Environmental and Social Impact Assessments for the Rehabilitation of the George Price Highway from Miles 47.9 - 79.4 Final Report on the Environmental and Social Impact Study Ministry of Works and Transport Belmopan, July 27, 2014 Environmental and Social Impact Assessments for the Rehabilitation of the George Price Highway From Miles 47.9 - 79.4 Final Report on the Environmental and Social Impact Study Contacts: Ismael Fabro M.Sc., Managing Director and Environmental Specialist – Team Leader Ramon Frutos M.Sc., Disaster Risk Management Specialist John Flowers M.A, Social Specialist Belize Environmental Technologies Ltd 2216 Juliet Soberanis Street Belama Phase I, Belize City Tel: 501-223-1819 Cell: 610-1947 Cover Design and Photographs : Juan R. Rancharan (T-B) Roaring Creek Bridge, Z-Curve leading to Cayo, and Monitoring noise at Belmopan – Roaring Creek junction. Table of Contents ABBREVIATIONS .............................................................................................................................................. i Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................................... iv CHAPTER 1: PROJECT DESCRIPTION ..........................................................................................................1 1.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................1 1.2 George Price Highway Study Area .................................................................................................2 1.3 Expected Project Outputs ..............................................................................................................4 CHAPTER 2: ROAD AND INFRASTRUCTURE CONDITIONS..............................................................................6 2.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................6 2.2 Road Pavement Assessment .........................................................................................................6 2.3 Assessment of Bridges ...................................................................................................................7 2.3.1 Bridge No.1: Roaring Creek Bridge ........................................................................................7 2.3.2 Bridge No. 2: Barton Creek Bridge .........................................................................................8 2.3.3 Bridge No. 3: Garbutt Creek Bridge .......................................................................................8 2.3.4 Bridge No. 4: Red Creek Bridge .............................................................................................9 2.3.5 Bridge No. 5: Benque Viejo Bridge ........................................................................................9 2.4 Drainage ........................................................................................................................................9 2.4.1 Roaring Creek Bridge .............................................................................................................9 2.4.2 Camalote at Mile 50 ........................................................................................................... 10 2.4.3 Teakettle at Mile 53 ............................................................................................................ 10 2.4.4 Blackman Eddy at Mile 58 .................................................................................................. 10 2.4.5 Georgeville at Mile 62 ........................................................................................................ 10 2.4.6 Georgeville at Mile 63 ........................................................................................................ 10 2.4.7 Central Farm at Mile 64 ...................................................................................................... 11 2.4.8 Red Creek at Mile 67 .......................................................................................................... 11 2.4.9 Succotz at Mile 71 and Benque at Mile 73 ......................................................................... 11 2.5 Road Safety ................................................................................................................................. 11 CHAPTER 3: POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK .......................................................................................... 13 3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 13 3.2 Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Laws ............................................................ 13 3.2.1 The Environmental Protection Act ..................................................................................... 13 3.2.2 The Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations ......................................................... 15 3.2.3 The Environmental Protection (Effluent Limitation) Regulations ...................................... 17 3.2.4 The Pollution Regulations ................................................................................................... 17 3.2.5 The Hazardous Waste Regulations ..................................................................................... 18 3.2.6 The National Park Systems Act ........................................................................................... 18 3.2.7 Wildlife Protection Act ....................................................................................................... 18 3.3 Socio-Economic Legislation ........................................................................................................ 19 3.3.1 The Labour Act .................................................................................................................... 19 3.3.2 Workmen Compensation Act ............................................................................................. 19 3.3.3 International Labour Organization Conventions Act .......................................................... 19 3.3.4 Social Security Act .............................................................................................................. 19 3.3.5 National Occupational Safety and Health Bill ..................................................................... 19 3.3.6 Dangerous Goods Act ......................................................................................................... 20 3.3.7 Public Health Act ................................................................................................................ 20 3.3.8 National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) Act ......................................................... 20 3.3.9 Village Council Act .............................................................................................................. 21 3.3.10 Protection against Sexual Harassment Act ......................................................................... 21 3.3.11 Families and Children Act ................................................................................................... 21 3.3.12 Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Act ........................................................................................ 21 3.4 Public Roads Act ......................................................................................................................... 21 3. 5 Land Acquisition (Public Purposes) Act ...................................................................................... 22 3.6 National Advisory Policies .......................................................................................................... 23 3.6.1 National Environmental Policy ........................................................................................... 23 3.6.2 National Protected Areas System Policy and Plan ............................................................. 23 3.6.3 National Culture Policy (Draft) ........................................................................................... 23 3.6.4 National Gender Policy ....................................................................................................... 23 3.6.5 Belize Horizon 2030 ............................................................................................................ 24 3.6.6 National Poverty Elimination Strategy and Action Plan ..................................................... 24 3.6.7 National Sustainable Tourism Master Plan for Belize 2030 ............................................... 24 3.6.8 Belize National Land Use Policy for Land Resource Development ..................................... 24 3.6.9 Government of Belize Policy on Adaptation to Climate Change ........................................ 25 3.7 Environmental and Social Safeguard Policies of the IDB ............................................................ 25 3.7.1 Environmental and Social Safeguard Compliance Policy.................................................... 25 3.7.2 Disaster Risk Management Policy ...................................................................................... 25 3.7.3 Involuntary Resettlement Policy ........................................................................................ 26 3.7.4 Gender Equality in Development Policy ............................................................................