Conformed Copy - L4298 - Vocational and Technical Education Project - Amendment

This is an environmental assessment for the India Assam Agricultural Competitiveness Project (AACP), a follow-on project for the Assam Rural Infrastructure and Agriculture Services Project (ARIASP). The AACP aims to promote agricultural growth, promote development of small and marginal farmers, improve nutrition, and build the capacity of stakeholders. This report anticipates likely negative environmental impacts associated with the follow-on project and discusses measures to mitigate them. Measures to address and actions recommended include the following: Schedule construction to suit water availability and avoid water use conflicts. Get prior official clearance to fell trees and compensate for tree loss with replanting and landscaping. Relocate cultural properties to avoid damage. Avoid clearing vegetation beyond right-of-ways. Procure machinery that conforms to emission standards. Provide safety equipment for workers. To lessen pollution from materials extraction fro borrow and quarry areas, choose siting according to set criteria and avoid natural habitats. Dispose of or store grubbing waste and debris, and possibly reuse. Manage flooding by providing diversion channels and/or scheduling construction of culverts in dry months. Strip and store topsoil to mitigate loss. Control blasting as provided by law. Reduce emissions by covering trucks with tarpaulin during transport. To prevent water contamination from leaching, provide an impervious base to storage areas. Use dust suppressants like water to control particulates in air. Set aside areas for waste disposal. Schedule embankment construction in wet months, if possible. Use slope stabilization measures such as seeding, mulching, and bioengineering techniques. Construct temporary erosion control structures. Avoid disposal of liquid wastes into natural watercourses, and use silt fencing and vegetative barriers. Dispose of wastewater from labor camps into soak pits. Remove oil and clean up other chemical spills and wastes. Control sediment runoff. Restore campsite to original condition according to the rehabilitation plan.