Honduras Forest Development Public Corporation (COHDRFOR ...

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Honduras Forest Development Public Corporation (COHDRFOR): In charge of forest conservation and protection in the country. 6. Outline of the Project, Analysis of Alternatives (1) Background and Objectives In October 1998, Hurricane Mitch attacked the whole country of Honduras. The country was seriously devastated by the Hurricane and the casualties were reported as over 13,000 in the country. In Tegucigalpa, more than thousand people were dead or missing. Various countries and international agencies provided assistances in recovering the land and the people from the damages after the disaster. The government of Japan was one of them. Among the activities taken by the government of Japan, JICA study team was dispatched from 2000 to 2002 for “the Study on Flood Control and Landslide Prevention in Tegucigalpa Metropolitan Area of the Republic of Honduras”. The Final Report was prepared in May 2002. Upon the results of the JICA study, the government of Honduras requested the government of Japan to provide grant aid corporation for the Landslide Prevention in the Tegucigalpa Metropolitan Area (El Berrinche, El Reparto, and El Bambu), of which areas are considered necessary to take urgent countermeasures. The JICA Preliminary Study Mission was dispatched, from November 20 to December 11 in Tegucigalpa, to confirm the adequacy of request as well as to see the actual site conditions. (2) Outline of the Proposed Project The proposed project aims at providing countermeasures against landslide in the following three (3) objective areas: ① El Berrinche ② El Reparto ③ El Bambu The proposed plan in respective area was prepared by JICA study in 2002. Then the tentative review of the previous plans was carried out by the Preliminary Study Team in late 2008. The updated proposed plan are basically not remarkably different from the previous plans and it is not yet detailed final plans, which will be prepared during the basic design stage. Accordingly the environmental considerations and IEE study at the time of this preliminary study are carried out based on the plans proposed by the JICA study in 2002, although some probable modification of plans are taken into consideration for the evaluation. The general outlines of the proposed plans are presented as follows: ① El Berrinche The work items with quantities, which are modified by the preliminary study team, are listed as follows: Excavation (Removal of upper surface block) (184,000 m3) Revetment/Retaining wall on the lower end existing embankment slope(300 m) Channel works(Open channel、Culvert channel)(520m, 1,200m) Water gathering basin (3 units) Catchment well work, Water gathering boring, Drainage boring, Horizontal boring (8 units, 4,000m, 600m, 250m) 16

Transcript of Honduras Forest Development Public Corporation (COHDRFOR ...

Page 1: Honduras Forest Development Public Corporation (COHDRFOR ...

• Honduras Forest Development Public Corporation (COHDRFOR): In charge of forest

conservation and protection in the country.

6. Outline of the Project, Analysis of Alternatives

(1) Background and Objectives

In October 1998, Hurricane Mitch attacked the whole country of Honduras. The country was

seriously devastated by the Hurricane and the casualties were reported as over 13,000 in the

country. In Tegucigalpa, more than thousand people were dead or missing.

Various countries and international agencies provided assistances in recovering the land and

the people from the damages after the disaster. The government of Japan was one of them. Among

the activities taken by the government of Japan, JICA study team was dispatched from 2000 to

2002 for “the Study on Flood Control and Landslide Prevention in Tegucigalpa Metropolitan

Area of the Republic of Honduras”. The Final Report was prepared in May 2002.

Upon the results of the JICA study, the government of Honduras requested the government of

Japan to provide grant aid corporation for the Landslide Prevention in the Tegucigalpa

Metropolitan Area (El Berrinche, El Reparto, and El Bambu), of which areas are considered

necessary to take urgent countermeasures.

The JICA Preliminary Study Mission was dispatched, from November 20 to December 11 in

Tegucigalpa, to confirm the adequacy of request as well as to see the actual site conditions.

(2) Outline of the Proposed Project

The proposed project aims at providing countermeasures against landslide in the following three

(3) objective areas:

① El Berrinche

② El Reparto

③ El Bambu

The proposed plan in respective area was prepared by JICA study in 2002. Then the tentative

review of the previous plans was carried out by the Preliminary Study Team in late 2008. The

updated proposed plan are basically not remarkably different from the previous plans and it

is not yet detailed final plans, which will be prepared during the basic design stage.

Accordingly the environmental considerations and IEE study at the time of this preliminary

study are carried out based on the plans proposed by the JICA study in 2002, although some

probable modification of plans are taken into consideration for the evaluation.

The general outlines of the proposed plans are presented as follows:

① El Berrinche

The work items with quantities, which are modified by the preliminary study team, are listed

as follows:

・Excavation (Removal of upper surface block) (184,000 m3)

・Revetment/Retaining wall on the lower end existing embankment slope(300 m)

・Channel works(Open channel、Culvert channel)(520m, 1,200m)

・Water gathering basin (3 units)

・Catchment well work, Water gathering boring, Drainage boring, Horizontal boring (8

units, 4,000m, 600m, 250m)

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・Protection of river bank (Lower end of slope) by gabion(700m)

General Reference for Proposed Plans at El Berrinche

Data source: JICA Study in 2002

Note:The shaft works shown in the plan will be cancelled.

② El Reparto

The work items with quantities, which are modified by the preliminary study team, are listed

as follows:

・ Excavation (Removal of upper surface block) (40,000 m3)

・ Slope surface land reforming and protection work (15,000 m2)

・ Channel works(Open channel、Culvert channel)(1,770m, 150m, 630m)

・ Water gathering basin work (4 unit)

・ Catchment well work, Water gathering boring, Drainage boring, Horizontal boring (2 units,

1,000m, 300m)

・ Channel works(Lower end structure)(300m)

・ Road embankment at the lower bottom slope (1,200m)

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Data source: JICA Study in 2002

General Reference for Proposed Plans at El Reparto

Data source: JICA Study in 2002

③ El Bambu

The work items with quantities, which are modified by the preliminary study team, are listed

as follows:

・ Channel works(Open channel、Culvert channel)(210m)

・ Ground sill (Gabion Works)(700m3)

・ Water gathering basin work, Debris barrier with function of water gathering (4 unit,

4 unit)

・ Horizontal boring (1,250m)

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General Reference for Proposed Plans at El Bambu

Data source: JICA Study in 2002

(3) Alternatives

The alternative study is carried out to evaluate the appropriateness of the proposed project,

by assuming that the proposed project is substituted by the other plans. The following two

alternative plans are considered and evaluated:

Alternative A:Resettlement from the dangerous zones (Without structural measures)

The resettlements from the dangerous zones which need to include the wide affected areas

become large in scale. There are more than 20 dangerous areas designated by the city.

It may not be realistic and reasonable to take this option due to the following points:

• It is necessary to prepare huge amount of budget.

• It is quite difficult to find and prepare the resettlement areas for such

large population.

• It is difficult to convince the inhabitants of the necessity of resettlement,

as most houses have been located there for many years without any disaster.

• The damage caused by land sliding generally may not make human death, as

the movement is more or less slow.

Alternative B:Continuous monitoring with Establishment of forecasting, warning, and

evacuation system

This option may be accepted by the inhabitants and no definite opposition will be made.

It is also technically possible for AMDC and SOPTRAVI to establish the necessary system,

as far as the budget is secured and the education to the inhabitants are made properly.

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However, this option may be also not recommendable. It is not sure when the next movement

to a dangerous level will happen. It is probable that the system will be not effective

for several decades or longer. In this case, it seems very difficult to keep the

monitoring system as well as the system for forecasting, warning, and evacuation for

many years from the viewpoints of budget and intention by people. This kind of option

will be possible for the areas with habitual (or annual) flooding.

As the result, it is concluded that the proposed plans with structural measures are most desirable

to accomplish the objectives of the project.

7. Adverse Environmental and Social Impacts

The study on adverse environmental and social impacts are carried out by review of previous

reports, site reconnaissance, interview survey, consultation to relevant agencies, information

& data collected from various offices/agencies, etc.

The scoping results with reasons of respective evaluation are summarized in the following table:

Table of Scoping

Items Evaluati

on Reasons

Social impacts

1 Resettlement

B It is difficult to confirm at present the accurate

numbers of houses which need to be relocated by the

proposed project, as the detailed plan/design with

alignment/locations may be finalized during the basic

design stage, which is expected to be realized after 2

years from now. However, as far as the observation based

on the tentative plans proposed by the JICA study in

2001, it may be probable that 0 ~10 houses will be

necessary to be relocated at respective site. It is,

however, in any cases, not considerable that people will

show opposition for the resettlement as they are rather

happy to move to a resettlement site prepared by the

government from the current dangerous sites.

2 Economic activity D No particular productive land-uses and no negative

economic activities

3 Traffic/Public

facilities

D There are daily used alleys (roads) by local residences.

Traffic by local residences will be possible during and

after the construction. In addition, there are bypass

roads if necessary.

4 Division of

Communities

D The project sites are not legally accepted by the

government as residential area as they are specified as

dangerous land slide zone ‘Category A’, although there

are some illegally located houses. In addition, no

structures to divert the community may be constructed.

5 Archaeological/Cultu

ral Heritage

D No archaeological/cultural heritage sites in the

proposed project sites. Although there are historically

valuable building/structural site on the right bank of

the Choluteca River in front of the Berrinche project

site, no direct impacts may be predicted.

6 Vested Right D No vested right to be used currently.

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7 Health and Hygiene

D Rather improved. In addition, the construction scale is

not so large as to may cause such impacts on health and

hygiene.

8 Waste Disposal

B Disposal from the surplus soils from the excavation is

necessary. There are available disposal sites.

Appropriate control measures of disposal are necessary.

9 Disaster/Accident

C The project is not large in scale and the construction

is not a type with dangerous works. It is, however,

probable that disaster/accident may happen, if the

safety control during construction is not sufficient.

Natural impacts

10 Topography &

Geology

D Topography and geology of the sites may be neither

special one, nor valuable one.

11 Soil erosion D Soil erosion and runoff from the sites may be much

reduced after the completion of project

12 Ground water

D The groundwater level will be lowered after the project

completion and it may be positive impacts on the slope

stability.

13 River & Lake

D No adverse impacts on rivers are predicted. The

river/stream conditions in or along the project sites

may be rather stabilized/improved after the project

completion.

14 Coast D The project sites are located in the inland area.

15 Fauna & Flora D No faunas and floras to be protected exist. The

respective site is currently covered with weeds.

16 Climate D The project scale and type may not cause any impacts on

local climate changes.

17 Landscape

C Although the current landscape of the sites itself is

not valuable and much improved by the project, it is

probable that bare lands will appear just after the

construction works.

Pollution

18 Air pollution

D The project scale and type may not cause any impacts on

air pollution. Although some dust may occur during

construction, it is within a partial area and may not

reach to the housing area.

19 Water pollution

C The water body of the river section located downstream

side of the respective project site is currently used

neither for human uses nor activities. It is, however,

probable to give some impacts on aquatic eco-system in

the river, if much amount of soils runs off to the river

during construction due to insufficient control.

20 Soil

contamination

D There is no construction works which may cause soil

contamination.

21 Noise/Vibration

B Noise may happen to some extent by drilling works, earth

works, etc. The noise may not be so remarkably large as

to cause serious nuisance for the local inhabitants.

22 Ground Subsidence

D The project is implemented for the stability of ground,

so that the ground subsidence may not happen by the

construction.

23 Odor D There is no construction works which may cause odor.

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Assessment Classification:

A: Significant impact anticipated.

B: Slight impact anticipated

C: Unknown (subject to further verification)

D: Almost no impact anticipated and not subject for IEE and EIA.

As seen in the table, there is no item evaluated as A (Significant impacts). The following

Three (3) items become B (Slight impacts):

• Resettlement

• Waste disposal (Disposal of excavated soils)

• Noise/Vibration (during construction)

8. Mitigation and Monitoring for Key Impacts

(1) Mitigation and Monitoring

(A) Items with predicted impact level B

The mitigation measures and necessary monitoring for the three (3) items with predicted impact

level B, shown in the previous “ 7. Adverse Environmental and Social Impacts”, are studied.

The study results are summarized as follows:

① Resettlement

Mitigation measures

Resettlement is the most important item for the impact study of the project implementation.

There are different circumstances in individual cases and the mitigation measures are also

individually different. At the preliminary study stage, some representative measures are

presented as follows:

• Plan and design of structural measures needs consideration to reduce the number

of resettlement houses as much as possible.

• For the resettlement activities, offices & agencies concerned are required to be

cooperated with each other to take special cares for the people to be resettled

who are not landowners.

• Exchange of information and opinions between the implementation agency and the

people is carried out, by public consultation, and their expectations /opinions

are taken into consideration for the resettlement plan.

• Preparation of relocation sites should be done at early stage for earlier

preliminary activities by resettlement people. The resettlement site is selected

in consideration of safety and conveniences for daily living.

• For the planning of resettlement, it is required to get and consider the opinions

and desires from the people to be resettled.

• Compensation prices should be reasonable based on the current market prices and

the conditions of compensation need to be appropriate for the resettlement people.

• Compulsory resettlement should not be considered.

• Past experiences and activities should be sufficiently utilized.

• Cares for social impacts including education opportunities are required.

• Establishment of a special office and committee by the cooperation of relevant

agencies for coordination of activities.

Required Monitoring/study/Survey

• The project implementation will be realized after 2 or 3 years. It is necessary

to control the sites for preventing new houses to be built. For this purpose, the

regular inspection, notice by signboards, establishment of bylaw to restrict to

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use, etc.

• The inventory survey of houses and lands shall be carried out in detail to get

accurate and specific data.

• Monitoring and guidance of living conditions for the resettled people, after the

project.

② Waste Disposal

It is roughly estimated that the amount of approximately 180 thousands m3 in Berrinche and

approximately 40 thousands m3 in Reparto will be excavated. Some part of the excavated materials

will be used for the embankment and the volume of balance needs to disposal.

Mitigation measures

• The volume of surplus soil is reduced as much as possible, by using the material

for embankment at the respective site.

• It may be probable that the surplus soil is used for the other construction sites

nearby the respective site, as they are natural soils.

• When the road is narrow, traffic control as well as selection of vehicles may be

required for transportation for surplus soils disposal for avoiding congestion.

• The appropriate planning for disposal, for transportation, disposal, method, and

maintenance of the disposal site.

• The schedule of transportation of disposal materials is adjusted to minimize the

possible nuisance by the inhabitants and informed them beforehand.

Required Monitoring/study/Survey

• The volume of surplus soils is to be estimated accurately after planning on the

use for embankment.

• The detailed survey on disposal site is to be carried out. (Note:For Berrinche,

there is a wide space sufficient for the disposal in high water channel of the

Choluteca River, where the distance from Berriche site is more or less 1 km. For

Reparto, the volume may be large in comparison with Berrince. It may be possible

to find separate disposal sites. Or the transportation to the same site as for

Berriche is also possible, although the distance is a few km away.)

• The disposal plan including the design of embankment is carried out in consideration

of the future maintenance and safety.

• The monitoring of disposal site is to be carried out.

③ Noise/Vibration

Mitigation measures

Noise/vibration during the construction may be caused mostly by drilling, earth works, and

transportation. Although the noise level may not be seriously high, the mitigation measures

are necessary:

• Information and notice of construction schedule to the inhabitants.

• Construction time at respective site should be flexible and adjusted in

consideration of day (holiday) and working hours which are desirable for the

inhabitants. Avoid the work at night and on holidays as much as possible.

• Try to get understanding for the importance and necessity of the project works.

• If any claim comes from the inhabitants, the countermeasures are to be taken as

much as possible.

• Try to use the construction method and equipment/machines with low noise.

• Walls to mitigate noises are constructed if any hospitals, schools, etc. located

along a road where the increase of noise is remarkable.

• Speed limit control regulation is applied in a partial section, if necessary.

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Required Monitoring/study/Survey

• Impact level is predicted by a survey at some existing projects with similar

conditions and the evaluated based on the noise standards.

• During the construction period, periodical monitoring of noise and the other

impacts items is to be carried out.

• The survey on facilities & buildings (such as hospitals, schools, etc.) which may

be sensible against noise along the transportation routes required for the

construction and the surroundings

(B) Items with predicted impact level C

The mitigation measures and necessary monitoring for the three (3) items with predicted impact

level C, shown in the previous “ 7. Adverse Environmental and Social Impacts”, are studied.

The study results are summarized as follows:

① Accidents during Construction

The construction scale is not large and it is expected that no serious accidents may happen

as far as the general safety control is properly carried out. In other words, it is probable

that unexpected accidents may happen, if the proper safety control is failed. Accordingly,

the following measures are required to be carried out:

・ To get information on accident cases of the similar works or projects in the past and

take the information into account for the safety control.

・ To investigate the possibility and requirement for the inhabitants to enter to the

project sites during the construction. Then the countermeasures are taken for

preventing the inhabitants entering into the construction area, if necessary. The

bypass construction may be one of the considerable measures.

・ To establish the safety control management system, with the periodical check.

・ To review the construction plans from the safety viewpoints. The construction plans

will be prepared during the design stage. It is necessary to propose the revision or

improvement, if any remarkable undesirable points are identified.

② Landscape

The project sites are mostly composed of bare lands and areas covered with weeds at present.

In addition, a part of the area has solid wastes dumping site and the lands have irregular

forms in general. Accordingly, the sites are not valuable from the landscape viewpoints. It

is rather remarkable that the landscape may be much improved by the project implementation.

It is, however, considered necessary to take countermeasures against the following points:

・ Bare lands remains widely for a certain period just after the construction.

・ Solid waste dumping may be carried out even after the construction.

Accordingly, it is recommended to take the following measures:

・ The city has an idea to construct public parks (with sport grounds) after the slope

stability works are completed. It is desirable to exchange opinions with the city

officers in charge about the planning and recommend implementing the project earlier.

・ To plant grasses in bare areas at the last stage of the construction as a temporary

works until the park construction is realized.

・ The inhabitants will dump the solid waste somewhere in the project area, even if the

construction works are completed as there is no proper garbage collection system at

present. It may be necessary to control the dumping activities and at the same time

to proposed the city to improve the garbage collection system.

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③ Water Contamination during Construction

The water body of the river section located downstream side of the respective project site

is currently used neither for human uses nor activities. It is, however, probable to give some

impacts on aquatic eco-system in the river, if much amount of soils runs off to the river during

construction due to insufficient control. It is recommended to take the following measures:

・ To investigate more in detail the river uses for human activities.

・ To investigate more in detail the conditions of ecosystem in and along the river,

including the further downstream sections (e.g.2-3km).

・ To take measures for prevention and constraint against soil runoff, if any possibility

of impacts on the river uses or ecosystem are identified.

・ To take proper control for preventing spills of oil and grease from the construction

machineries.

(2) Overall Evaluation and Conclusion of the Environmental Study

The results of overall evaluation of the environmental study are concluded as summarized as

follows:

• The project may create positive environmental improvement in the respective project

area.

• The serious negative impacts may not happen by the proposed project. Only slight

adverse impacts are predicted for resettlement, disposal of excavated soils, and

noise during construction.

• Such slight impacts will be mitigated by proper cares and management, without

difficulty.

• The resettlement may be an only issue, which need special attention, as there are

some indefinite matters such as follows:

・ The structural plans will be updated and become a final one during the design

stage.

・ The detailed alignment and locations of proposed structures are difficult

to confirm at the site at present, as the detailed plans/maps are not

available yet.

・ The site conditions with houses will be changed after 2 or 3 years, when

the construction works will commence.

• The resettlement is expected to be carried out without serious difficulties as the

inhabitants show cooperative attitude for the resettlement and also some of them

are rather happy to move out of the dangerous site, according to the interview

survey.

• The resettlement is a sensible matter and also a matter of special concerns by

relevant agencies. Accordingly, careful follow-up may be required not only during

the project implementation stage, but also during preparation stage as well as post

construction stage. For example, the activities to avoid new houses built before

the project commencement and the monitoring to support the resettled people are

necessary.

• The alternative plans of the currently proposed structural plans are studied. But

it is concluded that these optional plans are not feasible.

9. Necessity of Another Environmental and Social Considerations Study at this stage

It is considered that another Environmental and Social Considerations Study is not required

at this stage due to the following reasons:

• JICA study in 2001 and 2002 already carried out the IEE and EIA studies, although

the currently proposed project for landslide countermeasures at three areas was

a part of the overall project by the JICA study.

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• The plans proposed by the JICA study are basically not changed yet, although the

preliminary study team (in late 2007) recommended some modifications. The detailed

review and finalization of the proposed plans will be prepared at the design stage,

when the results of additional monitoring on ground movement will be available.

• The site conditions, especially concerning number houses required to be resettled,

will be changed until the final definite plan/design is prepared possibly after

two years from now.

10. Consultation to the Relevant Offices on Environmental Study

The consultation was carried out to the relevant government offices: UGA/SOPTRAVI, DECA/SERNA,

and GMDAM/AMDC as summarized as follows:

① Category of the Proposed Project

Although there is the official table to decide category for the environmental license for

SERNA, the proposed project is not applicable for any items in the table. On this point, the

relevant agencies answered to the inquiries by the Preliminary study team as follows:

From UGA of SOPTRAVI

・SOPTRAVI(UGA) generally decides the category by themselves based on the table. But, it

is necessary to consult to DECA, if any difficulty is found to decide the Category. In

case of the proposed project, it is difficult to decide by the table.

・If the SOPTRAVI has to decide without consultation to SERNA, it may be “Category 2”

as the project may not cause serious adverse impacts and it may be mitigated even if

some impacts are predicted.

From DECA of SERNA (Note: GMDAM of AMDC has the similar opinion)

・SERNA(DECA) also can not decide the category of the proposed project only by the table.

・It is difficult to decide the category without understanding the details of the project

by reading the documents and site visits.

・If the DECA has to suggest the category without knowing the details, it may be Category

3, although it is difficult to say Category 3-I or 3-II.

② Predicted Impacts

The scoping is requested to UGA/SOPTRAVI and GMDAM/AMDC. The GMDAM/AMDC replied that it is

not possible within such short period of study and without the study on the necessary documents.

While, the UGA/SOPTRAVI, of which staff accompanied the Social and Environmental Specialist

of the Preliminary Study Team for the site visits, commented that it is also difficult to study

in a limited short period. But, the UGA/SOPTRAVI staff showed their personnel opinions as

follows:

・No serious impacts are predicted

・The project may create environmentally positive impacts

・Slight impacts are predicted for “Noise, vibration, and dust at construction site”,

but it may be easily mitigated by construction management.

・Slight impacts are also predicted for “Resettlement”, but this issue is also possible

to be mitigated without difficulty from their experiences of the SOPTRAVI projects.

Even when the agreement is not made at the beginning stage, it could be settled without

taking too much time by preparation of the resettlement site and the negotiation. It

is also necessary to take into consideration that the objective sites are all located

in the designated dangerous areas, where the inhabitants generally are happy to move

out from such place.

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11. Social Acceptability (Involuntary Resettlement and Land Acquisition)

The resettlement is the most significant item of environmental consideration for the proposed

project. The reference information obtained during the preliminary study is summarized below:

Land Conditions:

• All the areas of project sites are private lands, as far as checked by the cadastral

maps of AMDC. But, it is actually abandoned to use and the land taxes are exempted

by the bylaw.

• Although there were villages before 1998 disaster, all the inhabitants, except some

of them, are relocated mostly to the resettlement sites prepared by the government.

• The sites can not be used for residential purposes, as the government designated

the areas as dangerous zone, where house building is not allowed.

• There are houses located in and around the objective project area. Although it is

difficult to estimate at present the reliable number of houses to be relocated,

it is roughly counted by the site visit. The number of houses to be relocated will

be less than 5 or 6 units only, as far as assuming that no new settlement will happen

in the future.

Houses beside the fence in Berrince

Acceptability of Resettlement

It is concluded as the results of the Preliminary Study that the resettlement issue need careful

considerations and mitigation measures, but it may not cause serious impacts, due to the

following reasons:

• The relevant agencies such as AMDC and SOPTRAVI have good experiences of

resettlement for their many projects.

• The relevant agencies have positive intention to take special cares for the

resettlement issues of the JICA project.

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• The AMDC already has a resettlement site owned by the AMDC.

• The SOPTRAVI informed that they would control the site for avoiding the new

settlers.

• The budget may not be large, even if the compensation is done by payment, as the

property value is generally very low.

• The Mayor announced the basic program to support the poor people with priority.

• The UGA/SOPTRAVI will carry out the monitoring to support the resettles, after the

project.

• It may be possible to prepare the final plan and design in consideration of reducing

the resettlement numbers.

• The interview survey was carried out during the Preliminary study at 15 houses in

total. It was found that no answers to oppose the resettlement for the project were

obtained.

• The inhabitants generally have intention to move to the other safe places, if

possible, although they can not do because of financial problems.

• Some of them feel fears to stay in the house every time when heavy rain happens.

• Most inhabitants living in the objective area are poor and they do not show strong

or expensive desires.

12. Important Notice on Basic Design Research

There are the following reference points for the basic design:

• It is desirable to make alignment and locations of structures and works in

respective site in consideration of reducing the number of houses to be relocated.

• It is suggested to try to get relevant information from the inhabitants as much

as possible. They have various information, such as past movement, changes of land

uses, etc. useful for the effective plan and design.

• It is suggested to visit directly the departments/units of SOPTRAVI, AMDC, SERNA,

etc. to collect information and data. It may be possible to find or get additional

or unexpected information.

• It is suggested that the information given by an agency/office sometimes need

confirmation, as their information is not always consistent/correct.

• It is suggested to visit local consultants as well to collect supplementary

information and data, as the government agency has more or less poor system of data

base management.

• It is necessary to assist in the relevant agencies to carry out the inventory survey

of the houses and lands which need to use or relocate by the project implementation.

• The guidance and assistance will be necessary for the preparation of the

resettlement plan in reference to the results of interview survey of the

inhabitants.

• The guidance and assistance will be necessary to the relevant agencies to prepare

the appropriate and acceptable relocation site.

• The guidance and assistance will be necessary to the relevant agencies to prepare

the follow-up monitoring for supporting the re-settlers to be carried out after

the project implementation.

• The guidance and assistance will be necessary to the relevant agencies to prepare

the plan for effective uses of the project area, possibly for parks, sports, etc.,

after the completion of the project.

• It is necessary to hold the stakeholder meetings at the basic design stage, when

the necessity of resettlement as well as the objective houses of resettlement will

becomes definite.

• It is necessary to propose the implementing agency to carry out the official

procedures for obtaining earlier the environmental license of the project, after

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the basic plan and design of the project becomes definite. It is desirable to assist

in the implementing agency for the EIA.

13. Other Relevant Information

Some reference information is given as follows:

• There are various environmental laws and bylaws related to the environmental control

and management. But, some of them are too old and not sufficiently updated. In addition,

some of them are practically not effective, as they do not properly reflect the actual

conditions. Further, it seems difficult for the offices in charge to execute effective

control due to lack of compulsory right and shortage of budge, vehicles, and personnel.

The management by respective office is carried out occasionally without sufficient

knowledge of relevant laws and regulations.

• Control of solid waste seems to be one of big environmental issues for the City. There

are two aspects of the reasons. One is that the relevant offices can not (or do not)

control based on the laws/regulations. Another one is that the current system for

collection, treatment, and disposal of wastes is poor. There are waste dumping site

in the respective proposes project area. The inhabitants do not have another way of

disposal as the municipality does not have capacity to collect the solid waste.

• In the cadastral document, there are prices of all the registered land and houses.

These prices are not updated since 2000 and there are remarkable differences between

the actual market prices and the official government prices.

• Honduras is a country to have positive intention for environmental conservation and

protection. As an example, the country ratified or agreed various international

environmental conventions such as listed as follows:

List of representative International Convention

Convention of Biological Diversity

Climate Change Convention

CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and

Flora.)

United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing

Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa

Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat

Basel Convention on the Control of Trans-boundary Movements of Hazardous Waste and

their Disposal

Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage

Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer

Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer

Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

There are many other conventions, especially for Central or Latin America and Caribbean

region.

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