IEE: Viet Nam: Transport Connections in Northern ...€¦ · Initial Environmental Examination

Initial Environmental Examination

April 2011

VIE: Transport Connections in Northern Mountainous Provinces Project (Bac Kan Province)

Prepared by the Provincial People’s Committee of Bac Kan Province for the Asian Development Bank

ABBREVIATIONS

ADB – Asian Development Bank BOD – biological oxygen demand DARD – Department of Agriculture and Rural Development DCI – Department of Culture and Information DDC – detailed design consultants DMP – Drainage Management Plan DO – dissolved oxygen DONRE – Department of Natural Resources and Environment EA – executing agency ECP – erosion control plan EIA – environmental impact assessment EMP – environmental management plan ESO – environment and safety officer FPD – Provincial Forest Protection Department GRC – grievance redress committee GOV – Government of Viet Nam HIV-AIDS – human immunodeficiency virus-acquired immune deficiency

syndrome IEE – initial environmental examination JCC – joint coordination committee for Transport Connections in

Northern Mountainous Provinces Project: project implementation stage

MARD – Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development MMP – materials management plan MONRE – Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment MOT – Ministry of Transport NDCP – noise and dust control plan NGO – non-governmental organization NPOSF – Nui Pia Oac Special Use Forest PCC – project coordinating consultant PDOT – Provincial Department of Transport PPMU – provincial project management unit PPC – Provincial Peoples’ Committee PPE – personal protective equipment PSC – project supervision consultant REA – rapid environmental assessment ROW – right-of-way RP – resettlement plan RRP – Report and Recommendation of the President SC – steering committee for Transport Connections in Northern

Mountainous Provinces Project: loan processing stage SEMP – specific environmental management plans SPS – ADB’s Safeguard Policy Statement (2009) SR – sensitive receiver TA – technical assistance TCNMP – Transport Connections in Northern Mountainous Provinces TCVN and

QCVN – national technical standards of Viet Nam

TOR – terms of reference TRP – tree-cutting and replanting plan TSS – total suspended solids

TSP – total suspended particulates TTMP – temporary transport management plan UIRP – utilities and irrigation reprovisioning plan UXO – unexploded ordnance WMSDP – waste management and spoil disposal plan WPSP – workers and public safety plan

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

dB(A) – decibel (A-weighted) ha – hectare km – kilometer km/h – kilometer per hour m – meter m2 – square meter m3 – cubic meter masl – meter above sea level mg/l – milligram per liter mg/m3 – milligram per cubic meter MPN/100ml – most probable number per 100 milliliter

This initial environmental examination is a document of the borrower. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB's Board of Directors, Management, or staff, and may be preliminary in nature.

In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.

CONTENTS

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................... 1

A Overview ......................................................................................................... 1

B Policy, Legal And Administrative Framework ............................................. 1

C Description of the Project ............................................................................. 2

D Description of the Environment ................................................................... 2

E Anticipated Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures .................. 3

F Information Disclosure, Consultation and Participation ............................ 5

G Grievance Redress Mechanism .................................................................... 5

H Environmental Management Plan ................................................................ 5

I Conclusion and Recommendations ............................................................. 6

II. POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK ................................................ 9

A Environmental Regulatory Compliance ....................................................... 9

B International Conventons ............................................................................ 10

III. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT .................................................. 11

A Background .................................................................................................. 11

B Existing Road ............................................................................................... 11

C Proposed upgrading .................................................................................... 12

D Proposed bridge improvements and culverts ........................................... 13

IV. DESCRIPTION OF ENVIRONMENT ................................................. 16

A Physical Environment ................................................................................. 16

B Biological Environment ............................................................................... 19

V. ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES ...................................................................................... 27

A Design / Pre-Construction Phase ............................................................... 28

B Construction Phase ..................................................................................... 35

C Operational Phase ....................................................................................... 52

D Cumulative Environmental Impact Associated with the Project Locations ....................................................................................................................... 53

VI. INFORMATION DISCLOSURE, CONSULTATION AND PARTICIPATION ............................................................................... 54

A Identification of Stakeholders ..................................................................... 54

B Consultation with Stakeholders ................................................................. 54

C Concerns Addressed ................................................................................... 55

D Information Disclosure and Participation .................................................. 55

VII. GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISM ............................................ 56

VIII. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN ...................................... 57

A Implementation Arrangements ................................................................... 57

B Environmental Mitigation ............................................................................ 59

C Environmental Monitoring .......................................................................... 91

D Reporting ...................................................................................................... 92

E Capacity Building ......................................................................................... 95

IX. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ................................. 97

FIGURES Figure I.1 Location of Project Roads for TA 7245 VIE Figure I.2 Location of the Project road in Bac Kan Figure III.1 Proposed road width & typical conditions adjacent to the Project road Figure III.3 Typical Road Cross Section Figure IV.1 Protected Areas in Bac Kan Province Figure IV.2 Nam Xuan Lac Nature Reserve Buffer Zone TABLES Table II.1 International Conventions to which Viet Nam is a Party (environmental) Table III.1 Current and proposed widths on Project road in Bac Kan Province Table III.2 Geometric Design Standard Adopted for road in Bac Kan Province Table III.3 Estimates of earthworks & structures for Project road in Bac Kan Table III.4 Assessment of the Bridges and Recommendations Table IV.1 Water quality along Project road in Bac Kan Province Table IV.2 Air quality and noise along Project road in Bac Kan Province Table IV.3 Land Use in Bac Kan Province Table V.1 Maximum allowable concentration of pollutants in surface water Table V.2 QCVN/TCVN Standards applicable to the project Table VI.1 Summary of Main Environmental Concerns from Public Consultation Table VIII.1 Responsibilities for EMP Implementation Table VIII.2 Environmental Mitigation & Environmental Performance Monitoring Plan Table VIII.3 Summary of Estimated Costs for EMP Implementation (4.5 years) Table VIII.4 Environmental Effects Monitoring Plan for Project Roads Table VIII.5 Indicative Terms of Reference for Environmental Management Capacity Building of PMU and PDOT APPENDICES Appendix A Selected Photographs Appendix B Information Disclosure, Consultation and Participation Appendix C Letter of No Objection from Nam Xuan Lac Nature Reserve Appendix D List of Culverts

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A Overview

1. The Government of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam (GOV) has requested the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to provide financing to facilitate investments to support the upgrading of roads proposed in the technical assistance (TA) Transport Connections in Northern Mountainous Provinces Project TA 7245 – VIE (TCNMP). The TCNMP proposes a comprehensive program to upgrade and rehabilitate 12 roads in six northern provinces with a total length of about 304 km in Ha Giang, Yen Bai, Cao Bang, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai, and Bac Kan (Figure I.1). The executing agencies (EA) are the respective Provincial People’s Committee (PPC) of each province. The implementing agencies (IA) will be six separate provincial project management units (PPMU) that are already established in all provinces except for Yen Bai province, which plans to establish its PPMU within 2011.

2. The Project supports ADB's Viet Nam Country Partnership Strategy 2007 to 2010 and GOV's Socio Economic Development Plan (2006-2020) that identifies a lack of rural infrastructure in the northern mountainous region as a constraint towards effective poverty reduction. In Bac Kan province, the Project will cover provincial road TL255. This report is the initial environmental examination (IEE) for the improvement of the relevant section of road TL255 in Bac Kan Province (Figure I.2). This IEE is prepared by the Bac Kan PPC to ensure that the Project road design, construction and operation will comply with the provisions of ADB's Safeguard Policy Statement 2009 (SPS).

3. The proposed road improvement works are within the right of way (ROW) designated for the Project road but some construction may take place on land yet to be acquired depending on detailed designs. These areas were subject to rapid environmental assessment. Based on ADB’s Safeguard Policy Statement 2009 (SPS), ADB has classified the Project as Category “B” and requires the preparation of an IEE.

4. The objectives and scope of this IEE are to (i) assess the existing environmental conditions along and in the vicinity of the Project road (ii) identify potential environmental impacts from the proposed road improvement works (iii) evaluate and determine the significance of the impacts; (iv) develop an environmental management plan (EMP) detailing mitigation measures, monitoring activities, reporting requirements, institutional responsibilities and cost estimates to address adverse environmental impacts; and (v) carry-out public consultations to document any issues/concerns that stakeholders may have on the Project and to ensure that such concerns are addressed in the project design and mitigation measures.

5. This IEE is submitted to ADB by the Bac Kan PPC and the final IEE report will be disclosed to the public through the ADB website and to the public in Viet Nam by the PPC and PPMU. The IEE will also be disclosed by the PPC to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) and provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DONRE) and to the local authorities in Bac Kan province for review and identification of additional environmental assessment and environmental permits that may be required.

B Policy, Legal And Administrative Framework

6. The Project shall comply with requirements of ADB SPS 2009 and the GOV’s Guidelines on Implementation of Law on Environmental Protection 2006 (under Law on Environmental Protection 2005 as amended by Decree 21-2008). The Ministry of Natural

Resources and Environment (MONRE) has delegated powers to DONRE to approve environmental assessments and MONRE will receive a copy of the environmental assessment before construction commences. However certain activities commonly associated with infrastructure projects such as quarry operations, extraction of gravel or discharge of waste water will also require permission from the relevant provincial level authorities. PPMU will submit the IEE to DONRE and disclose the scale and scope of the Project to the environmental authorities in due course.

C Description of the Project

7. The rehabilitation and upgrading of the Project road will involve some alterations to the roads width by 2 m on either side to improve road geometry within the ROW. The ROW is approximately 3 m from edge of the slope or embankment either side of the road base. This puts the ROW at least 6m either side of the centerline even for the narrowest parts of the road. There will be a need for limited resettlement and the resettlement pans will be accomplished by the Provincial People’s Committee of Bac Kan (PPC) who will also carry out the required social interventions.

8. The lengths of the project road TL255 is approximately 24.8 km (Figure I.2). The improvements to the Project road should be straightforward but as yet there are no detailed designs for these works. The existing alignment go through several villages. Provincial Road TL255 will be upgraded to Vietnamese Standard IV (VN IV). For purposes of the conceptual design it is assumed that where slope cutting is necessary the Project road will generally be widened on the uphill side creating a requirement to excavate spoil but there are limited opportunities to use this material as fill. Therefore spoil disposal will be significant but other construction impacts should be of a scale typical for a road upgrading project.

9. Bridges on the Project road will be improved to accommodate vehicles in accordance with Viet Nam Code for Bridge Design (HL 93 and 22TCN-272-05) constructed as permanent concrete and steel structures. There are 2 bridges and 71 culverts that have been considered for improvement or reconstruction.

10. A joint coordination committee (JCC) for the Project will be established to coordinate and monitor the activities of the six PPMUs. The JCC will be chaired by the Vice-chairman of Bac Kan PPC and comprise Vice-chairpersons of the six PPCs. The JCC will retain an international project coordinating consultant (PCC) with environmental capability provided by a suitably qualified international and national environment specialists to assist the PPMUs. The PPMUs will engage national detailed design consultants (DDC), national contractors and national project supervision consultants (PSC) for upgrading and/or reconstruction of the road. The target date for completion of reconstruction and upgrading is by end 2016.

D Description of the Environment

11. The physical, biological and social elements of the local environment have been described. The climate is subtropical and the area is subject to heavy rainfall between April and October. The roads are fairly flat in places but there are many undulating and some steeper sections through the hill terrain. During rainy periods surface water on the road runs to side drains and across to the adjacent fields and canals and in the hills via crossing drainage structures and culverts. The mountainous area of Bac Kan Province provides the catchments for three big rivers namely the Cau, the Pho Day and the Nang as well as many small rivers. Other smaller streams also run alongside the Project road.

12. The biological environment is dominated by agriculture. Whereas there are some useful ecological habitats in the hinterland of the Project area there are no forests in the

ROW and although there are some plantation forests areas just outside the ROW none of the roads are very near areas protected for the natural habitats for rare or endangered species. The nearby production forests are plantations that provide timber, vines and bamboo for the local population to construct dwellings and for craft work. Cattle are kept along on the Project road and other animals and birds are typical of those that tolerate disturbance by human settlement. There are a few large trees that will need to be avoided in the detailed designs but if cut, compensatory tree planting will take place.

13. There are several areas protected for their biodiversity and conservation value in Bac Kan including Ba Be National Park, Kim Hy Nature Reserve and Nam Xuan Lac Nature Reserve. These areas provide continuity of protected habitat with areas in Tuyen Quang Province. The buffer zones for Ba Be National Park and Nam Xuan Lac Nature Reserve (NXLNR) are both over 5 km from the Project road at their nearest points. Kim Hy Nature Reserve is more than 30 km from TL255. There are appreciable areas of plantation forest visible in between the areas cleared for agriculture but there are no undisturbed forests near the Project roads. There are no forests used for large timber extraction in any of the areas which are directly accessible from the Project roads.

14. Bac Kan is developing socially and has an improving economy and there are many industrial factories, commercial enterprises and many home craft enterprises. Traditional shop houses are located at intervals all along the Project road and a ribbon of residential development is continuous throughout the settlement areas and towns. Some of the land around the Project road is used for rice cultivation. Rain-fed rice paddies and cultivation of vegetable and cash crops, in some cases based on shifting cultivation, are more common in the hilly areas.

15. There are no sites of cultural significance found close to the Project road. There are schools and some places of worship within sight of the Project Road in some nearby villages and there are a few graves set back from the road. All will be set back from where the road works are currently planned to take place and no significant impacts are anticipated.

E Anticipated Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures

16. The potential environmental impacts will require mitigation measures to minimize the impacts in the design, construction and operational phases. The main issues relate to planning design of road structures and drainage and control construction impacts such as spoil and waste disposal, traffic interruption, noise and dust during construction. The buffer distance between the works on the Project road and the nearest residential sensitive receivers is ample in most cases. There should only be moderate disturbance to the surrounding areas from the works provided the EMP is implemented fully.

17. Starting at the detailed design stage and throughout construction the PPMU will retain a suitably qualified environmental and safety officer (ESO) and with the assistance of the PCC will ensure proper implementation of the EMP prepared for the project. PPMU with the assistance of the PCC will: (i) disclose the final TL255 design to DONRE and ADB; (ii) check that the Project site works boundaries correspond with those disclosed in this IEE; (iii) prepare tender documents to include the EMP to ensure the contractors comply with environmental requirements; (iv) ensure environmentally responsible procurement and the acceptability of sufficient borrow sites for rock based materials agreed with DONRE; (v) plan spoil and waste disposal (vi) plan to preserve and avoid road side trees and compensate for trees that will be removed; (vii) confirm hydrological and drainage impacts of the Project and ensure detailed bridge designs take account of a 100 year return rain storm event; (viii) plan to minimize disturbance of vehicular traffic and pedestrians during construction (viii) take baseline water quality, air

and noise samples before construction commences; and (ix) assist the contractors to orient workers on EMP provisions as well as health and safety aspects. The PPMU will also make a reassurance check with the responsible authority that there is no potential threat from unexploded ordnance (UXO) before works commence.

18. Construction impacts will mainly be from works to reconstruct the road base, repairing bridges, renewing culverts across streams, providing better crossing drains in embankments and repairing road embankment base courses, and surfacing works. The location for construction works will be well away from most of the nearest residential sensitive receivers (SRs) that are outside the ROW and in principle this should allow ample buffer distance to attenuate many potential nuisances.

19. The PCC shall prepare specific EMPs (SEMPs) during detailed design phase. These SEMPS will include (i) waste management and spoil disposal; (ii) temporary drainage; (iii) temporary traffic management; (iv) materials management; (v) erosion control; (vi) noise and dust control; (vii) utilities and irrigation reprovisioning; and (vi) workers and public safety. Contractors will be required to commit to implementing the Project EMP and the SEMPs. The SEMPs will be based on the EMP matrix presented in this IEE (Table VIII.2). PCC with conduct workers’ orientation on implementation of construction mitigation measures in the Project EMP and SEMPs and shall monitor the implementation of EMP provisions. Unsuitable soils, spoil and construction waste will be disposed of to sites approved by DONRE as agreed with local authorities and disposal will be monitored. Wastes will not be burned. The acceptability of the borrow and quarry sites for fill materials will be agreed with DONRE and corresponding required environmental permit or clearance will be obtained by the contractors prior to operation of such sites. Building materials will be obtained from sites approved by DONRE using local sources as practicable to minimize transportation and stockpiling of building materials. Work that will result to emission of high noise levels will not be undertaken at night in the vicinity of sensitive receptors. A qualified environment and safety officer will be identified by the Contractors before construction commences. Facilities for workers and public safety, construction site offices and worker camps will be regulated in line with the labor codes of Viet Nam. Complaints will be monitored and investigated and additional mitigation measures will be implemented, as necessary. The EMP will be updated by PCC if unexpected impacts occur.

20. The Project road stretches pass through agricultural areas and villages and small towns. However the forest and nature reserve management authorities perceive that there may be some indirect or induced impacts on timber exploitation. The buffer zone of Nam Xuan Lac Nature Reserve (NXLNR) is more than 5 km from the Project road. The PPMU will co-operate with the Forest Protection Department (FPD) and management board of NXLNR) to introduce mitigation measures in the construction phase to avoid or minimize any further conversion or degradation of protected areas. The small scale nature of the Project road improvement means there are few opportunities to enhance habitat however mitigation measures have been included in the EMP to prevent further conversion or degradation of biodiversity and to provide enhancement where practicable.

21. The operation of the improved the Project road should have little effect on the surrounding environment and the introduction of the wider pavement can be expected to reduce air pollution from disturbed dust and noise from vehicles due to the smoother road. The improvement of the Project road will be within the existing corridor keeping vehicles away from sensitive receivers such as residences, commercial premises and schools that are set back from the Project road. Gaseous and particulate emissions from the expected traffic flows will be well dispersed on the road to be affected and traffic

noise is not anticipated to increase above the acceptable standards. The upgrading is likely to increase the vehicle speed but additional future traffic should be moderate and unlikely to create many community safety issues and overall the condition of the road facilities will be enhanced and driving conditions should improve. Routine safety measures, signage and road markings will be introduced to reduce driving risk further and will be verified at detailed design stage.

F Information Disclosure, Consultation and Participation

22. The stakeholder consultation process has disseminated information in advance on the upgrading works and the expected impacts and the proposed mitigation measures. The process also gathered information on relevant concerns of the community so as to address these in the project implementation stages.

23. The results indicated there was very strong support for the Project and the main environmental concerns were interference with connection to water and power supplies, construction noise and dust. Other responses are mainly concerns on prompt compensation for land acquisition and a wish for further consultation between the local people and the Project authorities as well as concern that compensation for land to be acquired by PPC should be fair. The environmental concerns raised by the stakeholders shall be controlled and minimized by thorough implementation of the EMP.

G Grievance Redress Mechanism

24. Existing arrangements for redress of grievances are through complaints to the Ward committees up to the District level and then through the PPC and back to PPMU.

25. Through a Grievance Redress Committee (GRC), PPMU shall promptly address affected people’s concerns, complaints, and grievances about the Project’s environmental performance at no costs to the complainant and without retribution. The GRC, which shall be established by PPMU before commencement of site works, shall be chaired by PPMU and shall have members from the contractors, ward and district committees, DONRE, local NGO, and women’s organization. Grievances can be filed in writing or verbally with any member of the GRC. The committee will have 15 days to respond with a resolution. If unsatisfied with the decision, the existence of the GRC shall not impede the complainant’s access to the Government’s judicial or administrative remedies.

26. The PPC through the PPMU shall make public the existence of this grievance redress mechanism through public awareness campaigns. PPMU shall also provide telephone numbers for complaints and these shall be publicized through the media and numbers placed on the notice boards outside the site and suggestion/complaints boxes will be placed outside the construction camps and yards. Locally affected people will still be able to express grievances through the ward or district committees and these would be referred to PPMU through the usual channels in those committees.

H Environmental Management Plan

27. The institutional requirements and responsibilities for various stakeholders including the EA, JCC, PCC, PPMU, DDC, PSC and contractors have been identified. The Project EMP as well as the SEMPs will be used as a basis for an environmental compliance program. The EMP was compiled by close reference to best practices and in line with SPS. A suite of mitigation measures has been proposed and the IEE concludes that the impacts will be manageable if the mitigation measures spelled out in the EMP are implemented thoroughly. Any conditions of the environmental clearance from DONRE and any subsequent licenses and approvals from local authorities will also be included in

the environmental requirements for the contractors in the compliance program. The requirements of the IEE, Project EMP and SEMPs will be included in the contracts. The effective implementation of the design and construction stage mitigation in the EMP shall be audited by PPMU, PCC and ADB as part of the loan conditions. The main monitoring of the contractor’s environmental performance on implementation of the SEMPs and various provisions of the Project EMP will be done by PPMU assisted by the PCC. If this is done effectively the impacts can be controlled well within acceptable limits.

28. PPMU with assistance from PCC shall: (i) update the EMP during detailed design phase should there be additional environmental impacts not identified in this IEE and for which appropriate mitigation measures have not been included in the EMP; (ii) prepare a new or supplementary environmental assessment report in compliance with SPS if there are any additional components or changes in the Project such as specific location/alignment, among others, that will result to adverse environmental impacts and are not within the scope of the environmental assessment report approved by ADB. The above documents shall be submitted by PPMU to ADB for review and clearance prior to implementation.

I Conclusion and Recommendations

29. The Project construction is restricted to areas within the ROW as far as can be ascertained at this stage. This IEE study was carried out when the Project roads upgrading work was at the conceptual stage of design during the TA 7245 REG. Secondary data and preliminary observations and ambient environmental baseline surveys were used to assess the scale of environmental impacts and public consultation and site reconnaissance were carried out in order complete the environmental assessments in a comprehensive manner and recommend suitable mitigation measures. The impacts from construction and operation will be manageable and no insurmountable impacts are predicted, provided that the EMP is included in the contract documents, and the EMP provisions are implemented and monitored to its full extent. In the event that any design details change the locations or scope of the proposed works the environmental assessment and EMP shall be reviewed and revised accordingly. PPMU shall ensure that the EMP is included in the contract documents. .

Figure I.1: Location of Project Roads for TA 7245 VIE

Figure I.2: Location of Project road TL255 in Bac Kan Province

II. POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK

A Environmental Regulatory Compliance

30. The environmental regulations of GOV for environmental assessment rules are set out in the Guidelines on Implementation of Law on Environmental Protection 20061 (under Law on Environmental Protection 2005 as amended by Decree 21-20082) that requires environmental assessment (in the form of an EIA) for listed projects. MONRE has delegated powers to DONRE to approve the environmental assessment for provincial projects and MONRE will receive a copy of the environmental assessment before construction commences. In this case the environmental assessment will be the IEE prepared for ADB. Certain activities commonly associated with road improvement such as quarry operations, extraction of gravel or discharge of waste water will also require permission from the relevant provincial level authorities. Therefore, PPMU will submit the IEE to DONRE Provincial Environmental Protection Service in the province to disclose the scale and scope of the projects to the environmental authorities in due course and as required under SPS. In Viet Nam the environmental assessment process is established and the rules, regulations, procedure and processes for environmental impact assessment of development activities have been reviewed under decree 80/2006 ND-CP. The rules and guidelines on environmental management have been amended under decree 21/2008 ND-CP (February 2008). The main decrees and statutory instruments of relevance to this IEE are:

i) Decree 21-2008-ND-CP of the Government of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. on Amendment of and addition to a number of articles of Decree 80-2006-ND-CP dated 28 Feb 2008 providing detailed regulations for implementation of the Law on Protection of the Environment.

ii) Decree 80-2006-ND-CP of the Government of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. of the Government dated 9 Aug 2006 providing detailed regulations and guidelines for implementation of some articles on the Law on Environmental Protection.

iii) Viet Nam Environmental Protection Law, amended in 2005, approved by the National Assembly on 12/12/2005, validity from 01/07/2006.

iv) Governmental Decree No. 81/2006/ND/CP dated 09/08/2006 of the Government On instruction for fines for breach of Environmental Protection Law’s implementation.

v) Circular No. 08/2006/TT-BTNMT dated 08/09/2006 of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment providing instruction of environmental strategic assessment, environmental impact assessment, and environmental protection commitment.

vi) Viet Nam standards on environment protection (TCVN and QCVN) from 1995 to 2010.

vii) Government Decree N0.121/2004/ND-CP dated 12/05/2004 providing the regulations on settlement of violations on environmental protection (in replacement of the Decree No 26/CP dated 26/04/1996).

1 Guidelines on Implementaion of Law on Environmental Protection 2006 – 80/2006/ND-CP require EIA for new construction of Grade IV roads and for upgrading of roads from Class I to III. Upgrading of roads that are Class IV or V to Class III is not specifically mentioned. The EIA has similar scope and content to IEE for ADB.

2 Decree 21-2008 28 February 2008 - Amendment of and addition to a number of articles of Decree 80-2006-

ND-CP of the government dated 9 August 2006 providing detailed regulations for implementation of the Law on Protection of the Environment.

31. Pollution standards prescribed for the protection of the environment are described in the Law on Environmental Protection (and the TCVN and QCVN standards as amended). The following standards will be referred to for ambient environmental monitoring of the Project: QCVN 08:2008/BTNMT (surface water quality), QCVN 05:2009/BTNMT (air quality), and TCVN 5949:1998 (noise). Certain project activities commonly associated with road improvement such as quarry operations, extraction of gravel or discharge of waste water also require licenses that are issued at the provincial level by DONRE and Provincial Peoples Committee offices (PPC) depending on the duration and scale of those activities. PPC offices are the authorities to decide on the permit requirements at the provincial level.

32. In Viet Nam the environmental assessment process is established but the rules, regulations, procedure and processes for environmental impact assessment of development activities have recently been reviewed under decree 80/2006 ND-CP. The rules and guidelines on environmental management have been amended under decree 21/2008 ND-CP (February 2008).

33. PPMU and PCC will review the IEE at the detailed design stage in the light of future developments and forward revisions of documents to DONRE and ADB. The EMP will be updated by the PCC at the detailed design stage should there be additional environmental impacts not identified in this IEE and for which appropriate mitigation measures have not been included in the EMP.

B International Conventons

34. Viet Nam is a party to several international conventions that are relevant to environmental management (Table II.1). None of the conventions has any direct or specific relevance for this IEE as the Project does not encounter any areas of environmental sensitivity covered by the conventions.

Table II.1: International Conventions to which Viet Nam is a Party (environmental).

Convention Title Convention date Viet Nam participationConvention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (RAMSAR)

1971 [20 September 1988]

Protocol to Amend the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat, Paris.

1982

Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage

1972 [19 October 1987]

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species Wild Fauna and Flora

1973 [20 January 1994]

UN Environmental Modification Convention (ENMOD) 1977 [26 August 1980] FAO International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides

Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer

1987 [26 January 1994]

London Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, London.

1990

Copenhagen Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, Copenhagen.

1992

Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal

1995 [13 March 1995]

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

1992 [16 November 1994]

Convention on Biological Diversity 1992 [16 November 1994]

III. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT

A Background

35. The existing road infrastructure needs to be improved because the standards and conditions of many of the roads in Viet Nam are inadequate to meet rapidly growing demand for efficient travel. This situation limits national development and economic growth.

36. The existing conditions of the Project road vary and are good in some places but only fair to poor in some places. The road is sealed in some sections and earthen shoulders are often in poor condition. Most of the bridges are in poor condition have wide holes in places which are repaired improperly from time to time. The culverts are in fair condition but some require major upgrading and repair.

37. The JCC will engage a project coordination consultant (PCC) who will assist JCC and the PPMUs to manage detailed design and supervision of construction. Procurement at the provincial level will be using project detailed design consultant engineers (DDC) who will be responsible for detailed design. It is assumed that the PPMU will undertake the project construction supervision (possibly assisted by construction supervision consultants). Reconstruction and upgrading will be completed by end 2016. The PPMU in Bac Kan Province will engage the DDC and for purposes of this IEE it is assumed that there will be a conventional NCB bidding to secure contractors for upgrading and/or reconstruction of the road. Detailed design, bidding, securing contractors and upgrading works are proposed to take place over a four year period between 2012 and 2016.

B Existing Road

38. The current widths and proposed widening of the sections of TL255 due for upgrading are summarized in Table III.1.

Table III.1 : Current and proposed widths on Project roads in Bac Kan Province

Road Name

Start (Km)

Finish (Km)

Length (m)

Current formation width (m)

Current Pavement width (m)

Proposed pavement width (m)

Proposed formation width (m)

Class Widening required

(m)@

255 (PR) 0.000 8.244 8,244 6.0 3.5 5.5 7.5 IV 2.0

8.244 18.344 10,100 6.5 3.3 5.5 7.5 IV 2.0

18.344 24.767 6,423 6.0 3.5 5.5 7.5 IV 2.0

Source: Consultants TA 7245 Topographical Survey Report Dec 2009 @ = Based on formation width.

39. The northern end TL255 connects with road TL187 at the border with Tuyen Quang. It runs 24.8 km southwards and westwards to the junction with TL254 north of Bang Lung. The section to be improved starts at the border in Yen Thinh commune and ends at Na Tun hamlet in Yen Thuong commune of Cho Don district. About 5 km of the northwest end of this stretch runs within about 6 km of the buffer zone of the Nam Xuan Lac Nature Reserve.

40. The major portion of the traffic on the Project road consists of motor bikes (more than 60%) with a few cars, trucks and public motor vehicles. Some trucks carry people as well as goods in and out of the area. Traffic flows counted in the September 2009 resulted in 210 vehicles per day on TL255 but less than 200 vehicles on the other four roads3.

3 TA 6478 Final Report June 2010.

41. The existing alignments pass by many villages and isolated settlements. The roads are generally very steep and hilly except near their junctions with the main roads. There are many steep sections through the hilly terrain.

C Proposed upgrading

42. The Project road requires rehabilitation and upgrading to Class IV. This will involve some alterations to the width by 2 m in various places to improve road geometry. The existing road corridor either side of the centerline, is ample for the proposed rehabilitation works (Figure III.1 and Appendix A). The works for the Project road will therefore take place within the existing road corridor and no significant impacts are expected outside the road corridor. However to achieve a better road geometry some resettlement and minor land acquisition may be involved in some locations, subject to detailed design. The proposed geometric design standard and widening is shown in Table III.2. Figure III.2 shows typical cross section for the road.

43. The road works will include (i) excavation and reconstruction of the embankment, (ii) reconstruction of one carriageway (5.5 wide) plus hard shoulders; (iii) repair and reconstruction of bridges (iv) ensuring drainage and access near villages and at other key areas is unimpaired by extension of numerous culverts; (v) upgrading road drainage and (vii) installing slope stabilization and bioengineering measures, landscaping and accessories. Compensatory planting will also be required for any trees that are removed although this is not expected to be a major task. There will also be waste disposal issues for the works as there will be a surplus of cut materials in many areas where these materials cannot all be reused on the project. Total cut materials are estimated to amount to about 324,641 m3, of which about 10 to 20% will be rock cutting. However the rock is grade 3 and grade 4 and can be excavated by powered mechanical equipment and there should be no need for blasting. Some of this material may be used as fill for the embankment to offset the need to extract fresh rock based materials from quarries and borrow pits. This would reduce the requirement for rock based materials for embankments, currently estimated at 77,804 m3 (Table III.3).

Table III.2: Geometric Design Standard Adopted for Bac Kan

Road (see table III.1 for name)

TL255

Length of Road 24.8 km

Start Point (name / locale) Border with Tuyen Quang (Keo Mac Pass)

Finish Point (name / locale) PR254 (Coc Su)

Proposed standard# VN IV

Parameter Unit

Current Formation Width (approx. by observation) #

m 6.0-6.5

Proposed additional width m 1.0-1.5

Design speed km/h 40

Number of lanes no. 2

Formation width m 7.5

Traffic lane width m 5.5

Maximum longitudinal gradient % 9

Minimum horizontal curvature m 60

Minimum radii of vertical curves: crest m 1000

Minimum radii of vertical curves: sag m 450

Pavement Structure Surface Bitumen

Source: Ministry of Transport (Vietnamese Standard TCVN 4054) and Consultants., # Final Report TA 7245.

44. The works are generally expected to take place within approximately 7m of the centre line of the alignment subject to detailed design (allowing about 3m temporary working space either side).

Table III.3 : Estimates of earthworks and structure works for Project road in Bac Kan

Road TL255

Excavation (soil and rock – m3) 324,641

Embankment (rock based materials - m3)) 77,804

Bridges 2

Culverts replaced and repaired 71

Bitumen (tons) 883

Source: TA 7245 Consultants, Final Report TA 7245 VIE.

D Proposed bridge improvements and culverts

45. Improvements are required to 2 bridges. The types of improvements for the bridges are included in Table III.4. There are more than 70 stream crossings on the Project road (Appendix D).

Table III.4 Assessment of the Bridges and Recommendations - Bac Kan

Bridge Name Location Length Width Load (ton) Assessment Recommendatio

Provincial Road TL255 1 Ban Cau Bridge Km 17+953.35 33 4.6 H13 Good condition Widening ( by 2.9 m)

2 Ban Vay Bridge Km22+347.25 21 4.6 H13 Good condition Widening (by 2.9 m)

Source: TA7245 Final Report Bridge Engineering. Load as per Vietnam Bridges Design Standards 22TCN-272-05.

Figure III.1: Proposed road width and typical conditions adjacent to TL255

IV. DESCRIPTION OF ENVIRONMENT

A Physical Environment

1. Meteorology and Climate

46. The climate in Bac Kan is subtropical and influenced by the annual south west monsoon. There are two seasons. Dry season starts from November and lasts until March. The rainy season is between April and October. During the dry season no rain may fall for several months and it is cooler. The rainfall varies and the average precipitation is about 1,500-2,000 mm. Rain fall is not evenly distributed over the province’s different locations. About 75 to 80% of the rain falls during the period from May to September. The yearly average temperature is about 220C, rising to a maximum of 390C during May and August. Main direction of wind is southeasterly. In winter, the province has two main directions of wind: Northeast wind brings cold air from China and Northwest wind with low humidity.

2. Topography, Geology, and Soils

47. The topography of Bac Kan is largely mountainous, with elevations above 500 meters typically characterized by steep terrain, narrow river valleys, and low agricultural potential. The province has an area of about 486,800 hectares (ha) and is bounded by Cao Bang Province to the north, Thai Nguyen to the south, Lang Son to the east, and Tuyen Quang to the west. The mountain features include the Ngan Son arc mountains, that extend across most of the central-north of the country, except for some small plains scattered in several districts of the province. Together, the alluvial plains and river terraces cover less than 20% of the land area. A large proportion of the mountain area is limestone. Soils along the rivers’ banks are mixtures of silt clay and stone particulates that have been flushed by run off and precipitated from the water. These soils are poor in organic matter. In paddy terraces and narrow hill valleys, soil quality has been greatly improved by agricultural cultivation. Waterlogged areas with muddy layers and flooded grasses are sometimes seen in small areas

48. The terrain in Bac Kan generally slopes from north to south and the province is generally divided into two regions:

i) High mountainous region with common altitude of 500-600 masl primarily located in the north and northwest of the province and characterized by a high ratio of barren land. It occupies more than 60% of total land area.

ii) Low mountainous region mainly located in the south and characterized by fertile land. It occupies approx. 40% of total land area.

49. The low-mountains include low hills and some large plains formed by shale and schist overlain by a yellow soil cover of 0.8 to 2.0 meters.

50. The Project road is in the biophysically diverse northern mountainous highlands of Viet Nam that have formerly encountered major earthquakes and Bac Kan areas have also been subject to moderate seismic activity in the recent past but there is no record of recent volcanic activity in the mountains. The steep mountainous slopes, with their moderately thin layers of soils are particularly prone to erosion when vegetation is removed and soils are exposed to rainfall and surface water flows. Thus, water quality in the mountain streams and rivers can be rapidly degraded when soils are eroded and flushed in to them, and result increased turbidity that reduces water quality for aquatic life and domestic and livestock consumption. Heavy rainfall is responsible for deteriorated sections of national and rural roads. The Project roads pass through sedimentary limestone material. In between these karst ridges and slopes are recently

deposited gravels and silts in narrow river valleys. However soil type should have very little bearing on the implementation of the works.

3. Surface and Groundwater

51. The mountainous area of Bac Kan Province provides the catchments for three big rivers namely the Cau, the Pho Day and the Nang as well as many small rivers. The rivers, their tributaries, streams, rivulets and some reservoirs serve agriculture, domestic water supply and provide fish for human consumption. Water levels in the rivers and other water reserves vary several meters between seasons. In the dry season it is difficult for people living in mountainous areas to get enough water for their daily activities.

52. Some small rivers come near the project road. TL255 runs west-east and the western catchment of the Cau river but about 15 km distant from the river. The rivers and streams are an important resource to the people in the project area. River flows are the highest from April to October. Most of the streams and creeks discharge all year round carrying high sediment loads, depositing large quantities of gravels and sands in the lower reaches. During the wet season some of the bridges, causeways and culverts are regularly inundated, cutting off roads and villages. The area around Lung Luong has limestone caves and subterranean rivers travel through the rock formations.

53. The area provides a wide range of aquatic resources for subsistence and trade, as well as water for drinking, bathing, and crop irrigation. In addition, the larger rivers form local transportation routes and have potential for local small hydropower stations. There are three navigable rivers in the project area but transportation is mainly reliant on the roads.

54. None of the rivers near the Project road is subject to industrial pollution but there is a number of newly developed small industrial areas scattered alongside the road. Some quarries and mines are in operation mostly for limestone and/or gemstone exploitation. Occasional limestone quarries, stone-tile workshops, bamboo processing and saw mills are seen on the banks of the rivers that will affect the water quality in future.

55. Water quality monitoring was undertaken at 22 locations on Project roads in Bac Kan. The results are presented in Tables IV.1. Domestic supply is generally obtained wells within the boundary of properties or from uphill streams with river water being used for irrigation ad livestock. Therefore B1 is the appropriate standard for comparison purposes.

Table IV.1: Water quality at watercourses along the Project road TL255 – Bac Kan

Ref Sampling Location pH DO

(mg/l) BOD5 (mg/l)

COD (mg/l)

SS (mg/l)

Total oil(mg/l)

Coliform (MPN/10

0ml) 255 WQ-1 Coc Thu stream, N 22o10’21”; E 105o34’43” 7.3 7.4 1.2 4 9.0 0.05 380

255 WQ-2 Bản Bây stream- N 22o10’03”; E 105o30’54” 7.3 7.1 1.4 4 118.0 0.3 410

255 WQ-3 Na Khuat stream, N 22o10’27”; E105o29’50” 7.6 7.2 20 4 14.0 0.4 330

255 WQ-4 Stream of Thi village- N 22o12’04”; E105o28’43” 7.9 7.2 2.7 5 63.0 0.6 310

255 WQ-5 Stream of Vay village –N 22o13’20”;E 105o27’12” 7.9 7.3 2.8 5 97.0 0.30 360

QCVN 08:2008/BTNMT (Column A1 – domestic supply after treatment) 6-8.5 ≥6 4 10 20 0.01 2500

QCVN 08:2008/BTNMT (Column B1 – irrigation and livestock ) 6-8.5 ≥4 15 30 500 0.1 7500 Source: TA 7245 Consultant’s surveys 2009. Figures in bold italics exceed A1 – underlined exceed B1.

56. In some residential areas, surface water may be contaminated by domestic wastes as levels of oil and grease in almost all water samples exceeded the standard for total oil and grease in surface water (QCVN 08: 2008/BTNMT, column A1 and B1). The explanation may be high levels from domestic sources from food and cooking waste discharged to streams and that many of the sampling points are not in big streams or rivers but only in small water ways. In addition there is the local custom of washing motor bikes in the nearest stream which will cause oily residues to accumulate. Some rivers (e.g. Nang and Ha Hieu) originating from China, running through Cao Bang before flowing into Bac Kan territory, may also be contaminated by mining and other industrial activities occurring in the rivers’ upper reaches.

4. Air Quality

57. Air quality monitoring was undertaken at 6 locations on Project road TL255 in Bac Kan. The results are presented in Table IV.2. In general, air quality is within acceptable limits of Vietnamese environmental standards. The gaseous pollutants of carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) from traffic appear to be well dispersed in the open terrain and there is potentially adequate dispersion in the wide main streets of the towns. Air quality appears to be generally acceptable with the exception of dust concentrations. Dust in almost all samples slightly exceeded the Viet Nam environment standard. This is understandable owing to the poor condition of the road and dust arising when vehicles pass over unsealed shoulders of roads in many places. Dust concentrations will be higher, if only intermittently, within about 10 m of the Project road when dust rises as vehicles pass along the unpaved road shoulders. However dust levels are not high enough to obscure vision significantly, based on field observations.

58. The areas near the towns and villages at Na Tun have more potential sources of atmospheric pollution mainly from domestic sources but these are not making significant impacts on air quality based on observation. These areas are more polluted due to significant town development as well as emissions from a few modest industrial establishments. The other source of air pollution is dust arising from ground or soil disturbance. The Viet Nam criteria currently set by the MONRE will be used for the assessment.

Table IV.2 : Air quality and noise along the Project road TL255 – Bac Kan

Ref Sampling Location To

(oC) Humidity

(%) Noise (dBA)

CO (mg/m3)

SO2

(mg/m3)NO2

(mg/m3) Dust

(mg/m3) Pb

(mg/m3)

255 AQ -1 Cross road TL 255 from Ba Be to Bang Lung- N 22o10’19”; E 105o34’58”

31 78 50 1.9 0.006 0.000 0.29 0.0004

Ref Sampling Location To

(oC) Humidity

(%) Noise (dBA)

CO (mg/m3)

SO2

(mg/m3)NO2

(mg/m3) Dust

(mg/m3) Pb

(mg/m3)

255 AQ -2 Km4 to Yen Thuong commune, Chợ Đồn district- N 22o10’21”; E 105o33’18” 30 80 54 1.8 0.004 0.000 0.32 0.0003

255 AQ -3 Cross road to Don village, Yen Thuong commune- N 22o10’01”; E 105o30’59”

31 83 53 1.64 0.004 0.0004 0,43 0,0007

255 AQ -4 Cross road to Don village, Yen Thuong commune- N 22o11’06”; E 105o29’43”

31 85 55 1.9 0.004 0.000 0.36 0.0005

255 AQ -5 Yên Thịnh people’s committee- N 22o11’56”; E 105o28’52”

32 82 47 2.1 0.004 0,000 0.35 0.0007

255 AQ -6 Top of Keo Mac,Yen Thinh commune- N 22o13’43”; E 105o26’07”

33 79 40 1.2 0.003 0,000 0.32 0.0006

QCVN 05 -2009 BTNMT - - - 30 0.35 0.2 0.3 -

WHO interim 1 0.125 (24hr) 0.150 (PM10 24hr)

WHO guideline 0.020 (24hr) 0.050 (24hr)

TCVN 5949-1998 residential (World Bank) - - 60 (55) - - - - - Land use in the vicinity of all sampling locations was village houses surrounded by agricultural land.

Source: TA 7245 Consultant’s surveys 2009. Figures in bold italics exceed QCVN 05 -2009 BTNMT – underlined exceed TCVN 5949-1998 residetial.

5. Noise

59. Noise from vehicles is not a concern in the areas around the Project road at present as traffic is confined to occasional vehicles. Noise levels are within acceptable limits of Vietnamese standards. There is no criterion for road traffic noise in Viet Nam therefore the Vietnamese and World Bank ambient noise criteria will be applied. The World Bank applies an ambient standards of Leq55dB(A) for residential areas, hospitals and schools. Where the background exceeds the ambient standards the World Bank criterion is background +3dB(A). The Viet Nam ambient standards (TCVN 5949-1998) are Leq50dB(A) for hospitals and schools and Leq60dB(A) for residential areas. Measurements of background noise were taken as 1 hour LeqdB(A) at more than one location on each road. Background noise ranged from Leq40dB(A) to Leq60dB(A) with traffic. Therefore in the settlements and towns where traffic runs throughout the day the Viet Nam criterion of Leq50dB(A) for school and hospital sensitive receivers is potentially exceeded but the Leq60dB(A) criterion for residential sensitive receivers is not exceeded. As some of the Viet Nam criteria are exceeded at some times of the day it is recommended that in order to make a consistent assessment for all locations the existing World Bank criterion of background +3dB(A) will be applied in the assessment. The Viet Nam criterion of Leq40dB(A)1hour can be used for nighttime. However there is a general presumption that there will be no night time working except in exceptional circumstances.

B Biological Environment

1. Agriculture

60. Rice is the staple food in Bac Kan but in the cultivated areas around the Project road there is only a limited portion of the land area suitable for wet-paddy cultivation due to the project area’s terrain. Large wet-paddy areas are found in many of the project areas but rain-fed rice fields are also common and swidden rice cultivation is also practiced and vegetable and cash crops are produced as a substitute for rice deficiencies in many areas based on shifting cultivation. In addition to rice cultivation, a number of vegetable and cash crops are produced on a more commercial basis and as a substitute for rice deficiencies. In some cases, these are produced based on shifting cultivation. These crops include soya beans, cassava, green beans, peanuts, job’s tear,

sesame, corn, teak, mulberry fiber, and a variety of fruit trees. People maintain vegetable gardens near streams and riverbanks and plant fruit trees near their house to supplement diets and to generate cash income. A variety of vegetables are grown such as cabbage, cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, chilly eggplant, and pumpkin.

Table IV.3 : Land Use in Bac Kan Province*

Total Area (ha) Agriculture Forestry Special Use Land Homesteads

486,800 37,970 335,405 11,196 4,867

%* 7.8 68.9 2.3 <1 Source: Statistical Yearbook of Vietnam 2008, Statistical Publishing House, Hanoi 2009 . *Unused land is not listed.

61. The total area of the province is about 486,800 ha. Only about 8% of the total land area is classified as agricultural. The forested land area has declined significantly since the 1970s as a result of logging and slash-and-burn farming. Cash crops, mainly tea and nuts are also grown. Herbal plant cultivation is also common; both for self medication and sale.

62. Some of the valleys have good agricultural potential. Despite these significant areas of good agricultural potential, income levels are very low and people are vulnerable to land degradation, declining crop yields and low incomes limit the capacity of households to obtain food.

2. Forestry

63. The Project road stretches pass through agricultural areas and villages and small towns. The buffer zone of Nam Xuan Lac Nature Reserve is about 6 km from TL255. Consultations with the local forestry officers in Bac Kan confirmed that all the land outside settlements 6 m either side of the Project road centerline is declared as the ROW (Figure III.1). There is no National Park or Nature Reserve or Protection Forest near the Project road. The lands adjacent to the ROW ( more than 6 m from the road) are production forest in some areas. Trees within production forest areas with land use title can be cut and will probably go for local use. If for some unexpected reason the Project road alignments are changed and trees need to be cut for the upgrading of project roads there will be a need for the design consultants (DDC) and PPMU to inform the forest authority so they can plan, mark and cut them before construction works commence.

64. The local production forests are managed by the Forest Protection Department (FPD) in the Provincial Office of Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) according to the instructions and quotas for cutting and planting received from Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD). The Chief DARD indicated that the plantation forests outside the ROW are degraded and not that densely vegetated with mature trees but mainly small-diameter trees, bamboos and shrubs. Local officials indicated that trees can be cut with permission form the forest authority who mark the trees and areas of bamboo for cutting. Bamboo cutting is regulated by the villages under quotas. There is good cooperation locally with the villages and the forest authority.

65. The local forestry officers in Bac Kan could not provide any detailed information on the location or species composition of the nearest production forest. No other records of the species composition or the boundaries of the forests could be identified but the local officials indicated that much of the standing crop is bamboo and other small trees and shrubs. The production forests are plantations where residents plant certain tree species which are harvested later. Popular trees for planting include acacia, casuarinas, cajput, eucalyptus, and chinaberry but the most common is mo of “fat” tree (Mangleitia glauca). Trees within production forest areas with land use title can be cut and will probably go

for local use. If for some unexpected reason the Project roads’ alignment is changed and trees need to be cut for the upgrading of project roads there will be a need for the design consultants (DDC) to inform the forest authority so they can plan, mark and cut them first.

66. There are appreciable areas of forest visible in between the areas cleared for agriculture that can be seen at a distance from the Project road but there are no undisturbed forests near the Project road. There are no forests used for large timber extraction in any of the areas which are directly accessible from the Project roads. The nearby forests provide timber, vines and bamboo for the local population to construct dwellings and for craft work.

67. There was evidence of some small scale working of timber near the road but large scale timber extraction was not observed. The nearest protection forests are around the project roads but are not directly accessible by any paved roads. Some rural roads, if improved, could give better access to some areas declared as protected forests. The concerns expressed by the forestry officials about the declared Project roads are discussed below and in Chapter V.

3. Fauna and Flora

68. The human impact on the vegetation is most pronounced in the areas where grasslands created by numerous cycles of forest clearance for agriculture and their reversion to fallow gradually transformed the forest to short grassland with some secondary regrowth forest at the edges.

69. In 2007, the total forest-cover of Bac Kan province was some 335,000ha (approximately 70% of the province’s area). This includes 80% natural forests and the rest planted forests. At present about 210,000 ha are river-head forests and natural reserves that are protected by policies of national and local governments. Forest ecosystems have a high biodiversity and contain many valued and endangered species.

70. However near the project road there are no forest ecosystems with high biodiversity, ecologically protected areas, threatened or endangered species. The flora and fauna should not be directly affected by the work of upgrading the project roads. The patterns of movement of people and goods are established as are the normal agricultural activities of local people.

71. There are several areas that have been considered for protection for their biodiversity and conservation value in Bac Kan Province. Those nearest the TL255 are Ba Be National Park with the area of 7,610 ha and and Nam Xuan Lac Nature Reserve which was created in 2004 by the PPC in Bac Kan (decision 342/QDUB). These areas link up with continuing stretches of protected habitat in Tuyen Quang (Figure IV.1) and are home to many endemic, rare and endangered species. The Project road was in place before Ba Be Lake National Park and Nam Xuan Lac Nature Reserve were recognized as protected areas. Investment plans have been prepared and approved by PPC of Bac Kan and subsequently by MARD. Nature reserve management board is also established for Nam Xuan Lac Nature Reserve and the management activities by the provincial FPD have been in place for many years. Forestry officials did not express any particular concern about impacts of the Project road works for the biodiversity areas but they did note that road improvement may generally increase pressure on the protected areas.

4. Nam Xuan Lac Protected Area in Bac Kan Province

72. Background: Much of the alignment of Project road TL255 is about 8 km from the area known as Nam Xuan Lac Nature Reserve (NXLNR) that has been identified for

conservation, due to its biodiversity. However, at about Km 21 to Km 25, TL255 runs within about 6 km of the buffer zone for NXLNR.

73. Nam Xuan Lac was not originally included on GOV proposals regarding the national Special-use Forests system (FPD 2003). However, in 2001, a survey of Ban Thi and Xuan Lac communes, Cho Don district, was conducted as part of the “Creating Protected Areas for Resource Conservation Using Landscape Ecology (PARC) Project”. The objectives of this survey were to evaluate the biodiversity values of the site and to assess the suitability of the site for Special-use Forest status, either as part of a habitat extension of Na Hang proposed nature reserve (Tuyen Quang) or as a separate protected area. The survey revealed that the NXLNR site supports biodiversity of international importance. Consequently, Bac Kan Provincial FPD proposed establishing a 1,788 ha species/habitat conservation area (a sub-category of nature reserve), called Nam Xuan Lac.

74. In 2003, with the support of the PARC Project, Bac Kan Provincial FPD prepared and submitted a formal proposal and five-year investment plan (2004-2008) to Bac Kan Provincial People's Committee and MARD for the establishment of a species/habitat conservation area at Nam Xuan Lac. With support from the PARC Project, Bac Kan Provincial FPD developed a trial management structure for Nam Xuan Lac, which introduced a co-management approach for the site. Subsequently Provincial People's Committee of Bac Kan approved creation of the Nam Xuan Lac Nature Reserve (Decision 342/QD-UB 19th March 2004).

75. The Bac Kan FPD indicated that the boundaries of the buffer zone are currently under review and may be brought closer to the TL255 than is presently the case. The boundaries will be modified to exclude many agricultural areas and include other areas of important and improving habitat in the buffer zones. The proposed revised boundaries have not yet been drawn up.

76. Information and maps received from Bac Kan FPD indicate that the NXLNR has been included on the provincial and district zoning maps. The current boundary is shown on Figure IV.2.

77. Boundaries and Land Use: The Bac Kan FPD indicated that the approximate location of the buffer zone is as presented in Figure IV.2. The area is being managed by Bac Kan FPD and the Nam Xuan Lac Nature Reserve Management Board (NXLNRMB).

78. The 25 km section of the existing road TL255 due for upgrading is situated between the border with Tuyen Quang and Bang Lung (Cho Don). The Nam Xuan Lac Nature Reserve is generally about 8 km to 10 km to the north of TL255. TL255 connects with TL187 at the border with Tuyen Quang in the west and runs from the border 25 km south east and then east wards to join TL254 just north of Bang Lung. At about Km 21 to Km 25, TL255 runs within about 6 km of the buffer zone for Nam Xuan Lac Nature Reserve as indicated by the NXLNRMB. The land use in these areas is mainly agro-forestry, agricultural fields, or grass, ferns and shrubs with a few scattered trees. There are also a few orchards and a few areas of plantation trees and bamboo groves. The rest of the alignment is generally more than 8 km south and west from the area indicated by Bac Kan provincial FPD to be the buffer zone of NXLNR. The buffer zone was not shown on the maps provided by Bac Kan provincial FPD or NXLNRMB Management Board but officials pointed to the areas on other maps provided. Figure IV.2 was then compiled accordingly. Photo-reconnaissance was conducted at regular intervals along TL255 and some photographs are presented in Appendix A.

79. The existing land use along TL255 is mainly agricultural and mixed with agro-forestry in the hilly areas near the border with Tuyen Quang. The major land use is agricultural in the lower valley areas of the Song Chi Nue River. There are a few villages

from Km 20 to Km 25 but from Km 0 to Km 20 the whole of length of the area served by TL255 is settled and it runs through a series of villages. In between the villages there are agricultural fields and a few areas of plantation trees and many bamboo groves. The vegetation near the road is garden trees, agricultural crops in the fields, grass and shrubs with a few scattered trees (Appendix A). Forests that are present in the districts that the road runs through are generally more than three kilometers much further north from the Project road.

C. Social-Cultural Environment

1. Human Issues and Quality of Life

80. Bac Kan province shares borders with many mountainous provinces. It is enclosed by Cao Bang in the north and Lang Son in the northeast, Tuyen Quang in the west and Thai Nguyen in the south. The province has a population of some 306,800 people giving a population density 63 persons/km2. The province has 23 ethnic groups. 54% of the populations are Tay people, 23% are Kinh, 17% are Dao and 5% are Nung people. The remaining ethnic groups make up 1%. The main ethnic group in Bac Kan is the Kinh people and the rest are ethnic minorities such as Mong, Tay, Dao, Nung, Giay, La Chi, Hoa, Pa Then, Co Lao, Lo Lo, Phu Noi. About 85% of the population lives in rural areas. Tay people represent 54% and Kinh people represent 23% of the total population. The remaining 23% are composed of other ethnic groups.

81. The average population density of 63 persons/km2 is relatively high for a rural area especially in Asia. About 60% of the total population live on the lowlands and the river valleys mainly in densely populated areas. Tay and Nung ethnic groups live on the lower mountainous slopes, and make up about 60% of the population. In Bac Kan, Yao and H’mong are highlanders who usually live in areas more than 1,000 meters above sea level (masl). They make up about 22% of the total population, retain their traditional languages and culture and inhabit extremely remote areas.

82. The strong agricultural pressures constrain the opportunities for people living in these areas. Income levels are generally very low except in the main towns and the areas around the Project roads have some of the most disadvantaged districts in Viet Nam. A detailed description of the socioeconomic environment of the study area is given in the social and ethnic and poverty assessment reporting for the project.

2. Land Use

83. The dominant land use in the vicinity of the Project road is agriculture that has been developed over many cycles. Irrigated rice and vegetable fields are most common. There are also several towns and villages scattered all along the Project road.

84. Bac Kan has abundant natural resources and a rugged landscape. The province is famous for its limestone mountains and caverns, with many caves in the area. The Kim Hy and Nam Xuan Lac nature reserve and Ba Be National Park have ecotourism potential, with their high numbers of mammals and other wildlife species. The FFI Society is in the process of researching ecotourism development in the area that would provide income to local communities in support of conservation.

85. The province has spectacular scenery and fine textile traditions. Bac Kan, like other mountainous provinces in North Vietnam, is famous for its intricate silk and cotton weavings. Textiles from this region are also recognized to be among the finest in Asia.

3. Cultural and historical sites, schools and housing

86. The province is home to number of cultural and historical sites but none near the project roads. There are places of worship nearby in some villages. There are graves placed along the roads but always more than 5m outside the road corridor and more than 10 m from the centerline and away from where the rehabilitation and upgrading works would need to take place.

87. Schools are located along the roads many locations but not in proximity to the main Project roads. The boundaries of the school playgrounds and gates are generally near to the road (within 10 m) but the noise sensitive facades of the school buildings are generally set well back from the Project roads by more that 30 m; outside the corridor of impact. However schools are particularly vulnerable to construction impacts and the scheduling of works near schools at Na Tun and Na Khuoi on road 255 should be scheduled after discussions with the school principals to avoid impacts.

88. Traditional shops and houses are located at intervals all along the Project roads and residential development is spread out in patches along the roads. The ROW is not marked out in detail but in the villages the front facades of the houses are generally next to the road (just outside the corridor of impact) with the front fences and walls or temporary structures just a few meters from the existing road edge in many places. Some land acquisition will be required in places and relocation of some properties or resettlement. Land acquisition requirements are in the Resettlement Plan.

4. Power supply

89. Electrical power is supplied in Bac Kan from the EVN (Electricity of Vietnam) grid in Vietnam. The low voltage distribution network runs on poles adjacent to the Project road and will need to be protected during the works. Many of these poles and lines may need to be reprovisoned before the upgrading works commence to ensure continuity of power supply. Small hydropower stations are present in many places Bac Kan and contribute a reasonable amount of electricity for local consumption. The Project road works must be programmed not do create any impacts on these stations.

Figure IV.1: Nature Reserves in Bac Kan Province

Figure IV.2: Nam Xuan Lac Nature Reserve Buffer Zone and TL 255, Bac Kan Province

V. ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES

90. This section discusses the potential environmental impacts of the proposed upgrading of road TL255 and identifies mitigation measures to minimize the impacts in the design, construction and operation.

91. The main physical issues relate to impacts such as earthworks, erosion control, obtaining rock based construction materials, noise, dust, spoil disposal, disposal of other waste, and water quality. Blasting cannot be ruled out but the requirement for blasting is likely to be minimal and will be determined at the detailed design stage and reviewed during construction. The construction for the civil works will create dust, noise and vibration and the prevention of landslides must be addressed. The main biological issues relate to acquisition of agricultural land, impacts to rivers and removal of occasional trees in the works areas. There is no issue of interference with sites protected for their biodiversity as the stretch of Project road TL255 is about 6 km from the buffer zone of Nam Xuan Lac Nature Reserve. There will be no interference with protected forests as the works will be within the ROW for the Project roads. The social and human impacts to village life and impacts to social infrastructure will be of short duration and these have been subject to detailed assessment in the Resettlement Plan.

92. Due to the distance from the nature reserve and the small scale nature of the road widening works, there are no measurable adverse impacts on critical or natural habitats that can be foreseen which could impair the biodiversity value or function of nature reserves or protected forest areas. The improvements to the Project road are not anticipated to lead to a reduction in the population of any recognized endangered or critically endangered species and there will be no loss of valuable habitats that could compromise the host ecosystem.

93. However the forest and nature reserve management authorities perceive that there may be some indirect or induced impacts on timber exploitation. The Project road stretch passes through agricultural areas and villages and small towns. The PPMU will co-operate with the Forest Protection Department and management boards of the protected areas to introduce mitigation measures construction phase to avoid or minimize any further conversion or degradation of protected areas and mitigation measures have been included in the EMP to prevent further conversion or degradation of biodiversity and to provide enhancement where practicable. The PPMU will also make sure that none of the design, conservation or operational impacts compromise the effectiveness of the two programmes currently running to protect the rare or endangered species in the nature reserve, i.e., the Human and Resource Conservation Fund programme for protection of wildlife and the Vietnam Conservation Fund (VCF) capacity enhancement management & awareness programme. As the proposed road improvement is small scale, there are few opportunities to enhance habitat however mitigation measures have been included in the EMP to prevent further conversion or degradation of biodiversity and to provide enhancement where practicable.

94. The potential environmental impacts in the design, construction and operational phases are assessed below. Where impacts are significant enough to exceed accepted environmental standards, mitigation is proposed in order to reduce residual impact to acceptable levels and achieve the expected outcomes of the project. The criteria for assessment are in line with ADBs SPS, or if the GOV standard is stricter, the national standards and criteria set by GOV. Where GOV has no set of standards or guidelines, the standards given in World Bank’s Environmental Health and Safety Guidelines4 are

4 World Bank, Environmetal Health and Safety General Guidelines 2007, Washington D.C.

used. The EMP is presented in Table VIII.2 as a matrix of mitigation and monitoring measures to prevent or minimize the impacts.

A Design / Pre-Construction Phase

95. The proposed project involves upgrading of a single carriageway existing road. As the existing alignment of the road will be followed, route selection is established but there may be minor adjustment at the detailed design stage. There are a number of mitigation measures that will need to be carried out by the project detailed design consultant engineers (DDC) and checked by the PCC to avoid construction impacts by good design and to minimize operational environmental impacts. DDC will be engaged by the PPMU. The PCC will be engaged by the JCC. Detailed design will be required to ensure that the upgraded road can cope with flooding. Bridges will be designed to withstand a 100 year return storm event and culverts will be designed to withstand a 25 year return storm event in line with Viet Nam standards (TCVN 4054–20055). In line with ADB policy on environmentally responsible procurement, opportunities to provide environmental enhancements will also be identified in the detailed design as well as routine matters such as avoiding unnecessary removal of trees and compensatory and enhancement planting. The opportunities for design, construction and operational enhancements have been included in the Environmental Management Plan (EMP). However as the detailed designs will be completed later, the IEE (together with the EMP) will be updated by the PCC based on the designs by the DDC during the detailed design phase, or a new environmental assessment report will be undertaken for submission to ADB if there are any changes to Project design that would result to environmental impacts or risks that are not within the scope of the current IEE.

1. Design measures and project disclosure

96. The DDC in cooperation with PCC and PPMU will prepare the detailed designs to address the requirements below including, but not necessarily be limited to the following design requirements, and all relevant measures in Table VIII.2:

i) Acquisition of agricultural land will be minimized for temporary facilities (if needed) by selecting preferred locations in detailed designs for construction yards and asphalt plant on barren or marginal land and agree terms with local community.

ii) Potential solution spaces to ensure sufficient disposal space for cut surface spoil materials and to avoid fly-tipping will be identified in advance by the DDC and approved by PPMU and PCC and the local community before bidding.

iii) Arrangements will be made to facilitate the timely production and supply of rock and bitumen based materials for construction and to avoid impacts due to unnecessary stockpiling near the Project road route.

iv) Extensions and improvements of drainage culverts for the Project road will be designed to account for increased rain due to a once in 100 year return storm event.

v) Hydrological and drainage impacts during construction will be minimized by including in the detailed design early phasing of replacement of culverts and other infrastructure.

vi) Disruption to current facilities for water supply will be avoided and facilities will be retained or re-provisioned before construction works commence; provisions will be made to preserve the operation of current facilities for water supply in sufficient quantity in agreement with the local community.

5 TCVN 4054 – 2005: Bridges 100 yer return storm enent, culverts 25 year return storm enent.

vii) Disruption to current power supply will be avoided and movement of power lines will be planned well in advance. Power distribution circuitry will be re-provisioned before construction works commence; provisions will be made to preserve the operation of current facilities for power supply in sufficient quantity in agreement with the local power supply company.

viii) Plans to minimize disturbance of vehicular traffic and pedestrians during construction will be included in the detailed designs. Phasing for construction will retain a passing lane along part of the road during construction in detailed designs programming and avoid community severance.

ix) Aim to provide enhancements under ADB policy on environmentally responsible procurement and avoid negative impacts due to unnecessary removal of trees.

97. The roads requiring improvement are part of the existing road corridor and although the ROW is wide enough for the upgrading there are some encroachments and there will be some requirement for resettlement. This will probably be needed at a few hundred locations subject to confirmation and these requirements are presented in the Resettlement Plan.

98. The final alignment will be disclosed to DONRE and a check will be made at the detailed design stage that the road alignment has been designed as planned. The IEE/EMP shall be updated by the PPMU/PCC and resubmitted to ADB and incorporating any recommendations and requirements from the DONRE/MONRE, should there be additional environmental impacts not identified in this IEE and for which appropriate mitigation measures have not been included in the EMP. Further, if during detailed design there are any changes to Project design (such as change in alignment) that would result to environmental impacts or risks that are not within the scope of the current IEE, the PCC during the detailed design phase shall update the IEE (together with the EMP) or prepare a new environmental assessment report for submission to ADB. Prior to preparation of the updated or new environmental assessment report, the proposed Project change shall be screened by ADB for its potential environmental impacts and risks to determine the appropriate extent and type of environmental assessment to be undertaken. During Project implementation either, an updated IEE, an updated EMP or a new environmental assessment report, as necessary, shall be submitted to ADB for clearance, if any unanticipated environmental risks and impacts arise. The appropriate document for submission shall be determined by ADB. PPMU will also establish the Grievance Redress Mechanism at this stage before site works commence.

2. Project boundaries change near sensitive receivers

99. The residential sensitive receivers (SRs) near the Project road are generally set back sufficiently for traffic fumes to be dispersed and road traffic noise will not be sufficient to affect the sensitive receivers. At this stage and given the modest traffic flows it appears that neither the Viet Nam criterion of 60B(A) for sensitive developments such as residences or the World Bank criterion of 55B(A) at the sensitive receiver for new noise sensitive developments such as residences, schools, colleges and hospitals could comfortably be achieved in the operation al phase. Noise and dust in construction will need to be controlled.

100. There are no medical facilities near the Project road. The roadside cemeteries are generally set back from the working areas and the DDC will carefully design the Project road works to avoid the cemeteries. The occasional roadside tea and food stalls are also set back from the likely working areas for road rehabilitation. There are many schools in Project road areas but the sensitive facades are also set well back from the road by more than 50 m. There may be some as yet unidentifiable refinements to the alignment at the detailed design stage that mean the works must take place over a slightly different area. As mentioned above, a new environmental assessment or an updated IEE (together with the EMP) shall be prepared by PPMU/PCC if refinements or changes to

the project alignment, based on the detailed design, would result to environmental impacts or risks that are not within the scope of the current IEE. Such documents shall be submitted for ADB’s review before changes are implemented.

3. Environmental capacity development of PPMU

101. PCC/PPMU will make sure that PPMU’s Environmental and Safety Officer (ESO) is trained and prepared to ensure that future contractors will be primed to cooperate with the implementing agency, project management, PSC, PCC and local population in the mitigation of environmental impacts. The PPMU would dedicate a suitably qualified staff as ESO to undertake this task and to ensure project activities do not compromise programmes currently running to protect the rare or endangered species in the nature reserve such as the Human and Resource Conservation Fund programme for protection of wildlife and the Vietnam Conservation Fund (VCF) capacity enhancement management and awareness programme. The PCC will also develop strengthening plan for the environmental management by PPMU and retention of environmental staff. Details of the proposed environmental capacity building for PPMU are provided in Chapter VIII (Environmental Management Plan).

4. Preparation of specific EMPs

102. The contractors will be primed by including the Project EMP (Table VIII.2 of the IEE) and specific EMPs (SEMPs) in the bidding and contract documentation. Prior to bidding, the PCC will produce a series of method statements or SEMPs that the contractors will need to implement. The broad content of the SEMPs is included in the construction mitigation section. The SEMPs will demonstrate the manner (location, responsibilities, schedule/ timeframe, budget, etc.) in which the contractors will implement the mitigation measures specified in the EMP.

103. Based on the EMP, the following method statements or SEMPs shall be prepared by the PCC in the preconstruction/detailed design stage for implementation by the contractors:

i) Waste Management and Spoil Disposal Plan (WMSDP) for handling, storage, treatment, transport and disposal of solid and liquid wastes, hazardous materials, hazardous wastes and excavation spoils. The WMSDP will also provide details of a trip ticket system to ensure that contractors dispose excavation spoils in approved areas. Such system will be designed so that the PSC and PCC could readily monitor the volume and disposal site of excavation spoils, and to ensure that the total volume of spoils disposed will not exceed the maximum capacity of disposal sites approved by local authorities.

ii) Materials Management Plan (MMP) detailing arrangements to be made to facilitate the timely production and supply of construction materials to avoid impacts due to unnecessary stockpiling outside the Project site.

iii) Drainage Management Plan (DMP) to ensure that construction works will not cause ponding/flooding within the Project site, construction camps, borrow/quarry areas, other areas used for project-related activities and adjacent areas.

iv) Erosion Control Plan (ECP) to ensure that construction works will not cause excessive runoff and siltation of adjacent waterways within the Project site, have sufficient provisions to ensure stabilization of cut slopes and other erosion-prone areas, minimize hydrological impacts, flooding and erosion of river banks and adjacent areas and to protect the works under construction;

v) Tree-cutting and Replanting Plan (TRP) to ensure indiscriminate tree-cutting shall be avoided by clearly defining areas where vegetation removal is necessary based on Project requirements and that replanting shall be done to compensate for lost trees.

vi) Temporary Traffic Management Plan (TTMP) to minimize disturbance of vehicular traffic and pedestrians during construction. Access arrangements for vehicles accessing the Project area will be formulated such that this will avoid community disturbance and severance and will at least retain a passing lane along all roads used during construction.

vii) Utilities and Irrigation Reprovisioning Plan (UIRP) to minimize interruption to power, water supply telecoms and irrigation system;

viii) Noise and Dust Control Plan (NDCP) to minimize impacts to sensitive receptors (residential areas, schools, hospitals, etc.) due to construction works, sourcing and transport of construction materials, and other project-related activities.

ix) Workers and Public Safety Plan (WPSP) to identify interfaces between the works and public and ensure worker and public safety and prevent accidents due to the construction works.

5. Environmentally responsible procurement

104. All the above management plans will be agreed in advance with PPMU/PCC in the project preparation phase and included in contract documentation. The requirements in the contract will include full implementation of the EMP. PPMU/PCC shall ensure that the EMP are included in the bid and contract documents for civil works. PPMU shall require the contractor to engage capable and trained staff or site agents to take responsibility for the environmental management at the working level and to audit the effectiveness of the contractor’s SEMP and review mitigation measures as the project proceeds. The effective implementation of the SEMP will be audited as part of the loan conditions and the executing agency (PPC) will be prepared for this. In this regard, the JCC and PPMU (implementing agency) will also prepare to allow sufficient resources for the PCC to fulfill the EMP requirements. The international and national environment specialists in PCC will train environmental officers of PPMU to guide the contractors on the environmental aspects of road construction. This process has begun on other road projects and will be carried forward in this project. Any recent recommendations and initiatives from MONRE/DONRE or other local environmental and forestry authorities will be incorporated in the EMP and updated and audited as necessary.

6. Unexploded ordinance (UXO)

105. In order to avoid the risks from UXO and avoid accidents, the PPMU will coordinate with appropriate agencies at the design stage to identify if UXO is a potential threat to works in the project areas and PPMU shall commission UXO clearing, as necessary. The contractors shall only commence site works after advise from PPMU that the UXO clearing firm has certified that the project areas are already cleared of UXO.

7. Ambient environmental baseline data

a. Air quality and Noise

106. Baseline data on air quality and noise levels shall be collected before commencement of civil works. Such data will help in assessing project impacts during implementation.

107. PCC shall collect baseline data on total suspended particulates (TSP) and noise levels at each district along the alignment. At least two weeks before commencement of civil works, field sampling for TSP and noise will be conducted at representative sensitive receptors (SR), i.e., sampling stations shall be established and sampled for various SR types as follows: (i) residential area, (ii) school/office, (iii) temple and (iv) hospital/health center. Field measurements for TSP shall be carried out using 1-hr averaging period based on the prescribed methodology in QCVN 05:2009/BTNMT (Viet Nam Ambient Air Quality Standard).

108. Noise impacts may be short lived, although can be very intrusive if not controlled properly. Noise measurement shall be undertaken at the same sites sampled for TSP and shall follow the methodology specified in TCVN 5949: 1998 (Noise in Public and Residential Areas– Allowable Noise Levels). Noise shall be measured in dB(A) over a 24 hours covering the different periods (i.e., 6h to 18h, 18h to 22h and 2h to 6h). Measurement will also be taken to establish if the World Bank criterion of Leq55dB(A)1-hour is exceeded at the measurement points. If it is exceeded by the existing noise a criterion of background +3dB(A) will be applied in the monitoring. The criterion of Leq50dB(A) can be used where background is below Leq50dB(A)1hour. Works are not expected to be carried out at night but if this is unavoidable for unexpected reasons separate measurements will also be taken before construction commences to establish if the Viet Nam criterion of Leq40dB(A)1-hour is exceeded and the monitoring assessment criteria will be established accordingly.

109. Information such as recent rainfall will be documented as part of the baseline measurement. The sampling report will also specify if the sampling was undertaken during the rainy or dry season. Time and date of sampling, sources of dust and noise emissions during the sampling period, comparison of results to applicable standards shall also be included in the report. Actual location of the sampling stations shall be described in the report and plotted on a map together with GPS readings. The noise and TSP baseline monitoring will be reported by PCC at the end of the detailed design period, either in the detailed design report or in a dedicated baseline monitoring report before the bidding documents are completed.

b. Water quality

110. Baseline data on surface water quality shall be collected by PCC. Sampling points shall be established in at least three major river crossings were bridge repairs and replacement will be undertaken as well as on river/stream sections close to construction camps (i.e., rivers that will most likely receive run-off/discharge from construction/workers’ camps). Baseline sampling shall be conducted at least two weeks before civil works contractors are deployed. Parameters will include pH, temperature, turbidity, dissolved oxygen (DO), oil and grease, and total suspended solids (TSS). For rivers/streams close to construction/workers’ camps, the following additional parameters shall also be analyzed: biological oxygen demand – 5 days (BOD5), coliform and fecal coliform. Sampling and analytical methodology shall be consistent with QCVN 08:2008/BTNMT (Viet Nam National Regulation for Surface Water Quality).

111. PCC shall collect water samples 20 m before (upstream) and 20 m after (downstream) the bridges at mid-width and mid-depth at each of the river crossings along the road alignment to establish a reference baseline. An industry standard multi-parameter water quality meter could be used for pH, DO, turbidity and temperature.

112. Information on weather conditions during sampling, recent rainfall, etc. will be documented as part of the baseline measurement. The sampling report will also specify if the sampling was undertaken during the rainy or dry season. Time and date of sampling, potential sources of contaminants/pollutants during the sampling period, comparison of results to applicable standards shall also be included in the report. Actual location of the sampling stations shall be described in the report and plotted on a map together with GPS readings. The water quality baseline monitoring will be reported by PCC at the end of the detailed design period, either in the detailed design report or in a dedicated baseline monitoring report before the bidding documents are completed.

113. For rivers that do not mix well, and/or are highly polluted such that it is likely that there will be different DO and TSS values at river bottom than at mid depth, samples shall be collected near river bottom.

Table V.1 –Maximum allowable concentration of pollutants in surface water.

No. Parameter Unit Permissible Limit

A B A1 A2 B1 B2

1 pH 6-8.5 6-8.5 5.5-9 5.5-9 2 Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Mg/l ≥ 6 ≥ 5 ≥ 4 ≥ 2 3 Total Suspended Solids (TSS) Mg/l 20 30 50 100 4 Oil & grease Mg/l 0.01 0.02 0.1 0.3 5 BOD5 Mg/l 4 6 15 25 6 Coliform MPN/ 100ml 2500 5000 7500 10000 7 Fecal coliform MPN/100ml - - - -

Source: QCVN 08:2008/BTNMT Note: A1: Water source for domestic use and other purposes.

A2: Water source for domestic use with appropriate treatment technology; for aquatic organism conservation and other purposes.

B1: Water source for Irrigation or other similar purposes. B2: Water source for waterway transport and other purpose of low quality water uses.

Parameters 1 to 4: to be analyzed for all river/stream samples Parameters 5 to 7: to be analyzed only for samples from river and stream sections which are likely

to receive/or will receive run-off/discharge from construction/workers’ camps

114. Information such as recent rainfall will be documented as part of the baseline measurement. The sampling report will also specify if the sampling was undertaken during the rainy or dry season. Potential sources of pollution shall also be included in the report.

115. The (Table V.2) below shows the QCVN standards that will be used for the Project.

Table V.2 – QCVN/TCVN Standards applicable to the project.

Subject Standard Comment

Noise TCVN 5949: 1998 (Noise in Public and Residential Areas– Allowable Noise Levels)

Leq50dB(A) 1hour schools hospitals Leq60dB(A) 1hour residential

Baseline +3dB(A) Use if TCVN is exceeded by baseline

Air Quality QCVN 05:2009/BTNMT (Viet Nam Ambient Air Quality Standard)

Water Quality QCVN 08:2008/BTNMT (Viet Nam National Regulation for Surface Water Quality)

Safety Labour Code of Viet Nam, Decree 06/CP 1995, Decree / 202 ND-CP OP 2002 and Circular 13/ BYT 24 Oct 1996.

Source: MONRE Website

8. Enhancements

116. Environmental enhancements have not been a major consideration in the assessment of earlier projects. However it is noted that it has been common practice in many paces to plant trees along highways to provide visual interest in line with best international practice for highway design. Locations to create some local soft landscaping where successful planting of trees and shrubs could be accomplished and should be investigated at the detailed design stage. This practice should be in addition to tree replacement and be encouraged as far as practicable and to foster good will with the local community. It is also possible that the cross drainage and culverts may be modified to assist in the collection of surface water for irrigation purposes. Other opportunities for enhancements can be assessed prior to construction and proposed enhancements should be discussed with the local population to identify stewardship of any planting and also to serve as a vehicle for further public consultation at the implementation stage and to assist in public relations.

9. Measures to enhance protection of Nam Xuan Lac Nature Reserve

117. Project impacts: The buffer zone for the protected area is more that 6 km from most of the Project road stretch. Although this distance suggests that there are unlikely to be direct, indirect or induced effects from the Project works, Bac Kan FPD and the NXLNRMB have indicated some concern in this regard and that the buffer zone to the protected area may already be under pressure due to illegal logging. Bac Kan FPD and the NXLNRMB have also suggested that with the improved road there could be induced or indirect future impacts that result in additional pressure on forest resources in the buffer zone due to illegal logging. It is not possible to quantify these perceived effects and Bac Kan FPD and the NXLNRMB have therefore requested additional resources to (a) increase patrols in the protected areas and (b) to monitor and inspect vehicles coming from areas to the east of the Project road (nearer the buffer zone) during operation phase. The objective is to mitigate the perceived additional pressure on forest resources that may be brought about by the Project road improvements, be they direct, induced, indirect or future impacts.

118. TL255 is located well outside of the NXLNR buffer zone such that road improvement works are not expected to adversely affect this protected area, DONRE requirements with regard to the use of licensed quarries and borrow pits will apply. Locations for all such Project activities and worker camps must also be must be agreed with the local authorities before works commence.

119. The cutting of trees near the project road will be restricted by the rules of the Bac Kan FPD and permission must be obtained by the PDOT/PPMU and contractors from the FPD before trees are cut.

120. The Bac Kan FPD has indicated that there are some current difficulties in preventing illegal cutting of trees in the district. Trees can be cut for local use with permission but there is some illegal extraction of timber and in the year up to November 2010 there were about twenty cases of illegal logging in the vicinity of NXLNR. The Bac Kan FPD indicated that they believe the timber is being extracted westwards. However with an improved road NXLNR it would be much easier for the loggers to get the timber transported out of the jurisdiction of Bac Kan once they were on the improved road, especially at night. The Bac Kan FPD has indicated that there are also some current difficulties in preventing illegal hunting and that poaching in the area around the Project road. Therefore the NXLNR is sensitive to indirect or induced Project road impacts.

121. The management board of NXLNR (NXLNRMB) did not identify any particular local problems with project construction activities in the area around the Project road TL255 as it is on an existing road and is 6 km from the buffer zone. Therefore, Project road construction impacts on the nature reserve are not expected. The NXLNRMB informed the consultants that there are no restrictions in the NXLNR management plan that would place restrictions on the road improvement works under this Project. DONRE requirements with regard to the use of licensed quarries and borrow pits will apply. The Project will not locate quarries and borrow sites, worker camps, waste disposal areas and other project facilities within NXLNR. Locations for all such Project activities and worker camps must also be with the local authorities before works commence.

122. Need for mitigation measures: Project specific mitigation measures are required to protect forest resources in the form of controlling worker camp operations to reduce pressure on the surrounding forests, including those in NXLNR. Such mitigation measures are identified in the EMP. In addition normal administrative requirements for cutting trees and locating Project activities will be required by the Bac Kan FPD and the NXLNR Management Board (as necessary).

123. TL255 forms part a part of a network of roads that is already well developed. Traffic will increase gradually. There will be other benefits in improved traveling conditions and vehicle cost savings that will off set the traffic impacts. But it is expected that there will

be increases in the number of vehicles movements as a result of Project road upgrading. Bac Kan FPD and the NXLNRMB have indicated that in the absence of facilities to monitor and inspect vehicles coming from areas to the north and east of the Project road there could potentially be some uncontrolled access for exploitation of forest resources due to illegal logging.

124. The statutory provisions under the laws of Viet Nam cover pollution control, the forestry protection acts cover exploitation of forest products and there are also laws to protect wildlife. These laws are established. Pollution control and resource exploitation can be controlled by the usual procedures and DONRE environmental clearances as required in the EMP.

125. Bac Kan FPD and the NXLNRMB have indicated that they have concerns about the increased opportunity for induced impacts due to possible increases in uncontrolled access for exploitation of forest resources caused by the improved road conditions due to the Project. Additional measures have been requested by Bac Kan FPD and the NXLNRMB to support site specific management of illegal logging.

126. It has been requested by NXLNRMB in discussions that additional resources be provided in order to reduce the opportunities for uncontrolled access for exploitation of forest resources. The direct impacts due to worker force getting access to the forest can be controlled by the environmental management plan (Chapter V) but the NXLNRMB see a need for additional resources to enhance patrolling in the area upon completion of road improvement works. To address this concern, the project will provide a check point/forest patrol station for additional day and night patrols to be deployed by FPD and NXLNRMB during operation phase of the improved road TL255. This measure will attempt to reduce exploitation of forest resources induced by the Project. As requested, provision has been included in the EMP cost for a new checking station near the end of the Project road at the Bac Kan/Tuyen Quang border (Km24+700 approximately).

B Construction Phase

127. The source of the construction impacts from the Project road will include (i) excavation and reconstruction of the embankments, (ii) reconstruction of the single carriageway pavement (5.5m wide) plus hard shoulders; (iii) construction, repair and reconstruction of bridges (iv) ensuring road drainage and access near villages and at other key areas is unimpaired by extension of numerous culverts; and (vi) installing slope stabilization and bioengineering measures, landscaping and accessories. In the hilly areas there will also be some slope cutting which will give rise to significant amounts of spoil for disposal. In this IEE project construction supervision is assumed to be carried out by PPMU.

1. Activate SEMPs and obtain permits and licenses.

128. The PCC will be engaged by JCC to assist PPMU in line with ADB policy on environmentally responsible procurement. The PCC will train and supervise the contractors to carry forward the environmental mitigation measures and enhancements identified in the detailed designs. The PCC will prepare SEMPs at the design stage. The benchmark for monitoring and reporting on the contractor’s environmental performance are the Project EMP (Table VIII.2 of the IEE), SEMPs,and any additional mitigation measures that may be required during construction phase. PPMU shall ensure that contractors and their suppliers comply with all statutory requirements for permits from DONRE with regard to use of mechanical equipment, establishment and operation of construction plants such as asphalt plant, concrete batching plant, rock crusher, spoils disposal, etc.

2. Orientation of contractor

129. PCC shall orient the workers on implementation of construction mitigation measures in the Project EMP, SEMPs and any additional mitigation measures that may be required during construction phase.

3. Loss of trees and impacts to fauna

130. The tree-cutting and replanting plan (TRP) designed by the PCC will be prepared with the designs and before vegetation clearing is undertaken. Cut slopes will be designed not to undercut or destabilize adjacent tree lined slopes and clearing of trees will be minimized in SEMP. The local forestry authority will be informed and will approve cutting and replacement of cut of trees based on the TRP. The PCC and PSC will ensure that contractors follow the TRP and local forest authorities may monitor marking of vegetation that will be removed under its jurisdiction. The TRP will be agreed with forest authority prior to commencement of construction. The PSC and PCC will supervise and monitor to check that the contractors do not remove any trees not covered by the TRP prior to commencement or during construction unless agreed with the PSC, PCC, PPMU and forest authority.

131. The PSC and PCC will supervise and monitor to check that the contractors to carry forward the mitigation measures and environmental enhancements identified in the SEMP as well as routine matters such as avoiding unnecessary removing of trees and compensatory and enhancement planting.

132. The PSC and PCC will supervise and monitor a ban on use of forest timber and Workers shall be prohibited from cutting trees for firewood.

133. Invasive species shall not be introduced. During replanting/revegetation works, new alien plant species (i.e., species not currently established in the region of the project) shall not be used unless carried out with the existing regulatory framework for such introduction. All replanting and compensatory planting will be planned in full agreement with the local forest authority.

134. The contractors will not use or permit the use of wood as a fuel for the execution of any part of the Works, including but not limited to the heating of bitumen and bitumen mixtures, and to the extent practicable shall ensure that fuels other than wood are used for cooking, and water heating in all his camps and living accommodations. The contractors shall not buy or use wood from the illegal sources (that come from the illegal logging). No construction camps, asphalt mixing plants, material storage sites are to be located in the forest areas. The Contractor will take all precautions necessary to ensure that damage to vegetation is avoided due to fires resulting from execution of the works. The Contractor will immediately suppress the fire, if it occurs, and shall undertake replanting to replace damaged vegetation.

135. The PPMU, PSC and PCC will supervise and monitor a ban on use of forest timber that will be included in the SEMP and workers shall be prohibited from cutting trees for firewood. The TRP will include as a minimum consideration of:

i) Identification of trees to be cut and locations ii) Ban on use of timber for fuel and ban taking of cycads and orchids from forests. iii) Justification for tree cutting as and alternative to road realignment. iv) Permissions from land owners, authorities and permits from PFPD for cutting. v) Methods for marking, protection of uncut cut trees and limitations to cutting. vi) Methods and timing for safe cutting to minimize interference with normal traffic. vii) Methods to remove trees cut timber and avoid stockpiling cut brushwood on site. viii) Methods to avoid under cutting adjacent tree lined slopes. ix) Programme for cutting trees and enhancement planting. x) Compensatory tree planting programme agreed with authorities & PFPD. xi) Discussion of the PSC, PCC/PPMU inspection/monitoring role.

xii) Agreement on publicity/public consultation requirements.

4. Drainage and hydrology

136. The drainage system, irrigation and water resources on surrounding lands will be affected by construction activities as follows: a) local water supplies will need to be tapped to meet campsite and construction requirements, so bringing project based water use into competition with local use; b) surface and subsurface water resources near the selected Project road sections could be contaminated by fuel and chemical spills, or by solid waste and effluents generated by the kitchens and toilets at construction campsites; c) irrigation channels cross the works areas and require reprovisioning, (d) natural streams may become silted by borrow material (earth) in the runoff from the construction area, workshops and equipment washing-yards. The contractors will be required to implement the provisions of the Drainage Management Plan and to provide drainage facilities to avoid ponding/flooding within the Project site, construction camps, borrow/quarry areas, other areas used for project-related activities and adjacent areas. Potential impacts on water quality are already identified in the subsequent sections (e.g., under hazardous materials and hazardous waste disposal, water quality, etc.).

137. In areas close to the sensitive receiver (SR), the contractors will provide appropriate drains so that the outfalls of the surface run-off from the carriageway are diverted away from the SR. Measures will also be taken by the contractors during the construction phase to ensure that storm drains and road drainage systems are regularly cleared to maintain storm water flow.

5. Utilities and reprovisioning

138. Local water supplies, electrical power supply, telecommunications and irrigation water supply must be maintained during the works. Therefore the need to reprovide for power supply cables, telecommunication cables, irrigation or other water supplies needs to be reassessed and reconfirmed by the contractors well before works commence. Therefore the contractors will:

i) Discuss with PCC and PPMU and update Utilities and Irrigation Facilities Reprovisioning Plan

ii) Reconfirm power, water supply, telecommunications and irrigation systems likely to be interrupted by the works and trees to be cut.

iii) Contact all relevant local authorities for utilities and local village groups to plan reprovisoning of power, water supply, telecommunications and irrigation systems.

iv) Relocate and reconnect utilities well ahead of commencement of construction works and coordinate with the relevant utility company at the provincial and district levels for relocation and reconnection well before works commence and include for compensatory planting for trees.

v) Inform affected communities well in advance. vi) Arrange reconnection of utilities and irrigation channels in the shortest practicable

time before construction commences. vii) If utilities are accidentally damaged during construction it shall be reported to the

PSC, PPMU and utility authority and repairs arranged immediately at the contractor’s expense.

6. Materials exploitation and management of quarry and borrow areas

139. In the detailed design stage the PCC will produce a Materials Management Plan (MMP) for implementation by the contractors. The MMP will seek, as far as is reasonably practicable, to minimize the use of non-renewable resources and rock based materials and also to balance cut and fill requirements and contribute to the minimization of impacts due to extraction of rock based materials. As a first priority, where surplus materials arise from the removal of the existing surfaces these will be used elsewhere on

the project for fill (if suitable) before additional rock, gravel or sand extraction is considered. The TA team has estimated that less than 10% may be reusable.

140. The MMP will include as a minimum consideration of the following:

i) Required materials, potential sources and estimated quantities available. ii) Impacts to identified sources and availability. iii) Excavated slope material for reuse and recycling methods to be employed. iv) Required endorsements that should be obtained by the contractors from

DONRE and local groups for use of sources. v) Measures to be employed to mitigate nuisances to local residents. vi) Methods of transportation to minimize interference with normal traffic. vii) Constraints of regular delivery schedule to reduce stockpiling on site. viii) Programme for reuse of slope excavated material for reuse ix) Programme for delivery of quarry and borrow materials. x) Discussion of the PSC, PCC/PMU inspection/monitoring role. xi) Agreement on publicity/public consultation requirements.

141. The contractors will be responsible to:

i) Balance cut and fill requirements to minimize impacts from extraction of aggregates.

ii) Prioritize use of existing quarry sites with suitable materials and update the list of quarries and borrow pits monthly in MMP and report to PPMU and minimize impacts on other local resources.

iii) Procure materials only from DONRE authorized quarries and borrow sites.

iv) If the contractors shall operate the quarry site, required environmental permits shall be secured prior to operation of quarry/borrow areas.

v) Borrow/quarry sites shall not be located in productive land and forested areas.

vi) Follow compensatory planting plan if trees have to be removed.

vii) Stockpile topsoil for later use and fence and re-contour borrow pits after use

viii) Topsoil, overburden, and low-quality materials shall be properly removed, stockpiled near the site, and preserved for rehabilitation.

ix) Use quarry with highest ratio between extractive capacity (both in terms of quality) and loss of natural state.

x) Use quarry sites lying close to the alignment, with a high level of accessibility and with a low hill gradient;

xi) Do not use quarries in areas of natural woodland or near rivers which provide food and shelters for birds and other animals.

xii) Damaged access roads , agricultural land and other properties due to transport of quarry/borrow materials, other construction materials and due to various project-related activities shall be reinstated upon completion of construction works at each section.

xiii) During quarry/borrow site operation, provide adequate drainage to avoid accumulation of stagnant water.

xiv) It is preferable to avoid or reduce the sections of quarry sites located on river bed. If it is not possible to locate quarries out of river beds, quarry sites lying on small rivers and streams shall be avoided.

xv) Alluvial terraces or alluvial deposits which lie on the river beds but not covered by water in normal hydrological conditions, shall be preferred;

xvi) In quarries in the mountainous or hilly areas, or wherever slopes are important, cut terraces after extraction and implement a drainage system and vegetation cover for rehabilitation.

xvii) Upon completion of extraction activities, quarry and borrow pits shall be dewatered and fences shall be installed, as appropriate, to minimize health and safety risks.

xviii) Ensure borrow pits are left in a tidy state with stable side slopes and proper drainage in order to avoid creation of water bodies favorable for mosquito breeding

xix) To avoid drowning when pits become water-filled, measures such as fencing, providing flotation devices such as a buoy tied to a rope, etc. shall be implemented.

7. Spoil Disposal

142. The works will require major cutting to upgrade Project road. It is estimated by the TA team that about 324,641 m3 of soil and rock based materials must be cut. The requirement for filling materials is expected to be much less (about 77,804 m3) and the TA team estimated that less than 10% can be reused near the same area for filling. Therefore there will be a surplus of almost 300,000m3 of soil based materials for reuse as fill material or disposal as spoil elsewhere. Therefore there will be a significant surplus of rock and soil based materials as spoil and if disposal is not planned in advance there will be significant impacts and environmental degradation due to the improper disposal of these materials.

143. In some locations the use of this immediately available material will reduce the need for additional extraction of rock based materials. The surplus material should be graded and the suitable cut materials directed for reuse as far as possible on the Project road and subsequently on other roads and other local infrastructure projects. This will reduce the need to extract other rock and gravel resources from vulnerable hillsides and river beds. The surplus can then be stockpiled at locations agreed with local authorities for use on other local district projects or other nationally planned infrastructure.

144. The surplus rock and soil based materials for disposal must be controlled to avoid potential impacts due improper disposal. A waste management and spoil disposal plan (WMSDP) will be required to ensure waste from Project road upgrading is managed properly and to reduce, reuse and recycle waste wherever possible. Contractors will initially review the PCC’s options for stockpiling and disposal locations for cut surface materials and reconfirm or propose alternative disposal locations for agreement with PPMU and local authorities. The WMSDP will cover all aspects of construction waste disposal. It is preferred that government land is used for dumping of material. If private land is to be used for the purpose of dumping it shall commence only after written permission from the land owner is checked and recorded by the PPMU and PCC and agreeable to DONRE.

145. Mitigation measures will seek to control the impacts at source in the first place. The PPMU assisted by the PCC will be responsible to report the update of the cut and fill estimates in conjunction with asphalt and aggregate materials planning (MMP) between the different areas and advise on overall balancing for cut and fill materials to minimize impacts on local resources. (Mitigation measures for cut slopes are covered under erosion control).

146. The Spoil Disposal section of the WMSDP will include consideration of the following

i) Locations and quantities of spoil arising. ii) Agreed locations for disposal / endorsement from DONRE and local groups. iii) Methods of transportation to minimize interference with normal traffic. iv) Establishment of acceptable working hours and constraints. v) Agreement on time scale and programme for disposal and chain of custody. vi) Details of a trip ticket system to ensure that contractors dispose excavation spoils

in approved areas. Such system will be designed so that the PSC and PCC could

readily monitor the volume and disposal site of excavation spoils, and to ensure that the total volume of spoils disposed will not exceed the maximum capacity of disposal sites approved by local authorities.

vii) Programming issues including the time of year and available resources. viii) Discussion of the PSC, PCC/PMU inspection/monitoring role. ix) Establishment of complaints management system for duration of the works x) Agreement on publicity/public consultation requirements (advance signing etc.).

147. Mitigation measures will seek to prevent slope collapse impacts and control the impacts at source in the first place. The PPMU assisted by the PSC and PCC will be responsible to monitor the progress of cutting slopes and the implementation of mitigation measures, to minimize impacts. The mitigation measures in the Spoil Disposal section of the WMSDP will include but not necessarily be limited to:

(i) Spoil will not be disposed of in rivers and streams or other natural drainage path. (ii) Spoil will not be disposed of on fragile slopes, flood ways, wetland, farmland,

forest, religious or other culturally sensitive areas or areas where a livelihood is derived.

(iii) Surplus spoil will be used where practicable for local repair works to fill eroded gullies and depression areas and degraded land in consultation with local community.

(iv) Spoils shall only be disposed to areas approved by local authority. (v) Spoil disposal will be monitored by PSC, PCC/PPMU and recorded using a

written chain of custody (trip-ticket) system to the designated disposal sites. (vi) Spoil will be to disposed of to disused quarries and abandoned borrow pits where

practicable. (vii) Disposed spoil will be spread in 15 cm layers and compacted to optimum

moisture content, covered with topsoil, landscaped and provided with drainage and vegetation to prevent erosion in line with best practice.

(viii) Spoil disposal shall not cause sedimentation and obstruction of flow of watercourses, damage to agricultural land and densely vegetated areas.

(ix) Under no circumstances will spoils be dumped into watercourses (rivers, streams, drainage, irrigation canals, etc.)

(x) The spoils disposal site shall be located at least 50 m from surface water courses and shall be protected from erosion by avoiding formation of steep slopes and grassing.

8. General Construction Waste Management

148. Uncontrolled waste disposal operations can cause significant impacts. Mitigation measures will seek to reduce, recycle and reuse waste as far as practicable. The PPMU assisted by the PCC will be responsible to monitor the contractor’s progress of implementing the provision of the WMSDP and mitigation measures specified in the Project EMP.

149. The General Waste section of the WMSDP will include consideration of all matters related to solid an liquid waste disposal including the following:

i) Expected types of waste and quantities of waste arising. ii) Waste reduction, reuse and recycling methods to be employed iii) Agreed reuse and recycling options and locations for disposal / endorsement

from DONRE and local groups. iv) Methods for treatment and disposal of all solid and liquid wastes. v) Methods of transportation to minimize interference with normal traffic. vi) Establishment of regular disposal schedule and constraints for hazardous waste. vii) Programme for disposal of general waste / chain of custody for hazardous waste. viii) Discussion of the PSC, PCC/PMU inspection/monitoring role. ix) Establishment of complaints management system for duration of the works

x) Agreement on publicity/public consultation requirements (advance signing etc.).

150. The Contractors’ mitigation measures in the General Waste section of the WMSDP will include but not necessarily be limited tothe measures listed below. The contractors shall ensure implementation of these measures.

i) Areas for disposal to be agreed with local authorities and checked and recorded and monitored by the PSC, PCC/PPMU.

ii) Segregation of wastes shall be observed. Cleared foliage, shrubs and grasses may be given to local farmers for fodder and fuel. Organic (biodegradables) shall be collected and disposed of on site by composting (no burning on site).

iii) Recyclables shall be recovered and sold to recyclers. iv) Residual and hazardous wastes shall be disposed of in disposal sites approved

by local authorities. v) Construction/workers’ camps shall be provided with garbage bins. vi) Burning of construction and domestic wastes shall be prohibited. vii) Disposal of solid wastes into canals, rivers, other watercourses, agricultural field

and public areas shall be prohibited. viii) There will be no site-specific landfills established by the contractors. All solid

waste will be collected and removed from the work camps and disposed in local waste disposal sites.

ix) Waste disposal areas approved by local authorities shall be rehabilitated, monitored, catalogued, and marked.

9. Hazardous materials and hazardous waste disposal

151. Use of hazardous substances such as oils and lubricants can cause significant impacts if uncontrolled or if waste is not disposed correctly. Mitigation measures will seek to control access to and the use of hazardous substances such as oils and lubricants and control waste disposal. The PPMU assisted by the PSC and PCC will be responsible to monitor the contractor’s progress of implementing the WMSDP to avoid or minimize impacts from use of hazardous substances such as oils and lubricants.

152. The Contractors’ mitigation measures in the Hazardous Waste section of the WMSDP of the SEMP will include but not necessarily be limited to the following measures. The contractors shall ensure implementation of such measures.

i) Ensure that safe storage of fuel, other hazardous substances and bulk materials are agreed by PPMU/PCC and PSC and have necessary approval/permit from DONRE and local authorities.

ii) Hydrocarbon, toxic material and explosives will be stored in adequately protected sites consistent with national and local regulations to prevent soil and water contamination.

iii) Equipment/vehicle maintenance and refueling areas will be confined to areas in construction sites designed to contain spilled lubricants and fuels. Such areas shall be provided with drainage leading to an oil-water separator that will be regularly skimmed of oil and maintained to ensure efficiency.

iv) Fuel and other hazardous substances shall be stored in areas provided with roof, impervious flooring and bund/containment wall to protect these from the elements and to readily contain spilled fuel/lubricant.

v) Segregate hazardous wastes (oily wastes, used batteries, fuel drums) and ensure that storage, transport and disposal shall not cause pollution and shall be undertaken consistent with national and local regulations.

vi) Ensure all storage containers are in good condition with proper labeling. vii) Regularly check containers for leakage and undertake necessary repair or

replacement. viii) Store hazardous materials above flood level. ix) Discharge of oil contaminated water shall be prohibited.

x) Used oil and other toxic and hazardous materials shall be disposed of in an authorized facility off-site.

xi) Adequate precautions will be taken to prevent oil/lubricant/ hydrocarbon contamination of channel beds.

xii) Ensure availability of spill clean up materials (e.g., absorbent pads, etc.) specifically designed for petroleum products and other hazardous substances where such materials are being stored.

xiii) Spillage, if any, will be immediately cleared with utmost caution to leave no traces.

xiv) Spillage waste will be disposed at disposal sites approved by local authorities and approved by PSC/PPMU.

xv) All areas intended for storage of hazardous materials will be quarantined and provided with adequate facilities to combat emergency situations complying with all the applicable statutory stipulation.

xvi) The contractors shall identify named personnel in the management plan/SEMP in-charge of storage sites for hazardous materials and ensure they are properly trained to control access to these areas and entry will be allowed only under authorization.

10. Asphalt, hot mix plant, rock crushing and bitumen supply

153. The rock crushing activities will generate noise and dust and pavement works will generate gas and odour from the asphalt hot-mix plant and noise from the compaction of the pavement. Upgrading the Project road will require more than 300,000 m3 of rock based material and about 883 tons of asphalt. Although the emissions from powered mechanical equipment that supply crushed rock and bitumen will be rapidly dispersed in the open terrain they will need to be sited carefully to avoid complaints. The works for the pavement in any section of the road are estimated by the TA Team to take only 1 to 2 weeks depending on the terrain and therefore emissions from mobile powered mechanical equipment for road surfacing will be short lived.

154. In order to maintain the existing air quality of the project area in a condition acceptable to the local population compliance with the following mitigation measures will be needed:

(i) Cement batching and aggregate mixing plant shall be located as far as possible (preferably at least 500 m) from settlements and habitation or as required by environmental regulations.

(ii) All conditions of DONRE permits and local guidelines shall be observed. (iii) Dust suppression equipment shall be installed at cement and aggregate mix

plants. (iv) Areas of construction on the roads as well as the haul road (especially where the

works are within 50m of the SRs) shall be maintained damp by watering the construction area.

(v) Where local roads are used for haulage they shall be kept in serviceable condition and any damage shall be repaired promptly without interference to local travel routes.

(vi) Storage sites, mixing plants, and bitumen (hot mix) plants will be at least 500m downwind of the nearest human settlements or as otherwise required under DONRE permits and guidelines.

(vii) All hot-mix plants, crushers, and batching plants will be located in agreement with the local town or municipality and installed on a sealed area only after receiving approval from the relevant local authority and DONRE.

155. Due to the locations of the works fumes from bitumen and chemicals are likely to be well dissipated in the open terrain and the QCVN standards should not be exceeded. However phenol compounds in the bitumen have a very low odor threshold and extremely low concentrations can cause nuisances. These are unlikely to accumulate to

toxic levels but the plant for the supply of molten bitumen should be sighted as far away from sensitive receivers as is practicable. Asphalt plant and rock crusher activities (if required) will be controlled and hot-mix plants should not be located within 500m of any sensitive receiver, river bank or irrigation channel but located at convenient sites nearby but at least 500m (in the prevailing downwind direction) from sensitive receptors such as residences, schools, hospitals.

156. Bituminous materials will generally be applied using machines but if bituminous compounds are to be applied by hand labor methods and melted in heaters the fuel used shall be kerosene, diesel or gas fuel. Fuel wood shall not be used for heating bitumen; neither will bitumen be used as fuel.

157. Bitumen drums will be stored in a dedicated area, not scattered along the works and any small accidental spills of bitumen or chemicals will be cleaned up immediately. The waste including the top 2cm of any contaminated soil and disposed of as chemical waste to an approved landfill or approved local authority disposal site in line with the WMSDP.

158. It is possible that contamination of soil may occur from oils and chemicals at bitumen plant sites, workshop areas, equipment washing-yards and along the roads works. The contamination may limit the future use of land for agricultural purposes.

159. The following practices will be adopted to minimize the risk of soil contamination:

i) The contractors will prevent soil contamination and will be required to instruct and train their workforce in the storage and handling of materials and chemicals that can potentially cause soil contamination.

ii) Debris generated by the dismantling of existing pavement will be recycled subject to the suitability of the material.

iii) Bitumen will not be allowed to enter either running or dry streambeds and nor will be disposed of in ditches or small unlined waste disposal sites prepared by the contractor.

iv) Bitumen storage and mixing areas shall be protected against spills and all accidentally contaminated soil must be properly handled according to applicable national and local laws and regulations. As a minimum, these areas must be segregated, such that any spills can be immediately contained and cleaned up.

v) Any petroleum products used in the preparation of the bitumen mixture must also be carefully managed to avoid spills and contamination of the local water table and streams. Bitumen and other hydrocarbon residues will be disposed of as hazardous waste.

vi) All accidental spills of bitumen or chemicals will be cleaned up immediately with the top 2cm of any contaminated soil underneath and disposed of as chemical waste to a site approved by the local authority.

vii) Solid waste generated during construction and at campsites will be properly treated and safely disposed of only in demarcated off-site waste disposal sites identified and agreed with PPMU and the local community and local authorities.

11. Noise and Dust

160. Earthworks and rock crushing activities will be the main sources of dust. The works in any given section of the road will generally be of short duration and in many locations there will be sufficient buffer distance between the work corridor and the existing SRs such that no significant impact is expected from the construction works on residential sensitive receivers in terms of noise, vibration, and dust. Also works will not take place at night except in special circumstances justifiable to the PSC and PPMU.

161. However noise and dust were recognized as nuisances by the local population but were also considered acceptable nuisances in view of the likely short duration of the works and that there were good benefits from future improved road conditions. Nevertheless it is good practice to control all dusty materials at source so that nuisances do not occur and visibility on the adjacent road is not impaired and so that road safety can be maintained or improved. Water is available in the study area and sufficient surplus water should be available from rivers and streams to suppress dust at all locations in the dry season. In addition, as a general approach it is recommended that if works are within 15m of any sensitive receivers, the contractor should install dust barrier segregation between the works at the road edge and the sensitive receivers. The segregation should be easily erectable 2.5m high and designed to retain dust and provide a temporary visual barrier to the works. The materials could be plastic or tarpaulin sheets or alternatively sections of the locally made close woven fences could be used (made by local artisans). Where dust is the major consideration the barrier can take the form of tarpaulins or fences strung between two poles mounted on a concrete base. These can be moved along the road as the work proceeds. The other mitigation measure will include:

i) If the surface is dry water will be sprinkled on the road and exposed surfaces when work is carried out within 50m of residences or roadside food stalls.

ii) No work will be carried out within 500m of any settlement during the night (2100hrs to 0700hrs).

iii) If works have given rise to complaints over dust, the contractor shall investigate the cause, report it in the monthly progress reports and review and propose alternative mitigation measures before works recommence.

iv) All heavy equipment and machinery shall be fitted in full compliance with the national and local regulations (TCVN 5949 – 1998).

v) Fuel-efficient and well-maintained haulage trucks will be employed to minimize exhaust emissions. Smoke belching vehicles and equipment shall not be allowed and shall be removed from the project.

vi) Vehicles transporting soil, sand and other construction materials will be covered with tarpaulin sheets to avoid impact from dust. Speed limits of such vehicles within the works site and on unpaved edge areas of the Project road will be established and agreed with the PSC.

162. The need for large stockpiles should be minimized by careful planning of the supply of materials from controlled sources. Stockpiles should not be located within 100m of schools, hospitals or other public amenities such as wells and pumps and should be covered with tarpaulins when not in use and at the end of the working day to enclose dust. If large stockpiles (more than 25m3) of crushed materials are necessary they should be enclosed with side barriers and also covered when not in use.

163. PCC shall undertake semi-annual monitoring of TSP and noise at the stations which were sampled during pre-construction phase. Field measurements shall also be carried out, as necessary, to validate complaints.

12. Blasting and vibration

164. At this stage the specific requirement for blasting is not known. It is clear from discussions with the project team and observations that blasting will not be the method of choice because most of the surface materials can be removed with powered mechanical equipment (PME). It is therefore anticipated that powered mechanical equipment and a lot of local labor with hand tool methods will be used to upgrade the Project road.

165. In the event that blasting is required in special circumstances only controlled blasting will be allowed. Blasting will only be carried out in line with the rules set down by the local authorities and DONRE in the prescribed manner and after prior notice to all local residents and the local town authorities. One month prior to the blasting in any area, the contractors will undertake a condition survey including photographs will be made of all residences within 500 m of the blast sites. The condition of the residences shall be agreed with the PSC in case there are any future claims for damage to residences due to the blasting. All blasting shall be carried out in the daytime and at regular intervals after siren warnings. All residents within 500 m of the blast sites shall be kept informed of the plans and progress of blasting and residents shall be temporarily evacuated and provided with alternative accommodation if required.

166. No blasting will be allowed at night. Controlled blasting will strictly follow the license requirements from DONRE and other authorities. Pre-splitting should be undertaken. Where the vibration from blasting is exceeding the maximum permissible level, information from the blasting should be used to modify blasting patterns and calculate a reduced charge for future blasts with the aim of eradicating damage and to minimize damage as far as possible. Blasting shall be under careful and strict management of properly trained and licensed personnel. The contractors shall observe proper warning and precautionary measures to ensure safety of residents, pedestrians, motorists and structures during blasting.

13. Erosion control and runoff

167. Engineering controls that include erosion protection measures will be designed and installed to control soil erosion both at all the constructed works and in peripheral areas, particularly in borrow areas and along haul tracks. The Erosion Control Plan (ECP) produced by the PCC and slope stabilization measures in the detailed designs will be implemented and maintained by the contractors during construction to protect the works.

168. The ECP will include consideration of the following:

i) Climate and rainfall for the area and checking weather forecasts. ii) Terrain and typical locations susceptible to erosion and runoff. iii) Protection of the works and potential impacts to the environment. iv) Erosion control methods to be employed, locations and installation timing. v) Limits to stockpiling on sites near waterways and irrigation channels. vi) Discussion of the PSC, PCC/PPMU inspection/monitoring role. vii) Agreement on publicity/public consultation requirements.

169. Mitigation measures for cut slopes will be required by the contractors to prevent slope collapse. These will include but not necessarily be limited to:

(i) Stockpile topsoil for immediate replanting after completion of work. (ii) Minimize damage and cutting of surrounding vegetation during slope

formation. (iii) Protect the cut slope with planted vegetation, bioengineering or conventional

civil engineering structures as soon as practicable after cutting. (iv) Prevent erosion and protect the cut slope with temporary or permanent

drainage as soon as practicable after cutting. (v) If new erosion occurs accidentally, back fill immediately to restore original

contours.

170. In order to preserve the constructed slopes and other works and embankments from soil erosion and runoff.

i) Low embankments will be protected from erosion by seeding and planting indigenous grasses that can flourish under local conditions.

ii) High embankments, i.e. 2m high and above, will be considered for protection by constructing stone pitching or a riprap across the embankment immediately after the works are completed. This practice will also be applied along cross-drainage structures where embankments are more susceptible to erosion by water runoff.

iii) The contractors will also be required to include appropriate measures for slope protection, i.e. vegetation cover and stone pitching, as required in the detailed construction drawings and implement them accordingly.

171. Payments will be linked to the completion of the works as indicated by the installation of erosion control measures to protect the works to the satisfaction of PSC/PMU.

14. River protection and bridge repair

172. The Project proposes to replace or repair 71 culverts and 2 bridges. Careless construction and poor materials control can cause blockage to rivers and streams. Therefore in areas along and near rivers and streams the following will be carried out:

i) Earth and stones will be properly disposed of so that they do not block rivers and streams, resulting in adverse impact on water quality and flow regime.

ii) In bridge repair and demolition sites, the bridge structure will not be dropped into the river but alternative means will be used to avoid "dropping the bridge" into rivers/streams. This will be done by "sawing" appropriate sections of the bridge and using cranes to lift these sections away or alternatively by construction of a platform onto which the bridge could be lowered.

iii) Cofferdams, silt fences, sediment barriers or other devices will be used as appropriate based on the design to prevent migration of silt during excavation and boring operations within streams. If cofferdams are used, these will be dewatered and cleaned to prevent siltation by pumping from cofferdams to a settling basin or a containment unit.

iv) Other erosion control measures above and covering open surfaces with grasses and creepers to reduce runoff will be implemented as early as possible in construction.

15. Water Quality

173. In order to prevent water contamination the following precautionary measures will be undertaken by the contractors:

i) Lubricants will be stored in dedicated enclosures with a sealed floor >50m from water bodies.

ii) Solid waste from construction activities will not be thrown in rivers and shall be disposed of as per the WMP and there will be NO BURNING of waste.

iii) Construction storage/stockpiles shall be provided with bunds to prevent silted run-off.

iv) Stockpiled materials will be covered to reduce run-off. v) Stockpiling or borrow sites will not be allowed within 100m of water body. vi) If complaints occur there will be monitor and investigation of water quality. vii) Work in rivers will be scheduled during dry season and work duration shall be as

short as possible. viii) Bare slopes shall be stabilized Immediately after works completed. ix) Stockpile areas and storage areas for hazardous substances shall be located

away from water bodies. x) Washing of machinery and vehicles in surface waters shall be prohibited.

174. If complaints are received, the incidents and possible sources of water supply disruption will be investigated by the ESO in PPMU (assisted by the PCC) and where the complaint can be substantiated; water samples will be taken and analyzed based on the

baseline monitoring results. In response to complaints to either the contractor or the local authorities the PCC and the PPMU will be immediately informed so that water quality measurements will be taken (by ESO assisted by PCC) 20 m before (upstream) and 20 m after (downstream) of the works giving rise to complaint in line with the methodology used in for baseline sampling. Samples will be taken as soon after the complaint as possible and analyzed immediately and again two weeks after the complaint to determine if water quality has been restored. Impacts will be determined by reference to the baseline results from the preconstruction stage. The criteria will be based on the QCVN 08 2008 BTNMT.

16. Water Resources

175. The availability of water for the works will need to be investigated by the PCC at the detailed design stage. A preliminary assessment of water availability should include consultation with the local authorities. Rivers are nearby and in this case there should be no shortage of water. In the event that sufficient water sources can be identified the local water resources could be used if sufficient yield is likely to be available. However local community water resources will not be used without the permission of the local authority. In the even that there is insufficient water available locally for the works the contractor must make alternative arrangements.

176. Measures to mitigate the adverse impact on water resources and surface drainage patterns have been incorporated into the other drainage mitigation measures.

177. The contractors will carry out the following measures to mitigate the impact of using local community water resources, and the impacts on rivers, where required:

i) In all areas availability of water will be assessed to evaluate the impact on community resources. Project water will be brought in by tanker as necessary without depleting local village supplies.

ii) Camps will be located at least 500 m away from the nearest local settlement to prevent the contamination of community-owned water resources.

iii) The contractors will be required to maintain close liaison with local communities to ensure that any potential conflicts related to common resource utilization for project purposes are resolved quickly.

iv) Guidelines will be established to minimize the wastage of water during construction operations and at campsites.

v) The use of river bed for construction materials will be avoided and minimized. vi) Confine winning river materials to 20% of river width in any location and keep

away from river banks. vii) Reinstate river banks if necessary. viii) Re-provision irrigation channels affected by works two weeks before

commencement of works to satisfaction of ESO in PPMU (assisted by PCC) and local community.

ix) All irrigation canals along the alignment shall be clearly marked on the ground to prevent accidental dumping of fill materials into these canals;

x) In case of obstruction or damage, irrigation ditches and ponds shall be cleaned or repaired immediately.

17. Construction camps and canteen facilities

178. The contractors will adopt good management practices to ensure that fuels and chemicals, raw sewage, wastewater effluent, and construction debris/scarified material is disposed of in controlled conditions to reduce the risk of contamination. The proposed measures include:

i) Worker camp location and facilities located at least 500 m from settlements and agreed with local communities and facilities approved by PSC and PPMU and managed to minimize impacts.

ii) Construction camp(s) will be established in areas with adequate drainage in order to prevent water logging at the camp and formation of breeding sites for mosquitoes in order to facilitate flow of the treated effluents.

iii) Potable water, clean water for showers, hygienic sanitation facilities/toilets with sufficient water supply, worker canteen/rest area and first aid facilities will be provided. Separate toilets shall be provided for male and female workers.

iv) Hire and train as many local workers as possible. v) Provide adequate housing for all workers at the construction camps and

establish clean canteen/eating and cooking areas. vi) Portable lavatories (or at least pit latrines in remote areas) shall be installed

and open defecation shall be prohibited and use of lavatories encouraged by cleaning lavatories daily and by keeping lavatory facilities clean at all times.

vii) Wastewater effluent from contractors’ workshops and equipment washing-yards will be passed through gravel/sand beds and all oil/grease contaminants will be removed before discharging it into natural streams. Oil and grease residues shall be stored in drums awaiting disposal in line with the agreed WMSDP..

viii) Predictable wastewater effluent discharges from construction works shall have the necessary permits from DONRE and local authorities before the works commence.

ix) Borrow pits and natural depressions with pre-laid impervious liners will be used to dispose of scarified/scraped asphalt, and then covered with soil. This will check potential groundwater contamination. Options for completely or partially recycling scraped scarified materials will also be taken into account.

x) As much as possible, food shall be provided from farms nearby or imported to the area. Bush meat supplies banned to discourage poaching. Solid and liquid waste managed in line with Waste Management Plan.

xi) Use of guns and hunting equipment by workers will be banned and dismiss workers taking or using green timber or hunting or in possession of wildlife.

xii) Camp site will be cleaned up to the satisfaction of and local community after use.

xiii) All waste materials shall be removed and disposed to disposal sites approved by local authorities

xiv) Land used for campsites shall be restored to the original condition as far as practicable and the area shall be planted with appropriate trees / shrubs as soon as practicable after it is vacated and cleaned.

18. Sanitation and Disease Vectors

179. Potential sanitation and impacts from disease will need to be controlled by maintaining hygienic conditions in the worker camps and implementing the social and health programmes for the Project. The contractor will ensure that:

i) Measures to prevent malaria shall be implemented (e.g., provision of insecticide treated mosquito nets to workers, installation of proper drainage to avoid formation of stagnant water, etc.).

ii) Standing water will not be allowed to accumulate in the temporary drainage facilities or along the roadside, to prevent proliferation of mosquitoes.

iii) Temporary and permanent drainage facilities will be designed to facilitate the rapid removal of surface water from all areas and prevent the accumulation of surface water ponds.

iv) Malaria controls and HIV-AIDS education will be implemented in line with social programmes and plans for the project.

v) HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention program shall be implemented in line with social plans.

19. Safety Precautions for Workers

180. Worker occupational health and safety is generally governed by the Labour Code of Viet Nam, Decree 06/CP (20 Jan 1995), Decree / 202 ND-CP OP (27 Dec 2002) and Circular 13/ BYT 24 Oct 1996). A Worker and Public Safety Plan (WPSP) will be prepared by the PCC to establish routine safety measures as required by Labor Code of Viet Nam and by good engineering practice and will include provisions for first aid facilities.

181. Mitigation measures to be implemented by contractors to ensure health and safety of workers are as follows:

(i) At least one month before construction commences the contractors will demonstrate to PPMU that the WPSP will be properly resourced and a qualified safety officer will be identified by the contractors in the bid.

(ii) The contractor will conduct of training (assisted by PCC) for all workers on safety and environmental hygiene at no cost to the employees. The contractor will instruct workers in health and safety matters as required by law and by good engineering practice and provide first aid facilities.

(iii) The contractors will instruct and induct all workers in health and safety matters (induction course) including construction camp rules and site agents/foremen will follow up with toolbox talks on a weekly basis. Workforce training for all workers starting on site will include safety and environmental hygiene.

(iv) Fencing on all areas of excavation greater than 1m deep and sides of temporary works shall be observed.

(v) Workers shall be provided with of appropriate personnel safety equipment such as safety boots, helmets, gloves, protective clothes, breathing mask, goggles, and ear protection at no cost to the workers.

(vi) Ensure reversing signals are installed on all construction vehicles.

182. The contractors will implement the following measures for workers’ safety:

i) Instruction and induction of all workers in health and safety matters, including railway safety as necessary.

ii) Provision of potable water supply in all work locations. iii) Establishment of safety measures as required by law and by good engineering

practice and provision of first aid facilities. iv) Fencing on all excavation, borrow pits and sides of temporary bridges. v) Providing to all workers appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such

as safety shoes, hard hats, safety glasses, ear plugs, gloves, etc. vi) Scheduling of regular (e.g. weekly tool box talks) to orientate the workers on

health and safety issues related to their activities as well as on proper use of PPE.

vii) Where worker exposure to traffic cannot be completely eliminated, protective barriers shall be provided to shield workers from traffic vehicles. Another measure is to install channeling devices (e.g., traffic cones and barrels) to delineate the work zone.

viii) Construction camps shall be provided with toilets/sanitation facilities in accordance with local regulations to prevent any hazard to public health or contamination of land, surface or groundwater. These facilities shall be well maintained and cleaned regularly to encourage use and allow effective operation.

183. Facilities for workers and public safety, construction site offices and canteen will be regulated in line with the Labor Code of Viet Nam. Complaints will be monitored and investigated and mitigation measures will be revised and the SEMP will be updated as

necessary if unexpected impacts occur. All measures related to workers’ safety and health protection shall be free of charge to workers.

20. Public Safety

184. Public safety, particularly of pedestrians and children can be threatened by the excavation of the trenches for side drain construction. Fencing will be installed prior to excavation work commencing on all sides of temporary excavations. The plans will include provisions for site security and guards, trench barriers and covers to other holes and any other safety measures as necessary. The contractor will provide warning signs at the periphery of the site warning the public not to enter. The contractor will restrict the speed of project vehicles and also control traffic by contra-flow and provide flag men and warning signs at either end of the works where the traveling lanes must be temporarily reduced. The contractors will implement the following safety measures for the public:

i) Barriers (e.g., temporary fence), shall be installed at construction areas to deter pedestrian access to the roadway except at designated crossing points.

ii) The general public/local residents shall not be allowed in high-risk areas, e.g., excavation sites and areas where heavy equipment is in operation and these sites will have a watchman at the entrance to keep public out.

iii) Speed restrictions shall be imposed on Project vehicles and equipment traveling within 50m of sensitive receptors (e.g. residential, schools, temples, etc.).

iv) Upon completion of construction works, borrow areas will be backfilled or temporarily fenced, awaiting backfilling.

v) Provisions for site security, trench barriers and covers to other holes and any other safety measures as necessary.

vi) Provide warning signs at the periphery of the site warning the public not to enter and define this in the WPSP.

vii) Strict imposition of speed limits along residential areas and where other sensitive receptors such as schools, hospitals, and other populated areas are located.

viii) Educate drivers on safe driving practices to minimize accidents and to prevent spill of hazardous substances (fuel and oil) and other construction materials during transport.

185. The contractors will provide information boards near the work sites to inform and instruct the public on how to conduct themselves and to be aware of their surroundings if they must approach the works. The Public Safety section of the Worker and Public Safety Plan will include but not necessarily be limited to the following:

i) Statement of contractor’s safety policy for Workers and Public. ii) Legal requirements (e.g. Labour Code of Viet Nam, Decree 06/CP 1995, Decree /

202 ND-CP OP 2002 and Circular 13/ BYT 24 Oct 1996). iii) Works safety issues and public safety issues. iv) Training the workforce and informing the public on works safety issues. v) Establishment and monitoring of acceptable working practices to protect safety. vi) Common concerns with traffic and road safety (e.g. traffic flow/delay

requirements). vii) Discussion of the PSC, PCC/PMU inspection/monitoring role. viii) Establishment of complaints management system for duration of the works ix) Agreement on publicity/public consultation requirements. x) Reporting of accidents. xi) Complaints management.

21. Traffic Management

186. Construction activities on the Project road are likely to cause hindrance in traffic flow if not mitigated properly. A Temporary Traffic Management Plan (TTMP) will be developed by the PCC during detailed design phase and its provisions will be

implemented by the contractors during construction phase. The main objectives of the plan shall be to maximize the safety of the workforce and the traveling public. The main secondary objective will be to keep traffic flowing as freely as possible. The TTMP will include consideration of the following:

i) Lane availability and minimizing interference with traffic flows past the works site. ii) Establishment of acceptable working hours, constraints and public safety issues. iii) Agreement on time scale and establishment of traffic flow/delay requirements. iv) Programming issues including the time of year and available resources. v) Discussion of the PSC, PCC/PPMU inspection/monitoring role. vi) Establishment of complaints management system for duration of the works vii) Agreement on publicity/public consultation requirements (advance signing etc.).

187. The contractors shall implement the following mitigation measures:

a. Implement provisions of the TTMP and awareness program for road and rail traffic.

b. Communicate to the public through local officials regarding the scope and schedule of construction, as well as certain construction activities causing disruptions or access restrictions.

c. Coordinate with local traffic authorities to implement appropriate traffic diversion schemes to avoid inconvenience due to project operations to road users, ensure smooth traffic flow and avoid or minimize accidents, traffic hold ups and congestion.

d. In coordination with local traffic officials, schedule transport of materials to avoid congestion, set up clear traffic signal boards and traffic advisory signs at the roads going in and out the road and bridge construction sites to minimize traffic build-up.

e. Provide safe vehicle and pedestrian access around construction areas. f. Installation of bold diversion signs that would be clearly visible even at night and

provide flag persons to warn of dangerous conditions; 24hrs if necessary. g. Provide sufficient lighting at night within and in the vicinity of construction sites. h. Designation of traffic officers in construction sites.

22. Archaeological and cultural artifacts.

188. Viet Nam has a rich archaeological heritage although no major archaeological site has been identified within 100 m of the Project road. Therefore the contractor will take the following precautions to avoid disturbance of any as yet undiscovered archaeologically valuable artifacts.

i) Site agents will be instructed to keep a watching brief for relics in excavations. ii) Should any potential items be located, the PSC and ESO will immediately be

contacted and work will be temporarily stopped in that area. iii) The ESO will inform the PCC and with the assistance of the PCC determine if that

item is of potential significance. If it is so an officer from the Department of Culture and Information (DCI) will be invited to inspect the site and work will be stopped to allow time for inspection.

iv) Until DCI has responded to this invitation work will not re-commence in this location until agreement has been reached between DCI, PSC and PPMU/PCC as to any required mitigation measures, which may include structured excavation.

23. Enhancements

189. Environmental enhancements such as tree planting near the road will be explored in the detailed designs and included in the Tree-cutting and Replanting Plan. Enhancements shall be re-assessed prior to construction and proposed enhancements should be discussed by the contractors with the local population to identify stewardship of any planting and also to serve as a vehicle for further public consultation at the

implementation stage and to assist in public relations. Environmental enhancements introduced in the detailed designs may include tree planting. The panted specimens should be maintained and monitored for three years after planting to ensure their survival in line with the Tree-cutting and Replanting Plan

C Operational Phase

190. During the operational phase of the Project the Provincial Department of Transport (PDOT) will maintain the roads.

191. The improvement of the hard shoulders on road the Project roads and the improvement of the asphalt surfaced roads can be expected to reduce road traffic noise and air pollution from dust. The improvement of the Project roads road will be within the existing corridor keeping vehicles away from sensitive receivers and at this stage it is difficult to see that any residences or commercial premises or schools will still be close enough to the the Project roads road to be affected by noise and dust so as to exceed the assessment criteria.

1. Noise

192. The Viet Nam the ambient noise standard (TCVN 5949-1998) is Leq60dB(A) for residential sensitive receivers and World Bank criterion is (Leq55dB(A) for residential. school and hospital sensitive receivers. The TCVN criterion is more than 8dB(A) above the existing measured noise levels outside the towns. The main noise source in most areas is traffic nose and in order for the existing background to be exceeded by +8dB(A) the existing traffic would have to be more than quadrupled. Traffic forecasts indicate that traffic is not expected to quadruple for at least twenty years. Therefore the project is believed to be sustainable in terms of road traffic noise. No operational mitigation measures are required.

2. Gaseous Emissions

193. Vehicle emissions (gaseous) as indicated concentration of oxides of nitrogen will be the main air pollution sources during operation. There will be few other sources of emissions near the the Project roads road other than from domestic fuel burning. Sensitive receivers are set far enough back from the the Project roads road to allow adequate dispersion that there will be no significant impacts at the sensitive receivers.

3. Particulate Emissions

194. Vehicle emissions (particulate contamination) such as dust and fumes will also be air pollution sources during operation however toxic residues from vehicle emissions near the the Project roads road are unlikely to accumulate or create significant impacts under the local conditions. Dust from the existing road will be reduced due to the better asphalt surface for the new road. Therefore the project is believed to be sustainable in terms of gaseous and particulate emissions and no operational mitigation measures are required.

4. Soil Erosion

195. Soil erosion will be prevented by developing a comprehensive suite of engineering controls in the detailed designs to prevent and maintain erosion. A system will be devised and engineered to control erosion and flooding on either side of the embankments in case of heavy rains. Apart from affecting the community lands and resources, this would otherwise cause natural streams and irrigation channels to become silted.

196. Measures will also be taken during the operational phase to ensure that storm drains and highway drainage systems are periodically cleared to maintain clear drainage

to allow rapid dispersal of storm water flow. An adequate system of monitoring, reporting and maintenance will be developed.

5. Driving Conditions and Community Safety

197. The rehabilitation and widening of the the Project roads road is likely to increase the vehicle speed on the road. Increases in traffic flow indicate additional future traffic should be moderate and unlikely to create many community safety issues. Overall the condition of the road facilities will be enhanced and driving conditions should improve. Routine safety measures, signage and road markings should be introduced to reduce driving risk further in accident prone areas and provide enhancements to driving conditions.

6. Tree planting

198. . Environmental enhancements introduced in the detailed designs may include tree planting, , as necessary. The panted specimens should be maintained and monitored for three years after planting to ensure their survival in line with the Tree-cutting and Replanting Plan

7. Water Resources

199. Complaints about the contractors’ works will be resolved in the construction phase. The scale of the works indicates that there are unlikely to be any impacts that continue into the operational phase.

D Cumulative Environmental Impact Associated with the Project Locations

200. There should be no significant adverse cumulative impacts expected from the roads in TCNMP. Overall the improvement in the road system and Viet Nam will potentially lead to growing traffic, commercial activities, that may indirectly lead to additional pollution. It is not possible to quantify these impacts at this stage. Bac Kan FPD and the NXLNRMB have indicated some concern that the buffer zone to the protected areas of may already be under pressure due to illegal logging. Bac Kan FPD and the NXLNRMB suggested that the improved road could bring induced or indirect future impacts that result in additional pressure on forest resources in the buffer zones due to illegal logging. It is not possible to quantify these perceived effects. Bac Kan FPD and the NXLNRMB have requested additional resources to (a) increase patrols and monitor and inspect vehicles coming from protected areas near the Project roads and these are included in the EMP. The objective is to mitigate the perceived additional pressure on forest resources that may be brought about by the Project road improvements, be they direct, induced, indirect or future impacts. The statutory provisions under the laws of Viet Nam cover pollution control, the forestry protection acts cover exploitation of forest products and there are also laws to protect wildlife in both countries. These laws are established but institutional strengthening is required and improvements in resources are needed to achieve better enforcement to support strategic management of pollution control and resource exploitation in the long term.

201. The Project road is a part of an already well developed network and although the TCNMP will increase traffic gradually there will be other benefits in improved traveling conditions and vehicle cost savings that will off set the traffic impacts.

VI. INFORMATION DISCLOSURE, CONSULTATION AND PARTICIPATION

202. The objectives of the stakeholder consultation process was to disseminate information on the project and its expected impact, long-term as well as short-term, among primary and secondary stakeholders, and to gather information on relevant issues so that the feedback received could be used to address these issues at early stages of project design. Another important objective was to determine the extent of the concerns amongst the community, to address these in the project implementation and to suggest appropriate mitigation measures.

A Identification of Stakeholders

203. The stakeholders consulted for the stretch of the subject Project road included individuals representing 51 persons from 15 family groups in 7 villages in the districts along the roads. These were considered to be representative of the community living in the area, the road users, the business associated with the road and the locally elected representatives. Consultations took place in September 2009 and July 2010. Dates and locations are presented in Appendix B.

B Consultation with Stakeholders

204. The results of the public consultations are recorded in Appendix B. The main environmental concerns included protecting water supplies, preventing damage to local electricity cables and other infrastructure and utilities surroundings construction areas. Prompt completion of the works and minimization of land acquisition were also requested by many local stakeholders. Increased traffic noise and controlling project workers and sanitation during construction were also concerns. Full and prompt compensation for land acquisition was also raised as a social issue. No significant operational phase impacts were identified and the communities along the Project road indicated they would fully support the rehabilitation Project.

Table VI.1 Summary of Main Environmental Concerns from Public Consultation

Concerns Expressed* How concerns are addressed in IEE Water supply is from collected water and this must be protected. Local people need clean water.

Facilities will be identified before construction commences and reprovisioning planned before construction commences and agreed with local authority in Utilities & Infrastructure Management Plan.

The villages are reliant on electrical power. The distribution lines on poles be protected.

Power and other facilities will be identified before construction commences and reprovisioned before construction commences and agreed with local authority in Utilities & Infrastructure Management Plan.

Contractor should control the impacts The contractor(s) will commit to implementing the mitigation measures identified in the Project EMP and SEMPs and will be monitored by PSC, PCC/PMMU.

Start soon and complete a soon as possible PCC and PPMU will monitor progress of the works Parties should agree on compensation before work starts Steering Committee should disclose the plans PDOT/PPMU will disclose project details to the Commune PPCs. The IEE

will be posted on ADB’s website.. Contractors should publicize schedule for works Requirement of EMP to disclose to local authorities and update during the

works. PPMU should handle the compensation. The implementation of the EMP will be closely monitored by PCC/PPMU

and PSC Negative impacts should be minimized. Requirement of EMP and SPS 2009 to be included in SEMP. PPMU should manage and supervise the contractors’ work. The implementation of the EMP will be closely monitored by PCC/PPMU

and PSC PMU should discuss compensation with local people. To be addressed in the Resettlement Plan * In many cases the interviewees were at first reluctant to discuss. The concerns are inferred from the replies in the field .

205. The affected persons also fully expect that the necessary arrangements to compensate loss of property are addressed before construction commences. Results are summarized broadly in Table VI.1. Further information is provided in Appendix B

C Concerns Addressed

206. Concerns with respect to road alignment and drainage design and the disturbance or destruction of crops and gardens, private property and community disturbance have been brought to the attention of the project proponent and the relevant parties are well aware of the potential for local disturbance that can result from poorly controlled contractors. The main issues raised are addressed in the environmental management plan, as far as is reasonably practicable at this stage; a resettlement plan has been prepared to compensate for affected persons that can reasonably be predicted at this stage. Unforeseen impacts will also be captured by the requirements to update the environmental management plan and inform ADB in response to any unpredicted impacts that arise periodically as necessary.

207. The objectives of the stakeholder consultation process was to disseminate information on the Project construction and the expected impact, long-term as well as short-term, among primary and secondary stakeholders, and to gather information on relevant issues. Another important objective was to determine the extent of the concerns amongst the community, to address these in the project implementation and to suggest appropriate mitigation measures. The feedback received has been used to address these issues at early stages of project design.

D Information Disclosure and Participation

208. Concerns have been expressed that the SC should disclose the road construction works in advance and complaints monitoring will provide further opportunities for consultation and can assist in public participation. Providing information through local authority offices will provide a conduit for the improvement of the project implementation to better serve the stakeholders. Public consultation can also assist in:

i) harnessing cooperation from informed people to help local authorities reconfirm the extent of local permits and licenses that will be required at a later stage;

ii) obtaining cooperation from informed residents and groups which to avoid cost and time in dealing with complaints;

iii) identifying local infrastructure projects or other local initiatives that will interface with the Project road with assistance from informed local authorities;

iv) the collection of anecdotal information on the current condition of the local environment including aspects of forest and wildlife and conservation.

209. The environmental assessment process under the SPS 2009 requires the disclosure of the IEE to the public during the completion of the IEE to be in strict adherence to the rules. This process will be concluded by displaying the IEE at the PPC Headquarters during the period when the IEE is disclosed on the ADB website

VII. GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISM

210. Existing arrangements for redress of grievances for affected persons are through complaints to the village and commune committees up to the district level and then through the PPC and back to the agency (e.g. PDOT/PPMU) that implements a project. This indirect route will remain in place to preserve the usual administrative remedies. There will be a need to deal with complaints and grievances during construction for this project, Therefore another mechanism will be available to affected persons whereby complaints can also be made direct to the PPMU (with the usual authorities PPC being kept informed).

211. Through a Grievance Redress Committee (GRC), PPMU shall promptly address affected people’s concerns, complaints, and grievances about the Project’s environmental performance at no costs to the complainant and without retribution. The GRC, which shall be established by PPMU before commencement of site works, shall be chaired by PPMU and shall have members from the contractor, ward and district committees, DONRE, local NGO, and women’s organization. Grievances can be filed in writing or verbally with any member of the GRC. The committee will have 15 days to respond with a resolution. If unsatisfied with the decision, the existence of the GRC shall not impede the complainant’s access to the Government’s judicial or administrative remedies.

212. PPMU shall make public the existence of this grievance redress mechanism through public awareness campaigns. PPMU shall also set-up a hotline for complaints and the hotline shall be publicized through the media and numbers placed on the notice boards outside the site and suggestion/complaints boxes be placed outside the construction camps and yards as well as on notice boards outside the Bac Kan provincial offices near the Project road. Locally affected people will still be able to express grievances through the ward or district committees and these would be referred to PPMU through the usual channels in those committees.

213. The GRC will develop and maintain a database of all complaints received related to the Project and actions taken to resolve complaints, disputes or questions about the Project. It is also proposed that a hotline to PPMU/ESO be set up for complaints and that the hotline is publicized through the media and numbers placed on the notice boards outside the Bac Kan provincial offices near the Project road. The JCC and PPMU shall publicize the existence of the grievance redress mechanism through public awareness campaigns.

VIII. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

A Implementation Arrangements

214. In Viet Nam the environmental regulations of GOV are derived from the Law on Environmental Protection (2006) and subsequent decrees and regulations. The environmental assessment rules are set out in the Guidelines on Implementation of Law on Environmental Protection 2006 (under Law on Environmental Protection 2005) that requires Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). DONRE will review the IEE and before construction can commence.

215. The project owner (PPC/PPMU) is required to obtain approval from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) following environmental assessment and public consultation. It has been clarified by MONRE that although the Guidelines on Implementation of Law on Environmental Protection 2006 applies the PPMU should disclose the scale and scope of the Project works at the detailed design stage so that DONRE can decide on procedures that need to be completed under the environmental laws in view of the pending developments in environmental assessment procedures in Viet Nam. Therefore PPC/PPMU will submit the IEE to DONRE to disclose the scale and scope of the projects in due course and obtain approval.

216. Pollution standards for the protection environment are described in the Law on Environmental Protection (2006). The following standards will be referred to for water quality, noise, dust monitoring during implementation of the Project: QCVN 08:2008/BTNMT (surface water quality), QCVN 05:2009/BTNMT (air quality), and TCVN 5949:1998 (noise). Certain associated project activities commonly associated with road improvement such as quarry operations, extraction of gravel or discharge of waste water also require licenses that are issued at the provincial level depending on the duration and scale of those activities. DONRE is the authority to decide on the permit requirements at the provincial level. The table below defines the responsibilities for EMP implementation.

217. During project implementation, the joint coordination committee (JCC) will engage one (1) international environment specialist and two (2) national environment specialists to undertake PCC’s tasks with regard to EMP implementation and monitoring (see Table VIII.1) for the six Project provinces (Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Bac Kan, Cao Bang, Tuyen Quang and Ha Giang) . The estimated cost for engaging these specialists and other expenses related to EMP implementation are presented in Table VIII.3.

218. The PPMUs will engage national project supervision consultants (PSC). Included in the PSC’s responsibilities (Table VIII.1) is to ensure that the contractors implement the provisions of the Project EMP and SEMPs.

Table VIII.1: Responsibilities for EMP Implementation Agency Responsibilities Provincial People’s Committee (PPC)

Executing agency with overall responsibility for project construction and operation

Ensure that sufficient funds are available to properly implement the EMP Ensure that the Project, regardless of financing source, complies with the

provisions of the EMP and ADB Safeguard Policy Statement 2009 (SPS) Ensure that Project implementation complies with Government

environmental policies and regulations Ensure that tender and contract documents include the Project EMP and

SEMPs Submit semi-annual monitoring reports on EMP implementation to ADB

Provincial Project Management Unit

Ensure that EMP provisions are strictly implemented during various project phases (design/pre-construction, construction and operation) to mitigate

Agency Responsibilities under PDOT (PPMU)

environmental impacts to acceptable levels Undertake monitoring of the implementation of the EMP (mitigation and

monitoring measures) with assistance from PSC and PCC. Ensure that Project implementation complies with ADB's environmental

policy and safeguards policy statement (SPS 2009) principles and requirements

For project duration, commit and retain a dedicated staff within PPMU as environment and safety officer (ESO) to oversee EMP implementation

Ensure that environmental protection and mitigation measures in the EMP are incorporated in the detailed design

Obtain necessary environmental approval(s) from DONRE prior to award of civil works contracts

Include the Project EMP and SEMPs in the bid and contract documents for civil works;

Establish an environmental grievance redress mechanism, as described in the IEE, to receive and facilitate resolution of affected peoples' concerns, complaints, and grievances about the Project's environmental performance

With assistance from PCC, prepare semi-annual environmental monitoring reports for submission to ADB

Based on the results of EMP monitoring, identify environmental corrective actions and prepare a corrective action plan, as necessary, for submission to ADB

Joint Coordination Committee (JCC)

Engage environment specialists under the Project Coordinating Consultant to ensure proper implementation and monitoring of EMP provisions

Project Coordinating Consultant (PCC)

Ensure that the DDC incorporate into the project design the environmental protection and mitigation measures identified in the EMP for the design stage;

Assist PPMU to ensure that all environmental requirements and mitigation measures from the IEE and EMP are incorporated in the bidding documents and contracts

During detailed design phase carry out baseline data collection on air quality, noise and surface water quality (as specified in the EMP)

During detailed design phase, prepare method statement/SEMPs (Erosion Control Plan, Waste Management and Spoils Disposal Plan, Noise and Dust Control Plan, etc.) described in the IEE/EMP.

Implement all mitigation and monitoring measures for various project phases specified as PCC’s tasks in the EMP

Work with JCC and PPMU to execute any additional environmental assessment prior to project construction as required in the EMP (e.g., preparation of new or supplementary environmental assessment in case of change in alignment that will result to adverse environmental impacts that are not within the scope of the IEE prepared during loan processing, etc.)

Undertake environmental management capacity building activities for PPMU as described in the IEE and EMP.

Engage international and national environment specialists to ensure proper implementation of EMP provisions. Through these specialist, the PCC shall: (i) ensure proper and timely implementation of PCC’s tasks specified in the EMP, (ii) conduct environmental training as specified in the IEE/EMP for PPMU, (iii) conduct workers’ orientation on EMP provisions, (iv) undertake regular monitoring of the contractor’s environmental performance, as scheduled in the EMP (v) conduct field measurements for surface water quality, dust and noise as required in the EMP, and (v) prepare environmental baseline report and environmental semi-annual environmental monitoring reports , as specified in the EMP, for submission to ADB

. Detailed Design Consultant (DDC)

Incorporate into the project design the environmental protection and mitigation measures identified in the EMP for the design stage;

Agency Responsibilities During detailed design phase provide all necessary information to the PCC

to facilitate preparation of SEMPs (Erosion Control Plan, Waste Management and Spoils Disposal Plan, Noise and Dust Control Plan, etc.) described in the IEE/EMP.

During detailed design phase notify PCC and JCC of any change in alignment or project design/components and provide all necessary information to the PCC to facilitate preparation of any additional environmental assessment prior to project construction as required in the EMP (e.g., preparation of new or supplementary environmental assessment in case of change in alignment that will result to adverse environmental impacts that are not within the scope of the IEE prepared during loan processing, etc.)

During detailed design phase provide all necessary information to the PPMU and SC and JCC to facilitate obtaining environmental approvals from DONRE prior to award of civil works contracts

Contractors Recruit qualified environmental officer to ensure compliance with

environmental statutory and contractual obligations and proper Provide sufficient funding and human resources for proper and timely

implementation of required mitigation measures in the EMP Implement additional environmental mitigation measures, as necessary

Provincial Department of Transport (PDOT)

Responsible for operation and maintenance of Project road Implement EMP monitoring during operation

Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DONRE)

Review and approve environmental assessment reports required by the Government.

Undertake monitoring of the project’s environmental performance based on their mandate

B Environmental Mitigation

219. The anticipated environmental impacts and mitigation measures discussed in the previous section is presented in Table VIII.2. The table also shows responsibilities and timeframe/schedule for implementation of mitigation measures and monitoring.

220. Table VIII.2 shows that most mitigation activities during pre-construction are to be implemented by the PCC while during construction, measures shall be primarily implemented by the contractors. During operation stage, PDOT shall undertake environmental mitigation and monitoring requirements specified in the EMP. To ensure implementation of mitigation measures during construction, the EMP shall be included in the tender and contract documents for civil works. Contractors’ conformity with environmental contract procedures and specifications shall be regularly monitored by PPMU with assistance from PCC and results shall be reported semi-annually to ADB.

Table VIII.2: Environmental Mitigation and Environmental Performance Monitoring Plan for the Project road in Bac Kan Impact mitigation Performance and Impact monitoring

Environmental Concern

Objective Proposed Mitigation Measures (MM)

Responsible to Implement MM

Timing to Implement MM

Locations Implement MM

Mitigation Cost

Parameter to monitor

Frequency & Verification

Responsible to Monitor

Monitoring Cost

DESIGN & PRE-CONSTRUCTION

1. Design measures and project disclosure

Incorporate design measures in the project design to minimize environmental impacts.

Compliance with VIE statutory environmental assessment process.

Establishment of Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM)

1. Secure the services of the Project Coordinating Consultant (PCC) to address EMP requirements at the detailed design phase.

2. Notify Project to DONRE and identify and obtain environmental permits / certificates under statutory environmental assessment process, including those that may be required by Nam Xuan Lac Nature Reserve Management Board in relation to project works and facilities.

3. Implement plan for Grievance Redress Mechanism as described in the IEE

4. Based on the requirements of the IEE (Chapter V. A and B, and Project EMP Table VIII.2)), prepare the following method statements/specific EMPs (SEMPs) for implementation by contractors. Such SEMPs shall not be in conflict with any provisions of the Project EMP: Waste Management and Spoil Disposal Plan, Materials Management Plan, Drainage Management Plan, Erosion Control Plan, Tree-cutting and Replanting Plan, Temporary Transport Management Plan, Utilities and Irrigation Reprovisioning Plan, Noise and Dust Control Plan, and Workers and Public Safety Plan:

5. Coordinate with the Detailed Design Consultant (DDC) to incorporate the following measures in the project design:

i) Minimize acquisition of agricultural land for temporary facilities by selecting preferred locations in detailed designs for construction yards and asphalt plant on barren or marginal land and agree terms with local community.

ii) Identify potential solution spaces to ensure sufficient disposal areas for cut surface spoil materials and to avoid fly-tipping. Obtain

1: Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC)

2&3: Provincial Project Management Unit (PPMU)

4: Project Coordinating Consultant (PCC)

5 (i to ix): PCC, PPMU and Detailed Design Consultant (DCC)

1 to 2: Start of detailed design.

3: Before start of civil works

4 & 5 (i to ix): During detailed design phase

Throughout project site

Cost included in PPMU, DCC and PCC staffing.

Environmental approval for the Project obtained from DONRE

Response from DONRE on permits.

Require in PCC contract. check at detailed design.

Complete check of items 1 to 5.

Completion detailed design/prior to start of site works. Once.

JCC/PPMU/ , DONRE

Cost met by PPMU project staffing

Impact mitigation Performance and Impact monitoring






Mitigation Cost




Monitoring Cost

approval from local authorities and local community before bidding.

iii)Make arrangements to facilitate the timely production and supply of rock and bitumen based materials for construction and to avoid impacts due to unnecessary stockpiling near the Project road.

iv)Design extensions and improvements of drainage culverts for the Project road to account for increased rain due to a once in 100 year return storm event.

v)Minimize hydrological and drainage impacts during construction by including in the detailed design early phasing of replacement of culverts and other infrastructure.

vi)Disruption to current facilities for water supply will be avoided and facilities will be retained or re-provisioned before construction works commence; provisions will be made to preserve the operation of current facilities for water supply in sufficient quantity in agreement with the local community.

vii) Plan and implement reprovisioning of power and water supply lines before construction works commence to avoid disruption of services. Ensure that provisions will be made to preserve the operation of current facilities in sufficient quantity in agreement with the local utility company.

viii) Prepare plans to minimize disturbance of vehicular traffic and pedestrians during construction. Ensure that phasing for construction will retain a passing lane along part of the road during construction in detailed designs programming and avoid community severance.

ix) Aim to provide enhancements in the design based on ADB policy on environmentally responsible procurement and avoid negative impacts due to unnecessary removal of trees.







Mitigation Cost




Monitoring Cost

2. Project boundaries/ location change

EMP can control impacts and compliance required for environmental laws.

1. Coordinate with DCC to incorporate the following in the project design:

i) Design upgrading works within ROW, to avoid graves, cemeteries and other sensitive receptors (SR).

ii). Detailed design alignment to minimize loss of trees and other vegetation.

iii). Detailed design to provide for enhancement (e.g., landscaping, tree replanting) where practicable.

2. Make plans for tree replacement in coordination with local authorities and District Forestry Office.

3. Update the EMP should there be additional environmental impacts identified during detailed design and for which appropriate mitigation measures have not been included in the EMP. Submit updated EMP to ADB for review before start of civil works.

4. Prepare a new or supplementary environmental assessment report in compliance with the environmental assessment and review framework and ADB’s Safeguard Policy Statement 2009 if there are any additional components or modifications in the Project such as change in specific location/alignment, among others, that will result to adverse environmental impacts and are not within the scope of the environmental assessment report prepared during loan processing. Submit the report to ADB for review before start of related civil works.

1 (i to iii): PCC, DCC, PPMU

2 to 4: PCC

Detailed design Throughout project site

Included in PCC cost.

Require in PCC contract. check at DD

Complete check of items 1 to 4 on detailed design.

Once, during detailed design.

PPMU Cost met by PPMU project staffing

3. Environmentally responsible procurement

EMP provisions are properly implemented by selected contractors.

1. EMP is included in tender documents to ensure that mitigation measures are budgeted and to prepare the contractors for environmental responsibilities.

2. Specify in bid document that Contractors shall engage capable and trained staff or site agent(s) to take responsibility for the

1 & 2:

PCC, PPMU

3: PCC, PPMU

1 & 2: Bid preparation

3 & 4: Before start of civil works


Included in bid cost

1 & 2: Inclusion in bid docs

3 & 4: Check compliance

Bid preparation stage.

Before start of site works








Mitigation Cost




Monitoring Cost

environmental management and safety issues at the working level and to monitor the effectiveness and review mitigation measures as the project proceeds. 3. Contractors recruit qualified staff to oversee implementation of environmental and safety measures specified in the EMP.

4. Environmental capacity development

Develop environmental management capacity of PPMU to ensure proper EMP implementation and promote environmental awareness among workers.

1. PPMU to commit and retain dedicated staff for project duration to oversee EMP implementation

2. PCC to train PPMU to build their capacity on EMP implementation, monitoring and reporting using workshops and on-the-job training techniques and case studies.

3. Conduct workers’ orientation on EMP provisions. Such orientation shall be periodically conducted by the PCC as every new contractor is engaged.

4. PPMU and dedicated environment staff to ensure project activities do not compromise programmes currently running to protect the rare or endangered species in the Nature Reserve such as the Human and Resource Conservation Fund programme for protection of wildlife and the Vietnam Conservation Fund (VCF) capacity enhancement management & awareness programme.

1: PPMU

2 & 3: PCC

4: PPMU

Initiate during detailed design phase and continue throughout project construction


Cost included in PPMU and PCC cost

Require in PCC contract. Check at DD.

Complete training and check before and during construction.

Prior to start of site works and throughout construction phase

PPMU, Cost met by PPMU project staffing

5. Plan Spoil and Waste Disposal

Minimize waste; avoid fly-tipping and pollution.

1. Re-use of waste materials & spoil disposal locations included in bid and contract documents.

2. Prepare a WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN and SPOIL DISPOSAL PLAN. The plan shall cover handling, storage, treatment, transport and disposal of solid and liquid wastes, hazardous materials, hazardous wastes and excavation spoils.

3. The General Waste section of the WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN and SPOIL DISPOSAL

PCC Detailed design phase (before bidding)


Cost included in PCC cost.

Require in PCC contract. Check at DD

Complete check of items 1 to 5

Once, detailed design phase








Mitigation Cost




Monitoring Cost

PLAN will include consideration of all matters related to solid and liquid waste disposal including the following:

i)Expected types of waste and quantities of waste arising.

ii)Waste reduction, reuse and recycling methods to be employed

iii) Agreed reuse and recycling options and locations for disposal / endorsement from DONRE and local groups.

iv)Methods for treatment and disposal of all solid ad liquid wastes.

v)Methods of transportation to minimize interference with normal traffic.

vi)Establishment of regular disposal schedule and constraints for hazardous waste.

vii)Programme for disposal of general waste / chain of custody for hazardous waste.

viii)Discussion of the PSC, PPMU/PCC inspection/monitoring role.

ix)Establishment of complaints management system for duration of the works

x)Agreement on publicity/public consultation requirements (advance signing etc.).

4. The Waste Management Plan and Spoil Disposal Plan shall include a section on Hazardous Materials and Waste section. This will detail the mitigation measures, organizational arrangements, resources, facilities, etc. to avoid environmental as well as health and safety impacts due to use and disposal of hazardous materials/substances.

5. The Spoil Disposal section of the Waste Management Plan and Spoil Disposal Plan will include consideration of the following:

i)Locations and quantities of spoil arising from the construction works.

ii)Agreed locations for disposal / endorsement







Mitigation Cost




Monitoring Cost

from DONRE and local groups.

iii)Methods of transportation to minimize interference with normal traffic.

iv)Establishment of acceptable working hours and constraints.

v)Agreement on time scale and programme for disposal and chain of custody.

vi)Details of a trip ticket system to ensure that contractors dispose excavation spoils in approved areas. Such system will be designed so that the PSC and PCC could readily monitor the volume and disposal site of excavation spoils, and to ensure that the total volume of spoils disposed will not exceed the maximum capacity of disposal sites approved by local authorities.

vii)Programming issues including the time of year and available resources.

viii)Discussion of the PSC, PPMU/PCC inspection/monitoring role.

ix))Establishment of complaints management system for duration of the works

ix)Agreement on publicity/public consultation requirements (advance signing etc.).

6. Plan construction materials management

Avoid stockpiling of rock based materials and erosion runoff.

1. Designs to balance cut and fill where possible.

2. Prepare a MATERIALS MANAGEMENT PLAN. The plan shall detail the arrangements to be made to facilitate the timely production and supply of construction materials to avoid impacts due to unnecessary stockpiling outside the Project site. As a minimum, the plan shall consider the following:

(i) Required materials, potential sources and estimated quantities available,

(ii) Impacts to identified sources and availability, (iii) Excavated slope material for reuse and recycling methods to be employed,



Cost included in PCC fees.











Mitigation Cost




Monitoring Cost

(iv) Required endorsements from DONRE and local groups for use of sources.

(v) Methods of transportation to minimize interference with normal traffic.

(vi) Constraints of regular delivery schedule to reduce stockpiling on site.

vii) Measures to be employed to mitigate nuisances to local residents.

(viii) Program for reuse of slope excavated material for reuse

(ix) Program for delivery of quarry and borrow materials.

(x) Discussion of the PSC, PPMU/PCC inspection/monitoring role.

(xi) Agreement on publicity/public consultation requirements.

7. Drainage and Hydrological Impacts

To minimize hydrological impacts flooding and erosion of river banks.

1. Coordinate with DCC to ensure that designs for bridges and culverts are sufficient to control flooding with appropriate drainage structures to cater for worst case flow and rainfall from 100 year return storm and to dissipate energy of flow to reduce erosion.

2. Prepare DRAINAGE MANAGEMENT PLAN. The plan shall detail measures and other provisions to ensure that construction works will not cause ponding/flooding within the Project site, construction camps, borrow/quarry areas, other areas used for project-related activities and adjacent areas.

PCC, PPMU, DCC Detailed design phase (before bidding)


Cost included in PCC and DDC fees.





8. Erosion Control and Flooding

To minimize hydrological impacts, flooding damage to the works and erosion of river banks.

1. Coordinate with the DCC to incorporate the following measures in the project design: i) Incorporate erosion control and slope stabilization measures in the engineering design such as side ditches and berms, rock lining and slope walls, and provision of vegetation cover on slopes, where appropriate. ii) Cut slopes designed not to undercut or destabilize adjacent tree lined slopes.

1: PCC, PPMU, DCC

2: PCC

Detailed design phase (before bidding)


Cost included in PCC and DDC fees.


Complete check of implementation









Mitigation Cost




Monitoring Cost

iii) Temporary drainage works are to be designed based on the historical flood data and flood forecasting. iv) Ensure design includes prevention of flooding in adjacent areas during rehabilitation or construction of bridges. v) Incorporate in the design side drainage structures to divert the stream water at construction sites. vi) Design incorporates sufficient sizes of drains to take design flows. 2. Prepare an EROSION CONTROL PLAN. The plan shall detail the arrangements/provisions to ensure that construction works will not cause excessive runoff and siltation of adjacent waterways within the Project site, have sufficient provisions to ensure stabilization of cut slopes and other erosion-prone areas, minimize hydrological impacts, flooding and erosion of river banks and adjacent areas and to protect the works under construction. The plan will consider the following: i) Climate and rainfall for the area and checking weather forecasts. ii) Terrain and typical locations susceptible to erosion and runoff. iii) Protection of the works and potential impacts to the environment. iv) Erosion control methods to be employed, locations and installation timing. v) Limits to stockpiling on sites near waterways and irrigation channels. vi) Discussion of the PSC, PCC/PPMU inspection/monitoring role. vii) Agreement on publicity/public consultation requirements.

of items 1 to 2

9.Traffic Condition

Minimize traffic disruption and congestion.

1. Contact all relevant local authorities and local village groups to plan traffic management.

2 Prepare a TEMPORARY TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PLAN to minimize disturbance





Complete









Mitigation Cost




Monitoring Cost

of vehicular traffic and pedestrians during construction. Access arrangements for vehicles accessing the Project area will be formulated such that this will avoid community disturbance and severance and will at least retain a passing lane along all roads used during construction. The plan will include consideration of the following

i)Lane availability and minimizing interference with traffic flows past the works site.

ii)Establishment of acceptable working hours and constraints.

iii)Agreement on time scale and establishment of traffic flow/delay requirements.

iv)Programming issues including the time of year and available resources.

v)Discussion of the PSC, PCC/PPMU inspection/monitoring role.

vi)Establishment of complaints management system for duration of the works

vii)Agreement on publicity/public consultation requirements (advance signing etc.).

check of items 1 to 2

10. Protect and reprovision irrigation and utilities

Minimize interruption to power, water supply telecoms and irrigation system

1. Identify all power, water supply, telecommunications and irrigation systems likely to be interrupted by the works. 2. Contact all relevant local authorities for utilities and local village groups to plan reprovisoning of power, water supply, telecommunications and irrigation systems.

3. Prepare a UTILITIES and IRRIGATION REPROVISIONING PLAN to minimize interruption to power, water supply, telecoms and irrigation systems.








11. Tree cutting Minimize tree cutting 1. Contact all relevant local authorities, forestry authority and local village groups to plan tree cutting and replanting. 2. Prepare a TREE CUTTING AND REPLANTING PLAN to avoid indiscriminate tree-cutting. The plan shall clearly define areas





Complete check of items









Mitigation Cost




Monitoring Cost

where vegetation removal is necessary based on Project requirements and shall have provisions for replanting to compensate for lost trees. The plan shall prohibit introduction of invasive species and shall specify that new alien plant species (i.e., species not currently established in the region of the project) shall not be used unless carried out within the existing regulatory framework for such introduction.

1 to 2

12. Noise and dust management

Minimize noise and dust

1. Reconfirm all noise and dust sensitive receivers likely to be affected by construction works. 2. Contact local village groups to plan mitigation in advance.

3. Prepare a NOISE and DUST CONTROL PLAN to minimize impacts to sensitive receptors (residential areas, schools, temples, hospitals, etc.) due to construction works, sourcing and transport of construction materials, and other project-related activities.





Complete check of contractor’s implementation of items 1 to 3



13. Workers and public safety

Avoid accidents due to construction works

Prepare a WORKERS and PUBLIC SAFETY PLAN to identify interfaces between the works and the public, formulate measures to ensure safety of workers and the public, and prevent accidents due to the construction works.




Require in PCC contract.

Complete check at DD



14. Unexploded Ordnance

Avoid accidents due to UXO

1. Coordinate with appropriate agencies at the design stage to identify if UXO is a potential threat to works

2. Based on the findings, engage an authorized UXO clearing contractor, as necessary.

3. Ensure that the contractors shall only commence site works after the UXO clearing firm has certified that the project areas are already cleared.

PPMU Prior to contractor selection.

Reassurance check before works commence


Included in Project cost


Once, prior to start of site works

PPMU, JCC Cost met by JCC and PPMU project staffing

15. Nam Xuan Lac Nature Reserve Patrols near TL255

Minimize illegal timber cutting and illegal poaching in Nam Xuan

1. Coordinate with Nam Xuan Lac Nature Reserve Management Board and Forest Protection Department of Bac Kan to agree on

PPC/PPMU

Detailed design phase (before bidding for TL255)

Near the border of Back and Tuyen Quang

USD 7,000 for the structure



JCC Cost met by JCC project staffing.







Mitigation Cost




Monitoring Cost

Lac Nature Reserve including buffer zone.

the details of the forest check point station to be constructed near the end of the Project road at the Bac Kan/Tuyen Quang border (Km 24+700 approximately). 2. Include construction of the forest check point station in the bid documents for civil works.

PPMU/PCC

CONSTRUCTION STAGE

1. Activate management plans and obtain permits / licenses.

Avoid impacts from unplanned activities.

1. Implement provisions of Project EMP and SEMPs for waste and spoil disposal, materials management, drainage, erosion control, tree-cutting and replanting, traffic, utilities and irrigation reprovisioning, noise and dust control and workers and public safety.

2. Contractors and their suppliers comply with all statutory requirements for permits from DONRE with regard to use of mechanical equipment, establishment and operation of construction plants such as concrete batching plant, rock crusher, spoils disposal, etc.

Contractor 1. Throughout construction phase

2. Before start of site works.


Cost included in contractors fees

1. Check that contractors have resources to implement Project EMP, SEMPs

2. Complete check of all necessary environmental approvals/per-mits.

Before start of site works and throughout construction phase

Bi-weekly

As part of day-today project construction supervision

PCC, PPMU

Project Supervision Consultant (PSC)

Cost met by PSC, PCC and PPMU project staffing

2. Orientation for Contractors, Workers on environmental and social management.

Contractors & workers trained to implement mitigation measures and better implementation of EMP.

1. Contractors clearly separate resources applied to mitigation measures. Tenders identify named staff to supervise implementation of PRoject EMP, SEMPs.

2. PSC and PCC shall conduct training/orientation involving construction workers and /PPMU with regard to implementation of mitigation measures in the SEMPs and Project EMP (i.e., those specified in the IEE) and any additional measures identified during detailed design phase.

3. Implement malaria controls and HIV-AIDS education and prevention program in line with social plans

1: Contractors

2: PSC, PCC

3: Contractors

1: Before start of site works

2: Within one month of start of site works and as new contractors are engaged

3. Upon deployment of workers to project site


Cost included in contracts for PSc, PCC and Contractors

Complete check of implementation of items 1 to 3

1: Before start of site works

2: Within one month of start of construction and as new contractors are engaged

3: Bi-weekly (every 2 weeks) during construction.

PSC (monitoring

PCC, PPMU, PSC








Mitigation Cost




Monitoring Cost

to be done as part of day-to-day project construction supervision)

3. Loss of vegetation and impacts to fauna

Minimize impacts to flora and fauna

1. Monitoring and marking of vegetation that will not be removed agreed with forest authority prior to commencement of construction. 2. Forest authority to approve replacement of cut trees to be undertaken based on the tree cutting and replanting plan. 3. Clearing of trees minimized based on Tree-cutting and Replanting Plan. 4. Prohibit cutting of trees for firewood and for use in Project. 5. During replanting/revegetation works, new alien plant species (i.e., species not currently established in the country or region of the project) shall not be used unless carried out with the existing regulatory framework for such introduction. Invasive species shall not be introduced into new environments. 6. Prohibit workers from hunting wild animals. 7. As much as possible, bridge works will be scheduled in dry season to minimize adverse impacts to fishery, river water quality and other aquatic resources. 8. The contractors will not use or permit the use of wood as a fuel for the execution of any part of the Works, including but not limited to the heating of bitumen and bitumen mixtures, and to the extent practicable shall ensure that fuels other than wood are used for cooking, and water heating in all his camps and living accommodations 9. Contractors shall not buy or use wood from the illegal sources (that come from the illegal logging) 10. No construction camps, asphalt mixing plants, material storage sites are to be located in the forest areas. 11. Contractors will take all precautions

1: Contractors, District Forestry Office (DFO)

2: DFO/local forestry office

3 to 11: Contractors

1 to 2: Before tree-cutting is implemented

3 to 11: Throughout construction phase


Cost included in contracts

Check implementation of items 1-12

1 to 3: Prior to and during construction (Bi-weekly)

4 to 12: Bi-weekly

1 to 12 (as part of day-to-day project construction supervision)

PCC, PPMU

PSC








Mitigation Cost




Monitoring Cost

necessary to ensure that damage to vegetation is avoided due to fires resulting from execution of the works. The Contractors will immediately suppress the fire, if it occurs, and shall undertake replanting to replace damaged vegetation.

4. Drainage and Hydrological Impacts

To minimize hydrological impacts flooding and erosion of river banks.

1. Implement provisions of DRAINAGE MANAGEMENT PLAN (DMP) prepared by PCC during detailed design phase.

2. Provide adequate drainage facilities at construction sites and project-related facilities (construction camps, borrow areas, etc.) to avoid ponding and flooding. 3. Implement agreed designs for bridges and culverts sufficient to control flooding as designed and to dissipate energy of flow to reduce erosion. 4 Protect or reprovision irrigation channels that cross the works areas. Damaged irrigation canals shall be immediately repaired. 5. Protect natural streams that may become silted by construction runoff, workshops and equipment washing-yards. 6. Minimize alterations in the project corridor’s surface drainage patterns as much as possible: 7. Drains to be constructed so that the outfalls of the surface run-off from the carriageway are diverted away from the SRs. 8 Ensure that storm drains and drainage systems are periodically cleared to maintain storm water flow during construction.

Contractors

Throughout construction phase

Throughout project site, particularly at bridges, causeways, irrigation canals and all areas considered prone to flooding.

Included in project and bid costs


Bi-weekly

As part of day-to-day project construction supervision

PCC, PPMU

PSC

Cost met by PSC, PCC, PPMU project staffing

5. Utilities Prevent interruption of services such as electricity and water during relocation of the utilities line /connections. Repair damaged access roads.

1. Implement provisions of the UTILITIES and IRRIGATION REPROVISIONING PLAN (UIRP) prepared by PCC during detailed design.

2. Reconfirm power, water supply, telecommunications and irrigation systems likely to be interrupted by the works. 3. Contact all relevant local authorities for utilities and local village groups to plan reprovisoning of power, water supply,

Contractors 2 to 6: Before start of construction

7 & 8: During construction




2 to 6: Before construction

7 & 8: Bi-weekly

1 to 8: as part of day-to-day project construction supervision

PCC, PPMU

PSC








Mitigation Cost




Monitoring Cost

telecommunications and irrigation systems. 4. Utilities shall be relocated and reconnected well ahead of commencement of construction works and contractors shall coordinate with utility company for relocation and reconnection well before works commence. 5. Affected communities shall be properly informed in advance. 6. Reconnection of utilities shall be done at the shortest practicable time before construction commences. 7. Utilities damaged during construction shall be reported to the PSC, PPMU and utility authority and repairs arranged immediately. 8. Access roads, agricultural land and other properties damaged during transport of construction materials and other project-related activities shall be reinstated upon completion of construction works at each section

6. Materials exploitation and management of quarry and borrow areas

Minimize impacts from materials extraction, transportation and storage.

1. Implement MATERIALS MANAGEMENT PLAN or MMP prepared by PCC during detailed design phase.

2. Balance cut and fill requirements to minimization impacts from extraction of aggregates. 3. Prioritize use of existing quarry sites with suitable materials and update the list of quarries and borrow pits monthly in MMP and report to PPMU and minimize impacts on other local resources. 4. Procure materials only from DONRE authorized quarries and borrow sites. 5. If the contractors shall operate the quarry site, required environmental permits shall be secured prior to operation of quarry/borrow areas. 6. Follow compensatory planting plan if trees have to be removed 7. Stockpile topsoil for later use and fence and re-contour borrow pits after use. Topsoil, overburden, and low-quality materials shall be properly removed, stockpiled near the site, and

Contractors

1 to 13: Throughout construction

14 to 17: Upon completion of materials extraction

Project site, quarry and borrow sites

Cost included in contract


Bi-weekly

as part of day-to-day project construction supervision

PCC, PPMU

PSC

Cost met by PCC and PPMU project staffing







Mitigation Cost




Monitoring Cost

preserved for rehabilitation. 8. Use quarry with highest ratio between extractive capacity (both in terms of quality) and loss of natural state; 9. Use quarry sites lying close to the alignment, with a high level of accessibility and with a low hill gradient; 10. Do not use quarries in areas of natural woodland or near rivers which provide food and shelters for birds and other animals. 11. Borrow/quarry sites shall not be located in productive land and forested areas. 12. During quarry/borrow site operation, provide adequate drainage to avoid accumulation of stagnant water. 13. It is preferable to avoid or reduce the sections of quarry sites located on river bed. If it is not possible to locate quarries out of river beds, quarry sites lying on small rivers and streams shall be avoided. Alluvial terraces or alluvial deposits which lie on the river beds but not covered by water in normal hydrological conditions, are preferred; 14. In quarries in the mountainous or hilly areas, or wherever slopes are important, cut terraces after extraction and implement a drainage system and vegetation cover for rehabilitation. 15. Ensure borrow pits are left in a tidy state with stable side slopes and proper drainage in order to avoid creation of water bodies favorable for mosquito breeding 16. Upon completion of extraction activities, quarry and borrow pits shall be dewatered and fences shall be installed, as appropriate, to minimize health and safety risks. 17. To avoid drowning when pits become water-filled, measures such as fencing, providing flotation devices such as a buoy tied to a rope, etc. shall be implemented.

7. Spoil Disposal Control spoil and construction waste disposal, oily and

1. Implement corresponding provisions of WASTE MANAGEMENT and SPOIL DISPOSAL

Contractors


Project site and spoils disposal sites


Check implementation

Bi-weekly

PCC, PPMU

Cost met by PSC, PCC and PPMU project







Mitigation Cost




Monitoring Cost

hazardous wastes. PLAN (WMSDP) prepared by the PCC.

2. Areas for disposal to be agreed with land owner and DONRE checked and recorded by the PSC, PCC/PPMU and monitored

3. Spoil disposal areas to be rehabilitated monitored, catalogued, and marked.

4. Spoil will not be disposed of in rivers and streams or other natural drainage path.

5. Spoil will not be disposed of on fragile slopes, flood ways, wetland, farmland, forest, religious or other culturally sensitive areas or areas where a livelihood is derived.

6. Surplus spoil will be used where practicable for local repair works to fill eroded gullies and depression areas and degraded land in consultation with local community.

7. Spoils shall only be disposed to areas approved by local authority.

8. Spoil will be to disposed of to disused quarries and abandoned borrow pits where practicable.

9. Disposed spoil will be spread in 15cm layers and compacted to optimum moisture content, covered with topsoil, landscaped and provided with drainage and vegetation to prevent erosion in line with best practice.

10. Spoil disposal shall not cause sedimentation and obstruction of flow of watercourses, damage to agricultural land and densely vegetated areas.

11. Under no circumstances will spoils be dumped into watercourses (rivers, streams, drainage, irrigation canals, etc.)

12. The spoils disposal site shall be located at least 50 m from surface water courses and shall be protected from erosion by avoiding formation of steep slopes and grassing.

of items 1-12

Spoils disposal will be monitored by PSC/PCC/PPMU and recorded using a written chain of custody (trip-ticket) system to the designated disposal sites.


PSC staffing

8. General Reduce, reuse and 1. Implement corresponding provisions of Contractors Throughout Project site and Cost included Check Bi-weekly PCC, PPMU Cost met by







Mitigation Cost




Monitoring Cost

Construction Waste Disposal

recycle waste and contamination due to poor waste disposal practices.

WASTE MANAGEMENT and SPOIL DISPOSAL PLAN prepared by the PCC.

2. Areas for disposal to be agreed with land owner and DONRE checked; and recorded and monitored by the PCC/PPMU.

3. Waste disposal areas approved by local authorities shall be rehabilitated, monitored, catalogued, and marked.

4. Segregation of wastes shall be observed. Cleared foliage, shrubs and grasses can be given to local farmers for fodder and fuel. Organic (biodegradables) shall be collected and disposed of on site by composting (no burning on site). 4. Recyclables shall be recovered and sold to recyclers.

5. Residual and hazardous wastes shall be disposed of in disposal sites approved by local authorities.

6. Construction/workers’ camps shall be provided with garbage bins.

7. Burning of construction and domestic wastes shall be prohibited.

8. Disposal of solid wastes into canals, rivers, other watercourses, agricultural field and public areas shall be prohibited.

9. There will be no site-specific landfills established by the contractors. All solid waste will be collected and removed from the work camps and disposed in local waste disposal sites.

10. Solid waste generated during construction and at campsites to be treated and safely disposed only in demarcated off-site waste disposal sites identified and agreed with PSC/PPMU, local community and local authorities.

construction phase waste disposal areas

in contracts implementation of items 1-10


PSC

PSC, PCC and PPMU project staffing







Mitigation Cost




Monitoring Cost

9. Use of hazardous substances and hazardous waste disposal

Minimize contamination due to use and storage of hazardous substances

1. Implement corresponding provisions of WASTE MANAGEMENT and SPOIL DISPOSAL PLAN prepared by the PCC.

2. Ensure that safe storage of fuel, other hazardous substances and bulk materials are agreed by PSC/PPMU and have necessary approval/permit from DONRE and local authorities. 3. Hydrocarbon, toxic material and explosives will be stored in adequately protected sites consistent with national and local regulations to prevent soil and water contamination. 4. Equipment/vehicle maintenance and refueling areas will be confined to areas in construction sites designed to contain spilled lubricants and fuels. Such areas shall be provided with drainage leading to an oil-water separator that will be regularly skimmed of oil and maintained to ensure efficiency. 5. Fuel and other hazardous substances shall be stored in areas provided with roof, impervious flooring and bund/containment wall to protect these from the elements and to readily contain spilled fuel/lubricant. 6. Segregate hazardous wastes (oily wastes, used batteries, fuel drums) and ensure that storage, transport and disposal shall not cause pollution and shall be undertaken consistent with national and local regulations. 7. Ensure all storage containers are in good condition with proper labeling. 8. Regularly check containers for leakage and undertake necessary repair or replacement. 9. Store hazardous materials above flood level. 10. Discharge of oil contaminated water shall be prohibited. 11. Used oil and other toxic and hazardous materials shall be disposed of in an authorized facility off-site. 12. Adequate precautions will be taken to prevent oil/lubricant/ hydrocarbon contamination

Contractors


Throughout Project site, storage areas, equipment and vehicle maintenance and refueling areas



Bi-weekly


PCC, PPMU

PSC








Mitigation Cost




Monitoring Cost

of channel beds. 13. Ensure availability of spill clean up materials (e.g., absorbent pads, etc.) specifically designed for petroleum products and other hazardous substances where such materials are being stored. 14. Spillage, if any, will be immediately cleared with utmost caution to leave no traces. 15. Spillage waste will be disposed at disposal sites approved by local authorities and by PSC. 16. All areas intended for storage of hazardous materials will be quarantined and provided with adequate facilities to combat emergency situations complying with all the applicable statutory stipulation. 17. The Contractors shall identify named personnel in the management plan/SEMP in-charge of these sites and ensure they are properly trained to control access to these areas and entry will be allowed only under authorization.

10. Asphalt plant rock crushers, bitumen usage and soil contamination

Avoid air pollution, nuisances, traffic obstacles and contamination

1. Locate asphalt plant, rock crushers and bitumen supply off road and (wherever practicable) at least 500 m from nearest sensitive receivers (residential areas, schools, hospital, etc.) and rivers and install and maintain dust suppression equipment.

2. Bitumen should not be used as fuel. Fuel wood not for bitumen heating. Bitumen drums stored in dedicated area not scattered along Project roads and other project facilities.

3. Bitumen will not be allowed to enter either running or dry streambeds and nor will be disposed of in ditches or small waste disposal sites prepared by the contractors. 4. Bitumen storage and mixing areas shall be protected against spills and all contaminated soil must be properly handled according to applicable national and local laws and regulation. As a minimum, these areas must be contained, such that any spills can be

Contractors 1: During selection of locations for asphalt plant, rock crusher, bitumen storage





1: Before establishment of facilities, 2 to 9: Bi-weekly


PCC, PPMU

PSC








Mitigation Cost




Monitoring Cost

immediately contained and cleaned up. Any petroleum products used in the preparation of the bitumen mixture must also be carefully managed to avoid spills and contamination of the local water table. 5. Fuel wood shall not be used for heating bitumen and bitumen shall be not used as fuel. 6. Bitumen drums shall be stored in a dedicated area, not scattered along the works 7. All accidental spills of bitumen or chemicals should be cleaned up immediately with the top 2cm of any contaminated soil underneath and disposed of as chemical waste to a site approved by the local authority. 8. Prevent soil contamination requiring contractors to instruct and train their workforce on storage and handling of materials and chemicals that can potentially cause soil contamination. 9. Recycle debris generated by dismantling of existing pavement subject to the suitability of the material.

11. Noise and dust nuisances

To minimize air impacts effectively and avoid complaints due to the airborne dust.

1. Implement the NOISE and DUST CONTROL PLAN (NDCP) prepared by the PCC.

2. Restrict works to daylight hours within 500m of residential settlements and hospitals. 3. Powered mechanical equipment and vehicle emissions to meet national TCVN/QCVN standards. All construction equipment and vehicles shall have valid certifications indicating compliance to vehicle emission standards. 4. Construction equipment and vehicles will be maintained to a good standard and shall be provided with muffler silencers. Machinery causing excessive pollution will be banned from construction sites. 5. Monitor and investigate complaints; propose alternative mitigation measures. 6. Keep stockpiles moist

Contractors





Bi-weekly and spot checks


PCC, PPMU

PSC








Mitigation Cost




Monitoring Cost

7. Tightly cover trucks transporting construction materials (sand, soil, cement, gravel, etc.) to avoid or minimize spills and dust emission. 8. On rainless day undertake watering, at least twice per day, on dusty and exposed areas at construction yards, materials stockpile, construction sites, access roads, quarry areas, borrow sites and other project areas where residential sites and other sensitive receptors such as schools, hospital, etc. are located nearby. If works are within 15m of any sensitive receivers, the contractors shall install dust barrier between the works at the road edge and the sensitive receivers (e.g. 2.5 m high temporary walls, etc.) 9. Mixing and crushing plants operations will be equipped with dust suppression devices such as water sprays. 10. Clean up road surfaces after work. 11. Temporary noise barriers shall be used, as necessary, in sites where sensitive receptors are present, such as residential areas, schools, hospitals, temples, etc. 12. To protect buildings and structures from vibration, non-vibrating roller shall be used in construction sites near buildings and structures. 13. Structures which are damaged due to vibration caused by the Project shall be repaired immediately as directed by PSC/PPMU. 14. Machinery shall be turned off when not in use. 15. Pile driving during to be schedule for day time if construction site is near sensitive receptors or approved by DONRE, local authority and PSC. 16. Impose speed limits on construction vehicles to minimize dust emission along areas where sensitive receptors are located (houses, schools, hospitals, etc.).







Mitigation Cost




Monitoring Cost

12. Blasting (if required)

Perform safe blasting and prevent damage and nuisances from blasting

1. Before sites works, blasting plan to be prepared by contractors and approved by PSC/PPMU in writing. Contractors to implement blasting plan provisions. 2. All the statutory laws, regulation, rules etc., pertaining to acquisition, transport, storage, handling and use of explosives will be strictly followed. Blasting will be carried out as per Viet Nam statutory requirements with notification to DONRE and local police. 3. No blasting will take place without condition survey of the buildings within 500 m and permission and monitoring by the PSC/PPMU. 4. People living near blasting sites will be informed of blasting times prior to the blasting. 5. Warning sirens will be sounded before blasting. 6. Pre-splitting shall be undertaken. 7. Blast blankets will be laid over the blast area to reduce flying rock 8. Where the vibration from blasting is exceeding the maximum permissible level, or damage occurs to local property information from the blasting shall be used to modify blasting patterns and calculate a reduced charge for future blasts 9. Blasting will not be undertaken at night. 10. Blasting shall be under careful and strict management of properly trained and licensed personnel. Workers at blasting sites will be trained prior to blast operations and provided with safety equipment and earplugs. 11. Observe proper warning and precautionary measures to ensure safety of residents, pedestrians, motorists and structures during blasting.

Contractors 1: Before site works

2 to 11: Throughout construction phase.

Sections of project alignment where blasting will be undertaken



1: Before construction

2 to 11: Bi-weekly and spot checks


PCC, PPMU

PSC


13. Erosion control / run-off

Protect established works.

1. Implement the Erosion Control Plan (ECP) produced by the PCC and implement slope stabilization measures specified in the detailed designs and maintained during construction to

Contractors


Throughout project site and all vulnerable slopes agreed with



Bi-weekly

as part of day-to-day project

PCC, PPMU

PSC

Cost met by PSC, PCC and PPMU project







Mitigation Cost




Monitoring Cost

protect the works.

2. Establish vegetation and erosion protection immediately after completion of works in each stretch / sector. 3. Check weather forecasts and minimize work in wet weather. 4. Stockpile topsoil for immediate replanting after cutting. 5. Minimize damage and cutting of surrounding vegetation during slope formation. 6. Protect the cut slope with planted vegetation, bioengineering or conventional civil engineering structures as soon as practicable after cutting. 7. Include and implement appropriate measures for slope protection, i.e. vegetation cover and stone pitching, as required in the detailed construction drawings. 8. Prevent erosion and protect the cut slope with temporary or permanent drainage as soon as practicable after cutting. 9. If new erosion occurs accidentally, back fill immediately to restore original contours. 10 Low embankments will be protected from erosion by seeding and planting indigenous grasses that can flourish under local conditions. 11. High embankments, i.e. 2m high and above, will be considered for protection by constructing stone pitching or a riprap across the embankment immediately after the works are completed. This practice will also be applied along cross-drainage structures where embankments are more susceptible to erosion by water runoff. 12. Payments will be linked to the completion of the works as indicated by the installation of erosion control measures to protect the works to the satisfaction of PSC/PPMU.

PSC/PPMU. construction supervision

staffing

14. River protection and bridge repair

Protect rivers and maintain river flow

In sections along and near rivers and streams: 1. Rocks and stones will be disposed not to block rivers and streams. 2. In bridge repair and demolition sites, the bridge structure will not be dropped into the river

Contractors At all times All rivers and streams with repair and reconstruction works.


Check implementation of items 1 to 4

Bi-weekly


PCC, PPMU

PSC








Mitigation Cost




Monitoring Cost

but alternative means will be used to avoid "dropping the bridge" into rivers/streams. This will be done by "sawing" appropriate sections of the bridge and using cranes to lift these sections away or alternatively by construction of a platform onto which the bridge could be lowered. 3. Cofferdams, silt fences, sediment barriers or other devices will be used as appropriate based on the design to prevent migration of silt during excavation and boring operations within streams. If cofferdams are used, these will be dewatered and cleaned to prevent siltation by pumping from cofferdams to a settling basin or a containment unit. 4. Other erosion control measures above and covering open surfaces with grasses and creepers to reduce runoff will be implemented as early as possible in construction.

construction supervision

15. Water quality Prevent water quality impacts due to negligence and ensure unavoidable impacts managed effectively.

1. Store lubricants, fuels in dedicated enclosures at least 50 m from water bodies. 2. Solid waste from construction activities and workers camps will not be thrown in rivers and other water courses (drainage, irrigation, etc.) 3. Construction storage/stockpiles shall be provided with bunds to prevent silted run-off. 4. Stockpiled materials will be covered to reduce silted run-off. 5. No stockpiling or borrow sites at least 100m of water body. 6. Work in rivers will be scheduled during dry season and work duration shall be as short as possible. 7. Immediate stabilization of bare slopes shall be undertaken. 8. Construction storage/stockpiles shall be provided with bunds to prevent silted run-off. 9. Stockpile areas and storage areas for hazardous substances shall be located away from water bodies. 10. Washing of machinery and vehicles in surface waters shall be prohibited.

Contractors Throughout construction phase

All Project road stretches and project-related facilities


Check implementation of items 1 to10

Bi-weekly


PCC, PPMU

PSC








Mitigation Cost




Monitoring Cost

16. Water resources

Mitigate the impact of using local community water resources.

1. Assess availability of water and evaluate impact on use of local water resources to ensure that water utilization for Project shall not deplete local village supplies. 2. Bring in project water by tanker as necessary. 3. Worker camps will be located at least 500m from the nearest settlement to prevent the contamination of community-owned water resources. 4. Maintain close liaison with local communities to ensure that any potential conflicts related to common resource utilization for project purposes are resolved quickly. 5. Establish and implement guidelines to minimize the wastage of water during construction and at campsites. 6. Avoid or minimize use of river bed for construction materials. 7. Confine winning river materials to 20% of river width in any location and keep away from river banks. 8. Reinstate river banks if necessary. 9. Re-provision irrigation channels affected by works two weeks before commencement of works to the satisfaction of local community . 10. All irrigation canals along the alignment shall be clearly marked on the ground to prevent accidental dumping of fill materials into these canals. 11. In case of accidental obstruction or damage, irrigation ditches and ponds shall be cleaned or repaired immediately.

Contractors Throughout construction phase

Throughout project site, construction camps


Check implementation of items 1to11

Bi-weekly


PCC, PPMU

PSC


17. Operation of workers camps

Worker facilities not to cause nuisance or exploit forest of wildlife resources.

1. Worker camp location and facilities located at least 500m from settlements and agreed with local communities and facilities approved by PSC and managed to minimize impacts. 2. Construction camps will be established in areas with adequate natural drainage channels in order to facilitate flow of the treated effluents. 3. Hire and train as many local workers as possible.

Contractors 1 & 2: During selection of locations for workers camps.


Project site, construction camps

Cost included in contracts.

Check implementation of items 1 to16

1 & 2: Once for each location, prior to establishment of facilities

3 to 16: Bi-weekly

1 to 16: as part of

PCC, PPMU

PSC








Mitigation Cost




Monitoring Cost

4. Provide adequate housing for all workers at the construction camps and establish clean canteen/eating and cooking areas. 5. Portable lavatories (or at least pit latrines in remote areas) shall be installed and open defecation shall be prohibited and prevented by cleaning lavatories daily and by keeping lavatory facilities clean at all times. 6. Provide separate hygienic sanitation facilities/toilets and bathing areas with sufficient water supply for male and female workers. 7. Wastewater effluents from contractors’ workshops and equipment washing-yards will be passed through gravel/sand beds and all oil/grease contaminants will be removed discharging it into natural streams. Oil and grease residues shall be stored in drums awaiting disposal in line with the agreed Waste Management Plan and consistent with national and local regulations. 8. Predictable wastewater effluent discharges from construction works shall have the necessary permits from DONRE and local authorities before the works commence. 9. Borrow pits and natural depressions with pre-laid impervious liners will be used to dispose of scarified/scraped asphalt, and then covered with soil. This will check potential groundwater contamination. 10. Options for completely or partially recycling scraped scarified materials will also be taken into account. 11. As much as possible, food shall be provided from farms nearby and bush meat supplies will be banned to discourage poaching. 12 Ban use of guns and hunting equipment by workers and dismiss workers taking or using green timber or hunting or in possession of wildlife. 13. Camp site will be cleaned up to the satisfaction of and local community after use. 14. Solid and liquid waste will be managed in

day-to-day project construction supervision







Mitigation Cost




Monitoring Cost

line with Waste Management Plan. 15. All waste materials shall be removed and disposed to disposal sites approved by local authorities 16. Land used for campsites shall be restored to the original condition as far as practicable and the area shall be planted with appropriate trees / shrubs as soon as practicable after it is vacated and cleaned.

18. Sanitation and Diseases

Control of infectious diseases.

1. Standing water will not be allowed to accumulate in the temporary drainage facilities or along the roadside to prevent proliferation of mosquitoes. 2. Temporary and permanent drainage facilities will be designed to facilitate the rapid removal of surface water from all areas and prevent the accumulation of surface water ponds. 3. Malaria controls ((e.g., provision of insecticide treated mosquito nets to workers, installation of proper drainage to avoid formation of stagnant water, etc.) and HIV/AIDS education will be implemented in line with social plans for the project. 4. HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention program shall be implemented in line with social plans under the Project

Contractors Throughout construction.

Throughout project site, workers camps



Bi-weekly


PCC, PPMU

PSC


19. Safety Precautions for the Workers

Ensure worker safety. 1. Implement the Worker and Public Safety Plan (WPSP) prepared by PCC and instructs workers in health and safety matters. 2. Establish safety measures as required by law and by good engineering practice and provide first aid facilities that are readily accessible by workers . 3. Scheduling of regular (e.g., weekly tool box talks) to orient the workers on health and safety issues related to their activities as well as on proper use of PPE. 4. Fencing on all excavation, borrow pits and sides of temporary bridges 5. Workers shall be provided with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety shoes, hard hats, safety glasses, ear

Contractors





Check compliance to Labour Code of Viet Nam, Decree 06/CP 1995, Decree / 202 ND-CP OP 2002 and Circular 13/ BYT 24 Oct 1996.

Bi-weekly


PCC, PPMU

PSC








Mitigation Cost




Monitoring Cost

plugs, gloves, etc. at no cost to the employee. 6. Where worker exposure to traffic cannot be completely eliminated, protective barriers shall be provided to shield workers from traffic vehicles. Another measure is to install channeling devices (e.g., traffic cones and barrels) to delineate the work zone. 7. Workers shall be provided with reliable supply of potable water. 8. Construction camps shall be provided with adequate drainage to avoid accumulation of stagnant water. 9. Construction camps shall be provided with toilets/sanitation facilities in accordance with local regulations to prevent any hazard to public health or contamination of land, surface or groundwater. These facilities shall be well maintained to allow effective operation. 10. Ensure reversing signals are installed on all construction vehicles.

20. Public safety Prevent accident with public in local community

1. Install barriers (e.g., temporary fence) at construction areas to deter pedestrian access to the roadway except at designated crossing points. 2. The general public/local residents shall not be allowed in high-risk areas, e.g., excavation sites and areas where heavy equipment is in operation and such sites have a watchman to keep public out. 3. Speed restrictions shall be imposed on Project vehicles and equipment when traveling within 50 m of sensitive receptors (e.g. residential, schools, temples, etc.). 4. Upon completion of construction works, borrow areas will be backfilled (if suitable materials are available, e.g., excavation spoils) or fenced.

Contractors At all times throughout construction phase

Throughout project road, borrow areas and other areas utilized for the Project



Bi-weekly


PCC, PPMU

PSC


21. Traffic Conditions

Minimize disturbance of traffic and traffic congestion

1. Implement the Temporary Traffic Management Plan (TTMP) prepared by PCC during detailed design phase and awareness program for road traffic. 2. Communicate to the public through local

Contractors





Bi-weekly


PCC, PPMU

PSC








Mitigation Cost




Monitoring Cost

officials regarding the scope and schedule of construction, as well as certain construction activities causing disruptions or access restrictions. 3. In coordination with local traffic authorities, implement appropriate traffic diversion schemes to avoid inconvenience due to project operations to road users, ensure smooth traffic flow and avoid or minimize accidents, traffic hold ups and congestion 4. In coordination with local traffic officials, schedule transport of materials to avoid congestion, set up clear traffic signal boards and traffic advisory signs at the roads going in and out the road and bridge construction sites to minimize traffic build-up. 5. Provide safe vehicle and pedestrian access around construction areas. 6. Install bold diversion signs that would be clearly visible even at night and provide flag persons to warn of dangerous conditions (24 hours, as necessary) 7. Provide sufficient lighting at night within and in the vicinity of construction sites.. 8. Designate traffic officers in construction sites.

construction supervision

22. Archaeological and cultural artifacts.

Preservation of chance finds of cultural and archaeological relics. identified during construction

1. Site agents instructed to keep a watching brief for relics 2. Should any potential items be located, the PSC and PPMU will immediately be contacted and work will be temporarily stopped in that area. 3. If the site supervisor determines that the item is of potential significance, an officer from the Department of Culture and Information (DCI) will be invited to inspect the site and work will be stopped. 4. Until DCI has responded to this invitation work will not re-commence in this location until agreement has been reached between DCI, PSC and PPC/PPMU as to any required mitigation measures, which may include excavation.


Check and report on same day.




Before construction and Bi-weekly checks.


PCC, PPMU

PSC








Mitigation Cost




Monitoring Cost

23. Enhancements Provide environmental enhancement of the project

Contractors to reconfirm and implement enhancements (e.g., landscaping, tree replanting) identified at the detailed design stage.




Confirmed implementation of required enhancements

Before construction and Bi-weekly checks.


PCC, PPMU

PSC


OPERATIONAL STAGE

1. Soil erosion To minimize excessive erosion.

1. Ensure that storm drains and highway drainage systems are periodically cleared to maintain clear drainage to allow rapid dispersal of storm water flow.

2. Ensure rapid response in case of landslips and implement thorough maintenance programme along erosion-prone areas .

3. Undertake surveillance and re-vegetation for areas prone to erosion and landslips.


Throughout operation Slopes with protection measures and new wash out.

Included in operation and maintenance cost


Semi-annual PPC Cost met by for PPC staffing

2. Road Safety Minimize road accidents.

1. Undertake road safety awareness campaigns for local residents and other road users of the Project road.

2. Install and maintain road warning signs and markings.

3. Monitor road accidents and implement necessary preventive measures (awareness campaigns, provision of appropriate road furniture to enhance road safety and control traffic).


Throughout operation Entire project road Included in operation and maintenance cost


Semi-annual PPC Cost met by for PPC staffing

3. Tree survival Ensure survival of planted trees.

Monitor survival of trees / shrubs and grass in bioengineered slopes (e.g. at landslides, also transplanted / compensatory planting trees) and replant, as necessary.

PDOT and District Forestry Office (DFO)

During operation. Throughout project site

Included in operation and maintenance cost

Survival rate of planted vegetation

Semi-annual for 1st 3 years of operation

PDOT and DFO

Cost met by PDOT and DFO staffing

4. Increased illegal logging and

Reduce exploitation of forest resources

Utilize the forest check point station constructed under the Project to conduct regular patrolling

Forest Protection Department (FPD)

During operation Along Project road Included in operation and

Frequency of patrolling

Based on FPD’s mandate

PPC Cost met by PPC and FPD







Mitigation Cost




Monitoring Cost

pressure on resources within Nam Xuan Lac Nature Reserve and adjacent forests

induced by improved Project road TL255

along TL255. maintenance budget of FPD

undertaken and reported incidence of illegal logging/ poaching and other prohibited activities, increase/decrease on occurrence pf illegal forestry-related activities

staffing

C Environmental Monitoring

1. Compliance Monitoring

221. Table VIII.2 above also shows the program for monitoring the compliance on various provisions of the EMP during pre-construction, construction and operation phases. PCC needs to implement a number of measures during detailed design phase (e.g., incorporation of environmental design measures into the detailed design, preparation of method statements/SEMPs, etc.) and this will be confirmed by PPMU to ADB. During construction, most of the mitigation measures shall be implemented by the contractors and their environmental performance, in terms of implementation of such measures, shall be monitored by PCC. The timing or frequency of monitoring is also specified in Table VIII.2. During operation EMP implementation shall be the responsibility of PDOT.

i) Design Stage

222. PPMU shall ensure that EMP measures for the design stage are incorporated in the detailed design. The effective incorporation of the EMP in the civil works contracts shall also be ensured be by PPMU with assistance from PCC and this, along with implementation of EMP provisions, shall be audited by ADB as part of the loan conditions.

223. Prior to implementation of the Project the IEE and EMP will be updated and amended, as necessary, by PCC after the detailed designs are complete and contracting arrangements are known. Such updating shall be based on reconfirmation and any additional information on the assumptions made at this feasibility stage on location scale and expected conditions of the Project. For example, in this case if there is additional land required (although not confirmed as yet) the designs may be amended and the environmental significance must be reviewed. Although no major additional impacts would be anticipated based on the information provided to date, the performance and evaluation schedules to be implemented during project construction can be reviewed, updated, and costs estimates can be revised if necessary.

ii) Pre-construction Stage

224. Implementation of construction of the Project will need to comply with environmental requirements and clearance that has been obtained from DONRE for the whole Project at a provincial level for any statutory environmental assessment or an indication that no further assessment is required. PCC will also need to confirm that Contractor(s) and their suppliers have complied with all statutory requirements for permits from DONRE and provincial authorities. PCC shall also check that Contractor(s) have all the necessary valid licenses and permits for use of powered mechanical equipment if necessary and the use of local water supplies (and to construct or operate plant such as for cement batching or asphalt/bitumen (if required) in line with all environmental regulations and permit conditions from provincial authorities. (N.B. local suppliers of cement and bitumen will be preferred if practicable).

iii) Construction Stage

225. The PCC shall undertake regular monitoring of the contractor’s implementation of mitigation measures specified in the Project EMP and SEMPs. Likewise, as part of its day to day project supervision, the PSC shall ensure that contractors comply with the Project EMP and SEMPs.

iv) Operational Stage

226. PDOT shall implement the EMP mitigation and monitoring requirements during operation such as monitoring of erosion control measures, survival of planted trees, etc.

Accidents along the Project roads shall also be monitored as basis for implementation of mitigation measures to improve road safety.

2. Environmental Effects Monitoring

227. As shown in Table VIII.3, PCC shall undertake baseline environmental monitoring for air quality, noise and surface water quality. One-time sampling shall be conducted prior to start of site works at the specified locations. During construction, PCC shall undertake quarterly monitoring of surface water quality and semi-annual monitoring of air quality and noise in the same locations sampled during pre-construction. Additional sampling occasions shall be carried out and additional parameters shall be analyzed (as necessary) to validate complaints and/or investigate pollution events caused by the project.

D Reporting

228. JCC/PPMU shall submit the following environmental monitoring reports to ADB:

229. Baseline Monitoring Report: The results of baseline data collection carried out by PCC on air quality, noise and surface water quality (as specified in the EMP) shall be submitted to ADB prior to commencement of civil works.

230. Environmental Monitoring Reports: Environmental monitoring reports shall cover the status of EMP implementation in terms of required mitigation measures for different project phases, results of environmental effects monitoring (air quality, noise and surface water quality), necessary remedial actions to effectively address negative environmental impacts due to project implementation, status of environmental capacity building activities as well as documentation of complaints received and corresponding action/resolution. The environmental monitoring reports will be submitted to ADB semi-annually during the construction period and annually for two years after completion of construction.

Table VIII.3: Summary of Estimated Costs for EMP Implementation (4.5 years)* A. Estimated cost for all six Project provinces A.1 Environment specialists in PCC: cost includes remuneration, air fare (for international only) and per diemb

One (1) international: 8 person-months, intermittent 208,500 Two (2) national: 100 person-months, full-time 375,000

A.2 Environmental effects monitoring, training/orientation, local transportation, suppliesb 200,000 A.3 Environmental mitigation measures included in project cost, bid

cost A.4 Construction of two forestry check points: USD7,000 each (in Bac Kan and Tuyen Quang provinces)c

14,000

Total for all Project provinces USD 797,500 B. Estimated cost for Bac Kan onlyd B.1 Environment specialists in PCC: cost includes remuneration, air fare (for international only) and per diemb

One (1) international: 1 person-month, intermittent 17,000 One (1) national: 10 person-months, intermittent 31,000

B.2 Environmental effects monitoring, training/orientation, local transportation, suppliesb 17,000 B.3 Construction of one forestry check point 7,000

Total for Bac Kan USD 72,000 aincludes design and construction phases bincluded in PCC cost cincluded in contractor’s bid cost or funded by potential co-financier dpro-rated based on total length of Project road in the province

Table VIII.4: Environmental Effects Monitoring Plan for the Project roads Environmental Aspect Parameters Location Means of Monitoring Frequency Implementation Responsibility

PRE-CONSTRUCTION

1. Ambient surface water quality

pH, temperature, turbidity, dissolved oxygen (DO), oil and grease, and total suspended solids (TSS)

For rivers/streams close to construction/workers’ camps, the following additional parameters shall also be analyzed: biological oxygen demand – 5 days (BOD5), coliform and fecal coliform.

1. At each Project road, establish sampling points in at least three major river crossings where bridge repairs and replacement will be undertaken.

2. Establish sampling points on river/stream sections that are close to construction camps (i.e., rivers that will most likely receive run-off/discharge from construction/workers’ camps).

Analytical methods outlined in QCVN 08:2008/BTNMT (Viet Nam National Regulation for Surface Water Quality)

At river crossings, collect water samples 50m before (upstream) and 50m after (downstream) the bridges at mid-width and mid-depth.

Submit baseline monitoring report to ADB at the end of the detailed design period (For monitoring report content, see Chapter V, Sec. A.7 of the IEE).

Once, during the month prior to construction.

PCC

2 Ambient air quality and noise

Total suspended particulate (TSP)

At each Project road, undertake field sampling at representative sensitive receptors (SR). That is, sampling stations shall be established and sampled for various SR type as follows: (i) residential area (ii) school, (iii) temple and (iv) hospital/health center.

Analytical method outlined in QCVN 05:2009/BTNMT (Viet Nam Ambient Air Quality Standard)

Submit baseline monitoring report to ADB at the end of the detailed design period (For sampling and monitoring report requirements, see Chapter V, Sec. A.7 of the IEE).


PCC

3. Noise Noise levels dB(A) covering different periods specified in TCVN 5949: 1998 (Noise in Public and Residential Areas– Allowable Noise Levels).

Same stations established for ambient air quality

Analytical method outlined in TCVN 5949: 1998 (Noise in Public and Residential Areas– Allowable Noise Levels).

Submit baseline monitoring report to at the end of the detailed design period (For sampling and monitoring report requirements, see Chapter V, Sec. A.7 of the IEE).


PCC

CONSTRUCTION

1. Ambient surface water quality

1. pH, temperature, turbidity, dissolved oxygen (DO), oil and grease, and total suspended solids (TSS)

2. For rivers/streams close to construction/workers’ camps, the following additional parameters shall also be analyzed: biological oxygen demand – 5

1. Same stations sampled during pre-construction phase.

2. Other locations to validate complaints or during pollution events (e.g., fuel spill, etc.)

Analytical methods outlined in QCVN 08:2008/BTNMT (Viet Nam National Regulation for Surface Water Quality)

At river crossings, collect water samples 50m before (upstream) and 50m after (downstream) the bridges at mid-width and mid-depth.

Include results of environmental effects monitoring in

Quarterly as well as in response to complaints and during pollution events

PCC

Environmental Aspect Parameters Location Means of Monitoring Frequency Implementation Responsibility days (BOD5), coliform and fecal coliform.

3. Other relevant parameters to be analyzed to validate complaints and pollution events

the semi-annual EMP implementation monitoring report to be submitted by PPMU to ADB.

2 Ambient air quality and noise

Total suspended particulate (TSP)


2. Other locations to validate complaints

Analytical method outlined in QCVN 05:2009/BTNMT (Viet Nam Ambient Air Quality Standard)

Include results of environmental effects monitoring in the semi-annual EMP implementation monitoring report to be submitted by PPMU to ADB.

Semi-annual and in response to complaints

PCC

3. Noise Noise levels dB(A) covering different periods specified in TCVN 5949: 1998 (Noise in Public and Residential Areas– Allowable Noise Levels).


2. Other locations to validate complaints

Analytical method outlined in TCVN 5949: 1998 (Noise in Public and Residential Areas– Allowable Noise Levels).

Include results of environmental effects monitoring in the semi-annual EMP implementation monitoring report to be submitted by PPMU to ADB..

Semi-annual and in response to complaints

PCC

E Capacity Building

231. In Viet Nam, the environmental assessment process is established but environmental awareness and capability for implementation of EMP in infrastructure projects of both the executing agency (PPC) and the implementation agency (PPMU) are limited and in development. There is no staff with direct responsibility to bring environmental issues to the notice of senior management. The status quo is that in PPMU is that engineering officers may be delegated to check environmental matters on an ad hoc basis. There is no capacity to check the adequacy of the Project EMP or SEMPs. The IEEs and EMP are referred to the environmental department in DONRE for approval. The environmental department in MOT is not directly involved with project implementation. In the long term it is recommended that a new environmental management unit should be set up to improve this capacity in the PPMU in PDOT that could work with the various environmental and forestry agencies as required.

232. The most significant challenge is the lack of human and financial resources and necessary infrastructure. To address this constraint, PDOT/PPMU will designate a full time staff as environment and safety officer (ESO) to handle the environmental aspects of the Project during implementation stage. The ESO and other relevant staff of PPMU and PDOT will be trained by the environment specialists of the PCC based on the indicative terms of reference presented in Table VIII.5.

233. The requisite ESO staff in PPMU should be delegated prior to the commencement of the tendering for the detailed design activities in order to work full time with PCC to ensure the inclusion of environmental requirements can be translated into contractual works for completion also respond to unexpected circumstances. The PCC environmental specialists can then train the environmental officers (ESO) in PPMU “on the job”. The ESO can initially fall back on assistance from PCC as they develop experience.

234. The PCC will also conduct workers’ orientation on Project EMP and SEMP provisions. Such orientation shall be periodically conducted by the PCC as every new contractor is engaged. The ESO in PPMU can take over this role as they develop capacity.

235. The table below shows the indicative terms of reference for the environmental management capacity building activity to be conducted by PCC for PPMU and PDOT staff tasked to oversee EMP implementation.

Table VIII.5: Indicative Terms of Reference for Environmental Management Capacity Building of PPMU and PDOT

Objective 1. Build capacity and procedures in undertaking systematic environmental assessments in accordance with Government regulations and ADB guidelines.

2. Provide training on international best practice on environmental management, monitoring and reporting.

3. Provide guidance on how to effectively incorporate environmental measures into project design and how to incorporate EMP provisions into tender and contract documents.

Tasks/Scope of Work 1. Undertake training needs analyses and review prevailing government regulations and donor guidelines governing the assessment and management of environmental impacts for road development;

2. Review the skills of PPMU and PDOT staff to establish existing capacity on environmental assessments, environmental monitoring and implementation of mitigation measures for road development project;

3. Prepare the training plan and associated materials (modules);

4. Deliver the training which may be through a combination of hands-on assistance, on-the-job training, and training workshops;

5. Evaluate the effectiveness of the training measuring improvements in attitudes and skills achieved;

6. Modify the training modules as necessary;

7. Hand-over the amended training modules to the project manager for use in the delivery of the training; and

8. Prepare report on result of training.

Recommended Timeframe

Within 6 months from start of civil works

Target participants Staff in PPMU and PDOT responsible for environmental management.

Staff Resources International and national environmental specialist with at least 15 years experience on environmental management of road projects and must possess relevant post-graduate degree in civil engineering, environmental management and other relevant courses. With working knowledge of safety issues and at least 3 years experience in conducting environmental management training.

IX. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

236. This IEE concludes that the construction impacts will be manageable if the mitigation measures are implemented thoroughly. The EMP is based on the type, extent and duration of the identified environmental impacts. The EMP has been prepared by close reference to best practices and in line with SPS.

237. This IEE study was carried out when the TL255 was at the initial stage of design during the TA 7245 (VIE). Secondary and primary data were used to assess the environmental impacts in a comprehensive manner and public consultation and route reconnaissance were carried out in order complete the environmental assessments and recommend suitable mitigation measures. The IEE report provides a picture of potential environmental impacts associated with the upgrading of TL255 and suitable mitigation measures have been recommended. The EMP will be reviewed by the PCC as a basis for preparing SEMPs. Both Project EMP and SEMPs will be included in bidding documents for civil works. In the event that any design details for the locations or scope of TL255 are changed, the IEE and EMP shall be reviewed and revised accordingly and submitted to ADB for review and clearance.

238. The upgrading of TL255 offers a robust option for the enhancement of the existing road network. Several actions are required during the detailed design stage to minimize impacts to acceptable levels. The negative environmental impacts from the rehabilitation will mostly take place during the construction stage. The construction impacts should be very predictable and manageable and with appropriate mitigation few residual impacts are likely. Additional human and financial resources will be required to improve environmental capability and to progress and achieve necessary statutory compliance and environmental clearance certification for TL255 or associated activities that also require environmental permits under the environmental laws of Viet Nam.

239. The responsibilities for the implementation of mitigation measures and the parities responsible will be clearly defined in contracts and agreements and the implementation by various parties will be monitored by PPMU with assistance from PCC and PSC.

240. Most of the anticipated environmental impacts related to the the Project roads will take place during the construction phase, there are no identifiable cumulative impacts during operation. The implementation of the environmental mitigation measures during the construction period shall be the responsibility of the contractors and shall be closely monitored by the PSC and PCC and these requirements will be included in contracts. PDOT will maintain the road and shall undertake the appropriate operational mitigation measures for maintenance during the lifetime of the Project road.

241. Whereas the implementation of the environmental mitigation measures during the construction period will be assigned to the contractors, experience suggests that contractors may have little impetus or interest to deal with environmental problems in the absence of performance linked criteria. Therefore, the required environmental mitigation must be clearly described in the contract documents at the bidding stage and environmental performance and the completion of mitigation should be linked to payment milestones in the contracts.

242. Contractor environmental awareness training will undertaken by the PCC and this can assist PPMU to develop environmental awareness at all levels. It will require sustained effort over several years to achieve proactive management of environmental responsibilities but TCNMP and other previous ADB projects have also included provision to consolidate this process and over time so that environmental improvements can accrue in line with good sustainable practice and ADB guidelines. The ESO in the PPMU will be supported in the short term by the PCC who will be able to liaise with and advise the PPMU to better utilize the available staff resources to support environmental management. This capability can be used to extend environmental awareness for the contractors in the short term. In the medium to long term PPMU can strengthen the

support their environmental management and dovetail the efforts with the environmental officers in MOT. At the completion of the TCNMP the environmental officers in PPMU will be retained in PPMU and their environmental obligations could be more easily taken up for more ambitious projects in future.

243. The construction is restricted to the existing road corridor and as far as can be ascertained at this stage the will be some small areas of land required where there road geometry is improved but these areas will generally be small and there is not likely to be any significant additional land required to complete the construction. However, it is possible that some additional land may be required at the detailed design stage. A resettlement plan and resettlement framework have been prepared to establish policies and procedures for payment of compensation to affected people for lost or damage assets. The scope of land acquisition impacts, where they occur, will be limited to the areas of the road where the geometry needs to be adjusted and in thee areas there will be some displacement of housing and affected people will experience small losses of crops, trees, fences or other secondary structures.

244. Environmental impact and compliance monitoring activities will focus on compliance with license conditions and EMP provisions, recording implementation of mitigation measures, recording environmental parameters, reviewing contractor environmental performance and proposing remedial actions to address unexpected impacts and complaints.

245. The EMP and SEMP prepared for the Project , will be used as a basis for an environmental compliance program in a regular programme of environmental monitoring and auditing. In addition, any conditions included as part of the environmental compliance from the Government (MONRE/DONRE) will also be included as a basis for the environmental monitoring and compliance program. Therefore, continued monitoring of (i) the implementation of mitigation measures, (ii) the implementation of the conditions of environmental compliance and (iii) the environmental impact related to the maintenance of the Project roads will be carried out regularly as scheduled in the EMP. Environmental monitoring reports will be submitted semi-annually by PPMU to ADB.

246. The IEE report is prepared based on the preliminary designs for rehabilitation and upgrading proposals along the specified routes. At the implementation stage, PPMU through PCC will make arrangements to monitor the schedules of mitigation measures and conduct of environmental effects monitoring activities specified in the EMP. With these measures in place, environmental impacts of the Project should be manageable and will not result in any residual impacts which are above accepted environmental standards. No further or additional impact assessment is considered necessary at this stage.

.

Appendix A: Selected Photographs

Photograph 1

TL255 Typical road Km 10.3

Photograph 2

TL 255 Typical road Km 20.5

Photograph 3


Photograph 4


Photograph 5


Photograph 6

TL 255 End – Location for check point/patrol station Km 24.7

Photograph 7

Typical consultation wit APs (TL255 Km 7.5)

Appendix B: Information Disclosure, Consultation and Participation

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Appendix B Summary of Information Disclosure, Consultation and Participation

Tổng kết công tác Tham vấn cộng đồng

Bảng Ax B 1 – Questions posed to provincial officials (July 2010) - Các câu hỏi dành cho các Cơ quan chính quyền địa phương

Số thứ tự Information Provoded - Các thông tin cơ bản về dự án

1 As consultants for the ADB Project Transport Connectivity Project in Northern Mountainous Provinces we are collecting information from provincial officials.

VN Chúng tôi là Đơn vị vTư vấn của ADB và đang thực hiện công tác thu thập thông tin từ chính quyền địa phương

2 Do you know about the road upgrading Project? Let me clarify

VN Ông có biết về dự án này không ? Hãy để tôi giải thích

3 In HG / YB / CB / TQ / LC / BK there will be 20 roads upgraded under this project (reduced to 12 roads)

3VN Tại các tỉnh Hà Giang / Yên Bái / Cao Bằng / Tuyên Quang / Lào Cai / Bắc Kạn sẽ có 20 tuyến đường đựoc nâng cấp, cải tạo trong dự án này

4 The roads are :

4VN The roads include - Các tuyến đường bao gồm:

Bac Kan Province - Tỉnh Bac Kan + Provincial road TL255 + District roads Huyen Tung-My Than-Xuat Hoa, 257, Quang Thuan-Mai Lap and Van Tung-Coc Dan (these roads have been excluded from the Project)

5 The roads will be widened by <1m to 3m (TL255 will be widened by 1 m)

VN Các tuyến đường sẽ được mở rộng từ <1 – 3 m

6 The project will be detailed designed in 2011 and contractors will be selected later in 2011

VN Dự án đựoc thiết kế kỹ thuật vào năm 2011 cuối năm 2011 sẽ tiến hành đấu thầu xây lắp

7 Construction will be for a few weeks to months in each location but will complete all the project in 2013

VN Công tác xây dựng bất đầu tròng vòng vài tuàn hay vài tháng tùy tuyến đường và sẽ đựoc hoàn thành vào năm 2013

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QUESTIONAIRES/ PHIẾU THU THẬP THÔNG TIN

Number / STT Các câu hỏi Questions Answers/Trả lời

1 Do you agree on the road upgrading project? Yes

VN Anh có đồng ý với dự án này không ? Có

2 What kinds of forests do you know in your district witin about 50m-100m from the Project road Yes

VN Trong phạm vi 50m kể từ tuyến đường được nâng cấp, anh có biết có khu vực rừng rậm nào không ? Có

3 Are there any protected areas or protected forests around the area within 1km from the Project roads? No

VN Trong phạm vi 1km từ tuyến đường, anh có biết có khu vực nào cần được bảo tồn hay không ? Không có

4 Are any cultural relic or heritage in the area of 50m from the Project roads? No

VN Liệu có di tích văn hoá nào trong phạm vi 50 m kể từ tuyến đường? Không có

5 Are there any special protected building within 50m from the road? (military base or special protected building, etc.)

No

VN Có các di tích lịc sử, văn hoá, khảo cổ gần tuyến đường hay không? Không có

6 Where are the protected forest other areas of archaeological, religious, cultural or historical sites near the roads?

Dumping locations (of soil, rocks…) should be paid attention – To avoid dumping into water sources.

VN Theo ý kiến của anh, các vấn đề môi trường cần lưu ý trong dự án là gì? Cần lưu ý điều tra khu vực đổ đất thải khi thi công từ bước thiết kế thi công, tránh thải xuống các khu vực có nguồn nước

7 In your opinion, what can be environmental problems we should pay attention to? Clean water sources must be protected.

VN Theo ý kiến của quý vị, có vấn đề môi trường nào chúng ta cần chú ý? Bảo vệ nguồn nước sạch trong quá trình thi công

8 Does your department have enough capability to support the project with processing of licenses and permits Yes

Name: Hoang De DinhVN: Họ và tên Hoàng Đế Đình / Hoang De DinhProvince/District Bac Kan VN: Tỉnh/Huyện Bắc Kạn / Bac Kan Workplace Bac Kan Environmental Office – Bac Kan DONRE VN: Cơ quan Chi cục môi trường - Sở Tài nguyên và môi trường Bắc Kạn Position: Head of the officeVN: Chức vụ Chi cục trưởngTime:/ Date July 26th 2010 VN:Giờ/ Ngày/Tháng 9h ngày 26/7/2010

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Number / STT Các câu hỏi Questions Answers/Trả lời

VN Cơ quan của quý vị có đủ khả năng để hỗ trợ dự án về các thủ tục hành chính (chứng nhận và cấp phép)? Có

9 Are there any quarries/borrow pits in your district about 1km from the Project roads? What are the procedures to for exploiting rock based materials in the province?

No Follow provincial regulations

VN Có Mỏ đá hay Mỏ vật liệu trong phạm vi 1 km kể từ tuyến đường hay không? Trình tự thủ tục tiến hành khai thác đá trong khu vực?

Không có mỏ đá hay mỏ vật liệu trong phạm vi 1Km kể từ tuyến đường. Việc khai thác đá phục vụ thi công do 1 đơn vị khác thực hiện, đơn vị thi công không phải làm thủ tục đó.

10 Are there any meteorological and hydrography observation stations? No

VN Trong khu vực dự án có trạm quan trắc khí tượng thuỷ văn nào không ? Không có

11 Do you have any suggestions to reduce such environmental impacts ?

Follow design drawings Disposal of waste must follow governmental regulations Water spraying during construction time must be maintained

VN Anh có kiến nghị gì để giảm thiểu tác động môi trường hay không ?

Thi công đúng bản vẽ thiết kế Thu gon các loại chất thải đúng vị trí quy định Đảm bảo giảm ô nhiễm không khí bằng cách tưới nước trong qúa trình thi công

12 Do you have any other suggestions ideas? Environmental impacts in this project are insignificant due to its simplicity and small amount of construction works.

VN Anh có kiến nghị gì khác nữa không ?

Các tuyến đường trong dự án đều thi công trong các khu vực xã khu dân cư, tại các khu vực có dân cư sinh sống lại không có khối lượng đào đắp lớn do vậy các vấn đề tác động môi trường không có ảnh hưởng lớn trong quá trình thực hiện dự án.

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Appendix B2 Public Consultation with affected people near Project road (September 2009)

Table Ax B 2.1 – Questions posed to local people in Bac Kan Province

Numbert Question

1 Do you agree with the project of expanding the road? 2 When upgraded, does the road contribute to develop economy of local ( traveling, agriculture)? How it facilitates local traffic?

3 Do you have any idea on the environmental, land, utilities issues, compensation, ground clearing? What are potential environmental problems of this project?

4 Do you have any idea to reduce the effect on environment? 5 Suggestions / other opinions.

Table Ax B 2.2 – Responses from local people in Bac Kan Province

Provincial Road 255 (0101) – Bac Kan

No. Date Name Occupation Location

1.

Agree with

Project

2.

Develop economy

3.

Issues raised / Concerns expressed

4

Ideas to reduce environmental Impacts

5

Other suggestions

1 8/9/09 Mrs. Vu Thi Tuyet, a family of 3 with 1 female

Farmer Ban Bay – Yen Thuong – Cho Don District

Yes Yes - Piped water supply not available - Electricity from national web - It is good that the project will improve living standard in the village - The project must be done in a way that minimize the negative impacts on the environment and the everyday life practices of the local people

- Project Steering Committee should make public the plan for the project implementation -The contractors must take effective measures to reduce the negative impacts due to the road upgrading works - Give assistance to agricultural production in the project areas

-Sastifiable compensation should be made by the project - Contractors inform the local people the due time for starting the project works - Project should be started at the soonest possible

2 7/9/09 Mr. Nong Van Phan, a family of 7 with 2 females

Farmer Na Men – Yen Thuong – Cho Don District

Yes Yes - Piped water supply not available - Electricity from national web - It is good that the project will improve living standard in the village - Agreement of compensation on land acquisition by the project - The project steering committee should pay attention on activities development for the region of the project

- Needs of assistance for the local people to get clean water supply -The contractors must take effective measures to reduce the negative impacts due to the road upgrading works -Compensation should be made by negotiation with local people

- PMU officer should be the one in charge of handling compensation payments to the local people - Any actions which are beneficiary to the local people must be directed by project officers

3 7/9/09 Mr. Ma Van Dan, a family of 5 with 2 females

Farmer Ban Banh – Yen Thuong – Cho Don District

Yes Yes - Piped water supply not available - Electricity from national web - It is good that the project will improve living standard in the village - Agreement of compensation on land acquisition by the project

- Needs of assistance for the local people to get clean water supply -The contractors must take effective measures to reduce the negative impacts due to the road upgrading works -Sastifiable compensation should be made

- PMU officer should be the one in charge of handling compensation payments to the local people - Any actions which are beneficiary to the local

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- The project steering committee should pay attention on activities development for the region of the project

by the project people must be directed by project officers

4 7/9/09 Mr. Ma Van Ban, a family of 7 with 5 females

Farmer Ban Phay – Yen Thuong – Cho Don District


- Project Steering Committee should make public the plan for the project implementation -Compensation should be made by negotiation with local people

- Contractors inform the local people the due time for starting the project works - Project should be started at the soonest possible

5 7/9/09 Mrs. Nguyen Thi Duyen, a family of 4 with 2 females

Farmer Na Men – Yen Thuong – Cho Don District

Yes Yes - Piped water supply not available - Electricity from national web - It is good that the project will improve living standard in the village - Agreement of compensation on land acquisition by the project - Compensation cost must be agreed and recognized by the project and local people

- Needs of assistance for the local people to get clean water supply - Project gives some small assistances for planting trees with high market values

- Improvements of the project road must be directed by the PMU - Start to make road improvement immediately

6 7/9/09 Mrs. Trieu Thi May, a family of 6 with 2 females



-The contractors must take effective measures to reduce the negative impacts due to the road upgrading works - The PMU talks with people about the cost of land and crop lost due to the project


7 7/9/09 Mr.Nong Van Thieu, a family of 6 with 2 females



- Needs of assistance for the local people to get clean water supply -The contractors must take effective measures to reduce the negative impacts due to the road upgrading works


8 7/9/09 Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thao, a family of 6 with 3 females



- Project Steering Committee should make public the plan for the project implementation -Compensation should be made by negotiation with local people


9 7/9/09 Mrs. Tho Thi Dao, a family of 5 with 3


Yes Yes - Piped water supply not available - Electricity from national web - It is good that the project will improve living standard in the village

- Project Steering Committee should make public the plan for the project implementation -The contractors must take effective

- Improvements of the project road must be directed by the PMU - Start to make road

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females - Agreement of compensation on land acquisition by the project - The project steering committee should pay attention on activities development for the region of the project

measures to reduce the negative impacts due to the road upgrading works - Give assistance to agricultural production in the project areas

improvement immediately

10 7/9/09 Mrs. Nong Thi Hang, a family of 3 with 2 females

Farmer Na Phet – Yen Thinh – Cho Don District


- Needs of assistance for the local people to get clean water supply -The contractors must take effective measures to reduce the negative impacts due to the road upgrading works


11 7/9/09 Mrs. Hoang Thi Thi, alone



- Project Steering Committee should make public the plan for the project implementation -The contractors must take effective measures to reduce the negative impacts due to the road upgrading works - Give assistance to agricultural production in the project areas


12 7/9/09 Mr. Luong Xuan Ha, a family of 2 with 1 female



- Project Steering Committee should make public the plan for the project implementation - Sastifiable compensation should be made by the project


13 7/9/09 Mr. Luong Van Viet, a family of 3 with 2 females



- Needs of assistance for the local people to get clean water supply - Project gives some small assistances for planting trees with high market values


14 7/9/09 Mrs. Luong Thi Cuong, a family of 3 with 1 female



- Needs of assistance for the local people to get clean water supply -The contractors must take effective measures to reduce the negative impacts due to the road upgrading works -Compensation should be made by negotiation with local people


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Table Ax B 3 – Responses from Provincial FPD on Nature Reserves

DETAILED RESPONSES TO QUESTIONNAIRES FOR NAM XUAN LAC NATURE RESERVE (NXNLR) ASSESSMENT

Questions Bac Kan TL255

1. Length of the Provincial Road that passes through the buffer zone of Nature Reserve?

It is about 20km in the administrative area of Xuan Lac commune (buffer zone of Nam Xuan Lac NR) [In February 2011 it was confirmed by Bac Kan FPD that within the vicinity at about Km21 to Km25 TL255 runs within about 6 km of the buffer zone for Nam Xuan Lac Nature Reserve (Figure IV.2). The existing road is no nearer than about 6 km from NXLNR buffer zone for about 5km at those locations.]

2. The distance from the Road, at the nearest point, to the core zone of Nature Reserve?

It is about 3km to the core zone of the NR. [Distance from the core zone is more than 6 km since in February 2011 it was confirmed by Bac Kan FPD that the existing road is no nearer than about 6 km from NXLNR buffer zone for about 5 km at those locations.]

3. Current land use along the Project Road (kinds of land ? managed by whom )

Mainly forested land allocated to individual households for forest management, protection and development.

4. Distance to the nearest protected forest/natural forest/dense forests from Project Road?

The distance is about 1km. [However distance to NXLNR is 6 km]

5. Is there protected historical or cultural site alongside the road and distance of nearest point from the Project Road?

There is no protected historical or cultural site alongside the road

6. Distance of Project Road from known habitat/frequented areas of the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus avunculus) and other endangered / threatened / rare species within the Nature Reserve?

About 5 km

7. Could you provide to us the Map of the Nature Reserve that includes the Project Road?

Mr. Đinh Tiến Toàn, Deputy head of Nature Reserve Section, Bac Can Forest Agency, can provide the map

8. Do you have Management Board for Nature Reserve? How many persons are there in the Management Board?

There exists a Management Board with 8 persons. Mr. Hoàng Văn Hai is the Board’s Chairman and Mr. Lục Văn Chấn is Vice Chairman.

9. When was the Nature Reserve established? By whom and which decision? (some main outlines of the decision should be described

The NR was established on 13/9/2004 by decision number 342-QĐ-UBND of Bac Can PPC. The decision was signed by Mrs. La Thi Thuc, Vice Chairman of Bac Can PPC.

10. Do you have any programmes to protect the rare or endangered species in the Nature Reserve? If yes, please describe some main points of the programmes?

Two programmes are going on for NR: 1. Human and Resource Conservation Fund (HRCF) is implementing a project for the protection of wildlife in the NR 2. Vietnam Conservation Fund (VCF) is carrying out a project on capacity enhancement for NR management & awareness increment of the parties related to the NR

11. Do you agree with the project to improve the Project Road? What are your main concerns about environmental impacts by the project? If you do not agree with the project, please describe the reasons

Agree with the project to improve the Road 255 but care must be taken to the protection of forest and wildlife during and after the road improvement

12. Contact information? Name - Position – Working Agency – Telephone Number –Fax number of the respondent)

Mr. Hoàng Văn Hải Deputy Director of Bac Can Forest Agency Desk phone: 0281810487; Mobile phone: 0988754444

Information provided by:

BAC KAN FORESTRY AGENCY NAM XUAN LAC NATURE RESERVE MANAGEMENT BOARD Leader’s confirmation :Mr. Hoàng Văn Hải, Deputy Director of Bac Can Forest Agency Signed and Sealed 10 Sept. 2010

Nam Xuan Lac Nature Reserve Management Board

Transport Connection in Northern Mountainous Provinces Project (TA 7245 VIE)

Initial Environmental Examination of road TL163, Cau Bang , Viet Nam, Viet Nam. Appendix D.

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Appendix D List of Culvert Locations

Provincial Road 255

No. Type of culverts Station

Dimensions (m) Length (m)

Φ B H

1 Pipe culvert Km0+659.18 1 7.8

2 Box culvert Km0+800 1.5 1.5 7

3 Box culvert Km0+850 2.4 1.2 6

4 Pipe culvert Km1+068.90 1 10

5 Pipe culvert Km1+369.62 1 12

6 Box culvert Km1+745.96 0.75 0.75 8

7 Box culvert Km1+880.10 1 14

8 Pipe culvert Km2+150 1 7

9 Pipe culvert Km2+300 0.75 8

10 Box culvert Km2+715 0.8 1 7.5

11 Box culvert Km2+818 0.77 0.9 7.5



14 Box culvert Km3+195 1 1 7.5

15 Box culvert Km3+438 1 1.15 7.4


17 Box culvert Km3+868 0.8 1 6.5

18 Box culvert Km4+085 0.75 1 6.5





23 Box culvert Km5+745 0.8 0.9 7

24 Box culvert Km6+015 0.8 0.8 6.7


26 Box culvert Km6+475 0.8 0.8 6.5

27 Box culvert Km6+870 0.8 1 7.5

No. Type of culverts

Station Dimensions (m)

Length (m) Φ B H






33 Box culvert Km7+995 0.8 0.8 3.5

34 Box culvert Km8+245 0.75 6











45 Box culvert Km11+155 0.4 0.4 7



48 Box culvert Km12+240 0.5 0.5 7






54 Box culvert Km13+800 0.7 0.7 6.5


56 Box culvert Km14+345 0.7 0.7 7

57 Box culvert Km14+545 0.4 0.4 6



Transport Connection in Northern Mountainous Provinces Project (TA 7245 VIE)

Initial Environmental Examination of road TL163, Cau Bang , Viet Nam, Viet Nam. Appendix D.

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No. Type of culverts

Station Dimensions (m)

Length (m) Φ B H









68 Box culvert Km20+497 0.5 0.5 5.5




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