E4618 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT PLAN Public Disclosure Authorized AZERBAIJAN REGIONAL ROADS DEVELOPMENT PROJECT SHIRVAN – SALYAN ROAD (R45) SALYAN – NEFTCHALA ROAD (R46) Public Disclosure Authorized ASSOCIATED LOCAL ROADS Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized July, 2014 AZERBAIJAN REPUBLIC MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT Azeryolservis ASC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT PLAN AZERBAIJAN REGIONAL ROADS DEVELOPMENT PROJECT SHIRVAN – SALAYN ROAD (R45), SALYAN – NEFTCHALA ROAD (R46) & ASSOCIATED LOCAL ROADS Azeryolservis ASC Client International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) Project Azerbaijan Regional Roads Development Project Title Environmental Assessment: Shirvan – Noxudlu – Salayn Road (R45), Salyan – Neftchala Road (R46) & Associated Local Roads TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................ 4 ACRONYMS ......................................................................................................................... 9 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ....................................................................................................... 11 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................... 11 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT ............................................................................... 11 3. EXITING CONDITIONS ........................................................................................... 12 4. IMPACT IDENTIFICATION ........................................................................................ 13 5. MITIGATION ACTIONS ............................................................................................. 15 6. MONITORING ACTIONS ....................................................................................... 17 7. CONSULTATIONS ................................................................................................. 18 8. IMPLEMENTATION ................................................................................................ 18 1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................... 19 1.1 PURPOSE OF THE REPORT ...................................................................................... 19 1.2 IDENTIFICATION OF THE PROJECT AND PROJECT PROPONENT ................................... 19 1.3 THE NATURE, SIZE, LOCATION AND IMPORTANCE OF THE PROJECT ............................. 19 1.4 EIA BOUNDARIES .............................................................................................. 20 1.5 METHODOLOGY APPLIED .................................................................................... 20 1.6 CONSTRAINTS AND LIMITATIONS ........................................................................... 21 1.7 STRUCTURE OF THE REPORT ................................................................................... 21 2. POLICY, LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK ................................................ 22 2.1 GENERAL .......................................................................................................... 22 2.2 INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ............................ 22 2.3 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES .................................................................. 23 2.4 OTHER REGULATIONS RELATING TO ENVIRONMENT AND ROAD CONSTRUCTION .......... 24 2.5 INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS..................................................... 28 2.6 CONSTRUCTION PERMITS ..................................................................................... 29 2.7 AIR, NOISE AND WATER QUALITY STANDARDS ........................................................ 31 2.8 ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK ............................................................................. 33 2.9 WORLD BANK POLICIES ...................................................................................... 34 2.9.1 General ............................................................................................... 34 2.9.2 Environmental Assessment ............................................................... 34 2.9.3 Other Relevant Policies..................................................................... 35 EA - SHIRVAN – SALAYN ROAD (R45), SALYAN – NEFTCHALA ROAD (R46) & ASSOCIATED LOCAL 4 ROADS 3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION ............................................................................................... 38 3.1 GENERAL .......................................................................................................... 38 3.2 TYPE OF PROJECT ............................................................................................... 38 3.3 CATEGORY OF PROJECT ..................................................................................... 38 3.4 PROJECT NEED AND LOCATION .......................................................................... 39 3.4.1 Indicative Implementation Arrangements .................................... 40 3.5 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING ................................................................................... 42 3.6 TYPICAL ROAD CONDITIONS ............................................................................... 58 3.7 SCOPE OF WORKS .............................................................................................. 59 3.8 LOCAL ROADS .................................................................................................. 66 3.9 PROPOSED SCHEDULE FOR IMPLEMENTATION .......................................................... 69 3.10 LIFE SPAN OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT ................................................................ 69 4. BASELINE DATA ........................................................................................................... 70 4.1 GENERAL .......................................................................................................... 70 4.2 PHYSICAL RESOURCES ........................................................................................ 70 4.2.1 Geology .............................................................................................. 70 4.2.2 Topography ........................................................................................ 71 4.2.3 Soils ...................................................................................................... 71 4.2.4 Climate and Air Quality .................................................................... 72 4.2.5 Hydrology ........................................................................................... 73 4.2.6 Natural Hazards ................................................................................. 84 4.3 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES .................................................................................... 84 4.3.1 Flora ..................................................................................................... 84 4.3.2 Fauna .................................................................................................. 87 4.3.3 Protected Areas ................................................................................ 89 4.3.4 Borrow Pits ........................................................................................... 91 4.4 SOCIO-ECONOMIC RESOURCES .......................................................................... 94 4.4.1 Infrastructure ...................................................................................... 94 4.4.2 Land Use ............................................................................................. 95 4.4.3 Waste Management ......................................................................... 96 4.4.4 Population .......................................................................................... 97 4.4.5 Socio-economic Issues ..................................................................... 98 4.4.6 Health & Safety ................................................................................ 100 4.4.7 Educational Facilities ...................................................................... 101 4.4.8 Cultural Heritage ............................................................................. 102 4.4.9 Noise .................................................................................................. 102 5. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS ................................................................ 105 EIA - SHIRVAN – NOXUDLU – SALAYN ROAD (R45), SALYAN – NEFTCHALA ROAD (R46) & ASSOCIATED 5 LOCAL ROADS 5.1 GENERAL ....................................................................................................... 105 5.2 IMPACT PHASES .............................................................................................. 105 5.3 TYPE OF IMPACTS ............................................................................................ 106 5.4 SUMMARY OF IMPACTS .................................................................................... 107 5.5 IMPACTS TO PHYSICAL RESOURCES .................................................................... 111 5.5.1 Geology & Soils ............................................................................... 111 5.5.1.1 Potential Impacts ......................................................................... 111 5.5.1.2 Mitigation Measures .................................................................... 112 5.5.2 Topography ....................................................................................