SURINAME Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Preliminary Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) with an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) November 2018 Table of Contents ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ..................................................................................... i EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................................................... iii Background ................................................................................................................................................ iii Project Description ..................................................................................................................................... iv Analysis of Alternatives ............................................................................................................................... v Legal, Regulatory, and Policy Framework .................................................................................................... v Applicable World Bank Safeguard Policies .................................................................................................. vi ESIA Process, Consultation, and Review Process ....................................................................................... vii Environmental and Social Baseline Information and Data ........................................................................ viii Project Stakeholders .................................................................................................................................. ix Land and Tenure and Use of Public Land ..................................................................................................... x Assessment of Environmental and Social Impacts and Risks ....................................................................... xi Environmental and Social Mitigation Measures ......................................................................................... xi Environmental and Social Management Plan ............................................................................................. xi Stakeholder Engagement and Communication .......................................................................................... xii Implementation Arrangements for the ESMP ............................................................................................ xii ESIA Consultation and Disclosure .............................................................................................................. xii 1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background..................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Project Description ......................................................................................................................... 3 2 ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES ....................................................................................... 7 3 LEGAL, REGULATORY, AND POLICY FRAMEWORK ........................................................ 7 3.1 Environmental Institutional Framework ......................................................................................... 8 3.1.1 Key International Environmental Accords and Corresponding National Policies and Programs .... 8 3.1.2 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Permitting .............................................. 10 3.1.3 Solid, Biological, Medical, and Hazardous Waste and Wastewater Management ........................ 10 3.2 Applicable World Bank Safeguard Policies .................................................................................... 11 3.3 ESIA Process, Consultation, and Review Process ........................................................................... 12 4 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL BASELINE INFORMATION AND DATA ......................... 13 4.1 Environmental Overview .............................................................................................................. 13 ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project 4.1.1 Geology ......................................................................................................................................... 13 4.1.2 Soils ............................................................................................................................................... 14 4.1.3 Surface and Groundwater Hydrology ............................................................................................ 15 4.2 Existing Infrastructure .................................................................................................................. 18 4.2.1 Project Area of Influence ............................................................................................................... 18 4.2.2 Roads and Transportation ............................................................................................................. 26 4.2.3 Power Lines and Telecommunication ........................................................................................... 26 4.3 Sediment and Water Quality ........................................................................................................ 27 4.3.1 Sediment Quality ........................................................................................................................... 27 4.3.2 Water Quality ................................................................................................................................ 28 4.4 Canal Aquatic Biology ................................................................................................................... 29 4.5 Project Stakeholders ..................................................................................................................... 31 4.6 Government Organizations ........................................................................................................... 31 4.7 Businesses .................................................................................................................................... 32 4.8 Residents ...................................................................................................................................... 33 4.9 Use of the Canal............................................................................................................................ 37 4.9.1 Businesses ..................................................................................................................................... 37 4.9.2 Use of the Canal 2018 ................................................................................................................... 39 4.9.3 Residents’ Use of the canal ........................................................................................................... 40 4.9.4 Livelihood Activities in and along the Saramacca Canal ................................................................ 41 4.9.5 Farmers.......................................................................................................................................... 42 5 LAND AND TENURE AND USE OF PUBLIC LAND .......................................................... 45 5.1 Land Tenure Titles in the Area of Interest ..................................................................................... 45 5.1.1 Residential areas south of the Canal ............................................................................................. 45 5.1.2 Residential Areas North of the Canal ............................................................................................ 46 5.1.3 Industrial Area between the Suriname River and the Coesewijne Bridge .................................... 46 5.1.4 Rural areas ..................................................................................................................................... 46 5.2 Public Maintenance Strip and Drainage Canals ............................................................................. 46 6 IDENTIFICATION OF VULNERABLE GROUPS ................................................................ 48 7 ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS AND RISKS ....................... 58 7.1 Approach for Impact and Risk Assessment ................................................................................... 58 8 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MITIGATION MEASURES ........................................... 63 ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project 8.1 Air Quality .................................................................................................................................... 63 8.2 Noise ............................................................................................................................................ 63 8.3 Surface Water ............................................................................................................................... 64 8.4 Waste ........................................................................................................................................... 65 8.5 Worker Health and Safety ............................................................................................................ 66 8.6 Community Health and Safety ...................................................................................................... 67 8.7 Biodiversity................................................................................................................................... 67 8.8 Loss or Degradation of Vegetation ................................................................................................ 68 8.9 Loss or Degradation of Wildlife ..................................................................................................... 68 8.10 Socioeconomic .............................................................................................................................. 68 8.11 Businesses .................................................................................................................................... 69 8.12 Area Residents .............................................................................................................................. 70 8.13 Cultural Heritage .......................................................................................................................... 70 9 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN ................................................ 71 9.1 Pilot Interventions and Application of Safeguards ........................................................................ 75 9.2 Contingency Emergency Response ................................................................................................ 75 9.3 Monitoring and Reporting ............................................................................................................ 75 9.4 Environmental, Health and Safety Training ................................................................................... 76 10 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATION .............................................. 76 10.1 Grievance Redress Mechanism ..................................................................................................... 78 11 IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ESMP ................................................. 79 11.1 Environmental and social specialists ............................................................................................. 79 12 ESIA CONSULTATION AND DISCLOSURE ..................................................................... 80 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................... 81 APPENDIX A: SEDIMENT AND WATER QUALITY STUDY .................................................... 82 A-1. Sediment Sampling Protocols ....................................................................................................... 82 A-2. Fieldwork ...................................................................................................................................... 84 A-4. Laboratory Analyses ..................................................................................................................... 87 A-5. Assessment Criteria ...................................................................................................................... 87 A-6. Discussion and Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 88 A-7. Historical Data Graphs .................................................................................................................. 96 ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project APPENDIX B: RAPID AQUATIC BIOLOGICAL AND VEGETATION SURVEY REPORT SUMMARY105 B-1. Methods ..................................................................................................................................... 105 B-2. Results ........................................................................................................................................ 108 B-3. Conclusions................................................................................................................................. 117 B-4. References .................................................................................................................................. 117 APPENDIX C: STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS PLAN .................. 120 C-1. Introduction................................................................................................................................ 120 C-2. Objectives of Stakeholder Engagement ...................................................................................... 120 C-3. Stakeholder Engagement Plan .................................................................................................... 121 C-4. Communications Plan ................................................................................................................. 123 C-5. Contact with Project Proponent (Grievance Mechanism) ........................................................... 125 C-6. Monitoring and Reporting .......................................................................................................... 132 APPENDIX D: STAKEHOLDER MEETING REPORTS ........................................................... 134 APPENDIX E: CONSTRUCTION ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN ......................... 166 E-1. Introduction................................................................................................................................ 166 E-2. Project Description ..................................................................................................................... 167 E-3. Project Roles, Responsibilities And Contacts .............................................................................. 167 E-4. Training, Awareness and Competency ........................................................................................ 167 E-5. Environment Management ......................................................................................................... 168 APPENDIX F: TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PLAN .................................................................. 176 F-1. Introduction................................................................................................................................ 176 F-2. Project Description ..................................................................................................................... 176 F-3. Project Roles, Responsibilities And Contacts .............................................................................. 177 APPENDIX G: WORKER HEALTH AND SAFETY AND COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY PLAN 188 G-1. Introduction................................................................................................................................ 188 G-2. Project Description ..................................................................................................................... 188 G-3. Site Conditions and Requirements .............................................................................................. 189 G-4. Policy and Systems ..................................................................................................................... 190 G-5. Project Roles, Responsibilities And Contacts .............................................................................. 190 G-6. Training, Awareness and Competency ........................................................................................ 190 G-7. Complaints ................................................................................................................................. 191 ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project G-8. General Monitoring Arrangements ............................................................................................. 191 G-9. Emergency Procedures ............................................................................................................... 191 G-10. Health and Safety Risk Management .......................................................................................... 192 APPENDIX H: DREDGED MATERIALS MANAGEMENT PLAN ............................................ 194 H-1. Introduction................................................................................................................................ 194 H-2. Project Description ..................................................................................................................... 194 H-3. Project Roles, Responsibilities and Contacts ............................................................................... 195 H-4. Training, Awareness and Competency ........................................................................................ 195 H-5. Environment Management ......................................................................................................... 196 H-6. Key Considerations ..................................................................................................................... 196 ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project List of Tables Table 1. Businesses along Saramacca Canal, by Type................................................................... 33 Table 2. Uses of the Saramacca Canal and its Shorelines by Local Area Residents ..................... 41 Table 3. Names of Cultural Sites on Either Side of the Saramacca Canal ..................................... 43 Table 4. Applicability of World Bank OP 4.10 Criteria for Indigenous Peoples to the Maroon Households along the Saramacca Canal ....................................................................................... 49 Table 5 Saramacca Canal Project Components and Activities Environmental and Social Impact and Risk Assessment Matrix* ....................................................................................................... 59 Table 6 Project Environmental, Social Impacts, Issues and Concerns with Mitigation Measures, Responsibilities and Means of Verification .................................................................................. 72 Table 7 Grievance management guide ......................................................................................... 77 Table A8 Overview of Sediment and Surface Water Sampling Locations .................................... 83 Table A9 Abridged Soil and Sediment Risk-Based Guidelines and Testing of Parameters with Results above the Reporting Limit ................................................................................................ 91 Table A10 Testing of Oil and Grease in Surface Water with Results ............................................ 95 Table B11 Vegetation of the 14 sections .................................................................................... 109 Table B12 Overview of the amphibians and reptiles found during the survey at each site. Species found in between are also noted in the table. .............................................................. 112 Table B13 Overview of the fish species, the number of specimens per species collected at each site and the different collecting methods used. ......................................................................... 114 Table B14 Overview of the species and the number of specimens per species collected at each site. .............................................................................................................................................. 116 Table B15 List of plant species and their life form occurring in and around the Saramacca Canal. ..................................................................................................................................................... 118 Table C16 Feedback Intake Form ................................................................................................ 129 Table C17 Feedback Log.............................................................................................................. 131 Table D18 Summary of comments (in Dutch) Notulen Stakeholder sessie Saramaccakanaal ... 148 Table D19 Summary of comments (in Dutch) Notulen Stakeholder sessie Saramaccakanaal ... 164 Table E20 Project Roles, Responsibilities and Contact Details ................................................... 167 Table E21 Air Quality and Dust Management ............................................................................ 169 Table E22 Noise Management .................................................................................................... 170 Table E23 Turbidity ..................................................................................................................... 171 Table E24 Biodiversity ................................................................................................................. 172 Table E25 Oil and Other Noxious Substances ............................................................................. 173 ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Table E26 Waste Management ................................................................................................... 175 Table F27 Project Roles, Responsibilities and Contact Details ................................................... 177 Table F28 Secondary and Tertiary Drainage Improvement Work Area ..................................... 179 Table F29 Pedestrian Safety........................................................................................................ 181 Table F30 Vehicle Routes ............................................................................................................ 182 Table F31 Drivers Safe Work Practices ....................................................................................... 183 Table F32 Signalers/Banksman Practices .................................................................................... 185 Table F33 Other Plant and Equipment ....................................................................................... 186 Table G34 Project Roles, Responsibilities and Contact Details .................................................. 190 Table G35 Template .................................................................................................................... 193 Table H36 Project Roles, Responsibilities and Contact Details .................................................. 195 ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project List of Figures Figure 1. Suriname Map .................................................................................................................. 2 Figure 2. Location of the Saramacca Canal ..................................................................................... 4 Figure 3. Key Structural Activities along the Canal, Rehabilitation of Sluices, Locks, and Dredging ......................................................................................................................................................... 4 Figure 4. Geology Map of the Project Area (Source: Planatlas Suriname 1988) .......................... 14 Figure 5. Soil Map of the Project Area (Source: Planatlas Suriname 1988) ................................. 15 Figure 6. Canal Network of Greater Paramaribo Showing Drainage Area into the Saramacca Canal and Land Use and Land Cover ............................................................................................. 16 Figure 7. Land Use/Land Cover Types along the Canal ................................................................. 17 Figure 8. The District of Paramaribo Showing Division of Resorts in the Saramacca Drainage Area ....................................................................................................................................................... 17 Figure 9. Overview of the parcel map........................................................................................... 18 Figure 10. Road within the Project Area ....................................................................................... 26 Figure 11. Four Main Residential Areas along the Saramacca Canal ........................................... 35 Figure 12. Graphs of Number of Barges Entering the Saramacca Canal - Doorsteek .................. 40 Figure 13.Cultural Sites ................................................................................................................. 44 Figure 14. Assorted Photos of the Canal and Area of Influence................................................... 50 Figure 15. Saramacca Canal System Photos – Sluice Gates and Urban Areas .............................. 51 Figure 16. Saramacca Canal System Photos – Urban Area ........................................................... 52 Figure 17. Saramacca Canal System Photos – Along the Canal .................................................... 53 Figure 18. Saramacca Canal System Photos – Along the Canal .................................................... 54 Figure 19. Saramacca Canal System Photos - Canals .................................................................... 55 Figure 20. Saramacca Canal System Photos – Residential areas .................................................. 56 Figure 21. Saramacca Canal System Photos - Vegetation ............................................................ 57 Figure A22 Location of Sediment Sampling Locations .................................................................. 83 Figure A23 Illustrations of observations at the sampling locations ............................................. 86 Figure A24 Chemical Water Sampling Results .............................................................................. 96 Figure A25 Reports of Microbiological Analysis ......................................................................... 101 Figure B26 Overview of the different sections of the Saramacca Canal used for the vegetation sampling ...................................................................................................................................... 105 ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Figure B27 Overview of the 5 preplanned locations that were sampled along the length of the Saramacca Canal ......................................................................................................................... 106 Figure B28 Activities during the survey ...................................................................................... 107 Figure B29 Some of the Vegetation Types Occurring along the Saramacca Canal .................... 110 Figure B30 Some of the plant species occurring along the Saramacca Canal ............................ 111 Figure B31 Some of the amphibians and reptiles occurring along the Saramacca Canal .......... 113 Figure B32 Some of the fish species occurring along the Saramacca Canal ............................... 115 Figure D33 Presentation Material............................................................................................... 135 Figure D34 Stakeholder Attendee List ........................................................................................ 141 Figure D35 Assorted Photos of the August 28, 2018 Consultation ............................................ 145 Figure D36 Presentation Material October 2018 ....................................................................... 153 Figure D37 Stakeholder Attendee List - October ........................................................................ 158 Figure D38 Assorted Photos of the October 29, 2018 Consultation .......................................... 161 ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ACP-EU NDRRP African, Caribbean and Pacific European Commission for National Disaster Risk Reduction Program AdeKUS Anton de Kom University of Paramaribo AoI Area of Influence ATM Labour, Technological Development, and Environment (Arbeid, Technologische Ontwikkeling, and Milieu) BOG Bureau Public Health (Bureau Openbare Gezondheidszorg) CIC Consolidated Industries Corporation DO Dissolved Oxygen DWV Department for Water Provision (Dienst Watervoorziening) EBS Suriname Energy Company (Energie Bedrijven Suriname) EC Electrical Conductivity EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EPA Environmental Protection Agency EPH Extractable Petroleum Hydrocarbons ESMP Environmental and Social Management Plan ESIA Environmental and Social Impact Assessment ESMF Environmental and Social Management Framework EU European Union FRA Flood Risk Assessment GFDRR Global Facility for Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery GMO Genetically Modified Organism GoS Government of Suriname GPS Global Positioning System ISDS Integrated Safeguards Data Sheet LVV Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Fisheries (Landbouw, Veeteelt en Visserij) MAS Maritime Authorities Suriname MCL Maximum Contaminant Level MI-GLIS Management Instituut voor Grondregistratie en Land Informatie Systeem MoPWTC Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Communication MSL Mean Sea Level NBF National Biosafety Framework NCCR National Coordination Center for Disaster Relief NH Natural Resources (Natuurlijke Hulpbronnen) NMR National Council for the Environment (Nationale Milieuraad) NIMOS National Institute for Environment and Development in Suriname (Nationaal Instituut voor Milieu en Ontwikkkeling Suriname) NMR National Council for the Environment (Nationale Milieuraad) ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page i PAH Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon PCB Polychlorinated Biphenyl PIU Project Implementation Unit RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands RGB Spatial Planning, Land, and Forest Management (Ruimtelijke Ordening, Land- en Bosbeheer) RO Ministry of Regional Development (Regionale Ontwikkeling) RPF Resettlement Policy Framework SWM Suriname Water Company TDS Total Dissolved Solids TPH Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons TSS Total Suspended Solids USEPA United States Environmental Protection Agency ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page ii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Background The Government of Suriname (GoS) is preparing the World Bank-funded project, the US$30 million Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project (hereafter referred to as the Project) to reduce flood risk for the Greater Paramaribo. The Project will improve the capacity of the Saramacca Canal to discharge water efficiently into the Suriname and Saramacca Rivers, improve operation of the canal for flood management, navigation, and irrigation. In addition, the Project will establish a monitoring, forecasting, and management system for the overall Saramacca drainage system. The GoS, in particular the Ministry of Public Works, Transport, and Communication (MoPWTC), is responsible for the preparation of the safeguard instruments required for the project preparation, in particular, an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment with an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESIA-ESMP). This will ensure that the proposed Project applies the required World Bank safeguards for the proposed activities and follows the GoS’ environmental guidance and builds capacity in-country for producing the required safeguard instruments. Paramaribo is located on a low-lying coastal plain next to the Suriname River and approximately 10 km from the Atlantic coast. The city has an area of 182 km2 and a population of over 300,000 people. The area is generally flat, ranging from less than 1 m to 2 m above sea level. The majority of Greater Paramaribo relies on an extensive network of canals for stormwater drainage. These canals drain the central and southern parts of the city toward the Saramacca Canal, while the northern part has a series of canals draining stormwater directly to the ocean. As the city has grown over the last century, the role of the Saramacca Canal has become ever more important in the drainage of rainwater from an area of approximately 190 km 2, with approximately 70 km2 from the more heavily urbanized city areas and 120 km2 from the less densely or rural areas. Most of the network drains under gravity through the interconnected canal system that runs along the side of most roads; however, during a significant rainfall event, this network capacity can be overwhelmed, and flooding will occur with inundation of roads and roadside properties. This Project has been classified as a Category B project, as documented in the Integrated Safeguards Data Sheet (ISDS). Based on early scoping of the project by World Bank environmental and social specialists, there is a requirement to development an ESIA for the project. The purpose of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) is to: • Identify environmental and social impacts and risks; • Determine measures to mitigate these impacts and risks through an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP); • Engage in stakeholder consultation and have valid communication process across these stakeholders: • Specify the interinstitutional arrangements for the preparation of time-bound action plans for managing and mitigating impacts and risks; ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page iii • Ensure that there are appropriate avenues for grievance redress across the Project activities; • Provide ample information for the Project contractor to submit appropriate Environment and Social Management Plans to effectively and appropriately implement the Project components; and • Establish a monitoring and verification program to report to all parties on the progress and status of safeguards actions. Project Description The Project aims to finance structural and nonstructural measures to improve the resilience against flooding in the Greater Paramaribo area. The structural measures will improve the discharging capacity of the Saramacca Canal to reduce pluvial flooding and improve navigation between the Suriname and Saramacca Rivers and the industrial zones around Saramacca Canal. The nonstructural measures will strengthen the GoS’ capacity to manage and operate the Saramacca Canal System. The project cost is estimated at US$30 million, divided into four components: Component 1 - Improving the Drainage Infrastructure, Component 2 - Strengthening the Saramacca Canal Water Management System, Component 3 - Providing a Contingent Emergency Response, and Component 4 - Supporting the Project Management and Implementation Support. Component 1 - Improving the Drainage Infrastructure A number of structural measures will improve the conveyance of the city’s pluvial waters to the Suriname and Saramacca Rivers to significantly reduce flooding and improve Canal navigation. Two main activities will be financed: (a) rehabilitation of the sluices and locks and (b) increase in conveyance through dredging, reprofiling, and clearing and possible selected interventions on the secondary and tertiary canals, as well as the utilization of green areas for flood management. Component 2 - Strengthening the Saramacca Canal Water Management System This component addresses nonstructural flood management measures including technical assistance activities to improve the capacity of the GoS to manage the Saramacca Canal’s water levels and hydraulic structure operations. The two main activities are: (a) technical assistance and training to improve operation, maintenance, and surveillance of the drainage system and (b) institutional support toward a possible Saramacca Canal System Authority. Component 3 - Providing a Contingent Emergency Response The contingent emergency response component will respond rapidly at the government’s request in the event of a natural disaster. This component will finance the implementation of emergency works, rehabilitation, and associated assessments if needed. A brief ESMF will be prepared for the potential types of activities likely to be financed under this component, providing a preliminary evaluation of potential risks and mitigation measures associated with them. Component 4 - Supporting the Project Management and Implementation Support ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page iv This component will support the overall project management and implementation support. And may include support to (a) hire specialized staff for project implementation, as needed by the Project Implementation Unit (PIU); (b) collect socioeconomic data for monitoring and evaluation; (c) finance project reporting and audits; (d) provide environmental and social safeguard supervision; (e) provide trainings in areas such as procurement, safeguards, monitoring and evaluation, technical, and financial management; (f) develop a communications strategy for engaging with local communities and stakeholders; and (g) provide any additional operating costs for the PIU. Analysis of Alternatives A number of studies have shaped the background to arrive at the current project concept. The World Bank has supported the GOS in its efforts to better understand the risk of flooding and to undertake informed risk reduction measures. Between 2016 and 2017, a World Bank TA, supported by the African, Caribbean, and Pacific-European Union (ACP-EU) National Disaster Risk Reduction Program, in partnership with the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) and the GoS, conducted a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) for the greater Paramaribo area and a Coastal Resilience Assessment. Strategic flood hazard modelling was carried out to assess flood depth and extent for a range of rainfall and tidal scenarios in the greater Paramaribo area, and a high-level options appraisal was undertaken for evaluating mitigation proposals. The studies led to the development of an evidence-based, prioritized list of targeted flood reduction investments comprising 14 structural and nonstructural flood risk interventions to reduce pluvial flooding in the greater Paramaribo area. The preliminary cost- benefit analysis found that the most beneficial, strategic, and sustainable flood mitigation options included improvements to the Saramacca Canal, a key element of the drainage system for the central and western areas of Paramaribo. To directly address these challenges and following the recommendations of the FRA, this project will upgrade specific critical drainage infrastructure, improve drainage in the Saramacca Canal and targeted secondary or tertiary systems, and develop an asset management platform. Legal, Regulatory, and Policy Framework This section provides an overview of key laws and requirements around environmental and social impact assessments. Suriname has no ratified comprehensive and overarching law for environmental protection and management. However, there are various laws and policies related to social and environmental issues and various institutions involved in carrying them out. Suriname is a party to numerous international conventions related to the environment, which drive many of its environmental policy efforts. The National Institute for Environment and Development in Suriname (Nationaal Instituut voor Milieu en Ontwikkkeling Suriname, NIMOS) is responsible for the review of ESIAs of proposed projects, environmental monitoring and enforcement of environmental mitigation plans, and education and outreach. An Environment Section in the Cabinet of the President is also important in the management and administration of environmental concerns. Additional environmental management activities and policies are under various ministries. The Ministry of Spatial Planning, Land, and Forest Management (Ruimtelijke Ordening, Land- en Bosbeheer, RGB) is responsible for protected areas and forestry management. The Ministry of Natural ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page v Resources (Natuurlijke Hulpbronnen, NH) manages water resources policy, drinking water supply (groundwater and small community drinking water systems not served by the state water company), energy resources, and mineral resources. The MoPWTC manages surface water and urban drainage, conducts hydrological and meteorological monitoring, and manages sewage treatment. In the environmental arena, the Ministry of Health is responsible for regulating medical waste management. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Fisheries (Landbouw, Veeteelt en Visserij, LVV) is responsible for pesticide management, including imports, distribution, storage, and use. Other key International Environmental Accords and Corresponding National Policies and Programs are summarized in the document. NIMOS has developed guidelines for classifying and studying environmental impacts of proposed projects (similar to those of the World Bank) and procedures for their review and enforcement of mitigation measures, but they are not mandatory. Generic guidelines have been developed for the classification of proposed projects and the type of environmental evaluations required, as well as specific guidelines for some sectors, including agriculture (for projects greater than 10 ha). There are no written guidelines for evaluation of policy projects or programs, although two strategic environmental assessments have been prepared and evaluated by NIMOS (one on forestry and one on small-scale mining). There are no laws requiring environmental permits for programs or projects (aside from permits for incinerators). Applicable World Bank Safeguard Policies This project has been classified as a Category B project, as documented in the ISDS. Based on early scoping of the project by World Bank environmental and social specialists, the following World Bank safeguards policies are triggered: Safeguard Policy and ISDS Explanation Environmental Assessment - OP/BP 4.01 The Project is a Category B - Partial Assessment, assigned to projects that are likely to have localized, limited, and reversible environmental impacts. Overall, the Project will have largely positive social and environmental (health and safety) impacts through its role in reducing vulnerability to flooding and improved navigational capacities to enhance commercial trade. Physical interventions resulting from the implementation of the project activities could have low to moderate negative environmental impacts. The most significant impacts will result from the construction and rehabilitation works (backfilling, excavation, earth-moving, and dredging). Impacts on the biophysical and socioeconomic environments are expected to be limited in nature. Nevertheless, care will be taken to schedule civil works to avoid key breeding and nesting periods. All construction sites and embankments will be rehabilitated and revegetated with native shrubs and trees after works are completed. Given that the project may affect roads and bridges, road safety measures and traffic diversion plans will be adopted, and any construction waste will be disposed of appropriately. Given that the specific nature and location of all components are known on its localities and well defined, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and an ESMP have been adopted as the instruments for this project. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page vi Natural Habitats - OP/BP 4.04 Appropriate mitigation measures will be followed to limit the impact on local flora and terrestrial and aquatic faunal species (besides fishes) reported to be present in the Saramacca Canal. Nevertheless, given the vast area of the uninhabited areas of and nearby the canal, the localized and short-term works proposed for the project will not result in significant degradation or conversion of natural habitats because the works are limited to upgrading and rehabilitation of existing structures. Care will be taken to schedule civil works to avoid key breeding and nesting periods. All construction sites and embankments will be rehabilitated and revegetated with native shrubs and trees after works are completed. Physical Cultural Resources - OP/BP 4.11 There is one small religious shrine built on a land parcel along the canal (not in the canal), which will require an appropriate communication approach in case the rehabilitation works are carried out nearby. Indigenous Peoples - OP/BP 4.10 This policy application is based on continued field review by World Bank specialists regarding the situation on the ground and confirmation from the Social Assessment Involuntary Resettlement - OP/BP 4.12 Land acquisition is not anticipated, neither is disruption of livelihoods nor involuntary population resettlement. However, accurate information on the structures affected will be available during project implementation only when the engineering designs will be prepared. Before appraisal a Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) will be prepared, including arrangements for reconstruction and/or compensation for the structures affected as well as the associated budget. ESIA Process, Consultation, and Review Process Several steps have been followed in the ESIA development, submissions and review. • A draft of the terms of reference for drafting the ESIA was reviewed by NIMOS • Various experts in Suriname were solicited to provide inputs to the ESIA for data collection and inputs on: water quality, sediment, vegetation, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. • Specialists across environment and social safeguards teamed with MOPWTC staff to contribute to the ESIA • A first consultation was held at MOPWTC on August 28, 2018 • The World Bank environmental safeguards specialist reviewed the ESIA • The draft ESIA has been posted on relevant MOPWTC and NIMOS websites for public review and comment • The ESIA was disclosed also on the World Bank website ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page vii Environmental and Social Baseline Information and Data This section of the ESIA provides an environmental overview, summary of the existing infrastructure, sediment and water quality, canal aquatic biology, project stakeholders, and uses of the Canal. These topics are supplemented with maps and photographs as well as selected detailed field work. Based on a detailed understanding of the canal functions, location, and adjacent and nearby residences and businesses, the MoPWTC has designated a 200 m boundary on each side of the canal as the direct area of influence (AoI). Consequently, all potential environmental and social risks and impacts related to the main canal dredging, reprofiling, and sluice gate and lock rehabilitation are assessed in this ESIA in the context of this AoI. Also the pilot activities around selected interventions on the secondary and tertiary canals are still to be determined and when finalized, the MoPWTC staff will undertake an environment and social baseline as undertaken in the main report to provide practical solutions for potential risks and impacts in a similar fashion. The environmental overview provides a description of the area geology, soils, surface and ground water hydrology, and infrastructure. A discussion of the Canal water quality and sediment conditions is presented based on field sampling at designated mapped locations providing details on key parameters. The sediment quality results are summarized in detail for qualitative and quantitative results with a finding that: most of the compounds tested for were absent or present in very low concentration with some locations showed somewhat higher concentrations (but below the maximum value for industrial use) for cobalt, zinc, and total petroleum. Concentrations for several compounds, phenols, TPH/EPH, toluene and cresol showed levels that require further attention and careful disposal. It is concluded that a designated disposal site will be used to ensure proper management and disposal of these materials. The sediment quality results indicate that the dredging material can be applied at some time in the future for fill, for use such as in industrial sites. The fecal coliforms and E. Coli results show very high concentrations for both parameters. This was not unexpected since the main Saramacca Canal and secondary canals rainwater and direct discharges of domestic wastewater from untreated or partially treated septic tanks. An aquatic biological survey was conducted in 2018 to gather baseline information on the existing species and distributions. Documentation of the aquatic vegetation, fauna, and habitats was achieved through quantitative and/or qualitative sampling of populations. The vegetation types found were classified into 6 board community types and all are quite abundant in other parts of Suriname with anthropogenic disturbances. The amphibians and reptiles along and in the canal indicate that no unique or rare species were found during the survey and these species are quite abundant in other parts of Suriname. The conclusion for collected and analyzed invertebrate taxa was that no unique species were found during the survey. The fish diversity in the Saramacca Canal was assessed using different methods such as panel gill nets, dip nets, and cast nets. Collected species are very common and can be found in other parts of Suriname. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page viii Project Stakeholders There is an assortment of GoS institutions, businesses, and residents located within the canal area of influence. This section in the report provides an overview across these stakeholders. The Project will be implemented by the MoPWTC). Within the MoPWTC, a PIU will be established to manage daily project activities, monitor project progress, communicate with stakeholders, and address grievances (See Communication Plan). During the first project information meeting, stakeholders expressed concerns about representation of local area inhabitants in the PIU and about continuity of consultations. Upon establishment of this unit, its composition and function must be clearly communicated to stakeholders, as well as the working of the grievance mechanism. Furthermore, to enhance stakeholder engagement, the PIU may establish a Stakeholder Committee with representatives of the different residential areas and relevant government entities. Other government ministries with an interest in the Project are listed and discussed. A significant number and variety of businesses are situated immediately bordering the canal. The MoPWTC characterized the 130 businesses and other nonresidential structures in the 200 m zone along the canal. Four main residential neighborhoods have been identified along the Saramacca Canal: South of the canal: • Wit Boiti (Goede Verwachting), Ressort Latour, District of Paramaribo • Sunny Point 2/Leiding 20, Ressort Koewarasan, District of Wanica North of the canal: • Magnesiumstraat/Titaiumstraat, Ressort Flora, District of Paramaribo • Metropoolweg/Indrawatiweg, Ressort Saramaccapolder, Wanica District A detailed demographic and socioeconomic description of these different neighborhoods is presented in the report. Observations and interviews indicate that several businesses use the canal to bring in production inputs (for example, sand and lumber), to discharge wastewater, and to dispose of waste. A summary of Canal use for transport of goods and services is also presented. Most of the businesses in the 200 m zone along the canal do not use it for transportation; they are only located in this area because it is an industrial area and, for some, close to the harbors of the Suriname River. Once the project design is completed, a more detailed inventory will be made of all firms that use the canal for transportation, including contact information. Residents’ Use of the canal includes many activities. Some households use the canal washing clothes, washing dishes, and bathing—especially in the dry season. For these purposes, they have built small wooden boardwalks or clay steps into the water. Occasionally children swim in the canal, but this is discouraged by parents as already several children have drowned. Some persons drive small boats in the canal for leisure. Persons from outside the AoI also use the boat landings along the canal to launch their boats. In this context, the canal is sometimes used ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page ix as a passage way to the Saramacca River or the Suriname River. Many low-income households along the canal typically discharge wastewater directly into the canal. These households may or may not have a septic tank. Observations suggest that where the houses are built on the public maintenance strip, outhouses often are built immediately along the canal, with the sewer pipes draining into the canal. Livelihood activities in and along the Saramacca Canal include operation of a small ferry boat to bring passengers across the canal near the offices of Staatsolie. People occasionally fish in the canal, using both nets and fishing rods. There is no commercial food crops grown along the canals, and even planting or subsistence use is rare. In some locations, people produce some fruit for their own consumption, while the surplus may be sold. In the area between Leiding 11 and Uitkijk, farmers use the secondary and tertiary canals that run into the Saramacca Canal for irrigation and farming. These farmers have small plots for commercial farming —mostly between the main road known as Leiding 11 A (approximately 8.5 km measured from the sluices) and the point where the Sarammacca Canal connects to the Saramacca River, in the area known as Uitkijk. Archaeological resources, tangible heritage, and other places of cultural significance have been identified and mapped in the AoI. Land and Tenure and Use of Public Land Land tenure titles are detailed in this section by community locations. The legal status of land occupancy is reviewed as well as the jurisdiction of the MOPWTC regarding the Canal embankments and right of way. Discussions around social and ethnic composition are provided. Characteristically a large number of households from Wit Boiti obtained land lease titles, and hence they have legal tenure rights to the land they live on. In Sunny Point 2/Leiding 2, the majority of households, if not all, are irregular occupants without any form of rights to the lands they live on. The grand majority of inhabitants of Wit Boiti and Sunny Point 2/Leiding 20 are of Maroon ethnic descent. No inhabitants identified as part of indigenous peoples groups have been found in the area surveyed along the canal. The Maroons in these two urban neighbourhoods identify themselves as Maroons, and are viewed by outsiders as such. However, they do not have collective territorial attachment to the said neighbourhoods in the AoI. Even though these families still value and use, to a greater or lesser extent, cultural customs from the traditional home communities in the interior, they do no longer live according to the customary rules, culture and leadership structures of their specific tribal group. Even though Maroons are tribal peoples, this situation does not trigger the World Bank Operational Policy on Indigenous Peoples (OP 4.10), because the criteria used to identify indigenous peoples as a distinct social and cultural group does not apply to this target group. The identification of the Maroons of Wit Boiti and Syunny point 2/Leiding 20 as Indigenous Peoples was discussed with the Director of the Department for ‘Sustainable Development of Afro-Surinamese of the Interior’ (Duurzame Ontwikkeling Afro-Surinamers Binnenland) of the ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page x Ministry of RO. The Director confirmed that the mentioned neighborhoods are not part of the tribal ancestral lands/land claims of the Maroons. Assessment of Environmental and Social Impacts and Risks In this section each of the project components and associated activities are assessed for potential environmental and social impacts and risks. There is a defined Area of Influence that is considered the “direct impact” zone. In this area the Project activities are assessed to determine any direct and indirect impacts between the Project and its environment resources and people, communities and businesses. The ESIA also predicts and quantifies to the extent possible the magnitude of impacts and risks for each of the project activities. An Environmental and Social Impact and Risk Assessment matrix is presented in the document. This assessment is considered “preliminary” and will need to be updated once the final design with all detailed construction details is completed. Environmental and Social Mitigation Measures The next step in the ESIA report is the identification of actions to mitigate the potential negative impacts of each of the project activities. This mitigation addresses mechanisms to avoid or minimize the impacts and risks. These actions are proposed across general themes which are discussed in detail. The themes covered include air quality, noise, surface water, waste, worker health and safety, community health and safety, biodiversity, socioeconomic, and cultural heritage. Environmental and Social Management Plan The overall objective of the ESMP is to bring the project into compliance with national environmental and social requirements and environmental and social policies of the World Bank. The ESMP will be included into the bidding documents so that bidders can consider and incorporate their environmental responsibilities into their bid proposals. The ESMP becomes an integral part of a contract for the provision of works and is binding for implementation. The Contractor will be engaged in 2 major stages for the Project, mobilization and then construction. For mobilization and prior to commencement of works, the contractor must prepare and clear prior to commencement of works the following thematic management plans (which are summarized in the Appendices): • Construction Environmental Plan • Traffic Management Plan • Waste Management Plan • Health and Safety Plan • Stakeholder Engagement and Communication Plan • Dredge Material Management Plan A detailed Table summarizes the approach that the Project contractor and other involved parties (e.g., local contractors) will follow to manage, mitigate, and monitor the potential impacts and risks of the Project during construction. The ESMP provides a set of mitigation ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page xi measures constructed across the key environmental and social impacts and risks of the Project. The identification of responsible authorities is listed to verify that the measures are completed. Stakeholder Engagement and Communication The Stakeholder Engagement and Communications Plan (SECP) sets out the approach that the MOPWTC will follow in order to engage and communicate with stakeholders over the life of the World Bank Project. Consultation is undertaken in order to interact and incorporate the viewpoints of Affected Parties. Special consideration will be given to vulnerable groups, including with relation to engagement and consultative activities. This SECP builds on the recent IDB Paramaribo Adaptation Fund Project ESIA. A Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) is described that enhances opportunities for grievance redress, collaborative problem solving, and alternative dispute resolution. Effectively addressing grievances from people impacted by the Project is a core component of managing operational risk. The GRMs can be an effective tool for early identification, assessment, and resolution of complaints on projects. The GRM also compliments the Stakeholder Engagement and Communication Plan and becomes part of that documentation. Implementation Arrangements for the ESMP This section explains how the ESMP will be executed by the Contractors with oversight by a Supervisory Consultant and the PIU. It is anticipated that the P I U will also coordinate environmental and social due diligence for the Project across all donor lending and sponsor agencies (e.g. WB, IDB). The MOPWTC, as the Project sponsor, will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the ESMP. Because this Project is very similar to the IDB Paramaribo Climate Change Adaptation Fund Project, the MoPWTC plans to harmonize the use of staff to support ESMP implementation. Two key positions are identified in the PIU to support both the World Bank and IDB safeguards activities. These are the Environmental Health and Safety Specialist and the Community and Social Coordinator. Their roles and obligations are discussed. ESIA Consultation and Disclosure Stakeholder Consultation around the ESIA report, will be conducted according to national norms and the World Bank policies. This process is intended to inform stakeholders about the project, its potential impacts and mitigation, and to involve them in a partnership in developing and implementing the project solutions and mitigation measures. The process of consultation will be conducted in a manner that provides the PAPs and broader stakeholders with opportunities to express their views on project risks, impacts and mitigation measures. The MoPWTC is tailoring the consultation process to the PAPs, their decision-making process, and the needs of disadvantaged or vulnerable groups. This consultation process has been combined with the consultation required for the RPF. Disclosure of the ESIA report will be in Dutch and English with the final approved GoS ESIA transmitted to the World Bank by the appropriate GOS authority. The ESIA will be disclosed in the World Bank website. All national disclosures of meetings, consultations and draft reports will also be posted on the MOPWTC and NIMOS website. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page xii Two public stakeholder meetings have been planned. The first meeting was held on the 28th of August 2018 was to inform a wider audience about the Project and the ESIA and RPF process. The forum was organized to also get response and suggestions concerning the Project and ESIA process. A second consultation was conducted in the neighbourhood of Wit Boiti in the evening of October 29, 2018 to provide explanation and gather feedback from local residents living in the Canal area. Details of the consultations are provided in Appendix D, Stakeholder Meeting Reports. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page xiii 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background The Government of Suriname (GoS) is preparing a World Bank-funded project designed to improve the resilience against flooding of the Greater Paramaribo area in Suriname. The US$30 million Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project (hereafter referred to as the Project) will reduce flood risk for the Greater Paramaribo area by improving the capacity of the Saramacca Canal to discharge water efficiently into the Suriname and Saramacca Rivers, improve operation of the canal for flood management, navigation, and irrigation. In addition, the Project will establish a monitoring, forecasting, and management system for the overall Saramacca drainage system. The GoS, in particular the Ministry of Public Works, Transport, and Communication (MoPWTC), is responsible for the preparation of the safeguards instruments required for the project preparation, in particular, an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment with an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESIA-ESMP) to guide the implementation of the Project. This will ensure that the proposed Project applies the required World Bank safeguards for the proposed activities and follows the GoS’ environmental guidance and builds capacity in - country for producing the required safeguard instruments. Suriname is globally one of the countries most vulnerable to the impact of flooding. Around 30 percent of Suriname is within a few meters above mean sea level (MSL), and therefore, it is particularly susceptible to coastal flooding. The country is also prone to periodic flooding due to heavy rainfall, especially when combined with spring tides. Flooding is exacerbated by poor drainage in the relatively highly populated urban areas on the coast such as the capital city of Paramaribo. Approximately 87 percent of Suriname’s population lives along the 386 km long coastal plain (around 67 percent in Paramaribo), and therefore, flooding affects most of the population and an estimated 90 percent of human activities. Recognizing the country ’s vulnerability to both coastal and pluvial flooding is paramount to improving the country’s economic sustainability and macro-stability. Paramaribo is located on a low-lying coastal plain next to the Suriname River and approximately 10 km from the Atlantic coast. The city has an area of 182 km2 and a population of over 300,000 people. The area is generally flat, ranging from less than 1 m to 2 m above sea level. The majority of Greater Paramaribo relies on an extensive network of canals for stormwater drainage. These canals drain the central and southern parts of the city toward the Saramacca Canal, while the northern part has a series of canals draining stormwater directly to the ocean. As the city has grown over the last century, the role of the Saramacca Canal has become ever more important in the drainage of rainwater from an area of approximately 190 km 2, with approximately 70 km2 from the more heavily urbanized city areas and 120 km2 from the less densely or rural areas. Most of the network drains under gravity through the interconnected canal system that runs along the side of most roads; however, during a significant rainfall event, this network capacity can be overwhelmed, and flooding will occur with inundation of roads and roadside properties. The condition of the general canal network, primary (the Saramacca ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 1 Canal), secondary, and tertiary level, that drains the city and surrounding area is also considered a major factor in determining the occurrence and severity of flooding. Finally, permeability of the soil is variable, but with extensive clay in the lower elevation areas, infiltration is generally poor and surface water ponding following heavy rainfall is common, made worse due to the lack of any significant gradient. Figure 1. Suriname Map Between 2016 and 2017, a World Bank Technical Assistance, supported by the African, Caribbean, and Pacific region - European Commission (ACP-EU) National Disaster Risk Reduction Program in partnership with the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) and the GoS, conducted a strategic Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) for the Greater Paramaribo area. The FRA identified both pluvial and coastal causes of flooding in Paramaribo and ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 2 prioritized a list of 14 structural and nonstructural flood risk interventions. The preliminary cost- benefit analysis found that the most beneficial, strategic, and sustainable flood mitigation options included improvements to the Saramacca Canal, a key element of the drainage system for the central and western areas of Paramaribo. This Project has been classified as a Category B project, as documented in the Integrated Safeguards Data Sheet (ISDS). Based on early scoping of the project by World Bank environmental and social specialists, there is a requirement to develop an ESIA for the project. The purpose of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) is to: • Identify environmental and social impacts and risks; • Determine measures to mitigate these impacts and risks through an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP); • Engage in stakeholder consultation and have valid communication process across these stakeholders: • Specify the inter-institutional arrangements for the preparation of time-bound action plans for managing and mitigating impacts and risks; • Ensure that there are appropriate avenues for grievance redress across the Project activities; • Provide ample information for the Project contractor to submit appropriate Environment and Social Management Plans to effectively and appropriately implement the Project components; and • Establish a monitoring and verification program to report to all parties on the progress and status of safeguards actions. 1.2 Project Description The Project aims to finance structural and nonstructural measures to improve the resilience against flooding in the Greater Paramaribo area. The structural measures will improve the discharging capacity of the Saramacca Canal to reduce pluvial flooding and improve navigation between the Suriname and Saramacca Rivers and the industrial zones around Saramacca Canal. The nonstructural measures will strengthen the GoS’ capacity to manage and operate the Saramacca Canal System. The project cost is estimated at US$30 million, divided into four components: Component 1 - Improving the Drainage Infrastructure, Component 2 - Strengthening the Saramacca Canal Water Management System, Component 3 - Providing a Contingent Emergency Response, and Component 4 - Supporting the Project Management and Implementation Support. Component 1 - Improving the Drainage Infrastructure Component 1 deals with structural flood management measures. Structural measures will improve the conveyance of water to the Suriname and Saramacca Rivers from excess rain falling on the city of Paramaribo, to significantly reduce the periods of flooding. In addition, this component will improve the navigation condition. This component will finance two main activities: (a) rehabilitation of the sluices and locks and (b) increase in conveyance through ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 3 dredging, reprofiling, and clearing and possible selected interventions on the secondary and tertiary canals, as well as the utilization of green areas for flood management. Rehabilitation of sluices and locks. The project will finance the rehabilitation of two ship locks, each at the outlets of the Saramacca and Suriname Rivers, as well as the five-door sluice gate at the outlet to the Suriname River and the four-door sluice gate at the outlet to the Saramacca River. Currently, the locks and gates are only partially operational, limiting the capacity of managing the water level in the Saramacca Canal. This will be the first activity to be undertaken under Component 1 so that water levels in the canal can be adequately managed while the other work components are carried out. During project preparation, a technical inspection will be undertaken to understand whether there is a need for a complete reconstruction of the locks and gates or whether rehabilitation can be achieved with heavy repairing works. In addition, a detailed model simulation will quantify additional discharge capacity provided by pumps located at the two outlets (although the project will likely not have enough resources to finance the purchase and installation of all the pumps). Figure 2. Location of the Saramacca Canal Figure 3. Key Structural Activities along the Canal, Rehabilitation of Sluices, Locks, and Dredging ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 4 Increase conveyance through dredging, reprofiling, and clearing. The canal will be reprofiled and dredged to remove the earth fill and eliminate hydraulic restrictions. This will not include widening of the canal beyond the space currently available. This activity will finance the establishment of one or more sediment disposal areas for the management of the dredged material. Non-polluted sediments will be processed for reuse, and polluted sediments will be disposed to a designated location in accordance with environmental safeguards procedures. Possible interventions on critical areas of the secondary and tertiary drainage systems and utilization of green areas for flood management. Selected interventions on priority sections of the secondary and tertiary drainage channels feeding the Saramacca Canal will be identified. A pilot intervention at one hotspot in the secondary or tertiary systems is envisioned, which can serve as an example for other interventions in the system. These measures will benefit specific communities affected by more frequent floods. A communication strategy will be developed to ensure that local stakeholders who are users and beneficiaries of the project are informed of project activities and are able to engage fully with the process. In addition to this, opportunities will be investigated to enhance green areas with flood management interventions (for example, establishment of green corridor parks or sustainable urban drainage system measures). Opportunities for enhancing public spaces and parks along the banks of the Saramacca Canal will be investigated during project preparation. Component 2 - Strengthening the Saramacca Canal Water Management System Component 2 deals with nonstructural flood management measures. This component will finance technical assistance activities to improve the capacity of the GoS to manage the Saramacca Canal’s water levels and hydraulic structure operations with the objective of reducing flood risk in the city of Paramaribo, as well as facilitating navigation. This component will finance two main activities: (a) technical assistance and training to improve operation, maintenance, and surveillance of the drainage system and (b) institutional support toward a possible Saramacca Canal System Authority. Technical assistance and training to improve operation, maintenance, and surveillance of the drainage system. The project will finance the establishment of a platform for operational management of the Saramacca Canal, including flood forecasting and early warning, and strengthening of the hydromet data management system. This subcomponent will also strengthen and expand the existing hydromet instrumentation within the Saramacca Canal System to provide real-time observations of weather variables and water levels for management purposes. The project will develop a flood forecasting and early warning system for Paramaribo and the surrounding areas, which will be driven by the existing weather radar, coupled with the existing and proposed automated rain gauge network, and new and existing tide and water level gauges (with the addition of an offshore tidal gauge). All available data will be assimilated in a suitable data management platform and used to drive a real-time operational model for the Saramacca Canal. Flood risk maps and other relevant data will also be shared with relevant ministries to inform land-use planning strategies in the Greater Paramaribo area. This platform will be used for managing flood risk and the overall operational management of the Saramacca Canal System. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 5 Institutional support toward a possible Saramacca Canal System Authority. This subcomponent will finance a feasibility study, including operational management and financial sustainability for a possible Saramacca Canal System Authority. Optimization of the water management in the canal for flood control, irrigation, and vessel transport between the northern districts of Suriname requires cooperation and coordination between several entities—which will be identified during the project but will include the MoPWTC that has responsibility for maintaining the drainage infrastructure; the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Fisheries; the National Coordination Center for Disaster Preparedness; and others—and the Paramaribo, Wanica, and Saramacca Districts. The Authority (or similar institution) will be responsible for ensuring the sustainability of the drainage system and the day-to-day operational management of the Saramacca Canal once its legal standing is established. Component 3 - Providing a Contingent Emergency Response The project will include a contingent emergency response component to respond rapidly at the government’s request in the event of a natural disaster. This component would finance the implementation of emergency works, rehabilitation, and associated assessments if needed. In the Project Operations Manual, a dedicated chapter would detail guidelines and instructions on how to trigger and use the funds of this component. In addition, a brief ESMF will be prepared for the potential types of activities likely to be financed under this component, providing a preliminary evaluation of potential risks and mitigation measures associated with them. Component 4 - Supporting the Project Management and Implementation Support This component will support the costs related to the overall project management and implementation support. This may include support to (a) hire specialized staff for project implementation, as needed by the Project Implementation Unit (PIU); (b) collect socioeconomic data for monitoring and evaluation; (c) finance project reporting and audits; (d) provide environmental and social safeguard supervision; (e) provide trainings in areas such as procurement, safeguards, monitoring and evaluation, technical, and financial management; (f) develop a communications strategy for engaging with local communities and stakeholders; and (g) provide any additional operating costs for the PIU. The MoPWTC has the institutional mandate of rehabilitating and managing the Saramacca Canal. Therefore, the overall project implementation will be the responsibility of the MoPWTC. A dedicated PIU will be established within the MoPWTC’s Civil Works Directorate. The PIU will be responsible for the overall project implementation and reporting, including fiduciary, safeguards, and progress reports. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 6 2 ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES The 2001 Master Plan for the Drainage of Greater Paramaribo1 and the 2010 Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM)2 plan recommended various physical interventions and institutional and regulatory actions to reduce flood risk. These identified coastal erosion and protection, destruction of mangroves, unplanned or inappropriate spatial development, and inadequate drainage of residential areas as the most urgent problems to tackle along the coast. Recommendations included developing a national disaster risk management (DRM) policy to address climate change adaptation, developing an early warning system, carrying out a flood risk reduction assessment, and instituting an emergency response plan. However, neither plan has yet been systematically or fully implemented due in part to lack of funding. The World Bank has supported the GOS in its efforts to better understand the risk of flooding and to undertake informed risk reduction measures. Between 2016 and 2017, a World Bank TA, supported by the African, Caribbean, and Pacific-European Union (ACP-EU) National Disaster Risk Reduction Program, in partnership with the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) and the GoS, conducted a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) for the greater Paramaribo area and a Coastal Resilience Assessment. The FRA supported the GoS to prioritize targeted flood risk reduction interventions. Strategic flood hazard modelling was carried out to assess flood depth and extent for a range of rainfall and tidal scenarios in the greater Paramaribo area, and a high-level options appraisal was undertaken for evaluating mitigation proposals. Exposure and vulnerability were quantified using annual average damages and a cost-benefit analysis was then used to determine viable flood mitigation options. The studies led to the development of an evidence-based, prioritized list of targeted flood reduction investments comprising 14 structural and nonstructural flood risk interventions to reduce pluvial flooding in the greater Paramaribo area. The preliminary cost-benefit analysis found that the most beneficial, strategic, and sustainable flood mitigation options included improvements to the Saramacca Canal, a key element of the drainage system for the central and western areas of Paramaribo. To directly address these challenges and following the recommendations of the FRA, this project will upgrade specific critical drainage infrastructure, improve drainage in the Saramacca Canal and targeted secondary or tertiary systems, and develop an asset management platform. 3 LEGAL, REGULATORY, AND POLICY FRAMEWORK It should be noted that Suriname has no ratified comprehensive and overarching law for environmental protection and management. However, the Constitution of 1987 lists as one of its objectives “The creation and promotion of conditions, necessary for the protection of nature and for conservation of the ecological balance.” Also, there are various laws and policies related to social and environmental issues and various institutions involved in carrying them out. 1 Executive Summary, Masterplan Ontwatering Groot Paramaribo, Ministrie van Openbare Werken, Project UPO 08 - SR/002214 prepared by DHV-WLDelft-AMI-Sunecon, June 15, 2001. 2 ICZM Plan Suriname: Coastal Morphodynamics Report prepared by Lievense Deltares, October 2009. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 7 Suriname is a party to numerous international conventions related to the environment, which drive many of its environmental policy efforts. 3.1 Environmental Institutional Framework A National Council for the Environment (Nationale Milieuraad, NMR) was established in 1997 as an advisory body to the government and consists of five members appointed by the president and five members representing the trade and industry, unions, Amerindian and Maroon communities, and consumer organizations. It is not known if the council is active. The National Institute for Environment and Development in Suriname (Nationaal Instituut voor Milieu en Ontwikkkeling Suriname, NIMOS) was created in 1998 to support the NMR in implementation and research and to create the national framework for environmental policy and management. NIMOS’s current activities include review of ESIAs of proposed projects, environmental monitoring and enforcement of environmental mitigation plans, and education and outreach. NIMOS is also involved in grant-funded projects related to the environment. An Environment Section was later created in the Ministry of Labor, Technological Development, and Environment (Arbeid, Technologische Ontwikkeling, and Milieu, ATM), which was converted to a directorate in 2011. This Environmental Section is now part of the Cabinet of the President. NIMOS worked under this directorate. The ATM 2012 budget did not include any funding for the directorate or NIMOS. In 2013, the directorate was removed from the ministry and a National Environmental Policy Office was created in the Cabinet of the President of the Republic, which also was to oversee NIMOS. The Policy Office did not become operational until late 2015. The office is responsible for formulating and coordinating environmental policy and environmental legislation and serves as the environmental focal point, representing the country in the various environmental conventions it is party to. While officially, NIMOS is under the direction of the National Environmental Policy Office, there is apparently little coordination between the two entities. NIMOS has nine technical staff, including the director and a number of support staff. Additional environmental management activities and policies are under various ministries. The Ministry of Spatial Planning, Land, and Forest Management (Ruimtelijke Ordening, Land- en Bosbeheer, RGB) is responsible for protected areas and forestry management. The Ministry of Natural Resources (Natuurlijke Hulpbronnen, NH) manages water resources policy, drinking water supply (groundwater and small community drinking water systems not served by the state water company), energy resources, and mineral resources. The MoPWTC manages surface water and urban drainage, conducts hydrological and meteorological monitoring, and manages sewage treatment. In the environmental arena, the Ministry of Health is responsible for regulating medical waste management. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Fisheries (Landbouw, Veeteelt en Visserij, LVV) is responsible for pesticide management, including imports, distribution, storage, and use. 3.1.1 Key International Environmental Accords and Corresponding National Policies and Programs • Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. An ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 8 inventory of CO2 emissions has been done and a National Climate Change Strategy has been prepared. • Rotterdam Convention on the Prior-Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade. This was ratified in 2000. Two pesticides have been banned by Suriname to date (Dieldrin and Monocrotophos) and the country has notified its ‘No consent to import’ for 26 othe r chemicals. Rotterdam Convention website, http://www.pic.int/, September 2013. • Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). This was ratified in 2011. A National Implementation Plan has been prepared. A National Chemical Profile was prepared in 2006 and updated in 2010. • Convention on Biological Diversity. This was ratified in 1996. A Strategy for Biodiversity was prepared in 2006 as well as a Biodiversity Action Plan. Suriname has 16 protected, proposed for protection, and special multiple-use areas totalling over 2 million acres. • Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity. Suriname has developed a National Biosafety Framework (NBF), presented in 2004, with the participation of LVV and other organizations. The NBF applies to the research, development, handling, transport, use, trans-boundary movement, release, and management of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). It consists of a policy and regulatory framework; an administrative system to handle requests; a mechanism for risk assessment, monitoring, and enforcement; mechanisms for public participation; and a system to provide information to stakeholders. GMOs are currently banned in Suriname. • Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat. (RAMSAR). This came into effect in 1985. Suriname has one site designated under RAMSAR - Coppename Monding in the Saramacca Region (12,000 ha.). • Basel Convention on the Control of Trans-boundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal. Approved on February 15, 2011. • National Environmental Legislation, Policies, and Practices. • Environmental Management and Protection Legislation. The policy of the GoS on environmental management was specified in the Government Declaration 2000–2005 and the corresponding Long-Term Development Plan 2010–2015. The plan focused on the following priority action areas: • Formulation of national regulations, standards, and guidelines to comply with international regulations • Use of sustainable agricultural practices and reduction of pesticides ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 9 • Formulation of national climate change regulations • Strengthening the waste management system • Promoting sustainable development of natural resources and energy • Strengthening public participation systems for local communities Despite the existence of the National Environmental Policy Office and NIMOS, there is no overarching law for environmental management in Suriname. A draft law to establish an Environmental Management Framework was proposed in 1998 and submitted to the Council of Ministers, which then submitted it to Parliament. The law was never passed. Another version of an environmental law was prepared by the Climate Change Expert Group of Suriname and submitted to the Council of Ministers in 2013. If adopted, this law would incorporate climate change as a key issue and would allow the government to take steps to control climate change. The law would also establish an environmental authority and contain provisions to control environmental pollution. To date, the proposed law has not moved forward. Due to the current lack of a global environmental law, there are no clear lines of authority for environmental management. There are no regulatory standards for ambient water quality, ambient air quality, or management of hazardous substances or wastes. 3.1.2 Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Permitting NIMOS has developed guidelines for classifying and studying environmental impacts of proposed projects (similar to those of the World Bank) and procedures for their review and enforcement of mitigation measures, but they are not mandatory. However, NIMOS reports that numerous international companies voluntarily subject themselves to the guidelines and follow the procedures, including the preparation of environmental management and monitoring plans. Generic guidelines have been developed for the classification of proposed projects and the type of environmental evaluations required, as well as specific guidelines for some sectors, including agriculture (for projects greater than 10 ha). There are no written guidelines for evaluation of policy projects or programs, although two strategic environmental assessments have been prepared and evaluated by NIMOS (one on forestry and one on small-scale mining). There are no laws requiring environmental permits for programs or projects (aside from permits for incinerators. 3.1.3 Solid, Biological, Medical, and Hazardous Waste and Wastewater Management There are no specific national laws or regulations governing hazardous (chemical) waste treatment and disposal nor is there capacity for treatment and disposal. According to the 2006 National Profile prepared for the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, no separate solid waste collection is practiced and chemical household, industrial, laboratory, and construction debris are all dumped in uncontrolled municipal garbage dump sites. No separation of chemical wastes from wastewater is practiced; photo and laboratory chemicals or ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 10 others from different small-scale or informal industries are disposed of into the sewage system, which in some areas is composed of open channels. In general, in metropolitan areas, wastewater management consists of septic tanks and latrines for sanitary wastes (80 percent of wastewater in Paramaribo is managed in this manner) and direct flows to open ditches for gray water. There are no standards for air emissions, wastewater treatment or discharge quality, or ambient water quality. 3.2 Applicable World Bank Safeguard Policies This project has been classified as a Category B project, as documented in the ISDS. Based on early scoping of the project by World Bank environmental and social specialists, the following World Bank safeguards policies are triggered: Safeguard Policy and ISDS Explanation Environmental Assessment - OP/BP 4.01 The Project is a Category B - Partial Assessment, assigned to projects that are likely to have localized, limited, and reversible environmental impacts. Overall, the Project will have largely positive social and environmental (health and safety) impacts through its role in reducing vulnerability to flooding and improved navigational capacities to enhance commercial trade. Physical interventions resulting from the implementation of the project activities could have low to moderate negative environmental impacts. The most significant impacts will result from the construction and rehabilitation works (backfilling, excavation, earth-moving, and dredging). Impacts on the biophysical and socioeconomic environments are expected to be limited in nature. Nevertheless, care will be taken to schedule civil works to avoid key breeding and nesting periods. All construction sites and embankments will be rehabilitated and revegetated with native shrubs and trees after works are completed. Given that the project may affect roads and bridges, road safety measures and traffic diversion plans will be adopted, and any construction waste will be disposed of appropriately. Given that the specific nature and location of all components are known on its localities and well defined, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and an ESMP have been adopted as the instruments for this project. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 11 Safeguard Policy and ISDS Explanation Natural Habitats - OP/BP 4.04 Appropriate mitigation measures will be followed to limit the impact on local flora and terrestrial and aquatic faunal species (besides fishes) reported to be present in the Saramacca Canal. Nevertheless, given the vast area of the uninhabited areas of and nearby the canal, the localized and short-term works proposed for the project will not result in significant degradation or conversion of natural habitats because the works are limited to upgrading and rehabilitation of existing structures. Care will be taken to schedule civil works to avoid key breeding and nesting periods. All construction sites and embankments will be rehabilitated and revegetated with native shrubs and trees after works are completed. Physical Cultural Resources - OP/BP 4.11 There is one small religious shrine built on a land parcel along the canal (not in the canal), which will require an appropriate communication approach in case the rehabilitation works are carried out nearby. Indigenous Peoples - OP/BP 4.10 This policy application is based on continued field review by World Bank specialists regarding the situation on the ground and confirmation from the Social Assessment Involuntary Resettlement - OP/BP 4.12 Land acquisition is not anticipated, neither is disruption of livelihoods nor involuntary population resettlement. However, accurate information on the structures affected will be available during project implementation only, when the engineering designs will be prepared. Before appraisal a Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) will be prepared, including arrangements for reconstruction and/or compensation for the structures affected as well as the associated budget. 3.3 ESIA Process, Consultation, and Review Process Several steps have been followed in the ESIA development, submissions and review. These are summarized below. • A draft of the terms of reference for drafting the ESIA was reviewed by NIMOS • Various experts in Suriname were solicited to provide inputs to the ESIA for data collection and inputs on: water quality, sediment, vegetation, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 12 • Specialists across environment and social safeguards teamed with MOPWTC staff to contribute to the ESIA • A first consultation was held at MOPWTC on August 28, 2018 and a second at on October 29, 2018 in the neighbourhood of Wit Boiti. • The World Bank environmental safeguards specialist reviewed the ESIA • The draft ESIA has been posted on relevant MOPWTC and NIMOS websites for public review and comment • The ESIA was disclosed also on the World Bank website 4 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL BASELINE INFORMATION AND DATA 4.1 Environmental Overview 4.1.1 Geology The geology of the project area is a relatively recent formation of sedimentary deposits (Holocene Epoch lasting 12,000 years) and is a mix of clays, sands, and shell beds. The project area consists of the following geological formations: • Cheniers. Along deep parts of the coast, narrow elongated ridges of sand or shells are formed. Their tops reach to the highest wave level which is 2 m to 4 m above MSL. When the coast is eroded during their formation, only one or two ridges are formed on the edge of the clay flat. Under accretive conditions, broad bundles of deep-rooted ridges are formed. Along the Gulf Coast, their maximum height is about 3.5 m and abandoned ridges are called cheniers. • Moleson deposits. These sediments occur mostly at about the present high tide level, but certain parts are as much as 1 m lower. Most of the marine clays of this phase have a high base saturation of olive, olive brown, and sometimes yellowish brown mottles and a relatively soft consistency. Desalinization has not taken place deeper than 1 m to 1.5 m. The lowest parts of this sediment are unmottled, are very soft, and have probably never been dry since their deposition. The clay is interrupted by ridges, partly single, partly in bundles, consisting of sand to sandy loam frequently mixed with shell fragments and locally consisting of pure whole shell material. • Wanica deposits. The clay soils of these deposits generally have a rather low, locally medium base saturation. They are desalinized to at least 2.5 m, and show evidence of initial soil formation (firm consistency, yellow) or yellow with some yellowish-red mottling to depths of 1.0 m to 1.5 m. The corresponding ridges are characteristic and always consist of noncalcareous loamy, fine-to-very-fine sand without shells or with very few shells or shell fragments, in contrast to the ridges of other deposits. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 13 The harder sands and shell beds (referred to as zippers) tend to form slightly raised areas with greater permeability than the surrounding land, although these features tend to be small and only surface deposits and therefore do not retain large amounts of water. Permeability of the soil is therefore variable—but with extensive clay in the lower elevation areas, infiltration is generally poor and surface water ponding following heavy rainfall is common—made worse due to the lack of any significant gradient. This is a key factor in the flood risk associated with the area and needs to be considered when considering flood risk mitigation options. Figure 4. Geology Map of the Project Area (Source: Planatlas Suriname 1988) Geology Map Ü Legend geology_final Name_Type_geo Chenier Moleson deposits Wanica deposits 0 3 6 12 18 24 Kilometers 1 centimeter = 1 kilometers 4.1.2 Soils A combination of half-ripe and nearly ripe swamp clay soils, very poorly drained half-ripe clay, ridge and plateau soils with loam and fine sand, ridge soil with fine sand, ridge soil with very fine sand or shell, and unripe mostly pyritic swamp clay are found within the project area. Along the Saramacca Canal, a layer of very poorly drained half-ripe clay is found. The layer has a very low infiltration value when it is thoroughly humidified and consists mainly of clay soils with a high swelling potential and soils with a permanently high groundwater level. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 14 Figure 5. Soil Map of the Project Area (Source: Planatlas Suriname 1988) Soil Map Ü Legend Soil_clip Name_Soil Half ripe and nearly ripe swamp clay soils Ridge and plateau soils with loam and fine sand Ridge soil with fine sand Ridge soil with very fine sand or shells Unripe and mostly pyritic swamp clay Very poorly drained half ripe clay 0 3 6 12 18 24 Kilometers 1 centimeter = 1 kilometers 4.1.3 Surface and Groundwater Hydrology The project area relies on an extensive network of canals for stormwater drainage. These canals drain the central and southern parts of the city toward the Saramacca Canal, which is a large historic navigation waterway that runs from east to west, joining the Suriname River to the Saramacca River. As the city has grown over the last century, the role of the Saramacca Canal has become more important in the drainage of rainwater from an area of approximately 190 km2, with approximately 70 km2 from the more heavily urbanized city areas to the north of the canal, and 120 km2 from the less densely populated areas to the south. It is important to note that various sectors of Greater Paramaribo drain to different areas. An area of approximately 50 km2 toward the northeast of the city drains through canals to the Suriname River. The land to the north of the main coastal highway, an area of nearly 150 km 2, drains northwards toward the Atlantic Ocean. A small polder area of around 40 km 2 to the west of the project area drains toward the Saramacca River and is discharged through a large pumping station. The majority of the network drains under gravity through sluice gates and tidal flaps that prevent inundation when the tide is high, but in several locations, drainage is augmented using pumps. The total extent of this complex drainage network that falls within the study area is more than 500 km2. The canals themselves provide considerable storage capacity for runoff during a rainfall event, as well as drainage through the interconnected canal network ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 15 that runs alongside most roads. During a significant rainfall event, however, this capacity can be overtaken, and flooding will occur with inundation of roads and roadside properties. Figure 6. Canal Network of Greater Paramaribo Showing Drainage Area into the Saramacca Canal and Land Use and Land Cover The Saramacca Canal is approximately 25 km in length, and the width ranges from around 50 m at the eastern end to less than 30 m toward the more rural western end. There are large sluice gates with navigation locks at both ends of the canal to allow shipping access from the Suriname and Saramacca Rivers; however, vessel traffic is minimal at present due to the poor condition of the canal. The sluice gates on the western end of the canal are currently not functioning and are permanently closed, and the navigation lock is used to regulate local water levels on the canal. The 5 m sluice gates at the eastern end of the canal on the Suriname River are operational, although only four of the five gates can be opened to allow release of stormwater when river water levels allow. Overall, the project area is classified as 3 main land use/land cover segments, and rural. The eastern section, from the Suriname River along several kilometers to the west is characterized by dense urban residences, subdivisions, and many factories and industrial plants adjacent to the canal. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 16 Figure 7. Land Use/Land Cover Types along the Canal Figure 8. The District of Paramaribo Showing Division of Resorts in the Saramacca Drainage Area ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 17 4.2 Existing Infrastructure 4.2.1 Project Area of Influence Based on a detailed understanding of the canal functions, location, and adjacent and nearby residences and businesses, the MoPWTC has designated a 200 m boundary on each side of the canal as the direct area of influence (AoI) (see parcel maps 1-14). Consequently, all potential environmental and social risks and impacts related to the main canal dredging, reprofiling, and sluice gate and lock rehabilitation are assessed in this ESIA. The baseline conditions discussed in the next section focus on this AoI. The pilot activities to be undertaken, as described in Subcomponent 1.2, are still to be determined. When this is finalized, the MoPWTC staff will undertake an environment and social baseline as undertaken in this main report and provide practical solutions for potential risks and impacts in a similar fashion. Figure 9. Overview of the parcel map ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 18 ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 19 ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 20 ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 21 ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 22 ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 23 ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 24 ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 25 4.2.2 Roads and Transportation Figure 10. Road within the Project Area There are several primary, secondary, and tertiary roads within the project area. All the primary roads are paved while some of the secondary and tertiary roads are not paved. There are large sluice gates with navigation locks at both ends of the Saramacca Canal to allow shipping access from the Suriname and Saramacca Rivers. In the past, several businesses were using the canal to bring in production inputs such as lumber, sand, crushed stone, and gravel. The roads along the canal were used to transport these materials in much smaller portions to several places using small trucks. At present, vessel traffic is, however, minimal due to the poor condition of the canal. For this reason, the main transport of these materials takes place through several roads in and around Paramaribo and Wanica which have a negative impact on the stability of these roads. Also, due to the poor condition of the canal, the drainage system of the project area does not function optimally. The presence of water on roads is a cause for concern. A main cause of road damage, and problems with the serviceability of road networks, is excess water filling the pores of road materials in the road and in the subgrade soils. These two reasons mentioned above state the cause of several damages to the roads within the project area. 4.2.3 Power Lines and Telecommunication Electricity is available for most households within the project area. The project area contains transmission power lines, high voltage (HV) lines, low voltage (LV) lines, transformers, substations, and underground power lines (UGLV). The 161 kV transmission line transports the generated energy from the Afobaka Hydropower Plant to Paramaribo. The substations downgrade the 161 kV voltage to lower voltage and transport the electricity through the HV lines to different transformers whereas these transformers downgrade high voltage to low ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 26 voltage. Low voltage is distributed to the different industrial and residential areas. Landlines, high-speed Internet, and mobile networks are available within the project area. 4.3 Sediment and Water Quality In June 2018, ILACO conducted a sediment quality investigation in the Saramacca Canal that included in situ observations and measurements. Sediment samples were shipped to the accredited Eurofins Analytico Laboratory in the Netherlands for the Terratest analysis. The water samples were delivered to the chemical laboratory of the Anton de Kom University of Suriname for oil and grease analysis (details on these procedures are available in Appendix A). The ILACO sampling also included on-site measurements for pH, electrical conductivity (EC, μs), temperature (°C), total dissolved salts (ppt), dissolved oxygen (DO; mg per L), turbidity (NTU), and salinity (ppt). In addition, water quality sampling of fecal coliforms and E. Coli have been collected at several sites by the Water Quality Department of the MoPWTC. 4.3.1 Sediment Quality The sediment quality results indicate the following: • The bottom sediment consists of soft clay with humus material at all locations. • River sand was only observed at locations L2 and L3 and gravel was only observed at location L2. • At all locations, a typical muddy odor was observed, except at locations L3 and L4, where a slight oil odor was observed. • Most of the compounds tested for were absent or present in very low concentrations. • Some locations showed somewhat higher concentrations (but below the maximum value for industrial use) for cobalt (L9 and L10); zinc (L1, L4, L7, and L8); and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH)/extractable petroleum hydrocarbons (EPH) (L3, L5, L6, L8, and L9). • Concentrations for several compounds showed levels that require further attention and careful disposal phenol in sample L1, TPH/EPH in samples L4 and L7, and toluene in sample L1 and cresol, especially p-cresol, in samples L1 and L9. The sediment quality results indicate that the dredging material can be applied at some time in the future for fill, for use such as in industrial sites. The presence of elevated levels for phenol, toluene, cresol, and mineral oil in part of the bottom sediment can be accepted considering that exceedance of the maximum value for industrial use or the intervention value is restricted to a few samples only, so that the arithmetic mean for all samples is (far) below the maximum for industrial use. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 27 Several parameters were measured above the background value and a few parameters above the maximum value for industrial use and some even above the intervention value. It is concluded that a designated disposal site will be used to ensure proper management and disposal of these materials under the following conditions: • The area should be designated for future industrial use. • It will take some years before the soft bottom sediment has gained sufficient bearing capacity. During this consolidation period, the organic parameters (phenol, toluene, cresol, and mineral oil) that are in excess are expected to break down. • The area should be well protected and secured (for example, fenced) against intrusion by men and animals for safety reasons (soft material). • Planting of agricultural crops is forbidden. • The soil quality should be checked again before the area is released for future use. 4.3.2 Water Quality The ILACO study results are summarized below: • The pH of all samples is near neutral, with a highest value of 6.73 and the lowest at 6.13. • Clarity of the water varied from very slightly turbid to very turbid. • The Secchi depth varied from 18 to 49 cm, which means that the transparency of the water is low. • The highest water depth measured was 380 cm in the center of the Saramacca Canal at location L10 during low tide. • Electrical conductivity (EC) and total dissolved solids (TDS) values indicate low salt content. The obtained values varied for EC from 162 to 643 µS per cm and for TDS from 105 to 417 mg per L. • Fish were observed at all the locations. • The DO value of the locations varies between 1.50 mg per L and 4.72 mg per L, indicating low to medium oxygen saturation. • During the sampling, the flow of the water in the direction of the Suriname River (outflow- low tide) was observed, which varied from strong to slow flow. The flow was not measured. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 28 • Near the discharge pipe of the fish factory (L1) and the Consolidated Industries Corporation (CIC) site (L4), soap foam was observed on the water surface. • At L3, heavy oil stains were observed and an oil sheen was observed on the water surface. An oil sheen was also observed at L9. • For oil and grease, values vary from 2.22 to 6.00 mg per L. For L3, where an oil sheen was observed, the value for oil and grease is below the minimum detection limit. For location L9, where an oil sheen was also observed, a value of 6.00 mg per L was obtained for oil and grease. The oil and grease content at this location exceeds the European standard but is within the Suriname and World Bank standards. The fecal coliforms and E. Coli results show very high concentrations for both parameters. This is not unexpected since the main Saramacca Canal and secondary canals are a mixed system because in addition to rainwater, they also receive direct discharges of domestic wastewater from untreated or partially treated septic tanks. Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) standards set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for drinking water quality is the legal threshold limit on the amount of a substance that is allowed in public water systems under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Drinking water should have no E. Coli after treatment. E. Coli levels for designated water contact in recreational waters has several threshold levels (depending on the factors between 100 and 410 per 100 mL in terms of any one-sample or a three-sample average over a 60-day period).3 4.4 Canal Aquatic Biology An aquatic biological survey was conducted in 2018. As there had been no inventories of the aquatic flora and fauna of the Saramacca Canal, it was necessary to gather baseline information on the existing species and distribution for this area. A search of flora and fauna already collected from this location was initiated. Literature describing the Saramacca Canal and its characteristics were also reviewed and the information was used for this study where needed. The approach to the surveys incorporated both quantitative and qualitative methods. Documentation of the aquatic vegetation, fauna, and habitats was achieved through quantitative and/or qualitative sampling of populations. Surveys for the vegetation, fish, and invertebrates were conducted during the day. Both day and night surveys were conducted for amphibians and reptiles. Most specimens of the groups surveyed were primarily identified in the field; only invertebrate specimens sampled were brought back to the laboratory for identification. Also, some interesting plant specimens were collected and further identified in the laboratory. Vegetation 3 EPA Recreational Water Quality Criteria, Office of Water 820-F-12-058, 2013. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 29 Investigations mainly focused on the occurring vegetation types with the dominant species along the Saramacca Canal. Less attention was paid to smaller trees, small tree species, and subgrowth species. Along the canal, small communities of several species were identified. Ten plant specimens were collected for further identification using present identification keys and relevant literature. According to the vegetation map of Suriname by P. Teunissen (1978) the Saramacca Canal area can be categorized in urban areas, farmland, livestock meadows, forest plantations, mining areas, and old fields. Investigating the aforementioned categories occurring at random, the survey team documented seven vegetation types (with their dominant species), namely (a) low vegetation (often mowed), (b) neglected meadows, (c) low secondary forest, (d) tall secondary forest, (e) swamp forest, (f) free-floating mats, and (g) rooted floating mats. No unique or rare species were found during the survey. These vegetation types are quite abundant in other parts of Suriname with anthropogenic disturbances. Fauna Amphibians and Reptiles Amphibians and reptiles, collectively referred to as herpetofauna were sampled at 5 preplanned locations. A survey for this group was conducted both during the day as well at night. Visual encounter surveys and audio recordings were used to estimate the different species present per location as well as the number of specimens per species. Specimens were searched along the edges of the canal and the vegetation present in the canal. All specimens for this group were morphologically identified to species level using present identification keys and relevant literature. During the survey for amphibians and reptiles along and in the canal, a total of 13 species was found. Appendix B gives an overview of the different species recorded during the day and the night survey, as well as the number of specimens for each species. No unique or rare species were found during the survey. These species are quite abundant in other parts of Suriname. Some of the species are listed in Appendix B. Invertebrates Invertebrates were sampled using a fine meshed dip net. Every site was sampled for 15 minutes to standardize the effort and for comparison among sites. The dip net was used to probe under the vegetation growing from the banks of the canal as well as free-floating vegetation in the canal. In Appendix B gives an overview of several collecting activities during the survey. A total of 18 different taxa of invertebrates were collected and Appendix B gives an overview of the species per site and the number of specimens for each taxon. No unique species were collected during the survey. Fish ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 30 The fish diversity in the Saramacca Canal was assessed using different methods such as panel gill nets, dip nets, and cast nets. The panel gill nets consisted of three different mesh sizes and were approximately 2 m deep and 30 m long. Gill nets were placed at each location overnight to sample the species that were active at night. At each site, a fine-meshed dip net on a 2 m long pole was used to probe for possible species under the floating and attached vegetation in the canal. A cast net was used several times at each site to catch specimens that were more benthic. For means of comparison between sites, the dip net was used for 15 minutes per site. Specimens were quantified and identified in the field. The number of fish species accounted by means of gill netting and the cast net was 12. Eight fish species were collected by the dip net. Collected species are very common and can be found in other parts of Suriname. In Table B13, an overview of the species and numbers collected by dip netting is presented. 4.5 Project Stakeholders There is an assortment of GoS institutions, businesses, and residents located within the canal area of influence. This section provides an overview across these stakeholders. 4.6 Government Organizations The Project will be implemented by the MoPWTC. Within the MoPWTC, a PIU will be established to manage daily project activities, monitor project progress, communicate with stakeholders, and address grievances (See Communication Plan). During the first project information meeting, stakeholders expressed concerns about representation of local area inhabitants in the PIU and about continuity of consultations. Upon establishment of this unit, its composition and function must be clearly communicated to stakeholders, as well as the working of the grievance mechanism. Furthermore, to enhance stakeholder engagement, the PIU may establish a Stakeholder Committee with representatives of the different residential areas and relevant government entities. Other government ministries with an interest in the Project include the following: • The Ministry of Finance will manage project finance. • The Ministry of LVV is the first point of contact for farmers who have problems with water management. The Ministry of LVV communicates with the MoPWTC, which operates the sluices and manages water regulation in the canals. • The Ministry of Regional Development (Regionale Ontwikkeling, RO) supervises the various district governments. • The Ministry of NH provides licenses for resources such as gravel, river sand, and sharp sand, which is sold by firms along the canal. At Uitkijk (the location where the Saramacca Canal meets the Saramacca River), the Ministry of NH is also responsible for ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 31 water through the Department for Water Provision (Dienst Watervoorziening, DWV), though a process is ongoing where the Suriname Water Company (Surinaamse Waterleiding Maatschappij, SWM) will take over water provision in this area. • The Ministry of RGB is responsible for land allocation and land titling. • The Maritime Authorities Suriname (MAS) is responsible for vessel traffic and navigation at sea and on inland waters, including the Saramacca Canal. Water traffic must comply with regulations of the MAS. • The district governments serve as intermediaries between the central government and the population in the various districts. The Project covers three districts: Paramaribo (southeast), Wanica (northwest), and Saramacca. The District Commissioners’ offices from these districts should be kept informed throughout Project planning, implementation, and monitoring. • NIMOS developed National ESIA Guidelines and is responsible for managing the ESIA process. It is good practice, though not legally obliged, to have the ESIA study cleared by NIMOS before its final completion. • Piping from the SWM runs along the canal and, at one point, underneath the canal. Maps of the exact locations have been acquired and will be considered in project design. During Project activities, near SWM waterworks, close collaboration with this company is advisable. • Electricity wiring from the Suriname Energy Company (Energie Bedrijven Suriname, EBS) runs along the canal and crosses the canal at some locations. • During Project preparation, the laboratory of the Bureau Public Health ( Bureau Openbare Gezondheidszorg, BOG) worked on measurements of water quality. For further duration of the Project, the BOG laboratory will be used for water quality measures. • Cables from the national telephone company Telesur are present in the area of impact (200 m on both sides of the canal) and cross the canal at some locations (at the bridges). • The National Coordination Center for Disaster Relief (NCCR) must be involved in case of large-scale projects and be prepared for possible disasters that could result from such projects. 4.7 Businesses A significant number and variety of businesses is situated immediately bordering the canal. The MoPWTC characterized the 130 businesses and other nonresidential structures in the 200 m zone along the canal as follows: 56 industrial firms (43.1 percent); 50 small and medium ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 32 enterprises (38.5 percent); 11 government buildings (for example, power stations, water companies, schools, health centers, and ministry buildings, 8.5 percent); 10 cultural sites (including places of worship, 7.7 percent); two pumping stations (1.5 percent); and one sports site (soccer field, 0.8 percent). Table 1 provides more detail on the types of businesses within the 200 m zone along the canal. Table 1. Businesses along Saramacca Canal, by Type Number in 200 m Zone Type of Business and Percentage Construction materials/sand/concrete 22 (16.9) Lumber/saw mill 14 (10.8) Equipment, tools, and parts 13 (10.0) Government 11 (8.5) Religious worship centers (churches, temples, and mosques) 8 (6.2) Meat/fish storage and processing 6 (4.6) Wholesale goods and food products 4 (3.1) Pumping station 2 (1.5) Other industrial (plastic, industrial gas, chemicals, and so on) 13 (10.0) Other (grocery stores, gas stations, hotel/bar, shipping, and so on) 37 (28.5) TOTAL 130 The 2015 AdeKUS study calculated that the following numbers of truck transports would be needed to replace transportation by barges, as in Table 5. Apart from the additional costs for companies, these measures may result in higher rates of traffic in the (residential) neighbourhoods near the firms. One company that owns five vessel combinations (push boat plus small barge, or motorized deck barge) reported that its vessels uses the locks to the Suriname River 6-8 times per week (3-4 boats a week, incoming and outgoing). It uses the Canal to bring in sand for reasons of efficiency and cost. Another firm, which operates five motorized deck barges and one combination push boat/barge, reported that its vessels use the sluices once a week. A lumber/sawmill firm along the Saramacca Canal reported that it does not own any barges, but occasionally (3-4 times/year) rents one when they obtain logs from a location along the Suriname River. 4.8 Residents There are four main residential neighborhoods have been identified along the Saramacca Canal (Figure 11). South of the canal: • Wit Boiti (Goede Verwachting), Ressort Latour, District of Paramaribo • Sunny Point 2/Leiding 20, Ressort Koewarasan, District of Wanica ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 33 North of the canal: • Magnesiumstraat/Titaiumstraat, Ressort Flora, District of Paramaribo • Metropoolweg/Indrawatiweg, Ressort Saramaccapolder, Wanica District A more detailed demographic and socioeconomic description of these different neighborhoods is presented below. Wit Boiti/Goede Verwachting The residential area along the Saramacca Canal that is popularly known as ‘Wit Boiti’ is situated on both sides of the Goede Verwachtingweg, along the Saramacca Canal between roughly 2.7 km and 6.7 km from the Suriname River. The area is not subdivided into different segments. Nevertheless, one can distinguish the small cluster of households east of the Coesewijne Bridge, the households along the paved part of the Goede Verwachtingweg west of the Coesewijne Bridge, and the households along the unpaved part of the Goede Verwachtingweg. A small number of houses are built immediately bordering the canal, on the government maintenance strip. In addition, several persons built larger and smaller docks along the canal. Wit Boiti is largely inhabited by low-income families. The heads of household typically have poorly paid and/or informal jobs. Ethnically, approximately 80 percent of neighborhood inhabitants are of Maroon ethnic descent, mostly of the Saramacca and Ndyuka Maroon groups, with some members of other Maroon groups. The residents of these areas are not linked to one or two selected villages but trace their heritage to many different Maroon villages in the interior. The remaining (non-Maroon) population consists of Hindustani (people of East Indian descent), Creoles (people of African descent), and people of mixed ethnic heritage. House counts on aerial photographs suggest that there may be about 750 –800 houses in the Wit Boiti section that is situated within the 200 m boundary along the Saramacca Canal. Houses in this neighborhood are typically small and very basic, yet of varying quality, ranging from brick houses with decent zinc roofing to makeshift huts built of zinc plates and wood. The neighborhood is characterized by a large number of teen pregnancies, single mothers, large families, and high school dropout rates. Women often have many children, up to 10 or 12. It is common that several households live on one plot and/or in one house. Along the paved parts of area of influence in the Wit Boiti neighborhood (Goede Verwachtingweg, Goede Zorgweg, and side roads), housing structures appear to be of relatively better quality. In this section, residents are connected to the public water network of the SWM. They often have a water tap on their plot outside the home. Along the unpaved part of this neighborhood, people are not connected to the public water network. For drinking and other household uses, these households primarily collect rainwater from rooftops. In the dry season, they buy drinking water at the SWM, which fills the water storage tanks next to their homes. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 34 Figure 11. Four Main Residential Areas along the Saramacca Canal During the long rainy season (end of April through mid-August) the neighborhood gets flooded and rainwater runs into peoples’ homes. A primary reason for flooding is that the secondary and tertiary canals in the neighborhood are grown over with weeds and culverts are clogged, preventing the diversion of water. The resort council is looking into options to clean up these canals, but they do not have the necessary machinery.4 There is no school in Wit Boiti; children mostly go to school in the Latour, Flora, and Ephraimzegen neighborhoods. There also are no sports facilities and there is no clinic. There is one church along the waterfront, and two churches along the main road, within the area of influence. All churches are evangelical churches; there are no prayer houses of other religions. Sunny Point 2/Leiding 20 The residential area along the Saramacca Canal that is popularly known as ‘Sunny Point’ borders the Saramacca Canal on the south, roughly between 10.5 km and 11.8 km measured from where the Saramacca Canal meets the Suriname River, as the crow flies. This neighborhood is subdivided into a section with public housing structures, Sunny Point 1 and 4 Mr. Darson, Resort Council Latour and resident of the Wir Boiti area, pers. com. 17/08/2018. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 35 Sunny Point 2; the latter area also is referred to as Leiding 20. Only Sunny Point 2 is located within the 200 m boundary. An estimated 350–400 households populate this area. Sunny Point 2/Leiding 20 can be characterized as a marginalized neighborhood: streets are unpaved; houses are typically very basic, self-fabricated structures; households are not connected to the public water net (SWM); and there is no decent sewer system. For drinking water, households in the Leiding 20 section rely mostly on rainwater and three public taps that are placed along main crossroads (Figure 3). In the Sunny Point 2 section, people also rely on rainwater or on self-constructed waterpots. In addition, households may buy water from households in the Sunny Point 1 section, which is connected to the public water piping network. Most houses in this neighborhood have outhouses outside their home, as a toilet facility. Very few, if any of the houses, have flush toilet and a septic tank. Many of the open gutters along the street are clogged so that the water does not run, creating a public health risk. This situation is exacerbated by the fact that the sluices at Leiding 20, which are meant to divert the water from the Wit Boiti and Sunny Point neighborhoods to the Saramacca Canal, are clogged. Despite the poor conditions of the secondary and tertiary canals, the neighborhood is not prone to flooding during heavy rainfall. This part of the Sunny Point neighborhood is not connected to the EBS, but some households have requested an electricity source for building purposes (bouwstroom) and others have constructed their own wiring to these points. Loose hanging power lines create a public hazard (Figure 19). Children attend school in the Sunny Point 1 section. Sunny Point 1, which is mostly paved, also features a neighborhood center of the neighborhood association Stichting Du Leti. The Sunny Point 2/Leiding 20 area is inhabited by low-income families. People typically have low-income and/or informal jobs. Similar to the Wit Boiti neighborhood, teen pregnancy, single mothers with many children, and school dropouts are common problems. Ethnically, the majority of neighborhood inhabitants are of Saramacca Maroon ethnic descent, who trace their heritage to many different Maroon villages in the interior. The second most populous group in this neighborhood are Ndyuka Maroons, followed by individuals of other ethnic groups such as Chinese, Hindustani, and Creoles (people of mixed African heritage). The households in Sunny Point 2/Leiding 20 are unauthorized occupants. According to a local women’s leader of the area, the land belongs partly to the government and partly to a private titleholder.5 A small number of houses are built immediately bordering the canal, on the government maintenance strip. Some of these households built clay stairs into the canal, which they use for bathing and washing clothes and dishes. Resort council members representing this neighborhood reported that the households from this neighborhood do not plant vegetables or fruits along the canal. 5 Ms. Dap, local neighborhood leader Sunny Point 2, pers. comm., July 25, 2018. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 36 Magnesiumstraat/Titaiumstraat The houses along the Magnesiumweg and Titaniumweg form a small, middle-class/upper- middle-class residential area on the north side of the Saramacca Canal, at roughly 6.4 km from the Suriname River (as the crow flies), in Paramaribo District. Within the 200 m boundary along the canal, there are approximately 50–60 houses. Along the unpaved part of the Magnesiumweg, parallel to the canal, there are a couple of houses and a hotel ‘Comfort Tulip Inn’ overlooking the canal. There are no houses on the public maintenance strip, but the hotel built a terrace with lounging chairs on this strip. One of the households constructed a jetty to launch its leisure boat and a water scooter. However, the people have not used it for a while and the jetty is overgrown with weeds. Metropoolweg/Indrawatiweg The area surrounding the Metropoolweg/Indrawatiweg is a residential area on the north side of the Saramacca Canal, at roughly 8.8 km from the Suriname River (as the crow flies), in Wanica District. This residential area is bordered by the Commissaris Weytinghweg in the north, the Saramacca Canal in the south, the Indrawatiweg in the west, and the Mireilleweg in the east. Within the 200 m boundary along the canal, there are approximately 80 –100 houses. Houses are typically not built immediately bordering the canal, but people have used the public maintenance strip to build small docks and simple wooden jetties along the water. At the Metropoolweg, a small business owner has built a garage on the public maintenance strip, which is used for storage containers. In this same general area, there are at least two cement boat ramps that are used both by the families who have tenure rights to the land and by others who wish to bring their boat to the water. Leisure boats enter at this location to access the Suriname River or the Saramacca River. The residents of the Metropoolweg/Indrawatiweg residential areas can be characterized as middle class and upper middle class. Ethnically the neighborhood inhabitants are mostly of Hindustani ethnic descent (descendants of contract laborers from India). Most streets are paved and the area is connected to the public water net (SWM) and the public electricity net. 4.9 Use of the Canal 4.9.1 Businesses Observations and interviews suggest that several businesses use the canal to bring in production inputs (for example, sand and lumber), to discharge wastewater, and to dispose of waste.6 The majority of businesses in the 200 m zone along the canal do not use it for 6 For example, during an orientation visit on the canal, the staff of a fish processing plant were observed dumping the waste in the canal. Also, several large pipes drain into the canal. Given that all these businesses have toilet facilities that are connected to the public sewer system, it is unlikely that these pipes discharge human waste. It is likely that some businesses discharge wastewater from material or manufacturing processing into the canal. There is no Suriname legislation with regard to the diversion of wastewater into public waterways. The only regulations in this regard are limited to the harbor (G. Grifith, Legal Advisor at NIMOS, e-mail conversation August 16, 2018). ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 37 transportation; they are only located in this area because it is an industrial area and, for some, close to the harbors of the Suriname River. Once the project design is completed, a more detailed inventory should be made of all firms that use the canal for transportation, including contact information. A 2015 study from the Anton de Kom University of Paramaribo (AdeKUS) reported that approximately 43 vessels were active on the Saramacca Canal at the time (Van Ams and Rambali, 2015). These vessels included the following: • Motorized deck barges (Motordekschuiten); a deck barge for freight transport that is powered by a combustion engine) • Push boats (duwboten): Vessels that do not transport a load on their decks but serve to drive two, four, or six large, almost square steel barges (duwbakken) with freight • Fishing vessels The largest dimensions were length = 52.64 m, breadth = 8.25 m, and capacity = 737.28 m3. The vessels using the Saramacca Canal in 2015 are listed in annex 2. In 2015, the businesses operating vessels on the Saramacca Canal included Baitali Group N.V., Grassalco N.V., Van Alen Concrete Industries (Van Alen Beton Industrie, VABI), Soebrati N.V., Seahorse N.V., N.V. de Eenheid, and New Life (Van Ams and Rambali 2015). These firms used the canal mainly to obtain raw materials for their production processes, such as lumber, sand, crushed stone, and gravel. In that same year, the lock keeper at the Doorsteek sluices estimated that approximately 10 vessels passed the locks daily. Because the locks do not function properly, passage only occurs when the water levels on both sides are equal, which happens two to three times a day. In 2015, the lock keeper estimated that, if the sluices would function properly, waiting time for boats would be about 30 to 40 minutes. Travelling through the passage is free of charge. The 2015 AdeKUS study reported that main complaints of businesses about the canal included the following: • The canal is poorly navigable, because there are obstructions in the canal such as wood, drifting vegetation, and waste. • Land loss/erosion. • Waiting times at the locks. • Limiting dimensions of the canal and related public infrastructure, such as vertical clearance, dimensions of the lock chambers, depth of the canal, and depth of the lock entrance. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 38 4.9.2 Use of the Canal 2018 Observations suggest that several businesses use the canal to bring in production inputs (for example, sand, lumber), discharge wastewater, and dispose of waste (Figure 12). The majority of businesses in the 200 m zone along the canal do not use it for transportation; they are only located in this area because it is an industrial area and, for some, close to the harbors of the Suriname River. The following vessels were active during January 1, 2018 till May 30, 2018: • Motorized deck barges (Motordekschuiten); a deck barge for freight transport that is powered by a combustion engine) • Push boats (duwboten): Vessels that do not transport a load on their decks, but serve to drive two, four, or six large, almost square steel barges (duwbakken) with freight • Fishing vessels The largest dimensions were length = 52.64 m, breadth = 8.25 m, and content = 737.28 m3. In 2018 (January–May), the businesses operating vessels on the Saramacca Canal included Baitali Group N.V., Grassalco N.V., VABI, Soebrati N.V., and Seahorse N.V.. These firms used the canal mainly to obtain raw materials for their production processes, such as lumber, sand, crushed stone, and gravel. Because the locks do not function properly, passage only occurs when the water levels on both sides are equal, which happens two to three times a day. In 2015, a study was conducted by two students of the Anton de Kom University. This AdeKUS study reported that main complaints of businesses about the canal included the following: • The canal is poorly navigable; obstructions in the canal include wood, drifting vegetation, and waste. • Land loss/erosion. • Waiting time at the locks. • Limiting dimensions of the canal and related public infrastructure, such as vertical clearance, dimensions of the lock chambers, depth of the canal, and depth of the lock entrance. Also, transportation of sand by a motorized deck barge has the highest frequency, an average of approximately 15 vessels per month. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 39 Figure 12. Graphs of Number of Barges Entering the Saramacca Canal - Doorsteek Number of Barges - Monthly (January to May 2018) 80 70 60 50 40 Number of Barges 30 20 10 0 January February March April May Number of Barges - Weekly (January to May 2018) 30 25 20 15 Number of Barges 10 5 0 Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 8 Week 18 Week 10 Week 11 Week 12 Week 13 Week 20 Week 21 Week 7 Week 9 Week 14 Week 15 Week 16 Week 17 Week 19 4.9.3 Residents’ Use of the canal A couple of households sometimes use the canal for household uses such as washing clothes, washing dishes, and bathing—especially in the dry season. For these purposes, they have built small wooden boardwalks or clay steps into the water. Occasionally children swim in the canal, but this is discouraged by parents as already several children have drowned. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 40 Some persons drive small boats in the canal for leisure. Persons from outside the AoI also use the boat landings along the canal to launch their boats. In this context, the canal is sometimes used as a passage way to the Saramacca River or the Suriname River. Wastewater of the low-income households along the canal typically flows directly into the canal. These households may or may not have a septic tank. Observations suggest that where the houses are built on the public maintenance strip, outhouses often are built immediately along the canal, with the sewer pipes draining into the canal. Main uses of the canal are listed in Table 2. 4.9.4 Livelihood Activities in and along the Saramacca Canal There is only one individual who depends solely on access to the canal for his livelihood. This person manually operates a small ferry boat to bring passengers across the canal near the offices of Staatsolie NV (approximately 4.8 km from the Suriname River). People occasionally fish in the canal, using both nets and fishing rods. Fishing is primarily undertaken by members of low-income households for own consumption, while small surpluses may be sold. However, many residents are aware of the possible pollution of the water, and they do not consume fish from this source. People can catch all kinds of fish in the canal. People set out the nets along the shoreline in the evening, and collect the fish in the morning. The Chair of the Resort Council, Saramaccapolder, commented that some decades ago, people fished a lot in the canal. Nowadays, people north of the canal do not fish anymore in the polluted canal but rather take a boat out to one of the rivers. Hardly anyone plants commercial food crops along the canals, and even planting or subsistence use is rare. In some locations, people may have some fruit trees (for example, banana and coconut). The harvested fruits are for own consumption, while the surplus may be sold. In the area between Leiding 11 and Uitkijk, farmers use the secondary and tertiary canals that run into the Saramacca Canal for irrigation (See section ‘Farmers’). Table 2. Uses of the Saramacca Canal and its Shorelines by Local Area Residents Use of the Canal Description Household uses Households of Wit Boiti and Sunny Point 2/Leiding 20, especially those without connection to the public water net and those living near the canal shores, occasionally use the canal to wash clothes and dishes and for bathing. Livelihood One person operates a small ferry boat to cross the canal. No other individuals depend on the Saramacca Canal for their income, though farmers rely on the secondary and tertiary canals for irrigation. A small number of individuals from the low-income neighborhoods south of the canal occasionally fish in the canal, both with fishing rods and with nets. Fish are caught for own consumption, though surplus may be sold. Incidentally, and on a very small scale, people plant crops and fruit trees for own consumption. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 41 Use of the Canal Description Recreation Children of Wit Boiti and Sunny Point 2/Leiding 20 occasionally swim in the canal. A couple of individuals, both north and south of the canal, own small vessels. Boat owners from outside the AoI also use the boat ramps north of the canal and the ramp at Uitkijk to enter the water. Infrastructure At various locations, wastewater from households runs into the canal. Especially in the low-income neighborhoods south of the Saramacca Canal, household sewers are directly connected to the canal. The canal is not used much as a transportation route. Nevertheless, the small ferry boat provides an important connection for work and school commuters. Business/industry A selected number of firms use the canal to bring in raw materials for their production process, yet not all firms located along the canal use it for transportation. In addition, observations suggest that some businesses use the canal to dump waste and drain wastewater. 4.9.5 Farmers The Saramacca Canal is important to farmers who have small plots for commercial farming — mostly between the main road known as Leiding 11 A (approximately 8.5 km measured from the sluices) and the point where the Sarammacca Canal connects to the Saramacca River, in the area known as Uitkijk. In this entire area, referred to as Leidingen, small commercial farming is practiced along the secondary and tertiary canals that run into the Saramacca Canal. These smaller canals are used for irrigation of the agricultural fields, and good drainage is important. In the past, these parcels were used for rice production, but nowadays they mostly produce perennial crops (for example, fruit trees) and vegetables (Mr. Goerdayal, Chair RR Saramaccapolder and area resident, pers. comm., July 19, 2018). In parts of the resort Koewarasan and in the area popularly known as Creola, between the suspension bridge at Bomaweg and Uitkijk, agriculture is practiced within the AoI. Among others, people have planted fruit trees on land along the Saramacca Canal. Archaeological Resources, Tangible Heritage, and Other Places of Cultural Significance The UNESCO 2001 Convention of the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage is the foremost international legal reference for the protection of underwater cultural heritage. Suriname has not ratified this convention. The national register of cultural heritage sites (Versteeg 2003) shows no sites in the Saramacca Canal. However, the lack of national register status does not mean that sites do not exist in the project footprint, as few places have been excavated. The Project area (200 m on both sides along the canal) houses eight religious worship places (mosques, churches, temples). These sites will not be affected by the Project. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 42 Given the absence of Suriname National Guidelines in the case of archaeological finds, construction activities should be consistent with internationally recognized good practice as described in the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) (1990) Charter for the Protection and Management of the Archaeological Heritage. In addition, the contractors must comply with the GoS Monument Law of 2002 for immoveable archaeological resources found during the course of the Project. Article 20.1 stipulates that “monuments found in excavations and on which no one can prove the right of ownership are owned by the state. 2. The owner of the land in which the monuments have been dug up is required to transfer the found monuments to the State and is entitled to a reimbursement amounting to half the value of those monuments. 3. Monuments found in an investigation…may be transferred to a place suitable for their custody on the instructions of the Minister [of Education, Science and Culture].” Article 21. states that “the finder…, within thirty working days after the discove ry must indicate the exact location, time, monument and particulars of the discovery to the District Commissioner (DC) of the district in which the discovery has been made who shall immediately notify the Minister.” The Project activities also should comply with the Foundation for Forest Management and Production Control (Stichting Bosbeheer en Bostoezicht, SBB) 2011 Code of Practice that includes a zoning standard for places of cultural importance and archaeological sites. This Code of Practice stipulates that if archaeological or cultural historical findings are made, relics and locations have to be reported immediately to the Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture ( Ministerie van Onderwijs, Wetenschap en Cultuur, MINOWC). The licensee and their staff, contractors, or representatives will refrain from interfering in any way with such sites and/or relics. National Guidelines are still in review phase by the Government Directorate of Culture of the MINOWC and are not available for distribution. Within 200 m on either side of the Saramacca Canal, the cultural sites available are shown in Table 3. Table 3. Names of Cultural Sites on Either Side of the Saramacca Canal No. Name Type 1 Jesus Christ Mission Ministry Church 2 Moskee Mosque 3 Vishnu Mandier Hindu temple 4 Arya Devakar mandier Hindu temple 5 Shri Tridew Mandier Hindu temple 6 SCSV Anand Soccer field/ cultural site 7 Thirath Sthan Leiding 8 Hindu temple 8 Algemene Begrafenis Fonds 7B Cemetry 9 SCSV Tridew Cultural and sport site 10 Tridew Mandier Hindu temple ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 43 No. Name Type 11 Moskee Mosque 12 Sitaram Ghaath Hindu Temple Figure 13.Cultural Sites ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 44 5 LAND AND TENURE AND USE OF PUBLIC LAND 5.1 Land Tenure Titles in the Area of Interest 5.1.1 Residential areas south of the Canal The land along Goede Verwachtingweg (Wit Boiti neighborhood) used to be part of the former plantation Goede Verwachting and is currently government land. Most of it has been allocated to residents as land lease. The lease titles were provided during a government campaign to formalize this residential neighborhood, which started out as unlawful occupation. A part of the land along this road, including occupied lands, may still be domain land (vrij domein). The MI- GLIS does not have tenure information about all parcels. For example, no certainty could be ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 45 given about the tenure status of the section of Goede Verwachting between Coesewijne Bridge and Indira Ghandiweg. The land of Sunny Point 2/Leiding used to be part of the former plantations Duisburg and Onverwacht. This land was allocated to one or more parties as full property (eigendom) but has been occupied by low-income households who do not have legal tenure title. 5.1.2 Residential Areas North of the Canal Land in the residential area of Magnesiumstraat and Titaniumstraat, north of the canal, has been allocated as governmental land lease (grondhuur). In the other residential areas north of the Saramacca Canal, around the Metropoolweg/Indrawatiweg, residents hold property titles (eigendom). 5.1.3 Industrial Area between the Suriname River and the Coesewijne Bridge Land tenure information from the MI-GLIS office suggests that land of the industrial area bordered by the Suriname River in the east, the Coesewijne Bridge in the west, Industrieweg Noord in the north, and Industrieweg Zuid in the south has been allocated as land lease (grondhuur) and leasehold (erfpacht). 5.1.4 Rural areas Rural areas typically have been allocated under governmental land lease or leasehold titles, and the rural areas in the AoI are no exception. The land between Uitkijk, where the Saramacca Canal meets the Saramacca River, and the area popularly known as Leidingen have been allocated as land lease/lease hold. Also, all the land of the entire ressort Koewarasan carries a land lease/leasehold title. 5.2 Public Maintenance Strip and Drainage Canals Sustainability of the drainage infrastructure requires that secondary, tertiary, and smaller canals in both rural and urban neighborhoods are maintained. In practice, these canals are often overgrown and polluted with litter, while many of the culverts are clogged. As a result, rain and wastewater do not properly drain from these areas, with resulting flooding during heavy rainfall. Residents often complain that the government (MoPWTC) does not properly clean these smaller drainage canals, while the ministry indicates that residents are responsible for maintenance of the public canals and gutters that drain their parcels. The law is not explicit about whose task it is to keep the secondary and smaller canals clean and free of weeds. The responsibilities of the various ministries are stated in Law S.B. 1991 no. 58.7 This law stipulates that the MoPWTC is responsible for water management and drainage. In 7 STAATSBESLUIT van 10 oktober 1991, houdende instelling en taakomschrijving van Departementen van Algemeen Bestuur (“Besluit Taakomschrijving Departementen 1991”) (S.B. 1991 no. 58), gelijk het luidt na de daarin aangebrachte wijzigingen bi j S.B. 2002 no. 16). ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 46 addition, the MoPWTC is responsible for management, planning, and development of public infrastructural facilities, as well as the planning, execution, and maintenance of all civil engineering works, with the exception of secondary and tertiary engineering works in the districts and the interior (Art. 20). Responsibility for the latter lays with the Ministry of RO (S.B. 1991 no. 58, Art. 8). These task descriptions suggest that the MoPWTC and the Ministry of RO are responsible for maintenance of public canals and gutters in, respectively, Paramaribo and other districts. On the other hand, the Criminal Law8 stipulates that residents are obliged to keep an area of at least 6 m around their homes free of weeds and shrubs (S.B. 1980, no. 68, Art. 39). It is also stipulated that it is forbidden to dump garbage, waste, or other materials on public spaces, including public roads, gardens, parks, and waterways such as canals, discharge trenches, and creeks (Art. 39A). These articles indicate that responsibility for maintenance of the public canals and gutters in residential neighborhoods lies, at least partly, with citizens. The actual execution of maintenance activities on public drainage networks by citizens requires both enhanced public awareness of these responsibilities, and control and enforcement. Both national and local (RR members and neighborhood managers) authorities can play a constructive role in motivating enhancement of citizen participation in maintenance of public areas in their own neighborhoods. An area on both sides of the canal is considered a ‘public maintenance strip’ (openbare onderhoudsstrook). The MoPWTC determines the width of this strip for the different canals based on practical considerations. For ‘normal’ canals, the width of the public maintenance strip on either side of the canal is 10 m; for the Saramacca Canal it is 20 to 30 m.9 Officially, citizens are not allowed to perform activities on the public maintenance strips. In practice, however, various government institutions grant permission to construct small structures on this land such as boardwalks, huts, and terraces. By law, building physical structures that cannot be removed on the public maintenance strip is forbidden, and the government must always be able to access the maintenance strip. Sometimes the permission to use the public maintenance strip explicitly states that compensation will not be awarded if the government damages the structure while executing activities on this land. Recently, the district governments have been awarded responsibility for structures on public road sites and maintenance strips. This situation can cause confusion if a person receives permission from one government entity to use the maintenance strip, while other government offices are not informed. The public maintenance strip along the Saramacca Canal also is used to illicitly dump waste. This happens at various locations along the stretch of the canal. During heavy rainfall, garbage 8 Decreet houdende bepalingen m.b.t. ecologische omstandigheden in de woongebieden (invoeging art. 39a Politiestrafwet) (Decreet B-8). In full: WET van 29 november 1915, tot vaststelling van een Politiestrafwet (G.B. 1915 no. 77), gelijk zij luidt na de daarin aangebrachte wijzigingen bij G.B. 1917 no. 78, G.B. 1917 no. 79, G.B. 1917 no. 80, G.B. 1917 no. 83, G.B. 1918 no. 39, G.B. 1922 no. 14, G.B. 1924 no. 64, G.B. 1926 no. 55, G.B. 1926 no. 125, G.B. 1929 no. 54, G.B. 1929 no. 59, G.B. 1930 no. 73, G.B. 1933 no. 94, G.B. 1933 no. 95, G.B. 1934 no. 31, G.B. 1939 no. 100, G.B. 1939 no. 101, G.B. 1939 no. 102, G.B. 1942 no. 1521, G.B. 1943 no. 120, G.B. 1944 no. 39, G.B. 1944 no. 153, G.B. 1946 no. 128, G.B. 1947 no. 133, G.B. 1947 no.140, G.B. 1949 no. 62, G.B 1950 no. 63, G.B. 1961 no. 77, G.B. 1964 no. 107, S.B. 1980 no. 68, S.B. 1980 no. 121, S.B. 1982 no. 19, S.B. 1990 no. 24. 9 Mr. Mohan, Director, Ministry of OWTC. pers. comm., July 25, 2018. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 47 may run into the canal, causing both pollution of the canal and hindrance of water flow. When the final Project design is known, these garbage dump sites should be mapped and taken into account to enhance Project sustainability. Strategic planning is required to prevent further use of these public areas as waste dump sites. 6 IDENTIFICATION OF VULNERABLE GROUPS Inhabitants of the two low-income neighborhoods south of the canal, Wit Boiti and Sunny Point 2/Leiding 20, are vulnerable for a number of reasons: • They are typically low-income households; many persons work in low-paying jobs or informal jobs or are unemployed and do irregular, short-term informal jobs. • Many heads of household have limited levels of formal education. • A significant share of households is headed by single mothers. • A number of households do not have legal tenure rights to the land they live on. • Access to public services (water and electricity) is suboptimal in parts of these neighborhoods. Between the two neighborhoods, the people from Wit Boiti may have relatively more political voice, because two National Assembly members are associated with this neighborhood.10 Furthermore, the largest share of household members from Wit Boiti obtained land lease titles, and hence they have legal tenure rights to the land they live on. In Sunny Point 2/Leiding 2, the majority of households, if not all, are irregular occupants without any form of rights to the lands they live on. The grand majority of inhabitants of Wit Boiti and Sunny Point 2/Leiding 20 are of Maroon ethnic descent. No inhabitants identified as part of indigenous peoples groups have been found in the area surveyed along the canal. The Maroons in these two urban neighbourhoods identify themselves as Maroons, and are viewed by outsiders as such. However, they do not have collective territorial attachment to the said neighbourhoods in the AoI. Even though these families still value and use, to a greater or lesser extent, cultural customs from the traditional home communities in the interior, they do no longer live according to the customary rules, culture and leadership structures of their specific tribal group. In this context, one may also note that these Paramaribo neighbourhoods host Maroons from different tribal groups, whose families originate from many different villages, as well as individuals from other ethnic groups. The 2012 national census counted 117,567 individuals who self-identified as Maroons, representing approximately 21.7 percent of the total Suriname population. Informed estimates suggest that roughly half of these people live in the interior districts of Sipaliwini, Brokopondo and Para. 10 Mr. A. Misiekaba, and Ms. S. Afonsoewa. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 48 Even though Maroons are tribal peoples, this situation does not trigger the World Bank Operational Policy on Indigenous Peoples (OP 4.10), because the World Bank OP 4.10 criteria used to identify indigenous peoples as a distinct social and cultural group mostly do not apply to the target group (Figure 4).11 The Maroons in these two urban neighborhoods identify themselves as Maroons and are viewed by outsiders as such. However, they do not have collective territorial attachment to the said neighborhoods in the AoI. As Maroons decedents living in the urban areas do not practice the traditional collective territorial attachment and leadership structure, the typology of their houses in the neighbourhoods close to the Saramacca canal does not differ from the others in the area. Even though these families still value and use, to a greater or lesser extent, cultural customs from the traditional home communities in the interior, they no longer live according to the customary rules, culture, and leadership structures of their specific tribal group. In this context, one may also note that these Paramaribo neighborhoods host Maroons from different tribal groups, whose families originate from many different villages, as well as individuals from other ethnic groups. The identification of the Maroons of Wit Boiti and Syunny point 2/Leiding 20 as Indigenous Peoples was discussed with the Director of the Department for ‘Sustainable Development of Afro-Surinamese of the Interior’ (Duurzame Ontwikkeling Afro-Surinamers Binnenland) of the Ministry of RO. The Director confirmed that the mentioned neighborhoods are not part of the tribal ancestral lands/land claims of the Maroons and that the Maroon individuals living in these neighborhoods cannot be considered an indigenous group.12 Table 4. Applicability of World Bank OP 4.10 Criteria for Indigenous Peoples to the Maroon Households along the Saramacca Canal “For purposes of this policy, the term “Indigenous Peoples” is used in a Applicability generic sense to refer to a distinct, vulnerable, social and cultural group possessing the following characteristics in varying degrees:” Self-identification as members of a distinct indigenous cultural group and Yes recognition of this identity by others Collective attachment to geographically distinct habitats or ancestral Not in these Paramaribo territories in the project area and to the natural resources in these habitats neighborhoods and territories Customary cultural, economic, social, or political institutions that are Not in these Paramaribo separate from those of the dominant society and culture neighborhoods An indigenous language, often different from the official language of the Yes, typically in addition to country or region Sranantongo and Dutch Source: World Bank OP 4.10. 11 The Suriname legal system does not define Indigenous Peoples or Maroon Peoples. 12 W. Misiedjan, Director Duurzame Ontwikkeling Afro-Surinamers Binnenland, pers. comm. July 12, 2018. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 49 Figure 14. Assorted Photos of the Canal and Area of Influence Navigation lock and gate #2 looking west from Suriname river. Lock control house in background Suriname River side gate #1 Barge entering eastern lock from Suriname River being pulled by typical river “tow” boat. Note Barge in lock between gates #1 and #2 on Suriname side mobile excavator mounted on barge. of canal. Gravel loaded barge passing through lock system Suriname River side with excavator equipment Tow boat pulling gravel loaded barge through lock gates. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 50 Figure 15. Saramacca Canal System Photos – Sluice Gates and Urban Areas Sluice gates at Suriname River looking west. Sluice gates at Suriname River, looking east to the Suriname River Navigation lock at western end of canal near Saramacca River Construction facility along canal Residential area in mid-section of canal and The prison on the canal secondary canal entering ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 51 Figure 16. Saramacca Canal System Photos – Urban Area Factory along canal showing discharge pipes Concrete plant along canal showing off loads from barges of sand and gravel with excavator Example of industrial complexes along canal with sand and gravel offloaded by barges. Location Witboi factory along canal showing aquatic weed circle shows secondary canal connection into growth. canal. Canal embankment containing dumped debris Transport barge tied up alongside manufacturing and garbage plant showing secondary canal inflow ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 52 Figure 17. Saramacca Canal System Photos – Along the Canal Church on the canal Housing settlement along canal Houses in the Wit Boiti Neighborhood along Canal Houses in the Wit Boiti Neighborhood along Canal showing garbage dumping into canal waters Houses in the Wit Boiti Neighborhood along Canal Local road adjacent to the canal showing placement on the embankment ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 53 Figure 18. Saramacca Canal System Photos – Along the Canal Canal towards peri urban area with extensive mat Typical neighborhood tertiary canal with culvert of aquatic weeds and blockage Examples of secondary canals left picture cleared Typical glogged residential draingae channel with and maintained canal and right clogged with weeds concentrated weed growth Clear secondary canal entering main canal. Note Fishing in canal soil pile without silt fence on canal embankment ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 54 Figure 19. Saramacca Canal System Photos - Canals Canal towards peri urban area with extensive mat of aquatic Secondary canal entering main canal showing low weeds, and major traffic bridge crossing over canal traffic bridge Unsafe Power Lines Hanging across mud road in Sunny Examples of secondary canals left picture cleared and Point 2/Leiding 20 Neighborhood maintained canal and right clogged with weeds Residential neighborhood showing recently dredged Residential neighborhood showingclogged with channel flowing freely and unobstructed blocked culverts ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 55 Figure 20. Saramacca Canal System Photos – Residential areas Residential neighborhood showing recently cleared Typical neighborhood tertiary canal with culvert and channel flowing freely and unobstructed with proper debris sized box culvert Close up of the box diaphragm discharge sleeve with Example of buried drainage channel with box extensive water hyacinth mat diaphragm discharge sleeve Tertiary Canal as Open gutter with standing water ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 56 Figure 21. Saramacca Canal System Photos - Vegetation Natural Vegetation – Center of the canal Rooted floating mats- in canal Tall secondary forest- western part of canal Neglected meadoe – rural area in AOI ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 57 7 ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS AND RISKS 7.1 Approach for Impact and Risk Assessment In this section each of the project components and associated activities are assessed for potential environmental and social impacts and risks. There is a defined Area of Influence that is considered the “direct impact” zone. In this area the Project activities are assessed to determine any direct and indirect impacts between the Project and its environment resources and people, communities and businesses. The ESIA also predicts and quantifies to the extent possible the magnitude of impacts and risks for each of the project activities. For this ESIA magnitude of impacts and risks are based on the following considerations: • Type of impact (i.e., direct, indirect) • Nature of the change (what is affected and how) • Size, scale, or intensity • Duration and/or frequency (e.g., temporary, short term, long term, permanent) The magnitude describes the actual change that is predicted to occur and in the case of adverse impacts is ranked from low, medium to high. It is also imperative to identify positive impacts. The Environmental and Social Impact and Risk Assessment matrix is presented in Table 5. It is important to clarify that this assessment is considered “preliminary” and will need to be updated once the final design with all detailed construction details is completed. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 58 Table 5 Saramacca Canal Project Components and Activities Environmental and Social Impact and Risk Assessment Matrix* * + represents positive impacts or risks and – is negative impacts or risks Saramacca Canal Rehabilitation Activities Environmental and social impacts/risks 1.0 Rehabilitation of Sluices and Locks 1.1 Lock Gate Rehabilitation at Saramacca River Environmental (Uitkijk) - air emissions from machinery and vehicles • rehabilitation of civil, mechanical and electric - noise from construction equipment elements - scrap metal and wood waste • rehabilitation/replacement of canal side and - oil and lubricant discharge into canal waters from repair equipment bottom protection - More navigation hours result in more vessel transport therefore increasing pollution levels e.g. from motors, • upgrade of wooden mooring areas goods, solid waste Social - disruption of canal traffic + Better management of water levels in Saramacca Canal for flood control, irrigation and transport + More navigation hours (12 daylight hours rather than current 2 hours) + allowing more vessel transport, leading to growth in economy. + Benefits industry through minimising transport costs (e.g. sand/gravel, timber) + Benefits government through encouraging transport by canal rather than road therefore minimising road damage by heavy industry + Benefits agricultural activities through allowing rapid transport of fresh produce to market + Benefits individuals by allowing an alternative transport route and new socio-economic activities (eg tourism). + Water-based postal transport services can be re-established. 1.1 Lock Gate Rehabilitation at Suriname River Environmental (Doorsteek) - air emissions from machinery and vehicles • rehabilitation of civil, mechanical and electric - noise from construction equipment elements - scrap metal and wood waste • rehabilitation/replacement of canal side and - oil and lubricant discharge into canal waters from repair equipment bottom protection - More navigation hours results in more vessel transport therefore increasing pollution levels e.g. from motors, • upgrade of wooden mooring areas goods, solid waste + Reduction of water leakage from the Suriname River (tidal, saline water) into Saramacca Canal (freshwater) thereby impacting salt-water intrusion eg + & - Alteration of established brackish (freshwater/saline) water balance impacting habitats and environment + Reduction of salt-water impact on man-made materials (boats, metal & wooden docks, poles, etc) - Blockage of movement of aquatic species between freshwater and saline environments (e.g. manatees, fish) ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 59 1.2 Sluice Rehabilitation Environmental • rehabilitation of civil, mechanical and electric - air emissions from machinery and vehicles elements - noise from construction equipment • reinforcement of canal side and bottom - scrap metal and wood waste protection - oil and lubricant discharge into canal waters from repair equipment • upgrade of concrete where necessary + Allows controlled and regular flushing of system to remove sediment, floating vegetation and excess water • clearance of debris from system. This also improves water quality through dispersal of agricultural fertilizers, insecticides, industrial disposal etc. Social + Better management of water levels in Sarmacca Canal for flood control, irrigation and transport + Reduction in flood hazard ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 60 2.0 Reprofiling and Clearing of Canal 2.1 Dredging Specified Locations Environmental • bathymetric survey - air emissions from machinery and vehicles • dredging excess sediment (removing) and/or - noise from construction equipment shifting sediment mounds into depressions by - scrap metal and wood waste ploughing using excavator and pontoon - oil and lubricant discharge into canal waters from repair equipment • Where dredging of vessel passing places is - Temporary decrease in water quality during dredging/moving of material needed, possible reinforcement of canal - Removal of established wildlife/wetland habitat banks may be required. + Removal of bottom bed sediment + Inhibits growth of nuisance vegetation + Decrease of existing bed-bottom pollution (if any) in long term Social -temporary blockage to canal transport + Improves flood risk by improving conveyance of water + Allows navigation by increasing water depth 2.1 Sediment stockpiling at Spoils Deposit Site Environmental • removal of sediment from pontoon at - Clearing of sediment dumping site may involve removal/burning of grass/trees designated site and dumping in sediment - Reduction in soil infiltration capacity from compaction of ground material stock-piling area (possibly via road/vehicle if - leaching of spoil compounds into groundwater necessary) -surface runoff of spoils into adjacent water bodies • removal of sediment from stockpiling site via -possible harmful effects from spoils if not used following technical specifications (see Appendix A) for reuse Social - Temporary increase of local traffic / noise next to access road + Sediment available for re-use (commercial venture) 2.2 Clearance of Impeding Vegetation and Debris Environmental • removal of large debris items (sunken vessels) - Temporarily decreases water quality as large debris items (sunken metal or wooden vessels etc) removed from • removal of in-channel vegetation (but river bed causing upwelling of bed material avoiding vegetation supporting bank-stability - Removal of habitat for fish/birds/mammals through removal of grasses, floating vegetation, etc where possible) + Reduction in pollution through removal of solid waste. Social + Opportunities to develop canal shore-line for industry, agriculture or tourism. + Allows navigation by increasing water depth ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 61 3.0 Upgrading Secondary and Tertiary Sub catchment Areas 3.1 Rehabilitating secondary or tertiary drainage Environmental channels including removing hydraulic - air emissions from machinery and vehicles restrictions and possible introduction of green - noise from construction equipment solutions for flood management - scrap metal and wood waste - oil and lubricant discharge into canal waters from repair equipment + improvement in climate change resilience through improvement of flood risk (flood depth, duration, extent) + Improved drainage capacity + Improved drainage capacity Social - May involve some removal and reconstruction of small obstructions such as fences in the waterways, or widening of existing culverts. - Minor disruption to road access during works + improved traffic flow / local access during and after high rainfall events as flood waters will drain away more quickly. + less water-borne diseases due to less standing water 3.2 Introduction of maintenance program for local Environmental drainage channels and implementation of - air emissions from machinery and vehicles community awareness campaigns on litter - noise from construction equipment disposal and waste management - scrap metal and wood waste - oil and lubricant discharge into canal waters from repair equipment + improvement in climate change resilience through improvement of flood risk (flood depth, duration, extent) + Improved drainage capacity + Improved drainage capacity Social + Mobilises citizen support across local society + Improved communication between Government and society + improved maintenance / look of / pride in local area ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 62 8 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MITIGATION MEASURES The next step in this ESIA is the identification of actions to mitigate the potential negative impacts of each of the project activities. This mitigation addresses mechanisms to avoid or minimize the impacts and risks. These actions are proposed across general themes which are discussed below. 8.1 Air Quality The Project will use heavy construction equipment, dredging excavators and tug boats, and increase vehicle traffic in the Project Area. Of the Project components, the rehabilitation of the locks and sluices are expected to generate the most air emissions, as it involves the most construction activities. The secondary and tertiary Project components will modify the existing smaller drainage infrastructure with minimal use of heavy construction equipment. The lock and sluice gate rehabilitation activities are localized, and air quality effects are generally restricted to a small radius. The dredging operations will not create any dust emissions in the canal. Cleaning of canal vegetation will be short term and conducted in targeted areas on a rotating basis along the canal. The dust impact from dredging and transport to the Spoils Deposit Area (anticipated to be by barge) will be negligible since the sludge will be wet. The activities at the Spoils Deposit Area include offloading of dredged materials, use of heavy machinery to transport and spread these spoils and intermittent contouring and moving of these materials. These activities will be restricted to a small area ( 10-15 acres). These operations are considered to have low air quality impacts. The air quality impacts will be minimized by applying the following provision: • Maintain all construction equipment in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications. • Avoid burning non-vegetative wastes (refuse, etc.) at construction sites. • Avoid unnecessary idling of construction equipment or delivery trucks when not in use. • Implement the Stakeholder and Communication Plan to ensure regular and appropriate citizen feedback and concerns. After construction, ambient air quality is expected to return to pre-construction levels. Therefore, implementation of the Project will have no residual or long-term impacts on the surrounding air quality. 8.2 Noise The Project will use heavy construction equipment, dredging excavators and tug boats, and increase vehicle traffic in the Project Area. Of the Project components, the rehabilitation of the locks and sluices are expected to generate the most air emissions, as it involves the most construction activities. The secondary and tertiary Project components will modify the existing smaller drainage infrastructure with minimal use of heavy construction equipment. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 63 The dredging operations will create moderate noise up and down a limited stretch of the canal and noise will be associated with the barge tug boats and excavators. Cleaning of canal vegetation will be short term and conducted in targeted areas on a rotating basis along the canal. The noise impact from transport of dredged material will impact a smaller corridor in the Area of Influence (AOI) from the dredging locations and barge loading and then transport along the canal to the Spoils Deposit Area. Construction-related noise pollution associated with selected Project activities will result from operating heavy construction equipment and increased vehicle traffic in the Project AOI. Aside from airborne noise impacts on nearby businesses and residences. Considering that construction and channel rehabilitation activities are localized, intermittent, and occur over a short-medium term (for a few weeks to several months), much of the noise effects of these Project activities are expected to be minimal. The rehabilitation of the locks and sluices will occur over a longer period (several months) and these Project activities will be minimized using the following measures: • Maintain all construction equipment in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications. • Schedule construction and rehabilitation work during daylight hours when increased noise levels are more tolerable. • Avoid dredging and spoils transport at night • Develop and implement a Construction Communications Plan to inform adjacent receptors (e.g., commercial businesses, churches, and tourists) of construction activities. After construction, ambient noise levels are expected to return to pre-construction levels. Therefore, implementation of the Project activities will have no impact on the surrounding ambient noise levels. 8.3 Surface Water The causes of potential pollution to the Canal surface water include accidental fuel/oil spills from machinery/vehicles (including emergency situations), poorly managed liquid/ solid waste and construction materials, and siltation of surface water during dredging. At the Spoils Dredge Site, percolation of contaminated runoff and infiltration of polluted surface water, are potential causes of ground water pollution impacts. Due to shallow ground water levels in the Project area, the potential risk of impact on shallow aquifers exists. Pollution of water may be observed during construction works near at the lock and sluice gates and during dredging. During construction works these surface water bodies may be affected by accidentally spilled fuel/oil or contaminated surface runoff. • On-site vehicles and equipment including the dredge excavators and all work boats shall be inspected regularly for leaks and all leaks shall be immediately repaired. Incoming vehicles and equipment shall be checked for leaks. Leaking vehicles/equipment shall not be allowed on- site. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 64 • Secondary containment devices (drop cloths, drain pans) shall be used to catch leaks or spills while removing or changing oils from vehicles or equipment. For small spills, absorbent materials must be used. • At the Spoils Deposit Site, a silt fence, fibber rolls, gravel bags, or other approved sediment control must be ensured and a liner may be required pending design considerations Overall, because of the degraded water quality in much of the Canal, the likelihood of impacts on surface water quality during construction will be low to medium. The impact will be temporary and reversible. In the Spoils Deposit Site, final design will ensure minimal contaminant leakage into the surface waters and ground water. Overall, these residual impacts will be low to negligible by implementing the mitigation measures listed above. The environmental management of these issues are also associated with the Waste Management Plan, Spoils Site Management Plan and Construction Management Plan. 8.4 Waste Waste associated with the Project includes both general construction waste, dredge material and removed lock and sluice gate materials. General construction waste will be collected in waste bins/receptacles to be hauled offsite by a licensed waste hauler and disposed of accordingly in approved landfills. Construction waste consists of general food and office waste, personal protection equipment, paper, cardboard, plastic, pallets, wood, scrap steel, etc. The hazardous waste generated from machinery, equipment and vehicles during the construction will include: • Used tires: 60-70 unit / year; • Oil filters of construction equipment, vehicles and other machinery: 20-25 unit /year; • Out-dated and damaged accumulators: 12-15 unit/year; • Waste fuel, lubricants: 120-150 kg /year; • Welding electrodes: 50-60 kg /year; These wastes generated during the Project will be handed over to licensed companies for treatment (deactivation, incineration) or re-use in other technological processes. The area allocated for temporary storage of hazardous waste shall have special preventive measures implemented, including special labelled containers/receptacles. secondary containment and no mixing of hazardous waste with any other waste shall be allowed. Hazardous waste containers shall be checked for tightness. The staff involved in hazardous waste management shall be trained in waste management and safety issues and comply with local appropriate legislation on these matters. Dredge material will be generated from the canal reprofiling activities. The excavated material will be loaded onto barges and transported to a sludge deposit area. All removed and excavated sediment material will be disposed by the Contractor at the Government acquired disposal site (see section xx). As mentioned in earlier sections, there is no permit required to dispose sludge in an open land area; however, the Contractor must comply with the general Hindrance Act, that limits the amount of disturbance to neighborhoods. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 65 Due to the presence of several contaminant compounds (see section xx Sediment Sampling) the sediment waste, which is a product of the dredging activities (described above), shall require proper disposal at the Spoils Deposit Site. The Dredge Management Plan (see Appendix H) describes the actions required to ensure safe handling, deposit and security. The dismantled steel and iron lock and sluice gate materials need to be handled properly. This debris waste will have to be transported and disposed to an acceptable waste site. To prevent detrimental impacts of the waste generated during construction it must be collected and temporarily stored in selected locations following the requirements listed below. It is anticipated that the contractor will have a construction and maintenance yard to store and service all materials, supplies, machinery etc. The waste must be source-separated in order to ensure proper management and enable reuse. Until removal from the site, domestic waste (food waste, plastic bottles, packaging, etc.) must be collected in containers with fitted lid to avoid attraction of scavengers, emanation of odour and scattering by wind. The household type wastes generated during the construction will be collected and delivered to an approved landfill. The construction activities would be intermittent, and occur over a short-term (a few weeks), and the amount of normal construction waste from the project activities is expected to be moderate in volume. Consequently, the impacts related to general waste generation and disposal of the Project are expected to be minimal. Proper collection and disposal of the hazardous waste materials are projected to be minimal. Proper disposal and containment of the dredged spoils are expected to result in minimal negative impacts. The Contractor will be obligated to provide a Waste Management Plan. 8.5 Worker Health and Safety The contractor is obliged to implement all reasonable precautions to protect the health and safety of all workers. This applies also to subcontractors who also must manage the occupational health and safety issues of their employees. There are numerous international standards and good practice mentioned below that will be followed. Some of the major provisions are listed below. • The work areas (construction yard, dredging equipment and lock and sluice rehabilitations) must follow national fire codes and acceptable industrial standards (see World Bank Group EHS Guidelines). • All firefighting equipment should be maintained in good working order and be readily accessible. • Operating bathrooms and port-a-potis should be provided at work sites and on working boats for workers. • Adequate supplies of potable drinking water should be provided for all workers • The employer should ensure that qualified first-aid can be provided at all times. Appropriately equipped first-aid stations should be easily accessible throughout the place of work. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 66 • Physical hazards represent potential for accident or injury or illness due to repetitive exposure to mechanical action or work activity. • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for protection to workers exposed to workplace hazards and specified for special jobs (e.g., welding, dredging, etc.) A Health and Safety Plan will be developed and implemented by the contractor in general alignment with ISO45001 (or its predecessor OHSAS18001) and the World Bank Group EHS Guidelines. 8.6 Community Health and Safety The Project activities pose some health and safety risks to area residents and pedestrians. For the lock and sluice gate rehabilitation which has a restricted to a very small footprint on the Saramacca River site, there are no consequences. However, at the Uitkijk location, there works will impact on the flow of traffic and pedestrians since the Canal crossing is adjacent to the lock. Dredging and reprofiling activities include on the canal activities using boats, barges and heavy equipment. Such actions pose impediments to canal boat traffic and minor safety issues regarding operating these vessels at safe speeds and under acceptable piloting. Transport of Project materials and supplies will occur on city roads. The activities for the secondary and tertiary drainage improvements will include operating trucks and heavy equipment through local neighborhoods. Several measures will ensure minimizing these impacts: • Operation of trucks obeying speed limits by licensed drivers. • Enforcing a no tolerance policy regarding operation of any vehicles or equipment while under influence of any illicit substances or alcohol • Coordination with all stakeholders around Uitkijk to determine road restrictions during lock rehabilitation • Advance notification to local authorities and businesses regarding operation of dredging and movement of barges through the canal to the Spoils Deposit Site • Advance notification to local authorities and businesses regarding use of equipment for the secondary and tertiary drainage improvement activities The impacts are expected to be minimal if proper measures are followed as defined above. The Contractor will be obligated to provide a Community Health and Safety Plan. 8.7 Biodiversity The major Project construction activities will be undertaken in a relatively small area. The lock and sluice gate rehabilitation works will be restricted to currently existing facilities with no expansion. The canal reprofiling and dredging locations (still to be determined) are expected to be implemented to designated stretches of the canal and no cutting or widening of embankments will occur. These Project activities will be undertaken in already degraded natural habitats resulting in minimal biodiversity impacts. The Pilot secondary and tertiary improvement works will be undertaken in urban to peri-urban areas with little no biodiversity ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 67 impacts. Since the Spoils Deposit Area has not been designated, the potential impacts and mitigation measures will have to be finalized. Overall, impacts to biodiversity related to implementation of the Project during the construction phase would be minor and temporary and managed through implementation of standard mitigation measures and construction good practice. The potential impacts to biodiversity from implementation of the Project include: • Loss or degradation of vegetation; • Wildlife injury or mortality; and • Wildlife disturbance and displacement. 8.8 Loss or Degradation of Vegetation Limited vegetation clearing will occur in the immediate vicinity of the Canal but the exact location and extent of vegetation clearing cannot be determined until more specific designs and construction procedures are developed. The vegetation community in and along the edges of the Canal is of low quality due to the low species diversity, proximity of human activity, and polluted water in the Canal. The vegetation studies have concluded there are no unique or critical flora communities in the AOI. 8.9 Loss or Degradation of Wildlife The diversity of wildlife in the Project Area is very limited with no unique or critical bird species. However, there could be occasional presence of river dolphins and/or manatees in the canal during construction activities. Usually, equipment noise and in water engine vibrations keep such mammals at a distance, but the Dredging Management Plan will have posted observers and deploy nets from a boom to keep these species away from the machines and work sites. Together, the mitigation and construction management measures described in the ESMP will help ensure that the Project has negligible impacts on terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity. The aquatic invertebrates could be injured during dredging, but potentially impacted species are common in the region and would not be impacted at the population level. Off-site disposal of the dredge material from the Canal will limit exposure of aquatic and terrestrial wildlife to contaminated sediments that are removed from the Canal during sluice gate and pump station rehabilitation. 8.10 Socioeconomic The socioeconomic impacts associated with the Project are discussed around businesses, households, job opportunities and vulnerable groups. The potential impacts from implementation of the Project include: • Loss of income for businesses using canal for transport of goods; • Business and household structures on or near embankment; • Provision of construction jobs to local companies and materials sourced from the local economy; and • Potential vulnerable groups (gender or disability related). ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 68 8.11 Businesses The main way in which businesses will be impacted is by limitation of their access to the canal. If, during construction activities, the sluices are closed for some time, businesses that now use the canal for transportation of products incur elevated expenses because their products will need to be transported over land. One firm representative that transports sand estimated that closure of the locks for one week would bring additional costs of about USD 1000-1500, depending on the amount of sand. If the locks between the Saramacca Canal and the Suriname River cannot be used, this firm would use its existing harbour at Dijkveld, along the Suriname River, to load the sand on trucks. He did not foresee additional nuisance for neighbourhood residents, since the connecting roads do not pass residential areas. In case they would not be able to bring in goods through the sluices, they estimated additional expenses of USD 7500/week. An additional nuisance would be that production might be slowed down due to shortages, because the capacity to bring in raw materials by road is limited. If the Saramacca canal cannot be used, this form considers Smalkalden harbour (old SURALCO harbour) along the Suriname River as a possible transfer station. One of the lumber operators indicated that if informed in time, they did not expect any impacts on his business. With regard to mitigation measures, good communication is very important. Companies that use the Saramacca Canal for transportation indicated that they would need to be contacted at least 2-4 weeks in advance, preferably by e-mail, though some stakeholders indicated preferring a hard copy letter. Companies suggested creating a window a couple of times (e.g. twice) a week, during which ships may pass the sluices. This “window” should not be at a fixed time, because travel through the locks depend on the tide, which shifts daily with 1-2 hours. Use of the locks generally is less frequent in weekends, so it construction work in weekends cause fewer problems. Work on the sluices will cause construction-related noise. There are no residential buildings in the area adjacent to the sluices, but nearby businesses south of the Saramacca canal may experience temporary noise nuisance. The nearby cafeteria will be most affected by noise, since it closest and does not produce much own noise. Noise impacts on other nearby industries are expectedly minor to negligible. Prior notices to the businesses about the construction activities and possible expected impacts must be part of the communication plan. One other concern is that some of the businesses have built bank stabilizations to prevent erosion, usually constructed of boards. Some of these structures are instable, and there is a risk that the creation of waves by the dredging vessel, or contact of the vessel with these structures would cause their collapse. Once the final project design is known, the various locations with bank stabilizations must be mapped, assessed and photographed to prevent unfounded damage claims. It is anticipated that a large number of the work force will be locally hired. In addition, most construction material and many pieces of heavy equipment will probably be acquired from local agents. These are positive benefits of the project. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 69 8.12 Area Residents Residents may be impacted by the construction activities if the structures they built along the canal, for example small docks, informal board walks, or even walls houses are damaged by the dredging vessel even though most or all of these structures are unlicensed and have been built on the canal maintenance zone, the Resettlement Policy Framework will be applied in such cases. Minor impacts may result from temporary increased turbidity, particularly for households using the canal for household uses (washing clothes, bathing). Other minor impacts include temporary minor nuisances related to noise and smell from dredging. It is not expected that households in the AoI will be exposed to other potential risks during the rehabilitation activities. While the pilot project area has not yet been determined, it is likely that activities for the pilot project area will the removal of weeds, debris and waste include from both the secondary and tertiary canals and from culverts. The sustainability and longevity of such a project may benefit from a campaign to raise the awareness of local communities/neighbourhoods to keep their own surroundings clean and maintained. In addition, enforcement of existing laws dictating citizen’s responsibilities in maintaining the public land area, including canals, in front of their homes may reduce congestion of culverts and help enhance drainage of these neighbourhoods, without continuous GoS inputs. The construction activities impacts will be properly identified as the final deigns are completed. In general, the impacts related to the above impacts are considered minimal (pending final designs) and will be managed according to the RPF. Traffic and pedestrian impacts are related to the secondary and tertiary improvement component. For these activities, the final designated locations are still to be determined. The general concerns include traffic congestion and temporary closures which may hinder access to critical facilities, shopping areas, bus stops, etc. This would occur during use of heavy equipment along highways and neighborhood roads, and when extracted materials are not hauled away and deposited on roads. Such activities will need to be planned in advance with proper notification to residents and businesses and use of proper signage and traffic and pedestrian diversion routes and accommodations. There will be no unwarranted impacts on vulnerable groups that are different from the general discussions above. Associated with these management matters is the completion of the Traffic Management Plan and Stakeholder Engagement and Communication Plan. 8.13 Cultural Heritage The dozen cultural sites have already been mapped in the Canal AOI (Table 3). Most residential areas of Paramaribo have local churches, temples and other cultural sites and these will have to be mapped when the secondary and tertiary drainage improvement area is finalized. At that time appropriate precautions will be implemented to avoid or minimize any impacts. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 70 9 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN Information included in the ESMP is based on the main findings outlined in the earlier sections of this report. The overall objective of the ESMP is to bring the project into compliance with national environmental and social requirements and environmental and social policies of the World Bank. The application of environmental and social mitigation measures will also be customized for each of the key Project activities: (i) the major construction activities associated with the rehabilitation of sluices and locks; (ii) increasing conveyance through the dredging, reprofiling and clearing (iii) interventions in the pilot area(s), and (iv) implementation of emergency responses to natural disasters under the Contingent Emergency Response component. The ESMP will be included into the bidding documents so that bidders can consider and incorporate their environmental responsibilities into their bid proposals. The ESMP becomes an integral part of a contract for the provision of works and is binding for implementation. The Contractor will be engaged in 2 major stages for the Project, mobilization and then construction. For mobilization and prior to commencement of works for activities (i) and (ii) listed above, the contractor must prepare and clear prior to commencement of works the following thematic management plans (which are summarized in the Appendices): • Construction Environmental Plan • Traffic Management Plan • Waste Management Plan • Health and Safety Plan • Stakeholder Engagement and Communication Plan • Dredge Material Management Plan When the pilot intervention activities are identified, the executing agents and contractors will be required to apply a safeguards screening process and ensure that all activities follow prescribed mitigation procedures that will be detailed in to be developed checklists (see 9.1 below). Figure 6 summarizes the approach that the Project contractor and other involved parties (e.g., local contractors) will follow to manage, mitigate, and monitor the potential impacts and risks of the Project during construction. The ESMP provides a set of mitigation measures constructed across the key environmental and social impacts and risks of the Project. The identification of responsible authorities is listed to verify that the measures are completed. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 71 Table 6 Project Environmental, Social Impacts, Issues and Concerns with Mitigation Measures, Responsibilities and Means of Verification Construction Phase Environmental, Social Means of Mitigation Measures Responsibility Impact Issue/Concern Verification Air Quality Emissions from See Appendix E for a Construction Environmental Management Plan, which includes the following: Construction Site inspection construction vehicles and • Maintain all construction equipment in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications. contractor during construction equipment • Suppress dust as needed in unpaved areas. • Avoid burning non-vegetative wastes (refuse, etc.) at construction sites. • Avoid unnecessary idling of construction equipment or delivery trucks when not in use. Noise Noise generated by See Appendix E for a Construction Environmental Management Plan, which includes the following: Construction Site inspection construction • Maintain all construction equipment in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications. contractor during construction equipment and • Schedule construction and rehabilitation work during daylight hours and to minimize activity during peak activities periods of tourism and recreation (weekends, holidays, etc.). • Develop and implement a Construction Communications Plan to inform businesses and residents of construction activities. • Limit construction noise levels to applicable standards such as EHS Guidelines • The plants and equipment used in construction (including the aggregates crushing plant) shall strictly conform to the NEC noise standards. • All vehicles & equipment used in construction shall be fitted with exhaust silencers. • During routine servicing operations, the effectiveness of exhaust silencers shall be checked and if found to be defective shall be replaced. • Limits for construction equipment used in this project (measured at one meter from the edge of equipment in the free field) such as compactors, rollers, front loaders, concrete mixers, cranes (moveable), vibrators and saws as specified in the EHS Guidelines. • Maintenance of vehicles, equipment and machinery shall be regular and to the satisfaction of the Project Supervisior to keep noise from these at a minimum. • Workers shall wear earplugs in vicinity of loud noise, and working with or in crushing, compaction, or concrete mixing operation. Surface Water Turbidity and waste See Appendix E for a Construction Environmental Management Plan and Appendix H Dredge Management Construction Site inspection Plan, which include the following: contractor records unusual • Solid waste disposal prohibited into canal events • Sewer form boats and workers • turbidity curtain use Waste ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 72 Construction Waste See Appendix E for a Construction Environmental Management Plan, which includes the following: Construction Site inspection • All waste materials shall be completely disposed of as designated contractor during construction • the site shall be fully cleaned before handing over with certification of the site • Weekly compliance reports to be filled in by the contractor and submitted to the Project Supervisor • The construction waste will be disposed off at identified disposal sites. • These sites will be identified during preconstruction phase. Worker Health and Safety Management of health Develop and implement a Construction Health and Safety Plan (see Appendix E) Construction Records review and and safety of both • Proper availability of drinking water and sanitation facilities should be ensured at locations for workers. contractor interview of construction workers and The facilities include temporary toilets, suitable collection & disposal system for domestic refuse. construction the public • The contractor is required to comply with all the precautions as required for the safety of the workmen contractor as per the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 62 as far as those are applicable to this contract. • The contractor shall supply all necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) safety appliances such as safety goggles, helmets, masks, etc., to the workers and staff. • The contractor has to comply with all regulation regarding safe scaffolding, ladders, working platforms, gangway, stairwells, excavations, trenches and safe means entry or egress. • All workers employed on mixing asphalt material, cement, and lime mortars, concrete etc. will be provided with protective footwear and protective goggles. • Workers who are engaged in welding works would be provided with welder‟s protective eye-shield • All necessary precautions should be observed while constructing super structure i.e. construction at height. It is recommended that contractor should follow EHS Guidelines and OSHA directives • All workers working on or near the canal shall wear appropriate life vests and there should be emergency rescue equipment for accidental falling into the water • At every workplace, a readily available construction first aid kit Risk Force Majeur • All reasonable precaution will be taken to prevent danger of the workers and public from fire, flood, (Environmental etc. All necessary steps will betaken for prompt first aid treatment of all injuries likely to be sustained emergency) during the course of action. Record of Accidents • All records of accidents or any mishap either at construction camp, construction workers‟ camp or at construction sites shall be maintained and documented regularly by the contractor. Community Health and Safety Vehicle & Equipment • All contractor vehicles shall be properly permitted Construction Site inspection Operations • All contractor vehicles will be inspected by a certified vehicle/machine expert at start of contract and contractor during construction every 2 weeks to ensure proper functioning (e.g., horn, lights, tires etc.) • Each vehicle will have an inspection record • All equipment and vehicle operator will have proper licenses • All equipment and vehicle operators will be required to attend a road and equipment safety workshop at start of contract Construction Construction schedules will be communicated to residents and businesses (see Stakeholder Engagement and Construction notifications Communications Plan) contractor ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 73 Biodiversity Biodiversity management See Appendix E for a Construction Environmental Management Plan, which includes the mitigation measures Construction Site inspection in general including the below. contractor during construction items below Manatee and River • Maintain watch during dredging for signs of any activity in work area and stop activity until mammals Construction Site inspection Dolphin injury pass contractor during construction Use boom and net on each side of dredging barge to prevent injury Loss or disturbance of • Avoid damage or removal of embankment vegetation Construction Site inspection embankment vegetation contractor during construction Wildlife injury or mortality Proper disposal of dredged material to avoid wildlife exposure Construction Site inspection contractor during construction Socio-Economic Loss of income for • Communicate directly with affected business regarding Dredging schedule and Lock construction. Construction Interviews with businesses using canal for Disseminate Dredge Management Plan and Lock Construction Plan (Appendix H). Contractor - construction transport of goods Community contractor and Liaison Officer affected parties Business and household • Continue stakeholder engagement through Project implementation through the use of the Stakeholder Construction Interviews with structures on or near Engagement and Communications Plan (see Appendix C). Contractor - construction embankment • Implement a Grievance Mechanism to receive and respond to grievances (see in Appendix C). Community contractor and • Ensure project supervisor alerts contractors of potential locations at risk Liaison Officer affected parties • During high water levels in canal take extra precautions in dredging and transport of spoils Provision of construction • Implement job quotas for local employment and sourcing requirements for construction contractors based Construction Records review and jobs to local companies on the size and scope of the Project contractor interview of and materials sourced construction from the local economy contractor Decreased access to • Implement Traffic and Pedestrian Management Plan to maintain continuous access through careful staging Construction Records review and critical facilities, shopping, and sequencing of construction activities and provision of alternatives where needed (Appendix H) contractor interview of bus stops etc. construction contractor Potential vulnerable • Ensure adequate ground surfaces and associated infrastructure (such as ramps) for patron mobility (e.g., Construction Records review and groups (gender or high heels and crutches) at both the temporary unloading dock and the rehabilitated location post contractor interview of disability related) construction; and construction • Conduct Gender Awareness Training for contractors and their staff. contractor Cultural Heritage Damage or Loss of cultural • Map all sites and identify any risky locations associated with final design and construction schedule Construction Records heritage site, religious contractor shrine due to Project implementation ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 74 9.1 Pilot Interventions and Application of Safeguards A safeguards screening process will ensure that all activities follow prescribed mitigation procedures. These procedures, in the form of screening and application of checklists will be developed as the pilot activities for secondary and tertiary canals become clarified. The principles of this approach are outlined in table 7 below. Table 7. Applying Safeguards for the Pilot Interventions Required Steps 1. Review in the field a sample of expected intervention schemes 2. Describe the project administration and role, contractor arrangements and roles of environmental and social specialists 3. Describe how the interventions will be reviewed and screened 4. Develop a screening list for interventions with identification of key environmental & social issues of concern 5. Apply E&S checklists to ensure sound technical inputs for these interventions 6. Provide clear directions regarding timing and application of these specific safeguards’ tools 7. List a set of indicators to be monitored 8. List methods of assessment and frequency 9. Identify who will be conducting this process 10. Make sure safeguards performance is conducted in parallel with project M&E and audits It is anticipated that the contractors implementing these works will also apply the appropriate Management Plans defined above and detailed in the Appendices. These activities will be coordinated with the PIU environmental and social safeguards specialists. 9.2 Contingency Emergency Response The safeguards applications for the activities to be financed under this component will follow a similar process as described above for the pilot interventions. A screening process will be applied along with a preliminary evaluation of the potential environmental and social risks and impacts for each of the specific activity types to identify corresponding mitigation measures. The World Bank has established specific Guidelines for the use and application of these Contingency Funds with instructions for safeguard implementation. The PIU, in collaboration with the World Bank safeguards specialists assigned to this project , will provide a customized and practical Environmental and Social Management Framework that incorporates recent good practice from other similar projects from the World Bank portfolio. 9.3 Monitoring and Reporting Monitoring and reporting on the environmental and social mitigation provisions is an essential part of the ESMP. Corrective actions are required in the case of non-compliance, and non- conformance. During construction it is also useful to also identify actions that can improve performance. The MoPWTC plans to also hire an independent supervisory consultant for overall contract supervision that will include monitoring and verifying provisions of the ESMP. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 75 The Project contractor will keep relevant authorities informed of the Project performance with respect to environmental and social matters and implementation of the ESMP by submission of weekly written status reports and/or face-to-face meetings. Contractors will also be required to provide EHS performance reporting as relevant based on the contractor’s responsibilities. The Project proponent will continue the stakeholder engagement efforts described in the next section and communicate with stakeholder groups regarding Project activities and the results of environmental and social monitoring. 9.4 Environmental, Health and Safety Training All personnel, regardless of position, will be given specific job oriented EHS training prior to starting work and as necessary thereafter. All personnel will be trained on general awareness of environmental and social issues and specific procedures aimed at the avoidance of environmental damage as well as human health and safety. New staff, contractors, and visitors will be given basic induction training and follow Project EHS procedures. 10 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATION This Stakeholder Engagement and Communications Plan (SECP) sets out the approach that the MOPWTC will follow in order to engage and communicate with stakeholders over the life of the World Bank Project. Consultation is undertaken in order to interact and incorporate the viewpoints of Affected Parties. Special consideration will be given to vulnerable groups, including with relation to engagement and consultative activities. This SECP builds on the recent IDB Paramaribo Adaptation Fund Project ESIA. Details are provided in Appendix C. A short overview is provided here. This plan contains several sections to ensure comprehensive coverage and engagement as follows: • outline the objectives of stakeholder engagement; • introduce the Stakeholder Engagement Plan and related methods, in addition to previous and future activities; • introduce the Communication Plan and outlines its goals and objectives; • describe roles and responsibilities for stakeholder engagement; • explain the ways in which stakeholders can contact the Project Proponent, including the grievance mechanism for the Project; and • describe the monitoring and reporting of stakeholder engagement activities. Overall, the activities of engagement are guided by good international industry practice, as well as all applicable laws and regulations in Suriname. The objectives of stakeholder engagement are to: ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 76 • Promote the development of respectful and open relationships between stakeholders and the Project proponent and other relevant parties in the pre- construction and future phases; • Identify Project stakeholders and understand their interests, concerns and influence in relation to Project activities, particularly during the construction phase; • Provide stakeholders with timely information about the Project, in ways that are appropriate to their interests and needs, and also appropriate to the level of expected risk and potential adverse impacts; • Support alignment with financing standards and guidelines for stakeholder engagement, as necessary in the pre-construction phase; and • Record and resolve any grievances that may arise from Project-related activities through a Grievance Mechanism. Table 7 Grievance management guide Process Description Time frame Responsibility & remarks Establish composition Set up of Complaint 2 weeks before start of Committee exists of ?? of Complaint Committee (CC); civil work funded by Committee members & World Bank procedures Publish article in newspaper and on MOPWTC website & Facebook: start date of works and contact information for complainants Identification of Complaints can be filed face to Day of receipt complaints?? grievance face, via phone, via letter, or via complaint e-mail, or recorded during phone: public/community interaction Postal address: Facebook: Grievance assessed and Significance assessed, and 4 - 7 Days upon receipt Significance criteria logged grievance recorded or logged (i.e. complaint in a log book) Level 1 - one off event; Level 2 - complaint is widespread or repeated; Level 3- any complaint (one off or repeated) that indicates breach of law or applicable policy/regulation Grievance is Acknowledgement of grievance 4 - 7 Days upon receipt Designated Representative confirms acknowledged to complainant complaint receipt of the complaint to the complainant via e- mail or letter Development of -Grievance assigned to 4 - 7 Days upon CC response appropriate party for receipt complaint resolution 10 - 14 Days upon -Proposal response with input receipt complaint from ??? ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 77 Process Description Time frame Responsibility & remarks Response signed off Redress action approved at 14 - 18 Days upon CC and ?? appropriate levels receipt complaint Implementation and Redress action implemented 18 - 24 Days upon Project Implementation Unit to communication of and update of progress on receipt complaint implement redress action response resolution communicated to complainant Designated Authority to communicate resolution to Redress action recorded in complainant grievance log book Complaints Response Obtain confirmation complainant 24 - 30 Days upon CC that grievance can be closed or receipt determine what follow up is necessary complaint Close grievance Record final sign off grievance. 30 - 34 Days upon Final sign off by ?? receipt complaint If grievance cannot be closed, return to step 2 or refer to mediation, Minister MOPWTC, World Bank or ultimately court of law 10.1 Grievance Redress Mechanism The Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) is committed to enhancing opportunities for grievance redress, collaborative problem solving, and alternative dispute resolution. Effectively addressing grievances from people impacted by the Project is a core component of managing operational risk. The GRMs can be an effective tool for early identification, assessment, and resolution of complaints on projects. Understanding when and how a GRM may improve project outcomes can help both project teams and beneficiaries improve results. The GRM also compliments the Stakeholder Engagement and Communication Plan and becomes part of that documentation. The GRM approach focuses on a preventive approach to identify, track and resolve grievances early; and offering lower-cost, rapid citizen redress at the project and country level through mediation, facilitation or other problem-solving processes where it is most needed. The approach proposes three interlinked steps: (i) a risk-based assessment of potential grievances, disputes or conflicts that may arise during project preparation and implementation; (ii) identification of the client’s existing capacity for grievance redress; and (iii) an action plan that identifies priority areas for strengthening grievance capacity, or if necessary, establishing new mechanisms at the project level. Where applicable, dedicated resources should be allocated to realize the action plan. Grievances can be an indication of growing stakeholder concerns (real and perceived) and can escalate if not identified and resolved. The management of grievances is therefore a vital ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 78 component of stakeholder management and an important aspect of risk management for a project. Projects may have a range of potential adverse impacts to people and the environment in general, identifying grievances and ensuring timely resolution is therefore very necessary. The working grievance management guide is provided in Table 7. 11 IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ESMP The ESMP will be executed by the Contractors with oversight by a Supervisory Consultant and the PIU Environmental and Social Specialist. It is anticipated that the P I U will also coordinate environmental and social due diligence for the Project across all donor lending and sponsor agencies (e.g. WB, IDB). The main institutions which will have interest in the environmental and social management status of this Project include: • Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Communication; • NIMOS; • Bureau of Public Health; and • The World Bank and IDB 11.1 Environmental and social specialists The MOPWTC, as the Project sponsor, will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the ESMP. Because this Project is very similar to the IDB Paramaribo Climate Change Adaptation Fund Project, the MoPWTC plans to harmonize the use of staff to support ESMP implementation. Therefore, the following staff will be hired in the PIU to support both the World Bank and IDB safeguards activities. Environmental Health and Safety Specialist –to ensure that the works are implemented according to applicable national laws, regulations, and rules, as well as international standards – mainly IDB and World Bank Group standards as defined in this ESIA and follow applicable good industry practice (e.g., ISO 9001 Quality Standards, ISO 14001 Environmental Standards, OHSAS 18001 Occupational Health and Safety Standards, World Bank Group EHS Guidelines). This specialist will also ensure that the specified mitigation measures in the ESMP are appropriately implemented by the contractors. Community and Social Coordinator –to manage the implementation of the Stakeholder Engagement and Communication Plan, the IDB LRP, World Bank RPF and also liaise with the Environmental Specialist on aspects of the Construction Environmental Plan and Traffic Management Plan. These Consultants will be conversant with the WB and safeguards and NIMOS requirements. The consultants’ level of understanding should be adequate to facilitate training and other capacity related activities on safeguards. These consultants will: ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 79 • Work with the MOPWTC PIU to ensure that all environmental and social safeguards issues are incorporated as defined in the ESMP and various Contractor Management Plans. • Draft safeguards report based on collated documents and reports from various parties to be part of the annual Safeguards reporting system. • Serve as the point of contact for the Projects in case of any challenging issues on project-related safeguards • Collaborate with relevant authorities and community members and their representatives to facilitate the implementation of ESMP and RPF • Perform any other related activities that may be assigned by the PIU Manager to whom s/he will report. 12 ESIA CONSULTATION AND DISCLOSURE Stakeholder Consultation around the ESIA report will be conducted according to national norms and the World Bank policies. This process is intended to inform stakeholders about the project, its potential impacts and mitigation, and to involve them in a partnership in developing and implementing the project solutions and mitigation measures. The process of consultation shall be conducted in a manner that provides the PAPs and broader stakeholders with opportunities to express their views on project risks, impacts and mitigation measures. Effective consultation is a two-way process that should be based on the prior disclosure and dissemination of relevant, transparent, objective, meaningful and easily accessible information which is in a culturally appropriate local language(s) and format and is understandable to the PAPs; enable meaningful participation, where applicable; and be documented. The MoPWTC will tailor its consultation process to the language preferences of the PAPs, their decision-making process, and the needs of disadvantaged or vulnerable groups. This consultation process could be combined with the consultation required for the RPF. Disclosure of the ESIA report in Dutch and English will follow requirements of the MoPWTC, NIMOS and the World Bank OP 4.01. A final approved GoS ESIA shall be transmitted to the World Bank by the appropriate GOS authority and this report will be disclosed in the World Bank website. All national disclosures of meetings, consultations and draft reports will also be posted on the MOPWTC and NIMOS website. Two public stakeholder meetings have been planned. The first meeting was held on the 28th of August 2018 was to inform a wider audience about the Project and the ESIA and RPF process. The forum was organized to also get response and suggestions concerning the Project and ESIA process. A second consultation was conducted in the neighbourhood of Wit Boiti in the evening of October 29, 2018 to provide explanation and gather feedback from local residents living in the Canal area. Details of these consultations are provided in Appendix D, Stakeholder Meeting Reports. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 80 REFERENCES ERM (Environmental Resources Management). 2018. Environmental and Social Assessment for the Paramaribo Adaptation Fund Project. ICZM Plan Suriname: Coastal Morphodynamics Report prepared by Lievense Deltares, October 2009. MLTDE (Ministry of Labour, Technology Development and Environment). 2013. Suriname. Second National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Paramaribo. February. MOGP (Materplan Onwatering Groot-Paramaribo). 2001. Materplan Onwatering Groot- Paramaribo. Prepared by the Ministry of Public Works and DHV Consultants Nederland, WL Delfhydraulics Nederland, Adviesbureau Milieu en Infraestructuur Nederland, and Sunecon Raadgevend Ingenieursbureau Suriname. Paramaribo. 15 June. NCCR (Nationaal Coordinatiecentrum voor Rampenbeheersing Suriname). 2017. Flooding 2017 East Suriname, Situation Analysis. Prepared by the National Coordination Center for Disaster Management. 23 February. Republic of Suriname Development Plan (Ontwikkelingsplan) 2012–2016 (Feb 2012). Suriname Second National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Feb 2013. World Bank Group, Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines; Main Web Page https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/topics_ext_content/ifc_external_corporate_site/sustai nability-at-ifc/policies-standards/ehs-guidelines World Bank Group, Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines; GENERAL EHS GUIDELINES: INTRODUCTION https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/554e8d80488658e4b76af76a6515bb18/Final%2B- %2BGeneral%2BEHS%2BGuidelines.pdf?MOD=AJPERES World Bank Group, Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines; PORTS, HARBORS, AND TERMINALS https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/d2f2cf88-ce22-4a48-86fc- 45ee3b8e9e45/20170201- FINAL_EHS+Guidelines+for+Ports+Harbors+and+Terminals.pdf?MOD=AJPERES World Bank Paramaribo Strategic Flood Risk Assessment, November 2017, 154 pages, World Bank Paramaribo Coastal Resilience Assessment, December 2017. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 81 APPENDIX A: SEDIMENT AND WATER QUALITY STUDY A-1. Sediment Sampling Protocols Sampling locations were determined in cooperation with the Project proponent. In total, 10 locations were selected for sediment and surface water sampling and testing. Also, at all locations, in situ measurements have been conducted. Sediment samples were submitted to the Eurofins Analytico Laboratory in the Netherlands for the Terratest analysis. Surface water samples were submitted to the chemical laboratory of the Anton de Kom University for oil and grease analysis. In Situ Sampling At each of the 10 sampling locations (see Table A8 and Figure A22), a total of 4 subsamples were collected with a grab sampler. These subsamples were placed in a 10 L bucket. Excess water was decanted, after which the subsamples were thoroughly mixed, from which a composite sample was collected. For each sample, two special laboratory jars were filled with a sample from the mix; two jars were required for analysis to have sufficient sample of the watery sediment. (a) Surface water sampling. Sampling was done with a team of 2 persons (buddy system) of which one member took all the notes and photographs, filled out tags and labels, and kept the records while the other member collected the samples. (b) General observations of the weather, water level, depth, flow direction of the water, visual characteristics of the collected soil and water, and the environment (visible pollution, waste material, odor, and so on) were recorded on field sheets with photos and global positioning system (GPS) coordinates. (c) A clean pair of new, non-powdered, disposable gloves was worn at each sampling location. (d) Subsamples for sediments according to the sampling plan were placed in a 10 L bucket and thoroughly mixed. Composite samples were taken from the mix. The samples were collected in special jars provided by Eurofins Analytico. A spare (fall back) soil sample had to be taken according to the laboratory procedures for sludge/soft material. The latter samples are needed in case the first jar would not contain enough soil/sediment (too much water). (e) Surface water samples were collected in a 10 L bucket. The bucket was pre-rinsed three times with water at each location, before collecting the water for sampling. The samples were collected in pretreated bottles as provided by the chemical laboratory and filled till the top of the bottle (no headspace present). (f) These samples were stored at a temperature of 2°C–4°C and delivered to the laboratory as soon as possible (June 12, 2018) with proper Chain of Custody documentation; all packages of sediment samples were sent to the Netherlands by DHL transport. The list of ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 82 contents of the box was communicated with the laboratory and verified upon arrival. All surface water samples were delivered at the chemical laboratory. (g) On-site measurement including pH, EC (μs), temperature (°C), TDS (ppt), dissolved oxygen (DO in mg/L), turbidity (NTU), and salinity (ppt) were carried out with a handheld water quality meter (Aquaprobe AP-2000 Multiparameter Water Quality Probe and associated Aquameter, Utilities and Accessories), calibrated according to the Factory Manual, before the fieldwork and transparency was measured with a Secchi Disk. Field equipment was cleaned (using demi water) before each sampling. Table A8 Overview of Sediment and Surface Water Sampling Locations Code GPS# Location Description L1 21 N 702942 641091 Near the discharge pipe of a fish factory L2 21 N 702548 641192 3 m away from the quay of VABI Van Alen Concrete Industries (VABI - Van Alen Beton Industrie) L3 21 N 701699 641378 At the outlet of a secondary channel, nearby the sluice (Suriname River) L4 21 N 701563 641411 3 m away from the CIC site L5 21 N 700510 641586 3 m away from a household dumpsite L6 21 N 699851 641627 Sand storage site, in front of a moored boat L7 21 N 699139 641715 Prison of Duisburglaan, as close as possible to land L8 21 N 694741 642111 Residential area, at the outlet of a secondary channel L9 21 N 692381 642476 Ship building site, in front of the mooring location L10 21 N 686217 637815 Reference site, natural vegetation, in the center of the Saramacca Canal Figure A22 Location of Sediment Sampling Locations ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 83 A-2. Fieldwork The fieldwork has been carried out on June 11, 2018, in the Saramacca Canal, between 8:00 a.m. and 13:00 p.m. and during low tide. It comprised sediment sampling and in situ water quality testing of the surface water at more than 10 locations. Sampling was conducted from a small dug-out boat similar to the small ferries between Paramaribo and Meerzorg. Sediment Sampling At each sampling location, a total of four subsamples were collected with a grab sampler. These subsamples were placed in a 10 L bucket. Excess water was decanted, after which the subsamples were thoroughly mixed from which a composite sample was collected. For each sample, two special laboratory jars were filled with a sample from the mix; two jars were required for analysis to have sufficient sample of the watery sediment. Surface Water Sampling For each sampling location the following procedures have been followed: (1) Sampling was done with a team of 2 persons (buddy system) of which one member took all the notes and photographs, filled out tags and labels, and kept the records while the other member collected the samples. (2) General observations of the weather, water level, depth, flow direction of the water, visual characteristics of the collected soil and water and the environment (visible pollution, waste material, odor, and so on) were recorded on field sheets and by means of a camera and GPS coordinates. (3) A clean pair of new, non-powdered, disposable gloves was worn at each sampling location. (4) Subsamples for sediment according to the sampling plan were placed in a 10 L bucket and thoroughly mixed. Composite samples were taken from the mix. The samples were collected in special jars provided by Eurofins Analytico. A spare (fall back) soil sample had to be taken according to the lab procedures for sludge/soft material. The latter samples were needed in case the first jar would not contain enough soil/sediment (too much water). (5) Surface water samples were collected in a 10 L bucket. The bucket was pre-rinsed three times with water at each location, before collecting the water for sampling. The samples were collected in pretreated bottles as provided by the chemical laboratory of the university and filled till the top of the bottle (no headspace present). (6) These samples were stored at a temperature of 2°C–4°C and delivered to the laboratory as soon as possible (June 12, 2018) with proper Chain of Custody documentation; all packages of sediment samples have been sent to the Netherlands by DHL transport. The ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 84 contents of the box were communicated with the laboratory and verified upon arrival. All surface water samples were delivered at the chemical laboratory. (7) On-site measurement including pH, EC (μs), Temperature (°C), TDS (ppt), DO (mg/L), turbidity (NTU), and salinity (ppt) were carried out with a handheld water quality meter (Aquaprobe AP-2000 Multiparameter Water Quality Probe and associated Aquameter, Utilities and Accessories), calibrated according to the Factory Manual, before the fieldwork (June 8, 2018) and transparency was measured with a Secchi Disk. Field equipment was cleaned (using demi water) before each sampling. Figure A23 provides an illustration of the observations at the several sampling locations: Eurofins Analytico All analytical methods used by Eurofins Analytico are based on national Dutch and international standards. The performance characteristics are carefully established and are continuously tested by means of first, second, and third line controls. Eurofins Analytico is accredited against ISO/IEC 17025 by the Dutch Accreditation Council RvA, as is evident from the accreditation certificate. This means that both its management system and its technical competence have been audited by independent experts and that they satisfy the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025. The scope of the technical competence is listed in the accreditation certificate, showing precisely for which analyses Eurofins Analytico is accredited. Analysis certificates bearing the accreditation mark are usually accepted without reservation by public authorities but also in (inter)national trade. Agreements hereabout are set out in a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA). The laboratory received all the samples by June 19, 2018, and receipt for each box has been confirmed by e-mail. During June 21 to July 3, samples have been analyzed according to the Terratest analysis, which includes some 200 common industrial contaminants: • Selected inorganics (As, Sb, Ba, Be, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Hg, Pb, Mo, Ni, Se, Sn, and V) • Aromatics (BTEX) • TPH (C10-C40) • Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) • Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 85 Figure A23 Illustrations of observations at the sampling locations Sediment Samples Collection of Surface Water Samples Collection of Sediment Samples Collection of Sediment Samples Collection of Surface Water Sample Sediment Subsamples Thoroughly Mixed ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 86 A-4. Laboratory Analyses Chemical Laboratory of Anton de Kom University of Suriname The chemical laboratory of Anton de Kom University of Suriname uses n-hexane as extractant. After the extraction, distillation of the extraction agent takes place and finally gravimetric determination of oil and grease. The analysis certificate states which part of the TPH is determined/covered by this method. Quality and control is applied very intensively by the necessary blank provisions and the use of nanopure water. A-5. Assessment Criteria In the absence of specific Surinamese Regulatory Guidelines, values for the assessment of contaminated land, the Dutch Limits ('Regeling van 13 december 2007, nr. DJZ2007124397, houdende regels voor de uitvoering van de kwaliteit van de bodem"; VROM 2007) and the EPA, United States of America and Canada, Guidelines2 are used to assess the contaminant concentrations in surface water and sediment. The Dutch Guidelines Dutch Guidelines are integrated risk-based concentrations, protective of both human and ecological receptors. For guideline limits for all determined parameters, the abovementioned VROM publication is referred to. Measured values in soil samples have been corrected for organic matter and clay content. With this soil type correction, the values will conform to the standard soil, which is defined as a soil with 25 percent clay and 10 percent organic matter. The analytical results will be tested against the soil quality class. There are three quality classes: background, residential, and industry. Bottom sediment that complies with the background values is freely applicable. Bottom sediment that exceeds the intervention value (remediation criterion) should not be removed and applied elsewhere without remediation. For an in-between quality, the applicability of the dredge material depends upon the function of the receiving environment. United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Guidelines (for Surface Water) USEPA develops standards for ambient water quality under the Clean Water Act (Section 304 (a): Human health ambient water quality criteria represent specific levels of chemicals or conditions in a water body that are not expected to cause adverse effects to human health. USEPA provides recommendations for ‘water + organism’ and ‘organism only’ human health criteria for states and authorized tribes to consider when adopting criteria into their water quality standards. Canada Environmental Protection Agency Guidelines (for Sediment) The Soil, Groundwater, and Sediment Guidelines are developed for use under Part XV.1 of the Environmental Protection Act, published by Ontario Ministry of the Environment, April 15, 2011. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 87 A-6. Discussion and Conclusion Water Quality Sampling From the field observation and measurements, the following can be concluded: • The pH of all samples is near neutral, with a highest value of 6.73 and the lowest at 6.13. • Clarity of the water varied from very slightly turbid to very turbid. • The Secchi depth varied from 18 to 49 cm. This means that the transparency of the water is low. • The highest water depth measured was 380 cm in the center of the Saramacca Canal at location L10 during low tide. • EC and TDS values indicate low salt content. The obtained values varied for EC from 162 to 643 µs per cm and for TDS from 105 to 417 mg per L. • At all locations, fish were observed. • The DO value of the locations varies between 1.50 and 4.72 mg per L, indicating low to medium oxygen saturation. • During the sampling, flow of the water in the direction of the Suriname River (outflow-low tide) was observed, which varied from strong to slow flow. The flow was not measured. • Vegetation along and in the canal is dominated by Montrichardia arborescens (known as Mokomoko), Brachiaria purpurascens (Para grass), and Ipomoea reptans (known as dagoeblad). • Near the discharge pipe of the fish factory (L1) and the CIC site (L4), soap foam was observed on the water surface. • At L3, heavy oil stains were observed and oil sheen was observed on the water surface. An oil sheen was also observed at L9. • For oil and grease, values vary from 2.22 to 6.00 mg per L. For L3, where an oil sheen was observed, the value for oil and grease is below the minimum detection limit. For location L9, where an oil sheen was also observed, a value of 6.00 mg per L was obtained for oil and grease. The oil and grease content at this location exceeds the European standard but is within the Suriname and World Bank standards. Sediment Sampling ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 88 The bottom sediment of the Saramacca Canal consists of soft clay with humus material at all locations. River sand was only observed on locations L2 and L3 and gravel was only observed on location L2. At all locations, a typical muddy odor was observed, except at locations L3 and L4, where a slight oil odor was observed. From the laboratory results, it can be concluded that many compounds of the bottom sediment are absent or present in very low concentrations. For the results above the reporting limit, the majority of determinants is below the background value for all samples. Above the background but below the maximum value for industrial use are the following: • Cobalt in samples #L9 and L10 • Zinc in samples #L1, L4, L7, and L8 • TPH/EPH in samples #L3, L5, L6, L8, and L9 Of these samples, cobalt and zinc in sample #L1 are also below the maximum value for residential use. Above the maximum value for industrial use but below the intervention unit are the following: • Phenol in sample #L1 • TPH/EPH in samples #L4 and #L7 Above the intervention values are the following: • Toluene in sample #L1 • Cresol, especially p-cresol, in sample #L1 and #L9 Overall, the most contaminated are samples #L1 and #L9, while samples #L2 and #L10 are the least contaminated. Given the presence of a number of parameters above the background value and few parameters above the maximum value for industrial use and some even above the intervention value, it is concluded that the dredging material from the bottom sediment cannot be freely applied. The quality of the majority of samples, however, indicates that the dredging material can be applied in a land zone for industrial use. The presence of elevated levels for phenol, toluene, cresol, and mineral oil in part of the bottom sediment can be accepted considering that exceedance of the maximum value for industrial use or the intervention value is restricted to a few samples only, so that the arithmetic mean for all samples is (far) below the maximum for industrial use. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 89 Disposal in a land depot is therefore considered acceptable under the following conditions: • The area should be designated for future industrial use. • It will take some years before the soft bottom sediment has gained sufficient bearing capacity. During this consolidation period, the organic parameters (phenol, toluene, cresol, and mineral oil) that are in excess are expected to break down. • In the meantime, the area should be well protected (fence or surrounding canal) against intrusion by men and animals for safety reasons (soft material). • Planting of agricultural crops is forbidden. • The soil quality should be checked again before the area is released for future use. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 90 Table A9 Abridged Soil and Sediment Risk-Based Guidelines and Testing of Parameters with Results above the Reporting Limit Soil/Sediment Guidelines Sample Results Combined Guidelines Maximum Value for Maximum Value for Intervention Value Background Level Residential Use Industrial Use Determinant L-1 L-2 L-3 L-4 L-5 L-6 L-7 L-8 L-9 L-10 Characteristics Dry matter % (w/w) 51.6 86.5 79.9 33.2 51.5 56.4 47.1 35.5 17.1 24.0 Organic matter % (w/w) dm 6.7 0.6 1.7 5.4 2.7 4.3 4.4 8.9 14.8 15.6 Fraction < 2μm (clay) % (w/w) dm 19.0 2.3 3.3 32.5 19.6 15.8 13.1 29.7 40.9 42.2 Metals Arsenic (As) mg/kg dm 20 27 76 85 10 - 3.2 8.7 4.5 4.6 4.0 6.3 10.0 9.8 Barium (Ba) mg/kg dm 190 625 69 18 23 140 48 48 58 67 86 84 Chromium (Cr) mg/kg dm 55 62 180 380 31 6.8 7.5 35 21 17 15 35 37 34 Cobalt (Co) mg/kg dm 15 35 190 240 7.5 4.3 2.9 9.6 7.0 6.0 4.7 10 19 18 Copper (Cu) mg/kg dm 40 54 190 190 39 4.0 29 26 11 11 16 19 19 18 Mercury (Hg) mg/kg dm 0.15 0.83 4.8 10 0.076 - - 0.11 0.054 0.052 - 0.065 0.14 0.10 Lead (Pb) mg/kg dm 50 210 530 580 19 3.5 20 30 15 15 20 25 24 23 Nickel (Ni) mg/kg dm 35 39 100 210 16 4.0 3.8 25 12 9.3 8.2 18 24 24 Vanadium (V) mg/kg dm 80 97 250 31 11 9.5 38 26 21 18 44 50 47 Zinc (Zn) mg/kg dm 140 200 720 2,000 170 32 120 250 110 130 330 210 140 140 Volatile Organic Hydrocarbons Toluene mg/kg dm 32 40 - - - - - - - - - p-Isopropyltoluene mg/kg dm - - - 0.13 - - - - 7.8 - ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 91 Soil/Sediment Guidelines Sample Results Combined Guidelines Maximum Value for Maximum Value for Intervention Value Background Level Residential Use Industrial Use Determinant L-1 L-2 L-3 L-4 L-5 L-6 L-7 L-8 L-9 L-10 Phenol Phenol mg/kg dm 0.25 0.25 1.25 3.0 - - - - - - - - - o-Cresol mg/kg dm 4100* 0.02 - - - - - - - - - m-Cresol mg/kg dm 4100* 0.04 - - - - - - - - - p-Cresol mg/kg dm 8200* 30 0.3 - 0.02 - - 0.02 - 8.8 - Cresols (sum) mg/kg dm 13 8200* 31 0.3 - 0.02 - - 0.02 - 8.8 - Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Naphtalene mg/kg dm 0.24 - - - 0.01 - - - - - - Acenapthene mg/kg dm 0.055 - - - 0.04 - - 0.02 - - - Fluorene mg/kg dm 0.19 - - - 0.02 - - 0.01 - - - Phenanthrene mg/kg dm 0.56 0.02 - 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.03 - - - Fluoranthene mg/kg dm 0.75 0.04 - 0.11 0.06 0.06 0.08 0.31 0.02 - 0.01 Pyrene mg/kg dm 0.49 0.04 0.01 0.10 0.06 0.05 0.07 0.21 0.02 - - Benzo (a) anthracene mg/kg dm 0.22 0.01 - 0.03 - 0.02 0.03 0.03 - - - Chrysene mg/kg dm 0.34 0.02 - 0.03 0.01 0.02 0.04 0.03 - - - Benzo(b)fluoranthene mg/kg dm 21* 0.02 - 0.04 - 0.03 0.05 0.04 - - - Benzo(k)fluoranthene mg/kg dm 0.24 - - 0.04 - - 0.01 - - - - Benzo (a)pyrene mg/kg dm 0.37 0.08 - 0.04 - 0.02 0.04 0.03 - - - Benzo(ghi)perylene mg/kg dm 0.17 - - 0.02 - 0.02 0.03 0.03 - - - ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 92 Soil/Sediment Guidelines Sample Results Combined Guidelines Maximum Value for Maximum Value for Intervention Value Background Level Residential Use Industrial Use Determinant L-1 L-2 L-3 L-4 L-5 L-6 L-7 L-8 L-9 L-10 Indeno(123cd)pyrene mg/kg dm 0.2 - - 0.02 - 0.01 0.02 0.02 - - - PAH 10 VROM mg/kg dm 1.5 40 0.17 - 0.30 0.11 0.17 0.28 0.48 0.02 - 0.01 (sum) PAH 16 EPA (sum) mg/kg dm 0.23 0.01 0.43 0.22 0.24 0.40 0.75 0.03 - 0.01 Chlorobenzenes Monochlorobenzene mg/kg dm 2.0 - - - 0.05 - - - - - - Chlorophenols 2,4,6- mg/kg dm 82* 0.002 - - - - - - - - - Trichlorophenol Trichlorophenols mg/kg dm 22 0.002 - - - - - - - - - (sum) 4-Chloro-3- mg/kg dm - - - 0.004 - - - - - - methylphenol Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) PCB 28 mg/kg dm 0.002 - - - - - - - - - PCB 101 mg/kg dm - - - 0.004 - - - - - - PCB 138 mg/kg dm - - - 0.009 - - - - - - PCB 153 mg/kg dm - - - 0.009 - - - - - - PCB 180 mg/kg dm - - - 0.007 - - - - - - PCB (6) (sum) mg/kg dm 0.002 - - 0.029 - - - - - - PCB (7) (sum) mg/kg dm 1.0 0.002 - - 0.029 - - - - - - Miscellaneous Organic Compounds Biphenyl mg/kg dm 0.007 - - - - - - - - - ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 93 Soil/Sediment Guidelines Sample Results Combined Guidelines Maximum Value for Maximum Value for Intervention Value Background Level Residential Use Industrial Use Determinant L-1 L-2 L-3 L-4 L-5 L-6 L-7 L-8 L-9 L-10 Phosphor pesticides Demeton-S/ mg/kg dm 3.3* - - 0.03 - - - - - - demeton-O-ethyl Phtalates Bisethylhexylphtalate mg/kg dm 5.1 - 2.4 1.6 0.7 2.1 4.2 0.5 - - Phtalates (sum) mg/kg dm 5.1 - 2.4 1.6 0.7 2.1 4.2 0.5 - - Petroleum Hydrocarbons EPH (C12-C16) mg/kg dm 11 12 18 61 12 12 21 9.7 - - EPH (C16-C21) mg/kg dm 28 38 47 170 40 42 74 28 45 - EPH (C21-C30) mg/kg dm 84 65 190 320 160 200 290 130 110 50 EPH (C30-C35) mg/kg dm 39 40 100 160 79 96 120 67 47 36 EPH (C35-C40) mg/kg dm 14 17 41 59 31 39 40 23 - - EPH (sum C10-C40) mg/kg dm 190 190 500 5,000 180 170 390 770 320 390 540 250 220 - Note: * Combined guidelines EPA (United States and Canada). 19 Bold and underlined figures are above the background level for the determinant but below maximum value for industry. 540 Bold and underlined red figures are above the maximum value for industrial use but below the intervention value. 40 Above intervention value. - Below reporting limit. ESIA/ESMP Saramacca Canal System Rehabilitation Project Page 94 Table A10 Testing of Oil and Grease in Surface Water with Results World Bank European Suriname Standard Oil and Grease (mg Location Standard (mg per Standard (mg per (mg per L)b per L) L) L) L-1 10 15 5 2.22 L-2 3.11 L-3