RIASSUNTO
Abstract
The Chad Export Project has developed and implemented an array of measuresto mitigate a wide variety of environmental impacts, issues, and challenges.Extensive integrated analyses, supported by on-the-ground surveys and publicconsultation, were undertaken during the Project's multi-year planning anddesign period so as to avoid issues/impacts to the extent practical. Selectionof a route for the 1070 kilometer onshore export pipeline and locations for theProject's various permanent facilities required a complex balancing of anassortment of technical, environmental, social, and economic considerations.The width of the pipeline construction right-of-way was restricted to limitenvironmental and socioeconomic impacts, and an extensive program wasimplemented to reclaim the easement. An induced access management plan wasprepared to protect the flora and fauna in three identified ecologicallysensitive areas traversed by the pipeline in Cameroon. In addition, the Projectestablished a strict anti-bushmeat policy to prevent workers from hunting,poaching, purchasing, or consuming game while working. Special programs weredeveloped to safeguard rare/threatened/endangered (RTE) species (e.g.,primates, marine turtles) known to inhabit certain Project-pertinent locales. Amulti-component water monitoring program has been implemented by the Project toprotect groundwater and surface water resources relied upon by localinhabitants, and several high quality waste management facilities have been putin place, including waste storage structures, engineered hazardous andnon-hazardous solid waste landfills, and a hazardous waste-capableincinerator.
Background Information
A description of the Chad Export Project (the Project) highlighting itssetting, components, participants, environmental regulatory regime, andmanagement of revenues appears in a separate paper.2 A synopsis ofthe integrated analyses, on-the-ground surveys and studies, and publicconsultation program associated with the Project's multi-year environmentaldocumentation synthesis effort has also been included in this (separate)paper.
Environmental and Socioeconomic Issues/Impacts Management Approach
The Project adopted the following strategy with regard to the management ofenvironmental and socioeconomic issues/impacts:
Identify (key) issues/impacts early.
Avoid issues/impacts where/when practical.
Appropriately mitigate unavoidable issues/impacts.
The integration of environmental and socioeconomic considerations into theProject's design and execution plan was essential in securing buy-in andalignment at all levels in the Project team regarding the significance andimportance of SHE/EMP topics.
Issues/Impacts Identification
Environmental and socioeconomic issues/impacts identification began at theoutset of the planning period (1993) and continues to this day. Central to thisprocess is the Project's comprehensive public information and consultationprogram.3
Multiple reconnaissance missions and on-the-ground studies were undertakenduring the planning and construction periods in order to identify andground-truth issues/impacts. The active participation of design, construction,and operations engineers in many of these surveys and studies was extremelybeneficial since:
Certain facility siting/design modifications and construction procedureswere identified that allowed some issues/impacts to be avoided.
Effective issues/impacts mitigation strategies were able to be more readilydevelope