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Environmental classification and rationale
Environmental
impacts associated with the rehabilitation and upgrading of the existing
airport facilities and operation are mainly positive. No runway extension is
planned. Any adverse impacts can be readily identified, assessed and
mitigated. For the above reasons, the project has been classified B/1
requiring an Environmental Analysis and an Environmental Audit.
Information reviewed during the environmental appraisal
In
accordance with the EBRD Environmental Policy, environmental investigations
have been undertaken to assess the current environmental status of the site
and environmental impacts associated with the Project. The environmental
appraisal has been based on the review of the following information:
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Environment and Health and Safety Audit Protocol, Zvarnots International
Airport, Lufthansa Consulting/ERM GmbH, March 2006
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Environmental Analysis of Zvarnots International Airport New Passenger
Terminal Project, Lufthansa Consulting/ERM GmbH, March 2006
The environmental investigations showed that the project will result in some
environmental improvements and has no significant direct adverse impacts.
Key environmental issues
The Environmental and Health and
Safety situation at ZIA has already been significantly improved through
upgrades in the existing terminal 1 and 2 during the past 3 years, the
observed well organized housekeeping and the secure passenger handling. The
situation will further improve through the implementation of the proposed
investment programme, the Master Plan and the environmental action plan.
Project site
The airport lies within the Ararat Valley, with
the Ararat mountains to the north and the east. The area of the airport is
draining south/east via the Hrasdan River which runs about 1km east of the
airport in direction South/southwest and subsequently drains into the Arax
River. The closest settlements are situated adjacent to the border of the
runway in a distance of about meters to the perimeter fence in the west, the
south and the northeast. South of the airport there are suburban areas
alternating with small trade and rural areas. In the west and south of Yerevan
agriculture is the dominating land use. There are no designated sensitive
areas, such as nature reserves, wetlands, bird protection areas in the
immediate vicinity of the airport.
Construction of the new terminal
The new terminal of 180 x 100
m and a height of 20 m is being built on existing paved airport terrain. There
are no land acquisitions necessary. Improvements for aircraft taxiing and
parking will also be made. The double glazed façade, wall panels and the
ventilating structure of the building, as well as the southward orientation
have energy saving effect. The New Terminal integrates in the existing
landscape of the Airport landside buildings. The groundwater level is not
reached and the sewage and heating emissions will be in compliance with
international and national standards. Construction-related impacts have been
assessed to be localised and short term in nature and that they can be
efficiently prevented or mitigated by applying good international construction
practices.
Air emissions and ambient air quality
Due to limited number of
daily aircraft movements (20-30), the aircraft engine emissions are not
considered to affect the ambient air quality significantly. The heating for
the entire airport is supplied from a central boiler plant. The system is 22
years old and is will be upgraded (Master Plan 2005) to meet international
emission standards.
Wastewater and run-off water management
The sanitary
wastewaters from the terminals and landside facilities is collected and
transported via the sewage system of the airport to the municipal treatment
plant in Yerevan. Run-off waters are collected in a separate drainage system.
Currently, there is no treatment or filtering on the site and all discharged
water from the fuel farm, the runway taxi ways, aprons and the de-icing pad
are going directly into the river south of the airport. The runway and the
de-icing pad drainage systems will be renewed and equipped with integrated
interceptors and mechanical treatment.
Waste management
ZIA has introduced a new waste management
system that is based on waste minimisation and recycling. Residual waste will
be disposed of on licensed landfills.
Fuel and chemical handling and storage
The fuel tanks at the
fuel farm are on ground. They do not have secondary containment and do not
comply with international standards. In order to meet future requirements, the
fuel farm will be demolished and rebuilt.
Noise
Given the limited number of daily aircrafts (20-30) the
noise impact of the neighbourhood is considered low. According to ZIA, there
has been no complaints from the nearby village regarding noise emissions. As
of 2007, all aircraft landing at the airport will need to comply with aviation
noise and aviation engine emissions in accordance with ICAO Chapter III. Noise
levels will be monitored regularly and additional abatement measures will be
implemented in future to meet national and international requirements, as
needed.
Environmental, health and safety management
ZIA has started to
develop an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) to manage all the environmental
issues within the Concession Area and are in the process of implementing the
EMP in a phased process. When the EMP is up and running, ZIA intends to
acquire certification according to ISO 14000.
Emergency response planning
The ZIA Operations Manual for
contingency planning is complete regarding the single topics. Rescue and fire
fighting services will be developed in compliance with ICAO standards,
including intensive training of staff, periodic inspections and development of
appropriate emergency procedures. Adequate extinguishing equipment will be
maintained. ZIA will develop an integrated overall emergency procedure.
Summary of Environmental Action Plan
ZIA is committed to
implement further environmental improvements needed at the existing facilities
as well as measures for mitigating adverse impacts arising from the
construction works and operation of the airport. The EAP includes specific
measures for fuel storage and handling, waste management, wastewater and storm
water purification, soil protection, health and safety and disclosing
information to stakeholders.
Monitoring and reporting
A specific monitoring programme has
been established to ensure air emissions, wastewater discharges and noise will
remain within regulatory limits. 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
covering:
(i) ongoing environmental, health and safety performance; and
(ii) the status of implementation of environmental mitigation and improvement
measures. The EBRD’s representatives may also conduct periodic site
supervision visits when deemed appropriate.
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