Jordan Hotels and Tourism Company Limited

completed

Environmental Review Summary (ERS)Project Name JORDAN: Hotel Inter-ContinentalRegion Middle EastSector Hotels and Resorts Project No. 008250 1. This project involves a 125-room expansion and extensive renovation of the Inter-Continental Hotel in Amman. Total rooms will be increased to 491 and a modern health club, underground parking, meeting rooms, and retail space will be added to the property. Telecommunications systems and elevators will be upgraded and replaced as necessary. Fire safety protection measures will be upgraded to ensure compliance with current international standards and applicable World Bank safety guidelines. 2. This is a category B project according to IFC''s environmental review procedure because specific impacts may result which can be avoided or mitigated by adhering to generally recognized performance standards, guidelines or design criteria. The following key environmental health and safety issues were analyzed:· liquid effluent treatment and disposal;· solid waste disposal;· water supply;· dry cleaning solvents;· CFCs;· employee safety training and emergency response; and· fire protection measures.The sponsor has submitted information outlining how the key issues listed above will be addressed. This information is summarized in the paragraphs that follow.3. Sewage and wastewater (from all point sources in the hotel) is discharged via direct sewage links to the Greater Amman Municipality network which is connected to the main sewage treatment plant at Zerka, 25 km from Amman. Dry cleaning machines are closed circuit type and used solvents are recovered by the solvent supplier and disposed of in coordination with local authorities at approved sites.4. All solid wastes are collected by the Amman Greater Municipality and disposed of at approved sites. As per Inter-Continental Group requirements, the hotel maintains an Environmental Committee and follows an Environmental Manual compiled by the International Hotels and Motels Association. Waste minimization, reuse and recycling targets have been evaluated by the hotel, and will be implemented.5. Fresh water is supplied by the local/national water authority via a 4” feeder from a main line. Treatment involves filtration and softening. The sponsor has committed that all cold storage and central cooling systems will be CFC-free.6. Power to the site provided by the national electrical utility (JEPCO). All high voltage electrical equipment is operated and owned by (JEPCO), no transformers are located on site. All off site transformers serving the hotel are PCB-free.7. The hotel will include several boilers for hot water and steam generation. Due to the high sulfur content of fuel available in Jordan, and due to the fact that two of the boilers are over the 4.2 tsteam/hr capacity threshhold limit, alternative fuel or S Ox emissions control equipment is necessary in order to assure compliance with applicable World Bank emissions guidelines. The sponsor is accordingly first proceeding with boiler emissions testing to determine the actual Sox emissions of the boilers. Based on these results either an alternative fuel will be sought or emissions control equipment will be installed. As with fire safety audit discussed below, clarification as to how the sponsors will proceed with regard to this issue will be made a condition of disbursement (COD).8. The sponsors have confirmed that the hotel will be fully refurbished and expanded in accordance with World Bank fire safety guidelines as they apply to new buildings. In order to ensure compliance with these guidelines, the sponsor has committed to conduct, as a COD, an independent fire safety audit of all existing structures and proposed renovation and new construction plans. This audit will identify any compliance shortcomings and recommend corrective action which the sponsor will immediately incorporate into project design. In addition, certification in writing from the project’s engineer/architect that the project will comply with World Bank guidelines for fire prevention and life safety will be provided as a COD.9. All employees will be provided with the necessary safety training in proper work procedures and equipment handling methods. Training will include emergency response preparedness. The hotel maintains an Emergency and Safety Committee, quarterly training and inspections are carried out by the Local Civil Defense. These include training with regard to: fire protection, hazardous equipment, life safety, natural disasters, and bomb threats. All new employees are provided with a handbook outlining safety procedures and policies.10. Based on its review of available information regarding potential environmental impacts and proposed mitigation measures, IFC concludes that, subject to completion of a the agreed Fire Safety Audit and based on the sponsor’s commitment to immediately implement audit recommendations, the proposed project is being designed to meet Government of Jordan requirements, and World Bank policies, and environmental, health and safety guidelines.11. IFC will monitor ongoing compliance with World Bank policies and guidelines during the life of the project by evaluating monitoring reports submitted annually to IFC by the sponsor and by conducting periodic site reviews during project supervision.lb/jordan/intercon.ers