REPUBLIC OF YEMEN Ministry of Public Works and Highways (MPWH)

Rural Access Program (RAP) Central Management Office (CMO)

Executive Summary- English Version

Environment and socia l Assessment (ESIA) Executive Summary with ESMP Tables during Construction and Operation Phases

for Orod/Souq AI Horiah Road Project Second stage (7.3km)

District: Shra'abAslam Governorate: Taiz

Prepared by: E&SU- RAPCMO December 2013

Pub

lic D

iscl

osur

e A

utho

rized

Pub

lic D

iscl

osur

e A

utho

rized

Pub

lic D

iscl

osur

e A

utho

rized

Pub

lic D

iscl

osur

e A

utho

rized

Pub

lic D

iscl

osur

e A

utho

rized

Pub

lic D

iscl

osur

e A

utho

rized

Pub

lic D

iscl

osur

e A

utho

rized

Pub

lic D

iscl

osur

e A

utho

rized

ESlA report Aord/Souq AI Horiah road

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) study was carried out for the Construction of

Orod/Souq AI Horiah Road (second stage), financed under IDA RAP2.The (ESIA) was prepared for

the Ministry of Public Works and Highways (MPWH), represented by the Rural Access Program -

Central Management Office (RAP-CMO). The ESIA was carried out according to the guidelines set in

the ESIAF Report, which is used by (RAP-CMO).

Orod/Souq AI Horiah road alignment (second stage) is located inShra'ab Aslam district on the

Southern Highland of Yemen, Northwest ofTaiz City (the Capital City ofTaiz Governorate).

The main objective of improving Orod/Souq AI Horiah road alignment (second stage) is to provide

the only access for the isolated villages adjacent on the road alignment to outside services and

markets. The construction of the road will make a significant difference in the quality of life of those

tleprived villages along the road in a state of continuous suffering due to poor access to administration

and other services.

It is estimated that the road alignment serves an average of 42,500 people directly and an average of

65,000 people indirectly. The main economic activity is agriculture for most of the population.

The proposed road will be constructed on the existing dirt road alignment. The site works will

comprise the completion of the earthworks, drainage structures and protection works. It will also

provide road pavement layers, including base course and asphalt concrete wearing course. The

estimatedquantities of the proposed road are shown in details in table 3.2.

Orod/Souq AI Horiah road alignment (second stage) will begin fromAiwadhyhah village on AI

Amjuod area at km 20.0, which is considered the end point of Orod/Souq AI Horiahfirst stage.

Orod/Souq AI Horiah road alignment (second stage) is split into three sections. The first section of the

road alignment is 3.5km long and is considered as rolling to mountainous terrain. The second section

of road alignment is 1.3km long and is defined as mountainous to escarpment on Naqeel AI A'aruoq.

The third section of existing road alignment is 2.5km long and is considered as rolling to mountainous

terrain. The road alignment ends at Souq AI Horiah market in Shra'ab Aslam district. The total

length of the road alignment is approximately 7.3km.

Thereare no principal concerns related to problems associated with land acquisition, because road the

alignment is already excavated. Where there are pinch points in narrow places, they will be left

unchanged to prevent land acquisition.

RAP-CMO

ESIA report Aord/Souq AI Horiah road

Orod/Souq AI Horiah road alignment (second stage) is classified as category (B) following the OP

4.0 l . This category is justified because the expected construction and paving works are limited to the

existing dirt road alignment, the road section is 7.3km long, and the adverse environmental and social

impacts are minor and temporary.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in Yemen is enacted by the Environment Protection Law

No. 26 of I995 (EPL). The provisions of this framework law are implemented through the Executive

Regulations (By-Law 148-2000), issued by a decree of the Council of Ministers. In October 2002, the

Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) issued the "Environment & Sustainable Investment

Program 2003-2008 (ESIP)", which constitutes the framework for the government' s environmental

policy of the next years .

The construction ofOrod/Souq AI Horiah road alignment is expected to cause number of potential

negative impacts, which are low and of moderate intensity . The potential impacts were reviewed in

the context of the Physical Environment, Biological Resources and Socio-economic and Cultural

Setup. The expected construction related impacts that have identified during the assessment process

are summarized below.

-Temporary land use (i) Site for the storage of materials and equipment. This is a relatively minor problem in that; there is

considerable flexibility from local counciVbeneficiary community as to where these sites may be

located.

(ii) Diversion: In some cases where culverts are to be rehabilitated. This type of impact is considered

as a minor, localized and reversible.

-Slopes stabilization Slope stabilization is expected to occur in section 2 of the alignment in the mountain area (Naqeel AI

Arouq at km 5.1). This impact is considered as local, temporary and reversible.

-Management of construction camp

During construction stage, solid and liquid waste, minor petroleum leakage and spills,domestic waste

and facilities in the camp are expected.

- Disposal of cut materials and surplus fill At km 3. 7 surplus materials from previous were left to the side of the road, which may damage the

terraces located below the alignment. These materials could be used as fill material to level the road

bed to reach design level. The impact is considering minor and reversible.

RAP-CMO

ESIA report Aord/Souq AI Horiah road

-Destruction of Water Pipes There are few water pipes located adjacent to road side such as at km2.7, km5 .2 and km7.2.There is

risk of damage to these pipes during the construction works. This would lead to temporary disruption

of water supply to villages.

-Discharge to Graveyards One Graveyard at km 1.5 was found on the right side of the alignment. During the previous contract,

the top cover was removed by excavator machine causing the burial to be unstable. The impact is

aggravated during rainy season when water flows and washes out top and side surface of the burial.

This impact is considered minor, local and reversible.

- Alteration of water harvesting patterns Water harvesting systems along the road are based on discharge to terraces from the mountain tops.

Impacts on the water harvesting and irrigation systems should be reduced by proper longitudinal and

cross drainage structures, including drains and culverts. The impact is considered major but reversible

and mitigable.

- Cross drainage and scour effects on new fills . This phenomenon was found at km 4.9 and 5.2) in section two on the road alignment. This impact is

local and reversible.

-Air quality and noise. The impact will be restricted to the construction site. Dust will be generated by earth works and

vehicle movements. This will be a short-term impact that is limited primarily to the construction

phase. It can be minimized by water spraying.

-Biological Resources. There are no valuable or protected ecological assets along the road alignment. No significant damage

to biological assets or vegetation are expected during the construction phase.

- Road closures and detours . On section 2 of the road alignment it will be necessary to close the road for the public for certain

periods with consequent adverse social and economic impacts on communities on both sides of the

road.

- Gender considerations A potential increase of road accidents and adverse impacts on water collection patterns were

identified during women 's consultations as major aspects of social concern. This threat should be

solved through making road humps in addition to warning signs in pedestrian road crossing.

RAP-CMO

ESIA report Aord/Souq AI Horiah road

Positive socio-economic impacts of upgrading theroad alignment include: improved safety and

comfort, stimulus to economic development, increased mobility, reduced travel time and transport

costs, improved community cohesion and intercommunity cooperation and improved accessibility to

social services and markets.

Orod/Suoq AI Horiahroad is a very important development, which will provide the only access for the

isolated villages to outside services and markets . The construction of the road will make a significant

difference in the quality of life of these deprived villagers .

The ESMP for Orod/Suoq AI Horiah road project consists of three components; Mitigation Plan,

Monitoring Program and Institutional Arrangements. The Mitigation Plan includes measures to

mitigate potential negative project impacts during construction and during normal maintenance of the

road. These mitigation measures are summarized in the comprehensive ESMP tables . These tables are

prepared for the Construction as well as Maintenance Phases. The ESMP tables identify also the

official Organizations, which are responsible for implementation and monitoring of mitigation

measures. Implementation of the Environmental and Social Management Plan will be the

responsibility of the supervision consultant. Monitoring program is designed to provide quantitative

assessments of environmental parameters during pre- and post-project implementation. The

monitoring program comprises site inspection designed to determine contractor compliance or

otherwise with the ESMP and other applicable regulations and statutes. The Environmental and Social

Unit (E&SU) of the Rural Access Program Central Management Office (RAPCMO) will be

responsible for implementing the environmental and social monitoring program.

The study shows that the estimated total cost of the mitigation measures is in the range of 20 I ,000

USD. These costs are relatively high given the difficult mountainous terrain, which the road

alignment is crossing, the unstable slopes, agricultural terraces, water harvesting and irrigation

systems in use. ln addition, the cost of the monitoring activities (primarily cost of full time monitoring

specialist, car, fuel, and camera) is estimated to reach 30,000 USD. Thus the combined cost of the

mitigation measures and the monitoring program reach 23 I ,000 USD.

This study concluded with the recommendation for the decision maker to proceed with the

implementation of the road project with full consideration of the proposed ESMP, monitoring plan

and the institutional arrangements.

RAP-CMO

ESIA report Aord/Souq AI Horiah road

SUMMARY OF ESMP DURING CONSTRUCTION PHASE

Project Activity Mitiaatioas RetPODSibiUty

Mltlptloa Meuures lmplemeotatioo Moaltoriog Quality CostUSD

A. I Land Resources A.l.l Temporary land use Siting of site compounds, diversions Will be part of

and haul roads : traffic management. the contract. Contractor & SFA obligation RE, BC& Bidders will be -Contractor able to cost this

item in their bids.

A. l .2 Slope stabilization atstation Stabilize upslope in mountainous areas 4,350 Cu.m 5+100 at Naqeel AI Arouq; design measures to Structural

minimize adverse downstream impacts. Excavation 1300 Such measures are to build retaining

DE,RE& + +

walls, protection barriers or gabion Contractor 2,850 Cu.m 14,000

mesh works . Or to plant side slope with Stone + grass and natural shrubs. + 8250

RE 740Cu.m + Boulder

A. l .3 Contractor site compounds, Provision of adequate living and Project Officer Will be part of materials and equipment storage, (Solid sanitation facilities : adequate materials + the contract. and Liquid Waste Disposal, management and safety plan; handover E&S Unit

Bidders will be Management and Safety Plan for of rehabilitated compound site. The RE & Contractor -able to cost this Petroleum Products and Paving contractor is responsible to keep the

item in their Material , Living and Sanitation camp clean from oi l spi ll age and waste bids. Facilities, Rehabilitation of Site). disposal (liquid or solid).

A.l .4 Disposal of cut materials and Controlled disposal of cut material and surplus fill- agricultural land surplus fill and enforce the contractor to destruction find suitable places such as vacant land RE & Contractor 8, 150 Cu.m 450

and to furnish this material so it won ' t have an impact on the environment.

A.l.5 Borrow pits and quarry areas Prudent selection of site (Wadi AI Afuosh-dry wad i bed);

RE & Contractor 1,500 Cu.m 950 Management during use and need for reinstatement.

A.2 Hydrology and Water Resources

A.2.1 Sources of construction water Appropriate sourcing of water and prior arrangements with communities. Gaining water is the responsibility of

RE, BC& the contractor; he can buy from water Contractor RE

120 tanks 2,000 pump station at 2+800 or from the

+ bottom of the wadi below the Project Officer alignment.

A.2.2 Pollution of water resources from Measures to prevent groundwater or +

solid or liquid disposal , diesel or oil surface water contamination. The E&S Unit

spills from site compounds and provision of containers for camp waste RE & Contractor - 2,000 machinery disposal and fueling and oil change in

specified location as a general practice.

RAP-CMO

ESIA report Aord/Souq AI Horiah road

Project Adivlty MitlutioDS ResDODslbility

Mltlptioa Meuura Implementation Moaitorlag Quutity CostUSD

A.2.3 Alteration of water harvesting Incorporate current water harvesting 4,350 Cu.m patterns at km 2.3. practi ces into des ign; use of irrigation Structural

pipes; improvement of channel Excavation 1300 performance by riprap work. + +

RE & Contractor 250 Cu.m 3 1,150 Concrete +

+ 21,500 41 0Cu.m Cyclo)>C_an

A.2.4 Wadi cross drainage and scour Appropriate drainage des ign; use of 4,350 Cu.m effects on new fill at 4.9&5.2 culverts, Irish cross ings, protection Structural

walls, riprap, side drainage ditches and Excavation 1300 outlets; and planting. + + 250 Cu.m

3 1,150 RE & Contractor

Concrete + + 2 1,500

41 0Cu.m Cyclopean +

+ 9,700

300Cu.m Gabions

A.2.6 Discharge to: Appropriate pos itioning and design of 4,350 Cu.m - New fi ll drainage structures: protection walls or Structural 1300 -Unstable slopes riprap. Excavation + - Graveyards RE & Contractor 2,850 Cu.m 14,000 -Agriculture terraces at km 3.450 Stone +

740Cu.m 8250 Boulder

A .3 Air Quality and Noise

A.3 .1 Dust & potential pollutants from Water spraying during maintenances; Water incl. in construction machinery, stored material ti re washing, dust emiss ion controls on A.2.1. and spoi l heaps crushers and other equipment; Otherwise, will

Preferably, locate heaps away from RE & Contractor - be part of the

communities and farmlands; cover RE

contract. Bidders material-laden trucks: control of will be able to fugitive dust during material delivery. + cost this item in Project Officer

+ their bids. A.3 .2 Noise Nuisance Noise control devices (such as

E&S Unit Wi ll be part of silencers) on compressors, percussion the contract. tools; avoid equipment use after

RE & Contractor Bidders will be working hours. - able to cost this

II item in thei r bids.

A.4 Socio-Econo mic and Cultural Resources

A.5.3 Destruction or relocation of Relocation of util ity as a pay item utility services (water pipes) . included in the sub-project cost. RE & Contractor 1,000 1/m 7,000 At km 5.2 and km 7.2

RAP-CMO

ESIA report Aord/Souq AI Horiah road

Project Activity Mltlutioas RaooaalbiUIY

Mltlgatioll Measures lmplemealadoa Moaitorlq Quaadty ColtUSD

A.5.4 Public health and safety at Safety rules for work maintenances, construction site such as equipment maintenance

procedures, protective hard hats, shoes -Safety and health for the construction and clothing for workers ; first aid and workers. medical kits and procedures; health and

Will be part of safety regulations clearly displayed in the contract. Engl ish and Arabic.

Bidders will be RE & Contractor - able to cost this -Public safety at the site and interaction Public health and safety measures, such

item in their between the workers and the public (e as barriers and warning signs to borrow bids. specially schoolchildren in the village areas or other dangerous zones; speed

of Alwadhyhah). limits, traffic signs, speed bumps, safe passages. Information campaigns on health I practices and communicable diseases .

A.5.5 Graveyards and burials at km 1.5 Avoid disturbance through the use of 4,350 Cu.m stone pavement to safe burials; and Structural avoid drainage flooding and use barriers RE Excavation 1300 during construction. + + +

RE & Contractor Project Officer 2,850 Cu.m 14,000 + Stone +

E&S Unit + 8250 740 Cu.m Boulder

A.5 .6 Chance finds of Cultural Application of Chance Find Procedures

Will be part of Resources or other socio-economic the contract. resources to assess requirements and implement

Bidders will be mitigation. RE & Contractor - able to cost this item in their

bids. A. 5. 7 Gender considerations Women 's consultations and incorporate Will be part of

concerns into ESMP. Most of the the contract. concerns were to implement humps

RE & Contractor Bidders will be near crossings to schools or daily -

able to cost this women activities, install warning signs item in their and some protection barriers. bids.

A.5.8 Employment Mechanisms to maximize local employment benefits explored during RE & Contractor - No cost consultations .

TOTAL ESTIMATED COST OF MITIGATION MEASURES: 201,000

'

RAP-CMO

ESIA report Aord/Souq AI Horiah road

SUMMARYOF ESMP DURING MAINTENANCE PHASE

~_... ~-- r -, ~t·

. , ~ .· . ":""'- :~ _~_,.,_ ,_. .. . J'·•.t: • ..... _t;: .. _,._: (' ·.··::.' ·<;, .. ·

B. I Land Resources B.l . l Slope stabilization Regular maintenance of stabilization measures;

protection works B. l .2 Agricultural land or terrace Controlled disposal of cut and fill during Contractor Road damage during maintenance maintenance.

&Local Maintenance Controlled equipment operations. B. l.3 Maintenance contractor site Provision of adequate living and sanitation facilities . Authority Fund compounds, materials and Adequate materials management and safety plan: equipment storage Limitation of construction site. B.l .4 Management of induced Land use planning and zoning for intersections and development village extensions.

B.2 Hydrology and Water Resources

B.2.1 Water harvesting Regular maintenance of water harvesting structures.

B.2.2 Blockage of cross Regular maintenance of drainage structures. Drains/culverts Avoid uncontrolled community discharges .

Contractor Road Uncontrolled discharge B.2.3 Erosion of road platform from Maintenance of retaining structures, such as walls, &Local Maintenance drainage discharge gab ions, riprap; planting of shrubs and grasses. Authority Fund B.2.4 Pollution from vehicle diesel Timely clean up fo llowing accidents . and oil spills or accidents with hazardous cargo.

B.3 Air Quality and Noise

B.3.1 Air pollution from increased Vehicle maintenance; enforcement of emiss ion Ministry of traffic controls; lead free fuels . Transport

N.A.

B.3.2 Noise Nuisance Speed controls in populated areas ; signs and warnings in sensitive areas; driver information/education campaigns.

B. 4 Biological Resources

B.4.1 Increased pressure on Maintenance of speed reduction measures, signs and Road biological resources from induced warnings; planned development of growth areas; Contractor

development educational campaigns. &Local Maintenance - Animal road kill Authority Fund - Destruction of vegetation

B.S Socio-Economic and Cultural Resources

B.S.l Increased road accidents Maintenance of speed reduction measures, signs and warnings; Information campaigns to drivers and at villages.

B. 5.2 Public health and safety Safety rules for work operations, such as equipment during maintenance operation procedures, safety barriers, warning signs,

Contractor Road protective hard hats, shoes and clothing for workers ;

&Local Maintenance -Maintenance works site risks to first aid and medical kits and procedures: appointment worke rs and the public of Safety Officer. Authority Fund

-Health risks from compound Information campaigns on health practices and communicable diseases;

sanitation and communicable Health and safety regulations clearly displayed in diseases English and Arabic.

B.5.3 SocioEconomic Benefits Monitoring of benefits. Consultants, E&SU

RAP-CMO

ESIA report Aord/Souq AI Horiah road

8 .5.4 If Chance finds of Cultural Application of Chance Find Procedures to assess Resources or other socio-economic requirements and implement mitigation.

Contractor RMF&

resources GOAMM

RAP-CMO