on Preliminary Assessment

The first public hearing on preliminary assessment of the draft RBMP for Akhuryan RBD was held in the building of Akhuryan Municipality of Shirak Marz of Armenia, on June 17, 2016. The meeting was attended by 23 participants, including the representatives of “Tzayg” TV of Gyumri.

The meeting was chaired by Mr. Vahan Davtyan, Head of the Water Resources Management Agency of the Ministry of Nature Protection of Armenia. In his opening speech Mr. Davtyan described the process of development of draft RBMP for Akhuryan RBD with the support of the EU EPIRB project. He explained that the core of the RBMP is the program of measures, which aims to achieve good ecological status for the surface and groundwater bodies of the RBD, based on the comprehensive pressure-impact analysis. He also mentioned about the data gaps identified in the course of development of the draft RBMP, as well as the field surveys to cover the data gaps.

Afterwards, EPIRB Project CWME for Armenia Mr. Vahagn Tonoyan presented the overall structure of the draft RBMP and then provided details of each chapter of the plan. Mr. Tonoyan also described the process of public consultation in the course of development of draft plan, namely public consultations meetings held in Gyumri in December 2012, June 2014 and March 2015. He mentioned that over 80 representative of the basin organizations and civil society representatives have participated in those meetings, and about 40 written comments were submitted on different draft versions of the RBMP for Akhuryan RBD.

Several questions, related to the results of the pressure-impact analysis and measures to address the pressures were asked by the participants. Mr. Tonoyan and Mr. Davtyan provided answers to the questions. As a result of discussions, the participants of the meeting provided positive conclusion to the draft RBMP for Akhuryan RBD, stating is expected positive influence on surface and groundwater resources, as well related acosystems of the basin.

6 List of participants

Vahan Davtyan, Head of Water Resources Management Jivan Aslanyan, Agency, Ministry of Nature Protection of the Director, Shirak Agricultural Extension Service Republic of Armenia Alla Baghdasaryan, Ashot Abgaryan, “Tzayg” TV Head of Akhuryan Basin Management Organization, Water Resources Management Vaspurakan Melikyan, Agency, MNP of the ROA Advisor on Agriculture, Shirak Agricultural Extension Service Tigran Ananikyan, Chief Specialist, Department of Agriculture Arayik Harutyunyan, and Nature Protection of Shirak Regional Chief Specialist, Shirak Agricultural Extension Administration Service

Nazik Jzmachyan, Liparit Tigranyan, Leading Specialist of the Water Basin Deputy Mayor of Akhuryan Community Planning Management Division, Water Resources Management Agency, Ministry of Edgar Grigoryan, Nature Protection of the Republic of Armenia Chief Specialist of Gyumri Meteorological Station Ararat Vardanyan, Chief Specialist of the Akhuryan Basin Viktor Bakhtamyan, Management Organizations, Water Deputy Team Leader of KfW IWRM Kaps Resources Management Agency, Ministry of Project Nature Protection of the Republic of Armenia Simone Schwarz, Hamlet Gasparyan, International Consultant, KfW IWRM Kaps Head of Nature Protection Division, Project Department of Agricultural and Nature Protection, Shirak Regional Administration Arsen Vardanyan, “Civil Voice” NGO, Gyumri Rolan Gasparyan, Scientific Worker, Laboratory of Geophysics Levon Igityan, and Geo-ecology, Institute of Geophysics and “Akhuryan” Youth NGO, Akhuryan Engineering Seismology, Gyumri Stepan Kakosyan, Levon Azizyan “Civil Voice” NGO, Gyumri Head of Hydrological Center, Service of the Hydrometeorology and Active Influence on Arsen Manukyan, Atmospheric Phenomena, Ministry of “Geghama” NGO Emergency Situations of ROA Tigran Zakaryan, Edgar Misakyan Director of “Geoinfo” LLC Head of Hydrography Division of the Hydrological Center, Service of the Vahagn Tonoyan, Hydrometeorology and Active Influence on EPIRB Project CWME for Armenia Atmospheric Phenomena, MES of the ROA

7 Annex 2: Minutes of the Second Public Hearing on Strategic Assessment

The second meeting on strategic assessment of the draft RBMP for the Akhuryan RBD was held in Armavir city, in the building of the Armavir Regional Administration, on July 21, 2016. The meeting was attended by 34 participants, including representatives of the Armavir Regional Adminstration, communities of Metsamor River basin, Ministry of Nature Protection, EPIRB project, “Geoinfo” LLC and the local “ALT” TV.

The meeting was chaired by Mr. Ayvazyan, Head of the Department of Agriculture and Nature Protection of Armavir Regional Administration. Opening statement was made by Mr. Gabrielyan, Deputy Regional Governor of Armavir Marz of Armenia. He welcomed the participants of the public hearing, stressing the importance of discussions over the draft RBMP for Akhuryan RBD of Armenia, and particularly pressure-impact analysis and program of measures, relating to Metsamor River Basin of Akhuryan RBD of Armenia.

Mr. Ayvazyan presented the overall objective of the public hearing, and of the draft RBMP for Akhuyran RBD. He added that many representatives of the target communities from Metsamor River Basin participate in the public hearing.

Ms. Mkrtchyan, Chief Specialist of the Environmental Impact Expertise Centre of the Ministry of Nature Protection of Armenia, presented in detail the process of preliminary environmental impact assessment and expertise of the draft RBMP, according to the requirements of the Republic of Armenia law “On Environmental Impact Assessment and Expert Examination” (2014).

Mr. Tonoyan, EPIRB project CWME for Armenia, and Mr. Zakaryan, Director of “Geoinfo” LLC, presented the process of development of draft RBMP for Akhuryan RBD, the overall structure of the plan, paying particular attention of the pressure-impact analysis and the proposed program of measures. Results of surface and groundwater field surveys were also presented, particularly elevated Arsenic concentrations in groundwater resources of Ashotzk and Armavir districts of the basin.

Presentations were followed by discussions, during which the participants talked about issues related to untreated urban wastewater in the basin, pressures from livestock breeding, the need to revise the water use permits, particularly for fish farms, as well as related measures.

Summarizing the discussions, the participants gave their concurrence to the draft RBMP, and expressed hope that after official adoption the implementation of the plan will convene soon.

List of participants

G. Gabrielyan, E. Mirzoyan, Deputy Regional Governor of Armavir Head of Metsamor Community of Armavir Marz of Armenia A. Ayvazyan, Head of the Department of Agriculture and M. Grigoryan, Nature Protection of Armavir Regional Head of Argina Community of Armavir Marz Administration of Armenia

K. Petrosyan, K. Minasyan, Chief Specialist of the Department of Head of Shenik Community of Armavir Marz Agriculture and Nature Protection of Armavir of Armenia Regional Administration S. Galstyan, T. Ananikyan, Head of Jrarat Community of Armavir Marz of Chief Specialist of the Department of Armenia Agriculture and Nature Protection of Armavir Regional Administration V. Hovhannisyan, Head of Haykashen Community of Armavir S. Mkhitaryan, Marz of Armenia Chief Specialist of the Department of Agriculture and Nature Protection of Armavir H. Galsyan, Regional Administration Head of Nor Kesaria Community of Armavir Marz of Armenia V. Harutyunyan, Leading Specialist of the Department of A. Khlghatyan, Agriculture and Nature Protection of Head of Taronik Community of Armavir Marz Aragatsotn Regional Administration of Armenia

R. Margaryan, M. Ohanyan, Head of Yeghegnut Community of Armavir Head of Artashat Community of Armavir Marz of Armenia Marz of Armenia

A. Mikayelyan, B. Vardanyan, Head of Araks Community of Armavir Marz of Head of Vagharshapat Community of Armavir Armenia Marz of Armenia

9 G. Danielayan, P. Saghatelayan, Head of Mrgashat Community of Armavir Head of Dalarik Community of Armavir Marz Marz of Armenia of Armenia

R. Yeghiazaryan, A. Petrosyan, Head of Janfida Community of Armavir Marz Head of Hatzik Community of Armavir Marz of Armenia of Armenia

J. Manukyan, M. Misakyan, Head of Vanand Community of Armavir Marz Head of Aknashen Community of Armavir of Armenia Marz of Armenia

S. Karapetyan, G. Misakyan, Head of Lusagyugh Community of Armavir Head of Aknalich Community of Armavir Marz of Armenia Marz of Armenia

P. Sargsyan, M. Ohanyan, Head of Zartonk Community of Armavir Marz Head of Ranchpar Community of Ararat Marz of Armenia of Armenia

A. Avetisyan, A. Stepanyan, Head of Yeraskhahun Community of Armavir Journalist of “ALT” TV, Armavir Marz of Armenia N. Mktrchyan, A. Mkhitaryan, Chief Specialist, Environmental Impact Head of Aygeshat Community of Armavir Expertise Centre, Ministry of Nature Marz of Armenia Protection of Armenia

N. Jzmachyan, T. Zakaryan, Leading Specialist of the Division of Water Director of “Geoinfo” LLC Basin Planning, Water Resources Management Agency, Ministry of Nature V. Tonoyan, Protection of Armenia CWME for Armenia, EPIRB Project

10 Annex 3: Minutes of the Third Public Hearing on Environmental Impact Assessment

The third public hearing on environmental impact assessment of the draft RBMP for Akhuryan RBD was held in Gyumri, in the building of Gyumri Regional Administration of Shirak Marz of Armenia, on August 18, 2016. The meeting was attended by 34 participants, including “Shant” TV from Gyumri.

The meeting was chaired by Mr. Hamlet Gasparyan, Head of Nature Protection Division of the Department of Agriculture and Nature Protection of Shirak Regional Administration. In his opening remarks Mr. Gasparyan presented the overall objective of the RBMP for Akhuryan RBD, the process of development and the current status. Afterwards, EPIRB Project CWME for Armenia Mr. Vahagn Tonoyan presented the details of the draft plan, as well as the objective of the public hearing meeting in line with the requirements of the Republic of Armenia “On Environmental Impact Assessment and Expert Examination”.

Mr. Aram Gevorgyan, Data management expert of “NHRS” LLC presented the pressure-impact analysis section of the plan, including the types and nature of the anthropogenic pressures, as well as the program of measures, to address the water bodies at risk and to achieve good ecological status.

Mr. Edgar Misakyan, Head of Hydrography Division of the ArmStateHydromet Service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Armenia, presented the approach in defining the environmental flow requirements, including the sections for which there aren’t any hydrological observation posts.

The participants of the meeting raised several questions, related to pollution of small tributaries from solid waste, possibility to install local wastewater treatment plants, and specific pressures on Karkachun River in the section before its inflow to Akhuryan Reservoir.

Mr. Tonoyan, Mr. Gevorgyan and Mr. Misakyan responded to the quations raised and provided clarifications.

Mr. G. Petrosyan, the Coordinator of Gyumri Aaruhs Centre, suggesting adding in the pogram of measures of the plan the establishment of Public Basin Council, adjacent to Akhuryan BMO. Mr. Tonoyan agreed that establishment of such Council, which could have an advisor role could ensure

11 prooper participation of public in deicision-making process and agreed that they will revise the program of measures, to reflect the proposal.

As a result of discussions all participants agreed that the draft RBMP for Akhuryan RBD will significantly improve the situation in the basin, will have a positive impact on the environment and expressed their positive conclusion about the draft.

List of participants

E. Misakyan, S.Barseghyan, Head of Hydrography Division of the Mayor of Lusaghbyur Community, Shirak Hydrological Center, Service of the Marz Hydrometeorology and Active Influence on Atmospheric Phenomena, Ministry of L. Mkoyan, Emergency Situations of Armenia Mayor of Kaps Community, Shirak Marz

T. Ananikyan, A. Ayvazyan, Chief Specialist of the Division of Nature Mayor of Arapii Community, Shirak Marz Protection, Shirak Regional Administration S. Balabekyan, N. Jzmachyan, Mayor of Lusakert Community, Shirak Marz Leading Specialist of the Water Basin Planning Management Division, Water K. Sargsyan, Resources Management Agency of the Mayor of Jrapi Community, Shirak Marz Ministry of Nature Protection of Armenia K. Petrosyan, V. Petrosyan, Yeraskhavan Municipality, Shirak Marz Department of Agriculture and Nature Protection, Shirak Regional Administration A. Matevosyan, Akhuryan Municipality, Shirak Marz A. Abgaryan, Head of Akhuryan Basin Management A. Vardelyan, Organization, Water Resources Management First Class Specialist, Department of Agency of the Ministry of Nature Protection Agriculture and Nature Protection, Shirak of Armenia Regional Administration

S. Matilyan, G. Kokhpetzyan, Deputy Head of the Water Basin Planning Azatan Municipality, Shirak Marz Management Division, Water Resources Management Agency of the Ministry of G. Sargsyan, Nature Protection of Armenia Haykadzor Municipality, Shirak Marz

A. Vardanyan, S. Serobyan, Chief Specialist, Akhuryan Basin Management “Compass” NGO Organization, Water Resources Management Agency of the Ministry of Nature Protection A. Gevorgyan, of Armenia Data management expert, “NHRS” LLC

12 M. Badasyan, K. Sargsyan, “Compass” NGO Haykadzor Municipality, Shirak Marz

S. Tumasyan, H. Hunanyan, Leading Specialist of the Department of Mayisyan Municipality, Shirak Marz Agricultural and Nature Protection, Shirak Regional Administration G. Petrosyan, Coordinator of Gyumri Aarhus Centre H. Gasparyan, Head of Nature Protection Division, H. Ghazaryan, Department of Agriculture and Nature “Biosphera” NGO Protection of Shirak Regional Administration L. Kirakosyan, G. Simonyan, “Shant” TV Company Chief Specialist of the Department of Agricultural and Nature Protection, Shirak T. Zakaryan, Regional Administration Director of “Geoinfo” LLC

S. Akelsanyan, V. Tonoyan, Benyamin Municipality, Shirak Marz EPIRB Project CWME for Armenia

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