Environmental Assessment
Volume C-1
Slurry Pipeline
Alternatives Considered
Ambatovy Project
8
January 2006
Park, was problematic due to both constructability and environmental concerns.
The terrain in the area was particularly rough and the route impinged in a buffer
zone next to the park. The system of hills and main rivers did not allow the line
to be moved a little east away from the park edge, as requested by the EA team.
Construction of new access into this area could have serious impacts to the
integrity of the park.
The engineering team are therefore suggesting a revised route from near
Fanovana, that would head east and into less rough terrain, before slanting north-
east to Toamasina. This route is believed to have major constructability and
environmental benefits. However, since it has not been assessed in the EA an EA
Addendum will be produced. The addendum will cover the whole pipeline route,
including the new eastern section, plus all access roads, camps and lay down
areas.
1.4
CONCLUSIONS
Based on the decision process chronology and the assessment table provided,
which bring together a considerable amount of effort including field studies,
consultation meetings and analysis of options from social, environmental and
engineering perspectives, the conclusions to for the pipeline’s western section
are:
•
A route south of Mandadia National Park is preferable.
•
Routes E-2 and E-3 were preferred. E-2 is the route south of the
National Park that avoids the railway.
•
Route E-2 was considered the optimal route for most of its length. E-3
was also desirable, however was not selected due to the difficulty of
building along the railway.
•
The route chosen as the “proposed pipeline route” (Figures 1-1 and 1-2)
is a compromise between E-2 and E-3 that avoids sensitive forest
environments north of the Sahatandra River within the Mantadia-
Zahamena corridor, and also avoids most of the railway.
•
F is a route that is not recommended due to, amongst other things,
potential social impacts and economic costs. Therefore, a pipeline along
the railspur in the Torotorofotsy has been selected as the most viable
route. The pipeline to be built will require additional mitigation
consistent with the pending Ramsar site status of the area.
