World Bank Financed ProjectILt VolumeE584 10 Public Disclosure Authorized

Quanxi to Xinmatou Rural Road

Environmental Impact Assessment & Public Disclosure Authorized Environmental Management Plan Public Disclosure Authorized

Hubei Provincial Communications Department

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ssuajuo°JO alqejL Chapter 7 Environmental Management Plan ...... 30 7.1 Composition of EMP ...... 30 7.2 Environmental Management Organizations ...... 32 7.3 Environmental Management and Impact Mitigation ...... 34 7.4 Environmental Supervision Plan ...... 38 7.5 Environmental Monitoring Plan ...... 38 7.6 Personnel Training ...... 39 7.7 Cost for Environmental Management ...... 40

List of Table

Table 1.6-1 Class 11Air Quality Standards (GB3095-1966) mg/m .4 Table 1.6-2 Noise Standards dB(A) .. 4 Table 1.6-3 Construction Noise Standards dB(A) .. 4 Table 1.6-4 Surface Water Quality Standards mg/L .. 4 Table 1.6-5 Soil Erosion Categorization t/km2 a .. 5 Table 2.3-1 Key Technical Specifications of Grade IV Road .8 Table 2.3-2 Project Engineering Scale .. 8 Table 3.1-1 Major Rivers Crossed by Quan-Xin Road .10 Table 3.2-1 Key economic indicators of Zhuxi and Zhushan counties (RMB million) .l Table 3.5-1 Sensitive Receptors .13 Table 3.6-1 Existing Surface Water Quality (mg/L) .14 Table 3.6-2 Existing Noise Levels at Sensitive Receptors (dB(A)) . .15 Table 3.6-3 Existing Ambient Air Quality (mg/Nm 3).. 15 Table 4.1 -1 The Effect of Watering for Dust Supression .17 Table 4.4-1 Traffic Noise Mitigation Measures .19 Table 4.8-1 Economic Benefits from the Upgrading .22 Table 5.1-1 Public Consultation .24 Table 5.1-2 Public Response to Questions from the Questionnaire . .25 Table 7.2-1 Major Environmental Management Organizations .34 Table 7.2-2 Major Environmental Supervision Organizations . .34 Table 7.3-1 Environmental Management and impact Mitigation .35 Table 7.3-1 Environmental Management and impact Mitigation (Continued) .36 Table 7.3-1 Environmental Management and impact Mitigation (Continued) .37 Table 7.4-1 Environmental Supervision Plan .38 Table 7.5-1 Environmental Monitoring Program .38 Table 7.5-1 Environmental Monitoring Program (Continued) ...... 39 Table 7.6-1 Environmental Training Program ...... 40 Table 7.7-1 Estimated Costs for Environmental Management in Construction ...... 40 Table 7.7-1 Estimated Costs for Environmental Management in Construction (Continued) ...... 41 Table 7.7-2 Estimated Costs for Environmental Management in Operation . . 41 Environmental Impact Assessment & ...... 45

List of Map

Map I Location of Quan-Xin Road Map 2 The Alignment of Quan-Xin Road Map 3 Environmental Sensitive Receptors along the Road Map 4 Location of Planned Monitoring Sites

List of Abbreviations

BP Best Procedure COD Chemical Oxygen Consumption (Demand) EA Environmental Assessment EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EMP Environmental Management Plan EPB Environmental Protection Bureau GB National Standard GDP Gross Domestic Product GHZB National Environmental Quality Standard GP Good Practice HJ/T Environmental/Technical HPCD Provincial Communications Department HPRARI Hubei Provincial Relic & Archaeological Research Institute LAeq Continuous Equivalent Sound A Level MOC Ministry of Communications NO, Nitrogen Dioxide OD Operational Directive OP Operational Policy PRC the People's Republic of China SEPA State Environmental Protection Administration SS Suspended Solid THC .Tetrahydrocannabinol TSP Total Suspended Particle WBFPO World Bank Financed Project Office Quan-Xin Road Quanxi (township) to Xinmatou (township) Road Chapter 1 Introduction

1.1 Project Background

The proposed Quanxi to Xinmadou road (Quan-Xin road) upgrading is part of the rural road upgrading component in the World Bank financed to Xiangqian Expressway Project. Quan-Xin road is located in Zhuxi and Zhushan counties of municipality, Hubei province(see Map 1). With mountainous and complex terrain configurations, the road area is difficult to access and road transportation is the only modern transportation mode. The road is the gateway leading to the outside of the mountains and as such play an important role in economic and cultural life of the people of Zhuxin county as well as a prior condition for poverty alleviation for the mountainous region.

Quan-Xin road is an existing country road with a total length of 101 km of which 96 km is in Zhuxi county and 5 km in . The road extends through Quanxi, Tianbao, Taoyuan and Liulin townships and villages (Map 2). The existing gravel road is below grade and the very poor road quality has been seriously affecting the transportation capacity in the area. In order to alleviate the transportation bottleneck, promote the regional economic development, improve access to services and market, increase the standard of living and alleviate the poverty for the people of Zhuxi county, Shiyan government has decided to upgrade the road along the original alignment, from below grade gravel road to Grade IV road standards.

Together with three other rural roads, Quan-Xin road has been included in the Hubei rural road upgrading component of the Xiaogan to Xiangfan Expressway Project to be partially financed by the World Bank. The roads in this component have been selected through the following four criteria, set out jointly by Hubei Provincial Communication Departments (HPCD) and the World Bank:

* Minimum resettlement and relocation and the adverse impacts and compensation thus caused; * Minimum earth work and the resulting adverse impacts to the environment; * Maximum effect in improvement of poverty conditions of the rural residents along the roads; and * Maximum role in strengthening the mountain area road network.

1.2 EA Category

As part of the project preparation and decision making process, an environmental assessment (EA) was conducted by Environmental Impact Assessment Institute of Geology University of China (the EA team) for Quan-Xin road. According to the relevant requirements for environmental impacts assessment for international financial institution financed projects from the State Environrnental Protection Map 1: The Location of Quan-Xin Road

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1.3 EA Objectives and Documentation

The project EA is to investigate, monitor and analyze the natural and socio- economic environment baseline and quality, assess quantitatively and qualitatively various impacts from the project construction and operation, design measures for mitigating adverse impacts and prepare environrmental management plan.

More specifically, the objectives of the EA are to:

* Support project decision-making to ensure the project is environmentally sound and appropriate; * Identify the environmental consequences of the project in early project preparation stage so that appropriate actions can be incorporated into the project design; and * Design measures for adverse impacts prevention, mitigation and reduction to minimum levels as well as compensation for avoided significant impacts according to the result of impact assessment and prediction.

EA results are presented in this Environmental Impacts Assessment (EIA) report. A stand alone report on Environmental Management Plan (EMP) has also prepared as part of the EA documentation. Finally, an EA Summary is prepared which presents concisely main findings from all three Project components of the Xiaogan to Xiangfan Expressway Project: the main expressway, connecting roads and rural road upgrading in which Quan-Xin road is a part of. The original EIA report in Chinese has been submitted to relevant authorities for approval and the current document is the English translation. The EA team certify that although there are some minor discrepancies in expressions due to differences in English and Chinese languages, there is no critical difference of substance between the two versions.

The preliminary results of the EA (draft report) have been released to the public. The EA team is committed to again make public release of the final report once it is approved by SEPA and the World Bank through distribution to public accessible places along the road, such as primary schools, libraries and public information centers for public review.

1.4 Basis of EA

The EA has been prepared based on the following regulatory framework:

* Environmental Protection Law of PRC of December 26, 1989; * Land Management Law of PRC of August 29, 1998;

2 * Water and Soil Conservation Law of PRC of June 29, 1991; * Water Pollution Prevention Law of PRC of May 15, 1996; * Noise Pollution Prevention Law of PRC of October 29, 1996; * Air Pollution Prevention Law of PRC of April 29, 2000; * Rules of Environmental Protection Management for Construction Projects, issued by the State Council of PRC; * Measures Concerning with the Environmental Protection and Management for Transportation Construction Projects, issued by MOC; * The Technical Rules for Environmental Impact Assessment (HJ/T2.1-2.3- 93,HJ/T2.4-1995,HJ/T1 9-1997); issued by SEPA; * Notice to Strengthen the Environmental Impact Assessment and Management of Construction Projects Financed by Loan from International Financial Organizations, jointly issued by SEPA, the State Planning Commission, the Ministry of Finance and the People' s Bank of China; and * Hubei Provincial Environmental Management Methods for Construction Projects, issued by Hubei EPB, 1993.

As this is a World Bank financed project, key safeguards policies from the Bank are also part of the EA basis. The policies which may be applied in full or simply in a screening process include:

* Environmental Assessment (OP/BP/GP4.01); * Forestry (OP/GP4.36); * Natural Habitats (OP/BP4.04); * Involuntary Resettlement (OD4.30); * Indigenous People (OD4.20); and * Cultural Property (OPN1 1.03 and soon to be OP4. 11).

Because of its nature and scope, the project does not involve the issues covered by other safeguards policies, which are not applicable to this project.

Finally the EA is carried out based on other relevant project documents including Feasibility study report for the World Bank Financed Rural Road Upgrading Project Quan-Xin Road by HPCD, March 2002, Cultural Relics Report by HPRARI, March 2002 and Social Assessment Report for the road, completed in 2002.

1.5 Assessment Scope and Factors

The scope of the EA covers 200 m on both sides of Quan-Xin road. The scope may be extended when it comes to assessment of social environment, standard of living, ecosystem and sources of pollution.

According to the EA TOR and past experience with EA of similar road projects, the key environmental factors covered by the EA include:

3 . Noise: Leq; * Ambient air: NO., NO2, TSP; * Water environment: SS, COD, Oil; * Ecosystem: Vegetation, soil erosion; * Socio-economic environment: Social economics, standard of living, and cultural properties.

1.6 Assessment Standards

The environmental quality and impact assessment are based on applicable state and provincial standards. The applicable classification and categorization of the standards are designated by relevant state and provincial regulatory agencies. More stringent standards may be applied to sensitive receptors.

Air (Air Quality Standards, GB3095-1966):

Table 1.6-1 Class II Air Quality Standards (GB3095-196S) mg/m 3 Item NO, NO, TSP Daily average 0.1 0.12 0.3 1 hr. average 0.15 0.24

Noise (Urban Area Environmental Noise Standards GB3096-93 for operation and Construction Site Boundary Noise Limits, GB12523-90 for construction):

Table 1.6-2 Noise Standards dB(A) Category Day time Night Applicable Area 1 55 45 Schools, hospitals, seniors houses 11 60 50 Villages, townships

Table 1.6-3 Construction Noise Standards dB(A) Construction stage Noise sources Noise limit (Day) Noise limit (night) Earth work Bulldozer, excavator, loader 75 55 Piling Piling/driving machine 85 Not allowed Structure Concrete mixer, vibrator 70 55 Finishing Cranes, lifts _ _ _L-_--__

Surface water (Category III Surface Water Quality Standards, GHZB 1-1999):

Table 1.6-4 Surface Water Ouality Standards mg/L Items Concentrations COD < 20 Oil < 0.05 SS < 1150 NH3-N < 0.5

Soil erosion (Guidelines for Environmental Impact Assessment of Road Construction Project, Interim):

4 Table 1.6-5 Soil Erosion Categorization t/km2 a Categorization Soil Erosion Intensity Slight erosion 1000 Light erosion 1000 -2500 Medium erosion 2500 - 5000 Heavy erosion 5000- 8000 Very heavy erosion 8000 - 15000 Severe erosion > 15000

5 Chapter 2 Project Description

2.1 Project Justification

The two counties where Quan-Xin road is located, Zhuxi and Zhushan, are state level poverty counties. The average GDP for 1999 was only RMB1030-1074, less than 20% of the provincial average. While the counties are less than 100 km from Shiyan city, the mountains and complex terrain as well as the lack of railways and other modes of transportation, limit people of these two counties from accessing big cities, major markets and services. The economic development of the region relies on agricultural produce processing and construction materials production. Alleviation of the transportation bottleneck for the local products to have better access to outside markets is the key to achieve the regional poverty alleviation and economic development strategy.

The current road network in the Zhuxi and Zhushan area consists of NH316, provincial road Xin-Jie road and Zhu-Xiang road. Most part of the existing road network is located in the north, while the south part of the counties lack the appropriate road linkage and affecting the overall network capacity. According to Zhuxi country road planning, the county' s road network consists of two north- south roads and two east-west roads. The proposed Quan-Xin road will be one of the critical east-west road in the overall road network.

2.2 Road Alignment and Existing Conditions

The existing Quan-Xin road is the only transportation route from the project area to the neighboring province and Chongqi city. It starts at provincial Xin- Jie road (Quanxi township), through Longtan, Tianbao, Wacang, Taoyuan townships of Quanxi county and ends at Liulin township in Zhushan county (Map 2). Together, the road link six townships and 10 villages, with a total population of 45,000. The road alignment is in mountainous area between elevations of 600 to 1100 m above the sea.

The entire road is currently below grade with gravel pavement, with very limited signage and protection facilities. It was first construction in the 1970' s with very low design standards (see following photos). The road base width is mostly less than 6 m, the number of surface curves with radius less than 15 m is 785 with lowest at 13 m and the number of slopes with gradient higher than 8% is 121 with the highest gradient at 13%. The gravel road lacks of maintenance, ages seriously and cannot use under poor weather conditions. Moreover, the bad road conditions have caused many traffic accidents.

6 Existing Road Condition

The site investigation shows that the road has many sharp turns and steep slopes. With poor surface conditions, the road can hardly be used during raining and snowing conditions. Over the 10 year period from 1990 to 2000, the traffic increased only 6.7% per year from 189 per day to 362 per day, lower than the provincial average. Besides the local economic conditions, the poor road conditions are also the reason for the slow traffic volume growth.

2.3 Upgrading and Engineering Contents

The project is primarily upgrading of the existing road, to widen the road base, install protection facilities, construct or extend bridges and culverts and pave road surface. More specifically, the upgrading will include:

* Earth work (cut and fill) to expand the road base; * Straightening and reduction of sharp turns; * Elimination of steep slopes and reduction of gradients; * Construction of drainage and other protection facilities along the road; * Leveling of the road surface; * Asphalt pavement of the entire road and * Installation of road control and safety signage.

According to project design documents, the upgrading will not involve any resettlement or relocation. There will be sufficient materials from excavation to satisfy the need for fill through materials balance. Therefore, Quan-Xin road upgrading will not need borrow pits. The quantity of disposal materials is 19,000 m3.

According to the latest traffic forecast, the traffic volume of the Quan-Xin road will be 719 per day by 2010 and 1850 per day by 2025. Therefore, it was decided to upgrade the existing road to Grade IV standards with two lanes and a traffic capacity of 200 - 1500 medium truck equivalent per day. The key technical

7 specifications of the Grade IV road are summarized in Table 2.3-1 and the project scale, in Table 2.3-2.

Table 2.3-1 Key Technical Specifications of Grade IV Road No. Items Standards 1 Road classification IV 2 Design motor vehicle speed 30 l;m/hr. 3 Road width 6 m 4 Road base width 7 m 5 Driver visual distance 20 m 6 Minimum curve radius 15 m 7 Maximum slope gradient 9% 8 Design motor vehicle load 20 - 100

Table 2.3-2 Proiect Engineer ng Scale Engineering items Unit Quantity L.ength_ Km 101 EarihM&stone work m 3 1.052.590 Protection & Drainage works m3 114,300 bridge improvement rn/no. 204/11 i _Culverts m/no. 2363/278 Road pavement xI 000 M2 606.0

The total capital cost for the Quan-Xin road upgrading is RMB 102.96 million. The funding will partially be from a World Bank loan and partially from the local government.

2.4 Construction Schedule

According to Project Implementation Plan of HPCD, construction for the proposed road is planned to commence in August 2003. The project will be completed in July 2005. The construction period is about two years.

2.5 Analysis of Alternatives

The upgrading is carried out entirely on existing Quan-Xin road. An alternative is to build the road partially or entirely on new alignment. However, the new alignment approach will involve occupation of land, resettlement and relocation, damage of vegetation, more earth work, increased soil erosion as well as higher engineering cost. Socially, over the years rural residents have built their communities with the consideration of the using the existing road. A rural road on a new alignment might not provide the same level of convenience and access as the existing one. Furthermore, the project area is mountainous and there is not much alternative transportation corridor for road construction without the extensive mountain cut and fill. Clearly, a selection of upgrading/construction the rural road on the new alignment would have much higher environmental and social adverse impacts than the upgrading on the existing road. The final selection for the project is the upgrading of existing Quan-Xin road and the following EA focuses primarily this alternative.

9 Chapter 3 Environmental Baseline

3.1 Physical Setting

Project Locatn

Zhuxin and Zhushan counties of the Shiyan municipality where Quan-Xin road is located is situated in east longitude 109°29' to 11 0°26' and north latitude 31°30' to 32°29' Bordered with municipality to the south, Shaanxi province to the west and Zhenping and Xunyang counties of Hubei province to other directions, the project is in the three province/municipality joint area and has strategic importance to the Hubei to Shaangxi transportation corridor (Map 2).

Terrain

The project area is on the north hillside of the Daba Mountain east section, extending through the two counties. The elevation is high in the south up to 2740 m above the sea and lower in the north at 276 m with a high differential elevation 2 of 2464 m. The total area for Zhuxin county is 3311 km with 98.5% of which located in mountainous area with elevation of 800-2000 m. As a state level poverty county, Zhuxin has cultivated land of 35,042 ha, or about 10.5% of the total area. Of this land, 6287 ha. 17.9% of the total cultivated land are paddy field, 25,271 ha. or 72.1% are dry land, 366 ha. or 1.0% vegetation land and 3118 ha. or 8.9% are other land.

Climate and hydrology

The project area is located in sub-tropical zone with mild climate and distinct four seasons. The average annual temperature is 14°C with maximum temperature of 37°C typically in July and minimum temperature of-5°C typically in January. The non-frost period is 241 days per year on average with annual precipitation of 900- 1000 mm mostly in the summer. The relative humidity is 78% on average and predominate wind direction is from southeast with average wind speed of 2.6 mls.

The project areas has 30 relatively large rivers/creeks, belong to the basin. Quan-Xin road crosses some of these rivers, as summarized in Table 3.1 -1

Table 3.1-1 Major Rivers Crossed by Quan-Xin Road No. Rivers Pile No. I Quan river KO+200 2 Longtan river K23+000 3 Shun river K76+200 4 Wacang river K91+000 5 Zayu river K96+000 6 Guandu river K101+000

10 3.2 Social Environment

Zhuxi county has 20 townships, 15 farming/wood yards and 416 villages with a total population of 360,800 including 280,700 agricultural population by the end of 2000. This is a mountainous county with limited cultivable land. The economy of the county has steadily expanded over the last 20 years and reached RMB400 million in GDP in 2000 with average rural residents income of RMB1331 per capita per year. The key economic factors of Zhuxi and Zhushan counties are presented in Table 3.2-1.

Table 3.2-1 Key economic indicators of Zhuxi and Zhushan counties (RMB million) county Indicator 1980 1985 1990 1995 1999 2000 Zhuxi GDP 72.7 102.3 265.0 378.7 387.6 401.2 Budgetary revenue 3.58 4.04 11.51 21.29 43.21 48.1 Total retail sales 33.9 55.2 89.3 165.0 247.2 247.5 Zhushan GDP 285.2 353.9 464.2 Budgetary revenue 3.9 4.1 14.2 29.0 60.5 Total retail sales 40.6 107.8 139.3 234.3 313.2

Despite the economic progress over the last 20 years, the total economy is still very small and the standard of living is very poor due mainly to the severe natural conditions, poor infrastructure, education and poor transportation. There are still 118,000 rural residents with average per capita income in RMB600-1000, which is 41 % of rural population.

The county plans to expand rapidly the regional economy. Major economic indicators including GDP, industrial and agricultural throughputs, rural resident average income, budgetary income, and total retail sales, are forecasted to increase by approximately 10% per year for the next five years. According to the economic development master plan, the county is to be divided into three major economic zones: the woodland, fruits and animal husbandry in the high mountain area, tea, mushroom and husbandry in the medium high mountain area and vegetable and fruits in the suburb surrounding the county and major township area. The success of the economic development plan relies on the sufficient road transportation network.

3.3 Ecological Environment

Soil and Vegetation

The major soil type is yellow and brown clay and lime stone. Zhuxi county has a total of 191,977 ha. of woodland, covering 58% of the total county area. There is no precious tree or vegetation species along Quan-Xin road and the nearest natural reserve, the Shibali Changxia Natural Reserve is nearly 30 km from the road area. Animals

Due to the long history of human activities in the project area and the change in the natural environment, there is no observed or recorded wild animals activities in the Quan-Xin road area.

Soil Erosion

The project is in the mountainous area with relative low population intensity. Due to the forest protection and other policies in the recent years, the vegetation coverage in the area is good. According to information from Shiyan Hydrology Bureau, the current soil erosion area in the county is 45 km2 with average annual soil erosion intensity of 2230 tkrM2 a, below to Grade II in the intensity scale.

3.4 Natural Resources

Tourism

Zhuxin' s main tourism resources include Shibali Changxia natural reserve, Biandoushann forest park and Dynasty Great Wall site. Quan-Xin road does not go through these areas, however.

Mineral Resources

The known mineral reserve in Zhuxin county include coal, copper, iron, lime stone, phosphorus, aluminum, zinc and uranium. Of these resources, coal, lime stone, copper, iron, aluminum and zinc are already in production. The total wood reserve in the county is 4.97 million m3 , which is one of the six key lumber production counties in Hubei province.

The county has 197 rivers/creeks with seven large ones, with tributary area of 3305 km2. Because of the high differential elevation, there is substantial hydro power resources. Within the county, 26 small hydro power stations have already been built with total installed capacity of 7651 kw and annual power generation of 9 million kwhr.

LocalProduce

There are over 500 kinds of local produce in 10 broad categories. The main one include herb, tea, oilpaper, etc.

Cultural Property

The site investigation (a walk through of the site i.e. the existing road, by cultural relics professionals of HPRARI, Zhuxi and Zhushan cultural bureau) showed no cultural property observed or discovered along the road.

12 3.5 Sensitive Receptors

The EA team conducted a site investigation for sensitive receptors along Quan- Xin road in July to August 2001. The results show there are six schools, two hospitals, 10 villages and six rivers/creeks along the road. The sensitive receptors are presented in Table 3.5-1 and locations of receptors and monitoring for environmental baseline can be seen in Map 3. Representative sensitive spots are shown as following Photos.

Table 3.5-1 Sensitive Receptors No. Name Pile No. Distance to road Remark 1 Quanxi village KO+000 25 m 2 Chenjiahe vilage K4+500 15 m 3 Qianfeng village K21+300 30 m 4 Guangming village K28+800 20 m 5 Maochaoping village K35+200 20 m 6 Gedongkou village K38+500 20 m 7 Gaoqiao village K40+800 25 m 8 Shanshuihe village K65+500 30 m 9 Wacanghe village K76+200 20 m 10 Tiantai village K95+800 20 m 11 Chengjiahe primary school K4+300 10 m 300 students, 9 teachers 12 Xiaogui primary school K21+300 10 m 250 students, 9 teachers 13 Longtan middle school K28+500 150 m 535 students, 33 teachers 14 Gedong primary school K38+200 150 m 331 students, 14 teachers 15 Zhongba primary school K65+500 50 m 16 Wacang primary school K76+200 50 m 234 students, 15 teachers 17 Wacang hospital K76+200 50 2 beds

Chiengjiahe primary school (K4+300) Xiaogui primary school (K2 1+300)

13 Town

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Sensiti've Receptors along Quan-Xin Road

Description No. Nmne Pile No. Distance to road Description No. Name Pile No. Distance to road 535 students. 33 teachers 1 Quanxi village K(0+000 '200 m .. 13 Longtan middle school K(2S+500 150m' 331students, 14teachers 2 Chengjiahe village K(4+500 '200 m 14 Gedong pnimary school 1(38+200 150 m . 3 Qianfeng village K21+.300 '200 m 1IS Zhongba pnmary school K(66+140 50am 234 students, 15 teachers 4 Guangming vi1age K(28+800 '200 m 16 Wacun pnmary school K(76+200 50Dm 2 beds 5 Maocaoping village K(35+200 c20O m 17 Wacang hospital K(76+200 5Dm 6 Gedongkou village 1(38+500 c200 m 18 Quanxi Rrver K(0+200 19 Longtan River 1(23+000 _ 7 Guoqiso village 1(40+800 '200 m Snstv Recptr along uan-XnRoa 8 Sanshuihe village 1(65+500 '200 m 20 Shun River K40+800 9 Whacanghevillage K76+200 '200 m 21 Wacarg River 1(76+200 K(91+S00 10 Tiantai village K95+000 <200 m_ 22 Zhayu River 11 Chengjiahe pnmaryschod 1(4+300 1Dm 300 students, 9teachers 23 Gujandu River K(101+000 12 Xiaogui pidmury school K(21+300 10 m 250 students, 9 teachers

Map 3: Environmental Sensitive Receptors along Quan-Xin Road 4- .

Longtan middle school (K28+500) Gedong primary school (K38+200)

3.6 Baseline Environmental Quality

Water

The site investigation shows that within the project area as well as 5 km downstream from the project, there is no water intake. Surface water quality was monitored for rivers crossed by Quan-Xin road and the results are presented in Table 3.6-1.

Table 3.6-1 Existing Surface Water Quality (mg/L) No. Locations Monitoring results (exceeding the standards) COD SS Oil 1 Quan river 6 2.5 0.03 2 Longtan river 14 4.5 0.04 3 Shun river 18 4.5 0.04 _ 4 Wacang river 26 (0.3 times) 4 0.04 5 Zayu river 16 3.0 0,04 6 Guandu river 20 3.5 0.04

The monitoring results show that except the Tiantai bridge location, where COD exceeded the applicable standards (Class III) by 0.3 times, all other monitored results comply with the standards, indicating good existing water quality in the project area.

Noise

To determine the existing acoustic quality, noise levels were monitored at sensitive receptors. The actual monitoring locations were 5 m from the first row of classroom or clinic ward facing the road. Table 3.6-2 shows the results.

14 Table 3.6-2 Existing Noise Levels at Sensitive Recep ors (dB(A)) No. Sensitive Receptors Noise levels Exceeding St ndards by Day Night Day Night I Quanxi village 42.2 45.0 - 2 Chengjiahe primary school 41.5 42.5 - - 3 Chengjiahe villsge 44.0 40.5 - - 4 Xiaogui primary school 40.5 45.5 - - 5 Tianbao hospital 46.0 44.5 - - 6 Guangming village 46.5 44.5 - - 7 Longtan middle school 46.0 44.0 - - 8 Wacang hospital 43.5 39.5 - - 9 Wacang village 49.0 42.0 - 10 Gedong primary school 38.5 37.0- ]I Tiantai village 43.5 40.0 -

The results show that noise levels at all sensitive receptors, the existing noise levels are within the limits set the applicable standards, indicating a high existing acoustic environmental quality at the project area.

Air

Monitoring results for existing ambient air quality are presented in Table 3.6-3.

Table 3.6-3 Existing Ambient Air Quality (mg/Nm') Locations Items Concentrations Quanxi village TSP 0.11 NOx 0.0007 Chengjiahe village TSP 0.09 NOx 0.09 Xiaogui primary school TSP 0.10 NOx 0.0007 Longtan village TSP 0.09 NOx 0.0007 Gedongkou Village TSP 0.11 NOx 0.012 Wacanghe village TSP 0.10 NOx 0.011 Tiantai village TSP 0.10 NOx 0.11

The monitoring results show that all samples met the applicable Class II standards or even Class I standards, indicating high existing ambient air quality in the project area.

15 Chapter 4 Environmental Impacts and Mitigation

The construction and operation of Quan-Xin road could result in adverse impacts to the surrounding physical and socio-economic environment. As even after completion of the upgrading the forecast traffic volume on Quan-Xin road will be very small (the largest volume is about 719 per day by 2010), the adverse impacts during the operation phase are expected to be limited. Furthermore, the upgrading will be carried out entirely on the existing road alignment and as such there is no resettlement and relocation issues. This chapter focuses assessment on other impacts of the construction phase, as well as the mitigation planning for the adverse impacts identified..

4.1 Air Impact and Mitigation

Main sources of air contamination during project construction are emissions from asphalt plants and air borne dust from construction vehicles.

The proposed upgrading will involve 606,000 m2 asphalt pavement. Emissions formn asphalt preparation plants will impact air quality. Asphalt mixing and to a lesser extent, paving will generate emissions including THC, TSP and BaP. Among these materials, THC and BaP are hazardous. According to experience from other road projects, BaP concentrations are expected to reduce to <0.0001 mg/in3, 50 m leeward from the source while THC concentrations to <0.16 mg/in3 , 60 m leeward from the source, complying with applicable standards. Therefore, the impacted area is expected to be relatively small, about 50-60 m from mixing plants.

Because of the remote location and difficult terrain and transportation conditions, several asphalt mixing plants will be needed to minimize the transportation distance. Each of these plants need to be carefully sited. Approximately one mixing plant is needed for every 20 km of the road, as such the Qaun-Xin road construction will need 5 asphalt mixing plants. Areas immediately surrounding these plants will be impacted, especially areas leeward from the plants.

As a mitigation measure, asphalt plant will be enclosed and located at least 300 m leeward from residential or other sensitive receptors.

There are many factors which could contribute to air borne dust from a dirt road which is used for material transportation for the project, including motor vehicle speed, wind speed, precipitation, air humidity and other climate conditions, road conditions, accumulation of dust on the road, and road surface moisture. Among these factors, wind speed will also directly affect the impacted area of air borne dust.

16 According to a monitoring study by Road Research Institute of the Ministry of Communications (MOC), TSP which is an indicator of air borne dust can be 5.09 mg/m3 about 150 m leeward from the road where the dust originates. This concentration exceeds the Class II standards in the Ambient Air Quality Standards. The impacted area will be even bigger under the windy conditions. However the same study found the watering the dusty road is an effective mitigation measures, as shown in Table 4.1-1.

Table 4.1-1 The Effect of Watering for Dust Supression Item Action Distance to the road side where dust originates (m) 0 20 50 100 200 TSP No watering 11.03 2.89 1.15 0.86 0.56 (mg/mr) watering 2.11 1.40 0.68 0.60 0.29

There is another source of air borne dust during construction, the materials storage sites. The air borne potential for dust will increase during loading and unloading operation at these sites, which could impact several hundred of meters in the surrounding area. Watering, however is again effective to suppress the dust by up to 70%, according to the above test and experience with other road construction projects.

Therefore, the mitigation measures designed for air quality impact mitigation include:

* Asphalt mixing and preparation will be carried out in carefully selected locations. These plants will be located at least 300 m leeward from residential and other sensitive areas; * The materials storage sites will be located at least 200 m leeward from sensitive receptors, * The transportation road will be watered regularly for dust suppression. For sections close to residential, school and hospital areas, the road will be watered twice a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. On dry and windy days, the water frequency will increase; and * The materials piling will be covered or water regularly. Truck loaded with powdering materials will be covered while on the road.

4.2 Soil Erosion Impact and Mitigation

The proposed upgrading will use 1.05 million m3 earth and stone, average 10,396 per kilometer, for widening the road base. The upgrading will also include drainage and protection works totaling 114,300 m3 . Because of these works, the soil erosion will be better controlled following the completion of the upgrading. The soil erosion impacts of the upgrading will mainly occur during excavation and fill, prior to the completion of drainage and protection works, particularly in July to September when precipitation is heaviest in the year.

The mitigation measures for soil erosion control include:

17 * Protection works will be implemented within 15 days of road side and mountain excavation and fill to minimize the opportunities for soil erosion. The protection works include stone coverage and/or landscaping; * Maintain close contact with weather stations to take temporary measures if necessary. Temporary measures include settling ponds of about 0.5 m deep, retaining walls, or grass mats. The settling ponds will be rehabilitated following construction completion.

4.3 Borrow Pits and Disposal Sites Impacts and Mitigation

According to project design documents and EA teamn' s site investigation, there will be sufficient materials from excavation to satisfy the need for fill through materials balance. Therefore, Quan-Xin road upgrading will not need borrow pits.

The disposal materials are in small quantity of 19,000 m3 , but if not properly handled, its disposal could result in damage of vegetation. impede water ways, etc. Mitigation measures for control the impacts of disposal sites include:

* The disposal sites will be located in wasteland and if the disposal materials allow, the site will be landscaped or converted for farming; and * The measures such as retaining wal], settling basin, drainage ditch and surface plantation will be taken at every waste earth and stonework disposal site to assure the stability of the disposal areas and prevent new sources of erosions and impacts to the surrounding environrment.

4.4 Noise Impact and Mitigation

Construction Phase

Main noise sources during the construction phase come from construction machinery and transportation trucks. Noise from these sources will impact the immediately adjacent areas with increased noise levels. However, the impacts will be shorted termed and disappear following the termination of the construction activities.

Noise mitigation during construction includes:

* Contractors will consult the schools and hospitals prior to construction near these facilities; * Where possible noise construction activities may be arranged in weekend or evenings when schools have no classes. For residential areas, the construction will be arranged mainly at day time; and * Well maintain the construction machinery and keep the noise levels of the machinery to the minimum.

18 Operation Phase

By year 2010, the traffic volume on upgraded Quan-Xin road is forecasted to be doubled to about 719 per day. The traffic will further increase to 1850 per day by 2025. There is no model which deals with noise prediction for such small traffic volume. However, the noise levels will increase substantially from the current levels of 38.5-49.0 dB(A) for day time and 37.0-45.5 dB(A) at night at the sensitive receptors. Although there is no specific data due to the lack of modeling, it can be expected that some of the sensitive receptors noise level will exceed applicable standards. To provide sufficient protection, mitigation measures will be taken at sensitive receptors.

Noise mitigation measures for operation phase include:

* The specific mitigation measures to be taken at sensitive receptors all summarized in Table 4.4-1; * Strengthen noise monitoring at the sensitive receptors during operation and take necessary mitigation plan is monitoring results show exceedance to the applicable noise standards; * Erect signs for speed control and homing bans at schools, hospitals and residential areas; and * Conduct regular and good road maintenance to keep the road, particualrly the surface, in good conditions.

Table 4.4-1 Traffic Noise Mitigation Measures No. Name Pile No. Distance to Mitigation Cost Implementation the road Measures (Yuan) time Chengjiahe K4+300 10 m To heighten the 12,000 2005 ____ primary school enclosure to 5 m. 2 Xiaogui primary K21+300 10 m 6 Sound 12,000 2005 school insulation windows for the bedrooms 3 Longtan middle K28+500 150 m school 4 Gedong primary K38+200 150 m _____ school 5 Zhongba primary K65+500 50 m school 6 Wacang primary K76+200 50 m school 7 Wacang hospital K76+200 50m Total 24,000

The implementation time is based on the projected noise levels which will exceed the standard at that time. Mitigation measures will be taken at the construction phase for the most sensitive receptors (hospitals, schools and townships at the

19 roadside). Once the mitigation measures are implemented, the noise levels at the sensitive receptors will be reduced by 4-10 dB(A) and as such, the noise levels at the sensitive receptors will meet the applicable standards.

4.5 Water Impacts and Mitigation

Quan-Xin road crosses six small rivers and creeks with planned eleven new bridges totaling 204 m. In addition, the upgrading will also involve extension or newly built 278 culverts, indicating the road will also cross or affect irrigation channels, and other surface water bodies.

Because of the small engineering scale, short construction duration and absence of in water construction activities, the upgrading construction is expected to have little impacts to water quality. However, solids waste and domestic wastewater from construction workers as well as construction machinery operating near surface water bodies will potentially impact water quality if not handled properly. In addition, the improvement of bridges and culverts will involve stone and earth work which could be released into river channels and irrigation systems, impeding water flow and hydrology as well as increase in suspended solids.

4.6 Impact on Traffic and Mitigation

The upgrading will be on the operating Quan-Xin road and therefore, the impacts on the traffic during construction cannot be avoided. The impacts will mainly to motor vehicles especially long distance transportation, while impacts to pedestrians, non-motor vehicles will be relatively small during road base preparation as only road will be partially effected at given time. The impacts will mainly include:

* Short term effects to access of local produce to market; * Short term effects to convenience of the residents along the road for outings, access to medical. school, and other services; and * Effects to transits motor vehicles. * Impacts will be particularly significant during surface pavement when the road may have to be temporarily closed for all traffic. This impact will be, however short terminal as pavement can be finished and road re-open in a week. * The construction sites will also pose increased safety concerns as there will be construction machinery and trucks on site and roads will become narrow during construction. Safety concerns will increase at night due to the lack of lighting for construction sites.

Mitigation measures for the impacts to traffic include:

20 * Prior to the start of construction, the government will inform the residents schools, hospitals and other organizations of the construction schedule, so that they can be prepared for their outing plans; * Zhuxi and Zhushan Communications Bureau will erect appropriate signage to warn the traffic and direct detour if necessary and to warn the safety hazards. * At key sites such as gates of schools and hospitals, temporary access will be provided during construction. * Where possible, the construction is always arranged for half of the road at a time to allow at least some through traffic. * Communications and public security will increase their site control, management and coordination. They will increase the presence on construction sites to direct traffic and ensure safety. * Safety education will be provided to residents and in particular school kids. * The most dangerous spots, such as pits and in site machinery will be lighted at night for safety.

4.7 Construction Camps and Construction Management

The construction workers will mostly stay at local farmers' houses during construction. There will still be areas occupied for machinery and materials, storages. For Quan-Xin road, there will be 5 such areas. Temporary septic tanks will be constructed for toiling and preliminary treatment of the domestic wastewater from construction camps. The wastes will be collected and disposed properly.

The construction will be at remote and mountainous locations by local contractors with unskilled labor which are not be sophisticated as big city based contractors. The lack of sound environmental management with contractors will pose the highest risk on adverse environmental impacts because of potential environmentally irresponsible construction activities and inability to implement mitigation measures.

To mitigate such risks, HPCD will provide training for local communications bureaus and local contractors prior to the start of construction. In addition, HPCD will not just rely on the local communications bureau for environmental supervision, but will send its environmental staff and its environrmental consultants to the site as well. Such supervision will be conducted once every two months and at the critical stages of constructions.

4.8 Social Impacts

The social impacts of Quan-Xin road upgrading will be primarily positive. The social benefits from the upgrading include:

* The upgrading will greatly improve transportation conditions of the project area. Because of the poor existing road conditions, traffic is often interrupted

21 by weather conditions and detoured to some 175 km extra distance. When this happens, the local residents are cut off from outside with no access to services or markets and outside materials including disaster relieve materials cannot delivered to the area. The upgrading will guarantee the traffic under all weather conditions, improvements of motor vehicle driving conditions (reduced slopes, widened road, paved surface, straightened sharp turns, etc.), and increased speeds (from the existing 20 km/hr. to 30 km/hr.) and transportation efficiency. * The improved road will benefits local residents for their access to services and market, particularly the disadvantaged groups such as ill people, elderly, women, and children as they could receive better medical attention and education. It is estimated that the total directly benefited population will be 32,600 in the mostly rural project area. * The upgrading will be a great boost to the development of local economy through more movement of goods, better access to market, attracting outside investment, induced new industries or processing, increased tourists, and help re-structure agricultural sectors. According to one study the economic benefits for the region are presented in Table 4.8-1.

Table 4.8-1 Economic Benefits from the Upgrading Item Benefits Expanded vegetation land 1500 mu Increased income from expanded vegetation land RMB3 million per year Expanded exploration of mineral resources 58,000 t Increased income from increased mineral resources RMB2 million per year Increased number of people working outside 4000 Increased income from more peopie working outside RMB 1-1.6 million per year Increased income form more traffic volume RMB2-3 million per year

The upgrading could also bring some adverse social impacts. The main impacts include occupation of land by construction activities adjacent to the road and could damage crops. The increased motor vehicle speeds will bring a traffic safety concern, especially to certain less self controlled groups such as children and mentally retarded local residents. The mitigation is stringent construction management and close supervision during the construction phase. In the operation phase, public awareness on road safety will be enhanced through education especially children and families of mentally disabled persons.

4.9 Environmental Benefits

The upgrading will also bring environmental benefits and positive impacts. These are:

* There are incomplete drainage system or in some sections even no drainage system in Quan-Xin road. The improve drainage system will significantly improve the drainage control and reduce soil erosion potential;

22 * The pavement and upgrading will increase motor vehicle speed and thus reduce the gasoline consumption, motor vehicle emissions, noise from motor vehicle tires and rough road surface and damage to the vehicles, which indirectly save substantial resources; * The existing road is gravel road and very dusty in dry weather. When vehicles, there will be dust air borne affecting the residents living near the road and other road users on non-motor vehicles or pedestrians; * The improvement culverts will increase irrigation system efficiency and minimize natural earth and stone clogging of the systems; * The upgraded road conditions, signage, and control facilities will provide better road conditions for motor vehicles and other road users; and * The improved road will attract rural residents to build their communities relatively close to the road and thus minimize the effect to the natural environment through spread-out house construction.

4.10 Other safeguard policies

Besides the OP4.01 for EA, the World Bank has nine other safeguard policies to safeguard the natural and socio-economic environment during capital projects. The EA team has conducted screening, site investigation and preliminary assessment and reached the following conclusions with regard to other safeguards issues:

* The project area has no wild life presence and no natural reserves; therefore the full natural habitat assessment is not applied; * The site investigation (a walk through of the site i.e. the existing road, by cultural relics professionals) showed no cultural property along Quan-Xin road; therefore the full cultural property assessment is not applied; * The upgrading does not occupy any new land or move any houses; therefore involuntary resettlement is not applied; * The Quan-Xin road area has no ethnic minority people; therefore indigenous people assessment was not applied; * The project area has no significant forest, except normal woodland, and no increase in use or storage of pesticides; therefore, the full assessment on forest and pest management is not needed; and * The project does not involve disputed areas, international water or dam and these safeguards policies are not applicable.

23 Chapter 5 Public Consultation

5.1 Methodology

A public consultation program was conducted to understand the concerns of the affected public over the proposed Quan-Xin road upgrading. The program was carried in July to August, 2001 and covered residents, schools, hospitals, village committees, township and governments along the both sides of Quan-Xin road. The consultation was conducted by the EA team through one or combination of all the following methods: questionnaire, interviews and small public meetings. In total 363 mostly affected people were involved in the public consultation. Table 5.1-] summarizes the dates, places, number of people, mode used and main opinions expressed for the public consultation program.

Table 5.1-1 Public Consultation LDates Places People Mode* 1 Main opinions (mm/dd/yy) j (M/F) I 08/01/2001 Quanxi 6/4 M * Support the upgrading Township I* Primarily benefits to region 08/01/2001 Quanxi Primary j 5/4 Q * Traffic control during construction school affects class 08/01/2001 Quanxi Middle 2/2 1 * Traffic control during construction School affects class 08/01/2001 Quanxi village 10/7 M * Disposal sites locations * Hope use local labor in construction * Traffic control affects residents * Use local transportation capacity . But see mostly benefits to village 08/03/2001 Chengjiahe * Construction at night village * Mixing station emission 08/03/200] Xiaogui primary 22/13 M * Traffic control affects class school 07/29/2001 Loutan primary 20/12 Q * Mixing station away from school school * Traffic control affects class 07/29/2001 Loutain middle 19/13 I * Traffic control affects class school * Construction noise affects class 07/29/2001 Qianfeng village 11/2 I * Mixing station away from village 07/27/2001 Guangming 5/1 M * Use local labor in construction village * Other income opportunities to locals 07/28/2001 Tianbao primary 22/8 Q * Noise school * No construction during class _ High noise activities on weekend 08/02/2001 Tianbao middle 15/14 I . Traffic control affects class school 08/02/2001 Gedoukou 14/2 I * Materials storage village . Air borne dust

24 Table 5.1-1 Public Consultation (Continued) Dates Places People Model Main opinions (mm/dd/yy) (M/F) 08102/2001 Maocioping 12/7 1 * Materials storage away from rivers village 08/02/2001 Wacang primary 17/18 Q * Asphalt mixing emission school * Demand landscaping 08/03/2001 Wacanghe 17/13 Q * Use local labor village * Leave passage way for students to school 08/03/2001 Wacang hospital 6/4 M * Asphalt mixing away from hospital * No night time construction * Traffic control affects patients 08/05/2001 Taoyaun 20/17 1 * Asphalt mixing away from hospital hospital * No night construction * Traffic control affects patients 08/05/2001 Gaoqiao village 34/23 M * Most see benefits * No specific environmental concern 08/05/2001 Sanshuihe 13/6 Q * Soil erosion during construction village 08/06/2001 Tiantai village 20/18 1 * Leave passage way for local transportation Note: M for meeting, Q for questionnaire and I for interviews

In some places, a questionnaires were distributed for public opinions. In most of the meetings and interviews, the participants were also asked to fill the questionnaire. In total, 363 copies of the questionnaire were distributed and 355 returned. The public opinions from the questionnaire are summarized in Table 5.1-2.

Table 5.1-2 Public Response to Questions from the Questionnaire No. Questions and Choices of Answers %(of h repnseto I Whether satisfied with the existing conditions of Quan-Xin road (]) Satisfied (2) Somewhat satisfied (3) Unsatisfied 3.9 96.1 2 Whether it is necessary to upgrade Quan-Xin road 85.4 5.7 8.9 (1) Necessary (2) Unnecessary (3) Not know 3 In your opinion, which upgrading is required (select more if needed) 86.5 13.3 13.8 (1) Surface (2) Culverts (3) Protection and landscape Do you think the upgrading will benefit the local people 94.5 0 5.5 (1) Yes (2) No (3) No clear 5 In your opinion, when the adverse environmental impact will occur 80.8 9.1 10.1 (1) Construction (2) Operation (3) Not sure . _. 6 Your opinions on the extent of environmental impacts 13.9 75.5 10.6 (1) Very high (2) Modest (3) Low or no impact If there are impacts, in your opinion, which is the most serious (select more if 7 needed): (1) Noises from machinery and traffic (2) Emission from asphalt 18.9 66.0 15.1 mixin (3) Others Which of the mitigation is most acceptable to vou 8 (1) Noise barrier (2) Landscaping (3) Construction management 65.3 70.7

25 Table 5.1-2 Public Response to Questions from the Questionnaire (Continued) % of the response to Nslo. Questions and Choices of Answers (1) (2) (3) 9 In your opinion, whether the upgrading will prompt mountain tourism 2.3 96.5 1.2 (1) Yes (2)No (3)Notsure Main opinions and demands * Support the upgrading, 344 people * Mixing station far away from residential, schools, hospital, 156 * Do not occupy farm by disposal sites, 112 * Good co-ordination and minimize traffic disturbance during construction, 145 * Use local labor in construction, 133 * Do not construct at night near hospitals, 34 * Do not impede the rivers and irrigation during culvert and bridge construction, 46

5.2 Public Concerns and Responses

Certain concern over environmental and socio-economic impacts were raised during public consultation. These concerns have been carefully analyzed by the TEA team and mitigation measures proposed together with the project design team where needed. The following are the issues raised by the public and responses prepared by the EA team

* Concern: Emission from asphalt mixing Response: Asphalt mixing will be centralized, that is the asphalt preparation will be in a centralized location in a factory house and then truck to the construction site. This centralized location will be far away from residential, school and hospital and is equipped with emission control facilities;

* Concern: Borrow pits Response: There will be sufficient materials from excavation to satisfy the need for fill through materials balance. Therefore, Quan-Xin road upgrading will not need borrow pits.

* Concern: Traffic disturbance Response: The construction will be conducted half of the road at a time to minimize the traffic disturbance. This way, the pedestrians will not be affected and motor vehicles will be slowed but still be able to go through

* Concern: Use local labor in construction Response: HPCD has instructed Zhuxi and Zhushan Communications Departments to use a certain amount of local labor in construction following some technical training.

* Concern: Noise at schools and hospitals Response: There will be no night time construction near residential, hospital and schools. Zhuxi Communications Department and EPB will increase their supervision effort to ensure this ban is respected. High noise machinery will not be used near sensitive receptors. Where some machinery must be used or

26 night construction is needed, the contractors are required to consult the affected people first to obtain their understanding and agreement and to better schedule the noise construction activities based on public feedback.

* Concern: River clogging Response: The upgrading is mostly improvement of existing bridges and culverts. Zhuxi Communications Department is to enhance its supervision. The improved bridges and culverts will in fact help clear the water ways in the rivers and irrigation systems

* Concern: Traffic safety Response: Clear safety warning signage will be erected both during construction and operation phases to remind the public of safety hazards. The traffic management will be enhanced following the upgrading.

* Concern: Damaged vegetation Response: Contractors will be requested to restore landscaping within 15 days of damage to surface vegetation.

5.3 Public Information Disclosure

Environmental Impact Assessment reports and other EA documents are released to the public following their completion. Considering the project area is in remote mountainous area, public information disclosure has been carefully designed. Since every village in the project area has primary school which are typically well and conveniently located to rural residents with good access to everybody, the EA documents are placed in the schools. The newspaper is rare in this area, but the availability of the documents is broadcast in the village' s public addressing system which every village has. The EA and project information are also announced in the public notice board in the villages.

The documents released to the public include:

* Public consultation records; * Public concerns and EA team responses; * Hubei Rural Road Upgrading Environmental Impact Assessment Report (December 2001); * Hubei Rural Road Upgrading Social Assessment Report (November, 2001); and * Quan-Xin Road Environmental Management Plan (December 2001).

This final version of the EA documents have been released in the primary schools along the road and library of Zhuxi and Zhushan City. The news of this release has been advertised in the public notice board in the villages.

27 Chapter 6 EIA Summary

The following conclusions can be drawn from the EA:

Environmental Baseline

* The project area is located in a poverty county with very poor existing transportation conditions; * The soil erosion intensity is II, at 2000-2500 t/km2a; * Quan-Xin road does not go through any natural reserves and there is no precious vegetation or any wild animal along the project area; * Based on site investigation, there is no cultural property on the project area; * The existing acoustic quality is very high and the traffic on the existing does not cause significant noise; * All monitored NOx and TSP at the project area are below applicable limits, indicating high ambient air quality; * There is no water intake in the project area or immediately downstream. The water quality is good in general. Environmental Impacts

* The culverts and bridge construction and improvement will not cause significant impacts to irrigation systems, water quality or other rural and agricultural activities; * The construction may temporarily occupy some land or damage vegetation. With prompt restoration and landscaping, these impacts will be short termed and minimized; * Construction machinery and materials transportation are the main noise sources during construction which could affect residents, schools and hospitals. Good planning and scheduling, machinery maintenance and public consultation prior to start of construction will minimize the noise impacts to the residents and schools; * Air quality impacts will mainly come from air dust from road and materials storage, and emissions from mixing stations. Watering the dust sources, carefully locating mixing stations, and covering trucks and materials stock pile will minimize the impacts; * The construction will disturb the traffic. The construction will be conducted half of the road at a time to allow motor, non-motor vehicle as well as pedestrian traffic on the half of the way at all time throughout the construction period. * In the operation phase, due to the low traffic volume, there will not be significant adverse impacts. However, close monitoring is necessary to confirm this conclusion.

28 In final conclusion, Quan-Xin road upgrading will greatly improve the road and transportation conditions in the mountainous and poverty project area. The improvement is expected to bring substantial benefits to the regional economic development, income opportunities to local rural residents, and agricultural re- structuring. To individual residents, the upgraded road will provide better access to market, services and education and help improve the standard of living and poverty alleviation. The adverse impacts can be mitigated and reduced to acceptable levels. The upgrading project has wide support from the vast majority of the rural residents in the project area as well as the local governments.

29 Chapter 7 Environmental Management Plan

7.1 Composition of EMP

The Environmental Management Plan (EMP) is comprised of mainly the following:

* Environmental mitigation measures, which are a series actions to be implemented in the design, construction and operation phases of Quan-Xin road upgrading to mitigate, reduce and minimize adverse impacts; * Environmental supervision plan, which is a plan to supervise the mitigation measures implementation and environmental protection of the project site; and * Environmental monitoring plan, which is a plan to monitor the environmental performance of the project to confirm the predictions of the EIA and identify any unexpected adverse impacts so that appropriate new mitigation measures are designed and implemented.

The environmental management procedures for the Quan-Xin road upgrading project are summarized in Figure 7-1.

30 WB Project Management Consultation

Preparation stage Project Proposal EIA Report

I II Assessment Feasibility Study EMP (Draft)

Negotiation Planned Assignment | EMP I l I l I J ~~~~~~~~~Final )l ~~~~~~( Implementation Preliminary Design |_ _ _l _ l

BIddig I | Supervision | Bidding I

I Examination & Acceptance Construction Plan E of EMP

Engineering Supervision

Completion & Open to Traffic

Figure 7-1 Environmental Management Procedures for the Project

31 7.2 Environmental Management Organizations

Various government and professional organizations will be involved in environmental management for the upgrading project during construction and operation phases. Figure 7-2 is an organizational figure for the project environmental management.

32 I bnlanMnlClplltyt1'M Supervisioti Environmental Management & .uprvision Executive Agency in the design and o construction phase ...... supevi El' office of HPCD.oraiton ognizations (I environmental engineers) n Zhuxi & .h&hshani& ZhushanEnvironmen susion CommunicationsEnlCounty EPB

monitoringistation WBFPO of (2 environmental specialists)

;l~~~~~niomental 1esD n EIA Unit || Zhuxi & l Supervisin~rsn ~ ~ nt (5 persons) Environmental .

.... , ...... on..tonrorig......

Zhuxi & Zhushan Zhuxi & Zhuishan .Environmental supervision organizations Communications Excuiv EnvironmentalAgersncyi) prto hs Bureau mnonitoring station

Environmental Management & Executive Agency in operation phase

......

Figure 7-2 Environmental Management Framework

33 The figure shows the organizations involved in project environmental management may be divided into two categories: environmental management and environmental supervision. The major organizations involved in both functions and their respective roles are presented in Table 7.2-1 and Table 7.2-2.

Table 7.2-1 Maor Environmental Management Or anizations Organizations Roles Remarks WBFPO of HPCD Environmental design and Two full time management during construction environmental specialist Zhuxi and Zhushain Mitigation measure implementation Each will have one full Communications Bureaus during construction and operation time environmental staff Zhuxi Environmental Environmental monitoring for Monitoring station construction and operation phases

Table 7.2-2 Major Environmental Supervision Organizations Organizations Roles Zhuxi and Zhushan Environmental Protection * Supervise implementation of EMP, Bureaus . Enforce environmental laws, regulations and standards, * Coordinate environmental duties among agencies, * Supervise construction and operation environmental performance

7.3 Environmental Management and Impact Mitigation

A series of environmental and impact mitigation measures have been planned and incorporated in the previous Chapter 4, where appropriate, into the project engineering design. The mitigation measures have been agreed and supported by HPCD and local communications bureaus who will take ultimate responsibilities for mitigation measures implementation.

Table 7.3-1 summarizes these measures.

34 Table 7.3-1 Environmental Management and impact Mitigation Environmental Implementation 1 . . Contract/Specification issues Measures already or to be taken organizations Clauses in Bid Documents A. Design Phase _ ~~~~~~~~~~~~HPCD Soil erosion * 114,300 i111drainage control and EA team hPCD protection facilities designed Design team Zliuxi, Zhushacn __,.______Communications Bureaus Asphalt pavement I PCD Traffic noise * Mitigation measures such as EA team Zhuxi, Zhushan sound insulation windows and Design team Communications Bureaus heiglitening the enclosure Airpollution * Locate mixing stations away EA team HPCD Air pollution from sensitive receptors Design team ZCmuxi, Zhushan Commnunications Bureaus Cultural * Site cultural investigation HPRARI HPCD property completed LA team Zhuxi, Zhiushan p No property found Communications Bureaus P P Y ~~~~~~~HPCD Vegetation .EA team HC Vegeto * Landscaping LA team Zhuxi, Zhushan damage Design team Communications Bureaus * Locate site away from farm land HPCD Disposal sites or water bodies, EA team Zhuxi, Zhushan * Restore sites for farming Design team Cm unic Brusha * Construct retaining walls Conimunications_Bureaus

Traffic safety * 154 clear3 safety signage EA team Zhuxi, Zhushan * 5201 m concrete railing Design team Communications Bureaus

35 Table 7.3-1 Environmental Management and impact Mitigation (Continued) Environmental a Implementation . . Contract/Specification .sue Measures already or to be taken .mleen.to Issues organizations Responsible organizations ClausesCassi In Bidi Documentsouet B. Construction Phase * HPCD will send its environmental staff and its environmental consultants to the site as well. Constructioni . HPCD will provide training for HPCD Camps and local communications bureaus HPCD Ziu Cs Construction and local contractors prior to the Contractors Communications Bureaus Management start of construction. * Temporary septic tanks will be constructed for construction camps. The wastes will be collected and disposed properly. * Restore disturbed soil within 15 days with stone coverage or Soierosion landscape Zhuxi, Zhushan Soil erosion * Contact weather stations and take Contractors Communications Bureaus temporary measures such as settlhig pond if necessary Vegetation . Restore damaged Contractors Zhuxi, Zhushan damage Vegetation within 15 days Communications Bureaus Construction * Consult schools, hospitals, etc. Zhuxi, Zhushan noise Before start; Contractors Comnmunications * Maintain the machinery Bureaus a Minimize earth work in Irrigation construction; Contractors Zhuxi, Zhushan system * Prevent earth and stone into Communications Bureaus irrigation system Surface water * Control contractor solid waste, Zhuxi, Zhushan pollution sewage and other waste discharge Contractors Communications Bureaus

36 Table 7.3-1 Environmental Management and impact Mitigation (Continued Environmental Measures already or to be taken Implementation Responsible organizations Contract/Specification issues organizations Clauses in Bid Docunients * Centralize asphalt station, * Locate the stations away from Air pollution sensitive receptors Contractors Zhuxi, ZhUshan * Water dry road twice a day Communlicationis Bureaus . Water or cover materials piles and trticks * Consult with local schools, hospitals aiid others; * Plan construction schedule Zhlixi, Zhushan raffic * rperading half the Contractois Communiicationis Bureaus and keep the road partially open local Public Security Bureau during construction * Enhance traffic control I C. Operation Phase * Signage for speed control and Zhuxi, Zhushan Noise and air horning ban near schools; CommunicatiolZ s Zhuxi, Zhushan * Enhance monitoring Bureaus Communications Bureaus * Maintain the road properly Zhuxi, Zhushiatn Motor vehicle . Keep good maintenance; Communications Zhuxi, Zhushan maintenance * Motor vehicle inspection Bureauss; Public Communications Bureaus Security Bureau Traffic . Emergency response team; Zhuxi, Zhushan Zhuxi, Zhushan accidents * Proper signage Communications Communications Bureaus Bureauss Environmental Zhuxi Zhuxi Zhusia performance * Environmental monitoring Environmental unic.Co 'hus . rau performance__ 37 _ MonitorngMoioig.______.___ Station .tto Communications Bureaus

37 7.4 Environmental Supervision Plan

The objectives of an environmental supervision plan is to ensure that mitigation measures for adverse environmental impacts have been properly and adequately designed, timely and appropriately implemented and effective in control and minimize the adverse impacts. The plan is also to ensure that the Quan-Xin road upgrading project fully comply with applicable environmental procedures and standards.

The environmental supervision plan is presented in Table 7.4-1.

Table 7.4-1 Environmental Supervision Plan Stage Organizations Contents Objectives Design, Zhuxi, Zhushan * Review EIA * Ensure compliance Construction EPB * Approve EA budget * Ensure environmental * Review sites selections performance Operation Zhuxi, Zhushan * Review monitoring report * Implement monitoring plan EPB * Review new mitigation * Ensure new issues can be * Supervise environmental properly addressed performance at sensitive * Prevent the potential for receptors environmental accidents and * Respond to unexpected impacts. environmental accidents

7.5 Environmental Monitoring Plan

Enviromnental monitoring plan, designed by the EA team, will be carried out by Shuxi county Environmental Monitoring Station and Zhuxi and Zhushan Communications Bureaus will be responsible for program implementation. The monitoring program is presented in Table 7.5-1.

Table 7.5-1 Environmental Monitoring Program Monitoring points Items I Frequency Duration Time Construction Phase Asphalt mixing station TSP, Once/week I day Once in morning asphalt emission and afternoon Concrete mixing station TSP Random I day Once in morning ______and ______afternoon Chengjiahe primary Leq, Once/week I day Twice a day school, Xiaogui primary during school, Longtan middle construction school, Gedong primary school, Zhongba primary school, Wachang primary school

38 Tlonbao Town

T. Zhooh-, Xino,ato. W,ige - KJOI KOK9a

1 ,0 Quan-Xin Road

<.Town'i

Noise Monitoring Program

\No. MopoitoolPg h Water Quality MonitoringProgram Constirucilos op.rtiofn n . ao.os ro._,-

1 Choaglilha Pim-ry School Noise Nobe. o Owr 2 Xsogul Pdmary School Noise Noise n, so

0e, 3 Longtan MWddiSchool Nosl. Nob. 5f- COD0 \

4 Gadong Primary School W Nolb a0 f i. 5000 , Zho.gbo Prinary School Hdo N oIe. _ Vnag Primary School Noise Ni_.. 1:100,000

Map 4: Location of Planned Monitoring Spots M4:%1St8S,sE Table 7.5-1 Environmental Monitoring Pro ram (Continued) Monitoring points Items - Frequency Duration Time Quan, Longtan, Shun, SS Once/week I day Once in morning Wacang, Zayu, and Oil and afternoon Guangdu rivers COD Opera tion phase Chengjiahe primary Leq Four times I day Once in day and school, Xiaogui primary per year at night school, Longtan middle school, Gedong primary school, Zhongba primary school, Wachang primary school

The monitoring reports will be prepared by Zhuxi Environmental Monitoring Station four times a year during construction and once a year during operation. The reports will be distributed to contractors during construction and road management unit during operation. The monitoring reports will also be sent to Zhuxi and Zhushan Communications Bureaus and Environmental Protection Bureaus (EPB). These reports will include monitoring results and discussion of compliance status for the monitoring period. If unexpected adverse impacts occur or exceed the applicable environmental standards, mitigation measures will be designed and, following the review and approval by the government agencies, implemented.

The local communications bureaus who own the project will respond to the monitoring reports and any actions recommended. In particular, the bureaus will review, approve and arrange to implement additional, new mitigation measures designed in response to unexpected significant adverse impacts identified during environmental monitoring.

For the two years construction period, the environmental monitoring program is estimated to cost RMB60,000. The monitoring cost for the operation phase is estimated to be RMB30,000 per year and contingency for environmental accidents is RMB40,000. During the operation phase, there will be two staff members in the road maintenance unit for environmental facility maintenance including landscaping, drainage system, retaining walls and others.

7.6 Personnel Training

A key measure to ensure environmental performance and mitigation measures implementation is to have qualified personnel in relevant organizations with sufficient understanding and knowledge of environmental issues and mitigation measures typically related to road construction and operation. As the environmental management is a relatively new concept particularly to the Zhuxi and Zhushan based environmental managerial and technical staff as well as the

39 management at the communications bureaus, appropriate training of the personnel is required.

A training program is designed and presented in Table 7.6-1

Table 7.6-1 Environmental Trainin Program Sta e Trainee Trainee No. Duration Time Cost (RMB) Local communications 8 1 wk 2002 10,000 Construction bureau and contractors Construction su ervision 2 2 wks 2002 3,500 Emergency response 2 2 wks 2002 4,500 Operation Environmental management 2 1 wk 2002 2,500 Total I__ 20,500

7.7 Cost for Environmental Management

Environmental management and impact mitigation for the construction are mostly a one-time cost which has been included in the project engineering budget. The cost for the operation phase, however, will be repeated costs on an annual basis which will included in the operation unit' s budget for Quan-Xin road.

Table 7.7-1 and Table 7.7-2 present estimated two types of costs.

Table 7.7-1 Estimated Costs for Environmental Management in Construction Item Contents Quantity Amount (RMB) Remarks EA EA Investigation, EA 1 50,000 documentation preparation Personnel Training of supervision 20,500 Domestic Training engineers, management staff training and emergency staff Environmental Noise, water. air 2 years 120,000 monitoring Emergency 40,000 reserve Environmental 2 38,400 Based on two supervision years construction Air pollution Water spraying vehicles 3 600,000 RMB200,000 /vehicle Soil erosion Retaining walls, settling pond 101 km 202,000 RMB2,000/ and other temporary facility km Rehabilitation retaining wall, settling basin, 19,000m 3 28,500 Budgetary of disposal sites drainage ditch and surface Estimate plantation Noise Sound insulation windows, and 24,000 See Table mitigation heightening the enclosures 4.4-1 measures

40 Table 7.7-1 Estimated Costs for Environmental ManaRement in Construction (Continued) Item Contents Quantity Amount (RMB) Remarks Protection & Subgrade and excavated 101 km 9,830,000 Already Drainage works surface included in engineering budget Landscaping For disturbed soil 101 km 1,515,000 RMB15,0001 vegetation km restoration Total cost 2,638,400* *protection works have already in the P&W budget.

Table 7.7-2 Estimated Costs for Environmental Management in Operation Item Cost (RMB) Remarks Environmental monitoring 300,000 30,000 per year Road maintenance Two to be assigned by road operating unit. Emergency response Included in engineering cost Total 300.000

The two tables above show that the total capital investment in the project for environmental management, supervision and impact mitigation is RMB2.94 million, excluding drainage works, road maintenance, etc. Compared with the total estimated cost for the upgrading at RMBI02.96 million, the cost for environmental management is approximately 2.86%.

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