Initial Environmental Examination Initial Environmental Examination 2 Document Stage: Final Project Number: 42414 GEO: Sustainable Urban Transport Investment Program, Tranche 2 (Section-3: km 10.5 to 17.1 Tbilisi – Phonichala) Prepared by Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure under the Municipal Development Fund for the Asian Development Bank. Municipal Development Fund of Georgia Initial Environmental Examination Section-3: Phonichala - Rustavi Voolume-1 Engineering, Procurement, Construction Management and Supervision of the Modernization of Tbilisi-Rustavi Section of the Tbilisi-Red Bridge (Azerbaijani Border) Road Contract No: SUTIP/C/QCBS-3 Funded by Asian Development Bank Loan: 2655-GEO Prepared by: Foundation WEG Prepared for: DOHWA Ltd / TRANSPROJECT Ltd Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure GEORGIA 2012 Korea Georgia Georgia TABLE OF CONTENTS pp 1. INTRODUCTION . .. 1 1.1 Background . .. .. 1 1.2 Objectives . .. .. .. 1 1.3 Methodology for IEE . .. .. 1 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT . .. 2 2.1 Overview . .. 2 2.2 Type and Category of Project . .. 3 2.3 Need for Project . .. 3 2.4 Location . .. 4 2.5 Proposed Schedule for Implementation . .. 6 2.6 Design Criteria and Parameters . .. 6 2.7 Road Pavement Structure . .. 8 2.8 Engineering Structures . .. 9 2.9 Utility Relocation. .. 17 2.10 Equipment Use During Construction . .. 21 2.11 A complex of auxiliary building objects . .. 22 2.12 Quarries . .. 22 2.13 Traffic Management During Construction . 24 3. GOVERNMENT POLICY LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK . 26 3.1 Introduction . .. 26 3.2 Georgian Legislation Related to Environmental Permitting . 26 3.3 ADB Environmental and Social Safeguards Requirements (SPS 2009) . 30 3.4 EIA Requirements under Georgian and ADB Procedures . 31 3.5 Environmental Screening for Current Project . 32 3.6 Administrative Framework . 32 3.6.1 The Roads Department (RD or RDMRDI) . 32 3.6.2 Ministry of Environmental Protection (MOE) . 33 3.6.3 Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development (MoESD) . 33 3.6.4 Other Responsible Governmental Institutions . 33 3.7 International Treaties and Conventions . 34 3.7.1 The Convention on Biological Diversity, 1994 . 34 3.7.2 The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals . 34 3.7.3 Convention on Wetlands of International Importance . 34 3.7.4 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) . 35 4. DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT . 36 4.1 Physical Resources in Project Area . 36 4.1.1 Climate . 36 4.1.2 Air Quality . 39 4.1.3 Background noise . 42 4.1.4 Background radiation . 43 4.1.5 Information about the surface watercourses and ground pollution . 44 4.1.6 Topography and Relief . 47 4.1.7 Geological conditions of the study area . 48 4.1.8 Assessment of the Design Corridor Engineering-Geological Conditions by pickets (kilometers) . 54 4.1.9 Water Resources . 59 4.2 Ecological Resources – Landscape and Flora . 62 4.2.1 Landscape and Soils . 62 4.2.2 Vegetation . 63 4.2.3 Ecologically Sensitive Sites . 67 4.3 Ecological Receptors – Fauna . 68 4.3.1 General description of fauna . 68 4.3.2 Description of Biotops in Project Area . 72 5. SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS . 74 5.1 Demography . 74 5.2 Socio-Economic Characteristics . 76 5.3 Expected social impact of the Project . 83 5.3.1 General social impact of the Project . 83 5.3.2 Construction-related social impacts . 83 5.4 Land Acquisition and Resettlement . 84 5.5 Socio-Cultural Environment . 87 5.5.1 Historical Context . 87 5.5.2 Cultural Heritage in Project Area . 88 6. ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES . 89 7. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS . 94 7.1 Summary of Activities and Anticipated Impacts . 94 7.2 Specific Environmental Impacts. 99 7.2.1 Air Emissions Related to Construction Activities and Operation of Highway . 99 7.2.2 Noise Factor Related to Construction and Operation of the Road . 121 7.3 Potential Impacts Related To the Construction Activities . 123 7.3.1 Pollution and Waste . 123 7.3.2 Impacts on Flora . 125 7.3.3 Impact on Fauna . 125 7.3.4 Protected Areas . 126 7.3.5 Landscape . 126 7.3.6 Water Use . 126 7.3.7 Impacts on Archaeological Sites . 126 7.3.8 Transport related impacts . 126 7.3.9 Traffic Disruption . 126 7.3.10 Quarry-related Impact . 127 7.3.11 Construction Camp-related Impacts . 127 7.3.12 Construction Related Impacts at the Concrete Plant and Gravel Crushing Facilities . ..