11.3 Environmental and Social Considerations on the Priority Projects
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Final Report 11.3 Environmental and Social Considerations on the Priority Projects (1) Explanation to and Discussions with Stakeholders In accordance to the MRMEWR, “Guidelines For Obtaining Environmental Permits, Appendix B”, the project proponent is requested to develop and implement an efficient public information program throughout the project. Conventionally in Oman, information of any new government projects are initially disseminated by the Ministry (project proponent) at the conceptual stage of the project to the concerned Governorate (or Wali in case there are no Governorate), related government authorities and sometimes to the media. Upon provisional consent from the Governorate or Wali, the project proponent will commence with the F/S and D/D study. After being informed by the Ministry of the project, the Governorate is responsible for disseminating the project information to the concerned Wali. The Wali will then hold a local committee meeting and inform the Sheikh (heads of the local community). The local community has strong ties with the Sheikh and information of any new projects are eventually disseminated to the local stakeholders through the Sheikh. Other than the above procedure, the local stakeholders often are informed of new projects through the media. The above procedure is summarized in the following flow chart (Figure 11.3-1). Figure 11.3-1 Information Dissemination Procedure Ministry (Project Proponent) Relevant Government Governorate Media (Newspaper, T.V.) Authorities Wali Head of Local Community (Sheikh) Local stakeholders Source: JICA Study Team The local stakeholders can express their opinions or complaints to the Sheikh or Wali. The Sheikh or Wali will then inform the Governorate or the Ministry of the local stakeholder’s views. In other words, the local people does not contact directly to the Ministry for complaints but indirectly via their local representatives. The views of the local stakeholders are also considered at the Steering Committee of the project, which is usually held for each project before the construction phase. 11 - 20 National Ports Development Strategy Study in the Sultanate of Oman As an initial step of the information dissemination process, DGPMA organized stakeholder meetings to explain the possible environmental impacts of the proposed development plan of the JICA Study Team for the Sultan Qaboos Port and Duqm Port. The Wali and the concerned Sheikhs of the Wilayat Muttrah were invited for the Sultan Qaboos Port and the Wali of Duqm for the Duqm Port. Following are some of the main comments obtained through the meetings. 1) Comments regarding the Sultan Qaboos Port Development The stakeholders suggested that a new access road should be built before starting the port development construction. This will relieve the pressure on the existing access road during the construction period and reduce the frequency of traffic jams in the Muttrah area. This will also lead to the reduction in air and noise pollution from the project. JICA Study Team acknowledged the importance of the new access road and explained to the stakeholders that an in-depth study on the access road to Sultan Qaboos Port needs to be implemented by Ministries and Local Government concerned. The Sheikh of Aint district expressed his concern over the proposed breakwater, since its location overlaps with the gill net fishing ground of the Aint district fishermen. JICA Study Team explained to the stakeholders, that the new breakwater could potentially provide new habitats for various marine species including fishery resource species. JICA Study Team also explained that deployment of an eco-friendly breakwater would enhance coral settlement, provide excellent habitat for the various marine species and benefit the local fishermen as a consequence. The Wali acknowledged the importance of the proposed development plan and stated the importance of environmental consideration, and that any negative environmental impacts should be mitigated in an appropriate way through careful discussion with the MRMEWR. 2) Comments regarding the Duqm Port Development The Wali expressed that the establishment of the Duqm Port and the oil storage and exporting facilities will be an excellent way to promote the socioeconomic growth of the region. The local residents should appreciate such plan. Some of the major oil wells of Oman lie in the Al Wusta Region. Establishment of the oil storage and exporting facilities in the Duqm area should significantly reduce the present cost and work of transporting oil to the Mina Al Fahal. Together with the oil storage and exporting facilities, an oil reception facility should be considered as a measure to prevent illegal discharge of ballast water. Since the oil storage and exporting facilities have significant potential environmental impact, a detailed environment and socio-economic study should be implemented at the earliest possible stages. The planned fishery harbour inside the Duqm port may have to be reconsidered mainly due 11’-‘21 Final Report to the proximity to the drydock facilities (i.e. hygienic reasons). An alternative fishery harbour may have to be considered outside the Duqm port. Although the current fish landing activities at the proposed Duqm port area may have to be relocated to another area during the construction phase, there are many alternative sites for fish landing in the Duqm area. For example in Ras Madraka. The current fish processing factory located in the proposed Duqm port area may have to be shifted depending on the layout of the port. In the Duqm area, fishing is not conducted during the SW monsoon season (June – September). Most of the local fishermen move to the inland areas during this season to pursue other income generating activities such as dates farming. Various comments were obtained from both meetings. These comments should be referred and reflected into the JICA Study and the next stages of the port planning. (2) Implementation of Environmental and Social Considerations on the Priority Projects Based on the collected environmental information, the environmental impacts of the priority projects were assessed in terms of the environmental capacity of the project area (Table 11.3-1). The project area is separated into the hinterland, port and coastal area, and the environmental capacities of these areas are represented through the following environmental parameters. Air quality Noise / vibration Water quality Bottom sediment quality Groundwater quality Ecosystem Impact assessment was conducted by referring to the national or international environmental quality standards of the above parameters (except ecosystem). If the environmental impact was predicted to exceed the environmental quality standards, lowest ratings were given (please refer to the foot note of Table 11.3-1 for the rating criteria). In addition to environmental quality standards, factors such as the location of the port, development scheme, the characteristics of the local ecosystem were also integrated into the assessment procedure. 11 - 22 National Ports Development Strategy Study in the Sultanate of Oman Table 11.3-1 Preliminary Assessment of the Impacts of the Priority Projects in Terms of the Environmental Capacity of the Project Area Qaboos Salalah Sohar Duqm Hinterland area Air quality 2 3 3 3 Noise / vibration 2 3 3 3 Water quality - - - - Bottom sediment quality - - - - Groundwater quality 3 3 2 3 Ecosystem 3 3 3 2 Port area Air quality 2 2 3 2 Noise / vibration 1 2 2 2 Water quality 2 2 2 2 Bottom sediment quality 2 2 2 2 Groundwater quality - - - - Ecosystem 2 3 3 2 Coastal area Air quality 3 3 3 3 Noise / vibration 3 3 3 3 Water quality 2 3 3 2 Bottom sediment quality 2 3 3 2 Groundwater quality - - - - Ecosystem 2 3 3 2 Total 31 38 38 33 Rank 1: Likely to exceed environmental capacity, Rank 2: Likely to be within environmental capacity if appropriately controlled, Rank 3: Likely to be below environmental capacity or no impact factors Source: JICA Study Team The environmental capacity was more likely to be exceeded in proportion to the scale of the development and proximity to sensitive environments, which is reflected in the above results. Sohar and Salalah Port scored the highest ratings (38 out of maximum 42) mainly due to the relatively minor scale of development compared to the other ports. Sultan Qaboos Port scored the lowest rating (31 points), mainly due to the relatively large-scale development and its close proximity to sensitive environment (e.g. corals and residential area). Although the development scheme of Duqm Port is the largest within the four ports, the rating was only second lowest (33 points) because the port will be located at a relatively far distance from the residential area. (3) Formulation of Frameworks for the Implementation of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) In accordance to the MRMEWR, “Guidelines For Obtaining Environmental Permits”, all port development projects will require an detailed EIA to obtain an Environmental Permit from MRMEWR, 11’-‘23 Final Report unless the project is considered by the MRMEWR to have a negligible impact on the environment. The following Table 11.3-2 identifies for each priority projects the environmental parameters that require an impact assessment, through the utilization of a ranking system. Table 11.3-2 Environmental Parameters that Require an Environmental Impact Assessment Environmental parameters Qaboos Salalah Sohar Duqm Pollution Air quality 1 1 1 1 Noise / vibration 1 1 1 1 Seawater quality