Draft Initial Environmental Examination and Environmental and Social Management Plan Project Number: 54204-001 June 2021 PNG: Pacific Telecommunications Modernization Project Prepared by ERIAS Group PNG Limited for ATH International Venture Pte Limited as a requirement of the Asian Development Bank. This initial environmental examination and environmental social management plan 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. Your attention is directed to the “terms of use” section on ADB’s 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. ATH-Vodafone PNG Mobile Telecoms Project Initial Environmental Examination and Environmental and Social Management Plan 01363B_1_v4, December 2020 Prepared by ERIAS Group PNG Limited (Company No: 1-84141) c/o KTK, PO Box 111 Waterfront, Konedobu Port Moresby, NCD P +61 3 9208 6700 E [email protected] W eriasgroup.com INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION AND ESMP ATH-VODAFONE PNG MOBILE TELECOMS PROJECT Client Contact: Aida Khalil Gomez – Asian Development Bank [email protected] Ateen Kumar – Digitec Communications Limited [email protected] ERIAS Contact: Clark Monahan [email protected] ERIAS Alternative Contact: Melanie Brown [email protected] Document Date Compiled by Checked by Authorised by 01363B_1_v4 23/12/2020 J. Tanner/ C. Monahan C. Monahan C. Monahan 01363B_1_v3 02/12/2020 J. Tanner/ M. Brown/ M. Browne C. Monahan C. Monahan 01363B_1_v2 09/10/2020 J. Tanner/ M. Brown/ A. Lucas C. Monahan C. Monahan 01363B_1_v1 24/09/2020 J. Tanner/ M. Brown/ A. Lucas C. Monahan C. Monahan 01363B_1_V4 II INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION AND ESMP ATH-VODAFONE PNG MOBILE TELECOMS PROJECT Table of Contents Chapters Acronyms and Abbreviations....................................................................................................... X Executive Summary ..................................................................................................................... XI 1. Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1–1 1.1 Background .................................................................................................................... 1–1 1.2 Objectives and Scope .................................................................................................... 1–2 2. Policy, Legal and Administrative Framework .................................................................. 2–1 2.1 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Guidelines ......................................................... 2–1 2.1.1 Environment Act 2000 and the Environment (Amendment) Act 2014 .................... 2–1 2.1.2 Laws Relevant to Land Acquisition and Compensation ......................................... 2–1 2.1.3 National Information and Communications Technology Act 2009 .......................... 2–4 2.1.4 Civil Aviation Act 2000 and Civil Aviation Rules ..................................................... 2–4 2.1.5 Other Potentially Relevant PNG Legislation ........................................................... 2–5 2.1.6 Potentially Relevant International Conventions and Treaties ................................. 2–6 2.1.7 Project Legal Compliance Register ........................................................................ 2–6 2.2 International Finance Institution Requirements ............................................................. 2–7 2.2.1 Asian Development Bank ....................................................................................... 2–7 2.2.2 International Finance Corporation .......................................................................... 2–8 2.3 Project Environmental Standards .................................................................................. 2–9 2.3.1 Noise ....................................................................................................................... 2–9 2.3.2 Air Quality ............................................................................................................... 2–9 2.3.3 Water Quality ........................................................................................................ 2–10 2.3.4 Electromagnetic Fields ......................................................................................... 2–13 3. Project Description ............................................................................................................. 3–1 3.1 Project Components ....................................................................................................... 3–1 3.1.1 Headquarters and Support Facilities ...................................................................... 3–1 01363B_1_V4 III INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION AND ESMP ATH-VODAFONE PNG MOBILE TELECOMS PROJECT 3.1.2 Telecommunications Network ................................................................................. 3–1 3.2 Project Implementation Schedule ......................................Error! Bookmark not defined. 3.3 Project Activities ............................................................................................................. 3–3 3.3.1 Site Selection and Acquisition ................................................................................ 3–3 3.3.2 Construction Phase................................................................................................. 3–4 3.3.3 Operations Phase ................................................................................................... 3–5 3.3.4 Decommissioning.................................................................................................... 3–5 3.4 Project Workforce ........................................................................................................... 3–6 4. Description of Physical, Biological and Socio-economic Environment ....................... 4–7 4.1 Approach to Describing Existing Conditions .................................................................. 4–7 4.2 Physical Environment ..................................................................................................... 4–7 4.2.1 Regional Location ................................................................................................... 4–7 4.2.2 Landform and Geology ........................................................................................... 4–7 4.2.3 Climate .................................................................................................................. 4–10 4.2.4 Surface Waters ..................................................................................................... 4–12 4.2.5 Air and Noise ........................................................................................................ 4–13 4.2.6 Seismicity .............................................................................................................. 4–13 4.2.7 Natural Hazards .................................................................................................... 4–14 4.2.8 Biological Environment ......................................................................................... 4–17 4.3 Socio-economic Environment ...................................................................................... 4–25 4.3.1 Population, Language and Ethnic Groups ............................................................ 4–25 4.3.2 Governance and Administration ........................................................................... 4–28 4.3.3 Customary Land Ownership ................................................................................. 4–32 4.3.4 Economy and Livelihoods ..................................................................................... 4–32 4.3.5 Law and Justice .................................................................................................... 4–35 4.3.6 Health and Education ........................................................................................... 4–36 4.3.7 Economic Infrastructure ........................................................................................ 4–40 01363B_1_V4 IV INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION AND ESMP ATH-VODAFONE PNG MOBILE TELECOMS PROJECT 4.3.8 Vulnerable Groups ................................................................................................ 4–43 4.3.9 Cultural Heritage ................................................................................................... 4–46 5. Potential Impacts and Management Measures ................................................................ 5–1 5.1 Assessment Method ....................................................................................................... 5–1 5.2 Potential Impact Summary ............................................................................................. 5–2 5.3 Potential Impacts and Management Measures ............................................................. 5–5 5.3.1 Environmental ......................................................................................................... 5–5 5.3.2 Socio-economic and Cultural ...............................................................................