China - Second Inland Waterways Project : Environmental impact assessment (Vol. 4 of 6)

pq 4'zxp2/7 Grade A Environmental Impact Assessment Certificate No.0224 V44 P Environmental Assessment Report (EIA) of Waterway Regulation Project On Lower Xijiang River by Using World bank Loan Scientific Institute of Pearl River Water Resources Protection November 1997  National Environmental Assessment Certificate Serial No.0224 Environmental Impact Assessment Certificate Name of Unit: Scientific Institute of Pearl River Water Resources Protection Class of Certificate: Class A Serial No. of Certificate: 0224 of National Environmental Assessment Certificates Authority of certificate Issuing: National Environmental Protection Bureau 30 December,1989 2  Head of Institute: Wu Yadi(Senior engineer of environmental management) Deputy Head of Institute: Li Xueling(Senior engineer of Environmental science) Luo Shusong (Senior engineer of Chemical engineering) Deputy Chief Engineer: Yan Lianhe(Professor of agriculture and hydrology) Lin Fangrong(Professor of chemistry) Wu Qianzhao(Senior engineer of environmental science) Manager of Project: Luo Chengping(Engineer of environmental impact assessment) Work Group: Luo Chengping Translators: Wu Renhai Liu Xinyuan Zhang Zhongquan Huang Aizhu Gong Ying Lin Weihua Luo Chengping Chen Yubo Wu Zhijun Zhu Yuansheng Wu Zhijun 3  Table of Contents 1. Introduction 1.1 Objectives and Origins 1.2 Basis for Preparation 1.3 Grade. Scopes and Standards of Assessment 1.4 Assessment Processes 1.5 Main Work Contents and Methods 1.6 Assessment Conductor and Working Staffs 1.7 Assessment approval 1.8 Note 2. Description of the Project 2.1 Properties, Aims and Significance of the Project 2.2 Description of the Waterway 2.3 Dimension and Standards of Waterway Construction 2.4 Main Engineering 2.5 Budgetary Estimate and Investment Arrangement 2.6 Engineering Analysis 3. Investigation and Assessment of Current Environmental Situations 3.1 Physical Environment 3.2 Biological Environment 3.3 Socio-Economic Environment 3.4 Living Quality 3.5 Current Scouring and Silting Situations 3.6 Current Water Quality and Its Assessment 3.7 Current Water Supply and Drainage Facilities 3.8 Harbors and Docks 3.9 Current Environmental Noise and Its Assessment 3.10 Investigation of Ship Pollutants 4. Environmental Impact Prediction and Analysis, and Mitigation Measures 4.1 Environmental Impact Prediction and Analysis 4.1.1 Water Quality Impact Prediction and Analysis 4.1.2 Impact Analysis on Aquatic Organisms and Fishery Resources 4.1.3 Rise of Flood Level and Impact on Flood Control 4.1.4 Analysis of Impact on Scouring and Silting 4.1.5 Analysis of Impact on Water Supply and Drainage Facilities 4.1.6 Analysis of Noise Environmental Impact 4.1.7 Analysis of Other Environmental Impacts during Construction Stage 4.1.8 Socio-Economical Environmental Impact Assessment 4.1.9 Environmental Impact Prediction and Analysis of Ship Pollutants 4.1.10 Analysis of Ship Pollution Accident Risk 4  4.2 Project Alternatives 4.3 Countermeasures of Environmental Protection 4.3.1 Measures to Mitigate Water Quality Impact of SS from Dredging 4.3.2 Aquatic Organism and Fishery Resources Protection 4.3.3 Flood Raising 4.3.4 River Erosion and Sedimentation Mitigation 4.3.5 Water Supply and Sewerage 4.3.6 Noise Control Measures 4.3.7 Environmental protection measures during construction stage 4.3.8 Measures to Mitigate Impact of Construction on Waterway Traffic and Harbor Operation 4.3.9 Shipping Pollution Control 4.3.10 Accidental Shipping Pollution Prevention S. Analysis of Toxic Residues in Fish 6. Environmental Management, Monitoring & Training 6.1 Environmental Management Organization 6.2 Environmental Management during Construction Phase 6.3 Environmental Management during Operational Phase 6.4 Environmental Monitoring 6.5 Training Programs 7. Public Participation 7.1 Methodology 7.2 Workshops and Conclusions 7.3 Public Opinion Survey 7.4 Bulletin in Newspaper 7.5 Response to Public Concerns 7.6 Conclusions 8. Analysis of Environmental and Economical Benefits and Costs 8.1 The Social Benefits of the Project 8.2 Project Investment and Economical Benefits 8.3 Environmental Loss and Environmental Protection Investment 8.4 Environmental Benefits 8.5 Cost-Benefits Analysis of Environmental Economics 9. Conclusions and Suggestions Appendix 1. Entrusted Letter of Environmental Impact Assessment Work Appendix 2. TOR of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the Regulation Project on the Lower Xijiang River Channel (Guangdong Province) by Using World Bank Loan 5  Appendix 3. Review Opinions on the. TOR of Environmental Impact Assessment for the Waterwav Regulation Project on the Lower Xijiang River (Guangdong Province) Assisted with World Bank Loan Appendix 4. Reply Correspondence of Review Opinions on the TOR of Environmental Impact Assessment for the Waterway Regulation Project on the Lower Xijiang River (Guangdong Province) Assisted with World Bank Loan Appendix 5. Reply Correspondence on the Assessment Standards of the Environmental Impact Assessment for the Waterway Regulation Project on the Lower Xijiang River (Guangdong Province) Assisted with World Bank Loan Appendix 6. Official Reply Correspondence for the Environmental Impact Assessment Report of Zhaoqing-Hutiaomen Waterway Regulation Project on the Lower Xijiang River 6  1. Introduction 1.1 Objectives and Origins The waterway regulation project for lower Xijiang river by using World Bank loan consists of two sub-projects: (1) 3,000 dwt seagoing waterway from Zhaoqing to Hutiaomen (simplified as LXR(Z-H) or (Z-H)), (2) 1,000 dwt waterway from Nanhua to Lianhuashan within the branch Liansharong (simplified as L-S-R). Z-H waterway in the lower Xijiang river refers to the seagoing waterways from Zhaoqing to Hutiaomen in the western part of the Pearl river delta, in which the section from Zhaoqing to Baiqingtou with a total length of 123 km is called as the lower reach section of Xijiang river, and the section from Baiqingtou to Hutiaomen (through Maxi channel) with a total length of 45 km is called as Hutiaomen waterway. L-S-R waterway with a total length of 90 km locates in the river network of Pearl River Delta, composing of Lianhuashan waterway, Shawan waterway and Ronggui waterway. The waterway is one of the main waterways to link Guangzhou with Pearl River Delta, the coastal areas in the west of Guangdong Province and the mainstream of Xijiang river, and it reaches Shizhiyang to the cast and connects with the mainstream of Xijiang river to the west. The current maintenance standards of Z-H and L-S-R waterways can no longer satisfy the requirement of regional economic development and the connection with outside. In order to change the rather closed inland water transportation system in Pearl River Delta, and improve the comprehensive transportation network with the coordinate development of waterway, road and railway so as to promote the economic development in the delta and even the whole basin of Pearl River, Guangdong provincial government has put forward the concrete Schemes to develop Pearl River Delta water-borne transportation network, which is based on the General Scheming of Inland Navigation Development formulated by the Ministry of Communications of the People's Republic of China. The present project is put forward according to the above background. Guangdong provincial government attaches great importance to the present project. Under the circumstance of fund shortage, extensive investigation was still carried out and a great deal of data collected. In the meantime much survey and research were conducted. All these have laid sound technical-economic foundations for the implementation of the present project. In 1994, Guangdong Provincial Waterway Bureau considered the Hutiaomen waterway regulation project as the critical project of water-borne transportation development in short tern. In the spring of 1995, the bureau conducted the feasibility study for the project, and commissioned the Scientific Institute of Pearl River Water Resource Protection (SIPRWRP) to carry out the environmental impact assessment work for the project. In May of 1995, Environmental Assessment Report for Zhaoqing-Hutiaomen Waterway Regulation Project in the Lower Xijiang River (2nd phase) was completed by the Scientific Institute of Pearl River Water Resource Protection, and was 7  approved by Guangdong Provincial Environmental Protection Bureau (see Appendix 6). With the further progress of the work, and for the convenience of seeking for the World Bank Loan, the regulation projects of LXR(Z-H) and L-S-R waterways were combined into Waterway Regulation Project for Lower the Xijiang River by Using World Bank Loan. The project is directed by the Guangdong Province Communications Department, which has established a leading group of using World Bank Loan and its executing agency-The World Bank Finance Office of Guangdong Province Communications Department. Meanwhile the project was commissioned to Guangdong Province Waterway Bureau (GPWB) to undertake. Commissioned by Guangdong Provincial Waterway Bureau, the Scientific Institute of Pearl River Water Resource Protection undertook the work of preparing environmental assessment report for the project. In the course of report preparation, the requirements of the Regulations on Environmental Protection for Development Projects, and the Notice about Strengthening the Management of Environmental Impact Assessment of Development Projects using the Loan of Financial Organizations, and Environmental Assessment Guidelines of World Bank (OD4.01) have been taken into full consideration. The objectives of the preparation of environmental assessment report are, according to the relevant regulations of China and World Bank, to maximize the positive effects and to mitigate the negative effects as far as possible so as to obtain economic, social and environmental interests simultaneously. The main points are as follows: (0) To determine whether the measures to mitigate the negative effects need to take or not, based on the magnitude and the significance of the negative effects and the environmental carrying capacity. When needed, Schemes to mitigate negative effects or protection measures would put forward. (O) To identify potential long-term environmental effects, and to work out environmental protection measures, the intensity of investment and supplementary routine monitoring Scheme. ) To answer the main environmental issues which the public will much concerns with. (tI To put forward an environmental management action Scheme in regard to the engineering characteristics of the project so as to ensure regional sustainable development. 1.2 Basis for Preparation (I) Commission Letter of Environmental Impact Assessment issued by Guangdong Provincial Waterway Bureau (the first party), and Technical Service Contract on the Environmental Impact Assessment Work for Z-H and L-S-R Waterways Regulation Project in the Lower Xijiang River signed by Guangdong Provincial Waterway Bureau and Institute of Water Resources Protection and Science of Pearl River (the second party). 8  (2) TOR of Environmental Impact Assessment of Waterway Regulation Project for Lower the Xijiang River by Using World bank Loan, prepared by Institute of Water Resources Protection and Science of Pearl River. (3) Reply Correspondence of Review Opinions on the TOR of Environmental Impact Assessment for Waterway Regulation Project in Lower the Xijiang River by using World Bank Loan issued by National Environmental Protection Agency, and its annex Review Opinions on the TOR of Environmental Impact Assessment for Waterway Regulation Project in Lower the Xijiang River by Using World Bank Loan (4) The First Screening Group of World Bank, Memorandum on the Inland Waterway Project in Guangdong Province of China (1996.4.30-5.5), and its Appendix 3 Environmental Documents to be Submitted to World Bank before 1996.8.30. (5) The Second Screening Group of World Bank, Memorandum on the Inland Waterway Project in Guangdong Province of China (1996.5.20-5.21) (6) Guangdong Provincial Environmental Protection Bureau, Reply Correspondence on the Assessment Standards of Environmental Impact Assessment of Waterway Regulation Project in Lower the Xijiang River by Using World Bank Loan 1.3 Grade, Scope and Standards of Assessment 1.3.1 Grade of Assessment According to the classification principle in the Environmental Assessment Guidelines of World Bank (OD4.0 1), the environmental assessment of the project is determines to be class A. 1.3.2 Scope of Assessment According to the specific locations of the regulation work, the scopes of assessment for water-body and noise are defined as follows. (1) The extent of water environmental assessment: the whole regulation waterway, that is, Z- H waterway and L-S-R waterway (Nanhua-Lianhuashan). (2) The extent of assessment of noise, vibration and terrestrial plants: the regions within 200 m on both sides of the waterway. 1.3.3 Assessment Standards (I) Surface Water Environmental Quality Standards (GB 3838-88) (2) Portable Water Hygiene Standards (GB 5749-85) 9  (3) Fishery Water Quality Standards (GB 11607-89) (4) Environmental Noise Standards for Urban Harbor and both Sides of River (GB 11339- 89) (5) Environmental Noise Standards for Urban Areas (GB3096-93) (6) Comprehensive Wastewater Discharge Standards (GB 8978-88) (7) Ship Pollutants Discharge Standards (GB 3552-83) (8) Pollutants Control Standards of Contaminated Soil Used by Agriculture (GB 4284-84) (9) Wastewater Pollutant Discharge Standards of Guangdong Province ( DB 4426-89) 1.4 Assessment Process (Figure 1-1) After accepting the commission of Guangdong Provincial Waterway Bureau, Scientific Institute of Pearl River Water Resources Protection had extensive and deep contact with the specialists and officials of World Bank screening group. In the same time, field surveys were performed immediately, data collected and relevant specialists consulted. On these bases, TOR of Environmental Impact Assessment was prepared and was submitted to National Environmental Protection Agency for approval. Since the assessment work was heavy and time was limited, investigation of current environmental situations, data collection, and chemical determination and analysis were conducted before the approval of the TOR. In the meantime analysis of current environmental situations and part of environmental impact prediction were also performed. After the approval of the outline, we made some amendments and modifications to the outline according the review opinion and its reply Correspondence. Appropriate control countermeasures and mitigation measures were put forward against the negative impacts. In final the environmental assessment report for the project was prepared. Since environmental impact assessment for Z-H waterway regulation project had been completed in 1995 and approved by Guangdong Provincial Environmental Protection Bureau, the present report, after having consulted with the relevant responsible departments and negotiated with the specialists of World Bank, mainly focuses on L-S-R waterway. For Z-H waterways, the following three aspects are supplemented: analysis of toxic residues in fish, environmental protection action Scheme and public participation. 1.5 Main Work Contents and Methods 1.5.1 Preliminary Work of the Project Since this is a project supported by World Bank, loan, environmental assessment must meet both the standards and requirement of environmental protection in our country, and related regulations of environmental protection of World Bank. Therefore, during the preliminary 10  accept commission negotiation with preparation group of World Bank field survey, data collection and consulting specialists prepare TOR of assessment environmental quality investigation, data collection, and determination and chemical analysis review and approval ofTOR [| analysisofcurrent public participation [environmental situations amendment impact prediction and analysis supplement [control or mitigation measures preparation of environmental action Scheme ipreparation ofreport su r |submit to review and approve Figure 1-1 Working process of environmental impact assessment stage of assessment, we had extensive and deep contacts with the officials and specialists of World Bank, and we also invited resource and environmental experts at home to guide our work.  1.5.2 Collection and Analysis of Existing Data During the preliminary stage of assessment, we went to the related cities and counties to conduct field investigation for many times, and collect data of the local physical environment and social and economic situations. We also made environmental investigation along the waterway and on both sides. 1.5.3 Monitoring and Assessment of Current Environmental Quality Due to the limited time, we only conducted water quality monitoring in the flood season of 1996. For dry season and ordinary season, we adopted the monitoring results obtained by local environmental protection agencies. Current water quality was assessed with the assessment method of single factor according to the assessment standards confirmed by Guangdong Provincial Environmental Protection Bureau. Noise level was recorded in daytime and at night at three noise sensitive points, and was assessed with the assessment method of single factor according to the assessment standards approved by Guangdong Provincial Environmental Protection Bureau. 1.5.4 Environmental Impact Prediction and Analysis (1) Social-Economic Environmental Impact Assessment: Impacts on regional economic development, social progress, public living quality and landscape etc. are discussed with the assessment method of investigation. (2) Prediction and analysis of fishery resources impact: The analysis would mainly focus on the impact on fishery resources and their reproduction, habitats and migration caused by such construction activities as reef-blasting during the construction stage. (3) Analysis of flood control impact: According to computational results of mathematical model and experimental results of hydraulic model, the change of flood level after the project are analyzed, and its impact on flood control of both sides is discussed. (4) Prediction and analysis of water quality impact: The prediction focuses on water quality impact caused by the increase of suspended substance (SS) from dredging. With two dimensional dynamic model, the distribution of SS concentrations under different flow pattem are calculated, and the impact on water quality of the water intakes is analyzed. (5) Analysis of impact of waste earth and dredged materials: waste earth and dredged materials results from such activities as dredging, shoal-cutting and reef blasting etc. The analysis focus on the possible environmental pollution resulting from the disposal of waste earth and dredged materials. (6) Noise prediction and analysis: 0 The impact of noise from the construction machines on the sensitive points would be analyzed according to the noise exposure level of the machines;