Environmental Assessment
Volume C-5.2
Slurry Pipeline
Cultural Property
Ambatovy Project
185
January 2006
Table 5.2-3 Potential Effects and Residual Impacts for Cultural Resources
Project Period
Potential Effects
Mitigation
Residual Impacts
construction
perturbation of the
landscape and
associated cultural
resources sites
alteration of pipeline right-
of-way
relocation of tombs,
symbolic tombs, and
ceremonial sites
excavation of
archaeological sites
neutral magnitude, but
permanent and irreversible
effects if sites are mitigated
operations
increased presence of
non-local workers in
region
cultural sensitivity training negligible magnitude, medium-
term and reversible effects on
cultural resources adjacent to
the pipeline
off-site hydrologic and
erosion impacts
staged development,
erosion control,
reclamation
none
closure
none
none
none
5.2.5.4 Mitigation
There are two possible mitigation scenarios for cultural resources associated with
the slurry pipeline. The first is for the pipeline to be re-routed around any
archaeological and/or cultural sites that may intersect the proposed right-of-way.
Such routing adjustments would require having an archaeologist conduct
monitoring work with the land surveyors ahead of construction, to assist in
planning the pipeline’s final route. This is the main planned mitigation.
If pipeline re-routing is not possible, then any sites that may be impacted can be
mitigated by either 1) relocating them to new areas, or 2) by conducting
archaeological excavations. Tombs, symbolic tombs, and ceremonial sites
situated inside the proposed pipeline impact zone may be displaced, according to
accepted local cultural practice. For this to occur, however, proper protocol
involving correct rites and rituals must be observed. Discussions and
negotiations with resident groups will be necessary in this regard. The process
involved in re-locating tombs is outlined in Table 5.2-4.
Other sites, such as abandoned villages, cannot be displaced, and as such would
require archaeological investigation in the form of excavation should they be
impacted by the construction of the pipeline. The archaeological significance of
the three abandoned villages found within the proposed pipeline corridor remains
to be determined, because this data was collected by socio-cultural specialists and
not archaeologists. These may or may not require additional work if the pipeline
cannot be re-routed around them.
