Initial E nvironmental E xamination Project Number: 50146-001 April 2017 Distribution Network R ehabilitation, E fficiency Improvement, and Augmentation (R epublic of Armenia) Prepared by Tetra Tech E S , Inc. for the Asian Development Bank This initial environmental examination is a document of the borrower. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB's Board of Directors, Management, or staff, and may be preliminary in nature. Y our attention is directed to the “Terms of Use” section of this website. In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area. Armenia: ENA-Modernisation of Distribution Network Initial Environmental Examination: Draft Final Report Prepared by April 2017 1 ADB/EBRD Armenia: ENA - Modernisation of Distribution Network Initial Environmental Examination Draft Final Report April 2017 Prepared by Tetra Tech ES, Inc. 1320 N Courthouse Rd, Suite 600 | Arlington, VA 22201, United States Tel +1 703 387 2100 | Fax +1 703 243 0953 www.tetratech.com Prepared by Tetra Tech ES, Inc 2 ENA - Modernisation of Distribution Network Initial Environmental Examination Table of Contents Table of Contents ................................................................................................................ 3 Abbreviations and Acronyms ............................................................................................ 5 A. Introduction .................................................................................................................. 6 A.1 Purpose of the report ............................................................................................................ 6 A.2 The Nature, Size, Location and Importance of the Project ..................................... 6 A.3 Methodology Applied ............................................................................................................ 9 A.4 Structure of the Report ........................................................................................................ 9 B. Legal, Policy and Administrative Framework .......................................................... 10 B.1 General .................................................................................................................................... 10 B.X Asian Development Bank Safeguard Policies 2009................................................ 13 C Description of the Project.......................................................................................... 17 C.1 Type of project ...................................................................................................................... 17 C.2 Category of Project.............................................................................................................. 17 C.3 Need for the Project ............................................................................................................ 17 C.4 Locations & Size of Operations ...................................................................................... 17 C.4.1 Project Locations and Scope of Works ......................................................................... 17 C.5 Alternatives ........................................................................................................................... 20 C.6 Proposed schedule for implementation & Cost ....................................................... 20 D. Description of the Environment ................................................................................ 21 D.1 Physical Resources ............................................................................................................. 21 D.1.1 Air quality & Climate...................................................................................................... 21 D.1.2 Topography ....................................................................................................................... 22 D.1.3 Geology & Seismicity ................................................................................................... 23 D.2 Ecological Resources .......................................................................................................... 24 D.2.1 Flora and Fauna ............................................................................................................. 24 D.2.2 Forests & Protected Areas ....................................................................................... 25 D.3 Economic Development .................................................................................................... 26 D.3.1 Industries & Agriculture ............................................................................................... 26 D.3.2 Infrastructure and Transportation facilities ......................................................... 26 D.4 Social and Cultural Resources ........................................................................................ 27 D.4.1 Population and communities ..................................................................................... 27 D.4.2 Health & Education facilities ................................................................................... 27 D.4.3 Socio-economic conditions ........................................................................................ 27 E. Corporate EHS Procedures and Practices ............................................................... 29 E.1 Environmental Procedures .................................................................................................. 29 E.2 Health and Safety ..................................................................................................................... 35 Name of the specialty ....................................................................................................... 37 F. Screening of Potential Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures ............. 40 F.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 40 F.2 Mitigation Aspects ............................................................................................................... 40 G. Environmental Management Plans and Institutional Requirements ...................... 47 G.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 47 G.2 EMP Institutional Requirements ................................................................................... 47 G.2.1 EMP ...................................................................................................................................... 47 G.2.2 Implementation Responsibility ................................................................................. 47 3 ENA - Modernisation of Distribution Network Initial Environmental Examination G.3 Environmental Management Plan ................................................................................ 48 H. Public Consultation, Information Disclosure & Grievance Mechanism ................. 53 H.1 Public Consultations ........................................................................................................... 53 H.1.1 Public Consultation ........................................................................................................ 53 H.2 Planned Information Disclosure .................................................................................... 54 H.3 Grievance Mechanism / SEP ........................................................................................... 54 H.3.1 Legal Requirements for Disclosure ............................................................................... 54 H.3.2 Stakeholders .......................................................................................................................... 55 H.3.3 Project Consultation and Disclosure Program ......................................................... 58 H.3.4 Grievance Mechanism ........................................................................................................ 60 I. Conclusions and Recommendations ....................................................................... 61 I.1 Conclusions ............................................................................................................................ 61 I.2 Recommendations .............................................................................................................. 61 Annex A. General Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) Guidelines ................................................ 62 4 ENA - Modernisation of Distribution Network Initial Environmental Examination Abbreviations and Acronyms ADB Asian Development Bank EBRD European Bank for Reconstruction and Development EHS Environmental, Health And Safety EIA Environmental Impact Assessment ENA Electricity Network of Armenia ESAP Environmental and Social Action Plan HR Human Resources ISO International Organization for Standardization MNP Ministry of Nature Protection PCB Polychlorinated Biphenyls PPE Personal Protective Equipment PR Public Relations RA Republic of Armenia SPNA Specially Protected Nature Areas 5 ENA - Modernisation of Distribution Network Initial Environmental Examination A. Introduction A.1 Purpose of