ANNEX TO TERMS OF REFERENCE

Preparation of Detailed Environmental and Social Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan

for Zemo Osiauri-Chumateleti Section of E-60 Highway (km 126 - km 143)

BACKGROUNDThe Government of Georgia is conducting a program to upgrade the major roads of the country, managed by the Roads Department of the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure. The program aims to improve transportation and transit of goods to surrounding countries, which is a significant and growing contributor to GDP. Transport of goods into and through Georgia has increased over the past 10-15 years as markets have expanded following the breakup of the Soviet Union, and Georgia is now a major transit country. Almost two-thirds of goods in Georgia are transported by road, and haulage by domestic and international truck companies is very evident on the country’s highways. Many of the roads are however poorly equipped to cope with the volume of traffic and the proportion of heavy vehicles, and factors such as insufficient dual carriageways, routing through inhabited areas and inadequate maintenance and repair, hinder throughputs and increase transit times. This creates difficulties for haulage companies and their clients, truck drivers, Georgian motorists and local residents.

The main target of the program for upgrading major roads in Georgia is the E-60 East-West highway - the main route from neighboring Azerbaijan and Russia, also connecting to Turkey and Armenia. For planning purposes, the E-60 has been divided into sections of various lengths. The World Bank is providing series of loans to the Government of Georgia for upgrading this highway through East West Highway Improvement Projects (EWHIPs). Two projects of these series are now completed covering the highway section between Agaiani and Ruisi. EWHIP-3 and EWHIP-4 are under implementation covering the section between Ruisi and Agara. EWHIP-5 is under preparation with will finance upgrading of the highway from Zemo Osiauri through Chumateleti (shortly before Rikoti tunnel, which takes the East-West Highway from East Georgia to the West).

Present TOR is for consulting services sought by the Roads Department (the client) to carry out Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) of works for upgrading East-West highway between Zemo Osiauri and Chumateleti. These works will be financed rom EWHIP-5. Upgrading will convert the present two-lane road to a four-lane dual carriageway, via carriageway widening and new route alignments, with bridges, tunnels and other structures where necessary. Each lane will be 3.75 m wide and each carriageway will be provided with a 3.75 m shoulder, 3.00 m paved, and a 0.75 m unpaved berm; the central reservation will be 5.00 m (including safety barriers) so the completed road will be 27.50 m wide. Where the existing road is widened, the present carriageway will be repaired and refurbished, and a new two-lane carriageway will be built alongside.

Ground work laid for this ESIA includes Feasibility Study conducted by Kocks Consult between December 2008 and August 2009, and a Regional Environmental Assessment carried out by Nippon Koei UK (NKUK) between March and August 2009.

OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENTThe main objectives of the ESIA study are to: Identify sensitive environmental, social, and cultural heritage receptors within the corridor of East-West highway between Zemo Osiauri and Chumateleti, point out risks to the natural and social environment and to the cultural assets associated with the anticipated construction works in this corridor, and describe their nature and scope; Cooperate with the team of designers hired by the client in the process of defining exact alignment of the highway with the purpose of integrating environmental, social, and cultural heritage perspectives into the selection of the optimal route; Provide a set of detailed mitigation measures aimed at avoiding or decreasing expected negative impacts of construction on the natural, social, and cultural environment, and develop an environmental management matrix including mitigation and monitoring plans; Produce an ESIA report, including an environmental management matrix, satisfactory to the client and the World Bank; Assist the client, as requested, during public consultations on the draft ESIA report and through the process of obtaining an environmental permit from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Protection (MoENRP).

The requirements of the Georgian environmental assessment system are set out the laws On Environmental Impact Permit (2007), Ecological Expertise (2007), On Licenses and Permits (2005) and others; and guidance is available from the MoENRP. World Bank’s environmental and social safeguards triggered by active EWHIPs include OP/BP 4.01 Environmental Assessment, 4.04 Natural Habitats, 4.11 Physical Cultural Resources, 4.12 Involuntary Resettlement, and 4.20 Gender and Development; and guidance is available from the Bank’s website (www.worldbank.org). The consultant is responsible for conducting studies and preparing documents necessary to gain approval from both organizations - MoEPNR and the World Bank - and will be expected to amend documents to address comments from these agencies and others during the approval process. Application for the environmental permit will be prepared, submitted and progressed by the client with the assistance of the consultant.

SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENTAccording to the Regional Environmental Assessment which considered potential impacts and mitigation for the Ruisi-Rikoti highway development plan, in the area covered by present consultant assignment, key issues environmental and social issues may include: Impacts of noise and air pollution near inhabited areas during construction and operation; Risks of uncovering archaeological material during excavation works; Risks related to temporary storage and final disposal of construction waste and excess material;

Risks of soil degradation and erosion from cutting slopes and borrowing construction materials; Risk of water pollution from construction near rivers and streams; Socio-economic impacts from loss of business by roadside vendors; etc.This should not be taken as an exhaustive list, and is provided for broad guidance only. A generic set of mitigation measures provided in REA is annexed to the present TOR, also to be used as guidance.

The ESIA will consist of activities that are common to most ESIA studies conducted to international standards. These will be carried out as follows:

1. Overview of the Legal and Institutional Framework ESIA reports prepared for the previous EWHIPs carry comprehensive analysis of the national legislation as it pertains implementation and operation of EWHIPs and of the institutional framework for environmental permitting and environmental oversight of works. The consultant is recommended to draw from these existing reviews taking readily available write-up as a basis and concentrating on the recent changes in the legal and/or institutional framework which may have occurred since publication of the most recent ESIA report for EWHIPs.

2. Collection of Baseline Data The consultant will collect baseline data describing the existing biophysical environment in the area likely to be affected by the proposed project. Data must be sufficiently robust, detailed and recent to enable impacts to be identified accurately and mitigation to be planned appropriately. Data should be collected on the physical, biological and human (socio-economic and socio-cultural) environments, and should cover individual topics within these fields at an appropriate level of detail. These should include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:

Physical: geology; topography; soils and land capability; landscape; climate; air quality; noise; surface water; groundwater; seismicity and natural hazards.

Biological: flora and fauna; rare and/or endangered species; critical habitats and ecosystems; protected areas; species of commercial importance; fisheries.

Human: population; communities; demographics; employment and socio-economics; land use; land ownership and tenure; infrastructure; transport; public health; cultural heritage; archaeology; minority communities; disadvantaged; gender; recreation; tourism.

Surveys should be conducted to address important gaps in the existing data and to collect up-to-date information on topics and areas where significant negative impacts are expected. The consultant should describe the proposed field work in detail in the inception report. Surveys should include land use and ownership, and archaeology and cultural heritage, so that the consultant may produce maps of these features in the route corridor, to assist in determining impacts. Socio-economic surveys are also likely to be required given

the absence of up-to-date information; and the consultant should also collect data on noise, air quality and other features as necessary. Information on flora and fauna is available from multiple publications however most of them are issued several decades ago and may not be relied upon without verification trough walk-over or other type of field work.

3. Impacts and Mitigation Internationally accepted best practice should be used throughout the ESIA study, including in the process of identifying impacts and assessing their significance. This should include numerical modeling of noise and air quality to assist in predicting impacts and planning mitigation in these fields; and other specialized techniques should be used as necessary.

Annex 1 to the present TOR illustrates general types of impacts that may be expected within the highway development plan as a whole, and this provides the framework for mitigating impacts within the individual ESIA studies. However not all impacts and mitigation measures listed in the matrix will be relevant to each project or realistic in the specific context, and the detailed ESIA studies and/or the particular approach adopted in the designs may reveal different impacts. The consultant should therefore prepare a matrix that is specific to this project, reflecting the results of the ESIA and describing the proposed mitigation measures in more detail.

Avoidance of impacts is preferred over mitigation by both – the World Bank safeguards and the client’s policy, so the consultant must liaise closely with the team conducting the detailed design to ensure that actions to avoid or mitigate impacts are incorporated into the design where appropriate. The consultant should also ensure that the design team is informed in a timely manner of mitigation measures that need to be included in construction contracts.

4. Analysis of Alternatives The ESIA should include a systematic comparison of the feasible project alternatives (in terms of location, technology, design and operation), including the “no project” scenario. For each alternative this should discuss: the potential impacts; feasibility of mitigation; capital and recurrent costs; suitability under local conditions; and residual impacts on the natural and social environment and on the cultural heritage. Comparisons should be quantified as far as possible, and the analysis should explain what role did the ESIA findings play in the selection of the preferred alternative as well as in the identification of the exact alignment of the carriageways.

5. Environmental Management Matrix The ESIA report should include an environmental management matrix comprising of an Environmental Mitigation Plan and an Environmental Monitoring Plan set out according to World Bank’s OP 4.01, Annex C.

Environmental Mitigation Plan should:- clearly identify what specific potential impacts may various types of works have on

the sensitive receptors;

- provide concrete actions prescribed for managing these impacts, including location and timing of these actions;

- provide cost estimates for the main discrete mitigation measures (those that are unlikely to be part of a construction company’ corporate policy and will not necessarily be included into general pricing of the contract);

- give measurable criteria for identifying how adequately are the mitigation measures being applied and how effective they are;

- specify responsibility for the implementation of each mitigation activity.

Environmental Monitoring Plan should:- list out of all prescribed mitigation measures by types of construction activities;- provide selected criteria of monitoring implementation of mitigation measures;- specify methods for measuring outcomes of applied mitigation measures (visual,

instrumental, survey, etc.);- identify location and timing/frequency of monitoring mitigation measures by the

prescribed criteria; - give cost estimates of monitoring mitigation measures by the prescribed criteria;- specify responsibility for tracking each monitoring criterion.

It is essential that the Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plans are practical and user-friendly documents. Environmental Mitigation Plan shall be included into tender documents, so that it is available for interested bidders and its requirements are reflected in the submitted bids. Later, the Environmental Mitigation Plan shall be annexed to the contract between the client and the works provider, and adherence to it will become binding term of the contract. The EMP must therefore:

6. Disclosure and Stakeholder Consultation Disclosure and stakeholder consultation on the draft ESIA report conducted according to national legislation and the World Bank policies, and are intended to inform stakeholders about the project, its potential impacts and mitigation, and to involve them in a partnership in developing and implementing the project solutions and mitigation measures.

As the project proponent, the client will: Disclose draft of the present TOR as well as drafts of ESIA report in Georgian and English languages through the web page of RD and other media, as relevant, with due consideration of convenient access to published documents by project-affected communities; Organise consultation meetings, including advertising them, inviting participants, arranging the venue and providing presentation equipment; Chair each meeting and give an introductory presentation, and chair and participate in discussions as appropriate.The consultant will: Prepare and deliver an MS Power Point presentation in Georgian at each meeting describing their work;

Produce summaries of their work in Georgian to be distributed at each meeting; Produce a written records of each meeting in Georgian and English languages, noting attendance, stakeholders’ affiliations, points raised in discussion and answers given; Incorporate an account of the consultation process in the ESIA report, identifying how each point was addressed in the ESIA report and/or engineering design, and providing valid reasons why any points were not addressed.The Consultant may conduct additional consultations if deemed necessary, and should inform the client in advance if their involvement is required. Small meetings and ad hoc discussions on site should not require client’s involvement, but contacts like these should be documented and included in the ESIA report.

LIAISONThe consultant should liaise with the Roads Department, MoENRP, the World Bank, and the engineering design team hired by Roads Department to the extent necessary as outlined above. The client will facilitate initial contacts with each agency and should be invited to all subsequent meetings with MoENRP and the Bank so that they have the opportunity to attend.Liaison with the engineering team is particularly important to ensure that environmental and social issues play the necessary role in influencing the design, and so that the ESIA will contain accurate and appropriately detailed information on the designs. It is important therefore for the environmental and engineering teams to forge a good working relationship. The consultant should also communicate with consultants conducting other studies/surveys that are relevant to the ESIA work - in particular - specialists working on involuntary resettlement, as any such issue relating to EWHIP-5 and proposed mitigation or compensation will need to be included in the ESIA report.Communication with the MoENRP is also important both in assisting the process of applying for an Environmental Permit, and in understanding the requirements of the Georgian EIA system, so these contacts should also be given priority.

DELIVERABLESThe ESIA report, in draft and final versions, should be prepared so that it is acceptable for submission to both the World Bank and MoENRP as satisfying the requirements of their respective systems. World Bank requirements are set out in OP 4.01 Annex B, and those for EIA reports under Georgian law are defined in the regulation On Environmental Impact Assessment (2009). The consultant should hold discussions with both agencies early in the ESIA study to develop an approach to the report that is acceptable to both parties, and the client will participate in those discussions as appropriate. It is essential that the report is clear on which of the World Bank safeguard policies are triggered by the proposed EWHIP-5 as well as on whether the project is subject to the State Ecological Expertise and environmental permitting under the Georgian law. The ESIA report should be structured the way to correspond to those elements of the consultant assignment which are outlined above and follow the following model:Nontechnical summary;Introduction;Legal and Institutional Framework;Project Description;

ESIA Methodology;Baseline Data;Expected Impacts and Mitigation Measures;Analysis of Alternatives;Environmental Management Matrix; andReferences and Annexes.

Draft ESIA reports will be reviewed by the client and the World Bank; and consultants will address all comments from these agencies in producing the final ESIA report. Consultants must also address relevant comments made by stakeholders during consultations and include minutes of consultation meetings and other documents covering consultation process into the final ESIA report.Environmental Management Matrix shall include two tables: environmental mitigation Plan and Environmental Monitoring Plan, as outlined in detail in the present TOR. Both of these tables must cover highway construction and operation phases.

PAYMENT SCHEDULEThe payment schedule is as follows:10% advance payment: on the client’s receipt of the consultant’s bank guarantee;20% of the net contract amount: on approval on the Inception Report;20% of the net contract amount: on approval of the Interim Report;30% of the net contract amount: on approval of the Draft Final ESIA Report;20% on approval of the Final ESIA report by the client, the World Bank and MoENRP.

RESOURCESThe Consultant shall decide upon the staff resources and inputs he requires in order to conduct the work to the necessary standards. Planning should take the following points into account: The Team Leader should be a senior ESIA specialist with at least 10 years’ experience of leading teams conducting ESIA studies to international standards; In addition to project management, liaison, etc., the Team Leader is also expected to have a major technical role in the project, covering at least one of the key specialist fields; Key skills represented in the team should include: ecology; geological engineering; air quality; noise; archaeology/cultural heritage; and socio-economics. Fields of most importance should be covered by experienced specialists;

The total time input, including numerical modelling and survey work, is expected to be around 7 person-months.

REFERENCES

Kocks Consult GmbH (2009): Feasibility Study and Alternative Alignment Analysis for Upgrading the Section between Ruisi and Rikoti, km 95 – km 144 of the E 60 highway. Final Report.

Nippon Koei UK (2009): Upgrading a Section between Ruisi and Rikoti km 95 – km 144 (including tunnel) of the E-60 Highway. Regional Environmental Assessment.

ANNEXES

The annexes below provide maps of the EWHIP and a summary of the mitigation plan for the Ruisi to Rikoti E-60 upgrading, proposed by the REA study.

Annex 1. Maps

Figure 3.1 E-60 highway in Georgia showing location of the Ruisi-Rikoti section

Figure 3.2 Ruisi to Rikoti section of E-60 highway showing existing route (top) and the length covered by this study (bottom)

Annex 2: Environmental impacts and mitigation of the proposed upgrading of the E-60 highway between Ruisi and Rikoti Potential Negative Impacts Sig Dur Mitigation Activities and Method

ResponsibilityLocationConstruction Op

PRE-CONSTRUCTION 10 11 12 13 14

If some people learn about the scheme before it is widely known locally, speculators may buy land/property in the area to gain compensation above the purchase price

M TDisclose uniform information on the scheme to all persons (local and non-local) at the same time RD All sites

Focus the resettlement strategy on providing land-for-land & replacement cost of structures, rather than cash compensationRD All sites

Disseminate information widely on the resettlement strategy RD All sitesSome land/property will be acquired where the existing road is

widened or a new route is built. This may lead to a loss of income and/or assets and some relocation of people and households

PPrepare detailed land-use maps showing accurate plot boundaries and locations of structures DSC All sites

Select alignments that minimize land-take from good quality farm-land and maximize use of already disturbed land DSC All sites

Minimize land-take footprint and plot severance (separation of parts of the same plot by the road) to the extent possible DSC All sites

Manage unavoidable displacement by means of Resettlement Policy Framework and Resettlement Action Plans prepared according to World Bank policy on Involuntary Resettlement

RD All sites

CONSTRUCTIONConstruction of new road, cuttings, embankments, tunnels will

change topography/appearance of each site and affect surface- and ground-water flow, water and air quality, etc. Similar impacts may occur at waste disposal sites and locations from which construction materials are extracted

PEnsure that limiting the extent of physical changes is a key criterion in preparing the detailed design RD All sites

Reduce physical changes at sites of construction, materials extraction and waste disposal by:

- re-using waste material in this project as much as possible CC All sites- contacting local authorities to find uses for waste in other projects

(erosion protection, flood defense embankments) CC All sites

- promoting re-use of waste between projects by establishing regular liaison meetings between contractors RD All sites

Deposition of construction waste at municipal dump-sites may impede other users

M TObtain permission from local authorities (LA) to deposit material at municipal disposal sites CC All sites

1Sig = Significance of Impact (NS = Not Significant; M = Moderately Significant; S = Significant; H = Highly significant)Dur = Duration of Impact (T = Temporary; P = Permanent). D = Detailed Design period; Op = Period when infrastructure is operating;RD = Roads Department; DSC = Design/Supervision Consultants (appointed by RD to prepare detailed designs for individual projects); CC = Construction Contractors (appointed by RD to build individual lengths of the highway); OMU = Operation and Maintenance Unit (formed by RD to maintain the new road and tunnels); LA = Local Authority This column shows impacts remaining after mitigation: 0 = zero impact (impact successfully mitigated); + = positive impact (mitigation provides a benefit)

Dumping construction waste is a loss of re-useable material M PDiscuss with LA the potential for material to be deposited to cover existing waste to improve sanitary condition of site CC All sites

Physical (and other) impacts are magnified if contractors obtain construction materials from areas not designated for this purpose

PObtain construction materials only from licensed quarries or by excavation within the designated road corridor CC All sites

Many construction activities produce dust, e.g. excavation, earth-moving, vehicles using unpaved roads, etc; this can occur on site and along transportation routes

TSpray unpaved roads and large areas of uncovered soil on site with water every 4 h during dry and windy weather CC All sites

Provide wheel washing facility and ensure that it is used by all vehicles before leaving all construction sites CC All sites

Cover loose material with tarpaulins when carried on trucks CC All sitesCover all stockpiled material on site with secure tarpaulins CC All sites

Air quality can also be reduced on site and along transport routes by exhaust gases produced by vehicles/machinery

M TUse no vehicles or machinery that are more than 5 years old CC All sitesService/maintain all vehicles/machinery as specified by manufacturers

and provide evidence that this is being done CC All sites

Availability and quality of surface- and ground-water can be reduced if rainfall collects in excavated areas or is contaminated on site before draining into rivers/aquifers

TInstall drains around all sites and direct rainfall into lagoons in which sediment settles before discharge CC All sites

Install additional drains around areas where soil is stockpiled and direct this water to settlement lagoons CC All sites

Consult MoE before construction to determine means of discharging water from lagoons and water quality standards CC All sites

Ensure that all discharges meet water quality standards at all times and provide regular test results as evidence CC All sites

Store toxic materials in waterproof & leak-proof containers in area sealed with bunds, which is large enough to retain all stored material if leaks occurred

CC All sites

Conduct all vehicle maintenance/repair in separate concrete floored area from which drainage passes through oil-water separator, producing effluent that meets discharge standards

CC All sites

Retain spent oil & other liquid waste in leak-proof containers and deposit these at municipal dumpsite in separate area protected by watertight seal

CC All sites

If rainwater or groundwater collects in excavated areas, pump out into settlement lagoons before discharge CC All sites

Pollution risks are greater when work is conducted in or near rivers/streams to build or repair bridges

TWhen working in or near rivers or streams, ensure that: Near waterways- no toxic materials are stored on site CC- no vehicle maintenance or repair is conducted on site CC- vehicles/machines only operate in river bed in drained areas protected CC

by watertight bunds- any water seeping into bunded area is pumped to oil-water separator,

producing effluent that meets discharge standards CC

The new road passes through an area of landslide risk north of Surami

PCommission geological and geomorphological investigations in landslide-prone areas to assess level of risk and avoid this by local adjustments in alignment where possible

RDDSCLandslide risk areas

Include in the design additional slope reinforcements and alternative slope gradients to provide additional stability DSC

Construction sites in Mtkvari floodplain south of Didi Sative and Agara could be flooded if heavy rain coincides with spring and autumn periods of high river flow

TCommission topographic and hydrological analysis in floodplain and condition assessment of flood embankments to assess flood risk and probability of areas being flooded

RD

R Mtkvari floodplainRepair and raise crests of embankments to improve flood protection

where necessary RD

Move vehicles and machinery onto higher ground overnight and at weekends during flood risk periods CC

Record river level twice daily in spring & autumn. Evacuate sites when levels reach 0.5m below lowest crest height CC

Vegetation will be removed from a 50 m wide RoW for the new road and 25 m where existing road is widened. This will affect economically important pine forest north of Khashuri

PReduce loss of trees by adopting a narrower RoW in this area DSC

Pine plantationPhysically mark RoW and ensure no trees are felled outside CCFell trees to fall into cleared area to reduce damage outside CC

Widening the road north of Chumateleti will cause loss of rare plants and deciduous forest habitat in this area

PReduce losses by via same measures as in pine plantation above. Adopt the following additional measures: RD

North of Chumateleti

Employ qualified/experienced botanical survey contractor to: RD- identify/record all trees, shrubs, flora in area to be cleared Bot Con- prepare habitat re-creation plan for area identified by RD, involving

planting 2 trees for every 1 felled & trans-location of any rare/important species of shrub & ground flora

Bot Con

- obtain any necessary permits/licenses from MoE and implement habitat re-creation plan Bot Con

- maintain all trees and trans-located flora for 2 years Bot ConIdentify a suitable area for habitat re-creation, which is government-

owned & twice the area of deciduous forest lost RD

Aquatic habitats and species will be damaged if construction work causes pollution of rivers and streams

TImplement measures recommended above to prevent water pollution (collect/treat site drainage; store toxic materials in waterproof containers in leak-proof areas; prohibit storage of toxic materials near rivers; only operate vehicles/machinery

CC Near waterways

in riverbeds in areas protected by watertight bunds)If R Mtkvari is used as a source of construction materials, impacts

may include changes in river morphology, loss of habitat & species, interrupted fish migration/breeding, etc

TInvestigate river morphology and predict effect of proposed material extraction via computer modeling or other methods DSC

RiversConduct surveys to determine importance of extraction sites, assess

impacts of this activity, and decide if it is permissible DSC

Deciduous forest north of Chumateleti is also important for fauna so animals may be damaged and disturbed and some habitat will be destroyed by vegetation clearance

PMeasures to reduce loss of plants & habitat will also protect animals; so this reinforces the need to reduce RoW width, mark location of RoW, fell trees to fall into cleared area, and re-plant an area with trees, shrubs, etc to re-create habitat

RD

North of ChumateletiEnhance colonization of planted area by animals by locating area close to existing deciduous forest (preferably alongside) RD

Employ qualified/experienced field zoologist to conduct survey to determine conditions necessary for animals and identify suitable areas that provide these features

RD

Benefits of creating temporary jobs in construction workforce can be enhanced by focusing on local people and disadvantaged groups

M TPrepare a recruitment policy focused on hiring local people and disadvantaged groups (women, IDPs, unemployed, under-employed, economically inactive)

RD

All sitesAgree with LAs equitable split between settlements on E-60, rural

villages and IDP camps RD

Ensure that women constitute 20-25% of workforce CCProvide targeted training for certain hired locals CCFormulate a local purchasing policy, covering formal and informal

traders, villages and villagers CC

Construction may impede access to public and private bus services for people living near construction sites

M TAnalyze location and usage of current bus stops DSC

Widening existing road

Maintain operation of maximum number of bus stops throughout construction CC

Publish information on any changes in bus stop access in local media CCProvide clear signs for pedestrians accessing existing or temporary bus

stops CC

Villages dependent on agriculture may lose income if access to E-60 from rural roads is interrupted

TMaintain access to E-60 from rural roads at all times CC Existing road

People living near existing road may experience increased noise from construction and HGVs transporting materials

M TIdentify and map locations of receptors within 200 m of construction activity DSC All sites

Uphold Georgian legislation as far as possible which requires separation of 200 m between highway and nearest settlementDSC

Liaise with LA to decide whether there is a need to restrict working hours, eg at night and at weekends

DSC

Use up-to-date equipment that meets national noise standards CCMaintain machinery to ensure that noise output is minimized CCUse ‘best practicable means’ to reduce noise nuisance on site CCTrain drivers in driving techniques to minimize noise CC

Road accidents may increase if motorists drive faster elsewhere to compensate for speed restrictions where work is conducted on or alongside the existing road

TDevise traffic management procedures for entire Ruisi-Rikoti section in line with Government road safety policy. Include such actions as:

RD

All sites

- strict enforcement of speed limits, with automated measurement of speeds and identification of offenders RD

- increased police patrols and enforcement of penalties RD- publicity campaigns in local media warning of measures RDInform those most at risk (children and elderly) of periods of maximum

vehicle movements, via schools & other facilities RD

Train all project drivers in defensive driving techniques CCExcavation could damage as yet unknown sites or remains that are

of archaeological importancePCommission archaeological experts to prepare a Physical Cultural

Resources Management Plan (PCRMP). This should RD

All sites

- specify location & nature of all known archaeological sites near the chosen route Arch Exp

- require field verification of boundaries of all archaeological sites within 500 m of road improvements during design stage Arch Exp

- indicate actions to be taken to preserve or excavate archaeological sites within 500 m

Arch ExpRD

- specify level of recording for each site and levels of post-excavation work, report writing and publication of data

Arch ExpRD

- maintain appropriate separation distance between construction activity & known sites to avoid indirect damage

Arch ExpCC

- indicate where/when archaeological watching briefs are needed to supervise earthworks to identify late/chance finds

Arch ExpCC

- specify a procedure to be followed for late or chance finds Arch ExpCC

- require contractors to identify, record and take account of known archaeological sites when selecting locations for work areas, storage depots, waste disposal sites, etc

Arch ExpCC

Ensure that all archaeological field work is supervised by qualified expert familiar with international best practice

Arch ExpCC

Construction work could also damage non-archaeological sites that are of importance in terms of cultural heritage

PInclude measures to protect important non-archaeological sites and objects in the PCRMP, including:

RD All sites

- inventory of important non-archaeological cultural heritage sites, with description of each and its importance Heritage Expert

- sensitivity of each site to construction activities (e.g. road traffic vibration) Heritage Exp

- protection/exclusion zones around each site where needed Her ExpCC

- guidance on proscribed/controlled activities in zones Her ExpCC

- any further mitigation measures necessary Her ExpCC

- training/sensitization for workers and managerial staff Her ExpCC

Crop production and agricultural income could be reduced if irrigation canals are removed or damaged

PAssess the importance of this issue in Resettlement Policy Framework and Resettlement Action Plans for each project and devise appropriate compensation or rehabilitation

DSC

All sites

Replace quickly any irrigation structure that is removed CCLiaise with Ministry of Agriculture/Irrigation Department to avoid

rehabilitation of any sections of irrigation network that will be later removed by road construction

DSC

Analyze functionality of irrigation infrastructure and plan construction activities to ensure there is no interruption of normal, expected flows at agriculturally critical times

DSCCC

Water supply to Surami would be interrupted if structures in vicinity of the new road alignment were damaged

PAccurately map water supply structures in vicinity of the new road alignment north and east of Khashuri and Surami and adjust alignment to ensure there is no risk of damage

DSCNew road near

Surami & KhashuriIf damage is unavoidable, design and cost measures to repair or

relocate water facilities and provide temporary measures to avoid any interruption in supply or reduction in pressure

DSCCC

Local gas and electricity supplies could be interrupted if infrastructure near the existing and proposed new road is damaged by construction activities

TDetermine the location of all infrastructure and adjust route alignments and other design features to avoid the need for relocation to the extent possible

DSC All sites

Social infrastructure such as churches, schools, health centres, etc could be affected by construction activity in some areas

PSurvey/record exact location of all important social facilities DSCAll sitesAmend designs to avoid demolishing any social facilities and

disrupting their day-to-day operations as far as possibleDSC

CCOPERATIONIf the upgraded road is not maintained and repaired effectively the

surface and ancillary structures will gradually fall into disrepair, and the quality and safety of the highway will

PAll managerial staff in the OMU should have at least 15 years’ experience of highway management and operation RD OMU

All persons employed in skilled/semi-skilled positions in the OMU RD

decline. This will be the responsibility of a highway Operation & Maintenance Unit (OMU)

must have relevant qualifications and at least 5 years of experience of highway maintenance

All staff and laborers in the OMU should be trained before the road operates & given refresher training at least annually RD

Provide RD with training in formation and management of highway OMU (recruitment, management, planning, budget) RD

RDDevelop O&M procedures for OMU defining how inspection, repair, emergency action is to be conducted RD

Provide budget for at least bi-annual audits of OMU and plan and implement remedial action RD

OMU should conduct routine inspections of pavement, facilities & structures and conduct maintenance & repair RD OMU

Repair works could have small-scale physical impacts if materials are sourced & waste is dumped indiscriminately

NS POnly source repair materials from licensed quarries, located close to site wherever possible to reduce fuel consumption OMU

All repair sitesRe-use waste material if possible and deposit any remaining waste at

nearest municipal dumpsite OMU

Repair work should not generate significant dust, but simple precautions should be taken to avoid nuisance impacts in inhabited areas and alongside farm-land

NS TSpray unpaved roads and large areas of uncovered soil with water every 4 h during dry, windy weather OMU

All repair sitesCover loose material with tarpaulins when carried on trucks OMUCover any stockpiled material with secure tarpaulins OMU

Residents of southern Agara could be exposed to elevated levels of exhaust gases as the bypass runs close to the inhabited area in this location

M PPlant a double layer of tall, fast-growing trees with dense foliage along northern side of Agara southern bypass

DSCCC

AgaraSet up small air quality monitoring network in/around Agara; assess whether pollution has increased; devise additional protection measures if necessary

RD

Bridge repairs could affect water quality and aquatic ecology if toxic materials come into contact with water

M TDo not store toxic materials or repair/maintain vehicles at sites that are near waterways OMU

Near waterwaysVehicles/machinery must only operate in river bed in areas protected by watertight bunds, from which water is removed OMU

Water removed from bunded areas must be pumped into oil-water separator and effluent must meet discharge standards OMU

Fuel, oil and other toxic materials could pollute rivers if spilled and washed into drains after road accidents

TFit all roadside drains along Agara and Didi Sative bypasses with oil-water separators, which discharge into constructed reed-beds before discharge to the river

DSCAgara and Didi Sative

bypassesRegularly check and maintain oil-water separators; collect oil in

watertight drums and deposit at municipal disposal site OMU

Landslides could occur in areas at risk from such hazards, which PQualified geophysicists should regularly monitor slopes in landslide RD Landslide areas

would be a danger for motorists and impede road travel prone areas to detect any instability early, after which remedial measures should be implemented as needed

Roads located in river floodplains could be inundated in periods of high river flow

TDesign road embankments in Mtkvari floodplain to be above level of 1 in 50-year storm or alternative flood height DSC Mtkvari floodplain

OMU personnel could be at risk when conducting repairs in areas prone to landslides or flooding

TConduct no inspection, maintenance or repair work in Mtkvari floodplain when river levels are <0.5 m below minimum crest height of flood embankments

OMUMtkvari floodplain

Conduct no inspection, maintenance or repair work in landslide prone areas during or immediately after heavy rain OMU Landslide areas

Rare and important plants could be damaged or removed in deciduous woodland north of Chumateleti if improved road provides people to increased access to this area

M PEnsure that designs specify erection of a tamper-proof fence along the edge of the road north of Chumateleti DSC

North of ChumateletiProvide no stopping places on the road north of Chumateleti DSC

Aquatic habitats and animals could be damaged/destroyed if materials for road repair are dredged from river beds or if water is polluted from contact with toxic material

M PAquatic animals will be protected by measures proposed to mitigate impacts on other environmental elements, including:

- sourcing construction materials from quarries not river beds OMU Repair sites- erecting a fence to limit access to forest near Chumateleti DSCNorth of Chumateleti- prohibiting storage of toxic materials near rivers/streams OMU

Rivers- ensuring that vehicles only operate in river beds inside areas protected by watertight bunds OMU

- fitting roadside drains in Mtkvari floodplain with oil-water separators & reed-bed systems to collect/treat spillages DSC Mtkvari floodplain

Animal migration may be interrupted by the new or widened road, and animals could be killed or injured if they attempt to cross the road

M PEmploy a qualified and experienced zoological consultant to: RD- Survey route of new road from Chumateleti to Didi Sative to

determine whether migration across this area is significantZool Con New road Chumateleti

to Didi Sative

- Determine whether new road should include tunnels and/or overpasses for animals to cross, & the number, type, locationZool Con

- Incorporate recommended structures into road design DSCBenefits of improved transportation and access to markets wider

afield will not be realized for rural communities if roads leading to E-60 remain poorly maintained

PDevelop and prioritize a programme to upgrade key rural roads providing access from major villages to the E-60 RD

DSCNew E-60

Business income will decline in towns like Khashuri, Surami, Didi Sative and Agara that are bypassed by the new road alignment, and some jobs may be lost

PAnalyze the socio-economic impact on Khashuri and other affected towns & prepare a sustainable development strategy or plan, linked to current statutory plans or programmes

RDNew E-60

Commit funds to implement/monitor/revise strategy or plan RDReduced travel time from Tbilisi and elsewhere may encourage

development of summer houses around Surami. These may be located inappropriately e.g. in landslide prone

M PKhashuri and Surami LAs should prepare joint land-use zoning plan for new buildings based on natural hazards assessment, and the plan should be rigorously enforced

RDSurami and Khashuri

areas Prepare, publicize and enforce a simple design guide so that new buildings respect the existing townscape character RD

Some new jobs will be created in OMU and there would be socio-economic benefits if local people were employed

M PGive priority to recruitment of local people for OMU RD New E-60

Roadside vending is significant in the area at present and there will be no provision for this along the new road, so vendors will loose a source of livelihood

M PPermit local people to sell produce in planned rest and service areas RDNew rest & service

areasIntroduce a system to manage allocation of sites for retail activity, giving priority to current roadside vendors RD

Control vending activities to ensure roadside safety RD New E-60The new road will cause severance, making it difficult for people

and livestock to cross, and impeding access to public transport

M PIn areas where there is a new alignment, retain and maintain the old road for local traffic and bus stops RD

New E-60Provide new bus stops in areas where the road will be widened, with

adequate acceleration and deceleration lanes DSC

Provide shelters at bus stops to protect people from weather DSCProvide traffic calming or over/underpasses near bus stops and other

key facilities to allow safe access DSC

The new road alignment is not located near settlements and is masked by topography in the northwest, but it will still be visible from a number of vantage points and will thus have an adverse impact on the landscape

M PSelect alignments that reduce the visibility of the new road as far as possible, and introduce sympathetic screening by trees and shrubs DSC New E-60