Environmental and Social Considerations in Detailed Planning Survey

（Technical Cooperation for Development Planning）

1. Full title of the Project
The North Shuna-South Shuna Road Project (NSSRP)

2. Type of the study

Feasibility Study

3. Categorization and its reason

The Project is classified as „Category A‟ because of the following reasons:
(1) The existing road with a length of approximately 101km is widened from 2 lanes up to 4
lanes in this project and the scale of the project is huge.
(2) The project requires a full-scale environmental impact assessment according to the Jordan
laws and regulations.

4. Agency responsible for the implementation of the project

Ministry of Public Works and Housing

5. Outline of the Project

The North Shuna–South Shuna Road is the road segment of National Highway No.65 from the
roundabout intersection in North Shuna City to the Amman-Al Kafrain intersection in a total
length of approx. 101km. The North and South Shuna Road is the Jordan Gateway to/from
Palestinian West Bank, Israel and the center of agricultural products in the country, and passes
through tourism spots containing many historical and religious remains.
However, due to the poor conditions of the road, limited width and the lack of service stations,
pedestrian bridges or canals, there have been increasingly car accidents on this road. Since the
road has scarcely been rehabilitated for a long time it has many parts with erosions, holes and
asphalt cracks. Although the government of Jordan has rehabilitated road sections 20km long
during 2008 and 2009, the remaining 81km is still in poor conditions.
Based on the above background, the government of Jordan requested the Japanese government
to conduct “The Feasibility Study on Improvement of the North Shuna–South Shuna Road”.

(1) Objectives of the Study

1) To assess the feasibility of the Project through preparation of the outline design,
implementation plan, economic analysis of the Project including Environmental and Social
aspect and etc.
2) To transfer the knowledge technology in the course of the Study

(2) Study Area

The Study will cover the road between North Shuna town and Amman-Naour Dead Sea Road
taking into account Al Kafrain and Ramah two links with length of approx. 101km.

(3) Scope of the Study

In order to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the Study shall cover the following items:

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 1) General Conditions for the Project
 To study on national, regional and other associated plans, reports and studies for
infrastructure, transport, agriculture, tourism, industrial development and poverty
alleviation related to the Project.
 To study on laws and regulations related to transport and transport infrastructure.
 To study financial situation of the Government of Jordan.

2) Transport/traffic analysis in Jordan and neighboring countries

 To collect and evaluate existing transport/traffic data of Jordan
 To conduct transport/traffic field surveys in the Project area and other areas if
necessary.
 To collect related existing transport/traffic data of neighboring countries, namely
Israel, Palestine and Syria.
 To estimate present Origin-Destination (OD) matrices on the roads

3) Socio-economic survey and traffic demand forecast

 To examine socio-economic framework.
 To estimate the future OD matrices on the roads.
 To forecast future demand on road transport

4) The Project Site Survey

 To collect the existing data on road sections, bridges, intersections and relevant
facilities in the Project Road to prepare / update the inventory.
 To study land use along the Project Road.
 To conduct Geological and Geotechnical Investigation for roads and bridges
(required geotechnical tests)
 To conduct On-site Topographic Survey
 To conduct Construction Investigation related to materials, machineries and etc.

5) Feasibility Study on the Project Road

 To conduct Outline Design on the Project Road
 To prepare the Project Implementation Plan
 To estimate the Project Cost and Maintenance Cost
 To analyze Economic Feasibility (including social aspects) of the Project
 To study the alternative plans so as to select the optimum plan

6) Social and Environmental Considerations

The studies below shall comply with JICA Guidelines for Environmental and Social
Considerations (2010).
 To conduct Social and Environmental Survey along the Project Road to examine
impacts by the Project and to consider mitigation measures.
 To assist Jordanian counterparts in conducting Environmental Impact Assessment.
 To assist Jordanian counterparts in holding (a) Stakeholder Meeting(s) inviting
Project Affected Persons (PAPs).
 To prepare Resettlement Action Plan with Jordanian counterparts if necessary.
 To assist Jordanian counterparts in conducting an archeological survey along the
Project Road and a risk assessment for preparation of a management plan.

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 7) Improvement of Road Safety
 To analyze the current conditions and problems of the Project Road in terms of
Road Safety
 To develop improvement strategy
 To formulate an Action Plan.

6. Description of the project site

The project site is located in green Jordan Valley in the country whose most part of the area is
occupied with the desolate desert, and it belongs to the region which fulfills a role of supplier
who can put out approx. 70 % of whole agricultural products in the country.
Although the JV is very important to food production, particularly fruits and vegetables,
insufficient and ineffective marketing have created overproduction and lower profits,
particularly for small to medium farmers, based on the Master Plan of Land Use in JA, 2004.
Stakeholders throughout the JV favor tourism and other forms of industrial development, as
their populations are young and urbanizing. The growth rate will create a supply of people who
will require training for alternative employment, such as in the services sector and in product
(handicrafts) development, as the current employment base of agriculture, government, and
NGOs will not be sufficient to create a sufficient job base. Most of the residents of the Jordan
Valley, who live under difficult economic conditions, expect that tourism can improve the
standard of living of the local population by offering work opportunities to enhance their quality
of life. Thus, it becomes important for the tourism industry to “hire and buy locally,” or to give
local people top priority in filling the need for construction workers and service based
employees.
The project road is a trunk road approx. 101km long, connecting relatively small towns along
the road. The location map of the project site is as shown in Figure 1, and the population in each
community along the road is as shown in Table 1. The number of communities with population
more than 10,000 are only three, North Shuna, Mashara‟ and Kraymeh.
The roadside area in the suburbs is used for agriculture and partly waste land. Longitudinal
gradient of the road is flat for the main and open topographically, and, therefore, gas emitted
from vehicles hardly stagnates. However, in the town with four-lane roadway, each one lane on
both sides are occupied with trucks and cars for parking and commercial activity, and thru
traffic is involved in traffic jam. Hearing from stakeholders, there are complaints from local
people due to noise early in the morning and night and odor due to emission gas from diesel
engines.
The topography on east side of the road is mountainous and west side is going down into the
valley. The eastern side area is sometimes flooded in winter and the road is covered with
flooding water near the bridge or the box culvert, which has no capacity for flood control.
The green trees along the road are giving the shadows for local people to protect them from
direct sunlight. They are generally located outside of the project site and can avoid to be cut
down.

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 Table 1 Population by Community along the National Road No.65
Name of Community Population
North Shuna 16,130
Al Manshiye 6,979
Waqqas and Qleat 5,769
Zimalia 1,318
Mashara‟ 19,018
Wadi Rayyan (Al Maraza) 1,005
Abu Habeel 1,108
Karn 723
Suleikhat 757
Abu Sido 2,658
Kraymeh 18,124
Balawna 5,523
Khazma 2,658
Dirar 5,910
Al Rweha 3,022
Deir Alla 1,478
Abu Ezzeghan 731
Mu‟addi 4,052
Al Ardah 2,073
Daharat Al Ramle 1,622
Karamah 9,198
New Shuna 4,858
South Shuna 3,420
Al Jofeh Al Jawasreh 6,288
Al Rawdhah 8,093
Al Rama - Al Jalad (Al Nahda) 2,112
Source: Master Plan of Land Use in Jordan Valley, 2004
In Jordan there are few intersections with traffic signals because the traditional
roundabout-system intersections have been constructed in many places. In a similar way the
traffic signals are not installed at many intersections on National Road No.65 and it is said that
there are a lot of traffic accidents owing to pedestrians crossing the intersection without traffic
signals. Therefore, the local governments have installed many humps on the national road to
prevent the vehicles from passing speedy through the community. Furthermore, since they set
up no sign board to notice the location of the humps short 300m or 500m of the humps, the
drivers brake hard immediately after a hump appears suddenly in front of them and it may
increase traffic accidents. In order to solve the problem MPWH intends to take away at least 45
humps as soon as possible.
As there are many schools along the road and serious problems of traffic accidents involving
children, local people request installation of pedestrian bridges through local government to
MPWH. However, MPWH has taken no action because they have no budget for it. It is an
urgent problem to be solved. There is only one pedestrian bridge all along the National Road.

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Figure 1 Location Map of the Project Site

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7. Legal Framework of Environmental and Social Considerations
(1) Background
The National Environmental Strategy (NES) which was prepared in 1992 with support of IUCN and
USAID was the first important step carried out to confront environmental problems. Formulated by
some 180 Jordanian specialists, the NES catalogued all environmental pressures and problems and
contained more than 400 specific recommendations and suggested actions in the field of
environmental protection and conservation.
In 1995 the Environment Protection Law No.12 was enacted to establish the General Corporation for
Environmental Protection (GCEP). GCEP was responsible for environmental management and EIA.
At the same time the National Environmental Action Plan was formulated and it provided a
comprehensive assessment of environmental problem and remediation opportunities in Jordan,
combined with a prioritized and phased plan of action for addressing the issues. In 2002 National
Agenda 21 was prepared under the supervision of the GCEP and the assistance of UNDP. The
document outlined several key areas directly related to natural resources, dry land issues and energy.
Even though the law gave GCEP the jurisdiction to issue environmental regulations and instructions
and provided the needed legislative cover for it to fully perform its environmental protection role,
GCEP was not operating efficiently.
In 2003, the Ministry of Environment (MOE) was established based on the Environmental Protection
Law No. 1 for 2003 as an entity with the aim to promote protection of the environment. This law came
into force as “Environmental Protection Law No.52 for 2006” three years later after approved in
parliament in 2006.

(2) Laws, Regulations and Standards

The laws, by-laws and regulations related to environmental and social considerations are as follows.
They can be reviewed in database of Jordan Institute for Standards and Metrology through internet
(http://www.jism.gov.jo/) or obtained from Ministry of Environment. The EIA should be conducted
according to Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations NO.37, 2005 and all of road projects
require EIA in accordance with the regulation.
i) Environmental Protection Law NO.52, 2006
ii) Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations NO. 37, 2005
iii) Air Protection Regulations NO.28, 2005
iv) Natural Reserves and National Parks Regulations NO.29, 2005
v) Soil Protection Regulations NO.25, 2005
vi) Antiquities Law NO.21, 1988
vii) Transport Law NO.89, 2003
viii) Temporary Law NO.46 of 2002 Road Freight Transport Law
ix) Water Authority Act, 1988; (Protection and use of water resources)
x) Underground Water Control By-Law NO.85, 2002
xi) By-Law of the Environmental Protection of Aqaba Special Economical Region NO.
21, 2001
xii) Interim Agriculture Law NO.44, 2002

(3) Standards for Environmental Management

The ambient quality standards for air and noise are stipulated except ambient water quality in Jordan.
The standards for wastewater and groundwater could not be provided by MOE this time, while they
are prescribed.

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 Table 2 Ambient Air Quality Standard
Parameter Period Standard Number of allowable exceedances
SO2 1 hour 0.3ppm 3 times/ any consecutive 12 months
24 hours 0.14ppm 1 time / year
One year 0.04ppm
TSP 24 hours 0.26mg/m3 3 times/ any consecutive 12 months
One year 0.075mg/m3
PM10 24 hours 0.12mg/m3 3 times/ any consecutive 12 months
One year 0.07mg/m3
PM2.5 24 hours 0.065mg/m3 3 times/ any consecutive 12 months
One year 0.015mg/m3
NO2 1 hour 0.21ppm 3 times/ any consecutive 12 months
24 hours 0.08ppm 3 times/ any consecutive 12 months
One year 0.05ppm
CO 1 hour 26 ppm 3 times/ any consecutive 12 months
8 hours 9 ppm 3 times/ any consecutive 12 months
Pb Seasonal 0.001mg/m3
(3 months)
One year 0.0005mg/m3
Cd One year 0.005ug/m3

Table 3 Noise Standard

Limit for Equivalent Sound Level dB(A)

Area
Day(6:00-20:00) Night(20:00-6:00)
Residential areas in cities 60 50
Residential areas in suburbs 55 45
Residential areas in villages 50 40
Residential areas that have some workshops 65 55
or simple vocations or business and
commercial and administrative areas and
downtown
Industrial areas (heavy industrial) 75 65
Tuition, worshipping and treatment places and 45 35
hospitals

(4) System of EIA

1) Regulatory Basis
The EIA should be conducted according to the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations NO. 37,
2005 in Jordan and all of road projects require EIA.
On the other hand, MPWH has been preparing a new code for EIA of road projects, which will be
completed at the end of this year. The draft code, “EIA Code for Road Projects, 2009” is formulated by
reviewing World Bank Guideline and JICA‟s Guidelines of Environmental and Social Considerations.
Therefore, it is expected that EIA for road projects could be properly conducted according to the new
code, consistent with JICA‟ Guidelines, in the near future.
2) Procedures of EIA
The procedure of EIA is as follows, shown in Figure 2.
i) Proponent should submit an application of EIA to MOE before conduct of EIA.
ii) The name of approved consultant should be specified in the document for the
application as shown in Table 4.
iii) The application is reviewed by EIA Section of MOE within 2 weeks.
iv) If EIA is required, the proponent should prepare Scoping List and draft Terms of
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 Reference (TOR) of EIA and carry out public consultation (stakeholder meetings) to
collect opinions concerned with Scoping and TOR from stakeholders including local
people.
v) The proponent should submit the Scoping and the TOR attached with stakeholders‟
opinions to MOE.
vi) EIA Review Committee reviews the Scoping and TOR within 1 week. The Committee
consists of 13 members from Central Government, 3 from Universities and 1 from NGO
as shown in the Figure 2.
vii) The proponent conducts EIA and submits EIA report to MOE.
viii) MOE reviews EIA report within 45 days and the report will be open to the public.

Table 4 Consultants for EIA Study approved by MOE

Consultant Name Phone No. Fax Field
Al Rawabi for Environmental and Energy Consultation 5347332
Dar Al-Omran 5604200 5606606 Environment
Dar ALHandasa (Jordan) 5661448 5673167 Environment
Sigma Engineers and Consultants 5661031 5678320 Environment
ENGICON 4602120 4602130 Environment
CEC Central Engineering Consultants 5699162 5699248 Environment
Consolidated Consultants For Engineering and 4612377 4612380 Environment
Environment
MWH Arabtech Jardaneh 5861074 5861075 Environment
Arab center for Engineering Studies 5810777 5812777 Geotechnical
Environment
Bitar company Environment of
4641884 4655390 Buildings
Al Shamil Office for Engineering Environment for
5347516 5333585 Water
ECO Consultant 5699769 5697264 Environment
Royal Scientific Society 5344701
Al Siraj Engineering office 5561148
Al Dar Al Arabia for Engineering 5668188 5660188 Environment
Hadera Office for Engineering and Environment
Consultancy 078/8155500 Environment
Al Yaqeen for Engineering and Environment Industrial
5331686 5331686 Environment

3) Stakeholder participation
The stakeholders can participate the meeting to express their opinion on Scoping and TOR for EIA
according to the regulation. However, they cannot express their opinion on the result of impact
assessment and mitigation measures proposed by the proponent.
4) Environmental items to be assessed
The following environmental items to be assessed in EIA are shown in Annex (1) of the EIA
Regulations NO.37, 2005. Environmental items for social impact are a little compared with those in
JICA‟ Guideline, like Resettlement, Local economy, Land use, Utilization of local resources, Social
institutions and Local conflict of interests, etc. However, proponents have been guided to conduct
impact assessment on socio-economical issues like land acquisition.
i) public health
ii) infrastructure
iii) flora
iv) fauna
v) soil
vi) water
vii) air
viii) weather parameters
ix) natural aspects
x) ancient monument
xi) interrelationships between these aspects

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 MOE Proponent Stakeholders

Preparation of SFA
Submit SFA

2 weeks
Evaluation
（Is EIA required?）
Notify
EIA（Yes / No）
No
Yes
Public
Consultation
Preparation of
Scoping/TOR
Submit TOR

１ weeks
Review & modify
Scoping/ TOR
at Scoping Session
Approve

Conduct of EIA

Submit EIA report

Technical Evaluation Request

of EIA Report 45 days
Additional
Information
Preparation of
Technical Report

Notify
Decision by DG Announced

Implementation of
Project

SFA: Special Form of Application

Member of Technical Evaluation Committee:

Ministry of Environment (1), Planning & International Cooperation (1), Municipal Affairs
(1), Health (1), Agriculture (1), Industry & Trade (1), Energy & Mineral Resources (1),
Water & Irrigation (1), Tourism & Antiquities (1), Public Works & Housing (1), and
University (3), NGO (1), MOE (3) Total =17

Figure 2 Procedure of EIA in Jordan according to the regulation No.37, 2005

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 5) Content of EIA Report
The content of EIA Report prescribed in Annex (1) of the Regulations No.37, 2005 are as shown
in Table 5. Description of alternatives and the way of monitoring have to be considered.

Table 5 Content of EIA Report

The EIA document should be briefed and includes the key environmental aspects,
The details of this document should be appropriate to the impacts of the project and should deal with the project
designers and the executing Companies, the owner of the project, and the public, also the NGOs and this
document should be in English or Arabic.
This document should include the following:
- Non-Technical Summary: includes the two versions summaries (Arabic and English) of analysis of the
outcomes (conclusions) and recommendations.
- Framework policy legal and administrative:
Views of the legal and administrative framework, which relied on it to prepare the policy.
- Project description:
Includes a briefed description to the geographical, biological, social, time (chronological) framework for the
project including any works needed out projects' site e.g. : open roads, laying pipes, constructing energy
generation plants, providing water, housing the employees and establishing facilities to store the raw materials
and products.
- Baseline data
Includes assessment of the studied location dimensions and describing the social, natural and economical
conditions including any expected changes before the beginning of the project taking into account the current
suggested development activities inside the project location (related indirectly to the project).
- Environmental Impacts includes:
Determining and assessing the expected negative and positive impacts results from the project.
Determining the mitigation measures to the adverse impacts on the environment and studying the opportunities to
improve the environment.
Determining the available data type and the gaps and accompanied uncertainties for the environmental impacts.
Determining the subjects, that does not need any more research.
- Analysis of Alternatives:
Includes an organized comparison of the suggested alternatives for the project:
Design alternatives.
Location alternatives.
The used technology alternatives and its' environmental effects for every alternative.
Capital cost for every alternative.
The repeated coasts for every alternative. .
Stability in the national conditions for every alternative.
The institutional, training and monitoring requirements and determining
The cost and the environmental benefits for every alternative.
Economical cost.
In addition, the basis of determining the alternatives.
Mitigation Plan:
Includes determining suitable measurements with low cost to mitigate the negative impacts to be in the
acceptable limits.
Estimating the supposed environmental impacts and the capital cost.
Determining institutional training and monitoring requirements for these measurements.
Introduce a plan which includes the details of proposed work programs and also the claims procedures from the
negative impacts on the environment if the mitigation measurements weren't worth or were so expensive, and to
work on the environmental aspects at the same time with project activities through the implementation stage.
- Monitoring and Environmental Post Auditing Plan:
Includes determining: monitoring type, the cost, the responsible persons and other inputs such as: training.
- Appendices:
- List of contributors in preparing the EIA document (institutions, individuals).
- List of references (the written materials that used in document preparing process). This list is very important due
to rely on unpublished document.
- Record of consultancy meetings between the relevant parties to the project and document all these meetings
which held between the effected parties and the local NGOs.
Source: Annex (5), EIA Regulation NO.37, 2005

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 6) Monitoring system
Environmental Monitoring Plan is included in EIA report in Jordan. However, it is said that
action for monitoring of management to mitigate impact due to construction has been taken only
at the time when there is a complaint from local people because of short of manpower in MOE.
On the other hand, Environmental Management Contract was signed between MPWH and
Contractor in case of Amman Development Corridor and the Contractor has submitted regularly
environmental management reports to MPWH. Sometimes staff from MPWH, project owner,
goes out to check if the mitigation measures are implemented or not. The contract for
environmental management was prepared by the Contractor. The same system can be adopted to
this project.

(5) Management of Cultural Heritage

There are more than 1,300 cultural heritages in Jordan Valley and 52 sites among them are
significant according to Master Plan of Land Use in Jordan Valley. Based on the location map of
the cultural heritage in the Plan, the following 7 sites can be located near the project road. The
proponent should request the experts from Department of Antiquities, Ministry of Tourism and
Antiquities, to carry out field survey along the existing road and confirm the situation of the
cultural heritages.
i) Tell Abu Habil South
ii) Abu Obeidah
iii) Tell Deir Alla
iv) Tell Er-Rama
v) Tell Kufrein
vi) Tell Et-Tahuneh
vii) Shunat Nimrin

(6) Involuntary Resettlement

Involuntary resettlement will not occur because the project is implemented within the Right of
Way and MPWH does not need to purchase the land for the project. However, some land
acquisition may happen in case of improvement of alignment of the existing road.
In Jordan land acquisition has been carried out based on the old system of Decree NO.12, 1987
and land owners must offer the land less than 25% of their land area free of charge whenever
public works project requests provision of the land. The reason why they should offer their land
free of charge is that their land price would rise due to improvement of accessibility. However,
the basic policy cannot match with that of JICA‟ Guideline.
On the other hand MPWH formulated a land acquisition plan according to the basic policy of
World Bank for Custom Depot and Inland Logistics Port Project in 2004. The area to be
acquired was 549 hectares, 248 plots, and they prepared 15.2 million JD (Approx. US$20 mil.).
Although MPWH dose not entirely agree with the land acquisition system of World Bank, they
have been preparing “EIA Code for Road Projects”, in which the policy of World Bank is
introduced for land acquisition. Therefore, land acquisition system for road project would fit
together with JICA‟ policy in the near future.

8. Provisional Scoping
The result of provisional scoping and mitigation measures are as shown in Table 6, and fourteen
items were selected to be assessed.

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 i) Involuntary Resettlement
ii) Local economy such as employment and livelihood, etc.
iii) Cultural heritage
iv) Hazards (Risk) Infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS
v) Soil Erosion
vi) Hydrological Situation
vii) Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity
viii) Protected Area
ix) Air Pollution
x) Water Pollution
xi) Waste
xii) Noise & Vibration
xiii) Offensive Odor
xiv) Accidents
At present there is no protected area close to the exiting road. However, in the Master Plan of
Land Use in Jordan Valley, 2004, the Kafrain Dam of wetland is proposed as a protected area as
shown in Figure 3. According to the Plan there are nineteen wetlands (including dams) in the
valley and they are considered important as stops on international bird migratory routes.
However, since it has not been identified yet whether the proposed protected area is enforceable
and the proponent who wants to develop the proposed site needs to get permission or not, it
should be examined carefully in the Feasibility Study.

Project Road Proposed Protected Area

Figure 3 Location of protected area proposed in JV Land Use Master Plan, 2004

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 Table 6 Result of Provisional Scoping

NO Impacts Rating Description Mitigation Measures

Social Environment (including “Gender” and “Children‟s Right”)
1 Involuntary resettlement No resettlement. Some land acquisition may be conducted due to re-routing Project should be implemented within the existing
B
of the existing road. Right of Way as much as possible.
Transportation of products is expected to be more effective. The parking lots for local people should be prepared
Local economy such as
The living condition of parking on the road for shopping and commercial outside of the road, e.g. behind the shopping area.
2 employment and livelihood, B
activities in the towns has to be changed.
etc.
Opportunity of employment may increase during construction.
Land use and utilization of The Land use is not changed because the road improvement is conducted
3 C
local resources within the existing Right of Way.
Social institutions such as
Widening of the existing road gives little impact on social infrastructure and
4 social infrastructure and local C
local decision-making institutes.
decision-making institutions
Existing social infrastructures
5 C Widening of the existing road gives little impact on social infrastructure.
and services
There are no indigenous and ethnic people on whom significant impacts are
The poor, indigenous and
6 C given due to road improvement project, although migratory workers from
ethnic people
foreign countries live along the road.
7 Misdistribution of benefit and Widening of the existing road will pose little misdistribution of benefit and
C
damage damage.
8 Local conflict of interests C Widening of the existing road will pose little local conflict of interest.
9 Cultural heritage Field survey should be requested to the experts from
Widening of the existing road may give some impacts on cultural heritage
U Department of Antiquities, MOTA and risk
along the road.
management plan formulated as necessary.
Water Usage or Water Rights Little impact will be given on the water usage or water right and right of
10 C
and Rights of Common common by conduct of the project.
Little impact will be given on the situation of sanitation along the existing
11 Sanitation C
road by conduct of the project.
Hazards (Risk) Infectious During construction foreign workers may come into the area around the Health management plan for foreign workers should
12 B
diseases such as HIV/AIDS project site. be reviewed.
Widening of the existing road will pose little change of working conditions
13 Working Conditions C
of the local people living along the road.
Rating:
A: Serious impact is expected.
B: Some impact is expected.
C: Little impact is expected.
U: Unknown

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 NO Impact Rating Description Mitigation Measures
Natural Environment
14 Topography and Geographical Widening of the existing road gives little impact on topography and
features C geographical features.
15 Groundwater C Widening of the existing road gives little impact on groundwater.
16 Soil Erosion B Widening of the existing road gives some impact on soil erosion. Soil erosion protection plan should be reviewed.
17 Hydrological Situation B Widening of the existing road gives some impact on hydrological situation. Flood control plan prepared by the designer should be
reviewed.
18 Coastal Zone (Mangroves, C There is no coastal zone along the project site.
Coral reefs, Tidal flats, etc.)
19 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity Some part of roadside trees may be cut down due to widening of the existing The Proponent should send information of the number
B road. and location of the trees to be cut down to MOA
The risk of traffic accidents causing injury to wildlife may increase due to while designing, and follow the instruction.
widening of the road. Animal trails should be prepared if necessary.
20 Meteorology C Widening of the existing road gives little impact on meteorology.
21 Landscape C Widening of the existing road gives little impact on the landscape.
22 Protected Area Characteristics of the proposed protected area should
B Improvement of the existing road may give some impact on the protected be reviewed and management plan considered as
area proposed by JVA. necessary.
23 Management of Abandoned C The road to be improved will be utilized for the future.
Sites
24 Global Warming C Widening of the existing road gives little impact on change of global
warming, although increase of vehicles contributes to it.
Pollution
Air pollution increases in proportion to increase of traffic volume. Although Institutional measures like vehicle inspection system
the project road is approx. 101km long, the impact is categorized as B can be proposed.
25 Air Pollution B because road section passing through residential area is not long relatively
and the number of people affected by air pollution is not large,.
During construction mitigation measures should be considered. Mitigation measures proposed by planners have to be
26 Water Pollution B Widening of the existing road gives little impact on water pollution during taken by Contractors based on the contract with the
operation. proponent.
27 Soil Contamination C Widening of the existing road gives little impact on soil contamination.
28 Waste B Waste may increase in proportion to increase of traffic volume. Solid waste management plan along the road should
be considered as necessary.
29 Noise and Vibration B Noise increases in proportion to logarithm of increase of traffic volume. Reduction of traffic jam and steady driving can
contribute to decrease of noise.
30 Ground Subsidence C Widening of the existing road gives little impact on ground subsidence.
31 Offensive Odor Offensive odor from diesel engine of truck and
B The volume of emission gas from vehicles increases in proportion to agricultural machine will be reduced while steady
increase of traffic volume. driving.
32 Bottom sediment C Widening of the existing road gives little impact on bottom sediment. Seriously and
Traffic accidents will decrease owing to elimination of illegal parking, Separation of pedestrians from vehicles, introduction
introduction of traffic safety system like signals and pedestrian bridges. of safety system like traffic signals, pedestrian
33 Accidents B However, traffic accidents may increase due to increment of traffic volume bridges, guardrail and safety education, etc. should be
and higher speed of driving. considered and controlled strictly.
Rating:
A: Serious impact is expected.
B: Some impact is expected.
C: Little impact is expected.

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9. Alternatives to the project activities including ‘without project’ option.
It is said that there are many traffic accidents on the existing road. MPWH cannot take action
due to short of budget to respond to the request of local people for installation of pedestrian
bridges and traffic signals to protect children from the accident. Moreover, the capacity of the
existing two-lane road will reach critical limit and it will have to be widened up to four lanes
soon. In the future it is also expected to be very important international highway connecting
Israel, Palestine and Syria. Therefore, these problems cannot be solved without the project.
Since the existing road sections with two lanes should be widened up to four lanes all along the
road based on the original request from the Government of Jordan, the road sections to be
widened have to be selected considering an important function of the road and the poor traffic
facility should be improved according to demand during the Feasibility Study.

10. Result of the consultation with recipient government on environmental and social
consideration including roles and responsibilities.
MOE has enough experience of management of EIA for a variety of projects and the procedures
of EIA have been defined well.
MPWH has a section of Environmental Management in Department of Investment and
International Cooperation as shown in Figure 4 and the staffs have been controlling
Environmental Management Plan for Construction in Amman Development Corridor Project
and others.

Figure 4 Organization Chart of MPWH

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11. Terms of Reference for Environmental and Social Considerations

Terms of Reference (Draft)

For Environmental and Social Considerations
On the North Shuna-South Shuna Road Project (NSSRP)

1. Project Summary
1.1 Project Title
The North Shuna-South Shuna Road Project (NSSRP)

1.2 The Type of the Study

Feasibility Study

1.3 Project Description

The North Shuna–South Shuna Road is the road segment of National Highway No.65 from the
roundabout intersection in North Shuna City to the Amman-Al Kafrain intersection in a total
length of approx. 101km. The North and South Shuna Road is the Jordan Gateway to/from
Palestinian West Bank, Israel and the center of agricultural products in the country, and passes
through tourism spots containing many historical and religious remains.
However, due to the poor conditions of the road, limited width and the lack of service stations,
pedestrian bridges or canals, there have been increasingly car accidents on this road. Since the
road has scarcely been rehabilitated for a long time it has many parts with erosions, holes and
asphalt cracks. Although the government of Jordan has rehabilitated road sections 20km long
during 2008 and 2009, the remaining 81km is still in poor conditions.
Based on the above background, the government of Jordan requested the Japanese government
to conduct “The Feasibility Study on Improvement of the North Shuna–South Shuna Road”.

(1) Objectives of the Study

1) To assess the feasibility of the Project through preparation of the outline design,
implementation plan, economic analysis of the Project including Environmental and
Social aspect and etc.
2) To transfer the knowledge technology in the course of the Study

(2) Study Area

The Study will cover the road between North Shuna town and Amman-Naour Dead Sea Road
taking into account Al Kafrain and Ramah two links with length of approx. 101km.

(3) Scope of the Study

In order to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the Study shall cover the following items:

1) General Conditions for the Project

 To study on national, regional and other associated plans, reports and studies for
infrastructure, transport, agriculture, tourism, industrial development and poverty

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 alleviation related to the Project.
 To study on laws and regulations related to transport and transport infrastructure.
 To study financial situation of the Government of Jordan.

2) Transport/traffic analysis in Jordan and neighboring countries

 To collect and evaluate existing transport/traffic data of Jordan
 To conduct transport/traffic field surveys in the Project area and other areas if
necessary.
 To collect related existing transport/traffic data of neighboring countries, namely
Israel, Palestine and Syria.
 To estimate present Origin-Destination (OD) matrices on the roads

3) Socio-economic survey and traffic demand forecast

 To examine socio-economic framework.
 To estimate the future OD matrices on the roads.
 To forecast future demand on road transport

4) The Project Site Survey

 To collect the existing data on road sections, bridges, intersections and relevant
facilities in the Project Road to prepare / update the inventory.
 To study land use along the Project Road.
 To conduct Geological and Geotechnical Investigation for roads and bridges
(required geotechnical tests)
 To conduct On-site Topographic Survey
 To conduct Construction Investigation related to materials, machineries and etc.

5) Feasibility Study on the Project Road

 To conduct Outline Design on the Project Road
 To prepare the Project Implementation Plan
 To estimate the Project Cost and Maintenance Cost
 To analyze Economic Feasibility (including social aspects) of the Project
 To study the alternative plans so as to select the optimum plan

6) Social and Environmental Considerations

The studies below shall comply with JICA Guidelines for Environmental and Social
Considerations (2010).
 To conduct Social and Environmental Survey along the Project Road to examine
impacts by the Project and to consider mitigation measures.
 To assist Jordanian counterparts in conducting Environmental Impact Assessment.
 To assist Jordanian counterparts in holding (a) Stakeholder Meeting(s) inviting
Project Affected Persons (PAPs).
 To prepare Resettlement Action Plan with Jordanian counterparts if necessary.
 To assist Jordanian counterparts in conducting an archeological survey along the
Project Road and a risk assessment for preparation of a management plan.

7) Improvement of Road Safety

 To analyze the current conditions and problems of the Project Road in terms of
Road Safety
 To develop improvement strategy

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  To formulate an Action Plan.

1.4 Result of Screening

The Project is classified as „Category A‟ because of the following reasons:
1) The existing road with a length of approximately 101km is widened from 2 lanes up to
4 lanes in this project and the scale of the project is huge.
2) The project requires a full-scale environmental impact assessment according to the
Jordan laws and regulations.

1.5 Provisional Scoping

The result of provisional scoping and mitigation measures are as shown in Table 1, and fourteen
items were selected to be assessed. The scoping will be revised through public consultations..
i) Involuntary Resettlement
ii) Local economy such as employment and livelihood, etc.
iii) Cultural heritage
iv) Hazards (Risk) Infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS
v) Soil Erosion
vi) Hydrological Situation
vii) Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity
viii) Protected Area
ix) Air Pollution
x) Water Pollution
xi) Waste
xii) Noise & Vibration
xiii) Offensive Odor
xiv) Accidents

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 Table 1 Result of Provisional Scoping

NO Impacts Rating Description Mitigation Measures

Social Environment (including “Gender” and “Children‟s Right”)
1 Involuntary resettlement No resettlement. Some land acquisition may be conducted due to re-routing Project should be implemented within the existing
B
of the existing road. Right of Way as much as possible.
Transportation of products is expected to be more effective. The parking lots for local people should be prepared
Local economy such as
The living condition of parking on the road for shopping and commercial outside of the road, e.g. behind the shopping area.
2 employment and livelihood, B
activities in the towns has to be changed.
etc.
Opportunity of employment may increase during construction.
Land use and utilization of The Land use is not changed because the road improvement is conducted
3 C
local resources within the existing Right of Way.
Social institutions such as
Widening of the existing road gives little impact on social infrastructure and
4 social infrastructure and local C
local decision-making institutes.
decision-making institutions
Existing social infrastructures
5 C Widening of the existing road gives little impact on social infrastructure.
and services
There are no indigenous and ethnic people on whom significant impacts are
The poor, indigenous and
6 C given due to road improvement project, although migratory workers from
ethnic people
foreign countries live along the road.
7 Misdistribution of benefit and Widening of the existing road will pose little misdistribution of benefit and
C
damage damage.
8 Local conflict of interests C Widening of the existing road will pose little local conflict of interest.
9 Cultural heritage Field survey should be requested to the experts from
Widening of the existing road may give some impacts on cultural heritage
U Department of Antiquities, MOTA and risk
along the road.
management plan formulated as necessary.
Water Usage or Water Rights Little impact will be given on the water usage or water right and right of
10 C
and Rights of Common common by conduct of the project.
Little impact will be given on the situation of sanitation along the existing
11 Sanitation C
road by conduct of the project.
Hazards (Risk) Infectious During construction foreign workers may come into the area around the Health management plan for foreign workers should
12 B
diseases such as HIV/AIDS project site. be reviewed.
Widening of the existing road will pose little change of working conditions
13 Working Conditions C
of the local people living along the road.
Rating:
A: Serious impact is expected.
B: Some impact is expected.
C: Little impact is expected.
U: Unknown

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 NO Impact Rating Description Mitigation Measures
Natural Environment
14 Topography and Geographical Widening of the existing road gives little impact on topography and
features C geographical features.
15 Groundwater C Widening of the existing road gives little impact on groundwater.
16 Soil Erosion B Widening of the existing road gives some impact on soil erosion. Soil erosion protection plan should be reviewed.
17 Hydrological Situation B Widening of the existing road gives some impact on hydrological situation. Flood control plan prepared by the designer should be
reviewed.
18 Coastal Zone (Mangroves, C There is no coastal zone along the project site.
Coral reefs, Tidal flats, etc.)
19 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity Some part of roadside trees may be cut down due to widening of the existing The Proponent should send information of the number
B road. and location of the trees to be cut down to MOA
The risk of traffic accidents causing injury to wildlife may increase due to while designing, and follow the instruction.
widening of the road. Animal trails should be prepared if necessary.
20 Meteorology C Widening of the existing road gives little impact on meteorology.
21 Landscape C Widening of the existing road gives little impact on the landscape.
22 Protected Area Characteristics of the proposed protected area should
B Improvement of the existing road may give some impact on the protected be reviewed and management plan considered as
area proposed by JVA. necessary.
23 Management of Abandoned C The road to be improved will be utilized for the future.
Sites
24 Global Warming C Widening of the existing road gives little impact on change of global
warming, although increase of vehicles contributes to it.
Pollution
Air pollution increases in proportion to increase of traffic volume. Although Institutional measures like vehicle inspection system
the project road is approx. 101km long, the impact is categorized as B can be proposed.
25 Air Pollution B because road section passing through residential area is not long relatively
and the number of people affected by air pollution is not large,.
During construction mitigation measures should be considered. Mitigation measures proposed by planners have to be
26 Water Pollution B Widening of the existing road gives little impact on water pollution during taken by Contractors based on the contract with the
operation. proponent.
27 Soil Contamination C Widening of the existing road gives little impact on soil contamination.
28 Waste B Waste may increase in proportion to increase of traffic volume. Solid waste management plan along the road should
be considered as necessary.
29 Noise and Vibration B Noise increases in proportion to logarithm of increase of traffic volume. Reduction of traffic jam and steady driving can
contribute to decrease of noise.
30 Ground Subsidence C Widening of the existing road gives little impact on ground subsidence.
31 Offensive Odor Offensive odor from diesel engine of truck and
B The volume of emission gas from vehicles increases in proportion to agricultural machine will be reduced while steady
increase of traffic volume. driving.
32 Bottom sediment C Widening of the existing road gives little impact on bottom sediment. Seriously and
Traffic accidents will decrease owing to elimination of illegal parking, Separation of pedestrians from vehicles, introduction
introduction of traffic safety system like signals and pedestrian bridges. of safety system like traffic signals, pedestrian
33 Accidents B However, traffic accidents may increase due to increment of traffic volume bridges, guardrail and safety education, etc. should be
and higher speed of driving. considered and controlled strictly.
Rating:
A: Serious impact is expected.
B: Some impact is expected.
C: Little impact is expected.

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1.6 Public Consultation I
Stakeholder meetings will be held at least at one place in each district, North Shuna, Middle Shuna
and South Shuna, before submission of Terms of References of EIA Study to MOE.

2. Required Information, Analysis of Impacts and Mitigation Measures

Information is collected and analyzed, and impacts should be assessed at the phases of construction
and operation, considering mitigation measures.

2.1 Involuntary Resettlement

If the route of existing road is changed and some private land should be acquired for the project,
name, address and living condition (profession, income, etc) of land owners affected by the project,
area and price of land, and amount of compensation to be paid, should be studied and impact on the
land owners should be assessed considering the land acquisition plan prepared by the proponent.
Resettlement Plan or Abbreviated Resettlement Plan should be prepared depending on the scale of
the involuntary resettlement and not be deviated significantly from the Operational Policy 4.12.
Annex A: Involuntary Resettlement Instruments, 2001 of World Bank.

2.2 Local economy such as employment and livelihood, etc.

Agricultural products and shipping volume by local community, the location of market and
destination of transportation should be studied and improvement of agricultural productivity due to
efficient transportation should be assessed.
Population by municipality and/or local community, average income, unemployment rate should be
studied and impact on living condition of local people due to implementation of this project should
be assessed.
Some parts of the subject road have been widened up to 4 lanes in the town area until now. However,
since one outside lane on each side is used for parking while shopping or commercial activities by
local people, both of the lanes are not available for thru traffic and the capacity of the road is reduced.
Moreover, sometimes traffic accidents have occurred at an intersection of the town due to mixture of
speedy trucks passing through it and local cars closing it slowly. Impact on the situation should be
assessed after widening the road up to 4 lanes all along the route, taking into consideration
introduction of safety facility like traffic signals, parking lots and pedestrian bridges.

2.3 Cultural heritage

All of cultural heritages located in the area 200m wide along the existing road should be identified
based on the location map from Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (MOTA), and field survey will
be carried out with support of experts from the Department of Antiquities, MOTA. Risk Assessment
should be conducted and the Management Plan should be formulated as necessary. The followings
should be identified at least.
1) Tell Abu Habil South
2) Abu Obeidah
3) Tell Deir Alla
4) Tell Er-Rama
5) Tell Kufrein
6) Tell Et-Tahuneh
7) Shurat Nimrin

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2.4 Hazards (Risk) Infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS
Based on the construction management plan prepared by JICA study team including number of
laborers involved in construction of the road, health management plan should be examined to assess
impact on local community.

2.5 Soil Erosion

Based on the road widening design by JICA study team, the possibility of soil erosion and mitigation
measures should be examined.

2.6 Hydrological Situation

Impact on hydrological situation should be assessed by examining whether flooding and drainage
can be managed due to mitigation measures after widening the existing road.

2.7 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity

There are small amount of green areas along the road and green trees beside the road are very
important for local people to protect them from direct sunlight and can keep a good landscape. The
number of trees to be cut down while widening the existing road should be counted and mitigation
measures like reforestation to minimize impact on existing condition should be examined.

2.8 Protected Area

There are five Important Bird Areas, eight Protected Areas and nineteen Wetlands in Jordan Valley
according to the Master Plan of Land Use for Jordan Valley in 2004. There is no protected area along
the National Road NO.65 and only Kafrain Dam of wetland proposed in the plan is located near the
road. The proposed protected wetland has been hovering at the level of just proposal and it was not
confirmed whether it is enforceable or not. The items to be protected in the area and legal procedures
to get permission of development should be studied through meeting with relevant organizations,
and mitigation measures should be taken into account after identification of impact on it when
preliminary design of road widening is prepared.

2.9 Air Pollution

In Jordan general information of environment has not been prepared by relevant governmental
organization and proponent should carry out field survey to get information and data of current
environment. Air pollutants of SOx, NOx, CO and SPM should be measured at three points, North
Shuna, Middle Shuna and South Shuna along National Road NO.65. Air quality after completion of
the project can be simply predicted by using current pollution and future traffic volume. Although
introduction of mitigation measures for air pollution is not easy, institutional measures like vehicle
inspection system can be proposed.

2.10 Water Pollution

Water pollution due to material emitted from vehicles is not significant, but impact on water quality
during construction of road should be taken into consideration. The current concentration of SS and
BOD should be measured at three points in the water ways crossing the road. Mitigation measures
proposed in the construction environmental management plan should be examined.

2.11 Waste

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Waste discharged during construction should be disposed of according to the laws and regulations of
waste in Jordan. Solid waste management plan after completion of the project should be considered
as necessary.

2.12 Noise & Vibration

Since noise and vibration may give impact on residential area during construction, mitigation
measures should be considered. Noise and vibration impact should be assessed by predicting levels
while vehicles are passing through the new road after completion of widening. Noise and vibration
should be measured for daytime and nighttime at three points along the road.

2.13 Offensive Odor

Offensive odor emitted from vehicles is not generally significant, but ill-serviced vehicles may give
impact on local people‟s living condition. Mitigation measures should be examined.

2.14 Accidents
Accidents during construction should be managed according to the construction management plan.
After completion of road improvement, possibility of traffic accidents may be much larger and more
serious accidents may occur because vehicles gather speed. Mitigation measures should be
considered seriously and controlled strictly.

3. Alternative examination
Alternatives to the project activities including „without project‟ option should be examined.

4. Environmental Management Plan

All of mitigation measures introduced to reduce impact given on each environmental item should be
confirmed and arranged into environmental management plan.

5. Environmental Monitoring Plan

During construction and operation, all of mitigation measures have to be preserved and monitored to
evaluate impact in comparison to criteria and/or environmental standards. If the monitoring is not
conducted according to the plan, the proponent should be punished in line with a rule and may not be
able to get support from concerned funding organizations.

6. Preparation of Draft EIA Report

A draft report of EIA is prepared by compilation of all things mentioned above.

7. Public Consultation II
The second stakeholder meeting will be held at least at one place in each district, North Shuna,
Middle Shuna and South Shuna, after completion of Draft Report of EIA and the opinions from the
stakeholder at the meeting will be reflected in the Final Report of EIA.

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