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Screening categories and rationale for classification
The
construction of the radio towers in three locations is largely a civil
engineering project where main environmental issues are associated with the
siting of the towers and construction impacts, and some health & safety issues
which can be readily identified, assessed and mitigated with modern technology
and project design. The project sites are located in the vicinity of port
facilities or lighthouses, reasonably distanced from the residential
buildings. None of the sites are located in environmentally sensitive areas.
For the above mentioned reasons, the EBRD has classified the project B/0,
requiring an Environmental Analysis.
Information reviewed during the environmental appraisal
The
Environmental Analysis has been undertaken in 2005 in accordance with the
EBRD's requirements by independent experts. It assessed the impact of siting,
construction and operation of the proposed communication towers. Information
contained in the report expanded on the technical-economic assessment of the
proposed project, an environmental site assessment, as well as extensive
discussions with Rosmoport staff and local authorities.
Environmental impacts and mitigation measures
The project will
be a significant step in safeguarding the sensitive natural environment in the
Baltic Sea, the Azov/Black Sea and the Barents Sea. The modern integrated
navigation safety system will help mitigate the risks arising from shipping
accidents involving hazardous chemicals and particularly oil products in areas
with considerable and growing maritime traffic and accident records above
international norm.
The Environmental Analysis showed that no significant adverse environmental
impacts are anticipated at any of the sites considered by the project. The
Project has been structured to meet applicable Russian environmental, health
and safety (EHS) requirements and obtain all required permits. The necessary
environmental approvals and sanitary certificates for the design of the
project towers have already been obtained by the Company for Murmansk and
Temryuk locations in accordance with Russian regulations. For Sinyavino
(Kaliningrad) location, the sanitary certificate and environmental approvals
are currently being sought from the competent Russian authorities in
accordance with Russian regulations. The direct local environmental
‘footprint’ of the erection and operation of the towers will be minor or
negligible, if appropriate construction and maintenance practices are
followed. The investigation also indicated that the project would bring about
significant environmental benefits to safeguarding the sensitive natural
environment of the sea waters, marine and coastal environment from shipping
accidents involving hazardous chemicals and oil products. Further
environmental benefits could be achieved by introducing wind or solar energy
to provide either primary or back-up power supply for the towers.
Key environmental, health and safety impacts associated with this project
include: potential disturbance of local habitat, vegetation and coastal
environment during construction stage; construction traffic management (noise,
pollution); construction and operation waste management; electro-magnetic
radiation from the radar antennas on people working or living in the vicinity
of the proposed towers; potential pollution (spills) from fuel storage and
transportation for power generators and radar servicing facilities; water
supply and treatment for technical and household purposes; provision of
suitable wastewater treatment facilities; overall occupational health and
safety. Some location-specific issues include:
In Set’-Navolok (Murmansk) the construction of automated radio-technical
station (1 tower 30.3m high & associated buildings) may result in some
physical disturbance of the ground and vegetation. These will be mitigated
with the above described mitigation measures. During operation, the issues
arising from fuel delivery and storage facilities will be minimised by
adhering to applicable environmental requirements. Wind power is being
considered for power supply of the station.
At Port Temryuk location (the Sea of Azov), the system will consist of a 30m
high tower in the Port of Temryuk, a 16m high tower next to Temryuk
lighthouse, a 30.5m high mast on Mys Ahilleon, and a 24m high mast on Mount
Gora Zelenskogo, and associated control centre buildings in Port Kavkaz.
Location of the Mount Gora Zelinskogo tower is close to the extensive on-shore
works including pipelines, oil and gas storage tanks, buildings and a railway
for oil transportation and due safety precautions will be followed.
In Sinyavino (Kaliningrad) the system will consist of a 72m high steel mast
30km north of Baltiysk; a 61m high tower at the entrance to the town of
Baltiysk; a new control centre building; a 34.5m tower on the edge of the
Kaliningrad-Baltiysk canal at Ijevskiy Povorot; a 40m mast on the edge of
Kaliningrad-Baltiysk canal at Rubachiy; a 15m tower on top of the grain
elevator building, and a 36m tall mast at Kaliningrad port. The design and
construction works will need to take into consideration the piling issues for
Baltiysk tower as well as the issues associated with the demolition of
Ijevskiy povorot tower and control centre building near Baltiysk. For Ijevskiy
povorot tower, a walkover survey will be required to identify any potentially
sensitive ecological characteristics. Potential dangers from radiation during
the radar operation will be assessed by the Russian authorities as part of the
process of obtaining sanitary certificates required by the Russian authorities.
The Company will adopt and implement an Environmental Management Plan (EMP)
for the construction and operation phases to ensure the work will be carried
out with due regard for environmental protection and in compliance with all
national requirements and good international practice. Any impacts will be
limited and physical and noise disturbance will be effectively mitigated
during construction and operation. Any damage to existing environment, such as
vegetation, in the vicinity of the construction site or along the track will
be rectified. Pollution prevention measures will be employed during
construction, and any waste arising from the construction process will be
removed from the site and disposed of responsibly.
Disclosure of Information and consultation
In accordance with
Russian law, the development plans for each location has undergone the
appropriate public disclosure procedures prior to obtaining the construction
permits. In the context of EBRD’s potential participation in the project, the
Company has released locally this summary of the relevant environmental issues
associated with the project and the mitigation measures.
Monitoring
The Company will systematically monitor and report
on its environmental, health and safety impacts to ensure it complies with
applicable Russian and international environmental regulations and standards.
The development of each site will need to be closely monitored and reported to
the Bank in the course of the project implementation. The EBRD will evaluate
the project's compliance with the applicable environmental and social
requirements during the lifetime of the project by reviewing annual
environmental reports prepared for the project.
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