Electricity Network Reinforcement and Expansion Project (ENREP) Update the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for LOT-I: Metu-Mesha 230 KV Single Circuit Transmission Line

Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) Public Disclosure AuthorizedPublic Disclosure AuthorizedPublic Disclosure AuthorizedPublic Disclosure Authorized GOPA-International Energy Consultants GmbH Hindenburgring 18 61348 Bad Homburg Germany T: +49-6172-1791-870 Fax: +49-6172-944 95 20 [email protected] www.gopa-intec.de IRIS Consult PLC, Ethiopia Yeka Sub-city Tesfa Building, near the British Embassy Office #401 P.O. Box 80790 Addis Ababa Ethiopia T: +251 91 140 7724 [email protected] [email protected] Image Source - intec Electricity Network Reinforcement and Expansion Project (ENREP) Update the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for LOT-I: Metu-Mesha 230 KV Single Circuit Transmission Line Revised Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) June 2022 Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 2 Table of Contents 0. Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................. 11 0.1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 11 0.2. The project............................................................................................................................ 11 0.3. The purpose of ESIA study ................................................................................................. 12 0.4. Impact Assessment Methodology ...................................................................................... 12 0.5. Public and Stakeholder consultations ................................................................................ 12 0.6. Baseline Bio-physical and socio-economic conditions .................................................... 13 0.6.1. Biological .............................................................................................................................. 13 0.6.2. Physical conditions............................................................................................................... 14 0.6.3. Socio-economic conditions .................................................................................................. 15 0.7. Impact assessment and mitigation ..................................................................................... 16 0.8. Conclusion ............................................................................................................................ 18 1. Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 19 1.1. The ESIA Process ................................................................................................................. 20 1.2. Purpose of the ESIA Report ............................................................................................... 22 1.3. Structure of the ESIA Report ............................................................................................. 22 2. Methodological approach for the ESIA study ...................................................................................... 25 2.1. Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Process .................................................. 25 2.1.1. Approaches to determine Environmental and Social impacts and their significance ......... 25 2.2. Cumulative Impact Assessment ......................................................................................... 27 2.3. Stakeholders Engagement ................................................................................................... 28 2.3.1. Objectives of Stakeholders Engagement ............................................................................. 28 2.3.2. Approaches to Stakeholders Engagement .......................................................................... 29 3. Assumptions/Gaps in knowledge ........................................................................................................ 30 4. Administrative structure, Policy and Legal Framework....................................................................... 30 4.1. Institutional Framework ...................................................................................................... 30 4.2. Administrative Structure ..................................................................................................... 30 4.2.1. Federal Level ......................................................................................................................... 30 4.2.2. Regional Level ....................................................................................................................... 30 4.3. Policy and Legal Framework ............................................................................................... 30 4.3.1. National Policies .................................................................................................................. 30 4.3.2. Legislative Framework ......................................................................................................... 37 Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 3 4.3.3. National Strategies and Plans .............................................................................................. 42 4.3.4. National Directive and Guidelines ....................................................................................... 43 4.3.5. International Conventions, Protocols and Agreements ...................................................... 44 4.3.6. International environmental and Social Safeguard guidelines ........................................... 45 4.3.7. Gap analysis of Ethiopian and WB operational policies ...................................................... 48 5. Project Description .............................................................................................................................. 51 5.1. Project justification .............................................................................................................. 51 5.2. Project design guidelines ..................................................................................................... 53 5.3. Project Area of Influence (AOI) ........................................................................................ 57 5.4. Major project components ................................................................................................. 59 5.4.1. Transmission lines ................................................................................................................ 59 5.4.2. Temporary infrastructure .................................................................................................... 59 5.5. Project Phase Activities ....................................................................................................... 60 5.5.1. Pre-construction phase ........................................................................................................ 60 5.5.2. Construction Phase Activities .............................................................................................. 60 5.5.3. Access road construction ..................................................................................................... 61 5.5.4. Excavation for tower foundation ......................................................................................... 61 5.6. Operation phase ................................................................................................................... 61 6. Baseline Biological, Physical and Social conditions ............................................................................. 62 6.1. Biological baseline environment ......................................................................................... 62 6.1.1. Flora and vegetation ............................................................................................................ 62 6.1.2. Forests.................................................................................................................................. 64 6.1.3. Key biodiversity areas .......................................................................................................... 67 6.1.4. Migratory birds’ Flyways in Ethiopia and the project area ................................................. 76 6.2. Physical baseline environment ............................................................................................ 89 6.3. Socio-economic baseline environment ........................................................................... 100 6.3.1. Location and administrative organization ......................................................................... 100 6.3.2. Demographic Profile .......................................................................................................... 100 6.3.3. Ethnic groups of the project area ...................................................................................... 101 6.3.4. Livelihood strategies and economic activities ................................................................... 102 6.3.5. Social services .................................................................................................................... 106 6.3.6. Physical Infrastructures and Institutions ........................................................................... 108 6.3.7. Gender Issues and Vulnerable Groups .............................................................................. 111 Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 4 6.3.8. Religious institutions, Historical, Cultural and Archeological Sites ................................... 111 7. Public and Stakeholder consultations ............................................................................................... 112 7.1. The Need for Stakeholder and Public Consultation in ESIA Process ........................ 112 7.2. Stakeholder consultations ................................................................................................. 112 7.2.1. Illubabor Zone Stakeholders Consultation ........................................................................ 114 7.2.2. Sheka Zone Stakeholders Consultation ............................................................................. 118 7.3. Public consultations ........................................................................................................... 120 7.3.1. Illuababor Zone .................................................................................................................. 120 7.3.2. Sheka Zone ......................................................................................................................... 122 8. Analysis of Project Alternatives ......................................................................................................... 129 8.1. General ................................................................................................................................ 129 8.2. The No-project or zero alternative ................................................................................ 129 8.3. Alternative 1 ....................................................................................................................... 130 8.4. Alternative 2 ....................................................................................................................... 130 8.5. Alternative 3 ....................................................................................................................... 131 9. Assessment of Impacts and mitigation measures ............................................................................. 133 9.1. Positive impacts .................................................................................................................. 133 9.2. Adverse environmental and social impacts .................................................................... 133 9.2.1. Pre-construction Phase ...................................................................................................... 133 9.2.2. Construction Phase ............................................................................................................ 146 9.2.3. Operation Phase ................................................................................................................ 153 10. Assessment of cumulative impacts ................................................................................................... 157 10.1. Road Construction project .............................................................................................. 157 10.2. Agricultural expansion ....................................................................................................... 157 10.3. Large-scale investment ...................................................................................................... 158 10.4. Cumulative effects and their significance ........................................................................ 159 11. Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) ....................................................................... 162 11.1. Institutional arrangement .................................................................................................. 162 11.2. ESMP for Construction ..................................................................................................... 162 11.2.1. Solid waste management Plan .......................................................................................... 163 11.2.2. Soil Erosion Management Plan .......................................................................................... 164 11.2.3. Forest Management Plan .................................................................................................. 166 11.2.4. Biodiversity Management Plan .......................................................................................... 167 Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 5 11.2.5. Air Quality Management Plan ........................................................................................... 169 11.2.6. Traffic Safety Management Plan ....................................................................................... 171 11.2.7. Community and Occupational Health & Safety Management Plan .................................. 173 11.2.8. Workers/Labour Management Plan .................................................................................. 174 11.2.9. Emergency Response Plan ................................................................................................. 176 11.2.10. Land and livelihoods .......................................................................................................... 177 11.2.11. Drug and Alcohol Policy ..................................................................................................... 178 11.2.12. Community Relationships .................................................................................................. 178 11.3. ESMP for Operation .......................................................................................................... 178 11.4. Estimate of cost of mitigation........................................................................................... 179 11.5. ESMP summary ................................................................................................................... 181 12. Grievance Redress Mechanism.......................................................................................................... 186 13. Environmental and Social Monitoring, Auditing and Reporting Plan................................................ 186 13.1. Environmental and Social Monitoring and Reporting ................................................... 186 13.2. Environmental and Social Auditing and Reporting ........................................................ 188 14. ESIA disclosure plan ........................................................................................................................... 188 15. Conclusion and Recommendation ..................................................................................................... 189 15.1. Main findings ........................................................................................................................ 189 15.2. Conclusion and recommendation ................................................................................... 191 16. References ......................................................................................................................................... 192 17. Annexures .......................................................................................................................................... 195 17.1. Annex I: Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Team .................................... 195 17.2. Annex II: Minutes of Consultations ................................................................................. 195 17.3. Annex III: List of plant species of the project area ....................................................... 228 17.4. Annex IV: Factor driving Cumulative impact Assessment: Forest Cover change between 1984 – 2020: ....................................................................................................................... 233 17.5. Annex V: Details of alternative routes of the Metu – Masha 230 kV OHTL .......... 237 17.6. Annex VI: Details of Critical Habitats Assessment ....................................................... 247 17.7. Annex VII. Checklist for collection of secondary data ................................................. 269 Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 6 List of Figures Figure 1-1. EIA Process in Ethiopia .............................................................................................................. 21 Figure 2-1: Process of cumulative effects assessment (IFC, 2013) .............................................................. 27 Figure 2-2. Significant impacts or risk matrix (Hardner et al., 2015). L = low; H = high; C = critical ........... 28 Figure 5-1. The proposed route for Metu – Masha 230 kV overhead transmission line ............................ 51 Figure 5-2. Metu – Masha 20 kV OHTL features and restrictions ............................................................... 56 Figure 5-3. Direct Impact Zone of the project. Key: thick red line is the selected alternative route for Metu – Masha OHTL. Access roads to the Tower locations are also part of the direct AOI. ...................... 58 Figure 5-4. Indirect AOI. The orange polygon includes areas affected by cumulative impacts such as road construction, agricultural expansion and large-scale investment. ............................................................. 59 Figure 6-1. Population trend of species with an IUCN conservation status of Least Concern (LC)............. 62 Figure 6-2. Geographic extent of Coffea arabica ......................................................................................... 63 Figure 6-3. Profile of selected tree species of the project area (source: Senbeta, 2016) ........................... 64 Figure 6-4. Vegetation types of Ethiopia (source: Friis et al., 2010) ........................................................... 65 Figure 6-5. Humid primary forest loss in Oromia (data sources: https://www.globalforestwatch.org/map/country/ETH/). ......................................................................... 66 Figure 6-6. Sheka Humid primary forest loss from 2002 – 2020. Oromia (data sources: https://www.globalforestwatch.org/map/country/ETH/). ......................................................................... 67 Figure 6-7. Management Zone of Yayu Coffee Biosphere Reserve. (Source: Motion Consultancy & Training, 2018). ............................................................................................................................................ 68 Figure 6-8. Clarke’s Banana Frog (Source: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/31041229)............ 69 Figure 6-9. Yalden’s rat and its geographic distribution. (source:……species photo: Lavrenchenko and Bekele, 2017; map – Integrated Biodiversity Tools) .................................................................................... 71 Figure 6-10. Geographic extent of Scott’s Mouse-eared Bat ..................................................................... 72 Figure 6-11. Partial view of the geographic extent of Scott’s mouse-eared Bat ........................................ 73 Figure 6-12. National Forest Priority Areas of the project area. ................................................................. 74 Figure 6-13. Current spatial distribution of the extent of the NFPAs of the project area. ......................... 74 Figure 6-14. Area of extent of Rouget’s rail. (source: Birdlife International, 2016). ................................... 75 Figure 6-15. Critical bird sites of Ethiopia. Colors denote level of protection of the habitats. Red = little protection of habitats or none; Green = whole habitats protected. .......................................................... 76 Figure 6-16. Critical Bird sites in the Ethiopia. Red line shows the proposed Transmission line. ............... 77 Figure 6-17. IUCN conservation status and foraging niches of bird species of the project area. ............... 84 Figure 6-18. Forest dependency classes of bird species of the project area .............................................. 85 Figure 6-19. Slope map of the project area ................................................................................................. 90 Figure 6-20. Average weather condition of Masha (data sources: https://www.worldweatheronline.com/masha-weather-averages/et.aspx) ............................................. 91 Figure 6-21. Average weather condition of Metu (data sources: https://www.worldweatheronline.com/masha-weather-averages/et.aspx) ............................................. 92 Figure 6-22. Elevation map of the project area ........................................................................................... 93 Figure 6-23. Geological map of the project area ......................................................................................... 94 Figure 6-24. Soil map of the project area .................................................................................................... 95 Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 7 Figure 6-25. Soil erodibility in Ethiopia. (source: Berhanu et al., 2013: GIS-based hydrological zones and soil geo-database of Ethiopia; Catena 104: 21-31_ ..................................................................................... 96 Figure 6-26. Land use/land cover change in 1990 and 2020. ...................................................................... 97 Figure 6-27. Land use/land cover conditions of the project area in 1990. ................................................. 98 Figure 6-28. Land use/land cover conditions of the project area in 2020. ................................................. 99 Figure 7-1. Consultation with Illubabor Zone Stakeholders ...................................................................... 114 Figure 7-2. Consultation with Metu Town Administration Stakeholders.................................................. 115 Figure 7-3. Consultation with Metu Woreda Administration Stakeholders.............................................. 116 Figure 7-4. Consultation with Alle Woreda Administration Stakeholders ................................................ 117 Figure 7-5. Consultation with Didu Woreda Administration Stakeholders ............................................... 118 Figure 7-6. Consultation with Sheka Zone Administration Stakeholders .................................................. 119 Figure 7-7. Consultation with Masha Town Administration Stakeholders ............................................... 119 Figure 7-8. Consultation with Masha Woreda Administration Stakeholders ........................................... 120 Figure 7-9. Consultation with Project Affected People (PAPs). A, consultation with project affected male and female; B, consultation with project affected females ...................................................................... 121 Figure 7-10. Consultation with Project Affected People (PAPs) ................................................................ 122 Figure 7-11. Consultation with Project Affected People (PAPs) ................................................................ 123 Figure 8-1. Project Alternatives ................................................................................................................. 132 Figure 10-1. Agricultural expansion and change in forest cover of the project area from 1984 – 2020 .. 158 Figure 10-2. Change in forest cover from 1984 – 2020 due to large scale investment. ........................... 159 Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 8 List of Tables Table 2-1. Type of impacts ........................................................................................................................... 25 Table 2-2. Characteristics of Impacts........................................................................................................... 25 Table 2-3. Likelihoods of impacts ................................................................................................................ 26 Table 2-4. Significance of impacts ............................................................................................................... 27 Table 4-1. International conventions relevant to this project .................................................................... 44 Table 4-2. The World Bank Environmental and Social Safeguard Operational Policies .............................. 47 Table 4-3. Gap analysis of Ethiopian and WB ESHS policies ........................................................................ 48 Table 5-1. Key features and restrictions of the Metu – Masha 230 kV overhead transmission line (OHTL). ..................................................................................................................................................................... 53 Table 6-1. Migration status of bird species of the project area. ................................................................. 77 Table 6-2. Bird species of the project area. Keys: LC = Least concern; NT = Near threatened ................... 81 Table 6-3. Qualitative thresholds for Critical Habitats (IFC Performance Standard 6, 2012) ..................... 86 Table 6-4..Summary of Critical Habitats Assessment .................................................................................. 88 Table 6-5. Lists of administrative set-ups affected by the envisaged project ........................................... 100 Table 6-6. Population profile of the project area ...................................................................................... 100 Table 6-7. Percentages of project area population by gender and place of residence, density, household size and dependency ratio ......................................................................................................................... 101 Table 6-8. Major crops average productivity in quintals per hectare ....................................................... 103 Table 6-9. Farmers land holding size in Illubabor and Sheka zones .......................................................... 103 Table 6-10. Illubabor and Sheka Zones Number of Livestock (Animals) in 2020 ...................................... 105 Table 6-11. Trends of honey production from beehives in the forest ...................................................... 105 Table 6-12. Education in Illubabor zone, 2021 .......................................................................................... 106 Table 6-13. Health Institutions & Professional in Illubabor and Sheka Zones Project areas, 2021 .......... 107 Table 6-14. Top 10 diseases in Illubabor and Sheka zones in 2020........................................................... 108 Table 6-15. Water sources with their functionality and non-functionality in Illubabur Zone .................. 108 Table 6-16. Energy source in Illubabur Zone ............................................................................................. 109 Table 7-1. Key issues raised by stakeholders and responses .................................................................... 123 Table 8-1. Characteristics of Alternative 1. ............................................................................................... 130 Table 8-2. Characteristics of Alternative 2. ............................................................................................... 131 Table 9-1. Details of assessment of impacts of project activities on receptors. ....................................... 133 Table 9-2. Environmental and social Impacts of the project during the pre-construction phase. Key: x denotes impacts on concerned bio-physical and social conditions will be triggered by the project activity. X denotes that the project activities adversely affect a receptor, i.e., all receptors with “x” are impacted on by the project........................................................................................................................................ 134 Table 9-3. Types and number of tree species removed from the RoW in different Kebeles of Ilu Aba Bor Zone of the Metu – Masha 230 kV power transmission line. ................................................................... 138 Table 9-4. Types and number of tree species removed from the RoW in different Kebeles of Masha Woreda, Sheka Zone of the Metu – Masha 230 kV power transmission line. .......................................... 138 Table 9-5. Environmental and social Impacts of the project during the construction phase. Key: x denotes impacts on concerned bio-physical and social conditions that will be triggered by the project activity. 146 Table 9-6. Pre-mitigation impacts ............................................................................................................. 154 Table 9-7. Pre-mitigation impacts ............................................................................................................. 155 Table 9-8. Pre-mitigation impacts ............................................................................................................. 156 Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 15 elevation of the project area ranges from 2000 – 2655 m asl. Its highest peak is around Gore town. There are four geological formations in the project area. But the Metu – Masha 230 kV OHTL crosses only two of these formations. These are the Archaen and Oligocene – Miocene. The soil of the project is different across the entire length of the project. But the Metu – Masha 230 kV OHTL crosses only two soil types, i.e., nitisols and gleysols. The erodibility (susceptibility the soil to erosion and the rate of runoff) of these soils was found to be in the range of 0.001 – 0.135 (low). With regard to the land use/land cover of the project area, the area of forest cover has drastically diminished (reduced by over 38%) giving ways to expansion of farmland (increased by 39%), settlement and plantation of crop trees, e.g., Eucalyptus. Furthermore, grassland has also decreased in area in 2020 compared to its area cover in 1990. 0.6.3. Socio-economic conditions The Metu – Masha 230 kV single circuit transmission line project crosses two National Regional States: Oromia and SNNPR. There are 4 Woredas and 8 Kebeles in Oromia and 1 Woreda and 5 Kebeles in SNNPR. Agricultural systems include cultivation of cereal crops, pulses, oil crops, coffee agroforestry and Enset cultivation. The local communities harvest Non-timber Forest Products (NTFP) from the forests. This NTFP include honey production. They use the big trees of the Forest such as Pouteria adolfi-friderici, Cordia africana, Albizia gummifera, etc. for placing their beehives. Other NTFP includes the collection of spices from the forest. Power supply to the Zones of the project area is limited. There are Woreda towns in both Illubabor and Sheka Zones which do not have access to electricity. As a result, most of the population uses alternative energy sources such as firewood, which is the major source of energy. Other people also use charcoal, dung, crop residues and kerosene. The use of firewood by the large portion of the population of the study area is one of the major causes of deforestation. The lack of electricity affects local economic activities, quality of life and the delivery of education to the pupils. Furthermore, the pupils are not able to study as much as required due to the lack of electricity. The soothes from the firewood and dung, for example, pose chronic health risks. Therefore, power is a necessity for these communities. The Metu – Masha 230 kV single circuit transmission line project impacts land and livelihoods through triggering physical displacement of houses and high crop trees such as Eucalyptus. High shade trees will also be removed from within 40 m corridor of the RoW. The restrictions of this project are that no houses will be constructed within the RoW, so are high crop trees and coffee shade trees. The physical relocation of structures and restrictions of the project negatively affect certain people. The severity of the impacts of this project in this regard is different for Project Affected Persons (PAPs) in the rural and urban Kebeles. In urban Kebeles, the PAPs have 200 square meters of land where they have constructed their houses and cultivated some garden crops and crop trees. In cases where the RoW passes certain section of the plot of land, the PAPs should relocate the houses elsewhere. This situation is very common in Kolo Korma of Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 16 Metu town. On the other hand, PAPs in rural Kebeles have sufficient land outside the RoW and they can construct new houses. The ESIA study has revealed that a total of 133 houses (Tukuls and CIS) will be physically displaced due to this project. Large number of crop trees will also be removed from the RoW. But people can grow Enset and other crops inside the 40 m corridor of the Row. During a series of public and stakeholders’ consultation the local communities have raised issues related to compensation. They also voiced that a proper Grievance Redress Mechanism should be developed and operational until the point where relocated PAPs have restored their livelihoods. Proper monitoring and strict follow-up are required to support these households. In all cases, the public has strongly stressed that compensation payments should be paid before starting any construction activities. If the Client fails to pay compensations before the commencement of the construction phase of the project, there will be lots of complaints from the PAPs. This will potentially create unnecessary conflicts. However, all consultations have reiterated the importance of the project and have positively received the Metu – Masha 230 kV single circuit transmission line project. 0.7. Impact assessment and mitigation The Metu – Masha 230 kV single circuit transmission line project triggers negative impacts on the bio-physical and socio-economic conditions in the project area. The ESIA has identified environmental and socio-economic receptors. It has also developed mitigation measures to address such impacts to acceptable levels. The ESIA presents an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) which summarizes impacts and mitigation measures, and specified a series of specific management plans that will need to be developed to ensure that negative impacts will be maintained low and negligible while positive impacts will be further enhanced. The outcome of impact assessment before and after mitigation is provided in the following table. Environmental/social receptors Project impacts Project Phase Predicted significance Before mitigation With mitigation Flora Cutting of indigenous trees along the RoW Pre-Construction High Low1 Forest/Vegetation Disturbance to the vegetation of the Direct Impact Zone of the project AOI Disturbance to the normal ecological functions Construction phase High Low Critical Habitats There are no Critical Habitats All phases Not applicable Not applicable 1 Applying all the requirements of the Biodiversity Management Plan could minimize the impact to low level. But the impact on the mature trees inside the RoW is permanent. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 17 Environmental/social receptors Project impacts Project Phase Predicted significance Before mitigation With mitigation that are triggered by the project Fauna Disturbance to Blue monkey foraging routine Disturbance to foraging routine of birds Disturbance Crematogaster ant nests Preconstruction/construction High Low Soil Soil erosion due to excess soil and access road construction Construction phase High Low Air quality Dust emission due to the movement of vehicles Construction Medium Negligible Economy and Employment Job opportunities, local economic activities, increased household incomes Construction Medium Positive Physical displacement of houses Relocation of houses inside the 40 m corridor of the RoW Preconstruction/construction High Low Land and livelihoods Permanent loss of land to tower foundation; Removal of crop trees such as Eucalyptus; Removal of coffee shade trees which triggers reduced coffee production and household incomes Construction High Low Community Health and safety Exposure to EMF; STDs; competition on local resources, SEA/GBV Construction Medium Low Workers’ health and safety Accidents and injuries related to project activities, STDs Construction Medium Low Solid waste Stockpiling used water bottles; other solid wastes Construction High Low Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 18 0.8. Conclusion The Metu – Masha 230 kV single circuit transmission line project is environmentally and socially feasible to be implemented provided that all provisions of the ESMP are strictly implemented by the Contractors and monitored by the responsible parties. The present ESIA Update introduces a rerouting of the transmission line alignment compared to 2016 ESIA - in a highly-forested area, which significantly reduces the loss of dense forest and the related biodiversity loss, while also minimizing the loss of tea farm area. Nevertheless, the project triggers asset loss of people living along the RoW, leading to physical displacement, removal of crop trees and indigenous coffee shade trees, and impacts to their livelihood. There is also land which is permanently lost due to tower foundations. In view of these findings, a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) and Livelihood Restoration Plan (LRP) are being conducted for the Metu – Masha 230 kV single circuit transmission line project to ensure that project affected people maintain or even improve their level of livelihood because of the project. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 19 1. Introduction The present document comprises the ESIA Update for the Metu – Masha 230 kV single circuit transmission line project. The project is being developed by the Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP), as part of the Ethiopian Electric Power Transmission Line Project (EPTLP) and is being sponsored by the World Bank which provides technical and financial support following a request of the Government of Ethiopia in 2012. The Metu – Masha 230 kV single circuit transmission line project comprises the following: • Construction and operation of a new substation at Masha town, which will take about 9 ha of land (300 X 300 meters); • Construction and operation of a 230 kV single circuit transmission line from Metu (existing substation) town to Masha town at the newly constructed substation site (total length of the line: 65.1km) • Construction of access roads during tower construction (estimated total length of 3.3km) • Construction and operation of associated facilities, such as storage yards or construction camps The project will be implemented within SNNPR and Oromia NRS, about 625 km distance from Addis Ababa, along the Addis Ababa–Gore-Metu asphalt road and Metu-Masha gravel road. An Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) was developed for the project, which provides guidance on how the environmental and social risks related to project construction and operation should be managed. An ESIA was carried out for the project in 2016. The 2016 ESIA covered 4 Lots of the EPTLP project (the Metu-Masha transmission line was one of them). Following the ESIA 2016 preparation, concerns were raised with regard to the crossing of the dense forest which was foreseen in the 2016 ESIA. A forest impact assessment carried out by EEP in 2019 revealed that the proposed TL route led to clearing of 112.5 ha of dense forest area and to significant impacts to forest habitat. The update of the 2016 ESIA was thus necessary in order to study in more depth such impacts and identify ways to avoid or mitigate them. This ESIA Update was prepared by IRIS Consult PLC (Ethiopia) under the supervision of intecGOPA (Germany): Environmental Consultant intec GOPA - International Energy Consultants GmbH Hindenburgring 18, 61348 Bad Homburg v.d.H. GERMANY IRIS Consult PLC, Ethiopia Yeka Sub-city Tesfa Building, near the British Embassy Office #401 P.O. Box 80790 Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 20 Addis Ababa ETHIOPIA Contact Kostas Batos Prof. Sileshi Nemomissa Telephone +49 151 42474542 +251 91 140 7724 email [email protected] https://www.gopa-intec.de [email protected]; [email protected] 1.1. The ESIA Process According to the existing Ethiopian law (EIA Proclamation 299/2000), development projects are required to carry out an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment study to ensure environmental and social sustainability. In an Ethiopian context, there are three project schedules. These are: • Schedule 1: This type of projects requires a full ESIA study. • Schedule 2: as the environmental and social impacts of this type of projects are minimal, a partial ESIA study is needed to implement them. • Schedule 3: projects which fall under this category require no ESIA study. The current ESIA study has been undertaken according to the EIA Proclamation (Proclamation No. 299/2002). In an Ethiopian context, the outline of the EIA process is given in Figure 1-1. Since the current ESIA study is an update to the 2016 study, additional data were collected to fill the gaps. It is to be noted that the ESIA report for Metu – Masha 230 kV single circuit transmission line project will be submitted to the competent authority for review and approval. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 21 Figure 1-1. EIA Process in Ethiopia The Environmental and Social Impact Assessment phase of the EIA process is based on objective scientific studies resulting in the identification of definable environmental and social impacts and preparation of mitigation measures to either avoid or minimize these impacts. The EIA stage forms the basis for the issuance of environmental clearance or approval by the competent authority. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 22 1.2. Purpose of the ESIA Report The main objectives of this ESIA report are as follow. • Understanding the nature of the project. Description of the project to understand its activities that trigger environmental and social issues. • Review of legal requirements. A review of all applicable policies and legal requirements pertaining to the implementation of this project. • Stakeholders engagement. Holding meetings with stakeholders to take the issues raised during consultations into the ESIA report. • Baseline environmental and social conditions. Detailed scientific investigations of the existing conditions of the natural and socio-economic environment of the project area. The findings of the baseline conditions provide important information for the identification of impacts and preparation of mitigation measures through Environmental and Social Management Plan. • Identification of impacts. The activities of the project triggers impacts. These impacts will be identified. • Mitigation measures. Preparation of mitigation measures which will identify costs of mitigation and implementing agencies or bodies. • Environmental and Social Management Plan. To develop a number of ESMP to be implemented by the project proponent and its contractor to ensure minimum impacts of the activities of the project on natural and social environments of the project area. • Environmental monitoring plan. To provide a guiding plan for monitoring the performance of the ESMP on a regular basis. • Cumulative impacts. To assess potential adverse impacts associated with the implementation of other planned projects and development programs. • Recommendation. To give recommendation regarding the implementation of the proposed project. • Acquisition of environmental clearance. This ESIA report will serve as the basis for the issuance of environmental clearance and approval for the implementation of the proposed project. 1.3. Structure of the ESIA Report This Report has two parts. These are organized as follows. PART I. The ESIA Report Part II. Annexes The detailed contents of each of these Parts are given below. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 23 Part I. ESIA Report Contents of the ESIA Report Chapters Contents 1. Introduction It introduces the EIA process in Ethiopia, defines the purpose of this ESIA and provides information on the ESIA team. 2. Methodological approaches This section describes the methods used for the ESIA study. The Stakeholder Engagement part describes the objectives of the Stakeholders engagement, maps the stakeholders of the project and provides records of issues raised during the consultations. 3. Assumption/Gap in Knowledge This section describes the assumptions/gaps that triggered the ESIA study 4. Administrative, Policy and Legal Framework This provides information on the institutional arrangement for ESIA studies relevant to this project and a review of policies, laws and strategic documents. Furthermore, international agreements were also mentioned. 5. Baseline Biological, Physical and Social conditions It provides baseline natural and social conditions of the project area. 6. Public and Stakeholders Consultations Series of consultations with public and stakeholders and summary of points discussed 7. Project description It describes the project 8. Project Alternatives This section evaluates different route alternatives for the Metu – Masha 230 kV single circuit transmission line project and recommends the best environmentally feasible route. 9. Impact Assessment and Mitigation measures Details of potential impacts, their scale and magnitude, direction and probability of occurrence were provided. Mitigation measures for impacts at different phases of the project were provided. 10. Assessment of Cumulative Impacts Information on cumulative impacts due to other activities. 11. Environmental and Social Management Plan Environmental and Social Management Plan was prepared to enable the contractor and the client to either avoid or minimize the anticipated potential impacts of the proposed Metu – Masha 230 kV single circuit transmission line project. Institutional arrangements for the implementation of the requirements of this plan were indicated. Furthermore, a summary of the ESMP provides the total amount of environmental payments for the implementation of the Management plans. 12. Environmental Monitoring, Auditing and Reporting Program This section outlines key environmental monitoring and auditing issues and reporting schedule. 13. Conclusion and Recommendation Main findings of the ESIA study were summarized to draw conclusions. A recommendation with regard to the implementation of the proposed project was made. 14. References Information of used reference materials was provided. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 24 Part II. Annexes Contents of the Annexures. 15. Annexures 15.1. Annex I: Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Team 15.2. Annex II: Minutes of Consultations 15.3.Annex III: List of plant species of the project area 15.4. Annex VI: Factor driving cumulative impact assessment: Forest cover change between 1984 - 2020 15.5. Annex V: Details of Alternative routes of the Metu – Masha 230 kV single circuit transmission line project 15.6. Annex VI: Details of Critical Habitats Assessment 15.7. Annex VI: Checklist for the collection of secondary data Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 31 The Constitution was adopted by Ethiopia in 1995 and provides guiding principles for environmental protection and management thereof in Ethiopia. The concept of sustainable development and environmental rights are enshrined in Article 43, 44 and 92 of the Constitution of FDRE. Article 43: The Right to Development identifies peoples’ right to: o Improved living standards and to sustainable development; and o Participate in national development and, in particular, to be consulted with respect to policies and projects affecting their community. o The enhancement of their capacities for development and to meet their basic needs, are recognized. Article 44: Environmental Rights, all persons have the right to: o A clean and healthy environment; and o Commensurate monetary or alternative means of compensation, including o relocation with adequate state assistance when they have been displaced Article 92: Environmental objectives, it is identified that: o Government shall endeavor to ensure that all Ethiopians live in a clean and healthy environment; o The design and implementation of programs shall not damage or destroy the environment; o People have the right to full consultation and to the expression of views in o the planning and implementation of environmental policies and projects that affect them directly; and o Government and citizens shall have the duty to protect the environment. Applicability to the Power Transmission Line project The project proponent and the Contractor should be very well aware of the constitutional rights of citizens to a clean and healthy environment as stipulated in the federal constitution. The information given under these Articles inform the project Proponent and the Contractor about the consequences of non-observance of the fundamental right to citizens to a clear and healthy environment as per the constitutional provision and other laws are violations of the national laws. Further, the project Proponent and Contractor are required to uphold the environmental objectives of Ethiopia. Environmental Policy of Ethiopia (1997) The Environmental Policy of Ethiopia was approved by the Council of Ministers in April 1997 and contains elements that emphasize the importance of mainstreaming socio-environmental dimensions in development programs and projects. The goal of the Environmental Policy of Ethiopia is to improve and enhance the health and quality of life of all Ethiopians and to promote sustainable social and economic development through the sound management and use of resources and the environment as a whole so as to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. For the effective implementation of the Environmental Policy of Ethiopia, the policy encourages creation of an organizational and institutional framework from federal to community levels. The Environmental Policy of Ethiopia provides a number of guiding principles that require adherence to principles of Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 32 sustainable development; in particular, the need to ensure that Environmental Impact Assessments – • consider impacts on human and natural environments; • provide for early consideration of environmental impacts in projects and programs design; • recognize public consultation; • include mitigation and contingency plans; and • provide for auditing and monitoring. Section 3.3. of the Environmental Policy deals with Biodiversity issues. The following are directly relevant to biodiversity: • Promote in-situ conservation as a priority measures and ex-situ conservation as a complement; • Develop laws that help protect community rights and regulate access to genetic resources and bio-safety; • Ensure that threat, rarity demand and environmental and economic factors are taken into account when setting conservation criteria; • Ensure that local communities participate in the planning and management of adjacent protected areas; • Ensure that protected areas cover the various ecosystems and, when necessary, connect them by corridors; and • Allow a major part of economic benefits derived from biodiversity conservation are channeled to local communities affected. The policy provides a framework to promote the conservation and sustainable utilization of biodiversity. Applicability to the Power Transmission Line project This Policy document informs the project Proponent and the Contractor to implement the provisions of the EIA proclamation No. 299/200 requirements before starting the project such as consideration of the impacts of the project on social and natural environment. It also informs them to implement the provisions of the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) at all phases of the project. The policy also provides information on safeguarding natural resources, for example, Biodiversity issues. Applicability to the Power Transmission Line project The objective of the Water Sector Policy is to enhance and promote all national efforts towards the efficient, equitable utilization of Ethiopian water resources. Furthermore, the policy aims for optimized utilization that allows for sustainable socioeconomic development. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 33 Tourism Development Policy (2009) The economic and employment values of tourism have been long recognized by the Government of Ethiopia. This economic sector has significant contributions to foreign currency earning and it also promotes microand small-scale enterprises and creates employment opportunities. The vision of the policy is aligning the contributions of Tourism to the national effort to alleviate poverty and foster sustainable economic development. The objectives of this policy are as follows. a. To ensure concretely the country’s full benefits by sustaining competitiveness in the international tourism market, by turning Ethiopia into a particularly preferred destination in Africa, and by maximizing direct and indirect economic benefits. b. To build a tourism industry that makes important contributions in earning and conserving foreign exchange, and integrates into the economic growth of the country. c. To create extensive employment opportunities for communities at tourist destinations and to ensure community benefits through a wider distribution of income, and to enhance community participation in decision making on development. d. To realize a tourism industry that builds a positive image of the country, carries on the sector's development in a responsible and sustainable manner, with the capability of growing without disrupting peoples' culture and lifestyles and the natural environment. e. To build an industry that can lengthen the tourist’s stay by solving observed limitations in service in the sector and provide for the progressive growth of capacity in tourist facilities deployed in the field. Applicability to the Power Transmission Line project With the improvement of power supply, there will be more business and people in the area. The improved Masha – Gore road will also attract eco-tourists the Sheka Forest Biosphere Reserve and combine their trips to nearby Important Bird Area. There will be an increased number of vehicles and people due to new business opportunities due to power supply to Masha town. Forest Development, Conservation and Utilization Policy and Strategy The main objective of the policy to meet public demand in forest products and enhance the contribution of forest resources for economic development. The specific objectives are: • Encourage sustainable forest development; • Meet the forest and forest product demands of the public; • Foster the contribution of forest to ensure food security and industrial development; • Prevention of forest threats and conservation of forest resources in a sustainable manner; and • To ensure ecological balance through conserving and developing forest resources. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 34 Ethiopian Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan The National Biodiversity Conservation and Research Policy (1998), guides the conservation, development and sustainable use of biodiversity. The objectives of the policy are as follows: • Ensure genetic resources and essential ecosystems of the country are conserved, developed and sustainably used; • Assert national sovereignty over genetic resources; • Enrich the country’s resources through introduction, repatriation and restoration; • Integrate biodiversity conservation with sectoral and cross-sectoral strategies and programs; • Recognize and protect traditional knowledge; • Encourage public participation; • Ensure that local communities share the benefits from genetic resources and indigenous knowledge; • Create organizational structure for linkages and coordination in biodiversity conservation, development and use; and • Promote regional and international cooperation. Applicability to the Power Transmission Line project This Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan informs the project Proponent and Contractor to uphold biodiversity conservation objectives of Ethiopia during the construction of the Metu – Masha 230 kV single circuit transmission line. It also creates awareness about the importance of recognizing traditional knowledge and promotion of international cooperation with regard to biodiversity and genetic resources. Energy Policy The Energy Policy of Ethiopia aligns it objective with the development strategy of the country to foster national development objectives. It also states energy resource development for economic profitability and develop necessary institutional and manpower capabilities to undertake energy development programs. The objectives are: • Ensure sustainable supply of energy; • To provide guidelines and strategies for faster development and supply of enery; • To ensure reliable supply of energy; • To increase energy utilization efficiency and reduce energy waste Applicability to the Power Transmission Line project Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 35 Energy is central to the development of a multitude of business opportunities. This in turn create employment opportunities and improve regional and local level household economy. In areas where energy is a bottleneck for establishment of enterprises and local-level economic activities, a supply of energy positively impacts the socio-economic settings of that area. It also attracts investments and boosts local and regional economic growth. Wildlife Policy and Strategy The focus of the policy and strategy is development-oriented conservation. The following are the objectives the Ethiopian Wildlife Policy and Strategy: • promotion of sustainable utilization of wildlife for tourism, hunting, trade, ranching and food. • promotion of eco-tourism in protected areas and international conventions; • expand wildlife sector for investments for conservation; and • protection of wildlife through proper administration of protected areas, conservation of endemic and threatened species and promotion of wildlife health services. Applicability to the Power Transmission Line project This policy informs the contractor and the project proponent to ensure the protection and safety of wildlife of the project area. It also guides them to avoid practices that adversely affect the wildlife of the project area. Policy on Public Health The aim of this policy is to give special attention to women and children, underserved segments of the population and victims of manmade calamities and disaster and environmental pollution due to project activities as well. This policy directly emphasizes on the following. • Control of communicable diseases and epidemics; • Combating diseases that are related to malnutrition and poor living conditions; • Promotion of occupational health and safety of workforces; • Promotes development of environmental health; and • Appropriate health services management system, attention to traditional medicine and applied health research. Applicability to the Power Transmission Line project The construction phase of the project involves a large number of workforces of the Contractor. This policy informs the project Proponent and Contractor to implement public health and safety provisions and develop Health and Safety Management Plan to mitigate potential adverse impacts. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 36 Policy on HIV/AIDS HIV/AIDS is pandemic and spreading worldwide and heating hard poor countries mainly, Sub Saharan Africa, with only ten percent of the world population and having 80 percent of the world HIV infection and AIDS cases. Among the SubSaharan African countries, Ethiopia stands fifth in HIV/AIDS infection. Ethiopia is one of the countries in the world that is facing HIV/AIDS pandemics, and about 3.5 percent of the population is said to be HIV/AIDS affected. HIV/AIDS has now become a major social and economic problem of our country. Having understood the magnitude of the problem, the Government issued policy on HIV/AIDS in 1998. The general objective of the policy is “to provide an enabling environment for the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in the country”. The policy also urges government ministries and the civil society to assume responsibility for carrying out HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention campaigns. Applicability to the Power Transmission Line project The project attracts workforces from different places during the construction phase. This policy enables the project Proponent and Contractor to develop HIV/AIDS awareness creation strategies among the workforces. National Policy on Women This policy emphasizes on ensuring equal access of men and women to resources and decisionmaking process. This approach is a foundation for realizing that both benefit equally from all activities out of the federal and regional institutions. Applicability to the Power Transmission Line project This policy provides enabling environment for the involvement of women during the construction phase of the project. It entails equal access to work opportunities. Land Tenure Policy The land tenure issues in Ethiopia have passed through different systems over the past years. The Constitution of the FDRE, Article 40 provided that “The Right to ownership of rural land and urban land, as well as of all natural resources is exclusively vested in State and all peoples of Ethiopia. Land is a common property of the Nations, Nationalities and Peoples of Ethiopia and shall not be subject to sale or other means of exchange (sub-article 3)”. Sub-Article 4 states also that “Ethiopian Peasants have the right to obtain land without payment and the protection against eviction from their possession.” Sub-Article 7, which is one of the important provisions for a property right provides that “Every Ethiopian shall have the full right to immovable property he builds and to permanent improvements he brings about on the land by his labor or capital. This right should include the right to alienate, to bequeath, and, where the right of use expires, to remove his property, transfer his title, or claim compensation for it.” Noteworthy is that Article 52 of the Constitution vested Regional Governments for administration of rural land (assigning holding rights and distribution of holdings). The land tenure issue has been a point of debate due to the apparent dichotomy of ideas, i.e., Private-State Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 37 ownership dichotomy. However, there are many queries with regard to this debate such as the need to include the voices of peasants and pastoralist, options for parallel ownership (Private and State), future implications of these options on social stability and etc. The following points could be mentioned with regard to the core principles of the land policy of Ethiopia. • The Constitution of the FDRE asserts State ownership of land; there are no private property in land; • Even if there are debates on the land ownership and tenure systems in Ethiopia, there is no legal action to legalize private ownership of land; • The administration of land is decentralized but the formulation of broad land policy rests with the federal Government; • The State still maintains primary rights in property and this could move toward a system of long-term leases that vest strong secondary rights in landholders, allowing them to sublease or make other land transactions (e.g., mortgages). These long-term leases would help to address some of the weaknesses in the existing land tenure system. Applicability to the Power Transmission Line project This policy provides key information on land ownership rights and administration of rural land. This policy also draws information from Article 52 of the Federal Constitution of 1995 and informs the project Proponent and Contractor to observe land holding rights during the construction of the Metu – Masha 230 kV single circuit transmission line project. 4.3.2. Legislative Framework Proclamation for the establishment of Environmental Protection Organs (295/2002) The main objective of this Proclamation is to lay down the institutional arrangements that are vital to ensure environmentally sustainable management and development at federal, sectoral and regional levels. The Proclamation re-establishes the Environmental Protection Authority, Ministry of Planning and Development, sectoral environmental Units and Regional Environmental Agencies. In this context, the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment of the proposed Metu – Masha 230 kV single circuit transmission line project should be reviewed by the Environmental Protection Authority, Ministry of Planning and Development. Applicability to the Power Transmission Line project This Proclamation lies a foundation with regard to the mandate for the review and approval of ESIA reports. The Environmental Protection Authority, Ministry of Planning and Development (MoPD) of the FDRE has the responsibility to review and approve ESIA reports of development projects. As a result, the Metu – Masha 230 kV single circuit transmission line project ESIA Report will be reviewed and approved by the Ethiopian Environmental Protection, MoPD) . Environmental Impact Assessment Proclamation (Proclamation No. 299/2002) The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Proclamation makes EIAs a mandatory requirement for the implementation of major development projects, programs and plans in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 38 Proclamation is a tool for harmonizing and integrating environmental, economic, cultural, and social considerations into decision making processes in a manner that promotes sustainable development. The law clearly defines the following key points: • the need for preparing an EIA; • the procedure associated with undertaking an EIA; • The depth of environmental impact studies required in an EIA; • Types of projects that need Full EIA, partial or no EIA study; and • To whom the report has to be submitted. Furthermore, impacts must be assessed based on the size, location, nature, cumulative effect with other concurrent impacts or phenomena, trans-regional effects, duration, reversibility or irreversibility or other related effects of the project. An EIA report should contain the following: • Nature of the project, including technology and processes to be used; • Content and amount of pollutant that will be released; • Source and amount of energy required for the operation; • Information on potential trans-regional impacts; • Characteristics and duration of all the estimated direct or indirect, positive • or negative impacts; • Measures proposed to eliminate, minimize or mitigate negative impacts; • Contingency plan in case of accidents; and • Procedures of self-auditing and monitoring during implementation and operation. Applicability to the Power Transmission Line project This Proclamation clearly inform the project Proponent and Contractors to make sure that the ESIA of the Metu – Masha 230 kV single circuit transmission line project has been prepared by certified Consultants. The Proclamation requires all development project to undertake EIA study before its implementation. This Metu – Masha 230 kV single circuit transmission line project is categorized as Schedule 1 project and it requires a full EIA study. Water Resources Management Proclamation (Proclamation No. 197/2000) Ethiopian Water Resources Management Proclamation No. 197/2000 is the federal law that regulates the proper governance of both surface and groundwater in the country. The Proclamation addresses the requirements for environmental conservation and water resource protection measures to be incorporated into water resource planning and project development. Applicability to the Power Transmission Line project This Proclamation provides information on the conservation of both ground and surface water resources. It informs the project Proponent and Contractor to ensure sustainable uses of surface water during the construction phase of the Metu – Masha 230 kV single circuit transmission line project. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 39 Water Resources Management Regulations (Regulation No. 115/2005) The Ethiopian Water Resources Management Regulation (No. 115/2005) of the Council of Ministers has detailed provisions on the effective implementation of the Water Resources Management Proclamation, which among other things make the wastewater treatment a mandatory requirement for any permit holder of a given permit before discharging it into the environment. Applicability to the Power Transmission Line project This regulation provides guidelines how to implement the provisions of the Water Management Proclamation during the construction phase of the Metu – Masha 230 kV single circuit transmission line project. Environmental Pollution Control Proclamation (Proclamation No. 300/2002) The Environmental Pollution Control Proclamation (No. 300/ 2002) aims at minimizing or avoiding pollution by advocating the polluter pays principle of environmental protection and the federal or relevant regional environmental agency has the right to close or relocate any enterprise if the activity being carried out poses a risk to human health or to the environment. This law gives emphasis of the environmental authority’s requirements on the management of municipal wastes, hazardous waste, and chemical and radioactive substances. Although no particular pollution standard 2 has been established by this proclamation, it states the various types of environmental standards should be set and it indicated the types of standards to be set as: Standards for the discharge of effluents into water bodies; Air quality standards; Standards for the types and amounts of substances that can be applied to the soil; Standards for noise; Waste management standards and the methods of handling and disposal of the various types of waste. So far, the following standards are developed to be used by industries: standards for Specified Industrial Sectors; General Standards for all other Industrial Effluents; Standards for all other Industrial Gaseous Emissions; and Standards for Noise Limits. Prevention of Industrial Pollution Council of Ministers Regulation (No. 159/2008) is directed to industry and in particular to factories. The provisions of the Regulation impose obligation on new and old factories to prevent pollution if possible or minimize to the level set by the Standards set by the relevant authority if not possible to totally prevent the pollution Article 4 (1). Old factories are given a grace period of five years to come to compliance with the provisions of this regulation as per the directive issued providing the list of industries by their respective sectors. Applicability to the Power Transmission Line project This Proclamation informs the project Proponent and Contractor to uphold environmental health by preventing environmental pollution due to haphazard disposal of used plastic bottles and cement bags and emission of dust. It also enables them to develop waste management plan to mitigate these potential adverse impacts. 2 Article 6 of Environmental Pollution Control Proclamation stipulates that Standards are to be set. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 40 Prevention of Industrial Pollution Council of Ministers Regulation (Regulation No. 159/2008) Article 20 of the Proclamation of the Proclamation on Environmental Pollution Control (300/2002) has triggered the issuance of this Regulation by the Council of Ministers. This law is directed to industry, namely factories. But certain section of the Proclamation is applicable to the project, i.e., the need for emergency response systems and monitoring of environmental safety. Applicability to the Power Transmission Line project This Regulation enables the project Proponent and Contractor to implement environmental pollution control management plan. Wildlife Development, Conservation and Utilization Proclamation (Proclamation No. 541/2007) This law provides for the legal administration of National Parks, wildlife sanctuaries, transboundary wildlife conservation areas. The objectives of this law are as follows. • Conserve, manage, develop and properly utilize the wildlife resources of Ethiopia; • Create conditions necessary for discharging government obligations in view of the international treaties in connection to conservation, development and utilization of wildlife; and • Promote wildlife-based tourism and encourage private investment. Applicability to the Power Transmission Line project This Proclamation creates enabling environment for the protection of wildlife living in the surrounding areas. The wildlife, namely birds, could cross the Metu – Masha 230 kV single circuit transmission line and the Proclamation informs the project Proponent and Contractor to develop appropriate signage at specific sites along the section of the Metu – Masha 230 kV single circuit transmission line to promote wildlife protection. Wildlife Development, Conservation and Utilization Regulation (163/2008) This regulation provides for the management of wildlife conservation areas, hunting and other licenses, possession of wildlife products and harmful animals. It also outlines rules for the management of National Park, Wildlife Sanctuaries and Wildlife Reserves and the administration of these areas. Applicability to the Power Transmission Line project This Regulation ensure the implementation of Proclamation No. 54/2007. Solid Waste Management Proclamation (Proclamation No. 513/2007) The solid waste management Proclamation No. 513/2007 has mandatory provisions on waste management. Part 3 of this proclamation requires a manufacturer or importer of glass containers or tin cans to develop and implement a system that enables it to collect and recycle used glass containers or tin cans. It also prohibits grant of permit for the manufacture or importation of any non-biodegradable plastic bags with a wall thickness of 0.03 millimeters and less than 0.03 Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 47 The World Bank Operation Policies and their applicability to the project and ESIA are given in Table 4-2. Table 4-2. The World Bank Environmental and Social Safeguard Operational Policies World Bank Operational Policy Applicability to the project OP 4.01. Environmental Assessment (EA) • evaluates the project’s potential environmental risks and impacts in its area of influence; • examines project alternatives; • identifies ways of improving project selection, planning, design and implementation by preventing, minimizing, mitigating or compensating for adverse environmental impacts and enhancing positive impacts; • includes process of mitigating and managing adverse environmental impacts throughout project implementation. • To identify potential environmental and social risks of the project • To identify the optimal alternative route of the OHTL that reduces environmental and social risks • To prepare mitigation measures to minimize project impacts OP 4.04: Natural Habitats • Protection of natural environment to ensure long-term sustainable development • Protection and rehabilitation of natural environment • For projects with adverse impacts, propose mitigation and management measures for healthy functions of habitats • To identify strategies for protection and rehabilitation of natural habitats • To identify appropriate conservation measures for mitigation and monitoring of natural habitats • To prepare management and monitoring plan OP 4.36: Forests • Conservation and development of forest ecosystems for lasting poverty reduction and sustainable development • Harness the potential of forests to reduce poverty and integrate forests to sustainable economic development • To identify appropriate forest management plan to ensure the continuity of forest functional components • To identify adverse impacts and reduce the impacts on the people – forest interactions to sustain local livelihoods OP 4.11: Physical Cultural Resources • Addresses physical cultural resources such as religious sites, group of structures, historical sites and etc. of cultural significance • To avoid and mitigate cultural resources from adverse impacts of development projects. • To identify sites of cultural significance in connection to the impacts of this project • To identify religious sites, e.g. grave sites • To prepare sound management plan to protect Physical cultural resources of the project area OP 4.12: Involuntary Resettlement • To avoid severe economic, social and economic risks • Avoid resettlement where possible or minimize by exploring all viable alternatives of project design • To identify physical displacement of houses and economic activities • To identify types and number of physical structures adversely impacted by the activities of this project • To recommend the preparation of Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 48 B. IFC EHS guidelines for Electric Power Transmission and Distribution (2007) The guidelines include the following impacts of the construction of Electric Power Transmission. Construction phase impacts • Construction site waste generation • Soil erosion • Noise from heavy equipment • Potential for spill of hazardous materials and oil leakage during operation of heavy equipment Operation phase impacts • Alternation to terrestrial habitat and collusions of birds (Electrocutions) • Electromagnetic fields • Hazardous materials, e.g., insulating oil 4.3.7. Gap analysis of Ethiopian and WB operational policies The table below provides a comparison of the main ESHS policies of Ethiopia vis-à-vis the WB ESHS safeguards, and likely gaps between them. Table 4-3. Gap analysis of Ethiopian and WB ESHS policies Issues The World Bank Operational Policies Ethiopian laws/regulations/guidelines relevant to the project Gap bridging measures Screening OP 4.01 states the need for environmental screening. Projects are characterized according to three categories. • Category A: projects having significant adverse environmental impacts that are sensitive, diverse and unprecedented. An Environmental Impact Assessment study is required to address potential adverse impacts. • Category B: projects where the impacts on social or environmental components are less adverse than Category A projects. The impacts are Environmental Impact Assessment Guideline Series 1 (2003). Environmental Impact Assessment Proclamation No. 299/2002 • No project shall be implemented without an Environmental Impact Assessment (Article 1, Proc. No. 299/2002). • Any project which fall in any category listed in any directive issues pursuant to Proc. No. 299/2002 shall be subject to Projects are screened, project types and the level of environmental impacts assessment are defined in both the Ethiopian and the World Bank systems. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 49 Issues The World Bank Operational Policies Ethiopian laws/regulations/guidelines relevant to the project Gap bridging measures site specific and mitigatory measures can be designed more readily than Category A projects. An Environmental and Social impact assessment is required to address or compensate adverse impacts. • Category C: project that have minimal or no adverse environmental impacts. No further environmental action is required beyond screening. environmental impact assessment. Project schedules4 • Schedule 1: projects that require full environmental and social impact assessment to eliminate, minimize and mitigate adverse impacts. • Schedule 2: project that require a preliminary environmental impact study. • Schedule 3: projects that may not require environmental impact assessment study. Environmental and Social safeguard document requirements • ESIA with ESMP report is required for Category A projects • ESIA with ESMP, but not as detailed as for Category A, is required for Category B projects • No document is required for Category C projects. • A full Environmental impact assessment is required for Schedule 1 projects. • A preliminary (not as detailed as for Schedule 1 projects) environmental impact assessment report is required for Schedule 2 projects. • No document is required for Schedule 3 projects beyond a screening. Reports, based on the types of the projects, are required in both systems. Conservation of Natural Habitats OP 4.01: • OP 4.04 is essential for a long-term sustainable development. This OP focuses on the protection, conservation and rehabilitation of natural habitats and the integrity of their functions. • Environmental policy of Ethiopia • National policy on Biodiversity conservation and Research The national policy, laws support sustainable development and protection of natural forest resources Conservation of natural habitats to foster a longterm sustainable development is required in both systems. Conservation of forests and their associated resources OP 4.36 • This OP promotes management, conservation and Forest Development, Conservation and Utilization Proc. no. 1065/2018 Conservation of natural habitats is promoted in both systems 4 The 2003 EIA guideline series 1 lists the types of projects under each of the three project schedules. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 50 Issues The World Bank Operational Policies Ethiopian laws/regulations/guidelines relevant to the project Gap bridging measures sustainable development of forest ecosystems • This law upholds the conservation of forests and their associated natural resources to foster sustainable development Conservation and protection of cultural heritages and resources OP 4.11 • OP 4.11 states that Physical Cultural Resources shall be assessed in the project cycle to avoid minimize adverse impacts such as demolition, flooding, movement of earth and design mitigation measures Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritage (Proclamation No. 209/1992) Classification of Cultural Heritage into National and Regional Cultural Heritages (Proclamation No. 839/2006) • Promotes the conservation and protection of cultural heritage Conservation and protection of physical cultural resources are promoted and considered during environmental and social impact assessment in both systems Compensation for adversely impacted assets and promotion of ehanced livelihoods OP 4.12 • OP 4.12 is a socioeconomic safeguard that promotes the economic and social wellbeing of the communities adversely impacted by projects. If avoidance of adverse impacts is not possible, the communities affected by projects shall be compensated for lost assets. Proclamation 1/1995, Article 40 Expropriation of land for public purposes, payments of compensation and Resettlement of displaced peoples (Proclamation No. 1161/2019) Council of Minsters Regulation No. 472/2020: Expropriation and Valuation, Compensation and Resettlement • These laws and regulations promote the concept that communities adversely affected by projects shall be compensated to ensure their stable sociao-economic and cultural activities. Socio-economic and traditional norms safeguards of project affected persons shall be addressed in both systems before implementing development projects. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 51 5. Project Description The Metu – Masha 230 kV single circuit transmission line project starts from the Metu substation and crosses different landscape (forest areas, farmlands, grazing area) to reach Masha (Figure 5-1). At Masha, a new substation, 300 m x 300 m area, will be constructed. Figure 5-1. The proposed route for Metu – Masha 230 kV overhead transmission line 5.1. Project justification There are immense economic and social benefits of access to electricity. Currently, Masha Town has electricity which runs on Diesel generator and this runs only for very short hours (until 09:00 pm). Due to a high cost of fuel, there are more days without power in a week. Although the town and its surrounding areas are endowed with resources for investments and development of enterprises to spur local economic development and regional integrations, electricity has been an apparent bottleneck. Students of Masha Town use candles to study and this potentially limits the time required to spend studying and preparing for the next days’ lessons. The new sub-station at Masha Town will also be used as a springboard to distribute electricity to Woreda Towns to foster regional economic development. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 52 It has been recorded, during data collection, that there a company which has secured license for investment in coffee production. It has planned to establish a coffee processing mill but the lack of power has severely limited this investment. The latter could create job opportunities and stimulate local economy. With the supply of electricity to Masha Town new enterprises (small, medium of large) will mushroom within a reasonable short time. These economic activities will transform the livelihoods and quality of life of the communities. Therefore, the construction of Metu – Masha 230 kV single circuit transmission line has significant positive impacts of the local, regional and national economy and the effectiveness of education for school pupils. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 53 5.2. Project design guidelines A general overview of the project design guidelines is given in Table 5-1. Table 5-1. Key features and restrictions of the Metu – Masha 230 kV overhead transmission line (OHTL). Components Width/area Description Activities Restrictions Construction phase Operation Phase Overhead Transmission Line Right -of-Way (RoW) OHTL Right-of-Way 40 m (20 m in either side) • This is established to ensure safety of the high voltage OHTL • The RoW is 40 m (20 m in either side) • High trees will be removed along the entire length of the RoW • Existing houses inside the RoW will be relocated Construction phase • Removal of all high trees inside the RoW • Construction of tower foundations Operation phase • Regular monitoring of the RoW to ensure it is free of high trees • Monitor for nonexistence of new houses inside the RoW Temporary crop damage limits farmers to tend their crops • No new houses • No plantation of high trees will be planted inside the RoW • Cultivation of crops is allowed Access Roads to the RoW 4 m • Removal of vegetation to ensure vehicle access • Avoid cutting big trees along the access road (reroute the road) Construction phase • Clearing vegetation after payments of compensation (temporary effect) Operation phase • Transportation of construction materials • Cultivation can be temporarily disrupted • Vegetation growth is allowed • Cultivation is allowed Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 54 Components Width/area Description Activities Restrictions Construction phase Operation Phase Immediate areas outside the RoW 40 m (20 m in either side) • Houses and planting trees are allowed • Monitoring the distance of high trees to the RoW corridor and the OHTL • Cultivation restricted temporarily due to construction activities • Construction of houses allowed • Planting trees allowed • As some trees grow over 40 m, avoid plant these trees very close to the edge of the RoW on both sides Footprint of the new Masha substation Construction of new substation at Masha 300 m x 300 m in area • This area is currently a grazing area with very scattered trees. These scattered trees will be removed • There are no houses and crop fields Construction phase • Scattered trees will be removed • Excavation of foundations • Dust emission due to truck movements and excavation • Relatively high traffic of dump truck to transport soil wastes may affect livestock and human movements • Temporary increase in ambient noise • Permanent loss of land • No other restrictions Project components Temporary working area at each tower site 20 m x 20 m • Working area for construction, store materials temporarily • Construction and erection of Towers Construction phase • Clearing of vegetation and trees • Access to the site restricted Permanent tower area 10 m x 10 m • There are about 180 Towers inside the RoW Construction phase • Fully Clear tea bushes and vegetation • No trees or crops allowed on 10 m x 10m area Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 55 Components Width/area Description Activities Restrictions Construction phase Operation Phase Operation phase • Monitoring for the absence of vegetation that could potentially disrupt power transmission (permanent loss of land) The general schematic representations of the features and restrictions are given in Figure 5-2. Cultivation of cereal crops and Enset is allowed inside the RoW. Since the cultivation of coffee requires shade trees, this cultivation practice is limited inside the RoW. The coffee shade trees of the project usually grow high and could pose risks to the Metu – Masha 230 kV single circuit transmission line project. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 56 Figure 5-2. Metu – Masha 20 kV OHTL features and restrictions Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 63 Coffea arabica This species is economically very important crop and has its wild populations in the moist afromontane forests of Ethiopia. This species was assessed for inclusion in the IUCN red list of Threatened species in 2018. It has been assessed as Endangered (EN) 6 under criteria A3b. The latter means population reduction projected inferred or suspected to be met in the future (up to a maximum of 100 years) based on an index of abundance for this species. Deforestation, climate change, diseases and pests are the major threats. The geographic extent of this species is given below. Figure 6-2. Geographic extent of Coffea arabica 6 Coffea arabica. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2021-3 Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 64 6.1.2. Forests The forest of the project area is part of the fragmented Moist Afro-montane Forest (MAF) of Ethiopia. This type of vegetation is found in selected parts of Ethiopia (Figure 6-4). Characteristic species MAF are Pouteria adolfi-friderici, Prunus africana, Albizia gummifera, Albizia schimperiana, Olea welwitschia, Coffea arabica, Schfflera abyssinica, Diospyros abyssinica, etc. Figure 6-3 presents selected profile of the forest of the study area. The salient features of the stand of two species, Pouteria adolfi-friderici and Olea welwitchii shows the the vertical structure of the forest. Both species form high canopy but there are also other understorey trees species and Coffea arabica and ground vegetation mainly featuring spices such as Piper capense and Afromomum corrorima. Figure 6-3. Profile of selected tree species of the project area (source: Senbeta, 2016) The project crosses modified landscape (cultivated fields and tea Estate and transition zone of Biosphere Reserves). But a small section of the OHTL triggers forest related issues, e.g., cutting trees. This issue has been addressed in the ESMP. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 65 Figure 6-4. Vegetation types of Ethiopia (source: Friis et al., 2010) Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 66 Trends in tree cover and primary forest loss Ethiopia has lost 41.6 kha of tree cover between 2002 and 2020 (https://www.globalforestwatch.org/map/country/ETH/). This is equal to a decrease in 3.5% of the tree cover, which amounts to 188 Mt of Co2e emission. The tree cover in Oromia was 5.45 Mha in 2010, which covers 17% of its total land area. In 2020, it has lost 12.2 kha of its tree cover. This is equivalent to over 6 Mt of Co2e emission. Furthermore, Oromia has lost 55.1 kha of its primary humid forest from 2002 – 2020, which is 26% of its total tree cover loss in the same period. As a result, 4.7% of humid primary forest has decreased in Oromia (Figure 6-5). Figure 6-5. Humid primary forest loss in Oromia (data sources: https://www.globalforestwatch.org/map/country/ETH/). Similar trend was also observable in the remaining natural forest of SNNPR (Figure 6-6). In 2002, Sheka has 229 kha of tree cover, which covers 98% 0f its land area. In 2020, it has lost 185 ha of its tree cover amounting to 111 kt of Co2 of emissions. Furthermore, Sheka has lost a total of 2.64 kha of its humid primary forest, which is 34% of its total tree cover loss in the same period. This has resulted in a decrease by 27% of its humid primary forest. Relatively higher loss of the Sheka humid primary forest was recorded from 2012 – 2017. The highest loss was in 2013. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 Primary forest loss Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 67 Figure 6-6. Sheka Humid primary forest loss from 2002 – 2020. Oromia (data sources: https://www.globalforestwatch.org/map/country/ETH/). Sheka has lost 7.86 kha of tree cover from 2002 – 2020, which is 3.4% decrease in tree cover since 2000. This is equivalent to 5.04 Mt of CO2e emission. 6.1.3. Key biodiversity areas A. UNESCO Biosphere Reserves i. Yayu Coffee Forest Biosphere Reserve The Yayu Coffee Forest Biosphere Reserve was designated in 2010. It has a total area of 167.021 ha. It has three management zones (Figure 6-7). These are: a. Core Zone (area = 27,733 ha). This section of the Yayu Coffee Forest Biosphere Reserve is strictly protected and all kinds of human interactions with the forest are to be avoided. This zone is with wild populations of coffee. b. Buffer Zone (area= 21,552 ha). This zone is slightly disturbed forest areas where nontimber forest products can be extracted. Furthermore, the local communities could us this zone of the Biosphere Reserve for honey production, i.e., mount beehives on high tree species for honey production. But further destruction of the canopy of the indigenous tree species and the underground vegetation is prohibited. c. Transition Zone (area = 117,736 ha). This zone of the Yayu Coffee Forest Biosphere Reserve is where traditional coffee farming, agriculture and settlements are located. The local communities practice agroforestry farming system where selected coffee shade trees such as Albizia gummifera, Cordia africana, Acacia abyssinica and etc. are maintained to Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 68 provide shade for coffee. Furthermore, cereal crop production is also practices by the smallholder farmers of the project area. The Metu – Masha 230 kV power transmission line crosses the Transition Zone of the Yayu Coffee Biosphere Reserve. Figure 6-7. Management Zone of Yayu Coffee Biosphere Reserve. (Source: Motion Consultancy & Training, 2018). d. Sheka Forest Biosphere Reserve The Sheka Forest Biosphere Reserve is aa terrestrial Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) with a reported total area of 372,333 ha and 21% protected area cover (Key Biodiversity Areas Partnership, 2020). Three threat levels were recognized for this Biosphere Reserve. These are Threat Level 1 – 3. Whereas Agriculture and commercial development are Threat Level 1, wood and pulp plantation, settlement and urban expansions were considered to constitute Threat Level-2. Furthermore, smallholder plantations and shifting agriculture are Threat Level-3. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 69 The occurrence of plant and animal species of conservation concerns inside Sheka Forest has triggered the designation of this forest as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The species and their corresponding IUCN conservation status are given below. e. Amphibians Clarke’s Banana Frog (Afrixalus clarkei). This species was previously reported from UNESCO-MAB Kaffa Biosphere Reserve and Godare. Now it is also reported from Sheka Forest and has served as one of the triggering factors for a designation of this Forest as a Biosphere Reserve. Its habitats include forest edges, herbaceous vegetations surrounding pools inside forest, coffee plantation and modified forest habitats. Figure 6-8. Clarke’s Banana Frog (Source: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/31041229) This endemic species has an IUCN conservation category of Endangered (cf. below). Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 70 f. Animals The following animal species were recorded from the project area. No Scientific name Common name Remarks 1 Heterohyrax brucei(Gray, 1868) Procavia capensis(Pallas, 1766 Hyrax - 2 Cercopithecus mitis(Wolf, 1822 Blue monkey Raids crops and persecuted by communities 3 Lepus saxatilis(Cuvier, 1823 fagani (Hoffmann and Smith 2005 Hare Open fields 4 Chlorocebus aethiops(Linnaeus, 1758) Grivet monkey Troops seen along road side. Habituated? 5 Colobus guereza(Rüppell, 1835 Colobus monkey Frugivore in forest canopy, 6 Panthera pardus(Linnaeus, 1758 Leopoard Predator on wild and domestic animals 7 Civettictis civetta (Schreber, 1776 Civet uncommon 8 Atilax paludinosus(Cuvier, 1829) Mongoose - 9 Crocuta crocuta(Erxleben, 1777) Spotted hyaena Predator and nuisance 10 Potamochoerus larvatus(Cuvier, 1822 Bush pig Hunted with traditional spears 11 Sylvicapra grimmia(Linnaeus, 1758) Bush duiker Hunted for food Some animal species are endemic and their conservation status are given below. a. Yalden’s Desmomys (rat) - Desmomys yaldeni This rodent species is endemic to Ethiopia. Figure 6-9 shows the species and its geographic range in Ethiopia. The species distribution ranges from Metu to Tepi and covers the project area as well. It habitats are humid afro-montane forest dominated by Ficus species and undergrowth dominated by coffee. Deforestation of the afro-montane forest may threaten this species in the future. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 71 Figure 6-9. Yalden’s rat and its geographic distribution. (source:……species photo: Lavrenchenko and Bekele, 2017; map – Integrated Biodiversity Tools) This species has been assessed as vulnerable. b. Scott’s Mouse-eared Bat (Myotis scotti) This bat species is endemic to the highlands of Ethiopia on both sides of the Ethiopian Rift Valley (see below). Its habitats are Afro-montane Forest and shrubland. Its populations are severely fragmented. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 72 Figure 6-10. Geographic extent of Scott’s Mouse-eared Bat Scott’s mouse-eared Bat was assessed as a Vulnerable species with regard to its conservation status. Habitat fragmentation and conversion are the major threat to the conservation of this species. The elevation range of this species is 1300 – 2500 masl in Ethiopia. Part of the project area (around Metu) falls in the geographic extent of this species (see below). But the remaining areas of the project are outside of the geographic range of this species. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 79 Bird species Migration status remarks Distribution of migrant species7 Northern puffback Non-migrant Ethiopian boubou Non-migrant African paradiseflycatcher Migrant White-crowned robin-chat Non-migrant White-browed robinchat Non-migrant Red-capped robinchat Non-migrant Rueppell's robin-chat Non-migrant Abyssinian slaty flycatcher Non-migrant Northern black flycatcher Non-migrant African Dusky flycatcher Non-migrant White-cheeked turaco Non-migrant Variable sunbird Non-migrant Olive sunbird Non-migrant Tacazze sunbird Non-migrant Scarlet-chested sunbird Non-migrant Non-forest species Non-migrant Chestnut-naped francolin Non-migrant Scaly francolin Non-migrant Nubian woodpecker Non-migrant Abyssinian woodpecker Non-migrant Cardinal woodpecker Non-migrant Western Blackheaded batis Non-migrant Grey-headed batis Non-migrant Brown-throated wattle-eye Non-migrant Black-winged lovebird Non-migrant Yellow-fronted parrot Non-migrant Common bulbul Non-migrant Black-billed barbet Non-migrant Yellow-fronted tinkerbird Non-migrant Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 80 Bird species Migration status remarks Distribution of migrant species7 Red-fronted tinkerbird Non-migrant Greater blue-eared glossy starling Non-migrant Sharpe's starling Non-migrant Cinnamon Bracken warbler Non-migrant Common chiffchaff Migrant Willow warbler Migrant Eurasian Blackcap Migrant Lesser whitethroat Migrant Wattled ibis Non-migrant Hadada ibis Non-migrant African hill babbler Non-migrant White-rumped babbler Non-migrant Narina trogon Non-migrant Olive thrush Non-migrant Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 81 Bird species Migration status remarks Distribution of migrant species7 Abyssinian groundthrush Non-migrant Village indigobird Non-migrant Montane white-eye Non-migrant Rouget’s rail Non-migrant The species denoted as migrant exhibit intra-African movement. They also occur all year round in the project area. Some breed in Africa and others in Eurasia (Palearctic migrant), e.g., Lesser whitethroat. Their habitats are woodland or bush, forest edges, homegardens (e.g., the palearctic Blackcap) and open woodland, homegardens, bush (e.g., African paradise Flycatcher). That is the habitats of these migrant species are away from the zone of this high-tension transmission line to trigger electrocution. Similarly, the resident (non-migrant) species habitats are also inside forest, ground and homegardens. As a result, the 230 kV Metu-Mash transmission line will not pose electrocution threat. Bird species of the project area Large number of bird species were recorded from the project area. Table 6-2 gives their IUCN conservation status and their population trend 8 . Table 6-2. Bird species of the project area. Keys: LC = Least concern; NT = Near threatened Common Name IUCN Conservation status Population trend Endemic (Yes or No) Foraging9 niches Forest dependency Malachite kingfisher LC Stable No; it occurs throughout Africa Aquatic habitat Low Silvery-cheeked hornbill LC Decreasing No; it is distributed to Southern part of Africa, e.g. Zimbabwe Generalist High Crowned hornbill LC Decreasing No; other parts of Africa Canopy High Red-shouldered cuckooshrike LC Stable No; occurs in different parts of Africa Generalist Medium Grey cuckooshrike LC Stable No Midhigh/canopy Medium Yellow-breasted apalis LC Increasing N0 Canopy Medium Green-backed camaroptera Not assessed - - - 8 Some species were not assessed by using IUCN conservation criteria. In this case, their population trend is unknown. 9 German Group study od Birds of Gomma & Gera Woredas, Ethiopia. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 82 Common Name IUCN Conservation status Population trend Endemic (Yes or No) Foraging9 niches Forest dependency African olivepigeon LC Decreasing No Generalist Medium Lemon dove LC Stable No Ground Medium Dusky turtle-dove LC Stable No Ground Medium Red-eyed dove LC Increasing No Ground Medium Blue-spotted wood-dove LC Stable No Ground Medium Tambourine dove LC Stable No Ground Medium Broad-billed roller LC Stable No Generalist Medium Cape crow LC Increasing No Ground Non-forest species Thick-billed raven LC Stable No Ground Low Blue-headed coucal LC Stable No Generalist Medium Senegal coucal LC Stable No Ground Medium African emerald cuckoo LC Stable No Canopy Medium Red-chested cuckoo LC Stable No Generalist Medium Yellow-bellied waxbill LC Stable No Generalist Non-forest species Abyssinian citril LC Stable No Ground/ understorey Low Streaky seedeater LC Stable No Ground/ understorey Low Lesser honeyguide LC Stable No Understorey/ mid-high Medium Northern puffback LC Stable No Mid-high Low Ethiopian boubou LC Stable No Ground Medium African paradiseflycatcher LC Stable No Canopy Low White-crowned robin-chat LC Stable No Ground Non-forest species White-browed robin-chat LC Stable No Ground Medium Red-capped robinchat LC Stable No ground Medium Rueppell's robinchat LC Decreasing No Ground/ understorey Medium Abyssinian slaty flycatcher LC Decreasing Yes Ground Low Northern black flycatcher LC Stable No Generalist Low African Dusky flycatcher LC Decreasing No Generalist Low White-cheeked turaco LC Stable No Mid-high Medium Variable sunbird LC Stable No Generalist Medium Olive sunbird LC Stable No Understorey Medium Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 83 Common Name IUCN Conservation status Population trend Endemic (Yes or No) Foraging9 niches Forest dependency Abyssinian woodpecker Tacazze sunbird LC Stable No Generalist Low Scarlet-chested sunbird LC Stable No Non-forest species Rouget’s rail NT Decreasing Yes Aquatic Non-forest species Swainson's sparrow Not assessed - - Understorey Non-forest species Chestnut-naped francolin LC Stable No Ground Medium Scaly francolin LC Decreasing No Ground High Nubian woodpecker LC Stable No Mid-high Non-forest species LC Decreasing No Mid-high/ canopy Medium Cardinal woodpecker LC Stable No Generalist Medium Western Blackheaded batis LC Decreasing No Mid-high Low Grey-headed batis LC Stable No Mid-high None-forest species Brown-throated wattle-eye LC Stable No Mid-high Medium Black-winged lovebird LC Increasing Yes Mid-high Medium Yellow-fronted parrot LC Stable Yes Med-high Medium Common bulbul LC Increasing No Generalist Low Black-billed barbet LC increasing No Understorey/ mid-high Low Yellow-fronted tinkerbird LC Stable No Generalist Low Red-fronted tinkerbird LC Stable No Generalist Low Greater blueeared glossystarling LC Stable No Ground Low Sharpe's starling LC Decreasing No Canopy High Cinnamon Bracken warbler LC Stable No Ground Low Common chiffchaff LC Increasing No Generalist Medium Willow warbler LC Decreasing No Canopy Medium Eurasian Blackcap LC Increasing No Mid-high Medium Lesser whitethroat Lc Stable No Generalist Low Wattled ibis LC Unknown No Ground Non-forest species Hadada ibis LC Increasing No Ground Low African hill babbler LC Decreasing No Mid-high High Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 84 Common Name IUCN Conservation status Population trend Endemic (Yes or No) Foraging9 niches Forest dependency White-rumped babbler LC Stable No Ground Low Narina trogon LC Stable No Mid-high High Olive thrush LC unknown No Ground Medium Abyssinian ground-thrush LC Decreasing No Ground High Village indigobird LC Stable No Ground Non-forest species Montane whiteeye Not assessed - No Mid-high Medium The major threat to the conservation of the bird species of the project area are continuous decline in extent, area and quality of their habitats. Most of the bird species if the project area are of least conservation concern (Figure 6-17). Their foraging niches are also different, i.e., their range from ground to canopy of big tree species like Cordia Africana, Albilzia gummifera, Pouteria adolfi-friderici and etc. Furthermore, these bird species have different trend of their population status. Over 25% of the bird species of the project area has a generalist feeding niches (Figure 16). Only about 9% of them feed on their respective diet at the canopy of the forest. Furthermore, the mid-high foraging niche is about 18% but the combination of mid-high, understorey and canopy is very small (less or equal to 4%). On the other hand, a ground foraging niche accounts for the majority of the bird species (over 34%). Figure 6-17. IUCN conservation status and foraging niches of bird species of the project area. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 85 The bird species of the project area has shown different magnitude of forest dependency (Figure 6-18). Whereas over 34% of the bird species show a medium level of dependency on the forest, about 10% of them are highly dependent on the forest. There are also non-forest species, which were mainly recorded from home gardens and cultivated fields. Figure 6-18. Forest dependency classes of bird species of the project area D. Critical natural and modified habitat Assessment Critical habitats are areas that contain features that are vital for conservation of species. These are habitats of conservation concern and require targeted management and conservation. The IFC Performance Standard 6 define critical habitats as “Habitat is defined as a terrestrial, freshwater, or marine geographical unit or airway that supports assemblages of living organisms and their interactions with the non-living environment.” These habitats are of high biodiversity value 10 and meet the one or more of the following criteria 11 . These criteria are: i. Criterion 1: Critically endangered (CR) and/or Endangered (EN) species ii. Criterion 2: Endemic or restricted-range species 10 http://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/115482804a0255db96fbffd1a5d13d27/ PS_English_2012_Full-Document.pdf?MOD=AJPERES 11 http://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/a359a380498007e9a1b7f3336b93d75f/ Updated_GN62012.pdf?MOD=AJPERES Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 86 iii. Criterion 3: Migratory or Congregatory species iv. Criterion 4: Highly threatened and/or unique ecosystem v. Criterion 5: Key evolutionary processes Criteria 1-3 are concerned with species occurrence and criteria 4 & 5 are about ecosystem. Where the project falls inside IUCN’s Protected Areas Categories 1a, 1b and II, IFC guidance note 6 (Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Natural Resources Management, G9 stipulates that a Biodiversity Management Plan to be prepared. A critical habitats assessment will be carried out in such case. The project area falls under IUCN’s Protected Areas Category VI (protected area with sustainable use of natural resources). Category VI protected areas 12 : • Conserve ecosystems and habitats together with associated cultural values and traditional natural resources management system; • Large with most area in natural conditions and etc. The primary objective of Category VI is o protect natural ecosystems and use natural resources sustainably, when conservation and sustainable use can be mutually beneficial. G10 of the IFC guidance note 6 also mentioned provisions for Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) including Important Bird Areas. The IFC Standards provide detailed descriptions for the Tiers of Critical Habitats. These Tiers are based on the degree of vulnerability and irreplaceability. Qualitative and quantitative thresholds are provided to assign Tier 1 or Tier 2 to Critical Habitats (Table 6-3). Table 6-3. Qualitative thresholds for Critical Habitats (IFC Performance Standard 6, 2012) Tier 1 Critical Habitat Tier 2 Critical Habitat Criterion 1: Occurrence of Critically endangered (CR) or Endangered (EN) species a. Habitat required to sustain ≥ 10 % of the global population of a CR or EN species/subspecies where there are known, regular occurrences of the species and where that habitat could be considered a Discrete Management Unit (DMU) for that species. b. Habitat with known, regular occurrences of CR or EN species where that habitat is one of 10 or fewer discrete management sites globally for that species c. Habitat that supports the regular occurrence of a single individual of a CR species and/or habitat containing regionally important concentrations of a Red-listed EN species where that habitat could be considered a discrete management unit for that species/subspecies. d. Habitat of significant importance to CR or EN species that are wide-ranging and/or whose population distribution is not well understood and where the loss of such a habitat could potentially impact the long-term survivability of the species. e. As appropriate, habitat containing nationally / regionally important concentrations of an EN, CR or equivalent national / regional listing 12 https://www.iucn.org/theme/protected-areas/about/protected-areas-categories/category-viprotected-area-sustainable-use-natural-resources Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 87 Tier 1 Critical Habitat Tier 2 Critical Habitat Criterion 2: Occurrence of endemic and/or Restricted-Range species a. Habitat known to sustain ≥ 95% of the global population of an endemic or restricted-range species where that habitat could be considered a discrete management unit for that species (e.g. a single-site endemic). b. Habitat known to sustain ≥ 1% but < 95% of a global population of an endemic or restricted-range species where that habitat could be considered a discrete management unit for that species, where data are available and / or based on expert judgment. Criterion 3: Occurrence of Migratory and/or Congregatory species a. Habitat known to sustain, on a cyclical or otherwise regular basis, ≥ 95% of a global population of a migratory or congregatory species at any point of the species’ lifecycle where that habitat could be considered a discrete management unit for that species b. Habitat known to sustain, on a cyclical or otherwise regular basis, ≥ 1% but < 95% of the global population of a migratory or congregatory species at any point of the species’ lifecycle and where that habitat could be considered a discrete management unit for that species, where adequate data are available and / or based on expert judgment. c. For birds, habitat that meets Birdlife International’s Criterion A4 for congregations and / or Ramsar Criteria 5 or 6 for Identifying Wetlands of International Importance. d. For species with large but clumped distributions, a provisional threshold is set at ≥ 5% of the global population for both terrestrial and marine species e. Source sites that contribute ≥ 1% of the global population of recruits. Criterion 4 focuses on ecosystems that contain biome-restricted assemblage of organisms and threatened or recognized for their high conservation values. No quantitative thresholds were given in IFC Performance Standard 6. The project crosses the transition zones (highly altered and converted landscape) of Yayu Forest Coffee and Sheka Forest UNESCO Biosphere Reserves. There are National Forest Priority Areas embedded in the RoW of the project, but these areas were converted to agriculture long time ago. Therefore, the project will not trigger Criterion 4. Criterion 5 focuses on landscape of evolutionary significance in terms of enhancing evolutionary processes. The temperature and humidity regime and exposure to sun radiation is different across a landscape. This unique landscape configuration is important to facilitate in-situ climate change adaptation and innovations of new characters for organisms to withstand global warming. During the ESIA study, such unique features were not recorded along the RoW of the project. Therefore, the Project will not trigger Criterion 5. Fifty-Five biodiversity features have been assessed for critical habitats under IFC Performance Standard 6 (Table Annex VI). Details of the findings of the Critical Habitats Assessment are described in this Annex. A total of 55 biodiversity aspects have been assessed for critical habitats in the project area. There are endemic species and cosmopolitan species in the project area. The project also crosses cultivated areas and small sections of the transition zone of UNESCO Biosphere Reserves (Yayu and Sheka Forest). Since the species occurring in the project area are widely distributed in Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 88 Ethiopia, throughout Africa and some Asian countries, IUCN Critical Habitats Criterion 1 is not triggered by this project. Furthermore, the project area is also not critical habitats that determine a long-term persistence of the species. Table 6-4 gives a summary of the Critical Habitats Assessment for VU and EN species. Table 6-4..Summary of Critical Habitats Assessment Trigger species/Habitat Tier Remarks Criterion 1: Occurrence of Critically endangered (CR) or Endangered (EN) species Clarke’s Banana Frog Status: EN The RoW is not Critical Habitats This species have been recorded from relatively undisturbed areas and intact forest. The RoW is, thus, not its breeding area. It is also a widely distributed species. In view of these findings, the occurrence of this species inside Sheka Forest does not trigger Critical Habitats. Criterion 2: Occurrence of endemic and/or Restricted-Range species There are 6 endemic species, i.e., 1 plant, 2 amphibians, 1 reptile 1 rodent, 1 Bat species (Annex VI). Yalden’s Desmomys It is widely distributed It occurs in humid Afro-montane Forest dominated with Ficus sur with coffee undergrowth. It is not common in the project AOI. Scott’s Mouse-eared Bat It is widely distributed It mainly occurs in relatively less disturbed Afromontane forests and shrublands. It is not common in the project AOI. Clarke’s Banana Frog It is widely distributed It occurs mainly in vegetations around pools inside forests and forest edges as well. It also breeds in marshy areas inside emergent vegetation. It is not common in the project AOI Dime Forest Frog It is widely distributed It mainly occurs in forest and forest patches. It is not common in the project AOI Bearded Ethiopian Montane Chameleon This species has a wide geographical range It occurs inside forest areas and forest patches. The project AOI is not its area of concentration and thus, it is not common. Erythrina brucei It is widely distributed It occurs at the edge Afro-montane Forest and woodland. The project AOI is not a high concentration of its populations. Criterion 3: Occurrence of Migratory and/ Congregatory species There is no species that triggers Criterion 3. Criterion 4. Presence of Highly threated and/or unique ecosystems There is no species that triggers Criterion 4 Criterion 5: Key Evolutionary Processes The findings during the ESIA study do not show any species triggering Criterion 5 E. Ecosystem services The project area crosses different land use/land cover types. The agricultural system of the project area is a mixed system where the local communities grow crops and practice coffeeagroforestry system. Noteworthy is that the local livelihoods depend on the ecosystem services derived from forested areas. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 95 Figure 6-24. Soil map of the project area The general overview of soil erodibility in Ethiopia is given in Figure 6-25. The soil erodibility value of Ethiopia is low. Five erodibility ranges were produced for Ethiopia. The soil erodibility (susceptibility the soil to erosion and the rate of runoff) of the project area falls in the 0.001 – 0.135. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 96 Figure 6-25. Soil erodibility in Ethiopia. (source: Berhanu et al., 2013: GIS-based hydrological zones and soil geodatabase of Ethiopia; Catena 104: 21-31_ Air quality The air quality of the project area is mainly dominated by naturally occurring sources. Examples are naturally occurring whirlwind inducing dust emission to air. There are not any development activities affecting the air quality of the project area. Therefore, the baseline air pollution due to dust emission is considered as a function of natural event (e.g., strong wind) and almost absent in the project area. Noise quality There are no conditions that emit high noise. The ambient noise quality is characterized as limited to the songs of birds and noise from wildlife. Land use and land cover Five major land use/land cover types were recorded in 1990 (Figure 6-26 & Figure 6-27). The proportion of the forest within 235,016 ha of the area along the entire stretch of the project was over 140,000 ha in 1990. On the other hand, the area covered by farmland was well below 40,000 ha in the same year. Furthermore, plantation in the same area has covered less than 2,000 ha in 1990. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 97 Figure 6-26. Land use/land cover change in 1990 and 2020. 0.00 20,000.00 40,000.00 60,000.00 80,000.00 100,000.00 120,000.00 140,000.00 160,000.00 Farmland Plantation Forest Waterbody Settlement Grassland Area cover in ha 1990 2020 Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 98 Figure 6-27. Land use/land cover conditions of the project area in 1990. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 99 In 2020, there is a significant increase in the farmland and a decrease in the area cover of forest (Figure 6-28). Farmland has increase by about 39% while forest has reduced by 38.5% compared to their aerial cover in 1990. Furthermore, there is also an increase in the plantation of exotic tree species. Figure 6-28. Land use/land cover conditions of the project area in 2020. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 100 6.3. Socio-economic baseline environment 6.3.1. Location and administrative organization The proposed Metu – Masha 230 kV single circuit transmission line project is located in Southwest Ethiopia Peoples and Oromia regional states of Ethiopia. The South-west Ethiopia Peoples and Oromia regions are two of the eleven Regional National States of Ethiopia. The regions are structured into Special Zones/Zones, Special Woredas/Woredas and kebeles. Administratively, the proposed project overlaps two administrative zones and four Woredas. Accordingly, Table 6-5 shows lists of administrative set-ups by regions, zones, woredas and kebeles. Table 6-5. Lists of administrative set-ups affected by the envisaged project Source: Field Survey, 2021 6.3.2. Demographic Profile Knowing the number of populations provides the basis to understand and to design the development projects like electric power transmission line and distribution substations. It is also important for the wise use of resources according to the size of population. The total population of Illubabor zone is estimated to be 987, 191 both in rural and urban areas. Of this most of the population, i.e., 858,423 (87%) lives in rural parts of the zone (Table 6-6). This implies that if the project electrifies the rural parts of the area, it will have more customers as it is a cash crop producing area. Table 6-6. Population profile of the project area Zones, towns and woredas Urban Rural Total Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female Total Illubabor Zone 64,757 64,012 128,768 428,977 429,446 858,423 493,734 493,458 987,191 Metu town - - - - - - - - - Metu woreda - - - - - - - - 89,830 Ale woreda 7,729 7,748 15,477 30,270 30,338 60,608 37,999 38,086 76,085 Didu woreda 4,324 3,753 8,077 21,689 20,266 41,955 26,013 24,019 50,032 Sheka zone - - - - - - 124,772 123,102 247,874 Masha town 4,680 4,651 9,332 - - - - - - Masha woreda 6,594 7,119 13,713 19,546 20,218 39,764 26,140 27,337 53,477 S\No Region Zones Woredas # of Kebeles covered by the project Rural Urban Total 1 Oromia IIubabor Metu 3 2 5 Didu 2 - 2 Alle 1 - 1 2 South-west Ethiopian Peoples Shaka Masha 3 2 5 Total 2 4 9 4 13 Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 101 Total populations in project affected woredas/towns 71,351 71,131 142,48 1 493,35 5 494,662 988,017 618,506 616,560 1,235,065 Source: Socio-economic Profile Report of the Respective Zones, 2021 Table 6-7 shows that gender wise the population of the project area is almost equally distributed indicating that half segments of the community are women population and they should get emphasis in the project. The average family size is 5 persons in the zones. The dependency ratio ranges from 30.01% at zonal level to 94.13% in Alle woreda in Illubabor zone. The later shows that 94 inactive persons depend on every 100 economically active /productive/ people in the area. Table 3 also shows that the population density of the zone varies from 52.1 people per KM2 in Didu woreda to 133 people per KM2 in Ale woreda. As to housing characteristics, 99% of housing types in the urban areas are made of corrugated iron roofing while in rural areas they are entirely tukuls, i.e., almost 85%. Table 6-7. Percentages of project area population by gender and place of residence, density, household size and dependency ratio Zones, towns and woredas Percent of male populatio n Percent of female population Percent of urban populatio n Percent of rural populatio n Population density Household size Dependency ratio Illubabor Zone 50 50 13 87 90.4 5 30.01% Metu town - - - - - - - Metu woreda - - - - - - - Ale woreda 49.9 50.1 20.3 79.7 133.5 5 94.13 Didu woreda 52 48 16.1 83.9 52.1 5 Sheka zone 50.3 49.7 19.1 80.9 - 5 - Masha town - - - - - - - Masha woreda 48.1 51.9 25.6 74.4 - 5 - Source: Socio-economic Profile Report of the Respective Zones and own calculations, 2021 6.3.3. Ethnic groups of the project area There are several ethnic groups in Ethiopia based on the national census of the Central Statistical Agency of Ethiopia (2007). These are presented below. Illuabor Zone: • Oromo • Amhara • Tigrayan But the ethnic groups in the project area are Oromo and some Amhara. Sheka Zone: Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 102 • Shakacho • Amahara • Oromo • Kafficho • Bench • Majang But the ethnic groups in the project area are Shakacho, Oromo and Amhara. 6.3.4. Livelihood strategies and economic activities Agriculture Agriculture is the dominant livelihood strategy in Ilubaror and Sheka zones in which the project is going to be implemented. More specifically, in Illubabor zone 87% of the population are engaged in the agricultural sector which is greater than the national average. In so doing there is crop production and livestock rearing as the major economic activities for subsistence means of livelihood in the project affected areas particularly in the rural areas. As to crop production, there are annual and perennial crops grown in the area. The major annual crops produced in the area are cereals, pulses and oil seeds. Cereals mainly include teff, sorghum and maize. Table 6-8 shows that 115,951 hectares of land were covered by cereals in 2020 with an average productivity of nearly 39 quintals per hectare in Illubabor zone. The major perennial or cash crops are coffee, mango, lemon, orange, papaya, banana, avocado, sugarcane, and chats. Table 6-8 also shows that 12,620 hectares of land were covered by cash crops in 2020 with an average productivity of nearly 133 quintals per hectare in Illubabor zone. Table 6-8 also shows that 9041hectares of land were covered by cereals in 2020 with an average productivity of 35 quintals per hectare in Sheka zone. The major perennial or cash crops are coffee, lemon, banana, and apple. Table 6-8 also shows that 2,626 hectares of land were covered by cash crops in 2020 with an average productivity of 200 quintals per hectare in Sheka zone. Farmers in the proposed project area produce crops using traditional farming system mainly by hoe cultivation system using oxen for ploughing. Moreover, farmers are not using different machineries important for their mainly crop production and preparation due to lack of power. However, if the proposed project is going to be implemented in the area, farmers can also use modern technologies to produce surplus and earn additional income from their crop production. Though most farmers practice sedentary crop production there is also shifting cultivation which involves clearing of the forest and burning the thrash before cropping. This practice affects the forest since after some years of cropping the land is left fallow in order to restore the fertility of soil and farmers will clear other areas of forests for similar purposes of cultivation and such practice continues. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 103 Table 6-8. Major crops average productivity in quintals per hectare Illubabor Zone Sheka Zone Major crops Cultivated Cultivated area in hectare Average productivity in quintals per hectare Major crops Cultivated Cultivated area in hectare Average productivity in quintals per hectare Cereal 115951.69 38.84 Cereals 9041 35 Pulses 9,982 15.02 Pulses 4493 50 Oil Crops 3,351.9 7.62 - - Cash crops 12,620.71 132.29 Cash crops 2626 200 Source: Project Affected Zones Planning and Economic Development Offices, 2021 Table 6-9 shows Illubabor and Sheka Zone farmers land holding size and more than 60% of farmers own less than 2 hectares in Illubabor zone. On the other hand, average household size of the zone is 5 and there is low productivity per hectare in the proposed project areas which in turn affects their endeavour of fulfilling livelihood security. This shows that modern technologies should be introduced and practiced in order to increase productivity through different mechanisms. One of the important infrastructures in introducing and practicing modern technologies is the supply of power. Hence, the implementation of this project will highly benefit the local communities. Table 6-9. Farmers land holding size in Illubabor and Sheka zones Illubabor Zone Sheka zone Land holding size Number of farmers Percent Land holding size Number of farmers Percent < 1 36,105 26.20 < 1 44,379 26.6 1.01 - 2 47,816 34.70 1.01 - 2 69,688 41.7 2.01 - 3 28,526 20.70 2.01 - 3 26,680 16.0 3.01 - 4 16,992 12.33 3.01 - 4 13,731 8.2 4.01 - 5 8,365 6.07 4.01 - 5 12,553 7.5 Total 137,804 100 Total 167,031 100 Source: Project Affected Zones Planning and Economic Development Offices, 2021 Livestock Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 104 Table 6-10 shows that in 2020 there are about 1,369,585cattles, 682,566 sheep, 304,598 goats, 2,496,401 chickens, 115,164 horses, 32,973 mules, and 87,521 donkeys in Illubabor zone. There are about 1,363,080 cattle, 902,561 sheep, 402,476 goats, 1,577,535 chickens, 115,501 horses, 5,111 mules, and 2,829 donkeys in Sheka zone (Table 6). Livestock raised for various economic and social reasons such as transport, and food (milk, meat, eggs), and as a source of cash income for the farming households. Cattles in the project area are used primarily for dairy and meat production, as well as, farm traction. Mules and donkeys are most frequently used for transportation. Goats, sheep and poultry and their products are used as households’ income sources and expenditure. However, contrary to huge number of the livestock population in the zones, the yield obtained is very low due to shortage of feed, lack of improved breeds and veterinary services. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 111 in the proposed project area. Accordingly, different governmental and non-governmental institutions are delivering loan, saving, credit activities, and regulate the flow of money to facilitate the economic growth of the zone through those saving and credit institutions. 6.3.7. Gender Issues and Vulnerable Groups Gender Issues Projects should be gender sensitive to create equal access for services and resources especially if people are going to be displaced due to the proposed project. On the other hand, during public consultation it was raised that women suffered during delivery due to lack of power, health problems due to indoor pollution in cooking foods and other domestic activities in project areas. Moreover, women participation in development as compared to men is low though there are improvements nowadays. This implies that the burden of the work in the family makes women not to participate in outdoor development activities as like as men. Hence the implementation of the project will reduce the load/burden of women by letting them for getting access to electricity in the project area which in turn makes the local women to participate in different socioeconomic developments equally like men by completing their domestic activities easily using electric power. Vulnerable Groups There might be vulnerable groups in the project areas such as disabled people, old people, lactating women, pregnant women, and children who are going to be affected by the proposed project. Therefore, during the preparation of resettlement action plan such groups of people should be seriously identified and taken into considerations for appropriate compensations. 6.3.8. Religious institutions, Historical, Cultural and Archeological Sites Though Ethiopia is endowed with various historical, cultural as well as natural tourist attractions, there are no any historical, cultural and archaeological sites in this project site. However, there might be religious institutions, burial places and others. Hence, such kinds of issues should be taken into considerations. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 112 7. Public and Stakeholder consultations 7.1. The Need for Stakeholder and Public Consultation in ESIA Process In ESIA process, Stakeholder and Public Consultations are paramount importance and mandatory practices, in accordance to the requirements, as set forth in national and WB policy and legal frameworks on ESIA procedures and course of actions, as well as, on public consultation and participation. Public and stakeholder consultations are useful for gathering environmental data, understanding likely impacts, determining community and individual preferences, selecting project alternatives and determine community and individual preferences, designing viable and sustainable mitigation and compensation plans. Public and stakeholder consultations in the ESIA process is undertaken at all stages of project phases (the project planning, design, implementation and operation phases). The aim is to provide information to interested and affected parties, solicit their views and consult on sensitive issues. Hence, stakeholder and public consultations are important components of development projects. Thus, the same holds true for the proposed 230 kV Electric Power Transmission Line Project, which will be implemented from Metu-Mesha in South-west Ethiopia Peoples and Oromia regional states. 7.2. Stakeholder consultations Stakeholder’s consultations were held at three Government administrative layers. The types of stakeholders are given below accordingly. Zone level • Administrator • Vice Administrator • Advisor to the Administrator • Ruling Party Head • Road Construction head • Forest, Environment and Climate Change Head • Urban and Rural Development Head • Education Head • Agriculture Head • Land Administration Head • Women, Youth and Children Head • Government Communication Affairs Head • Finance Head • Oromia Wildlife and Forest Enterprise Head • Investment Office Head Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 113 Woreda Level • Administrator • Ruling Part Office Head • Agriculture office Head • Investment Office Head • Finance office Head • Agriculture Head • Health office Head • Forest and Environment protection Head • Land Administration Head • Livestock office representative Town Administration • Mayor • Municipality Office representative • Advisor to the Mayor • Ruling Party Office Head • Urban and Rural House Office Head • Trade Office • Agriculture • Health Office head • Environmental protection head • Women, Youth and Children Office Head • Land Administration Office Head • Water supply Office Manager • Investment Office head • Livestock team representative Kebele Level • Chairman • Vice chairman • Kebele Council representative • General Manager • Security Head Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 114 7.2.1. Illubabor Zone Stakeholders Consultation Stakeholders at Illubabor Zone were conducted regarding Metu – Masha 230 kV single circuit transmission line project (Figure 7-1). They are familiar with the project and raised various benefits and some negative effects of the project on those projects affected peoples (PAPs) as like as any other projects. More specifically they have pointed out that the project has many benefits such as getting access for electric power for those who haven’t and providing power without interruption for those who have access before. On the other hand, since 87 percent of the residents of the zone are farmers, the project has negative effect on the PAPs as it affects their cash crops, forests and fruits. Moreover, they have indicated that both the local government and community benefit from the forest equally with 50 percent each sharing from the income of the forest. After a detail discussion, the participants have reached at consensus that the PAPs should be compensated based on Ethiopian Proclamation No 1161/2019 and Regulation No 472/2020 and the project should be implemented as soon as possible. Figure 7-1. Consultation with Illubabor Zone Stakeholders Metu Town Stakeholders Consultation Since the expansion of Metu distribution station and the erection of some electric towers for transmission affect some people in Metu town, stakeholders under Metu town administration were also consulted about Metu – Masha 230 kV single circuit transmission line project (Figure 7-2). In so doing, participants have raised different benefits of the project and their concerns about PAPs. As to the benefit, the participants have argued that the project will benefit both the Metu and Masha towns and many small towns and rural areas all the way from Metu to Masha. However, it will have also negative effects on especially PAPs since it might affect their plots of land, house, cash crops and others. Accordingly, the participants said that the PAPs should be compensated based on appropriate proclamations and regulations. More importantly, the Metu town Mayor has pointed out that the town administration will give a plot of land for those PAPs if their land and/or house are affected by the project. Moreover, he pointed out that town housing Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 115 development, land administration, and construction offices will contribute a lot to solve any problems created in relation to the project. Figure 7-2. Consultation with Metu Town Administration Stakeholders Metu Woreda Stakeholders Consultation Stakeholders at Metu woreda administration were also consulted about Metu – Masha 230 kV single circuit transmission line project (Figure 7-3). The participants argued that any project has benefits and some negative effects and the same holds true for this project. Previously, the participants have argued that we were not consulted as a result not able to answer the questions/concerns raised by the proposed PAPs such as loss of their plots of land and house. However, from now onwards the participants stated that we are familiar with the project and will follow up and monitor its implementation together with the concerned bodies. Moreover, the participants have emphasized on the appropriate compensation of PAPs based on the right proclamations and regulations. Furthermore, they have indicated that there are two categories of land holdings those with green card and those with a plan done by GPS, and two of them are legal and they are entitled for compensation if there are any such PAPs. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 116 Figure 7-3. Consultation with Metu Woreda Administration Stakeholders Alle Woreda Stakeholders Consultation Stakeholders in Ale woreda are consulted and they have pointed out that they know well the project that includes the expansion of Metu distribution station, construction of Masha distribution station, and construction of Metu – Masha 230 kV single circuit transmission line project (Figure 7-4). They also indicated that the project gives access to electric power not only to urban areas but also to rural areas to their vicinity on which the distribution stations are going to be constructed and/or upgraded. On the other hand, the project has a negative effect on some people as project uses 400m2 of their land, forest, houses, cash crops and others for the erection of each tower. Thus, as much as possible the project should try its best to minimize the destruction of the households’ properties and their natural resources. However, taking all the necessary measures if there are households’ properties and their natural resources to be destructed by the project, they should be compensated based on the new proclamation and regulation. Moreover, when estimation of compensation is made it should be clear based on proclamation and regulation. Furthermore, the participants have mentioned that if the PAPs are compensated properly, they will develop a sense of belongingness to the project. If not, they may complain as like the Masha – Gore road project that does not still pay the compensation for PAPs by arguing that we have lost our land, natural resources and other properties without being compensated properly and also not getting electric power that passes through our land. This negatively affects the success and sustainability of the project. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 117 Figure : Consultation with Alle Woreda Administration Stakeholders Figure 7-4. Consultation with Alle Woreda Administration Stakeholders Didu Woreda Stakeholders Consultation Didu woreda stakeholders are consulted about Metu – Masha 230 kV single circuit transmission line project (Figure 7-5). They know the project and even recommended to be implemented more of on the farmland rather than on forest areas since the lives of the community mainly depends on the forest, cash crops in the forest, beehives and others. The project has many benefits for both urban and rural areas. The participants of the woreda said that they are happy in the project but when it passes on their woreda if it makes us access to electric power from particularly the nearest newly constructed Masha distribution station, we will be happier. They have indicated that Didu woreda is connected to Metu distribution station with a distance of nearly 60 KMs. However, they get electricity once in a week and even when the light comes it does not have a power even to lighten the bulb. As result almost all the residents of the woreda uses fuel wood which indirectly affects the forest in their locality. Thus, if this project is implemented, they hope that they will have access of a good power from the newly constructed Mash distribution station which is less than 30 KMs distance from Didu woreda. On the other hand, the project affects the forest which is one of the livelihood sources of the local people, cultivable land, houses, cash crops, traditional beehives and others that affects some of the local people. Hence, the participants have argued that the PAPs should be compensated based on appropriate proclamation and regulation after the estimation is done properly. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 118 Figure 7-5. Consultation with Didu Woreda Administration Stakeholders 7.2.2. Sheka Zone Stakeholders Consultation Sheka zone stakeholders have said that we all know well the Metu – Masha 230 kV single circuit transmission line project and we are waiting for its implementation eagerly and we all are worried about its delay since we are living without electric power (Figure 7-6). The project has a significant benefit for the zone in general and Masha town in particular since these areas are far from Addis Ababa or the center without the necessary infrastructures. Thus, if these areas get electric power, it will contribute a lot to bring socioeconomic development. The participants have argued that residents of the zone are suffering from lack of electric power as a result the local people are using fire wood for cooking food by deforesting the forest which in turn affects their health due to indoor pollution, students are not learning and studying well, mothers are not getting even the minimum services during their delivery, youths are not getting or creating employment opportunities, and people are not able to have access to mills and the like. Hence, having access to electric power in these areas will solve and/or minimize these problems. On the other hand, the project may have some negative effects on the forest, cultivable lands, houses, cash crops and others since 400M2 lands are required to erect each electric tower. This implies that individuals using such resources will be affected by the project, and those PAPs should be compensated properly using the appropriate proclamation and regulation after the estimation is done properly by the estimation committee established by incorporating professionals, local elders and other concerned bodies. Participants have also argued that the local people is willing to accept the compensation done by the committee as long as it is estimated properly and paid timely and make free the area for the project and the zonal stakeholders will work towards that day and night. Finally, the stakeholders make emphasis on timely payment of the compensation for the PAPs and they will follow up for its action and the zone together with the town will give a plot of land for PAPs to reconstruct their affected houses. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 119 Figure 7-6. Consultation with Sheka Zone Administration Stakeholders Masha Town Stakeholders Consultation The stakeholders of the town have argued that they are waiting eagerly for Metu – Masha 230 kV single circuit transmission line project implementation since the town has no electric power (Figure 7-7). Participants have said that though there is distribution line connected from Metu substation it is better to say that there is no light or power because the light comes once or twice in a week and when it comes it works for few hours. Even the light that comes during those few hours let alone to use for other purposes it does not lighten the bulbs. As a result, there is very limited socioeconomic development in the town. Consequently, youths do not have access to employment opportunities, students are studying by torches and candles, women are forced to use totally fuel wood for cooking that in turn affects their health, and mothers are not delivering in health institutions due to lack or shortage of power. However, though all town residents will be benefited with this project directly or indirectly, there are some PAPs, and they should be compensated for their properties based on appropriate compensation proclamation and regulation. Moreover, stakeholders indicated that the town administration will follow up whether the compensation is made properly and paid timely. Furthermore, the town administration will offer a plot of land for those PAPs on the other parts of the town. Figure 7-7. Consultation with Masha Town Administration Stakeholders Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 120 Masha Woreda Stakeholders Consultation Masha woreda stakeholders know well Metu – Masha 230 kV single circuit transmission line project and they are following up for its implementation (Figure 7-8). The participants have said that electric power is very important for everything both in urban and rural areas. It creates employment opportunities for youths, lets the students to learn and study well, mothers can get better services during their delivery in health institutions, and women can use electric stoves and others for cooking food. On the other hand, when the distribution substation is built in Masha town and towers are erected in Keja and Wollo rural kebeles of the woreda, some people will be affected, and those PAPs should be compensated based on the newly revised proclamation and regulation after a proper estimation is made by the committee. The woreda stakeholders will follow the proper and timely payment of the compensation for PAPs and also make free the compensated land/area for the project by working day and night within a short period of time. Moreover, the woreda administration will work together with other concerned organs to offer a plot of land for those PAPs if their house is damaged totally and they do not have a land to reconstruct their house both in rural and urban areas. Figure 7-8. Consultation with Masha Woreda Administration Stakeholders 7.3. Public consultations 7.3.1. Illuababor Zone Kola Korma Kebele Public Consultation Project affected people of both gender groups living in Kola Korma kebele of Metu woreda were consulted about expansion of Metu distribution substation and Metu – Masha 230 kV single circuit transmission line project (Figure 7-9). The participants have indicated that they know the project and it will benefit both the local people and government. While the local people benefit from electric power for different purposes, the government will get sales revenue by selling electric services. However, the participants have argued that we will be affected by the project if our small plot of land which is 10m by 20m is going to be used for the expansion of Metu distribution Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 127 Date of consultations Zone/Woreda/ town Number of participants Key issues raised Responses provided connection from the new substation at Masha. Currently, they are getting power from Metu substation only once a week. This new project will solve this problem. • Due to the shortage of power, every member of the urban community uses fuel wood. This has negative effect on the health of the forest and increases degradation of the forest (e.g., selective cutting and thining the tree stands). • Compensation should be paid properly and before the start of the project. mitigation measures and prepare Environmental and Social Management Plan. Practical activities such as issues connected to power distribution will not be addressed in this ESIA study. • The Client will pay compensation before the start of the project. Sheka Zone October 11, 2021 Sheka Zonal Administration 10 males (3 females) • They stated that power is very important for them to trigger local business enterprises and improve living quality of the communities. • The use of firewood for cooking and this has negative effect on forests • Compensation should be paid before the start of the project. • The Client will pay compensation before the start of the project. The due process of payments of compensation has been explained. • It is true that power plays important role for local businesses. But the ESIA study should be completed snd approved to enable the project to start. October 11, 2021 Masha town administration 6 males (1 female) • There is a severe power shortage. As a resul, youth • The Client will pay compensation based on law and Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 128 Date of consultations Zone/Woreda/ town Number of participants Key issues raised Responses provided of the town have no job opportunities. • Compensation should be paid in a proper manner based on the existing law and regulation. This should be done before the project starts. regulation of Ethiopia. • Payments of compensation will be completed before the project starts. October 11, 2021 Masha Woreda 6 males (1 female) • There are loss of assets due to this project. Compensation should be paid in a proper manner based on existing law and regulation. • Once the Woreda administration proves that compensation is paid for PAPs, it will help the project for clearing compensated assets to facilitate the implementation of the project. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 129 8. Analysis of Project Alternatives 8.1. General The IFC Guidance Note 1 (GN 25) requires the examination of technically and economically feasible project alternatives and documentation of the rationale for selecting a particular course of action. The core objective of the Metu – Masha 230 kV power transmission line is to supply power to Masha town and its surrounding areas. This section outlines how the project represents an optimal route that is environmentally and socially feasible through minimizing impacts of these receptors. It also starts with no or zero option and thoroughly evaluate details of three alternative routes. Based on these detailed analyses, the optimal route will be selected for further impact assessment, mitigation measures and Environmental and Social Management Plan. These alternatives are described below and Annex 13.5 for further details. Given that the location of the Masha substation was fixed, no location alternatives were examined for the substation. Thus, alternatives assessment is based on transmission line route alternatives. The present ESIA Update revises the selection of Alternative I which was made at the 2016 ESIA and examines Alternative 2, which is a clear improvement over Alternative 1, in the sense that the crossing of large, dense forest areas is avoided at the expense of crossing cultivated areas and tea farm areas. Alternative 3 offers a further improvement of Alternative 2, by minimizing the impact to tea farms, using existing tracks as far as possible. Alternatives are examined for a section of 34.3 km of the transmission line route, which presented the greatest challenges in terms of forest and biodiversity loss. The parts of the route before and after this section are common for all alternatives. Details are provided in the following paragraphs and in Figure 8-1 at the end of this section. 8.2. The No-project or zero alternative In the No-project option, there are not anticipated impacts due to the implementation of the Metu – Masha 230 kV power transmission line, i.e., it entails the maintenance of the status quo. That is no 24 hours/week power supply to Masha Town. This project option, however, has impacts on the local economy and livelihoods of the communities of Masha Town and its surrounding areas such as Woredas of the Sheka Zone. It is anticipated that the new sub-station at Masha could serve as a springboard for at least the electrification of Woreda towns of the Sheka Zone. This project also enables the students to study their subject longer than usual by clean energy source. Masha Town currently uses Diesel run generator for power supply and the Metu – Masha 230 kV power transmission line helps the town to reduce cost. Furthermore, more local economic activities and investments will be triggered by the implementation of the Metu – Masha power transmission line. In view of these factors, the No-project option was dismissed. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 130 8.3. Alternative 1 This alternative passes through both cultivated areas and large section of forests. In this case, large trees of highly valued tree species will be removed. Some of these tree species are Pouteria adolfi-friderici, Cordia africana, Albizia gummifera, Prunus africana, Milletia ferruginea, Schefflera abyssinica (an important resource for honey), Syzygium guinese and etc. These trees have a diameter of more than 1 m and it has taken 100 of years for them to get to this size. Cutting these indigenous trees along the ROW of the Metu – Masha 230 kV single circuit transmission line project negatively affects the biodiversity of the project area. Furthermore, these mature tree species are also habitats for epiphytic plants and their removal will also result in the loss of these epiphytic plants. Table 8-1 shows some features of Alternative 1. Table 8-1. Characteristics of Alternative 1. Length of the section Area of forest cleared Key biodiversity issues 70 km A large area of forest will be cleared; significant loss of biodiversity a. Vulnerable plant species will be removed along this long stretch of the ROW of the power transmission line, e.g. b. A high proportion of highly valued and the flagship plant species of the forest will be removed, e.g. Pouteria adolfi-friderici c. A large proportion of plant species that are important source of non-timber forest products, e.g. honey will be removed. Examples are Syzygium guineese and Schefflera abyssinica d. Potential loss of epiphytic plant species such as orchids and little-known bryophytes14. Furthermore, Blue Monkey, Cercopithecus mitis, lives in the canopy of these high trees. This species is of least conservation concern, but its population is decreasing. Therefore, the removal of a long stretch of forest area and forest disturbance create open spaces and could potentially affect this species having a decreasing population trend. Due to the high negative impacts of Alternative 2 on the biodiversity, this option was not selected for further ESIA study. 8.4. Alternative 2 This project alternative passes through cultivated fields avoiding forests. A total length of this alternative is 69.7 km and a large forest area will fall in the RoW of the Metu – Masha 230 kV single circuit transmission line project in this alternative. There are tree species along this RoW. By avoiding forest of the project area, which are also designated as National Forest Priority Areas, 14 Previous studies in moist Afro-montane Forest, which is close to the project area, has resulted in several new records of rare Bryophytes and new species of the same group. Since there is little information on this group of plant biodiversity, a removal of their hosts (tree species) for a long stretch will have potentially adverse impact them (cf. Hylander et al, 2010; Hylander et al., 2013) Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 131 the RoW crosses a long stretch Tea Estate causing significant damages to tea shrubs. Table 8-2 gives details of the characteristics of Alternative 2. Table 8-2. Characteristics of Alternative 2. Length of the section Area of forest cleared Key biodiversity issues 69.7 km The forest area that needs to be cleared is minimized by crossing scattered forest areas and cultivated areas Crossing tea farms a. Minimum biodiversity loss due to avoidance of crossing dense forest areas 8.5. Alternative 3 This alternative is meant to reduce the damage to the tea Estate and use existing foot tracks of the Estate for ancillary activities such as depositing and mixing construction materials for tower foundation. The total length of this alternative is 1.4 km longer than Alternative 2. Due to its significantly low level of forest disturbance, conservation of key indigenous tree species, reduced adverse impacts on Tea Estate, Alternative 3 was selected for further ESIA study. A summary comparison of route alternatives is provided below: Criteria Alternative 1 Alternative 2 Alternative 3 Length of section 69 km 69.7 km 71.1 km Accessibility Good Excellent Excellent Terrain conditions Mountainous, sloppy, deep waterways, flat areas Hilly, waterways and flat areas Hilly, waterways and flat areas Dense forest crossed 21 km 6 km 4 km Scattered forest crossed 5 km 12 km 12 km Farm and open land 8 km 19 km 18 km Loss of biodiversity Clearing of mature trees of Cordia abyssinica, Fiucs sycomoros and Coffee shade trees; Removal of vulnerable species such as Prunus africana and a flagship plant species of the forests, i.e., Pouteria adolfifriderici Significantly improved footprint in terms of biodiversity loss, due to avoiding crossing dense forest; Significant damage to tea farms Significantly improved footprint in terms of biodiversity loss, due to avoiding crossing dense forest; reduced adverse impacts on tea farm Resettlement Approx. 50 houses affected Approx. 35 houses affected Approx. 35 houses affected Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 132 Figure 8-1. Project Alternatives Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 133 9. Assessment of Impacts and mitigation measures The assessment of impacts of the project on receptors (biological, physical, social and OHS issues) are arranged according to the project activities for the construction phase. Table 9-1 gives the details of the impacts of these project activities on the receptors and how these impacts are assessed and evaluated. For the operation phase, the assessment of impacts is organized by receptors, potential impacts and mitigation measures. Table 9-1. Details of assessment of impacts of project activities on receptors. Impact Impact features Impact nature adverse positive neutral Impact types direct indirect induced Impact duration temporary permanent Impact extent local regional international Likelihood probable possible certain Receptor sensitivity low Medium high Impact significance negligible low medium high 9.1. Positive impacts The Metu – Masha 230 kV single circuit transmission line project has the following beneficial impacts. i. Employment opportunity ii. Development of different enterprises and trades iii. Boost investment, e.g., coffee mill iv. Improve quality of life v. Improve education delivery systems and students study norm 9.2. Adverse environmental and social impacts The anticipated adverse environmental and social impacts of the project are given below according to the different phases of the project. 9.2.1. Pre-construction Phase The activities of the project during the pre-construction phase include workforce mobilization and vegetation clearing by the contractor. The mobilization of workforces for clearing vegetation and cutting trees is one of the major activities of the project, which leads to environmental and Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 134 public health concerns. Some of the tree species impacted by this project includes vulnerable species such as Prunus africana and isolated mature individuals of Pouteria adlofi-friderici and etc. If the direction of the fall of these high trees is not pre-determined, additional damages of the surrounding vegetation and even Crematogaster ant nests are inevitable. The noise of the workforces will impact wildlife at least on a temporary basis. This temporary increase in local population triggers public health issues such as HIV/AIDS and STDs, which will eventually affect household economy. Table 9-2 provides the project activities and environmental and social receptors during the pre-construction phase Table 9-2. Environmental and social Impacts of the project during the pre-construction phase. Key: x denotes impacts on concerned bio-physical and social conditions will be triggered by the project activity. X denotes that the project activities adversely affect a receptor, i.e., all receptors with “x” are impacted on by the project. Receptors Project Activity Physical Biological and social Pre-construction phase Air quality Noise quality Flora Fauna Population growth Public health Occupational health & safety Livelihoods Settlement Solid wastes Workforce mobilization x x x x x x x x Vegetation clearing along RoW and access road x x x Land Acquisition for Tower foundations x x Acquisition of Assets inside the RoW x x x Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 135 a. Workforce mobilization The contractor mobilizes its workforce to embark on site clearing. This new workforce will adversely impact the air and noise quality of the project area and lead to an increase in the population of the project site. Such an increase in population could trigger public health issues such as STDs and HIV/AIDS. It is anticipated that a large quantity of used plastic bottles will be left at the project area. These solid wastes could be accidentally consumed by livestock apart from their environmental nuisance. Furthermore, while cutting big trees, there is a high likelihood that these trees fall in the wrong direction damaging vegetation and coffee stands in the immediate vicinity of the ROW. Mitigation Measure: • Orientation of the workforce by the contractor prior to commencing duties • Health education for the workforce and awareness creation for HIV/AIDS and other STDs • Apply the best industry practice and applicable law and regulation of Ethiopia for employing workers • Collect all used plastic water bottles and dispose them at designated areas • Apply all requirements of the Solid Waste Management Plan • Apply all requirements of Occupational Health and Safety Management Plan • Apply all requirements of Air Quality Management Plan • Apply all requirements of the Forest Management Plan • Apply all requirements of Biodiversity Management Plan Conclusion: The duration and magnitude of this impact is low and reversible. Applying the mitigation measure will reduce this impact to negligible in the case of HIV/AIDS and STDs. The dust emission due to the activities of the workforce could also be reduced to an acceptable level if the mitigation measures is strictly used, i.e., prior orientation of the workforce. There will be an increase in the ambient noise level of the project area but the impact is temporary. Details of the impacts associated with workforce mobilization are given below. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 136 Project activity Impacts on: Spatial scale duration intensity Cumulative effect Probability of occurrence magnitude reversibility Adverse/ beneficial Direct/ indirect Objective/ subjective Actual/ perceived Workforce mobilization Population growth local Short-term low none certain low reversible adverse direct objective Actual Public Health (HIV/AIDS_ local Short-term low none probable low reversible adverse direct objective perceived Occupational health & Safety local Short-term low none probable low reversible adverse direct objective perceived b. Vegetation clearing along ROW and access road This activity of the project results in the emission of dust to the environment. It also potentially leads to potential injuries, which in turn triggers occupational health & safety. Detailed studies of the plant species of the Row and access road revealed that most species occurring in these areas are of least conservation concerns and some are vulnerable (e.g., Prunus africana) or with decreasing trend of populations. Furthermore, some tree species are even not locally abundant (e.g., Pouteria adolfi-friderici and Olea welwitschii). The tree species of the project area provide habitats for other species (epiphytes) and ant nests for Crematogaster (useful organisms for coffee pest control). During this activity of the project, a large quantity of used plastic bottles could be left in the project area uncollected. There will be an increase in the ambient noise level of the project area but it has a temporary impact on the social environment. The details of the type and number of indigenous and cash crop trees that are adversely impact due to the removal of vegetation along the RoW of the project is given in Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 143 A total of 113,450 coffee shrubs will be permanently lost following the cutting of their shade tree (Table below). Furthermore, a total of 57,158 Eucalyptus and 789 Cupressus lustanica trees will be lost. These cash crop trees are used by the local community as one of the sources household livelihood income generations. Kebeles Houses Coffee16 Total number of PAPs Tukuls CIS Kolo Korma 0 20 34 22 Qawo & Chatu 3 17 225 43 Gaba Guda 3 3 102 16 Gagi Bachano 0 4 364 56 Gagi Kundi 0 2 11 22 Yubi Mari 3 8 1266 21 Sagi Baqi 5 15 0 39 Bebbe 0 2 0 13 Medalu 1 1 0 4 Dildila Boru 0 2 0 22 Jeto Koyami 5 11 24,489 80 Gerba Dima 5 4 32,238 22 Duwa 8 5 51,675 55 Wolo 4 0 123 15 Keja 1 0 2923 17 Masha Kebele 02 1 0 0 10 Total 39 94 113,450 457 16 The coffee shade trees such as Albizia gummifera, Cordia africana, Ficus sycomorus and others are inside the RoW of the MetuMasha power transmission line. These coffee shade trees will be cut. Since the coffee shrubs need the shade of these trees, cutting these trees will affect coffee production of the smallholder farmers. Therefore, the client need to acquire the land falling in its project’s RoW. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 144 Mitigation measures • Apply all requirement of the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) • Payment of compensation for permanent and temporary loss of assets of the PAPs. • Apply all provisions of the Livelihood Restoration Plan of this project • Enable the PAPs at Kolo Korma get new plots of land to construct new houses at least close to where they are living now to ensure social cohesion and their traditional social activities. Conclusion These activities of the Metu – Masha 230 kV single circuit transmission line project require the removal of houses and cutting of indigenous coffee shade trees and cash tree crops such as Eucalyptus result in a permanent loss of assets. This impact has a different magnitude across the entire length of the RoW. Some PAPs are more affected than others. That is, those PAPs in the rural Kebeles should be compensated for their houses and construct new houses in their remaining lands. But those PAPs at Kolo Korma (Metu Town) do not have extra plot to construct new houses. Therefore, a replacement plot of land to construct new houses should be provided by Metu Town Municipality, Metu Woreda and Kolo Korma Kebele. Other permanently impacted assets of the PAPs such as coffee shrubs, indigenous coffee shade trees and cash tree crops should be compensated for by the Client before the commencement of the Construction Phase of the Project. A RAP study is needed to valuate these assets and provide details for compensation of these assets of PAPs. Details of the impacts associated with acquisition of assets are given below. Project activity Impacts on: Spatial scale duration intensity Cumulative effect Probability of occurrence magnitude reversibility Adverse/ beneficial Direct/ indirect Objective/ subjective Actual/ perceived Houses local permanent high none certain high irreversible adverse direct objective Actual Scattered trees at the new substation local permanent negligible none certain negligible irreversible adverse direct objective Actual Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 145 Project activity Impacts on: Spatial scale duration intensity Cumulative effect Probability of occurrence magnitude reversibility Adverse/ beneficial Direct/ indirect Objective/ subjective Actual/ perceived Coffee shade trees local permanent high none certain high irreversible adverse direct objective Actual Coffee shrubs local permanent high none certain high irreversible adverse direct objective Actual Cash tree crops local permanent high none certain high irreversible adverse direct objective Actual Household livelihood local permanent high none certain high reversible adverse direct objective Actual Basic public services, e.g. education and provisions of utilities17 local temporary high none certain high reversible adverse direct objective perceived Social cohesion18 local permanent negligible none probable negligible reversible adverse direct objective perceived Traditional community associations, e.g. Idir19 local permanent low none probable low reversible adverse direct objective perceived 17 If the members of the current community are relocated to new places far from their current location, household should change schools for their kids. If these areas are new with less developed basic public services such as water and power, these PAPs will be highly affected. This impact may be temporary since these utilities will be developed sooner or later. 18 If the members of the current local community are relocated to different places 19 If the members of the current local community are relocated to different places Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 146 9.2.2. Construction Phase This phase of the project is where most of the activities of the project take place. Table 9-5 gives the list of project activities and their receiving environmental and social environments Table 9-5. Environmental and social Impacts of the project during the construction phase. Key: x denotes impacts on concerned bio-physical and social conditions that will be triggered by the project activity. Receptors Project Activity Physical Biological Social Construction phase Air quality Noise quality Soil Flora Fauna Population growth Public health Occupational health & safety Economy and employment Livelihoods Settlement Solid wastes Labor influx x x Excavation of Tower Foundations x x x x x x x Access road to Tower foundations to transport construction materials x x x x x Stringing x x x Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 147 a. Workforce mobilization (labor influx) Social impacts are critical to address, as even a modest labor influx may lead to negative impacts on the host community. Preexisting social issues in the host community can easily be exacerbated by the influx of labor. The list below indicates expected categories of risks associated with project induced labor influx: • Risk of social tension: Conflicts may arise between the local community and the construction workers, which may be related to differences due to competition for local resources. Tensions may also arise between different groups within the labor force, and pre-existing conflicts in the local community may be exacerbated. • Increased risk of illicit behavior and crime: The influx of workers and service providers into communities may increase the rate of crimes and/or a perception of insecurity by the local community. Such illicit behavior or crimes can include theft, physical assaults, and substance abuse. Local law enforcement may not be sufficiently equipped to deal with the temporary increase in local population. • Increased burden on and competition for public service provision: Presence of construction workers and service providers (and in some cases family members of either or both) can generate additional demand for the provision of public services, such as water, electricity, medical services, transport, education and social services. This is particularly the case when the influx of workers is not accommodated by additional or separate supply systems. • Increased risk of communicable diseases and burden on local health services: The influx of people may bring communicable diseases to the project area, including sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), or the incoming workers may be exposed to diseases to which they have low resistance. This can result in an additional burden on local health resources. Workers with health concerns relating to substance abuse, mental issues or STDs may not wish to visit the project’s medical facility and instead go anonymously to local medical providers, thereby placing further stress on local resources. Local health and rescue facilities may also be overwhelmed and/or illequipped to address the industrial accidents that can occur in a large construction site. • Gender-based violence: Construction workers are predominantly younger males. Those who are away from home on the construction job are typically separated from their family and act outside their normal sphere of social control. This can lead to inappropriate and criminal behavior, such as sexual harassment of women and girls, exploitative sexual relations, and illicit sexual relations with minors from the local community. • Child labor and school dropout: Increased opportunities for the host community to sell goods and services to the incoming workers can lead to child labor to produce and deliver these goods and services, which in turn can lead to enhanced school dropout. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 148 • Inadequate waste disposal and illegal waste disposal sites: Large populations of workers generate increased amounts of waste, for which no sufficient local waste management capacities may exist, which would likely lead to improper disposal practices. • Camp related land use, access roads, noise and lights: The camp use can result in increase in noise and light pollution especially at night. The construction of new access roads can also lead vegetation removal and landscape transformation. Mitigation measures • The Contractor will prepare the construction camp management plan which, in addition to other components, will include the labor influx management plan. This will be reviewed and approved by EEP and the World Bank. • The Contractor will select the specific work shift for the construction activities particularly near the settlements, to cause least disturbance to the local population, particularly women. • The Contractor will take due care of the local community and observe sanctity of local customs and traditions by his staff. Contractor will warn the staff strictly not to involve in any unethical activities and to obey the local norms and cultural restrictions. • During construction activities, if privacy of the nearby households is affected, the Contractor will inform the house owner to make particular arrangements. Similarly, Contractor will take care as much as possible that the construction activities should not affect the privacy. • The contractor will also ensure that solid waste and wastewater is disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner in designated areas and by approved methods only. Contractor will ensure that soil and water is not contaminated by improper disposal of solid waste and waste water. • The contractor will explore alternative water sources and ensure that water usage by the project does not affect or compete with water requirements of the local community. • The Contractor will also ensure that noise and light pollution from the labor camp is kept at minimal levels especially at night. • The contractor will be required to provide qualified key personnel to address the specific risks identified in the project including Sexual Exploitation and Abuse risks. Contractors will specify key staff with the technical skill and experience to implement the recommendations and mitigations included in this ESIA. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 149 • The bidding documents will include specific requirements that minimize the use of expatriate workers and encourage hiring of local workers through skill development program, thereby minimizing labor influx. • The bidders will be required to submit Codes of Conduct (CoCs) with their bids. The CoCs will set clear boundaries for acceptable and unacceptable behaviors of all individuals and companies and will be signed by companies, managers and individuals. • The contractor will be required to establish anti-sexual harassment policies that governs conduct in the workplace. • The contractor will be required to provide mandatory and repeated training to workers on sexual exploitation and abuse and HIV/AIDS prevention and on the content and obligations derived from the code of conduct • Provisions will be set in contracts for dedicated payments to contractors for SEA prevention activities (e.g., training) against evidence of completion. • The Contractor will ensure the implementation of the recommendations and mitigations related to SEA risks included in this ESIA. The implementation will be regularly reported by the Contractors and internally monitored by EEP. Implementation of these recommendations and mitigations will also be monitored by the third-party M&E Consultant and presented in its monitoring reports. • The contractor will make all PPEs (face masks, hand sanitizers etc.) available at site and should also arrange for Covid vaccination at site when required. All the employees of the contractors (including skilled and non-skilled) must be vaccinated and their certificates should be checked before their mobilization/engagement. Conclusion The scale of these impacts is local, and temporary. Their magnitude, however could be medium to high. With the appropriate mitigation measues, as described above, and with continuous monitoring, the residual impacts are considered low. Details of the impacts associated with workforce mobilization are given below. Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 150 Project activity Impacts on: Spatial scale duration intensity Cumulative effect Probability of occurrence magnitude reversibility Adverse/ beneficial Direct/ indirect Objective/ subjective Actual/ perceived Workforce mobilisation Public health local temporary medium none probable low reversible adverse direct objective perceived Occupational health & safety local temporary high none probable high reversible adverse direct objective perceived Competition on resources local temporary Medium none Probable Medium reversible adverse direct objective perceived SEA and GBV local temporary High None probable high reversible adverse direct objective perceived Solid waste local temporary high none probable high reversible adverse direct objective perceived b. Excavation of tower foundation and construction of Access roads Excavation of tower foundations and construction of access road is one of the main activities of the project during the construction phase. This activity results in the emission of dust to the environment. This impact is mitigable and not considered significant. Since concrete is used to fill tower foundations, there are excess soil around the tower foundations are exposed to soil erosion. If the proposed mitigation measure is used, the impact can be minimized. The construction of access roads to tower locations results in the clearing of vegetation and felling some indigenous trees and cash tree crop, e.g., Eucalyptus. Furthermore, this activity triggers OHS issues such as accidents and injuries. Mitigation measures • Water the project area on a regular basis to suppress dust emission • Spread excess soil around the tower foundation evenly and use the cleared vegetation as mulch to minimize soil erosion • Prepare Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) and apply all of its requirements • Restrict all excavation activities to the tower foundation areas and access roads • Provide workers with PPE Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 151 • Apply all requirements of Biodiversity Management Plan • Avail first aid kits • Apply all requirements of the Air Quality Management Plan • Apply all requirements of the Occupational Health & Safety Management Plan • Apply all requirements of the Emergency Response Plan • Avoid excavation of religious sites (graveyards and others) Conclusion The scale and magnitude of the anticipated impacts are local and low, respectively and mitigable. Dust emission is one major issues during excavation and construction of access roads. The implementation of the proposed mitigation measures will minimize these impacts. During this activity, potential accidents and injuries have been foreseen but the provision of PPE for the workers and first aid kits will significantly minimize these impacts. Some tree species will be adversely affected along the access roads, which need to be expanded to allow a passage of vehicles for transporting construction materials. Therefore, impacts due to these project activities are mitigable. Details of the impacts associated with excavation for tower foundation and construction of access roads are given below. Project activity Impacts on: Spatial scale duration intensity Cumulative effect Probability of occurrence magnitude reversibility Adverse/ beneficial Direct/ indirect Objective/ subjective Actual/ perceived Excavation of tower foundation and construction of access roads Air quality local temporary low none certain low reversible adverse direct objective actual Soil erosion local temporary medium none certain medium reversible adverse direct objective actual Occupational health & safety local temporary low none probable low reversible adverse direct objective perceived Biodiversity components local permanent high none certain high irreversible adverse direct objective actual Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 152 Project activity Impacts on: Spatial scale duration intensity Cumulative effect Probability of occurrence magnitude reversibility Adverse/ beneficial Direct/ indirect Objective/ subjective Actual/ perceived Settlement local permanent high none certain high irreversible adverse direct objective actual Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 255 Species features and status (global and regional) Population trend Distribution Assessment • Not triggering Criterion 1. Ekebergia capensis Population status stable, LC Ethiopia, Eritrea, Botswana, South Africa, Senegal • Widely distributed in Ethiopia and Africa • The species is not concentrated in the project area • The geographic distribution of the specie is of a large extent and thus, landscape is unlikely to support >0.05% of the global population • Not triggering Criterion 1. Erythrina brucei Population status stable, LC Endemic to Ethiopia • Widely distributed in Ethiopia • The species is not concentrated in the project area • The geographic distribution of the specie is of a large extent and thus, landscape is unlikely to support >0.05% of the global population • Not triggering Criterion 1. Ficus exasperata Population status stable, LC Ethiopia, Senegal, Djibouti, Mozambique, Angola, Yemen, India, Sri Lanka • Widely distributed in Ethiopia, Africa and Asia • The species is not concentrated in the project area • The geographic distribution of the specie is of a large extent and thus, landscape is Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 256 Species features and status (global and regional) Population trend Distribution Assessment unlikely to support >0.05% of the global population • Not triggering Criterion 1. Ficus sur Population status stable, LC Ethiopia, widespread in tropical Africa, west to Senegal, Cape Verde Islands, South Africa • Widely distributed in Ethiopia and Africa • The species is not concentrated in the project area • The geographic distribution of the specie is of a large extent and thus, landscape is unlikely to support >0.05% of the global population • Not triggering Criterion 1 Ficus thonningii Population status stable, LC Widespread in Ethiopia and tropical Africa, West to Senegal, Zambia • Widely distributed in Ethiopia and Africa • The species is not concentrated in the project area • The geographic distribution of the specie is of a large extent and thus, landscape is unlikely to support >0.05% of the global population • Not triggering Criterion 1 Ficus vasta Population status stable, LC Widespread in Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Somalia, Tanzania and Yemen • Widely distributed in Ethiopia, Africa and Yemen • The species is not concentrated in the project area Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 257 Species features and status (global and regional) Population trend Distribution Assessment • The geographic distribution of the specie is of a large extent and thus, landscape is unlikely to support >0.05% of the global population • Not triggering Criterion 1 Galiniera saxifraga Population status stable, LC Widespread in Ethiopia, Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Zambia, DRC • Widely distributed in Ethiopia and Africa • The species is not concentrated in the project area • The geographic distribution of the specie is of a large extent and thus, landscape is unlikely to support >0.05% of the global population • Not triggering Criterion 1 Hallea rubrostipulata Population status stable, LC Ethiopia, Tanzania, Rwanda, Malawi, Burundi, DRC, Uganda • Ilex mitis Population trend decreasing, LC Ethiopia, Kenya, Eritrea, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Lesotho • Widely distributed in Ethiopia and Africa • The species is not concentrated in the project area • The geographic distribution of the specie is of a large extent and thus, landscape is unlikely to support >0.05% of the global population • Not triggering Criterion 1 Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 258 Species features and status (global and regional) Population trend Distribution Assessment Macaranga capensis Population status stable, LC Ethiopia, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa • Widely distributed in Ethiopia and Africa • The species is not concentrated in the project area • The geographic distribution of the specie is of a large extent and thus, landscape is unlikely to support >0.05% of the global population • Not triggering Criterion 1 Maesa lanceolata Population stable, LC Ethiopia, Cameroun, DRC, South Africa, Mozambique, tropical Africa, Arabia • Widely distributed in Ethiopia, Africa and Asia • The species is not concentrated in the project area • The geographic distribution of the specie is of a large extent and thus, landscape is unlikely to support >0.05% of the global population • Not triggering Criterion 1 Ocotea kenyensis Population status unknown, VU Ethiopia, Kenya, DRC, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa • Widely distributed in Ethiopia and Africa • The species is not concentrated in the project area • The geographic distribution of the specie is of a large extent and thus, landscape is unlikely to support >0.05% of the global population Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 259 Species features and status (global and regional) Population trend Distribution Assessment • Not triggering Criterion 1 Olea capensis L. ssp. macrocarpa Population status stable, LC Ethiopia, Burundi, Cameroon, South Africa, Comoros, Guinea, Gulf of Guinea Is., Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, DRC • Widely distributed in Ethiopia and Africa • The species is not concentrated in the project area • The geographic distribution of the specie is of a large extent and thus, landscape is unlikely to support >0.05% of the global population • Not triggering Criterion 1 Piper capense Population status stable, LC Ethiopia, Guinea, Angola, Mozambique, South Africa • Widely distributed in Ethiopia and Africa • The species is not concentrated in the project area • The geographic distribution of the specie is of a large extent and thus, landscape is unlikely to support >0.05% of the global population • Not triggering Criterion 1 Polyscias fulva Population status stable, LC Ethiopia and Kenya, Angola, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, Guinea • Widely distributed in Ethiopia and Africa • The species is not concentrated in the project area • The geographic distribution of the specie is of a large extent and thus, landscape is unlikely to support >0.05% of the global population Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 260 Species features and status (global and regional) Population trend Distribution Assessment • Not triggering Criterion 1 Pouteria adolfifriederici Population status stable, LC Ethiopia, DRC, Sudan, Zimbabwe • Widely distributed in Ethiopia and Africa • The species is not concentrated in the project area • The geographic distribution of the specie is of a large extent and thus, landscape is unlikely to support >0.05% of the global population • Not triggering Criterion 1 Syzygium guineense Population status stable, LC Ethiopia, Somalia, Senegal, Namibia, Botswana, South Africa • Widely distributed in Ethiopia and Africa • The species is not concentrated in the project area • The geographic distribution of the specie is of a large extent and thus, landscape is unlikely to support >0.05% of the global population • Not triggering Criterion 1 Trichilia dregeana Population status stable, LC Ethiopia, Tanzania, Guinea, Cameroun, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, in Congo, DRC, Angola, South Africa • Widely distributed in Ethiopia and Africa • The species is not concentrated in the project area • The geographic distribution of the specie is of a large extent and thus, landscape is unlikely to support >0.05% of the global population Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 261 Species features and status (global and regional) Population trend Distribution Assessment • Not triggering Criterion 1 Trema orientalis Population status unknown, LC • Widely distributed in Ethiopia and Africa • The species is not concentrated in the project area • The geographic distribution of the specie is of a large extent and thus, landscape is unlikely to support >0.05% of the global population • Not triggering Criterion 1 Birds Silverycheeked hornbill Population trend decreasing, LC Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe • Widely distributed in Ethiopia and Eastern and southeastern Africa • The species is not concentrated in the project area • The geographic distribution of the specie is of a large extent and thus, landscape is unlikely to support >0.05% of the global population • Not triggering Criterion 1 Crowned hornbill Population trend decreasing, LC Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Angola, Namibia, DRC • Widely distributed in Ethiopia and Africa • The species is not concentrated in the project area • The geographic distribution of the specie is of a large extent and thus, landscape is Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 262 Species features and status (global and regional) Population trend Distribution Assessment unlikely to support >0.05% of the global population • Not triggering Criterion 1 African olivepigeon Population trend decreasing, LC Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, DRC, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Botswana, Arabia • Widely distributed in Ethiopia and Eastern and southeastern Africa and Arabia • The species is not concentrated in the project area • The geographic distribution of the specie is of a large extent and thus, landscape is unlikely to support >0.05% of the global population • Not triggering Criterion 1 African Dusky flycatcher Population trend decreasing, LC Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, DRC, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa • Widely distributed in Ethiopia and Eastern and southeastern Africa • The species is not concentrated in the project area • The geographic distribution of the specie is of a large extent and thus, landscape is unlikely to support >0.05% of the global population • Not triggering Criterion 1 Abyssinian slaty flycatcher Population trend decreasing, LC Ethiopia, Eritrea • Widely distributed in Ethiopia and Eritrea • The species is not concentrated in the project area Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 263 Species features and status (global and regional) Population trend Distribution Assessment • The geographic distribution of the specie is of a large extent and thus, landscape is unlikely to support >0.05% of the global population • Not triggering Criterion 1 Rouget’s rail Population trend decreasing, NT Ethiopia and Eritrea • Widely distributed in Ethiopia and Eritrea • The species is not concentrated in the project area • The geographic distribution of the specie is of a large extent and thus, landscape is unlikely to support >0.05% of the global population • Not triggering Criterion 1 Scaly francolin Population trend decreasing, LC Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Malawi, DRC, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon Cameroun, Central African Republic, Nigeria • Widely distributed in Ethiopia and Eritrea • The species is not concentrated in the project area • The geographic distribution of the specie is of a large extent and thus, landscape is unlikely to support >0.05% of the global population • Not triggering Criterion 1 Abyssinian woodpecker Population trend decreasing, LC Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya • Widely distributed in Ethiopia, Eritrea and Kenya Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) P a g e | 264 Species features and status (global and regional) Population trend Distribution Assessment • The species is not concentrated in the project area • The geographic distribution of the specie is of a large extent and thus, landscape is unlikely to support >0.05% of the global population • Not triggering Criterion 1 Western Blackheaded batis Population trend decreasing, LC Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia, DRC, Central African Republic, Gabon, Eritrea, Cameroun • Widely distributed in Ethiopia and tropical Africa • The species is not concentrated in the project area • The geographic distribution of the specie is of a large extent and thus, landscape is unlikely to support >0.05% of the global population • Not triggering Criterion 1 Sharpe's starling Population trend decreasing, LC Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi • Widely distributed in Ethiopia and East and central Africa • The species is not concentrated in the project area • The geographic distribution of the specie is of a large extent and thus, landscape is unlikely to support >0.05% of the global population