ecd.usaid.gov · web viewthe law on ecological expertise of 2007 remains the framework for...

DCN: 2017-GEO-015

US Agency for International Development (USAID)USAID/CAUCASUS

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE)Program/Project/Activity Data

Activity/Project Name: Introducing the European Union (EU) phytosanitary Standards to Georgia

Assistance Objective: Inclusive and Sustainable Economic GrowthProgram Area: AgricultureCountry(ies) and/or Operating Unit: GeorgiaOriginating Office: EG Date: July 5, 2017PAD Level IEE: Yes NoSupplemental IEE: Yes NoRCE/IEE Amendment: Yes No

DCN of Original RCE/IEE:

DCN of Amendment(s):

If Yes, Purpose of Amendment (AMD):DCN(s) of All Related EA/IEE/RCE/ER(s):Implementation Start/End: LOP: FY 2018 – FY 2022

Funding Amount: LOP Amount: $ 198,205($400,000 Czech)

Contract/Award Number (if known):Recommended Environmental Determination:Categorical Exclusion: Positive Determination: Negative Determination: Deferral:

Additional Elements:Conditions: Local Procurement: Government to Government: Donor Co-Funded: Sustainability Analysis (included): Climate Change Vulnerability Analysis (included):

1. Background and Project Description

1.1. Purpose and Scope of IEE Purpose of the IEE is to cover new Introducing European Union (EU) Phytosanitary Standards to Georgia activity. The Activity is a four year, $598,205 program of which $400,000 is a contribution by the Czech Development Agency and $198,205 is provided by State Department under the Emerging Donor Challenge Fund (EDCF). The activity is scheduled to commence in September 2017 and will be managed by USAID/Caucasus’ EG Office.

1.2. Project Overview This activity aims to upgrade the phytosanitary sector in Georgia in accordance with the EU requirements to enable access of safe Georgian plant and plant products to the EU as well as other international markets. The activity will not only help intensify international trade but also incentivize the production of healthy planting materials in Georgia, thereby enabling Georgian farmers to access plant propagating material free from pests and diseases.

Georgia / Phytosanitary 1EE.BEU Standard Form: IEE.v3

DCN: 2017-GEO-0151.3. Project DescriptionThe USG funding will exclusively be used to fund People in Need (PIN), an independent, non-profit NGO based in Prague, identified by the Czech Development Agency in their EDCF proposal. PIN will provide the overall administrative, technical, and logistical coordination of the joint program in Georgia. The activity will have four components:

1.3.1. Component 1 – Plant HealthThe activity will support the design and implementation of the Georgian Plant Health Monitoring and Identification System, including the establishment of a stakeholders’ phytosanitary register, capacity building of phytosanitary inspectors, creation of a plant passportization system in accordance with the EU legislation, and the design and launch of the phytosanitary surveillance system in cooperation with the National Food Agency of Georgia (NFA).

1.3.2. Component 2 – Laboratory MethodsThe program will also support the introduction of the EU standards and methods to laboratory phytosanitary analyses, including improving the capability of the diagnostic laboratory of the Plant Pest Diagnostic Department.

1.3.3. Component 3 – Pesticides and Fertilizers The activity will also help improve the system for authorization of pesticides and fertilizers, including the establishment of information exchange platforms, post-registration activities, and the list of authorized plant protection products and fertilizers.

1.3.4. Component 4 – Farmers outreach Finally, the activity will support farmer outreach efforts, including the provision of training and information materials to producers and agribusinesses through government and private extension service centers and dissemination of phytosanitary educational resources through media and interactive platforms, including SMS messaging and online forums.

2. Baseline Environmental Information2.1. Locations Affected and Environmental Context Georgia is situated along the Black Sea and borders the neighboring countries of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey, and Russia. The physical terrain of Georgia is mountainous. The population of Georgia is 4.4 million. The capital city is Tbilisi with a population of 1.5 million people. Natural resources include iron ore, hydropower generation, manganese deposits and forestry. The coastal climate is suitable for the growth for tea and citrus fruits. Industries include winemaking, steel, textiles, wood products and machinery. The Republic of Georgia is still recovering from one of the worst collapses suffered by any post-communist country. The social system is stressed further by the war with Russia in August 2008 over break away territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Areas hardest hit by the current economic situation and influx of refugees from the Abkhazian conflict in 1992 and the most recent war in August 2008 in South Ossetia have been the regions of Shida Kartli, Imereti and Samegrelo where over 200,000 Internally Displaced People (IDPs) currently reside. The resident populations of other parts of Western Georgia, who though not physically displaced, are also victims of the conflict in Abkhazia. They are forced to compete with IDPs for limited economic opportunities, housing, access to land and scarce government assistance. Chronic unemployment remains one of the greatest obstacles to improving living standards. In three years’ time, after the war with Russia, and in the confines of the global economic crises, Georgia’s economy is slowly recovering and in 2013-2015 is projected to return to the pre-war growth of 6-9 percent annually. However, Georgia’s workforce lacks skills and education commensurate with requirements of such rapid growth, and can significantly challenge the country’s economy and further development.

2.2. Description of Applicable Environmental and Natural Resource Legal Requirements Policies, Laws, and Regulations


DCN: 2017-GEO-015Georgia has a significant number of laws, President’s orders and Government acts on environmental protection. Some examples include:

The Law on Environmental Protection (1999 and updated)Law on Environmental Impact Permit (1991 and updated)Law on Ecological Expertise (2007)Law on Protected AreasForestry code (under the process of updating)Water law (under the development)Red Book

The Law on Ecological Expertise of 2007 remains the framework for environmental impact assessments (EIAs) that apply to new projects that may have adverse impacts on the environment. EIAs are part of the state ecological expertise (SEE) authority. Citizens and public organizations have access to EIAs and can express their views according to Aarhus and Espo conventions.

2.3. Sustainability Analysis Sustainability is a fundamental concern for the Project, which aims to contribute to sustainable, inclusive economic growth in Georgia. USAID/Caucasus will incorporate sustainability concerns into the designs of all subsequent activities to ensure that USAID’s investment in the Project continues to benefit Georgian society following its conclusion. Overall, the Project will build capacity in both the public and private sector to strengthen agricultural value chains which will continue to provide both improved incomes and employment after the end of the Project. Identified stakeholders and beneficiaries of the Project have demonstrated demand for the types of activities, which will be carried out under the Project. Interventions will be carried out in such a way that maximizes local ownership of the activities, such as using existing service providers to conduct trainings.Recommendations to ensure sustainability of the Project include the following:

As part of any capacity building activity with the GOG undertaken as part of the Project, the implementing partner should be required to work with the relevant GOG entity to develop financial and staff development plans in order to ensure that project results will be sustainable past the Project’s end date.

When possible, the Project should facilitate, rather than directly provide, the assistance, by utilizing lead actors (progressive, innovative firms or farms eager to expand their business), existing service providers in the sector, or public sector extension services to ensure the sustainability of activities beyond the completion of the Project and maximize the spread of best practices throughout the sector.

Provide technically sound recommendations that take into consideration the potential effects of climate change, such as the utilization of water-saving drip irrigation systems or crop rotations.

Where possible within the scope of activities, implementing partners should work with the GOG to address regulatory constraints to agricultural development.

2.4. Climate Change Vulnerability Analysis This analysis sought to identify whether and how the Project will affect, or be affected by, medium and longer-term climate change impacts, and how the Project’s design should be adjusted in consideration of climate change vulnerabilities.In Georgia, the projected increase in temperature and decrease in precipitation, along with the projected increase in the frequency and intensity of natural disasters, will impact the agriculture sector by causing erosion, desertification, and a general degradation of agricultural land; reducing the availability of water; and causing severe damage to crops from high winds, floods, droughts, and other severe weather.These implications are significant because agriculture is arguably the most economically important sector in Georgia. Some of the resulting recommendations include the following measures:

Reducing land erosion and increasing soil fertility by planting of windbreaks to reduce erosion; keeping weeds under control and removing stones in pasture; and planting new seed types in degraded areas.


DCN: 2017-GEO-015 Using gypsum in alkali soils and chemical fertilizers (i.e., nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, etc.) in

saline soils. General policies: promoting crop, income and landscape diversification to reduce the impact of

climate change; and increasing water storage to address shortages during droughts or summer months.

Analysis of Potential Environmental Impact

2.5. Component 1: Plant Health

Defined/Illustrative Activities

Potential Impacts

Potential Climate Risk Climate Risk Rating

Opportunities for Climate Resiliency

1.1. support the design and implementation of the Georgian Plant Health Monitoring and Identification System, including the establishment of a stakeholders’ phytosanitary register, capacity building of phytosanitary inspectors, creation of a plant pasportization system in accordance with the EU legislation

No adverse impacts are likely

In recent years (1986-2010) climate changes in the form of temperature rise, precipitation changes have been nominal in the effected regions. Depending on the municipality, these factors have reached a maximum of 0.4C rise in temperature and 4.6% change in precipitation (note: no information available on storm surge). In the long term evaporation and precipitation averaged over the entire region is not expected to change dramatically (between 0-1% change); however, the timing of precipitation and evaporation are expected to shift to a later season(“Spring rains” will move to summer). Furthermore, the geographic areas of intervention will likely

Low While the services are provided the implementer should be mindful to gather any information related to climate change, if applicable.


DCN: 2017-GEO-015

Defined/Illustrative Activities

Potential Impacts

Potential Climate Risk Climate Risk Rating


get slightly warmer between now and 2050, but more significantly, will stay warmer for longer. For example, the temperatures expected in summer will be reached in the springtime and will not dissipate until later in the autumn or even winter. Furthermore there is expected to be an average of 4 to 18 less freezing days in winter (depending on the specific municipality. This effect may therefore require increased interventions in trapping and eradication by the Ministry of Agriculture and local farmers in the future. The tasks will help monitor these climate risks.

1.2. support the design and launch of the phytosanitary surveillance system in cooperation with the National Food Agency of Georgia (NFA)


Same as above Low

2.6. Component 2: Laboratory Methods

Defined/Illustrative Activities Potential Impacts

Potential Climate Risk

Climate Risk Rating


2.1. support the introduction of the EU standards and methods


Same as above Low Same as above


DCN: 2017-GEO-015



Climate Risk Rating


to laboratory phytosanitary analyses, including improving the capability of the diagnostic laboratory of the Plant Pest Diagnostic Department

2.7. Component 3: Pesticides and Fertilizers



Climate Risk Rating


3.1. support to improve the system for authorization of pesticides and fertilizers, including the establishment of information exchange platforms, post-registration activities, and the list of authorized plant protection products and fertilizers

Negative determination withconditions 216.3(a)(2)(iii)


2.8. Component 4: Farmers outreach



Climate Risk Rating


4.1. support farmer outreach efforts, including the provision of training and information materials to producers and agribusinesses through government and private extension service centers and dissemination of phytosanitary educational resources through media and interactive platforms, including SMS messaging and online forums



3. Recommended Environmental Actions3.1. Recommended Mitigation Measures

Component 3 – Pesticides and Fertilizers


DCN: 2017-GEO-015

Defined/Illustrative Activities Potential Impacts Mitigation Measures

Recommended Threshold Determination

3.1. support to improve the system for authorization of pesticides and fertilizers, including the establishment of information exchange platforms, post-registration activities, and the list of authorized plant protection products and fertilizers

Establishment of the list of authorized plant protection products and fertilizers can have potential impacts land, water, air and human health.

Because of recommended usage of pesticides, the Implementing Partner is subject toUSAID/Caucasus’s PERSUAP, which is updated annually and approved by the BEO.

Negative determination with conditions 216.3(a)(2)(iii)


DCN: 2017-GEO-015

3.2. Recommended Environmental Determination:

Categorical Exclusions:A categorical exclusion is recommended for the following identified activities under 22 CFR 216.2(c)(2):

Activity [1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 4.1] under §216.2(c)(2)(i) Education, technical assistance, or training programs except to the extent such programs include activities directly affecting the environment (such as construction of facilities, etc.);

Negative Determination with Conditions: Under §216.3(a)(2)(iii), a negative determination with conditions is recommended for activities 3.1. Specific terms and conditions are presented below in Section 3.3.

3.3. Terms and Conditions:

3.3.1 For activity 3.1 Because of recommended usage of pesticides, the Implementing Partner is subject toUSAID/Caucasus’s PERSUAP, which is updated annually and approved by the BEO.

3.4. USAID Monitoring and Reporting

3.4.1. The AOR/COR, with the support of the MEO, is responsible for monitoring compliance of activities by means of desktop reviews and site visits.

3.4.2. If at any time the project is found to be out of compliance with the IEE, the AOR/COR or MEO shall immediately notify the BEO.

3.4.3. A summary report of Mission’s compliance relative to this IEE shall be sent to the BEO on an annual basis, normally in connection with preparation of the Mission’s annual environmental compliance report required under ADS 203.3.8.5 and 204.3.3.

3.4.4. The BEO or his/her designated representative may conduct site visits or request additional information for compliance monitoring purposes to ensure compliance with this IEE, as necessary.

3.5. Implementing Partner (IP) Monitoring and reporting

3.5.1. If an individual activity is found to pose significant adverse environmental effects that have not been identified and addressed in the attached EMMP(s), or EMMPs that were subsequently approved for the project, new EMMPs shall be developed to include environmental safeguards for such effects.

3.5.2. IPs shall report on environmental compliance requirements as part of their routine project reporting to USAID.

4. Mandatory Inclusion of Requirements in Solicitations, Awards, Budgets and Workplans4.1. Appropriate environmental compliance language, including limitations defined in Section 6, shall

be incorporated into solicitations and awards for this activity and projects budgets shall provide for adequate funding and human resources to comply with requirements of this IEE.

4.2. Solicitations shall include Statements of Work with task(s) for meeting environmental compliance requirements and appropriate evaluation criteria.

4.3. Environmental mitigation and monitoring requirements, when available, shall also be included in solicitations and awards.

4.4. The IP shall incorporate conditions set forth in this IEE into their annual work plans.4.5. The IP shall ensure annual work plans do not prescribe activities that are defined as limitations, as

defined in Section 6. 4.6. The USAID Mission will include an indicator for environmental compliance as part of the project’s

performance monitoring plan. [If an IEE has a threshold determination of negative determination with conditions, then a possible indictor is if the IP did the ERC/EMMP.]


DCN: 2017-GEO-015

5. Limitations of the IEE: This IEE does not cover activities (and therefore should changes in scope implicate any of the issues/activities listed below, a BEO-approved amendment shall be required), that: 5.1. Normally have a significant effect on the environment under §216.2(d)(1) [See

http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/environment/compliance/regulations.html]5.2. Support project preparation, project feasibility studies, engineering design for activities listed in

§216.2(d)(1);5.3. Affect endangered species;5.4. Result in wetland or biodiversity degradation or loss;5.5. Support extractive industries (e.g. mining and quarrying);5.6. Promote timber harvesting;5.7. Provide support for regulatory permitting;5.8. Result in privatization of industrial or infrastructure facilities;5.9. Lead to new construction of buildings or other structures; 5.10. Assist the procurement (including payment in kind, donations, guarantees of credit) or use

(including handling, transport, fuel for transport, storage, mixing, loading, application, cleanup of spray equipment, and disposal) of pesticides or activities involving procurement, transport, use, storage, or disposal of toxic materials and /or pesticides (cover all insecticides, fungicides, rodenticides, etc. covered under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act); and

5.11. Procure or use genetically modified organisms.

6. Revisions6.1. Under §216.3(a)(9), if new information becomes available that indicates that activities covered by

the IEE might be considered major and their effect significant, or if additional activities are proposed that might be considered major and their adverse effect significant, this environmental threshold decision will be reviewed and, if necessary, revised by the Mission with concurrence by the BEO. It is the responsibility of the USAID COR/AOR to keep the MEO and BEO informed of any new information or changes in the activity that might require revision of this IEE.

7. Recommended Environmental Threshold Decision Clearances:


DCN: 2017-GEO-015

Approval : _______________________________________Thomas R. Morris, Acting Mission Director _____________________

Date

Clearance: ___________________________________________Gocha Lobzhanidze, Mission Environmental Officer

_____________________Date

Clearance :___________________________________________Shamenna Gall, Activity Manager/COR/AOR

_____________________Date

Concurrence: _____ ______________________________________Mark KamiyaE&E Bureau Environmental Officer

__8/14/2017____________Date

Distribution:IEE FileMEO (to also provide a copy to AOR/COR)


DCN: 2017-GEO-015

Climate Risk Screening and Management Tool for Activity DesignACTIVITY CRM TOOL OUTPUT MATRIX: CLIMATE RISKS, OPPORTUNITIES, AND ACTIONS* = A required element, according to the Mandatory Reference

1.1: Defined

or Anticip

ated Tasks or Interventions*

1.2:

Time

-frame

1.3: Geo-graphy 2:

Climate

Risks*

3: Adaptive

Capacity

4: Clima

te Risk

Rating*

[Enter

rating for each risk: High, Moderate, or

Low]

5: Opportunities*

6.1: Climate Risk

Management Option

s

6.2: How Clima

te Risks Are

Addressed in the Activi

ty*

7: Next Steps for Activity

Implementation

8: Accepted Climate Risks*

to upgrade

the phytosani

tary sector in Georgia

in accordance with the

EU

The training

method

s will be used

The projects will

be implemente

d across

the countr

y.

In 2017-2050: The average annual air temperature throug

The climate is likely changing in the way that it may have

Low

The Ministry

of Health, Labor,

and Social Affairs

(MoLSHA) will take on

the responsibi

While the services are provided the implementer should be mindful

The Activity works with the Ministry of Agriculture to dissem

incorporate climate change

vulnerability findings

and projections

into the outreach

and training

None


DCN: 2017-GEO-015

requirements

for the next 0-5

years

hout Georgia will increase by 1.3 C to 1.6 C, the number of summer days (above 25°C) will increase; the absolute minimum air temperature by 1 C is probable in the mountain zone, the overall tendency is for an increase. The number of frost days is

low-level effect on professionals to be trained under these programs. The services supported with this activity will be provided inside the buildings. Climate is likely changing in the way that it may have some moderate effect

lity for monitoring and the trained

professionals.

Choose buildings that are

not subject to flooding

and avoid areas such

as basements to locate

laboratory equipment as a safety precaution

.

to gather any information related to climate change, if applicable.

inate information about best techniques for integrated pest management.

information


DCN: 2017-GEO-015

decreasing throughout Georgia. The annual number of hot days will increase about 2.5 times. The percentage change of annual total precipitation is within a range from an 11% decrease to an 8% increase. A number of days of heavy rain will

on the buildings and services supported with this activity, namely, higher temperatures may increase a need for air conditioning of services; and an increased risk of natural disasters as a result of precipitation change in mountainous areas


DCN: 2017-GEO-015

increase by 2 to 5 days; a decrease is more observable in the southeast, also in Adjara and a large part of Imereti; and an increase will take place in mountain regions, mostly within the Greater Caucasus.

could require better-developed evacuation plans. The disabled population served in these services is more sensitive towards higher temperatures, and natural disasters.


DCN: 2017-GEO-015

Low

Low


DCN: 2017-GEO-015

Next step:

Timeframe

Next

step: Geog.

Next step: Clima

te Risks

Next step: Adaptive

Capacity

Next step: Risk

Rating

Next step: Opps.

Next step: Risk

Mgmt. Options

Next step:

Selected

Options

Next step: Next Steps

Next step:

Accepted Risks

Finished!


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