Environmental Assessment Report Summary Initial Environmental Examination Project Number: 39114 July 2007 India:Tsunami Emergency Assistance (Sector) Project Prepared by [Author(s)] [Firm] [City, Country] Prepared by Highways Department, Government of Tamil Nadu for the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Prepared for [Executing Agency] [Implementing Agency] The summary 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 The views expressed herein are those of the consultant and do not necessarily represent those of ADB’s be preliminary in nature. members, Board of Directors, Management, or staff, and may be preliminary in nature. Table of Contents Initial Environmental Evaluation Report Page 1 Initial Environmental Evaluation Report Table of Contents • List of Abbreviation ............................................................................................... 1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 1-1 1.1 Background................................................................................................. 1-1 1.2 Project Influence Area / Corridor of Impact ............................................... 1-1 1.3 Available Right of Way ............................................................................... 1-2 1.4 Statutory Clearances ................................................................................. 1-2 1.5 Field Investigations and Data Collection ................................................... 1-4 1.5.1 Field Visits....................................................................................... 1-4 1.5.2 Secondary Data Collection ............................................................. 1-4 1.5.3 Primary Data Collection.................................................................. 1-4 1.6 Present Submission ................................................................................... 1-4 2.0 Project Description ............................................................................................... 2-1 2.1 Project......................................................................................................... 2-1 2.2 Tsunami – A Critical Overview.................................................................... 2-1 2.3 Present Condition ....................................................................................... 2-3 2.4 Bridge Proposal .......................................................................................... 2-4 2.5 Alignment and Profile.................................................................................. 2-4 2.6 Traffic .......................................................................................................... 2-4 2.7 Carriageway................................................................................................ 2-5 2.8 Cost Estimate of the Proposed High Level Bridge ..................................... 2-5 3.0 Baseline Environment ........................................................................................... 3-1 3.1 General ....................................................................................................... 3-1 3.2 Geology....................................................................................................... 3-1 3.3 Seismic Zone .............................................................................................. 3-2 3.4 Physiography & Land Use .......................................................................... 3-2 3.5 Soils ............................................................................................................ 3-2 3.6 Climate........................................................................................................ 3-2 3.7 Ambient Air Quality ..................................................................................... 3-4 3.8 Ambient Noise Quality ................................................................................ 3-6 3.9 Water Quality .............................................................................................. 3-7 3.10 Pulicat Lake ................................................................................................ 3-9 Tsunami Emergency Assistance Project SAI Consulting Engineers Pvt. Ltd Initial Environmental Evaluation Report Page 2 3.11 Ecological Resources ................................................................................. 3-10 3.12 Fisheries and Fish Habitat .......................................................................... 3-13 3.13 Quality of Life Values.................................................................................. 3-13 4.0 Environmental Impacts & Mitigation Measures.................................................. 4-1 4.1 Geology/Stone Quarries ............................................................................. 4-2 4.2 Hydrology/Bathymetry ................................................................................ 4-2 4.2.1 Potential Impacts ........................................................................... 4-2 4.3 Soil Borrow Areas ....................................................................................... 4-2 4.3.1 Potential Impacts ........................................................................... 4-2 4.4 Land Use..................................................................................................... 4-3 4.4.1 Potential Impacts ........................................................................... 4-3 4.5 Surface Water Quality................................................................................. 4-3 4.5.1 Potential Impacts ........................................................................... 4-3 4.6 Flora............................................................................................................ 4-3 4.6.1 Potential Impacts ........................................................................... 4-3 4.7 Air Quality ................................................................................................... 4-4 4.7.1 Potential Impacts ........................................................................... 4-4 4.8 Noise .......................................................................................................... 4-4 4.8.1 Potential Impacts ........................................................................... 4-4 4.9 Vibration...................................................................................................... 4-5 4.9.1 Potential Impacts ........................................................................... 4-5 4.10 Aquatic Flora and Fauna ............................................................................ 4-5 4.10.1 Potential Impacts ........................................................................... 4-5 4.11 Fisheries Resources ................................................................................... 4-5 4.11.1 Potential Impacts ........................................................................... 4-5 4.12 Construction Debris .................................................................................... 4-5 4.12.1 Potential Impacts ........................................................................... 4-5 4.13 Archaeological/Historical Monuments ........................................................ 4-6 4.13.1 Potential Impacts ........................................................................... 4-6 4.14 Cultural Heritage / Sensitive / Critical Natural Habitats .............................. 4-6 4.14.1 Potential Impacts ........................................................................... 4-6 4.15 Shrines/Idols/Tombs/Statues...................................................................... 4-6 4.15.1 Potential Impacts ........................................................................... 4-6 4.16 Health, Safety & Hygiene at Construction Camp........................................ 4-6 4.16.1 Potential Impacts ........................................................................... 4-6 4.17 Social Impacts and Mitigation ..................................................................... 4-7 4.18 Public & Official Consultations.................................................................... 4-7 4.18.1 Interview Survey ............................................................................ 4-8 Tsunami Emergency Assistance Project SAI Consulting Engineers Pvt. Ltd Initial Environmental Evaluation Report Page 3 4.18.2 Official Consultation....................................................................... 4-9 5.0 Environmental Mitigation Action Plan................................................................. 5-1 5.1 General ....................................................................................................... 5-1 5.2 Environmental Action Plan.......................................................................... 5-1 5.2.1 Issues/Project Actions/Environmental Attribues............................ 5-1 5.2.2 Mitigation Measures....................................................................... 5-1 5.2.3 Responsibility for Implementation.................................................. 5-2 5.2.4 Environmental Management Monitoring Frequency ..................... 5-2 5.3 Tehcnical Specifications and Conditions