Animal Health Laboratory

ANIMAL HEALTH LABORATORY

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESMENT

Final Report

Dr. Behxhet Shala

Prishtinë

June, 2009

INTRODUCTION

1.0. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

2.0.POLICY, LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFRASTRUCTURE

3.0.DESRCIPTION OF THE PROJECT PROPOSAL

4.0.SITE DISCRIPTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE CONDITIONS

4.1.Physical Environment

4.2.Surface and underground waters

4.3.Air quality

4.4.Noise

4.5.Meteorology

4.6.Inhabitants

4.7.Cultural and natural in-heritage

4.8.Biological environment

4.9.Socio-cultural environment

5.0.POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE PROJECT

5.1.Potential Impact during the preconstruction phase

5.2.Potential Impact under construction phase

5.3.Potential Impacts during the operation phase

6.0. ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES

7.0. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

7.1.Mitigation measures

7.1.1. Mitigation measures in the preconstruction phase

7.1.2. Mitigation measures in the construction phase

7.1.3. Mitigation measures in the operation phase

7.2.Environmental Monitoring Plan (EMP)

8.0. PUBLIC COSULTATIONS

9.0. REFERENCE LIST

INTRODUCTION

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development and The Kosovo Veterinary and Food Agency decided to construct a new Laboratory Animal Health Laboratory (Virology and Bacteriology) that shall be build within the site of KVFA. One of segment of the Animal Health Component is focused on strengthening capacities for Control of Disease and Improving Surveillance, Diagnostic Capacities, and Applied Research. The Avian Influenza Project (HPAI) has been assigned as a category B project in accordance with World Bank standards classifying projects based on their environmental impact, since it involves moderate environmental impacts that can be managed during implementation of the project. This also triggers the need for conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regarding the construction of the new building for this laboratory.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report, prepared in accordance with World Bank requirements and in harmony with Kosovan legal framework, does identify the impact in the environment and also lists the measures for remediation of such impacts during preconstruction phase, construction phase and also in the phase when the laboratory becomes functional. The project of construction of the new animal health laboratory has been categorized as category B project due to the fact that it triggers small and medium size environmental effects or impacts that can be managed in the phase of project execution.

The Environmental Impact Assessment Report does also take into consideration Laws and Regulations deriving from existing legal framework of the Republic of Kosova. In accordance with Kosovan legislation (Law on Environmental Impact Assessment – Law Nr. 03/L-024), project design for laboratory construction is subject to approval by the Municipality Institutions, and such approval requires Municipality Environmental Permission.

Although it is not expected that thisprojecttriggers major and irreversible environmental effects, nevertheless the project itself carries some environmental effects that must be considered.

1.0. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In harmony with World Bank environmental standards, this project is categorized as Category B project and as such mandates the need for environmental impact assessment.

The Environmental Impact Assessment and the Environmental Monitoring Plan include an overall project assessment and its effects toward environment, starting from its initial phase of construction and assessing each component specifically, but also includes the proposed remediation measures in order to reduce the negative impact on the environment as well as the monitoring of these measures throughout out project implementation.

EIA has been prepared in harmony with local and international legislation and does ensure that all environmental requirements have been addressed and shall be met during the project design andimplementation.

The effects of the project have been assessed during three different phases of its implementation. The process of preparing and EIA for construction of the new Animal Health Laboratory within the site of KVFA has initiated site investigation and gathering information, throughout contacts with relevant authorities, site visits and technical design.

The assessment on the effects expected to be caused by the works for construction ofthis laboratory have been realized based on:

-Sight seeing;

-Scientific and technologic evaluations of the project;

-Research of different scientific literature;

-Previous experience related to similar projects.

In the course of this study, there have been several environmentalimpacts identified as potential effects of this project and they have bee classified below in phases:

Pre construction phase:

During this phase environmental impacts are mainly concentrated in the workingarea and might be a result of preparation works (like removal of already existing waste). These activities might cause a limited local air pollution and also small pollution of the soil. Inthisregard certain measures have beenproposed in order to reduce this pollution, like the follow up of all procedures foreseen by The Law for Construction and the Law on Waste.

Construction phase

There are also in this phase certain environmental effects that are strictly concentrated with working area. Construction phase also results with land degradation, creation of waste leftover from construction materials, local air pollution, leakages of polluted waters as a result of certain processes, as well as with requirements toward safety at work, etc. For prevention of all this effects a set of measures has been proposed, like fulfillment of all the normative foreseen in The Law for Construction, waste management done in accordance the Law for waste, while other measures have been proposed for reduction of air pollution and noise. Excavated soil shall be deposited in a certain area, and further more shall be used for fulfillment of some areas and for final reshape and rehabilitation of this zone.

Operation phase

Operation phase is the one when more effects on the environment are to be expected. Key aspect during the most sensitive phase of operation is the generation of hazardous and infectious waste, pollution of water discharged the potential for air pollution and risk of transmission of infections.

For all these issues are proposed mitigation measures to minimize these effects.

Hazardous wastes produced during Laboratory operation will be managed in accordance with legislation in force and best practices. Hazardous Waste must be collected in appropriate containers, constructed in that manner to enable flow of liquids waste and profusion of solid waste. Solid waste, depending on their type, will be placed separately in bags and dishes of different colors. Considering that in Kosovo there is still no landfills for hazardous waste, as the best option for their treatment was recommended their incineration.

The use of several reagents and chemicals for diagnostic research can be seen as a potential for pollution of laboratory water.The polluted water of the laboratory will be collected, treated and monitored beforeit is going to be discharged in municipality sewerage system of Fushe Kosova. Attention: there is no municipal sewerage system in the vicinity - therefore, the EIA should be very clear about the existing and future situation and how the generated wastewaters will be evacuated.

Knowing that close to the laboratory site there are some wells witch are going to be used for irrigation, and in order to be sure that this underground water is not going to be polluted, at least each year before beginning of irrigation season, this water should be analyzed.This is under responsibility of the Kosovo Veterinary and Food Agency (KVFA).

Air is one of the first compartments that shall be subject of pollution. In this regard, there is the need for undertaking all measures that ensure compatibility with procedures and instructions related to similar type of works, i.e. Instructions from World Health Organization (WHO).Based on the risk assessment for the group of infected microorganisms laboratory should be equipped with bio-safety areas and should be also equipped with all necessary equipment and have a ventilation system that fulfills standards of bio- safety

2.0.POLICY, LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFRASTRUCTURE

The concept of the Environmental Impact Assent is based in accordance with World Bank procedures and policies as well as in full compliance with legal framework of the Republic of Kosova:

World Bank Policies:

World Bank Policies and Guidelines: World Bank operational 4.01: Environmental Assessment, World Bank Operational Policies 4.12:Involuntary Resettlement, World Bank Pollution and Abatement Handbook (1998) and Disclosure Handbook (December, 2002).

Kosovan legislation on environment:

Law on Environmental Impact Assessment - Law Nr. 03/L-024)
Law on Environmental Protection
Law on Land
Law on Administration of Waste
Law on chemicals
Administrative Instruction on oils
Administrative Instruction for construction and demolition waste
Administrative Instruction forthe limited values of the effluents that discharged on water bodies and on the system of public sewage and sanitation

In compliance with World Bank operational policies, this project deems an Environmental assessment and is categorized as Category B Project. Subject to the categorization and the nature of the project there is a need for conducting an Environmental Impact assessment, in which all environmental impacts of the project shall be addressed while also incorporating a list of measures to evict or reduce such impacts is proposed for all three project phases. Project itself has to be public during the phase of EIA drafting. This issue is also précised in the local legislation, and more specifically by Law for Environmental Impact Assessment. According to the Law on Environmental Impact Assessment, projects of such category are under the jurisdiction of the municipality that is why the Municipality of Prishtina has granted this project with Permission for Building the Laboratory

3.0. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT PROPOSAL

The Construction Works include the Building of a new Avian Influenza Control and Human Pandemic Preparedness and Response Project Laboratory. Laboratory of animal health will be built incadastral parcelnumber 1539 recorded in possession listno. 11451 cadastre area of Pristina, in the industrial area of Pristina. Since the Building will be situated inside the KVFA (Kosova’s Veterinary and Food Agency) compound where Food Control Laboratory as well as the Administration building has been already erected (fig. 1) the construction works shall be carried out in two phases:

PHASE 1:Demolition of any loose material, clearing and site preparation for new building construction, and

PHASE 2:new building construction of the Avian Influenza Control and Human Pandemic Preparedness and Response Project Laboratory, which will comprise 300 m2 ob gross ground floor area as well as ~100 m2 of roof gross area containing the technical equipment for HVAC.

The site is located at the south-western part of Prishtina near the main road leading from Fushe Kosova to Prishtina, inside the existing KVFA compound.

Fig 1. Site plan

The scope of the main physical work include the total manufacturing, transport and delivery to the site, installation, execution, completion, testing and handing over of the works being: All civil, architectural and structural works for the project, including clean-up of construct demolition waste(various concrete structures) generated during previous works stored in this space which amount is estimated to be small amount, site preparation, fire escape, new building construction with electrical installation works and emergency power generator; HVAC and Mechanical installation; water supply, drainage and sewage works, road pavement and parking, green areas and vegetation, for full completion.

Laboratory will be equipped with all necessary annexes:

Air Lock
Monitoring
Staff& Meeting room
Passage
Toilet&Garderobe
Coridor
Sterilization
Glass Wash
Vestibule
Serologia
Bacteorology
Sample acceptance
Sample preparation
Garderobe
Decontamination
Administration
Virology
DNK Isolation
Dark room
Autoclave

This facility shall be designed, manufactured, and installed under the latest International rules, instructions, standards, orders, regulations and guidelines, under the technical supervision of the employers’ representative.

Tab. 1: List of applied standards

Standard / Description
DIN18-165;ONORM B 3480 / Standards for mineral wool (The quality conditions)
DIN 52210; DIN 52214 / Standards for dynamic rigidity and dynamic module of elasticity of elastic insulating materials for floating floors
Standards for mechanical-physical characteristics of sound-protective materials
DIN 4102; ONORM B 3800 / Standards for examining the combustibility from the aspect of flame spreading
Standard for floating floor constructions wet process
DIN 4109; ONORM B 8115/12 / Standard for acoustic protection in building design and construction
Standard for quality of plaster for plastering
Standard for quality of mortar for brickwork
ISO 3582 / Standard for determining the combustibility spreading
Standard for the speed of flame spreading throughout the surface
DIN 1748; DIN 17611 / Standard for aluminum profiles
D1N1623/1 / Standard for flat and profiled steel sheets
ASTM D2047 / Standard for floors
ASTM 494 TIP F / Standard for humid protection additives
DIN 4030 / Standard for hydro-insulation

Before works commence all measures andpermissions were taken with regard existence of underground installments, i.e. electric cables, watering and heating channels etc and it has been concluded that this zone was free of any underground installments.

4.0.SITE DISCRIPTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE CONDITIONS

The location where the Laboratory shall be built is in the Municipality of Prishtina; more exactly it is located in the cadastral parcel nr. 1539, registered under property document nr.11451 in the cadastral zone of Prishtina, in the so called industrial zone of Prishtina. This area is located in the south-western part of the city of Prishtina, adjacent with the main road for Fushe Kosovë, and belongs to the area of Kosova Veterinary and Food Agency complex. Below have been described basic data on relevant characteristics of the environment with the zone where the construction shall take place.

4.1.Physical Environment

As it can be easily seen the zone where the laboratory is going to be build is type calcite smonice (fig. 2)and as such it does not represent a valley with high agricultural potential. Nevertheless this plot haslost its character as a plot for agricultural use.

Source: Independent Commission for Mines and Minerals (2006) - Soil Map of Kosovo (1: 200.000)

Fig. 2: Map of Soil

In order of having a close description of the soil in this area, a geotechnical investigation took place at the depth of 2, 5 m while the profile of such digging is presented below. (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3:Lithologic structure of the soil in the area where the laboratory is being constructed

The area designated for constructing the laboratory is anyway no longer being used for agriculture purpose and became a construction area, which can be also proven by the fact that area was granted by the municipality with Permission to build a laboratory on site.Permit issued by the Directorate of Urban Planning and Construction, municipality of Prishtina provides no additional conditions. It states that Laboratory should be constructed according to the project submitted to themunicipality.

At this moment some preparatory works to clean up the location for the new construction have commenced (photo. 1).

Photo 1: The area where the laboratory is going to be build

The site where the laboratory shall be constructed used to be filled with garbage and waste of different sources, like solid waste, plastic waste so this area does require a thorough cleansing before any works start.

4.2.Surface and underground waters

Nearby this area there is no flow or accumulation of surface waters that might be influenced by this project.Stream Pristina (Prishtevka) located about 1 km away from this locationis not expected to be affected by the laboratory’s activities (fig. 4). On the other hand, the level of underground waters during the heavy rainsperiods is close to the ground surface (1 up to 1, 5 m below the surface of the land). At the moment when the geotechnical investigation took place, no underground waters werenoticed up to - 2, 5 m, although the investigation took place during the wet season. The rationale behind this statement is that some meters away there is a drainage channel build with 3 m depth, so this channel is also helping with drainage of underground waters and is influencing the decrease of their level.

Fig. 4: Aero photo of the Laboratory site and surface water flows

Nearby of the laboratory there are several wells for irrigation (used by Ministry of Agricultural), where one of them is located in distance less than 10 m from KVFA septic tank.

The municipality sewerage system is built up in the area where is goingto be linkedthe wastewaters of laboratory and other KFVA facilities.

4.3.Air quality

Until now, no measurement was made with regard to the air quality, nevertheless taking into consideration that this area is close enough with KEK Power Plants and its Ash dump, then considering the flux of traffic in the road nearby, it can be easily concluded that the air in this area can be polluted mainly from dust, but it’s not expected to over pass the limit values, according to the WHO air quality standards.

4.4.Noise

Noise in this area is mainly resulting from the traffic. Due to the fact that the Highway (Prishtinë-Fushë Kosovë) is only about 200 m away, we can easily conclude that the current noise is not above limits.

4.5.Meteorology

The area has medium-continental clime, with hot summers and cold winters. According to Hydro-meteorology Institute, the average value for temperatures during January is - 0.2 degrees, while the average value of the temperatures during July is + 22.12 degrees.

Table 1. Average medium values for the temperatures in years 2002-2006[1]

I / II / III / IV / V / VI / VII / VIII / IX / X / XI / XII / Ave
2002 / -2.6 / 5.1 / 7.4 / 9.8 / 15.9 / 20.1 / 21.9 / 20.4 / 15.1 / 11.9 / 7.2 / 1.5 / 11.1
2003 / 0.5 / -3.0 / 4.6 / 8.8 / 19.0 / 22.1 / 22.4 / 23.8 / 15.1 / 10.6 / 6.9 / 0.6 / 11.0
2004 / -1.0 / 2.6 / 6.3 / 11.8 / 13.1 / 19.3 / 22.5 / 20.7 / 17.1 / 14.2 / 5.3 / 1.6 / 11.1
2005 / 0.0 / -2.6 / 5.0 / 10.1 / 15.8 / 17.4 / 21.1 / 19.6 / 16.8 / 11.0 / 4.2 / 1.8 / 10.4
2006 / -3.5 / -0.9 / 5.1 / 11.7 / 15.2 / 18.8 / 21.5 / 20.2 / 16.8 / 12.4 / 5.3 / 7.2 / 10.8

This Institute also measures the quantity of raining in Kosova. Citing the information from this Institute, the average raining throughout moths in years from 2002 until 2006 has been presented in table 2.