.45"/4 /2 -gg

INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION

Program/Activity Data:

Country: Objective:

Activity Name: Funding Period: LOP Amount : lEE Prepared by: lEE Amendment (YIN)

Philippines To provide to local govenUllcnts and citizens the tools necessary to increase peace and stability in the six targeted conflict-affected areas of Mindanao and their surrounding areas. ENGAGE 2012·2017 $22 million Jenna Tajchman Gtajchman@usaid.gov) Date: March 27, 2012 N Date of original lEE: N/A

Environmental Action Recommended:

Categorical Exclusion: Positive Detennination: With Conditions:

[X J [ J [X J

Deferral : Negative Determination: Exemption:

I. BACKGROUND AND ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION

1.1 Purpose and Scope of lEE

[ J [X J [ J

The purpose oflhis lEE, in accordance with 22CFR216, is to provide the first review of the reasonably fo reseeable effects on the environment, as well as recommend Threshold Decisions for the activities under the ENGAGE Program that contribute to the desired result of improving peace and stability in the six target areas. This lEE provides a brief statement of the [actual basis for a Threshold Decision as to whether an Environmental Assessment or an Environmental Impact Statement is required for the activities managed under this program.

J.2 Background

Enhancing Governance, Accountability and Engagement (ENGAGE) seeks to address those factors which allow for continued instabilities in six conflict~affectcd areas ofthc Southern Philippines. The [actors targeted in this project arc : weak local govemment capacity; lack of transparency and accountability, poor service delivery; underdeveloped civil society; lack of avenues for meaningful public participation; and the lack of venues for constituents to articulate and address security issues. Project activities will aim to improve peace and stability in six targeted conflict-affected areas of Mindanao by:

• strengthening the capacity, legitimacy, and transparency and accountability of local governments; and

• increasing the involvement of youth and adults in governance processes through civic education, civil society strengthening and the promotion ofmeehanisms [or participation (e.g. local councils and joint projects).

The six target areas arc: Cotabato City, Isabcla City, Zamboanga City, Marawi City, Jolo, and Southern Basilan, as well as the surrounding areas of these locations. Success in the six target areas includes communities where community members become socially invested in existing civil institutions; local and regional govenunents deliver services in a transparent and fiscally responsible manner; public trust in government institutions has increased; and the private sector flourishes.

ENGAGE will collaborate with local government and non-governmental partners to achieve its objectives. The project will be implemented over a five-year period at a total cost 0[S22 million .

1.3 Description of Activities

1.3.1 Objective and Results

Complementing other U.S. Govemment efTorts, the primary goal of this project is to provide local government units and community members with the tools necessary to increase peace and stability in the six targeted confl ict-affected areas of Mindanao as well as the surrounding areas of these locations. Through this project, USAlD will collaborate with and provide support to these communities to increase good governance, enable community engagement, and institutionalize effective and sociall y-acceptable conflict mitigation practices.

ENGAGE will be implementoo in six target areas, as outlined by the U.S. Embassy Manila's Interagency Mindanao Working Group in 2011 (sec map in Annex I).

Specific targets wi ll be proposed by the contractor and negotiated at the time of the award.

1.3.2 Activities

The anticipated ENGAGE Program activities are shown in Table I. Activities arc expected to occur at the loca l (municipal and barangay) level.

T bl I ENGAGE P . t K A .. · .. a e . rOJec ev c IVI les. Key area Activitics at local lc\·cl

Assess needs, risks, and potential of working with identified local government units

Promoting Technical assistance to local government units on the following topics: good local participatory planning; budgeting; development plan fornmlation; financial

governance management ; efficient, transparent and accountable service delivery processes; human resource development; revenue generation Technical assist,mce to non-governmental or 'anizations on the following

2

Key area Activities at local level topics: establishing and/or streng1hening local special bodies mandated by the Local Government Code; active participation in these bodies; citizen feedback mechanisms; livelihood training! Create, distribute, and display materials to illustrated the flow of government-

I provided services Technical assistance local govcmments and the private sector to support peace and order councils Support community-selected small-scale infrastructure with expected construction costs ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 Technical assistance to civic society organizations on the following topics:

rncreasing I planning; budgeting; fund-raising; execution; and monitorinll and evaluation civil" Technical assistance to community members on the following topics: problem

engagement identification; project design and implementation through civil Support small community-driven projects with expected construction costs

society ranging from $) ,000 to $50,000. strengtbening Conduct youth leadership tra ining and camps

and civic Support small community projects implemented by youth with expected education construction costs ran.cing from $500 to $5,000.

Facilitate internships for college and university graduates Evaluations Midterm and end of project external evaluations

The ENGAGE Project also includes small-scale infrastructures that may be constructed as interventions for activities within two key areas. These key areas arc: (J) Promoting good local governance (Activity: Supporting community-selected small-scale infrastructure); and (2) Increasing civic engagement (Acti vities: Supporting small community-driven projects; and Supporting small youth community projects);

2. COUNTRY AND ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION (BASELINE INFORMATION)

2.1 Locations Affected

As identified through the U.S. Embassy's interagency Mindanao Working Group, ENGAGE will operate in six target areas and the nearby communities. These six areas are: Cotabato City, Isabcla Ci ty, Zamboanga C ity, Marawi City, Jolo, and Southern Basilan. Table 2 provides socio­economic and environmental data for each site and Table 3 lists the National Integrated Protccted Areas System locations at each site.

I Iflivclihood technical assistance is given. i l will follow best practices, especially ifindudiug agro-processing or wood.processing. and will not include training in thl' usc ofpcslicidcs.

)

s ...... . ...... . .... ..... ~..,. ... ... .. . ... U V .. . V-L< .. VUU . ..... AU ... ~ .. .. .. ... U ...... .. .......... . ..

Percent Forest Cover Location Prov ince Population1 Pover,/, Closed OpeD

Mangrove Index Forest Forest Cotabato City Cotabato 260.000 21.7% o ha Oha 914 ha lsabela City Basilan 88,000 17.2% o 11a 2,791 ha 608 ha 1010 Sulu 140,000 39.3% o h3 Oha 24,305 ha Marawi City Lanao del Sur 178.000 36.8% 105,255 ha' 69,371 ha' 149 ha' Southern Basilan Basilan 400,000 23.0% o ha 10.140 ha 6,365 ha Zamboanga City Zambo City 775,000 Not listed 13,220 ha 9,517 ha 3,940 ha

......... ;:~ • • ' .... v . .... . ........ u : .......... " .. u : ............ '" "'J':"' .... III " •• ""'" L..v ........... '"

Site Name Location Area (ha.)

COlabato City Mado Hotspring National Park Awang, Cotabato 48

Isabela City None -- --Sulu Province (1010) Mt. Oajo National Park Patikul and Talisay, Sulu 213

Sacred Mountain National Park Marawi City 94 Lake SUlig National Park SUlig, Lanao del SUT 68

Lanao del Sur Province Lake Oapao National Park Pualas, Lanao del Sur 1,500

(Marawi City) Patuwaraya Lake Sagurian, Lanao del Sur 20 Rungkunan National Park Ramain, Lanao del Sur Undetennined Salikata National Park Lumba Bayambao, Lanao del Sur Undetermined Lake Lanao Watershed Forest Reserve Lanao del Sur 180,460

Southern Basilan Basilan National Park Lamitan, Basilan 3, 100

Santa Cruz Island National Park Zamboanga City Undetermined Zamboanga City

Pasonanea Watershed Forest Reserve Zamboanga City 10.560

! Popul:ltian and poverty index data is far 2009 and was taken from the Philippine Natio1131 Statistics Coordination Board (NSCB). 3 Reference year: 2003. Based on Forest Management Bureau (2009). 2009 Philippine forestry statistics (p. 13), Quezon City: Forest Management Bureau . • Statistic fo r all ofSulu Province. which encompasses Jolo. ~ SUliMic fo r all of the Lanao del Sur Province. wh ieh encompasses Marawi City.

4

2.2 National Environmental Policies and Procedures (of host country botb for environmental assessment and pertaining to the sector)

Presidential Decree No. 1586, issued on June 11. 1978, establi shed the Philippine Environmenta l Impact Statement (EIS) System whi le Presidential Proclamation No. 2146 defined its scope and Administrative Order No. 2003-30 of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources provided the implementing rules and regulations.

The EIS System is concerned primarily with assessing the significant impacts of a project on the environment and ensuring that these impacts are addressed by appropriate measures. The EIS System requires all project proponents to prepare an environmental impact assessment (ElA) for any activity that substantially affects the quality of the environment. The EIA should be environmentally conscious, technicall y sound, and socially acceptable. By being so, the EIS system will not only regulate industrial pollution but also protecl natural resources, fragile ecosystems, and the rights of local communities. More than a regulatory scheme, the EIS System is a comprehensive planning and management tool as well. The Environment Management Bureau, a line bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). is the agency responsible for policy development and review as well as monitoring the implementation of EIA-related laws.

The first stcp in the EIS process is "screening" to detenn inc which requiremcnt covers the project under examination. The law pre-categorizes projects based on the degree of potential environmental impacts and each category has a prescribed environmental assessment instrument. Projects covcred in this lEE will fall within two categories6

:

• Category B: Projects which are no environmentally critical, but which may cause negative environmental impacts. The EIS recommends an Initial Environmental Examination for such activities.

• Category D: Projects that are considered outside the purview oflhe Philippine EIS System because they do not have negative environmental impacts. The EIS recommends a Project Description for such activities.

The ENGAGE contractor shall secure any and all required environmental clearances for its small-scale infrastructure construction activities from the respective Regional Offices of the Philippines DEJ\~-Environmental Management Bureau in Mindanao before project implementation in compliance with the Philippine EIS System. Compliance of ENGAGE activities with the EIS system is highly recommended by USAID, but USAID may not monitor this as the project contractor is assumed to be complying with applicable Philippines laws in the course of the implementation of ENGAGE.

Thc ENGAGE contractor must comply with applicable Govemment of the Philippines' environmental. health. safety, construction, and other applicable laws, regulations, standards and nonns; the contractor must fumish USAlD with Environmental Documentation Fonns and Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Programs to be developed in accordance with

o "The Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System: Framework . Implementation. Perfoml3nct" and Challenges." The World Bank and Asian Developmem Dank. June 2007 . Page 23. hllp:I/ \\."\\,\\·, wJs. \VQrldbank.orglexlcmaI/d(' flluIL'WDSCol1telll¥l'\·crlWpSP,IBJ200l:V02l0,v(KIOO209 53 lOO~02lH! 039081 Rend ('rt!dfPT)F/42~3 1 iJW!'O!'II ILII :\O[\!,Ix3214520 1 PUBL IC I.pdf

5

stipulated Environmental Manual (EM, lo·be-approved by CORlMEO) and regular report (with maps, schemes, photos) on grants approvals, pcrfonnancc and monitoring; and USAlD COR & MEO, when relevant, should supervise/monitor selected activities with potential moderate (significant, when cumulative or induced) adverse environmental and socia l impacts.

3. EVALUATION OF ACTIVITY/PROGRAM ISSUES WITH RESPECT TO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT POTENTIAL

The activities under this lnitial Environmental Examination will provide assistance al the local level for promoting peace and stability in six larget areas.

A Categorical Exclusion (approximately 50 t070% of all fund ing) is recommended for the following activities except to the extent that the activities d irectly affect the environment, pursuant to CFR 216.2(c)( I) and:

a) CFR 216.2(c)(2)(i), fo r activities involving education, technical assistance or training programs;

b) CFR 216.2(c)(2)(iii), for activities inVOlving analyses, studies, academic or research workshops and meetings; and

c) CFR 216.2(c)(2)(v), for activities involving document and infonnation transfers.

A detcmlination of categorical exc lusion notwithstanding, the Mission Environmental Officer and Deputy Mission Environmental Offi cer are expected to provide advice on andlor inputs to the scope of the assessments, trainings, and related acti vi ties as identi fied in the table below.

Key elements of Threshold determi nat ion proeram I activities and CFR 216 citation

I. Assessments ofloeal government units Categorical exclusion CFR 216.2(o)(2)(iii)

2. Technical assistance in : governance; government Categorical exclusion service delivery; organizational management; CFR 216.2(oX2Xi) community participation: project management; CFR 216.2(oX2Xv) livelihood skills and peace and order counci l support

3. Distribution of documents illustrating government Categorical exclusion service delivery CFR 216.2(0)(2)(v)

4. Conduct youth leadership training and intcrnships for Categorical exclusion college graduatcs CFR 216.2(c)( I)(i)

5. Conduct midtenn and project-end evaluations Categorical excl usion CFR 216.2(0)(2)(iii )

Acti vities involving community-selected small-scale infrastructure projects Illay have negative conseq uences if environm ental considerations arc ineludcd in these activities and their resuhing program designs. For example, poor project design of infrastructure-related projects could resu lt in structural failure; increased erosion; increased negative impacts of climate ENGAGE; loss of vegetation; ENGAGE in organic and/or inorganic waste flows/deposits and others. likewise, the development of livelihood programs and the establishment of liveli hood support facil ities may contribute \0 fu rther env ironmental degradation if not properly designed and implemented.

6

Therefore a Negative Determination is recommended for all construction and livelihood­related activities subject 10 the conditions that is recommended pursuant to 22 CFR 216.3 (a)(2)(iii) for these activities (approximately 30 to 50% of all funding).

Those interventions receiving negative determinations and negative delemlinations with conditions are listed in Table 4. The interventions are grouped by key activity and include a brief description Oflhc intervention as well as its associated ri sk classification.

7

• .. u . ... .... . L""" ... . 'p ..... . ,,' .... U ..... " ... " '''''''''' "",11\ ...... ,, I V . n.CJ .I1. ... U YIlJ au I II; ' Y CUUUU~

Interventions Brief DescrlDtlon Risk Classification Kc\' Activit,,: Constr uction of Small-Scale Communit" Infrastructures Construction of warehouses and The warehouse dimensions are expected to occupy approximately 64 sq. m. floor area, Modcratc Risk solar dryers tor grain and seawt'cd with about 9 sq. m. for office spacc, andlor minor facil ities such as toi lets. It will be

located in $ 1.000 sq. m. land area. The solar dryers are concrete slabs .::;500 sq. m. outdoor space for grains, and S IOO sq. m. stilt·type slotted bamboo platfonTI for seaweed.

Upgrading of existing rural roads Conceivable roadwork will include limited clearing ofvegelalion cover, grading, and Moderate Risk and bridges laying and compacting one to two layers of graded gravel on cxisting roads, and

possible stabilization of gravel roads (by bitumen, cement, calcium chloride or liquid stabilizer treatment), where necessary, or application of Ponland cement concrete pavement (peCP); bridge approaches wi ll be repaired and other drainage slnlctures such as culverts and side ditches will be extended, rehabi li tated or replaced. Roads will likely be.::;l0 km long with two· land carriageway :56.8 m. wide, and may include

I provision of slope protection structures. New construction or upgrading of Most of this work wil l consist of fixing or extending existing jetties as wel l as providing Low Risk existing smal1 pre-cast concrete or boat landings made of pre-cast concrete; or mortared or stone masonry causeways $500 fish landings m. long and ::;3 m. wide. with concrete top pavement: pre-cast concrete landing

platfonns ::;10 sq. m.; and pre·cast concrete jetty heads $25 sq. m. Reinforced concrete stairway.type landing structure (Length $ 150 m.) with adjoining mortared or stone masonry protection on each side (tolal length S100 m.) resting on side slopes of waterway; constructing small open sheds (:::50 m2

) on concrete floor on top of the stairway. No reclamation work or resettlement will be involved, and no significant areas of mangrove forest will be cleared.

Construction of small buildings These modest buildings could possibly include: (a) sheds ($ 120 sq.m.) for use to house Moderate Risk cold storage and/or post·harvcst treatment and VHT facilities; (b) agricultural trading posts or for protect display. market day bazaar; and (c) community centers ($300 sq.m.) for use in meetings, training. cullural affairs, etc.

Upgrading of small existing This will consist of providing concrcte lining or re·grading canals and repairing broken Low Risk ini gation canals and conveyance parts of existing conveyance structures, i.e .• turnouts, gales, etc. st1l1ctures Construction/upgrading of drainage These interventions could include (a) construction of new box or pipe cross culverts Moderate Risk and flood control facilities (total Jength :5J Sm. diameter O.5- I .5m) or cross-section opening 0.30-9 .00ml, and ealth

ditches and lincd canals (total length $ 1 ,000m); (b) repair of side ditches overflow structure and side pipe culverts (total length of <I ,OOOm, and diameter ofO.5 -J .5m): and

8

Interventions I Brief DescriDtion I Risk Classification Kev Activitv: Construction of Small-Scale Community Infrastructures

(c) repair of overflow struCfUres (spillway) that will entail improvement of existing culverts and concrete or mortared end cncascment across a road alignment where water overflows at high level of water inundation durin2 oeak rainv davs.

Construction of footbridges and These interventions include: (a) construction of new suspension footbridges across Moderate Risk pedestrian walkways watenvays; and (b) rock mounted or prc-cast concrete platform pedestrian walkways

between coastal buildings or houses on stilts. The footbridges ($.60 m. length and 1.5-2.0m width. with a bottom elevation of 4m) will be built with a pathway made of a 4" thick concrete slab resting on a Truss Type Steel spans supported by high tensile steel cable wires that are resting on a concrete abutment on both ends. The pathways will be provided with pipe railings and wire mcsh on both sides along their entire length and 3m concrete approaches on both ends. This also includes construction ofa covered or uncovered, concrete-paved walkways with total length :::300m and a width of 3m. including provision ofa waiting area with benehcs. Any clearing of coastal vegetation. such as nipa and mangrove. would be avoided, prevented, or minimi~d.

Construction of rainwater collector Collection of rainwater from the roof of a community building (:::300 sq. m. floor area) Modcmte Risk (ifused and storage faci lity conveyed through roof gUlleTS and downspout to a concrete or steel storage tank from for drinking purposes, if

where water is conveyed by gravity to communal faucets with or without transmission not its Low Risk) and distribution pipelines.

Constructionfupgrading of road- Slope protection structures could include: (a) side cut protection measure consisting of Moderate Risk related slope protection and bridge mortared stone or masonry wall $. lOm high and :::150m long, with road re-gravelling abutment/approaches ::: 150m. if required: (b) embankment slope protection measure consisting of mortared

stone or masonry wall :::1 Om high and <300m long with backfilling and road re-gravell ing :S150m, j[ required; and (e) bridge approach structure consisting of grouted riprap wall < 100m made of rock boulders 6-8" diameter on each side of the upper and lower bridge approaches. including graveling :s30m over the existing width of the roadway from both ends of the bridge following embankment filling. Slope protection on bridge abutments and bridge approaches will cntaillaying of concrete approach slab (:::20m long and $.7m wide) and road connection (:::500m long and $.7m wide) with or without paveme01.

Construction ofvermiculture The composter may be constructed one of two ways: (I) Composters may be made of low Risk

composters concrete and should be about I m deep, 1 .5~2m wide and less than 5m in length with a shed for cover; or (2) A series of pits may be dug approximately 3m x 4m x 1m deep, with sloping sides, then bamboo poles are laid in a parallel row on the pit floor and covered with a lattice of wood strips. and the pit will be lined with a water ncnneable

9

Interventions Brief DescriDtion Risk C lassification Kev Activitv: Construction of Small-Sca le Communitv Infrastructures

material. The pit will be fill ed with organic residues such as straw and other crop

Construction ofmcnhollscs residues. animal manure, PTeen weeds. leaves. and soil. Likelv to be made of bamboo and not coverin!!' more than 400 so. m. Low Risk

ConSTnlction offish cages for Units will likely inelude six unit floating net cages composed of four compartments Moderate Risk fisheries each. Eaeh compartment will have a dimension of 2m x 2m x 3m. The cage frame will

be made of bamboo poles, tied together using nylon ropes. The unit will be supported by 200-liler plastic drums, tied to the cage frame using 12mm PE ropes. Cage netting with 2-5em meshsi7.e, knotted. Sinkers and anchors will be made of concrete blocks.

Construction offish hatchery ponds Each unit will like consist of at least two larval culture tanks (6-lOm ), one sand filler, Moderate Risk two ~;.eroalgac production tanks (10-20 m.'l) and two zooplankton production tanks (5-10m) .

Construction oftish ponds (can Fish ponds will likely be concrete measuring 1m deep and <41 sq. m. Ponds may source Moderate Risk restrict to above h'Tound, concrete waler from the local public water system, if present. Otherwise, watcr may originate

I ~nds) from a well or other local watl.'I' source. Construction of tram lines Tramlinc construction will likely include service cables, a diesel engine «101 hp), Moderate Risk

powerhouse, and towers with anchors. ThKep~:ngtb of the tramline will be <601 meters with a haulin!! canacitv of about 200-250k trin.

Roof replacement on publ ic Potential roof replacements may include those ofsehool buildings, city halls, trading Low Risk buildings centers, and other public buildings. Materials may be either metal, concrete tiles,

polycarbonate sheeting, or asphalt shingles. A roof drainage/gutter system will also be installed.

ConstructionluPb'Tading of rural These interventions could inelude tapping and extending transmission linc(s) from an Low Risk electrification facil ities existing power line with a totallcngth of ::::::l Okm and without right of way (ROW) (strcctlights) acquisition. Electrical fixturcs could include wooden posts (:::10 m high and 0.3m

diameter) at maximum of 4m intcrval per post. ROW acquisition, if any. should be completed prior to the physical works: and perhaps limited installation of::: IO KW small solar panels (total surface area 550m2

) on aluminum mounting assembly over the £round or the roof of school or community bui1din~.

Development of small spring and The intervention will involvc tapping springs (discharge rate $10 Ips) and drilling Moderate Risk we!! waler supply systcms shallow tube wells (depth 530m) to convcy water to communal faucets located in

nearby villages. The service area is about :::100 ha. Additionally, it may include hand pumps, pipelines. and elevated storage tanks. and furnishing water treatment (disinfection) facilit ies. Spring flow or groundwater abstraction wi ll be regulated to meet flow reQuirements for Level I and Level II water supplv developmcnt. Watershed

10

Interventions I Brief Description I Risk Classification K cv Activity: Construct ion of Small-Scale Community Infrastru ctures

integrity is a major environmental consideration in the se lection of water supply source. Estimated water supply yields, planned users and sustainabil ity of water usc will be determined. Drinking water quality shall be within prescribed standards. Operation and maintenance system will be pul in plal;c or will be enhanced.

Expansion of small wOller supply These subprojects will extend existing water supply systems that serve rura l villages. Moderate Risk systems The work could include repair, refurbishing or limited upgrading of existing spring or

well water supply systems with or without p ipelines, storage tanks or communal faucets where waler is conveyed by gravity or by pressure pump driven by solar power or fuel. Service area <100 ha. and water yield < 10 Ips.

Construction of public toilets Toi lets may be orthe urine divCTsion dehydration (UDD) type. The double-vaulted unit Moderate Risk will have an cxpected floor area of 2m x 1.5m with a thatchcd roof or comlgated roof with a venti lation pipc,-

K~r Activity: DeveloDmeot of Livelibood P roe:rams; los talla tion of Livel ibood SUDDort Facilities Mangrove reforestation Mangrove species for reforestation must be suitable for planting at the proposed sites Moderate Risk

and conform to the guidelines set by Department of Environment and Natural Resource's Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau.

Agricultural demonstration plots Agricultural crop production may be demonstrated in plots for livelihood skill building. Moderate Risk The plots \viJl not exceed I ha . and will not use pesticides. Best practices wi ll be followed in the construction and maintenance oflhe plot as well as in capacity building activities.

For standard conditions that apply to small-scale cons truction, p lease refer to Annex 2. Armex 2 a lso lists specific conditions for ( 1) small­scale road rchabili tation and maintenance acti vities; (2) water and wastewater activities; and (3) sm all-scale irrigation . Add iti onal infonnat ion describing guidelines for environmental compliance include:

• USAlD 's "Environmenta l Guidelines for Small-Scale Acti vities in Africa" http://www.afr-sd.orglpuhlicationsl I8ngo.pdf • The International Finance Corporation 's "Construction and Decomm issioning Environmenta l, Health, and Safely Guidelines"

hltp:llwww l.i fc .orgtwpsfwcmlconnectl3aaObc8048855992837cd36a65 15bbl8/4%2BConstruction%2Band%2BDecommissio ni ng. pdf?MOD- AJPERES

• The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development's "Environmental and Social Guidel ines for Aq uaculture." http://\W/W . cbrd. com/down loads/abou tlsustainabi I i I yl a9 ua. pd r

II

I

4. RECOMMENDEI) MITIGATION ACTIONS (INCLUDING MONITORING AND EV ALVA TlON)

4.1 Recommended lEE Determination

Provision of technical assistance. assessments, youth leadership activities. and evaluations, to be conducted under this program will not have a direct significant impact on the environment. Thus, lhcse are recommended for Categorical Exclusion pursuant to CFR 216.2(c)( I) and:

a) CFR 216.2(c)(2)(i), for activities involving education. technical assistance or training programs:

b) CFR 216.2(c)(2)(iii), for activities involving analyses. studies. academic or research workshops and meetings: and

c) CFR 216.2(c)(2)(v). for activities involving document and infonnatioll transfers.

However. activities involving community-selected small-scale illfraSln!cture construction projects and related-livelihood activities may have negative consequences if environmental considerations are not met. Thus. the resulting program design components are recommended for a Negative Delemlination with the following Conditions:

• All technical assistance. workshops. consultations. research. and recommendations for program designs involving li velihood or resource generation actions will include Best Practices regarding sustainable usc, including principles of environmental protection, impact mitigation and environment sustainability.

• For both low and medium risk small-scale construction activities. the Contractor. or sub­contractor if appropriate. will develop an Environmental Manual (EM) that will guide environmentally sound design for all small scale infraslrUcture projects. which will be reviewed and approved by the COR and the MEO prior to constntction. The EM should: (1) establish environmental screening. selection and eligibility criteria. ellvironmental review process: and (2) provide forms, like the Environmental Documentation Form, sample Environmental Mitigation and Moniloring Programs (EMMPs). standard conditions and reporting requirements. and references/links to guidelines and best practice acceptable to USAID and GPH. The EM will establish water quamity and quality monitoring procedures. The EM may also hnve an exclusion list. i.e. activities USAID will not fund as well as a list of activities. with thresholds/significance, which will require guidance from COR/MEO. Examples of activities that may appear on the exclusion list include acti vities that arc proposed close to or in protected areas. coastal lines. sensitive habitats. archaeological. hislOrical and/or religious sites where caution and diligence should bc exercised.

• Any livelihood related activities will not involve the procurement and or use of pesticides. If the procurement and or use of pesticide become necessary. a Pesticide Evaluation Report nnd Safer Use Actiun Plan (PERSUAP) will be devcloped for review and approval by the Mission Environment Officer (MEO) and the Bureau Environment Officer (BEO) prior to procurement and or usc of pesticides.

• All small sca le infrastructure and livelihood-related activities that arc classified as moder:lIe risk will first require submittal and approval of an activity description including an evaluation of the environmental implications of the proposed infrastnlcturc or rehabilitation project being developed through an Environmental Doculllentation Form.

12

These documents must be approved by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and the Mission Environmental Officer, and if deemed necessary by the COR, an lEE will be requircd. Activ ities that will have potentia l impacts to the environment must be further reviewed by COR and MEO through environment review report that will include Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan (EMMP).

• All other small-scale infrastructure that are not included in the Table 4 but will have a risk threshold of low to moderate will follow the conditions stipulated above prior to construction. For infrastructure and livelihood-related activities not included in the above list and will be classified as high risk, an environmental assessment report must be approved by the Mission Environment Officer (MEO) and the Bureau Environmental Officer (BEO) prior 10 implementation.

• If pesticides are detenni.ned to be needed for cold storage facilities or other rehabilitation act ivities. a Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan (PERSUAP) must be reviewed and approved by the BEO.

• If. during implementation. activities are considered other than those described above, such a" pilot demonstrations, further environmental review wi ll be conducted by the implementing partner. which will be cleared. by the relevant MEO and BEO prior to activity implementation.

• Caut ion should be exercised when doing some site-specific or linear rehabilitation &/or construct ion (warehouses, roads. etc.) as this may require land acqu isition & compensation. and resett lement. If any land acquisiti on o r resettlement is idenlified or poss ibl e, implementer should immediately seek guidance from COR/MEO as a land acquisition, compensation and resettlement plan may be warranted as per World Bank Operational Policy 4 .12.

• Only native and locall y-sourced species of mangroves will be used for any mangrove reforestation act ivities. These activities will follow the recommendat ions made by the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau. the principal research and development unit of the Department of Environmcnt and Natural Resources .

• These conditions will be integrated in the procure ment instruments (contract andlor grant agreement) and shall be reflected in the over-all work plan of the contractors and/or grantees. as appropriate. If necessary, the contract or agreement will require the preparation of an environmental mitigation and monitoring program that will be reviewed and approved by the COR and the MEO.

• In accordance with ADS 204.3.9.(a), a due diligence investigation of the environmental record and practice.~ of each partner in a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) wi ll be made panicularl y an analysis of a partner's past record of environmental accou ntability and how it might affeclthe partner's specific plans under the PPP.

• To implement small-scale infrastructure acti vit ies. the implementer must have a qual ified environmcntal impact specialist (EIS) who will assess and recommend environmental action~ to be taken hy the program and will coordinate implementation of mitigation measures. monitoring, and reporting. TIle EIS will be responsihle for preparing all necessary env ironmental compliance documcntatioll.

4.2 Mitigation, Monitoring. and Evaluation

The conditions identified in this lEE will be integrated illlo the award to (he implemcnt ing part ncr. After award and :lIthe time of project launch. the COR togel her with the MEO will

13

explain and advise the contractor on environmental compliance and the necessary reporting process. The implement.:lIion of the conditions in this lEE will be detailed in the almual workplan. which will be approved and monitorcd by lhe by the COR in consu ltation with the MEO. The project implementer will also include in its annual reporting an environmental monitoring report. The report will describe the mitigation and monitoring measures being implemented. results of environmental monitoring. including infonnation on any positi ve or negative environmental effects of project act ivitics. and any other major modifications/revisions in the devclopmcnl activities. The COR must review this annual environmental performance report and inform MEO on any compliance issues that maybe encountered during the implementation of the project for proper resolution. Performance management plans will also incorporate measures to integrate compliance to these conditions. as appropriate. The project implementer wi ll employ an Environmental Impact Specialist to assist with required environmental compliance measures and associated documentation .

4.3 Limitations of the lEE

This lEE does not cover activities involving:

1. Ass istance fo r procurements (includes payment in kind. donations. guarantees of credit) or usc (including handling. transport. fuel for transport. storage. mixing. loading. application, cleanup of spray equipment, and disposal) of pesticides (where pesticides cover all insecticides. fungicides. and rodenticides. etc. covered under the "Federallnsccticide, Fungicide. and Rodenticide Act" FlFRA) or activities involving procurement. transport, usc. storage. or disposal of toxic materials. which will require preparation of a PERSUAP in accordance with Reg.2 16.3(2)(b)(J)-(2) in an amended lEE submitted to Asia/BEO for approval .

2. DCA or GOA programs. 3. Use of non-native or potentially invasive species will require additional analysis to be

conducted. 4. Assistance. procurement or lise of geneticall y modified organisms (GMOs). which would

require preparation of biosafety assessment (review) in accordance ADS 201.3.12.2(b) in an amendment to the lEE approved by Asia BEO.

5. Procurement or usc of Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) (i.e .• piping. roofing. etc.). Polychlorinated Biphenyl's (PCB) or other toxic/hazardous materials prohibited by USEPA as provide at hltp:llwww.epa.gov/asbcstos and/or under international environmental agreements and conventions. e.g. Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants as provided at hlt p:llchm.pop.int

Any of these actions would require an amendment to the LEE duly approved by the Asia BEO.

5.4 Re\'isions

Pursuant 10 22CFR2 16.3(a)(9). if new acti vi ties are added and/or informat ion becomes available which indicates that activities to be fundcd by lhe Program might be "major" and the Program's effect "significant: ' this Categorical Exclusion will be reviewed and revised by the originator of the project and submitted 10 the Bureau Environmental Officer for approval and. if appropriate, an environmental assessmcllI will be prepared."

14

MISSION APPROVAL:

Chief,OEDG

Deputy Mission Environmental Officer

Mission Director

CLEARANCE: Bureau Environmental Officer/Asia

CONCURRENCE: Regional Environmental Officer for Asia & OAPA

MaT§yoy Jochico

tfw,Jhc,\c <fIOTiaSteele

Concurred by E-mail Andrei Barannik

Date

;" /1,11). Date

Y//l-II>---Dale r I

414/2012 Date

IS