Rapid Cumulative Environmental Impact Assessment Report for 3600 MW Thermal Power Plant, Captive Port and Desalination Plant at Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu (Final Report After NGT Order) Submitted by IL&FS Tamil Nadu Power Company Limited Chennai June, 2012 Development of 3600 MW TPP, Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu Rapid Cumulative Environmental Impact Assessment Report EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Development of 3600 MW TPP, Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu Rapid Cumulative Environmental Impact Assessment Report TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary 1 Background ................................................................................................................................. 2 2 Scope & Methodology ................................................................................................................. 2 2.1 Scope of RCEIA Study .......................................................................................................... 2 2.2 Study Methodology ................................................................................................................ 3 3 Air Environment .......................................................................................................................... 4 4 Marine Environment .................................................................................................................... 4 5 Impact on Pichavaram Mangroves ............................................................................................ 5 5.1 Mangroves (Pichavaram) in the Study Area .......................................................................... 5 5.2 Air Quality Impact .................................................................................................................. 5 5.3 Marine Environment Impact ................................................................................................... 6 6 Social Economic Impact Analysis ............................................................................................. 6 6.1 Impact on Livelihood .............................................................................................................. 6 6.2 Other Social and Economic Aspects ...................................................................................... 6 7 Terrestrial Environment .............................................................................................................. 7 7.1 Ambient Noise Levels ............................................................................................................ 7 7.2 Flora and Fauna .................................................................................................................... 7 7.2.1 Vegetation of the Study Area ....................................................................................... 7 7.2.2 Terrestrial Fauna of the Study Area ............................................................................. 7 8 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................. 7 Table of Contents Page i Development of 3600 MW TPP, Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu Rapid Cumulative Environmental Impact Assessment Report Executive Summary 1 Background IL&FS Tamil Nadu Power Company Limited (ITPCL) is developing a project comprising of 3600 MW (2×600 MW + 3×800 MW) coal based thermal power plant (TPP), in Parangipettai block of Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu. The project was accorded Environmental Clearance on May 31, 2010. Subsequently, T. Murugandam, T. Arulselvm and S. Ramanathan of Cuddalore had filed an appeal against Environmental Clearance (EC) granted by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) for the proposed ITPCL Thermal Power Plant before the National Environmental Appellate Authority (NEAA) and the appeal was heard by National Green Tribunal (NGT) on its formation. After hearing, the NGT had issued orders in the matter on May 23, 2012 as follows: “As we are convinced that EC to the proposed project was granted by and large in consonance with the EIA process as required under EIA Notification, 2006, we do not feel any necessity to quash the EC granted by MoEF. However, we direct MoEF to review the EC based on the cumulative impact assessment study and stipulate any additional environmental conditions, if required”. The order also stipulated that the EC shall remain suspended till the EAC has reviewed the study. In the order it is further directed that cumulative impact assessment studies be carried out by the Project Proponent especially with regard to the proposed Coal Based Power Plant (2×660 MW) of Cuddalore Power Company Ltd. (CPC) and the Nagarjuna Oil Refinery Ltd. (NOCL) and other industrial activities within a radius of 25 km from the ITPCL Power Project. The order also mentions that it is possible to work out likely cumulative impacts theoretically, based on capacity of the projects, by applying mathematical models and directed ITPCL to carry out a cumulative impact assessment study and submit it to MoEF. ITPCL had submitted to the NGT that the suspension of work at the project site would result in environmental damage as the civil works including piling, construction of storm water drainage and site levelling need to be completed before the monsoon as non-completion of these works would lead to flooding and other environmental damage in the area. NGT opined that the Rapid Cumulative Environment Impact Assessment (RCEIA) study (and subsequently the suspended civil work) can be planned and completed before the onset of the monsoon. As directed by the NGT, ITPCL has carried out the required rapid study, through their consultants L&T Ramboll Consulting Engineers Ltd. The salient points are discussed in subsequent paragraphs. 2 Scope & Methodology As per the order of the NGT, a Rapid Cumulative Environmental Impact Assessment (RCEIA) study considering the proposed power plant of CPCL, NOCL refinery and Other Industrial activity within 25 km radius from ITPCL power plant was carried out based on available information from the project proponents and from public domain. 2.1 Scope of RCEIA Study The scope of the RCEIA study is as follows: Page 2 Development of 3600 MW TPP, Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu Rapid Cumulative Environmental Impact Assessment Report Executive Summary • Identification of industrial units falling within 25 km radius of project site. • Assessment of baseline environmental conditions for terrestrial and marine environment within the study area of 25 km based on results of primary surveys carried out by ITPCL for 10 km radius and Primary data generated by other Industrial units located in 25 km radius for their EIA studies and other relevant secondary data published. • Identification and prediction of significant impacts on marine environment, air environment and on the Pichavaram Mangroves due to existing/proposed industries within 25 km radius by using appropriate mathematical models. As per the available information from various sources in the Public domain and as available with the MoEF and the TNPCB, the following other industrial units / marine projects exist or proposed in the study area: Industrial and Marine Projects in 25 km radius around ITPCL Distance in km from ITPCL site Operational Projects in 25 km radius around ITPCL • Chemical and Engineering industries in SIPCOT Phase I and • 14.0 km and 10.4 km II Industrial Complex • Cuddalore Minor Port • 22.0 km Projects in 25 km radius around ITPCL that are given EC before issuance of EC to ITPCL • 2x660 MW Coal based Thermal Power Plant near • 11.0 km Thiyagavalli and Kudikadu villages by Cuddalore Power Company Limited • 6.5 MTPA Oil Refinery at Thiruchopuram village by Nagarjuna • 6.5 km Oil Corporation Limited. • Textile Processing park at Periyapattu Village, Cuddalore • 3.0 km District by The South Indian Mills Association (SIMA) Projects in 25 km radius around ITPCL that have sought EC after issuance of EC to ITPCL • 3X600 MW coal based Thermal Power Plant at Poovali by • 7.0 km SRM Energy Limited. (EC obtained) • Good Earth Shipyard Private Limited (GSPL) (EAC has • Adjacent, <1.0 km cleared and EC process in progress) 2.2 Study Methodology The methodology adopted for the study is discussed below: • Information on emission and wastewater discharges from proposed industries was obtained from the respective EIA reports available with MoEF and TNPCB. • Meteorological data was collected from LAGAS system for March to June 2011. • Baseline Ambient Air quality was obtained from various EIA reports and suitably extrapolated using trend line temporally for 2011. • Air quality modelling using the above datasets was carried out using OCD 5 and ISCST3 models for prediction of maximum ground level concentration. The air quality at various receptor locations was arrived at by extrapolating the predicted values on the baseline ambient air quality data. • Socio-economic data from government departments and EIA reports of the projects was collated and assessed for cumulative impact. Page 3 Development of 3600 MW TPP, Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu Rapid Cumulative Environmental Impact Assessment Report Executive Summary • Marine impact modelling was carried out based on collected information of the wastewater discharges and the marine structures existing/proposed in the study area. 3 Air Environment An assessment of the cumulative impact on the air quality was carried out based on the available data on the existing and proposed industries in the area and the ITPCL project. OCD 5 and ISCST3 models were used for