world bank documentdocuments.worldbank.org/curated/en/698971468104649807/...apart from the mahera...

E1889 v.4

SUMMARY DOCUMENT

FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

And

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

For

THE UPGRADING OF THE LUNGI INTERNATIONAL

AIRPORT

LUNGI, SIERRA LEONE

FINAL REPORT

JANUARY 2005

Prepared by:

Mouchel Parkman Services Ltd.

Mouchel Parkman House Lloyd Drive

CEMMATS GROUP LTD 2nd Floor Delco House

12 Lightfoot -Boston Street

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EIA and Environmental Management Plan for the Upgrading of the Lungi International Airport Infrastructure

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Ellesmere Port

South Wirral CH65 9HQ

United Kingdom

Freetown

Sierra Leone


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TABLE OF CONTENT

........................................................................................................................................... Pages 1.0 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 5

1.1 Environmental Screening and Assessment............................................................... 5 2.0 LEGISLATION ............................................................................................................ 6

2.1 Local Legislation...................................................................................................... 6 2.1.1 The Environmental Protection Act-2000..................................................... 6 2.1.2 The Factories Act-1974.................................................................................. 6 2.1.3 Civil Aviation Act- 1966 ................................................................................ 7 2.1.4 Sierra Leone Airports Authority Act - 1988 ............................................... 7

2.2 International Environmental Requirements.............................................................. 7 2.3 World Bank Requirements ....................................................................................... 7 2.4 International Finance Corporation Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines for

Airports ......................................................................................................................... 7 3.0 BASELINE STUDY..................................................................................................... 8

3.1 Location.................................................................................................................... 8 3.2 Project Description................................................................................................... 8

3.2.1 Surface Infrastructure................................................................................... 8 3.2.2 Transportation ............................................................................................... 8 3.2.3 Power, Communications and Civic Facilities.............................................. 8 3.2.4 Workshops, Administration and Other Buildings...................................... 8 3.2.5 Recreation and Other Facilities.................................................................... 9 3.2.6 Sewerage and Waste Water Disposal........................................................... 9 3.2.7 Solid Waste Disposal...................................................................................... 9

3.3 Geology .................................................................................................................... 9 3.4 Climate ..................................................................................................................... 9

3.4.1 Description of regional climate..................................................................... 9 3.4.2 Wind Speed .................................................................................................. 10 3.4.3 Noise Levels .................................................................................................. 10 3.4.4 Radioactivity ................................................................................................ 10 3.4.5 Air quality .................................................................................................... 10

3.5 Engineering Aspects............................................................................................... 10 3.5.1 Drainage system ........................................................................................... 10 3.5.2 Quarry sites for Aggregate ......................................................................... 10 3.5.3 Coarse Aggregate......................................................................................... 11 3.5.4 Laterite ......................................................................................................... 11 3.5.5 Sand............................................................................................................... 11 3.5.6 Airport Electrical System and Safety Plan................................................ 11 3.5.7 Electrical systems......................................................................................... 11 3.5.8 General Pollution from Asphalt ................................................................. 12

3.6 Health and safety management............................................................................... 12 3.6.1 Occupational Health, Safety and Training............................................... 12 3.6.2 Rescue and Fire Fighting Service ............................................................... 12

3.7 Topography &Soils ................................................................................................ 12 3.8 Land Use ................................................................................................................ 13 3.9 Fauna ...................................................................................................................... 13 3.10 Water Sources and Quality..................................................................................... 13 3.11 Socio-economic Status And Living Conditions ..................................................... 14

4.0 ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES............................................................................ 15 5.0 IMPACT ASSESSMENT.......................................................................................... 16


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6.0 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN ........................................................ 20 6.1 Construction Stage ................................................................................................. 20

6.1.1 Loss of Soil Resources, erosion and Sedimentation Topography .................... 20 6.1.2 Contamination of Surface and Groundwater ........................................... 20 6.1.3 Noise Pollution ............................................................................................ 21 6.1.4 Air Pollution................................................................................................. 21 6.1.5 Safety Hazard Resulting From Fuel/Hazardous Material Handling and Storage 22 6.1.6 Coarse Aggregate Acquisition ................................................................... 22

6.2 Operational Stage ................................................................................................... 23 6.2.1 Contamination of Surface and Groundwater ........................................... 23 6.2.2 Noise Pollution..................................................................................................... 24 6.2.3 Air Pollution................................................................................................. 24 6.2.4 Safety Hazard Resulting From Fuel/Hazardous Material Handling and Storage 24

6.3 Cost estimate for Environmental Management Plan .............................................. 25 7.0 CONCLUSION........................................................................................................... 26


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1.0 INTRODUCTION

This document relates details of an Environmental Impact Assessment study carried out for the upgrading of the Lungi International Airport in the Kaffu Bullom Chiefdom, Port Loko District in the Northern Province of Sierra Leone. The study has been carried out on behalf of Sierra Leone Airports Authority (SLAA). The consultants, Mouchel Parkman and CEMMATS Group Ltd. (CEMMATS) were contracted to undertake this study which includes an Environmental Impact Assessment, Environmental Management Plan, Community Development Action Plan and a Public Consultation and Disclosure Process.

The airport is located north of the estuary of River Rokel, and accessible from Freetown the capital city by air, land and sea. The project comprises the following elements:

¾ airport pavement rehabilitation / strengthening; ¾ upgrading and widening of the turning loops; ¾ upgrading of the water and power supplies for the Lungi International

Airport; ¾ upgrading financial management through computerization; ¾ environmental assessment of the Airport Infrastructure Upgrading.

The environmental effects of various aspects of the upgrading of the airport have been

assessed. The study also extends beyond the airport as the effects of the airport

operation and any upgrading will also have some effect on the socio-economic life of

the surrounding communities.

1.1 Environmental Screening and Assessment

Sierra Leone Government Legislation and World Bank/IDA Safeguard Policies

demand that projects be screened to determine the nature and extent of the

environmental work required.

The project does not entail the construction of a new airport which would require a

whole range of environmental issues to be considered. It does however have specific

environmental impacts which have been listed. The analysis required is a lot more

limited than a full EIA would require. The areas which are thought to cause the most

impact will be subjected to greater scrutiny and analysis in this study.

This is therefore a category B project according to World Bank environmental and

social categorisation of impact.


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2.0 LEGISLATION

2.1 Local Legislation

The following Acts pertinent to the project were studied in order to complete the environmental and social studies. These include:

The Environmental Protection Act – 2000

Civil Aviation Act 1966

Sierra Leone Airport Authority Act 1988

The Factories Act – 1974

2.1.1 The Environmental Protection Act-2000

Following the promulgation of this Act, a National Environmental Protection Board

was established within the Environmental Department. This board is responsible for

the approval or disapproval of an EIA licence.

Projects requiring an EIA are those, as given in the first schedule of the Act, whose

activities involve or include the following with respect to mining:

• Exploitation of hydraulic resources (e.g. dams, drainage and irrigation

projects, water basin development and water supply).

• Infrastructure (e.g. roads, bridges, airports, harbours, transmission lines,

pipelines and railways).

• Industrial Activities (e.g. metallurgical plants, wood processing plants,

chemical plants, power plants, petrol-chemical plants and refinery).

• Extractive industries (e.g. mining, quarrying, extraction of sand, gravel, salt,

peat, oil and gas).

• Waste management and disposal (e.g. sewage systems and treatment plants,

landfills, treatment of plants for household and hazardous waste).

• Housing construction and development schemes.

2.1.2 The Factories Act-1974

This act deals with health and safety measures. The act stipulates that for the overall

safety of the employees, the factory must not be overcrowded, must be effectively

ventilated and provide suitable lighting systems. The factory holder is responsible for

securing the health, safety and welfare of all employees.


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2.1.3 Civil Aviation Act- 1966

This act in general empowers the minister to regulate air navigation in accordance

with convention on International Civil Aviation concluded in Chicago in 1944.

2.1.4 Sierra Leone Airports Authority Act - 1988

• This act established the Sierra Leone Airports Authority (SLAA) as an

autonomous and independent body under the supervision of a Board of

Directors.

• The act made provision for the establishment of an Airport Security Force.

• The Act also empowered the Authority to take over responsibility for all

airport facilities and all other purposes connected with the operation of the

airport.

2.2 International Environmental Requirements

Sierra Leone is a signatory to many international conventions. The most pertinent one

for this project is the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. This

Convention was adopted on the 22nd May 2001 in Stockholm and Sierra Leone

became a signatory on the 27th August 2001.

2.3 World Bank Requirements

Appropriate IFC/World Bank policies and guidelines include:

• Occupational health and safety guidelines.

• Environmental assessment (OP 4.01) – policy and procedures for environmental assessments whereby potential impacts are taken into account in selecting, sitting, planning and designing projects. This is designed to ensure that IFC projects are environmentally and socially sound and sustainable.

2.4 International Finance Corporation Environmental, Health and Safety

Guidelines for Airports

These guidelines are for the design, construction and use of airports and associated

facilities. The guidelines incorporate the general provisions of the World Bank

policies.


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3.0 BASELINE STUDY

3.1 Location

Sierra Leone is divided into four administrative regions, each of which is subdivided

into a number of districts, and each district is comprised of a number of chiefdoms.

The area of interest for this project is situated within the Kaffu Bullom Chiefdom in

the Port Loko District, Northern Province of Sierra Leone. The settlements within the

airport area that are likely to be affected by the project include: Tintafor, Swaktar,

Makasa, Masoyila, Kambia, Gbanelol, Tulun, Kamasundo, Mahera, Kasongha,

Rotifunk and an outline of the Agricultural Area.

3.2 Project Description

3.2.1 Surface Infrastructure

The current status of community infrastructure and services in the project area is as

follows:

3.2.2 Transportation

The project area is accessible from Freetown the capital city by air, land and sea. Air

transportation is by helicopter from west of the city, and domestic flights from

Hastings airfield. Sea transportation is by ferry from Government wharf and Kissy

terminals west and east of the city respectively. Transportation by road covers a

distance of about 120 miles from Freetown via Port Loko. The Tagrin-Airport road is

the only tarred road in Lungi, the feeder roads around the airport and within the

townships are lateritic sand and of poor quality road.

3.2.3 Power, Communications and Civic Facilities

There is no mains power supply in the entire area. Power supply to the airport area is

by five generators with a total capacity of 1,755 KVA with a combination of two

running at a time. Telecommunication facilities are extremely poor.

3.2.4 Workshops, Administration and Other Buildings

The following were noted within the airport: administrative offices are located within

solid concrete buildings, senior and junior staff quarters, a terminal Building, runway

strip, a communication tower, workshops, garages, warehouses and fire force

facilities.


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3.2.5 Recreation and Other Facilities

Apart from the Mahera beach, there is a paucity of recreational facilities.

3.2.6 Sewerage and Waste Water Disposal

Sewerage and waste water disposal facilities at the terminal are severely constrained.

3.2.7 Solid Waste Disposal

This would require an organised disposal system that will not harm the environment.

The methods currently used include burning and carting for disposal at random places

outside the airport.

3.3 Geology

The geology of the Lungi area forms part of the Bullom Series that underlies the

broad, low lying, and often swampy coastal strip of Sierra Leone, which, in places

extends some 30 km inland.

The Lungi sediments consist of poorly consolidated flat-lying shallow feldsparthic

sands interbedded with seams of finely laminated tough red, pink and chocolate

brown clay, clay-sand, thin lignites, occasional gravels and calcareous grits. An intra-

formational hard crust of laterite, 2m to 4m thick is often developed.

3.4 Climate

3.4.1 Description of regional climate

Generally, the climate of the project area is described as wet tropical monsoon with a

single wet season each year. The average annual minimum and maximum rainfall is

about 23.8 mm and 801.7 mm respectively for the period between 2000 and 2003 but

it is generally a little higher in the east and the southeast. Normal temperature range

is 22 0C to 33 0 C although it can drop to as low as 150C at night during the Harmattan

season in January. Day temperatures average 310C in the dry season and 280 C in the

wet season (Hall, 1966). Average short wave radiation of the season is 393 cal/cm2.

The duration of growing period is 300-315 days.


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3.4.2 Wind Speed

The level of wind speeds recorded monthly by the Sierra Leone meteorological

services for the period 2001, 2002 and 2004 in the Lungi area indicate figures in the

normal range.

3.4.3 Noise Levels

Exposure to high noise levels is only transient for the majority of the villagers living

under the flight path and only lasts for less than a minute, although the frequency of

these events could be a couple of times a day, generally between 0930 hrs and 2330

hrs. Although the noise levels of some aircraft may be close to the threshold, the

flights are much too few and infrequent to warrant any special rescheduling measures.

3.4.4 Radioactivity

No radiation measurements were carried out during this phase of the project, but from

available radioactive data of the Lungi area radioactivity levels are within

International Standards.

3.4.5 Air quality

The air quality has not been measured but it has been taken to be good and well

within the internationally accepted limits for public health.

3.5 Engineering Aspects

3.5.1 Drainage system

The drains around the runway and aprons are generally unlined earth drains with

vegetation growing on the sides. Investigations by the team indicated that the existing

drainage systems around the airport and runway have sufficient storage capacity in

them. However due to poor and in some areas the lack of maintenance, vegetation and

siltation have reduced the capacity of the existing channels and culverts to an extent

that they are now operating at less that 50% of their capacity. It was also noted that

there is no provision for oil separation as part of the apron drainage.

3.5.2 Quarry sites for Aggregate

Aggregates required for the project shall include sand, coarse aggregate and laterite

for fill material. Of these, only sand and laterite are found in and around the project

area.


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3.5.3 Coarse Aggregate

Coarse aggregate of adequate quality is not found in the vicinity of the project site.

The closest location of an adequate and good supply of coarse aggregate is at the

quarry at Mama beach at the southern part of the Freetown Peninsular. The operation

of a quarry and crusher site so close to the road creates a significant hazard to the road

users, the occupants of the village and the resort.

3.5.4 Laterite

Laterite material is available in the Lungi area though in selected areas and in not very

large quantities. The Materials Engineer located a borrow area about 5 km from the

project site that contains material of the right quality and quantity. The located quarry

is an old one that was used in the construction of the Lungi- Tagrin road and more

recently by the company.

3.5.5 Sand

Sand for construction purposes is generally mined from the beaches. The material

engineers are still working on locating a suitable extraction site. The main location for

the extraction of sand presently is Mahera Beach. The area for the extraction is about

100 m up the coast line from the new Mahera Beach Hotel, and is close to the present

landing site for the hovercraft.

3.5.6 Airport Electrical System and Safety Plan

From observation and discussions held with workers in the different power stations it

was obvious that none were using any electrical power safety equipment.

3.5.7 Electrical systems

The system as at present utilizes 5 generators located in two places to run all facilities

in the airport. The generators are relatively new (1995- 2003) but are showing signs of

poor maintenance, with oil leaking from the engines. There is no system or process in

place for the handling and disposal of waste oils, and the oil appears to be disposed of

by allowing it to seep into the ground. The distribution system is virtually in a state of

total disrepair.


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3.5.8 General Pollution from Asphalt

Asphalt is probably one of the most important materials in the construction of road

and airport runway pavements. Its flexibility and impermeability to the ingress of

water makes it the most suitable material for these purposes. Prior to the initiation of

the works the appropriate personnel should be issued adequate protective equipment.

3.6 Health and safety management

In our discussions with the Chief Mechanical and Safety Engineer the authority has

yet to put in place a policy on safety. It is also noted that the Authority has a

Community Relations Committee that liaises with the community on issues affecting

the community/Authority relations. While the Public Relations Officer is a member

of the committee the Safety officer is not.

3.6.1 Occupational Health, Safety and Training

Until very recently, there was neither an Occupational Health nor Safety Manager for

the airport nor a Health and Safety Policy. However, it was reported that with the

recruitment of a Health and Safety Manager, a draft Safety Manual in which includes

a draft health and safety policy including HIV/AIDS has been developed and is being

studied by the management for review and subsequent adoption.

3.6.2 Rescue and Fire Fighting Service

Fire Cover as required by the International Civil Aviation Organisation for Aircrafts is

in place. There is available a modern rescue and fire fighting equipment that meets

Category 7 of the international standard. There is a modern save/rescue boat with two

engines each of 150 HP, built with aluminum alloy, fitted with 2 life rafters with a

capacity for 65 persons. The rescue boat, however, requires a toll vehicle and a

boathouse on the beach. The fire fighting personnel reported that they lack protective

clothing, breathing apparatus, adequate water hoses, portable fire extinguishers,

special protective shoes and modern protective hats.

3.7 Topography &Soils

The topography of the area is generally undulating with negligible relief. The uplands

are dissected by the Inland Valley Swamps (IVS). The soils are generally sandy in


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nature with clay content increasing with depth. The nutrient status is generally low

and varies according to the depth.

3.8 Land Use

The uplands of the survey area are very sparsely cultivated. Only small backyard

gardens are evident, comprising of maize, sweet potatoes, cassava and some

vegetables. During the rainy season, cultivation is mainly concentrated in the Inland

Valley Swamps, with rice as the main crop. All uncultivated areas of the swamp are

under fallow of aquatic grass species.

Livestock farming is not abundant, but in all of the settlements one form of livestock

or the other is reared and these comprise poultry, sheep, goats, cattle and pigs. Fishing

is one of the main activities of this coastal area and sea fishing is the most common.

Stream fishing is done on a very limited extent. Hunting is limited to the use of traps

for catching animals mainly for domestic consumption. Generally, forest reserves,

protected forests and agro-forestation are absent, though a few exotic trees have a

basically scattered occurrence or could have a linear occurrence along roads.

Fuelwood is also obtained mostly by buying from wood vehicles from Lokomasama

and Port Loko Town. Mangrove wood is also obtained from the mangrove swamp

especially from Tambobana Village. Arts and crafts include basket and mat weaving,

cloth weaving, cloth dying (gara), batik making, wood carving and carpentry.

Vocational institutions are also evident with arts and crafts options. Tourism

attractions are lacking in the area except for the Mahera Beach.

3.9 Fauna

In spite of the forest degradation in the area, sanctuary for animals and birds are still

in existence. The extensive coverage of bush regrowth forms a thriving environment

for monkeys, deer, squirrels, baboons, gorillas, sparrows, dodo birds and few other

animals and birds. Though hunted, this is done only by dogs and traps, and even then

not intensively.

3.10 Water Sources and Quality

The bulk of the water supply in the area comes from streams and swamps. Only three

of the water points assessed are safe for taking drinking water for now. All the other

wells need complete treatment–dewatering, cleaning and chlorinating in order to


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guarantee their chemical and bacterial purity before they are used as drinking water

sources.

3.11 Socio-economic Status And Living Conditions

The following are the major conclusions of the study done in the outlying communities: 1. The area is in need of adequate social infrastructure and employment

opportunities. Educational services are few and their delivery poor. Health care services are also poor and water and sanitation provision poor and inadequate. These are however normal problems in the entire District.

2. There are high expectations amongst the local populace with respect to the

benefits the airport can provide. It is therefore necessary to manage these expectations during all the stages of the project’s development to ensure that they are reasonable and that they can be met.


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4.0 ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES

Lungi is the only international airport in the country. The airfield pavements were laid in 1964 and since then have been subject only to minimal maintenance works, including sealing and over banding of cracks two years ago. As a result of its age, there is concern about the residual structural integrity of the pavement. There are also concerns that the turning loops and apron intersections are inadequate to handle wide aircrafts. The water and electrical supplies are inadequate. There is hardly any other rational alternative now to upgrading the airport. Another airport will be cost prohibitive and with the identification of the main issues that need to be addressed to bring the airport to the required standard, the consideration of other options could be ruled out.


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5.0 IMPACT ASSESSMENT

a) Construction phase

Impact 1: Loss Of Soil Resources Erosion And Sedimentation

Construction activities at the quarry site and at the borrow area will have negative long and short term impacts on soil resources as these will require the removal of the top soil, exposing other layers and increasing the possibility of soil erosion.

Protective techniques against erosion will be implemented by the contractor. These include drainage, grading and reclamation measures for the borrow pits.

Impact 2: Contamination of Surface and Ground Water

Vegetation depletion and erosion due to the operations at the quarry and borrow areas are possible sources of water contamination. Other sources include oil spills from various sources during the construction and groundwater contamination from toilet and waste storage facilities.

Several protective measures including erosion protection, recycling of lubricants, proper location of toilets etc. have been recommended.

Impact 3: Noise Pollution

Construction and vehicle activity will increase noise pollution. This will be especially true for the operation of the heavy haulage trucks moving aggregate and borrow material. The towns and villages through which the vehicles pass would be most affected by this type of pollution.

Several mitigatory measures including fitting proper mufflers to vehicles, the use of ear plugs, restriction of haulage activities etc. have been recommended.

Impact 4: Air Pollution

Construction activities could lead to an increase in dust within the area. The possible causes for this include, dust from quarry operations, dust from transportation of the quarried material, dust from vehicle operations on unpaved temporary roads and expelling of VOC’s from the operation of the asphalt producing and spreading machines.

Mitigatory measures include installing air pollution control equipment on the asphalt plant and use of water bowsers.


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Impact 5: Safety Hazard Resulting From Fuel/Hazardous Material Handling and Storage

Proper handling of fuels, lubricants and other hazardous materials is required at the construction site and other works areas. Pollution of water bodies, especially from runoff into drains and streams could also result in the depletion of marine life, pollution of the ground water and loss of aesthetic quality of the water.

Proper storage measures, training of staff and prohibiting the use of banned substances are amongst some of the proposed measures.

Impact 6: Coarse Aggregate Acquisition

The closest location of an adequate and good supply of coarse aggregate is at the quarry at Mama beach at the southern part of the Freetown Peninsular. The quarry and the crusher site are both located less that 50m of the main Peninsular and less than 600 m from Mama Beach village and resort. The quarry operation will be a significant hazard to the road users, the occupants of the village and the resort.

Proposed mitigatory measures include relocation of the quarry face, relocation of the crusher position, use of dust collectors and use of pollution control systems.

b) Operational Stage

Impact 1: Contamination of Surface and Ground Water

Sources of contamination include: Oil spills from machinery at the equipment yard, waste fuel oils at refuelling locations, poor disposal of waste oils at maintenance locations, poor location of toilet and waste storage facilities such that leachate from these is able to enter into the ground water and contaminate it.

Mitigatory measures have already been outlined.

Impact 2 Noise Pollution

A major source of noise pollution is the impact of the additional flights that would be using the airport once the project is completed.

One measure that could be taken is to create the landing time window for aircraft based on their approaching and departure noise levels. The paucity of flights may however make this unnecessary.


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Impact 3: Air Pollution

Generator operation and vehicle activities may lead to a lowering of air quality.

Monitoring of air quality and taking various corrective measures will help reduce the impact considerably.

Impact 4: Hazardous Material Handling and Storage

Pollution from spills and disfiguration of the landscape are some of the potential problems that could arise. Pollution of water bodies, especially from runoff into drains and streams could result in the depletion of marine life, pollution of the ground water and loss of aesthetic quality of the water.

Mitigatory measures have already been outlined.

c) Community related impacts

Social Welfare and Infrastructure

Economic development associated with the upgrading of the airport will create opportunities for individual, household and community empowerment. Social infrastructure to cope with an influx of migrants may be strained. This will impact negatively on health, education and other social facilities.

The Airport Authority and the Sierra Leone Government should be prepared to respond to the social and infrastructure needs of these communities.

Liaison and communication with the Airport Authority

Although now much improved, the relationship between the Airport Authority and the community as relates to employment, provision of infrastructure and social services has sometimes been strained. This could be exacerbated with the upgrading.

The prevention or minimisation of potential social conflict will depend on a continuous process of communication with local communities, where they are fully informed about project options and kept up-to-date on the latest developments.

Economic benefits

A number of economic opportunities in the form of employment and enterprise will be created for residents affected by the project. The injection of wages into the local economy will enhance trade. The upgrading of the airport will be a catalyst for longer-term development processes, by promoting local economic development, and attracting other international investors into the country. The efforts of the SLAA need to be complemented by government and NGOs.


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Land use

Land use in the area is mainly for activities such as agriculture. The upgrading will result in an increase in housing needs which may significantly reduce the availability of arable land, especially upland.

It may be necessary to assist affected communities to develop the swamps so as to shift from extensive subsistence upland agriculture to more intensive swamp cultivation, requiring additional agricultural inputs.


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6.0 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN The main objective of the environmental management plan is to recommend mitigatory measures in order to reduce the severity of the negative impacts identified in the impact assessment, to maximise the positive impacts and to prevent the occurrence of potential negative impacts.

6.1 Construction Stage

The impacts identified during construction in the impact study were a possible loss of vegetation and soil, erosion and sedimentation, contamination of surface water, noise, air pollution and safety hazards resulting from hazardous material.

• Aim:

• To minimize the above impacts and to provide a safe and healthy environment to humans during this stage.

6.1.1 Loss of Soil Resources, erosion and Sedimentation Topography

Objectives:

• To recreate the topography to be stable in the long term. Management practices:

• Proper drainage of the borrow area by providing cut off drains at the top and at different levels of the excavation face.

• Drainage outlets are to be placed so as to avoid the cascade effect.

• Where possible the receiving surface should be lined with stones or concrete.

• Final grading and reclamation of the borrow area and quarry with plant and vegetation native to the area to prevent erosion in the post construction phase and to encourage self sustaining development of a productive ecosystem.

6.1.2 Contamination of Surface and Groundwater

Objectives:

•• To have an insignificant impact on the suitability for use on downstream water

users.

• To minimise the use of water from external sources.

• To minimise the discharge of contaminated water in the short and long term.


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Management Practices:

• Protecting susceptible surfaces from erosion by protecting them with mulch, fabric of plant erodible surfaces as soon as possible.

• A proper system for the collection and recycling of lubricants should be maintained.

• Operators of all fuelling equipment should be trained in order to avoid spills.

• In addition all fuelling and maintenance areas should be provided with grease and oil traps.

• Provide properly located and adequately constructed and maintained latrines for the workers.

• Monitoring of the water quality and siltation in the stream bed.

6.1.3 Noise Pollution

Objectives:

• To minimize the effect of noise pollution caused by construction and vehicle activity.


• Fitting proper mufflers to vehicles and construction equipment to minimize noise pollution.

• All personnel should use hearing protection when exposed to noise levels above 85 dB(A).

• Construction activities will stop at sunset.

• No Haulage of construction material will take place after dark.

6.1.4 Air Pollution

Objectives:

• To minimize the effect of air pollution caused by construction, generator, vehicle and quarry operations.


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The contractor will be required to

• Install air pollution control equipment on the asphalt plant he is operating in order to trap and control the emission of VOC’s.

• In addition water bowsers will be used to wet down and control dust emissions on any temporary roads that are in use.

• Long haul vehicles in use for the transportation of the aggregate will have to be covered and soaked before departing from the quarry site.

6.1.5 Safety Hazard Resulting From Fuel/Hazardous Material Handling and Storage

Objectives:

• To minimize the effect of pollution from fuel/ materials.


• In order to control the pollution from Hazardous material the contractor must have personnel responsible for and trained in the handling of hazardous material.

• In addition the contractor should ensure that he maintains a location for the storage of these materials that is surrounded by a berm wall that would ensure that leakages of these materials will not be allowed to seep into the ground and cause contamination.

• It should also be noted that transformers or any equipment that is found to contain transformers or equipment containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) or PCB containing oils should not be used or installed.

6.1.6 Coarse Aggregate Acquisition

Objectives:

To reduce the hazards to road users, the occupants of the village and the resort.


• Measures will be taken to relocate the quarry face from the road side to a location further inland to prevent the hazard from flying debris.

• Another alternative is to reopen the quarry at Okra Hills.

• The crusher plant will also have to be relocated in the new location, the clearing of vegetation should be kept to a minimum to ensure there is a barrier


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of trees around the plant. This will help in trapping some of the dust particles and also act as a sound barrier.

• The crusher plant should be provided with pollution control systems to control the dust emitted throughout the different stages of the process.

• Equipment related to the handling of the material and storage (such as transfer systems silos and transfer points) should be covered and equipped with dust collectors.

6.2 Operational Stage

• Aim:

• To minimize the above impacts and to provide a safe and healthy environment to humans during this stage.

6.2.1 Contamination of Surface and Groundwater

Objectives:

• To have an insignificant impact on the suitability for use on downstream water users.

• To minimise the use of water from external sources.

• To minimise the discharge of contaminated water in the short-and long term.


• A proper system for the collection and recycling of lubricants should be maintained.

• Operators of all fuelling equipment should be trained in order to avoid spills.

• In addition all fuelling and maintenance areas should be provided with grease and oil traps.

• Provide properly located and adequately constructed and maintained latrines for the workers.

• Monitoring of the water quality and siltation in the stream bed.


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6.2.2 Noise Pollution

Objectives:

• To minimize the effect of noise pollution caused by aircraft and vehicle activity.


• Fitting proper mufflers to vehicles to minimize noise pollution.

• All personnel should use hearing protection when exposed to noise levels above 85 dB(A).

• Monitoring of noise levels shall occur at locations that will be identified as being at highest risk to ensure that noise levels on receptors outside the project’s boundary do not exceed 75dB(A) during the day and 70 dB(A) at night.

• For pollution from increased aircraft usage, the Authority will need to develop a system of noise quotas that would limit the use of certain types of aircraft in Sierra Leonean Airspace. Another measure that could be taken is to create a landing time window for aircraft based on their approaching and departure noise level. The relatively small number of flights for such an airport may however obviate the need for such measures.

6.2.3 Air Pollution

Objectives:

• To minimize the effect of air pollution caused by construction, generator, vehicle and quarry operations.


The contractor will be required to

• Install air pollution control equipment on the asphalt plant he is operating in order to trap and control the emission of VOC’s.

6.2.4 Safety Hazard Resulting From Fuel/Hazardous Material Handling and Storage

Objectives:

• To minimize the effect of pollution from fuel/ materials.



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• In order to control the pollution from Hazardous material the contractor must have personnel responsible for and trained in the handling of hazardous material.

• In addition the contractor should ensure that he maintains a location for the storage of these materials that is surrounded by a berm wall that would ensure that leakages of these materials will not be allowed to seep into the ground and cause contamination.

• It should also be noted that transformers or any equipment that is found to contain transformers or equipment containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) or PCB containing oils should not be used or installed.

6.3 Cost estimate for Environmental Management Plan

Many of the mitigating measures mentioned especially during the operational phase of the project should be instituted as part of the normal operations of the Airport. There are however at present severe constraints in implementing some of the measures and it is assumed that the institutional measures needed and the equipment/installation required will be put in place either as part of the normal operating programme or as part of this project. It is also assumed that assistance will be sought by the Authority in the areas of advisory services and monitoring for the environmental related programmes. A suggested budget for five years is indicated in the following table.

Estimated cost of Environmental Management Plan

Cost Area Cost (US$) Year1 Year2 Year3 Year4 Year5 Total

Independent Environmental monitoring and advisory services

15,000 7,000 7,000 7,000 7,000 43,000

Borrow pit grading/rehabilitation

30,000 0 0 0 0 30,000

Operational mitigatory measures during construction phase of project

20,000 0 0 0 0 20,000

Oil/lubricant handling/collection

10,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 30,000

Institutional strengthening for occupational health and safety

10,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 30,000

Training 10,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 30,000 Protective/monitoring equipment

5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 25,000

Total 100,000 27,000 27,000 27,000 27,000 208,000


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7.0 CONCLUSION

The Environmental Assessment study has indicated impacts, suggested mitigatory measures and proffered an Environmental Management Plan. The recommendations made should be implemented as appropriate during the construction and operational phases of the project. No insurmountable problems are expected with the implementation of the project, but the SLAA needs to be committed in sorting out the environmental problems wrought by the Airport upgrading project.

C:\CEMMATS 2005\Bids, EOIs & Proposals\ARS\EIAt - Execuitve Summary Final Report jc.doc


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