WORKING - pdf.usaid.gov

u.s. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTBUREAU FOR AsIA AND THE NEAR EAST

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20523

WORKING DRAFTRECORD OF ENVIRONMENTAL DECISIONANE 05-124 Indonesia ROD EA Scoping Statement

Country Code-SO:SO Name:

498-0045Aceh Tsunami

Country or Region: Indonesia

Activity Name: Reconstruction of Banda Aceh to Meulaboh Road, Indonesia, in Response to theSouth East Asia Tsunami of December 26, 2004

Funding Begin: 2005 Funding End: 2006 Funding Amount: $285,000,000

Approval Issue: Scoping Statement for Environmental Assessment, Approved

CLEARANCE:

Mission Director ~- (simed) .-Approval: William M. Frej July 25. 2005,..,.""

Date c

AlMission Deputy DirectorApproval: (simed)_.

James HopeJulv 11.2005"",",

DateAI Program Office Director

Approval: (si~ed):-'!:'i;

Lows KuhnJulv 18. 2005,;1:

c

DateRegional Legal AdvisorApproval: (cleared bv e-mail)c.

Eileen HsiehJulv 12.2005 (,..,.Date

Mission Environmental OfficerApproval: (si2lled) 0, ..~

Theresa Tuaiio

,.

July 11. 2005,)~Date

CONCURRENCE:Bureau EnvironmentalOfficer

-

2ANE 05-124 Indonesia ROD EA Scoping Statement

OVERVIEW

The "Reconstruction of Banda Aceh to Meulaboh Road. Sumatra, Indonesia in Response to the SouthEast Asia Tsunami of December 26, 2004" project would rehabilitate and reconstruct the Banda Aceh toMeulaboh road in two phases. Phase I construction or "priority construction" includes rehabilitation andreconstruction of selected road segments and necessary bridges between Banda Aceh to Lamno not toexceed 10 kilometers (km). This priority reconstruction will substantially improve the transportationaccess from Banda Aceh to Lamno in the interim while Phase n reconstruction is being designed. Phasen includes rehabilitation and reconstruction of the entire road with river with bridges from Banda Aceh toMeulaboh (approximately 240 km).

DISCUSSION

The scoping statement for the EA identifies these Phase I activities with direct, indirect, and cumulativepotentially significant adverse environmental effects: topography (soil erosion and re-deposition; indirectimpacts to stream crossings), soils (conversion of agricultural lands to road use; erosion), seismic andgeological characteristics (seismic vulnerability, active faults, liquefaction, ground collapse), hydrology(surface hydrology; flood characteristics), and land use controls (operational impacts). The scopingstatement for the EA identifies these Phase n activities with direct, indirect, and cumulative potentiallysignificant adverse enviromnental effects: topography (impacts due to cut and fill activities; soil erosionand re-deposition; indirect impacts to stream crossings; shoreline protection activities), soils (conversionof agricultural lands to road use; erosion), seismic and geological characteristics (seismic vulnerability,active faults, liquefaction, ground collapse), hydrology (surface hydrology; flood characteristics),fauna/wildlife (endangered, threatened, or vulnerable species; sensitive species, breeding season),sensitive habitat and protected areas (clearing activities; illegal logging activities), coastal and marineresources (shoreline protection activities), and land use controls (construction impacts/labor camps,detours; operational impacts), and socio-economic considerations (impacts to re-establishingcommunities)

DECISION

The scoping statement for the EA for the "Reconstruction of Banda Aceh to Meulaboh Road, Indonesia,in Response to the South East Asia TsW1ami of December 26,2004" is approved.

File No: ANE 05-124 Indonesia ROD EA Scoping Statement

DISTRIBUTION:Mission Environmental OfficerROD File

Scoping Statement, Sumatra Road Reconstruction 1

Date Address Re: Environmental Scoping Statement

Reconstruction of Banda Aceh to Meulaboh Road, Sumatra, Indonesia in Response to the South East Asia Tsunami of December 26, 2004

Dear >>>, We are please to transmit herewith the Scoping Statement as the basis for the Environmental Assessment (EA) of the Reconstruction of Banda Aceh to Meulaboh Road, Sumatra, Indonesia in Response to the South East Asia Tsunami of December 26, 2004. We believe that the Scoping Statement provides the basis for the immediate initiation of the EA and we have structured the document to facilitate review of its conformance to the requirements of 22 CFR 216, as well as additional environmental issues suggested by our field investigations to date and issues generally associated with relevant infrastructure projects. Although aspects of a Scoping Statement for this project may require discussion and refinement of the work program, we hope that substantive issues of scope (if any) and refinements (if needed) could be resolved concurrent with, rather than prior to, initiation of the EA analysis. We look forward to discussing the Scoping Statement and the proposed schedules with you at your earliest convenience. Sincerely,


Environmental Scoping Statement For the Reconstruction of Banda Aceh to Meulaboh Road, Sumatra, Indonesia in Response to the South East Asia Tsunami of December 26, 2004

June 2005 Figure 1.1 – Overview Map of Phase I &

Phase II Projects


ENVIRONMENTAL SCOPING STATEMENT Of the Proposed

RECONSTRUCTION OF BANDA ACEH TO MEULABOH ROAD, SUMATRA, INDONESIA IN RESPONSE TO THE SOUTH EAST

ASIA TSUNAMI OF DECEMBER 26, 2004

June 6, 2005

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF ACRONYMS 1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Scoping Requirements and Objectives 1.2 Organization of the Statement 1.3 Project Scoping Activities

2.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

2.1 Overview 2.2 Administration and Strategic Context 2.3 Proposed Actions

3.0 SCREENING TO DETERMINE SCOPE AND SIGNIFICANCE

OF POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES 3.1 Methodology 3.2 Physical Resources

3.2.1 Topography 3.2.2 Soils 3.2.3 Seismic and Geological Characteristics 3.2.4 Hydrology 3.2.5 Climate and Air Quality 3.2.6 Debris and Hazardous Materials

3.3 Natural/ Biological Resources 3.3.1 Flora (Plants) 3.3.1 Fauna (Wildlife) 3.3.2 Sensitive Habitat and Protected Areas 3.3.3 Coastal and Marine Resources

3.4 Other Environmental Concerns Noted by 22 CFR 216 3.4.1 Land Use and Development Policies and Controls 3.4.2 Use of Natural/ Depletable Resources 3.4.3 Urban Quality/ Design of the Build Environment 3.4.4 Historic and Cultural Resources 3.4.5 Energy and Conservation 3.4.6 Reuse and Conservation

3.5 Additional Environmental Concerns Noted for Consideration


3.5.1 Socio-Economic Conditions and Community Involvement 3.5.2 Public Health 3.5.3 Safety 3.5.4 Noise 3.5.5 Other Infrastructure Issues

4 PROPOSED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ANALYSIS 4.1 Timing 4.2 Format Variations 4.3 Tentative Planning and Decision-Making Schedule 4.4 Proposed Approach to Remaining Issues

LIST OF TABLES Table 3.1 Summary Of Potential Impact to Focus the EA Analysis LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1.1 Overview Map of Phase I and Phase II Projects Figure 2.1 Proposed Bridge at Road Marker 14 km Figure 2.2 Proposed Road Realignment at Road Marker 21.5 to 23.5 km Figure 2.3 Proposed Road Realignment at Road Marker 31 to 31.5 km Figure 2.4 Proposed Road Realignment at Road Marker 60 to 64 km Figure 2.5 Proposed Road Realignment at Road Marker 0 to 240 km LIST OF PREPARERS, CONTRIBUTORS, AND REVIEWERS LIST OF REFERENCES


LIST OF ACRONYMS

A A-E Architect-Engineer Contractor AMDAL Analisis Mengenai Dampak Lingkungan (Environmental Impact Analysis Regulation) ASEAN Association of Southeast Asian Nations AASHTO American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials B BAPPENAS Badan Perencanaan dan Pembangunan Nasional BERP Borrow area Excavation and Restoration Plan BMP Best Management Practice BRR Badan Rehabilitasi dan Rekonstruksi (Agency for Rehabilitation and Reconstruction) C C Celsius CFR Code of Federal Regulations CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species CO Carbon monoxide CO2 Carbon dioxide CSC Construction Supervision Consultant D dB Decibel D-B Design-Build Contractor E EA Environmental Assessment ESC Erosion and Sediment Control F FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations FDC Fugitive Dust Control ft Feet G GAM Free Aceh Movement GDP Gross Domestic Product GIS Geographic Information System GOI Government of Indonesia GPS Global Positioning System H ha Hectare hr Hour


I IDP Internally displaced person ITCZ Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone J K kL KiloLiters km Kilometer km2 Square kilometer km3 Cubic kilometer L M m Meter m3 Cubic meter min Minute mm Milimeter MOU Memorandum of Understanding MT Metric ton N NGO Non-government organization NMT Non-motorized traffic NO Nitrogen oxide O P P2JJ Perencanaan dan Pengawasan Jalan dan Jembatan Provinsi Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam (Department of Public Works – Aceh Province) PERSUAP Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safe Use Action Plan Q R RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act ROW Right-of-Way S SO2 Sulfur dioxide SOAG Strategic Objective Agreement SPCC Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures SSHP Site Safety Health Plan STD Sexually transmitted disease


T TOR Terms of Reference U UNDAC United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination Team UNDP United Nations Development Fund UNEP United Nations Environment Programme U.S. United States of America USACE United State Army Corps of Engineers USAID United States Agency for International Development USDA Unites States Department of Agriculture USGS United States Geologic Survey UXO Unexploded Ordinance V VOC Volatile organic compound W WRI World Resources Institute WWF World Wildlife Fund X Y yr Year Z Z


1.O INTRODUCTION

1.1 SCOPING REQUIREMENTS AND OBJECTIVES On December 26, 2004, the most powerful earthquake in 40 years shook under the Indian Ocean floor near Sumatra, Indonesia, initiating the “South East Asia Tsunami”. The Tsunami tragically and unexpectedly, without warning, killed thousands of people, left many homeless, without livelihoods and basic human services, and destroyed public infrastructure including the main coastal highway from Banda Aceh to Meulaboh on the in western coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. According to the Government of Indonesia estimates from April 17, 2005, Indonesia lost 128,715 lives1 and 412,438 people were displaced2 due to the tsunami – the majority of which were in Aceh Province, Sumatra. The estimated economic impact of the tsunami to Aceh province is $4.45 billion3 – approximately 97% of Aceh’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In addition, the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) calculated the total damage to environmental assests by the tsunami at $155 million and a total loss of environmental services at $515 million.4 Due to its proximity to the epicenter of the earthquake – approximately 25km,5 Sumatra suffered the greatest damage from the Tsunami. According to post-tsunami surveys conducted by the United States Geologic Survey (USGS):

“The Tsunami directly attacked the northwest coast of Sumatra Island from 25 km south of Meulaboh to the northern tip of the island at Banda Aceh. The tsunami inundation started from the coastal location at 30 km south of Meulaboh city. The inundation distance was observed at about 5 km. The inundation distance is almost the same along the southern and northern coasts of Meulaboh city. The wave propagated greater inundation distances towards inland areas along the river beds.

It was determined that the tsunami waves exceeded the height of coconut trees along the coast of Meulaboh – inundating 5 km towards land, and totally destroying the Port of Meulaboh and its surrounding area. The waves also killed about ⅔ of the whole population in Meulaboh. It was also determined that the loss of life reached 70% of the population in Tanom and Calang cities, north of Meulaboh. According to [USGS] eyewitness interviews at all survey sites near Meulaboh, it was clearly determined that:

• The sea receded about 500m, 10 minutes after the earthquake occurred. The sea advanced with the amplitude of 1-1.5. The first destructive, but second, wave arrived 30 minutes after the earthquake. The second destructive wave arrived 50-60 minutes later (80-90 minutes after the earthquake), and

• The maximum elevation of the water level near the coastline exceeded 15m elevation (equivalent to the height of the coconut trees) during the first and second destructive waves. Five (5) main coastal areas have been surveyed on land south

1 http://www.cbc.ca/storyview/MSN/world/national/2005/04/18/indonesia-050418.html, accessed May 9, 2005. 2 UNEP “After the Tsunami - Rapid Environmental Assessment”, March 2005, p. 18. 3 Economic calculations are provided in US dollars unless otherwise noted. 4 UNEP, p. 18. 5 http://ioc.unesco.org/iosurveys/Indonesia/yalciner/yalciner.htm, accessed May 9, 2005.


and north of Meulaboh. The inundation distance is clearly distinguished by the dried vegetation along the coastlines because of the salt water inundation.”6

The purpose and need for the project is to reconstruction transportation communication from Banda Aceh to Meulaboh. Due to the tsunami damage, the primary road between Banda Aceh and Meulaboh is reduced to a temporary road. The temporary road consists of portions of the original road, old trails and dirt roads used for agriculture or logging, and new temporary road surfaces constructed by emergency aid agencies. Travel along the current temporary road is slow. In many areas, only 4-wheel drive vehicles are able to transverse the road. In its current state, the road provides only minimal service to the coastal villages. Improvements are necessary in order to restore economic livelihood to the area. Requirements. Projects identified for funding by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) are subject to the Environmental Procedures established by Title 22 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 216 (22 CFR 216). Pursuant to those procedures, actions that have a potential for significant impact within a country require preparation of an Environmental Assessment (EA) and subsequent approval of the EA and its recommendations to avoid or otherwise mitigate potential adverse environmental impacts. The Procedures identify 11 classes of action (22 CFR 216.2(d)(1)) as having an inherent potential for significant adverse environmental effect, including “penetration road building or road improvement projects.” The proposed “Road Reconstruction from Banda Aceh to Meulaboh, Sumatra, Indonesia in Response to the South East Asia Tsunami of December 26, 2004” (herein referred to as “the Project”) will therefore require the preparation of an EA. Section 2.0 – Project Description provides a description of the road reconstruction as it is currently conceived. This document, together with its attachments and incorporations by reference, constitutes a Scoping Statement identifying the potential environmental impacts and issues related to the Project following a process and in conformance with requirements as outlined below. The Scoping Process. As an initial step in the preparation of the EA, USAID procedures require a process known as “scoping” defined as a “process of identifying the significant issues relating to the proposed action and determining the scope of the issues to be addressed in the Environmental Assessment…. Persons having expertise relevant to the environmental aspects of the proposed action shall also participate in the scoping process. [Participants may include but are not necessarily limited to representatives of the host governments, public and private institutions, the USAID Mission staff and contractors.] “7 As part of the scoping process, USAID has discussed the proposed activity with relevant members of the Government of Indonesia (GOI) resource agencies via the Indonesian “AMDAL8 Commission” designated for this project. In addition, public coordination via the AMDAL process will be used to meet AMDAL requirements and USAID procedures. The public coordination includes but is not limited to: publishing a public announcement in local and national newspapers notifying the public of the proposed project; holding a public meeting on the proposed project chaired by the GOI project proponent and/or the AMDAL Commission in coordination with USAID, USACE and other

6 Ibid. 7 Notations in brackets are included in the source material quoted. Editorial insertions, if any, appear in parentheses. 8 AMDAL is the “Analisis Mengenai Dampak Lingkungan” or the Government of Indonesia’s Environmental Impact Analysis regulation.


relevant agencies, including BRR; and, meeting with affected local communities in informal discussions to gain input on the proposed project. Objectives of the Scoping Statement. The Procedures (22 CFR 216.3(a)(4)) stipulate that “This (scoping) process shall result in a written statement which shall include the following matters:

(a) A determination of the scope and significance of issues to be analyzed in the Environmental Assessment… including direct and indirect effects of the project on the environment [and potential mitigation measures].

(b) Identification and elimination from detailed study of issues that are not significant or have been covered by earlier environmental review, or approved design considerations, narrowing the discussion of these issues to a brief presentation of why they will not have a significant impact on the environment.

(c) A description of:

- The timing of the preparation of the environmental analysis, including phasing, if any;

- Variations required in the format of the Environmental Assessment, and

- The tentative planning and decision-making schedule.

(d) A Description of how the analysis will be conducted and the disciplines that will participate in the analysis.”

1.2 ORGANIZATION OF THE STATEMENT In accordance with these requirements, the Statement is organized as follows:

• Section 1.0: Introduction.

• Section 2.0: Project Description – Presents an overview description of the Project and its current state of development.

• Section 3.0: Determination of Scope and Significant Potential Environmental Issues –

Environmental criteria are identified and presented in an order generally used for EA purposes. The discussions of the criteria present the following on the basis of currently available data:

- Existing Conditions - Potential Impacts - Anticipated Design Avoidance/Mitigation Actions - Implications for More Detailed Study

• Section 4.0: Proposed Environmental Assessment Analysis – Description of:

- The timing of the preparation of the environmental analysis, including phasing, if

any;


- Variations required in the format of the EA; - The tentative planning and decision-making schedule; and - How the analysis will be conducted and the disciplines proposed to participate in

the analysis. 1.3 PROJECT SCOPING ISSUES As noted in the definitions above, scoping is a process rather than a single event. The “Scoping Process” takes all known information and relevant points of view into account to ensure the potential environmental issues are conceived comprehensively. In the case of the current project, the Scoping Statement builds directly on surveys, consultations and findings of USAID and other field assessments. General information from the field and desk references was gathered from December 2004 through May 2005. The majority of information was obtained from rapid assessments conducted by other governments or non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The assessments addressed Indonesia’s needs in a variety of areas and identified the Project as one of the country’s most pressing infrastructure priorities to recover from the December 26, 2004 tsunami and its aftermath. The assessments also provide much of the currently available data in regard to the existing conditions within the Project area. It is anticipated that additional consultation with local officials and stakeholders potentially affected by the Project will occur in the preparation of the EA.


2.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The following presents:

• An overview of the proposed Project (Section 2.1).

• The Project’s administrative framework and its strategic role in the overall reconstruction efforts for the country as a whole (Section 2.2).

• Details of the proposed actions (Section 2.3).

2.1 OVERVIEW The proposed project has been separated into two actions and subsequently two EAs. The Phase I construction or “priority construction” includes the rehabilitation and reconstruction of selected road segments and necessary bridges and water crossings between Banda Aceh and Lamno not to exceed 10 km. This priority reconstruction will substantially improve the transportation access from Banda Aceh to Lamno in the interim while the Phase II reconstruction is being designed. The Phase II reconstruction includes the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the road, bridges and water crossings between Banda Aceh and Meulaboh, excluding the road sections identified in Phase I (approximately 230 km). 2.2 ADMINISTRATIVE AND STRATEGIC CONTEXT USAID is currently working with the Badan Perencanaan dan Pembangunan Nasional (BAPPENAS) – the National Development Planning Agency to develop a Strategic Objective Agreement (SOAG) for all the rehabilitation and reconstruction assistance for Aceh and Nias. In addition, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed for the Banda Aceh to Meulaboh Road Project on May 8, 2005 with the Ministry of Public Works as the implementing counterpart and recognizing Aceh Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency (BRR) as the coordinating agency for all reconstruction activities in Aceh. Under the MOU, USAID committed to provide financial and technical assistance to support the GOI efforts to reconstruct the permanent Banda Aceh to Meulaboh road in order to improve communication, mobility, livelihood, and economic growth for the communities along the west coast of the Aceh Province. For the implementation of the assistance, any entity financed by USAID for the purposes presented in the MOU shall be subject to the registration requirements for the Aceh Province in accordance with the laws of GOI. This MOU currently provides the administrative basis for the bilateral cooperation for the project. 2.3 PROPOSED ACTIONS. USAID is providing financial and technical assistance to the GOI for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Banda Aceh to Lamno road that was destroyed by December 26, 2004 earthquake and tsunami. The GOI project proponent is the Aceh Province Department of Public Works (P2JJ). The project includes widening, improving, reconstructing the existing roadway and constructing new alignments of roadway where the existing road has been damaged or destroyed, or where segments of remaining roadway are deemed unsafe in tsunami-altered locations. The road design will include, but is not limited to, roadway geometrics, pavements, earthwork, drainage, roadway appurtenances, roadway signage and pavement markings,


bridges and other structures, structure foundations, causeways and shoreline protection, erosion and sedimentation control, environmental protection, rights-of-way verification and definition, bus stops, lookouts and other traffic turnouts. The construction will include: clearing and grubbing; earthwork; pavements: construction of temporary and permanent slope protection and erosion control; roadway drainages including ditches; drainage crossings and structures; bridges; causeways; construction of shoreline protection; guardrails; roadway signage and pavement markings; other roadway appurtenances; implementation of environmental protection measures; maintenance and safety of existing vehicular and pedestrian traffic to include temporary roads and structures as necessary. The design is intended to be in accordance with Class II, 2-lane, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) highway standards and Association of American State Highway Officials (AASHTO) standards. In order to meet the needs of the people of Indonesia, the construction has been separated into two Phases. 2.3.1 Phase I – Priority Construction. The first phase includes the construction of segments of roads and bridges between Banda Aceh to Lamno (approximately 80 km in distance), in the Kabupaten of Aceh Besar. The purpose of these segmented construction activities is to reconstruct the road in areas where only a temporary road or crossing exists. The travel time from Banda Aceh to Lamno is currently three (3) hours or more. These improvements are anticipated to cut the travel time by almost one-half. All road realignments have the goal to relocate the road as far from the shoreline as practicable to minimize impacts to the environment and provide more sound engineering locations. The segments are based on an availability of funds. The most cost effective designs that still meet engineering and environmental standards will be chosen. Activities of Phase I shall include road widening, improvement and reconstructing of selected road segments in accordance with the standards established by the AASHTO and ASEAN as applicable with a total road length of not to exceed 10 km of new road; including water crossings such as bridges, culverts and drainage structures. The standards call for 2-lane highway with a pavement width of 7m, shoulder width of 2.5m (2m in mountainous areas) meters and an overall road right-of-way (ROW) of 30m including utility corridors and drainage ditches. All roads will be paved with a bituminous-hot asphalt mix surface. Concrete construction is proposed for bridges, culverts and drainage crossings, where appropriate. The segments, with approximated km markings, include:

• 14 km Marker = Rebuild Krraba Bridge. • 17-17.5 km Marker= Realign road section, including construction of all necessary water

crossing and drainage structures. • 21.5 to 25 km Marker = Realign road section, including construction of all necessary

water crossing and drainage structures. • 31 to 31.5 km Marker = Realign road section, including construction of all necessary

water crossing and drainage structures. • 47 to 48 km Marker = Realign road section, including construction of all necessary

water crossing and drainage structures. • 60 to 64 km Marker = Realign road section, including construction of all necessary

water crossing and drainage structures. This section will include the alternative to realign the road on the existing temporary road, and realigning the road close to the


base of the mountain along a more upland route. This alternative upland route will be determined based on further site investigations.

Except for the road section between 60 to 64 km markers, the current area condition allows for only minimal alignment alternatives in the coastal lowlands. The lowland areas are small and shallow with relatively similar environmental concerns throughout. The alternatives will focus on design alternatives to potentially reduce impacts rather than realignment options. Because of the vital nature of this project, the award of a “design-build” contract (D-B) will occur while the EA is under development. The D-B shall conduct appropriate topographic and geologic surveys to define the final road alignment and to identify the ancillary construction and support needs and locations. These include but are not limited to, temporary detours, borrow area locations, quarries and other source material locations, equipment staging locations, construction of temporary living quarters and sanitation needs for construction crew. Construction is currently scheduled to being in late August 2005.


Figure 2.1 – Proposed Bridge Repair at Road Marker 14 km.


Road Marker 17 – 17.5 Km

Figure 2.2 – Proposed Road Realignment at Marker 17 – 17.5 km


Road Marker 31 to 31.5 km

Figure 2.3 – Proposed Road Realignment Maker 31 to 31.5 km.

Road Marker 31 to 31.5km


Road Marker 60 to 64 km

Figure 2.4 – Proposed Road Realignment Maker 60 to 64 Km.


2.3.2 Phase II – Banda Aceh to Meulaboh Reconstruction. Phase II construction runs the full length of road from Banda Aceh to Meulaboh and is located in the Kota Banda Aceh, Kabupaten Aceh Besar, Kabupaten Aceh Jaya and Kabupaten Aceh Barat. The road is categorized as a national road. Activities include road widening, improvement and reconstructing of existing and new sections in accordance to the standards established by the AASHTO and ASEAN standards as applicable with a total road length of 240 km. The standards call for 2-lane highway with a pavement width of 7m, shoulder width of 2.5m (2m in mountainous areas) meters and an overall ROW of 30m including utility corridors and drainage ditches. The paved road will be surfaced with bituminous-hot asphalt mix. More than 110 water crossings will be repaired or reconstructed including bridges, culverts, drainage structures, and other environmental mitigation structures. Concrete construction is proposed for bridges, culverts and drainage structures where appropriate. Cut and fill volume are unknown at this time. For the southern portion of the road reconstruction, potential alternatives include following existing roads as much as possible or following a temporary road that was recently constructed in the mountain areas. Where the mountain alignment is not feasible, the alternatives will focus on design alternatives to potentially reduce impacts rather than realignment options. The lowland areas are small and shallow with relatively similar environmental concerns throughout so consideration of alternative realignments will be minimal, mainly focusing on relocating the road as far from the shoreline as is practicable. As with the Phase I activities, the award of an “Architect-Engineer” contractor (A-E) will occur while the EA is under development. The A-E shall conduct appropriate topographic and geologic surveys to define the final road alignment and to identify the ancillary construction and support needs and locations. These include but are not limited to, temporary detours, borrow area locations, quarries and other source material locations, equipment staging locations, construction of temporary living quarters and sanitation needs for construction crew. Currently, the design is scheduled for completion in January 2006 with construction beginning in April 2006 and being completed in May 2009.


Figure 2.5 – Proposed Road Realignment Marker 0 to 240 km.


3.0 SCREENING TO DETERMINE SCOPE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

3.1 METHODOLOGY To determine the scope and significance of potential environmental issues, the following are included in this section:

• Review of the definition of environmental issues as established by the applicable regulations and other consideration;

• Definition of the Project area for the purpose of the determination;

• Explanation of the screening process used to identify:

- Potential impacts based on the proposed actions and the sensitivity of the environment in which they will occur; - Provisions to avoid or otherwise mitigate actions incorporated in the Project; and - Data gaps to be addressed and areas in which further analysis is needed in the preparation of the Project’s EA.

Application of the screening process is documented in Sections 3.2 through 3.5. Environmental Criteria as Defined by Applicable Regulations. Paragraph 216.1(c)(10) of 22 CFR Part 216 states that the “term environment as used in these procedures with respect to effects occurring outside the United State, means the natural and physical environment.” Accordingly, the initial sections of the description of the potentially affected environment include:

• Section 3.1 (Methodology) • Section 3.2 (Physical Resources). Physical resources are generally defined to include

topographic, soil, geological, and related attributes. Sub-headings in this section are: - Topography (Section 3.2.1) - Soils (Section 3.2.2) - Seismic and Geological Characteristics (Section 3.2.3) - Hydrology (Section 3.2.4) - Climate and Air Quality (Section 3.2.5)

- Debris and Hazardous Materials (Section 3.2.6)

• Section 3.3 (Natural/ Biological Resources). Natural/ biological resources are aspects of the environmentally affected environment. These are discussed under the sub-headings of:

- Flora (Plants) (Section 3.3.1) - Fauna (Wildlife) (Section 3.3.2) - Sensitive Habitat and Protected Areas (Section 3.3.3) - Coastal and Marine Resources (Section 3.3.4)


In addition to these requirements, Paragraph 216.6 of 22 CFR Part 216 states that “… Environmental Assessment(s) should include discussion of… possible conflicts between the proposed action and land use plans, polices, and controls for the areas concerned; energy requirements and conservation potential of various alternatives and mitigation measures; natural or depletable resource requirements and conservation potential of various requirements and mitigation measures; urban quality; historic and cultural resources; design of the built environment; reuse and conservation potential of various alternatives and mitigation measures; and means to mitigate adverse environmental impacts.” Accordingly, these issues are addresses under the following heading and sub-headings:

• Section 3.4 (Other Environmental Concerns Noted by 22 CFR 216) describes these aspects of the environment under the following sub-headings:

- Land Use and Development Policies and Controls (Section 3.4.1) - Use of Natural/ Depletable Resources (Section 3.4.2) - Urban Quality/Design of the Built Environment (Section 3.4.3) - Historic and Cultural Resources (Section 3.4.4) - Energy and Conservation (Section 3.4.5) - Reuse and Conservation (Section 3.4.6)

Additional Considerations Generally Associated with Road and Bridge Projects. Additional environmental issues generally associated with road projects and are addresses as:

• Section 3.5 (Additional Environmental Concerns Noted for Consideration). These are discussed under the sub-headings of:

- Socio-Economic Considerations and Community Involvement (Section 3.5.1) - Public Health (Section 3.5.2) - Safety (Section 3.5.3) - Noise (Section 3.5.4) - Other Infrastructure Issues (Section 3.5.5)

Definition of the Project Area. The potentially impacted area of a given project (generally referred to as the Project area) is defined by the nature of the proposed action and the sensitivity and circumstances of the environment in which it will occur. Potential direct impacts of bridges and roads will be largely confined to the Project’s construction limits and immediately adjacent environs. The conceptual limits of the Project area must be expanded, however, to include the potential impacts of network improvements and other indirect and cumulative impacts in accordance with the circumstances of the particular environmental characteristic under discussion. A change in drainage pattern, for example, could have an impact on the conditions within the reconstruction area and the immediate water courses, but may also impact hydrological conditions downstream to a degree that can only be determined by circumstances. The increased runoff due to bridge and road development and the additional development they attract (referred to as an “induced impact”), for example, often warrants investigation in a considerably larger area than the construction limits and the immediately adjacent area. Indirect and cumulative impacts, particularly socio-economic impacts, are likely to occur in the districts (Kabupaten), the subdistricts (Kecamatan) and villages (Desa) through which the road passes. Many of these impacts will be beneficial. Improvements to the roadway networks, for example,


generally will present a potential for significant economic and social improvements along all network connections and enhance community involvement. Accordingly, the project area for scoping purposes is defined as the areas along the proposed bridge and road routes. The scope of the examination has been expanded to ensure that environmental impacts such as the example of downstream hydrological impacts are taken into account. Generally, the limited nature of the reconstruction actions included in the project and the relatively small and confined coastal lowland areas limit the location of the existing road or proposed realignments. As such, the potential for direct impacts are likely to be restricted to the ROW, except if new ROWs are established for improved drainage control, flood mitigation, or access. Indirect impacts will occur within a band along the ROWs determined by circumstances. Screening Methodology. To determine the scope and significance of issues to be analyzed in the EA, including direct and indirect effect of the Project on the environment, the following examines each environmental criterion identified above and presents:

• Existing Conditions. The current statement of existing conditions is drawn from currently available data. Significant data gaps are identified.

• Potential Impacts and Avoidance/Mitigation Measures. Potential impacts and measures

incorporated in the Project to avoid or otherwise mitigate the potential adverse environmental impacts are identified. These include measures incorporated in contracting procedures and the Project design. Cognizance of the Project’s design and contracting provisions are an important means of “narrowing the discussion of these issues to a brief presentation of why they will not have a significant impact on the environment” in accordance with the 22 CFR216 Procedures.

• Issues Requiring Further Analysis in the EA. Areas for which additional information is

needed in regard to existing conditions and the sensitivity of the potentially affected area are identified together with issues for which further analysis is required. The examination also identifies the issues for which mitigation beyond that already incorporated in the Project design and standard contracting procedures are considered unwarranted.

A summary tabulation of the proposed determinations of effect is presented in Table 3.1.


TABLE 3.1: SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS TO FOCUS THE EA ANALYSIS Note: Proposed determinations of effect are initial estimates that may change as a result

of field investigations and the EA analysis.

ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA

POTENTIAL IMPACTS

POTENTIAL DETERMINATION OF

AFFECT – BENEFICIAL, NO EFFECT, NOT

SIGNIFICANT, SIGNIFICANT, OR

UNKNOWN Phase I Phase II

POTENTIAL MITIGATION MEASURES/BEST

MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (BMPs)

3.2.0 PHYSICAL RESOURCES Impacts due to cut & fill activities

Not significant

Significant Minimize cut & fill activities in sensitive areas.

Borrow areas Not Significant

Not Significant

Implement a BERP.

Quarry operations

Not Significant

Not Significant

Use existing quarry areas or new areas approved by GOI; Develop issues of consideration in determining new quarry locations.

3.2.1 Topography

Soil erosion & re-deposition

Significant Significant Implement an ESC Plan

Conversion of agricultural lands to road use

Significant Significant Minimize activities in fertile agricultural soils.

Conversion of agricultural lands due to indirect impacts

Not Significant

Not Significant

Locate ancillary construction features outside of fertile agricultural soils.

3.2.2 Soils

Contamination due to spills

Not Significant

Not Significant

Implement SPCC Plan.

Seismic vulnerability, active faults, liquefaction & ground collapse

Significant Significant Incorporate BMPs for road construction in earthquake prone areas.

3.2.3 Seismic & Geological Characteristics

Rock strength & loading capacity

Not significant

Not significant

None identified

Surface hydrology

Significant Significant Design for river channel development, control surface water runoff impacts

3.2.4 Hydrology

Area wetlands Not significant

Not significant

Design to ensure hydrology of wetlands not impaired



POTENTIAL IMPACTS







Subsurface hydrology

Not significant

Not significant

Locate ancillary features away from areas that could impair groundwater. Coordinate withdrawals with community & GOI.

Flood characteristics

Significant Significant Design to allow for flood plain & river channel development

Riverbed & Fisheries Sediments

No Significant

No Significant

Design bridges so that no additional impacts to fisheries access.

Tides, currents, & river flows

No Effect No Effect None identified

Air quality Not Significant

Not Significant

Implement a FDC Plan

Wind directions and speed


3.2.5 Climate & Air Quality

Impacts of climate change on climate and coastal areas


3.2.6 Debris & Hazardous Materials

Debris & hazardous materials

Not Significant

Not Significant

Reuse suitable material & dispose of hazardous materials per GOI requirements

3.3.0 NATURAL/BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES Habitat destruction

Not Significant

Unknown Avoid sensitive habitats. Phase II - Conduct intensive presence/absence survey.

3.3.1 Flora (Plants)

Endangered, threatened, or vulnerable species

Not Significant

Unknown Phase II Conduct intensive presence/absence surveys is high probability areas and avoid impacts



POTENTIAL IMPACTS







Habitat destruction

Not Significant

Not Significant

Avoid sensitive habitats

Indirect impact on neighboring habitats

Not Significant

Not Significant

Avoid sensitive habitats

Endangered, threatened, or vulnerable species

Not Significant

Unknown Phase II - Conduct intensive presence/absence surveys is high probability areas and avoid impacts

3.3.2 Fauna (Wildlife)

Sensitive species breeding season

Not Significant

Unknown Phase II - Conduct intensive presence/absence surveys is high probability areas and avoid impacts

Clearing activities

Not Significant

Unknown Avoid impacts in sensitive and protected areas

3.3.4 Sensitive Habitat & Protected Areas

Illegal Logging Activities

Not Significant

Unknown Coordinate closely with the GOI agencies. Incorporate design measures to limit off road access to protected forests.

Storm-water runoff

Not Significant

Not Significant

Incorporate design methods to minimize storm-water runoff into waterways

3.3.5 Coastal & Marine Resources

Shoreline Protection Activities

No Effect Significant Minimize Shoreline hardening and incorporate softer alternatives

3.4.0 OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS NOTED BY 22 CFR 216 Construction impacts (labor camps, detours)

Not Significant

Significant Locate ancillary features as to avoid land use conflicts

3.4.1 Land Use/ Controls

Operational impacts

Significant Significant GOI to resolve land ownership and acquisition issues

Exploitation of natural resources

Not Significant

Not Significant

None identified 3.4.2 Use of Natural/ Depletable Resources Demand for

construction materials

Not Significant

Not Significant

EA to identify issues of concern for material acquisition

3.4.3 Urban Quality

Impacts to structures & activities

Beneficial Not Significant

GOI to consider long range planning with related activities

3.4.4 Historic & Damage from Unknown Unknown Develop & implement an



POTENTIAL IMPACTS







Cultural Resources

construction or new land use

“unanticipated discoveries plan”

Exploitation of energy resources

No Effect No Effect None identified 3.4.5 Energy & Conservation

Demand for petroleum products

Not Significant

Not Significant

None identified

3.4.6 Reuse & Conservation

Potential recycling of tsunami debris, existing bridge & road materials, etc.

Not Significant

Not Significant

Reuse suitable material & dispose of hazardous materials per GOI requirements

3.5.0 ADDITIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS RAISED BY SIMILAR PROJECTS Impacts to reestablishing communities

Not Significant

Significant Work in close coordination with BRR Locate road to minimize impacts to areas currently being re-established to the extent practicable.

3.5.1 Socio-Economic Considerations

Employment Beneficial Beneficial Contractor to prioritize higher labor for local communities

Disease transmission

Not Significant

Not Significant

Educate through SSHP

Access to health facilities

Not Significant

Not Significant

Provide construction worker access in SSHP

3.5.2 Public Health

Contamination & Sanitation from ancillary features

Not Significant

Not Significant

Include appropriate sanitation facilities in camps and implement SPCC Plan

Construction Activities

Not Significant

Not Significant

Implement SSHP to address safety issues for construction workers & public during road construction activities

3.5.3 Safety

UXO Not Significant

Not Significant

Implement “inadvertent discovery plan” for safety for workers & public from unknown UXO.



POTENTIAL IMPACTS







Operational Activities

Not Significant

Not Significant

Implement design measures to reduce speeds & provide increased safety to the public during day and night.

3.5.4 Noise Impacts to construction workers

Not Significant

Not Significant

Implement protection as part of SSHP

Impacts to sensitive receptors during construction

Not Significant

Not Significant

Implement a noise management plan to control noise levels around sensitive receptors, especially school zones

Impacts to sensitive receptors during operation

Not Significant

Not Significant

Implement a noise management plan to control noise levels around sensitive receptors, especially school zones, hospital clinics & mosques.

Noise sensitive hours

Not Significant

Not Significant

Implement a noise management plan to control noise levels during sensitive noise hours including school times & Friday mid-day prayers

Electrical power lines and petroleum pipelines

No Effect Not Significant

Phase II – Coordinate with P2JJ & GOI agencies if utility lines occur in ROW.

Water supply & sanitation collection networks, & impacts to water resources & habitats

No Effect Not Significant

Phase II – Coordinate with P2JJ & GOI agencies if utility lines occur in ROW.

Irrigation & landscaping systems

No effect No effect None identified

3.5.5 Other Infrastructure Issues

Impacts on surface water & groundwater

Not Significant

Not Significant

Incorporate design measures & construction controls to minimize impacts to surface water & ground water



POTENTIAL IMPACTS







Other None Identified

None Identified

None Identified

3.2 PHYSICAL RESOURCES 3.2.1 Topography

Existing Conditions. Sumatra is the northern most island in a chain of five (5) major islands that make up the country of Indonesia. Part of the Greater Sunda Islands, Sumatra is on the Sunda Shelf, an extension of the Malay Peninsula and the Southeast Asian mainland. Sumatra is approximately 473,606 km2. The mountains range between 3,000 and 3,800 m above sea level, the highest mountain being Gunung Kerinici (3805 m). Steep limestone mountains located close to the shore with narrow coastal lowlands and valleys intermixed characterize the west coast of Sumatra. There are 73 streams and rivers in northern Sumatra that are characterized as short and fast flowing.9 Although Sumatra has several large lakes, no large lakes occur in the project area. There are some small natural ponds scattered along the west coast in the larger valleys.

Since the tsunami, the terrain of the western coast of Aceh province has changed significantly. Prior to the tsunami, the western coast supported coral reefs, sandy beaches, wetlands and mangroves, river deltas and coastal lowlands and forests. Forests were dense enough that the sea was often not visible from the road. As a result of the tsunami, sandy beaches have been washed away, coral reefs have been smothered with silt and sand, wetlands and mangroves have become brackish lagoons, river deltas have significantly changed their patterns, and coastal lowlands and forests have subsided. The valleys are bare and open from the mountains to the sea. The once well-defined rivers and floodplains have potentially reverted to “young” braided river systems as the rivers are working to redefine their channels in the silted-in beds and floodplains. The topographic changes to the valleys, rivers, shoreline and intertidal areas are in the process of being assessed and resurveyed.10 The existing road through the steep mountain areas is narrow (averaging approximately 6 m wide) with little to no shoulders. “Blind” hairpin turns exist throughout the extent of the mountain corridor.

Phase I - Potential Impacts and Planned Avoidance/ Mitigation Actions. Potential impacts to topographic conditions of road re-construction projects are associated with:

9 UNEP, p. 23. 10 UNEP, p. 21.


• Cut and Fill Requirements • Borrow Area Excavations • Quarry Operations • Soil erosion • Indirect impacts from the placement of stream crossings.

In order to minimize impacts to the topography, the D-B will be required to consider the following measures in addition to others to be identified in the EA:

• Cut and Fill Requirements. For the Phase I activities, road cuts will be necessary for some of the road segments, depending on how close the new alignment will go against the mountains. The goal of the alignment is to move the road as far away from the new shoreline as possible. If the road remains in the valleys, some fill will be necessary to raise the road to an adequate level to bring the road surface above the standing water levels presently in the valleys. For the bridges, some amount of fill will be necessary for the bridge abutments. The EA will identify standard BMPs for the D-B to avoid and minimize impacts. BMPs may include, but are not limited to:

- Use design methods and materials to minimize erosion – including, but not limited to: use of material that is less likely to be erodable; strategic placement of gibbons and riprap; appropriate compaction of soil after construction - particularly around bridges, culverts, and underpasses;

- Re-vegetate exposed areas as soon as practicable after fill placement in order to minimize erosion. Fast methods for re-vegetation (such as, but not limited to, hydroseeding or sod placement) shall be used where practicable. Native species shall be used for re-vegetation efforts to the extent practicable, if native species seed source is unavailable, non-invasive plant species shall be used. Plant species should also be as resistant to grazing as is practicable;

- Trench along the side of the road where necessary to provide adequate drainage for the road, minimizing erosion due to road runoff, and providing adequate hydrology to assist with re-vegetation efforts and natural plant recruitment;

- Stabilize embankment slopes and road cuts through design and materials – including, but not limited to, the use of re-vegetation, placement of fiber mats, riprap, and rock gabions;

- Implement appropriate drainage structures in the hillside to prevent erosion due to soil saturation;

- Design side slopes at appropriate angles of repose in order to reduce potential for erosion or rock slides. If steeper slopes are required than what is necessary to stabilize the slope, riprap or other materials shall be used to stabilize the area;

- Step embankments for embankments greater than 6 m (20 ft); and,

- Restrict construction in erosion- and flood-prone areas to the dry season where practicable.


• Borrow Area Management. Phase I activities will require fill from borrow areas and quarries for the road segments and bridge abutments. Activities at the borrow area locations may cause drainage and visual problems and present a potential for increased water vector activity (mosquitoes, water contamination). The EA will identify BMPs for the location and use of borrow areas to minimize their impacts. BMPs may include but are not limited to:

- Develop and implement a Borrow area Excavation and Restoration Plan (BERP) for the borrow and surrounding disturbed areas that outlines a environmentally sound method of management. The plan shall be reviewed by the Construction Supervision Consultant (CSC). Borrow areas may not be constructed until the CSC has accepted the plan. The CSC must confirm that the borrow areas have been restored in compliance with the plan before payment is authorized under the contract. Items to be included in the plan – including, but are not limited to;

• Reuse debris material in the project area to the full extent practicable to minimize borrow area demands;

• Locate borrow areas outside of the highway ROW; • Save topsoil from borrow areas and reuse in restoration and re-vegetation

of the areas to the satisfaction of the CSC Supervising Engineer. • Grade borrow areas to ensure there is adequate drainage, the borrow

area is relatively uniform with the surrounding terrain, and to create permanent tanks/ dams as needed;

- Do not open new borrow areas without the restoration of those previous borrow areas no longer in use;

- Re-vegetate borrow areas. Native species shall be used for re-vegetation efforts to the extent practicable, if native species seed source is unavailable, non-invasive plant species shall be used. Plant species should also be as resistant to grazing as is practicable;

- Restore borrow areas as soon after the completion of the work as is practicable and in compliance with the BERP.

• Quarry Operations. Road projects often present a demand for quarried construction materials from which considerable changes in topography could result. Poorly run operations may also create dust problems, contribute to noise pollution, ignore worker safety, or cause the loss of natural resources. The EA will identify standard BMPs for the D-B to avoid and minimize impacts. BMPs may include, but are not limited to:

- Use only licensed quarrying operations for material sources. If licensed quarries

are not available, the D-B will be made responsible for coordinating with the GOI in determining appropriate quarry sources. The D-B may be responsible for setting up their dedicated crusher plants at approved quarry sites.

• Soil Erosion and Re-Deposition. Both wind and drainage-related soil erosion and re-

deposition may result from design and construction factors. Provision for erosion control are discussed as part of the discussions for soils and hydrology below, and in “cut and fill requirements” above.


• Stream crossing designs. Poorly designed stream crossing may impair the stream develop, exacerbate flooding in the area and result in head-cutting or shoreline erosion along the stream banks. BMPs for stream crossings are defined in Section 3.2.4 – Hydrology.

Phase I - Issues Requiring Further Analysis in the EA. Through mapping and visual assessments, the Phase I EA will identify areas of concern for visual and physical impacts to the topography of the area. The EA will identify priority areas where cut and fill activities and other changes to the topography should be minimized by the D-B to the full extent practicable.

Phase II - Potential Impacts and Planned Avoidance/ Mitigation Actions. Phase II activities will have similar impacts to topography but in a much larger scale as the cut and fill activities are likely to be much more extensive. In the effort to improve the road to meet Class II ASEAN standards, existing roads in mountainous areas may need to be straightened and widened. In addition to the issues identified for Phase I, Phase II may also have impacts from:

• Shoreline Protection Activities: Since the shoreline has eroded significantly due to the tsunami, the shoreline stabilization measures will be necessary to support the roadbed. Vertical and hardened shoreline protection structures have been shown to adversely impact shoreline erosion and beach accretion in adjacent areas. Vertical and hard shorelines may increase wave energy in front of and at either end of the structure, resulting in increased shoreline and beach erosion. Hardened shorelines may also remove important overhanging vegetation that intertidal species are dependent upon as part of their food web. BMPs for shoreline protection are defined in Section 3.3.5 – Coastal and Marine Resources.

Phase II - Issues Requiring Further Analysis in the EA. Through mapping and visual assessments, the Phase I EA will identify areas of concern for visual and physical impacts to the topography of the area. The EA will identify priority areas where shoreline hardening, cut and fill activities and other changes to the topography should be minimized by the D-B to the full extent practicable.

3.2.2 Soils

Existing Conditions. The area impacted by the tsunami consists mainly of heavy clay soils. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) global maps11, the west coast of Aceh province is primarily made up of ultisols with mollisols occurring along the shoreline in the north (Banda Aceh) and entisols along the western shoreline. Pockets of andesols exist inland of the western coastline.

Ultisols are typically acid soils with the majority of the nutrients in the upper few inches. They are formed from intense weathering and leaching process that result in clay-enriched subsoils dominated by minutes including quartz, kaolinite and iron oxides. Ultisols havea low capacity for retaining additional lime and fertilizer. Mollisols have a relatively high content of organic matter, and are base rich through the entire soil column, making them very fertile. They typically form under grass in climates with a moderate to pronounced seasonal moisture deficit. Andisols are formed from weathering processes creating minerals with little crystalline structures, often associated with volcanic materials. These minerals typically result in an 11 http://soils.usda.gov/use/worldsoils/mapindex/, accessed May 10, 2005.


unusually high water- and nutrient-holding capacity. Andisols tend to be highly productive soils. Entisols have little to no evidence of pedogenic horizon development. They typically occur in areas with a recent deposit of parent materials or in areas where erosion and deposition rates are faster than the rate of soil development such as dunes, steep slopes, and flood plains.

Since the tsunami, soils in some of the areas are likely to have eroded with new soil deposits in other areas.12 The UNEP noted that much of the topsoil in the more agriculturally productive areas, such as areas with mollisols or andisols, was removed by the tsunami. UNEP also noted that many of the soils redeposited by the tsunami are heavy in silts and silty clays.13 Soils have also been heavily inundated by salt water. Even if the topsoil was not affected, the soils in the short are presently salinized and therefore the overall soil fertility is impacted. In the long term, the salt is anticipated to leach out of the soils. However, in the short term, rice fields have already experienced yellowing – an indicated of saltwater intrusion.14

FAO has determined that 70% of the farmland on the west coast has been damaged due to soil impacts (approximately 27,000 ha) and an additional 50,000 ha of wetland and drylands have been adversely affected. The soils have been categorized by FAO into three zones for soil recovery planning purposes:

• Class A: rapid reclamation and salt leaching is possible either through normal rainfall or irrigation and where land could be productive for the April/May cropping season without major intervention.

• Class B: special works are needed to reclaim the soil and restore the land surface. Farmers may need to grow salt-tolerant crops during the next season and partly diversify production. • Class C: reclamation in time for the next cropping season is unlikely. Farmers could be compensated for abandoning their land or assisted in diversifying into other economic activities.15

For the urban areas including Banda Aceh, Calang, and Meulaboh, the soils have been impacted by rubble, sewage, municipal solid waste, and household and small business items, such as fuels, oils, cleaning chemicals, solvents etc. While the full impact to the soils by urban debris and waste has not been fully analyzed, initial soil testing from Banda Aceh confirmed high ammonia levels.16

Phase I - Potential Impacts and Planned Avoidance/ Mitigation Actions. With the significant loss in adequate soils for agriculture by the tsunami, any additional impairment to agricultural soils will have an exponential impact on the area. The EA will identify BMPs to minimize additional impacts to soils that include but are not limited to:

• Conversion of Agricultural Soils to Highway Use.

12 http://soils.usda.gov/use/worldsoils/mapindex/order.html, accessed May 10, 2005. 13 UNEP, p. 21. 14 UNEP, p. 25. 15 UNEP, p. 25. 16 UNEP, p. 25.


- Minimize road-widening and re-alignment activities to the full extent practicable in areas that still support fertile agricultural soils - especially in areas where the communities have already begun to re-establish agricultural fields.

- Incorporate adequate drainage designs and water conveyance to ensure that the

hydrology for agricultural soils remain well supported. - Incorporate erosion and sediment controls in the design and construction to

minimize impacts to agricultural soils due to additional loss of topsoil. - Where adequate topsoil for agricultural activities is removed from the road

corridor for construction and not needed for restoration of disturbed areas, reuse the topsoil to enhance adjacent agricultural fields as practicable.

• Conversion of Agricultural Soils due to Indirect/Induced Impacts. Road improvements

often facilitate development along the affected road corridor. Since the majority of the communities have been completely destroyed by the tsunami, the communities are likely to relocate based on the location of road improvements and realignments. Phase I realignments are in the same general proximity to the original road, where practicable, moving closer to the mountains within the valley where the road was originally closer to the sea. Because of the extensive loss of shoreline by the Tsunami, the villages will likely be relocating further inland toward dryland as well as to closer proximity to the new road alignments. The villages may have few options but to redevelop in areas that were once agricultural lands. The GOI, through the BRR and other agencies, is working with local villages on the planning of new villages and associated impacts on land use. The project may result in indirect impacts to agricultural soils from the placement of ancillary functions such as asphalt/concrete manufacturing facilities, construction camps, borrow areas, etc. in sensitive areas. The EA will identify standard BMPs for the D-B to avoid and minimize impacts. BMPs may include, but are not limited to:

- Locate all ancillary road construction functions such as, but not limited to,

materials manufacturing facilities, construction camps, and borrow areas outside of prime agricultural soils to the full extent practicable, especially in areas where the community has or is actively in the process of re-establishing agricultural fields.

• Soil Erosion. Increased runoff and/or increased velocities of poorly constructed roads

have led to soil loss. The EA will identify standard BMPs for the D-B to avoid and minimize impacts. BMPs may include, but are not limited to:

- Develop and implement an erosion and sedimentation control (ESC) plan for all

construction activities. The plan will be reviewed by the CSC. No construction may begin until written acceptance has been received from the CSC. The plan will include, but is not limited to: controlling pollution, erosion, run-off, and related damage. The plan will require the D-B to perform temporary work items including, but not limited to:

Providing ditches, berms, culverts, and other measures to control surface water

Providing a dewatering plan for work at minus water levels. The dewatering plan shall be reviewed and approved by the U.S. Government


and GOI prior to the beginning of construction. Building dams, settling basins, energy dissipaters, and other measures, to

control downstream flows Controlling underground water found during construction Covering or otherwise protecting slopes until permanent erosion-control

measures are working

- If natural elements rut or erode the slope, restore and repair the damage, with the eroded material where practicable, and clean up any remaining material in ditches and culverts.

- Work so that grading and permanent erosion control immediately follows

clearing and grubbing. If conditions prevent such scheduling, temporary control measures will be required between work stages.

- The area of excavation, borrow, and embankment work shall not exceed the

ability to meet the schedule for finish grading, mulching, seeding, and other permanent erosion control work.

- Temporary control measures are required if it appears pollution or erosion may

result from weather, the nature of the materials, or progress on the work.

• Contamination due to Spills or Hazardous Materials. Inadvertent spills or improper handling of hazardous materials could result in contamination of soils. The EA will identify standard BMPs for the D-B to avoid and minimize impacts. BMPs may include, but are not limited to:

- Develop and implement a Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures

(SPCC) Plan for the duration of the Project. The SPCC plan shall be submitted for review and approval to the CSC prior to the commencement of any construction activities. A copy of the SPCC plan with any updates shall be maintained at the work site. The SPCC plan shall identify construction planning elements and recognize potential spill sources at the site. The SPCC plan shall outline responsive actions in the event of a spill or release and shall identify notification and reporting procedures. The SPCC plan shall also outline management elements such as personnel responsibilities, project site security, site inspections and training. The applicable equipment and material designated in the SPCC plan shall be maintained at the jobsite.

Phase I - Requirements for Further Analysis in the EA. Through mapping assessments and visual assessments the EA will identify priority agricultural fields to avoid and/or minimize impacts. Soil liquefaction potential, and rock strength and loading capacity are important soil parameters for construction projects, especially for bridges and roads. The EA will identify any appropriate BMPs that need to be considered in these areas.

Phase II - Potential Impacts and Planned Avoidance/ Mitigation Actions. Phase II potential impacts, avoidance and mitigation actions are similar to those discussed in Phase I but more extensive because of the project size.


Phase II - Requirements for Further Analysis in the EA. Phase II actions requiring further analysis are similar to those discussed in Phase I but more extensive because of the project size.

3.2.3 Seismic and Geological Characteristics Existing Conditions. The region is in a highly tectonically unstable area as the island is in close proximity to a major fault line (the Sumatra Fracture Zone) and almost 100 volcanoes – 15 active – occur on the island in the Barisan Mountain Range. Prior to and after the tsunami, Sumatra experienced earthquakes on a fairly consistent basis in the 4.0 and 6.0 ranges.17 Earthquakes in the area are generated mainly from tectonic shifting along the Sumatra Fault Zone. However, some earthquakes are also triggered by subsurface activity from one of the many active volcanoes. Limestone cliffs characterize the mountain areas in the project area. Flat coastal lowlands that are former embayments have silted-in from natural erosion from the mountains and sand deposition from the sea. The lowlands are characterized by silty sandy clays and wetland pockets throughout. Post-tsunami, several large rock slides have occurred in the mountains due to the earthquakes and the geology in many reaches is adjusting to the new conditions and therefore unstable. The lowlands have been altered significantly as well with changes in soil erosion and deposition and removal of vegetation and topsoil from the tsunami. Based on discussion with the Ministry of Mining in Aceh, the project area is characterized by limestone cliffs with limestone bedrock below the lowlands at 100-1,000 m depth. The material above the bedrock is silty clay.

Phase I - Potential Impacts and Planned Avoidance/Mitigation Actions. Other than a demand for quarried construction materials, the Project is unlikely to have an impact on the area’s geological characteristics. The Project will not add appreciably to the human risk due to seismic events. The design standards for the bridges and roads will need to fully take in the area’s seismic, liquefaction, and geological fault conditions into account.

Based on discussions with the Ministry of Mining in Aceh, the area is well suited geologically for the development of the road. Some materials will need to be brought in for the substrate of the road in the lowland areas. However, the Ministry believed these materials were readily available in the area. The EA will identify standard BMPs for the D-B to avoid and minimize impacts. BMPs may include, but are not limited to:

• If substrate materials are not available in the area, the D-B shall follow the issues of consideration identified in the EA to be employed when choosing new areas to obtain substrate material or important material from other locations.

• To minimize impacts from earthquakes, the D-B shall incorporate BMPs for the design and construction of roads in earthquake prone areas.

Phase I - Requiring Further Analysis in the EA. Through mapping and visual assessments, the EA will identify priority areas that may need additional attention during design from a

17 http://earthquake.usgs.gov/, accessed May 9, 2005.


geological viewpoint. Based on recommendations for the GOI, the EA field team proposes to include a geologist among the field expertise to assist in these assessments.



3.2.4 Hydrology Existing Conditions. According to World Resources Institute (WRI), 2,793 km3 of surface water was produced internally in Indonesia from 1977-2001, groundwater recharge was 455 km3, with an overlap of 410 km3, for a total amount of internal renewable water resources of 2,838 km3. The amount of renewable water resources per capita in Indonesia is 13,046 m3 per person. The amount of water withdrawals in 1990 was a total of 74.3 km3, or 407 m3 per person. This made up 3.1% of the actual renewable water resources with 93% of the withdrawals coming from agriculture, 1% from industry and 6% from domestic activities.18 The average rainfall for Sumatra is high at 1,000-3,000 mm/yr.19 Only 9% of the total population of Aceh province had access to piped water prior to the tsunami. Most irrigation was self-provided or community based systems. Human settlement areas were primarily on septic tank systems. The tsunami damaged, destroyed or contaminated 560,000 wells and 15,000 hand pumps. Surface water was contaminated in locations near human settlements as septic tank discharges mixed with seawater and other surface materials. In addition, there were 465 irrigation schemes over 335,084 ha in Aceh. All the coastal irrigation schemes (covering 28.000 ha of land) were significantly damaged along with flood protection dykes.20 While streams and rivers are anticipated to either have flushed clean or be flushed in the next heavy rain season, the impact of saltwater intrusion and intrusion by other materials to the groundwater is of concern. The anticipated cost for rehabilitating shallow well systems is $1 million.21 In the project area, the impact of the highly salinated water can be seen in the agricultural fields through yellowing of the vegetation. The rivers and floodplains have reverted to “young” braided systems covering expansive undefined floodplains as they work to redefine their channels in a heavily silted-in environment. Phase I - Potential Impacts and Planning Avoidance/Mitigation Actions. The EA team has included an hydrologist in the field team to assist in the identification of impacts and mitigation measures from Phase I and Phase II activities. Potential impacts due to road improvements could include impacts to:

18 WRI Earthtrends, Water Resources and Freshwater Ecosystems – Indonesia. 19 UNEP, p. 25. 20 UNEP Rapid Assessment, p. 29. 21 UNEP, p. 25


• Surface Hydrological Characteristics. Surface hydrological impacts could occur based on project design or the project construction activities. Impacts would be associated with exacerbated erosion and sedimentation during construction and design or from impaired hydrologic flow based on the placement of water crossings and drainage structures. In addition, the placement of ancillary activities, such as borrow areas, construction camps, and staging areas could similarly impair surface hydrology. Impacts associated with surface water runoff from the road and the potential for the surface water runoff to impact surface hydrological characteristics and water quality will need to be addressed.Incorporating the mitigation measures identified in Section 3.2.1 – Topography and Section 3.2.2 – Soils will address the erosion concerns. In addition, the EA will identify standard BMPs for the D-B to avoid and minimize impacts. BMPs may include, but are not limited to:

- Include appropriate drainage structures in the design to ensure that the surface

water hydrology, hydrology for wetlands, and floodplain protection is not impaired. • Area Wetland Characteristics. The wetlands in the area have been significantly

disturbed by the tsunami in all three parameters – vegetation, hydrology and soil. Inappropriate road designs could impair hydrologic flow and therefore impede the wetlands from naturally recovering. BMPs identified for surface hydrology would address wetland hydrology as well.

• Subsurface Hydrology. No impacts to groundwater resources are anticipated as a result

of the proposed Project, assuming good engineering and construction practices. There are likely to be wells and hand pumps in the vicinity of construction camps and some of the other ancillary features. The EA will identify standard BMPs for the D-B to avoid and minimize impacts. BMPs may include, but are not limited to: - All ancillary features shall be located and designed so as to ensure no impacts are

made to subsurface hydrology. - Where construction camps plan to draw from existing wells or hand pumps, the D-B

shall first coordinate with the GOI and appropriate local agencies and leaders to ensure that the camps do not draw water at a large enough volume as to impair the subsurface hydrology.

• Flood Characteristics. As discussed under Section 3.2.1 – Topography, a primary

concern for the hydrology is the placement of stream crossing to ensure that the crossing does not impair the formation of the new river channels nor the new river channels and floodplains impair the maintenance of the new crossings. BMPs identified for surface hydrology would address floodplain hydrology as well.

• Riverbed and Fisheries Sediments. As discussed above, the rivers are reforming in the highly silted environment. Much of this reforming is likely to occur during the floods in the rainy season as the systems “flush out” some of the excess sediment. There are aquaculture beds or “tambak” through out the Phase I construction area. The communities are working to re-establish many of these areas. Increased sediment from erosion or flood events could impair these beds. In addition, with the rivers heavily silted-in, many of the rivers are only passable during high tide, limiting fish harvesting


times. The EA will identify standard BMPs for the D-B to avoid and minimize impacts. BMPs may include, but are not limited to: - During design and construction, appropriate water drainages need to be

incorporated to ensure that the river can reform properly and that the roadwork and construction worker safety is not adversely impacted during these flood events.

- Design and construction activities will incorporate appropriate erosion and sediment

control measures to minimize impacts to “tambak” in the vicinity of the project, especially those where the community has or is actively in the process of re-establishing the “tambak”.

- Bridges and stream crossings shall be designed so as not to further impair

navigation of fishing vessels on the waterways. Phase I - Issues Requiring Further Analysis in the EA. Through mapping and visual assessments, the EA will identify priority areas where special attention needs to be given to hydrological impacts.



3.2.5 Climate and Air Quality

Existing Conditions. Sumatra is split almost in half by the Equator. With its location at the equator, Sumatra has two tropical seasons – the dry season (June to September) that is influenced by meridian or “the Hardley” air circulation and the wet season (October to May) that is influenced by equatorial or “the Walker” air circulation. The Hardley circulation is generated by air masses moving north from Australia and the Walker circulation is generated by air masses coming from Asia and the Pacific. The two circulation patterns contribute to the displacement and intensity of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) - an equatorial trough of low pressure that produces rain.22

Although separated as dry and wet seasons, Sumatra experiences rain year-round. The average temperature for Sumatra in the coastal plains is 28oC, the inland and mountain areas 26oC, and the higher mountain areas 23oC. The average relative humidity is between 70% and 90%.

Specific information on air quality for Sumatra was not readily accessible. However, information was available of the country of Indonesia. According to WRI, CO2 emissions average 1.1 thousand MT per capita or 24%. For comparison, per capita CO2 emission for Asia is 2.1 thousand MT or 19%. The cumulative CO2 emissions for Indonesia from 1900 to 1999 were 4,443 billion MT (total Asian CO2 emission is 161,972 billion MT). The primary sources of these

22 http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/indonesia/pro-geography.htm, access on May 11, 2005.


emissions are transportation (24%); public electricity, heat production, and auto producers (21%); and, manufacturing industries and construction (18%). In 1995, the total amount of SO2 emissions in Indonesia was 797,000 MT (55,129,000 MT for Asia overall), the total NO emissions was 1,387,000 MT (28,962,000 MT for Asia overall), the total CO was 28,784,00 MT (258,325,000 MT for Asia overall), and the total non-methane VOC emissions was 4,582,000 MT (42,036,000 MT for Asia overall).23

While specific information on climate changes issues for Sumatra are not available, climate change issues for Indonesia overall, would apply to Sumatra as well. Major concerns for potential impacts of global climate change for Indonesia is the potential impacts to the economy via agriculture, forestry and fishing. Climate change modeling also predicts potential impacts to public health due to potential increases in heat stress, skin cancer, immune response and the like – however, these issues are not as directly related to the project as the economic impacts. Based on predictive modeling, global climate change could result in increased flooding during the wet seasons with subsequent erosion, and increased evapotranspiration during the dry season affecting irrigation capabilities. Climate changes to the wet and dry seasons would result in changes in soil moisture that could adversely impact agricultural activities. In addition, global climate change modeling predicts that Indonesia will be impacted by sea level rise resulting in a loss of arable land.24 For western Sumatra, the flat coastal lowlands where the majority of the agricultural activity occurs would be susceptible to sea level rise impacts.

Climate change modeling predicts a positive effect for tropical forests in Indonesia with a 12% increase in biomass productivity. The forests would benefit from the increased carbon fertilization. The increase in forests would also increase the forests ability to absorb CO2 emissions, especially if GOI implements its international commitment to establish 20 million ha of forest plantations by 2030.25

Based on anecdotal information while in Aceh province, the air quality in Aceh was relatively good in comparison to other populated cities, such as Jakarta. However, it should be noted that leaded fuel is used in Banda Aceh so pollution from vehicle emissions is still high, just less overall pollution due to the smaller population. The air pollution was not as readily visible as in other areas of Indonesia. Along the road corridor outside of Banda Aceh, there was little to no air pollution noticeable. The major air quality concern is dust generated from areas now denuded of vegetation.

Phase I - Potential Impacts and Planned Avoidance/Mitigation Actions. Potential air quality impacts are likely in both the construction and operational stages of the Project.

• Climate Change. As stated above, Indonesia’s tropical forests play an important role in the GOI’s plan for preventative measures to minimize climate change impacts. Clearing of forests for the road construction or potential cumulative impacts of increased illegal logging with the improved access could impair the GOI’s establishment of the 20 million ha of crop and forests plantations by 2030. The GOI will need to be aware of this potential in its future management of its protected forests and plan accordingly.

23 World Resources Institute. 2004. EarthTrends: The Environmental Information Portal. Available at http://earthtrends.wri.org. Washington DC: World Resources Institute. 24 http://www.ccasia.teri.resi.in/country/indo/ accessed June 4, 2005. 25 http://www.ccasia.teri.resi.in/country/indo/ accessed June 4, 2005


• Construction Stage – Air Quality. Impacts during bridge and road construction are anticipated due to fugitive dust generation in and around construction sites and at related activities such as plants for crushing rocks, hot-mix and asphalt plants, and land clearing, leveling, and lay-down areas. Potential air quality impacts due to the dust generation and related activities will be mitigated through avoidance strategies combined with construction and monitoring. The EA will identify standard BMPs for the D-B to avoid and minimize impacts. BMPs may include, but are not limited to:

- Asphalt and hot-mix plants will be located at least 500 m away from the nearest

sensitive receptor, such as school, hospitals, and important habitats; - Operators will be required to install emission controls; - Blasting, if any, will be carried out using small charges; - Dust-generating items will be conveyed under cover; - The D-B shall develop and implement a Fugitive Dust Control (FDC) Plan. The

FDC plan will be reviewed and approved by the CSC. The plan shall focus on reducing fugitive dust in order to minimize short-term air quality impacts to construction workers and to adjacent populated areas. Where no populated areas are in close proximity, control measures may focus more on safety equipment for construction workers (such as face masks). When work is conducted near populated areas, the plan will identify activities that cause dust that could affect people living in adjacent areas, implementation measures to prevent dust, methods of inspection to ensure implementation is successful, staff responsible to implement the plan, and procedures for tracking and reporting of air quality issues related to fugitive dust and how incidents were mitigated. The plan will include but is not limited to the following measures:

Trucks carrying soil, sand, or stone will be covered with tarps to avoid

spilling; Potential significant adverse impacts to adjacent residents or site

employees during construction will be mitigated by either discontinuing until favorable conditions are restored, or, if warranted, sites may be water-sprayed to prevent dust generation, particularly at crushing and winnowing plants;

Pre-construction monitoring of existing ambient air quality will be undertaken in conjunction with each construction package in areas of high risk for worker or public health to provide a baseline for air quality impacts during construction;

- Machinery and equipment will be fitted with pollution control devices, which will

be checked at regular intervals to ensure that they are in working order. Best available pollution control technologies will be required;

- Open burning will be prohibited and requirements for water-spraying, covering,

and related dust control measures and the proper use of solvents and volatile materials will be incorporated in the contract provisions;


- Routine air quality monitoring will be required during the life of the Project in

areas of high potential impact such as asphalt plants and construction camps.

• Operational Stage – Air Quality. Potential air quality impacts in the operational stage of the Project are most appropriately measured against a “base case” that estimates the likely ambient air quality without the Project (taking all other foreseeable changes into account) versus the most likely situation within the Project. For Phase I activities, minor changes to air quality due to increased traffic volume is anticipated, as the traffic volume will stay relatively similar to present volume.

Phase I - Issues Requiring Further Analysis in the EA. Understanding the information on Aceh province is limited - where available, the EA will include any additional information obtained on wind directions and speed, climate change impacts on climate and coastal areas, and potential air quality data from conditions pre-tsunami. Phase II - Potential Impacts and Planned Avoidance/Mitigation Actions. Impacts and mitigation measures for Phase II will be similar to Phase I except increased due to the project size. A major difference between the two projects is the potential impacts to air quality from increased traffic after the road is constructed. The project will not only improve the present condition but will also significantly improve the road from conditions that existed pre-tsunami. As such traffic volume is likely to increase. The EA will identify potential positive and negative impacts from the anticipated increased traffic volume in a general discussion. If mitigation measures could be incorporated into the design to assist with air quality (such as vegetation along the road way), the EA will identify general measures as appropriate. Reconstruction and improvements in road surface condition and traffic capacity will alleviate local congestion that might have otherwise occurred. The Project will restore and improve traffic flow; thereby reducing engine idling and the resulting localized air quality degradation. Improved vehicle performance on a new and better road surface will alleviate potential air pollution levels to a modest degree. Reconstruction will allow traffic generated by improved economic conditions to flow more smoothly and efficiently and will thus be beneficial.


3.2.6 Debris and Hazardous Materials Existing Conditions. Debris and hazardous materials (petroleum products, asbestos containing materials, paints and solvents, pesticides and other agricultural chemicals, medical and human wastes, human and animal bodies, commercial and industrial wastes) from before and resulting from the December 26, 2004 tsunami may be present in portions of the Project area. However, even with all the destruction, UNDAC concluded that for Banda Aceh there was little potential acute impact on public health and the environment from the exposure to hazardous chemicals or radioactive materials in comparison to the overall disaster situation because of the enormous quantities of water washing materials away. UNEP noted that detailed soil and groundwater assessments were needed to determine the degree of localized contamination. For the project area, three potential localized contamination areas occur at: the Pertamina oil depot in Banda Aceh - approximately 8,000 kL of oil leaked from the oil storage facilities; the Semen Andalas Indonesia cement factory in Banda Aceh; and, a large barge that has been grounded by the tsunami along one portion of the Phase II construction, likely to have spilled fuel or other chemicals.


The deposition of debris from the tsunami followed two routes; (1) the tsunami dragged the debris offshore into the sea, or (2) the tsunami carried debris from the coastal areas and deposited it further inland, washing some back towards the coast and into the sea, essentially spreading the debris over the impact area. A large volume of mud and sand was left in Banda Aceh. Smaller amounts were deposited in Meulaboh. In Calang, hardly any mud and sand was left as it was washed out with the tsunami and deposited offshore. Other debris left in the wake of the tsunami, in approximate order of volume, included: bricks and concrete; wood (planks and trees and other organic matter); and, some plastics and metals (iron, aluminum and copper). UNEP estimated that 80% of the debris cleared consisted of soil, building materials or vegetative matter. The amount of potentially hazardous waste created from household and small-scale industrial chemicals, fertilizers, and fuel is unknown. Many of the waste disposal areas or landfill sites were located near the coast and are damaged or destroyed. As a result, routine collection of urban municipal solid waste post-tsunami has been hampered by the loss of landfill sites, equipment and staff. In addition, the landfill sites prior to the tsunami were not run according to internationally accepted standards before the disaster. Destruction of these landfill areas may have resulted in additional hazardous materials exposure. As the larger urban area, there is a greater risk for hazardous materials to occur in Banda Aceh than in other cities and towns. As of February 4, 2005, the only municipal solid waste collection in Banda Aceh focused on IDPs and the hospital.26 As discussed in Section 3.2.2 – Soils and Section 3.2.4 - Hydrology, the debris has a high risk of contaminating the soils and groundwater in the affected area. Phase I - Potential Impacts and Planned Avoidance/Mitigation Actions. When construction occurs in areas where natural debris, urban debris and potentially hazardous materials need to be removed from the construction area, materials will need to be disposed in such a manner as to minimize additional impacts from the disposal. The EA will identify standard BMPs for the D-B to avoid and minimize impacts. BMPs may include, but are not limited to;

• Natural Debris. Where natural debris is suitable for reuse, the material will be reused during construction or offered to the adjacent community for reuse to the full extent practicable. Where the natural debris is unsuitable for reuse, the material will be disposed in a location so as not to interfere with the activities of the road construction or result in other inadvertent impacts such as, but not limited to, impairing hydrology of the area.

• Urban Debris. Where urban debris is suitable for reuse, the material will be reused during construction or offered to the adjacent community for reuse to the full extent practicable. Where the debris is not suitable for reuse or has the potential to be contaminated, these materials will be disposed of in accordance with GOI regulations and in consultation with the GOI.

• Hazardous Materials. The proposed project should avoid the procurement, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials, including, for example, asbestos containing materials, lead-based paint, petroleum products, VOCs such as solvents and paints, explosives and blasting materials, acutely hazardous materials like chlorine gas for water treatment and ammonia gas fro refrigeration, and pesticides, to the extent feasible. If hazardous materials are procured, the minimum amount should be procured and they should be managed according to best management practices and

26 UNEP, p. 25.


the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) as amended. If hazardous materials are used, they must be managed and appropriate worker training and record keeping must be performed. The D-B will assure that all employees follow appropriate design and management procedures concerning hazardous materials, including hazardous materials training, health and safety plan, posting and access of Materials Data Safety Sheets, storage, use, monitoring, and record keeping. If pesticides and other chemicals designed to kill animals and plants are procured or used, an approved Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safe Use Action Plan (PERSUAP) must be prepared before purchase in accordance with 22 CFR 216.

Phase I - Issues Requiring Further Analysis in the EA. Through mapping and visual assessments, the EA will identify priority areas where debris removal may be a concern for the project.



3.3 NATURAL/ BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES 3.3.3 Flora (Plants) Existing Conditions. Indonesia has 29,375 different known vascular plants27 with 30 flora species listed as endangered (Appendix I) under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and 1,023 species listed as threatened (Appendix II) under CITES.28 As a result of the tsunami, an extreme amount of devastation has occurred in Sumatra. The impacts to threatened and endangered plant species have not been assessed. For western Aceh, five (5) main vegetation types are found; mangroves, peat swamps, lowland evergreen and lowland forest types, and forest restricted to limestone. Impacts to mangroves are discussed under Section 3.3.5. - Coastal and Marine Resources. UNEP estimates the loss of coastal forests other than mangroves as 48,925 ha, representing a nest loss of $21.9 million.29 According to Flora and Fauna International, the remaining forests in Aceh province are in the Leuser Ecosystem and the Ulu Masin Forest Complex. These forest systems run from Lhok Ngo in the north (located directly west of Banda Aceh) to Singkil in the south (located on the western coast south of Medan). The total area of forest complex is estimated at 33,000 km2. These forests are considered the richest assemblage of biological diversity left in Southeast Asia. In recent history, these forests have experienced significant pressures from legal and

27 WRI Earthtrends – Biodiversity and Protected Areas – Indonesia. 28 http://www.cites.org/eng/resources/species.html, access May 6, 2005. 29 UNEP, p. 23.


illegal logging activities. There is a concern that the huge amount of post-tsunami reconstruction needed will increase the amount of illegal logging occurring in these areas.30 Phase I - Potential Impacts and Planned Avoidance/ Mitigation Actions. The majority of the area proposed for construction has been denuded of vegetation by the tsunami. Construction activities may impact a narrow band of vegetation adjacent to the existing roadway and at borrow areas, quarries, worker camps, and equipment staging areas. Plants could be affected by the roadside activities, bridges, or ancillary features – such as asphalt plants, construction camps, and borrow areas. Impacts to plant life during construction will be mitigated through proper siting of features. In the goal to keep the road alignment as far away from the shoreline as practicable, some tree removal may be required for the road corridor when the road is cut into the mountainside. Other impacts may include introduction of invasive plants species that out-compete native species or upset the existing native species habitat equilibrium. The EA will identify standard BMPs for the D-B to avoid and minimize impacts. BMPs may include, but are not limited to;

• Clearing of trees and forests will be minimized to the extent practicable.

• Disturbed areas will be replanted after construction. Native species shall be used for re-vegetation efforts to the extent practicable, if native species seed source is unavailable, non-invasive plant species shall be used. Plant species should also be as resistant to grazing as is practicable.

Phase I - Issues Requiring Further Analysis in the EA. Through mapping and visual assessments, the EA will identify priority areas for plant species and habitats where construction activities should be minimized. Through the AMDAL process, appropriate approvals will be received from the GOI for any unavoidable impacts to protected forested areas.

Phase II - Potential Impacts and Planned Avoidance/ Mitigation Actions. In addition to the impacts identified under Phase I, there is a greater potential to impact protected plant species or forested habitat because more of the Phase II activity will occur in mountainous areas that have experience minimal disturbance from the tsunami. Activities to widen and straighten the existing road could result in clearing of forested areas and potential impacts to threatened and endangered species. In addition to the mitigation measures identified in Phase I, the EA may include more prescriptive measures to avoid and minimize impacts in these sensitive areas.

• Intensive presence/absence field surveys. The EA may identify critical areas where the A-E will be required to conduct intensive field surveys to determine the presence/absence of threatened and endangered species and will need to avoid and minimize impacts based on the field survey results.

Phase II - Issues Requiring Further Analysis in the EA. In addition to the issues identified under Phase I activities, the greater potential for impacted sensitive species will require more detailed identification of areas that may need to have intensive presence/absence field surveys conducted by the A-E.

30Flora & Fauna International & Leuser International Foundation, “Conserving Ache’s Natural Heritage: A key component in the recovery and the sustainable development in the wake of the tsunami disaster of 2004, and an opportunity for inclusion in the multi-donor trust fund for Aceh” DRAFT (M. Griffiths & F. Momberg), March 2005.


3.3.2 Fauna (Wildlife)

Existing Conditions. Indonesia supports 515 known species of mammals, 929 known species of breeding birds, 745 known species of reptiles, 278 known species of amphibians, and 4,080 known species of fish.31 Of these species, 68 are listed as endangered (Appendix I) under CITES and 1,316 are listed as threatened (Appendix II) under CITES.32 Listed species include leatherback, hawksbill and green sea turtles known to occur on the western shores of Sumatra, the orangutan known to occur in the forested areas in the northwest, and the Sumatran tiger known to occur in the mountain areas near Meulaboh. The impact to listed species from the tsunami has not been fully assessed, however relatively few animals have been reported dead. The assumption being that they were able to flee the impact area prior to the tsunami.33 For listed and threatened bird species in Sumatra, despite the wealth of biodiversity in the region, it is thought that few threatened species are likely to have been seriously affected by the direct effects of the tsunami, and no extinctions are predicted as a result.34 With the degree of habitat loss that occurred, there may be long-term losses to critical species even if immediate losses were reduced.

Specific to the project area, the sea turtle species are known to occur along the beaches of western Sumatra including the beaches at road marker – 14 km, where bridge reconstruction for Phase I activities is proposed. Orangutans are known to live in the forests adjacent to the Phase I activities, especially in the areas north of Lamno, and the Sumatran Tiger may occur in forested areas along the southern reaches of Phase I, near Meulaboh.

Phase I - Potential Impacts and Planned Avoidance/ Mitigation Actions. For Phase I activities, the project area is relatively denuded of vegetation and wildlife habitat. For the bridge crossing at road marker – 14 km, the beach supports sea turtles. Up to 250 m of beach has eroded away due to the tsunami, limiting the sea turtle habitat. With the loss in prime habitat areas, additional impacts to these beaches could have exponential impacts on the sea turtles. The EA will identify impacts of concern and BMPs to minimize impacts to critical areas, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Habitat Loss. Realignment of the road segments may disturb agricultural areas as the road is relocated further from the shoreline, resulting in some loss of habitat. The road right of way is 30 m so habitat loss is anticipated to be minimal. Borrow areas and quarries for this project may also result in some habitat loss. However, the lowlands areas where the majority of the construction will occur are not likely to support sensitive wildlife. For Phase I construction, no large-scale shoreline stabilization is proposed. Some small-scale activities may occur with bridge abutments. These small-scale activities may result in some direct and indirect loss of sea turtle habitat. However, for Phase I, the impact is expected to be minimal to non-existent. The EA will identify standard BMPs for the D-B to avoid and minimize impacts. BMPs may include, but are not limited to:

- Disturbed areas will be re-vegetated when construction is completed with non-

invasive species, using native species to the full extent practicable. 31 WRI Earthtrends, Biodiversity and Protected Areas – Indonesia. 32 http://www.cites.org/eng/resources/species.html 33 http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/01/0104_050104_tsunami_animals.html, access May 13, 2005. 34 http://bobwhitson.typepad.com/howlings/2005/01/birdlife_assess.html, access May 11, 2005.


- Borrow areas and ancillary functions will be restored after construction in

compliance with the accepted borrow area excavation and restoration plan.

• Habitat Fragmentation. Habitat fragmentation occurs when a road cuts through an ecosystem, fragmenting an area into weaker sub-units that are not able to fully support the species population. For Phase I, impacts to habitat fragmentation will be minimal since the project areas cover relatively short distances in areas that are already devoted to transportation activities.

• Wildlife Migrations. Most animal species tend to follow established patterns in their

daily and seasonal movements. A road blocking a wildlife corridor could result in either cessation of its use because animals are reluctant to cross the road, increase in mortality due to collisions, or delay in migration. It is currently unknown if the proposed Project will interrupt wildlife migration corridors.

• Accidents Involving Wildlife. Traffic accidents involving wildlife attempting to cross the

road are a potential impact faced by road projects. No documentation is readily available on traffic accidents involving wildlife in the Project area.

Consideration will be given to potential indirect wildlife impacts as follows:

• Ecological Disequilibrium. Opening a transport corridor sometimes results in introduction of new plant and animal species along the roadway, upsetting the dynamic balance that exists in the ecosystem and altering predatory-prey relationships. In addition, construction activities may disturb seasonal mating patterns. Because most re-construction will occur in existing road corridors, the proposed Project will not result in a significant increase in ecological disequilibrium. The EA will identify standard BMPs for the D-B to avoid and minimize impacts. BMPs may include, but are not limited to:

− The D-B will avoid construction periods that would adversely impact on seasonal

matting patterns of sensitive species, where practicable.

Phase I - Issues Requiring Further Analysis in the EA. Through mapping and visual assessment, the EA will identify priority areas where wildlife habitat issues are a concern. During the socio-economic survey, the EA team will also interview local residents to clarify understanding of traffic accidents involving wildlife.

Phase II - Potential Impacts and Planned Avoidance/ Mitigation Actions. The Phase II activities will require more construction in mountainous areas and along the shoreline and beaches that are likely to support sensitive species such as, but limited to, sea turtles, orangutans, and other large mammals. As such, there is a greater likelihood that the road could impair wildlife habitat through habitat loss, habitat fragmentation and migration corridors. In addition, noise activities from construction may result in some harassment of sensitive species in the forested areas. The EA will identify likely species to occur in the project area and likely sensitivities – such as noise. Other issues of concern include:

• Shoreline Protection Activities. The Phase II activities will require shoreline protection where the road will be constructed near the sea. Shoreline hardening, as discussed in Section 3.3.5 – Coastal and Marine Resources, can result in additional losses of beach


habitat important to sea turtles. Mitigation measures identified in Section 3.3.5 address concerns regarding sea turtle habitat as well.

• Accessibility. Penetration of previously unmodified areas and upgrading existing roads

generally causes an increase in the number of people having access and is accompanied by an increase in the likeliness of such impacts. Because most re-construction will occur in existing road and other facility corridors, the proposed Project will not result in a significant increase in accessibility.

• Intensive presence/absence field surveys. The EA may identify critical areas where the A-E will be required to conduct intensive field surveys to determine the presence/absence of threatened and endangered species and will need to avoid and minimize impacts based on the field survey results. The EA will provide general BMPs to avoid and minimize impacts to the species if they are determined to be present by the intensive field surveys.

Phase II - Issues Requiring Further Analysis in the EA. Through mapping and visual assessments, the EA will identify priority areas where road activities are more likely to impact wildlife species. 3.3.4 Sensitive Habitat and Protected Areas. Existing Conditions. WRI reported that in 2003, there were 965 protected areas in Indonesia, covering 23,893,000 ha with an additional 13,559,000 ha of marine and littoral protected areas. There are 243,000 ha of wetlands of international importance, and 2,062,000 ha of biosphere reserves.35 In addition, Indonesia supports 104,986,000 ha of forest with 95,116,000 ha being natural forest, and 9,871,000 ha being plantations. From 1990-2000, Indonesia lost 11% of the total overall forested areas with a 14% loss in natural forests. The total dryland area in Indonesia is 5,318,000 ha.36 According to UNEP, the following terrestrial protected areas of international importance are within the impact area and some of these may be in or adjacent to the project area:

“• Kuala Jambu Air (10,000 ha). Estuary with mixed mangroves. • Blok Kluet, Gunung Leuser National Park (200 ha). Freshwater swamp and peat swamp forest. Includes endangered species such as Leatherback turtles, Sumatran tiger, and orangutan. • West Singkil (5,500 ha). Relatively undisturbed beach forest series and freshwater swamp forests in excellent condition. The best surviving examples of these habitat types in the province, with all their characteristic flora and fauna. Includes rare and vulnerable species. • Simeulue Island. Coastal wetlands in the area include approximately 1,000 hectares of mangrove forest, coral reefs and sea grass. Includes endemic fauna and endangered species, such as Leatherback, Hawksbill and Green Sea turtles.

35 WRI Earthtrends, Biodiversity and Protected Areas – Indonesia. 36 WRI Earthtrends, Forests, Grasslands, and Drylands - Indonesia


• Bangkaru Island, some surviving beach vegetation, lowland forest. Probably the most important nesting site for Green turtles in western Indonesia. • Pulo Aceh Island Group. Located on the west side of the Banda Aceh Sea, consisting of Breueh Island, Nasi Island, Teunom Island, Batee Island and several other small islands. The 1998 spatial plan for the district of Aceh Besar included plans to designate a protected marine area for Pulo Aceh. Some prior damage from dynamite fishing has affected Arciporra sp coral reefs in the waters of the district of Aceh Besar.”37

Phase I - Potential Impacts and Planned Avoidance/ Mitigation Actions. The goal of the Project is to relocate the road as far from the shoreline as practicable. Relocating the road closer to the mountains may require some clearing of forested areas. The EA team will consult with the GOI Ministry of Forestry and Ministry of Land Use to determine if any protected areas occur in the project area. Through the AMDAL process, any approvals necessary for unavoidable impacts to protected areas will be obtained.

• Clearing in Protected Areas. Clearing and construction activities in identified protected areas, included protected forests and sensitive agricultural activities – such as palm oil plantations, can impair the overall quality and production of the protected areas if not well planned and managed. The EA will identify standard BMPs for the D-B to avoid and minimize impacts. BMPs may include, but are not limited to:

− In areas where impacts to protected areas are unavoidable, the D-B will be required to abide by all requirements from the GOI.

Phase I - Issues Requiring Further Analysis in the EA. Through mapping and visual assessments, the EA will identify activities likely to occur in protected areas and will coordinate with the GOI for appropriate approvals through the AMDAL process as required.

Phase II - Potential Impacts and Planned Avoidance/ Mitigation Actions. With more activities occurring in forested areas and along the shoreline, there is the potential for Phase II activities to have a greater likelihood than Phase I activities impacting protected areas. As with Phase I activities, the EA team will consult with the GOI Ministry of Forestry and Ministry of Land Use to determine if any protected areas occur in the project area. In addition, indirect and cumulative impacts associated with illegal logging activities are of concern.

• Illegal Logging Activities. As stated above, the west coast of Sumatra supports large protected forests and pristine areas of biodiversity. The proposed road improvements will facilitate improved access to the mountain regions on the west coast. Sumatra is already experiencing problems in protecting its natural forests from illegal logging. With the improved access to the forested areas and the increased demand for timber to support tsunami reconstruction, increased illegal logging activities are of concern. The EA will identify standard BMPs for the D-B to avoid and minimize impacts. BMPs may include, but are not limited to:

− The D-B shall coordinate closely with the GOI agencies to incorporate any appropriate design measures in the road, such as but not limited to barriers along mountain areas to limit off road access, to facilitate the GOI’s management and policing of protected forests for illegal logging activities.

37 UNEP, p. 26


Phase II - Issues Requiring Further Analysis in the EA. Issues requiring further assessment for Phase II activities are similar as Phase I but more extensive because of the project size with the addition of addressing the potential indirect and cumulative impacts of the project on illegal logging activities. . 3.3.5 Coastal and Marine Resources. Existing Conditions. A variety of important coastal and marine ecosystems occur in northern Sumatra and in the smaller islands off Sumatra’s west coast, including coral reefs, seagrass beds, sandy beaches that support turtle habitat, and mangroves. UNEP found that no scientific inventory on the distribution and status of coral reefs was ever completed in Aceh. The estimated area of coral reefs in northern Sumatra and offshore islands is 100,000 ha.38 Prime seagrass beds are mainly located off the shores of Nias, Pulau Weh and Banyak islands – totaling approximately 600 ha. The seagrass beds in Pulau Weh support dugongs. Seagrass beds on the western coast of Sumatra are believed to be limited. The sandy beaches along the western coast of Sumatra are known to support Leatherback, Hawksbill, and Green Sea turtles. The sandy beaches are the predominant feature along the west coast of Sumatra. Mangroves along the western coast are small and patchy. Majority of the mangroves are found on the small islands offshore. The GOI and several international organizations have been assisting in surveys and initial damage assessments of the coral resources from the Tsunami. The BAPPENAS has estimated a 30% loss or damage (97,250 ha) of coral reefs for an estimated net loss of $332.4 million and a 20% (600 ha) loss of sea grass beds with an estimated net loss of $2.3 million. Wetlands International estimated a loss of 50% of the sandy beaches on the west coast. BAPPENAS estimated the total loss of mangroves in the tsunami impact area as 90% damage or loss (300-750 ha) for a net loss of $2.5 million.39 A major concern with the coastal areas is the enormous amount of debris washed into the ocean by the tsunami. The debris includes natural and man-made materials such as silt, sand, trees, vehicles, tankers, etc. The debris is causing secondary damage to the coastal areas through potential damage from wave activities as the debris is tossed about, scouring and smothering of sensitive habitats such as coral reefs. Phase I - Potential Impacts and Planned Avoidance/ Mitigation Actions. Activities that could impact coastal resources are primarily indirect impacts including increased sedimentation flowing into coral reefs and coastal areas. The sedimentation would be produced by erosion during construction. In addition, non-point source storm water runoff after construction could potentially introduce contamination that could adversely impact coral reefs and other habitat. Phase I activities have minimal to no shoreline protection activities proposed. The EA will identify BMPs including but not limited to, the following:

• Erosion and Sedimentation. As discussion in Section 3.2.2 – Soils, an ESC plan will be developed and implemented to reduce impacts during construction. Design will incorporate measures to reduce erosion potentials from the road.

38 UNEP, p. 22. 39 UNEP, p. 23.


• Storm-water Runoff. As discussed in Section 3.2.2 – Soils, an SPCC plan will be developed and implemented during construction to reduce potential impacts from storm-water runoff. Design will incorporate measures such as sand ditches, to catch storm-water runoff and filter contaminants out of the water prior to it reaching critical waterbodies. Concentration of runoff flows in sensitive areas shall be avoided especially in roadway segments close to the shoreline.

Phase I - Issues Requiring Further Analysis in the EA. Based on mapping and visual assessments, the EA will identify priority areas where the road activities are more likely to impact coastal resource and additional attention needs to be given to these locations.

Phase II - Potential Impacts and Planned Avoidance/ Mitigation Actions. In addition to the impacts identified under Phase I activities, the Phase II activities are likely to include shoreline armoring.

• Shoreline Protection Activities. The placement of hardened and vertical shoreline protection activities may result in exacerbated erosion over time in front of the shoreline protection and at either end of the shoreline protection. Vertical walls are shown to increase wave energy and refraction in front of the structure as well as increasing wave energy along the face of the structure – transferring the energy to either end of the structure. In addition, if shoreline protection is placed in an area considered a “sand source”, sand critical to the littoral cell may be impaired from entering the system. As a result the sediment budget for the littoral cell may be thrown out of equilibrium. Loss of beach and sediment can reduce intertidal habitat, result in the loss of critical habitat for protected sea turtles and impair productivity for fisheries and coral reefs. The EA will identify standard BMPs for the D-B to avoid and minimize impacts. BMPs may include, but are not limited to:

− Use design methods and materials to minimize shoreline hardening to the

full extent practicable. Alternatives to shoreline hardening that should be considered (based on effectiveness and cost) include: setting back the road from the shoreline to the full extent practicable; re-vegetating the shorelines; replanting mangroves where appropriate to protect against erosion, catch sediment, and reduce wave energy impacts; and, restoring primary dunes that stabilize the road bed and reduce wave energy impacts.

Phase II - Issues Requiring Further Analysis in the EA. In addition to issues identified for Phase I activities, the EA will need to identify priority areas via mapping and visual assessment where impacts due to shoreline hardening are more likely to occur and additional attention should be given to these areas. 3.4 OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS NOTED BY 22 CFR 216 3.4.1 Land Use and Development Policies and Controls Existing Conditions. Prior to the tsunami, Indonesia supported a variety of agricultural land uses with an average production of 58,954,000 MT in cereals from 1999-2001 (an increase in 75% production from 1979), 18,804,000 MT of roots and tubers produced, and 1,660,000 MT of meat (an increase of 145% from 1979). Over 30,987,000 ha of land are in agricultural


production, 16.3% of the total land area in Indonesia. Of the total agricultural land, 15.5% was irrigated in 1999. Agricultural workers make up approximately 55.2% of the total work force and agricultural activities make up 16.9% of the total GDP. 40 Limited information on agricultural production for Sumatra was available. However, the UNEP identified that the majority of the economic productivity in Aceh came from agriculture and the tsunami resulted in damaging 97% of the Aceh GDP.41 The majority of agricultural activities occur on the eastern coast. However, based on satellite imagery, the agricultural areas in the coastal lowlands of the western coast have been almost completely lost. As part of the reconstruction efforts in Aceh Province, the GOI has established the BRR to specifically consider land use and development policies with reconstruction efforts. Of specific note, BRR and UNEP are promoting the redevelopment of Calang as an “ecocity”.42 This includes relocating Calang closer to the road and considering the larger coastal management of the region.

Phase I - Potential Impacts and Planned Avoidance/ Mitigation Actions. Potential land use impacts vary between the construction and operational phases of the Project. Potential construction impacts include:

• Construction Phase - Creation of Construction Camps. Construction workers constitute a temporary land use change and raise issues related to activities such as unauthorized tree felling to get fuel-wood even when alternative fuel is available; poaching of edible animals and birds of the locality in spite of prohibitions; poor sanitation arrangements and improper methods used for disposal of solid wastes and effluent; and transmission of communicable diseases to the local people by construction workers due to inappropriate health monitoring facilities. The EA will identify standard BMPs for the D-B to avoid and minimize impacts. BMPs may include, but are not limited to:

− The D-B will coordinate construction activities with neighboring land users. Construction operators will be required to attend to the health and safety of their workers, maintain and cleanup campsites, and respect the rights of local landowners. If located outside the ROW, written agreements with local landowners for temporary use of the property will be required. The D-B must restore sites to a level acceptable to the property owners within a predetermined time period.

• Construction Phase - Impacts to Traffic Disruptions and Detours on Existing Land Uses. Construction activities will require detours and intermittent traffic disruptions in order to construct the project. The placement of detours could result in short-term land use impacts and long-term impacts if the detours are not appropriately sited or the areas restored after the detours are removed. The EA will identify standard BMPs for the D-B to avoid and minimize impacts. BMPs may include, but are not limited to:

40 WRI, Earthtrends: Agriculture and Land Use - Indonesia. 41 UNEP, p. 23 42 Personal communication from BRR Deputy for Programs and Planning at the 20 May 2005 meeting between USAID and BRR, Banda Aceh.


− Diversions and accommodations of traffic during construction will require approval of the CSC. The D-B will consult with adjacent landowners to minimize interference with the landowner activities to the full extent practicable.

• Construction Phase - Impacts resulting from base-yard locations and operations. The temporary siting of base-yard locations and operations may impact land use activities in the short-term if the locations are sited in areas important for agricultural or other activities. In the long-term, if the areas are not restored after the base-yards are removed, land use may be affected. The mitigation measures identified under construction camps shall be applied to base-yard locations and other ancillary functions and facilities as well.

• Operational Phase. For Phase I activities, indirect changes to land use are expected to be small in that the road segments follow short reaches. In certain areas, such as at road marker 60 –64 km, the road’s realignment away from the shoreline and closer to the mountains may result in a relocation of the community and agricultural practices in the absence of any direct access roads. In addition, indirect impacts need to be considering including, but not limited to, how Phase I activities will be integrated with Phase II activities along with the consideration road access and intersections that may be attached to the road later. Land acquisition to establish the ROW of the road alignment is of major concern and is being addressed by the GOI.

Phase I - Issues Requiring Further Analysis in the EA. Based on mapping and visual assessments, the EA team will evaluate potential general changes to land use from the improvement of these road segments in conjunction with any provisions for access roads by the GOI. The socio-economic surveys that will be conducted for the AMDAL process will provide important information on potential land use impacts. These results will be incorporated into the EA.

Phase II - Potential Impacts and Planned Avoidance/ Mitigation Actions. Direct and indirect impacts to land use from the construction and operation of the road are of greater concern for the Phase II activities as the project activities cover the full length of road between Banda Aceh and Meulaboh.

• Access Roads. Construction impacts will be similar but greater as a larger number of construction workers will be needed. Communities where re-establishment activities are underway may be affected if current re-establishment activities are occurring away from the proposed alignment and no direct access roads are provided. The current project will focus on the reconstruction of the national road from Banda Aceh to Meulaboh. There are no provisions planned to provide access roads under the road reconstruction activities. But the project team will coordinate with planned activities for access roads to serve the new communities. The GOI or other donor agencies may facilitate the construction of these access roads.

• Land Acquisition. Issues related to land acquisition and potential loss of property values may be a concern as property once adjacent to the road is now perceived to be further away in the absence of direct access roads. In addition, for the project areas going through the mountains, the communities are well established, experienced relatively minimal impacts from the tsunami, and occur close to the road – within the existing road ROW. Impacts to the land use from widening and straightening the road will be a major concern for these mountainous areas. Indirect


impacts are likely to include urban expansion, increased commercial activities along the length of the road, and consideration road access and intersections that may be attached to the road later. Close coordination between the GOI P2JJ and other GOI planning efforts and NGOs may be needed.

Phase II - Issues Requiring Further Analysis in the EA. The issues requiring further analysis in the Phase II EA are similar to those identified for the Phase I EA.

3.4.2 Use of Natural/ Depletable Resources

Existing Conditions. The tsunami resulted in a huge loss of timber as well as a major increase in demand for timber with the reconstruction activities. UNEP has sited that a major concern with the tsunami reconstruction is the demand for timber. The projected demand is estimated at 4 - 8 million m3 of logs, or 125,000 to 250,000 ha of forest. WWF-Indonesia determined that there is not an adequate amount of sustainable and legally harvestable forests to meet this demand.43

The tsunami also affected depletable resources such as the Exxon Mobil natural gas resources and pipeline and the industrial fertilizer plants on the east coast. A cement plant on the west coast in the project area was also impacted.44

Phase I - Potential Impacts and Planned Avoidance/ Mitigation Actions. Reconstruction of roads and bridges could facilitate economic development of Sumatra’s other natural resources by improving transport. Of concern are resources such as “sweet or non-salt” sand, concrete and substrate materials for the road construction. Phase I activities are of a small enough level that impacts to depletable resources will be minimal. The EA will identify standard BMPs for the D-B to avoid and minimize impacts. BMPs may include, but are not limited to:

• Where issues of resource materials are of concern, the EA will identify general issues of concern that should be addressed in obtain resource materials from other locations.

Phase I - Issues Requiring Further Analysis in the EA. Additional information on the locations of potentially exploitable natural resources for the Project would be helpful in understanding potential impacts of the Project on the environment. There may be regulatory and other restrictions from the GOI on obtaining some of the resources – such as rock, sand, and other natural materials.

Phase II - Potential Impacts and Planned Avoidance/ Mitigation Actions. Issues of depletable resources will be similar to Phase I but of a greater concern due to the size and effort of the Phase II construction. Where issues of resource materials are of concern, the EA will identify concerns that should be addressed in obtain resource materials from other locations.

Phase II - Issues Requiring Further Analysis in the EA. Issues requiring further assessment for Phase II activities are similar to those identified for Phase I activities.

3.4.3 Urban Quality/ Design of the Built Environment

43 UNEP Rapid Assessment, p. 27. 44 UNEP, p. 30.


Existing Conditions. The primary urban area in the project area is Banda Aceh. Traveling south along the proposed project, the next urban areas are Lamno, Calang, Teunom and Meulaboh. All of these areas have experienced considerable damage and loss to the urban quality or environment. According to UNEP, 14 public port facilities experienced heavy damage and five (5) ports experienced light damage (mainly east coast ports). Three (3) key industrial sites were damaged – Pertamina oil depot, Banda Aceh; Semen Andalas Indonesia cement factory, Banda Aceh; and Pertamina oil depot, Meulaboh.

Phase I - Potential Impacts and Planned Avoidance/ Mitigation Actions. Phase I activities are relatively small in nature. The activities may influence growth in the proximity of the road segments being reconstructed, such as improving access and thereby economic recovery to the villages in the segment reaches. Overall urban growth is anticipated to be minimal. Land uses and potential impacts near the reconstructed facilities are discussed above.

Phase I - Issues Requiring Further Analysis in the EA. Additional issues for analysis associated with urban growth would be captured under the additional analysis conducted for land use and development policies discussed above.

Phase II - Potential Impacts and Planned Avoidance/ Mitigation Actions. As Phase II activities will include improvements to the full length of the road from Banda Aceh to Meulaboh, urban growth will likely occur throughout the project area. Urban growth issues surrounding the project are more indirect and cumulative in nature. In most areas, urban growth will be beneficial, providing increased economic growth and access to services and facilities where none presently occur. As in all areas, urban growth is beneficial if the growth is well planned and controlled, unplanned growth is likely to result in urban sprawl. Urban sprawl is more likely to occur in the project area with improved access, especially in areas near main centers such as Banda Aceh and Meulaboh. The BRR and other GOI agencies are working on master planning activities to address urban growth in a responsible and sustainable manner.

Phase II - Issues Requiring Further Analysis in the EA. As urban growth issues are primarily cumulative in nature, the EA will discuss the general cumulative impact issues associated with the project as the road is the first major tsunami reconstruction to occur in the area and many other reconstruction efforts being planned by other governments and NGOs are likely to plan their construction efforts and locations based on the final alignment of the road.

3.4.4 Historic and Cultural Resources

Existing Conditions. The presence of historical and/or cultural resources in the project area is unknown. Sumatra – Aceh province in particular – has a long history of human development. In the 16th century, Aceh was already established as a center of Islam and a major trading nation, trading with China, the near east and Europe. Aceh province remained independent from European control until 1871 when the Dutch declared war. The war lasted for 35 years before the Sultan of Aceh, Tuanku Muhammat Dawot, surrendered.45 With this long and colorful history, it is likely that historic and cultural resources may occur in the project area, especially in the areas near Banda Aceh, Meulaboh and in the mountain reaches.

Phase I - Potential Impacts and Planned Avoidance/ Mitigation Actions. The presence/absence of cultural resources is unknown at this time. If cultural resources occur in

45 Lonely Planet, Indonesia. 2004, p. 468.


the project area, potential direct and indirect impacts could occur from the construction of the road and operational activities if the road cannot avoid these resources. The GOI has preservation laws for historic and cultural resources. The AMDAL and the construction contract will need to abide by these laws as appropriate.

• Impacts to Known Resources. Based on potential impacts identified during mapping and visual assessments, the EA will identify general BMPs to avoid and minimize impacts to known historic and cultural resources. BMPs may include, but are not limited to:

− The D-B may be required to conduct intensive presence/absence surveys prior to construction in areas that have a high likelihood for historic and cultural resources. If historic and cultural resources are discovered and the resources cannot be avoided through design and engineering measures, the D-B will coordinate with the GOI and implement mitigation measures as directed.

• Impacts to Unknown Resources. There is the potential for unknown resources or human remains to be discovered during construction. If construction were to occur when unknown resources were noticed, these resources could be destroyed. The EA will identify standard BMPs for the D-B to avoid and minimize impacts. BMPs may include, but are not limited to:

− The D-B will develop and implement an “unanticipated discoveries plan”. The plan will identify measures for monitoring construction for cultural resources, stopping construction If there is an unanticipated discovery during construction, and mitigating the impacts to any unanticipated discoveries. If unanticipated discoveries occur, the D-B will contact the USAID and GOI immediately and the D-B will implement measures identified.

Phase I - Issues Requiring Further Analysis in the EA. Through mapping and visual assessments and data searches of available cultural resources survey data, the EA team will identify the risk of historic and cultural resources to occur and the appropriate BMPs to be implemented.

Phase II - Potential Impacts and Planned Avoidance/ Mitigation Actions. Potential impacts and mitigation measures for Phase II activities are the same as those for Phase I activities.

Phase II - Issues Requiring Further Analysis in the EA. Issues requiring further analysis for Phase II activities are the same as those for Phase I activities.

3.4.5 Energy and Conservation

Existing Conditions. The total energy production for Indonesia in 2000 was 229,478,000 MT of oil equivalent. The total energy consumption for Indonesia in 1999 was 136,121,000 MT oil equivalent. Indonesia’s primary sources of energy consumption are fossil fuels (86,325,000 MT oil equivalent), primary solid biomass (46,748,000 MT oil equivalent), geothermal (2,346,100 MT oil equivalent), and hydroelectric (806,000 MT oil equivalent). Fossil fuel production consists of crude oil and natural gas liquids, natural gas, and coal and coal products, in order of highest consumption. Residential activities consume the largest amount of energy (62,671,000 MT oil


equivalent), followed up transportation (19,901,000 MT oil equivalent), industry (19,724,000 MT oil equivalent), and agriculture (1,784,000 MT oil equivalent).46

The tsunami has impaired both energy use and energy consumption in Aceh. Two (2) of Pertamina’s oil depots were destroyed and the Exxon Mobil pipeline was severely damaged. The current production and consumption for the area is unknown at this time.

Phase I - Potential Impacts and Planned Avoidance/ Mitigation Actions. For Phase I activities, the activities will improve road transportation but at such a small level that any positive or negative impacts to energy use and consumption are likely to be minimal.

Phase I - Issues Requiring Further Analysis in the EA. No additional analysis is warranted for EA purposes. However, it would be prudent to consider renewable energy sources such as wind and solar as sustainable energy sources where practicable which do not require extensive importation once established.

Phase II - Potential Impacts and Planned Avoidance/ Mitigation Actions. Impacts to energy use and consumption would be indirect and cumulative in nature. Reconstruction could facilitate economic development of Sumatra’s resources and agricultural products for export. Demand for petroleum products are likely to increase in response to the improved road transport conditions. Residential energy demands are likely to increase with redevelopment associated with the improved transportation access. These increases in energy consumption are considered adverse as burning of organic materials including wood fuels, biomass, and petroleum products contribute to green house gases and global climate change.

Phase II - Issues Requiring Further Analysis in the EA. Issues requiring further analysis for Phase II activities are the same as for Phase I activities.

3.4.6 Reuse and Conservation

Existing Conditions. As discussed under Section 3.2.6 - Debris and Hazardous Materials, portions of the existing roadway and bridge reconstruction will require the clearance of significant debris and other materials for reconstruction. This offers an opportunity to reuse the debris and conserve the use of new materials for the project construction.

Phase I - Potential Impacts and Planned Avoidance/ Mitigation Actions. As discussed under Section 3.2.6 - Debris and Hazardous Materials, the project will reuse debris to the full extent practicable. If the material is unfit for reuse by the road construction, the material will be offered to the adjacent communities for reuse.

Phase I - Issues Requiring Further Analysis in the EA. The potential for recycling of debris and other materials needs to be determined. For example, often large quantities of concrete are available as debris and may be recycled if crushing technology is available and energy costs are not prohibitive. In addition, biosolids or sludges from water and wastewater treatment might be suitable as biomass for energy conversion, or alternative daily cover to landfills. The EA will identify general types of materials that could be reused as well as general types of materials that would be unsuited for reuse.

46 WRI Earthtrends, Energy and Resources – Indonesia.


Phase II - Potential Impacts and Planned Avoidance/ Mitigation Actions. Avoidance and mitigation actions for Phase II design and construction are the same as for Phase I.

Phase II - Issues Requiring Further Analysis in the EA. Issues requiring further analysis in the EA for Phase II design and construction are the same as for Phase I.

3.5 ADDITIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS NOTED FOR CONSIDERATION 3.5.1 Socio-Economic Considerations and Community Involvement. Existing Conditions. The proposed project extends over five (5) Kabupatens/districts. The population of Aceh prior to the tsunami was 4.2 million citizens. Assessments of loss of life continue to increase but the most recent estimates were128,715 lives lost47 and 412,438 people displaced. The majority of the western coast was severely damaged and communities and villages were completely destroyed. Survivors are in the process of reestablishing in their original communities. Community involvement and socio-economic analysis is a critical aspect of the AMDAL process. The process requires that a socio-economic survey be conducted and public comments solicited. Surveys include meeting with the Kecamatan/subdistricts and Desa/village leaders and members of the communities in smaller focus groups to identify socio-economic issues of concern. In addition to the survey, a public announcement of the project is issued and public comments are solicited. For this project, a public meeting will also be held to solicit additional input.

Phase I - Potential Impacts and Planned Avoidance/ Mitigation Actions. In the long-term, the proposed project is expected to have a beneficial on the economy of the project area, its provinces, and the country as a whole. In the short-term, potential socio-economic impacts may occur to communities and farmers that have been in the process of re-establishment. If the road is either realigned away from or widened into areas where energy and resources have been expended for re-establishment, an impact may occur to those that have expended the resources. Impacts may also occur with land acquisition. The GOI is working with land use agencies and communities on issues of determining land ownership and land acquisition associated with this project. In order to minimize impacts, the EA will identify issues of consideration and BMPS including, but not limited to, the following:

• The D-B will consider where houses or agricultural fields have been reestablished or are actively in the process and will minimize impacts to these areas to the full extent practicable. If feasible and considering other engineering and environmental objectives, the project should remain adjacent to these areas.

• The D-B shall work closely with the P2JJ and GOI agencies to address community concerns in the design of the road realignment.

• In order to facilitate economic growth, the D-B shall higher members of the local community to the extent practicable.

Phase I - Issues Requiring Further Analysis in the EA. Further analysis of socio-economic issues is necessary. The EA will rely on information collected during the AMDAL socio-

47 http://www.cbc.ca/storyview/MSN/world/national/2005/04/18/indonesia-050418.html, accessed May 9, 2005.


economic survey to complete the EA analysis. The EA will discuss potential socio-economic considerations and direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of the project associated with the cultural and gender demographics, community livelihoods, working and business opportunities, cultural values and norms, social processes and infrastructure, formal and informal leadership structures, and public perceptions of the project. In addition, special attention shall be paid to gender differences with general recommendations to be provided to the D-B on ways to assist or considerations of transportation access to women via the road construction and design.

Phase II - Potential Impacts and Planned Avoidance/ Mitigation Actions. Because of the size of the project and the length of the construction, the beneficial and negative impacts to socio-economic conditions will be greater than Phase I. More attention will be placed on the potential indirect impacts from redevelopment facilitated by the road. Mitigation measures will include measures identified for Phase I activities plus additional measures as appropriate.

Phase II - Issues Requiring Further Analysis in the EA. Further analysis of socio-economic issues is necessary. The EA will rely on information collected during the AMDAL socio-economic survey to complete the EA analysis.

3.5.2 Public Health

Existing Conditions. Specific health statistics for Ache province were not available. In the absence of specific information, general information for Indonesia is provided. For Indonesia the total population in 2005 was estimated at 272,911,000 people. Of this population, the average total fertility rate from 2000-2005 was 2.3 children per female, average infant mortality rate were 40 deaths/1,000 births, and average mortality under-five was 48 deaths/1,000 births. Life expectancy at birth for females was 69.5 years and for males was 65.3 years. In 2001, there were 120,000 adults and children infected with HIV/AIDS, representing 0.1% of the adults between ages 15-49. AIDS orphaned over 18,000 children since the beginning of the epidemic. In 2000, 69% of the urban population had access to safe water and 46% of the rural population. In 1997-1999, 84% of the children were enrolled in primary school, 41% of female children and 44% of male children were enrolled in secondary school. Adult literacy for adult females is 83% and for adult males is 93%. In 2002, 98% of the children from ages 15-24 were literate.48

Phase I - Potential Impacts and Planned Avoidance/ Mitigation Actions. Potential impacts of the road and bridge reconstruction is expected to have long-term positive effects on public health due to quicker response time in emergency situations and improved access to health care facilities. However, short-term impacts may be negative from potential contamination of water supplies from construction camps, additional air pollution and noise levels during construction, and potential disease transmission including sexually transmitted diseases (STD) from construction crew. Section 3.2.5 – Climate and Air Quality discussed potential impact from air pollution and dust. Section 3.5.4 –Noise discusses impacts from potentially high noise levels. The EA will identify BMPs to minimize impacts to public health, including, but not limited to:

• STD Awareness and Education. Although mitigation of potential disease transmission is beyond the scope of the proposed Project, the D-B will be required to establish an STD awareness programs for construction workers as part of the Site Safety Health Plan (SSHP).

48 WRI Earthtrends, Population, Health and Human Well-Being – Indonesia.


• Sanitation Facilities. Construction camps may adversely impact water quality and sanitation if sanitation facilities are not properly sited, installed or managed and sewage from the construction camps is allowed to enter the surrounding surface or groundwater without appropriate treatment.

− The D-B will provide adequate sanitation and drinking water for the camps to minimize impacts to workers and adjacent communities.

− Raw and treated water for consumption by the construction workers or the general public must be tested initially and periodically for drinking water quality parameters, including arsenic, to assure that the water meets appropriate potable drinking water standards. The D-B will follow appropriate design and management procedures concerning raw and treated drinking water quality testing and reporting.

− If wastewater is proposed to be discharged into a potential water supply, treated wastewater must be tested while in process and at the discharge location, initially and periodically for sanitary engineering parameters, including coliform bacteria, to assure that the water meets appropriate wastewater discharge standards. If the wastewater is discharged to a receiving water body, it should be de-chlorinated before discharge to avoid adverse effects on chlorine-sensitive aquatic life. Biosolids or wastewater sludges should be tested, especially for heavy metals, if it is going to be used as compost, soil amendments, fertilizers, or soil additives, and compared to standards to assure that concentrated metals and other constituents are not use-limiting. The D-B will assure appropriate design and management procedures concerning treated wastewater and biosolids quality testing and reporting are followed.

Phase I - Issues Requiring Further Analysis in the EA. Based on literature review, mapping assessments and socio-economic surveys, the EA will provide more specific information for public health for Aceh province where available and assess the project to determine other potential public health issues of concern. Phase II - Potential Impacts and Planned Avoidance/ Mitigation Actions. The impacts and mitigation measures for Phase II activities will be the same as Phase I activities. Phase II - Issues Requiring Further Analysis in the EA. The issues for further analysis for Phase II activities will be the same as Phase I activities. 3.5.3 Safety

Existing Conditions. Safety issues related to civil unrest are a concern in the project area as they are in the rest of Aceh Province. The GOI and GAM (the Free Aceh Movement) have reached a temporary truce in regards to all activities associated with tsunami reconstruction and currently continuing with overall peace initiatives. However, skirmishes between GOI and GAM may still to occur in the project area.

In terms of traffic safety, traffic volumes in Banda Aceh and the project area are light to medium in comparison to other urban areas. In the rural areas, traffic volumes are light. Non-motorized traffic (NMT) is encountered in some areas. In the agricultural and rural areas – the NMT is


typically farm animals. In the small villages, towns and cities, NMT is more typically pedestrians, especially children before and after school hours.

Phase I - Potential Impacts and Planned Avoidance/ Mitigation Actions. Potential safety issues and mitigation actions are as follows:

• Civil unrest and crime. Construction activities in areas with potential civil unrest may place construction workers at risk. While no specific baseline information for crime in Aceh is available, it is likely that increased temporary populations associated with the construction activities may increase the potential for petty crime. The EA will identify standard BMPs for the D-B to avoid and minimize impacts. BMPs may include, but are not limited to:

− Care should be taken in public places. The D-B shall address security issues, logistics, and the need for security escorts for worker safety in the SSHP. In addition, measures to educate workers and limit the potential for petty theft shall also be addressed in the SSHP.

• Conflicts with Pedestrian and NMT. Construction and operational activities could impair

pedestrian and NMT safety in the project area. During construction, large construction vehicles have restricted periphery vision and may inadvertently risk the safety of construction workers or other pedestrian and NMT traffic. During operation, improved roads will facilitate increase traffic speeds and thereby increase the potential for accidents with other motorized vehicles, pedestrians and NMT. The EA will identify standard BMPs for the D-B to avoid and minimize impacts. BMPs may include, but are not limited to:

− In order to protect construction worker safety, the D-B will identify and implement measures such as hard hats, signage, reverse lighting and beepers in the SSHP.

− In order to protect other motorized vehicles, pedestrian and NMT safety during

construction, the D-B will provide appropriate signage, traffic control personnel, and fencing, crosswalks, etc. Special attention shall be paid to pedestrian and NMT safety in school zones, hospital clinics and villages.

− In order to protect other motorized vehicles, pedestrians and NMT safety during

the operation of the road, the D-B shall incorporate appropriate safety measures into the design and construction, including, but not limited to, appropriate signage, pedestrian walkways along bridges and road shoulders where appropriate, appropriate turn-around areas, fencing, crosswalks, designs for slower speeds, or other traffic safety measures in populated areas. Special attention shall be made to school zones, hospital clinics, and villages.

• Safety issues due to construction-related traffic impediments. Diversions and detours

are an inevitable impact of road and bridge construction. Diversions and detours that are inappropriately designed, marked or controlled can result in accidents for construction workers, other motorized vehicles, pedestrians and NMT. The EA will identify standard BMPs for the D-B to avoid and minimize impacts. BMPs may include, but are not limited to:


− The D-B shall address safety issues for the construction workers and public for diversions and detours in the SSHP and shall obtain the concurrence of the CSC for necessary detours and traffic re-routing schemes.

• Safety impacts due to excessive speed. Projects can inadvertently and adversely affect

road and bridge safety due to excessive speeds encouraged by improved road and bridge conditions. The EA will identify standard BMPs for the D-B to avoid and minimize impacts. BMPs may include, but are not limited to:

− The D-B shall incorporate appropriate safety warning and speed signs in the

design, especially in school zones, hospital clinics and villages.

• Unexploded Ordinance (UXO). Because of the history of civil unrest in the area, there is the potential for UXO to occur in the project area. No information has been identified that UXO are likely to occur at a high frequency in the project area. The EA will identify standard BMPs for the D-B to avoid and minimize impacts. BMPs may include, but are not limited to:

− The D-B shall develop and implement an “inadvertent discovery plan” in the event that UXO are discovered during construction activities. The plan will detail training to identify UXO, appropriately trained personnel to monitor for UXO in high risk areas, measures to avoid UXO, and processes for safely removing UXO from the project area.

• Worker safety. Construction activities often put workers, especially untrained,

inexperienced, and poorly protected workers, at occupational safety risk. The EA will identify standard BMPs for the D-B to avoid and minimize impacts. BMPs may include, but are not limited to:

− The D-B shall develop and implement a SSHP. The D-B will be required to

provide periodic training, daily pre-work safety meetings, appropriate worker protection equipment, and ongoing real-time in-the-field monitoring of worker activities to improve worker awareness in safety and provide a safe working environment to the extent feasible. The D-B will keep daily records at the site for CSC review and approval of training, daily pre-work safety meetings, and accident reports, and shall have an accepted written SSHP that identifies exit strategies for prompt medical care, if need. At all times, workers shall have an accepted daily SSHP on their person of their activities. There shall be proper signage in appropriate languages and symbols, fencing, and closed-off areas to reduce worker hazards, including proper closed access and trenching strategies.

• Public Safety. The public should be protected from unsafe practices during construction

and operations and at ancillary features such as construction camps, borrow areas, and staging areas during daytime and nighttime hours. The EA will identify standard BMPs for the D-B to avoid and minimize impacts. BMPs may include, but are not limited to:

− The D-B shall address public safety for the road construction and ancillary

features in the SSHP to include proper signage in appropriate languages and symbols, fencing, and closed-off areas to reduce public hazards. Unauthorized persons should not be permitted within construction areas for their own safety.


Public safety shall be addressed for both daytime and nighttime hours – implementing lighting and reflective coatings and signs as appropriate.

− The D-B shall address public safety during road operation through design and

engineering measures. Public safety shall be addressed for both daytime and nighttime hours – implementing lighting and reflective coatings and signs as appropriate.

Phase I - Issues Requiring Further Analysis in the EA. The EA will compile additional information as necessary to assure appropriate worker and public safety. Information will be provided in the form of general guidelines and BMPs.

Phase II - Potential Impacts and Planned Avoidance/ Mitigation Actions. Impacts and mitigation measures for Phase II activities will be similar to those for Phase I activities.

Phase II - Issues Requiring Further Analysis in the EA. Issues requiring further analysis for Phase II activities will be similar to those for Phase I activities.

3.5.4 Noise

Existing Conditions. Noise levels along the project road routes are low with limited noise producing sources or receptacles existing in the area. The road portions within Banda Aceh experience higher noise levels from regular urban activity. The main noise receptacles along the route from Banda Aceh to Meulaboh are Banda Aceh, Lamno, and Meulaboh. Temporary schools and hospital clinics have been set up in or near the settlement camps. School zones and hospital zones are considered sensitive noise receptacles.

Phase I - Potential Impacts and Planned Avoidance/ Mitigation Actions. Potential noise impacts are identified in both the construction and operational stages as follows:

• Construction Stage. Temporary impacts in the immediate vicinity of the Project may occur due to construction. The magnitude of impact, generally intermittent, will depend on specific types of equipment used, length of time, construction methods used, and work schedules. The EA will identify standard BMPs for the D-B to avoid and minimize impacts. BMPs may include, but are not limited to:

− The D-B will be required to incorporate provisions to mitigate potential noise and

vibration impacts during construction, emphasizing: controls of noise source; site controls; time and activity constraints; community awareness through notification and signage in appropriate languages and symbols; and baseline and routine noise monitoring as part of construction supervision. The D-B shall provide noise control measures to protect the construction workers health and safety (provide ear protection for activities that exceed 90 dB before ear protection is required). The D-B shall minimize noise disturbance to adjacent communities, paying particular attention to areas near schools when children are present, hospital clinics and mosques or other religious structures during times of worship.


• Operational Stage. Sources of noise during the operational stage of construction projects generally include: vehicle noise, road noise, driver behavior, construction and maintenance, human welfare, vibration, wildlife disturbance, and incidental noises. The EA will identify standard BMPs for the D-B to avoid and minimize impacts. BMPs may include, but are not limited to:

− The D-B shall incorporate measures to minimize noise to main noise receptacles,

paying particular attention to schools when children are present, hospital clinics, mosques or other religious structures during times of worship, and habitat for wildlife species of concern.

• Noise limitation hours. Noise levels during sensitive time periods can cause a greater disturbance than during less sensitive times. The EA will identify standard BMPs for the D-B to avoid and minimize impacts. BMPs may include, but are not limited to:

− The D-B shall limit noise levels from construction during sensitive hours, including but no limited to: near schools and during school hours, near hospital clinics, near village areas, and near mosques during times of worship - such as Friday mid-day prayers. Design measures such as signs and speed reduction zones shall be incorporated to minimize noise during these sensitive hours as well.

Phase I - Issues Requiring Further Analysis in the EA. Through mapping assessments and socio-economic surveys, the EA will identify known sensitive receptors, such as schools, so as to alert the D-Bs and the potentially affected facilities and stakeholders.

Phase II - Potential Impacts and Planned Avoidance/ Mitigation Actions. Impacts and avoidance/mitigation measures for Phase II activities are similar to Phase I activities.

Phase II - Issues Requiring Further Analysis in the EA. Issues requiring further analysis in the Phase II EA are similar to Phase I issues.

3.5.5 Other Infrastructure Issues

Existing Conditions. The road from Banda Aceh to Meulaboh is the only access for many of the towns and villages along the west coast of Sumatra. As such, prior to the tsunami, most of the infrastructure likely followed the road. The tsunami destroyed the majority of the road in the coastal lowlands and the infrastructure it supported. Based on initial assessments of existing conditions, minimal to no infrastructure exists along the road corridor in the coastal lowlands. Infrastructure and utilities in the mountain areas remain relatively in tact.

Phase I - Potential Impacts and Planned Avoidance/ Mitigation Actions. Phase I activities have little to no impact on infrastructure since the work is in the coastal lowlands where infrastructure was lost or damaged. The EA will identify standard BMPs for the D-B to avoid and minimize impacts. BMPs may include, but are not limited to:

• The D-B will confirm the existence or non-existence of any utilities and other infrastructure such as, but not limited to, water supply, wastewater, water-harvesting, irrigation, electric power lines, petroleum pipelines, and other fixed utilities or features in either a planned or inadvertent way. If any of these issues exist in the area, the D-B will


be responsible for notifying the CSC and coordinating with P2JJ and the appropriate GOI agencies, local communities, and property owners.

Phase I - Issues Requiring Further Analysis in the EA. Based on mapping assessments and consultations with P2JJ, the EA will identify issues of concern in regards to infrastructures and utilities.

Phase II - Potential Impacts and Planned Avoidance/ Mitigation Actions. Phase II activities are more likely to impact existing infrastructure and utilities with the proposed work in the mountain areas. Other impacts, avoidance and mitigation actions for Phase II design and construction activities are similar to Phase I activities.

Phase II - Issues Requiring Further Analysis in the EA. Issues requiring further analysis in the EA for Phase II design and construction include a general discussion of issues and concerns for the potential cumulative impacts from the placement of future infrastructure and utilities to support community re-establishment along the road corridor.


4.0 PROPOSED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ANALYSIS

In accordance with 22 CRF 216, the following presents a description of:

• The timing of the preparation of the environmental analysis, including phasing; • Variations in the format of the EA;

• Tentative planning and decision-making schedule; and,

• Proposed approach to remaining issues.

4.1 TIMING Data collection contributing to the preparation of the EA initiated with the field investigations by USAID Indonesia staff and staff from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers after the December 26, 2004 tsunami. The general milestones for the EA development are as follows:

• Complete Phase I Field Investigations 17 June 2005 • Complete Phase II Field Investigations 30 June 2005 • Submit Phase I Draft EA 8 July 2005 • Submit Phase I Final EA 22 July 2005 • Complete Phase I AMDAL Process 27 July 2005 • Phase I Final Decision Document Signed 28 July 2005 • Submit Phase II Draft EA 29 July 2005 • Submit Phase II Final EA 12 August 2005 • Phase II Final Decision Document Signed 24 August 2005 • Complete Phase II AMDAL Process 20 August 2005

4.2 FORMAT VARIATIONS The EA will follow the general format put forth by 22 CFR 216. Minor additions may be made to the document to make it more compatible with information that needs to be submitted for the GOI AMDAL process. 4.3 TENTATIVE PLANNING AND DECISION-MAKING SCHEDULE Completion of the decision-making process depends on USAID’s review and approval of the EA. USAID’s review and approval process is not expected to take longer that a few days after submitted in full EA package with proposed decision documents and appropriate signatures from the Indonesia Mission. 4.4 PROPOSED APPROACH TO REMAINING ISSUES


Analysis of the information compiled to date will need to be supplemented by additional mapping analysis, field reconnaissance and literature reviews as summarized in Table 3.1. In order to accommodate the aggressive schedule, most of the analysis will be conducted via GIS analysis. Site visits will be conducted at locations identified through the GIS assessment at locations that are (1) accessible, (2) have a variety of critical resource concerns overlapping, and (3) identified as good reference sites for resources and impacts of concern. Qualified specialists will conduct a socio-economic survey including interviews with stakeholders during the preparation of the EA. The disciplines that will incorporated into the EA analysis include, but are not limited to:

• Physical and chemical environment: meteorology, air quality, noise, geology, physiography, topography, soil, water resources (including surface water & groundwater), land use, and spatial planning.

• Ecological/biological environment: botany, wildlife-, coastal- and aquatic-ecology,

biodiversity, and special status species and habitat assessments.

• Social environment: archaeology, social-cultural and socio-economic.


LIST OF PREPARERS, CONTRIBUTORS, REVIEWERS, AND REFERENCES

Prepared by: Ms. Cindy S. Barger, Biologist, USACE, Honolulu District Mr. Barney P. Popkin, Environmental Protection Specialist, USAID/ANE Reviewed by: Mr. John O. Wilson, Bureau Environmental Officer, USAID/ANE Mr. Robert MacLeod, USAID/ANE Ms. Theresa Tuaño, Mission Environment Officer, USAID/Indonesia Ms. Trigeany Linggoatmodjo, Program Specialist-Office of Water & Environment, USAID/Indonesia Dr. Muhammad Khan, Watershed Management Advisor, Office of Water & Environment USAID/Indonesia Mr. Edi Setianto, Program Specialist-Office of Economic Growth, USAID/Indonesia Additional information provided by: Paul Mizue, Project Manager, USACE, Honolulu District Paul Bowen, Project Manager – Forward, USACE, Honolulu District Wil Chee, Wil Chee Planning and Environmental, Inc.


REFERENCES

22 CFR Part 216 – U.S. Agency for International Development, Environmental Procedures. Flora & Fauna International & Leuser International Foundation, “Conserving Ache’s Natural Heritage: A key component in the recovery and the sustainable development in the wake of the tsunami disaster of 2004, and an opportunity for inclusion in the multi-donor trust fund for Aceh” DRAFT (M. Griffiths & F. Momberg), March 2005. http://bobwhitson.typepad.com/howlings/2005/01/birdlife_assess.html, access May 11, 2005. http://earthquake.usgs.gov/, accessed May 9, 2005. http://ioc.unesco.org/iosurveys/Indonesia/yalciner/yalciner.htm, accessed May 9, 2005. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/01/0104_050104_tsunami_animals.html, access May 13, 2005. http://soils.usda.gov/use/worldsoils/mapindex/, accessed May 10, 2005. http://soils.usda.gov/use/worldsoils/mapindex/order.html, accessed May 10, 2005. http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/indonesia/pro-geography.htm, access on May 11, 2005. http://www.cbc.ca/storyview/MSN/world/national/2005/04/18/indonesia-050418.html, accessed May 9, 2005 http://www.ccasia.teri.resi.in/country/indo/ accessed June 4, 2005. http://www.cites.org/eng/resources/species.html, access May 6, 2005. Lonely Planet, Indonesia. 2004. Personal communication from BRR Deputy for Programs and Planning at the 20 May 2005 meeting between USAID and BRR, Banda Aceh. UNEP “After the Tsunami - Rapid Environmental Assessment”, March 2005 World Resources Institute. 2004. EarthTrends: The Environmental Information Portal. Available at http://earthtrends.wri.org. Washington DC: World Resources Institute.

http://bobwhitson.typepad.com/howlings/2005/01/birdlife_assess.html

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/

http://ioc.unesco.org/iosurveys/Indonesia/yalciner/yalciner.htm

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/01/0104_050104_tsunami_animals.html

http://soils.usda.gov/use/worldsoils/mapindex/

http://soils.usda.gov/use/worldsoils/mapindex/order.html

http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/indonesia/pro-geography.htm

http://www.cbc.ca/storyview/MSN/world/national/2005/04/18/indonesia-050418.html

http://www.ccasia.teri.resi.in/country/indo/

http://www.cites.org/eng/resources/species.html

WORKING - pdf.usaid.gov

Documents

Transcript of WORKING - pdf.usaid.gov