Proposed Improvements to Guyana Shore Base Port, Georgetown, Guyana Environmental Assessment Inter-American Development Bank 1350 New York Ave, NW 30 April 2021 Washington, DC 20577 Project No.: 0585274 The business of sustainability PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS TO GUYANA SHORE BASE PORT, CONTENTS GEORGETOWN, GUYANA Environmental Assessment CONTENTS 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................. 10 2. INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................. 12 2.1 Project Background ............................................................................................................................ 12 2.2 Purpose and Need .............................................................................................................................. 12 2.3 Environmental Assessment Objectives ............................................................................................... 12 2.4 Environmental Assessment Scope ..................................................................................................... 13 2.4.1 Direct Area of Influence ..................................................................................................... 13 2.4.2 Indirect Area of Influence ................................................................................................... 14 2.5 Project Description .............................................................................................................................. 15 2.5.1 Project Location ................................................................................................................. 15 2.5.2 Project Overview ................................................................................................................ 17 2.5.3 Project Components .......................................................................................................... 20 2.5.4 Water and Utilities .............................................................................................................. 24 2.5.5 Hazardous Materials .......................................................................................................... 25 2.5.6 Waste ................................................................................................................................. 26 2.5.7 Air ...................................................................................................................................... 27 2.5.8 Security .............................................................................................................................. 27 2.5.9 Workforce .......................................................................................................................... 27 2.5.10 Construction ....................................................................................................................... 28 2.5.11 Operations ......................................................................................................................... 33 3. POLICY, LEGAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK ........................................................... 34 3.1 National and International Legislation Guiding the EA ........................................................................ 34 3.1.2 National Legal Framework ................................................................................................. 34 3.1.3 National Policy Framework ................................................................................................ 40 3.1.4 Draft National Energy Policy .............................................................................................. 42 3.1.5 Gender and Social Inclusion Policy .................................................................................... 42 3.1.6 Applicable International Conventions and Agreements ...................................................... 43 3.1.7 Inter-American Investment Corporation (IDB Invest) Sustainability Framework ............... 45 3.2 Environmental Permits ........................................................................................................................ 47 3.3 National Institutions ........................................................................................................................... 48 3.3.1 The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) .................................................................... 48 3.3.2 The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) ...................................................... 48 3.3.3 Sea and River Defence Board ........................................................................................... 49 3.3.4 Central Housing and Planning Authority ............................................................................ 49 3.3.5 Maritime Administration Department .................................................................................. 49 3.3.6 The Fisheries Department ................................................................................................. 50 3.3.7 Protected Areas Commission ............................................................................................ 50 3.3.8 Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard ................................................................................. 50 3.3.9 Gender Affairs Bureau ....................................................................................................... 51 3.3.10 The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) ............................................................................... 51 4. ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES ..................................................................................................... 52 4.1 Current Conditions .............................................................................................................................. 52 4.2 No Action Alternative .......................................................................................................................... 52 4.3 Alternatives Assessment ..................................................................................................................... 52 4.3.1 Additional Berths ................................................................................................................ 52 4.3.2 Port Operations Assessment ............................................................................................. 52 4.3.3 Annex Area Improvements ................................................................................................ 53 www.erm.com Version: 1.0 Project No.: 0585274 Client: IDB Invest 30 April 2021 Page ix PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS TO GUYANA SHORE BASE PORT, CONTENTS GEORGETOWN, GUYANA Environmental Assessment 4.3.4 Other Location Alternatives ................................................................................................ 53 4.4 Alternatives Conclusion ...................................................................................................................... 53 5. DESCRIPTION OF THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENT ..................................................................... 54 5.1 Physical Resources ............................................................................................................................ 54 5.1.1 Climate ............................................................................................................................... 54 5.1.2 Air Quality .......................................................................................................................... 56 5.1.3 Noise .................................................................................................................................. 57 5.1.4 Geology and Physiography ................................................................................................ 58 5.1.5 Hydrology ........................................................................................................................... 58 5.1.6 Natural Disasters and Risks ............................................................................................... 61 5.2 Biodiversity ........................................................................................................................................ 63 5.2.1 Demerara River.................................................................................................................. 63 5.2.2 Special Status Species ...................................................................................................... 64 5.2.3 Areas of Conservation ....................................................................................................... 64 5.2.4 Ecosystem Services ........................................................................................................... 66 5.3 Socioeconomic and Cultural Resources ............................................................................................. 68 5.3.1 Administrative Structure ..................................................................................................... 68 5.3.2 Historical Context ............................................................................................................... 70 5.3.3 Social and Political Context ............................................................................................... 70 5.3.4 Population and Demographics ..........................................................................................