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REPUBLIC OF IRAQ

MINISTRY OF CONSTRUCTION AND HOUSING

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDY

(ESIA)

OF

THE REHABILITATION OF EXPRESSWAY NO. 1 IN IRAQ

(ERRP.CON.SSS.ESIA EW-1)

DRAFT FINAL REPORT

August 19, 2013

Partners in building an emerging world

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ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (ESIA) EXPRESSWAY NO.1

Final ESIA Report S-i Consolidated Consultants

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

1. INTRODUCTION S-1

2. LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK S-1

3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION S-2

4. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL BASELINE CONDITIONS S-4

5. PUBLIC CONSULTATION S-5

6. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ANALYSIS S-6

7. MITIGATION MEASURES S-7

8. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (ESMP) S-8

9. MONITORING AND INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING S-9


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Final Revised ESIA Report S-1 Consolidated Consultants

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. INTRODUCTION

This executive summary aims at presenting the main findings of the Environmental and Social

Impact Assessment (ESIA) conducted for the Rehabilitation of the Expressway no.1. The objective

of the environmental and social assessment is to examine the environmental, and social impacts of

the project (both construction and maintenance phase), and to propose mitigation measures, as well

as providing the management plan of the proposed project.

This specific project activity is mandated by Iraqi Environmental Law and its guidelines for ESIA

preparation. The Transport Corridors Project is categorized as an A, requiring an environmental and

social assessment in accordance with the World Bank's Operational Policy on Environmental

Assessment (OP 4.01) and Involuntary Resettlement Policy (OP4.12).

The document consists of the following chapters: legal and administrative framework, project

description, environmental and social baseline conditions, public consultation, environmental and

social impact analysis, mitigation measures, monitoring, and environmental and social management

plan.

2. LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK

A desk study was carried out by the study team to assess and prepare the most applicable legal and

administrative framework to the proposed project. The assessment has taken into consideration, both

the potential Iraqi environmental laws and those policies and procedures of the World Bank related

to the subject project.

Iraqi Environmental Laws

Regulations no. 2 for the year 2001: Preservation of Water Resources

Law no. 27 for the year 2009: Protection and Improvement of Environment

Law no. 37 for the year 2008: The Ministry of Environment

Law no. 55 for the year 2002: The Law of Antiquities and Heritage

World Bank's Policies and Procedures

The World Bank has 10 current Operational Policies and Procedures:

- Pest Management (OP/BP 4.09)

- Environmental Assessment (OP/BP 4.01)

- Natural Habitats (OP/BP 4.04)

- Safety of Dams (OP/BP 4.37)

- Projects on International Waterways (OP/BP 7.50)

- Projects in Disputed Areas (OP/BP 7.60)

- Forests (OP/BP 4.36)

- Involuntary Resettlement (OP/BP 4.12)


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY


- Indigenous Peoples (OP/BP 4.10)

- Physical Cultural Resources (OP/BP 4.11)

The policies that apply and are triggered for this project are:

- Environmental Assessment (OP/BP 4.01).

- Involuntary Resettlement (OP/BP 4.12).

3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

One of the Components proposed under the Iraq Transport Corridors Project is the rehabilitation of

Sections 7, 8 and 9 of Expressway No. 1 (See Table 1). The investments under this Component will

cover the installation of guardrails, signage, road marking, chain link fence and patching and paving

as needed along the 3 sections. However, it was agreed that the World Bank Safeguard Policies will

apply to all other sections to be rehabilitated in parallel irrespective of the source of funding;

therefore they are included in this ESIA. Table I gives the details of all sections of Expressway I to

be rehabilitated. All the project activities are within the right of way of existing road alignments and

there is no land acquisition involved of any kind.

Table I: Expressway 1 Sections

Section Part Length [km]

R4: Baghdad West – Hilla Southern 105

R5: Hilla – Diwaniya Southern 77

R6: Diwaniya-Nasiria Southern 145

R7: Nasiria – Rumaila Southern 145

R8A: Rumaila – Basra

R8B: Rumaila – Safwan

Southern

Southern

31

81

R9A: Baghdad West – Habbaniya

R9B: Habbaniya – Hit

Western

Western

63

61

R10: Hit – Tullaha Western 134

R11: Tullaha – Rutba Western 137

R12: Rutba - Jordanian border Western 129

R13: Jordanian junction-Syrian border Western 76

The Expressway is more than twenty years old. The length of the Southern Part of the road (from

Baghdad to Safwan-Basra interchange) is about 510 km of 3x3 lanes with standing lane (15.5m

width), then the road splits into a 51 km 2X2 lane heading to Basra, and 64 km 2X2 lane heading to

Safwan. The southern part includes a section from Diwaniya to Nasiriya (R6) that is 145 km long

and under construction with funding from the Government of Iraq. There is no ESIA and ESMP

done for this section, it has been in construction on and off for several years.

The Government of Iraq has committed to applying the World Bank Safeguards Policies to the

entire Expressway 1. This includes the segments of Expressway 1 that are not supported by the

World Bank and under rehabilitation or construction. As such the environmental and social due


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY


diligence of these road segments will include the preparation of environmental audits and

resettlement audits prior to the end of the appraisal period of the World Bank funded road segments.

These environmental and social audits will assess the non-Bank funded road segments compliance

with the safeguards policies, identify any gaps in terms of environmental and social management

and develop corrective action plans, if needed.

Whereas, the Western Part of the road starting from Bagdad to Rutbah is a 455 km 3X3 lane with

standing lane (15.5m width), splitting into two 2X2 lane roads, from Rutbah to Tribel ( Jordanian

Border), and Rutbah to Al Walid ( Syrian Border). Figure A below shows the Expressway path

(both western and southern). The expressway passes through several governorates of Iraq such as Al

Anbar, Baghdad, Babel, Al Qadisiya, Al Muthanna, Dhi Qar and Basra.

The existing features of Expressway No. 1 include:

Length (including interchanges length): 1250 km

6-lane sections: 800 km (except for the Diwaniya – Nasiriya section that is currently under

construction)

4-lane sections: 450 km

Number of interchanges: 25

Number of expressway branches: 3

80 expressway bridges with total length: 9230 m

117 road overpasses with total length: 6820 m

Number of rest areas with fuel station: 18

Number of parking areas: 200


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY


Figure A: Map of Iraq showing the path of Expressway No. 1

The proposed Project works will include the following road maintenance/rehabilitation type of

activities:

Road marking

Installation of guardrails between both sides and on sides where necessary

Installation of signs and road furniture

Installation of a chain link fence on both sides of the road

Rehabilitation of the asphalt as needed

Other rehabilitation works as determined necessary by the technical assessment

4. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL BASELINE CONDITIONS

The expressway spans most of the western, central and southern territories of Iraq. It crosses flat

land, primarily desert and semi-desert. The western section of the road crosses sparsely populated

area; the central and southern part crosses more densely populated agricultural land. Most of the

expressway passes through agricultural land within 6 governorates and 17 population centres. The

total population of the urban centres affected by the project is approximately 5.6 million inhabitants.

The present road conditions ranges from good to moderate. There is effectively no road signage and

road furniture. Lighting is available on very limited stretches. There is no currently fence on either

side or in the middle of the expressway as major parts of the fences have been demolished by the


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY


occupation forces and others by inhabitants.

The western section of the expressway crosses Mesopotamian shrub desert, while the southern

section crosses the Arabian Desert and shrublands. The most southern section of the road runs

parallel to the Tigris-Euphrates Alluvial Salt Marshes. The road is occasionally crossed by wild

mammals as there is currently no fencing. The road passes 2km from the boundary of the Important

Bird Area (IBA) of Habbaniya.

The land use along expressway consists of sparsely populated or exploited plains, agricultural lands,

and some urbanized areas. The predominant land use is agriculture. Some sections of the

expressway are close to protected ecosystems, in particular areas designated as IBAs by the World

Wildlife Fund and Birdlife International. Prominent among these IBAs in terms of birds and

diversity of species is the Haur Al-Hammar critical wetlands. Industrial land use is rare or almost

non-existent. The establishments are mainly public administration (governorate offices, formal army

and police posts); farms; shops and services; licensed retail including small kiosks and restaurants;

and small and informal businesses and vendors that sometimes encroach on the ROW (tire shops,

car washers etc.).

Considerable encroachment on the Expressway ROW has occurred over the years. An inventory of

the encroaching entities was undertaken in August 2012 and was augmented in June, 2013. These

inventories informed the Baseline Census conducted for the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) which

identifies PAPs adversely affected by the project and details mitigation and compensation measures.

The RAP Baseline Census identified 151 entities encroached on the Expressway ROW. None of

these were dwellings. Almost all are small businesses serving passing traffic, some of which appear

to operate only on a seasonal basis. Twenty six of the entities are public, including police stations,

check points and other public services such as fuel stations. Hence, a total of 125 entities

encroached on the Expressway will need to be relocated. Relocation of these entities will be

handled under the RAP.

No site specific Environmental data along the road alignment have been collected but monitoring

data collected by the Ministry of Environment from Bagdad and Al-Zubair stations have been

presented. The noise levels are elevated when heavy trucks are located.

5. PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS

Extensive public consultations were undertaken along the full length of the alignment and with a

wide array of stakeholders including, public sector officials at the community and local government

level; owners and workers in licenced establishments operating along the roadway including gas

stations, restaurants, shops, vehicle workshops, and vendors; operators of unlicensed and

encroaching entities (larger- and smaller-scale) along the Expressway including tire repair shops,

vendors, food services, etc.; farmers and herders; and individual community members, including

.men, women and youth.

Public consultations occurred through two modes. One method used was one-on-one or small group

discussions and interviews. Annex 1 lists the 25 points along the Expressway where these

interviews were held. The second method of consultation was via larger town hall-type meetings.

Two such meetings were held, one towards the western end of the Expressway and one towards the

eastern end. Direct and open invitations were issued to these meetings and transportation to the

venues were facilitated for those wishing to participate. Over 60 participants participated in each of


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY


the town halls.

Annex 2 contains detailed information about the town hall consultations.

The consultations revealed that there was widespread support for the improvement and upgrading of

Expressway 1. PAPs acknowledged the danger presented to both travellers and roadside entities by

the poor road quality and fast moving traffic. PAPs were also strongly supportive of the proposed

relocation of roadside business entities to conglomerates on lay-bys which would have new services

and be clustered around gas stations; they felt that this would significantly improve their business

opportunities, plus it would provide them with access to new, important facilities such as WCs and

waste disposal. No concerns were expressed about movement of facilities to the new lay-bys or to

daily travel to the new lay-by sites since the relocation sites will be in close proximity to their

existing concerns and will, in many cases, assist the entities in improving the standard of their

structures. PAPs working in smaller, unlicensed concerns which have encroached on the ROW were

very supportive of the relocation since their facilities would be upgraded and they would be

allocated a formal site on which to operate. Stakeholders were also very supportive of road work

opportunities being provided to local residents given the prevailing high unemployment rate.

The consultations highlighted a number of concerns and interests of PAPs which are being acted

upon by the MOCH. These included: the need for establishment of formal parking areas adjacent to

the new lay-bys for vehicles, and particularly freight trucks, to ensure order and safety; the

relocation of police and security centres along the Expressway as their current inappropriate

locations are widely considered to cause accidents; provision of lighting at the lay-bys for security

and safety; provision of adequate numbers of overpasses to serve community members who need to

cross the road; rehabilitation of underpasses for agricultural and herding enterprises along the road;

reduce the opportunities for vehicles to make u-turns since this is causing accidents; and need for

improved signage and traffic control (including for speeding) on the road.

6. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ANALYSIS

The environmental and social impact assessment started with the scoping analysis where the key

potential impacts were identified followed by more details impact analysis. The negative

environmental and social impacts of the construction activities of the project are expected to be

relatively minor and short-term. None of the identified negative impacts of individual construction

activities was scored as particularly significant.

The project activities with the highest number of identified negative impacts are:

- relocation of small businesses which have encroached on the ROW;

- traffic diversion and construction of access points;

- installation of fence on both sides of the road;

- restoration of road surface;

- rehabilitation of bridges and underpasses;

- generation and disposal of construction waste; and

- operation of the workers camps.

Predicted negative environmental impacts:

Physical aspects mostly affected by the construction phase are: noise level and air quality.


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY


The most sensitive physical and ecological aspects of the receiving environment are found to

be noise emission and ecosystem fragmentation.

The ecological aspects mostly affected by the construction phase include impacts of fencing

and rehabilitation (resulting in very temporary closures) of underpasses on grassland and

desert ecosystems.

The potential impact that might affect the IBA is noise during the construction activities.

However, the distance to the IBA is sufficient to render the noise impact minor. Thus, the

impact level is considered “low”.

Predicted negative social impacts:

Negative social impacts of the construction phase of the project are related primarily to

relocation of small businesses which have encroached on the ROW, road and labour safety,

and operation of the labour camps.

The social aspects related to encroachers on the ROW will be addressed through the

implementation of a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP).

The relocation of small businesses on the ROW is planned to be undertaken only after

completion of alternative dedicated lay-bys which will provide vending areas, easy access

for passing traffic with parking, and provision of basic services. The provision of completed

lay-bys before relocation is being done to minimize livelihood losses by small businesses

during the actual relocation.

The most sensitive social aspects of the project are: relocation of small business located on

the ROW, provision of local employment on the road works, maintenance of integrity of the

local community, and clearing of the existing underpasses for farmers and farm equipment,

herders and livestock, and other persons to facilitate easy access from one side of the

Expressway to the other.

Predicted combined negative impacts:

The most significant negative impacts – which are still of relatively minor significant –

resulting from the combination of impact significance, weight of the construction activities,

and sensitivity of the receiving environment and social context are: impact of road fencing

on agricultural activities spread across both sides of the Expressway, relocation of small

businesses encroaching on the ROW, impact of road resurfacing on noise levels, and impacts

of labour camps operation on the integrity of the local communities.

Predicted positive impacts:

The single positive impacts of the project construction phase relate primarily to generation

of local employment.

The most significant positive impacts of the construction phase of the project resulting from

the combined effect of impact significance, weight of the construction activities, and

sensitivity of the receiving environment and social context are: the safety impacts of road


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY


fencing and safety barriers, the positive effects of improved signage and road furniture, the

improved, dedicated, and much safer facilities provided for small businesses originally

located on the ROW, road resurfacing and labour camps on local employment; the labour

opportunities created by road rehabilitation works.

The short-term, negative impacts of the construction phase will be offset by long term

positive impacts after completion of the works, including from relocation of small

businesses encroaching on the ROW.

One of the positive impacts of the project during operation is improved road safety due to

the installation of side and median guardrails, signs and road furniture, installation of fence

on both sides of the road, and provision of dedicated vendor lay-bys off the ROW. All these

features are protective measures and will reduce the projected number of fatalities and

injuries despite the growth in traffic and increase in vehicle operating speed.

7. MITIGATION MEASURES

The mitigation section addressed the key environmental and social impacts identified. The key

mitigation measures for the construction phase of the project include:

Avoid noisy operations at the night.

Minimise noisy operations in road sections that are located close to the IBAs. In such sections noise machines should be replaced by manual workers wherever practicable.

Apply road watering during construction works and after heavy movements.

Maintain vehicles and machinery in good condition in order to minimize gas emissions and noise.

Avoid bitumen melting activities in open spaces.

Ensure that construction preparations are located away from populated areas.

Confining vehicle maintenance and refuelling to areas in construction camps designed to contain spilled lubricants and fuels.

Animal crossing structures should be regularly maintained to avoid closure.

Monitoring and maintaining paths and underpasses to ensure safety and ease of movement

for wildlife and livestock.

Minimizing waste generation.

General waste must be collected and transported to local council approved disposal sites.

Refuse containers must be located at each worksite.

Where practical, waste must be segregated and reused / recycled (e.g. scrap metal).

Provision of alternative, safer, dedicated lay-bys for small businesses currently encroaching

on the ROW and, as necessary, compensation for any losses in income/livelihoods incurred

during the relocation (although measures are planned to minimize the chances of any such

losses occurring).


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY


Clearing of underpasses to accommodate movement of farmers and farming equipment,

herders and livestock, and other persons from one side of the Expressway to the other.

Personal protection equipment such as eyeglasses, gloves, hard heads and safety belts must

be supplied.

Road maintenance is associated with relatively minor negative impacts, most of which are of a

temporary nature and can be alleviated with good practice. Contractors are responsible for adhering

to these mitigation measures and implementing them throughout the duration of their contracts. The

relocation of vendors and small businesses currently located on the ROW is the responsibility of the

Government.

8. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (ESMP)

The following table summarizes the expected impacts, their mitigation measures, monitoring plan,

and the responsible authority to follow up the action plan for each monitoring activity.

The measures in the ESMP are based on the assessment of potential impacts as stated in this ESIA

document and are summarized in the Table A and Table B below. Majority of the cost of

implementing the ESMP will be integrated into the contactor’s cost for each section; however the

project envisages that about US$ 7,152,900 will be needed to cover the following: ESMP

construction phase; monitoring (construction and operation phases) and capacity building and

institutional aspects of the ESMP.

9. MONITORING & INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING

The monitoring activities will ensure the proper implementation of the environmental and social

mitigation measures. The monitoring program will focus on noise impact and air quality, water

quality, and relocation and re-establishment of small businesses and vendors within the project area.

The monitoring activities will rely on the supervising consultant of all environmental and social

impacts to determine contractor and government entity compliance or otherwise with the ESMP.

The consultant will monitor the application of environmental and social mitigation measures and the

result of monitoring activities shall be reflected on the monthly report. See Tables C, D & E.

Institutional strengthening and Training Implantation are presented in Table F.


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY


Table A: ESMP during the Construction Phase

Project

Activity

Potential

Environmental

and Social

Impacts

Proposed Mitigation

Measures

Frequency

of

Measurement

Institutional

Responsibilities

(Incl. Enforcement &

Coordination)

Cost

Estimates

Comments

(E.G.

Secondary

Impacts)

Traffic Diversion And

Construction Site Access

Points

* Air Quality And

Noise

* Reduce Working Night Shifts

As Much As Possible In

Populated Areas.

* Apply The Iraqi Regulation For

Ambient Noise Levels During

This Phase As A Major Tool In

Designing The Construction

Activities Schedule.

*Apply Road Watering After

Heavy Movements

Continuous

Weekly

* The Project

Contractor

In Coordination

With The

Supervision

Consultant.

* MoCH in close

coordination with

MoI

*Included

Within

Contractor's

Fees

*This will be

incorporated

in the lump

sum of

$150,000 for

air quality

monitoring

Road and labour

safety

* Use Personal Protective Gear

by workers, and make first aid

available onsite.

*provide warning signs at

suitable distance around

working areas

*Continuous

during

construction

* The Project

Contractor

in coordination with

the Supervision

Consultant / TBD

*Included

within

contractor's

fees

Relocation of small businesses

encroaching on ROW

Economic loss and

hardship

* Establishment of dedicated rest

areas outside the ROW with

services provided. Completion

of rest areas will be done

before relocation of small

businesses to minimize loss of

income during relocation.

* Compensation will be provided

for loss of income resulting

from relocation

Once for each

road segment MoCH/SCRP

US$

6,192,900

for the whole

road


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY


Project

Activity

Potential

Environmental

and Social

Impacts

Proposed Mitigation

Measures

Frequency

of

Measurement

Institutional

Responsibilities


Coordination)

Cost

Estimates

Comments

(E.G.

Secondary

Impacts)

Installation of side, median

guardrails and fence on both

sides of the road

* Grassland and

desert ecosystems

* Mapping of home range of wild

life to enable establishment of

baseline and select locations

for underpasses

*Periodic cleaning and

maintenance of service culverts

used for wildlife passage

* Re-cultivating affected

vegetations to the extent

possible

* Final design

documents

* After

construction

* The Project

Contractor


the Supervising

Consultant / TBD

* Included

within

contractor's fees

* Varies with

sub-projects

depending on

its

characteristic

Relocation

after

completion

of work

Relocation of small

businesses

Provide access road to the new

rest areas

Once at the

beginning of

the project

MoCH/SCRP Included within

contractors fee

Delivery of construction

materials

Air Quality and

Noise

* Covering of delivered

materials.

* Proper storage of construction

materials

* Avoid noisy operations at night

* Apply road watering after

heavy movements

Continuous

during

construction

* The Project

Contractor


the Supervising

Consultant / TBD

* Included

within

contractor's

fees

Very short

term

Road and labour

safety

*Limit speed of the vehicles

*Avoid working near populated

centres

*Proper warning system within

delivery sites

*Provide Personal safety devices

for workers

Continuous

during

construction

The Project

Contractor


the Supervising

Consultant / TBD

Included within

contractor's fees


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY


Project

Activity

Potential

Environmental

and Social

Impacts

Proposed Mitigation

Measures

Frequency

of

Measurement

Institutional

Responsibilities


Coordination)

Cost

Estimates

Comments

(E.G.

Secondary

Impacts)

Restoration of road surface

(including current paving of

the Diwaniya-Nasiriya section)

Air Quality and

Noise

*Avoid bitumen melting

activities in open spaces

*Ensure that construction

preparations are located away

from populated areas

*Maintain vehicles and

machinery in good condition in

order to minimize gas

emissions and noise

Continuous

during

construction

The Project

Contractor


the Supervising

Consultant / TBD

Included within

contractor's fees

Cumulative

Impacts

Road and Labour

safety

*Limit speed of the vehicles

*Proper warning system within

delivery sites

*Provide Personal safety devices

for workers

Rehabilitation of bridges and

Underpasses

Noise Level

*Avoid working at night

*Maintain vehicles and

machinery in good condition in

order to minimize gas

emissions and noise

Continuous

during

construction

The Project

Contractor


the Supervising

Consultant / TBD

Included within

contractor's fees

Long term

positive

Grassland / desert

Eco System

*Mapping of home range of wild

life to enable establishment of

baseline and select locations

for underpasses

*Periodic cleaning and

maintenance of service culverts

used for wildlife passage

* Ensure crossing structures

located appropriately to

minimize movement barrier

effect. Suitable habitats are

Quarterly

The Project

Contractor


the Supervising

Consultant / TBD

Included within

contractor's fees


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY


Project

Activity

Potential

Environmental

and Social

Impacts

Proposed Mitigation

Measures

Frequency

of

Measurement

Institutional

Responsibilities


Coordination)

Cost

Estimates

Comments

(E.G.

Secondary

Impacts)

covered by associated

vegetation cover and where

crossed by the fenced road

should be connected via

crossing structures to ensure

habitat continuity

*Ensure underpasses are cleared

to facilitate movement of

farmers, herders, and other

persons needing ready access to

the other side of the Expressway.

* Re-cultivating affected

vegetations to the extent

possible

Road and labour

Safety

* Limit speed of the vehicles

* Proper warning system within

delivery sites

* Provide Personal safety devices

for workers

Continuous

during

construction

The Project

Contractor


the Supervising

Consultant / TBD

Included within

contractor's fees

Generation and disposal of

construction wastes

Agricultural soil

Confining vehicle maintenance and refuelling

to areas in construction

camps designed to contain

spilled lubricants and fuels,

- Using special containers with complete labelling,

- Using second containment tanks for oil

collection and handling,

Collecting, storing and

Continuous

during

construction

The Project

Contractor


the Supervising

Consultant / TBD

Included within

contractor's fees

Assume

good

Practice * Air Quality and

Noise

* Landscape value


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY


Project

Activity

Potential

Environmental

and Social

Impacts

Proposed Mitigation

Measures

Frequency

of

Measurement

Institutional

Responsibilities


Coordination)

Cost

Estimates

Comments

(E.G.

Secondary

Impacts)

disposing to approved

disposal sites, according to

MOE requirements, and,

To the extent possible, reusing, recycling and

properly disposing of all

construction materials

Collecting rehabilitation material and transferring it to

a licensed dumping site. It is

recommended managing the

rehabilitation materials for

further utilization in the road

construction.

Labour camps

Agricultural soil Avoid camp construction over

agricultural land

Once / before

construction

The Project Contractor

in coordination with the

Supervising Consultant /

TBD

Included within

contractor's fees

Location

specific Landscape value

Avoid waste disposal in

unspecified areas Continuous




TBD

Included within

contractor's fees

Integrity of the

Local Community

Ensure local employment and

ensure labour camps are not

located inside communities

Continuous




TBD

Included within

contractor's fees

Combined Activities Noise

Avoid noisy parallel construction

activities, especially near to IBA.

Replace noise equipment by

manual work near IBAs.

Continuous




TBD

Included within

contractor's fees


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY


Table B: ESMP during Maintenance Phase

Project

Activity

Potential Environmental

and Social Impacts

Proposed Mitigation

Measures

Frequency

of

Measurement

Institutional

Responsibilities

(incl. enforcement

& coordination)

Cost

Estimates

Comments

(e.g.

secondary

impacts)

Road Marking

Road Safety

Air Quality and Noise

Waste Management

Use proper warning signs at

suitable distance

during

maintenance

MoCH

As needed /

per unit

Only in

maintenance

areas

Maintenance of side and

median guardrails Avoid working at night

during

maintenance

Repair of fence Proper collection of waste in

working areas.

during

maintenance

Maintenance of road surface Avoid bitumen melting activities

in open spaces

during

maintenance

Maintenance of bridges and

cleaning of underpasses

Regular Cleaning of underpasses

and culverts Winter season

Maintenance of service areas

for relocated small businesses Waste Management

Periodic cleaning and

maintaining services areas Quarterly

Municipality As needed

Only in lay-

bys


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY


Table C: Monitoring During Construction

Parameters

To Be

Monitored

Proposed

Mitigation

Measure

Location

Measurements

(Incl. Methods &

Equipment)

Frequency

Of

Measurement

Responsibilities

(Incl. Review And

Reporting)

Cost Of

(Equipment &

Individuals)

Air Quality

* Concentrations of

Particulate Matter (PM10,

PM2.5), NOx, SOx, and

VOCs

* Apply (spray) water to

the construction surface

and other piled

materials such as sand

as much as needed.

* Perform periodical

check and maintenance

for the construction

machinery

* Monitor/measure

concentrations of

particulate matter

Along the Road,

especially near

intersections with

population

centres

In cities and

governorates with

fixed and mobile

air quality

monitoring

stations close to

the expressway 1

* Site inspection

* Measuring

concentrations of

air pollutants using

monitoring

equipment and

appropriate

monitoring methods

Daily

Weekly

* Included in

Contractors

offer

*Contractor/Supervising

Consultant in

coordination with

dedicated engineer

* MocH/MOE staff

using existing fixed and

mobile air quality

stations

*Third party

monitoring

by trained

MOE staff.

Cost: Lump

sum of

$ 150,000 to

cover

allowances,

transport and

equipment

maintenance

and

calibration

Noise Level

* Hearing

* Reduce working night

shifts as much as

possible in populated

areas.

* Apply the Iraqi

Regulation for ambient

noise levels during this

phase as a major tool in

designing the

construction activities

schedule.

Along the Road,

especially near

intersections with

population

centres

* Site inspection

* Measuring of noise

levels using

monitoring

equipment and

appropriate

monitoring methods

Daily

* Contractor

* Included in

Contractors

offer

*Supervising

Consultant / TBD in

coordination with

dedicated engineer

*Equivalent of

one full time

environmenta

l monitoring

specialist

who shall


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY


Parameters

To Be

Monitored

Proposed

Mitigation

Measure

Location

Measurements

(Incl. Methods &

Equipment)

Frequency

Of

Measurement

Responsibilities

(Incl. Review And

Reporting)

Cost Of

(Equipment &

Individuals)

report to

Supervising

Consultant /

Included in

the rate

above

Biodiversity

Site clearance-vegetation

removal and habitat

disturbance

Good site management

practices to be observed

to ensure minimal

disturbance of habitats

and sites

Along the Road,

especially near

intersections with

population

centres, base

camps and

borrow sites

Site inspection During

construction

* Contractor

* Supervising

Consultant / TBD in

coordination with

dedicated engineer

* Included in

Contractors

offer

Waterways

Contamination of waterways

due to spillages and disposal

of liquid wastes

Maintenance of well-kept

construction site and no

discharge of effluents into

waterways

Waterways/water

bodies close to

work sites and

base camp

Visual inspection During

construction

* Contractor

* Supervising

Consultant / TBD in

coordination with

dedicated engineer

* Included in

Contractors

offer

Drainage System

* Readiness of ditches and

culverts for rainy season

* Periodic cleaning and

maintenance of ditches

and culverts

* Periodic inspection for

solid waste disposal in

culverts

culverts across

the road

* Site inspection

* Enforcing waste

disposal regulations

During

construction

* Contractor

* Supervising

Consultant / TBD in

coordination with

dedicated engineer

*Included in

Contractors

offer

* equivalent of

one full time

environmental

monitoring

engineer /

specialist who

shall

coordinate

and report to


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY


Parameters

To Be

Monitored

Proposed

Mitigation

Measure

Location

Measurements

(Incl. Methods &

Equipment)

Frequency

Of

Measurement

Responsibilities

(Incl. Review And

Reporting)

Cost Of

(Equipment &

Individuals)

Supervising

Consultant /

Included in

the rate above

Relocation of small

businesses currently located

on ROW

Relocation to new

designated lay-bys

provided with services

and off the ROW

Near intersections

and overpasses

Site Inspection and

interviews;

Grievance redress

mechanism and ex-

post relocation audit

During

construction MoCH/SCRB

Included in

contractor’s

offer


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY


Table D: Monitoring during Maintenance

Parameters

To Be

Monitored

Proposed

Mitigation

Measure

Location

Measurements

(Incl. Methods &

Equipment)

Frequency

Of

Measurement

Responsibilities

(Incl. Review And

Reporting)

Cost Of

(Equipment

&

Individuals)

Air Quality

* Apply (spray) water to

the construction surface

as needed.

* Perform periodical check

and maintenance for the

construction machinery

* Monitor/measure

concentrations of

particulate matter

Along the

maintained section

of the road

especially near

population centres

In Cities and

governorates with

fixed and portable

air quality

monitoring

stations close to

expressway 1

* Visual Site

inspection

*periodic check

During

maintenance

Weekly

* MoCH/MOE staff

using existing fixed

and mobile air

quality stations

* MoCH

staff and

equipment

* Lump sum

of

$250,000

to cover

allowances

, transport

and

equipment

maintenan

ce and

calibration

Noise Level

* No night shifts as much

as possible in populated

areas.

Along the

maintained section

of the road

especially near

population centres

* Site inspection

During

maintenance

* MoCH

* MoCH

staff and

equipment

Biodiversity

* Good site management

practices to be observed

Along the Road, in

particular near

intersections with

population centres,

base camps and

borrow sites

* Site inspection During

maintenance

* MoCH * MoCH

staff and

equipment


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY


Waterways

* No discharge of used

oils/effluents into

waterways

Waterways/water

bodies close to

work sites and

base camp

* Site inspection During

maintenance

* MoCH * MoCH

staff and

equipment

Drainage System

* Periodic cleaning and

maintenance of ditches and

culverts

* Periodic inspection for

solid waste disposal in

culverts

culverts across the

road

* Site inspection

* Enforcing waste

disposal regulations

During

maintenance

* MoCH

* MoCH

staff and

equipment

Maintenance of new vendor

lay-bys and associated

services

Periodic maintenance and

waste management New lay-bys Visual inspection Quarterly Municipality

Municipality

staff and

equipment


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY


Table E: Scheduling and Reporting

Activity

Year 1 Year 2 Subsequent years

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

Mitigation Measure

Air Quality

Noise Level

Waterways

Biodiversity

Socio-economy

Monitoring

Air Quality

Noise Level

Waterways

Biodiversity

Socio-economy

Institutional Strengthening

Mitigation

Monitoring

Training


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY


Table F: Institutional Strengthening and Training for Implementation

Institutional

Strengthening

Activity

Position(s)

(institutions, contractors, construction

supervision consultant)

Scheduling Responsibilities Cost Estimates

ESIA and

requirements of

OP4.01 and

OP4.12

Project owner (Iraqi Ministry of

Construction and Housing and involved

governorates: Anbar, Babel, Al-

Qadisiya, Al-Muthanna, Dhi-Qar, and

Al-Basra)

Throughout

project

implementation

and first year of

operation

Project owner 5,000 USD for once + 5,000 USD first

year of operation – per governorate

(Total budget is a multiplication for the

6 governorates)

Mitigation Project owner (Iraqi Ministry of


governorates)

Throughout

project

implementation

and operation

Project owner 5,000 USD per year of construction +

5,000 USD per year of operation– per

governorate


6 governorates)

Construction Supervisor Throughout

construction

period

Consultant 5,000 USD per year of construction–

per governorate


6 governorates)

Contractor Throughout

construction

period


per governorate


6 governorates)

Monitoring Project owner (Iraqi Ministry of


governorates)

Throughout

project

implementation

and operation

Project owner 5,000 USD per year of construction +

5,000 USD per year of operation– per

governorate


6 governorates)

Construction Supervisor Throughout

construction

period


per governorate


6 governorates)

Contractor Throughout construction

period

Consultant 5,000 USD per year of construction– per governorate


6 governorates)


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY


Institutional

Strengthening

Activity

Position(s)

(institutions, contractors, construction

supervision consultant)

Scheduling Responsibilities Cost Estimates

Training Participants Types of

Training

Contents Scheduling Cost Estimates

Consultation

sessions -

preparation and

management.

* Staff of the 6 involved governorates:

Anbar, Babel, Al-Qadisiya, Al-

Muthanna, Dhi-Qar, and Al-Basra

* Staff of Iraqi Ministry of Construction

and Housing

* On-the-job

training

workshops

* Preparing for a

consultation session

* Audience

nomination (focus

groups)

* Consultation

communication skills

* Effective

management of

consultation output

During real time

conduction of

scoping session

and public

disclosure session

1,000 USD per

trainee

(Total budget is a

multiplication for

nominated

trainees from the

6 involved

governorates)

* ESIA

Implementation

* ESMP

Implementation

* Staff of the 6 involved governorates:

Anbar, Babel, Al-Qadisiya, Al-

Muthanna, Dhi-Qar, and Al-Basra

* Staff of Iraqi Ministry of Construction

and Housing

* Off-the-job

training

workshops

* Core value of

implementing a ESIA

* Key elements of

ESIA and systematic

approach

* Regulatory

framework and

literature review

* Identifying target

groups and valued

environmental and

social components

* Analyzing impacts

and putting pollution

prevention measures

* Key elements of

environmental and

social management

plans

* Effective monitoring

plan (approaches and

fund resources)

Twice a year

during construction

and operation

35,000 USD to

50,000 USD

depending upon

number of

trainees from the

Ministry and

from the 6

involved

governorates +

venue expenses


Final Revised ESIA Report Consolidated Consultants

FINAL ESIA REPORT (MAIN REPORT)


Final Revised ESIA Report i Consolidated Consultants

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Table of Contents i

List of Tables iv

List of Figures iv

List of Abbreviations vi

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY S-1

1. Introduction S-1

2. Legal and Administrative Framework S-1

3. Project Description S-2

4. Environmental and social baseline conditions S-4

5. Public Consultations S-5

6. Environmental and social impact analysis S-6

7. Mitigation measures S-8

8. Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) S-9

9. Monitoring & Institutional Strengthening S-9

FINAL ESIA REPORT (MAIN REPORT)

1.2 Objectives of the ESIA 1

2.1 Introduction 3

2.2 World Bank's Policies and Procedures 3

2.2.1 Environmental Policies 4

2.2.2 Social Policies 5

2.2.3 Mandatory Bank Procedures 6

2.2.4 WB Safeguard Guidelines 7

2.3 Environmental International and Regional Conventions and Treaties 7

2.4 Iraqi Environmental Laws 9

3.1 Background and Project Rationale 12

3.2 Project Description 12

3.3 Project Works 23


Final Revised ESIA Report ii Consolidated Consultants

3.4 Construction Activities 28

4.1 Project Setting 29

4.2 Land Use 31

4.3 Population Centres 33

4.3.1 Demography 36

4.4 Present conditions of Expressway No. 1 37

4.4.1 Road Condition 37

4.4.2 Safety Devices 39

4.4.3 Water Crossings 41

4.4.4 Structures, Establishments and Commercial Activities along Alignment 41

4.5 Physical Environment 42

4.5.1 Air Quality and Noise 42

4.5.2 Surface Water Resources 44

4.6 Ecological and Biological Resources 46

4.6.1 Biogeography 46

4.6.2 Biodiversity of the Terrestrial Ecosystems along Expressway No. 1 47

4.6.2.2 Arabian Desert and East Saharo-Arabian Xeric Shrublands 50

5.1 Public Consultations Process 55

5.2 Results of consultations carried out along the Expressway No. 1 63

5.3 Results of Public Consultation Sessions 64

5.3.1 Western Consultation Session 64

5.3.2 Southern Consultation Session 65

5.4 Grievance Redress Mechanism 66

6.1 Introduction 67

6.3 Environmental and Social Impacts during the Construction Phase of the Project 70

6.3.1 Introduction 70

6.3.2 Physical Aspects 71

6.3.3 Ecological Aspects 76

6.3.4 Social Aspects 77

6.3.5`Combined impacts of parallel construction activities 82

6.4 Maintenance Phase 83


Final Revised ESIA Report iii Consolidated Consultants


6.4.2 Ecosystem Aspects 84

7.2 Construction Phase 85


7.2.2 Ecological Aspects 87

7.2.3 Social Aspects 87

7.3 Maintenance Phase 89

7.3.1 Physical 89

Introduction 117

1 Western Part: Public Consultation at Al Anbar Governorate-Ramadi 117

1.1 Workshop Participants 117

1.2 Workshop Components and Presentations Outline 117

1.3 Summary of Session Findings 119

2 Southern Part: Public Consultation held in Babel Governorate 119

2.1 Workshop Participants 120

2.2 Workshop Components and Presentations Outline 120

2.3 Summery of Session Findings 121

Annex 3 – Full Inventory 112

Annex 4 – Proposed Lay-bys for PAPs along Expressway No.1 263


Final Revised ESIA Report iv Consolidated Consultants

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Summary of the relevant World Bank Safeguard Policies ..................................................... 7 Table 2: Existing Iraqi Environment-related Legislation ................................................................... 10 Table 3: Recent Iraqi Environmental legislation ................................................................................ 11 Table 4: Location of Main Cities along the Expressway and Relevant Distances ............................. 14 Table 5: The Expressway No.1 Contract Documents and its Updates ............................................... 23 Table 6: Carriageway Marking Quantities ......................................................................................... 24 Table 7: Interchanges Ramps Marking Quantities ............................................................................. 25 Table 8: Access Roads Marking Quantities ....................................................................................... 26 Table 9: Guardrails Quantities Estimation ......................................................................................... 27 Table 10: Fencing Quantities Estimation ........................................................................................... 27 Table 11: Area of Land Use ............................................................................................................... 33 Table 12: Population Information over Governorate ......................................................................... 34 Table 13: Relative Distances and Population of Localities in the Project Area ................................. 34 Table 14: Age group Distribution ...................................................................................................... 36 Table 15: Family Sizes According to Districts................................................................................... 36 Table 16: TSP Data- Baghdad 3 Stations (2009) ............................................................................... 42 Table 17: TSP Data - Al-Basra (2009) ............................................................................................... 43 Table 18: Air Quality Data collected from Al-Basra Station ............................................................. 43 Table 19Air Quality Data from Al-Zubair Station ............................................................................. 44 Table 20: Survey and Consultation Points along the Road ................................................................ 56 Table 21: Impact Scoping Matrix for the Construction Phase of the Expressway No. 1 ................... 69 Table 22 USEPA Emission Factors for Construction Works ............................................................. 72 Table 23 Cut and Cut and Filling Volume during Construction ........................................................ 72 Table 24 Daily traffic volumes: 2012 and 2032 (prediction) - Vehicle/Day...................................... 73 Table 25: Total vehicular emissions from Expressway No. 1 according to the HDM-IV - model. (Tonnes over

2013 -2034 period) ..................................................................................................................... 75 Table 26: Expected Numbers of Employment during Construction .................................................. 81 Table 27: ESMP for Construction Phase ............................................................................................ 91 Table 28: ESMP for Maintenance Phase ............................................................................................ 96 Table 29 : Environmental and Social Management Plan Cost Estimate ............................................ 98 Table 30: Monitoring Plan during Construction ................................................................................ 99 Table 31: Monitoring Plan during Maintenance .............................................................................. 102 Table 32: Institutional Strengthening and Training for Implementation .......................................... 104 Table 33: Scheduling and Reporting ................................................................................................ 107

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Map of Iraq showing the path of Expressway No. 1 ........................................................... 13

Figure 2: Al Anbar Governorate - Ar Rutba ...................................................................................... 15

Figure 3: Al Anbar Governorate - Ramadi ......................................................................................... 16

Figure 4: Al Anbar Governorate - Fallujah ........................................................................................ 17

Figure 5: Baghdad Governorate - Abu Ghraib ................................................................................... 18

Figure 6: Babylon Governorate - Hillah ............................................................................................. 19

Figure 7: Al Qadisiyyah Governorate - Al Diwaniyah ...................................................................... 20


Final Revised ESIA Report v Consolidated Consultants

Figure 8: Dhi Qar Governorate - Nasiriyah ........................................................................................ 21

Figure 9: Basra Governorate – Basra ................................................................................................. 22

Figure 10: Topography of Iraq ........................................................................................................... 29

Figure 11: Historical image of an overpass bridge of the newly build Expressway No. 1. ............... 30

Figure 12: Historical image of the newly built Expressway No.1 ..................................................... 30

Figure 13: Mapping Vegetation Cover Percentages ........................................................................... 31

Figure 14: Distribution of Land Use (part I) ...................................................................................... 32

Figure 15: Distribution of Land Use (part II) ..................................................................................... 33

Figure 16: Distribution of Population Centres along the Road .......................................................... 33

Figure 17: Age Distribution ............................................................................................................... 36

Figure 18: Road Conditions ............................................................................................................... 38

Figure 19: Missing Single Guardrails ................................................................................................ 39

Figure 20: Missing Double Guardrails ............................................................................................... 39

Figure 21: Missing Fence and Ordinary Post ..................................................................................... 40

Figure 22: Missing Fence ................................................................................................................... 40

Figure 23: Expressway Crossing Waterways ..................................................................................... 41

Figure 24: Expressway Intersection with Euphrates River near Ramadi ........................................... 45

Figure 25: Expressway Intersection with Irrigation Channel near Diwaniyah .................................. 45

Figure 26: Expressway Intersection with Euphrates River near Nasiriyah ........................................ 46

Figure 27: Terrestrial Ecoregions recognized in Iraq ......................................................................... 47

Figure 28: Consultation Points (1-23) ................................................................................................ 59

Figure 29: Consultation points (24 – 35) ............................................................................................ 60




Figure 33: Consultation Points (75-86) .............................................................................................. 62

Figure 34: Consultation with owners of affected People ................................................................... 62

Figure 35: Buildings, shops and services along the Expressway ....................................................... 63

Figure 36: Entities along the Iraq Expressway 1 ................................................................................ 78






Figure 42: Sample pictures during Consultation session at Al Ramadi ........................................... 118

Figure 43: Sample pictures during Consultation session at Babel ................................................... 121


Final Revised ESIA Report vi Consolidated Consultants

List of Abbreviations

ESIA Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Study

BP Bank Policy Bank Procedure

CC Consolidated Consultants Engineering and Environment

ESCWA Economic Commission for Western Asia

EC European Countries

IBAs Important Birds Areas

IPM Integrated Pest Management

IFC International Finance Corporation

MoCH Ministry of Construction and Housing

MoE Ministry of Environment

MoI Ministry of Interior

NGOs Non Governmental Organization

NA Not Available

OP Operational Policy

PM Particulate matter

PCR Physical Cultural Resources

PPAH Pollution Prevention and Abatement Handbook

ROW Right of Way

TOR Terms of Reference

TSP Total Suspended Particulates

USD United States Dollars

USA United States of America

WB Word Bank

WHO World Health Organization


Final Revised ESIA Report 1 Consolidated Consultants

1. INTRODUCTION

Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) is a process where the potential future

environmental and social consequences of a proposed project or undertaking are identified and

mitigated before irrevocable decisions are made. A well-constructed ESIA provides the basis for

responsible corporate decision-making that is forward-looking and globally participatory. Potential

issues are identified as early in the process as possible and solutions are developed to maximize

project benefit while minimizing both front-end and downstream to avoid, minimize, and/or mitigate

negative impacts.

Consolidated Consultants Engineering and Environment (CC) services have been retained for the

preparation of Terms of References (TOR) Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for

the rehabilitation of an existing road "Expressway No.1", and a team of experienced practitioners

has been assembled to prepare a high quality TOR and ESIA for the proposed project.

The rehabilitation of the road will include:

1. Road marking.

2. Installation of guardrails between both sides and on sides where necessary.

3. Installation of signs and road furniture.

4. Installation of a chain link fence on both sides of the road.

5. Rehabilitation of the asphalt as needed.

6. Other rehabilitation works as determined necessary by the technical assessment.

This specific project activity is mandated by Iraqi Environmental Law and its guidelines for ESIA

preparation. The Transport Corridors project is categorized as an A, requiring an environmental and

social assessment in accordance with the World Bank's Operational Policy on Environmental

Assessment (OP 4.01) and Involuntary Resettlement Policy (OP4.12).

The Government of Iraq has committed to applying the World Bank Safeguards Policies to the

entire Expressway 1. This includes the segments of Expressway 1 that are not supported by the

World Bank and are under rehabilitation or construction. As such the environmental and social due

diligence of these road segments will include the preparation of environmental audits and

resettlement audits prior to the end of the appraisal period of the World Bank funded road segments.

These environmental and social audits will assess the non-Bank funded road segments compliance

with the safeguards policies, identify any gaps in terms of environmental and social management

and develop corrective action plans, if needed.

1.2 Objectives of the ESIA

The overall purpose is to prepare an ESIA in compliance with the applicable regulations, policies

and guidelines. The specific objectives of the ESIA are:

a. Ensuring that potential significant positive and adverse environmental and social impacts are identified.



b. Capitalize on positive aspects and benefits, mitigate negative impacts and avoid serious and irreversible damage to the environment and people.

c. Prepare environmental and social management and monitoring plan to be abided by the proposed project to help ensure the stated above.

d. Ensuring that environmental and social factors are considered in the decision-making process of the proposed road upgrade including through effective consultation with potentially affected

persons and stakeholders.

e. Where necessary, provide guidelines for Project Design to ensure its fulfillment with the compliance and mitigation measures to help ensure good environmental performance.

f. Informing the public about the proposed project and ensuring effective participation and involvement by all related stakeholders.



2 LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK

A desk study was carried out by the study team to assess and present the most applicable legal and

administrative framework to the proposed project. The study has taken into consideration, both the

potential Iraqi environmental laws and those policies and procedures of the World Bank introduced

in the project's TOR. Additionally, the foreseen legal and administrative framework by the TOR has

been further enriched and narrowed to suit the requirements of the Valued Environmental

Components arose from the public consultation. This chapter aims at providing a register for the

most applicable legal and administrative regulations that mandates and governs the conduction of

ESIA for the proposed project. The register overviews and encompasses the following:

Requirements of the Funding Agency (World Bank Policies and Procedures).

Related Environmental International and Regional Conventions and Treaties.

Laws and Regulations/by-laws for Iraq.

The legal framework described in this chapter spans the whole project cycle:

The planning and design process itself is conducted in accordance with the environmental and social legal and regulatory guidelines.

Design complies with the environmental and social legal and regulatory requirements.

Construction planned in a way to adhere to the requirements.

The ESIA fulfils the requirements in terms of imposed mitigation and environmental social management measures.

The following sections provide a description of the applicable laws and regulations.

2.2 World Bank's Policies and Procedures

The World Bank has 10 current Operational Policies and Procedures:

- Pest Management (OP/BP 4.09)

- Environmental Assessment (OP/BP 4.01)

- Natural Habitats (OP/BP 4.04)

- Safety of Dams (OP/BP 4.37)

- Projects on International Waterways (OP/BP 7.50)

- Projects in Disputed Areas (OP/BP 7.60)

- Forests (OP/BP 4.36)

- Involuntary Resettlement (OP/BP 4.12)

- Indigenous Peoples (OP/BP 4.10)

- Physical Cultural Resources (OP/BP 4.11)



The policies that apply and are triggered for this project are:

- Environmental Assessment (OP/BP 4.01).

- Involuntary Resettlement (OP/BP 4.12).

2.2.1 Environmental Policies

OP/BP 4.01 Environmental Assessment

OP 4.01 is the key Operational Policy describing the environmental assessment procedure. The

Bank requires environmental assessment of projects proposed for Bank financing. The objectives of

the EA are to:

Ensure that projects proposed for Bank financing are environmentally and socially sound and sustainable.

Inform decision makers of the nature of environmental and social risks.

Increase transparency and participation of stakeholders in the decision-making process

Role of Bank and Borrower

Roles of both Bank and Borrowers stated by this operational policy are summarized as follows:

A. Bank:

Screens and sets Environmental Assessment Category

Advises Borrower on the Banks Environmental Assessment requirements

Reviews and determines adequacy of Environmental Assessment reports

Makes report available in Info-shop

Supervises implementation of Environmental Assessment/Environment Management Plan

B. Borrower:

Assists the bank in proper screening

Responsible for carrying out Environmental Assessment under Bank rules and national laws

Consults project-affected groups and local NGOs

Discloses draft/final documents

Responds to Bank and public

Supervises under Bank rules

Ensures compliance under national laws



Environmental Screening

The policy includes a classification for the proposed project into four categories, depending on the

type, location, sensitivity and nature of environmental impacts. The four categories include:

Category A: Significant adverse environmental impacts, board, irreversible, major resettlement or habitat. The subject project is included in this category "New construction or major upgrading

of expressways or rural roads"

Category B: its impacts are less adverse than those of Category A projects

Category C: likely to have minimal or no adverse environmental impacts

Category FI: when it involves investments through a financial intermediary, in subprojects undefined by appraisal with adverse impacts.

OP 4.04 Natural Habitats

The Operational Policy addresses the following main principles:

Safeguarding natural habitats and their biodiversity; avoiding significant conversion or degradation of critical natural habitats

Ensuring sustainability for services and products which natural habitats provide to human society.

2.2.2 Social Policies

OP 4.11 Physical Cultural Resources

This Operational Procedure is regulated by the World Bank to be implemented as an element of the

Environmental Assessment; it is regulated in order to:

Ensure that Physical Cultural Resources (PCR) are identifies and protected in World Bank financed projects

Ensure that National laws governing the protection of physical cultural property are complied with

Ensure that PRC includes archaeological and historical sites, historic urban areas, scared sites, graveyards, burial sites, unique natural values

OP 4.12 Involuntary Resettlement

The World Bank’s Involuntary Resettlement Policy (IRP) Operational Policy (OP) 4.12 requires that

environmental and social impacts of all projects it supports, be mitigated according to operational

polices that spell out the principles and planning methods for mitigation work. The Word Bank’s

IRP applies whenever property must be acquired, or its use modified, for a project, and that

acquisition or modification results in the loss of income, residence or access to resources, either

permanent or temporary and whether the occupation is legal or illegal. Resettlement of project

affected persons (PAPs) in the project site will therefore be carried out in accordance with laws,

regulations and guidelines for Resettlement/Land Acquisition Policy Framework of the Republic of



Iraq and World Bank’s Operational Policy (O.P) 4.12, which has resulted in the preparation of a full

resettlement Action Plan (RAP).

World Bank OP 4.12 highlighted three major principles:

Involuntary resettlement is avoided wherever feasible, or minimized, exploring all viable alternative project designs;

Where it is not feasible to avoid involuntary resettlement, activities are conceived and executed as sustainable development programs. Displaced persons are to be meaningfully

consulted and have opportunities to participate in the planning and implementing of

resettlement programs affecting them; and

Displaced persons are assisted in their efforts to improve their livelihoods and standards of living, or at least to restore them, in real terms, to pre-displacement levels or to levels

prevailing prior to the beginning of project implementation, whichever is higher. The

mechanism of assisting displaced persons is based on full and prior mitigation and

compensation for loss of assets or livelihoods.

OP 4.12 applies whenever, in a Bank-financed project, land is acquired involuntarily or access is

restricted in legally designated parks or protected areas. If resettlement for the project begins before

initial discussions with the Bank and the acquisition of the area is directly linked to the Bank project,

then the substantive aspects of OP 4.12 apply retroactively. In other words, if an area is being

cleared in anticipation of, or preparation for, a project, OP 4.12 would apply.

Grievance redress/ Public Complaints Centre

The Bank requires that RPs specify grievance procedures available to displaced persons (DPs). A

checklist of issues to be considered in design of grievance procedures includes the following:

An inventory of any reliable conflict mediation organizations or procedures in the project area and an assessment to determine if any can be used instead of having to create new ones.

A review of grievance redresses mechanisms for simplicity, accessibility, affordability, and accountability. Good practice is to ensure that DPs can apply orally and in the local language

and to impose explicit time limits for addressing grievances. Appeal procedures need to be

specified, and that information needs to be made available to the DPs.

Any new committee created to address grievances will need to be given the authority to resolve complaints. Such committees normally include representatives of DPs or NGOs, as well as

project officials and staff from other agencies with a substantial role in resettlement activities.

2.2.3 Mandatory Bank Procedures

BP 17.50 Bank Disclosure Policies

This mandatory Bank Procedure (BP) supports decision making through the Borrower and Bank by

allowing the public access to information on environmental and social aspects of projects.

It is mandated by six safeguard policies that have specific requirements for disclosure.



In country: before project appraisal in local language and in English

Wold Bank INFO-Shop: before project appraisal in English (documents can be in draft but must meet World Bank standards)

2.2.4 WB Safeguard Guidelines

Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) General Guidelines

Occupational Health and Safety Guidelines – IFC

Environmental Assessment Sourcebook (and updates)

WB Participation Sourcebook

Electronic Resettlement Guidebook

Safeguard Policy Basics – Redbook

Table 1 summarises the applicable World Bank Safeguard Policies.

Table 1: Summary of the relevant World Bank Safeguard Policies Safeguard Policies

OP/BP 4.01 Environmental Assessment

OP 4.04 Natural Habitats

OP 4.11 Physical Cultural Resources

OP 4.12 Involuntary Resettlement

BP 17.50 Bank Disclosure Policy

WB Safeguard Guidelines

Pollution Prevention and Abatement Handbook – PPAH

Occupational Health and Safety Guidelines – IFC

Environmental Assessment Sourcebook (and updates)

WB Participation Sourcebook

Electronic Resettlement Guidebook

Safeguard Policy Basics – Redbook

2.3 Environmental International and Regional Conventions and Treaties

Basel Convention on the Control of Trans-boundary Movements of Hazardous Waste and

Their Disposal

The convention sets out the baseline guidance towards governing and managing hazardous waste

moving across international boundaries. Applicability of this international convention to the subject



projects emerges from the possibility of affecting the environment through a variety of hazardous

waste materials generated from construction and operational phases. According to the Convention, it

is prohibited by any means the movement/export/import of hazardous waste through a boundary

country, boundary movements. Reduction of hazardous waste generation should be ensured to the

minimum, taking into account social, technological and economic aspects.

With regard to hazardous waste management, countries involved should take practical steps, to the

extent possible, to provide adequate facilitations, for the environmentally sound management of

hazardous waste and other wastes. Furthermore, prevention measures and practical steps should be

ensured by the involved workers while managing wastes and hazardous wastes, this would also

include minimization of consequences affecting human health and environment.

Climate Convention and Kyoto Protocol

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