CHAPTER 4: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
4.2. Commendation on level of detail and reliability of the assessment
4.2.2. Assessment of applied methods and reliability of the assessments
Tools and methods used to assess the environmental impact of this project is currently popular to assess fully, accurately, objectively and scientifically the probable impacts in each stage and for each subject. The accuracy and reliability of this method is very highly.
Establishment of impact matrices
The correlation between the effects of each activity of the project and each environmental problem/environment component is shown on impact matrices, basing on which, the contents of detailed impact research are oriented.
The methodologies are commonly used to orient and determine insufficient data, simultaneously, allow making detailed plan on implementation. Results and effectiveness mainly depend on the whole research team’s experience.
Grid diagram
It is a diagram of combined impacts and consequences in a certain interaction between the effected activities and environmental components, including the secondary and tertiary effects. It is shown in the method the effects with depth (time) and the simple interactions.
Research methodology is used to orient and determine the impacts’ trend. It is very advantages in assessing the long-term consequences. It brings about qualitative results. Its results and effectiveness mainly depend on the experience of the research team.
Rapid assessment
The methods of rapid assessment were issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1993. It is based on the nature of materials, technologies, and regularities of natural processes and experience to determine pollution levels.
It produces limited results in cases of limited figures, data relevant to professions.
In this study, much data on the load of pollutants (exhaust gases, solid waste sewage, etc.) are estimated basing on assumed power and technological characteristics. In the actual operation of the hospital, this is the most changeable data so it can be said that it is difficult to have 100% accurate quantitative data.
Conjecture
The rationale and experience will be based to infer the possible impacts thence consider the project’s impacts on the quality of the environment and ecosystems in the region.
It is a subjective method. Its results mainly depend on the awareness and qualifications of the researchers.
In addition to the above methods, in order to have data for realistic controls, we also refer to the data of environmental observation at the projects of the same scale and conditions.
To obtain accurate data during operation of the project, the Employer shall perform environmental monitoring program, basing on which, he will adjust and supplement the appropriate solutions to control pollution and limit the undesirable environmental impacts 4.2.3. Level of detail of assessments
Environmental impact assessment is performed in compliance with the following sequence:
- To determine and quantify sources of impacts basing on each activity/phase of the project causing impacts.
- To determine the spacious and time scale of the affected subjects.
- To assess impacts on the basis of the scale of impact sources, the spacious and time scale and the sensitivity of the affected subjects.
The assessments of the project’s impacts are quite detailed and specific. And on the basis of the assessments, feasible measures to mitigate adverse impacts, prevent and response to environmental incidents are put forward to the project.
CHAPTER 5: MITIGATION MEASURES OF NEGATIVE IMPACTS, PREVENTION AND RESPONSE TO ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS AND
INCIDENDS
To minimize environmental and social impacts, the project will access to following groups:
- Avoidance: Alternative analysis has been regarded as one of the most important mitigation measures to minimize potential adverse environmental and social impacts.
Minimizing land acquisition and resettlement to the extent possible has also been a key criterion for alignment selection during the feasibility and EIA studies
- Sound Engineering for design and construction: The project has been designed and will be implemented with state-of-the art engineering
- Comprehensive Mitigation plans: The detailed environmental mitigation plan, Compensation and resettlement plan.
These measures will be integrated into the Construction Contractor’s technical criteria of environment supervised by the environmental monitoring team as a part of the process of construction technical monitoring
5.1. General principles
- These mitigation measures may vary and depend on the project location, construction methods as well as the capacity of the participating parties. The mitigation measures including management” and “technical” plan will be taken by the stakeholders.
Basically, the negative impacts can be minimized by:
+ The reasonable construction method that focuses on minimizing the environmental impacts. This type of construction works should be coordinated with the engineering designs of the entire project. A certain amount of the budget is required to pay for this.
+ Implementation of mitigation plans at the construction site. This plan should be prepared by the stakeholders and completed before the construction commencement.
* Design stage
- Change of engineering design.
- Supplement of the construction projects to minimize potential
construction - Taking mitigation measures of environmental impacts
- Taking mitigation measures of environmental impacts
5.2. Mitigation Measures of Environmental and Social Impacts
Mitigation measures of negative impacts during the project phases are divided into 2 basic parts: (1) Typical mitigation measures – ECOPs - for all construction activities of the project and (2) site-specific impacts mitigation measures for the road and bridge project.
(1) ECOPs: Environmental codes of practices for urban construction (ECOPs) outline typical impacts at low possibility in a range of construction activities of the urban development project. ECOPs also include mitigation measures for such impacts and a procedure to incorporate mitigation measures in construction contracts of the Contractor.
During the detailed design of technical alternatives for each contract, the technical design consultant will incorporate specific parts of ECOPs in the contract and site-specific impact mitiagtion measures identified in the Environmental Management Plan (EMP).
(2) Site-specific impacts mitigation measures for each project location not mentioned in generic ECOPs or these impacts at a level in need of other mitigation measures beyond ECOPs will be described in EMP.
Actions to be taken to minimize negative impacts due to land acquisition and resettlement will be presented separately (in the Resettlement Plan), to be implemented and monitored separately.
5.2.1. Environmental Codes of Practices (ECOPs)
As a part of environmental assessment, an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) is a safeguards instrument that is typically used in many projects. EMP comprises information on and guidance for the process of mitigating and managing adverse environmental impacts throughout project implementation.
Environmental codes of practice (ECOPs) are mitigation measures for generic impacts from project activities during the construction phase and are intended to be included in the bidding documents as requirements directed to the construction contractor. ECOPs are not a formally recognized World Bank safeguards instrument but their use, as part of an EMP, is a convenient and effective way to ensure that generic and typical construction impacts are adequately mitigated during project implementation.
Main environmental and social impacts during the urban construction:
Construction activities for small works governed by these ECOPs are those whose impacts are of limited extent, temporary and reversible, and readily managed with good construction practices. The environmental and social issues covered in this document are:
- Dust
- Air pollution
- Impacts from noise and vibration - Water pollution
- Drainage and sedimentation control
- Management of stockpiles, quarries, and borrow pits - Solid waste management
- Management of dredged materials
- Disruption of vegetative covers and ecological resources - Traffic management
- Interruption of utility services - Restoration of affected areas - Worker and public safety
- Communication with local communities - Chance findings
Table 5-1: Mitigation measures from ECOPs Environmental relevant Vietnamese legislation with respect to ambient air quality.
The Contractor shall ensure that the generation of dust is minimized and is not perceived as a nuisance by local residents and shall implement a dust control plan to maintain a safe working environment and minimize disturbances for surrounding residential areas/dwellings.
The Contractor shall implement dust suppression measures (e.g. use water spraying vehicles to water roads, covering of material stockpiles, etc.) as required.
Material loads shall be suitably covered and secured during transportation to prevent the scattering of soil, sand, materials, or dust.
Exposed soil and material stockpiles shall be protected against wind erosion and the location of stockpiles shall take into consideration the prevailing wind directions and locations of sensitive receptors.
QCVN 05:
All vehicles must comply with Vietnamese regulations controlling allowable emission limits of exhaust gases.
Vehicles in Vietnam must undergo a regular emissions check and get certified named: “Certificate of conformity from inspection of quality, technical safety and environmental protection” following Decision No.
35/2005/QD-BGTVT;
There should be no burning of waste or construction materials (eg. Bitumen etc.) on site.
TCVN
Environmental relevant Vietnamese legislation with respect to noise and vibration.
All vehicles must have appropriate “Certificate of conformity from inspection of quality, technical safety and environmental protection” following Decision No.
35/2005/QD-BGTVT; to avoid exceeding noise emission from poorly maintained machines.
When needed, measures to reduce noise to acceptable levels must be implemented and could include silencers, mufflers, acoustically dampened panels or placement of noisy machines in acoustically protected areas.
QCVN the relevant Vietnamese legislation relevant to wastewater discharges into watercourses.
Portable or constructed toilets must be provided on site for construction workers. Wastewater from toilets as well as kitchens. Toilet wastewater: (i) must be treated through septic tank or (ii) use portable toilets and collect transfer out of the construction site.
Wastewater from kitchens, bathrooms, sinks must go through settling tank, through grease collecting material, then go into existing drainage system.
Wastewater over standards set by relevant Vietnam technical standards/regulations must be collected in a conservancy tank and removed from site by licensed waste collection units.
Patterns of portable toilet
Wastewater density over the Vietnam standard should be collected into tanks and transported by the functional
Environmental and social
issues
Mitigation measures Vietnam’s
regulations
Before construction, all necessary wastewater disposal permits/licenses and/or wastewater disposal contract have been obtained
At completion of construction works, wastewater collection tanks and septic tanks shall be safely disposed or effectively sealed off. Portable toilets should be reused for other projects.
5. Drainage and
sedimentati on control
The Contractor shall follow the detailed drainage design included in the construction plans, intended to prevent storm water from causing local flooding or scouring slopes and areas of unprotected soil resulting in heavy sediment loads affecting local watercourses.
Ensure drainage system is always maintained cleared of mud and other obstructions.
Areas not disturbed by construction activities shall be maintained in their existing conditions.
Earthworks, and filling of pits shall be properly maintained, in accordance with the construction specifications, including measures such as installation of drains, use of plant coverage.
To avoid sediment-laded runoff that could adversely impact watercourses, install sediment control structures where needed to slow or redirect runoff and trap sediment until vegetation is established.
The amount of excavated soil will be stored along the route at the locations agreed upon with the local authorities and people. At the same time, the contractor will not have construction plans, earthworks in the rainy season to avoid leaching, water pollution. In the case of construction during the rainy season, the contractors should have appropriate construction methods to prevent local flooding as embankment, shielding excavated land by canvas, digging temporary drainage ditches and pumping for drying the construction site and limit flooding.
TCVN
All locations to be used must be previously identified in the approved construction specifications. Sensitive sites such as scenic spots, areas of natural habitat, areas near sensitive receptors, or areas near water should be avoided.
An open ditch shall be built around the stockpile site to intercept wastewater.
Stockpile topsoil when first opening a borrow pit and use
Environmental and social
issues
Mitigation measures Vietnam’s
regulations it later to restore the area to near natural conditions.
If needed, disposal sites shall include a retaining wall.
If the need for new sites arises during construction, they must be pre-approved by the Construction Engineer.
If landowners are affected by use of their areas for stockpiles or borrow pits, they must be included in the project resettlement plan.
If access roads are needed, they must have been considered in the environmental assessment.
7. Solid waste Before construction, a solid waste control procedure (storage, provision of bins, site clean-up schedule, bin clean-out schedule, etc.) must be prepared by Contractors and it must be carefully followed during construction activities.
Before construction, all necessary waste disposal permits or licenses must be obtained.
Measures shall be taken to reduce the potential for litter and negligent behavior with regard to the disposal of all refuse. At all places of work, the Contractor shall provide litter bins, containers and refuse collection facilities.
Solid waste may be temporarily stored on site in a designated area approved by the Construction Supervision Consultant and relevant local authorities prior to collection and disposal through a licensed waste collector, for example, URENCO.
Waste storage containers shall be covered, tip-proof, weatherproof and scavenger proof.
No burning, on-site burying or dumping of solid waste shall occur.
Recyclable materials such as wooden plates for trench works, steel, scaffolding material, site holding, packaging material, etc shall be collected and separated on-site from
Environmental and social
issues
Mitigation measures Vietnam’s
regulations other waste sources for reuse, for use as fill, or for sale.
If not removed off site, solid waste or construction debris shall be disposed of only at sites identified and approved by the Construction Supervision Consultant and included in the solid waste plan. Under no circumstances shall the contractor dispose of any material in environmentally sensitive areas, such as in areas of natural habitat or in watercourses. approved appropriate landfill site and in accordance with local legislative requirements. The Contractor shall obtain needed disposal certificates.
The removal of asbestos-containing materials or other toxic substances shall be performed and disposed of by specially trained and certified workers.
Used oil and grease shall be removed from site and sold to an approved used oil recycling company.
Used oil, lubricants, cleaning materials, etc. from the maintenance of vehicles and machinery shall be collected in holding tanks and removed from site by a specialized oil recycling company for disposal at an approved hazardous waste site.
Used oil or oil-contaminated materials that could potentially contain PCBs shall be securely stored to avoid any leakage or affecting workers. The Danang DONRE must be contacted for further guidance.
Unused or rejected tar or bituminous products shall be returned to the supplier’s production plant.
During construction of bridges and culverts, waste
Store chemicals appropriately and with appropriate labeling
Appropriate communication and training programs should be put in place to prepare workers to recognize and respond to workplace chemical hazards
Prepare and initiate a remedial action following any spill or incident. In this case, the contractor shall provide a
Decision No.
Environmental
remedial action taken, consequences/damage from the spill, and proposed corrective actions.
9. Manageme nt of sludge
Dredging plan should be established including time schedule, method statement to meet the requirements of traffic safety, public health, and environmental sanitation.
In order to ensure dredging that is consistent with environmental regulations, key decision makers (local authority, DONRE, utility company, Construction Supervision Consultant, etc.) must be involved and concur in each key decision point in the process leading to preparation and implementation of a plan.
Characteristics of sludge/sediment should be determined by sampling and analysis if not already fully evaluated during the EIA. Sludge that is heavily contaminated would require measures that go beyond the scope of these ECOPs.
Ensure that dredged material management plans incorporate environmental considerations in the identification of short-term and long-term disposal alternatives, consider methods to reduce dredging, and maximize the beneficial use of dredged materials.
The dredging should be implemented before water level rises.
Lixiviate from dredged materials should not be allowed to enter watercourses without appropriate filtering or treatment.
Collected dredged materials have to be processed, as per Vietnamese regulations on waste collection, to ensure safe and environmentally secure transportation, storage, treatment and management
Agencies involved in handling of sludge should be specialized and have certification of sludge handling.
Guidelines for certification of sludge handling according to the Circular No. 12/2011/TT-BTNMT on management of hazardous substance.
Sanitary landfill site should meet technical requirements, based on level of potential contamination.
Decision No.
The Contractor shall prepare a Clearance, Revegetation and Restoration Management Plan for prior approval by the Construction Engineer, following relevant regulations. The
Law on Environment protection No.
Environmental
Clearance Plan shall be approved by Construction Supervision Consultant and followed strictly by contractor.
Areas to be cleared should be minimized as much as possible.
The Contractor shall remove topsoil from all areas where topsoil will be impacted on by rehabilitation activities, including temporary activities such as storage and stockpiling, etc; the stripped topsoil shall be stockpiled in areas agreed with the Construction Supervision Consultant for later use in re-vegetation and shall be adequately protected.
The application of chemicals for vegetation clearing is not permitted.
Prohibit cutting of any tree unless explicitly authorized in the vegetation clearing plan.
When needed, erect temporary protective fencing to efficiently protect the preserved trees before commencement of any works within the site.
Area of potential importance as an ecological resource should not be disturbed. This could include areas of breeding or feeding of birds or animals, fish spawning areas, or any area that is protected as a green space.
The Contractor shall ensure that no hunting, trapping shooting, poisoning of fauna takes place.
55/2014/QH13
11. Traffic manageme nt
Before construction, carry out consultations with local government and community and with traffic police.
Significant increases in number of vehicle trips must be covered in a construction plan previously approved.
Routing, especially of heavy vehicles, needs to take into account sensitive sites such as schools, hospitals, and markets.
Installation of lighting at night must be done if this is necessary to ensure safe traffic circulation.
Place signs around the construction areas to facilitate traffic movement, provide directions to various components of the works, and provide safety advice and warning.
Using safe traffic control measures, including road/rivers/canal signs and flag persons to warn of dangerous conditions.
Avoid material transportation for construction during rush hour.
Environmental outside construction areas should be segregated and provide for easy, safe, and appropriate access. Signpost shall be installed appropriately in both water-ways and roads where necessary.
12. Interruptio n of utility services
Planned and unplanned interruptions to water, gas, power, internet services: the Contractor must undertake prior consultation and contingency planning with local authorities about the consequences of a particular service failure or disconnection.
Coordinate with relevant utility providers to establish appropriate construction schedules.
Provide information to affected households on working schedules as well as planned disruptions (at least 5 days in
Provide information to affected households on working schedules as well as planned disruptions (at least 5 days in