Review of the Environment mitigation plan implementation

·         Improvement of an access road with sand and gravel mix to the Slonim Obsolete Pesticide Burial Site

Removal of a part of trees and bushes along the current forest track

The burial site is located 3 km away from the paved highway A237. The access road to the burial site was improved with a grader, which enabled machines and automotive transport access the work site. The road improving work was conducted by DRSU-181 in 2011 and at the beginning of 2012. The trees and bushes along the road are in fact not affected by this work, and were not further affected in the beginning of work at the site. The tank track and burial site road junction was further covered with gravel, which improved the section traffic capacity both for heavy machinery and other automotive transport. 

The condition of the road is satisfactory for transport of the forklift with pallets and drums to the loading site as well as for the transport of other vehicles of the MES. 

The access to the work site is restricted by the roadway gate guarded by an MES staff, unauthorized access to the work site is banned

·         Cutting down and removal of forest in the area of work on the compound of the Slonim Burial Site

1. Trees will be removed by a special local unit of the Ministry of Forestry (Slonim Forestry) with minimum impact on adjacent vegetation.

2. Upon completion of all work, the Slonim Forestry will restore vegetation plantations.

Trees were removed from the burial site by the local MES unit under supervision of the Slonim Forestry. The vegetation outside of the burial site was not affected. The wood was relocated for storage by the Slonim Forestry. Samples of wood and roots of felled timber were collected and analyzed. No POPs were found; therefore, the Slonim Forestry may removal all timber and use it for its business purposes.

·         Opening of the Slonim Obsolete Pesticide Burial Site

·         Soil removal over storage bunkers

·         Storage of the removed soil

·         Collection of soil samples for testing for pesticides (the allowable level is under 50 mg/kg)

·         Collection of soil samples along the bunker boundaries for testing for possible soil contamination outside of the bunker boundaries

·         Extraction of the bunker contents, packing and relocation for temporary storage with provisions for protection against elements

·         Packing of POP-contaminated soil and structures, where the POP contamination level exceeds 50 mg/kg

·         Packing of moderately POP-contaminated soil less than 50 mg/kg for disposal  at the Chechersk Landfill

1. Prevention of pesticide dispersal in the process of opening. The MES Grodno unit. Control – Ministry of Natural Resources. Contractor (special unit of the MoE)

1.1 Construction of work sites for soil repacking, dumping and container storage.

1.2 Construction of tents over the areas of pesticide extraction and repacking to protect them from sun lights and elements, moistening of dry fine soils

1.1 On the burial site compound , according to the regulation “Arrangement and Conduct of Work on Opening of the Slonim Obsolete Pesticide Burial Site, Extraction, Repacking and Transportation of Obsolete Pesticides in the Slonim District of the Grodno Oblast» (hereinafter referred to as the Regulation) , degasification areas, degasified tare and contaminated soil temporary storage areas were arranged. At the beginning of work on the burial site opening, it was found out that the pit contains both powdered pesticides that currently have a paste-like consistency, and liquid pesticides in metal drums. During the reporting period, the metal drums packing was not begun, after relevant instructions the drums were located onto the area covered with three layers of polyethylene film and covered with two layers of film.

1.2 Areas, where pesticides are extracted and repacked, were not provided with tents. In the course of work it was found, that the pit id exceeded the id of its visible surface part more than twice. In this case, the tent furnishing presented a rather difficult task. In particular, it would require developing a project for tent construction, purchasing extra building materials that are not provided for in the contract. The work on the tent design and construction would take at least 2-3 weeks, which in these conditions would have aggravated the environmental situation rather than facilitating its improvement. In this regard, and in view of favorable weather, it was decided not to build the tent; instead, contaminated soil that is not immediately packed in drums, should be covered with film. However, the contaminated soil and extracted pesticides were not dusty; there was no need to moisten them.

Bunker covering with uncontaminated soil and upfilling with soil delivered from other locations (if necessary).

The first pit is completely eliminated and covered with clean soil.

2. Prevention of health risks for the personnel

2.1 Personnel health monitoring before and after the work.

2.2 Mandatory preliminary personnel training in safety procedures.

2.3 Mandatory use of protective clothing and respiratory masks.

2.4 Protective clothing deactivation after the work.

2.5 Mandatory provisions for availability and utilization of engineering equipment (bulldozers, excavators, scrapers) that can cover burning pesticides with a layer of sand or soil in emergency situations

2.1 This measure is fully implemented by the MoE/RSTF staff. During the work, they arranged regular hot meals for the workers; the workers live in a facility of a children’s recreation camp with hot water and showers. During the work at the burial site, no claims about health were received from the personnel.

2.2 This measure is implemented regularly at the beginning of each new shift.

2.5 A specially equipped fire engine of the MES is located on the burial site compound for operative mitigation of emergency situation that may come up in the course of elimination of the Slonim Obsolete Pesticide Burial Site. Also, there is a bulldozer and a loader on the site.

·         Repacking of pesticides, contaminated soil and other contaminated materials into containers

·         Placement of the containers at the temporary storage site

·         Loading of the containers onto trucks

·         Transportation of the containers by trucks to the railway station

·         Offloading and placement of the containers into railway wagons

·         Transportation of the containers with pesticides and contaminated materials by railway to the destruction facility.

1.Surface soil contamination with pesticides in the course of repacking

2. Contamination of groundwater with pesticides in the course of repacking

1.1 Application of polyethylene film to cover the pesticide repacking site.

1.2 Use of an additional metal tank in the course of pumping out of liquid pesticides.

.3 Immediate removal of filled containers with pesticides to the temporary storage site.

1.4 Storage of empty containers outside of the pesticide repacking site.

1.5 Embanking and construction of a standalone storm collector system with a separate drainage spot to prevent groundwater contamination.

1.1 In the course of the works on putting the repacked drums with pesticides on the pallets the polyethylenefilm was used; damaged film was removed and packed as POPs wastes.

1. 2 When opening the second pit, there emerged an urgent need to pump out the rain water and liquid pesticides that accumulated on the bottom of the pit because of heavy rain and damaged initial packaging of liquid pesticides. In this situation MES staff promptly delivered specialized machinery for pumping this liquid out. The liquid was pumped into plastic drums and after it is placed in special containers suitable for transboundary transport this waste will be taken out for disposal as other pesticides waste.

1.3 The filled containers are stored next to the work site on land; they are covered with polyethylene film. In order to streamline pesticide removal, an additional site nearby the work site was prepared for pallet placement and shipping arrangements. The Slonim Executive Committee identified an additional site for temporary storage of packaged pesticides until their eventual transportation to the destruction facility.

1.4 Empty tare is stored in an adequate distance from the packing area45.

1.5 The active area was embanked; the embanking was upgraded as necessary.

3. POP contamination dispersal in air and soil through contaminated waste, soil and other materials

3.1 Adoption of preventive measures against unfavorable hydrometereological conditions (strong wind or heavy rain).

3.2 Repacking all contaminated waste and applied materials.

3.3 Embanking and creation of a standalone storm collector system with a separate drainage spot.

3.4 Work suspension and adoption of additional preventive measures in the event of identification of a situation with major contamination of environmental components

3.1 During the reporting period, there were no unfavorable hydrometeorological conditions. Rains were not heavy, but short; there was no strong wind. In case of a heavy rain a mobile shed is installed on the site to cover an active part of the site.

3.2 All contaminated materials are repacked.

The access of strangers to the site is limited, as the burial site is guarded all the time.

3.3 The embanking is accomplished; they arrange a system of storm collectors at the work site. The MoE/RSTF specialists are urged to maintain the collector system in an acceptable condition.

3.4 No major contamination of the environmental components is recorded; therefore, the work was not suspended.

4.1 Personnel health monitoring before and after the work.

4.2 Mandatory preliminary personnel training in safety procedures.

4.3 Mandatory use of protective clothing and respiratory masks.

4.4 Deactivation of protective clothing after the work.

4.5 Mandatory provision for availability and utilization of engineering equipment (bulldozers, excavators, scrapers) that can cover burning pesticides with a layer of sand or soil in emergency situations.

All measures listed in this clause are implemented.

5. Impact on the local population (particularly during the berry and mushroom harvesting seasons). Prevention of infiltration of pesticide residues in foodstuffs.

5.2 Restriction of strangers’ access to the work site

5.3 Conduct of additional medical tests (blood count) for the local population in the event of application to doctors with POP impact symptoms.

This task was not implemented, as the works are not fully  accomplished yet. Access of strangers to the burial site compound has been limited. During the work in 2011 there were no cases of the local population of workers applying for medical help in relation with the impact of the burial site

6. Possible incidents with rollover of vehicles carrying toxic materials, or leakage en route

Development and enforcement of an plan against accidents

During the reporting period such cases were not registered.

Rehabilitation of the burial site compound

Potential dissemination of residue POP contamination. Land degrading nearby the burial site

1. Implementation of a monitoring program (soil, ground, surface water in nearby wells) to ensure control over the residue contamination.

2.Development of a long-term groundwater monitoring program to ensure control over the expansion of the established contamination area

3. If POP residue signs are found in wells, their use should re restricted with arrangement of new clean potable water sources for the people.

4. During the site rehabilitation, a layer of clay should be placed on the bottom of the open pit with clean soil on top.

Trees and other typical local vegetation should be planted at the burial site and fenced against animal access

1. Soil monitoring (ground and surface water) on the burial site compound was held regularly by the CRICUWR laboratory staff; the accumulated data allows assessing the pesticide impact on the environment.

2. That program will be developed when the burial site will be completely eliminated and closed. The program development should be based on the data of monitoring to be held during the work.

3. As of September 20, 2012, no pesticides are found in the Savichi village well.

4. Complete rehabilitation of the territory of the landfill will be held upon completion of all works on the site. .

Risk mitigation measure

Implementation of risk mitigation measures

Repacking contaminated topsoil and other PCB-contaminated materials into containers

Loading of the containers with PCB-containing materials into trucks

Transportation of the containers by trucks to the destruction facility

1. Prevention of further contamination of the adjacent territory

1.1 Construction of tents over contaminated soil extraction areas to provide protection against elements.

1.2 Embanking and construction of a standalone storm collector system with a separate drainage spot for the contaminated soil extraction area in the event of protected extraction.

1.3 Storage of empty containers outside of the work site to preclude possible contamination.

In the course of the works on PCB taking out there was no need to extract the soil. All empty tares were stored outside the active site.

2. Prevention of health risks for the personnel

2.1 Personnel health monitoring before and after the work

2.2 Mandatory preliminary personnel training in safety procedures.

2.3 Mandatory use of protective clothing and respiratory masks.

2.4 Deactivation of protective clothing after the work.

2.1 In implementation of this measure, an inquiry was sent to enterprises asking them to provide data on the employees that were engaged in the processes of

PCB-containing waste packing and loading; in particular, data on the health and regular medical examination of these employees. In response, all enterprises provided their employee lists with the age information and professional medical examination conclusions. It should be mentioned that all claimed workers are recognized as fit  to execute the work scheduled within this measure.

2.2. According to legislation on labor the employees of the enterprises who were involved in the operations on packaging and loading of PCB-containing wastes are instructed before the beginning of the works. The representatives of the Contractor on Disposal also provide necessary safety instructions.

2.3. The employees of the enterprises used special protective overalls, gloves and shoes; in case of contact with damaged equipment they use the breath protection masks.

2.4 Protective overalls are cleaned or disposed of as PCB wastes (in case of disposable overalls) – packaged and taken out by the Disposal contractor.

Elimination of remaining contamination spots

Prevention of expansion of the contamination zone

Contaminated soil, water and supplies are packed in a containers

These measures are implemented by the enterprises. The control is exercised by the Ministry of Environment.