List of Table



INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION

AND

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

FOR

GREATER MEKONG SUB-REGION POWER TRADE PROJECT

Ban Hat in Champasak Province (Laos) to Stung Treng (Cambodia)

December 2010

Table of Contents

| | |Pages |

|I |INTRODUCTION |1 |

| |Background |1 |

| |1.2 Purpose of the report |1 |

| |1.3 Extend of the report |1 |

| |1.4 Legal and policy framework |2 |

| |1.4.1 Cambodia Environment Assessment Requirement |2 |

| |1.4.2 World Bank Operational Policy |2 |

| |1.4.3 Relevant Agreements |3 |

| | | |

|II |DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT |4 |

| |2.1 Project areas |4 |

| |2.2 Scope of the project |4 |

| |2.3 Amount of land required for construction |4 |

| |2.4 Transmission line route |6 |

| |2.5 Transmission line design |9 |

| |2.6 Tree clearance |10 |

| |2.7 Conductor selection |11 |

| |2.8 Substation design |11 |

| | | |

|III |PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION |12 |

| |3.1 Pre-construction activities |12 |

| |3.2 Construction |12 |

| |3.3 Operation and maintenance |13 |

| | | |

|IV |DESCRIPTIN OF THE ENVIRONMENT |14 |

| |4.1 PHYSICAL RESOURCES |14 |

| |4.1.1 Topography and drainage |14 |

| |4.1.2 Climate |14 |

| |4.1.3 Geology and soils |15 |

| |4.2 Biological resources |15 |

| |4.2.1 Flora |15 |

| |4.2.2 Fauna |16 |

| |Mammal |16 |

| |Birds |16 |

| |4.2.3 The Ramsar Site in Stung Treng |19 |

| |4.3 Socio-economic conditions |23 |

| |4.3.1 Administration |23 |

| |4.3.2 Population and settlement pattern |24 |

| |4.3.3 Land tenure |25 |

| |4.3.4 Land Use Change |27 |

| |Economic Land Concession |27 |

| |Social Land Concession |28 |

| |Agricultural Activities |29 |

| |4.3.5 Local economy and household characteristics |29 |

| |4.3.7 Transportation and Communication |30 |

| |4.3.7 Historical and religious sites |31 |

| | | |

|V |ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND MITIGATION MEASURES |33 |

| |5.1 Land acquisition and land use change |34 |

| |5.2 Land restriction |34 |

| |5.3 Crop and land disturbance |35 |

| |5.4 Soil erosion |36 |

| |5.5 Water quality and soil contamination |37 |

| |5.6 Noise and air quality |38 |

| |5.7 Loss of tree resources |38 |

| |5.8 Habitat loss |39 |

| |5.9 Resettlement |40 |

| |5.10 Health and safety |40 |

| |Labor force |40 |

| |Construction Hazards |41 |

| |5.11 Historic, cultural and religious sites |42 |

| |5.12 Negative impact in construction and maintenance state |42 |

| |5.12.1 Electrocution |42 |

| |5.12.2 Radio and TV interferences |43 |

| |5.12.3 Flight deaths and electrocution |43 |

| |Birds |43 |

| |Mammals |44 |

| |5.13. Positive environmental impact |45 |

| |5.13.1 Social and Economic benefit |45 |

| |5.13.2 Reduce air pollution |46 |

| | | |

|VI |ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN |47 |

| |6.1 Environmental management plan |47 |

| |6.2 EMP Monitoring |48 |

| |6.3 Environmental Management Responsibilities |56 |

| | | |

|VII |CONCLUSIONS |59 |

| |7.1 Public consultation |59 |

| |7.2 Methodology |59 |

| |7.3 Participant |62 |

| |7.4 Public Consultation meeting (main point discussion) |62 |

| |7.5 Main discussion and conclusions |62 |

| | | |

|VIII |EMP BUDGET AND FINANCING |63 |

| |List of Annexes |64 |

| |Annex 1: list of people consulted |65 |

| |Annex 2: Photo activities of the consultation team and persons consulted |69 |

| |Annex 3: List of Official letters |72 |

List of Tables and Figures

|List of Tables |Page |

|Table 2.1: Transmission Line Design Features |9 |

|Table 4.1: Climate Data for Stung Treng Province (2005) |16 |

|Table 4.2 Reported Occurrence of Mammals in or Near the Ramsar Site |17 |

|Table 4.3 Key Cambodian Bird Species Found in or Near the Ramsar Site |20 |

|Table 4.4 main occupation per sector in Stung Treng 2009 |24 |

|Table 4.5 Land Use Classification |28 |

|Table 4.6: List of economic land concession in Stung Treng (up to 15 September 2009) |28 |

|Table 4.7 Estimated rice balance based on actual cultivated in 2009 |30 |

|Table 5.1: Impact Matrix of Environmental Impact and Mitigation |32 |

|Table5.2: Estimated Land Acquisition |34 |

|Table:5.3: Demography in the Affected Villages |41 |

|Table 6.1: Environmental Mitigation Plan |48 |

|Figure 6.2: Organizational chart of project implementation |59 |

|Table 8.1: Compensation cost estimated for PAP |64 |

List of Figures

| |Page |

|Figure 2.1: : Existing proposed Transmission Line from Laos border to Stung Treng |4 |

|Figure 2.1 Proposed updated transmission line to 230 kv |7 |

|Figure 2.3: Project areas with IP and alternative line |8 |

|Figure 2.5: Compare similar 230 kV Towers |9 |

|Figure 2.6: Tree Clearance along the ROW |10 |

|Figure 2.7: Resettlement Clearance (ROW) |11 |

|Figure 4.1: Lower Island Area Locations |22 |

|Figure 4.2: Upper Island Area Location |23 |

|Figure 4.3: Population by district/municipal |24 |

|Figure 4.4 Percentage of four major occupations in each district, Stung Treng province |26 |

|Figure 6.1 Organizational chart of project implementation |58 |

|Figure 7.1 List of photo activities consulted |60 |

Acronyms

|APs |Affected Person/People |

|ASEAN |Association of Southeast Asian Nations |

|ASL |Above Sea Level |

|CBD |Convention on Biological Diversity |

|EAC |Electricity Authority of Cambodia |

|EdC |Electricity de Cambodia |

|EIA |Environmental Impact Assessment |

|EMF |Electrical and Magnetic Field |

|EMP |Environmental Management Plan |

|GHG |Greenhouse Gas |

|GMS |Greater Mekong Sub-Region |

|HFO |Heavy Fuel Oil |

|IEC |International Electro-technical Committee |

|IEE |Initial Environmental Examination |

|IEIA |Initial Environmental Impact Assessment |

|IMO |Independent Monitoring Organization |

|IPP |Independent Power Producer |

|IRC |Inter-ministerial Resettlement Committee |

|ISO |International Standards Organization |

|LDO |Light Diesel Oil |

|MEF |Ministry of Economy and Finance |

|MIME |Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy |

|MOE |Ministry of Environment |

|NR |National Road |

|PAC/F/H |People Affected Communities/Families/Households |

|PIC |Project Implementation Consultant |

|PMO |Project Management Office |

|RPEC |Resettlement Plan/Environmental Coordinator |

|ROW |Right of Way |

|RP |Resettlement Plan |

|UXO |Unexploded Ordinance |

Units/measurement

|mm |Millimeter |

|km |Kilometer |

|sq |Square-millimeter |

|V |Volt |

|kV |Kilovolt (1,000 volts) |

|A |Ampere (Coulomb/second) |

|kA |Kilo Ampere |

|W |Watt (Joule/second) |

|kW |Kilowatt (1,000 W) |

|MW |Megawatt (1,000 kW) |

|GW |Gigawatt (1,000MW) |

|Wh |Watt-hour |

|kWh |Kilowatt-hour (1,000 Wh) |

|MWh |Megawatt-hour (1,000 kWh) |

|GWh |Gigawatt-hour (1,000 MWh) |

|VA |Volt-Ampere |

|kVA |Kilovolt-Ampere (1,000 VA) |

|MVA |Megavolt-Ampere (1,000 KVA) |

NOTES OF CHANGES

(Between December 2006 IEE and this UPDATED IEE)

| | | |

|REFERENCE |New |Explanation |

|EXECUTIVE SUMMARY |230 KV in Stung Treng |Updated statistics in Stung Treng |

| |Only | |

|Introduction to project Background |Updated |Removed reference to Kampong Cham and 115kV transmission line |

|Description of the project |New |Transmission line routes are new and substation is at a new site. |

|From 2.1. Project Area to 2.9. Substation | |Only Samaki is valid. The 230 kV line crosses Ou Svay, Sdau, |

|Design | |Kamphun communes. It also crosses Se Kong and Se San rivers. All |

| | |new maps have been replaced. |

|Project implementation |Update |Change some key figures |

|Description of Environment |Update |More information are added such as bird in proposed new site, land|

| | |tenure, land use change and completely new for economic land and |

| | |social land concession, socio economic data |

|Environmental Impact and Mitigation measure |Update |New data added |

|Environmental Management Plan |Update |Revised some key figures |

|Conclusions |Update |Additional data from public consultation in 2010 are added. The |

| | |old data move to annex part. |

|EMP Budget and Financing |Update |This is based on social impact section |

|Appendix | | |

|Public consultation in 2006 |Update |This move to annex |

|List of key informants and activities during |New |List of people meets and consulted and place visited have been |

|visit in Sept 2010 | |updated and put into annex |

|List of Official Letters |No update |No update |

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Transmission Line Project is part of the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) Power Trade Project that will be made possible through the financial assistance of the World Bank. This project will provide a reliable supply of electricity to Stung Treng Province and other neighboring provinces in the future.

A 230kV double circuit transmission line is to be constructed by Electricité Du Cambodge (EDC). This transmission line will extend 46.7km, along the west side of NR No. 7 from Laotian Border, passing through four communes in three districts and Se Kong and Se Sen Rivers. It reaches a substation in Kamphun, in Se San District and about 14Km from Stung Treng town.

The settlement and land use pattern along the proposed route is primarily rural composed of villages of between 30 households, and far away from urban settlement. The local economy is characterized by rural production and provision of basic goods and services. The primary occupation among the Affected Persons (APs) is farming (all of AP respondents) with rice as the main source of income.

The Korean Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) formulated in 2006 a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) covering two 115kV lines for the relocation of households and other structures and land use restrictions within the Transmission Line Right of Way (ROW) and to identify impacts on the affected population and to provide proper compensation. A detailed survey of the final route will be carried out to finalize and peg the transmission line centerline, ROW, and tower locations to identify the people affected by construction and substation sites, and to inform APs what aspects and what extent of their physical and non-physical assets are affected. This expected to occur sometime in 2011.

Built upon the work of the Social and Business Khmer Research and Development (SBK) in 2006, socioeconomic surveys of affected persons (APs) at proposed Substation site, as well as its Resettlement Cost Study, the EDC and local consultants conducted a survey to update the costs of resettlement compensation as part of this updated RAP to ensure that the rates reflect accurate replacement costs for losses at current market value. These are independent and objective studies in the current Feasibility Study Phase of the Project to determine value of land, structures, perennial and annual crops, and other non-land based income (e.g., businesses, fishponds). This maximizes the economic and social benefits of the investment. These rates will be updated by a professional asset value during the Detailed Design Phase when final compensation rates acceptable to both APs and the Government.

The mitigation of impacts during construction will be based on selection of construction techniques and machinery that function with a minimum of ground disturbance. Construction activities on crop land will be timed to avoid the disturbance of field crops within one month of harvest wherever possible.

An ongoing process of information exchange through community participation of affected villagers and venders with agriculture specialists, contractors and builders, and officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery facilitates the work of agencies and stakeholders involved and reduces potential conflicts, minimizes risks of project delays, enables a comprehensive development program design of resettlement and rehabilitation that prioritizes the needs of the affected villagers.

An Income Restoration Strategy has been developed if effects or losses on land, houses, structures, crops, trees, and communal properties cannot be avoided. APs will be compensated in cash or in kind at replacement cost to maintain or improve their livelihood and socioeconomic foundation. Severely affected farmers losing 20% or more of total productive landholding and vulnerable groups will be entitled to other rehabilitation assistance, including extension and technical assistance to improve productivity on remaining land or to develop alternative livelihoods.

Lack of formal legal rights to land does not prevent APs from receiving compensation and rehabilitation assistance. Those APs in possession of user's rights or any form of written or verbal agreements with Provincial, District, or Commune authorities to utilize the land are entitled to compensation and assistance. Tenants are also entitled to compensation and assistance.

Rehabilitation assistance will be provided to those requiring relocation and to recover social and economic networks to pre-project levels or better. A Housing Relocation Allowance and Transportation Allowance will be provided to relocating APs to enable the transport of affected households' building materials and other affected properties to new sites. A cash payment of US$40 is per house. A Cost of Disruption Allowance in the amount of US$40 will be paid to every relocating household and households severely affected by loss of 10% or more of productive, income-generating assets.

Special Assistance for Socially or Economically Vulnerable Households such as the very poor, households headed by the aged, women, and the disabled, as well as ethnic minorities will be provided so they may improve their socio-economic conditions based on identified needs and priorities. This includes assistance for landless households to obtain land, assistance to the poor to improve their housing, as well as skills training to learn a trade.

Total updated estimated cost of implementation of the RP is US$ 153,671.70 including all entitlements, implementation, contingencies, and Incremental Administrative Costs. The incremental costs of administration related to the preparation and implementation of the RP including External Monitoring are estimated at 20% of the total resettlement cost or US$19,701.50. The total costs of compensation for the Project including a 30% contingency are estimated at US$133,970.20.

The revied IEE and EMP is an attempt to identify the number of local residents affected by the project, the nature and degree of impact on them, measures taken to minimize the effects and compensation, and other assistance to be delivered to affected people for unavoidable impacts. Some key potential impact includes bird flying areas at the new proposed sub-station and rural infrastructure such as road which could not accommodate heavy trucks during construction and post construction.

I. Introduction

1. Background

With financial support from World Bank, EdC has launched the construction project of one transmission line from the Laos Border to Stung Treng. This project is a part of the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) Power Project. As clearly defined by the Ministry of Environment, the project is going to be carried out with environmental sustainability of the affected areas along the ROW.

In 2006, KEPCO had carried out IEE and EMP in an attempt to identify the number of local residents affected by the project, the nature and degree of impact on them, measures taken to minimize the effects and compensation, and other assistance to be delivered to affected people for unavoidable impacts.

The social impacts from the transmission lines will be the relocation of households and dwellings and other buildings within the ROW during construction, and land use restrictions within the ROW during operation.

The primary bio-physical impacts, associated with transmission line construction and operation are land use change, vegetation loss, minor habitat loss, wildlife death, and minor erosion.

2. Purpose of the IEe

The purpose of this Initial Environmental Examination is to:

▪ This IEE revision is to reflect the impacts and mitigations in upgrading the TL from 115kv to 230 kV.

▪ Identify and assess environmental impacts associated with transmission lines.

▪ Identify design, construction and maintenance measures to avoid or mitigate potential adverse environmental impacts, to be incorporated into the final design.

▪ Develop an environmental management plan and associated monitoring plan for project construction and operation.

▪ Assess the organizational capacity of the implementing agency and provide recommendations for enhancement.

1.3. Extent of IEE

This IEE covers the assessment of bio-physical and socio-economic aspects of the proposed 230 kV transmission lines from the Laos border to Stung Treng, collectively referred to as the "transmission line" throughout this IEE.

This IEE is based on the feasibility design of the main transmission line route and line structures, and primarily assesses key environmental issues. Final route and line design will be undertaken by the Contractor in accordance with feasibility design criteria. Changes may occur to the selected route, but these are expected to be minor. The design of the line structures may change particularly tower height and spacing.

1.4. Legal and Policy Framework

According to the Law of the Royal Government of Cambodia and World Bank Policy the project is required to conduct a study of Environmental Assessment. No conflict has been identified between these separate requirements.

1. Cambodia Environmental Assessment Requirement

The key requirements of the Environmental Assessment are that environmental and social impact assessment is carried out, impacts are minimized and mitigation and compensation measures incorporated into the project including assistance to people affected by the project.

All the above requirements have to be in accordance with the Law of Royal Government of Cambodia on Environmental Protection and Natural resource Management, This law is supported by the Sub-Decree on Environmental Impact Assessment Process (Sub-Decree 72, August 11, 1999), which sets out institutional responsibilities, impact assessment requirements and examination procedure. The Annex to the Sub-Decree lists project types that require Initial Environmental Impact Assessment (IEIA) or Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), although no distinction is made between these two types of assessments. The Draft Guideline for conducting Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA Report 2000), prepared by The Department of Environmental Impact Assessment, Provides an EIA format guideline and indicates mandatory information to be provided in the EIA. All mandatory information is contained in this IEE.

2. World Bank Operational Policy

The World Bank’s Environmental Assessment Policy (OP 4.01) requires that the environmental assessment accurately identify the breadth, depth and type of analysis based on the nature, scale and potential impacts. Environmental assessments are classified into different categories based on complexity, scale and level of impact, ranging from the largest and most complex - Category A, to the smallest and least complex – Category C. For all categories the environmental assessment should take into account global environmental aspects on biodiversity and institutional capabilities related to environmental and social aspects.

The assessment nevertheless examines the project’s potential environmental impacts and recommends measures to prevent, minimize, mitigate, or compensate for adverse impacts and improve environmental performance. The project has to avoid forest, wild lands, national parks, protected or other sensitive natural environments areas and particular cultural and social sensitive area such as temples, graves, schools.

3. Relevant Agreements

Cambodia is one of the signatories to a number of international conventions and agreements that include:

▪ Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD ,1995)

▪ Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar, 1975)

▪ ASEAN Agreement on the conservation of Nature and Natural Resource (1985)

Cambodia ratified The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity in 1995. The three objectives of this convention are to conserve biodiversity, sustainable use biological resources and to fairly and equitably share the benefits resulting from the use of genetic resources.

Cambodia became a party to the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance in 1999, formally listing three Ramsar sites in the north, center and south-west of the country, with plans to consider further sites.

Cambodia signed the ASEAN Agreement on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources in 1985, committing its self maintaining essential ecological processes preserving genetic diversity and ensuring sustainable natural resource use.

II. Description of the Project

2.1. Project Area

Figure 2.1: Old (Dec 2006) Transmission Line from Laotian border to Stung Treng

The former project study area encompassed Samaki Commune, Stung Treng District, and Stung Treng Province. Samaki Commune has 6 Villages. The revised one has encompassed four villages in three communes and three districts listed below:

• Forest areas in Ou Svay District from Laotian border (Thalaboriwat district).

• Koh Khon Den, Sangkat Samaki (Krong Stung Treng)

• Sdau village, Sdau Commune (Sesan district).

• Kamphun village in Kamphun commune (Se San district).

2.2. Scope of the project

The followings are the scope and extent of the project:

▪ A 230kV double circuit transmission line from the Laotian Border to Stung Treng (Kamphun), 46.7 km of steel lattice towers, contains one substation, located in Kamphun Village, Kamphun Commune, Se San District (around 14km from Stung Treng). This substation is accessible through a newly-paved road from Stung Treng on the southern side of Se San River to the provincial Airport.

▪ The clearance of a 40 meter wide path along the transmission line route (20 meters on either side from the central line).

▪ The Resettlement of Affected Persons along the path of clearance of the power transmission line (20 m x 20 m on either side from the central power line).

▪ The land for one substation to be cleared with the dimensions of about 200m x 200m. It is currently rice field. Five land plots along the road in front of designated substation (4 wooden houses) will be affected.

▪ The land for the access road to the substation will be cleared of 50m x 200m. Half of that is occupied land and the rest is rice field.

2.3. Amount of Land required for construction

In general the project will require the following areas of land:

▪ 2.9025 ha of land for tower footings based transmission line from the Laotian Border to Stung Treng Province.

▪ 5 ha of land for the substation including the access road of 200 m x 50m.

The construction of 230 kV transmission line and one substation will require the acquisition of land, or in the case of transmission line, restriction of land use below the power line. The substation site is located on private lands. Towers for the transmission line include standard lattice towers for which an area of 225 m² (15x15m) is required per tower. The number and location of towers were determined during the detailed design phase, which currently stands at 129. However, land owners will lose only a small area for each tower.

There is not much agricultural land within the proposed alignments. When it is necessary to construct transmission lines across agricultural land the EdC will permanently acquire the land on which the tower is to be situated. In the unlikely event that it is necessary to acquire land for towers, compensation will be provided to the affected persons (APs) on whose land the tower will be located.

4. Transmission Line Route

The 230kV Transmission Line from the Laos Border to Stung Treng, is approximately 46.7 km:

- From Laos border to Stung Treng runs along the south side of NR7 until the cross road to Krong Stung Treng.

- After that it runs crossing the NR 7 and run along it to Stung Treng Sub-station in the east.

- It would be set back from the road by 100 to 200 meter in order to reduce environment impact. Most trees and plants along the west and east side of the road have already been cleared and pruned, so that the necessary conductor clearance distance will be provided. There are few settlements and individual houses along the route. The new TL (230 kV) will come across current Keo Vuthy Economic Land concession.

Figure 2.3 Proposed updated transmission line to 230 kv before field survey 2010

[pic]

Figure 2.4: Project Area: Purple line is a new route determined during the field survey (Sept 26-29) with EDC staff and subject to technical verification

[pic]

2.5. Transmission Line Design

The chosen nominal voltage level of the 230 kV corresponds to the intended voltage of the interconnection with Laos.

Although demand at Stung Treng may currently be low, MIME emphasized the importance of Stung Treng as the hub in the northeast which is a focus area of a regional development triangle among Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Therefore, double circuit transmission lines will be installed to satisfy above similar reasons to those stated in Stung Treng.

Table 2.1: Transmission Line Design Features

|Design Feature |TL Line from Laos –Stung Treng |

|Line Length |46.7 km ( to be confirmed) |

|Type of Support |Tower |

|Number of Towers |129 |

|Average span between Tower |300-400 m |

|Tree Clearance Width |15 x 15 |

|(From central power line) | |

|Resettlement Clearance Width(ROW) |15 x 15 m |

|(From central power line) | |

|Tower height |25 to 50 m and 78.6 m river crossing |

|Substations |200m x 200 m |

Figure 2.5: left to right (230 kV Tower Design, Similar 230 kV Tower and river crossing tower)

6. Tree Clearance

Trees will be either removed or periodically pruned to provide necessary line clearance, whilst minor pruning will be required for insulated distribution lines. The SWER alignment will avoid in preference to trees grown for wood and smaller fruit trees as many of these trees can be pruned to provide the necessary line clearance without killing the trees. If growing tip of palm is removed then the tree dies.

Vegetation clearance distances will be maintained by pruning regrowth every 1-2 years. Cuttings will be offered to the local resident if the pruned tree is privately owned, or offered to the community for communal trees, but if cutting are not required then the contractor will be responsible for their disposal. It is proposed that pruning contracts be awarded to local people to maintain line clearances.

Figure 2.6: Tree Clearance along the ROW

2.7. Conductor Selection

In a transmission line construction, the conductor usually comprises 20% to 30% of the material and labor costs. The selection of conductors is critical since the wind and tension loads that supporting structures must withstand are dependent on the size and type if conductors used. Structure heights are also largely dependent on the conductors selected since maximum sag of phase conductors under maximum ice or maximum temperature conditions is governed by certain physical, mechanical and dimensional properties of the conductor. Even environmental effects, such as radio noise and audible noise, are heavily influenced by the conductors themselves.

8. Substation Design

Transmission lines from Laos’s border to Stung Treng substations will be connected to substation in Ban Hat, Laos and operated under the voltage of 230 kV, with double circuits.

The design shall comply with Cambodia “Electric Power Technical Standards” and the guidebook for “Power Engineers” issued by the ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy (MIME) and other international standards. The design shall be suitable for operation in Cambodia weather. In the case of matters not stipulated in the technical standards, IEC or ISO standards will be applied.

III. PROJECT implementation

3.1. PRE-CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES

Pre-construction activities will involve the final design of the transmission structures and routes, geotechnical investigations, asset verification and acquisition, compensation and relocation measures.

A detail final design will be prepared for the transmission line, towers and substations. Final designs will include tower spacing and a range of foundation and tower types for different ground and flood conditions. A detailed survey of the route will be undertaken based on the previously surveyed route to finalize and peg the transmission line centerline, ROW and tower location.

Asset verification will be completed once the ROW has been pegged, for all privately owned land, buildings, trees and other non-transferable property within the ROW that will be affected by the construction or operation of the line or substations. This will be used to update the existing asset database. The acquisition of land at tower sites, the relocation of buildings within the ROW and the payment of compensation for trees to be removed will be finalized prior to the start of construction at each related site.

3.2. CONSTRUCTION

Sections of the line will be constructed concurrently by multiple work teams to complete the line during this period. Construction will primarily occur during the dry season (November-May), when ground conditions are dry enough to allow heavy machinery access to tower sites for foundation construction and tower erection and to the substation sites for foundation preparation. The only construction that may occur during the wet season will be substation construction after the foundations have been prepared. Line stringing may also occur, although this may be limited by access to the line and thunderstorm activity.

The main transmission line construction activities will be vegetation clearance within the Clearance Width, tower foundation construction, tower erection and line stringing. Vegetation clearance will be undertaken by hand and kept to the minimum required to achieve necessary line clearance distances, restricted to the 30 m Clearance plus nearby large trees that could fall and damage the line. Vegetation less than 3 m high will not be cleared. Land mine or cluster bomb clearance will be required at least at one site along the Clearance prior to any construction in the vicinity.

Tower foundation will be constructed by in drilling each footing point with a mobile drilling unit, then concreting the excavated voids to form footing points. Alternatively, pre-fabricated concreting pile will be driven into the ground to form the foundation points, with the exposed sections of the piles tied together by concrete horizontal beams. On sites subject to deep flooding a concrete support structure will be constructed.

The substations will be constructed by removing and stockpiling topsoil from the area to be land filled, installing the earth mat and land filling to approximately 1 m above original ground level. Topsoil will then be spread over the fill batters and seeded. Construction of the substation facilities will then be undertaken.

3.3 operation and maintenance

Transmission line operation will generally involve limited maintenance activities. Line maintenance will usually be restricted to periodic, special and emergency inspections. Routine inspections and planned maintenance will be timed to occur during the dry season where possible, whereas emergency line reinstatement may have to occur during the wet season.

Patrolling of the line from the ground will be undertaken periodically before and after the monsoon. The patroller will inspect structure foundations, insulators, conductors, and jumpers, etc. Periodic hand pruning of vegetation within the ROW will be undertaken to maintain line clearance distances.

Special inspections will be undertaken after floods, severe winds, hail storms, earthquakes and fires. Emergency inspections of the affected section of line will be undertaken after each tripping of the line to ascertain the nature of the fault and carry out repairs. Failure of the line involving a wire break is highly unlikely, but it would require line restringing.

Iv. Description of the Environment

The bio-physical and socio-economic environment along the majority of the proposed transmission line routes are generally typical of non-irrigated floodplain paddy land and cleared forests as slash and burn agriculture in Stung Treng, northeastern of Cambodia.

4.1 Physical Resources

Topography, drainage, geology and soils along the proposed transmission line routes are described in this section.

4.1.1. Topography and Drainage

The proposed transmission line route is located on or near the Upper Mekong floodplain, which forms part of the Mekong Lowlands. The entire route is flat, with grades generally between 0-1%, except for hillsides between Ch.19.600-28.000 (plantation) and Ch. 59.850-61.300, and for specific site features such as riverbanks, canal and drain banks, road and rail embankments and the landform transition between settlement areas and lower paddy fields. Lower floodplain land is interspersed with shallow water bodies and minor rises, often where settlement and tree crops are grown.

The elevation of the route ranges between 5-44 m above sea level (ASL), with most of the route located between 5-18 m ASL. The lowest point occurs where the line terminates on the Vietnam border.

Seasonal flooding occurs over an estimated 70% of the route, based on levels recorded in the route survey that included anecdotal information on flood levels. Flood levels up to 3.5 m deep occur on the southern end of the route, but the majority of seasonal flooding is estimated to be less than 1.2 m deep.

4.1.2. Climate

The high coastal mountains of Viet Nam shield the Stung Treng area during the northeast monsoon, the coolest and driest part of the year. At this time, and particularly in December and January, winds from central Asia bring cooler air to northeast Cambodia. From February onwards, light southerly winds bring warmer air and the hottest time of the year until the southwest monsoon breaks in May.

The project area has a monsoon-dominant climate, described as tropical wet and dry due to the distinct seasonal variation. Approximately 70-80% of annual rainfall occurs during the southwest monsoon from mid-May to late September or early October. The northeast monsoon brings drier and cooler air from early November to March, then hotter conditions prevail in April and early May, producing a pronounced dry season.

The hot season lasts from March to June, with air temperatures in the project area peaking in April at an average daily maximum of 36 ºC. The coolest months are December/January with an average daily maximum of 30-31 ºC.

Table 4.1: Climate Data for Stung Treng Province (2005)

|Month |Stung Treng province |

| |Ave.Max |Ave.Min |Rain |

| |Temp (oC) |Temp (oC) |(mm) |

|January |32.90 |20.90 |0.00 |

|February |34.00 |21.70 |0.00 |

|March |35.80 |24.60 |13.70 |

|April |37.50 |26.00 |24.50 |

|May |35.40 |25.50 |95.40 |

|June |33.10 |24.20 |218.60 |

|July |32.70 |24.60 |233.50 |

|August |32.20 |24.30 |336.00 |

|September |32.90 |24.00 |302.50 |

|October |32.40 |22.80 |63.70 |

|November |33.60 |22.50 |37.90 |

|December |31.80 |19.70 |42.80 |

|Annual Mean |33.69 |23.40 |114.05 |

Source: Ministry of Water Resource and Meteorology

4.1.3. Geology and Soils

Geology along the transmission line route is characterized by Cenozoic alluvial plain deposits, terrace alluvial, pediments, alluvial fans and floodplains. Accordingly, surface soils along the route are reasonably uniform. Soil fertility is very low, with little potential to improve rice yields by more intensive management. The soil is subject to water logging due to the low permeability of the underlying subsoil, and can be saturated for periods of up to a week even after heavy, short duration rainfall. The soil is also drought sensitive due to the low water holding capacity of the sandy surface soils and the difficulty of root penetration into the heavy subsoil.

4.2. Biological Resources

Flora, fauna and protected areas along the proposed transmission line route are described in this section.

4.2.1. Flora

Vegetation cover within the ROW is largely dictated by the intensive land use activities that occur along the entire route. Areas of grassland occasionally occur next to watercourses or on land with poorer cultivation potential as a fallow between occasiona1 crops. Small areas of flooded grassland occur within some water courses and depressions.

Trees locate along the ROW (Laos Border to Stung Treng) are considered to be forest trees which most of them have already been cleared

4.2.2. Fauna

There are no fauna will be affected by the transmission line ROW from (Laos Border to Stung Treng). Since the habitats along the ROW were already cleared.

A. Mammal

Vong (2004) provides the most comprehensive account to date of mammals recorded from or close to the Ramsar site. A total of 26 species were found to be presently or recently living in or close to it (Table 3.3). Small mammals (bats, rats, mice, shrews, otters, civets etc) were not included in the study. The total number of mammals in the Ramsar site will therefore be considerably higher than 26. Most of the Ramsar site mammals were reportedly hunted and together with habitat loss/degradation and loss of prey species this has contributed to the reported decline and local extinction of many species. Hunting appears to be carried out extensively and is done for both local consumption and sale for meat, trophy and medicinal purposes.

Table 4.2 Reported Occurrence of Mammals in or Near the Ramsar Site

|English Name |Scientific Name |Occurrence and Comments |

|Sunda pangolin |Manis javanica |Outside Ramsar area, rare and declining. Hunted |

|Long-tailed macaque |Macaca fascicularis |Common in Ramsar. Hunted occasionally |

|Pig-tailed macaque |Macaca nemestrina |Occurs on some Ramsar islands and O'Talash river |

|Asian wild dog (dhole) |Cuon alpines |Occurs outside Ramsar. Rare |

|Asiatic jackal |Canis aureus |Believed to be rare around Ramsar |

|Sun bear |Ursus malayanus |Formerly in Ramsar, rare and declining outside. Hunted |

|Asiatic black bear |Ursus thibetanus |Formerly present. Now believed absent from Ramsar |

|Jungle cat |Felis chaus |In areas close to Ramsar, e.g. O'Talash. Rare. Hunted |

|Leopard |Panthera pardus |Occasionally in Ramsar |

|Tiger |Panthers tigris |Reported from Preah Rumkel commune |

|Asian golden cat |Catopuma temminkii |Not recently recorded and believed absent from Ramsar |

|Leopard cat |Prionailurus bengalensis |Present in Ramsar site. Hunted |

|Fishing cat |Prionailurus viverrinus |Formerly common now believed only in O'Talash. Hunted |

|Clouded leopard |Neofelis nebulosa |Reportedly in O'Talash. Rare. Hunted |

|Southern serow |Naemorhedus sumatrensis |Recorded at O'Savy in 1993. Hunted |

|Banteng |Bos javanicus |Rare in Ramsar. Hunted |

|Gaur |Bos gaurus |Believed to occur in forests outside Ramsar. Hunted |

|Wild water buffalo |Bubalus arnee |Absent |

|Sambar |Cervus unicolor |Absent from Ramsar but occurs in nearby forests. |

| | |Hunted |

|Eld's deer |Cervus eldii |Absent from and near Ramsar |

|Indian muntjac |Muntiacus muntjac |Ramsar islands and O'Talash |

|East Asian porcupine |Hystrix brachyura |Common. Hunted for medicinal purposes and food |

|Wild boar |Sus scrofa |Common in Ramsar. Hunted |

|Asian elephant |Elephas maximus |Occurs in or near Preah Rumkel |

|Slow loris |Nycticebus coucang |Occurs in or near Ramsar. In decline and hunted |

|Pygmy loris |Nycticebus pygmaeus |Absent |

| | | |

Source: adapted from Smith (2001) and Vong (2004)

Field survey from 26-29 September 2010 showed elephant and tigers were found in Sesan district which is close to the new proposed sub-station in Kamphun across Sdau commune. However, the sub-station is close to village which will not affect these type of mammals.

B. Birds

The new proposed transmission line has extended beyond existing areas on Ramsar Site of the Mekong in Stung Treng and Thalboriwat district to Sesan district across two more tributaries: Sekong and Sesan River. BirdLife International (2003) has identified 40 important bird areas (IBAs) for Cambodia. Fiver was found in StungTreng.

The first is the Mekong river channel from Kratie to the Lao PDR border, which includes the Ramsar site. The altitudes of these area range from 21 to 189 meters asl. This IBA contains seven globally threatened and near-threatened species: the critically-endangered white-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis) and white-shouldered ibis (Pseudibis davisoni) and the near-threatened black-bellied tern (Sterna acuticauda), grey-headed fish eagle (Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus), the red-headed vulture (Sarcogyps calvus), oriental darter (Anhinga melanogaster), and the Mekong endemic the Mekong wagtail (Motacilla samveasnae). The Sarus crane (Grus antigone) is reported by Danida (2000) to occur at O'Svay and Preah Rumkel communes as well as other communes near the Ramsar site. Vong (2004) did not record this species. Vong (2004) recorded all these species as occurring in the Ramsar site.

The second is the Sekong River, which lies on the territory of Siem Pang and Se San districts and covers an area of 14,116 ha, with an altitude (m asl) of 44 to 108. The IBA comprises the stretch of the Sekong River from the international border with Lao to its confluence with the Mekong River. Along this stretch of the river, there are many different habitats, many of which can be categorized as channel mosaiscs of rock and sand islands with riverine scrub. There are few stretches with large sandbars, and significant stretches are slow-moving and relatively featureless. For much of its length, the Sekong River is fringed by a belt of gallery forests, about 100 m wide, which is significantly taller than the adjacent deciduous dipterocarp forest, and contains a high proportion of broadleaf evergreen trees. However this has been degraded or cleared for cultivation in many areas.

The third is the Virachey National Park, which lays in Siem Pang district of Stung Treng province, and Veun Sai and Taveng districts of Ratnakiri provinces. This IBA covers an area of 432,415 ha, with altitude (m asl) from 65 to 1,546. This IBA borders Laos to the north and Vietnam to the east. The IBA comprises all areas, primarily of evergreen and semi-evergreen forest, within and adjacent to the national park above 150 m asl. The vegetation in this area is dominated by dense semi-evergreen forest, interspersed with patches of true evergreen forest, upland savanna, bamboo thickets and occasional patches of mixed deciduous forest.

The fourth IBA is the Sesan River. The IBA area covers Sesan district and partially in Siem Pang of of Stung Treng, Veun Sai, Taveng, and Andong Meas districts of Ratanakiri province, with an area of 20,504 ha, and altitudes ranging from 43 to 166 masl. The IBA comprises the entire Cambodian stretch of the Sesan River and associated riverine vegetation, from its confluence with the Sekong River to the international border with Vietnam. The riverine vegetation is dominated by semi-evergreen and mixed deciduous forest, which grades into deciduous dipterocarp forest away from the river.

The fifth IBA associated with the province is Lumphat, which lies in Se San district of Stung Treng, Sambo district of Kratie province, and Kom Mum and Lumphat district of Ratanakiri province and Koh Nhek district of Mondulkiri province. This IBA covers territory of 306,397 ha, with an altitude (masl) ranging from 90 to 160. The IBA comprises a contiguous area of open deciduous dipterocarp forest extending from the western parts of Lumphat Wildlife Sanctuary, to the north and west, as far as the confluence of the Sesan and Srepok Rivers. The vegetation of the IBA is dominated by mixed deciduous forest, and semi-evergreen forest. Seasonal streams, often flanked by gallery forest, are found throughout the IBA, and there are numerous deep pools, mostly seasonal.

The follow up visit from September 26-29, 2010 with provincial department of environment officials reported large amount of endangered bird species are found seasonal migration in the province such as: White-shoulder ibis migrate out to Siem Pang, Sekong at Boeng York areas from October, March, April and May from Ramsar site. Surus Crane also found migrate from Ramsar (Preak Rumke, O’svay commune) to Siem Pang, Sekong River and to areas surrouned Tonle Sap Lake, Red-head vulture migrate from Stung Treng to Preah Vihear and Mondulkiri provinces.

In the most comprehensive bird survey undertaken to date in the Ramsar site and adjacent areas, Vong (2004) recorded 231 species. This is nearly half the total currently known from Cambodia. These records include birds from both the Mekong river channel and the northern plains to the east and west of the river. Smith (2001) identified 39 key Cambodian bird species of which Vong (2004) recorded 17 from the Ramsar site area (Table 4.3). It is very clear therefore that the Ramsar site and adjacent forest areas are of major importance for the conservation of Cambodia's birds.

Table 4.3 Key Cambodian Bird Species Found in or Near the Ramsar Site

|English Name |Scientific Name |Occurrence and Comments |

|Spot-billed pelican |Pelecanus philippensis |Reportedly occurs August to November. |

| | |Globally threatened – vulnerable |

|Oriental darter |Anhinga melanogaster |Globally near-threatened |

|Painted stork |Mycteria leucocephala |Globally near-threatened |

|Lesser adjutant |Leptoptilos javanicus |Globally threatened – vulnerable |

|Greater adjutant |Leptoptilos dubius |Globally threatened – endangered |

|White-shouldered ibis |Pseudibis davisoni |Globally threatened – critical |

|White-winged duck |Carina scutulata |Globally threatened – endangered |

|Lesser fish-eagle |Ichthyophaga humilis |Globally near-threatened |

|Grey-headed fish-eagle |Ichthyophaga ichthya |Globally near-threatened |

|White-rumped vulture |Gyps bengalensis |Globally threatened – critical |

|Cinereous vulture |Aegypius monachus |Globally near-threatened |

|Red-headed vulture |Sarcogyps calvus |Globally near-threatened |

|White-rumped falcon |Aquilla clanga |Globally near-threatened |

|Green peafowl |Pavo muticus |Globally threatened–vulnerable |

|Black-bellied tern |Sterna acuticauda |Globally near-threatened |

|Indian skimmer |Rhyncops albicollis |Record needs confirming |

|Great hornbill |Buceros bicornis |Globally near-threatened |

Source: adapted from Smith (2001) and Vong (2004)

The project for transmission lene for Laos border to Stung Treng, according to Fiat –Law of fisheries 1987, large scale commercial fishing is not allowed in the Ramsar reserve.

4.2.3 The Ramsar Site in Stung Treng

The complex ecosystem of the Stung Treng Ramsar site is not newly recognised. Its first description can be referred back to the French colonial period in the 19th century. During the French expedition (1866 – 1868) along the Mekong mainstream, de Carné described the river's characteristics from Kratie to Stung Treng:

From Stung Treng town to the Lao PDR border, the characteristics of the river still continue to be impressive. Here de Carné (1872) has described that in some places the water flowed violently through the twisted channels and between flooded forests along the river bed. The river and forest joined one to the other and nothing was heard but the noise of the wind in the high branches of trees, or the roaring of the waters round their roots. The account also shows that when the evening came, some fishers (as now) showed themselves by the flickering light of their torches, which illuminated them with fiery serpent-like beams cast on the waters, and the dying voice of the wind. Elsewhere, the water spreads out, half-veiled by charming trees, which bend over it and dip their ever-fresh leaves, and white and rose flowers, in its coolness.

In 1999, a 37 km stretch of the Mekong river from about 5 km north of Stung Treng town to about 3 km south of the Lao PDR border (with 500 m on each side of the river) was designated as a Ramsar reserve (‘wetland of international importance’ under the Ramsar Convention). The site covers an area of 14,600 hectares. Currently, there are about 13,000 people living at the site. It is located in two districts: Thalaboriwat and Stung Treng, with four communes, 21 villages, and about 40 islands (DoE, 2002).

The varied and special ecological conditions of the Ramsar site provide the area with a great diversity of wildlife – mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and vegetation –described in detail in Chapter 4. The four flagship species1 of the Mekong Wetlands Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use Programme (MWBP) are found in or very close to the Ramsar reserve – the Irrawaddy dolphin, Sarus crane, Mekong Giant Catfish and Siamese crocodile. This gives the area an added significance for the programme.

Figure 4.1 Lower Island Area Locations

[pic]

[pic]

Figure 4.2: Upper Island Area Location

4.3. Socio-Economic Conditions

The general social environment in the vicinity of the propose transmission line route is described below.

4.3.1. Administration

The 230 kV transmission line routes from Laos Border to Stung Treng Crosses Samaki Commune, Stung Treng District, to Sdau and Kamphun commune in Sesan district total route 46.7 km.

4.3.2. Population and Settlement Pattern

Before National Road No.7 renovated in late 2006, most people live along rivers: the Mekong, Seskong, Sesan and Srepok. Waterway and boats remained major transportation. Most of agricultural products come from the four rivers in the provinces.

Population has increased from 96,015 (18,721 families) in 2005, in 2006: 98,374 (19,206 families), in 2007: 99,322 (20,042 families) and in 2008 with 106,378 (20,819 families). The province is divided into four districts and one city (Stung Treng).

Figure 4.3: Population by district/municipal

[pic]

Table 4.4 Percentage of occupation per sector in Stung Treng 2009

|Description |2006 |2007 |2008 |

| |% |% |% |Number |

|Families whose primary occupation is agriculture |82.79 |83.86 |84.94 |17,683 |

|Families whose primary occupation is rice farming |76.97 |78.39 |79.64 |16,581 |

|Families whose primary occupation is cultivating long-term |2.51 |2.14 |2.03 |422 |

|crops | | | | |

|Families whose primary occupation is cultivating short-term |1.12 |2.23 |1.42 |295 |

|crops | | | | |

|Families whose primary occupation is cultivating vegetable |0.54 |0.52 |0.45 |93 |

|Families whose primary occupation is fisherman |0.56 |0.34 |1.03 |215 |

|Families whose primary occupation is livestock farmer |0.68 |0.15 |0.29 |61 |

|Families whose primary occupation is NTFP collection |0.4 |0.09 |0.08 |16 |

| | | | | |

|Families whose main occupation is craft work |0.36 |0.33 |0.44 |91 |

|Families, who is furniture crafter, wooden, rattan, vine, |0.27 |0.15 |0.23 |48 |

|bamboo | | | | |

|Families who is metal, aluminium, glass goods producer |0.03 |0.02 |0.04 |9 |

|Families who are food stuff producer (noodle, sauce...) |0.01 |0.05 |0.05 |11 |

|Families who tire, plastics and rubber goods producer |0 |0 |0 |0 |

|Families who is textile, clothing goods producer |0 |0 |0 |1 |

|Families who is other producer, not listed above |0.06 |0.1 |0.11 |22 |

| | | | | |

|Families whose main occupation is services |3.48 |2.91 |10.13 |2,109 |

|Families whose main occupation is trader |2.06 |1.41 |6.01 |1,252 |

|Families whose main occupation is repairer |0.28 |0.31 |0.5 |104 |

|Families whose main occupation is transport services |0.44 |0.64 |0.76 |159 |

|provider | | | | |

|Families whose primary occupation is providing other |0.7 |0.54 |2.85 |594 |

|services | | | | |

| |  |  |  |  |

|Families whose main occupation is not clear (multi) |13.37 |12.9 |4.5 |936 |

Figure 4.4 percentages of four major occupations in each district, Stung Treng province

[pic]

4.3.3. Land Tenure

All land belongs to the State under the Land Law 1992, but private property rights regarding possession, use of land and rights of inheritance are recognized by this Law[1]. The Land Law (2001) reiterates this requirement as follows: No person shall be deprived of his/her ownership, unless it is in the public interest. Second, the standard fair and just compensation for the sate expropriate is adopted both in the 1993 Constitution and in the 2001 Land Law. Third, with respect to the timing of giving compensation, both the 1993 Constitution and 2001 Land Law explicitly require compensation be made before expropriate starts. Cambodia laws also explicitly preclude legalization of the following possessory acts: i) entering into possession of state public land at any time; ii) entering into possession of state private land after the cutoff date, 30 August 2001 when the 2001 Land Law took effect; iii) transformation of possession rights to state private land into ownership not pursuant to relevant rules effective at the time of transformation; iv) transformation of land concession into ownership before or after the cutoff date, except for concessions in response to social needs; v) any land concessions not in conformity with rules governing such concessions; and vi) any occupation of privately owned land without a title after the cutoff date.

Few people hold legal land titles in Cambodia, however land tenure is largely recognized by occupation and recognition by ones neighbors. Boundaries are clearly defined in paddy areas where each field is demarcated by an earth bund, whilst residential land in villages is often fenced.

The Certificate of Possession and Use of Land is a form of title, issued by the Department of Cadastre and Geography within the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Affairs and Planning (formerly the Land Titles Department). A Certificate is obtained by a landholder by submitting an Application for Possession and Use of Land to the provincial office of the Department of Cadastre and Geography. The applicant receives a Receipt for the application, then a slow process of issue is commenced that may involve a dispute over ownership where more than one receipt has been issued for the same piece of land. The Receipt is used as evidence of ownership and is passed on when land is sold or ownership otherwise transferred.

Very few landholders in the project area hold any form of land title, with the majority having lodged an Application for Possession and Use of Land. Most landholders obtained their land from distribution by authorities that commenced in 1989. The remaining landholdings were either bought or inherited.

In March 2010, the law on Expropriation[2] adopted by the National Assembly on 29 December 2009 with officially published by Ministry of Economic in March 2010. This law is to:

• to ensure just and fair deprivation of legal rights to private property,

• to ensure prior fair and just compensation,

• to serve the national and public interest, and

• to develop public physical infrastructures.

Transmission line is one of the public infrastructures. Article 5 of the law states public physical infrastructure project shall include:

a. construction or expansion of railways, roads, bridges, airports, ports and accompanying structures and equipment;

b. construction or expansion of power stations, structures, equipment and transmission lines and distribution lines;

c. construction or expansion of buildings and equipment for postal, telecommunication and information technology systems;

d. construction or expansion of roads, city space, vehicle parking lots, markets, parks, and public squares;

e. construction or expansion of irrigation systems, clean water supply systems, sewage systems, and public interest spaces;

f. construction or expansion of buildings for education, training, science, culture, health care, social security, and stadiums for performances to public audiences;

g. construction or expansion of refineries, treatment plant, buildings and equipment for protection of nature and the environment;

h. construction or expansion of buildings and equipment for research and exploiting mines and other natural resources;

i. construction or expansion of gas systems, fuel pipes, oil refineries, oil rigs, and other systems;

j. construction or expansion of buildings/residences which are seriously destroyed by natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, fires, and landslides etc., and for preparation for resettlement;

k. construction or expansion of buildings for protecting and supporting residents;

l. construction or expansion of border crossing posts;

m. construction or expansion of or preparation for necessary structures for national defense or security;

n. new area establishment for protecting of natural resources, forests, cultural and archeological sites or protection of the environment; and

4.3.4. Land Use change

Land use change in Stung Treng as dramatically changed since the province open up to outside since late 1990s and more changes starting from mid 20s when more road access were available with more influx from outsiders.

Table 4.5 Land use classification

|Land Use Classification |Stung Treng |

| |Area (ha) |

|Forested land | 928,000 |

|Agricultural land |126,836 |

|Residential land |103,217 |

|Road |2,496 |

|River, stream and creeks |41,094 |

|TOTAL |1,201,643 |

A. Economic Land Concession

Since 1998 up to 2009, most of the forest land being converted into economic land concession Total economic land concession are 195,105 ha of which 194,236 ha belong to 12 companies which are not under the authorization of provincial authorities and one company with 869 ha under provincial authority. Each company received permission range from 70 year to 99 years. This duration is very dangerous for the Cambodian local people.

Table 4.6: List of economic land concession in Stung Treng (up to 15 September 2009)

|No |Name of companies |Total areas |Location (district) |Type of businesses |Master Plan |Current status |

| | |(ha) | | | | |

|Companies with > 1,000 ha |

|1 |Sok Heng Company Ltd |7,172 |Sdau, Sesan |Acacia, Rubber, and other |yes |On- going |

| | | |district [3] |fruit trees | | |

|6 |GG World Group Cambodia |5,000 |Samaki, Stung Treng |Teak, Klem Chann, fruit |yes |On-going |

| |Development LTD | | |tree, animal raising and | | |

| | | | |wood processing | | |

|8 |Green Sea Agricultural Co.; |100,852 |Samaki of Stung Treng &|Rubber, Teak, Trajopha, |yes |On-going |

| |Ltd | |Siem Pang |Akaphia and wood processing| | |

|10 |Sekong Development |9,850 |Siem Pang |Agro-industry and animal |yes |No activities |

| | | | |raising | | |

|11 |Research Mine and Development |7,200 |Se San |na |na |No activities |

|12 |Un Inter Trading and |7,000 |Sesan |na |na |No activities |

| |Development | | | | | |

|Companies with ................
................

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