Uganda - Road Sector Institutional Support Technical Assistance Project : environmental assessment (Vol. 3 of 7) : Final feasibility - environmental and resettlement impact assessment

E-358 VOL.3 THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA MINISTRY OF WORKS, HOUSING AND COMMUNICATIONS ROAD SECTOR INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT (RSISTAP) REVIEW AND UPDATE FOR THE FEASIBILITY STUDY AND DETAILED DESIGN OF KARUMA-PAKWACH-ARUA ROAD FINAL FEASIBILITY STUDY REPORT VOLUME 2 - ENVIRONMENTAL AND RESETTLEMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT MAY 2000 ROUGHTON INTERNATIONAL THE PERMANENT SECRETARY 321 MILLBROOK ROAD WEST MINISTRY OF WORKS, HOUSING SOUTHAMPTON AND COMMUNICATIONS UNITED KINGDOM P O BOX 10 ENTEBBE in association with U-GROUP CONSULT CONSULTING ENGINEERS   Karuma-Pakwacn-Arua Poad Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Peport Table of Contents REVIEW AND UPDATE FOR THE FEASIBILITY STUDY AND DETAILED ENGINEERING DESIGN OF KARUMA - PAKWACH - ARUA ROAD Final Feasibility Study Report Volume 2: - Environmental and Social Impact Assessment This volume is the second volume of a set of four volumes. The other volumes are: - Volume 1 Main Text Volume 3 Appendices Volume 4 Preliminary Engineering Drawings Roughton Intemational Page No: ii In association with U-Group Consult   Karuma-Paxwacn-Arua Road Environmental and Social Impact Assessment ReporT Table of Contents ROAD DEVELOPMENT PROJECT REVIEW AND UPDATE FOR THE FEASIBILITY STUDY AND DETAILED ENGINEERING DESIGN OF KARUMA - PAKWACH - ARUA ROAD Final Report Volume 2: - Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Table of Contents Executive Summary 1. BACKGROUND INFORMATION ....................... 1-1 1.1 Introduction ....... , 1-1 1.2 Purpose and Scope of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment ...................... 1-1 1.3 Acknowledgements .......................................................... 1-1 2. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY ................. 2-1 2.1 General Approach to Environmental Impact Assessment ................................................. 2-1 2.2 Environmental Policy, Legal and Administrative Framework ............................................ 2-1 2.2.1 Historical Perspective ........................................................ 2-1 2.2.2 Current Environmental Management Practices ........................................................ 2-2 2.2.3 Responsibilities and Practical Problems in Environmental Management . ................ 2-2 2.2.4 Summary of Relevant Legislation and Guidelines ................................... 2-3 2.2.5 World Bank Requirements ........................................................ 2-5 2.3 Objectives and Use of Social Assessments ........................................................ 2-5 2.4 Methodology and Approach to Sociai Assessment ........................................................ 2-6 3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION ........................................................... 3-1 3.1 Project Aim .......................................................... 3-1 3.2 The Existing Road ........................................................... 3-1 3.3 Alternative Alignment in Area of Murchison Falls National Park. 3-2 3.4 Rehabilitation Works ............................... 3-2 3.4.1 Road Widening and Earthworks ............................... 3-2 3.4.2 Drainage Improvements ............................... 3-3 3.4.3 Pavement Construction ............................... 3-3 3.4.4 Road Safety ............................... 3-3 3.4.5 Programme for Execution of the Works ............................... 3-3 4. ALTERNATIVE ROUTES AROUND MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK ................. 4-1 4.1 Introduction .......................................................... 4-1 4.2 The 'N o Action' Option ............... 4-1 4.3 Route Alternatives ............... 4-1 4.4 Assessment of Route Alternatives Around MFNP .......................................... 4-3 4.4.1 The Existing Alignment .......................................... 4-3 4.4.2 Alternative A.......................................................I.....................................................4-3 4.4.3 Alternative B .......................................... 4-4 4.5 Mitigation Measures for Construction In or Around MFNP .......................................... 4-4 4.5.1 The Existing Alignment .......................................... 4-4 4.5.2 Alternative A .......................................... 4-5 4.5.3 Alternative B .I..........................................-5 4.6 Alignment Conclusions .......................................... 4-5 5. CULTURAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE .................................... 5-1 5.1 Overview .......................... 5-1 5.2 The Project Area ........................... 5-1 5.3 Population Characteristics ........................... 5-1 5.4 Settlement and Housing .......................... 5-2 5.5 Energy and Domestic Water Sources ........................... 5-2 Roughton intemational Page No: iii In assoctation WMth U-Group Consult  Karuma-Pakwach-Arua Road Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Report Taoie of Contents 5.6 Transport and Communication .................................... 5-2 5.7 Health .................................... 5-3 5.8 Education and Literacy .................................... 5-3 5.9 Land Tenure ..................................... 5-4 5.10 Land Use ..................................... 5-4 5.11 Sources of Income and Employment .................................... 5-4 5.12 Social Organisation .................................... 5-5 5.13 Areas of Socio-cultural Importance .................................... 5-5 5.14 Agencies with Interests in the Project .................................... 5-5 6. ENVIRONMENTAL'BASELINE INFORMATION .....................................; 6-1 6.1 Introduction ..................................... 6-1 6.2 Environmental Characteristics of Road Sections .................................... 6-1 6.3 Climate and Weather Patterns .................................... 6-1 6.4 Geology and Geomorphology ..................................... 6-2 6.5 Drainage .................................... 6-6 6.6 Soils ..................................... 6-6 6.7 Vegetation .................................... 6-6 6.8 Wildlife and Protected Areas ..................................... 6-9 7. EVALUATION OF POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS .................. 7-1 7.1 Introduction ............................................ 7-1 7.2 Impacts on the Physical Environment ........................................... 7-1 7.3 Impacts on the Biological Environment ........................................... 7-2 7.4 Impacts on the Socio-economic and Cultural Environment ........................................... 7-4 7.4.1 Effects on Local Communities and Families ........................................... 7-4 7.4.2 Effects on Women ........................................... . 7-5 7.4.3 Effects on Refugees ........................................... 7-5 7.4.4 Effects on Private Companies ........................................... 7-5 7.4.5 Tourism ........................................... 7-6 7.4.6 Effects on Urban Areas ........................................... 7-6 7.4.7 Resettlement Impact Assessment ........................................... 7-6 S. PROPOSED MITIGATION MEASURES . 81 8.1 Introduction ....................................... 8-1 8.2 Land Take ....................................... 8-1 8.2.1 Permanent Land Take ....................................... 8-1 8.2.2 Temporary land take ....................................... 8-1 8.2.3 Compensation procedure and considerations ........................................8-1 8.3 Borrow Pits and Quarries ........................................ 8-2 8.4 Spoil Disposal ....................................... 8-3 8.5 Pollution of Water Courses and Drainage ....................................... 8-8 8.6 Erosion of Earthworks slopes ....................................... 8-8 8.7 Construction Camps ....................................... 8-8 8.8 Construction Traffic and Road Detours ........................................8-9 8.9 Traffic (Road) Safety ......................................... -9 8.10 Tree and Shrub Planting by Construction Contractors ....................................... 8-10 8.11 Tree Planting for Firewood (Afforestation) ........................................8-11 8.12 Loss of Business Opportunities by Women ....................................... 8-11 8.13 Proliferation of Diseases ....................................... 8-11 8.14 Possible Food Shortages ....................................... 8-12 8.15 Loss of Business Opportunities by Women ............................................... 8-12 9. CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL EXTRACTION IN MFNP ............................................... 9-1 9.1 Introduction ............................................... 9-1 9.2 Sources of Base Course Material (Hard Rock) ............................................... 9-1 9.3 Sources of Subbase Material (Natural Gravel) ............................................... 9-1 9.4 Sources of Selected Fill (Natural Gravel) ............................................... 9-2 9.5 Potential Impacts of Materials Extraction and Their Mitigation ......................................... 9-4 9.5.1 Pajok Ouarry ........ 9-4 Roughton Intemational Page No: iv In association with U-Group Consult  Karuma-Pakwach-Arua Road Envtronmental and Social impact Assessment Report Table of Contents 9.5.2 Karuma Cutting Borrow Pit ............................................. 9-5 9.5.3 Pajok Army Camp Borrow Pit ............................................. 9-6 9.5.4 Pajok West Pit ............................................. 9-7 9.5.5 Use and Reinstatement of Other Borrow Pits in the Park .......................................... 9-7 9.6 Conclusions ............................................ 9-7 10. MITIGATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN . 10-1 10.1 Introduction ...... 10-1 10.2 Environmental and Social Monitoring Team Composition ......................................... 10-1 10.2.1 Monitoring Team Composition .. 10-1 10.3 Scope of Work for the Monitoring Team . 10-2 10.4 Activity Schedule for Social and Environmental Monitoring . 10-3 10.4.1 Pre-Construction Monitoring .. 10-3 10.4.2 Construction Monitoring .. 10-4 10.4.3 Post-Construction Monitoring .. 10-4 10.5 Reporting . 10-4 10.6 Cost of Mitigation and Monitoring . 10-4 10.6.1 Cost of Mitigation Measures .. 10-4 10.6.2 Cost of Monitoring .. 10-6 10.7 Future Environmental/Social Management and Training ........................................ 10-7 Appendices A Rates of Compensation B People Consulted During the Study Summary of Findings of Consultations C Environmental Compliance Monitoring Forms D Details of Improved Cookstoves E References F List of Abbreviations and Acronyms G Correspondence with the Uganda Wildlife Authority H Photographs Roughton Intemational Page No: v In association with U-Group Consult  Karuma-Pakwach-Arua Road Envfronmental and Social imoact Assessment Report Taole of Contents List of Tables Table 2-1 Permissible and Intended Activities in Different Categories of Protected Areas . ................. 2-4 Table 3-1 Summary of Pavement Design .................................................................. 3-4 Table 3-2 Approximate Quantities of Construction Materials ............................................................... 3-5 Table 5-1 Population Numbers and Density .................................................................. 5-1 Table 5-2 Other Important Demographic factors in the Project Area ......................... ......................... 5-1 Table 6-1 Mean Monthly Rainfall (mm) for Masindi and Arua .............................................................. 6-1 Table 6-2 Temperature in Degrees Celsius in Arua District ................................................................. 6-2 Table 6-3 Characteristics of Geological Provinces .................................................................. 6-2 Table 6-4 Selected Mammalian Population Estimates in the Northern Sector of MFNP ..................... 6-9 Table 7-1 Summary of Potential Environmental Impacts of the Improved Project Road .................... 7-3 Table 8-1 Environmental Review of Possible Quarry Sites (Sheet 1 of 2) .......................................... 8-6 Table 8-2 Summary of Adverse Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measures ........................... 8-14 Table 10-1 Environmental Monitoring Activities .................................................................. 10-3 Table 10-2 Estimated Costs for Environmental/Social Monitoring .................................................... 10-6 Table of Figures Figure 1-1 Location Plan ................................................................. 1-2 Figure 4-1 Alternative Alignments in the Area of the Murchison Falls National Park ........................... 4-2 Figure 6-1 Regional Geology ................................................................. 6-4 Figure 6-2 Regional Geomorphology ................................................................. 6-5 Figure 6-3 Regional Soils .................................................................. 6-7 Figure 6-4 Natural Vegetation ................................................................. 6-8 Figure 6-5 Map of Protected Areas .................................................................. 6-10 Figure 6-6 Wildlife Densities in Murchison Falls National Park .................................... 6-11 Figure 6-7 Proposed Road Rehabilitation Programme in MFNP .................................. 6-12 Figure 8-1 Location of Major Material Sources - Karuma to Pakwach ..................... ........................... 8-4 Figure 8-2 Location of Major Material Sources - Pakwach to Arua ..................................................... B-5 Figure B-3 Tree Protection Cage .................................................................. B-13 Figure 9-1 Location of Potential Material Sources in the Pajok Area .................................................. 9-3 Roughton Intemational Page No: vi In association wrth U-Group Consult  Karuma-Pakwach-Arua Road Environmental and Sociai Impacr Assessment Report Execurive Summary Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Executive Summary EA Introduction As part of the feasibility study for the upgrading of the Karuma to Pakwack to Arua Road from gravel to bitumen standard, an environment and social impact assessment has been undertaken in order to identify the likely beneficial and detrimental consequences of the project. This study has been carried out with the primary aim of recommending appropriate actions to mitigate any adverse effects on the physical, biological and human environment. Part of the project road passes through the northern part of the Murchison Falls National Park (MFNP) and as a consequence the project is classified as Category A for environmental and social impact analysis by the World Bank. The guidelines for carrying out Category A studies (contained in the World Bank Operational Directive 4.01: Environmental Assessment - October 1991) have therefore been followed. This study has also been carried out in accordance with the Uganda Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 1998 and the National Environment Statute (NES), 1995. Adherence to the procedures of environmental assessment in Uganda especially the Guidelines for Environmental Impact Assessment (National Environment Management Authority - NEMA, 1997) has also been ensured. The following general approach has been adopted as a basis for this assessment: a) Determination of Policy, Legal and Administrative Framework. b) Examination of Details of Project Components c) Determination of the Current and Anticipated Environmental and Social Baseline Conditions d) Evaluation of both Positive and Negative Impacts has been undertaken. e) Analysis of Alternative Options and the 'Do nothing' Scenario and comparison of environmental consequences associated with each. f) Identification of Mitigation Measures and Environmental Enhancement Measures. An environmental and social monitoring plan has been developed outlining the nature, location and methodology of monitoring that should take place during the construction and operation phases. An evaluation has also been made of the bodies/offices nominated to supervise monitoring tasks. E.2 Project Description The aim of the project is to construct a high standard bitumen surfaced road to replace the existing gravel road connecting the towns of Karuma, Pakwach, Nebbi and Arua in north west Uganda (refer Figure 1-1 Location Plan). i) The Existing Road The existing route alignment is essentially well engineered and generally fits well into the undulating topography. As a result, there is no engineering requirement for the design of any major road realignments. Karuma to Olwiyo (53 km) This first section of road follows a nearly direct route across hilly terrain and has been constructed with minimum earthworks. For the first 42 kms the road lies just within the north- eastern boundary of the Murchison Falls National Park (MFNP).. Upgrading of this alignment will involve relatively minor deepening of road cuts and raising of embankments across watercourses and low lying swampy land. The existing road is generally unsurfaced or poorly surfaced with 'murram" (laterite gravel) derived from borrow pits adjacent to the road (many of which are in MFNP). As a result, parts of the route are extremely rough with deep rutting. Very poor side drainage has resulted in localised erosion of the road carriageway. During wet weather long sections of the road become Roughton International Page No: E. 1 In association w*h U-Group Consult  Karuma-Pakwach-Arua Roac Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Reponr Executive Summary dangerously slippery and some short sections become impassable. The existing road is generally 7.0 metres wide but reduces to 6.5 metres in some sections. There is one major bridge at chainage 33.2 km that crosses the Ayago River. At Olwiyo there is a junction with the road to Gulu. Olwiyo to Pakwach (54 km) This section of road follows a less direct alignment as it typically fDllows a watershed route. As a result there are no bridges along this section. Approaching the Albert Nile at Pakwach the road crosses about 1.5 kilometres of swamp on high embankment. The road surface is typically rough except on the approach to Pakwach Bridge where a good gravel surface currently exists. Along this section the existing road is typically 8.0 m wide but varies between 6.5 m and 9.0 m. Pakwach to Nebbi (54 km) The first 30 km of this alignment from Pakwach to Nyaravur is hilly and undulating but follows a steadily rising ridge, consequently there are no major bridges. Between Nyaravur and Nebbi the road crosses several rivers and tributaries with significant catchments. The majority of the bridges are single lane and will to be replaced. Visibility is also poor on the approaches to several bridges and some realignments will be required at these locations to improve the geometry. Along this section the existing road is typically between 9.0 and 10.0 metres in width. The existing road surface continues to be rough and deeply rutted in places. Nebbi to Arua (76 km) At Nebbi the road turns northwards to Okollo and Arua. This section passes through rolling to hilly terrain. The road serves a relatively high local population and has been generally maintained in good shape. However there are several bridges that have failed in recent times and made the road impassable to traffic. The road crosses the Ora River, which is the largest river between Pakwach and Arua, immediately south of Okollo. Thereafter the road descends along a ridge before rising following another ridge to Uleppi. Subsequently the terrain becomes more hilly, crossing several rivers. The approach to Arua is paved for 1.5 kilometres before a roundabout at the entry to the town, but is in need of rehabilitation. With the exception of the Okollo bridge over the Ora River, which is a single span through steel truss of about 40 metre span and 7.0 metres wide, the existing structures over the other rivers are single lane. There are thirteen single lane bridges along this road section that need to be replaced. Along this section the existing road is typically 9.5 metres in width but varies between 9.0 m and 11.0 m. ii) Upgrading Works The upgraded road is to comprise a 6m wide bitumen surfaced carriageway with 1.5 m wide bitumen sealed shoulders. Typically the existing road reserve is sufficiently wide to allow construction of the upgraded road without acquiring any additional land. The section through the MFNP is however the narrowest section of the existing road and will require some additional land for upgrading (the feasibility of realigning the road completely outside the Park has been investigated). In general, the new road will follow the existing alignment as closely as possible, which will minimise the a