introduction - hunan.gov.cnagri.hunan.gov.cn/.../1d1f020aa375400ca1aafafc0fba1e20.docx · web...

China: Hunan Integrated Management of Agricultural Land Pollution Project

The Third Batch of Subprojects

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

Executive Summary

APRIL 2021

Executive Summary Hunan Integrated Management of Agricultural Land Pollution Project (Batch 3 Subprojects)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................12. PROJECT DESCRIPTION....................................................................................23. REGULATORY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK.............................................................5

3.1 China’s Laws and Regulations....................................................................................................................53.2 World Bank Safeguard Policies...................................................................................................................53.3 Applicable Standards...................................................................................................................................6

4. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND POLLUTION BASELINES........................................64.1 Surface Water..............................................................................................................................................64.2 Soil Quality..................................................................................................................................................64.3 Sediments in Irrigation Channels.................................................................................................................74.4 Rice Quality.................................................................................................................................................74.5 Pollution Sources.........................................................................................................................................74.6 Environmental and Social Sensitive Receptors...........................................................................................7

5. IMPACTS ASSESSMENT AND MITIGATION MEASURES.............................................75.1 Impacts of Civil Works Construction..........................................................................................................85.2 Impacts of Upstream Pollution Sources......................................................................................................95.3 Impacts of Agronomic Activities.................................................................................................................95.4 Social Impacts and Risks...........................................................................................................................105.5 Safety of Dams..........................................................................................................................................115.6 Prevention and Control of COVID-19.......................................................................................................12

6. ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES..........................................................................126.1 With/Without Project.................................................................................................................................126.2 Selection of Batch 3 Subprojects...............................................................................................................13

7. PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE.....................................138. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (ESMP)..................................15

8.1 Institutional Arrangements........................................................................................................................158.2 Mitigation Measures..................................................................................................................................168.3 Monitoring Plan.........................................................................................................................................168.4 Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM).....................................................................................................178.5 Cost Estimate.............................................................................................................................................17

ANNEX 1 - GENERIC ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES.......................................................................................................................19ANNEX 2 - SPECIFIC ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES FOR SENSITIVE RECEPTORS..................................................................................21ANNEX 3 - SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PLANS..................................22ANNEX 4 - DESCRIPTION OF KEY NATIONAL LAWS, REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS.........23

i


1. INTRODUCTION

Hunan, the largest rice production province in China, produces about 10 percent of the nation’s rice from only its 3 percent of arable land, making a significant contribution to food security in China. Meanwhile, Hunan is also well-known as a home of nonferrous metal, and its nonferrous metallurgy, chemical, and mining industries contribute more than 80 percent of the province’s industry. Safety of agricultural product area in Hunan, therefore, has been particularly affected by heavy metal contamination, mainly caused by industrial flue gas, wastewater, waste residue, or mine tailings. The quality of soil has further been affected by overuse of agrochemicals and poor farming practices.

Recognizing the seriousness of such contamination and the challenges in food safety and agricultural land protection, Hunan Provincial Government issued the Implementation Program for Heavy Metal Pollution Control in Xiang River Basin (2012–2015) which was the first program ratified by the State Council aiming to address heavy metal pollution. Since then, big capital investments have been spent by national and local governments on industrial pollution control and contaminated land remediation within the basin. These extensive domestic efforts have been enhanced by the World Bank Hunan Integrated Management of Agricultural Land Pollution Project (hereafter the Project), with a total investment of USD 111.94 million (including World Bank loan of USD100 million).

The Project focuses on demonstration of risk-based agricultural land pollution management, agricultural environment monitoring and management, and capacity building and knowledge sharing in 15 selected counties1 in Hunan. Three counties (Yongding, Hengyang and Yongxing) have been chosen as pioneers for pilot as the first batch of areas approved by World Bank (the Bank) in January 2017; and another twelve counties as the second batch were approved in December 2018. The two batches of project areas are currently in the stages of implementation.

The Project is classified as Category A in terms of environmental risks due to the significant heavy metal pollution, food safety and public health concerns. An Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and a Pest Management Plan (PMP) have been prepared for the overall Project. Meanwhile, three individual Environmental and Social Impact Assessment reports (ESIAs, one for each county) and an Executive Summary (ES) have been prepared for the first batch of project areas; and subsequently, an integrated ESIA and its ES have been prepared for the second batch. Separate Social Assessment reports (SAs) have also been developed to address the social impacts of the Project, and the key findings and recommendations have been incorporated in the ESIAs. All of these safeguard instruments have been approved by the Bank.

Since 2019, the previous two batches of subprojects have been in implementation for two years and a series of project measures have been put in place as scheduled. The sources of industrial pollution have been controlled by shutting down, upgrading or relocating the heavy metal discharging enterprises. Sediments have been removed from the irrigation channels as well as the sources of water by dredging the waterways. Before the irrigation channels, sedimentation tanks have been set up for pretreating the irrigation water. The contaminated soil has received

1 The 15 counties include Yongding, Hengyang, Yongxing, Baojing, Jishou, Yongshun, Huahuan, Cili, Zhongfang, Anhua, Hengnan, Yizhang, Linwu, Lengshuitan and Qiyang, as shown in Figure 2-1.

1


remediation by applying a VIP mechanism inclusive of crop Variety adjustment, Irrigation optimization, and pH regulation. In high-risk areas, planting structure has been adjusted by growing non-food crops or low-cadmium (Cd) accumulating food crops instead of rice. At the same time, monitoring to irrigation water, sediments, soil, and crops has been strengthened to track the heavy metals. To prevent the polluted rice from entering the market, local governments have contracted specific grain depots to collect and store the rice and specific breweries to use the rice for making industrial alcohol. With the efforts of the previous two batches of subprojects in the past two years, the Cd level in rice has largely dropped and the rice quality has been qualified with the food standards, though certain heavy metal pollution still exists in the soil requiring sustained endeavor.

To further demonstrate and popularize the Project concepts and techniques, and to stimulate safe agricultural production, 28 new areas from the 11 counties2 out of the total 15 are proposed to join the Project as the third batch of subprojects to manage more polluted agricultural land in an integrated risk-based approach.

An Environmental Impact Assessment report (EIA) and a Social Assessment report (SA) have been prepared for batch 3 subprojects identified in the 11 counties following the procedures and requirements of the approved ESMF and under the guidance from the Bank’s task team.

This ES includes the key findings and main conclusions of the above two safeguard documents. In general, the activities under batch 3 subprojects are about environmental protection, risk reduction and public welfare improvement, so have significant positive environmental and social benefits. There is no land acquisition and resettlement issue, and no indigenous peoples involved. The potential adverse impacts will only relate to dust, noise, wastewater and solid waste from small-scale civil works construction, and health and safety concerns from agricultural activities. Such impacts and risks are small in scale, site-specific, and can be effectively avoided, minimized or mitigated through implementing proper measures developed in the EIA and SA reports.

2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The overall project development objective is to demonstrate a risk-based integrated approach to managing heavy metal pollution in agricultural land for safety of agricultural production areas in selected counties in Hunan.

Batch 3 subprojects include following components: (1) demonstration of risk-based agricultural land pollution management; (2) strengthening agricultural environmental monitoring and management; (3) capacity building and knowledge distribution; and (4) project management and monitoring and evaluation.

The location of the project counties is shown in Figure 2-1, and the detailed activities to be done under batch 3 subprojects are listed in Table 2-1.

2 The 11 counties include Yongding, Jishou, Yongshun, Huahuan, Cili, Hengyang, Anhua, Hengnan, Linwu, Lengshuitan and Qiyang.

2


Table 2-1: Batch 3 SubprojectsComponents Activities Budget

(RMB1,000)1. Demonstration of risk-based agricultural land pollution management

1.1 Intensive monitoring and risk assessment: monitoring of heavy metal for soil, agricultural products and sediments; monitoring of irrigation water quality; risk assessment and risk control plans etc.

5,513.7

1.2 Integrated risk control measures: Engineering measures : construction and/or renovation of

87.25km irrigation channels, 51 sedimentation tanks, 43.73km tractor access roads, 3000m interception ditches, 32 small water storage tanks, and 1 irrigation pump station.

Agronomic measures : rice species control; optimization of irrigation management; regulation of soil pH; application of organic fertilizer; application of soil passivating agents; straw management etc.

Pest management : cleaner agriculture production; promotion of scientific use of pesticide; green pest control; and promotion of low toxicity/low residue pesticides etc.

Other measures : selection of rice species; procurement of heavy-polluted rice for industrial use; green products certification; brand building and promotion etc.

88,358.7

1.3 Project supervision: supervision of agronomic measures by professional institutions, as well as local communities

3,997.2

2. Strengthening agricultural environment monitoring and management (M&E)

2.1 Development of agricultural environmental database and early warning system by means sampling vehicles, computers, GPS and devices etc.

5,744.6

2.2 Development of risk-based agricultural land management tools and risk map2.3 Development of local policies and standards on agricultural land pollution control and remediation, and implementation in the integrated agricultural land pollution management2.4 Study of sustainable financing mechanism and eco-compensation mechanism based on the agricultural land pollution control and soil remediation practices

3. Capacity building Training and study tours for government officials; training for monitoring staff and local farmers; workshops for concepts and techniques popularization; and development of outreach materials

12,229.2

4. Project management and M&E

Technical assistance and training to project management staff; procurement of office equipment; development of MIS; data collection on agricultural environmental quality; and evaluation of project results etc.

7,375.1

3


Figure 2-1: Location of Project Counties

4


3. REGULATORY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK

The EIA was conducted in accordance with both China’s environmental laws/regulations and the World Bank safeguards policies.

3.1 China’s Laws and Regulations

Main laws, regulations, plans, technical guidelines and standards applied in the EIA are given below, and a brief description of the key laws and regulations is presented in Annex 4 of this ES.

• Environmental Protection Law (2014)• Environmental Impact Assessment Law (2018)• Air Pollution Control Law (2016)• Water Pollution Control Law (2017)• Solid Waste Pollution Control Law (2015)• Noise Pollution Control Law (2018)• Land Administration Law (2019)• Regional Ethnic Autonomy Law of the People's Republic of China (2001)• Agricultural Products Quality Safety Law (2018)• Soil Pollution Control Action Plan (2016)• The Twelfth Fiver-Year Plan for Integrated Heavy Metal Pollution Control in Hunan • Implementation Program for Heavy Metal Pollution Control in Xiang River Basin (2012-

2015)• EIA Technical Guidelines (including general guidelines, and specific guidelines for air,

surface water, noise, ecology, groundwater and risk assessment etc.)• Technical Guidelines for Investigation of Site Environment (HJ 25.1-2014)• Technical Specification for Monitoring of Site Environment (HJ 25.2-2014)• Technical Guidelines for Risk Assessment of Contaminated Sites (HJ 25.3-2014)• Technical Guidelines for Soil Restoration of Contaminated Sites (HJ 25.4-2014)• Guidelines for Evaluation of Site Environment (DB11/T 656-2009)

3.2 World Bank Safeguard Policies

All of the activities under batch 3 subprojects will take place in the existing farmland of the project villages in the 11 counties. Construction of small-scale civil works will produce minor nuisance of noise, dust or solid waste; agricultural land operation will induce application of pesticides; and irrigation will link to taking water from existing reservoirs etc. However, as the EIA and SA investigated, there is no natural habitat or important forest involved, no cultural relics protection unit identified, no land acquisition or resettlement needed (as demonstrated similarly in the past two batches of subprojects), and no people falling in the Bank’s definition of Indigenous Peoples in the region (although there are some Tujia and Miao minority groups in 31 project villages of 5 project counties, but these ethnic minority people are well integrated with Han people and won’t be adversely affected by the Project).

5


Accordingly, of the ten Bank safeguards policies, only the following three are triggered: 1) OP4.01 Environmental Assessment; 2) OP4.09 Pest Management; and 3) OP4.37 Dam Safety. Batch 3 subprojects’ compliance with these policies is described in Table 3-1.

Table 3-1: Compliance with the Bank Safeguards PoliciesBank Policies Project Compliance

Environmental Assessment(OP 4.01)

• The Project was classified as Category A at project appraisal stage. • A new SA and a full EIA have been prepared for batch 3 subprojects in line with

the approved ESMF.• Public consultation and information disclosure have been conducted as per

OP4.01 requirements as part of the EIA and SA process.Pest Management (OP4.09)

• Pest related impacts have been concerned in the EIA report.• A Pest Management Plan (PMP) has been developed during appraisal for the

whole Project following the requirements of OP4.09.Dam Safety (OP 4.37)

• 27 reservoirs would supply irrigation water to the 15 project counties, and dam safety has been assessed with detailed dam safety action plans developed during preparing the previous two batches of subprojects. The reservoirs that serve batch 3 subprojects are among the 27 reservoirs, so they will apply the prepared dam safety action plans.

3.3 Applicable Standards

The EIA applies Chinese standards for ambient environment, food safety, agricultural products and soil quality, after a comparison between Chinese standards and internationally recognized counterparts (such as EU, Japan, Netherland), to ensure that stringent standards be applied at reasonable costs.

4. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND POLLUTION BASELINES

4.1 Surface Water

Surface water quality has been monitored for all irrigation water sources for batch 3 subprojects during May 2019 - December 2020, with pH, CODCr, TP, NH4-N, As, Pb, Cd, Cr6+ and Hg used as the key monitoring parameters. According to the test results, these water sources could meet both the Standards for Irrigation Water Quality (GB5084-2021) and the Environmental Quality Standards for Surface Water (GB3838-2002, Class III), except NH4-N and TP exceeding the standards in Linwu and Qiyang counties occasionally.

4.2 Soil Quality

Soil quality has also been tested for batch 3 subprojects during June 2019 - December 2020, with Total Cd, As, Pb, and Cr as the key parameters. The test results show that except Linwu and Yiyang, there was a general presence of Cd pollution in all the other 9 counties (exceeding the screening value but below the intervention value of the Soil Environmental Quality - Risk Control Standard for Soil Contamination of Agricultural Land, GB15618-20183). As and Hg

3 Risk screening values are used to indicate the likelihood of pollution in agricultural products, crops and soil when the contaminant concentrations exceed the values, and hance, to request monitoring both soil and products; while intervention values are used to warn the unsafety of agricultural products due to the high risk of pollution in soil,

6


pollution was occasionally found in such counties as Hengyang and Hengnan, with the contaminant concentrations higher than the screening value but below the intervention one.

4.3 Sediments in Irrigation Channels

Taking the Soil Environmental Quality - Risk Control Standard for Soil Contamination of Agricultural Land (GB15618-2018) as a reference standard, the test results demonstrate that the sediments from the irrigation channels involved in batch 3 subprojects could satisfy the intervention values of this Standard in terms of Cd, As, Pb, and Cr.

4.4 Rice Quality

Concentrations of heavy metal in rice products have been tested too, with total 771 samples analyzed. Compared to the National Standards for Food Safety (GB2762-2012) 4, there was a presence of Cd pollution in 10 counties except Huahuan (47.2% of total 771 samples), As pollution in 9 counties (25.8% of samples), and Pb pollution in 4 counties (3.4% of samples).

4.5 Pollution Sources

By means of site visits, stakeholder consultation and data analysis, it is concluded that the agricultural land pollution under batch 3 subprojects is mainly due to the waste from metallurgy and mining industries operated in the past. Excessive use of high heavy metal fertilizers and pesticides is another reason for the soil pollution in the region. Extensive efforts have been made by provincial and local governments over years to tackle the industrial pollution, and all these polluting industries have been shut down or upgraded with mine tailings properly treated. The existing industries in the region are clearly identified and are in compliance with domestic environmental requirements. There are no legacy issues of mines, mine tailings or on-site wastes that would cause new pollution to downstream agricultural land.

4.6 Environmental and Social Sensitive Receptors

In the field investigation, the main environmental and social sensitive receptors identified in batch 3 subproject areas include irrigation water sources (rivers and reservoirs); forest land and orchards which will receive polluted straws; liquor brewery plants which will receive rice exceeding food safety standards; landfill sites which will receive brewery residues; recycling stations which will receive agricultural packaging materials; and local residents (especially vulnerable groups). Specific protection measures for them have been developed and included in the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) of the EIA.

5. IMPACTS ASSESSMENT AND MITIGATION MEASURES

The Project is aiming for environmental protection, pollution mitigation, risk reduction and public health protection, it will, therefore, bring significant benefits to the environment and the society, in terms of improvement of soil environment and food safety, increase of public

and hence, to request stringent interventions.4 Pb: 0.2mg/kg, As: 0.2mg/kg, Cr: 1.0mg/kg, Hg:0.02mg/kg, Cd: 0.2mg/kg.

7


awareness of pollution control, upgrades of agricultural infrastructure, enhancement of farmers’ risk-resistance capacity and competitiveness, raise in farmers’ income, and improvement of regional economic development etc.

The main negative environmental impacts are mostly related to nuisance from construction of small-scale agricultural infrastructures (e.g., dust, noise, and solid waste etc.), and environmental and health concerns from agricultural activities during project operation (e.g., irrigation, application of lime, fertilizer and soil passivating agents, and disposal of straws etc.). These impacts have been assessed in the EIA and are deemed to be readily mitigated by the measures developed in the ESMP.

5.1 Impacts of Civil Works Construction

The civil works to be done under batch 3 subprojects are small-scale construction activities, by building or renovating sedimentation tanks, pump station, water storage tanks, tractor access roads, irrigation channels and interception ditches etc. They are to be undertaken in existing farmland, typically requiring 5-10 people with no camp site needed. There is no land acquisition, resettlement nor indigenous people involved, and no critical or other natural habitats in the vicinity.

Wastewater: It will be mainly from irrigation channel excavation, cement mixing, concrete curing, aggregate washing, and construction machines maintenance etc. Such wastewater will be limited in amount and can be adequately tackled with proper treatment measures (e.g., settling tank). Workers are staying in nearby villages, and their sewage will be collected and treated through existing sanitation facilities (typically septic tanks).

Dust: Soil excavation, waste loading/unloading and transportation, land leveling, and other construction activities will generate dust. Given the small scale of civil works in each specific site and their scattering distribution in the project areas, such impacts will be limited and can be mitigated with proper construction methods and dust suppression practices (e.g., water-spraying).

Noise: It will mainly come from construction equipment and transportation vehicles. Since each construction site is small, the quantity of works is finite, the noise is usually short and intermittent, and construction activities are scheduled in daytime, such impacts will be temporary and limited to immediate vicinity of the site where typically over 200m away from adjacent villages.

Solid waste: It includes spoil soil and domestic garbage. As all the civil works are small in scale, the volume of solid waste generated on site is not large and can be properly handled through soil balance and in-situ land leveling. Garbage from workers will be small in amount too and can be collected and disposed through local garbage collection/disposal system in a timely manner.

Ecological impacts: The civil works will be done in exiting farmland. Construction activities and material storage may disturb and occupy small pieces of land, causing temporary damage to vegetation and inducing soil erosion. Given the small scale of works and short construction

8


period at each site, such impacts would be minor and site-specific, and vegetation can quickly recover through reclamation and natural restoration after construction.

Physical cultural resources (PCRs): The EIA investigation didn’t find any PCR within or near batch 3 subproject areas. Chance finds might be encountered in civil works construction. Relevant clauses will be included in all bidding documents and construction contracts, and mitigation measures on chance finds management have been produced and included in the ESMP.

Mitigation measures: To address above-mentioned environmental impacts, proper mitigation measures have been developed with details included in the Environmental Code of Practice for Small Civil Works (Annex 1 of EIA) and the Environmental Code of Practice for Irrigation Facility Construction (Annex 2 of EIA).

5.2 Impacts of Upstream Pollution Sources

The EIA investigation concluded that all the historical pollution sources have been shut down or upgraded, and there is no legacy issue about mining operation, mine tailings or waste disposal in batch 3 subprojects. Existing industrial enterprises are under strict management and operated in compliance with national environmental regulations. To ensure the quality of the irrigation water sources, the following mitigation measures have been developed and incorporated in the project design and the ESMP:

Regular monitoring of irrigation water quality Renovation and maintenance of irrigation channels Construction of sedimentation tanks for irrigation channels, monitoring of the sediments as

required, and removal of the sediments as needed

5.3 Impacts of Agronomic Activities

Potential environmental concerns over agronomic activities during the project operation are related to farmland irrigation, application of chemicals such as lime, fertilizers and soil passivating agents, disposal of polluted straws, and treatment of crops with heavy medal exceeding food safety standards.

Flooding irrigation: During a few periods in rice’s life circle, flooding irrigation may require more water. Considering the abundant water resources in the project area, such a water demand is minor in comparison with the sufficient water supply in the region, therefore, the impact of irrigation on water resources is minor.

Application of lime: Lime is normally applied in agricultural land to regulate pH of soil and improve soil quality. During application, certain dust might be produced. Such dust is limited in amount and has little impact on adjacent villages. Its influence on workers’ health is a concern, which can be addressed through adequate personal protection equipment (e.g., proper clothes and masks).

9


Application of soil passivating agents: These agents are used to remove heavy metals from soil and recover its ecological environment. Typical agents include clay minerals, phosphorus compounds, silicon-calcium compounds, metal oxides (such as iron oxide, ferrous sulfate, iron sulfate, goethite, manganese oxide, and manganese potassium), organic compounds, etc. Application of industrial wastes for the purpose of passivating soil and overuse of soil passivating agents might cause secondary pollution to soil. To ensure safe application, it’s suggested to conduct long-term monitoring of the agents’ stability and effects.

Application of organic fertilizers and chemical fertilizers: Fertilizers with high concentration of heavy metals will bring more heavy metals into farmland soil, causing secondary pollution. Monitoring of heavy metals within organic fertilizers and avoidance of applying high-Cd chemical fertilizers are important to prevent fertilizers from contaminating soil.

Application of pesticides: The EIA investigated that over 98 percent of pesticides applied in batch 3 subproject areas were chemical pesticides which have been tested to be qualified and would bring little heavy metal into agricultural land. Even so, use of pesticides in agricultural land may have potential impacts on human health. This requires safe and environmentally sound pest management through implementing the PMP that was developed for the whole Project at the preparation stage.

Solid waste from agronomic materials: Plastic membranes and other packaging materials, if not well managed, will have adverse impacts on soil environment and aesthetics. Collection tanks will be established to deal with these materials in batch 3 subproject areas, and Agronomic Material Recycling Stations have been set up in each project county to receive the materials which will be transported to professional facilities for treatment/disposal. Through such an arrangement, the impact of solid waste from agronomic materials can be effectively managed.

Mitigation measures: To address agronomic related impacts and concerns, a generic Environmental Code of Practice for Agronomic Activities has been developed (Annex 3 of the EIA). Meanwhile, a Pest Management Plan (PMP) prepared for the whole Project is applicable to batch 3 subprojects on their pest management practice. In addition, specific mitigation measures (summarized in Annex 2 of this ES) have also been identified against specific issues, such as:

Disposal of polluted straws in forest land or orchards Procurement of polluted rice from farmer cooperatives for liquor production by identified

brewery companies, and disposal of brewery residues in local sanitary landfills, with technical assistance provided to the companies for heavy metal testing and residue disposal.

5.4 Social Impacts and Risks

The Project is embedded with significant social benefits to local communities in terms of improved agricultural product quality, increased awareness of local people on farmland contamination and producing safe products, improved rural infrastructure, better utilization of farmland, increase of job opportunities and household income etc. All of the batch 3 subprojects are sited within existing village farmland and the improved facilities will be owned and used by villagers, there is no land acquisition, resettlement nor indigenous people involved.

10


Meanwhile, the social assessment has identified following potential social risks and negative impacts that might occur in the Project implementation:

Impacts of construction: Temporary disturbance of traffic, and nuisance of noise and dust during constructing small civil works might have certain impacts on adjacent villagers’ daily life. However, they can be readily addressed through implementing good project management practices and the ESMP measures.

Risks to rural economy: (i) Alternative rice species might fail in meeting food safety standards again, which will influence the rice prices and hence the income; (ii) farmers’ marketing channels for new rice species and other alternative plants are new, which might result in reduction in sales and hence the income; (iii) inadequate labor force might not be enough to meet the increased demand of planting structure adjustment, which might result in reduction in agricultural output and income; and (iv) Replanting alternative crops in 66.7 hectares of heavily polluted areas of demonstration areas may lead to social risks that some farmers need to learn associated new farming knowledge and skills. Such replanting areas include 33.3 hectares in Jishou City and 33.4 hectares in Hengnan County respectively.

Risks to social stability: (i) Local people might have unreasonable judgement of pollution sources, exaggeration of heavy metal pollution, and/or inadequate awareness of environmental protection; (ii) Vulnerable groups such as the local ethnic minorities, low-income individuals, left-behind elderly people and women, and disabled people in batch 3 subproject areas might be adversely affected if they are not provided enough opportunities to participate in and benefit from the Project; and (iii) The right of farmers on land title might be violated if the land transfer is processed without consideration of local conditions and farmer’s rights and benefits.

Mitigation measures: To address these potential social risks and impacts, a series of measures have been developed, including:

Development and implementation of Social Action Plans as a part of the ESMP to address potential impacts on farmers’ incomes and livelihood

Development of basic subsidy compensation package for people affected by pollution remediation (e.g., subsidies to compensate the losses due to non-compliance products or planting structure adjustment)

Establishment of village monitoring groups for the project village level implementing activities, and nurturing of farmer cooperatives

Strengthening technical training to farmers Establishment of accountability mechanism at all levels of governments Establishment of grievance redress mechanisms, and use of media to educate the public and

receive/guide public opinions

5.5 Safety of Dams

A total of 36 existing reservoirs have been identified to supply irrigation water to the previous two batches of subprojects in the selected 15 counties. Following the Bank’s OP4.37 Dam Safety policies, dam safety assessment has been conducted for all the dams, with assessment reports and

11


action plans developed accordingly. During the past two years of implementation, senior dam experts, contracted by the PPMO, undertook dam safety examination in accordance with the dam safety action plans and produced annual dam safety reports. Following the advices from the experts, the county PMOs undertook specific rehabilitation and periodical maintenance to the problem dams. To date, all of the project-related dams are in good operation with no risk identified to the dam safety.

The reservoirs to serve some of the batch 3 subprojects (Hengyang, Cili, Lengshuitan and Yiyang) are among the above-mentioned 36 reservoirs without any new dam identified. Therefore, there is no need to do dam safety assessment this time. The dams involved in batch 3 subprojects will continue applying the prepared dam safety action plans.

5.6 Prevention and Control of COVID-19

Currently, Hunan is a low-risk area for COVID-19; but the likelihood of another spread in the future might still exist. Governments at all levels in Hunan Province have been taking strong measures to control COVID-19 and prevent any likely epidemic from spreading in the future. During the Project implementation, the PPMO and county PMOs have also been making efforts to prevent risks of spreading COVID-19 among staff, workers and farmers:

• Establishment of a leading group responding to COVID-19• Dissemination of knowledge about prevention of COVID-19 to employees and supplying

them with protective appliances• Conduction of regular disinfection and sterilization• Inclusion of COVID-19 terms in project-related contracts/ agreements • Supervision of the construction supervision engineers and major contractors over their

health and safety performance related to COVID-19• Training to workers to raise their awareness of COVID-19 prevention• Provision of advice and assistance to workers and/or farmers infected with COVID-19• Establishment of procedures of accident reporting and investigation

6. ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES

6.1 With/Without Project

A thorough comparison for With and Without project scenarios have been undertaken in the EIA for batch 3 subprojects. Looking back to the past years, the agricultural land pollution in Hunan became serious and caused risk to food safety and public health. Without the Project, the heavy metal pollution will last long, and the public will continue to bear the risk of intaking polluted food. The rice pollution in Hunan has already had significant impacts on the sales of rice products and hence on the livelihood of local farmers. With the Project, the farmland pollution issues can be addressed, the quality of rice products can be ensured, the income of farmers can be increased, and their lives can be improved. The potential adverse environmental and social impacts related to the Project are site-specific, small in scale and can be mitigated by implementing technically and financially feasible measures developed in the ESMP. Overall,

12


there are much more significant benefits for the “With Project” scenario over the “Without Project” situation.

13


6.2 Selection of Batch 3 Subprojects

Following the previous two batches of project activities, the third batch of subprojects are proposed within the approved 15 counties to extend the Project’s outcomes and effects. Alternative counties and areas in the Project area have been considered and compared following a set of systematic principles.

Considering the representativeness of poverty alleviation, pollution sources, farmland pollution, sustainability, and social stability, 11 counties out of the approved 15 have been chosen to launch more project activities. Further identification of farmland plots has been carried out within the selected 11 counties considering pollution type and seriousness, organic contents and pH level of soil, and investment and ownership commitments etc. As a result, a total of 28 new areas, as the third batch subprojects of the Project, have been selected from the 11 counties, among which 11 are newly identified areas while the rest 17 are to extend existing areas of the previous two batches.

7. PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE

Environmental aspects

Two rounds of public consultation and information disclosure have been conducted in the EIA following the national laws and regulations, as well as World Bank OP4.01 Environmental Assessment during March/April 2020 and November/December 2020. The stakeholders that were consulted include farmers, farmer cooperatives, relevant government departments, industrial enterprises (closed or to be relocated), brewery companies receiving polluted rice products, and NGOs etc. The consultation activities were carried out in the project affected villages through public meetings, field interview, telephone interview and questionnaire survey. Information has also been disclosed in the EIA and consultation process, as summarized in Table 7-1.

Table 7-1: Summary of Environmental Information DisclosureTime Location Method Contents

1st round of disclosureMarch/ April 2020

Local county and township governments

Information posters

Brief introduction of the additional subproject information and key activities

2nd round of disclosureNovember/ December 2020

Villages in batch 3 subproject areas

Information posters

Major environmental impacts and mitigation measures, key EIA conclusions, public consultation topics, contacts of PMOs and EIA consultants, etc.

Over 235 people were consulted about environmental concerns over batch 3 subprojects. A broad support has been received from the stakeholders who expressed strong willingness to see the Project’s demonstration effects in promoting agricultural development in the region. Public considerations on construction management, health protection, polluted rice control, and dam safety were introduced and responded in the mitigation measures of the EIA/ESMP, which will be closely supervised in the Project implementation.

14


The first round of public consultation The second round of public consultation

Social aspects

During the social survey from December 16 to 25, 2020, a series of stakeholder participation activities have been conducted by means of workshops, interviews and questionnaires, as summarized in Table 7-2.

Table 7-2: Public Participation in Social ConcernsActivities ParticipantsWorkshops with government officials

Participated by officials from PMOs and relevant government departments on social issues and arrangements related to the Project

Workshops with farmers and farmer cooperatives

Introduction of the project information, expression of project-related issues and risks, collection of basic information of affection people, and presentation of action plans

In-depth interviews to stakeholders

60 villagers including 20 women, 20 minorities and 20 low-income individuals 8 leaders from farmer cooperatives and main planting farmers 8 leaders from government at township level and leaders from village committees 10 managers from the project county PMOs

Questionnaire surveys

1,100 social assessment questionnaires were distributed in the 11 project counties, and 949 effective feedbacks were received.500 ethnic identification questionnaires were distributed in 5 project counties inhabited by ethnic minorities, and 365 effective feedbacks were received

Over 1400 people took part in the consultation activities about social concerns and gave effective feedbacks. They generally hoped the Project can increase agricultural production, provide more opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship, control heavy metal pollution of farmland, help farmers enhance ability of risk resistance, and improve their income and living standards etc. They also expected the upgrading of agricultural infrastructure, improvement of agricultural product quality, establishment or enhancement of farmer cooperatives, adjustment of cropping structure by increasing cash crops, acquisition of fund support in development of ecological agriculture, establishment of monitoring stations for soil and agricultural products, strengthening of awareness and technical training, and development of reasonable compensation mechanism etc. These concerns and suggestions have been considered in the Social Assessment, the project design, and the ESMP.

15


8. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (ESMP)

8.1 Institutional Arrangements

There has been a comprehensive environmental management system established under the Project during preparing the previous two batches of subprojects, and it is available and applicable for the batch 3, with structuring, staffing and responsibilities clarified in the following figure and table:

Figure 8-1: Institutional Arrangement for Environmental Management System

Table 8-1: Roles and Responsibilities of Environmental ManagementRole Organization Responsibilities Staffing

Management Provincial Steering Committee

Provide general guidance on policies, coordinate tricky issues; supervise the implementation of the Project; review and clear project proposals, seek counterpart funds, and coordinate inter cooperation for the Project

-

Provincial Project Management Office (PPMO)

Responsible for overall environmental management of the Project to ensure the successful implementation of ESMP: Supervise the implementation of ESMP Report to the Bank regularly Supervise county PMOs on their ESMP performance Coordinate with relevant departments to solve major

environmental issues Hire external monitoring consultant to monitor the

environmental and social performance

2-3 people

County PMOs Responsible for implementation of the EIA, in terms of: 1-2 people

16


Role Organization Responsibilities Staffing Supervise the Project implementation in compliance

with environmental laws and regulations Initiate the EIA preparation and approval process Ensure the ESMP measures be included in contracts Ensure supervision engineers to supervise the ESMP

implementation Supervise the contractors’ implementation of mitigation

measures Organize environmental management training Handle complaints and maintain an archive system Prepare ESMP implementation reports

Supervision Environmental Protection Bureaus (EPBs)

Environmental supervision in the project life cycle, incl: Examine and approve the EIA reports and the test

reports for completion acceptance etc. Supervise environmental management in the project

construction and operation stages

1 people

Third party supervisors (villagers)

Supervise the project implementation Assist county PMOs on data collection

Several

Implementation Civil work contractors, farmers/ cooperatives

Implement environmental mitigation measures Receive training on environmental management Receive supervision by the PMOs, the EPBs and the

Bank

Several

Consultants EIA team Prepare the EIA/ESMP at the preparation stage Report the implementation of the ESMP during the

project implementation

3

Social team Conduct social assessment at the preparation stage Incorporate key findings and conclusions in the ESMP

2

Environmental and social monitoring agencies

Conduct environmental and social monitoring exercises as per the approved monitoring plans

Submit monitoring and test reports to the PMOs

1-2

8.2 Mitigation Measures

Comprehensive mitigation measures have been developed specifically for batch 3 subprojects, including generic mitigation measures for common project activities (summarized in Annex 1 of this ES), specific mitigation measures for environmental and social sensitive receptors (summarized in Annex 2 of this ES), and Environmental Codes of Practices (ECOPs, for Small-scale Civil Works Construction, Irrigation Facility Construction, and Agronomic Activities, respectively). The detailed measures are described in the main text and/or Annexes of the EIA and SA for batch 3 subprojects; the dam safety measures are given in the action plans produced in previous ESIAs; and the pest management measures are presented in the Pest Management Plan prepared for the whole Project.

8.3 Monitoring Plan

Specific monitoring plans have been prepared to cover main environmental and social concerns over batch 3 subprojects, including irrigation water quality, sediments in irrigation channels, sediments in sedimentation tanks, soil, agricultural products, fertilizers, pesticides, and liquor

17


brewery residues, support to farmer’s cooperative and village monitoring groups, provision of government subsidies for crop restructuring, training for farmers in adapting to new cropping and labor development, etc. Relevant national protocols on sampling and testing have been considered in the preparation of the environmental monitoring plans with applicable standards identified for evaluating the test results. County PMOs will report the environmental test results to the PPMO and EPBs. The total cost on environmental monitoring is estimated at RMB 7.55 million, in which RMB 4.93 million is for testing (a summary of the monitoring items is attached as Annex 3 of this ES), and the remaining RMB 2.63 million is on sampling, traveling and miscellaneous expenses. The total cost on social monitoring is estimated at RMB 2.1 million.

8.4 Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM)

A GRM system has been established in each project county under previous two batches of subprojects, which is available for redressing environmental and social grievances related to batch 3 subprojects. Each county PMO has set up a leading group for grievance redress, headed by PMO leaders and supported by an in-house grievance redress unit (GRU). Contact information (telephone, fax, address, e-mail etc.) has been disclosed to the public through bulletin boards at local villages. The GRU collects and records public complaints on a daily basis. For environmental issues related to the Project, people can express their grievances to the county PMO, and if they are not satisfied with the feedback, they can appeal their complaints to local EPB even to upper level EPBs. For social issues related to the Project, the affected people can express their grievances to the village or neighborhood committee, and if they are not happy with the solutions, they can escalate their cases to each level PMOs, arbitral institutions and court. All grievances and feedbacks/solutions will be recorded. The GRM has been disclosed to local people and is being maintained throughout the project life cycle to deal with any public concerns over environmental and social management under the Project.

In addition to the GRM specifically set up for the Project, there are comprehensive GRM systems in China with a dedicated complaint-receiving office established within each government department (such as city/county government, EPB, Agricultural and Rural Bureau, Civil Affair Bureau etc.).

With all these together, open channels have been provided to the public to express their opinions.

8.5 Cost Estimate

The total cost on environmental and social management for batch 3 subprojects is estimated at RMB 22.9875 million, with details shown in Table 8-2.

18


Table 8-2: Cost on Environmental and Social ManagementNo. Item Main Mitigation Measures Cost

(RMB1,000)1 Noise Equipment foundations or noise-reduction supports 400.02 Air pollution Cover of materials, water spraying etc. 400.03 Water pollution Temporary sedimentation tanks, septic tanks, water and soil

conservation etc. 3,600.0

4 Solid waste Transportation of spoil soil, earth backfilling/land leveling; collection of garbage and disposal in landfills

2,000.0

5 Environmental monitoring

Monitoring of irrigation water, sediments in channels and sedimentation tanks, soil, agricultural products, organic fertilizers, pesticides, brewery residues etc.

7,550.2

6 Rice exceeding food safety standards

Subsidies for procurement of polluted rice products 4,400.0

7 Planting structure adjustment

Subsidies provision to high-polluted areas 2,537.3

8 Social monitoring Monitoring social aspects at project sites 2,100.0Total 22,987.5

19


Annex 1 - Generic Environmental and Social Impacts and Mitigation Measures

Factors Main Impacts Mitigation Measures Implemented by

Supervisedby

Impacts of civil works constructionNoise Noise from construction equipment

and transportation vehicles as well as construction activities would be a nuisance to villages in the immediate vicinity

Use advanced and reliable low-noise equipment in construction Schedule construction activities to avoid noon and night working time Apply cushion devises with damping material to high noise equipment Schedule transportation time, reduce vehicle amount, control speed limit &

horn Keep proper and regular maintenance to all construction equipment

Contractors, County PMOs

PPMO, EPBs

Air Dust generated from soil excavation, land leveling, waste loading and transportation, and exhaust emission from equipment and vehicles would have risk to local air quality

Avoid soil excavation and backfilling in windy days Store powder materials with covering and water spraying measures Arrange construction works section by section to reduce dust intensity Use well maintained equipment and vehicles and keep them in good

condition Keep inspection and maintenance to vehicles on the exhaust emission


PPMO, EPBs

Water Wastewater from cement mixing, aggregate washing, and machine maintenance would have pollution risk to soil, groundwater or surface water bodies if they are not managed properly

Schedule rehabilitation works of irrigation channels to avoid irrigation seasons, and build temporary by-pass ditches as needed

Set up settling tanks to treat construction wastewater for reuse on site Provide temporary lavatories for workers and clean away the waste regularly Well maintain construction equipment to avoid fuel leakage Prevent soil erosion such as build drainage system at earth stocking areas Contractors prepare and implement detailed measures to manage wastewater Provide training to workers on awareness of environmental protection


PPMO, EPBs

Solid waste

Residues from earth excavation and domestic garbage from workers would disturb landscape, produce dust, or generate infectious disease if they are not well disposed

Use residues from earth excavation for backfilling in ground leveling or tractor roads construction in time to reduce land occupation for earth stocking

Cover the earth piles to prevent dust in windy days Collect domestic garbage on site and transport them off site to local landfills

for disposal in a timely manner


PPMO, local urban

administration bureaus

Physical cultural

resources

PCRs encountered unexpectedly in civil works construction might be in risks if they are not well protected

Include relevant clauses in all bidding documents and construction contracts Contractors are responsible for chance finds management Contractors should inform county PMO and local cultural authorities

immediately once any PCR is found in construction, stop construction, protect the site, and not resume construction until receiving a permit from authorities


PPMO, local cultural

authorities

Social life Disturbance of traffic, and nuisance Conduct sufficient public consultation prior to construction Contractors, PPMO, local

20



Supervisedby

of noise and dust might influence adjacent villagers’ daily life

Implement good project management practices and mitigation measures as per the ESMP

County PMOs governments

COVID-19 Risk of COVID-19 spread among workers and villagers

Follow government’s instructions, and work with PMOs closely on prevention and control of COVID-19


PPMO, local governments

Impacts of agronomic activitiesWater

resourcesFlooding irrigation may require a large amount of water

Save water as more as possible Follow local water resources allocation plans

Farmers / cooperatives

PMOs, water bureaus

Lime Dust produced in application of lime might influence workers’ health

Provide adequate personal protection equipment (e.g., proper clothes and masks) to workers


PMOs, agricultural

bureausSoil

passivating agents

Application of industrial wastes or overdose application of agents might cause secondary pollution to soil

Avoid application of industrial wastes for passivating soil Ensure proper dosage and quality of soil passivating agents prior to

application Conduct long-term monitoring of soil passivating agents’ stability and effects


PMOs, agricultural

bureaus

Fertilizers Fertilizers with high concentration of heavy metals might bring more heavy metals into farmland soil, causing secondary pollution

Monitoring of heavy metals within organic fertilizers Avoidance of applying high-Cd chemical fertilizers


PMOs, agricultural

bureaus

Pesticides Use of pesticides might have potential impacts on human health

Implement the PMP that was developed for the whole Project at the preparation stage to manage pest in a safe and environmentally sound way


PMOs, agricultural

bureausSolid waste

Plastic membranes and other packaging materials might have impacts on soil and aesthetics

Use the collection tanks for waste collection in each subproject area Transport the waste to Agronomic Material Recycling Stations in each

county for professional disposal


PMOs, urban administration

bureausDam safety Dam seepage or failure might

cause risk to downstream safety Implement the measures produced in the dam safety action plan Farmers /

cooperativesPMOs, water

bureausSocial life Cropping pattern restructuring

might result in reduction in rice price, output, and income; local people might have inadequate awareness of soil and rice pollution to cause misunderstandings and social instability; and vulnerable people might be negatively affected if they don’t have enough

Development and implementation of Social Action Plan to address potential impacts on farmers’ incomes and livelihood

Respect local traditions and customs especially in ethnic minority communities

Protect vulnerable people by providing adequate opportunities, compensation and assistance as applicable

Fully implement the policy and standard for subsidy compensation to the affected people

Establishment of village monitoring groups, and nurturing of farmer

PMOs, Farmers /

cooperatives

PPMO, Local governments

21



Supervisedby

opportunities to participate in and benefit from the Project

cooperatives Prepare and implement action plans on training to farmers Enhance capacity of PMOs in project supervision and implementation Establishment of grievance redress mechanisms, and guidance of public

opinionsCOVID-19 Risk of COVID-19 spread in the

project areas Follow government’s instructions, and work with PMOs closely on

prevention and control of COVID-19Farmers /

cooperativesLocal

governmentsAnnex 2 - Specific Environmental and Social Impacts and Mitigation Measures for Sensitive ReceptorsFactors Sensitive Receptors Main Impacts Mitigation Measures Implemented

by Supervisedby

Source of irrigation water

Rivers, springs and reservoirs that supply water to the farmland

Farm products will be unsafe if the irrigation water is polluted

Periodical monitoring of water quality and sediments Prohibition of any activities that would cause the water sources

polluted


PMOs, water bureaus

Polluted straw

Forestland and orchards that receive the polluted rice straw with high Cd

Improper disposal of the contaminated rice straw will cause a series of environmental, health, safety, and social risks.

Removal of straw from farmland where the Cd level in the straw is higher than 1.5mg/kg

Provision of subsidies to farmers or specialized harvesting cooperatives on the straw removal

Changing harvest patterns for whole straw removal and increasing bundled straw

Use of the polluted straws as soil cover in forest land or orchards by a careful balance calculation to prevent the introduction from polluting clean fields

Collection and transportation of the contaminated straw in an environmentally sound and safe way


PMOs, agricultural bureaus, forest bureaus

Polluted rice

Brewery companies that receive the contaminated rice

Improper management of the polluted rice will cause risks to people’s health and safety and induce social conflicts.

Periodical testing of the agricultural products Use of specific grain depots to collect polluted rice (Cd >

0.2mg/kg), and tracking to prevent it entering the market Use of specific breweries to consume the polluted rice for

making liquor, with subsidies or assistance provided as needed Testing of heavy metal in their liquor products by the

breweries Disposal of the brewery residues in sanitary landfills, and

monitoring of heavy metals in the residues periodically


PMOs, local governments, agricultural bureaus

Brewery residues

Landfill sites that receive the brewery residues

Improper disposal of the brewery residues will cause risk to the environment and

Collection and transportation of the brewery residues in an environmentally sound and safe way

Implementation of anti-seepage and anticorrosive measures and leachate treatment facilities in the landfill sites


PMOs, urban administration bureaus

22


human health Waste packaging materials

Agronomic Material Recycling Stations that receive the packing waste

Improper disposal of the packaging waste will cause environmental pollution

Collection and transportation of the packaging materials in an environmentally sound and safe way

Disposal or recycling of the packing materials as per domestic regulations


PMOs, urban administration bureaus

Planting structure adjustment

Affected farmers by switching crops

Improper adjustment will negatively impact farmers’ sales, income and living standards

Implementation of the social action plans and conduction of public participation

Provision of subsidies at RMB 6000 per ha, once for annual crops and continuous for perennial crops until the harvest


PMOs, Local governments

Annex 3 - Summary of Environmental Monitoring PlansIndex Parameters Frequency Cost (RMB)

Yong-ding

Jishou Yong-shun

Cili Hua-huan

Anhua Heng-yang

Heng-nan

Leng-shuitan

Linwu Yiyang Total

Irrigation water

pH, Cd, Pb, As, Hg, Cr6+, CODCr, NH3-N, TP

3 times a year @ 1st and 3rd years

56,640 21,800 26,820 86,820 49,920 46,800 31,500 82,500 51,200 9,218 31,660 494,878

Sediments from channels

pH, total Cd, Pb, As, Hg, Cr, Cd*

Twice, one for each of 1st and last years

5,760 6,460 8,004 17,504 17,280 4,320 6,000 23,000 8,000 2,553 8,800 107,681

Sediments from tanks

pH, Cd, Pb, As, Hg, Cr, Cd*

Once a year 15,552 6,164 2,592 2,592 25,920 11,664 32,400 119,000 45,000 3,318 4,018 268,220

Soil from project areas

pH, Cd* Once a year 60,400 22,400 41,650 76,100 34,650 37,050 62,300 72,000 65,100 26,629 21,480 519,759Total Cd, Pb, As, Hg, Cr

One for each of 1st

and last years60,400 22,400 41,650 76,100 34,650 37,050 62,300 72,000 65,100 21,480 493,130

Organic matter, CEC Once in the first year

10,067 7,900 7,775 5,600 5,775 6,175 5,900 12,000 5,600 3,580 70,372

Soil from demo plots

pH, total Cd, As, Pb, Hg, Cr, Cd*

Once a year for single crop

33,480 25,110 37,665 37,665 20,925 25,110 11,000 30,750 10,800 / 23,600 256,105

Agri-products Cd, Pb, As, Hg, Cr Ditto 212,608 166,848 136,708 118,272 121,968 130,416 398,100 348,300 401,900 43,262 151,220 2,229,602Compound fertilizers & P fertilizers

Cd, Pb, As, Hg, Cr Once in the first year

500 375 375 375 375 375 2,000 1,000 2,000 1,920 210 9,505

Organic fertilizers

Cd, Pb, As, Hg, Cr Twice a year 6,000 4,500 4,500 4,500 4,500 4,500 6,000 6,625 8,000 2,540 51,665

Lime, and passivating agents

Cd, Pb, As, Hg, Cr Once per procurement

6,000 4,500 4,500 4,500 4,500 4,500 3,500 6,625 5,000 1,773 2,540 47,938

Pest Pesticides** Once per year 100,000 7,500 7,500 7,500 7,500 7,500 7,500 15,000 7,500 2,954 8,460 178,914Products *** Once per crop a year

Brewery residues

Cd, Pb, As, Hg, Cr Once per each batch of residues

6,000 4,500 4,500 4,500 4,500 4,500 3,000 6,525 4,500 1,773 2,540 46,838

Special research

Soil: Cd, As, Pb, Hg, Cr 1 sample @ 1 typical plot, once a

3,600 2,700 2,700 2,700 2,700 2,700 2,800 3,950 3,000 1,064 1,520 29,434

23


Index Parameters Frequency Cost (RMB)Yong-ding

Jishou Yong-shun

Cili Hua-huan

Anhua Heng-yang

Heng-nan

Leng-shuitan

Linwu Yiyang Total

yearCrops: Cd, As, Pb, Hg, Cr

3~5 samples, once every crop each year

3,520 2,640 2,640 2,640 2,640 2,640 2,800 3,875 2,600 1,040 1,490 28,525

Irrigation water: pH, Cd, Pb, As, Hg, Cr6+, CODCr, NH3-N, TP

8 samples a year 7,552 5,664 5,664 5,664 5,664 5,664 4,500 8,325 5,600 945 3,190 58,432

Atmospheric bulk deposition

1 sample per 3 mons a year for 2 years

3,200 2,400 2,400 2,400 2,400 2,400 3,600 3,525 3,600 9,600 1,350 36,875

Fertilizers Existing data / / / / / / / / / / / /Total 591,279 313,861 337,643 455,432 345,867 333,364 645,200 815,000 694,500 106,049 289,678 4,927,873

*Cd - available cadmium in soil ** Pesticide types, application times and dosages, pest incidence, pest population, and predator population*** Product output, and pesticide residues

24


Annex 4 - Description of Key National Laws, Regulations and Standards

Laws

Environmental Protection Law of the People's Republic of China (2014): Article 32 “China will strengthen the protection of air, water, and soil, and establish and improve the system of investigation, monitoring, evaluation and restoration”. Article 42 “The enterprises or other manufacturers that discharge pollutants should take actions to prevent and control waste gas, wastewater, waste residues, medical waste, dust, foul gas, radioactive substances, noise, vibration, optical radiation, and electromagnetic radiation generated in production, construction or other activities from polluting or endangering the environment. The enterprises discharging pollutants should establish an environmental management system and define the environmental management responsibilities of the managers and staff”.

Environmental Impact Assessment Law of the People's Republic of China (2018): Article 16 “In China, environmental impact assessment (EIA) for construction projects is carried out by categories depending on the extent of impacts on the environment”. Article 25 “A construction project should not start construction if its EIA hasn’t been reviewed and approved by authorities”.

Land Administration Law of the PRC (2019): Article 27 “The State shall establish a land survey system. Governments at or above county level, together with same-level government departments, shall carry out land investigation. Landowners or users should support the investigation and provide required information”. Article 47 “For land acquisition, compensation should be given based on original use of the land”. Article 48 “After the land compensation and resettlement plan is finalized, local government should listen to the opinions of rural collective organizations and farmers through announcement”.

Agricultural Products Quality Safety Law of the PRC (2018): Article 17 “the activities for producing, collecting and fishing agricultural products or establishment of agricultural products production centers shall be prohibited from the areas where the hazardous and toxic substances exceed the applicable standards”. Article 18 “wastewater, solid waste, waste gas or other hazardous and toxic substances shall be prohibited from discharging into the areas for producing agricultural products.

Regulations

In June 2008, the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) issued the Recommendations on Strengthening Soil Contamination Prevention and Remediation.

In 2011, the State Council issued the Opinions on Strengthening Key Tasks on Environmental Protection, which requires that environmental assessment and environmentally sound management should be undertaken for contaminated sites before they can be redeveloped.

25


In April 2014, the MEP and the Land Resource Ministry jointly issued the Nationwide Soil Contamination Situation Communique, which indicates that the percentage of sampling points exceeding the screening threshold in the whole country is estimated at 16.1%, and that is 19.4% for arable land. More than 80% of the investigated pollution points result from inorganic toxins, with cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni) and arsenic (As) identified as the top three heavy metal contaminants.

In January 2013, the State Council further issued the Work Arrangement on Soil Protection and Comprehensive Treatment in Near Future.

In early 2011, the MEP issued the Integrated Prevention and Control of Heavy Metal Pollution 12th Five Year Plan, the first national plan for addressing heavy metal pollution. The primary principle of the Plan is to prevent new pollution and remediate contaminated water and land, focusing on control of pollution sources. It calls for a concept of whole- process prevention and control of pollution, paying attention to both cleaner production and end treatment of soil contamination.

On 31 May 2016, the State Council issued the Soil Contamination Prevention and Control Action Plan. This action plan sets out an ambitious and urgent target for soil contamination control: by the year 2020, the trend of soil contamination will be curbed and the safety of soil used for agricultural and construction developments will be basically guaranteed; and by the year 2030 the nation-wide soil quality will be gradually restored; by the middle of this century, the ambient soil quality will be thoroughly recovered and the sustainable development of ecological environment will be achieved; by the year 2020, over 90% of the contaminated farmland will be used in a safe manner, and by the year 2030, the target is over 95%. The Plan proposes an integrated approach to address the imminent challenge of soil contamination, which is supported by legislation and standards framework, agricultural land categorization, pollution sources monitoring, and relevant studies and research.

26

introduction - hunan.gov.cnagri.hunan.gov.cn/.../1d1f020aa375400ca1aafafc0fba1e20.docx · web...

Documents