|
Screening category and rationale for classification
The
construction and operation of a new, small-size sawmill and a medium-size
plywood facility is typically associated with limited direct environmental,
health and safety issues, which can be efficiently mitigated with modern
technology, project design, construction planning and work practices. The
project site is not in the immediate vicinity of environmentally sensitive or
residential areas. For the above reasons, the EBRD has classified the project
B/0, requiring an Environmental Analysis of the proposed development.
Information reviewed during the environmental appraisal
The
Environmental Analysis has been prepared by the environmental experts of
Koskitukki Oy in accordance with the requirements of the EBRD. Information is
based on the planning principles and documents of the Sheksna wood industry
project and on the discussions with local authorities and co-operational
partners.
Key environmental issues and mitigation
The environmental
investigations showed that the project has been structured to meet Russian
environmental, health and safety (EHS) requirements and EU environmental
standards and that any adverse EHS impacts will be negligible and efficiently
mitigated. Birch plywood is glued with phenol resins, which after hardening in
the process are harmless to the environment. No other chemicals, preservatives
or wood treatment chemicals will be used. Principles of applying the best
available techniques (BAT) will be – where applicable - obeyed in all
practises in the construction and operation of the wood industry complex. The
Company will implement ISO 14001 Environmental Management System for its
operations. These measures will ensure that the environmental issues will be
professionally managed to prevent or minimise impacts on staff and local
population as well as on the environment.
The amount of dust formed in production process is small due to the use of
fresh wood as raw material. In addition, the sawmill machinery will have
built-in dust cyclones and filters to further reduce potential dust emissions.
Energy will be provided by own boiler, where natural gas will be combusted
resulting in negligible air emissions. Later, a wood burning boiler plant will
utilise bark and sawmill residues for heat production.
The wood industry complex itself does not use any water. However, a
considerable amount of water, about 300,000 m3/a, will be used during summer
months for sprinkling of the stored logs to maintain the timber quality. This
wastewater containing both dissolved and suspended substances originating from
the wood will be collected and directed to a sewage disposal plant. In the
veneer and plywood production process logs are preheated by warm water in
large log basins during which some dissolving components move from wood to
water. The amount of this waste water is about 100.000 m3 per annum and it
will be pre-treated in the Company’s sewage disposal plant before pumping to
the municipal wastewater treatment plant. The Company will also produce small
amount (1,000 m3/a) of domestic wastewater that will also be discharged to the
municipal wastewater treatment plant.
Wood waste, such as bark, chips and sawdust will be utilized as raw material
for paper or particle board industry or as fuel in the energy industry. The
utilization degree of the wood as raw material or fuel is 100 %. The amounts
of solid waste to be disposed of are modest.
Noise abatement measures taken into consideration in the project design ensure
the noise levels will not exceed permissible level, 50 dB(A), in the distance
of 100 meter from the border of the industrial site. Fire protection and
safety will be solved through the technology used in wood processing and
abidance of fire safety rules. All the transport entering or working on the
plant’s territory will be equipped with spark blow out or other spark killers.
Wood procurement
The wood industry complex will use
approximately 170.000 cubic metres of wood per annum. The wood will be
procured by LLC Koskidrev (OOO Koskidrev), 100 % owned by the Koskitukki Oy,
in accordance with the Environmental Policy of Koskitukki Oy’s wood
procurement. Koskitukki Oy’s activities and wood procurement system have had
PEFC chain-of-custody certification since 2000. Koskitukki Oy has wide
experience, 15 years, in working with the Russia’s wood suppliers and about 75
% of the supplied volume to be used comes from suppliers already familiar to
Koskitukki Oy. All stages of Koskitukki Oy’s wood procurement activities are
governed by a quality and environmental management system based on ISO 9001
and 14001 standards. To ensure the wood is of legal and sustainable origin and
that the negative impacts of wood procurement on the environment are
mitigated, Koskisilva will use approved wood suppliers only. The criteria for
selecting acceptable suppliers include that they should, for example,
-
comply with all the applicable laws, acts and legal requirements
-
have the right to sell the wood material
-
know the origin of the wood and give the required information to LLC Koskidrev.
-
obey the principles of sustainable development
The acceptability of the suppliers is audited by field audits on a regular
basis. The results of the audits and the descriptions of the reliability of
the suppliers are documented.
Disclosure of information and consultation
In accordance with
Russian law, the project will be a subject of formal public disclosure and
public consultation prior to obtaining the construction permit. Two separate
hearings of the affected parties will be arranged. The first hearing will be
arranged at Sheksna in the beginning of year 2006 after the project plan has
been approved by the local authorities. The Company is committed to continue
working in a close relationship with the local community. In the context of
EBRD’s potential participation in the project, the Company has released
locally a summary of the relevant environmental issues associated with the
project and the mitigation measures.
Monitoring
The wood industry complex will systematically
monitor and report its environmental and health and safety impacts in line
with Koskitukki Oy’s corporate standards for internal and external reporting
to ensure it complies with Russian and EU environmental standards. 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 (AERs) prepared for the project by Koskitukki Oy.
|
