Proposed Terms of Reference

Please find below the proposed Terms of Reference for the conduct of an Environmental Impact Assessment for the construction and operation of a dedicated waste treatment and disposal facility near the Old Harbour Power Station. Based upon the site visit conducted in August 2001 by Harding ESE, consultant to the Jamaica Public Service Company Limited, it is anticipated that the proposed Old Harbour site for the secured landfill cell will present few environmental issues. The site is currently on JPSCo’s property, uncongested and away from the Old Harbour Bay.

Harding ESE specialists performed a brief site reconnaissance survey, with JPSCo’s environmental personnel, on February 5, 2002. Photographic documentation of the general area of the proposed site was done, nearby site environs were observed, and a brief list of flora and fauna was generated. 

The proposed dedicated waste treatment and disposal facility is part of a larger environmental remediation project being undertaken by JPSCo. Contaminated wastes resulting from spills and debris from operations will be consolidated into this secured facility. Materials to be disposed will include petroleum-contaminated soils, metal scrap, decontaminated transformers and boiler ash. The facility will not accept any liquid waste.

1.	Project Implementation: JPSCo and Harding ESE’s landfill engineering design, construction and management teams, and environmental specialists will work closely together to ensure that the design criteria are environmentally sound.

A detailed description of all elements of the project during the pre-construction, construction and operational phases will be prepared. The elements analyzed will include the infrastructures of the project including: drainage features; roads; waste collection, disposal, and management; and utility requirements.

The facility will consist of three unit operations:
•	Landfarm of petroleum contaminated soil,
•	Single lined landfill cell with impermeable cap for solid (non-hazardous) waste from the various JPSCo facilities, and
•	Double lined landfill cell with impermeable cap for PCB decontaminated solids, such as decontaminated electrical equipment and stabilized PCB contaminated soils.

The landfarm operation will treat petroleum-contaminated soils that are amenable to biological treatment.  The approximate area set aside for the landfarm operation is 1 acre.  This will allow approximately 2,300 cubic meters (3,000 cubic yards) of petroleum-contaminated soil to be treated at one time.  One lift is expected to take 6 months to treat to acceptable levels.  

The single lined landfill cell that will accept non-hazardous waste from normal plant operation will measure approximately 1 acre.  The secured landfill operation will measure approximately 3 acres.  The secured landfill cell will be designed with a leachate collection system and a bottom hydraulic barrier, either low permeability soil or a flexible membrane liner. The landfill will be designed with an ultimate capacity for 15,292 cubic meters (20,000 cubic yards) of in-place soil. The landfill dimensions will measure approximately 122 meters (400 feet) square at the toe of slope.  The sides will be constructed at a 5:1 slope with a relatively low overall landfill height.  A four-foot high placement of waste material will provide approximately 15,292 cubic meters (20,000 cubic yards) of storage volume.  Significant attention will be given to construction of drainage areas, haul roads and erosion control measures to assure that this area is not significantly impacted from construction operations and is returned as near as practical to pre-existing conditions.

Deliverable: Analysis and assessment of designs to ensure environmental soundness, sustainability and regulatory compliance in the Draft and Final Report.

2.	Field Assessments: Field assessments of the physical, ecological, and socioeconomic aspects of the site and associated environs will be conducted. These assessments will be used to determine the potential impacts, if any, of the proposed disposal facility. A photographic survey of the proposed site and the nearby environs will be conducted. The survey will include a photo-inventory of the physical and biological features of the site and environs, and the areas will be viewed with respect to the suitability of the proposed facility.  The assessments will include:

Physical: Climate, air quality, geology, topography, groundwater/surface water hydrology and quality, and hazard vulnerability.

Ecological: Terrestrial and aquatic communities; presence of rare, threatened, and endangered species.

Socioeconomic: Demography, regional setting, location assessment, and land uses.

Deliverable: Detailed qualitative assessments of the physical, ecological, and socioeconomic conditions associated with the site in the Draft and Final Report.

3.	Analysis of Alternatives: This will include the no action alternative, the proposed action, and a possible alternative action (alternate site on JPSCo. property). Under the proposed action, contaminated media above the clean-up level that is not treatable on-site would be excavated and disposed offsite at a secured landfill cell constructed on JPSCo’s property in a location near the Old Harbour Power Station on land which is relatively level with little in the way of site preparation required. The disposal facility will be located on the far west side of the site in order to minimize impact to other site development activities.  Siting and construction of the landfill cell will generally follow guidance issued by the World Bank and NEPA.

These alternatives will be discussed and assessed relative to the physical, ecological, and socioeconomic parameters of the site. The rationale for the identified alternatives will be examined and the preferred alternative substantiated. Where necessary, appropriate recommendations will be developed for design features of the project.

Deliverable: Alternatives for the disposal facility will be evaluated and the best possible design option presented as the preferred alternative in the Draft and Final Reports.

4.	Legislation and Regulatory Considerations: Government policies, legislation and regulations relevant to the proposal will be identified. Local plans and policies will also be evaluated. Project characteristics will be analyzed to ensure compliance with these policies, legislation and regulations. Appropriate recommendations will be provided to ensure regulatory compliance.

Deliverable: The legislation relevant to the project will be summarized and presented in the Draft and Final Reports.

5.	Identification of Environmental Impacts: An analysis of the elements of the proposed project and their interaction with environmental parameters and setting will be conducted to identify potential impacts of the project. 

Deliverable: Potential impacts will be presented in an impact matrix for all elements and phases of the proposed project and each environmental parameter.

6.	Mitigation of Environmental Impacts: For each potential negative impact identified, recommendations will be presented for avoidance, minimization or mitigation of impacts, and costs associated with the potential mitigation. 

Deliverable: Identification and avoidance, minimization or mitigation of potential negative impacts presented in the Draft and Final Report.

7.	Environmental Monitoring: An environmental monitoring and management plan will be developed for the sensitive elements of the environment that may require monitoring during construction and operations of the facility. Recommendations will be made on the institutional arrangements that will be necessary to ensure effective monitoring and management.

Deliverable: A detailed management and monitoring program will be developed to reduce the effects of potential negative environmental impacts.

8.	Client Representation: JPSCo will maintain contact, as may be necessary with the National Environment and Planning Agency to ensure that potential problems are efficiently and expeditiously rectified. Harding ESE will assist JPSCo as directed by the client.

Deliverable: Harding ESE will assist JPSCo, as required by client, at the NEPA and relevant government bodies to help ensure that regulatory compliance is maintained.

9.	Public Participation: During conduct of the EIA, JPSCo and Harding ESE as directed will provide the local community opportunity to review and comment on the construction and operation of the proposed landfill. On completion of the EIA, the NEPA may require public meeting(s) to present the findings of the EIA for public review and comment. Harding ESE will represent the client as directed by the client at these meeting(s).

Deliverable: Harding ESE will represent the client, as directed by the client, at public and agency meeting(s).