MINING INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT SUPPORT PROJECT
Public Consultation Report on Draft Terms of Reference for Regional
Environmental Assessment and Environmental and Social Impact Assessment
for the Proposed Shuren Hydropower Plant and Flow Regulation of the
Orkhon River and Construction of Reservoir Complex Projects
Mongolia June 28-July 3, 2017
2 CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION ... 3
2 OBJECTIVES OF PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS ... 3
3 PREPARATION OF PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS ... 4
3.1 Pre-consultation Field Trips ... 4
3.2 Information Disclosure ... 6
3.3 Preparation of presentations ... 7
3.4 Feedback Journals ... 8
4 PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS IN MONGOLIA ... 8
5 SUMMARY OF FEEDBACK RECEIVED DURING PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS ... 12
6 NEXT STEPS ... 12
LIST OF ANNEXES
Annex 1. Announcements of consultation Annex 2. Lists of participants
Annex 3. Agenda
Annex 4. Photos of consultations Annex 5. Minutes of consultations Annex 6. Presentations of consultations Annex 7. Press releases of consultations Annex 8. Response matrices
Annex 9. Newspaper announcements Annex 10. Website announcement
ABBREVIATIONS
AUGRBA Altain-Uvur Gobiin River Basin Authority ESIA Environmental and Social Impact Assessment GUDGRBA Galba-Uush-Dolood's Gobi River Basin Authority
HPP Hydropower Plant
MINIS Mining Infrastructure Investment Support Project PMU Project Management Unit
RBA River Basin Authority
REA Regional Environmental Assessment
TOR Terms of Reference
3 1 INTRODUCTION
The Mining Infrastructure Investment Support (MINIS) Project, financed by the World Bank, delivers studies and assessments aimed at facilitating investments in infrastructure to support mining-related activities and to build local capacity to prepare and transact infrastructure projects.
The Government of Mongolia has identified Shuren Hydropower Plant and Flow Regulation of Orkhon River and Construction of Reservoir Complex projects (“proposed projects”) as the projects to be studied as part of the MINIS project.
In this regard, the draft Terms of References (TORs) for the assessment of potential environmental and social impacts of proposed projects were developed. The Government of Mongolia reaffirms its commitment to comply with the World Bank’s safeguard policies when implementing assessment studies. The studies will focus, among other things, on socio-environmental assessment, including involuntary resettlement, land acquisition issues, dam safety, transboundary issues, potential impacts downstream the project area including Lake Baikal which is a World Heritage Site.
According to the World Bank’s safeguard policies, studies for such large and complex projects need to be implemented in phases and accompanied by consultations on TOR and the outcomes of studies. 2 OBJECTIVES OF PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS
The objective of these public consultations was to provide related information and discuss the draft TORs that outline the scope of REA and ESIA with potentially affected communities in Mongolia to respond to their questions and address their concerns/comments in the TOR. The consultations were held during June 28-July 3, 2017 in Mongolia aimed to inform the Mongolian stakeholders about the proposed projects and their potential transboundary impacts, planned studies and create a platform for a dialogue between technical experts, NGOs/CSOs and people in Mongolia. The public consultation process is essential to ensure that the diverse perspectives and points of view of the potentially affected stakeholders including those in the downstream riparian country are heard and understood.
The studies include the REA, ESIA, as well as feasibility studies for each proposed project. REA and ESIA studies aim to assess all potential impacts that these proposed projects could have on local communities, both in Mongolia and Russia, including the impacts on the Lake Baikal and Selenge river basin ecosystems.
Approach to disclosure of names and affiliations: In the absence of agreement with all consultation participants to disclose names and affiliations, all comments are reproduced in the report and response matrix without attribution in order to preserve anonymity and promote impartial review.
Approach to consideration of feedback in the TORs: the aim of the response matrix (Annex 8) is to demonstrate how comments and suggestions received on the TORs are taken into consideration in the TOR drafting process. Not all comments or suggestions are agreed with and acted on, but every comment and suggestion is considered and alternative approaches are explained where the feedback is not accepted.
The public consultations were conducted in several stages: 1) definition of goals, objectives and expected results;
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3) provision of draft documents for review, comments and suggestions; 4) the conduct of public consultation;
5) assessment of progress and results of the consultations with response matrices; 6) preparation of a report with recommendations.
3 PREPARATION OF PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS 3.1 Pre-consultation Field Trips
In May 2017, authorization to hold public consultation in Mongolia was obtained and the consultations in Mongolia were scheduled for June 28-July 3, 2017.
The PMU team held meetings with the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and Environmental Department of Bulgan and Selenge provinces, Local administration of Selenge, Dundgobi, Umnugobi, Tuv provinces and RBAs of Selenge, Galba-Uush, Doloodyn, Umard Gobi-Guveet Khalkhiin Dundad Taliin and Altain Uvur Gob on June 8-16, 2017. The Ministry Environment and Tourism and MINIS PMU agreed that all related documents should be delivered to the stakeholders with support of local governors and RBAs and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism fourteen (14) days prior to the public consultations in Mongolia.
After obtaining necessary authorization, MINIS PMU announced the consultations starting from June 14, 2017 at pre-determined locations, distributed consultation materials to local premises including libraries and buildings of local administration and posted announcements on the local websites. The team for preparation and groundwork to organize public consultations included B. Ariunchimeg (Project Coordinator), T. Tsetsgee (Environmental Safeguards and Water Management Specialist), O.Altai (Communication Officer), A.Gantumur (Head of Environmental Department of Bulgan province and its team), D.Jargaltsengel (UGGKhDTRBA’s Director and its team), D.Munkhbat (GUDGRBA’s Director and its team), D.Chandmnai (AUGRBA’s Director and its team), CHuluunzagd (Selenge RBAs’ Director and its team) and Nandinzaya (Governor of Sukhbaatar soum, Selenge province). Upon announcement and distribution of consultation materials, the representatives from MINIS PMU visited the following provinces and soums in Mongolia as presented in Table 1 below.
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Table 1. Schedule of Pre-Consultation Field Trips in Mongolia
No Districts Settlements Date
1 Orkhon-Uul province Erdenet city 12- 13 June 2017
2 Bulgan province Bulgan soum 10 June 2017
Orkhon soum 12-17 June 2017 Khishig-Undur soum 10-16 June 2017 Dashinchilen soum 12 June 2017 Buregkhangai soum 12 June 2017 Selenge soum 12 June 2017 Khangal soum 13 June 2017 Atar and Tsuuts bags of
Selenge soum 10 June 2017
Khyalganat and
Selengeburen bags of Khangal soum
10 June 2017
3 Selenge province Tsagaannuur soum 10 June 2017
Baruunburen soum 13 June 2017 Zuunburen soum 14-15 June 2017 Khushaat soum 12 June 2017 Shaamar soum 14 June 2017 Orkhon soum 15 June 2017 Sukhbaatar soum /city/
4 Tuv province Erdenesant soum 12 June 2017
Tov province 14 July 2017 Delgerkhaan soum 12 June 2017
5 Dundgobi province Erdene-Dalai soum 13 June 2017
Khuld soum 12 June 2017
Mandalgobi soum 14 June 2017 Delgertsogt soum 14 June 2017
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Delgerkhangai soum 12 June 2017 Saintsagaan soum 14 June 2017
6 Umnugobi province Tsogttsetseii soum 13 June
Tsogt-Ovoo soum 12June 2017 Khanbogd soum 12-15 June 2017 Dalanzadgad soum 12 June 2017
7 Ulaanbaatar city Ulaabaatar city 19 June 2017
3.2 Information Disclosure
MINIS has developed a set of consultation materials in Mongolia which were disclosed and distributed fourteen (14) days prior to the consultations and made available for general public at local premises and MINIS website. Announcements were made at several TV and radio channels and newspapers.
The documents included in the distribution package were as follows: 1) Draft agenda
2) Introduction of MINIS Project Fact Sheet
3) Draft TOR for REA and ESIA of Flow Regulation of the Orkhon River and Construction of Reservoir Complex Project
4) Technical summary of draft TOR for REA and ESIA of Flow Regulation of the Orkhon River and Construction of Reservoir Complex Project
5) Non-technical summary of draft TOR for REA and ESIA of Flow Regulation of the Orkhon River and Construction of Reservoir Complex Project
6) Draft TOR for REA and ESIA of Shuren HPP Project
7) Technical summary of draft TOR for REA and ESIA of Shuren HPP Project 8) Non-technical summary of draft TOR for REA and ESIA of Shuren HPP Project
9) Draft TORs for three international experts (International Environmental Specialist, International Social Specialist, Dam and Civil Engineering Specialist) of the International Advisory Committee 10) World Bank’s Information Disclosure and Public Consultation Planning Checklist
11) Frequently Asked Questions of MINIS 12) Grievance Resolution Mechanism of MINIS
7 Table 2. Pre-consultation Media Coverage
Newspaper Announcement
Location
Name of newspaper Date of announcement
Date of
announcement
1 Erdenet city “ Morning’s
Erdenet”
2017.06.26
2 Bulgan province “Bulgan’s News” 2017.06.12 2017.06.17 3 Selenge province “Selenge’s News” 2017.06.12 2017.06.19 4 Dundgopbi province “Lives of
Dundgobi”
2017.06.19 2017.06.26
5 Umnugobi province “Mongol Gobi” 2017.06.16 2017.06.23 6 Ulaanbaatar city “Daily News” 2017.06.21 2017.06.28
Tuv province – There is no local newspaper issued in this province TV announcement (Running advertisement)
TVS Date How many
days
Frequency
1 Erdenet Nomin TV 13-28 June, 2017 15 days 30 times a day 2 Selenge TV 16 June – 02 July, 2017 16 days 30 times a day 3 Dundgobi TV 13-28 June, 2017 15 days 30 times a day 4 Umnu-Gobi TV 13-28 June, 2017 15 days 30 times a day 5 Tuv aimag TV 16-28 June, 2017 14 days 30 times a day
Bulgan province - No TV broadcast in this province
Website Announcement
In addition, the evidences and sample announcements are included in the annexes and the links to the announcements in English and Mongolian on the MINIS website are provided below.
English: http://www.minis.mn/en/orkhon-gobi-project-announced-consultations http://www.minis.mn/en/shuren-hydropower-plant-project-announced-consultations Mongolian: http://www.minis.mn/mn/шүрэнгийн-усан-цахилгаан-станцын-төсөл-зарлагдсан-хэлэлцүүүлэг http://www.minis.mn/mn/орхон-говь-төсөл-зарлагдсан-хэлэлцүүлэг 3.3 Preparation of presentations
To prepare presentations for the consultations, experts reviewed and selected materials of previous studies, scientific papers and other materials related to the proposed Shuren HPP and Flow Regulation
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of the Orkhon River and Construction of Reservoir Complex projects. MINIS project brief introduction, consultation process and grievance handling process were also prepared.
Materials and information, subject to disclosure requirements, covered the following aspects of the proposed projects:
1) The overall project design and layout with an emphasis on areas that would be directly influenced by proposed projects, and places that are indirectly influenced by the construction or operation, areas that are under the influence of filling the reservoir and hydrological changes in the downstream;
2) A summary of all potential major direct and indirect environmental, socio-economic impacts associated with proposed projects;
3) Review of the World Bank’s safeguards policies that are applicable to the project (OP 4.01 Environmental Assessment) and approaches and instruments to mitigate environmental and social impacts.
Based on these documents and draft TORs for the proposed projects, presentations and handouts tailored to non-technical audience that accurately and completely characterize the proposed projects, potential impacts and planned mitigation measures were prepared.
3.4 Feedback Journals
In addition to the sets of consultation materials available at local premises, MINIS PMU team handed over feedback journals fourteen (14) days prior to the dates of consultations and added more during the consultations so that all interested parties could provide their feedback and comment fourteen (14) days after the consultations. At each consultation throughout the consultation period, moderators informed participants that they could provide their comments in writing in the feedback journals.
4 PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS IN MONGOLIA
During June 28- July 3, 2017, the MINIS PMU held a series of public consultations in Mongolia. Participants included representatives of local authorities of Orkhon-Uul, Bulgan, Selenge, Tuv, Dundgobi, Umnugobi provinces, local environmental authorities, NGOs, heads of villages, local communities and community leaders who may be potentially affected downstream of the proposed projects. World Bank representatives attended 7 public consultation meetings as observers. In total 985 people participated in 19 consultations. The consultations were organized in community centers. The participants varied in professional background from high level professionals, including key “Rivers without Boundaries” members from Mongolian branch, and OT Watch NGO to ordinary citizens. The lists of participants and program of consultations in Mongolia are provided in Annexes 2 and 3. Photos from consultations are attached as Annex 4.
Public consultations were held in 19 locations and covered 6 provinces and Ulaanbaatar city as indicated in Table 3 below:
9 Table 3. Schedule of Public Consultations in Mongolia
Venue Consultation Type Scheduled Date and Time Durati on (appro ximatel y) Total No. of particip ants
Soums, Bags and Villages Covered
1 Children and youths Teatre of Erdenet city
Face-to-face consultation
June 28, 2017 at 09:00
3 hours 119 Erdenet city
2 Cultural center of Selenge soum, Bulgan province
Face-to-face consultation
June 28, 2017 at 15:00
3 hours 14 Selenge soum, Bulgan province 3 Cultural center of
Khyalganat bag, Khangal soum, Bulgan province
Face-to-face consultation
June 29, 2017 at 09:00
3 hours 52 Khyalganat bag, Khangal soum, Bulgan province and Selengeburen bag, Khangal soum, Bulgan province 4 Cultural center of Sangaltai
bag (Atar, Tsuuts and Inget bags) Selenge soum, Bulgan province
Face-to-face consultation
June 29, 2017 at 09:00
3 hours 44 Selenge soum (Atar, Tsuuts and Inget bags), Bulgan province and Tsagaan nuur soum of Selenge province
5 Cultural center of Baruunburen soum, Selenge province
Face-to-face consultation
July 1, 2017 at 15:00
3 hours 36 Baruunburen soum, Selenge province
6 Selengiin Dolgio ensamble of Sukhbaatar city, Selenge province
Face-to-face consultation
July 1, 2017 at 09:00
3 hours 35 Sukhbaatar, Shaamar and Zuunburen soums
7 Citizen’s Meeting Hall of Khushaat soum, Selenge province
Face-to-face consultation
July 1, 2017 at 15:00
3 hours 21 Khushaat soum, Selenge province
8 Cultural center of Erdenesant soum, Tuv province
Face-to-face consultation
June 28, 2017 at 09:00
3 hours 88 Erdenesant soum, Tuv province
9 Cultural center of Delgerkhaan soum, Tuv province
Face-to-face consultation
June 28, 2017 at 15:00
3 hours 46 Delgerkhaan soum, Tuv province
10 Cultural center of Erden-Dalai soum, Dundgobi province
Face-to-face consultation
June 28, 2017 at 09:00
3 hours 88 Erden-Dalai soum, Dundgobi province
11 Cultural center of Khuld soum, Dundgobi province
Face-to-face consultation June 28, 2017 at 15:00 3 hours 36 Mandalgobi, Delgertsogt, Luus, Gurvansaikhan and Delgerkhaan soums of Dundgobi
10 12 Citizen’s Meeting Hall of
Dashinchilen soum, Bulgan province Face-to-face consultation June 29, 2017 at 09:00
3 hours 21 Dashinchilen soum, Bulgan province
13 Cultural center of Khishig-Undur soum, Bulgan province Face-to-face consultation June 29, 2017 at 15:00 3 hours 34 Khishig-Undur soum, Bulgan province / Note: 72 people attended. Only 34 people were registered. Others did not register/
14 Cultural center of Orkhon soum, Bulgan province
Face-to-face consultation
June 30, 2017 at 11:00
3 hours 84 Orkhon soum, Bulgan province 15 Citizen’s Meeting Hall of
Bulgan soum, Bulgan province
Face-to-face consultation
June 30, 2017 at 15:00
3 hours 31 Bulgan soum, Bulgan province 16 Cultural center of Tsogttsetsii soum, Umnugobi province Face-to-face consultation June 29, 2017 at 10:00
3 hours 74 Tsogttsetsee soum, Umnugobi province 17 Cultural center of Khanbogd soum, Umnugobi province Face-to-face consultation June 30, 2017 at 10:00
3 hours 54 Khanbogd soum, Umnugobi province
18 Suld hall of local administration building of Dalanzadgad soum, Umnugobi province Face-to-face consultation July 1, 2017 at 13:00 3 hours 68 Dalanzadgad soum,Umnugobi province
19 Ulaanbaatar city Face-to-face consultation
July 3, 2017 at 10:00
3 hours 40 Scientists and experts
TOTAL 985
The consultation organizing teams which comprised scientists, researchers, and specialists in relevant fields presented the project objectives and background, findings of preliminary studies, and the potential scope of the upcoming environmental and social impact studies. The presentations were made in Mongolian language on various aspects of draft TORs for REA/ESIA of the proposed projects, including matters related to drought, flood and other socio-economic impacts, technical and environmental issues.
Among the major concerns raised by Mongolian people were issues around the grazing land and decreasing water level of Selenge River, which has affected local residents’ livelihoods through decreased grassing land.
Local communities and interested stakeholders were given an opportunity to provide further feedback and comments on the draft TORs for an additional fourteen (14) days after the consultation date through the MINIS project website, telephone, feedback journal or email.
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The consultations were held in an open and transparent way as required by the consultation procedures of the Mongolian and the World Bank policies. Consultations were announced through local media and on the project website fourteen (14) days in advance in compliance with the Mongolian law. Consultation materials were also made available in Mongolian language to local communities through local government offices and citizens meeting hall. These materials included the draft TORs for REA/ESIA of proposed projects and non-technical brochures with information about the proposed projects and the studies to be undertaken.
Summary Observations from the Consultations:
Regarding compliance with the World Bank’s policy requirements, the implementation of disclosure and consultation activities on Mongolian territory can be seen in full compliance.
(a) The public hearings in Mongolia were organized with the assistance of the local administration, who identified locations and venues, widely disseminated information, and co-chaired the meetings.
(b) The meetings were well attended by a representative cross section through stakeholders, including local administration, academia, technical agencies, representatives and residents of potentially affected communities, representatives of NGOs, CSOs. The locations were clearly announced, known / indicated to local population and visitors (in most of the meetings took place in community centers (“Soyoliin tuv”). The consultations were prepared professionally, with handout materials in good quality available in sufficient quantities, in Mongolian language, including (i) project briefs (flyers); (ii) complete TOR, printed and bound; (iii) copies of presentations; (iv) information on consultation process and feedback forms.
(c) Presentations had adequate content tailored to non-professional audiences, and delivered in an accessible manner, using language and terminology that are understandable to all stakeholders. An audio system that allowed all participants to clearly follow oral explanations. The slides were too small to be completely legible by all participants, but this was compensated by clear explanations, and handout materials, and should not be seen as a material flaw of the process. (d) The audience had adequate time and means for their feedback. There were sufficient
microphones available, and assistants to quickly carry them to people wanting to speak. All questions were recorded via audio and video, and transcribed. In addition, a feedback “journal” was available for another 14 days beyond the consultations to provide written feedback. During the presentations, MINIS’ various grievance and feedback mechanisms were explained, and the contact details shared.
(e) Some consultations had started later than scheduled due to late arrival of stakeholders to the consultation events. It is common practice that most stakeholders travel from the remote areas to participate the consultations. For example, in Tsogtsetsii soum of Umnogobi aimag, some participants traveled 150 km to reach the consultation venue. Another example: the consultation event in Orkhon soum of Bulgan aimag was supposed to begin at 9 am, but it started at 11 am. According to the advice from the Local Governor and Head of Citizen Representative Meeting, it was decided to postpone the starting time of consultation so that local herders couldcome and attend to consultations.
(f) Overall, the meetings were conducted in an orderly and disciplined manner without disturbances or incidents.
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5 SUMMARY OF FEEDBACK RECEIVED DURING PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS
Participants’ questions, concerns, comments, recommendations and suggestions regarding the draft TOR for the REA/ESIA of Shuren HPP and Flow Regulation of the Orkhon River and Construction of Reservoir Complex projects were fully recorded. Detailed recommendations and suggestions from the members of public consultations are summarized in Minutes 1-19 (see Annex 5). Feedback received from the participants in the consultations and during the additional 14 days period were recorded and responses to the questions/comments were provided in response matrices.
Main recommendations from the participants:
Consider investment to the land which is used for agricultural purpose over the last 10-15 years Consider political conditions of those projects
Establish a monitoring team comprising representatives from the potentially affected communities
Provide employment for local residents and offer reasonable salary
Analyze herders’ way of life and the projects’ influence on the herders’ livelihoods, especially pastureland related issues, over the entire annual cycle (all 4 seasons)
Study flood and drought issues
Study carefully micro climate changes around the sites and their influence on temperature changes which could lead to colder weather during winter; assess the impacts on livelihoods (e.g. additional coal and gas requirements for heating)
Include a separate chapter or sub chapter on impacts on pastureland in the TOR Consider seriously wildlife
Consider carefully crossing existing linear infrastructure such as highway in the South Gobi region.
Consider carefully seismicity risks and dam safety
Carefully plan routes of water transfer project. Several soums requested to pass the pipe route through their territory.
Consider environmental flows and their ecological benefit to river riparian zone 6 NEXT STEPS
The TOR for REA, which was originally part of REA/ESIA TORs, is being revised based on comments received during the consultations process with participation of stakeholders from Mongolia and Russia. The projects that pass the REA screening stage, including both the REA and related energy and water option studies and consultations on their outcomes, could be pursued through ESIA studies.
13 Annexes
Annex 1. Announcements of consultation Annex 2. Lists of participants
Annex 3. Agenda
Annex 4. Photos of consultations Annex 5. Minutes of consultations Annex 6. Presentations of consultations Annex 7. Press releases of consultations Annex 8. Response matrices
Annex 9. Newspaper announcements Annex 10. Website announcement
