Environmental Monitoring Report 3rd Quarterly Report February 2016

VIE: Power Transmission Investment Program -

Tranche 2

500 kV Pleiku–My Phuoc–Cau Bong Transmission

Line

Prepared by Central Viet Nam Power Projects Management Board (CPPMB) for National Power

Transmission Corporation and the Asian Development Bank.

This environmental monitoring report is a document of the borrower. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB's Board of Directors, Management, or staff, and may be preliminary in nature. In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.

NATIONAL POWER TRANSMISSION CORPORATION

CENTRAL VIETNAM POWER PROJECTS MANAGEMENT BOARD

ENVIRONMENTAL MONIROTING REPORT

THE THIRD QUARTER OF 2014

(July – September 2014)

PLEIKU – MY PHUOC – CAU BONG 500 KV TRANSMISSION LINE

PROJECT

(POWER TRANSMISSION INVESTMENT PROGRAM - TRANCHE 2)

(LOAN 2959-VIE)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABBREVIATIONS ..................................................................................................... 2

1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 1

1.1. Project Background .................................................................................. 1

1.2. Purpose of the Report .............................................................................. 3

1.3. Approach and Methods ............................................................................ 3

2. ENVIRONMENTAL SAFEGUARD REQUIREMENTS ......................................... 3

2.1. Relevant Environmental Policies ............................................................. 3

2.1.1. ADB Environmental Policies ...................................................................... 3

2.1.2. Viet Nam Environmental Policies ............................................................... 4

2.2. Subproject Environmental Management Plan (EMP) ............................. 4

2.3. EMP implementation inspection of CPMB and related parties ............. 6

3. RESULTS OF ENVINRONMENTAL MONITORING ............................................ 7

3.1. Some follow-up issues found on environmental safeguards during the third quarter of 2014 need to be reinforced as follows: ........................ 8

3.1.1. Status of reforestation activities ................................................................. 9

3.1.2. EMF exposure and noise nuisance to surrounding communities ............. 11

3.1.3. Control of Vegetation ............................................................................... 12

3.1.4. Buidings within RoW ................................................................................ 13

3.1.5. Induction-caused electrification phenomenon .......................................... 13

3.2. Required Actions and Corective Action Plan ....................................... 13

3.3. Additional Action Required .................................................................... 16

4. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ..................................................... 16

4.1. Overall Progress of Implementation of Environmental Management Measures ................................................................................................. 16

4.2. Problems Identified and Actions Recommended ................................. 17

ABBREVIATIONS

ADB : Asian Development Bank

AFD : Agence Française de Développement

CPMB

: Central Viet Nam Power Project Management Board

CPC : Commune People’s Committee

DPC : District People’s Committee

EVN : Viet Nam Electricity

EMP : Environmental Management Plan

IEE : Initial Environmental Examination

CEMP : Construction Environmental Management Plan

REA : Rapid Envinronmental Assessment

EPL : Environmental Protection Law

EMF : Electric and Magnetic Fields

EIA : Environmental Impact Assessment

GOV : Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

HH(s) : Household(s)

MONRE : Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

DARD : Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

NPT : National Power Transmission Corporation

PPC : Provincial People’s Committee

PTC3 : Power Transmission Company 3

PTC4 : Power Transmission Company 4

ROW : Right-of-Way

T/L(s) : Transmission Line(s)

VND : Vietnam Dong

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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Project Background

1. The Socialist Republic of Viet Nam has applied for a loan from the Asian

Development Bank (ADB) for the co-financing with Agence Francaise de

Developpment (AFD) towards the cost of the Power Transmission Investment

Program, Tranche 2. Part of the proceeds of the loan will be applied for the subproject

of the Pleiku - My Phuoc - Cau Bong 500 kV transmission line, with total length of

436,673 km (437 km); construct 02 new optical repeaters synchronized with the

optical cable of 500kV Pleiku-My Phuoc-Cau Bong transmission line on the territory

of 05 provinces and one city (including Gia Lai, Dak-Lak, Dak Nong, Binh Phuoc -

Binh Duong and Ho Chi Minh City) (Figure 1). The subproject was prepared under

the technical assistance (PPTA) of 7742-VIE and is one part of the transmission

investment program (MFF). The National Power Transmission Corporation (NPT) of

the national Electrical Utility of Vietnam (EVN) is the executing agency (EA). The

Central Vietnam Power Project Management Board (CPMB) is the implementing

agency for the subproject.

2. The benefits of the subproject are to increase the supply of reliable power for the

Southern of Vietnam, where the economic development is taking place rapidly.

Especially the industrial zones and this is also a place accounting for 10% of the

whole country’s population.

3. In the subproject preparation phase, an EIA met requirements of GoV Ministry of

Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) was approved in August 2011. Based

on the ADB’s Safeguard Policy Statement 2009 (SPS) the subproject has been

categorised as a Category B project and an IEE and an EMP has been prepared and

approved. The EMP has become a condition of the loan. In the construction phase, the

subproject has been divided into 16 civil construction packages for implementation

and management by CPMB and the contractors. The subproject was started on

October 23, 2011. The TL has been energized and put into operation since May 05,

2014 with the warranty period of 24 months. CPMB has transferred the subproject to

the Power Transmission Company 3 and 4 (PTC3 & PTC4) to manage and operate

directly.

2

Figure 1: Location of 500kV Pleiku - My Phuoc - Cau Bong transmission line

with regard to natural conservation areas

Pleiku - My Phuoc - Cau

Bong 500kV Transmission

line

Start at Pleiku

substation

End at Cau Bong

substation

Notes:

The red areas are national

parks

The yellow areas are

national reserves

The dark green areas are

Cultural- Historical areas

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1.2. Purpose of the Report

4. In order to comply with AFD/ADB’s requirements on environmental safeguards, EVNNPT/CPMB is required to prepare the quarterly environmental monitoring

reports. These reports are considered as an important and necessary part to evaluate

the AFD/ADB’s safeguard compliance. The main purpose of the third quarter

environmental monitoring report is to evaluate the subproject of Pleiku – My Phuoc –

Cau Bong 500kV TL’s environmental compliance during the first stage of the operation phase from July – September 2014. Especially, the report will help identify

compliance and results, existing environmental issues and then propose solutions to

the identified issues and develop a working plan for the next time.

1.3. Approach and Methods

5. The participatory interdisciplinary approach was used in this assignment. Bases for

the environmental monitoring are relevant legal documents in Vietnam, the Safeguard

Policy Statement of ADB 2009 (SPS), and the approved IEE and EMPs. The

environmental monitoring is carried out with a combination of qualitative and

quantitative methods. The data used for the environmental monitoring include the

secondary data from previous environmental monitoring and provincial decisions and

the primary data collected through observation and in-depth interviews.

2. ENVIRONMENTAL SAFEGUARD REQUIREMENTS

2.1. Relevant Environmental Policies

2.1.1. ADB Environmental Policies

6. All ADB financed projects are required to undergo environmental assessment to

ensure the environmental soundness and sustainability of the subprojects. It also aims

to support the integration of the environmental considerations in the decision making

process.

7. The ADB’s Safeguard Policy Statement, June 2009 (SPS) clarifies the rationale, scope and content an environmental assessment as supported by the technical

guidelines (Environmental Assessment Guidelines, 2003). The initial screening of the

project to determine its environmental category was carried out using the Rapid

Environmental Assessment (REA) Checklist for Transmission Lines as attached to the

SPS. Accordingly the subproject was categorised as a Category “B” project which requires an IEE.

8. The SPS emphasizes the need for effective implementation of the environmental

safeguards which are to:

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Avoid possible impacts of subprojects on the environment and affected

people, where possible;

Minimise, mitigate and/or compensate for adverse project impacts on the

environment and affected people when avoidance is not possible; and

Help borrowers/clients to strengthen their safeguard systems and develop the

capacity to manage environmental and social risks.

9. The SPS contains a number of operational principles that includes the requirement

to ensure that the measures identified during the impact assessment are included in the

EMP and are implemented in agreement with the borrower. The borrower/client is

required to monitor the progress of implementation of the EMP, document the

monitoring results, identify necessary corrective actions and reflect them in a

corrective action plan. The borrower/client will submit at least semiannual monitoring

reports during construction for subprojects likely to have significant adverse

environmental impacts, and quarterly monitoring reports for highly complex and

sensitive subprojects. For subprojects likely to have significant adverse environmental

impacts during operation phase, reporting will continue at the minimum on an annual

basis.

2.1.2. Viet Nam Environmental Policies

10. Environmental impact assessment and management in Vietnam is addressed by the

Environment Protection Law No.52/2005/QH11 (EPL), then adopted on 29th

November 2005 when it became effective as of 1st July 2006. Besides, there are other

laws, decrees, circulars and decisions also support the EPL. The two most important

laws supporting the EPL related to power transmission line are Biodiversity Law No.

20/2008/QH12, 2009 stipulating biodiversity conservation and sustainable

development, and Electricity Law No. 28/2004/QH11, 2011 proscribing the detail for

the power industry in such areas as development planning and investments, privileges

and responsibilities of related organisations and individuals, protection of electrical

equipment and facilities and safety. In the operation phase of the subproject, the

Decree No.14/2014/ND-CP detailed provisions in the enforcement of Electricity Law

on electrical safety which became effective from15 April 2014 replace the Decree

No.106/2005/ND-CP issued 17/08/2005 and the Decree No.81/2009/ND-CP issued

12/10/2009. These and other legal documents are legal bases for controlling and

managing environmental impacts, occupational and community health and safety

during the operation phase of the subproject.

2.2. Subproject Environmental Management Plan (EMP)

11. Based on the ADB’s Safeguard Policy Statement 2009 (SPS), the subproject has

been categorised as a Category B project. Thus the IEE with EMP was prepared and

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approved in 2011. The IEE was prepared based on information collected in the

Vietnamese EIA approved in 2011 by MONRE and combined with information from

field verification inspections and additional consultations to ensure that all potential

environmental issues of the subproject are assessed thoroughly.

12. According to the approved IEE/EMP, the main impacts and mitigation measures

of different environmental and social aspects related to the transmission line during

operation phase are presented in the table 1 as follow:

Table 1: Impacts and mitigation measures proposed in the IEE/EMP during

operation phase

Impacts Proposed mitigation measures

Unsafe operation of

transmission line.

i. Vegetation cut and controlled to safe operating limits.

ii. Use hand labour

i. Unsafe habitation

within RoW

ii. Unsafe operation

of transmission line.

i. All buildings kept out of 32 m RoW

ii. All buildings outside 16m RoW width from centreline

to 72 m earthed.

13. Environmental impacts and proposed mitigation measures during the operation

phase in the Table 1 mentioned above are detaied as follows:

Main environmental impacts include: Unsafe operation of the TL; Unsafe

development within the RoW. Some specific impacts may have at this phase

are electric and magnetic fields exposure, noise nuisance to life of the people;

electrocution incidents, soil erosion at tower bases and the surroungding

environment, fire risk due to improper handling of trees, twigs generated within

and near the RoW.

Proposed mitigation measure: Vegetation is cut and controlled to safe operating

limits; Using hand labour in clearing vegetation; all buildings are kept out of

32m RoW; all buildings outside 16m RoW width from centerline to 72m are

earthed.

14. During operation phase, the national safeguard specialist for environment (the

Consultant – Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Hang) has been engaged to provide consulting

service to ensure the environmental soundness and sustainability of the subproject. In

the current time, CPMB has finalized the negotiation with the Consultant. The result

6

of Negotiation and the draft of Contract have been submitted EVNNPT for approval

on 25 September 2014.

2.3. EMP implementation inspection of CPMB and related parties

15. Monitoring and compliance with the EMP of CPMB and the related parties was

built an organization structure. During the operation phase, the organization structure

of environmental management system has been closely established (Figure 2). The

information on labor safety and environmental sanitation has been quickly reflected to

PMU, concurrently the duties of parties: PMU; Construction monitoring unit;

Contractors; Local authorities have been determined clearly and closely.

Figure 2: Organization structure of environmental management system

16. In order to effectively implement the tasks of environmental management, CPMB

and other units involved in environmental monitoring system (Contractors; Local

authorities; Construction monitoring units: PTC3 and PTC4; etc.) have to conduct

their specific environmental management tasks; to monitor the environmental impacts

caused by the subproject construction activities and other related activities and

ensured that the EMP has been followed during operation phase of the subproject.

17. Almost all of mitigation measures presented in the Contractor Environmental

Management Plan (CEMP) were well performed relatively under the supervision of

Management and

operating units (PTC3 &

PTC4)

PMU (CPMB)

National Safeguard

Specialist on

Environment

Local residents & social- political

organizations (Communal Fatherland

Front Committee, Farmer Union,

Women Union)/communities

Local authorities

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the power transmission companies (PTC3, PTC4) as well as the staffs in charge of

CPMB.

18. The semiannual environment monitoring reports were prepared by CPMB and

submitted to ADB for review in August 2013, February. The semiannual EMR within

the period of July – December 2014 will be proposed to submit in December 2014.

19. On April 01-04, 2014, CPMB and ADB have conducted site visit at some places

of the subproject belonging to Gia Lai and Dak Lak provinces (such as Nghia Hoa

commune of Chu Pah district, Gia Lai province; Tan Hoa commune of Buon Don

district, Dak Lak province; Tan Thanh Dong commune of Cu Chi district, Ho Chi

Minh city) to check the subproject compliance with the EMP.

20. CPMB evaluated the effectiveness of the implementation of mitigation measures

conducted by contractors during the construction period, based on environmental

compliance reports and the Minutes of environmental compliance monitoring of

contractors, and actual situation of environmental management under the supervision

of PTC3 & PTC4 - the engineers who have supervised subproject construction of

CPMB as well as local authorities in the subproject area. CPMB regularly monitored,

supervised and urged the contractors to strictly implement their environmental

management in accordance with regulations.

3. RESULTS OF ENVINRONMENTAL MONITORING

21. During the first stage of the operation phase, the actual survey on site along the

subproject of Pleiku – My Phuoc – Cau Bong 500kV TL shows that the operation and

management units of PTC3 and PTC4 have complied with the exchange of

information on the implementation of the environment dafety measures with the

operation and management units, representatives of CPCs and the communities in the

subproject area. It shows that the coordination between the operation and management

units with the relevant departments, CPCs and the communities is well done.

22. In fact, the Operation and Management Units of PTC3 and PTC4 have

implemented control of vegetation along the RoW and control of development within

the RoW. Especially, these Units have arranged their staffs and workers to check each

8

item regularly to detect any isues promptly which may affect the safty of the TL

operation as well as health of local people and coordinate with NPT/CPMB to take

solutions to make the work stable and sustainable within operation phase in the future.

The staff and workers were in direct observation, monthly conducted filed visit

through densely populated areas to consult the local people directly about potential

risks to people and the TL operation in order to get solution in time.

23. Especially, based on the GoV’s environmental policy Electric and Magnetic Fields

(EMF) of the subproject is required to observe two times per year. Therefore based on

the monitoring results of EMF dated on 22 June 2014, the selected locations for EMF

monitoring are intersected points between the TL and road, communication lines,

resident areas. Besides, the noise is implemented at the substations and other areas

when having complaints. They also showed that the noise at the substations is lower

than the regulated standard – Labor hygienic standards under the Decision

No.3733/2002/QĐ-MoH dated 10 October 2012; Electric field strength in some

places is higher than the permissible limit of the electric field strength in the region

where people regularly work (5kV/m), it varies from 5,15kV/m to 21,3kV/m in Gia

Lai; Other provinces/city (Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Binh Phuoc, Binh Duong, Ho Chi

Minh) have been being implemented the monitoring, their datas have not been

synthesized and informed. No official complaint on the general public EMF exposure

and noise nuisance to surrounding communities has been reflected to PTC3 and PTC4.

3.1. Some follow-up issues found on environmental safeguards during the third quarter of 2014 need to be reinforced as follows:

24. In some construction sites, land restoration has been carried out by local people

not by the contractors (Joint Venture of Viet A Investment Commercial Industrial

Company and Dien Dia Phuong Ltd Co., INCO Company). The local people in some

communes for instance Ea Kiet commune and Ea Mdroh commune – Cu Mgar district

– Dak Lak province, Nam Dong commune – Cu Jut district – Dak Nong province

reflected that they had paid for land restoration of the land area borrowed by the

contractors to implement re-cultivation timely. The construction monitoring unit at the

area explained that the local people were voluntary in cleaning the felt down trees in

some areas within the RoW because they wanted to use branches for their daily living

9

activities such as firewood, fencing. There was not formal reflection of this issue to

the DRCC. However, from the observation, tree cutting has not been cleaned up at Ea

Kiet commune. It could cause fire hazards in the dry season and threat to the safety of

the TL in the operation phase. It is also an impediment for cultivation of the local

people.

3.1.1. Status of reforestation activities

25. For compensation for natural forest damages, CPMB coordinated with

provincial departments and divisions to estimate damages and compensate for the

identified damages. The subproject was implemented the payment of compensation

for the loss of Dak Lak province's forests, it was about 10,816,764,158 VND (10

billion, eight hundred and sixteen million, seven hundred and sixty-four thousand, one

hundred and fifty-eight Vietnam dong) on March 12, 2014. The amount was

transferred based on Decision No. 485/ QĐ-UBND of the People Committee of Dak

Lak Province dated March 07, 2014.

26. For reforestation activities, CPMB has developed the reforestation plans of

144,778 ha of forest in the 03 provinces: Dak Lak, Gia Lai and Dak Nong. However,

CPMB will not organize the implementation of reforestation but only transfer the

required amount of money to the provincial Forest Development and Protection Funds

after the provincial People’s Committee approves the reforestation plans. Then CPMB

will conduct its monitoring on implementation of reforestation plan. However, the

time for reforestation plan has not been defined yet. The reforestation plans have been

submitted to the provincial DARDs for appraisal and to PPCs for approval.

- In Dak Lak province: the total area of natural forest has been converted in Dak

Lak is 107.11 ha;

+ Protective forest : 13.34 ha;

+ Productive forest : 93.77 ha;

+ Planning time : Not defined;

+ The converted area is managed by 06 units including Hoa Gia Phat Import

and Export Service – Trade Co., Ltd, Ea HMo Forestry One-member Co.Ltd,

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Green Forest One-member Co.,Ltd, Cu KBang Communal People’s

Committee, Chu Ma Lanh Forestry One-member Co.,Ltd. and Buon Ya Wam

One-member Co., Ltd.

+ Status of reforestation plan in Dak Lak in current time: On January 09 2014,

Dak Lak PPC issued the Decision No.104/QĐ-UBND approving on converting

the purpose of forest use in Dak Lak. Based on the Dak Lak PPC’s Decision,

on August 08 2014 CPMB has been submitted to Dak Lak provincial

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development an official minute

No.4533/AMT-ĐB requiring approval on the cost of reforestation plan. After

receiving the Decision from Dak Lak provincial DARD, CPMB will transfer

the payment to the Dak Lak Forest Development and Protection Fund as

required.

- In Gia Lai province: the total area of natural forest has been converted in Gia

Lai is 28,7 ha including protective forest and productive forest, which belongs

to Chu Puh and Chu Prong districts and is managed by Nam Phu Nhon

Protective Forest Management Unit and Ia Ve Communal People’s Committee.

The actual forest area affected by the subproject has not been agreed and

confirmed by the relavant parties. DARD of Gia Lai province proposed to

establish an appraisal meeting for reforestation plans of several projects in such

province.

- In Dak Lak province: the total area of natural forest has been converted in Dak

Nong is 8.968 ha;

+ Productive natural forest : 6.53 ha;

+ Protective planted forest : 2.438 ha;

+ Planning time : Not defined;

+ Managed by Dak Song Forestry Control Unit, Viet Long MDF Timber

Engineering JSC and Truong Xuan One-member Co.Ltd.

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3.1.2. EMF exposure and noise nuisance to surrounding communities

27. Results of interviews with representatives of the communal authorities and the

affected people showed that electrification has been discorvered in some buildings in

some places near the RoW, for example in Ea Kiet commune – Cu Mgar district –

Dak Lak province, Nam Dong commune – Cu Jut district – Dak Nong province and

Tho Son commune – Bu Dang district – Binh Phuoc province. This issue has been

reflected to PTC3 and PTC4. In order to ensure the safety of the community

development along the TL in the operation phase, the Units conducted their review to

make a list of the buildings and then submited the client for additional earthing

performance.

28. As a part from the above mentioned electrification issue, some of selected people

for the interview expressed their concerns of risk, negative impacts of the TL on their

health when they frequently work within the areas around the RoW. The residents in

Ia Sao commune, Gia Lai province reflected that they have not felt the electrification

from the TL. But they felt steering shaked when they rode under the North – South

500kV TL constructed in 1994. The residents in Ea Kiet commune – Dak Lak

province and in Nam Dong commune – Dak Nong provinces were afraid of working

on their plots while it was raining or humid due to the risk of electricfication of

agricultural tools. The unexpected impacts on their health are possible as well. Thus

they expected to get payment for landuse right and to get compensation for the entire

land area within the RoW to avoid health risks in the long time. However, based on

the Decree No.14/2014/ND-CP of GoV regarding detailed provisions in the

enforcement of Electricity Law on electrical safety, the local people’s expectation

could not be met. Therefore, the Operation and Management Units of PTC3 and PTC4

will monitor EMF and noise periodically and irregularly when there are complaints to

get solutions in time.

29. It is shown that EMF exposure and noise nuisance to surrounding communities

have not been serious problems so far. The first reason is that in the first stage of the

operation phase the TL has just been energized and its operation with the power loads

lower than the subproject design. The second reason is that the first period of the TL

operation phase has been performed in the dry season. In fact, noise from the TL can

12

reach its maximum during the rain and fog season, electric fields increase strongly as

the voltage increase, magnetic fields increase strongly as the current increase.

Therefore, the EMF exposure and noise nuisance can be increased remarkably in the

next period when the TL should be operated with bigger loads in rainy season.

Responding to the limited capacity to measure electromagnetic fields in practice and

local people’s concerns, monitoring effects of EMF exposure and noise through public

consultation and observation in the next periods could have been very useful.

3.1.3. Control of Vegetation

30. The change in vegetation cover within the RoW will alter soil quality in different

areas. Some fallow lands within the RoW for cassava cultivation (observed in Dak

Lak, Binh Phuoc, Binh Duong provinces) are at risk of erosion and degradation.

Cassava cultivation requires a huge amount of nutrients, notably potassium and

nitrogen. The application of inappropriate techniques for cassava cultivation such as

plowing too deeply and manuring to replenish nutrients in soil could cause erosion,

soil runoff, especially on the slopes. The soil erosion in the long time will affect the

risks of land degradation. However, some areas within the RoW used for bean

cultivation (observed in Dak Nong and Gia Lai province) are effective for

maintenance and restoration of soil fertility, valuable for soil conservation. Such

changes in land quality will bring different impacts on the protection of soil resources

within the RoW.

31. The changes in vegetation cover not only alter soil quality but also cause negative

effects on water resources. 114.78 ha of forest land belongings to the three provinces

(Dak Lak, Gia Lai and Dak Nong) will be converted to food crops and land for

industial plants. To ensure the economic efficiency, tree planting density in the

industrial land can not be the same as that in natural forests. The cultivation requires

regular removal of grass and unwanted plants under the tree canopy to concentrate

nutrients for the growth of plants. Thus the water-holding capacity of industrial

plantations can not be the same as the one in natural forests, even demanding a lot of

water for irrigation. For example, the water demand for irrigation is very much for

coffee plant cultivation, 1 ha of land for coffee plant cultivation requires from 1.600

13

m3

to 1.700 m3

of water during the dry season. Therefore vegetation management

within the RoW is considered as an important implication for the protection of soil

and water resources in the region.

3.1.4. Buidings within RoW

32. Some built works (primarily temporary shelters/camps) within the RoW have not

been completely dismantled. They were observed in Nam Dong commune – Cu Jut

district – Dak Nong province, Ea Kiet commune and Ea M’Dro’h commune – Cu

Mgar district, Dak Lak province, Ia Kenh commune – Pleiku city and among the

Picket No.0308-0309, 0601-0602, 0802-0803 in Gia Lai province. Through the

interviews with the local people it revealed that the reason is the unsatisfactory

compensation and support levels in accordance with the policies of Gia Lai, Dak Lak

and Dak Nong provinces. The local people were not satisfied with compensation they

received, so their buildings remained available for the expectation of additional

support. The local people also reflected that the roof of the shelters/camps has been

induction-caused conductor but the shelters/camps are still used by local residents to

protect themselves from rain and sun if nescessary.

3.1.5. Induction-caused electrification phenomenon

33. There is still induction-caused electrification phenomenon in some built works

within a distance of about 25-60m from the centerline of the RoW. From the

interviews with staff of PTC3 and PTC4, most of the built works have been earthed in

accordance with the Decree No.14/2014/ND-CP on electric safety and the design of

the subproject. However, due to limited budget of the client, only the buildings in

proximity of the RoW and main houses are prioritized for earthing. Besides, there are

also some houses built after the operation of transmission line which have not been

controlled. Thus, some built works within a distance of about 25-60m from the

centerline of the RoW have not been earthed. PTC3 and PTC4 proposed to conduct

their observation and make the list for addional earthing plans.

3.2. Required Actions and Corective Action Plan

34. Based on the above mentioned environmental issues, the required actions and

corrective action plan for addressing existing environmental issue in the next period

are presented in the table 2 as follows.

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Table 2. Required Actions and Corrective Action Plan

Issue Cause Required Action Responsibility Timing

(Target Dates)

Description of

Resolution and Timing

(Actual)

1. Delay in

afforestation

- Relevant PPCs have not

paid proper attention to the

afforestation plan

- Provincial officials are

busy with their other tasks in

the localities

- It took much time for

getting consensus price levels

for the replacement

afforestation

- CPMB does not have

human resource and capacity

for afforestation

- Accelerate the

administrative

procedures to allow

the afforestation plan

early done and track

to complete this

responsibility

- The

afforestation plan

should be carried out

as soon as possible

CPMB and PPCs Before July

2015

CPMB and the

environmental

safeguard consultant

continually coordinate

with local authorities

& officials to urge the

administrative

procedures for the

afforestation and

making the

afforestation plan to be

implemented as soon

as possible.

2. The

existence of

some built

works

(primarily

temporary

shelters/camp)

within RoW

Local people are not satisfied

with the compensation and

support levels in accordance

with the provincial policies

from the subproject.

Totally dismantle the

remaining works

within the RoW in Gia

Lai, Dak Lak and Dak

Nong provinces

CPMB, PTC3,

PTC4 and related

communal

governments &

social- political

organizations

(Communal

Fatherland Front

Committee, Farmer

Union, Women

Union)

Before July

2015

Immediately

implemented

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Issue Cause Required Action Responsibility Timing

(Target Dates)

Description of

Resolution and Timing

(Actual)

3. Risks for

community

safety

- Shortage in earthing for

buildings

- Some houses built after the

operation of transmission line

have not been earthed

Check the earthing of

the buildings in the

area 16-60m from

the centreline of the

RoW to plan for

additional earthing

PTC3 and PTC4 Before July

2015

Immediately

implemented

4. EMF

exposure

Electric field strength in many

places within RoW is higher

than the permissible limit of

the electric field strength in the

region where people regularly

work

Propaganda for

preventing EMF

exposure, for the

public and the workers

PTC3 and PTC4

During the

operation

phase

Continually implement

communication

5. Potential

impacts on

water and soil

resources

- Changes in land use to

ensure safe operation of the

TL

- The land owners do not

know how to use the

compensated and supported

money amount to sustainably

restore income in parallel with

the protection of soil and water

resources

- Trees were felled within the

RoW in Ea Kiet commune, Cu

Mgar district, Dak Lak

province have not been cleared

- Disseminate

economic-efficient

and environment-

friendly agricultural

techniques to the

owners of land within

the RoW

- Clear dry twigs in

Ea Kiet, CuMgar

District, Dak Nong

province

PTC3 & PTC4 Before July

2015

Provide the landowners

environmental

communication

products as

communication

message, leaflet, poster

at CPC headquarter,

along the RoW

16

3.3. Additional Action Required

35. Based on the GoV’s environmental policy and EIA approved by MONRE, EMF will

be monitoried by the Operation and Management Units (PTC3 and PTC4) periodically

two times per year and irregularly when received complaints from local people during the

operation phase of the subproject. EMF is only measured two times per year at some

sensitive places (intersection point between the TL and raod, communication lines,

resident areas) while the vontage and electric current change in time depending upon the

electricity generating sources and use demand; electric fileds increase strongly as the

voltage increases, magnetic fields increase strongly as the current increases. The local

people in Dak Lak and Gia Lai province have not reflected any negative impacts of the

subproject on them so far though the EMF has been discovered in these provinces.

However, the result of public consultation and visual inspection for the effects of EMF

could reveal the most exact information for the assessment and it could be very

necessary. Thus, in the next periods, public consultation and visual inspection for the

effects of EMF must be done to control exposure of EMF in time.

36. Some other environmental issues possibly happened in the operation phase are (i)

erosion of the spoil at tower bases and within the RoW during heavily rain season, (ii)

electrocution risks after storms, (iii) fire risk due to improper handling of trees, twigs

generated within and near the RoW. These issues should be monitored in the next

periods.

4. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

4.1. Overall Progress of Implementation of Environmental Management Measures

37. In the first stage of operation phase, environmental mitigation measures have been

performed by the Operation and Management Units of PTC3 and PTC4 under the regular

supervision and monitoring of environmental safeguard consultant and CPMB/ADB.

PTC3 and PTC4 have well controlled the environmental safety measures. Besides, some

existing environmental issues caused by activities of the construction phase have been

continually addressing by the coordination among CPMB, PTC3, PTC4 and the relevant

local authorities (CPCs and PPCs) such as conducting administrative procedures for

afforestation, dismantling the remained buildings within the RoW. Some mitigation

measures for addressing unexpected environmental issues such as potential negative

17

impacts on water and soil resources, EMF exposure and noise nuisance to surrounding

communities, potential conflicts will be implemented and regularly monitored in the next

periods.

4.2. Problems Identified and Actions Recommended

38. Through the result of environmental monitoring, it is shown that the implementation

of the environmental mitigation measures of the subproject is retricted. Especially (i)

afforestation has not been finalized yet, (ii) some buildings remained within RoW, (iii)

fire risk warned in the dry season, (iv) some buildings in several areas at a distance of

about 25m to 60m from the centerline of the RoW have not been earthed.

39. In order to ensure full compliance with the ADB’s environmental policy specified in

the EMP, CPMB should have closely coordination with local authorities and the

Operation and Management Units of PTC3 & PTC4. During the operation phase, relavent

stakeholders have to comply with environmental mitigation measures by clearing dry

twigs within the RoW, dismantling the remained buildings within the RoW, conducting

additional earthing for arisen buildings, developing the economic-eddicient and

environmentally friendly agricultural techniques to the owner of land plots within the

RoW, conducting afforestation plan.

40. The environmental monitoring process should be continually paid attention to fire

risk, EMF exposure, noise nuisance to surroungding communities and electroduction

risks, afforestation and unintended impacts due to changes in landuse within the RoW

such as soil erosion, degradation of local soil and water resources.