Colombo Port Expansion Project · COLOMBO PORT EXPANSION PROJECT BI-ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING REPORT JULY TO DECEMBER 2008 4 2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION 2.1 Current Progress of Works

Environmental Monitoring Report

This report has been submitted to ADB by the Ministry of Ports and Aviation and is made publicly available in accordance with ADB’s public communications policy (2005). It does not necessarily reflect the views of ADB.

Project Number: 39431 April 2009

SRI: Colombo Port Expansion Project

Prepared by Scott Wilson, Ltd.

Colombo, Sri Lanka

For Ministry of Ports and Aviation Sri Lanka Ports Authority

COLOMBO PORT EXPANSION PROJECT BI-ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING REPORT JULY TO DECEMBER 2008

SRI LANKA PORTS AUTHORITY

COLOMBO PORT EXPANSION PROJECT

HARBOUR INFRASTRUCTURE WORKS

ENGINEER’S REPRESENTATIVE’S

BI-ANNUAL

ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING REPORT

JULY TO DECEMBER 2008


Table of Contents Executive Summary ..................................................................................................... 21. INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................... 32. PROJECT DESCRIPTION ........................................................................................ 4

2.1 Current Progress of Works 42.2. Project Organization 52.3. Status of Relevant Permits and Licenses 5

3. COMPLIANCE MONITORING .................................................................................. 63.1. Site Audit Based Monitoring 63.2 Impact Measurement Based Monitoring 12

4. IMPACT CONFIRMATION MONITORING .............................................................. 175. ISSUES ................................................................................................................... 21

List of Tables 2.1 key Officers Related to Environmental Management of Works 5 2.2 Environmental Permits & Licenses 5 3.1 The Schedule of Site Audit Events 6 3.2 Environmental Monitoring Requirements Covered by Site Audits 7 3.5 Environmental Monitoring requirements stipulated by Environmental Permits 12 3.6 Summary of beach profile monitoring results as at October and November 2008 13 3.7 Ambient air Quality at LOP -6th

3.8 The results of noise level monitoring at LOP-6 August 2008 13

th

4.1 Monitoring requirements 17 August 2008 14

4.2 Action limits of monitoring parameters 17 4.3 The settlement monitoring results 20 5.1 Summary of complaints received 21 5.2 Action taken on complaints 21 List of Figures 3.1 Ground Vibrations results in November 2008 14 3.2 Air blast over pressure results in November 2008 15 3.3 The reduction of ground vibrations after mitigation in mid December, 2008 15 3.4 The reduction of air blast over pressure after mitigation in mid December 2008 16 4.1 Total suspended sediment levels in September 18 4.2 Total suspended sediment levels in October 19 4.3 Total suspended sediment levels in November 19 List of Pictures 3.1 Covering the top and rear sides of trucks 10 3.2 The beach before and after starting beach replenishment at LOP 10 3.3 Dust control through surface wetting 11 3.4 Erosion prevention measures at main Quarry 11 3.5 Benches at the main Quarry 11 3.6 Covered trench 11


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Executive Summary

To ensure the environmental management of Works is implemented and maintained in accordance with the requirements of Coastal Conservation Department (CCD), Central Environmental Authority (CEA) and Asian Development Bank (ADB), the environmental impacts and the effectiveness of environmental mitigation are monitored by the Contractor (HDEC) under the supervision of the, Engineer (SW) and the overview of the Client, Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA). The procedural and institutional arrangements in this regard are described in the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for the Works, prepared by the Contractor and submitted to CCD through SLPA. The Works commenced on 11 April 2008 and have been in progress for nine months out of the 48 month Contract period. This report covers the 06 months from June 2008 to December 2008 Dredging of the new Port approach channel and breakwater toe trench is in progress. A cumulative volume of 5million m3

has been dredged as at the end December, 2008 by two trailer suction hopper dredgers (TSHD).

Reclamation for surcharge for breakwater and the Contractor’s Working Area (CWA) is being carried out with sand dredged from the approach channel. Demolition of Port buildings essential to accommodate the new access road to the Site is complete and some residual demolition remains. A temporary breakwater and quay wall were completed at Wadduwa, establishing the quarry rock Loading out Point (LoP). The basin is being dredged to remove an estimated volume of 260,000 m3

that in part is to be used for beach nourishment to the North of the LoP.

Stockpiles of 120,000 m3 of quarry run, 20,000 m3 of rock armour and 38 No Core Loc were ready to be transported by barge to Colombo from the LoP. Operation of the Contractor’s main quarry at Dodangoda is producing a monthly average of 24,000 m3 of quarry products. Environmental Management of the Works which includes sequential steps to avoid, reduce and mitigate likely consequences and a comprehensive monitoring scheme have been implemented. Avoidance and or reduction of adverse impacts has been ensured by reclaiming with dredged sand, restricting rainbow operations to approximately 8 % of the overall dredging time and by siting both the quarry and LoP at environmentally less sensitive locations. Beach nourishment, water sprinkling of haul roads and quarry rock stock pile and dust extraction at drilling operations provide examples of mitigations adopted within the reporting period. Site audits and compliance and impact confirmation monitoring related to Noise, Vibration, Air and Water quality, Ecosystem and Social impacts are in progress. The main concerns during this period were:-

1) The impact of quarry haul roads 2) The impact of LoP construction on beach erosion

The results of multiple monitoring components showed no significant adverse environmental impact caused by the Project during this period. However, the guidance of relevant regulatory Authorities is being incorporated to streamline the management strategies; to set up an effective mitigation and monitoring mechanism in place and to further reduce impact levels as the rates of working increase.


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1. INTRODUCTION Background The Asian Development Bank (ADB) provides the funding to the Government of the Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka to construct the infrastructure works for the Harbour Infrastructure Works (HIW) under the Colombo Port Expansion Project. (CPEP) [Formally known as the Colombo site Harbour (CSH) Project] The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) is the Executing Agency (EA) whilst Scott Wilson Limited (SW) and Hyundai Development Engineering Corporation (HDEC) are respectively the supervising Engineer and the Contractor. The Coast Conservation Department (CCD) is the project approving agency and chairs the Environmental Monitoring Committee (EMC), which scrutinizes the effectiveness of the environmental mitigation of the Works. Environmental Monitoring Requirements The Environmental Management Plan (EMP), the key tool used in environmental impact mitigation and monitoring, has been developed to ensure the Works are implemented and maintained in accordance with the provisions and requirements of the Coast Conservation Act No 57 of 1981, the National Environmental Act No 47 of 1987 and ADB’s environmental policies. HDEC implements the EMP under the guidance and supervision of SW, whilst the process is overseen by the SLPA, who report to CCD and ADB. Scope of the Report In general the mitigations are defined in the Contractor’s EMP and spontaneous measures are adopted to rectify un-foreseen impacts; and are monitored through routine site audits and compliance and impact monitoring The results of compliance and impact confirmation monitoring together with complaints, non-compliances and responses are monitored and recorded by SW. This bi-annual report, which presents an overview of the environmental mitigation and monitoring perspectives covering June to December 2008 is submitted to the SLPA for ADB as a requirement of Loan Agreement. This report is also submitted to the EMC.


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2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION 2.1 Current Progress of Works The Works commenced on 11 April 2008, and have been in progress for 9 months out of the 48 months Contract period. The works in progress are summarized below :- 2.1.1 Colombo South Harbour Site Dredging and reclamation Dredging of the port approach channel, is being carried out using two trailer suction hopper dredgers [TSHDs] the Goryo 4 Ho and Goryo 6 Ho. A cumulative volume of 5 million m3

has been dredged during this 9 month period.

The surcharge and reclamation is placed in the breakwater below -7.0mLWOST by bottom dumping dredged sand. The reclamation for the construction of the CWA is formed by pumping dredged sand ashore through a floating pipeline or by rainbowing Site clearance and demolition Demolition of the existing Port buildings essential for the construction of the new access road to the Site is largely completed and some further demolition remains. The demolished material was segregated and handled in accordance minor with the specifications, in consultation with SW, SLPA and relevant Authorities. The cleared area is currently being used for assembling HDEC plant and equipment. Transportation and stock piling of quarry rock Limited haulage from the approved sources outside Colombo through land routes commenced in July, 2008. Up to date a cumulative volume of 83,000 m3 of quarry rock and rock amour have been brought to site using 10 m3 dump trucks and stockpiled at the Initial Working Area (IWA), adjoining the SAGT terminal and Sri Lanka Navy premises. 2.1.2 External arrangements for material supply Load out Point A suitable coastal stretch, extending over a 72,000 m2 area located at Pothupitiya, Wadduwa in Kaluthara District, was selected for siting the temporary quarry rock Load out Point (LoP) for the transhipment of rock to Colombo. The construction of a temporary breakwater extending over 500 m and quay wall has been finished and the dredging of the basin has been in progress since October, 2008. Barges are to be loaded with quarry run for transportation by sea to Colombo. The LoP provides space for stockpiles of armour and quarry run. 20,000 m3 of graded rock amour and 120,000 m3

of quarry run are currently stockpiled at the LoP.

A concrete batching plant was established for temporary production of Core LocTm and Tetra pods armour units at the LoP. The production of Core LocTm is being continued on a trial basis and a stock of 38 No Core LocTm

units was available at LoP at the end of December, 2008.

Quarrying Blasting operations at the Contractor’s main quarry (Taegil quarry) at Nehainna, Dodangoda in Kaluthara District started in mid October 2008. Equipment has been mobilized for quarry run and amour rock production. A total volume of 70,000 m3

of quarry products including quarry run, rock amour and road metal were produced from this quarry.

Quarry products from three other quarries located within Dodangoda Division also provide material for the Works. An aggregated volume of 77,000 m3 was purchased from these other quarries during the reporting period.


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Haulage of quarry products to LoP Haulage of quarry products to the LoP during this period is confined to land routes around 21 km from the main quarry and from three other quarries at a similar distance. On average 200 to 250 No of trucks load trips each day from these quarries to LoP were reported within this period. 2.2. Project Organisation The project organisation for environmental management is given in the Annex I and the key officers involved in the environmental management of Works and their particulars are given in Table 2.1 below; Table 2.1: Key Officers Related to Environmental Management of the Works

No. Designation Name Mobile No

SLPA 1 Deputy Project Director Susantha Abeysiriwadana 0715346554 2 Environmental Consultant Tissa Fernando 0777394405

SW 3 Chief Resident Engineer Peter Neville-Jones 0774747560 4 Environmentalist Padmasiri Moonamale 0772907615

HDEC 5 Project Director Hyung Kim 0774711791 6 Environment Team Leader Heo, C.Y., 0773401854

2.3. Status of Relevant Permits and Licenses Particulars of relevant environmental licenses are given in the Table 2.2 below; Table 2.2: Environmental Permits & Licenses

No. Permit name & number Operational activity

1 CCD permit; P/07/62 CPEP construction

2 CCD permit; P/08/314 Construction & operation of LoP

3 EPL; 01921 (R1) Quarry operations, main quarry, Neheinna


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3. COMPLIANCE MONITORING Compliance monitoring is required to ensure that the environmental mitigations are effectively adopted and any unforeseen impacts are duly addressed. The relevant monitoring parameters, locations and frequencies related to compliance monitoring within the reporting period are given in Annex II. Compliance monitoring at the Works is mainly implemented through site audits and measuring environmental impact as described in Chapters 3.1 and 3.2 respectively; 3.1. Site Audit Based Monitoring Site audit based monitoring is conducted by observations, and includes site visits, meetings, record keeping and reporting to evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation at site level, conducted in accordance with the schedule as given in the Table 3.1 below; Table 3.1: The Schedule of Site Audit Events

No. Means Frequency Purpose/ Action Agency

1 Site surveillance Continuously Promote awareness of environmental/ safety procedures among workers and sub-contractors via continual communications

Contractor

2 Site surveillance Continuously Daily site monitoring records Contractor

3 Site surveillance Continuously Impact monitoring records Contractor

4 Site inspection Continuously Daily monitoring records Engineer

5 Regular Site Inspection

3 times/ Month

Site supervision by ETL and face to face dialog with DETL and Sub Contractors Contractor

6 Ad-hoc Site Audit 12/ Year Compliance Monitoring by EER and Face-to-face communication between DETL, SI Engineer

7 Environmental Progress Meeting

Once in Two weeks

Face-to-face communication between EER & EC/ SLPA and ETL Engineer

8 Environment Monitoring Report (EMR)

Weekly Impact Monitoring Report to Engineer and submit with comments to SLPA by Engineer. Contractor

9 Regular Site Environmental Audit

Monthly Site Monitoring jointly by EER and ETL with face-to-face communication between DETL & Sub contractors

Engineer &

Contractor

10 Monthly EMR (MEMR) Monthly

Impact & Compliance Monitoring Report to Engineer two weeks before monthly meeting by Contractor. MEMR with comments (on compliance and impact monitoring) to SLPA by Engineer. (as given in # 11).

Contractor &

Engineer

11 Environmental Progress meeting Monthly

Presentation of summary of MEMR and follow up actions of previous meeting by ETL/ Con. (ie. Significant impacts, social issues and corrective measures etc.). Submission of MEMR with Engineer’s comments by EER/ Engineer to EC/ SLPA.

Contractor


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12 Ad-hoc Meeting When necessary

Site Monitoring and face-to-face communications between EER, SI/ Engineer, DETL/ Contractor and Local regulatory agencies/ community representatives when any emergency events occur.

Contractor

13 Environmental Monitoring Report

Six Monthly Prepare and submit by CRE/ Engineer to the EC/ SLPA, who submits with comments to CCD & ADB

Engineer

14 Additional Specific Reports Varies

Long term impact monitoring reports (Table 3/ draft EMP) SLPA

SRE: Senior Resident Engineer, EER: Engineer’s Environmental Representative, ETL: Environment Team Leader, DETL: Deputy Environment Team Leader, EC: Contractor’s Environmental Consultant. 3.1.1 Site Audit Monitoring requirements The specified monitoring requirements for the main operational activities are summarized in Table 3.2 monitoring and mitigations. The monitoring allows spontaneous impacts to be identified and immediately addressed by appropriate mitigation. Table 3.2: Environmental Monitoring Requirements Covered by Site Audits

No. Operational Activity Mitigation/ monitoring requirement

1 Dredging & Reclamation

Adopt best practice dredging methods and maintain equipment to minimize suspended solid plume formation: Watching brief of wreck material to ensure historic artifacts are separately identified and protected Control surface water runoff from reclamation areas to avoid water pollution Maintain un-interrupted flow from existing storm water outfalls

2

Site clearance & demolition

Waste management in particular for demolition wastes to avoid environmental pollution and contamination with hazardous materials

Minimize dust, noise and vibration as per regulations

3 General site management & operations

Adopt adequate safety measures and maintain cleanliness Minimize dust, noise and vibration

4 Quarrying and haulage

Quarry operations shall be conducted in compliance with local regulations Haulage shall be carried out as per local regulations, adopting adequate safety and pollution control measures Relevant approvals shall be obtained for construction and operation of Load out Point


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3.1.2 Site audit results The measures below have been implemental during the reporting period. Colombo South Harbour Site Dredging and reclamation 1) All of the dredged material was discharged into reclamation and surcharge with no offsite

disposal to minimize impacts upon the external ecosystems. 2) The volume discharged by rainbowing that may cause a significant sediment plume was

restricted to 8% of total operational hours. Rainbowing was carried out initially to place material in the CWA before the floating pipeline was available. As far as possible the rainbow is directed onto reclamation above sea level to minimize the release of suspended solids and to mitigate turbidity.

3) The existing outfalls that flow out through the reclamation were surveyed, identified and protected to maintain uninterrupted flow, until the permanent drainage network is provided.

Site management The mitigations incorporated during general site operations and construction of the CWA and temporary facilities are as follows; 1) The access road to the IWA is provided with road signs and trained traffic control flag men to

prevent interruptions to general port traffic and accidents. 2) The Oil Tank in the IWA is located with adequate containment to retain catastrophic spillage

and with an additional protection (barricade) against traffic impact. 3) The batching plant, erected in the IWA, is equipped with protective covers to control point

source dust emissions and excessive noise emanation. 4) The “Battenberg Battery” with built heritage value as given in the EIAR (pp 3-26, EIAR-

CSHEP, Scott Wilson Ltd.) has been cordoned off for protection and is being continuously monitored.

Demolition and ground clearance In terms of environmental management, conservation of objects with historic value and ensuring safety of occupants/ workers the following mitigations were adhered to for this operational activity. 1) The entire demolition operation was carried out under the supervision of SW and SLPA.

Precautions were adopted to minimize damage to valuable and re-usable items. 2) Demolished wastes, were segregated as non-hazardous and hazardous; the latter were

disposed of in consultation with Colombo Municipal Council. Haulage of Quarry Rock LoP and CSH During this period mitigations were adopted to avoid and minimise social impacts, nuisance to public in particular due to fugitive dust emissions, vibration and excessive noise arising from land transportation as follows; 1) Quarry rock transportation plans were prepared and implemented, indicating loaded and

unloaded truck movement routes, speed limits, special locations and flag men locations. 2) Top side of loaded trucks is covered to prevent dust emission and back sides are protected to

prevent fall of material (Picture 3.1). 3) Code of good driving practices in vehicle operation was introduced to drivers and is being

monitored. 4) Inferior quality roads were strengthened in consultation with the Provincial Road Development

Authority and surface wetting of the haul roads is continued during dry days.


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External Operational Activities LoP, Pothupitiya To ensure the un-interrupted progress in construction and operations of the LoP, which is key to the progress of the Works, the following measures were incorporated from planning to operational phases as follows; 1) A strip of beach that is not dominantly used for fishing and does not contain either marine or

terrestrial sensitive ecosystems was selected for construction of the LoP (pp22, IEER-Pothupitiya LoP, HDEC).

2) The structural designs were selected to minimize impacts on hydrodynamic patterns, morphology and benthic and pelagic biota in the selected length of beach and also to allow easy demolition at the completion of project after 4 years (Annex IV).

3) A comprehensive beach nourishment programme was incorporated to immediately address the predicted erosion at the northern part of beach due to the breakwater obstructing long shore drift. (Picture 3.2.).

4) Initiatives have been taken to establish a mechanism to deal with the vulnerable community groups and stake holder agencies (Annex V) to ensure effective mitigation of any adverse social impacts.

5) Surface wetting of the active areas of the LoP including the internal transportation routes and trucks before unloading are being continued to mitigate excessive dust emission as shown in Pictures 3.3.

Quarry rock mining The following key mitigations are adopted when establishing quarry product supplies from external sources and operating the main quarry; 1) Possessing a valid approval from Environmental Authority and GSMB permit is a pre-requisite

in selecting external quarries for the supply of quarry rock. 2) A main quarry location, which is free from residential units, archeological sites and sensitive

ecosystems, was selected to minimize impacts. 3) A main quarry with exposed rock, where medium scale quarrying has been in long existence

to avoid likely adverse impacts coupled with reduced ground preparation and below the ground level excavation.

4) A comprehensive warning signaling scheme including both visual and audio warnings has been adopted.

5) Silt traps were built to prevent siltation of downstream farm lands due to surface run off (Picture 3.4).

6) The “Bench blasting” method was adopted to minimize impacts from fly rocks, ground vibration and air blast over pressure (Picture 3.5).


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Picture 3.1: Covering the top and rear sides of trucks

Picture 3.2: The beach before and after starting beach replenishment at LoP.


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Picture 3.3: Dust control through surface wetting Picture 3.6: Covered trench

Picture 3.4: Erosion prevention measures at main quarry

Picture 3.5: Benches at the main quarry


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3.2 Impact Measurement Based Monitoring

This section covers the measuring of the magnitude of environmental impacts by specialized third party agencies to ensure compliance with the conditions stipulated in the environmental permits obtained from Government Authorities for various components of the Works (Table 2.3 in Chapter 2). Monitoring requirements Requirements of monitoring are summarised in Table 3.5 below; Table 3.5: Environmental monitoring requirements stipulated by environmental permits

No. Permit & location Monitoring requirements

1 CCD permit - CSH Overall site management as described in the EIAR (Annex I)

2 CCD permit - LoP Noise, air & water quality, beach profile (parameters given under the item # 1.03, 1.04, 2.02, 2.03, 4.03 & 8 of Annex II)

3 EPL – Quarry Noise, air & ground vibration (parameters given under the item # 1.05, 2.04 & 3.02 of Annex I)

3.2.2 Permissible limits Permissible limits related to each parameter as stipulated by the Environmental Protection License (EPL) and the permits of CCD are given with the monitoring results. 3.2.3 Impact measuring results

Beach profile monitoring at LoP The beach profile to the North and South of the temporary breakwater at LoP was monitored in October and November, 2008 as required by in the conditions of the CCD permit. The detailed profile monitoring results are given in Annex VII and summary is given in Table 3.6. According to the results, the southern strip of beach records accretion, whilst the first 1 km of the northern beach shows erosion, which is being restored through a rapid replenishment programme. Views of the northern beach immediately after erosion and commencing nourishment are shown in Pictures 3.2 and 3.3 respectively in Chapter 3.1.2.5.


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Table 3.6: Summary of beach profile monitoring results as at October and November, 2008

Chain age Against the Baseline (m) Erosion Deposition

South from break water - 1000 No Yes 750 No Yes 500 No Yes 250 No Yes 0 No Yes

North from break water + 350 No No 500 Yes No 750 Yes No 1000 Yes No 1500 Yes No 2000 No Yes 2500 Yes No 3000 No Yes

Ambient air quality at LoP The National Building Research Organization was selected to carry out noise and air quality monitoring at the LoP. The results of ambient air quality monitoring on 6th

August 2008 are given in the Table 3.7 below.

According to the results the ambient air quality at the measured locations are well within the permissible levels (Annex VI), during this constructional period at the LoP. Table 3.7: Ambient air quality at LoP – 6th

August 2008

Time average

Sampling time

Concentration (mg/m3)

SO2 NO2 CO O3 SPM Pb

Result Limit Result Limit Result Limit Result Limit Result Limit Result Limit

1 hr Day 0.057 0.20 0.069 0.25 7 30 .002 0.20 0.273 0.50 - - Night 0.043 0.056 < 5 .001 0.153 -

8 hr Day 0.02 0.12 0.041 0.15 6 10 - - 0.191 0.35 - - Night 0.017 0.019 < 5 - 0.118 -

24 hr Day 0.018 0.08 0.024 0.10 < 5 - - - 0.138 0.30 < 0.001

0.002

Noise levels at LoP The results of noise monitoring at the northern and eastern boundaries of LoP premises, conducted on 6th

August 2008 are given in the Table 3.8 below.

According to the monitoring results the noise levels are well below the permissible levels for a construction site. The results also indicate that the impact due to construction noise during the reporting period is not significant since the residual noise that emanates from sea waves and road and railway traffic are very high at this location.


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Table 3.8: The results of noise level monitoring at LoP – 6th

August 2008

Time Leq (Operational)

Leq (Permissible

limit) Sources Leq (Residual) Sources

Day (morning) 71

75

Backhoes, loaders, train 76 Train

Day (Evening) 73

Backhoes, loaders, train, land master

58 Land master on road

Night - 50

No operations 76 Train Night - No operations 54 -

Ground vibration and Air blast over pressure at main quarry site Ground vibration and air blast over pressure generated from blasting operations are continuously monitored at the selected locations (Annex VII. A) by the Technical Services Division of GSMB.

Monitoring results since commencing industrial operations in early November 2008 are given in graphical form in Figures 3.1 and 3.2 respectively.

Figure 3.1: Ground vibrations results in November 2008


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Figure 3.2: Air blast over pressure results in November 2008 . The monitoring results of the trial indicate that exceedance of permissible air blast over pressure level [120 dB(A)] has occurred on approximately 30% of occasions. The ground vibration levels are also significant, although within the permissible level (5 mm/s). In order to mitigate this impact the blasting parameters were optimised by replacing ammonia with emulsion with the consent of the relevant Authorities. After a trial blast the approval was granted to carry out industrial blasting with the modified explosive from mid December,2008. The air blast over pressure and ground vibration results indicate a significant reduction as the result of this effective mitigation of environmental impacts from mid December onward .

Figure 3.3: The reduction of ground vibrations after mitigation in mid December, 2008


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Figure 3.4: The reduction of air blast over pressure after mitigation in mid December, 2008


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4. IMPACT CONFIRMATION MONITORING Impact Confirmation Monitoring is to ascertain the effectiveness of the mitigation measures proposed and to validate the assumptions made in the EIAR. Further this provides a comprehensive collection of data to ensure long term environmental impacts are captured. The monitoring parameters, locations and frequencies are given in Annex II. Impact confirmation monitoring at the Works is mainly undertaken through measuring the status of environmental media by specialized independent agencies. 4.1 Monitoring Requirements The requirements during the reporting period to ensure that the environmental media and parameters are monitored as specified in the EIAR are given in Table 4.1. Table 4.1: Monitoring requirements No. Environmental media / Locations Monitoring parameters

1

Water quality (suspended sediment levels) at * Reference station in front of Kelani river mouth * 03 mobile stations as defined by SW/ SLPA and may be altered time to time to suit the zones of dredging & reclamation

Suspended sediment concentration Current speed & direction

Dissolved oxygen concentration

2

Settlement of Harbor Master’s Building, Chaitya, Museum & Water tank at CSH. Due to vibration and construction acclivities

Vertical and horizontal coordinate (reference point)

4.2 Action Limits Table 4.2: Action limits of monitoring parameters

No. Monitoring parameters Action limit

1 Suspended sediment concentration If down stream level > 130% of up

stream level and > reference point value consistently over a significant period.

Current speed & direction Dissolved oxygen concentration

2 Settlement of structures Any deviation from base line 4.3 Results 4.3.1 Water quality The suspended sediment level is considered as an indicator of the impacts on marine water quality, which continues to be monitored by the National Aquatic Resources Agency on behalf of the Contractor. Monthly average results since September are given in the Figures 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 respectively. The dredging zone and water quality monitoring locations are given in Annex VIII. B.


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The monitoring results show no significant and consistent increases in suspended sediment levels that exceed the action limit during the reporting period, except several spontaneous, short term increases. This confirms the effectiveness of mitigations incorporated during the dredging operations within reporting period. Figure 4.1: Total suspended sediment levels in September

Figure 4.2: Total suspended sediment levels in October


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Figure 4.3: Total suspended sediment levels in November

4.3.2 Settlement monitoring Settlement monitoring is undertaken at the sensitive structures in the Port, located in close proximity to the Site area (Annex VIII. C to assess the impact of vibration caused by trucks and construction plant). The survey is conducted jointly by the surveyors of Contractor and the Engineer on a monthly basis and the results given in Table 4.3. However, monitoring at the Chaithya Temple was suspended by the Sri Lanka Navy for security reasons. According to the results, the structural stability of the Harbour Master’s Building, the SLPA elevated water tank and the Museum were not affected.


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Table 4.3: The settlement monitoring results


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5. ISSUES 5.1 Lapses in mitigation No significant lapses were recorded during the reporting period, except short term lapses in dust control and mitigated impacts on to fishing community at the LoP. The beach erosion in particular occurred due to a significant storm attack in mid October, coincident with the commencement of marine constructional activities at the LoP causing disturbances to fishermen. How ever these were immediately controlled as explained under the Chapter 5.2.2. Further measures have been taken to strengthen the capacity and enhance worker awareness to improve environmental mitigation and monitoring. 5.2 Complaints The complaints received can be summarized as follows; Table 5.1: Summary of complaints received

No Location Subject Affected party

1 CSH Dust emission Workers in adjoining terminal to working area

2 LoP & Haul roads Dust emission Community

3 LoP Disturb lively hood with beach erosion Fishermen at Wadduwa

4 LoP Disturb lively hood due to construction Fishermen at Wadduwa

Action taken A comprehensive complaint management procedure was put in place to immediately respond and rectify adverse social or ecological impacts as given in Annex IX and a strong communication mechanism is being developed as in Annex V. The complaints received during the reporting period were effectively resolved and the summary of responses is given below; Table 5.2: Action taken on complaints No Subject Corrective measures Time taken 1 Dust emission at CSH Surface wetting at working area Immediate (following day)

2 Dust emission at LoP & road.

Surface wetting of routs in LoP, Roads and loaded truck (water curtain) before unloading Within a week

3 Disturb lively hood by beach erosion

Intensify the rate of nourishment and Nourishment method being reviewed in consultation with CCD

Two month

4 Disturb lively hood by constructional activities

Provide substantial financial assistance to affected persons and Mechanism of responding is being developed in consultation with Fisheries Department

During reporting period


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6. CONCLUSIONS The Contractor’s Environmental Management Plan [EMP] is in place and the Contractor is actively implementing the EMP. The Engineer closely monitors the effectiveness of mitigation on behalf of SLPA (the Developer). Overall monitoring and management of environmental mitigation is carried out by the Environmental Monitoring Committee, which is chaired by CCD. The following works were undertaken in the reporting period:-

• Dredging for the new Port approach channel, and breakwater toe trench • Reclamation for surcharge for breakwater and the Contractor’s Working Area (CWA) • Demolition of Port buildings essential to accommodate the new access road to the CWA at

the Harbour site • Construction of a temporary breakwater and quay at Wadduwa to establish the quarry rock

Loading out Point (LoP) • Stockpiling of quarry run, quarry armour at the LOP and initial Core Loc production • Commissioning the operation of the Contractor’s main quarry at Dodangoda

The environmental mitigations and monitoring actions included:-

• Minimizing rainbow operations with potentially high impact • Protecting existing outfalls during dredging and reclamation • Incorporating road signs and control of dust at site operations and during haulage • Selecting environmentally less significant sites for the LoP and main quarry • Controlling impacts as stressed in the Initial Environmental Studies conducted separately for

the both facilities as described in Chapter 3.1, recorded through site audits. The results of impact measurement based monitoring as described in Chapter 3.2, confirm compliance with the stipulations under the “construction permit” of CCD and “EPL” of the Central Environmental Authority with regard to measuring noise levels, air and water quality, vibration and beach profile changes. These results indicate that steps are taken to execute all components of Works in accordance with the provisions of the relevant local regulations. Similarly the results of impact monitoring relevant at this stage of the Project such as suspended sediment level and settlement monitoring are below the action levels; as described in Chapter 4 and demonstrate that no significant adverse impacts occurred to either the natural and man made environs during the reporting period. The few minor scale lapses in mitigation, as given in Chapter 5 occurred, in general before the methods for implementing some components were fully established in this initial preparatory stage of the Works. Environmental mitigation and monitoring also improved in this period. In the forthcoming quarter, more attention on environmental management at the LoP site and surroundings is required, with the increasing rock transport and stockpiling and the essential beach nourishment activities. The major areas of concern are:-

• Beach nourishment • Maintenance of haul roads • Interference with fishing activities

This monitoring report is prepared at bi-annual intervals, and reflects the status of environmental compliance and impacts during the previous six months

Documents

Colombo Port Expansion Project · COLOMBO PORT EXPANSION PROJECT BI-ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING REPORT JULY TO DECEMBER 2008 4 2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION 2.1 Current Progress of Works