Environmental and Social Questionnaire
Dams and Hydro Power
The numbers in parentheses refer to the “Guide for filling in the Questionnaires”. The guide also contains the definitions this questionnaire is based on. 
Please answer the following questions. As the answers can differ in terms of range and form depending on the project, the questionnaire is provided as a rich text file.

Project:
Company:
Date:
Application Number: 

1.	Provide a brief but comprehensive description 
a)	of the project as applied for cover, including the relevant technology. 
b)	of the overall project incl. its purpose (e.g. power generation, irrigation, flood control). [5] 
c)	of any associated facilities (e.g. transmission lines) of the project. 
d)	In case of dam projects, please also complete the table below.

Hydrology
Name of river		
Minimum, maximum and average flow at proposed dam site 		
Minimum residual flow		

Reservoir Area
Maximum reservoir area and volume		
Minimum and maximum flow discharge		
Average annual flow discharge		

Dam Body
Type of dam body		
Dam height above foundation		
Crest length and width		

2.	Provide a description of the project site including area of influence, geography, climate, ecology and seismological conditions of the region. Is the project located in or near a geographic area designated for environmental protection such as national parks, tropical rainforests, coral reefs, or World Biosphere Reserves etc.? [7]
Are any archaeological or cultural sites located in or near the project area?
Attach an overview and a detailed map of the location. Provide GPS project coordinates (in degrees, minutes, seconds).
If the project is also used for irrigation purposes, please provide further information on the size of the area to be irrigated, the type of crops and the water quality.
How will the project change the water regime downstream?

3.	Please elaborate on the effects resulting from downstream hydrological changes and the impacts caused on ecosystems, social aspects, and political consequences. Please also state the respective budget allocations and parties/authorities in charge.
Please specify if the project will cause the loss of habitat for threatened and/or endangered flora and fauna species (these species are generally either listed in Annex I, II or III of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (see attached link-list) and which monitoring and mitigation measures are envisaged to reduce possible adverse impacts.

4.	Please provide a description of the existing and planned infrastructure (roads, railways) incl. transmission line corridors.

5.	Has an ESIA (Environmental and Social Impact Assessment) or any other environmental and social study (e.g. on fauna, flora, aquatic life, cultural heritage, geology etc) been carried out? 
If yes, provide date, author, language and availability of the study as well as the standards that were used. If possible, please forward a copy of the study to OeKB (either in English or German).
If not, please explain why.

6.	Standards
a)	Specify the local environmental and social standards and legislation which have to be adhered to as per design. 
b)	Specify the international environmental and social standards against which the project is benchmarked (e.g. World Bank Safeguard Principles or the IFC Performance Standards). 
c)	Note any other international guidelines and recommendations which are followed and provide reasons for their selection (e.g. IHA, WCD).
d)	In case of large scale dam projects, please indicate if and in the affirmative to what extent the Recommendations of the World Commission on Dams (WCD) or the Sustainability Guidelines of the IHA (International Hydropower Association,) have been taken into account.

7.	Please describe the present water quality of the river and the expected impacts of the project (e.g. impoundment) on the water quality.

8.	Please describe possible socioeconomic and sociocultural impacts, including human rights impacts, of the project regarding: [8]
a)	Labour and working conditions (e.g. child labour, forced labour, freedom of association) 
b)	Community health, safety and security 
c)	Acquisition of land and right of property 
d)	Living standard (e.g. at or near the project location, accommodation)
e)	Discrimination (e.g. in employment situation; race, migrant workers, gender)
f)	Data protection and privacy
g)	Access to services (e.g. drinking water, sanitation, electricity) 
h)	In case of resettlement, please state
•	the status and number of people affected
•	if indigenous populations are affected 
•	details on public hearings with the affected population (number of hearings, participants, dates, locations, outcome,..)
•	if a resettlement action plan (RAP) has been prepared and approved 
•	if yes, please state by whom and specify date, author (responsible parties), and availability of this study. Please also forward a copy (if possible in English or German) of this report to us. 
•	if not, please provide detailed information on envisaged monitoring and mitigation measures as well as on the respective budget allocations and responsibilities
i) 	if and when the stakeholders (e.g. local community, NGOs) have been informed and consulted in the resettlement process
j)	give details on any compensation for people affected.
k)	if the compensation is provided in monetary or material assets
l)	Will emergency plans (information, evacuation, etc.) be in place before the filling of the reservoir and which authority will be in charge of implementing them? 
m)	Any other (e.g. grievance mechanism)

9.	Describe any measures for mitigation of adverse environmental and social impacts (e.g. upgrading or construction of wastewater treatment plants upstream of the dam).

10.	Describe your role and responsibilities in the project with respect to design, construction, operation, and coordination.

11.	Have any concerns about this project been raised by the local community, NGOs or any other party? If yes, please provide details (e.g. type of concern, date, by whom).

12.	What are the environmental and/or social benefits resulting from this project?
Which aspects of the project contribute to its sustainability?

13.	Other / Additional Information

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We, the applicant, declare that the data and information supplied in this questionnaire are made to the best of our knowledge, are true and that we do not omit any information known to us which is material to OeKB’s environmental and social impact assessment of the project.
Environmental information is subject to specific legal regulations. The Austrian Federal Minister of Finance and Oesterreichische Kontrollbank Aktiengesellschaft in its function as trustee of the Republic of Austria appointed under the Export Guarantees Act § 5 (1) are obliged to grant free access to environmental information. 
We acknowledge that according to the Environmental Information Act (“UIG - Umweltinformationsgesetz”) this questionnaire or data contained therein have to be made available to any person requesting environmental information.

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Place and date				Company and signature