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Forestry and Ecological Restoration Project in Three Northwest Provinces (RRP PRC 40684)
Initial Environmental Examination
September 2010
People’s Republic of China: Forestry and Ecological Restoration Project in Three Northwest Provinces Prepared by the State Forestry Administration of the PRC for the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
CURRENCY EQUIVALENTS
(as of 15 September 2010) Currency unit – Yuan (CNY)
CNY1.00 = $0.148 $1.00 = CNY 6.78
ABBREVIATIONS
ADB – Asian Development Bank CBO – community-based organization CFB – county forestry bureau CPMO – county project management office EA – environmental assessment EAG – Environmental Assessment Guidelines (of ADB) ec – electrical conductivity EIA – environmental impact assessment EIS – environmental impact statement EMDP – ethnic minorities development plan EMP – environmental mitigation plan ERP – environmentally responsible procurement ChinaGAP – PRC voluntary accreditation scheme for GAP (qv) FAO – Food and Agriculture Organization of the United
Nations FFS – farmer field school FY – financial year GAP – good agricultural practice Ha – hectare H & S – health and safety IEE – initial environmental examination IEMS – international environmental management specialist IPM – integrated pest management M & E – monitoring and evaluation MEP – Ministry of Environmental Protection MRL – maximum residue level NGO – nongovernment organization O & M – operation and maintenance PFS – pre-feasibility study pH – measure of acidity or alkalinity PIC – prior informed consent PMO – project management office POP – persistent organic pollutant PPMO – provincial project management office PPTA – project preparatory technical assistance PRC – People's Republic of China SEPA – State Environmental Protection Agency SFA – State Forest Administration SFF – state forest farm TA – technical assistance TBD – to be decided TDS – total dissolved salts TFS – township forestry station ToR – terms of reference ToT – training of trainers WB – World Bank WHO – World Health Organization WTO – World Trade Organization
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
dm3 – cubic decimetre (liter) ha – hectare km – kilometer(s) KV – kilovolt KW – kilowatt kWh – kilowatt hour Meq/l – milliequivalents per liter mg – milligram mg/dm3 – milligrams per cubic decimeter (liter) MPN – most probable number (of coliform bacteria) mu – traditional land area measure (0.067 ha) MW – megawatt ppm – parts per million t – ton
NOTES
(i) The fiscal year (FY) of the Government and its agencies ends on 31 Dec
(ii) In this report, "$" refers to US dollars.
This initial environmental examination is a document of the borrower. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB's Board of Directors, Management, or staff, and may be preliminary in nature. In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.
CONTENTS Page
I. INTRODUCTION 1 A. Environmental Categorization 1 B. Methodology of the IEE 1 C. Legal Context of Environmental Protection in the PRC 2
II. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT 2 A. Project Scope, Impact, and Outcome 2 B. Outputs and Components of Project Design 2 C. Location and Duration 4 D. Project Interventions 4
III. DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE PROJECT PROVINCES 8 A. Physical resources 8 B. Ecological Resources 12 C. Economic Development 12 D. Quality of Life Values 12
IV. FORECASTING OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES 14 A. Screening and scoping of impacts 14 B. Environmental Impacts of Economic Tree Crops Development 17 C. Environmental Impacts and Benefits of Ecological Forestry Development 19 D. Environmental Impacts of Agro-processing Activities 20 E. Other potential impacts and benefits 21 F. Due Diligence Analysis of Enterprises 22
V. INSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION AND MONITORING PLAN 22 A. Summary of Potential Impacts and Planned Mitigation Measures 22 B. Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan 23 C. Capacity Development for Improved Environmental Management of Agroforestry 24 D. Environmentally Responsible Procurement (ERP) 24
VI. PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND DISCLOSURE 25 A. Provincial Stakeholder Consultation Workshops and Questionnaires 25 B. Other consultative activities 26 C. Grievance Redress Mechanism 26
VII. FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 27 VIII. CONCLUSIONS 27
TABLES Table 1. Project Outputs, Components, and Partners ................................................................. 3 Table 2. Project Targets for Economic Tree Crops Establishment (ha)....................................... 4 Table 3. Summary of proposed value chain investments under the project (Gansu) .................. 5 Table 4. Ecological Forestry Targets for Xinjiang (ha)................................................................. 5 Table 5. Physical targets for Reforestation of Degraded Lands (Gansu) .................................... 6 Table 6. State Forest Farms in Shaanxi Benefiting from project assistance ............................... 7 Table 7. Project Area Ecosystem Types...................................................................................... 8 Table 8. Water Resource in River Basins in Gansu province ...................................................... 9 Table 9. Water resource in the project area of Shaanxi province (2007)................................... 10 Table 10. Water resource in the project area of Xinjiang .......................................................... 12 Table 11. Ecological resources in the three project provinces................................................... 13 Table 12. Environmental quality in the three project implementation provinces ........................ 14 Table 13. Quality of life values in the three project implementation provinces .......................... 14 Table 14. Summary of Potential Environmental Impacts of Project Interventions before Mitigation................................................................................................................................................... 15 Table 15. Summary of Potential Environmental Impacts of project Interventions after mitigation16 ANNEXES 1. Summary Environmental Management Plan 29 2. Regulatory Framework for Environmental Protection in PRC 40 3. Economic Development in Three Northwest Provinces of the PRC 45 4. Outline Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan 46 SUPPLEMENTARY ANNEX 1. Environmental Impact Mitigation and Monitoring Plan 1
I. INTRODUCTION
1. The purpose of this consolidated initial environmental examination (IEE) report is to present the results of the environmental assessment of the Forestry and Ecological Restoration Project in Three Northwest Provinces of People's Republic of China (PRC). This IEE has been prepared in compliance with the environmental assessment requirements of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). 1 The environmental management plan (EMP) is included in Annex 1 of the IEE. The domestic environmental impact assessment (EIA) reports for the three provinces (Gansu, Shaanxi, and Xinjiang) were approved in August 2009, December 2009, and June 2010, respectively.2 A due diligence analysis of enterprise-based subprojects is prepared.3 A summary of the public consultations for the subprojects is included in Chapter VI of this IEE and in the three provincial EIA reports (footnote 2). A. Environmental Categorization
2. The impacts of the proposed activities of the project are deemed to be site-specific. The project has been classified as a category B project, requiring preparation of an IEE report (represented by the three provincial EIA reports) and a consolidated IEE, which is a summary of the domestic EIA reports and associated investigations.
3. An EMP for each province has been prepared, based on review of the provincial pre-feasibility studies, the mid-term report of the project preparatory technical assistance (PPTA) and the domestic provincial EIA reports. A summary environmental management plan and a summary environmental monitoring plan as Annex 1 of the IEE. B. Methodology of the IEE 4. This IEE report describes the main objective, outcomes, and components of the project, the expected potential environmental impacts, proposed mitigation measures and monitoring requirements, and an environmental mitigation and monitoring plan. The study is based on a detailed review of the provincial EIA reports, other project documentation and reports, and literature sources defining the national policy, laws, and regulations respecting the environment and EIA, forestry, pest management, and food safety and quality. These external sources are referenced in footnotes.
5. During the field work in the three provinces (Gansu, Shaanxi, and Xinjiang) during October–November 2008, semi-structured interviews and other discussions were held between PPTA consultants, staff of the State Forestry Administration (SFA) and its bureaus in the provinces and counties, key Informants in other government departments (water bureau, environment protection bureau, etc.); enterprise managers; village leaders; and individual farmers; etc. Screening and scoping of potential adverse impacts of agro-forestry activities have been conducted and mitigation measures have been developed to address project impacts.
1 Environmental Policy (2002) and Safeguard Policy Statement (2009), Asian Development Bank, Manila, Philippines. 2 Government of the People’s Republic of China. 2009. Environmental Impact Assessment Report. Gansu;
Government of the People’s Republic of China. 2009. Environmental Impact Assessment Report. Shaanxi; Government of the People’s Republic of China. 2009. Environmental Impact Assessment Report. Xinjiang; and ADB. 2009. Final Report for the Silk Road Ecosystem Restoration Project. Consultant’s report. Manila (TA 7040-PRC).
3 Government of the People’s Republic of China. 2009. Environmental Due Diligence Self-Assessment Questionnaire Survey for Agricultural Enterprises. Beijing.
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C. Legal Context of Environmental Protection in the PRC 6. The regulatory framework for environmental protection in the PRC (summarized in Annex 2) includes the Environmental Protection Law and the Law on Evaluation of Environmental Effects of the PRC, which prescribes the environmental assessment review and approval process, overseen by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and its provincial bureaus. Sectoral laws deal with forestry and water resources, and the safety and quality of agricultural products and food.4 In the provinces, the planned interventions have been the subject to EIA by duly authorized design institutes, which are subject to approval by the EPB.
II. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT A. Project Scope, Impact, and Outcome 7. The project has been formulated by the provincial governments of Shaanxi, Gansu and Xinjiang. ADB was initially requested to provide a PPTA in 2006 and fielded a fact-finding mission in 2007. PPTA activities to prepare the project design documentation with the three provinces took place between September 2008 and June 2009.5
8. The expected impact of the project6 is to reduce rural poverty by improved incomes and sustainable livelihoods from the use of forest land. The expected outcome of the project is to increase productivity and reduce vulnerability of forest lands through appropriate and sustainable land uses. B. Outputs and Components of Project Design 9. The outputs of the project (i) economic tree crops established on land under threat of degradation; (ii) ecological reforestation and afforestation established on degraded or steep lands and sustainability of state forest farms assured; and (iii) capacity to implement government policy strengthened in the counties and provinces, and technical support provided to farmers. A summary of the anticipated outputs, components, and partners of the project is given in Table 1.
10. Project interventions will have four key focal areas, which deliver these outputs: (i) the establishment of economic fruit and nut orchards and support for agribusiness development related to fruit orchard development; (ii) establishment of ecological forestry (improved management of forest reserves, reforestation of barren lands, and anti-desertification plantation); (iii) provision of essential infrastructure (i.e. irrigation, water management, access roads, storage facilities, etc.) to support and complement other project activities; and (iv) project management and support structures and services, including training, procurement, and monitoring and evaluation.
4 ADB. 2009. Final Report for the Silk Road Ecosystem Restoration Project. Consultant’s report. Manila (TA 7040-PRC). 5 The project has been referenced in earlier ADB documents as the “Silk Road Ecosystem Restoration Project”. 6 As set out in the mid-term review meeting in March 2009.
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Table 1. Project Outputs, Components, and Partners PROVINCES PROJECT OUTPUTS COMPONENTS GANSU (20 counties) SHAANXI (30 counties) XINJIANG UAR (5 Counties)
Output 1: 1. Establishing Economic Tree Crops 18 counties 23 counties 3 municipalities
Activity: Tree planting/fruit storage/ nut processing
Tree planting/silk worm rearing Tree planting (includes shelter belts)
Partners: Households (3 years) Households (3 years) 3 public and 14 private enterprises, (Changji) households (West and South Gobi, Korle City) (2 years)
Economic tree crops established on land under threat of degradation
Infrastructure: 9 Enterprises: 8 fruit storage & 1 walnut oil pressing
Households: farm buildings (rearing sheds for silk worm)
Enterprises: Irrigation structures
Output 2: 2. Establishing Ecological Forestry
A – 4 counties B – 2 counties (6 counties) Hami municipality
3 townships Activity: Reforestation:
A. Mixed native species B. Yellow Horn
Business development planning, ecosystem services valuation, and carbon trading
Sand stabilization
Partners: County forest bureaus (3 years)
7 state forest farms County forest bureaus (3 years)
Ecological forestry: reforestation established on degraded or steep land and sustainability of state forest farms assured
Infrastructure: N/A Provincial forestry bureau: ecological forest or center (EFC)
N/A
Output 3: 3. Project Management Support
Capacity to implement government policy strengthened in the counties and provinces, and technical support provided to farmers.
Equipment Vehicles Training Management (including M&E)
N/A = not applicable, PRC = People’s Republic of China, W&S = west and south.
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C. Location and Duration
11. The project will work with project management offices (PMOs) in provincial centers and in county forest bureaus in the counties in each of the three provinces. The project sites are shown on the provincial site maps (Figures 2-4) and detailed in Tables 2-7, Section D. The total duration for project activities is 6 years, with 4 years of field work,7 starting from 2010 and completing field activities in 2013. D. Project Interventions
1. Establishment of Economic Tree Crops
12. As at the signing of the memorandum of understanding in early June 2009, the approximate areas of tree crop planting proposed under the project were those shown by province and by crop in Table 2, below. It can be seen that planted area is similar between Shaanxi and Gansu, while Xinjiang has a much lower total area proposed, owing to constraints in suitable land and water availability. The most favoured crops are apples (mainly in Gansu) and walnuts (mainly in Shaanxi), while in Xinjiang Chinese Date (Jujube) is the dominant preferred crop, followed by grapes.
13. In Xinjiang, a small area of timber forestry is to be established, using fast-growing hybrid poplars, to supply wood products to local markets. The plantation is somewhat less dense than a poplar shelter belt and will be watered using drip irrigation.8
Table 2. Project Targets for Economic Tree Crops Establishment (ha)
Crop Shaanxi Gansu Xinjiang Total Project Apples 1,068 11,365 140 12,573 Walnut 7,844 3,375 11,219 Prickly ash 2,727 1,700 4,427 Persimmon 1,224 1,224 Mulberry 1,698 1,698 Tea 487 487 Gingko 810 810 Cherry 166 166 Apricot 67 210 277 Chinese Date 3,195 3,195 Grape 1,810 1,810 Timber 30 30 Total 15,048 17,483 5,385 37,916
ha = hectare. Source: Feasibility study reports of the three provinces.
7 A 3-year establishment cycle of: planting (first year), gapping (second year), tending (third year), beginning in year 1 and extending to new areas in years 2 and 3. 8 See MTR, p. 81–82 for details.
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2. Value Chain Investments in Fruit Storage and Walnut Processing (Gansu)
14. Post-harvest value chain interventions are only a minor component of the interventions, which is mostly related to tree crop establishment and forestry. However, in five counties of Gansu, the project will support the development of modern cool stores (15,700 tons [t] capacity) in five counties to enable fruit (principally apples) to be kept in good condition pending sale or export, in order to take advantage of price differentials between the peak production period and the off season. A smaller volume of general storage for gingko is also included (250 t) and a walnut oil pressing and packaging facility (1,000 t per year output, two million capsules) will be developed to utilize the growing local production of walnuts. These investments are summarized in Table 3.
Table 3. Summary of proposed value chain investments under the project (Gansu)
County Enterprise Type of activity Fruit type Capacity Huixian Xinglin General storage Gingko 250 ton
Mailin Cool storage Apple 2,000 ton Jingning Longyuanhong Cool storage Apple 2,000 ton
Jingchuan Yuantong Cool storage Apple 3,000 ton Longyuan Cool storage Apple 2,000 ton Heshui Longdong Cool storage Apple 3,000 ton
Gangu Manor Cool storage Apple 1,700 ton Qinan Yingdong Cool storage Apple 2,000 ton Chengxian Hualongheye Walnut oil
pressing Walnut 1,000 ton per
year Source: FEDP MTR Report, p. 85, with amendments from PPTA team 04/05/09.
3. Establishment of Ecological Tree Planting (Xinjiang and Gansu)
Table 4. Ecological Forestry Targets for Xinjiang (ha)
City/County Sand Stabilization Restoration of Degraded Land
Changji 0 460 Korle 0 130 Hejing 0 60 Yanqi 0 130 Hami 285 0 Total (ha) 285 780
ha = hectare. Source: MTR, Ecological Forestry Appendix H, with additions from PPTA team June 2009.
a. Sand stabilization planting in Hami, Xinjiang UAR
15. About 285 ha9 of ecological planting of desert shrubs (Haloxylon and others) is required for sand stabilization to protect communities in Hami Prefecture from being overrun by desertification (Table 4). The breakdown of this activity by township is shown in Table 5. The environmental benefits of this activity are described in greater detail in Section IV C1 of this IEE and the consultant’s final report (footnote 4).
9 This area has been reduced at a late stage (June 2009) from the originally proposed 667 ha, which was the
basis for calculating water requirements and benefits in Supplementary Annex 9.
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b. Replanting of the indigenous poplar, Populus euphratica at Changji, Xinjiang
16. A proposal to plant 460 ha of Euphrates poplar, Populus euphratica in the “High Tech. Park”, Changji City (Table 4), has been newly introduced into the project design in June 2009, after the IEE process was completed. P. euphratica is an indigenous drought-resistant tree found on the margins of seasonal watercourses in Asian deserts, including Xinjiang UAR where its numbers are in decline. It is a valuable species for controlling desertification, provided groundwater is available. A relict population of this poplar already occurs at the “High Tech. Park” in Changji City. Augmentation of this degraded woodland by appropriate planting of seedlings from carefully selected provenances, would provide local environmental benefits in biodiversity, microclimate amelioration, woody biomass accumulation, and amenity value. A further 320 ha of poplar will be planted in Korle, Hejiang, and Yanqi counties.
c. Reforestation of barren lands in Gansu Province10
17. The loess soils of Eastern Gansu are deeply eroded with steep hillsides and gullies, from which soil is lost during rain storms, increasing siltation of dams and reservoirs, and increasing maintenance costs of drainage and rural roads. The rationale and objective of reforestation is to address these negative impacts by stabilizing the slopes with trees and other vegetation to reduce runoff, build up organic material, and improve ground water recharge. Planting of native and agro-forestry species of trees and shrubs to reduce erosion on degraded hillsides has been well researched and tested, and is widely used in the PRC. National standards have been adopted for carrying out this activity.11 The species to be planted, depending on altitude and climatic harshness are shown in Table 6.
18. There are two versions of the reforestation model reflecting the two major ecosystems where implementation of this intervention is proposed. The first model is for southeast Gansu in Qingyang and Pingliang Municipalities. A total of 792 ha of planting will be undertaken in these two municipalities. The second version is on the higher, drier sites of Dingxi Municipality where Shiny yellow horn will be grown on a total of 3,044 ha. The project will plant tree species that are matched to local site conditions.12 The majority of sites will use (i) Pinus tabulaeformis (Chinese Pine) and Robinia pseudoacacia (Black Locust) on sites lower than 1800m asl.; (ii) Betula Spp (Birch), Pinus armandii (Ba Shan Pine), Larix chinensis (Chinese Larch) and Larix kaempferi (Japanese Larch) on sites higher than 1800m asl.; and (iii) Xanthoceras sorbifolia (Shiny Yellow Horn) in the arid, cold, high elevation, and poor soil sites in Dingxi county.
Table 5. Physical targets for Reforestation of Degraded Lands (Gansu)
City/County Degraded Land
(ha) Tree Species for reforestation
Qingyang City 215 • Xifeng County 80 • Ningxian County 75 • Qingcheng County 60
(i) Elevation <1800m: Robinia (Robinia pseudoacacia) and Pine, (ii) Elevation > 1800m: Birch, Pine, Larch
10 This section is based on material from the ecological forestry report, Appendix H, of the MTR. 11 “Standards for Certifying Ecological and Economic Plantations of the Program for Converting Sloping Land
Cultivation to Forest Land”. These were assessed by the PPTA Team and found appropriate for the project use. (see p 45 of Ecological Forestry Report, Appendix H of MTR)
12 The species listed are those cited in the MTR of the PPTA, p. 94.
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Pingliang City 480 • Kongtong County 480
Subtotal 792
With sea-buckthorn where grazing occurs
Dingxi City (33 townships in two counties) 3,044
• Lintao County 1,522 • Tongwei County 1,522
Shiny Yellow Horn (Xanthoceras sorbifolia)
Gansu province total 3,836 ha = hectare, m = meter. Source: MTR, Table 61 & Ecological Forestry Appendix H, amended according to PPTA figures June 2009.
4. Support for Sustainable Development of State Forest Farms (Shaanxi)
19. The project is supporting a pilot planning and advisory intervention designed to enable seven state forest farms (SFF), which are responsible for significant ecological assets, but are currently dependent on subsidies, to become self-sufficient. This will be achieved through a mixture of business development planning involving eco-tourism, designing ecosystem services valuation and compensation models, and creating the enabling environment and infrastructure for carbon trading. The participating SFF are listed in Table 7. A detailed assessment of the expected environmental benefits of this intervention is in the consultant’s final report (footnote 4).
Table 6. State Forest Farms in Shaanxi Benefiting from project assistance County Name of State Forest Farm (SFF) Area (ha) Hu County Tai Ping 12,300 Zhouzhi County Hou Zhenzi 38,046 Baoji City Matoutan 34,668 Baoji City Xinjiashan 10,007 Heyang County Huanghe 2,048.4 Nanzheng County Liping 23,184 Lueyang County Jin Chiyuan 5,820 Total 126,073.4 ha = hectare, SFF = state forest farm. Source: Shaanxi Forestry Bureau.
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III. DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE PROJECT PROVINCES
20. The proposed project implementation area is located in districts and counties selected from among some relatively poorer parts of Gansu, Shaanxi, and Xinjiang.13 The region is one of the most severe in the PRC, in terms of its climate and topography. These two provinces and one autonomous region each have some unique features and distinct ecosystems (Table 8), as indicated in the following section.
Table 7. Project Area Ecosystem Types Province/Project Area Location Eco-system Shaanxi (three eco-systems)
1. North of Wei River Basin Loess plateau, terraced slopes and gullies
2. Wei and Han Jiang River Valleys Integrated agricultural-urban river basins
3. Qinling and Ba Shan Mountain Ranges Forested mountains and hills Gansu (two eco-systems)
4. Longnan & Guanshan Mountains Forested mountains and hills 5. Tanshui, Pingliang, Qinyang, Huixuan Loess plateau, terraced slopes and
gullies 6. Dingxi Loess plateau, terraced slopes and
gullies Xinjiang (two eco-systems)
7. Urumqi/Changji; North of Tian Shan Mts. Arid, inter-mountain agricultural basin 8. Hami Prefecture and townships (West of Gobi Desert; South of Tian Shan Mountains)
Northern desert oasis
9. Korla City + Bayangol Prefecture (North of Taklamakan Desert; South of Tian Shan
Mountains)
Northern desert oasis
Source: Ecological Forestry Appendix of FERP PPTA MTR
A. Physical resources
1. Gansu
21. The geographical position of Gansu, situated in the northwest PRC, is between 32°31′ and 42°57′ N latitude, and 92°13′ and 108°46′ E longitude with an area of about 453 700 km2. The project implementation area is located in the middle to eastern parts of the province, between 32°48′ and 36°37′ N, and 102°43′ and108°42′ E.
22. The climate in the province is mainly continental, covering sub-humid to sub-arid temperate zones, and varying from warm and humid in the southeast to cold and dry in the northwest. In the subproject areas the annual mean temperature ranges from 14 °C in the southeast down to 6 °C in the north, and the frost-free period of the year lasts between 220 days in the southeast and 160 days in the north. The annual mean precipitation varies between 700 mm in the southeast and 400 mm in the north, concentrating more than half of the annual rainfall in the mid-summer season from June through early September. Strong or gentle winds normally blow from the west or northwest to the east, occasionally in spring time with dusts over the sky.
13 Cited from Appendix D of the MTR reports: Land degradation and Ecosystem Descriptions, written and
submitted by Jay Blakeney and Zheng Yongqi.
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23. Topography and soils are rather variable in the province, with varied landforms including medium to high-mountains, hills, plateaux, river valleys, and deserts. Within the subproject areas the landforms can be categorized mainly into two types: the loess plateau with a few outstanding rocky peaks amongst deep loess sediments in the middle to northeast, and with an average elevation of 1200–1800 m above asl; and mountains with alternating steep slopes and deep gullies, from about 1000 m asl up to more than 4000 m asl in the highest peak. The soil types in the project areas include cultivated loessal soils and sierozem both developed on top of the parental loess deposits in the loess plateau, and light to dark brown soils distributed mainly at the southeast mountainous areas.
24. The main river basins in the province include the Yellow River basin, the Yangtze (Changjiang) River basin, and a few inland river basins named the Hehe, Shiyanghe, and Shulehe, etc. The subproject areas are located in the tributary river basins of the Yellow River in the north to northeast, including the Tao, Hulu, Daxia, Wei, and Jing rivers; and the tributary river basins of Yangtze River, consisting of Jialing, Bailongjiang, and Xiniujiang in the southeast.
25. Water resources in Gansu are not very abundant, with the surface water at a level of 28.214 billion m3 and the groundwater at a level of 0.730 billion m3, reaching a total amount of 28.944 billion m3 in the province (Table 9). However, the spatial distribution of the water resources in the province is not even, featuring abundance in the southeast and scarcity in the north to the northwest. This may not affect project implementation very much since the implementation areas are mainly located in the southeast and northeastwards to the centre of the province.
Table 8. Water Resource in River Basins in Gansu province
Surface water
(million m3) River Basin
Local Inflow Outflow
Non-overlapping groundwater (million m3)
Total water resource
(million m3)
Percentage of total (%)
Water yield coefficient
(10,000 m3/km2)
Inland River 5,662 1,410 999 468 6129 21.2 22.7
Yellow River 12,516 23,964 34,108 263 12,779 44.1 87.6
Yangtze River 10,037 3,359 13,127 0 10,037 34.7 260.8
Provincial Total 28,214 28,733 48,235 730 28,944 100 63.7
km2 = square kilometer, m3 = cubic meter. Source: Water Resources Appendix C of PPTA MTR
2. Shaanxi
26. The geographical position of Shaanxi, situated geometrically in the centre of the PRC, extends to a range of 31°42′–39°35′ N and 105°29′–111°15′ E, with an area of about 205,800 km2. The project implementation area is mainly located in the middle to southern parts of the province, fringing the loess plateau to the north, and extending to the Qinling Mountain and Bashan Mountain ranges to the south, between 31°42′–35°30′ N and 105°29′–110°10′ E.
27. The climate in the province is continental with a monsoon flavor. Both the annual mean temperature and the annual mean humidity in the province are the highest among the
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three project implementation provinces, since its geographical location is more southerly and much closer to the eastern seaboard of the PRC. The annual mean temperature in Shaanxi is 13°C with as many as 218 frost-free days, the temperature varying within the project implementation area between 16°C in the south with a humid subtropical climate and 10°C in the north or mountainous areas entering into the warm temperate climate zone. The precipitation in the province averages 570 mm annually, increasing to 800–1000 mm in the southern mountainous areas whereas decreasing to below 500 mm in the north semi-humid to semi-arid areas. Winds in the whole year are not very strong except for the spring time in the upper hinterland of loess plateau far to the north Shaanxi where it is already out of the project implementation area. Generally speaking, the climate in the project implementation area in the province is very good for agricultural and forestry production.
28. Topography is rather variable in the province, varying from the mountain ranges with high ridges and steep slope valleys in the south, plains and gentle hills in the middle, loess plateau in the north with some protruding rocky or earth peaks, and sandy desert at the northwestern corner of the province. The elevation in the south averages 1000–2500 m, with a few mountain peaks and ridges over 3000 m; while in the middle part of the province, the altitude is lower, at about 400–600 m asl, and over 1000 m at the southern fringe of loess plateau in the north. There are several main soil types in the province, including brown soils in the southern mountainous areas and meadow soils alongside river valley banks, cinnamon (drab) soil in the northern piedmonts of the Qinling Mountain range and southern fringe of the loess plateau, and loessal soil and sierozem developed on top of deep parental loess deposits 100–200 m thick on the loess plateau. Widely distributed alluvial soil can be found spreading over the flat plain of the Weihe River basin where traditional agricultural production has developed for more than 5000 years.
29. The main river basins in the province include the Hanjiang river basin in the south, which is the largest primary tributary of the Yangtze river; the Weihe river basin in the middle, which is the largest primary tributary of Yellow river; and the Yellow River basin itself in the north and northeast, with several tributaries, including the Yanhe, Wudinghe, etc.
30. Water resources in the province are comparatively abundant, though the per capita quota is not very favourable (Table 10). The total surface water in the province (2007) reaches to 34.959 billion m3 and groundwater reaches to 13.581 billion m3 amounting to 37.606 billion m3 in total, excluding overlapping groundwater. The situation of usable water resource in the project implementation areas, amounting to 30.349 billion m3, is much better than that in the province as a whole, since they are mainly located in the middle to southern parts of the province where the climate is warmer and more humid.
Table 9. Water resource in the project area of Shaanxi province (2007)
River Basin Mean annual precipitation
(mm)
Surface water
(×106 m3)
Ground-water
(×106 m3)
Over-lapping ground-water
(×106 m3)
Total water
resource (×106 m3)
Irrigation quota
(m3/mu)
Water per capita (m3/
person)
Total in project area 807 20,016 18,796 8,463 30,349 370.65 251.24
Yellow River 640 6,728 5,423 3,693 8,458 162.24 179.20
Yangtze River 974 13,288 13,373 4,770 21,891 579.06 323.29
Provincial total 676 34,959 13,581 10,934 37,606 248.1 217.57
Source: Water Resources Appendix C of PPTA MTR, abbreviated.
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3. Xinjiang
31. Xinjiang is situated in the most north-western part of the PRC, with an area of about 1 663 100 km2 extending from 34°25′ to 49°10′ N and from 73°30′ to 96°23′ E, making it the largest provincial unit of the PRC in territory. However, the project implementation area is only concentrated within the piedmonts, as well as the adjacent areas around the piedmonts down to the fringes of large deserts, on both the southern and northern sides of the Tianshan Mountains.
32. In general, the climate in Xinjiang is extremely continental and arid due to its particular central location in Eurasia, which in any direction is far away from the Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Arctic Ocean. The annual mean temperature in the region, supported by a year-round total of 2600–3000 sunshine hours, varies from -4° to 9°C in the north and from 7° to 14°C in the south, featuring a very large daily range and annual amplitude of fluctuation; the range of frost-free periods also varies widely, from 150 days in the north to 200–220 days in the south. The precipitation in the region averages about 150 mm annually, varying from more than 250 mm on the windward slopes of mountains, down to below 50 mm on the leeward slopes of the same mountains. Strong winds are unavoidable in the region all year round since the whole region is under the influence of the westerlies, reinforced by the parallel east-to-west orientation of the mountains.
33. The topography of the region is quite simple, consisting of three parallel mountain ranges interspersed by two basins. The three high mountain ranges are the Kunlun in the south; Tianshan in the middle; and Altai in the north, with the highest peak, K2 having an elevation of 8611 m asl, located to the west of Kunlun. In the Tianshan Mountain, there are also several peaks over 6000 m asl with large glaciers topping the ridges and valleys. The two large basins are the Tarim, located at the south side of the Tianshan Mountain; and Junggar, located at the north side. These are in fact two huge deserts, with large-sized mobile to semi-mobile or semi-fixed fields of sand dunes at their centers. The soils in the region are mainly desert soils except for the meadow soils appearing on mountain piedmonts or in oasis areas.
34. The main river basins in the region are the Tarim River basin in the south with the longest inland river in the PRC, the Tarim River, joined by the Kaidu River and others; and the Junggar Basin in the north with the Irtysh River flowing into the Arctic Ocean, and the inland Ulungur river, etc. All inland rivers in the region either flow in the end into the salty lakes or gradually disappear in the hinterland deserts, due to the arid climate with strong evaporation and inadequate rainfall.
35. Water resources in the region are very scarce, owing to its hinterland location and extreme arid climate. This situation pertains also in the project implementation area (Table 11). The total amount of water resources including surface water and groundwater is 11.622 ×109 m3, in which the available water resource is only 3.125 ×109 m3.
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Table 10. Water resource in the project area of Xinjiang
Water resource amount
(x 106 m3) Available water resource
(x 106 m3)
Project location
Surface water
Ground-water
Over-lapping water
Total
Allocated surface water (by WRB)
Exploitable ground-water
Total
Hami City 874 1,299 927 1,246 300 365 665
Korla City 1,245 423 422 1,246 580 130 710Hejing County 4,760 581 523 4,818 106 349 455
Yanqi County 3,500 500 450 3,550 399 231 630
Changji County 661 255 154 762 505 160 665
Total 11,040 3,058 2,476 11,622 1,890 1,235 3,125 WRB = water resource bureau. Source: Water Resources Appendix C of PPTA MTR, abbreviated.
B. Ecological Resources
36. The ecological resources in the project implementation provinces are very abundant, including forests, wildlife, rare or endangered plant and animal species, and protected areas (some of which are also beautiful scenic spots) (Table 12). Most of the protected areas are nature reserves, including representatives of forest ecosystems (> 60% of the total), mainly located at the mountainous areas, grassland ecosystems, wetland ecosystems, desert systems, the geological parks, and a few habitat areas dedicated to special wildlife species.
C. Economic Development
37. Economic development in the three proposed project implementation provinces has been very rapid, especially in the recent years. Annex 4 gives a general description of the situation in each of the provinces.
D. Quality of Life Values
38. The environmental conditions in the three project implementation provinces have been constantly changing in recent years (Table 13), and the quality of life values have improved significantly (Table 14).
13
Table 11. Ecological resources in the three project provinces Province Gansu Shaanxi Xinjiang Remark Wildlife species (vertebrates)
822 750 About 700 (mammals, 134; birds, 392–430; reptiles, 40–45; amphibians, 6–7; fishes, 93–120)
Half the fish species in Xinjiang are introduced
Main species to be protected
Panda, Snow Leopard, etc.
Panda, Ibis, Golden Monkey, etc.
Equus hemionus, Equus przewalskii, Gazella subguttulosa, etc.
Rare or endangered species
105 of vertebrates; 54 of which are national listed animals and birds
108 (vertebrates) of national listed animals and birds (class I 16 and class II 65), 52 of provincial listed; 34 of plant species
107 (vertebrates); (class I 27 and class II 80)
Protected areas (×103 ha)
9952.5 (amounting to 22.1% of the total provincial territory); 59 in total, 13 of which national, 40 provincial
1010 (amounting to 4.77% of the total provincial territory); 41 in total, 9 of which national, 28 provincial
220.1 (amounting to 13.27% of the total provincial territory); 35 in total, 8 of which national, 22 provincial
Mainly ecosystem types for protecting rare plant or animal species. More than 90% of animal and plant species within a province are under protection.
Forests (×106 ha)
39.65, 9.40% coverage
76.76, 37.3% coverage
20.947, 2.94% coverage
Including open woodland and dense bushes, especially for Xinjiang
Sources: http://www.gsep.gansu.gov.cn/showpage/news_detail.aspx?arc_id=2227; http://www.cnwildlife.com/Article/Class1/Class2/200603/20060328091432.html http://www.wildlife.gov.cn/index.php http://www.cnki.com.cn/Article/CJFDTotal-GHDL200101007.htm; http://www.xjtour.net/filebase/xjgl/2008411123549.htm
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Table 12. Environmental quality in the three project implementation provinces Province Shaanxi
(year 2008) Gansu
(year 2007) Xinjiang
(year 2007) Remark
Comprehensive Index of Ambient Air Quality Standard (1–5)
87.8% (2008) of days under 2.0, averaged at 2.25
2.0~3.0 83.8% of days under 2.0
Water quality in rivers and lakes (reservoirs) (I–VI)
Equal to or under Class III
Mostly up to the standard, averaged at Class III
Class I–III taking up 51.8%, Class IV–V 37.1%, and over Class V 11.1%
% compliance with water quality in the sources of drinking water for urban residents
100.0% (2008) in monitored cities
Among 15 monitored cities, 4 slightly failed to reach the standard
Among 19 monitored cities, 82.4% of which are up to the standard
Index of road noise in urban areas (dB)
66.0 64.9–69.8 In the cities monitored, 21.5% of which over the standard (70.0)
Generally speaking, the best situation can be found in Shaanxi province, which could partially be explained by the data having been collected in the year 2008.
Sources: http://news.xatvs.com/newshtml/14/2/0213160436.html; http://www.gsep.gansu.gov.cn/down/text/2007ngsshhjzkgb.pdf; http://www.xjepb.gov.cn/hjzkgb/2007/05.htm;
Table 13. Quality of life values in the three project implementation provinces
Province Shaanxi Gansu Xinjiang Population (×106) (year 2006) 37.35 26.06 20.50 Net income for rural residents RMB/cap. (year 2006)
2260 2134 2737
High education (number of university and college) (year 2006)
76 34 31
Engel’s coefficient in rural resident family (year 2006)1
39.0% 46.7% 39.9%
1 A measure of the proportion of annual income spent on food. Source: http://www.cnwest88.com/
IV. FORECASTING OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
A. Screening and scoping of impacts
39. The potentially significant environmental impacts anticipated to arise from proposed activities are summarized with an assessment of their relative severity before and after mitigation in Tables 15–16. A series of matrices have been prepared, showing potential impacts, and proposed mitigation and monitoring measures, based on previous project practices and experiences and the judgement of the assessors (footnote 4). These have been derived from the provincial EIA reports, supplemented where necessary from the extensive studies financed under the PPTA. 40. In line with ADB's SPS, the assessment included possible benefits and impacts with regard to (i) biodiversity conservation and sustainable natural resource management; (ii) pollution prevention and abatement; and (iii) health and safety, and physical cultural resources. The relevant benefits and impacts that were identified are elaborated below.
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Table 14. Summary of Potential Environmental Impacts of Project Interventions before Mitigation
Province Economic Forestry Infrastructure Ecological Forestry
Date, grape, apple, timber Impact Irrigation infrastructure Impact Sand stabilization Impact
access rights – land use rights (canals) – water extraction – – water extraction (offsite impact) – – access rights – microclimate
biodiversity – construction impacts (canals, pipelines) – moving sand stabilized (offsite
impact)
microclimate vegetation cover
nutrient pollution – biodiversity
Xinjiang
pesticide pollution – access rights –
Apple, Walnut etc Impact Storage and Processing Facilities Impact Reforestation of barren lands Impact
water extraction (offsite impact) – land use rights – soil loss –
soil loss – construction impacts – biodiversity – nutrient pollution – emissions (air, land, and water) – vegetation cover
Gansu
pesticide pollution –
Apple, Walnut, mulberry, tea etc Impact silkworm sheds Impact State Forest Farm
Development Impact
soil loss – construction impacts 0 Ecological services valuation
nutrient pollution – Carbon trade planning
Shaanxi
pesticide pollution – –
Any infrastructure or extractive activity in SFF planned in year 1 must be screened and assessed via government and ADB EIA/IEE process
Ecotourism & business development –
Scale of Impact: --- very negative, -- moderately negative, - slightly negative; 0 neutral/insignificant; + slightly positive, ++ moderately positive, +++ very positive; +- mixed impacts ADB = Asian Development Bank, EIA = environmental impact assessment; IEE = initial environmental examination, SFF = state forest farms
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Table 15. Summary of Potential Environmental Impacts of project Interventions after mitigation
Province Economic Forestry Infrastructure Ecological Forestry
Date, grape, apple, timber Impact Irrigation infrastructure Impact Sand Stabilization Impact
access rights 0 land use rights (canals) 0 water extraction – water extraction (offsite impact) – access rights 0 microclimate
biodiversity – construction impacts (canals and pipelines) 0 moving sand stabilized (offsite
impact)
microclimate vegetation cover
nutrient pollution 0 biodiversity
Xinjiang
pesticide pollution 0 access rights 0
Apple, Walnut etc Impact Storage and Processing Facilities Impact Reforestation of Barren
Lands Impact
water extraction (offsite impact) 0 land use rights 0 soil loss
soil loss 0 construction impacts 0 biodiversity
nutrient pollution 0 emissions (air, land, and water) 0 vegetation cover
Gansu
pesticide pollution 0
Apple, Walnut, mulberry, tea etc Impact Silkworm Sheds Impact State Forest Farm
Development Impact
soil loss 0 construction impacts 0 Ecological services valuation
nutrient pollution 0 Carbon trade planning
Shaanxi
pesticide pollution 0
Any infrastructure or extractive activity in SFF planned in year 1 must be screened and assessed via government and ADB EIA and/or IEE process
Ecotourism and business development
Scale of Impact: --- very negative, -- moderately negative, - slightly negative; 0 neutral/insignificant; + slightly positive, ++ moderately positive, +++ very positive; +- mixed impacts
ADB = Asian Development Bank, EIA = Environmental Impact Assessment; IEE = Initial Environmental Examination, SFF = state forest farms
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B. Environmental Impacts of Economic Tree Crops Development
1. Xinjiang: negative impacts of irrigation mitigated by water use efficiency gains
41. The overall ecological forestry targets for Xinjiang are shown in Table 4. The water situation in Xinjiang, and in particular Hami, has been assessed in detail by the PPTA, because of the existing deficit throughout the basin.14 In Hami, the use of drip irrigation is proposed both for Haloxylon sand-fixation belts and for date plantations. A total of 3,340 ha of cotton with an annual water demand of 450 m3 per mu will be converted to date cultivation with a demand of 400 m3 per mu, a saving of 50 m3 per mu or 11% (footnote 14). These gains are conservatively estimated, since some cotton are irrigated by more wasteful furrow irrigation, using much larger volumes of water. In the with-project scenario, water use in Hami is estimated to be reduced by 2.2 million m3, or just under 10% overall. Elsewhere in Xinjiang, grape and date developments and their associated shelter belts, will also be drip-irrigated, producing some savings where these crops replace cotton or annual crops, as in some areas of Changji City (footnote 14). The provincial government of Xinjiang confirmed that the wells to be constructed for economic trees development in Hami County will only replace existing older wells that will be closed to guarantee the anticipated annual groundwater savings. The provincial government also confirmed that the necessary approvals for all replacement wells are obtained from the local and provincial governments prior to their construction.
2. Beneficial impacts of replacing annual crops with perennial crops
42. Some additional environmental benefits, in addition to relative water savings, are expected from conversion of land use from annual to perennial crops in marginal areas. Annual cropping of wheat, corn, and cotton depletes soil productivity through repeated tillage, which exposes the soil to erosion and desiccation. Constant removal of plant biomass leads to reduction in soil organic matter, nutrient status, and water retention capacity. In general, farmers have tended to compensate for declining crop yields by adding inputs of water and agro-chemicals, causing further problems with salinization and alkalinisation, and exacerbating the decline of soil quality.
43. Conversion to tree crops, leads to reduced frequency of tillage, increases soil organic matter through tree root development, and improves soil nutrient status through the ability of trees to access minerals from deeper in the soil profile. Water absorption is improved and surface runoff is reduced. Trees are able to sequester carbon from the atmosphere both in roots and above-ground branches and leaves, and provide litter which can be used for mulching, further increasing soil organic matter, texture, and fertility. Because of their greater biomass and longevity, trees offer a degree of buffering against extreme climatic fluctuations such as droughts and floods, compared to annual crops, reducing environmental risks for farmers.
3. Potential negative impacts of pesticide use
44. The PRC is both a major world producer and exporter of generic pesticides, and a major producer and exporter of fruit. Significant amounts of pesticides are applied to fruits, especially apples. However, the official maximum residue level (MRL) standards for apples are more lax than those of importing countries (footnote 4) and only cover a proportion of the pesticides actually applied to the crop, leading to substantial problems in meeting European,
14 Government of the People’s Republic of China. 2009. Summary of Potential Water Resources Impacts in
Xinjiang. Xinjiang. Figures for with-project water consumption and estimated savings were based on the physical targets pertaining at the time of the studies (April 2009). These have subsequently been somewhat reduced, with a concomitant reduction in the expected impact of proposed project interventions.
18
Japanese, and US MRL standards for fruit imports.15 Apple production area will be increased (along with date, walnut, and other fruits) leading to a concomitant increase in pesticide use. While applications to the annual crops, which are being replaced (cotton and wheat) are also significant, fruit trees are likely to be sprayed by hand, with greater risk to operators who are less familiar with this cropping system.
45. The regulatory environment for pesticide use and the impacts of pesticides are assessed (footnote 4). Apart from the need to discourage use of specific banned or hazardous pesticides for reasons of operator and consumer safety, there is the underlying issue of agro-ecosystem sustainability which is put at risk by pesticide-based crop protection. Orchards are particularly suited to the development of integrated pest management (IPM), using augmentation and conservation of populations of natural enemies of pests, microbial pesticides, and cultural methods. In an IPM system, judicious application of relatively safe pesticides can be made as a last resort when natural control fails to keep pest damage below the economic threshold. The majority of the pesticides currently used in orchards in the PRC are profoundly harmful to the natural enemy complex and are not compatible with IPM (footnote 4).
46. The implication of this for the project is that there is a choice between two incompatible approaches. The conventional model is a broad spectrum pesticide input system in which farmers are given standard spraying schedules, leading to greatly reduced natural enemy biodiversity, a constant risk of secondary pest outbreaks and potential non-compliance with export MRLs. The IPM model16 is a knowledge based system in which farmers assess the balance of pest and/or natural enemy interactions in their crop throughout the season and have a range of options for action before pests become economically damaging. Switching from business as usual to IPM will require a major input of capacity building and a sea-change in attitude of extension staff to farmers as managers of their own crop. While improvements in safe use of pesticides can be achieved by compliance with the FAO code of conduct,17 this alone is not enough to deliver the full environmental and economic benefits of IPM.
4. Integrated Pest Management Plan
47. The EMP (footnote 4) proposes a series of interconnected activities in mitigation of the effects of pesticide use, including pesticide residue sampling and testing, studies on safer pesticides and alternative control strategies, training workshops and field demonstration trials of IPM strategies for orchard crops (footnote 4). An outline of the IPM plan is given in the consultants report (footnote 4). In order to ensure benefits from the application of IPM, a staff position of provincial orchard integrated crop and pest management specialist is proposed in each provincial PMO to oversee implementation of the project. The terms of reference for this post is given in the consultant’s report (footnote 4).
15 See industry comment (January 2009) in: “China Fruit Exports Has Been Frequently Constrained, Exposing
Industry Structure Defect” http://manager.boabc.com/Fruit_&_Vegetable_Report/2009-02-09/1234145360593.html
16 See definition of IPM and ADB’s IPM policy in Supplementary Appendix 5, section 7. 17 The FAO Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides is available in Chinese at:
http://www.fao.org/WAICENT/FAOINFO/AGRICULT/AGP/AGPP/Pesticid/Code/Download/chinese.pdf
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C. Environmental Impacts and Benefits of Ecological Forestry Development
1. Xinjiang: net benefits of sand stabilization planting
48. Planting of Haloxylon and other desert-adapted shrubs has been widely used in the northwest PRC to protect infrastructure (roads, railways).18 In Hami, three communities are to be protected by upwind planting on areas of shifting sand, totalling 296 ha. The beneficial impacts of sand stabilization are assessed in detail in the consultants report (footnote 4). They include the preservation of intact communities and their livelihoods (estimated at 260 households and 3,131 ha of crop land preserved) as well as gains in biodiversity and forage biomass in areas, which are currently almost devoid of vegetation.19
49. The intervention will be supported by the Global Environment Facility funding as a demonstration of lowest possible water use using drip irrigation to provide a model for more efficient water use in similar initiatives elsewhere in the province. Water use, plant survival, and growth of plants will be closely monitored during the implementation period by external consultant experts based in the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography.20 While Hami is a net deficit area for water supply, the sand stabilization planting is seen as having a net benefit for local people and the local environment. The project has made compensatory water savings through conversion from cotton production to Chinese date cultivation under drip irrigation. A full assessment of the expected water use by the project in Hami, is given in Supplementary Annex 8.
2. Gansu: environmental impacts of barren land reforestation
50. Throughout the project area, sites where a combination of topography, climate, soil, and inappropriate land use practices, have led to degradation or loss of native vegetation. Some activities contributing to degradation include over-grazing; cropping on inappropriate sites; fires; and collection of fuel, fodder, and medicinal plant collection, etc. In extreme cases, this has resulted in barren sites (often on hill slopes) that are subject to high rates of soil erosion during periodic wind and heavy rainfall. This type of area is particularly problematic in the loess soil, hill and gully, topography of eastern Gansu and western Shaanxi, where fine loess soil is easily eroded and contributes to a number of negative impacts.
51. The ecological impacts resulting from barren hills include (i) soil erosion resulting in loss of soil (on site land degradation); (ii) high turbidity, silt load, and sedimentation of rivers and reservoirs; (iii) increased maintenance costs for transport and urban infrastructure (culverts, drains, bridges, roads, etc); and (iv) air pollution—strong wind result in sand storms, creating off site impacts to health, etc.
52. The development of woodlands over 4,215 ha of sloping barren lands is expected to deliver benefits through enhanced ecosystem services, including increased water percolation and water-holding capacity, reduced runoff and siltation, and improved development and regeneration of understory vegetation and its attendant biodiversity. Carbon sequestration by planted trees will be significant, especially in view of the superior
18 See examples in: Best Practices for Land Degradation Control in Dryland Areas of China. PRC-GEF
Partnership on Land Degradation in Dryland Ecosystems. China Land Degradation Assessment in Drylands. China Forestry Publishing House, 2008.
19 Physical targets were reduced in June 2009. The original intention was to plant 667 ha with an estimated benefit to 585 households and 7,056 ha of farmland. The reduction in area will halve the requirement for new wells and substantially reduce project impact on scarce groundwater resources.
20 See Appendix 9.
20
wood quality (higher dry matter content, and therefore, higher carbon content) of yellow horn.21
3. Shaanxi: beneficial impacts of State Forest Farm Development
53. The investment in development of state forest farms as viable enterprises is expected to yield direct benefits in the maintenance and enhancement of forest regeneration in major ecological forest resources, through non-extractive business activities, valuation of ecological services and carbon trading. These forests are important for watershed protection and other ecological services and already show promising carbon stocks with annual growth. 22 Improved management of natural regeneration and selective reforestation will further increase carbon sequestration rates during implementation, and is also expected to enhance biodiversity. A more detailed assessment of the benefits of SFF development is given in the consultants report (footnote 4).
D. Environmental Impacts of Agro-processing Activities
1. Impact of Edible oil processing (Walnut oil)
54. The only processing activity foreseen under the project is a small walnut oil pressing enterprise in Gansu. Edible oil processing is normally a two-stage process, involving first extraction, followed by refining. Extraction will use screw presses in which seed is crushed by a worm-shaft rotating inside a closely-fitting perforated cage. Solvent extraction using hexane will not be used for walnut oil processing. During processing, the walnut kernel is separated into three components: oil; dry hull; (which can be composted or burnt for energy) and oilcake, a valuable byproduct which can be fed to animals. It is expected that about 1,000 metric t of walnuts will be processed per year.
55. Traditional alkaline refining processes would require additional water and involve production of significant quantities of liquid waste, consisting of washings containing oil and other impurities from the oil and possibly caustic soda and other chemicals. Phosphorus from phospho-lipids would also be present at high levels. However, walnut oil production, will not involve any refining activity, since the various impurities and brown coloration of walnut oil are considered to be desirable characteristics of the oil. This will reduce the environmental impact to a very low level.
2. Mitigation of impacts of edible oil processing
56. The most important step is to separate solid and liquid waste streams during processing. Dry clean-up (sweeping with a broom) should be used if possible to keep solid waste out of the wastewater stream and to reduce use of wash-down water. An assessment should be made of the likely expected volume of wastewater, and some basic provision for containment and processing of the wastewater stream should be included. Avoiding use of chlorine, bleaches, and detergents improves cleaning wastewater quality. If detergents are used, they should be biodegradable where possible and quantities should be carefully assessed to avoid over-dosing. In the absence of refining activities, cleaning wastewater can be passed through a sedimentation basin and can then be processed in a conventional septic tank, with a soak away. Ideally, it should not be mixed with sewage from toilet and bathroom facilities for staff, which should have its own separate septic tank.
57. At the design stage there will be economic incentives for preventing as far as possible losses of oil, which would be of environmental concern. Oil spillages should be caught where possible using drip trays under taps. Dry cleanup using absorbent crop waste 21 See Table 78 of the MTR. 22 See MTR Section 5.3, especially Tables 68–69.
21
(e.g., cotton seed hulls, sand, saw dust, and grain husks) can be used to absorb oil spills and the waste can be composted in a bin, instead of hosing down spillages to drain.
3. Impacts of construction activities
58. The project will support the construction of irrigation infrastructure (canals, canalettes, and water pipelines) in Xinjiang in support of tree crop production. In Gansu, several fruit stores and one small oil pressing facility will be constructed, while in Shaanxi a few rearing sheds for silk worms are to be built. The impacts of these activities are minor and localized. They will be further reduced through adequate consultations during constructions, the inclusion of environmental guidelines for construction activities (footnote 4), the requirement for contractors to include site-specific environmental mitigation plans in their bids for construction work, and withholding final payments in case of non-compliance. These are included as a requirement of the EMP (Annex 1).
E. Other potential impacts and benefits
1. Invasive alien species
59. The project will not introduce any new alien species that are not yet established in the country or region of the project, or promote species that are known to be invasive in the given environments. The environmental assessment indicates that no species are known to be new or invasive. If any species will be reported to be invasive during implementation of the project, the executing agency will undertake an assessment of the possibility of accidental or unintended introduction of such invasive alien species and identify measures to minimize the potential for release.
2. Physical cultural resources
60. No physical cultural resources were detected during the project preparation, and it is considered unlikely that important physical cultural resources will be found in the project areas. In case such resources are found, all construction work will be put to a halt and consultations will be held with the local authorities and project staff on how to proceed. Such events and the subsequent decisions and actions will be reported in the environmental progress reports. In any case, the provincial governments confirmed that the project will not remove any physical cultural resources unless the following conditions are met: (i) no alternatives to removal are available; (ii) the overall benefits of the project substantially outweigh the anticipated cultural heritage loss from removal; (iii) any removal is conducted in accordance with relevant provisions of national; and (iv) local laws, regulations, and protected area management plans and national obligations under international laws and employs the best available techniques.
3. Cumulative Impacts
61. No cumulative impacts were identified during the project preparation phase.
4. Community Health and Safety
62. During the implementation of the project, ample attention will be given to avoid exposure to both accidental and natural hazards, especially where the failure could result in injury to the community. The executing agency will avoid or minimize the exacerbation of impacts caused by natural hazards, such as landslides or floods ,that could result from project activities. The executing agency will inform affected communities of significant potential hazards in a culturally appropriate manner and where necessary prepare to respond to accidental and emergency situations.
22
5. Unanticipated environmental impacts
63. Where unanticipated environmental impacts become apparent during project implementation (including possible eco-tourism development), the executing agency, with the support of the provincial governments, will update the environmental assessment and EMP or prepare a new environmental assessment and EMP to assess the potential impacts, evaluate the alternatives, outline mitigation measures and resources to address those impacts; and obtain approvals by the central project management office of the SFA and ADB.
F. Due Diligence Analysis of Enterprises
64. The project is working with a mixture of households and enterprises as shown in Table 1. In Xinjiang there are 17 enterprises, 3 are public and 14 are private. In Gansu, there are 9 private enterprises, of which 7 are all involved in post-harvest storage of fruit, while 1 is a walnut processor intending to produce pressed (but not refined) walnut oil (see Table 3 for a list of enterprises in Gansu). There are no enterprises involved in Shaanxi, except for the seven state forest farms listed in Table 7, which fall within the overall structure of the State Forest Administration. No agro-processing will be undertaken by the project in Shaanxi.
65. Most of the subprojects of the enterprises have all been subjected to an environmental examination process carried out by duly authorized design institutes in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations of the PRC. For the provinces, three separate domestic environmental impact assessment reports have been prepared and approved by the respective provincial environmental protection bureaus. The three domestic provincial EIA reports were prepared (footnote 2).
66. Where necessary, the activities of the forest farms/agro-enterprises under the project that may further be detailed during the first year of implementation will be subject to an assessment to ensure that potential impacts are in compliance with the existing IEE, national forestry and environmental regulations, and ADB’s safeguards policies.
67. It is concluded that the enterprises do not pose significant environmental risks and their environmental management practices are adequate. A summary and assessment of the eight responses to the questionnaire was prepared (footnote 3), together with translations into English of three sample responses (including the oil processing enterprise). All completed forms will be made available for examination at the provincial PMOs.
V. INSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION AND MONITORING PLAN
A. Summary of Potential Impacts and Planned Mitigation Measures
68. The project will deliver a range of positive environmental impacts, in particular, through sand stabilization planting (footnote 4) and through capacity development for sustainable forest management (footnote 4). Potential negative impacts have been summarised in Supplementary Annex 1, together with appropriate mitigation measures and monitoring requirements. The most serious potential impact in Xinjiang is the potential increase in groundwater use that would contribute to the ongoing excessive water use (footnote 3). This will be mitigated by compensatory reductions through transferring land from annual cropping with higher water demand, and partly by obligatory use of drip irrigation, and allowing replacement wells only. Local consultations will be used to resolve any remaining issues of potential concern for resources and land use.
23
69. The main negative impact of orchard development is seen as the potential for increased used of synthetic pesticides, with risks for operators, consumers, and the local environment (footnote 4). This impact will be mitigated through capacity building in IPM (Annex 4) and safe use of pesticides, supported by consultancy advice on less harmful registered products and integrated pest management strategies for the main crops. In addition, capacity building in preparation for future certification under ChinaGAP will be offered to enterprises with the operational scale and systems integration to benefit from it (footnote 4). Economic planting and ecological forestry on steep slopes present a risk of negative impact on soil erosion, which will be effectively mitigated through consistent application of best practice in site choice and planting methods.
B. Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan
70. A summary environmental management plan is given in Annex 1. Detailed monitoring and capacity building activities, scheduling, and reporting have been entered into a series of matrix templates, which are presented as part of the environmental management plan (EMP), in Supplementary Annex 1, Parts A–G. Institutional responsibilities are clearly delineated in these tables and cost estimates are provided.
1. Implementation arrangements for environmental monitoring and supervision
71. As executing agency, SFA has designated the international cooperation center (ICC) to be the national PMO for overall management and coordination of the project. The PMO will have overall responsibility for supervising implementation and compliance with the environmental mitigation and monitoring plan. The provincial PMOs in the provincial forestry bureaus of Gansu, Shaanxi, and Xinjiang as the project implementing agencies, will be responsible for the day-to-day implementation and compliance with the EMP and will provide the periodic environmental monitoring reports to the national PMO.
72. The county project management office (CPMO) technical staff will organize county forestry bureaus (CFB) and township forest stations (TFS) to undertake environmental monitoring, which will be carried out by operational staff, some of them part-time, augmented by specialised services (e.g., pesticide residue sampling and analysis) from other agencies as necessary, with oversight and random inspection checks by the PPMOs in provincial forestry departments (Annex 2). The project will provide a range of basic portable equipment for field monitoring of key environmental indicators, to ensure that annual surveys are carried out to a consistent standard across all counties and provinces. A budget for basic soil and water analysis equipment is included in the EMP (footnote 4). External environmental monitoring of construction and operation of agro-processing enterprises will be the responsibility of the local environmental protection bureaus.
2. Reporting requirements and procedures
73. Provincial PMOs will submit to EMP progress reports and information on project implementation and the environmental performance of the contractors and implementing agencies to ADB through the national PMO in the SFA. These reports will include (i) semi-annual environmental reports on EMP implementation, and (ii) environmental compliance monitoring and audit report of the completion of each agro-processing facility. Progress reports will emphasize (i) compliance with water use targets; (ii) monitoring results for groundwater depth and quality; (iii) implementation of mitigation measures, especially IPM; (iv) compliance with other specific requirements of the EMP; (v) training; and (vi) capacity-building progress. ADB may request that further environmental mitigation actions be taken, as they deem necessary, and may determine further mitigation measures for different stages, if necessary.
24
3. Revision of the EMP during implementation phase
74. The EMP, provided in full as Supplementary Annex 1 and summarized in Appendices 1 and 2, details the institutional responsibilities for mitigation and monitoring; and any institutional strengthening needs. Scheduling and reporting of mitigation, monitoring, institutional strengthening, and training activities are further detailed in the consultant’s report (footnote 4). The EMP will be reviewed (and if necessary, updated) by the implementing institution during implementation, once construction and operational activities are well defined. 23 At that stage additional information may be provided on (i) the responsibilities for reporting, (ii) the work plan, (iii) the procurement plan, (iv) detailed cost estimates, and (v) mechanisms for taking corrective action.
4. ADB Auditing Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan
75. It is recommended that an audit of environmental performance and management be conducted by ADB as part of its review process during implementation: (i) to ensure that the IEE was accurate and comprehensive; (ii) to interpret baseline and monitoring data, and establish what changes have been associated with the project; (iii) to verify compliance of environmental performance and monitoring with local and ADB standards, and international norms; and (iv) to assess the effectiveness of the EMP, and the degree and scope of any required remedial action.24 This audit could appropriately be scheduled to coincide with the mid-term review in 2012.
C. Capacity Development for Improved Environmental Management of Agroforestry
76. Capacity development activities have been prescribed in Supplementary Annex 1 (Parts A-G). A provincial orchard integrated crop and pest management specialist will be needed to train trainers and oversee implementation of mitigation and monitoring activities for the economic tree crops component in each province. The draft TOR for the provincial orchard integrated crop and pest management specialist are included in the consultant’s report (footnote 4). Adequate funding is included in the management costs for provincial PMOs to finance this position.
D. Environmentally Responsible Procurement (ERP)
77. Environmentally responsible procurement covers the process of selecting and obtaining goods, works, and services for the purpose of the project to ensure wherever possible that the goods and services procured under ADB financing have been produced in a responsible manner with a view to resource efficiency, waste minimization, and environmental considerations.25 The major issues relate to criteria for selection of products for procurement according to the environmental implications of their manufacture and delivery, and their eventual disposal.
1. ERP in relation to procurement of goods
a. Wood and paper products
78. Purchases of paper or wood products (furniture, construction materials, firewood, packaging, and paper products) raise issues of possible deforestation related to unsustainable forestry practices. As far as possible, the project will promote that all wood 23 ADB Environmental Assessment Guidelines, 2003. Chapter VI, paragraph 156. 24 ADB EAG, 2003. Chapter XX, Paragraphs 323 and 327. 25 ADB Operations Manual (29 October 2003, Section F1/BP, paragraph 24)
25
products used in the project are manufactured from wood harvested from sustainably managed sources. A specific clause regarding the sourcing of timber for formwork, etc. by contractors has been drafted as part of the environmental guidelines, which will be included in tender documents and works contracts (footnote 4). Where possible, paper which includes a proportion of recycled materials should be purchased.
b. Disposal of Wastes
79. The project will ensure that its activities do not generate unnecessary wastes and that those that are generated are disposed of responsibly. Informal paper recycling activities should be instituted in the PMO to avoid inclusion of good quality-used paper in garbage, which will be burned or dumped in landfill. Similarly, refillable toner cartridges and inkjet cartridges will be used wherever possible and recycled. At the level of support activities for individual agro-processors, disposal of waste is a significant issue and this will be dealt with through inclusion of specific environmental performance guidelines in financing contracts (footnote 4). Plastic film (polyethylene) and damaged drip irrigation tubing are likely to be produced in large quantities. Recycling of these materials is already prevalent in the PRC. Training courses should stress the importance of recycling and annual monitoring should check that this is actually being done.
c. Hazardous materials
80. The most commonly encountered hazardous materials in everyday use are the constituents of batteries used to power portable equipment (torches, shavers, cameras, watches, mobile phones, TV remote controls, computers etc) and in vehicles. Where possible batteries in electronic equipment will be rechargeable and will not contain cadmium. Batteries containing nickel must be recycled when possible, and not be thrown into domestic or institutional waste. Heavy metals (mercury, cadmium, and nickel) from batteries are a significant source of groundwater pollution worldwide. In Europe and the USA, new legislation has been prepared dealing with this issue. In the PRC, there is no segregation of different waste types so the main component of ERP currently lies in purchasing rechargeable batteries wherever possible. Safe disposal of used pesticide containers (plastic sachets and bottles, glass bottles, metal tins, and drums) will be carried out according to the FAO code of conduct, taught in training courses and monitored during annual monitoring and evaluation surveys.
2. ERP in relation to procurement of services
81. ERP should also be extended to the management of and payment for works contracts. In relation to the project, this means that “procurement documents can be structured to ensure that contractors carry out the environmental mitigation and monitoring programs outlined in the EMP. In particular, payments to contractors should be directly linked to the successful implementation of the EMP. Contractor performance guarantees should be subject to collection for failure to implement the EMP.” ERP specifications to be included in project bidding documents for both design and works contractors will include the clauses set out in the draft environmental mitigation guidelines (footnote 4).
VI. PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND DISCLOSURE
A. Provincial Stakeholder Consultation Workshops and Questionnaires 82. The PRC EIA process entails an obligation to inform community leaders of the project’s intended scope and activities. In November 2008, the provincial PMOs received detailed guidelines from the PPTA team setting out ADBs requirements for the EIA process, including the necessity for records of consultation with local people, informing them of
26
proposed interventions, soliciting their perceptions of environmental issues arising from the proposed project, and reporting the results of the consultation process.
83. For Shaanxi, the public consultation process, involved a total of 97 persons, of whom 96 are farmers.26 Of these persons, 66 were involved in a series of 9 village meetings which took place in 7 counties or districts during January–February 2009 (Table 5.2-1). A similar number of respondents completed questionnaires about the expected project impacts in the communities represented. The response to the project was favorable. Project information was also published on provincial forestry department websites in April 2009.
84. In Xinjiang, during 3–11 April 2009, the Xinjiang EIA unit conducted a questionnaire survey among 400 persons of both sexes drawn from the project areas of Changji, Hami, Hejing, Korle, and Yanqi. There were 325 responses (81.3%) received. The questionnaire itself is reproduced as Table 7-1 of the Xinjiang EIA report27 and a brief analysis of results is provided in Table 7-3 of the EIA report. About 50% of respondents were not satisfied with the existing environmental condition in the project area. About 92% of respondents felt the project would have some effect in improving the local environment, while 58% thought the project would have a strong impact in this respect. However, 55% expressed concerns about water scarcity and requested action to improve this situation. In Xinjiang also, a brief outline of the project for public information was placed on the provincial government website. 85. In Gansu, according to Chapter 8 of the EIA report28 the EIA team organized two rounds of consultations. The first round, during 27–28 February 2009 involved a workshop of 70 participants drawn from forestry, environment, and other bureaus of the local administrations of 20 project counties. These officials also completed questionnaires. The second round, during 8–12 March 2009, consisted of a questionnaire survey of 80 members of the public drawn from the 20 project counties. The project design fully reflected both the concerns and suggestions received.
B. Other consultative activities 86. The PPTA has conducted the visits to project sites and carried out associated studies for all three project provinces. In the course of these activities and subsequently, the project consultants have held numerous discussion meetings with individuals and groups involved in different activities, covering all aspects of the proposed project, including the need to ensure environmental sustainability. In addition to these more formal meetings, local and international specialists have held individual discussions with a broad range of persons, officials of national and local government, scientists, entrepreneurs and personnel from NGOs, academia, and civil society.
C. Grievance Redress Mechanism 87. Public participation, consultation and information disclosure were undertaken as part of the local EIA process; assessment and development of resettlement plans, and consultations undertaken by the project consultants have discussed and addressed major community concerns. Continued public participation and consultation have been emphasized as a key component of successful project implementation. As a result of this public participation and safeguard assessment during the initial stages of the project design, major issues of grievance are not expected. 88. However, unforeseen issues may occur and an effective and transparent channel for lodging environmental complaints and grievances has been established, in parallel with the
26 Government of the People’s Republic of China. 2009. Environmental Impact Assessment Report. Shaanxi. 27 Government of the People’s Republic of China. 2009. Environmental Impact Assessment Report. Xinjiang. 28 Government of the People’s Republic of China. 2009. Environmental Impact Assessment Report. Gansu.
27
mechanism developed under the resettlement planning process (refer to sub-project resettlement plans). The SFA maintains a grievance redress mechanism at all government levels down to the township forestry station, in line with Decree No. 431 of the PRC State Council: grievance regulation, approved on 5 January 2005 and effective on 1 May 2005. The project will use the existing grievance mechanism and ensure that all stakeholders are informed on the process, complaints are recorded, addressed and monitored, and reported to ADB as part of the progress monitoring reports.
VII. FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 89. The main potential adverse environmental impacts of the project are expected to derive from excessive water use and the use of pesticides in orchard fruit production. These impacts will be adequately mitigated by the application of the prescribed mitigation measures and monitoring activities in the EMP. In particular, the EMP proposes that a provincial orchard integrated crop and pest management specialist be recruited to each provincial PMO to take responsibility for ensuring the environmental sustainability of the project, through application of the EMP, and in particular the strengthening and capacity building activities (footnote 4). A draft TOR is in the consultant’s report (footnote 4). This is a key recommendation of this IEE and funding has been included in PPMO management costs for this purpose.
90. Issues of dust generation, odor, and noise from agro-enterprises are not considered significant by comparison. The level of impact of the project is confirmed as category B. In the process of conducting this IEE, it has been ascertained that:
(i) No subproject will entail new clearing of forest land or seek replacement of any natural ecosystem with designed agricultural systems and rural infrastructure.
(ii) No subproject development, including operation of new processing lines, will have a water demand such that it jeopardizes ongoing use at existing volumes of existing users, including downstream and shared reservoir users.
(iii) A monitoring and enforcement program has been developed to ensure that project activities will have no major adverse environmental impacts.
(iv) Public consultation has been conducted as part of environmental assessment for each subproject to the extent required by public involvement procedures and guidelines of the PRC.
VIII. CONCLUSIONS 91. Project interventions in the three provinces will potentially generate far reaching positive benefits for local people through prevention of soil degradation and protection of ecological services. The potential negative impacts will substantially be mitigated through the application of the proposed EMP (footnote 4). As a result of close adherence to the EMP, the project is expected to have significant net beneficial environmental impacts in the areas where the project is active, directly and indirectly, on-site and off-site. No significant negative environmental impacts are expected to arise from other components of the project not covered by the EMP. Workshops and training (both formal and on-the-job) will enhance the skills and capacities of farmers, foresters, and front-line extension staff, enhancing environmental benefits. No additional issues necessitating further detailed study or a full EIA have been identified during the course of the IEE.29
29 The requirement for proposals for state forest farm development activities, which are to be designed in year 1,
will be subjected to an IEE review to ensure that they comply with the PRC and ADB safeguard policies.
28 Annex 1
SUMMARY ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN
I. Introduction 1. An environmental management plan (EMP) has been prepared to ensure that the institutions and mechanism comply with environmental regulations for the implementation of the proposed mitigation measures during project preparation, construction, and operation in order to prevent, reduce or eliminate adverse impacts.
II. Institutional Arrangements
2. Implementation arrangements. As executing agency, the State Forest Administration has designated the International Cooperation Center (ICC) to be the central project management office (PMO) for overall management and coordination of the project. The PMO will have overall responsibility for supervising implementation and compliance with the environmental mitigation and monitoring plan. The provincial PMOs in the provincial forestry departments, as the project implementing agencies, will be responsible for day-to-day implementation and compliance with the EMP; and will provide the periodic environmental monitoring reports to the national PMO. 3. The county project management office (CPMO) technical staff will organize county forestry bureaus (CFB) and township forest stations (TFS) to undertake environmental monitoring, which will be carried out by operational staff, some of them part-time, augmented by specialised services (e.g., pesticide residue sampling and analysis) from other agencies as necessary, with oversight and random inspection checks by the PPMOs in provincial forestry departments. The project will provide a range of basic portable equipment for field monitoring of key environmental indicators, to ensure that annual surveys are carried out to a consistent standard across all counties and provinces. A budget for basic soil and water analysis equipment is included in the EMP. 1 External environmental monitoring of construction and operation of agro-processing enterprises will be the responsibility of the local environmental protection bureaus.
III. Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan
4. Reporting requirements and procedures. Provincial PMOs will submit to EMP progress reports and information on project implementation and the environmental performance of the contractors and implementing agencies to ADB through the national PMO in the SFA. These reports will include (i) semi-annual environmental reports on EMP implementation, and (ii) environmental compliance monitoring and audit report of the completion of each agro-processing facility. Progress reports will emphasize (i) compliance with water use targets; (ii) monitoring results for groundwater depth and quality; (iii) implementation of mitigation measures, especially IPM; (iv) compliance with other specific requirements of the EMP; (v) training; and (vi) capacity-building progress. ADB may request that further environmental mitigation actions be taken, as they deem necessary, and may determine further mitigation measures for different stages, if necessary. 5. Revision of the EMP during implementation phase of the project. The EMP, provided in full as Supplementary Annex 1 and summarized in Table A1.1 and A1.2, details the institutional responsibilities for mitigation and monitoring, and any institutional strengthening needs. Scheduling and reporting of mitigation, monitoring, institutional strengthening, and training activities are further detailed in the consultant’s report (footnote 1). The EMP will be reviewed (and if necessary, updated) by the implementing institution 1 ADB. 2009. Final Report for the Silk Road Ecosystem Restoration Project. Consultant’s report. Manila (TA 7040-PRC)
Annex 1 29
during implementation, once construction and operational activities are well defined.2 At that stage additional information may be provided on the (i) responsibilities for reporting, (ii) work plan, (iii) procurement plan, (iv) detailed cost estimates, and (v) mechanisms for taking corrective action.
IV. Mechanism of Feedback and Adjustment
6. In the event of a grievance issue, the basic stages established for redress are:
(i) Stage 1: If a concern arises during construction, the affected person tries to resolve the issue of concern directly with the contractor and the project manager. If successful, no further follow-up is required.
(ii) Stage 2: The affected person should submit a verbal or written petition and/or complaint to the village committee. For a verbal complaint, the village committee must make written records properly and give a clear reply within 2 weeks.
(iii) Stage 3: If the complainant is not satisfied with the reply in Stage 2, he or she can appeal to the township forestry station after receiving the reply in Stage 2 and the township forestry station will deal with the complaint within 2 weeks.
(iv) Stage 4: If the affected person is still not satisfied with the reply of township forestry station, he or she can appeal to the county forestry office. The country forestry office must give a reply within 30 days.
(v) Stage 5: If the affected person is still not satisfied with the reply of county forestry office, he or she can appeal to the PPMO after receiving the reply of Stage 4. The PPMO must report to ADB as soon as the complaint is recorded by submitting relevant documents; and prepare a clear reply in consultation with ADB and SFA. The PPMO must give the reply to the affected person within 30 days. The ADB project team will assess the situation, contact the affected people and government project counterparts, and design and implement the course of actions.
2 ADB Environmental Assessment Guidelines, 2003. Chapter VI, paragraph 156. 33 promulgated by Order No. 22 of the President of the Peoples Republic of China on December 26, 1989.
30 Annex 1
Table A1.1 - Environmental Mitigation Measures
Environmental Impact/
Issues Mitigation Measures Location Time Frame Implementation Responsibility
Supervision Responsibility
Estimated costs (US$)
1.The voluntary change of land use for collectively owned land, and excluding basic farmland due to positioning or routing of infrastructure (canals, pipelines, buildings, and fencing) and tree crops
Infrastructure design and access points and/or corridors by utilizing land of lower value; and wages for maintaining the trees for first 3 years.
Xinjiang, at proposed sites of infra- structure and plantations
Design CFB PPMO Minimal, part of standard design procedures and costs.
2. Procurement and disposal of machinery, lubricants, hydraulic fluids, fuel, and electronic equipment
Sustainable procurement plan prepared, including disposal of waste machinery, equipment and consumable fluids at the end of useful life. Adequate disposal of waste, including waste segregation and recycling.
Project sites in all provinces
Design CFB and/or PPMO
PPMO Minimal, part of standard design procedures and costs.
Annex 1 31
Environmental Impact/ Issues Mitigation Measures Location Time Frame Implementation
Responsibility Supervision
ResponsibilityEstimated costs
(US$)
3. Environmental damage may be caused through indiscriminate excavation, depositing of soil, or rubble during site preparation and construction of infrastructure
Infrastructure design and construction tender documents include Environmental Mitigation (EM) Guidelines (see Supplementary Annex 6) requiring Infrastructure Design and Construction Contractors to develop Site-specific Environmental Mitigation Plan (EMP), with targets and conditions for remediation of damage and financial penalties for non-compliance; inspection of works and monitoring against site-specific EMP in contractual documents, requiring remediation of damage with financial penalties for non-compliance
Projected construction sites in all provinces
Design/ Construction
Contractor/CFB PPMO Minimal, part of standard construction procedures and costs
4. Inappropriate irrigation of plantations through poor siting of plantations or wells or non-compliance with design through irrigation failure or leakage
Proposed water use by project minimized by drip irrigation design, compensatory savings elsewhere; any additional extraction discussed and agreed with local people; all wells mapped and actual use monitored against design and any divergence rectified; XIEG/TFS to monitor water supply to sand stabilization sites
Xinjiang, all irrigated sites
Design/ construction/ operation
TFS/CFB (+XIEG)
PPMO/ WRB Drip irrigation costs already included in construction and operation costs
5. Irrigation water quality is unsuitable for use due to excessive dissolved salts or alkalinity
Baseline water quality testing (ec/TDS/pH) carried out by well drilling company and/or WRB and record kept by CFB
Xinjiang Design WRB/CFB PPMO Labour subsumed in staff costs; Equipment: $1000 per county; see Supplementary Annex 1H for breakdown
32 Annex 1
Environmental Impact/ Issues Mitigation Measures Location Time Frame Implementation
Responsibility Supervision
ResponsibilityEstimated costs
(US$)
6. Inappropriate selection or management of pesticides and nitrogen fertilizers in tree crop production involves unacceptable risks to people or environment through loss of biodiversity, operator intoxication, and residues in fruit, soil and water
Survey of orchard pest and disease problems and agrochemical use conducted; consultancy to develop list of appropriate pesticides for GAP, disseminated through training courses; IPM capacity needs assessment, pest and natural enemy recognition manuals and training materials and courses in safe use of pesticides in orchards; soil nutrient status testing using portable test kits and training for farmers in management of soil nutrients
Project economic planting sites, all provinces
Design/ operation
CFB/CAB/ PPMO
PPMO $50 per sample or $19,200 per province; see Supplementary Annex 1 J for breakdown
7. Ecological plantings involve inappropriate siting, inadequate range of species and destruction of existing vegetation during preparation leading to loss of biodiversity, reduced vegetation cover and erosion
Prepare written design specifications with planting pattern and species composition, with indicators for monitoring of establishment and growth; monitor compliance
All ecological planting sites
Design CFB (+XIEG) PPMO Minimal, part of standard M & E procedures and costs
8. Excessive slope of proposed economic planting sites leads to increased run-off and soil erosion during land preparation
Ensure that no sites with slopes above 25º are to be planted with economic crops and that SALT or equivalent technologies are planned and costed to be utilized on slopes between 15º and 25º; monitor sloping land planting against agreed plans to prevent non-compliance, leading to corrective action or withholding of credit; training for TFS staff in SALT.
Gansu, Shaanxi, economic planting sites, especially for tea
Design/ construction
TFS/CFB PPMO Minimal, part of standard M & E procedures and costs
Annex 1 33
Environmental Impact/ Issues Mitigation Measures Location Time Frame Implementation
Responsibility Supervision
ResponsibilityEstimated costs
(US$)
9. Location or design for proposed fruit/nut storage and processing facilities adversely impacts surrounding land, people surface waters or groundwater through odors, pollution, pests or wastes
Facility plans submitted to Municipal authorities for approval, with any necessary changes; designs reviewed to include appropriate storage and disposal facilities and procedures for liquid and solid wastes, compliant with local regulations; drafting and use of credit environmental conditions requiring compliance with local licensing by MPH, EPB, Municipality and refusing credit for non-compliant facilities; withholding clause requires verification by CFB of EPB inspection of operational facility before receipt of final tranche of credit.
Gansu, project counties with proposed storage and processing facilities
Design/ operation
CFB/EPB PPMO Minimal, part of standard M & E procedures and costs
10. Choice of sites for reforestation, removal of existing scrub and poor planting method lead to an increase in erosion of steep loess slopes
Review site and planting design requirements in light of SLCP planting standards to ensure best match of density and planting methods, minimizing disturbance of existing regenerating vegetation, to avoid erosion by rainfall after planting; arrange training for TFS staff; monitor planting
Gansu Design/pre-construction/ construction
CFB PPMO Minimal, part of standard M & E procedures and costs
34 Annex 1
Environmental Impact/ Issues Mitigation Measures Location Time Frame Implementation
Responsibility Supervision
ResponsibilityEstimated costs
(US$)
11. Poor choice of planting species and non-availability of planting stock fails to deliver potential advantages in future biodiversity gains and sustainability
Review species mix for planting at specific sites, minimizing risk of off-site invasion by non-native species, to include trees and shrubs with edible berries and fruits (e.g. sea buckthorn) ; maximize use of native species and diversity as well as ensuring availability and delivery of high quality seedlings by advance planning of nursery stocks
Gansu Design/ construction
CFB PPMO Minimal, part of standard M & E procedures and costs
12. Inadequate provision of manure for planting and water for establishment leads to poor establishment and erosion of exposed areas
Ensure adequate planning for access to manure for planting holes and provision of water at and after planting to prevent seedling death and erosion of planting areas; planning records to PPMO
Gansu Design/ construction
CFB PPMO Minimal, part of standard M & E procedures and costs
13. Sustainability of plantations com- promised by non- involvement of local people in planning leading to lack of aftercare when project funding ceases
Conduct discussions with local people and agree appropriate incentives and use and access rights (e.g. for collection of herbs and mushrooms etc) in the established plantation; discussion and decisions recorded; training of local people in theory and practice of ecological reforestation
Gansu Design TFS/CFB PPMO Minimal, part of standard M & E procedures and costs
14. Availability of labor for planting leads to delays in planting and unfavorable conditions for seedling establishment
TFS to ensure the timely participation of local people in planting through pre-agreement of appropriate incentives and maintenance of good communications; records of agreements kept
Gansu Construction TFS/CFB PPMO Minimal, part of standard M & E procedures and costs
Annex 1 35
Environmental Impact/ Issues Mitigation Measures Location Time Frame Implementation
Responsibility Supervision
ResponsibilityEstimated costs
(US$)
15. Sustainability of ecological plantations compromised by lack of incentives and training for local people to ensure survival of planted trees after planting and for aftercare to ensure adequate watering and weeding in first and second season
Ensure that labor remuneration for land preparation and planting includes incentives on sliding scale related to % survival of trees; financial records of planned and actual expenditure show incentives; incentivize aftercare of plantations, schedule adequate personnel inputs and train TFS staff in aftercare; TFS provide on-the-job training for workers in appropriate weeding practices (avoiding exposure of excessive areas of soil, leaving cleared weeds as mulch on exposed soil), and inspect plantations; inspection by subsample and report
Gansu Construction/ operation
TFS/CFB PPMO Minimal costs, based on redistribution of existing budgeted planting costs
16. Non-compliance with agreed planting design, siting, or water supply conditions leading to increased area or severity of impacts
Monitoring of compliance with planting design, species composition, siting and water supply conditions. TFS site records compared with agreed targets by CFB and any non-compliance corrected
Project planting sites, all three provinces
Construction TFS (and consultants)
CFB/PPMO Minimal, part of standard M & E procedures and costs.
17. Community health and safety
Refine and maintain a grievance redress mechanism; Avoid exposure of communities to both accidental and natural hazards, especially where the failure could result in injury to the community; Inform affected communities of significant potential hazards and where necessary prepare to respond to accidental and emergency situations.
Project sites in all provinces
Construction TFS (and consultants)
CFB/PPMO Minimal, part of standard M & E procedures and costs.
36 Annex 1
Environmental Impact/ Issues Mitigation Measures Location Time Frame Implementation
Responsibility Supervision
ResponsibilityEstimated costs
(US$)
18. Non-compliance of unforeseen activities.
Proposals for state forest farm development activities, which are to be designed in Year 1, to be subjected to an IEE review to ensure that they comply with PRC and ADB safeguard policies.
Shaanxi state forest farms
Construction Shaanxi state forest farms
PPMO Minimal, part of standard M & E procedures and costs
CAB = county agricultural bureau, CFB = county forestry bureau, EPB = environmental protection bureau, PPMO = provincial project management office, TFS = township forest station, XIEG = Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography.
Annex 1 37
Table A1.2 - SUMMARY ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PLAN
Mitigation measures Phase Parameters to be
monitored Location Measurements Monitoring frequency Cost
Avoid/minimize loss of productive farm land
Design Voluntary and participatory approaches compensation in kind when necessary. Results of negotiations on access rights or compensation for land losses
Xinjiang, at sites of infrastructure and plantations
Records of agreements signed by CFB, APs, and local representatives
Once before construction
Minimal, part of standard monitoring and evaluation procedures and costs
Baseline Surveys of field conditions and existing agricultural practices
Design Slope, soil structure, tillage, fertilization and irrigation practices, erosion status, organic matter; fertility, salinization, alkalinization
Sample of participating farmers’ fields in beneficiary counties
Slope, humus, soil texture, pH/EC/TDS and nutrient status (using nitrate test kit), soil moisture
Once only before construction
Survey staff costs budgeted in existing M & E activities of the project.; equipment $55,140 or approximately $1000/county (See Supplementary Annex 1 H for breakdown)
Baseline and post-intervention questionnaire surveys of agro-chemical use
Design/ Operation
Existing fruit farmers’ (not new farmers) use of fungicides, insecticides/ miticides, and fertilizers on fruit trees
Subsample of participating farmers’ in beneficiary counties of the three provinces
Name of pesticide or fertilizer, active ingredient (a.i), concentration of a.i., amounts/ha, costs, frequency of use, crops, reason for use of pesticide
In Year 1, before project interventions, then after 3 years and 5 years
Survey, staff costs (TFS) Design and analysis (M & E team) (TFS and PPMO)
Sampling of fruit and orchard soils for pesticide residues
Design/ Operation
Residues of most frequently used or persistent pesticides)
Sample of participating farms with mature fruit trees: Date (Xinjiang), Apple (Gansu), Prickly Ash (Shaanxi),
Laboratory analyses of selected pesticides (specific target pesticides to be determined by use survey)
In Year 1, before project interventions, then again after 3 years, at mid fruit harvest season
$20,000.00 See Supplementary Annex 1 J for break-down of costs by Province
38 Annex 1
Mitigation measures Phase Parameters to be
monitored Location Measurements Monitoring frequency Cost
Environmental Management Plans in Works contracts for all infra-structure sites
Construction /Operation
Compliance with environmental guidelines (Supplementary Annex 6),
At all construction sites (Xinjiang: Irrigation works; Gansu: storage and processing)
Unannounced visual inspection before/ after; written record of findings, including any non-compliance
one inspection during construction, and one during operation
CFB staff costs; compliance with environ-mental guidelines and EMP at expense of contractor; EPB inspection at cost of processor.
Surveys of ground water level and quality of groundwater and irrigation water
Design/ Operation
Groundwater level below ground; pH, ec/TDS, nitrates
Well Level at Xinjiang, Hami WRB test sites; water quality from bore holes and irrigation water intakes at selected project sites
Depth readings from test wells; bore holes at selected project sites analyzed for: pH, EC/TDS, nitrates
Before project intervention and annually
WRB and CFB Staff costs; analyses carried out using project equipment (budget $1,000 per county
Soil samples from orchards
Design/ Operation
pH, EC/TDS, nitrates Selected orchard sites in each county (use the same sites each time)
Field assessment using composite soil samples from selected sites for pH, EC/TDS, nitrates
Before project intervention and annually at same month
Staff costs; analyses carried out in field using project equipment (budget $1,000 per county
Evaluation of training courses
Operation Course performance reports
Participating Counties (See Supple-mentary Annex 1, Part F), for details of courses)
Course reports include calendar/ timetable and topics of training delivered; names of all trainees, participant evaluation of training.
Per course M & E staff costs
Note: Costs are indicative costs.
Annex 2 39
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
I. THE ENVIRONMENT LAW
1. The Environmental Protection Law33 of the PRC came into effect on December 26 1989, “for the purpose of protecting and improving people's environment and the ecological environment, preventing and controlling pollution and other public hazards, safeguarding human health and facilitating the development of socialist modernization”. Under this Law, the State Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), now the Ministry of Environmental Protection, is responsible for environmental policy and regulation, including review and approval of environmental assessment reports.
2. Article 13 of the Environmental Protection Law requires construction projects which may cause pollution to prepare environmental impact statements which “assess the pollution the project is likely to produce and its impact on the environment and stipulate the preventive and curative measures”. An environmental impact must be submitted to the competent department of environmental protection administration for approval. “The department of planning shall not ratify the design plan descriptions of the construction project until after the environmental impact statement on the construction project is approved”. Under Article 14, local offices of MEP are empowered to “make on-site inspections of units under their jurisdiction that discharge pollutants”.
A. The role of the Ministry of Environmental Protection
3. The Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) of the PRC, formerly the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) is a cabinet-level ministry in the executive branch of the Chinese Government. It replaced the SEPA during the March 2008 National People's Congress sessions in Beijing.
4. The Ministry is the nation's environmental protection department charged with the task of protecting PRC's air, water, and land from pollution and contamination. Directly under the State Council, it is empowered and required by law to implement environmental policies and enforce environmental laws and regulations. MEP regulates water quality, ambient air quality, solid waste, soil, noise, radioactivity. Complementing its regulatory role, it funds and organizes research and development activities, including a series of "Key Laboratories" in different parts of the country. These deal with specific aspects of pollution control and protection of people and the environment from hazards, as well as remediation of polluted sites.
II. LAW ON EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
5. The Environmental Assessment Review and approval process is defined by the Law on Evaluation of Environmental Effects of the PRC34. Article 1 states that the law “is enacted in order to implement the sustainable development strategy, to take precautions against adverse effects on the environment after implementation of plans and completion of construction projects, and to promote the coordinated development of the economy, society and environment”. Article 2 defines the EIA process as follows: “Evaluation of environmental effects mentioned in this Law consists of the analysis, prediction and assessment made of the possible environmental effects after implementation of plans and completion of construction projects …and measures for preventing or mitigating the adverse effects on the environment, and the methods and systems applied for follow-up monitoring.”
34 28, 2002, effective as of September 1, 2003.
40 Annex 2
6. Under Article 7, government departments must ensure, during formulation of development plans, that “environmental effects are evaluated in the process of formulation and that in the plan is devoted to such effects a chapter or an explanation on the effects” which shall include “analyses, prediction and assessment of the possible environmental effects produced after implementation of the plan and the ways and measures put forth for preventing or mitigating the adverse effects on the environment, which, as a component part of a draft plan, shall be submitted together with the plan to the authority for examination and approval of plans.” In Article 10 the requirement for mitigation measures to offset adverse impacts is also set out.
7. The requirement to inform and consult the public about plans which may have adverse effects is stipulated in Article 11, while Article 16 covers the extent of the EIA process necessary for projects with different degrees of potential impact, as follows:
(i) Where considerable effects may be exerted on the environment, a written report on environmental effects, in which a comprehensive evaluation of the effects on the environment shall be made;
(ii) Where mild effects may be exerted on the environment, a statement on the effects, in which an analyses or special evaluation of the effects shall be made; or
(iii) Where the effects on the environment are very little and therefore it is not necessary to make an evaluation of them, a registration form of environmental effects is completed.
8. Article 17, describes the form and content of the EIA report, which includes:
(i) A brief introduction to the construction project; (ii) The existing environment of the construction project; (iii) An analysis, prediction and assessment of effects that the construction project
may exert on the environment; (iv) Protective measures for the environment of the construction project and technical
and economic demonstrations of the measures; (v) analysis of the economic losses and benefits to the construction project arising
from the environmental effects; (vi) a proposal for monitoring the environment of the construction project; and (vii) A conclusion on the evaluation of environmental effects.
9. Finally, Article 22 specifies that the report is to be sent to the relevant office of the MEP for examination and approval.
III. THE FOREST LAW
10. The Forest Law of the PRC entered into force on January 1, 1985. Article 8 sets out the main protective measures that the State carries out in relation to forest resources, which include:
(i) practising quota forest felling, encouraging afforestation and closing hills and mountains to facilitate afforestation and expanding forest coverage; and
(ii) providing financial support or long-term loans to collectives and individuals for afforestation and facilitation of afforestation in accordance with the relevant regulations of the state and local people's governments.
11. Article 26. Defines the responsibilities of all levels of government to increase forest coverage and their obligation to involve the rural and urban population in this activity. In particular: “On barren hills and waste lands suitable for afforestation that belong to the state,
Annex 2 41
afforestation shall be organized by the competent departments of forestry and other competent departments; on those belonging to collectives, afforestation shall be organized by collective economic organizations. State-owned and collective-owned barren hills and waste lands suitable for afforestation may be contracted out to collectives or individuals for afforestation.”
12. The 1998 revision of the Forest Law35 represented a policy turning point, with the reform of the Ministry of Forestry into the State Forest Administration, with a devolved structure at Province and County levels, and a more indirect facilitating role for SFA in forest management. The reform included recognition of ecological forests as distinct from commercial forests and introduced a logging ban in natural forests. In addition the law introduced financial incentives and access to long-term loans in support of afforestation and conservation.
IV. THE WATER LAW
13. The revised Water Law of the PRC36 came into effect on October 1, 2002. Under Article 2, the law is stated to apply to development, utilization, conservation, protection and management of water resources and to the prevention and control of water disasters within the territory of the PRC. The Law covers both surface water and groundwater sources.
14. Article 7 sets out the responsibility of the department for water resources under the State Council for licensing of water extraction and compensation for water use. Article 8 sets development of water economy and conservation as State objectives in industry, agriculture, services and society generally. All levels of government are urged to “adopt measures to improve management of water conservation, establish a system for developing and promoting the use of water-conserving technologies, and foster and develop water-conserving industries.” And all persons are required to exercise economy in water use.
15. Article 9 stresses the State’s role in protecting water resources, through measures such as protection of vegetation, planting of trees and grass, conservation of water sources, prevention and control of soil erosion and water-body pollution, and improvement of the ecological environment. Article 21 prioritizes water supply to urban populations, while taking into consideration the needs of water for agriculture, industry and the ecological environment. In developing and utilizing water resources in arid and semi-arid areas, full consideration is to be given to the need of water in the ecological environment.
16. Article 36 defines the right of local authorities, in areas where groundwater is overexploited, to take measures to keep exploitation of groundwater under strict control, and in extreme cases, at provincial level, to restrict or prohibit exploitation. Article 53 sets out a requirement for construction, expansion or reconstruction of a project that “plans for water-conserving measures shall be worked out to build water-conserving facilities in support of the project. The water-conserving facilities shall be designed, constructed and put into operation simultaneously with the principal part of the project.”
35 Decision on Revision of the Forest Law of the PRC, 2nd Session of the 9th National People’s Congress, April
29, 1998. 36 The Water Law was adopted at the 24th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Sixth National People's
Congress on January 21, 1988, and revised at the 29th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Ninth National People's Congress on August 29, 2002.
42 Annex 2
V. GROUNDWATER POLICY IN NW PROVINCES OF THE PRC37
17. Before exploiting the groundwater for a specific use in a region through a planned project, the particular project agency or the relevant units must apply for a water use permit to the relevant regional water resources management department. The following principles must be adopted in exploiting, using, and protecting the groundwater resources:
(i) the planned project intending to use groundwater must coincide with the existing regional groundwater exploitation and protection plan;
(ii) the planned development project with a purpose of water resources exploitation is encouraged to introduce and apply water-saving technology into and along with the project;
(iii) the planned project must bear the responsibility of keeping the aquifer balance between exploitation and recharge, practicing conservation of water sources, and preventing dry up and/or pollution of groundwater resources from any damage; and
(iv) the priority is given to satisfying the supply of urban and rural residential water use, as well as industrial, agricultural and ecological water uses.
18. The local department of regional water resources management, when issuing the water use permit to the project, must check if the application coincides with the watershed catchment planning or the regional groundwater exploitation, use and protection planning.
VI. FOOD SAFETY AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT QUALITY SAFETY LAWS
19. In response to growing concerns regarding food safety in the light of publicized incidents of malpractice, most recently involving the adulteration of milk products, the PRC has recently substantially upgraded its laws on food safety and quality control. The provisions of these laws which are most relevant to the project are briefly reviewed here and excerpts from them are provided as Annex 12 of this IEE report.
20. The most recent legislation is the Food Safety Law,38 which sets out the State’s control over safety in the food production industry and food business operations. It defines the jurisdiction of the Law on Quality and Safety as covering management of agricultural products destined for food, while setting of food standards per se are governed by the Food Safety Law. The Health Administrative Department is responsible for food safety risk assessment and the setting up of an expert committee to assess the safety risks associated with pesticides, fertilizers, growth regulators and other substances, as well as formulating National food safety standards. Limits for residues of pesticides and veterinary medicines are to be set by Health and Agriculture Departments and examined and adopted by a National Food Safety Standard Review Committee.
21. Under the Food Safety Law the State encourages producers to comply with good manufacturing practice (GMP) and to implement a hazard analysis and critical control point system (HACCP) for assuring food safety, and stresses the necessity for GMP-certified businesses to be audited and if necessary de-registered if they fail to meet standards. Under Article 35, businesses are required to establish a production record system for edible 37 Unofficial translation from the “Regulations of Groundwater Resources Management in Xinjiang Uygur
Autonomous Region” (Certified by the 28th session of the 9th People’s Congress of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Adopted at the 30th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Ninth National People's Congress on October Region on 31st of May, 2002 and further revis ed at the 13th session of 10th People’s Congress of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region held on 26th of Nov, 2004). Similar regulations have been passed by other NW provinces.
38 Order (No. 9) of the President of the PRC, adopted at the 7th Session of the Standing Committee of the 11th National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China on February 28, 2009, and due to come into force on June 1, 2009.
Annex 2 43
agricultural products producers must use pesticides and other treatments in accordance with food safety standards – implying compliance with MRLs. The role of the Ministry of Agriculture in providing oversight of agricultural inputs is stressed as well as the inspection role of different government departments.39
22. The Law on Agricultural Product Quality and Safety40 establishes State control over pesticides and other food produce inputs and additives, and stresses individual responsibility in use of chemicals while defining the role of the Agriculture Department in providing training and advice (along with research, education and technology institutions) to ensure safe use, including observance of with-holding periods. The Law also provides for the banning of produce containing harmful substances and the role of the agriculture department in inspecting and testing produce.
39 The quality supervision department, industry and commerce administrative department and food and drug
supervision and administration department at or above the county level 40 Referred to in the more recent Food Safety Law as Agricultural Product Quality and Safety.
44 A
nnex 3
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THREE NORTHWEST PROVINCES OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Category GANSU SHAANXI XINJIANG
Mineral resources
Energy: 7 types, coal, oil, natural gas, etc.; Metals, 7 ferrous, including Fe, Mn, V, Cr, etc.; 28 nonferrous, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, etc. Non-metal, lime, gypsum, asbestos, Muscovite, etc.
Energy: 5 types, coal, oil, natural gas, etc.; Metals, 27 types, ferrous and nonferrous, including gold, mercury, Mo, etc.; Non-metal, lime, silicon, kaolin, asbestos, salt, etc.
Energy: petroleum, natural gas, coal, etc.; Metals, gold, chrome, copper, nickel, etc.; Non-metals, lime, salt, jade, etc.
Industries Oilfield mining and refinery, coal mining, non-ferrous metallurgy, etc.; Output value increment (year 2007): 95.668 billion RMB, 17.06% increase compared with year 2006
Machinery manufacture, electric equipment manufacture, textile industry, oil and natural gas mining, coal mining, etc.; Output value increment (year 2008): 298.807 billion RMB, increased by 21.0% from 2007
Oil and natural gas mining and refinery, coal mining, agricultural product processing, etc.; Output value increment (year 2007): 137.848 billion RMB
Land cover and land use
273.14×106 hm2 land can be developed as agricultural or industrial or construction purposes, taking up 60.11% of the total; grassland 157.53, taking up 34.67%
Mountainous areas 74.1×106 hm2, 36%, plateau areas, 92.6×106 hm2, 45%, plain areas, 39.1×106 hm2, 19%. Farmland 48.0×106 hm2, 23.3%; forest land 96.26×106 hm2, 46.8%; grassland 31.79×106 hm2, 15.4%; water body 4.03×106 hm2, 2%.
Farmland 33.10×106 hm2; vegetable land 0.2×106 hm2, forest land 48.41×106 hm2; grassland 573.33×106 hm2.
Agricultural development
Cereals: wheat, corn, potato, millet, benne; Economic crops: rape oil seed, beet, cotton, tobacco leaf, angelica, refer, water melon seeds, etc.; Vegetables: various kinds, mainly temperate type, some of them produced in greenhouses: Fruits: apple, peach, pear, etc.; Animal husbandry: 28 species, breeds or strains of horse, cow, donkey, mule, camel, pig, goat, sheep, chicken, rabbit, etc.; Fishes: bulltrout, trout, giant salamander, carp, etc. Grain production: 8.77×106 t (year 2008)
Cereals: wheat, rice, corn, potato, millet; Economic crops: cotton, rape oil seed, tobacco leaf, tea, mulberry, etc.; Vegetables: various kinds, mainly temperate or subtropical types, a few types produced in greenhouses: Fruits: apple, peach, pear, persimmon, pomegranate, grape, date, orange, etc.; Medicinal herbs: gastrodia, eucommia, Cornus officinalis, American ginseng, etc. Animal husbandry: more than 20 species, breeds or strains of cow, cattle, donkey, pig, goat, sheep, chicken, etc.; Fishes: carp, giant salamander, etc. Grain production: 11.509×106 t (year 2008), 7.8% increase compared with 2007
Cereals: wheat, corn, rice, soya bean, etc.; Economic crops: cotton, beet, sesame, tobacco leaf, etc.; Vegetables: tomato, garlic, potato, etc. Fruits: apple, pear, apricot, date, grape, water melon, Hami melon, etc.; Animal husbandry: more than 20 species, breeds or strains of cow, cattle, yak, camel, donkey, goat, sheep, etc.; Grain production: 8.9522×106 t (year 2006); Cotton production: 27.02×106 t (year 2007)
Power generation
Potential hydraulic power 172.42 mi kW, capacity available for exploitation 106.89 mi kW; 49.298 billion kWh (year 2006)
50.494 billion kWh (year 2006) 48.06 billion kWh (year 2008), increased by 17.7% from year 2007
GDP (year 2006)
2006: 227.50 billion RMB 8749 RMB / cap.
2008: 685.132 billion RMB, increased by 15.6%; of which the primary industry 75.372 billion RMB, increased by 7.6%, taking up 11%, the secondary industry 384.208 billion RMB, increased by 18.8% taking up 56.1%, the tertiary industry 225.552 billion RMB, increased by 13.0% taking up 32.9%. 18246 RMB / cap, increased by 15.2 % from last year (2007).
2006: 301.898 billion RMB 14871 RMB / cap.
Sources: http://baike.baidu.com; http://www.gansu.gov.cn; http://news.hexun.com; http://www.ceh.com.cn
Annex 4 45
OUTLINE INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM) PLAN
1. Conduct farmer needs assessment for fruit tree IPM/ICM
1.1 Design and carry out provincial baseline IPM/ICM capacity needs assessment for fruit farmers using a questionnaire survey on pests and pest management for main fruit crops, Information gathered will feed into workshops on IPM. Repeat survey after 3 years.
2. Conduct resource assessment for IPM
2.1 Identify individuals and institutions with interests and capacity in orchard integrated pest management.
2.2 Identify sources of supply of suitable natural enemies of priority pests. 2.3 Carry out a literature review of existing national guidelines and manuals for pest management
as a basis for developing and disseminating training manuals suitable for the new farmers.
3. Develop training materials for County Agriculture and Forestry extension staff
3.1 Develop illustrated identification manual of fruit pests and their natural enemies that can be used as training modules.
3.2 Develop guide to pesticide types and hazards, including list of appropriate registered, less hazardous pesticides.
3.3 Develop an illustrated manual for monitoring and integrated management of priority pest/disease problems.
4. Hold training workshops on integrated crop management and pesticide management issues
4.1 ToT for county agriculture and forestry extension staff in pesticide hazards, safe choice, storage and application of pesticides on fruit trees.
4.2 ToT for county agriculture and forestry extension staff in recognition and monitoring of pests and their natural enemies in the fruit crop, conservation of natural enemies and integrated management of priority pest/disease problems. An output of these courses will be county level IPM plans for specific fruit crops.
4.3 ToT for county agriculture and forestry extension staff in management of organic and mineral fertilizers and water supply in the fruit crop.
4.4 GAP awareness training for larger producers and associations of smaller farmers (including, record-keeping, traceability, hygiene, food safety and environmental issues related to pesticide use).
4.5 County or township level IPM training courses for farmers to be organized and taught by extension staff previously trained in ToT workshops (covering points 4.1 - 4.4). Specific content of local courses will reflect results of needs assessment.
5. Design and implement demonstrations & field trials
5.1 Demonstration field trials on enterprise and individual/family farms (i.e. large and small scale). Issues to include (depending on needs assessment): • Planting material quality and preparation (varieties, grafting, sorting, fungicide, pesticide
treatments) • Use of Lucerne, clover or other plants as “refugia” strips for natural enemies of pests. • Application of horticultural mineral oils against mites and other pests. • Alternative treatments against peach borer moth, including releases of mass-reared
biocontrol agents (Steinernema nematodes or insect parasitoids/predators). Trials will be set up and monitored by national research /extension staff contracted to the project. This activity will be linked to the training of local extension personnel and farmers.
Note: See Supplementary Annex 5, Table 4, for full details.
Initial Environmental Examination: Supplementary Annex Initial Environmental Examination Project Number: 40684-01 June 2009 People’s Republic of China: Forestry Ecological Development Project in Three Northwest Provinces Supplementary Annex Prepared by the State Forestry Administration of the PRC for the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The initial environmental examination is a document of the borrower. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB’s Board of Directors, Management, or staff, and may be preliminary in nature.
Supplementary Annex 1
Table of Contents A. GANSU PROVINCE
1. Economic tree crops 2. Ecological forestry
B. SHAANXI PROVINCE
1. Economic Tree Crops 2. Ecological Forestry
C. XINJIANG UAR
1. Economic tree crops 2. Ecological Forestry
D. SUMMARY OF MONITORING REQUIREMENTS, INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES, AND
COSTS (ALL PROVINCES) E. SUMMARY OF INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING PROGRAMS, RESPONSIBILITIES AND
COSTS, FOR IMPACT MITIGATION AND MONITORING F. SUMMARY OF TRAINING PROGRAMS, RESPONSIBILITIES AND COSTS, FOR IMPACT
MITIGATION AND MONITORING G. SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES H. COSTS FOR EQUIPMENT FOR SOIL AND WATER MONITORING I. PRICES OF LABORATORY SAMPLE ANALYSIS FOR TESTING PESTICIDE RESIDUES IN
FRUITS OR SOIL J. ESTIMATED COSTS OF PESTICIDE RESIDUE ANALYSIS FOR FRUIT AND SOIL SAMPLES
