(PESIA) Weg naar Zee 2D Seismic - Staatsolie

P-all consultants Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname N.V.
PESIA Weg naar Zee 2D Seismic 2012
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.
9