ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT “PROJECT EXPANSION EOLOELÉCTRICO HONDURAS 2000” Tegucigalpa, M.D.C. Honduras, C.A. September 2008 DAC Project Expansion Eoloeléctrico Honduras 2000 AMBITEC, S.A. INDEX I. General Information. ............................................................................................................................................. 1 1.1. Project Name. ............................................................................................................................................... 4 1.2. Economic Activity. ........................................................................................................................................ 4 1.3. Location. ....................................................................................................................................................... 4 1.4. Total Investment. .......................................................................................................................................... 7 1.5. Attorney In Fact. ........................................................................................................................................... 7 1.6. Legal Representative.................................................................................................................................... 7 II. Biophysical Description of the Project Area. ........................................................................................................ 8 2.1. Geographical Conditions. ............................................................................................................................. 8 2.1.1. Geology................................................................................................................................................. 8 2.1.2. Land Use............................................................................................................................................... 8 2.1.3. Topography. .......................................................................................................................................... 9 2.1.4. Orography. ............................................................................................................................................ 9 2.2. Surface and Groundwater Hydrography ..................................................................................................... 10 2.2.1. Surface Hydrography .......................................................................................................................... 10 2.2.2. Groundwater Hydrography. ................................................................................................................. 10 2.3. Climatological Conditions. .......................................................................................................................... 10 2.3.1. Wind Velocity ...................................................................................................................................... 11 2.3.2. Wind Studies in the New Locations .................................................................................................... 12 2.4. Flora and Fauna. ........................................................................................................................................ 14 2.4.1. Flora .................................................................................................................................................... 14 2.4.2. Fauna .................................................................................................................................................. 15 2.5. Environmentally Important Areas. .............................................................................................................. 15 III. Socioeconomic Situation. .................................................................................................................................. 17 3.1. Means of Communication in the Area. ....................................................................................................... 19 3.2. Nearest Towns. .......................................................................................................................................... 19 3.3. Economic Activities in the Area. ................................................................................................................. 20 3.4. Community Structures ................................................................................................................................ 20 3.5. Water Supply Source of Nearby Populations. ............................................................................................ 20 3.6. Project Socialization. .................................................................................................................................. 20 IV. Description of Project Activities to Carry Out in Each Phase. ........................................................................... 22 4.1. Construction. .............................................................................................................................................. 22 4.2. Operation. ................................................................................................................................................... 25 V. Human Resources. ............................................................................................................................................ 32 5.1. Number of Employees. ............................................................................................................................... 32 5.2. Distribution by Area .................................................................................................................................... 32 5.3. Work Schedule ........................................................................................................................................... 33 5.4. Benefits Offered.......................................................................................................................................... 33 VI. Basic Services. ................................................................................................................................................. 34 6.1. Water Supply and Consumption. ................................................................................................................ 34 6.2. Garbage Collection. .................................................................................................................................... 34 6.3. Telephone Access. ..................................................................................................................................... 34 6.4. Stormwater and Sanitation System ............................................................................................................ 34 6.5. Roadway System........................................................................................................................................ 34 6.6. Energy Type ............................................................................................................................................... 34 ii Property of Energía Eólica de Honduras and Mesoamerica Energy DAC Project Expansion Eoloeléctrico Honduras 2000 AMBITEC, S.A. VII. Contingencies. ................................................................................................................................................. 35 7.1. Contingency Plan and Risk Management. ................................................................................................. 35 7.1.1. Construction Phase ............................................................................................................................. 35 7.1.1.1. Safety in Construction and Assembly Works ............................................................................. 35 7.1.2. Operation Phase. ................................................................................................................................ 50 7.1.2.1. Contingency Plan against Pasture or Brush Fires ..................................................................... 51 7.1.2.2. Preventive Maintenance Plan to avoid Tower Blade or Mechanical Equipment Throws. .......... 52 7.1.2.3. Contingency Plan against Hurricane Force Winds. .................................................................... 52 7.1.2.4. Restricted Access Warning Signs in Proximity to Wind Turbine Towers. .................................. 53 7.1.2.5. Airplane or Bird Collisions. ......................................................................................................... 53 7.1.2.6. Electromagnetic Interference Contingency Plan. ....................................................................... 53 7.2. Occupational Safety. .................................................................................................................................. 54 VIII. Environmental Indicators. ............................................................................................................................... 57 8.1. Positive Impacts (General Description). ..................................................................................................... 57 8.2. Aspects that affect Human Perception or Behavior. ..................................................................................