Table 94 in Divriği-Kars-Georgia Border Railway Line Rehabilitation and Modernization Project

Table 94. Impacts on Biodiversity Receptors, Mitigation Measures and Significance of Residual Impacts Impact DescriptionProject PhaseReceptorImpact MagnitudeReceptor SensitivityImpact Significance (prior to mitigation or with existing mitigation)Proposed Mitigation MeasuresResidual Impact SignificanceExtentReversibilityDurationFrequencyOverall MagnitudeHabitat loss / fragmentationLand preparation and constructionNatural habitats and Critical HabitatsRestrictedIrreversibleLong-termOne-offMediumMediumModerate▪ The Project personnel will be informed on the sensitivity of critical and natural habitats and species, conservation priorities, and also nesting areas that will be identified through pre-construction surveys. Any direct impact on plant and animal species will be prevented. ▪ Trainings will be organized for the Project personnel to inform them about theMinorFlora species of high conservation concernRestrictedIrreversibleLong-termOne-offMediumMediumModeratebiodiversity and sensitivity of endemic species. ▪ Limiting the construction activities to designated work areas and minimizing vegetation clearance by limiting to only required areas. ▪ Prior to construction works commenced, critical habitats will be marked along the railway corridor. ▪ Project-related impacts on air, soil and water in natural habitats will be avoided. ▪ No Project related activities will be carried out in the Critical habitats. ▪ Endemic species seeds will be collected in vegetation period (May-September) (see Table 85), and seeds will be delivered to the Türkiye Gene Bank. These surveys will be performed with a Botanist Specialist by the contractor under the control of AYGM... ▪ Soil management will be implemented. ▪ Construction will be monitored via a Botanist between May-September once monthly in Critical Habitats.MinorFauna species of high conservation concernRestrictedIrreversibleLong-termOne-offMediumMediumModerate▪ Pre-construction surveys for invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals will be conducted as specified in Section 4.7.2 and BMP will be updated. ▪ In setting up a schedule for land preparation activities, breeding seasons of animals will be considered to prevent direct mortality and also conserve the next generation of their populations in the area. ▪ Project-related impacts on air, soil and water in natural habitats will be avoided. ▪ In line with the characteristics of the target species, it will be decided in consultation with experts whether passages planned within the scope of the Project would be sufficient for wildlife. ▪ Where necessary, in order to ensure no net loss in populations of fauna species new structures will also be considered in areas that are identified to be significant for animal passages. Passages that will also enable human and cattle passage and provide access to grazelands will be identified through consultations within the scope of the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP). ▪ To minimize animal mortality, locations along the route where animal passage will be prevented and methods that will be used to prevent passage of target species (fencing, sound signals, chemical repellents, lights and reflectors, etc.) will also be identified. ▪ Hunting of fauna species will be prohibited. In case of illegal hunting activities, authorities will be notified.MinorUse of machinery and equipmentLand preparation and constructionNatural habitatsRestrictedReversibleShort-termIntermittentLowMediumMinor▪ Trainings will be organized for the Project personnel to inform them about the on-site speed limits and also importance of animal passages. ▪ Machinery and equipment that arrive in work areas will be checked for presence of invasive alien species. ▪ All machinery and equipment will be subject to regular maintenance and will not be used out of purpose. ▪ Use of machinery and equipment will be limited to designated work areas. Impacts related to noise and vibration will be controlled in line with the Project standards.MinorFlora and fauna species of high conservation concernIndirect impacts (dust, airLand preparationNatural habitatsRestrictedReversibleShort-termIntermittentLowMediumMinor▪ To control dust emissions, vegetation clearance will only be undertaken in pre-determined activity areas, and habitats will be rehabilitated upon completion ofNegligibleemissions, and noise, waste, construction and impacts on water and soil quality)Flora and fauna species of high conservation concernconstruction activities. All related dust suppression measures will be taken to ensure prevention of indirect impacts on biodiversity features. ▪ On-site speed limits will be enforced to avoid direct mortality of animals. ▪ There will be no direct discharge into water resources. ▪ Project-related wastes will be collected at designated waste storage areas, and periodically removed from work areas. ▪ Solid wastes and wastewater that will result from land preparation and construction activities of the Project will be managed through implementation of the related management plans (Pollution Prevention and Waste Management Plan, etc.). ▪.NegligibleInvasive alien speciesLand preparation and constructionNatural habitatsLocalReversibleMedium-termIntermittentLowMediumMinor▪ Natural vegetation will be conserved to the best possible extent during land preparation and native species will be used in restoration after completion of the construction phase. ▪ Vehicles and equipment entering the site will be checked for invasive alien species. If identified, necessary measures will be taken in line with the Project standards to eradicate the species. ▪ Instead of using herbicides, which would destroy the natural vegetation and enable introduction of invasive alien species, different vegetation management methods will be considered as appropriate spatially and temporally. ▪ During the land preparation and construction phase biodiversity monitoring studies, potential for presence of invasive alien species in the area will also be monitoredFlora and fauna species of high conservation concernHabitat loss / fragmentationOperationNatural habitatsRestrictedIrreversibleLong-termOne-offMediumMediumModerate▪ Natural habitat will be restored upon completion of construction activities, enabling species to re-inhabit these areas. ▪ Statuses of habitats and associated species populations will be monitored during operation period. Where necessary, habitat and species-specific measures will be developed and implemented with an adaptable management approach. ▪ To establish coherence between newly formed and natural habitats, conserve fauna species, prevent introduction of invasive alien species, and ensure secure transportation, integrated vegetation management strategies will be developed and implemented.MinorHabitat loss / displacementOperationFlora and fauna species of high conservation concernRestrictedIrreversibleLong-termOne-offMediumMediumModerate▪ Animal mortality will be kept under control through implementation of methods to prevent animal passage and strategies related to use of existing passages / construction of new ones, based on habitat use of target species. ▪ In order to prevent animals being attracted to vegetation along the route, to limit the time animals spend near the railway, and increase their visibility and also vision, appropriate vegetation schemes will be implemented within the scope of the integrated vegetation management.MinorInvasive alien speciesOperationNatural habitatsLocalReversibleMedium-termIntermittentLowMediumMinor▪ To avoid development of alien species along the railway route, natural plants will be used in restoration, and regular maintenance will continue throughout the operation phase. ▪ To take necessary measures against the risk of invasive alien species being transferred by the trains, there will be periodical controls and if identified, necessary measures will be taken in line with the Project standards to avoid spread of invasive alien species. ▪ During the operation phase biodiversity monitoring studies, potential for presence of invasive alien species in the area will also be monitored.NegligibleFlora and fauna species of high conservation concern