Initial Environmental Examination Project Number: 49244-002 July 2016 ARM: Armenia–Georgia Border Regional Road (M6 Vanadzor–Bagratashen) Improvement Project Prepared by the Ministry of Transport and Communication for the Asian Development Bank. The 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 be preliminary in nature. In preparing any strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area. Contents A. Introduction and Summary .................................................................................................. 3 i. Purpose of the Report ..................................................................................................... 3 a. Identification of the Project and Project Proponent ....................................................... 3 b. Description of the Project ............................................................................................. 3 c. Other background information .....................................................................................12 ii. Extent of Environmental studies .....................................................................................12 B. Policy, Legal and Administrative Framework ......................................................................14 i. Institutional Requirements ..............................................................................................14 ii. Institutional Setting .........................................................................................................19 a. Ministry of Nature Protection .......................................................................................19 b. Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources ..................................................................20 c. Ministry of Territorial Administration and Emergency Situations ..................................20 d. Ministry of Transport and Communication (MoTC) ......................................................20 e. Transport Project Implementation Unit SI of the MoTC ...............................................20 f. Armenian Roads Directorate SNCO of the MoTC .......................................................21 g. Ministry of Health ........................................................................................................21 h. Ministry of Culture .......................................................................................................21 C. Description of the Project ...............................................................................................22 i. Type of Project ...............................................................................................................22 ii. Category of Project; ........................................................................................................22 iii. Need for Project; ............................................................................................................22 iv. Location ......................................................................................................................22 v. Size or Magnitude of Operation; .....................................................................................24 vi. Proposed Schedule for Implementation ......................................................................26 vii. Description of the project ............................................................................................26 D. Description of the Environment (Baseline Data) .............................................................28 i. Physical Resources ........................................................................................................28 a. Atmospheric conditions ...............................................................................................28 c. Topography and soils ..................................................................................................31 d. Surface water ..............................................................................................................31 e. Water Quality ..............................................................................................................32 f. Geology/seismology ....................................................................................................33 ii. Ecological Resources .....................................................................................................34 a. Flora ...........................................................................................................................34 a. Aquatic biology ...........................................................................................................35 b. Wildlife ........................................................................................................................36 c. Forests ........................................................................................................................36 d. Rare or endangered species .......................................................................................37 e. Protected areas ..........................................................................................................37 iii. Economic Development ..................................................................................................40 a. Transportation .............................................................................................................40 iv. Social and Cultural Resources: ...................................................................................41 a. Population and communities .......................................................................................41 c. Physical or cultural heritage ........................................................................................42 E. Anticipated Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures .............................................46 i. Due Diligence Review of Potential Environmental Impacts .............................................46 ii. Summary of Potential Environmental and Social Impacts ...............................................46 a. Construction phase impacts ........................................................................................47 c. Design Phase Mitigation .............................................................................................56 d. Construction Phase Mitigation Measures ....................................................................56 e. Operation Phase Mitigation Measures ........................................................................63 f. TPIU Capacity building and assistance .......................................................................63 g. Environmental Reporting Requirements ......................................................................64 F. Analysis of Alternatives ......................................................................................................65 G. Information Disclosure, Consultation and Participation ...................................................66 i. How information will be disclosed / disseminated ...........................................................66 ii. Public Consulation ..........................................................................................................66 H. Grievance Redress Mechanism ......................................................................................69 i. Grievance Redress Mechanism ......................................................................................69 ii. Grievance Focal Points, Complaints Reporting, Recording and Monitoring ....................69 I. Environmental Management Plan ......................................................................................72 i. Environmental Management Plan ...................................................................................72 J. Conclusion and Recommendation .....................................................................................87 i. Conclusions ....................................................................................................................87 Appendix 1- Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA) checklist Appendix 2 - Alignment Sheets (Photos) Appendix 3 - Plant species Along M6 Vanadzor – Alaverdi – Georgian Border Interstate Road Appendix 4 – Public Consultations Appendix 5 – Borrow and Disposal Sites Tables Table 1 Towns and villages close to alignment and potential for noise / air quality impact 10 Table 2 Multilateral international environment agreements signed/or ratified by Armenia. 16 Table 3 Environmental permits, agreements, etc............................................................ 18 Table 4 Key features of the M6 Alignment ...................................................................... 23 Table 5 Construction material quantities ........................................................................ 25 Table 6 Average monthly and average annual air temperature (°C) ............................... 28 Table 7 Absolute minimum air temperature (°C) ............................................................. 28 Table 8 Depth of frozen