Principe Airport Expansion Project EIA Report

364 Pages·2012·10.4 MB·English

Principe Airport Expansion
Project EIA Report

Final

April 2012

www.erm.com

HBD STP

Principe Airport Expansion Project
EIA
April 2012

Reference 0139305

Prepared by: Tarisai Garande

For and on behalf of
Environmental Resources Management

Approved by: Stuart Heather – Clark

Signed:

Position: Partner-In-Charge

Date: 23 April, 2012
This report has been prepared by Environmental Resources
Management the trading name of Environmental Resources
Management Limited, with all reasonable skill, care and diligence
within the terms of the Contract with the client, incorporating our
General Terms and Conditions of Business and taking account of the
resources devoted to it by agreement with the client.

We disclaim any responsibility to the client and others in respect of
any matters outside the scope of the above.

This report is confidential to the client and we accept no responsibility
of whatsoever nature to third parties to whom this report, or any part
thereof, is made known. Any such party relies on the report at their
own risk.

CONTENTS
NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY
1 INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT 1
1.2 BACKGROUND 1
1.2.1 Existing Runway 2
1.2.2 Existing Apron 2
1.2.3 Existing Taxiway 2
1.2.4 Existing Storm Drainage Infrastructure 2
1.2.5 Other Airport Components 3
1.3 PROJECT LOCATION 3
1.4 PROJECT RATIONALE 6
1.5 THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT 6
1.5.1 The EIA Team 7
1.5.2 Project Initiation 7
1.5.3 Scoping Activities 7
1.5.4 EIA Activities 8
1.6 STRUCTURE OF THIS REPORT 10
2 LEGAL & POLICY FRAMEWORK 11
2.1 NATIONAL LEGISLATION 11
2.1.1 Government and Administration 11
2.1.2 Environmental and Social Legislation 12
2.2 AVIATION REGULATIONS 15
3 PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND ALTERNATIVES 16
3.1 PROPOSED AIRPORT EXPANSION ACTIVITIES 16
3.1.1 Runway Extension and Realignment 16
3.1.2 Apron 16
3.1.3 Taxiway 16
3.1.4 Pavement Upgrade 17
3.1.5 Storm water Infrastructure 17
3.2 AIRCRAFT TRAFFIC FORECAST 17
3.3 RUNWAY DESIGN ALTERNATIVES 18
3.3.1 No Development Alternative 19
3.3.2 Runway Realignment Design Alternatives 19
3.3.3 Option A - Extension of Existing 19
3.3.4 Option B – 1o Realignment 20
3.3.5 Option C - 11 o Realignment 20
3.3.6 Option D- 12 o Realignment 20
3.4 APRON AND TAXIWAY DESIGN 23
3.4.1 Apron Design 23
3.4.2 Taxiway Design 23
3.5 PAVEMENT UPGRADE 23
3.6 STORM WATER DRAINAGE UPGRADE 24
3.7 LOCAL ROAD UPGRADES 24
3.8 LANDSCAPING 25
3.9 PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS 25
3.9.1 Tendering and Execution of Works 25
3.10 LOCALLY SOURCED CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS 26
3.10.1 Borrow Pits 27
3.11 LOGISTICAL REQUIREMENTS AND ASSOCIATED INFRASTRUCTURE 29
3.11.1 Construction Camp 29
3.11.2 Construction Personnel and Working Hours 29
3.11.3 Construction Vehicles and Equipment 29
3.11.4 Security 30
3.11.5 Construction Water Requirements 31
3.11.6 Waste Management 31
3.12 RELOCATION OF AFFECTED HOUSEHOLDS 33
3.13 FOREST AND VEGETATION CLEARANCE 33
4 BIOPHYSICAL BASELINE CONDITIONS 36
4.1 INTRODUCTION 36
4.2 PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT 36
4.2.1 Climate 36
4.2.2 Geology, Soils and Landscape 37
4.2.3 Hydrology 38
4.3 TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY 40
4.3.1 Overview 40
4.4 VEGETATION 40
4.4.1 Vegetation of Príncipe 40
4.4.2 Vegetation Types of the Project Area 41
4.4.3 Plant Species of Conservation Concern in the Project Area 50
4.5 FAUNA 51
4.5.1 Overview of Fauna 51
4.5.2 Birds of Príncipe 52
4.5.3 Mammals of the Project Area 52
4.5.4 Reptiles of the Project Area 56
4.5.5 Amphibians in the Project Area 59
4.5.6 Invertebrates 60
4.5.7 Avifauna (Birds) of the Project Area 62
4.5.8 Avifauna at Borrow Pit Sites 64
4.5.9 Conservation Areas and Status 65
4.5.10 Existing Threats to Biodiversity 66
5 THE RECEIVING ENVIRONMENT – SOCIO-ECONOMIC 68
5.1 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND 68
5.2 METHODOLOGY 68
5.2.1 Limitations 69
5.3 GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION 69
5.4 DEMOGRAPHIC COMPOSITION 70
5.4.1 Population Overview 70
5.4.2 Language 71
5.4.3 Religion and Culture 71
5.5 GENDER ISSUES/ GENDER DIFFERENTIATION 72
5.6 LAND TENURE 73
5.7 EDUCATION 74
5.7.1 Januario Graca Basic School in Aeroporto 74
5.8 HEALTH CARE SERVICES 75
5.8.1 Infrastructure at the Hospital 77
5.8.2 Aeroporto Clinic 77
5.9 ECONOMY AND LIVELIHOODS 78
5.9.1 Economy and Livelihoods in Príncipe 79
5.9.2 Employment 85
5.9.3 Poverty 85
5.9.4 Civil Society Organisations (CSO) 85
5.10 EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE ON THE STUDY AREA 87
5.11 GENERAL SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE 88
5.11.1 Water and Energy 89
5.11.2 Transport and Access 89
5.11.3 Road Network and Airports 90
5.11.4 Housing 91
5.11.5 Recreation 93
5.12 POLICING AND CRIME 93
5.12.1 Military Base in Aeroporto 94
6 STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION 96
6.1 INTRODUCTION 96
6.2 BACKGROUND INFORMATION DOCUMENT (BID) 96
6.3 SUMMARY OF STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION PROCESS 96
6.3.1 Stakeholder Engagement During Scoping Phase 96
6.4 COMMENTS RAISED BY STAKEHOLDERS 97
6.4.1 Stakeholder Engagement During EIA Phase 98
7 IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROCESS AND METHODOLOGY 105
7.1 INTRODUCTION 105
7.2 SCOPING ACTIVITIES 106
7.2.1 Scoping Consultation 106
7.2.2 Key Issues Raised 106
7.2.3 Outcome of Scoping 109
7.3 COLLECTION OF BASELINE DATA 110
7.4 IMPACT ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY 110
7.4.1 Assessing Significance 112
7.5 MITIGATION POTENTIAL AND RESIDUAL IMPACTS 114
7.6 ASSUMPTIONS AND LIMITATIONS 115
7.7 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN 116
7.8 EIA REPORTING AND DISCLOSURE 116
7.9 STRUCTURE OF IMPACT ASSESSMENT CHAPTERS 117
7.10 PRELIMINARY SCREENING OF ISSUES AND IMPACTS 117
8 BIOPHYSICAL IMPACTS OF AIRPORT CONSTRUCTION AND
OPERATION 118
8.1 INTRODUCTION 118
8.2 IMPACTS ON FORESTED HABITAT FROM AIRPORT EXPANSION 118
8.2.1 Fragmentation of Habitats 120
8.2.2 Loss of Endemic and Threatened Plant Species 120
8.2.3 Potential Risk of Alien Plant Spread 122
8.2.4 Soil Erosion associated with the proposed Airport Development 123
8.3 TERRESTRIAL FAUNA (EXCLUDING BIRDS) IMPACTS OF AIRPORT EXPANSION 124
8.3.1 Faunal Habitat Loss and Loss of Forest Floor Leaf-litter Microhabitat 124
8.3.2 Impact of Habitat Fragmentation on Fauna 126
8.3.3 Direct Mortality of Fauna 127
8.3.4 Human Disturbance on Fauna 128
8.4 AVIFAUNA IMPACTS OF AIRPORT EXPANSION 129
8.4.1 Loss of Nesting and Foraging Habitat 129
8.4.2 Bird Mortality from Loss of Eggs and Young in Nests during Habitat
Clearance 130
8.4.3 Reduced Breeding Success due to Increased Noise levels during construction131
8.5 FAUNAL (EXCLUDING BIRDS) I MPACTS FROM AIRPORT OPERATION 131
8.5.1 Mortality of Bats from Aircraft Collisions 131
8.6 AVIFAUNA IMPACTS FROM AIRPORT OPERATION 133
8.6.1 Increased Mortalities of Birds from Bird – Aircraft Collisions 133
8.6.2 Increased risks of Bird-strike Incidents 134
8.6.3 Reduced Breeding Success due to Increased Noise levels resulting from the
projected increase in scheduled flights 135
9 SOCIAL IMPACTS OF AIRPORT CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION 137
9.1 INTRODUCTION 137
9.2 LAND TAKE AND DISRUPTION/ LOSS OF LIVELIHOODS IN AZEITONA () 137
9.3 CHANGE IN SENSE OF PLACE 142
9.4 DISRUPTION OF ACCESS ROUTES IN AZEITONA () 145
9.5 IMPACTS OF INCREASED ROAD TRAFFIC 147
9.6 LOCAL EMPLOYMENT AND PROCUREMENT & INCOME GENERATION 150
9.7 UNMET STAKEHOLDER EXPECTATIONS 155
9.8 HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE WORKERS AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES 157
9.8.2 Noise Impacts 163
9.8.3 Air Quality Impact on Worker and Public Health 175
9.8.4 Hydrology 178
9.8.5 Potential Release of Hazardous Material into Surface or Groundwater 179
9.8.6 Potential for Localized Flooding 181
9.8.7 Impact of Abstraction on Water Resources 183
Table 9.28 Summary of Impact Characteristics: Impact of Abstraction on Water
Resources 183
9.8.8 Public Safety during Airport Operation 185
10 ASSESSMENT OF BORROW PIT IMPACTS 188
10.1 INTRODUCTION 188
10.2 VEGETATION IMPACT ASSESSMENT ASSOCIATED WITH EXCAVATION OF BORROW
PITS 188
10.2.1 Loss of Forested Habitat at Borrow Pit Sites 188
10.2.2 Loss of Wetland Habitat at the Sundi East Borrow Pit 189
10.2.3 Soil Erosion at Borrow Pit Sites 192
10.3 FAUNAL IMPACTS (EXCLUDING AVIFAUNA) ASSOCIATED WITH THE BORROW PITS193
10.3.1 Impact of Habitat Destruction and Fragmentation on Fauna 193
10.4 AVIFAUNA IMPACTS FROM BORROW PITS 193
10.4.1 Loss of Nesting and Foraging Habitat and Bird Mortality 193
10.5 SOCIAL IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH BORROW PITS 195
10.5.1 Increased Road Traffic 195
11 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME 199
11.1 INTRODUCTION 199
11.2 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 200
11.2.1 HBD STP 200
11.2.2 Environmental Control Officer 201
11.2.3 Contractors and Site Personnel 202
11.2.4 Environmental Awareness Training for Site Personnel 202
11.3 GOVERNING STANDARDS AND POLICIES 203
11.4 SUBSIDIARY PLANS 203
11.5 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT 204
11.5.1 Grievance Procedure 204
11.6 PERMIT REQUIREMENTS 205
11.7 MITIGATION AND COMPLIANCE MONITORING MEASURES 205
11.7.1 Pre-construction Planning Phase 205
11.7.2 Construction Phase 219
11.7.3 Operational Phase 230
11.8 BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING 232
11.8.1 Aims and Objectives 232
11.8.2 Pre-Construction Phase Planning Actions 232
11.8.3 Construction Phase Actions 233
11.8.4 Operational Phase Actions 235
11.8.5 Other Mitigation Actions 236
11.8.6 Ecological Monitoring Requirements 238
12 REFERENCES 241
12.1 SOCIAL BASELINE 241
12.2 BIOPHYSICAL BASELINE 241

FIGURES
Figure 1.1 Map of Sao Tome and Príncipe 4
Figure 1.2 Aerial Image of Príncipe Airport 5
Figure 3.1 Runway Development Options Considered 22
Figure 3.2 Location of Proposed Borrow Pit Sites 28
Figure 3.3 Forest Rehabilitation Demonstration Areas 34
Figure 4.1 Temperature Readings for Príncipe over a 2 year period 36
Figure 4.2 Monthly Rainfall Figures for (10 years) (Anon, 2011) 37
Figure 4.3 Geology of Príncipe 38
Figure 4.4 Topography and Surface Hydrology of the Airport Area 39
Figure 4.5 Layout of Vegetation units in the area of the proposed airport development 42
Figure 4.6 Examples of a road passing through the Capoeira Forest within the area of the
proposed airport development 43
Figure 4.7 Examples of the Capoeira Forest in the proposed Sundi East and Sundi West
borrow pit site 44
Figure 4.8 Examples of typical plant species identified in the Capoeira Forest habitat 44
Figure 4.9 Examples Of Regenerating Capoeira Forest Within The Area Of The Proposed
Airport Development 45
Figure 4.10 Evidence Of Disturbance Within the Regenerating Capoeira Forest In The
Area Of The Proposed Airport Development 46
Figure 4.11 Examples Of Plant Species Identified In the Regenerating Capoeira Forest
Habitat 46
Figure 4.12 Examples Of The Grassy Verge Of The Current Airport Landing Strip 47
Figure 4.13 Examples of Plant Species Identified In the Grassy Verges of the Airstrip 48
Figure 4.14 Example of a Cultivated Habitat Within The Northern Part of the Proposed
Airport Development 48
Figure 4.15 Examples Of Plant Species Identified In The Agrarian Habitat 49
Figure 4.16 Examples Of Current Infrastructure Development Around The Airport 49
Figure 4.17 Examples of Endemic Plants Identified In The Study Area 50
Figure 4.18 Terrestrial Orchid, Habenaria Procera in the Grassy Verge of the Airstrip 51
Figure 4.19 Examples Some Of The Mammals Detected On Site 53
Figure 4.20 Examples of 3 of the 4 Bats Detected On Site 54
Figure 4.21 Images of The Undescribed, Endemic Príncipe Bat (Pipistrellus Sp.) 55
Figure 4.22 Examples of Reptiles Observed On Site 57
Figure 4.23 Further Examples Of The Reptiles Observed On Site. 58
Figure 4.24 Examples Of The Frogs And Tadpoles Observed On Site. 59
Figure 4.25 Examples Of The Butterflies Identified On Site. 60
Figure 4.26 Examples of Some of the Spiders Observed On Site 61
Figure 4.27 Examples of Some of the Other Invertebrates Observed On Site 61
Figure 4.28 Some of the Bird Species Recorded During the Runway Survey Transects 63
Figure 4.29 Conservation Areas of Príncipe 66
Figure 5.1 Governance Structure in Príncipe 70
Figure 5.2 Roman Catholic Church in Santo Antonio and Seventh Day Adventist Church
on the Road to Sundi 72
Figure 5.3 Januario Graca Basic School 75
Figure 5.4 Santo Antonio Hospital 76
Figure 5.5 Clinic in Aeroporto and Kindergarten 78
Figure 5.6 Market in Santo Antonio 80
Figure 5.7 Some of the Goods sold at the Market 80
Figure 5.8 Clothes and Crockery at the Market 81
Figure 5.9 Cacao Drying Facility, Azeitona 82
Figure 5.10 Crops and Fruit Trees in Azeitona 83
Figure 5.11 Western Side of Runway, Azeitona Village and Open Land 85
Figure 5.12 Red Cross Offices in Príncipe 86
Figure 5.13 The Main Airport Building 87
Figure 5.14 Houses along the runway 88
Figure 5.15 Fruit Trees within 10 metres of the runway 88
Figure 5.16 Water Pumps in Azeitona 89