Estudios Ambientalesdel Programa de AmpliaciónEstudios Ambientalesdel Programa de Ampliación

Environmental Aspectsof the Panama Canal Expansion

International Seminar on SustainableDredging and Maritime Construction

Daniel M. Muschett IbarraEnvironmental Management and Monitoring Section

Engineering and Programs Administration Department

Contents:

Environmental Standards

Public Consultation

Environmental Monitoring

Environmental Commitments

Dredging Components

Disposal Sites

Physical and Chemical Studies

EsIA Deepening and Widening of the Pacific Entrance

Environmental Impact

Mitigation Measures

HIGH ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS

Environmental Requirements:

Environmental Impact Studies and Enforcing Resolutions

Panamanian Laws and Regulations

ACP Standards

Multilateral Development Banks Requirements

Public Participation

Environmental and Health & Safety Aspects Addressed:

Noise and Vibrations

Air Quality

Water Management

Awareness Training

Solid and Hazardous Waste Management

Erosion and Sedimentation Control

Wildlife Rescue

Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene

Cultural Resources Protection

Due Diligence Review PerformanceStandards (PS)Compliance

PS 1: Social and Environmental Assessment and Management System

EIA included a social and environmental assessment, management program, organizational capacity, training, community engagement, monitoring & reporting

PS 2: Labor and Working ConditionsContractors are to comply with labor regulations, and measures to protect work force and monitor working conditions

PS 3: Pollution Prevention and AbatementEIA included measures for pollution prevention, resources conservation, wastes and hazardous materials management, and emergency preparedness and response

Due Diligence ReviewPerformanceStandards (PS)Compliance

PS 6: Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Natural Resource ManagementImpacts over biodiversity evaluated, measures for biodiversity conservation and natural resources management included in the EsIA.

PS 7: Indigenous PeoplesIndigenous peoples communities are not affected by the project.

PS 8: Cultural HeritageMeasures implemented to protect cultural heritage

PS 4: Community Health, Safety and SecurityWorks away from populated areas; measures to protect communities health & safety

PS 5: Land Acquisition and Involuntary ResettlementLimited involuntary resettlement, consultation and grievance mechanisms, Gatun Lake socio environmental management plan

Rescue and RelocationRescue and Relocation

Due Diligence ReviewEquator Principles Compliance

Principle 1: Review and CategorizationCategory III, equivalent to Category A

Principle 2: Social and Environmental AssessmentEsIA completed and approved in November 2007

Principle 3: Applicable Social and EnvironmentalStandardsNational Standards comparable to EPA.

Principle 4: Action Plan and Management SystemEIA included an Environmental Management Plan to be implemented.

Principle 5: Consultation and DisclosureProject was approved by referendum and consultation took place according to the EIA process

Due Diligence ReviewEquator Principles Compliance

Principle 6: Grievance MechanismACP informs communities and Office for

community relations will be established. A grievance mechanism has been established

Principle 7: Independent ReviewERM ESDD Report

Principle 9: Independent Monitoring and ReportingIndependent consultant prepared the first audit report (PES), new contract for period 2008 - 20014.

Principle 8: CovenantsApply contractual environmental covenants

Public Consultation

Extensive Consultation During All Project Stages

Process initiated during the Referendum information phase in 2006

During the EsIA process two public meetings were held, one in the Atlantic and one in the Pacific

Community meetings were held to inform about the dredging and the first dry excavation projects

EsIA is available at ACP web page

Free telephone line and email address available for public participation

Two public relations offices will be established (Atlantic and Pacific)

Environmental Monitoring and Follow Up

Independent Consultant Compliance Evaluation:

Overall Compliance Status 96 – 100%

100%Gatun Access Road

100%Field Offices

98%PAC 2

96%PAC 1

ComplianceProject

Environmental Monitoring of the Mitigation Measures:

Implementation - Contractor (daily)Internal inspections - IARM (variable)Report on application and effectiveness

EMP – Independent Consultant (semiannual)

Overall compliance – ANAM (semiannual)

Independent Consultant: “Maintainingimpartiality, objectivity, and

transparency in the eyes of all project stakeholders is critical” IFC

Paraíso Hill – Borinquen Highway

Internal inspecciones - IARM

• Interviews with workers to verify working conditions, safety and occupational health issues and training

• Contractors comply providing workers with safety and protective equipment in accordance with the type of work they perform

• Safety meetings are conducted

• Working shifts are implemented

Monitoring of labor conditions – Dry Excavations

Water Quality MonitoringPAC 1

PAC 2

Physical-chemical and microbiological Parameters

On-site Parameters– pH, temperature, conductivity,

dissolved oxygenLaboratory Parameters

– Alkalinity, total dissolved and suspended solids, turbidity, sulfates

– Nutrients• Phosphates, nitrates, nitrites

– Metals• Calcium, magnesium, sodium,

potassium, copper, lead, iron, zinc, aluminum, manganese, beryllium

– Coliforms• Totals• Fecal (E.Coli)

Hydro seedingHydro seeding

Drainages CanalizationDrainages Canalization

Sedimentation system(coarse sediment)Sedimentation system(coarse sediment)

Installation of erosion control blanketsInstallation of erosion control blankets

Construction of temporary docks for sediment settlingConstruction of temporary docks for sediment settling

Erosion and Sedimentation Controls

Sedimentation system(fine sediment)Sedimentation system(fine sediment)

Environmental Commitments

ACP Organizational Structure

ACP Organizational Structure Modified to Respond to Project Requirements:

Resources Planning and Project Controls Division

Environmental Management and Monitoring Section (IARM)

Verify Expansion Program compliance with environmental and social requirements

Develop environmental requirements and guidelines

Monitor environmental measures effectiveness and compliance

Interacts with communities in regard to environmental and social aspects of the project

Advice on environmental requirements to be included within contracts

Coordinate measures for cultural heritage protection

Archaeological surveys and rescues at the probable alignment for the new locks at the Pacific, Cocoli disposal sites, Cocoli Diversion channel, Rousseau, and the proposed Borinquen Highway alignment, in January 2006, May 2007, March 2008 and May 2008

Coordination with the Museo del Canal Interoceánico to exhibit Archaeological & Paleontological findings.

Established procedure for archeological / paleontological findings

Archaeologist on call for findings evaluation and rescue during project execution

Archaeological Surveys and Rescue

Environmental Commitments

Contract with Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute for:

• Paleontological research and rescue

• Reconstruction of plant and animal diversity

• Oceanic and climatic model addressing variations due to the rise of the Isthmus

• Detailed Geological Map

• Stratigraphic and structural model of the Canal and tectonic evolution of the Isthmus

• Geological dating of units of interest

Paleontological Surveys and Rescue

Environmental Commitments

Overall, reforestation of 1,000 hectares is required.

Work to take place in protected areas.

145 hectares planted in 2008

Ecological Compensation

Environmental Commitments

2009 Reforestation Areas:Chiriquí – Parque Nacional Volcan Barú and ANAM’s

Forestry Investigation Center

Coclé – Parque Nacional Omar Torrijos

Panamá – Parque Nacional Chagres and Parque Nacional

Camino de Cruces

On going coordination with ANAM to cover 270 hectares during year 2009.

26,393 45,460

131,03361,620

410 384

269,060370,225

452,700

1,357,285

0

200,000

400,000

600,000

800,000

1,000,000

1,200,000

1,400,000

Component

East Navigation ChannelWest Navigation ChannelAtlantic LocksPacific LocksAtlantic Field OfficePacific Field OfficePAC 1PAC 2PAC 3Total

Ecological Indemnization

A total of 1,357,285.00 US Dollars have been paid in concept of ecological indemnization

PAC 1- PAC 2

Wildlife Rescue Plans are required and included in all Environmental Management Plan of the EsIAs

Wildlife Rescue

Environmental Commitments

Rescue efforts have resulted in the relocation of:

SlothsCrocodilesIguanasRabbitsReptilesAmphibiaCoatimundiOcelot

ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS FOR DREDGING ACTIVITIESCANAL EXPANSION PROGRAM

Canal Expansion Program Dredging Components

Canal Expansion Program Dredging Components

Deepening and Wideningof the Atlantic Entrance Channel

Deepening and Wideningof the Atlantic Entrance Channel

Deepening and Widening of theGatún Lake Navigation ChannelsDeepening and Widening of the

Gatún Lake Navigation ChannelsDeepening of the Culebra Cut

Navigation ChannelsDeepening of the Culebra Cut

Navigation Channels

Deepening and Wideningof the Pacific Entrance Channel

Deepening and Wideningof the Pacific Entrance Channel

14 M m3Volumen:

Atlantic Entrance Deepening and WideningAtlantic Entrance Deepening and Widening

Width: 225m (740´) ▶Width: 225m (740´) ▶

Gatun Lake and Culebra Cut Deepening and Widening

Gatun Lake and Culebra Cut Deepening and Widening

Deepening and Widening of the Gatún Lake and

Culebra Cut Navigation Channels(Dredging - 27 M m3)

Pacific Entrance Deepening and Widening(9.1 M m3)

Pacific Entrance Deepening and Widening(9.1 M m3)

Baseline studies Evaluation of existing environmental conditionsTechnical Factors (site preparation, use, and material transportation methods)Environmental ImpactsMitigation and environmental monitoring requirements

Environmental evaluation of the Atlantic and Pacific disposal sites

Atlantic site Pacific site

Water QualitySuspended solids and turbidity

Chlorides

Total disolved solids

Conductivity

Inorganic chemistry

Physical – Chemical Studies Gatun Lake and Canal Sea Entrances

SedimentsGrain size distribution

Metals

Currents and tides

Bathymetry

Hydrodynamic Studies at the Canal Entrances(Dredging and disposal sites)

Currents simulations durante las mareas:

Flooding tideMaximum high tideFalling tideMaximum low tide

PacíficoPacífico

Atlantic

Bathymetric studies at the canal entrances

Pacific Area Atlantic Area

225m (740´) Min

225m (740´) Min

“Deepening and Widening of the Pacific Entrance”.

Approved on 7 August, 2007 Inspection by Sectorial Environmental Units and ANAM

Pacific entrance (9,2 M m3 – to be dredged)

Environmental Impacts

Positive Impacts

Employment generation Economic and social contributions

Negative Impacts

Vibrations generation Sedimentation and turbidity increase Geomorphologic changes (sea bed) Sea water quality changes Effects on aquatic flora and fauna

Variación en la Turbidez y Sólidos Totales Suspendidos

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

1S 1F 2S 2F 3S 3F 4S 4F 1S 1F 2S 2F 3S 3F 4S 4F 1S 1F 2S 2F 3S 3F 4S 4F

2005-09-19 (Antes de la operación) 2005-10-24 (Durante la operación) 2005-11-30 (Después de la operación)

Fecha de muestreo

STS (mg/l) Turb. (UNT)

Antes

Durante

Después

Dredging Mitigation Measures

Measures to reduce turbidityDecrease sediments re-suspension

Hopper-suction dredger: Optimize velocity, suction mouth, and deposit pumping; limit spillovers and/or chute load; reduce water intake; utilize a return flow; and reduce air content in spillover mix.

Cutter-suction dredger: Optimize velocity of suction cut, balancing and discharge; protect cutting or suction head; and optimize the cutting head design.

Deep dredger: Utilize a visor over the bucket; and utilize a screen or curtain.

Mitigation Measures

DISCHARGE SCHEME FOR CONTROLED HOPPER

Prevention of turbidity during material disposal

DREDGED MATERIAL ACCUMULATION MODEL BY SINGLE PARTICLES

DREDGED MATERIAL ACCUMULATION MODEL BY JET

Dredging mitigation measures

Sediments and Marine Environment Monitoring Plan

Water column quality measurements

Sea bed physical, chemical and biological characteristics measurements

Hydrographic measures

Aquatic fauna (Fish) monitoring

Measures to reduce sediments discharges tonatural water bodies and/or the canal

Use of sediment control weirs;Filling of spoil sites controlling the secure level corresponding to the perimetric containment; andUse of transverse intermediate walls.

Mitigation Measures – Disposal Sites

Sitio de depósitoTanque Negro Sur

Murointermedio

Mitigation measures - vibrations due to blasting

Blasting activities planning

Minimize blasting damages through the blasting location, weight, and elements synchronization

Vibrations monitoring during blasting

Nearby buildings and structures inspections

Mitigation measures for noise reduction

Noise silencers on equipments with internal combustion motors

Periodical maintenance of construction equipment

National regulations and standards compliance

Restricted schedules for blasting activities

Monitoring by competent consultants and keeping the documentation updated

Vibrations and Blasting Effects Monitoring Plan

Monitor vibrations due to blasting on nearby residences

Seismographs installation

Graphic documentation for each blasting

Monitor on a regular basis the implementation of mitigation measures for noise, vibrations, and contaminant gases reduction

Supervise the compliance of the equipment maintenance programs

Perform, quarterly, sound and frequency measurements in public affected areas

Air emissions and noise control and monitoring plan

Works are carefully planned, evaluated and executed to prevent, minimize, and mitigate adverse impacts

and improve environmental performance