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Project description
The proposed high pressure gas transport pipeline will transport natural gas from Zenica to Travnik, enabling the gasification of 4 municipalities in the Central Bosnia Canton. Construction is expected to begin in September 2009, and the 41.386 km long pipeline is expected to become operational in March 2011. The gas pipeline route will be divided between the following municipalities:
- Zenica 7.175 km (Zenica-Doboj Canton)
- Busovaca 9.294 km (Central Bosnia Canton)
- Vitez 10.140 km (Central Bosnia Canton)
- Novi Travnik 1.795 km (Central Bosnia Canton)
- Travnik 12.982 km (Central Bosnia Canton).
Screening category
The potential environmental and social impacts of the project are site specific and can be readily addressed through mitigation measures. Therefore, the project has been screened B/0 in accordance with the EBRD Environmental Policy (2003).
Environmental and social issues
An Environmental and Social Analysis has been carried out by independent consultants. The study concluded that the construction of the proposed Zenica - Travnik gas pipeline will not result in any long-term adverse environmental impacts except the footprint that will remain in the forest areas. In the forest areas there will be a 10 m safety zone which can not be planted with trees. Other potential impacts will be short-term and temporary in nature. These will include:
- Noise emissions and vibrations associated with construction activities (i.e. blasting, horizontal directional drilling, earthmoving works, the use of heavy vehicles etc.);
- Traffic impacts during construction; and
- Potential disputes related to land access and land use, which may result in impacts to the livelihoods of persons within the pipeline route.
Environmental and social opportunities
The project is expected to result in some positive social impacts including the potential for supplying locally sourced goods and services to the Project, during pipeline construction; and future opportunities for employment in the gas distribution sector following construction. The pipeline is also an important element in securing future energy supplies for the Northern and Central regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, thereby providing an alternative clean and efficient energy source and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
Summary of Environmental and Social Action Plan
An Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP) which sets the mitigation measures for the avoidance/minimisation of potential impacts, timelines for these mitgation measures, and responsibilities has been prepared and agreed with the Client. ESAP requires the development of the following plans and procedures:
- Reinstatement Plan
- Site-specific Reinstatement Plan (for areas likely to undergo severe erosion)
- Hydrostatic Test Water Management Plan
- Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) Fluid Release Contingency Plan
- Blasting Management Plan
- Transport Management Plan
- Archaeological and Historical Chance Finds Procedure
- Waste Management Plan
- Hazardous Material Control procedure
- Spill Response Plan
- Emergency Response Plan
- Safety Awareness Program (developed for the local communities).
The following monitoring programs have also been proposed during pipeline construction and operation:
- Noise quality monitoring
- Air quality monitoring
- Surface and groundwater monitoring
- Monitoring of polluted soil
- Hydrostatic test water discharges
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