gpl00-asp-642-y-tae-0009 00--scoping report for tap greece ... · table 6-2 potential socioeconomic...

Scoping Report for the ESIA (Environmental and Social Impact Assessment) TAP Greece - East Section

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Project Title: Trans Adriatic Pipeline – TAP Document Title: Scoping Report for TAP Greece East

GPL00-ASP-642-Y-TAE-0009 Rev.: 00

Table of Contents

0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 11

0.1 Introduction 11 0.2 Purpose of this Report 13 0.3 Project Description 16 0.3.1 Overview of TAP Greece East 16 0.4 Baseline Conditions 18 0.5 Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures 22 0.6 Terms of Reference for ESIA 23 0.7 Stakeholder Engagement 24 0.8 Public Comments and Suggestions 25

1 INTRODUCTION 26

1.1 Overview of the Project 26 1.2 The Project’s Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)

Process 30 1.2.1 Introduction 30 1.2.2 Approach to Scoping 32 1.3 Scoping Report Structure 34

2 REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES 36

2.1 Greek and European Legal Framework for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) 36

2.1.1 Introduction 36 2.1.2 ESIA 37 2.2 EBRD Performance Requirements on Environmental and Social Impact

Assessment 39 2.3 ESIA related International Conventions/Agreements 44

3 ALTERNATIVES ASSESSMENT 45

3.1 Introduction 45 3.2 Methodology of Alternative Assessment Process 45 3.3 Findings of the Alternatives Assessment 46 3.3.1 Route Corridors 46 3.3.2 Compressor Stations 50

4 PROJECT DESCRIPTION 55

4.1 Introduction 55 4.1.1 General Description of TAP East 55 4.1.2 Safety 56

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4.2 Pipeline 56 4.2.1 Introduction 56 4.2.2 Pipeline Construction 57 4.2.3 Pre – Commissioning 61 4.2.4 Operation 62 4.2.5 Decommissioning 62

5 BASELINE CONDITIONS 63

5.1 Introduction 63 5.2 Environment 63 5.2.1 Climatic Conditions 63 5.2.2 Geography 65 5.2.3 Geology 66 5.2.4 Vegetation and Flora 68 5.2.5 Fauna 71 5.2.6 Protected Areas 72 5.2.7 Landscape 80 5.3 Socioeconomic 81 5.3.1 Introduction 81 5.3.2 Socio-economic Context 81 5.4 Cultural Heritage 84

6 POTENTIAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES 87

6.1 Introduction 87 6.2 Pipeline 89 6.2.1 Construction 89 6.2.2 Operation and Decommissioning 99 6.3 Main Findings of Preliminary Assessment 103

7 TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR ESIA 104

7.1 Introduction 104 7.2 ESIA Objectives 104 7.3 ESIA Steps 105 7.4 Specialist Studies 105 7.4.1 Desktop Studies 105 7.4.2 Field Studies 105 7.5 Stakeholder Engagement 106 7.5.1 Main ESIA Consultation Phase 106 7.5.2 Integrated ESIA Disclosure 107 7.6 Structure of the ESIA Report 107 7.7 Provisional Scoping and ESIA Schedule 109

8 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT 110

8.1 Introduction 110

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8.2 Stakeholder Engagement Phases for TAP Project 111 8.2.1 Overview 111 8.2.2 Route Verification Consultation 113 8.3 Scoping Disclosure Phase Stakeholder Engagement 114 8.3.1 Objectives 114 8.3.2 Stakeholder Engagement Activities 116 8.4 Grievance Mechanism 119

Attachement 01 121

APPENDIX 1 – Maps 121

APPENDIX 2 – Comments Form 122

APPENDIX 3 – Stakeholders List 124

APPENDIX 4 – Data Collection Meetings 131

APPENDIX 5 – ESIA Action Plan 143

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List of Tables Table 0-1 Main Rivers crossed. 20 Table 0-2 ESIA and Stakeholder Consultation Schedule. 24 Table 1-1: Summary of the ESIA Process for TAP East 32 Table 2-1 Greek Legal Framework on Environmental Impact Assessment. 37 Table 2-2 EBRD Performance Requirements. 40 Table 2-3: International Conventions and Agreements Signed/Ratified by Greece in Relation to

the ESIA Process 44 Table 3-1: Compressor Station Location near Kipoi (GCS00) Alternatives Assessment 51 Table 3-2: Compressor Station Location near Serres (GCS01) Alternatives Assessment. 52 Table 5-1 Temperature data. 64 Table 5-2 Rainfall data. 64 Table 5-3 Cloud cover data. 65 Table 5-4 Wind data. 65 Table 6-1 Potential Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures Related to Pipeline

Construction and Pre-Commissioning. 89 Table 6-2 Potential Socioeconomic Impacts and Mitigation Measures related to Pipeline

Construction and Pre-Commissioning. 94 Table 6-3 Potential Cultural Heritage Impacts and Mitigation Measures related to Pipeline

Construction and Pre-Commissioning. 98 Table 6-4 Potential Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures related to Pipeline Operation

and Decommissioning. 99 Table 6-5 Potential Socioeconomic Impacts and Mitigation Measures related to Pipeline

Operation and Decommissioning 100 Table 6-6 Potential Cultural Heritage Impacts and Mitigation Measures related to Pipeline

Operation and Decommissioning. 102 Table 7-1 Tentative ESIA Report Structure. 108 Table 7-2: ESIA and Stakeholder Consultation Schedule for TAP Greece 109 Table 8-1 ESIA Stakeholder Engagement Phases. 113 Table 8-2 Key Stakeholder Groups for Scoping Disclosure Phase Engagement. 114 Table 8-3 Scoping Disclosure Meetings. 117

List of Figures Figure 0-1 TAP Overview 11 Figure 0-2 TAP Greece East. 15 Figure 1-1 TAP Overview. 26 Figure 1-2 TAP Greece East. 29 Figure 1-3: Schematic of the ESIA Process . 31 Figure 3-1 Alternative Corridors ALT 1 and ALT 2. 48 Figure 3-2 Alternative Corridor ALT 3. 49 Figure 3-3 Alternative Corridor ALT 4 50 Figure 3-4 GCS00 Alternative Sites. 53 Figure 3-5 GCS01 Alternative Sites. 54 Figure 4-1: Regular Working Strip 58 Figure 4-2 Compressor Station - Typical Layout. 60 Figure 5-1 Typical irrigated lands along TAP Greece East corridor and the existing pipeline. 83

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Acronyms BCM Billion Cubic Meters BV(S) Block Valve (Station) CBO Community Based Organization CS Compressor Station DESFA Hellenic Gas Transmission System Operator EBRD European Bank for Reconstruction and Development ENT E.ON New Build & Technology GmbH ESIA Environmental and Social Impact Assessment ESMP Environmental and Social Management Plan EU European Union GIS Geographic Information System GPS Global Positioning System HDD Horizontial Directional Drilling HSE Health, Safety and Environment ICH Intangible Cultural Heritage IGME Institute of Geology and Mineral Exploration IFC International Finance Cooperation JMD Joint Ministerial Decision LEA Land Easment and Acquisition m.a.s.l. Meter Above Sea Level MEECC Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change NGO Nongovernmental Organisations OECD Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development PD Presidential Decree PDER Preliminary Determination of Environmental Requirments PEIA Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment PR Performance Principles RoW Right of Way SCI Site of Community Interest SEA Special Environmental Authority SPA Special Protection Area TAP Trans Adriatic Pipeline VIPE Industrial Area WB World Bank WFD European Water Framewrok Directive

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Glossary Block Valve: Valve for isolating the pipeline into distinct sections. Block Valve Stations are the

first line of protection for pipelines. With these valves the operator can isolate any segment of the line for maintenance work or isolate a rupture or leak. In the TAP Project, block valve stations are located approximately every 24 km and occupy an area of approximately 600 m²

Bundling Principle: It is common practice to bundle new linear infrastructure (such as pipelines) with

existing linear infrastructure, to the extent possible. The aim is to reduce environmental and social impacts and impacts on cultural heritage by minimizing the area where land use restrictions needs to be applied and by avoiding fragmentation of land uses and habitats.

Centreline A line that divides something into two equal parts. Currently, all centrelines

mentioned in the document are preliminary. Cleaning pigs: Pigs are used to perform various maintenance operations on a pipeline such as

remove dust or fluids and drying. This can be done without stopping the flow of the product in the pipeline. The pig is inserted into a 'pig launcher' (or 'launching station') - a funnel shaped Y section in the pipeline. The launcher / launching station is then closed and the pressure driven flow of the product in the pipeline is used to push it along down the pipe until it reaches the receiving trap - the 'pig catcher' (or receiving station). There are several types depending on the device built-in to perform the cleaning tasks: Foam or Brush pigs. The pipe cleaning process by means of pigs is usually known as pigging or swabbing.

Code of Conduct: Code designed by TAP that provides a broad range of guidelines for proper

business conduct and for preserving integrity. Commissioning Phase:

Is the process of assuring that all systems and components of a building or industrial plant are designed, installed, tested, operated, and maintained according to the operational requirements of the owner or final client

Compressor Station A Compressor Station (CS) is a facility which helps the transportation of natural

gas from one location to another, by maintaining or increasing pressure. A compressor station mainly includes facilities for gas treatment (filter separators), metering, compression and cooling.

De-commissioning Phase:

Is the demolition process of project structures and buildings and the reinstatement of the area affected by the project.

Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA):

An analytical process with the aim of identifying, describing and assessing in an appropriate manner the direct and indirect effects of a project on: (a) human beings, fauna and flora; (b) soil, water, air, climate and the landscape; (c) material assets and the cultural heritage; and (d) the interaction between the above mentioned factors. The purpose of the assessment is to ensure that decision makers consider the ensuing environmental and social impacts when deciding whether to proceed with a project. Its objectives include: (i) to help decide if the impacts are acceptable; (ii) to design/ implement appropriate monitoring, mitigation and management measures, (iii) propose acceptable alternatives; and (iv) present the findings in a comprehensive report.

Forest Gallery Forest gallery is a forest formation in corridor shape and is present into

landscapes that otherwise have spars tree coverage, such as grasslands or agricultural areas, or along rivers and wetlands.

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Gauge plate: Gauge plate is a special tool of carbon steel, manufactured to exact dimensions,

installed in the PIGs to clean and monitor the internal pipeline. Grievance Mechanism:

TAP mechanism to address stakeholder concerns promptly and effectively, using an understandable and transparent process that is culturally appropriate and readily accessible to all segments of the affected parties, at no cost and without retribution.

Horizontal directional drilling (HDD):

Directional boring, commonly called horizontal directional drilling or HDD, is a steerable trenchless method of installing underground pipes, conduits and cables in a shallow arc along a prescribed bore path by using a surface launched drilling rig, with minimal impact on the surrounding area. The drilling rig is formed by a continuous string of steel drilling rod. Directional boring is used when trenching or excavating is not practical. It is suitable for a variety of soil conditions and jobs including road, landscape and river crossings. Installation lengths up to 6,500’ (2,000m) have been completed, and diameters up to 56" (1,200mm) have been installed in shorter runs. Pipes can be made of materials such as PVC, polyethylene, polypropylene, ductile iron, and steel if the pipes can be pulled through the drilled hole. Directional boring is not practical if there are voids in the rock or incomplete layers of rock. The best material is solid rock or sedimentary material. Soils with cobble stone are not recommended.

Hydraulic excavators:

Hydraulic excavators are high-performance excavators especially useful for work areas that are more confined and less amenable to conventional equipment. They are used in applications ranging from the construction of roads and pipelines to mining and the excavation of rocks containing diamonds and gold. All movement and functions of a hydraulic excavator are accomplished through the use of hydraulic fluid (usually oil), with hydraulic cylinders and hydraulic motors (in comparison to cable-operated excavators)

Hydro-testing: Hydrotesting (or hydrostatic testing) is the most common method for testing the

integrity of the pipeline and checking for any potential leaks (e.g. from faulty welds or cracked pipe work) prior to commissioning. The test involves placing water inside the pipeline at a certain pressure to check that the pipeline is not damaged and will not leak during operation.

Jack and bore Jack and Bore (J&B) is a method for installing a pipe. It is a multi-stage process

consisting of constructing a temporary horizontal jacking platform and a starting alignment track in an entrance pit at a desired elevation. The pipe is then jacked by manual control along the starting alignment track with simultaneous excavation of the soil being accomplished by a rotating cutting head in the leading edge of the product’s annular space. The ground up soil (spoil) is transported back to the entrance pit by helical wound auger flights rotating inside the pipe. J&B typically provides limited tracking and steering as well as limited support to the excavation face.

masl: Metres Above Sea Level, in contrast to m AGL which applies to metres above

groundwater level. Micro-tunnelling: Micro-tunneling is a digging technique used to construct small tunnels by means

of a microtunnel boring machine (MTBM) operated remotely. In most microtunneling operations the pipe is inserted from the entry and pushed behind the machine. This is a process often called ‘pipe jacking’. As the machine advances, more tunnel liner is pushed from the entrance. Thus, the speed of the advancing machine is controlled by the speed at which the pipe is inserted into the entrance. In order to minimize friction generated around the pipe, over-cutting is used to give a slight gap between the inner edge of the tunnel and the outer

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edge of the liner together with the injection of a drilling fluid, often bentonite slurry. Non-destructive methods (NDT):

Non-destructive testing (NDT) is a wide group of analysis techniques used in science and industry to evaluate the properties of a material, component or system without causing damage to it. NDT does not permanently alter the article being inspected. Common NDT methods include ultrasonic, magnetic particle, liquid penetrant, radiographic, and eddy-current testing.

Natura 2000: Ecological network of protected areas in the territory of the European Union. Pig: Pipeline Inspection Gauge (PIG) is a piece of equipment that is sent down a

pipeline and propelled by the pressure of air or the product in the pipeline itself, used for Internal cleaning of pipelines and monitoring the condition of pipelines.

Pipestack: Pipestack is a set of pipes that are piled up or stacked together. A pipestack

becomes “one unit” where the round pipes are transformed into one solid block that can be easily picked up and moved with the help of a forklift or other lifting machine, avoiding moving each pipe one by one, improving maneuverability and reducing the space needed for storage.

Pipeyard: The area used for the temporary storage of pipes prior to spread. Public Participation: It involves the activity of members of the public working in partnership with public

authorities to reach an optimal result in decision-making and policy-making. Right of Way (RoW): A narrow, un-obstructed strip or corridor of land of a specific width directly above

the pipeline and around the supporting facilities, where some of the property owner's legal rights have been granted to a pipeline company. A right-of-way agreement between the pipeline company and the property owner is also called an easement. Rights-of-ways and easements provide a permanent, limited interest in the land that enables the pipeline company to operate, test, inspect, repair, maintain, replace, and protect one or more pipelines on property owned by others. It can be distinguished into: (i) Temporary working strip which is a strip normally 38 metres wide to enable the construction of the pipeline. Additional space is usually required at road or river crossings or when required by terrain or soil; and (ii) Permanent pipeline protection strip which is usually a narrower strip (of 8 m in the TAP Project) to enable access for inspection, maintenance, repair and protection of the pipeline. The pipeline company shall have the right to access the strip at any time.

Route Refinement: The process of finding and examining a possible pipeline route and possible

alternatives. SCADA: System, Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) is a computer system monitoring

and controlling a process. The process can be industrial, infrastructure or facility-based.

Scarring and nicking:

Potential damages in the pipeline generated by the friction and abrasion that occurs when the pipe is introduced and advances through a bore drilled in trenchless construction methods. These damages can be avoided by the generation of a small gap between the pipe and the inner edge of the tunnel with the help of the cuttings generated during the drilling process and the injection of a drilling fluid.

Scoping Report: Scoping is the process of determining the content and extent of the matters which

should be covered in the environmental information to be submitted to a competent authority for projects which are subject to ESIA. Also called ‘Preliminary Determination of Environmental Requirements’ report according to

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the new Greek Law 4014/2011.

Stacking: The process of piling pipes to create a pipestack. The maximum height of the

pipestack has to be carefully calculated to avoid damages on pipe coatings due to the weight. Stacking for pipes is commonly used as a logistic strategy when storing large quantities of pipes in order to reduce the space needed and the maneuverability of the pipes.

Stakeholder: A person, group, organization, member or system who affects or can be affected

by the project Stakeholder Engagement:

Stakeholder Engagement (SE) is a process of sharing information and knowledge, seeking to understand the concerns of others and building relationships based on collaboration.

Stakeholder Engagement Plan:

Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) is a living document describing the approach to SE and ensuring that a consistent, comprehensive, coordinated and culturally appropriate approach is taken for consultation and project disclosure.

Stringing pipe: Placing joints of pipe end to end along a pipeline right of way in preparation for

laying, i.e., screwing or welding the joints together to form a pipeline. Stringing trucks: Stringing trucks are steerable pole trailers that enable long loads to be

transported (e.g. pipes into storage yards and pipeline right of way). The steerable pole trailers are equipped with large blocks that are adjusted so the pipe is held precisely in place while being transported over uneven terrain. The trailers are engineered so the rear tandem axel steers near the same tracks as the tractor by using cables that alternate from one side of the tractor to the opposite sides of the trailer.

Swabbing: It is the method of cleaning the inside of a pipeline by insertion of bullet shaped

poly pigs or swabs into the pipeline system. Hydraulic or pneumatic pressure pushes the pig through the pipeline while it cleans the pipe and removes debris.

Thrust-boring: Thrust boring is a ‘jack and bore’ drilling method typically used for installing steel

pipe casing beneath an existing surface where the risk of hole collapse whilst installing larger diameter pipes has been identified or where the grade is critical. The thrust boring machine is capable of drilling through a variety of ground conditions from sand to reasonably hard rock. This boring method generally utilizes an auger that is placed inside a section of steel pipe. A large rectangular pit is usually dug on each side of the work area to accommodate the steel pipe and machinery used in this procedure. The pipe casing is jacked into place as the drilling is performed with any excess soil transferred out of the pipe by the auger’s blades. Thrust boring generally works best in soils that are located above the groundwater table. When groundwater is present during a boring operation, special dewatering measures must be taken to prevent the steel pipe casing from being flooded with water. After finishing installation any remaining space is usually filled with a high flow grout. Once the installed pipe work is connected to existing or new infrastructure both the entry and exit pits can be backfilled.

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0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

0.1 Introduction

The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) is a proposed pipeline in the Southern Gas Corridor that will

bring gas from new sources in the Caspian region to Western and South Eastern Europe.

TAP pipeline will connect to existing gas networks and start in Greece, cross Albania and the

Adriatic Sea and come ashore in southern Italy, allowing gas to flow directly from the Caspian

basin into European markets. The TAP route will be approximately 860 kilometres in length

(Approx.: Greece 546 km; Albania 204 km; offshore Adriatic Sea 105 km; Italy 5 km). TAP’s

highest elevation point will be 1800 meters in Albania’s mountains, while its lowest part offshore

will be at 810 meters of depth. The onshore part of the pipeline will have a diameter of 48 inches

(1.2 meters), while the diameter of the offshore segment will be 36 inches (1.05 meters.)

Figure 0-1 TAP Overview

(Source: www.tap-ag.com)

TAP’s shareholders are Axpo (42.5%), Norwegian Statoil (42.5%) and German E.ON Ruhrgas

(15%).

TAP will contribute to the security and diversity of Europe’s energy supply by providing the

necessary infrastructure to transport gas from the Shah Deniz II field in Azerbaijan via the most

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direct route to Southern Europe once production begins in early 2018. Initial capacity of the TAP

Project will be 10 Billion Cubic Meters (BCM) per annum. As more gas becomes available, TAP

will have the capacity to cater for an additional 10 Billion Cubic Meters (BCM) per annum of new

gas, expanding to 20 BCM as required.

TAP is supported by financially stable/strong shareholders. TAP will require no funding from

subsidies or from any of the governments of the host countries. TAP can deliver substantial

benefits in terms of significant investment to the countries which it passes through. The European

Union recognised the project, under the so-called TEN-E (Trans-European Energy Networks)

guidelines, as a Project of Common Interest for the European Union’s overall energy policy

objectives.

TAP project in Greece consists of two sections: (i) the East Section (TAP East) of an

approximately 365 km pipeline from Kipoi (Greek/Turkish border) to Thessaloniki area, near Nea

Mesimvria and (ii) the West section (TAP West) of an approximately 181 km pipeline from

Thessaloniki’ s area (near Nea Mesimvria) to the Greek/ Albanian border near Mesopotamia.

Regarding the West Section, a Scoping Report was prepared and submitted, in June 2011, to the

Greek Authorities, although it was not mandatory by law, meeting the requirements of EBRD.

Meeting the requirements of the national legislation, as applicable at the time, a Preliminary

Environmental Impact Assessment (PEIA) of the West Section was first submitted in September

2011 and resubmitted in February 2012 to incorporate changes to the overall engineering

concept of the Project. The approval of this PEIA is expected for last Quarter of 2012.

After the implementation of the new environmental permitting law (Law 4014/2011), PEIA has

been replaced by the Scoping Report (called ‘Preliminary Determination of Environmental

Requirements’). This report is defined according to Articles 2 and 3 (for A1 projects) of Law

4014/2011.

This Scoping Report refers to the Eastern section of the TAP route in Greece. This section

consists of an approximately 365 km pipeline. The pipeline will initially have the capacity to cater

for 10 Billion Cubic Meters (BCM) of natural gas per year (around 1.520.000 cubic meters per

hour). At a later stage the throughput capacity of the pipeline will be increased from 10 to 20

BCM per year (from 1.520.000 to 3.040.000 cubic meters per hour).

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One compressor station in the broader area of Kipoi (GCS00) is foreseen for the 10BCM

capacity, of approximately 60 – 75 MW (5 operating and 1 spare compressors of 15 MW, each).

For the 20 BCM phase, a second compressor station of similar capacity shall be located in the

broader area of Serres (GCS01).

Each compressor station will mainly comprise of facilities for gas treatment, metering,

compression and cooling. The size of the land plot required for the compressor station is

estimated to be approximately 36 ha. The surface area required for the buildings of the

compressor station, facilities such as piping, vents and coolers, and other infrastructure, such as

roads, is approximately eight (8) ha. The remaining portion of the 36 ha area will remain empty of

facilities as the compressor station will be positioned within this plot to ensure sufficient distance

from other buildings or infrastructure. In line with international best practice, block valve stations

will be installed approximately every 24 km of the pipeline to interrupt the gas flow in case of

maintenance or emergency.

It is noted that TAP project is characterized as class A project according to EBRD. Additionally,

TAP project, as a whole, and its sections (TAP West and TAP East) separately, are characterized

as class A1 projects, according to national legislation (MD 1958/2012). Consequently, as soon as

the Scoping phase is completed for TAP East in accordance with EBRD requirementts, an

Integrated ESIA will be conducted by various interdisciplinary teams of experts and submitted to

the Competent Authority by TAP presenting the project (TAP West and TAP East) as a whole.

0.2 Purpose of this Report

TAP’s overall approach to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will be performed in

compliance with Greek laws and regulations and with the European EIA Directive. Furthermore,

the EIA will be performed in line with applicable international standards, as embodied in the

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Performance Requirements (PR1-

10). One of the requirements of the EIA process (from now on called Environmental and Social

Impact Assessment (ESIA) in line with EBRD terminology) is to carry out a Scoping Study. This is

a process by which stakeholders are consulted to identify all key issues that should be

investigated as part of the ESIA itself. The principle of this Scoping Phase has recently been

incorporated into Greek Legislation with the new Law 4014/2011 as a voluntary submission of a

Preliminary Determination of Envrionmental Requirments (PDER).

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The first step in the ESIA process for the TAP East was to verify the possibility of bundling the

base case corridor with the existing Natural gas pipeline across the eastern part of Northern

Greece, starting from the area of Kipoi (near the Turkish border) and extending to the area of

Thessaloniki, near Nea Mesimvria. Once the base case corridor was verified, TAP commenced

the drafting of the Scoping report and disclosure process with the aim of defining the final scope

and contents of the full ESIA while taking into account the input from relevant stakeholders and

the specific requirements of the Greek Authorities and other stakeholders. Further modifications

may arise during the ongoing stakeholder engagement and data collection.

Since the commencement of the route verification process, TAP has engaged with stakeholders

(National and Regional Authorities) with the aim of identifying any constraints that would prevent

implementation of the bundling with the existing Natural gas pipeline. This engagement continues

throughout the Scoping Disclosure process (see Section 8) and will continue throughout the

Project life cycle.

The objective of the present Scoping Report for TAP Greece East is to familiarize stakeholders

with the project and to ensure that they are included from an early stage in the preparation of the

Integrated ESIA. The results of the scoping process which are summarized in this report will be

disclosed to authorities and the wider public as a basis for further discussion as described in

Section 8.

Figure 0-2 shows the TAP routing in Greece investigated in the present report. The figure shows

the 2 km wide project corridor as well as the investigated alternative corridors. Additionally, it also

illustrates the proposed and alternative locations for the Compressor Stations (see also

APPENDIX 1 – Maps).

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Figure 0-2 TAP Greece East.

(Source: ASPROFOS 2012)

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Specifically, the base case route of TAP Greece East is defined as a 2 km wide corridor at this

stage of the project. The corridor has been selected following the bundling principle, as stipulated

by best industry practice (see Section 3). Best practice industry standards stipulate that new

infrastructure should bundle with existing infrastructure, in a way that overall impacts to

environment, society and cultural heritage are minimized to the extent possible. The bundling of

infrastructure is commonly applied to infrastructures like high voltage overhead lines or roads in

order to reduce effects like fragmentation of habitats and landscapes, keeping traffic noise to

existing levels, maintaining the number of affected communities, minimizing impacts on

livelihoods, decreasing archaeological findings potential, etc. It is considered good international

practice to bundle linear infrastructure in cases where a new route would open a new

construction corridor in a previously unaffected area. This is particularly true for pipelines where

the impacts are mainly during the construction phase. More specifically, the base case corridor

follows the existing high pressure natural gas pipeline of DESFA as much as possible. Four (4)

local alternative corridors are assessed mainly to investigate improvement of the base case

corridor, avoidance of local constraints and minimization of impacts to the environment (see

Section 3). All various alternative routings (i.e. centrelines) that are currently assessed are

situated within these corridors. These alternatives may be used if the need arises in accordance

to and as a result of the ongoing stakeholder engagement and data collection.

For TAP’s initial capacity of 10BCM one compressor station in the broader area of Kipoi (GCS00)

is foreseen. For the 20 BCM phase, a second compressor station of similar capacity shall be

located in the broader area of Serres (GCS01).

0.3 Project Description

0.3.1 Overview of TAP Greece East

TAP Greece East will be entirely onshore and will consist of an approximately 365 km pipeline

that extends from the area of Kipoi, at the Greek/Turkish border, to the area of Thessaloniki, near

Nea Mesimvria. The pipeline will be 48’’ in diameter and will be made of welded steel pipe

sections which will be mainly of 8 to 18 m length. The steel pipe sections will be coated externally

in order to protect the pipeline from corrosion with a 3-layered polyethylene. Internal epoxy

coating will be applied to reduce friction of the gas flow. Some of the pipeline sections will be

installed with concrete plates to protect the pipe from external damages. The entire pipeline will

be protected against corrosion by a cathodic protection system.

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The pipeline will be buried underground for the entire length. For safety reasons and in order to

minimise impacts to existing land uses (e.g. agricultural) the buried pipeline will have a soil cover

of a minimum of one metre. Greater depth will be required when crossing existing infrastructure

or other special areas. The TAP pipeline will be designed for a technical life time of 50 years. The

design life for equipment and piping of the stations is 25 years. The design shall assure that the

gas transport system fulfils all safety requirements of the National and European Codes and

Standards.

The pipeline’s initial transportation capacity is characterised by a throughput of 10 BCM/year but

might be increased to 20 BCM/year. For the initial capacity of 10BCM, one compressor station in

the broader area of Kipoi (GCS00) is foreseen of approximately 60 - 75 MW (5 operating and 1

spare compressors of 15 MW, each). For the 20 BCM phase, a second compressor station of

similar capacity shall be located in the broader area of Serres (GCS01).

The East Section of the TAP project in Greece consists of the following main components:

onshore pipeline, approximately sixteen (16) block valve stations, two compressor stations and

associated facilities required during construction (access roads, camps, yards, etc.). Depending

on the final layout, TAP will need twelve (12) temporary stock yards for the pipes and nine (9)

construction camps. It is noted that a camp site will be located within each compressor station’s

site boundaries.

The pipeline will be assembled in a conventional way by a construction spread that follows along

the pipeline corridor. First, the top soil is stripped away and stored separately and then a trench is

excavated. Individual of mainly 8 to 18 m long joints of pipe are then welded to the pipeline string

which is subsequently lowered into the trench. The soil is placed back into the trench and the

landscape reinstated while the construction spread moves forward. The main limitations on land

use above the pipeline will be a narrow pipeline protection strip 4+4 m (referred to as the Right of

Way – RoW) in which the growing of deep routing trees will be restricted, a pipeline safety zone

20 + 20 m in which the construction of houses will be restricted and a corridor of 400 m, i.e. 200 +

200 m in which the establishment of cluster of houses and/or industrial infrastructure is limited.

The preferred route was selected to accommodate these criteria and allows sufficient space for

future developments of neighbouring communities.

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To enhance pipeline safety, the pipeline will have approximately sixteen (16) block valve stations.

With these valves the operator can isolate any segment of the line for maintenance work or

isolate a rupture or leak. The block valves are unmanned with a fence around them to avoid any

interference, covering a total surface area of approximately 18 x 39 m. In line with international

best practice, these stations will be installed in regular intervals of around 24 km and the main

equipment of such station will be installed underground.

The compressor station is required to transport the gas by increasing the pressure. The

compressor station will mainly comprise of facilities for gas treatment (filter separators), metering,

compression and cooling. The size of the land plot required for the compressor station is

estimated to be approximately 36 ha. The surface area required for the buildings of the

compressor station, facilities such as piping, vents and coolers, and other infrastructures, such as

roads, is approximately 8 ha. The remaining portion of the 36 ha area will remain empty of


from other buildings or infrastructures. In each CS, a scraper station will be installed. For the

future expansion from 10BCM/year to 20BCM/year, CSs will be modified accordingly by

construction of additional compressors and corresponding facilities (metering, cooling, etc. – see

Section 4).

During operation, the pipeline will be monitored and controlled from a central control room at a

location yet to be confirmed. Leak detection will be by continuous measurements of pressure and

flow rates at inlet and outlet of the pipeline. If a leak is detected, emergency shutdown

procedures will be implemented. To allow internal inspection, pipe inspection gauge (pig) facilities

will be installed. The pipeline system has been designed to allow use of instrumented pigs, if

necessary.

0.4 Baseline Conditions

The project area, from the Turkish border near Kipoi until Amfitriti, north of Alexandroupolis,

comprises of a large flat region with a mean altitude below 150 m that extends to the

southwestern part of the Evros basin area containing Evros River tributaries and other streams.

Northwest of Alexandroupoli, the Project area stretches up to the southeastern end of the

Rhodopi Mountain, into a more mountainous and densely vegetated area reaching an elevation

of 500m. To the west, the landscape is flat and land use is mainly agricultural from Chamilo to

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Amaranta. This area hosts a variety of vegetation including evergreen scrubland, riparian

vegetation, deciduous forest, grasslands and meadows, pastures and agricultural land. At the

southeastern end of the Rhodopi Mountain, the forest habitats along the proposed route include

mixed broadleaved forest dominated by oak (Quercus sp.). Patches of riparian galleries are

found along streams throughout the study area.

Further to the west, the project area consists of a large flat expanse comprising of the plains

southern of the Rhodope mountainous area. These flatlands located south of the Xanthi –

Komotini axis contain the river system of the Bosbos, Aspropotamos, Xiropotamos and Xanthi

(Kosynthos) Rivers. The project route then crosses the Nestos River and the entire Chrysoupoli

plain, reaching Nea Karvali.

After Nea Karvali, the project route then crosses a mountainous segment with forest lands across

the Kavala Mountains, reaching an elevation of 700 m. It then follows a segment north of the

Paggaio Mountain with cultivated fields where in the past the now dried Marshlands of Philippi

were located. The following landscape is hilly, cultivated up to the plain of Serres, with a

maximum elevation of 130 m.

Further on, the route crosses the Serres plain and Strymonas River, with its dense irrigation

system of ditches and canals. A part of the route follows crossing the woodlands of the

Mavrovouni Mountain, with peaks at around 550 m elevation. From the area of Assiros up to the

vicinity of Drymos the route crosses hilly landscapes, meadows and cultivated fields, with an

elevation of about 370 m. After that, in the Melissochori – Pentalofos segment, semi-mountainous

woodlands are crossed, with an elevation of about 400 m, while the following part up to the end

of the route in Nea Mesimvria consists of flatlands with meadows and an elevation of around 70

m, after crossing Gallikos River.

In general, the corridor under investigation crosses the following main water bodies:

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Table 0-1 Main Rivers crossed. Name WFD status classification1

Tributary of Evros River Not Estimated

Apokrimno River Not Estimated

Filiouris River Moderate

Bosbos River (aka Chionorema, Asrporema, Bosbozis) Not Estimated

Aspropotamos River Moderate

Xiropotamos River (aka Kompsatos) Good

Xanthi River (aka Kosynthos) Moderate

Nestos River Moderate

Philippi channel Not Estimated

Aggitis River Moderate

Krousovitis River Not Estimated

Strymonas River Moderate

Gallikos River Not Estimated

The study area hosts a variety of vegetation types including evergreen and deciduous forests,

shrublands, riparian forests, natural grasslands and meadows as well as farmlands. The main

vegetation type is agricultural.

The proposed corridor crosses the following environmental protected areas

Natura 2000 areas (East to West): 1. GR1110009 (SPA) ‘NOTIO DASIKO SYMPLEGMA EVROU’

2. GR1130006 (SCI) ‘POTAMOS FILIOURIS’

3. GR1130009 (SAC) ‘LIMNES KAI LIMNOTHALLASES TIS THRAKIS – EVRYTERI PERIOCHI

KAI PARAKTIA ZONI’

4. GR1130010 (SPA) ‘LIMNES VISTONIS, ISMARIS - LIMNOTHALLASES PORTO LAGOS,

ALYKI PTELEA, XIROLIMNI, KARATZA

5. GR1150001 (SPA) ‘DELTA NESTOU KAI LIMNOTHALASSES KERAMOTIS KAI NISOS

THASOPOULA’

6. GR1150010 (SAC) ‘DELTA NESTOU KAI LIMNOTHALASSES KERAMOTIS - EVRYTERI

PERIOCHI KAI PARAKTIA ZONI’ 1 Source: Preliminary Assessment of Ecological Status of Inland Water, HCMR 2009, retrieved from www.hcmr.gr/inlandwaters, last access 15.10.2012.

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7. GR1150011 (SPA) ‘OROS PANGAIO KAI NOTIES YPOREIES TOU’

Wildlife Reserves (East to West): 1. PYLAIAS – KAVISSOU - FERRON

2. KIRKI MUNICIPALITY OF ALEXANDROUPOLIS

3. CHATOISIO

4. PERIOCHI KOMPSATOY

5. KOTZA ORMAN NESTOY

6. AGIOS TIMOTHEOS-KIOYPIA

7. PETROTO-FARAGGI-ALMYRA

8. DIMITRITSIOU-TRIANTAFYLLIAS

National Parks (East to West): 1. NP11 ‘ETHNIKO PARKO ANATOLIKHS MAKEDONIAS – THRAKIS’

2. NP4 ‘ETHNIKO PARKO KORONIAS-BOLBIS’

Other Protected Areas (East to West): 1. AISTHITIKO DASOS KABALAS-AMYGDALEONOS

Many of the above mentioned areas overlap each other. The 2 km corridor passes mostly

through the outskirts of the above mentioned areas. With the exception of GR1110009 (SPA) and

Wildlife Reserve of Kikri, the base case corridor crosses mainly through agricultural areas located

inside the boundaries of the protected areas.

Based on the new administrative law 3852/2010 (Project Kallikratis), the pipeline route passes

through two regions, Central Macedonia and Eastern Macedonia - Thrace, and 23 municipalities.

There are 83 settlements whose boundaries lie within the two (2) km corridor. The most

populated municipalities and the corresponding cities are those of Alexandroupoli, Serres,

Kavala, Komotini, Kilkis and Xanthi, being capitals of the former prefectural administrative level.

All these cities lay outside the 2km corridor.

Land use is mainly agricultural (approximately 80%). State owned forests and scrublands make

up most of the remaining land.

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0.5 Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures

The project’s environmental and socioeconomic impacts have been identified and preliminarily

assessed during the scoping process to provide an overview of potential impacts. The

assessment has been based on the project information currently available, the baseline

information collected to date and the experience gained in similar projects constructed in similar

environmental and socioeconomic contexts. Mitigation and management measures have also

been preliminarily identified for each impact. The likelihood, magnitude and significance of the

impacts identified during the scoping process will be further assessed in the detailed ESIA.

Major environmental, socioeconomic and cultural heritage impacts will be avoided by means of

bundling with the existing DESFA pipeline which has the aim of selecting a route with the least

impacts.

Construction impacts of a pipeline and associated facilities are typically temporary in nature and

localised. The main permanent impacts are related to associate facilities. Construction impacts

include temporary noise and air emissions from construction machinery, impacts on land use,

loss/disturbance of natural habitats (flora and fauna). The magnitude and significance of

construction impacts will depend on the local conditions. For the most part, construction impacts

can be managed and mitigated efficiently.

The pipeline will be buried and the land will be re-instated to its preconstruction status. The main

limitations on land use will be a narrow 4+4 m pipeline protection strip, above the pipeline in

which growing of deep rooting trees will be restricted, a pipeline safety zone 20 + 20 m in which

the construction of houses will be restricted and a 200 + 200 m corridor on which the

establishment of cluster of houses and/or industrial infrastructure is limited.

The preferred route was selected to accommodate these criteria and also allows sufficient space

for future developments of neighbouring communities. Special technical measures

(microtunnelling or Horizontal Directional Drilling) for crossing of sensitive areas, such as major

rivers, can be implemented in order to minimize as much as possible impacts on these receptors

as much as possible. The operation of the compressor station will generate air emissions and

noise and will have an impact on the landscape, but not on the ambient air quality since all

legislative limits are expected to be met. Best practice and mitigation measures will be adopted to

minimise operational impacts. Landscape impacts will be managed through the restoration of the

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original landscape along the pipeline route and through vegetation screening of the permanent

structures where required.

0.6 Terms of Reference for ESIA

TAP will conduct an ESIA in accordance with Greek and EU requirements and EBRD standards

(Environmental and Social Policy, EBRD, May 2008). The main steps for the detailed ESIA

include the following:

Update and finalization of the technical project description as further engineering details

become available;

Conduct additional consultation and further refine the scope of the ESIA wherever

necessary;

Collection of additional baseline data through desktop research and field studies in order to

complete a comprehensive description of the environmental, social and cultural heritage

conditions;

Identify and assess impacts on natural, social and cultural environment

Develop mitigation and enhancement measures and outline an Environmental and Social

Management Plan (ESMP) including an approach for monitoring;

Report findings in a comprehensive integrated ESIA report for the whole project (TAP West

and TAP East).

To develop a complete understanding of the existing environmental and social conditions of the

project’s area of influence and assess the impacts, further desktop and field studies will be

carried out. These tasks will be performed by an interdisciplinary team of qualified specialists.

Field studies will include sampling and analyses of soil samples, surface and groundwater, river

sediments, air quality and ambient noise levels. In addition, biodiversity (flora, fauna, habitats,

vegetation), socioeconomic (e.g. employment, education, land use, stakeholder concerns.)” and

cultural heritage surveys will be performed. Stakeholders, through the Scoping phase will have

the opportunity to address specific areas of sensitivity where additional fieldworks may be

required. It should be mentioned, that the biodiversity fieldworks have already been performed in

selected sites (mainly related to the protected areas). This was necessary in order to retrieve

valid ecological data, prior to the migration of bird species, hibernation of animal species and

vegetation defoliation and meeting with the time schedule of the project.

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It should also be noted that a Land Easement and Acquisition (LEA) study as well as a Human

Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA) are undertaken parallelly with the ESIA and focus on the

respective issues.

0.7 Stakeholder Engagement

Consultation and engagement with stakeholders is an integral part of the Environmental and

Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) process. In line with this, TAP has prepared a Stakeholder

Engagement Strategy whose overall aim is to ensure that a consistent, comprehensive,

coordinated and culturally appropriate approach is taken for consultation and project disclosure.

The approach taken by TAP is in full compliance with Greek EIA Regulations, EBRD

Performance Requirements, as well as relevant policies of IFC and WB. TAP is undertaking a

process of stakeholder engagement through the phases of project planning, construction,

operation and decommissioning. The plan for this engagement includes identification of

stakeholders (i.e. people and organisations that have a role in the project or could be affected by

the project activities or are interested in the project) and disclosure of information, consultation,

as well as handling of suggestions, comments and concerns. This strategy is documented in the

Greece East Stakeholder Engagement Plan. This plan will be updated regularly as the project

progresses whenever deemed necessary. The Project’s ESIA and Stakeholder Consultation

tentative Schedule is included in Table 0-2 below.

Table 0-2 ESIA and Stakeholder Consultation Schedule.

Schedule Phase West section East section

Pre-scoping Completed N/A Route Refinement Completed N/A Phase 1 - Route Verification N/A Aug – Nov 2012 Phase 2 - Scoping Disclosure Completed Dec 2012 Phase 3 - Main ESIA Phase Consultation Completed Dec 2012 - Jan 2013 Phase 4 - Integrated ESIA Disclosure Planned Phase 5 - Ongoing engagement (construction, operation and decommissioning) Planned

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0.8 Public Comments and Suggestions

An important objective of the ESIA Scoping disclosure process is to allow stakeholders to provide

feedback on the Project. Therefore, TAP has envisaged a process that allows stakeholders to

address their comments and suggestions in writing to TAP after the scoping meetings have taken

place.

In this regard, TAP would like to invite all stakeholders involved in the scoping process, including

local communities and the general public, to submit in writing their comments and suggestions

concerning the Greek East section of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) by the 31st of January

2013.

APPENDIX 2 – Comments Form presents a standard form to facilitate the submission of

comments and suggestions in both English and Greek. Participants to the scoping meetings as

well as the general public interested in the project will be invited to submit comment forms either

via mail or e-mail to the following address:

Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG – Greece (Branch Office)

21st Floor, Athens Tower, 2-4 Messogion Ave.,11527

Athens, Greece

Phone: + 30 210 7454613

Fax: + 30 210 7454300

www.trans-adriatic-pipeline.com

[email protected]

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1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Overview of the Project

The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) is a proposed pipeline in the Southern Gas Corridor that will

bring gas from new sources in the Caspian region to Western and South Eastern Europe.

The TAP route will be approximately 800 kilometres in length (Approx.: Greece 546 km; Albania

204 km; offshore Adriatic Sea 105 km; Italy 5 km). TAP’s highest elevation point will be 1800

meters in Albania’s mountains, while its lowest part offshore will be at 810 meters of depth. The

onshore part of the pipeline will have a diameter of 48 inches (1.2 meters), while the diameter

of the offshore segment will be 36 inches (1.05 meters.)

Figure 1-1 TAP Overview.

(Source: www.tap-ag.com)

TAP’s shareholders are Axpo (42.5%), Norwegian Statoil (42.5%) and German E.ON Ruhrgas

(15%).

TAP will contribute to the security and diversity of Europe’s energy supply by providing the

necessary infrastructure to transport gas from the Shah Deniz II field in Azerbaijan via the most

direct route to Southern Europe once production begins in early 2018. Initial capacity of the TAP

Project will be 10 Billion Cubic Meters (BCM) per annum. As more gas becomes available, TAP

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will have the capacity to cater for an additional 10 Billion Cubic Meters (BCM) per annum of new

gas, expanding to 20 BCM as required.

TAP is supported by financially stable/strong shareholders. TAP will require no funding from

subsidies or from any of the governments of the host countries. TAP can deliver substantial

benefits in terms of significant investment to the countries which it passes through. The European

Union recognised the project under the so-called TEN-E (Trans-European Energy Networks)

guidelines as a Project of Common Interest for the European Union’s overall energy policy

objectives.

TAP project in Greece consists of two sections:

the East Section (TAP East) of an approximately 365 km pipeline from the area of Kipoi

(Greek/Turkish border) to the area of Thessaloniki, near Nea Mesimvria, and

the West Section (TAP West) of an approximately 181 km pipeline from the area of

Thessaloniki, near Nea Mesimvria, till the Greek/Albanian border, near Mesopotamia.

For the initial capacity of 10BCM, TAP East Section is complemented by one compressor station

in the broader area of Kipoi (GCS00); this station will have a capacity of approximately 60 MW (5

operating and 1 spare compressors of 15 MW, each). For the 20 BCM phase, a second

compressor station of similar capacity shall be located in the broader area of Serres (GCS01).

Regarding the West Section, a Scoping Report was prepared and submitted to the Greek

Authorities in June 2011. Although at that time, it was not mandatory by law this was done in

order to meet the EBRD requirements. In order to meet the requirements of national legislation,

applicable at that time, a Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment (PEIA) of the West

Section was initially submitted in September 2011 and then resubmitted in February 2012 to

incorporate changes to the overall engineering concept of the Project. The approval of this PEIA

is expected within the last Quarter of 2012.

According to EBRD classification, the project is characterized as class A. The highest

classification, i.e. A1, is also given to the TAP project as a whole and to each one of its sections

(TAP West and TAP East) separately, according to national legislation (MD 1958/2012).

Consequently, as soon as the Scoping phase is completed for TAP East, an Integrated ESIA will

be conducted by the interdisciplinary teams of experts and submitted to the Competent Authority

by TAP presenting the project (TAP West and TAP East) as a whole.

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In this Scoping Report, the East Section of the TAP route in Greece, from the area of Kipoi

(Greek/Turkish border) to the area of Thessaloniki (near Nea Mesimvria), is examined. This

section consists of an approximately 365 km pipeline. The pipeline is complemented by one

compressor station near Kipoi (GCS01) for the initial capacity of 10 BCM. For the 20 BCM phase,

a second compressor station of similar capacity shall be located in the broader area of Serres

(GCS01).

In line with international best practice, block valve stations will be installed approximately every

24 km of the pipeline to interrupt the gas flow in case of maintenance or emergency. At a later

stage the throughput capacity of the pipeline will be increased from 10 to 20 BCM per year (from

1.520.000 to 3.040.000 cubic meters per hour).

Figure 1-2 shows the East Section of the TAP route in Greece. The figure shows the 2 km wide

project corridor as well as the investigated alternative corridors. Additionally, it illustrates the

proposed and alternative locations for the Compressor Stations (see also APPENDIX 1 – Maps).

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Figure 1-2 TAP Greece East.


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The base case route of TAP Greece East is defined as a two (2) km wide corridor at this stage of

the project. The corridor has been selected following the bundling principle, as stipulated by best

industry practice (see Section 3). More specifically, the base case corridor follows the existing

high pressure natural gas pipeline of DESFA, as much as possible. It is clarified that the bundling

of infrastructure principle refers to the grouping of infrastructure projects. The proposed locations

for the Compressor Stations are combining remoteness from sensitive receptors and space

availability keeping in mind technical limitations and standards. Best practice industry standards

stipulate that new infrastructure should bundle with existing infrastructure, to the extent possible,

in a way that overall impacts to environment, society and cultural heritage are minimized. The

bundling of infrastructure is commonly applied for infrastructures like high voltage overhead lines

or for roads to reduce effects like fragmentation of habitats and landscapes, keeping traffic noise

to existing levels, maintaining the number of affected communities, minimizing impacts on

livelihoods, decreasing archaeological findings potential, etc. It is good international practice to

bundle linear infrastructure in cases where a new route would open a new construction corridor in

a previously unaffected area. This is particularly true for pipelines where the impacts are mainly

during the construction phase.

1.2 The Project’s Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Process

1.2.1 Introduction

TAP’s overall approach to ESIA will be in compliance with Greek regulations and will be

performed in line with the requirements of the European EIA Directive and applicable

international standards, as embodied in the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

(EBRD) Performance Requirements (PR1-10). The requirements of the Espoo Convention

(Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context, wherever applicable) and the

Aarhus Convention (Access to Information Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to

Justice in Environmental Matters) will also be met (see Section 2.2).

The first step in TAP East ESIA process was to conduct an assessment of the possible route

alternatives across Greece. Due to the presence of the existing natural gas pipeline of DESFA

and the principle of bundling infrastructure, the alternatives route assessment process was

restricted in following as closely as possible the above mentioned pipeline. This way it is

envisaged that TAP Greece East will have the least environmental, socioeconomic and cultural

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heritage impacts (see Section 3). Once the preferred alternative was identified, TAP commenced

the Scoping process with the aim to define the required scope of the ESIA. This report presents

the findings of the scoping process.

Since the commencement of the route verification process, TAP has engaged with stakeholders

(National and Regional Authorities) with the aim to identify any constraints that would not allow

implementation of bundling with the existing Natural gas pipeline (see APPENDIX 4 – Data

Collection Meetings). This engagement continues throughout the Scoping Disclosure process

(see Section 8) and will continue throughout the Project life cycle.

Figure 1-3 graphically presents the ESIA process. The scoping phase and ESIA activities are

briefly described in Table 1-1.

Figure 1-3: Schematic of the ESIA Process .


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Table 1-1: Summary of the ESIA Process for TAP East

Step Description Screening Screening is performed to determine if the project requires a

summary EIA or a detailed EIA

Alternatives Assessment Assessment of alternatives with the aim to identify the project alternative with the least environmental and social impacts, wherever bundling with the existing natural gas pipeline of DESFA was not feasible.

Scoping Scoping identifies the key issues to be addressed in the ESIA. Scoping, as presented in this report, will ensure that the process is focused on the potentially significant environmental and social impacts which may arise from the project. It will take into account the results of consultations undertaken to date on the project. Ultimately scoping defines the scope of work of the ESIA, including stakeholder engagement.

Baseline Studies

For the key issues identified in scoping, available information on the existing environmental and social conditions (also referred to as baseline conditions) will be gathered. This will be supplemented by field studies and surveys where necessary. The future development of the baseline conditions in the absence of the project will also be considered.

Impact assessment and mitigation measures

This stage is focused on predicting environmental and social changes from the baseline as a result of the project’s activities (considering the entire lifecycle of the project). Each impact will then be evaluated to determine its significance for the environment and society. Where necessary measures will be proposed to mitigate significant impacts.

Environmental and social management plans

The various mitigation measures will be presented in an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP), describing how measures will be implemented throughout the different project phases. The ESMP will detail the resources and responsibilities for implementation, the timing and monitoring and audit plans to ensure all the mitigation commitments are met. It will also identify any requirements for training and other capacity building. The ESMP will include a Livelihood Restoration Plan and a Resettlement Action Plan detailing how land acquisition and easement will be managed in accordance with TAP policy and international good practice.

Stakeholder Engagement and Consultation

During the ESIA studies the team will seek the views of interested parties so that these can be taken into account in the assessment and reflected in the proposals for mitigation. Once complete, the ESIA Report will be subject to public disclosure and consultation. Comments will be taken into account in revising the final ESIA Report and ESMP.

1.2.2 Approach to Scoping

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In order to comply with the Greek legislation an ESIA will be prepared and submitted to the

Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change (MEECC) in due course. An integrated

ESIA, covering TAP West and TAP East, is planned to be submitted mid 2013.

This scoping report has been prepared to ensure full compliance with the EBRD Performance

Requirements (PR 1 Environmental and Social Appraisal and Management and PR 10

Information Disclosure and Stakeholder Engagement), and is also in line with the principle of the

PDER as described in new Greek Law 4014/2011. The Scoping Report aims to:

1. Identify people or communities that are or could be affected by the project, as well as

other interested parties;

2. Ensure that such stakeholders are appropriately engaged on environmental and social

issues that could potentially affect them through a process of information disclosure and

meaningful consultation;

3. Maintain a constructive relationship with stakeholders on an ongoing basis through

meaningful engagement during the different phases of the project (e.g. alternatives

assessment, scoping, ESIA and project implementation);

4. Preliminary identification of key environmental, social and cultural heritage issues to

enable the ESIA to focus on these in the continuing process

5. Identify any data gaps that need to be filled during the ESIA process

6. Preliminarily identification and assessment of environmental and social impacts and

issues, both adverse and beneficial, associated with the project;

7. Preliminary identification of measures to avoid, or where avoidance is not possible,

minimise, mitigate, or offset/compensate for adverse impacts on workers, affected

communities, and the environment (natural, social and cultural);

8. Identify and, where feasible, adopt opportunities to improve environmental and social

performance.

After the implementation of the new environmental permitting law (Law 4014/2011), PEIA is no

longer applicable and has been superseded by PDER. PDER is a voluntary process where the

owner of a project may perform public consultation and disclosure presenting the basic technical

characteristics of the project and its main environmental impacts.

Scoping for this project has been approached as a communication, disclosure and consultation

process, in which the project proponent and different stakeholders exchange information with the

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aim of mutual understanding and setting up of the ESIA process and subsequent steps as

outlined above.

Since the early stages of inception and design of the project, up to the present stage, several

activities involving communication and information exchange with different stakeholders have

already taken place, which are part of the mentioned Scoping process, including meetings and

official correspondence (see APPENDIX 4 – Data Collection Meetings). These activities are

further detailed in subsequent sections of this report and will continue throughout the life cycle of

the project.

1.3 Scoping Report Structure

The remainder of this report is structured as follows:

Section 2 - Regulations and Guidelines: provides a brief overview of the relevant Greek and

International ESIA regulatory framework and international best practice with regards

to scoping;

Section 3 – Description of Selected Options: summarises the alternatives route assessment

performed by TAP and proposes the “base case” route;

Section 4 – Project Description: describes the main components of the project and the main

construction, pre-commissioning, operation and decommissioning activities;

Section 5 – Baseline Conditions: provides an overview of the baseline environmental,

socioeconomic and cultural heritage characteristics of the Study Area;

Section 6 – Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures: summarises potential significant

environmental, socioeconomic and cultural heritage impacts and provides an

indication of potential mitigation and management measures;

Section 7 – Terms of Reference of the ESIA: presents the proposed terms of reference, the

structure of the detailed ESIA and a tentative schedule of the ESIA activities;

Section 8 – Stakeholder Engagement: presents the proposals for consultation with identified

external stakeholders i.e. individuals or groups who are affected or likely to be

affected (directly or indirectly) by the project (“affected parties”), or may have an

interest in the project (“other interested parties”) during scoping. The section also

summarises the consultation activities undertaken earlier in the ESIA process.

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APPENDIX 1 – Maps: Maps 1-5 present the main technical, environmental, socioeconomic and

cultural heritage characteristics of the base case corridor and the alternative

corridors assessed.

APPENDIX 2 – Comments Form: form to be used to provide comments and feedback on the

scoping report.

APPENDIX 3 – Stakeholders List: list of stakeholders identified so far

APPENDIX 4 – Data Collection Meetings – presents the dates of meetings held so far with

national and regional stakeholders

APPENDIX 5 – ESIA Action Plan – presents the list of studies (baseline and modelling) to be

performed during the ESIA and the timing of the activities.

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2 REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES

2.1 Greek and European Legal Framework for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

2.1.1 Introduction

The TAP Project in Greece is being developed in compliance with Greek laws and regulations as

well as the EIA Directive of the EU and the EBRD Performance Requirements. This section

provides a brief description of the Environmental Impact Assessment legislation in Greece:

Law No. 1650/1986 – is the main legal provision for the Protection of the environment in

Greece. Article 3 (classification of projects), Article 4 (defining the process for approval of

environmental terms) and Article 5 (defining the contents and the disclosure of the EIA) are

relevant to the EIA process. However, most of the articles of Law 1650/1986 have been

replaced by the new Law on environmental permitting procedure Law 4014/2011.

Law No 4014/2011 - this Law sets the new framework for environmental permitting

procedure. This Law amends many of the existing procedures and legislative documents

governing the environmental permitting processes. These amendments include but not

limited to environmental permitting procedure, classification of projects, contents of ESIA

related reports, including PDER, public consultation and disclosure. Law 4014 authorises

the issuance of several new Administrative Acts (JMD, MD, PD, etc) that shall stipulate and

describe the above mentioned amendments. Up till date, only MD 1958/2012 for

classification of projects has been issued. Pending on the issuance of the other required

Acts, all previous relevant legislation is still applied.

Ministerial Decision 1958/2012. The MD categorises all the activities for publics and private

projects. This MD was modified by MD 20741/27-4-2012. According to this MD, TAP

project, as a whole, and its sections (TAP West and TAP East) separately are

characterized as class A1 projects (Group 11 ‘Transportation of energy, fuels and chemical

substances’, s/n 1 ‘Fuel pipelines of national importance or under European or International

networks and associating facilities’).

Joint Ministerial Decision 69269/5387/1990 – This decision was enacted in order to activate

and implement the above mentioned articles 3, 4 and 5 of Law 1650/1986 and

simultaneously to enforce EC Directives 84/360 (Directive of 28.6.1984 on the combating of

air pollution from industrial plants) and 85/337 (Directive of 27.6.1985 on the assessment of

the environmental impacts of certain public projects and private activities). This JMD

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describes the specific content of the environmental impact assessment studies, according

to the category of the activity to be implemented. The JMD refers in particular to the

activities of the A and B categories and to the description and minimisation of the

environmental impacts related to these activities. The chapters that the environmental

impact assessment study should contain are also set and explained. Also, the required

papers, maps and documentations are described. Pending the issuance of the

Administrative Act stipulated by Law 4014/2011, this JMD is still applicable.

Joint Ministerial Decision 11014/703/Φ104/2003 – This JMD sets environmental permitting

procedures. More specifically, this JMD defines:

o the specific EIA process until the acquisition of the permit;

o the competent authorities;

o the general content of the EIA studies for all installations (the specific chapters are

described in the JMD 69269/5387/90);

Pending the issuance of the Administrative Act stipulated by Law 4014/2011, this JMD is

still applicable.

Joint Ministerial Decision 37111/2021/2003 – The JMD sets the procedure of the public

information and the participation in the framework of the environmental permitting system.

Pending the issuance of the Administrative Act stipulated by Law 4014/2011, this JMD is

still applicable.

Table 2-1 Greek Legal Framework on Environmental Impact Assessment. Type Number Year Subject Law 1650 1986 Environmental Protection JMD 69269/5387 1990 Project Classification and EIS Content

Law 4014 2011 Environmental Permitting procedure MD 1958 2012 Project Classification MD 20741 2012 Project Classification JMD 37111/2021 2003 Public Participation

2.1.2 ESIA

The procedure for the Environmental Impact Assessment in Greece, for projects like the

proposed one, can be summarised in the following phases (according to the existing legislation):

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Environmental Impact Assessment: the applicant shall provide an EIA of the project to the

Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change (MEECC), Special Environmental

Authority (SEA);

Check for Completeness: MEECC/SEA will check the EIA for completeness and may

request additional information, prior to distributing for consultation;

Statutory Consultation: opinion/response from the Central Authorities or other co-

competent Ministries, Regional Authorities and various organizations;

Public Consultation: the project is presented to the Regional Council during an open

hearing where people can express their views

Decision on Approval of Environmental Conditions: MEECC/SEA will consider the results of

the consultation (statutory and public) and will issue its decision, co-signed by other

competent Ministries

Publication of Decision: publication of the decision through the relative Regional Council.

The new Law 4014/2011 introduces a voluntary step of Preliminary Determination of

Environmental Requirements (equivelant to Scoping Report). According to Article 2, the owner of

a project may perform public consultation and disclosure presenting the basic technical

characteristics of the project and its main environmental impacts. The aim of the PDER is to

facilitate the Competent Authority to provide guidelines/ directions on various issues of the ESIA,

after receiving feedback from relevant stakeholders. These guidelines refer to (i) any additional

alternatives, (ii) any special study that the stakeholders deem necessary to be performed and the

methodology for these studies, (iii) any issues that request special attention, (iv) a list of

stakeholders that will be consulted, and (v) any other specific guidelines that need to be followed

for the full ESIA.

For projects classified as A1 (according to MD 1958/2012), as the TAP project, the process of

PDER is defined in Article 3 of Law 4014/2011. In short, the stages of the PDER are summarized

here below:

1. Completeness check by the Competent Authority (i.e. MEECC/SEA)

2. Review of the report by the statutory authorities, as determined by the Competent

Authority

3. Assessment of authorities’ replies and

4. Issuance of Statement.

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Consultation during the Scoping phase is to national, regional and municipal public authorities.

The Scoping Report is submitted to the Special Environmental Authority of Ministry of

Environment, Energy and Climate Change (MEECC/SEA) for consideration. Before issuing the

Scoping Statement, the Competent Authority asks for the opinion of other national authorities

such as Governmental Organisations (Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Foreign

Affairs, other departments within the Ministry of Environment etc.), Local Administration

Organisations (Regions involved through the regional councils and taking into consideration the

engaged municipalities and third parties), Public or Private entities (such as Management Bodies

of Protected Areas).

It is noted that the relevant Administrative Acts dictating and describing the specifics of the PDER

and process in Greece had not been issued, up till the preparation of the present report.

2.2 EBRD Performance Requirements on Environmental and Social Impact

Assessment

TAP has adopted EBRD Performance Requirements (PRs) as the international reference

standard for their social and environmental strategies and will comply with these requirements

throughout all stages of the TAP project.

EBRD has an Environmental and Social Policy which seeks to ensure that sustainable

development is achieved by projects that it finances. The Bank has adopted a set of Performance

Requirements (PRs) that clients are expected to meet, covering key areas of environmental and

social impacts and issues. The Bank is committed to promoting European Union (EU)

environmental standards as well as the European Principles for the Environment, reflected in the

PRs, to which it is a signatory.

The requirements of the EBRD Performance Requirements are summarised in Table 2-2.

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Table 2-2 EBRD Performance Requirements. No. Name Requirements PR1 Environmental and Social

Appraisal and Management Identify all applicable laws, legislations, standards and

best practice. Through appraisal activities such as risk assessment,

auditing, or Environmental and Social, Health, Impact Assessment, the client will consider in an integrated manner the potential environmental and social issues and impacts associated with the proposed project.

To identify mitigating measures to avoid, or where avoidance is not possible, minimise, mitigate, or offset/compensate for adverse impacts and enhance environmental/social performance.

Establish an Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP).

Enhance the environmental and social performance through a dynamic process of auditing, performance monitoring and evaluation.

PR2 Labour and Working Conditions

Establish and maintain a sound worker management relationship.

Promote the fair treatment, non-discrimination and equal opportunity of workers (freedom of association & collective bargaining).

Promote compliance with any collective agreements to which the client is a party, national labour and employment laws and the ILO (International Labour Organization) conventions

Offer wages, benefits and conditions of work offered comparable to those offered by equivalent employers in the relevant region and sector concerned.

Promote the health of workers, especially by promoting safe and healthy working conditions.

Assure for the entire supply chain compliance with ILO´s core labour standards: (e.g. abolishment of child labour and the elimination of forced labour).

Provide a grievance mechanism for employees. Adopt a clear human resources policy.

PR3 Pollution Prevention and Abatement

Avoid or minimise the release of pollutants. Consider resource conservation and energy efficiency

measures. Minimise waste generation. Promote the reduction of project-related greenhouse

gas emissions. Adequately manage the hazardous materials (e.g.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and/or Integrated Vector Management (IVM) approach, basing on the FAO’s Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides).

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No. Name Requirements PR4 Community Health, Safety and

Security Avoid/minimise risks to and impacts on the health,

safety and security of the local community (both routine and non-routine circumstances).

Consider infrastructure and equipment safety rules. If necessary develop plans to prevent or minimise

potentials for community exposure to all the communicable diseases (resulting from project activities).

Avoid or minimise natural hazards (landslides, floods, etc) and other impact of the community natural resources.

Prevent driving accidents. Exercise prevention and response plans at least on an

annual basis. Report on the risks, potential impacts and benefits of

the project and implementation of any action plans on a regular basis to the EBRD and to the affected communities.

PR5 Land Acquisition, Involuntary Resettlement and Economic Displacement

Definition: Involuntary resettlement refers both to physical displacement (relocation or loss of shelter) and to economic displacement (loss of assets or access to assets that leads to loss of income sources or means of livelihood) as a result of project-related land acquisition or restriction of access to natural resources.

Avoid or, at least minimise involuntary resettlement. Carry out a census and a socio-economic baseline

assessment. Mitigate adverse social and economic impacts from

land acquisition or restrictions on affected persons’ use of and access to land by: providing compensation for loss of assets at replacement cost; ensuring that resettlement activities are implemented with appropriate disclosure of information, consultation, and the informed participation of those affected; improving or, at a minimum, restoring the livelihoods and standards of living of displaced persons to pre-project levels.

Develop the necessary plans (Livelihood Restoration Framework or Resettlement Action Plan).

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No. Name Requirements PR6 Biodiversity Conservation and

Sustainable Natural Resource Management

Protect and conserve biodiversity to avoid, minimise and mitigate impacts on biodiversity with the aim of achieving no net loss or a net gain of biodiversity.

Avoid natural and critical habitats’ conversion or degrade and act in a consistent manner with defined protected areas’ management plans.

Promote the sustainable management and use of natural resources.

Provisions for Supply chain of living resources (timber, earth etc.): sustainable resources procurement policy.

Foster the development of pro-biodiversity business that offers alternative livelihoods in place of unsustainable exploitation of the natural environment.

PR7 Indigenous Peoples Identify through a social assessment all communities of Indigenous Peoples who may be affected, both positively and negatively, by the project within the project’s area of influence.

Minimise, mitigate and compensate for adverse effects and to identify and share benefits a plan will be developed with the informed participation of affected Indigenous Peoples, such as an Indigenous Peoples Development Plan (IPDP), or a broader community development plan with separate components for Indigenous Peoples.

The Bank will require that the client compensate the affected Indigenous Peoples directly for any loss of livelihood incurred as a result of project-related activities and reinstate any land used to its previous status.

PR8 Cultural Heritage Support the conservation of cultural heritage. Protect cultural heritage from adverse impacts of

project activities. Promote the awareness of and appreciation of cultural

heritage where possible. Screen for risks/impacts on cultural heritage. Develop a chance find procedure. In case there are adverse impacts, establish mitigation

measure in a Cultural Heritage Management Plan. PR9 Financial Intermediaries Not Relevant to this project.

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No. Name Requirements PR10 Information Disclosure and

Stakeholder Engagement Requirements from Aarhus and Espoo Conventions

shall be met. Identify people or communities that are or could be

affected by the project, as well as other interested parties incl. disadvantaged or vulnerable groups/people (as part of the scoping process under ESIA process).

Information disclosed must include a full ESIA report. Stakeholder engagement will be free of manipulation,

interference, coercion, and intimidation. The engagement need to be done through a process of

information disclosure and meaningful consultation. The information will be disclosed in the local language

and in a manner that is accessible and culturally appropriate.

Maintain a constructive relationship with stakeholders on an ongoing basis through meaningful engagement during project implementation.

Report on progress with implementation of the ESAP.

The TAP project should be classified as Category A according to EBRD criteria, and as such, a

special formalised participatory assessment process is required according to EBRD Standards.

The process should include:

A comprehensive Environmental and Social Impact Assessment in compliance with PR 1

Environmental and Social Appraisal and Management and PR 10 Information Disclosure

and Stakeholder Engagement2;

An examination of the technically and financially feasible alternatives and the rationale for

the alternative selection;

Also addressing PRs 2 and 4 the ESIA should identify the issues related to potential risks

related to community health, safety and security, as well as labour and working conditions;

An assessment of involuntary resettlement issues according to PR 5 Land Acquisition,

Involuntary Resettlement and Economic Displacement;

The sustainable use of the natural resources and the protection of biodiversity will have to

be considered as instructed by PR 6;

An assessment of impacts on cultural heritage according to PR 8 Cultural Heritage.

With respect to the Greek requirements for the ESIA, the application of EBRD standards requires

the following additional processes:

2EBRD’s definition of Stakeholder: Individuals or groups who (i) are affected or likely to be affected (directly or indirectly) by the project (“affected parties”), or (ii) may have an interest in the project (“other interested parties”)

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Stakeholder Engagement Plan: a comprehensive approach to the communication and

consultation with the identified stakeholders throughout the whole project lifecycle;

Focus on Social Issues: whereas the Greek legislation mainly refers to environmental

impacts the EBRD approach also focuses on the identification of impacts on the impacted

communities and subsequent definition of necessary mitigation measures.

2.3 ESIA related International Conventions/Agreements

In relation to ESIA process, Greece has ratified both Aarhus and Espoo international conventions

(see Table 2-3). Compliance with public participation requirements defined by Aarhus convention

will be fully covered by TAP through the compliance with Greek legislation and EBRD standards.

The approach to comply with Espoo convention will be defined through collaboration with the

three involved States (Greece, Albania and Italy) for the whole TAP project (i.e. from

Kipoi/Komotini, Greece, to San Foca, Italy). It is noted that TAP Greece East is not likely to have

any impact to any foreign country.

Table 2-3: International Conventions and Agreements Signed/Ratified by Greece in Relation to the

ESIA Process

Convention name Ratified by Greece

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

24/02/1998

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

27/01/2006

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3 ALTERNATIVES ASSESSMENT

3.1 Introduction

A route refinement study was completed in July 2011 for TAP Greece West, with the aim of

selecting a technically feasible pipeline route with the least possible environmental,

socioeconomic and cultural heritage impacts. The findings of the alternatives assessment study

are reported in the Scoping Report for the West Section.

Regarding TAP Greece East, in general, DESFA is already operating a high pressure natural gas

pipeline traversing almost the entire Regions of Eastern Macedonia-Thrace and Central

Macedonia. This is the geographical context of TAP Greece East as well. Consequently, as

stipulated by the bundling of infrastructure principle, TAP Greece East has made every effort to

be parallel to the existing pipeline. It is clarified that the bundling of infrastructure principle refers

to the grouping of infrastructure projects. Best practice industry standards stipulate that new

infrastructure should bundle with existing infrastructure, to the extent possible, in a way that

overall impacts to environment, society and cultural heritage are minimized. The bundling of

infrastructure is commonly applied to infrastructures like high voltage overhead lines or roads in

order to reduce effects like fragmentation of habitats and landscapes, keep traffic noise to

existing levels, maintain the number of affected communities, minimize impacts on livelihoods,

decrease archaeological findings potential, etc. It is good international practice to bundle linear

infrastructure in cases where a new route would open a new construction corridor in a previously

unaffected area. This is particularly true for pipelines where the impacts are mainly during the

construction phase.

Regarding the Compressor Station, various alternatives have been investigated. The selection of

these alternatives is based on spatial availability as well as remoteness from sensitive receptors

as much as possible.

3.2 Methodology of Alternative Assessment Process

Bundling of infrastructure is supported by best industry practice. As such, TAP Greece East has

decided to follow the existing pipeline of DESFA as close as possible. Only in cases where

technical limitations or new environmental, social and cultural constraints exist, should the

proposed route deviate from the bundling principle.

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Up till now, the base case corridor follows the existing pipeline, based on the bundling principle.

Four (4) alternative corridors are assessed mainly to investigate improvement of the base case

corridor, to avoid local constraints and minimize impacts to the environment. All various

alternative routings (i.e. centrelines) that are currently assessed are lying inside these corridors.

These alternatives may be used if need arises as a result of the ongoing stakeholder

engagement and data collection. Through the stakeholder engagement process additional

alternatives may be determined.

Regarding the Compressor Stations (CS), for the initial 10 BCM capacity, one compressor station

in the broader area of Kipoi (GCS00) is foreseen; this station will have a capacity of

approximately 60 – 75 MW (5 operating and 1 spare compressors of 15 MW, each). For the 20

BCM phase, a second compressor station of similar capacity shall be located in the broader area

of Serres (GCS01). For each one of the above mentioned locations three alternatives have been

investigated.

All alternatives are illustrated in APPENDIX 1 – Maps

Once the technical, environmental, socioeconomic and cultural heritage characteristics of each

Alternative corridor and location were established, “impact indicators” for each discipline were

used to highlight the key potential features of each alternative that could be related to key

potential impacts of a standard gas pipeline project and also on the specificities of the study area

(i.e. based on the findings of the desk study). The use of these indicators ultimately allowed the

comparison and the identification of relevant differences and similarities among the Alternatives.

3.3 Findings of the Alternatives Assessment

3.3.1 Route Corridors

The base case corridor has a length of approximately 365 km. For most of its length (300 km

approximately) it follows the existing pipeline, bundling as much as possible with existing

infrastructure. Starting from the Greek/Turkish border, the corridor heads South-West for

approximately 35 km, till the area north of Alexandroupoli. Heading North-West, for approximately

70 km, the corridor reaches the industrial area of Komotini and turns West, passing south of the

broader area of Xanthi, for approximately 30 km (see APPENDIX 1 – Maps, sh. 2 of 5 and 3 of

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5). Turning South-West, the base case corridor reaches the broader area of Kavala, after

approximately 50 km (see APPENDIX 1 – Maps, sh. 3 of 5). The base case corridor continues

North-West for approximately 50 km, passing through the Kavala mountains and Paggaio

northern foothills, reaching the broader area south of Alistrati (see APPENDIX 1 – Maps, sh. 3 of

5 and 4 of 5). After approximately 50 km, the base case corridor reaches the area South of

Serres, passing through the Serres plains (see APPENDIX 1 – Maps, sh. 4 of 5). The last 100 km

of the base case corridor heads South-West reaching Nea Mesimvria (see APPENDIX 1 – Maps,

sh. 4 of 5 and 5 of 5).

Although it traverses through 18 protected areas (seven (7) Natura2000 sites, eight (8) Wildlife

Reserves, two (2) National Parks and one (1) Aesthetic Forest), it mainly goes through their

outskirts. The impacts due to the crossing will be minimised by adopting special construction

techniques and possible time restrictions. There is a number of known archaeological sites, with

an overall archaeological potential of approximately 19%3. Engagement with archaeological

areas seems to exist near the following residential areas: (i) Chalkero (Municipality of Kavala),

Antifilippoi (Municipality of Paggaio), Mesorrachi (Municipality of Nea Zichni), Toumpa

(Municipality of Emmanouil Pappa), Kalokastro (Municipality of Irakleia), Lachana and Assiro

(Municipality of Lagada), Drymos and Pentalofos (Municipality of Oreokastro)

The first alternative corridor (ALT 1) (see Figure 3-1 and APPENDIX 1 – Maps, sh. 3 of 5) is

located north of Kavala, between Chalkero and Neos Zygos. It extends for approximately 4.5 km,

crossing the Kavala Mountains. ALT 1 deviates from the existing DESFA pipeline, just as the

base case does for the corresponding section. It passes through natural forestrial areas, avoiding

any kind of development near Karvali. ALT 2 (see Figure 3-1 and APPENDIX 1 – Maps, sh. 3 of

5) extends for approximately 15 km, between Neos Zygos and Kokkinochoma, northwest of

Kavala. It deviates from the existing DESFA pipeline, just as the base case does for the

corresponding section. It passes through agricultural areas. ALT 3 (see Figure 3-2 and

APPENDIX 1 – Maps, sh. 3 of 5) is located near Antifilippoi settlement. It extends for

approximately 2.5 km, running parallel to the existing DESFA pipeline, in contrast to the base

case for the corresponding section. The area is agricultural but close to residential development.

ALT 4 (see Figure 3-3 and APPENDIX 1 – Maps, sh. 4 of 5 and 5 of 5) is located between Serres

and Lachanas, passing through the Wildlife Reserve of Rizana. In contrast to the base case it

follows the existing pipeline of DESFA through the steep slopes of the Kamilokorfes area. It has

3 Overall archaeological potential is the % of the area covered by the base case corridor not in productive agricultural use.

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an approximate length of 37 km. The area is characterized by agricultural land use in the

flatlands and forested areas in the mountain.

Modifications of the base case corridor may be applied upon further collection of data, constraints

and stakeholder engagement. Main sources of these data include official authorities and NGOs

but also information that will be retrieved by the local communities through the consultation

processes. The pipeline technical team is currently investigating some of the above mentioned

alternatives and the final results will be presented in the Integrated ESIA.

Figure 3-1 Alternative Corridors ALT 1 and ALT 2.


Red Corridor: Basecase corridor Blue Corridor: Alternative sections

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Figure 3-2 Alternative Corridor ALT 3.


Red Corridor: Basecase corridor Blue Corridor: Alternative sections

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Figure 3-3 Alternative Corridor ALT 4


3.3.2 Compressor Stations

As previously mentioned, it is estimated that for the initial capacity of 10 BCM one compressor

station at Kipoi, (GCS00) near the existing Compressor Station of DESFA, will be required.

GCS00 will have a capacity of approximately 60 – 75 MW. For the 20 BCM phase, a second

compressor station of similar capacity shall be located in the broader area of Serres (GCS01).

For all the above alternatives for the Compressor Stations three local alternatives have been

investigated. For each location the main environmental, socioeconomic and cultural heritage

aspects were identified and compared in a 1000 m buffer zone (see tables 3.1 till 3.4). The

alternatives are illustrated in APPENDIX 1 – Maps.

Red Corridor: Basecase corridor Blue Corridor: Alternative section

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Table 3-1: Compressor Station Location near Kipoi (GCS00) Alternatives Assessment Aspects CS00-A CS00-B CS00-C General Engagement with an under evaluation Wind

Park investment plan of 32MW Engagement with an P/V investment with

operation permit Engagement with an P/V investment with installation permit

Engagement with an under evaluation Wind Park investment plan of 32MW

Engagement with an P/V investment with operation permit

Engagement with an P/V investment with installation permit

Flooding risk is high Engagement with an under evaluation Wind

Park investment plan of 32MW Engagement with an P/V investment with

operation permit and another one with installation permit

Protected Areas

Approx. 2.8km from National Park of Dadia-Leukimi-Soufliou

Approx. 2.6km from SCI GR1110005 Vouna Evrou

Approx. 2.6km from SPA GR1110002 Dasos Dadias Soufli

(borders of the above mentioned protected areas coincide more or less)









Landscape Agricultural Area Agricultural Area Agricultural Area with several creeks Socioeconomic context

Sensitive receptors at Peplos (boundary dist approx. 1km,

population approx. 1100), Tavri (boundary dist approx. 1.4km,

population: approx. 100), Thimaria (boundary dist approx. 1.8km,

population approx. 300) Kipoi (boundary dist approx. 2.6km,

population approx. 400)

Potential sensitive receptors at Peplos (boundary dist approx. 1.8km,

population approx. 1100), Tavri (boundary dist approx. 2.7km,

population approx. 100), Thimaria (boundary dist approx. 2.1km,

population approx. 300) Gemisti (boundary dist approx. 2.7km,

population: 250) Kipoi (boundary dist approx. 1.8km,

population approx. 400)

Potential sensitive receptors at Gemisti (boundary dist approx. 2.3km,

population approx. 250), Thimaria (boundary dist approx. 3km,

population approx. 300) Kipoi (boundary dist approx. 2km, population

approx. 400)

Cultural Heritage

No identification of known archaeological sites in a 1000m buffer zone around the boundaries of the site



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Table 3-2: Compressor Station Location near Serres (GCS01) Alternatives Assessment. Aspects CS01-A CS01-C CS01-D General Between Serres and Mitrousi,

No near-by industrial infrastructure exists. Flooding should be considered as well as social acceptance.

Between Serres and Skoutari, No near-by industrial infrastructure

exists. Flooding should be considered as well as social acceptance.

Southe-East of Serres, No near-by industrial infrastructure exists. Flooding should be considered as well as social acceptance.

Protected Areas ~6000 m from GR1260009 SPA ~4000 m from Wildlife Reserve 'Ntamaria - Kosta Brisi'

~4000 m from Wildlife Reserve 'Ntamaria - Kosta Brisi'

Landscape Plain Agricultural. However, it is in proximity to residential areas. Some developments North-East of the area are noted.

Plain Agricultural. However, it is in proximity residential areas. Development (commercial) at ~800 m, along the road Serres - Skotousa.

Plain Agricultural. However, it is in proximity to numerous residential areas.

Socioeconomic context Sensitive receptors at Serres (~1600 m, population 56145) Lefkona (~2000 m, population 2136)

and Mitrousi (~ 2000 m, population 1569)

Sensitive receptors at Serres (~2800 m, population 56145) Neochori (~ 2500 m, population 1201) Skoutari (~2500 m, 2614), and Krinos (~700 m, population 48)

Sensitive receptors at Serres (~4700 m, population 56145) Neochori (~ 2000 m, population 1201), Skoutari (~3300 m, population 2614), Konstantinato (~1300 m, population

414), Agia Eleni (~2000 m, population 636), Neos Skopos (~2700 m, population

2529) Krinos (~2000 m, population 48)

Cultural Heritage No identification of archaeological sites

in a 1000m buffer zone around the boundaries of the site

No identification of archaeological sites in a 1000m buffer zone around the boundaries of the site

No identification of archaeological sites in a 1000m buffer zone around the boundaries of the site

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Regarding GCS00, in the area of Kipoi, all three alternative locations are located in an

agricultural area (see Figure 3-4 and APPENDIX 1 – Maps, sh. 1 of 5). No significant

environmental, cultural or socioeconomic constrains have been identified for any of the

alternatives. A number of villages, i.e. Kipoi, Thimaria, Tavri, Gemisti and Peplos, are situated in

the vicinity of the CS alternative locations but none is closer than 1 km from any of the

alternatives. GCS00-C compressor station is located in an area with several streams and the

flooding risk is considered high. On the basis of the above assessment, although all CS

alternative locations are feasible, it is considered that GCS00-B presents advantages over the

other two alternatives and therefore, GCS00-B is the proposed GCS00 location.

Figure 3-4 GCS00 Alternative Sites.


Regarding GCS01, i.e. in the broader area of Serres, all three alternatives are located in

agricultural area, in proximity to residential areas and third sector developments (mainly

commercial) (see Figure 3-5 and APPENDIX 1 – Maps, sh. 4 of 5). No significant environmental,

cultural or socioeconomic constrains have been identified for any of the alternatives. A number of

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residential areas, i.e. Serres, Lefkona, Mitrousi, Skoutari, Neochori, Konstantinato, Agia Eleni,

Neos Skopos, and Krinos, are situated in the broader area of the CS alternatives. GCS01-A is

located between Serres and Mitrousi. GCS01-C is surrounded by four (4) residential areas out of

which only Krinos is located at a distance smaller than 1000 m (approximately 700 m). GCS01-D

is surrounded by seven (7) residential areas none of which is closer than 1000 m. On the basis of

the above assessment, although all CS alternative locations are feasible, it is considered that

GCS01-C presents advantages over the other two alternatives and therefore, GCS11-C is the proposed GCS01 location.

Figure 3-5 GCS01 Alternative Sites.


It is noted that immisions limits are expected to be in compliance with National and EU legislation

(HGG 992/B/14.07.2005 and EU Directive 2001/81) and consequently, potential impacts are

expected to be insignificant.

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4 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

4.1 Introduction

4.1.1 General Description of TAP East

The East Section of TAP in Greece will be entirely onshore and will consist of an approximately

365 km section from the area of Kipoi (Greek/Turkish border) to the area of Thessaloniki, near

Nea Mesimvria. The pipeline will be made of welded steel pipe sections which will range mainly 8

to 18 m in length. The steel pipe sections will be coated externally in order to protect the pipeline

from corrosion with a 3-layered polyethylene coating. Internal epoxy coating will be applied, to

reduce friction of the gas flow. Some of the pipelines will be installed with concrete plates to

protect the pipe from external damages. The entire pipeline will be protected against corrosion by

a cathodic protection system.

The pipeline will be buried underground for its entire length. For safety reasons and in order to

minimise impacts to existing land uses (e.g. agricultural) the buried pipeline will have a soil cover

of 1 m minimum. Grater depth will be required when crossing existing infrastructure (see Section

4.2.1).

The flow rate capacity may be increased from an initial throughput of 10 BCM/year to

20 BCM/year. The final configuration of the system is still under study. However, for the initial 10

BCM capacity, one compressor station in the broader area of Kipoi (GCS00) is foreseen; this

station will have a capacity of approximately 60 – 75 MW (5 operating and 1 spare compressors

of 15 MW, each). For the 20 BCM phase, a second compressor station of similar capacity shall

be located in the broader area of Serres (GCS01).

The TAP pipeline will be designed for a technical life time of 50 years. The design life for

equipment and piping of the stations is 25 years. The design shall assure that the gas transport

system fulfils all safety requirements of the applicable National and European Codes and

Standards.

The pipeline shall have a design pressure of 95 barg (bars above atmospheric pressure), which

shall be sufficient for the TAP capacity base case of 10 BCM/y and potential future extension of

the TAP System capacity to 20 BCM/y. The design pressure is defined with 95 barg .

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Compressor stations and block valve stations shall be designed to European codes, except

where specific equipment is designed to other standards nominated in the respective functional

specifications. Design and construction of civil structures and buildings shall be according to

National Codes, the Eurocodes, and European Standards. Fire Protection Requirements and

protection of structures shall be according to the International Building Code (IBC).

Project details will be further developed and defined in the next steps of the design. Section 4.2

provides information on the construction, pre-commissioning, operation and decommissioning

methods that will be used for the project.

4.1.2 Safety

A preliminary risk assessment of the onshore pipeline route was performed with the aim of

verifying the pipeline safety. The preliminary assessment determined that the route was feasible

with respect to safety of the pipeline and the surrounding population. In a few more densely

populated areas, the possibility of route optimisation was investigated in order to further increase

distances from settlements. Furthermore, the sections of the pipeline which cross densely

populated areas are relatively short, enabling efficient technical risk mitigation to be applied

where needed or required. A Quantitative Risk Analysis (QRA) will be carried out in the next

phase of the project.

4.2 Pipeline

4.2.1 Introduction

The eastern TAP project consists of the following main components:

Approximately 365 km of pipeline;

Sixfteen (16) Block Valve Stations (depending on final layout);

Two (2) Compressor Stations (GCS00 and GCS01)

Associated facilities required during construction (access roads, camps, yards, etc.).

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4.2.2 Pipeline Construction

The pipeline will be assembled within construction spreads which are along the pipeline

construction corridor. First, the top soil is stripped away and stored separately on one side of the

construction corridor, and then a trench is excavated, where the excavated soil is stored on the

other side of the construction corridor. Individual 8 to 18 m long pipes are then welded together to

a pipeline string. The welds will be tested by non-destructive methods and a coating will be

applied for corrosion protection. The pipe string will be subsequently lowered into the trench. For

communication and data exchange during operation, a fibre optic cable will be laid alongside the

pipeline within the pipeline trench. The excavated soil will be placed back into the trench and the

landscape reinstated to as close as possible to its original condition while the construction spread

moves forward.

In flat soft terrain the average construction progress can be under optimum conditions up to

600 m/day, in hilly or mountainous regions the average progress will be between 200 and

450 m/day whilst in difficult sections like steep slopes and rock the average progress could be as

low as 50 m/day.

Specialised techniques will be used for crossings of e.g. roads and railways. The crossing of

main roads/highways, railways and larger channels may require trenchless methods (e.g. thrust

boring or HDD- Horizontal Directional Drilling). Whether performing an open-cut or a trenchless

installation, the pipeline shall be installed at least 1.5 – 2 m below the existing infrastructure to be

crossed.

The standard onshore pipeline construction, applicable along most parts of TAP, has the

following main elements:

The working strip requires a width of approximately 38 m. The fertile top soil (typically 0.3-

0.5 m thick) will be stripped off over a width approximately 22 - 30 m. The top soil is

temporarily stored on one side of the working strip (see Figure 4-1).

The non-fertile “sub-soil” obtained from the pipeline trench excavation will be stored on the

opposite side of the working strip. Fertile top soil must be re-deposited on top of the non-

fertile soil to assure adequate crop- or vegetation growth.

The width of the working strip must be sufficient enough in order to provide adequate space

for pipeline fabrication (pipe stringing and welding joint coating and quality testing of the

fabricated pipeline section, lowering into the trench), and for simultaneous vehicle

movements, in order for both to happen in a safe manner.

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In areas where there are construction constraints (e.g. environmental or land use

constraints) and in general where there is limited space, the working strip may be reduced.

Figure 4-1: Regular Working Strip

(Source: CPL00-ENT-100-F-DFT-0011_02)

The main limitations on land use above the pipeline will be a narrow corridor of maximum 8 m,

i.e. 4 m on each side of the pipeline axis, (referred to as the Right of Way – RoW) in which the

growth of deep-rooting trees will be restricted, a corridor of maximum 40 m, i.e. 20 m on each

side of the pipeline axis, in which the construction of houses will be restricted and a corridor of

maximum 400 m, i.e. 200m on each side of the pipeline axis, in which the establishment of

clusters of houses and/or industrial infrastructure is limited. The preferred route was selected to

accommodate these criteria allowing also sufficient space for future developments of

neighbouring communities, as much as technically feasible.

The pipeline crosses two (2) highways, major roads, various secondary roads, various carriage

ways and tracks and one (1) railroad4. In addition, it requires 11 major rivers’ crossing. Where

necessary, construction methods that avoid interferences or visible long term impacts will be

used in order to minimise impacts on traffic and the environment.

4 Minor differences may exist depending on the final alternative chosen.

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Block Valve Stations To enhance pipeline safety, the pipeline will have approximately sixteen (16) block valve stations.

With these valves the operator can isolate any segment of the line for maintenance work or

isolate a rupture or leak. The block valves are unmanned with a fence around them to avoid any

interference, covering a total surface area of approximately 18 x 39 m. In line with international

best practice, these stations will be installed in regular intervals of around 24 km and the main

equipment of such stations will be installed underground.

Compressor Station Compressor stations are required to transport the gas by increasing the pressure.

A typical compressor station consist of: 1 – Pipe Inspection Gauges (Pig) traps; 2 – Filters; 3 –

Fuel gas heaters; 4 – Turbine-Compressor buildings; 5 – Gas coolers; 6 – Control building and 7

– Maintenance building & Warehouse (see Figure 4-2).

Each compressor station will mainly comprise of facilities for gas treatment (filter separators),

metering, compression and cooling. The size of the land plot required for the compressor station

is estimated to be approximately 36 ha. The surface area required for the buildings of the

compressor station, facilities such as piping, vents and coolers, and other infrastructure, such as

roads, is approximately 8 ha. The remaining portion of the 36 ha area will remain empty of


from other buildings or infrastructure.

Filter separators will be used to clean the gas from deposits which might occur in the pipeline

upstream of the metering runs. After cleaning and metering the gas will be compressed to the

required pressure.

The installation of gas turbine driven turbo compressors is planned in order to increase pressure.

For the 10 BCM/y case two (2) gas turbines 15 MW ISO will be used (two operating and one

spare). In case of extension to 20 BCM/y, three (3) compressors 15 MW ISO will be added.

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The fuel for the gas turbines is natural gas taken from the gas pipeline. Exhaust gas from each

gas turbine will be discharged to the atmosphere via a dedicated stack per gas turbine of

approximately 40 m height. A venting stack of approximately 70 m is also foreseen. After

compression the gas will be cooled down to 50°C via air cooled heat exchangers. Filter

separators, metering runs and a gas cooler will be installed as free standing facilities, whereas

the compressors and gas turbines are installed in buildings. Currently buildings with two

compressors each are foreseen. Further additional buildings are required, such as control,

electrical, workshop and administration buildings.

Power consumption of the compressor station is approximately 2,000 kW with medium voltage.

The electrical connection of the compressor station will be considered in the site selection of the

station. Regardless of this, each station will be equipped with a diesel generator to provide power

in case of loss of energy from the external source. Currently the installation of a combination of

gas turbine and steam turbine driven turbo compressors is under investigation. In this case the

heat surplus from gas turbine driven compressors will be used to produce steam. This steam will

then be used to drive one or more steam turbines connected to a turbo compressor for gas

compression. Within this alternative the gas turbine driven compressors will be equipped with a

heat recovery boiler. Furthermore a water treatment plant and steam recovery cooler are

required.

Figure 4-2 Compressor Station - Typical Layout.

(Source: ERM 2012)

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It is highlighted that the final design and configuration of the project is under study and

modifications may be implemented.

Associated Facilities For the storage and handling during construction, TAP will need temporary stock yards for the

pipes and worker camps. The location of associated facilities was selected on the basis of

proximity and ease of access to the construction sites and RoW. A desk-top assessment of the

environmental, socioeconomic and cultural heritage impacts of the sites and roads was

performed with the aim to minimise interferences. It is noted that a camp site will be located

within each compressor station’s site boundaries.

Pipe yards sizes will range between 15,000 m2 - 24,000 m2 with capacities ranging between

1,260 – 2,772 pipes. Regular pipes of 48” diameter will be stacked in three layers, concrete

coated pipes (e.g. for river crossings) will be stacked in two layers maximum. Pipe openings will

be protected by PVC “pipe-camps”

Construction camps will range between 20,000 m2 (200 x 100 m) and 50,000 m2 (200 x 250 m)

and will accommodate between 80 and 200 workers. The pipe yards and construction camps are

expected to be operating for approximately 1 year during the construction phase.

The main point of entry for the pipes and those pieces of equipment that cannot be purchased in

Greece will be the harbours of Thessaloniki, Kavala and Alexandroupoli, while the main pipe yard

will be situated in an industrial area to avoid impacts on tourism and urban populations. In order

to transport the pipes to the right location, TAP will upgrade existing roads and build new ones as

required for the execution of the project.

4.2.3 Pre – Commissioning

Once the pipeline has been installed a number of activities will be required to ensure that the pipe

meets the operational requirements. The primary objective of these activities is to verify that the

line has been laid without defects and that it is in a suitable condition to be filled and pressurised

with the export gas. The pre-commissioning equipment will be used for cleaning, hydrostatic-

testing and gauge pigging of the installed pipeline. The equipment will be mainly located at the

compressor station and the block valve stations, so that it can be used to pre-commission the

pipeline in sections. The water required for hydro-testing shall be fresh and clean water which will

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be drawn from (and discharged to) water sources along the route (rivers, reservoirs, lakes). A

detailed concept and assessment for the proposed hydro-testing activities and water resources to

be used will be defined in detail in the ESIA based on detailed studies. Special sections such as

main river crossings shall be tested individually.

4.2.4 Operation

Detailed operating procedures for the pipeline system will be developed. These procedures will

be in place ahead of pipeline operation. The operating procedures will typically address the

following:

An administration system covering legal considerations, work control and safety;

Clear and effective emergency procedures and operating instructions;

Adequate and regular training of all personnel involved in operational and maintenance

issues;

A comprehensive system for monitoring, recording and continually evaluating the condition

of the pipeline and auxiliary equipment;

A system to control all development or work in the vicinity of the pipeline;

Effective corrosion control and monitoring;

A system to collect and collate information on third party activities;

Monitoring of restoration, and the undertaking of remedial work as necessary.

The pipeline will be monitored and remote controlled from a central control room at a location yet

to be confirmed. During operation, leak detection will be by continuous measurements of

pressure and flow rates at inlet and outlet of the pipeline. If a leak is detected, emergency

shutdown procedures will be implemented. To allow internal inspection, pigging facilities will be

installed. The pipeline system has been designed to allow use of instrumented pigs, if necessary.

4.2.5 Decommissioning

The expected service lifetime of the pipeline is 50 years. Decommissioning of the onshore

pipeline will be undertaken in accordance with the legislation prevailing at that time, in liaison with

the relevant regulatory authorities. The eventual decommissioning requirements will be taken into

account in the design stage by ensuring that all possible options will be available.

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5 BASELINE CONDITIONS

5.1 Introduction

The environmental, socioeconomic and cultural heritage baseline characterisation presented in

the following sections has been focused on a 2 km wide corridor (1 km on either side of the

preliminary proposed centre line) along the entire length of the route. The 2 km wide corridor is

also referred to as the study area.

APPENDIX 1 – Maps presents the main land use, environmental, socioeconomic and cultural

heritage characteristics of the base case route, using satellite images and illustrating known

environmental and cultural heritage constraints.

5.2 Environment

5.2.1 Climatic Conditions

Greece has a variety of climatic conditions, being situated in the transition zone between the

typical Mediterranean climate in the east and the moderate continental in the west. Mild and rainy

winters, and dry, hot summers are typical of the Macedonia region. Inland temperatures are

affected more by differences in elevation than by latitude or any other factor. Low winter

temperatures in the mountains are caused by the continental air mass that dominates the

weather in Eastern Europe and the Balkans.

In the Region of East Macedonia - Thrace, mean annual temperature ranges from 14.5°C to

16°C. The annual temperature range surpasses 21°C. The warmest month is July and the

coldest is January. Mean annual rainfall height is 675 mm. Snowfall is a usual phenomenon and

happens during the September – April period. Mean annual cloud cover is 4.5 okta5. The number

of cloudless days ranges from 100 to 120. The mean annual relative humidity ranges from 65%

to 70%. During winter, the prevailing winds are mainly Northern ones, whilst during summer, the

prevailing winds are mainly Southern ones.

5 Okta is a unit measurement used to describe the amount of cloud cover. Sky conditions are estimated in terms of how many eights of the sky are covered in cloud, ranging from 0 oktas (completely clear sky) through 8 oktas (completely overcast).

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The Region of Central Macedonia is characterized by a multitude of climates, like marine climate

in the coastal areas, continental climate in the interior and mountainous climate in the areas with

a high altitude. Mean annual rainfall height ranges between 400 – 800 mm. Snowfall is usual

during the September – April period. The mean annual temperature ranges between 14.5°C and

17°C, with January being the coldest month and July being the warmest.

The tables below present the main meteorological parameters regulating the climate of the area.

The Meteorological Stations of Alexandroupoli, Komotini, Xanthi, Kavala, Drama, Serres and

Thessaloniki were chosen since they were the closest to the area under investigation.

Air Temperature

The following table summarizes the air temperature data for the investigated meteorological stations.

Table 5-1 Temperature data.

Mean Monthly Temperature (˚C) Absolute Temperature (˚C) Meteorological Station Max month Min month annual

range Max month Min month

Alexandroupoli 25.9 July 5.04 January 20.93 39.8 August -6.67 January Komotini 25.45 July 4.84 January 20.61 39.8 August -16.9 January Xanthi 26.47 July 5.85 January 20.62 42.2 August -12 January Kavala 25.98 July 5.59 January 20.39 39 August -11 February Drama 27.08 July 4.95 January 22.13 42.8 September -15 December Serres 26.59 July 4.09 January 22.5 43.8 August -18 December Thessaloniki 26.84 July 5.24 January 21.6 42.6 August -14 January (Source: Hellenic National Meteorological Service (2012))

Rainfall The following table summarizes the rainfall data for the investigated meteorological stations. Table 5-2 Rainfall data.

Meteorological Station Rainfall (mm) Alexandroupoli 542.50 Komotini 667.00 Xanthi 1244.00 Kavala 429.72 Drama 518.10 Serres 456.50 Thessaloniki 442.90 (Source: Hellenic National Meteorological Service (2012))

Cloud cover

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The number of days per year with cloudiness from 0 – 1,6 / 1,6 – 6,5 / 6,5 – 8,0 okta for each

Meteorological Station is presented to the following table.

Table 5-3 Cloud cover data.

Cloud Cover (okta) Meteorological Station 0-1.6 1.6-6.5 6.5-8.0 Alexandroupoli 112.93 189.6 62.47 Komotini 49.38 238.9 72.03 Xanthi 82.23 223.19 59.82 Kavala 107.38 207.11 50.68 Drama 98.93 197.01 66.91 Serres 95.12 192.51 72.17 Thessaloniki 97.39 201.51 65.15 Source: Hellenic National Meteorological Service (2012).

Winds

The following table summarizes the wind data for the investigated meteorological stations.

Table 5-4 Wind data.

Wind Data Meteorological Station % Direction % Direction Calm (%)

Alexandroupoli 19.49 NE 13.94 N 40.35 Komotini 22.97 NE 17.49 S 13.13 Xanthi 41.62 NE 2.73 S 55.49 Kavala 18.87 E 13.47 NE 37.69 Drama 14.16 NE 3.61 W 77.01 Serres 9.45 S 5.72 E 61.96

Thessaloniki 13.13 NE 13.01 E 34.26 Source: Hellenic National Meteorological Service (2012).

5.2.2 Geography

The pipeline enters Greece from the border crossing point near Kipoi and follows a southwest

direction towards Alexandroupolis, until Antheia where it turns northwest. The area comprises

generally of flat, non-irrigated arable land with the exception of the area north of Loutro where the

area is hilly with altitudes generally below 250 m asl and forested. After Antheia, the pipeline has

a general northwest direction crossing arable land until reaching Komotini area, with the

exception of the area between Palagia and Sikorachi where again altitude increases (up to 500 m

asl) and forest coverage prevails.

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Near Komotini, the Project area consists of a large flat expanse that comprises the flatlands

south of the Rhodope mountainous range. These flatlands located south of the Xanthi – Komotini

axis contain the river systems of the Bosbos, Aspropotamos, Xiropotamos and Xanthi

(Kosynthos) Rivers. The project then crosses Nestos River and all the Chrysoupoli plain,

reaching Nea Karvali.

The project route continues crossing a mountainous segment with forest lands across the Kavala

Mountains, reaching 700 m asl. It then follows a segment north of the Paggaio Mountain with

cultivated fields where in the past the now dried Marshlands of Philippi were located. The

following landscape is hilly, cultivated up to the plain of Serres, with a maximum altitude of 130 m

asl.

Further on, the route crosses the Serres plain and Strymonas River, with its dense irrigation

system of ditches and canals.

A part of the route follows crossing the woodlands of the Mavrovouni Mountain (Kroussia

Mountains), with peaks at around 550 m asl.

From the area of Assiros up to the vicinity of Drymos the route crosses hilly landscapes,

meadows and cultivated fields, with an altitude of about 70 m asl. After that, in the Melissochori –

Pentalofos segment, semi-mountainous woodlands are crossed, with an altitude of about 400 m

asl, while the following part up to the end of the route in Nea Mesimvria consists of flatlands with

meadows and an altitude of around 70 m asl.

5.2.3 Geology

The investigated area is part of the Rhodope mass. From Alexandroupolis to Anthia the

geological formations of the area belong to the sub-Rhodope zone. The geological structure of

the investigated area is characterized by the existence of two main basins, the Komotioni and the

Alexandroupoli ones, created during Tertiary period. The wider area is structured by the following

rock formations:

Metamorphic rocks

Sedimentary formations

Plutonic rocks

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The substratum of Rodopi mass is metamorphic rocks. The main formations at the metamorphic

system of Rodopi are the followings:

Lower series of gneiss- schales

Series of marbles

Upper series of gneiss- schales

Sedimentary formations were deposited during the Tertiary and Quaternary periods. The Tertiary

period is represented by Oligocene Miocene and Plio-Plistocene periods. The period started with

the transgression of the middle Miocene to the metamorphic substratum, at the southern part of

Alexandroupolis basin. At Komotini basin, the Tertiary period started with the transgression of the

Upper Miocene. Deposits consist of breccias, conglomerates, limestones, marls, gravels sands

and clays. The Quaternary deposits mainly cover flat areas of the wider region, especially at

Komotini basin. They consist of pebbles, gravels, sands and clays.

The plutonic rocks of the area can be divided to ophihiolite and volcano ones. From the ophiolite

rocks basalts prevail. Extensive volcanic formations are present at Alexandroupoli’ s basin, at the

broader area of Makri. Volcanic formations include dacite and andesite of Upper Eocene and

rhyolites of Oligocene. Tectonic structure of the metamorphic substratum is the result of the

Kalidonian or older folding phase whilst more recent phases are not observed. The direction of

the folding is NE and NW.

During Tertiary, vertical displacements created tectonic faults, of NE and NW direction. This

generated tectonic basins. Concerning the tectonic conditions of the wider area, tectonic

structure of the area was formed by the Alpine Orogenesis. Tectonic structure of the area

consists of vertical movements dipping in a N-NW direction. Faults’ direction is NE-NW. The post-

Alpine fault tectonic action moved downwards the area. During the post-Alpine normal faults, of

NE-NW direction, created horst and fault troughs. At the corridor area a number of active and

potential active faults have been mapped at previous studies by IGME.

From Komotini to Nea Mesimvria, the wider area crossed by the pipeline route consists of

geological formations which from a geotectonic point of view belong to Rhodope zone and

Serbomacedonian zone. The bigger part of the pipeline route crosses smooth relief areas

covered by Quaternary or Pliocene - Pleistocene deposits. At the parts of the routing with

mountainous or semi-mountainous relief Alpine formations prevail. These formations are usually

metamorphic rock as Gneisses, Gneisses – Shales and Marbles.

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From Komotini, the project crosses Pliocene Deposits for the first 9 km. Furthermore the route

follows direction to the West, passes from areas covered from Quaternary Deposits, mainly of

Sandy Clayey Materials crossing significant rivers and their deposits, such as the Bosbos,

Aspropotamos, Xiropotamos and finally the Nestos Rivers. Afterwards the route with Southwest

direction crosses also Quaternary Deposits up to a location of about 90 km from the start.

The route, after this point and for a length of about 20 km, crosses the mountainous area north of

Kavala city where the formations of metamorphic rocks of the Rhodope zone prevail. These

formations are mainly Gneisses, Gneisses-Shales and Marbles. All these formations are

compacted rock formations and do not present cover of weathering mantle of significant

thickness. Afterwards the route heads west, crossing level areas covered by Quaternary

deposits, up to the Strymona River plain, with similar geological formations up to approximately

230 km from the start.

The next approximately 55 km of the route passes through a more or less mountainous area and

crosses metamorphic rocks of the Serbomacedonian zone. The prevailing formations are

Gneisses, Calcareous shales and amphibolites; evidence of other less significant formations is

present. The gneiss formations prevail in the area and, more often than not, are superficially

covered by a thick weathering mantle and screes.

For the last part of approximately 15 km up to Nea Mesimvria, the route crosses Terraces

Deposits of the Pleistocene age. They mainly consist of loose materials of layers of clays with

sand and gravels.

5.2.4 Vegetation and Flora

The study area hosts a great variety of flora including evergreen and deciduous forests,

shrublands, riparian areas, grasslands, meadows, pastures and farmlands. In the following

sections a general reference to the vegetation and flora is made of the study area divided by

regional unities (former prefectures).

Evros Regional Unity

The Evros regional entity is characterised by extensive cultivations across the northern lowlands

which eventually become forested to the south of Didimoticho and Metaxades and regains the

agricultural character along the coastal areas surrounding Alexandroupolis. The project area,

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from the Turkish border close to Kipoi settlement running up to the Amfitriti settlement north of

Alexandroupoli, is comprised of a large flat region with a mean altitude of less than 150 m that

extends to the southwest part of the Evros area which contains Evros River tributaries and other

streams. Northwest of Alexandroupoli, the project area goes up the southeastern end of the

Rhodopi Mountain, into a more mountainous and densely vegetated area reaching an elevation

of 500m. To the west, the landscape is flat and consists mainly of agricultural lands from Chamilo

settlement till Amaranta settlement.

Rhodope Regional Unity In the Rhodope Regional Unity, the area under examination is covered almost entirely by

cultivated fields. Wetland vegetation and grasslands appear in the area of the Xiropotamos

(Kompsatos) River, Koukos River and Amygdalorema River.

Xanthi Regional Unity In the Xanthi Regional Unity, the area under examination is characterized by extensive

cultivation. At the crossing with the Xanthis (Kosynthos) River, wetland vegetation is found.

Shrubby vegetation and clusters of plane trees are found at some locations, near Nestos River,

at the borders with Kavala Regional Unity. At the crossing of the Nestos River a riverside forest

appears. The vegetation at this location includes galleries of Salix alba and Populus alba.

Riparian vegetation has small presence at this location. The areas around the riparian forest are

cultivated.

Kavala Regional Unity Although, the area under examination is covered mainly by cultivated fields, it is also one of the

most naturally vegetated areas of the investigated corridor. This is so due to the presence of the

Kavala Mountains and a number of protected areas located there, including the Aesthetic Forest

Kavalas-Amygdaleonas and the Wildlife Reserve of ‘AGIOS TIMOTHEOS-KIOUPIA’. The

forested areas are basically coniferous forests with Pinus brutia as dominant species.

Sclerophyllus vegetation and grasslands are also present, whilst stands of deciduous species

can be also found. Additionally, the outskirts of Paggaio mountain range and its protected areas

complement the rich natural vegetation of this section. The broader area of the Paggaio mountain

vegetation features young Beech forests, old Oak woodlands, conifer plantations, mixed and

broad-leaved woodlands. In the highest peaks alpine and sub-alpine meadows are present while

rocky slopes can also be seen. The plains, where the base corridor mainly passes through, have

large areas of traditional cultivations separated by hedges and tree stands, while there are also

tracks of intensive cultivation.

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Serres Regional Unity The area under examination is covered almost entirely by cultivated fields, being part of the

Serres agricultural plain. Only at the borders with Kilkis Regional Unity are some natural areas

present. These areas are part of the Krousia Mountain range and the Wildlife Reserve of Er.

Makryotissas – Ampelia – Nisi – Rizana. This specific part is covered mainly by deciduous forests

with species of beeches and oaks. A riparian area near Strymonas and its artificial channel is

also present, but the broader area is heavily cultivated.

Kilkis Regional Unity The base case corridor enters for a small section into Kilkis Regional Unity. This section is

characterized mainly by the outskirts of the Kroussia Mountains with deciduous forests, as

previously described. The vegetation is a mosaic of natural vegetated areas and cultivations of

small scale.

Thessaloniki Regional Unity The investigated area is mainly cultivated. Although inside the National Park of lakes Koronia and

Volvi, the base case corridor passes through the outskirts of the park and mostly natural

grasslands are present. Another area of natural vegetation is present near Gallikos River

characterized mainly by scrublands and natural grasslands. Natural vegetation consists mainly by

species of pines and oaks (yews). Stands of cypresses are also present.

Since most of the area is intensely cultivated, Important flora species with possible presence at

the project location are expected only in the protected areas and especially near Nestos River

(National Park of Eastern Macedonia – Thrace), near Kavala (wildlife reserve of Agios

Timotheos-Kioupia), near Antifilippoi (at the Paggaio mountain protected area), and in Krousia

mountains (Wildlife Reserve of Er. Makryotissas – Ampelia – Nisi – Rizana). The other natural

vegetated areas are close to heavily cultivated lands with increased human presence which

minimizes the possibility of finding any species of ecological interest. The following species of

ecological interest may be found in the base case corridor:

Balkan endemic

Anchusa procera

Bellevalia edirnenis

Campanula lingulata

Jasione heldreichii

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Lotus aegalus

Petrohagia glumacea

Scabiosa triniifolia

Thumus comptus

Trifolium dalmaticum

Greek endemic Dianthus corymbosus

Dianthus groccilis subsp. Xanthianus

Minuartia greuteriana

Salix xanthicola

S. pilosa Velen. subsp. origanita

S. grisebachii

Greek endemic. Important Greek flora species of the “Natura 2000” network Ephedra major subsp. Procera

Erysimum graecum

Fraxinus angustifolia

Other flora species that may be found in the area include Pinus species (P. nigra, P. halepensis,

P. brutia), Quercus species (Q. pedunculata, Q. pubescens, Q. cerris, Q. conferta, Q. ilex, and of

course Q. coccifera), Fagus sylvatica, Juniperus oxycedrus, Carpinus orientalis, Ostrya

carpinifolia, Castanea sativa, Platanus orientalis.

Habitat types according to 92/43 EE will be recorded along the project during the ESIA field

survey activities and an attempt will be made to quantify species of conservation interest along

the route.

5.2.5 Fauna

The project is linear. In this respect, the project practically crosses the greater part of the northern

Greek area. As such, the project is most likely to engage with many of the species that are

present in the northern Greece, with the exception of those restricted to areas outside the

project’s working strip. As a result, it was deemed appropriate to focus on rare or endangered

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species which are under special protection regimes, on national or international level, and are

located in the protected areas engaged with the project.

The following species are found, in general, in the protected areas

Mammals: Sus scrofa, Lutra lutra, Capreolus capreolus, Canis aureus, Felis silvestris,

Lepus vulgaris, Vulpes vulpes, Erinaceinae sp, Rattus sp, Martes martes, Martes foina,

Mustela nivalis, Meles meles, Spermophilus citellus, Myotis alcathoe, Talpa europaea

Phinolophus mehelyi, Nyctalus lasiopterus, Microtus guentheri, Canis lupus Rhinolophus

ferrumequinum Rhinolophus euryale Rhinolophus blasii Myotis myotis Nyctalus noctula

Avifauna: Alauda arvensis, Columba palumbus, Streptopelia turtur, Turdus sp, Coturnix

coturnix, Turdus merula, Pica pica, Corvus cornix, Sturnus vulgaris, Lanius nubicus

Pelecanus crispus, Plegadis falcinellus, Ayhthya nyroca, Numenius tenuirostris,Buteo

rufinus Buteo buteo Aquila chrysaetos Aquila pomarina Circaetus gallicus Hieraaetus

pennatus, Pernis apivorus, Pernis apivorus, Accipiter brevipes, Accipiter gentilis ,Accipiter

nisus, Falco peregrinus ,Falco tinnunculus, Ciconia nigra

Fishfauna: Cobitis punctilineata, Eudontomyzon hellenicus, Phoxinus strymonicus,

Phoxinus phoxinus, Salmo macedonicus, Rutilus rutilus, Sabanejewia Squalius Orpheus,

Tinca tinca, Vimpa melanops balcanica, Salvelinus fontinalis, Sander lucioperca,

Scardinius erythrophathalmus, Silurus glanis.

The ESIA field survey activities will focus on mammal species under protection or threat

according to IUCN and/or the Red Data Book – Greece. With regards to birds the ESIA will focus

on breeding populations/territories of protected/rare bird species along the route.

5.2.6 Protected Areas

The protected areas located near the study area are presented in APPENDIX 1 – Maps. The

areas located within the study area are mentioned here below in an East – West direction:

Wildlife Refuge of Pylaias – Kavissou - Ferron, in Evros Regional Entity, designated in 2001 (see

APPENDIX 1 – Maps, sh. 1 of 5). In this area, the project is following the existing DESFA

pipeline. Current preliminary centreline doesn’t cross this site but the corridor enters the southern

part of the area, for approximately 5 km. The Wildlife Refuge is part of the NATURA 2000 site

“GR 1110009” where several bird species of high conservation status have been reported.

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GR1110009 (SPA) Notio Dasiko Symplegma Evrou

The proposed corridor crosses through the middle of the first area of the Notio Dasiko

Symplegma Evrou for about 10 km (see APPENDIX 1 – Maps, sh. 1 of 5). In this area, the project

follows the existing DESFA pipeline. The site is a forest complex at the south-eastern end of the

Rodopi Mountain. It is characterized by low hills covered with Quercus, Caprinus, Fraxinus and

Acer woodland and scrub. Fagus forest dominates the northern area; Pinus forest and

plantations occur in the south. This is an important site for breeding and wintering raptors and

other resident species associated with forests. Breeding birds include some of the species that

are restricted in Europe to the Mediterranean biome (when breeding). Species of concern

include: Haliaeetus albicilla, Neophron percnopterus, Aegypius monachus, Circaetus gallicus,

Buteo rufinus, Aquila pomarina, Aquila clanga, Aquila heliaca, Aquila chrysaetos, Hieraaetus

pennatus, Falco naumanni, Bubo bubo, Hippolais olivetorum, Lanius nubicus. The main threats

include illegal use of poisoned baits for raptors, afforestation with plantations, forest grazing and

increasingly intensive forest management.

Wildlife Refuge of Kirki Municipality of Alexandroupolis, in Evros Regional Entity, designated in

2001 and partially overlapping with GR1110009 (see APPENDIX 1 – Maps, sh. 1 of 5). In this

area, the project follows the existing DESFA pipeline. The base case corridor crosses for about 4

km the southern part of this area. The Wildlife Refuge encompasses an artificial enclosure where

a population of Capreolus capreolus had been translocated there to breed. Most of the animals

have now abandoned the area and colonised the rest of Evros region.

GR1130006 (SCI) ‘POTAMOS FILIOURIS’

This is a Natura habitat in Rodopi Regional Entity. In this area, the project follows the existing

DESFA pipeline (see APPENDIX 1 – Maps, sh. 2 of 5). The proposed corridor crosses a small

segment of the southern part of the Natura 2000 area – the Filiouris River (approximately 400 m).

The area, which is adjacent to Vouna Evrou, is a steep-sided valley, with rocky sides and slopes

that descend from the Demir Tsal (Sarka) hills. It consists of oak forests and pastures. The new

name of the area Potamos- Koilada Filiouri is Lissos River, which is a very long river, composed

of many streams. It is now threatened by an inappropriate reforestation with Pines in open Oak

forest, by road construction and by development in general. Nevertheless, abundant relics of

riparian forest exist along the river as well as scattered inside the different agricultural

cultivations. The site is rich in birds of prey including Neophron percnopterus, Gyps fulvus,

Circactus, Aquila pomarina, A. chrysaetos and possibly Hieraaetus pennatus. Moreover it is the

most important feeding area for vultures. Additional breeding species include Ciconia nigra,

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Dendrocopos medius and Hippolais olivetorum. The river provides freshwater to the near-to-sea

wetlands. The reference on Leuciscus cephalus is about the subspecies macedonicus.

The river was banked up with dykes on both sides especially on its plain part. The rapidly

extending agricultural exploitation through land reclamation schemes has caused the loss of

large areas of former natural habitats in the wetland. Thus, most of the freshwater marshes and

reedbeds were drained along the river and riparian forests were cut. The destruction of wetland

habitats with the richness and diversity described, have also had a very serious impact on the

raptor fauna and fish of the bordering mountainous areas. Establishment of industrial zone

between Thrilorion and Aratos villages along the Komotini- Alexandroupolis road at a distance of

1-2 km away from the river is expected to lead to pollution by industrial waste, in the near future.

Fertilizers and waste have altered the water quality towards eutrophication and affected the

ecological character of the river. There are also roads, bridges as well as railway tracks inside the

site.

Wildlife Reserve of Chatoisio, in Rodopi Regional Unity, established in 1976 (HGG

601/30.04.1976). In this area, the project follows the existing DESFA pipeline (see APPENDIX 1

– Maps, sh. 2 of 5). The base case corridor passes through a small part of this area for

approximately 2.3 km. The Wildlife Reserve has an area of 1288 hectares. The area mainly

consists of arable land interrupted by semi-natural hedges and remnants of riparian forests and

settlements. Some indicative habitat types/ecosystems are: arable land, Synanthropic vegetation

and degraded remnants of Salix alba - Populus alba galleries (code 92A0, Annex I, Directive

92/43/EEC). Dominant species of flora include: Sambucus ebulus, Salix alba, Cichorium intybus,

Marrubium peregrinum, Juglans regia, Populus nigra, Xanthium strumarium, Scirpus

holoschoenus, Pulicaria dysenterica, Ononis spinosa, Sisymbrium officinale, Eryngium

campestre, Ulmus campestris, Celtis australis, Bunias erucago, Solanum dulcamara, etc. Most of

the taxa are very common; some of them are synanthropic or invasive species. Species of fauna

include: Lepus europaeus Vulpes vulpes, Canis aureus, Felis sylvestris, Meles meles, Martes

foina.

Complex of National Park of Eastern Macedonia – Thrace The proposed corridor crosses the northernmost part of the complex, in the peripheral zone of

the National Park and the outer limits of the overlapping protected areas (see APPENDIX 1 –

Maps, sh. 2 of 5 and 3 of 5). In this area, the project follows the existing DESFA pipeline. The

complex of the National Park of Eastern Macedonia – Thrace includes the following protected

areas:

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National Park of Eastern Macedonia – Thrace. The park was established in 2008 (HGG

497/D/17.10.2008) as well as its Management Body. It covers an overall area of

approximately 93000ha. The corridor length intersecting the area is approximately 41 km.

GR1130009 (SAC) ‘LIMNES KAI LIMNOTHALLASES TIS THRAKIS – EVRYTERI

PERIOCHI KAI PARAKTIA ZONI’. The wetlands under consideration seen either as one

ecological unit and a great wetland complex, or as each one separately still have a great

ecological value for Greece and Europe. Their diversity in biotopes and wildlife species is

remarkable, as well as the important bird populations that exist there. Several bird species

have their national strong holds here. Moreover, the total greek and european populations

of other bird species, breed in these wetlands, that are also protected by the Ramsar

Convention. They also included in the IUCN Directory site and are classified as Type I

Bird site. The corridor length intersecting the area is approximately 4.3 km.

GR1150001 (SPA) ‘DELTA NESTOU KAI LIMNOTHALASSES KERAMOTIS KAI NISOS

THASOPOULA’. It is the most important wetland because of the large area that it

occupies and because of its rich habitat-types. Nowadays, it still is a valuable part of a

wetland chain included between Axios River and Delta of Evros of north Greece.

Ornithologically, it is still an important breeding site for spur-winged plover (Hoplopterus

spinosus) (largest breeding population in Europe), purple heron, (Ardea purpurea) etc. It

is also important for migratory waterfowl and lesser spotted Eagles which winter there.

From an ichtyological point of view especially the wider part of the river mouth is an

important spawning and nursery ground for several commercially, intensively used

species (Seabream, Seabass, Mullet, Eel, e.t.c.). The corridor length intersecting the area

is approximately 4 km.

GR1150010 (SAC) ‘DELTA NESTOU KAI LIMNOTHALASSES KERAMOTIS -

EVRYTERI PERIOCHI KAI PARAKTIA ZONI’. The wetland is important from an

ornithological point of view because of the large area that it occupies and because of its

rich habitat types. Moreover, it is a valuable part of a chain of wetlands located between

Axios River and Delta Evrou in northern Greece. The riparian forest and the coastal area

are important for breeding, the lagoons for migrating and the river for the wintering of

many species as grebes, ducks, herons, cormorants, pygnies, raptors, geese, flamingos,

waterfowl and others. The corridor length intersecting the area is approximately 4.8 km.

Wildlife Reserve of Kompsatos. The Wildlife Reserve (HGG B 842/2001) has an area

covering 3800 hectares. The area consists mainly of by arable land interrupted by semi-

natural hedges and a seasonal stream, settlements and degraded pastures. Some

indicative habitat types/ecosystems are: Synanthropic vegetation and unvegetated sand

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bed. Dominant species in terms of flora include: Ononis spinosa, Solanum eleagnifolium,

Trifolium angustifolium, Silybum marianum, Marrubium peregrinum, Scirpus

holoschoenus, Kickxia spuria, Galium verum, Portulaca oleracea, Cynodon dactylon,

Sorghum halepense. Most of the plant taxa are very common and synanthropic species.

Species of fauna include: Canis aureus, Meles meles, Martes foina, Felis sylvestris. The

corridor length intersecting the area is approximately 500 m.

Wildlife Reserve of Kotza-Orman. The Wildlife Reserve (HGG B 132/1986) has an area

covering 8022 hectares. The area consists mainly of a complex of arable land interrupted

by semi-natural hedges, riparian forests, Nestos River, and water ponds cover by

reedbeds. Some indicative habitat types/ecosystems are: Synanthropic vegetation,

arable land, Salix alba - Populus alba galleries (code 92A0, Annex I, Directive

92/43/EEC). Dominant species in terms of flora include: Salix alba, Saponaria officinalis,

Platanus orientalis, Phragmites australis, Alnus glutinosa, Plantago major, Cynanchum

acutum, Hedera helix, Phytolacca americana, Humulus lupulus, Galium aparine, Cornus

sanguinea, Ranunculus peltatus. Most of the plant taxa are very common and

synanthropic species. Species of fauna include: Sus scrofa, Canis aureus, Meles meles

Lepus europaeus, Martes foina, Felis sylvestris. The corridor length intersecting the area

is approximately 3.6 km.

Ramsar site of Lakes Vistonis, Porto Lagos, Lake Ismaris & adjoining lagoons. It

was included in the Rasmar convention on 1975. Prior to December 1996, there were two

separate Ramsar sites, Lake Vistonis and Lake Mitrou, which were merged to form the

current site. The site includes a wetland complex, encompassing a coastal lake (Vistonis),

the Porto Lagos saline lagoon, six shallow saltwater adjoining lagoons separated from the

sea by a sandy beach, and a freshwater shallow lake (Ismaris). The coastal lagoons are

fringed by saltmarsh, extensive mudflats, reedbeds and scrub, and freshwater marsh. The

area is important for breeding birds, and large numbers of various species of waterbirds

occur in winter, such as Pelecanus crispus and P. onocrotalus. Human activities include

commercial fishing, livestock grazing, groundwater exploitation, recreation and hunting.

The base case corridor does not traverse the area.

Wildlife Reserve of Agios Timotheos-Kioupia, in Kavala Regional Unity, established in 1976

(HGG 733/02.06.1976). The base case corridor crosses a small part of this area for

approximately 4.5 km (see APPENDIX 1 – Maps, sh. 3 of 5). The Wildlife Reserve has an area

cover of 2618 hectares. The area is mainly consisted by evergreen shrublands and some

scattered settlements mainly for livestock. Some indicative habitat types/ecosystems are: East

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Mediterranean Garrigues (code 5340), synanthropic vegetation and arable land. Dominant

species in terms of flora include: Quercus coccifera, Ligustrum vulgare, Carpinus orientalis,

Crataegus monogyna, Quercus pubescens, Cornus mas, Jasminum fruticans, Pyrus

amygdaliformis, Colchicum bivonnae, Lotus corniculatus. There are also two important species:

Erysimum crassistylum, Digitalis viridiflora. Most of the plant taxa are very common. Species of

fauna include: Vulpes vulpes and Lepus europaeus.

Aesthetic Forest of Kavala-Amygdaleona, in Kavala Regional Unity, established in 1979 (HGG

606/D/28.10.1979). It is an artificial forest of great recreational and social value for the community

of Kavala’s broader area. That is because the regional unity of Kavala does not have other

forests or recreational areas, with the exception of Paggaio mountain and Nestos River. The

base case corridor touches the outskirts of this area. The corridor length intersecting the area is

approximately 2.5 km (see APPENDIX 1 – Maps, sh. 3 of 5).

GR1150011 (SPA) ‘OROS PANGAIO KAI NOTIES YPOREIES TOU’. This is a Natura habitat. In

this area, the project follows he existing DESFA pipeline (see APPENDIX 1 – Maps, sh. 3 of 5

and 4 of 5). The proposed corridor crosses a small segment of the northernmost part of the

Natura 2000 area, for approximately 2 km. In general, this site has remained in a great extent

intact, despite the fact that Egnatia Highway passes through the plain of Pangaion and a number

of forest roads provide access to many former remote areas. Birds of prey such as the Golden

Eagle and the Booted Eagle thrive in the area, while rare birds associated with agricultural

environments like the Roller and the Olive-tree Warbler are also common. Rock Partridges are

still common in Mt Pangaio, while Semi-collared Flycatchers and other forest species nest in

good numbers.

Wildlife Reserve of Petroto-Faraggi-Almyra, in Serres Regional Unity, established in 1996 (HGG

754/D/27.08.1996). In this area, the project follows the existing DESFA pipeline (see APPENDIX

1 – Maps, sh. 4 of 5). The base case corridor crosses the site for approximately 2.5 km. The

Wildlife Reserve has an area cover of 988 hectares. The area consists mainly of forestrial areas

of shrublands and natural grasslands. Species of fauna include: Lepus europaeus and Perdix

perdix..

Wildlife Reserve of Dimitritsiou - Triantafyllias, in Serres Regional Unities, established in 1999

(HGG 1434/D/13.07.1999). The base case corridor passes through the outskirts of the reserve

for approximately 1.5 km (see APPENDIX 1 – Maps, sh. 4 of 5). The Wildlife Reserve has an

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area covering 2500 hectares. The area consists mainly of lowlands with cultivated fields

interrupted by semi-natural hedges, while on foothills there are evergreen shrublands and

deciduous broadleaved forests. Species of fauna include: Perdix perdix and various other

migratory species.

Complex of National Park of Lakes Koronia and Volvi The proposed corridor crosses the northernmost part of the complex, in the peripheral zone of

the National Park. In this area, the project follows the existing DESFA pipeline (see APPENDIX 1

– Maps, sh. 5 of 5). The complex of the National Park of Lakes Koronia and Volvi includes the

following protected areas:

National Park of Lakes Koronia – Volvi. The park was established in 2004 (HGG

248/05.03.2004) whilst its Management Body in 2002 with Law 3044. It covers an overall

area of approximately 93000ha. The base case corridor crosses only this area and

specifically the peripheral zone of the National Park. The corridor length intersecting the

area is approximately 28 km.

GR1220009 (SPA) LIMNES KORONEIAS - VOLVIS, STENA RENTINAS KAI EVRYTERI

PERIOCHI. The two lakes of the site are connected to each other by a canal which is not

functional nowadays. The related malfunctions to the canal, the rivulet embankments and

the drainage works due to extensive cultivation, gradually drain off Koroneia (Langada)

lake into Volvi Lake. The water level of the former has been reduced to 0,5 m. The latter,

is also connected to the sea by Richeios River which passes through a gorge with

precipices and rocks, surrounded by dense, high maquis of extraordinary composition and

high plane trees along the river banks. The two lakes are characterised by dissimilar

indexes of land uses, eutrophication and urbanization, with lake Langada (Koroneia)

being more threatened. However, two large streams, i.e.Apollonia and Mellisourgos, flow

into the lake Volvi and result in sedimentation. Locally extensive reed beds occur around

the lakes and along the rivulet banks. Small linear and mosaic type wood areas are found

within the site. Between the two lakes, the very old Platanus orientalis trees are found

with important colonies of grey herons and the riparian forest of Apollonia, where a large

number of animals, including birds, find refuge. The surrounding hilly and mountainous

area, along with cultivated land, support good numbers of birds of prey (Lesser Spotted

and Booted Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, Lanner, etc) and other protected species such

as the Black Stork, the Roller and the Calandra Lark. The base case corridor does not

traverse the area.

GR1220001 (SAC) LIMNES VOLVI KAI LAGKADA - EVRYTERI PERIOCHI. In addition to

what has been previously mentioned for the two lakes, individuals of the bird species

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Phoenicopterus ruber have been regularly recorded from lake Koroneia in the recent

years. They have tried twice to nest in this area with no indications of success. Extensive

reed beds of Scirpus maritimus and Phragmites australis occur around the lakes and

along the rivulet banks. Small linear and mosaic type wooded areas (groves, hedges, tree

lines) are found within the site. Between the two lakes two very old plane (P. orientalis)

trees with important colonies of grey herons are found in Scholari. In addition, in the area

of N. Apollonia, the plane tree where the Apostole Paul spoke stands. In both lakes,

geothermal phenomena appear which are used as thermal waters in the Langadas and

Apollonia thermal spas. The base case corridor does not traverse the area.

GR1220003 (SAC) STENA RENTINAS - EVRYTERI PERIOCHI. The site lies along the

borderline of two different climatic zones of Greece. The one to the south, is characterized

by mediterranean climate, while the other, indicates the invasion of the continental climate

to the northern part of Greece. The site is a gorge surrounded by dense and high maquis

of extraordinary composition of evergreen wood species (including Quercus ilex). High

plane trees (Platanus orientalis) are growing wild along the Richeios River. The river

connects Lake Volvi to the Strymonikos gulf. A water dam is located at the upper part of

Richeios River whose malfunctioning affects fish populations and their free circulation

from the lake to the sea and backwards. Colonies of bats are found in the area. Finally,

there are archaeological findings, whereas the most important is the Rentina castle. The

base case corridor does not traverse the area.

Ramsar site of Lakes Volvi & Koronia. It was included in the Rasmar convention on

1975. It refers to the two freshwater lakes connected by a narrow channel, fringed by

reedbeds, patches of woodland, and surrounded by arable land. The area supports

endemic fish, nesting waterbirds, and large numbers of wintering birds including Anatidae

(geese, ducks, swans, etc.). Several nationally rare or endangered aquatic plants occur.

There are many settlements around the lakes and human activities include irrigation,

agriculture, livestock grazing, fishing and hunting. The base case corridor does not

traverse the area.

There is also a Controlled Hunting Area, right next to the above mentioned national park,

established in 2006 (HGG 688/02.06.2006) and numerous areas for dogs training of lesser

ecological significance.

It is highlighted that Appropriate Assessments will be performed for the engaged protected

Natura sites

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5.2.7 Landscape

The study area, from the Greek/Turkish border to Fylakas village at the outskirts of Komotini, is

mainly characterized as a plain with dense hydrographic network where Evros and Filiouris

Rivers are dominant. The greater landscape area is also characterized from the protected sites of

forested areas. The base case corridor starts from Evros River and its network traversing a flat

agricultural area, up to the outskirts of Feres town. Then, the landscape changes to an area

where agriculture, pastures and forest are mixed. At the next section, the base case corridor

enters the protected site of the South Forest Complex of Evros at the south-eastern end of the

Rodopi Mountain. It is characterized by low hills covered with Quercus, Caprinus, Fraxinus, Acer

woodland and Pinus forests. This area is a mosaic of agricultural, natural grasslands and

forested areas. In continuance, the base case corridor neighbors the protected site of Kirki’s

habitat.

Entering Regional Unity of Rodopi, the base case corridor traverses the plains of Komotini and

Xanthi, which are intensively cultivated, mainly with maize and cereals. Mixed riparian forestrial

(mainly low vegetation with scrublands and natural grasslands) and agricultural areas lay along

the rivers of Xiropotamos (aka Kompsatos), Xanthis (aka Kosynthos) and Nestos. Nevertheless,

the landscape of this section is dominated by agriculture.

The landscape changes at the area of Kavala, where the Aesthetic Forest of Kavala-

Amygdaleona, at Symboli mountain range (included in the Kavala Mountains) characterizes the

area as mountainous forested area. However, this landscape is limited to a small length of the

route corridor.

Further to the west, the base case corridor is engaged with the Serres agricultural plain, which

completely dominates the landscape. The landscape does not change, not even inside protected

areas or along riparian areas. The plains are so intensively cultivated that fields can be seen

even inside protected hilly areas, thus resulting in a mountainous agricultural landscape. It goes

without saying that agricultural fields are present next to irrigation channels.

The mountain range of Krousia stops the previously described agricultural landscape. At this

section, the landscape is characterized as mountainous forests. Kroussia Mountains extend

through Serres and Kilkis regional unities. The mountains host the wildlife reserves of ‘Er.

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Makryotissa-Ampelia-Nisi-Rizana” and of ‘Dimitritsion-Triantafyllias’. Agricultural lands can be

seen even in such a mountainous landscape. Nevertheless, these agricultural features are

encompassed by the overall natural landscape.

Leaving the Kroussia mountain range, the base case corridor travers a mosaic of hilly agricultural

and natural grasslands area and enters in the National Park of Lakes Koronia and Volvi. The

particular area of the National Park is characterized by agricultural lands. This is why the specific

area is included only in the third and last, peripheral, protection zone of the National Park. A

small hilly mixed agricultural and natural low vegetation landscape, north of Oraiokastro,

interrupts the otherwise plain agricultural landscape.

5.3 Socioeconomic

5.3.1 Introduction

Greece is located in the southeast corner of Europe, at the southernmost part of the Balkan

Peninsula. Since the Kallikratis programme reform entered into effect on 1st January 2011,

Greece consists of thirteen regions subdivided into a total of 325 municipalities, each of which

has a capital city. The pipeline route passes through two regions, the East Macedonia and

Thrace and Central Macedonia, and 23 municipalities.

In Greece, the service sector is the largest economic sector contributing more than 59% of the

GDP (2010 data) while agriculture and construction is the smallest sectors. The Greek economy

went into recession in 2009 resulting in the implementation of an austerity program in 2010.

According to Hellenic Statistical Authority, public debt, inflation and unemployment are above the

euro-zone average for 2010.

5.3.2 Socio-economic Context

The pipeline route passes through two regions: Central Macedonia and Eastern Macedonia and

Thrace and 23 municipalities based on the Kallikratis Plan6 (see APPENDIX 1 – Maps). There

6 Kallikratis Plan or more specifically ‘New Architecture of Local and Decentralized Administration – Kallikratis Plan is the code name for Greek Law 3852/2010. This law implemented an extensive reforming of the administrative division of Greece in 2011 with which the boundaries of the local administrative units, the election mechanism and the responsibilities of each unit were redefined.

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are 83 settlements whose boundaries lie within the 2 km corridor. A brief overview of the socio-

economic status of these two Regions is summarised below.

Central Macedonia has a total surface area of 18,811 km2. The capital is Thessaloniki, the

second largest city in Greece, and other main cities in the region are Edessa, Katerini, Kilkis,

Polygyros, Serres and Veria. These are also Regional Unities (former Prefectures of Greece). In

line with the national economy, the main economic activity in the region is the service sector

which accounts for 71.4% of the GRP, while industry provides 21.1% and agriculture provides

7.5% of the total GRP.

The Region of East Macedonia and Thrace has a total surface area of 14,157 km2. Based on its

area, it is ranked 4th in Greece. The capital is Komotini and the largest city is Kavala. It includes

six Regional Units: Drama (capital: Drama), Evros (capital: Alexandroupoli), Thasos (capital: the

port city of Thasos), Kavala (capital: Kavala), Xanthi (capital: Xanthi) and Rhodope (capital:

Komotini).

Total population of Region of East Macedonia and Thrace reaches 611,067 (according to the

2001 census) whilst the Region’s population density reaches 43.16 inhabitants/km2. From a

population density point of view it is ranked 9th in Greece. The per capita GRP reaches 67% of

the per capita GDP. In tandem with the National Economy, the basic economic activity of the

area is the agriculture and livestock sector.

The Base Case corridor covers for almost 80% of its width agricultural land uses. The land uses

are mainly annual and perennial crops. The rest of the area comprises mainly of agricultural and

permanently irrigated lands. The area crossed by the western part of the routing and more

specifically from Nea Mesimvria to the Strymonas riverbed, consists of agricultural lands, mixed

annual and perennial crops as well as a few natural grasslands. Industrial activity is low along the

pipeline route. There are two organized industrial areas, one in Alexandroupoli the other at Sapai,

which are outside the study area of the pipeline corridor and two lying close: that of Komotini and

of Kavala. From the Strymonas riverbed up to Kavala, the lands crossed by the corridor are

mainly irrigated lands, mixed annual and perennial crops, with scattered meadows and

scrublands. From Kavala to Komotini the corridor crosses mixed annual and perennial crops as

well as permanently irrigated lands. Figure 5-1 illustrates a typical, representative irrigated area

of the pipeline corridor. The specific area is located south of Serres.

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Figure 5-1 Typical irrigated lands along TAP Greece East corridor and the existing pipeline.


According to the 2001 census, in the 20 municipalities crossed by the corridor under examination,

145,858 inhabitants are recorded. Population density is more or less constant. An increase in the

population density is presented near Kavala, Serres and of course as the corridor reaches the

environs of Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece.

The largest population centers are the settlements of Iasmos (4,796 in Iasmos Municipality),

Selero (4,561 in Avdira Municipality), Diomidia (3,629 in Avdira Municipality), Nea Karvali and

Eleftheroupoli (2,270 and 5282, respectively, in Kavala Municipality), Drymos (2,467 in

Oreokastro Municipality), Assiros (2,390 in Lagadas Municipality), Neos Skopos (2,538 in

Emmanuel Pappas Municipality), Nea Zichni (2,370 in Nea Zichni Municipality) and Krinides

(3,323 in Amphipoli Municipality).

The population of the Region of East Macedonia and Thrace includes communities of Greek

Muslims, Pomaks and Roma. These three groups are considered as the Muslim Minority of

Greece, the only recognised minority in the country. The precise size of the minority living in the

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communities lying in the corridor under investigation shall be defined within the framework of the

Socioeconomic study that will be performed during the Main ESIA phase.

Additional vulnerable groups are individuals or communities who are particularly susceptible to

marginalisation for reasons of sex, age, gender, race, religion, disability, livelihood or location.

Individuals or households may have a different vulnerability rating than the settlement or

municipality as a whole. This can be seen in urban areas where there are a diverse economy and

easy access to services, but also residents who may be highly vulnerable such as ethnic

minorities, the disabled or the elderly. Data gathered during the planned socioeconomic

household field survey are expected to identify settlement level vulnerabilities.

The main indicators of settlement vulnerability are considered to be the following:

High dependence on agriculture as the main economic activity. These settlements will be

potentially more vulnerable to impact from disruptions to agricultural activities caused by

project activities. This is because of the limited diversification of income sources of such

settlements. Dependence on agriculture is more common in smaller settlements and at the

most eastern (where there is flat agricultural land) and western sections of the alternatives.

Settlements where plot sizes are generally small. Any crossing of the land by the pipeline

will affect a greater proportion of the overall land available to any individual land user. Small

plot sizes are generally more common in the western section of the route.

Small rural settlements with a high percentage of residents over 60 are considered more

vulnerable to project impacts.

Although access to infrastructure and utilities is also generally a factor that indicates vulnerability,

the settlements within the study area generally have good access to infrastructure and all of the

settlements have access to utilities, based on the available data (such as satellite imagery,

existing town plans, etc).

5.4 Cultural Heritage

The cultural heritage of the wider study area, based on the bibliographical research that has been

conducted so far (and is still ongoing), includes:

Caves

o Aghioi Theodoroi cave in Kirki, Evros. (Murals dating from the byzantine period)

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o Cave in Kato Rema gorge in Strymi area, Rodopi (prehistoric period)

o The cave of Alistrati, Serres (Quaternary sediments,~2.000.000 years ago)

o The cave of Maronia, Komotini (Residential of Neolithic Period)

o The cave of the Rivers, Drama - It has not been investigated yet.

Prehistoric settlements and burials from the Neolithic Period and after (Late Bronze Age,

Archaic Period, Hellenistic Times), graves from different periods and forms (shaft and cist

graves, Late Bronze Age pyres), prehistoric settlements, acropolis, citadels, sanctuaries

and necropolis.

Other architectural residues like hilltop fortification walls, castles, and walls (mainly of the

Byzantine times), settlement remains, cemeteries, aqueducts, water mills, pottery kilns,

stone made bridges and roads.

Remains of ancient Via Egnatia (Komaros and Monastiraki area, Evros)

Designated traditional buildings (Lefkimi, Evros)

Macedonian tombs.

Temples/churches from the Early Christian Period until Modern times. Great number of

Byzantine and Post-Byzantine temples/ churches.

Monuments like theatres, mounds/tubas, towers of several periods, Ottoman and Roman

baths.

Traditional settlements (Maroneia and Vakos in Rodopi)

Fossilized trees deposits (Fylakto, Evros)

Pottery and other artifacts scatters

Movable cultural property housed in numerous museums, Archaeological, Historical,

Ethnological, History of Art, Folklore, of Contemporary Art, Ecclesiastical, Public Libraries,

Mansions, Cultural Associations, Residences and other kinds of buildings.

The archaeological research (desktop studies and fieldwork) that has taken place so far at the

study area involves a relatively great number of cultural heritage sites. At this stage of the ESIA

study, it is difficult to define them with accuracy, taken into account that the bibliographical

research is still ongoing and the fieldwork has not taken place yet. Further research will take

place during the actualization of the ESIA, in order to document the presence or absence of other

sites and to locate them with accuracy within the study area.

ESIA desktop study so far has documented more than 100 known cultural heritage sites in the

pipeline section from the Turkish border to Nea Mesimvria, within an approx. 50 km buffer. Out of

these sites, only 44 are located within the 2 km buffer zone of the base case route. The exact

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location of these sites in relation with the pipeline route is not known currently as the relevant

bibliographical references are often vague and insufficient. ESIA desktop study is still in process

therefore the CH sites numbers presented above are expected to change as the research is

going on.

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6 POTENTIAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES

6.1 Introduction

Table 6-1 to Table 6-6 present a list of the main potential environmental, socioeconomics and

cultural heritage impacts for the construction, pre-commissioning, operation and

decommissioning of the pipeline project in Greece. The tables present the following information:

Impact Area: list of impact areas intended as the environmental, socioeconomic and

cultural heritage component potentially affected by the project’s activities during

construction, pre-commissioning, operation and decommissioning phases. Impact areas

include:

Resources and Waste;

Geology, Soils and Contaminated land;

The Water Environment;

Air Quality and Climatic factors;

Noise and Vibration;

Biodiversity and Nature Conservation;

Landscape and Visual Impacts;

Socio-Economic Impacts;

Displacement of Land Uses, Property and People;

Community Health and Safety;

Working Conditions;

Cultural Heritage.

Potential Impacts of Significance: list of types of impact or sources of impacts that could

occur from the project on the basis of information currently available (project and baseline).

The magnitude and significance of the impacts will need to be ascertained during the

detailed impact assessment;

Area of Influence: the geographical area which could be potentially affected by the impact.

The definition of the area of influence is to be intended as indicative. The extent of the area

of influence will need to be ascertained during the detailed impact assessment;

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Mitigation Options: list of types of mitigation and control measures that may be

considered where significant impacts are identified during the assessment.

With regards to the Area of Influence the following criteria has been adopted: Local – impacts that affect local environmental, socioeconomic or cultural heritage

resources or are restricted to a single habitat/biotope, a single (local) administrative area or

a single community. Although considered local, the geographical extent of each impact

within this category can be variable, depending on the impact type and location. Local

impacts may be restricted to the Right of Way, the working strip (approximately 38 m wide)

and areas directly affected by associated facilities (e.g. access roads, workers camps and

pipe yards), however there will be local impacts that extend beyond but are still within the

local context (e.g. within hundreds of meters or kilometric distances from the RoW). Orders

of magnitude of distances for each local impact are presented in the following tables. It is

noted that a camp site will be located within each compressor station’s site boundaries,

restricting the area of impacts.

Regional/Provincial – impacts that affect regional environmental, socioeconomic or

cultural heritage resources or are felt at a regional scale as determined by habitat type,

administrative boundaries or community. Tentatively the geographical extent of regional

impacts will be up to tens of kilometres.

National – impacts that affect national environmental, socioeconomic or cultural heritage

resources or affect an area that is nationally protected/ important. Tentatively the

geographical extent of national impacts will be up to hundreds of kilometres.

Trans-boundary/International/Global – impacts that are experienced in one country (or

several countries) as a result of activities in another, which in some occasions could reach

to planetary level (e.g. global warming).

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6.2 Pipeline

6.2.1 Construction Table 6-1 Potential Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures Related to Pipeline Construction and Pre-Commissioning. Impact Area Potential Impact/Source Area of Influence Potential preventive/mitigation measures

Use of large quantities of construction material

Disposal of construction waste Transportation of construction material and

waste Consumption of fuel by vehicles and

machinery Sewage (black and grey water) management

and disposal Use of water for construction activities,

camps, yards Use of water for pre-commissioning

(hydrotesting)

Local to Regional, depending on impact and specific location of waste disposal sites and origin of construction material and fuel

Materials to be sourced and disposed of with sustainable procurement principles and from as close as possible to the project so as to minimise impacts of production and transport.

Identify beneficial uses or opportunities for recycling construction spoil and other wastes wherever possible.

Waste management plan and system to be implemented

Environmental and social management plan Evaluation/assessment of water sources for

hydrotesting so as to minimise impacts to other water users and aquatic habitats

Resources and waste

Excavation works during construction including off-site quarrying where needed (compressor station, block valve stations)

Clearance of working strip, logistic sites (yards, camp sites) and access roads will affect top soil with the risk of resource loss

Physical damage through soil compaction and accidental contamination should also be considered (see also resources and waste).

Contaminated sediments from past activities

Local, within working strip (38 m) and the footprint of associated facilities (compressor and block valve stations)

Impacts from contaminated sediments will be Local or Regional depending on the location of the waste disposal sites

Construction site management plan Preservation of topsoil Reinstatement of topsoil following completion of

construction activities Oil & Chemicals Spill Contingency Prevention &

Planning Detailed route investigations to avoid contaminated

areas Location of camp site per CS within each

compressor station’s site boundaries.

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Impact Area Potential Impact/Source Area of Influence Potential preventive/mitigation measures Geology, Soils and Contaminated land

Excavation works during construction including off-site quarrying where needed (compressor station, block valve stations)

Clearance of working strip, logistic sites (yards, camp sites) and access roads will affect top soil with the risk of resource loss

Physical damage through soil compaction and accidental contamination should also be considered (see also resources and waste).

Contaminated sediments from past activities

Local, within working strip (38 m) and the footprint of associated facilities (compressor and block valve stations)

Impacts from contaminated sediments will be Local or Regional depending on the location of the waste disposal sites

Construction site management plan Preservation of topsoil Reinstatement of topsoil following completion of

construction activities Oil & Chemicals Spill Contingency Prevention &

Planning Detailed route investigations to avoid contaminated

areas

Impacts to aquatic habitats, water quality & river morphology from river crossings of the right of way and access roads

Impacts to river morphology will be local and typically within the working strip (38 m). Impacts to water quality will depend on the river/channel to be crossed but could be up to hundreds of meters upstream of the crossing (e.g. in tidal rivers/channels) and between hundreds of meters and a kilometre downstream. Same would apply to river crossings of new access roads.

Minimise number of river crossings Select crossing locations in order to minimise

impacts to riparian vegetation and to the river channel and habitat

Select working window to minimise impacts on aquatic species (winter)

Monitoring of water quality – Environmental Monitoring Plan

Reinstate channel, banks and riparian vegetation to pre-construction status

Audit management and reinstatement Alternative construction techniques to open cut

trenching and backfilling (e.g. Horizontal Directional Drilling)

Water Environment Water Environment

Sediment plumes from working strip, yards, camps and access roads due to rainwater runoff

Local, specific distances depend on local conditions. Could be up to a kilometre downstream of the discharge location

Management of working strip, access roads, yards and camps to minimise sediment runoff into water courses (silt fences, silt traps, vegetation of stockpiles and of marginal areas, etc.)

Monitoring of water courses/water bodies - Environmental Monitoring Plan

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Impact Area Potential Impact/Source Area of Influence Potential preventive/mitigation measures Oil & chemical contamination from machinery

on working strip, yards, camps and access roads

Local, typically within working strip (38 m). Specific distances depend on local conditions. Could be up to a kilometre downstream of the accidental release.

Fuelling/bunkering procedure for machinery, generators, etc.

Bounded or contained oil/fuel storages Oil & Chemicals Spill Contingency Prevention &

Planning Chemical handling procedures Oil & Chemical spill response kit on sites HSE Training of all on-site personnel on

environmental awareness (including managing erosion and siltation on site and waste management) and oil & chemical spill prevention and response. This mitigation measure is valid for all impacts.

Location of camp site per CS within each compressor station’s site boundaries.

Generation of waste water and solid waste (from camps, working strip)

Local, specific distances depend on local conditions. Could be up to a kilometre downstream of the discharge location

Treatment of waste water prior to discharge in any water body

Locate yards and camps away from water courses/water bodies

Waste management plan Air Quality and Climatic factors

Impacts from dust generated from earth movements, excavation, vehicles movement, stockpiles, unpaved surfaces, etc. along the working strip, access roads, yards and camps. Receptors will include residential population, workers, fauna and flora species, cultural, historic, water quality, etc.

Local, typically in the vicinity of the pipeline’s working strip (within 100 m) and associated facilities (new roads, yards, camps). Specific distances depend on local conditions and could be up to hundreds of metres in certain unfavourable meteorological situations

Good construction site management practices such as covering of loose materials, vehicle speed limits, watering dusty surfaces in dry weather, sheeting of trucks, etc.

Environmental and social management plan

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Impact Area Potential Impact/Source Area of Influence Potential preventive/mitigation measures Impacts from emissions to the atmosphere

from machinery and vehicles (i.e. generators, excavators, bulldozers, side booms, trucks, cars, compressors for hydrotesting etc.). Receptors will include residential population, workers, fauna and flora species, water quality, etc.

Local, typically vicinity of working strip of pipeline (within 100 m) and up to hundreds of meters. Specific distances depend on local conditions.

Global - Greenhouse gases (e.g. CO2)

Maintenance of equipment and vehicles Routing of construction traffic away from sensitive

areas Training of operators and drivers Avoiding construction traffic from crossing densely

populated areas or historic centres Traffic management plan Use of low sulphur fuels if available Modelling of pollutant dispersion from main emission

sources (generators, compressors) Monitoring of main emission sources (generators,

compressors) - Environmental Monitoring Plan Environmental and social management plan.

Noise and Vibration

Impacts from noise and vibration from machinery, construction vehicles, blasting of rocks (if required) and compressors for hydrotesting. Noise receptors will include residential population (and sensitive receptors like schools and hospitals), workers, fauna, cultural/historical buildings, etc.)

Local, specific distances depend on local conditions and source: o Machinery and construction vehicles. Typically

between working strip (38 m) and up to hundreds of meters.

o Blasting. Up to 10 km

Good construction site management Limiting working hours close to sensitive receptors Using specific mitigation on noisy equipment

(acoustic shielding) Locating noisy equipment (e.g. generators,

compressors) away from noise sensitive receptors Speed limits for vehicles Adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for

workers Modelling of main noise emission sources

(generators, compressors) Monitoring of main emission sources (generators,

compressors) - Environmental Monitoring Plan Environmental and social management plan.

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Impact Area Potential Impact/Source Area of Influence Potential preventive/mitigation measures Impacts from habitat loss. The impacts will be

both temporary and long term/permanent. Temporary impacts will arise from the working strip, camps and yards which will be reinstated to pre-construction conditions once construction is completed.

Local, working strip (38 m) and footprint of associated facilities

Route and associated infrastructure location selection

Alternative construction techniques to open cut trenching and backfilling (e.g. Horizontal Directional Drilling)

Minimise footprint wherever possible (e.g. narrower working strip)

Restore pre-construction conditions as far as possible (e.g. re-vegetation of working strip) - Vegetation/Landscape Restoration Plan.


Biodiversity and Natural Habitats

Impacts to fauna and flora species of nature conservation interest from the project’s activities (e.g. noise, aqueous discharges, sediments plumes, uptake of water for hydrotesting, greater human pressure to previously inaccessible areas) during construction and pre-commissioning works with particular reference to sensitive areas such as nesting places, old growth forests, wetlands, rivers, riparian vegetation and areas identified as rich in endemic and protected species.

Local, specific distances depend on source of impact and local conditions. Typically immediate vicinity of working strip of pipeline (38 m) and associated facilities (new roads, yards, camps). Specific distances depend on local conditions and could be up to hundreds of metres in certain unfavourable conditions. Impacts to water quality and aquatic habitats could be up to a kilometre depending on the impact and the conditions.

As above for water quality, air quality noise & vibration impacts

Management of dust, air emissions, aqueous discharges and waste to minimise impacts on flora, fauna and ecosystems (e.g. locating fixed machinery as far as possible from sensitive habitats)

Restrict construction during certain periods/seasons at certain areas

Monitor impacts on flora and fauna at sensitive locations - Environmental Monitoring Plan

Environmental and Social Management Plan Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) to be designed for the

life of the project. Action Plans for specific important species and habitats/environments should be developed.

Relocate endemic/rare plant species to suitable nearby habitats

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Impact Area Potential Impact/Source Area of Influence Potential preventive/mitigation measures Landscape and Visual Impacts

Temporary and permanent landscape and visual impacts from land take and above-ground structures. The impacts will be temporary for the working strip, camps and yards which will be reinstated to pre-construction conditions once construction is completed. Sections with potentially significant landscape impacts include mountain ridges or elevated terrain and old growth and mature forests.

Local, specific distances depend on local conditions. Up to 10 km in certain circumstances (Regional)

Minimise footprint wherever possible (e.g. narrower working strip)

Restore pre-construction conditions as far as possible (e.g. re-vegetation of working strip) - Vegetation/Landscape Restoration Plan.

Visual mitigation measures where deemed necessary (compressor stations)

Location of new roads, temporary accesses and camps away from sensitive landscape locations

Minimization of visual impact from Compressor Stations through installation at non-prominent locations.


Table 6-2 Potential Socioeconomic Impacts and Mitigation Measures related to Pipeline Construction and Pre-Commissioning. Impact Area Potential Impact/Source Area of Influence Potential preventive/mitigation measures Displacement of Existing Land Uses, Property and People

Impacts on land uses. Impacts will arise as a result of land take for the working strip. This land will be re-instated, where possible, following the completion of the construction activities returning the land to its original use. Impacts on annual crops will also be temporary along the working strip along which annual crops can be grown once re-instated. However, permanent crops (olive trees, fruit trees etc) are unlikely to be reinstated.

Local: Owners and users of land along the working strip of the pipeline (38 m) and associated facilities (new roads, yards, camps) and areas to be occupied by compressor stations, block valve stations and associated permanent facilities.

Develop and implement a Resettlement Action Plan and Livelihood Restorations Plan (LRP) for Greece setting out how resettlement for permanent and temporary acquisition of land will be managed and mitigated in line with TAP’s Strategy for the Acquisition of Land and Easement and EBRD’s PR.

Implement a land restoration plan to ensure previous use and users return on completion of construction, where possible.

Ongoing stakeholder engagement with municipalities along the route in line with TAP’s Stakeholder Engagement Strategy and EBRD’s PR.


Socio-Economic

Increased government revenues (e.g. permit & construction fees & levies)

Local, regional and national: Authorities at the various levels may be the recipients of revenues

None Required – Authorities will determine priorities for spending government revenues.

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Impact Area Potential Impact/Source Area of Influence Potential preventive/mitigation measures Impacts to local livelihoods and loss of

household income as a result of construction work (e.g. temporary and long term occupation of agricultural land or reduced access).

Local: Owners and users of land within the working strip of pipeline (38 m) and associated facilities (new roads, yards, camps) and areas to be occupied by compressor stations, block valve stations and associated permanent facilities.

Local: Land owners and users of land plots and areas affected by decreased accessibility due to the presence of construction sites.

Ensure that the Livelihood Restoration Plan (LRP) provides for the restoration or improvement of livelihoods as stated in TAP’s Strategy for the Acquisition of Land and Easement.

Robust monitoring of implementation and success of the LRP with corrective measures implemented where livelihoods are not fully restored in line with TAP’s Strategy for the Acquisition of Land and Easement and EBRD’s PR.

Stakeholder engagement with local communities and affected people in line with TAP’s Stakeholder Engagement Strategy and EBRD’s PR.

Engage a team of Community Liaison Officers (CLOs) to manage and monitor TAP’s community relations in line with TAP’s Stakeholder Engagement Strategy and EBRD’s PR.


Impacts

Economic benefits to households and to the local economy as a result of direct/indirect job creation during construction works.

Benefit to the local community & economy as a result of local procurement of materials for construction and other services to supply the project.

Limited national economic benefits due to employment or procurement of specialists or equipment not available in the regions

Local and regional (municipalities and region): Individuals will benefit from employment and procurement opportunities.

National: Employment and procurement opportunities for pipeline construction specialists and providers of goods and services

Ensure maximisation of employment and procure opportunities for local people and businesses in line with TAP’s Local Content Strategy and CSR Policy.

Maximise local employment during construction and provide a fair and transparent recruitment process and to enhance local skills base through training provided by TAP in line with TAP’s Local Content Strategy and CSR Policy

As far as possible, procure goods from local suppliers through sub-contracts to local firms (subject to availability, quality and cost) and purchasing of goods from local retailers in line with TAP’s Local Content Strategy and CSR Policy.

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Impact Area Potential Impact/Source Area of Influence Potential preventive/mitigation measures The presence of workers on the site during

construction works could have an impact on social infrastructures (water, electricity, roads, health centres).

While there might be a temporary pressure on these infrastructures in the short term, there may be also a positive impact on infrastructure development in the medium to long term, if the project helps develop existing infrastructures.

Local and regional: Use of facilities by the Project workforce thereby reducing access to communities in the vicinity of the working strip of pipeline (38 m), associated facilities (new roads, yards) and construction camps as well as areas around compressor stations, block valve stations and associated facilities.

Provide access for the Project workforce to the required recreational, social and health facilities either at construction camps or through agreements with local facilities, to minimise pressure on local facilities.

Identify through a focussed study infrastructure upgrades that would benefit local communities e.g. access roads in line with TAP’s Strategy for Social and Environmental Investments.

The presence of workers on the site and the money they earn and spend may cause changes to local customs and norms and result in local inflation.

Impacts on local livelihoods (e.g. farming) from project construction could also impact on social institutions and cohesion of the local community since livelihoods and social institutions are often closely bound with each other.

Local and regional: Communities, land owners and users in the vicinity of working strip of the pipeline (38 m) and associated facilities (new roads, yards, camps) and areas around compressor stations, block valve stations and associated facilities

Stakeholder engagement with affected communities/ groups/ people in line with TAP’s Stakeholder Engagement Strategy and EBRD’s PR.

Engage a team of Community Liaison Officers (CLOs) to manage and monitor the satisfactory implementation on effectiveness of all community relation procedures in line with TAP’s Stakeholder Engagement Strategy and EBRD’s PR.

Develop a Workers Code of Conduct that will include disciplinary measures for those that break the Code requirements.

Safety risks for communities as a result of construction works.

Increased traffic loads on roads adjacent to the project.

Local: Communities currently using and living along the roads to be transited by the project’s vehicles, including mountain roads.

Local and regional: Communities along transportation routes

Develop a community Safety Management Plan to address safety risks for communities, including traffic related risks.

Develop Journey Management Plan for all trips, including ensuring all drivers receive adequate training.

Provide traffic awareness training at local schools and at community level to raise the awareness of communities regarding avoidance of road related accidents.

Community Health and Safety

Community severance between people’s homes and infrastructure, family and friends and places of work including agricultural land and, in some cases, grazing areas.

Local: communities located in the vicinity of construction sites.

Provide replacement crossing points.

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Impact Area Potential Impact/Source Area of Influence Potential preventive/mitigation measures Potential increased incidence of disease

associated with the presence of the workforce or environmental degradation.

Increased pressure on local services (health, leisure, police, etc) from the project’s workforce resulting in decreased access for local communities.

Local and regional: Communities near workers camps. Apply strict worker management policies and prevention measures

Provide access for the Project workforce to the required recreational, social and health facilities either at construction camps or through agreements with local facilities, to minimise pressure on local facilities.

Develop and enforce Code of Conduct for workers. Development of detailed management plans

regarding environmental issues taking into account the health of the population.

Location of workforce in camps near local communities could result negative worker –community interactions and reduced access for communities to services.

Local: Communities close to worker camps. Avoid locating worker camps close to communities. Provide access for the Project workforce to the

required recreational, social and health facilities either at construction camps or through agreements with local facilities, to minimise pressure on local facilities.

Camp Management Plans &Worker Codes of Conduct will be developed with appropriate disciplinary procedures for breaches.

Working Conditions

Risk of injuries for workforce as a result of major excavations, tunnelling and working in the vicinity of active roads.

Local: Communities located in the vicinity of construction sites.

Develop an HSE management system for the project in accordance with international good practice. The HSE plan will identify risks to worker health and safety and describe the HSE Management System.

Good site management practice (training and qualification of staff, appropriate work standards) will be implemented to reduce health and safety risks. Fencing or marking sites where there are open ditches etc to stop people or animals from accidents.

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Table 6-3 Potential Cultural Heritage Impacts and Mitigation Measures related to Pipeline Construction and Pre-Commissioning. Impact Area Potential Impact/Source Area of Influence Potential preventive/mitigation measures Cultural heritage (known and potential) including “intangible cultural heritage” (ICH)

Ground disturbing construction activities including permanent and temporary occupations (i.e. working strip, compressor stations, pipe yards, workforce camps, tunnel portals, landfills/land takes and accesses).

Local, working strip of pipeline and associated facilities (new roads, yards, camps) and areas to be occupied by compressor stations, block valve stations and associated permanent facilities.

Cultural Heritage Management Plan (including ICH): Detailed reconnaissance survey of known

monuments, ICH and archaeological sites. Implementation of archaeological monitoring and a

“chance finds” procedure with special focus on high potential archaeological areas.

Avoidance of certain and likely impacts by project redesign for archaeological site, monuments and ICH.

Use of low special impact construction techniques where complete avoidance (e.g. re-routing) is not feasible.

Removal of resources by rescue excavations and associated studies.

ESMP within the ESIA to outline the Cultural Heritage Management Plan.


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6.2.2 Operation and Decommissioning Table 6-4 Potential Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures related to Pipeline Operation and Decommissioning. Impact Area Potential Impact/Source Area of Influence Potential preventive/mitigation measures Resources and waste

Waste and wastewater generated by the compressor station during operation and maintenance. This includes waste generated by pigging operations (tailings, sludge) and during decommissioning

Local, specific distances depend on local conditions Waste management plan

Water Environment

Impacts to aquatic habitats and water quality during decommissioning activities

Impacts to habitats and water quality during decommissioning will typically be localised

Monitoring of water quality – Environmental Monitoring Plan

Reinstate channel, banks and riparian vegetation to pre-construction status

Audit management and reinstatement Oily water for Compressor Stations will be treated as

a chemical waste and will be collected only by a licensed operator.

Air Quality and Climatic factors

Impacts from air emissions from the compressor stations (turbines)

Non-routine events such as emergency venting (and depressurisations for maintenance) at the compressor station or pipe failure have a higher potential to reduce air quality.

Local, specific distances depend on local conditions, typically hundreds of meters, but could be up to a kilometre in certain unfavourable meteorological conditions.

Greenhouse gases, Global

Maintenance and monitoring Air quality monitoring Location of compressor station away from sensitive

receivers Adoption of Best Available Techniques (BAT) for the

abatement of air pollutants, like leakage detection from dry seals, gas analyzer and minimization of impacts during decompression.

Noise and Vibration

Impacts from noise emissions during the normal operation of the compressor station (e.g. compressors, turbine engines). Non-routine events such as emergency venting. Noise receptors will include residential population (and sensitive receptors like schools and hospitals), workers, fauna, cultural/historical buildings, etc.

Local, specific distances depend on source of impact, local conditions, and location of sensitive receptors.

Compressor noise from 200 m to more than a kilometre in certain unfavourable meteorological conditions. Over a kilometre for noise generated during emergency venting (typically for short periods of time).

Maintenance and monitoring Noise emission monitoring Location of compressor station away from sensitive

receivers Modelling of main noise emission sources

(generators, compressors) Monitoring of main emission sources (generators,

compressors) - Environmental Monitoring Plan Using specific mitigation on noisy equipment

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Impact Area Potential Impact/Source Area of Influence Potential preventive/mitigation measures (acoustic shielding)

Locating noisy equipment (compressors) away from noise sensitive receptors

Biodiversity and Nature Conservation

Impact to fauna from the noise emissions from the compressor station

Impacts to flora and fauna from the routine maintenance/clearance of the inner safety corridor (maximum 8 m wide) where no deep routed vegetation will be allowed to avoid interference with pipeline.

Disturbance during decommissioning phase

Local, RoW from 200 m to more than a kilometre in certain unfavourable meteorological conditions in the surroundings of the compressor stations.

Noise emissions, as above Restore pre-construction conditions as far as

possible (e.g. re-vegetation of working strip) and maintain vegetation - Vegetation/Landscape Restoration Plan.

Monitor impacts on flora and fauna at sensitive locations

Environmental and Social Management Plan Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) to be designed for the

life of the project. Action Plans for specific important species and habitats/environments to be developed.

Landscape and Visual Impacts

Impacts to landscape due to permanent land take for the compressor station and block valve stations.

Impacts to landscape from routine maintenance of the RoW.

Local, RoW and accesses for maintenance clearance, other specific distances in terms of the permanent structures (block valve and compressor stations) depend on local conditions

See above The Vegetation/Landscape Restoration Plan should

pose special attention to areas with high visibility or where special re-vegetation techniques should be established (e.g. slope stabilisation techniques on mountain slopes).

Table 6-5 Potential Socioeconomic Impacts and Mitigation Measures related to Pipeline Operation and Decommissioning Impact Area Potential Impact/Source Area of Influence Potential preventive/mitigation measures Displacement of Existing Land Uses, Property and People

Permanent land acquisition/easement during operation

Permanent changes to land use in particular agricultural land for permanent crop production (e.g. olive trees, fruit orchards, vineyards).

Local: Owners and users of land along the RoW and areas to be occupied by compressor stations and other permanent infrastructures.

The Livelihood Restoration Action Plan will consider impacts to land during operation and decommissioning and provide for compensation to land owners/users.

Develop and implement a land restoration plans to restore any project land for productive use after decommissioning of the project in line with TAP’s Strategy for the Acquisition of Land and Easement and EBRD’s PR.

Undertake engagement with the communities along the route as part of the stakeholder engagement plan

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Impact Area Potential Impact/Source Area of Influence Potential preventive/mitigation measures in line with TAP’s Stakeholder Engagement Strategy and EBRD’s PR.

Engage a team of Community Liaison Officers (CLOs) to manage and monitor TAP’s community relations and restoration plans in line with TAP’s Stakeholder Engagement Strategy and EBRD’s PR.

Increased government revenues as a result of tariffs on gas transport.

National, regional and local: Authorities None Required –Authorities will determine priorities for spending government revenues.

Socio-Economic Impacts Economic benefits to households and to the

local economy as a result of direct/indirect job creation during operation (e.g. compressor station).

Local and regional: Individuals and companies benefitting from employment and procurement opportunities.

Implement the Local Content Strategy developed by TAP to maximise local employment throughout the operations phase.

Implement a fair and transparent recruitment process and enhance local skills base through training provided by TAP in line with TAP’s Local Content Strategy and the EBRD PR.

Enhance the local skills base through training provided by TAP in line with its Local Content Strategy and Strategy for Social and Environmental Investments.

As far as possible, procure goods from local suppliers through sub-contracts to local firms (subject to availability, quality and cost) and purchasing of goods from local retailers in line with TAP’s Local Content Strategy.

Socio-Economic Impacts

Land use restriction for safety reasons (permanent and semi permanent buildings , such as greenhouses, infrastructures)

Local: Users and owners of land affected by measures to assure the integrity of the pipeline. The construction of structures will be restricted in a corridor of maximum 20 m and the establishment of cluster of houses and/or industrial infrastructure in a corridor of maximum 200 m

Route selection process has aimed to reduce areas of conflict to a minimum.

Stakeholder engagement and detailed surveys during detailed design will continue to identify and aim to minimise potential areas of conflict.

Safety risks for communities as a result of project operation activities, in particular those related to traffic operations.

Local: communities currently using and living along the roads to be transited by the project vehicles, including mountain roads. Communities along transportation routes

Develop a Community Safety Management Plan to address safety risks for communities, including traffic related risks through Journey Management Plans.

Community Health and Safety

Community severance between people’s homes and infrastructure, family and friends and places of work including agricultural land and in some cases grazing areas

Local: communities located in the vicinity of access roads etc.

Impacts of severance will be mitigated by provision of safe crossing points.

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Impact Area Potential Impact/Source Area of Influence Potential preventive/mitigation measures Risk of injuries for workforce as a result of

routine project operation activities and maintenance.

Local: communities currently using and living along the roads to be transited by the project vehicles, including new access roads.

Develop a HSE management system for the project in accordance with international good practice. The HSE plan will identify risks to worker health and safety and describe the HSE Management System.

Good site management practice (training and qualification of staff, appropriate work standards) will be implemented to reduce health and safety risks.

Table 6-6 Potential Cultural Heritage Impacts and Mitigation Measures related to Pipeline Operation and Decommissioning. Impact Area Potential Impact/Source Area of Influence Potential preventive/mitigation measures Cultural heritage (known and potential) including “intangible cultural heritage” (ICH)

No specific impacts or risks are expected during the operation (land take and earth works limited to construction phase)

Ground disturbing removal and restoration activities during decommissioning

Local, RoW footprint of associated decommissioning activities

Cultural Heritage Management Plan (including ICH)

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6.3 Main Findings of Preliminary Assessment The preliminary assessment presented in the tables above has been based on the project

information currently available, the baseline information collected to date and the experience

gained in similar projects constructed in similar environmental and socioeconomic contexts.

The likelihood, magnitude and significance of the impacts will be further assessed and detailed in

the ESIA. However the preliminary assessment highlights that construction impacts of a pipeline

and associated facilities are typically temporary in nature and localised. These include temporary

noise and air emissions from construction machinery, impacts on land use, loss/disturbance of

natural habitats (flora and fauna), landscape and temporary impacts to water quality and aquatic

habitats during river crossings and near shore marine works. The magnitude and significance of

construction impacts will depend on the local conditions. Typically construction impacts can be

managed and mitigated efficiently.

The pipeline will be buried and the land will be re-instated to its pre-construction status. The main

limitations on land use above the pipeline will be a narrow corridor of pipeline protection strip 4+4

m in which the growing of deep routing trees will be restricted, a corridor of pipeline safety zone

20 + 20 m in which the construction of houses will be restricted and a corridor of 200 + 200 m in

which the establishment of cluster of houses and/or industrial infrastructure is limited. The

preferred route was selected to accommodate these criteria and allows sufficient space also for

future developments of neighbouring communities. The operation of the compressor station will

generate air emissions and noise and will have an impact on the landscape. Best practice and

mitigation measures will be adopted to minimise operational impacts. Landscape impacts will be

managed through the restoration of the original landscape along the pipeline route and through

vegetation screening of the permanent structures where required.

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7 TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR ESIA

7.1 Introduction

A key outcome of the scoping process is the definition of the Terms of Reference (or ToR) of the

detailed ESIA study. The findings of the ESIA study will be presented in the ESIA report (or EIA

report in line with Greek Regulations) which will be prepared in compliance with Greek National

laws and regulations as well as international standards. As for all previous ESIA steps performed

by TAP (Alternative Routes Assessment and Scoping) TAP has selected the more stringent

EBRD standards as the international standards benchmark for the ESIA report.

The following sections present the Terms of Reference of the detailed ESIA, which will be

performed for TAP. The section is structured as follows:

Overview of activities to complete the ESIA process;

Specialist studies;

Stakeholder engagement;

Outline structure for the final ESIA report; and

Provisional schedule for the ESIA process.

7.2 ESIA Objectives

TAP recognises that comprehensive planning and management of environmental and socio-

economic issues are essential to the execution of any successful project and, therefore, intends

to fully integrate environmental and socio-economic considerations into the life cycle of the

proposed Project.

The purpose of the ESIA is to assess the potential impacts of the project and project-related

activities on the environment (including biophysical and socio-economic resources) and, where

applicable, to design mitigation or enhancement measures to avoid, remove or reduce negative

impacts to the environment.

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7.3 ESIA Steps

Following on from the scoping phase of the project, the ESIA will:

Update and finalise the technical project description as further engineering details become

available, working closely with project engineers to confirm details such as the final layout

of associated facilities (in particular compressor station and block valve stations), final

locations and layout of temporary infrastructures (pipe yards and worker camps), and

construction and operation plans;

Conduct additional consultation and further refine the scope of the ESIA as necessary;

Collect additional baseline data through desktop research and field studies to complete a

comprehensive description of the environmental, social and cultural heritage conditions;

Identify and assess environmental, socio-economic and cultural heritage impacts

Develop mitigation and enhancement measures and elaborate an Environmental and

Social Management Plan (ESMP) including an approach for monitoring;

Report findings in a comprehensive ESIA report.

7.4 Specialist Studies

7.4.1 Desktop Studies

Desktop studies will include additional research to identify existing documentation that contains

information relevant to key resources present in the project environment. Potential sources

include publicly available literature with relevance to the project site and general area.

Finally, project engineering studies will be reviewed for quantitative information on environmental

elements. Studies that may provide useful data could be geotechnical investigations, process and

operations water source investigations, surface water drainage studies, air emission studies and

any other studies of relevance.

7.4.2 Field Studies

Planned Studies

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Primary data will be collected by field studies carried out by environmental, socio-economic and

cultural heritage specialists. Specialists with qualifications in the particular resource area and

knowledgeable of the local conditions will be assigned.

Determination of Seasonal Variations For the eastern TAP project primary sampling was conducted in summer and autumn for

biodiversity parameters. The specialists adopted scientifically accredited and recognised

sampling methodologies. The biodiversity fieldworks were conducted in selected sites (mainly to

the protected areas). This was necessary in order to retrieve valid ecological data, prior of the

migration of bird species, hibernation of animal species and vegetation defoliation and meeting

with the time schedule of the project. In case, during the scoping consultation, the need for

additional biodiversity field surveys arises the specialist team will be mobilized again to visit the

indicated areas. However, validation of the data will have to be correlated with the season of the

field trip.

Also, it is noted that a Land Easement and Acquisition (LEA) study and a Human Rights Impact

Assessment (HRIA) are being carried out in parallel with the ESIA focusing on the respective

issues.

7.5 Stakeholder Engagement

Upon completion of initial scoping consultation and disclosure, the subsequent steps will be

undertaken:

Main ESIA consultation phase;

Integrated ESIA Disclosure phase.

7.5.1 Main ESIA Consultation Phase

Engagement activities carried out later on in the Main ESIA phase include consultations designed

to inform local stakeholders about project design, to obtain their key concerns and high level

issues and to inform the development of mitigation for the project. This consultation will enable

the ESIA team to refine the ESIA analysis by generating additional feedback on the ESIA

approach, key issues and analysis of potential impacts (such as assessment of their relative

significance).

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Consultation will be carried out with local communities (open public meetings) and small groups

of key stakeholders in the communities (key informants and focus groups), the land of which is

located within the 2 km study corridor. Heads of these communities will be invited to attend these

meetings. The purpose of these meetings is to inform the social baseline study that will be carried

out to better understand these stakeholders.

The notification of the public hearings will be announced through media and the hearings will be

open to the public.

7.5.2 Integrated ESIA Disclosure

According to national legislation (see Chapter 2) the Competent Authority (SEA), forwards the

submitted ESIA to competent Authorities and Regional Councils. Regional Councils are obliged

to invite the public to be informed of the project and provide any written comments. This invitation

is performed either through local media or/ and posting of the invitation to the Regional Notice

Board.

It is expected that 30 days after the ESIA report submission TAP will also hold public hearings.

Exact dates and locations will be identified and disclosed in advance.

Comments and suggestions made at the public hearings will be considered during finalisation of

the ESIA report.

7.6 Structure of the ESIA Report

An outline of the proposed contents of the ESIA report is provided in Table 7-1. The content may

alter during the evolution of the project or based on the findings of on-going consultation,

however it is anticipated that the contents of the ESIA report will accord broadly within the

suggested framework.

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Table 7-1 Tentative ESIA Report Structure. Chapter Number Contents Heading Explanatory Note

Non Technical Summary

Summary of the entire ESIA report.

1 Introduction This Chapter will outline the development and structure of the ESIA report including the background, scope, terms of reference and declaration.

2 Project Justification This Chapter will include discussion of the Project background, objectives, need for the project, value of the project, envisioned sustainability, alternatives considered (including no project alternative), development options considered and site selection.

3 Legislative and Policy Framework

This Chapter will outline the policy, legal and institutional framework within which the ESIA has been conducted. National regulations will be summarised along with relevant international agreements and conventions to which Greece is party, as well as applicable international best practice guidelines and project standards.

4 Project Description This Chapter will provide a concise description of the project and its geographical and temporal context. It will include a site description, an overview of the Pipeline Project design and details of project inputs and outputs.

5 ESIA Approach and Methodology

This Chapter will present the approach that has been adopted for the execution of the ESIA and the methodology that has been used for data collection and impacts assessment.

6 Baseline Description This Chapter will summarise the available baseline data on the environmental and social resources and receptors within the Project Study Area. It will be based on both primary and secondary data sources and will consider changes in the baseline condition without the development in place.

7 Consultations and Disclosure

This Chapter will present the results of consultation undertaken as part of the ESIA, plus plans for future consultation. It will identify key project stakeholders and present their feedback on the TAP Project.

8 Assessment of Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures

This Chapter will summarise the predicted positive and negative impacts of the Project. Cumulative impacts will be assessed as appropriate. In addition, this Chapter will outline general and specific mitigation measures to reduce, remove or avoid negative impacts to environmental and social receptors. Any residual impacts (post mitigation) will be outlined.

9 Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP)

The ESMP will draw together the possible mitigation measures; group them logically into components with common themes; define the specific actions required and timetable for implementation; identify training needs, institutional roles and responsibilities for implementation; and estimate the costs of the measures.

10 Conclusion This Chapter will summarise conclusions that are made based on the assessment as well as outline any further recommendations.

Bibliography and

All references made in the report and documents drawn upon during the course of the assessment

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Chapter Number Contents Heading Explanatory Note

References Annexes These will include technical annexes with details of specific

technical surveys, maps supporting baseline conditions, bibliography and list of acronyms.

7.7 Provisional Scoping and ESIA Schedule

A provisional schedule for the ESIA is provided in Table 7-2 below. Table 7-2: ESIA and Stakeholder Consultation Schedule for TAP Greece


Pre-scoping Completed N/A Route Refinement Completed N/A Phase 1 - Route Verification N/A Aug – Nov 2012 Phase 2 - Scoping Disclosure Completed Dec 2012 Phase 3 - Main ESIA Phase Consultation Completed Dec 2012 – Jan 2013 Phase 4 - Integrated ESIA Disclosure Planned Phase 5 - Ongoing engagement (construction, operation and decommissioning) Planned

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8 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

8.1 Introduction

TAP considers consultation and engagement with stakeholders an integral part of the

Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) process. To support the realisation of the

Greek section of the proposed Trans-Adriatic Pipeline TAP has developed Stakeholder

Engagement Strategy, the overall aim of which is to ensure that a consistent, comprehensive,

coordinated and culturally appropriate approach is taken for stakeholder consultation and

disclosure. The approach taken by TAP is in full compliance with Greek EIA Regulations, EBRD

Performance Requirements, as well as relevant policies of the IFC and WB.

A Stakeholder Engagement Strategy was first developed for the West section of the pipeline,

where all levels of national authorities, non governmental organisations and other interested

parties were engaged in order to introduce the Project, gather information pertinent to the route

selection process, identify specific requirements, expectations and preferences of key

stakeholders and gather any additional or enhancement measures. A similar approach of

Stakeholder engagement is followed in the East section of the pipeline and it is described in

detail below.

TAP undertakes a process of stakeholder engagement throughout the project planning,

construction, operation and decommissioning phases. The plan for this engagement, including

identification of stakeholders (i.e. people and organisations who have a role in the project or

could be affected by the project activities or who are interested in the project) and disclosure of

information, consultation, and handling of suggestions, comments and concerns, is documented

in the Greece East Stakeholder Engagement Plan. This plan is updated as required as the

project progresses.

Section 8.2 presents an overview of stakeholder engagement phases implemented in the West

section and planned for the East section and throughout the project life cycle. The engagement

activities planned during the scoping phase of the East section of the Project are further detailed

in Section 8.3.

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8.2 Stakeholder Engagement Phases for TAP Project

8.2.1 Overview

To fulfil the objectives of stakeholder engagement, the TAP Project has developed a plan for

engagement with stakeholders throughout the Project life-cycle. The plan was first developed for

the West section and was based on a process for consultation and disclosure through six stages,

each having slightly different objectives. These stages are summarized below (see Table 8-1).

Phase 1: Pre-scoping to identify technical feasibility of potential routings through desktop study

and stakeholder engagement. This Phase includes high level strategic engagement with

government and key informant groups, in order to provide overall information about the project,

gauge its viability and identify any key issues early

Phase 2: Route Refinement. The overall objective of stakeholder engagement during the pipeline

route selection process is to identify sensitivities that should be taken into account in selecting

the route. During this phase the project is introduced to national, regional and local authorities

and potentially affected communities, to identify any key issues and sensitivities such as sites of

interest, presence of vulnerable groups as well as gather baseline information. This phase

includes a comprehensive disclosure program, engaging stakeholders throughout the area of the

studied alternatives, to explain the results of the route refinement and the reasons for the

selection of the preferred route alternative and to receive feedback from stakeholder.

Phase 3: Scoping Disclosure and Consultation. The scoping phase includes revisiting the

stakeholders contacted during the route selection phase at a national and regional level along

with those along the chosen route. The aim of this phase is to provide further detail on the project

and an opportunity for stakeholders to provide feedback on the scope, approach and key issues

that will be addressed during the ESIA as well as the plans for future engagement activities.

Phase 4: ESIA Phase Consultation. Stakeholder engagement during the ESIA Phase has three

aims: maintain the relationships developed during the previous phases; share information and

consult with directly affected communities; and ensure all stakeholder issues have been

identified. This phase includes TAP revisiting national, regional and local authorities and affected

communities along the chosen pipeline route. All stakeholders are provided with a project update

and an opportunity to comment, express any concerns and discuss issues. The project team also

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ensures that stakeholders are familiar with the grievance mechanism and are provided with

information on the next phases of the project

Phase 5: Integrated ESIA Disclosure to present the ESIA report and invite stakeholders to

comment on the document. During this phase, information on the project impacts are to be

presented along with the mitigation measures designed to minimise them or enhance the positive

ones. This will allow the project to maintain the relationships developed during the previous

stages; and ensure all stakeholder issues have been identified and taken on board by the

Project.

Phase 6: Ongoing Engagement (construction, operation and decommissioning) to continue

engaging with stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle. The methodology for this will be

developed and finalised using the information compiled during the ESIA process.

A SEP for the Greece East section has also been created to incorporate the decision of TAP

shareholders on extending the TAP Project towards east. The approach to Engagement activities

for the East section of the Project is similar to the West section. However since the base case

corridor of the East section is following as much as possible the existing high pressure natural

gas pipeline of DESFA (Bundling Infrastructure Principle), phases 1 (pre-scoping) and 2 (Route

refinement) of the West section have been merged into one “Route Verification” phase for the

East section. The first four phases of the stakeholder engagement Plan have already been

completed for the West section; while the last two phases have not been completed since

extension of the TAP Project towards the east was decided beginning of 2012 (refer to Table

8-1). The Stakeholder Engagement Plan developed for the East section takes into account

Integrated ESIA Disclosure and Consultation activities for both Greece West and Greece East

sections.

According to the new National Law 4014, as already described in detail in Chapter 2, the process

of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in Greece is carried out in two phases:

Scoping phase; and

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

According to the new Law, a PEIA is no longer applicable and has been replaced by a Scoping

Report. However the Scoping phase is not mandatory by law and it is a voluntary step TAP is

committed.

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Table 8-1 ESIA Stakeholder Engagement Phases.


Pre-scoping Completed N/A Route Refinement Completed N/A Phase 1 - Route Verification N/A Aug – Nov 2012 Phase 2 - Scoping Disclosure Completed Dec 2012 Phase 3 - Main ESIA Phase Consultation Completed Dec 2012 - Jan 2013 Phase 4 - Integrated ESIA Disclosure Planned Phase 5 - Ongoing engagement (construction, operation and decommissioning) Planned

8.2.2 Route Verification Consultation

As mentioned above, the base case corridor of the East section is following the route of the

existing high pressure natural gas pipeline of DESFA. Since the Bundling Infrastructure Principle

is implemented, the stakeholder engagement during the ongoing route verification phase in the

East section includes a series of correspondence and data collection meetings at National,

Regional and Municipal level currently undergoing. The Heads of local communities will be

engaged during the Scoping Disclosure phase which will also involve all other key stakeholders

at different levels.

The overall objectives of stakeholder engagement during the route verification process is to: i)

introduce the East section of the TAP project to stakeholders; and ii) gather information and

identify environmental, social and cultural heritage sensitivities along the base case route

Up till now, the results of the consultation illustrates that the project avoids engagement with

cultural and social issues but faces a statutory challenge. This is the crossing of the designated

National Parks of “Eastern Macedonia – Thrace” and “Lakes Koronia – Volvi”. The base case

corridor crosses the Nestos River, of the National Park of Eastern Macedonia – Thrace, in the

vicinity of Egnatia highway and the existing pipeline, whilst only the peripheral zone of the

National Park of Lakes Koronia – Volvi is crossed by the project. According to the JMDs that

enacted the National Parks (JMD44549/2008 for National Park of Eastern Macedonia – Thrace

and JMD6919/2004 for National Park of Lakes Koronia – Volvi), the project should apply for

classification as of National Importance in order to be allowed to cross through their boundaries.

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8.3 Scoping Disclosure Phase Stakeholder Engagement

8.3.1 Objectives

The objective of engagement during the scoping disclosure phase is to provide further detail on

the project and an opportunity for stakeholders to provide feedback on the scope, approach and

key issues that will be addressed during the ESIA study as well as the plans for future

engagement activities.

The main emphasis of the scoping disclosure is to present the project to National, Regional and

local authorities including NGOs and other interested parties.

The scoping phase for the West section of the pipeline was completed in July 2011. Submission

and disclosure of the Scoping Report for the East section of the project is planned between end

of November and beginning of December 2012 to stakeholders listed in Table 8-2.

Table 8-2 Key Stakeholder Groups for Scoping Disclosure Phase Engagement. Stakeholder Group Stakeholder National Government Stakeholders

Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change Ministry of Development, Competitiveness, Infrastructure,

Transportation and Networks Ministry of Defence – General Army/Navy/Air Force Staff Ministry of Education and Religion Affairs, Culture and Sports –

Ephorates of Antiquities Ministry of Foreign Affairs

NGOs and Ecological Organisations

ARCTUROS Callisto Greenpeace Hellas WWF Greece Hellenic Ornithological Society Ecological Organisations Hellenic Zoology Society Ecological Groups Pan-Hellenic Network of Ecological organisations Hellenic Society of Environment and Culture Mediterranean SOS network Urban Association for the protection of lakes Volvi - Koronia Hunting Federation of Macedonia and Thrace Hunting Associations

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Stakeholder Group Stakeholder Universities and Research Centres

Democritus University of Thrace National Technical University of Athens Aristotle University of Thessaloniki The centre of research and technology Hellas (CERTH) DEMOKRITOS National Centre for Scientific Research National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Hellenic Marine Centre of Research National Agricultural Research Foundation Greek Biotopes – Wetlands Centre

Other Interested Parties (National)

Public Gas Corporation SA (DEPA) Hellenic Gas Transmission System Operator SA (DESFA) Independent Power Transmission Operator SA (ADMIE) Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Regulatory Authority for Energy SA (RAE) Ktimatologio SA ERGOSE S.A. ROM Network – Panhellenic Network of Local Administration

Organization for the support of Greek Roma Other Interested Parties (Regional)

Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE) Commercial and Industrial Chambers Egnatia Odos S.A. Public Power Cooperation S.A. (PPC)

Other Interested Parties (Local)

Roma Women Cultural & Educational Association Pan-Hellenic Pomak Association Mouftis of Komotini Mouftis of Xanthi

Public Entities Management body of Lakes Koronia and Volvi National Park of Eastern Macedonia – Thrace (Management Body of

Nestos Delta and Lakes Vistonida-Ismarida) Management Body of Dadia Leukimmi Soufli Forest Management Body of Evros Delta Management body of Axios-Loudias-Aliakmonas Delta

Regional Government Stakeholder

Decentralised Region of Macedonia – Thrace Region of Central Macedonia Region of Eastern Macedonia - Thrace

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Stakeholder Group Stakeholder Local stakeholders Municipality of Soufliou

Municipality of Alexandroupoli Municipality of Maronia-Sapes Municipality of Arrianon Municipality of Komotinis Municipality of Iasmou Municipality of Abdira Municipality of Xanthi Municipality of Topeirou Municipality of Nestou Municipality of Kavala Municipality of Paggaio Municipality of Doxatou Municipality of Amfipoli Municipality of Prosotsani Municipality of Nea Zichni Municipality of Emmanouil Pappa Municipality of Serres Municipality of Irakleia Municipality of Lagada Municipality of Kilkis Municipality of Oraiokastrou Municipality of Halkidonas

The complete list of stakeholder groups, individual organisations and communities is presented in

APPENDIX 3 – Stakeholders List

8.3.2 Stakeholder Engagement Activities

Overview Stakeholder meetings are planned in Athens as well as in the regions to facilitate the participation

of all concerned stakeholders, in particular heads of municipal unities travelling from remote

areas. A tentative schedule for these meetings is shown in Table 8-3.

Specific activities to disclose information and seek comments from different stakeholder groups

are summarised in the subsequent sections.

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Table 8-3 Scoping Disclosure Meetings.

Date Type of Engagement Venue

12th of December 2012 Scoping Disclosure meeting with National Government stakeholders

Athens

12th of December 2012 Scoping Disclosure meeting with NGOs and other Interested parties of national level

Athens

Between 13th and 18th of December 2012

6 regional Scoping Disclosure meetings (Municipal Authorities and Heads of communities)

Thessaloniki Serres Kavala Komotini Alexandroupoli

Between 13th and 18th of December 2012

Scoping Disclosure meeting local NGO’s and other Interested parties

Serres

Engagement with National Government Stakeholders

TAP will distribute the Scoping Report to the relevant national government stakeholders. TAP will

arrange Scoping Disclosure meetings with the National government agencies to discuss the

project and present the Scoping Report. It is planned to send a copy of the Scoping document to

National government stakeholders with a covering letter inviting them to a Scoping Disclosure

meeting with TAP, well in advance of the proposed meeting.

Engagement with Regional and Municipal Authorities

TAP will distribute the Scoping Report to the relevant national government stakeholders.

Regional and municipal stakeholders, along with head of communities will be invited to

participate in one of the regional scoping disclosure meetings that will be organised by TAP. In

preparation for the meetings, TAP will send the Scoping Report to all municipal and local

authorities, with a covering letter inviting them to the scoping meeting in their respective regions,

well in advance of the proposed meeting.

Engagement with NGOs and Other Interested Parties

TAP will send a copy of the Scoping document to NGOs and other interested parties

accompanied by a letter inviting them to participate in a Scoping Disclosure meeting held in

Athens well in advance of the proposed meeting.

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At the scoping meeting, a presentation of the project and its impacts will be provided prior to

opening the floor for questions and answers. Participants will be able to pose the questions or

raise the issues as well as to submit comments during the meeting through comments sheets or

subsequently send them by post or through the Project website.

Engagement with Local Communities

TAP/ENT is committed to continue engaging and consulting with relevant communities along the

chosen pipeline route to ensure that the project is fully explained to local stakeholders and that

their concerns and views on the Project are heard and taken into account.

During scoping, the main channel of communication will be the Heads of Communities. Heads of

Communities will be invited to participate in the regional Scoping Disclosure meetings

representing their constituencies and as such will have a role to play in further disseminating

information on the project.

A leaflet along with an accompanying poster with information about the ESIA Scoping Process

and the feedback mechanism will be distributed to all Community Heads during the regional

Scoping Disclosure meetings for onwards distribution to communities. Community Heads will be

asked to put up the poster and the leaflets in an accessible place in each village or town (i.e.

communal premises, school building). In addition notice will be provided in local media the week

before and after the regional meetings to make sure all community members and other interested

parties locally are informed about the Project and the ESIA Scoping process as well as the

mechanism for providing comments and questions to the Project.

Further consultation will be carried out with local community members including vulnerable

populations and gender groups during the Main ESIA study phase. Moreover, all communities will

be invited to participate in open public hearings during disclosure of the final ESIA report when

information on the project impacts will be presented along with the mitigation measures designed

to avoid or minimise them.

At all the stakeholder engagement meetings information regarding the mechanism to provide

feedback to the Project will be explained and contact details provided. APPENDIX 2 – Comments

Form presents a standard form to facilitate the submission of comments and suggestions during

and after the disclosure meetings.

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In this regard, TAP would like to invite all stakeholders involved in the scoping process, including

local communities and the general public, to submit in writing their comments and suggestions

concerning the Scoping Report for Greece East section of the Trans Adriatic until 31st of January

2013.

Participants to the scoping meetings as well as the general public interested in the project are

invited to submit comments either by post or e-mail to the following address:

21st Floor, Athens Tower, 2-4 Messogion Ave.,11527

Athens, Greece

Phone: + 30 210 7454613

Fax: + 30 210 7454300

E-mail: [email protected]

www.trans-adriatic-pipeline.com

General Public

A notice will be published in national newspapers to ensure that interested parties and the

general public outside the direct area along the pipeline route are informed about the Project and

the Scoping process. The notice will describe channels through which further information could

be requested or feedback provided to the Project.

The Scoping Document will also be published on the Project website.

8.4 Grievance Mechanism

In accordance with international best practice, a grievance mechanism has been established

through which any person or organisation can contact the Project to ask a question or raise a

concern. The grievance mechanism is detailed in the Stakeholder Engagement Plan for the

Project and accords with EBRD standards. The grievance mechanism has been designed to be

open and accessible to all, to suit the varying cultural needs of all potential stakeholders, and

addresses grievances in a fair and transparent manner. All grievances are recorded and

responded to promptly before being closed.

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The grievance mechanism is part of TAP’s broader process of stakeholder engagement and

quality and compliance assurance. While TAP is committed to avoid grievances through its

dedication to a good overall stakeholder engagement process, the Project is aware that

grievance and complaints will occur and need to be addressed in good faith through a

transparent and impartial process.

Details on the grievance process, including grievance forms, are available on the Project website.

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Attachement 01

APPENDIX 1 – Maps

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APPENDIX 2 – Comments Form

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Public Comments & Suggestions Form Concerning the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) ESIA Scoping Document

Reference No. Received on Received by

Full Name, Surname _________________________________________________ Contact information (please fill in how you want to be contacted):

Preferred contact Language Greek □ English □ Please note here your suggestions and comments concerning the Greek section of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) Project

Please send this form back to:

Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG – Greece (Branch Office) 21st Floor, Athens Tower, 2-4 Messogion Ave.,11527

Athens, Greece Phone: + 30 210 7454613

Fax: + 30 210 7454300 www.trans-adriatic-pipeline.com

[email protected]

Post Address

Telephone

E-Mail

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APPENDIX 3 – Stakeholders List

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C1 National Government Stakeholder Table C 1: National Government Authorities Stakeholder Group(s) Departments/Position

Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change

Directorate of Spatial Planning General Directorate of Environment Special Secretary of Water General Directorate of Energy Deputy Minister for Energy

Ministry of Development, Competitiveness, Infrastructure, Transportation and Networks

General Secretary of Strategic and Private Investments General Secretary

Ministry of Defence General Army Staff General Navy Staff General Air Force Staff

Ministry of Education and Religion Affairs, Culture and Sports

16th Ephorate of Prehistoric & Classical Antiquities 9th Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities 28th Ephorate of Prehistoric & Classical Antiquities 18th Ephorate of Prehistoric & Classical Antiquities 12th Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities 31st Ephorate of Prehistoric & Classical Antiquities 19th Ephorate of Prehistoric & Classical Antiquities 15th Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities Ephorate of Modern Monuments of Central Macedonia. Authority of Modern Monuments and Technical Projects of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Central Archaeological Council

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

General Secretary for International Economic Relations and Development Cooperation

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C2 Regional and Local Government Stakeholders7 Table C 2: Regional, Municipal and Settlement Level Authorities

Region Prefectural Unity Municipality Settlement Soufli No settlement

Peplos Kavissos

Pefka Aetochori

Anthia Agnantia

Evros Alexandroupoli

Amfitriti Arrianon No settlement

Chamilo Pamforo Maronia - Sapes

Amaranta Thrilorio Filakas Kosmio

Itea Mesochori

Scholi Astinomias

Komotini

Meleti Galini

Koptero Iasmos Amaxades

Ano Polysitos

Vafeika Cheti Feloni

Diomidia Tektonas

Palaio Katrami

Rodopi

Avdira

Magiko Xanthi No settlement

Vaniano Pimni Xanthi Topeiros

Thalassia Krini

Neos Xerias Graboyna Nestos

Pontolibado Nea Karvali

Chalkero Amygdaleonas Kavala

Neos Zygos (Prosfyges) Palaiochori Elefteroypoli

East Macedonia -

Thrace

Kavala

Paggaio

Antifilippoi

7 It is noted that the above mentioned classification of the Regional and Local Government Organizations is based on the administrative structure of law 3852/2010 (Kallikratis)

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Region Prefectural Unity Municipality Settlement Ano Chartokopi

Doxato No settlement Drama Prosotsanis No settlement

Amfipoli Symvoli Stathmos Lefkothea

Nea Zichni Tholos Nea Zichni

Gazoros Pentapoli Emmanouil Papa Neochori

Krinos Mitroysi

Monoklisia Serres

Provatas Livadochori Kalokastro

Serres

Iraklia Kefalochori

Kilkis Kilkis No settlement Evaggelistra

Lachana Lagada Assiros

Dasaki (Paleochora) Drymos

Melissochori Oreokastro

Pentalofos

Central Macedonia

Thessaloniki

Halkidona Nea Mesimvria Table C 3: Regional Authorities

Region Department Forestry Authority of Soufli Forestry Authority of Alexandroupoli Forestry Authority of Rodopi Forestry Authority of Xanthi Forestry Authority of Kavala Forestry Authority of Drama Forestry Authority of Serres Forestry Authority of Kilkis Forestry Authority of Thessaloniki Forerstry Authority of Lagada Directorate of Environment and Spatial Planning of Central Macedonia

Decentralised Administration of Macedonia and Thrace

Directorate of Environment and Spatial Planning of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Directorate of Development Planning Directorate of Environment and Spatial Planning Directorate of Technical Works Directorate of Land Policy

Region of Central Macedonia

Directorate of Industrial Energy and Natural Resources Directorate of Development Planning Directorate of Environment and Spatial Planning Directorate of Technical Works Directorate of Land Policy

Region of Eastern Macedonia - Thrace

Directorate of Industrial Energy and Natural Resources

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Table C 4: Public Entities

Public Entities Management Body of Dadia Leukimmi Soufli Forest Management Body of of Evros Delta Management Body of Lakes Koronia and Volvi National Park of Eastern Macedonia / Thrace – Management Body of Nestos Delta and Lakes Vistonida-Ismarida Management Body of Axios-Loudias-Aliakmonas Delta

C3 NGOs and Other Interested Parties (National, Regional, Local)

The lists of NGOs, Universities and other interested parties to be included in Stakeholder

Engagement activities going forward will continue to be developed as the ESIA process

progresses.

Table C 5: Primary List of Relevant NGOs and Ecological Organisations Name of Organisation

1. ARCTUROS 2. Callisto 3. Greenpeace Hellas 4. WWF Greece 5. Hellenic Ornithological Society 6. Mediterranean SOS network 7. Evros Ecological Society 8. Ecological Organisation of Serres 9. Ecological Organisation of Kavala 10. Environmental Initiative of Kilkis 11. Hellenic Zoology Society 12. Rodopi Ecological Group 13. Pan-Hellenic Network of Ecological organisations 14. Hellenic Society of Environment and Culture 15. Urban Association for the protection of lakes Volvi - Koronia 16. Hunting Federation of Macedonia and Thrace 17. Hunting Association Alexandroupolis 18. Hunting Association of Sapon 19. Hunting Association of Soufliou

Table C 6: Universities and Research Centres

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Name of Organisation

1. Democritus University of Thrace 2. National Technical University of Athens 3. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki 4. The centre of research and technology Hellas (CERTH) 5. DEMOKRITOS National Centre for Scientific Research 6. National and Kapodistrian University of Athens 7. Hellenic Marine Centre of Research 8. National Agricultural Research Foundation 9. Greek Biotopes – Wetlands Centre

Table C 7: Other Interested Parties (National) Name of Organisation

1. Public Gas Cooperation SA (DEPA) 2. Hellenic Gas Transmission System Operator SA (DESFA) 3. Independent Power Transmission Operator SA (ADMIE) 4. Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) 5. Regulatory Authority for Energy SA (RAE) 6. Ktimatologio SA 7. ERGOSE S.A. 8. ROM Network – Panhellenic Network of Local Administration Organization for the support of Greek

Roma Table C 8: Other Interested Parties (Regional) Name of Organisation

1. Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE)

2. Egnatia Odos S.A.

3. Public Power Cooperation S.A. (PPC)

4. Federation of Commercial Chambers of Central – Eastern Macedonia and Thrace

5. Rodopis Commercial and Industrial Chamber

6. Chamber of Evros

7. Chamber of Kavala

8. Chamber of Xanthi

9. Chamber of Serres

Table C 9: Other Interested Parties (Local) Vulnerable Groups

1. Mouftis of Komotini

2. Mouftis of Xanthi

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Vulnerable Groups

3. Roma Women Cultural and Educational Association “ELPIDA” of Drosero

4. Pan-Hellenic Pomak Association

Table C 10: Interested Parties (International) Name of Organisation

1. European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)

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APPENDIX 4 – Data Collection Meetings

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STAKEHOLDER CATEGORY INSTITUTION INSTITUTION

SUB 1 INSTITUTION

SUB 2 INSTITUTION

SUB 3 INSTITUTION

SUB 4 AUTHORITY'S

REPRESENTATIVE AREA DATE OF MEETING

Other Interested Parties (National)

Independent Power Transmission Operator SA

Directorate for New Transmission Projects

Makrikostas Kostas, Mr. Vlachos Αpostolis 26/9/2012

National Government Level


Central Archaeological Council

Mr. Marinakis Athens 27/9/2012



9th Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities

Despina Makropoulou, Mr. Chatziioannou and Mr. Pazaras for Thessaloniki, Mrs. Kokmakidou for Kilkis

Thessaloniki 1/10/2012



Ephorate of Modern Monuments of Central Macedonia.

Mrs. Christoforidou, Mrs. Sachinidou Thessaloniki 1/10/2012



IΣT’ Ephorate of Prehistoric & Classical Antiquities

Vasiliki Misailidou - Despotidou, Mrs Maria Farmaki, Mr. Tsioumis, Mr. Lioutas, Mr. Keramaris and Mrs. Magda Dala

Thessaloniki 1/10/2012

Regional and Local Government Level

Decentralised Region of Macedonia - Thrace

General Secretary of Forests and Rural Affairs

Forest Diroctorate of Kilkis

Forestry Authority of Kilkis

Efthimios Politimis, Giorgos Karagiannis, Psiota Katerina

Kilkis 1/10/2012

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SUB 1 INSTITUTION

SUB 2 INSTITUTION

SUB 3 INSTITUTION

SUB 4 AUTHORITY'S




General Directorate of Forests and Rural Affairs

Forest Diroctorate of Thessaloniki

Forestry Authority of Thessaloniki

Mrs. Aggelidou Thessaloniki 1/10/2012



General Directorate of Spatial Planning and Environmental Policy

Directorate of Environment and Spatial Planning of Central Macedonia

Department of Envrionmental and Spatial Planning

Mr Euthimiadis Region of Central

Macedonia 1/10/2012




Directorate of Reforestation Mr Kiriakidis

Region of Central

Macedonia 1/10/2012


Management Body of Lakes Koronia and Volvi

- - - Mr Ilias Tekidis Region of Central

Macedonia 1/10/2012



Regional Entity of Serres

M. οf Emmanouil Papa

Directorate of Building Services

Deparment of Town Planning Applications and Spatial Planning

Mrs. Eleni Poufta Serres 2/10/2012



Regional Entity of Serres M. of Serres

Directorate of Technical Services

Department of Environment Mrs Termetzidou Serres 2/10/2012



Regional Entity of Serres M. of Serres



Mrs E. Malamidou Serres 2/10/2012

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SUB 1 INSTITUTION

SUB 2 INSTITUTION

SUB 3 INSTITUTION

SUB 4 AUTHORITY'S




KH’ Ephorate of Prehistoric & Classical Antiquities

Mrs. Pilamirou Serres 2/10/2012




Forest Diroctorate of Drama

Forestry Authority of Drama

Drama 2/10/2012




Forest Diroctorate of Serres

Forestry Authority of Serres

Konstantinos Zavos, Mrs. Iasonidou Serres 2/10/2012



Regional Entity of Xanthi M. of Topeiros


Mr. Siamidis Topeiros 3/10/2012



Regional Entity of Xanthi M. of Xanthi


Mr. Meletis Terzoglou Xanthi 3/10/2012



Regional Entity of Xanthi

Directorate of Development Planning

Department of Licensing Development, Energy and Natural Resources

Mr. S. Mavridis, Mr. Oikonomou Xanthi 3/10/2012

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SUB 1 INSTITUTION

SUB 2 INSTITUTION

SUB 3 INSTITUTION

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Municipal Enterprise of Water Supply and Sewerage of Xanthi

Mr. Tsepelis Manolis Xanthi 3/10/2012



ΛA’ Ephorate of Prehistoric & Classical Antiquities

Kalitzi Konstantina, Mrs. Hadjiprocopiou Xanthi 3/10/2012



Authority of Modern Monuments and Technical Projects of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace

Mrs. Katsantridou, Mrs Bartzopoulou Xanthi 3/10/2012




Forest Diroctorate of Xanthi

Forestry Authority of Xanthi

Mr. Stamboulidis, Mr. Mouros Xanthi 3/10/2012




Forest Diroctorate of Kabala

Forestry Authority of Kavala

Mrs. Georgousi Zoi Kavala 3/10/2012

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SUB 2 INSTITUTION

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Management Body of National Park of Eastern Macedonia-Thrace

Information Center of Nestos' Delta

- - Mr. Theodoros Berberidis

Region of Eastern

Macedonia - Thrace.

3/10/2012



Regional Entity of Rodopi M. of Komotini


Mrs. Kosmidou Zoi, Mr. Kolidakis Dimitris Komotini 4/10/2012



Regional Entity of Rodopi M. of Komotini



Mrs Fotini Antoniadou, Mr A. Papatheodorou Komotini 4/10/2012



IΘ’ Ephorate of Prehistoric & Classical Antiquities – Komotini

Dimitris Matsas, Mrs. Tasalaki Komotini 4/10/2012




Mr. Trivyzadakis Komotini 4/10/2012




Forest Diroctorate of Evors

Forestry Authority of Alexandroupoli

Mr George Pistolas Alexandroupoli 4/10/2012

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Forest Diroctorate of Evors

Forestry Authority of Soufli

Mr Ilias Mermigas, Mrs. Tsitsiou Soufli 4/10/2012



Regional Entity of Rodopi M. of Iasmos


Mr. Geragas Komotini 5/10/2012



Regional Entity of Xanthi M. of Avdira



Mr. Chiliotis Charalambos Xanthi 5/10/2012




Forest Diroctorate of Rodopi

Mrs. Kotzaridou Komotini 5/10/2012



General Directorate of Spatial Planning and Environmental Policy

Directorate of Environment and Spatial Planning of Eastern Macedonia - thrace

Department of Envrionmental and Spatial Planning

Mr Karamanolis

Region of Eastern

Macedonia - Thrace.

5/10/2012

Other Interested Parties (Regional)

Caves of Alistrati sa Mrs. Vavliaki Dafni, Mr.

Kartalis Nikolaos Serres 7/10/2012



Regional Entity of Kavala M. of Kavala


Mrs. Fotiadou, Mrs. Hatjiliadou, Mr. Karasavas

Kavala 8/10/2012

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Regional Entity of Kavala M. of Paggaio


Mr. Papadopoulos Kavala 8/10/2012



Regional Entity of Serres

M. of Nea Zichni

Department of Technical Services

Mr. Valsamakis, Mrs. Papadopoulou Serres 8/10/2012



Regional Entity of Kavala M. of Kavala



Mr. Vogiatzis Anastasios, Mrs. Gianna Katsoula, Mr. Moumtzis

Kavala 8/10/2012



Regional Entity of Kavala M. of Paggaio



Mrs. Miliadou, Mr. Cosmas Mantis Kavala 8/10/2012


Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change

Directorate of Spatial Planning

Department of Land Uses & Spatial Planning and Productive Activities

Mr. John Rammos 8/10/2012




Mr. Theodorou Nikolaos Kavala 8/10/2012

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Regional Entity of Kavala M. of Nestos


Mr. Zotos (Director) Kavala 9/10/2012




Directorate of Technical Works

Mrs. Karathanasi Xanthi 9/10/2012





Department of Transportation Mr. Tsaknidis Xanthi 9/10/2012





Deparment of Survey Mrs Tsifoutidou Xanthi 9/10/2012



Regional Entity of Xanthi M. of Xanthi


Mrs. Liakou Maria Xanthi 9/10/2012



Regional Entity of Kavala M. of Nestos


Mrs Mpaka Kavala 9/10/2012



IH’ Ephorate of Prehistoric & Classical Antiquities

Mr. Papadopoulos Kavala 9/10/2012

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General Directorate of Regional Rural Economy and Veterinary

Directorate of Land Policy

Department of Settlement and Land Distribution

Mr. Stampoglou, Mrs. Karali Komotini 10/10/2012



Regional Entity of Rodopi

Directorate of Regional Rural Economy and Veterinary

Department of Surveying, Settlement and Land Distribution

Mr. Matzikidis Komotini 10/10/2012





Mr. Dernektsis, Mr. Tzemintimpis Apostolos

Komotini 10/10/2012





Department of Transportation Mrs. Kourtaki Komotini 10/10/2012





Deparment of Environmental Structure

Mr. K. Mpagios Komotini 10/10/2012


Municipal Company of Water and Drainage of Komotini

Mr Peltekis Kostas Komotini 10/10/2012



Regional Entity of Alexandroupoli


Department of Infrastructure Mrs. Brika Katerina,

Mr. Papantoniou Alexandroupoli 11/10/2012

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Regional Entity of Alexandroupoli



Mr. Mastoropoulos Alexandroupoli 11/10/2012


Region of East Macedonia - Thrace

Regional Entity of Evros (former Perfecture)

Environment Department and Hydroeconomy

Stavroula Kapsioti Alexandroupoli 5/11/2012



Regional Entity of Evros (former Perfecture)


Mr Psarras Alexandroupoli 5/11/2012


DEYAA – Water Supply and Sewerage Company of Alexandroupolis

Mr Ouzounidis Alexandroupoli 5/11/2012


DEDDIE - Operator of Hellenic power Transmission System

Mrs Andreou Alexandroupoli 5/11/2012




Municipality of Komotini


Zoi Kosmidou Komotini 6/11/2012




Municipality of Komotini

Building Service

Department of Town Planning Implications and Spacial Planning

Fotini Antoniadou Komotini 6/11/2012

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Mr Dernektsis Komotini 7/11/2012



General Directorate of Development Planning, Environment and Structures

Department of Environment Structures

Mrs Chamitidou Komotini 7/11/2012




Municipality of Maronia - Sapes


Athanasios Klonidis Sapes 8/11/2012


Management Body of Evros Delta

Andreas Athanasiadis Louta Traianoupolis 8/11/2012


Management Body of National Park of Dadia Leukimmi Soufli Forest

Mr Tsantikoudis Dadia 8/11/2012


Decentralised Administration of Macedonia – Thrace

Directorate of Rural Affairs Mr Karampaglidis Komotini 9/11/2012

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GPL00-ASP-642-Y-TAE-0009 Rev.: 00

APPENDIX 5 – ESIA Action Plan

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Table D 11: Environmental Desktop, Field and Modelling Activities

Resource Approach Parameters Period Surface, Ground Water and Hydrobiology

Desk: Bibliographical / desk based literature review Remote sensing interpretation using aerial

photographs or satellite imagery. Field study: (i) Sampling and analysis of selected main crossings of permanent rivers, streams, creeks, channels. (ii) Collect groundwater samples from selected existing wells within a 500 m corridor along the proposed pipeline centre line (iii) Hydrobiology – collect macrozoobenthos and phybenthos (diatoms) Output: Characterisation of baseline water quality at

survey locations Characterization of river morphology and

biological communities.

(i) Surface Water: The following data will be collected: River morphology and channel descriptions Water Quality – physical-chemical parameters Sediment Quality (for potentially contaminated rivers only). - physical-chemical and biological parameters (ii) For groundwater: physical-chemical parameters (iii) qualitative and semi-quantitative

(i) Timing of field surveys: July - September (ii) Timing of field surveys: September (iii) Timing of field surveys: July - September

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Resource Approach Parameters Period Vegetation and Flora

Desk: Bibliographical search; and desk top/GIS data elaboration Remote sensing analysis: Field study: Survey of the terrestrial environment to describe the existing habitat type and identify flora species of interest. Surveys will focus primarily on areas of ecological and conservational interest. Specific field surveys will also have to be conducted for the Appropriate Assessment on Natura 2000 Output: Flora species list and distribution Vegetation map: the scale of cartography will

range from 1:5,000 – 1:50,000 (corridor width 500 m of the proposed pipeline centre line).

Characterisation of vegetation and flora at survey locations

Aquatic and riparian flora characterization including species, conservation status and interest

Vegetation and flora surveys will focus on species of conservation interest and priority habitats

Endangered and other endemic/important species under Greek, EU and Council of Europe

Aquatic and riparian flora

Timing of field surveys: August - September

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Resource Approach Parameters Period Fauna & Habitats Desk:

Bibliographical search Desk top/GIS data elaboration and Remote sensing analysis : Field study: Survey of the terrestrial environment to describe the existing habitat type and identify faun species of interest. Surveys will focus primarily on areas of ecological and conservational interest. Aspects to be identified : Habitat types Fauna species list and distribution Sensitive habitats Specified field surveys will also have to be conducted for the Appropriate Assessment on Natura 2000. Output : Fauna species list and distribution Species distribution along the route (on the

Habitat Map): the scale of cartography will range from 1:5,000-1:50,000 (corridor width 500 m of the proposed pipeline centre line).

Characterization of fauna and habitats at survey locations

A catalogue of animal signs/tracks and species field pictures

Location of sites of interest along the route (based on availability such as: breeding areas, mammal burrows etc.

Vertebrates, particularly focusing on species of interest, including : Priority fauna species Nesting Birds Fish Amphibians Reptiles Small mammal

Timing of field surveys : Priority fauna species: August –

September. Nesting birds: August - September Fish: August - September Amphibians, reptiles, small

mammals: August-September

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Resource Approach Parameters Period Air Desk:

Bibliographical and desk based literature review

Field study: A specialist will conduct a study to determine

the status of local air quality by conducting measurements.

Output : Mapping of air quality sensitive receivers (the

scale of cartography will range from 1:5,000-1:50,000) at sensitive receptors around CSs

Characterization of baseline air quality at proposed compressor station site

Modelling of emission dispersion from compressors operation only

Parameters to be measured will include : Oxides of nitrogen (NOx) Sulphur dioxide (SO2) Hydrocarbons (VOCs) Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Timing of field surveys: November - December

Timing of Modelling: November - December

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Resource Approach Parameters Period Noise & Vibration Desk:

Bibliographical and desk based literature review Field study: A specialist will conduct a study of ambient

noise levels. The study will identify locations of sensitive receptors. Both short term and long term measurements are to be collected. Measurements are to be taken continuously during the day and night time (24 hours) at villages near proposed Compressor Stations locations (within 1km).

Moreover, hourly measurements at villages close to the selected pipeline route other project features (accesses, pipe yards, etc.) that may be impacted temporarily by construction activities.

Output : Mapping of noise sensitive receivers (the scale

of cartography will range from 1:5,000-1:50,000) Characterization of baseline noise levels at

proposed compressor station site Modelling of noise emission anticipated from

compressors operation

Acoustical measurements using a Type 1 or Type II integrating sound level meter monitoring the slow response. A-weighted, equivalent sound pressure level (Leq) at selected location

Timing of field surveys: November Timing of Modelling: November-

December

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Resource Approach Parameters Period Soil & Geology

Desk: Bibliographical/desk based literature review,

including project information Remote sensing interpretation using Soil maps

(1:50,000 or similar) and aerial photographs or satellite imagery.

Field study (soil) The soil specialist will undertake study of: soil physical-chemical characteristics; existing soil contamination; Economic value of soil types Output : Geological/hydro geological cartography to

1:50,000 scale along the proposed pipeline centre line (500 m wide corridor) and other project features (accesses, pipe yards, etc.)

Definition of unstable areas Definition of active faults locations

Soil types State of the agricultural surfaces; Characterization of the agricultural

productivity Major characteristics of soil profile Land Ownership : private, state, communal

and not distributed; Investigation will include analysis of soil samples of upper layers of soil at locations with agricultural land use and areas of potential soil contamination. Locations of Active faults crossings Unstable slopes Locations with probable liquefaction

phenomena

Timing of field surveys: November - December

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Resource Approach Parameters Period Landscape

Desk: GIS desk top analysis to assess landscape

quality width. Special attention will be given to: - Compressor and block valve stations

locations - Areas of high landscape value (mountain

areas, forested areas, etc.) 3D simulations on the Compressor Stations to

include : - View sheds analyses - 3D simulation

Field Visual assessment during corridor survey Output : Mapping of landscape quality (the scale of

cartography will range from 1:5,000-1:50,000) Characterization of landscape within areas of

high landscape value 3D Model of compressor station

Location of visual sensitive receivers Characterization of landscape where

permanent structures will be located

Timing of field surveys: November Timing of Modelling: December

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Resource Approach Parameters Period Cultural Heritage Resources

Desk: Bibliographic search Identification/mapping of areas of high

archaeological potential Field study: Field visual survey Output : Characterization of CH elements The scale of cartography will range from

1:5,000 – 1:50,000 (corridor width 50 m of the proposed pipeline centre line).

Monuments, buildings and above ground structures of cultural interest

Intangible Cultural Heritage (CH) Archaeological sites

Timing of field surveys: November

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Resource Approach Parameters Period Traffic & Transport Desk:

Desk based review of existing information on regional transport network, including rural roads

Description of the current status of vehicle traffic on the roads affected by the project and assessment of the integrity of Project transportation routes.

Field study: The social experts deployed in the field will

identify major junctions and key areas where project traffic could become an issue related to the following:

- community health and safety - congestion and flow - impacts to cultural heritage

The field study will b e based on both interviews

and observations (including traffic counts) Output : Municipal and Village profiles Finding report on traffic flow on the roads and at

major junctions

Traffic characterization : current usage patterns and volumes

Structural properties (load limits, traffic volume limits)

Functionality (condition and road surface) Transportation practices Access routes

Timing of field surveys: December - January

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GPL00-ASP-642-Y-TAE-0009 Rev.: 00

Resource Approach Parameters Period Demographics and Population

Desk: Bibliographical and desk based literature

review. Review of official data. GIS / Cartography desk top analysis to assess

settlement size and distribution, Review of data gaps and updating information

as appropriate. Field: A team of social specialists will conduct a

survey to determine the general socioeconomic characteristics of the study area including demographics and population trends.

Household Survey to collect qualitative data including data on population and demographics

Output : Commune and Village profiles Sample quantitative assessment of key

population characteristics Corridor width 1000 m (500m on each side) of

the proposed pipeline centre line wherever proposed route runs parallel with existing DESFA pipeline and 2000 m (1000m on each side) of the proposed pipeline centre line wherever the proposed route deviates from the existing DESFA pipeline.

Household Survey to be conducted in a 500 m (250m on each side) of the proposed pipeline centre line.

Settlement patterns and mapping Population size of settlements within 2 km

corridor and area around installations Population trends In and out migration Gender and age structure Religious and ethnic diversity, including

minorities Vulnerable Groups (i.e. women, elderly,

etc.) Education and literacy levels

Timing of field surveys: –December - January

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Resource Approach Parameters Period Land Use and Development

Desk: Bibliographic search GIS desk top analysis of land use (CORINE,

Land Sat images) Field: The teams of social specialists deployed in the

field will ground truth GIS based information on land uses. This will be undertaken on a sample basis only

The teams will assess community dependency on natural resources, including water and land, through results of focus groups and interview with key informants, including heads of municipalities and villages

Output : Sample qualitative and quantitative assessment

of land tenure Understanding of land use Mapping of land use scale of cartography

outputs will range between 1:5,000 and 1:50,000

Corridor width 1000 m (500m on each side) of the proposed pipeline centre line wherever proposed route runs parallel with existing DESFA pipeline and 2000 m (1000m on each side) of the proposed pipeline centre line wherever the proposed route deviates from the existing DESFA pipeline.

Land use Spatial planning and development Use and dependency on natural resources,

including land for agriculture and pasture Specific study on forestry as an economic

resource on relevant areas

Timing of field surveys: August - January

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GPL00-ASP-642-Y-TAE-0009 Rev.: 00

Resource Approach Parameters Period Socio-Cultural Institutions and Government Administration

Desk: Review of existing desk based (secondary)

information on the structure of socio-cultural institutions and administrations

Field: As part of the overall socio-economic survey

and stakeholder engagement activities the field teams will assess the presence and structure of social institutions through interviews and focus groups.

Output : Profile of administrative and community

institutions

Government structures Presence and role of other institutions

(NGOs/CBOs) Social organizations and institutions Social networks, power hierarchies and

support structures Role of women Leadership patterns Safety, security, law and order


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GPL00-ASP-642-Y-TAE-0009 Rev.: 00

Resource Approach Parameters Period Livelihoods and Micro Economy

Desk: Review of existing desk based information on

the local economy and livelihoods including unemployment and employment structures

Field: The social teams deployed in the field will

assess the means of livelihood and income for all communities within the investigated corridor and areas around installations. The assessment will be done through qualitative methodologies (focus groups and interviews with key informants)

Quantitative data will be collected if a household survey is undertaken

Information on alternative livelihood options due to economic resettlement will be investigated

Output : Municipal and Village profiles Qualitative assessment of household livelihoods

and income Qualitative assessment of employment

structure Qualitative assessment of alternative livelihoods Corridor width 1000 m (500m on each side) of


Household Survey to be conducted in a 500 m (250m on each side) of the proposed pipeline centre line.

Livelihood and economic profile Economic importance of key sectors:

tourism, logging, agriculture etc. Income distribution Occupation and employment structure

including proponent’s employment plan Vulnerability and subsistence economy Opportunities for alternative livelihood

activities

Timing of field surveys: December - January

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GPL00-ASP-642-Y-TAE-0009 Rev.: 00

Resource Approach Parameters Period Social Infrastructure

Desk: Review of existing desk based information on

infrastructures Field: The social teams deployed in the field will

assess the means of livelihood and income for all communities within the investigated corridor. The assessment will be done through qualitative methodologies (focus groups and interviews with key informants)

Quantitative data will be collected if a household survey is undertaken

Information on alternative livelihood options due to economic resettlement will be investigated

Output : Municipal and Village profiles List of sites of cultural and religious significance

(see Cultural heritage survey) Mapping of sites. Scale of cartography outputs

will range between 1:5,000 and 1:50,000 Corridor width 1000 m (500m on each side) of


Settlements Key man made features Economic, cultural and historical sites Recreational facilities (nature and location) Cultural and religious facilities/sites (nature

and location) Cultural traditions Sites of cultural and religious significance Education and health resources (nature

and location) Utilities (i.e. water, electricity,

telecommunications, etc.)


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GPL00-ASP-642-Y-TAE-0009 Rev.: 00

Resource Approach Parameters Period Community Health Desk:

Review of existing desk based information on the health status and resources of local communities

Field: The social teams deployed in the field will

assess the health status and health resources available to communities located within the investigated corridor.

The assessment will be done though a combination of qualitative methodologies (focus groups and interviews with key informants like doctors and nurses) and quantitative methods

Output : Health profile of the Villages and Municipality Review of health care resources High level health capacity review Corridor width 1000 m (500m on each side) of


Community health status Health determinants Community health needs and concerns of

host communities Health Care resources


Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG – Greece (Branch Office) 21st Floor, Athens Tower 2-4 Messogion Ave. 11527 Athens, Greece Phone: + 30 210 7454613 Fax: + 30 210 7454300

[email protected] www.trans-adrlatic-pipeline.com

Date 11/2012

Copyright Reserved: This document may not be copied, shown to or placed at the disposal of third parties without prior consent of TAP AG. The latest version of the document is registered in the TAP Project's Database.

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