Road Sector Assistance Project El 225 Nittambuwa-Kandy A001 VOL. 4 Contents Page No. Public Disclosure Authorized Chapter 1 Introduction 2 Chapter 2 Environmental Impact 2.1 Background 3 2.2 Road Environment 3 2.2.1 Physical environment 3 2.2.2 Ecological environment 5 Public Disclosure Authorized 2.3 Project Related Environmental Issues 6 2.4 Project activities 6 2.5 Applicable regulations 7 2.6 Environmental impacts and Mitigation measures 8 2.7 Environmental Management Plan 11 2.8 Environmental Management Action Plan 12 Chapter 3 Social Aspects Public Disclosure Authorized 3.1 Collection of data 12 3.2 Assumption made in interpreting data/information 12 3.3 Potential Impacts 13 3.3.1 Beneficial Impacts 13 3.3.2 Negative Impacts 14 3.3.3 Mitigation of Negative Impacts 18 Annexure I Environmental Management Action Plan (EMAP) (Protection and Preventive measures that have to be followed by the Contractor) Public Disclosure Authorized Annexure II Environmental Features Map Annexure III Social Impact Management Framework (SIMF) Page 1 of 18 Feb 2006 Road Sector Assistance Project Nittambuwa-Kandy AOOI DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA Road Development Authority (RDA) Ministry of Highways ROAD SECTOR ASSISTANCE PROJECT (RSAP) Social and Environmental Assessment Chapter 1: Introduction The RDA has identified a long list of 1,339 km of roads as priority candidates for rehabilitation. Of this 1,339 km, a short list of approximately 650 km has been selected through a screening process under the RSAP Feasibility Study for detailed engineering design for rehabilitation. The Feasibility Study included the Social and Environmental screening of the 1,339 km of roads in order: * to assess the social and environmental impact of the proposed project roads and * to avoid including roads which would incur adverse impacts on environmentally sensitive areas or involve significant social impacts. Subsequently, detailed social and environmental Assessments have been carried out in compliance with the Environmental Assessment and Management Framework (EMF) and the Social Impact Management Framework (SMIF) prepared for the World Bank funded Road Sector Assistance project, which were opened for public comments on 7th July 2005 and 1st October 2005 respectively. Project specific social and environmental Assessments have been, carried out for the following road sections for which financing is expected from the World Bank for rehabilitation work. Reference No Description 1 A008 Ingiriya - Rathnapura 2 A001 Nittambuwa - Kandy 3 A 017 Galle - Akuressa A 017 Akuressa - Deniyaya B 098 Hakmana - Talahanduwa B 142 Denagama - Mulatiyana 4 A 009 Galkulama - Punewa A 014 Medawachchiya - NCP boundary 5 A 010 Padeniya - Puttalam 6 A 004 Wellawaya - Siyabalanduwa 7 A 025 Ampara - Siyabalanduwa A 031 Ampara - Karathive 8 A 016 Haliela - Bandarawela B 044 Bandarawela - Welimada 9 A 011 Maradankadawela - Manampitiya A 011 Manampitiya - Trikkandimadu Page 2 of 18 Feb 2006 Road Sector Assistance Project Nittambuwa-Kandy AOO I Chapter 2 Environmental Assessment 2.1 Background The purpose of this report is to assess the environmental impacts of the proposed rehabilitation of the Nittabuwa to Kandy section of the AOO1 Colombo Kandy road, which has been selected for detailed design under this project. This road section is 77 km long with most of the section falling within the Kegalle District of Sabaragamuwa Province (about 50%). The balance 50% is approximately equally divided between Kandy District of the Central Province and Gampaha Distict of the Western Province. The rehabilitation work under this programme is essentially limited to the rehabilitation and resurfacing of roads, existing drainage, shoulders and other road structures. Road widening is not involved in this project, unless it is essential for road safety or similar reasons. Therefore the rehabilitation of roads under this project is unlikely to cause significant negative environmental impacts. 2.2 Road Environment 2.2.1 Physical environment Rainfall The entire road section is in the wet zone. The average annual rainfall is between 2000mm-2500mm in Colombo and Kegalle Districts and it is just below 2000mm in Kandy District. The maximum rainfalls record in April-May and October-November periods. The two maximum precipitation periods are separated by two periods of relatively low rainfall. January and February are the months of lowest average rainfall. The rainfall intensities do not vary widely for the three districts. The 60 minutes 50 years intensity for Colombo, Kegalle and Kandy are 165mm/hr, 145mm/hr, and 127mm/hr respectively. Hydrology and Drainage This road section goes through Attanagalu Oya, Maha Oya and Mahaweli River basins. The road crosses the Mahaweli River at Peradeniya. The other waterways crossed by the river are canals and streams connecting to Attanagalu and Maha Oya. The drainage paths are towards west for most parts and towards northeast in Kandy area. Flooding is not reported as a problem along the road trace. The paddy lands in the Attanagalu Oya basin act as important retention areas during the rainy season. Groundwater The groundwater in shallow wells is an important source of water up to Warakapola. The area beyond Warakapola is hilly. In this area springs are observed at several locations along the road mainly in Kadugannawa. The presence of shallow wells in hilly terrain beyond Warakapola is limited due to geological factors. The shallow wells are present commonly in lower areas/paddy lands. In the hilly terrain groundwater is generally available in fractured rocks and obtained through deep wells at some locations. Page 3 of 18 Feb 2006 Road Sector Assistance Project Nittambuwa-Kandy AOO 1 Soil and Erosion The soil types found in the area include Red-Yellow Podzoloic soils in hilly, rolling and undulating terrains. This soil is generally poor in drainage as a result subjected to elevated level of erosion due to gully formation. Reddish Brown Lateritic soils and Immature Brown Loams dominate the area beyond Kegalle. This soil has high resistance to erosion but poor in drainage characteristics. Sites of significant erosion were not observed in this road section. As a section of this road is through hilly areas attention should be paid on erosion and soil stability particularly in areas of steep slopes. Quarries and Mining Rock, sand and earth quarries are not present close to the road trace. However, rock quarries are present in Gampaha and Kegalle districts in numbers. The sand mining is virtually ceased to exist in rivers and streams along the road trace except very low level of mining taking place in Maha Oya. It is learnt that sand for Kandy area is now coming mainly from Mahiyangana and for Nittabuwa area from Puttalam. However, three earth mining sites were identified along the road. These locations are given in Environmental Features Map and EMAP. Trees Altogether 318 trees were identified within the 3 metres corridor of both sides of the road. These trees are valuable as fruit trees or timber value or for aesthetic reasons. In addition 5 trees of religious importance are present. All these trees may not require removal for project purpose. However, about 56 trees are placed very close to the road edge and may need removal. There is a row of Mara trees close to the road in the vicinity of Kandy which should be retained if possible. However, in the event that they are to be removed on safety grounds, arrangements should be made for their replacement at a suitable location. Air, Noise and Water Quality The water, air quality and noise data available from previous studies have been reviewed. The information available can provide an idea about air, water and noise situation along the trace. Air quality seems to be not a major issue except for dust. Noise is above the specified level in town areas due to traffic. Many noise sensitive sites; schools, religious places, etc are located along the road. There are 31 noise sensitive sites along the road (closely located). These locations are identified in the EMAP. In addition to the townships have high residential density and need to consider as noise sensitive sites. Quality of both surface and ground water is in general satisfactory for conventional treatment and bathing purposes. However, some streams going through main towns (Kegalle, Kandy) are polluted. Land-use The land along the road trace is highly urbanized. Commercial development is extensively high in the last 17 km from Kadugannawa to Kandy and in the towns along the roads. Congestion due to traffic is high in all urban areas. In the last 17 km the road footpaths are almost non-existent. The shoulder width is narrow in most places in this area. In some towns the commercial establishments are almost at the edge of the road. Page 4 of 18 Feb 2006 Road Sector Assistance Project Nittambuwa-Kandy AOO I Historical and Cultural Few important historical and cultural places are present along the road. See the EMAP for location details. 1. Ambalama at Kadugannawa - Situated by the side of the road along famous Kaduannawa-Balana rise. This is one of the three remaining historical "travellers rests" in the country. Any blasting work in the vicinity could damage this monument. 2. Dawson Tower - at Kadugannawa junction- about 2 meters from the road. 3. Road side open area Museum of antique machinery used for road development - by the side of the road at Pilimathalawa near railway crossing. 2.2.2 Ecological Environment Road section runs mostly through well-developed areas including major and secondary towns. Thus natural habitats are almost not to be found. The two dominant habitats identified in the road trace are paddy fields and home gardens. Aquatic ecosystems are limited to few streams and rivers that cross the road. An important forest patch is situated at Kadugannawa -Balana. This area has immense scenic value and many local and foreign travellers stop here for rest.