INTEGRATED SAFEGUARDS DATA SHEET
CONCEPT STAGE
Report No.: AC1525
Date ISDS Prepared/Updated: 05/23/2005
I. BASIC INFORMATION
A. Basic Project Data
Country: Belarus
Project ID: P095115
Project Name: Post-Chernobyl Recovery Project
Task Team Leader: Maha J. Armaly
Estimated Appraisal Date: October 17,
Estimated Board Date: May 30, 2006
2005
Managing Unit: ECSIE
Lending Instrument: Specific Investment
Loan
Sector: District heating and energy efficiency services (80%);Other social services (20%)
Theme: Rural services and infrastructure (P);Access to urban services and housing
(P);Natural disaster management (S);Pollution management and environmental health (S)
IBRD Amount (US$m.):
45.00
IDA Amount (US$m.):
0.00
GEF Amount (US$m.):
0.00
PCF Amount (US$m.):
0.00
Other financing amounts by source:
BORROWER
7.00
FOREIGN MULTILATERAL INSTITUTIONS (UNIDENTIFIED)
2.00
9.00
B. Project Objectives [from section 2 of PCN]
The proposed project objective would be to revitalize the districts affected by the Chernobyl
accident by improving local people's living conditions, while reducing their exposure to harmful
levels of radiation.
C. Project Description [from section 3 of PCN]
Optimizing Provision of Heat. The Government requested assistance in two areas: (i)
connecting houses to the gas pipeline to substitute for the utilization of potentially harmful
contaminated wood currently being used in household furnaces increasing exposure to
radioactive contamination, including through the disposal of ash. The request includes
connection of a total of about 12,000 residential houses and the extension of around 335
kilometers of the tertiary pipeline; and (ii) energy efficiency measures focused on replacing or
upgrading boiler houses, substations, and building insulation improvements including lighting.
This component will target public institutions with emphasis on educational and health facilities.
The upgrading of the heating system is necessary in the regions visited, given the severe weather
conditions during winters and the deteriorated state of energy infrastructure due to years of lack
of maintenance or replacement. The government is committed to the provision of gas to the
region as another means of mitigating the human exposure from burning contaminated wood in
individual homes or boilers. Several of the houses which have requested to be linked directly to
the gas system are currently being heated by stoves using either wood or peat (contaminated as
well as not), and in some cases electricity or mazut. The extensive forest and wood industry
resources in the affected area provide an opportunity for their use in heat supply (from areas with
limited contamination) provided measures to mitigate radioactive exposure is undertaken.
Technology for such mitigation exists and the centralization of utilization of these resources will
increase the chances for managing the impact from flue gases and ash disposal. Finally, the
utilization of biomass resources will contribute to the area's economic revitalization and to
Belarus's overall objective to reduce dependence on imported energy. The Bank will need to
take into account international radiation safety standards with regard to wood burning boilers in
contaminated areas. The International Atomic Energy Agency will be a partner providing the
Bank and the Government with the advice on all issues related to radioactive contamination.
Supporting Activities. In addition to these activities the project design would need to address
various support activities. These include the need for advice to the Government on how to
harmonize its national radiation safety standards with the international ones because current
inconsistencies, especially among Belarus's neighbors, limit and complicate international trade,
and furthermore because some national standards need updating to reflect current international
knowledge and consistent logic about exposure risk from various radiation sources. It also
includes the need for radiation monitoring and communication to increase the knowledge of and
trust in clean production options and market opportunities.
D. Project location (if known)
The project will take place in the contaminated area of the two oblasts most affected by the
Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Accident; i.e. Mogliev and Gomel. The project will not
undertake any work in the most contaminated and excluded zones. It will address both urban
and rural areas where the needs are highest. Provision of gas is likely to be in the smaller towns
and rural areas, while energy efficiency measures will address needs in the social sector,
particularly education and health.
E. Borrower’s Institutional Capacity for Safeguard Policies [from PCN]
The country has a positive track record in environmental assessment, and environmental
management including forest management and natural habitat protection. The Ministry of
Nature Resources, responsible for environmental assessment, has a well qualified, capable staff
and a sound regulatory framework. From the environmental management point of view, the
Government also has taken seriously the special issues associated with the areas affected by the
Chernobyl accident, as demonstrated by the public expenditures program. To the extent that the
Government has a capacity limitation, it is in the area of fiscal constraints affecting the
availability of budget. The Bank's past involvement in the forestry and energy efficiency sectors
demonstrated the government's commitment and capacity. The Bank-financed forestry project
was preceded by a special environmental assessment focused on radiation contamination of
wood, and implications for forest management, timber and other forest product harvesting, and
associated processing. A PHRD grant is financing a study to align Belarussian standards for
biomass burning boilers with those of the EU.
II. SAFEGUARD POLICIES THAT MIGHT APPLY
Safeguard Policies Triggered
Yes
No
TBD
Environmental Assessment (OP/BP 4.01)
X
The environmental assessment will be triggered to the extend that normal civil works will
take place during pipeline construction to connect homes to the gas pipeline. This impact is
expected to be moderate and routine, and Belarus would have the capacity to address any
environmental issues that might arise, inlcuding safety, noise and disposal of debris.
Concerns on radioactive impact during construction or other activities during the project are
not expected to be large, but they will be reviewed and considered by the International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA). If the project finances any biomass boilers (particularly wood), the
competencies of the IAEA will be called upon for maximum mitigation needs.
Natural Habitats (OP/BP 4.04)
X
Forests (OP/BP 4.36)
X
Pest Management (OP 4.09)
X
Cultural Property (OPN 11.03)
X
Indigenous Peoples (OD 4.20)
X
Involuntary Resettlement (OP/BP 4.12)
X
Safety of Dams (OP/BP 4.37)
X
Projects on International Waterways (OP/BP 7.50)
X
Projects in Disputed Areas (OP/BP 7.60)
X
Environmental Category: B - Partial Assessment
III. SAFEGUARD PREPARATION PLAN
A. Target date for the Quality Enhancement Review (QER), at which time the PAD-stage ISDS
would be prepared: 07/15/2005
B. For simple projects that will not require a QER, the target date for preparing the PAD-stage
ISDS: 09/09/2005
C. Time frame for launching and completing the safeguard-related studies that may be needed.
The specific studies and their timing1 should be specified in the PAD-stage ISDS.
An Environmental Management Plan will be developed for the project addressing both
components, identifying potential environmental impact, the mitigation plan, and the
capacity and responsibility of government to handle.
1
Reminder: The Bank's Disclosure Policy requires that safeguard-related documents be disclosed before appraisal (i) at the
InfoShop and (ii) in-country, at publicly accessible locations and in a form and language that are accessible to potentially affected
persons.
IV. APPROVALS
Signed and submitted by:
Task Team Leader:
Approved by:
Regional Safeguards Coordinator:
Comments:
Sector Manager:
Comments:
Ms Maha J. Armaly
04/25/2005
Mr Ronald N. Hoffer
04/26/2005
Mr Peter D. Thomson
04/28/2005