China - Qinbei (Henan) Power Plant Project and Associated 500-kV Transmission Line - environmental assessments

Environmental Assessments of the Oinbei Power Plant Project and Associated 500-kV Transmission Line Henan Province, PRC Prepared For: HENAN ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY Prepared By: KBN ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCES, INC. With Assistance From:. NORZTHWEST ELECTRIC POWER DESIGN INSTITUTE APRIL 1995  I  ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS OF THE QINBEI POWVER PLANT PROJECT AND ASSOCIATED 500-KV TRANSMISSION LINE HENAN PROVINCE, PRC Prepared By: Henan Electric Power Company No. 11 South Sangshan Road Zhenczhou, Henan Province People's Republic of China With Assistance From: KBN Engineering and Applied Sciences, Inc. 6241 NW 23rd Street, Suite 500 Gainesville, Florida 32653-1500 And Northwest Electric Power Design Institute Xian, Shanxi Province People's Republic of China July 1995 14435C  A  14435C 04/14/95 TABLE OF CON'TENTS (Page I of 8) LIST OF TABLES ix LIST OF FIGURES xii PART I ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE QINBEI POWER PLANT PROJECT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ES-I 1.0 BACKGROUND 1-1 1.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (EA) MISSION 1-1 1.1.1 WORLD BANK TREATMENT OF THERMAL POWER DEVELOPMENT 1-1 1.1.2 EA BY THE NORTHWEST ELECTRIC POWER DESIGN INSTITUTE (NWEPDI) AND KBN ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCES, INC. (KBN) 1-2 1.1.3 QINBEI POWER PLANT GEOGRAPHIC SCOPE 1-3 1.2 ENVIRONMENTAL LEGAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR PROJECT DEVELOPMENT 1-3 1.2.1 PRC LEGAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK 1-3 1.2.1.1 PRC Laws 1-3 1.2.1.2 PRC Environmental Protection Agencies 1-6 1.2.2 WORLD BANK REQUIREMENTS 1-9 1.3 OINBEI POWER PLANT PROJECT 1-9 1.3.1 JUSTIFICATION 1-9 1.3.2 QINBEI POWER PLANT PROJECT DESCRIPTION 1-16 1.3.2.1 Fuel 1-16 1.3.2.2 Power Block 1-16 1.3.2.3 Water Supply and Treatment 1-19 i  14435C 0X 14/95 TABLE OF CONTENTS (Page 2 of 8) 1.3.2.4 Wastewater Treatment and Disposal 1-19 1.3.2.5 Solid Waste Disposal 1-23 1.3.2.6 Air Emission Controls 1-25 1.3.2.7 Transmission 1-26 2.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT 2-1 2.1 PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT 2-1 2.1.1 TOPOGRAPHY, PHYSIOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY AND SEISMICITY 2-1 2.1.2 AIR RESOURCES 2-2 2.1.2.1 Climatoloev 2-2 2.1.2.2 Site Meteoroco,v 2-3 2.1.2.3 Ambient Air Quality 2-3 2.1.2.4 Noise 2-8 2.1.3 WATER RESOURCES 2-10 2.1.3.1 Surface Water Resources 2-10 2.1.3.2 Groundwater Resources 2-15 2.2 ECOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT 2-17 2.2.1 EXISTING VEGETATIVE COMMUNITIES 2-17 2.2.2 BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AND ENDANGERED SPECIES 2-21 2.2.3 WETLANDS 2-22 2.3 SOCIAL. CULTURAL AND INSTITUTIONAL ENVIRONMENT 2-23 2.3.1 LAND USE 2-23 ii  14435C 0,4/14/95 TABLE OF CONTENTS (Page 3 of 8) 2.3.2 SOCIOECONOMICS 2-23 2.3.2.1 Demography 2-24 2.3.2.2 Emplovment and Opportunity 2-24 2.3.2.3 Transportation 2-25 2.3.2.4 Facilities and Services 2-25 2.3.3 CULTURAL RESOURCES 2-25 3.0 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT 3-1 3.1 PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT 3-1 3.1.1 AIR QUALITY 3-1 3.1.1.1 Introduction 3-1 3.1.1.2 Air Modeling Methodology 3-1 3.1.1.3 Air Modeling Results . 3-10 3.1.1.4 Conclusions 3-20 3.1.2 NOISE 3-21 3.1.2.1 Reaulations and Criteria 3-21 3.1.2.2 Existin2 and Proposed Noise Sources 3-22 3.1.2.3 Noise Impact Methodologv 3-22 3.1.2.4 Impact Analysis Results 3-24 3.1.3 WATER RESOURCES 3-24 3.1.3.1 Groundwater Impacts 3-29 3.1.3.2 Surface Water Impacts 3-33 iii  14435C 04/14/95 TABLE OF CONTEN'TS (Page 4 of 8) 3.1.4 LAND RESOURCES 3-36 3.1.4.1 Impacts to Water Resources 3-37 3.1.4.2 Ash DisDosal Yard Overflow Potential 3-38 3.1.4.3 Flood Potential 3-38 3.1.4.4 Ash Reutilization Plan 3-38 3.1.5 NATURAL HAZARDS 3-39 3.1.5.1 Flood Potential 3-39 3.1.5.2 Earthguake Risk 3-40 3.2 ECOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT 3 41 3.2.1 VEGETATION REMOVAL AND LOSS OF WILDLIFE HABITAT 3-41 3.2.2 IMPACTS TO BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AND ENDANGERED SPECIES 341 3.2.3 IMPACTS TO WETLANDS 3-42 3.2.4 AIR QUALITY IMPACTS 342 3.2.4.1 Impacts to Vegetation 3-42 3.2.4.2 Impacts to Human Health 3-51 3.2.4.3 Impacts To Wildlife 3-57 3.2.4.4 Impacts to Biodiversity and Endangered Species 3-64 3.3 SOCIAL AND CULTURAL IMPACTS 3-65 3.3.1 CHANGES TO LAND USE 3-65 3.3.2 RESETTLEMENT 3-65 3.3.3 DEMOGRAPHIC/EMPLOYMENT/ECONOMIC IMPACTS 3-65 3.3.4 TRANSPORTATION IMPACTS 3-66 Iv  14435C 04114/95 TABLE OF CONTENTS (Page 5 of 8) 3.3.5 CULTURAL RESOURCES 3-66 3.3.6 INDIGENOUS PEOPLES 3-67 3.3.7 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY 3-67 3.3.7.1 Power Plant Safety and Health Background 3-67 3.3.7.2 Rezulatorv Framework 3-69 3.3.7.3 Adeguacv of Proiect Response 3-69 3.3.7.4 Recommendations 3-70 4.0 ANALYSIS OF PROJECT ALTERNATIVES 4-1 4.1 MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES 4-1 4.2 ALTERNATIVE LOCATIONS 4-2 4.3 WATER SUPPLY AND PRETREATMENT 4-2 4.4 WASTEWATER DISCHARGE * 4-3 4.5 ALTERNATIVE COMBUSTION TECHNOLOGY 4-5 4.5.1 ALTERNATIVE SO. EMISSION CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES FOR UTILITY BOILERS 4-5 4.5.2 ALTERNATIVE NOx CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES 4-10 4.5.2.1 Combustion Control Technologies 4-11 4.5.2.2 Post-Combustion Technologies 4-13 4.6 ASH DISPOSAL ALTERNATIVES 4-15 5.0 RECOMMENDED MITIGATION AND MONITORING 5-1 v  14435C 04/ 14/95 TABLE OF CON'TENTS (Page 6 of 8) 5.1 AIR IMPACTS 5-1 5.1.1 COLLECTION OF SITE-SPECIFIC DATA ON METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS 5-1 5.1.2 MONITORING OF SO2 WITHIN PREDICTED AREA OF HIGH SO,/NOx CONCENTRATIONS 5-2 5.1.3 FLORAL SURVEY 5-2 5.2 IMPACTS TO WATER RESOURCES 5-3 5.2.1 ASH DISPOSAL YARD 5-6 5.3 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH 5-8 5.4 SOCIAL AND CULTURAL IMPACTS 5-8 PART II ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE ASSOCIATED 500KV TRANSMISSION LINE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ES-I 1.0 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND 1-1 1.1 JUSTIFICATION 1-1 1.2 PURPOSE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (EA) MISSION 1-2 1.2.1 PRC LEGAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK 1-2 1.2.2 WORLD BANK TREATMENT OF ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION LINES 1-2 1.2.3 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT BY KBN AND NWEPDI 1-3 1.3 PROPOSED TRANSMISSION LINE ROUTING AND CHARACTERISTICS 1-3 2.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT 2-1 2.1 PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT 2-1 vi  14435C 04114/95 TABLE OF CONTENTS (Page 7 of 8) 2.2 ECOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT 2-1 2.2.1 EXISTING COMMUNITIES 2-1 2.2.2 WETLANDS 2-1 2.2.3 ENDANGERED SPECIES AND BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 2-2 2.3 SOCIAL. CULTURAL AND INSTITUTIONAL ENVIRONMENT 2-2 2.3.1 PRESENT LAND USE ALONG THE CORRIDOR 2-2 2.3.2 CULTURAL RESOURCES 2-3 2.3.3 POPULATION CENTERS 2-3 3.0 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION 3-1 3.1 PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT 3-1 3.1.1 WATER BODY TRANSMISSION LINE CROSSINGS 3-1 3.1.2 WASTE DISCHARGE FROM SUBSTATIONS 3-2 3.2 ECOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT 3-2 3.2.1 VEGETATION REMOVAL AND LOSS OF WILDLIFE HABITAT 3-2 3.2.2 IMPACTS TO WETLANDS 3-3 3.2.3 IMPACTS TO BIODIVERSITY, WILDLIFE AND ENDANGERED SPECIES 3-3 3.3 HUMAN HEALTH. SOCIAL. AND CULTURAL IMPACTS 3-4 3.3.1 PROXIMITY TO SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, AND RESIDENTIAL AREAS 3-4 3.3.2 TRANSPORTATION CROSSINGS 3-9 3.3.3 PROXIMITY TO AIRPORTS 3-9 3.3.4 EFFECTS ON AGRICULTURE 3-10 vii  1 4435C 04/14/95 TABLE OF CONTENTS (Page 8 of 8) 3.3.5 IMPACTS TO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES 3-10 3.3.6 AESTHETIC IMPACTS 3-11 3.3.7 IMPACTS FROM IMPORTED LABOR 3-11 4.0 ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES 4-1 4.1 NO ACTION 4-1 4.2 ALTERNATIVE TRANSMISSION LINE ROUTES 4-1 4.3 ALTERNATIVE VOLTAGES 4-2 5.0 MMGATION PLAN 5-1 5.1 REOUIRED MITIGATIONS 5-1 5.1.1 TRANSMISSION LINE ROUTING THROUGH POPULATION CENTERS 5-1 5.1.2 TRANSPORTATION CROSSINGS 5-1 5.1.3 OCCUPATIONAL AND AGRICULTURAL LANDS 5-2 5.1.4 AESTHETIC IMPACTS 5-2 5.1.5 WATER CROSSINGS 5-2 5.2 MONITORING 5-2 5.3 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH 5-3 REFERENCES APPENDICES APPENDIX A: CONTACTS AND INTERVIEWS APPENDIX B: TRANSLATED PERMITS APPENDIX C: AREA PHOTOGRAPHS APPENDIX D: GRAPHICS OF AIR POLLUTION EXCEEDANCES APPENDIX E: LAND AND WATER RESOURCES SUPPORTING INFORMATION viii  14435C 04/14/95 LIST OF TABLES (Page I of 3) PART I 1.2-1 PRC Environmental Protection Legal Framework 1-5 1.2-2 PRC Grade I and Grade III Air Quality Standards 1-7 1.2-3 PRC Sanitary Standards for Drinking Water 1-8 1.2-4 World Bank General Environmental Guidelines for Power Projects 1-10 1.2-5 World Bank Air Emission Limitations for Stationary Sources 1-11 1.2-6 World Bank Ambient Air Quality Standards 1-12 1.2-7 World Bank Recommended Noise Criteria 1-13 1.3-1 Coal Analysis 1-18 1.3-2 Actual Water Demand at 2x600 MW 1-20 2.1-1 Atmospheric Background Daily Average Concentration Data (July 1985 and January 1986) 2-6 2.1-2 Daily, Monthly and Annual Averages for SO, and TSP Concentrations Measured from July 1992 through July 1994 at the Qinbei Power Plant Site 2-7 2.1-3 Background Noise Level Monitoring Results 2-9 2.1-4 Monthly Average Flow Rate of Qin River at Wulongkou Station (1954-1989) 2-11 2.1-5 Flow Characteristics of Qin River (Measured at Wulongkou Hydrologic Station) 2-13 2.1-6 Analysis Results of Surface Water Environmental Monitoring 2-14 2.1-7 Daily Measured Flow Results for the Baijian River for 1988 2-16 2.1-8 Analysis Results of Groundwater Environmental Monitoring (1993) 2-18 2.2-1 Plant Communities of the Taihang Mountains 2-20 3.1-1 Emission Rates and Stack Parameters Used in the Modeling Analysis 3-4 ix  14435C 04/14/95 LIST OF TABLES (Page 2 of 3) 3.1-2 Comparison of Air Dispersion Model and Meteorological Preprocessor Input Requirements to Parameters Available from Meteorological Station at Jiyuan City 3-6 3.1-3 Elevated Terrain Receptor Locations Used in the Air Modeling Analysis 3-9 3.1-4 Maximum Predicted SO, Ambient Concentrations For Various Cases - Constructed Meteorological Data 3-11 3.1-5 Maximum Predicted SO, Ambient Concentrations For Various Cases - 1-Year Meteorological Data 3-12 3.1-6 Maximum Predicted PM Ambient Concentrations For Various Cases - Constructed Meteorological Data 3-14 3.1-7 Maximum Predicted PM Ambient Concentrations For Various Cases - 1-Year Meteorological Data 3-15 3.1-8 Maximum Predicted NO, Ambient Concentrations For Various Cases - Constructed Meteorological Data 3-17 3.1-9 Maximum Predicted NO, Ambient Concentrations For Various Cases - 1-Year Meteorological Data 3-18 3.1-10 Summary of Source Input Data for the Noise Impact Analysis for the Qinbei Power Project 3-23 3.1-11 Wastewater Discharge Quality of Henan Province Power Plants 3-28 3.1-12 Weibull Type 3 Probability Distribution Function Using Minimum Flows by Month for Period 1970 - 1989 3-35 3.2-1 Sensitivity Groupings of Vegetation Based on Visible Injury at Different SO, Exposures 3-44 3.2-2 Effects of SO2 on Representative Crops 3-45 3.2-3 SO, Doses Reported to Affect Natural Vegetation 3-46 3.2-4 Maximum Predicted SO. Ambient Concentrations at Major Receptors (Constructed Meteorological Data) 3-48 3.2-5 Maximum Predicted NO2 Ambient Concentrations at Major Receptors (Constructed Meteorological Data) 3-50 x  14435C 04/14/95 LIST OF TABLES (Page 3 of 3) 3.2-6 Maximum Predicted PM Ambient Concentrations at Major Receptors (Constructed Meteorological Data) 3-52 3.2-7 Summary of USEPA Assessment of Key Controlled Human Exposure Studies 3-54 3.2-8 Summary of Human Health SO, Dose-Response Relationships 3-55 3.2-9 Summary of Human Health LOEL To Short-Term Exposure of SO, and Particulates 3-56 3.2-10 WHO Guideline Values for Combined Short-Term Exposure to SO, and PM 3-58 3.2-1 1 Maximum Predicted Trace Metal Concentrations for a Proposed 2x600 MW Power Plant Burning Design Coal with ESP Controls 3-61 3.2-12 Maximum Predicted Trace Metal Depositions for a Proposed 2x600 MW Power Plant Burning Design Coal with ESP Controls 3-62 5.3.1 Wastewater Monitoring Program, Qinbei Power Plant 5-9 PART 11 3-1 Transmission Line EMF Standards and Guidelines in the United States 3-5 xi  I  14435C C0I 14/95 LIST OF FIGURES PART I 1.1-1 Site Plant 1-4 1.3-1 Qinbei Power Plant Project Location 1-14 1.3-2 Topography of Qinbei Project Vicinity 1-15 1.3-3 Simplified Plot Plant 1-17 1.3-4 Water Balance, Qinbei Power Plant: Maximum Daily Conditions 1-21 2.1-1 Jiyuan City Meteorological Monitoring Station 12-Month Windrose, August 1992 - July 1993 2-4 3.1-1 Asheville, North Carolina, 12-Month Windrose, January I - December 31, 1984 3-8 3.1-2 Predictd-Noise Impacts for Phase I (2x600) 3-25 3.1-3 Predicted Noise Impacts for Phase III (6x600) 3-26 3.14 Modeled Drawdown in Wulongkou Aquifer After 150 Days 3-30 PART 11 1-1 Proposed Transmission Line Route 1-4 1-2 Proposed Transmission Line Tower 1-9 1-3 Transmission Line Towers at the Yellow River Crossing 1-10 xii  !  W . -5 ZY. p Sm jq 5 ZN If
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tj, -114  ( I  14435C/ES- 1 &4l1 1195 VOLUME I: EXECUTIVE SUMINIARY INTRODUCTION The Henan Provincial Power Grid, an element of the Central China Power Grid, possesses an installed capacity of 5,492 megawatts (MW) between 11 thermoelectric and one hydroelectric station. Power load is expected to increase threefold over the next decade as economic growth in Henan keeps pace with that in the rest of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). The Electric Power of Henan (EPH) has developed a comprehensive expansion plan to meet the rising demand. As part of this plan, EPH has sought and received approval from the PRC Ministry of Electric Power (MOEP) to assess the feasibility of constructing a coal-fired power plant, known as the Qinbei Power Plant Project, in Wulongkou Township, Jiyuan, northwestem Henan province. The EPH is proposing World Bank financing for the first phase of the project (Phase I) which consists of two 600 MW units and an associated 500 kilovolt (kV) transmission line for bulk transfer of power to the Henan Provincial Power Grid. The subsequent phases (II and III) of the project call for the construction of two additional pairs of 600 MW units, to achieve a final design size of 6x600 MW. The World Bank has classified the Qinbei Power Plant Project as Category A. Therefore a comprehensive environmental assessment will be prepared in accordance with Operational Directive (OD) 4:01 guidelines. In accordance with the Thermal Power Plant Project Preparatory Stage Environmental Protection Regulation (MOE, 1989), the EPH, with the assistance of the Northwest Electric Power Design Institute (NWEPDI), prepared an environmental assessment of the first phase of the Qinbei Power Plant Project, submitting the document to both the MOEP and World Bank in 1993. The 1993 NWEPDI Environmental Assessment was approved by the MOEP for the 2x600 MW size, and submitted to the National Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in accordance with the PRC Environmental Protection Law of 1989. After the 1993 EA submittal, the proposed mixture of coal for the Qinbei plant was modified at the request of PRC authorities in order to lower the average sulfur content. This change, as well as the World Bank's interest in the assessment of impacts arising from the project's final design size of 3600 MW, led to the preparation of a modified EA, which was submitted to the Bank in 1994. Continuing World Bank concern regarding potential environmental issues led to the ES-I  14435CIES-2 0/1 1/95 recommendation that the EPH contract an international consultant skilled in the preparation of environmental assessment reports according to World Bank standards. In this manner, the World Bank seeks assurance that the project's potential for adverse impacts to the natural resources and human populations of Henan Province are identified and appropriate measures taken to reduce impacts. This document contains the summary assessments of KBN Engineering and Applied Sciences regarding environmental impacts of the Qinbei project and recommended mitigating actions. The report is divided into volumes I and II addressing the power plant and transmission line respectively. DESCRTPTION OF THE PROJECT AND AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT The proposed Qinbei Power Plant site is located in northwestern Henan province at 175 to 185 meter (m) elevation, near the south face of the Taihang Mountain escarpment. The proposed site is adjacent to the Qinbei station of the Jiozhi railway, which assures ready access to the enormous coal deposits of Shanxi Province to the north. The plant is a coal-fired thermal power plant, which in Phase I is comprised of two units, each with a sub-critical, drum-type boiler, single shaft condensing turbine and 600 MW generator, sharing a single 240-m stack. The plant's design coal is a blend. in the ratio of 1 part bituminous, 2 parts lean and I part washed middlings, having an aggregate sulfur and ash content of 0.41 percent and 24.95 percent, respectively. Emission controls consist of electrostatic precipitators with an efficiency of 99.6 percent for removal of dust from flue gas emissions. The plant will employ a recirculating water system for cooling, with a single, hyperbolic, natural draft cooling tower for each pair of 600 MW units. Makeup water will be obtained from two wellfields near the Qin River, located below the Qin River valley upstream of Wulongkou Township and Jiyuan City, and which also includes the Qin River buried alluvial plain downstream of Wulongkou. Tlese two zones are referred to collectively as the Wulongkou Aquifer. Qinbei is located within the warm, temperate, arid zone of north central China, which receives an average of 629 millimeters (mm) precipitation and 1564 mm evaporation per year. The proposed ES-2  14435CIE53 041111X95 site is on uninhabited, rocky, sparsely vegetated land that lies above the irrigated agricultural areas of the Loess Plain to the south, and the ro.ky, steep escarpments of the Taihang Mountains to the north. No intact vegetative communities exist on the site, or within the immediate vicinity of the plant. The boundaries of two Category C Forest Department protected areas, the Taihangshan and Baisongling, are within 10 to 15 km of the proposed power plant site. Category C has the lowest protective status within the three-tiered system employed in the PRC, and designates areas that were created to conserve ecosystems within each province that are representative of the area's original floral and faunal communities. The Baisongling and Taihangshan protected areas are located entirely within the Taihang Mountains. POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMIPACTS AN) RECOMMIENrDED ACTIONS OR MITIGATION MEASURES Air Resources Principal impacts to air resources were identified in terms of * the incremental effect of power plant pollutants on background air quality, - actual anticipated effects to human and ecological health resulting from predicted pollutant concentrations, and - comparison of predicted pollutant concentrations to PRC, World Bank and other published guidelines. Values for ground-level concentrations of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and Total Suspended Particulates (SOn, NO,, and TSP) due to power plant emissions were predicted using USEPA- approved modeling methodologies that incorporate data representing worst-case atmospheric conditions. These conditions will occur at nighttime with wind speeds under three knots, circumstances that should occur with a frequency of 6.3 percent or less. Information regarding background air quality was obtained from prior monitoring programs conducted by the EPH in the lowland, populated areas to the south of the proposed site. Effects on human and ecological health are assessed by comparing the predicted pollution concentrations to research findings available in public literature. Air quality standards to which modeled pollutant concentration values were compared to World Bank and PRC Grade I and 11 annual and 24-hour averages. The PRC Grades I and 11 are applicable to ecologically sensitive areas and for assuring human health ES-3  144)5C/ES-4 07/31/95 and welfare respectively. Since PRC air quality standards are much stricter than those of the World Bank-, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) standards are also included to provide an added perspective to interpretation of the project's impacts to air quality. Summary findings are presented below. Note that findings presented are based on 1 year's meteorological data adapted from Asheville, North Carolina. * No adverse impact to human health or important natural communities is expected due to incremental SO2 and NO, contributions to local air quality from the Qinbei Power Plant. * Review of 1993-1994 monitoring data for TSP and SO2 indicates that background TSP concentrations of non-point, non-industrial origins are frequently in excess of the Annual and 24-hour standards of the World Bank, PRC and USEPA in the populated, lowland areas. Concentrations of SO2 are less than 50 jg/m3, which classifies the area as "unpolluted" according to World Bank guidelines for this pollutant. e The maximum incremental contribution of the Qinbei Power Plant to lowland TSP concentrations will be less than 12 percent of the maximum background values, according to modeling results. This corresponds to a background of 404 jig/m3 and a contribution of 45 pg/m3 24-hour averages for 6x600 MW. * Emissions rates for S02 and PM are well within World Bank standards (500 TPD and 100 fg/m3 respectively). * World Bank air quality standards for SO2 or NO, annual and 24-hour averages are not exceeded in any lowland, populated area or in either of the two protected areas at either the 2x600 MW or 6x600 MW sizes. 1 * Predicted ground-level concentrations of SO, and NO, are well within PRC Class II annual and 24-hour standards for lowland populated areas at both 2x600 MW and 6x600 MW sizes, although PRC Class II 1-hour standards are exceeded at 6x600 MW. * PRC Class I air quality standards may be exceeded within the two protected areas for both SO, annual and 24-hour, and NO. 24-hour averages at both the 2x600 and 6x600 MW sizes. As previously stated, no damage to vegetation or wildlife is expected based on literature review of exposure effects on similar organisms. * Thouglh World Bank noise criteria (dBA) are exceeded at some locations within the plant at both Phase I and Phase II sizes, the noise levels drop sharply outside the plant's boundary and will not affect local populations. ES-4  14435CiES-5 04/11/95 Recommended follow-up actions include: * The collection of comprehensive meteorological data at the Qinbei site for at least I year, which will allow more accurate modeling and prediction of pollutant concentrations and impacts prior to initiation of Phases II and III. * The monitoring of atmospheric SO. and TSP concentrations on the elevated terrain north of the Qinbei site, in order to validate modeling results and obtain long-term data. * Inventory of plant species on the Taihano Mountains to assure that the endemic, rare species Taihangia rupestris does not occur within the zone of maximum impact from atmospheric pollutants. Alternatives considered include: * Location of the power plant at the alternative Niezhang site, which was rejected because of predicted increases in concentration of atmospheric pollutants within the Baisongling protected area. * Flue gas desulfurization (FGD), which was rejected as an immediate option since World Bank emission standards are not exceeded, adverse local impacts are not anticipated, and FGD is a costly control technology. It is recommended that sufficient space be reserved within the power block layout to accommodate FGD in case this option is required at a future date. * Other combustion and emission control SO, and NO, control technologies, which may be required based on repeat modeling employing the comprehensive meteorological data mentioned above. Impacts to Water Resources The environmental assessment identifies four potential areas of concern to water resources that arise from: * Withdrawal of groundwater from the Wulongkou Aquifer for cooling-system makeup, * Discharge of plant wastewater streams to the Baijan River bed, * Siting of the ash disposal area in the Qin River floodplain, and * Leaching of pollutants from ash piles into groundwater. The demand for makeup water is 3.864 cubic meters per hour (m3/h) and 11,592 m3/h [3.22 cubic meters per second (m3/s)] at the 2x600 MW and 6x600 MW sizes respectively, for which the ES-5  14435C/ES-6 0411l/95 Qinbei project has received approval from the Henan Water Conservation Survey Bureau (HWCSB). The HWCSB based their approval on assessments conducted by the National Mlineral Reserve Commission (NMRC), who characterized the aquifer as "large" and capable of supporting withdrawals up to 6.0 m3/s. Additional modeling studies were conducted by the Henan Electric Power and Design Institute (HEPSDI) to predict drawdown on the Wulongkou Aquifer that may result from withdrawal at the 3.22 m3 rate needed by the 3600 MW phase of the Qinbei project. The model indicates that the aquifer could withstand withdrawals at these rates, at least over the 150 day period considered during the study. However the modeling did not extend beyond the 150-day period, and did not take rainfall recharge or the complex nature of the aquifer into account. The scope of modeling conducted to date will therefore be expanded to consider effects beyond 150 days, the target aquifer's complexity in terms of the number, areal extent and hydrological characteristics of the various water-bearing and confining layers, plus the generally positive effects of infiltration recharge from both rainfall and the Qin River. The HWCSB modeling, and the supporting NMRC groundwater survey, may in fact be of sufficient scope to validate the proposed withdrawal rate. although this could not be determined at the time of the KBN environmental assessment. A separate consideration results from the discharge of industrial wastewater and cooling tower blowdown to the Baijan riverbed. The hourly estimated volume of wastewater and treated sanitary effluent is 692 m3/h for 2x600 I,IW, and 2.076 m3/h for 6x600 MW; including cooling tower blowdown, ash wetting runoff, plant drains, domestic wastewater, gland seal cooling water, and coal sluice wastewater. All effluent streams will be treated in order to bring water quality into compliance with PRC Class 11 Integrated Industrial Wastewater Standards prior to disposal. The proposed disposal method is discharge to the Baijan riverbed. Since the Baijan is dry over 90 percent of the year, the proposed disposal method is essentially a discharge to groundwater that is upgradient of the Qinbei welltield. The primary parameter of concern resulting from the introduction of wastewater is high dissolved solids. Finally, coal ash leachate may contain heavy metal ions that can represent a low-grade source of environmental contamination to groundwater. In the case of the Qinbei Power Plant, ash for the ES-6  14435CIES-7 CM 14/95 2x600 MW facility will be trucked to a 117 hectare disposal yard located on the Qin River floodplain at a distance of 4 km from the power plant site. Ash absorption tests conducted by the NWEPDI indicates that the ash pile will be wet only to a depth of 0.6 m, even during the historic maximum rainfall events. Since ash will be ramped to a height of 11 m, little direct risk is believed to exist to ground water resources as a result of leaching. Despite this situation, the highly permeable sand and cobble of the Qin River floodplain, and the abundance of shallow groundwater argue for the implementation of leachate containment measures. Recommended mitigations to protect groundwater resources include: * The introduction of a liner for the ash disposal yard that will assure impermeability of at least 10' centimeters per second (cmls). Final ash yard design may include either compacted clay or membrane type liners, pending final determination of cost. * The installation and operation of monitoring wells outside the perimeter and liner of the ash yard to assure that leachate is not penetrating the impermeable barrier and contaminating local groundwater. Recommended actions needed to identify potential impacts to water resources with greater precision include: - In-depth review of supporting studies to assure that the aquifer's complexity has been properly accounted for, * As deemed necessary by the above assessment of the adequacy of background studies, employ 3-D models for complex aquifers (e.g. MODFLOW) to better characterize the impacts of groundwater withdrawals, * Modeling to identify any risk to the Wulongkou Aquifer posed by wastewater discharge, * Water conservation measures within the plant, * Study to characterize any potential risk for upstream flooding posed by the ashyard's location in the Qin River floodplain, and * Collection of supplementary data regarding aquatic biota of the Qin River to verify presence or absence of significant resources. Following review of NMRC background studies, additional modeling using three dimensional groundwater flow may be deemed necessary to better characterize the degree of risk posed by ES-7  14435CrEs.8 04114195 groundwater withdrawal rates of the proposed magnitude. Trhe model will be equivalent to the MODFLOW program developed by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The modeling will be conducted prior to the installation of production wells, and will incorporate recharge from rainfall and the Qin River as well as address any effects the multi-layered nature of the subsurface may have on the percolation and lateral movement of groundwater within and around the source. The model will assess both the 2x600 MW and 6x600 MW cases. With regards to wastewater discharge, additional modeling will be conducted prior to initiation of plant operations to assure that no adverse impacts will occur to either the Wulongkou Aquifer or surrounding groundwater resources. A three-dimensional groundwater transport model such as FLOWPATH, MOC or MT3D will be used to assess the potential migration of contaminants discharge to the subsurface, and their impacts on the target resources. Additional water conservation measures will be implemented which will serve to reduce overall water consumption by 5 to 10 percent. These measures include the use of cooling tower blowdown for cooling pump glands and other applications, the installation of supplementary drift eliminators to reduce drift from the cooling tower, and the implementation of comprehensive and continuous auditing system for water consumption practices. Finally, close attention will be given to the potential for increased upstream flooding as a result of siting the ash disposal yard in the Qin River. Attention will focus initially on studies prepared by EPH that may quantify potential for upstream flood impact. If not sufficient, additional field assessment will be performed. Compensatory floodwater storage areas will be created as part of the Qinbei Power Plant project if significant risk is identified as a result of the study. WATER MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES Water quality management alternatives that were considered include: * Water sources other than the Wulongkou Aquifer, * Discharge scenarios, including direct discharge to the Qin river and zero discharge technologies, * Ash disposal site locations, including one potential site to the northwest of the Qinbei site. ES-8  14435C/ES-9 041/ 1/95 No alternative to the Wulongkou Aquifer is readily identifiable as a water source for the Qinbei Power Plant, since no other aquifer of sufficient size or proximity has been identified. Storage of surface water from the Qin River would require the construction of a dam that would require inundation of a large area, a course of action that would carry significant risk of adverse environmental impact in its own right. One alternative to the discharge of wastewater into the Baijan riverbed is to direct effluent to the Qin River via pipeline or canal, where flow and dilution would occur most of the year to reduce impacts. The adaptation of zero discharge technology is an alternative to either of the two proposed discharge location. However capital costs for such systems are typically twice the cost of conventional systems and significant energy penalties also apply during plant operation for final processing of briny waste to solid state. Therefore if modeling indicates high risk associated with the Baijan discharge, the Qin river discharge will be adapted as the alternative of choice. An alternative ash disposal site, northwest of the power plant, was considered. However the site's location upstream of the Qin River and upgradient from the Wulongkou wellfield introduces risk of overflow and leachate contamination of these resources. Protection measures sufficient to assure the security of these water resources would make this site far more expensive than the proposed site, which is the preferred alternative. SOCTO-CULTURAL RESOURCES There are no identified socio-cultural resources within the Qinbei Power Plant construction area of impact. The principal impact of concern relates to the volume of truck traffic between the plant site and the ash disposal yard. The NWEPDI (1994) identifies a volume of 30 trucks per hour during the 2x600 MW size, which increases to 90 trucks per hour during Phase IL. Impacts associated with this high volume of traffic include the release of significant amounts of engine exhaust and fugitive dust within close proximity to villages along the route, plus safety issues associated with pedestrians, bicycles and other users of the road. Recommended mitigation for this impact is the routing of ash disposal roads away from any population center and the use of larger capacity trucks that will reduce the number of trips to 13 and 39 per hour for 2x600 MW and 6x600 MW facilities, respectively. The trucks will furthermore be limited to daytime operation and will wet and cover ash cargo to reduce dust. If ES-9  14435C/ES- 10 04/1 1/95 transport roads cannot be routed away from population centers, alternative ash transportation technologies will be implemented such as the establishment of a temporary ash disposal pile to reduce dependency on frequent truck traffic, the use of large vehicles to reduce the number of trips, or the use of a dust-free conveyor belt. EPH has informed the local public of the proposed power plant development. In a meeting held on March 8, 1993, in the Wulongkou Township Meeting Hall, local residents met with EPH and EPA authorities. Given the opportunity to express their viewpoints, the villagers expressed a desire to see the project succeed, since no revenue was being realized from current land uses. During an informal meeting held in Wulongkou Township on February 12, 1995, villagers again expressed enthusiasm for the project's realization before EPH, Jiyuan City, and KBN personnel. ES-10  14435C/ I - 1 064r1 3195 1.0 BACKGROUND Electric Power of Henan (EPH) has received approval from the Ministry of Electric Power (MOEP) to assess the feasibility of constructing a 6x600 megawatt (MW), coal-fired power plant named the Qinbei Power Plant. The plant will be located in Wulongkou Township, Jiyuan City, in northwestern Henan province. The EPH is proposing World Bank financing for the first phase of project, which consists of a 2x600 MW unit and an associated 500 kilovolt (kV) transmission line. The World Bank is tentatively proposing an April 1995 appraisal date for the loan project, and a 1996 construction start-up. This document contains the summary assessments of potential environmental impacts arising from the proposed project. Impacts are reviewed in terms of the initial 2x600-MW World Bank financed project (Phase I) as well as the final design size of 6x600 MW (Phase 111). The report is structured in two main sections that address the Qinbei Power Plant and the associated 500 kV transmission line independently. Each report section is divided into chapters that present i. Descriptions of the policy, legal, and administrative framework for the project and project description, 2. Descriptions of the affected environment, 3. Characterization of potential impacts arising from construction and operation, 4. A review of alternatives for the proposed project, and 5. Recommended actions to mitigate environmental impacts. 1.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE ENVIRONNIENTAL ASSESSMENT (EA) MISSION 1.1.1 WORLD BANK TREATMENT OF THERNIAL POWER DEVELOPMENT The World Bank has established guidelines for ensuring that borrowers have adequately characterized the environmental impacts of proposed actions, considered alternatives to a proposed project, developed measures that would mitigate unavoidable impacts, and identified training and monitoring requirements to assure implementation of those measures. Environmental assessment (EA) guidelines for the World Bank are specified in the World Bank Operational Directive (OD) 4:01 (1991); which provides general guidance in the preparation of EA reports. Via the Sourcebook series (1990), OD 4:01 is supported by supplementary guidelines that address sector specific issues. Specific environmental assessment guidelines exist for thermoelectric projects. l-l  14435CI 1 -2 03,!9195 Finally, Operational Policyv Notes (OPN) assure treatment of topics of particular importance to the Bank; including possible impacts to biodiversity, indigenous peoples. wildlands. and wetlands. During the identification phase, the World Bank screens projects with regards to their potential for causing adverse envirorunental impacts, assigning the projects to one of three categories: A, B or C. The Qinbei Power Plant project, like virtually all thermal power projects, was rated as Category A, meaning that significant potential exists for adverse environmental impacts and that an EA must always be performed. 1.1.2 EA BY THE NORTHWVEST ELECTRIC POWER DESIGN INSTITUTE (NWEPDI) AND KBN ENGINEERING AN-D APPLIED SCIENCES, INC. (KBN) The design of thermal power plants and associated facilities in Henan Province is the responsibility of the Northwest Electric Power Design Institute (NWEPDI), a public organization that provides technical assistance services to utilities in several additional provinces as well. The NWEPDI prepared an EA of the first phase (2x600 MW) of the project, which was approved by the MOEP in June 1993, and submitted to the World Bank in October of the same year. Subsequent to changing design coal, and on the basis of World Bank recommendations that environmental impacts from the final design size of 3,600 MW be considered, a second EA was prepared by the NWEPDI and submitted in August of 1994 prior to a World Bank pre-appraisal mission. Ongoing World Bank concern regarding potential environmental issues led to the involvement of KBN Engineering and Applied Sciences, Inc. (KBN) in January of 1995. Through KBN collaboration with EPH and the NWEPDI, the World Bank seeks (inter alia) assurance that: 1. Potential impacts from atmospheric pollution are clearly understood, 2. Proposed levels of groundwater withdrawal are feasible without adverse impacts, 3. Flyash waste disposal issues are adequately addressed, 4. Adequate public participation was sought, and 5. The OPN special topics are addressed. The objective for KBN's participation is to provide assistance to EPH and NWEPDI in the preparation of a final EA report that addresses these areas of particular World Bank interest and allows the timely execution of the Appraisal Mission. I -2  14435C/ 1 -3 03/13195 A three-person team of KBN scientists traveled to Henan province February 9 through 19, visiting the Qinbei site and surrounding areas, interviewing local officials and residents, and identifying additional data through a series of working meetings with EPH and NWEPDI staff. An updated version of the 1994 EA document (NWEPDI, 1994) was used extensively by the KBN team as an information reference during EA preparation. 1.1.3 QINBEI POWER PLANT GEOGRAPHIC SCOPE The potential area of environmental impact is determined by the aggregate scope of construction and operational impacts. Construction Impacts Construction impacts are derived principally from the occupation and alteration of land for power plant infrastructure, including the switchyard, power block, coal handling facilities, associated railway and water resource infrastructure, and ash disposal areas. Additional impacts to local populations can be anticipated in the form of increased road and rail traffic, as well as from the influx of temporary labor. These impacts were considered within the area encompassed in Figure 1.1-1). Onerational Impacts Operational impacts for thermal power projects can be derived from the discharge of atmospheric and aquatic pollutants, withdrawal of water from surface and underground sources, and the generation of other waste streams. These impacts were considered within a range of 15 kilometers (km) surrounding the power plant site. 1.2 ENVIRONMENTAL LEGAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR PRO.TECT DEVELOPMENT 1.2.1 PRC LEGAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK 1.2.1.1 PRC Laws The principal laws and regulations related to environmental impacts of thermal power plants in China are provided in Table 1.2-1. According to the Thermal Power Plant Project Preparatory Stage Environmental Protection Regulation (MOE, 1989) promulgated by the Ministry of Energy (MOE), an EA is required during the feasibility study stage of project development. For projects 1-3  Figilre 1.1II-- PROPOSED WASTEWATER VoCtscn;AfnEAR X 1A D,,j Y.. ,,. flefrjaflfl Village~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~MaVllg '~~~~SM Xin ViIh~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~Llcu Vllg n.ow Village l7n (,lre Y > s lp Q Village | \ ( Z B hllflhlC PRESENT PLAN I'RO FUTUREIECT | \t ASH DlSPt;SAL | ASH DISPOSAL , / \ / ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~EPEI 1:QlNitrl i O ER _ ~~~~~~~~~Pi ANT1; PIIU}CCT  14435C 03/13/95 Table 1.2-1. PRC Environmental Protection Legal Framework Laws and Regyulations PRC Environmental Protection Law (December 26, 1989) PRC Ambient air pollution prevention and mitigation law (September 5, 1989) PRC Water pollution prevention and mitigation Law (May 11, 1984) PRC Water Act (January 21, 1988) PRC Environmental Noise Protection and Mitigation Regulation (September 26, 1989) Environmental Protection Administration Regulation promulgated by the State Environmental Protection Committee, the State Planning Committee and the State Economic Committee (Document No. E003, 1986) Thermal Power Plant Construction Preparatory Stage Environmental Protection Regulation promulgated by the Ministry of Energy (Document No. AB 993, 1989) Thermal Power Plant Environmental Monitoring Regulation promulgated by the Ministry of Water Conservancy (Document No. SD 299, 1987) Environmental Standards Pollutant Emission Standards Emission Standards of Air Pollutants for Coal-Fired Power Plants (GB13223-91) Integrated Wastewater Discharge Standard (GB8978-88) Class 1 standard for newly built projects Standard of Noise at Boundary of Industrial Enterprises (GB12348-90) Category II Standard Ambient Quality Standards Ambient Air Quality Standard (GB3095) Grade II (See Table 2-1) Environmental Quality Standard for Surface Water (GB3838-88) Grade III Sanitary Standard for Drinkin, Water (GB3749-85) used for groundwater 1-5  14435C/1-6 03/13195 with an investment potential in excess of 200 million yuan (RMB), the EA should be submitted to MOEP by the main administrative unit of the project. In the case of the Henan Qinbei Power Plant, this administrative unit is EPH. After previewing the document, MOEP submits the EIS to the national Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for approval. The appropriateness and sufficiency of the environmental mitigation proposed for the facility is the responsibility of MOEP according to Document DJ No. 131: Acceptance of Regulation for Thermal Power Plant Environmental Mitigation Devices after Completion (MOEP, 1988). The organizations responsible for monitoring the impacts associated with the project are determined by MOEP according to regulations that specify in detail the monitoring organization, personnel, installations, duties, monitoring parameters, station locations, and monitoring periods, methodology to be used, among other details. PRC air and water quality standards are summarized in Tables 1.2-2 and 1.2-3. 1.2.1.2 PRC Environmental Protection Agencies Environmental protection in China is implemented on three principal levels: national (or state), provincial, and the municipal (or local). Therefore, there exists a national EPA, provincial EPA, and an EPA at the local level for the nearest city of significant size. For the Henan Qinbei Power Project, the relevant environmental protection agencies include the following: 1. The national EPA, 2. The Henan provincial EPA, 3. The Jiozou City EPA (representing the closest city with significant size that has a fully staffed EPA), and 4. The Jiyuan City EPA (which apparently serves only to operate intermittent air monitoring stations). While the local and provincial EPAs are consulted as part of the EIS process, the ultimate decision on the approval of the EIS rests entirely with the national EPA. Moreover, the published environmental regulations provide no detailed guidance on prioritization of impacts and how decisions on resource use are made. A list of all agencies contacted is the EIS process is provided in Appendix A. 1-6  14435C/I X 03/14f95 Table 1.2-2. PRC Grade I and Grade II Air Quality Standards Grade II Concentration Limits2 Grade I Concentration Limitsb Daily Annual Daily Annual Pollutant Once Average Average Once Average Average SO2 0.5 0.15 0.06 0.15 0.05 0.02 NO, 0.15 0.10 - 0.10 0.05 - TSP 1.00 0.30 - 0.30 0.15 - Note: All concentrations expressed in mg/Nm3. Human health and welfare. b Ecologically sensitive areas. 1-7  14434C 03113/95 Table 1.2-3. PRC Sanitary Standards for Drinking, Water Parameter Unit Grade I Grade II Grade III Color degree 1.5 50 >50 Turbidity degree 5 25 >25 pH std. units 6.5 - 8.5 6.0 - 9.0 <6.0 or >9.0 Iron mg/L 0.3 1.0 > 1.0 Manganese mg/L 0.1 0.5 > 0.5 Oxygen Consumed mg/L 3 6 >6 Hardness CaCo,, mg/L 450 700 >700 Chloride mg/L 250 600 > 600 Sulfate mglL 250 400 > 400 Fluoride mg/L 1.0 1.0 > 1.0 Arsenic mg/L 0.05 0.1 >0.1 Nitrate-nitrogen N,mg/L 20 23 >23 Coliform MPN/L < 3 60 >60 Source: Committee of Patriotic Health Campaign of China, 1989. i-8  14435C/ 1-9 04106195 1.2.2 W 'ORLD BANK REQUIREMENTS In addition to guidelines referenced in Section 1. 1. 1, the World Bank also has specific industrial pollutant discharge and ambient environmental quality standards for the power sector, as detailed in Table 1.2-4. World Bank air quality guidelines applicable to power plants are presented in Tables 1.2-5 and 1.2-6. Noise guidelines are presented in Table 1.2-7. 1.3 OINBEI POWN'ER PLANT PRO.JECT The Qinbei site, approved by the MOEP Design and Planning General Institute, is located in Wulongkou Township, Jiyuan City, Henan Province. This area borders Shanxi Province to the north, and is located approximately 140 km northwest of the Provincial Capital of Zhengzou, 60 km northeast of Luoyang, and about 17 km northeast of Jiyuan City (Figure 1.3-1). The site is within 2.0 km of the south face of the Taihang Mountain escarpment, 4 km north of the Qin River and adjacent to the Qinbei North railway station. The Jiozho-Kejing highway and Jiozhi railway pass on the south side of the site, and the seasonal Baijian river drainage passes along the site's western boundary Figures 1.1-1 and 1.3-2). The Jingluoyang national highway that passes along the west bank of the Baijan channel is a major transportation artery for Shanxi coal. 1.3.1 JUSTIFICATION The Henan Provincial Power Grid is an element of the Central China Power Grid. The Henan Province Power Grid has, as of 1992, an installed capacity of 5492 MW. According to N'WEPDI (1994), installed capacity is provided by: 1. One hydroelectric station of 250 MW. and 2. Eleven thermal power plants with an aggregate capacity 5242 MW, of which the largest single unit is of 300 MW capacity. At present, the grid main transmission network is 220 kV, with two 500 kV lines in the early development stages. 1-9  14435C 03/13/95 Table 1.24. World Bank General Environmental Guidelines for Power Projects Environmental Resource Criteria AIR 1. SO2-454 MT/day (500 tons/day)2 Emissions 2. Particulate-100 mg/m3 3. NO-300 ng/joule (0.3 lb/106 Btu) fossil fuel steam generators burning bituminous coal Ambient Quality 1. SO2-100 tLg/m3 annual average 500 Iyg/m3 maximum 24-hour average 2. Particulate--100 pag/m3 annual geometric mean 500 ig/m3 maximum 24-hour average 3. NO,-100 ug/m' annual average WATER AND Thermal limitations of +3