BTC PROJECT ESIA GEORGIA RESPONSE TO COMMENTS (FROM ESIA PUBLIC DISCLOSURE PHASE) TABLE OF CONTENTS Page No 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1-1 1.1 Introduction 1-1 1.2 BTC Project 1-1 1.2.1 The need for the project 1-2 1.2.2 Project environmental and social goals and objectives 1-3 1.3 Environmental and social impact assessment 1-3 1.3.1 Public consultation 1-5 1.3.2 Regulatory and policy framework 1-5 1.4 Project alternatives 1-6 1.4.1 Strategic considerations 1-6 1.4.2 Routing alternatives 1-7 1.5 Project description 1-11 1.5.1 Project schedule 1-11 1.5.2 Design 1-12 1.5.3 Construction 1-12 1.5.4 Operation 1-13 1.5.5 Decommissioning 1-13 1.6 ESIA methodology 1-13 1.7 Baseline 1-14 1.7.1 Environmental baseline 1-14 1.7.2 Socio-economic baseline 1-18 1.7.3 Attitudes to the BTC project 1-19 1.8 Impacts and mitigation 1-19 1.8.1 Environmental impacts and mitigation 1-19 1.8.2 General operational mitigation measures 1-28 1.8.3 Socio-economic impacts and mitigation 1-33 1.9 Cumulative impacts 1-35 1.10 Management and monitoring 1-37 1.11 Overall project assessment 1-38 1.11.1 Environmental project assessment 1-39 1.11.2 Socio-economic project assessment 1-42 Tables Table 1-1 Major river crossings 1-15 Table 1-2 Mitigation measures 1-20 Table 1-3 Summary of mitigation measures for off ROW sites 1-26 Table 1-4 Summary of facilities and activities associated with operational phase 1-28 Table 1-5 General operational mitigation measures for pipeline operation 1-29 Table 1-6 Summary social impacts and mitigation measures 1-33 Figures Figure 1-1 The BTC pipeline route 1-2 Figure 1-2 The ESIA process 1-4 Figure 1-3 ESIA schedule for BTC in Georgia 1-5 Figure 1-4 Overview map of WREP, NREP, BTC and SCP 1-6 Figure 1-5 10km Corridors of Interest 1-8 TABLE OF CONTENTS NOVEMBER 2002 BTC PROJECT ESIA GEORGIA RESPONSE TO COMMENTS (FROM ESIA PUBLIC DISCLOSURE PHASE) 2 INTRODUCTION 2-1 2.1 Public disclosure process 2-1 2.1.1 Distribution of disclosure documentation 2-2 2.1.2 Disclosure meetings 2-3 2.1.3 Collection and incorporation of feedback 2-5 Figures Figure 2-1 Nazarlo Road Show community meeting, 29th June 2-5 Figure 2-2 Route by which comments were received 2-6 Figure 2-3 Sample comment from database 2-7 Figure 2-4 Template Issue Summary 2-8 Figure 2-5 Breakdown of social comments received 2-9 Figure 2-6 Breakdown of environment comments received 2-10 3 PROJECT ALTERNATIVES 3-1 3.1 Introduction 3-2 3.2 Route selection methodology 3-3 3.2.1 Basic principles 3-3 3.2.2 FCI-ROW 3-4 3.2.3 Route selection methodology 3-5 3.3 Stage 0: Identify alternative export options 3-7 3.3.1 General 3-7 3.3.2 Evaluation of export options 3-7 3.3.3 Evaluation of pipeline corridors in Georgia 3-8 3.3.4 Corridor options recommended for consideration in Stage 1 3-10 3.4 Stage 1: 10km corridor of interest 3-10 3.4.1 General 3-10 3.4.2 Terrain and geohazards 3-11 3.4.3 Environmental and social issues 3-14 3.4.4 Security 3-17 3.4.5 Constructability, reinstatement and long-term integrity 3-19 3.4.6 Conclusions 3-21 3.5 Stage 2: Route refinement (500m preferred route corridor) 3-23 3.5.1 General 3-23 3.5.2 Methodology 3-23 3.5.3 Key areas within 10km corridor 3-25 3.5.4 Azerbaijan Border to Marneuli 3-25 3.5.5 Tetriskaro area 3-27 3.5.6 Lake Tsalka area 3-30 3.5.7 Kizil-Kilisa to Tabatskuri / Ktsia Tabatskuri area 3-32 3.5.8 Tskhratskaro and Tsikhisjvari area 3-36 3.5.9 Outside Ktsia Tabatskuri Reserve 3-38 3.5.10 Mtkvari River to Turkish Border 3-38 3.6 Stage 3: Route refinement (100m specified corridor) 3-41 3.6.1 General 3-41 3.6.2 Desktop assessment 3-41 3.6.3 Route reconnaissance and field trips 3-42 3.6.4 Geotechnical assessment 3-42 3.6.5 Construction and trenching conditions 3-43 TABLE OF CONTENTS NOVEMBER 2002 BTC PROJECT ESIA GEORGIA RESPONSE TO COMMENTS (FROM ESIA PUBLIC DISCLOSURE PHASE) 3.7 Re-route evaluations 3-44 3.7.1 General 3-44 3.7.2 Rustavi re-route 3-44 3.7.3 Bakuriani / Tsikhisjvari Area alternative route evaluation 3-48 3.7.4 Bakuriani and Tabatskuri re-route evaluation 3-49 3.7.5 West of Tabatskuri 3-54 3.8 Stage 4: SCP and BTC centreline alignment 3-59 3.8.1 General 3-59 3.8.2 Discussion 3-59 3.9 References 3-60 Tables Table 3.1 Route selection stages 3-3 Table 3.2 Recommended corridor options from Stage 0 3-10 Table 3.3 Description of 10km corridor options 3-10 Table 3.4 Terrain constraint categories 3-12 Table 3.5 Comparison of severe terrain constraints 3-13 Table 3.6 Constraint categories for Environmental and Social Impact 3-14 Table 3.7 Comparison of severe environmental and social constraints 3-15 Table 3.8 Constraint categories for security assessment 3-17 Table 3.9 Summary of constraints and opportunities for the Stage 1 corridor options 3-21 Table 3.10 Route assessment summary for Azerbaijan Border to Marneuli 3-27 Table 3.11 Route assessment summary for Tetri Tskaro area 3-29 Table 3.12 Route assessment summary for Lake Tsalka area 3-32 Table 3.13 Route assessment summary for Ktsia Tabatskuri area 3-36 Table 3.14 Route assessment summary for Mtkvari River to Turkish Border 3-40 Table 3.15 Classification of terrain geohazard constraints for pipeline routing 3-56 Table 3.16 Length of routes in the terrain and geohazard constraint classes 3-57 Figures Figure 3.1 10km Corridors of Interest Figure 3.2 Standard FCI-ROW Layout Figure 3.3 Key Map of Options for the Export of Oil and Gas From Baku, Azerbaijan Figure 3.4 10km Corridor Options Recommended for Consideration in Stage 1 Figure 3.5 10km Corridor Options Assessed at Stage 1 Figure 3.6 Terrain Constraints Figure 3.7 Severe Environmental and Social constraints Figure 3.8 Azerbaijan Border to Marneuli Route Options Figure 3.9 TetriskaroRoute Options Figure 3.10 Lake Tsalka Route Options Figure 3.11 Kizil Kilisa to Tabatskuri Route Options Figure 3.12 Tskhratskaro and Tsikhisjvari Route Options Figure 3.13 Outside Ktsia Tabatskuri Reserve Route Options Figure 3.14 Mtkvari River to Turkish Border Route Options Figure 3.15 Bakuriani and Tabatskuri Re-route Sheet 1 Figure 3.16 Bakuriani and Tabatskuri Re-route Sheet 2 Figure 3.17 Bakuriani and Tabatskuri Re-route Sheet 3 Figure 3.18 Routes West of Tabatskuri Figure 3.19 Terrain Block Model – Constraint Class I Figure 3.20 Terrain Block Model – Constraint Class II Figure 3.21 Terrain Block Model – Constraint Class III TABLE OF CONTENTS NOVEMBER 2002 BTC PROJECT ESIA GEORGIA RESPONSE TO COMMENTS (FROM ESIA PUBLIC DISCLOSURE PHASE) Figure 3.22 Terrain Block Model – Constraint Class IV Figure 3.23 Terrain Block Model – Constraint Class V Figure 3.24 Main Pipeline Construction Activities 4 PROJECT DESCRIPTION 4-1 4.1 Introduction 4-1 4.1.1 Pig traps and pigging 4-1 4.1.2 Co-location of the custody metering facilities, the Georgian off-take, and the proposed BTC PS-G1 4-2 4.1.3 Valve stations 4-2 4.1.4 Pipeline wall thickness 4-2 4.1.5 Proposed pipe yards and worker camp sites 4-2 4.1.6 Leak detection 4-3 4.1.7 Pump stations 4-3 4.1.8 Export system monitoring and pipeline surveillance 4-4 4.1.9 Helicopters 4-4 4.2 Project design basis 4-5 4.2.1 Issue: Facility design 4-5 4.2.2 Issue: Block valve specification 4-6 4.2.3 Issue: Small valve leak detection 4-7 4.2.4 Issue: AGI lightning protection 4-8 4.2.5 Issue: Facilities design 4-9 4.3 Outline of pipeline system construction 4-20 4.3.1 Issue: Construction overview 4-20 4.3.2 Issue: Pipeline Right of Way (ROW) 4-35 4.3.3 Issue: Access roads 4-36 4.3.4 Issue: Pipe and equipment transport to the ROW 4-37 4.3.5 Issue: Temporary construction facilities 4-41 4.3.6 Issue: General mitigation measures associated with pipeline construction 4-46 4.4 Testing and commissioning 4-48 4.4.1 Issue: Hydrotest water 4-48 4.5 Reinstatement and erosion control 4-49 4.5.1 Issue: Reinstatement and erosion associated with the construction of the SCP and BTC pipelines 4-49 4.5.2 Issue: Erosion control associated with landslides 4-51 4.6 Operation, control and maintenance 4-53 4.6.1 Issue: Manual inspection of pipeline 4-53 4.6.2 Issue: Facilities 4-54 4.6.3 Issue: Leak Detection System (LDS) 4-55 4.6.4 Issue: Monitoring of the river crossings 4-56 4.6.5 Issue: Pigging 4-57 4.6.6 Issue: Emergency Response Plans (ERPs) 4-58 4.6.7 Issue: Air emissions from AGI sites 4-59 4.7 Decommissioning and abandonment plans 4-63 4.7.1 Issue: Decommissioning of pipeline 4-63 4.8 Project resources, waste and emissions 4-64 4.9 Wastes 4-64 4.9.1 Waste management 4-64 4.10 quantitative risk assessment (qra) 4-69 4.10.1 Issue: QRA methodology 4-69 TABLE OF CONTENTS NOVEMBER 2002 BTC PROJECT ESIA GEORGIA RESPONSE TO COMMENTS (FROM ESIA PUBLIC DISCLOSURE PHASE) Tables Table 4.2 Quantification of emissions and toxicity 4-62 Table 4.3 Failure frequency terminology and associated frequencies used in landslide and river washout analysis 4-70 Figures Figure 4-1: Pump station layout 4-11 Figure 4-2: Pigging station layout 4-12 Figure 4-3: Location plan of Pump Station PS1 4-18 Figure 4-4: Location plan of Pump Station PS2 4-19 Figure 4-5 Mtkvari East crossing 4-23 Figure 4-6 Potskovi 1 crossing 4-24 Figure 4-7 Potskovi 2 crossing 4-25 Figure 4-8 Algeti crossing 4-26 Figure 4-9 Typical trench details 4-27 Figure 4-10 Typical thrust / Auger bored road crossing 4-27 Figure 4-11 Typical open cut road crossing 4-28 Figure 4-12 Typical open cut stone track crossing 4-28 Figure 4-13 Typical major water course crossing 4-29 Figure 4-14 Typical minor water course crossing 4-29 Figure 4-15 Typical camp layout 4-44 Figure 4-16 Schematic of morphological process potentially affecting the pipeline at river crossings 4-71 Figure 4-17 Outcome of structural analysis 4-72 Figure 4-18 Summary of failure frequency assessment at geohazard crossings 4-73 5 ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES 5-1 5.1 Introduction and methodology 5-1 5.2 Meteorology and climate 5-2 5.2.1 Issue: Climate 5-2 5.3 Air Quality 5-4 5.3.1 Issue: Air quality – baseline & air dispersion modelling 5-4 5.3.2 Issue: Air quality – AGIs and operation 5-7 5.3.3 Issue: Air quality – mitigation measures 5-9 5.3.4 Issue: Air quality – dust 5-10 5.4 Noise 5-12 5.4.1 Issue: Noise – baseline & procedures 5-12 5.4.2 Issue: Noise – mitigation & monitoring 5-13 5.5 Geology, Geomorphology and Geohazards 5-16 5.5.1 Issue: Geomorphology – recommend further works 5-16 5.5.2 Issue: Geohazards – information requested 5-18 5.5.3 Issue: Geohazards – concern expressed 5-22 5.5.4 Issue: Inadequate description of groundwater resources / sources of data inadequate 5-23 5.5.5 Issue: Comparison with other projects 5-24 5.5.6 Issue: Pressure regime of aquifers 5-25 5.5.7 Issue: Tsalka area groundwater 5-25 5.5.8 Issue: Hydrogeology at Tsikisjvari 5-27 5.5.9 Issue: Oil spill modelling sites 5-28 5.5.10 Issue: Water resources and human use 5-30 TABLE OF CONTENTS NOVEMBER 2002 BTC PROJECT ESIA GEORGIA RESPONSE TO COMMENTS (FROM ESIA PUBLIC DISCLOSURE PHASE) 5.6 Soils 5-32 5.6.1 Issue: Soils 5-32 5.7 Contamination 5-35 5.7.1 Issue: Contamination 5-35 5.7.2 Issue: Contamination – anthrax 5-37 5.8 Hydrology and Surface Water quality 5-39 5.8.1 Issue: Hydrology: chemical and physical parameters 5-39 5.8.2 Issue: Hydrology – further works recommended 5-40 5.8.3 Issue: Wastewater 5-41 5.9 Landscape and Landuse 5-43 5.9.1 Issue: Landscape and visual impacts 5-43 5.10 Archaeology and Cultural Heritage 5-45 5.10.1 Archaeology- concerns expressed 5-45 5.10.2 Archaeology- information requested 5-46 5.10.3 Cultural Heritage Management Plan 5-47 5.10.4 Pirghebuli Monastery Complex 5-48 5.11 Ecology 5-49 5.11.1 Issue: Flora & fauna – mitigation 5-49 5.11.2 Issue: Flora & fauna – data questioned 5-73 5.11.3 Issue: Ecology at Mt Taukvetili 5-82 5.11.4 Issue: Forestry– information provided & concerns expressed 5-84 5.11.5 Issue: Forestry – reinstatement 5-86 5.11.6 Issue: Forestry – assessment of impacts 5-90 5.11.7 Issue: Flora & fauna – further works 5-91 5.11.8 Issue: Flora & fauna – reinstatement 5-92 5.11.9 Issue: Fish & fisheries 5-94 5.11.10Issue: Secondary & residual impacts – flora & fauna 5-95 5.11.11Issue: No net loss commitment & off-set mitigation measures 5-97 5.11.12Fauna- Small mammals 5-98 5.11.13Fauna- Avian fauna 5-100 5.11.14Fauna- Reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates 5-102 5.11.15Fauna- Mitigation 5-103 5.12 Protected areas 5-104 5.12.1 Issue: Legal status & permissible activities in protected areas 5-104 5.13 Unplanned Events 5-109 5.13.1 Issue: Borjomi area oil spill impact 5-109 5.13.2 Issue: Oil spill impacting lava flows; Tskhratskaro – Kodiana section 5-110 5.13.3 Issue: OSM mitigation – Tskhratskaro-Kodiana 5-111 5.13.4 Issue: Oil spill risk at Jandari Lake 5-113 5.13.5 Issue: OSM at Mtkvari crossing & Kumisi Lake 5-114 5.13.6 Issue: Groundwater protection at Tetritskaro and Bedeni Plateau 5-115 5.13.7 Issue: Recovery of oil at Narialis Veli 5-117 Tables Table 5.1 Translocation activities 5-51 Table 5.2 Community restoration activities 5-59 Figures Figure 5-1 Short term concentration of NOx at PS1 5-5 Figure 5-2 Long term concentration of NOx at PS1 5-5 Figure 5-3 Short term concentration of NOx at PS2 5-6 TABLE OF CONTENTS NOVEMBER 2002 BTC PROJECT ESIA GEORGIA RESPONSE TO COMMENTS (FROM ESIA PUBLIC DISCLOSURE PHASE) Figure 5-4 Long term concentration of NOx at PS2 5-6 Figure 5-5 Rip Rap at river banks 5-19 Figure 5-6 Diversion berm 5-19 Figure 5-7 Silt fences and erosion matting 5-20 Figure 5-8 Landslide crossing, Kodiana Pass 5-21 Figure 5-9 Landslide crossing, Minadze Plain 5-21 Figure 5-10 Groundwater contamination model near Beshtasheni 5-27 Figure 5-11 Location of Tsalka Dashbash Springs 5-29 Figure 5-12 Location of Bedeni wetland in relation to pipeline ROW 5-70 Figure 5-13 Location of Lake Bareti (Bashkoi) in relation to pipeline ROW 5-71 Figure 5-14 Imera wetlands 5-71 Figure 5-15 Santa wetland 5-76 Figure 5-16 Location of Kariaki wetlands in relation to the pipeline ROW 5-76 Figure 5-17 Extent of Rhododendron habitat 5-83 Figure 5-18 Habitat of the Little Egrett 5-101 Figure 5-19 Borjomi Kharagauli National Park Zones 5-106 Figure 5-20 Proposed Sanitazion zones for Borjomi 5-107 Figure 5-21 Hydrogeological cross section, Gardabani Area 5-114 Figure 5-22 Groundwater dispersion model of potential oil spill in Tetritskaro Forest 5-116 Figure 5-23 Pipeline alignment in the Narianis Veli Area 5-118 6 SOCIAL ISSUES 6-1 6.1 Introduction 6-1 6.2 Support for the project 6-2 6.2.1 Issue: support for the project 6-2 6.3 Approach, methodology and presentation 6-3 6.3.1 Issue: data collection 6-3 6.3.2 Issue: economic analysis 6-8 6.3.3 Issue: demographics 6-9 6.3.4 Issue: draft ESIA documentation 6-10 6.3.5 Issue: draft ESIA translation 6-11 6.4 Socio-economic baseline 6-12 6.4.1 Baseline 6-12 6.5 Access to energy 6-20 6.5.1 Issue: access to energy 6-20 6.6 Local employment and procurement opportunities 6-21 6.6.1 Issue: recruitment 6-21 6.6.2 Issue: wage levels 6-27 6.6.3 Issue: training 6-28 6.6.4 Issue: indirect employment 6-29 6.6.5 Issue: procurement and supply 6-31 6.6.6 Issue: tourism 6-32 6.7 Land acquisition and land based livelihoods 6-33 6.7.1 Issue: land compensation and acquisition 6-33 6.7.2 Issue: land use restrictions 6-37 6.7.3 Issue: land acquisition and grievance procedures 6-37 6.7.4 Issue: reinstatement – social issues 6-38 6.8 Local infrastructure, services and natural resources 6-39 6.8.1 Issue: traffic and transport 6-39 6.8.2 Issue: energy use by construction contractor 6-41 6.8.3 Issue: community water supply 6-42 TABLE OF CONTENTS NOVEMBER 2002 BTC PROJECT ESIA GEORGIA RESPONSE TO COMMENTS (FROM ESIA PUBLIC DISCLOSURE PHASE) 6.9 Community relations and management of construction workers and camps 6-43 6.9.1 Issue: consultation and disclosure to date 6-43 6.9.2 Issue: ethnic tension 6-46 6.9.3 Issue: previous construction and compensation experience 6-48 6.9.4 Issue: general construction impacts 6-49 6.9.5 Issue: cultural awareness training 6-50 6.9.6 Issue: community expectations 6-52 6.9.7 Issue: community liaison and consultation in the future 6-53 6.10 Health, safety and security 6-55 6.10.1 Issue: safety 6-55 6.10.2 Issue: health 6-57 6.10.3 Issue: compensation for unplanned events 6-59 6.10.4 Issue: sabotage 6-59 6.11 Government relations and egislation 6-60 6.11.1 Issue: legislative requirements 6-60 6.11.2 Issue: tariff 6-61 6.11.3 Issue: joint venture partners 6-63 6.12 Residual impacts 6-64 6.12.1 Issue: residual impacts 6-64 6.13 Community investment programme 6-66 6.13.1 Issue: community investment programme 6-66 6.13.2 Issue: Requests for community investment programme assistance 6-68 7 CUMULATIVE EFFECTS 7-1 7.1 Introduction 7-1 7.2 Response to feedback 7-2 7.2.1 Issue: Cumulative Impacts – National Level 7-2 7.2.2 Issue: Cumulative Impacts – Route Level 7-2 8 MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING 8-1 8.1 Introduction 8-1 8.2 Response to feedback 8-1 8.2.1 Issue: Air and water quality – responsibilities 8-1 8.2.2 Issue: Environmental Management Plans 8-1 8.2.3 Issue: Environmental monitoring – construction and operation 8-1 8.2.4 Issue: Social Management Plans 8-1 9 OVERALL PROJECT ASSESSMENT 9-1 9.1 Introduction 9-1 9.2 Environmental project assessment 9-2 9.2.1 Construction 9-2 9.2.2 Pipeline operation 9-4 9.2.3 Unplanned events 9-4 9.2.4 Cumulative impacts 9-5 9.3 Socio-economicproject assessment 9-5 9.3.1 Construction and operation phase 9-7 9.3.2 Cumulative impacts 9-8 9.3.3 Conclusion 9-8 TABLE OF CONTENTS NOVEMBER 2002 BTC PROJECT ESIA GEORGIA RESPONSE TO COMMENTS (FROM ESIA PUBLIC DISCLOSURE PHASE) APPENDICES Appendix 1 Review of Hydrogeology Pertinent to the River Borjomola Catchments and Gujaretis Tskali Catchments, KP 175 – KP 192 Appendix 2 Appendix 2 Annex I Phase II Botanical Reports Appendix 2 Annex II Detailed Floristic and Phytosociological Description of Sample Plots Appendix 3 Appendix 3 Phase II Fauna Reports Appendix 4 Appendix 4 Forestry Assessment Appendix 5 Public Consultation and Disclosure Plan - BTC and SCP Projects, Georgia Appendix 6 Oil Spill Prevention and Mitigations Appendix 7 Responses Database Appendix 8 Pipeline Construction TABLE OF CONTENTS NOVEMBER 2002 BTC PROJECT ESIA GEORGIA RESPONSE TO COMMENTS (FROM ESIA PUBLIC DISCLOSURE PHASE) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY TABLE OF CONTENTS Page No 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1-1 1.1 Introduction 1-1 1.2 BTC Project 1-1 1.2.1 The need for the project 1-2 1.2.2 Project environmental and social goals and objectives 1-3 1.3 Environmental and social impact assessment 1-3 1.3.1 Public consultation 1-5 1.3.2 Regulatory and policy framework 1-5 1.4 Project alternatives 1-6 1.4.1 Strategic considerations 1-6 1.4.2 Routing alternatives 1-7 1.5 Project description 1-11 1.5.1 Project schedule 1-11 1.5.2 Design 1-12 1.5.3 Construction 1-12 1.5.4 Operation 1-13 1.5.5 Decommissioning 1-13 1.6 ESIA methodology 1-13 1.7 Baseline 1-14 1.7.1 Environmental baseline 1-14 1.7.2 Socio-economic baseline 1-18 1.7.3 Attitudes to the BTC project 1-19 1.8 Impacts and mitigation 1-19 1.8.1 Environmental impacts and mitigation 1-19 1.8.2 General operational mitigation measures 1-28 1.8.3 Socio-economic impacts and mitigation 1-33 1.9 Cumulative impacts 1-35 1.10 Management and monitoring 1-37 1.11 Overall project assessment 1-38 1.11.1 Environmental project assessment 1-39 1.11.2 Socio-economic project assessment 1-42 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY NOVEMBER 2002
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