Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) ILACO Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for Energy Infrastructure Projects File: IS-360 Version: Final Date: 24 September 2019 IDB ILACO Project title : ESIA for Energy Infrastructure Projects Project number : IS-360 Document : ESIA Report Version Status Compiled by Validated by Signature Date 1.0 First Punwasi S / Ramdat N / Koenjbiharie S/ 16th of July Draft Nakchedi A/ Bharosa V Noordam D 2019 2.0 Final Heemskerk M/Duijves Koenjbiharie S/ 24th of Draft C/Koenjbiharie S Noordam D September 2019 IS-360- ESIA for Energy Infrastructure Projects- September 2019 Page 2 IDB ILACO Table of Contents List of Figures ......................................................................................................................................... 4 List of Tables .......................................................................................................................................... 5 Abbreviations .......................................................................................................................................... 6 Glossary of Terms ................................................................................................................................... 7 Annexes .................................................................................................................................................. 8 Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................ 9 1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 11 1.1 Purpose of this document ............................................................................................................ 11 1.2 Background and Motivation to the Project ................................................................................. 11 1.3 Objectives of the Assignment ..................................................................................................... 21 1.4 Team of Experts .......................................................................................................................... 21 2. Methodology ..................................................................................................................................... 22 2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 22 2.2 Baseline Study ............................................................................................................................ 22 2.2.1 Environmental Baseline ....................................................................................................... 22 2.2.2. Social Baseline .................................................................................................................... 23 2.3 Impact Assessment ...................................................................................................................... 23 3. Legal and Institutional Framework ................................................................................................... 28 3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 28 3.2 National Environmental Policy ................................................................................................... 28 3.3 National environmental legislation and guidelines ..................................................................... 28 3.5 International Environmental Agreements ................................................................................... 31 3.6 Corporate Environmental Policies and Standards ....................................................................... 31 3.7 International Standards and Guidelines for Project Evaluation .................................................. 32 4 Description of the Proposed Project ................................................................................................... 36 4.1 Site Location and Existing Conditions ........................................................................................ 36 4.1.1 Powaka- Zanderij transmission line project ......................................................................... 36 4.1.2 Koina Kondre project ........................................................................................................... 37 4.1.3 Commewijne project ............................................................................................................ 38 4.1.4 Brownsweg Solar Plant project ............................................................................................ 40 4.2 Project Components .................................................................................................................... 42 4.2.1 Planning and preparation ..................................................................................................... 42 4.2.2 Construction of the transmission and distribution lines ....................................................... 42 4.2.3 Construction of underwater cable ........................................................................................ 43 4.2.4 Construction of solar plants ................................................................................................. 44 4.2.5 Schedule ............................................................................................................................... 44 IS-360- ESIA for Energy Infrastructure Projects- September 2019 Page 3 IDB ILACO 4.2.6 Operation .............................................................................................................................. 45 4.2.7 Decommissioning................................................................................................................. 45 4.2.8 Waste Management .............................................................................................................. 45 4.3 Project Alternatives ..................................................................................................................... 45 5. DESCRIPTION OF THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENT ................................................................ 46 5.1 The bio-physical environment .................................................................................................... 46 5.1.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 46 5.1.2 Climate ................................................................................................................................. 46 5.1.3 Air quality ............................................................................................................................ 47 5.1.4 Noise .................................................................................................................................... 48 5.1.5 Land and soil ........................................................................................................................ 49 5.1.6 Hydrology ............................................................................................................................ 50 5.1.7 Water quality ........................................................................................................................ 51 5.1.8 Vegetation ............................................................................................................................ 51 5.1.9 Ecosystems ........................................................................................................................... 54 5.1.10 Wildlife .............................................................................................................................. 57 5.1.11 Protected areas ................................................................................................................... 58 5.2 The Socio-economic Environment .............................................................................................. 61 5.2.1 Area and Population Description ......................................................................................... 61 5.2.2 Vulnerable populations, all projects ..................................................................................... 71 5.2.3 Economic conditions ............................................................................................................ 72 5.2.4 Land tenure and claims ........................................................................................................ 74 5.2.5 Archaeological Resources, Tangible Heritage, and other Places of Cultural Significance.. 77 6. Potential Impacts and Proposed Mitigation Measures ...................................................................... 79 6.1 Bio-physical impacts and mitigation measures ..................................................................... 79 6.1.2 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 79 6.1.3 Discussion ............................................................................................................................ 79 6.2 Socio-economic assessment .......................................................................................................