Financial support provided by the Open Society Institute–Assistance Foundation Azerbaijan National NGO Monitoring of the Azerbaijan Section of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP R E P O R T 1 Financial support provided by the Open Society Institute–Assistance Foundation Azerbaijan National NGO Monitoring of the Azerbaijan Section of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP R E P O R T Working Group Members: Fikret Jafarov - Project Coordinator, Executive Director of NGO Friends of Earth Shamil Huseynov - Project Evaluator, Director of NGO Engineering Association Sabuhi Huseynov - Group Member, Caucasus REM Saleh Huseynov - Group Member, Agroeco-Consulting Centre Elshad Mammadov - Group Member, Ecological Fund Tural Abbasov - Group Member, Renessans Public Union Namig Rzayev - Group Member, ECOMED NGO Baku – 2005 2 Financial support provided by the Open Society Institute–Assistance Foundation Azerbaijan Financial Support Provided by Azerbaijan OSI-AF Disclaimer The content and ideas in this report should be treated as the personal opinion of the authors. In no way does this report reflect the policies or views of the project sponsor, its members or relevant organisations. The authors are solely responsible for any mistakes, omissions or misinterpretations of the data and analysis. All group members signatory hereto are in agreement with the contents of this report. Fikret Jafarov Shamil Huseynov Sabuhi Huseynov Saleh Huseynov Elshad Mammadov Tural Abbasov Namig Rzayev 3 Financial support provided by the Open Society Institute–Assistance Foundation Azerbaijan CONTENTS 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.....................................................................................5 2. EVALUATOR’S STATEMENT...........................................................................16 3. INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................................18 4. METHODOLOGY ...............................................................................................21 5. MONITORING RESULT...................................................................................24 5.1 SUMMARY AND ANALYSES OF SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY............................24 5.2 BTC ‘S ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS AND PLANS:.........36 · ANALYSIS OF FULFILMENT OF MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES........................36 · WASTE MANAGEMENT........................................................................................36 5.3 MONITORING RESULTS ON PROTECTION OF BIODIVERSITY......................41 5.4 MONITORING RESULTS ON UTILIZATION AND PROTECTION OF WATER RESERVES...............................................................................................................47 5.5 MONITORING RESULTS ON ATMOSPHERE.......................................................54 5.6 MONITORING RESULTS ON SOIL........................................................................61 6. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS .............................................72 7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS..................................................................................72 8. BIBLIOGRAPHY ...............................................................................................97 9. PARTICIPANTS OF ECOLOGICAL MONITORING. ................................101 10. ATTACHMENTS..............................................................................................104 4 Financial support provided by the Open Society Institute–Assistance Foundation Azerbaijan 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The monitoring project was implemented in August-November 2005 by financial and technical support of the Open Society Institute–Assistance Foundation (OSI-AF). For the first time in Azerbaijan, 27 local NGOs participated in the implementation of the monitoring project on the basis of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by and between OSI-AF and BP on April 22, 2004 and Grant Programme No. 12312, dated September 2004. When implementing the project, the Environmental Monitoring Working Group had the following targets: · Monitor the impact of pipeline construction and operation activities on the environment and natural resources and the study subsequent environmental conditions · Assess the implementation of obligations undertaken by BP, BTC and their contractors to ensure environmental protection and public safety during pipeline construction and operation phases · Prepare recommendations on mitigating the negative impacts of pipeline construction on the environment and human health, in order to eliminate the shortcomings while fulfilling the obligations The Environmental Monitoring Working Group adhered mainly to the following directions of activity to achieve the pre-defined targets: Monitoring Sub-Working Group on Sociological Survey: · Sociological Survey questionnaire forms were developed and the surveyors were provided with training on methods and techniques of conducting surveys in the communities · Distributed 812 questionnaires to 18 communities along the pipeline. Analysed 550 questionnaires and developed a report based on the analysed questionnaires · Members of the Monitoring Group, including F. Jafarov, N. Rzayev, S. Huseynov, T. Abbasov, visited these communities to verify several survey-related issues Monitoring Sub-Working Group on the Ecological Policy and Environmental Management : · Analysed the ESIA document of the BTC oil pipeline, reviewed the obligations undertaken by the company and prepared a list of essential standards · Met with environmental experts from BTC and its contractors CCIC and Petrofac and reviewed their environmental management plan, obtained detailed information on the activities performed on the basis of the environmental management plan · Monitored and assessed the result of implementation of environmental management by BTC and its contractors Monitoring Sub-Working Group on Biodiversity: 5 Financial support provided by the Open Society Institute–Assistance Foundation Azerbaijan · Monitored and analysed the conditions of flora and fauna and the impact of the activities of BTC and its contractors on flora and fauna and mitigation measures · Analysed and assessed the activities performed on various types of biodiversities along the pipeline corridor and in infrastructures and camps Monitoring Sub-Working Group on Conditions of Water Recourses: · Analysed the actions taken by BTC and its contractors to protect rivers and other water sources (springs, lakes, etc.) and to prevent water contamination in those areas where BTC and its contractors are operational · Reviewed and assessed water contamination, water treatment and its rational utilization, and waste water management along the pipeline corridor and in infrastructures and camps · Group members made observations and five trips to the both BTC oil pipeline sections which is still under construction and is complete Monitoring Sub-Working Group on Atmosphere: · Analysed the conditions of the atmosphere and the air pollution prevention measures in the areas where BTC and its contractors are operational · Studied and assessed the emissions from the incinerator along the pipeline route and in infrastructures, camps and at the Kurdamir Pump Station · Group members made six trips to the both sections of BTC oil pipeline which is still under construction and is complete Monitoring Sub-Working Group on Soil: · Analysed activities performed regarding Soil protection and its rational utilization by BTC and its contractors. Reviewed and assessed the conditions of soil and reinstatement along the oil pipeline route and in infrastructures and camps · Group members made six trips to the both sections of BTC oil pipeline which is still under construction and is complete One representative from each of the seven NGOs participated in the activities of the Environmental Working Group. They worked in collaboration with 11 experts in various fields. Moreover, monitoring group members and experts held discussions and monitored pipeline-crossed territories. The results obtained from the monitoring activities were analysed by the group members. The following conclusions were reached as the result of discussion with experts and consultants. 6 Financial support provided by the Open Society Institute–Assistance Foundation Azerbaijan ACHIEVEMENTS 1. Ecological Policy and Environmental Management: The BTC environmental, health and safety management plans, corporate policy on environmental protection and management system and obligations of BTC in the line with Host Government Agreements have been developed. The EIA documents include all of the required sections, which have covered a large volume of information. Environmental impact minimisation measures theoretically meet modern requirements and international standards. The management structure has been established on the basis of theoretically identification individual responsibilities and duties. Company management structures are interrelated and vertically structured, which is comprised of the organisational chart of contractors. All structures have approved work plans, accurate statements and control schedules. Moreover: · When operating vehicles and construction machinery safety procedures are followed in the most cares · BP Golden Rules related to environment and health and safety are extensively applied through using posters and leaflets (mostly in English) within camp areas and infrastructure · This has been arranged on a higher level at the Sangachal Terminal. Even inside the canteen, information