Fish Catch Monitoring & Fish Biodiversity
PNPC recognizes the importance of fish to the local community. The PNPC is thus conducting a comprehensive Fish Catch Monitoring (FCM) Program downstream of the reservoir and powerhouse.
Under the FCM Program, local fishermen are trained, equipped, and funded to record key parameters from their daily fish catches. These parameters consist of, among others: (i) weight; (ii) time taken; (iii) fishing method; (iv) location; (v) fish species; (vi) percentage of catch for commercial purposes; and (vii) percentage of catch for personal/household consumption. At least fourteen (14) villages are participating in the FCM Program.
The FCM Program commenced early in the project cycle to establish a pre-operational baseline for fishery activities prior to the impoundment of the reservoirs and Commercial Operating Date. The FCM Program continues into the Operating Phase of the Project. The data is used to assess whether the operations of the Project is having an impact on the downstream and upstream areas and ascertain possible mitigating measures to be undertaken to deter or reduce possible adverse impacts.
In addition to the FCM Program and to fully comprehend the local fish biodiversity, the PNPC commissioned a number of baseline fish biodiversity surveys on the Bolaven Plateau. These surveys identified various fish and aquatic species in the area, mapped the distribution of each species, collected biological data, and gathered vital information on their spawning and feeding behaviors. The baseline surveys concluded that the fish biodiversity in the area will not be adversely affected by the construction and operations of the Project. The PNPC continues to assess the fish biodiversity through the Operations Phase of the Project.
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HSE Compliance for Construction
PNPC and its construction contractor have prepared and are putting into effect an Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan for Construction Phase (EMMP-CP) to help prevent significant adverse health, safety or environmental (HSE) impacts, and to maximize opportunities.
The EMMP-CP provides a policy, ensures compliance with legal and other requirements, identifies and evaluates significant environmental aspects and health & safety risks, ensures management and monitoring measures are fulfilled, establishes emergency preparedness, and sets out a framework for monitoring performance and continually improving the management system.
PNPC and its construction contractor is endeavoring to avoid or mitigate construction-related impacts through a series of detailed management plans that comprise of (i) solid waste management plan; (ii) hazardous materials management plan; (iii) noise management plan; (iv) air quality management plan; (v) construction camp management plan; (vi) vegetation clearing and re-vegetation management plan; (vii) erosion management plan; and (viii) occupation health and safety management plan.
The cornerstone to a successful management system is component personnel that perform a task that has the potential to result in an environment, health or safety impact. To that end, PNPC’s construction contractor is executing a HSE training program that requires all workers to undergo HSE Induction Training and additional Job Specific Training (such as working at heights, working in confined spaces, blasting, etc.) as required.
To supplement the training and ensure HSE is the priority of all workers, PNPC’s construction contractor is instilling a HSE culture amongst its staff and sub-contractors through initiatives such as safety ceremonies, HSE signage and posters, monthly safe employee awards, etc.
The project is fully prepared to deal with an emergency situation with (i) an equipped medical facility; (ii) ambulance and medical personnel; and (iii) firefighting truck and trained firefighters and equipment. To reinforce emergency preparedness, emergency drills (or practice sessions) are conducted on a monthly basis. .
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