environmental and social assessment and management...

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Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company

Samallout/Suez Gulf/ Jabal El-Zayt 500 kV Electrical Interconnection Project

Environmental and Social Assessment and Management Plan (Scoped ESA)

MARCH 2010

Arab Republic of EgyptMinistry of Electricity and Energy

Egyptian Electricity Holding Company

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E2438 v1

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Arab Republic of EgyptMinistry of Electricity and Energy

Egyptian Electricity Holding CompanyEgyptian Electricity Transmission Company

Samallout / Suez Gulf / Jabal El-Zayt 500 kV Electrical Interconnection Project

Environmental and Social Assessment and Management Plan

(Scoped ESA)

March 2010

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SAMALLOUT / SUEZ GULF / JABAL EL-ZAYT 500 KV ELECTRICAL INTERCONNECTION PROJECT

Environmental and SocialAssessment and Management Plan

(Scoped ESA)

CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background1.2 Project Overview 1.3 The “European (KfW - EC – EIB) area”

2. SCOPE OF THE ESIA REPORT:LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK

2.1 Government of Egypt Requirements2.2 World Bank Guidelines 2.3 European Investment Bank Guidelines

3. GENERAL SETTING OF THE SITE: DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT

3.1 The Project Area 3.2 Suez Gulf / Jabal El-Zayt Area, Red Sea Governorate 3.3 Samallout, Eastern Dersert Area, El-Menya Governorate

4. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

4.1 Transmission Lines 4.2 Substations 4.3 Access Roads

5. PROJECT ALTERNATIVES

6. MAIN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

6.1 Presumed Environmental Impacts Caused by Construction6.1.1 Emissions6.1.2 Water Supply, Waste Water and Waste6.1.3 Traffic and Infrastructure6.1.4 Occupational Health and Safety Risks6.1.5 Economic Impacts During Construction6.1.6 Impacts on Flora and Fauna

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6.2 Presumed Environmental Impacts Caused During Operation6.2.1 Dust emissions6.2.2 Gaseous emissions6.2.3 Liquid Emissions, Quantities, Treatment and Reuse6.2.4 Waste Quantities and Disposal5.2.5 Impacts on Travel, Utility Services and other Infrastructure6.2.6 Health and Safety and other Risks6.2.7 Economic Impacts

7. ASSESSMENT OF MAIN POTENTIAL IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROPOSED PROJECT

7.1 Overall Benefits associated with the Establishment of the Samallout/ Suez Gulf/ Jabal El-Zayt 500 kV Transmission Line and Substations

7.2 Potential impacts on vegetation and general ecology associated with the establishment of the Samallout / Suez Gulf / Jabal El-Zayt 500kV Transmission Line and Substations

7.3 Potential impacts on avifauna associated with the establishment of the Samallout / Suez Gulf / Jabal El-Zayt 500 kV/transmission line and Substations

7.4 Potential impacts on visual/aesthetic aspects associated with establishment of the Samallout / Suez Gulf / Jabal El-Zayt 500 kV transmission line and Substations

7.5 Potential impacts on the social environment associated with the establishment of the Samallout /Suez Gulf / Jabal El-Zayt 500 kV transmission line and Substations.

7.6 Local Livelihoods 7.7 Summary of Impact Assessment

8. ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION AND MONITORING:THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MNAGEMENT PLAN (ESMP)

8.1 Enhancement and Mitigation Plan8.2 Monitoring Program 8.3 Environmental Safeguard Training

9. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

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SAMALLOUT / SUEZ GULF / JABAL EL-ZAYT 500 kVTRANSMISSION LINE AND SUBSTATIONS PROJECT

Environmental and SocialAssessment and Management Plan

(Scoped ESA)

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

The Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC), an affiliate Company to the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (EEHC) is committed to prepare the technical documents and procedures required by the World Bank (WB) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) concerning the Environmental and Social Assessment of the Samallout / Suez Gulf / Jabal El-Zayt 500 kV Transmission Line and Substations Project.

EEHC / EETC is seeking financial assistance from the WB & the EIB for the construction and operation of this Transmission Line and Substations. The proposed project is designated as a Category (B) project under the WB and as a Category (A) project under EIB rules and a Category (B) project under the Egyptian environmental regulations and therefore requires, as per the EIB regulations, a full Environmental Impact Assessment. Considering the WB Guidelines, the project requires a narrower scope of EA than the EIA required for Category (A) projects. Financing from WB & EIB is conditional upon obtaining the environmental clearance from all the Egyptian regulatory authorities, the WB& the EIB.

1.2 Project Overview

The Samallout / Suez Gulf / Jabal El-Zayt 500 kV Electrical Interconnection Project is an integral part of the Egyptian Electricity Sector's on-going program to enhance transmission capacity for meeting the ever increasing demand for electricity generation. The project includes evacuation of the Wind-based generated electricity at the Suez Gulf to the National Unified Power Grid (NUPG) via interconnecting Overhead Transmission Lines (OTL) and supportingSubstations. These interconnecting transmission lines and supporting substations will connect the electricity users and consumers to the National Electricity Network.

Wind power development would be done in steps consisting of individual wind energy projects of NREA and possibly other investors, which would be implemented in clusters. The wind power target capacity for the overall area is around 2000-3000 MW. The target is to develop the overall area until 2026/2027. The lifetime of wind power plants is 20 years. Wind Power would be developed

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in south-west to north-east rows perpendicular to the dominant wind energy direction at distances of about 1 km. Typical features of such a project are the wind turbine foundations of about 2 m depth and a surface of up to 20 x 20 m', the turbines itself with tubular tower diameters of up to 4.5 m at the footing and maximum blade tip heights of about 100m, the wind park internal grid through cable trenches, small transformer stations next to the wind turbines or inside the turbines and wind park internal earth roads of 5 m width. At central locations MV/HV substations would to be erected. Moreover, one service area of NREA shall be planned consisting of a control building, storage buildings and housing facilities for staff.

The scope of the wind farm project can be summarized as follows: Wind power development shall take place in the "NREA concessionary area" with about 625 km2. This area is located to the West of the Hurghada - Suez road and extending about 70 km from North to South and about 9 to 10 km to the inland. The area starts about 60 km in the North of Hurghada. The definition of the area considers already the results of discussion held between different ministries and the Governorate. Accordingly, the defined area reflects already the requirements of the Ministry of Petroleum and of the Ministry of Agriculture and excluded areas of competing or conflicting activities such as the agricultural and settlement area at Wadi Dara or a corridor along the Hurghada- Suez road of 200 to 500 m, to secure ongoing activities and existing pipelines. The "NREA area" is shown on the satellite map (Figure-1) in little bright contrast. The Wadi Dara exclusion area is the white area in the west of the area.

1.3 The “European (KfW - EC – EIB) area”

The scope of the project can be summarized as follows: Wind power development shall take place in the “European area” with about 36 km², whereby the western mountainous part shall be kept free from wind turbines. The area is shown on Figure-2. The area is located in a greater “NREA concession area”, which was defined as a result of discussions held between different ministries and the Governorate and which was subject to a preceding environmental assessment. Accordingly, the defined area reflects already the requirements of the Ministry of Petroleum and of the Ministry of Agriculture as well as the ornithological expert recommendations.

The location of the “European study area” can be seen in Figure-3. It is located on the western bank of the Gulf of Suez, about 110 km in the North of Hurghada and 5 to 10 km to the West of the Hurghada – Suez Road. The distance to Cairo by road is about 350 km.

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Figure-1

Satellite Map of the "NREA area"

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Figure-2

Location of the “European Study area”

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More details on the location can be seen in Figure-3. The area is about 10 km away from Ras Shuqeir. It shall be directly adjacent to the “JBIC area” in the south. The220 kV sub-station for both wind park areas will be located directly outside the “European area”. The substation shall contain at least a wind park control room. The location for construction of a NREA service area is not yet decided. This location can be kept outside the wind parks and, therefore, is not relevant for the overall layout. Information on the topographical conditions can be seen in Figure-4.

The approximate border coordinates (Geographic projection WSG84) are given in Table-1. below.

Table-1

Approximate Border Coordinates of the “European-area” in WSG84, including Potential Expansion Area (see Figure-4)

"European-area" (200 MW)Easting Northing

33° 06’ 8.5” 28° 09’ 59”33° 08’ 13.5” 28° 07’ 28.5”33° 08’ 54.3” 28° 06’ 6.40”33° 11’ 12.4” 28° 08’ 6.2”33° 10’ 39.8” 28° 08’ 51.6”33° 10’ 58.48” 28° 09’ 2.78”33° 09’ 16.79” 28° 11’ 11.15”

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Figure-3

The “European (former KfW) study area”

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Figure-4

European Study Area (before designated as “KfW area”)

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2. SCOPE OF THE ESIA REPORT:LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK

2.1 Government of Egypt Requirements

Beginning in the 1950s, the Government of Egypt has promulgated several laws and regulations concerning protection of the environment.

The Egyptian standards have been drawn from the range of provisions in the following documents:

Law 4/1994 and the Prime Minister’s Decree No. 338 of 1995, which promulgates the Executive Regulations of Law 4.

Amendment to the Law 4/1994 promulgated by the Prime Minister's Decree No. 1741 of 2005 for modifying some executive regulations of the Decree No. 338 of 1995.

Law 9/2009, which modifies some articles of the Law 4/1994. Law No. 93 for 1962 regarding the drainage of liquid wastes, particularly

sanitary drainage. Law of Labor No. 12/2003. Law No. 38/1967 amended by Law No. 31/1976 on public cleanliness and

collection and disposal of solid waste.

The Law 4/1994: "Law for the environment" (and its modifying Law 9/2009) has classified development projects into three categories, namely: A, B, and C. Category B projects include transmission lines and substations, which needs to follow the requirements of pre-prepared Form, called Form-B, and require the preparer to provide it with necessary attachments of some detailed data and assessments.

Egyptian EEAA Form-B specify the technical scope or contents of Category (B) projects environmental impact assessment. As a matter of practice, environmental impact assessments for transmission lines and substations projects typically have a scope and organization similar to World Bank Category (B) environmental assessments.

In addition to environmental impact assessment requirements, the Government of Egypt has established air pollution and water pollution limits applicable to allprojects. These limits are adhered to alongwith the actual air and water pollution levels expected from the Project.

2.2 World Bank Guidelines

The World Bank includes environmental impact assessment as an integral part of the evaluations it performs before financing a proposed project. The World Bank’s Operational Policy 4.01 (October 3, 1991 and its updates, 1999) provides guidance on the types of assessments that should be performed for different types of projects, and on the scope and content of those assessments. According to

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Operational Directive 4.01, transmission lines and substations projects, as classified Category (B) projects, require an EA- the scope of which may vary from project to project but is narrower than the EIA required for Category (A) projects.

World Bank Environmental Safeguard Policies provide 10 potential issues that may need to be considered in an EA, depending on the specific characteristics of each project.

No safeguard policies were triggered except for the Environmental Impact Assessment (OP 4.01) and the Involuntary Resettlement (OP 4.12).

Annex B to Operational Directive 4.01 provides an outline of the information that should be included in an EA. This Environmental and Social Impact Assessment follows the scope of Annex B.

In addition to environmental impact assessment guidelines, the World Bank has established guidelines concerning air pollution and water pollution form construction projects (Pollution Prevention and Abatement Handbook-Part III (July 1998)). The guidelines were officially published in 1988; since then, several sets of revisions have been proposed, most recently on March 22, 1996. The most recent update of the World Bank Guidelines, issued in 2008 has been considered.

World Bank’s Pollution Prevention and Abatement Handbook-Part III (July 1998) also, provides with principles of construction pollution management, monitoring and air emission & effluent discharge requirements presented in the constructionGuidelines.

Public Consultation Process has been designed in accordance with World Bank Guidance for the Preparation of a Public Consultation and Disclosure Plan (January 1996);

The ESIA has assessed the impacts of the construction of the New Samallout / Suez Gulf / Jabal El-Zayt 500 kV transmission line and substations. Consideration has also been given to the operation of the transmission line and associated facilities. Permits will be required from the relevant Competent Administrative Authorities.

The ESIA presents the full assessment of the environmental, social, health and safety impacts of the Samallout / Suez Gulf / Jabal El-Zayt 500 kV transmission line and substations. This Executive Summary presents a short resume of the findings of the ESIA.

2.3 European Investment Bank Guidelines

The European Investment Bank (EIB) supports EU environmental policy. Its approach is based on the environmental principles enshrined in the Treaty establishing the European Community and the standards and practices incorporated in European Union (EU) secondary legislation on the environment.

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Beyond the EU-27 and the Candidate and potential Candidate countries(1), theenvironmental standards of the Bank are also subject to local conditions. EU environmental principles, practices and standards are described and explained in a large body of EU law and other official documents, notably the 6th Environmental Action Program (6EAP)(2) and its Thematic Strategies(3), as well as -for activities outside the EU - by the mandates of the Bank. The Board of Directors approved the latest Bank environmental policy in the “Environmental Statement 2004” (the Environmental Statement). The same principles, practices and standards are the foundation for the “European Principles for the Environment” (EPE)(4).

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is the term used to describe a formalised process, including public consultation, in which all the relevant environmental consequences of a project are identified and assessed before authorisation is given. In the EU, if an EIA is required, the EIA is governed by EIA Directive 85/337/EEC, amended by Directives 97/11/EC and 2003/35/EC.

The Environmental Impact Study is the written report resulting from the EIA process. This is a document or documents containing the Environmental Information required under Article 5 of Directive 85/337/EEC as amended by Directives 97/11/EC and 2003/35/EC.

Also, The EIB applies a number of core environmental and social safeguard measures that reflect international good practice to all its lending activities. It requires that all its projects:

Apply the European Principles for the Environment, i.e. comply with EU environmental principles, standards and practices, subject to local conditions in some regions(5).

Comply with the EU environmental Acquits on environmental assessment.

Apply “best available techniques”, as appropriate.

Apply good environmental management practices during project implementation and operation.

Adhere to other specific international good environmental and social practices.

The EIB requires that all projects (irrespective of location) likely to have a significant effect on the environment be subject to an EIA, according to the definitions and requirements of Directive 85/337/EEC, amended by Directive

(1) Definitions as at June 2007: Candidate: Croatia, Turkey, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM); potential

Candidate: other Western Balkan countries. (2) “Environment 2010: Our future, Our Choice” - The Sixth Environmental Action Program, COM/2001/0031. (3) There are 7 approved Thematic Strategies, for air, waste, marine, soil, pesticides, resource use and the urban environment. Link

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/newprg/index.htm. (4) Link to the “European Principles for the Environment”, www.eib.org/epe. (5) The regional coverage of the European Principles for the Environment concerns at least the respective regions of operations of

each signatory institution. For projects located in the Member States of the EU, the European Economic Area countries, the EU Candidate and potential Candidate countries, the EU approach, which is defined in the EC Treaty and the relevant secondary legislation, is the logical, uncontested and mandatory reference. The projects in this region should also comply with any obligation and standards upheld in relevant Multilateral Environmental Agreements, such as Convention on Biological Diversity, the Espoo Convention, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, etc. In all other countries, projects financed by the signatories should comply with the appropriate EU environmental principles, practices and standards, subject to local conditions, such as affordability, local environmental conditions, international good practice etc.

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97/11/EC and 2003/35/EC. Annex I of the Directive lists the types of project for which an EIA is mandatory and Annex II the types of project for which the need to carry out an EIA is decided by the Competent Authorities. The EIA, which includes public consultation, is the responsibility of the Promoter and the Competent Authorities. It should be completed and its findings and recommendations should satisfy the requirements of the Bank prior to disbursement.

In all other regions, all projects should comply with national law; and benchmarked against the principles, standards and practices of EU environmental law14.

All projects should also comply with the obligations of relevant multilateral environmental agreements to which the host country - and the EU in the case of a Member State - is a party.

The Promoter is responsible for legal compliance whereas regulatory and enforcement tasks lie with the Competent Authorities.

The project Promoter is required to respect the requirements of the EU EIA Directive 85/337/EEC, amended by Directives 97/11/EC and 2003/35/E.

All projects listed in Annex I of the EIA Directive 85/337/EEC, amended by Directives 97/11/EC and 2003/35/EC are Categorized (A) and require Full EIA.Of these is the construction of overhead electrical power lines with voltage of 220kV or more and a length of more than 15 km. Substations projects lie also within this category.

Category A Project is defined as " a Project Completion Report will be required from the Promoter to the Bank. Monitoring for these projects is in general delegated to promoters and the Bank will rely on the Promoter’s information for its own reporting on environmental matters".

The EIB Bank aims in its Environmental Assessment of projects outside the EU to promote public consultation and participation, according to EU standards, through appropriate discussions with the Promoter and other parties. Consultation is defined as a tool for managing culturally appropriate two-way communications between project sponsors and the public. Its goal is to improve decisionmaking and build understanding, by actively involving individuals, groups, and organizations with a stake in the project. This involvement increases a project’s long-term viability and enhances its benefits to locally affected people and other stakeholders.

EIB policy towards EIA is summarised in its Environmental Statement 2004. The Bank applies the principles and practices of the EU EIA Directive (85/337, amended by 97/11 and by 2003/35/EC to incorporate the provisions of the Aarhus Convention, and since its introduction in July 2004, the SEA Directive (2001/42) - to all its regions of operation. The EIA Directive includes screening criteria, for purposes of determining the need for an EIA.

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According to the EU EIA Directive, it is the responsibility of the host country and its Competent Authorities to ensure that the "public concerned" are informed and consulted on the proposed project (Articles 6 and 9). Bank staff as part of their environmental assessment check that these requirements have been fulfilled.

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3. GENERAL SETTING OF THE SITE: DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT

3.1 The Project Area

The project route is located at Samallout area to the west of the River Nile and extended along El-Sheikh Fadle/ Ras Ghareb Road to the eastern desert. With the exception of a length of about 32 km near the Nile River, where the 280km 500 kV double circuit east-west line would cross agricultural land, virtually all the rest of the line, will go through uninhabited uncultivated state-owned desert land. On the east-west route no population or human settlements were observed between the Samallout 500 kV Substation and the Gulf of Suez (Ras Ghareb) oil terminal and township. The route is far enough from the nearest residential areas.

The study area is located in the stretch between Ras Gharib in the Red Sea Coast along the southern boundary of El-Galala El-Qibliya Plateau and the West Sammalut area in the Nile Valley.

It is easily to drive along the high way from Sammalut in the Nile Valley in the west ( North of El-Minia City ) through El-Sheikh Fadl - Wadi Tarfa to Ras Gharib in the Red Sea Coast via Wadi Abu-Had.

3.2 Suez Gulf / Jabal El-Zayt Area, Red Sea Governorate

3.2.1 General Setting

The Red Sea governorate is located in the South Upper Egypt Region, encompassing Souhag, Aswan, Qena, the Red Sea governorates, and Luxor city. The Red Sea governorate overlooks the Red Sea Coast in the East, stretching over (1080) km. It is bordered in the West by Beni Swueif, Menia, Assiut, Souhag, Qena, Luxor City and Aswan, in the North by Suez and Giza governorates, and in the South by Sudan. Hurghada city is the governorate's capital. The Red Sea as a main artery bridging east and west, has gained its strategic importance across the history.

The governorate is divided into 6 cities, 2 districts, 12 rural local units annexed by 14 villages, and 22 hamlets. According to the preliminary results of the 2006 census, the population is 288.233 thousand people; 95.5% of them live in urban areas, and 4.5% in rural areas, and the population natural growth rate has reached 24.9 per thousand.

The project siting will extend from Samallout 500 kV S/S, west of the Nile River, to the Gulf of Suez, including the Gulf of El-Zayt area and will end at the proposed site of Jabal El-Zayt S/S, which is about 7 km to the west of the Suez Gulf and about 4.5 inward km south west of Ras Shuqayr in the Red Sea Governorate and about 370km south east of Cairo. The route all along the Red Sea Governorate is an empty, uninhabited, uncultivated, state-owned land area. The total area of the Red Sea Governorate in 2008 is 119,100km2 i.e. 28.36 million Feddans, represent 11.8% of the total land area of Egypt, out of which aroud 3500 km2 (i.e. 2.94% of the total Red Sea Governorate area) represent Ras Ghareb zone, where close to it Ras Shuqayr & Gulf of El Zayt area is located. Total population

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of about 288,233 reside the Red Sea Governorate and represent about 0.4% of the total population in Egypt. The population at the Ras Ghareb administrative city is approximately 31,922.

The Red Sea is a flooded valley that can be described as a young ocean (about 70 million years), created by the pulling apart of Africa and Arabia. It is North-South elongated between 40°N and 12°40'N and has a surface area of 440000 km2. It communicates at its northern end with the Mediterranean Sea through the man-made Suez Canal and at its southern end with the Indian Ocean through the strait of Bab el Mandab. It is about 2950 km long. Its average width is 280 km, meanwhile it is only 27 km at Bab el Mandeb and reaches 340 km at Massawa.

In transversal section, the Red Sea is roughly V shaped with two irregular sides. Its average depth is 524 m and the maximum 3039 m close to Port Sudan while the depth of Bab el Mandab strait is only 100 m. This shallow sill, separating the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea water masses below 100 m, has a determining influence of all the oceanography of the Red Sea.

The coastal waters of the Southern Red Sea are characterized by a wide shelf with shallow reefs and many small islands. In the north, the coastal waters are narrower, and the mean cross-sectional depths are much greater than in the south. Near the latitude 28°N, the Red Sea branches into the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba. They are similar in shape and size but the Gulf of Suez has an even bottom with an average depth of only 60m, whereas the Gulf of Aqaba, a deep rift basin, has depths exceeding 1800 m with a sill depth of approximately 175m at the entrance.

3.2.2 Climate and Meteorology

Wind:

Prevailing wind direction and rainfall tend to be determined by the north easterlies in winter and the south-west monsoon in the summer. The prevailing wind direction is NNW throughout the year in the northern Red Sea except for occasional southerly winds that blow during winter. In the south (south of 20°N) the prevailing wind direction in the summer is northerly while in winter it is SSE,

An intermediate situation holds in the central Red Sea between these northerly and southerly influences. The area is characterized by relatively low pressure calms. By the beginning of summer this intermediate zone moves gradually south giving rise to the seasonal transition in wind direction in the southern Red Sea.

In addition, in the coastal zone, there is a diurnal change of wind direction from offshore during the day to onshore at night driven by differential heating and cooling of the land and sea.

In the Gulf of Aden the high surrounding mountains reduce the influence of the south-west monsoon so that the prevailing wind direction is north-west in the summer. During the rest of the year the north-east erlies give rise to eastern winds over the gulf, which veer to the south-east towards Bab el Mandab.

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Air Temperature:

It is lowest throughout the year, over the northern Red Sea (e.g. from 6.0°C to 39.5°C at Suez and from 13.5°C to 42.0°C at Jeddah). The temperature increases rapidly south of 26°N. The warmest zone of the Red Sea is between 20°N and 16°N. The shores of the Gulf of Aden are considered to be among the hottest region of the world (e.g. from 19.0°C to 43.0°C at Massawa and from 24.0°C to 39.5°C at Prim).

Variations in sea level along the coast

The mean sea level:

It fluctuates consistently with the season because of water evaporation; the highest in winter and lowest in summer. At Al-Ghardaqa the mean sea level varies between 48 cm (January) and 22cm (September).

The tides:

The average tide is about 0.5m but decreases from both ends (1m at Prim) towards the centre, where near Port Sudan and Jeddah there is no appreciable diurnal tide. Another modal zone with negligible tide occurs just to the north of Bab el Mandab between Assab and Mocha.

Tidal range in the Gulf of Aden is greater than in the Red Sea proper and reflects the unrestricted influence of tides within the Indian Ocean.

Combined effects of tide and variations in mean sea level

Considering the respective cycle of the tide and of the variation of the mean sea level, there is a possibility that two movements would add their effects at some periods of the year. On the existing prediction equations, the maximum yearly variations which can be expected from Suez (2.4 m/ year) to Quseir (1.15m/year) were calculated.

Water temperature: The monthly average temperatures of the surface waters of the Red Sea vary consistently. The variation is more pronounced in the northern part of the sea; meanwhile the difference between summer and winter values is only by 3° to 4°C at Bab el Mandab, it is by 8° to 18°C in the Gulf of Suez, because of a strong temperature decreases in winter. In the shallow waters, the temperature variation throughout the year is of course much more important than in the open sea. Extreme values may exceed the monthly averages in the open sea by up to 5°C.

Rainfall: It is very low throughout the year (e.g. 3 mm at Al-Ghardaqa). The high mountain ranges bordering the sea cause the south-west monsoon to loose its moisture before reaching the Red Sea, consequently, rainfall is low during the summer. Most of the limited rainfall occurs in the winter when converging air masses give rise to showers of short duration often associated with thunderstorms and occasionally with dust-storms. The highest rainfall (e.g. 109 mm/yr at port

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Sudan) is generally recorded from the central Red Sea where the northern and southern Red Sea air masses meet.

Evaporation: Very high, being about 200 cm/yr in the Gulf of Aqaba and 235 cm/yr in the south.

3.2.3 Oceanography

Bathymetry:

It is characterized by an extremely reduced continental shelf and a highly uneven sea floor. This particularly applies to the Egyptian coast between Al-Ghardaqa and Bernice which is bordered by numerous fringing reefs with some narrow lagoon areas.

Currents:

The combination of all hydrological factors results in summer in the production of an upwelling (vertical currents) along the Arabian coast with accumulation of water on the Egyptian side. Simultaneously, as the waters are pushed to the south another upwelling appears in the north, meanwhile the surface water plunges in the south. In winter the transversal movement remains unchanged north of 19°N, but it is inverted south of that latitude. The situation becomes complex at the limit of these two areas. The two upwellings accumulate water in the middle of the basin, resulting in the production of two opposite convection movements.

Salinity:

Because of a very high evaporation and complete lack of freshwater input, the Red Sea is the most saline body of water in direct connection with the world oceans. From an average 37.9 g/1 at Bab el Mandab, the salinity increases up to 40.5 g/1 by Tiran Strait. In the Gulf of Suez very high values, which can exceed 43 g/1 are not only due to an intense evaporation joint to a low renewal of the water mass but also to the salt deposits in the Great Bitter Lake (Suez Canal), and to the extensive salt layers below the region of the Gulf of Suez. The salinity at every latitude is higher in autumn than in spring and the annual variation can be 1% g/1 in the north.

3.2.4 Geology, Hydrogeology, Topography and Seismicity

Regional Geomorphic Features

Jabal El-Zayt area consists of a high topographic elongated range (30 Km. long and 5 Km wide) trending N 45 – N 50 W and bordering the western coast of the Gulf of Suez between Ras Dib in the north and Ranim Island in the south. Jabal El-Zayt itself is a 14 Km long outcrop of basement rocks with a maximum elevation of 465 m. It is bordered to the west by outcrops of ante and syn-rift sedimentary deposits forming the West Zeit Range (maximum elevation is about 350 m. These two ridges trending NW-SE, are separated by the longitudinal depression of Wadi Kabrit. To the south , the Little Zeit (maximum elevation is 250 m ) is a small isolated basement outcrop (3 Km long), separated from the

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Gabel Zeit by a topographic saddle (maximum elevation 150 m) west of Ras El-Ush.

Jabal El-Zayt range comprise the eroded leading edge of a complexly broken, southwest- dipping tilted fault block along the west bank of the Gulf of Suez.

The study area is characterized by the gently slopping Gemsa and Mallaha plains reaching a maximum slope of 8º. The whole slope is termed piedmont and abuts against nearly vertical uplifted basement rocks. This piedmont consists of two parts, a lower part of a gradational origin called a bajada and formed of detritus derived from the uplifted blocks and an upper part which is really an eroded bedrock surface called a pediment. Minor occurrence of cobbles and pebbles derived from the sedimentary rocks has been observed.

The Coastal Belt forms a continuous strip of low-lands bordering the Red Sea coast. Numerous flat-bottomed wash-filled wadi runs in a direction perpendicular to the coast. The sea shore form a nearly continuous coralline beach, rocky shores are exceptional.

From the eastern foot scarp of El- Galala El-Qibliya Plateau to Ras Gharib, the coastal belt overlies the large sedimentary structures of the Zeit and Esh El-Mellaha basins and forms a 20 – 30 km. wide plain marked by the extrusion of elongated granitic ridges parallel to the shore line.

Rising above the coastal belt, is a steep escarpment, the high and rigged Red Sea Mountains present a sunset, a wild and impressive skyline. They do not form a continuous range, but rather a series of mountain groups which are more or less coherently lined up parallel to the coast. The Red Sea Hills overlook and are parallel to the Great Plain; the coastal plain separates the similarly related ridge of Esh El-Mellaha which follows the Red Sea – Gulf of Suez trends.

The study area crossed by three main wad's. The central parts represent an area for surface water divide between these wadi basins. These wadis represent the Red Sea drainage system: Wadi Abu Had (Red Sea system); Wadi Dib; and Wadi Dara.

The main wadi in which the line passing, is Wadi Abu-Had. Wadi Abu-Had is one of the major wadis which crossing the northern part of the Red Sea Hills and flowing to the Red Sea nearby the Ras Gharib Town. The catchment area of Wadi Abu-Had basin covering an area about 1080.8 Km2.

Alluvial fans exist mainly where a distinct boundary exists between the uplifted blocks and the adjacent plains. In the study area, alluvial fans are common along faulted block fronts. The bajada of the region consists of a series of coalescing alluvial fans built by streams which debauch onto the piedmont and spread their detritus radially outward from the mouth of the wads.

Parallel to the coast , a topographic low elongated depression lies below sea level and covered with salt marches and sea water are located and forming a wet land area. It consists of fine muddy sands with highly saliferous with salt and gypsum.

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Geological Setting

As far the project area covering a tract from Jabal El-Zayt / Ras - Gharib in the Red Sea region to West Samallout in the Nile Valley, the area can be geologically classified into the following regions:

* The Geology of Gebel El-Zeit Area* Pre-Cambrian Basement Rocks* Sedimentary Rocks

The sedimentary succession in the study area starts by the Pre-Cretaceous sediments represented mainly by Nubian beds.

* The Geology of Wadi Abu-HadThe volcanic rocks in Esh El-Mellaha range pertain to Dokhan Volcanics which are of relatively wide distribution in the northern part of the Eastern Desert (Fig. 6). The rock units are arranged from oldest to youngest as follows:

- Metasediments: - these units includes sericite-chlorite, siliceous schists and conglomerates, cropping out in the south eastern part of the studied area.They strike E – W and dip 30 – 60 to the north.

- Metavolcanics:- This unit represented by meta-andesite , meta-basaltic andesite and their tuffs and related porphyries.

- Ultramafic rocks: - These rocks form three very small masses within the area of metavolcanics south of Wadi Dib. The rocks are partially rserpentinized and in some places they are composed of antigorite.

- Dokhan volcanic: - The Dokhan volcanic at Esh-Mellaha range represents the main rock unit. They form a belt of grayish black rocks that extends in a NW-SE direction. The succession is represented by lava flows and pyroclastics. The lava flows are composed mainly of mafic intermediate rocks associated with less abundant felsic rocks. They are intruded by the Younger Granite and overlain unconformably by the Hammamat Sediments.

- Hammamat Sediments: - This formation includes volcanogenic deposits represented by a series of alternating conglomerates, gritstones and sandstones intercalated by andesite, porphyrites, dacites and their tuffs.

- Younger Granites: - These rocks are represented by ineqingranular granites. granophyric granites and porphyritic granites. They display steep intrusive contacts with surrounding rocks. Gradational contacts were observed among these varieties.

Ground Water

The main characteristics of the groundwater known to exist in the area under consideration are only pointed out. Two essential and distinctive types of groundwater are present, one type of purely meteoric origin and the other being formed during the different geological times, the so-called formation water. The formation is being highly saline and occurred on deep wells and mixed with minerals, sulphites.

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The water of meteoric origin making its entry at the outcrops of permeable formations, percolated down faults and takes varying amounts of salts with solutions. The result is the formation of shallow and deep water accumulations.

The following is a short account of all resources or supplies known to exist within the study area:

Ras Gharib area: Ras Gharib town was previously supplied by tankers from Suez. This has been abandoned, since the development of the Shagar well fields in 1966.

All wells of the oil-field region have evidently salty waters of different characteristics. The drilled wells near the lighthouse indicated the presence of saline water at very shallow depths of 3 to 8 m. in the Pleistocene sediments. The water has the following character (Ganoub, 1969); T.D.S. = 54600 P.P.m. Salinity (as NaCl) = 44900 P.P.m. Ca / Mg Ratio = 0.24

Bir Abu Kheleifi (Abu El efieh): This is a spring issuing abundant supply of brackish water from a fault plane between Senonian and Cenomanian.

Bir Uldahal: It is also a spring issuing abundant water from a similar fault and was reported as a best seen in this locality.

Shagar Wells: This is the most important area for water supply. The Shagar wells lie at a distance of about 25 Km due south from Ras Gharib and at about 15 Km. to the west of the shore line. They comprise four wells (one was plugged and the others are productive). The production aquifer is the Gharandal sand, situated at a depth of 300 - 600 m. a.s.l. The average daily rate of production is 250 – 300 m3 / day / per well. The water from the wells is pumped through a 4 inch pipeline and is used for both domestic and technical purposes at Ras Gharib and at Ras Shukeir areas as well. The salinity ranges from (T.D.S) 2100 – 1708 p.p.m. (NaCl) 485 – 355 p.p.m.

Bir Kufra: This is situated at the foot of the porphyry range north of Gebel Dokhan, being the center of water –supply for a wide region. It was reported that it is of great importance to anyone desiring to explore certain portions of the Red Sea Hills. In addition to this, it may be recalled that there are plentiful holes at the foot of Gebel Abu Harbo, some 7 km. SW Bir Kufra, which would be filled after a rainy and as these are dry , the Arabs obtains a supply from the neighbourhood of Gebel Abu Marwa some 4 km NW Bir Kufra.

Natural Hazards

Flash Flood: The climate of the Red Sea and Gulf of Suez is characterized by aridity typified by very low rainfall, high evaporation rate and high summer temperature. Nevertheless, the region is occasionally subjected to heavy rainstorms that commonly followed up by floods. These may cause disastrous impacts on life, roads and settlements.

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The system of natural drainage of the area is remarkably simple, but little rain, as is well known, falls in central and southern portions. The rain-channels are dry during the greater part of the year and vary in length according to the season.

Generally, the torrents of terrible floods were observed during November & December, 1932 and in December 1959, in the area from Safaga to Ras Banas, the discharge of rain was estimated at 500 cubic meters per second but the second torrent is least destructive action (Ganoub, 1969).

The drainage network is well-developed; variable dense and high integrated (El-Etr et al., 1990). Gradient is commonly steep particularly in the upper reaches and tends to be gentler at the foot slopes of the mountains and pediment and gentle at the coastal plain where local fans are formed. El-Shazly et al. 1991 and Yehia et al., 2002, classified the Gulf of Suez catchments area. The main basins / catchment areas in the study area are from north to south; Wadi Abu-Had, Wadi Dara, Wadi Dib and Wadi Mellaha basins. Morphometric parameters of the delineated hydrographic basins were defined in terms of order, weighted mean bifurcation ratio, frequency, density, slope gradient, basin shape, basin length and length of overland flow in order to elucidate their bearing on runoff (flash flooding) behavior and consequently their potential for recharge of the shallow underground aquifers.

Earthquakes

Egypt may be divided into eight seismic zones according to its seismicity maps. One of these zones is the Red Sea / Gulf of Suez. The tectonic setting of the area causes its slight instability. In the Egyptian territory, the distribution of epicenters of moderate to large and small earthquakes and micro-earthquakes indicates that the earthquake activity tends to occurs along three main seismically active belts and trends.

The earthquakes along the Red Sea margin indicates a cluster of activity at the entrance of the Gulf of Suez and this extends southward for a small distance in the medial part. This cluster is attributed to the intersection of NW (Red Sea–Gulf of Suez) trend with the NE (Aqaba) trend.

Generally, the Gulf of Suez trend is characterized by the occurrences of shallow, micro, small, moderate and large earthquakes. Activities are limited within the crust. The activity along this trend is mainly attributed to the Red Sea rifting along several active faults.

3.2.5 Red Sea Biodiversity

Levels of the food chain are:

Phytoplankton:Chlorophyll content is very low, varies between 0.15 to 0.25 g carbon / m2/day . Species diversity show gradual decrease in number of species from south to north. Dinoflagellates are the most abundant; diatoms are abundant only in spring.

Zooplankton: Copepods, which represent about 50% of permanent species, show differences with season, and a north-south gradient, exist. The Gulf of Suez population is characterized by its poverty and dependence on the principal basin. There are specific plankton species connected with coral formation, and show an increase in diversity.

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Benthos:Due to the topography and the geomorphology of the Red Sea and the limited de-velopment of the continental shelf outside Gulf of Suez and Foul Bay, the coastal benthic communities are not highly extended. Studies on the subject show wealthy benthic communities in some coastal zones as the mangal areas, the soft bottom of the shallow water bays and the intertidal coral zone.

Fishes:The Red Sea is considered as a rich area for fishes. In reality this wealth is a wealth in diversity (about 800 species: 17% are endemic). Indo-Pacific character is dominant in Red Sea species. There is a south-north gradient of impoverishment. From it, results a specifity of the Gulfs of Suez and Aqaba. Among 126 species of the Gulf of Suez and 139 species at Al-Ghardaqa, only 26 species are common to the two areas, the paucity in number of species of Gulf of Suez, essentially due to the type of bottom (mud and sand), is broadly compensated in the other hand by the abundance of commercially interesting species. At the other end of the sea, inspite of the geographic and ecological isolation of the central basin, there is no clear demarcation between

3.2.6 Red Sea Habitats

The Red Sea contains representatives of all major tropical marine communities except estuaries, which can not form because it receives no permanent rivers. In the following, presented mainly the coastal communities (e.g. coral reefs, mangal, seagrass beds) which are interdependent.

CORAL REEFS

The World Conservation Strategy (IUCN/UNEP/WWF, 1980) identifies coral reefs as one of the "essential life-support systems" necessary for food production, health and other aspects of human survival and sustainable development. Reefs protect the coastline against waves and storms surge, prevent erosion and contribute to the formation of sandy beaches and sheltered harbours. They are a source of raw materials for building, jewelry (black corals) and ornamental objects. Increasing number of reef species are being found to contain compounds with medical properties (Wells, 1988).

There are a number of different reef types: fringing reef which grow close to shore; patch reef which form an irregularities or shallow parts of the sea bed; bank reef which occur deeper than patch reefs; barrier reefs which develop along the edge of the continental shelf; and atolls which are regularly circular reefs around a central lagoon and are typically found in oceanic waters.

The common corals include Favia, Favites, Echinpora, Porites, Pocillopora, Fungia, Pavona, Gardineroseris and Dendrophyllia. Sponges have no definite pattern except a very low cover at the reef crest, while gorgonians and black corals inhabit the deep areas of the reef. Molluscs associated with corals include abun-dant spider conch, Lambis lambis, and the giant clam Tridacnia squamosa. There are about 30 species of sea stars (Fouda and Hellal, 1987), being dominated by Gomophia aegyptiaca, Fromia ghardaqana, and Astropectin hemprichi; some 49

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species of brittle stars (Hellal, 1989) and more than 25 species of sea urchins. Coral reef fishes are abundant and diverse (El-Sayed, 1987)

The region has a variety of coastal habitats including mangrove stands of Avicenia marina and Rhizhophora mucronata which are protected seaward by reef bars or shoreline islets; extensive fringing coral reefs along most of the coast; littoral salt marsh belts including the deltatic formation of wadis; limited areas of low shoreline sand dunes; coastal mountains and associated hills; and island groups including Siyal (off Adal Deib) and Rawabel (off Abu Naam), north of Shelatein. These islands are important for sea birds (e.g. Striated Heron Ardeola striata, Reef Heron Egretta gularis and Spoonbill Platalea leucordia) and turtles (Hawksbill, Eretmochelys imbricata, Green, Chelonia mydas, and leatherback, Dermochelys coriacea) which nest on the islands.

MANGROVES

Four species of mangrove are reported from the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. They are Avicenia marina which is found throughout the area, Rhizophora mucronata which is found in a few very restricted locations in Egypt, Sudan and Saudi Arabia, Bruguiera gymnorhiza at 61 g.C/m2 for H. stipulacea, 1326 g.C/m2 for Halodule uninervis and only ll g.C/m2 for sparse growth of H. ovalis.

The vast primary production of sea grass beds broadly forms the basis of two food webs; in one live plant material is grazed directly by herbivores; in the other dead plant material is first broken down by bacteria and these microorganisms then used as the basis of decomposer food chain.

There is little information on seagrass grazing in the Red Sea. Wahbeh and Ormond (1980) and Hellal (1986) reported significant grazing by the sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla and little grazing by the surgeonfish Zebrasoma xanthurum and Ctenochaetus striatus and the rabbit fish Siganus rivulatus in the Gulf of Aqaba. Other significant seagrass grazers are dugong, Dugong dugong, and sea turtles such as Chelonia mydas. Halodule uninervis and to a lesser extent S. isoetifolium, appear to be the favorite seagrass food of the dugong (Gohar, 1957).

WETLANDS

The Egyptian Red Sea coast and Gulfs of Suez and Aqaba and even Timsah and Bitter lakes of the Suez Canal provide numerous wetland habitats of considerable importance to wildlife. These include the extensive coastal plain areas with mangroves and other terrestrial vegetation, intertidal sand flats, intertidal mudplats, the islands around Al-Ghardaqa and many other littoral and shallow water enclosed soft-bottomed habitats.

The vegetation of the Gulf of Suez and the Red Sea coast up to Safaga is characterized by the Halocnemon strobilaceum community. The plant cover is often a pure stand of the dominant species. Other community types within the area are communities of Arthrocnemum glaucum, more or less replacing the Halocnemon strobilaceumcommunity further south, Nitraria retusa in the northern part of the area is replaced by Suaeda monoica at about 300 km south of Suez .

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From the Myos Hormus Bay, about 22 km north of Al-Ghardaqa, further southwards the Avicenia marina vegetation is notable and is one of the common features of the vegetation of the littoral landscape. Pure stands of A. marina vary in exent from limited patches of a few individuals to continuous belts of dense growth extending for several kilometers.

In the northern Red Sea a number of islands are situated. On Abu Mingar and Qiusoum islands (offshore of Al-Ghardaqa) and on Safaga island (offshore of Sagafa) there are dense thickets of A. marina .

Terrestrial reptiles characteristic of the Red Sea islands are a colubrid snake, Psammophis aegyptius, gecko Hemidactylus turcicus, and a lacertid lizard, Mesalina gutlata (Werner, 1973: Goodman et al., 1989). An estimated 500 hawksbill turtles (Eretmochely imbricata) and 100 green turtles (Chelonia mydas) nest on island and mainland stands of the Egyptian Red Sea (Frazier and Salas, 1984). There is also speculation that loggerheads (Caretta caretta) and leatherbacks (Dermochelys coriacea) lay eggs on Sinai beach (Groombridge, 1982).

Characteristic birds of the Red Sea islands and coasts are the Brown Booby, Western Reef Heron, Spoonbill, Osprey, White-eye Gull, Caspian Tern and White-Cheeked Tern (Goodman et al., 1989).

THE RED SEA COASTAL LAND

Across the coastal plain, the water courses are usually ill defined runnels within the much wider courses of the wadi. Plant cover varies in obvious relation with the extent of catchment area and the texture and depth of the bed cover. Several plant communities may be recognized. The dominant species include: Acacia raddiana, Tamarix aphylla, Retama (Lygos) raetam, Leptadenia pyrotechnics, Launaea spinosa, Hammada elegans, Anabasis articulata, Panicum turgidum, Artemisia judaica, Zilla spinosa and Zygophyllum coccineum.

Plants that characterize the cliffs and dry water falls that intercept the courses of the wadis traversing the hills include: Capparis spinosa, C. sinaica (cartilaginea), Ficus palmata (pseudosycamorus) and Cocculus pendulus.

3.2.7 Ambient Air Quality

Monitoring at the Site

Air quality monitoring at the proposed site was undertaken by the Air Pollution Preclusion Department, National Research Center during February 2010 on behalf of EETC. Monitoring took place at two sites, namely Jabal El-Zayt and Beer Um Ameed.

Continuous measurements, over a period of 24 hours, were taken for nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), aldehydes (HCHO), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), smoke and total suspended particulates (TSP). The results of this monitoring are shown in Table-2 through Table-5 below. Comparison with Egyptian Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) (as stipulated in Law 4/1994) show that the concentrations of gaseous pollutants in ambient air at the proposed site are within the TLVs for 24 hour averages.

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Table-2

Mean Concentrations of Gaseous Air Pollutants at Jabal El-Zayt

Site COmg/m³

CO2

mg/m³SO2

µg/m³NO2

µg/m³HCHOµg/m³

H2Sµg/m³

Mean 1.17 481.30 27.18 28.59 68.68 4.75TLV* 10 (8-hr mean) - 150 150 - -

*According to the Environment Law #4 (1994) modified by the Law #9 (2009).- Not listed in the law.CO= Carbon monoxide CO2=Carbon dioxideSO2= Sulphur dioxide NO2=Nitrogen dioxideH2S= Hydrogen Sulphide HCHO=Aldehydes

Table-3

Mean Concentrations of Gaseous Air Pollutants at Beer Um Ameed

Site COmg/m³

CO2

mg/m³SO2

µg/m³NO2

µg/m³HCHOµg/m³

H2Sµg/m³

Mean 1.17 72.20 22.22 51.40 135.12 49.86TLV* 10 (8-hr mean) - 150 150 - -

*According to the Environment Law #4 (1994) modified by the Law #9 (2009).- Not listed in the law.

Table- 4

Mean Concentrations of Solid Air Pollutants at Jabal El-Zayt

SiteTotal Suspended Particulate

µg/m³

Smoke

µg/m³

Mean 29.16 148.93

TLV* 230 150

*According to the Environment Law #4 (1994) modified by the Law #9 (2009).

Table-5

Mean Concentrations of Solid Air Pollutants at Beer Um Ameed


µg/m³

Smoke

µg/m³

Mean 36.86 147.07

TLV* 230 150


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3.2.8 Ambient Noise

Measurements were taken using a calibrated Brüel and Kjaer (B & K) Type 2260 Precision Sound Analyser, in a “free-field” location away from any reflective surfaces and 1.2m above the ground.

Sequential analysis in terms of 1/3 octave frequency bands (spectrum) was recorded as function of time. All precautions comply to ISO 1996-2:1987(and 1998) and BS 4142.

Figure-5 depicts measurement locations at Jabal El-Zayt.

Measurements Conclusion

For the current situation based on the nearby activity the sources is very limited only noise communing from the wind.

The area down to the proposed line have some small tourist village is considered to be a residential area having some amount of residents that works in villages.

All 1/3 octave analysis indicate normal reading for the noise level not exceeding the expected values around the area.

The direction of the wind will help reducing noise level on that villages There will be no effect on the power line on the residential area from noise

point of view.

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Figure-5

Measurements locations at Jabal El-Zayt Area

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3.2.9 Socio-economic Environment

Details of the Socio-economic setting of the Red Sea Governorate is given in Annex-6.

3.3 Samallout, Eastern Dersert Area, El-Menya Governorate

3.3.1 General Setting

The El-Menya governorate is located in the North Upper Egypt Region that encompasses Fayoum, Menya, and Bani Swaif governorates. It is characterized with its rural style. Menya is known as the beautiful bride of Upper Egypt (Figure-4 gives the map for The El-Menya Governorate).

The governorate covers an area of 32279 km2, representing 3.2% of the Republic's total area. It comprises 9 Marakz, 9 cities, 61 rural local units, 360 villages and 1429 hamlets. According to the preliminary results of the 2006 census, the population is estimated at 4.2 millions; 18.8% of them live in urban areas and 81.2% in rural areas. The population natural growth rate has reached 22.8 per thousand.

Total population of about 4,166,299 reside the El-Menya Governorate and represent about 5.7% of the total population in Egypt in 2008. The population at the Markaz Samallout is approximately 586,774.

The inland part of the Eastern Desert of Egypt comprises the area between the Red Sea coastal mountains in the east and the Nile Valley in the west, an area of about 223,000 km2. The northern fringe is a gravel desert with drainage system discharging northward. The main area is a rocky plaeau dissected by a number of wadis. Each wadi has a main channel with numerous tributaries: a drainage system collecting the run-off water, i.e., the Eastern Desert is piecemeal divided into catchments' areas of these drainage systems (wadis). Most of these wadis drain westward into the Nile.

The southern boundary of the northern section is around Wadi Tarfa that cuts across the Eastern Desert and is associated with a great fault line with Middle Eocene limestone plateau to the north and Lower Eocene limestone plateau to the south. This section is bounded on its southern side by the valley occupied by the main channel of Wadi Qena with its north-south direction (in this respect different from other wadis that run east-west). Wadi Qena separates Eocene limestone formations to its west and sandstone-basement formations to the east.

3.3.2 Climate and Meteorology

The section is located in the extreme arid part of Egypt: practically rainless. According to the Climatologically Normal of Egypt (1960), the annual rainfall during the period 1946-1960 were: Beni Suef = 8.5 mm, El-Minya = 5.3 mm, Assyut = 0.4 mm, Sohag (Shandaweel) = 1.0 mm and Qena = 5.3 mm. Rainfall occurs mainly in winter. These mathematical means are not due to recurrently

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annual rainfall but to accidental cloudbursts, a general feature in arid desert: rain may occur once every several years. Dew fall may be a vital source of water for the vegetation, especially the ephemeral plants. The annual mean minimum and annual mean maximum temperatures of these provinces were: Beni Suef = 13.3°C and 29. 8°C, El-Minya =13.1 °C and 29.8°C, Assyut= 15.4 °C and 30.4°C, Sohag=• 14.5°C and 31.4°C, and Qena=16.4°C and 33.5 °C. The lowest absolute minimum and the highest absolute maximum temperatures of these provinces are: Beni Suef = 3.3 °C (in February) and + 45.7 °C (in June), El-Minya =0.4 °C (in February) and + 47.5°C (in May), Assyut =0.4°C (in February) and + 47.7°C (in July), Sohag = 0.0°C (in January) and + 46.5°C (in May) and Qena = 0.0°C (in January) and + 48.2°C (in June).

3.3.3 Geology, Hydrogeology, Topography and Seismicity

(A) El-Galala El-Qibliya Plateau ( Wadi Tarfa ) Region


The two Galalas ( Northern and Southern ) are separated by the major E - W consequent Wadi Araba, which debouches into the Gulf of Suez, assuming 90 km in length. The wadi collects its water from both scarps on either side On the other sides of the watershed, Wadi Sannur runs for 100 km in a westerly direction before it reaches the Nile.The Southern Galala Plateau is separated from the western cliffs bordering Wadi Qena by the major consequent Wadi Tarfa, which flows westward to the Nile Valley

North of this wadi, the Southern Galala is triangle in shape, the apex being at Gebel Thelmet, whereas the base lies about 80 km to the southwest at Sikket El Agel. From here on, the scarp continues bordering Wadi Tarfa to the east of Maghagha at the Nile Valley. At the eastern side of the Galala, the altitude is 1200 m a.s.1., decreasing rapidly to 609 m a.s.1 at Sikket El Agel to 243 m a.s.l. opposite Maghagha The Plateau is covered by Eocene limestone with minor shale interbeds to the west. The surface on top is highly rough dissected by many faults parallel to the Gulf of Suez forming many benches and blocks showing angles of dips in different directions. The southeast scarp of the Southern Galala together with the eastern scarps of Wadi Qena form a major arch extending for almost 250 km in south direction before the scarp bends suddenly to the west at the area of Bir Aras and Wadi El Qreiya heading to the Nile.

The study area crossed by three main wad's. The central parts represent an area for surface water divide between these wadi basins. Each of these wadi represent a different system as follows: Wadi Tarfa (Nile Valley system); and Wadi Qena system.

Alluvial fans exist mainly where a distinct boundary exists between the uplifted blocks and the adjacent plains. In the study area, alluvial fans are common along faulted block fronts. The bajada of the region consists of a series of coalescing alluvial fans built by streams which debauch onto the piedmont and spread their detritus radially outward from the mouth of the wad's.

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Geological Setting

In the present study, the stratigraphy of the exposed rock units exposed in El-Galala El-Qibliya main scarp is dealt with. In the following is a brief description of each rock units from older to younger.

- Malh Formation: This term was first introduced by Abdallah and Adindani (1963) to describe the Lower Cretaceous section that exposed at El-Galala massife.

- Galala Formation: This term was first introduced by Abdallah and Adindani (1963). This marine rock is well represented all over the area and can be easily identified lithologically and paleontologically from the underlying sanstone and the ocerlying thick carbonate unit.

- Wata Formation: This unit covers relatively low dissected and undulating escarpments or isolated hills on top of the Cenomanian (Galala Formation).

- Matulla Formation: It is well distributed in the area studied forming a dissected secondary ridges or isolated hills piled above the Turonian escarpments.

- Duwi Formation: The Campanian Duwi Formation is mostly found as isolated hills on top of the Santonian beds at the southern slopes of El-Galala El-Qibliya Plateau.

- Sudr Formation: The Maastrichtian- Lowe Paleocene rock units are found as sporadic outcrops along the southern slopes of the main Galala massif.

- Esna Formation: The Landenian – Lower Eocene Esna Formation representedat the southern cliffs of El-Galala El-Qibliya Plateau by the Esna Formation which assumes an average thickness of 20 m.

- Lower Eocene: Lower Eocene crops out at the southern cliffs of El-Galala El-Qibliya Plateau and mainly consists of about 90 m. of chalky limestone at the lower part and grayish white sandy limestone with flint concretions and chert bands with badly preserved nummulitees and forming a steep vertical face.

- Mokattam/Menya Formation: The middle Eocene rocks are well developed at the northern scarps of El-Galala El-Qibliya.

Ground Water

Ground water in the shallow alluvial aquifers of the Eastern Desert and in the karstified Eocene limestone aquifers underlying the alluvial aquifers could provide an alternative renewable water resource. In the Eastern Desert, rainfall is collected as surface runoff through networks of alluvial channels in the main valleys and as ground water in the shallow alluvial and limestone fractured aquifers flooring the main valleys.

Generally, water is good in winter after the rainfall in the ranges and unpleasantly salty in the summer or during rainless period. For normal drinking purposes, fresh water of salinity up to 1000 p.p.m. can satisfactorily be used, Saline water, of salinity ranging from 1000 to 3000 p.p.m. , is used for limited irrigation in a sandy

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soil. Very saline water has a salinity range of 3000 – 5000 p.p.m., the brackish is of 5000 – 10000 p.p.m., and that over 10000 p.p.m. is considered as sea water or brine, for instance, the average water salinity for the open Red Sea is 42000 p.p.m. while in the Mediterranean open sea is about 37000 p.p.m.

Natural Hazards

Flash Flood: Nevertheless, the region is occasionally subjected to heavy rainstorms that commonly followed up by floods. These may cause disastrous impacts on life, roads and settlements.


(B) El-Menya – Samallout (Nile Valley)


The geomorphic features in the Nile Valley Region area depend on their geological structure, lithology and in part on the paleo-climatic conditions and the groundwater behavior. The following is the main geomorphic features in the area under the consideration:

Dissected Plateau:The plateau overlooking the Nile assuming a relief ranges from 300 m in the eastern plateau to 200 m. in the western one. The plateau is very irregular in outline and shrinking generally in a north – south trend with several embayments and their corresponding promontories. The plateau is highly dissected with a group of faults which have a northwest-southeast direction.

Pediments: There are two main rock-cut pediments are distinguished in the area namely, the Upper and the Lower pediments.

- The Upper Pediments stretches parallel to the scarp face bounding the plateau.

The pediments surface is a barren white limestone with clay intercalations stretching 3 to 10 km. east till it abuts against the scarp face of the dissected plateau. Over the surface of the Upper pediment, several limestone mesas and butts are encountered. This represents remnants of the surface of a limestone pediment (Retreated Scarp).

- The Lower Pediment runs nearly parallel to the upper to the upper pediment and overlooks the Nile terraces to the west.

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The Nile Terraces: These make a thin strip along the Nile, 0.5 to 1 km. wide. Most parts of these terraces are now cultivated and only very limited rocky places are desert. Nile mud and silt of variable thickness are recorded.

Alluvial Fans: Alluvial fans exist mainly where a distinct boundary exists between the uplifted blocks and the adjacent plains. In the study area, alluvial fans are common along faulted block fronts.

Sand Dunes: It extends in a longitudinal shape from the central part of Wadi El-Rayan Depression to the western margins of the Nile Valley flood plain opposite the Dayrut town in the south for a distance of about 185 km. This field is composed of several parallel compound and complex dune belts extending in a SSE direction.

Due to the impact of the northwesterly prevailing wind, it is expected that the sand move preferably down slop toward the Nile flood plain. In the stretch between El-Menya and Samallout, this dune field of the extreme eastern belt are reclaimed and cultivated during the last three decades.

Geological Setting

The exposed rock fall into the following stratigraphic rock units from base to top.

Moqattam Formation: This term was first introduced by Zittel (1883) to describe the limestone and clastic beds at Gebel Moqattam east of Cairo.In the study area , the Moqattam Formation covers the two pediments at the foot slope of the main plateau.

The Qurn Formation: The formation makes the slope of the eastern scarp and some patchy hillocks scattered over the pediment surface. It consists of about 95 m.

Abu-Zabaal Formation: It consists of basalt flow in the form of basalt dyke west of El-Bahnasa –Ahnasia area and trending in a North-West direction which parallel to the faulting system in the study area. The age was assigned to the Oligocene time.

Kom El-Sheloul Formation (Umm Raqaba Formation): The Pliocene sediments are known from many small and patch outcrops in different parts of the Nile Valley. This term was first introduced by Sandford and Arkell (1939) to describe the marine Pliocene exposure around Abu Sir and Giza Plateau on the western bank of the Nile Valley.

Idfu Formation: The Idfu Formation (Gravels) represents the early fluviatile deposits during the Protonile phase. The formation mainly consists of gravels and coarse sands. It has a wide extension on the surface and limited on the subsurface. The age was assigned to the Early Pleistocene (Said, 1981).

Idfu Formation: The Idfu Formation (Gravels) represents the early fluviatile deposits during the Protonile phase. The formation mainly consists of gravels and

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coarse sands. It has a wide extension on the surface and limited on the subsurface. The age was assigned to the Early Pleistocene (Said, 1981).

The Qena-Dandara Comlex: It is the most extensive and important unit for the groundwater aquifer in the Nile Valley and Delta. It consists of fluviatile sands. The maximum thickness exceeds 250 m. The Qena- Dandara complex was attributed to the Middle Pleistocene.

Abbassia Gravel: It has a wide extension on the surface and limited extension in the subsurface. It represents the last pluvial period and arid conditions in which the older sediments were eroded by wind. It consists of about 15 m. of thick gravel section. The age was assigned to the Middle Pleistocene.

The Debira-Arkin Formation: This is the youngest unit which represents the flood plain deposits of the famous fertile alluvial land of the modern River Nile. It is consists of silt, clay and silty clay, sandy silt at the base.

El-Khafoug Formation : The dune field of Wadi El-Rayan represents the third cycle of dune movement in west Menya region in which the Aeolian sand dune remains known as El-Khafoug Formation of Said, 1981, inter-finger both the Prenile deposits of the Middle Pleistocene ( ending 200,000 BP) and the Neonile sediments of Late Pleistocene estimated to be 12.000- 20.000 BP.

Sand Dunes: It extends in a longitudinal shape from the central part of Wadi El-Rayan Depression to the western margins of the Nile Valley flood plain opposite the Dayrut town in the south for a distance of about 185 km. This field is composed of several parallel compound and complex dune belts extending in a SSE direction.

Ground Water

Due to the continuity of the water bearing formation, there is an east-west and west-east groundwater flow from the reclaimed area (high in elevation) to the flood plain aquifer. Little of this flow is intercepted by the drains, so the flood plain aquifer is continuously recharged. This causes upward leakage and water-logging of the original Nile Valley lands.

In the vicinity of the flood plain, the main aquifer consists of sand and gravel of the Qena Formation capped with the recent Holocene silt and clay of the Debira-Arkin Formation. The sand and gravel extends to the desert fringes. The aquifer connects with the faulted Eocene limestone and underlain by the Pliocene clay. The maximum thickness is about 200 m. in the valley flood plain reducing to about 50 m. at the eastern and western fringes.

The groundwater level ranges from 20 – 50 m. below the level of the ground surface.

The groundwater quality within the reclaimed areas along the fringes of the Nile Valley differs considerably from one place to another, but is more or less constant and fresher in the old lands. It is brackish in the reclaimed area and adjacent desert (TDS ranging from 1000 and 3500 ppm) and is of the Na-Cl type. On the other

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hand, the groundwater in the flood plain is strongly related to the infiltrated surface water, being of the Ca-HCO3 type, with a TDS ranging between 400 and 800 ppm. (Attia, 1991).

1- Natural Hazards

Flash Flood: The climate of the Nile Valley is characterized by aridity typified by very low rainfall, high evaporation rate and high summer temperature. Nevertheless, the region is occasionally subjected to heavy rainstorms that commonly followed up by floods. These may cause disastrous impacts on life, roads and settlements.


Earthquakes:The area under the consideration is located within the Craton Nubian – Arabian Shield. It is well known that tectonic activity in Egypt is controlled by active rifting in the Gulf of Suez / Red Sea, left lateral strike slip motion along the Gulf of Aqaba and Levant (Dead Sea) transform, and the convergence between Africa and Eurasia in the eastern Mediterranean

With regards to the neo-tectonics, the eastern parts of the proposed site for the project are considered unstable due to the effects of the recent earthquakes.

Sand Dune Encroachment: In the stretch between El-Menya and Samallout, this dune field of the extreme eastern belt of Wadi El-Rayan Dune field, are reclaimed and cultivated during the last three decades. However, dune movement and sand encroachment on the cultivated fields along the margins of the Nile flood plain represents a permanent threat to soil productivity and agricultural production in the west Nile Valley area (Kishk, 1990).

3.3.4 The El-Menya Biodiversity

The study area is characterized by seven Wadis: Wadi Sanur, Wadi Tarfa, Wadi Garf El-Dir, Wadi Tihna, Wadi Baathran, Wadi El-Mishaggig and Wadi Hashas. According to Hanna (1974), this area is a plateau mainly of the Eocene limestone which faces the Nile Valley to the west by scarp running generally in a North-South orientation. The area generally slopes towards NNW, that is, the lowest points are found on the northern part with an average elevation of 50 m above sea level. The wadis of this area are subparallel (except Wadi Baathran) and join the Nile Valley in approximately the same angle. The main course of some of the main wadis reach a few kilometers in width e.g. Wadi Garf El-Deir and Wadi Tihna are approximately 3 km. wide. The floor of the wadis is covered with alluvium deposits ranging between a few centimeters to several meters in thickness. These deposits are mainly detritus of nummulitic fragments, quartz, sands and limestone rock fragments. The plant cover of this limestone part of the inland Eastern Desert of Egypt belongs to alliance Zygophllaeion coccini.

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Here, as is general in very arid deserts, perennial plant growth is confined to run-off collecting wadis. The type of vegetation relates to the catchment area of the site, and differences are noted between the plant growth in the main channel of a wadi and that in tributary branches and finer runnels.

The area between Lat. 27 30' and 25 30'N represents the transition between the predominantly limestone country and the southern non-calcareous country. Several wadis dissect the limestone plateau but do not reach the Red Sea coastal mountains. The north-south course of Wadi Qena separates the limestone plateau from the non-calcareous formations to the east. Wadi El-Assyuti pours into a deltaic area that adjoins the alluvial terraces of the Nile; lateral penetration of the groundwater of the Nile valley extends into this delta and provides ample groundwater that is trapped by a few wild plants (notably Leptadenia pyrotechnica, acquiring an evergreen habitat). This desert shrub has extensive root system, measured as 11.5 m deep and 10 m horizontal spread. Several farms are now established and tap (through pumping) this water source.

Wadi Bir El-Ain has the general features of other desert wadis, and an added feature due to the presence of a site (7 km. east of the mouth) with a water spring that froms an oasis-like habitat with wetland type of plant growth: Phragmites australis, Juncus rigidus, Typha domingensis, Desmostachya bipinnata and a few date palms (El-Sharkawi et al., 1984).

Wadi Qena is one of the major drainage systems of the Eastern Desert. Its deltaic part adjoins the Nile Valley and has its share of the groundwater.The notable botanical feature of this wadi (the main channel) is the presence of Acacia ehrenbergiana that forms patches of shrubland growth. Wadi Qena is the northest limit of the distribution of this species in the Eastern Desert; further south it is common. Several other wadis are among the topographic features of this part of the Eastern Desert: W. Zaidum, W. El-Matuli, W. El-Qarn.

Flora and fauna of different habitats in the Eastern Desert:Littoral Salt Marshes

Mangrove (Avicennia marina) swamps occur at several localities along the coastline of the Red Sea and on some of its islands. A few small mangrove stands are found at 22 and 26 km north of Hurghada and represent the northern limit of this mangrove in the Red Sea. Significant stands occur on The Abu Minqar island off Hurghada, just south of Safaga, at Wadi El Gimal, Abu Ghosun and Hamata. The most extensive mangroves are found further south, particularly between Bir Shalatin and Halayib where uninterrupted mangrove forests extend for several kilometers fringing the coastline. South of latitude 23° N the mangrove Rhizophora mucronata begins to appear, but it never becomes as abundant as Avicennia marina within the Egyptian boundaries.

Other salt marsh vegetation types are common along the coasts of the Red Sea. Those at El Ain El Sukhna and the deltas of Wadi El Gimal and Wadi El Diib constitute the most significant salt marshes of the Egyptian Red Sea littoral.

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Reptiles:Few species, such as the gecko Tropiocolotes steudneri, the laceitid lizard Mesalina guttulata and the colubrid snake Psammophis (schokari) aegyptius were occasionally found at or near littoral salt marshes

Birds:About 13 species of resident birds are associated with salt marshes habitats. Man-grove thickets provide breeding habitat for resident birds such as Ardeola striata, Egretta gularis, Platalea leucorodia, and Pandion. Large nesting colonies of Reef Heron Egretta gularis are found in mangroves south of Safaga, many of the Red Sea islands and several other stands. The Osprey Pandion haliaetus nests occasionally on mangrove trees, but more often on the ground. However, nest building materials mostly come from dead mangrove branches and twinge. Being the only trees to be found in significant numbers along the long and arid coastline of the Egyptian Red Sea, mangrove stands provide many species of resident or migratory birds with the only suitable roosting, perching or feeding places. Cormorants, herons, falcons, waders, gulls, terns, kingfishers and many migratory passerines are frequently seen at. It has been estimated that at least 6,500 birds utilize this habitat type during winter season (Meininger & Atta, 1990). Salt marshes at El Ein El Sukhna are frequented by a large variety of migratory birds during both the autumn and spring passages.

Mammals:Lepus capensis, Meriones crassus, Gerbillus gerbillus, Vulpes rueppelli, Gazella dorcas and others have been recorded at or near littoral salt marshes and mangrove stands (Osborn & Helmy, 1980). A Wild Cat Felis sylvestris has been observed among the branches of a large mangrove tree near the Delta of Wadi El Diib.

Inland Desert

Reptiles:At least 21 species of reptiles have been recorded from the mountains of the Eastern Desert. Species characteristic of this habitat type include rock dwelling forms such as Ptyodactylus hasselquisti, Tarentola annularis, Laudakia stellio, Agama agama spinosa, Pseudotrapelus sinaita, and Coluber rhodorhach. In the wadi beds, Uromastyx aegyptius, U. ocellatus, and Cerastes cerastes are found. Wadis with fine sandy substrates are characterized by Acanthodactylus scutellatus, while A. boskianus is common in those with coarse sand .

Birds:At least 28 bird species are known to regularly breed in the mountains of the Eastern Desert (Goodman et al. 1989). Characteristic species include Neophron percnoptems, Falco concolor, Ammoperdix heyi, Oenanthe lugens, O. monacha, Scotocerca inquieta, and Emberiza striolata . The great abundance of migrants passing through the mountains and wadis of the Eastern Desert, particularly during the autumn migration, has been frequently mentioned by several authors (c.f. Tre-genza, 1955; Saleh, 1984; Hobbs, 1989). The flights of the White Stork Ciconia ciconia and that of the raptors are most spectacular. The vegetated wadis of the Eastern Desert possibly play an important role in providing resting areas for small palearctic passage migrants.

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Mammals:17 mammalian species have been recorded from the inland sector of the Eastern Desert . Characteristic mammals include Lepus capensis, Gerbillus gerbillus, Dipodillus dasyurus, D. henleyi, Sekeetamys calurus, Meriones crassus, Acomys russatus, A. Cahinnus, Jaculus jaculus, Vulpes rueppelli, Procavia capensis and Gazella dorcas.

River Nile Bank

The Nile Valley is typical river oasis. The narrow cultivated valley is borderd by escarpments of limestone. The river runs closest to the eastern cliff boundaries at the Qena bend. Adjoining the river's western flood plain just south of the latitude of Cairo is the Faiyum Depression with its 1700 km2 of fertile land. The depression receives its water mostly from the Nile via Bahr Yusef canal, which is a natural branch of the Nile in addition to a number of man-made canals.

Plants and vegetation:River Nile Bank ecosystem is usually divided into 3 habitats; slope, water-edge and open-water of the Nile Bank. Each of these habitats has its specific flora.

Slopes of the NileA total of 69 species were recorded in this habitat: 45 annuals and 24 perennials. The unique species are: Plantago major, Amaranthus hybridus, Coriandrum sativum, Gnaphalium luteo-album, Lathyrus marmoratus, Phalaris paradoxa, Sisymbrium irio, Sonchus macrocarpus and Trifolium resupinatum. The common species are: Phragmites australis, Arthrocnemum macrostachyum, Sarcocornia fruticosa, Suaeda vera, Salsola kali, Senecio glaucus subsp. coronopifolius and Sonchus oleraceus. The rare species are: Paspalidium geminatum, Atriplex halimus, Ipomoea carnea, Ranunculus sceleratus, Cichorium endivia subsp. pumilum, Hordeum marinum, Medicago polymorpha and Anagallis arvensis.

Water-edges of the NileA total of 59 species were recorded: 19 annuals and 40 perennials including 6 hydrophytes. The unique species are: Clerodendrum acerbianum, Sida alba, Medicago intertexa var. ciliaris, Rorippa palustris, Setaria verticillata and Setaria viridis. The common species are: Phragmites australis, Sarcocornia fruticosa and Azolla filiculoides. The rare species are: Halocnemum strobilaceum, Inula, crithmoides, Cynanchum acutum, Suaeda maritima, Centaurea calcitrapa, Sphaeranthus suaveolens, Tamarix tetragyna and Ammi visnaga.

Open-water of the Nile BankA total of 14 species were recorded in this habitat. The common species are: Phragmites australis, Eichhornia crassipes, Ceratophyllum demersum, Azolla filiculoides and Echinochloa stagnina. The rare species are: Arthrocnemum macrostachyum, Sarcocornia fruticosa, Lemna perpusilla, Potamogeton crispus and Salsola kali.

Among the noteworthy species in this habitat are two species that cause severe infestation to the water ditches of Egypt:

1-Phragmites australis. An emergent aquatic that is a boon and bane to man. It causes severe infestations to the water bodies that hinders the navigation and lead

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to the fragmentation of the water body. It plays also an important role in increasing the silting process in shallow drains. On the other hand the plant had a long history of use by man as building material for houses and rafts (e.g. Egypt), as thatching (e.g. England), fodder (e.g. Egypt and other countries). It can be used also as paper pulp and source of bioenergy. Australian and German scientists found this plant to be an effective biological filter for wastewater renovation. The plant also is a source of organic matter and safe refuge for the fish and rests forthe birds particularly during winter.

2- Potamogeton pectinatus. It is the most dominant submerged plant in the River Nile, tolerant to wide salinity variations but with a tendency or better growth in slightly brackish water .It is also a common aquatic plant in inland waters of Egypt, where it inhabits both stagnant and running waters .This plant usually dies off in autumn, leaving the rhizomes and winter turions to persist in mud till the next spring when new plants start to sprout.

Many other species were found in the Nile Bank and are considered as noteworthy species because they have economic uses. These species are:

- Eruca sativa Mill. جرجیـر

- Raphanus raphanistrum L. فـجل

- Trifolium alexandrinum L. بـرسیـم

- Malva parviflora L. خبیــزه

- Sida alba L. ملوخیة إبلیس

- Mentha longifolia (L.) نعنـع

- Sonchus oleraceus L. جعضیض

- Allium roseum Lبصل ز

FishesThis activity is of relatively small importance in Menya due to the limitation of water surfaces that are represented only in the Nile and its branches (Serry canal-Bahr youssef - Ibrahemya canal- other small canals). The areas committed to the main canals include 36 area, all of which are in Bahr youssef, Sery canal and Ibrahemya canal of total area of about 6465 feddans.

As for fish farms, they don’t exceed 84 farms. The number of fishing boats are about 1314 boat, the number of licensed fishermen is about 1383 in 2005 according to the data of the authority of fish wealth in Menya.

The occurrence of different habitats along the Nile Bank resulted in a large variety of fish species inhabiting these ecosystems. Tilapia zillii is widely distributed in this habitat on account of its high tolerance to environment; while Oreochromis niloticus was the second common species of cichlids as well as Clarias gariepinusSarotherodon galilaeus and another cichlid, Hemichromis bimaculatus, avoid salty water. Their occurrence was restricted to areas of low chlorosity. The introduced species Gambusia affinis shows a similar wide distribution.

Fishermen use usually traps to catch fish along the Nile Bank, which are set among aquatic vegetation, such as Phragmites, Potamogeton and. Ceratophyllum

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beds. In open water free from vegetation, the traps are either fixed to the bottom by bamboo sticks or in rows among an artificially made barrier. The barrier is usually made from bamboo sticks with gaps at intervals into which the traps areplaced.

The traps which are very commonly used to catch mainly Tilapia, may also catch mullet fishes. The mesh bars of the traps usually range from 14 to 30 meshes in 50 cm. On the other hand, the traps are used to catch fishes which are trapped behind an artificial muddy barrier. Traps with relatively narrow meshes are set in openings through the muddy barrier.

Size of Fishing.The total amount of fish reaches about 3837 tons with an increase of about 400 ton to 2003. The number of licenses increased to 1383 fishermen during 2005. The following table illustrates the amount of fish and its kinds. As shown in the table, Bolti fish is the dominant kind in the governorate, followed by besarya then Labis. The data of fish production indicates that the governorate contributes with a very little share (0.5%) of the total country’s production of fish. Such thing is worth attention and working on increasing the production through preventing the contamination of water paths, improving the shipping boats and establishing fish farms in cages along the river banks, as well as using the islands in the Nile to establish fish farms in cages and tanks. It is worth mentioning that at the mean time, the industrial artificial fish incubators, east of the Nile, is being expanded to produce bolti fish as well as El-Mabrouk fish to deliver it to the Ministry of irrigation to fight weeds in canals and drains.

Amphibians and Reptiles:Four species of amphibians and 34 species of reptiles are known from the Nile Valley. Characteristic amphibians include Bufo regularis, Ptychadena mascareniensis and Rana ridibunda.

Common reptiles include Hemidactylus turcicus, Chalcides ocelltus, Coluber florulentus, Natrix tessellata, psammophis sibilans, Telescopus dhara, and Naja haje. Mabuya quinquetaeniata, Chameleo africanuus, Varanus niloticm, leptotyphlops cairi, Psammophis sibilans, Matrix tessellata, Dasypeltis scabra, Crocodylus nilotticus, Trionyx triunguis, and Ptychadena masareniensis, are restricted to this habitat in Egypt.

Birds:Common breeding birds of the Nile Valley include 66 species (Goodman et al. 1989). At least 14 of these are not known to breed outside that habitat .Characteristic species include Egretta ibis, Elanus caeruleus, Milvus migrans, Falco tinnunculus, Gallinula chloropus, Hoplopterus spinosus, Rostratula benghalensis, Streptopelia senegalensis, Centropus senegalensis, Tyto alba, Merops orientalis, Galerida cristata, Hirundo rustica, Motacilla flava, Prina gracilis, Corvus cowrie, Passer domesticus, and others.

The Nile Valley with its abundance of water and food available for birds, provide an important, relatively, easy and safe route for trans-Saharan, palearctic migration. Huge numbers of individuals of many species utilize this route during both spring and autumn migrations. The region also provides wintering habitats for large populations of many palearctic migratory species (Goodman et al., 1989).

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Mammals:Rodents form the largest mammalian group of the area, being represented by manyspecies and the most common species – besides of course the normal cats and dogs-are the Field Rat Arvicanthis niloticus and the Black Rat Rattus rattus, which are nocturnal and feed on vegetables and seeds. Burrows are shallow and usually under shrubs.

The Red Fox Vulpes vulpes was recorded in areas around the Nile Bank. Individuals and their tracks were seen throughout the area, where it seems to inhabit date and fruit groves, cultivated areas and suburban gardens, commonly seen during daylight hours. It feeds on birds, rodents and insects. This fox belongs to subspecies aegyptiaca which is widespread around drains of Nile Delta and Valley. However, wild carnivores have suffered a great deal of decline in the recent years as a result of sec-ondary poisoning with pesticides widely used to control Arvicanthis niloticus and other rodent pests.

The Giant Musk Shrew; Crocidura flavescens deltae was also recorded in many , العرس�ة areas around the Nile Bank.

3.3.5 Ambient Air Quality

Monitoring at the Site

Air quality monitoring at the proposed site was undertaken by the Air Pollution Preclusion Department, National Research Center during February 2010 on behalf of EETC. Monitoring took place at two sites, namely Beni Khalid and Samallout.

Continuous measurements, over a period of 24 hours, were taken for nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), aldehydes (HCHO), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), smoke and total suspended particulates (TSP). The results of this monitoring are shown in Table-6 through Table-9 below. Comparison with Egyptian Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) (as stipulated in Law 4/1994) show that theconcentrations of gaseous pollutants in ambient air at the proposed site are within the TLVs for 24 hour averages.

Table-6

Mean Concentrations of Gaseous Air Pollutants at Beni Khalid

Site COmg/m³

CO2

mg/m³SO2

µg/m³NO2

µg/m³HCHOµg/m³

H2Sµg/m³

Mean 1.16 7.80 0.44 29.13 16.43 24.29

TLV* 10 (8-hr mean) - 150 150 - -


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Table-7

Mean Concentrations of Gaseous Air Pollutants at Samallout

Site COmg/m³

CO2

mg/m³SO2

µg/m³NO2

µg/m³HCHOµg/m³

H2Sµg/m³

Mean 1.30 8.06 1.85 21.79 16.77 18.80TLV* 10 (8-hr mean) - 150 150 - -


Table-8

Mean Concentrations of Solid Air Pollutants at Beni Khalid


µg/m³

Smoke

µg/m³

Mean 353.80 167.66

TLV* 230 150


Table-9

Mean Concentrations of Solid Air Pollutants at Samallout


µg/m³

Smoke

µg/m³

Mean 267.17 151.38

TLV* 230 150


3.3.6 Ambient Noise

Measurements were taken using a calibrated Brüel and Kjaer (B & K) Type 2260 Precision Sound Analyser, in a “free-field” location away from any reflective surfaces and 1.2m above the ground.

Sequential analysis in terms of 1/3 octave frequency bands (spectrum) was recorded as function of time. All precautions comply to ISO 1996-2:1987(and 1998) and BS 4142.

Figure-6 depicts measurement locations at Samallout.

Measurements Conclusion

For the current situation based on the nearby activity the sources is basicallynoise communing from the traffic

The area down to the proposed line have some small village is considered to be a residential area having some framers that works in villages.

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All 1/3 octave analysis indicate normal reading for the noise level not exceeding the expected values around the area. apart from low range generated from irrigation equipments

The direction of the wind will help reducing noise level on that villages There will be no effect on the power line on the residential area from noise

point of view. Most line alignment are some distance from residential areas.

3.3.7 Socio-economic Environment

Details of the Socio-economic setting of the Red Sea Governorate is given in Annex-6.

More details on the project environment are available in six baseline studies, including air quality, noise, geology & geomorphology, biodiversity, land-use, land-cover and socio-economic setting, undertaken particularly for the project.

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Figure-6

Measurements Locations at Samalluot zone on the Main Transmission Line

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4. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Jabal El-Zayt Wind Farm - Power Plants will be connected to the Egyptian Unified Power System (EPS) at Samallout, El-Minia Governorate, which is owned and operated by the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC), an affiliate company to the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (EEHC), via connecting transmission lines. Connection methodology includes.

It is not foreseen that any of the activities of the transmission line project, or its attachments, would result in involuntary resettlement, particularly with most of the routing pathways of the electrical transmission lines (around 89% of its routing pathway) are located within uninhabited uncultivated State-owned desert lands with a very limited pieces of land to be occupied by transmission towers' footings against fair compensation and no alternative proposed routing is envisaged as shown clear in the map of the surveyed routes.

The current status with regard to transmission lines, substations and access roads is as follows:

4.1 Transmission Lines

In order to evacuate the electrical energy generated at the Gulf of Suez into the 500 kV backbone network, EETC is planning to interconnect the Wind Farms in the Suez Gulf / Jabal El Zayt to Samallout substation at the Nile valley, via installing 500 kV parallel lines of 280 km length, approximately.

The line Route starts at Samallout 500 kV S/ST on a desert land, then goes through agricultural area until the Nile river. When it crosses the Nile it goes through desert lands till Suez Gulf, including Jabal El Zayt area.

When the transmission line crosses the Nile, it goes close to an asphalt road through the desert lands till Suez Gulf (El-Sheikh Fadl/ Ras Ghareb Road), including Jabal El Zayt area. The desert segment of the transmission line route is approximately 89% of the total length of the line, while the remaining 11% lies on cultivated lands at Samallout area.

Concerning the transmission line, only small pieces of land for the transmission line's towers' footings all along the route will be acquired.

The land requirements are likely to be limited. No land acquisition is associated with around 89% of the route as it passes through uninhabited, uncultivated, State-owned desert land.

Only in the cultivated area of Markaz Samallout, along the remaining 11% of the route, small pieces (of area around 20x20 m2 each) of the agricultural land will be occupied by TL towers' footings. For these footings, fair land acquisition compensation and crop compensation system will be applied.

The line details are shown in Table-10. The temporary towers details are shown in Table-11.

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EETC already have its own towers design. The towers are lattice steel window type designed to carry 3 phase conductors, one earth wires and one OPGW.

Applicable Standards are as follows:

SN Standards Title

1 IEC International Electro technical Commission

2 ANSI American National Standards Institute

3 IEEE Institute of Electrical-and Electronics Engineers

4 NEMA National Electrical Manufactures Association

5 ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials

6 DIN Deutshes Institute Fuer Normung (German Standards)

General Construction Methodology may be summarized as follows:

Pre - construction Activity:

- Check Survey.- Soil Investigation- Foundat on Design

Marking of the Route:

- The route and detailed survey will be done by local specialist company.

Clearing of towers sites :

The contractor is responsible for clearing the tower site after completing hiswork. EETC shall help the contractor if any problem with the land owner inthe agriculture area or with any other authority / agency along the line routewould arise.

Safety of Mechanical Equipment

All mobile mechanical equipment shall be operated by authorized personnel. All equipment shall be checked prior to use by qualified personnel.

Brakes, lights, tyre pressure and battery shall be inspected before using the equipment. Revolving lights must be used for heavy duty vehicles.

The design capacity of any equipment shall never be exceeded. The equipment shall not be modified to alter its capacity.

All drivers shall have valid driving license.

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Table-10

Samallout / Jabal El-Zayt 500 kV OHTL Primary Route

Outline Points from Jabal El-Zayt to Samallout Indicative Geographic Coordinates

1B 36 R 498977 31425132B 36 R 499029 31415233B 36 R 492507 31375294B 36 R 473958 31300795B 36 R 471628 31283826B 36 R 467983 31220097B 36 R 467389 31215199A 36 R 465169 31204009B 36 R 463795 311951810B 36 R 462691 311775111B 36 R 461860 311743912B 36 R 461080 311741213B 36 R 456877 311553614B 36 R 456180 311553315B 36 R 454569 311533116B 36 R 452217 311290417B 36 R 444206 311445118B 36 R 440922 311745919B 36 R 437251 312097620B 36 R 436506 312122221B 36 R 433855 312443222B 36 R 427868 312805823B 36 R 425088 313024624B 36 R 422002 313188725B 36 R 418342 313324026B 36 R 414968 313205027B 36 R 413297 313284528B 36 R 412689 313282829B 36 R 407736 313021230B 36 R 397978 312750031B 36 R 391868 312790732B 36 R 387823 312618033B 36 R 383696 312454034B 36 R 381046 312335335B 36 R 379904 312294036B 36 R 375492 312206837B 36 R 372014 312231038B 36 R 354855 312501139B 36 R 344043 313062240B 36 R 340121 313193541B 36 R 336557 313365242B 36 R 330357 313697543B 36 R 326045 313936344B 36 R 320196 3143749

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Table-10 (Contd.)

Samallout / Jabal El-Zayt 500 kV OHTL Primary Route

Outline Points from Jabal El-Zayt to Samallout Indicative Geographic Coordinates

45B 36 R 314696 314754546B 36 R 307482 315290247B 36 R 303245 315416248B 36 R 301206 315425049B 36 R 295798 315169350B 36 R 293164 315179551B 36 R 289123 314244952B 36 R 288805 314227753B 36 R 287041 314253154B 36 R 285945 314319055B 36 R 285330 314431756B 36 R 284933 314434857B 36 R 284618 314420158B 36 R 283783 314417359B 36 R 282949 314367460B 36 R 282679 314265461B 36 R 282307 314262362B 36 R 281104 314281863B 36 R 280473 314254764B 36 R 279776 314131065B 36 R 278548 313933566B 36 R 275611 313781367B 36 R 274982 313609768B 36 R 274631 313523569B 36 R 273880 313529770B 36 R 270392 313566771B 36 R 269722 313532972B 36 R 268714 313408873B 36 R 267445 313333474B 36 R 266720 313166175B 36 R 264920 313152376B 36 R 264335 313232177B 36 R 264073 313254278B 36 R 263910 3133421

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Table-11

Samallout / Jabal El-Zayt 500 kV Line Details

Stretch Location Route Length in km

1 Desert area 0.9972 Desert area 7.73 Desert area 204 Desert area 2.95 Desert area 7.46 Desert area 0.7727 Desert area 2.58 Desert area 1.69 Desert area 2.1

10 Desert area 0.88811 Desert area 0.78112 Desert area 4.613 Desert area 0.69714 Desert area 1.615 Desert area 3.416 Desert area 8.217 Desert area 4.518 Desert area 5.119 Desert area 0.78420 Desert area 4.221 Desert area 722 Desert area 3.523 Desert area 3.524 Desert area 3.925 Desert area 3.626 Desert area 1.927 Desert area 0.60828 Desert area 5.629 Desert area 10.130 Desert area 6.131 Desert area 4.432 Desert area 4.433 Desert area 2.934 Desert area 1.235 Desert area 4.536 Desert area 3.537 Desert area 17.438 Desert area 12.239 Desert area 4.140 Desert area 441 Desert area 742 Desert area 4.9

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Table-11 (Contd.)

Samallout / Jabal El-Zayt 500 kV Line Details

Stretch Location Route Length in km

43 Desert area 7.344 Desert area 6.745 Desert area 946 Desert area 4.447 Desert area 248 Desert area 649 Desert area 2.650 Desert area 10.251 Desert area 0.36252 Desert area 1.853 agriculture area 1.354 agriculture area 1.355 agriculture area 0.39856 agriculture area 0.34757 agriculture area 0.83558 agriculture area 0.97359 agriculture area 1.160 agriculture area 0.37261 agriculture area 1.262 agriculture area 0.68763 agriculture area 1.464 agriculture area 2.365 agriculture area 3.366 agriculture area 1.867 agriculture area 0.93468 agriculture area 0.75369 agriculture area 3.570 agriculture area 0.7571 agriculture area 1.672 agriculture area 1.573 agriculture area 1.874 agriculture area 1.875 agriculture area 0.99376 agriculture area 0.34377 agriculture area 0.898

Total Length 28.697

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A safety observer shall be kept in case of heavy mobile equipment, which may be hazardous, ;by its movement. The observer shall ensure that people are kept away of mobile equipment.

Equipment that could present a hazard to personnel, if accidentally activated during the performance of installation, repair, alteration, cleaning or inspection, work shall be made inoperative prior to state of work. Such equipment shall include compressors, conveyors, elevators, machine tools, pumps, valves and similar equipments.

Equipment which is subject to unexpected external physical movement such as rotating, turning, dropping, sliding etc., mechanical and/or structural constraint shall be applied to prevent such movement.

All equipment which are locked or taken out of service, because of potentially hazardous condition shall be appropriately tagged indicating the reason it has been taken out of service.

Use of Cranes

All crane drivers/operators shall hold valid license.

Only certified riggers shall sling loads or guide crane/load movement.

Under no circumstances shall a crane or load come within 4M of any energized over head power line or critical structure.

Proper and safe webs/slings shall be used.

Excavation and Trenching

All excavations shall be made in accordance with the approved drawings.

The sides of all excavations, which might expose personnel or facilities to danger resulting from shifting earth shall be protected by providing slope to the appropriate angle of repose or benching in the sides and ends of the excavation or ladders must be used and secured, enough to withstand at least 1 meter above the top of the excavation.

All excavation deeper than 1.2 meters must have barriers and toe boards around the outside to-prevent persons and material failing into the excavation. Barriers must be of a strength that is capable of withstanding the weight of a person falling against the barrier. Barriers shall be readily visible by day or night.

An inspection must be conducted at the end of the works to ensure that the excavation has been left in a safe manner. Heavy loads shall not be put on the edge of the excavation.

All persons in excavation must wear safety helmets, safety boots and dress as defined by the site rules.

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Vehicles and construction plant must not be allowed to come within 2 meters of an excavation unless working in connection with the excavation.

4.2 Substations

At Samallout, 500/220/132/66/33 substation is located at the desert edge, west of the Nile river. This substation will be expanded to accommodate the new equipment associated with the construction and operation of the new transmission line. No land take or resettlement is associated with this site of Samallout substation.

At Suez Gulf and Jabal El-Zayt, substation areas are allocated to the project by local concerned authorities in the Red Sea Governorate according to a Contract signed by the EETC and the concerned authorities.

The land areas of substations are uninhabited, uncultivated desert lands. No land acquisition or resettlement is associated also with these pieces of land.

4.3 Access Roads

The main transport infrastructure linking the Samallout zone to the Suez Gulf/ Jabal El-Zayt area and also both of them to the country main ports facilities is principally based on road network. The site of end points (substations) and along the entire route of the transmission line is accessible through the major Regional Road from El-Sheikh Fadl to Ras Ghareb. This road directly passes in parallel to the route along its pathway from Samallout to Jabal El-Zayt. Actually no major access roads are envisaged to be constructed particularly for the transmission line project and the end point structures associated to it.

Figure-7 through Figure-13 give an illustration to the project routing pathway.

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Figure-7

Map of Egypt Illustrating Panoramic View for the Samallout / Suez Gulf / Jabal El-Zayt Transmission Line

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Figure-8

Topographic Map of the Route of the Samallout / Suez Gulf / Jabal El-Zayt Transmission Line

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Figure-9

Satellite Map Illustrating the Full Routing of the Samallout / Suez Gulf / Jabal El-Zayt Transmission Line

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Figure – 10

Satellite Map Depicting the Eastern End of the Samallout / Suez Gulf / Jabal El-Zayt Transmission Line

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Figure– 11

Satellite Map Depicting the Western End of the Samallout / Suez Gulf / Jabal El-Zayt Transmission Line

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Figure-12

More Detailed Map of the Western End of theSamallout / Suez Gulf / Jabal El-Zayt Transmission Line

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Figure-13

Topographic Map of the Start Segment of the Route of theSamallout / Suez Gulf / Jabal El-Zayt Transmission Line

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5. PROJECT ALTERNATIVES

There are three proposed routes in the green area at Samallout route segment, where:

1. One of them may pass near some housing blocks and crosses the Nile river at 600 m width.

2. The second is not preferred as it passes through mining area located at the eastern side of the Nile river and constitutes a source of pollution, which may adversely affect the line insulators, in addition to crossing the Nile river at 900m width.

3. The third one, i.e. the preferrable and chosen route, succeeds in avoiding all housing blocks and passes far from the mining area and crosses the Nile River at its narrowest width, i.e. 600 m distance.

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6. MAIN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

6.1 Presumed Environmental Impacts Caused by Construction

There are not any significant environmental impacts expected resulting from the transmission line and substations construction phase. Minor impacts may originate from the following: Littering of solid waste at the construction sites spread over the area. Spills of oil and grease at the machinery spots. Deterioration of landscape due to not adequate backfilling or levelling after

excavation.

They can easily be avoided by good housekeeping and strict supervision of construction measures.

6.1.1 Emissions

In the absence of sensitive receptors in the area, emissions during construction, such as exhaust gases and/or noise from machinery have no significant impact. Spills of oil or lubricants are usually not a problem. Because of their value they are handled with care, or if used, collected for recycling.

6.1.2 Water Supply, Waste Water and Waste

Water supply is not relevant: For Transmission Line and substations construction,a temporary movable construction yard (for storage of materials and servicing of machinery) and a temporary office would be erected at a place. The office avails of simple sanitary facilities. Water supply would be via tankers from the central pipeline. Electricity would be generated by a small mobile generator. Such office building would be for about 10 persons, who, however, spend much time outside at the construction sites. The office will be equipped with simple sanitary facilities. Waste water quantities should be of an order of 1 m³/d. The domestic waste water would undergo anaerobic treatment in a septic tank and post-treatment by percolation into the sandy underground. There would be not any measurable harm to the environment resulting from this treatment.

Liquid waste is not relevant: Liquid waste such as used oil is not likely to have significant effects on the environment as these valuable products are usually carefully collected and send for recycling.

Solid waste is relevant: Waste materials such as paper, plastics, metals, wood,..etc. Waste will be collected and managed under strict EEAA regulation for disposal.

6.1.3 Traffic and Infrastructure

During the construction heavy transport will take place. The road system of the greater area does not show any bottleneck to the size and frequency of such transports. Thus there will no bottleneck, causing problems on the public roads and harm for passengers or regional population. Inside the desert area access roads will be built as compacted gravel roads to allow transport as needed.

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6.1.4 Occupational Health and Safety Risks

Potential occupational health and safety hazards during the construction of transmission line and substation projects include risks from: Earth works and foundation constructions (minor nature), Working at heights (major risks), Electrical works (partly under control by authority EETC/EEHC)

Health and safety risks shall be controlled at least as to the level defined in the WB/IFC Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines. For electrical works internationally acceptable Electrical Workers Safe-Work Regulations shall apply.

6.1.5 Economic Impacts During Construction

Transmission line and substation construction would have economic benefits for workers in Egypt usually mainly coming from Upper Egypt but also from other regions: About 30 to 40 % of the investment volume would be produced locally. During construction local personnel would be employed for civil, electrical

and installation works. The works would be carried out essentially by Egyptian companies.

Considering the unemployment rate in Egypt the demand for construction workers would not create labour bottlenecks in other areas.

6.1.6 Impacts on Flora and Fauna

No impacts with significant environmental effects during the construction:

The very limited land-use of transmission line and substation projects allow avoiding even dispersed flora (e.g. acacia trees) during planning. In case of the Transmission Line no vegetation (only few spots of common desert grass) was found except at the Samallout area. However, this area shall be managed carefully.

Wadi habitats shall be avoided for risks from any flood, which may occur very seldom.

Construction will be a moving process, always utilising very limited areas for the footings of the T.L. towers, thus leaving huge areas untouched and much room for resting or retreat of the little common fauna expected in the area.

6.2 Presumed Environmental Impacts Caused During Operation

6.2.1 Dust emissions

No dust emissions will originate from a Transmission Line and Substation during operation.

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6.2.2 Gaseous emissions

No gaseous emissions will originate from a Transmission Line and Substationduring operation.

6.2.3 Liquid Emissions, Quantities, Treatment and Reuse

No liquid emissions will origin from the Transmission Line and Substation itself during operation. Very small amounts of domestic waste water would origin from the sanitary facilities of the following: The substation control room (3 persons à 30 l/d): 0.090 m³/d. The service facilities including housing for EETC personnel inside the

Substation area: (10 persons à 40 l/d): 0.2 m³/d.

In both cases the domestic waste water will undergo 2 stage anaerobic treatment, as it is common and adequate practice in desert areas in Egypt. Residual treated water will either be percolated to the ground or reused for limited watering of plants. There will not be any harm or measurable adverse impact resulting from liquid emissions.

6.2.4 Waste Quantities and Disposal

Waste from the Transmission Line and Substation would consist of used consumables regularly to be exchanged, when servicing the machines, and smaller defective parts. These are non hazardous materials, most of them valuables and fit for recycling.

Hazardous used oil will be collected once per year or once in two years and send for recycling. The practice in other Egyptian Substations show that this works without problems. The volume of used oils will depend on the type of transformerselected and on the service intervals requested by the selected contractor.

Domestic waste will be generated at the service facilities of EETC. The other T.L.s& substations experience shows that the domestic waste is small in quantities and mainly composed of biodegradable or burnable waste. The estimated volume not compacted is less than 10 persons x 2 to 3 l/d: 15 l/d. The standard method as applied at remote housing facilities in the desert in Egypt would be that waste will be collected in bags and in bins, and disposed of on an environmentally safe waste disposal site. Considering the small amounts of domestic waste, this simple method is considered to be acceptable.

6.2.5 Impacts on Travel, Utility Services and other Infrastructure

As the main roads in the overall region are very well dimensioned at low traffic frequency there are not any critical impacts on the traffic.

6.2.6 Health and Safety and other Risks

Potential occupational health and safety hazards during the operation include risks from: Working at heights (major risks).

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Working on electrical systems. Working or living or practicing activities close to the Transmission Lines, i.e.

exposure to electromagnetic fields.

The risks can be limited to acceptable standards if works are strictly carried out as to the stipulations defined in WB/IFC Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines, and according to internationally acceptable Electrical Workers Safe-Work Regulations.

Exposure to electromagnetic fields is unlikely but potentially major impacts if EMF caused disease. Mitigation measures include:

No number of people live within 30-meter buffer zone recognized by the Egyptian Law and most conservative countries.

Those people will be relocated, if happened. Expert opinion concludes there is no evidence linking EMF and disease.

6.2.7 Economic Impacts

T.L. and Substations operation will be carried out by local personnel. Accordingly, a significant number of electricians, mechanics, engineers and workers would be employed for O&M.

At steadily increasing oil prices, transmitted wind power utilization, especially at a site with very high wind energy potential like the NREA area, is very competitive, if compared to international level of cost of energy. It saves indigenous gas and oil reserves, which alternatively could be exported at world market prices.

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7. ASSESSMENT OF MAIN POTENTIAL IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROPOSED PROJECT

The major environmental impacts associated with proposed project as identified through the ESIA include:

Overall benefits associated with the establishment of the Samallout / Suez Gulf / Jabal El-Zayt 500 kV transmission line and Substations, in terms of assisting in meeting the increasing electricity demand in Egypt and evacuate new installed wind farms to the national power grid.

Potential impacts on vegetation and genera/ ecology associated with theestablishment of the Samallout / Suez Gulf/Jabal El-Zayt 500 kV transmissionline and Substations.

Potential impacts on avifauna associated with the establishment of theSamallout/ Suez Gulf/Jabal El-Zayt 500 kV transmission line and Substations.

Potential impacts on visual/aesthetic aspects associated with the establishment of the Samallout/ Suez Gulf/ Jabal El-Zayt 500 kV transmission line and Substations.

Potential impacts on the social environment associated with the establishment

of the Samallout/ Suez Gulf/ Jabal El-Zayt 500 kV transmission line andSubstations.

An assessment of the social and environmental impacts associated with the Project based on field inspections and literature sources indicates that most impacts associated with the Project are of a temporary nature resulting during construction and can be minimized by good engineering practice and implementation of appropriate safeguards as outlined in the ESMP.

The biophysical impacts of the Project utilizing the preferred route from Samallout substation to Suez Gulf and Jabal El-Zayt substations are expected to be minimal and short term. The preferred route does not pass through any conservation reserves or protected areas although there are known bird migratory routes and important bird areas, except at Jabal El-Zayt in some limited areas, which would be affected by the alignment. All of the vegetation along the route at Samallout area will be avoided except for very little pieces of land for the towers' footings, so that there is unlikely to be a loss in biodiversity of plants or vegetation communities.

Because of the linear nature of a transmission line development, it is concluded that the Samallout / Suez Gulf / Jabal El-Zayt transmission line and substations Project will have minimal impact on communities or persons, and on private or common property assets. However, compensation will be due where towers or Project right-of-way (ROW) affects residential dwellings or social services (which may pose health and safety impacts). Most of likely disturbing or problematic impacts (fragment cultivated fields and compromise productivity and income; removal of fruit-bearing trees and other economically valuable natural resources, disturb cultural properties such as mosques, churches, or archaeological sites) are to be avoided with a precautions and conservative ROW. Although the Project

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will have minimal impact upon PAPs, site-specific relocation may have to occur where access routes, line corridors or transmission towers are to be located.

Project impact is anticipated to occur predominantly during the construction phase with the importation of skilled workers into the area, and the construction of work camps and temporary access roads and establishment of the transmission line ROW. While major attention will be focused on loss of income due to temporary disturbance to crops or grazing areas, and on health conditions related to the influx of workers from outside the region, positive opportunities to PAPs may be presented in the form of temporary employment, as well as through income generated by the sale of food to immigrant workers. For the most part, however, compensation is expected to be characterized by a number of payments for the temporary loss of assets.

7.1 Overall Benefits associated with the Establishment of the Samallout / Suez Gulf/ Jabal El-Zayt 500 kV Transmission Line and Substations

With the implementation of the/proposed project, the additional power output will assist in meeting the increasing electricity demand in Egypt. Indirect benefits could accrue due to increased capacity by new Wind Farms to provide reliable electricity supply to existing facilities, as well as electricity for new developments (including residential, commercial and industrial developments). This impact will be positive and is anticipated to be of high significance at the national level, particularly with no CO2 emissions and less environmental impacts of the windbased electricity generations.

7.2 Potential impacts on vegetation and general ecology associated with the establishment of the Samallout / Suez Gulf / Jabal El-Zayt 500 kV Transmission Line and Substations

Concerns regarding the potential long-term impact on vegetation as a result of the proposed project (particularly along the Transmission line route at its Samallout segment) have been expressed by some of the landowners, largely as a result of historical experiences associated with land and/or crop compensations along the existing power lines in the area. However, from the specialist studies undertaken it has been determined that, with the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures, and the use of existing access service roads within the area, the proposed Transmission line is not anticipated to impact on any highly sensitive area in terms of natural vegetation. Potential impacts which are anticipated include: the total destruction of the vegetation at the tower footprint, the loss of rare, endangered and/or protected species (although none were

recorded on site, the potential occurrence of these species cannot be ruled out), disturbance of natural vegetation along access/service routes through

trampling, compaction by motor vehicles etc.,

Although the majority of these impacts are not likely to occur, they will belocalized and of low significance due to the low sensitivity of the vegetation in the area of the proposed site. Through the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures, these impacts can be effectively minimized. Strict adherence to specific mitigation measures and general practice during construction and maintenance

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is, therefore, in order to demonstrate commitment to the environmental management principles laid down within the Environmental and Social Management Plan.

7.3 Potential impacts on avifauna associated with the/establishment of the Samallout / Suez Gulf / Jabal El-Zayt 500 kV/transmission line and Substations

Potential impacts on bird species associated with the construction and maintenance of the Samallout / Suez Gulf / Jaba/El-Zayt 500 kV transmission line and Substations are anticipated to be as a result of the removal and destruction of vegetation, and disturbance. These impacts are anticipated to be very rare and very localised and restricted to the towers footings and substations sites and access route/s, and of moderate to high significance at the Jabal El-Zayt area, where several bird species may migrate through some route passing the area. In order to minimize the impacts, construction, operation and maintenance activities in any natural habitat should be carried out in accordance with best environmental practice principles.

The following potential impacts on avifauna anticipated to occur as a result of the construction and maintenance of the proposed Transmission line and substations have been identified: Collision of birds with the proposed overhead powerline, or more specifically

with the earth wires is likely to be the most significant impact of this proposed Transmission line on birds. This impact is not anticipated to occur exceptwhere the proposed powerline is in close proximity to migration routes, if any.

The majority of species present in the study area will not be impacted on through habitat destruction as a result of the construction of the proposed Transmission line. This impact is anticipated to be of low significance for all species as clearance of vegetation at tower positions is localised and will not be required for stringing purposes due to the characteristic low nature of the vegetation.

The majority of species present in the study area will not be impacted on through disturbance as a result of construction and maintenance activities associated with the proposed Transmission line. For most species, this impact is not considered to be significant.

At the Jabal El-Zayt area, strain towers could serve as roosts and/or nesting platforms for large raptors such as vultures and eagles. This should not pose a problem to the birds, but could result in streamer-induced faults.

In order to minimise these potential impacts, appropriate mitigation measures are required to be implemented.

7.4 Potential impacts on visual/aesthetic aspects associated with establishment of the Samallout / Suez Gulf / Jabal El-Zayt 500 kV transmission line and Substations

The study area can be regarded as having a low level of aesthetic value, as it consists predominantly of desert lands. In addition the study area at Samallout is impacted by existing Transmission line infrastructure (i.e. High Dam/ Cairo 500 kV arterial transmission lines) and the Samallout substation. Therefore, the visual

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quality of the Samallout area/is already impacted by developments of a similar nature. For Suez Gulf, including Jabal El-Zayt area, the impact is minimal as the land is mainly uninhabited, desert land.

The proposed substations at the Suez Gulf and Jabal El-Zayt are considered to impose a considerable visual impact as a result m its larger size and low aesthetic appeal. In addition, the visibility of these structures is significantly higher if viewed against the skyline. Therefore, the/construction of new substations is anticipated to add significantly to this visual impact, as this infrastructure is steel-intensive and considered to be visually intrusive. However, this impact will be minimised to a great extent as a result of the area will be impacted by infrastructure of a similar nature (wind mills) and the area is, also, uninhabited desert land.

The visual intrusiveness of the proposed Transmission line is anticipated to be significantly mitigated as a result of the existing powerlines in the area of Samallout as this new powerline is not anticipated to add significantly to the existing impact.

7.5 Potential impacts on the social environment associated with the establishment of the Samallout /Suez Gulf / Jabal El-Zayt 500 kV transmission line and Substations.

In terms of the identified and evaluated social impacts, the following conclusions can be drawn: There are not expected to be any significant adverse social effects arising from

the project that can not be mitigated. The main impacts associated with the Substations relate to the construction of

this facility (intrusions, noise and dust pollution, conduct of construction workforce).

The proposed Substations would have a negative visual impact on the surrounding environment, as it would be visible for long distances.

The main impacts relating to the Transmission line construction activities refer to the influx of workers and job seekers to the area, the temporary displacement of wildlife near the "rights-of-way", the disturbance of livestock, poaching of game and livestock, unauthorized movement on properties, as well as damage and disturbances to the veld. The intensity of the impact mainly depends on the conduct of the construction workforce and whether the guidelines in the Environmental Management Plan are adhered to.

The influx of workers to the area could have a positive short-term economic impact, and will not place additional demands on the existing infrastructure and provision of services, considering the availability of services at place for workers.

Direct positive impacts include local Job creation (although very limited), the improvement of the country's power supply and the indirect contribution to the country's development In addition, the need to supply goods and services to the workforce will provide a temporary stimulus for local development and would thus generate indirect employment opportunities.

The construction of the Transmission line is thus only expected to result in positive economic effects (e.g. limited, short-term contracts for local labour and services).

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The impacts on infrastructure and services are expected to be of lowsignificance (long term) and could be properly mitigated.

There is no formal and focused attitude formation (action groups) for oragainst the proposed project, although the individual attitudes regarding theconstruction of the proposed Transmission line are based on the individual'sperception of the perceived impacts on his/her property. Should EETC takethese into account it could lead to eliminating any formal opposition to the proposed project.

7.6 Local Livelihoods

Some individual Fellahs (Farmers) own the cultivated lands, where the transmission line will go through along its pathway routing in the Samallout area. Based upon experience from many similar transmission lines, particularly the main 500 kV arterial transmission line: Aswan Dam S/ST-Cairo 500 S/ST, which passes the Samallout 500 kV S/ST and crosses the same cultivated lands, Fellahs at the Samallout area are quite familiar with such transmission line projects.

They are fully aware of the type of land acquisition as well as land and crop compensations associated with the construction of transmission line towers, with footings occupying around 20x20 m2 pieces of cultivable land.

Dialogues with many of the Fellahs in the Samallout area pointed out they fully recognize that the transmission line projects are "national projects", and they should support them for the welfare of the country, thus they accept that the lines may cross their lands.

Speaking to them about compensation rates and fees, they assured they are convinced that as long as there will be a fair application to the set rules, their rights for fair compensation are guaranteed.

Many of them expressed their hopes that compensation should take into consideration the loss of land and the loss of crops for the many years to come.

According to the World Bank OP 4.12, a Resettlement Policy Framework is prepared to cover all cases when homesteads are to resettled or land and/or crop loss is to be compensated.

7.7 Summary of Impact Assessment

Table-12 below presents a summary of the environmental and social impact assessment for the route considered for the project based on information gathered during the ESIA process and baseline studies. For the most part, the impact is expected to be temporary and acceptable through implementation of appropriate mitigation measures. Since EETC is constructing its double circuit line along identified route, then it is expected that the Samallout / Suez Gulf / Jabal El-Zayt Interconnection Project will exact minimal additional impact on affected communities and the environment beyond the construction phase.

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Table-12

Summary of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment

Impact Identified Option

Connection of Wind-based-generated power to the National Electrical Grid, reduction in greenhouse emissions and other air pollutants.

+++

Increased reliability of power supply +++National economic benefit +++Construction of temporary and permanent access roads leading to transmission alignment, tower sites and substations

-

Temporary Increased traffic due to transportation of construction and operation personnel and machinery

-

Site levelling and development -Clearing of vegetation along the Right of Way (ROW) for towers' footings and associated impacts on land use

-

Relocation of existing households from the site -Loss of protected conservation areas/rare plants unlikely Loss of endemic/migratory bird species unlikely Loss of forests / economically valuable trees -Compensation for permanent loss of land and/or crops or temporary loss of income

-

Temporary Construction traffic leading to increased traffic and safety issues for road users

-

Air and dust emissions during construction -Noise level during construction and operation phases -Changes in surface water runoff due to clearing or grading, tower construction

-

Loss of aesthetic value -Construction of substation and installation of equipment -Health effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) of high voltage powertransmission lines outside the 25m ROW on both sides.

-

Opening of remote lands to human activities, such as settlement, agriculture, hunting, recreation etc.

unlikely

Safety issues arising from low-slung transmission lines or lines near human activity, e.g. buildings, roads

-

Hazards to low flying aircrafts -Cultural and interpersonal impacts of workers brought in during the construction phase

-

Possibilities for local employment during construction or operation -

Notes: (+++) major positive impact (-) minor negative impact

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8. ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION AND MONITORING:THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MNAGEMENT PLAN (ESMP)

8.1 Enhancement and Mitigation Plan

The Environmental and Social Management Plant (ESMP) includes mitigation measures, design of monitoring programs where appropriate, and specification of management measures.

The mitigation measures represent a synthesis of those measures which are part of the basic design and those that are recommended for both the construction and operational phases of the project. The mitigation measures are summarized in Table-13, together with respective environmental monitoring and management arrangements. Table-14, provides with summary of implementation cost of ESMP.

All the mitigation, monitoring and management measures proposed below (the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP)), will be adopted by the Project Company and imposed as conditions of contract on the contractor and any sub-contractors employed to build or operate any part of the project. Since many of the mitigation measures presented are considered an essential, integrated component of the construction and operation works, it is not possible to separate the specific costs of their implementation from the overall construction and operation costs.

8.2 Monitoring Program

The purpose of the environmental monitoring program is to ensure that the envisaged outcome of the Project is achieved and results in the desired benefits to Egypt. To ensure the effective implementation of the ESMP it is essential that an effective monitoring program be designed and carried out. The environmental monitoring program provides such information on which management decisions may be taken during construction and operational phases. It provides the basis for evaluating the efficiency of mitigation and enhancement measures and suggestsfurther actions that need to be taken to achieve the desired Project outcomes.

An outline of an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) has been included in this Executive Summary Report to indicate the range of environmental impacts/issues and associated mitigation measures envisaged for this Project. The ESMP also identifies responsibilities for implementing the mitigation and monitoring measures.

The assessment of impacts showed an overall positive impact on the local society, culture and economy. Given that the use of local labor will be prioritized during construction, no additional mitigation measures are proposed. Management Plan during construction of the transmission line project is summarized Tables-13&14.

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8.3 Environmental Safeguard Training

The Project Company will ensure that all staff employed will be trained in the following:

general construction; specific job roles and procedures; occupational health and safety; and contingency plans and emergency procedures.

Training will include:

induction training on appointment; specialist training (as required for their prescribed job role); and refresher training as required.

The training program will be designed to ensure that appropriate skilled staff are used at all times. Aspects of occupational health and safety and emergency procedures are to be emphasized.

In addition to this environmental training for all staff employed at the project, special environmental training will be given to the staff employed for the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) i.e. the staff used to implement the ESMP. They will receive training in the following:

day-to-day monitoring activities; collection and analysis of data; use of monitoring equipment, operation and maintenance; industrial hygiene; occupational health and safety; and emergency and contingency procedures.

Occupational Health and Safety

EETC will establish and integrate policies and procedures on occupational health and safety into the implementation and operation of the project which meet the requirements of Egyptian and World Bank guidelines. The policies and procedures will also be designed to comply with all manufacturers safety data sheets for chemical storage and usage, so as to provide a safe and healthy working environment.

Occupational health and safety programs will be supported by staff training. The training will include, but will not be limited to, the following:

general area safety; specific job safety; general electrical safety; handling of hazardous materials; entry into confined spaces; hearing conservation;

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repetitive stress disorders; Code of Safe Practices; use of personal protective equipment; and first-aid.

The training will include induction courses when staff are first employed, with specialist and refresher training as required by the job role. Training will be updated periodically and occupational health and safety procedures will be included within the Operations Manual for the project.

The safety record will be reviewed periodically. Table-15 summarizes the recommended training required for the environmental staff of the PIU.

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Table-13Transmission System Impact Mitigation, Monitoring and Management

Issue/Impact Mitigation Measures Implementation Schedule Monitoring

ResponsibilityMonitoringIndicators

Type and Frequency of

Reporting/ monitoring

Management and Training

Indicative Cost

Estimate (US$)

Implementation Supervision

Direct

Vegetation damage, habitat loss, and invasion by exotic species along the ROW and access roads and around substation sites.

Habitat fragmentation or disturbance.

Increased access to sensitive lands.

Utilize appropriate clearing techniques, (e.g., hand clearing versus mechanized clearing).

Maintain native ground cover beneath lines.

Replant disturbed sites. Manage ROWs to maximize

wildlife benefits.

Select ROW to avoid important natural areas such as sensitive habitats, if any.

Maintain habitat (i.e., native vegetation) beneath lines.

Make provisions to avoid interfering with natural fire regimes.

Select ROW to a avoid sensitive lands, if any.

Develop protection and management plans for these areas.

Use discontinuous maintenance roads.

During Construction and Operation

Visual inspections of the materials being used, the construction practices and mitigation measures.

Short-term monitoring to assure that negative land use and/or ecological impacts are avoided and proper mitigation measures are employed.

Occurs along the line as it is constructed.

Monitoring of ROW maintenance activities to assure proper control methods.

Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC)/PIU*

EEHC management

EETC management

EETC Project Manager in collaboration with the Consultant Site Manager.

Effects on environmental and human resources involved (negative land uses, ecological damage)

Degree to which they are affected.

Weekly (during construction).

Maintenance time (during operation)

Environmental training and management will be warranted for ROW maintenance techniques, including the proper use of chemical and mechanical clearing methods.

Training will be conducted by EETC/ PIUwith assistance from environmental consultant.

Staff workers should have an understanding of the rational for the recommended mitigation and monitoring that they may be implementing.

Included in construction and operation cost.

* PIU = Project Implementation Unit.

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Table-13 (Contd.)

Transmission System Impact Mitigation, Monitoring and Management






Indicative Cost

Estimate (US$)


Runoff and sedimentationfrom grading for access roads, tower pads, and substation facilities, and alteration of hydrological patterns due to maintenance roads.

Loss of land use and population relocation due to placement of towers and substations.

Chemical contaminationfrom chemical maintenance techniques, if any.

Select ROW to avoid impacts to water bodies, floodplains, and wetlands.

Install sediment traps or screens to control runoff and sedimentation.

Minimize use of fill dirt. Use ample culverts. Design drainage ditches to avoid

affecting nearby lands.

Select ROW to avoid important social, agricultural, and cultural resources.

Utilize alternative tower designs, if possible, to reduce ROW width requirements and minimize land use impacts.

Adjust the length of the span to avoid site-specific tower pad impacts.

Manage resettlement in accordance with World Bank and EIBprocedures.

Utilize mechanical clearing techniques, grazing and/or selective chemical applications.

Select herbicides with minimal undesired effects.

Do not apply herbicides with broadcast aerial spraying.

Maintain naturally low-growing vegetation along ROW.






Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC)/PIU

EEHC management

EETC management










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Table-13 (Contd.)







Indicative Cost

Estimate (US$)


Avian hazards from transmission lines and towers.

Aircraft hazards from transmission lines and towers.

Induced effects from electromagnetic fields.

Impaired cultural or aesthetic resources because of visual impacts.

Select ROW to avoid important bird habitats and flight routes.

Install towers and lines to minimize risk for avian hazards.

Install deflectors on lines in areas with potential for bird collisions.

Select ROW to avoid airport flight paths.

Install markers to minimize risk of low-flying aircraft.

Select ROW to avoid areas of human activity.

Select ROW to avoid sensitive areas, including tourist sites and vistas.

Select appropriate support structure design, materials, and finishes.







EEHC management

EETC management










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Table-13 (Contd.)







Indicative Cost

Estimate(US$)


Indirect

Induced secondary development during construction in the surrounding area.

Increased access to sensitive lands.

Provide comprehensive plans for handling induced development.

Construct facilities to reduce demand.

Provide technical assistance in land use planning and control to local governments.

Route ROW away from sensitive lands.

Provide access control.







EEHC management

EETC management






Environmental training and management will be warranted for ROW maintenance techniques,including the proper use of chemical and mechanical clearing methods.Training will be conducted by EETC/ PIUwith assistance from environmental consultant.



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Table-13 (Contd.)

Transmission System Impact Mitigation, Monitoring and Management Measures






Indicative Cost

Estimate (US$)Implementation Supervision

Socio-Economic EnvironmentPositive impacts identified.

1. All activities related to the construction of the new transmission line will take place within the areas allocated to EETC, i.e. there will be no off-site activities or associated resettlement during const-ruction.

2. Land acquisition is limited to small pieces of land of around 20x20 m2 each for the towers' footings, at a separated distances, against fair land and crop compensation.

3. The entire labor force will camp temporarily, for short periods, all along the route during continuing movement with the TL development, thus no worker housing or associated facilities will be permanently erected on sites during construction.

4. Public Relations will be maximized through open dialogue between EETC and local authorities and public representatives.

During construction.

Record local employment provided by the project.

EETC Project Manager

EETC & EEHC top Management.

Workers satisfaction as measured by staff interviews and complaints submitted.

Editing a special report

Responsibility of EETC.

Responsibility of EETC.

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Table-13 (Contd.)







Indicative CostEstimate (US$)Implementation Supervision

Occupational Health and Safety,Risks and Hazards

Standard international practice on EHS issues shall be employed on sites.

Good local and international construction practice in Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) will be applied at all times and account will be taken of local customs, practices and attitudes. Measures include: implementation of EHS

procedures as a condition of contract all contractors and sub-contractors;

clear definition of the EHS roles and responsibilities of construction companies and staff;

management, supervision, monitoring and record-keeping as set out in operational manual;

pre-construction and operation assessment of the EHS risks and hazards;

implementation of Fire Safety plan;

provision of appropriate training on EHS issues for all workers;

During construction.

Daily inspection is required to ensure the implementation of EHS Policies, plans and practices during construction.

Implementation of Good Site Management practices and the EHS policies shall be the responsibility of contractors on site under supervision of the PIU and the Project Manager.

EETC top Management in collaboration with Site Engineer.

Management procedures in place.

Workers health and safety as measured by no. of incidents.

Daily inspection

Quarterly reporting of summary results (or more if requested) and submitted to the EEHC and any other concerned authority (e.g. EEAA, WB,EIB, etc.), if required.

EETC/PIU to ensure contractors for workers on site include reference to the requirements of the ESMP and are aware of the EHS policies and plans.

All employees will be given basic induction training on EHS policies and practices.

Contractors are responsible for ensuring that a Fire Safety Plan is prepared and implemented under supervision of PIU and the Plant Manager.

Mitigation measures will require management time plus costs for implementation of EHS Plans.

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Table-13 (Contd.)







Indicative Cost

Estimate (US$)Implementation Supervision

provision of health and safety information;

regular inspection, review and recording of EHS performance; and

maintenance of a high standard of housekeeping at all times.

In addition, the following measures will be undertaken: Provision of training in use of

protection equipment and chemical handling.

Use of protective equipment. Clear marking of work site

hazards and training in recognition of hazard symbols.

Development of site emergency response plans.

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Table-14

Summary of Implementation Cost of the ESMP

No. Phase of Implementation Cost in US$ Source of Funding Measures Monitoring

1 Construction Phase 70 K EETC Monitoring equipment) 30 K EETC

Training 60 K EETC2 Operation Phase 50 30 EETC

Training 20 K EETC

Sub. Total 200 K** 60KGrand Total 260 K

Notes: (*) Excluding gas pipeline system cost. (**) including training cost.

Table-14 shows that the total implementation cost of the environmental and Social Management Plan is about US$ 260,000, which amounts to about less than 0.2% of the total project cost.

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Table-15

Recommended Training Required for the PIU

Training Course Contents Type of Training Participants Proposed

Scheduling Cost Estimate

(L.E.) General EHS Training: Induction

Training on Appointment

Specialist Training

Refresher Training (as required)

General implementation.

Specific job roles and procedures.

Occupational Health & Safety: - general area

safety;- specific job

safety;- general electrical

safety;- handling of

hazardous materials;

- entry into confined spaces;

- hearing conservation;

- repetitive stress disorders;

- Code of Safe Practices;

- use of personal protective equipment; and

- first-aid. Contingency

Plans& Emergency Procedures.

Classroom and On-job training.

All staff, including PIU.

Once before project implementation and during operation for refresher training.

Included in construction & operation cost.(around US$ 60 k)

Special Environmental Training on Environmental Aspects and Monitoring.

Allover Environmental Performance.

Day-to-day monitoring activities.

Use of monitoring equipment, operation and maintenance.

Industrial Hygiene.

Classroom and On-job training.

PIU. (3-4 staff members)

Once before project implementation and monitoring program.

Included in construction & operation cost(mentioned above).

Social Communications

Communications Skills.

Mass Communications.

Classroom and Field Exercises.

PIU. Once before project implementation and monitoring program.

Included in construction & operation cost(mentioned above).

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9. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Overall Conclusion

Based on detailed field work for the preferred route, baseline studies and consultations with Project affected people, local and national government agencies and other organizations, it is unlikely that the Project will have significant adverse social and environmental impacts. Most adverse impacts will be of a temporary nature during the construction phase and can be managed to acceptable levels with implementation of the recommended mitigation measures in the ESMP for the Project such that the overall benefits from the Project will greatly outwight the adverse impacts.

2. Overall Recommendations

In order to achieve appropriate environmental management standards and ensure that the findings of the environmental studies are implemented through practical measures, the recommendations from this ESIA must be included within an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP). This ESMP should form part of the contract with the Contractors appointed to construct and maintain the proposed Samallout / Suez Gulf / Jabal El-Zayt 500 kV transmission line and Substations, and will be used to ensure compliance with environmental specifications and management measures. The implementation of this ESMP for all life cycle phases of the proposed project is considered to be key in achieving the appropriate environmental and social management standards as detailed for this project.

It is also recommended that the process of communication and consultation withthe community representatives is maintained after the closure of this ESIA process, and, in particular, during the construction phase associated with theSamallout / Suez Gulf / Jabal El-Zayt 500 kV transmission line and Substations.

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Annex A

RECORD OF CONSULTATIONSUNDERTAKEN BY EETC AND THEIR CONSULTANTS

- 87 -

RECORDS OF CONSULTATIONS

The following Tables provide a record of consultations undertaken by EETC and their Consultants (ECG, MB, NRC, EPS, CSC and the Ecologists) during January – March 2010, in conjunction with project preparation and completion of environmental baseline studies and documentation for preparing the EIA study report and local permitting.

Table A-1 gives the consultations by organization and the name and the date. Tables A-2and 3 give the substance of the consultations, i.e. issues discussed and comments on key issues.

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Table A-1

Record of Consultations

Organization Name Date

Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (EEHC) Chairman - Dr. Mohamed M. Awad

4-7 Jan. 2010

8-10 Feb. 2010

Executive Board Member, Planning, Studies and Engineering

- Dr. Kamel Yassin

Counsellor for Environmental Management and Studies

- Eng. Maher Aziz

Sector Head, Design & Research - Dr. Eng. Fathi Tahoun Consultant, Power System Design - Dr. Eng. Ms. Nahed Haggi Sector Head, Network Studies - Eng. Abdel Rahim Ahmed Helmi

Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC)

Chairman - Eng. Hassan Nagm

4-7 Jan. 2010

10-11 Feb. 2010

3-4 March 2010

Head of Studies & Projects Sectors - Eng. Abdel-Hady Seddik Head of Projects Implementation Sectors - Eng. Ibrahim Tantawi Sector Head, Network Studies - Eng. Abdel Rahim Ahmed Helmi

Sector Head, Wind Transmission Interconnection Studies

- Eng. Ms. Fatma Nada

Counsellor for Studies & Projects - Eng. Al-Nabawy A. M. Attia General Director for Extra High Voltage

S/S- Eng. Ms. Inas Ghaly Kirollos

General Director for Studies & Research - Eng. Mohssen Marrouf Studies Department - Eng. Ms. Bothina Abdel-Qawi

- Eng. Ms. Dalal Hassan- Eng. Ms. Lamiaa Ali

New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA)

Executive Chairman - Eng. Abdel Rahman Salah Ed-Din Afifi

12-14 Jan 2010

22-25 Feb. 2010

9 March 2010

Deputy Executive Chairman for Technical Affairs

- Eng. Ms. Laila Georgy Youssef

Deputy Executive Chairman for Projects and O & M

- Eng. Fathi Amin

General Director for Economics & Environmental Studies

- Eng. Ms. Afaf Mechael Tawfik

General Manager for Wind Energy - Eng. Usama Said Said Director of Technical Affairs, Wind Energy

Department - Dr. Eng. Moustafa El-Khayat

Technical Counsellor - Eng. Rafik Youssef Georgy Director, Wind Energy Department - Eng. Mohamed Akmal Mohamed Director, Wind Energy Department - Eng. Sabry Ali Mokhaymar

Director, Wind Energy Department - Eng. Ms. Hala Moustafa El-Kholy

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Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA)

Central Directorate for Environmental Impact Assessment.

- Dr. Hisham El-Agamawi - Eng. Ms. Amany Salah

11 Jan. 2010

General Organization for Physical Planning

General Manager for Planning - Eng. Mohamed El-Husseiny 13 Jan. 2010

Suez Gulf Development Organization (SGDO)

Chairman - Eng. Essam Badawi 20 Jan. 2010

Electrical Projects Services Company (EPS)

Chairman - Eng. Hosni el-Kholy

11-13 Jan. 2010

26-27 Jan. 2010

1 March 2010

Vice-Chairman - Dr. Eng. Ahmed Samy Abdel-Salam

Consultant for Electrical & Renewable energy

- Eng. Ragy Farid Ragy

Consultant for Power Stations - Eng. Shoukry Sakr Mohamed

Consultant for Network Projects - Dr. Eng. Ahmed Kamel Hegazy

Consultant for Network Studies - Eng. Ahmed Ghanem

Network Specialist - Eng. Ms. Nada El-Turky

Egypt National Institute of Transport (ENIT)

Senior Transport Expert Technical Assistants

- Dr. Ms. Enas Bushra Nashed- Eng. Mohamed Hussein

16 Feb. 2010

National Research Center (NRC)

Air Pollution Preclusion Unit

Water Quality Unit

- Prof. Dr.Kamal Tamer Hindy- Eng. Adel Hassan Amer

- Dr. Mohamed Bakr M. Ibrahim

20-21 Jan. 2010

25-27 Jan. 2010

Ain Shams University, Faculty of Engineering

Noise and Vibration Engineering - Prof. Dr. Mansour M. El-Bardisi 7-10 March 2010

Institute of Environmental Studies and Research, Ain-Shams University

Ecological Studies Department - Dr. Aly Nasser Hassan 25-28 Jan. 2010

National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences

Head of Marine Studies - Dr. Mahmoud Hussein 25-28 Jan. 2010

Red Sea Governorate

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Governor of the Red Sea - H.E. Major-general/ Mohamed Magdi Qubeissy

15-17 Feb. 2010

Secretary General - Major-general/Sayed Abu El-Foutouh

Assistant Secretary General - Ms. Samia Mehrez

Secretary General of Al-Watany Party - Counsellor Mr. Waheed Rahmy

President of the Local Council - Mr. El-Hajj/ El-Lithi Ismail

President of Hurghada City - Major-general/Said Gabr

President of Ras Ghareb City - Major-general/ Saad Amin

General Director for Information & Decision Support Center

- Major-general/ Ahmed Abu Samrah

Under Secretary for Social Solidarity - Mr. Mohamed Ammar

General Director for Environmental Affairs - General/ Mohamed Abdel-Gawad

General Director for Production, Follow-up& Operations

- General/ Hamdy Ismail

General Director for Electrical Networks - Eng. Hosny Hamed

Red Sea / Hurghada Local Population

Local People's Council of Red Sea Governorate

- Mr. El-Hajj/ E. Ismail

15-17 Feb. 2010

Local Council of Hurghada - Mr. Mohamed Hussein

Hurghada Environmental Protection & Conservation Association (HEPCA, NGO)

- Ms. Heba Shawki - Ms. Elizabeth M. R. - Mr. Amr Ali - Mr. Ayman Barsoum Azer

Other NGOs Representatives - Mr.Mohamed Rizk - Mr. Nasr Mohamed Ahmed

Abdallah - Mr. Salah Abdel Aziz - Mr. Refaat Mohamed Hassan - Mr. Ali Reda - Mr. Nasr Mohamed A. Abdallah

Red Sea Citizens - Mr. Ramy Ahmed Abdel Fattah - Mr. Saad Mubark Mohamed Ali - Mr. Gamal Afifi Madi - Ms. Samia Nashed Zekry - Ms. Ghada Ahmed Khairah

Parliament & Shourah Councils - Mr. Mohamed Abdel Maksoud - Mr. Hosni Hefni - Mr. Shazly Tawfik Ali - Mr. Uodid Mahmoud Awadallah - Mr. Sayed Kassem - Mr. Ali Hamdoun

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Al-Watany Political Party - Consellor/ Waheed Rahmi - Mr. Ramadan H. Hassan

Hurghada Citizens - Mr. Galal Abu-El-Wafa - Eng. Mohamed M. Badr - Mr. Hany Fawzi Mohamed

Abdel-Kader- Ms. Abeer Abu-Deif - Ms. Wafaa Sayed Hammam

El-Menya Governorate

Governorate El-Menya - Dr. Ahmed Diaa Ed-Din

3-4 March 2010

Secretary General - Major-general Mr./ Medhat Salah Ed-Din

President of Local People's Council - Mr. Bahi El-Roubbi

Director of Public Relations - Mr. Shaaban Ibrahim

Director of Social Affairs - Mr. Moustafa Mohamed Abd-Allah

Director of Man Power - Mr. Adel El-Sawi

Director of Agriculture Affairs - Mr. Mohamed Mohamed Abd-Allah

Director of Health Affairs - Dr. Ayman Ragab

Director of Environmental Affairs - Eng. Moustafa Ismail

Director of Roads & Transport - Eng. Hussein Saad

El-Menya / Samallout Local Population Local People's Council of El-Menya

Governorate - Mr. Bahi El-Roubbi - Mr. Hassan Khalil - Mr. Mohamed Ghoriani - Mr. Mahmoud Abdel-Dayem

3-4 March 2010

Local Council of Samallout - Major-general/ Amr Ahmed Hussein

- Eng. Hamdy Mohamed Abdel-Rahman

- Mr. Ahmed El-Badawi Ahmed El-Khouli

- Eng. Shehata Mohamed Shehata

NGOs Representatives - Eng. Mohamed Fanous Amer - Eng. Ahmed Gamal Sayyed

Samallout Citizens - Mr. Raafat Refaie - Mr. Nabil Asham-Allah - Dr. Sayyed Tawfik

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Al-Watany Political Party (Parliament & Shourah Councils)

- Mr. Alaa Makadi - Mr. Naguib El-Sharieey - Mr. Tallat Mansour - Mr. Whid Moustafa Amer

Farmers - El-Hajj/ Ali Elewa - Ms. Fatma El-Mallah - Ms. Mariam Mahmoud - Sheikh/ Sultan Abu Ali - Mr. Shaaban Es-Sakka

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Table A-2

Major Environmental Issues Connected with the Development of the Proposed Electrical Interconnection Line Determined During the Consultation

Issue Major Issue DescriptionsAir Pollution Polluted gas emission levels resulting from operation equipment and

machines during the project construction phase. Suspended and particulate matter emission levels resulting from the

project during the excavation and filling to construct tower bases. Potential impact on plants due to air pollutants and dust in green

areas cultivated west of the River Nile in Minya Governorate and Markaz Samallout in case of increased air pollutant concentrations at the near-land level.

Electromagnetic Waves Electromagnetic wave health impacts. Potential exposure to electromagnetic waves along the line,

especially in the areas where there are agricultural activity. Methods of avoiding electromagnetic wave impacts on human

health. Environmental laws and regulations on protection against

electromagnetic waves and the situation of the Egyptian legislation. Connection between good engineering design and limiting

electromagnetic waves. Earthquake Risks Potential impacting earthquakes along the line from Samallout to

Jabal El-Zayt, especially with high earthquake risk potential in the Red Sea areas.

Tower and line collapses in cases of impacting earthquakes. Connection between the engineering design of tower bases and

protection against earthquake risks. Inundation Risks Potential inundations whether on the River Nile west bank or Jabal

El-Zayt and Gulf of Suez, or in certain areas in the Eastern Desert along the line in parallel with Sheikh Fadl-Ras / Ghareb Road.

Potential tower and base collapses due to inundations. Methods of protection against inundation risks from Samallout to

Jabal El-Zayt.Socio-economic Impact Job opportunities and labor.

Local services and resources demand. Indemnities for loss of lands and crops. Egyptian laws governing indemnification in case of loss of land,

displacement, relocation elsewhere, or loss of crops. Measures provided by contractors to labor under sound

environmental standards of supplying potable water, sanitation, temporary accommodation and subsistence.

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Table A-3

Major Issues Discussed During the Consultation and Comments

Major Issues Discussed Comment

Project in General All stakeholders expressed their general attitudes toward the project. Local stakeholders concerned commented that such project will be central to ensure the supply of clean electrical power from generation locations along the Gulf of Suez, including Jabal El-Zayt, to the unified electrical grid at the interconnection at Samallout, which surely benefits the national economy and local and international environment due to the fact that wind power supplied through these electrical transmission lines will secure the increasing electrical demand in Egypt. Furthermore, the energy is clean and free of all polluting gases and CO2 emissions.

Socio-economic Impact Local stakeholders, heads of popular councils, local leaders, as well as citizens and farmers appreciate the socio-economic impact of the project as a whole.

All stakeholders very much understand indemnification rules for sparse small land holdings along the electrical transmission line which will be occupied by tower bases at an area of 20 × 20 m2, and indemnifications for losing crops on these plots of land in cultivated areas where the line is expected to pass west of the River Nile until Samallout substation.

All stakeholders realize, from a previous experience they had with similar electricity transmission lines, particularly in Minya and Samallout where 500 kilovolt electricity transmission lines pass through their land from the High Dam southwards to Cairo northwards, that job opportunities connected with the project might be limited, but they are ready to seek them.

All stakeholders realize that such type of projects do not pose any pressures on the local community resources due to the limited labor connected with it; on the contrary, the implementation of such project would help flourish local economy via supplying goods and services to the project and its staff.

Project contractors will supply mobile temporary accommodation camps and related mobile sanitary toilets that strictly follow the environmental rules stipulated in the law to dispose of wastes via licensed contractors/entrepreneurs.

Air Pollution There was some concern on complying with air pollution standards during the project construction. All were informed that excavation and filling operations are no more than constructing tower bases only. Furthermore, gas emissions to the air resulting from machine, engine and vehicle operation are controlled through regular maintenance, raising performance efficiency, and following sound environmental guidelines to reduce wastes. Besides, such emissions are very trivial due to limited operation times and small operation loads.

Health Impacts of Electromagnetic Waves Around Interconnection Lines during Operation

There was a great concern about health impacts resulted from electromagnetic waves around electrical transmission interconnection lines during operation. It was found that much inaccurate distorted and exaggerated information prevailed among a large portion of those with whom discussions were made.

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Major Issues Discussed Comment

Some basic scientific aspects related to the electromagnetic waves were clarified, and their sources and value for each source were compared.

It was made clear that electromagnetic waves impacts on man are connected to their distance from them and time of exposure. This impact was addressed carefully in Law 63/1974 through identifying secure distances and line setbacks.

These secure distances, as clarified, in case of 500 kilovolt electricity transmission lines, are 30 m along each of the line sides. Reducing the time of exercising any activity under electricity transmission lines decreases potential health impact on man.

It was also made clear that there are technical engineering design methods for transmission lines that minimize electromagnetic waves emissions, such as transposed lines, which will be followed when designing the Samallout / Suez Gulf / Jabal El-Zayt electrical transmission interconnection.

Earthquake Impacts It was stated that a seismic study was conducted along the electrical transmission line by geologists, geomorphologists, geohydrologists, and seismologists, and it was found that there were some points where earthquake risks are potential, which will be considered when designing and laying the foundations of the tower bases in these points along the line.

Inundation Risks Some expressed their concerns about inundation risks on some parts along the electrical transmission interconnection line extending along some 280 km.

Geologists, meteorologists and ecologists have studied inundation risks along the line and identified some areas where risks of inundation are highly potential.

It was made clear that the electrical transmission line design would consider constructing the engineering and environmental protection necessary against inundation risks in these areas.

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