(PESIA) Weg naar Zee 2D Seismic - Staatsolie

STAATSOLIE 

Preliminary Environmental and Social Impact 

Assessment (PESIA) 

Weg naar Zee 2D Seismic 

P-all Projects Supply Suriname N.V. 

January 2013 

Prepared for: 

Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname N.V.

P-all consultants Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname N.V. 

PESIA Weg naar Zee 2D Seismic 2012 

Table of Contents 

List of Figures: .................................................................................................................... 5 

List of Tables: ...................................................................................................................... 6 

List of abbreviations ........................................................................................................... 7 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................. 9 

1. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 11 

1.1 Background ........................................................................................................ 11 

1.1.1 General ............................................................................................................ 11 

1.2 Objective and implementation strategy of the PESIA 2D seismic study ......... 11 

1.2.1 Implementation Strategy .................................................................................. 11 

1.2.1.1 Desk Research .......................................................................................... 11 

1.2.1.2 Field research ........................................................................................... 12 

1.3 Program and time schedule ............................................................................... 13 

2. LEGAL AND INSTITUNIONAL FRAMEWORK ................................................. 14 

2.1 Permitting Process ............................................................................................. 14 

2.2 National Environmental Legislation and Guidelines ....................................... 14 

2.2.1 Mining Decree, E-58 ........................................................................................ 14 

2.2.2 Petroleum Act .................................................................................................. 15 

2.2.3 The Hindrance Ordinance ................................................................................ 15 

2.2.4 Monuments Law SB 2002 no. 72 ..................................................................... 15 

2.3 Legislation Drafted by NIMOS ......................................................................... 16 

2.3.1 Draft Environmental Act ................................................................................. 16 

2.3.2 Draft Environmental Impact Assessment Guidelines ....................................... 17 

2.4 International Conventions and Treaties ........................................................... 18 

2.4.1 Convention on Wetlands of International Importance ...................................... 18 

2.5 Environmental Management Requirements and Standards ............................ 19 

2.5.1 Oil Concession Conditions .............................................................................. 19 

2.5.2 International requirements, standards and guidelines ....................................... 19 

2.5.2.1 ARPEL .................................................................................................... 19 

2.5.2.2 Clean Caribbean & Americas ................................................................... 20 

2.5.2.3 International Association of Oil and Gas Producers ................................. 20 

2.5.2.4 World Bank Group .................................................................................. 21 

2.6 Staatsolie HSE Policy ........................................................................................ 21 

3. THE WEG NAAR ZEE PROJECT AND STUDY AREA ...................................... 22 

3.1 The Project ......................................................................................................... 22 

3.2 The study area ................................................................................................... 23 

3.3 Situation of the 2D Seismic lines ....................................................................... 25 

3.4 Project Phases .................................................................................................... 26 

3.4.1 Preparation/Construction phase ........................................................................ 26 

3.4.2 Operation Phase: 2D seismic activities ............................................................. 26 

3.4.3 Decommissioning phase................................................................................... 30 

4. BASE LINE DESCRIPTION .................................................................................... 31 

4.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 31 

4.2 The physical environment ................................................................................. 34 

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4.2.1 Climate ............................................................................................................ 34 

4.2.2 Air quality ....................................................................................................... 37 

4.2.3 Noise and associated effects ............................................................................. 37 

4.2.4 Geology ........................................................................................................... 37 

4.2.5 Geo-hydrology ................................................................................................. 38 

4.2.6 Geomorphology and soils ................................................................................ 40 

4.2.7 Hydrology ........................................................................................................ 43 

4.2.8 Water quality ................................................................................................... 45 

4.3 The biological environment ............................................................................... 46 

4.3.1 Vegetation ....................................................................................................... 46 

4.3.2 Flora ................................................................................................................ 49 

4.3.3 Fauna ............................................................................................................... 50 

4.3.3.1 Mammals ................................................................................................. 51 

4.3.3.2 Birds ........................................................................................................ 51 

4.3.3.3 Herpetofauna ............................................................................................ 51 

4.3.3.4 Fishes ....................................................................................................... 52 

4.3.3.5 Invertebrates ............................................................................................ 52 

4.3.4 Proposed protected area ................................................................................... 53 

4.4 The human environment ................................................................................... 54 

4.4.1 Archaeology and history .................................................................................. 54 

4.4.2 Present population ........................................................................................... 56 

4.4.3 Land ownership and land tenure ....................................................................... 59 

4.4.4 Land use .......................................................................................................... 59 

4.4.5 Health .............................................................................................................. 61 

4.5 Overall perception of staatsolie ......................................................................... 61 

4.6 Comprehensive description of the 2D seismic lines .......................................... 62 

5. (POTENTIAL) IMPACTS AND PROPOSED MITIGATION MEASURES ........ 66 

5.1 Impacts assessment methodology ...................................................................... 66 

5.2 Air quality .......................................................................................................... 69 

5.3 noise and associated effects................................................................................ 70 

5.4 Geo(hydro)logy, geomorphology and soils ........................................................ 72 

5.5 Visual resources, topography and landscape .................................................... 73 

5.6 Surface water ..................................................................................................... 74 

5.7 Water quality ..................................................................................................... 75 

5.8 Vegetation .......................................................................................................... 78 

5.9 Fauna .................................................................................................................. 80 

5.10 Archeology ......................................................................................................... 82 

5.11 Land use ............................................................................................................. 83 

5.12 Socio-economic issues ........................................................................................ 86 

5.13 Health issues ....................................................................................................... 91 

5.14 Summary of (potential) impacts ........................................................................ 92 

6. ANALYSES OF ALTERNATIVES .......................................................................... 93 

7. PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND PARTICIPATION ............................................ 94 

7.1 Public Consultation ........................................................................................... 94 

7.2 The survey .......................................................................................................... 95 

8. MONITORING AND INSPECTION PLAN ............................................................ 96 

9. DECOMMISSIONING PLAN .................................................................................. 97 

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ANNEXES 

Annex 1: Information about P-all and the consultants 

Annex 2: Water quality and fish assessment by the ADEK University Laboratory. 

Annex 3: Birds and other fauna observed during field trips Weg naar Zee. August 2012 

Annex 4: Obtaining the views of stakeholders during the Scoping Stakeholders meeting 

Annex 5: Summary of the impacts before mitigation, mitigation measures and 

assessment of the impacts after mitigation 

Annex6: References 

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List of Figures: 

Figure 1 2 D lines (blue lines) for the data acquisition in the WnZ area. .............................. 23 

Figure 2 Location of the Weg naar Zee prospective area (from Staatsolie map 2007) 

and 2D seismic lines in blue................................................................................... 24 

Figure 3 Map showing Wetland and Dry land areas within the Weg naar Zee ...................... 34 

Figure 4 Average monthly precipitation in the 1971-1991 period for stations within 

or close to the study are ......................................................................................... 35 

Figure 5 Geology of the study area ...................................................................................... 38 

Figure 6 Land and soil of the Weg naar Zee study area (adapted from Soil Survey, 1977) ... 40 

Figure 7 Hydrology, Watercourses (canals and shallow swamp gullies) in the Study Area. . 44 

Figure 8 Vegetation map of the Wayambo Swamp between the Van Dijk Canal 

and the Henri Fernandesweg (Weg naar Zee); 

based upon LANDSAT 2002). Source: Noordam and Teunissen 2007/2008. ....... 47 

Figure 9 Archaeological sites in the Weg naar Zee area (Versteeg, 2003) ............................ 55 

Figure 10: Ressort “Kwatta Figure 11: Ressort “Weg naar Zee”........................... 57 

Figure 12 religion of respondents ........................................................................................ 59 

Figure 13 Crops that are grown in the Weg naar Zee area ................................................... 60 

Figure 14 What do respondents think of Staatsolie as a company ........................................ 62 

Figure 15 The 2D seismic lines in the Weg naar Zee area .................................................... 62 

Figure 16 Distribution by formal education ........................................................................ 87 

Figure 17 Distribution by gender ......................................................................................... 88 

Figure 18 Ethnic backgrounds of the respondents ................................................................ 88 

Figure 19 Job distribution .................................................................................................... 88 

Figure 20 Do you expect any health risks? .......................................................................... 89 

Figure 21 Expected effect .................................................................................................... 89 

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List of Tables: 

Table 1 Summary of realized activities for drafting the PESIA Report for the 

Weg naar Zee 2D seismic activity ........................................................................... 13 

Table 2 coordinates of the projected 2D seismic lines .......................................................... 23 

Table 3 Physical and human use elements that were taken into consideration ...................... 31 

Table 4 Monthly totals of the rainfall in mm STATION: Polder Weg naar Zee ................... 36 

Table 5 Stratigraphy of the Corantijn Group ........................................................................ 39 

Table 6 Characterization of geology, physiography and soil of the study area...................... 41 

Table 7 Water quality measurements at Weg naar Zee ......................................................... 45 

Table 8: Observed species richness within the Wayambo Swamp Area 

(E2 Canada & Golder, 2000) study area ................................................................. 51 

Table 9 Overview of archaeological sites in the Weg naar Zee area ..................................... 55 

Table 10 Population WnZ and Kwatta ................................................................................. 57 

Table 11 Population: total ................................................................................................... 58 

Table 12 Religion Weg naar Zee and Kwatta ....................................................................... 58 

Table 13 Number of farmers ............................................................................................... 60 

Table 14 Defining the intensity/magnitude/size of the impact .............................................. 66 

Table 15 Defining duration and scale of the impact ............................................................. 67 

Table 16 Determination of the Severity Rating of the impact ............................................... 67 

Table 17: Defining the probability of the impact ................................................................. 68 

Table 18 Determination of the Significance of the impact based on Severity and 

Probability ............................................................................................................ 68 

Table 19 Simplified comprehensive overview of overall Significance of parameters ........... 69 

Table 20 Impact on air ........................................................................................................ 69 

Table 21 Impact on noise in lowland area ............................................................................ 70 

Table 22 Impact on noise and vibration in dry land area.Impact of Noise and vibration 

in dry land area ..................................................................................................... 71 

Table 23 Impact on geomorphology, geohydrology and soil for wet and dry land areas. ...... 73 

Table 24 Impact on visual resources .................................................................................... 73 

Table 25 Impact on hydrology ............................................................................................. 74 

Table 26 Impact of solid and liquid waste on water quality.................................................. 76 

Table 27 Impact of on-site maintenance on water quality .................................................... 76 

Table 28 Impact on water quality in wetland and dry land ................................................... 77 

Table 29 Impact of: vegetation clearing on forests ............................................................... 79 

Table 30 Impact of: vegetation clearing on swamp vegetation ............................................. 79 

Table 31 Impact on peat fires .............................................................................................. 80 

Table 32 Impact of: noise and vibration on fauna ................................................................ 80 

Table 33 of hunting and fishing ........................................................................................... 81 

Table 34 Impact of peat fires on fauna ................................................................................. 82 

Table 35 Impact on archaeology .......................................................................................... 83 

Table 36: Damage on use of existing infrastructure ............................................................. 84 

Table 37 Impact of infrastructure improvement in wetland .................................................. 84 

Table 38 Impact of drilling waste and other pollutants on dry land use ............................... 85 

Table 39 Impact of infrastructure improvement in dry land ................................................. 86 

Table 40 Impact 2D seismic activities on socio economic issues ......................................... 90 

Table 41 Impact of perceived concerns and health issues..................................................... 91 

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List of abbreviations 

A 

ABS: Algemeen Bureau voor de Statistiek in Suriname (National Statistical Office) 

ADEK: Anton de Kom Universiteit van Suriname (Anton de Kom University of 

Suriname) 

ARPEL: ASOCIACIÓN REGIONAL DE EMPRESAS DEL SECTOR 

PETRÓLEO, GAS Y BIOCOMBUSTIBLES 

EN LATINOAMÉRICA Y EL CARIBE (REGIONAL ASSOCIATION OF 

OIL, GAS AND BIOFUELS SECTOR COMPANIES 

IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN) 

ASS: Acid Sulfate Soils 

ATM: Ministerie van Arbeid, Technologische Ontwikkeling en Milieu 

(Department of Labor, Technological Development and Environment) 

C 

CEC: Cat-ion Exchange Capacity 

CELOS: Centrum voor Landbouwkundig Onderzoek in Suriname (Center for 

Agricultural Research in Suriname) 

CIC: Consolidated Industries Corporation N.V. 

D 

2D Seismic: 2 Dimensional Seismic 

DBK: Dienst Bodemkartering (Soil Service) 

E 

EHS: Ecologische Hoofd Structuur (Network of big and small protected areas where 

nature is being protected. 

ESMP: Environmental and Social Management Plan 

ESIA: Environmental and Social Impact Assessment 

H 

HSE: Health Safety and Environment 

I 

IADB: Inter-American Development Bank 

ITCZ: Inter Tropische Convergentie Zone (Inter Tropical Convergence Zone 

IUCN: International Union for Conservation of Nature 

L 

LVV: Ministerie van Landbouw Veeteelt en Visserij (Ministry of Agriculture, 

Husbandry and Fishery) 

M 

MUMA: Multiple-Use Management Area 

N 

NB: Natuurbeheer (Nature Conservation Division) 

NIMOS: Nationaal Instituut voor Milieu en Ontwikkeling in Suriname (National 

Institute for Environment and Development in Suriname) 

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O 

OGP: International association of Oil and Gas Producers 

OW: Ministerie van Openbare Werken (Ministry of Public Works) 

P 

PESIA: Preliminary Environmental and Social Impact Assessment 

R 

RGD: Regionale Gezondheids Dienst (Regional Health Service) 

RO: Ministerie van Regionale Ontwikkeling (Ministry of Regional Development) 

ROGB: Ministerie van Ruimtelijke Ordening, Grond en Bosbeheer (Ministry of 

Physical Planning, Land and Forest Management) 

T 

TOR: Terms of Reference 

W 

WnZ: Weg naar Zee 

WWF: World Wide Fund for Nature 

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

The main objectives of the PESIA for this project are to identify potential environmental and 

social and economic impacts associated with the preparation, operation and abandonment 

regarding 2D seismic activities of Staatsolie in the Weg naar Zee area and to provide 

mitigation measures for the negative impacts and enhancement measures for the positive 

impacts. The field identification and description process was limited to aspects not earlier 

studied and described or changes that have occurred. 

The ESIA process is voluntarily initiated by Staatsolie because it is a logical step from the 

Vision and Mission of Staatsolie. The process is conducted in a framework of accepting the 

authority of NIMOS. 

Data collection for the base-line study was done in August and September 2012. 

The study area is located in the Coastal Plain of Suriname, which is predominantly formed on 

marine deposits. The study area comprises two distinctly different environments: a Wetland 

and a Dryland Area. 

The Wetland Area, found in the Kwatta ressort, is virtually uninhabited. 

For the Dryland Area the population density will be on average between 200 and 300 

persons/km 2 . 

Part of the population is farmer, but many residential areas have been developed for 

commuters that work in Paramaribo. Apart from a few larger residential projects, ribbon 

building is the dominant settlement pattern in the area and the majority of people live along 

the main roads in the area. There is in general a decrease in population when going further 

away from Paramaribo. 

Within the Wetland Area hardly any land use is found, except for the so-called “fish holes”, 

which are used for extensive swamp fishery and for hunting. 

Within the Dry land Area virtually all sand and shell ridges are being used for agricultural 

purposes. The dominant land use is horticulture, while also animal husbandry for dairy milk 

is being practiced, but this land use is confined to the wider ridges. 

The clay soils are utilized far less, with only extensive grazing (for milk and meat), smallscale 

cultivation of tree crops and bananas, and horticulture. 

Apart from agriculture, much land in the Dry land Area is used for residential development in 

smaller and larger projects. 

The projected seismic lines in the study area cross horticulture farms on the dry land and 

ridges and residential areas. 

Impacts 

Expected significance of potential impacts that could result from the Project are determined 

in qualitative or quantitative figures and listed by their significance class. 

Impacts are classified as: 

• Positive: indicating whether the impact will have a positive (beneficial) effect; or 

• Negative: indicating whether the impact will have a negative (adverse) effect on the 

environment and on the affected population. 

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Summary of (potential) impacts 

A summarized table is presented as Annex 5 with all expected impacts and their influence 

after proper implementation of mitigation and/or enhancement measures. 

It can be concluded that the project could result in two major and a limited number of 

moderate negative impacts. 

Major potential negative impacts include: 

• Loss of vegetation due to peat fires 

• Loss of fauna due to peat fires 

Moderate potential negative impacts include: 

• Noise of airboats, explosions, etc. a nuisance to both people and to fauna in the 

wetland areas; 

• Noise and vibration on structures in the dry land areas; 

• Visual disturbance due to vegetation clearing, etc.; 

• Water quality deterioration associated with turbidity due to the construction of trails 

and potential fuel spills; 

• impacts of decreased water quality (mostly increased turbidity) on aquatic life and 

fishery potential; 

• Vegetation clearing. 

• Social unrest, due to – in the eyes of the local people – inadequate Staatsolie response 

to perceived problems, health issues and concerns. 

• Damage to infrastructure and land use; 

• Impact on perceived concerns and health issues. 

Positive impacts are: 

• Infrastructure improvement that can have a lasting benefit for the local communities. 

Conclusions 

With proper implementation of the Staatsolie procedures and regulations, and the proposed 

preventive and mitigation measures minor and negligible impacts will remain for all above 

issues. 

After implementation, the enhancement measures will increase the positive impact of 

infrastructure improvement for the communities. 

Implementation of the project along the lines of the PESIA study will cause no harm to the 

environment and to communities. Not at the project location or beyond. 

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1. INTRODUCTION 

1.1 BACKGROUND 

1.1.1 GENERAL 

One of the strategic upstream goals of Staatsolie is to add 64 MMBBL crude oil to their reserves 

in the period 2008-2012 (Staatsolie strategic plan 2008 - 2012). By reaching this amount of 

reserves Staatsolie can keep its production level at 16,000 barrels per day and so sustain the 

operation of the refinery. 

In WNZ, 58 Km was acquired during the 2008 - 2012 period. 51 Km of 2D seismic data will also 

be acquired in 2013 as part of the ongoing exploration effort in the Block. This will be part of the 

Weg naar Zee-Coesewijne Seismic Acquisition project of 2013. 

In the current project seismic data will be acquired with the objective of further delineation of oil 

finds in the Weg naar Zee and Coesewijne area. Secondly, the data will be used to identify new 

leads and prospects in these areas. Figure 1 gives an overview of 2D lines (blue lines) for the 

data acquisition in the WnZ area. 

1.2 OBJECTIVE AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY OF THE PESIA 2D SEISMIC STUDY 

1.2.1 IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY 

Staatsolie contracted P-all Projects Supply Suriname N.V. to conduct this PESIA study. Annex 1 

gives information about the consultant. 

A PEIA has already been made of the Weg naar Zee prospective Area by Noordam and 

Teunissen in 2007/2008. Especially physical and biological information from these two reports is 

widely used in this PESIA as these artifacts don’t change in a short term. 

The objective of this PESIA study is to identify the impacts, the potential alternatives and the 

significance of the impacts to be considered in the activity; and to provide prevention, mitigation 

measures for negative impacts and to provide enhancement measures for positive impacts 

The following activities were conducted during the study: 

1. Desk research 

2. Field research 

3. Formulate the PESIA Report 

4. Formulate the ESMP Report 

1.2.1.1 Desk Research 

The desk research is based on theoretical knowledge derived from written sources and from 

knowledgeable persons. Special sessions were held with Ir.D.Noordam and Drs.P.Teunissen who 

have conducted the PEIA of the area in 2008. Experts have also interacted with selected 

stakeholders to identify issues that needed to be addressed in the PESIA. A public scoping 

meeting was organized on July 9 th at the Henri Fernandesweg to discuss the Project with the 

public. 

11



1.2.1.2 Field research 

The field research was implemented through field observation, field measurement of selected 

parameters, structured interviews as part of a survey, in-depth interviews with key-stakeholders 

and representatives of relevant institutes and organizations such as private sector organization, 

business organizations, NGO’s, the local community leaders and through stakeholder meetings. 

Special attention was given to the environmental, economic, social, cultural and institutional 

interactions that merit quantitative analysis and interpretation and those for which qualitative 

analyses are recommended. 

The PESIA study is based on the format: the Environmental Assessment Guidelines Volume 1, 

August 2009 from NIMOS, the IFC, EHS Guidelines 2007 and the IADB Guidelines for PESIA 

studies and Reports. Guidance also came from the Ramsar Handbook for the Wise Use of 

Wetlands on Impact Assessment. 

The physical and social baseline conditions, as described in the earlier studies, were evaluated 

and gaps in information are filled. 

It is assumed that the PEIA studies conducted for the earlier drilling and 2D seismic in the study 

area already have sufficient data to cover seasons that fall outside the time that is indicated for 

this study. As the drilling and 2D seismic activities will continue in this area, it is 

recommendable that monitoring of certain parameters, such as water quality, ecological 

conditions and land use impacts, be continued after finalizing the PESIA report. This is included 

in the ESMP. 

As stated earlier, the main objectives of the PESIA for this project are to identify potential 

environmental and social and economic impacts associated with the preparation, operation and 

abandonment regarding 2D seismic activities of Staatsolie in the Weg naar Zee area and to 

provide mitigation measures for the negative impacts and enhancement measures for the positive 

impacts. The field identification and description process was limited to aspects not earlier studied 

and described or changes that have occurred. 

The project components and activities during each phase of its implementation are described and 

the possible impacts on the environment and communities that might be influenced by the 

project. 

Consultation methods and results related to public participation are also elaborated on. The level 

of investigation needed for each impact was predominantly decided on the availability of 

sufficient information from existing sources. Additional fieldwork was done for complementary 

information on water quality, fish occurrence and social issues. 

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1.3 PROGRAM AND TIME SCHEDULE 

The program realized is shown in table 1. 

Table 1 Summary of realized activities for drafting the PESIA Report for the Weg naar 

Zee 2D seismic activity 

Dates 2012 Task 

January 24 Terms of Reference for PESIA prospective area WnZ received 

February Study of satellite imageries, oblique aerial photos and maps provided by Staatsolie 

March 28 Proposal submitted 

May 24 Signing contract 

June 11 Field reconnaissance to nearest accessible points seismic lines trail locations 

accompanied by Staatsolie staff members 

Oct 1 Final Scoping Report submitted to Staatsolie 

Aug/Sept/Oct Drafting PESIA Weg naar Zee area and additional fieldwork 

Nov 2012 Submission Draft PESIA Report 

Dec 2012 Comments on Draft PESIA received 

Submission of Final PESIA Report 

13



2. LEGAL AND INSTITUNIONAL FRAMEWORK 

2.1 PERMITTING PROCESS 

ESIA legislation is not yet in place in Suriname. So the ESIA process is voluntarily initiated by 

Staatsolie because it is a logical step from the Vision and Mission of Staatsolie. The process is 

conducted in a framework of accepting the authority of NIMOS. 

Within the concession agreement of Staatsolie it is stated that the contractor should take all 

reasonable measures in agreement with good oilfield practices for safe working and for adequate 

treatment for the discharge of waste oils (article 11, sub 1 and 2). “Good oilfield practices” 

means: “to comply, at a minimum, with applicable laws, regulations, standards and guidelines 

for the protection of the environment and in their absence adopt the best practicable means to 

prevent or minimize adverse environmental impacts”. 

An extensive description of the legal framework for Staatsolie activities, including the Weg naar 

Zee and Coesewijne activities, is available in: ‘Regulatory Framework’, Prepared for Noordam 

Consultancy on behalf of: Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname N.V. and compiled by Nancy Del 

Prado, Project consultant. This report was prepared in March 2012 and is available on the 

web.site of Staatsolie. 

2.2 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION AND GUIDELINES 

In Suriname environmental protection and the conservation of biological resources are regulated 

through different legislative instruments (treaties, laws, decrees, orders, resolutions and 

ordinances). Current environmental rules and regulations, directly relating to the project, are 

found in the Mining Decree and the Petroleum Act. 

Strict environmental rules and guidelines which were applied to this Project are embedded in: 

• The Mining Decree, especially the articles 4, 16 and 30 regarding the environment; 

• The Petroleum Act, article 7 and 28, regarding the environment; 

• The Hindrance Act, preventing hindrance; 

• In case archaeological artifacts are found the Monuments Law will be applicable. 

2.2.1 MINING DECREE, E-58 

Relevant environment-related articles in the Mining Decree are: 

• Article 4, sub. 1: “during the mining operation all mining activities should be carried out 

... applying the most modern international techniques ...professionally making use of 

advanced technology and appropriate materials taking into account current requirements 

regarding safety and health... including requirements to protect the ecosystems”. 

• Article 16, sub 1: “after closure of the mining concession the holder of the right will, to 

• the satisfaction of the Minister (of Natural Resources) take all necessary measures in the 

interest of public safety, the conservation of the deposit, the rehabilitation of the land 

concerned and the protection of the environment”. 

• Article 30 sub 2: “the application for a mining concession should be accompanied by a 

• Plan of Operations for the rehabilitation of mined out land”. This article is also covered 

by the Petroleum Act, Article 7 sub 2 (see below). 

14



2.2.2 PETROLEUM ACT 

Relevant environment-related articles in the Petroleum Act are: 

• Article 7, sub 1, states: “for the performance of petroleum activities, due account should 

be given to the prevailing legal regulations, to build, establish, maintain and use all 

facilities that are necessary or advantageous for the proper performance of the petroleum 

activities”. This suggests, that due account should be given to all the existing regulations 

dealing with the environmental aspects of building, establishment and maintenance of all 

such facilities. 

• Article 7, sub 2, states: “upon termination of the petroleum activities on state land the 

land should return to its original condition insofar as reasonably possible”. 

• Article 28, sub c, states that further rules may be laid down by means of State Decrees 

(which do not exist). 

2.2.3 THE HINDRANCE ORDINANCE 

(GB 1930, no. 64; GB 1944, no. 57; 1972, no. 96) 

The aim of this Act is to prevent the cause of danger, damage or hindrance caused by 

undertakings (enterprises) to the outside-fence surrounding environment. New undertakings need 

a written ‘Hindrance Ordinance Permit’ (‘Hinderverordening-vergunning’) issued by the District 

Commissioner who has to seek advice from the Bureau for Public Health, the Department of 

Labor Service, the Head of the Fire Department, etc. The permit is given on terms which may 

include environmental requirements. In case of outside-fence hindrance caused by air pollution 

and noise, soil and water pollution and generation of solid or liquid waste, this Act can be 

enforced. The Hindrance Act can be enforced by the Police and the Bureau of Public Health. 

Relevant environment-related articles: 

Art 1: It is prohibited to establish institutes, which can cause danger, damage of hindrance. 

Art 2 paragraph 1: with institutions in art. 1 is meant, institutes driven by steam or gas power 

tools, or electro motors using/exhausting steam, gasses or vapors. 

2.2.4 MONUMENTS LAW SB 2002 NO. 72 

The law Historical Monuments of 1963 no. 23 amended by SB 1977 no. 45 is withdrawn in 2002 

by the Monuments Law SB 2002 no. 72. 

The law provides protection to archaeological sites, but only after Suriname's Minister of 

Education and Culture has declared the site to be a monument, based on the advice of the 

Monuments Committee. 

Relevant related articles: 

Art. 7 paragraph 1 and 2b and art. 15 paragraph 1b, which prohibit the destruction, demolition, 

disturbance or transformation of monuments. Art 17 paragraph 1 prohibits excavation on 

archaeological sites, without prior permission of the Minister in charge of the management of 

monuments and archaeological sites. 

15



2.3 LEGISLATION DRAFTED BY NIMOS 

Besides these binding laws the following drafts are taken into consideration and Staatsolie will 

act within the spirit of these draft laws and guidelines: 

• National policy and legislation drafted by NIMOS and designed to protect the 

environment. Amongst others : the draft Environmental Act, 

• The PESIA Guidelines by NIMOS. In this regard NIMOS has declared this Project a 

Category B, Traject 2, project. 

By State Resolution of the Council of Ministers (RVM) of 17 March 1998, NIMOS was 

established as an autonomous government entity (a "Foundation"), but currently NIMOS falls 

administratively under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of ATM (Labor Technology and 

Environment) and functions as a technical working arm of the Ministry. 

NIMOS is in particular responsible for the preparation of national policy and legislation 

designed to protect the environment, and also to monitor compliance with national 

environmental laws and regulations. 

The General Director of NIMOS implement his/her responsibilities through four Offices, one 

being the Director's and Administration Office, and the other three being technical offices of 

a cross-sectorial nature: (1) Environmental and Social Assessments; (2) Legal Services, and 

(3) Environmental Monitoring and Enforcement. 

2.3.1 DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ACT 

NIMOS drafted an Environmental Act (a framework law) to lay down rules for the 

conservation, management and protection of a sound environment within the framework of 

sustainable development. The Act has been prepared in draft and is returned to the Board of 

Ministers for review. 

The Environmental Act has a number of key provisions, which: 

• allow for the creation and implementation of a comprehensive environmental 

policy and planning process, 

• establish the importance of environmental protection and parity with all other 

considerations, 

• establish an Environmental Authority, which will become the primary 

environmental agency in Suriname, 

• give effect to many internationally-accepted principles of Environmental Law 

within Suriname, including the concept of environmental impact assessment, the 

principles of precaution and the polluter pays, 

• introduce and give effect to the Environmental Impact Assessment Guidelines (see 

below) 

• enshrine the principles of access to information, participation and legal protection for 

the Surinamese public 

• allow for the introduction of suitable regulations to address specific issues of 

environmental protection; and establish a framework for enforcement of environmental 

16



legislation and regulations, together with penalties. 

2.3.2 DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT GUIDELINES 

In July 2003, the Office of Environmental and Social Assessment of NIMOS published draft 

guidelines to Environmental Impact Assessment in Suriname, referred to hereafter as the EIA 

Guidelines. Following consultation with interested parties (including Staatsolie) and review 

of comments, these guidelines were finalized in early 2004 and revised in 2009. The EIA 

Guidelines will be given effect by the Environmental Act, once it has been promulgated. 

The draft EIA Guidelines were prepared as a guide for project sponsors, but are also intended 

to provide Surinamese Government officials with advice on evaluating and assessing the 

adequacy and suitability of EIA reports submitted in support of project permit applications. 

The EIA Guidelines cover the following aspects: 

• project screening 

• classification of Projects 

• scoping guidelines 

• structure of EIA reports and 

• EIA report review process, including criteria for review and compliance checklist 

Although neither the Environmental Act nor the EIA guidelines have any legal status yet, 

project developers are expected to comply within the spirit of the guidelines. 

The guidelines allow for classification of projects into several categories, dependent on the 

adjudged potential for environmental damage: 

Category A 

Projects having adverse effects that may be sensitive, irreversible and diverse. The extent and 

scale of the environmental impacts can only be determined after thorough environmental 

assessment. Mitigation measures can only be taken after the results of the assessment are 

known. 

Category B 

Projects where the severity of potential impacts depends on the sensitivity of the location, 

scale and predictability. As stated earlier NIMOS has declared this Project a Category B, Traject 

2, project. 

Category C 

Projects that have no significant impacts or where the effects are well known, predictable, are 

small in scale and can be mitigated. 

17



2.4 INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS AND TREATIES 

On international level the following conventions are relevant: 

• The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl 

Habitat also indicated as the RAMSAR Convention; 

• the Convention on International Trade on Endangered Species of wild flora and fauna 

(CITES) was finally agreed at a meeting of representatives of 80 countries in Washington 

DC., United States of America, on 3 March 1973, and came into force on 1 July 1975 

On international level the following guidelines are relevant: 

• ARPEL, the Regional Association of Oil and Natural Gas Companies in Latin America 

and the Caribbean. This association has adopted environmental policies, codes, and 

guidelines for protection of the environment. 

• OGP, the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers has guidelines and 

standards regarding onshore oil operations. 

• The IFC, EHS Guidelines 2007 contains guidelines for onshore oil and gas development. 

Specific reference is made hereunder to the RAMSAR convention because of the importance of 

the Suriname coastal area for (migratory) birds. 

2.4.1 CONVENTION ON WETLANDS OF INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE 

(also indicated as the RAMSAR Convention) 

On March 18, 1985, the Republic of Suriname became a contracting party to the Convention 

on Wetlands, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. The RAMSAR Convention is an 

intergovernmental treaty, which provides the framework for national action and international 

cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. There are 

presently 150 Contracting Parties to the Convention, with 1590 wetland sites, totaling 134 

million hectares, designated for inclusion in the RAMSAR List of Wetlands of International 

Importance. 

By joining the RAMSAR Convention, the Government of Suriname committed itself among 

others to: 

• maintain the ecological character of (potential) RAMSAR sites, through a wise 

management approach 

• include wetland conservation within its national land-use planning, so as to promote 

the wise use of all wetlands within its territory 

• establish nature reserves as wetlands, whether or not they are included in the 

"RAMSAR List of Wetlands of International Importance" 

At the occasion of joining the RAMSAR Convention, the National Nature Conservation 

Commission (NBC) of Suriname was assigned as the Scientific Authority for the RAMSAR 

Convention, while the Head of the Suriname Forest Service (LBB) was assigned as the 

18



Management or Administrative Authority. LBB’s Nature Conservation Division (NB) was 

then appointed as responsible for the implementation of last mentioned function (see 

http://www.ramsar.org). 

The Eastern Wayambo Swamp is a freshwater wetland. Damage to this Wetland Area 

should be avoided. 

2.5 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS 

No national environmental standards have yet been developed for Suriname, so this section 

only deals with the national and international legal requirements and regulatory approvals and 

permitting requirements that may apply to the project, and it identifies the key aspects of the 

route that must be followed to advance the project to the award of an environmental permit. 

2.5.1 OIL CONCESSION CONDITIONS 

Staatsolie was founded on December 13, 1980, as a company with limited liability under 

Surinamese Law. The Republic of Suriname owns all shares. The company has the right to 

explore for and produce hydrocarbons in Suriname. It can e xercise this right as 

an independent operator or in cooperation with other oil companies. 

Within the concession agreement it is stated that the contractor should take all reasonable 

measures in agreement with good oilfield practices for safe working and for adequate 

treatment for the discharge of waste oils (article 11, sub 1 and 2). “Good oilfield practices” 

could be translated as “to comply, at a minimum, with applicable laws, regulations, standards 

and guidelines for the protection of the environment and in their absence adopt the best 

practicable means to prevent or minimize adverse environmental impacts”. 

2.5.2 INTERNATIONAL REQUIREMENTS, STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES 

For this PESIA, a number of international environmental requirements, standards and 

guidelines for onshore oil operations are available which have been used to identify potential 

environmental and socio-economic impacts associated with exploration activities in the Weg 

naar Zee area including (1) providing access to the project area, (2) preparation at the project 

area (3) drilling a n d e x p l o s i o n s operation and (4) abandonment of the project area, 

and also, to provide preventive, mitigation and enhancement measures for these impacts. 

2.5.2.1 ARPEL 

The Regional Association of Oil and Natural Gas Companies in Latin America and the 

Caribbean (ARPEL) has developed environmental policies, codes, and guidelines for 

protection of the environment. ARPEL has published its own guidelines for conducting 

environmental audits. Staatsolie is member of this association. 

19



In ARPEL’s Code of Environmental Conduct the following is stated: 

“ARPEL Member Companies are fully conscious that the self-sustained development (of 

Latin America in general and of its hydrocarbons industry in particular) can and must be 

accompanied with actions aimed at environmental protection, in compliance with the 

regulatory framework in force in each country, based on scientific grounds and respect for 

the community, as well as on risk analyses and environmental cost/benefit. Consequently, 

ARPEL Member Companies have established as an objective to continuously improve their 

environmental management systems and to develop their operations under principles that 

reflect the adequate application of the highest level of environmental practices”. 

2.5.2.2 Clean Caribbean & Americas 

In 1977 eight oil companies operating in the Caribbean and Latin America formed the Clean 

Caribbean Cooperative (CCC), now known as the Clean Caribbean & Americas (CCA), with 

the objective of enhancing the capability to promptly and efficiently respond to marine oil 

spills in the region. Since then the CCA has grown to include most of the major international 

oil companies and oil related facilities in the Caribbean region, among which is Staatsolie in 

Suriname. These companies have agreed to jointly support and fund the CCA in its mission 

to: 

“Develop and maintain immediately accessible oil spill response resources and support for 

Members through a ready equipment stockpile and a trained contractor network; and 

promote training, coordination, and logistics planning with industries and governments in 

the Area of Interest”. 

2.5.2.3 International Association of Oil and Gas Producers 

In the international oil exploration and production industry, the guidelines and standards of 

the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (OGP – formerly the Oil Industry 

International Exploration and Production Forum) are particularly influential. The 

OGP represents oil and gas companies from around the world. 

The OGP has prepared several guidelines regarding onshore oil operations, on its own and in 

conjunction with organizations such as UNEP and IUCN. The OGP has recommended the 

use of EIA in a number of its guidelines. These guidelines, which represent “internationally 

acceptable operating practices” and “internationally acceptable goals and guidance on 

environmental protection during oil and gas exploration and production operations”, fully 

endorse the EIA process, and provide recommendations and guidance to oil companies on the 

EIA process. A key development in the EIA process as it applies to oil and gas companies is 

the expectation that companies will assess the impacts of oil and gas development not merely 

on the physical environment, but also on local and indigenous peoples. 

Among others special guidelines have been developed addressing oil operations in tropical 

rainforests and exploration and production operations in mangrove areas, and 

20



decommissioning for onshore exploration and production sites. 

2.5.2.4 World Bank Group 

The World Bank’s Pollution Prevention and Abatement Handbook 1998 contains Guidelines 

for onshore oil and gas development, prepared by this bank with assistance from 

intergovernmental organizations and the international oil and gas exploration and production 

industry. The Bank’s Guidelines: (1) set maximum levels for liquid effluents, air emissions 

and noise levels, which are those “normally acceptable to the World Bank Group in making 

decisions regarding provisions of World Bank Group assistance”; (2) describe industry 

practices, processes that can reduce, prevent and control pollution, and treatment 

technologies; (3) make recommendations for monitoring and reporting; and (4) summarize 

the key production and control practices that will lead to compliance with emissions 

requirements. 

2.6 STAATSOLIE HSE POLICY 

The PESIA furthermore meets the Health, Safety and Environmental principles as outlined in the 

HSE policy of Staatsolie: 

• prevention of all incidents 

• compliance with all applicable health, safety and environmental legislative 

requirements 

• continual improvement of the company’s health, safety and environmental 

performance 

• prevention of environmental pollution 

Staatsolie is member of ARPEL and further emphasizes the importance of working to 

internationally recognized oil and gas standards like those of OGP, and relevant standards 

and guidelines of the World Bank. Staatsolie is fully involving local communities and 

reporting progress to all interested and affected parties. The environmental study will hence 

be structured so as to follow the principles as stipulated above. 

Staatsolie is furthermore in the process of developing an Environmental Management 

System (EMS) in accordance with the requirements of the inte rna tiona l standard 

ISO 14001. The EMS comprises procedures that specify the way that environmental issues 

are to be managed in normal activities. 

21



3. THE WEG NAAR ZEE PROJECT AND STUDY AREA 

3.1 THE PROJECT 

The project seismic survey activities comprise: 

• Line preparation by hand clearing: trails of approximately 1 m wide are cut open using 

machetes and chain saws to cut the vegetation. 

• Drilling of shot-holes: approximately 3” holes will be drilled till 6 – 10 m depth every 10 

– 40 m, by a motorized drilling unit. 

• Shooting and recording: small-size explosives will be used for shooting and the reflected 

signals will be recorded by geophones that will be connected to a central recording unit. 

• Abandonment: closing of shot-holes and cleaning of the environment. 

In support of the survey program a number of temporary field camps will be established for 

crews. Airboats will be employed for transport in certain swamp areas, which will require the 

construction of airboat trails. For transport to and from the camps boats or cars will be used, 

depending on the conditions. 

The project will take about 3 months of data acquisition. All the geophysical equipment will be 

shipped into Paramaribo by the contractor. The contractor will need to establish a base in 

Paramaribo. Most probably cars, trucks and boats will be used for the field activities. Prior to 

acquisition startup, the relevant authorities will be allowed to audit equipment, equipment setup, 

personnel for certification and safety. 

The project is aimed to start in February 2013. 

Figure 1 provides an overview of the planned lines in Weg naar Zee area. Line lengths might be 

subject to change, due to unforeseen environmental or operational circumstances. Potential 

extensions of the lines will not be greater than 2 Km. The coordinates of the 2D Seismic lines are 

in Table 2. 

22



3.2 THE STUDY AREA 

Figure 1 2 D lines (blue lines) for the data acquisition in the WnZ area. 

Yellow lines indicate the delimitations of the Weg naar Zee Block 

Table 2 coordinates of the projected 2D seismic lines 

The Weg naar Zee Project area is, except for its southern boundary, defined by Staatsolie’s 

delimitation of its onshore concession into blocks. Where seismic lines pass the delimitation of 

the Block, the Project area will be adjusted to include the extension. The Weg naar Zee Project 

area is bordered in the west by fish hole Van Dijk and its imagery northern extension, in the 

north by the Atlantic Ocean, in the east by a line from the eastern end of the Ocean Project up to 

the Kwattaweg, in the south by the Kwattaweg and the Garnizoenspad. In this prospective area 

hydrocarbons were discovered in 2007 and this discovery is presently being appraised. The 

Project Area is for seismic lines located in the Wayambo swamp and in the Eastern Dry land 

area. 

23



No economic activities are yet visible in the central Wayambo swamp area. This swamp area 

lays fallow. But the seismic lines in the Dry land area cross farm land and residential areas. 

Figure 2 Location of the Weg naar Zee prospective area (from Staatsolie map 2007) and 2D seismic 

lines in blue 

The Study Area for the 2D seismic lines is located in both the Wayambo swamp area and the dry 

land area. 

The study area (see figure 2) is bordered as the Weg naar Zee Block with the difference that the 

southern border is the Kwattaweg instead of the Commissaris Weytinghweg. The borders are as 

follows: 

• in the West by the Vijfde Rijweg, the north-south running Van Dijk fish hole and its 

northern extension up to the Atlantic Ocean 

• in the North by the Atlantic Ocean 

• in the East by the eastern border of the Graanoogst agricultural area (end of the Ocean 

Project) up to the northern border of the Gummels agricultural area, and from there by a 

north-east/south-west line connected with the Kwattaweg. 

• in the South by the Kwattaweg and the Garnizoenspad 

It should be noted that most impacts will be limited to the surroundings of the access trails and 

the trails where the lines will be laid and a narrow strip along the access routes. But for a few 

environmental components, like air quality, noise of explosions and water quality, the impacts 

may go beyond the boundaries of the project area. 

24



3.3 SITUATION OF THE 2D SEISMIC LINES 

WNZ-2D-2011/001 (8.5 km long), runs in East – West direction, south and parallel to the 

western part of the WNZ-2D-2011/007 line and crosses the Oedraysing Varmaweg south of the 

Cremation site. The line runs through almost uninhabited area but crosses cultivated private 

lands and cattle pasture along the Oedraysing Varmaweg. The line also will cross (private) 

canals and ‘fish holes’ with its associated dams. 

WNZ-2D-2011/002 (7.5 km long) runs in a South – North direction and is in the far western part 

of the Weg naar Zee area. The major part of this line runs through uninhabited area but the 

ultimate southern part passes nearby or crosses private lands where horticulture activities take 

place 

WNZ-2D-2011/003 (7.8 km). This line also runs in a South – North direction and lies in the 

western part of the Weg naar Zee area. The major part of this line also runs through uninhabited 

area except for the ultimate southern part which passes nearby or crosses private lands with 

horticulture activities. The southern part of this line lies close to archaeological site 060 

WNZ-2D-2011/004 (6.6 km). This line also runs in a South – North direction also in the western 

part of the Weg naar Zee area. The major part of this line also runs through uninhabited area 

except for the ultimate southern part which passes nearby or crosses private lands with 

horticulture activities. The southern part of this line lies close to archaeological site 022 as 

mentioned in Figure 9. 

WNZ-2D-2011/005 (6.0 km). This line runs in an East – West direction, crosses the Henri 

Fernandesweg and the canals at the both sides of this road and runs north and parallel to the 

inhabited Oedraysing Varma weg and the Brantimakkaweg. The part west of the Henri 

Fernandesweg runs through developed private owned lands and close to human settlements and 

their agricultural lands and also close to the Pilgrimage site Weg naar Zee. The eastern part (east 

of the Henri Fernandesweg) runs through mangrove forest, part of which is dying or already has 

died. The most eastern part of the line runs through the private owned lands of Mr. Graanoogst 

and Mr. Gummels where it crosses the WNZ-2D-2011/008 line. 

WNZ-2D-2011/006 (3.9 km). This line runs in a North-South direction and crosses the inhabited 

Brantimakaweg, the Ingipipaweg, the Parwaweg and the Kwepieweg along which people have 

their agricultural and cattle pasture lands. A short part of the line in the ultimate north runs 

through uninhabited and undeveloped natural area. 

WNZ-2D-2011/007 (7.1 km.) 

This line also runs in an East – West direction north and parallel to the WNZ-2D-2011/001 

through uninhabited area. The western part of the line crosses the impassable prolongation of the 

Oedraysing Varmaweg. Because of the occurring ecosystems through which the line runs, it is 

not likely that this line will cross any agricultural activity, presently or in the near future. 

WNZ-2D-2011/008 (2.0 km). This line runs in a North - South direction and is in the far eastern 

part of the Weg naar Zee area. 

According to Mr. Timmer this line runs predominantly through the cattle pasture lands of Mr. 

Gummels. 

WNZ-2D-2011/009 (1.9 km). This line runs in the extension of line WNZ-2D-2011/002 but 

bends to the east. According to Mr. Timmer the line passes nearby or crosses private lands where 

horticulture activities take place. 

25



3.4 PROJECT PHASES 

The project includes 3 phases 

• Preparation phase 

o mobilization 

o access to the 2D seismic sites 

o clearing sites 

o transportation of equipment 

• operation phase 

o execution 2D seismic 

• decommissioning phase 

o removal of equipment 

o soil clean-up, if needed 

3.4.1 PREPARATION/CONSTRUCTION PHASE 

To prepare the area for 2D seismic activities the following infrastructural activities will be 

undertaken: 

• Bush clearing for transportation trails by swamp excavators in the swamp areas and in 

dry areas by land excavators and other land based equipment. Transportation trails will be 

approximately two meters wide. Data acquisition trails (the path of the planned seismic 

line locations) will be narrower, approximately 1 meter wide and opened by machetes. 

• Staatsolie will use existing trails and dams as much as possible. Staatsolie already has an 

extensive trail network in the area. Also the farmers in the eastern part of the study area 

have small sand and clay dams in their fields. 

3.4.2 OPERATION PHASE: 2D SEISMIC ACTIVITIES 

2D seismic is a technique for mapping rock layers underneath the ground. Use of this technique 

provides geoscientists an insight in the structure of the subsurface layers. In petroleum 

exploration an accurate knowledge of the rock layers is critical for successful exploration. 

The technique gives a two-dimensional picture of the structure of layers of sedimentary rock at 

depth by generating an elastic shock wave at the surface, analogous to a sound wave in fluids, 

and recording reflections from the rock layers by means of a linear array of receivers. The 

reflections are the result of differences in the acoustic impedance of rock layers (see figure). The 

time it takes for a shock wave to travel from the source to the reflective layer and back up to the 

receiver gives interpreters an idea of the depth of the reflective layer. A common source for 

creating waves is by using explosives. 

26

P-all consultants 

Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname N.V. 


In this survey the source will be placed in the centre of the receiver array. The shot points 

(source locations) will be set 10, 220, 

0, 30 or 40 meters apart. The final distance will be determined 

after field testing. At each shot point a shot hole will be drilled to a depth of 6 to 10 meters. 

These shot holes will be loaded with the explosives and closed off. 

Source and receiver locations ons are measured by surveyors. It is essential for the data processing to 

exactly know these locations. 

The data acquisition is carried out by detonating the explosives in the shot holes, one shot hole at 

a time. The energy reflections from the subsurface and the time from shot detonation are then 

measured by the receivers. 

The different phases of the fieldwork are illustrated in the following pictures. 

27



Figure 1: Line preparation by hand clearing: trails of approximately 1 m wide are cut open using 

machetes and chain saws to cut the vegetation in order to gain access to the shot points and 

receiver points. 

Figure 2: For difficult to reach areas, such as dense jungle, fly camps are being build. The above 

pictures shows floating platforms as a basis for the fly camps. These platforms are placed by use 

of helicopters. Airboats will be employed for transport in certain swamp areas, which will 

require the construction of airboat trails. For transport to and from the camps boats or cars will 

be used, depending on the conditions. 

Figure 3: The shot holes are drilled by portable motorized drills. Approximately 3” holes will be 

drilled till 6 – 10 m depth every 10 – 40 m. Water for the drilling process is supplied by a small 

water pump. 

28



Figure 4: After the shot holes are loaded with explosives and the receiver stations are laid out 

and connected to the recording unit, the explosives are detonated. One shot hole at a time. This is 

done by use of a portable shooting unit. 

Figure 5: Explosives are stored in special safety boxes and handled in close supervision of the 

army. 

29



Figure 6: The data is recorded in a central recording unit, commonly a small cabin either placed 

on the ground or on a small truck. The recorded data is immediately displayed and checked in the 

field. If the data quality is poor, it is re-shot. 

After the survey is complete, the shot-holes are closed and the environment is cleaned up. 

The project will take about 3 months of data acquisition. All the geophysical equipment will be 

shipped into Paramaribo by the contractor. The contractor will need to establish a base in 

Paramaribo. Most probably cars, trucks and boats will be used for the field activities. Prior to 

acquisition startup, the relevant authorities will be allowed to audit equipment, equipment setup 

and personnel for certification and safety. 

3.4.3 DECOMMISSIONING PHASE 

• Equipment will be dismantled and trails abandoned according to international standards 

for the oil and gas industry. All necessary activities will be executed to prevent 

contamination of soil, ground- and surface water. 

30



4. BASE LINE DESCRIPTION 

4.1 INTRODUCTION 

Physical elements that were taken into consideration are: 

• Climate 

• Geo(hydro)logy and water quality 

• Land and soil 

• Vegetation and flora 

• Fauna 

• Ecosystems 

• Air quality 

• Noise 

• Solid Waste management 

Socio-economic elements that were taken into consideration are 

• Affected population 

• Livelihood affected population 

• Economic activities 

• Health risks 

The approach to these elements is presented in the table 3. 

Table 3 Physical and human use elements that were taken into consideration 

(affected environment and population) and the executed activities. 

Element and reason 

for studying 

1 Climate >> Information 

from the Meteorological 

Service will be collected 

to confirm normal trends 

2 Geo(hydro)logy and 

water quality >> 

Consultant will look into 

possible obstructions of 

water flow that can be 

expected from the 

project activities. 

3 Land and soil >> Check 

if project activities have 

an impact on the use of 

land. Major risks are 

than soil compaction 

because of heavy 

Base-line 

information from 

PEIA study WnZ 

and publications 

Meteorological 

Service 

Existing reports and 

knowledgeable 

informants 

31 

Activities and or new 

information gathered 

suring the study 

Recent information 

collected by the 

Meteorological service 

is used 

Water samples taken 

and analyzed by the 

University lab. 

Soil map DBK No soil samples taken



equipment. This may 

lead to deterioration of 

the soil structure 

Vegetation and flora >> 

To investigate if project 

activities influence 

vegetation clearance, 

etc. 

5 Fauna >> To investigate 

if natural wild life will 

be affected 

6 Ecosystems >> To 

investigate if 

ecosystems have an 

impact from project 

activities. Exiting 

impacts will be 

described. 

7 Air quality >> To 

investigate if there are 

already heavy polluters 

in the project area 

8 Noise >> To investigate 

if there are already 

heavy polluters in the 

project area. Decibels 

registration up-front. To 

be requested from 

Staatsolie as they 

normally monitor this. 

9 Solid Waste 

management >> 

Assessment if there is 

solid waste pollution in 

the project area. 

10 Population and 

livelihood >> How 

many persons are 

expected to be impacted 

Vegetation map; 

Planatlas of 

Suriname 

Literature study of 

experts and 

interview 

knowledgeable 

persons from the 

area 

Eco systems map 

Planatlas and 

interview 

knowledgeable 

persons from the 

area 

No quantitative 

baseline data 

available 

No quantitative 

data available. 

Implementation 

Staatsolie General 

Field Instructions 

Census figures and 

information Bureau 

of Statistics (ABS). 

32 

Visual reconnaissance 

executed 


executed. 

Fish research done by 

University lab. 


executed 

Visual and nasal 

reconnaissance executed 

Visual and oral 

reconnaissance executed 

Visual 

reconnaissanceexecuted. 

Staatsolie General Field 

Instructions to be 

implemented 

Figures: ABS. Field 

survey conducted



by the project 

11 Economic activities >> 

What economic 

activities are expected to 

be impacted by the 

project 

12 Health risks >> Which 

health risks are coming 

along with the project 

Field survey 

Economic statistics. 

RGD policlinic 

Ministry of Health 

33 

Field survey conducted. 

Statistics LVV. 

Doctor Bilgoe 

interviewed 

Data collection for the base-line study was done in August and September 2012. 

For fieldwork only areas that are reasonably accessible over land and/or water were visited. No 

new access trails were made. Components of the environment are defined relative to the scope of 

this project out of a NIMOS list from: Environmental Assessment guidelines Volume V: Power 

Generation and Transmission Projects March 2005. 

Components of the social assessment were defined relative to the scope of this project out of a 

NIMOS list from: Environmental Assessment Guidelines Volume IV: Social Impact Assessment, 

March 2005. 

Experts used primary statistics like the census figures, the housing statistics and production 

statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture to describe the social and economic base-line. These 

figures were supplemented by information collected by interviewing stakeholders from the area. 

Experts also looked into changes in: 

• mangrove growth along the cost-line, 

• housing (urban) development, 

• agriculture development and, 

• other developments on private properties. 

The study area comprises two distinctly different environments: a Wetland and a Dry land Area. 

In order to conveniently describe the environment, the study area is divided in these two areas 

(Figure 3).


Figure 3 Map p showing Wetland and Dry land areas within the Weg naar Zee 

Project Area 

The Wetland Area comprises the uninhabited Eastern Wayambo Swamp, while the inhabited 

Dryland Area is dominated by ridges and more or less well drained polders developed on clay 

soils. 

The physical, biological and human environments are described below. 

4.2 THE HE PHYSICAL ENVIRONM 

ENVIRONMENT 

4.2.1 CLIMATE 



Existing climate condition 

According to the PEIA study of Noordam and Teunissen, 2007/2008 most of Northern Suriname 

has a Tropical Rainforest Climate (Af (Af-climate climate in Köppen’s classification). The average rainfall 

exceeds 60 mm in the driest month(s). A narrow strip along the coast, which has drier conditions, 

forms an exception. Here a Monsoon Climate (Am (Am-climate) is found. The average annual rainfall 

in the northern part of Suriname predominantly ranges between 1,750 and 2,500 mm, but in the 

34



narrow coastal strip it is between 1,500 and 1,750 mm, and in some parts even less than 1,500 

mm. 

Most of the Weg naar Zee study area is within the zone with a Tropical Rainforest (Af-climate) 

Climate, but going north towards the Atlantic Ocean a zone with drier conditions is met, with 

average rainfall below 60 mm in one or more of the dryer months (Am-climate). 

In most of the study area annual rainfall is slightly above 2,000 mm, but in the northern part the 

annual rainfall averages are below 1,750 mm/year. 

precipitation (mm) 

350 

300 

250 

200 

150 

100 

50 

0 

J F M A M J J A S O N D 

month 

Figure 4 Average monthly precipitation in the 1971-1991 period for stations within or close to the 

study are 

Data of the last 4 years from the Meteorological Service are available from the meteorological 

station “Polder Weg naar Zee”, that is located at a few kilometers from the sea. The rainfall 

pattern in this area does not differ from the long-year average of Paramaribo as is shown Table 4, 

hereunder. 

35 

Zorg & Hoop - total 2,205 mm 

Cultuurtuin - total 2,166 mm 

polder Weg naar Zee - total 1,463 mm



Table 4 Monthly totals of the rainfall in mm STATION: Polder Weg naar Zee 

MONTH → 

Total 

YEAR↓ JAN FEBR MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC 

1991 M 40.5 M 94.2 96.4 191.1 178.7 158.2 M M M M 

2009 M M M M M M M M M 113.3 144.9 178.3 

2010 245.9 87.7 169.5 360 347.1 149.4 318.6 193.7 101.3 82.2 148.3 166.3 2370.00 

2011 86.3 291.6 367.0 28.8 198.3 181.4 227.2 33.6 95.7 181.5 255.6 98 2015.00 

2012 327.2 376.6 181.7 209 209.3 313.4 195.2 189.8 

M = Missing 

METEOROLOGISCHE DIENST SURINAME 

Annual rainfall Weg naar Zee for 2010 was 2,370 mm and for 2011 2,015. If we look at the 

figures of 2012 till august we already have 1,792 mm. 

Like in most parts of Suriname, consistently high temperatures and a high humidity characterize 

the study area with the main variation being rainfall and the associated cloud cover. The mean 

annual air temperature at Paramaribo is 27.3 º C, with a daily range of 7-10 ºC and with an 

annual range of about 2ºC. 

The weather of Suriname is determined mostly by the northeast and southeast trade winds system 

called the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (“ITCZ” also known as the “Equatorial Trough”). 

The ITCZ passes over Suriname two times per year and results in four seasons based upon 

rainfall distribution (Scherpenzeel, 1977). 

• Long Rainy season End April-Mid August 

• Long Dry season Mid-August-Early December 

• Short Rainy season Early December-Early February 

• Short Dry season Early February-End April 

Northern Suriname has a northeast to southeast wind direction, with the first dominating in the 

February-April period and the latter during the July-September period. The other months show 

directions mostly ranging between northeast and southeast. 

Calm winds, i.e. winds with hourly average speeds less than 0.5 m/s, are very frequent. During 

the night and early morning it is usually calm. During the day the wind speed may increase to 

about 5 m/s, and in some seasons to 5-8 m/s, in particular in the February-April and the 

September-October periods. In the coastal zone wind speeds are usually higher than further 

inland. 

Wind speeds of 20-30 m/s have been occasionally recorded during thunderstorms, but only for a 

very short period (locally known as ‘sibibusi’). Suriname is free of hurricanes. 

(Noordam/Teunissen) 

36



4.2.2 AIR QUALITY 

According to Noordam and Teunissen, 2007/2008 with regard to air quality the study area is still 

rather close to its natural state as there are hardly any stationary sources and only few other large 

sources of air emissions. This statement was confirmed during reconnaissance field trips of 

experts in August 2012. 

Recognized air pollution sources within the area are emissions from local traffic, mechanized 

farm activities and confined grass or vegetation debris fires in the dry season. Air pollution is 

considered relatively minor, because traffic is concentrated along the main roads, while other 

activities are at a rather low level and the emissions are usually small-scale. Moreover, the 

emissions are quickly dispersed by the dominating northeast winds. 

Thus, generally speaking, we conclude that the air quality of the study area is good. 

4.2.3 NOISE AND ASSOCIATED EFFECTS 

The same confirmation we can give that the sources that cause air pollution can also cause noise, 

in particular passing traffic and farming equipment. Besides tractors the farming equipment 

experts registered water pumps, spraying machines and brush cutters. Except for the main roads 

the traffic frequency is low, and farm activities are limited in scale. So noise produced by these 

sources is usually only heard incidentally, with the highest levels along the main roads. 

Moreover in much of the project area the number of receptors is limited. 

Noise levels under the pre-project conditions will usually not exceed unacceptable levels. 

4.2.4 GEOLOGY 

The study area is located in the Coastal Plain of Suriname, which is predominantly formed on 

marine deposits. This Coastal Plain comprises two distinct parts, the Old Coastal Plain, which 

was formed during the Pleistocene, and the Young Coastal Plain, which is of Holocene age. 

All projected 2D seismic lines are located within the Young Coastal Plain, which has developed 

on deposits of the Coronie and Mara Formations 1 . Brinkman and Pons (1968) distinguish 4 

marine deposition phases within the Holocene sediments, of which 3 occur in the project area. 

1 Formerly these Formations were known respectively as the Coronie and Mara deposits of the Demerara 

Formation (Wong, 1989). 

37


Figure 5 Geology of the study area 

Legend Figure 5 

Era – Deposition Date Material 

Formation phase 

Holocene – Wanica phase 6,000-3,500 yrs BP* Marine clay and fine sand 

Coronie Moleson phase 2,500-1,300 yrs BP Marine clay and fine to 

Formation 

medium (shell) sand 

Comowine phase 1,000 – present Marine clay and fine (shell) 

sand 

BP: Before Present 

The recent deposits of the Comowine phase are found to the north, those of the Moleson phase in 

the middle and the ones of the Wanica phase in the south of the study area. The seismic lines are 

projected in the Comowine and Moleson phase. 

4.2.5 GEO-HYDROLOGY 



The Coastal Plain of Suriname is formed on sediments that have been deposited since the Late 

Cretaceous. The sediments are known as the Corantijn Group. 

Drinking water is withdrawn from three major aquifers within this Corantijn Group: the AA-Sand 

A 

aquifer, the Coesewijne aquifer and the Zanderij aquifer, found in the formations of th the th same 

respective names (note: the A-Sand Sand Formation in which the aquifer is found has been renamed 

Burnside Formation; Wong, 1989). 

38



Table 5 Stratigraphy of the Corantijn Group 

According to Noordam and Teunissen the Zanderij aquifer, at 30-70 m, is not being used for 

drinking water supply in the Weg naar Zee area, because the water is brackish. 

They also state that the Coesewijne and A-Sand aquifers consist of non-consolidated and 

consolidated clastic sediments of clay, sandy clay, and coarse-grained sandstone. Depth to the 

Coesewijne aquifer ranges from 70 to 110 meters and depth to the A-Sand aquifers ranges up to 

180 meters. For the study area fresh water is only available in the southwestern part. Drinking 

water stations withdraw water from the Coesewijne and A-Sand aquifers south of the study area 

(Former Landsboerderij-Leysweg, Uitkijk and Zorg en Hoop). 

Saline water zones underlie the fresh water zones in the coastal area and caution should be 

exercised while pumping to prevent saline water intrusion. 

39


4.2.6 GEOMORPHOLOGY EOMORPHOLOGY AND SOI SOILS 

Physiography and soils 



The project area is located in the flat and very low low-lying lying Young Coastal Plain in an area with 

clay flats and ridges. Clay flats dominate in the north and west of the study area, while ridges are 

a common feature in the south and southeast. Physiography and soil conditions of the study area 

are presented as Figure 6. The information presented in this map has been adapted from the 

Reconnaissance soil map of Northern Suriname (Soil Survey Department, 1977; 1:100 000). 

Figure 6 Land and soil of the Weg naar Zee study area (adapted from Soil Survey, 1977) 

An overview of the characteristics of physiographical units and a brief description of the soils is 

presented in Table 6. 

40



Table 6 Characterization of geology, physiography and soil of the study area 

Geology Physiography Elevation Peat / Unit 

Soils Water 

(m+NSP) Pegasse soil 

depth 

(cm) map 

(cm) 

Como- Ridges, usually 2 m None 1 Well (to poorly) drained medium and n.a. 

wine narrow and low 

fine (shell) sand 

phase 

2 m None 2 Well drained medium and fine sand to 

sandy loam 

n.a 

Clay flats 1 m 0-40 4 Poorly drained half ripe and ripe clay 

with brown and yellow mottles 

40-60 

1 m 0-60 5 Very poorly drained half ripe clay with 

olive mottles; brackish subsoil 

40-80 

Tidal swamps 0-1 m Usually 6 Very poorly drained practically unripe 0-60 

none and half-ripe brackish clay 

7 Very poorly drained unripe and nearly 

unripe saline clay 

0-40 

Abandoned 0-1 m Usually 18 Poorly drained half ripe clay; brackish 0-40 

rice polder 

none subsoil 

Moleson Ridges 2-3 m None 1 Well (to poorly) drained shells, shell-grit, n.a. 

phase 

shell sand, medium and fine sand 

2-3 m None 2 Well drained medium and fine sand to 

sandy loam 

n.a 

Clay flats and 1-2 m 0-10 5 Very poorly drained half ripe clay with 20-40 

inter-ridge 

olive mottles, locally over sand or sandy 

depressions 

loam 

1-2 m 0-10 11 Poorly and very poorly drained nearly 

ripe clay with yellow and/or red mottles, 

locally over sand or sandy loam 

20-40 

Abandoned 1 m None 18 Imperfectly to poorly drained nearly ripe 0-40 

rice land 

(re- clay with olive mottles, locally sandy 

moved) subsoil; usually puddled topsoil 

Wanica Ridges 2-3 m None 8 (Moderately) well drained medium and n.a. 

phase 

fine sand 

2 m None 9 Imperfectly drained sandy loam to 

medium and fine sand to sandy loam, 

locally sandy clay on medium and fine 

sand 

n.a. 

Clay flats 1-2 m 0-10 11 Poorly drained nearly ripe clay with 20-40 

yellow and/or red mottles, locally over 

sand or sandy loam 

Abandoned 1-2 m None 18 Imperfectly to poorly drained nearly ripe 0-20 

rice fields 

(re- clay with olive mottles, usually puddled 

moved) topsoil 

41



The wetland access routes are found predominantly within unit 5, the half ripe clays with nearly 

unripe clay subsoil. The topsoil of these clay soils is fresh and the subsoil brackish. The 

thickness of the peat layer will vary between 0 and 60 cm depending upon average water depth, 

vegetation type and frequency of grass and peat fires. Access to the dry land trails will, as much 

as possible, follow existing roads on ridges of unit 1 and 2 and dams and canals that already 

exist. 

Soil properties 

The clay soils of the Young Coastal Plain (soil units 4, 5, 6, 7, 11 and 18) have a high fertility, 

due to their high mineral (clay soils) and organic (peat) reserve, they have a high Cat-ion 

Exchange Capacity (CEC) and they are normally acid to very acid. 

Soils of units 6 and 7 are brackish to saline and they have a neutral ph. 

The physical properties of the clay soils are moderate to poor. Permeability and aeration are 

usually moderate to low and workability with machines is difficult. The bearing capacity will be 

a problem on less ripe clay soils (4, 5, 6 and 7), especially where a peat layer is present. Drainage 

is a major problem in all these soils. 

The ridge soils (soil units 1, 2, 8 and 9) are in general less fertile and they have a lower CEC, but 

they have more favorable physical properties. Mineral reserve and CEC within the ridge soils is 

highest in the loamy soils and lowest in the sandy soils. pH ranges from acid (sandy soils) to 

neutral (shell soils), (Noordam/Teunissen 2008). 

Soil physical properties of ridge soils are usually good, but natural drainage of the lower ridge 

soils may be imperfect to poor. 

Soil suitability 

Most of the affected soils in the Dry land Area are already cleared for some type of land use. 

Therefore only the soil suitability of the involved soils in the Wetland Area is briefly discussed. 

According to Noordam and Teunissen, 2007 the fresh clay soils of the Comowine phase (units 4 

and 5) are suitable for wetland rice cultivation and cattle grazing, once polders have been 

established. However, wetland rice cultivation is not possible in the study area, because no 

adequate supply of irrigation water is present. 

The suitability of the soils of units 4 and 5 for dry land crops is limited, given the brackish 

subsoil that limits deep rooting and that poses the risk of salinization of the topsoil under 

conditions of artificial drainage and evaporation. 

The ridge soils within the Wetland Area are suitable for horticulture, but most of the ridges are 

small, isolated units within the swamps. Therefore the overall suitability of the units 1 and 2 in 

the Wetland Area is marginal at most. 

42



4.2.7 HYDROLOGY 

As indicated above, the study area can be divided in a “Wetland Area” and a “Dry land Area”. 

These two areas are therefore discussed separately. 

Wetland Area 

The Surinamese coastal region has about 2,000 km² of brackish wetlands with mangrove forest, 

salt water lagoons and brackish herbaceous swamps, and 12,000 km² of freshwater wetlands 

(Teunissen, 1988). In the Eastern Wayambo Swamp about 110 km² of coastal wetland is found, 

of which less than 15% is mangrove forest. 

All projected seismic trails are found crossing the well-drained dry land area and the freshwater 

swamps with poorly to very poorly drained soils, which are inundated either permanently or at 

least during the greater part of the year (Teunissen, 1993). The higher parts of the ridges, found 

as small and narrow islands surrounded by the swamps, remain dry throughout the year. 

Swamps are formed because the low-lying clay flats have a very slow drainage, due to: 

• the small hydraulic gradient 

• the very low permeability of the soil 

• the dense layer of vegetation and peat on top of the soil 

But although the flow through peat and vegetation is very slow, a considerable amount of water 

will be discharged due to the large areas over which the process takes place. 

Creeks, to either a local river or to the Atlantic Ocean, are usually only found along the edges of 

these swamps where both water velocity and discharge may be high. 

The Wayambo Swamp drains towards the Atlantic Ocean in the north and towards the 

Saramacca River in the west. The flow to the north is thought to account for the majority of the 

drainage of the Eastern Wayambo Swamp. The latter is supported by the generally northern 

direction of watercourses (shallow swamp gullies) in the Wetland Area. 

Natural drainage from this swamp towards the south and east is not easily possible because 

ridges and roads block the flow in these directions. 

During the rainy season the water level in the Eastern Wayambo Swamp is high (up to 80 cm 

above the mineral surface) and water is permanently being discharged towards the Atlantic 

Ocean. With diminishing rainfall at the end of the rainy season, with gradually lowering swamp 

water levels, the amount of drainage also decreases. At a certain water level the drainage from 

the swamp will virtually stop and water will mostly be depleted by evapotranspiration. However, 

in most years a shallow layer water remains present in the swamp and the peat does not 

completely dry up, (Noordam and Teunissen 2007/2008). 

But in years with an extremely long dry period, the swamps, including peat, will completely dry 

up. 

Starting at the Garnizoenspad, a number of S-N running canals has been excavated. These canals 

are intended to collect swamp fish in the Dry season, when water level becomes low. Therefore 

these canals are referred to as “fish holes”. Most of these canals are rather short and none reach 

the Atlantic Ocean. From satellite imagery it appears that part of these canals is no longer being 

used. 

43


The canals are expected to have some impact on the swamp hydrology. The magnitude of this 

impact is unknown, but probably minor. 

At the moment the so called LVV canal with a sluice at the Oedraysingh Varma weg close to the 

crematorium is operational. The Ministry of Public Works is also engaged in building a new 

canal in the middle of the swamp area for drainage of the western part of the Weg naar Zee 

Block. 

Figure 7 Hydrology, Watercourses (canals and shallow swamp gullies) in the Study Area. 

Dry land Area 



Human activities like deforestation and land reclamation, construction of dams, dykes, roads and 

canals through swamps have seriously affected the hydrology of wetlands in many locations in 

Suriname. These activities have resulted in either increased or lowered water levels, and in 

changes in drainage patterns and consequently in more or less drastic changes in the vegetation 

(and related fauna) and in the water quality. 

Most of the Dry land section of the study area used to be a wetland. Much has directly or 

indirectly been affected by human activities. On the clay soils polders have been establishe established establishe that 

drain their excess water through large canals towards major water courses. The higher land of 

44



ridges and leveled-up residential areas on clay soils drain into trenches that are also connected 

with such canals. 

Within the Dry land Area some areas have not yet been touched by human activities, but also 

here changes have occurred as a result of the improved drainage of the surrounding areas, and/or 

on account of fire. 

The drainage water from the Dry land Area will predominantly go to the Atlantic Ocean through 

the three main canals in the Weg naar Zee area. 

4.2.8 WATER QUALITY 

Water quality assessment 

Water quality assessment was performed at two pre-selected localities: In the Dry land area near 

the Canal Brantimaka weg (N0553132, W05511265) and in the Wetland area Canal Staatsolie 

pump at Okrodam (N0552200, W0551511). Each site was sampled one time at the start of the 

long dry season. The results are presented in Table 7. Annex 3 is the report of the water quality 

measurements by de ADEK University laboratory. 

Table 7 Water quality measurements at Weg naar Zee 

Parameters Canal Brantimakaweg 

(N0553132,W05511265) 

45 

Canal 

Staatsolie pomp 

at Okrodam 

(N0552200, 

W0551511) 

Measurement 

Instrument 

Current Slow Slow 

dissolved 

0.09 mg/L 4.66 mg/L 

oxygen 

Hach 

temperature 26.9 28.6 

turbidity 11 NTU 14.2 NTU 

pH 6.7 7.24 Oakton 

salinity 1.54, 2.78 ppt 146 ppm 

transparency 55 cm 45cm secchi disk 

color analysis 267, 283 units Pt-Co 267, 283 units spectrophotometer 

APHA 

Pt-Co APHA 

According to Noordam and Teunissen, 2007 main factors affecting the quality of swamp water 

are the characteristics and the volume of incoming water (rain, flood water, discharge water from 

higher elevations), the chemical characteristics of the prevailing soils and peat in the area, the 

vegetation type, the depth and duration of inundation, and the effects of diffusion, dilution and/or 

concentration. 

The swamps generally have low oxygen content, with values changing over the day. Values are 

lowest in the early morning and increase during daytime. Oxygen is continuously consumed by 

decomposing organic materials, but during the daytime a considerable production of oxygen 

occurs by photosynthesis of algae.



Along the southern and eastern swamp boundaries some water pollution could occur due to 

human activities in neighboring dry land areas. But these activities, that are predominantly 

agriculture, are limited in scale, and polluting agents are expected to be biologically degraded 

very quickly. Therefore the water quality in the Wetland Area is considered as to reflect natural 

conditions for the most of its extent. Water sampling in the swamp area approved this. 

The waterways in the Dry land Area discharge water from residential and human-use activities as 

agricultural and industrial. However, the impact of industries is expected to be very limited as 

almost no factories are visible in the area. 

The waterways can be polluted by substances released from these sources. 

4.3 THE BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT 

4.3.1 VEGETATION 

Records of the natural vegetation of the study area are available from the Western Wayambo 

Swamp, the coast north of the Polder Weg naar Zee and from the adjacent eastern areas 

(Gummels area). These records were made in 1975 to support the ecosystem mapping of 

Northern Suriname (Teunissen, 1978). At that time, the entire Wayambo Swamp was only 

accessible along two canals (so-called fish holes): the Durga Canal (at that time being excavated) 

and along the canal of the "NV Zwampexploitatie Maatschappij" (ZEM), also known as "fish 

hole Fräser". From these early records, 13 study sites are located in still existing wetlands, while 

one was located in the ridge forest, now partly cleared to construct the Ensberg airstrip. 

For the Environmental Baseline Study of the northern Tambaredjo area (IBT Engineering 

Consultants, 1999) and the Environmental Impact Statement for the Wayambo Swamp (E2 

CANADA & GOLDER, 2000), additional vegetation plots were recorded along the Durga 

Canal, the Calor Canal and the Van Dijk Canal. All (56) available records of the Wayambo 

Swamp were published in the above Impact Statement (E2 CANADA & GOLDER, 2000): the 

complete summary of the records is provided in Appendix A, while a map of record locations are 

shown in Appendix B, Figure B.1. of the PEIA study of Noordam and Teunissen (2007/2008). 

Of the present wetland study area (the eastern extension of the Wayambo swamp) only the edges 

are accessible (along the east side of the Van Dijk Canal, the north side of the Okrodam ridge 

between Pomona and the Henri Fernandesweg and along the Henri Fernandesweg itself). From 

aerial photos (CBL, 1971-73; Lufthansa 2001), satellite imagery (LANDSAT 2002, Google 

Earth 2005) and fly-overs from Teunissen (2000-2007) there is no reason to assume that the 

range and zoning of the vegetation types in the Eastern Wayambo Swamp differ from the those 

in the adjacent better known Western Wayambo Swamp. 

For the Environmental Impact Statement for the Wayambo Swamp (E2 CANADA & GOLDER, 

2000), a vegetation map is presented for the Western Wayambo Swamp between Sara Maria and 

the boundary between the Saramacca and Wanica District (5 th Rijweg), see Figure 4.8.1 of 

mentioned report. The LANDSAT 2002 and Google Earth 2009 imagery was used to map the 

present study area. 

46



Figure 8 shows the vegetation map of the area between the Van Dijk Canal and the Henri 

Fernandesweg. The vegetation of the adjacent Dry land Area (inhabited and cultivated ridges and 

polders) has not been mapped. 

Figure 8 Vegetation map of the Wayambo Swamp between the Van Dijk Canal and the Henri 

Fernandesweg (Weg naar Zee); based upon LANDSAT 2002). Source: Noordam and Teunissen 

2007/2008. 

47



Legend of the Weg naar Zee vegetation map 

Mapping 

unit 

Overview of the vegetation types found in the surroundings of the 

Paramaribo-Wanica study area 

1 Mudflats 

Young coastal mangrove forest dominated by Black Mangrove (ST: Parwa; 

2 

SC: Avicennia germinans) 

Closed to open mature coastal mangrove forest dominated by Black 

3 

Mangrove (ST: Parwa; SC: Avicennia germinans) 

Dying coastal forest : Black Mangrove (ST: Parwa; SC: Avicennia 

4 

germinans) 

5 Salt /Brackish water lagoon (ST/SD: Pan) 

6 Salt / Brackish water swamp dominated by short grass and ferns 

Brackish water swamp dominated by long grass such as Cat Tails (ST: 

7 

Payagrasi of Langagrasi or Kunsuwiwiri; SC: Typha domingensis) 

Thorny vine scrub, dominated by (ST: Brantimaka, SC: Machaerium 

8 

lunatum) 

9 Freshwater swamp with herbaceous vegetation and swamp scrub 

Swamp wood dominated by Blood Wood (ST: Watrabebe; SC: Pterocarpus 

officinalis), locally swamp wood characterized by Swamp Plumb (SD: 

10 

Zwamppruim; SN: Chrysobalanus icaco) and Swamp Soursop (ST: Swampusunsaka; 

SD: Zwampzuurzak; SC: Annona glabra) 

11 Coastal ridge wood on narrow ridges in brackish to fresh water areas 

Ridge forest in freshwater areas, usually heavily damaged by former litter 

12 

fires 

C Build up areas, farmland and abandoned fields 

Vegetation and peat fires. 

ST=Sranan Tongo Name; SC= Scientific Name; SD=Surinamese-Dutch Name 

Since early times, during every dry season, many "grass" swamps are burned intentionally, a 

common practice to keep such areas accessible for men and to keep them attractive for certain 

game species such as deer. 

Grass fires may also start unintentionally when in grassy swamp areas the vegetation along 

roadsides and/or on polder dams is burned as a form of weed control. 

Grass fires may also start when the vegetation of adjacent areas is slashed and burned for 

(re)cultivation purposes. 

Also campfires may lead to grass fires. 

Burning of the vegetation in the study area is a common practice, as a result of the continuous 

extension of Paramaribo and the agriculture areas in the more rural sections. Burning is done to 

get rid of the woody vegetation, thus lowering the costs of future land reclamation (construction 

of drainage canals and fish holes, establishment of agriculture areas and housing projects). 

48



If rains fail to fall during the Short Rainy season, the Long Dry season, normally ending in mid- 

November, is extended up to late April and thus the dry weather lasts for 8 months, up to the 

next Long Rainy season that starts in May. For Suriname, such extremely long dry periods were 

reported for 1745/46, 1767/68, 1797/98, 1845/46, 1898/99, 1911/12, 1925/26, 1939/40, and 

1963/64 (Bubberman, 1973). 

During such extremely long dry periods the swamps dry up, their peaty top layer may desiccate 

completely and the above mentioned vegetation fires may become peat fires. Although it is said 

that peat fires may be self-generated by lightning or bacterial heating, there are strong indications 

that most fires, if not all, are human-induced (Bubberman, 1973). Once peat layers are burning, it 

is virtually impossible to extinguish the fire. Only the rains of the next Long Rainy season will 

stop such peat fires. 

Vegetation changes 

Local grass and peat fires, vegetation succession and hydrological changes mainly cause the 

patchy vegetation pattern visible in most freshwater wetlands in Suriname, including the Eastern 

Wayambo Swamp. Differences in soil conditions often play a secondary role. 

Goods and services from the vegetation 

The vegetation types of the Eastern Wayambo Swamp are rather common all over the coastal 

zone of Suriname. With a regular flow of clean fresh water from the Wayambo Swamp towards 

the coast, the (brackish) mangrove forest is able to flourish. Where this flow is obstructed by 

artificial works like dams, the mangrove to the north of these dams may deteriorate. Such is the 

case north of the Brantimakaweg. Peat layers and fresh water swamp forest store rainwater in the 

Long Rainy season and deliver fresh water to the coastal mangrove until far in the Long Dry 

season. At a national level, the mangrove vegetation along the coast contributes to the many 

goods and services the estuarine zone has to offer (Werkgroep Estuariene Kuststrook, 1976). 

Mangrove forest has the capacity to stimulate coastal accretion, to reduce coastal erosion and to 

contribute to a high biological production of coastal fish and shrimp (Teunissen, 2003). Next to 

this, the vegetation provides food and shelter to fish and wildlife. Therefore special attention 

was given to the mangrove vegetation. In the field, except for the mangrove north of the 

Brantimakaweg, no notable changes have been observed compared to the map of the 2007/2008 

PEIA study of Noordam and Teunissen. 

4.3.2 FLORA 

Flora is defined as a list of plant species found in a certain area, in this case the Eastern 

Wayambo Swamp. Also here there is little reason to assume that the plant species composition of 

the vegetation in the eastern swamp will be different from the species composition of the 

vegetation of the better-known western swamp. 

49



Results 

The flora of the Western Wayambo Swamp is presented and discussed in the Environmental 

Impact Statement for the Western Wayambo Swamp (see E2 CANADA & GOLDER. 2000, 

ANNEX A). There, a total number of 161 species was recorded. 

Based on studies of coastal areas like in the Wia-Wia Nature Reserve (Lindeman, 1953; 

Sterringa, 1971; Pons, 1972; and Julen, 1974), all species recorded in the Western Wayambo 

Swamp seem to be rather common as this is the case elsewhere in the coastal area. Due to the 

instable coastline (caused by factors such as water fluctuations, salt intrusion, grass and peat 

fires), unique, rare or endangered flora species are also not expected to be found in the Western 

Wayambo swamp. 

At a national level, many plant species in the coastal area are confined to the narrow brackish 

water zone, a zone that is covering only 1% of the Surinamese land area. 

Goods and services from the flora 

Plants provide useful products for man and food for animal species, including game species 

(bush meat), pets (mainly birds) and food fish. 

4.3.3 FAUNA 

Fauna is defined as a list of animal species, present in a certain area, in this case the Eastern 

Wayambo Swamp. During every fieldtrip, observations were made on fauna. The most visible 

species were birds. Most observations were made in the vicinity of the sampling area on 22 

August 2012, during the time of sampling, but the observations made on the earlier fieldtrips are 

also listed in Annex 4. Canada & Golder, 2000 have reported a number of species observed in 

the Western Wayambo Swamp (see table 7). There is little reason to assume that the list of 

animal species in the eastern Wayambo Swamp will be different from the list of Canada & 

Golder of the western Wayambo Swamp. 

Results 

The lists of mammals, birds, herpetofauna and fishes of the Western Wayambo Swamp are 

presented in the Environmental Impact Statement for the Western Wayambo Swamp (see E2 

CANADA & GOLDER. 2000, ANNEX B). A summary of these numbers is given in Table 8. 

50



Table 8: Observed species richness within the Wayambo Swamp Area (E2 Canada & Golder, 2000) 

study area 

Group of organisms Observed 

Vascular plants 161 

Mammals 53 

Birds 96 

Reptiles and Amphibians 13 

Fish 28 

4.3.3.1 Mammals 

In Suriname, the mammalian fauna of the coastal zone has never been systematically 

inventoried. Although no mammals have been observed during field trips it is expected that the 

53 species mentioned in table 8 can be found in the Weg naar Zee area. 

4.3.3.2 Birds 

The mudflats and the mangrove zone between the Coppename and the Suriname River 

(including the present study area) are important feeding and nesting grounds for residential 

coastal birds and the most important feeding grounds for migratory birds from the north 

(including from Canada). The inland swamps are also important feeding grounds for rare and 

vulnerable resident birds. 

The following facts are noteworthy: 

• The mangrove zone between the Coppename and the Suriname River is listed on the Ramsar 

List (1985) as a "Wetland of International Importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitat" 

• According to Scott and Carbonell (1988), the mangrove zone between the Coppename and 

the Suriname River is the living area of 12 "Waterfowl species of International Importance" 

among which are the scarlet ibis, 3 heron species, 5 species of shore birds, the black skimmer 

(Rynchops niger), the common tern (Sterna hirundo), and the rufous crab-eating hawk 

(Buteogallus aequinoctialis). 

• In the freshwater swamps between the Coppename and Suriname River mouths, the least 

bittern (Ixobrychus exilis), a rather rare bittern from freshwater swamps, is very common. 

4.3.3.3 Herpetofauna 

According to Ouboter, herpetologist and contributor to the Tambaredjo Baseline Study (IBT, 

1999), the number of reptiles and amphibians in the Tambaredjo Swamp is limited (n = 13) and 

no rare or endangered species are found in that area. 

During their nesting season, spectacled caimans (Caiman crocodylus) may become aggressive. 

Anacondas (Eunectes murinus) may become very large in the inaccessible parts of the Wayambo 

Swamp. It is also noteworthy to mention that on the ridges, especially in the Weg naar Zee area, 

51



the poisonous Labaria or Owrokuku snake (Bothrops atrox) is rather common. Especially in de 

rainy season, these snakes concentrate in higher areas and hide during the day below all kinds of 

debris, solid waste including garbage. 

During the fieldtrips the following reptile was observed: Groene tuinhagedis (Ameiva ameiva). 

4.3.3.4 Fishes 

According to Mol, ichthyologist and contributor to the Tambaredjo baseline study (IBT, 1999), 

the fish fauna of the Tambaredjo Swamp is typical for the coastal plain and no rare or 

endangered species of fish are found in that area. 

For the freshwater swamp (commercial and sport) fisheries, the most important catch consists of 

"Kwikwi" (Hoplosternum and Callichthys spp), "Krobia" (mainly Aequidens spp.), Pataka 

(Hoplias malabaricus) and Walapa (Erythrinus erythrinus). 

Because of possible spills during drilling a special fish survey was conducted in both the swamp 

and in the Brantimakaweg area. 

Fish was assessed at Canal Brantimaka weg (N0553132, W05511265) and Canal Staatsolie 

pomp at Okrodam (N0552200, W0551511) on August 2012. Low depths areas in the canals were 

seined for an hour, where after gillnets were set overnight. Below the list with fish species found 

at the assessed locations. 

Brantimaka weg 

Staatolie pomp Okrodam 

Micropecilia parae Atsyanax bimaculatus 

Poecilia vivipara Ctenobrycon spilurus 

Rivulus stagnates Pristella maxillaries 

Polycentrus schomburgkii Crenicichla saxatillis 

Cichlasoma bimaculatum Polycentrus schomburgki 

Eleotris pisonis Cichlasoma bimaculatum 

Hoplias marabaricus Micropecilia parae 

Tarpon atlanticus 


Hoplias marabaricus 

Poecilia reticulate 

4.3.3.5 Invertebrates 

Biting and stinging insects and mites can make a stay in the Wayambo Swamp very 

uncomfortable. During daytime various flies may become a nuisance like the “brokoston” and 

“kawfre” (Tabanidae). At night and especially during the early evening, there are millions of 

stinging mosquitos (such as Taenorhynchys and Aedes species). As far as known, these insects 

do not transmit any diseases, but without preventive measures (long sleeves, insect-repellants, 

mosquito-nets, screened working spaces) they may cause persons to lose patience and cause 

panic, which may lead to unsafe behavior and accidents. It is assumed that the mosquitoes play a 

role in the spreading of dengue fever. 

52



In the project area, especially in and around the Weg naar Zee Polder, the combination of: 

• shell ridges locally inhabited by households with poor sanitary facilities 

• poorly drained swamps and trenches with waters rich in calcium (from shell ridges) and 

other nutrients (from waste water) and 

• floating vegetation, 

act as a favorable habitat for Bilharzia snails (Biomphalaria glabrata), the transmitter of the 

Bilharzia disease. 

Goods and services from the fauna 

The coastal fringe act as a nursery ground for coastal and ocean fish and shrimp. Because of its 

rich bird life, the coastal swamps have a potential for nature tourism. All swamps provide food 

fish (commercial and sport fishing). 

4.3.4 PROPOSED PROTECTED AREA 

Because of the many functions of the mangrove forests along the coast and their need for fresh 

water, Multiple-use Management Areas (MUMAs) have been established along almost the entire 

Surinamese coast, except along the coast of the districts of Wanica and Paramaribo. Along this 

particular part of our coast, all lands including the mangrove forests have already been issued to 

private enterprises and individuals. For issued land there is no legislation in place to prevent 

complete deforestation and impoundment. Recommendations to solve this problem have been 

formulated (Teunissen, 2001), but up to now the government has considered no measures. 

53



4.4 THE HUMAN ENVIRONMENT 

4.4.1 ARCHAEOLOGY AND HISTORY 

In northern Suriname pre-Columbian settlements have been found on sand ridges and on 

artificial mounds in swamp areas (Versteeg, 2003). Associated with these settlements often 

raised fields have been established for agriculture. 

Tingi holo archaeological site. (Foto Stichting Surinaams Museum) 

Artificial mounds are only known from western Suriname. Raised fields are predominantly 

known from eastern and western Suriname, with only small areas in central Suriname. No 

artificial mounds or raised fields are known from central Suriname, where the study area is 

located. Figure 9 and table 8 show the currently known archaeological sites in the Weg naar Zee 

area 

54




Figure 9 Archaeological sites in the Weg naar Zee area (Versteeg, 2003) 

The Weg naar Zee area has been dominated by the Kwatta Culture (ca. 600-1250 1250 AD). People of 

this culture lived in villages on ridges in central Suriname. Apart from that a few sites of the 

Koriabo Culture (ca. 1250-1650 1650 AD) have been found. Traces of this culture are found 

throughout Suriname except cept for West Suriname. They practiced shifting cultivation. 

Given the ecological conditions in parts of the project area, it is possible that more pre pre- pre 

Columbian settlements on ridges are present here as well. Suitable conditions require the 

presence of a creek, close to a river or the sea and higher terrain. Ridges have frequently been 

used for settlements, in particular shell ridges. However, the area around Paramaribo has been 

intensively used and it is unlikely that more archeological sites are encounte encountered encounte within the 

cultivated part of the study area. 

No new sites have been discovered recently recently. 

Table 9 Overview of archaeological sites in the Weg naar Zee area 

Site number Coordinates Year and finder(s) 

Type Culture 

and name UTM/WGS84 excavato excavator(s) 

Sur-022 Vierde 691978 646763 1950 1950-1951 D.C. Geijskes; 1951 Settlement Kwatta 

Rijweg 

P.R. Goethals; 1954 D.C. with graves 

Sur-023 695925 

Geijskes 

1948 1948-1950 D.C.Geijskes; 1951 Settlement Kwatta 

Derde Rijweg 646423 P.R. Goethals; 1953 

DD.C.Geijskes 

with graves 

Sur-024 695539 1955 J. Belle; 1958 Settlement Kwatta 

55



Tingiholorits 648611 D.C.Geijskes; 1958 N. Appels; 

1958 D.G.A. Findlay; 1961- 

1963 D.C.Geijskes; 1962-1974 

T. Badrisingh; 1974 A. 

Boomert; 1976 A. Versteeg; 

1985 B.S. Mitrasingh & R. 

Sur-057 

Charlesburg 

Sur-060 

Garnizoenspad 

km 15½ 

Sur-061 

Cedrehé-1 

Sur-072 

Cedrehé-2 

703060 

648662 

689756 

646974 

700360 

649462 

698471 

649795 

Khudabux; 2002 L. van Putten 

1946, 1950 D.C.Geijskes; 1951 

P.R. Goethals; 1952 W. Salm; 

1955, 1960 D.C.Geijskes 

1950, 1958 D.C. Geijskes; 

1953-1974 W. van Ravenswaay 

56 

with graves 

Settlement 

with graves 

Settlement 

with graves 

1959 D.C. Geijskes a.o. Settlement 

1974 A. Boomert Settlement 

Koriabo 

Kwatta 

Koriabo 

Unknow 

n 

The eight archaeological sites in the study area are found on ridges in the Dryland Area. As the 

projected trails of the 2D seismic lines are also over these ridges strict protocols with regard to 

archeological sites have to be regarded. 

No historical places are known from the Weg naar Zee study area. 

4.4.2 PRESENT POPULATION 

The projected 2D seismic lines locations are situated in two ressorts in two districts: 

1) Ressort Weg naar Zee: district Paramaribo 

2) Ressort Kwatta: district Wanica 

Roughly spoken east of the Henri Fernandesweg belongs to Paramaribo and west of the Henri 

Fernandesweg belongs to the district of Wanica. 

Density of the Weg naar Zee area is 321.3 persons per km² and in resort Kwatta it is 162.8. 

The size of this area is 103 km². 

The local population in the Weg naar Zee areas is living in houses scattered along the roads 

(ribbon-building) that are usually found on ridges. Shops, offices, service stations, maintenance 

and repair shops, and small factories are present in some of the areas.



Figure 10: Ressort “Kwatta Figure 11: Ressort “Weg naar Zee” 

The Wetland Area, found in the Kwatta ressort, is virtually uninhabited. 

For the Dry land Area the population density will be on average between 200 and 300 

persons/km 2 . 

Part of the population is farmer, but many residential areas have been developed for commuters 

that work in Paramaribo. Apart from a few larger residential projects, ribbon building is the 

dominant settlement pattern in the area and the majority of people live along the roads in the 

area. There is in general a decrease in population when going further away from Paramaribo. 

Quantitative population figures come from the census of 2004. In 2004 Suriname had a 

population of 492.829 spread over 10 administrative Districts. The Districts are divided in 

resorts. The administrative resorts are the smallest statistical units of information of the General 

Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Table 10 has the amounts of inhabitants in the resorts Weg naar Zee 

and Kwatta. 

Table 10 Population WnZ and Kwatta 

Population: Weg naar Zee Kwatta Total 

Male Total 6.751 

4.933 11.684 

0 – 14 2.012 

1.440 3.452 

15 – 59 4.266 

3.208 7.474 

Unknown 15 

38 53 

Female Total 6.421 5.158 11.579 

0 – 14 

15 - 59 

60 & older 

Unknown 

Sex unknown 

Total 

1.623 

4.252 

536 

10 

25.866 

1.532 

3.323 

295 

8 

19.935 

57 

3.155 

7.575 

831 

18 

45.821



Table 11 Population: total 2 

Year Paramaribo Wanica 

2010 264.953 95.125 

2004 242.946 85.986 

Increase in Paramaribo 9,47%; in Wanica 10,63% 

Estimation/ 

Projection 

WnZ Kwatta Total 

2010 28.337 22.054 50.391 

Ethnicity, Religion and Economic Activities 

Ethnicity 

From a point of ethnicity the population in the Weg naar Zee area is dominant Creole 

(Christians), Hindustani (Hinduism and Islam) and Javanese (Islam), based on the religious 

numbers from 2004. See table 12 and Figure 12. 

Table 12 Religion Weg naar Zee and Kwatta 

Religion Weg naar Zee Kwatta Total numbers percentage 

Christianity 4.941 3.969 8.910 38,30 % 

Hinduism 3.361 3.846 7.2.07 31,00 % 

Islam 2.256 1.1.67 3.423 14,70 % 

Traditional Religions 

491 355 846 3,60 % 

and others 

No religion 267 177 444 1,90 % 

Don’t know/ No answer 1.856 577 2.433 10,50 % 

Total 13.172 10.091 23.263 100 % 

At the end of the Henry Fernandesweg, where it meets the Atlantic Ocean a special Hindu 

Pilgrimage site can be found. About 2km from this shrine a (Hindu) open crematoria is situated. 

2 ABS Demographic data 2004-2010 

58


1.90% 

3.60% 

14.70% 

Figure 12 religion of respondents 

4.4.3 LAND OWNERSHIP AND LAND TTENURE 

The Weg naar Zee area consists of old plantations and government t issued land along the 

Kwattaweg eg that are in full ownership of the owners. The lowland areas are predominantly later 

issued as government lease. The areas with full ownership are more easily used for housing and 

residential development because the ownership can more easily be transferred. The ownership 

and tenure rights are being studied by Mr.Timmer. 

4.4.4 LAND USE 

10.50% 

31.00% 

38.30% 

Christianity 

Hinduism 

Islam 

Traditional Religion 

+Others 

No religion 

Don't know/No answer 



Land use is largely limited to the dry land areas of the Weg naar Zee Block. 

Within the Wetland Area hardly any land use is found, except for the so so-called called “fish holes”, 

which are used for extensive swamp fishery and for hunting. 

Within the Dry land Area virtually all sand and shell ridges are be being ing used for agricultural 

purposes. The dominant land use is horticulture, while also animal husbandry for dairy milk and 

meat is being practiced, but this land use is confined to the wider ridges. 

The clay soils are utilized far less, with only extensive grazing (meat), small-scale scale cultivation of 

tree crops and bananas, and horticulture. 

Apart from agriculture, much land in the Dry land Area is used for residential development in 

smaller and larger projects. 

The projected seismic lines in the study area cross horticulture farms on the dry land and ridges 

and residential areas. 

Agriculture 

The main economic activities in this area are agriculture and animal husbandry. This is done on a 

small scale by individual families as well as on a bigger scale for ex export. See Table 13. 

The road parallel to the Atlantic OOcean 

functions as a dam to keep out the salty lty water from the 

lands. 

The land use comprises rural areas with usually small parcels, alternating with fallow agricultural 

land. Agricultural activities com comprise prise horticulture, perennial and annual cropping and small 

59


pastures for milk and beef cattle. Part of the land in this zone is fallow or covered by secondary 

vegetation. The majority of the agricultural activities is conducted on the sand and shell ridges ridges, ridges 

while fallow and abandoned land (secondary vegetation) are mor more e often seen on the clay soils. 

Table 13 Number of farmers 3 

Henry Fernandes weg 

Okrodam 

Tingioloweg 

Parwaweg 

Kwepieweg 

Bolletriehé 

Awarahé 

Oedraysing Varmaweg 

Brantimakkaweg 

Ingipipaweg 

Cedrehé 

Idoeweg 

Menckenbergstraat 

Sophiaslustweg 

Garnizoenspad 

Others 

Total 

Soepgroente 

Sem 

Prei 

Sopropo 

Tayerblad 

Antroewa 

Oker 

Bitawiri 

Peper 

Kouseband 

Boulanger 

Figure 13 Crops that are grown in the Weg naar Zee area 4 

The most popular crop in the Weg naar Zee area is the vegetable “Kouseband Kouseband” (stringbeans). 

Seventy four farmers are growing this vegetable. Other vegetables egetables are Boulanger (eggplant), 

Antroewa and Sopropo (bitter melon) . See Figure 13. 

3 Ministry of Agriculture 

4 Ministry of Agriculture 

23 

28 

2 

4 

5 

16 

11 

5 

9 

15 

10 

1 

10 

6 

1 

41 

187 

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 

60 


PESIA Weg naar Zee 2D Seismic 2012



Cattle grazing land (pastures) 

Large pastures for cattle grazing are only found in an area west of the Henri Fernandesweg (Weg 

naar Zee) and at the Gummels farm. 

Mr. Dassasingh is a big farmer with about 200 cattle. Also the Rodrigues family has large cattle 

numbers of about 200. 

Smaller pastures are present within the dry cropping zone. 

Housing development 

North of Paramaribo several new housing projects are being developed. On the maps these areas 

have been indicated as part of Paramaribo. Eureka project has a new housing development with 

most people that recently have to come to live there (6 months-2 years). 

Shell and sand excavation 

Shells, shell-grit, shell-sand and sand have been or are still being excavated from ridges in the 

Weg naar Zee area. The excavation results in 2-4 meter deep holes, which fill up with water after 

abandonment of the site. Older lakes gradually become overgrown by (aquatic) plants, which 

form muck that slowly fills the shallow lakes. North of Paramaribo shell pits have been filled in 

with household waste, which subsequently were covered with sand to form building land. 

These holes form suitable environment for the development of the Bilharzia snails 

(Biomphalaria glabrata), the transmitter of the Bilharzia disease. 

4.4.5 HEALTH 

The Weg naar Zee area is predominantly an agricultural area. Besides the national trends of 

diseases specific diseases are more common in this area: 

Back aches 

Muscle aches 

Toe fungus 

Snake bites 

4.5 OVERALL PERCEPTION OF STAATSOLIE 

The overall perception of Staatsolie is good. 91% of the respondents of a survey held by 

consultant see Staatsolie as a good company that has positive effects on the country. See Figure 

14. 

61


91% 

3% 

6% 

Figure 14 What do respondents think of Staatsolie as a company 

4.6 COMPREHENSIVE DESCRIPTION OF THE 2D SEISMIC LINES 

Figure 15 The 2D seismic lines in the Weg naar Zee area 



For the present PESIA, to update the environmental and social economic information, several 

field survey trips were undertaken with the intention to get as near as possible to the projected 

2D seismic lines sites. . These are the Henri Fernandes weg, Okrodam, Tingiholoweg, Bolletriehé, 

the Brantimakaweg, the Oedraising Varmaweg west of the Crematoruim and the private property 

of Mr. G. Zondervan. 

62 

Very bad 

Bad 

Middle 

Good 

Very good



Detailed description of the Environment of the 2 D seismic trails. 

WNZ-2D-2011/001 (8.5 km long), runs in East – West direction, south and parallel to the 

western part of the WNZ-2D-2011/007 line and crosses the Oedraysing Varmaweg south of the 

Cremation site. The line runs through almost uninhabited area but crosses cultivated private 

lands and cattle pasture along the Oedraysing Varmaweg. The line also will cross (private) 

canals and ‘fish holes’ with its associated dams. The following ecosystems are crossed by this 

line: 

- brackish water swamp dominated by long grass such as Cat Tails (ST:Payagrasi of 

Langagrasi or Kunsuwiwiri; SC: Typha domingensis; 

- thorny vine scrub, dominated by (ST: Brantimaka, SC: Machaerium lunatum); 

- swamp wood dominated by Blood Wood (ST: Watrabebe; SC: Pterocarpus officinalis), 

locally swamp wood characterized by Swamp Plumb (SD: Zwamppruim; SN: 

Chrysobalanus icaco) and Swamp Soursop (ST: Swampusunsaka; SD: Zwampzuurzak; 

SC: Annona glabra); 

- coastal ridge wood on narrow ridges in brackish to fresh water areas. 

- private cultivated farm land on a ridge (the small most eastern part of the line) 

WNZ-2D-2011/002 (7.5 km long) This line runs in a South – North direction and is in the far 

western part of the Weg naar Zee area. The major part of this line runs through uninhabited area 

but the ultimate southern part passes nearby or crosses private lands where horticulture activities 

take place. 

The ecosystems it crosses are: 

- mudflats 

- young coastal mangrove forest dominated by Black Mangrove (ST: Parwa; 

SC: Avicennia germinans) 

- salt/brakish water lagoon (ST/SD Pan) 

- closed to open mature coastal mangrove forest dominated by Black Mangrove (ST: 

Parwa; SC: Avicennia germinans) 

- salt / brackish water swamp dominated by short grass and ferns 

- coastal ridge wood on narrow ridges in brackish to fresh water areas 

- brackish water swamp dominated by long grass such as Cat Tails (ST: Payagrasi, 

Langagrasi or Kunsuwiwiri; SC: Typha domingensis 

- freshwater swamp with herbaceous vegetation and swamp scrub 




SC: Annona glabra) 

- build up areas, farmland and abandoned fields 

WNZ-2D-2011/003 (7.8 km). This line also runs in a South – North direction and lies in the 

western part of the Weg naar Zee area. The major part of this line also runs through uninhabited 

63



area except for the ultimate southern part which passes nearby or crosses private lands with 

horticulture activities. The southern part of this line lies close to archaeological site 060. 

The ecosystems crossed are: 

- dying coastal mangrove forest: Black Mangrove (ST: Parwa; SC: Avicennia germinans) 

- salt / brackish water swamp dominated by short grass and ferns 

- thorny vine scrub, dominated by (ST: Brantimaka, SC: Machaerium lunatum) 


- brackish water swamp dominated by long grass such as Cat Tails (ST: Payagrasi, 

Langagrasi or Kunsuwiwiri; SC: Typha domingensis) 


- swamp wood dominated by Blood Wood (ST: Watrabebe; SC: Pterocarpus 

officinalis), locally swamp wood characterized by Swamp Plumb (SD: Zwamppruim; SN: 


SC: Annona glabra). 


WNZ-2D-2011/004 (6.6 km). This line also runs in a South – North direction also in the western 

part of the Weg naar Zee area. The major part of this line also runs through uninhabited area 

except for the ultimate southern part which passes nearby or crosses private lands with 

horticulture activities. The southern part of this line lies close to archaeological site 022 as 

mentioned in Figure 9. 

The ecosystems it crosses are: 



Chrysobalanus icaco) and Swamp Soursop (ST: Swampusunsaka; SD: wampzuurzak; 

SC: Annona glabra) 


- brackish water swamp dominated by long grass such as Cat Tails (ST: Payagrasi of 


- thorny vine scrub, dominated by (ST: Brantimaka, SC: Machaerium lunatum) 



WNZ-2D-2011/005 (6.0 km). This line runs in an East – West direction, crosses the Henri 

Fernandesweg and the canals at the both sides of this road and runs north and parallel to the 

inhabited Oedraysing Varma weg and the Brantimakkaweg. The part west of the Henri 

Fernandesweg runs through developed private owned lands and close to human settlements and 

their agricultural lands and also close to the Pilgrimage site Weg naar Zee. The eastern part (east 

of the Henri Fernandesweg) runs through mangrove forest, part of which is dying or already has 

died. The most eastern part of the line runs through the private owned lands of Mr. Graanoogst 

and Mr. Gummels where it crosses the WNZ-2D-2011/008 line. 

WNZ-2D-2011/006 (3.9 km). This line runs in a North-South direction and crosses the inhabited 

Brantimakaweg, the Ingipipaweg, the Parwaweg and the Kwepieweg along which people have 

64



their agricultural and cattle pasture lands. A short part of the line in the ultimate north runs 

through uninhabited and undeveloped natural area. 


- Mudflats 

- Young coastal mangrove forest dominated by Black Mangrove (ST: Parwa; 

SC: Avicennia germinans). Part of this forest is dying or has died 

- Secondary forest and fresh water grass and shrub swamp, locally dominated by 

"papayagrasi" (Typha angustifolia), "prasorograsi" (Cyperus giganteus) in between the roads 

- narrow strips of Mira-udu ( SC: Triplaris surinmanensis ) forest along the Parwaweg 

- (abandoned) agricultural and cattle pasture lands 

WNZ-2D-2011/007 ( 7.1 km.) 

This line also runs in an East – West direction north and parallel to the WNZ-2D-2011/001 

through uninhabited area. The western part of the line crosses the impassable prolongation of the 

Oedraysing Varmaweg. Because of the occurring ecosystems through which the line runs, it is 

not likely that this line will cross any agricultural activity, presently or in the near future 


- Closed to open mature coastal mangrove forest dominated by Black 

Mangrove (ST: Parwa; SC: Avicennia germinans) 

- Salt / brackish water swamp dominated by short grass and ferns 

- Brackish water swamp dominated by long grass such as Cat Tails (ST: Payagrasi, 


- Thorny vine scrub, dominated by (ST: Brantimaka, SC: Machaerium Lunatum 

- Coastal ridge wood on narrow ridges in brackish to fresh water areas 

(Legend: ST=Sranan Tongo Name; SC= Scientific Name; SD=Surinamese-Dutch Name) 

WNZ-2D-2011/008 (2.0 km). This line runs in a North - South direction and is in the far eastern 

part of the Weg naar Zee area. 

According to Mr. Timmer this line runs predominantly through the cattle pasture lands of Mr. 

Gummels. 

WNZ-2D-2011/009 (1.9 km). This line runs in the extension of line WNZ-2D-2011/002 but 

bends to the east. According to Mr. Timmer the line passes nearby or crosses private lands where 

horticulture activities take place 

65



5. (POTENTIAL) IMPACTS AND PROPOSED MITIGATION MEASURES 

5.1 IMPACTS ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY 

Expected significance of potential impacts that could result from the Project are determined in 

qualitative or quantitative figures and listed by their significance class. 

The following attributes are used: 

• magnitude 

• geographical scale 

• duration 

• probability of occurrence 

Impacts are classified as: 

• positive: indicating whether the impact will have a positive (beneficial) effect; or 

• negative: indicating whether the impact will have a negative (adverse) effect on the 

environment and on the affected population. 

The degree of detail enabled the determination of required mitigation and possible enhancement 

measures, respectively to prevent or reduce significant negative impacts and to promote any 

positive impacts already in the planning phase. The implementation of mitigation measures will 

reduce negative environmental impacts to an acceptable level. 

After implementation of mitigation/enhancement measures the significance of the impacts are 

again determined. Determination was done in a session involving all experts engaged in 

conducting the PESIA. 

The impact assessment methodology, described below, is an adjusted format from previous used 

formats in Staatsolie PESIA studies that were conducted by Noordam and Teunissen. 

Operational definitions of severity and a simplified overall significance table are added to the 

description of the methodology. 

The significance of an impact is defined as a combination of the severity of the impact occurring 

and the probability that the impact will occur. The significance of each identified impact is rated 

according to the methodology set out below: 

The intensity/magnitude/size, scale and duration of the impact are determined according to 

Table 14 and 15. 

Table 14 Defining the intensity/magnitude/size of the impact 

Rating Description of Rating 

Natural 

environment 

Socio-cultural Health/safety 

High Irreversible damage Irreparable damage to highly Event resulting in loss of 

to highly valued valued items of cultural life, serious injuries or 

species, habitats or significance, or social chronic illness; 

ecosystems functions or processes are hospitalization required 

66



Medium Reversible damage 

to species, habitats 

or ecosystems 

Low Limited damage to 

biological or 

physical 

environment 

severely altered 

Repairable damage to items 

of cultural significance, or 

impairment of social 

functions and processes 

Low-level damage to 

cultural items, or social 

functions and processes are 

negligibly altered (nuisance) 

Table 15 Defining duration and scale of the impact 

Rating Definition of Rating 

67 

Event resulting in 

moderate injuries or 

illness; may require 

hospitalization 

Duration– the time frame for which the impact will be experienced 

Short-term Up to 1 month 

Medium-term 1 - 3 months 

Long-term More than 3 months 

Scale– the area in which the impact will be experienced 

Small Localized spot 

Medium Part of study area 

Large Study area or beyond 

Event resulting in 

annoyance, minor injuries 

or illness, not requiring 

hospitalization 

The Severity Rating of the impact is determined by combining the magnitude of the impact 

with duration and scale of the impact as set out in Table 16. 

Table 16 Determination of the Severity Rating of the impact 

Magnitude 

Duration and/or Scale 

High Medium Low 

Long-term and/or Large-scale High High Medium 

Medium-term and/or Mediumscale 

High Medium Low 

Short-term and/or Small-scale High Low Negligible 

Severity is considered: 

• High: when duration is > 3 months, impacts affect the whole study area and even beyond, 

impacts will probably be irreversible and even catastrophic on humans and the 

environment, and regeneration will only be possible with intervention. 

• Medium: when duration is 1 – 3 months, effects a small number of local households but 

these households can adapt to the impacts, ecosystems integrity will be affected to the 

extent that it can recover on its own regeneration processes.



• Low: when duration is < 1 month, only affects individual households that can adapt on 

their own on any inconveniences without changes to their livelihood and quality of life 

and eco systems impact is localized and reversible. 

• Negligible: does not affect humans and/or the natural environment. 

The positive side of ‘severity’ can be described as ‘enhancement’ and is considered: 

• High: when benefits will be lasting longer than 3 months and sustained, will benefit 

communities in the whole study area and even beyond, and benefits will extend beyond 

local natural environment. 

• Medium: when benefits will be lasting during the duration of the project (3 months), 

affect a number of households; benefits will possibly positively affect vulnerable groups 

and moderate benefits will pertain to the natural environment. 

• Low: when benefits will be short term (< 1 month), affect a few individuals and 

households, and minor benefits will happen to a few species associated with specific 

habitats. 

The next step in Table 17 defines the probability of an impact to occur. 

Table 17: Defining the probability of the impact 

Probability– the likelihood of the impact occurring 

High Sure to happen, or happens often 

Medium Could happen, and has happened in Suriname 

Low Possible, but only in extreme circumstances 

Table 18 Determination of the Significance of the impact based on Severity and Probability 

Severity High Medium Low Negligible 

Probability 

High Major Moderate Minor Negligible 

Medium Major Moderate Minor Negligible 

Low Major Minor Negligible Negligible 

The significance of all potential impacts that would result from the proposed project is 

determined in order to assist managers. 

Mitigation measures are presented for all significant (major or moderate) impacts. In addition to 

this, mitigation measures have been recommended for some of the minor impacts. Some of the 

presented mitigation measures are already part of the routine of Staatsolie procedures. A 

simplified overview of the overall significance is presented in table 19. 

68



Table 19 Simplified comprehensive overview of overall Significance of parameters 

Parameter 

Magnitude, 

Intensity, Size 

Geographical 

scale 

Scale >> 

High: 

Damage to 

nature and 

culture and 

loss of life 

Large: Study 

area and 

beyond 

Duration Long term: 

Longer than 3 

Probability of 

occurrence 

months 

High: sure to 

happen 

Severity High: Whole 

area, 

irreversible, 

Overall 

significance 

5.2 AIR QUALITY 

Medium: 

reversible 

Medium: 

Part of study 

area 

Medium 

term: 1-3 

months 

Medium: 

Could 

happen 

Low: 

Limited 

damage and 

minor 

injuries 

Small: 

Localized 

Short term: 

less than 1 

month 

Low: Only 

in extreme 

cases 

69 

Insufficient 

data 

available to 

assess the 

significance 

of the 

impact 

Medium: 1- Low: < 1 Negligible: 

3 months month no effect on 

nature and 

> 3 months 

humans 

Major >> Moderate >> Minor >> Negligible Unknown 

Relevant air quality impacts will not occur. 

Exhaust fumes of vehicles and stationary equipment are in general not expected to be present in 

sufficient concentrations to affect the surrounding environment. In the dry season vehicles on dirt 

road may cause dust. The activities at a certain location will be relatively brief, while at most 

locations none or only a few receptors are present. Impacts are considered to be minor negative 

at most. Nevertheless well maintained equipment and spraying water on the dirt roads in the dry 

season will result in a negligible impact. 

Table 20 Impact on air 

Impact on 

air 

Without 

Mitigation 

With 

Mitigation 

Magnitude/ 

Intensity 

/Size 

Geographical 

scale 

Duration Probability Severity Overall 

significance 

Low Small Short Medium Low Minor 

Negative 

Low Small Short Low Low Negligible 

Emission reports of to be used equipment was not available from Staatsolie.



5.3 NOISE AND ASSOCIATED EFFECTS 

Noise production of to be used equipment was not available from Staatsolie. 

All vehicles and stationary equipment are powered by fossil fuel engines, which will generate 

several levels of noise during all phases of the project. 

Wetland Area 

Within the Wetland Area a landing stage will be constructed at the Eureka project and at the 

Tingioloweg. Construction as well as decommissioning will be accompanied by increased noise 

levels. Noise will be loud when for instance airboats are used. But in the virtual absence of 

human receptors in swamp area, only a minor negative impact will occur. Operating personnel 

will obey to standard precautions, Staatsolie General Field Instructions. 

Transportation of swamp excavators to clear the trails of shrubs will take place at the beginning 

of the project in this part of the study area. 

Transportation of people and goods to and from the wetland working sites by airboats and 

swamp carriers will take place continuously during all phases of the project in this part of the 

study area. North of the western section of the swamp new houses developments are found. But 

the houses are far away from the places where the airboats will be used. Yet a moderate 

negative noise impact from the airboat to the local people is possible due to high noise levels 

especially during yhe evening. The noise impact from a swamp carrier will be negligible. 

Noise impacts to humans will have a low frequency because there are few receptors (company 

personnel will have hearing protection), while noise impacts to animals will also be limited due 

to their low density. 

No preventive measures will be required except to keep blasting equipment at a standard distance 

from inhabitants and preventive measures are recommended, especially for moments of the 

explosions and of the airboat transportation: 

Recommended source reduction measures include the following: 

• Take special precautions when execute explosions 

• locate the landing stage as far as possible from houses in the area 

• keep the noise levels of the airboats as low as possible, by 

o high quality low noise exhaust pipes in best condition 

o minimum speed, related to water depth and moisture content of “dry” areas 

o avoid using them in the evening. 

Impact reduction measures are also relevant or Fauna. 

Transportation of people to and from the seismic line sites will take place continuously during all 

phases of the project. 

Staatsolie by experience takes a certain distance form explosion sites to human beings when 

executing the explosions. 

Mitigation measure: limit the use of airboats in the evening. 

Table 21: Impact on noise in lowland area 

70



Impact of 

Noise in 

lowland 

area 

Without 

Mitigation 

With 

Mitigation 

Dry land Area 

Magnitude/ 

Intensity 

/Size 

Geographical 

scale 

Medium Small Medium 

term 

Low Small Medium 

term 


significance 

71 

High medium Moderate 

Negative 

Medium Low Minor 

Negative 

In the Dry land Area travelling will go along existing roads. Noise levels during transport will 

have a minor impact being of a moderate magnitude and short-lived, and occurring only twice 

for a certain location. 

As acquisition of data takes place in an inhabited area, a potential noise impact could occur 

during explosions when this would be close to houses. This impact is considered to be minor 

negative given the moderate noise level, the short duration of the impact and the standard 

distance to the houses. So preventative measures are proposed and no mitigation is required. 

Vibration during explosions could cause damage to nearby buildings. Suitable conditions for 

vibration will be present on certain fine sandy soils with (near-) saturated subsoil. Damage could 

potentially be such that a moderate negative impact occurs, although this scenario is unlikely. 

Measures to prevent or mitigate the impacts from vibration include the following: 

• keep adequate distance from building structures 

• make assessment of building structures prior to explosions in case nearby explosions 

cannot be avoided 

• compensate in case of damage 

Transportation of people to and from the seismic line sites will take place continuously during all 

phases of the project. 

Staatsolie by experience takes a certain distance form explosion sites to human beings when 

executing the explosions. 

All noise impacts to the local people are considered to be minor negative at most, because of the 

relatively low noise levels. 

Table 22 Impact on noise and vibration in dry land area 

Impact of 

Noise and 

vibration 

in dry land 

area 

Without 

Mitigation 

Magnitude/ 

Intensity 

/Size 

Geographical 

scale 


term 


significance 


Negative



With 

Mitigation 


term 

5.4 GEO(HYDRO)LOGY, GEOMORPHOLOGY AND SOILS 

Geo(hydro)logy (operation phase) 

72 


Negative 

Impacts on geo(hydro)logy could arise from exploration activities. These (potential) impacts 

comprise groundwater pollution. 

The potential impact is not known. But with Staatsolie General Field Instructions, in place these 

impacts are regarded to be negligible at most, and no additional mitigation measures are 

necessary. 

Geomorphology and soils (construction and closure phase) 

The impact on land and soil will be limited to the use of small portions of land for airboat and 

swamp carrier trails and for drill sites. 

Wetland Area 

In the Wetland Area vegetation clearing and preparation of the trails will result in the removal of 

peat, if present, and some of the upper layer of the clay, loam or sand soil. Apart from this 

disturbance of the soil profile and also some soil compaction will occur due to the weight and 

vibration of the used machinery. Also traveling of the swamp carrier will contribute to soil 

compaction. 

The overall impacts during the construction and operation phase will be minor negative given 

that the land is currently not used, or a small portion of land is being used and the fact that the 

impacts are, to a large degree, temporary. One mitigation measure is recommended. 

• do not create unnecessary deep trails, thus limiting soil disturbance to a minimum 

Dry land Area 

Also in the Dry land Area some degree of soil disturbance will occur, when the sites are prepared 

for explosions. Earth moving and soil compaction will result in a reduced soil quality at the 

explosion sites. As such the impact to the soil is considered to be minor, because the explosion 

sites are relatively small (about 1500 m²) and the impact is reversible on the short term. In order 

to minimize the impact some measures are recommended below. 

But the impact will be significant when the explosion site is located on a highly productive 

horticulture soil in the area. The standing crop will be destroyed. 

Soil pollution may occur when the drilling waste of the explosion holes is released on-site. But it 

will only affect a small area and it will be very temporary, so that the overall impact is



considered to be minor negative. Nevertheless some recommendations for prevention / 

minimization are presented. 

• select the least productive soils in the area of the seismic trails 

• limit earth moving and soil disturbance to the minimum 

• restore the site upon termination of the drilling and explosion 

• compensate owners for damages 

With these measures the impacts will be negligible both for the wetlands and the dryland areas. 

Table 23: Impact on geomorphology, geohydrology and soil for wet and dry land areas. 

Impact on: 

geomorphology, 

geohydrology 

and soil for wet 

and dryland 

areas 

Without 

Mitigation 

With mitigation 

measures 

Magnitude/ 

Intensity 

/Size 

Geographical 

scale 


significance 

Low Small medium Medium Low Minor 

negative 

Low Small Short Low Low Negligible 

5.5 VISUAL RESOURCES, TOPOGRAPHY AND LANDSCAPE 

The project area is characterized by a low relief and has no prominent landscape features. The 

project will not involve essential alterations of landscape and topography. 

However, seismic trails in the Wetland Area will be visible from the air and clearing within the 

project area will surely draw the attention of people flying over the area. It is considered 

essential that the footprint of the project is limited to the minimum. A potentially moderate 

negative impact could arise and some prevention and mitigation measures are recommended that 

will result in a minor negative impact. 

• plan trails and explosion sites in such a way that a minimum of forest clearing is required 

• use only the initial trails and do not widen the trails during operation 

• where possible: use the already existing trails and canal (fish hole) trajectory 

Table 24 Impact on visual resources 

Impact on: 

visual 

resources 

Without 

Mitigation 

With 

Mitigation 

Magnitude/ 

Intensity 

/Size 

Geographical 

scale 

Medium Small Long 

term 

Low Small Short 

term 

No impact to the visual resources will occur in the Dry land Area. 


significance 

73 


negative 


negative



5.6 SURFACE WATER 

Hydrology 

Wetland Area 

The project could lead to changes in the hydrology of the Eastern Wayambo Swamp in the form 

of: 

• improving / accelerating drainage 

• blocking the fresh water flow from the southern swamps toward the mangrove zone by 

the construction of low E-W dams of clay and pegasse 

• increasing swamp water levels 

Such changes in the hydrology could have a moderate negative impact on the local ecosystems. 

Proposed mitigation measures are: 

• do not include construction of permanent dams or canals 

• limit the projected trails in size and extension, compared to the dimension of the 

Wayambo Swamp so they do not lead to increased blockage of water 

• the project activities are very temporary 

• level or interrupt dykes of clay, peat and vegetation debris along excavated trails 

With these measures adverse ecological effects from changes in hydrology in the Eastern 

Wayambo Swamp are therefore considered to be unlikely. 

The project’s impact to hydrology will then be minor negative at most. 

Table 25: Impact on hydrology 

Impact on: 

hydrology 

Without 

Mitigation 

With 

Mitigation 

Dryland Area 

Magnitude/ 

Intensity 

/Size 

Geographical 

scale 


term 


term 


significance 

74 


negative 


negative 

No impact of the project on the hydrology of the dry land study area is expected.



5.7 WATER QUALITY 

Wetland Area 

Impacts of the project to water quality could be brought about by the following project activities: 

Construction phase: 

During the construction of trails and during equipment moving some turbidity may arise in the 

swamps and the fish holes. The increased level of suspended solids is considered to be a minor 

negative to negligible impact at most, being localized and short-lived; no mitigation is required. 

Operation phase: 

The on-site release of drilling waste of the explosion holes will change the water quality in the 

swamp surrounding the explosion holes. Turbidity caused by released mud may harm aquatic 

life, but salinity is not thought to be a factor given the very shallow explosion holes. 

The main impact being a temporary and much localized increase of turbidity. Therefore the 

impact of the on-site release of drilling waste in the environment is considered as to be minor 

negative. Mitigation will be to avoid releasing drilling waste into surface water. With this 

measure the impact will be negligible. 

Operation phase: 

Minor quantities of soil may be released from explosion holes during explosions. The impact, if 

any, will generally be very low, as it will affect only a very small area and it will be contained by 

the surrounding vegetation and peat. The impact is therefore considered negligible. Water 

quality measurements are conducted both in the swamp area and in the canal in the Dry land 

(Brantimakaweg) area to determine the water quality base-line. 

All phases: 

Solid and sanitary waste is being produced during all project phases. It could contribute to water 

pollution. The potential impact, being of low magnitude, low probability and very localized, is 

considered to be minor negative and will become negligible if Staatsolie General Field 

Instructions are implemented. Measures are already in place as part of the Staatsolie waste 

management procedures. 

75



Table 26: Impact of solid and liquid waste on water quality 

Impact of: 

solid and 

liquid 

waste on 

water 

quality 

Without 

Mitigation 

With 

Mitigation 

Magnitude/ 

Intensity 

/Size 

Geographical 

scale 


term 


term 


significance 

76 


negative 

Low Low Negligible 

The on-site maintenance of equipment will have to be done by Staatsolie rules and guidelines for 

maintenance. Although potentially maintenance may have an impact through the release of some 

oil and grease into the surrounding water, the impact, if any, is regarded to be minor negative, 

being incidental and much localized. Apart from the already existing clean-up procedures, no 

additional mitigation measures are required. If all existing rules are applied the impact will be 

negligible. 

Table 27 Impact of on-site maintenance on water quality 

Impact of: 

on-site 

maintenance 

Without 

Mitigation 

With 

Mitigation 

Magnitude/ 

Intensity 

/Size 

Geographical 

scale 


term 


term 


significance 


negative 


Fuel for vehicles and equipment will have to be transported to and within the project area. 

Transport will take place by swamp carrier with the fuel stored in a tank. This tank remains on 

the carrier, except when the carrier is needed elsewhere. Spills or leaks could occur during 

transport, storage or handling of fuel and have a moderate negative impact. This should 

however normally speak not happen if handled according to instructions. The water quality 

impacts may affect wildlife and lead to social unrest. 

Changes in the water quality due to project activities in the Eastern Wayambo Swamp could 

have an effect on: 

• aquatic life – increased turbidity may result in changes in species composition and 

quantity of aquatic life, causing some life to disappear from affected locations 

• plants and animals, which may die when polluted with fuel, oil or grease



Impacts will predominantly be felt along the access trails and around the seismic trails. The 

potentially most severe impact to water quality in the Wetland Area would occur when pollution 

takes place in a “fishing hole”. This impact is considered to be moderate negative. 

Recommended preventive and mitigation measures include: 

Fuel spills and leaks 

• use leak proof containers and storage tanks 

• provide adequate containment in case of container or tank leakage 

• follow the Staatsolie procedures for maintenance and clean-up 

Applying the mitigation measures will bring the impact to minor negative. It is to be expected 

that small amounts of water pollution will very soon disappear by the self-cleaning capacity of 

the swamp ecosystems, and through dilution upon rainfall and consequent drainage. 

Dryland Area 

Operations phase: 

The waste of the explosion holes may affect the local soil quality. These compounds are not 

toxic as such, but may harm aquatic life especially due to increased turbidity. 

Similar as for the Wetland Area, the impact will be much localized and short-lived, and as such it 

is considered as to be minor negative and no prevention or mitigation measures are required. 

Nevertheless some measures are recommended below. 

As for soil pollution, a moderate negative impact will occur when pollution would affect a fresh 

water reservoir, a fishing or duck pond, or other managed type of aquatic environment. The latter 

is dealt with in the section land use. 

Table 28 Impact on water quality in wetland and dry land 

Impact on 

water 

quality in 

wetland 

and dry 

land 

Without 

Mitigation 

With 

Mitigation 

Magnitude/ 

Intensity 

/Size 

Geographical 

scale 


term 


term 


significance 

77 

High Medium Moderate 

negative 


negative 

No impact is to be expected in downstream waters, given the limited pollution compared to the 

large water volumes involved.



Recommended preventive and mitigation measures regarding water pollution on dry land 

include: 

• do not drill explosion holes close to water reservoirs or ponds 

• if still some water pollution occurs: compensate for any damage due to reduced water 

quality 

• clean up any fuel, oil or grease pollution as soon as possible 

See table 28: Impact on water quality in wetland and dry land 

5.8 VEGETATION 

Vegetation clearing 

The Eastern Wayambo Swamp will be reached using the seismic/drilling trail crossing the 

Western Wayambo Swamp up to the Van Dijk Canal that will be crossed. East of the Van Dijk 

Canal, the vegetation consists of open herbaceous swamp, swamp scrub and swamp wood. Such 

vegetations will have to be removed for the construction of explosion sites. 

Swamp excavators will have to clear peat and vegetation of: 

• seismic trails within that area will be on the lines as marked in Figure 1. 

• airboat trails will connect seismic lines location with a nearby landing stage on dryland; 

these trails will be created for transport of people (also in case of emergency), goods and 

services to the seismic sites 

All together these trails will have a length of about 51.3 km. Using the 2 m wide clearing and a 

new (minimum) area of about 10 ha will have to be cleared from vegetation and peat. 

The Eastern Wayambo Swamp (Wetland Area) measures 110 km² or 11,000 ha. In case10 ha are 

cleared, about 0.1 % of the natural ecosystems will be destroyed. 

The negative impact to the herbaceous swamp, swamp scrub and swamp wood is considered to 

be minor and on forests moderate. Prevention and mitigation measures recommended are: 

• limit damage to herbaceous vegetation by avoiding to establish unnecessary wide or deep 

trails or by the creation of parallel running trails 

• avoid areas with swamp wood as much as possible and use as much as possible open 

swamp for transportation purposes, even if this means traveling over a somewhat larger 

distance 

• where possible: use the already existing canal (fish hole) trajectories 

78



Impact of: 

vegetation 

clearing 

on forests 

Without 

Mitigation 

With 

Mitigation 

Impact of: 

vegetation 

clearing 

Without 

Mitigation 

With 

Mitigation 

Implementing these measures will reduce the impacts to minor negative on forests and 

to negligible on swamp vegetation. 

Table 29 Impact of: vegetation clearing on forests 

Magnitude/ 

Intensity 

/Size 

Geographical 

scale 


term 


term 


significance 

Table 30 Impact of: vegetation clearing on swamp vegetation 

Magnitude/ 

Intensity 

/Size 

Geographical 

scale 


term 


term 

Vegetation and peat fires 

79 


negative 


negative 


significance 


negative 


Vegetation fires may be a relatively common phenomenon in the Eastern Wayambo swamp. So 

close to inhabited areas it is to be expected that much land will be cleared for purposes of 

impoundments, agriculture and housing projects; land users will try to deforest wetlands as much 

as possible by fire, which is the cheapest method. Also oil exploration activities and carelessness 

of Staatsolie employees may cause fires, especially in the herbaceous swamps with the alwayspresent 

mass of dead dry grass between fresh grass. 

Vegetation fires may have catastrophic effects on the environment, may destroy equipment, and 

may threaten the life of people working in the area. 

During extremely dry seasons, when peat layers dry out, grass fires may become peat fires that 

destroy all present ecosystems, flora and fauna over a large area. The damage to the vegetation 

and flora due to fire is regarded as being of major negative significance. 

Preventive and mitigation measures regarding vegetation and peat fires include: 

• for operations: develop and implement strict fire control procedures and measures 

• implement a fire risk awareness program for Staatsolie personnel and contractors 

working in the project area



• conduct fire patrols in extremely dry periods 

• Notify the Fire Brigade 

With effective implementation of above measures the impact of vegetation and peat fires will 

become minor negative. 

Impact on: 

peat fires 

Without 

Mitigation 

With 

Mitigation 

5.9 FAUNA 

Table 31 Impact on peat fires 

Magnitude/ 

Intensity 

/Size 

Geographical 

scale 

High Medium Long 

term 

Low Small Long 

term 

Fauna and traffic and explosions 


significance 

80 

High medium Major 

negative 

Low Low Minor 

negative 

Noise and vibrations from traffic (airboats, swamp carriers) and from explosions may have a 

moderate potential impact on all fauna. Preventive and mitigation measures are recommended, 

in particular for the airboats, which produce much noise. 

Recommended preventive and mitigation measures regarding exposure of fauna to noise of 

the airboats include: 

• apply the Waterway Traffic Regulations developed for Calcutta, (adapted when 

necessary) 

Mitigation measures for this area are: 

- Limit the use and speed of airboats as much as possible. 

- Use airboats only during daytime near sensitive areas. 

The overall impact of noise on fauna is therefore considered moderate negative but with 

above mentioned measures it will be minor negative. 

Impact of: 

noise and 

vibration 

on fauna 

Without 

Mitigation 

With 

Mitigation 

Table 32 Impact of: noise and vibration on fauna 

Magnitude/ 

Intensity 

/Size 

Geographical 

scale 


term 


term 


significance 


negative 


negative



Fauna and water pollution 

In the baseline study it has become clear that the hydrology and water quality of the swamp area 

plays a critical role in the proper functioning of the wetland ecosystems. 

During preparation, execution 2D seismic explosions and closure, impacts on the fauna may be 

expected from fuel and grease spills and release of cuttings and drilling mud. The impacts from 

such pollution on fauna are thought to be minor negative, because spills will be small in size 

and they will be temporary. Moreover, spilled oil or grease will only cover very small areas, 

because it will soon stick to the floating vegetation. For recommended measures and outcome 

after implementation of the mitigation measures see table 33 Impact of: solid and liquid waste on 

water quality. 

Fauna and hunting, fishing, bird trapping and poaching 

Improved access of the area may cause increased hunting and/or fishing, including poaching. For 

personnel it is prohibited to hunt, to fish and to trap birds within Staatsolie concession areas. But 

it is to be expected that outside hunters and fishermen will penetrate the project area. Also bird 

trappers may use the access trails to trap songbirds. 

These activities may potentially result in a minor negative impact. 

Although not required, preventive and mitigation measures are recommended. 

These are: 

• enforce strict admission rules for third parties (except for land owners) for the project 

areas (if legally possible) 

• request special assistance from government’s game and fish wardens responsible for 

control of fish and wildlife 

• upon closure (if requested by landowners): make trails into the project area inaccessible 

for airboats of third parties, maintain already existing trails only for very good reasons 

such as for monitoring purposes 

• implement above mitigation measures in consultation with land owners, if any, and 

nature conservation authorities 

It is expected that notwithstanding all preventative measures that poaching will still occur. 

Impact of: 

hunting 

and 

fishing 

Without 

Mitigation 

With 

Mitigation 

Table 33 of hunting and fishing 

Magnitude/ 

Intensity 

/Size 

Geographical 

scale 


term 


term 


significance 

81 

High Low Minor 

negative 


negative



Fauna and fire 

Fire destroys vegetation as a habitat, hiding and nesting place for animals. Fire damages 

especially woody plants (shrubs, tree lets and trees) that do not recover as most herbaceous 

plants will do from roots and rootstocks. Loss of woody plants sets back ongoing vegetation 

succession and therefore also fauna succession and increase of fauna diversity. 

Fire destroys plant species as a source of food for animals. Non-flying fauna species are killed by 

smoke and fire, bird nests will burn, and ashes pollute surface waters and kill aquatic fauna. 

The damage of fire to the fauna is regarded as being of major negative significance. 

Preventive and mitigation measures regarding fauna and peat fires include: 

• for operations: develop and implement strict fire control procedures and measures 

• implement a fire risk awareness program for Staatsolie personnel and contractors 

working in the project area 

• conduct fire patrols in extremely dry periods 

• Notify the Fire Brigade 

With effective implementation of above measures the impact of vegetation and peat fires will 

become minor negative. 

Table 34 Impact of peat fires on fauna 

Impact of: 

peat fires 

on fauna 

Without 

Mitigation 

With 

Mitigation 

Magnitude/ 

Intensity 

/Size 

5.10 ARCHEOLOGY 

Geographical 

scale 

High Medium Long 

term 

Low Small Long 

term 


significance 

82 

High medium Major 

negative 

Low Low Minor 

negative 

Construction activities, particularly construction of trails and drilling of explosion holes, may 

result in the disturbance, or even destruction, of sites of archaeological interest. Archaeological 

sites are known in the dryland part of the study area (See figure 9: Archaeological sites in the 

Weg naar Zee area). Within the project area, other archaeological sites can be expected on 

ridges, especially in the dryland section of the project area. But also on ridges in the Wetland 

Area the presence of archaeological sites is possible. 

Disturbance or destruction of such sites may lead to loss of important information on pre- 

Columbian cultures. Depending upon the quality of information that can be deduced from the



site and the degree of disturbance/destruction, an impact of minor negative significance may 

occur. 

General mitigation measures include the following: 

• plan trails and access routes in such way that they remain at some distance from known 

or possible archaeological sites 

• create awareness amongst construction staff regarding the significance of such finds and 

indicators of the presence of such sites (especially exposed pottery sherds, bed structures, 

spots with deviating terrain and vegetation) 

• cease all construction activities in the area if a potential site is noticed, and cordon off 

area 

• notify the National Museum 

• allow that a detailed assessment of the site is undertaken by, or on behalf of, the National 

Museum if deemed necessary in the preliminary assessment 

• follow recommendations made in preliminary and/or detailed assessment as appropriate 

With proper execution of above measures the impact will be negligible. 

Table 35 Impact on archaeology 

Impact on: 

Archaeology 

Without 

Mitigation 

With 

Mitigation 

5.11 LAND USE 

Wetland Area: 

Magnitude/ 

Intensity 

/Size 

Geographical 

scale 


term 

Low Small short 

term 


significance 

83 

Low Low Minor 

negative 


Potential impacts to land use in this part of the project area are related to the potential impacts to 

water quality. Contamination of the water in fish holes could result in a lower swamp fish catch 

during the fishing season (Dry Seasons). The impact is considered to be minor negative to 

negligible, being at a small scale and very temporary. No prevention or mitigation is required. 

Another potential negative impact to land use is that damage is done to canals, trenches, dams 

and fences in the Polder Weg naar Zee area, and dams along canals and fish holes (Eastern 

Wayambo Swamp), and/or that canals and trenches are being dammed off, leading to changes in 

hydrology in the concerned area and loss of function for the structures. The impact is considered 

as to be moderate negative. Some preventive and mitigation measures are recommended.



• involve the local people and keep an open dialogue during all phases of the project 

• minimize damage to structures, also when this requires a longer route 

• repair immediately after finalization 

With the mitigation measures in place the impact will be minor. 

Table 36: Damage on use of existing infrastructure 

Damage on 

use of 

existing 

infrastructure 

Without 

Mitigation 

With 

Mitigation 

Magnitude/ 

Intensity 

/Size 

Geographical 

scale 


term 


term 


significance 

84 


negative 


negative 

A potential positive impact to land use is the construction of access ways that go through canals, 

trenches, dams and fences in the Polder Weg naar Zee area, and dams along canals and fish holes 

(Eastern Wayambo Swamp). The farmers and owners can benefit from the improvement of their 

infrastructure. 

The impact is considered as to be minor positive. Yet one enhancing measure is recommended 

that can increase the impact to moderate positive. 

• involve the local people and keep an open dialogue during phases of the seismic project 

so improvements can benefit and sustain their activities. 

Table 37 Impact of infrastructure improvement in wetland 

Impact of 


improvement 

in wetland 

Without 

Mitigation 

With 

Mitigation 

Dry land Area: 

Magnitude/ 

Intensity 

/Size 

Geographical 

scale 

Low Medium Short 

term 

Medium Medium Long 

term 


significance 

Low low Minor 

positive 


positive 

A couple of the seismic lines, line WNZ-2D-20011/001, WNZ-2D-20011/003, WNZ-2D- 

20011/004, WNZ-2D-20011/005 cross dry land area where horticulture and/or housing 

development are evident. Some of the farms may also have a water reservoir and/or a smaller or 

larger fish or duck pond in its neighborhood.



When sited on farmland or residential area, the construction of the seismic trails and travelling 

over the land may result in loss of the standing crop, soil compaction and other disturbances. The 

impact will be moderate negative, when soil disturbance is such that the effect is experienced 

over a prolonged period, in which crop production is impossible or low. 

Some mitigation measures are recommended below that can reduce the impacts to minor 

negative. 

Preventive and mitigation measures include: 

• involve the local people and keep an open dialogue during all stages of the 2D seismic 

project 

• do not drill explosion holes near houses 

The release of drilling waste and other pollutants like oil, grease and fuel in such area could 

result in: 

• an adverse effect to crops, garden plants and fruit trees with either a reduced crop yield or 

complete die-off of the standing crop 

• loss of soil production capacity due to decreased soil quality or loss of irrigation water 

• an adverse effect to grassland and through this on cattle 

• an adverse effect to ducks or fish with reduced growth or direct kill 

• loss of drinking water for cattle and poultry 

• loss of irrigation water 

This impact is also considered as to be moderate because it although it is limited to a small area, 

effect will be medium to long term (less than 1 year). Some measures are recommended. 

• involve the local people and keep an open dialogue during all phases of the seismic 

project 

• do not drill explosion holes near houses, or close to water reservoirs or ponds 

Impact of 

sdrilling 

waste and 

other 

pollutants 

on dry 

land use 

Without 

Mitigation 

With 

Mitigation 

Table 38 Impact of drilling waste and other pollutants on dry land use 

Magnitude/ 

Intensity 

/Size 

Geographical 

scale 


term 


term 


significance 

85 


negative 


negative 

A potential positive impact to land use is the construction of access roads and dams along canals 

and fish holes (Eastern Wayambo Swamp) and the rehabilitation of existing roads in residential



areas. The farmers and owners can benefit from the improvement of their infrastructure. Users of 

the roads will benefit from better roads. 

The impact is considered as to be minor positive but an enhancing measure is recommended that 

can make it moderate positive. 

• involve the local people and keep an open dialogue during all stages of the 2D seismic 

project so improvements can benefit and sustain their activities. 

Table 39 Impact of infrastructure improvement in dry land 

Impact of 


improvement 

in dry land 

Without 

Mitigation 

With 

Mitigation 

Magnitude/ 

Intensity 

/Size 

Geographical 

scale 

Low Medium Short 

term 

Medium Medium Long 

term 

5.12 SOCIO-ECONOMIC ISSUES 


significance 

86 

Low low Minor 

positive 


positive 

For both the Wetland Area and the Dry land Area a number of impacts have been identified that 

directly or indirectly affect people in the study area. Of course the majority of such impacts are 

found in the Dry land Area where most people live. 

Such negative impacts that may affect the local people are: 

Direct 

• reduced air quality 

• noise and vibrations 

• damage done to public infrastructure, like roads, canals, trenches, bridges, and electricity 

and water supply during transportation of the rig and associated carriers 

• (assumed) damage done to property while crossing or working on private land 

• damage to land, crops, garden plants, cattle, poultry, fishes and/or water reservoirs 

Indirect 

• reduced water quality of “fish holes” leads to lower fish catches 

• increased swamp water levels lead to local inundation 

To get a sense of what the people think about the Staatsolie activity a survey was conducted. The 

results are presented hereunder. These results are taken into consideration in: Annex 5: Summary of 

the impacts before mitigation, mitigation measures and assessment of the impacts after mitigation.


Survey 

Type :A door-to-door door survey was conducted under people who are living 

close to the trail areas. 

Time :Interviews were done during day time and weekends to meet farmers 

on their lands. 

Number :In the Weg naar Zee area 40 interviews were conducted 

Goal :To get the opinion of people who think they will have possible direct effects 

from the activities. 

Description escription of the survey population: 

Average age of the respondents was 43 43,5 year. 

54% had only primary education. See Figure 66. 

The majority was male and has a Hindustani ethnic origin. See Figure 17. 

About 50% of the respondents were farmers farmers. See Figure 19. 

About 69% of the respondents do some kind of farming farming. 

Only 6 respondents were involved in animal husbandry husbandry. 

20% had encounters with Staatsolie in the past. 

3% 3% 

9% 

11% 

6% 

3% 

11% 

54% 

Figure 16 Distribution by formal education 

Primary School 

More men were interviewed wed than women. See Figure 17. 

The ethnic background of the respondents is presented in Figure 18. 

BsC 

Trade school 

Low Techical 

Secondary 

School for teachers 

High school 

None 

87 




71% 

Figure 17 Distribution by gender 

23% 

6% 

71% 

Figure 18 Ethnic backgrounds of the respondents 

20 

15 

10 

5 

0 

Figure 19 Job distribution 

29% 

Creole 

Hindustani 

Javanese 



Expected risks with regard to the 2D seismic activities are presented in Figure 20 and the 

concerns in Figure 21. 

70% of the respondents don’t expect health risks or dangers. 

88 

Female 

Male


40 

30 

20 

10 

0 

Yes 

Figure 20 Do you expect any health risks? 

The main concerns regard: 

Noise :19 % 

Fumes :12 % 

Dust :14 % 

Water pollution :16 % 

None : 39 % 

Additional concerns: 

1: Staatsolie vehicles speeding on the roads 

2: Dangers regarding passing ing machines 

3: Snakes moving into populated areas 

4: Loss/pollution of water basins used for agriculture 

Waterpoll 

ution 

16% 

Fumes 

12% 

Dust 

14% 

Figure 21 Expected effect 

Noice 

19% 

What do people like to see done by Staatsolie. This can be considered as: Mitigation measures 

recommended and carried by the population 

Specific regarding the works: 

1. Compensate if damage occurs 

2. No major disturbance for day to day life 

3. No speeding of Staatsolie vehicles 

4. No traffic jams 

5. Farmers always need access to their lands 

No 

None 

39% 

89 





General: 

1. Lower the prices of fuel 

2. Rehabilitate the roads in the area 

3. Employment possibilities for people from the area 

4. Maintenance of the side walks 

5. Road lights 

6. Caution regarding the water basins 

Points of observation during the survey: 

1. People living in the new development areas don’t have any idea what to expect 

2. Most people are very welcoming towards Staatsolie. Staatsolie should make sure to keep this 

as is. 

Many of these impacts have been considered as to be minor negative. Nevertheless such 

impacts require attention of Staatsolie, because social unrest may develop when people have the 

feeling that Staatsolie is not properly addressing nuisances that they experience or problems, 

which they believe to have been caused by the project. Such reaction, whether or not justified, 

could result in a moderate negative impact. 

Preventive and mitigation measures include: 

• communicate this PSEIA with all stakeholders 

• pay special attention to the directly involved people along access routes and at seismic 

trails locations, like the owners of the land and the “fish holes”, and farmers and residents 

• involve the local people and keep an open dialogue during all stages of the seismic 

project 

• see further measures proposed for noise, soil, water quality and land use. 

With effective implementation of the measures the impact will be minor negative at most. 

Table 40 Impact 2D seismic activities on socio economic issues 

Impact 2D 

seismic 

activities 

on socio 

economic 

issues 

Without 

Mitigation 

With 

Mitigation 

Magnitude/ 

Intensity 

/Size 

Geographical 

scale 


significance 

Medium Medium Mid term High medium Moderate 

negative 

Low Small Short Low Low Minor 

term 

negative 

The general requests of the respondents (lower fuel prices, maintenance of sidewalks, road 

lights) are considered to have an unknown impact as no further information about these requests 

are available. 

90



No other socio-economic impacts are identified, given the fact that no additional labor will be 

recruited for the project, while no lay-off will occur after the project has finished. The crew will 

continue to the next project. 

Furthermore the project activities are too short and limited to have a relevant (positive) impact to 

the local economy (shops, restaurants, bars). 

5.13 HEALTH ISSUES 

The ecological conditions in the area are favorable for the occurrence of Bilharzia 

(Schistosomiasis). Fieldworkers are exposed to the risk of contracting this disease as well as 

other waterborne diseases. Risks of snake bites are evident when clearing sites, both for 

neighbors and for workers. 

The impact is regarded to be moderate negative. The mitigation measures recommended are: 

• Have personnel checked for allergic reactions on snake serum 

● Make sure that snake serum is available at nearest medical post for people not 

allergic to snake serum. 

• For workers: wear snake bite proof boots in case there is strong suspicions that snakes 

may occur 

• Have the Staatsolie Contingency Plan in place 

Implementing these measures will result in a minor negative impact. 

Table 41 Impact of perceived concerns and health issues 

Impact of 

perceived 

concerns 

and health 

issues 

Without 

Mitigation 

With 

Mitigation 

Magnitude/ 

Intensity 

/Size 

Geographical 

scale 


significance 

Medium Medium Mid term High medium Moderate 

negative 

Low Medium Short Low Low Minor 

term 

negative 

91



5.14 SUMMARY OF (POTENTIAL) IMPACTS 

A summarized table is presented as Annex 5 with all expected impacts and their influence after 

proper implementation of mitigation and/or enhancement measures. 

It can be concluded that the project could result in two major and a limited number of moderate 

negative impacts. 

Major potential negative impacts include: 

• Loss of vegetation due to peat fires 

• Loss of fauna due to peat fires 

Moderate potential negative impacts include: 

• Noise of airboats, explosions, etc. a nuisance both to people and to fauna in the wetland 

areas; 

• Noise and vibration on structures in the dry land areas; 

• Visual disturbance due to vegetation clearing, etc.; 

• Water quality deterioration associated with turbidity due to the construction of trails and 

potential fuel spills; 

• impacts of decreased water quality (mostly increased turbidity) on aquatic life and fishery 

potential; 

• Vegetation clearing. 

• Social unrest, due to – in the eyes of the local people – inadequate Staatsolie response to 

perceived problems, health issues and concerns. 

• Damage to infrastructure and land use; 

• Impact on perceived concerns and health issues. 

Positive impacts are: 

• Infrastructure improvement that can have a lasting benefit for the local communities. 

Conclusions 

With proper implementation of the Staatsolie procedures and regulations, and the proposed 

preventive and mitigation measures minor negative and negligible impacts will remain for all 

above issues. 

After implementation, the enhancement measures will increase the benefits for the environment 

or the communities to moderate positive. 

Implementation of the project along the lines of the PESIA study will cause no harm to the 

environment and to communities. Not at the project location or beyond. 

92



6. ANALYSES OF ALTERNATIVES 

The company’ vision and mission assure that Staatsolie uses industrial best practices and that 

therefore no evaluation of applied technological methodologies was needed. This doesn’t only 

regard applied technologies but also personnel training and strict application of rules and 

guidelines. 

Consultants therefore predominantly looked into possible alternative access routes that might be 

more sustainable in terms of the physical or human environment. 

No alternatives have been distinguished. 

93



7. PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND PARTICIPATION 

7.1 PUBLIC CONSULTATION 

Public consultation for the exchange of information and views aims at a good relation between 

stakeholders and project executives both in the preparation and the execution of the project. It 

also has to result in sustaining a good name and image of Staatsolie within the affected 

communities and beyond. 

Identified stakeholders are presented below. 

1. Ministry of Regional development (RO): districts –Commissioners and local 

Bestuursopzichters of Saramacca, Wanica and Paramaribo 

2. Farmers, land owners along trails and at well sites 

3. Social/religious organizations active within the project area 

4. Members of District and Resort Council 

5. Projects developers within the project area 

6. Ministry of Labor, Technological Development and Environment: NIMOS 

7. Ministry of Agriculture, Animal husbandry and Fisheries: Resort Coordinators 

agriculture 

8. Ministry of Public Works (OW): Districts or resorts department: Drainage and canal and 

road management 

9. Ministry of Physical Planning, Land and Forest Management (ROGB): Head of the 

Nature Conservation Division (NB) responsible for control of hunting, fishing, bird 

trapping 

10. Chief of the Fire Brigade of Saramacca, Wanica and Paramaribo 

11. Ministry of Justice and Police Districts Chief of Police of: Saramacca, Wanica and 

Paramaribo 

12. Members of the National Assembly (DNA) dealing with natural resources, environment 

nature conservation 

13. University of Suriname: research Division 

Apart from the general stakeholders meetings P-all held in-depth discussions with Mr. Pieter 

Teunissen (early May 2012) and Mr.Dirk Noordam (June 5 th 2012). Both have worked on the 

PPESIA of Weg naar Zee and are considered knowledgeable persons of the area and of the 

PESIA process. In-depth exchange of ideas was also held with the district secretary, Mr. Prem 

Autar and with the local representative of LVV. 

While conducting the study discussions were held with all relevant stakeholders. Some of these 

encounters will have the character of interviews. 

94



7.2 THE SURVEY 

A survey was conducted to get a sense of what the local population thinks about the 2D seismic 

activities of Staatsolie. 

The results of the survey are already presented in the chapter on socio economic issues. 

95



8. MONITORING AND INSPECTION PLAN 

Monitoring and inspection programs that are already in place Staatsolie are: 

• inspection of fuel spills or leakages from containers and tanks 

• monitoring or inspection of surface water for oil spills and leakages 

• inspection and monitoring of solid waste management 

No additional monitoring and inspection requirements have been identified. However, it is 

recommended that the inspection of surface water should include suspended solids. Any increase 

in suspended can easily be traced by visual inspection. 

In addition to these existing programs, fire patrols during dry periods have been proposed as 

prevention and/or mitigation measure. 

96



9. DECOMMISSIONING PLAN 

Decommissioning should comprise the following activities: 

• abandonment of trails 

• removal of all equipment and parts of it 

• removal of all waste 

• clean-up of any soil and water pollution 

• rehabilitation of disturbed land 

• restoration of any damaged drainage structures 

• leveling and/or breaching of all constructed dams, if any (in fact not everywhere 

recognizable as such, so in general: elevated land along trails) 

• in communication with the dedicated authorities: blocking of all access routes over land 

and water in order to prevent access to the project area 

97



Annex 1. 

Information about P-all and the consultants 

P-all 

P-all has more than 15 years experience. P-all has knowledge and experience in the field of ESIA 

studies. P-all has successful working relations with NIMOS and on working on ESIA’s in the 

formats of NIMOS and the formats of international finance institutions. 

P-all has direct access to geographical, planning, commercial/economical and legislative 

knowledge and knowhow. Because of strategic cooperation with other companies, P-all also has 

access to more or less all the required fields of expertise. 

Amongst others recent ESIA’s and ESIA related studies have been conducted related to: 

a. The Berg en Dal Eco and Cultural River Resort. This study was done in a successful the 

IADB. IADB is co-financer of the project. 2008. NIMOS reviewed the study. 

b. The Rehabilitation of the East-West road from Meerzorg to Albina. This ESIA was done 

successful in NIMOS format and complied with the formats of the financers: IADB and 

European Union. 2009. NIMOS reviewed the study. 

c. Improvement of the Social and Economic conditions in the corridor of the road 

Meerzorg-Albina on the basis of the ESIA mentioned under b. 

d. ESIA study for the extension of the Zorg en Hoop airstrip for the Ministry of PLOS. 

e. Preliminary ESIA study of the bridge over the Suriname River between Carolina and 

Redidoti. Prepared in NIMOS format and accepted as base document by INGBank. 2011. 

f. Feasibility study of the road from Pokigron/Atjoni to Pusugrunu for the Ministry of 

Works. 2010. 

g. Studies for the National Biodiversity Action Plan and the National Climate Action Plan. 

2011. 

P-all has excellent track records with regard to the conducting of stakeholders meetings and 

communication. Some examples are: 

a. Facilitator for the formulation of the Forest Policy document of Suriname, financed by 

the IADB. 

b. Organize and facilitate stakeholder meetings with tribal communities related to the 

establishment and/or management of nature reserves: Apura, Washabo, Kwamalasamutu, 

Bigi Poika, Witagron, etc. 

c. Stakeholders’ consultation processes for above mentioned PESIA studies. 

d. Stakeholders meetings related to the ‘Improvement of the airports of the interior’ with all 

relevant local communities. 

e. Development of communication plans for Staatsolie for the projects: ‘TapaJay’ and 

‘Wageningen Bio fuel’. 

f. Facilitate stakeholder meetings of Paradise Oil in the Commewijne District, related to the 

3D seismic. 

98



Experts 

The consultancy shall be conducted by a team of experts. All experts will be involved in desk 

research. 

The team leader responsible for reporting for this activity will be Mr. Cornelis Pigot. 

The following profiles are foreseen: 

- Drs.Cornelis Pigot, (CP) geographer and regional planner, Expert level I with more than 20 

years’ experience. Mr.Cornelis Pigot will be responsible for conceptual design, design of the 

methodology, validation of existing reports, environmental and physical assessments and 

stakeholder information. 

- Mr.Kris Mohadin, (KM) biologist, expert level 1 with more than 20 years’ experience. He has 

been amongst others the director of Stinasu, manager of ‘Bigi Pan’ in the Nickerie Area for 

Natuurbeheer. Mr.Mohadin will be responsible for water quality and ecosystems assessments 

and ecological land use issues. 

- Mrs. Muriel Held, (MH) biologist, expert level 1 with more than 20 years’ experience. She has 

been director of Stinasu, a board member of NIMOS and a policy advisor to the Minister of 

Natural Resources and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Mrs. Held will be responsible for flora 

and fauna research, especially birds. 

- Drs.Juan Pigot, (JP) regional economist, expert level II with 6 years’ experience. He will be 

responsible for field research, coordination of stakeholders meetings, assist in designing the 

methodology and responsible for coordination and reporting. He has extensive experience with 

organizing stakeholders meetings. 

- Melvin Pigot MBA, (MP) economist, market analyst. Expert level II with 10 years’ experience. 

He is a well-seasoned field economist and social researcher. He will be responsible for field 

research. 

All experts have excellent skills in working in the interior and in rural areas, they speak and 

understand the national languages and even so understand the local languages. They have access 

to all stakeholders. 

The experts will be assisted in the field by assistants who will help to carry out interviews and 

assist with the organization of meetings. 

C.V.’s P-all and experts are in a separate file. 

99



Annex 2: 

Water quality and fish assessment report by the ADEK University Lab. 

Desktop study seismic survey Staatolie 

1. Water quality 

Water quality assessment was performed at two pre-selected localities: Canal Brantimaka weg 

(N0553132, W05511265), Canal Staatsolie pomp at Okrodam (N0552200, W0551511). Each 

site was sampled one time at the start of the long dry season. 

At each site measurements were conducted with Hach (dissolved oxygen and turbidity) and 

Oakton (pH and salinity) meters; transparency was being measured with a secchi disk. 

Furthermore, samples were taken for color analysis, which were analyzed with a 

spectrophotometer. Each site was also described briefly and GPS points taken. 

Canal Brantimakaweg 

The assessed canal at the Brantimaka weg is connected with the Atlantic Ocean through a sluice 

and serves as irrigation canal for the surrounded agriculture land. The canal is man-made, has a 

width of 10-15 meter, a slow current and is vegetated (grasses, dagoeblad (Ipomoea reptans), 

blaasjeskruid (Ulticularia), duckweed (Lemna), water hyacinth (Eichhornia). Water is near pH 

neutral (6.7), brackish to salt water (salinity: 1.54, 2.78 ppt) and very low oxygen content at the 

time of sampling (0.09 mg/L). Water is slightly turbid (11 NTU) and has a low transparency (55 

cm). Color water: 267, 283 units Pt-Co APHA. 

Canal Staatsolie pomp at Okrodam 

This man made canal has a width of 8-10 meter and is connected to a surrounding swamp area. A 

slow current was observed and almost no aquatic vegetation in the canal segment sampled. 

Water is pH neutral (7.24), well oxygenated (4.66 mg/L) and is slightly brackish (salinity: 146 

ppm). Water is also slightly turbid (14.2 NTU) and has low transparency (45cm). Color water: 

282 units Pt-Co APHA. One bordering swamp was assessed: pH neutral (6.6), low oxygen (0.44 

mg/L), low turbidity (5.9 NTU) and slightly brackish (salinity: 114 ppm). Color water: 217 units 

Pt-Co APHA. 

2. Fish assessment 

Fish was assessed at Canal Brantimaka weg (N0553132, W05511265) and Canal Staatsolie 

pomp at Okrodam (N0552200, W0551511). Low depths areas in the canals were seined for an 

hour, where after gillnets were set overnight. Below the list with fish species found at the 

assessed locations. 

Brantimaka weg Staatolie pomp Okrodam 

Micropecilia parae Atsyanax bimaculatus 

Poecilia vivipara Ctenobrycon spilurus 

Rivulus stagnates Pristella maxillaries 

Polycentrus schomburgkii Crenicichla saxatillis 

Cichlasoma bimaculatum Polycentrus schomburgki 

Eleotris pisonis Cichlasoma bimaculatum 

100



Hoplias marabaricus Micropecilia parae 

Tarpon atlanticus Poecilia reticulate 


Hoplias marabaricus 

101



Annex 3 

Birds observed during field trips Weg naar Zee. August 2012 

• no • English name • Scientific name • Local name 

• 1 • Cattle egret • Egretta ibis • Koe reiger 

• 2 • Tri-coloured heron • Egretta tricolor • Driekleur reiger 

• 3 • Black vulture • Coragyps atratus • Zwartkop tingifowroe 

• 4 • Snail kite • Rostrahmus sociabilis • Pakro akka 

• 5 • Roadside hawk • Buteo magnirostris • Doifi aka 

• 6 • Yellow 

caracara* 

headed • Milvago chimachima • Caracara 

• 7 • Wattled Jacana* • Jacana jacana • Kepanki 

• 8 • Lesser yellow legs • Tringa flavipes • Geel 

ruiter/snepi 

poot 

• 9 • Ruddy ground dove* • Columbia talpacoti • Grondduif/stonka 

• 10 • Green 

parakeet* 

rumped • Forpus passerina • Okro parkiet 

• 11 • Blue headed parrot • Pionus menstruus • margrietje 

• 12 • Orange winged parrrot • Amazona amazonica • Koelé koelé 

• 13 • Mangrove cuckoo • Coccyzus minor • Koekoek 

• 14 • Smooth billed ani* • Crotophaga ani • Kawfutuboi 

• 15 • Swallow* • Progne sp. • Zwaluw 

• 16 • Green 

hummingbird 

bellied • Amazila viridigaster • Kolibri 

• 17 • Green kingfisher • Chloreceryle americana • Fisi man 

• 18 • Rudy spine tail • Synallaxis rutilarus • Fityo 

• 19 • Barred antshrike • Thamnophilus doliatus • Koko/peprefowru 

• 20 • Pied water tyrant* • Fluvicola pica • Gotro 

motjo/katoentje 

• 21 • Lesser kiskadee* • Pitangus lictor • Grietjebie 

• 22 • Great kiskadee* • Pitangus sulpphuratus • Grietjebie 

• 23 • Black capped mockin 

trush 

• Donacobius atricapillus • Swampu fowru 

• 24 • Pale breasted trush • Trudus 

albiventer 

leucomelas • Boontje dief 

• 25 • Blue back grassquit • Volantina jacarina • Dansmeester 

• 26 • Blue gray tanager* • Thraupis episcopus • Blaw forki 

• 27 • Silver beak tanager • Ramphocelus carbo • Kieng 

• 28 • White lined tanager • Tachyphorus luctuosus • Zwarte kieng 

• 29 • Variable seedeater • Sporophila americana • Jack 

• 30 • Yellow 

cacique** 

rumped • Cacicus cela • Banabeki 

Observed fauna in the Weg Naar Zee area during field trips 

102



Note: * were also seen in the western part of the Weg naar Zee area in the vicinity of property of 

Zondervan on earlier fieldtrips 

** was only seen in the vicinity of property of Zondervan on earlier fieldtrips, but is expected to 

occur also in other parts of the Weg naar Zee area. 

31, 32 and 33 were seen on the mudflat on 22 August 2012 at the bathing resort. 

103



Annex 4 

Obtaining the views of stakeholders during the Scoping Stakeholders meeting 

On July 9 th 2012 a scoping stakeholder meeting was organized by Staatsolie at Weg naar Zee 

Gemeenschapscentrum, Henri Fernandesweg 424. Staatsolie has effectively implemented 

advance publicity for this scoping meeting to ensure that a good cross-section of people attended 

the meeting. Invitation letters and the agenda of the meeting were distributed in the study area 

and to other stakeholders. About 50 persons attended the meeting. The meeting was chaired by 

Staatsolie Community Relations. Attendance list and Agenda of the meeting are added in a 

separate file to this report as Annex 3. In the further study stage P-all will make sure to contact 

people who had specific questions during this meeting. This will be part of the approach of the 

social impact analysis that P-all will make of the study area. 

The opening was done by Mr. Steven Alfaisi, who gave a short introduction of the Department of 

‘Community Relations’. Hereafter Mrs. Joan Telgt introduced the ESIA process. Then Mr. Cor 

Pigot spoke about the ‘Scoping Process’. 

Then the exploration process of Staatsolie was introduced by Mr. Ricardo Kandhai, followed by 

Mrs. Eshita Narain who introduced the ‘Drilling’ project and again Mr. R.Kandhai on the ‘2D 

Seismic’ project. The evening was closed by Mr. S.Alfaisi. 

Table 9: Issues rose during the meeting by stakeholders. 

Nr Stakeholder Issue raised Answer * 

Mr. Baynath; 

Manager of 

Pilgrimage Weg naar 

Zee, farmer and 

member of local union 

(‘buurtvereniging’) 

Weg naar Zee. He is 

also the chairman of 

the ‘Cooperation 

Kwatta’. 

He stated not to be against any 

oil exploration or exploitation, 

in fact everybody has to support 

Staatsolie in this. He would like 

to see that such meetings start at 

a later time, as 18.00 hour is not 

a suitable time for farmers. He 

also brought forward the bad 

imago that Staatsolie has under 

the local people saying that the 

local people are not benefitting 

from Staatsolie while it 

sponsors money-consuming 

activities such as car rallies. He 

complains about high salaries of 

Staatsolie staff and employee’s. 

He brought to Staatsolie’s 

attention the flooding of some 

inland agricultural lands in the 

Weg naar Zee area such as 

Awarahé, hoping that Staatsolie 

will look into dyke 

104 

Staatsolie (SO) stated that 

note has been taken of his 

comments and attention 

will be paid to them. 

Furthermore another time 

for the meetings will be 

considered.



Mr.Soerish Algoe; 

representative of the 

Ministry of 

Agriculture, Animal 

Husbandry and 

Fisheries. ‘Onder 

Directeur Landbouw’ 

Mr. Shankar; 


people of Okrodam. 

construction. 

He also advocates that 

Staatsolie should subsidize fuel 

in order to get the prize of fuel 

dropped for farmers. 

Complaint that Staatsolie did 

not offer the guests drinks upon 

arrival, some people came 

direct from the field. 

He requests the involvement of 

also LVV Resort Kwatta in 

these meetings as Weg naar Zee 

area is an agriculture area and 

falls within the jurisdiction of 

LVV Resort Kwatta. Farmers of 

Weg naar Zee appeal to this 

resort in case of damages to 

their crops. He also advocates 

for a Fund for farmers created 

by Staatsolie 

He questions the independent 

character of Mr. Pigot being the 

Consultant of Staatsolie as 

supposed by Mr. Alfaisi of 

Staatsolie. He also asked who is 

accountable for damages 

eventually caused by the 

foreign contractor. He wonders 

if there are refund possibilities 

for damages. 

105 

SO stated that this will be 

taken into account for the 

next meeting 

SO stated that contractors 

are instructed how to work 

and how to deal with habits 

and issues of the local 

community. SO stated, that 

Staatsolie has the final 

responsibility of the project, 

for this reason complains 

have to be submitted to 

Staatsolie. Numbers and 

names of Staatsolie 

personnel to be contacted 

are given. But if a 

contractor has a separate 

deal with someone else than 

this will not be Staatsolie 

responsibility. Of course 

Staatsolie will act as a 

middle man when possible 

if conflicts arise. 

Mr. Pigot stated that issues 

are being looked in 

carefully and objectively 

and negative as well as 

positive issues are being



Mr. Soerish Algoe. 

Mr. Baynath, 

chairperson of the 

Place of Pilgrimage 

(Bedevaartsoord) Weg 

naar Zee. 

Mrs. Sietaram, R.; 

Member of Resort 

Council 

(‘Resortraadslid) of 

Weg naar Zee 

He stated that we should not 

speak in terms of negative or 

positive impacts, but rather we 

should look for the best 

solutions 

He stressed the fact that the 

roads are narrow and Staatsolie 

should take this into account 

when transporting heavy 

equipment on these roads, in 

particular when cremation 

processions pass by. He stressed 

that cremations should not be 

disturbed. He also asked how 

long the exploration activities at 

the Brantimakaweg will take 

place, and if intrusion of the salt 

water is taken into account, 

with regard to the equipment 

used. He states that within a 

year the sea will have overtaken 

the spot of this well. 

He also advocated for cheaper 

fuel for farmers and asked 

Staatsolie to help build the dyke 

along the sea against flooding 

of inland agricultural lands 

from the sea. 

She advocated also for another 

time for the meetings and that 

invitations should be sent 

timely and not only a day 

before or on the day of the 

106 

considered. Being a 

consultant for Staatsolie he 

wants Staatsolie to continue 

with the project without any 

damage to the environment 

or the local community. 

Furthermore he stated that 

NIMOS also is involved in 

assessing the report. 

SO stated, that as usual the 

police will accompany the 

transportation of heavy 

equipment. 

Notes are taken of the other 

concerns. 

SO stated, not to know 

what went wrong with the 

invitations, but next time 

the invitations will be sent 

timely. Special



Mr. Shankar 

Mr. Rodrigues; 

farmer and 


Interest Association 

(‘Belangenvereniging’) 

Weg naar Zee 

Mr. Matabadal; 

District Secretary of 

Wanica, responsible 

for ‘Environment and 

Health’. 

meeting. She also asks how to 

deal with noise pollution and 

wanted to know what the exact 

impact of the project on the 

agricultural activities will be. 

She also wonders what the 

situation is with employment 

for the local community and 

emphasized that the project 

should be beneficial to the local 

community. 

He wanders if there is a 

possibility to inspect the 

contract between the foreign 

contractor and Staatsolie in case 

damages have been caused by 

that contractor 

He also stated not to be against 

oil exploration or exploitation. 

He questions the efficiency of 

Staatsolie since Staatsolie came 

several times in the same area. 

He stresses again the bad imago 

of Staatsolie: “Staatsolie comes 

and takes what they need and 

then disappears”. And there is 

always damage done. He also 

stresses that Staatsolie should 

do something for the local 

community and help to build 

the dyke along the sea; He also 

wonders if Staatsolie has done 

some research with regard to its 

imago. 

He asked how far the effect of 

the explosives will be 

noticeable and if houses will not 

be damaged by vibration. He 

also asks if the sound waves 

give a certainty of the 

occurrence of water or oil. 

107 

measurement will be taken 

with regard to noise 

pollution. With regard to 

employment of the local 

people SO stated that the 

contractor will work with 

his own workers, but for 

some activities such as 

cutting lines local workers 

can be hired temporary. 

SO stated, that no 

inspection in the contract 

between Staatsolie and the 

contractor can take place by 

a third party. 

With regard to the 

efficiency of Staatsolie SO 

stated that oil exploitation 

requires that the same area 

be visited several times in 

order to precisely locate the 

prospective oil areas. 

Staatsolie is working as 

efficient as possible. 

With regard to the effect of 

explosives SO stated that 

special measurements will 

be taken when drilling takes 

place near houses. A 

distance of 50 meter from 

houses was taken into 

account in the previous 

project. This time the safe



108 

distances will be decided by 

deploying a special tool that 

is able to measure the 

vibrations caused by the 

explosions. 

SO also stated, that sound 

waves do not indicate 

whether there is water or 

oil. Except for the sound 

waves SO is also looking at 

geological formations and 

tectonic ruptures and folds 

in the earth's crust which 

can form oil traps. 

* For Staatsolie the following persons answered on the questions/ remarks: Mr. S. Alfaisi, Mrs. J. 

Telgt, Mr. R. Kandhai, Mr. Sewgobind.



109



ANNEX 5 

SUMMARY OF IMPACTS BEFORE MITIGATION, 

MITIGATION MEASURES AND ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS AFTER MITIGATION 

Legend: 

Negative < Impact significance > 3 Positive 

Class 1 

Class 2 

Class 3 

Class 4 

Class 5 

Major (significant) effect: effect expected to be 

permanent or continuous and nonreversible on a national 

scale and/or have international significance. 

Moderate (significant) effect: long-term or continuous 

effect, but it is reversible and/or it has regional 

significance. 

Minor (not significant) effect: effect confined to the 

local area and/or of short duration, and it is reversible. 

Negligible (not significant) effect: effect minimal, doing 

minimal harm to the environment, with a short duration 

and easy to reverse . 

Unknown effect: insufficient data available to assess the 

significance of the effect. 

P = Preparation, O = Operation, and C = Closure 

110 

Class +1 

Class +2 

Class +3 

Class +4 

Class +5



(Potential) 

impacts arranged 

according to 

environmental 

component 

5.2 AIR QUALITY 

Deterioration of air 

quality by exhaust 

fumes of vehicles, 

airboats and 

stationary 

equipment . 

Dust in the Dry 

Season on the dirt 

roads 

Significance 

without 

mitigation 

P O C 

3 3 3 

5.3 NOISE AND ASSOCIATED EFFECTS 

Noise 

Impact of noise on 

in lowland area 

Noise and Vibration in Dry Land area 

Damage to houses 

and other building 

structures 

(Potential) 


according to 

environmental 

component 

2 

- 2 

- 

Significance 

without 

mitigation 

Mitigation measures Significance 

with 

mitigation 

Well maintained equipment 

Spray water on the dirt roads 

Keep the noise levels as low as 

possible by using high quality low 

noise exhaust pipes in best condition 

and keeping minimum speed, related 

to water depth and moisture 

Take special precautions when 

execute explosions 

Locate the landing stage as far as 

possible from houses in the area 

Avoid using airboats in the evening 

Keep adequate distance from 

building structures 

Make assessment of building 

structures previous to 2D seismic 

drilling in case nearby drilling 

cannot be avoided 

Take special precautions when 

executing explosions 

Compensate in case of damage 

Mitigation measures Significance 

with 

mitigation 

111 

4 

3 

3



P O C 

5.4 GEO(HYDRO)LOGY, GEOMORPHOLOGY AND SOILS 

Clearing and 

preparation of 

trails will result 

in the removal of 

peat, if present, 

and maybe some 

of the upper layer 

of the clay, loam 

or sand soil . 

Release of drilling 

waste of the 

explosions 

3 3 3 

Do not create unnecessary deep 

trails, thus limiting soil disturbance 

to a minimum 

Use old existing trails as much as 

possible. 

Select the least productive soils in 

the area of the Seismic trails 

Limit earth moving and soil 

disturbance to the minimum 

Restore the site upon termination of 

the drilling explosion holes and 

explosion 

Cmpensate farmers f crops or 

animals are negatively impacted 

5.5 VISUAL RESOURCES, TOPOGRAPHY AND LANDSCAPE 

Trails and 2D 

seismic drilling 

sites in the wetland 

area will be visible 

from the air and 

large scale clearing 

within the project 

area will draw 

attention of people 

flying over the 

area 

2 2 2 

Plan trails and drilling sites in such a 

way that a minimum of 

vegetation/forest clearing is required 

Use only the initial trails and do not 

widen the trails during operation 

Where possible, use the already 

existing trails and canals (fish hole) 

trajectories 

112 

3 

4



(Potential) 


according to 

environmental 

component 

Significance 

without 

mitigation 

P O C 

5.6 SURFACE WATER 

Hydrology 

Changes in the 

hydrology could 

occur in the form 

of: 

• 

improving/accelera 

ting drainage 

• blocking the 

fresh water flow 

from the southern 

swamps towards 

the mangrove zone 

by the construction 

of low E-W dams 

of clay and 

pegasse 

• increasing 

swamp water level 

5.7. WATER QUALITY 

Water pollution by 

movement of 

heavy equipment: 

pollution of 3 

swamps and fish 

holes with 

suspended solids 


2D seismic 

drilling: pollution 

with suspended 

solids, oil and 

grease, 

2 

2 

4 

3 

3 

3 

Mitigation 

Measures 

Do not include construction of 

permanent dams. 

Limit project trails in size and 

extension. 

It is recommended to level or 

interrupt dykes of clay, peat and 

vegetation debris along excavated 

trails. 

No mitigation measures required 

Strictly apply Staatsolie General 

Field Instructions with regard to 

solid waste handling. 

Avoid to release drilling waste in the 

water. 

113 

Significance 

with 

mitigation 

3 

4 

4



(Potential) 


according to 

environmental 

component 

Significance 

without 

mitigation 

P O C 

SURFACE WATER (CONT.) 


drilling mud: 

increased turbidity 

of nearby and 

down streams 

surface waters, 

incl. wetland 

pastures, fresh 

water reservoirs 

(for the irrigation 

of crops) and fish 

holes, pollution 

with suspended 

solids, oil and 

grease may result 

in changes in 

species 

composition and 

quantity when 

polluted with fuel, 

oil or grease in 

aquatic live, 

causing some live 

to disappear from 

affected area and 

plants and animals 

which will die 

when polluted with 

fuel, oil or grease 


fuel spills during 

transportation and 

storage 

- 

2 

3 

2 

3 

2 

Mitigation 

Measures 

Do not execute 2D seismic drilling 

in an area with water reservoirs or 

managed aquatic systems (fish or 

duck ponds) 

Clean up any fuel, oil or grease 

pollution as soon as possible 

If still some water pollution occurs: 

compensate for any damage to 

animal stock, including future losses 

due to reduced water quality 

Use leak-proof containers and 

storage tanks 

Provide adequate containment in 

case of container leakage 

Have the oil spill contingency plan 

in place for the area under 

consideration and follow the 

Staatsolie procedures for 

maintenance and clean-up 

114 

Significance 

with 

mitigation 

4 

3



(Potential) 


according to 

environmental 

component 

5.8. VEGETATION 

Vegetation clearing 

Loss of swamp 

wood and 

mangrove forest 

by cleaning/ 

excavating of trails 

and drilling sites 

Loss of herbaceous 

swamp vegetation, 

swamp scrub by 

cleaning/ 

excavating of trails 

and drilling sites 

. 

Vegetation and peat fires 

Increased fire 

hazards due to 

third parties that 

accidentally or on 1 

purpose set fire in 

the swamp areas 

surrounding the 

prospective area: 

grass and peat fires 

damage fauna 

Significance 

without 

mitigation 

P O C 

2 

3 

3 

Provide adequate containment in 

case of container or tank leakage 

Mitigation 

Measures 

Minimize loss of swamp wood and 

swamp scrub 

Avoid areas with swamp wood and 

follow open swamp areas as much as 

possible, even if this makes 

travelling necessary over a larger 

distance 

Apply only hand cleaning in 

Mangrove forest 

3 Where possible, use already existing 

canal (fish holes) trajectories 

1 

1 

Develop and implement strict fire 

control procedures and measures 

Implement a fire risk awareness 

program for Staatsolie personnel and 

contractors working in the project 

area 

Conduct fire patrols in extremely 

dry periods 

Notify the Fire Brigade 

115 

Significance 

with 

mitigation 

3 

4 

3



(Potential) 


according to 

environmental 

component 

Significance 

without 

mitigation 

P O C 

Increased fire 

hazards due to 

third parties that 

accidentally or on 

purpose set fire in 

the swamp areas 

surrounding the 

prospective area: 


damage fauna 

5.9. FAUNA 

1 1 1 

Fauna and traffic and explosions 

Disturbance of 

wildlife by high 

noise levels of air 

boats, other 

vehicles and from 

explosions and 

2 2 2 

vibrations 

Fauna and water pollution 

Fuel and grease 

spills and release 

of cuttings and 

drillings and other 

type of water 

pollution will harm 

aquatic fauna 

3 3 3 

Mitigation 

Measures 

Develop and implement strict fire 

control procedures and measures 

Implement a fire risk awareness 

program for Staatsolie personnel and 

contractors working in the project 

area 

Conduct fire patrols in extremely 

dry periods 

Notify the Fire Brigade 

For air boats: apply the Waterway 

Traffic Regulations developed for 

Staatsolie 

Use airboats only during daytime 

near sensitive areas. 

Collect drilling waste in a confined 

area and bury it 

Clean up any fuel, oil or grease 

pollution as soon as possible 

See also mitigation measures related 

to water pollution 

116 

Significance 

with 

mitigation 

3 

3 

4



(Potential) impacts 

arranged according to 

environmental 

component 

Significance 

without 

mitigation 

117 

Mitigation 

Measures 

P O C 

FAUNA (CONT.) 

Hunting, fishing, bird trapping and poaching 

Loss of fauna through 

Enforce strict admission rules for the 

unauthorized hunting, 

project areas (if legally possible) 

fishing, bird collecting, 

Request special assistance from the 

including poaching by 

Government’s game and fish 

third parties due to 

wardens responsible for control of 

improved access 

fish and wildlife 

Upon closure, make trails into the 

project area inaccessible for air 

boats of third parties, maintain 

3 3 3 already existing trails only for 

compelling and necessary work 

Cooperate with the Nature 

Conservation Authorities 

Implement above mentioned 

measures in consultation with land 

owners, if any, and the Nature 

conservation Authorities 

.Fauna and fire 

Increased fire hazards 

See mitigation measures related to 

due to third parties that 

Vegetation and Flora, and fire 

accidentally or on 

purpose set fire in the 

swamp areas surrounding 

the prospective area: 


damage fauna 

1 1 1 

Significance 

with 

mitigation 

3 

3



(Potential) 


according to 

environmental 

component 

Significance 

without 

mitigation 

P O C 

5.10 ARCHAELOGY 

Destruction of or 

damage to 

archaeological 

sites during the 

construction of 

trails and 2D 

Seismic drilling 

sites 

5.11 LAND USE 

Soil compaction 

and other soil 

disturbance: 

damage to or loss 

of garden plants 

and crops, loss of 

soil production 

capacity. Dry 

Land. 

3 

2 

3 

2 

2 

- 

Mitigation 

Measures 

Plan access routes and well sites in 

such a way that they remain at some 

distance from known or possible 

archaeological sites 

Create awareness amongst 

construction staff regarding the 

significance of such finds and 

indicators of the presence of such 

sites (especially exposed pottery 

shreds, bed structures, spots with 

deviating terrain and vegetation) 

Cease all construction activities in 

the area if a potential site is noticed, 

and cordon off area 

Notify the baseline specialists 

immediately, who will give a 

preliminary assessment of the site 

and will notify the National Museum 

Allow that a detailed assessment of 

the site is undertaken if deemed 

necessary in the preliminary 

assessment 

Follow recommendations made in 

preliminary and/or detailed 

assessment as appropriate 

Involve the local people and keep an 

open dialogue during all stages of 

the 2D seismic activities. 

Do not execute 2D seismic drilling 

in an area with actual or potential 

farmland, and near houses 

Where possible, relocate seismic 

lines to an area outside pastures and 

active cropping land. If not possible 

compensate farmers and landowners. 

118 

Significance 

with 

mitigation 

4 

3



(Potential) 


according to 

environmental 

component 

Contamination of 

water in fish holes 

could result in a 

lower swamp fish 

catch. Wetland. 

Damage to canals, 

trenches, dams. 

Wet and dry land. 

Construction of 

access ways 

through canals, 

trenches, dams and 

fences 

Construction of 

seismic lines on 

farmland or 

residential area 

may result in loss 

of the standing 

crop, soil 

compaction and 

other disturbances 

Significance 

without 

mitigation 

Mitigation 

Measures 

P O C 

2 2 2 No prevention or mitigation 

measures required: impact is at a 

small scale and very temporary 

2 2 2 Involve local people and keep an 

open dialogue during all phases of 

the project 

Minimize damage to structures , also 

when this requires a longer route 

Repair immediately after finalization 



the project so improvements can 

benefit and sustain their activities 



the project 

Do not drill explosion holes near 

houses 

119 

Significance 

with 

mitigation 

3 

3 

3 

3



(Potential) 


according to 

environmental 

component 

Release of drilling 

waste and other 

pollutants like oil, 

grease and fuel 

may negative 

effect on: 

- crops, garden 

plants and fruit 

trees 

- production 

capacity due to 

decreased soil 

quality or loss of 

irrigation water 

- grassland and 

through thgis on 

cattle 

- ducks or fish 

resulting in 

reduced growth or 

direct kill 

Farmers and 

landowners benefit 

from improved 



arranged according 

to 

environmental 

component 

Significance 

without 

mitigation 

Mitigation 

Measures 

P O C 



the project 

+ 

3 

+ 

3 

+ 

3 

Significance 

without 

mitigation 

P O C 

5.12 SOCIO-ECONOMIC ISSUES 

Social unrest 

develops because 

people have the 

feeling that 

Staatsolie is not 

properly addressing 

Do not drill explosion holes near 

houses or close to water reservoirs 

or ponds 

Involve local people in open 

dialogue to discuss possible benefits 

from infrastructure improvements 

Mitigation 

Measures 

Compensate people if damage occur. 

Take care that no major disturbances 

occur in day-to-day life of the local 

people 

Avoid transport of heavy equipment 

during traffic rush hours. 

120 

Significance 

with 

mitigation 

3 

+2 

Significance 

with 

mitigation



nuisances that they 

experience or 

problems, which 

they believe to have 

been caused by the 

project, for example 

noise, fumes, dust 

and water pollution 

are mentioned. 

These elements have 

already been dealt 

with in other 

paragraphs. 

Additional impacts 

mentioned in the 

survey are: speeding 

vehicles, dangers 

regarding passing 

heavy equipment, 

snakes moving to 

populated areas and 

loss of water basins 

for agriculture. 

General requests of 

respondents 

2 

+ 

5 

2 

+ 

5 

2 

Involve the local people and keep an 

open dialogue during all stages of 

the project as relevant to them 

Pay special attention to the directly 

involved people along access routes 

and at well locations, like the 

owners of the land and the “fish 

holes”, and farmers and residents 

Do not break open roads and dams 

without noticing the local users. 

Additional measures requested by 

the local population are: 

Lower fuel prices, 

Rehabilitate roads in the area 

Look into employment possibilities 

for locals 

Maintain the sidewalks of the roads 

Improve the lights on the roads 

+5 Lower fuel prices, maintenance of 

sidewalks, road lights. 

121 

+5 

3




arranged according 

to 

environmental 

component 

Significance 

without 

mitigation 

P O C 

5.12 HEALTH ISSUES 

• The ecological 

conditions in the area 

are favorable for the 

occurrence of 

Bilharzia 

Schistosomiasis 

• Risks of snake bites 

is evident when 

clearing sites, both 

for neighbors and for 

workers 

2 2 2 

2 

2 

2 

Mitigation 

Measures 

Develop and implement an 

awareness program how to prevent 

the disease for Staatsolie personnel 

and contractors working in the 

project area 

For workers: wear snake bite proof 

boots in case there is strong 

suspicions that snake may occur 

Have personnel checked for allergic 

reactions on snake serum 

Make sure that snake serum is 

available at the nearest medical post 

for people not allergic for snake 

serum 

Have the Staatsolie Contingency 

Plan in place. 

122 

Significance 

with 

mitigation 

3 

3



Annex 6 

References 

Convention on International Trade on Endangered Species of Flora & Fauna (CITES) 

Washington DC, USA, 1973, Appendix 

Convention on Wetlands of International Importance for Waterfowl (Ramsar) , 

Ramsar, Irak 1974 

Haverschmidt F and G.F. Mees, 1994.BIRDS OF SURINAME. VACO press N.V., 

Paramaribo Suriname 

Health Impact Assessment: Developed by a team led by Hilary Samson-Barry, Head of Health 

Development. 

Held M.M, 1985. A literature study on Macaws, internal report LBB in Dutch) 

Suriname Forest Service, Paramaribo, Suriname 

Held M.M, 1981. Verspreiding van enkele papegaaiachtigen in Suriname 

(Distribution of some Parrot species in Suriname) internal report I.O.L. Paramaribo, 

Suriname 

Husson, A.M. 1978 The Mammals of Suriname. Zoological Monograph of the Royal 

Museum of Natural History no. 2. Leiden 

Jong, B. H. J. de, A.L. Spaans and M.M. Held, 1984 Waterfowl and Wetlands in 

Suriname RIN. 

Lindeman, J. 1953. The Vegetation of the coastal region in Suriname 

London Health Commission and the Environment Committee of the Assembly: 

Report of HIA on GLA draft Air Quality Strategy 

National Planning Office Suriname and Organization of American States, 1998 

Suriname planatlas.Washington 

NIMOS 2005.NIMOS National Institute for Environment and Development in 

Suriname – V Power Generating guidelines. 

NIMOS 2009 NIMOS National Institute for Environment and Development in 

Suriname - 1 -Annex 6: Scoping Guidelines.. 

Nimos ….. NIMOS National Institute for Environment and Development in Suriname 

– Wegwijzer voor het Milieu Effecten Analyse Proces in Suriname 

123



IDB Guidelines 

Noordam D and P. Teunissen, 2007 Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment 

of oil Exploration Activities in the Weg naar Zee Prospective Area in Suriname, 

Staatsolie 


of oil Exploration Activities in the Weg naar Zee Prospective Area, Additional Report 

for the WnZ-East Area, Staatsolie 


of the 2D Seismic Survey 2008 in the Coastal Plain of Suriname, Addendum for the 

Weg naar Zee Area, (Draft) Staatsolie 

Ramsar Handbook for the Wise Use of Wetlands on Impact Assessment. 

1977 Scherpenzeel, over de jaargetijden 

Scott, D. A. and Carbonell M. Volume:1986 A Directory of Neotropical Wetlands, 

publ. IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre 

Teunissen, P. A, 1977. Reconaissance Map – Suriname Lowland Ecosystems (Coastal 

Plain and Savanna Belt). De Walburg Press Zutphen, Netherlands 

Werkgroep Estuariene Kuststrook, 1976 

124

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