EA Frameworks Case Study Tajikistan Community Agriculture & Watershed Management The World Bank Europe & Central Asia Region Biskek,Tblisi March/April 2008
Project Safeguard Policy Process Integrated Safeguards Data Sheet (ISDS) Trigger 4.01/4.09 EA EMP EA Pest Management Plan Project Appraisal Document (PAD) identifies triggered safeguards, project classification, and safeguard provisions PAD Annex 10 Safeguard Policy Issues Legal Covenants: Implement with agreed EMP & PMP
Project Components Rural Production Investments ($12 million): farm productivity investments, land resource management, rural infrastructure (average $4800) Institutional Support and Capacity Building ($4.3 million): research and demonstration, community mobilization and subproject preparation Project Management and Coordination ($3.6 million): national project management unit, project coordination units for 4 watersheds, and evaluation
Rural Production Investments: Farm productivity investments - input for annual crops, horticulture, livestock, processing, distribution, leasing, credit facilities Land resource management land groups apply soil conservation, moisture management, investments such as horticulture, woodlots, fodder Rural infrastructure drinking water, small irrigation, rural track rehabilitation, small power generation
Potential Impacts The environmental impact is expected to be largely positive. Potential negative impacts could result from poor design and implementation: soil erosion due to poorly managed farm management systems and degradation of adjacent natural habitats and plant species; improper and indiscriminate disposal of animal wastes; environmental damages caused by improper construction activities; and increased use of pesticides and fertilizers resulting in increased pollution of surface and groundwater
EA/Environmental Management Framework - disclosed WB EA Policy & EA Requirements Tajikistan Environmental Policy and EA Requirements EA Frameworks for Subprojects - procedures for subproject environmental assessment, - roles and responsibilities for implementation, - environmental management guidelines, - environmental monitoring and supervision arrangements, - institutional strengthening steps
EA/Pest Management Plan- disclosed Provisions of integrated pest management assessment, development, training, and networking Replacement of harmful pesticide regimes with environmentally friendly alternatives
Additional Key Attributes Minor impacts from small works will follow proper design standards. Before approval, authorities will verify subprojects comply with relevant national. local environmental laws and regulations and be consistent with Bank policy and procedures. Projects will be reviewed by different authorities depending on the overall project cost. As a condition of disbursement, the PMU was required to hire an Environmental Specialist. $50,000 was allocated for training and equipment to enhance environmental assessment and management of government, civil society and project related staff
Operational Manual - 2005 Initial communications Initial participatory analysis by local inhabitants Indicative descriptions of potential rural production investment activities Group process and eligibility guidelines Village and CIG organizational issues Involvement of Jamoat Development Committee Involvement of Watershed Development Committee and State Level Steering Committee Involvement of Project Management Unit, Project Coordination Unit, contracted facilitators and specialists, and line agency personnel
Operational Manual - 2005 Annex 1 lists possible tools to be used in the participatory analysis Annex 2 provides an indicative list of detailed questions on feasibility and eligibility that the subproject proposals will need to address Annex 3 provides a format for the subproject Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Annex 4 outlines a checklist for project committees to use when reviewing subproject proposals, and Annex 5 provides suggested terms of reference for the NGO contracts.
Operational Manual Annex 4 Environmental Soundness & Sustainability Does the subproject involve pest management, and if so, are integrated pest management methods being proposed? Will the subproject generate any wastes during construction or operation (air, liquid or solid)? If so, how will these be handled? Have measures been devised to prevent, minimize or treat these wastes? Have measures been devised for ultimate disposal of any waste residues? Does the subproject involve land use? If so, does the subproject design provide for sustainable land resource management? Does the subproject impact endangered plant or animal species (e.g., risk of invasive exotic weeds, conversion of natural habitats)? If so have alternative site and design options been evaluated to prevent or minimize these impacts? Does the subproject affect any surface or ground water sources? If so, have the impacts on downstream users been assessed and measures provided for source protection?
Operational Manual Annex 4 Environmental Soundness & Sustainability Does the subproject site present environmentally viable location and have alternative sites been considered for the proposed activity? Have alternative activities been considered for the proposed site? Does the subproject require an Environmental Management Plan (EMP), or a limited environmental assessment plus EMP? If so, has the raion level environmental inspector cleared the subproject (if subproject requires financing US$5,000 or below) or make recommendations (if required financing is US$5,000 or more)? If requiring more than US$5000 financing or special cases, has the Ministry of Nature Protection provided environmental clearance? If an EMP is required, is the capacity for implementing and monitoring the EMP adequate? If an EMP is required, have its costs been accounted for? Might the subproject have environmental implications for other subprojects, and if so, have these subprojects been considered within a larger planning context?
Community-level environmental assessments Key Environmental Categories and Questions Examples of Category Questions 1a) Surface Water: How will/does the subproject activity affect surface water runoff? How will/does it affect the peaks (flood discharges)? How will/does it affect the amount of water flow? 2 Vegetation: How will/does the subproject affect the quantity/amount of vegetation in the area covered? Will the amount of vegetation be reduced or increased overall? How will/does the subproject affect the demand on trees, bushes, grasses, etc? Will the demand increase or decrease?
Community-level environmental assessments 3a) Soil Erosion:Where land surfaces will be /are affected by the subproject, will/does the subproject produce favorable or unfavorable results? Will erosion be more or less likely as a result of the subproject activities? 4 BiodiversityHow will/does the subproject affect the natural fauna and flora? How will/does the subproject affect natural regeneration of vegetation? How will/does the subproject affect the demand for local biodiversity?
Community-level environmental assessments 6 Legal: What official approvals are needed in order to implement the subproject? Do subproject activities violate local/national regulations?