PO Box 419 2nd Floor, Alvaro 2.0 Building Mendana Avenue Honiara, Solomon Islands Tel: (677) 25115 Environmental Impact Statement (Updated ESIA from ESIA 2017) For Tina River Hydropower Development Project, Solomon Islands May 2019 Page 1 of 685 Table of Contents List of Tables ..................................................................................................................24 List of Figures ................................................................................................................28 List of Annexures...........................................................................................................32 List of Appendices .........................................................................................................33 Executive Summary .......................................................................................................35 E 1. Location .................................................................................................................... 35 E 2. The Project ................................................................................................................ 37 E 3. Basis for Environmental and Social Impact Assessment ....................................... 40 E 4. Analysis of Alternatives ........................................................................................... 41 E.4.1 Alternative Energy Sources .......................................................................................... 41 E.4.2 Alternative Locations and Configurations ...................................................................... 41 E 5. Baseline Conditions ................................................................................................. 42 E.5.1 Physical Environment ................................................................................................... 42 E.5.2 Terrestrial Environment (Flora and Fauna) ................................................................... 43 E.5.3 Aquatic Environment (Fish, Fisheries and Water Quality) ............................................. 44 E.5.4 Social Environment ...................................................................................................... 45 E 6. Impacts and Mitigation measures ............................................................................ 47 E.6.1 Mitigation workshops .................................................................................................... 47 E.6.2 Environmental and Social Impacts and Mitigation ......................................................... 48 E.6.2.1 Impacts on Physical Environment and Mitigation .................................................... 48 E.6.2.2 Impacts on Flora and Mitigation ............................................................................. 48 E.6.2.3 Impacts on Fauna / Fauna Habitat and Mitigation ................................................... 49 E.6.2.3.1 Terrestrial Fauna ........................................................................................... 49 E.6.2.3.2 Aquatic Fauna ............................................................................................... 51 E.6.2.4 Social Impacts and Mitigation................................................................................. 53 E.6.2.5 Land Acquisition and Livelihoods Restoration Plan ................................................ 55 E.6.3 Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) ............................................................................. 56 E.6.4 Environment Social Management Plan ......................................................................... 57 E 7. Cumulative Impacts .................................................................................................. 57 E 8. Effects of the Environment on the Project............................................................... 60 1. INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................62 1.1 Background............................................................................................................... 62 Page 2 of 685 1.2 Project Proponent ..................................................................................................... 66 1.3 Parties Responsible For Preparing The ESIA .......................................................... 66 1.3.1 Initial ESIA Preparation ............................................................................................... 66 1.3.2 Supplementary Specialty Studies ................................................................................ 67 1.3.3 ESIA Quality Review and Final Edit............................................................................. 67 1.4 Purpose Of The Project ............................................................................................ 67 1.5 Objectives of the ESIA Study ................................................................................... 70 1.6 ESIA Study Methodology.......................................................................................... 70 1.6.1 Area of Influence and Study Area ................................................................................ 71 1.6.1.1 Area of Influence .............................................................................................. 71 1.6.1.2 Study Area ....................................................................................................... 72 1.6.2 Identification of Baseline Conditions ............................................................................ 73 1.6.2.1 Literature Review ............................................................................................. 74 1.6.2.2 Field Studies and Surveys ................................................................................ 74 1.6.3 Identification of Impacts and Mitigation Measures........................................................ 74 1.6.3.1 Impact Assessment Methodology ..................................................................... 74 1.6.3.2 Environmental Impact Analysis ......................................................................... 76 1.6.3.3 Social Impact Analysis...................................................................................... 76 1.6.4 Impact and Mitigation Reporting .................................................................................. 77 1.6.5 Supplementary Studies and Finalising ESIA ................................................................ 77 1.7 Stakeholder Engagement And ESIA Disclosure ...................................................... 78 1.8 Structure of the ESIA Report .................................................................................... 81 2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION ...............................................................................84 2.1 Project Context ......................................................................................................... 84 2.1.1 Background to Site Selection ...................................................................................... 84 2.1.2 General Area Description ............................................................................................ 84 2.2 The Retained Option – Site 7c .................................................................................. 87 2.2.1 Project Description ...................................................................................................... 87 2.2.2 Site 7c Scheme Construction Activities ....................................................................... 90 2.3 Project Components ................................................................................................. 91 2.3.1 Dam ........................................................................................................................... 91 2.3.1.1 Choice of Dam ................................................................................................. 91 2.3.1.2 Construction ..................................................................................................... 92 2.3.2 Reservoir .................................................................................................................. 101 2.3.2.1 Coffer Dam and Diversion Conduit ................................................................. 101 Page 3 of 685 2.3.3 Power Intake Head Race Tunnel ............................................................................... 103 2.3.4 Powerhouse ............................................................................................................. 109 2.3.5 Riparian (Environmental Flow) Outlet ........................................................................ 111 2.3.6 Transmission Line ..................................................................................................... 114 2.3.7 Project Support Facilities .......................................................................................... 115 2.3.7.1 Access Roads and Traffic ............................................................................... 115 2.3.7.2 Work Areas and Project Offices ...................................................................... 119 2.3.7.3 Staff and Workers’ Accommodation ................................................................ 119 2.4 BOOT Structure ...................................................................................................... 119 2.5 Activities Adjacent to and Within the Project Area ..............................................