PROPOSED CENTRAL EXPRESSWAY PROJECT from Pothuhera to Galagedara (Section 03) Final Environmental Impact Assessment Report Volume I - Main Report October 2016 Submitted to: Central Environmental Authority, Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment Submitted by: Road Development Authority, Ministry of Higher Education and Highways Prepared by: Center for Sustainability, Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. PROPOSED CENTRAL EXPRESSWAY PROJECT from Pothuhera to Galagedara (Section 03) Final Environmental Impact Assessment Report Volume I - Main Report October 2016 Submitted to: Central Environmental Authority, Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment Submitted by: Road Development Authority, Ministry of Higher Education and Highways Prepared by: Center for Sustainability Department of Forestry and Environmental Science University of Sri Jayewardenepura Gangodawila, Nugegoda Sri Lanka Table of Contents List of Tables ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... v List of Figures........................................................................................................................................................................................................... vii List of Abbreviations ............................................................................................................................................................................................ viii List of Annexes .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... xi EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................................................... 11 1.1. Background of the project ............................................................................................................................................................ 11 1.2. Objective and justification of the project ............................................................................................................................... 14 1.3. Objective of the EIA report ........................................................................................................................................................... 14 1.4. Methodologies and technologies adopted in EIA report preparation ....................................................................... 15 1.4.1. Guidelines and policies ................................................................................................................................................................. 15 1.4.2. Environmental investigations ................................................................................................................................................... 15 1.4.3. Survey of existing literature ....................................................................................................................................................... 15 1.4.4. Field Investigations ........................................................................................................................................................................ 16 1.4.5. Ecological Component ................................................................................................................................................................... 16 1.4.6. Methodology for existing land use study .............................................................................................................................. 17 1.4.7. Methodology for topographical analyses ............................................................................................................................. 17 1.4.8. Methodology for geology, soil and natural disasters ...................................................................................................... 18 1.4.9. Study on Hydrology ........................................................................................................................................................................ 18 1.4.10. Socio-economic investigations ............................................................................................................................................... 19 1.4.11. Cultural, Historical and Archaeology Heritage ................................................................................................................ 20 1.5. Conformity with government policies and plans ............................................................................................................... 21 1.6. Preliminary approvals needed for the project .................................................................................................................... 21 CHAPTER 2: DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT AND REASONABLE ALTERNATIVES ...................................... 23 2.1. Evaluation of alternatives ............................................................................................................................................................. 23 2.1.1. No Action Alternative .................................................................................................................................................................... 23 2.1.2. Route Alternatives .......................................................................................................................................................................... 23 2.1.3. Proposed Design Alternatives ................................................................................................................................................... 26 2.1.4. Proposed Tunnel sections ........................................................................................................................................................... 26 2.2.5. Route Adjustments ......................................................................................................................................................................... 27 2.2 Description of proposed project ................................................................................................................................................ 28 2.2.1. Project location ................................................................................................................................................................................ 28 2.2.2. Project layout plan .......................................................................................................................................................................... 28 2.2.3. Ownership of project site ............................................................................................................................................................ 29 2.2.4. Design details of all project components .............................................................................................................................. 29 2.2.5. Methodology of construction ..................................................................................................................................................... 30 Final Environmental Impact Assessment Report – CEP Section 03 (Pothuhera to Galagedara) i 2.2.6. Requirement and availability of workforce ......................................................................................................................... 31 2.2.7. Any maintenance need during operation period .............................................................................................................. 31 2.2.8. Details of Land acquisition, rehabilitation/ relocation of communities, compensation procedures ........ 31 2.2.9. Details of any phased development activities and time schedule ............................................................................. 31 2.2.10. Future expansions ........................................................................................................................................................................ 32 2.2.11. Project cost, investment and funding sources ................................................................................................................. 33 CHAPTER 3: DESCRIPTION OF THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENT ...................................................................................................... 34 3.1. Study area ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 34 3.2. Physical environment ..................................................................................................................................................................... 34 3.2.1. Topography .......................................................................................................................................................................................