The sponsor has presented and implemented plans that address these impacts to ensure that the proposed project would upon implementation of the specific agreed measures, comply with the environmental and social requirements - Bolivia laws and regulations and the World Bank/IFC environment and social policies and the environmental, health and safety guidelines. The information about how these potential impacts have been addressed by the sponsor/project is summarized in the paragraphs that follow. Further information is provided in the attached documentation.
Transierra:
- The GASYRG (Yacuiba – Rio Grande) pipeline was completed in 2003 with a total length of 432 km and has a diameter of 32 inches. The pipeline is located in the State of Tarija, starting in Yacuiba and ending in Rio Grande in the State of Santa Cruz. According to the Environmental requirements of the authorities in Bolivia, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) were required to be prepared in order to obtain an environmental license for the construction and operation of the pipeline. The approval of the EIA’s was obtained on June 25, 2001.
- The EIA assessed the alternative routes for the GASYRG pipeline based on environmental, technical, social and economic conditions. Based on this analysis, the pipeline in most of its right-of-way (ROW) runs parallel to the Yabog pipeline, however, portions (approximately 47 Km) of the Gasyrg pipeline were deviated from the Yabog to avoid large dense communities, and indigenous communities (Weenhayek) to the south of the Pilcomayo river. The GASYRG pipeline is currently dedicated to the transportation of gas extracted from the San Antonio and San Alberto fields in the state of Tarija to Brazil. GASYRG commenced its commercial operations on April 2003.
- Portion (approximately 1 Km) of the pipeline feeding to the GASYRG pipeline from the San Alberto field, crosses the Aguarague National Park. Petrobras, not Transierra, is the operator of the field and the feeding pipeline. Petrobras conducts safety and erosion control measures along the 1 km ROW. Transierra will implement a biological monitoring program for this area, utilizing qualified specialists, with the objective of identifying any potential use of the 1 km corridor that might pose a threat to the park’s biodiversity.
- During the construction of the pipeline, it was envisioned the creation of five camps for employees along the route. The selection of the site for the camps was also submitted to a strict criteria based on environmental, social and economic parameters. These camps were furnished with all the facilities for the employees as well as hygienic facilities, including solid and liquid waste containment areas for management and disposal.
- For the storage of material, the company selected four sites originally, however, the original design did not take into consideration the transportation of the material from the storage sites to the ROW given the conditions of the existing roads. Therefore, the company prepared an addendum to the EIA for the approval of the environmental authorities requesting five additional storage areas at train station yards. The addendum presented the technical justification for the change of sites, as well as, the analysis of alternatives, mitigation measures, operation of the sites, and abandonment plans.
- River crossings have been done in its majority by directional drilling below the river, which reduces the environmental impact at the time of construction and reduces pipeline exposure during its operation life.
- Metering stations have been built, two for incoming gas in Yacuiba and Villamontes and one for outgoing gas in Rio Grande. Automatic shut-off valves are located every 30 km on average.
- The first compression station has been completed in Villamontes. Transierra, has planned for the construction of one additional compression stations in Parapetí
- During the construction of the pipeline, Transierra, contracted the services of independent consultants to monitor the progress and implementation of the Environmental Management Plan (EMP). The reports generated during the audits by the consultants were presented to the Bolivian environmental authorities on a monthly basis. During operations the company is obliged to report to the environmental authorities on a yearly basis. The EIAs along with the EMPs were provided in every municipality where the pipeline ROW crosses, so that the municipalities as well as the indigenous communities could monitor the implementation of EMP recommendations.
- As part of the restoration process of the right-of-way of the pipeline, Transierra launched a reforestation program in special areas (i.e., high slopes, high erosion , close to water bodies). The reforestation of the remaining ROW begun in the first quarter of 2003 with the contracting of native trees supply and is expected be completed in March 2004 For the implementation of the second stage of the reforestation program Transierra has worked in conjunction with local farmers, indigenous communities, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) and local universities. The restoration of the ROW has been successful and there is no visible evidence of erosion or the creation of new access roads.
- Currently, Transierra has an integrated environmental, health and safety management system, and expects to obtain ISO 14001 and 9001 certifications, together with OHSAS 18001 in 2004.
- Transierra’s track record shows a strong commitment to public consultation and dialogue. Transierra has provided a clear description of the various phases of its public consultation and disclosure program (see attached documentation). Transierra has engaged in consultation with a range of institutions and civil society organizations living in the influence area of the GASYRG. This has involved two ethinic groups (the Guaraní and Weenhayek peoples) and six municipalities (Yacuiba, Villa Montes, Macharetí, Boyuibe, Charagua and Cabezas) in three departments (states) in southeastern Bolivia. Transierra makes contributions to social programs through its Social Action Program (PAS or Plan de Accion Social). The PAS is a program that grew out of extensive consultation with different impacted communities along the route of GASYRG. These groups are involved not only in the conception of the projects but also the execution and monitoring of the same. Transierra has permanent social teams that deal with community development issues, in particular the PDI monitoring, referred to initially as Liaison and Community Support Program (Programa de Relacionamiento y Apoyo Comunitario “PRAC”). These teams have also provided assistance to the indigenous groups in the preparation of their development plans. Extensive consultation and a range of community development programs have resulted today in a positive relationship with local communities and include regular communication between the company and local communities.
- The GASYRG crosses portions of the territory of 2 ethnic groups, the Guaraní and Weenhayek. Transierra has developed plans and programs to support the indigenous peoples development programs (see attached documentation). As the documentation shows, Transierra not only provided compensation for crossing community lands (this compensation has now been largely successfully disbursed , but is also negotiating and developing a long term (20 year) plan that will provide approximately $3,000,000 in funding (the length of the pipeline concession). Compensation programs and current plans for long term support were and are being negotiated and developed together with the indigenous representative organizations including the Pan Guarani Organization or APG (Asamblea del Pueblo Guaraní) and the organization ORCAWETA (Organizacion de Capitanias Weenhayek y Tapiete) representing the Weenhayek people.
- Transierra has developed appropriate procedures for the use of ROW (Right of Way) areas, involving mutually-agreeable fair market value compensations for use or acquisition based on “willing-buyer willing-seller” negotiations. Transierra has prepared a detailed description of their compensation program in compliance with IFC’s Resettlement Policy (see attached documentation). Land owners retain the ownership of their land but abide by certain contractual limitations in a 40 year lease as to the types of land use activities that can be carried out the buried pipeline ROW. Farmers are still allowed to cultivate certain annual crops on the land. Transierra provided compensation for both individual land crossed by the pipeline as well as communal land. Over 90% of all compensations have already been paid out. There is only one case currently in the courts because of a landowner who accepted an agreed upon compensation but then subsequently decided to re-occupy the portion of his land he had legally ceded to Transierra.
