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The objective of the project is to provide an environmentally acceptable and
sustainable solution for the treatment and disposal of residual sewage sludge
at the St Petersburg Northern Wastewater Treatment Plant (NWWTP). The Project
is a priority environmental investment under Northern Dimension Environmental
Partnership (“NDEP”).
The original Project was screened B/0 and an Environmental Analysis was
carried out in spring 2003 by independent consultants under a TC funded
assignment of the Bank. The investigations showed that a sludge incinerator
equipped with appropriate flue gas cleaning is fully capable of operating in
compliance with Russian and EU emission standards, and is a viable and
environmentally sustainable sludge disposal option. The Loan Agreement and the
Design & Build contract require that the incinerator will be designed to meet
flue gas emission limit values set out in Russian law and in the EU Directive
(2000/76 EC) on the Incineration of Waste.
The proposed provision of an additional loan facility to a Board approved
project is not associated with any new environmental issues and, therefore,
has been classified C/1. A review of the Client’s compliance with the loan
conditionality to date, including the conduct of an Environmental Impact
Assessment and associated public consultation in accordance with Russian law,
has been undertaken.
An Environmental Management Plan (EMP), developed on the basis of the findings
of the environmental investigations, was agreed between Vodokanal and the Bank
in November 2004. The EMP includes measures for (i) mitigating adverse
environmental impacts, enhancing environmental benefits and ensuring
regulatory compliance of the project; (ii) environmental and safety
precautions to be taken during construction, maintenance and operation of the
facilities; (iii) worker health and safety; (iv) alleviation of public health
concerns in the vicinity of the incinerator plant; (v) contingency
planning/emergency response; and (vi) monitoring of the environmental impacts
of the project and of the environmental performance of the sludge incineration
plant. Vodokanal will also need to carry out a public information programme to
inform public on the project implementation and its environmental impacts.
Vodokanal has had satisfactory progress in the implementation of the EAP to
date.
The project concept was approved by the City authorities following two public
meetings held in April and July 2004. The assessment of impacts on the
environment (OVOS), including public consultation, was carried out by
independent Russian experts in accordance with the Russian law in January-June
2005. The public meeting on the environmental impacts of the project was held
in April 2005. At the meeting, public’s concern for the air emissions and
management of incineration waste materials was expressed. Also a number of
comments on procedural aspects of the project approval were made. All
questions of the public were answered at the meeting and no further issues
have been raised. The project documentation is currently being reviewed by a
number of authorities, who will set conditions for the project final design
and execution. The State Environmental Expertise, which is the final review
stage preceding the issuance of all permits, licences and approvals required
for Project, is anticipated to be carried out in the first quarter of 2006.
The Bank continues to monitor closely the Project's compliance with the
applicable environmental and social requirements.
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