Environmental Assessment
Volume C-4.5
Slurry Pipeline
Protected Areas
Ambatovy Project
166
January 2006
During the construction and operation phase for the pipeline, less than 1% of
each of the Torotorofotsy Ramsar site and Mantadia-Zahamena Corridor will be
modified, and the corridor affected will be along either existing railway
disturbance or through other areas that have previously been cleared. These
effects will be low in magnitude and medium-term. Land modification will
occur on an intermittent basis and is considered medium in frequency. This
effect is reversible and the environmental consequence is low.
The Torotorofotsy Ramsar site and the Mantadia-Zahamena corridor are not
expected to experience substantial fragmentation due to the slurry pipeline, as the
disturbance corridor will be relatively narrow and will be reclaimed following
construction. However, fragmentation is discussed in detail in the biodiversity
section (Volume C, Section 4.4).
During construction and initial operations, the rate of erosion from the pipeline
RoW will be increased, with a likely increase in sedimentation to surrounding
water bodies and watercourses. However, these effects will be mitigated and are
expected to be a very minor issue following reclamation. During construction
and operations, the impact magnitude of sedimentation is conservatively
estimated as low. The effect will be local in geographic extent, medium-term in
duration and will result in a low environmental consequence.
Other protected areas within the RSA will not be adversely affected by the slurry
pipeline. Following mitigation of effects, the tourism potential and economic
sustainability of the protected areas will not be reduced.
Table 4.5-3 Residual Impact Classification for Protected Areas
Phase
Direction Magnitude Geographic
Extent
Duration Reversibility Frequency Environmental
Consequence
issue: clearing or fragmentation of protected lands
construction
and
operations
negative
low
local
medium-
term
yes
medium
low
issue: water quality and quantity changes
construction
and
operations
negative
low
local
medium-
term
yes
medium
low
issue: indirect impacts of support for Ramsar site management
operations
positive
(a)
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
(a)
Impact classifications not applicable for positive impacts.
n/a = Not applicable.
