Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized National Broadband Backbone and Government Network ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK ATMS SOLUTIONS LLC www.atms.am Please contact: Artak Ter-Torosyan Project Coordinator E-mail: [email protected] Tel.: +37410 577425 12.08.2010 2/80 ATMS Solutions National Broadband Backbone and Government Network ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK List of Abbreviations GoA Government of Armenia EEA European Environment Agency EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EIF Enterprise Incubator Foundation EKENG E-Governance Infrastructure Project Implementation Unit OJSC EMEP European Monitoring and Evaluation Program EMP Environmental Management Plan ESMF Environmental and Social Management Framework FFPMC Foreign Financing Projects Management Center GDCA General Department of Civil Aviation IFC International Finance Corporation IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change LLC Limited Liability Company ME Ministry of Economy MTC Ministry of Transport and Communication MF Ministry of Finance MNP Ministry of Nature Protection NCFA National Competitiveness Foundation of Armenia NGO Non Governmental Organization NSRs Noise Sensitive Receivers OJSC Open Joint-Stock Company PIA Project Implementing Agency PSC Project Steering Committee PSRC Public Services Regulatory Commission RoA Republic of Armenia SEE State Environmental Expertise SNCO SEI State Environmental Inspectorate SNCO State Non-Commercial Organization ToR Terms of Reference WB World Bank 12.08.2010 3/80 ATMS Solutions National Broadband Backbone and Government Network ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION 7 1.1 Objective and Scope of the ESMF 7 1.2 Contents of the ESMF 7 1.3 Applicable guidelines 8 2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION 9 2.1 Background 9 2.2 Objective 9 2.3 Key Development Issues and Rationale for World Bank Involvement 10 2.3.1 Proposed World Bank Objective(s) 11 2.3.2 Preliminary description of the World Bank Project Components 11 2.4 World Bank Safeguard Policies Triggered 13 3. LEGISLATIVE, REGULATORY AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK 15 3.1 Introduction 15 3.2 Institutional Roles and Responsibilities for the Telecommunications and Environmental Sector 15 3.2.1 Ministry of Nature Protection 15 3.2.2 Ministry of Emergency Situations 17 3.2.3 Ministry of Healthcare 17 3.2.4 Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs 17 3.2.5 Ministry of Transport and Communication 17 3.2.6 Public Services Regulatory Commission 18 3.2.7 The former incumbent telecom operator ArmenTel 19 3.2.8 Non-Governmental Organizations 20 3.3 Legal and Regulatory Framework 20 3.3.1 Environmental and Social Legal and Regulatory Framework 20 3.4 Laws Regulating the Exploitation of Telecommunications Services 26 4. GENERAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL BASELINE 28 4.1 General Environmental Baseline 28 4.1.1 Geography and Topography 28 4.1.2 Geology 30 4.1.3 Hydrology 32 4.1.4 Climate 33 4.1.5 Key Ecosystems 34 4.1.6 Threatened Ecosystems 37 4.1.7 Vegetation 37 4.1.8 Land use 38 4.1.9 Biodiversity and Protected Areas 39 4.1.10 Fauna 40 4.2 General Socioeconomic Baseline 42 4.2.1 General information 42 12.08.2010 4/80 ATMS Solutions National Broadband Backbone and Government Network ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK 4.2.2 Political Divisions 42 4.2.3 Population 42 4.2.4 Economy Overview 43 4.2.5 Telecommunication infrastructure 44 4.2.6 Other infrastructure 45 5. POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF THE PROJECT AND MITIGATION MEASURES 46 5.1 Introduction 46 5.2 Environmental Issues 46 5.3 Potential Environmental Impacts 46 5.3.1 Terrestrial Habitat Alteration 47 5.3.2 Avian Collisions 47 5.3.3 Aquatic Habitat Alteration 48 5.3.4 Visual Impacts 48 5.3.5 Hazardous and Non-Hazardous Materials and Waste 48 5.3.6 Air Emissions 48 5.3.7 Noise 49 5.4 Potential Socio-economic, Community Health and Safety Impacts 53 5.4.1 Investments in Telecommunication Sector 54 5.4.2 Economic conditions 54 5.4.3 Land Acquisition and Modification of Land Use 54 5.4.4 Cultural and Archaeological Findings 54 5.4.5 Public Health and EMF 55 5.4.6 Public Safety 55 5.4.7 Physical and Aircraft Security 55 5.5 Potential Occupational Health And Safety Risks 58 5.5.1 Contingencies 58 5.5.2 Electrical Safety 59 5.5.3 Electromagnetic Fields (occupational) 59 5.5.4 Optical Fiber Safety 59 5.5.5 Elevated and Overhead Work 59 5.5.6 Fall Protection 59 5.5.7 Confined Space Entry 59 5.5.8 Motor Vehicle Safety 59 6. REFERENCE FRAMEWORK FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROJECT 64 6.1 Project Implementing Agency 64 6.2 Project Screening, Review and Implementation Process 64 6.2.1 Procedures Set for Environmental and Social Impact Assessment 65 6.2.1.1 Step 1. Site Selection and Screening 65 6.2.1.2 Step 2: Categorization and Appraisal process 68 6.2.1.3 Step 3: Approval, Disclosure and Public Consultation 69 6.2.1.4 Step 4: Implementation 71 12.08.2010 5/80 ATMS Solutions National Broadband Backbone and Government Network ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK 6.2.1.5 Step 5: Monitoring and Evaluation 73 6.2.2 Land acquisition screening 73 7. ACTION PLAN FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REFERENCE FRAMEWORK AND URGENT REGULATORY MEASURES 75 7.1 Contents 75 7.2 Action Plan for the Implementation of the Reference Framework 75 7.3 Capacity Building and Technical Assistance Requirements 75 8. PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND DISCLOSURE PROCESS 78 8.1 Process for Public Consultation 78 8.2 Proposed Disclosure Plan 78 ANNEX A. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN 79 12.08.2010 6/80 ATMS Solutions National Broadband Backbone and Government Network ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK 1. INTRODUCTION This document provides an Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) for the sub component 1.1 “National Broadband Backbone and Government Network” of “E-Society and Innovation for Competitiveness” Project implemented in the Republic of Armenia. The mentioned sub component is financed by the World Bank. The Ministry of Economy is the agency responsible for implementing the project including the provisions of this ESMF. This report is to be used within the “National Broadband Backbone and Government Network” Project to ensure that all environmental and social safeguards are adequately addressed and that the relevant capacity and training needs are established. 1.1 Objective and Scope of the ESMF The main purpose of the ESMF is to: • Establish clear procedures and methodologies for the environmental and social assessment, review, approval and implementation of investments to be financed under the project. • Specify appropriate roles and responsibilities, and outline the necessary reporting procedures, for managing and monitoring environmental and social concerns related to project investments. • Determine the training, capacity building and technical assistance needed to successfully implement the provisions of the ESMF. • Provide practical information resources for implementing the ESMF. 1.2 Contents of the ESMF The ESMF has been developed to include: • A project description, its components and implementation arrangements with a focus on the environmental and social sensitivities and on how the subprojects will be designed, approved and implemented. • An understanding of the legislative, regulatory and institutional framework that the Project will operate within, including an analysis of laws, regulations and agencies with a focus on requirements that will apply to the planning, approval and implementation of the ESMF for the telecommunication sector. • A general environmental and social baseline of Armenia in order to identify and evaluate potential impact that may arise from the Project. • Identification of potential environmental, socioeconomic and health and safety impacts derived from the subprojects to be financed, including measures to mitigate and manage such impacts. • A reference framework designed to address the environmental and social screening, appraisal and review process for telecommunication subprojects to be financed. It is in effect a management system to identify and effectively mitigate potential future impacts of telecommunication subprojects which the project is likely to finance. 12.08.2010 7/80 ATMS Solutions National Broadband Backbone and Government Network ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK • An action plan for the implementation of the reference framework including: training and capacity building program for the institutions responsible for implementing the ESMF; budget for implementing the ESMF. 1.3 Applicable guidelines The project proponent and PIA will comply with the following guidelines: • The World Bank Safeguard Policies. • IFC’s EHS Guidelines for Telecommunications, dated April 30 2007. • IFC’s General Environmental, Occupational, Health and Safety Guidelines. • EBRD’s Sub-sectoral Environmental Guidelines for Telecommunications. 12.08.2010 8/80 ATMS Solutions National Broadband Backbone and Government Network ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK 2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION 2.1 Background With the support from the World Bank, the Government of the Republic of Armenia through its Ministry of Economy is preparing for the Technology Competitiveness Enhancement Project, also known as “E-Society and Innovation for Competitiveness Project”. This project aims to create a supportive environment for the development of an innovative and competitive knowledge-based society in Armenia, with improved information infrastructure, electronic