E4486 REV Environmental Management Public Disclosure Authorized Framework Belize Climate Resilient Infrastructure Project 3/20/2014 Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized FINAL DRAFT FINAL DRAFT CONTENTS Definitions ..................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Acronyms ....................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Executive Summary ..................................................................................................................................................... 11 1. Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................... 13 1.1. Project Background ..................................................................................................................................... 13 1.2. Environmental Context ............................................................................................................................... 14 1.3. Level of Environmental Mitigation Measures ............................................................................................. 17 1.4. Preparation and Use of this Framework ..................................................................................................... 18 1.5. Purpose and Objectives of this EMF ........................................................................................................... 18 1.6. Application of EMF ...................................................................................................................................... 19 2. Baseline Environmental Characteristics of Project Locations .............................................................................. 19 2.1. Greater Belize city Area .............................................................................................................................. 19 2.1.1. Physical Environment ......................................................................................................................... 19 2.1.2. Biological Environment ....................................................................................................................... 24 2.2. West of Belmopan ...................................................................................................................................... 26 2.2.1. Physical Environment ......................................................................................................................... 26 2.2.2. Biological Environment ....................................................................................................................... 32 2.3. Northern Area Around Corozal ................................................................................................................... 33 2.3.1. Physical Environment ......................................................................................................................... 33 2.3.2. Biological Environment ....................................................................................................................... 37 2.4. Southern Area Around Independence ........................................................................................................ 39 2.4.1. Physical Environment ......................................................................................................................... 39 2.4.2. Biological Environment ....................................................................................................................... 45 3. Policy, Legal and Administrative Framework ....................................................................................................... 49 3.1. The World Bank Safeguard Policies ............................................................................................................ 49 Page | 2 FINAL DRAFT 3.1.1. OP/BP 4.01 – Environmental Assessment (EA) ................................................................................... 49 3.1.2. OP/BP 4.04 – Natural Habitats ........................................................................................................... 50 3.1.3. OP/BP 4.11 – Physical Cultural Resources .......................................................................................... 51 3.1.4. OP 7.60 – Projects in Disputed Areas ................................................................................................. 51 3.1.5. Requirements for Public Disclosure .................................................................................................... 52 3.2. Belize National Laws and Regulations ......................................................................................................... 52 3.2.1. Environmental Law ............................................................................................................................. 53 3.2.2. Natural Habitat Law ............................................................................................................................ 56 3.2.3. Physical Cultural Resources Law ......................................................................................................... 57 3.3. Belize Environmental Strategies ................................................................................................................. 58 3.4. International Conventions and Agreements ............................................................................................... 59 4. Environmental Permits and Requirements .......................................................................................................... 61 4.1. Application of Local Environmental Instruments and Safeguards .............................................................. 61 4.1.1. Impact Identification, Assessment and EA Process ............................................................................ 61 4.2. Methodology and Instruments ................................................................................................................... 62 4.2.1. Environmental Categorization ............................................................................................................ 62 4.2.2. Site Sensitivity and Environmental Categorization ............................................................................. 63 5. Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures .............................................................................................. 65 5.1. Noise during construction ........................................................................................................................... 65 5.2. Dust and air emissions during construction ................................................................................................ 67 5.3. Wildlife disturbance during construction ................................................................................................... 68 5.4. Pollution of soil, groundwater, and waterways during construction ......................................................... 72 5.5. Spillage of fuel and lubricants during construction .................................................................................... 73 5.6. Construction waste ..................................................................................................................................... 73 5.7. Management of vegetation and soil debris during construction................................................................ 73 5.8. Vegetation clearing during maintenance .................................................................................................... 74 5.9. Workmen’s camps and settlements ........................................................................................................... 75 Page | 3 FINAL DRAFT 5.10. Waterways during construction .................................................................................................................. 78 5.11. Traffic diversion during construction .......................................................................................................... 81 5.12. Residual negative impacts that cannot be mitigated .................................................................................. 81 5.13. Opportunities for environmental enhancement ........................................................................................ 81 5.14. Extent and quality of available data, key data gaps, and uncertainties associated with predictions ......... 81 6. Environmental Management Process and Screening Procedures ....................................................................... 82 6.1. Environmental Impact Assessment ............................................................................................................. 82 6.1.1. Environmental Clearance Process ...................................................................................................... 82 6.1.2. Environmental Management Process................................................................................................. 85 6.1.3. Internal Tool Form for Environmental Management ......................................................................... 81 6.2. Dialogue and