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TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAMME

DESCRII’TION OF THE AREA OF IMPACT

POTENTIAL IMPACT AND MITIGATING MEASURES

ALTERNATIVES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OFTHE PROGRAMME

SENSITIZATION CONCERNING THE ENVIRONMENT

SOCIO-CULTURAL HERITAGE AND VALUES

COMPENSATION FOR EXPRORIATION

ASSESSMENT OF THE COST OF MITIGATINGMEASURES

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

REFERENCES

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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 This environmental impact assessment concerns upgrading of the existingFougamou-Mouila-NdendC and Lebamba-NdendC-Tchibanga road sections andrehabilitation of the Gare Octra-Owendo and Port-Gentil-Mandorove roads.

1.2 All roadwork, regardless of the state (rehabilitation or upgrading), affects theenvironment. The impact is more substantial where roads cross environmentally-sensitive areas. Given the importance of the roads concerned their location and theirdirect or induced impacts, this programme is classified in category I. Anenvironmental impact assessment has thus been conducted and this paper presents itsprincipal conclusions.

1.3 Gabon has prepared an environmental code (No. 16/93 of August 1993,concerning protection and improvement of the environment). Article 67 of this coderequires an environmental impact study for all industrial, agricultural, urban, rural,mining or other work, construction or modifications undertaken by the publicauthorities and public and private companies which, because of their scale or,ecological implications, &-e likely to harm the environment.

1.4 It is in conformity with the said law and in keeping with the Bank’senvironmental policy concerning categorization that the impact assessment has beenconducted. This study aims to identify, foresee and evaluate the environmentalimpacts of the roadworks envisaged under the programme, and also. propose means ofattenuating the adverse effects while maximizing the environmental benefits. To thatend, the study has included the following sectoral analyses:

9 data collected on the environmental and socio-economic conditionsand institutional, legislative and administrative frameworks; in additionto direct consultation of government technical services,. economicoperators, local authorities, NGOs and representatives of communitiesalong the roads concerned;

ii) evaluation of the various significant environmental impacts;

iii) identification of measures intended to reduce negative impacts;

iv) estimate of approximate cost of measures; and

4 identification of a unit to carry out appropriate remedial measuresaimed at reducing the negative effects, and the environmental audit.

The two consulting firms have undertaken appreciable sitework. There have beenseveral visits to the sites and the population has generally been involved, through itsrepresentatives in villages and district headquarters.

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1.5 The impact assessment includes the description of the programme, a definitionof the environment in the study area, identification and description of the impacts onthe environment, proposal of mitigating measures, estimates of {he cost of measuresand the unit to monitor their implementation.

1.6 The two firms conducting the study are: !I/

9 Bureau Etude, Conseils et Assistance Technique (BECAT] for the Port-Gentil-Mandorove et Gare Octra-Owendo sections; and /

Iii) SociCtC Nouvelle Gabonaise d’Etude (SNGE) for. the Fougamou-Mouila-

NdendC and Lebamba-Ndende-Tchibanga sections. ,

1.7 The consultants have respected the relevant European legislation (Directive85/3J/CEE), the guidelines on impact assessment studies prepared by the World Bankand the African Development Bank, and also Gabonese legisl&ion (No. 16/93 du26/08/93) concerning protection and improvement of the environment.

2. DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAMME

2.1 The road programme comprises: I,

upgrading of the Fougamou-Mouila-Ndende road (17F km)upgrading of the Lebamba-NdendC-Tchibanga road (124 km)rehabilitation and renovation of the Port-Gentil-Mandorove road (33rehabilitation and renovation of Gare Octra-Owendo express way

km)

(2x5 km)

2.2 These rehabilitation or upgrading works will concern a conventional surfacedcarriageway, 9 metres wide with two shoulders, each one metre wide, and also waterand drainage structures and posting of road signs. The two sections of the expresswaywill be surfaced with asphaltic concrete; each will be 7.60 m with 2.50 m wideshoulders, and double surface dressing and will also require adjustment of a platformand appropriate water and drainage structures. Particular attention will be paid to thefollowing works:

- crossroads with multiple junctions, II- crossroads with asymmetrical connecting roads,- T junctions with asymmetrical connecting roads, I- level crossings for the secondary feeder roads, I- transfer of networks (electricity, water, telephone), an{- replanting in areas affected by the project. I

2.3 The roads concerned by the programme are currently in a deplorable state.They become dangerous during the rainy season (9 months a year) and access to thetowns and markets is extremely difficult. With tarred roads, not only would roadaccidents be reduced, but also travel time, making journeys more comfortable andpleasant. Vehicle breakdowns as well as repair and maintenance costs would also be -reduced. The upgrading and rehabilitation of these roads will hoist economic activityand trade with neighbouring countries. /

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3. DESCRIPTION OF THE AREA OF IMPACT

3.1 The Fougamou-Mouila-NdendC and Lebamba-Ndende-Tchibanga sections.

3.1.1 The impact area covers three characteristic morphological types:

The Ngounie valley, with altitudes varying from 30 to 100 m, fromFougamou to NdendC;

The Ikoundou hills, with gritty and rugged- relief, between Nyali andTchibanga; and

The Piedmont of the Chaillu crystalline massive, with the typicalhummocky relief, found towards Lebamba, at an altitude of 200-300m.

The greater part of the impact area, lying to the east of the Ikoundou massive, isdrained by the Ngounie, the main tributary of the left bank of the Ogooue.

3.1.2 Fougamou-Mouila Road

Within the vast Ngounie Plain, the road traverses generally flat country,undulating in certain areas and covered with savannahs. It crosses several tributariesof the Ngounie:

3.1.3 NdendC-Tchibanaa Road

The NdendC-Nyali section (30 km) represents the transition between the NgouniCPlain and the eastern counterforts of the Ikoundou. The road runs through a slightlyundulating area, predominantly covered by savannahs. This section crosses twotributaries of the Ngounie: The Douba and the Outsakou.

The Nyali-tchibanga road (60 km) runs through the rugged area of Ikoudou,which is under forest. The abrupt contact of this region and the Ngounie Plains to theeast and the Nyanga to the west has given rise to major ramps and deviations incertain sections. It crosses only one river: the Moukalaba Gauzi, a tributary of theNyanga.

3.1.4 Ndende-Lebamba Road

The 34 km road runs through a hilly and quite undulating region, with theresult that the layout shows marked deviations and a rapid succession of high andlow points.

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3.1.5 The major geological formations encountered in the study

,The calcareous/alkaline granite of the Mayoumbe I

The higher schistous/calcareous series of the karand Ndende; and

The sandy shale series of the Ikoundou mountains.

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3.1.5 The soil of the impact area is the ferralitic type. It re:intense alteration of rocks that are typical of the inter-tropical hurthe schistous/cal,careous series of the NgouniC and Nyanga rivepredominantly of the indurated feralitic type, whereas the sandIkoundou has deep layers of renewed iron-bearing soil.

3.1.6 The study area has two distinct seasons with the following characteristics:

a rainy season from mid-September to the end of uiay, and

a dry season from early June to mid-September. ~

The average temperature is 26°C.

3.1.7 The two main vegetation types in the study are:

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irea are:

lassive;

tic plain of Mouila

llts from rapid andid climate zone. In: basins, the soil isshale series of the

savannahs which tend to be shrubby in the hyanga basin andherbaceous in the Ngounie basin, and are intersperded with forests; and

the mountain forest zone, which is rather dense and1 exuberant.

In the Savannah, the graminaceous species are predominant. I

3.1.9 The tropical evergreen forest consistently covers the Ikoundou ranges. This isan area of exceptional richness and diversity with 4,000 to 5,000 common varieties,20% of which are endemic. The best-known wood obtained from the Gabon’s forestis the OkoumC, used for plywood production. At present, Gaboh’s forest as a plantcanopy does not seem threatened. It should however be noted that exploitationnecessarily brings about degradation from primary to secondary forest. Lumbering iscarried out by three categories of operators:

Industrial logging companies that are subsidiaries of European groups,Private companies formed by association of private foreign andnational parties, andindividual loggers (nationals).

The study area has two sawmills.

1. Mandilou - capacity below 5,000 m*, and

2. Mouila - capacity between 5,000 and 10,000 m2.

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3.1.10 The wildlife is generally abundant and varied. In the Savannah environment,the classical wildlife includes ungulates-buffalos and antelopes and panthers. Lionswere once found here but have now disappeared. The forest is a sanctuary for largemammals such as elephants, panthers and primates. The country’s gorilla populationis estimated at between 30,000 and 40,000, with an average density of 0.18 per km2 ofpotential inhabitants. Several species are under protection in Gabon; others are partlyprotected and a hunting quota is in force. Hunting is still an important source ofprotein today, while poaching represents an appreciable source of income. Hunting isregulated. The Fougamou, Nyali and Tchibanga regions are particularly rich in game.Fishing is a secondary activity.

3.1.11 According to 1993 data, Ngounie Province has 77,781 inhabitants and Nyangahas 39,430. The percentages of males/females under 45 years are even. Above thatage, the female population is larger. In 1993, the working population was clearlydominated by women. Women hold 63% (Ngounie) and 60% (Nyanga) of jobs inthese rural areas. Most of the villages have a school with a solid structure. All majorvillages have a dispensary. Ngounie Province has under two doctors for 10,000inhabitants, while Nyanga does not even have one for 10,000. Mouila, Ndende.Tchibanga and Lebamba have water supply system with standpipes. The rural watersupply programmes have equipped wells with manual pumps, The prevalent diseasesare malaria, filiarosis and bilharziosis. Diarrhoeic conditions remain the leadingcauses of infant mortality. Aids and sexually transmitted diseases (STM) are a seriousproblem in Gabon.

3.1.12 Agriculture and Livestock breeding are of particular importance in the studyarea. Forest agriculture is carried out by slash and burn procedures. Farmers clearone or several parcels of land each year. Livestock breeding is carried out along theroads, especially starting from Mouila. It is well developed in the Tchibanga area.Once the subsistence needs are met, most of the villages have surpluses for randomsale. Plantain and cassava sellers obtain their supplies from all the villages, primarilybetween Ndende and Tchibanga, and send them to Libreville markets.

3.2 Port-Gentil-Mandorove and Gare Octra-Owendo Roads

3.2.1 The projects are situated in the Estuaire and Ogooue Maritime provinces. ThePort-Gentil-Mandorove project area is characterized by low-lying coastal areas whichare vast marshlands consisting of mangrove swamps and sandy strips parallel to thecoast. The bottom surfaces of these low areas are partly coated with silt and claywhich is not very permeable. On the other hand, the sandy strips are permeable. Theproject area starts from the inner suburbs of Port-Gentil and ends on the banks of abranch of the OgoouC called the Animba. The Gare Octra-Owendo project area is inthe peripheries of Libreville. This road runs through the city’s port area andrepresents for the entire country, a principal channel for land transportation of goods.The sector is urbanized and industrial density is increasing considerably.

3.2.2 The natural environment of the project areas and the surroundings consists ofsavannahs. These are characterized by grassland interspersed with copses.

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3.2.3 The population density is low along the Port-Gentil road and higher along theGare Octra-Owendo road. Significantly, 406,100 persons are concerned by the twoprojects. The human population taken into account is in the towns and villages alongthe roads. The population structure reflects a problem of migration of the workforcetowards the towns, which probably constitutes the greatest impediment for thedevelopment of food crop farming. The lives of communitibs along the routessurveyed are in most cases organized around the roads. The health, education, waterand electricity supply infrastructure are relatively well developed, especially at Port-Gentil. In the project area, women engage in activities such 4s agriculture, housecleaning, industry, trade, catering, administration, etc, I

3.2.4 Food crop farming is practised extensively in the form of shifting cultivationand slash/burn procedures. The produce is largely for family consumption, but thereis a small degree of marketing. Traditional hunting is very common in the area. It isdeveloped in the regions beyond Ogooue. Fishing, though artisanal, is very welldeveloped in the Mandorove Region.

3.2.5 The major pathologies in Gabon are linked with the humidity and water; theyare mainly malaria and bilharziosis.

3.2.6 There is no exploitation of forest resources in the project area. There is just awood port at Owendo, timber rafts near the Port-Gentil delta an/l a large number ofwood processing industries.

I3.2.7 Port-Gentil is the focal point of petroleum exploitation and the principalloading point for petroleum. The Sector has numerous operators! the most prominentbeing Elf-Gabon and Shell-Gabon.

4. POTENTIAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATING MEASURI&

The study has identified the following environmental impacts of the project:

the temporary impact;impacts linked with the realization and utilization of the roads; andthe indirect and induced effects.

4.1 It should be noted that whatever perturbations arise darn the project arereduced on account of the solution adopted, namely the upgrading and improvementof the existing road. The relatively modest scale of the work (as dompared to outrightreconstruction or extensive modification) and the limited interference andexpropriation brought about by the project make it possible to stringently andeffectively regulate the consequences for the environment. The direct impact areawill be limited to the areas along the existing road, which are already greatly affectedfrom the human and natural standpoints by the existence of the roads. Specificenvironmental impacts are likely to be manifested locally in the areas concerned bythe rectification of curves and deviation of the existing layouts.

4.2 The other sections will involve a dual carriageway and strengthening of theGare Octra-Owendo road, which already exists, and renovation of the Port-Gentil-Mandorove road. The foreseeable impacts on the environment are not very

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significant, since the work will consist in widening and improving the existingroadway. This will not entail major environmental impacts. The environmentalimpact will largely be noted in the last twenty kilometers of the Port-Gentil-Mandorove road, which is a new layout.

4.3 The harmful effects have been identified and the proposed measures arepresented in the table below:

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TABLEl: IMPACTS EXPECTED DURING THE EXECUTION OF WORKS ANDCORRESPONDING MEASURES

hi.ng construction, there will bePROJECT ACTIVITIES

zarthworks, excavation, transporting ofmaterials and circulation of machinery.

1.POTENTIAL IMPACTSIncrease in the quantityof solids in suspensionintheairduringthedry season.

PROPOSED MITIGATION MEASURES1. Frequently water the area and reduce

periods of stockpiling

Earthworks and preparation of roadfoundation.

Working of quarries and borrow pits.

Transporting materials.

Disposal of excess materials, rubble andother debris.During maintenance of machinery,spillage of used oil, hydrocarbons, etc.

Cut-offs resulting from rectification oflayouts.

Water resources

Installation of temporaryaccommodation for site employees.

2. The layout of theHydrographical network andthe course of smallerbo$ies of water will beaffected.

Serious soil erosion actuallyconcerning only 60 km out of300 km.

Soil erosion

Problems relating to circulation,safety and adverse effects.

Impact on landscape, waterresources and visual amenities.Water and soil pollution.

Scenic and safety impacts.

Minimal and reversible impact.Limited duration. during theworks phase.1. Increase in poaching.

2. Production of waste water.

2. Construct temporary basins, decantationsand provide gutters, ditches and concretedownpipes in the sector.

Reinforce earthworks with a layer of laterite.

Cover the slopes with vegetation byhydroseeding of local herbaceous and shrubspecies.

Project certain slopes with gabions andprotect the bases of slopes with gabionmattresses, where underwashing is possible.Rehabilitate quarries and borrow pits withtop soil and by restoring the plant cover.Regulate access.The local authorities will determine thedefinitive itineraries and frequency _ofcirculation of trucks. Drivers will be trainedin road safety and temporary signposts put upat strategic points.This material will be placed in a regulatedstorage area and/or reutilized where possible.Periodic maintenance of machinery to avoidleakage of lubricants, fuel collection andtreatment of drained oil as required byauthorities. All maintenance work (cleaning,draining of engines, etc), will be carried outin specially fitted areas. The ditches shouldbe leakproof.Highlight areas around roads using embossedfluorescent markings. In accordance with thetechnical feasibility studies, the cmsh barrierswill be of wood. The cut-offs areas resultingfrom rectification of roads will be made intoparking places with greenery and thusintegrated into the natural scenery.Put up structures, water installations anddrain streams.

1. Sensitization of staff on problem ofpoaching and specific mention of thisoffence in the contracts for recruitmentof employees.

2. Installation of specific evacuation pipes

3. Health problems, alcoholism 3. Provision of appropriate sanitaryand MSTs. instAllations, particularly the provision

of kg water and collection ofrubbish and waste. The problems ofalcoholism and MSTs will be addressedthrough a campaign for sensitization ofemployees.

4. Keeping the camping sites. 4. Thelcontractor will include in the projecta uclean site” programme, involving:

I- an undertaking to dispose of debrisresulting from demolition only in clearlydesignated areas allocated for that purpose.- an undertaking to store all pollutingmaterials and to transport and dispose ofthem in areas approved by the authorities.- an undertaking not to abandon anymaterials after the works are completed.- an undertaking to clean the camp sites afterthe works are completed.

Rectification of curves and construction Soil erosion and destruction of To control erosion and stabilize theof the new layout. It should be noted vegetation. For the tropical foundation, certain measures (earthworks)that, in most cases, the project consists forest in the Nyali-Tchibanga will be ?ndertaken. All trees to be maintainedin upgrading or rehabilitation of an (60 km) sector, clearing will will be identified and protected by fixingexisting road using the same layout, concern only an average of one wooden stakes. In the forest areas (Nyali-except in specific areas such as hectare per kilometre, giving a Tchibanga) the gallery forests will bemountains, where curves have to be total of approximately 60 ha of conserved as much as possible, by clearingcorrected and at Mandorove, where the forest. Everywhere else where only the’ strict minimum needed (width ofroad runs through a savannah plain; the the road crosses the savannah lo-12mj. The specifications will clearlyvegetation (which is not dense) will be area, there is satisfactory indicate measures such as avoiding earthtillscleared. The impact on the wildlife will sunshine and there will only be within 2 m of the trunks of these trees,be insignificant, considering the project clearing along the edge of the avoiding clearing and excavation aroundarea. road. their roots, and where appropriate, leaving an

unsurfaced area of at least 4 m2 per treearound the roots.

During the site works. 1. Minimal negative impact. 1. Construct access to housing (concreteMomentary disruption of links slab’s across the ditches-ramps).between the settlements, the - Provide sidewalks in urban areas and nearroad and the land, and the schools.circulation of machinery and - Provide access for the communities aroundtrucks affecting safety. the road1

-Provide! places for stores and small business.- Provide sidewalks for the roads under

construction- Provide places for laundering ant’bathrooms destroyed during the works- Improle the areas around bridges to bconstructecl, so as to facilitate access to waterpoints-‘For the traBic problem, the measures wil.be ‘the same as recommended for thr

2. Destruction of fences. transporting of materials2. The fences destroyed will be restorecusing lOfa1 materials and/or with vegetatior

3. Inconvenience caused by provided.noise. 3. The noise will be temporary. All thr

same, the works will be limited to normaworking1 hours.

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TABLE 2: IMPACT DURING UTILIZATION OF THE ROADS ANDPROPOSED MTIGATMG MEASURES

;he taming and widening of the The deterioration of the living 1. Improve all the points of,oad will have a significant conditions of the communities conflict (junctions, level:ffect on the lives of villages. around the project area and crossings, etc), by increasingThe technical features of the those who operate along the and improving vertical and,oad will allow for greater roads and the increased risk of horizontal road signs.;peed. accidents. The expected 2. Provide speed traps

increase in speed on the roads nearing the urbanwill give rise to conflict and can 3. Change the ty-pe oflead to accidents. surfacing around major

roundabouts.4. ,Improve visibility at nightin inhabited areas by usingembossed fluorescentmarkings.5. Construct sidewalks.6. Provide safety fittings andfacilities (railing on bridges andwooden crash barriers).The ministry concerned should,in collaboration with thecompetent authorities,implement a programme ofsensitization on road safety,targeting road users, schoolchildren and drivers inparticular.

The road programme is likely to The negative impacts will be 1. Given the low populationproduce induced effects in the limited. The effects will be: density of the regionsmedium to long-term, with the 1. A significant increase in food concerned, clearing will beattendant socioeconomical crop farming activities in marginal in comparison with theimplications. landlocked or isolated areas. vast savannah and forest areas.

2. The increase in traffic and 2. Control poaching andtherefore in potential clients Provide more forest guards inwill favour hunting in the the field. The law concerningsavannah area as well as the protection of wildlife should beforest area. stringently enforced.

3. It is quite probable that the3. The access tracks and roads accesses created for the forest

required for forest exploitation activities willexploitation would facilitate increase uncontrolled farmingthe arrival of people who and hunting activities. Peoplewill create pressure in the should be sensitized on thehunting and agriculture question of poaching and thesectors. imbalance any excess in thal

regard can CiWSe. Theauthorities should control allforest exploitation activities.particularly the degradation 01the forest environment.

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4. All the development will be4. The road programme will accord& to the integratedbring about development of development plan. This planindustrial potential (wood will be iprepared by experts inindustries,extraction

agro-industrial the rele@t areas. A period ofindustries) petrol 10 months is envisaged for

stations, restaurants and bars, preparation (for the cost andmarkets, etc, and also lead to details, see). The authoritiessettlement of populations should ensure that all thethroughout the areas crossed by activities in the area are inthe roads.positive

The impacts are accordance with the existingbut uncontrolled legislation

development could lead to 5 There is great potentialecological and social imbalance. for tour&n. In the project area,

the sites concerned are the5. The roads will run through hunting areas and naturethe hunting areas and plant reserves south of Ndendt, thereserves south of Ndendt and Empress, Eugenia falls, ““Notrealso create a huge potential for Dame de Trois Epis”“at Sindara,tourism. mount Dikaki, the “Paul du

Chailu” mountain range, theNgounie River, Lac BleuHospital in Bongolo, theBongolo, underground galeries,etc. The benefits of the tourismsector &ill still be maximized iftourism development followsthe integrated development planThe development of picnic andcamping sites, natural reserves,etc is envisaged. The promotionof eco-tourism will give thissector renewed importance.

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5. ALTERNATIVES FOR tMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAMME

5.1 The upgrading of the existing road has been preferred to any solutioninvolving a new road and is justified from the technical and economic standpoints.This solution makes it possible to greatly reduce the direct impact of the project on theenvironment, during the construction as well as the subsequent utilization of theroads, on the natural environment (limited adverse effects on natural vegetation,negligible destruction of biotopes) as well as human beings (very little impact onvillages).

5.2 The option to restore vegetation in the project area and areas bordering on thework sites and also the use of gabions, gabion mattresses and terramesh for protectionand stabilization of the foundation will not only reduce the cost of protection but alsoallow for natural integration of the existing landscape, compatible with theundegraded environment.

5.3 Rehabilitation of quarries and borrow pits with top soil and covering theseareas with local vegetation and will improve the visual amenity, giving a morepleasant and serene environment.

6. SENSITIZATION CONCERNING THE ENVIRONMENT

_. The study recommends the recruitment of an environmental expert. Thisexpert will be a specialist from the Department of Environment. He will be secondedto the Road Programme Implementation Unit (RPIU) throughout the projectimplementation stage. This expert will take account of the respective wishes of thecontractors, the Government, the forest guards and the surrounding community, so asto optimize the environmental measures on the basis of concerted views. The expert’stask will consist in:

assisting the consulting firms to prepare environmental specificationsindicating measures to be respected by bidding enterprises;

- verifying implementation of these measures during site work; and

s informing, listening to and harmonizing the viewpoints of the differentparties involved in the project, so as to ensure constant sensitization onthe environment and its translation into concrete action.

For the benefit of children in particular, it will be necessary to carry out a road safetysensitization programme in schools.

7. SOCIO-CULTURAL HERITAGE AND VALUES

7.1 The village of Modouma, south of Fougamou has a recently constructed -church with remarkable architecture. This building is of interest in terms of regionalheritage and could be fully upgraded by the project through specific signposting.

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7.2 The villages generally have meeting areas for discussion prior to commondecisions. These are often marked by trees selected because of their height and theshade they provide. These areas, often situated in the immediate vicinity of the road,will be spared. I

8. COMPENSATION FOR EXPROPRIATION i

The project area as delimited will have a very limited effect on crops. Out of300 km of roads to be improved, only 1.1 hectares of crops will be destroyed alongthe Ndende - Lebamba road. On the Gare Octra - Owendo section, certain propertieswill “‘be expropriated. Only four dwellings will be destroyed. These are lightstructures, made of wood or adobe. Only one is on the Ndende and Lebamba road,the three others are outside this road reserve. However, to ensure road safety, theywill have to be moved. The programme provides for construction of new and modemaccommodation and the reaction of the population concerne)d will be very positive.The area of land is estimated at 3000 m2. The houses are to be reconstructed in thesame environment and the occupants will be moved into them before the old ones aredestroyed. An amount of 170,000,000 F.CFA (210,000 UA) has been reserved forcompensation. The cost of expropriation and compensation to farmers has beenassessed and included in the cost of the measures. This procedure will be carried outin accordance with the presidential decree on expropriation, T 000846/PR&IAER of08 August 1979. /

9. ASSESSMENT OF THE COST OF MITIGATING h&ASURES

The study served to identify measures required to mitigate the negativeimpacts and recommended that they be included in the specifications. The costs ofthese measures is as follows:

Rehabilitation of the extraction areas ........... 1 h2,000,000 CFA.FProtection of water.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ! 9,450,OOO CFA.FProtection of vegetation ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ! .1,500,000 CFA.FTransporting of materials .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 ,OOO,OOO CFA.FCleanliness of campsites .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fences

/28,500,000 CFA.F..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164,000,000 CFA.F

Workers’ campsite .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . b4,200,000 CFA.FSensitization concerning the environment ...... 36,000,OOO CFA.FSensitization on safety ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21,000,OOO CFA.FZoning plan ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,000,OOO CFA.FFlow and quality of water .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,500,OOO CFA.FLandscape ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i 57,500,OOO CFA.FPlant cover .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,000,000CFA.FSafety ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378,20,000 CFA.FLiving conditions and visual amenities .......... 397,000,OOO CFA.FExpropriation ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120,000,000 CFA.FCompensation for agriculture ........................ 50,000,OOO CFA.F _

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The tax-free cost of these measures is estimated at CFA.F 1,558,250,000 (IJA 1.92million). This cost is taken into account in estimating the overall tax-free cost of theprogramme.

10. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

10.1 The environmental assessment studies are in conformity with the Bank’sdirectives concerning the environment for category 1 projects.

10.2 With the implementation of the mitigating measures recommended and closefollow-up by the implementation unit, the negative measures will without doubt beattenuated. In addition, the amount earmarked for mitigating the negative impactswill improve not only the physical environment but also the living conditions and thewelfare of the populations.

10.3 During appraisal of the programme, all the above points were examined andassessed to determine their pertinence and conformity with Bank rules andprocedures. The conclusions have been incorporated in the appraisal report to besubmitted to the Board.

11. REFERENCES

Les sols du Gabon (Pedogenese, Repartition et Amplitudes),ORESTROM (1991);

Recensement general de la Population DGSEE - Ministere desFinances, de l’,Economie, du Budget et des Participations, Charge de laPrivatisation (1993);

Le Gabon (EDICEF - EDIG), Geographic active (1993);

Carte Pedologique de reconnaissance l/200.000, feuille LIBREVILLE-KANGO;

Rehabilitation et Amenagement de la Route Ndjole - Mitzic, Etuded’Impact Environnemental(l996);

Textes Juridique sur la Protection des For&, de 1’Environnement et dela Faune au Gabon (1995);

Le Code de l’Environnement, Gabon;

Guidelines for Environmental Assessment, African DevelopmentBank: (1992); and

Environmental Assessment Sourcebook, World Bank (1991).