Integrated safeguards datasheet

5. Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialists

Mr Alberto Coelho Gomes Costa (LCSAR)

Ms Estela Maria Souza Costa Neves (LCSAR)

6. Safeguard Policies Triggered	Yes	No
Environmental Assessment (OP/BP 4.01)	X
Natural Habitats (OP/BP 4.04)	X
Forests (OP/BP 4.36)		X
Pest Management (OP 4.09)	X
Physical Cultural Resources (OP/BP 4.11)	X
Indigenous Peoples (OP/BP 4.10)	X
Involuntary Resettlement (OP/BP 4.12)		X
Safety of Dams (OP/BP 4.37)		X
Projects on International Waterways (OP/BP 7.50)		X
Projects in Disputed Areas (OP/BP 7.60)		X

II. Key Safeguard Policy Issues and Their Management

A. Summary of Key Safeguard Issues

1. Describe any safeguard issues and impacts associated with the proposed project. Identify and describe any potential large scale, significant and/or irreversible impacts:

(a) Safeguard Issues and Impacts: The project is a Category B, i.e., its potential environmental impact on human populations and ecologically important areas is considered moderate/modest. As spelled out in the EMP, the Project defines procedures for ensuring that the environmental screening of water resource subprojects identifies any possible environmental, economic and social effects/impacts of dams/irrigation or other water supply systems which utilize a single water source, including cumulative impacts. In this regard, the EMP and Operational Manual respond to issues on this theme identified in the Bank report "Thematic Review - Rural Infrastructure Projects in Brazil" (QAT Thematic Review, 2002). All approved subprojects involving the use of water resources, before signature of the agreement with the community association, must be examined according to criteria which include the level of water demand, and supply capacity of the watershed involved. This process may include an analysis/estimate of aggregate impacts at the watershed level. Finally, a study of cumulative impacts will be carried out during Project implementation (TOR are being prepared).

Environmental screening and technical/legal requirements and procedures are summarized in the EMP for 14 types of subprojects commonly demanded by CA in Paraiba: manioc mill; water supply system (complete); desalinization equipment; water supply (artesian well); water supply (Amazon well); water supply (small-scale reservoir); water supply (cistern); agricultural mechanization (tractor and equipment); agro-industry (fruit processing); goat herding; shrimp farming; fish farming; milk production plant; and, honey production.

No large-scale, significant and/or irreversible impacts are foreseen.
2. Describe any potential indirect and/or long term impacts due to anticipated future activities in the project area:

NA
3. Describe any project alternatives (if relevant) considered to help avoid or minimize adverse impacts.

NA
4. Describe measures taken by the borrower to address safeguard policy issues. Provide an assessment of borrower capacity to plan and implement the measures described.

A. Measures to Address Safeguard Issues:

Subproject environmental screening procedures established and periodically upgraded under the previous Rural Poverty Alleviation Project in Paraiba (classified as a Category B)indicate a sound and effective framework for all stages of subproject preparation, implementation and operation which merits continuation (updated and with minor adjustments). Environmental monitoring performance was satisfactory and the specialized environmental technical support networks created will be sustained under the Repeater.

Safeguards applying to the Repeater Project and measures to be applied are as follows:

(a) Environmnental Assessment (OP4.01):

The Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for the proposed Repeater Project, which is an integral part of the Project Operational Manual, will apply environmental screens during the technical assessment of subproject proposals in order to ensure that these are compliant with applicable Bank safeguard policies and relevant Federal and State regulations. Specifically, the EMP includes: (i) environmental provisions based on lessons learned from the previous project; (ii) a negative list of Category A-type subprojects; (iii) provisions for assessing cumulative environmental impacts from implementation of certain subproject types; (iv) environmental management criteria, screens, and procedures for different subproject types; (v) standard environmental mitigation measures for typical subproject types; (vi) environmental rules for civil works; (vii) environmental capacity-building measures; and (viii) an annex summarizing the project's public consultation events. This document was reviewed by the Bank and submitted to the InfoShop on September 17, 2007; it is also available through the Project's State Technical Unit website.

(b) Natural Habitats (OP/BP 4.04):

The screening procedures in the EMP explicitly prohibit approval of any community subproject proposal which is likely to cause degradation to essential natural habitats. The EMP prohibits approval of any subproject located in Legal Reserves and Permanent Preservation areas.

(c) Pest Management (OP/BP 4.09):

No major pest management issues are expected under the project. The EMP includes screening criteria for detecting the use of pesticides under any community subproject proposal. The EMP also includes provisions for promoting integrated pest management, where appropriate, in relevant agriculture investment subproject.

(d) Physical Cultural Resources (OP/BP 4.11):

The Project Operational Manual incorporates procedures to be followed in the event of "chance finds" of culturally significant materials during subproject implementation.

(e) Indigenous Peoples (OP 4.10):

Paraiba has an indigenous population of about 12,600, the majority comprising the legally-recognized ethnic grouping of Potiguara. There are also Quilombola (slave-descendent) communities (162 benefited from the previous project). The Repeater Project will continue to support these groups by expanding coverage to groups not already reached and intensifying actions for those already served. An Indigenous Peoples Participation Plan (IPPP), an integral part of the Project Operational Manual, reviews the experiences with indigenous peoples and Quilombola communities under the previous project and lessons learned. The IPPP also defines guidelines and specific procedures for engaging these communities in project activities. Culturally-appropriate methods will be used to promote inclusion - outreach, studies, information and mobilization campaigns, consultation with leaders/community members, technical assistance and training. This document was reviewed by the Bank and submitted to the Infoshop on September 17, 2007; it is also available through the Project's State Technical Unit website.

(f) Involuntary Resettlement (OP/BP 4.12):

Because the project will not finance physical or economic displacement of people, OP 4.12 is not triggered. The Project Operational Manual explicitly prohibits approval of any subproject proposal which would result in involuntary resettlement, physical or economic.

B. Borrower/Institutional Capacity: The STU has a total staff of 147 of which 99 are professionals and technical specialists in agriculture, agrarian and environmental sciences, social sciences, economics and civil construction, supported by 48 administrative and financial staff.

The State Technical Unit for the previous project complied with Bank safeguard policies and project environmental rules (including Federal and State norms) applicable at the time. For the proposed project, a fully-revised Environmental Management Plan incorporating current Bank safeguard provisions, has been prepared.

The STU (based in Cabedelo)also has seven Regional Management Units/teams responsible for seven regions of the state. Four teams are located in the field while the other three teams are based at STU headquarters but responsible for the regions of Cariri, Camalau and Regiao Litoranea. The three teams located at headquarters have their own structure and identical responsibilities to the four, field-based units. The STU can call on specialized consultants in irrigation, environment, water resources management and the social sciences and has established partnerships with an extensive list of public and private agencies/entities with environmental mandates, responsibilities and/or interests to support project environmental monitoring, supervision and legal/safeguards compliance. These include: State Secretariat of Science, Technology and the Environment (SECTMA), Brazilian Institute for the Environment (IBAMA), Executive Agency for Water Management (AESA), National Institute for Semi-arid Regions (INSA), Federal University of Paraiba (UFPB), State University of Paraiba (UEPB), National Environmental Council (CONAMA), the Environmental Protection Council (COPAM) and the Fundacao Parque Tecnologico.

Environmental capacity-building is an integral part of the project's overall training and technical assistance program under Component 2, Institutional Development. Further agreed actions taken by the STU include: (a) additional environmental technical expertise on staff; (b) environmental modules inserted into the Project Monitoring and Information System (MIS); (c) application of a broader negative list of prohibited investments; (d) an updated Operational Manual which reflects Bank Safeguards as well as new State and Federal legal requirements; (e) creation of a new category of community investment already in use in other participating states - environmental subprojects - which might include for example, soil and/or water recuperation activities by communities; and (f) reinforcing through training (STU, MC and CA) the identification, analysis and management of environmental events.

The State of Paraiba has the legal and institutional capacity and experience to execute all environmental requirements under the project. While the State's environmental laws are quite demanding in the number of requirements, the implications for the new project are not onerous given simplified procedures agreed with the State based on the small scale of individual investments. The Project Operational Manual, part of the legal documents of the Project, reflects the enhanced EMP and includes all key measures for environmental preservation, addressing the Bank's Safeguard policies and Brazilian law.
5. Identify the key stakeholders and describe the mechanisms for consultation and disclosure on safeguard policies, with an emphasis on potentially affected people.

Key Stakeholders: The primary project stakeholders are poor rural communities organized into Community Associations, with particular focus on indigenous peoples, Quilombola communities and female-headed households, generally among the very poorest. Secondary stakeholders include State and local authorities and civil society linked to and integrated with the project throughout the subproject cycle.

Mechanisms for Consultation and Disclosure: Public consultation on all aspects of Project design including environmental standards and requirements has been conducted in a highly-effectuve manner through the participatory MC and this will continue under the Repeater. The Councils provide an open forum which meets regularly, has committed membership, includes the participation of technical specialists, and is recognized as a legitimate, inclusive chamber for knowledge dissemination and debate. The Repeater project will promote special meetings of the Councils to discuss environmental aspects of specific subprojects for which environmental impacts are foreseen. The Operational Manual reflects this decision and the EMP has been posted on the project STU website.