SECTION ONE Introduction CTP Construction and Mining Corporation Carrascal Nickel Project EIS
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SECTION ONE Introduction CTP Construction and Mining Corporation Carrascal Nickel Project EIS 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND The Philippines is intently pursuing the revival of the mining industry to improve its economy. However, recent man-made environmental disasters in the country have prompted host communities and authorities including the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to adopt a firmer stance in pressing for environmental preservation and protection within their respective areas of jurisdiction. This resulted to the tarnishing of the image of industries engaged in environmentally critical development projects including the mining. In order to improve this undesirable image and to achieve the status of being environmentally-friendly, industry players are now increasingly recognizing the value of incorporating environmental management system and protocols into their corporate strategies. This means placing a premium on the protection of endangered wildlife, rehabilitation of all land disturbed by the Project, preservation of the quality of water sources, minimization of air pollution, and contributing to the improvement of the quality of life in the host communities. Sustainable development is the underlying principle for the mining industry to attain such status. CTP Construction & Mining Corporation (CTPCMC) commissioned Lichel Technologies, Inc. (LTI), an environmental consultancy group, to prepare this Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Carrascal Nickel Project (CANP) to be submitted to the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (EMB-DENR) for the issuance of an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC). The CANP aims to: o mine and develop the nickel ore and the export of segregated nickel and other metals in accordance with the international standards; o ensure that the Company uses best practices of the world on mining and social and environmental management; and o develop the host communities and the surroundings in a balance and sustainable manner. 1.2 EIA APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY For the conduct of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), generation of data for the establishment of the baseline environmental conditions involved collection of both primary and secondary data. Primary data gathering included field sampling, community perception surveys, and interviews of key local officials and Project personnel. Secondary data gathered were from the following sources: • Municipal records • Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration – Department of Science and Technology (PAGASA - DOST) 1-1 Lichel Technologies, Inc. SECTION ONE Introduction CTP Construction and Mining Corporation Carrascal Nickel Project EIS • National Statistic Office (NSO) • National Water Resources Board – Department of Public Works and Highway (NWRB – DPWH) • Rural Health Units • Related Studies Data gathering was done in a transparent, community-based manner and was subject to frequent feedback from various sectors. Table 1-1 presents the methodologies used in the conduct of the different components. Table 1-1: Methodologies Adopted for Each Component Modules Methodologies Used for Assessment Geology • Secondary data gathering from different offices and institutions • Site visit Soils • Sampling conducted by substratum • Properties analyzed in a EMB acreddited laboratory that include pH, OM, K, P, density and moisture Land Use • Secondary data gathering from Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) and proponent • Site visit Terrestrial Flora • Rapid Resource Assessment and Transect Walk Techniques Wildlife • Transect line survey using four sectors • Trappings using mist nets • Interviews with local people Hydrology • Streamflow measurement • Secondary data gathering from different offices and institutions • Secondary data used for soil erosion prediction Water Quality • Water sampling for analysis of physical pH, BOD, COD, TSS, (Freshwater and TDS, DO, oil and grease, and heavy metals (As, Pb, Pb, Zn, Marine) Cd, Cr, Ni, Fe, Cu) • In-situ analysis for Temperature and DO • Samples were brought to EMB-accredited Laboratories Freshwater Ecology • Sampling of phytoplankton, zooplankton, benthic fauna • Survey and observation of freshwater fisheries Marine Ecology • Sampling of plankton, soft bottom benthos, seagrass/seaweeds • Strip method mangrove vegetation survey of mangrove • Rapid assessment of fisheries • Spot dive survey of corals, line intercept technique survey of corals • Survey of reef fishes. 1-2 Lichel Technologies, Inc. SECTION ONE Introduction CTP Construction and Mining Corporation Carrascal Nickel Project EIS Modules Methodologies Used for Assessment Oceanography • Direction and velocity of surface current determination through a hydro-vane type current meter tracked by a K & E Mariners Compass • Observation of meteorological conditions using Sling- hygrometer, cloud type and cloud coverage • Use of the 1998 Predicted Tides and Current Tables Air Quality • High volume sampler for TSP sampling • QUEST Noise Dosimeter for noise/sound level determination • Secondary data from PAGASA for climatic conditions Socio-economic • Secondary data gathering for demographic analysis • Key Informant Interview • Perception Survey Public Health • Secondary data gathering • Household Survey 1.3 EIA PROCESS DOCUMENTATION 1.3.1 The Environmental Impact Assessment Process The Philippine EIS System is a key planning tool for implementing sustainable development, which ensures that the needs of today’s generation are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs (WCED, 1987). The EIS System is one way of ensuring that as the country pursues national development, this is accompanied by serious commitments for the protection of the environment. Resource extractive projects such as the CANP proposed by CTPCMC are classified as environmentally critical project (ECP) and are therefore covered by the EIS System. An EIA is required prior to the issuance of the ECC by the Secretary of the DENR. An EIA was conducted to identify and evaluate the significant impacts of the Project to the environment. The assessment was done to ensure that before decisions to implement the proposed Project are made, full consideration is given to its direct and indirect potential environmental effects. The study also provides stakeholders the opportunities to air their concerns, if there are any, on the Project. 1.3.2 Involvement of Stakeholders in the Study A participatory and community-based approach was used in conducting the EIA for this Project. In this approach, the Proponent ensures that the stakeholders, most especially the communities, are involved in the conduct of the EIA. Thus, the bio-physical study team engaged the help and assistance of local guides during the data gathering for the characterization of the baseline 1-3 Lichel Technologies, Inc. SECTION ONE Introduction CTP Construction and Mining Corporation Carrascal Nickel Project EIS environmental conditions. In the conduct of the socioeconomic survey, enumerators were directly recruited from the community and then trained for the conduct of the survey. Key informants among the local residents were selected and directly interviewed by the study team. The study team also recruited some residents as field assistants and conducted informal dialogues with them and with other resident groups were conducted. A public consultation (Second Level Site Scoping) held on October 14, 2006 afforded the stakeholders the opportunity to discuss their concerns regarding the potential environmental and social impacts of the proposed Project. A Final Scoping Report was submitted to the EMB on December 5, 2006 ( Attachment 1 ). The Proponent and Consultant responded to the queries aired by the communities. These issues and concerns shall be considered by the EIA Team during the study and results of the EIA shall be presented to them during the Public Hearing. 1.4 EIA TEAM The members of the multi-disciplinary team of researchers that conducted the EIA study and their fields of expertise are shown in Table 1-2. Table 1-2: EIA Team Consultant Module Rachel A. Vasquez Peer Reviewer Jorge C. de las Alas Project Manager Anacleto Q. Suelto, Jr. Geology/Co-Project Manager Dominic M. Tolentino Soil and Land Use Isabelo Abellon Hydrology Rachel Vasquez Water Quality (Freshwater) Ruben Estudillo Water Quality (Marine) Paul Rivera Oceanography Jorge G. de las Alas Air Quality and Noise Filiberto Pollisco, Jr. Terrestrial Flora Rolly Urriza Terrestrial Flora Phillip Alviola Terrestrial Fauna Ronald Altamirano Terrestrial Fauna Cristina Cruz Fresh Water Ecology Danilo Nojadera Rodolfo Pagarigan Fresh Water Fisheries Ruben Estudillo Marine Ecology Virgilio Palpal-latoc Soft Bottom Benthos and Water Quality Eduardo Conese Corals Jose Isidro Michael Padin Reef Fish and Seagrasses/Seaweeds Elealyn Baybay Plankton and Water Quality 1-4 Lichel Technologies, Inc. SECTION ONE Introduction CTP Construction and Mining Corporation Carrascal Nickel Project EIS Pastor Malabrigo Mangrove Gerardo Mogol Environmental Health Impact Assessment Rolando Soncuya Socio-Economics Joselito Sarmiento Research Assistant Benjamin Cuevas Research Assistant Molinda Pilotin Research Assistant Joseph Benjamin B. De la Torre Research Assistant 1.5 EIA STUDY SCHEDULE Figure 1-1 shows the EIA Study Schedule and the duration of the study is three (3) months for the preparation of the EIS and four (4) months for the review of the