Consulting Services for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) & Land Acquisition Plan (LAP) for the Construction of Bridge at 17th km of Kochua-Betagi-Patuakhali-Lohalia-Kalaya Road (Z8052) (At Pairakunju Ferryghat) Over Paira River; funded by GoB

The bridge length: 1.7Km.

The proposed 1.7Km bridge will be constructed over the Paira River (At Pairakunju Ferryghat) Patuakhali and Mirzaganj upazila under the Patuakhali district. The proposed bridge will give a direct and uninterrupted connection with the Mirzaganj and Betagi upazila and the river will provide connectivity with Pirojpur district and Khulna region with Patuakhali district after the construction of bridge over Kocha River.

The DSCL has engaged by IIFC (hereunder referred to as the Client) to carry out Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) & Land Acquisition Plan (LAP) for the Construction of Bridge at 17th km of Kochua-Betagi-Patuakhali-Lohalia-Kalaya Road (Z8052) (At Pairakunju Ferryghat) Over Paira River.; funded by GoB

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

The scope of services for the EIA includes the followings:

Provide an existing baseline assessment enhanced utilizing current assessment methodology.

Assessing all project components of the proposed area and providing data, results and analysis for the Project Area, Local Study Area and Regional Study Area, including a cumulative effect assessment.

Carry out environmental and social impact assessment identifying the maximum generation capacity capable of being installed that will satisfy the applicable environmental requirements, including the laws and bylaws of Bangladesh and World Bank Group’s health and safety guidelines; Land use / Land cover including ecologically critical area, national parks, forest, orchard, cultural heritage sites. (If any), in the site selected for the power plant.

Identify map unique sites or special features such as Parks and Protected Areas, Heritage Rivers, Historic Sites, Environmentally Significant Areas, culturally significant sites, and other designations.

Meteorological data collection of the site from Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).

Hydrological and morphological data collection from BWDB and BIWTA.

Primary and Secondary Socio-economic data collection.

Water resources and soil salinity data collection from BWDB (Bangladesh Water Development Board) and SRDI (Soil Resources Development Institute).

Agro-ecological zones data collection from AEZ (Agro-Ecological Zones) report.

Agricultural data collection from BBS (Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS)) and DAE (Department of Agriculture Extension).

Collection of Environmental quality data including soil investigation (pH, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Zn), air quality ((Wind speed, Wind Direction, SOx, NOx, Pb, CO, O3, SPM, PM10, PM2.5), water quality (pH, Temperature, Humidity, Turbidity, EC, TDS, ORP, Total Hardness, TSS, Phosphate, DO, BOD, COD) noise level etc. for the selected site; the possible one location of the selected site will be identified as per DoE Guidelines.

Sources of water during construction and operation.

Establish the environmental and social baseline condition in respect of water resources, air quality, noise level, land resources including land use/land cover, agriculture, fisheries, ecosystems, and socio-economic condition.

Conduct public consultation meetings.

Identify the Important Environmental and Social Components (IESC).

Assessment of impacts of the proposed railway track on the environmental and social components.

Preparation of Environmental Management Plan (EMP).

Collection of data on access to port/railway/road/inland water transport channels from Port Authority, Bangladesh Railway, BIWTA and Roads and Highway Department.

Seismic analysis.

Carry out hydrological investigation; evaluate the necessary fuel supplying system and power evacuation facilities required.

Identify the baseline climatic and air quality conditions including:

a)  the type and frequency of meteorological conditions that may result in poor air quality; and

b)  appropriate ambient air quality parameters.

c)    Carry out air quality Modeling.

Identify components of the Project that will affect air quality, and:

a)  describe the potential for reduced air quality (including odors and visibility) resulting from the Project and discuss any implications of the expected air quality for environmental protection and public health.

b)  estimate ground-level concentrations of appropriate air quality parameters.

c)  discuss any expected changes to particulate deposition, nitrogen deposition or acidic deposition patterns.

d)  identify areas that are predicted to exceed Potential Acid Input (PAI) critical loading criteria.

e)  discuss interactive effects that may occur resulting from co-exposure of a receptor to all emissions.

f)   describe air quality impacts resulting from the Project, and their implications for other environmental resources, including habitat diversity and quantity, soil resources, vegetation resources, and water quality.

Identify stages or elements of the Project that are sensitive to changes or variability in climate parameters, including frequency and severity of extreme weather events.  Discuss the impacts on the change to climate parameters may have on elements of the Project that are sensitive to climate parameters.

Identify components of the Project that have the potential to increase noise levels and discuss the implications along with the results of a noise assessment Includes:

a)  potentially affected people and wildlife.

b)  an estimate of the potential for increased noise resulting from the project development; and

c)  the implications of any increased noise levels.

Identify Project components and activities that have the potential to affect groundwater resource quantity and quality at all stages of the Project and carryout water quality modeling;

Identify the nature and significance of the potential Project impacts on groundwater with respect to:

a)  inter-relationship between groundwater and surface water in terms of surface water quantity and quality.

b)  potential implications of seasonal variations; and

c)  groundwater withdrawal for Project operations, including any expected alterations in the groundwater flow regime during and following Project operations.

Describe programs to manage and protect groundwater resources including:

a)  the early detection of potential contamination.

b)  groundwater remediation options if adverse effects are detected; and

c)  monitoring groundwater production or dewatering impacts.

Provide map existing critical or sensitive areas such as spawning, rearing, and over- wintering habitats, seasonal habitat use including migration and spawning routes.

Identify the current and potential use of the fish resources by aboriginal, sport or commercial fisheries.

Describe and quantify the current extent of aquatic habitat fragmentation and carryout baseline aquatic survey. Ability for the developers of the power generation projects to satisfy all national regulatory requirements and international obligations related to health and human safety and the environment in the construction, operation, and maintenance of dual fuel-based projects of the anticipated size at the identified sites.

Ability to dispose efficiently and in a manner that complies with all national regulatory requirements and international obligations related to the disposal generation by the power generation facilities (and the development of a recommended plan for doing so);

Assess and evaluate the ability of each of the projects (and any expansion projects at the site) to comply with all health and safety and environmental laws of Bangladesh. Identify any restriction that should reasonably be imposed on the developers of the power generation projects to ensure that expansion projects can be designed, constructed, and operated in compliance with all such laws, regulations and requirements and international obligations.

Evaluate the impact on environment in line with Bangladesh and/or World Bank requirement for the dual fuel-based power plant and transmission line to ensure that the power generation facilities and transmission facilities can be designed, constructed, and operated in compliance with all applicable environmental requirements.

Provide information regarding is there any adverse environmental impacts during liquid fuel transportation, Storage and usage and find out its mitigation measures.

Describe the socio-economic impacts of construction and operation of the Project, including:

a)  impacts related to:

i)   local training, employment, and business opportunities.

ii)  regional and provincial economic benefits.

iii) housing.

iv) recreational activities.

v)  hunting, fishing, trapping, gathering, and trafficking; and

vi) impacts to traditional land use and social and cultural implications.

b)  impacts of the Project on the availability of affordable housing and the quality of health care services. Provide a summary of any discussions that have taken place with the local municipalities and the local environmental public health office concerning housing availability and health care services respectively.

c)  Identify any impacts expected on primary and secondary highway systems and other regional roads caused by anticipated traffic changes.

d)  the impact on local and regional infrastructure and community services, including consideration of municipal “hard services”, education/training services, social services, urban and regional recreation services, law enforcement and emergency services; and

e)  Describe municipal growth pressures as they relate to the Project and the need for additional Crown land to meet these needs.

Assist the Client in coordination and liaison with the DOE to organize presentation and facilitate the process of EIA approval and thereby issuance of Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC).

Land Acquisition plan (LAP)

The scope of services for the LAP includes the followings:

·        Preparation of land acquisition plan for the land area to be affected by the Paira bridge construction Project.

·        Collection of all relevant Mouza Maps, all Parchas/Khatians, and must prepare a list of the affected land losers following the class of land consulting the latest published land records/holdings if any.

·        Ground verification of potential areas for the development of Paira bridge and gather basic information useful for decision making.

·        Identification of landowners of areas of interest and facilitate initial inductions.

·        Collection of ownership documents from landowners and concerned Government agencies and perform initial review/verification of such documents.

·        Prepare field reports, document review handlings and list of issues and concerns for Project Director’s reference, guidance, and location.

·        Assist in the negotiation of land leases, purchases, and other land related contracts and/or agreements.

·        Assist in processing required documentation for the curing of land leases/purchase contracts and other land related agreements.

·        Assist in the gathering of documents and data related to land permits; Assist the team during field inspections by government agencies’ contractors and other clients.

·        Perform various coordination among the LA team and/or the Project Development team including landowners, Paira Project Personnel, and local stakeholders.

·        Collection of NOCs from respective local authority.

·        Document’s collection and filling up “Umo & Cha” form at AC (Land) office.

·        Conducting Consultation meeting and FGD.

·        Video filming of the Row and still Photography (including editing & DVD writing).

·        RTK Equipment’s for Geodetic Controlling Point (GCP)collection.

·        Preparation of Plot Schedule for LAP.

·        Process data and prepare digital maps of land to be acquired by the project.

·        Verification of record of rights of the affected persons.

·        Reconcile data of the proposed project footprint as per the design adopted for the bridge project.

·        Separate out all private lands under project right of way and prepare LAP for the land required under the Project.

·        The activities include field survey, data collection and consultation, desk review, planning, establishment of databases, preparation of LAPs and reports, finalization of LAPs and reports with comments.

·        Submit the LAP liaising with the Deputy Commissioner’s office in acceptable format.

Resettlement Action Plan (RAP)

The objective of the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) study is to develop a Resettlement Action Plan (RP) for the Project Affected People (PAP). RAP should be based on 100% census which covers a complete enumeration of all Project Affected People (PAPs), their affected assets and income restoration program etc. The study will reflect the existing socioeconomic profiles of the PAPs through identification of the baseline social dimensions of the people and formulate plans to restore the quality of life after implementation of the project. The study will develop database for current situation and record of the probable impacts of the intervention as perceived by the people themselves. The study will also identify all the possible impacts of a proposed project in advance so that the required actions could be started well before the implementation begins. The following broad items of work will be included in the SIA: Land acquisition survey; Census; Baseline socio-economic survey; and Propose compensation and budget for implementation of the RP.