26913 - TAV Tunisia

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Environmental & Social Review Summary

Project Number

26913

Company Name

TAV TUNISIE SA

Date ESRS Disclosed

Mar 14, 2008

Country

Tunisia

Region

Africa

Last Updated Date

Sep 30, 2022

Environmental Category

B - Limited

Status

Active

Previous Events

Approved : Apr 21, 2008
Signed : Apr 24, 2008
Invested : Jun 20, 2008

Sector

Other Support Activities for Transportation (Grain Terminals, Cargo Terminals, Airport Operations)

Industry

Infrastructure

Department

Gbl Infrastructure & Natural Resources

Project Description

The proposed project is to finance:

- the concession for the construction and operation of a new international airport terminal in the central eastern part of Tunisia at Enfidha, for an initial capacity of 7 million passengers and
- the concession for the operation of the existing Monastir international airport (4.2 million passengers in 2006). The project, with total estimated cost of circa 560 million euros (equivalent to $840 million), will be one the largest recent private sector investments in Tunisia and the 1st airport private sector concession in the Maghreb region. The scope of the concession includes both the existing and new airport to be built to better coordinate traffic allocation between the two airports.

Overview of IFC's Scope of Review

Key documents reviewed by IFC include:

- Environmental Impact Assessment for Enfidha International Airport, prepared by Comete Engineering, February 2008;
- Health Safety and Environment (HSE) Plan for Enfidha Airport, prepared by TAV construction, February 2008;
- TAV Construction – Corporate Environmental Policy, February 2008;
- Environmental Audit of the Monastir Aiport, prepared by CEFED, December 2007;
- Technical and Environmental Due Diligence Report Monastir and Enfidha Airports, Mott MacDonald, February 2008;
- BirdLife International and Association ‘Les Amis Des Oiseaux’ (AAO) – Tunisia Important Bird Area (IBA) Factsheets, 2008; and
- Resettlement Action Plan for Enfidha, March 2008, prepared by TAV in coordination with the Regional Director, Sousse, Ministry of Public Domain.

IFC staff conducted site visits to the Monastir Airport, Enfidha concession and neighboring agricultural lands and villages during the period February 27-29, 2008. Staff and Management of TAV Construction, Mott MacDonald, Monastir Airport Management, Comete Engineering, and CEFED accompanied IFC during the site visits and respectively for meetings with the following individuals and offices:

- Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development (MESD), Government of Tunisia;
- Directeur General, Agence Nationale de Protection de L’Environnement (ANPE);
- Department Directors for Water, Wildlife, Land Use Planning and Sanitation, MESD;
- l’Office de L’Aviation Civile et des Aeroports (OACA – Civil Aviation Authority);
- Regional Director, Sousse, Ministry of Public Domain (Land Management);
- BirdlLife International Consultant; and
- AAO (BirdLife Partner).

E & S Project Categorization and Applicable Standard

While all Performance Standards (PS) are applicable to this investment, IFC’s environmental and social due diligence indicates that the investment will have impacts which must be managed in a manner consistent with the following Performance Standards:

- PS1: Social and Environmental Assessment and Management Systems
- PS2: Labor and Working Conditions;
- PS3: Pollution Prevention and Abatement;
- PS4: Community Health Safety and Security
- PS5: Land Acquisition and Involuntary Resettlement
- PS6: Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Natural Resource Management
- PS8: Cultural Heritage

There are no indigenous communities or peoples in the area or that will be affected by the new or existing airport.

This is a Category B project because a limited number of specific environmental and social impacts may result from upgrading existing airport facilities and from construction of the new airport at Enfidha. These impacts, including land acquisition and resettlement, being implemented by the Government, are being managed, in close detail, to international standards and best practice. The new airport has been planned since 1998 and the government has conducted various public meetings regarding the proposed developments. The Monastir Airport, located 8 km from the city of Monastir, has been in operation for 40 years; the terminal will undergo minor modification, including safety, security and waste management upgrades, as part of the project. The Enfidha Airport is currently under construction; the Concession is located between the City of Enfidha and the village of Hergla.

The Concession is bounded by: the A1 Highway to the west (2 km from the runway); the Gulf of Hammamet (1.6 km from the runway) and the seasonal sebkha (wetland) of Assa Jriba to the east; and agricultural and grazing lands to the north and south. The Enfidha Airport is not located near any densely populated areas or any critical or protected habitats and is not anticipated to have any negative impacts on surface or groundwater. The nearest town or village is 5 km away and the nearest households are 3 km away. The flight approach paths will not pass directly over Hergla or Enfidha or the IBAs, noise impacts are thus not significant. Rather the potential diversion of traffic from Tunis and Monastir to Enfidha will result in noise reductions in these more densely populated areas. While the project does include land acquisition and resettlement of 20 households, both being implemented by the Government; this process is being managed through a very well defined process consistent with PS 5. TAV has presented plans to address the impacts and other requirements, and will, upon implementation of specific agreed measures, comply with the IFC Performance Standards on Social and Environmental Sustainability.

Environmental and Social Mitigation Measures

- PS1: Social and Environmental Assessment and Management Systems:

An independent EIA was completed in 2008 for Enfidha and an independent Environmental Audit for Monastir was completed in 2007. Both reports include an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) which, along with TAV Construction’s HSE Plan, will form the basis of a corporate Environmental Management System. The Government has developed a Master Plan for this region of the country which includes development of a deep water Port, a Tourism Zone and an Industrial Zone. Consultations at the municipal and central government level on the proposed plans have occurred over the past several years and the project is well known at the local and national level. A Cumulative Environmental Assessment is currently underway for regional development as is a Groundwater Study related to impacts on water resources in the area. TAV intends to establish corporate wide ISO 14001 and OSHAS 18001 certification of it’s global airport HSE management systems by 2010. TAV has a dedicated HSE Manager working on site at Enfidha and requires each contractor to appoint an HSE coordinator; an HSE Manager will be appointed at Monastir. An independent engineer has been appointed and is monitoring EMP implementation during construction at Enfidha. Implementation of all EMP mitigation measures are thus monitored on an ongoing basis by a combination of in house staff, independent consultants and the ANPE. TAV’s management structure incorporates reporting lines for HSE issues and management responsibility for these issues is diffused and formally defined in the company’s structure. As currently exists at Monastir, an HSE Coordinator will be appointed at Enfidha for the operational phase of the airport. A formal Environmental Management System is expected to be launched in April 2008.

- PS2: Labor and Working Conditions:

TAV has a detailed written HR Policy and follows all national laws with regard to minimum employment age, maximum work hours and permits freedom of association. Similarly contractors whom TAV hires will be required to ensure their hiring and employment practices are consistent with national law and the requirements of PS2. TAV has a detailed HSE Plan which sets standards for occupational safety and work procedures for employees and contractors. Training for employees and contractors on worker safety and emergency response has been conducted at Monastir and Enfidha. TAV intends to establish a corporate wide OSHAS 18001 certification of it’s global airport HSE management systems by 2010. There is no redundancy anticipated as part of the project, a certain number of staff will eventually be transferred from Monastir to Enfidha on an initial voluntary basis. Following this, if necessary, first single staff and then married staff will be assigned to move to the new airport. Many staff members in fact have expressed a desire to work at the new airport as the work environment will be very modern. Given that distances between Monastir and Enfidha (about 30 km) are not great, many staff would be able to work in Enfidha without moving. A shuttle service will also be set-up to facilitate the movement of staff between their residences and the two airports. TAV employees absorbed from the OACA as part of the privatization have retained all their rights as former OACA employees and have union representation to assist in the negotiation of all HR related issues.

- PS3: Pollution Prevention and Abatement:

The main waste materials generated during construction and operation are general solid waste (plastics, paper, used parts, metals and oils etc.), used oils and fluids, and sewage. These will all be handled by licensed contractors and disposed of at designated municipal sites. Used oils will be recycled and where possible, metals and plastics will be recycled. As part of the Master Plan the Government intends to develop a new landfill in the Enfidha area to serve the public and private sector. During the operational phase all wastes from aircraft and the airport will be disposed of at these sites.

Stormwater channels, equipped with oil separators, are being built at Enfidha and are being improved and retrofitted at Monastir. No fugitive oils are expected to enter the sebkhas or other surface areas. TAV’s EMP requires regular sampling and testing of stormwater discharges.

The main hazardous material handled and stored on site are aircraft and vehicle fuels. Tank farms at Monastir are managed and operated by oil majors (e.g., Agip) to international standards. Hazardous Materials Management plans for these facilities exist and will be developed for Enfidha.

TAV has established a Construction Camp on site that houses employees and contractors. This camp is equipped with power and water supply. All generator fuel tanks and fuel storage tanks have been equipped with secondary containment. The camp is supplied treated drinking and a sewage treatment plant handles all wastes from toilets, kitchens and offices. Solid waste is handled by licensed contractors and disposed of at designated municipal sites.

Water and power for the operational phase of the project will be supplied from the national grid; the pipeline and power line will be constructed by the Government. Minimal impacts are anticipated with regard to this infrastructure as the national grid is well developed in the area and right of way distances are minimal and involve no disturbance of sensitive areas or displacement of communities. These facilities will be part of a separate Government managed environmental assessment process. Similarly the construction of the interchange from the highway to the airport will be Government financed and constructed and will be assessed as a separate project by the Government.

The Government is constructing a new Sewage Treatment Plant on the Concession to handle sewage and liquid wastes from the Airport, the town of Enfidha and the village of Hergla. This plant will be financed, designed, and built by the Government. This will improve water quality and volumes discharged to the seasonal sebkhas.

Independent Fire Safety Audits have been completed for Monastir and will be completed for Enfidha. TAV intends to construct Enfidha to meet NFPA fire safety standards and will continue to operate Monastir to French Fire Codes.

TAV is interested in pursuing energy and resource (water, heat, etc.) efficiency measures at Monastir and Enfidha and has completed an initial study for Monastir. IFC has agreed to explore the possibility of supporting additional and more detailed efficiency audits and studies.

-PS4: Community Health Safety and Security:

No significant impacts on community safety are anticipated as a result of the project. As the airport site is several km from the nearest houses dust and noise during construction will be within acceptable limits. Access roads and the site are being watered regularly to minimize/eliminate fugitive dust. Traffic movement on site is being controlled through training and strict adherence to speed limits and transit routes. The construction site is off limits to the public and a security perimeter has been established. As part of airport design, ADPi (Aeroports de Paris “Design and Architects”) conducted noise modeling studies to assess impacts on neighboring communities. Based on the modeling results and the location of the village of Hergla, and the presence of two IBAS 13 km north and south of the Concession, the MESD required exclusion of a second runway from the project in order to eliminate noise impact on Hergla. Given that the nearest houses are now 2-3 km from the airport, noise impacts are not expected to be significant. Rather the potential diversion of traffic from Tunis and Monastir to Enfidha will result in noise reductions in these densely populated areas. TAV will not employ any armed staff, contracts with any armed security will take cognizance of the requirements of PS4 and specifically address training related to key issues associated with the use of weapons or force.

-PS5: Land Acquisition and Involuntary Resettlement:

Establishment of the airport at Enfidha entailed Government expropriation of agricultural land and the relocation households. A Resettlement Action Plan detailing the process and procedure of expropriation together with a summary of compensation, relocation, tenure issues and restoration of livelihoods is under preparation. The sponsor will ensure that this RAP is consistent with PS5 and national law. Titled landowners are being compensated at independently negotiated market rates and untitled households will be given titled land adjacent to the concession and will maintain grazing practices. Tenancy and livelihoods are expected to be improved as part of this process as no households previously possessed title. The economic displacement of agricultural land comprises 190 titles representing 884 ha and the physical displacement involves 20 households. The agricultural land is of marginal productivity and not all plots were being cultivated; many plots have absentee landlords who do not live in the area. All 20 relocated households are being provided with titled land adjacent to the site enabling them to improve their livelihoods through security of tenure. Those households that were grazing livestock on the Concession will be allowed by TAV and the Government to continue this practice freely. Household economic base is not solely dependent upon grazing or agriculture; many family members and individuals are employed in nearby towns and the new airport will increase their opportunities. The expropriation process involved the appointment of a special Commission to implement the consultation and an independent valuation process. This process entailed initial consultation in 2005.

Compensation is paid for crops, structures, improvements, houses and land based on market value. All individuals have the right to appeal the valuations. In the case of an appeal the Court appoints three independent evaluators and provides claimants with free legal counsel throughout the appeal process. To ensure livelihoods are improved or maintained, where skills match available jobs, TAV will give first priority to employing individuals who were physically and economically displaced and to local people. Whilst a number of landowners are appealing their compensation, all households have accepted their compensation and new plots adjacent to the Concession have been identified. Completion of the outstanding appeal cases could take up to 1 year. TAV will coordinate with the Government to confirm the completion of this process and will follow-up directly with the 20 households to ensure their livelihoods have been at minimum maintained and to ensure they are given priority in employment over all other communities.

- PS6: Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Natural Resource Management:

No endangered or protected species of flora or fauna or any protected habitat are present in the Concession or in the close vicinity of the project. Immediately prior to construction large areas of the Concession have either been under low intensity seasonal agriculture and/or low intensity grazing, with the additional presence of 20 households. Grazing will continue during and after construction. Based on the location of Hergla and the presence of two IBAs, Sebkha Halk El Menjel and Sidi Khelifa, 13 km north and south of the Concession, the MESD required the elimination of the second runway from the project to eliminate low level flights over Hergla and sensitive habitat. No impacts on these IBAs are anticipated due to the project. On it’s eastern boundary the Concession is bordered by the seasonal Sebkha Assa Jriba. While an approximate 100mx100m area of Assa Jriba will be filled for the runway, according to AAO, the Enfidha Airport will have no measurable impact on this sebkha. The project will not reduce or negatively impact natural seasonal flows of surface water to any of these sebkhas; seasonal flows of water through the Enfidha plain to Assa Jriba will be maintained. A dyke is being constructed that will divert water around the airport and feed the coastal plain from the north and south. It should be noted that construction of the national highway, railway and Enfidha town dyke in previous decades have considerably altered this natural flow regime, reducing, by some degree, seasonal flows. With respect to potential for birdstrikes and evaluation of potential impacts on bird movements in the area TAV have contracted AAO to study bird movements in the Enfidha area and along the coast. TAV will implement, in coordination with OACA and the MESD, the recommendations of the study through a bird management plan and adjust, as necessary, flight approach paths in order to minimize impacts on birds and aircraft.

- PS8: Cultural Heritage:

The Institut National du Patrimoine (National Institute of Cultural Heritage) has signed an agreement with TAV agreeing to provide support for archaeological and cultural resource management. A survey conducted by the Institute revealed that the Concession contains a Roman granary (comprising a storage shaft containing grinding stones, clay storage pots and pottery shards) and two sites suspected to be Roman granaries. These sites have been designated no go areas and a 25 meter buffer zone has been established as required by the Institute. Construction staff has been alerted to their presence and procedures to follow in case of chance finds of other sites/resources are being developed. During construction a representative of the Institute will visit the site on a regular basis to inspect and monitor identified sites. Following construction completion the Institute will excavate these sites.

Stakeholder Engagement

This project has been in the planning stage for several years and the regional authorities governing Hergla held 2 public meetings on the planned airport and regional development with affected communities of Enfidha and Hergla in 2005. The site is very sparsely populated and directly affected communities are relatively limited. Numerous meetings were held with landowners and residents of the Concession area explaining the expropriation process, a process started over 1 year ago. Based on the location and relative proximity of the town of Hergla to the Concession, the MESD required elimination of a second runway from the project to eliminate noise impacts on Hergla. Detailed EIA disclosure meetings will be held by TAV and the MESD March 30, 2008. TAV, in coordination with the MESD and OACA, will review the feedback received during this consultation and incorporate relevant feedback into the project’s EMP.

The Enfidha EIA is available at: MESD offices Tunis, and TAV offices Tunis, Enfidha, and Monastir. The Monastir Environmental Audit is available at TAV offices in Tunis, Monastir and Enfidha. The RAP will be available at TAV offices in Tunis, Enfidha, and Monastir. Availability of the EIA, Audit and RAP at these locations will be announced during the March 30, 2008 meetings at Enfidha. For additional information, contact:

Mr. Fourat Binous
Directeur de l’Infrastructure et des Batiments
Aeroport International Monastir Habib Bourguiba
5065 Monastir Aeroport – Tunisie
Email : fourat.binous@tav.aero
+216 73 524 601

The Enfidha EIA, Monastir Audit and RAP (when finalized) are available through the following link: www.tavairports.com

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