environmental and social impact assessment railway corridor viii

Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Railway Corridor VIII - Eastern section

Contract No:C21196/EBSF-2010-07-101

Macedonian Railways: Feasibility Study for Corridor VIII Eastern section and ESIA

Republic of Macedonia

SUBMITTED BY:

IN ASSOCIATION WITH:

February 2012

MinistryofTransportandCommunications,RepublicofMacedonia

RailwayCorridorVIIIEasternsection i

TABLEOFCONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION 11.1 Introduction 11.2 LegalandPolicyRequirementsfortheESIA 21.3 TheProject 21.3.1 CorridorVIII 21.3.2 MacedonianRailCorridorVIIIEasternSection 41.3.3 InvestmentDeliveryPhases 51.4 PurposeoftheESIA 51.5 ProjectProponentandESIATeam 71.6 ContentoftheESIA 8

2 LEGALANDPOLICYREQUIREMENTS 112.1 NationalLegislation(&relatedEUDirectives) 112.1.1 NationalEnvironmental&SociallegislationandEUDirectives 112.1.2 FuturePlannedNationalLegislationRelevanttoESIA 222.1.3 CurrentStatusofImplementationofNationalLegislationRelevanttoESIA 222.1.4 NationalESIAProcedure 232.1.5 NationalLandAcquisition/ExpropriationProcedure 272.1.5.1 MacedonianExpropriationLaw 272.1.5.2 Landtenureandpropertyrights 272.1.5.3 RelevantLegislationonRailwaySystems 282.1.5.4 Procedureforlandexpropriation 282.1.5.5 CutoffDate 292.2 InternationalRelatedTreaties,GuidanceandPolicies 302.2.1 InternationalTreaties&Conventions 302.2.2 AarhusConvention 302.2.3 ESPOOConvention 312.3 InternationalLenderpolicies,Guidance&Requirements 322.4 EBRDEnvironmentalandSocialPolicy 332.4.1 EIBEnvironmentalandSocialPolicy 33

2.5SummaryofDifferencesbetweenNationalmacedonianlegislationandEBRD/EIB/IFC/EuropeanEnvironmental&Socialstandards 34

2.6 CompliancewithEuropeanRailwayStandards 46

3 PROJECTDESCRIPTION&CONSIDERATIONOFALTERNATIVES 493.1 BackgroundtotheProject 493.2 NeedfortheProject 493.3 ObjectivesoftheProjeCT 513.4 ProjectExpectedbenefits 513.5 ConsiderationofAlternatives 523.5.1 SummaryofAlternatives 523.5.1.1 DoNothingAlternative 563.5.1.2 ReferenceAlignmentAlternative 563.5.1.3 AlternativeAlignment 643.5.2 SelectionofAlignment 703.5.2.1 AlignmentSelectionCriteria 70


RailwayCorridorVIIIEasternsection ii

3.5.2.2 AnalysisofPreliminaryEnvironmentalImpactofAlternatives 703.5.2.3 AnalysisofPreliminarySocialImpactofAlternatives 743.5.2.4 SummaryofMultiCriteriaAnalysisofAlternatives 763.6 SelectedAlignment(theProject) 773.7 TechnicalDescriptionofCurrentRailwayInfrastructure 783.8 LandUse&LandTake 823.8.1 LandUseAlongRoute 823.8.2 LandTake 833.8.2.1 DescriptionofPastandCurrentLandAquisition&ExpropriationActivities 833.8.2.2 LandTake(AffectedLand&Structures) 843.9 InvestmentDeliveryPhases 853.1 TechnicalDescriptionofProposedConstructionWorksfortheProject 863.10.1 ConstructionActivities&Works 863.10.2 ConstructionWorkstobeUndertakenPerSection 873.10.3 ConstructionofRailwayElements 1013.11 TechnicalDescriptionofOperationalRailwayElements 1163.11.1 Signaling&Telecommunication 1163.11.2 PowerSupplyandTractionPower 1273.11.3 Stations 1293.11.4 RollingStock(Passenger&Freight)Movements&Types 1303.11.5 RailwayMaintenanceOperations 133

4 ASSESSMENTMETHODOLOGY&SCOPINGASSESSMENT 1374.1 GeneralApproachtotheAssessment 1374.2 Screening 1394.3 ScopingOpinion&Assessment 1404.3.1 ScopingOpinion&GuidancefromRegulator(MOEPP) 1404.3.2 StakeholderScopingMeetings 1404.3.3 ScopingMatrix 1414.3.4 ConclusionstoProjectScopingAssessment 1454.4 Spatial&TemporalScope 1454.4.1 SpatialStudy/InvestigationArea 1454.4.2 TemporalScopeofAssessment 1464.5 BaselineEnvironmental&SocialConditions 1464.5.1 BaselineDataGathering 1464.5.2 SourcesofData 1474.6 AssessmentMethodology 1474.6.1 AssigningValue(orSensitivity)ofEnvironmental&SocialResourcesandReceptors 1484.6.2 IdentificationofPotentialEnvironmental&SocialImpacts 1484.6.3 SignificanceCriteria 1504.6.4 ApproachtoMitigationMeasures 1524.6.5 AssessmentofResidualEffects 1534.6.6 AssessmentofLabour&WorkingConditions 1534.6.7 AssessmentofRailwaySafety 1534.6.8 AssessmentofCumulative,Synergistic&TransboundaryEffects 1534.6.9 AssessmentSummaryTables 1544.7 StakeholderEngagement 1564.8 Resettlement 156


RailwayCorridorVIIIEasternsection iii

5 ENVIRONMENTAL&SOCIALBASELINE 1575.1 EnvironmentalBaseline 1575.1.1 Topography&Landscape 1585.1.1.1 StudyArea(InvestigationArea) 1585.1.1.2 Legislation,Regulatory&PolicyConsiderations 1585.1.1.3 DataSources 1585.1.1.4 BaselineDataCollectionMethodology(includingSurvey/FieldVisits) 1595.1.1.5 BaselineAssumptions&Limitations 1595.1.1.6 TopographyBaselineConditions 1605.1.1.7 LandscapeBaselineConditions 1615.1.2 Geology,GeomorphologyandSoils 1725.1.2.1 StudyArea(InvestigationArea) 1725.1.2.2 Legislation,Regulatory&PolicyConsiderations 1725.1.2.3 DataSources 1725.1.2.4 BaselineDataCollectionMethodology(IncludingSurvey/FieldVisits) 1735.1.2.5 BaselineAssumptions&Limitations 1735.1.2.6 Geology,GeomorphologyandSoilBaselineConditions 1735.1.3 Hydrology(SurfaceWater)&Hydrogeology(Groundwater) 1875.1.3.1 StudyArea(InvestigationArea) 1875.1.3.2 Legislation,Regulatory&PolicyConsiderations 1875.1.3.3 DataSources 1905.1.3.4 BaselineDataCollectionMethodology(IncludingSurvey/FieldVisits) 1915.1.3.5 BaselineAssumptions&Limitations 1915.1.3.6 Hydrology(SurfaceWater)BaselineConditions 1915.1.4 ClimateandAirQuality 2125.1.4.1 StudyArea(InvestigationArea) 2125.1.4.2 Legislation,Regulatory&PolicyConsiderations 2125.1.4.3 DataSources 2155.1.4.4 BaselineDataCollectionMethodology(IncludingSurvey/FieldVisits) 2165.1.4.5 BaselineAssumptions&Limitations 2165.1.4.6 AirQualityBaselineConditions 2165.1.4.7 ClimateintheNorthEasternRegion 2215.1.4.8 ClimateChange 2235.1.5 NoiseandVibration 2235.1.5.1 StudyArea(InvestigationArea) 2235.1.5.2 Legislation,Regulatory&PolicyConsiderations 2245.1.5.3 DataSources 2285.1.5.4 BaselineDataCollectionMethodology(includingSurvey/FieldVisits) 2285.1.5.5 BaselineAssumptions&Limitations 2315.1.5.6 NoiseBaselineConditions 2315.1.6 WasteManagement 2465.1.6.1 StudyArea(InvestigationArea) 2465.1.6.2 Legislation,Regulatory&PolicyConsiderations 2465.1.6.3 DataSources 2485.1.6.4 BaselineDataCollectionMethodology(IncludingSurvey/FieldVisits) 2485.1.6.5 BaselineAssumptions&Limitations 2495.1.6.6 WasteManagementBaselineConditions 249


RailwayCorridorVIIIEasternsection iv

5.1.7 NatureConservation&Biodiversity 2565.1.7.1 StudyArea(InvestigationArea) 2575.1.7.2 Legislation,Regulatory&PolicyConsiderations 2575.1.7.3 DataSources 2585.1.7.4 BaselineDataCollectionMethodology(IncludingSurvey/FieldVisits) 2595.1.7.5 BaselineAssumptions&Limitations 2595.1.7.6 Protected&DesignatedAreas 2595.1.7.7 HabitatBaselineConditions 2695.1.7.8 FloraBaselineConditions 3215.1.7.9 FaunaBaselineConditions 3215.1.8 CulturalHeritageandArchaeology 3225.1.8.1 StudyArea(InvestigationArea) 3225.1.8.2 Legislation,Regulatory&PolicyConsiderations 3225.1.8.3 DataSources 3235.1.8.4 BaselineDataCollectionMethodology(IncludingSurvey/FieldVisits) 3235.1.8.5 BaselineAssumptions&Limitations 3235.1.8.6 CulturalHeritage&ArchaeologyBaselineConditions 3245.2 BaselineSocialConditions 3405.2.1 Introduction 3405.2.2 DataSources&Methodology 3405.2.3 SocioEconomicStudyAreaDefinition 3425.2.4 SocioEconomicRegionalStudyArea 3425.2.5 SocioEconomicLocalStudyArea 3445.2.6 Assumptions&Limitations 3465.2.7 LanduseBaselineConditions 3465.2.7.1 Introduction 3465.2.7.2 LandUseTypes 3465.2.7.3 Legal,Regulatory&PolicyConsiderations 3475.2.7.4 LandUseTypesalongRailCorridorperSection 3475.2.7.5 AgriculturalLandUse 3525.2.8 LocalSettlements&CommunityFacilities/ServicesBaseline 3535.2.8.1 LocalSettlements&CommunitiesperProjectSection 3535.2.8.2 CommunityFacilities&Services 3615.2.8.3 LocalTransportroutes,PublicTransportandPedestrianRoutes 3655.2.9 Regional/NationalSocioEconomicBaseline 3675.2.9.1 DemographicCharacteristics 3675.2.9.2 Education 3755.2.9.3 Employment 3785.2.9.4 Unemployment 3825.2.9.5 EconomicActivities 3875.2.9.6 Agriculturearea 3895.2.9.7 VulnerableGroups 392

6 POTENTIALENVIRONMENTALANDSOCIOECONOMICIMPACTS 3976.1 Introduction 3976.2 PotentialEnvironmentalImpacts 3976.2.1 PotentialImpactsonSoil 3986.2.1.1 AssessmentofSoilResources 398


RailwayCorridorVIIIEasternsection v

6.2.1.2 PotentialImpactsandLikelySignificance 3996.2.2 PotentialImpactsonSurfaceWater 4046.2.2.1 AssessmentofSurfaceWaterResources 4046.2.2.2 PotentialImpactsandLikelySignificance 4076.2.3 PotentialImpactsonGroundwater 4186.2.3.1 AssessmentofGroundwaterResources 4186.2.3.2 PotentialImpactsandLikelySignificance 4196.2.4 PotentialImpactsonClimateandAirQuality 4236.2.4.1 AssessmentofAirQualityReceptors 4236.2.4.2 PotentialImpactsandLikelySignificance 4266.2.5 PotentialLandscapeandVisualImpacts 4366.2.5.1 AssessmentofLandscapeSensitivity 4366.2.5.2 PotentialImpactsandLikelySignificance 4396.2.6 PotentialImpactsofNoiseAndVibration 4506.2.6.1 AssessmentofNoiseandVibrationSensitivity 4506.2.7 PotentialImpactsonHabitats 4736.2.7.1 AssessmentofHabitatsSensitivity 4736.2.7.2 PotentialImpactsandLikelySignificance 4786.2.8 PotentialImpactsonFlora 4856.2.8.1 ValueofVegetation 4856.2.8.2 PotentialImpactsandLikelySignificance 4866.2.9 PotentialImpactsonFauna 4886.2.9.1 ValueofFaunaReceptors 4886.2.9.2 PotentialImpactsandLikelySignificance 5036.2.10 PotentialImpactsonProtectedandDesignatedAreas 5106.2.10.1 ValueofProtectedandDesignatedAreas 5106.2.10.2 PotentialImpactsandLikelySignificance 5126.2.11 PotentialImpactsonCulturalHeritage 5166.2.11.1 ValueofCulturalHeritageReceptors 5166.2.11.2 PotentialImpactsandLikelySignificance 5166.3 PotentialSocialImpacts 5186.3.1 Introduction 5186.3.2 PotentialImpactsonLandAndProperty 5186.3.2.1 SummaryofResources/Receptors 5186.3.2.2 AssessmentofTheSensitivityofLandandProperty 5196.3.2.3 PotentialImpactsandLikelySignificance 5216.3.2.4 SummaryofPotentiallySignificantEffects 5306.3.3 PotentialImpactsonCommunityHealthandSafetyandSecurity 5316.3.3.1 SummaryofResources/Receptors 5316.3.3.2 AssessmentoftheSensitivityofHealthandSafety 5316.3.3.3 PotentialImpactsandLikelySignificance 5326.3.3.4 SummaryofPotentiallySignificantEffects 5396.3.4 PotentialImpactsonCommunityTensions 5396.3.4.1 SummaryofResources/Receptors 5396.3.4.2 AssessmentoftheSensitivityofCommunityTensions 5396.3.4.3 AssessmentofTheSensitivityofCommunityTensions 5406.3.4.4 PotentialImpactsandLikelySignificance 5416.3.4.5 SummaryofPotentiallySignificantEffects 544


RailwayCorridorVIIIEasternsection vi

6.3.5 PotentialImpactsonAccess&SeveranceEffects 5446.3.5.1 SummaryofResources/Receptors 5446.3.5.2 AssessmentoftheSensitivityofAccess&SeveranceEffects 5446.3.5.3 PotentialImpactsandLikelySignificance 5466.3.5.4 SummaryofPotentiallySignificantEffects 5486.3.6 PotentialImpactsonDisruptionofUtilities 5486.3.6.1 SummaryofResources/Receptors 5486.3.6.2 AssessmentoftheSensitivityofAccess&SeveranceEffects 5486.3.6.3 PotentialImpactsandLikelySignificance 5506.3.6.4 SummaryofPotentiallySignificantEffects 5516.3.7 PotentialEconomicImpacts 5526.3.7.1 SummaryofResources/Receptor 5526.3.7.2 AssessmentoftheSensitivityofEconomicImpacts 5526.3.7.3 PotentialImpactsandLikelySignificance 5546.3.7.4 SummaryofPotentiallySignificantEffects 5606.3.8 PotentialImpactsonEmployment 5606.3.8.1 SummaryofResources/Receptor 5606.3.8.2 AssessmentoftheSensitivityoftheImpactsonEmployment 5606.3.8.3 PotentialImpactsandLikelySignificance 5616.3.8.4 SummaryofPotentiallySignificantEffects 5666.3.9 PotentialImpactsonEducationandTraining 5666.3.9.1 SummaryofResources/Receptor 5666.3.9.2 AssessmentoftheSensitivityoftheImpactsonEducationandTraining 5666.3.9.3 PotentialImpactsandLikelySignificance 5676.3.9.4 SummaryofPotentiallySignificantEffects 5716.3.10 PotentialImpactsonVulnerableGroups 5716.3.10.1 SummaryofResources/Receptor 5716.3.10.2 AssessmentoftheSensitivityoftheImpactsonVulnerableGroups 5726.3.10.3 PotentialImpactsandLikelySignificance 5736.3.10.4 SummaryofPotentiallySignificantEffects 5766.3.11 PotentialImpactsonWorkforce 5766.3.11.1 SummaryofResources/Receptor 5766.3.11.2 AssessmentoftheSensitivityofWorkforce 5766.3.11.3 PotentialImpactsAndLikelySignificance 5786.3.11.4 SummaryofPotentiallySignificantEffects 5806.3.12 PotentialImpactsonCommunitiesQualityofLife 5806.3.12.1 SummaryofResources/Receptors 5806.3.12.2 AssessmentoftheSensitivityofCommunitiesQualityofLife 5806.3.12.3 PotentialImpactsandLikelySignificance 5816.3.12.4 SummaryofPotentiallySignificantEffects 5926.3.12.5 SummaryofMagnitudeofImpactsonQualityofLife 593

7 POTENTIALENVIRONMENTAL&SOCIOECONOMICIMPACTS 5997.1 EnvironmentalMitigationMeasuresandAssessmentofResidualEffects 5997.1.1 Soils,SurfaceWaterandGroundwater 5997.1.1.1 MitigationsMeasuresforSoils 5997.1.1.2 MitigationMeasuresforSurfaceWater 6027.1.1.3 MitigationMeasuresforGroundwater 604


RailwayCorridorVIIIEasternsection vii

7.1.1.4 AssessmentofResidualEffects 6047.1.2 AirQuality 6067.1.2.1 MitigationsMeasuresforAir 6067.1.2.2 AssessmentofResidualEffects 6077.1.3 NoiseandVibrations 6087.1.3.1 MitigationsMeasuresforNoise 6087.1.3.2 MitigationMeasuresforVibrations 6097.1.3.3 AssessmentofResidualEffects 6107.1.4 Landscape 6117.1.4.1 MitigationsMeasuresforLandscape 6117.1.4.2 AssessmentofResidualEffects 6117.1.5 Habitats,FaunaandFloraAndProtected&DesignatedAreas 6127.1.5.1 MitigationsMeasuresforFlora 6127.1.5.2 MitigationsMeasuresforFauna 6157.1.5.3 MitigationsMeasuresforHabitats 6167.1.5.4 MitigationsMeasuresforProtectedandDesignatedSites 6177.1.5.5 AssessmentofResidualEffects 6177.1.6 CulturalHeritage 6187.1.6.1 MitigationMeasures 6187.1.6.2 AssessmentofResidualEffects 6197.1.7 AssessmentSummaryTable 6217.2 SocialMitigationMeasuresandAssessmentofResidualEffects 6257.2.1 LandandProperty 6257.2.1.1 MitigationMeasures 6257.2.1.2 AssessmentofResidualEffects 6267.2.2 CommunityHealth,SafetyandSecurity 6277.2.2.1 MitigationMeasures 6277.2.2.2 AssessmentofResidualEffects 6297.2.3 CommunityTensions 6307.2.3.1 MitigationMeasures 6307.2.3.2 AssessmentofResidualEffects 6317.2.4 Access&Severance 6327.2.4.1 MitigationMeasures 6327.2.4.2 AssessmentofResidualEffects 6327.2.5 Economy 6337.2.5.1 EnhancementMeasures 6337.2.5.2 AssessmentofResidualEffects 6347.2.6 Employment 6347.2.6.1 EnhancementMeasures 6347.2.6.2 AssessmentofResidualEffects 6357.2.7 Education&Training 6367.2.7.1 EnhancementMeasures 6367.2.7.2 AssessmentofResidualEffects 6377.2.8 Utilities 6377.2.8.1 MitigationMeasures 6377.2.8.2 AssessmentofResidualEffects 6387.2.9 VulnerableGroups 6387.2.9.1 MitigationMeasures 638


RailwayCorridorVIIIEasternsection viii

7.2.9.2 AssessmentofResidualEffects 6397.2.10 WorkforceRelatedImpactsandIssues 6407.2.10.1 MitigationMeasures 6407.2.10.2 AssessmentofResidualEffects 6437.2.11 QualityofLife 6447.2.11.1 MitigationMeasures 6447.2.11.2 AssessmentofResidualEffects 6467.2.12 AssessmentSummaryTable 6477.3 Cumulative,SynergyandTransboundarySocioEconomicImpacts 6537.3.1 ExistingandForeseenProjectsintheRailwayProjectArea 6537.3.2 AssessmentofCumulativeImpacts 6587.3.3 AssessmentofTransboundaryImpacts 664

8 ENVIRONMENTALANDSOCIALMANAGEMENTANDMONITORINGPLAN 6678.1 Responsibilites 6678.2 StructureoftheEsmmp 6688.3 Environmental&SocialManagementPlan 6698.4 Environmental&SocialMonitoringPlan 697

9 ANALYSISOFTECHNICALINSUFFICIENCY&NEEDFORUPDATEOFTHEESIASTUDY 7079.1 EnvironmentalIssues 7079.2 SocialIssues 709

10 CONCLUSIONS 71110.1 Introduction 71110.2 SummaryofPotentiallySignificantResidualEnvironmentalEffects 71210.2.1 constructionphase 71210.2.2 OperationalPhase 71210.2.3 SummaryofCumulative&TransboundaryResidualEnvironmentalEffects 71410.3 SummaryofPotentiallySignificantResidualSocialEffects 71410.3.1 ConstructionPhase 71410.3.2 OperationalPhase 71710.3.3 SummaryofCumulative&TransboundaryResidualSocialEffects 72010.4 Summary 721

11 NONTECHNICALSUMMARY 72311.1 Introduction 72311.2 Background 72411.2.1 CorridorVIII 72411.2.2 RationalefortheProject 72511.2.3 HistoryoftheProject 72611.2.4 ConsiderationofAltErnatives 72611.3 SummaryofLegalandPolicyFramework 73111.3.1 NationalEnvironmentalandSocialLegislation 73111.3.2 NaTureProtection 73111.3.2.1 NatureProtectionLegalFramework 73111.3.2.2 EBRD&EIBBiodiversityProtection&ConservationPolicy 73211.3.2.3 ESIA&PermittingRequirements 732


RailwayCorridorVIIIEasternsection ix

11.3.2.4 LandAcquisitionLegalFramework 73211.4 StakeholderEngagement&Consultation 73311.5 ProjectDescription 73411.6 AssessmentMethodology 73511.6.1 ESIAMethodology 73511.6.2 AssessmentofEFfectsonEmerald&Natura2000Sites 73611.7 SummaryofBaselineEnvironmental&SocialConditions 73611.7.1 EnvironmentalBaseline 73711.7.2 SocialBaseline 73911.8 Environmental&SocialBenefits&AdverseImpacts&Mitigation 74011.8.1 SummaryofEnvironmental&SocialImpacts&Mitigation 74011.9 Cumulative&TransboundaryImpacts 74911.1 Environmental&SociaLManagement&Monitoring 74911.11 Contacts 750

12 STAKEHOLDERENGAGEMENTPLAN 75112.1 Introduction 75112.1.1 Background 75112.1.2 Summaryoftheproject 75212.1.1.1 DescriptionoftheProject 75212.1.1.2 HistoryoftheProjectOverview 75412.2 RegulatoryContext 75412.2.1 Macedonianrequirementsforstakeholderengagement/publicconsultation 75412.2.2 EBRDrequirementsforstakeholderengagementandpublicconsultation 75612.3 StakeholderIdentification 75612.4 StakeholderCharacteristics 75912.4.1 Macedonianstakeholders 75912.4.2 Bulgarianstakeholders 76112.5 CommunicationProcessandmethods 76212.5.1 StakeholderEngagementStrategy 76212.5.2 InformationDisclosure 76312.6 GrievanceMechanism 76512.7 Listofstakeholders 76912.8 Commentform 77212.9 Grievanceform 77312.1 Contactpoints 774

13 RESETTLEMENTCOMPENSATIONFRAMEWORKPLAN 77713.1 Introduction 77713.2 ProjectDescription 77713.3 PolicyandRegulatoryBackground 77813.3.1 LegislationGoverningRailwaySystems 77813.3.2 MacedonianExpropriationLaw 77813.3.3 LandTenureandPropertyRights 77813.3.4 InternationalRequirements 77913.3.5 ProcedureforLandExpropriation 78013.4 OrganisationalResponsibilities 78113.5 CutoffDate 783


RailwayCorridorVIIIEasternsection x

13.6GapAnalysesLegalFrameworkforExpropriationandEBRDEnvironmentalandSocialPolicy 783

13.6.1 PoliciesandPrinciples 78313.7 DescriptionofPastandCurrentExpropriationActivities 78813.8 DefinitionofAffectedPeopleandProperties 79013.8.1 SocioEconomicSurvey 79113.8.2 Census 79113.9 RealEstateFrameworkforLandAcquisitionandCompensation(InventoryOfLosses) 79113.9.1 AffectedLandandStructures 79213.9.2 ProcessofSurvey 79313.1 ExpropriationandCompensationCosts 79313.11 Entitlements 79513.12 GrievanceManagement 80313.12.1 Overview 80313.12.2 GrievanceManagement 80313.12.3 DisputeResolution 80413.13 MonitoringAndReporting 80413.13.1 Monitoring 80413.13.2 Reporting 80613.14 RolesandResponsibilities 80613.15 PublicConsultationandDisclosure 80713.16 Conclusion 80713.17 GapAnalysisPreparedbyEbrd 80813.18 GrievanceForm 813

14 COMMENTSONDRAFTESIASTUDY&LISTOFINTRODUCEDCHANGES 815

15 REFERENCES 816


RailwayCorridorVIIIEasternsection xi

ABBREVIATIONS

AEWA AfricanEurasianMigratoryWaterbirdsAEWA AgreementontheConservationofAfricanEurasianMigratoryWaterbirdsAGTC EuropeanAgreementonInternationalCombinedTransportLinesAGTC EuropeanAgreementonInternationalCombinedTransportLinesARS AutomaticRouteSettingATP AutomaticTrainProtectionBC BernConventionBDZ BulgarianrailwaysCAPEX CapitalExpensesCBI ComputerbasedInterlockingCEN ComiteEuropendeNormalizationEuropeanCommitteeforStandardization

CENELEC ComitEuropendeNormalizationElctrotchniqueEuropeanCommitteeforElectrotechnicalStandardizationCITES ConventionofInternationalTradingofEndangeredSpeciesCOP CorporateOperationalPlan

CRTSIINS ConventionalRailInfrastructureTechnicalspecificationforinteroperabilityrelatingtothesubsysteminfrastructureCTC CentralizedTrafficControlCWR ContinuousWeldedRailDMU DieselMultipleUnitDTM DigitalterrainmodelEBRD EuropeanBankforReconstructionandDevelopmentECNC EuropeanCentreforNatureConservationEEC EuropeanUnionCommisionEHS Environmental,Health&SafetyEIA EnvironmentalImpactAssessmentEIB EuropeanInvestmentBankEMEP EuropeanMonmitoringandEvaluationProgrammeEMER theProgramformonitoringtheairinEuropeEMU ElectricMultipleUnitTrainsERTMS EuropeanRailTrafficManagementSystemESIA EnvironmentalSocialImpactAssessmentETS EuropeanThreatStatusETS BirdLifeInternationalEuropeanThreatStatusETSI EuropeanTelecommunicationsStandardsInstituteEU EuropeanUnionFTA FederalTransitAdministrationGDP GrossDomesticProductGFC GrossFixedCapitalGFCF GrossFixedCapitalFormationGHG NationalgreenhousegasGIS GeographicInformationSystemsGoM GovernmentofMacedoniaH&SPlan Health&SafetyPlan


RailwayCorridorVIIIEasternsection xii

HD HabitatsDirectiveHPI2 HumanpovertyindexIBAs ImportantBirdAreasIFC InternationalFinanceCorporationILO InternationalLabourOrganizationIM InfrastructureRailwayManagerIPAs ImportantPlantAreasIPPC IntegratedPollutionPreventionandControlIUCN InternationalUnionforConservationofNatureK.P. KilometerpointLEAP LocalEnvironmentalActionPlanLER LocalEconomicDevelopmentLEU LinesideEncoderUnitLRF LivelihoodrestorationframeworkMES MacedonianEcologicalSocietyMKD MacedonianMoEPP MinistryofEnvironmentandPhysicalPlanningEnvironmentalAdministrationMoTC MacedonianMinistryofTransportandCommunication

MoU MemorandumofUnderstandingfortheDevelopmentoftheCoreRegionalTransportNetworkMZT MacedonianRailwaysTransportNARDS NATIONALAGRICULTURALANDRURALDEVELOPMENTSTRATEGYNEAP NationalEnvironmentalActionPlanNGOs NonGovernmentOrganizationsNHMS NationalHydrologicalMetrologicalServicesNMVOCs NonmethanevolatileorganiccompoundsNPAA NationalProgrammeforAdoptionoftheAcquisCommunautaireNSEA NationalStrategyforEnvironmentalApproximationNTS NonTechnicalSummaryNUTS3 EurostatNomenclatureofTerritorialUnitsforStatisticsOH&S OccupationalHealthandSafetyOJT OnthejobtrainingOPEX OperationalExpensesPAH PolycyclicAromaticHydrocarbonsPCA PeopleCenteredAnalysisPCBs PolychlorinatedbiphenylesPCE PublicCommunalEnterprisePEBLDS PanEuropeanBiologicalandLandscapeDiversityStrategyPEEN PanEuropeanEcologicalNetworkPERI MacedonianRailwaysInfrastructurePERI PublicEnterpriseforRailwayInfrastructurePOP PersistentorganicpollutantsPR PerformanceRequirementRCC RemoteControlCentreRCF ResettlementActionPlan(RAP)RCF ResettlementCompensationFrameworkRIC RegolamentoInternazionaledelleCarrozzeInternationalCoachRegulationsRIMSYS RiverMonitoringSystem


RailwayCorridorVIIIEasternsection xiii

RIV RegolamentoInternazionaledeiVeicolInternationalWagonRegulationsRMS RootmeansquareSEA StrategicEnvironmentalAssessmentSEE SouthEastEuropeSEP StakeholderEngagementPlanSFRY SocialFederalRepublicofYugoslaviaSIA StrategicImpactAssessmentSMEs, SmallMediumEnterprisesSNAP SelectedNomenclatureonAirPollutantsSPEC SpeciesofEuropeanConservationConcernTEN TransEuropeanNetworkTRACECA TransportCorridorEuropeCaucasusAsiaTSI TechnicalSpecificationforInteroperabilityTSISRT SafetyinRailwayTunnelsUIC UnionInternationaledesCheminsdeferInternationalUnionofRailwaysUPS UninterruptiblepowersupplyWEEE WasteElectronicsandElectricalEquipmentWFD WaterFrameworkDirectiveWHO WorldHealthOrganizationWS WaterStrategyofRepublicofMacedonia


RailwayCorridorVIIIEasternsection xiv

Chapter1Introduction

ProvidesgeneralinformationabouttheProject,thelegal&policybasisoftheESIA,theProjectproponentandESIAassessmentteam,andthepurposeandcontentoftheESIA.


RailwayCorridorVIIIEasternsection 1

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 INTRODUCTION

As part of the governments national transport strategy the Macedonian Ministry of Transport andCommunication (MoTC) intends to improve transport capacities of the Country by reconstructing andconstructing the Railway Corridor VIII Eastern Section (the Project) between Kumanovo and KrivaPalankaattheborderwithBulgaria.TheEasternSectioncomprisesof88.1kmofrailrunningacrosstheNorthEast region of Macedonia (see Figure 11). The Macedonian Ministry of Transport andCommunicationhasapproachedtheEuropeanBankforReconstructionandDevelopment(EBRD)andtheEuropean Investment Bank (EIB) to finance the rehabilitation and construction works on the RailwayCorridorVIIIEasternSection.

AspartoftheapplicationforfundsandinordertomeetregulatoryrequirementstheMinistryofTransportand Communication with EBRD funds have procured the preparation of a Feasibility Study and theEnvironmental Social ImpactAssessment (ESIA) for the Project. This draft ESIA is being published anddisclosedforcommentaspartoftheprocessforfinalisingandgainingregulatoryapprovalandfinancingofthe Project. Following the comment period the ESIA will be updated to reflect comments made bystakeholdersand informationwillbeprovided regardinghowcommentshavebeenaddressed.The finaldecisionandversionoftheESIAwillbemadepublicallyavailable.

Gostivar

Tetovo

SkopjeDracevo

Kumanovo

Veles Stip

Kocani

Kavadarci

Prilep

Strumica

Blagbevgrad

Kyustendil

Bitola

Ohrid

Struga

Kicevo

Presevo

Lipkovo Karposh

Kriva Palanka

Probistip

Sokolarci

Cheshinovo Vinica

Berovo

Radovic

Negotino

Sveti NicoleStudenicani

LlindenArachinovo

Rankovce

Gradsko

Valandovo

Gevgelija

Kamenica

Zajas

Krusevo

Krivogastani

Makedonski Brod

Debar

Dabilje

Nov DojranBogdanci

0 100

km

Main Road

Highway

existing Railway

Border Macedonia

Railway Projected

Railway Section Focused

Albania

SerbiaBulgaria

Greece

Macedonia

Figure11TheProject(RailwayCorridorVIIIEasternsection)



1.2 LEGALANDPOLICYREQUIREMENTSFORTHEESIA

AccordingtotheMacedonianLawonEnvironment1withinwhichtherequirementsoftheEUEIADirective(85/337/EECamended2)havebeen transposed, thepotentialenvironmental impactsof theProjectmustbeevaluatedbyanEnvironmentalImpactAssessment(EIA)processanddocumentedinanenvironmentalimpactstatement.

ScreeningoftheProjectundertheLawonEnvironmentinrelationtodeterminingtheneedfortheEIAwasundertaken.UnderAnnexIoftheDecreeondeterminingprojectsforwhichthefullEIAprocedureshouldbecarriedout(OfficialGazette3No.74/05),theProjectfallsundersubcategory7(a):Constructionoflinesforlongdistancerailwaytrafficandairportswithabasicrunwaylengthof2,100mormore.Consequently,theRailwayProjecthasbeensubjecttothefullEIAprocedure,accordingtotheMacedonianenvironmentallegislation(listedinChapter2).

As part of their decisionmaking process, EBRD and EIB require an evaluation of the proposed ProjectthroughanEnvironmentalandSocialImpactAssessment(ESIA)thatmeetsEBRD,EIBandotherapplicableinternationalguidelinesandrequirements.AccordingtotheEBRDcategorizationofthefinancedprojectsbasedonenvironmentalandsocialcriteriareflectingthelevelofpotentialimpactsandnatureandlevelofassessments, information disclosure and stakeholder engagement, the Project fallswithin Appendix 1:CategoryAprojects,subcategory7:Constructionofmotorways,expressroadsandlinesforlongdistancerailway traffic. Therefore a participatory assessment process was carried out following the EBRDPerformance Requirements given in their Environmental and Social Policy (20084), aswell as the EIBsenvironmental and social requirements outlined in their Environmental and Social Practices Handbook(Version2:24/02/2010).ThedevelopmentoftheMacedonianEIAandEBRDsESIAhasbeenconsolidatedintooneprocessanddocumentedinthissinglereport.

In line withMacedonian law on public participation in the EIA process (contained within the Law ofEnvironment), the EU Public Participation Directive (2003/4/EC), the Aarhus Convention5, EBRDEnvironmental and Social Policy6 and EIB requirements7 theremust be public involvement in the ESIAprocedure.ThereforethedraftESIAisbeingpublishedforcommentaspartoftheprocessforfinalisingandregulatorygainingofapprovalandfinancingoftheProject.

1.3 THEPROJECT

1.3.1 CORRIDORVIII

Corridor VIII is amultimodal transport network comprising of sea and river ports, airports, roads andrailways running along the eastwest axis starting in the southern ItalianportsofBari andBrindisi andbeforecrossingthroughAlbania,MacedoniaandBulgariatotheBlackSeaportsofVarnaandBurgas.

In1995,theGovernmentofMacedoniastartedthepreparationofanewSpatialPlanforthecountryasaresultofthepolitical,economicandstrategicchanges inthestate.TheSpatialPlanaddressedthespatialarrangement of transport and other infrastructures, and included Corridor VIII as a very importanttransportcorridorforthecountry.TheSpatialPlanwasfinallyadoptedin2004withanexpiringhorizonin2020.ItwasestablishedbytheParliamentoftheRepublicofMacedonia,followinganexpertconsultation

1MacedonianLawonEnvironment1(OfficialGazetteofRMNo.53/05,81/05,24/07,159/08,83/09,124/10,51/11)2EIADirective(85/337/EEC)amendedwithDirectives97/11/EC,2003/35/ECand2009/31/EC.3OfficialGazette:OfficialGazetteofRepublicofMacedonia4Environmental&SocialPolicy(May2008);EuropeanBankforReconstructionandDevelopmenthttp://www.ebrd.com/downloads/about/sustainability/2008policy.pdf5ConventiononAccesstoInformation,PublicParticipationinDecisionmakingandAccesstoJusticeinEnvironmentalMatters(AarhusConvention)whichwasratifiedbyFYRMacedoniain1999(LawonRatifications(OfficialGazetteofRMNo.40/99)6Environmental&SocialPolicy(May2008);EuropeanBankforReconstructionandDevelopmenthttp://www.ebrd.com/downloads/about/sustainability/2008policy.pdf7IncludingtheEIBCorporateOperationalPlan20112013,theEIBStatementofEnvironmental&SocialPrinciples&Standards;2009andtheEIBEnvironmental&SocialPracticesHandbook(Version2of24/02/2010).



processwithparticipationofpublicexpertise,representativesfromdepartmentsoftheStategovernment,representativesoflocalselfgovernments,institutionsresponsibleforthepreservationofculturalheritage,scientific institutions, communal enterprises, and NonGovernment Organizations (NGOs). However,becausetheSpatialPlanwaspassedbeforetheenactmentin2005oftheLawonEnvironment,itwasnotsubjecttoaStrategicImpactAssessment(SEA).

TheNationalStrategyofTransportfrom2009fortheRepublicofMacedonia(Macedonia)confirmedthehighgovernmentalpriorityforCorridorVIIIforthecountry.TherailwayCorridorVIIIthroughMacedoniaispartly finishedwith 2 incomplete sections; the firstWestern section towards Albania and the EasternsectiontowardsBulgaria.

CorridorVIII starts in thewest from the southern ItalianportsofBari andBrindisi and crossing to theAlbanian ports of Durres and Vlora then overland through Albania, Macedonia and Bulgaria to theBulgarianportsontheBlackSeaofBurgasandVarna.TherailwaycorridorEastWest,otherwiseknownasCorridorVIII,wasdefinedinitspresentformatthePanEuropeanConference,heldinHelsinki(1997),andwasincludedaspartofoneoffivenewEuropeanTransnationalAxesin20058.AlongitsrouteCorridorVIIIconnectswithPanEuropeanCorridorsIV,IXandX,asshowninFigure12.

Figure12PanEuropeanCorridorsintheBalkanRegion

8ThePanEuropeanTransportCorridorsandAreaswereestablishedduringthreePanEuropeanTransportconferences.TheoverallconceptwasdevelopedatthefirstconferenceinPraguein1991.NinelongdistancetransportcorridorsasprioritiesforinfrastructuredevelopmentweredefinedatthesecondconferenceinCretein1994,includingCorridorVIII.AtenthcorridorandthePanEuropeanTransportAreasformaritimebasinswereaddedatthethirdconferenceinHelsinkiin1997,wheretheCorridorsweredefinedintheirpresentform.Therefore,thesecorridorsaresometimesreferredtoasthe"Cretecorridors"or"Helsinkicorridors",regardlessoftheirgeographicallocations.ThePanEuropeanCorridorVIIIMemorandumofUnderstanding(MoU),signedinBarionSeptember9,2002,byAlbania,Bulgaria,Macedonia,ItalyandTurkey,gavenewimpulsetotheaccomplishmentoftheCorridor.TheEUenlargement,withtheaccessionsof10newMemberStatesonMay1,2004andofRomaniaandBulgariaonJanuary1,2007,madetheexternalbordersoftheUnionmovefurthertowardsEastandSouth,bringingseveralnewneighbouringCountriestotheEU.In this new situation, EU transport policy to connect neighbouring countries needed to be redefined, asmost of Pan EuropeanTransportCorridorswerenowincludedintheEUandbecamepartoftheTransEuropeanNetwork.InthisgeneralframeworkoftheEUenlargementtonewMemberStates,theprocessofdefinitionofanewEuropeanTransportPlanningStrategywascompleted inDecember2005withthepublicationofthereportNetworksforPeaceandDevelopmentExtensionofthemajortransEuropeantransportaxestotheneighbouringcountriesandregions(November2005),whereCorridorVIIIwasconfirmedasintegralpartofoneofthefivenewEuropeanTransnationalAxes,namelytheSouthEasternAxis.Thetaskofcoordinatingandpromotingtheinitiativesforthe realizationofCorridorVIIIare carriedoutby theSteeringCommittee (SC), comprisedofMemberStates representativesandchairedbyItaly.



1.3.2 MACEDONIANRAILCORRIDORVIIIEASTERNSECTION

The Project comprisesof the rehabilitation and constructionof the eastern sectionof railCorridorVIIIwithintheRepublicofMacedonia.Figure13showstheplannedalignmentofrailCorridorVIIIandotherrailcorridorsintheRepublicofMacedonia.

Figure13RailwayCorridorsintheRepublicofMacedonia

Plansandactivities forconstructionandoperationoftheeasternpartofrail line fromKumanovototheBulgarianborderbeganasearlyas theXIXcenturyand,albeitwith interruptions,werecontinuousuntil2004,whenworks started in1994 stoppeddue to the lackof funds. TheProjecthasbeendivided intothreesections:

Section 1: Kumanovo to Beljakovce (31km): the first 31km of the railway line was previouslyoperational (until1994)however, rehabilitationof this section is required inorder for it tobecomeoperationalagain;

Section2:BeljakovcetoKrivaPalanka(34km):themiddlesectionofthealignmentrunsfromK.P.31toK.P.65 justbefore the townofKrivaPalanka. In this sectionmanyof the structuresarepartiallycompleted. It can be estimated that approximately one third of all construction works has beencompleted. Construction is required of the missing railway structures and rehabilitation is alsonecessarytotherailwaystructurespreviouslyconstructed;and

Section3:KrivaPalankatotheBulgarianBorder (23.5km):The lastsectionof therailway linerunsfromKrivaPalankaatK.P.65uptoDeveBairattheBulgarianborderlocatedatK.P.88.5.Therehavebeen no previous railwayworks undertakenwithin this section and therefore construction of therailwaylineandstructuresisrequiredalongentireroute.

ThesesectionsarerepresentedinFigure14.



Figure14SectionsofProjectRailwayCorridorVIIIEasternSection

TheESIAassesseswithin itsscopethe3sectionsoftheProject.ThesesectionsarecommontoboththeESIAandtheFeasibilityStudy.

1.3.3 INVESTMENTDELIVERYPHASES

TheProject is tobedelivered in twomainphasesof investment,whichare referred towithin theESIAasStage1andStage29:

Stage1: Comprises the rehabilitation of Section 1 between Kumanovo to Beljakovce for dieseltractionandwithoutelectrification.Theenvisagedconstructionperiod is from2013 to theendof2014.The operational period is expected to be from the end of 2014 to 2018 for diesel traction and localpassengerservicesbutnofreightservices;andStage2: Rehabilitation and construction of the Beljakovce to Deve Bair section (comprising of both

Sections 2 and 3) and the electrification of the whole route from Kumanovo to Deve Bair(includingSections,1,2and3).Theenvisagedconstructionperiodisfrom2015to2018withthecommencement of railway operations by the end of 2018. Electric tractionwill be deliveredduring this phase from Kumanovo up toDeve Bair on theMacedonian side of the Bulgarianborder,andwilllinkwithelectrictractionuptoGuyeshevo,justaftertheBulgarianborder.ItisunderstoodthoughcurrentlythatdieseltractionfromGuyeshevothroughBulgaria,whichisnotincluded in thescopeof thisESIA, isenvisageduntil2024with thechangeof tractivestock toelectricenvisagedfrom2025ontheBulgarianside.

1.4 PURPOSEOFTHEESIA

ThepurposeoftheESIAistoidentifyandassessthepotentialpositiveandadverseimpactsthatmayarisefrom theRailwayCorridorVIII EasternSection railwayProject (Figure15)on thephysicalandnatural

9Stage2nowcoversthepreviousProjectpreparationStages2and3.



environment, on the socioeconomic wellbeing and conditions of the population (community andworkforce) at the local (municipalities), regional (North Eastern region), national (Macedonia) andtransboundary levels, including an assessment of railway accidents and identification of railway safetyprovisions.

TheProjectactivitiesthathavebeenconsideredaspartoftheESIAincludethosetobeundertakenduringthe design, rehabilitation/construction and operation of the railway, including the interim operation ofSection1usingdieseltractionandoperationofthewholeeasternsection(Sections1to3)usingelectrictraction.Decommissioningofconstructionsitesandtemporaryfacilitiesisalsoconsideredwithinthescopeoftheassessment.However,decommissioningoftherailwaylinehasnotbeenconsideredwithintheESIAat this stagedue toboth limited informationbeingavailableat this stagewith regard to the ceasingofoperationof the railwayandgiven the intention thatwithmaintenance the railway linewillcontinue tooperate beyond its design life. In the event that the railway line ceases operation and needs to bedecommissionedrelevantapprovalswillbesoughtandifrequiredanESIAwillbeprepared.

Identified impacts have been assessed taking into account the environmental and social baselineconditions analyzed for the study area, and,where necessary and appropriate,mitigationmeasures toavoid,prevent,mitigateorcompensatesignificantlyadverseimpactsandenhancebeneficialimpactshavebeen proposed. In this regard, a mitigation and monitoring plan to both monitor and evaluate theimplementationofmitigationmeasuresandtheProjectperformanceonenvironmentalandsocialbaselineconditionshasbeenincludedasanintegralpartoftheESIA.Furthermore,theassessmentdeterminesthesignificanceof residualeffects remainingon theenvironmentand communityasa resultof theProjectfollowingimplementationofthemitigationmeasures.

Figure15AreapotentiallyaffectedbytheProjectwithintheNorthEastregionofMacedonia

The ESIA has been prepared in line with the national EIA requirements withinMacedonia, and withreference to EBRD and EIB requirements and other international applicable standards, such as theInternationalFinanceCorporation(IFC)Environmental,Health&Safety(EHS)GuidelinesforRailways(April2007). The scoping assessment andmethodology for the ESIA is presented in Chapter 4 AssessmentMethodology&Scoping.

The draft ESIAwill be disclosed to the public. The comment periodwill be 120 days, ensuring that allstakeholdershaveanopportunitytoexpresstheirviews.AStakeholderEngagementPlan(SEP)hasbeendevelopedasa communication tool for theProjectandusing this the stakeholderswere identifiedandhavebeen involvedduringthedevelopmentofthedraftESIA.Uponcompletionofthecommentperiod,the ESIA Studywillbeupdated to reflect the commentsmadeby stakeholders and informationwillbe



providedabouthow commentshavebeenaddressed. Inaddition, these commentswillbe fed into thefutureworkonthedetaileddesignandconstructionoftheProject.ThefinaldecisionandversionoftheESIAwillbemadepublicallyavailable.

1.5 PROJECTPROPONENTANDESIATEAM

The Railway Corridor VIII Eastern Section Project proponent is the Ministry of Transport andCommunication, Government of the Republic of Macedonia. Eptisa with DB International have beenselected by the Macedonian Ministry of Transport and Communication as the Consultant for thepreparationof the Feasibility Study and theESIA for theProject.Thisdraft ESIAhasbeenpreparedonbehalf of theMacedonianMinistry of Transport & Communication by Eptisa consulting firm with DBInternational.AspartofConsultantsteam,thefollowingtechnicalenvironmentalandsocialexpertshaveparticipatedinthepreparationoftheESIA.

Consultantsteamofexperts

Name Organization Role/Tasks

MrsMaraCarlotaArquiaga Eptisa

ESIA expert acting as associated environmental consultant/ESIAreview

MrBertoldWeitz DBInternationalEnvironmental specialist /Topography, landscape,geomorphology, Geology, soils baseline and assessment,mitigationmeasures

MrsGitteAndersen Eptisa

Social Impact Specialist / socioeconomic baseline,assessment of social impacts, mitigation measures,resettlement compensation framework, Stakeholderengagementplan

MrsSlavjankaPejcinovskaAndonova

Eptisa

Local Environmental Specialist / Surface water &Groundwater, air quality, noise & vibrations, wastemanagement, cultural heritage& Archeology, baseline andassessments of impacts,mitigationmeasures, Stakeholderengagementplan

DrJovanPejkovski EptisaLocal Social Impact Specialist / socioeconomic baseline,assessment of social impacts, mitigation measures,resettlementcompensationframework,

MrsSvetlanaKirevska Eptisa LocalSocialImpactSpecialist/socioeconomicbaseline

MsTatjanaTodoroska Eptisa

Projectassistant/CoordinationofESIAworks,assistancefor:socioeconomic baseline, assessment of social impacts,mitigation measures, Resettlement compensationframework,Stakeholderengagementplan,Projectleaflet

MrVasilAnastasovski Eptisa Consultant/Geology,hydrology

DrMitkoKaradelev Eptisa Coordinator of works on natural environment / Naturalenvironment,fungi,coordinationandsynthesis

DrLjupcoMelovski Eptisa Assistant to Dr Karadelev / Habitat and flora description,relatedimpactassessmentandmitigationmeasures

DrSlavcoHristovski EptisaAssistant toDrKaradelev/Fauna (invertebrate)description,related impact assessment and mitigation measures, andsynthesis

MrBogoljubSterjovski Eptisa Assistant to Dr Karadelev / Fauna (fishes, amphibians andreptiles) description, related impact assessment and



Consultantsteamofexperts

Name Organization Role/Tasks

mitigationmeasures

MrMetodijaVelevski Eptisa AssistanttoDrKaradelev/Fauna(birds)description,relatedimpactassessmentandmitigationmeasures

Mr.DimceMelovski EptisaAssistanttoDrKaradelev/Fauna(mammalsandbutterflies)description, related impact assessment and mitigationmeasures

MrLjubomirStefanov Eptisa AssistanttoDrKaradelev/Fauna(grasshoppers)description,relatedimpactassessmentandmitigationmeasures

MsDanielaJovanovska Eptisa Drafter/GIS,cartography

1.6 CONTENTOFTHEESIA

TheESIAhasbeenstructuredtofollowacommonlyacceptedimpactassessmentformatandisreflectiveofthestageswithintheMacedonianEIAprocedure.TheESIAisorganizedinto15chapterswiththefollowingcontent:

Chapter1 Introduction:provides general information about theProject, the legal&policybasisof theESIA,theProjectproponentandESIAassessmentteam,andthepurposeandcontentoftheESIA.

Chapter 2 Legal & Policy Requirements: describes environmental and social policy, legislation andstandardsrelevanttotheProject,atbothnationalandEU levels,aswellasmultilateralagreementsandconventionssigned/ratifiedbytheRepublicofMacedonia.

Chapter3ProjectDescription&ConsiderationofAlternatives:describesthetechnicalspecificationoftheProject and its background, need and objectives along with outlining the expected benefits from theProject, the landuse and land take, the Project phases andprogramme, and theproposed labour andworkforcearrangementsand facilities.TheChapteralsodescribes the routealternativesconsideredandtheselectionofthefinalroute.

Chapter4AssessmentMethodology&ScopingAssessment:definesthescopeoftheassessmentbasedonthe issues which have the potential to cause significant effects on the receiving environment andcommunities,thescopingopinionoftherelevantauthority(MinistryofEnvironmentandPhysicalPlanningEnvironmentalAdministration)andtheopinionsofstakeholders.Describesthemethodologyappliedfortheassessmentofpotentialenvironmentalandsocialimpactsandthedeterminationofthesignificanceofresidualeffects.

Chapter 5 Baseline Environmental & Social Conditions: describes baseline environmental and socialconditions,focusingonsensitiveissuesandvulnerablegroups.

Chapter 6 Potential Environmental& Social Impacts: describes the potential environmental and socialimpacts resulting from the railway project activities, including cumulative, synergy and transboundaryimpacts.

Chapter 7 Environmental& SocialMitigationMeasures and Residual Environmental& Social Effects:presents theenvironmentaland socialmitigationmeasuresproposed toavoid,prevent,mitigateand/orcompensatetheadverseimpactsandenhancethebeneficialimpactsoftherailwayProject.Describesthepotential residual environmental and social effects remaining from the Project following theimplementationofmitigationmeasuresandpresentsthelikelysignificanceoftheseresidualeffectsalongwithasummaryofthelikelysignificantresidualenvironmentalandsocialeffects.



Chapter8Environmental&SocialManagement&Monitoring:presentstheproposedenvironmentalandsocialmanagementandmonitoringprogramdesignedtoevaluatetheimplementationandperformanceofthemitigationmeasuresandtheoverallenvironmentalandsocialperformanceoftheProject.

Chapter9AnalysisofTechnicalInsufficiency&NeedforUpdateoftheESIAStudy:describesthevarioustechnical insufficiencies encountered during the ESIA development in terms of data availability (lack ofdata)andcollection.

Chapter 10 Conclusion: summarizes the key findings and conclusions of the assessment including thepotentialsignificantresidualenvironmentalandsocialeffects.

Chapter 11 NonTechnical Summary (NTS): presents the NonTechnical Summary of the ESIA of theproposedProject.

Chapter12StakeholderEngagementPlan(SEP):describestheStakeholderEngagementPlan,showingthecommunication channels with stakeholders, and the active public participation during the entire ESIAprocess.

Chapter13ResettlementCompensationFramework:describestheprinciplestobeappliedintheeventofland acquisition leading to physical and/or economic displacement (resettlement), involuntaryresettlementandlandacquisitionissuesandmeasures.

Chapter 14 Comments onDraft ESIA Study& List of Introduced Changes:will include the commentsreceived on the draft ESIA during the public disclosure/comment period, and a list of the changesintroducedinthefinalversionoftheESIAStudy.

Chapter15References:presentsalistofthereferencesusedduringthepreparationoftheESIAStudy.

AnnexestotheESIA

Annex1PartfromFutureTrafficScheme

Annex2DecisionfromtheGovernmentoftheRepublicofMacedoniafortheselectedalignment

Annex3Siteinspection

Annex4DecisionofMoEPforscopeoftheESIA

Annex5Habitatsmaps

Annex6Plantspecies

Annex7Fungi&Lichens

Annex8.1Vertebrates(Amphibians,Reptiles,Birds,Mammals)

Annex8.2Invertebrates(Dragonflies,Groundbeetles,Dailybutterflies,Grasshoppers Annex9Landusetypes

Chapter2Legal&PolicyRequirements

Describesenvironmentalandsocialpolicy,legislationandstandardsrelevanttotheProject,atnationalandEUlevels,aswellasmultilateralagreementsandconventionssigned/ratifiedbytheRepublicofMacedonia.



2 LEGALANDPOLICYREQUIREMENTS

2.1 NATIONALLEGISLATION(&RELATEDEUDIRECTIVES)

2.1.1 NATIONALENVIRONMENTAL&SOCIALLEGISLATIONANDEUDIRECTIVES

Recognizingthedamagingeffectsofenvironmentalpollutiononhumanbeingsandthequalityoflife,theRepublic ofMacedonia has developed constitutional provisions that guarantee the right to a healthyenvironment. Article 43 of the Constitution of the Republic ofMacedonia (OfficialGazetteNo. 52/91)prescribeseveryone isobligedtopromoteandprotecttheenvironment;theStateprovidesconditionstoapply the right of citizens to a healthy environment. Macedonia has become a Party to the mainmultilateral conventions andprotocols explicitly recognising the linkbetween environmentalprotectionand the human rights norms covering many environmental issues like EIA, Strategic EnvironmentalAssessment (SEA) in the national and transboundary context, climate change, biodiversity, publicinformation,publicparticipation in thedecisionmakingprocessandaccess to justice, transboundaryairpollution and air monitoring, ozone layer, chemicals like persistent organic pollutants (POP), natureprotection,etc.KeyrelevantlegislationislistedinTable21.

AtthesametimetheRepublicofMacedoniahasconfirmeditscommitmenttowardsEUaccessionthroughthedevelopmentoftherelationshipwiththeEUsinceOctober1992,andhasposedtheEUMembershipon its political agenda as a national goal of highest priority from the very beginning of independence,obtained in1991.In2005theRepublicofMacedoniawasgrantedbytheEUthecandidatestatusforfullEUmembership.

In order to fulfil the criteria for full membership, the Republic of Macedonia adopted the NationalProgrammeforAdoptionoftheAcquisCommunautaire(NPAA)in200710.TheNPAA,which isperiodicallyrevised, comprises the plans for harmonization of the national legislationwith the EU legislation, thenecessary institutional strengthening for implementation of the legislation, as well as the necessaryresources for realization. Chapter 3.27 of the NPAA addresses the achievements and the remainingobligations in the fieldofEnvironment. Inearly2008, theRepublicofMacedoniaadopted theNationalStrategyforEnvironmentalApproximation(NSEA)inordertorespondtothecomplexobligationsoftheEUenvironmentalacquisandatthesametimecontributetothesustainabledevelopmentofthecountry.TheNSEA provides a roadmap for a full and effective approximation process, including a sustainable,comprehensive frameworkofactionswithassociated costsneeded for legal transpositionand technicalimplementation in all ten environmental sectors. The transposition of the main obligations of theenvironmentalEUDirectives,EUstandardsand internationalorganisationsstandards (e.g.WorldHealthOrganization (WHO)) into the national primary legislation started in 2003/2004 with the Law onEnvironment(OfficialGazetteNo.53/05,81/05,24/07,159/08,83/2009,124/2010,51/2011).TheLawonEnvironment contains the basic principles of environmental protection with both precautionary andpolluterpaysprinciplesandprovidesthelegalbasisforissuingofnecessarysecondarylegislation.

During 2004 to 2008, other primary legal acts related to air quality and air management, watermanagementandwaterquality,wastemanagement,natureprotection,industrialpollutioncontrol,noise,havebeenpreparedandadoptedbytheMacedonianParliamentintheformofthelegalactsgiveninTable21.

The EU environmental legislation has been transposed into the national legislation and, almost for allenvironmentalsectors,theprescribedstandardsandemissionlimits,orwastemanagementprinciplesarethe same (chemicals,waste, IPPC, EIA, SEA, noise, air quality). In some sectors there is still a lack ofsecondary legislation prescribingwhere the applicable standardswill be prescribed (e.g.water quality,

10National Programme forAdoption of theAcquis Communautaire Revision 2009,Government of theRepublic ofMacedonia,Skopje,29May2009.http://www.sobranie.mk/en/WBStorage/Files/00%20NATIONAL%20PROGRAMME%202009%20%2029.05.2009.pdf



emissionstowaterandgroundwaters,emissionstosoilandsoilquality);someofthissecondarylegislationisintheprocessofpreparation.

Thekey relevantnational legislation,EUDirectivesand internationalstandardsaresummarized inTable21,withspecificstandardsbeingreferencedintherelevantenvironmentalandsocialchapters.



Relevantenvironmental/socialissuesfortheproject

RelevantnationallegislationAct,Regulation,Degree(date&ref.)

RelevantEUlegislation/Goodpractice/Internationalorganizationsstandards

ESIAprocedure

LawonEnvironment(OfficialGazetteNo.53/05,81/05,24/07,159/08,83/2009,124/2010,51/2011);

RulebookonthecontentoftherequirementsthatneedtobefulfilledbythestudyonEIA(OfficialGazetteNo.33/06);

Rulebookontheform,contentprocedureandmannerofdevelopingthereportontheadequacyofthestudyonEIAoftheprojectandtheprocedureforauthorizationofpersonsfromtheListofExpertsforEIAresponsibleforthepreparationofthereport(OfficialGazetteNo.33/06);

DecreeondeterminingprojectsforwhichandcriteriaonthebasisofwhichthescreeningforEIAshouldbecarryout(OfficialGazetteNo.74/05);

Rulebookonthecontentofannouncementofthenotificationoftheintentiontoimplementaproject,onthenecessityofanEIA,onthestudyonprojectEIA,ofthereportontheadequacyofthestudyonEIA(OfficialGazetteNo.33/06);

RulebookontheinformationcontainedinnotificationofintenttoimplementaprojectandtheprocedurefordeterminingtheneedforEIAofaproject(OfficialGazetteNo.33/06);

EIADirective(85/337/EEC)amendedwithEUDirective97/11/EC,EUDirective2003/35/EC,EUDirective2009/31/EC;

EUGuidelines:

GuidanceonEIAScreening/Scoping/EISReview,June2001

GuidelinesfortheAssessmentofIndirectandCumulativeImpactsaswellasImpactInteractions,May1999

EIBEnvironmentalandSocialPracticesHandbook,Version2:24/02/2010;

EBRDEnvironmentalandSocialPolicy,May2008:

IFCsPolicyonSocial&EnvironmentalSustainability,April30,2006;

Accesstoenvironmentalinformationandpublicparticipationinenvironmentaldecisionmakingprocess

LawonEnvironment(ChapteronEIAprocedureandtransboundarycontextandinformationdissemination,publicparticipationandaccesstojusticerequirements)(OfficialGazetteNo.53/05,81/05,24/07,159/08,83/09,124/10,51/11);

EspooConventionwasratifiedbyMacedonia(OfficialGazetteNo.44/99);

TheAarhusConventionwasratifiedbyMacedonia(OfficialGazetteNo.40/99);

DirectiveonAccesstoEnvironmentalInformation(2003/4/EC);

DirectiveforpublicparticipationinrespectofthedrawingupofcertainplansandprogramsrelatingtotheenvironmentandamendingwithregardtopublicparticipationandaccesstojusticeCouncilDirectives85/337/EECand96/61/EC(2003/35/EC);

ConventiononEnvironmentalImpactAssessmentinaTransboundaryContext(Espoo,February1991);

ConventiononAccesstoInformation,PublicParticipationinDecisionMakingandAccesstoJusticeinEnvironmentalMatters(AarhusConvention,June1998);


EBRDEnvironmentalandSocialPolicy,May2008:(PerformanceRequirement10);






Water

LawonEnvironment(OfficialGazetteNo.53/05,81/05,24/07,159/08,48/10,124/10,51/11);

LawonWaters(OfficialGazetteNo.87/08,6/09,161/09,83/10,51/11);

LawonWaterManagement(OfficialGazetteNo.85/03,95/05,103/08);

LawonAquaticCommunities(OfficialGazetteNo.51/03,95/05113/07);

Decreeonclassificationofwaters(OfficialGazetteNo.18/99);

Regulationoncategorizationofwaterstreams,lakes,accumulationsandgroundwater(OfficialGazetteNo.18/99,71/99);

Rulebookonmonitoringofsedimentinreservoirs(OfficialGazetteNo.4/99);

Rulesforreportingonthestatelevelandquantityofwateraccumulatedinreservoirs,andtheamountofwaterreleasedbythem(OfficialGazetteNo.8/99);

Rulebookonthecontentandmethodofpreparingmanagementplansforriverbasins(OfficialGazetteNo.148/09);

Regulationonmethodologyforassessmentofriverbasins(OfficialGazetteNo.148/09);

Rulebookonthecontentandmethodofpreparingtheprogramofmeasures(OfficialGazetteNo.148/09);

Rulesforspecialsecurityrequirementsfornaturalmineralwater(OfficialGazetteNo.32/06);

Rulebookondeterminationandmaintenanceofprotectivezonesaroundsourcesofdrinkingwater(SFRYOfficialGazetteNo.17/83);

RulesAmendingtheRulesofthemannerofdeterminationandmaintenanceofprotectivezonesaroundsourcesofdrinkingwater(SFRYOfficialGazetteNo.15/89);

Rulesforwatersafety(OfficialGazetteNo.46/08);

Lawonratificationoftheconventionforassessingenvironmentalimpactsinatransboundarycontext(OfficialGazetteNo.44/99);

EUDirective2001/60/ECWaterFrameworkDirectiveandDecision2455/2001/ECestablishingthelistofprioritysubstancesinthefieldofwaterpolicy;

EUDirective2008/105/EConenvironmentalqualitystandardsinthefieldofwaterpolicy;

EUDirective2006/11/EConpollutioncausedbycertaindangeroussubstancesdischargedintotheaquaticenvironment;

UrbanWastewaterTreatmentDirective(91/271/EEC);

NitratesDirective(91/676/EEC);

DangerousSubstancestoWaterDischargesDirective(76/464/EEC)asemissioncontrolorientedlegislation;

Directive98/83/EEConthequalityofwaterintendedforhumanconsumption;

Directive1991/271/EECconcerningurbanwastewatertreatment;

Directive80/68/EEContheprotectionofgroundwateragainstpollutioncausedbycertaindangeroussubstances;

WasteManagement

LawonWaste(OfficialGazetteNo.68/04,71/04,107/07,102/08,134/08,124/10and51/11);

ListofWasteTypes(OfficialGazetteNo.100/05);

LawonPackagingandPackagingWaste(OfficialGazetteNo.161/1009);

TheLawontheRatificationoftheBaselConventionontheControlofTransboundaryMovementsofHazardousWastesandtheirDisposal(OfficialGazetteNo.48/97)

Decreefordeterminingtheactivitiesofinstallations(landfillsoperation)requiringanintegral

WasteFrameworkDirective2006/12/ECamendedwithEUDirective2008/98/EConwastemanagement;CommissionDecision2000/532/ECof3May2000,replacingDecision94/3/ECestablishingalistofwastespursuanttoArticle1(a)ofCouncilDirective75/442/EEConwasteandCouncilDecision94/904/ECestablishingalistofhazardouswastepursuanttoArticle1(4)ofCouncilDirective91/689/EEConhazardouswaste;

Decisions2001/118/EU,2001/119/EUand2001/573/EU;






environmentalpermit(OfficialGazetteNo.89/05)

Rulebookonthemannerandtheconditionsforwastestorage,aswellasontheconditionstobemetbythesitesonwhichwastestorageisperformed(OfficialGazetteNo.29/07);

Rulebookontheminimumtechnicalrequirementswithregardtoenvironmentalprotectiontobemetbywastetransferstations,requirementstobemetbythesiteswherewastetransferstationsarebuiltorplaced,aswellasonthetermsforthewastestorageinwastetransferstationsdependingonthetypesofwaste(OfficialGazetteNo.39/07);

Rulebookonthelandfilloperation,monitoringandcontrollingintheoperationalandclosingphaseaswellasontheclosureandaftercareprocedures(OfficialGazetteNo.156/07);

Rulebookforcriteriaforacceptanceofwastetolandfillineachlandfillclass,preparationprocedureforacceptanceofwaste,basictestingprocedures,samplingprocedureandacceptanceofwaste(OfficialGazetteNo.8/08);

RulebookonthemannerandtheconditionsforhandlingPCBs,theconditionstobemetbyinstallationsandfacilitiesforPCBsdisposalanddecontamination,onusedPCBsandonthemanneroflabelingtheequipmentthatcontainsPCBs(OfficialGazetteNo.48/07);

Rulebookontheproceduresandmannerofcollection,transport,processing,storage,treatmentanddisposalofwasteoils,andthemannerofkeepingrecordsandsubmissionofdata(OfficialGazetteNo.156/07);

Rulebookofdetailedconditionsonthehandlingofhazardouswaste,andonthemannerofpackagingandlabeling(OfficialGazetteNo.15/08);

Rulebookontheformandcontentoftherequestforissuingapermitforthelandfilloperatoraswellastheformforandcontentofthepermit(OfficialGazetteNo.140/07);

DisposalofWasteOilsDirective(75/439/EEC)asamendedbyDirectives87/101/EEC,91/692/EECandpartiallyrepealedbyDirective2000/76/EC;

EULandfillDirective99/31/EC;

RegulationoflabelingtheequipmentthatcontainsPCBsEUPCBSDirective96/59/EC;

EUWasteOilsDirective75/439/EEC;

HazardousWasteDirective(91/689/EEC)andPackagingandPackagingWasteDirective94/62/EC;


EBRDEnvironmentalandSocialPolicy,May2008:(PerformanceRequirements3,4&6);

IFCsEnvironmental,Health&SafetyGuidelinesforRailways,April30,2007;

ProtectedNaturalAreasandBiodiversity

LawonNatureProtection(OfficialGazetteNo.67/06,16/06,84/07)andsecondarylegislationonNatura2000andemeraldnetwork;

(EmeraldNetwork:Launchedin1998bytheCouncilofEurope,ofwhichtheRepublicofMacedoniaisamember,aspartoftheworksundertheBernConventionontheConservationofEuropeanWildlifeandNaturalHabitats.ThisecologicalnetworkisbasedonthesameprinciplesasNatura2000,andrepresentsitsdefactoextensiontononEUcountries.NationalEmeraldNetworkintheRepublicofMacedoniawasimplementedbetween2002and2008.11);

EUDirective92/43/EECof21May1992ontheconservationofNaturalHabitatsandofWildFaunaandFlora,asamendedbyDirectives97/62/ECandRegulationEC1882/2003;

EUDirective2009/147/ECof30November2009ontheconservationofwildbirds(codifiedversionofEUDirective79/409/EECasamended);

CouncilRegulation(EC)No338/97of9December1996ontheprotectionofspeciesofwildfaunaandflorabyregulatingtradetherein,

11Thiswasanimportantenablingactivity/mechanismfortheestablishmentofacoherentEuropeanNatura2000network.Intheperiodbetween1948and1960,11areasandobjectswereprotectedasnaturalraritiesonthebasisoftheLawonProtectionofMonumentsofCultureandNaturalRaritiesapplicableinthatperiod,withatotalsurfaceareaof131599ha5.11%ofthenationalterritory.UndertheLawon






(MacedoniaratifiedtheRioConventionin1997);

(MacedoniaratifiedtheBonnConventionin1999);

(MacedoniaratifiedtheRamsarConventionin1977);

(MacedoniaratifiedtheBernConventionin1997);

(MacedoniaratifiedtheCITESConventionin2000);

(MacedoniaratifiedtheAgreementontheConservationofBatsinEurope(London)in1999,amendedin2002)

asamendedbyRegulations(EC)938/97,2307/97,2214/98,1476/99,2724/2000,1579/2001,2476/2001,1497/2003,1882/2003,834/2004,252/2005and1332/2005;

ConventiononBiologicalDiversity(RiodeJaneiro),1992;

ConventionontheConservationofMigratorySpeciesofWildAnimals(Bonn),1979;

ConventiononWetlandsofInternationalImportanceespeciallyasWaterfowlHabitats(Ramsar),1971

ConventionontheConservationofEuropeanWildlifeandNaturalHabitats(Bern),1972;

ConventiononInternationalTradeinEndangeredSpeciesofWildFaunaandFlora(WashingtonCITESConvention),1973;

AgreementontheConservationofBatsinEurope(London),1991;

NoiseandVibration

LawonNoiseProtection(OfficialGazetteNo.79/07,)

Rulebookonnoiseindicatorsandtheareaofapplicationofadditionalnoiseindicators(OfficialGazetteNo.107/08);

Rulebookonthepermissiblelevelofnoiseintheenvironment(OfficialGazetteNo.147/08);

Rulebookonthepreparationandcontentsofstrategicnoisemaps(OfficialGazetteNo.120/08);

Rulebookonthemethod,conditionsandprocedureforestablishingandoperatingnetworks,monitoringmethodology,conditions,methodandprocedureforsubmittingnoisemonitoringinformationanddata(OfficialGazetteNo.1/09);

EUDirective2002/49/EConAssessmentandManagementofEnvironmentalNoise;

EUDirective2000/14/EConnoiseemissionsfromoutdoorequipment;


IFCsEnvironmental,Health&SafetyGuidelinesforRailways,April30,2007

AirQuality

LawonAmbientAirQuality(OfficialGazetteNo.67/04withamendmentsNos.92/07,35/10and47/11);

Decreeonlimitvaluesoflevelsandtypesofpollutantsinambientairandalertthresholds,deadlineforachievinglimitvalues,marginsoftoleranceofthelimitvalue,targetvaluesandlongtermgoals(OfficialGazetteNo.19/05);

Rulebookonestablishingtheemissionupperlimitsonnationallevel(OfficialGazetteNo.10/90);

AmbientAirQualityFrameworkDirective(96/62/EC),asamendedbyRegulation(EC)1882/2003;

BenzeneandCarbonMonoxideDirective(2000/69/EC);

Directive2002/3/EConozoneinambientair;

EUDirective(1999/30/EC)onlimitvaluesforsulphurdioxide,nitrogendioxideandoxidesofnitrogen,particulatematterandleadinambient

NaturalRaritiesProtectionenactedin1960anditsamendmentsof1965and1973,afurther58objectswereprotected,resultinginatotalnumberof69protectedareasandobjects,withatotalareaof184137ha7.16%oftheterritoryoftheRepublic.WiththeestablishmentofaseparateMinistryofEnvironmentinDecember1998,theprocessofnaturalheritageprotectioncontinuedduringtheperiod19992008.AdoptionoftheLawonNatureProtectionin2004,incorporatingtheEuropeanDirectivesrelatedtonaturalheritageprotection,hasbeenofparticularsignificance.






MacedoniaratifiedtheConventiononClimateChangeon28January1998,entranceintoforceon28Apr1998;

MacedoniaratifiedtheKyotoProtocolon18November2004,entranceintoforceon16February2005;

Decreeonlimitandtargetvaluesforlevelsandtypeofpollutantsintheambientair,alertandinformationthresholds;deadlinesforachievinglimitandtargetvaluesforspecificsubstances;marginsoftoleranceforlimitvalueandtargetvalueandlongtermobjectivesforspecificpollutants(OfficialGazetteNo.50/05);

Rulebookoncriteria,methodsandproceduresforevaluationoftheambientairquality(OfficialGazetteNo.82/06);

Rulebookoninventoryanddeterminationofthelevelsofthepollutantemissionsintheambientairintonnesperyear,foralltypesofduties,aswellasotherdataneededforsubmissionoftheProgramformonitoringtheairinEurope(EMEP)(OfficialGazetteNo.142/07);

Listsofzonesandagglomerationsforambientairquality(OfficialGazetteNo.23/2009);

Rulebookformethodologyforinventorytakingandidentificationofthelevelsofemissionsofpollutantsintheambientairintonsperyearforalltypesofactivities,aswellasotherdatarequiredtobesubmittedundertheProgramforairmonitoringinEurope(EMEP)(OfficialGazetteNo.2/2010);

Rulebookonestablishingtheemissionupperlimitsonnationallevel(OfficialGazetteNo.10/90);

Rulebookforairemissionlimitvaluesfromstationarysources(OfficialGazetteNo.141/10);

(TheRulebookforairemissionlimitvaluesfrommobilesourcesisnotadoptedyet,itisplannedtobeadoptednextyear(2012)wherethelimitvaluesfordieseltractionlocomotiveswillbetransposed(EUDirective2004/26/EConmeasuresagainsttheemissionofgaseousandparticulatepollutantsfrominternalcombustionenginestobeinstalledinnonroadmobilemachinery));

ThedieselfuelspecificationareprescribedbyRulebookonliquidfuelquality(OfficialGazetteNo.88/2007,91/2007,97/2007,105/2007,157/2007,15/2008,78/2008,156/2008,81/2009);

air;

EUDirective(98/70/EC)relatingtothequalityofpetrolanddieselfuelsandamendingCouncilDirective93/12/EEC;

EIBEnvironmentalandSocialPracticesHandboo,Version2:24/02/2010;

EBRDEnvironmentalandSocialPolicy,May2008:(PerformanceRequirements3,4&6);


UnitedNationsFrameworkConventiononClimateChange(NewYork,May9,1992);

KyotoProtocolonClimateChange(Kyoto,December1997);

CulturalHeritageandArchaeology

LawonProtectionofCulturalHeritage(OfficialGazetteNo.20/04);

RegulationforNationalRegistryofCulturalHeritage(OfficialGazetteNo.25/05);

(MacedoniaratifiedtheConventionfortheprotectionoftheWorldCulturalandNaturalHeritagein1991);

EuropeanLandscapeConvention(Florence)ratifiedbyMacedoniain2003;

ConventionfortheprotectionoftheWorldCulturalandNaturalHeritage,UNESCO,1972;


EBRDEnvironmentalandSocialPolicy,May2008:(Performance






Requirement8);

RailwaySystems

LawontheRailwaySystem(OfficialGazetteNo.48/2010);

LawontheSafetyofRailwaySystems(OfficialGazetteNo.48/2010);

LawonInteroperabilityofRailwaySystems(OfficialGazetteNo.17/2011):Articles(2145)coverthetraindrivinglicensewhichisincompliancewithDirective2007/59/EC;

LawforTransportofHazardousMaterialsandamendments(OfficialGazetteNos.92/2007,17/2011and54/2011);

EURailwayPolicyandEUDirectiveonRailwaySafety(2004/49/EC)andamendmentsDirective2008/57/EC(forinteroperability)andDirective2008/110/EC;

EUDirective2007/59/EConthecertificationoftraindriversoperatinglocomotivesandtrainsontherailwaysystemintheCommunity;


CommunityHealthandSafety

LawonSafetyofRailwaySystems(OfficialGazetteNo.48/10);

LawforHealthProtection(OfficialGazetteNo.07/07);

LawforTransportofHazardousMaterialsandamendments(OfficialGazetteNos.92/2007,17/2011and54/2011);Lawforpreventingthespreadingoftheinfectiousdiseases(OfficialGazetteNo.21/11);

LawonHealthProtectionintheRepublicofMacedonia(OfficialGazetteNo.17/97,latestamendmentswithinOfficialGazetteNo.44/2011);

LawforWages(OfficialGazetteNo.70/94withlatestamendmentwithinNo.97/2010);

LawonEqualOpportunitiesforMenandWomen,andtheNationalActionPlanforGenderEquality(OfficialGazetteNo.48/10);

LawforSocialProtection(OfficialGazetteNo.79/09);

LawforChildrenProtection(OfficialGazetteNo.170/10);

CrisisPreparednessPlanning,June2009(forabnormalworkingconditionslikehightemperatures,floodsandsimilar);

EURailwayPolicyandEUDirectiveonRailwaySafety(2004/49/EC);

OutdoorEquipmentDirective(2000/14/EC);



OccupationalHealthandSafety

LawonOccupationalHealthandSafety(OfficialGazetteNo.92/07);

Rulebookonminimalrequirementsforoccupationalhealthandsafetyonworkingplace(OfficialGazetteNo.154/2008,Art.2);

Rulebookforpersonalprotectiveequipmentthatusesemployeesatwork(OfficialGazetteNo.92/07);

Rulebookforoccupationalhealthandsafetyatworkforworkersexposedonriskofnoise(OfficialGazetteNo.21/2008);

Directive89/654/EEConworkplacerequirementsconcerningtheminimumsafetyandhealthrequirementsfortheworkplace(firstindividualdirectivewithinthemeaningofArticle16(1)ofDirective89/391/EEC);

Directive(2003/10/EC)nominimumhealthandsafetyrequirementsregardingtheexposureofworkerstotherisksarisingfromphysicalagents(noise)(6February2003);

Directive1989/391/EEContheintroductionofmeasurestoencourageimprovementsinthesafetyandhealthofworkersatwork;








Labour&WorkingConditions

LabourRelationsAct(OfficialGazetteNo.158/2010);

LawonOccupationalHealthandSafety(OfficialGazetteNo.92/07);

LawforCivilOrganisations(OfficialGazetteNo.52/10);

LawforWages(OfficialGazetteNo.92/07)andsecondarylegislation(Nos.121/07and92/09);

LawonEqualOpportunitiesforMenandWomen,andtheNationalActionPlanforGenderEquality(OfficialGazetteNo.48/10);

LawforSocialProtection(OfficialGazetteNo.79/2009);

LawforChildProtection(OfficialGazetteNos.98/00,17/03,and65/04);

LawonProtectionDuringWork(OfficialGazetteNo.13/98);

LawonEmployment&WorkofForeigners(OfficialGazetteNo.70/07);

Lawoninspectionforimplementationoflawsforlabourandworkingconditions(OfficialGazetteNo.35/97);

Collectiveagreementforrailways;

Collectiveagreementforconstructionindustry;

In1991MacedoniaratifiedanumberofInternationalLabourOrganization(ILO)conventionsincludingthefollowing:C2UnemploymentConvention,1919C3MaternityProtectionConvention,1919C8UnemploymentIndemnity(ShipwreckC11RightofAssociation(Agriculture)Convention,1921C12Workmen'sCompensation(Agriculture)Convention,1921C13WhiteLead(Painting)Convention,1921C14WeeklyRest(Industry)Convention,1921C16MedicalExaminationofYoungPersons(Sea)Convention,1921C17Workmen'sCompensation(Accidents)Convention,1925C18Workmen'sCompensation(OccupationalDiseases)Convention,1925C19EqualityofTreatment(AccidentCompensation)Convention,1925C24SicknessInsurance(Industry)Convention,1927

Directive89/654/EECworkplacerequirements,concerningtheminimumsafetyandhealthrequirementsfortheworkplace(firstindividualdirectivewithinthemeaningofArticle16(1)ofDirective89/391/EEC);

Directive2003/10/EConminimumhealthandsafetyrequirementsregardingtheexposureofworkerstotherisksarisingfromphysicalagents(noise);

Directive1989/391/EEContheintroductionofmeasurestoencourageimprovementsinthesafetyandhealthofworkersatwork;



ILOConventions;






C25SicknessInsurance(Agriculture)Convention,1927C27MarkingofWeight(PackagesTransportedbyVessels)Convention,1929C29ForcedLabourConvention,1930C32ProtectionagainstAccidents(Dockers)Convention(Revised),1932C45UndergroundWork(Women)Convention,1935C48MaintenanceofMigrants'PensionRightsConvention,1935C80FinalArticlesRevisionConvention,1946C81LabourInspectionConvention,1947C87FreedomofAssociationandProtectionoftheRighttoOrganiseConvention,1948C88EmploymentServiceConvention,1948C89NightWork(Women)Convention(Revised),1948C90NightWorkofYoungPersons(Industry)Convention(Revised),1948C94LabourClauses(PublicContracts)Convention,1949C97MigrationforEmploymentConvention(Revised),1949C98RighttoOrganiseandCollectiveBargainingConvention,1949C100EqualRemunerationConvention,1951C102SocialSecurity(MinimumStandards)Convention,1952C103MaternityProtectionConvention(Revised),1952C106WeeklyRest(CommerceandOffices)Convention,1957C109Wages,HoursofWorkandManning(Sea)Convention(Revised),1958C111Discrimination(EmploymentandOccupation)Convention,1958C113MedicalExamination(Fishermen)Convention,1959C116FinalArticlesRevisionConvention,1961C119GuardingofMachineryConvention,1963C121EmploymentInjuryBenefitsConvention,1964C122EmploymentPolicyConvention,1964C129LabourInspection(Agriculture)Convention,1969C131MinimumWageFixingConvention,1970C132HolidayswithPayConvention(Revised),1970C135Workers'RepresentativesConvention,1971C136BenzeneConvention,1971C138MinimumAgeConvention,1973C139OccupationalCancerConvention,1974C140PaidEducationalLeaveConvention,1974C142HumanResourcesDevelopmentConvention,1975C143MigrantWorkers(SupplementaryProvisions)Convention,1975C148WorkingEnvironment(AirPollution,NoiseandVibration)Convention,1977C155OccupationalSafetyandHealthConvention,1981C156WorkerswithFamilyResponsibilitiesConvention,1981C158TerminationofEmploymentConvention,1982C159VocationalRehabilitationandEmployment(DisabledPersons)Convention,1983






C161OccupationalHealthServicesConvention,1985C162AsbestosConvention,1986AdditionallythefollowingconventionshavebeenratifiedbyMacedonia:2002:C182WorstFormsofChildLabourConvention,19992003:C105AbolitionofForcedLabourConvention,19572005:C144TripartiteConsultation(InternationalLabourStandards)Convention,1976

LandAcquisition

TheLawonExpropriation(OfficialGazetteNos.33/95,20/98,40/99,31/03,46/05,10/08,106/08and76/10);

LawonPropertyCadastre(OfficialGazetteNos.40/08,158/10and51/11);

LawonSurveyandLandCadastre(OfficialGazetteNos.34/72and13/78);

LawfortheTreatmentofIllegallyConstructedObjects;(OfficialGazetteNos.23/11,54/11)

LawonOwnershipandOtherMaterialRights(OfficialGazetteNo.18/01);

LawonNatureProtection(OfficialGazetteNos.67/06,16/06and84/07);

LawonAgriculture&RuralDevelopment(OfficialGazetteNo.49/10);

LawonAgriculturalLand(OfficialGazetteNo.135/07);

LawonForests(OfficialGazetteNo.64/2009);

TheLawonVine(OfficialGazetteNo.69/2004);

TheLawonOrganicAgriculturalProduction(OfficialGazetteNo.16/2004);

TheLawonAgriculturalInspection(OfficialGazetteNo.38/2004);

TheLawonPlantHealth(OfficialGazetteNo.29/2005);

TheLawonSeedandSeedlingmaterial(OfficialGazetteNo.41/2000);



Table21RelevantNationalLegislation,EUDirectivesandInternationalTreaties



2.1.2 FUTUREPLANNEDNATIONALLEGISLATIONRELEVANTTOESIA

InordertotransposetherelevantEUDirectivesandadoptthesewithintheMacedonian legalframeworkduring the period 2011 to 2013 secondary legislationwill be prepared. Thiswillmainly focus on thefollowingsectorsthatarerelevanttotheProjectsESIA:

WaterSector(withintheLawonWaters):

o Degree on criteria for determination of the good ecological status of the surfacewaters physical/chemical,biologicalandmorphologicalconditions;

o Degree on criteria for determination of the good ecological status of the groundwaters physical/chemical,biologicalandmorphologicalconditions;

o Degreeonclassificationandcategorizationofwaters;ando Rulebooksonthedeterminationofthesensitivewaterzonesandwaterbodies.

NoiseandVibration(withintheLawonNoiseProtection):

o Rulebookonthetechnicalmeasuresandconditionsthattheconstructionobjectsshouldfulfilregardingprotectionagainstnoise;

o Rulebookonthenoiseprotectionmeasuresthatshouldbe includedwithinurbanandspatialplans;

o Rulebookonthenoiseemissionsofoutdoorequipment;o Rulebookon thepreparationof thenoise strategicplans for larger agglomerations (Skopje,

Bitola,Kumanovo,Tetovo);ando Secondarylegislationonvibration.

Waste(withintheLawonWaste):

o LawonWasteElectronicsandElectricalEquipment(WEEE),whichisgoingtobeincompliancewithEUDirective2002/96/EC);and

o Rulebookonwasteshipments,andtheimport,exportandtransitofwaste.

2.1.3 CURRENTSTATUSOFIMPLEMENTATIONOFNATIONALLEGISLATIONRELEVANTTOESIA

AlthoughforsomesectorsrelevanttotheProjectthelegislationhasbeenpreparedandadopted,someofthe legislationhasnotbeenfully implementeddueto lackof institutionalcapacityatanationaland locallevel,anddueto limits inhumanresources.There isalsostilla lackofknowledge,professionalskillsandfinancialresourcestosupporttheimplementation.SomeoftheissuesrelevanttotherailwayProjectthathavenotbeenimplementedyetaresummarizedbelow:

TherearenoinertwastelandfillsinallmunicipalitieswithintheNorthEasternregionofMacedonia; ThereisnolandfillsforthehazardouswastewithintheNorthEasternregionofMacedonia; TherearenumerouswastedumpsnearbytheriverbedsalongtheProjectroute; Theexistingmunicipal landfillsarenot incompliancewithstrictnationalandEUstandardsandpose

veryhighhealthandenvironmentalrisks; ThereisnofacilityformedicalwastetreatmentintheNorthEasternregionofMacedonia; There isa lackof strategicnoisemaps formajor roadsand railways (e.g.CorridorX) for thebigger

agglomerations;



Therearenopermanentmeasurementsofnoise level inallthesettlementswithintheNorthEasternregion of Macedonia , with measurements only being performed and reported for the City ofKumanovo;

ThereisaneedforadditionalairqualitymonitoringstationsintheNorthEasternregionbasedonthepreliminaryassessmentofairqualityperformedseveralyearsago;

There are nowastewater treatment plants for urbanwastewater in any of the settlements in theNorthEasternregionofMacedonia;and

NowatersensitivezoneshavebeenidentifiedalongthewatershedwithintheNorthEasternregionofMacedonia.

2.1.4 NATIONALESIAPROCEDURE

The Environmental Impact Assessment procedure has been prescribed into the Law on Environment(ChapterXI/Articles7694)wheretherequirementsoftheEUDirectivesonEIA (Directive85/337/EECasamendedbyDirectives97/11/EC,2003/35/ECand2009/31/EC)havebeentransposed.

The national EIA procedure includes socioeconomic aspects as well and therefore is referred tosubsequentlyastheESIAprocedure.TheESIAprocedure ispresented inFigure21.TheprocedurestartswhentheInvestor(ProjectProponent)whointendstoimplementaprojectsubmitsaNotificationLetter,inwrittenandelectronicformtotheMinistryofEnvironmentandPhysicalPlanning(MoEPP)(Administrationfor Environment),which is the responsible authority for the entire procedure. The Administration forEnvironment isobligatedtopublishtheNotification inat leastonedailynewspaperavailablethroughouttheterritoryoftheRepublicofMacedonia,andonthewebsiteoftheMoEPP.

Figure21ESIAprocedureintheRepublicofMacedoniaScreening:TheScreeningprocedureisastageoftheESIAprocedureduringwhichtheMoEPPdetermineswhetheranESIAshouldbecarriedoutornotforacertainproject.ForthedevelopmentofprojectsthatdonotbelongtothelistoftheprojectsforwhichtheESIAprocedurehastobecarriedout,thereisarequirementforthepreparationofanEnvironmentalImpactReportElaborate.Thedecisionfromthescreeningstagehastobe published in at least one daily newspaper available throughout the territory of the Republic ofMacedonia, and on thewebsite, aswell as on the notice board of theMoEPP. The Investor, the legal



entitiesornaturalpersonsconcerned,aswellastheenvironmentalNonGovernmentOrganizationsmayappeal against the decision to the Second Instance Commission of theGovernment of the Republic ofMacedoniaresponsibleforresolutionofadministrativemattersintheareaofenvironment.

Afterthescreeningprocedure,theMoEPPinformstheInvestorofthedecisiononwhetherornotanESIAshallbecarriedout.Basedonsuchinformation,theInvestorappliesforascopingopinionfortheESIA.

Scoping:The Scoping phase is the process duringwhich theMoEPP determines the content and extent of thematters which should be covered by the environmental impact assessment study.While drafting theopiniononthescopeofthestudy,theMoEPPshalltakeintoaccounttheopinionsoftheInvestorandtheopinions obtained after publication of the decision for screening.Once scoping is completed, the ESIAStudycanbeundertaken.TheInvestorpreparestheESIAStudyaccordingtotherequirementsprescribedintothesecondarylegislationandsubmitsittotheMoEPPinbothwrittenandelectronicformat.PreparationofESIAStudy:The Investor preparing the ESIA Study is obliged to engage at least one person from the List of ESIAExperts,whoshallsigntheESIAStudyasaresponsiblepersonwithregardtoitsquality.PublicDisclosure:ThepublicdisclosurestartswhentheMoEPPannouncesthatthedraftversionoftheEIAStudyonacertaindevelopmentprojecthasbeenprepared and is available to thepublic in at leastonedailynewspaper,availablethroughouttheterritoryoftheRepublicofMacedoniaandlocalradio/TVstation,whiletheNonTechnical Study (NTS) is published on the website of the MOEPP. This ESIA Study is submitted forconsultationtothemunicipalitieswheretheprojectwillbeimplementedinordertocollecttheirremarksandopinions.Duringthisphase,theMoEPPisobligedtoorganizeaPublichearingonthedraftESIAStudyandtoensureavailabilityofinformationneededtothepublicandpublicparticipationinthepublichearingevent.TheMoEPP submits theESIAStudy to thebodiesof the stateadministration responsible for theperformanceoftheactivitiesofthedevelopmentproject.ESIAReview&Decisions:TheReviewistheprocessofcheckingtheadequacyoftheESIAStudy.TheReportoftheadequacyoftheESIAStudyispreparedbytheMoEPPorbypersonsappointedtherebyfromtheListofExpertsforESIA.Onthebasisofthestudy,theReportontheadequacyoftheESIAStudy,thepublicdebateandtheopinionsobtained, theMoEPP issues aDecision onwhether or not to grant consent for the application of theprojectimplementation.

TheDecisioncontainsanassessmentofwhether theESIAStudy fulfils therequirements,and thepermitconditionsfortheprojectimplementationaswellasmeasuresforpreventionandreductionoftheharmfuleffects. The MoEPP submits the Decision to the Investor, to the body of the state administrationresponsibleforissuanceofthepermitordecisionontheprojectimplementationandtothemunicipalitieswheretheprojectwillbeimplemented.

TheDecisionhastobepublishedinatleastonedailynewspaperavailablethroughouttheterritoryoftheRepublicofMacedonia,onthewebsiteaswellasonthenoticeboardoftheMOEPP.

BasedontheDecisionforgrantingconsentfortheproject implementation,theAuthorityresponsibletoissue the permit for project implementation, issues the Consent for project implementation to theInvestor.

PublicinvolvementintotheESIAprocedure:PublicinvolvementinnationalEIAandSEAproceduresisregulatedintheLawonEnvironment,secondarylegislationonpublic information (provided inTable21),publicparticipationandaccessto justiceand inaccordancewithInternationalConventionssignedandratifiedbyMacedonia(e.g.AarhusConventionandEspooConvention).



Practicalpublicinvolvementisperformedthrough:

disclosingoftheinformationabouttheprojectandESIAprocesstothepublic; publicparticipationwherepubliccanactivelybeinvolvedinpublicdiscussionsandsubmittheirwritten

opinionwithinthedifferentESIAphasesoftheprocedures;and throughthemechanismofaccesstojustice,whenthepubliccaninfluencethedecisionmakingby

submittingappealstotheCourtorSecondInstanceCommissionoftheGovernment.According to the national legislation, the public is involved in every step of the ESIA procedure. Everydecisionmadeduringtheprocessshouldbepublishedintheappropriatemediaandthepubliccanfollowandparticipatethroughthefollowingstepsofth

environmental and social impact assessment railway corridor viii

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