IDB/EBS ILACO Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Of Energy Infrastructure Projects File: IS-360 Version: Draft Report Date: 16 July 2019 IDB/EBS ILACO Project title : ESIA of 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 IS-360- ESIA of Energy Infrastructure Projects- July 2019 Page 2 IDB/EBS 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 ..................................................................................................... 19 1.4 Team of Experts .......................................................................................................................... 19 2. Methodology ..................................................................................................................................... 20 2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 20 2.2 Baseline Study ............................................................................................................................ 20 2.2.1 Environmental Baseline ....................................................................................................... 20 2.2.2. Social Baseline .................................................................................................................... 21 2.3 Impact Assessment ...................................................................................................................... 22 3. Legal and Institutional Framework ................................................................................................... 27 3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 27 3.2 National Environmental Policy ................................................................................................... 27 3.3 National environmental legislation and guidelines ..................................................................... 27 3.5 International Environmental Agreements ................................................................................... 30 3.6 Corporate Environmental Policies and Standards ....................................................................... 30 3.7 International Standards and Guidelines for Project Evaluation .................................................. 31 4 Description of the Proposed Project ................................................................................................... 35 4.1 Site Location and Existing Conditions ........................................................................................ 35 4.1.1 Powaka- Zanderij transmission line project ......................................................................... 35 4.1.2 Koina Kondre project ........................................................................................................... 36 4.1.3 Commewijne project ............................................................................................................ 37 4.1.4 Brownsweg Solar Plant project ............................................................................................ 38 4.2 Project Components .................................................................................................................... 40 4.2.1 Planning and preparation ..................................................................................................... 40 4.2.2 Construction of the transmission and distribution lines ....................................................... 40 4.2.3 Construction of underwater cable ........................................................................................ 41 4.2.4 Construction of solar plants ................................................................................................. 42 4.2.5 Schedule ............................................................................................................................... 42 IS-360- ESIA of Energy Infrastructure Projects- July 2019 Page 3 IDB/EBS ILACO 4.2.6 Operation .............................................................................................................................. 43 4.2.7 Decommissioning................................................................................................................. 43 4.3 Project Alternatives ..................................................................................................................... 43 5. DESCRIPTION OF THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENT ................................................................ 44 5.1 The bio-physical environment .................................................................................................... 44 5.1.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 44 5.1.2 Climate ................................................................................................................................. 44 5.1.3 Air quality ............................................................................................................................ 45 5.1.4 Noise .................................................................................................................................... 46 5.1.5 Land and soil ........................................................................................................................ 47 5.1.6 Hydrology ............................................................................................................................ 48 5.1.7 Water quality ........................................................................................................................ 49 5.1.8 Vegetation ............................................................................................................................ 49 5.1.9 Ecosystems ........................................................................................................................... 52 5.1.10 Wildlife .............................................................................................................................. 55 5.1.11 Protected areas ................................................................................................................... 57 5.2 The Socio-economic Environment .............................................................................................. 60 5.2.1 Area and Population Description ......................................................................................... 60 5.2.2 Vulnerable populations, all projects ..................................................................................... 69 5.2.3 Economic conditions ............................................................................................................ 71 5.2.4 Land tenure and claims ........................................................................................................ 72 5.2.5 Archaeological Resources, Tangible Heritage, and other Places of Cultural Significance.. 75 6. Potential Impacts and Proposed Mitigation Measures ...................................................................... 77 6.1 Bio-physical impacts and mitigation measures ..................................................................... 77 6.1.2 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 77 6.1.3 Discussion ............................................................................................................................ 77 6.2 Socio-economic assessment ........................................................................................................ 82 7. Public Consultation ........................................................................................................................... 88 8. Conclusion and Recommendations ..................................................................................................