Social Screening and Impact Assessment for Sub Projects Code No: 7 A. Sub Project Description: Rehabilitation of McCallum Lock Gates and Construction of Bank Protection Wall with Linear Walk Around Beira Lake The main objective of this area based intervention is the protection of the shoreline of the lake from further deterioration, by constructing bank protection walls along 2.5 km of shoreline on the West and East Beira Lakes, and the preservation of the historic McCallum Lock Gates. The project aims at complementing the flood reduction measures being taken through Component 1, while providing opportunities for urban regeneration along the East and West Beira lake waterfronts with public access to the lake along a linear path/promenade with an average width of six meters to be constructed, once the lake shoreline has been stabilized. Currently, the lake is not accessible to the public due to inadequate bank protection and multiple uses along the shoreline. Once bank protection walls are constructed, a linear pedestrian path/promenade can be added on top of the protection walls, that will provide a natural connection of the East and West Beira Lake waterfronts with the already constructed walkways that connect to the South West Beira lake waterfront. This will provide a contiguous recreation space within the core area of the city that has potential for private sector investment. A phased approach will be adopted for this component, whereby the first phase which has been divided into two sections will focus on stabilization of lake shoreline and preservation of the McCallum lock gates. The second phase, will focus on the construction of the four kilometre linear path/promenade and nodal park along with foot bridges. To this end, a series of targeted interventions will be carried out under the project aimed at supporting these key objectives, as described in the following sections. This Social Screening focuses on the Phase 1, Sections 1 and 2, described as follows:
Phase 1 Section 1: Construction of Bank Protection Wall This sub-component will support the construction of gabion walls to stabilize the East and West Beira Lake shorelines that currently has no bank protection. Gabion walls will be constructed along a 1.5 km stretch of the West Beira Lake commencing from the Northern bank to the Western bank of the West lake. Gabion walls will be constructed on the East lake along a 1 km stretch of shoreline, commencing from the Air force fire department premises to the Hyde Park Corner. Therefore, a total of 2.5 km of lake shoreline will be strengthened. Specific interventions will comprise: (1) gabion wall construction, (2) railings at banks for safety. Phase 1 - Section 2: Preservation of the McCallum Lock Gates This sub-component will focus on the restoration and preservation of the McCallum Lock Gates, which has a historic value and will add to the cultural landscape of the city. Interventions will comprise of: (1) Restoration of lock gates, (2) refurbishment of old buildings of historic value, (3) hard and soft landscaping of area, (4) construction of underpass and footbridges to create access to site, (5) provision of street furniture, lighting and railings for safety of public, and (6) construction of sanitation and other facilities. These interventions are aimed at restoring the area to achieve an overall visual improvement and create public access to the lock gates.
B. Justification of project design and alternative analysis: The bank protection wall which will commence from the end of the Air Force fire department premises and continued up to Hyde Park corner, the other part of the protection wall will start from the Galle face end of the west lake and continued up to elephant house junction. Total length is 2.5 km. Designs,BOQs, specifications and construction supervision will be done with the consultation of Sri Lanka Land Reclamation & Development Corporation (SLLR & DC) which is the prime estate agency on similar works. Package II of the stage I, the McCollum Lock gates which is located in between Colombo International Sea Port and the East Beira Lake will be rehabilitated and the area will be landscaped and opened for public use. The key activities in stage I of the Package - I will be construction of gabions and rubble retaining wal at banks. In package II of stage 1 will be restoration of lock gates, refurbishment of old buildings, creating access to the site, paving and landscaping, under pass and foot bridge, illumination, street furniture and railings at banks. The sub project will make all necessary precautions to protect the lake banks and improve the quality of water of the lake. It is of prime importance to safeguard this water body which is located in the central part of the city.
C. Corridor of Impact: It will enhance the green image to the city and create a healthy breathing space instead of abandon background to many resident communities. It also will generate temporary business opportunities for people and the cliental will be the students, general public, local tourist and foreigners. In addition the indirect benefits will be the increase of land values of the area, designed built fabric instead of ad-hoc development and finally restoration of higher bio diversity of the area. This sub project will disconnect all sewer lines and polluting pipes to the lake and water quality will be improved.
D. Social Impact Screening Questions Probable Involuntary Resettlement Effects Yes No 1 Will the sub project include any physical construction work? 2 Does the sub project include upgrading or rehabilitation of existing physical facilities? 3 Is the sub project likely to cause partially or fully damage to, or loss of housing, shops, or other resource use? 4 Is the site for chosen for this work free from encumbrances and is in possession of the implementing agency? 5 If any land required for the work is privately owned, will this be purchased or obtained through voluntary donation? 6 If the Land parcel has to be acquired, is the actual plot size and ownership status known? 7 Is land for material mobilization or transport for the civil work available within the identified work site / Right of way? 8 Are there any non titled people (Squatters) who are living/ or doing business who may be partially or fully affected because of the civil works? 9 Will there be damage to agricultural lands, standing crops, trees? N.A. 10 Will there be any permanent or temporary loss of income and livelihoods as a result of the civil works? If so for what period? Not Known Details Gabion and rubble wall, paving, foot bridges Restoration and rehabilitation of functionality of Macculum lock gate No demolition or relocation, since the construction of gabions will be carried out along the embankments of the lake, with easy access from the water and from Government propserties. the project area is totally free from encumbrances and state owned lands. The project will be implemented along the shores and within the limits of the McCollum Gates. Does not arise as acquisition is not involved Public main roads will be used to transport materials. From public road, barges will be used to bring materials interior areas of the lake. The works will only be carried out on the edge of the embankments of the lake. No, badges will work from the water side 11 Have these people/ business who may suffer temporary loss of Does not arise, see above.
Probable Involuntary Resettlement Effects Yes No incomes or livelihoods been surveyed and identified for payment of any financial assistance? 12 Will people permanently or temporarily lose access to facilities, services, or natural resources? Not Known 13 Will there be any other temporary impacts? please describe As above 14 Have measures been planned to mitigate temporary impacts including ease of access? Give details 15 Does the urban local body have its own procedures for land acquisition? 16 Are any indigenous people affected? 17 Whether the affected land/structure owners likely to lose less than 10% of their land/structures area? 18 If so, are theses land/structure owners willing to voluntarily donate the required land for this sub- project? 19 Will there be any impacts on cultural, community properties or facilities? What mitigation measures will be taken? Details At the moment these lake shores are not accessible and/or usable, so none is using them along the project area. Not need The McCollum gate will be restored with minimal interventions of maintenance and the gates will be restored to their original functionality.
E. Estimates of Specific Impacts Components of the Sub Project Private land required in sq,mts. No of land owners losing more than 10% of land area Government land required in Sq,mts Forest land required in Sq mts No of houses affected No of shops affected No of other structures affected No of squatters affected Public utilities affected Lake bank protection Not applicable None None None None None None None None Rehabilitation of Lock gates Not applicable None None None None None None None None
F. Information on Affected persons Any estimate of the likely number of households that will be affected by the sub project? [ ] No. * + Yes. If yes, approximately how many?. None No. of HHs losing <10% of their productive assets (land/cowshed/shops/economic units) None No. of HHs losing 10% or more of their productive assets?... None Are any of them poor, female-headed households, or vulnerable to poverty risks? [ ] No. [ ] Yes. If yes, please briefly describe their situation with estimate numbers of HHs? G. Decision on categorization After reviewing the answers above, it is determined that the stage I of he sub project is categorized as an C project. H. Measures to minimize resettlement and mitigate impacts Identified scoters settlement is to relocate living with minimum facilities and they have not even proper means of access. Poor healthy situation. Therefore, they will be provided permanent housing units from the houses which are under construction by Resettlement of Underserved Settlements (RUS) project of the UDA. S N. Nature of Impact Mitigation Measures Implementation Arrangements 1. Transport of building materials along main roads could contribute to temporary increase traffic congestion along Wijewata Mawatha The transport of materials will be avoided during pick hours during the week. The Environmental Managemetn Plan will spell out mitigation measures as part of contract management and th supervision engineer from UDA and SLLRDC will monitor appropriate implementation of the EMP. Traffic Police will also provide support to improve traffic management in the are during works. I. Explanation of impacts and mitigation measures proposed Packaged I Construction of Bank Protection Wall will not be affected to private properties. It will not disturb to any family relocations. Only impact on traffic movement will be mitigated with the participation of Police Traffic Department.
Package II Rehabilitation of Macculum lock gated has no big impact for the public. The site is owned by Sri Lanka Ports Authority and SLPA is in agreement to implement the project. At moment, this area is free from public entry. No heavy construction involvement. To summarize, this sub-project will not generate any social impact beyond some basic one related to the safe management of the building site. These will be mitigated through the enforcement of the Environmental Management Plan that will be integral part of the construction contract.