Initial Environmental Examination January 2013 TAJ: Improved Maternal and Child Health through Connectivity Prepared by the Ministry of Transport, Republic of Tajikistan for the Asian Development Bank Table of Contents Abbreviations and Acronyms ............................................................................................................. 5 Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................... 6 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 8 1.1 Purpose of the report .............................................................................................. 8 1.2 Identification of the Project and Project Proponent ................................................ 8 1.3 Nature, Size and Location of the Project ................................................................ 8 1.4 IEE Boundaries ....................................................................................................... 8 1.5 Methodology Applied .............................................................................................. 9 1.6 Structure of the Report ........................................................................................... 9 2. Legal, Policy and Administrative Framework ............................................................................ 9 2.1 General ................................................................................................................... 9 2.2 Country Policies and Administrative Framework ................................................... 9 2.3 Legal framework for EA, environmental licensing and permitting .......................... 11 2.4 Local Environmental Statutes ................................................................................. 13 2.5 Asian Development Bank Safeguard Policies 2009 ............................................... 13 3. Description of the Project ......................................................................................................... 14 3.1 Type of project ........................................................................................................ 14 3.2 Category of Project ................................................................................................. 15 3.3 Need for project ...................................................................................................... 15 3.3.1 Indicative Implementation Arrangements .................................................................... 16 3.4 Location and Size of Operation .............................................................................. 16 3.4.1 Project Location ........................................................................................................... 16 3.5 Scope of Works ....................................................................................................... 18 3.5.1 Project Phases ............................................................................................................. 18 3.5.2 Major Components and Design Characteristics .......................................................... 18 3.5.3 Source of Construction Materials ................................................................................ 21 3.5.4 Temporary Storage Areas ........................................................................................... 23 3.5.5 Road Safety ................................................................................................................. 23 3.5.6 Contracting and Institutional Issues ............................................................................ 24 3.6 Alternatives ............................................................................................................. 24 3.6.1 The No Action Alternative ............................................................................................ 24 3.6.2 Site and alignment Alternatives ................................................................................... 24 3.7 Proposed schedule for implementation .................................................................. 25 4. Description of the Environment ............................................................................................... 25 4.1 Physical Resources ................................................................................................ 25 4.1.1 Air quality & Climate..................................................................................................... 25 4.1.2 Topography .................................................................................................................. 28 4.1.3 Soils .............................................................................................................................. 29 4.1.4. Hydrology - Surface water and Flooding ................................................................. 32 4.1.4 Hydrology - Groundwater ............................................................................................. 36 4.1.5 Geology ........................................................................................................................ 36 4.1.6 Natural Hazards and Disasters .................................................................................... 36 4.2 Ecological Resources ............................................................................................. 38 4.2.1 Flora ............................................................................................................................. 38 4.2.2 Fauna ........................................................................................................................... 39 4.2.3 Aquatic biology ............................................................................................................. 39 4.2.4 Forests and Protected Areas ....................................................................................... 39 4.3 Economic Development .......................................................................................... 40 Improved Maternal and Child Health through Connectivity - Initial Environmental Examination 4.3.1 Industries ...................................................................................................................... 40 4.3.2 Infrastructure and Transportation facilities .................................................................. 41 4.3.3 Land use ...................................................................................................................... 41 4.3.4 Agricultural development, mineral development, and tourism facilities ...................... 41 4.4 Social and Cultural Resources ............................................................................... 41 4.4.1 Population and communities ....................................................................................... 41 4.4.2 Health & Education facilities ........................................................................................ 42 4.4.3 Socio-economic conditions .......................................................................................... 43 4.4.4 Historical and Archeological Areas of Significance ..................................................... 44 4.4.5 Noise and Vibration...................................................................................................... 44 5. Screening of Potential Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures .............................. 44 5.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 44 5.2 Impact Phases ........................................................................................................ 45 5.3 Mitigation Aspects ................................................................................................... 45 5.4 Physical Resources ................................................................................................ 45 5.4.1 Air quality ..................................................................................................................... 45 5.4.2 Topography .................................................................................................................. 47 5.4.3 Soils .............................................................................................................................. 48 5.4.4 Hydrology - Surface water & Flooding ......................................................................... 50 5.4.5 Hydrology – Groundwater ............................................................................................ 53 5.4.6 Geology ........................................................................................................................ 53 5.4.7 Natural Hazards ........................................................................................................... 53 5.5 Ecological Resources ............................................................................................. 54 5.5.1 Flora ............................................................................................................................. 54 5.5.2 Fauna ......................................................................................................................... 544 5.5.3 Aquatic biology ............................................................................................................