Environmental Monitoring Report - Asian Development · PDF fileEnvironmental Monitoring Report...

Environmental Monitoring Report

Bi-annual Report (July – December 2013) February 2014

TAJ: Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation

Corridor 6 (Ayni–Uzbekistan Border Road)

Improvement Project

Prepared by Kocks Consult GmbH for the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Tajikistan

and the Asian Development Bank.

Research,

Design and

Survey Institute

Bi-annual Environmental Monitoring Report (July – December 2013)

GRANT 0301/LOAN 8259 - TAJ, CORRIDOR NO. 6, REHABILITATION

AND RECONSTRUCTION OF AYNI – PANJAKENT – UZBEKISTAN

BORDER ROAD

Ministry of Transport Republic of Tajikistan

Financed by:

February 2014

Corridor 6: Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Ayni – Panjakent – Uzbekistan Border Road Project

Bio-annual Environmental Monitoring Report (July – Dec 2013)

ADB Grant 0301/Loan 8259 – Tajikistan, Kocks Engineers Page No. : 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................... 5

PART I: INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 6

1. PRELIMINARY INFORMATION ....................................................................... 6

1.1 Project Background and Objective of the Environmental Monitoring ............... 6

1.2 Project Area................................................................................................... 6

1.3 Technical Description of the Road Project ....................................................... 8

1.4 Environmental Characteristics of the Project Area ........................................... 9

Part II ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING ............................................................... 10

2. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING FRAMEWORK ...................................... 10

2.1. Methodology for Environmental Monitoring in Construction Supervision ..... 10

2.2. CS Consultant (The Engineer) Environmental Monitoring Work Protocol ...... 13

2.3. Contractor’s Environmental Monitoring Procedures and Health and Safety

Management ............................................................................................... 13

2.4. Required Environmental Reporting .............................................................. 14

3. PERFORMED ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING ACTIVITIES .................. 15

3.1. Environmental Monitoring Activities of the Contractor ................................. 15

3.2. Contractor’s Health and Safety Management and Monitoring ........................ 16

3.3. Environmental Audit of the Engineer ........................................................... 17

PART III: ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 18

4. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (EMP) ....................................... 18

4.1. Observed Environmental Impacts ................................................................ 18

4.2. Notices and Letters ...................................................................................... 21

4.3. Corrective Action Plans................................................................................ 22

ANNEXES: ......................................................................................................................... 23

Annex 1. Construction Phase Instrumental Monitoring .................................................... 23

Annex 2. Environmental Monitoring Detailed Plan .......................................................... 25

Annex 3: Photos of Environmental Issues ......................................................................... 28

Annex 4: Power Point Presentation on Environmental, Health & Safety Management and

Monitoring ......................................................................................................... 36

List of Figures

Figure 1: Location of the Project Road .............................................................................................. 7

Figure 2: Environmental Monitoring Coordination Arrangement Chart .................................. 13

List of Tables

Table 1: Selected Sampling Points for Environmental Monitoring ............................................... 8

Table 2: Selected Sampling Points for Environmental Monitoring ............................................. 14




Table 3: List of Accidents in Jul. to Dec. 2013 ................................................................................. 16

Table 4: Observed Issues and Corrective Actions ......................................................................... 19

Table 5: Letters from the Engineer on Environmental and Social Issues ................................... 21

Table 6: Letters from Contractor on Environmental and Social Issues ...................................... 21

List of Photos

Photo No. 1 : Dust issues along the Road ....................................................................................... 28

Photo No. 1 : Absence of Signs ......................................................................................................... 28

Photo No. 3 : Access along the road was restricted due to piled up materials ......................... 29

Photo No. 4 : Access along the road was restricted due to excavation ...................................... 29

Photo No. 5 : Eminent Collapse at cut areas .................................................................................. 30

Photo No. 6 : Intrusion of Gravel Materials into the road ........................................................... 30

Photo No. 7 : Spills on the site at the crushing plant .................................................................... 31

Photo No. 8 : Risk of Silt Contamination at the crushing plant ................................................... 31

Photo No. 9 : Open barrel pose risk of contamination at the Asphalt plant .............................. 32

Photo No. 10 : Bitumen Spills at the Asphalt plant ....................................................................... 32

Photo No. 11 : Improper Waste Management at the Asphalt plant ............................................ 33

Photo No. 12 : Contaminated materials Exposed at the Asphalt plant ...................................... 33

Photo No. 13 : Absence of containment system at the asphalt plant .......................................... 34

Photo No. 14 : Affected trees along the roadway .......................................................................... 34

Photo No. 15 : Spills at the construction site .................................................................................. 35




EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Project, ADB Grant 0301/Loan 8259-Taj has, as its major component, the reconstruction

and rehabilitation of the Ayni–Panjakent-Uzbekistan Border road. The road section from Ayni

(km 0) to km 47 is to be reconstructed and rehabilitated to category IV, while the remaining

road up to Uzbekistan border to category III. The contracted work is being undertaken via

“design and build” arrangement with the Contractor, Xinjiang Beixin Road & Bridge Group

Co., Ltd., and being supervised by the Engineer (Kocks Consult GmbH). The scope of works

includes detailed design, earthworks, pavement construction, construction of new bridges and

rehabilitation of old bridges, drainage, structures, roadside improvements and installation of

road furniture such as signs and safety barriers. Existing road category will be maintained and

a total of 31 bridges will be rehabilitated and/or reconstructed.

Construction supervision is being undertaken under FIDIC with environmental supervision

and monitoring scopes. The Contractor is obligated to obtain regular parameter measurements

of water quality, noise/vibration and air quality, the results of which are submitted regularly to

the Engineer. Measurements for noise, water, and air were done in June and this serves as the

baseline environmental data for the project. Environmental monitoring of the Engineer is done

primarily by the International Environmental Specialist with field coordination with a local

environmental consultant.

This Second Bi-Annual Environmental Monitoring Report covers the period from July 2013 to

December 2013 and presenting the environmental issues encountered in the project. The major

environmental concerns raised in this period focused on the following: (i) Revision of the

CEMP; (ii) Severe Contamination at Asphalt plant; (iii) Oil contamination at the quarry site; (iv)

minimization of dust; and (v) Safety concerns along the road and people’s safety.

In addition, one major concern is the non-performance by the Contractor the instrumental

monitoring as prescribed in the project contractual documents.




PART I: INTRODUCTION

PRELIMINARY INFORMATION

Project Background and Objective of the Environmental Monitoring

The Project is being financed (under loan agreement) by the Asian Development Bank (ADB),

the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID); with the Government of Tajikistan (the

Client). The project road starting from Ayni to the Uzbekistan Border via Panjakent, is part of

the historical Silk Road connecting the Tajik–Uzbek border with the country‘s main north-south

transport artery. With a total length of 113 kilometers, this project road has its starting point at

a roundabout on the eastern edge of Ayni, and ends at the border post with Uzbekistan. The

Engineer supervising this Project is Kocks-KECC-BCL-Research, Design and Survey Institute

Joint Venture, while the Contractor undertaking the construction is Xinjiang Beixin Road and

Bridge Group Co. Ltd.

The 113 km project consists of the detailed design, construction and completion of

rehabilitation works on the Ayni-Panjakent-Uzbekistan Border Road (“the Works”). The Works

comprise the detailed design, earthworks, rehabilitation and reconstruction of existing side

drains, replacement or rehabilitation of existing bridges, construction of new culverts and

replacement/extension of the existing ones, construction of retaining walls, preparation of the

road sub-grade; granular subbase and base course layers using crushed aggregates, placing

asphalt concrete binder and wearing courses, slope protection works and provision of road

furniture.

In the performance of Works supervision and project management services and assisting the

Executing Agency (EA) with project implementation, the scope of the Engineer includes

environmental monitoring, particularly for compliance with the Environmental Management

Plan (EMP) for the project in line with ADB’s environmental safeguards policies and the

environmental regulations of Republic of Tajikistan. Generally, the main objective of

environmental monitoring works is to ensure that the environmental mitigation measures

during construction are implemented through a systematic supervision by the Engineer during

the construction phase. Environmental issues also are anticipated to be identified in advance

for avoidance and ensure timely completion of the project.

1.1 Project Area

The Ayni-Panjakent-Uzbekistan Border Road is located in the Zaravshan Valley, a

mountainous region in the north western part of Tajikistan. Specifically, the 113 km project

road is within the two districts of Ayni and Panjakent, both within Sughd Province. The

province has significant gold and mining reserves, such that the road had been used for mining

and other economic activities across the province. The project road itself is situated in two

distinct topographical areas as follows:

(i) Ayni to Km 50 – This is a mountainous area starting at Ayni with an altitude of

1,420 meters above sea level. At Km 44 the project road descends to an elevation of

around 1,100 meters;

(ii) Km 50 to Km 113 – In this area, generally, the project road further descends from the

mountain slopes with approximate elevation of 1000 meters and into the valley floor

up to Panjakent and at the border with Uzbekistan with elevation of about 900

meters above sea level.




1.2 A map of the project road is shown in the following figure.

Figure 1: Location of the Project Road




1.3 Technical Description of the Road Project

The Permanent Works include design, rehabilitation and reconstruction of Ayni-Panjakent-

Uzbekistan Border Road (‘the Project Road’) and all associated works. From Ayni roundabout

to km 47, the Project Road will be rehabilitated to Category IV standard, and the remaining 66

km to Uzbekistan Border as Category III, according to SNIP 2.05.02-85. The bridge works

include the construction of new or rehabilitation of old bridges (31 bridges in total).

Subsequently, the road category from km 47 to km 55 was changed from category III to

category IV in July 2013 to accelerate the works and generate a project cost saving.

Thirty-one (31) bridges will be constructed or reconstructed during the project works to replace

the existing structures. The table below provides summary details of the bridges and their

locations with some features.

Table 1: Selected Sampling Points for Environmental Monitoring

Bridge No. Location (km) Nearest Settlement Watercourse Length (m)

1 7.066 Iskodar Zeravshan River 140.24

2 9.748 Dardar Dardar gully 12.30

3 15.328 Obi Togmad

Obi Togmad

gully 28.60

4 24.077 Veshkand Ustoghi gully 34.08

5 26.62 Dashti Veshkand Zeravshan River 72.14

6 28.681 Urmetan Vashan gully 37.20

7 32.539 Urmetan Vashan gully 13.10

8 38.331 Revad Revad gully 20.45

9 46.485 Kishtudak Zeravshan River 140.24

10 51.148 Dashti Kozi Sarchashmasoi 13.10

11 53.238 Ruziobnok gully 13.10

12 53.578 Shurcha Zeravshan River 86.40

13 56.754 Shashkad gully 13.10

14 61.4 Varzi kanda gully 10.10

15 63.231 Navobod Zavron 19.13

16 64.553 Navobod gully 10.10



19 68.698 Kolhozchiyon gully 19.10

20 70.771 Kolhozchiyon gully 7.10

21 73.7 Gusar Shurcha gully 13.10

22 75.624 Dashti Malla gully 7.10

23 80.737 Sudjina gully 7.10

24 83.464 Sudjina Magyan River 25.10

25 89.83 Kuktosh gully 13.10

26 90.43 Kuktosh gully 13.10

27 93.2 Panjakent Zebon gully 37.15

28 96.31 Toshmunor gully 13.10

29 97.73 Toshmunor gully 10.10




Bridge No. Location (km) Nearest Settlement Watercourse Length (m)

30 100.146 Yalokjar gully 19.10

31 108.757 Sarazm gully 10.10

1.4 Environmental Characteristics of the Project Area

With the type of project as described, based on ADB Environmental Safeguards Policy (2009),

the project falls under Category B project with limited impact to the existing environment. An

IEE document was produced for the project as part of the process of compliance with the ADB

guidelines. Technically, the IEE provides guidance to the environmental measures needed to

prevent and/or mitigate negative environmental effects associated with the project

implementation, as well as provides a detailed description of the direct and indirect

environmental effects during the conduct of the construction.

The land relief along the project road can be categorized into two: high elevations and

mountainous at the first part; and relatively mild sloping as the road descends onto the

Zeravshan Valley and considerably long distance of flat plain toward the Uzbek border. The

prevailing soil in the Zeravshan Valley consists primarily of gray desert (sierozem), brown-

carbonate, and mountain steppe soils. The Zaravshan River forms the Zaravshan Valley

through which the Project Road traverses. This river starts in the regions of Pamir, flows

westward through the valley, enters Uzbekistan, and flowing past Samakand City.

Due to long history of human settlement in Zeravshan Valley, the area near the project road has

limited flora and much of the forest on these slopes has been depleted as the trees were cut and

used as fuel. The fauna along the project road is rather low, aside from the commonly existing

species in the country and no important, rare, endangered, or protected bird species or habitats

are found within the Project Corridor.

The Zeravshan Valley is prone to natural disaster and climate induced extreme events such as

avalanches and mudflows, especially in winter seasons. Because of these, the population is only

around 343,000 with limited access to markets, educational and medical services, and the

region's capacity to develop mining and tourism is constrained.

There are several historical and archaeological sites of significance within the vicinity of the

Project Road and these are: (i) Sarazm (Km 108) [which means ―where the land begins] is a

UNESCO archaeological site, dated 4th millennium BC to the end of the 3rd millennium BC,

which bears testimony to the development of human settlements in Central Asia; (ii) Dardar

Mosque (Km 10) reportedly more than two hundred years old and forms the cultural

centerpiece of Dardar; (iii) Madrassa and Mosque in central Panjakent (km 92), adjacent to the

Project Road, are both of significant cultural importance to the people of Panjakent




PART II ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING

2. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING FRAMEWORK

The environmental monitoring framework for the project is based on the construction

supervision ToR, GCC/PCC, Technical specifications, project IEE for Category B1 and ADB

guidelines.

2.1 Methodology for Environmental Monitoring in Construction Supervision

As stipulated in the Contract for the project, the Contractor would adhere to the requirements

of the environmental aspects of the contract document particularly in the General Conditions of

Contract (FIDIC) as follows:

4.8 – Safety Procedure

4.18 – Protection of Environment

4.15 – Access Route

4.24 – Fossils

6.7 – Health & Safety

In addition, detailed requirements are presented in the General Specifications particularly the

following:

Section 1301.16 – Protection of Environment

1301.16.1 General

1301.16.2 Borrow Pits for Embankment Construction

1301.16.3 Quarry Operations

1301.16.4 Control of Soil Erosion, Sedimentation, and Water Pollution

1301.16.5 Pollution from Hot-Mix Plants and Batching Plants

1301.16.6 Substances Hazardous to Health

1301.16.7 Use of Nuclear Gauges

1301.16.8 Care during Execution of Works

1301.16.9 Environmental Monitoring

Section 1301.17 - HEALTH AND SAFETY

1301.17.2 Safety Equipment

1301.17.3 Health Measures

1301.17.4 Health and Safety Unit

1301.17.5 Site Induction

1301.17.6 Cooperation with Health Authorities

1301.17.7 Other Health and Safety Measures

Section 1301.18 - ARRANGEMENTS FOR TRAFFIC DURING CONSTRUCTION

1301.18.1 General

1301.18.2 Passage of Traffic along a part of the Existing Carriageway under

Improvement

1301.18.3 Passage of Traffic along a Temporary Diversion

1301.18.4 Traffic Safety and Control 1 ADB’s Safe Guard Category – Category B The proposed project’s potential adverse environmental impacts are

site-specific, few if any of them are irreversible, and in most cases mitigation measures can be designed more readily than for category A projects. An initial environmental examination (IEE), including an EMP, is required




1301.18.5 Maintenance of Diversions, Deviations, Road Sections Under

Construction and Traffic Control Devices

1301.18.6 Routine, Emergency, and Winter Maintenance of Traffic Control

Measures

1301.18.7 Recovery Vehicles

Moreover in the Section 6 - Employer’s Requirements, the Initial Environmental Examination,

and Environmental Management Plan were appended to form part of the contractual

requirements. In the EMP, the requirements in the preparation of SSEMP are as follows2:

“The Contractor shall prepare a SSEMP to meet the requirements of this EMP. Specifically the SSEMP

shall contain sections relating to:

• Management of Physical Environment

- Soils

- Water

- Air

• Management of Ecological Environmental

- Flora

- Fauna

- Protected Areas

• Management of Economic Characteristics

- Infrastructure

- Transport

- Land Use

- Agriculture

• Management of Social and Cultural Resources

- Communities, Health and Education Facilities

- Historical and Cultural Areas

- Noise

In addition, the SSEMP shall contain specific Management Plans as Annexes relating to the following:

• Borrow Pit Management Plan

• Air Quality Management Plan

• Water Quality Management Plan

• Noise Management Plan

• Waste Management Plan

• Emergency Response Plan

• Dust Suppression Plan

• Site Plan

• Health and Safety Plan”

Each section shall describe the precise location of the required mitigation / monitoring, the persons

responsible for the mitigation / monitoring, the schedule and reporting methodology. The SSEMP must

be submitted within 30 days of the contract award and construction cannot commence until the SSEMPs

are approved by the MoT and the Engineer.”

2 From the EMP found in Section 6 - Employer’s Requirements




Based on the above, the initial obligation of the Contractor was to formulate the Site Specific

Environmental Management Plan (SSEMP) based on the findings contained in the June 2012

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) Report and hereby reiterated in Section 6 -

Employer’s Requirements. The Contractor has produced their versions of SSEMP and

submitted to the Engineer. However, for several occasions, the submitted SSEMP was not in

accordance with what was stipulated in the requirements; hence, subsequently rejected. Since

the Contractor is doing the design, the environmental requirements should be included in their

designs.

In a letter date 22 January 2014, the Engineer issued a “tentative and conditional approval of

the CEMP subject to the sufficient response to the comments itemized in the letter. In the letter,

the Engineer said that the SSEMP (or CEMP) was found to be still generic and lacking specific

details for it to be applicable to the Project. In as much as, the CEMP is regarded as a dynamic

document, this will be still subject to revisions from time to time, as the need arises.” The

Supplemental Plans as Annexes to the SSEMP were still incomplete and would have all to be

submitted since the review will entail cross-checking of contents.

As the work progresses, the Engineer, (and his staff) monitored the Contractor’s compliance

with the Environmental Management Plan and reported on the impacts encountered and

mitigation measures employed and made further recommendations as deemed necessary. The

periodic inspection ensures that the Contractor is complying with the project EMP in all of the

aspects of the work as part of their contractual obligations.

In general, as stipulated in the ToR for the Construction Supervision on the environmental

aspect, the Consultant shall “Carry out the following duties related to environmental

mitigation measures during construction: (i) Incorporate EMP provisions into the regular

inspection documentation prepared for the supervision team; (ii) Provide advice and support,

on site and in the EA office, to the national environment expert and staff of the EA in

supervision of works to ensure the EMP compliance; (iii) Periodically review monitoring

reports and identify any adaptations or improvements necessary in order to ensure that the

EMP is being properly implemented; (iv) Assist with the preparation of progress reports for the

initial 3 years, and develop the competence of the national environmental expert and

counterpart staff for the preparation of such reports; (v) In the final stages of construction,

review the EMP monitoring provisions and establish the monitoring system for the operational

phase of the project; and (vi) Assist with the production of manuals, booklets, brochures and

pamphlets for public awareness related to the environmental management. Coordinative

communication channels shall be established according to the following work Environmental

Monitoring Coordination Arrangement chart:




Figure 2: Environmental Monitoring Coordination Arrangement Chart

2.2 CS Consultant (The Engineer) Environmental Monitoring Work Protocol

Under the guidance of the International Environment Specialist, inspectors of the Engineer

regularly conduct environmental monitoring on the Project. Findings and results of their

monitoring activities are incorporated in the monthly and quarterly reports as well as in the

Periodic Environmental Monitoring Reports for The Project.

During actual site visits of the International Environment Specialist, on-the-spot field

inspections to various impact sites such as borrow pit, concrete plant, quarry areas as well as

contractor’s campsite and residential and commercial areas along the project road were

conducted. Environmental issues were noted down and presented to the Contractor as part of

the consultation process, to determine how issues will be resolved. The effectiveness of the

mitigation measures is assessed after site implementation to determine if such measures were

effective. In cases where they were ineffective, other measures would be implemented and

further reassessed and when they are determined to be successful, the Contractor’s measures

are deemed compliant with the environmental requirements.

2.3 Contractor’s Environmental Monitoring Procedures and Health and Safety

Management

As mentioned in the previous Bi-annual Environmental Report, the Contractor has appointed

two (2) environmental engineers to undertake environmental supervision and ensure that

Construction Supervision Project Director/Manager

Contractor Project Manager

Contractor Environmental Officer

Health & Safety Officer

Construction Supervision International

Environmental Specialist

Local Environmental Specialist

MOTC




project activities are in compliance with EMP. These are: Mr. Twan Bin (Tel.900330525); and

Mr. Sharipov Khamid (tel.927657679). In the Contractor’s submitted CEMP, the names were

changed as follows: (1) Mr. Zhuang Bin and (2) Mr. Ma Li will be appointed as the environment

specialists (ES)3.

In the previous versions of CEMP submitted by the Contractor, a number of self-monitoring

guidelines were presented which they would be following as part of their obligations during

the implementation of the project. These self-monitoring guidelines pertain to the aspects of: (1)

undertaking all necessary precautions or protection of the environment during the course of

construction of the work; (2) provision of a series of education course about protection of the

environment, sanitation, local rule of law and civilized construction among the construction

personnel to enhance effectiveness of environmental protection; (3) submission of detailed

monthly report to the Engineer which cover all aspects of the environment management and

monitoring until the date; and (4) performance of prescribed instrumental monitoring in

accordance with EMP.

2.4 Required Environmental Reporting

In the month of June 2013, measurements for water quality, air and noise were obtained at

designated locations within the project area. The analyses of the measurements were done by

the laboratory under the Environmental Protection Committee of the Government of the

Republic of Tajikistan. A separate report was prepared for this purpose by Mr. Bashid Suriev,

national environmental specialist. The main sampling points for the measurement of noise,

water quality and air testing are shown in Figure and Tabulation below.

Table 2: Selected Sampling Points for Environmental Monitoring

Location Parameter Rationale as Measurement Point

km 7+50m Water Quality Near Bridge No. 1 Construction site

Dardar, km 10 Air Quality Impact to village population; recommended

site in IEE/EMP

Dardar, km 10 Noise Impact to village population

km 26+50 m (Veshkand) Water Quality Impact to people’s water usage of the

Zaravshan River

Veshkand, km 26 Air Quality Impact to village population; recommended

site in IEE/EMP

Veshkand, km 26 Noise Impact to village population

km 53+50m (Shurcha) Water Quality Impact to people’s water usage of the

Zaravshan River

Shurcha, km 53 Air Quality Impact to village population; recommended

site in IEE/EMP

Shurcha, km 53 Noise Impact to village population

km 62+50m (Navobod) Water Quality Downstream of Bridge No. 15 Construction

Navobod, km 62 Air Quality Impact to village population; recommended

site in IEE/EMP

Navobod, km 62 Noise Impact to village population

km 75+50m (Gusar) Water Quality Impact to village population

3 According to the Contractor as stated in the CEMP “If the staff can't be competent for the work, another specialists

will be employed”




Location Parameter Rationale as Measurement Point

Gusar, km 75 Air Quality Impact to village population; recommended

site in IEE/EMP

Gusar, km 75 Noise Impact to village population

km 92+50m (Panjakent) Water Quality Impact to people’s water usage of the

Zaravshan River

Panjakent, km 92 Air Quality Impact to village population; recommended

site in IEE/EMP

Panjakent, km 92 Noise Impact to village population

As described in Table F-7 (EMP: Construction Phase Instrumental Monitoring) of the IEE for the

Project4, Air Quality measurements should be taken every quarter, Surface Water Quality

measurements every two (2) months, and Noise measurements every two months. A copy of

the said Table is shown in Annex 1.

The Contractor should have followed through on the instrumental Monitoring beyond June

2013 based on the stipulated schedule in compliance with the EMP. As of now, no instrumental

monitoring result was submitted by the Contractor to the Engineer, despite reminders of the

latter to perform them.

3. PERFORMED ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING ACTIVITIES

Within the six-month period the Contractor is obligated to perform the necessary measures to

mitigate environmental issues as part of his implementation activities. The Engineer likewise,

as part of his tasks, monitors the environmental aspects of the project and reviews the

environmental mitigating performance of the Contractor. The international environmental

specialist of the Engineer (Kocks) visited the site in mid-October 2013 as part of Consultant’s

periodic monitoring. The places inspected consisted of the project roads, material sources, work

camps and asphalt mixing plants.

3.1 Environmental Monitoring Activities of the Contractor

In the previous period, the Contractor (Xinjiang Beixin Road & Bridge Group Co., Ltd.) should

have undertaken instrumental monitoring as prescribed in the IEE/EMP and Section 6 -

Employer’s Requirements. The Engineer has been reminding the Contractor regarding this

issue however, no instrumental monitoring was done. The initial instrumental monitoring done

in June 2013 could serve as basis for such monitoring. This was also presented also explained in

the draft CEMP of the Contractor, but never undertaken. It is strongly recommended that the

Contractor starts planning for the instrumental monitoring in March 2014 when the site

becomes operable after the snow clears away. The Contractor is reminded on the scheduling of

the instrumental monitoring for air quality (including dust), water quality, and noise found in

Annex 1.

The Contractor mentions in their monthly reports certain environmental aspects related to their

work. However, these are somewhat vague, too generic and non-specific. The Contractor

should provide description of issues encountered and measures undertaken or planned to be

undertaken to mitigate the field conditions. As guidance to monitoring activities, the

4 Initial Environmental Examination. Republic of Tajikistan: Roads Improvement Project Ayni – Panjakent Road. Prepared by the

Ministry of Transport, Republic of Tajikistan for the Asian Development. Bank (ADB). June 2012




Contractor can utilize and adopt the “Environmental Monitoring Detailed Plan” found in

Annex 2 of this report.

3.2 Contractor’s Health and Safety Management and Monitoring

As provided in Clause 1301.17 – Health and Safety of the General Specifications the Contractor

has the following responsibilities:

• To ensure that all Subcontractors and their personnel participate fully in the actions

prescribed in this Clause for the health and safety of workers.

• To take all reasonable precautions to prevent unauthorized entry to the Site and to protect

members of the public from any activity under his control.

• To notify the Engineer immediately of any unsafe incidents or accidents which result in

death, serious bodily injury or are likely to lead to incapacity to persons for more than three

days

• To provide, and ensure the utilization of, appropriate safety equipment for all Contractors’

Personnel

• To take all measures necessary to safeguard the health, including Sexually Transmitted

Infection (STI) and HIV/AIDS, safety and welfare of Contractor’s Personnel

• To establish a Health and Safety Unit, and shall appoint one responsible member of his staff

to act full-time as Safety Officer, and he shall notify the Engineer of such appointment. The

Safety Officer shall organize, and all Contractors’ Personnel shall be required to attend, an

orientation/safety induction course within their first week on Site.

• To have regular meetings, at least monthly, with local health authorities/facilities.

• To maintain such records and make such reports concerning safety, health, including

Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) and HIV/AIDS, and welfare of persons as the Engineer

may from time to time prescribe and as required by the statutory authorities.

• To provide adequate lighting (including sufficient back-up facilities in the event of failure)

wherever any work is to be carried out at night to ensure that the Works can be carried out

safely.

• To provide an adequate number of latrines and other sanitary arrangements at areas of the

Site where work is in progress.

• To ensure that the Works are left in a safe condition, in the event that the Contractor

temporarily closes down site operations seasonally or for any other reason.

As stated above, in case of accident, the Contractor is to submit brief summary about the

accidents as part of the monitoring activities for the previous month. A listing of the road

accident for the previous six months along the project road is shown below:

Table 3: List of Accidents in Jul. to Dec. 2013

Occurrence

Date/Time Description

CON06/499

15 September 2013

Safety on site – accident which resulted in death

It is understood from this accident that the necessary signage when

working under power lines was not in place and that tool-box talks had

not been carried to before the commencement of each activity such that

personnel were aware of the risks, dangers and health and safety

requirements associated with such activity. The Contractor shall

address such shortcoming




3.3 Environmental Audit of the Engineer

Environmental Monitoring is among the major tasks of the construction supervision team.

Likewise, under the construction contract, the Contractor is obligated to ensure that

construction has no or minimal adverse impact to the environment and the communities. The

Engineer and the Contractor should have a close collaborative coordination in performing

environmental monitoring of activities to be effective in the minimization and avoidance of

impacts. The issues raised in the previous monthly reports of the Engineer are as follows:

• Adverse environmental impacts were encountered with the storage of bitumen on the

site (Jul-Dec. 2013).

• No submission of instrumental monitoring (Jul.-Dec. 2013).

For the purpose of the Bi-annual Environmental Monitoring, the CSC International

Environmental Specialist came to the project site in October 2013 to consolidate monitoring

activities in the previous period and establish the monitoring systems for the succeeding

period. The output of the environmental inspection of the local environmental specialist is

included in the Table below entitled “Observed Issues and Corrective Actions”. Selected photos

for these Issues are found in Annex 3.

A short seminar and power point presentation on Environmental, Health & Safety

Management and Monitoring took place on 19 October 2013 at Engineer’s office in Panjakent.

The seminar was conducted by Mr. Samuel Sapuay, international environment specialist, and

participated by representatives of Employer, Engineer and Contractor. The Contractor agreed

upon all the health, safety and environmental issues raised and presented in the seminar and

assured to address all points discussed. A copy of the power point presentation is found in

Annex 4.

In December 2013, the worksites were covered with snow and the work has slowed down due

to weather condition. Nevertheless, site inspection was done to assess the general

environmental situations and discovered a number of observable situations where the

Contractor can improve in providing added environmental mitigation measures and

precautionary measures to improve safety at the workplace.




PART III: ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

4. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (EMP)

The main objective of the Contractor’s Environmental Management Plan (EMP) during the

implementation and operation of the project is to avoid, reduce, or at least minimize the

adverse environmental impacts that could result from the activities. Accordingly, the EMP

considers all phases of the Project cycle, namely the detailed design, construction and

operational phases of the Project. It consists of various mitigation measures needed to be

undertaken in the course of the Project cycle.

During the construction phase, certain situations can arise which may not have been

anticipated by the Contractor. It is for this reason that the project CEMP is considered as a

dynamic document which has to be revised by the Contractor as the need arises. The CEMP

will be continuously updated to include issues unforeseen during the formulation of the IEE. In

this period, the Contractor was reminded to update their CEMP, to site adapt it by providing

more details, and complete all the required annexes. Moreover, the required instrumental

monitoring should be performed by the Contractor according to the stated schedule.

4.1 Observed Environmental Impacts

During the periodic field mobilization and inspection of the International Environmental

Specialist5 in October 2013 as part of the CSC (the Engineer) Team, the work scope undertaken,

in coordination with Contractor for the project road, consisted of the following:

• Field inspection of the worksites including facilities and ancillary work areas. Field

investigation included worksites along the project road sections, borrow pit area,

bridges and canals, asphalt mixing plant, and Contractor’s work camp.

• Discussion on road safety and updating of the Contractor’s Environmental Management

Plan (CEMP) or SSEMP and supplemental plans.

Presented below are the environmental, health and safety issues observed at the vicinity of

project worksites during the actual monitoring of the CSC personnel, and field reconnaissance

of the CS international environmental specialist.

5 Mr. Samuel E. Sapuay, Kocks Consult International Environmental Specialist was at the project site in Jan 2014 to consolidate

Environmental Monitoring activities for the previous period (Jul-Dec 2013)




Table 4: Observed Issues and Corrective Actions

Location Environmental Issues as of

Fieldwork on Oct. 17, 2013

Recommended Mitigation Measures

Discussed in the Fieldwork and Presented

in19 Oct. 2013 Seminar

Target Date for Compliance

For the Project – Dust issues along the Road (Photo

No. 1)

Regular Water Spraying at least Twice a

day in dry days

Access roads – Absence of Signs (Photo No. 2) Provide Sufficient Signs

Already DONE

In Villages – Access along the road was

restricted due to piled up

materials and excavation (Photos

3&4)

Provide Signs

Provide Facilitations for Access

In Areas of Cut

(km 84+900)

– Eminent Collapse at cut areas

(Photo No. 5)

Provide protection

Cordon the sides of the cut

Km 66-68 – Intrusion of Gravel Materials into

the road (Photo No. 6)

Push back gravel materials to the sides of

the road

Km 45 – Spills on the site – Crushing plant

(Photo No. 7)

Removal of Spills

Prevention of Spills

Km 45 – Risk of Silt Contamination –

Crushing plant (Photo No. 8)

Containment berms should be constructed

to retain silt

Km 45 – Open Barrels – Asphalt plant

(Photo No. 9)

Cover the barrels

Provide shelter

Km 45 – Open Barrels – Asphalt plant

(Photo No. 9)

Cover the barrels

Provide shelter

Km 45 – Bitumen Spills – Asphalt plant

(Photo No. 10)

Remove Spill

Km 45 – Improper Waste Management – Prohibit Burning of Waste




Location Environmental Issues as of

Fieldwork on Oct. 17, 2013

Recommended Mitigation Measures

Discussed in the Fieldwork and Presented

in19 Oct. 2013 Seminar

Target Date for Compliance

Asphalt plant (Photo No. 11) Dispose waste properly

Km 45 – Contaminated materials Exposed

– Asphalt plant (Photo No. 12)

Cover Contaminated Materials

Km 45 – Absence of Containment System –

Asphalt plant (Photo No. 13)

Provide concrete containment system

Along the

roadway

– Affected Trees (Photo No. 14) Provide proper inventory of affected

Along the

roadway

– Affected Trees (Photo No. 14) Provide accurate numbers and affected

trees and Provide plan for Replanting

Along the

roadway

– Spills at the construction site

(Photo No. 15)

Spills should be prevented and any spills

should be removed right away




4.2 Notices and Letters

During the six-month period, the CS Consultant had been actively monitoring the Contractor’s

performance in the environmental and social aspects. Issues were identified and communicated

formally to the Contractor in the form of official letters. A listing of such letters on the

environmental aspects and their status is shown below:

Table 5: Letters from the Engineer on Environmental and Social Issues

Letter No. Dated Ref.

To Contractor

024/ZV 25/12/12 EMP to include SS Env. Management Plans

CON05/109

08/04/13 Undertake baseline monitoring

Engage Environmental Expert

Environmental Reporting outstanding

CON05/135 21/04/13 Third party monitoring – request transcript

CON05/191

21/05/13 No objection to 3rd party appointment

Submit baseline reporting

Baseline monitoring - Notice

CON05/212 28/05/13 Env report rejected – historical data not baseline -

Notice

CON05/262 09/06/13 Revised EMP none complaint – no SSEM

CON05/384

23/07/13 Env reports rejected, baseline and monitoring not

address - Notice, Env Checklist provided for CTR

guidance

HO-013 05/09/13 Report lacking in detail, CTR to re-submit

SW01/656 20/12/2014 Monthly environmental report

DES01/679 16/01/2014 Environmental Protection Plan EDB

DES01/689 22/01/2014 Comments on CEMP report

The Contractor likewise presented their responses and concerns in the form of letters and the

list of such letters is presented below.

Table 6: Letters from Contractor on Environmental and Social Issues


AU 019 11/12/12 EMP Submitted

AU 060 27/03/13 Re-submitted EMP

AU 087 19/04/13 Proposed 3rd Party Monitor

13-003/133 20/05/13 Submitted Env Monitoring

13-005/157 30/05/13 Revised EMP submitted

AU 121 08/05/13 Qualifications of 3rd party submitted

003/133 20/05/13 Submitted ENV Report Panjakent

010/219 08/07/13 Submitted March + April Env Report

13-030/320 23/08/13 Bi-Annual Env Report submitted

13-037/349 16/09/13 Submitted SSEMP

004/501 17/01/2014 Environmental Reports for August, September and

October 2013

005/503 17/01/2014 Environmental Report for August 2013 (English)





007/505 17/01/2014 SSEMP Annex1 and 3 (English)

006/504 21/01/2014 Environmental Reports for November-December 2013

009/509 21/01/2014 Environmental Report for September 2013

1010/510 28/01/2014 SSEMP Annex 4

4.3 Corrective Action Plans

Within July - December 2013 environmental monitoring was performed on the road under

construction contract of Kocks Consult GmbH, for the Ayni – Panjakent – Uzbekistan Border

Road. This yielded a number of observable issues which the Contractor had to mitigate. This

report also presents recommended mitigation measures which can be implemented by the

Contractor to mitigate the observed situation and should be inspected by CSC Inspectors.

The issues encountered in this periodic inspection were in the aspect of site safety,

environmental documentary requirements, asphalt plant arrangement and management,

quarry site control, dust management, and campsite solid waste management and oil

contamination. Work related environmental, health and safety concerns were raised during the

period. Validation of the measures was done during the visit of the International

Environmental Specialist during his site inspection in October 2013. The environmental

concerns focused on the following:

(i) Revision of the CEMP

(ii) Severe Contamination at Asphalt plant

(iii) Oil contamination at the quarry site

(iv) Minimization of dust

(v) Safety concerns along the road and people’s safety

As the work perks up again in March 2014, the environmental requirements for the project

need to be fully addressed. This includes the conduct of instrumental measurements for water

quality, air quality (including dust) and noise. It is important that all of the Contractor’s staff

and Subcontractors become aware of the environmental, health and safety requirements of the

Project.




ANNEXES:

Annex 1. Construction Phase Instrumental Monitoring

Table F-7

EMP: Construction Phase Instrumental Monitoring

Issue Mitigation Locations Schedule Responsibilities Reporting

Air Quality The Contractor shall establish

routine Air Quality

Monitoring throughout the

construction period. The

following parameters shall be

monitored: (TSP), Sulfur

Dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen

Dioxide (NO2) and Carbon

Monoxide (CO). Other

parameters maybe warranted

as and when requested by the

Engineer.

At the locations of

the baselines

monitoring and at

any additional

locations to be

determined by the

Engineer (not to

exceed ten per

monitoring period).

Monitoring to be

undertaken once

every three

months

The Contractor shall

hire an independent

monitoring consultant

to perform the

monitoring activities.

The Independent

Specialist shall

provide his results to

the Contractor and

Engineer within three

days of the sampling

activity.

Surface

Water

Quality

The Contractor shall ensure

that routine surface water

monitoring is undertaken

throughout the construction

period. Measured water

quality parameters shall

include Total Suspended

solids (TSS) Biological Oxygen

Demand (BOD) Dissolved

oxygen (DO), Conductivity -

Fecal coliform Oil and grease

Locations will be

determined in

consultation with

the Engineer and

the DEP and shall

include the baseline

locations above and

any other likely to

be subject to water

quality impacts or

significant runoff

(construction

Monitoring to be

undertaken

bimonthly

Responsibilities – The

Contractor shall hire an

independent air quality

monitoring consultant.

The Independent

Specialist shall


the Contractor and



activity.




Table F-7

EMP: Construction Phase Instrumental Monitoring

Issue Mitigation Locations Schedule Responsibilities Reporting

camps,

staging areas, etc.).

Noise The Contractor shall ensure

that routine noise monitoring

is undertaken throughout the

construction period.

Parameters to be monitored to

establish a baseline include:

Laeq 1h (dBA)

Locations will be

determined in

consultation with

the Engineer and

the local DEP but

shall include at least

the following

locations:

• Central Dardar

(KM10)

• Novabod

(KM65)

• Shurcha (KM53)

• Panjakent

(KM92)

• Veshkand

(KM26)

• Gusar (KM73)

Bi-Monthly

throughout

construction.

The Contractor shall

hire an independent

noise monitoring

consultant.

The Independent

Specialist shall


the Contractor and



activity.




Annex 2. Environmental Monitoring Detailed Plan

Environmental

Issues Location Monitoring Method Monitoring Data

Monitoring

By whom Frequency

Quarry sites:

Safety

Quarry and crushing

sites Visual Inspection

Blasting method; Crushing

plant operation; safety

code; ES-

Contractor

/ Engineer

Monthly / (as

directed by

Engineer)

Dust Site perimeter Air Quality Monitoring TSS As directed

by Engineer

Noise/Vibration Site perimeter Noise Level Monitoring dBA and vibration As directed

by Engineer

Visual Inspection Visual inspection Visual Inspection Location of blasting

ES-

Contractor

/ Engineer

Daily/ as

directed by

Engineer

Dust Site/site perimeter Air Quality Monitoring TSS As directed

by Engineer

Noise Site/site perimeter Noise Level Monitoring dBA and vibration As directed

by Engineer

Material Storage Project road and

Contractor’s facilities

Visual Inspection of storage

places;

Review of places protected

against blocking of

waterways (culverts, drains)

by materials.

Containing, distribution

and covering

ES-

Contractor

/ Engineer

Monthly (or

as directed

by Engineer)

Erosion

Project road /

excavation and backfill

area

Visual inspection of erosion

prevention measures under

EMP and erosion

origination

Erosion formation

evidence in the shape of

drain and sheet erosion

ES-

Contractor

/ Engineer

Monthly (or

as directed

by Engineer)

Drainage and Construction sites Visual inspection of Stream adequacy; ES- Monthly (or




Environmental


Monitoring

By whom Frequency

Discharge of

sewage

drainage system. Water confluence Contractor

/ Engineer

as directed

by Engineer)

Rock falls Active rock falls and

steep rock slope areas

Visual inspection of

implementation process of

the removal of bulk material

from slopes and

minimization the falling risk

Unstable

excavation/backfill

ES-

Contractor

/ Engineer

Monthly (or

as directed

by Engineer)

Storage of

chemicals and

hazardous

materials

Construction sites.

Auto repair shops

(garage).

Filling stations

Visual inspection of all

facilities under EMP.

Review of the places where

waterways are prevented

seepage and washout.

Maintenance measures for

distribution of leakage

/seepage evidence

ES-

Contractor

/ Engineer

Monthly (or

as directed

by Engineer)

Discharge of

sewage

Construction sites and

camps

Visual inspection of solid

waste and sewage water

liquidation under EMP

Liquidation of solid wastes

/ sewage

ES-

Contractor

/ Engineer

Monthly (or

as directed

by Engineer)

Surface water

quality

Bridge constriction

sites;

Identified basins,

which are close to the

construction sites.

Visual inspection of water

resources use under EMP.

Water quality monitoring

DO, COD, SS, fecal

coliforms, conductance,

turbidity, pH, temperature

ES-

Contractor

/ Engineer

Bi-monthly

(as per IEE-

Monitoring

Plan)

Air Quality Asphalt Plant

Visual inspection for review

that asphalt plant location is

situated >1km far from

residential area and

regulators of exhaust

emission are installed;

Air quality monitoring

Distance away from

residential areas TSS, SO,

NOx, SO2

ES-

Contractor

/ Engineer

Quarterly (as

per IEE-

Monitoring

Plan)

Air Quality Construction sites Visual inspection of dust Communities’ and ES- Quarterly (as




Environmental


Monitoring

By whom Frequency

suppression plan

implementation and control

of exhaust emission;

Air quality monitoring

workers’ complaints

TSS, SO, NOx, SO2

Contractor

/ Engineer

per IEE-

Monitoring

Plan)

Noise

Construction sites,

which are closer placed

to sensitive zone

Noise monitoring д in sensitive zones

under EMP

ES-

Contractor

/ Engineer

Bi-monthly

(as per IEE-

Monitoring

Plan)

Community Project road

Environmental and social

issues consultancy with

communities along the road

Communities‘ complains

ES-

Contractor

/ Engineer

Monthly (as

directed by

Engineer)




Annex 3: Photos of Environmental Issues

Photo No. 1 : Dust issues along the Road

Photo No. 2 : Absence of Signs




Photo No. 3 : Access along the road was restricted due to piled up materials

Photo No. 4 : Access along the road was restricted due to excavation




Photo No. 5 : Eminent Collapse at cut areas

Photo No. 6 : Intrusion of Gravel Materials into the road




Photo No. 7 : Spills on the site at the crushing plant

Photo No. 8 : Risk of Silt Contamination at the crushing plant




Photo No. 9 : Open barrel pose risk of contamination at the Asphalt plant

Photo No. 10 : Bitumen Spills at the Asphalt plant




Photo No. 11 : Improper Waste Management at the Asphalt plant

P

hoto No. 12 : Contaminated materials Exposed at the Asphalt plant




Photo No. 13 : Absence of containment system at the asphalt plant

Photo No. 14 : Affected trees along the roadway




Photo No. 15 : Spills at the construction site




Annex 4: Power Point Presentation on Environmental, Health & Safety Management and

Monitoring

Environmental Monitoring Report - Asian Development · PDF fileEnvironmental Monitoring Report...

Documents

Transcript of Environmental Monitoring Report - Asian Development · PDF fileEnvironmental Monitoring Report...