Southern West Bank Solid Waste Management Program

ESIA - Executive Summary

Southern West Bank Solid Waste Management Program

Southern West Bank Joint Service Council for Solid Waste Management

Municipal Development and Lending Fund

The World Bank

February 2009

Final

DHV B.V.

©DHV B.V.No part of these specifications/printed matter may be reproduced and/or published by print, photocopy, microfilm or by any other means, without the priorwritten permission of DHV B.V.; nor may they be used, without such permission, for any purposes other than that for which they were produced.The quality management system of DHV B.V. has been approved against ISO 9001.

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ESIA - Executive Summary

Southern West Bank Solid Waste Management Program

Southern West Bank Joint Service Council for Solid Waste Management

file : B3671 01 001
registration number :
version : 3

Municipal Development and Lending Fund

The World Bank

February 2009

Final

DHV B.V.

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

BD / Basic Design
CBO / Community Based Organization
EIA / Environmental Impact Assessment
ESMP / Environmental and Social Management Plan
EU / European Union
EQA / Environmental Quality Authority
EISA / Environmental & Social Impact Assessment
FS / Feasibility Study
JSC / Joint Service Council
LA
MEnA / Local Authority
Ministry of Environmental Affairs
MDLF / Municipal Development and Lending Fund
MoD / Ministry of Defense (Israeli)
MoF / Ministry of Finance
MoP / Ministry of Planning
MoLG / Ministry of Local Government
MSW / Municipal Solid Waste
MSWM / Municipal Solid Waste Management
NGO / Non Governmental Organization
NSR / Noise Sensitive Receivers
PA / Palestinian Authority
PEnA / Palestinian Environmental Authority
PHG / Palestinian Hydrology Group
PIU / Project Implementation Unit
PM / Program Manager
PTL / Project Team Leader
PMT / Project Management Team
RCV / Refuse Compaction Vehicle
SW / Solid Waste
S/W / South/West
SWM / Solid Waste Management
SWEMP / Solid Waste Environmental Management Project
SWBSWMP / Southern West Bank Solid Waste Management Plan
ToR / Terms of Reference
UNRWA / United Nations Relief and Works Agency
WB / World Bank

CONTENTSPAGE

1introduction

2Information on the Project

3Potential Environmental Impacts

4Potential socio-economic and cultural impacts

5Measures to reduce the environmental impacts

6Measures to Reduce the Socio-economic Impacts

7Institutional Responsibilities

8the ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (EMP)

9COLOPHON

1introduction

The current solid waste landfill that serves the cities of Hebron and Bethlehem and the villages around is located close to Yatta. This landfill is in operation for more than 15 years without proper measures to protect the environment, or to protect the health of people that pick waste on this site. Furthermore, the storage capacity of this site is almost fully utilized, and many uncontrolled dump sites have been used throughout the area.

Therefore, closing these old dump sites and implementing a new sanitary landfill is necessary. A new site has been selected at Al Menya after careful review of nearly 14 alternative locations in the area. The proposed location is bounded by hilly areas from two directions and has no inhabitants in the direct vicinity.

The site topsoil is composed of approximately 40% clay and 60% rocky limestone materials. The groundwater depth in the site is exceeding 200 m. This site will enable a waste containment capacity of about 6 million cubic meters (mcm), and will be able to serve the people of the area for the next 20 years.

This Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) has been performed by DHV BV from The Netherlands in co-operation with the Palestinian Hydrology Group from Palestine, for the Municipal Development and Lending Fund as part of the Southern West Bank Solid Waste Management project, funded by the World Bank. The focus of this project is on the development of a joint Hebron-Bethlehem regional landfill site and related infra structures, including a transfer station at Hebronand long haul transportation vehicles. Further attention is paid to strengthening the capacity of the Joint Services Councils (JSCs), as well as of the Environmental Quality Authority (EQA).

This ESIA is one step in the final realization of the Solid Waste Management Project, and includes the following stages

1. Stage I – Feasibility Study, and Basic Design of project proposals (completed);
2. Stage 2 – Selection of most favorable site and project proposals (completed);
3. Stage 3 – Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for selected project proposals (this report);
4. Stage 4 – Final site and project proposals selection (completed);
5. Stage 5 – Final Design of Priority Investment and Tender Documents of approved project elements (completed);
6. Stage 6 – Tendering of construction and development of project elements.

For this ESIA report the following documents and information has been used:

• Terms of Reference for the West Bank SWM Study.
• Final Site Selection Report, April 2008, DHV BV.
• Draft Baseline Data Inventory Report discussing the environmental issues relating to the development of the proposed landfill site.
• Feasibility Study identifying the needs and options for an improved waste collection, transfer and disposal program.
• Available maps, field survey reports, and other secondary sources;
• Field surveys commissioned specifically for this study; and
• Consultations with key stakeholders including decision makers and project affected groups including local residents.

The objective of this ESIA is to ensure that the project will not impact adversely upon the environment and the socio-economic situation of affected people, and to maximize the potential environmental and social benefits from the project.This ESIA report has been prepared in accordance with:

• the National EIA guidelines including the EIA Brochure of the Palestinian Environmental Authority,
• the Israeli “Instructions and Guidelines to conduct a study that assesses the Environmental Impact to construct a sanitary landfill for the wastes from Hebron-Bethlehem-Jerusalem Periphery realm”.
• international policy and guidelines including EC EIA Directives and World Bank Operational Policy/Bank Procedures/Good Practice (OP/BP/GP 4.01)

The Palestinian Ministry of Local Government has decided that in the West Bank there will be three landfill sides in respectively northern, central and southern West Bank. A Joint Solid Waste Council for the Southern West Bank has been formed, and is therefore the Proponent for this project. The Environmental Qualiy Authority is responsible for the assessment of environmental issues related to the project proposals and, ultimately, for issuing environmental clearance for the project to proceed.

2Information on the Project

Currently most of the Southern West Bank cities and villages are served by the existing main Landfill (LF), 14.2 ha area, located close to Yatta and by 17 unprotected dumping sites scattered over the southern region of the West Bank. This landfill and these dumping sites create severe environmental nuisance with regards to air pollution due to smog and gases release. In addition to that the LF has been in operation for more than 15 years without lining or proper containment of the leachates, which poses immense threats to the surface and groundwater bodies. The problem is magnified by the unsanitary situation including allowing scavenging in the site. This creates social as well as severe environmental problems which affected the poorest people in the site neighborhood. Therefore, it has been decided to close the old LF and construct a new sanitary LF.

The location of the new sanitary landfill is the result of an extensive feasibility study and site selection process. This process covered Areas A, B and C as designated by the agreements which were signed between the Palestine National Organization and the Government of Israel. Initial emphases were concentrated on identifying a site under the control of the Palestinian Authority (in Areas A and B). After careful review of 14 locations, the most suitable site selected was site # 12 near al-Menia village (X-coordinate: 172066, Y-coordinate: 114127, located 725 meters above sea level).

The investigation of al-Menia site revealed that the site is with minimal social drawbacks and the affected sector of the population is minor. The site is mostly bounded by hilly areas from two directions with no inhabitants existing in its wind blowing direction. The site's geological and hydrological features were tested and this is revealed by making boreholes drilling. The site topsoil is composed of approximately 40% clay while the remained part is composed of a rocky area composed mostly of massive and bedded limestone. The groundwater depth in the site is exceeding 200 m.

The project encompasses furthermore the sanitary closure and the restoration of the existing 17 dumping sites scattered over the southern region of the West Bank. These activities do not foresee any negative environmental or social impacts, and have therefore not been considered further in this environmental scoping.

The al-Menia site enables waste disposal for a time period of 20 years.

The design of the proposed sanitary landfill is based on the multi-barrier concept, which consists of combined barriers that are largely independent from each other. The geological barrier would preferably be natural subsoil underneath and in the surrounding of a landfill, which would prevent the spread of pollution effectively. However, none of the investigated sites in the Hebron / Bethlehem governorate show suitable geological barrier consisting of adequate clayey materials. Therefore a double base lining system was recommended for this new sanitary landfill. It includes a first layer of natural clay or bentonite, and a second layer consisting of an artificial product such as HDPE geomembrane or asphalt.

The sanitary landfill will include a leachate collection and treatment system, consisting of leachate drain pipes (secondary pipes) connected to the main drain. All leachate run-off will flow to a collection pond outside of the landfill area, and will be recirculated to the landfill and sprayed over the surface, if necessary after some treatment. The sanitary landfill includes furthermore a gas collection and treatment system, including gas vents, an impermeable layer underneath the surface sealing from where the gas can be collected, a compressing station, a flare for gas burning and, if feasible from the economical point of view, a small power plant for energy or heat production. All roads inside and towards the landfill will be at least 5,0 m wide with drivable shoulders of about 1 m.

The location of the landfill is provide on the next map (No. 12).

3Potential Environmental Impacts

The following potential environmental impacts have been considered with respect to the introduction of an improved solid waste collection scheme in the Hebron and Bethlehem Governorates, and with respect to the development of the proposed landfill site and the closure of the existing dump sites.

Land use: the increased collection of waste throughout the region will lead to a reduction in land spoiled by illicit waste dumping and littering. On balance, it is considered that there are positive and minimal/moderate impacts on land use as a consequence of the project proposals for waste collection and transfer, providing the siting of waste collection containers and transfer stations is undertaken sensitively and pragmatically.

Odor and Air Quality: it is considered that the overall impact of project proposals will be to reduce potential odour and air quality impacts associated with waste decomposition and waste burning. Thus, project proposals are considered to be positive and of minimal to moderate significance.

Traffic Impacts: The existing waste collection fleet accounts for an estimated 0.1% to 0.2% of total road traffic movements. Accordingly, the comparatively small increase in the overall collection fleet is not considered to be significant when viewed against the overall growth in vehicular traffic, conservatively estimated at 5% per annum. Overall, it is anticipated that potentially adverse traffic impacts will be of minimal significance.

Noise Impacts: In line with the assessment of traffic impacts above, the overall contribution of the waste collection fleet to vehicle noise and exhaust emissions is considered to be minor. In a regional context, the impact is assessed to be negative but of minimal significance. On a local scale, however, it is likely that such impacts may be regarded as moderate but will transient (temporary) and reversible in nature.

Visual Impacts: The visual impacts of the project proposals are considered, therefore, to be positive and of moderate significance.

Seismic Impacts: The impacts from potential seismic activity cannot be completely mitigated in the landfill development. Nevertheless, from a review of the project proposals it is considered that all practicable engineering and operational mitigation measures have been incorporated into the landfill design in order to minimize any potential impact from seismic activity and any associated fault displacement.

Slope Stability Impacts: There are potential slope stability impacts of the landfill if not properly designed. The Conceptual Design of the landfill has considered the stability issues surrounding landfill development, including both landfill and valley flank slope stability.

Impacts related to Off-site Sources of Landfill Earthwork Materials: Site engineering works make a large demand on the importation of materials sourced from off-site. As far as practicable, materials won from the site will be used in landfill construction (e.g.rockfill dam construction). However, in the absence of clay deposits on-site, it is necessary to import materials in order to construct the basal containment layers.

It is assumed that EQA will play a significant role in approving appropriate sources of construction materials and will, through a process of permitting ensure that environmental impacts at the borrow sites are kept to a minimum. In the unlikely event that insufficient quantities of natural materials are available, all components in the lining and leachate collection systems can be substituted to a large extent by geosynthetic components. Accordingly, the assessed significance of this potential impact is considered to be minimal to moderate.

Impacts related to potential groundwater contamination: The Upper Aquifer underlying the landfill site is considered both sensitive and vulnerable to contamination. It is considered that the project proposals will not alter the quantities of surface water draining through the northern valley, and will not alter the speed at which surface run-off is generated within the site area.

Impacts on surface water flow regimes: the impact of the landfill development on the surface water regime is assessed to be of no significance unless maintenance of the surface drainage channels is neglected, at which time the potential exists for impedance of surface water flows draining the catchment area upstream of the site.

Impacts related to enhanced suspended sediment load from site preparation works: the negative impact of such a dispersion of fine dust is rather limited.

Impacts related to Contamination of Water Resources by Fuel Spillage: Potential contamination exists for fuel/lubricant spillage in the waste reception area from activities associated with vehicle refueling, repair and maintenance.

Potential Health Impacts of MSW Disposal: The operational practices advocated for site management and operation are designed, inter alia, to minimize any potential health risks from the disposal of MSW.

Impacts related to hygiene and vermin:There isthe potential impact that the disposed waste attracts vermin like flies, bugs, rats, etc.

Potential impact related to exposure to, or explosion of landfill gas. Landfill gas is a product of the degradation of waste materials under anaerobic conditions (i. e. in the absence of oxygen). With its high content of methane and toxic and inflammable gases, the generation of landfill gas poses significant risks to human, animal and plant health and life. The risk is greatest where gas is allowed to build-up in confined spaces, such as within buildings or in collapsed void spaces within the deposited waste. Whilst the impacts associated with landfill gas should be minimized by good site operational practices, there always remains a residual moderate potential for landfill gas impacts, particularly if site management is not of the highest standard. Accordingly, this impact is considered to be of moderate significance.

Odor impacts from site activities. Odors at landfill sites are generated from the movement, placement and decomposition of waste; from landfill gas; and from collection, storage and treatment of leachate. With effective control, odors can be minimized but can never be eliminated in their entirety. Accordingly, potential impacts are considered to be negative and of moderate significance.

Impacts related to dust generated from on-site vehicle movements and the placement of waste and cover materials.Thedust generated from site operations, including the crushing of stone, will be minimized and managed through good site practices. With judicious application of these mitigation measures the impact of dust emissions can be kept to a minimum, but can never entirely eliminated. The impacts of dust emissions are considered to be negative and of moderate significance.

Impacts related to vehicle exhaust emissions from on-site vehicle movements. Vehicle emissions from the development and subsequent operation of the landfill site will, inevitably, have some impact on the ambient air quality at the site, although such impacts will be so small as to be undetectable, except locally on the site access road and internal site roads and, only then, during the peak hour(s) of waste deliveries. Overall, the potential impact of vehicle emissions resulting from landfill-related traffic is considered to be minimal.

Impacts related to dust and emissions from construction activities.Dust emissions from site earthworks, including the construction of peripheral embankments and the rockfill dams, road works, site facility construction and installation of the basal lining system are all likely to impact ambient air quality particularly during the initial site construction works. The overall impact on air quality from construction activities is negative and assessed to be of moderate significance.