IRRIGATION SYSTEMS ENHANCEMENT PROJECT

WATER SECTOR PROJECTS IMPLEMENTATION UNIT

IRRIGATION SYSTEMS ENHANCEMENT PROJECT

Contract Νº ISEP/ICB/CW – 15/003

Construction of Baghramyan-Norakert Gravity Irrigation System

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

Yerevan, September 2016

SFG1164 V3P

ublic

Dis

clos

ure

Aut

horiz

edP

ublic

Dis

clos

ure

Aut

horiz

edP

ublic

Dis

clos

ure

Aut

horiz

edP

ublic

Dis

clos

ure

Aut

horiz

ed

WATER SECTOR PROJECTS IMPLEMENTATION UNIT

IRRIGATION SYSTEMS ENHANCEMENT PROJECT

Contract Νº ISEP/ICB/CW – 15/003

Construction of Baghramyan-Norakert Gravity Irrigation System

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT HGSN Director: V.Hovasapyan Design Chief Engineer: K.Sargsyan

Yerevan, September 2016

Content

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

INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................ I

1. GENERAL INFORMATION.............................................................................................................................. 1

2 POLICY, LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK .............................................................................. 2

2.1 NATIONAL LEGAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK ............................................................................................ 2

2.2 INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK....................................................................................................................... 16

3. METHODOLOGY OF ESIA........................................................................................................................ 18

4 PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND JUSTIFICATION .......................................................................................... 19

4.1 OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT......................................................................................................................... 19

4.2 DESCRIPTION OF PLANNED CONSTRUCTION WORKS ................................................................................................ 23

4.3 BASELINE INFORMATION ............................................................................................................................ 31

4.4 ANALYSIS OF WATER BALANCE ............................................................................................................................. 36

5 PROJECT ALTERNATIVES ........................................................................................................................ 41

5.1. “NO ACTION” ALTERNATIVE .............................................................................................................................. 42

5.2. CONSTRUCTION OF GRAVITY IRRIGATION SYSTEM .................................................................................................. 42

6. BENEFICIAL AND ADVERSE IMPACTS ..................................................................................................... 44

6.1 CONSTRUCTION PHASE ...................................................................................................................................... 44

6.2 SOCIAL IMPACTS AT THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE ...................................................................................................... 46

6.3 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AT THE OPERATION PHASE .............................................................................................. 46

6.4 SOCIAL IMPACTS AT THE OPERATION PHASE............................................................................................................ 47

6.5 IMPACTS AT DECOMMISSIONING PHASE ................................................................................................................ 48

7. MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT MEASURES ...................................................................................... 49

7.1 DESIGN PHASE ................................................................................................................................................. 49

7.2 CONSTRUCTION PHASE ...................................................................................................................................... 49

7.3 OPERATION PHASE ........................................................................................................................................... 52

7.4 DECOMMISSIONING PHASE ................................................................................................................................ 54

8. GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISM ............................................................................................................ 54

9 INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES .............................................................................................................. 58

9.1 AGENCIES ................................................................................................................................................ 58

9.2 REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCHEDULE ................................................................................................. 59

9.3 BUDGET .................................................................................................................................................. 59

10 PUBLIC DISCUSSIONS ............................................................................................................................. 59

11 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL CLAUSES FOR CIVIL WORKS’ CONTRACTS ............................................. 62

APPENDICES ................................................................................................................................................... 63

APPENDIX A. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN. MITIGATION MEASURES ................................................. 63

APPENDIX B. MONITORING PLAN .............................................................................................................................. 72

APPENDIX C. INCIDENT REPORT FORM ....................................................................................................................... 76

APPENDIX D: MONTHLY FIELD ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING CHECKLIST ....................................................................... 77

APPENDIX E. LIST OF REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................. 80

APPENDIX F. MINUTES OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION MEETINGS ......................................................................................... 82

APPENDIX G: ADVERTISEMENT ON PUBLIC CONSULTATION MEETING ............................................................................... 89

APPENDIX H. INITIAL AGREEMENTS WITH COMMUNITIES ............................................................................................... 90

List of Abbreviations

AMD Armenian Dram

DM Distance Mark (or “Picket Number”)

EIA Environmental Impact Assessment

ESIA Environmental and Social Impact Assessment

EIMC Environmental Impact Monitoring Centre

EMP Environmental Management Plan

IES Initial Environmental Study

Environmental Expertise State Environmental Expertise SNCO of the MNP

IREP AF Irrigation Rehabilitation Emergency Project of Additional Financing

ESAOC Environmental and Social Assessment and Oversight Consultant

FS/FD Consultant Feasibility Study/Final Design Consultant

GDP Gross Domestic Product

GoA Government of Armenia

HGSN HGSN (Haygyughshinnakhagits) LLC Design Consultant

IBRD International Bank for Reconstruction and Development

ICID International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage

ISEP Irrigation System Enhancement Project

LLC Limited Liability Company

EIAE Environmental Impact Assessment and Expertise

MNP Ministry of Nature Protection of the Republic of Armenia

MoA Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Armenia

NGO Non-Governmental Organization

NSS National Statistical Service of the Republic of Armenia

O&M Operation & Maintenance

RAP Resettlement Action Plan

RA Republic of Armenia

RPF Resettlement Policy Framework

SCWE State Committee of Water Economy of the RA MoA

SEI State Environmental Inspectorate

SNCO State Non Commercial Organization

USD Dollars of the United States of America

WB World Bank

WRMA Water Resources Management Agency

WSA Water Supply Agency (“Vorogum-Jrar” CJSC)

WS PIU Water Sector Projects Implementation Unit State Institution

WTM Water-to-Market Activity of the MCA-Armenia Program

WUA Water User Association

i

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Introduction

After independence the economic structure of the Republic of Armenia (RA) has significantly changed. The former industrial republic became an agrarian country. However, the agrarian economy faces significant challenges related to the lack of modern irrigation systems. The Government of the RA makes major efforts to solve this issue including both its own resources and those of the international organizations. With the World Bank support the Government of the RA implemented the Irrigation Development Project, and the Dam Safety Projects I and II. These projects conducted the most critical interventions helping to secure operation of 8 major irrigation systems. The interventions included rehabilitation of 260 km of the most deteriorated sections of main and secondary canals, 126 hydraulic structures (aqueducts and siphons), 310 km of drainage network, 11 pump stations, 238 deep wells, 74 reservoirs in dangerous condition, and tertiary canals servicing 26 000 ha. Another World Bank supported project is the Irrigation Rehabilitation Emergency Project (IREP). It included rehabilitation of two primary canals of Talin and Armavir irrigation systems and improvement of water use efficiency in the two selected irrigation schemes.

The State Committee for Water Economy (SCWE) under the Ministry of Agriculture is the implementing agency of the World Bank supported irrigation projects, while the Water Sector Projects Implementation Unit (PIU) is responsible for their day-to-day management, monitoring and evaluation.

At present, the Government of Armenia is using World Bank funding for the implementation of Irrigation System Enhancement Project (ISEP) and is preparing a new Irrigation Systems Modernization Project. Physical investments under ISEP are intended for the conversion and reconstruction of several pumping schemes into gravity schemes and the rehabilitation of the priority canals. Baghramyan-Norakert gravity irrigation scheme is part of the ISEP investments.

National Environmental and Social Regulations and Applicable WB Policies

The 10th article of the RA Constitution (approved in 1995) defines that the government is responsible for the environmental protection and the rational use of natural resources. Laws of environmental and natural resources were issued on the environmental protection. The environmental impact assessment system in Armenia follows the RA law on the Environmental Impact Assessment and Expert Examination approved on 21 June 2014. This law regulates public relationships in the field of environmental impact assessment and environmental impact state expertise in the RA. Legislation on the assessment and expertise consists of RA Constitution, international contracts with the participation of the Republic of Armenia, this law, other legal acts and sub-legislative acts.

According to the RA law on Environmental Impact Assessment and Expert Examination, the water projects designs, including pipelines with diameters ≥ 300mm and length of ≥ 1km should be classified to “C” category. Construction of Baghramyan-Norakert gravity irrigation system is classified to “C” category, requiring conduct of one Environmental Expertise at the initial phase.

Provisions of other laws (listed under section 2.1) on the environmental protection were also taken into consideration during assessment of this report.

ISEP will finance the construction/reconstruction works of the irrigation system. ISEP triggers WB OP/BP 4.01 Environmental Assessment. Based on the nature and scope of physical activities required

ii

for the implementation of ISEP and construction of the Baghramyan-Norakert Gravity System, as well as the general types of impacts expected from such kind of construction, it is classified as environmental Category B and requires Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA). The present ESIA report was derived through re-working of the Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) document with consideration of changes in the project design and requirements specific to the World Bank funded activities. The Initial Environmental Examination document was produced by the Design Consultant at the initial stage of the development of the Design.

ISEP triggers OP/BP 4.09 Pest Management which is applicable to the construction of Baghramyan-Norakert gravity irrigation scheme, because it is anticipated that the improved irrigation services will intensify agriculture in the service area, and higher value crops may be cultivated, which could entail more intensive use of pesticides. While there is no need for developing a Pest Management Plan, promotion of safe handling of pesticides and of the applicable techniques of the Integrated Pest Management is included into the project design.

Baghramyan-Norakert irrigation scheme does not include dams, therefore OP/BP 4.37 (Safety of Dams) is not applicable to this particular investment.

OP/BP 4.12 Involuntary Resettlement is triggered, because construction of new irrigation pipelines, as well as rehabilitation of the existing ones - to lesser extent - may cause a need for temporary restriction of land use. It is expected that the reconstruction and rehabilitation works of Tkahan canal and Baghramyan-Norakert irrigation system will cause a need for permanent or temporary use of non-productive community land. On the whole there will be 9.81 ha of permanent and 1.44 ha of temporary land use.

ISEP also triggers WB OP/BP 7.50 Projects on International Waterways, which is applicable to the construction of Baghramyan-Norakert gravity irrigation. The abstraction of the current irrigation system is implemented from Lower Hrazdan canal, which takes water from Artashat main canal fed by Hrazdan River. The abstraction required for the gravity scheme will be implemented from Tkahan canal and the water quantity required for the gravity will be supplied to that canal from Arzni-Shamiram canal delivering the water to Tkahan canal by the weir located on the canal through the bed of Qasakh River. ie. both now and after the operation of the gravity scheme the intake will not be physically implemented from International Waterways, however the used water is taken (although not directly) from Hrazdan River. Hrazdan River is the tributary of Araqs River, hence it is also an International Waterway. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the construction of the gravity scheme will not lead to the need of a new intake point and the water resources will be used at the design levels agreed with the neighboring countries during the Soviet times.

Project Description

The Government of the Republic of Armenia (RA) is implementing Irrigation System Enhancement Project (ISEP) with the support of the World Bank. Construction of Baghramyan-Norakert gravity irrigation scheme is a constituent part of ISEP funded by the World Bank and is the continuation of the projects already implemented in the irrigation sector till present.

The Baghramyan-Norakert gravity scheme will provide gravity irrigation to 573 ha of Baghramyan and Norakert lands through the Tkahan canal, which are currently irrigated through pumping stations. This requires reconstruction of Tkahan canal. The calculated lands of Tkahan canal are 856 ha. As a result of the construction 1429 (856 + 573) ha lands will be irrigated from Tkahan canal.

The economic significance of the project has been proven by the economic analysis of the project’s impact at the national level through summarization of incomes and expenses calculated with economic prices. The economic productivity of the Project is estimated by ERR and NPV. The estimation did not include annually required electricity cost of about 1.8 mln kW/h for mechanical irrigation of 573 ha

iii

until 2012. The agro-economic benefits of the Project are generated form the involvement of additional lands. The estimation method is based on the per hectare net income from the crops grown within the Project impact area with and without the project. The estimation proves high efficiency of the Project – ERR is 26.6%.

This project has important components including improvement of irrigation system, management of information, as well as project management, by which the coordination of the whole process of the project will be carried out, including preparation of design documents, coordination and monitoring of construction works, preparation of tender documents, implementation of author’s supervision, project activity monitoring, and preparation of reports on the project implementation.

The project implementation will create prerequisites for increasing of new irrigable lands including uncultivated lands in crop rotation. It will increase the work efficiency of Water User Associations (WUAs), contributing to their capacity building and technical support.

The structures of Tkahan canal and Baghramyan-Norakert gravity irrigation system included in the project are located predominantly in Armavir Marz and partially in Aragatsotn marz of the RA, and irrigation service provider to water user communities is Ashtarak WUA.

Taking irrigation water from the Qasakh River by gravity Tkahan canal currently serves 856 ha lands and farms of communities in Ashtarak, Oshakan, Sasunik.

Till 2012, 573 ha lands of Baghramyan and Norakert were irrigated through pumping stations located on Lower Hrazdan main canal, which takes water from the Artashat main canal (water for Artashat main canal provided from Hrazdan River). Due to depreciation of pumping stations currently only 45ha is being served from the Tkahan canal located upstream the Lower Hrazdan canal, whereas the remaining 528 ha of the above-mentioned lands are not irrigated and have dried up. IREP intervention will bring 573 ha of agricultural land back to irrigation service from the Tkahan canal and the water will be provided by gravity.

After the construction of the gravity scheme the water intake will be located on Tkahan canal, which will be fed from Arzni-Shamiram canal by using the bed of Qasakh River. (The water required for the gravity scheme to be constructed will fill into Qasakh River through the weir existing on Arzni-Shamiram canal, after which it will be directed to Tkahan canal). The pumps are located on Lower Hrazdan canal. After the construction of the gravity scheme no intake will be implemented from this canal. The number of intake points will not increase, but the water delivery scheme will change: if prior to the construction of the gravity scheme the intake was implemented from Lower Hrazdan canal (which is fed from the Hrazdan River through Artashat main canal. Lower Hrazdan canal is physically connected to Artashat main canal), after the construction of the gravity scheme the intake will be implemented from Tkahan canal, which will get the water necessary for the gravity scheme from Arzni-Shamiram canal by using the bed of Qasakh River. In case of gravity scheme, the intake will be located on Tkahan canal and the intake level will be higher than the levels of the intake of the pumping stations on Lower Hrazdan canal and even the level of the discharge basin. Extension and reconstructing the Tkahan canal will also be part of the project. The canal will be renovated and rehabilitated. The length of the studied canal section is 6920m, 3720m of which shall be renovated. Thus, as a result of ISEP intervention, the total gravity-fed irrigated lands will make 1429 ha (856+573=1429ha), including Ashtarak- 50ha, Oshakan-166 ha, Sasunik-640ha, Baghramyan -253 ha, Norakert- 320ha .

To reduce current 27% water loss, reconstruction works are planned on 3.8km section of the Tkahan canal. As a result of implementation of designed works, the total water leakages will be reduced to 10%, and the canal efficiency will make 0.90. Water consumption for irrigating 573ha of lands through Baghramyan-Norakert gravity scheme will compose 0.680m3/s. According to the design, as a result of construction of the gravity system from Tkahan canal, Norakert N1, N2 and Baghramyan N1 pumping stations will be eliminated. Because the pumping stations had been in poor technical condition and virtually non-operation for recent years, their elimination will not have any impact on the communities. The new system will feed the pressure basins of the pumping stations, from where the irrigation water will be supplied to the communities through tertiary earthen canals.

http://www.multitran.ru/c/m.exe?t=2901208_1_2&s1=%EA%EE%FD%F4%F4%E8%F6%E8%E5%ED%F2%20%EF%EE%EB%E5%E7%ED%EE%E3%EE%20%E4%E5%E9%F1%F2%E2%E8%FF%20%EE%F0%EE%F1%E8%F2%E5%EB%FC%ED%EE%E3%EE%20%EA%E0%ED%E0%EB%E0

iv

After the implementation of the project the designed new gravity irrigation scheme will increase the irrigated lands of Baghramyan and Norakert communities (253ha in Baghramyan, and 320ha in Norakert).

The economic results of the gravity irrigation system construction and operation will include the increased crop yields and higher incomes of water users. These will be facilitated by the adoption of more efficient on-farm water management practices. Annually 2.6 mln m3 water will be saved.

The capital investment of the project is USD 1,333 thousand. The Economic Rate of Return (ERR) is 26.6 % and NPV (¹=10%) is USD 4,912 thousand.

If the gravity scheme is not constructed the pumping stations shall be put into operation and annual energy consumption will make 1.8 million KW/hour.

Analysis of Alternatives

Several alternative options were observed and discussed in the designing stage, including also the zero option, the option of the pump stations rehabilitation, the construction of the gravity with open channel and the respective potential/possible engineering solutions. Given and collating the indicators of economic benefit, feasibility and subsequent effective commissioning of the discussed options the construction of the closed pipeline gravity was selected. The detailed description of the options is presented in the Chapter 6 of this document.

Environmental and Social Baseline

The project implementation area belongs to the mountain valley-semi-desert landscape zone of Middle Araks concavity. The absolute elevations of the relief vary within the range of 960-1160 m, the gradients within 5-100, steep slopes are missing.

From floristic-geographical point of view the studied area belongs to Yerevan floristic district, where semi-desert and desert vegetative cover mainly occupied by agricultural crops is typical. The area is presented mainly by xerophyte species. Animal species typical to this landscape zone are common in mountain-steppe zone.

The studied area is characterized by dry and hot summer and moderately cold winter with irregular snow cover, where the average monthly temperature in July is 26օC, and the average temperature in January is -5.8օC. The absolute maximum air temperature is 40օC, and the absolute minimum is -30օC. The precipitation quantity in spring (March-May) is about 122 mm; drought period is June-September (up to 60mm precipitations).

The project implementation areas are far from the specially protected areas. “Vordan Karmir” State Sanctuary is situated in the studied area of Armavir region, RA. Its border is 22 km to the south-west of Norakert village.

Affected beneficiary rural communities using Baghramyan-Norakert gravity irrigation system are Baghramyan and Norakert. Sasunik is not a beneficiary community. Tkahan canal passing across Sasunik community will convey water to Baghramyan and Norakert communities. Sasunik water intakes are upstream. The project will have no impact on Sasunik’s water intake volume (the rehabilitation of Tkahan canal will allow to convey more water without an impact on the other wter users).

Social baseline studies, social surveys among water users of Baghramyan and Norakert communities were held in the initial design phase.

The number of permanent population of the communities included in the project as of January 1, 2014 is 5,631, of which 2,936 are women. There are 1,262 households in the area. Among national minorities there are 196 Yezidis living in the area. The demographic data were obtained from heads of the communities.

v

91.7% of the respondents considered the earnings from the sale of agricultural products and private activity to be the main source of income. As a source of income the respondents mentioned also remuneration for state and community works, pensions and benefits, incomes received for migrant works and support from abroad.

Expected Environmental and Social Impacts and Their Mitigation

The expected environmental and social risks associated with the construction of the Baghramyan-Norakert Gravity Irrigation System are moderate and can be effectively mitigated. These potential impacts are introduced in the present Executive Summary and are discussed in a greater detail in Chapter 6 of the ESIA report, along with the respective mitigation measures, presented in Chapter 7.

Impacts of the construction phase:

During the construction phase some negative influences may be observed on the environment, such as surface water pollution, degradation of lands and landscape, land erosion, which may be a result of excavated/extracted earth, not proper removal/placement of the disposed soil and construction waste, leakage of fuels and lubricants and other materials during the construction, use of temporary construction site (const. camps, car parks, storages, etc.), temporary pollution of the air caused by the dense traffic schedule during the construction, noise and vibrations during the excavation work, also possible impacts on the vegetative cover.

There may be some social impacts during the construction phase, including construction related traffic increase, temporary impacts on the land use and temporary local employment.

Mitigation measures of the construction phase:

Measures to prevent and/or minimize the degradation of landscapes and soil erosion, pollution of surface and groundwater resources and soils by construction run-off shall be implemented by the contractor during the construction phase. This must include, but not be limited to:

The use of already existing quarries and disposal sites, where possible, according to the requirements set in the appropriate permits and agreements obtained at the design phase; zones of preliminary accumulation of wastes that will cause no damage to the vegetation cover and other components of the environment shall be maintained by the contractor;

The banks with gradient over 5% shall be reinforced by concrete layer and gabions to avoid erosion; reinforcement of large gradients with vegetation, grass and other plants.

Rehabilitation of vegetation cover and bringing to the initial condition (prior to the works the fertile layer of the soil shall be properly removed and stored in the relevant location);

vi

Sites for storage of oil and chemicals shall be properly equipped to minimize the risks of polluting soils and the environment;

Provision of entrance and exit principles for the traffic and construction sites, defining the precise routes, parking areas and work implementation schedule;

The construction sites and the approaching roads shall be periodically watered, the crushed stone, the soil mas stored and hauled shall be dampened to minimize the dust (besides winter months and precipitation seasons). Fluid construction materials shall be stored in the covered and protected place.

Ensuring clear and timely communications on potential negative impacts of construction to local residents, and the establishment of accessible complaint procedures and grievance redress mechanisms.

Each construction camp should be created after the consultation with the environment specialists of the supervision consultant. Construction camps must be organized parallel to the track in the areas with no vegetation.

The construction activities, which might hinder irrigation water supply to the affected communities through existing irrigation schemes, should be postponed to non-irrigation season.

Employment for women should be encouraged in either construction, food provision, or other operations by the contractor.

Impacts of the operation phase:

Operation of the Baghramyan-Norakert gravity irrigation scheme will carry common risks associated with irrigation for agriculture.

(a) Soil erosion, salinization and alkalization

Operation of Baghramyan-Norakert gravity scheme may have some negative impact on the lands of project affected area, particularly in terms of natural balance of the soil (increase of salinization, alkalization, toxicity and absorption index), which may be due to irrigation water pollution and/or richness of salt or other chemical compounds, as well as erosion, and application of improper irrigation techniques.

(b) Deterioration of irrigation water quality

The lands to be irrigated by Baghramyan gravity scheme are located within the range of 960-1160 m above sea level. There are no industrial and significant residential polluters upstream the designed water intake. Testing of Qasakh River water quality carried out for the purpose of developing the Baghramyan-Norakert gravity scheme, shows that the water is not polluted with organic, mineral, or toxic pollutants. Deterioration of the water quality is unlikely over the course of the proposed scheme’s lifetime, and no significant accidental spills can occur upstream either.

(c) Increased use of pesticides

Improved provision of irrigation services and return of some area to irrigation after years of discontinued service are likely to intensify farming in the Baghramyan-Norakert scheme command area. This may indirectly influence the pattern of agrochemical’s use. Potentially increased and improper use of pesticides carries risks of environment pollution and threats to human health.

(d) Economic gains of communities in the coverage area

vii

Constructed irrigation scheme will lead to better service provision and will result in higher yields. Communities believe that this will have direct impact on family incomes, will positively influence their health and push up their social status. Increased income opportunities will also motivate more young people to stay within the area, to improve their agricultural skills and modernize their farms.

Increase in water user fees as a result of public investment into the scheme’s rehabilitation is not expected. On the contrary, there is a possibility of decrease in user fees in long term, due to less power demand and reduced water losses.

(e) Competition for water use

Since the additional water required for irrigating Baghramyan and Norakert communities will be supplied from Arzni-Shamiram canal, no additional water will be withdrawn from Qasakh River. No conflicts are anticipated over the water use - neither between various types of users nor among irrigation water users.

(f) Impact on aquatic ecosystem In order to present the overall pattern of the hydrology of Bagramyan-Norakert gravity irrigation

scheme, its offtake points, changes of irrigation scheme and expected possible impacts, it should be

noted that the gravity scheme actually is not directly/ immediately associated with the natural channel

of Hrazdan River, as the headworks of Arzni-Shamiram canal and Lower Hrazdan canal both are not

located on the natural channel of Hrazdan River. The headworks of Arzni-Shamiram canal are located

on the Sevan-Hrazdan diversion canal, and the headworks of Lower Hrazdan canal - on the Artashat

main canal. The diversion canal between these two headworks goes mostly parallel to the natural

channel of Hrazdan River and transfers the required irrigation flow in accordance with irrigation

regime. Thus, the expected change of the irrigation scheme and of the associated flow will occur in the

diversion canal and not in the natural channel of Hrazdan River. As regards to the expected

environmental impact from the change of irrigation scheme, the hydrological calculations confirm that

the water shortage will not exceed 1.01 m3/s and will comprise only 3% of the mean flow during

irrigation season (mainly in the diversion canal) and 6% at the end of July. This will not have any

essential environmental impact on Hrazdan River. We may even exclude the environmental impacts

and risks considering that the main change will occur in the diversion canal, and no functional

ecological system could be established in that channel because it is a non-natural channel with just a

seasonal flow.

We would like to state one more factor: no additional offtakes will be constructed on Hrazdan or

Qasakh rivers, and the capacities of the existing offtakes will not be increased.

Fig.1 shows the hydrograph of the corresponding stretch prepared based on the available data.

Fig.1.

viii

As regards to the hydrology of Qasakh River, which is associated with the Bagramyan-Norakert gravity

scheme, it is expected that the flow along 2 km long stretch of Qasakh River will be increased by about

1 m3/s. This flow increase expected after project implementation will not cause negative

environmental impacts as it is within the norms of the irrigation season and is 7-8 times less than the

spring flood of the basin transformed by Qasakh River. Fig.2 presents the hydrograph of Qasakh River.

Fig.2.

Although not directly, Norakert-Bagramyan gravity scheme is also associated with Lake Sevan, as the

above diversion canal gets water from Lake Sevan. However, it should be noted that no additional

impact on the ecological system of Lake Sevan is expected from project implementation, as the intake

will not increase and will be maintained within the limits of traditionally defined annual volumes. These

limits are set by the Law of the RA on Lake Sevan and the corresponding additional resolutions of the

GOA, which set the annual volume for the year. The Law sets the maximum annual intake form Lake

ix

Sevan at 170 Mm3, which is released in accordance with the irrigation regime for irrigation of the lands

located under command of Sevan-Hrazdan system (including Arzni-Shamiram and Sevan-Hrazdan

canals).

Mitigation measures of the operational phase:

Properly maintaining hydraulic structures, pipes and canals throughout operation of the scheme;

To prevent the erosion phenomena in the soils under the system control it is required to carry out anti-erosion measures in the irrigated areas during the soil cultivation.

Periodic monitoring of soil quality in the Baghramyan-Norakert gravity scheme service area for early detection of undesired trends of its deterioration and for prompt corrective action;

Obtaining river water quality data from and screening them for the detection of excessive increase in the contents of pollutants and making emergency communication to relevant State entities in case of such occurrence;

No considerable damage to aquatic life is expected in Qasakh and Hradan Rivers, because meeting of the actual water demand is possible without disruption of its seasonal dynamics.

No significant impact is expected on fauna and flora in the Baghramyan-Norakert gravity Irrigation Scheme area, because the ecosystem functionality will not be violated and no ecosystem fragmentation will occur;

To monitor the compliance with the environmental flow requirement and make sure only permitted quantity of water is abstracted;

Raise public awareness, educate, and promote safe use of pesticides and application of relevant methods of the Integrated Pest Management among water users of the Baghramyan-Norakert gravity irrigation scheme;

Arrangements for Safeguards’ Application and Reporting Safeguards application is the responsibility of all the agencies involved. The executing agencies are responsible for carrying out mitigation

measures prescribed through the ESIA report and ESMP. The design phase executor-the designer consultant should guarantee that before

declaring competition for construction works all the required permissions and agreements have been acquired from the corresponding

authorized state and local authorities (such as: about the usage of water resources and systems, the areas of excavated soil, wastes and

construction waste removal). The construction phase executing agencies (construction contractors) are responsible for executing monitoring

measures provided in ESMP as well as for requiring all the permissions and agreements concerning the construction works (such as: acquire agreement with state agency of history and protection of cultural monuments, in case if historical/cultural/ancient monuments or other cultural

materials unexpectedly appear during construction works). All this will be carried out according to the demands of existing environmental and social legislation of

Armenia as well as this ESIA report and ESMP requirements. Acting in the capacity of the Project

implementing entity, SCWE will have an overall responsibility for the Project oversight, and will provide

supervision of its implementation through the PIU. The PIU will hire a supervising company licensed to

carry out technical supervision of construction, which will include oversight on the environmental and

social compliance of works. The role of the PIU will be quality control of the supervision company’s

work and will imply periodic field visits of the PIU’s in-house staff with the purpose of verifying

information provided by the supervisor. PIU shall review and provide feedback on the supervision

company’s reports, as well as take timely and effective actions on the issues raised in the supervisor’s

x

reports. PIU will also track procedures of obtaining all necessary permits, licenses, and agreements by

the works contractor and will follow compliance of works with the terms and conditions that these

permits, licenses, and agreements. According to RA legislation, environmental supervision in the entire

territory of the republic is carried out by the State Environmental Inspectorate operating under the

Ministry of Nature Protection of RA, which also has a corresponding territorial department in the

region of Armavir and Aragatsotn. The specialists will implement environmental supervision in the

Project implementation area both during the construction and future operation stages.

Author of the scheme design and the construction supervision consultant report to PIU on the progress

of construction works. Environmental and social monitoring of works is included in the assignment of

the supervision consultant. The consultant reports to PIU on the project progress on monthly basis.

Monthly progress reports include, inter alia, a chapter on the environmental and social performance

of works contractor. Textual part of the report describes general status of safeguards compliance,

fleshes out main issues, and describes actions taken for addressing these issues. Completed field

environmental monitoring checklists (template attached to this ESIA report) are to be attached to the

monthly progress reports too. The consultant’s obligations also include reporting to PIU on any

accidents that may occur during construction (accident report form also attached hereby in Appendix

C) immediately upon occurrence of such accident. PIU will submit the World Bank bi-annual project

progress reports that include, inter alia, a chapter on the safeguard compliance.

Environmental and Social Management Plan

The present ESIA report carries an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP), which is designed to ensure that all necessary measures are identified and implemented in order to mitigate possible negative environmental impacts of the construction and operation phases and to comply with the national environmental legislation. The ESMP is included in tender documents and will become an integral part of the works contract. The construction contractor will be responsible to carry out all the measures anticipated by the ESMP during the construction. Supervision of the ESMP implementation will be carried out by PIU at the construction phase and will pass on to the WUA at the operation phase.

Public Participation

The process of Baghramyan Norakert gravity irrigation system design included a series of public hearings and discussions on environmental and social-economic issues related to irrigation, including with representatives of “Ashtarak” WUA, the village administrative heads, and other project affected people. The early draft ESIA report underwent the process of environmental expert examination, which included conduct of a public consultation meeting in accordance with the requirements of RA legislation. The minutes of these public consultations are presented in Appendix F.

After getting clearance of this ESIA report from the World Bank, another round of public consultations will be organized on the disclosure of the ESIA report. The updated ESIA report with the minutes of the public consultation and photos will again be sent to the WB for final approval. After receiving final approval the ESIA report will be posted in the PIU website in Armenian and English languages.

1

1. General Information

Figure 1: Map of the Republic of Armenia

The Republic of Armenia is a landlocked country (29,800 km2) between the Black and Caspian seas, bordered in the north by Georgia, to the east by Azerbaijan, on the south by Iran and to the west by Turkey (Figure 1). The country’s terrain is a high plateau with mountains with little forest land. Climate is highland continental with hot summers and cold winters. Armenia’s natural resources are molybdenum, zinc, gold, silver, lead, marble, granite and mineral spring water.

Armenia’s population is officially estimated at 3,018,854 de jure (2,871,771 de facto) according to the final results 2011 census, announced in 20131. 98% of the population is ethnic Armenian, 1.2 % Yezidi, 0.5% Russian, 0.3% other.

Armenia’s work force is estimated at 1.24 million and the unemployment rate stands at 10.5%. Employment of the work force in Armenia’s economy is described as follows: industry and construction – 24.5%; agriculture and forestry – 24.6%; trade – 17.3%; education – 13.4% other - 22.2%.

As a result sectors such as construction and services currently replace agriculture and industry as the main contributors to economic growth. Other industrial sectors driving the country’s industrial growth include energy, metallurgy and food processing. According to preliminary data in 2011 the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) comprised AMD 3776.4 billion (USD 1= 405.32 AMD as of December 1, 2012), with 4.7% growth rate. Volume of gross agricultural output was estimated at around 20.2%, an increase compared to an average 17.6% in the last 4-year period.

The structure of Armenia’s economy has changed substantially since its independence in 1991. Irrigated agriculture has declined significantly due to non-operational mechanical irrigation (high electricity prices) and deteriorated infrastructure due to a lack of recurrent expenditure and maintenance. This, amongst other contributing factors, has caused severe unemployment, especially in rural areas. Reforms supported by international donors have been and continue to be undertaken to rehabilitate the economic situation in the country.

According to the “Social Snapshot and Poverty in Armenia, 2012”2 (a study prepared by the NSS), poverty still remains a problem in Armenia. In 2011 the poverty level accounted for 35.0%, which is lower as compared to the previous year (35.8%). In 2011, more than third of population (35%) was poor, 19.9% was very poor and 3.7% was extremely poor. In 2014, Poverty was still at 30 percent.3

The Government of RA, with significant support from international institutions, continues strengthening its macro-economic management. The ISEP is designed for the implementation over the

1 National Statistical Service of the Republic of Armenia. Official web-site of the NSS of the RA:

http://www.armstat.am/en/. 2 Social Snapshot and Poverty in Armenia, 2012. National Statistical Service of Armenia.

3 World Bank. 2016. Performance and Learning Review for the Republic of Armenia for the Period FY2014 –

FY2017

http://www.armstat.am/en/

2

four years, based on the loan agreement between the World Bank and the Republic of Armenia, aiming at improvement of irrigation infrastructure, and capacity building of WUAs.

2 Policy, Legal and Administrative Framework

2.1 National Legal and Regulatory Framework

Article 10 of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia (adopted in 1995) guarantees protection of the environment by the State, as well as the rational use and renewal of natural resources. To fulfill this obligation, the Republic of Armenia has adopted a number of environmental laws and regulations since its independence in 1991 and also signed and ratified a list of international conventions and protocols. Table 1 below lists a number of the RA environmental laws that pertain to implementation of various components of the Irrigation System Enhancement Project.

Table 1

Selected Environmental and Transparency Laws of the Republic of Armenia

Name of Law Year of

Adoption

RA Law on Atmospheric Air Protection 1994

RA Law on the Protection and Use of Fixed Cultural and Historic Monuments and Historic Environment

1998

RA Law on Environmental Fees and Nature Use Charges 1998

RA Law on Flora 1999

RA Law on Fauna 2000

RA Land Code 2001

RA Law on Lake Sevan 2001

RA Law on Complex Program for the Lake Sevan Ecosystem Restoration, Conservation, Reproduction and Use

2001

3

RA Water Code 2002

RA Law on Water Users’ Associations and Federations of the Water Users Associations

2002

RA law on the freedom of information 2003

RA Law on Wastes 2004

RA law on public administration and administrative procedures 2004

RA Law on Environmental Oversight 2005

RA Forest Code 2005

RA Law on Fundamental Provisions of the National Water Policy 2005

RA Law on the National Water Program 2006

RA Law on Specially Protected Areas 2006

RA Law on Inspection of Use and Protection of Land 2008

RA Code on Underground Resources 2011

RA Law On Environmental Impact Assessment and Expert Examination 2014

RA Government Decree on Procedure for Organization of Public Outreach and Discussions

2014

Below is a brief description of the main provisions of the laws which are most relevant to environmental and social review of the proposed Baghramyan-Norakert gravity system project.

Law on Environmental Impact Assessment and Expert Examination (2014)

4

Each planned construction, reconstruction, expansion or other activity, which has impact on the environment, must undergo expertise according the Law “On Environmental Impact Assessment and Expert Examination” (2014). The law defines the measurements of the types of activities, which should be subject to such expertise. The types of activities according to their impact package are divided into 3 categories. These categories have been defined by taking into account the volume, character and measure of impact of the activities on the environment. The category A includes such massive industrial activities, for which the practice shows that the impact on the environment is great. It especially relates to the mine industry, chemical industry, transferring of dangerous wastes and their burning, construction of large plants of metals, production of construction materials, installation of thermal energy units, etc. The category B includes practically the same types of activities in less sizes or productivities. The category C includes types of activity with minimal risks for the environment and do not require impact assessment.

The law gives general provisions for organization of public consultations; and the RA Government

Decree, 19 November 2014, N 1325-N on Procedure for Organization of Public Outreach and

Discussions regulates the procedure for organization and the number of public discussions/hearings, as well as states the roles and responsibilities of the entities/participants involved in this process. For instance the projects of Category C require at least 2 public hearings held by the project initiator (in most cases the initiator of the project is the design consultant) or an authorized agency for expert examination or local authorities. One of the public hearings should be held before the submition of the project to the Environmental Expert Examination, while the other(s) at later stages of the examination process.

According to this law, construction of Baghramyan-Norakert gravity system falls under category C and requires a single expert examination at the initial stage.

Law on Flora (1999) and Law on Fauna (2000)

The Laws on Flora and Fauna outline the Republic’s policies for the conservation, protection, use, regeneration, and management of natural populations of plants and animals, and for regulating the impact of human activities on biodiversity. These laws aim for the sustainable protection and use of flora/fauna and the conservation of biodiversity. There are provisions for assessing and monitoring species, especially rare and threatened species. This Law considered important application particularly in the stage of Baghramyan Norakert gravity construction, since the State Environmental Inspectorate will be guided by the provisions of the law when controlling the construction works of this system.

Law on Atmospheric Air Protection (1994 and last amended in 2007)

This Law regulates the emission licenses and provides maximum allowed loads/concentrations for atmospheric air pollution, etc. There is secondary legislation that establishes sanitary norms for noise in workplaces, residential and public buildings, residential development areas as well as construction sites.

The institutions of atmospheric air protection and control (The State Environmental Inspectorate, the Center of the Environmental Impact Monitoring) shall be guided by the provisions defined by this Law during the construction works of Baghramyan Norakert gravity system.

Land Code (2001)

The Land Code defines the main directives for use of the lands allocated for energy production, water economy (water supply, water discharge, pumping stations, reservoirs, etc.), and other purposes. The Code defines the lands under the specially protected areas as well as forested, watered and reserved lands. It also establishes the measures aimed at protection of the lands as well as the rights of state bodies, local authorities and citizens towards the land.

The land code is one of those legal documents the categories, the samples of use permission, property forms and the other norms defined by it were taken into account during the designing stage of

5

Baghramyan Norakert gravity scheme. The provisions defined by this Law (protection of the land resources, regulating the use area) should be applied by the Constructor of this gravity scheme and by the entities which implement the control also.

Water Code (2002)

6

The main purpose of the Water Code is to provide the legal basis for the protection of the country’s water resources, the satisfaction of water needs of citizens and economic sectors through effective management of water resources and safeguarding the protection of water resources for future generations. The Water Code addresses the following key issues: responsibilities of state/local authorities and public, development of the national water policy and national water program, water cadaster and monitoring system, public access to the relevant information, water use and water system use permitting systems, trans-boundary water resources use, water quality standards, hydraulic structures operation safety issues, protection of water resources and state supervision.

Adoption of the Water Code in 2002 generated the need for development of a number of Governmental regulations and procedures, including permitting procedures, environmental flows, drainage water use, water alternative accounting, access to information on trans-boundary water, water use for fishery purposes, reservation of underground water sources, registration of documents in state water cadaster, public awareness and publicity of the documents developed by WRMA and other normative documents which provide guidelines directly linked with water and environmental issues.

The provisions defined by this Code are of key importance for almost all designing stages developed for water resources included also Baghramyan Norakert gravity irrigation system. It regulates legal relations of water resources conservation, management and efficient use of them. In particular the water use permissions, priorities, and other concepts are regulated although not directly by legal acts ensuing from this code or dealing directly with it. Besides the provisions defined by this code will be the basis for the institutions involved in the program as for the control of water resources conservation to the possible leaks to that environment.

Law on Water Users’ Associations (WUA) and Federations of the WUAs (2002)

The WUAs and Federations of WUAs are established to effectively operate and maintain the irrigation infrastructure and organize impartial and equitable distribution of irrigation water to all water users, collect water payments and present and protect the rights of member water users raising their awareness of the association’s activities and increasing their participation in WUA management. Within the objectives of the Association and Federation (Article 4) the following important issues from environmental and social perspectives could be mentioned: operation and maintenance of irrigation system; implementation of construction works and restoration of watercourses and irrigation systems; introduction of new irrigation technologies; organization of training courses on the use of new technologies to upgrade knowledge and skills of water users; water supply management and pollution prevention; implementation of activities necessary to improve the quality of land, supporting the drainage system; providing ecological safety through preventing land erosion, prevention from salinization, over-watering and promoting the protection of irrigation system.

This Law in general regulates the activity of Water User’s Associations, and those companies are closely involved in such gravity scheme designing, construction and operation stages- to determine the water request volume, types of crop, the space of the lands subjected to irrigate or be irrigated, the current situation of the irrigation systems, etc.

Law on Wastes (2005)

The law provides the legal and economic basis for collection, transportation, disposal, treatment, re-use of wastes as well as prevention of negative impacts of waste on natural resources, human life and health. The law defines the roles and responsibilities of the state authorized bodies in the waste sector.

In the scope of the provisions defined by this Law the waste collection processes in the construction phase of Baghramyan Norakert gravity system, and the transportation of them to the certain places, as well as possible issues and relations between different institutions will be regulated by it.

Law on Environmental Oversight (2005)

The Law regulates the issues of organization and enforcement of oversight over the implementation of environmental legislation of the Republic of Armenia and defines the legal and economic bases

7

underlying the specifics of oversight over the implementation of environmental legislation, the relevant procedures, conditions and relations as well as environmental oversight in the Republic of Armenia. The existing legal framework governing the use of natural resources and environmental protection includes a large variety of legal documents. Government resolutions are the main legal

8

implementing instruments for environmental laws. The environmental field is also regulated by presidential orders, Prime Minister’s resolutions and ministerial decrees.

For the construction of Baghramyan Norakert gravity system the State Environmental Inspectorate will be guided mainly by this Law while implementing environmental control.

Law on Fundamental Provisions of the National Water Policy (2005)

The Law defines a long-term development concept for protection, strategic management and use of water resources and water systems of Armenia. It spells out the key principles for integrated management and planning of Armenia’s water sector by defining priorities and approaches to be addressed.

Article 13 of this Law in particular, regulates the priorities of water resources conservation and use, which served an important basis in the design phase of Baghramyan Norakert gravity system, and will also be acceptable in the further stage of the operation – to regulate the water use priorities in different areas.

Law on National Water Program (2006)

The overall goal of the Law is to provide short-term (until 2010), medium-term (2010-2015) and long-term (2015-2021) measures for achieving the goals and objectives defined by the Water Code, National Water Policy and Program. The National Water Program Law is a “living” document to be updated regularly. The law defines the following key measures: development of measures aimed at definition of the national water reserve; strategic water reserve; useable water resources and conservation and enhancement of the national water reserve; classification of water systems; development of criteria for defining the water systems of state significance; assessment of water demand and supply; development of a strategy for storage, distribution and use of water resources; definition of measures aimed at development of water standards; volumes of ecological/minimum flow volumes and maximum permissible quantities of water withdrawn for consumption; determination of specially protected basin areas and zones of ecological emergencies and ecological disasters; prevention of negative impact on water eco-systems; improvement of water resources monitoring and pollution prevention; determination of financial requirements and proposed funding sources suggested for implementation of the National Water Program; ensuring public awareness; etc.

This Law also includes “STEPWISE PROGRAM OF WATER NATIONAL PROGRAM’S IMPLEMENTATION ACTIVITIES”, as an Annex, - the main part of the activities foreseen by which are acceptable for Baghramyan Norakert gravity irrigation system as well.

Law on Inspection of Use and Protection of Land (2008)

This law provides objectives and types of effective use and protection of lands of the Republic of Armenia, inspection related to enforcement of land legislation and institutions, procedures of control, rights and responsibilities of entities controlling land use and protection. The law applies to all lands of the Republic of Armenia Land Fund, irrespective of purpose, ownership and/or right to use.

The provisions defined by this Law can be applicable especially during the construction phase of Baghramyan Norakert gravity scheme in the context of land resources protection, in the scope of use relation regulation between the responsible institutions, partners and especially local authorities/self-governing entities.

A number of other laws and regulations were consulted during the conduct of the ESIA, primarily those regulating the construction sector and defining construction norms and standards (SNiPs).

In addition to the aforementioned legal acts, the Republic of Armenia has signed and ratified a number of environmental conventions and protocols, which are presented below in Table 2. Highlighted items are most relevant to this ESIA.

Table 2

9

Overview of Environmental Conventions and Protocols signed and/or ratified by the Republic of

Armenia4

Convention or Protocol, Name and Place In force Signed Ratified Relevant Comment

1 Convention on Wetlands of International Significance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar, 1971)

1975 1993 Ratified by USSR

x

2 Convention on Biological Diversity (Rio-De-Janeiro, 1992)

1993 1992 1993 x Re-registered

in UN 1993

3 Cartagena Protocol on Biological Safety (Cartagena, 2000)

2000 2004

4 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (New York, 1992)

1994 1992 1993 Re-registered

in UN 1993

5 Kyoto Protocol (Kyoto, 1997) 2002 Re-registered

in UN 2003

6 Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (Geneva, 1979)

1983 1996 Re-registered

in UN 1997

7

Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espoo, 1991)

1997 1996 x Re-registered

in UN 1997

Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment (Kiev, 2003)

2003 2011 x

8

Convention on the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents (Helsinki, 1992)


in UN 1997

Protocol on Civil Liability and Compensation for Damage caused by the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents on Transboundary Waters (Kiev, 2003)

2003

9 UN Convention to Combat Desertification (Paris, 1994)

1996 1994 1997 x Re-registered

in UN 1997

10

Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal (Basel, 1989)


in UN 1999

11

Convention for the protection of Ozone Layer (Vienna, 1985)


in UN 1999

4 Official web-site of the Ministry of Nature Protection: http://www.nature-ic.am/ccarmenia/en/?nid=365. Accessed in

March 2009.

http://www.nature-ic.am/ccarmenia/en/?nid=365

10

Convention or Protocol, Name and Place In force Signed Ratified Relevant Comment

Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (Montreal, 1987)


in UN 1999

12

Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus, 1998)

2001 1998 2001 x

13

Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (Rotterdam, 1998)

1998 2003

14

Convention on Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (Helsinki, 1992)

1996 x

Protocol on Water and Health (London, 1999)

1999 x

15 Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (Stockholm, 2001)

2001 2003

16

Convention on the Prohibition of Military or any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques (Geneva, 1976)


in UN 2002

17 European Convention on Landscape (Florence, 2000)

2004

18 Convention on Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (Paris 1972)

1993 x

19

Energy Charter Treaty (Lisbon, 1994) 1997

Energy Charter Protocol on Energy efficiency and Related Environmental Aspects (Lisbon, 1994)

1997

20 European Convention on Protection of Wild Nature and Habitat (Bern, 1979)

1982 2006 x

World Bank Operational Policies

WB OP 4.01 Environmental Assessment is considered to be the umbrella policy for the Bank's environmental safeguard policies. These policies are critical for ensuring that potentially adverse environmental and social consequences are identified, minimized, and properly mitigated. These policies receive particular attention during the project preparation and approval process. The World Bank carries out screening of each proposed project to determine the appropriate extent and type of EA to be undertaken and whether or not the project may trigger other safeguard policies. The Borrower is responsible for any assessment required by the Safeguard Policies, with general advice

11

provided by the World Bank staff. The safeguard policies and triggers for each policy are presented in the Table 3 below.

Table 3

World Bank Safeguard Policies

Operational Policy Triggers

Environmental Assessment (OP 4.01)

(triggered in ISEP)

If a project is likely to have potential (adverse) environmental risks and impacts in its area of influence.

Natural Habitats (OP 4.04)

(triggered in ISEP)

The policy is triggered by any project with the potential to cause significant conversion (loss) or degradation of natural habitats whether directly (through construction) or indirectly (through human activities induced by the project).

Pest Management (OP 4.09)

(triggered in ISEP)

If procurement of pesticides is envisaged; If the project may affect pest management in the way that harm could be done, even though the project is not envisaged to procure pesticides. This includes projects that may (i) lead to substantially increased pesticide use and subsequent increase in health and environmental risk, (ii) maintain or expand present pest management practices that are unsustainable, not based on an IPM approach, and/or pose significant health or environmental risks.

Physical Cultural Resources (OP 4.11)

(triggered in ISEP)

The policy is triggered by projects, which, prima facie, entail the risk of damaging cultural property (e.g. any project that includes large scale excavations, movement of earth, surface environmental changes or demolition).

Involuntary Resettlement (OP 4.12)

(triggered in ISEP)

Physical relocation, land loss or restriction of land use resulting in: (i) relocation or loss of shelter; (ii) loss of assets or access to assets; (iii) loss of income sources or means of livelihood, whether or not the affected people must move to another location.

Forests (OP 4.36)

(triggered in ISEP)

Forest sector activities and other Bank sponsored interventions, which have potential to impact significantly upon forested areas.

Safety of Dams (OP 4.37)

(Triggered by ISEP)

If a project involves construction of a large dam (15 m or higher) or a high hazard dam; If a

12

Operational Policy Triggers

project is dependent upon an existing dam, or dam under construction.

Projects on International Waterways (OP 7.50)

(Triggered by ISEP)

If the project is on international waterway such as: any river, canal, lake, or similar body of water that forms a boundary between, or any river or body of surface water that flows through, two or more states (or any tributary or other body of surface water that is a component of this waterway); any bay, gulf, strait, or channel bounded by two or more states or, if within one state, re-cognized as a necessary channel of communication between the open sea and other states-and any river flowing into such waters.

ISEP will finance construction and rehabilitation works on the irrigation schemes and will have certain social and environmental impacts.

Description of planned activities:

Tkahan canal: The length of the studied canal section is 6920m, 3720m of which shall be reconstructed and the design foresees the following works:

Excavation and leveling of the soil on both banks of the canal;

Dismantling and hauling the deteriorated 3x1.5x0.08m r/c slabs;

Cleaning and removing the water sediments from the canal bed;

Cleaning and removing the deteriorated concrete from the bottom, slopes and berms of the canal:

Filling the cavities of the bottom, slopes and berms of the canal with lean concrete;

Monolith concrete of the bottom δav.=15 cm, L=3720 m;

Monolith concrete of the berms 0.3x0.12m, L=2x3720 m;

Monolith concrete of slopes δ=12 cm, L=2x2793 m;

Longitudinal expansion joints of the canal floor L=2793x2 m;

Expansion joints of the bottom, slopes and berms of the canal at each 4 meters, L=2793:4x5.66 m;

Painting the plain gates of the existing water outlets-2 layers.

Baghramyan –Norakert gravity system: The gravity scheme shall be constructed and the total length of Baghramyan-Norakert irrigation system is 4655m. The canal serves 2 communities with a total of 573ha land, 253 ha of which is in Baghramyan and 320ha in Norakert.

The following works will be carried out under the design:

At DM 0+00 water metering structure with a measured bed;

Installation of metal bridge over the canal at DM69+20 for the regulation of plain gate;

Construction of underground irrigation network with L=4745m length, including:

13

o feeding pipeline L=1890m consisting of steel pipes L=980m, D=630x7mm, polyethylene pipes (Pe) L=278 m, de400and (Pe) L=632 m de280(Pe),

o distributor D-1 constructed from polyethylene pipes L=641 m, de500(Pe),

o distributor D-1-1 constructed from polyethylene pipes de400(Pe), L=198m and L=1576m de280(Pe),

o distributor D-2 starts at DM6+38 of D-1 distributor and serves the II zone pressure reservoir of Baghramyan N2 pump station; it is constructed from polyethylene pipes L=350 m, de280(Pe),

Connection of the I and II zone pipelines to supply water to the I zone pressure reservoir of Norakert N2 pump station;

Installation of the water metering unit at the starting point of D-1 distributor;

Installation of water metering unit at the starting point of D-1 distributor;

Repair of 4 existing pressure reservoirs, 3 of which include water-metering units;

Installation of monolith concrete chambers with slide valves;

Installation of 29 water outlets, 9 of which will be installed on polyethylene pipes and 20 on the existing pressure pipeline;

Installation of discharge chamber (1 piece) at the connection point of the pressure pipelines of Norakert N2 pump stations;

Laying sand protection layer on polyethylene pipes;

On-site leveling of rocky soils extracted from the trench to the level of sand protection layer over the polyethylene pipes and pipe volumes;

Dismantling the existing ЛР-6, ЛР-4 flumes and bases and hauling;

Water metering unit - 5 pieces;

Water outlets - 29 pieces;

Monolith concrete chambers with slide valves – 9 pieces;

Discharge chambers - 1 piece;

Monolith concrete pressure chambers- 4 pieces.

The project, therefore, triggers WB OP/BP 4.01 Environmental Assessment. For ISEP-financed construction of gravity schemes, including construction of the Baghramyan-Norakert gravity irrigation scheme, the ESIAs shall be carried out and a positive conclusion shall be obtained from the Environmental Expertise of the Ministry of Nature Protection, while for the other activities such as rehabilitation of existing main, secondary and tertiary canals, development of site-specific Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) will be sufficient. Capacity building and project management activities of the ISEP are not associated with potential environmental and social risks.

Some of the ISEP activities required temporary private land use during construction of Meghri gravity irrigation scheme. While the design of Baghramyan-Nerakert gravity irrigation scheme has avoided private land related impacts. The project implies implementation of construction works in the areas of the service zones of the existing structures, which are lands belonging to the community. All the affected communities have given their written agreements for the use of community lands during the construction period.

OP 4.37 Safety of Dams is triggered by IESP, but not applicable to Baghramyan-Norakert scheme, as its’ hydraulic structures do not include any dam.

14

OP 4.09 Pest Management is triggered, because some agricultural areas, which had been out of irrigation due to deteriorated infrastructure, will be brought back to irrigation as a result of reconstruction of the Baghramyan-Norakert scheme and that is likely to stimulate use of pesticides. While there is no need of developing a Pest Management Plan, promotion of sound pesticide use practices and of the Integrated Pest Management is included into the project design.

OP/BP 7.50 Projects on International Waterways is triggered by ISEP. OP/BP 7.50 also refers to Baghramyan-Norakert Gravity Irrigation Scheme Project, as the water quantities required for this project are taken from Hrazdan River (although, sometimes not directly), which fills into Araqs River, which is considered International Waterway. However, no additional quantitative and qualitative impacts on Hrazdan River or new water intakes are anticipated from the project implementation and the water quantities will remain at the same range as agreed with neighboring countries during Soviet times.

General EHS Guidelines These Guidelines as part of the World Bank's safeguard requirements triggered by ISEP and refers to Baghramyan-Norakert Gravity Irrigation Scheme Project as well. The Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines are technical reference documents with general and industry-specific examples of Good International Industry Practice. When one or more members of the World Bank Group are involved in a project, these EHS Guidelines are applied as required by their respective policies and standards. These General EHS Guidelines are designed to be used together with the relevant Industry Sector EHS Guidelines which provide guidance to users on EHS issues in specific industry sectors. For complex projects, use of multiple industry-sector guidelines may be necessary. The EHS Guidelines contain the performance levels and measures that are generally considered to be achievable in new facilities by existing technology at reasonable costs. Application of the EHS Guidelines to existing facilities may involve the establishment of site-specific targets, with an appropriate timetable for achieving them. The applicability of the EHS Guidelines should be tailored to the hazards and risks established for each project on the basis of the results of an environmental assessment in which site-specific variables, such as host country context, assimilative capacity of the environment, and other project factors, are taken into account. The applicability of specific technical recommendations should be based on the professional opinion of qualified and experienced persons. When host country regulations differ from the levels and measures presented in the EHS Guidelines, projects are expected to achieve whichever is more stringent. If less stringent levels or measures than those provided in these EHS Guidelines are appropriate, in view of specific project circumstances, a full and detailed justification for any proposed alternatives is needed as part of the site-specific environmental assessment. This justification should demonstrate that the choice for any alternate performance levels is protective of human health and the environment. The General EHS Guidelines contain the following 4 sections of information:

1. Environment: This section contain 8 specific sub-sections with relevant approaches for each of it.

2. Occupational Health and Safety: Employers and supervisors are obliged to implement all reasonable precautions to protect the health and safety of workers. This section provides guidance and examples of reasonable precautions to implement in managing principal risks to occupational health and safety. Although the focus is placed on the operational phase of projects, much of the guidance also applies to construction and decommissioning activities. Companies should hire contractors that have the technical capability to manage the occupational health and safety issues of their employees, extending the application of the hazard management activities through formal procurement agreements.

3. Community Health and Safety: This section complements the guidance provided in the preceding environmental and occupational health and safety sections, specifically addressing some aspects of project activities taking place outside of the traditional project boundaries, but nonetheless related to the project operations, as may be applicable on a project basis.

15

These issues may arise at any stage of a project life cycle and can have an impact beyond the life of the project.

4. Construction and Decommissioning: This section provides additional, specific guidance on prevention and control of community health and safety impacts that may occur during new project development, at the end of the project life-cycle, or due to expansion or modification of existing project facilities. Cross referencing is made to various other sections of the General EHS Guidelines.

Comparison of the national legislation of Armenia and the World Bank Operational Policies

The requirements of RA environmental legislation, as it pertains to the procedures required for the ISEP implementation, are in general comparable to WB policy approaches. However, there are also several differences between local legislation and WB policy requirements, the most tangible of which are summarized below.

Armenian ESIA terminology considers “environmental and social assessment” as the review process carried out by the Environmental Expertise of the Ministry of Nature Protection performed on the application of a project proponent for obtaining of the expert conclusion clearing the proposed activities, while the WB OP/BP 4.01 uses this term to describe the environmental impact study carried out by the project proponent.

Both Armenian EIA legislation and WB OP/BP 4.01 require classification of activities into environmental categories A, B, and C, though it distinguishes between activities that require an EIA and those that do not. Works of Baghramyan-Norakert irrigation scheme are classified to category B. According to RA law on “On Environmental Impact Expert Assessment”, the water projects where pipelines with diameter of minimum 300mm and length of minimum 1km are designed shall be classified to “G” category. The Minister of Nature Protection provided positive decision of the environmental expertise for construction of Baghramyan-Norakert irrigation scheme.

The national legislation does not provide definition of the EMP and envisage its development, but it does require that the EIA document carries a list of environmental mitigation measures and describes procedures of their implementation. EMP is developed for construction phase of Baghramyan-Norakert irrigation scheme in line with the requirements of OP/BP 4.01.

The national Law on Environmental Impact Assessment and Expert Examination(2014) and the RA Government Decree on Procedure for Organization of Public Outreach and Discussions (2014)) is mostly similar to WB requirements with respect to public disclosure of the ESIA documents and includes the requirement of at least 2 public hearings/discussions. Furthermore, RA is a party to Aarhus convention and ensures availability of environmental information as well as public consultation on the environmental aspects of the proposed projects in line with the principles of this convention.

16

2.2 Institutional Framework

The roles of the government agencies that will be involved primarily from an environmental perspective in the Baghramyan-Norakert Gravity Irrigation System project are briefly presented below:

Ministry of Nature Protection

The Ministry of Nature Protection (MNP) is responsible for the protection, sustainable use, and regeneration of natural resources as well as the improvement of the environment in the Republic of Armenia. In those areas, the MNP authority includes overseeing national policy development, developing environmental standards and guidelines, and enforcement. The MNP implements those functions through the following structural departments:

Normative-methodological Department (including Division of Legislation and Division of Standards and Technical Regulations);

Department of International Cooperation;

Department of Environmental Protection (including Division of Biodiversity, Division of Water Policy and Division of Land and Atmosphere Protection);

Department of Hazardous Substances and Waste Management;

Department of Nature Protection and Environmental Economics;

Department of Underground Resources Protection;

Department of Meteorology and Monitoring of Atmosphere Pollution.

The MNP also undertakes several functions through the following bodies:

Water Resources Management Agency with its six Basin Management Organizations is the key institution responsible for the water resources management including, but not limited to, the development and implementation of the National Water Policy, National Water Program and basin Management Plans; regulation of water use by issuance of permits for use of surface and ground water resources; assessment and classification of water resources by their use; participation in development of water standards and control of application, etc. This Entity is the responsible body, which will extend, revise or amend the Water Permits required for Baghramyan-Norakert Gravity Scheme, if relevant.

State Environmental Expertise (SEI) SNCO with its 11 regional offices oversees the implementation of legislative and regulatory standards in natural resources protection, use and renewal. Among other things, SEI conducts environmental assessments of designs for construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation and maintenance of water infrastructures according to the requirements of the Armenian legislation and ratified International Agreements and issues experts’ conclusions. This Entity has carried out the State Environmental Expert Examination of the Design for the construction of Baghramyan-Norakert Gravity Scheme and has issued positive opinion.

Environmental Impact Monitoring Centre monitors surface water and air quality of Armenia through its network of observation points. This is the responsible entity, which implements the monitoring of surface water, inter alia the other parameters, in their observation points located all over the country. The latter has also commercial function and due to certain cases or when it will be required it can also implement monitoring for Baghramyan-Norakert Gravity Scheme during the construction and further operation (There was such a precedent for Kaghtsrashen Gravity Scheme, when there was a need to determine the suitability of the water for irrigation purposes.)

The State Environmental Inspectorate carries out environmental supervision all over the country. This entity also supervises the construction of Baghramyan-Norakert Gravity Scheme at the construction stage to verify the compliance of the implemented works with the Design

17

and Expert Examination requirements (if any), as well as carried out supervision at the operation stage to verify the compliance of water use with the requirements specified as per Water permit.

Ministry of Territorial Administration and Development

The Ministry of Territorial Administration and Development elaborates and implements the policies of the Republic of Armenia Government in the area of territorial administration and local self-governance bodies. Marzpetarans (regional administration bodies) are responsible for administration of public infrastructure falling under the regional jurisdiction. Bodies of local self-government (communities) are responsible for administration of public infrastructure of local significance registered as ownership of communities. The activities of local authorities with whom the project closely collaborates are coordinated by Marzpetarans and this ministry.

Since two communities are beneficiaries of Baghramyan Norakert gravity system and the project implementation deals in general with 3-4 communities, the Ministry, as the state authorized entity to coordinate the community works in the future, may deal in any stage of the program implementation. Such case exists in particular in the Geghardalich program implementation, when a resident of the community applied to this Ministry: and the latter supported highly in the regulation process of the existing issues by cooperating with PIU and involving also the respective Marzpetaran/regional administration.

Ministry of Emergency Situations

Armenian State Hydro-meteorological and Monitoring Service SNCO is among the structural entities acting within the Ministry of Emergency Situations and conducts regular monitoring of meteorological and hydrological conditions of Armenia through its network of meteorological and hydrological stations and posts.

This Ministry on behalf of the abovementioned SNCO provided the designer of the Baghramyan Norakert gravity system with the series of water measuring point’s observations which are related to the project and considered as the the closest; based on which the designer developed and implemented the respective water economic calculation for this project.

Ministry of Agriculture

The Ministry of Agriculture with its Melioration Development Department is responsible for the development, implementation and coordination of annual projects on construction, operation, rehabilitation and cleaning of collector-drainage systems.

The State Committee of Water Economy (SCWE) under the Ministry of Agriculture has a mandate of improving the management of companies engaged in water activities. Amongst other objectives, the SCWE promotes improvement of water services to the consumers and implementation of further reforms in the water infrastructure and service delivery. SCWE has the following functions: participation in the development and implementation of the National Water Policy and Water National Program of the RA; submission to the RA Government annual reports on water use by a breakdown of sources and user companies; authorized management of state shares in companies engaged in commercial activities, such as construction of hydro-technical structures, technical operation, water supply and sewerage services in the areas of irrigation, drinking water, sewerage as well as in state entities which implement investment projects in natural and artificial water basins in the above mentioned areas with foreign funding.

This is actually the key Ministry in the frame of which the State authorized entity is acting for water economy sphere and the PIU acting under it, is the responsible institution for the Baghramyan Norakert gravity scheme project. After the construction of the Gravity it would be handed over to the State Committee of Water Economy, which will perform the commissioning of the Baghramyan Norakert gravity through an institution (most probably it would be “Ashtarak” WUA) acting within its system.

18

Ministry of Health: Within the structure of the Ministry of Health the State Health Inspectorate is responsible for coordination of all issues related to health (including those on noise and vibration) and for supervision over implementation of sanitary norms, hygienic and anti-epidemiological measures implementation by organizations and citizens.

The institutions acting under this Ministry shall control or conduct regular inspections on the sanitations, healthcare of the employees and provision of safe work space at the construction departments/sections of the Baghramyan Norakert gravity system.

The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs among other things is responsible for development and implementation of the state policy, legislation and programs in the following areas: social security, labor and employment, social assistance, social assistance to disabled and aged people, social protection of families, women and children, etc.

As the state authorized body responsible for the labor regulations and social affairs, we expected that this Ministry would possibly deal with the Baghramyan Norakert gravity scheme construction and the subsequent commissioning stages, since some construction companies and also a company responsible for the exploitation stage will be involved in those stages; each of them will consist of the respective staff, and the labor relations of which with the Employers will be in the scope of this Ministry regulation.

3. Methodology of ESIA

The present ESIA was carried out according to the Terms of Reference agreed upon with its main financer World Bank. It covered the entire scope of the Project, including construction and operation phases of the Baghramyan-Norakert gravity irrigation system. The ESIA process included desk work to review project documents and scientific literature, as well as field work aimed at verification of the available data, collection of missing information, and meetings with the Project stakeholders. The aim of the meeting was to assess existing social issues and reveal expected social impacts. The collection of baseline data in Project site and adjacent areas, as well as the photos are part of it.

The botanist and the zoologist on the ESIA team walked over the irrigation scheme corridor and did visual observation of the site to verify baseline information available from the literature and to reveal any additional aspects not noted in the publications. To confirm identity of some plant species found in the project corridor, the ESIA team cooperated with the scientists of the Department of Plan Classification of the Institute of Botany under the National Academy of Sciences, and referred to the herbarium collection of this Department. The field work was carried out during the period of January-April 2014. The background information was compiled on the biophysical environment around the Project site, on the land tenure and land use along the route of the gravity system and its adjacent area, on the existence of the known or potentially present elements of historical and cultural heritage in the vicinity of the Project site. Appropriate photographic material was also collected.

Based on the whole data the sensitive environmental components were determined and taking into consideration these components the possible ecological and social impacts were assessed. They include both construction and exploitation phases.

Detailed ESMP was developed as a result of certain classification of actions which occurred different environmental and social risks and mitigation measures directed to reduce them. The foreseen expenses were calculated for the most important mitigation measures in order to include in the coming summary of construction works.

The design consultant studied the cadastral maps of the affected communities and compared them with the actual maps of the community lands with the affected community heads to verify the accuracy of cadastral maps and to clarify type of land tenure along the route of the pipeline. The design contractor also conducted on-site study of the scheme footprints together with the respective

19

community heads and community members as well as the PIU engineers and safeguard specialists to be sure that private land use during the works was excluded.

4 Project Description and Justification

4.1 Objective of the Project

The objective of the project is to reconstruct the Tkahan canal located in the Aragatsotn marz of Armenia and to construct Baghramyan-Norakert gravity irrigation system in the Armavir marz of Armenia. The structures of Tkahan canal and Baghramyan-Norakert gravity system serve the irrigation of lands of various communities, which belong to the service area of “Ashtarak” WUA.

Currently, Tkahan canal takes water from the River Qasakh by gravity and provides the irrigation of 856 ha lands of Ashtarak, Oshakan, Sasunik and farm households.

Up to 2012, 573 ha lands of Baghramyan and Norakert have been irrigated mechanically with the use of similarly named pump stations situated on Lower-Hrazdan main canal. Because of the malfunction of the pump stations, only 45ha of these lands are currently irrigated by gravity with the use of Tkahan canal located higher than the Lower Hrazdan canal. Besides the above-mentioned 45 ha, the remaining 528 ha has remained unwatered. According to the performance specifications, these 573 hectares canbe irrigated from Tkahan canal by gravity.

Water consumption for the irrigation of 573 ha land by Baghramyan-Norakert gravity system will be 0.680 m3/s. According to the design, the construction of gravity irrigation system from Tkahan canal will result in decommissioning of Norakert N1, N2 and Baghramyan N1 pump stations, which have not been operating in full mode in recent years. The water will be transmitted to the pressure reservoir of the pumps stations by gravity, from where it will be supplied to the irrigated fields and sites through the 3rd or lower stage canals.

In case of conversion to gravity irrigation system of Tkahan canal, the project implementation result will be a total of 1429 ha irrigated lands (856+573=1429ha), the improvement of technical condition of the canals and water management, maximum reduction of filtration losses, lowering its operation and maintenance costs, expanding the irrigated areas at the expanse of saved water and energy.

Construction of Baghramyan-Norakert gravity irrigation system covers rehabilitation of Tkahan canal and construction works of Baghramyan-Norakert gravity irrigation system.

The total length of Tkahan canal is 10.3km. The section to be reconstructed is 6920m (up to Baghramyan-Norakert water intake).

The canal serves lands of 5 communities, a total of 1429 ha, including Ashtarak-50 ha, Oshakan-166 ha, Sasunik-640ha, Baghramyan-253 ha, Norakert-320 ha. The water quantity required for the irrigation is DM0+00-DM50+00 - Q=1545 l/sc, DM 50+00-DM 60+00 - Q=1355 l/sc, DM60+00 – DM69+20 - Q=1000 l/sc.

The total length of Baghramyan-Norakert gravity irrigation system is 4655 meters, 980m of which is for two communities, including 2415 m for Norakert community and 1260 m for Baghramyan community. The canal serves 2 communities, a total of 573ha, including Baghramyan- 253ha, Norakert-320ha.

The water quantity required for the irrigation at water intake DM 69+18 is Q=0.680m3/s (7186.947 thousand m3)

, including Baghramyan community Q=0.298m3/s (3149.574 thousand m3) and Norakert community Q= 0.382m3/s (4037.373 thousand m3) .

Table 4 provides main technical parameters of canals proposed for the rehabilitation.

20

Table 4

Title of the canal Total

length

of the

canal

(km)

Length of

the

section to

be

rehabilita

ted

/construc

ted (km)

Current

(actual)

irrigated

lands

(ha)

Future

irrigated

areas (ha)

Expanding the

irrigable lands at

the expanse of

the water saved

after

rehabilitation

(ha)

Saving

irrigation

water

(thousand

m3)

Annual

demand of

electricity

till 2012

(thousand

kW/hour)

Tkahan canal 10.3 3.72 250 856 606 2593.3 -

Baghramyan

gravity system 2.24 2.24 25 253 228 - 0.79

Norakert gravity

system 2.415 2.415 20 320 300 - 1.01

Total 14.955 8.375 295.0 1429.0 1134.0 2593.3 1.8

At the initial stage of the design of Baghramyan-Norakert gravity system, FS/FD Consultant together with the beneficiary organizations of the region has carried out a survey of the affected area to assess the current technical state of irrigation systems and hydro-technical utilities, structure of agricultural soils and crops, hydrological criteria of the water source and the water quantity required for the system irrigation, as well as main selection issues of the proposed route and hydro-technical other facilities taking into consideration the geological, relief and environmental conditions of the site, etc. The Consultant has also carried out a topo-geodetic survey of the gravity system area.

The following points were considered while selecting the water pipeline route and conducting the topo-geodesic survey:

- Feasibility of the water conduit in the developed/urban areas;

- Conditions for operation of the pipeline and its structures in future;

- Existence/absence of privatized and leased lands along the route to avoid impacting the lands;

- Potential problems with the pressure pipeline in cases of emergency;

- Possible cases of intersecting with other existing routes;

- Organization of construction works in the developed area and with restricted topographic conditions;

- Environmental considerations;

- Keeping the existing irrigation systems in operational mode during the construction phase;

- Avoiding the threat of creating new landslide area, minimization of earthworks; and

- Flooding risks.

21

Figure 1

Baghramyan-Norakert gravity irrigation system

-

Description of the current state

Tkahan canal

The source of water is Qasakh River. The water is transmitted from the river to the monolith concrete pressure reservoir (the canal starts from here) through steel pipes of D=1300mm diameter and L=2800m length.

22

Tkahan Canal water intake point in Qasakh River

The total length of the canal is 10.3km. The section of 6.92 km at DM 0+00-DM69+20 up to Baghramyan-Norakert water intake has been studies under the contract.

The canal has trapezoidal section throughout its whole length.

At DM 0+00 – DM 32+00 the bottom, slopes and berms from monolith concrete are in good state.

At DM 32+00 –DM 37+43 the canal bottom, slopes and berms from monolith concrete are deteriorate.

At DM 37+43 –DM 55+73 the bottom and berms from monolith concrete are deteriorated; slopes are from 3x1.5x0.08m r/c slabs, also in deteriorated state.

At DM 55+73 –DM 65+00 the bottom and berms are from monolith concrete and deteriorated; the slopes from 3x1.5x0.08m r/c slabs are in good state.

At DM65+00 -DM69+20 the bottom, slopes and berms of the canal are from monolith concrete and deteriorated.

The canal goes along with the following:

Monolith concrete pressure reservoir – 1 piece

Crossings and bridges – 20 pieces

Storm sewers – 4 pieces

Pipe crossings – 1piece

Water outlets – 13 pieces.

All the structures are in good state.

23

Section of the Tkahan Canal to be rehabilitated

Baghramyan-Norakert gravity irrigation system

Up to 2012, irrigation of 573 ha land of Baghramyan and Norakert has been carried out mechanically with the use of Baghramyan N1 and Norakert N1, N2 pump stations constructed on the canal. The water is conveyed to the corresponding monolith concrete pressure reservoirs through the underground steel pipes, from where the irrigation is carried out. The water source is Lower Hrazdan canal.

The pressure pipelines are in appropriate state, the concrete of the pressure reservoirs is deteriorated.

Pipes in the initial section of the two pressure pipelines of Norakert N2 pump stations are dismantled. The ЛР-6, ЛР-4 flumes located in the area are deteriorated.

4.2 Description of Planned Construction Works

Tkahan canal

The length of the studied canal section is 6920m, 3720m of which shall be reconstructed. As a result of the rehabilitation, the canal will supply water to 5 communities with a total of 1429 ha lands, including Ashtarak- 50ha, Oshakan-166 ha, Sasunik-640ha, Baghramyan -253 ha, Norakert- 320ha. The water quantity required for the irrigation will be Q=1545 l/sc at DM0+00-DM50+00, Q=1355 l/sc at DM 50+00-DM 60+00, Q=1000 l/sc DM60+00 – DM69+20. (Detail Construction activities presented under the Secion 2.1, after the Table 3.).

Baghramyan –Norakert gravity system

The total length of Baghramyan-Norakert irrigation system is 4655m, which will serves 2 communities with a total of 573ha land, 253 ha of which is in Baghramyan and 320ha in Norakert.

The water quantity required for the irrigation at water intake DM 69+18 is Q=0.680m3/s (7186.947 thousand m3) , including Q=0.298m3/s (3149.574 thousand m3) for Baghramyan community and Q= 0.382m3/s (4037.373 thousand m3) for Norakert community .

Installation of pipeline should be done taking into consideration the terrain conditions, planning layouts of privatized lands and working conditions of agricultural machinery. The pipeline shall be laid

24

underground parallel to the existing roads through the fields, or nearby the privatized lands. Tree species hindering the construction works are absent.

There is an operational road with a width of 5-6m at the right side of the canal for the implementation of construction works (along the 60-65% length of the canal). It is also possible to provide normal conditions in the rest sections of the canal for uninterrupted implementation of rehabilitation works.

From the engineering-geological and hydrological point of view all the areas selected for the structures of the irrigation system are favorable for the construction works. The works will be organized so as not to interfere with the nearby irrigation activities.

Detail construction activities presented in the Section 2.1, after the Table 3.

The project works are briefly described in Table 5, and land use during the construction and operation of Baghramyan-Norakert gravity system are described in Table 6.

Table 5

Summary of the works to be carried out

Works U/M Tk

ahan

can

al

No

rake

rt g

ravi

ty

irri

gati

on

sys

tem

Bag

hra

mya

n g

ravi

ty

irri

gati

on

sys

tem

Tota

l

Repairing concrete canals lm 3720 - - 3720

Construction of water conduits

from Փ 630-377mm metal pipes lm - 3020 1890 4810

Construction of concrete pressure reservoir

m3 - 4.6 - 4.6

Construction of Փ 630-69 mm metal water outlets, 29 pieces

m - 4.5 - 4.5

Construction of water intake and water meter

piece/ m3 - - 5/17.5 5/17.5

Construction of distribution node/valve chamber/

piece/ m3 - - 9/6.1 9/6.1

Construction of exit /water meter/ chamber

piece/ m3 - - 4/8.8 4/8.8

Temporary and Permanent Land use

The precondition for the design implementation is to avoid private land acquisition and resettlement impacts. However, some acquisition and temporary use of community lands will be required in the Baghramyan scheme. Temporary land use is expected during works. Temporary use of the community land may comprise up to 1.44 ha in Baghramyan and Norakert communities. The scheme requires permanent use of land acquisition is required for 9.81ha of community area in Baghramyan and Norakert communities including the rehabilitated section of the canal in Sasunik and the entire route of the pipeline constructed on the tracks of the previous dilapidated canals. . Given the situation that the new pipeline will be constructed on the tracks of the old canals, there will be no need for permanent acquisition of community land in Baghramyan and Norakert as well as in Sasunik. Those areas are not used by the communities. The pipelines of the designed system are foreseen for aboveground installation and pass through the area of Baghramyan and Norakert communities parallel

25

to the existing field road. Agreements for the use of community lands have been obtained from the heads of communities and are attached to this ESIA.

The construction contractor will use only community lands for construction camps. The project design avoids private land use. However, some unforeseen circumstances and obstacles may force the construction contractor to change the route of the pipeline and face the need to use private lands. In such cases the construction works will immediately be stopped at the respective section, the PIU will explore alternative design options, and discuss with landowners possibility of temporary land use. In the event that any productive losses (permanent or temporary), loss of assets or structures, or permanent acquisition of land are needed, a RAP will be prepared in accordance with the Resettlement Policy Framework. All losses or damages to assets, structures, trees, plots, etc. will be compensated in accordance with the RPF irrespective of their legal status. At the end of the works the land plots will be restored and returned for use to owner/user. The servitude agreement will also provide the right to the operator to access the land to address emergency and outstanding issues related to pipeline maintenance, once such need arise in future. The PIU will make relevant modifications in this ESIA report and send to WB for no objection before the construction works can restart.

Table 6

Land use during construction and operation of Baghramyan-Norakert gravity system5

DM Length of the

canal, m

Land use, ha Description of the area

Permanent Temporary

Tkahan canal

0+00÷32+00 3200 3.2 -

Existing trapezoidal canal, remains

intact

Land belongs to Oshakan

community. No construction works

will be implemented at this section.

32+00 ÷

69+20 3720 3.72 -

Existing trapezoidal canal; the

bottom, slopes and berms are to be

reconstructed

Lands belong to Sasunik community

Total 6920 6.92 -

Irrigation network of Baghramyan community

0+00 ÷ 18+90 2400 1.44 0.72

Underground pipeline: the route is

laid through the community lands

and parallel to the existing roads.

0+00 ÷ 3+50

Total 2400 1.44 0.72

5 The ownership of the lands have been verified through cadastral maps and on-site screening

26

Irrigation network of Norakert community

0+00 ÷ 6+41 2415 1.45 0.72

Underground pipeline: the route is

laid through the community lands

and parallel to the existing roads.

0+00 ÷ 17+74

Total 2415 1.45 0.72

Grand total 11735 9.81 1.44

Grand total 9.81 ha + 1.44ha = 11.25 ha

The works include dismantling the deteriorated sections of the irrigation canals, cleaning the water sediments from the bottom of the canal bed and chambers, repairing the canal sections subject to rehabilitation, soil excavation, which includes trenching and pitting, backfill, leveling on-site, preparation of blinding layer from soft soils under steel pipes and from sand under polyethylene pipes, installation of steel and polyethylene pipes in the trenches, anticorrosion waterproofing of steel pipes, preparation of protection layer from soft soil (sand), backfill, construction of monolith concrete chambers, dismantling the existing deteriorated precast reinforced concrete bases, etc.

The abovementioned works include soil excavation, drainage, concrete preparation and laying, reinforcement and compaction if necessary, meal construction works (valves), metal bridges, etc., as well as transportation and installation of materials.

The sections of the canal to be rehabilitated and the new pipelines for the gravity scheme pass through community lands and do not cross any private land, as shown in the cadastral map below. The construction works will be carried out on community lands of Sasunik, Baghramyan and Norakert communities. These communities have given agreements for community land use for rehabilitation of

the canal and the pipeline installation (see Appendix H. Initial Agreements with Communities). The agreements were reached after public consultation meetings on the design of project, the route of the new pipeline and presentation of social and environmental impact assessment results. The agreements are presented in the Annex H.

As it was already stated, according to the design of Bagramyan-Norakert gravity scheme, it is not expected that any private lands will be used during construction. However, if during construction it appears that private land has to be used for construction, and no mutually acceptable agreement would be reached with the land owner through negotiations, or no consent of the land owner would be received, the servitude right will be applied and registered in the state cadastre according to the law.

If it appears necessary to use community land under the Bagramyan-Norakert gravity project, which is used on a rental or any other basis, RPF will be applied.

In Sasunik there will be only rehabilitation of currently used Tkahan canal which will convey water to the downstream communities of Baghramyan and Norakert. The canal mostly runs along the main community road, and at the sections when it runs afar from the main road, there is a ground road alongside, which is the alienation zone of the canal in the administrative area of Sasunik community. The roads will be used for the movement of machinery and rehabilitation activities. The design contractor together with the PIU specialists and the community head observed the section of the canal to be rehabilitated and did not reveal any land use on the road nearby the canal.

27

The contractor discussed the project details with the community leader and community members during community meetings, talks and discussions and informed Sasunik community about the Tkahan canal rehabilitation works. .

28

Table 7 below shows the general list of temporary construction facilities and structures. Table 8, shows the approximate amount of main machinery and devices to be used during construction phase. The selection of storage and land, required for set-up of temporary facilities during construction will be conducted by the construction company. As per the TOR, the Contractor will propose construction sites complying with the relevant Republic of Armenia (RA) legislation and will discuss them with PIU prior to finalization of the sites. The use of communal lands for this purpose will be preferred. However, if communal lands are not available rent contracts will be signed between the communities owning lands used and the Contractor. In a rare case if communal land is unavailable and there is a need for a private land use, a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) will be prepared, as required, in compliance with the Resettlement Policy Framework.

Table 7

List of temporary construction facilities and structures

N Name

Number

Size,m Notes Ä

TF N1 Ä

TF N2 Ä

TF N3 Ä

TF N4

1 Foreman’s office + + + + 8.6 x 3.1 Container

2 Dormitory for 6 persons + + + + 10.7 x 2.4 Movable

3 Warehouse for tools + + + + 6.7 x 3.0 Container

4 Mechanical workshop + + + + 7.25 x 2.9 Container

5 Concrete mixer + + + + -

6 Compressor + + + + -

7 Compressor + + + + -

8 Cloakroom with heating + + + + 6.7 x 3.0 Movable

9 Camper with heating + + + + 3.9 x 2.4 Movable

10 Shower wagon + + + + 10.4 x 3.1 container

11 Toilet for 1 person + + + + D 1.3 -

12

Wagon – dining room

For 20 workers + + + +

10.3 x 3.1 container

13 First aid station + + + + 10.0 x 2.4 container

14 Sheltered warehouse + + + + 10.0 x 5.0 -

29

Table 8 Approximate amount of main machinery and devices

N Name Type of the machine Amount

1. Dumper truck Carrying capacity 7t

12

2. Truck with side dumper Carrying capacity 10t

3

3. Auto concrete mixer Capacity 4m3

4

4. Auto concrete mixer Capacity 2m3

2

5. Auto concrete pump

- 1

6. Sand blaster

- 1

7. Asphalt spreading machine

- 2

8. Truck for carrying bitumen Capacity 7m3

2

9. Device for bitumen spreading Capacity 3.4t

2

10. Auto hoister Carrying capacity 16t

4

11. Truck for carrying cement Capacity 20t

1

12. Bulldozer Power 96KWt

4

13. Spreading Bulldozer Power 96KWt

3

14. Concrete mixing point Efficiency 20m3 /hour

1

15. Roller Weight 10t

4

16. Compressor Efficiency 10m3 /minute

4

17. Jack hammer MՕ-10

6

18. Manual pneumatic compactor 40kg

8

19. Excavator 1m3 capacity of bucket

4

20. Deep vibrator

- 4

21. Package of deep vibrators

- 1

22. Welding apparatus

- 4

23. MES – 60 (mobile electric station) - 2

24. MES – 30 (mobile electric station) - 4

25. Water extracting pump Efficiency 40m3 /hour 2

26. Pebble distributor

- 2

30

N Name Type of the machine Amount

27. Gamma defect tracking device

Gamarid-25 2

28. X-ray device

- 2

29. Pipe layer

- 4

Construction works will be carried out within the alienation zone of the existing infrastructure (mainly roads) where temporary construction structures will be installed.

Construction works will be carried out in accordance with construction and other norms defined by the Republic of Armenia (RA) legislation and in compliance with the Environmental Management Plan included in the present ESIA report prepared in accordance with the World Bank’s OP/BP 4.01 Environmental Assessment.

Table 9

Description of earthworks and volumes

NN Description M/U Volume

1 2 3 4

1,1 Cutting the topsoil δ=20cm, hauling up to 10m, accumulation, storage, hauling from 10m and restoration

m3 1910,0

1,2 Excavation of soft soil m3 4190,6

1,3 Excavation of rock soil m3 4924,0

1,4 Blinding layer from local soft soils, δ=10cm m3 102,9

1,5 Sand-gravel blinding layer with condensation, δ=10cm m3 34,6

1,6 Sandy blinding layer at the bottom of the trench m3 240,0

1,7 Backfill of trench with sand m3 1367,0

1,8 Backfill with local soil m3 3759,7

1,9 Leveling of excess soils on-site m3 5252,4

1,10 Removing sediments from the canal bed, loading and hauling up to 3km

m3 375,0

31

1,11 Rock fill δ=30cm m3 19,0

4.3 Baseline Information

Climate

The studied area is characterized by dry and hot summer and moderately cold winter with irregular snow cover, where the average monthly temperature in July is 26օC, and the average temperature in January is -5.8օC. The absolute maximum air temperature is 40օC, and the absolute minimum is -30օC. The precipitation quantity in spring (March-May) is about 122 mm; drought period is June-September (up to 60mm precipitations). The thickness of snow cover is up to 25 cm, and the soil freezing maximum depth is 40 cm. The relative humidity of the soil is 59% in summer. The average annual speed of the wind is 1.8 m/sec.

Relief

From geomorphological point of view the studied area lies on the southern slopes of Aragats Mountain, which stretch up to the north-western peripheries of Ararat valley. The project implementation area belongs to the mountain valley-semi-desert landscape zone of Middle Araks concavity.

The absolute elevations of the relief vary within the range of 960-1160 m, the gradients within 5-100, steep slopes are missing.

Geological Structure

In the geological structure of the area there are Quaternary age volcanic flows and volcano-sedimentary formations of Aragats Mountain covered with recent alluvial-diluvial-colluvial formations containing pebbles, gravels, sand, and loam. These sediments are represented by clay layer groups, in some places with alternations of 5-10cm or thicker sub-layers of gravel, sand and loamy sand. Among the main rocks there are basalts, andesite-basalts, tuffs, tuff-basalts, which are exposed in some places.

Hydro-geological conditions. According to the observations, the ground water horizon is situated at the depth of 10 and more meters. The ground waters don’t make a common horizon and don’t have natural exits (in the form springs). There can be temporary surface flows in ravine-like concavities of the area (not clearly outlined). The ground waters originate from surface flows of sub-mountainous regions, atmospheric precipitations and waters of the river debris cones. They outfall into the Hrazdan River Valley, but deeper ground waters feed Ararat Valley.

Geological-lithological structure

Аccording to the engineering-geological surveys and the described natural, artificial, common, as well as individual exposures, the following geological-lithological layers may be distinguished (from up to bottom):

Layer – 1 Topsoil of grayish and grayish yellow colors contains crushed and fine crushed

stones up to 10% and is composed of loam. It occurs everywhere in pastures and

rocky areas with a thickness of 0.1-0.2m and in irrigable lands with a thickness of

up to 0.4-0.5m. C1§9v-II, =1.76t/m3.

Layer – 2 Fine crushed stone soil with loamy sand fill up to 30%, slightly cemented. The debris

material is of irregular shapes, presented with various rocks. It is widely common

32

and the exposed thickness is up to 0.7m. Recent alluvial-diluvial formations C1§13-

IV, =2.1t/m3, =320, C=0 KPa, R0=350 KPa

Layer – 3 Debris crushed stone soil with loamy sand fill up to 25% of average density,

cemented in some places. The fragmental material is of irregular shapes, presented

mainly with basalts and partially with tuffs. Part of the basalt fragments is slagged.

It spread everywhere with various thicknesses-1.5-3.6meters and more. Recent

alluvial-diluvial-colluvial formations. C1§17a-V, =2.2t/m3, =360, C=1KPa, R0=400

KPa

Layer – 4 Debris soil with loamy sand fill up to 10-15%, cemented, with a dense structure. The

fragmental material is of irregular shapes, mainly presented with basalts. It is widely

spread. The exposed thickness is 3.0m and more. Recent diluvial-colluvial

formations. C1§17b-VI, =2.4t/m3, =380, C=0 KPa, R0=600 KPa

Layer – 5 Volcano-sedimentary tuff of red, brownish, black colors, solid, slightly porous,

fissured, with separated large fragments. It is widely spread; the exposed thickness

is 2.5m and more. Volcanic emissions of the Quaternary age. C1§37-V, =1.65t/m3,

R0=450 KPa

Exogenous phenomena are expressed with surface erosion, loggings and denudations.

Maximum depth of the freezing soil is 0.7m. According to the seismic zoning map, the area is situated within the 3rd zone with acceleration of 0.4g and 9 point seismicity. It is favorable of construction works.

Land and land use

The project implementation area belongs to the mountain valley landscape zone of Middle-Araks concavity, where typical gray semi-desert soils are common with hydromorphic salt marshes are common. These soils are poor in nutrients, rich with carbonates, thin, composed of loamy sand. The soils contain skeletal masses and have dust particle structure. They are formed on lacustrine-alluvial depositions and outstand with being rocky, which makes the growth and development of the plants considerably difficult. The main peculiarity of these landscapes is that there are no naturally grown tree species here besides some bushes and shrubs. Thus, trees and bushes in the region may grow only if irrigation is available. The soil cover is presented with prevailing wormwood-semi-desert and ephemeral plant species typical to Yerevan region vegetation.

According to the mechanical structure, these soils are mainly composed of light and average loamy sands. According to the degree of rockiness, generally the soils in the affected area have little and average surface rockiness, in individual small spaces there are also sections with high and average rockiness.

According to the strength of the soils, lands of agricultural significance are mainly weak (about 55%) with 0-32 cm strength, the rest have average strength 40-60cm, and the strong lands (strength is less than 50cm) are rare (about 7%). Depending on the erosion degree, most of the cultivated soils are little eroded, particularly at the top layer of the arable lands; some relatively inclined slopes have averagely eroded areas.

The cultivated lands of the affected area lack humus, its content is within 1.31-2.92, and the soil reaction index-pH varies within 6.8-8.2, that is to say the soil has alkaline and weak alkaline reaction.

The cultivated lands are mainly deprived of the underground water sources. They have mainly surface weak and deep average rocky nature. Almost 72% of these soils have loamy sand mechanical structure, and about 23% are clay soils, the rest of the area is occupied with lands of loamy mechanical structure.

33

Salination, alkalization, marshing and pollution with toxic materials have not been observed in the agricultural lands of the affected area. The ecological state of the soils depends also on the chemical structure and degree of minerals of the irrigation water.

The water required for Baghramyan-Norakert gravity irrigation system is taken from the River Qasakh. Its water has undergone multiple expertizes and is estimated as satisfactory, not polluted with mineral and organic pollutants and cannot have adverse impact on the ameliorative state of the irrigated lands. The Qasakh River water is regularly analyzed and is a focus subject of the Environmental Impact Monitoring Centre of the Ministry of Nature Protection.

The use of lands for the project implementation will make a total of 11.25ha, which includes the overall temporary land use of Baghramyan and Norakert communities-1.44 ha, the permanent land use of Sasunik, Baghramyan and Norakert communities - 9.81ha.

Biodiversity of the areas adjacent to Tkahan canal and Baghramyan-Norakert gravity irrigation system canals

Flora. From floristic-geographical point of view the studied area belongs to Yerevan floristic district, where semi-desert and desert vegetative cover mainly occupied by agricultural crops is typical. The area is presented mainly by xerophyte species. However, in the common ground of the observed areas there are wetland and wild tree-bush elements in the surroundings of the canals and water conduits during the whole vegetation period.

Despite of its xerophyte characteristics, the vegetative cover of wormwood semi-deserts outstands for its various species. As a rule these species are common in non-salty, surface stony gray soils and are presented with wormwood-ephermal-semi-desert and halophile-desert types.

The main component of wormwood semidesert is wormwood odorus (Artemisia fragrans), the height of which is up to 50cm; it is a semi-bush with stiffened axis. In spring and in summer it preserves its grey color, in autumn it is covered with tiny yellow flowers. In spring the space between bushes is occupied by ephemers: Ceratocephalus falcatus, Ziziphora tenufor, Zizifhora persica, Alyssium desertorium, Poa bulbosa, Bromus tectorium, Lepidium vesicarium species. In the Mid-June, as the precipitation amount decreases and air temperature increases all these species wither. However, in autumn parallel to the increase of the precipitations wormwood deserts revive, and wormwood, Kochia prostata, Noaea mucronata and other species bloom. In late autumn and in winter the ground is covered with green carpet of growing ephemers.

The inseparable components of the landscape are Populus nigra var.italica, P.gracilis and Eleagnus anguistifolia. In separate places the following species are common: Tamarix (taramisk), Halocnemum strobilaceum (sarzasan), Salsola ericoides (Salsola caesia), Alhagi pseudalhagi (camelthorn-bush), Camphorosma. Among wild useful species Peganum harmala (wild rue) is common.

In the region among species registered in the Red book are as follows: Acorus calamus L. (Sweet flag), Lepidium lyratum L., Salsola tamamschjanae Iljin (Chenopodiaceae), Astragalus paradoxus Bunge (Astragulus), Glycyrrhiza echinata L. (Russian liquorice), Rhizocephalus orientalis Boiss. (Poaceae). The mentioned species are common in the floristic region of Yerevan, however there are no spreading natural habitats in the project area.

Based on the field surveys and literary data there are no plants registered in the Red Book in the project implementation area.

The natural vegetation cover of the construction site and its surroundings may undergo possible harmful influences in the territories of the designed water conduits of Baghramyan-Norakert gravity irrigation system.

The sites of the designed systems mainly belong to semi-desert and desert soil zone, where xerophyte species may randomly occur.

34

The plant species, which randomly occur in the project implementation area have large spreading natural habitats. In order to take mitigation or preventing measures and to preserve flora species, an optimal schedule for the earth and construction works will be developed within the periods preceding vegetation or following it (in late autumn or early spring). This will give an opportunity to safely uproot the species and replant them in the nearby territories.

All the possible impacts on the species during the construction works will be temporary and may be mitigated due to the environmental measures foreseen in the EMP.

Fauna. Animal species typical to this landscape zone are also common in mountain-steppe zone. Among mammal species common in the desert and semi-desert zones there are Mucrotus arvalis Pall. (field mouse), Crocidura ( white-toothed shrews), Vulpes vulpes L. (fox), Canis lupus (wolf), Erinaceus auritus (long-eared Hedgehog). Among mammals there are also some species of bats Nyctalus noctula (common noctule), Vespertilio ognevi (Ognev’s bat), insectivores (Hemiechinus auritus, Mustela nivalis) and among rodents there is brown or European hare (Lepus europaeus), etc.

Among invertebrates common in the area there are Phytodrymadusa armeniaca (cicadas), Nocarodes armenus (grass-hoppers), Dictyla subdola, Geotomus punctulatus (big bedbugs), Amphicoma eichleri, Cantharis araxicola (beetles), Zodarion petrobium (spiders). Among scorpions only Buttus caucasicus (yellow scorpion) is common. In rivers and canals of Ararat valley Cyrpinus carpio (common carp), Barbus capito (barbel), Barbus lacerta cyri (Barbel beghlu), etc. are common.

In this district bird habitation is relative, as there are transiting, settling and migrating species, for example, Perdix L. (partridge), Grus grus L. (common crane), etc.

Among mammals registered in Red book the following species are common: Rhinolophus Mehelyi (Mehely’s Horseshoe bat), Asian barbastelle (Barbastella leucomelas), Common bent-wing bat (Miniopterus schreibersi). Among birds short-toed snake eagle (Circaetus galicus galicus), Persian olive bee-eater (Merops superciliosus persicus), (Sylvia nisoria nisoria) Barred warbler, bluethroat (Luscinia svecica occidentalis), (Remiz pendulinus menzbieri) European Penduline-Tit, etc. are common. Among reptiles registered in Red Book there are Schneider’s skink (Eumeces schnederi), Golden Grass Mabuya (Mabuya aurata), Transcaucasian Ratsnake (Elaphe hohonaekeri).

As a result of identification of field studies and literary data no animal species were found in the project implementation areas registered in the Red Book.

Temporarily, the earth works may impact nesting and egg-laying places of animal species, and the temporal noise factor of the machines may interrupt their migration routes. In the territories where the water conduits are laid murids (Muridae), Major’s pine voles (Msubterraneus), meadow lizards (Lacerta praticola) may undergo short-term influences. In order to preserve fauna species, a schedule of earth works should be developed. The latter would forbid the implementation of earth works in the periods of hibernation and reproduction (from mid-October to mid-April).

All the possible influences emerged during the construction works and affecting the species will be temporary and may be mitigated due to the environmental measures foreseen by the ESMP.

Specially protected areas and cultural values

Based on the description of the sites of the gravity system and environmental inspection, it is obvious that the project implementation areas are far from the specially protected areas.

“Vordan Karmir” State Sabctuary is situated in the studied area of Armavir region, RA. Its border is 22 km to the south-west of Norakert village.

Among the settlements included in the project there is a historical-cultural monument only in Norakert community. It is a grave field (dated 3rd-1st millenniums BC) situated 1.5 km to the north-west of the community.

35

The specially protected areas are out of the project impact zone and will not undergo any influences as a result of the anticipated works.

Hydrological characteristics Tkahan canal, originating from Qasakh River, serves as the source for the gravity irrigation system. Qasakh River originates in the Eastern part of the Pambak mountain range, at the altitude of 2200 m. Flowing in the direction south-east-south, it flows into the Metsamor (Sevjur) River at the altitude of 830 m. The total length of Qasakh River is 89 km. The perennial average annual flow of the river is 236 mln m3. Qasakh River has mixed feeding courses. About 55% of the feeding comes from snowmelt and precipitation, whereas the underground feeding composes about 45%. The flow of Qasakh River is regulated by the Aparan Reservoir. The reservoir, which has 81 mln m3 of useful storage (91 mln m3), operates since 1966. In the low-flow year of 1990 it’s maximum volume was 23.9 mln m3, whereas in high-flow 2007 the volume was 72.38 mln m3. For calculation of the water-economic balance hydrological data from the Qasakh-Ashtarak post was used, which is located 5 km upstream of the section, from where water is abstracted by Tkahan canal. Between the hydrological post and the Tkahan abstraction point there is no inflow or withdrawal to or from Qasakh River. Table below provides average monthly, annual, maximum and minimum discharges of Qasakh River recorded in the period 1981-2013 at the Qasakh-Ashtarak hydrological post in m3/sec (F=1020 km2). Discharge characteristics at Qasakh-Ashtarak hydrological post, m3/sec

Months

An

nu

al

aver

age,

Q0

Max

imu

m,

Qm

ax

Min

imu

m,

Qm

in

I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII

Ave

2.61

2.61

3.75

6.70

3.12

2.64

2.43

2.52

2.42

2.57

2.84

2.69

3.08

47.8

1.86

Maximum flow Maximum discharge in Qasakh River occurs during spring inundations, in the months April-May. Though the flow of Qasakh River is mainly regulated by Aparan reservoir, below the reservoir snowmelt and precipitation also play important role in forming the maximum discharges. The maximum discharge ever recorded amount to 130 m3/sec on March 6, 2004, whereas the minimum discharge occurred on April 25, 1981. Table below provides the calculations of maximum discharges of Qasakh River at Ashtarak post for different probabilities of occurrences. Maximum discharges at Qasakh-Ashtarak post

Probability of occurrence, P

0.1% 0.5% 1% 3% 5% 10% 25%

Discharge, m3/sec

252 181 156 118 103 83 59

36

Minimum flow Table below provides the calculations of minimum daily discharges of Qasakh River at Ashtarak post for different probabilities of occurrences. Minimum discharges at Qasakh-Ashtarak post

Probability of occurrence, P

70% 75% 80% 90% 95% 97% 99%

Discharge, m3/sec

1.61 1.55 1.50 1.34 1.22 1.14 1.02

Environmental flow is calculated according to RA Government Decree #927 of June 20, 2011. According to this Decree, the environmental flow is defined as the average daily discharge of the 10 successive days with the lowest discharge. For Qasakh-Ashtarak observation post, the 10-day calculation period is between May 20 and 30, 1990, as presented in the table below. Calculation of the environmental flow, m3/sec

River-observation

post

May, 1990 Average 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

Qasakh-Ashtarak

0.88 0.88 0.88 0.88 0.90 0.90 0.90 0.88 0.88 0.90 0.89

Thermal and Icing Regime Water temperature reaches its maximum in the months July-August, whereas the minimum temperature is observed on the months January-February. No icing phenomenon is observed. Average monthly water temperature

Average monthly water temperature, 0C

I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII

4.5 4.7 6.3 7.9 12.5 15.0 17.3 17.3 14.9 11.2 8.2 5.5

In terms of chemical composition, the waters of the river are of hydrocarbonatic-calcium nature, and the mineralization varies in the range of 100-330 mg/l and is suitable for irrigation purposes.

4.4 Analysis of water balance

Analysis of the water balance shows that gravity irrigation of 573 ha lands of Baghramyan-Norakert scheme requires additional 7,186,947 thousand m3 irrigation water at the head part of Tkahan canal which is equal to 0.68 m3/sec of water flow. Considering the uninterrupted irrigation water supply demands of different water users of Qasakh River, it is foreseen to convey the 7,186,947 thousand m3 irrigation water quantity from Hrazdan River (not directly, because the headworks of Arzni-Shamiram canal are located on the Sevan-Hrazdan diversion canal) through Arzni-Shamiram canal for 35 km, discharge the water into the River Qasakh through the water outlet located on the canal to follow the riverbed for 5 km up to the water intake at Tkahan canal.

37

The comparative option for the water-economic analysis is considered to be the existing mechanical water raiser option, which takes water from Hrazdan River (directly from the Sevan-Hrazdan diversion canal) and transmits it first by Hrazdan River for 25 km, then by Lower Hrazdan canal for 18 km. At the moment 573 ha land is irrigated with the use of Baghramyan and Norakert pump stations by mechanical method. Water-economic analysis shows, that in the current setup, in order to provide 0.68 m3/sec water to Baghramyan and Norakert communities through the pump stations it is necessary to transmit 1.197 m3/ sec water by Hrazdan River for 25 km and by Lower Hrazdan canal for 18km, resulting in 0.517 m3/sec water losses.

If passing to the gravity irrigation system, the water volume of 0.68 m3/sec required at the head part of Tkahan canal to irrigate the 573 ha lands of Baghramyan-Norakert scheme will be completely transmitted from Hrazdan River (35km through Arzni Shamiram canal up to the intersection with Qasakh River) and then by the 5 km section Qasakh River to the head part of Tkahan canal. Here the water loss is calculated at 0.372 m3/sec, so here the flow is expected to increase by 1.052 m3/sc. The head part flow of Arzni-Shamiram canal (as of 2014), which before the project in the condition of 200 days 24-hour schedule was 8.25 m3/sec, will increase and make 9.302 m3/sec after the project (to supply gravity irrigation water to Baghramyan-Norakert scheme). Taking into consideration that the design flow at the head section of Arzni-Shamiram is 25.2 m3/sec and at the crossing of Qasakh River it is 15.0 m3/sc, it may be stated that the transmission of the addition water quantity is ensured.

At the same implementation of the above-mentioned approach of supplying gravity water to 573 ha of agricultural lands of Baghramyan and Norakert communities allows reducing the water withdrawal

38

from Hrazdan River by 0.145 m 3/sec as opposed to the mechanical irrigation method. Hence, no additional water intake is required for the realization of Baghramyan-Norakert gravity irrigation system, and the changes are made only in the scheme of water supply. If initially the water was transmitted following the scheme of “Hrazdan River- Lower Hrazdan-pump stations – 573ha”, then this project proposes Arzni Shamiram canal– Qasakh River –Tkahan canal– 573 ha scheme. Canals and irrigated areas (total irrigated by gravity from Tkahan canal and Lower Hrazdan Canal,

located at lower elevation than pumping station) of the communities (current and future) are given in

Table 16.

Table 16.

Social data according to the communities

Community Currently

(actual)

irrigated

lands, (ha)

Irrigated

areas after

the project,

(ha)

Expansion of irrigated areas

after the rehabilitation, (ha)

Orchard Vineyard Lucerne

1 Baghramyan

57 253 25 161 67

2 Norakert 105 320 110 142 68

Total 162 573 135 303 135

Description of the irrigated areas

The total irrigated area of the project will be 573ha of lands in Baghramyan and Norakert communities. Up to 2012, irrigation of 573 ha land of Baghramyan and Norakert has been carried out mechanically with the use of Baghramyan N1 and Norakert N1, N2 pump stations constructed on the Lower Hrazdan canal. The land plots that will be irrigated are private most of which currently is not cultivated due to lack of water. There is no community land use or leased land for agricultural purposes.

The results of surveys present data on the use of lands by participating water users from beneficiary communities, irrigated lands, cultivated and non-cultivated lands. 41.7% of the lands of water users’ households participating in the survey are up to 1ha, 41.7%-up to 2ha, 16.6%-up to 3ha. The average size of the agricultural land of one household, participating in the survey, is 1.39 ha.

According to the survey results, only 21.0% of the land plots of water users’ households are cultivated but partially, 79.0% is not cultivated. According to clarifications of participating water users, the main reason for non-cultivation of lands is lack of irrigation water.

Irrigated crop areas and incomes

The irrigated areas of the households in the communities included in the project cover orchards, vineyards, winter wheat, vegetative crops, arable lands, hayfields, alfalfa. The irrigated crop areas are presented in Table 17.

Table 17.

Cultivated lands according to the crop types

Cultivated lands

Orchards Vineyards Winter wheat

Vegetative crops

Arable lands

Alfalfa

39

11.6% 34.4% 0% 0.5% 20.6% 32.9%

Water users noted, that there is little or no harvest at all in the condition of water absence or its shortage, as well as caused by hails.

Satisfaction with irrigation water quantity and quality

Surveys have been carried out among water users of the project communities to observe their satisfaction with irrigation water quantity and quality. Survey results are presented in Table 18.

Table 18.

Satisfaction with irrigation water quantity and quality

Satisfaction with irrigation water

quantity and quality

Irrigation water quantity Irrigation water quality

Excellent

Satisfactory Non-satisfactory

good satisfactory bad Didn’t answer

0% 7.7% 92.3% 0% 23.0% 61.6%

15.4%

Social-Economic Baseline Data

Affected beneficiary rural communities using Baghramyan-Norakert gravity irrigation system are Baghramyan and Norakert. Sasunik is not a beneficiary community. Tkahan canal passing across Sasunik community will convey water to Baghramyan and Norakert communities. Sasunik water intakes are upstream. The project will have no impact on Sasunik’s water intake volume (the rehabilitation of Tkahan canal will allow to convey more water without an impact on the other wter users).

Social baseline studies, social surveys among water users of Baghramyan and Norakert communities were held in the initial design phase. A questionnaire for the social survey has been developed.

In Table 19 social baseline data are presented, which comprise social-demographical characteristics of the population and households, description of the irrigated areas, crop areas included in the project area.

Table 19.

Social Baseline Data according to communities

Community

Permanent

population

households

Agricultural lands,

ha

Irrigable land areas

Alfalfa, arable lands, gardens, homesteads, ha

Non-irrigable land areas

1 Baghramyan 2731 658 1076 590.4 37 532.8

45.7 86.8 421

2 Norakert 2900 604 1175.8 730.3 43 577.8

74.4 91.5

445.5

The social survey collected data on the gender, age of the respondent and his family members, income sources, land areas belonging to the households, irrigated land areas, crop areas cultivated by them, assessment of the current condition of the irrigated areas, data on the contentment with irrigation water quantity and quality, issues related to the irrigation systems.

40

Social-demographic description of the population in the project area

The number of permanent population of the communities included in the project as of January 1, 2014 is 5,631, of which 2,936 are women. There are 1,262 households in the area. Among national minorities there are 196 Yezidis living in the area. The demographic data were obtained from heads of the communities. Social-demographic data, according to separate communities, are presented in Table 20.

Table 20.

Social-demographical data according to the communities

Community

Population Women Households

National minorities

de facto de jure Yezidis

1 Baghramyan 2,731 2,943 1,407 658 82

2 Norakert 2,900 3,181 1,529 604 114

Total 5,631 6,124 2,936 1,262 196

According to the survey data, 75.0% are native locals, that is, they were born and grew up in these settlements, and 25.0% said that they are not native locals and settled in these communities for different reasons, such as resettlement, relocation and/or marriage.

Main sources of household income

91.7% of the respondents considered the earnings from the sale of agricultural products and private activity to be the main source of income. As a source of income the respondents mentioned also remuneration for state and community works, pensions and benefits, incomes received for migrant works and support from abroad. The average monthly income of 8.3% households is up to 100,000 AMD, 41.7% mentioned up to 200,000 AMD, 8.4% mentioned up to 300,000 AMD, for 25.0% it is up to 400,000 AMD, for 8.3% it is up to 500,000 AMD and for 8.3% it is up to 600,000AMD. According to data provided by the heads of the communities, the number of families receiving social support in Baghramyan community is 68, in Norakert – 53. The number of women-headed households in Baghramyan community is 165, while in Norakert community - 105, which makes 21.4% of the community households included in the project. According to vulnerable groups: the disabled, orphans, pensioners and others, households make up more than 31.0%.

Description of irrigated land areas

The research results show that land areas of 41.7% households of the water users participated in the survey is up to 1ha, for 41.7% it is up to 2ha, for 16.6% - up to 3ha. The average area of the land of one household participated in the survey is 1.39ha.

Based on the research results, only 21.0% (partially) of household land areas of water users participated in the community surveys is cultivated, 79.0% is not cultivated. According to data presented by water users participated in the survey, the main reason, that the land areas are not cultivated, is the absence of the irrigation water.

100% of land areas of water users participated in the community survey are privatized lands.

Areas of irrigated crops and received income

According to crop species, the irrigated areas of households included in the project comprise orchards, vineyards, winter wheat, vegetable crop, arable lands, meadowland, alfalfa. The crop areas irrigated by households of the water users participated in the survey are presented in Table 21.

Table 21.

Cultivated land areas according to crop types

41

Cultivated land areas

Orchard Vineyards Winter wheat

Vegetative crop Arable areas

Lucerne

11.6% 34.4% 0% 0.5% 20.6% 32.9%

Water users claimed that because of the absence or lack of irrigation water, as well as hail there was less or no harvest at all, which caused the absence of income or it was very little.

Issues related to the irrigation system

The community members, participating in the survey, presented the problems related to the irrigation system. These issues refer mainly to the quality and quantity of the irrigation water.

Baghramyan community: The land areas are not cultivated because of the absence of irrigation water. Apricot gardens and vineyards are cut off; land areas are used as arable lands. The wheat is cultivated, since it is not profitable. The irrigation pipes are in deteriorated condition.

Norakert community: The land areas are not cultivated because of the absence of irrigation water. The cultivated areas are not provided with irrigable water on time. Within 2 months the irrigation water is provided only once. The internal network is in deteriorated condition. The losses of irrigation water are high. The internal and external irrigation networks need to be repaired.

5 Project Alternatives

Given the economic non-profitability and annual O&M costs of pump-based irrigation, as well as the

costs required for the rehabilitation, there is need for alternative not only in Norakert-Baghramyan

Scheme, but almost in all the areas being irrigated by pumps. At the initial design stage of Baghramyan-

Norakert Gravity Scheme a number of alternatives were discussed, such as:

Rehabilitation of the existing pumping stations: This alternative was not considered

economically profitable, as in addition to great amounts of current investments, annual

significant funding would be required for the O&M costs of the pumping stations.

42

Construction of gravity scheme and water supply by gravity using half-pipes or open canal of another structure: This option was not considered appropriate, as in this case it would not be possible to ensure the required pressure in the gravity scheme, whereas such pressure is necessary given the high possibility of further application of drip irrigation in the lands under the command of the given scheme.

Ensuring direct water supply to Tkahan canal from Arzni-Shamiram canal through the existing pipeline: This option was not selected, either, taking into account the depreciation of the pipeline and high rehabilitation costs.

Project alternatives are considered from two perspectives as well. First, the “No Action” alternative is considered from the perspective of not developing the Project. Second alternative is examined in the Feasibility study to arrive at the construction of Baghramyan-Norakert gravity irrigation system. Both perspectives are described below.

5.1. “No Action” Alternative

The “No Action” alternative refers to a situation in which the Baghramyan-Norakert gravity irrigation system is not built. In case of this scenario, as a result of pump station operation, 1.8mln. kW electric power will be consumed and the equipment of pumping stations will gradually become useless. The operations of those will be terminated if not replaced with expensive foreign equipment.

Termination of the operations of Baghramyan N1 and Norakert N1, N2 pumping stations at mechanically irrigated areas will turn dry also currently irrigated lands.

“No Action” alternative may cause the following social-economic and environmental negative consequences:

- The communities will face shortage of irrigation water;

- Costs for operation and maintenance of the pumping stations will increase;

- Area of irrigated lands will decrease;

- Emigration of rural areas will increase;

- Physical-chemical properties of the lands will worsen.

5.2. Construction of Gravity Irrigation System

As a result of increase of the irrigation efficiency at the beneficiary community under the control of Ashtarak WUA, it will be possible to irrigate mechanically 573ha land areas irrigated previously by Baghramyan-Norakert pumping stations, together with 856ha land areas actually irrigated by water of about the same amount, after the implementation of Baghramyan-Norakert gravity irrigation system.

As a result of the conversion of Baghramyan-Norakert gravity irrigation system from mechanical to gravity system and as a result of re-commissioning of pumping stations, more than 1.8 mln. kW/hour of electric power will be saved annually.

Based on the mentioned circumstances, the gravity irrigation system alternative has been selected.

The expected benefits and basic suggestions on program analysis

The designed lands of Tkahan canal make up to 856ha. If the program is not implemented, the irrigated lands of the area will decrease by 2%, the expected returns will also decrease respectively, according to expert assessment. Moreover, reconstruction of Tkahan canal will make it possible to additionally irrigate 573ha areas previously irrigated mechanically by Baghramyan and Norakert pumping stations.

It is not possible to cultivate crops in dry land conditions at the command areas.

The main suggestions are presented and summarized in the table below:

43

Table 23

Current situation “No action” alternative Program implementation alternative

Due to water losses the irrigation of the designed lands of Tkahan canal is decreased and 573ha areas previously irrigated mechanically by Baghramyan and Norakert pumping stations remain dry, as the above-mentioned pumping stations do not operate currently

Due to water losses the designed irrigation lands of Tkahan canal decrease by 2% annually

Tkahan canal is rehabilitated and during 4 years (for new orchards and vineyards – 8 years) the profit from newly irrigated lands has increased and the irrigated land area is expanded. As a result of canal rehabilitation about 2.6 mln. m3 of water is saved annually

Table 24

Basic technical and economic parameters of Baghramyan-Norakert gravity irrigation system

Title Measurement Unit Criterion

Area irrigated by gravity ha 1429

Including Irrigated additional land areas

ha 573

Water amount required for irrigation m3/sec 0.68 Capital investment thous. $ 1333

Economic return rate ERR % 26.6%

Annual return after full maturity of agricultural products

thous. $ 3218

NPV (¹=10%) thous. $ 4912

Construction duration month 16

Public consultation meetings on social, economic and financial issues conducted by the FS/FD consultant at the preliminary and final design stages of the project show that social and economic gains, which are cumulative, outweigh the potential negative consequences of the “No Action” alternative.

Participants of public consultation meetings expressed concerns about possible nuisance from noise and dust from construction sites. These impacts are easy to mitigate by observing working hours, maintaining construction machinery in good technical condition, and watering construction sites in dry weather.

These and other likely negative environmental impacts, which are described in detail in the following sections, are expected to be short-term and localized during the construction phase of the project. These can be mitigated by a timely and proper implementation of the mitigation measures presented in the EMP (Appendix A). The expected positive impacts are envisaged to be enhanced by implementation of the measures recommended in this document.

44

6. Beneficial and Adverse Impacts

Construction of the gravity irrigation scheme will bring positive changes. The water users will more easily obtain the required quantity of irrigation water in a timely manner. There will also be ecological benefits through prevention of atmospheric pollution associated with energy consumption, including the benefit of climate change mitigation.

The construction of the gravity system will increase the reliability of irrigation water resources, thereby increasing farmer incentives to cultivate high value crops. The expected overall positive environmental and social impacts from the construction of Baghramyan-Norakert gravity system will be long-term and cumulative in nature, ultimately contributing to increased social and economic benefits of the communities affected.

The potential adverse environmental and social impacts are described for the construction and operation phases as well as for decommissioning of the Baghramyan-Norakert gravity system.

6.1 Construction Phase

During the construction phase some negative influences may be observed on the environment, such as surface and ground water pollution, degradation of lands and landscape, land erosion, which may be a result of excavated/extracted earth, not proper removal/placement of the disposed soil and construction waste, leakage of fuels and lubricants and other materials during the construction, use of temporary construction site (const. camps, car parks, storages, etc.), operation of the mines, temporary pollution of the air caused by the dense traffic schedule during the construction, noise and vibrations during the excavation work, also possible impacts on the vegetative cover.

The possible environmental impacts expected during the construction are given below:

(a) Ambient Air Pollution

Emission of inorganic dust from excavation-loading works and emission of harmful substances and dust from combustion of diesel used by transportation means and machinery occur during the construction works. Asphalt and bitumen laying works result in hydrocarbon emissions, petrol use for bitumen thinning causes petrol fume emissions. Welding works cause welding aerosol and manganese monoxide emissions. Concrete mixers work result in concrete dust emissions.

The main sources of emissions are below:

Inorganic dust emissions at excavation-loading works;

Dust emission during the vehicular traffic emission at construction machinery operating;

Emissions at concrete mixture making works;

Petrol fumes;

Emissions at welding works;

Air pollution as a result of excavation, loading operation and exploitation of construction machine engine;

Pipeline plugging and water outflow during the system exploitation phase;

The construction works will be carried out at rather far distance from the populated areas and harmful substances brought forth will not practically pollute the urban-industrial environment.

(b) Impact on Water Resources

45

Generally, in the construction phase the impacts on water resources may be expressed by implementation of direct construction works in the river bed, the construction materials stored in the construction site, hanged materials, items, oil-products, pollution of river water, construction effluents water, as well as generation of hard wastes in the result of workers’ activity during the construction phase.

The construction works of Baghramyan-Norakert irrigation system may not have impact on water resources, as the designed works do not include the implementation of construction works in the river bed. The amount of additional water (0.68 m3/sec) necessary for gravity irrigation system for Baghramnyan-Norakert communities will be supplied to Qasakh River through Arzni Shamiram canal from Hrazdan River, from where it will be transported to head part of Tkahan canal.

(c) Water use and wastewater discharge

During the construction work water is used for drinking purposes and domestic needs of the administrative staff and workers as well as for building site watering and vehicle servicing.

For watering purposes the designed water will be brought with watering machines, and water for drinking purposes is brought with special containers.

During the construction phase, the household wastewater will be accumulated in the wastewater accumulation chamber constructed from waterproofed materials, which will be transported along the length of the construction site. Based on the estimated volumes of wastewater, 50m3 chamber with useful volume will be constructed, which will provide 7-day operation. The content of the chamber shall be discharged to the sewage collector with special vehicles once a week. This shall be arranged with the local authorities in advance.

The abovementioned impact will have temporary characteristics, though it will be mitigated in Appendix A in the plan of environmental management presented as a result of timely and properly implemented measures.

(d) Earthworks

Laying of water conduit and trenching operations carried out in Baghramyan and Norakert communities, may have temporary negative impact on the earth cover and natural vegetation within the pipeline corridor due to surface disturbance and storage of excavated material till its backfilling. Earth works will require clearing of vegetation along the pipeline corridor, including removal of shrubs. Cutting of vegetative cover and storage shall be carried along the trench area. The soil and the topsoil shall be placed separately. During the earthworks the estimated topsoil to be saved is 1900m3, and the costs related to the preservation and rehabilitation of the areas makes up AMD 8mln.

According to the botanical researches plant species in project areas are not included in RA Red Book of plants.

(e) Extraction of construction materials

Aggregates required for construction will be preferably obtained from the licensed providers from the already licensed and operational quarries. However, Contractor will have a free choice and may wish to open an own quarry, in which case the risks of landscape degradation, erosion, loss of a natural site’s aesthetic value, damage to aquatic life (in case of extraction from a river bed), deterioration of water quality, and stimulation of erosion of river banks may arise.

(f) Generation of construction waste

The various wastes generated as a result of construction at the affected areas may have an adverse impact on the environment, especially cause change in landscape, pollute water and earth resources and the atmosphere air, as well as cause some health problems.

Earth works will generate modest amount of excess material, because most of the excavated earth and topsoil will be used for backfilling. The areas where the pipeline is laid and which is covered with vegetation, may contain grasses and bushes, which are wastes as well and those shall be removed from

46

the construction site.

Other types of waste, typical for general construction activities, are also expected in moderate amounts, including metallic and plastic construction waste, bad butches of concrete and asphalt, household waste from the work camp(s) or yards, as well as certain amount of hazardous waste such as operational spills of fuel and lubricants; and used oils, filters, radiators and tires from vehicles and machinery.

6.2 Social impacts at the construction phase

The possible social risks related to the rehabilitation of Tkahan canal and with the construction of Baghramyan-Norakert gravity irrigation system include:

Nuisance to the community resulted by the vehicles and machinery movement;

Construction related traffic increase and other nuisance to local communities;

Damages to the health of employees resulted by low quality and improper use of construction materials;

Noise during the construction process;

Irrigation water supply interruption, currently those are irrigated from the existing Baghramyan-Norakert system;

Lack of access to or inconvenience for people to get to their homes, fields, assets caused by construction camps and machinery location or construction activities;

Unequal opportunities for local men and women to get temporal employment during construction phase as traditionally only men work in construction in Armenia.

The adverse impacts on the community, affected by the program implementation, are basically related to construction operations, and have temporary and short-term impacts. These impacts may be avoided or decreased by the effective implementation of the social impact mitigation measures and environmental measures of ESMP of the current report, which shall be followed by the constructors and controlling and supervising bodies.

Temporary local employment

The positive social impact of the construction phase is the temporary employment opportunity of local non-qualified labor. About 80% of the work force will be comprised of local population hired for a period of about 16 months. These will mostly be workers and drivers. However, there is a risk that women will not have the same opportunity of temporal work, as traditionally women do not work in construction in Armenia.

Construction camps

Construction camps must be located on free community area, which shall be arranged with the community in advance to avoid using the private lands. However, if unused communal lands are not available voluntary servitude contracts will be signed between the communities, who own the lands, and the PIU, and respective compensation will be offered to the users of the land for any losses of crops, trees, or assets. In a rare case if communal land is unavailable and there is a need for a private land use, a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) will be prepared, as required, in compliance with the Resettlement Policy Framework.

6.3 Environmental impacts at the operation phase

Operation of the reconstructed irrigation scheme will carry common risks associated with irrigation for

47

agriculture.

(a) Soil erosion, salinization and alkalization

Operation of Baghramyan-Norakert gravity scheme may have some negative impact on the lands of project affected area, particularly in terms of natural balance of the soil (increase of salinization, alkalization, toxicity and absorption index), which may be due to irrigation water pollution and/or richness of salt or other chemical compounds, as well as erosion, and application of improper irrigation techniques. Such impacts may be long term and cumulative. The quantitative and qualitative studies of irrigation water source for feeding of the Baghramyan-Norakert irrigation scheme were carried out by FS/DD consultant at the design phase and lead to the following conclusions:

The aquifers within the area served by the system are located at the depth of 10m and more and will not have a significant impact on the ecological balance of “soil-plant-water” system. It is expected that the penetration of irrigation waters into groundwater will not influence the chemical composition of the latter.

The irrigated arable lands of the affected area are generally not prone to erosion. Usually the top layer is subject to erosion. Moderate and, in extreme cases - severe - erosion is observed on the steep slopes.

(b) Deterioration of irrigation water quality

The lands to be irrigated by Baghramyan gravity scheme are located within the range of 960-1160 m above sea level. There are no industrial and significant residential polluters upstream the designed water intake. Testing of Qasakh River water quality carried out for the purpose of developing the Baghramyan-Norakert gravity scheme, shows that the water is not polluted with organic, mineral, or toxic pollutants. Deterioration of the water quality is unlikely over the course of the proposed scheme’s lifetime, and no significant accidental spills can occur upstream either.

(c) Increased use of pesticides

Improved provision of irrigation services and return of some area to irrigation after years of discontinued service are likely to intensify farming in the Baghramyan-Norakert scheme command area. This may indirectly influence the pattern of agrochemical’s use. Potentially increased and improper use of pesticides carries risks of environment pollution and threats to human health.

6.4 Social impacts at the operation phase

(a) Economic gains of communities in the coverage area

Discussions with the project beneficiaries showed that vast majority believes their overall living quality will increase as a result of the project implementation. More specifically, reconstructed irrigation scheme will lead to better service provision and will result in higher yields. Communities believe that this will have direct impact on family incomes, will positively influence their health and push up their social status. Increased income opportunities will also motivate more young people to stay within the area, to improve their agricultural skills and modernize their farms.

Increase in water user fees as a result of public investment into the scheme’s rehabilitation is not expected. On the contrary, there is a possibility of decrease in user fees in long term, due to less power demand and reduced water losses.

(b) Competition for water use

Since the additional water required for irrigating Baghramyan and Norakert communities will be supplied from Arzni-Shamiram canal, no additional water will be withdrawn from Qasakh River. No conflicts are anticipated over the water use - neither between various types of users nor among irrigation water users. In case of Baghramyan-Norakert Gravity Scheme, the overall water intake will not significantly change

in general calculations before and after the Project implementation: just before the construction of

48

the garvity scheme the given water amount is taken from the Lower Hrazdan canal by pumps, and after

the construction of the gravity scheme it will be taken from Tkahan canal by gravity. Some part of the

water required for the gravity may be ensured due to the reduced water losses after the rehabilitation

of Tkahan canal, which reaches up to 40%, and the other part will be the water which will be no longer

taken from the Lower Hrazdan, but will be delivered to Tkahan canal by Arzni Shamiram canal through

dotation using the bed of Qasakh River (both Arzni - Shamiram and Lower Hrazdan canals are fed from

the Hrazdan River). The water balance and the scheme map are detailed in Section 4.4 of the ESIA

Report. The irrigation of the lands to be included under the command area of the gravity scheme is

served by Ashtarak WUA, under which Tkahan canal and irrigation networks operate, whereas Hrazdan

and Arzni-Shamiram canals belong to “Sevan-Hrazdan Water Supply Agency” CJSC, which has an acting

Water Permit (N 000025) until 18.03. 2017. These two institutions regulate irrigation supply based on

in advance estimated demand and requests. The environmental flow has been calculated by the Design

Consultant. There is no separate conformation mechanism envisaged for this environmental flow and

it is reviewed/approved under Environmental Expert Examination, which was carried out for

Baghramyan-Norakert Gravity Scheme (there is positive Expertise Conclusion for the design).

The situation and implications mentioned above will exclude or minimize competition for water or any

kind of tension, because, as it was already described above, the water quantity necessary for the

operation of Baghramyan-Norakert Gravity Irrigation Scheme will not be ensured at the expense of

other water users, but due to the changes in irrigation methods and schemes and the previous water

uses and water users will not be impacted adversely after project implementation. However, after the

WB’s approval of the draft ESIA Report of Baghramyan-Norakert Gravity Scheme, all the communities

related to this scheme (including Sasunik community, in the administrative area of which the

rehabilitated section of Tkahan Canal is located) and stakeholders will be informed about the public

consultation meetings to be organized, so that the latter have the chance to present their final

positions and/or potential concerns. During anticipated public consultations and discussions special

attention will be paid to Sasunik community.

6.5 Impacts at Decommissioning Phase

Useful life of Baghramyan-Norakert gravity system is estimated at 50 years. At the decommissioning phase of the Baghramyan-Norakert gravity system, waste will be generated from dismantling pipelines and other structures, which may have a temporary or permanent impact on adjacent lands. Soils may be disrupted in the process of dismantling the pipelines and other structures, causing further degradation if not restored. Social and economic welfare of water users served by the Baghramyan-Norakert gravity system may be adversely affected if no alternative means of water supply are provided.

As a result of timely and proper implementation of the Environmental Management Plan with the appropriate mitigation measures, as well as environmental and social clauses of the civil works contracts, all these likely negative impacts can be prevented or minimized.

49

7. Mitigation and Enhancement Measures

Mitigation and enhancement measures are proposed for the design, construction and operation phases of the Baghramyan-Norakert gravity system project that shall be undertaken by executing agencies to prevent and/or minimize the likely adverse environmental and social impacts listed above.

7.1 Design Phase

Environmental and social mitigation requirements are incorporated in the final design, technical

specifications and bidding documents to be implemented by the construction contractor and the

system operating entity to avoid, prevent, minimize, or rehabilitate the potential impacts.

During the preliminary phase of the project design, the FS/DD consultant discussed temporary land use with the potentially affected communities and received feedback that indicated the willingness of these communities to temporarily give up user rights to their land on voluntary basis, due to expected benefits from improved irrigation service provision.

The community leaders informed the communities not to cultivate the lands that will be used during

the construction. Lands will be screened again by PIU prior to construction.

The final design documents include a list of approved borrow pits and agreed spoil disposal sites;

agreements obtained from the relevant state and local authorities for use of water resources to feed

the gravity system, borrow pits and sites for disposal of excavated spoils as appropriate; list of

construction preparation temporary sites such as access roads, construction camps, transport and

machinery sites, storage facilities, etc.

During the design of the pipeline route in Baghramyan-Norakert irrigation system area a solution that

excludes the earth works on cultivated lands was selected, while non-productive areas will be used for

temporary storage of construction material and excavated soil.

During the detailed design stage a thorough screening of the route of the pipeline was conducted with

the participation of the PIU specialists to ensure that no productive land will be affected and to verify

the correctness of the cadastral maps of land ownership.

7.2 Construction Phase

Environmental Impact Mitigation

Measures to prevent and/or minimize the degradation of landscapes and soil erosion, pollution of surface and groundwater resources and soils by construction run-off shall be implemented by the contractor during the construction phase. This must include, but not be limited to:

The use of already existing quarries and disposal sites, where possible, according to the requirements set in the appropriate permits and agreements obtained at the design phase; zones of preliminary accumulation of wastes that will cause no damage to the vegetation cover and other components of the environment shall be maintained by the contractor;

The banks with gradient over 5% shall be reinforced by concrete layer and gabions to avoid erosion; reinforcement of large gradients with vegetation, grass and other plants.

Rehabilitation of vegetation cover and bringing to the initial condition (prior to the works the fertile layer of the soil shall be properly removed and stored in the relevant location);

50

Sites for storage of oil and chemicals shall be properly equipped to minimize the risks of polluting soils and the environment;

Provision of entrance and exit principles for the traffic and construction sites, defining the precise routes, parking areas and work implementation schedule;

Measure to minimize the construction resulted dust and noise at the areas near the residential and public buildings. For that purpose, to haul the construction materials and waste it is necessary to use truck with cover. Earthwork shall be executed with techniques and equipment equipped with dust trap. The transportations means and techniques shall be periodically checked, regulated and equipped with muffles. The construction sites and the approaching roads shall be periodically watered, the crushed stone, the soil mas stored and hauled shall be dampened to minimize the dust (besides winter months and precipitation seasons). Fluid construction materials shall be stored in the covered and protected place.

Construction camps

Each construction camp should be created after the consultation with the environment specialists of the supervision consultant. Construction camps must be organized parallel to the track in the areas with no vegetation. Temporary structures must also be located in the area of water conduit operation, higher than the ground surface, and in the areas with no vegetation. The construction camps must be technically equipped and must be provided with water supply and sewage solutions and bins. Construction camps must be located on free community area, which shall be arranged with the community in advance to avoid using the private lands.

Protection of plant species and vegetation layer

It is necessary to provide a narrow corridor by the pipeline route for all types of construction operation. Prior to the commencement of the construction, the existing bushes must be removed. The removal of the plants shall be implemented only along the pipeline route. Given that during non-vegetation period in case of damage the roots of the trees are recovered much easier than during vegetation period, the excavation of the trenches will be carried out before or after the vegetation period of the trees in the pipeline corridor area. This will mitigate or exclude the possible negative impact of the foreseen work on the natural topsoil and tree-bush vegetation. To minimize the damage to the vegetation at the areas of water conduit installation, the fertile layer of the soil shall be cut and stored at special area (according to the rules of RA Government) for further restoration. After the backfill and leveling of the trenches it will be restored to its pervious place.

The use of the excess soil for the purpose of planting and restoration of roads must be agreed with the authorities of the adjacent communities.

Waste Management

The purpose of the waste management is to define the true principles for waste removal, displacement or usage for the Contractor and employees.

Non-hazardous waste includes construction and solid household waste, surplus cover in the canals or in construction sites in form of bushes, which will interrupt the construction operation. The improper storage, hauling and removal of the waste may cause adverse impact to the environment.

Hazardous waste may be flammable, biodegradable, have a radiation or toxic effect and be very dangerous. The hazardous waste includes batteries, paints, solvents, used oils, lubricants and other chemical waste.

Wastewater includes construction water flows (originated in the construction sites) and household sewage water (resulted by economic activity of the employees) and may contain contaminants and pathogenic elements.

51

To avoid the adverse effects caused by the abovementioned wastes the following principles are to be accepted:

To avoid waste production;

To recycle the waste as much as possible;

To remove the accumulated waste according to the RA legislation, agreed with the community head, or with relevant authorities;

To use the existing mines and waste disposal sites (according to the provisions stated in the acquired agreements in the design phase;

To obtain the construction materials (inert materials, concrete) from the certified suppliers or to use the existing mines;

To define the right temporary accumulation area for waste (most acceptable from the viewpoint of environment protection which will be approved by relevant authorities).

To exclude the leakages while storing or refilling the oil or fuel during the construction works, a temporary filling point for the fuel shall be organized in the construction camp, which will be equipped with accumulation system of the leakages. After the works, it shall be dismantled. In case of leakages it is required to inform to the Ministry of Nature Protection and maintain cleaning operations.

By applying the abovementioned principles and the relevant training courses related to the waste management the risks will be minimized during the construction process.

Construction materials

If the Contractor would prefer or would have to use its own quarries for construction of the

Bagramyan-Norakert gravity scheme, he shall strictly follow the requirements set by the legislation

and develop mitigation measures for specific case or for the development of specific type of quarry. In

particular, all the general requirements set forth to the mining industry sector for all the elements of

the environment (atmosphere air, soil, water, flora and fauna) as well as the WB Group Industry sector

EHS Guidelines for Mining shall be fulfilled. These Guidelines are applicable to underground and open-

pit mining, alluvial mining, solution mining, and marine dredging. Extraction of raw materials for

construction products are addressed in the EHS Guidelines for Construction Materials Extraction and

all the measures for mitigating the possible environmental and social impacts shall be executed. The

Contractor shall pay special attention to mitigation of the possible dust emission, expected high noise

caused by blasting and operation of heavy equipment during development of the quarry, the expected

impacts on the fertile soil layer, the expected impacts of the wastewater removal, possible spillage of

fuel, mitigation measures aimed at health and safety of labor involved on the quarry development.

Upon completion of the quarry (irrespective will that coincide with the completion of Bagramyan-

Norakert project or not), the Contractor shall implement quarry closing program and land restoration

according to the stipulated procedures. These procedures are specified by the legal documents

regulating the mining industry.

The participants and distribution of their roles in this process are presented in Appendix A.

Social Impact Mitigation

Public awareness

The constructor should properly inform about the beginning of construction works to the sides subjected to affect, as a result of which the levels of powder and noise may be added, the roads may

52

temporary be closed and overcoming routes created. Alternative access to private property or other infrastructure should be provided to the community. Accessible grievance redress mechanisms through which the public can voice questions, concerns, grievances or provide other feedback about the construction process to the PIU and the contractor, and have this feedback addressed and responded to in a timely and systematic manner, will also be ensured by the contractor and PIU.

Noise

By the consequence of other acts connected with the construction and machine equipment work, noise will appear during the construction. Its noise will be more tangible for people living nearby the roads or working in other structures. Some softening measures are defined to reduce the noise level. Those measures are the following:

Installation of construction camps as far as possible from the inhabited areas;

Noisy works should be carried out during day hours and working at night hours should be avoided;

Reduce the usage of heavy technique near the inhabited areas to the extent possible;

Noise absorber plants should be installed on machine equipment.

Safety Measures

The construction work will be carried out according to the requirements and safety regulations defined by RA legislation, as well as the requirements provided in separate sections of this document.

Irrigation Water Access

The construction activities, which might hinder irrigation water supply to the affected communities through existing irrigation schemes, should be postponed to non-irrigation season.

Temporal Local Employment

Employment for women should be encouraged in either construction, food provision, or other operations by the contractor.

Mitigation of Impacts on Cultural Heritage

If during construction work historical-cultural monuments or other cultural materials are discovered, the Contractor will immediately interrupt the work and present a corresponding report to the State agency for protecting historical-cultural monuments. The specialists of the agency will carefully study the discovered material and give their professional conclusion, based on which the works will either go on, or the design will be reviewed.

7.3 Operation Phase

Prevention of flooding from poor maintenance of hydraulic structures

The main environmental risk during the operation phase of Baghramyan-Norakert gravity irrigation system is related to the pipeline plugging and failure. To exclude the phenomenon, it is necessary to regularly inspect and periodically maintain proper conveyance, avoid stagnation and prevent waterlogging.

53

Preventing alkalization, salinization, and erosion

Erosion and waterlogging risks are possible in the service area of Baghramyan-Norakert gravity irrigation system, which may result in soil salinization and alkalization. To prevent the erosion phenomena in the soils under the system control it is required to carry out anti-erosion measures in the irrigated areas during the soil cultivation.

Thick plant sowing, grooving and embankment may be applied in the slope horizons and it shall be irrigated with short grooves according to the defined norms.

High elevation of ground water is not common in the area. As the area is not prone to waterlogging, the excess water may be removed from the land timely.

Maintaining the quality of irrigation water

Quality of the water to be supplied through Baghramyan-Norakert gravity scheme will depend on its source, which is Qasakh River. There isn’t any production which may cause production water flows or pollution in the river basin, as well as near the irrigation scheme complex. Monitoring of Qasakh River water quality is carried out by the Environmental Impact Monitoring Centre (EIMC) of RA Ministry of Nature Protection at selected static sampling points.

Water quality monitoring data appear on the websites of EIMC (http://www.armmonitoring.am) and RA Ministry of Nature Protection (http://www.mnp.am) and are available for the interested parties. The information is updated on monthly basis. “Ashtarak” WUA will follow the information provided in these sites and will inform the community leaders about the water quality fluctuations.

In an unlikely case of tangible deterioration of irrigation water quality, WUA will approach the Ministry of Nature Protection, and/or local authorities for identifying sources of pollution, and undertaking relevant corrective measures for land reclamation.

Management of the irrigation water supply

Ashtarak WUA manages the irrigation water supply, system operation and maintenance, prevention of the pollution of the water resources and their restoration. Measures of the water intake are defined, as well as calculations of the intake are controlled based on the approval of the Water resource management and maintenance authorized body. Calculation of the supplied water is carried out by a water meter.

After the State Environmental Examination of the Baghramyan-Norakert gravity scheme design, the approved Management Plan must be provided the local environmental inspection, and the local inspection will supervise adherence to the Management Plan thereinafter, including maintenance of the ecologic flow in the river.

Managing impacts of improved irrigation service delivery on agro-production

“Amelioration” LLC, working for the State Committee of Water Economy, supervises the quantity of agrochemical and pesticide use; assures safe land use; and monitors composition, structure and salt content of ameliorated lands.

Promotion of good pest and pesticide management practices is included into the project design. A library of brochures, fliers, and posters on the sound and safe handling of pesticides, including information on the Integrated Pest Management (IPM), has accumulated as a depository of outputs from a number of rural development projects implemented in Armenia with support of the World Bank and other international/bilateral financiers. This material is readily available for reproduction for the needs of ISEP. Posters promoting good pest and pesticide management will be displayed in the premises of WUA offices. Brochures and leaflets will also be available at the WUA offices and the points of trade of agrochemicals. Selected publications on the environmental and public health implications

54

of pesticide use will be used as a supplemental teaching material in rural schools. WUAs will play pivotal role in promotion of good agricultural practice.

Competition for water use Ashtarak WUA is responsible for irrigation water supply to all communities that are fed from Tkahan canal – Oshakan, Sasunik (upstream), Baghramyan, Norakert and Merdzavan (downstream). All the three other communities will continue to receive irrigation water as usual. The water required for the gravity scheme will be donated from Arzni-Shamiram canal to Tkahan canal through an existing pipeline and water outlet into Qasakh River from where Tkahan canal starts. The communities fed from Arzni-Shamiram canal will not face the challenge of water competition as both Storin Hrazdan canal, the source for mechanical water supply to Baghramyan and Norakert communities, and Arzni-Shamiram canal are fed from the same source – Hrazdan River. As no new water intake is anticipated there will be no water competition among the communities. The same amount of water required for mechanical supply of Baghramyan and Norakert communities will be directed to Tkahan canal through an existing pipeline from Arzni –Shamiram for the gravity scheme intake (the details of water balance calculations are presented above on p. 49).

7.4 Decommissioning Phase

The gravity scheme will have a long life. The pipes will not undergo corrosion for at least 50 years. However, if it happens in more than 50 years, alternative means of irrigation water supply shall be provided for command areas in order to maintain the social and economic welfare of the affected communities. Thus, before dismantling the gravity scheme, the responsible agency will have to undertake measures and supply the target communities with irrigation water. Waste generated during the dismantling of Baghramyan-Norakert gravity system shall be stored and disposed in accordance with the requirements of the permits and/or agreements to be obtained from the State authorities.

Disrupted soils (excavated soils, trenches, camps. etc.) shall be restored to their original state in order to prevent their degradation and temporary air pollution and disturbance of population and biodiversity of adjacent areas related to the transportation of dismantled gravity system shall be regulated by implementation of the specific measures developed (schedule of the construction works, traffic management plan, etc.).

8. Grievance Redress Mechanism

The grievance redress mechanism (GRM) is a mechanism through which people will be able to communicate their questions and concerns regarding the project and be assured of a timely response. The WSPIU has established a Grievance Redress committee (GRC) to address affected people's concerns and complaints proactively and promptly, using an understandable, communicated, and transparent process that is gender responsive, culturally appropriate, and accessible to all segments of the affected people and beneficiary community at no cost The GRC consist of the environmental and social specialists, an engineer and the lawyer of the PIU. The GRC will collaborate with local authorities and will involve them in the Grievance Redress Mechanism. Local authorities will provide information to their communities how to express their grievances through various channels (in person to local focal points, over phone, email or online) and will support them if needed. The complaints and grievance from the stakeholders, affected communities and NGOs will be submitted to WSPIU GRC. The mechanism will not impede access to the Country’s judicial or administrative remedies. Prior to Construction works, WSPIU will inform the beneficiary community about the grievance redress mechanism and provide contact details of persons responsible for grievance collection and response in the community. The PIU will also explain the

55

importance of selecting some volunteers (perhaps water users) who can be project focal points for the community to assist persons from their village with resolving or escalating grievances as needed.

Grievance Redress Mechanism

Grievance Redress Committee: Tasks and composition

The GRC includes WSPIU staff: the environmental specialist (head of committee), the social specialist,

the engineer, coordinating gravity irrigation schemes designs, and the lawyer.

The head of the GRC will coordinate the works of the committee and as an environmental specialist

he/she will also respond to complaints and/or concerns related to environmental flow, protection of

biodiversity, climate change and other environmental issues.

The social specialist will respond to complaints of social nature or those related to private land or

community land use.

The engineer will be responsible for addressing grievance related to technical solutions and design of

the project.

And the lawyer will support the team in redressing more complicated complaints when knowledge or

study of the relevant law and regulation is needed.

The information on creation of GRC with possibility for online submission of grievance and

complaints is posted in the WSPIU website.

Local Authorities

WSPIU

Grievance Redress Committee

56

Nevertheless, the above mentioned grievance mechanism does not limit the citizen’s right to submit

the case straight to the court of law just in the first stage of grievance process. The grievance

mechanism is designed to avoid lengthy court procedures. The grievance mechanism will be

implemented so that people can get their problems solved and grievances redressed in a timely and

effective manner without directly addressing the court. All grievances will be responded to within a

week of receipt and resolved within maximum one month of receipt.

The information on the GRM as well as the hotline will be communicated to the communities and

households who will be affected by the gravity scheme, local authorities and NGOs during public

consultation and posters about the construction works posted at the construction sites and the

Municipalities so that the affected persons can submit their feedback and complaints during

construction and operation phases.

WSPIU will maintain a detailed log of all questions or grievances received, including the date of

submission, contact information of the person submitting, nature of feedback or complaints, date of

response, date of resolution, and any follow-up actions if needed.

Should the inhabitants of the beneficiary or impacted communities of the Project, other stakeholders,

NGOs or other organizations have any complaints, proposals, or need any clarification, they may apply

and communicate with GR commission which was established and operates under the PIU. The

information about the Commission is presented in the “Contracts” section of PIU’s web site piu.am.

The contacts of the Commission members are presented below:

Martiros Nalbandyan, WS PIU Environmental Specialit 041 111450,

Marine Vardanyan, WS PIU Social Specialist 041 111437,

Margarit Sargsyan, WS PIU Communication Specialist 041 111435,

Sona Martirosyan, SCWS Press Officer 091453579

57

In case of any complaints, proposals, or need any clarification, the inhabitants of the beneficiary or

impacted communities of the Project or other stakeholders may write to following e-mail address as

well: [email protected]

58

9 Institutional Responsibilities

9.1 Agencies

Executing agencies

Executing agencies are responsible for carrying out mitigation measures prescribed through the ESIA report and EMP. The design phase executor-the designer consultant should guarantee that before declaring competition for construction works all the required permissions and agreements have been acquired from the corresponding authorized state and local authorities (such as: about the usage of water resources and systems, the areas of excavated soil, wastes and construction waste removal).

The construction phase executing agencies (construction contractors) will be responsible for executing monitoring measures provided in EMP as well as for requiring all the permissions and agreements concerning the construction works (such as: acquire agreement with state agency of history and protection of cultural monuments, in case if historical/cultural/ancient monuments or other cultural materials unexpectedly appear during construction works).

All this will be carried out according to the demands of existing environmental and social legislation of Armenia. Besides, the construction contractors should realize the special technical conditions included in their contracts, so as they are presented in the Annex of the given document.

Supervising agencies

Acting in the capacity of the Project implementing entity, SCWE will have an overall responsibility for the Project oversight, and will provide supervision of its implementation through the PIU. The PIU will hire a supervising company licensed to carry out technical supervision of construction, which will include oversight on the environmental and social compliance of works. According to RA legislation, exclusively a licensed company may carry out the technical supervision of construction. Such company shall have an adequate skill mix of staff so that environmental and social monitoring is undertaken at the same level of professionalism and diligence as other technical aspects of works. Additional oversight will be provided by the local community of the project stakeholders and NGOs.

The role of the PIU will be quality control of the supervision company’s work and will imply periodic field visits of the PIU’s in-house staff with the purpose of verifying information provided by the supervisor. PIU shall review and provide feedback on the supervision company’s reports, as well as take timely and effective actions on the issues raised in the supervisor’s reports. PIU will also track procedures of obtaining all necessary permits, licenses, and agreements by the works contractor and will follow compliance of works with the terms and conditions that these permits, licenses, and agreements.

According to RA legislation, environmental supervision in the entire territory of the republic is carried out by the State Environmental Inspectorate operating under the Ministry of Nature Protection of RA, which also has a corresponding territorial department in the region of Armavir and Aragatsotn. The specialists will implement environmental supervision in the Project implementation area both during the construction and future operation stages.

State enforcement agencies

State agencies mandated to enforce the national legislation, norms, and standards pertaining the planned works of Baghramyan-Norakert irrigation scheme are the following:

- State Environmental Inspectorate of the RA Ministry of Nature Protection tracks water intake from natural water bodies and river pollution, and

- Sanitary service provided by RA Ministry of Health inspects sanitary conditions at the construction sites.

Monitoring executing agencies

59

Monitoring executing agencies are responsible for the realization of mitigation and improvement measures and efficiency level monitoring and also for further correspondence of the project in case if required. Monitoring executing agencies are responsible for the realization of all the required measures. State agencies may also carry out monitoring within their authority.

9.2 Reporting Responsibilities and Schedule

Author of the scheme design and the construction supervision consultant report to PIU on the progress of construction works. Environmental and social monitoring of works is included in the assignment of the supervision consultant. The consultant reports to PIU on the project progress on monthly basis. Monthly progress reports include, inter alia, a chapter on the environmental and social performance of works contractor. Textual part of the report describes general status of safeguards compliance, fleshes out main issues, and describes actions taken for addressing these issues. Completed field environmental monitoring checklists (template attached to this ESIA report) are to be attached to the monthly progress reports too. The consultant’s obligations also include reporting to PIU on any accidents that may occur during construction (accident report form also attached hereby in Appendix C) immediately upon occurrence of such accident. PIU will submit the World Bank bi-annual project progress reports that include, inter alia, a chapter on the safeguard compliance. This chapter provides assessment of the contractor’s environmental and social performance as well as assessment of the supervision consultant’s environmental monitoring work. PIU’s environmental and social reports will be based on the inputs from the supervision consultant, but will also carry information on the PIU’s own field work aimed at verification of information incoming from the supervision consultant and at addressing any outstanding issues flagged by the consultant.

9.3 Budget

The Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) attached to the present ESIA report as well as any expenses associated with rent of land, servitude, compensations where needed, etc. will be included into the bidding documents once the civil works are tendered, so that bidders are able to include costs of the required mitigation measures into their bills of quantities.

10 Public Discussions

In the design phase the FS/DD consultant organized informal public consultations and surveys in the affected area of the project in order to obtain principal baseline data. The aim of these consultations was to estimate the existing social problems, as well as expected social influences, as a result of providing the representatives of project area communities with information related to proposed Baghramyan-Norakert gravity system, learning their opinion and concerns, in order to take those into account while finalizing the ESIA report and design documents. Consultation meetings on ESIA report of Baghramyan-Norakert gravity scheme have been carried out with heads of Baghramyan and Norakert rural communities, local WUA, as well as the Marzpetaran (regional authority) and community authorities during the social and economic studies. The following issues have been discussed:

Avoidance of resettlement as much as possible;

Avoidance of traffic disruption along the local roads along the pipeline route;

Possibility of installing a new pipeline instead of the existing conduits and canals in order to use the lands provided for them;

Handling issues of temporary land take during construction.

For preparation of the detailed design of Baghramyan-Norakert gravity irrigation system a direct communication with all administrative entities was provided, raising public awareness of the project and

60

encouraging their participation expressing opinions and providing feedback on the detailed design. In this regard, consultations, meetings and discussions were held with “Ashtarak” WUA and heads of the rural communities and water users. Agreement has been acquired with the heads of the communities on the arrangement of public consultation meetings in separate communities. The schedule of public consultation meetings is presented in Table 25.

Table 25

Schedule of Public Consultation meetings

Community Venue Date Time

Number of

participants

Of which

women

1 Baghramyan Village Hall 26.12.2014 12:00 20 9

2 Norakert Village Hall 26.12.2014 14:00 23 12

On December 26, 2014 public consultations on draft ESIA report have been carried out in Baghramyan and Norakert communities. The affected population of the two beneficiary communities was informed about public consultations 7 working days prior to the scheduled meeting. The announcement on holding public consultation was published in the national newspaper “Hayastani Hanrapetutyun” (“Republic of Armenia” daily newspaper). The authorities of the affected communities, farmers, water users, specialists in charge of implementation of the project, representatives of consultant and specialists of the WS PIU were among the participants of the public consultation.

The announcement on holding public discussions on environmental and social issues related to the project was posted in Baghramyan, Norakert and Sasunik communities. Although there was no special public discussion held in Sasunik, the announcement about public discussions in Baghramyan and Norakert was posted in Sasunik community as well so as the people eager to participate would be aware of the time and venue (these are nearby communities).

During the discussions the participants were informed about purposes and objectives of the project. The information on the proposed design solutions, as well as phases and terms for project implementation was also provided to the participants. The general description of the works carried out in the scope of Irrigation System Enhancement Project, the details of the suggested construction works, possible negative influences, foreseen mitigation measures, the importance of the project works for the population, expected results and other questions were presented and discussed during the consultation as well. The participants were interested in all the details, including but not limited to the following: work schedule, total budget, likelihood of interference of the construction works with the irrigation work of farmers, etc.

The aim of the public consultation meetings was the discussion of environmental and social issues related to with the construction of the gravity system. For that purpose, the initial environmental and social impact assessment report was presented, which was developed to assess possible environmental and social impact due to project implementation. The participants were also informed about environmental and mitigating measures suggested in the reports for prevention and reduction of possible impacts. Clarifications were given on the Environmental Impact Expertise (EIE).

Numerous questions were asked and proposals were made by the water users during the public consultation meetings. The questions and issues raised by water users during these meetings included the following:

Water supply availability, duration and interruptions;

Irrigation water losses;

Rehabilitation of the on-farm irrigation network;

Replacement of soil ditches with half-pipes.

Answers and clarifications were given to all questions of the participants.

61

Questions and suggestions, opinions and comments presented during the discussions were recorded, for the purpose to be taken consideration in the future, if possible.

In general all participants approved this component of the ISEP. The details are presented in the Minutes (including photos) on public consultation meetings, which are presented in the Appendix F.

The present ESIA report will be disclosed through the website of the WSPIU after being approved by the WB. Public consultations will be hеld to discuss the details of the environmental and social impacts, to know and include the opinions of representatives of communities, NGOs in the report.

After getting clearance of this ESIA report from the World Bank, another round of public consultations will be organized on the disclosure of the ESIA report. Representatives of all communities will be invited (including Sasunik). The public consultation will be organized in accordance with the World Bank procedures and policies, as well as the requirements of the Armenian legislation, keeping in mind the required timeline for publication, organization of public consultation meeting, discussions and obtaining comments. The updated ESIA report with the minutes of the public consultation and photos will again be sent to the WB for final approval. After receiving final approval the ESIA report will be posted in the PIU website in Armenian and English languages.

62

11 Environmental and Social Clauses for Civil Works’ Contracts

The majority of impacts expected to occur during the construction will be mitigated by confirming appropriate provisions in the contracts of construction works. These provisions are presented in Appendices.

ESIA will be included in the official documents of civil works and constitute an integral part of works contracts. Monitoring of environmental and social performance of works contractor will be part of the ToR of the technical supervision company hired by PIU.

In case of damage to the environment due to failure to observe requirements of ESMP (in particular, damage to the topsoil, covering the area with rubbish and construction waste etc.) and the national legislation of the RA, penalties will be applied according to the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia, Code of Administrative Violations, and Republic of Armenia law “On Compensation payments for damages to flora and fauna due to environmental offences".

Thus, the clauses 281-298 of Section 10 (“Crimes against the environmental safety”) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia refer to the preservation of water and soil, atmospheric air, fish stocks, and other natural resources and establish punitive sanctions for damaging the environment. Articles 42-95 of the Code on Administrative Infringements cover violations of sanitary-hygienic rules and damage to the natural wealth of the State represented by mineral resources, water, forests, flora and fauna. Finally, the Law on “Tariffs for the damage caused to fauna and flora as a consequence of environmental violations” determines specific rates of compensation. Particularly clauses 6, 7, 8 of chapter 3 of the Law define the calculation of the amount of compensation, as well as procedures for collection of compensation.

Size of penalties, fines and compensations due to the above-mentioned regulations are periodically revised and increased, and thus provide sufficient disincentive for the companies not to violate the requirements of the ESMP.

All mentioned law and regulations will be fully applied to the physical works undertaken by Contractors for construction of Baghramyan-Norakert gravity irrigation system. As the present ESIA and ESMP have undergone an expert environmental examination and are provided to the local natural protection State inspectorate bodies, which are in charge of supervision of the above-mentioned measures. If any violation is revealed, they form an appropriate administrative violation act, indicating the violated law item and the corresponding penalty.

63

Appendices

Appendix A. Environmental and Social Management Plan. Mitigation measures

Potential Negative Impact

Mitigation Measures Responsible Institution

Timing of Mitigation Measures

Supervising

Institution

Cost of Mitigation Measure

Construction phase

Damage to the fertile

layer of soil

- Remove topsoil prior to commencement of earth work

and store it separately for the use at reinstatement stage;

- Disallow unregulated movement of construction vehicles

across the earth surface. Allow movement only along

existing or designated temporary roads;

-After the completion of works,

clean up the area, level the surface, and spread over the

topsoil

Contactor Upon

commencement

and throughout

earth works

PIU through

supervision

consultant

Included in the

general cost

estimate,

estimated at 8

mil. AMD

Landscape degradation

and erosion

- Use of existing mines, waste disposal sites

- No quarries are operated without having a valid license

obtained (unless material is purchased from a vendor);

- Sections of quarries reinstated upon completion of

extraction.

- Elaboration of erosion control measures, including

measure to protect inclinations on the slope areas where

water lines are laid: ramping, planting shrubs

Contractor

During borrowing PIU through

supervision

consultant

Included in the

general cost

estimate

64




Supervising

Institution


Impact on biodiversity

- Minimize impacts on plants by planning and undertaking

bulk of earth works beyond the active period of vegetation;

- Limit disruption of habitats by confining construction

activities to the narrow corridor along the pipeline

alignment. Disallow movement of vehicles/machinery, and

placement of construction materials/waste carelessly over

an excessively broad area around the project site;

- Strictly control clearance of vegetation along the pipeline

alignment to prevent impacts beyond the designated

corridor.

Contractor

Upon

commencement

of works and

during earth

works

PIU through

supervision

consultant

Included in the

general cost

estimate

Cleaning and removal

of shrubs and

vegetation along the

pipeline route

- Border the areas to be cleaned of vegetations and

coordinate it with supervision consultant

- Keep accurate record of removed bushes.

Contractor

Supervision

consultant

Before, during,

and after tree

clearing

PIU Included in the

general cost

estimate

Operation of

construction camps

- Select vegetation free areas for construction camps.

- Locate construction camps exclusively on community lands

for which permission has been previously obtained.

- Provide water supply and sanitation for construction camps

and maintain these systems in good technical condition at

all times.

- Provide construction camps with trash bins and make

arragements for out-transportation of waste on regular

basis

- Disallow open burning of waste by construction workers.

Contractor Before and

throughout the

construction

PIU through

supervision

consultant

Included in the

general cost

estimate

65




Supervising

Institution


Generation of

construction and

household waste

- Provide temporary location of waste in the most

environmentally acceptable locations and remove as

prescribed by the legislation of RA

- Agree with local municipalities on the arrangements for

location of household and construction waste

- Removal of hazardous substances strictly following terms of

agreement, coordinated with the relevant institutions

- Disallow open air burning of any type of waste

- Consider recycling of waste to be extent possible

- Obtain construction materials (inert material, concrete)

from the licensed suppliers or use existing mines to avoid

generation of waste

Contactor,

Armavir

Marzpetaran,

Local authorities

Throughout

construction

works

PIU through

supervision

consultant

Included in the

general cost

estimate

Leakage of lubricants

and other oil

materials

-Leakage prevention control measures, - Proper storage of hazardous material such as oil, lubricants, fuel, and keeping at a special designed confined locations; handing over used oils to specialized service provider - Fueling technical means on fuel stations to avoid leakages

Contractor During the construction works

PIU Running costs

http://www.multitran.ru/c/m.exe?t=2168243_1_2&s1=%E7%E0%EF%F0%E0%E2%EA%E0%20%F2%EE%EF%EB%E8%E2%EE%EC

66




Supervising

Institution


Air pollution with

machinery exhausts

and construction dust

- Keep vehicle and machinery fleet in adequate technical

condition to avoid excessive exhaust;

- Avoid idling of engines;

- Always cover trucks loaded with construction material and

waste;

- Sprinkle construction site in dry weather and while

conducting of works that generate large volumes of dust.

Contactor During the

construction

works

PIU through

supervision

consultant

Included in the

general cost

estimate

Disruption of traffic

due to movement of

construction vehicles

and machinery

- Organize movement of construction vehicles and

machinery by designating entrances and exits to and from

the construction sites, defining passages and temporary

roads, parking lots, and establishing time-bound schedule as

necessary.

- Install warning signs and traffic regulation signs in the

sections of roаds where interference with local traffic is

likely. Deploy flagmen as necessary


construction

works

PIU through

supervision

consultant

Included in the

general cost

estimate

Nuisance to local

communities from

construction noise

- Keep vehicle and machinery fleet in adequate technical

condition to avoid excessive noise;

- Establish and enforce limited working hours in the

locations closest to settlements, and during the period of

excessively noisy works;

- Establish and operate a viable grievance system for the use

by project affected people.

Contactor,

Supervision

consultant

During the

construction

works

PIU Included in the

general cost

estimate

67




Supervising

Institution


Environmental and

social impacts

expected from the

development of

construction materials

(if the Contractor will

use its own quarry to

get the construction

materials required by

the project)

Ensuring the fulfillment of the legal requirements set forth to the mining industry. Implementation of dust removal measures. Regular noise measurements within the working areas, rotational operation of heavy equipment Fulfillment of wastewater disposal norms. Maintaining the specified requirements during handling fuel and lubricants. Maintaining the requirements set forth to fertile layer. Implementation of quarry closing program.

Contractor,

Technical

Supervisor

At the construction stage and in future, during the entire duration of quarry operation.

PIU,

correspondin

g

departments

of the

Ministry of

Nature

Protection

and the

Ministry of

Energy and

Natural

Resources of

the RA

Amounts

provided for

construction (if

the Contractor

plans to

develop a

quarry,

corresponding

costs shall be

included into his

price

quotation).

Temporary land use

for construction works

- Do not enter private or community owned land plots

unless written consent on the terms of the use of this land is

available;

- Sign rent/land use agreements, compensate for damages,

do a detailed screening before construction to ensure that

no assets, trees, crops, structures, etc. will be damaged;

- Ensure effective and meaningful information of

communities and land owners on the duration and nature of

works in their plots;

- Restore work sites to their quasi-original condition to the

extent permitted by the nature of interventions.

Contractor,

Supervision

consultant

Before the

beginning of the

construction

works

PIU

Armavir

Marzpetaran

, Local

authorities

Included in the

general cost

estimate

68




Supervising

Institution


Work site accidents

due to violation of

health and safety

rules

- Provide personnel and workers with uniforms and

adequate personal protection gear;

- Ensure use of protective gear at work sites in an instructed

way;

- Ensure that workers operating special machinery have got

relevant training, hold respective licenses, and are insured

- Keep first aid medical kits and contact information for local

emergency service at designated and well accessible

locations.


construction

works

PIU through

supervision

consultant

Included in the

general cost

estimate

Temporary

community land use

for establishment of

construction camps

Acquire community agreement on temporary use of

community lands for construction camps;

Installation of construction camps as far as possible from

the inhabited areas.

Construction

company

During

construction

activities

WSPIU Regular costs

for

construction

activities

Potential exclusion of

women from

temporary job

opportunities

created by the

Project

Contractor to promote gender-sensitive job opportunities

related to construction, including catering and cleaning.

Construction

company

During

construction

activities

WSPIU,

Community

Administratio

n

Regular costs

for

construction

activities

Temporary

alienation of

property or

productive assets,

including peoples’

access to such assets

Develop such technical approaches and solutions to the

construction of the gravity scheme which, to the extent

possible, allow implementation of construction works

without demolition and dislocation of private and

community properties. Any alienation of property,

permanent or temporary, will be in compliance with WB

Designer In the course of design

Client,

Consultant

Part of the

Contract cost

69




Supervising

Institution


that appear within

the alienation zone

that hinder

construction works

OP4.12, the RPF and a RAP. No private land use will be

allowed for temporary construction camps.

Possible interruption

of irrigation water

supply

The construction activities, which might hinder irrigation

water supply to the affected communities through existing

irrigation schemes, should be postponed to non-irrigation

season.

Construction

company

During irrigation season

WSPIU,

Community

Administratio

n, supervision

consultant

Regular costs

for

construction

activities

Lack of access to or

inconvenience for

people to get to their

homes, fields, assets

caused by

construction camps

and machinery

location or

construction activities

Alternative access to private property or other

infrastructure should be provided to the community.

Construction

company

During construction activities

WSPIU,

Community

Administratio

n

Regular costs

for

construction

activities

Operation phase

Flooding due to poor

maintenance of

hydraulic structures

Maintain hydraulic structures on regular basis to prevent

overflow, flooding, and erosion.

Water Supply

Agency (WSA),

WUA

Throughout

operation of the

scheme

State

Committee

of Water

Economy

(SCWE)

State Budget

70




Supervising

Institution


Pollution and damage

of agricultural fields

due to accidents

leading to

deterioration of

irrigation water

quality

Promptly notify MoNP on the noticed signs of water quality

deterioration and abstain from water use until laboratory

tests prove safety of water use.

WSA,

WUA

Throughout

operation of the

scheme

MoNP

EIMC

State budget

Increased use of

pesticides leading to

pollution of

agricultural fields and

crops in the

Baghramyan-Norakert

scheme command

area

Promotion of good pest and pesticide management

practices

Communities,

Relevant territorial

bodies of Ministry

of Agriculture

Throughout

operation of the

scheme

Amelioration

LLC

State budget

Proceeds of the

CARMAC-2

Project

Water use

competition for

among communities

fed from the same

canal

The communities fed from Arzni-Shamiram canal will not

face the challenge of water competition as both Storin

Hrazdan canal, the source for mechanical water supply to

Baghramyan and Norakert communities, and Arzni-

Shamiram canal are fed from the same source – Hrazdan

River. As no new water intake is anticipated there will be no

water competition among the communities. The same

amount of water required for mechanical supply of

Baghramyan and Norakert communities will be directed to

Tkahan canal through an existing pipeline from Arzni –

Shamiram for the gravity scheme intake.

Water Supply

Agency (WSA),

WUA

Throughout

operation of the

scheme

State

Committee

of Water

Economy

(SCWE)

State Budget

72

Appendix B. Monitoring Plan

This monitoring plan will be used to determine compliance with the Environmental Management Plan (Appendix A).

Mitigation measures Monitoring Indicators Time / Frequency of

Monitoring Monitoring

Methods

Monitoring

organization

Construction phase

Soil excavated from trenches is piled in the areas

comparably smooth and free of vegetation, and

used for backfilling after pipe laying

Visual appearance of earth work sites During earth works Visual inspection

PIU through

Supervisor,

Armavir marzpetaran

Construction vehicles move along the existing local

roads or temporary access roads, not passing

through earth surface in an unregulated manner

Visual appearance of earth surface in

and around construction sites

Throughout

construction period

Visual inspection PIU through

Supervisor,

Armavir marzpetaran

No quarries are operated without Contractor

holding a valid license (unless material is purchased

from a vendor), and sections of quarries reinstated

upon completion of extraction

Presence of licenses,

Inspection of quarries

During extraction Verification of

licenses,

Checking compliance

with license

conditions,

Visual inspection of

quarry sites

PIU through

Supervisor,

State Environmental

Inspectօrate under the

Ministry of Nature

Protection of RA.

Excess soil is used for leveling the existing earth

road and/or disposed in another location agreed

upon with the local government

Visual appearance of spoil disposal

sites,

Agreement documents

During and after

completion of earth

works

Visual inspection

PIU through

Supervisor,

Armavir marzpetaran

73



Methods

Monitoring

organization

On-site management of construction materials and

waste

Construction materials and waste

are stored in especially designated

locations within work sites,

No excessive amounts of

construction waste are accumulated

on-site

Throughout

construction works

Visual inspection PIU through Supervisor

The lubricants and other oil products are properly

stored and kept at a special designed confined

location or are handed over to specialized service

provider

Visual inspection of conditions at

construction site and adjacent area,

Hand-over documents

Throughout

construction works

once a month


Supervisor, Ministry of

Nature Protection,

Ministry of Health

Covered trucks are used for transporting

construction materials and waste

Condition of trucks Entire construction

period

Visual inspection

along transportation

routes

PIU through

Supervisor, Traffic

Inspectorate

Dust control through sprinkling of work sites. Conditions at work sites During the

construction in dry

weather


Supervisor

Vehicles are in adequate technical condition and

equipped with mufflers

Technical conditions of vehicles Daily Sound level meter PIU through

Supervisor, Ministry of

Nature Protection,

Ministry of Health

Signing of servitude agreements with communities

/ local authorities for the lands to be temporarily

used for construction purposes.

Availability of servitude agreements

at Ashtarak WUA

Prior to Contractor’s

mobilization to work

sites

Document review PIU through Supervisor,

“Ashtarak” WUA,

State Committee of

Water Economy (SCWE)

74



Methods

Monitoring

organization

Verification of the availability of gender-sensitive

employment opportunities by the contractor

Availability of temporary

employment opportunities for both

female and male community

members

During construction

time

Checking the

contractor’s

monthly/quarterly

reports

PIU and supervisor of

the PIU

Observing of workers’ health and safety standards Workers equipped with and use

personal safety gear,

Personnel operating complex

machinery has received adequate

training,

Work sites are supplied with the first

aide medical kits and fire

extinguishing equipment,

No serious work-related accidents

occurred.

Throughout

construction

Visual inspection,

Review of personnel

training records and

licenses held for

operation of

machinery

PIU through Supervisor

Establishment of a viable grievance mechanism for

handling questions and complaints of affected

population

Posters with the name and contact

information of Contractor available

at work sites,

Local communities confirm absence

of complaints, or confirm that they

were able to voice their concerns and

satisfactory action followed.

Throughout

construction

Visual inspection,

Inquiry of local

communities

PIU through

Supervisor,

PIU directly

75



Methods

Monitoring

organization

Work site reinstatement by removal of residual

waste, topsoil backfilling, leveling and landscaping

Construction corridor restored to

quazi-original state;

No residual amounts of construction

materials and waste and no trash

found on site.

Final phase of

construction activity on

site

Visual inspection

PIU through

Supervisor,

PIU directly

Operation phase

Regular maintenance of hydraulic structures and

pipes/canals of the scheme

Hydraulic structures and

pipes/canals of the scheme are in

good operating condition,

No congestion of the scheme and no

flooding of command area occurs

Throughout operation

of the scheme

Visual inspection SCWE

Application of good agricultural practice and use of

adequate irrigation methods

Irrigated fields are protected from

erosion


of the scheme

Visual inspection Ministry of

Agriculture,

Amelioration LLC

Revealing of signs of a dramatic deterioration of

water quality and discontinuing water supply till

water is proven safe for irrigation

No cases of pollution of agricultural

fields and contamination of produce

due to accidental pollution of water

sources


of the scheme

Visual inspection WUA,

MoNP

Conduct of public awareness campaign and

provision of ago-consulting services for safe use of

pesticides and application of IPM system.

Improved irrigation service provision

does not result in damage to soils and

public health due to excessive or

otherwise unsafe use of pesticides


of the scheme

Data on the quality

of soils and

agricultural produce

Ministry of Agriculture

Amelioration LLC

MoNP

76

Appendix C. Incident Report Form

CONSTRUCTION OF BAGHRAMYAN-NORAKERT GRAVITY SYSTEM

1 Date:

2 Gravity System Secton:

3 Location:

4 Construction Contractor:

5 Marz (Region):

6 Water Supply Agency/WUA

7 Incident Type:

8 Severity: � High

� Medium � Low

9 Reported By:

10 Description of Incident Root Cause:

11 Corrective Action Taken:

12 Corrective Action to be Taken:

13 Action Taken to Prevent Recurrence:

14 Corrective Action Carried Out By:

15 Close Out By:

16 Close Out Date:

17 Person Involved:

18 Machine Involved:

19 Contractor/Subcontractor Involved:

20 Third Party Involvement:

21 Photo Reference – Attached:

The photos with appropriate descriptions should be presented as

an Attachment to the Incident Report

For WS PIU use only

Date:

Received by:

Decision/Action made:

77

Appendix D: Monthly Field Environmental Monitoring Checklist

Site location

Name of Contractor

Name of Supervisor

Date of site visit

Status of civil works

Documents and activities to be examined Status

Comments Yes Partially No N/A

Contractor holds license for extraction of natural resources

Contractor holds permit for operating concrete/asphalt plant

Contractor holds agreement for final disposal of waste

Contractor holds agreement with service provider for removal of household waste from site

Work site is fenced and warning signs installed

Works do not impede pedestrian access and motor traffic, or temporary alternative access is provided

Working hours are observed

Construction machinery and equipment is in standard technical condition (no excessive exhaust and noise, no leakage of fuels and lubricants)

78

Construction materials and waste are transported under the covered hood

Construction site is watered in case of excessively dusty works

Contractor’s camp or work base is fenced; sites for temporary storage of waste and for vehicle/equipment servicing are designated

Contractor’s camp is supplied with water and sanitation is provided

Contractor’s camp or work base is equipped with first medical aid and fire fighting kits

Workers wear uniforms and protective gear adequate for technological processes (gloves, helmets, respirators, eye-glasses, etc.)

Servicing and fuelling of vehicles and machinery is undertaken on an impermeable surface in a confined space which can contain operational and emergency spills

Vehicles and machinery are washed away from natural water bodies in the way preventing direct discharge of runoff into the water bodies

Construction waste is being disposed exclusively in the designated locations

Extraction of natural construction material takes place strictly under conditions specified in the license

79

Excess material and topsoil generated from soil excavation are stored separately and used for backfilling / site reinstatement as required

Works taken on hold if chance find encountered and communication made to the State agencies responsible for cultural heritage preservation

Upon completion of physical activity on site, the site and contractor’s camp/base cleared of any remaining left-over from works and harmonized with surrounding landscape

80

Appendix E. List of References

1. Republic of Armenia Law on Environmental Impact Assessment, 2014. http://www.parliament.am

2. Resettlement Policy Framework: Source Document. ESAOC, Yerevan, Armenia, 2008.

3. MCC Guidelines for Environment and Social Assessment, 2006: http://www.mcc.gov/countries/tool's/2006/eligible/english/03e-english-environmental_guidelines.pdf

4. “Baghramyan-Norakert Gravity System, Final Design Documentation”

5. National Statistical Service of the Republic of Armenia. Official web-site of the NSS of the RA: http://www.armstat.am/en/

6. US Department of State, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs. Background Note: Armenia. Official web-site of the US Department of State: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5275.htm

7. Social Snapshot and Poverty in Armenia, 2008. National Statistical Service of Armenia. Official web-site: http://www.armstat.am/en/?nid=80&id=781

8. Official web-site of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia: http://www.parliament.am; Depository of the Armenian legal acts: http://www.arlis.am

9. Official web-site of the Ministry of Nature Protection: http://www.nature-ic.am/ccarmenia/en/?nid=365

10. Official web-site of the Republic of Armenia Government: http://www.gov.am/enversion/ministry_5/ministry.htm

11. Government Decision N: 1026-N, defining technical guidance, procedure, and technical norms for stripping, storage and use of a native topsoil. July 20, 2006, Yerevan.

12. National Atlas of Armenia, Yerevan, 2007.

13. RA Marzes in figures, 2008, Official web-site of the NSS of the RA: http://www.armstat.am/en/

14. SN 245 – 71. Sanitary norms for design of industrial enterprises.

15. “SNiP” (Construction Norms and Rules) 1.02.01-85, Guidelines on composition, development co-ordination and approval procedure of the design cost- estimates on for construction of buildings and other structures.

16. Guidelines on inspection order, coordination and expertise of air protection measures and issuance of permits for approved air pollution in conformity with the design. ОНД – 84 – Н.

17. Temporary manual on methodology for calculation of emissions from the uncontrolled sources of pollution from the buildings materials industry”, (Ministry of Industrial Construction of the USSR, Moscow, 1984).

18. Manual for calculation of emissions of pollutants into atmosphere from various processes: State Committee on Hydrometeorology, Leningrad, 1986.

19. “SniP” (Construction Norms and Rules) 2.04.02-84. Water supply. External net works and constructions.

20. Aggregated norms of water use and wastewater removal for various industrial sectors. Construction publication company (StroyIzdat), Moscow, 1982.

21. “Soviet Armenia” Encyclopaedia, Yerevan 1987

http://www.parliament.am/

http://www.mcc.gov/countries/tool's/2006/eligible/english/03e-english-environmental_guidelines.pdf

http://www.mcc.gov/countries/tool's/2006/eligible/english/03e-english-environmental_guidelines.pdf


http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5275.htm

http://www.parliament.am/

http://www.arlis.am/

http://www.gov.am/enversion/ministry_5/ministry.htm


81

22. “Specially Protected Natural Areas in Armenia”, N. Khanjyan, RA Ministry of Nature Protection, Yerevan, Armenia, 2004.

23. Republic of Armenia Law on Atmospheric Air Protection. http://www.parliament.am/legislation.php?sel=show&ID=2303&lang=eng

24. Public Consultation Plan. ESAOC, Yerevan, Armenia, 2008.

25. The ICID Environmental Checklist to Identify Environmental Effects of Irrigation, Drainage and Flood Control Projects (HR Wallingford, UK; August, 1993).

http://www.parliament.am/legislation.php?sel=show&ID=2303&lang=eng

82

Appendix F. Minutes of Public Consultation meetings

Minutes N 1

Of Public Consultation on the Environmental and Social Aspects of the Construction of Baghramyan-Norakert

Gravity Irrigation System

On December 26, 2014 at 12:00 a public consultation meeting was held in the Village of Baghramyan.

Participants:

Hasmik Aslanyan HGSN, Public relations specialist

Garush Khachatryan HGSN, Hydraulic engineer

Heriknaz Mkrtchyan “Environmental expertise” NGO, Chief specialist

Marine Vardanyan WSPIU, Sociologist

Martiros Nalbandyan WSPIU, Environmental specialist

Babken Shahbazyan Baghramyan community head

Edgar Margaryan Baghramyan community

Araksia Vardanyan Baghramyan community

Ararat Saghatelyan Baghramyan community

Lilit Karapetyan Baghramyan community

Marine Margaryan Baghramyan community

Murad Muradyan Baghramyan community

Sona Petrosyan Baghramyan community

Lusik Najaryan Baghramyan community

Arayik Hakobyan Baghramyan community

Smo Smoyan Baghramyan community

Lilit Mkrtchyan Baghramyan community

Edvard Avetisyan Baghramyan community

Vache Ispiryan Baghramyan community

The head of the community, the community members, the secretaries of the Village staff, the chief specialists,

the land users, the chief specialist of “Environmental expertise” NGO, the representatives of the consulting

group of “HGSN” LLC, WSPIU specialists 20 persons in total, including 9 women participants were present

during the meeting.

Subject–Public consultations on the construction of gravity irrigation system design documents and its

environmental and social impacts.

SPEECHES:

1. Hasmik Aslanyan, the public relations specialist of HGSN LLC, presented the issue of the public consultations

on the assessment of the environmental and social impacts of the “Construction and Author’s supervision of

Baghramyan-Norakert gravity irrigation system”, as well as the results of environmental investigations.

83

2. H. Mkrtchyan, the chief specialist of “Environmental expertise” NGO, presented the goal of the public

consultations, emphasizing that the expertise works on environmental influence were being carried out at

the moment. According to the RA Law on «Environmental Impact Evaluation and Expertise” the expertise

procedures are subject to public awareness and consultations. The goal of the public consultations is to make

the residents of Baghramyan community aware of the foreseen activities, construction works, the possible

environmental impacts resulted from the works implemented.

Taking into account the low risk of the possible impacts, the NGO accepted a resolution to provide conclusions

for the foreseen activities during the expertise process. We will consider the suggestions and comments on

environmental issues initiated by the residents of Baghramyan community during the discussions in the

design of expertise conclusion.

3. The representative of the consulting group, the hydraulic engineer of HGSN LLC Garush Khachatryan

presented the results of the technical economic survey of the construction preliminary design of Baghramyan-

Norakert gravity irrigation system, the works related to the improvement of the irrigation system, drawings,

schemes. In the schemes, by means of drawings, he showed the existing roads, the existing water conduits,

the selection of the routes for the design system, the pipeline design, the possible irrigating areas serviced

either by the pump station or by gravity, water demand.

4. It has been presented the environmental report during the discussions. Both positive and negative

environmental and social impacts have been discussed during the discussions. The measures for minimizing

the possible harmful impacts have been presented, assuring that the essential negative impacts would occur

during the construction phase, and those would be temporary. Air temporary pollution, dust formation,

pollution resulted by construction and domestic trashes, pollution resulted by fuel and lubricants, noise

impacts are foreseen in the construction phase.

5. Hasmik Aslanyan, the specialist of HGSN LLC, presented the social issues, information concerning the

current situation of the irrigation system among the water users, as well as issues related to the social-

economic surveys carried out for households and the evaluation of the social impact resulted from the project

implementation.

6. The head of Baghramyan community Babken Shahbazyan has mentioned that no environmental problems

would occur during the project implementation, everything would be satisfactory, the waste removal

problems were solved, the agreements were concluded. He demanded to hasten the construction works, as

the lands were fully free, no disturbing circumstances exist.

7. Martiros Nalbandyan, the specialist of WSPIU, mentioned that despite the fact that no visible

problem exists, there is a need to do screening to identify private property so as to conclude relevant

agreements if the private land use is required. The accurate design is very important, in order not to

have disagreements for future during the construction phase.

8. One of the water users Araksya Vardanyan asked if the irrigation water would be sufficient for non-

cultivated arable lands and other lands, which are not cultivated just because of the lack of water resources.

84

Garush Khachatryan answered that he would provide with sufficient irrigation water to all of the arable lands.

The head of community Babken Shahbazyan approved it as well.

9. The specialist of the WSPIU Martiros Nalbandyan asked if the other communities, like the tillers in

Merdzavan community, were also using the water of Tkahan canal. Garush Khachtryan answered that those

communities used also another water systems. Oshakan and Sasunik communities used Tkahan canal up to

the distribution knot of Baghramyan-Norakert gravity irrigation system. After the distribution knot, water

with 150-200 l/sec capacity was remained to be went on and it was possible to supply it to Merdzavan

community.

10. To the question of the specialist of the WSPIU Marine Vardanyan regarding the conflict of interests

between the tillers of other communities, Garush Khachatryan answered that no conflict would occur.

11. The head of Baghramyan community Babken Shahbazyan mentioned that 90% of the lands were not

irrigated at a moment. After the program implementation 50% of the lands would be cultivated, the vineyards

would be rehabilitated. The population would be employed. On behalf of him, the participants and the land

users, he thanked the WSPIU and HGSN LLC, for the implementation of the project in their community.

Environmental expertise NGO, chief specialist Heriknaz Mkrtchyan

HGSN LLC, hydraulic engineer Garush Khachatryan

HGSN LLC, public relations specialist Hasmik Aslanyan

85

Minutes N 2

Of Public Consultation on the Environmental and Social Aspects of the Construction of Baghramyan-Norakert

Gravity Irrigation System

On December 26, 2014 at 14:00 a public consultation meeting was held in the Village of Norakert.

Participants:

Hasmik Aslanyan HGSN, Public relations specialist

Garush Khachatryan HGSN, Hydraulic engineer

Heriknaz Mkrtchyan “Environmental expertise” NGO, Chief specialist

Marine Vardanyan WSPIU, Sociologist

Martiros Nalbandyan WSPIU, Environmental specialist

Karapet Arakelyan Norakert community

Arshak Tashchyan Norakert community

Ashot Dovlatyan Norakert community

Eduard Manukyan Norakert community

Armenak Gapoyan Norakert community

Alisa Hakobyan Norakert community

Lusik Simonyan Norakert community

Ruzanna Sayadyan Norakert community

Vache Dovlatyan Norakert community

Ruzanna Galstyan Norakert community

Khachik Grigoryan Norakert community

Vergine Kolyan Norakert community

Hripsime Mikaelyan Norakert community

Ruzanna Vardanyan Norakert community

Hamest Mirzoyan Norakert community

Manush Mirzoyan Norakert community

Nerses Sayadyan Norakert community

The staff secretary of the Village, the community members, the chief specialists, the land users, the chief

specialist of “Environmental expertise” NGO, the representatives of the consulting group of “HGSN” LLC,

WSPIU specialists, 23 persons in total, including 12 women participants were present during the public

consultation.

Subject – Public conslultations on the construction of gravity irrigation system design documents and its

environmental and social impacts.

SPEECHES:

86

1. Hasmik Aslanyan, the public relations specialist of HGSN LLC, presented the issue of the public –consultation

meeting on the assessment of the environmental and social impacts of “Construction and Author’s

supervision of Baghrayan-Norakert gravity irrigation system”, as well as the results of environmental

investigations.

2. H. Mkrtchyan, the chief specialist of “Environmental expertise” NGO, presented the goal of the public

consultations, emphasizing that at the moment the expertise works on environmental impact were being

carried out. According to the RA Law on«Environmental Impact Evaluation and Expertise” the expertise

procedures are subject to public awareness and discussions. The goal of the public consultations is to make

the residents of Baghramyan community aware of the foreseen activities, construction works, the possible

environmental impacts resulted from the works implemented.

Taking into account the low risk of the possible impacts, the NGO accepted a resolution to provide conclusions

for the foreseen activities during the expertise process. We will consider the suggestions and comments on

environmental issues initiated by the residents of Norakert community during the discussions in the design

of expertise conclusion.

3. The representative of the consulting group, the hydraulic engineer of HGSN LLC Garush Khachatryan

presented the results of the technical economic survey of the construction preliminary design of Baghramyan-

Norakert gravity irrigation system, the works related to the improvement of the irrigation system, drawings,

schemes. In the schemes, by means of drawings, he showed the existing roads, the existing water conduits,

the selection of the routes for the design system, the pipeline design, the possible irrigating areas serviced

either by the pump station or by gravity, water demand. He informed that construction works will commence

in 2015.

4. It has been presented the environmental report during the discussions. Both positive and negative

environmental and social impacts resulted by the project implementation have been discussed during the

consultations. The measures for minimizing the possible harmful impacts have been presented, assuring that

the essential negative impacts would occur during the construction phase and those would be temporary. Air

temporary pollution, dust formation, pollution resulted by construction and domestic trashes, pollution

resulted by fuel and lubricants, noise impacts are foreseen in the construction phase.

5. Hasmik Aslanyan, the specialist of HGSN LLC, presented the social issues, information concerning the

current situation of the irrigation system among the water users, as well as issues related to the social-

economic surveys carried out for households and the evaluation of the social impact resulted from the project

implementation.

6. Marine Vardanyan, the specialist of WSPIU, asked how the distribution of the irrigation water would be

regulated between 2 communities. Garush Khachatryan answered that the regulation would be carried out

with water meters: water supply management of the irrigation system should be implemented.

7. Martiros Nalbandyan, the specialist of WSPIU, asked what administrative area and community the head

office belonged to. Garush Khachatryan answered that it belonged to Baghramyan community as the

agreement has been concluded.

87

8. Ashot Dovlatyan, the chief specialist of Norakert Village, mentioned that the irrigation water problem

should be solved in a way to satisfy water availability to water users.

9. One of the water users of Norakert mentioned that they believe in the project implementation, but the

internal network is deteriorated, the in-field roads were very impassable and unfavorable. There was no way

to approach to the lands.

10. Marine Vardanyan, the specialist of WSPIU, clarified the issue of the improvement of the tertiary network.

She explained that the current project did not include the rehabilitation works of the farm-irrigation network.

Those would be implemented by another project.

11. The staff secretary of Norakert Village welcomed the project implementation. For the rehabilitation of the

internal network he asked to support, get consultancy for applying to the relevant bodies.

The list of the participants is presented in the Appendix.

Environmental expertise NGO, chief specialist Heriknaz Mkrtchyan

HGSN LLC, hydraulic engineer Garush Khachatryan

HGSN LLC, public relations specialist Hasmik Aslanyan

88

Photos of Public Consultation Meetings

The affected community is informed on the potential environmental and social impacts as a result of

planned activities

Baghramyan vil., 26.12.2014

Norakert vil., 26.12.2014

89

Appendix G: Advertisement on Public Consultation Meeting

90

Appendix H. Initial Agreements with Communities

Translation of Agreements:

1. Republic of Armenia, Armavir Marz, Baghramyan rural municipality

06.02.2015

No.12

To: Mr.V. Hovasapyan, Director

HGSN LLC

Dear Mr.Hovasapyan,

The municipality gives its approval on construction of Baghramyan pipeline of Baghramyan-Norakert gravity

irrigation system on community lands according to the route approved by the municipality.

Head of Baghramyan community: B.Shahbazyan

2. Republic of Armenia, Aragatsotn Marz, Sasunik rural municipality

06.02.2015

No.15


HGSN LLC

The Sasunik rural municipality gives its approval on reconstruction of Tkahan canal foreseen under the

design of “Baghramyan-Norakert gravity irrigation system construction”.

Head of Sasunik community: A.Margaryan

91

3. Republic of Armenia, Armavir Marz, Head of Norakert community

06.02.2015

No.10


HGSN LLC

The rural municipality gives its approval for construcion of Norakert pipeline of the Baghramyan-Norakert

gravity irrigation system on the community lands according to the approved alignment. Nevertheless, some

changes in the alignment are acceptable.

Head of community: Sh.Karapetyan

The scanned originals of Agreements is presented below.

IRRIGATION SYSTEMS ENHANCEMENT PROJECT

Documents

Transcript of IRRIGATION SYSTEMS ENHANCEMENT PROJECT