China - Guangxi Highway Project : environmental impact assessment (Vol. 2 of 4)

E-290 VOL.2 PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA GUANGXI ZHUANG AUTONOMOUS REGION HIGHWAY PROJECT SHUIRENODUANDNANNING HIGHWAY STATEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (Final Draft) Xi" an Highway University September, 1999   Assessment Maker: Xian Highway University Legal Person of the University: Chen Yinsan Chief Engineer: Zhang Yufen Manager of Assessment Panel: Liu Shan Division of the Panel: Components Name Title Post number Socio-economcs Dong Xiaolin Associate Prof. Shan-02820 Ecosystem Cao Shencun Associate Prof. Shan-02842 Water Environment Zhao Jianqiang Associate Prof. No. 95203 Acoustics ZhangYufen Prof. No. 95202 Ambient Air Liu Shan Lecturer Qin-044 Visual Resources Zhu Wei Lecturer Water & Soil Conservation Yuan Weinig Lecturer Shan-02818 Statement Compiler Liu Shan Lecturer Shan-044 Other participants: Chen Aixia Huang Aiqin Hu Jianrong Zhang Shesheng Zhao Aiqi Shang Lian Cooperators: Guangxi Communication Planning, Survey and Design Institute Hechi Prefecture Environmental Protection Station   PREFACE Shuiren-Duan-Nanning Highway (called Shui-Nan Highway) is the main section of Chongqing- Zhanjing National Artery Highway, serving as an easy access to the seaports. It is one of the three main sections of "The National Artery Highway Configuration Planning "approved by the state council. The total length of the proposed highway is 237.588km, including 140.733km of expressway, 97.182km of class-two highway. The total estimated cost is 4,117,000,000 RMB yuan with inclusion of 1,660,000,000 RMB yuan of the World Bank Loan. In recent years, the regional economy in the study section grows rapidly and commodities in inland provinces of Southwest are put into the world markets more and more through seaports. In addition, the poorer regions in the northwest of Guangxi need to get rid of poverty and become rich. However, the existing Shui-Nan Highway is operating well below an acceptable level of service for the above mentioned purposes. Therefore, a new high class highway is urgently needed. Wuming, Mashan, Duan and other counties require that the proposed highway pass through their territories to bring the advantages of the fast efficient and comfortable high class highway into full play. The projected highway will also promote the regional economy to overcome poverty and get better off. In July 1993, Xian Highway University, entrusted by Guangxi Communication Division (GCD) compiled the EIA of the project. In August and September 1996, the EIA panel made the first field reconnaissance and survey and collected the data concemed, based on which the outline of EIA was compiled. In June 1997, the assessment center of the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) evaluated the outline from technology perspective. Afterwards, a reply on the review of the outline from the SEPA was received. In September 1998, the Identification Mission of the World Bank offered technical guidance about the outline of EIA. In the same month, the panel made the second survey and investigation. Late November, 1998, the panel of assessment, based on the comments of the specialists of the Bank, introduced the outline of the EIS to the public along the study area, pointing out the major potential impacts of the construction on the environment, and also had the hearings of the public, and based on it the panel worked out the EIA. Early December, 1998, the Environmental Protection Agency of the MOC held a prereview meeting on the EIA in Nanning. In the end of December, 1998, the panel made an introduction to the EIA to the public in the areas affected by the proposed project. As a result, the public concerned was informed of the mitigative measures as well as the potential impacts resulting fiom the projected highway. After collected the opinions from the masses again, and based on the co,mments of the specialists of the prereview meeting and the new edition of the "Project Feasibility Study Report of the HechiFJ(Shuiren)ODuanONanning Highway" of Dec. 1998, the panel of EIA completed the Statement of EIA (Edition for Review & Approval)in January, 1999 to submit to the State Environmental Protection Bureau and the World Bank for examination. In March and August, 1999, We have received some good recommendations in contents from The World Bank EP experts before our new revision. We have had generous help from various departments or local govemments for which we express our genuine thanks.   (g