INTEGRATED SAFEGUARDS DATASHEET APPRAISAL STAGE

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1 Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized I. Basic Information Date prepared/updated: 11/12/2007 INTEGRATED SAFEGUARDS DATASHEET APPRAISAL STAGE Report No.: AC Basic Project Data Country: Dominican Republic Project ID: P Project Name: DO (APL1) WAT.&SANI.TOUR.AREAS Task Team Leader: Manuel G. Marino Estimated Appraisal Date: December 3, Estimated Board Date: February 27, Managing Unit: LCSUW Lending Instrument: Adaptable Program Loan Sector: General water, sanitation and flood protection sector (100%) Theme: Infrastructure services for private sector development (P);Pollution management and environmental health (S) IBRD Amount (US$m.): IDA Amount (US$m.): 0.00 GEF Amount (US$m.): 0.00 PCF Amount (US$m.): 0.00 Other financing amounts by source: Borrower Environmental Category: A - Full Assessment Simplified Processing Simple [] Repeater [] Is this project processed under OP 8.50 (Emergency Recovery) or OP 8.00 (Rapid Response to Crises and Emergencies) [ ] No [] 2. Project Objectives The objectives of the first phase of the proposed APL (the Project, APL I) are: (i) strengthening and consolidating the policy framework of the water and sanitation sector in the Dominican Republic; (ii) improving and expanding access to sanitation and wastewater treatment and disposal services in the Puerto Plata region; (iii) improving the financial and operational performance of CORAAPLATA, the region?s water utility; and (iv) enhancing operational and commercial performance of other regional utilities and preparing them to participate in the second phase of the Program (APL II). 3. Project Description The Project will have the components described below: Component 1: Technical Assistance for Sector Development (estimated cost US$ 3.3 million of which US$ 3.3 million Bank financing). Component 1 of the Project will support efforts to strengthen and consolidate the water and sanitation sector policy framework. The component will finance technical assistance for the development of the National Strategy for the sector, to strengthen the capacity of national policy and regulatory institutions and improve technical, commercial and

2 operational performance of water and sanitation utilities, including targeted training. Specifically, the component would finance: (a) National Strategy for the Water and Sanitation Sector: The Project will finance consultant services and training for the design of a National Strategy for the sector, as well as to identify key reforms needed. The strategic framework will define: (i) sector financing mechanisms; (ii) performance targets for the decentralized utilities; (iii) tariffs and subsidies policies; and (iv) mechanisms for the monitoring and evaluation of compliance. The framework will also propose a division of roles and responsibilities for implementing sector policies among active institutions and agencies. The Project will also include support for the operation of the Water Sector Council to facilitate interagency dialogue and coordination. (b) Institutional Modernization and Strengthening of Utilities: The component will finance consultant services and equipment for a first phase of a national institutional modernization and strengthening program to support the improvement of technical and management capacity in public utilities. Specifically, for utilities willing to enter into a?performance and Financial Support Agreements?, the component will finance: (i) medium-term business plans; (ii) modernization of consumer cadastre; and (iii) leakage reduction campaigns. Support under this subcomponent would also include feasibility studies, designs and environmental impact assessments for works to be financed under APL II. The?Performance and Financial Support Agreements? would outline the specific areas for financing and establish operational and commercial targets over the period of the APL I. Reaching these targets will in effect qualify utilities to receive financing for works and continued technical assistance under APL II. (c) Watershed Management Plans and Strategic Environmental Assessment: In the context of the preparation of the National Strategy for the water and sanitation sector, the Project will finance consultant services to develop two of its keystone elements: (i) criteria for the design of Watershed Management Plans aimed at improving regional environmental management capacity and protecting and reclaiming coastal watersheds (also called Proyectos de Directrices); and (ii) a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for the northern coast. Watershed management plans would eventually constitute the comprehensive planning basis for the future management of coastal watersheds. The ultimate goal is to develop management plans that, taking advantage of the recreational and economic potential of these watersheds, help protect and improve the quality of river and coastal areas. The SEA would assess north coast development alternatives and design strategies for environmental management compatible with the long-term regional economic development and preservation goals. The assessment also aims to incorporate a broader analysis of competitiveness of the regional tourism sector and related issues of environmental sustainability and management. In this regard, the SEA will evaluate the current and future development trends and plans, as well as alternatives for sustainable pollution control, including the possible construction of additional submarine outfalls for the disposal of wastewater discharges for the region. The SEA will provide a planning baseline and establish future goals and plans for the improvement of environmental quality, including land management objectives for the region. (d) Environmental Education and Public Participation Campaign: The Project will finance a national environmental education and public participation campaign with the

3 objective of both increasing the involvement of a broad cross-section of consumers in the sector reform process and raising the environmental and sector awareness of critical stakeholders and beneficiaries. The campaign will have the specific objectives of: (i) mitigating the potential social and political risks of the Project and the broader strategic reform program by providing accurate and timely information to relevant stakeholders; (ii) engage key governmental, institutional and civil society stakeholders in an informed dialogue around specific aspects of the reform program; (iii) generate public support for the Project and the principal technical components; and (iv) cultivate a greater demandresponsiveness and consumer awareness amongst utilities with the ultimate aim of improving performance. The campaign will be designed in detail during the first year of implementation and will have the additional objective of identifying successful mechanisms for civic education and participation that can be mainstreamed under APL II. Component 2: Rehabilitation and Expansion of Sanitation Services in Puerto Plata (estimated cost US$ 26.8 million, of which US$ million Bank financed) This component will finance: (a) investments to rehabilitate and improve access to sanitation in the Puerto Plata region; (b) investments to rehabilitate the wastewater treatment plant in San Felipe de Puerto Plata and to study, design and construct submarine outfalls in San Felipe de Puerto Plata and Cabarete; and (c) technical assistance to improve performance and efficiency of CORAAPLATA, to supervise Project investments and to prepare detailed designs for this Project and for APL II. (a) Rehabilitation and Improved Access to Sanitation: A technical, environmental and financial feasibility study was conducted between 1998 and 2000 which identified a medium-term investment plan in the water and sanitation sector in the Puerto Plata region. Investments tentatively identified for this Project are based on this earlier investment program. Specifically, the proposed Project will finance the rehabilitation and expansion of priority sewerage networks and pumping stations in the area of Sosua and Montellano, and in intermediary locations such as Playa Dorada, La Union, and Bombita. These works are critical for the operation of CORAAPLATA and the sustainability of the services provided and for the ability of the utility to reach near full coverage for sanitation in urban areas. Through these investments the Project will finance expanded sewerage to benefit over 18,000 persons in these localities, and major elements of the wastewater collection and treatment systems, such as trunk sewers and pre-treatments facilities, all linked to facilities built under the LIL. (b) Wastewater Treatment and Disposal: The Project will finance the rehabilitation of the wastewater treatment plant of San Felipe de Puerto Plata, a four basins lagoon that receives wastewaters from this city and small localities in its surroundings. The project will also finance the feasibility studies, designs and construction of the submarine outfall to discharge treated wastewaters from this plant and from Cabarete?s treatment plant, as well as the interconnection of the Playa Dorada hotel complex to the San Felipe system. (c) Technical Assistance to CORAAPLATA: The Project will finance consultant services, training and equipment to support CORAAPLATA to improve its operational and commercial performance. Specifically, this component will finance the preparation of (i) a comprehensive strategic business plan; (ii) institutional strengthening and efficiency improvement programs to bring the utility to reasonable levels of management, operational efficiency and financial viability; (iii) a baseline-and-after Project analysis; and (iv) detailed project designs and feasibility studies. As indicated above, among these

4 studies the Project will finance the feasibility studies needed to select the best option of treatment and disposal of wastewaters in San Felipe de Puerto Plata and in Cabarete, as well as detailed engineering designs for the construction of these outfalls. Given the interest expressed by both the Government and CORAAPLATA to further involve the private sector in the provision of the water and sanitation services, this potential involvement, modalities, scope and arrangements would be analyzed and discussed during the first year of Project implementation. Should CORAAPLATA management and the government decide to undertake a form of private sector participation; the Project will finance consultant services to assist CORAAPLATA in the design and processing of this transaction. Component 3: Program Administration (estimated cost US$ 3.9 million, including US$ 0.75 million Bank financing) Component 3 will finance costs associated with program management. Loan proceeds will be used to finance Project related audits, equipment, training and technical assistance to strengthen the SEEPYD and CORAAPLATA, as well as individual consultants, with qualifications and experience under terms of reference acceptable to the Bank, for the following purposes: (i) external advisory services on procurement; (ii) monitoring and evaluation; and (iii) specialized individual consultants to support the implementation of the Project, subject to prior approval of the Bank. The Bank will not finance from loan proceeds the salaries and other recurrent costs for either SEEPYD or CORAAPLATA. These costs will be financed through Government and CORAAPPLATA resources, allocated to the Project. 4. Project Location and salient physical characteristics relevant to the safeguard analysis The Project will be implemented in the Greater Puerto Plata region, including the city of Puerto Plata and the neighboring areas of Sosua, Cabarete, Playa Dorada and Montellano. Watershed degradation is common in coastal areas of including Puerto Plata, as is illegal or unplanned occupation of the lower parts of most of these small river basins. In many cases, such as in the Greater Puerto Plata area, hotel centers gave rise to the development of uncontrolled peri-urban communities inhabited by low-income families, who provide formal and informal services to hotels and tourists. These communities lack basic water and sanitation services, something that directly affects the health and quality of life of their dwellers, but also contributes to the pollution of rivers and coastal areas. Water scarcity in coastal areas is also increasing in recent years, mainly because of poor management of water demand, high unaccounted for water consumption in urban areas, and watershed degradation (springs located at the upper basins constitute the main source of water supply to coastal localities, particularly in periods of drought). Although the Dominican Republic, and within it the province of Puerto Plata, has many areas of high environmental value, most works to be financed under the project will be located on public roads or on public land (as in the case of the expansions of sewerage networks and the rehabilitation of the San Felipe wastewater treatment plant) where no valuable vegetation, fauna or physical elements will be affected. Similarly, no resettlement or land acquisition is foreseen under the project.

5 The coastal area in the province of Puerto Plata is well known for the tropical beaches and coral reefs, particularly those located in the vicinity of Sosua, which have been its main tourist attraction and, despite past aggressions they have suffered, still remain the basis for its most important engine for development. This coastal area is also characterized by its steep gradients, reaching significant depths (over 50 m) within the first kilometer. Consistent with its objective of preserving the quality of coastal waters and its natural values, the project foresees the location of the submarine outfall for San Felipe in an area where no coral reefs are present (around the port of Puerto Plata), and only so after extensive and detailed studies prove that the proposed solution does not have negative environmental impacts (see below). 5. Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialists Ms Mary Lisbeth Gonzalez (LCSUW) Mr Jose Gil-Diaz (LCSPE) Mr Marco Antonio Zambrano Chavez (LCSTR) 6. Safeguard Policies Triggered No Environmental Assessment (OP/BP 4.01) Natural Habitats (OP/BP 4.04) Forests (OP/BP 4.36) Pest Management (OP 4.09) Physical Cultural Resources (OP/BP 4.11) Indigenous Peoples (OP/BP 4.10) Involuntary Resettlement (OP/BP 4.12) Safety of Dams (OP/BP 4.37) Projects on International Waterways (OP/BP 7.50) Projects in Disputed Areas (OP/BP 7.60) II. Key Safeguard Policy Issues and Their Management A. Summary of Key Safeguard Issues 1. Describe any safeguard issues and impacts associated with the proposed project. Identify and describe any potential large scale, significant and/or irreversible impacts: A. Summary of Key Safeguard Issues The Project design is structured with two principal components. Component 1 will finance technical assistance for the development of a national water and sanitation sector strategy as well as targeted technical assistance to the principal Corporaciones de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (CORAAs) for business planning and operational improvements. Component 2 will finance both: (i) investments in the expansion of network sanitation in Puerto Plata region, rehabilitation and expansion of treatment facilities and appropriate wastewater disposal infrastructure; and (ii) a package of technical assistance for CORAAPLATA to facilitate operational and commercial improvements. Capital investments under component 2 of the proposed Project were originally analyzed and developed under the Proyecto de Agua Potable y Saneamiento en Centro

6 Tur?sticos (PASCT) and constitute a continuation of the investments supported under the previous LIL. Specifically, the investment program involves a combination of: (i) identified investments in the expansion of network sanitation in Sosua, La Union, Montellano and Cabarete; (ii) to be determined investments in treatment and disposal of wastewater in Puerto Plata and Cabarete. The expansion of network sanitation infrastructure will involve traditional and largely uncomplicated investments in pumping stations and primary and secondary networks. The expansion, rehabilitation and construction of wastewater treatment and disposal infrastructure will involve an undetermined combination of treatment and disposal levels and methodologies. These investments will require additional feasibility assessment under implementation to determine the specific designs. The anticipated environmental and social impacts of this revised investment program are considered to be largely positive with no foreseeable adverse impacts. Two subprojects have already been identified for project financing: (i) the installation of approximately 67 km of new sewerage lines and a pumping station in Sosua, and (ii) the installation of approximately 61 km of new sewage lines, four pumping stations, and associated infrastructure in Montellano. In both cases, the sewage collected would eventually be piped to an existing marine outfall in Sosua. For these subprojects, site-specific EIA and EMP documents were submitted. These documents (presented together as Chapter III of the overall package) contain detailed descriptions of the two subprojects, and assert that all work will be carried out within existing rights-ofway with no direct impacts on existing buildings or property. Any unforeseen impacts of such type will be addressed through the Project?s Resettlement Policy Framework. Based on the current Project design, the task team recommends that the Project trigger the Bank safeguard policies for Environmental Assessment (OP/BP4.01), Natural Habitats (OP/BP 4.04), Physical Cultural Resources (OP/BP 4.11), and Involuntary Resettlement (OP/BP 4.12). The team concurs with the previous Safeguards Categorization of?a?. The remainder of this section outlines the proposed environmental assessment approach for the Project. Environmental Assessment The Project involves a mix of identified investments for the expansion of sanitation networks in Puerto Plata, Sosua, La Union, Montellano and Cabarete, interconnection with infrastructure built under the LIL, and unidentified investments for the treatment and disposal of wastewater in the Puerto Plata and Cabarete areas. The Government of Dominican Republic is in the process of obtaining the environmental licenses for the network expansion and interconnection investments, and has developed an Environmental Assessment package (including overall EA report, Environmental Management Framework, site-specific EIAs and EMPs for known subprojects in Sosua and Montellano, socioeconomic analysis of project area, generic Terms of Reference for possible future submarine outfall investments, and documentation of consultations) and a Resettlement Policy Framework for this Category?A? project. The overarching package has been appraised by the Bank during preparation in compliance with these above mentioned safeguard policies.

7 The project s key safeguard policy issues relate to the possible impacts of the civil works to be constructed under components (2) of the project entails the execution of enlargement and rehabilitation of the priority macro production systems, storage, distribution networks and pumping stations in the area of Puerto Plata, Sosua and Cabarete, and in intermediary locations such as Playa Dorada, Montellano, La Union, and Bombita. The project will also finance expanded sewerage, to benefit over 18,000 persons along the Sosua River, La Union, Montellano and Sabaneta de Cangrejo, and major elements of the wastewater collection and treatment systems, such as trunk sewers and pre-treatments facilities, as well as feasibility studies, detailed engineering design and the construction of the treatment plants and submarine outfalls in Cabarete and Puerto Plata. An Environmental Assessment was undertaken during project preparation including the preparation of the TORs of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies for the treatment plants and submarine outfalls in Cabarete and Puerto Plata; and TORs of the Environmental Impact Declaration (EID) for the B Category subprojects (San Felipe, Sos?a Playa Dorada y Montellano). The TORs of the B subprojects was approved by the Environmental Authority (SEMARENA). All subprojects will be screened for Safeguards issues related to their location, including potential for impacts on natural habitats, sensitive areas, local populations, applying the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF). The screening criteria include the classification of projects according to the type of project works and environmental sensitivity. This classification determines the level of social and environmental risk and the measures to mitigate them. The rest of the project?s components are institutional strengthening components and are not expected to have specific environmental implications. The project?s safeguard-related procedures must ensure that subprojects comply with national environmental laws and regulations as well as Bank environmental and social safeguard policies, that any cumulative impacts are addressed, that environmental and social impacts are managed through application of appropriate guidelines, that appropriate oversight mechanisms are established, that project benefits are extended in a culturally appropriate manner to indigenous populations who live within the areas (if required), that any land acquisition and resettlement of people is done in an acceptable manner, and that adequate procedures are in place for the protection of cultural property. These issues are addressed through the Environmental and Social Management Framework, and the Resettlement Framework, each of which is outlined below. Environmental Assessment Policy [OP 4.01] In accordance with OP 4.01, an Environmental Assessment Report was undertaken by the SEEPyD which identify the potential impacts associated with the types of subprojects envisioned for the Project, and developing appropriate mitigation measures to offset those

8 impacts. The Report includes the following analyses: (i) updated analysis of the institutional and legal context of environmental assessments for the water and sanitation sector; (ii) analysis of the environmental studies undertaken in regards to water and sanitation; (iii) environmental assessment of a list of sub-projects which are going to be financed by the project. The results of this EAR were used for the formulation of the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF). Subprojects will be subject to the environmental and social screening, assessment, monitoring and supervision procedures set forth in the Safeguards annex. Natural Habitat Policy [OP 4.04] In accordance with OP 4.04, Terms of Reference of EIA for the Treatment Plant and Submarine Outfalls were prepared and disclosed to area stakeholders. These studies will be prepared during Project implementation and will need to comply with the Environmental Authority (Environmental License issue by SEMARENA) and the ESMF of the Project, and will be reviewed and approved by the Bank before construction starts. Cultural Property Policy [OPN 11.03] The cultural Property Policy is considered applicable because of the nature of the works supported by the Project. Although it is not considered that the project would affect culturally important sites, as part of the EIA and the DIA study this issue will be evaluated, and if found warranted, adequate mitigation measures such as?chance finding? procedures for construction, will be incorporated in all the construction contracts. Resettlement Policy [OP 4.12] Water supply installations, sewerage, wastewater treatment plants and submarines outfalls may require land purchase for pumping stations and treatment installations as well as acquisition for rights-of-way for laying and maintenance of pipes. It is possible that some subprojects may require the resettlement of individual households. However, it is not expected that subprojects would require resettlement action plans to be developed. An Involuntary Resettlement Framework (IRF) was elaborated to ensure that any subprojects that might involve either land acquisition or resettlement of any people will comply with both national law and the Bank?s OP 4.12 Policy. As subprojects are considered for financing, a screening mechanism will identify those that require land acquisition and thus further consideration of resettlement issues. The framework describes the general context for the sector, the objectives and principles of any resettlement to be caused by the project, the legal context, the process for the preparation of a resettlement plan, the content of a plan, the process for its execution, the required institutional organization and, finally, the financing of the plan. Any resettlement plan will be submitted to SEEPyD and the Bank for review and clearance.

9 2. Describe any potential indirect and/or long term impacts due to anticipated future activities in the project area: Small subprojects may not have any significant impact when evaluated individually, but when looked at in the context of the rehabilitation and construction of the treatment plants and submarine outfall can cause significant environmental impacts. Potential negative impacts generally associated with water supply, sewerage, and wastewater projects could be: - Impacts due to construction practices, e.g. noise, dust. - Degradation of sensitive environments due to discharge of wastewater. - Degradation of neighborhoods or receiving water body quality from sewer overflows, - Treatment works bypasses, or treatment process failures. - Public health hazards in the vicinity of discharges. - Odors, noise and emission of volatile organics from treatment processes. - Sludge disposal issues. No accumulative impacts or long term impacts was identified 3. Describe any project alternatives (if relevant) considered to help avoid or minimize adverse impacts. Adverse impacts from the failure of the pumping stations will be mitigated by the standard practice of inclusion of emergency generators to guarantee their functionality during energy supply failures, as well as return valves to prevent the spilling of untreated sewage in the case of breakdowns. Standard engineering practices also foresee the installation of backup redundant pumps in all cases. In addition, in the case of emergencies, the standard document to be made available in the Dominican Republic for these cases will be the Manual for Attention to Emergencies and Disasters. This document will be carried out by the corresponding contracting entity, in this case CORAPLAATA, who will cover the costs of development and dissemination in order to account for small adaptations to the Project. 4. Describe measures taken by the borrower to address safeguard policy issues. Provide an assessment of borrower capacity to plan and implement the measures described. Dominican Republic has a legal and institutional framework to ensure an adequate environmental and social management in the water and sanitation sector. SEMARENA is the Environmental authority responsible of the Environmental License and Permission requested by the institution responsible of the projects execution. In the first phase of the Project, COORAAPLATA will be the institution in charge of the execution of subproject. COORAAPLATA has established an environmental division. Capacity improvement activities will be undertaken as part of the implementation of the project (Strengthening of Environmental and Social Management).

10 The Plan presented in the EAR identifies specific capacity building needs within the sector to ensure adequate environmental and social management of the Project. Costs for capacity building are included in Project costs. Each subproject will follow good practice environmental guidelines, the development of which will be supported by the Project. The objective of these guidelines is to ensure compliance with all Bank policies, and to define the best environmental practices for each type of expected subproject and/or activity. These guidelines will build upon existing government and/or World Bank documents, and will be developed before project implementation. 5. Identify the key stakeholders and describe the mechanisms for consultation and disclosure on safeguard policies, with an emphasis on potentially affected people. Considered stakeholders include representatives from the PCU, CORAAPLATA and local government as well as representatives from the regional private sector, civil society, NGOs, leaders of community organizations and the press (print, radio, and TV). A public consultation was held with these stakeholders on June 11, 2007 to review: (i) the proposed investment program; (ii) a draft environmental management framework which defines environmental screening, analysis, approvals and mitigation measures; (iii) terms of reference for the EIA to be carried out on those yet undefined investments in wastewater treatment and disposal; (iv) draft resettlement framework; and (v) terms of reference for social assessment to be carried out under implementation. Key findings and recommendations from the consultation included: 1) To involve the municipalities in a more specific way, through coordination under the environmental management of the project and other procedures associated with its implementation. 2) Considering that many participants emphasized the importance of environmental education, it was agreed that CORAAPLATA and SEEPYD would involve key local groups (ie. neighborhood juntas, local NGOs, municipal representatives, representatives of the hotel associations) in all of the environmental activities during the planning, implementation, supervision and operation of the Project. 3) The meeting pointed out the success of the pilot program,?environmental Management of the Cambelen Cuenca?, implemented by the Cluster Turistico PP, with the support of CORAAPLATA to complement the environmental education through a set of investments in works to mitigate the dumping of solid waste into the Cuenca. It was agreed that the environmental education activities in the Project would develop, in a complementary way, the possible replication or expansion of the program in the areas of intervention of the Project. 4) It was agreed that SEEPYD would annually, through the Project and CORAAPLATA, convene a seminar at the regional level and invite the neighborhood juntas, local NGOs, municipal representatives, and representatives of the hotel associations to discuss the advances of the Project.

11 5) Considering that the participants emphasized the importance of identifying a defined solution for the management and disposal of solid waste at the regional level, it was agreed that the Strategic Environmental Assessment will analyze in more depth the issue of solid waste and propose an action plan and/or strategy for the development of a regional system to manage solid waste. A report summarizing the results and key findings of the consultation has been prepared and included in the EA package available with SEEPYD and CORAAPLATA offices, and on respective websites for both organizations. B. Disclosure Requirements Date Environmental Assessment/Audit/Management Plan/Other: Was the document disclosed prior to appraisal? Date of receipt by the Bank 06/11/2007 Date of "in-country" disclosure 06/22/2007 Date of submission to InfoShop 11/08/2007 For category A projects, date of distributing the Executive 11/09/2007 Summary of the EA to the Executive Directors Resettlement Action Plan/Framework/Policy Process: Was the document disclosed prior to appraisal? Date of receipt by the Bank 06/11/2007 Date of "in-country" disclosure 06/22/2007 Date of submission to InfoShop 11/08/2007 * If the project triggers the Pest Management and/or Physical Cultural Resources, the respective issues are to be addressed and disclosed as part of the Environmental Assessment/Audit/or EMP. If in-country disclosure of any of the above documents is not expected, please explain why: C. Compliance Monitoring Indicators at the Corporate Level (to be filled in when the ISDS is finalized by the project decision meeting) OP/BP/GP Environment Assessment Does the project require a stand-alone EA (including EMP) report? If yes, then did the Regional Environment Unit or Sector Manager (SM) review and approve the EA report? Are the cost and the accountabilities for the EMP incorporated in the credit/loan? OP/BP Natural Habitats Would the project result in any significant conversion or degradation of critical natural habitats? If the project would result in significant conversion or degradation of other

12 (non-critical) natural habitats, does the project include mitigation measures acceptable to the Bank? OP/BP Physical Cultural Resources Does the EA include adequate measures related to cultural property? Does the credit/loan incorporate mechanisms to mitigate the potential adverse impacts on cultural property? OP/BP Involuntary Resettlement Has a resettlement plan/abbreviated plan/policy framework/process framework (as appropriate) been prepared? If yes, then did the Regional unit responsible for safeguards or Sector Manager review the plan? The World Bank Policy on Disclosure of Information Have relevant safeguard policies documents been sent to the World Bank s Infoshop? Have relevant documents been disclosed in-country in a public place in a form and language that are understandable and accessible to project-affected groups and local NGOs? All Safeguard Policies Have satisfactory calendar, budget and clear institutional responsibilities been prepared for the implementation of measures related to safeguard policies? Have costs related to safeguard policy measures been included in the project cost? Does the Monitoring and Evaluation system of the project include the monitoring of safeguard impacts and measures related to safeguard policies? Have satisfactory implementation arrangements been agreed with the borrower and the same been adequately reflected in the project legal documents? D. Approvals Signed and submitted by: Name Date Task Team Leader: Mr Manuel G. Marino 11/07/2007 Environmental Specialist: Mr Jose Gil-Diaz 11/07/2007 Social Development Specialist Ms Mary Lisbeth Gonzalez 11/07/2007 Additional Environmental and/or Social Development Specialist(s): Mr Marco Antonio Zambrano Chavez 11/07/2007 Approved by: Regional Safeguards Coordinator: Mr Reidar Kvam 11/07/2007 Comments: Sector Manager: Ms Anna Wellenstein 11/08/2007 Comments: