Guiyang-Guangzhou Railway Project Environmental Impact ...€¦ · The proposed Guiyang-Guangzhou...

Guiyang-Guangzhou Railway Project Environmental Impact Assessment

China Railway Eryuan Engineering Group Go., Ltd. China Railway Siyuan Survey and Design Group Co., Ltd.

October 2008

E2008 V1

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Table of Contents 1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................1

1.1. PROJECT BACKGROUND................................................................................................1 1.2. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (EA) PREPARATION .......................................................3

2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION...................................................................................................4

2.1. PROJECT CONTENTS AND SCALE ...................................................................................4 2.2. RAILWAY ALIGNMENT ....................................................................................................5 2.3. SUBGRADE EMBANKMENT .............................................................................................6 2.4. BRIDGE WORKS............................................................................................................6 2.5. TUNNEL WORKS ...........................................................................................................6 2.6. STATIONS.....................................................................................................................6 2.7. ELECTRIFICATION WORKS .............................................................................................6 2.8. AGGREGATE, SPOIL AND BORROW MATERIALS ...............................................................7 2.9. TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION WORKS ............................................................................7

3 LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ......................................8

3.1. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PURPOSE AND PRINCIPLES.............................................8 3.2. NATIONAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS...............................................................................8 3.3. WORLD BANK SAFEGUARD POLICIES ........................................................................... 14 3.4. ASSESSMENT SCOPE AND APPLICABLE STANDARDS ..................................................... 14

3.4.1. Assessment Scope................................................................................................ 14 3.4.2. Assessment Standards ......................................................................................... 15

3.5. DEFINITION OF ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS ................................................... 20

4 ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES....................................................................................... 22

4.1. NO PROJECT SCENARIO.............................................................................................. 22 4.2. MACRO-LEVEL CORRIDOR SELECTION.......................................................................... 23 4.3. ALTERNATIVE ALIGNMENT FOR SECTIONS..................................................................... 25

4.3.1. Alternative Alignment for CK13+000-CK41+400 within Longli ............................... 26 4.3.2. Alternative Alignments for CK194+800-CK381+700 within Zenleng–Sanjiang....... 29 4.3.3. Alternative Alignments for CK327+000-CK399+000 in Longsheng-Guilin.............. 33 4.3.4. Alternative Alignments for CK453+000-CK587+000 in Guilin-Hezhou ................... 36 4.3.5. Alternatives Comparison for Access Line to Guiyang City ..................................... 39

5 BASELINE ENVIRONMENT ............................................................................................. 42

5.1. BIOPHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT ....................................................................................... 42 5.1.1. Climate and Air Quality.......................................................................................... 42 5.1.2. Geology and Soils ................................................................................................. 42 5.1.3. Water .................................................................................................................... 44 5.1.4. Vegetation and Wildlife Biodiversity....................................................................... 45 5.1.5. Protected and Special Management Areas ........................................................... 49 5.1.6. Aesthetic Resources ............................................................................................. 67 5.1.7. Noise..................................................................................................................... 67 5.1.8. Vibration................................................................................................................ 70 5.1.9. Electromagnetic Frequency Sensitive Sites........................................................... 70

5.2. SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT ................................................................................................ 70 5.2.1. Social-economic status ......................................................................................... 71 5.2.2. Land Use............................................................................................................... 71 5.2.3. Cultural Property ................................................................................................... 72

6 IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND MITIGATION MEASURES ................................................ 75

6.1. CONSTRUCTION STAGE............................................................................................... 75 6.1.1. Air Quality ............................................................................................................. 75 6.1.2. Soil Erosion ........................................................................................................... 75 6.1.3. Water .................................................................................................................... 78 6.1.4. Vegetation and Wildlife Biodiversity....................................................................... 81 6.1.5. Protected and Special Management Areas ........................................................... 89 6.1.6. Aesthetic Resources ............................................................................................. 96 6.1.7. Noise and Vibration ............................................................................................... 98 6.1.8. Impact of Land Acquisition and Resettlement........................................................ 99 6.1.9. Cultural Property ................................................................................................. 102 6.1.10. Social Disturbance........................................................................................... 103

6.2. OPERATION PHASE ................................................................................................... 105 6.2.1. Noise Impacts ..................................................................................................... 105 6.2.2. Vibration Impact .................................................................................................. 114 6.2.3. Electromagnetic Frequency Impact ..................................................................... 117 6.2.4. Water .................................................................................................................. 120 6.2.5. Solid Waste......................................................................................................... 126 6.2.6. Socio-economic Impact ....................................................................................... 126

7 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN .................................................................... 130

7.1. MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES................................................. 130 7.2. ENVIRONMENTAL SUPERVISION ................................................................................. 132

7.2.1. Environmental Supervision Plan.......................................................................... 132 7.2.2. Content of Environmental Supervision................................................................. 133

7.3. MANAGEMENT OF CONTRACTORS .............................................................................. 134 7.4. ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION MEASURES................................................................... 135 7.5. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TRAINING ................................................................... 135 7.6. LEGAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN ............................ 135

8 PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE.................................... 137

8.1. METHODOLOGY ........................................................................................................ 137 8.2. OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................................. 137 8.3. SCOPE ..................................................................................................................... 137 8.4. CONSULTATION RESULTS AND RESPONSES................................................................ 137

8.4.1. Public Consultation at Early Stage of EA Preparation.......................................... 137 8.4.2. Environmental Impact Assessment – Public Consultation ................................... 146

8.5. INFORMATION DISCLOSURE ....................................................................................... 148

List of Tables Table 2-1: Key technical parameters of the Gui-Guang Line...................................................................... 4 Table 2-2: Key Project Components and Land Occupation ........................................................................ 5 Table 2-3: Location of Stations ................................................................................................................... 6 Table 2-4: Temporary Construction Works ................................................................................................. 7 Table 3-1: Key Environmental Laws and Regulations and Project Compliance......................................... 9 Table 3-2: Applicable World Bank Safeguard Policies and Project Compliance ...................................... 14 Table 3-3: Environmental Factors and Assessment Scope ........................................................................ 15 Table 3-4: Summary of Regulatory Limits and Standards Used in the Environmental Assessment ......... 16 Table 4-1: Main Technical and Economic Indicators of Macroscopical Route Schemes.......................... 24 Table 4-2: Alternative Comparison for Longli Section ............................................................................. 27 Table 4-3: Alternatives Comparison for Zenleng-Sanjiang Section.......................................................... 30 Table 4-4: Alternatives Comparison for Longsheng-Guilin Section ......................................................... 34 Table 4-5: Alternatives Comparison for Guilin-Hezhou Section .............................................................. 37 Table 4-6: Alternative Comparison for Access Line to Guiyang............................................................... 40 Table 5-1: Main Climate Data in the Project Area .................................................................................... 42 Table 5-2: Area of Vegetation in Assessment Scope ................................................................................. 45 Table 5-3: Distribution of Protected Plants in Land Acquisition Area ...................................................... 46 Table 5-4: Ancient Trees and Valuable Trees within Land Acquisition Area ............................................ 46 Table 5-5: Nature Reserves in Project Corridor ........................................................................................ 49 Table 5-6: Scenic Areas in Railway Corridor............................................................................................ 53 Table 5-7: Forest Parks in the Railway Corridor....................................................................................... 60 Table 5-8: Drinking Water Source Protection Areas along the Railway Line ........................................... 65 Table 5-9: Statistical Analysis of Current Noise of Schools and Hospitals............................................... 68 Table 5-10: Analysis of Current Noise of Schools and Hospitals ............................................................. 68 Table 5-11: Analysis of Current Noise Situation of Residential Areas...................................................... 69 Table 5-12: Analysis on Current Noise Situation of Residential Areas..................................................... 69 Table 5-13: Socio-Economic Data of Cities in Project Corridor............................................................... 71 Table 5-14: Current Land Use within Assessment Scope.......................................................................... 72 Table 5-15: Cultural Properties along the Railway Line ........................................................................... 73 Table 6-1: Access Roads in Ecological Sensitive Areas............................................................................ 77 Table 6-2: Impact Assessment for Main Protected Animals...................................................................... 85 Table 6-3: Statistical Analysis of Predicted Results of Noise in Schools in the Near Future.................. 106 Table 6-4: Statistical Analysis of Predicted Results of Noise in Schools and Hospitals in the Near Future

(Hezhou-Guangzhou) ...................................................................................................................... 107 Table 6-5: Statistical Analysis of Predicted Results of Noise in Residential Areas along the Main Line in

the Near Future (Guiyang – Hezhou) .............................................................................................. 108 Table 6-6: Statistical Analysis of Predicted Results of Noise in Residential Areas along the Connecting

Line in the Near Future (Guiyang-Hezhou) .................................................................................... 109 Table 6-7: Statistical Analysis of Predicted Results of Noise in Residential Area in the Near Future

(Hezhou-Guangzhou) ...................................................................................................................... 110 Table 6-8: Protection Distance of Acoustic Environment of the Project..................................................111 Table 6-9: Summary of Noise Mitigation Measures ............................................................................... 112 Table 6-10: Vibration Standard-compliance Distance............................................................................. 115 Table 6-11: Budget Reserved to Cable TV Installation ........................................................................... 118 Table 6-12: Wastewater Treatment at Stations ........................................................................................ 122 Table 6-13: Statistics of Permanent Alteration of Land Use ................................................................... 127 Table 8-1: Public Consultation Questionnaire for ................................................................................... 138 Table 8-2: Summary of Public Participation along the Proposed Railway Line ..................................... 140 Table 8-3: Questionnaire Form of New Guiyang-Guangzhou Railway Line.......................................... 146 Table 8-4: Feedback from the Second Phase of Public Consultation...................................................... 147

Environmental Impact Assessment of Guiyang Guangzhou Railway Project

Introduction

Project BackgroundThe proposed Guiyang-Guangzhou Railway Project (Gui-Guang Line) is a new 857 km double track railway line starting from the city of Guiyang in Guizhou Province, running through the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and ending at Guangzhou in Guangdong province, south China. The total investment of the entire project is RMB 79.97 million Yuan (US$ 11.75 billion), including a World Bank loan of US $300 million. The construction period is expected to last six years, commencing in late 2008. Commissioning of the line is proposed by early 2015.

Under the China Railway Medium and Long-Term Development Plan (2005-2020), the railway network is to be expanded from 75,438 km in 2005 to 100,000 km by 2020. The proposed network expansion would provide rail connectivity to areas not currently serviced by railways, particularly in Western China. Provision of railway infrastructure in these areas would help accelerate economic development by provision of efficient, relatively lower cost and faster transportation connectivity with the rest of the country.

The proposed Guiyang-Guangzhou line is part of the Ministry of Railway’s (MOR) network expansion plan. This line would provide a direct link between the relatively less-developed region of northwestern China with the Pearl River delta region, one of the most developed areas in China. It would access Sichuan Province, Chongqing and northwest China via the Sichuan-Guizhou Railway Line and Lanzhou-Chongqing Railway Line to the north, link to Yunnan Province via the Guiyang-Kunming Railway Line in the west, stretch to Pearl River Delta and the developed areas of Hong Kong and Macao. It will also link to the Economic Zone in Fujian and Taiwan via the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Passenger Dedicated Railway Line and the Coastal Express Rail Link in the south, and reach the coastal areas of Guangxi and Hainan via the Hengyang-Nanning Railway Line and the Litang-Zhanjiang Railway Line (see Figure 1-1). The Guiyang-Guangzhou line will be a high standard inter-regional trunk railway line for both passenger and freight transportation, with passenger transportation as priority.

The proposed project will pass major cities of Guiyang, Duyun in Guizhou Province, Guiling and Hezhou in Guangxi, and Foshan, Zhaoqing and Guangzhou in Guangdong Province.


Figure 0-1: Guiyang-Guangzhou Railway Project

Guiyan

Guiyang

Guangzhou


EnvironmentalAssessment EA PreparationAccording to World Bank Operational Policy OP 4.01 Environmental Assessment, the proposed project is classed as a Category A project, due to the scale of potential environmental and social impacts and environmental sensitivities. As a result, the Bank required a full environmental impact assessment report. Chinese environmental assessment laws and regulations also required preparation of a full environmental assessment report.

MOR retained China Railway Second Survey and Design Institute (SSDI) and China Railway Fourth Survey and Design Institute (FSDI) for EA preparation. Both institutes have Class A environmental impact assessment accreditation by Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP). SSDI was responsible for EA preparation for the section from Guiyang to Hezhou (CK0+000-CK597+650), and FSDI was responsible for EA preparation for the section from Hezhou to Guangzhou (CK567+200-CK823+513).

Two separate EIA reports were prepared in accordance with relevant provisions specified in Chinese EA laws/regulations and technical guidelines, as well as consideration of World Bank safeguard policies. A Consolidated EIA was then prepared by SSDI to synthesize the two separate EIA reports into one comprehensive summary and submitted to the World Bank.

The final English EA documents submitted to the World Bank include:

• Consolidated Environmental Impact Assessment Report• Environmental Management Plan• EA Executive Summary

This report is the English version of the Consolidated Environmental Impact Assessment, which includes a summary of the main text and the following Annexes:

Annex 1 List of Main Applicable Laws and Regulations Annex 2 Biodiversity Survey of Surface Vegetation Annex 3 Distribution of Protected Plants and Old Trees Annex 4 Wildlife Biodiversity Annex 5 Kasre Cave Ecological Survey Report Annex 6 Baseline Noise Monitoring Results Annex 7 Baseline Vibration Monitoring Results Annex 8 Borrow/Disposal Sites Annex 9 Key Tunnels and Mitigation Measures Annex 10 Noise Impact Prediction Results Annex 11 Noise Mitigation Measures Annex 12 Vibration Impact Prediction Results Annex 13 Vibration Mitigation Measures Annex 14 Public Consultation List

The Chinese EA reports were approved by the China Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) on May 14, 2008.


Project Description The Gui-Guang Line is an important inter-regional railway corridor between southwest China and south China coastal areas. The alignment traverses through mountainous terrain except for a small eastern section of about 100 km that lies on relatively flat terrain. The total length is 857.3 km.

The total investment of the entire project is RMB 79.97 million Yuan (US$ 11.75 billion). The construction period is expected to be six years, commencing in late 2008. The railway line is expected to be commissioned by early 2015.

The proposed alignment of Gui-Guang Line is shown in Figure 2-1. Key project technical parameters are presented in Table 2-1 below.

Table 0-1: Key technical parameters of the Gui-Guang Line

Parameter Unit

Length 857.3 km Right-of-way Width Distance in center line of two tracks 4.6 m Minimum curve radius 3500m; in difficult locations sharper curves shall be

tolerated Maximum grade 18 in 1000, between Guiyang and Hezhou and 9 in

1000 between Hezhou and Guangzhou Effective length of departure track 850m for freight and 650m for passenger trains Traction Electric 25kV 50 Hz Train type Electric Multiple Units for 200 km/h trains and electric

locomotives for slower passenger trains and freight trains

Train operation control Automatic Traffic management control Centralized Traffic Control Minimum headway between trains 4 minutes for passenger trains and 5 minutes for

freight trains Axle load 25 tons Rail New 60 kg/m rails of 100m length, continuous welded

(CWR) Structure gauge Meets the requirements of transportation for double-

deck container train Connecting lines

Project Contents and Scale


A description of key project works and land occupation is summarized in Table 2-2.

Table 0-2: Key Project Components and Land Occupation

RailwayAlignmentThe Guiyang-Guangzhou Railway crosses Guizhou Province, Guangxi Province and Guangdong Province and is a major inter-regional railway passage linking the southwest coastal areas of the South China. The line starts from the Guiyang North Station in Guiyang City, Guizhou Province, crosses Doupeng Mountain to Duyun via Longli and then enters from Sandu to the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The line follows along the Duliu River via Rongjiang and Congjiang, crosses the Rongjiang River and then the Jiaozuo-Liuzhou Railway Line. It then crosses the Lijiang River in Guilin, and passes Gongcheng, Zhongshan and Hezhou arriving at

Total area of land occupation 4472 Marshalling station 0

Permanent occupation 2484.7

Main passenger stations

5

Temporary occupation 1987.7

Intermediate stations 15

Land occupation

(km2) In which

Cultivated farmland 1285

Stations

Overtaking stations 15

Large temporary works and construction camp

372.9 L 3000m 167.3 km/200 (Nr.)

Borrow pits 40.4

Disposal sites 1099.7 L 3000 to 10000m 191.2 km/31 (Nr.)

Access road 474.8 L >10000 m 118.1 km/9 (Nr.)

2

Land occupation of ancillary

facilities (km2)

Total 1987.7

Tunnels

Total 476.7 km/240 (Nr.)

3 Bridge Total 317/171411m

Access road 1182.8km Rail assembling yard 4

Material plant (point) 19 Beam pre-casting yard 14 4Temporary

works Pre-cast yard 7 Large-scale rail laying base 4

II. Earth/stone works (unit: 106 m3)

Cross section Construction

S/NType of works Excavated Backfill

Reused from subgrade excavation

Reused from

tunnel excavation

Reused from

excavation of stations and yards

Amount of utilization as building material

Borrowamount

Spoil disposal

1 Subgrade 40.7 23.4 21.4 0.6 19.2

2 Tunnel 73.6 10.6 5.6 57.4

3Bridge & culvert

3.3 0.61 3.2

4Stations

and yards25.3 21.1 9.0 2.8 16.2

Total 142.8 45.1 21.4 10.6 9.0 5.6 3.4 96.1


Guangdong Province. Subsequently it enters into New Guangzhou Station of Guangzhou terminal via Huaiji, Zhaoqing, Sanshui and Foshan. The main line is 857.3 km in length.

SubgradeEmbankmentOf the total 857.3 km of main line, the length of embankment subgrade is 218.4 km, in which the subgrade of Guiyang North (included) - Hezhou (included) section is 127.3 km long; that of Hezhou (excluded) - New Guangzhou section is 91.1 km long. Subgrade of connecting lines and other auxiliary works is 95.5 km long.

BridgeWorksA total of 317 bridges (including connecting lines) will be constructed along the whole railway line, for a total length of 171.4 km, accounting for 20% of the total line length.

TunnelWorksA total of 240 tunnels (including connecting lines) will be constructed along the whole railway line, with a total length of 476.6 km, accounting for 55.6% of the total line length.

StationsThe Gui-Guang line will have 35 stations, including 5 main passenger stations, 15 intermediate stations and 15 bypass stations. Among these stations, 8 stations will be using existing stations with necessary expansion, and 27 will be newly built. The stations include the following locations shown below in Table 2-3.

Table 0-3: Location of Stations Guiyang North Guiyang Longli North Changming Duyun East Sandu Zenleng Rongjiang Bangtu Congjiang Tongle Sanjiang Shangyue Wutong West Guilin North Guilin Lingtian Nanxu Gongcheng Liang’an West Zhongshan Hezhou Hejie Guangning Huaiji Daling Sihui New Zhaoqing New Sanshui New Foshan Qicha Sanyanqiao West Guangzhou Guangzhou and New

Guangzhou

There is no locomotive depot or maintenance workshop to be constructed in the project.

ElectrificationWorksA 25kV single-phase industrial frequency AC system will be adopted along the whole railway line, and 20 traction substations will be constructed.

A GSM-R system will be used for radio communication, with carrier frequency of 885-889 MHz and 930-934 MHz. Radio signal relay stations will be installed along the length of the railway line, with average interval of 6 km. Each station will occupy an area of 100 m2.


Power will be sourced from the local grid under an electricity purchase agreement between Gui-Guang Railway Company and local electrical grid companies. Each company will be responsible for constructing a transmission line to each railway traction substations prior to operations. They will also prepare environmental assessments of their transmission line in accordance with national EIA regulations and technical guidelines and submitted to local environmental authorities for review and approval.

Aggregate Spoil andBorrowMaterialsThe project requirement for earth and stone works is about 187.91 million m3, including 142. million m3 of excavation and 45.1 million m3 of fill. The total amount of spoil material about 95.5 million m3, and total borrow material is 3.41 million m3.

At the preliminary design stage, six borrow sites and 347 spoil disposal sites were identified to accommodate the demand for borrow and spoil materials. The locations of borrow pits, spoil disposal sites and main temporary works are shown in Figure 2-2.

TemporaryConstructionWorksTemporary works along the whole line are summarized in Table 2-4. Of particular note to the environmental assessment is the total length (1182 km) of access roads that will be needed for construction.

Table 0-4: Temporary Construction Works

Name of work Unit Quantity

1. Material storage and processing plant Nr. 19

2. Beam fabricating (storage) yard Nr. 14

3. Rail assembly yard Nr. 4

4. Large-scale ballast storage yard Nr. 18

5. Small-scale ballast storage yard Nr. 300

6. Track slab prefabrication yard Nr. 7

7. Construction access road Km 1182


Legal Framework for Environmental Assessment

EnvironmentalAssessment Purpose andPrinciplesThe purpose of the environmental impact assessment is to evaluate the rationality and feasibility of construction of the new Guiyang-Guangzhou Railway Line, by analyzing current local and regional environmental conditions, assessing the range and magnitude of project impacts, and developing practical environmental protection mitigation measures to minimize adverse impacts. The EA is expected to provide a credible basis for input to engineering design, environmental management and environmental planning, and be a vehicle to promote public participation throughout the project.

The assessment is comprehensive and addresses key environmental concerns related to project construction and operation. An emphasis has been placed on the evaluation of civil works such as tunnel and bridge construction, areas of cut and fill etc. and also project impacts on environmentally sensitive areas such as protected areas, scenic areas, forest reserves, cultural and historical sites. A key component of the environmental assessment is the incorporation of mitigation measures into Environmental Management Plan that will be implemented during project construction and operation.

National Laws andRegulationsThe preparation of Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed project fully complies with the provisions of relevant Chinese national laws and regulations for construction projects. A list of relevant laws and regulations are listed in Annex 1.

Table 3-1 summarizes some key provisions of applicable laws and regulations and project compliance relative to the preparation of environmental impact assessment and project design.


Table 0-1: Key Environmental Laws and Regulations and Project Compliance

Laws and Regulations Key Applicable Provisions Project Compliance

Environmental Protection Law “Construction projects that would cause environmental pollution must follow theprovisions of relevant environmental protection rules and regulations. The environmentalimpact assessment document must assess the pollution the project is likely to produce andits impact on the environment, and stipulate the preventive and mitigation measures. TheEA documents shall, after initial examination by the authorities in charge of theconstruction project, be submitted to the environmental protection administrationauthorities for approval following specified procedure.”

“Pollution mitigation measures of a construction project must be designed, built andcommissioned at the same time with the main part of the project. No permission shall begiven for a construction project to be commissioned or used, until its installations for theprevention and control of pollution are examined and considered up to the standard by therelevant environmental protection authority which had originally reviewed and approvedthe environmental impact assessment documents.

• EIA is prepared according torelevant laws/regulations andtechnical guidelines.

• Mitigation measures are developedin an EMP, incorporated intoproject design, and are to beimplemented and supervised duringconstruction.

• Final acceptance inspection will becarried out before commissioning.

Environmental ImpactAssessment Law

“The State adopts a categorized management approach for environmental impactassessment of construction projects according to the extent of environmental impact ofconstruction projects ……The Project proponent shall prepare Environmental ImpactAssessment Report, or Environmental Impact Assessment Form, or Environmental ImpactRegistration Form according to the follow criteria:

1) An Environmental Impact Assessment Report is required for a constructionproject that may cause major impact on the environment, giving comprehensiveand detailed evaluation of the pollution generated and environmental impactcaused by the construction project;

“Catalog for the Categorized Environmental Impact Assessment Management forConstruction Projects shall be compiled and published by the environmental protectionadministration under the State Council.”

“For construction projects that involve water conservation and soil erosion control, aWater and Soil Conservation Plan must be prepared and approved by relevant waterresource authorities.”

• A full EIA report is prepared, andapproved by Ministry ofEnvironmental Protection.

• A dedicated Water and SoilConservation Plan is developed andapproved by water resourcesauthorities.

Noticeon Strengthening EIAManagement for Construction

“The construction project must abide by environmental protection laws, regulations andstandards of China, and subject to EIA policies. With precondition of compliance with

• EIA and EMP are prepared incompliance with World Bank



ProjectsFunded by Loansfrom International FinancialInstitutions

China EIA provisions, consideration should be given to technical requirements of the IFI.” OP4.01 and in consideration ofWorld Bank Safeguards.

Environmental ProtectionManagement Regulations forTransport Projects

“All environmental protection facilities in transport projects must be simultaneouslydesigned, constructed and put into operation with the main body project…After projectcompletion, the project proponent shall submit application for acceptance inspection to theenvironmental protection authority which had originally reviewed and approved theenvironmental impact assessment documents.”

• Mitigation measures are developedin the EMP and incorporated intoproject design, and are to beimplemented and supervised duringconstruction.

• Final acceptance inspection will becarried out by MEP beforecommissioning.

Solid WastePollutionPrevention and Control Law

“It is forbidden for any units or individuals to dump or pile solid waste into rivers, lakes,canals, channels, reservoirs and flood lands and bank slope below the highest water leveland other places where laws and regulations stipulate to be forbidden to dump or pile solidwaste.”

“The construction units shall timely remove the solid waste produced during theconstruction of the project and shall utilize or dispose of the solid waste in accordance withthe requirement stipulated by the relevant administrative department in charge ofenvironmental sanitation.”

• A Water and Soil ConservationPlan is developed, and incorporatedinto EMP and contracts forimplementation

• Waste will be recycled or properlydisposed of in preselected andapproved disposal sites with a re-vegetation plan.

Water Pollution Preventionand Control Law

“It is forbidden to discharge or dump industry waste residues, urban refuse or other wastesinto any water body…. It is forbidden to pile or deposit solid wastes and other pollutantson flood land and bank slopes below the highest water level of rivers, lakes, canals,irrigation channels and reservoirs”

“Domestic and drinking surface water sources protection zones shall be divided into Class1 protection zone and Class 2 protection zone…. It is forbidden to construct or expand anyprojects that have noting to do with water supply facilities and protection of water sourceswithin the Class 1 zone. It is forbidden to construct or expand projects that woulddischarge sewage into water bodies within the Class 2 zone.”

• Mitigation measures regardingwaste management are built intothe EMP.

• The alignment is carefully chosento avoid drinking water resourceprotection areas.

Forestry Law “Construction project, survey and mining operations shall not occupy forest land or occupyas little forest land as possible. If forest land is to be occupied or acquired, projectproponent shall submit a land use application to the forestry authority of the people'sgovernment of or above the county level, and, after examination and approval, pay forest

• The alignment is designed withtunnel-bridge-tunnel scheme tominimize occupation of forestryland.



restoration fees according to the standard stipulated by the state.” • Legal procedures will be followedfor land acquisition andcompensation for restoration.

WildlifeProtection Law “The State protects wildlife and its habitats. It is forbidden for any one to illegally hunt ordestruct wildlife habitats.”

“If a construction project produces adverse effects on the environment for the survival ofwildlife under special state or local protection, the construction unit shall submit a reporton the environmental impact. The department of environmental protection shall, inexamining and approving the report, seek the opinion of the department of wildlifeadministration at the same level.”

• Alignment is carefully chosen toavoid protected natural habitats

• Tunnel-bridge-tunnel scheme isadopted to minimize fragmentationimpacts.

• Potential impact is thoroughlyaddressed in the EIA, andnecessary mitigation measures aredeveloped in the EMP.

Wild PlantsProtectionRegulations

“The State protects wild plants and their habitats. All units and individuals shall beforbidden to illegally collect wild plants or damage the environment for their survival.”

“If a construction project may produce adverse effects on the environment for the survivalof the wild plants under special state or local protection, the construction unit shall makean assessment on the effects in its submitted report on the environmental impact; ……”

• Alignment is carefully chosen toavoid protected natural reserves.

• Protected wild plants are identifiedand protection measures developed

NatureReserveProtectionRegulations

“Nature reserves are classified into three zones, known as the Core Zone, Buffer Zone andExperimental Zone ….No unit or individual are allowed to enter the Core Zone, exceptthose who have been approved.….”

“A certain amount of area at the periphery of the Core Zone can be designated as BufferZone where only scientific research and observation activities are allowed. The area at theperiphery of the Buffer Zone is designated as Experimental Zone where scientificexperiments, teaching training, visit and observation, tourism and taming and breeding rareand endangered wild animals and plants and other activities are allowed.”

“Production facilities shall not be constructed in the Core Zone and Buffer Zone of naturereserves….For projects to be constructed in Experimental Zone, the discharge of pollutantsof projects shall not exceed the pollutant discharge standards stipulated by the state or thelocal government.”

• Alignment is carefully chosen toavoid protected natural reserves

• For un-avoidable reserves,alignment is arranged inExperimental Zone using tunnelscheme to minimize impact

• Other necessary measures aredeveloped in EMP

Scenic Area Management “All the scenic spots and natural environment in the scenic area shall be protected strictly • Alignment is carefully chosen to



Regulations and shall not be damaged or changed at will. …All the construction inside the scenic areaor its peripheral protection area shall be harmonious with the landscape…. Trees inside thescenic area and its peripheral protection area shall be cultivated and managed according tothe planning regardless of its tenure rights and shall not be felled. ……It is forbidden tofell ancient and famous trees. ……”

avoid scenic areas as much aspossible

• For un-avoidable scenic areas,alignment is arranged to avoidmain scenic spots

• Greening plan and special design ofstations are developed to beharmonious with the landscape

Water and Soil ConservationLaw

“In the construction of a rai1way, highway or waterway project, the disturbance ofvegetation shall be minimized; waste sand, rocks and earth thus created must be disposedof in an area specially designated for the purpose, and shall not be dumped out into anyriver, lake, reservoir or any ditch or canal other than the specially designated area; slopeprotection must be built or other land management measures adopted on hill-slopes withinthe frontage of the railway and highway; after the project is completed, trees must beplanted and grass grown on the earth--fetching area, excavated land surface and theexposed land surface for the disposition of waste sand, rock and earth, in order to preventsoil erosion. ”

• A Water and Soil ConservationPlan is developed, and incorporatedinto EMP and contracts forimplementation

Urban Old and FamousTreesManagement Method

“No units or individuals shall, for any reason or by any means, fell old and famous trees ortransplant old and famous trees without approval….If for special need that the Class 2 oldand famous trees should be transplanted, it should, after being examined and approved bythe urban greening authorities, be submitted to the provincial construction authorities forapproval; the transplanting of Class 1 ancient and famous trees should be examined by theprovincial construction authorities and be submitted to the provincial government forapproval….”

• Alternative alignment is studied toavoid old and famous trees to theextent possible

• Un-avoidable trees will berelocated following applicable legalprocedures

Noticeon StrengtheningNational Green CorridorConstruction by StateCouncil

“Green Corridor Construction is a major part of national greening campaign, and its mainobjective is to build green belt along roads, railways, rivers/canals and embankment….”

“Green Corridor must be planned together with overall planning of roads, railways andwater resources facilities, and be designed, implemented and finally accepted prior tocommission at same time with main projects”

“By 2005, all expressways, 60% of existing railway lines….shall be greened. By 2010, allroads, railway lines, rivers/canals and embankment that have the possibility of greening

• Extensive greening plan is designedalong the railway line followingrelevant technical guidelines



shall be greened”

Cultural Property Law “For large scale infrastructure projects, project proponent shall submit application toprovincial and municipal cultural property management authorities which will organizespecialized institutes to conduct archeological survey and investigation within the projectscope.”

“During project construction or agricultural activities, if cultural relic is found, one shouldimmediately stop to protect the site, and report to local cultural property authorities. Whena cultural authority receives such reporting, it shall, under normal situation, visit the sitewithin 24 hours and provide decision within 7 days. The cultural property authority canreport to local government to mobilize police department to protect the site. Chance find ofimportant cultural relics shall be immediately reported to national cultural propertyadministration which shall issue decision within 15 days since receipt of such reporting.”

• Cultural property survey along thewhole line has been conducted bylicensed archeological institutes.

• Alignment is fine-tuned to avoidexisting cultural relics sites

• Chance-find procedure will bestrictly followed.

Noticeon Strengthening NoisePollution Control of Railway

“New railway project must be subject to EIA procedure. …In urban areas, interchangeshall be adopted and the railway tracks shall be fully-fenced to eliminate horning noiseimpact during operation. …Mitigation measures shall be adopted to ensure compliancewith Railway Border Noise Limit Standard.”

“Urban planning department shall, in accordance with Urban Regional NoiseStandard,avoid planning of noise sensitive buildings such as schools, hospitals, residential areas,governmental or research institutes near the railway.”

• Noise impact is thoroughlyassessed following EIA technicalguidelines

• Noise mitigation measures (noisebarriers, sound-insulation windows,seamless rail, noise dampingsystem etc.) are designed tomitigate noise impact


World BankSafeguard PoliciesThe preparation of environmental impact assessment documents also follows the requirements of the World Bank’s safeguard policies. Ten World Bank safeguard policies were screened for the project. Of the ten policies, five are triggered: (1) OP4.01 Environmental Assessment; (2) OP4.04 Natural Habitats; (3) OP4.11 Physical Cultural Resources; (4) OP4.12 Involuntary Resettlement, and (5) OP 4.10 Indigenous People. The EIA documents have been prepared according to the requirements of these safeguard policies, which are summarized in Table 3-2.

Table 0-2: Applicable World Bank Safeguard Policies and Project Compliance

Safeguard Policies Actions

Environmental Assessment (OP/BP 4.01) • Category A project. Full EIA and EMP are prepared.

Natural Habitats (OP/BP 4.04)

• Alignment alternatives to avoid natural habitats • Adequate assessment of impacted protected areas and

mitigation measures incorporated in EMP.

Physical Cultural Resources (OP/BP 4.11)

• Archeological survey conducted along alignment. • Alignment alternatives to avoid cultural relics sites. • Chance find procedures developed in EMP

Involuntary Resettlement (OP/BP 4.12) • RAP is prepared.

Indigenous Peoples (OP/BP 4.10)

• Social Assessment is conducted. • Indigenous People’s Plan is developed.

Assessment Scope andApplicable StandardsThe overall project scope considers the following:

• The entire Guiyang Guangzhou main line km in length including Guiyangand Guangzhou terminals and auxiliary works at Duyun Guilin and Hezhou

• Construction period construction will commence in late and completed inwith a total construction time of years

• Operation period from commencement of operation until for the near futureand for the far future

Assessment Scope

The assessment scope of each environmental factor is determined as shown below in Table 3-3, according to the relevant stipulations of Technical Guidelines for Environmental Impact Assessment of Railway Construction Projects (TB10502—93) and regional environmental features.


Table 0-3: Environmental Factors and Assessment Scope

Environmental factors

Assessment Scope

Area within 300m at the both sides of the center lines along the outer rails of the railway line.

Area within 100m out of boundaries of stations, sections and posts.

Area within 100m out of boundaries of temporary sites.

Area within 30m at the both sides of the center line of the construction access road.

Ecological environment

For the environmental sensitive areas, like natural reserve, scenic area, source water protection area, forest park and cultural relics protection unit, the assessment scopes shall be extended to cover the whole areas.

Acoustic environment

Area within 200m at the both sides of the railway line.

Waster water discharge outlets at stations along the railway line

Discharge of waste water produced in construction of key works during the construction period

Water environment

Assessment scope for source water production areas along the railway line shall be from bridge locations to downstream intakes

Electromagnetic frequency

Assessment scope for impact on televisions shall be within 80m from the center lines along the outer rails of the railway line, assessment scope for impact on traction substations shall be within 50m from the boundary walls of the traction substations, and focus area for analysis of impact on GSMR base station shall be the area of 50m in radius from the antennas.

Vibration Area within 60m from the center lines along the outer rails at the both sides of the railway line.

Assessment Standards

Standards for the project environmental assessment are presented below in Table 3-4. The standards were established in response to the official reply from the environmental protection bureaus of GuiZhou, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Guangdong province to the Letter of Request for Verification of the Environmental Standards Proposed for the New Guiyang-Guangzhou Railway Line. These standards are based on general national standards as well as local regulations and planning.


Table 0-4: Summary of Regulatory Limits and Standards Used in the Environmental Assessment

Environmentalfactor Standard Standard grade Applicable place and scope

Water body categorySection at Xiaobi township, Huaxi district of GuiyangcityClass I Drinking Water Source Protection Area

Water body categorySurface water body along the line (Guiyang-Hezhousection)

Water body category

Gushui river, the receiving water body at GuangningStationDabao water system, the receiving water body atZhaoqing StationNanshayong, the receiving water body at New SanshuiStation

Qu

alit

y st

and

ard

Environmental Quality Standards forSurface Water (GB3838-2002)

Water body categoryManing river, the receiving water body at HuaijiStation

Water body category Discharge forbiddenWater body category,Guangning Station, NewZhaoqing Station, NewSanshui Station

Grade one standard

Water body category, HuaijiStation

Grade two standard

Wa

ter

en

viro

nm

ent

Dis

cha

rge

sta

nd

ard

Integrated Wastewater DischargeStandard (GB8978-1996) Discharge into sewage

treatment plant, New FoshanStation, West GuangzhouStation, Guangzhou Station,Qicha Station, SanyanqiaoStation

Grade three standard



Standards for Irrigation Water Quality (GB5084-92)Agricultural irrigation canal (within Guangxi andGuangdong provinces)

Grade one Sensitive areas, like Longjiashan Forest ParkQ

ua

lity

stan

da

rd

Ambient Air Quality Standard(GB3095-1996) Grade two General area along the line

Grade one Longjiashan Forest Park

Am

bie

nt a

ir

Dis

cha

rge

stan

da

rd

Emission Standard of Air Pollutants(GB16297-1997)

Grade two

Sensitive area, like General area along the line

Boundaryalongsiderailway line

Emission Standard andMeasurement Methodsof Railway Noise onthe BoundaryAlongside RailwayLine (GB12525-90)

Daytime: Leq70 dBANighttime: Leq70 dBA

Place at 30m away from the center line along the outerrails

Dis

cha

rge

sta

nd

ard

Noise Limits for Construction Site (GB12523-90)

En

viro

nm

en

tal n

ois

e

Qu

alit

y st

and

ard

Residentialbuilding(includingteachers’dormitory inschools)

Standard ofEnvironmental Noise ofUrban Area (GB3097-93)

Class 1 zone:Daytime: Leq55dBANighttime: Leq45dBA

Areas more than 80m away from the center lines alongthe outer rails within Guangxi Zhuang AutonomousRegion (including schools and hospitals)Areas more than 70m away from the center lines alongthe outer rails at the both sides of the CK810+700-CK814+400 section in Guangzhou city



Class2 zone:Daytime: Leq60dBANighttime: Leq50dBA

Areas more than 60m away from the center linesalongthe outer rails within Guizhou provinceAreas more than 60m away from the center linesalongthe outer railsat the both sides of GMCK0+150-GMCK1+400 in Guangzhou cityAreas more than 60m away from the center linesalongthe outer railsat the both sides of CK761+000-CK810+700 and CK815+600-CK820+300 in FoshanCityOther areas temporarily without noise functiondivision along the railway line

Class4 zone:Daytime: Leq70dBANighttime: Leq55dBA

Areas within 30m-80m away from the center linesalong the outer rails within Guangxi ZhuangAutonomousRegionAreas within 30m-60m away from the center linesalong the outer rails within Guizhou provinceAreas within 30m-80m away from the center linesalong the outer rails (areas within 30m-70m inGuangzhou city), with the neighboring function zoneas the class1 zoneAreas within 30-60m away from the center linesalongthe outer rails, with the neighboring function zone asthe class2 zone.

For the area with acoustic environment function division, the corresponding standardshall be implemented.Daytime: Leq55dBANighttime: Leq45dBA

Special sensitive points, like school and hospital,within the class1 zone

Specialsensitivepoints, likeschool andhospital

Notice on MattersRelated toEnvironmental Noise inEnvironmental ImpactAssessment forConstruction Projectsof HighwaysandRailways (includinglight rail) (HF [2003]No.94)

Daytime: Leq60dBANighttime: Leq50dBA

Special sensitive points, like school and hospital, outof the class1 zone



“Residential andculture andeducation area”

Daytime:70dBNighttime:67dB

Rural area

Assessmenton existingconditions

“At both sides ofmain lines ofcommunication”“hybrid area,centralcommercial area”

Daytime:75dBNighttime:72dB

Urban area

Vib

ratio

n e

nvi

ron

men

t

Standard of Vibration inUrban AreaEnvironment(GB10070-88)

Predictiveassessment

“At both sides oftrunk railways”

Bothdaytimeandnighttime:80dB

Place more than 30m away from the both sides of thenew railway line

Regulations forElectromagnetic RadiationProtection(GB8702-88)

Limit value of public exposure Be healthy to human body

Signal-to-noise ratio not less than 35dB Radio television reception for inhabitantsRegulations for Electromagnetic Radiation Protection (GB8702-88)

Frequency range(MHz)

Electrical fieldstrength(V/m)

Magneticfieldstrength(A/m)

Power density(W/m2)

0.1�3 40 0.1 403�30 67/ f 0.17/ f 12/f

30�3000 12 0.032 0.43000�15000 0.22 f 0.001 f f/7500

Ele

ctro

ma

gn

etic

env

iron

me

nt

15000�300000 27 0.073 2

Electromagnetic radiation at GSMR base station


Definition of Environmentally SensitiveAreasAlthough the project made a significant effort to consider alternative alignments to avoid environmentally, socially and culturally sensitive areas, the proposed alignment will inevitably pass through some nature reserves, forest parks, scenic areas, drinking water resource protection areas which are all considered as environmentally sensitive areas.

According to Chinese laws and regulations, the definition of these terms is as follows:

Nature Reserve

“A Nature Reserve is legally protected land, surface water body or sea area which features a typical natural ecological system, natural concentrated habitats for rare or endangered wildlife, or natural relics with special meaning.”

Nature reserves are classified into three zones, known as the Core Zone, Buffer Zone and Experimental Zone. No one is allowed to enter the Core Zone without approval. For the Buffer Zone, only scientific research and observation activities are allowed. The area at the periphery of the Buffer Zone is designated as Experimental Zone where scientific experiments, teaching training, visit and observation, tourism and taming and breeding rare and endangered wild animals and plants and other activities are allowed. Road (including railway) project within Experimental Zone is allowed, subject to approval of the nature reserve management authority.

Forest Park

“A Forest Park is an area with beautiful forest view, concentrated natural view and human cultural landscape designed for the purpose of tourism, rest, or science, cultural or

educational activities.”

There are three levels of forest park, i.e. national, provincial and city/county level, whose establishment shall be approved by national, provincial and municipal forest bureau respectively.

A Railway project is allowed, subject to agreement of the forest park management authority and approval of corresponding level of government.

Scenic Area

“A Scenic Area is an area with view, cultural or scientific value, features concentrated natural or human landscapes and beautiful environments and serves the purpose of tourism, scientific or cultural activities.”

Construction projects within a scenic area should be consistent with scenic area planning and compatible with the surrounding landscape.

A Railway project is allowed subject to approval of the scenic area management authority.

Water Resource Protection Area


“A Water Resource Protection Area is a certain area of water body and land designated for prevention of pollution on drinking water sources and protection of environmental quality of the area.”

Surface water resource protection area normally includes Class 1 protection area and Class2 protection area. Local governments determine the boundary of the protection areas. The general guideline is, for water intake in normal rivers, Class 1 protection area includes river section between at least 1000m upstream and 100 m downstream, and river bank within no less than 50 m; Class 2 protection area include river section extending 2000m upstream and 200 m downstream from the border of Class 1 area. A semi-protection area can be determined outside the Class 2 protection boundary.

A Railway project is allowed in Class 2 protection area and semi-protection area.


Analysis of Alternatives

NoProject ScenarioAt present, there is no express railway between Guiyang and Guangzhou. The traveling distance from Guiyang to Guangzhou is 1,400 Km through Guizhou-Guangxi Railway and a transfer to Hengyang-Nanning Railway. The time required for travel is 20 hours.

Passenger flow along this route is comprised of local and transferring passengers, with the former in smaller proportion than the latter. Main travel purposes are tourism, business and family visits. Guizhou and Guangxi possess rich tourism resources in China, and tourism has become the mainstay of these two provinces in recent years. With improvement in living standards, more and more people accept the idea of tourism aimed at recreation, sight-seeing, and being on vacation. As a result of this, the numbers of tourists have increased rapidly in recent years. Meanwhile, with the continuous improvement in national economy, visiting relatives and friends, and business activities have become more frequent day by day, and local passengers keep increasing steadily.

Guizhou is among the poorest provinces in China, but is rich with natural resources, while Guangzhou is the one the most developed provinces. With rapid economic development in China, the demand for transportation between the resource rich Southwest and Northwest China is increasing rapidly. Demand forecast has identified the significant demand of improving infrastructure of regional transport network to facilitate social and economic development in the long run. Therefore, improving passenger and freight transport infrastructure along the corridor must be sought to achieve balanced development in southwest China, and this is clearly reflected through planned Giu-Guang corridor in the Mid and Long-Term Development Plan of MOR.

Without the proposed Gui-Guang railway project, the increasing passenger and freight transportation demand would have to be met through widening of the existing highway network and construction of new high-grade highway, which will have larger environmental footprint and social impact given its wider ROW. Furthermore, vehicles will have higher emission of air pollutants and green house gases, compared to the railway for equivalent transportation capacity of passenger and freight, and poses higher risk of traffic safety in Chinese context.

The proposed Gui-Guang railway will substantially shorten the travel distance between Guiyang and Guangzhou from 1,400 km to 857 km, and reduce the travel time from 20 to 5 hours. It will also provide convenient access to the southeast Guizhou and north Guangxi people where there is no railway network in the region. The Gui-Guang railway will significantly improve mobility and accessibility in the project area. During the construction and operation period, the supporting industries along the railway line such as, building materials and the power industry will be stimulated, the quantity of employment will be increased, development of local economy will be accelerated, social resource allocation will be optimized, and sustainable development of regional social economy will be promoted.

The proposed Gui-Guang railway project will have adverse environmental and social impacts, while these impacts can be avoided, minimized, mitigated or otherwise


adequately compensated through careful alignment selection to avoid environmentally and social sensitive sites and development of a strong environmental management plan.

In general, the proposed Gui-Guang railway is a rational option to achieve the overall project development objective of reducing transport time and costs from the relatively poor provinces of Guangxi, Guizhou and Sichuan in southwest China to the ports and economic growth centers of the Pearl River delta.

Macro level Corridor SelectionDuring the project proposal and feasibility study, three corridors at the regional level were studied, namely Northern, Central and Southern line schemes (Figure 4-1). Comparative analyses of these three corridors were carried out considering the current situation and development planning of the regional railways. At this stage, the main factors considered are regional economic and social development as well as financial and technical aspects, as specific environmental concerns could not be meaningfully examined at this macro-scale analysis.

The three macro level corridor schemes include:

z Northern line Scheme via Huaihua and Yongzhou, partially following existing Zhuzhou-Liupanshui Railway and Beijing-Guangzhou Railway

z Central line Scheme via Guilin and Hezhou, and z Southern line Scheme via Liuzhou and Wuzhou, partially following existing

Guiyang – Liuzhou railway.

Figure 4-1 Macroscopical Route Schemes of Guiyang-Guangzhou Railway

Comparative analysis has been conducted in terms of technical and financial indicators, network layout and scoping, social poverty alleviation, and tourism development.

Technical and Financial Considerations

Central Line Scheme Northern Line Scheme

Southern Line Scheme

Guiyang

Guangzhou

Guilin

HezhouLiuzhou

Wuzhou

Yongzhou

Huaihua


The technical and financial indicators of the three corridor schemes are summarized in Table 4-1.

Table 0-1: Main Technical and Economic Indicators of Macroscopical Route Schemes

Item Unit Northern line scheme

Central line scheme

Southern line scheme

Operational length Km 1116.6 857.300 942.3

Construction length Km 1115.3 833.365 941.0

Total length of bridges and tunnels km 694.05 465.752 502.62

Cost estimates (static) RMB 10 thousand Yuan 9121274.61 7997116.61 6960786.34

The central scheme has the shortest length and moderate investment compared to Northern and Southern schemes. It provides the most efficient passage from Guiyang to Guangzhou, and will be a convenient passage connecting Sichuan, Chongqing and the Northwest part of China to the Pearl river delta area after opening for traffic on Lanzhou-Chongqing Railway Line. The proposed railway line is also an integral part of rail route between southwest and northwest of China and Hujian and Taiwan economic regions.

Potential Service Area

With varying length of lines to be newly constructed, the lines in the proposed three schemes pass through different areas, which would result in an increased level of service, passenger, and freight traffic volume. Analysis shows that the Central line scheme will improve the level of service, i.e., a total of 13 cities and counties direct and indirectly compared to 6 for the Northern and 7 for the Southern line.

Poverty Alleviation and Local Economic Development

Both Northern and Southern schemes will occupy large portions of existing railway, where economic structure and industrial distribution along the line is relatively developed. On the contrary, the areas that the Central scheme passes are remotely mountainous. The counties in this region lack basic infrastructure and the absence of railway line has increased accessibility problems leading towards poor economic development and weak industrialization.

However, there is rich tourism potential in Duyun, Sandu, Congjiang, Guilin, Yangshuo, and Zhaoqing due to well preserved natural and cultural resources. Development of tourism has been significantly restricted by accessibility problems. The Central line will play an important role in connecting all these scenic areas, attracting more tourists, and driving tourist resource development along the line. Therefore, the Central scheme will have significant benefits leading to poverty alleviation, economic development and improvement in the lifestyle of local people along the railway line. This was clearly reflected through the eagerness and support from local government and the public during consultation process.


In summary, the Central line scheme is the most efficient express passage connecting the southwest and northwest part of China and Pearl River delta area. It can effectively expand regional railway network, and will bring potential benefits to the region, alleviate poverty and improve socio-economic development. These developments are consistent with the Ministry of Railways policies and therefore, it is recommended for further feasibility studies.

AlternativeAlignment for SectionsThe railway line is located in the east of Guizhou plateau and between the mountains and hilly areas in the northeast of Guangxi. The topographic conditions in the region are complicated with unfavorable geological conditions and environmentally sensitive areas. The proposed railway line will be constructed in the economically underdeveloped regions of Guizhou and Guangxi. The region lacks waterways, highways, and airline facilities. The economic hubs along the railway line are Guiyang, Duyun, Rongjiang, Congjiang, Sanjiang, Guilin, Gongcheng, Zhongshan and Hezhou, etc., and these hubs are located far from each other (40-50 km in average). Stations shall be set up for each economic hub, because it is extremely difficult to select routes and locate stations. Based on special geographic location, geological conditions and functional / technical standards of the railway, the concept of environmental protection was seriously considered in the alignment location during the pre-feasibility and feasibility studies. Utmost effort has been made to avoid the environmentally sensitive areas as much as possible to ensure environmental feasibility of the alignment. In this regard, alternatives analysis has been regarded as one of the most important mitigation measures to minimize potential adverse environmental and social impact.

Field surveys were conducted along the Central scheme corridor to identify environmentally sensitive areas that could be potentially impacted, including natural reserves, scenic areas, forest parks, geological parks, source water protection areas and cultural relics, as well as urban planning. There are 47 environmentally sensitive sites identified along the project corridor. Various alternatives were studied and the final proposed alignment successfully avoided 40 environmentally sensitive areas. However, due to the distribution of economic hubs and special natural conditions along the line, there are 8 environmentally sensitive areas that will be impacted. These include: (1) Longjiashan National Forest Park, (2) Rongjiang Gurong Scenic Area at the provincial level, (3) Congjiang Scenic Area at the provincial level, (4) Liping Dongxiang National Scenic Area in Guizhou, (5) Shoucheng Natural Reserve at the level of autonomous region, (6) Yangshuo National Forest Park, (7) Gongcheng class I source water protection area, and (8) Lianhua-Gulou cultural relics protection unit at the county level in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Potential impact and mitigation measures for these sites are addressed in Chapter 6.

Alternative alignments for various sections have been extensively studied, during which acomprehensive comparison was conducted to choose the optimal scheme in terms of environmental and social impacts, technical feasibility, and financial and economic benefits. Consultation with local governments and relevant authorities of environmentally sensitive areas were conducted and fully incorporated into the


alternative selection process. Several key sections alternative comparison processes were summarized below:

Alternative Alignment for CK13+000-CK41+400 within Longli

This section passes through economic hubs of Guizhou Province, Longli County, and is limited by several environmentally sensitive areas, including the overall urban planning of Longli County, Longjiashan National Forest Park, military restricted area and Houzigou Drinking Water Source Protection Area. The railway line cannot bypass Longjiashan and Xiangshuihe Scenic Area in Longjiashan National Forest Park. Two alternatives were considered:

• Detour line (red line in Figure 4-2)

• New line (blue line).

The main comparative factors are summarized in Table 4-2.

Based on comprehensive comparison analysis, it is concluded that scheme of a detour line has the overall advantage of less civil works (22 km shorter), less land acquisition, avoidance of core scenic area and core natural forest area, and agreement with local governments. Hence, the detour line was recommended for construction.


Table 0-2: Alternative Comparison for Longli SectionFactors Detouring line New line Recommended

scheme

Engineering andeconomic conditions

The line is28.939km long (including utilization of theexisting line, i.e. the line to beconstructed is shorterthan the line in theschemeof anew line by 21.975km,and theamount of investment isRMB 1,164,484,950Yuan.

Due to complicated engineering conditions andlong distance, the amount of investment is higherthan the line in thescheme, making use of thedetouring lineof passenger trains by RMB706,359,460 Yuan, and therewill bemuch largercivil works.

Schemeof makinguse of detouring line

Environmentalrationale

The linewill pass through Longjiashan Forest Parkmainly through tunnels, without significantsegmentation of thewholescenic area.

It will occupy more land than the line in thescheme, making useof the detouring lineby18.53ha.The linewill pass through LongjiashanScenic Areaby a connecting line, which will crosstheconcentrated distribution areaof naturalforests, with only 800m from thecorescenic spot,Baxian Cave, so it will have impacts onenvironment, vegetation and landscape in thescenic area.

Schemeof makinguse of detouring line.

Impact on socialenvironment

Less work in land acquisition, restoring demolishedhouses and relocation of communities

Morework in land acquisition, restoringdemolished houses and relocation of communities

Schemeof makinguse of detouring line

Suggestions fromlocal government

The route isconsistent with opinions provided by thelocal government of Longli County. Longjiashan ForestPark wasagreed by the Forestry Department of GuizhouProvince in the form of a written letter.

The local government of Longli County andForestry Department of Guizhou Provincedisagreed with thescheme.

Schemeof makinguse of detouring line.


New line

Detour line

Longjiashan ScenicArea

Houzigou ScenicSpot of

Xiangshuihe ScenicArea

Core scenict

Core scenict

Houzigou Source WaterProtection Area of Longli

Core forest

BaxianCave

Longli

MilitaryAdministrative

zone

Figure 4-2 Alternatives for Longli Section


Alternative Alignments for CK194+800-CK381+700 within Zenleng–Sanjiang

The railway line passes through Rongjiang County, Congjiang County, Liping County in Guizhou and Sanjiang County in Guangxi. It is impossible to avoid sub-areas in the Congjiang Scenic Area due to some limitations: technical conditions of the line, natural topographical conditions, distribution of environmentally sensitive areas and the planned protection scope, as well as location of stations determined according to demands of local economic development.

Three alternatives lines proposed for the study are (shown in Figure 4-3):

z Northern line (red line) z Central line (blue line) z Southern line (purple line).

A detailed comparative analysis is summarized in Table 4-3.

Based on comprehensive comparison, it is concluded that the Northern line option has the overall advantage of smallest civil works, avoidance of core scenic spots, broader benefits on Li(ping)-Cong(jiang)-Rong(jiang) region, and agreement from local governments and Congjiang Scenic Area management authorities. Therefore, the Northern line was recommended for construction.


Table 0-3: Alternatives Comparison for Zenleng-Sanjiang SectionScheme

IndexScheme of Northern Line Scheme of Central Line Scheme of Southern Line

Recommendedscheme

Engineering,technical andeconomicconditions

Earth and stoneworksare8,170,700 sqm., smallest in the candidateschemes.Bridges and tunnelsare168.557km long,shortest in the candidateschemes.

Earth and stone worksare8, 736, 700sq.ms, and bridgesand tunnels are178.985km long.

Earth and stoneworksare9,230,800 sq.m., and bridgesand tunnels are168.622kmlong.

Schemeof northernline

Environmentalrationality

The line will pass through RongjiangGurong Scenic Areaand CongjiangScenic Areaat the provincial level, andLiping National Scenic Area, producingno damage to thescenic spots at all levelsin thescenic areas. Impact on thescenicareas issmaller than the other twoschemes.

The linewill pass through RongjiangGurong Scenic Areaand CongjiangScenic Area at theprovincial level,Congjiang bashaNatural Reserves atthecounty level, Rongjiang Class IISourceWater Protection Area.120Tong ethnic households will berelocated, and the linewill produceunrecoverable damage to thescenicareas.

The line will pass throughRongjiang Gurong Scenic Areaand Congjiang Scenic Areaatthe provincial level, RongjiangClass II SourceWaterProtection Area, involvingmany grade II and III scenicspots. 110 Tong ethnichouseholdswill be relocated,and the line will produceunrecoverabledamage to thescenic areas.


Impact onsocialenvironment

Economic development and developmentof tourist resources at Li(ping)-Cong(jiang)-Rong(jiang) region inSoutheast Prefectureof GuizhouProvince, Guizhou Provincewill beaccelerated, and development of regionaltourism will bedriven.

Economic development anddevelopment of tourist resources atRongjiang County will beaccelerated,but will affect other economic hubs.

Economic development anddevelopment of touristresourcesat Rongjiang Countywill be accelerated, but affectother economic hubs.


Opinions fromthe localgovernment

The route is consistent with theopinionsof local governments of RongjiangCounty, Congjiang County, SanjiangCounty, Southeast Prefectureof Guizhou

Theroute is inconsistent with theopinionsof local governments ofRongjiang County, Congjiang County,Sanjiang County, Southeast Prefecture

Theroute is inconsistent withthe opinionsof localgovernments of RongjiangCounty, Congjiang County,



Province, Guizhou Province, LiuzhouCity.The routepassing through threescenicareaswas agreed by thecompetentauthority in the form of awritten letter.

of Guizhou Province, GuizhouProvince, Liuzhou City.

Sanjiang County, SoutheastPrefecture of GuizhouProvince, Guizhou Province,Liuzhou City.


Sanbao 1000-household Dong Village Scenicspot

Zengchong Gulou Scenic Spot

Congjiang bashaNatural Reserves

Zhaoxing Diping Scenic Spot

Rongjiang SourceWater Protection

Yintan-Xiaohuang Scenic Spot Longtu Scenic Spot

Figure 4-3 Alternatives for Zenleng-Sanjiang Section


Alternative Alignments for CK327+000-CK399+000 in Longsheng-Guilin

This section is located in Longsheng and Lingui County in Guangxi. Due to the limitation of topography and geological conditions and the connection with existing Guilin North station, the alignment alternatives cannot avoid environmentally sensitive sites in the area, i.e. Choucheng Nature Reserve, Huaping Nature Reserve, Qingshitan Nature Reserve and Qingshitan water resource protection area.

Three alternatives proposed for detailed study are (shown in Figure 4-4):

z Northern line (blue line) z Central line (green line) z Southern line (red line).

A detailed comparison analysis is summarized in Table 4-4.

Based on comprehensive comparison, it is concluded that the Southern line option has the overall advantage of least impact on Shoucheng Nature reserve (Experimental Zone) through a tunnel scheme, avoidance of the core zone of Huaping Nature Reserve and Qingshitan Nature Reserve and water resource protection area, and is consistent with national regulations and agreement from the reserve management authority. Therefore, the Southern line option is recommended.


Table 0-4: Alternatives Comparison for Longsheng-Guilin SectionScheme

IndexScheme of southern line Scheme of central line Scheme of northern line

Recommendedscheme

Engineering,technical andeconomicconditions

Low investment, bridges andtunnels accounting for 84.83% ofthe total length of the line, andstrong engineering feasibility

Heavy investment, bridgesandtunnelsaccounting for 92.29% ofthe total length of the line. Therewill be many long tunnels alongthe line, which will increaseengineering risks and constructiondifficulties, so theengineeringfeasibility is low

Heavy investment, and bridges and tunnelsaccounting for 86.55% of the total lengthof the line. Construction of tunnels withinthe reservemay cause loss of waterresources.

Scheme ofsouthern line


The line in theschemewill crosstheexperimental area inShoucheng Natural Reserveat thelevel of autonomous regionmainly through tunnels, generateless impact on environment.

The line in theschemewill crossthecore area and buffer areaofHuaping National Natural Reserveof Guangxi, and will haveadverseaffects on silver fir, one of thefirst-classprotection treespecies,and habitatsof somerare wildanimals.

The line in theschemewill crossQingshitan Natural Reserveat the level ofautonomous region, Qingshitan ScenicArea at the level of autonomous region,and Qingshitan Drinking Water SourceProtection Area, mainly through bridgesand sub grades, so the construction oftunnels in the reserves may cause lossofwater resources.



Lesswork in land acquisition,building demolition and relocationof inhabitants

Morework in land acquisition,building demolition and relocationof inhabitants

Morework in land acquisition, buildingdemolition and relocation of inhabitants


Opinions from thelocal government

Passing through theexperimentalarea in Shoucheng NaturalReserveat the level ofautonomousregion was agreed bytheForestry Bureau of GuangxiZhuang AutonomousRegion

Theschemebreaches theregulationson NatureReserveProtection in thePeople’sRepublic of China.

The line in theschemewill produce hugeimpact on sensitiveareas, so thecompetentauthority disagreed with it.



Figure 4-4 Alternative Comparison for Longsheng-Guilin Section

Huaping NatureReserve

Core ZoneBuffer Zone

Experimental Zone

Shoucheng Nature Reserve

Core Zone

Experimental Zone

Geological hazard area

Qingshitan Nature Reserve,Qingshitan water resources protectionarea

Northern line

Southern line

Central Line


Alternative Alignments for CK453+000-CK587+000 in Guilin-Hezhou

The alignment will pass through Guilin city, Lingchuan, Yangshuo, Gongcheng, Zhongshan County and Hezhou city. There are three environmentally sensitive sites in this area, i.e. Lijiang Scenic Area, Yangshuo Forest Park, and Haiyangshan Nature Reserve.

Three alternatives proposed for detailed are (shown in Figure 4-5):

z Northern line (pink line), z Central line (red line) z Southern line (blue line).

A detailed comparative analysis is summarized in Table 4-5.

Based on comprehensive comparison, it is concluded that the Central line option has the overall advantage of least impact on Yangshuo Forest Park by passing through the peripheral regions of the park, avoidance of world famous Lijiang Scenic Area (to be passed by Southern line), avoidanceof Haiyangshan Nature Reserve within Yangshuo Forest Park and is less of an engineering challenge. This plan is consistent with local planning and agreement from local governments. Therefore, the Central line is recommended.


Table 0-5: Alternatives Comparison for Guilin-Hezhou SectionScheme

IndexSchemeof Central Line Scheme of Southern Line Schemeof Northern Line

RecommendedScheme

Engineering,technical, andeconomic conditions

Theamount of constructioninvestment is the lowest comparedto other lines.

The bedrock is soluble rock, andthe total length of soluble rockreaches 122.7km withdeveloped karsts, so theengineering geologicalconditions areunfavorable.

About 18 km long tunnel will beconstructed, and theconditionsareunfavorable.

Schemeofcentral line


The line will crossYangshuoNational Forest Park, and produceno damage to scenic spotsat alllevels in the park, so the impact issmaller than the line in other twoschemes

The linewill cross LijiangNational Scenic Area. It will cutacross thenatural landscape,and will to conflicts on otherlandscapes

The linewill cross Haiyangshan NaturalReserve at the level of autonomous regionand Yangshuo National Forest Park,producing impact on rare animals andplants in the reservesduring constructionand operation period.



Less work in land acquisition,building demolition and relocationof affected people

Moreworks in land acquisition,building demolition andrelocation of affected people

Moreworks in land acquisition, buildingdemolition and relocation of affectedpeople


Opinions from thelocal governmentofficials

The line passing through thesoutheast marginal zoneofYangshuo Forest Park wasagreedby the Forestry Bureau of GuangxiZhuang Autonomous Region in theform of a written letter.The local government agreed withthe route.

No formal replay wasmade totheoverall planning of GuilinLijiang Scenic Area, and theschemebreaches the ScenicSpotsand Historical SitesRegulations.

No formal replay was made to theoverallplanning of Haiyangshan Natural Reserveat the level of

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