Evalyasyon Anviwonmantal Pwogram - Sipò pou Devlopman Potansyèl Agrikòl nan Nò a pou Sekirite Ekonomik ak Anviwonmantal (AVANSE)

[page 1] ER : EN À NC Sel de CA FROM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SALE APPUI À LA VALORISATION DU POTENTIEL AGRICOLE DU NORD POUR LA SECURITE ECONOMIQUE ET ENVIRONNEMENTALE (AVANSE) Pr + hr" fe < L, # PL? LR = 4 RE LT 27 PES S Re e DE = tech. PCA LL HAT ET REY RTE ne E RE ee x os p DEP EEE ee se I à PR QE SR re CET ES. LES NES »'# + F À = , S : . PER - DZ FF et C Se TS T4 RO À - N 1. Ê UN >» NOVEMBER 2015 This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. lt was prepared by DAI. [page 2] 5 en NZ > cs 4 OCT … s ù + CR, L re , LE D à L > . « ue ff EE , 5 * PT Tr À # . A 4 . nr = EL” à Le de 24 UP 008 ms ” _ ‘ + E Le Dry - à à a” AY . <— — A Le % D. VA 27 FE LE _@ »- à LE M TR LAS LP T4 ep ms el L ; 4 on petites . "4 ” Pr, PR LA E Ladts dr L: - e—. : PRE >, RTC A spé. —… _ e s°T LP RS ! à N" - tr EN NM = NU - “%, À ne À He <- : Ta - —. S fl rte | nn RE > Lu : d D. TE ès Le. A. LA # KT + "x. ES OR RAP ESA fe n° ef CE. 221 Jin WC » Lea 2". 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Be ue *” A 5 ps. 6 == ru LS PE mt à [page 3] APPUI À LA VALORISATION DU POTENTIEL AGRICOLE DU NORD, POUR LA SECURITE ECONOMIQUE ET ENVIRONNEMENTALE (AVANSE) Program Title: Appui à la Valorisation du potentiel Agricole du Nord, pour la Sécurité Économique et Environnementale (AVANSE) Sponsoring USAID Office: USAID/Haïti Contract Number: AID — 521 — C — 13 —- 00006 Contractor: DAI Date of Publication: November 10, 2015 Author: DAI The authors’ views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government. [page 4] PURPOSE .…...eienrenrereirresneenneenneenneennennnennnenneeeneeeneneneeeneneneeneeeneenneeeneeneenneenee nee 2 Ù Programmatic Environmental Assessment.…................................................................20 ALTERNATIVES ..iinirrereinrrnneenneenneeneennennnennneneneneneneneneeennenneeeeeeenneesneeneenneee 2 À Original Proposed Action... 21 Focused Activity package Alternative 22 No-Action Alternative... ses 22 Comparison of Alternatives 22 PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE niiriirrinresnreeneeeneenneeeneennennnennneeeenneeeneenneeenneneeeneeeneenneeen ee 2 MITIGATION MEASURES .................................... iii 2 THRESHOLD RECOMMENDATIONS ...iirrrneenneenreennenneenneenneenneenneenneeneenneeneeneennee 2 Categorical Exclusion... 24 Negative Determination... 24 Negative Determination with Conditions …..................................................................25 Positive Determination 25 MAJOR CONCLUSIONS nnrenreenreenreeneeeneeeneenneennnenneenneeeeeneeenneeneeeneenneeneeneeeneenneenee 2 D PURPOSE OF AVANSE.................... ir ernnnrnnnnennennenensnneeeeennenneenree 28 LOCATION AND ACTIVITIES einen 2O 3. POLICY, LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK 31 Initial Environmental Examination............................................... 31 Purpose of the PEAU iiiieeeeereereeereeeeeereenesseee SO PEA Methodology ........................................................ ss SO GOVERNMENT OF HAITI... inrrnnnrnnnnnneenennnsnnneeeneeeneenneennene ee DD Haïitian Environmental Action Plan 85 2006 Framework Decree on Environment... 35 Other Laws, Regulations and Policies 835 4 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 5] PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT ...iisineirenreneeeneeneeneeneenneenenneeenenneeneeeneenneeneee D TOPOGRAPHY...nnnnnrnnrenrennesnre see nee sneeeneeeneeennsnnnenenneeeneneneeeneeneeeeenneneeeneeeneennenneeee SV GEOLOGY AND SOILS ..iirerrrenrrenreanmennnenneeeneenneeeneenenneneeeneeeneeeneennennnnnrenn ee DÔ CLIMATIC CONDITIONS srrresreenneeneenneenneeneennneeneeeneenneenennenenenneesnneeneenneenneeneeneenr ee SÔ WATER RESOURCES... ner snre re snneeennerennmeesnneennneeennenennnee eme snnenneeesneeesnnee encens A2 BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT iiiierenenrennnneenennenneneennnneneeneeneeee AO COTES DU NORD, LAGONS DU NORD-EST KBAS ..…..............................................................45 PLAISANCE, MORNE BAILLY, CITADELLE/GROTTES DONDON KBAS.....nnrrereee A7 PROTECTED AREAS .....iirrrenrrenreenresneesneenneenneenneenneeene eee nnnneneneneeeneeeneenneenneeneenneeree AO ADDITIONAL NOTES ON VEGETATION ........iniiesserrnrrenreinresneeneenneeneeeneenrennrennre se A Ÿ SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT ...........iirisrinriresnennennenneeeneennennnesneeereens ee D DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS .........iieennenrenrenennneenennenreenrees DÛ LAND TENURE .…..isiisisisreenrenneeneeneeneennenneeeneeeenenennnneneneeeeneeeneeeneeeneeneenneeeee DÛ LAND USE... iiinninrenneneneeseeeneeenenenesneneeeeeeeeeenneneeneenneenee D  ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES een DA HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES... annees nree ne ere enre eme nnesneenneeeneenneenneene es DD HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES ss DD WATER, SANITATION AND SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT 56 TRANSPORT .rreneennenereneeeneneeneeeneneneeeneenneeeeeneeeeeeneneneneneeeneeeneneeeneenneenenreee DÔ GOVERNMENTAL SERVICES... ennirnesrreneenesnnesnnenene nee nensnenenennneenneneeeneenne DV 5. ORIGINAL PROPOSED ACTION, ALTERNATIVES AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESULTS OF SCOPING AND SUBSEQUENT CONSULTATION nn nrnnerennerenneeeneneennnnennne res DO ORIGINAL PROPOSED ACTION ......ieieienrenrenrennnreneeneenneeeneeeneennennnesnrenneenr ee DÛ Intermediate Result 1: Agricultural Productivity Increased.…......................….................... D Intermediate Result 2: Watershed Stability Improved .…................................................65 Intermediate Result 3: Agricultural Markets Strengthened.…......................….....................69 Intermediate Result 4: Capacity Building Support to Implementing Partners 71 Infrastructure... sisi V2 Information, Analysis, and Environmental Compliance Unit...........................................76 IMPACTS OF THE PROPOSED ACTION ..........iiireireresrrenreeneeneeneeneeneneenneennnes Ÿ DL Intermediate Result 1: Agricultural Productivity Increased.….......................................77 Intermediate Result 2: Watershed Stability Improved ...................................................80 Intermediate Result 3: Agricultural Markets Strengthened.…...........................................685 Infrastructure... sise OT FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE sisiisisrerrereeneenesneeneenenenneenree O7 IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE sise JB NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE siinisinnreneeenreneenneennenneeenneneeeneeeneenneeenesmeeneenenresnee À OO IMPACTS OF THE NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE niessrrrereeneenesneeneeeeenreenrenee À OO SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS.............. enr innsnnseennennesnnnnneneeneesneeeneenmeenrenencees 101 IRREVERSIBLE OR IRRETRIEVABLE COMMITMENTS OF RESOURCES 101 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 5 [page 6] CUMULATIVE IMPACTS ......................iisiiiseineinrineeneenneneneneennsees 101 MITIGATION MEASURES iii 103 In-house environmental review by AVANSE..........................,.,.,...........103 Site-specific EMPR review as per established LAC procedures 104 COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES sienmnenneneeenenneennenennneesnneeesneeeenneeseneennceee 104 PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE iiriinrrisresnresnreneenneeeneennenenennnesneeseeeneeeneenneenneeeeeeenneenee 105 6. WATERSHED AND EXTENSION ZONE CONTEXT AND ENVIROMENTAL COTES DU NORD, LAGONS DU NORD-EST KBAS............................................... 107 HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES 109 HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES ..….........................................................109 IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE 109 INDIRECT IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE.....119 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE 120 6 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 7] KEY BIODIVERSITY AREAS, PROTECTED AREAS AND VEGETATION..............124 HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES 125 HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES ..…..........................................................125 IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE 126 INDIRECT IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE..... 134 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE135 KEY BIODIVERSITY AREAS, PROTECTED AREAS AND VEGETATION.............139 HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES .….....................................................140 HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES .….........................................................140 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 7 [page 8] IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE 140 Expanding and improving plantain production near Bord de Mer and, potentially, Caracol would increase farmers’ incomes and provide jobs to local residents..........................142 INDIRECT IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE.....146 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE 146 GRANDE RIVIERE DU NORD WATERSHED eee 149 KEY BIODIVERSITY AREAS, PROTECTED AREAS AND VEGETATION..............150 HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES 102 HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES ..….........................................................152 IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE 152 8 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 9] INDIRECT IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE..... 156 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE157 KEY BIODIVERSITY AREAS, PROTECTED AREAS AND VEGETATION.............162 HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES 1603 HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES .….........................................................163 IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE 163 INDIRECT IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE.....173 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE174 KEY BIODIVERSITY AREAS, PROTECTED AREAS AND VEGETATION..............178 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 9 [page 10] HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES ..….........................................................178 IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE 179 INDIRECT IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE..... 184 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE185 KEY BIODIVERSITY AREAS, PROTECTED AREAS AND VEGETATION.............188 HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES .….........................................................188 IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE 190 10 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 11] INDIRECT IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE..... 191 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE191 KEY BIODIVERSITY AREAS, PROTECTED AREAS AND VEGETATION..............194 HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES 194 HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES .….........................................................195 IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE 195 INDIRECT IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE..... 198 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE198 NEGATIVE DETERMINATION WITH CONDITIONS .…....enersreemeeseeeeeeessereeee 201 ANNEX D: THREATENED SPECIES IN THE KBAS IN THE AVANSE PROJECT AREA225 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 11 [page 12] ANNEX F: UMBRELLA EMPR FOR IR1 NON-INFRASTRUCTURE ACTIVITIES 233 ANNEX G: UMBRELLA EMPR FOR IR2 ACTIVITIES 243 ANNEX H: UMBRELLA EMPR FOR IR3 GRANTS................ nr rrerrrsrresnresreee 2D4 ANNEX l: UMBRELLA EMPR FOR IR3 VOUCHER PROGRAM FOR FERTILIZERS 305 ANNEX J: SITE-SPECIFIC EMPRS AND SCREENING FORMS FOR IRRIGATION AND 12 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 13] LIST OF TABLES Table 1: COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES ACTIONS ss 28 Table 2: Number of Focus Groups to Which questionnaires Were Administered 34 Table 3: Average and Minimum Flows on Project Area Rivers 48 Table 4: Extent of Mangrove Forests by Watershed or Extension Zone 47 Table 5: Distribution of Population in the Northern Corridor 60 Table 6: Distribution of Farm Households by Size... 650 Table 7: Distribution of Farm Size by Watershed, in Percent…..........................................................51 Table 8: Access to land in percent... ss 01 Table 9: Summary of Land Use and land cover in AVANSE Watersheds….…...................................... D2 Table 10: Occupational Distribution of Work Force in the Northern Corridor by Gender 55 Table 11: Distribution of Institutions in the Northern Corridor…..................................................................56 Table 12: Good agricultural practices ss. 60 Table 13: Infrastucture Projects to be Undertaken by AVANSE 72 Table 14: Summary of Threshold Determinations for Irrigation Sites... O4 Table 15: summary of interventions on irrigated land.….…...............................................................08 Table 16: AVANSE Activities By Watershed....…..................................................... 102 Table 17: Comparison of the Relative Impact of Each Alternative 104 Table 18: Summary characteristics for Jassa watershed 108 Table 19: summary of Focused activity package alternative Activities in Jassa Watershed.…........... 109 Figure 16: AVANSE activities in the Jassa watershed 110 Table 20: Flow measurements at different locations along the Jassa and Canari Rivers... 118 Table 21: Cumulative Impact Assessment of AVANSE activities in Jassa..….................................... 128 Table 22: Summary characteristics for Marion Watershed.….............................. 125 Table 23: summary of Focused activity package alternative Activities in Marion Watershed 126 Table 24: Irrigation water needed for different perimeters within the Marion watershed.…................. 133 Table 25: Flow measurements at different locations along the Marion River... 134 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 13 [page 14] Table 26: Cumulative Impact Assessment of AVANSE activities in Marion... 137 Table 27: Summary characteristics for Trou du Nord watershed 139 Table 28: summary of Focused activity package alternative Activities in Trou du nord Watershed...... 142 Table 29: Cumulative Impact Assessment of AVANSE activities in Trou du Nord... 147 Table 30: Summary characteristics for Grande Riviere du Nord watershed 151 Table 31: summary of Focused activity package alternative Activities in grande riviere du nord Watershed Table 32: Cumulative Impact Assessment of AVANSE activities in Grande Riviere du Nord... 158 Table 33: Summary characteristics for Haut du cap watershed 162 Table 34: summary of Focused activity package alternative Activities in haut du cap Watershed 163 Table 35: Irrigation water needs at the different irrigation systems in the Haut du Cap watershed 172 Table 36: Flow measurement at the Dubré irrigation system 178 Table 37: Cumulative Impact Assessment of AVANSE activities in Haut du Cap... 175 Table 38: Summary characteristics for limbe watershed 178 Table 39: summary of Focused activity package alternative Activities in limbe Watershed.….…...........179 Table 40: Cumulative Impact Assessment of AVANSE activities in Limbe 186 Table 41: Summary characteristics for Port Margot extension zone 188 Table 42: Cumulative Impact Assessment of AVANSE activities in Port Margot 192 Table 43: Summary characteristics for Borgne extension zone 104 Table 44: Cumulative Impact Assessment of AVANSE activities in Borgne 109 14 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 15] LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: AVANSE Project Area with Watershed delineation 29 Figure 2: Slopes in AVANSE Project Area... sise SO Figure 3: Average Rainfall in AVANSE Project Area …................................................ 39 Figure 4: Projected change in July precipitation, 2046-2065 ...............................,...,..............41 Figure 5: AVANSE Project Area and Activities Showing PN3B (in purple) and KBAs (in red).....…........44 Figure 6: Mangrove (Green) And Coral Reef (Red) Systems of North and Northeastern Haiti…..........46 Figure 7: BOUNDARIES OF THE Parc National des Trois Baies 48 Figure 8: PROPOSED ACUL / CÔTE DU NORD MARINE MANAGED AREA... 40 Figure 9: Land Cover/Use in the AVANSE Watersheds 53 Figure10: Location of IR1 and IR2 activities ss. 65 Figure 11: Vetiver planted along contour in agroforestry demonstration plot….…..................................66 Figure 12: Location of Five Pilot Well Irrigation Projects 74 Figure 13: Bare soil on steep slope within new agroforestry demonstration 83 Figure 14: Land Use and Land Cover in Jassa.................................................. 106 Figure 15: Red Mangroves at Lagon aux Boeufs 107 Figure 17: Lower Jassa Watershed: Bas Maribahoux Irrigated Perimeter 112 Figure 18: Mechanized harvesting of rice in Bas Marihaboux 113 Figure 19: Dry bed of Jassa River 3 km north of Makimara 118 Figure 20: Land Use and Land Cover in Marion... 124 Figure 21: Lower Marion watershed: Dumas, Chalopin, CrOI Cou and Garde Saline Irrigated Perimeters Figure 24: Land Use and Land Cover in Trou du Nord... 188 Figure 25: AVANSE activites in the Trou du Nord watershed 141 Figure 26: Land Use and Land Cover in Grande Riviere du Nord... 149 Figure 27: Citadelle/Grottes Dondon KBA se 151 Figure 28: AVANSE activites in the Grande Rivière du Nord watershed sn msssnmssnnnmnnnnmnnnnnnnne 153 Figure 29: Land Use and Land Cover in Haut du Cap... 161 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 15 [page 16] Figure 30: Lower Haut du Cap watershed: Dubre, LA Suisse and Grison Garde Irrigated Perimeters … 164 Figure 31: AVANSE activities in the Haut du Cap watershed.…..….................................................165 Figure 32: Land Use and Land Cover in Limbe ss 177 Figure 33: AVANSE activites in the Limbé watershed..................................................................181 Figure 34: Lower Limbé watershed: Drainage Infrastructure in Bas Limbe 182 Figure 35: Land Use and Land Cover in Port Margot... 187 Figure 36: AVANSE activites in the Port Margot cacao extension zone 193 Figure 37: Land Use and Land Cover in Borgne..................................... 198 Figure 38: AVANSE activites in the Borgne cacao extension zone... 197 16 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 17] ACRONYMS 22-CFR-216 Title 22 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Part 216, Environmental Procedures [for USAID] AAA Agro-Action Allemande AVANSE Appui à la Valorisation du potentiel Agricole du Nord, pour la Sécurité Économique et environnementale CBO Community-based Organization CEPF Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund CIAT Comité Interministériel d'Aménagement du Territoire CITES Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species CSSR Citadelle / Sans Souci / Ramier DEED Développement Economique pour un Environnement Durable DINEPA Direction Nationale de l'Eau Potable et de l’Assainissement EC Environmental Compliance EMPR Environmental Management Plans and Reports FAO Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations FECCANO Federation Des Cooperatives Cacaoyeres Du Nord FFS Farmer Field School FoProBiM Fondation pour la Protection de la Biodiversité Marine FTF Feed the Future FY Fiscal Year GAP Good Agricultural Practice GCM Global Circulation Model GIS Geographic Information Systems GOH Government of Haïti IAEC Information, Analysis, and Environmental Compliance unit IDB InterAmerican Development Bank IBA Important Bird Area IE Initial Environmental Examination IHSI Institut Haïitien de Statistique et d'Informatique IP Implementing Partner AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 17 [page 18] IPM Integrated Pest Management IR Intermediate Result ISPAN Institut de Sauvegarde du Patrimoine National IUCN International Union for the Conservation of Nature LANDSAT Land Satellite LOP Life of Project MARNDR Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development (in French) MDE Ministry of the Environment (in French) MPA Marine Protected Area MTPTC Ministry of Public Works, Transportation and Communications NGO Non-governmental Organization NRM Natural Resource Management OTI Office of Transition Initiative PEA Programmatic Environmental Assessment PERSUAP Pesticide Evaluation Report & Safer Used Action Plan PIF Plants Issued from Fragments PISA Produits des Iles, S.A. PN3B Parc National des Trois Baies PO Producer Organization RFP Request for Proposal RoW Right of Way SIBA Système d'incitation via les Bons d'Achat, AVANSE voucher program SME Small- and Medium-sized Enterprise STD Sexually Transmitted Disease SWMB Sub-Watershed Management Body SWMP Sub-Watershed Management Plan USAID U.S. Agency for International Development WIDECAST Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Network WUA Water User Associations UNITS OF MEASUREMENT Gds Gourdes 18 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 19] ha hectare km kilometer m meter MT metric ton USD US Dollars AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 19 [page 20] 1. SUMMARY This Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) has been prepared by Feed the Future North (AVANSE) for all of its activities in accordance with the Environmental Threshold Decision Amendment 1 (LAC-IEE-14-17) to the original Initial Environmental Examination for USAID/Haiti Pillar B activities (LAC-IEE-11-14). The amended IEE put most of AVANSE'"S activities out of compliance with 22-CFR-216, in that it shifted many activities that had previously been given a Negative Determination with conditions into a Positive Determination. Those activities had been functioning under the Environmental Mitigation Plan and Report (EMPR) (DAI 2013b) developed in response to the original IEE and approved by USAID in October 2013. However, the amended IEE made that EMPR “no longer valid” (Knight 2015b). PURPOSE AVANSE As envisioned in the original scope of work, AVANSE is a five-year, multi-sectoral, USAID- funded project aimed at improving agricultural production in the Northern region of Haïti. The purpose of AVANSE is to increase agricultural incomes in Haïti s Northern Corridor, with the original objective to benefit 63,500 rural households, including 43,500 households with doubled agricultural income due to AVANSE assistance. AVANSE strives to fulfil its purpose and achieve its objective through key investments in, and technical assistance for farm productivity, natural resource management, marketing systems, agribusinesses, and agricultural infrastructure. PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT In accordance with the requirements of 22-CFR-216.6 and the IEE for AVANSE, the purpose of this PEA is to provide USAID decision makers with the following: 1. Assessment of the potential environmental impacts of all AVANSE activities (except those that were issued a Categorical Exclusion) and reasonable alternatives that could meet the purposes of AVANSE. 2. Assessment of the cumulative environmental effects, on a watershed level, of the large number of smaller interventions that AVANSE is promoting. 3. Based on those assessments, threshold recommendations for all AVANSE activities. 4. A recommended programmatic alternative for AVANSE. 5. Where applicable, provision of umbrella EMPRS for specific classes of AVANSE activities. In addition, due to the specific context of the AVANSE project and the timing of the PEA, the PEA team and AVANSE staff developed multiple site-specific screening forms and several site- specific EMPRS which can be found in Annexes H-J. 20 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 21] Once this PEA is approved by USAID, AVANSE will once again be in compliance with 22-CFR- 216. ALTERNATIVES This PEA assesses the Original Proposed Action, one action alternative and the No-Action Alternative. The action alternative was based on the Original Proposed Action as well as AVANSE's modified statement of work, allowing the project to address critical environmental issues while also meeting its program objectives. ORIGINAL PROPOSED ACTION The original proposed action correspondés to the project’s original scope of work as presented in the FY15 work plan as well as additional activities identified by AVANSE staff! as likely to be undertaken during the remaining years of the project. The activities are as follows: Intermediate Result 1: Agricultural Productivity Increased e __ Promotion of Good Agricultural Practices through Farmer Field Schools for 4 target crops: rice, beans and corn (as a single cropping system), banana/plantain, and cacao e Institutional collaboration to promote Good Agricultural Practices e__ Support to nurseries and grafting e Creation and capacitation of Water Users Associations for the management of irrigation systems e __Establishment of small-scale irrigation projects Intermediate Result 2: Watershed Stability Improved e Promotion of hillside stabilization through the use of agroforestry e Support for sub-watershed management and governance ° _Reforestation and land reclamation e__ Support to nurseries and grafting e __ Development of a Pigeon Pea value chain e Protection of critical coastal zones e Development of community cisterns for home gardens e Pilot small-scale greenhouses e __ Procurement of materials for civil protection authorities for emergency response to natural disasters e__ Environmental education e Health insurance for collaborating ir2 farmers Intermediate Result 3: Agricultural Markets Strengthened e __Provide value chain and agro-enterprise analysis ° __Improve business skills training and performance e __Improve private sector-small producer linkages and partnerships e Facilitate market linkages e _Facilitate improved post-harvest handling, storage and processing ‘ Additional activities were identified during the first iteration of the PEA in February and March of 2015 and prior to the partial termination notice and modified statement of work. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 21 [page 22] e _Promote the use of vouchers as a market-oriented subsidy mechanism e Increase access to financial products e__Improve market information systems Intermediate Result 4: Capacity Building Support to Implementing Partners e__ Work with local IPs and beneficiaries to improve internal management procedures, financial systems and controls, human resources, strategic planning, and overall operations e _Prepare partners for direct awards from USAID under the FORWARD initiative e _Provides training to beneficiaries and partners to strengthen their general implementation capacity Infrastructure e _ Undertake all AVANSE infrastructure activities o irrigation projects o Road rehabilitation o Ravine stabilization o Large-scale drainage construction FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE Based on a June 2015 partial termination notice and subsequent modified Statement of Work, AVANSE was instructed to stop implementation on a number of activities, including the maize and bean value chains and road rehabilitation and ravine stabilization work. The new focus of the project became three crop value chains (cacao, rice and plantain/banana), irrigation, some agroforestry/hillside stabilization (linked to irrigation), and some private sector market Strengthening and post-harvest and processing support activities. The PEA team considered the new scaled-down project activities together as the focused activity package alternative. NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE The No-Action Alternative for this PEA is different than for most PEAs, in that it does not assume no-action, but rather, no further action. AVANSE has been implemented for nearly two years, so it has taken many actions. The No-Action Alternative is, therefore, the termination of all future AVANSE activities. COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES The following table shows a relative comparison of the Original Proposed Action and the Focused Activity Package Alternative, using the No-Action Alternative as a baseline. 22 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 23] TABLE 1: COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES ACTIONS ackage PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT Soil Erosion 0 Effects of Agricultural +2 Chemicals pm | ? 0 EEE Quant 0 Water Quality 0 BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT Naïural Vegetation RE PS 0 Effects on Aquatic Species 0 Three Bays Marine Protected +2 SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT increased Income 0 increased Access to Markets 0 Historical and Cultural po | o Resources Rankings: -2 Strong adverse effect -1 Adverse effect O0 Neutral or no change +1 Positive effect/benefit +2 Strong positive effect/benefit PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE The PEA recommends that the Focused Activity Package Alternative be the Preferred Alternative because it has the least environmental impact, will allow AVANSE to achieve its purpose, and can be implemented with relatively minor programmatic changes. MITIGATION MEASURES AVANSE is a large and complex program, so the PEA developed several umbrella EMPRSs, as well as numerous site-specific screening forms, site-specific EMPRSs, and associated mitigation measures to address the potential impacts of all of its activities. The PEA proposes three general levels of environmental review with associated mitigation measures: 1) no site-specific environmental review, but application of mitigation measures as required in umbrella EMPRSs, 2) in-house site specific environmental review by AVANSE, and 3) site-specific EMPR review as per established LAC procedures. The first two categories will be covered by umbrella EMPRs included in this PEA as Annexes and approved by USAID at the time of approval of this PEA. A sub-set of category 3 (Grison Garde, Dubré and Bas Maribahoux irrigation systems and the Bas Limbé drainage site) will also be covered by site-specific EMPRS included as Annexes and approved by USAID at the time of approval of this PEA. The activities recommended for no site-specific environmental review are: °__ Non-infrastructure IR1 activities ° __IR2 watershed stabilization activities The activities recommended for in-house environmental review not requiring individual USAID approval are: AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 23 [page 24] + __IR3 processing facility grants for construction of less than 1,000 m° or for equipment installation e__Voucher program for fertilizer and other inputs and services e__ Irrigation projects for less than 25 hectares reliant upon wells tapping the unconfined alluvial aquifer in the northern plain The activities that will require site-specific EMPRS as per established USAID/LAC procedures are: ° Additional irrigation system rehabilitation (ï.e., other sites beyond Grison Garde, Dubré and Bas Maribahoux) that does not increase surface water diversions ° Any IR3 processing facility grants for construction greater than 1,000 m? ° The following types of activities if they occur within the boundaries of the Three Bays Marine Protected Area: o Irrigation projects o IR3 production and processing facility grants THRESHOLD RECOMMENDATIONS As required by the amended IEE for AVANSE (LAC-IEE-14-17), the PEA provides recommended threshold decisions for all program activities (USAID 2014a, pp. 42-43) based on the analysis of environmental consequences. CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION e _Intermediate Result 1: Agricultural Productivity Increased': o Institutional Collaboration o Capacitation and Creation of Water Users Associations e _Intermediate Result 2: Watershed Stability Improved: o Protection of Critical Coastal Zones (Planning and Governance support) o Environmental Education o Health Insurance for Collaborating IR2 Farmers e _Intermediate Result 3: Agricultural Markets Strengthened: o Provide Value Chain and Agro-Enterprise Analysis o Improve Business Skills Training and Performance o Improve Private Sector-Small Producer Linkages and Partnerships o Facilitate Market Linkages o Increase Access to Financial Products o Improve Market Information Systems ° All activities of Intermediate Result 4: Capacity Building Support to Implementing Partners. e Information, Analysis, and Environmental Compliance Unit o All activities except Weather Stations NEGATIVE DETERMINATION e __Intermediate Result 2: Watershed Stability Improved o Procurement of Materials for Civil Protection Authorities 24 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 25] e Information, Analysis, and Environmental Compliance Unit o Weather Stations NEGATIVE DETERMINATION WITH CONDITIONS e __Intermediate Result 1: Agricultural Productivity Increased o Promoting Good Agricultural Practices through Farmer Field Schools o Nursery and Grafting Support o Establish small-scale irrigation projects e _Intermediate Result 2: Watershed Stability Improved o Promoting Hillside Stabilization through Agroforestry o Sub-Watershed Management and Governance o Reforestation and Land Reclamation o Nursery and Grafting Support o Development of Pigeon Pea Value Chain o Protection of Critical Coastal Zones (Mangrove Planting) o Community Cisterns for Home Gardens o Pilot Small-Scale Greenhouses e __Intermediate Result 3: Agricultural Markets Strengthened o Facilitate Improved Post-Harvest Handling, Storage and Processing o Promote the Use of Vouchers as a Market-Oriented Subsidy Mechanism ° Infrastructure o_ Irrigation Projects not requiring increased surface water withdrawals o Road Rehabilitation o Ravine Stabilization POSITIVE DETERMINATION Two types of infrastructure activities were assessed in this PEA and found to have potentially substantial or significant adverse environmental effects that could not be mitigated with generic mitigation measures. These activities require further analysis and assessment of alternatives before a conclusion can be formed on the significance of their impacts; therefore they are recommended for Positive Determination. e __ Irrigation projects requiring increased surface water withdrawals e Major drainage construction MAJOR CONCLUSIONS The major conclusions of this PEA are as follows: e _By-in-large the environmental consequences of AVANSE are positive. IR1 activities with Farmer Field Schools and the IR2 activities with agroforestry, watershed planning and reforestation are the primary mechanism for the original target of benefiting 63,500 rural households. Both of these activities have introduced practices which have less impact on the environment than the pre-AVANSE farm practices. This has resulted in the use of less fertilizer; fewer, less toxic and less persistent pesticides; and less water per hectare for irrigation by IR1 beneficiaries. It has led to the adoption of soil conservation AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 25 [page 26] practices by upland project beneficiaries, which will reduce runoff and erosion from their fields. As these practices spread via AVANSE"S activities and lateral diffusion, there will be a net environmental benefit as well as economic benefit for northern Haïti. e__ AVANSE activities will take place on areas already heavily altered by humans (crop land, existing roads, and eroding ravines and hillsides where the activities are aimed at stopping erosion). So AVANSE will have minimal impact on the few remaining natural areas or the cultural resources in northern Haïti. e __IR3 activities have the potential for negative environmental consequences, but all of the activities that have been identified so far are small-scale and the environmental impacts can be easily mitigated. °e The infrastructure projects (as envisioned based on the project's original scope) have the greatest potential to create negative environmental consequences. All of them involve large-scale construction, which can greatly impact the environment. e Surface water availability associated with irrigation system construction or rehabilitation that increases the withdrawal of surface water is a major environmental concern. There are no water gauges on any of the rivers in northern Haïti, which means there is virtually no information on flow levels, but all indications are that although the rivers have extremely high flows during annual floods, the extremely low flows are common in the drier seasons, when irrigation water demand is at its highest. There are already examples of donor-funded irrigation projects taking water away from downstream users. Serious study of drier season flow at the diversion and downstream uses is critical before making any decision to support an irrigation system that proposes to increase Withdrawals of surface water. Downstream environmental flow is also important, particularly on those rivers that flow into the Three Bays Marine Protected Area. e With repsect to the seven irrigation sites that were assessed, the following conclusions can be drawn: o Grison Garde: The rehabilitation of the irrigation system at Grison Garde shows no significant potential impact on the hydrology. The Mornet River has sufficient water to sustain this irrigation system. The system won't withdraw more water from the river beyond the original capacity of its intake canal. Additionally, its environmental impact will be minimal with the application of SRI for rice production. o Dubré: The Anba Lanba River has insufficient water to irrigate all of the extended irrigated area. The system should be designed to withdraw less water during the base flow season and more during wet months. There will be minimal environmental impact with the application of SRI. o La Suisse: Similar to Dubré but the Mamanet River has insufficient water to irrigate the extended irrigated area. Implementing this construction will withdraw more water and may create conflict among upstream and downstream users. Therefore, the construction of this system should not be implemented. 26 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 27] o Chalopin: There is insufficient water in the Marion River during base flow. Implementing the planned construction will withdraw more water and may create conflict among upstream and downstream users. Therefore, the construction of this system should not be implemented. o Garde Saline: The system, being on the lower end of the watershed, depends on the outflow from the upper watershed irrigation systems. During base flow, there is insufficient water to reach this area. Therefore, the construction of this system should not be implemented. o Robino: This system, which functioned in the past, was terminated in 2007 due to the construction of the Makimara intake by Agro Action Allemande. There is insufficient base flow in the Jassa River to irrigate more land without causing strains on other users. Therefore, the construction of this system should not be implemented. o Ferrier/Bas Maribahoux: The cleaning of the Trop Plein Canal will help carry flood water back to Jassa River downstream of the Ferrier/Bas Maribahoux rice fields. However, it will not bring more water for irrigation. Moreover, it must be cleaned over the entire length. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 27 [page 28] 2. PURPOSE As required by USAID's Environmental Procedures in 22-CFR-216.6(c)(2), this section specifies the underlying purpose and need to which USAID is responding in proposing the Proposed Action and its alternatives. This Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) has been prepared by Feed the Future North (AVANSE?) for all of its activities. AVANSE is a five year, multi-sectoral, USAID-funded project aimed at improving agricultural production in the Northern region of Haïti. The Haitian agricultural sector plays an important role in the country’s economy by providing economic and social support to the majority of people living in rural areas. Approximately 145,000 farm households depend on agriculture in the North and Northeast. Yet, the sector faces many challenges including low production and productivity for the main crops, lack of investments, and land degradation. Agricultural productivity in Haïti has systematically declined in the last three decades. A shift to annual cropping on steep slopes has caused erosion and exacerbated flooding that affects the slopes, as well as the productive plain areas. The magnitude of flooding has increased, water supplies have become much more erratic, and both lives and livelihoods are under threat. PURPOSE OF AVANSE The purpose of AVANSE is to increase agricultural incomes in Haïitis Northern Corridor, with the objective to benefit 63,500 rural households, including 43,500 households with doubled agricultural income due to AVANSE assistance. AVANSE strives to fulfil its purpose and achieve its objective through key investments in and technical assistance for farm productivity, natural resource management, marketing systems, agribusinesses, and agricultural infrastructure. LOCATION AND ACTIVITIES AVANSE works across six watersheds in the Nord and Nord-Est departments on Haïti — Jassa, Marion, Trou du Nord, Grande Rivière du Nord, Haut du Cap and Limbé — plus two areas of cacao production, Borgne and Port Margot (see Figure 1). AVANSE focusses on five main crops that predominate in the low lying plains (rice, plantains/bananas, cacao, and maize and beans as a single cropping system). AVANSE also seeks to promote sustainable natural resource management practices in the upper watersheds through improved approaches to watershed management and investments in sustainable cropping systems that conserve soil and vegetation cover. AVANSE adopts a market oriented approach to stimulate micro, small and larger agro-enterprises. AVANSE also seeks to build the capacity of Haïitian support institutions over the life of the project, so they can gradually replace direct project interventions and receive direct funding from USAID. 2 The French name of Feed the Future North is Appui à la Valorisation du potentiel Agricole du Nord, pour la Sécurité Économique et Environnementale (AVANSE). 28 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 29] Limbs Trou du Nord J < © USAID | HAITI /AVANSE FIGURE 1: AVANSE PROJECT AREA WITH WATERSHED DELINEATION AVANSE implements its activities through four Intermediate Results (IR): IR1: Agricultural Productivity Increased introduces farmers to improved agricultural production technologies, strengthens agricultural extension and increases access to inputs. It also rehabilitates irrigation systems and increases the management capacity of the water user associations that manage the irrigation systems. The development hypothesis for this IR is that increased agricultural production and productivity will increase the quantity and diversity of available foods, contributing directly to higher nutrition outcomes. It will also boost incomes through sales and farm jobs, enabling households to increase consumption of nutritious foods and reduce income poverty. IR2: Watershed Stability Improved responds to the fragility and environmental degradation of the upper watershed hillsides in the project area. It works with farmers and local governments to form sub-watershed management bodies and introduce key physical and biological measures to stabilize hillsides and combat erosion through farmer-level investments. This IR also works with local governments to increase their capacity for crisis management. The development hypothesis for IR2 is that stabilizing hillsides will both protect crops grown on the plains and AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 29 [page 30] boost production of mango, cashew, avocado, cocoa and other crops. This will increase incomes and therefore enable households to increase consumption of nutritious foods and reduce income poverty; mango production spillovers to local consumption will also increase nutrition outcomes directly (vitamin A). IR3: Agricultural Markets Strengthened aims to strengthen agricultural markets by improving transportation infrastructure and storage and processing facilities. lt also increases access to financial products and market information systems. A substantial number of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME) will require improvements to storage, processing and export facilities to support growth in agricultural production. Through this IR, AVANSE provides technical assistance and grants to SMESs involved in these market activities. The development hypothesis for IR3 is that strengthening agricultural markets will create additional sales channels for farmers and agribusinesses and create new off-farm jobs along the agricultural value chain. This will increase incomes and therefore enable households to increase consumption of nutritious foods and reduce income poverty. IR4 Capacity Building and Use of Sub-awards entails working with and through local partners to further AVANSE"Ss goal of strengthening Haiïtian organizations. AVANSE has engaged sub- awardees to implement the vast majority of project activities directly or indirectly. Not only are strong implementing partners (IPs) a means to achieving development goals, they are also in themselves some of the targets of AVANSE's development activities. 30 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 31] 3. POLICY, LEGAL AND This section presents the policy, legal and administrative framework under which this PEA is being prepared, both as required by USAID and by the Government of Haïti (GOH). USAID This PEA is being prepared in accordance with USAID's environmental regulations (22-CFR- 216). Those regulations require that nearly all projects be subject to an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE). The IEE determines if an Environmental Assessment is required. INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION The activities of AVANSE were originally covered by an IEE that was approved in 2011 (LAC- IÉE-11-14, in the bibliography as USAID 2011a). That IEE was amended in 2014 (LAC-IEE-14- 17, in the bibliography as USAID 2014a). The amendment issued the following Categorical Exclusions: “(i) Education, technical assistance, or training programs except to the extent such programs include activities directly affecting the environment (such as construction of facilities, etc.) (v) Document and information transfers; (x Support for intermediate credit institutions when the objective is to assist in the capitalization of the institution or part thereof and when such support does not involve reservation of the right to review and approve individual loans made by the institution. (xiv) Studies, projects, or programs intended to develop the capability of recipient countries to engage in development planning, except to the extent designed to result in activities directly affecting the environment (such as construction of facilities). Capacity building of programs for Water User Associations (WUA). Activities focusing on detailed physical/agricultural inventory of selected sub-watersheds.” (USAID 2014a, pp. 41 and 42) The amendment also made the following threshold recommendations: “Positive Determinations are recommended for all Feed the Future North … programs. Geographic based Programmatic Environmental Assessments (PEAs), generally at the watershed level, are recommended and will determine the threshold decision of all program activities. Within each watershed or select geographic zone, activities that normally require site specific EAS beyond the PEA would include: ° All agricultural work; ° Road and bridge construction, including select, larger scale rehabilitation work; AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 31 [page 32] e __Watershed conservation and management work; ° River re-channeling, dredging and stabilization:; e _Pesticide Evaluation Report & Safer Used Action Plan (PERSUAP). An amendment to LAC-IÉE-11-29, the Mission-wide PERSUAP is approved. lt provides clear guidance on how, when and where to apply pesticides and any other chemicals for both livestock and crops. e Construction ofirrigation infrastructure; e Construction of facilities.(including structures of more than 1,000 sq. meters); e Bridge construction. Because of the potential cumulative impacts from many small activities concentrated in a particular area, the PEAs of Feed the Future North and Feed the Future West follow on programs will analyze all of the following activities (that would usually be recommended for Negative Determination with Conditions threshold decision): e Small agricultural infrastructures, such as feeder roads, small scale irrigation systems; e __Post-harvest processing facilities (storage warehouses, sorting, packaging and processing facilities); e Small scaled agriculture production including livestock; e __Watershed revegetation/restoration e Installation of soil erosion control measures; e Repair of secondary bridges; e Repair or installation of small scale water/sanitation systems; e __Rehabilitation of public buildings; e Construction of small scale outdoor market facilities (less than 10,000 sq. ft footprint) °e__ Support to micro, small and medium size enterprises; e Micro loans; ° River bank stabilization (i.e. gabion or revegetation) work; e__ Rebuilding farmer assets through improving and/or diversifying their coping strategies.” (USAID 2014a, pp. 42-43) The amended IEE put most of AVANSE'S activities out of compliance with 22-CFR-216, in that it Shifted many activities that had previously been given a Negative Determination with conditions into a Positive Determination. Those activities had been functioning under the Environmental Mitigation Plan and Report (EMPR) (DAI 2013b) developed in response to the original IEE and approved by USAID in October 2013 (Knight 2015b). However, the amended IEE made that EMPR “no longer valid” (Knight 2015b). This PEA is being conducted in response to the Positive Determination made in the EE as well as the direction in the IEE that the PEA “determine the threshold decision of all program activities.” In response to the latter need, this PEA has a section on “Threshold Recommendations” and includes the development of umbrella EMPRS for several classes of AVANSE'Ss activities. 32 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 33] The PEA also includes several examples of site-specific EMPRs. These EMPRS were developed with the engineering and environmental compliance staff of AVANSE, so that the PEA activity also provided some training in the preparation of EMPRSs. PURPOSE OF THE PEA 22-CFR-216 states that, “Program Assessments may be appropriate in order to assess the environmental effects of a number of individual actions and their cumulative environmental impact in a given country or geographic area, or the environmental impacts that are generic or common to a class of agency actions” (22-CFR-216.6(d)). AVANSE'Ss activities fall into both of these categories. In accordance with the requirements of 22-CFR-216.6 and the IEE for AVANSE, the purpose of this PEA is to provide USAID decision makers with the following: 1. Assessment of the potential environmental impacts of all AVANSE activities (except those that were issued a Categorical Exclusion) and reasonable alternatives that could meet the purposes of AVANSE. 2. Assessment of the cumulative environmental effects, on a watershed level, of the large number of smaller interventions that AVANSE is promoting. 3. Based on those assessments, threshold recommendations for all AVANSE activities. 4. A recommended programmatic alternative for AVANSE. 5. Where applicable, provision of umbrella EMPRS for specific classes of AVANSE activities. Once this PEA is approved by USAID, AVANSE will once again be in compliance with 22-CFR- 216. PEA METHODOLOGY This PEA was conducted by the team presented in Annex A during an 8-week period in February through March, 2015. During that time the team reviewed an extensive collection of project materials and relevant literature (Annex B); held meetings with AVANSE staff, partners, stakeholders and beneficiaries; and conducted site visits at numerous AVANSE activity locations (Annex C). Data and information from the site visits (> 80 visits) were used to complete numerous site-specific screening forms as presented in Annexes H-J. The team reviewed the PEA for the WINNER project (Chemonics International 2011) which assessed similar activities in central Haïti and the original EMPR for AVANSE (DAI 2013b), and various site-specific EMPRS that have been developed for AVANSE activities under the original IËE (USAID 2011a). The team also reviewed the trip report generated by a visit to the AVANSE project area by USAID's Regional Environmental Advisor for the Caribbean region (REA/Caribbean) in October 2014 (Schmidtke 2014). Subsequent to the initial PEA, a smaller, 3-person team conducted additional field visits and analysis in July 2015. To assist the team in better understanding the socio-economic impact of AVANSE, the team Sociologist oversaw the implementation of a field survey. The field survey solicited information from focus groups on the impact of AVANSE activities on the physical and socio economic environment in the watersheds and the extension zones by using thirteen research guides developed during the Scoping phase (2). Members of the PEA team added questions to the guides according to their interest. The forms were all translated into Creole as they were going AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 33 [page 34] to be used with farmers in the field. The survey was conducted by the AVANSE team of 24 surveyors, who were trained in the use of the guides by the team Sociologist. The results were prepared by the surveyors each day in French, for use by the PEA Team. Unfortunately, the survey was interrupted by other pressing AVANSE project needs, so that only 57 of the planned 60 focus group sessions were conducted, but still 284 beneficiaries were included in the survey. TABLE 2: NUMBER OF FOCUS GROUPS TO WHICH QUESTIONNAIRES WERE ADMINISTERED 2 ë © e. - 5 > œ © Survey Topic z œ © [=] Total 3 © ? 3 © œ œ TD T © T @ £ = A 3 8 Z 5 ê FD E S ËÈ | 03 = 5 a is Rice RU EU PS RS RS PE ES Rice Processing | 1 | 17 | 1 | | | | 3 Com& Beans | 7 | 1 | 1 1 1 | 1 | | | 6 Cacao BCE PP AS PS DE PS ES ES Cacao Processing | | [| {1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 Plantain D A PS DE D PE D PS ES Agroforestry RS RE A RE PS RS PS ES Forests BE A A A A A A A EE EE Wetlands BE A PE A A AE A AE A Total Groups | 9 | » | 6 | 6 | #1 | 10 | 3 | 3 | Totalinaidquelss | 45 | 45 | 25 | 25 | 64 | 50 | 30 | 24 The team benefited from the fact that AVANSE had been operating for 23 months at the time of the assessment and has already substantially designed and implemented its activities and generated project level and regional data and information. The team used the AVANSE FY15 work plan (DAI 20140) as a basis for identifying project activities, and interviewed IR Team Leaders and the Team Leader for Infrastructure to identify potential future activities that were not generically included in the FY15 work plan. Sites for PEA Team field visits were chosen to help Team members evaluate the range of possible activities, environmental conditions and potential environmental impacts in the AVANSE project area. Key objectives of field visits were to clarify and gather details on the potentially significant issues identified in the Scoping Statement (DAI 2014a); identify additional issues not described in the Scoping Statement or not previously encountered; and develop practicable mitigation measures, including measures not yet identified in previously developed EMPRSs. Subsequent to the field visits, the team worked with knowledgeable AVANSE staff to 34 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 35] gather additional information and data and to analyze specific sites. This step resulted in the development of over 25 site-specific screening forms as presented in Annexes H-J. Additional field visits were also conducted by a smaller PEA team in July 2015 in order to finalize the PEA in accordance with a technical direction memo issued by USAID on June 24, 2015. GOVERNMENT OF HAITI Several Government of Haïti laws, regulations and policies are relevant for this PEA. The two most important, however, are the Haïitian Environmental Action Plan and the 2006 Framework Decree on Environment. HAITIAN ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION PLAN The Plan d'Action pour l'Environnement was part of Haïtis response to the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm and the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. It integrates environmental protection with economic and social development policies and activities and established a 25- year (1999-2024) Environmental Action Plan specifying policies for environmental protection. 2006 FRAMEWORK DECREE ON ENVIRONMENT The Framework Decree on Environment, Décret Cadre sur l'Environnement was promulgated on January 26, 2006. It represents a major step in terms of prospects to solve jurisdictional conflicts in environmental management, and provides a legal foundation for a national policy on the environment and for environmental management in Haïti. Article 56, Chapter IV of the decree states that “Policies, plans, programs, projects or activities likely to have impact on the environment must be subjected to an environmental assessment...” Implementation of the decree, however, poses major challenges, and to date no regulations for environmental impact assessment have been promulgated. OTHER LAWS, REGULATIONS AND POLICIES There are many other Haitian laws that deal with the environment. These include: e The Haïitian Constitution (Chapter Il, Title IX); e _Ministerial decree of July 10, 2013 prohibiting the exploitation of mangroves; e _Decree of October 8, 1992 proclaiming public utility 15 water points; e _Decree of March 3, 1981creating framework law governing waste management and elimination; e __Decree of October 27, 1978 on fishing; water pollution, natural resource conservation, protected areas, and species protection; e __Decree of November 20, 1972 proclaiming reforestation activities of general interest and public utility; e _Decree of March 18, 1968 naming National Parks, National Sites, Natural Sites: all forested areas or parks on which historical or natural monuments will be established; °e Haitian Rural Code of 1962; e Law of September 19, 1958 protecting soil erosion determining area extent and regulating forest management; e _Decree of March 17, 1950 proclaiming public utility big irrigation, drainage and land improvement works; AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 35 [page 36] e _Decree-law of June 27, 1945 submitting to an existing authorization the cutting, debarking, and incision of pine, mahogany, oak, gaiac, bayahonde, logwood, cedar; e _ Decree of August 29, 1944 protecting the creation or the extent of swampy areas; e _ Decree of July 24, 1937 on phytosanitary conditions required for seed introduction, plants or part of the plant; e _ Decree of August 5, 1937 establishing special rules related to habitation and city and communal section management; ° Law of August 2, 1934 concerning flora and fauna protection against entry in the country insects, and disease transmitter agents; e _ Decree of January 10, 1933 prescribing forest protection and conservation for public and private domains; e Law of February 3, 1926 on reserved forests; and e _ Several decrees ratifying international environmental conventions. Government documents relevant to agricultural development include: 1) Le Plan National d'investissement Agricole, 2) La politique de MARNDR en matière de gestion des bassins versants, 1999, 3) La politique de transfert de la gestion des systèmes d'irrigation aux irrigants, 4) Le draft de politique agricole and 5) Le draft de politique nationale pour la gestion des bassins versants Application of existing laws and regulations, however, is an issue. Laws relating to the environment and natural resources are rarely acknowledged and applied by local government officials. Laws are not enacted at the local level for several reasons: 1) little knowledge of law among local officials and communities; 2) insufficient political or administrative skills to “dialogue” and apply the law; 3) inadequate resources to apply the law, in terms of equipment, human resources, access to legal services and budgets; and 4) lack of organization, ownership and flexible approaches among the local residents to defend, manage and conserve common property resources. (DAI 2013b) 36 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 37] 4. AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AVANSE works across six watersheds in the Nord and Nord-Est departments on Haïti — Jassa, Marion, Trou du Nord, Grande Rivière du Nord, Haut du Cap and Limbé — plus two areas of cacao production, Borgne and Port Margot (see Figure 1). This section of the PEA describes the environment to be affected by the alternatives under consideration. The description focuses on general characteristics that are common across the eight watersheds and extension zones. Additional information on the specific watershed and extension zone characteristics can be found in chapter 6 below. PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT TOPOGRAPHY As one follows a north to south axis, the AVANSE watersheds and extension zones move from a flat coastal plain to hilly and mountainous terrain. The extent of the plain and the upland areas varies by watershed. Figure 2 divides the watersheds into three broad elevation classes. Grande Rivière du Nord, followed by Limbé, possesses the most upland area, while Trou du Nord, followed by Jassa and Haut du Cap, has the largest coastal plain area. Slopes in the coastal plain are generally flat. Slopes in the upland areas can generally be divided into three categories: gentle (5-12%), moderate (13-30%), and steep (31-60%). Valleys are not uncommon in the hilly and mountainous regions; most valleys are found at an elevation of less than 300 m (Oxfam Québec and CATIE, 2011). AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 37 [page 38] FIGURE 2: SLOPES IN AVANSE PROJECT AREA Se Slope LA 77 NES CE Sa ‘ (& EM 7% ie | à rx 247% LR «à - S% a | A K. * V mn? % 7) F 4 es S sa &. 14 1® à s, Ne Ps Source: Adapted from ReliefWeb, http://reliefweb.int/map/haiti/haiti-slope-17-feb-2009 GEOLOGY AND SOILS The underlying geology of the project zone is divided fairly evenly between sedimentary and igneous formations. About 60% of the geologic material is sedimentary with a limestone or alluvial base, while the remaining 40% of the material is igneous. Again, following the division of the two main land types in the AVANSE intervention zone, soils can be divided into two broad categories: those found in the lowland coastal plain and those found in the upland areas. In general, soils in the coastal plains are alluvial, often with significant organic matter, and are considered to be good to excellent. In the uplands, the soils are derived from igneous rock (basalt, andesite, etc.) or sedimentary limestone and tend to be eroded and poor. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS Current Climate The average annual rainfall in the AVANSE project area is about 1,200 mm in the plains and 1,780 mm in the high mountains (Bayard, 2014). Annual average rainfall increases as one moves from north to south and from east to west. Annual rainfall varies from 800 mm to 1,900 mm in the plains of the Northeast and from 1,500 to over 2,000 mm in the North Department. Generally, precipitation in the region is bi-modal with the two rainy seasons occurring from September to January and April to June and drier periods from December to March and from 38 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 39] July to August, but all months receive some precipitation. The area can be divided into three rainfall zones: ° __a drier sector in the northeast from Terrier Rouge to Ferrier where annual rainfall averages less than 1,000 mm and where there are two distinct dry seasons; ° a semi-humid sector from Trou-du-Nord to Ouanaminthe with average rainfall varying from 1,000 mm to 1,300 mm per year, with one less distinct dry season in the summer; and + __a humid sector comprising the Massif du Nord and the western part of the plain with average rainfall varying from 1,400 to over 2,500, depending on the altitude. In these areas, there are two distinct dry seasons (Bayard, 2014). FIGURE 3: AVERAGE RAINFALL IN AVANSE PROJECT AREA É 5 Pluviometrique | | | Moins de 1000mm OkaP ER R . . mi À 4 D FE Ts : HBIEI 2000 2500mm ) DUR D NS US M md nn PR RAS UN Éimonadii SEsSse RP à D LED “ARRRSRNSRRNR. SERSRRRRNRNEN RE EE D D ND oc TTC { PE EE EEE EE DLL TTIT in be Milot = | = StE-SHE ME, _— \''EUE — Samedi 4 DITETENTETE EN Source: AIA 2012 Average annual temperature in the coastal plain areas is 25.7° C and at higher altitude areas 22° C. At lower altitudes, average monthly temperatures range from 24° to 27.6° C while in the mountainous areas, they range from 21.1° to 24.9° C (Oxfam Québec and CATIE, 2011). Bayard (2014) reports an average annual temperature in the AVANSE zone of about 25° C; December and January are the coolest months, whereas July and August are the hottest ones. Climate Change Although rigorous scientific studies on climate change in Haïti are few in number and a high level of uncertainty remains, there does seem to be an emerging consensus on some impacts and effects. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 39 [page 40] °e There is broad agreement on rising temperatures. e __Increased coastal flooding and salinization as a result of rising sea level is likely. e _Itis likely that there will be changes in the seasons with the start and end of the rainy seasons being less predictable and the year-on-year variations in rainfall being even greater than they have been in past decades. Projections with respect to quantity of rainfall are more difficult and are less certain; this is especially true for northern Haïti due to marked variations in topography that influence weather and climate over short distances. With respect to temperature, an average of 19 Global Circulation Models (GCM) projects an increase of 0.9° C by 2020 and 1.8° C by 2050 for Haïti (Eitzinger et al., 2013). In fact, increasing temperature is likely already occurring. A recent study on climate change in the neighboring Dominican Republic found an increase of 0.5 to 1° C during the past few decades. Projections for the Dominican Republic also show an increase of 1 to 2.5° C by 2050 (Tetra Tech, 2013). The World Bank (2011) reports temperature increases of 0.5 to 2.3° C by 2060. In order to obtain localized data on climate change, we used the climate wizard tool (www.climatewizard.ciat.cgiar.org) for downscaled climate change projections for northern Haïti. This tool averaged 9 climate models together and produced annual and monthly projection results for the 2046-2065 period, based on a medium (A1B) emissions scenario. For the area covering approximately two thirds of the project zone, the tool yielded the following results: ° _ maximum average temperatures — increases of 1.5 to 2° C for yearly averages and the months of January and July; °__ minimum average temperatures — increases of 1.5 to 2° C for yearly averages and the month of January and an increase of 2 to 2.5° C for the month of July; and ° average rainfall — a decrease of 0 to 33 mm for total annual rainfall, a decrease of 16 to 22 mm for July and an increase of 12 to 16 mm for January. These trends are largely consistent with the studies cited above. An example of one of the maps generated by the climate wizard tool appears below in Figure 4. 40 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 41] FIGURE 4: PROJECTED CHANGE IN JULY PRECIPITATION, 2046-2065 Change in Average July Total Precipitation A1B 2046 - 2065 Change in PR mm) 50 25 0 Q -25 -50 Overall, GCMS predict a sea level rise of 6-8 cm by 2020 and 23-25 cm by 2050 (Tetra Tech, 2013). Some sources report more significant increases, with sea level rise for Haïti due to climate change predicted as 0.5 to 0.7 m in 2031; 0.7 to 0.9 m in 2051; and 0.8 to 1.1 min 2071(EI Fouladi, 2012). Coupling these results with increased storm surge wave heights due to extreme meteorological phenomena could result in littoral losses of up to 10,370 ha (5% of total surface area) for the North Department and up to 11,294 ha (7% of total surface area) for the Northeast Department (El Fouladi, 2012). Projections with respect to sea surface temperature, based on data from the 1990s, showed increases of 0.8° C in 2031; 1.3° C in 2051; and 2° Cin 2071 in the north of Haïti (El Fouladi, 2012). While there is still some debate on the effects of climate change on the number of hurricanes and storms that are likely to strike Hispaniola, there is widespread agreement that the intensity of these storms and accompanying rainfall will increase (Tetra Tech, 2013). Most rainfall projections indicate a slight decrease in total annual rainfall for Haïti. Some studies indicate a significant decrease (up to 10%) during drier months (Eïtzinger et al., 2013). This could be a limiting factor for crop production as it will increase soil water deficits and heat stress. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT a1 [page 42] While overall rainfall projections for several locations in the Dominican Republic did not show a consistent trend, there was a decrease in rainfall in May and, for some locations, throughout the summer (Tetra Tech, 2013). Another source cites projected rainfall decreases in June-August (World Bank, 2011). Decreases in late summer, during one of the generally dry periods, will likely cause increased water stress for crops and decreased productivity. Climate change effects on specific crops will likely be significant. The analysis by Eitzinger et al. (2013) shows a general decrease in areas suitable for coffee, especially at lower altitudes, and a substantial decrease in areas — up to 70% in some places — suitable for beans. Since there are many important ecosystem services associated with agroforestry systems, including coffee agroforests, switching to cacao agroforests will likely be a viable strategy to maintain these services in areas where coffee is no longer suitable (Eïitzinger et al., 2013). Climate change in the region will not only strain agricultural systems but will have a negative impact on groundwater recharge due to increased evapotranspiration (Tetra Tech, 2013). Increases in temperature and drought, as well as increased rainfall variability, point to the need for more efficient water management (World Bank, 2011). WATER RESOURCES The AVANSE project area spans across 6 watersheds and two extension zones. Moving from east to west the watersheds are: Jassa, Marion, Trou du Nord, Grande Rivière du Nord, Haut du Cap, Limbé, Port-Margot and Borgne (Figure 1). Each of these watersheds is drained by a river of the same name. One of the major constraints preventing proper assessment of the hydrology and the climate in the region is the lack of current flow and climate information. Inferences are made based on historical data and the estimated land use changes in the watersheds. Hydrometric information is fundamental in agriculture and for flood defense. It is essential to establish a network of automated meteorological and hydrological stations as has been recommended by the IDB and other development organizations. All of the rivers and their tributaries flow from the mountains in the southern region of the project area, down to the sea in the north. The flow in the rivers, like the precipitation in the project area, is bi-modal with high flows in the two rainy seasons occurring from September to January and April to June and low flows in drier periods from December to March and from July to August. Due to deforestation and soil degradation, floods that were once rare, are now annual events and the flows in the dry season have become significantly lower (Haggerty 1991, Smucker et al. 2007, Posner et al 2010). With the overall reduction in sustained flow, many rivers may flow torrentially in the highlands, but dwindle to meandering streams in the lowlands due to evaporation and infiltration, and may not even reach the sea (USACE 1999), so that rivers that once flowed year round have become intermittent (Posner et al 2010). This has already had a significant impact on aquatic flora and fauna, an impact that may increase in the future as demand for water increases (Posner et al. 2010). Many of the rivers in the project area used to have gauging stations, but all of these have long disappeared. The only period for which there seems to be measured flow data is from 1920 through 1940 (Ménanteau & Vanney 1997, Oxfam-Catie 2011). Very little flow data is reported in the literature, and much of that is contradictory. 42 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 43] All report, however a significant difference between average annual flow and minimum daily flow (drier season). The USACE data presented in Table 3 demonstrates this relationship. As can be seen in the table, the minimum flows that occur in the drier seasons range from less than 1% to 7% of the average flows. TABLE 3: AVERAGE AND MINIMUM FLOWS ON PROJECT AREA RIVERS River Drainage Area Mean Daily Minimum Daily | Minimum as % (km’) Flow (m°/s) Flow (m°/s) of Mean Les Trois Rivières+ 13.13 2.3% Rivière du Limbé 7.0% Grande Rivière du Nord 0.3% * Jassa, Marion and Trou du Nord Rivers combined. Source: USACE 199, p.13 The literature reports only two field measurements made in recent years, and they seem to bear out the observation that drier period flows are very small. In summary, the current flow conditions in the rivers in the AVANSE project area are not well documented, but all indications are that they are extreme low during the drier seasons, when irrigation water is in highest demand. No water quality information was found for the surface waters in the AVANSE project area. One major lake is in the project area (Lagon-aux-Boeufs). The major source of groundwater in the project area is the unconfined alluvial aquifer which lies under the northern plain. This aquifer is composed primarily of sands and gravels that have washed down out of the mountains and onto the plains for millions of years*. The aquifer grows in thickness from south to north, reaching nearly 300 meters near the ocean. It also flows from south to north. It is recharged from rainfall in the mountains, but possibly even more so from the biannual floods when they spread out on the plain. The aquifer is quite productive. The estimated sustained yield of the aquifer has been estimated to be 684,932 m°/day (about 8 m/s). BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT The vast majority of the AVANSE target area is composed of land already converted to agricultural use. AVANSE does not plan to expand into non-agricultural land for agricultural or construction projects. lts reforestation activities will be undertaken on degraded hillsides, and not in areas with natural vegetation. There are some natural areas near or downstream from the AVANSE target areas. Information on these areas is presented below. North and northeastern Haiti have a wide variety of ecosystems that provide critical habitats for numerous rare, threatened and endangered species including several endemics. In northern Haïti some of the most important biological hotspots include the montane forests in the upper portions of the Jassa, Marion and Grande Rivière du Nord watersheds, the wetlands 3 The information on the aquifer comes from Evens et al. 2010 unless otherwise cited. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 43 [page 44] of the Lagon aux Boeufs in Jassa, and the mangrove, coral reef and seagrass marine ecosystems of the recently designated Parc National des Trois Baïes Marine Protected Area (PN3B). FIGURE 5: AVANSE PROJECT AREA AND ACTIVITIES SHOWING PN3B (IN PURPLE) AND KBAS (IN RED i | ÊE = SES Va Ka Es = e— 7 ER 2 AE . sa NE IN < ET | ‘ . $ : anse ©USAID Sources: CEPF 2011 for KBAs. CIAT 2013 for PN3B boundary There are 26 threatened or endangered bird species in the northern region of Haïti. Nine of these are endemic to Hispaniola: one is critically endangered, three are endangered and five are threatened. Of the 17 threatened or endangered non-endemic species, 15 are breeding residents — of these, one is critically endangered, two are endangered and 12 are threatened; there is also one threatened breeding visitor and one threatened non-breeding visitor. Of the 26 species, 11 are found exclusively in upland forested areas, six are found in any forested habitat, six are associated with wetlands and coastal areas and three are restricted to lowland areas of scrub and open woodland. By any measure, these levels of endemism and degree of threat in such a limited geographical area are of international significance (DAI, 2014b). The data available of the reptilian and amphibian fauna of northern Haïti is less comprehensive than that for birds. Nevertheless, there are several species that have been reported from the AVANSE area and some are extremely rare and potentially threatened. Two native land mammals are known to still survive in Haiti: of the two, the Haiïtian Solenodon, Nez long (Solenodon paradoxus) is still believed to be found in northeastern Haiti (IUCN 2014). Itis considered endangered with a dwindling range. 44 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 45] Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) are internationally important areas that are essential for conserving biodiversity. KBAs can comprise protected and unprotected areas of varying scales and are based primarily on internationally recognized databases and criteria for various taxa. The criteria generally include: 1) One or more globally threatened species; 2) One or more endemic species which are globally restricted to the site or surrounding region; 3) Significant concentrations of a species; and 4) Globally significant examples of unique habitat types and species assemblages (Langhammer et al. 2007, CEPF 2010). Haïti currently has 31 KBAs (CEPF 2011). Five KBAs are located in areas where AVANSE has activities: 1. Lagon du Nord-est, which encompasses PN3B; 2. Côtes du Nord with portions of the lower Haut du Cap and Limbé watersheds, as well as the Port Margot and au Borgne extension areas; 3. Citadelle/Grottes Dondon located in the upper reaches of the Grande Rivière du Nord and Haut du Cap watersheds; 4. Morne Bailly located in the upper reaches of the Limbé watershed; and 5. Plaisance, southwest of the project area, but in an area where IR1 has significant cacao activities. Please refer to Annex D for details on the IUCN red list of critically endangered, endangered and vulnerable species found in the 5 KBAs. COTES DU NORD, LAGONS DU NORD-EST KBAS The marine and wetland areas of the north and northeast includes coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves (Figure 6) that are critical habitats for rare and endangered species ranging from corals and mollusks to fish, birds, reptiles and marine mammals. Several species are globally endangered and some of their last footholds are in this KBA. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 45 [page 46] FIGURE 6: MANGROVE (GREEN) AND CORAL REEF (RED) SYSTEMS OF NORTH AND NORTHEASTERN HAITI ü ef we « @ Cap Haitien À A. PR : r is ;' < EE ll US Dépt{of.State Geographer. imagety Date: PRE 19/4425 44° NO72:07°28/05" WieleVU 1011 Eye ait /4346/mi Source: FoProBiM files Area coral reefs also remain relatively healthy particularly in the area east of Cap Haiïtien despite the mass die-off of two of its primary builders, the IUCN Red Listed Elkhorn Coral and Staghorn Coral (Acropora palmata, and A.cervicornis), both critically endangered. AVANSE area mangroves, although exploited for charcoal and fuel wood, remain relatively healthy. Various mangrove species are found throughout the coastal zones of the project area including Buttonwood mangrove (Conocarpus erectus), White mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa), Black mangrove (Avicennia germinans) and the most prevalent species, the Red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle). In a few rare areas the canopy cover can be very dense and some trees can reach 15 m in height. Mangroves provide numerous ecosystem services including carbon sequestration, protecting coastlines from erosion, temperature regulation, protecting human lives and livelihoods from extreme weather and oceanic events, and serving as nurseries and habitat for all types of marine, terrestrial, and avian life. See Table 4 overleaf. Mangrove conservation and rehabilitation activities are taking place at several locations in the AVANSE project area. These are directly implemented by Community-based Organizations (CBOSs) or in collaboration with NGOs. The activities have primarily targeted reforestation and controlling open access to mangrove resources — particularly cutting trees for poles and for making charcoal. Community policing has had a positive impact and the ecosystem'’s health appears to be improving, although charcoal production remains rampant in many areas. The motivation for most CBOs to undertake these activities was the realization that coastal flood and salt water intrusion was resulting in salinization of agricultural land and local aquifers, the 46 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 47] destruction of important fisheries habitat was occurring and local populations were being placed at increased risk of damage to property during storms. TABLE 4: EXTENT OF MANGROVE FORESTS BY WATERSHED OR EXTENSION ZONE Watershed or extension Located within zone of mangroves (ha)* PN3B MPA Jassa 4 Marion 4 Trou du Nord Ÿ Grande Rivière du Nord Ÿ Haut du Cap - Limbé - Port Margot - Borgne [0 - TOTAL _ *Does not include linear mangroves (littoral mangroves zones less than 10 m in width) Source: FoProBiM files Interviews with fishing communities in Bas Limbé, Caracol, and Ft. Liberté underscored that marine resources are accessible to anyone — even outsiders. Despite the fact that there are fishing laws few fishers are aware of them, and even less currently willing to comply (DAI, 2014b). The lack of enforcement of these laws has created a situation where overfishing using inappropriate and often damaging methods year-long has caused a continuing downward spiral of catch quantity and sizes. Some local groups of fishers along with NGOs are trying to promote the use of fisheries methods which catch only larger mature fish. Marine mammal diversity includes the Sperm (Physeter macrocephalus) and Humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae) whales, and various other cetaceans. The West Indian Manatee/Lamentin (Trichechus manatus) is an occasional visitor (IUCN listing: vulnerable). Manatees are observed sporadically and an average of around one per year is killed for consumption by local fishermen within the north and north-east departments. Another species of conservation relevance includes the Queen Conch/Lambi (Strombus gigas) which is Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) listed. PLAISANCE, MORNE BAILLY, CITADELLE/GROTTES DONDON KBAS The Plaisance, Morne Bailly, and Citadelle/Grottes Dondon KBAs are located in the Massif du Nord mountain range which is a geological extension of Hispaniola's Cordillera Central. Rising from the coastal plain are karst limestone hills and outcroppings, some of which still support xerophytic broadleaf forest and wet broadleaf forest at higher elevations. These patches of forest (represented by the three key biodiversity areas) are poorly known, but support remnants of a unique assemblage of species including 11 globally threatened species. The integrity and long-term viability of these key biodiversity areas need to be ensured by increasing the biological connectivity, including through the agricultural landscapes. The vestige forests provide significant ecosystem services for the downstream agricultural communities, both in terms of forest products and freshwater provision and landslide/flood prevention. However, AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 47 [page 48] these services could be improved through forest restoration and reforestation initiatives (CEPF, 2010). PROTECTED AREAS There are only two Protected Areas within the AVANSE project zone: the National History Park of Citadelle/Sans Souci/Ramier (CSSR) and the newly created PN3B. The PN3B was designated as an MPA by the Haiïtian government due to its recognition as an area of very high ecological importance. It was originally gazetted in December, 2013; this was subsequently revoked (and revised) by a corrected arrêté in March, 2014. With an often perfect combination of mangroves, coral reefs, and seagrass beds the PN3B is considered to be Haïitis most productive coastal and marine ecosystem. Mangrove and coral reef resources alone in this area are estimated to provide more than three billion dollars’ worth of ecosystem services to the country. The park contains Haïtis second largest mangrove stand with more than 5,200 hectares, its second longest fringing reef at over 30 km, and thousands of hectares of seagrass beds (Wiener/OAS, 2013). FIGURE 7: BOUNDARIES OF THE PARC NATIONAL DES TROIS BAIES me = = > FE DEUMITATION DE L'AIRE s ï IPROTEGEE DES TROIS BAIES ECHELLE 150.000 Légende + Points de repère Frontière maritime | d'Haïti et la RD | RN6 rs _— Rivières À © Aire protégée PR min Se U + | Ce Cor DES de Bert SE — | @o- _—. Pi @ -2 Fès a] M Al FT LE d — _ = a el ere af Le ni * , 1 CIAT Source: Comité Interministériel d'Aménagement du Territoire (CIAT) 2013 48 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 49] The Acul /Côte du Nord site, also in the AVANSE target area, has been proposed by the Haïitian Government, and the Fondation pour la Protection de la Biodiversité Marine (FoProBiM) as a marine managed area. The site encompasses the Côte du Nord KBA, and includes the area to the west of Cap Haïitien extending from Cormier Beach to au Borgne. This area could be impacted by AVANSE activities in the Haut du Cap, and Limbé watersheds, as well as from the Port Margot and au Borgne extension zones. Current or planned activities may have downstream effects in this area. Overall, all six of the AVANSE targeted watershed as well as the two extension zones will either impact an already established marine protected area (the PN3B) or the proposed Acul/Côte du Nord MPA, and may have impacts on two upper watershed KBAs (Citadelle and Bailly). FIGURE 8: PROPOSED ACUL / CÔTE DU NORD MARINE MANAGED AREA | | d « 1 ALIM Source: FoProBiM files | = ADDITIONAL NOTES ON VEGETATION The local flora in the AVANSE target area is a mix of native and introduced species. To the east of Cap Haïitien dry Caribbean forest dominates the lower watershed areas; this area is now primarily occupied by smallholder farmers with some of the area left fallow and undergoing old field succession. What used to be Caribbean moist forest occupies most of the upper watershed regions in this area as well as areas west of Cap Haitien. The upper Jassa watershed with adjacent parts of the upper Marion, and Grande Rivière du Nord watersheds, the far northwestern corner of the Port Margot and northeastern corner and eastern portions of the Borgne extension zones, and mangrove areas are the only zones of the AVANSE target area that have any remaining natural forest cover. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 49 [page 50] SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS In Haïti, internal rural to urban migration has been steadily on the rise, and as a result rural areas have become depopulated in favor of urban areas. In 2005, about 58% of the Haïtian population lived in rural areas as compared to 80% in the 1970s (IHSI 2009 and IHSI 1973). Table 4 presents the rural/urban distribution of population in the Northern Corridor by commune as well as the population density per square kilometer. Almost half of the Northern Corridor population is rural, but the percentage varies among communes. In Terrier Rouge, Fort-Liberté and Ouanaminthe, 27 to 40% of the population is rural. Caracol and Limonade have rural populations of 62% and 68% respectively and 86% of the population in Quartier Morin is rural. TABLE 5: DISTRIBUTION OF POPULATION IN THE NORTHERN CORRIDOR Densit Sommes Ares (im (Popkm QuerernMonm nn 21387 [86 3,00 [14 24881 | 132 | 18 Limonade [34,145 | 68 | 16,004 | 32 | 50,150 |" 60 | 836 Caracol ga Terrier Rouge 161 Fort-Liberté 130 Ouanaminthe | 38,265 | 40| 58250 | 60. 96515 | 199 | 435 Total North [114,795 | 48 | 122,658 | 52] 237,433 | 877 | 271 Source: IHSI 2009 The mean size of the household in the AVANSE project area is 4.9 members (Table 5), which is consistent with other household surveys in Haïti. The number of people living in a household varies from 1 to 12. About 10% of households have less than 3 members. À majority of households (55%) in the study area have between 3 and 5 people. TABLE 6: DISTRIBUTION OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS BY SIZE Size Percentage Less than 3 people 9.92 3 to 5 people 55.03 Above 5 people 35.05 Total 4,516 | 100% Mean size of households 4.9 people Source: DAI 2014b The distribution of population by gender in the Northern Corridor if 50% men and 50% women. There is little variance across communes, with Caracol having the highest percentage of men (53%) and Fort-Liberté and Ouanaminthe having the highest percentage of women (51%). (IHSI 2009) LAND TENURE Haïti has a domestic agricultural economy characterized by low level of landlessness and a low incidence of large, absentee-owned land concentrations (Murray 1977). A recent survey of project beneficiaries carried out by AVANSE shows that fifty-five percent of the farms participating in the project are between 1 and 3 hectares, with an average size of 1.87 ha (DAI 2014b). Farms under 1 ha represent 28%. Farms larger than 3 ha represent only 16% of the 50 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 51] total farms participating in the project. Farmers who operate more than 3 ha can be found in all watersheds covered by the project. Farmers in the study area cultivate on from one to more than 5 plots. About 64% of the participating farmers cultivate at least 2 plots. TABLE 7: DISTRIBUTION OF FARM SIZE BY WATERSHED, IN PERCENT Watershed Total Jassa 100 Marion 100 Trou-du-Nord 100 Grande-Rivière 100 Haut-du-Cap 100 Limbé 51 40) 9 | 100 Other (Borgne, Pilate, Port-Margot) 100 All sample nn 28 __ | 55 | 16 _| 100 Source: DAI 2014b Various land tenure patterns are depicted among the farmers in the AVANSE programs. They include ownership by purchase or inheritance, rental arrangements and sharecropping. Direct ownership is the most land tenure, with 82% of the plots cultivated by farmers being owned via purchase or inheritance. TABLE 8: ACCESS TO LAND IN PERCENT ue ET y Purchase Mhertanes Land Land Limbé [68 19 | 7 | 8 | 3 | ‘00 Haut-du-Cap 60) 22 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 00 Grande-Rivière-du Nord | 57)" 23)" 9 7" 5] 7 | 100 Trou-du-Nord 65 8 | 4 | 7 | 12 | 00 Marion [71 4 7] 6 | 3 | 00 Jassa (70) 14 8 À 7 | 1 | 00 Borgne & Port-Margot | 70 | 16 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 100 Total [65 1 17 | 8 | 5 | 5 |10 Source: DAI 2014b LAND USE Agriculture is the primary land use in the Northern Corridor and all of AVANSE"Ss activities are on agricultural land. Farmers produce food for their own consumption, but also generally sell at least a portion of their harvest as a cash crop. Agriculture in the region is generally practiced using traditional instruments such as hoes, machetes and axes by local residential families. Large scale industrial agriculture such as the Dauphin company in the 1970s and the old plantations located between Caracol and Fort-Liberté before the 19505 is largely no longer existent in the region. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 51 [page 52] TABLE 9: SUMMARY OF LAND USE AND LAND COVER IN AVANSE WATERSHEDS Land Use & Land Cover (km') Land Watersheds Agro- Agri- Pasture & area Source: DAI 2014a 52 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 53] FIGURE 9: LAND COVER/USE IN THE AVANSE WATERSHEDS 72°2230W 72°1215W 72°20W T15145W TVAT3UW = irr— SCORRIDOR-NORD= ; End & Ë Location map # à FX à | /Haët-du-CaP ' sn ‘| limbé ÉTrou-du-No \ VS Pet : D RSS nn pen : æ (4 É, rn E) à Ë Aff de ro à à | Ê & ë u : % À mm Suitures agricoles 6 y y t RE denses x NES mn ares 2502 D. 4 R.” 4 iŸ M Forêts 0.27 LS À MN Mangroves 2.49 ê \ Ad. à EN urbain 0.67 , | : et ?. 14 7 | Aualluvions 037 z < { À T4 a ‘Le. LA & [DM Zones humides 02 ë ù Ÿ | À ” Par. 49 8 [IBM Zones à saline 0.02 8 LC L « Ÿ / ? Savane & autres 9.75 ° Cf SOS — arterial street : ee « RP CL [— National road Ç En > |: É <} di À [1 watershed = F", AN ñ cartographie information _ Aa À un) + À | | Se ere enn ons ren sd 8 ee Lans | = DAI FTFN/Avanse 72°2230W 72°1215W 72°20W TIST45W TT'AT3UW AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 53 [page 54] Given the population pressure on agricultural land, soil fertility has been declining not only because of erosion but also because of the lack of fallow land, used by farmers for animal products, such as cows, goats, pigs, mules, and others. ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES Unemployment rates in the Northern Corridor are high: 34% for the Northern Department and 30% for the Northeast Department (IHSI 2009). Table 9 shows the occupational distribution of the work force in the Northern Corridor, with agriculture accounting for 54% of all economic activities. Agriculture is the principal occupation of 68% of the men and 30% of the women. Low level technology and the lack of capital hinder the growth or development of agriculture. Commerce is the second largest occupation, and largest occupation of women, employing 53% of the women. The other sectors are relatively small compared to these two sectors. Total agricultural income of farm households in a recently conducted survey of AVANSE beneficiaries found an average household’s net income of 443 USD per year (DAI 2014b). Seasonal crops that provide incomes to farmers in the region include pulses (beans, cowpea, pigeon pea and lima beans), cereals (maïize, rice), roots and tubers (yams, cassava, sweet potato and malanga), bananas, plantains, peanuts, vegetables and sugar cane. Income from perennial crops includes cacao, coffee and numerous fruits (mango, citrus, avocado, coconut, cashew and breadfruit). However, income from fruits was not considered in the calculation of agricultural income. 54 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 55] TABLE 10: OCCUPATIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF WORK FORCE IN THE NORTHERN CORRIDOR BY GENDER o . % of Total Work Force Fishing 0.8 Commerce 250 Public Administration 10 TOTAL 100.0 Source: MPCE 2007 HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES The AVANSE project area is renowned for its historical resources, notably the World Heritage Site that includes the Citadelle Henry, the Site des Ramiers, and the Palais San-Souci in Haut du Cap. In addition, however, there are numerous other sites, some dating from the colonial era (pre-1804) and the early years of Haïitian independence. Notable examples include the colonial forts at Fort Liberté and around the adjacent bay as well as religious sites from the colonial era at Caracol and elsewhere. Christopher Columbus’ flagship, the Santa Maria, is reputed to have run aground off the coast of northern Haïti in the 16” Century and several wreck sites — one in the Baïe de Caracol — are claimed to be the remains of the ship. In addition to the historical sites, there are several cultural sites associated with religious activities. HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES Table 10 shows the distribution of educational and health institutions in the Northern Corridor. The presence of these educational institutions does not guarantee residents’ access to them because most of those schools are usually private. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 55 [page 56] TABLE 11: DISTRIBUTION OF INSTITUTIONS IN THE NORTHERN CORRIDOR EDUCATION Primary Schools | 25 | 48 | 13 | 47 | 89 | 31 | 268 Seconda PE EE PE PA AE AE CS PT University/superor | 0 | 0 | | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 Vocational 2 19] 6 | 40 HEALTH Hospital Do to lo 1 0 | 0 | 7 Health Center | 7 | 9 1 3 | 3 | 16 | 0 | Source : IHSI 2009 Comparing the number of hospitals and health centers in Table 10 to commune population, one can observe the scarcity of health facilities for the residents of the Northern Corridor. A great majority of the residents do not have access to health facilities. Most Haitians rely on traditional medicine to quell sickness. Therefore, traditional healers occupy a rather prestigious place in Haiïtian society, particularly in the provinces. WATER, SANITATION AND SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT In the Northern Corridor, piped water distribution systems exist for the cities of Caracol, Trou du Nord, Limonade, Terrier Rouge, Cap Haiïtien, and Ouanaminthe. The sources of water for these systems are both groundwater and surface water. These systems have deteriorated over time and lack sufficient of maintenance. However, a new project financed by the European Union has the objective to rehabilitate several of the existing water systems. The rural areas are not served by piped water distribution systems. Rural residents get their water either directly from springs, rivers, hand-dug wells (using buckets on rope to extract water) or drilled wells with hand pumps. Most of the wells are in the unconfined alluvial aquifer underlying the northern plain. There are no sewage systems in the AVANSE target areas. At best, pit latrines are used for human waste disposal, however, many families do not have access to pit latrines, so open defecation in the rural areas is common. In general, waste is accumulated at certain locations in all communities throughout the commune and then burned after being collected at times by the mayor'’s office. There generally are no solid waste dumps. Local and Departmental authorities are considering a solid waste collection system and possibly a landfill for some areas, but no plan currently exists for solid waste collection. TRANSPORT The road network is very limited in the Northern Corridor. The Northern Corridor is crossed by RN 6 (Route 121) which goes from Cap-Haitian to Ouanaminthe. This road is brand new, however, most of the other roads are unpaved, rarely maintained and in poor condition. Transportation over short distances is generally managed on foot or by donkey, horse, or bicycle. Motorcycle taxis and minivans are utilized for longer distances. Cap-Haitien, the capital of the North region, has both air and port services that service the Northern Corridor. 56 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 57] GOVERNMENTAL SERVICES There are very few Government services that are currently available at communal and even departmental levels. Most services are only available in Port-au-Prince in spite of 1987 Constitution's call for decentralization. Most of the laws regarding decentralization have not yet passed Parliament. As a result, local authorities, especially the mayors, cannot meet the requirements of their mandates. It is only recently that certain key services have been decentralized to the Departmental level. Hence in the Northern Corridor, most decentralized government services would be available in Cap-Haitian or in Fort-Liberté. Each commune has a town hall, a courthouse and a police station, but little else. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 57 [page 58] 5. ORIGINAL PROPOSED AND ALTERNATIVES AND As required in 22 CFR 216.6(c)(3), this section presents the Original Proposed Action (based on the original scope of work for AVANSE) and reasonable alternatives that meet the purpose and need of the Original Proposed Action, as well as the No-Action Alternative. This section also includes a brief description of the reasons for eliminating those alternatives that were not included in the detailed analysis. For the Original Proposed Action, this section presents general mitigation measures. Specific mitigation measures are presented in Annexes F-J of this PEA. It concludes with a comparative analysis of the environmental impacts of the Proposed Action and each alternative as well as a summary of the Preferred Alternative. Also as required by 22 CFR 216.6(c)(3), this section provides the analytic basis for the comparison of consequences for the original proposed action and the alternatives. Consequently, it describes the environmental and social impacts of the Original Proposed Action and its alternatives, including the No-Action alternative. The consequences of the Focused Activity Package Alternative are described in detail on a watershed-by-watershed basis in Chapter 6 below. RESULTS OF SCOPING AND SUBSEQUENT CONSULTATION In compliance with USAID regulations, a Scoping Statement was prepared for this PEA (DAI, 2014a). The scoping statement identified the following potentially significant issues that should be addressed in the PEA: e Landtenure e Water availability e Deforestation e Pesticide use e Wetlands e _Coastal and marine resources e Pollution from agro-processing e Cultural sites—including pre-colonial sites e Gender equity (access to land and other assets) During the preparation of the PEA, the team hosted a consultation attended by stakeholders from throughout the project areas (Annex E). The participants at the consultation added the following issues to the list of potentially significant issues: e Soil erosion e Soil quality e Soil compaction ° Water quality e __ Noise from road construction 58 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 59] The participants at the consultation also identified several positive benefits of AVANSE activities including increased agricultural incomes, reduced erosion and enhanced biodiversity associated With agroforestry and reforestation and reduced pollution from agricultural activities associated With introduction of good agricultural practices. ORIGINAL PROPOSED ACTION This PEA is unique in that it is assessing a project that has already been implemented since March, 2013. Therefore, the Proposed Action is based on the FY15 AVANSE work plan (DAI, 2014a) with the addition of activities identified by AVANSE staff as not being in the work plan but likely to be undertaken by AVANSE during the 5-year life of project (LOP). INTERMEDIATE RESULT 1: AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY INCREASED Under IR1, AVANSE focuses on increasing agricultural production of the five targeted value- chain crops: banana/plantain, cacao, maize and beans, and rice. AVANSE expects to have extended improved agricultural practices to approximately 30,000 farmers by the end of FY 2015, and to 43,500 farmers by end of project in 2016. The following description of AVANSE's activities under IR1 is derived from the = projects FY 2015 work plan (DAI 2014c), Farmer Field Schools With some modifications from discussions | —he Farmer Field School (FES) model With IR1 staff and field observations. developed by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is Promoting Good Agricultural Practices | based on the concepts and principles of people through Farmer Field Schools centered learning. It is a proven methodology AVANSE uses the proven approach of to roll out improved technologies, practices, farmer field schools (see text box) to and inputs with small-holder farmers. FFSs are introduce improved technologies, established in consultation with local Producer practices and inputs tailored to each crop Organizations to identify a relatively small | to increase both the productivity and number of high-potential farmers (20 to 30 in NRRe : most cases) who are committed to adopting profitability of small-farmer agriculture. improved technical practices for the target AVANSE"s support to farmer field school crops and who will serve as a bridgehead for (FFS) producers is for two years for long | the diffusion of these practices. In AVANSE, cycle crops of cacao and banana, and the participants of each FFS agree to rigorously two crop cycles for short-cycle annual apply AVANSE'"Ss technical crop packages on crops of maize, beans, and rice. After one of their own plots. These plots serve as this period, farmers are expected to training sites for farmers in the FFS as well as continue applying the technical packages, demonstration plots for the other producers in With diminishing technical assistance from the community as a whole. AVANSE. The AVANSE FFS program is not intended as a permanent mechanism for technology transfer. Once farmer participants in the FFS have tested the introduced practices on their own parcels under the guidance of the AVANSE field technician and have recognized the advantages, the practices will spread by lateral diffusion, from farmer to farmer. This process seems to be already occurring, as reported by farmers who indicated that neighbors had asked them to help apply the improved practices they have learned in the FFS. The AVANSE technical packages for the five target crops focus on the appropriate use of good agricultural practices (GAPSs). The practices are not inflexible and are intended to evolve in response to small-farmer acceptance, market availability and performance. A brief summary of the current technical packages for each targeted crop appears in Table 11. Location of the AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 59 [page 60] activities is shown in Figure 10. In general, application of GAPs is an integral component of AVANSE’s environmental management system; many of these GAPs represent measures that mitigate adverse environmental impacts as compared to standard agricultural techniques found in the project's intervention zone. For more information on mitigation measures related to IR 1 activities (including GAPs), please refer to Annex F. TABLE 12: GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES TECHNOLOGY CROPS INTRODUCED GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES Trimming of cover | Trimming of shade trees to increase incident sunlight trees and pruning and stimulate cacao tree growth. of cacao trees to Pruning of cacao trees to stimulate growth, increase achieve proper aeriation, reduce humidity and damage by fungal balance of shade disease and pests and to increase flowering and cacao and sunlight pod production. Grafting Progressive regeneration of old cacao plantations via propagation of more productive cacao by grafting budwood from 45 clonal gardens of introduced superior varieties and identified on-farm super trees to mature trees and seedlings to improve productivity. Grafts and cuttings taken from healthy, vigorous trees. Improved plantation | Combination of cacao seedlings with temporary shade techniques and crops like plantain/banana, and spacing of seedlings 3 planting densities x 4 m where possible to increase cacao tree population density. Plant fruit and forest trees for shade and source of revenue. Organic pest Neem oil, liquid soap and garlic solutions used to control control insect pests. Organic artisanal bait used as rodenticide, non-toxic to poultry, humans. Rodent control using internationally-tested, non- chemical control products and methods. Fertilization Use of composted manure, bagasse, pruned branches and leaves, kitchen ash, etc., when transplanting new seedlings. Promote animal waste and cacao pod (after seed extraction) collection for composting for eventual organic fertilizer use. Production of Training and vulgarization of PIF methods to produce healthy suckers via | disease free planting material, multiply number of Plants Issued from | possible plants from suckers and reduce cost. Fragments (PIF) Sets of good practices, before planting, notably trimming suckers, soaking in hot water for nematode control. Improved varieties | Introduction of improved varieties to be multiplied by PIF in nurseries to disseminate. Use improved, selected varieties already present in Haïti (e.g., Sigatoka resistant varieties from DR). 60 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 61] TECHNOLOGY CROPS INTRODUCED GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES Plantation and Promotion of optimal plant densities for better humidity management management. techniques Associate other crops with bananas/plantains. Integrated Pest Set of good practices, notably the elimination of Management (IPM) | affected leaves and/or parts of leaves. for the control of Sigatoka disease Safer Nematode Utilization of biological nematicide integrating bacillus control firmus. Cut plants attacked by nematodes flush with soil. Promotion of glyphosate use for weed control. Irrigation and Banana is both rainfed and irrigated. Supplementary drainage pump irrigation of rainfed banana when possible; deep drainage ditches between raised bed rows of banana in areas subject to flooding. Improve drainage in areas prone to flooding by cleaning or reconstructing drainage canals. Fertilization Use of manure, compost and chemical fertilizer. Before any inorganic fertilizer application, conduct basic soil tests to ensure need for inorganic fertilizer. Improved nursery Use of pure varietal selected seeds. Pre-germination. techniques and Dry nurseries. land preparation Utilization of less seed in nursery. No drainage or conversion of wetlands or mangrove areas; no expansion into mangrove areas. Better performing Utilization of Jaragua and Jouma varieties. rice varieties and Purchase of better quality rice seed from other Haitian use of quality seed | regions specializing in seed production. Use improved rice varieties already present in Haïti. Better rice farmers will be identified and assisted to specialize in seed production. Multiply seeds with small farmers or small farmer organizations. Transplanting Transplanting of young plants 10 to 12 days after techniques and sowing for SRI as opposed to 20-30 days for traditional density system. 2 plants per hole, spaced 25 cm x 25 cm, contrasted With 5 per hole spaced 15 cm x 15 cm in traditional rice model Optimal weed Utilization of mechanical conic-weeder; utilization of control herbicides glyphosate for land preparation, and 2-4-D for broad leaf weed control in paddy. Integrated Pest IPM practices promoted such as reduction in pesticide Management use and addition of organic matter to paddy to increase generalist predatory beneficial insect population. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 61 [page 62] TECHNOLOGY CROPS INTRODUCED GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES More efficient use For SRI: alternating wet and dry paddy rice, resulting in of water significant reduction in water requirement. For SRA, where water control is difficult: same cultural practices as SRI rice, but same water regime as traditional rice. SRA as an intermediate step to SRI rice technology adoption. WUAs develop and apply canal maintenance and water management plans. Fertilization Use of compost in nursery; reduction of amount of chemical fertilizer used (with a goal of elimination), application at correct development stage of rice plant. Before any inorganic fertilizer application, conduct basic soil tests to ensure need for inorganic fertilizer. Short-cycle high Chicken corn maize variety, Icta Ligero common beans, quality seeds California #5 for black eyed peas and Ford Hook and Bese-ba for lima beans. Seed production FFS farmers are being trained in maize seed selection. Introduction/spreadi | Introducing Lima beans (local variety and Ford Hook). ng of new bean varieties resistant to drought and heat Pest control Utilization of pesticide Actara to control white fly on beans. Utilization of Sevin for caterpillar control on maize. Utilization of pesticide to control the beetles in black eyed pea seed. Fertilization Utilization of appropriate amount of chemical fertilizer at the correct development stage. Urea for the corn, and NPK for the common beans. Before any inorganic fertilizer application, conduct basic soil tests to ensure need for inorganic fertilizer. 62 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 63] Varying with the target crop, AVANSE provides FFSs with tools, planting materials, fertilizers and PERSUAP approved pesticides (cacao production is entirely organic) for demonstration plots in the first season. After the first season, farmers are expected to purchase their own inputs, some of which may be subsidized via AVANSE’Ss voucher program, described in more detail in the IR3 discussion. AVANSE will contract the services of local IPs to expand project crop extension capacity for maize/beans and bananas so that AVANSE staff can concentrate on the other two focus crops. Involving lPs is the first step in the withdrawal of AVANSE"S direct management of field activities. This strategy is also consistent with the extension strategy of the Haïitian Ministry of Agriculture (MARNDR), which emphasizes the involvement of Haïtian service providers as suppliers of extension training to farmers instead of Ministry staff. Although IR1 will continue to emphasize technology transfer through the FFS strategy, AVANSE will also work with some larger-scale farmers who, because of other commitments, are unable to participate in FFSs. These farmers have resources which will permit them to apply the target crop technical package on a larger scale, particularly in Banana/Plantain which requires a larger investment than other focus crops. It is expected that their demonstrated success will influence smaller neighboring farmers to adopt the technical package. Institutional Collaboration Lasting adoption by smallholder farmers of improved cropping practices will be reinforced through collaboration with institutions that will continue to serve farmers in the North after the end of AVANSE. The most important of these institutions is MARNDR. AVANSE will work with the regional Directions Départementales Agricoles to strengthen the capacity of MARNDR regional units through both material support and staff training for the Bureaux Agricoles Communaux inside of and near project target zones to enhance technical skills so they can support FFS implementation. This cooperation extends both ways as AVANSE sometimes calls upon MARNDR for assistance in training project technical staff in specialized fields in which MARNDR has expertise, rather than rely only on contracted private entities. AVANSE is also working with Auburn University and universities and institutions of higher learning in the Northern Corridor to reinforce local agricultural training and field extension capacity. Activities will include agronomic results monitoring of FFS field results, soil testing to facilitate increased precision in fertilization; elaboration of a fertility map of AVANSE"S targeted zones; inoculation of legumes for improved productivity; micro- and macro-propagation of high quality banana suckers, plant cuttings and yam mini-sets for tolerant high producing varieties; and eventually, implementation of a tissue culture lab. Auburn University will promote access to the latest database on agriculture and agronomy research as well as promote a culture of applied research and learning across the Northern Corridor to promote agricultural production and development. Nursery and Grafting Support AVANSE plans to establish PIF plantain propagation nurseries to make healthy, disease free banana plantlets available to farmers. Training of farmers and banana nursery owners in the PIF technology has begun. PIF nurseries will be started when demand is created for plantlets through the banana FFS program. The Cacao FFS program will need 1,100,000 cacao seedlings for FY2015. The seedlings will be purchased by AVANSE from several sources. With support from AVANSE the cacao exporter, Novella, will assist 100 small entrepreneurs in the cacao production zones to establish nurseries AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 63 [page 64] which will produce 3000 local unimproved variety seedlings each. The fermented cacao exporter PISA, also with support from AVANSE, will establish nurseries in the Plain du Nord and Acul du Nord area. They will distribute 300,000 superior quality grafted cacao seedlings to FFS farmers and other small holders in the vicinity of their cacao processing plant. IR1 will purchase 500,000 seedlings from the 38 legally registered nurseries receiving support from IR2. In collaboration with MARNDR, IR1 has begun a series of 5-day training programs for 20 cacao farmers from each of the cacao production zones as Master Grafters. These Master Grafters will work with the cacao FFSSs training farmers in grafting budwood from superior trees identified in cacao FFS farmers’ cacao plantations and from introduced superior varieties propagated in clonal gardens, to seedlings and low-production older trees. It is anticipated that these Master Graîters will become service providers, grafting cacao and fruit trees for a fee. AVANSE has established 13 clonal gardens on portions of FFS members’ cacao plantations. When the trees in these gardens are mature, they will supply budwood for grafting to seedlings and mature trees on farmers’ cacao plantations. AVANSE plans to establish a total of 45 clonal gardens by the end of the project. A survey of FFS farmers’ cacao gardens by AVANSE field staff is underway to identify super-trees. Capacitation and Creation of Water Users Associations AVANSE proposes to rehabilitate/extend the Grison-Garde, La Suisse, and Dubré irrigation systems, and construct another three at Chalopin, Garde Saline, Robino and Bas Maribahoux by the end of project. The irrigation systems are described in the infrastructure component of this PEA. Management of the irrigation systems will be the responsibility of the Water User Associations (WUAs). Three WUÜAs currently exist in the Grison Garde, Dubré, and La Suisse systems. Others will have to be established. AVANSE provides and will continue to provide technical assistance from its staff and through IPs to establish WUAs where necessary and to train WUAs in management of irrigation systems. In addition, AVANSE is coordinating with MARNDR to create new WUAs and train farmers on two non-AVANSE systems, Dumas and Croi Cou that are being built by MARNDR. Establish Small-Scale Irrigation Projects As a mitigating response to the disastrous impact on dry land maize and bean focus crops of the FY14 droughit in the plains of the Northern Corridor, AVANSE planned to support groups of small farmers on the plain to establish small-scale groundwater irrigation systems for supplementary irrigation of maize and beans, and banana/plantain, and for small-scale drip irrigation vegetable production. The farmers would be organized into WUAs to manage the systems. AVANSE planned to eventually establish 40 such systems, but planned to begin with five pilot projects south of Caracol. The design of the five projects is described in the infrastructure component of this PEA. The activity would be initiated with a pilot project of five pumps in the vicinity of the Caracol Industrial Park. The five pump systems would each irrigate from 12 to 15 ha with submersible electric pumps. They would be managed and maintained by WUA groups of 20 farmers organized and trained by the IR1 Water User Specialist. If the pilot projects were successful, the other 35 systems would be developed. The exact location of the other 35 systems is not yet established. AVANSE also planned to implement in FY16 a drip irrigation pilot project for vegetable production on 1,000 m° plots in the dryland plains near Caracol and Terrier Rouge. The project would target women. It would replicate the successful drip irrigation model of the 64 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 65] IFAD/MARNDR project in Paulette, Ferrier Commune. When possible, existing hand-dug cement ring wells would be used. These wells are common in the area. They tap the unconfined alluvial aquifer. The wells would be fitted with pumps (possibly solar pumps) that would pump water into 500 liter plastic containers on elevated platforms. The plan was to implement the initiative in 2016. INTERMEDIATE RESULT 2: WATERSHED STABILITY IMPROVED Activities under IR2 have focused on establishing and expanding soil conservation and agroforestry demonstrations in the piedmont and upland mountainous areas of AVANSE'Ss six watersheds. The LOP target for area under improved natural resource management (NRM) is 23,000 ha. Figure 10 depicts the location of the LOP target zones that IR2 planned to reach with soil conservation and agroforestry actions. FIGURE10: LOCATION OF IR1 AND IR2 ACTIVITIES Ë — CROPS FHPLEMENTATION-EITEE LT OP M Teen 2 0 nn À [Pise £ Chase Où Noté PP 5 7 an En à | L <E | fase usa Promoting Hillside Stabilization through Agroforestry AVANSE initiated IR2 field work by planting agroforestry crops and constructing physical protection structures along contours in sloped areas in 18 demonstration blocks located in zones classified as sensitive by AVANSE"Ss initial Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analysis. Demonstration blocks were sited across the six watersheds upstream from IR1 crop production sites. These initial demonstration blocks were designed to constitute core repositories of planting material and serve as examples to encourage diffusion of the agroforestry and soil conservation techniques. Blocks were established with groups of 25 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 65 [page 66] farmers and, to the extent possible, on contiguous fields or plots. AVANSE planned a LOP total area of 879 ha for the soil conservation and agroforestry blocks. These areas would serve as demonstration sites for sub-watershed management bodies (SWMBs) to familiarize their members with the benefits of improved soil conservation and agroforestry systems. Within the blocks, shallow infiltration ditches and un _. bunds are constructed along contours and \ CSS reinforced with plant debris (e.g., twigs, sticks, & @ # : stalks). Vegetative material such as vetiver, LA A 1 Pa elephant grass, pineapple and castor bean are ë 4 planted along the bunds to provide additional Li Fo " 3 É ë stability and erosion control (Figure 11). A mix of Re 2 RAI agroforestry species or woody perennials is QE FE : SR planted throughout the plot. These consist of fruit Re FE AT pe ve) trees (e.g., avocado, citrus, mango and coconut) à ARR ÿ A Se re and timber species (e.g., Haitian Oak and LS ARENT Ë nr à : Mahogany). Bananas, plantains and yam are ES NE FAR Re PR also often planted in the demonstration. In NT “7 D addition, IR2 has installed some small ravine NU IDR RSR LE stabilization demonstrations in areas adjacent to ANA f- De se ue k these blocks. These consist of gully plugs made NPA SR Le Our from stacked, earth-filled nylon bags, planted on ne with vetiver grass on top and with additional planting of bananas or other tree crops behind the gully plugs once sediment has accumulated. In order to expand the area under improved soil conservation and agroforestry systems, AVANSE planned to award 18 grants to producer organizations (POs) who would oversee activities in each of the demonstration blocks while also replicating these systems. The grants would provide support for the production and acquisition of planting material, funding of direct costs of collective work groups to construct needed soil retention structures, and basic materials and equipment for each PO. AVANSE planned a total of 2,430 ha to be protected through this activity in FY 2015. IR2 staff would provide continued technical assistance, but the work would be managed by the POs themselves. The blocks and the extension areas would also be integrated into the sub-watershed management plans being developed by the SWMBs as described below. In addition, building on the demonstration blocks and PO extension areas, IR2 planned on hiring six IPs — one per watershed — who would further expand the areas under improved soil conservation and agroforestry systems. These IPs will work to extend the soil conservation and agroforestry area in order to reach the LOP target of 23,000 ha. Sub-Watershed Management and Governance AVANSE established 13 SWMBs in FY 2014 and continued to work with the 5 SWMBs established previously in the Limbé watershed under the DÉED project. AVANSE IR2 staff planned to guide the 18 SWMBs through a step-by step capacity-building process to produce sub-watershed management plans (SWMPSs). SWMPs would be created through a participatory process that takes roughly seven to nine months. AVANSE would conduct open meetings with the use of GIS-based land-use map presentations to engage the SWMBs in the consideration of the advantages and disadvantages of different agricultural practices and other uses on lands in 66 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 67] their immediate area. Customarily, these plans identify hillside stabilization and protection sites, as well as promote the use of agroforestry and non-erosive practices to improve soil fertility as well as increase production and income. These plans would be based, to a certain extent, on the community soil and water conservation plans established under DÉED in the Limbé watershed (Pierre-Louis and Renaud, 2010). AVANSE planned to issue requests for proposals (RFPs) to select several IPs to provide continued support to the 18 SWMBs. Reforestation and Land Reclamation IR2 will use the same IPs to support watershed protection needs on a larger-scale that can be done with farmer interventions and which do not require intensive engineering works. These activities will be consistent with the SWMPSs and will mainly consist of biological protection measures on degraded hillsides, such as large-scale plantings of forage and cover crops (grasses and legumes), and reforestation with rapid growth tree species and ground cover preparation using vetiver grass. AVANSE is targeting 6,000 ha to be protected in this manner in FY 2015. Nursery and Grafting Support The IR2 team is planning to provide in-kind grants to 38 local nurseries, supplying inputs such as super tree cacao seedlings, fruit tree seedlings, and other agroforestry plants. AVANSE also plans to hire an IP to provide continued technical assistance and quality assurance to the 38 nurseries. This activity should ensure the availability of critical high-quality agroforestry and vegetative inputs, as well as sustainable capacity to produce this material into the future. IR2 staff will provide oversight for the overall implementation of this activity while IR3 will provide business training for the selected nurseries. In the future, AVANSE will procure agroforestry and vegetative material on a limited competition basis from the 38 nurseries. In FY 2014, AVANSE trained 150 grafters in specialized techniques including cacao and fruit tree grafting, yam mini-set production, and forage multiplication. These 150 master grafters are in the process of training 5 peer producers each to replicate these methodologies. After the initial training, and in collaboration with MARNDR, AVANSE will review the uptake of the techniques by peer-producers and will purchase successful grafts for AVANSE activities. AVANSE is also collaborating with MARNDR to roll out a grafting certification program. AVANSE will hire from the pool of certified grafters to conduct future grafting campaigns. Development of Pigeon Pea Value Chain This is a new activity that IR2 planned to introduce in the FY 2016 work plan. Pigeon Pea is a woody, perennial shrub that is well adapted to the mountainous and dry areas of the AVANSE intervention zone. lts promotion in the IR2 across the six watersheds as either a monoculture or part of an intercropping system would be beneficial for food security and would also increase the revenue of participating households (Pigeon Pea is already a cash crop in many areas of the AVANSE intervention zone). lt would also have a positive impact on soil conservation and soil fertility. The LOP target was planned be 5,000 ha planted in agroforestry demonstrations as well as in other critical, degraded zones identified by the project and SWMBs. An associated objective, to be pursued in collaboration with IR3, would be to develop small transformation enterprises, improve marketing, and eventually target an export market. Protection of Critical Coastal Zones Since AVANSE has activities underway and planned in all four of the watersheds (Jassa, Marion, Trou du Nord, Grande Rivière du Nord) that impact the newly designated Parc National des Trois Baies (PN3B), AVANSE plans to initiate 2-3 grants for NGOSs to work with local AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 67 [page 68] communities which will build local environmental governance and promote economic activities that reinforce good environmental management in order to complete its environmental compliance work. These grants are to focus on environmental governance and strategic planning, local capacity building and public education, food security, environmental resource management and rehabilitation, and environmental monitoring. Grantee activities will leverage local economic interests and stakeholder activities to promote sustainability (for example: beekeeping in Bas Limbé; sweet potato farming in Acul; and sea salt production and improved fishing techniques in Caracol). Another activity proposed to assist with environmental rehabilitation and protection is the initiation of mangrove reforestation at selected sites. AVANSE intends to analyze and monitor the use and effects of chemicals (including pesticides and fertilizers) on the marine environment. This activity will also include the effects of waste, garbage, sediment, landfill, and cross-border contamination due to used irrigation water from the Dominican Republic. This activity directly contributes to AVANSE"Ss targets for watershed management and complements the waste management plan that Cap Haiïtien is developing for three communes with a landfill development plan already funded by the IDB and the French development agency. Community Cisterns for Home Gardens This is also a new activity that IR2 planned to introduce in the FY 2016 work plan. The goal would be to capture store water during abundant rainfall periods for use during the dry season or drought periods. Plastic cisterns with a 1,200 gallon capacity would be connected to roofs of public or private buildings in order to capture rainfall. IR2 planned the installation of 150 of these cisterns — 25 per watershed. The water would be used by the community in a number of ways, including watering women's vegetable gardens. Management of the water would be realized by a committee composed of women leaders in participating communities. Pilot Small-Scale Greenhouses IR2, in collaboration with IR3, planned to assess and identify potential agribusinesses and producer groups for partnerships to test the use and profitability of small greenhouses (91 m°). AVANSE would engage selected agro-enterprises and producer groups to participate in a 6- month test to produce higher-value crops (e.g., vegetables) using greenhouse technology. At the time of this report, 3 pilot greenhouses are planned: 1 near Cap Haïtien and one each in the Trou du Nord and Limbé watersheds. Procurement of Materials for Civil Protection Authorities AVANSE meets regularly with the Délégués and Directors from the two Departmental Civil Protection Authorities in the North and the Northeast. The top, identified priority for support was procurement of key goods to mitigate and improve responses to natural disasters. AVANSE is prioritizing items from an established list provided by the Civil Protection Authorities. Illustrative items include: shovels, pick axes, and handsaws to help with mitigation and early response efforts. Environmental Education Environmental education is an activity that is slated to begin in earnest during FY 2016. Given the alarming level of environmental degradation in Haïti, environmental education for all social classes and demographics is urgently needed to for behavior change. Improved environmental behavior can start by introducing an environmental curriculum in schools. IR2 will establish a partnership with Department-level education offices to provide practical training sessions on environmental protection and reforestation in participating schools. 68 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 69] Health Insurance for Collaborating IR2 Farmers Access to health insurance is a potential future activity that may be implemented starting in FY16. Health insurance will help households in IR2 target zones overcome economic hurdles caused by health issues. IR2 staff will facilitate signing of health insurance contracts as well as training in preventative health practices. INTERMEDIATE RESULT 3: AGRICULTURAL MARKETS STRENGTHENED IR3 is responsible for promoting successful businesses at all levels of the value chain, from input supply and production to post-harvest handling and continuing through storage and processing to include trade and export. IR3 delivers support through the activities described in the following subsections. Provide Value Chain and Agro-Enterprise Analysis AVANSE has, and will continue to develop detailed value chain analysis for key agro- enterprises in the project's target zones. These analyses inform the design of IR3 activities. The analyses include: e _Value-chain analysis for IR1 and IR2 crops; ° Analysis of barriers and enablers for women-entrepreneurs in target zones; e _Deeper analysis of key value chains to identify and address bottle-necks; and e _Feasibility studies for potential new market activities. Improve Business Skills Training and Performance IR3 improves the business-skills of Haïitian entities by offering them improved training materials, pedagogical approaches and methodologies developed by DA's international consortium partner, Making Cents. Making Cents has three separate tracks for training: (1) a track for Producer Organizations and Micro/Small-Enterprises; (2) a track for Medium Enterprises; and (3) a track specific to women entrepreneurs at both the micro- and small-enterprise levels. In addition, IR3 provides mentoring and training to medium-enterprises, through a local implementing partner, Sofitraining. The training moves individual enterprises through a three- phase process including a self-assessment, development of a performance improvement work plan and delivery of tailored coaching services for implementation of the work plan. IR3 works with micro- and small-enterprises to help them become formalized and plans to develop a curriculum for training and mentoring of micro- and small-enterprises to be implemented in coordination with the Ministry of Commerce, MARNDR and the Chamber of Commerce. Through this process AVANSE plans to develop “Business Agents” who will be available for on-goring business and technical training and support to micro- and small- enterprises. Improve Private Sector-Small Producer Linkages and Partnerships Through this activity, IR3 works with large private-sector concerns to help small farmers improve linkages to private-sector players either through direct sales relationships or through specialized intermediaries. AVANSE pursues this activity through Collaboration Agreements and Market Linkage Partnerships with large private-sector concerns. Through Collaboration Agreements, AVANSE commits some of its resources to work with small and medium producers through IR1 and IR2 activities to help them understand the needs of the large concerns and the participating concerns commit their resources to reach out to these AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 69 [page 70] producers. Through Market Linkage Partnerships, AVANSE has simply helped firms by providing market linkage information — mainly linking them to producers in the project zone. AVANSE's agreements with Produits des Iles, S.A. (PISA), Federation Des Cooperatives Cacaoyeres Du Nord (FECCANO), and Novella include organic certification support for cacao producers. Under these agreements, AVANSE will provide technical assistance to help with organic certification. Facilitate Market Linkages Some facilitation of market linkages is also pursued through Collaboration Agreements. An example of this is seen with AVANSE piggy-backing on the IR1 FFS organizations to set up new, formal direct-buying windows with Novella. IR3 also facilitates market linkages through more opportunistic interventions to link producers with specific market buyers or provide technical assistance to producers, exporters and processers to help them access new market. An example of this is linking corn and rice producers to local World Food Program procurements as AVANSE did successfully in FY 2014 for the corn miller CALI. Facilitate Improved Post-Harvest Handling, Storage and Processing This activity involves investments in improved processing, storage and post-harvest handling. These investments will be in the form of in-kind, cost-share grants for construction and equipment. Activities that would be eligible for grants could include: + Small-scale construction of less than 1,000 m° for processing or storage; ° Existing structure rehabilitation for processing or storage; e Processing equipment procurement and installation within structures (e.g., rice and corn milling equipment, cacao fermenting and sorting equipment, artisanal chocolate milling equipment, equipment for washing and packing bananas, and packaging labelling equipment); + Equipment and material (e.g., seed, fertilizer, and pesticides) for nurseries and grafting operations that support IR1 and IR2 activities (as presented above in the IR1 and IR2 descriptions); e Equipment for agro-production service providers; e _On-site (preliminary) processing equipment for producers (e.g., cacao drying tables for cacao farmers); and e _Fertilizer storage improvements at voucher partner facilities. This activity will also involve providing technical assistance to provide advice and training on production improvements. Promote the Use of Vouchers as a Market-Oriented Subsidy Mechanism The voucher program builds markets for agricultural inputs by subsidizing demand and developing input dealers’ capacity to supply necessary inputs. The voucher program is known by its French acronym, SIBA (Système d'incitation via les Bons d'Achat). Under SIBA a participating farmer can purchase a voucher for an input product or service supported by SIBA and exchange that voucher with an AVANSE approved input supplier to receive the input. The voucher has a face value which is paid to the supplier, but the farmer pays a price less than the face value, with the difference between the price of the voucher and the face value of the voucher being paid (subsidized) by AVANSE. The size of the subsidy is determined for each 70 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 71] type of input, and is scheduled to be reduced overtime. The vouchers are sold and redeemed by microcredit institutions which have been competitively selected by AVANSE. The pilot SIBA program was for fertilizer and one herbicide (2, 4, D for rice), but pesticides were subsequently removed from the program due to the difficulty of assuring full compliance at partner agricultural input stores (boutiques) with the USAID/Haiïti mission-wide PERSUAP (USAID 2011b*) and its amendments (USAID 2014b and USAID 2015°). All of the boutiques stock pesticides that are “not recommended” by the PERSUAPS, so that although AVANSE could and did work with the boutiques to improve their management and storage of pesticides, it could not segregate its assistance for the PERSUAPS’ “recommended” pesticides from that of overall management of pesticides, including “not recommended” pesticides. However, if AVANSE includes only fertilizer in SIBA, USAID/Haiïti informed it that it would have no responsibility for the storage or management of pesticides in the boutiques: AVANSE is not subject to limiting its involvement with SIBA-affiliated stores or boutiques that sell pesticides that do not comply with the Mission-wide PERSUAP as long as those boutiques do not receive vouchers for the purchase of pesticides and AVANSE does not provide any other support for the procurement or use of pesticides, aside from training in pesticide management that does not result in the actual application or use of pesticides.° Currently SIBA only has vouchers for dry formulation fertilizer, but it is considering having vouchers for other, non-pesticide production inputs such as seed and mechanical plowing. In some cases, the seed available for planting has been treated to prevent pest damage while the seed is in storage. We address this issue in Chapter 6. Increase Access to Financial Products IR3 increases access to financial products through the grants program (described above), technical assistance to producers to complete loan-applications and produce business plans, and through a joint program with DIGICEL to promote the penetration of mobile money in the project area. Improve Market Information Systems IR3 improves market information systems through a joint effort with Novella (through a Collaboration Agreement) to re-launch its SMS, factory-gate price information system, called Kout Lambi. It is also working with PISA (through a Collaboration Agreement) to implement a similar system. INTERMEDIATE RESULT 4: CAPACITY BUILDING SUPPORT TO IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS AVANSE has capacity building incorporated into all of its technical support and training undertaken in IR1, IR2 and IR3. IR4 focuses on working with local IPs and beneficiaries to improve internal management procedures, financial systems and controls, human resources, strategic planning, and overall operations to prepare partners for consideration for direct awards from USAID under the FORWARD initiative. This activity includes training in: financial * LAC-IEE-11-29 $ LAC-IEE-14-16 and LAC-IEE-15-05 respectively. $ Memorandum from Ryan D. Knight, Mission Environmental Officer to James Woolley, Contracting Officer's Representative, Der 30, 2015, Subject: AVANSE DIBA Voucher Program's Environmental Compliance with Obligations Under LAC-IEE-14-17. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 71 [page 72] management, administrative management, project management, proposal writing, organizational governance, ethics, and strategic planning. IR4 also provides training to beneficiaries and partners to strengthen their general implementation capacity. This activity currently provides technical assistance and training in registration as a legal organization. AVANSE plans to provide other capacity building for these organizations once they become legally recognized. INFRASTRUCTURE The infrastructure component of AVANSE is a cross-cutting component with the purpose to undertake all infrastructure activities. The Government of Haïti along with USAID had selected a list of infrastructure projects that AVANSE could undertake. The list included irrigation systems to be rehabilitated, ravines to be stabilized and rural roads to be rehabilitated. From that list of infrastructure projects, AVANSE selected seven irrigation systems to be rehabilitated or established, six ravines to stabilize and 16 rural roads to be rehabilitated. The infrastructure projects that AVANSE planned to undertake are presented in Table 13. TABLE 13: INFRASTUCTURE PROJECTS TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY AVANSE Watershed Activity Activity Description The Robino irrigation system currently is inoperable because its water was diverted by an upstream irrigation system constructed dun by Agro-Action Allemande (AAA). AVANSE plans to create a new Rehabilitation ofthe | diversion on the Jassa River. The new diversion will serve 300 Robino/Maribahoux ha irrigation system ° . . . . . . . The project will also improve drainage in the fields in the Bas Maribahoux area, which has drainage problems related to the Jassa AAA-constructed system. No preliminary designs. Stabilization of one Project identification work on-going. Not completed at the time of ravine the PEA. _RN-6 to La Garenne, 8.9 km Rehabilitation of four | La Garenne to Ferrier, 4.4 km Carrefour Mérande to Meillac, 6.0 Chalopin operates below design capacity due to a deteriorated diversion. The proposal is to raise the level of the diversion, thus diverting more water into the system. The current system irrigates Rehabilitation two 170 ha. The rehabilitation will allow irrigation of an additional 230 irrigation systems: ha. Chalopin and Garde | Garde Saline is a rustic system serving 41 ha. AVANSE plans to Saline rehabilitate the system and create a new series of diversions via Mari construction of a dam to serve an additional 28 ha in Romeo, an ETIEI adjacent area. The drainage systems of both systems will also be rehabilitated. Stabilization of the : : : . La Gachette Ravine Project design on-going. Not completed at the time of the PEA. Rehabilitation of 3 Carrefour Frache to Grand Basin, 8.5 km ehabilitation o SE ARR DNS UE DUSPET PSP EN SE SRE EP SUV Ye rural roads (20.8 km) _Carrefour Bergen to Haut Madeleine, 4.3 km FY15 RN-6 to Coicou, 8.0 km FY15 72 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 73] Watershed | Activity | Activity Description The 5 plots are located south of Caracol (see Figure 12). They range in size from 12 to 15 ha and involve multiple farmers at : each site, requiring development of a WUA for system Establishment of 5 . . . pumped water management. Each borehole will have an 8 inch diameter, a irrigation systems. If depth of 200 to 250 feet and be supplied with a submersible successful, 35 electric pump with a minimum capacity of 17 l/s. Electricity for additional plots will pump operation will come from the Industrial Park power station. be developed. No storage will be built. Irrigation application will be flood via PVC piping from the pumps to the fields. (DAI 2015) The exact location of the other 35 systems is not yet determined. Stabilization of : : : . Ravine Jean Charles Project design on-going. Not completed at the time of the PEA. Rehabilitation of one rural road (5.6 km) Carrefour Juchereau to Roches Plates, 5.6 km FY15 Establishment of in Dé . . . Some of the 35 pumped water irrigation systems being piloted in several pumped À . ne ee Trou du Nord will be installed in this watershed. The exact water irrigation location of these systems is not yet determined systems Y y ° Stabilization of one Project Identification work on-going. Not completed at the time of ravine the PEA. Rehabilitation of two | Sainte Suzanne to Dupity, 18.8 km rural roads (24.4 km) | Limonade to Bois de Lance, 5.6 FY15 The diversions for all three systems will not be changed, but all . three systems need to have the distribution system rehabilitated. Rehabilitation of Dubré currently irrigates 81 ha. AVANSE plans to add an pre aan additional 58 ha. (PLANCONSULT 2015) y° : , Grison Garde currently irrigates 220 ha. AVANSE plans to add an Grison Garde and La u Suisse additional 350 ha. La Suisse currently irrigates 100 ha. AVANSE plans to add an additional 200 ha. Stabilization of : "ue : Project preliminary design completed and ready for RFP. Grison Garde to Robillard, 6.8 km FY15 Carrefour Lachaux to Barrage Grison Garde, 1.9 km Rehabilitation of Carrefour Lachaux to Route Touristige, 3.4 km seven rural roads A (29.2 km) Carrefour Duty to Bruyère, 4.6 km Dubré to Anabalanmè, 2.0 km Construct one . . . Le drainage system Drain banana plantation area in Bas Limbé to the sea. Stabilization of : : : : Ravine Blondeau Project design on-going. Not completed at the time of the PEA. Rehabilitation of one mini rural road (3.0 km) Carrefour Séminaire to Acul Jeannot, 3.0 km FY15 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 73 [page 74] FIGURE 12: LOCATION OF FIVE PILOT WELL IRRIGATION PROJECTS NE ® Pompes e Localités | Localisation des Systèmes de Pompage P = Routes Nationales ÿZZ7% Périmètres à Irriguer ———— Autres Routes Zones Bâties & — Principal Cours d'Eau [11 Zone industriel ——— Autres Cours d'Eau En Campus Universitaire 0.5 1 = Baielde|Caracol FT 18 Blanc à \Céracol ù Madrasse Î Sauvage | b ) 1ère / 2ème 4 Champin è : Claudine 4 ce Cardcol Volant 3ème C2) : Ç 2 Roucou ee « y À hambert illage = Carrefour D one _ TS > Era à ere 1ère de Limonade 7 Fond Blanc < 3ème Sainte FL Roche in EEE 1ère yatéfiér Plate —— Garcine A { No) à <É;USAID | HAITI/AVANSE Source: DAI 2015 AVANSE will hire engineering firms or consultants to provide systems design services, which include a technical study, design services, and/or supervision (construction management) services. lt also proposes to hire construction firms to implement the approved systems design. Irrigation Projects The construction activities for irrigation and will vary with the type of system and site-specific design. All of the systems will provide water for flood irrigation. All design and installation of open canal systems will include construction or rehabilitation of associated drainage. For open channel systems using surface water as a source, the construction may have the following components: ° Expansion of the protection walls in masonry (some systems) e Consolidation of the bottom of river beds using gabion soles (some systems) e _Cleaning upstream of the intake (all systems) + __ Repair equipment at intake (all existing irrigation systems) + Build water intake (some systems) ° Build water diversion works (some systems) °__ Install flow measurement device (some systems) + __Raise the height of canals where water overflows (some systems) 74 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 75] e _Rehabilitate canals where walls are degraded (all systems) ° _ Retrofit earth canals (all systems) + Rebuild earth canals in masonry (all systems) e Repair gates (all systems) ° Retrofitting drains (all systems) ° Build new drains (some systems) e Repair drain outlets (all systems) ° Build water intakes (some systems) ° Build canals (all systems) e__Widen and rehabilitate of internal perimeter irrigation systems (all systems) Pumped systems may involve the following activities: e _ Drill deep wells e __Provide wells with submerged electrical pumps ° Bring electricity either from the existing electrical network or use generators. e Build pump houses ° Build a PVC piped distribution system to irrigate the fields Road Rehabilitation All road rehabilitation projects were planned to be done on existing roads. AVANSE would only rehabilitate existing roads for which local government can secure a cleared right of way of 5 meters. Five meters is actually less than the legal right of way for the existing roads, but it is the minimum width in which AVANSE believes it can operate. There are temporary structures on several tertiary road surfaces in the AVANSE project area. These are generally simple commercial stands or community stages. Local authorities will have to arrange for these structures to be removed before construction can begin. These structures will most likely move back onto the roads after construction is completed. Other, more permanent structures, such as trees, fences (living or otherwise), and possibly human built structures may have infringed on the road right of way over the years. Local government, and not AVANSE, will have to resolve these potential obstacles to securing the 5 meter right of way, without technical or financial support from AVANSE. AVANSE would not begin construction until the 5 meter right of way is secured. Road rehabilitation would include the following general activities: e _ Designing of road; e __Sourcing of building materials (including possible development of borrow areas and associated access roads); e _ Clearing right of way (once it has been secured); e Excavation/road cuts and fill; e __Digging, repairing and/or reinforcing road drainage (including installation of necessary culverts); e__ Construct river and natural drainage crossings (some projects); °__Improving of sidewalks and pedestrian passes (where they exist); e Road bed preparation and shaping; ° Road surfacing (all roads will be surfaced with gravel, no pavement or oiling); e__Establishing, with local government, maintenance committees; e Training maintenance committees road; and ° _Re-vegetating road sides. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 75 [page 76] Ravine Stabilization Planned ravine stabilization would involve the following activities: e _Develop Community Awareness; e Secure permission to attach stabilization structures to existing private structures (retaining wall, flood barricades, etc.), where necessary; e Clean out the ravine; e Build masonry walls to protect houses located on the sides of the ravines; °__Gabionnage works to stabilize flow and retain sediments; e Build ravine bed protection; e Biological stabilization of embankments; and ° Build water crossing structures for streets such as ford or culverts. Drainage Construction Drainage is a major issue in the plains of the North and North-East owing to slow drainage provoked by general low soil permeability and groundwater rising to levels where it blocks normal drainage routes. To address these issues the AVANSE infrastructure team planned to undertake a general study of drainage problems in both the North and North East plains. The study would: e__ identify of zones affected by poor drainage; e _geo-spatially locate those zones; ° produce GIS maps of zones affected; e _calculate flows; e prepare preliminary technical calculations for potential construction works; ° __identify downstream routes and capacities; and ° _assess associated environmental risks factors. The study has not been undertaken, so at this time there are no concrete plans for major drainage activities. The PEA Team was taken to one potential site in a banana plantation in Bas Limbé. The Team was informed that the conceptual plan is to drain the area to the ocean, but it is not clear if that is physically possible (i.e., is there enough elevation difference to actually allow drainage? Is the water in the drains hydrologically connected to the river? If so, would the “drain” just become a new river course?). This issue is dealt with in Chapter 6. INFORMATION, ANALYSIS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE UNIT The Information, Analysis, and Environmental Compliance (IAEC) unit has three functions: 1. Monitoring and evaluation of implementation - tracking progress of project activities against the M&E plan, signaling significant positive or negative variance in achieving results, and providing information needed to make course corrections. 2. Environmental compliance — ensuring AVANSE activities create no significant adverse environmental effects and promote environmental stabilization and protection. 3. Gender analysis — tracking progress and ensuring AVANSE activities improve gender equity and women's empowerment. Most of the activities conducted by IAEC are studies, surveys and monitoring and result in the preparation of various reports. However, some training is also involved. For instance, the Environmental Compliance team trains implementing partners in the requirements for environmental compliance. In addition, the IAEC also plans to establish a network of weather stations to provide much- needed information for AVANSE's agricultural production and watershed management activities 76 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 77] as well as to monitor and report on climate variability. AVANSE will subcontract with a US or Haiïtian service provider to install and maintain up to 40 weather stations in selected target zones and key microclimate areas in collaboration with local private and public partners. Each station will have a minimal footprint and will require virtually no disturbance during installation. IMPACTS OF THE PROPOSED ACTION Several activities of the Proposed Action by their nature have no environmental consequences, so they are not included in the following analyses. These activities are as follows: For Intermediate Result 1: Agricultural Productivity Increased: ° Institutional Collaboration e _ Capacitation and Creation of Water Users Associations For Intermediate Result 2: Watershed Stability Improved: e Protection of Critical Coastal Zones (Planning and Governance support) e __ Procurement of Materials for Civil Protection Authorities e__ Environmental Education e Health Insurance for Collaborating IR2 Farmers Intermediate Result 3: Agricultural Markets Strengthened: e__Provide Value Chain and Agro-Enterprise Analysis ° __Improve Business Skills Training and Performance e __Improve Private Sector-Small Producer Linkages and Partnerships e Facilitate Market Linkages e Increase Access to Financial Products e__Improve Market Information Systems For Intermediate Result 4: Capacity Building Support to Implementing Partners: All activities. Information, Analysis, and Environmental Compliance Unit: All activities. INTERMEDIATE RESULT 1: AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY INCREASED The IR1 activities that are assessed in this subsection are: e__Promoting Good Agricultural Practices through Farmer Field Schools °__ Nursery and Grafting Support e __Establish small-scale irrigation projects The larger-scale irrigation projects are assessed in the Infrastructure subsection below. Positive Impacts IR1 activities have several positive impacts. Physical Environment All of the focus crop technical packages promote the addition of organic matter to soil, by incorporation of weeds rather than burning during land preparation, and composting, which improves soil structure and fertility. These practices have a positive impact on soil quality. Overall, these positive impacts will be enhanced in the event of future climate change, when increased soil organic matter and water retention will benefit crops during drier or drought periods. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 77 [page 78] Érosion is generally not a problem on land where IR1 crops are promoted. With the exception of cacao, all IR1 FFS focus crops are in the plains and no recommended cultural practices would provoke erosion. Cacao FFSSs in piedmont areas and on steep slopes in Port Margot and au Borgne Communes are on sloped land and could contribute to soil erosion, but the majority of IR1 Cacao FFS farmers are increasing the cacao population density of existing plantations. These mature cacao gardens consist of a mixture of banana and numerous fruit and timber species which create a multi-storied canopy with significant leaf litter and some shade tolerant vegetation covering the soil. Even on steep slopes there is negligible sheet, rill or gully erosion in mature cacao gardens, and none which results from IR1 Cacao FFS practices. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices promoted in focus crop FFS technical packages entail timely and less frequent application of pesticides. The pesticides most frequently recommended in the focus crop FFS have a relatively short half-life and are much less toxic compared to several of those formerly used by farmers before project. Therefore, any run off from flooding or drainage from irrigated fields should carry less total amount of pesticide residuals than before the introduction of AVANSE practices and those residuals that are present will be will be less persistent and less toxic. SRI, the rice irrigation practice promoted by AVANSE, entails periodic drying of the paddy which allows weeds to grow. AVANSE, however, promotes the use of the double cone mechanical weeder, rather than herbicide, to control weeds. As observed by and reported by farmers to the PEA Team, weed control in focus crops is almost entirely manual. SRI also requires one-half the amount of fertilizer (Urea, DAP, and NPK) that farmers apply in traditional paddy rice production. This reduces the potential for nitrate contamination of groundwater and the eutrophication of waterways caused by nitrate and complex fertilizers carried into waterways by drainage of irrigated fields and flooding. The soil fertility survey and mapping program to be coordinated by Auburn University will facilitate a more accurate estimate of crop needs for specific soils and will result in more efficient use, which, because of the innate fertility of the alluvial soils in the plains, may frequently result in a reduction in the amount of fertilizer use. The cacao FFS technical package is organic, eliminating potential use of synthetic fertilizer, pesticides and herbicides in established and new cacao plantations. Rodent control is accomplished with organic artisanal baït which is non-toxic to poultry and humans. Runoff from FFS cacao plantations will carry no chemical contaminants into waterways. IR1 practices also have a positive impact on water quantity by reducing the use of water per hectare. The application of SRI reduces the quantity of water necessary for rice irrigation from 20 to 50%. In addition, all irrigated focus crop technical packages include training in better on- farm water management and improved efficiency of use. Reformation of existing WUAs and creation of new WUA's will also contribute to a more equitable distribution and more efficient use of water. This positive benefit, however, could be eroded if irrigation acreage is expanded beyond the sustainable level of available water. Biological Environment Because of the positive impact of AVANSE activities on soil and water quality resources described above, there will be negligible sediment load carried downstream in waterways from IR1 focus crop target zones and the amount of potential chemical contaminants will actually be reduced from pre-AVANSE levels. Therefore it can be said that IR1 activities should have a 78 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 79] positive impact on aquatic ecosystems, such as coastal mangrove forest, coral reefs and sea grass. New cacao plantations in parcels formerly devoted to annual crop production will increase habitat for birds. Socio-Economic Environment AIl IR1 activities will increase the incomes of those who participate in the program or adopt AVANSE techniques via lateral diffusion. The increased incomes are associated with crop production as well as the production and sale of input products and services (as with nurseries and grafting). These economic benefits will stimulate further economic activity in the project area (the multiplier effect). The overall improvement of the environment associated with IR1 activities should also lead to an improved quality of life for those living in the areas where the activities are established. IR1 promotes the use of pesticides with lower toxicity that those that were used before AVANSE began. FFS farmers are instructed in safe use of pesticides including: proper storage, mixing of pesticides with water, use of protective safety gear, proper use of back pack sprayers, cleaning of sprayers and proper disposal of wash water, and proper disposal of containers. These safe use measures are an improvement over the casual practices employed by farmers who have not been properly trained. This has a positive impact on water quality, solid waste management and health. By targeting 20-25% women's participation in focus crop FFS and WUAs and 40% of the investment in undeveloped dry lands, including production of high value vegetable crops by drip irrigation, jobs for women will be created and income generated. With increased income women can better provide for their children, pay school fees, etc. AVANSE IR1 activities focused on women should have a positive impact on women and children. Negative Impacts IR1 also has some negative impacts, which are described below. All of these impacts can be reduced to insignificant levels via mitigation measures. Physical Environment Cacao conversion of parcels on sloped land formerly devoted to annual crop production can contribute to erosion in the first year of conversion when the ground is exposed, but conversion involves planting banana and woody species for shade, which as they grow protect the soil from raindrop impact both with their leaf cover and the litter layer they generate. So the increased erosion is a short-term impact. There is the possibility that conversion to new cacao plantation of land formerly dedicated to annual crop production for consumption and sale will oblige smallholders to use other parcels more intensively, shortening fallow periods where practiced, thus affecting recovery of fertility and aggravating soil erosion when these parcels are on sloped land. This will be particularly true for farmers with limited holdings. For those farmers with larger holdings the negative impact could be negligible, easily remedied by including a cover crop in the rotation of fallowed parcels. For farmers with limited holdings, AVANSE staff should ensure that the farmers receive training on maintaining soil fertility and reducing erosion through the use of cover crops and no- or low- till practices on their other, often upslope fields. There is the potential for increased herbicide use with SRI. Under traditional paddy rice production, the maintenance of standing water on the fields provides weed control. SR/'s AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 79 [page 80] practice of periodic drying of the paddy allows more weeds to grow than in traditional rice irrigation. Although the project is promoting the use of the double cone mechanical weeder, and many farmers are adopting its use, some farmers may choose to use herbicides for weeding instead. So there is some potential for increased use of herbicides, although this was not the situation found by the PEA Team. Although pesticide use was included in the positive benefits of IR1 activities, it must be noted that this is largely due to the AVANSE"s use of the Mission-Wide PERSUAPSs in its training, promotion and procurement activities. It is imperative that AVANSE continue with this approach With the FFSs as well as with its new activities with nurseries to insure that the use of pesticides remains a positive impact, because improper use will lead to damage to human health and contamination of water and soil resources. Biological Environment Although all indications are that the adoption of AVANSE IR1 practices has led to a decrease in the use of agricultural chemicals, those chemicals are still used and there is the potential that they are finding their way into watercourses. The improvement of drainage on irrigated rice areas will increase the tail water coming off irrigated fields. AVANSE'S practices on efficient fertilizer use and compliance with the PERSUAPSs will mitigate this impact, but AVANSE should also conduct some monitoring downstream of the drainage outlets to test the hypothesis that there is little to no impact on watercourses and their aquatic flora and fauna from agricultural chemical use on AVANSE supported fields. Socio-Economic Environment One potential negative socio-economic impact associated with cacao conversion, in addition to the soil erosion issues described above, is availability of land to grow food crops and the associated issue of food security. This may become a problem in four to five years once trees have grown and begin to produce significant shade, thus making it difficult to grow annual crops that require full sun. In most cases, cacao farmers working with AVANSE possessed multiple plots or fields and could produce food crops elsewhere. In one or two cases, the PEA Team encountered farmers who did not appear to possess other land. When asked about this, even farmers with very small holdings said that there would not be a problem as they would be able to continue to grow annual crops in the new cacao plantation between the rows, and that as the cacao and shade trees matured they would still be able to grow shade tolerant yams. There will, however, be a period of several years when the shade of the maturing plantation will necessarily reduce food crop production before the cacao plantation begins to generate income. In these instances, AVANSE staff should ensure that the farmer either has a current, additional income source (with which s/he could buy food) or has a strategy in place to continue producing food crops on the agroforestry plot (e.g., heavily lopping trees in the plot to allow sun to reach the food crops). INTERMEDIATE RESULT 2: WATERSHED STABILITY IMPROVED The IR2 activities that are assessed in this subsection are: e _Promoting Hillside Stabilization through Agroforestry e __ Sub-Watershed Management and Governance ° _Reforestation and Land Reclamation °e _ Nursery Support e _Grafting Support e Development of Pigeon Pea Value Chain e Protection of Critical Coastal Zones (Mangrove planting) 80 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 81] e Community Cisterns for Home Gardens e Pilot Small-Scale Greenhouses Positive Impacts The overwhelming majority of IR2 activity impacts are positive. Physical Environment Promotion of hillside stabilization, sub-watershed management and governance, reforestation, the Pigeon Pea pilot project and protection of coastal zone resources will have a positive impact on soil resources and water quality and quantity. In the long term, the mechanical structures — bundés reinforced with plant residues and bamboo stakes and gully plugs — and the roots of biological structures (grasses, pineapples, etc.) established on contours in sloping land will hold the soil in place and will slow and capture most sediment-laden runoff, thus reducing sediment loads in rivers. In the short term, in many cases, the contour structures will begin to capture sediment and reduce erosion after only one rainy season. This is illustrated by the large amount of sediment captured after only one year through gully plugs. This positive impact is also evident when one compares the improved agroforestry plots to traditional plots which are tilled, planted and weeded with no protective contour structures in place. The presence of tree seedlings and bund vegetation will also reduce or eliminate slash and burn practices, as farmers will not destroy and burn their valuable plants. Pigeon Pea planted as an intercrop with agroforestry will enhance these benefits, as would the use of other cover crops. Cover crops grow faster than most of the tree seedlings, providing a rapid, complementary soil anchor as the other species mature. Pigeon Pea or other cover crops planted in pure stands in degraded, steeply sloped areas or in agroforestry plots can also contribute to reducing erosion and sediment loads. Agroforestry and reforestation will also have positive effects on water quantity. Infiltration ditches built behind the contour bunds will slow surface runoff and increase infiltration, ultimately contributing to groundwater recharge. As the agroforestry systems and reforested areas mature, their root systems and leaf litter will also increase infiltration. Overall, these positive impacts will be enhanced in the event of future climate change, when increased soil organic matter and water retention will benefit crops and trees during drier or drought periods. In addition, erosion reduction will be enhanced during predicted torrential rain events (often associated with more intense hurricanes). In fact, agroforestry and reforestation for upper watersheds and slope stabilization has been identified as a key climate change adaptation measure in the region (Tetra Tech 2013, Eitzinger et al. 2013). Biological Environment Agroforestry, reforestation and mangrove planting will have positive impacts on native fauna once the trees mature, when they will serve as a refuge and habitat for birds, mammals and reptiles. This should contribute to the conservation of the 17 species of threatened birds that utilize forested areas (DAI, 2014b). The mature forests should also contribute to reducing pressure on any nearby vestiges of primary or secondary forests as timber trees (e.g., Mahogany, Haitian Oak) are slated to be harvested by plot owners in the future. If the reforested areas are correctly managed and protected, they can also serve as areas where native plant species can re-establish themselves. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 81 [page 82] When agroforestry and reforestation plots are established adjacent to or in the vicinity of remaining natural forest stands, pressure on these forests will be reduced. Once the trees have matured, farmers will have a ready source of timber and charcoal trees, thus obviating the need to cut trees for these needs in the remaining natural forest. This positive effect is most likely to occur in the upper Jassa watershed where IR2 expansion areas have been identified. Positive biological environment impacts are also likely once sound sub-watershed management plans have been developed and implemented. These impacts may include protection of natural habitat and mature agroforestry blocks that act as refugia for biodiversity and increasing habitat through reforestation and establishment of new agroforestry areas. Socio-Economic Environment Nearly all of the IR2 activities will increase the incomes of those who participate in the program or adopt AVANSE techniques via lateral diffusion. The increased incomes are associated with crop production (food and timber) as well as the production and sale of input products and services (as with nurseries and grafting). Agroforestry, reforestation and the planting of Pigeon Pea and other cover crops will also improve the value of land. All of these economic benefits will stimulate further economic activity in the project area (the multiplier effect). The overall improvement of the environment associated with IR2 activities should also lead to an improved quality of life for those living in the areas where the activities are established. Several positive socio-economic environment impacts are associated with enhancing the capacity of the Civil Protection Authorities. These include improving response times to natural disasters and/or mitigating their effects which in turn will have direct benefit to those in direct danger and indirect benefits such as reducing contamination of water resources which will, in turn, reduce the risk of sickness linked to water-borne diseases. Rapid responses will also re- establish transport and communications more quickly, benefitting affected populations. Community cisterns are expected to store water to be used in irrigating small vegetable gardens managed by individual women or women'’s groups. Consequently, the activity should have positive socio-economic impacts by enabling vegetable production in the dry season and, in turn, sale of the harvested vegetables. This will increase the household revenue of participating women. Moreover, due to its relative simplicity and the materials used, this activity is likely to be sustained well beyond the LOP. Consequently, if the initial intervention is successful, AVANSE should consider scaling it up to benefit an increased number of women farmers. Negative Impacts Several potential negative impacts were identified for IR2 activities. These are described below. Most of the potential, negative impacts are related to erosion, sediment loads in water resources, and pesticide and fertilizer use. All of these can be reduced to insignificant levels via mitigation measures. Physical Environment In some cases, establishment of agroforestry blocks can increase soil erosion in the short term. This applies mainly to plots on the steepest slopes (> 30%) and on plots that were fallow or were used for pasture (covered with grass). increased erosion can also occur if plots are tilled too thoroughly or too deeply. On the steepest slopes (Figure 13), care should be taken to disturb the soil as little as possible and to ensure that vetiver grass” — the superior soil 7 Vetiver plantings must be monitored closely however. In some areas of Haïti, the roots are used to make an essential oil and plants are uprooted to reach the roots. AVANSE staff must ensure that this does not happen in project-supported plots. 82 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 83] conservation species — is planted along the bunds. Plots that appear to be in permanent or semi-permanent pasture and plots that have 2 or more years of fallow before resuming production should be avoided. Potential negative impacts on the physical environment from sub-watershed management and governance activities are limited. There is a slight risk that watershed plans might misidentify a given zone for a given activity (e.g., agroforestry as opposed to reforestation on slopes > 60%) or improperly conceived and implemented small projects could be included in plans for sloped areas, both of which could increase erosion and sediment loads. But proper supervision and technical oversight of management plan development should eliminate these risks. The only negative physical impact associated with reforestation is increased erosion and sediment due to soil disturbance during seedling Se. planting. This can be mitigated by CR limiting the area disturbed during LES LR AS Nr SN planting and shaping the disturbed Re Fe en Fe area around each seedling so that M A A à water is harvested during rainfall. en se A cr à Paie Impacts can further be reduced on ù Le RE A steep, bare slopes by using mulch, ÿ A * and by incorporating vetiver contour PA à, hedges into the reforestation design. $ Su ie L Pigeon Pea planted in pure stands EP x — à » can increase soil erosion and à se ER SS sediment loads if fallow, grassy areas so PRESS are plowed up to plant it or ifit is all NO di Mar RTE 2 SR harvested at once by cutting down the plants. À pure stand of Pigeon Pea suppresses any understory growth and cutting a pure stand all at once Will result in bare soil. In order to avoid this situation, it is preferable to either intercrop Pigeon Pea or to avoid harvesting all plants at the same time. Using Pigeon Pea for re-vegetation of critical areas as an alternative to reforestation is also questionable. Its canopy is often light and feathery (i.e., not dense) and leaf litter production is minimal. Most tree species will eventually have denser crowns and more leaf litter thus making them superior choices for reforestation. Grafting has no negative impacts on the physical environment, but pesticide and fertilizer use at nurseries, green houses and home gardens watered by cisterns can, if used improperly, result in damage to human health and contamination of water and soil resources. A build-up of pesticides in the soil and water can lead to toxic conditions and high levels of persistent chemicals in the environment. The small size of each of these individual activities makes these impacts minimal, even when cumulated (for instance, each nursery will be well under a hectare, so that the cumulative impact would come from 38 hectares spread over the entire project area). These negative impacts can be reduced or eliminated adhering to the guidance in the Mission- Wide PERSUAPSs and using sound nutrient management procedures. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 83 [page 84] The construction of roof-harvested water systems and small green houses could cause localized increases in erosion and sedimentation. These activities, however, will be well under USAID's definition of small-scale construction (10,000 square feet [930 m°] and less than $200,000 total cost [USAID 2014]). As such, it is unlikely to cause significant adverse environmental impacts, and those impacts that do exist can be mitigated by using USAID guidelines for small-scale construction (USAID 2014c). Biological Environment In some cases, installation of agroforestry blocks may have small negative impacts on biodiversity. For instance, if an old fallow field is cleared, birds and other woodland niche wildlife may lose some habitat. In these cases, it may be preferable to talk to the farmer and see if s/he is interested in keeping the fallow vegetation intact and planting tree seedlings directly into the fallow. In this way, it may convert into a mature agroforest sooner than if one cleared the field and installed the standard AVANSE agroforestry plot. Similarly, slight risks for negative impacts on flora, fauna and vestige natural ecosystems could occur due to sub-watershed activities. These could include inappropriate zoning and associated conversion of mature agroforestry blocks and/or vestiges of natural forest and increased pressure on these areas due to inappropriate, adjacent land uses. Again, these risks should be eliminated via a technically sound management plan development process as well as proper training and implementation of small projects. Reforestation can result in negative biological impacts if non-native species are introduced, which then become invasive (and displace native flora). This will not be the case with AVANSE as no introduction of new, non-native species is being promoted. Mangrove planting can result in negative biological impacts (or at least no benefits) if poor planting procedures are used. This can be mitigated by using proven methods promoted by the Mangrove Action Project (MAP-Indonesia, 2006). As described above, pesticides and fertilizer use in nurseries, green houses and home gardens watered by cisterns can contamination of water and soil resources, which may in turn impact non-target insects and aquatic species. Elevated fertilizer use can cause excessive nutrient levels in the water, leading to eutrophication and an imbalance or disequilibrium of aquatic species and ecosystem functions. À build-up of pesticides in the soil and water can lead to toxic conditions and high levels of persistent chemicals in the environment. Training and proper application can reduce these effects. There is one potential, small negative impact on the biological environment from grafting. Diseases can be introduced into grafted trees and seedlings (including trees that supply scion material). This can occur if grafting tools (knives, pruning shears, etc.) are not regularly cleaned and sanitized. However, this impact will be confined to individual trees; the assessment team is not aware of any diseases, introduced through grafting, that will spread to other trees. This risk can be minimized or eliminated via training and sterilizing grafting tools. Socio-Economic Environment As is the case with cacao conversion, discussed under negative socio-economic impacts for IR1, one potential negative socio-economic impact associated with the agroforestry blocks is availability of land to grow food crops and the associated issue of food security. This problem is the same as described for cacao conversion, and the mitigation measures are the same as well. 84 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 85] The principal negative socio-economic impact related to the sub-watershed management and governance is the food security issue cited above. This impact could occur if too much land is zoned for agroforestry and/or protection and not enough land is left for food crop production. Sound, technical development of sub-watershed management plans should eliminate this risk. There are two potential, negative socio-economic impacts associated with reforestation. The first one is social conflict if tree tenure is not clearly established and documented before the trees are planted. Community members, landowners and, in some cases, charcoal producers must all be in agreement on who the trees belong to once they are mature and who has rights to harvest them. Another minor, negative impact could be wasted labor if tree species are mismatched to sites and perish after planting. On highly degraded sites, hardy species, such as Acacia auriculiformis should be planted. The PEA Team observed such a site in the St. Suzanne area that had been partially reforested with this species. Finally, it should be noted that this activity will occur on highly degraded lands that are not currently productive (i.e., not currently farmed) so there is no risk of agricultural land being taken out of production. The main negative socio-economic impacts from nursery activities are linked to an unhealthy environment for nursery workers and neighbors. Standing water and high levels of fertilizer and pesticides can cause sickness among staff and those living next to nurseries. These effects can be reduced through proper training on the management of fertilizers and PERSUAP compliant training on pesticides. The water collected in cisterns is to be used by individual women or women's groups to water small vegetable gardens. If the water management committee also decides to use it for drinking water then contaminants — most commonly microbiological contaminants (Ahmed et al., 2011) - must be considered. The level of contamination is strongly influenced by the season, the number of preceding dry days, animal activities in close proximity to the roof and rainwater tanks, system management, and system maintenance. The activity could increase gastro- intestinal disease if the systems are not designed, managed and monitored correctly. This impact, however, can be mitigated to the point that it is not significant by application of international guidelines for the design and management of roof-harvested rainwater systems and promotion of water treatment prior to use (such as UNEP/OAS 1998 and IRD 2013). INTERMEDIATE RESULT 3: AGRICULTURAL MARKETS STRENGTHENED The IR3 activities that are assessed in this subsection are: e Facilitate Improved Post-Harvest Handling, Storage and Processing e _ Promote the Use of Vouchers as a Market-Oriented Subsidy Mechanism Positive Impacts IR3's activities in and of themselves are not designed to have positive impact on the environment. However, in the case of the voucher program, its efforts to ensure that the boutiques in the program were compliant with the Mission-wide PERSUAPSs heightened the SIBA Team's and the Environmental Compliance Team's awareness of the need to incorporate environmental issues into the SIBA program. So now, even though the pesticide component has been removed from the program, the heightened environmental awareness remains, and SIBA Team members are working with boutique owners to ensure that they are storing and handling fertilizers in an environmentally responsible manner. This has positive impact on the physical environment because it will reduce the possibility of accidental or careless releases of fertilizers from the boutiques into the environment. If this same environmental awareness is carried into IR3's grants for post-harvest handling, storage and processing, similar positive AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 85 [page 86] impacts on the physical environment can be expected. This can be accomplished by incorporating input-output analysis of processing facilities and cleaner production concepts into the umbrella EMPR for these activities. NB: site-specific screening forms for six SIBA boutiques and 17 potential grant recipients can be found in Annexes | and H, respectively. Socio-Economic Environment IR3's activities to improve post-harvest handling, storage and processing will improve the facilities that receive grants, increasing their capacity, processing efficiency and profitability. It Will also improve markets for farmers, which will increase their incomes. The voucher program reduces the costs of inputs to participating farmers, thus increasing their incomes. As with other income improvement activities of AVANSE, the increased incomes for farmers and processors Will have multiplier economic improvements for the communities in which they live. Negative Impacts The negative impacts of IR3's activities are the “flip side” of the opportunity to incorporate input- output analysis and cleaner production concepts into IR3's activities. All of IR3's activities will be with facilities that fall well below the 1,000 m° limit for small-scale construction. For those grants involving construction, there may be negative impacts associated with construction such as erosion and runoff, contamination from chemicals used during construction and noise; however, these should be minor and easily mitigated with standard small-scale construction mitigation measures. Physical Environment Agricultural product processing facilities can contaminate water via their wastewater discharges. They may generate wastewater from processing (cleaning, sanitizing, peeling, cooling, and cooking), transport, and cleanup. Generally the wastewater from these activities has a high biological oxygen demand (BOD) and may contain relatively high levels of suspended solids, nutrients, and minerals. Only two of the types of processing that IR3 is currently considering supporting produce processing wastewater: cacao fermenting which produces small quantities of fermenting fluids and wastewater from facility washing; and banana processing, which will generate wastewater from cleaning the bananas before packaging for shipment. Sanitary facilities for employees also generate wastewater. The potential impacts of processing on water quality can be mitigated by providing appropriate wastewater treatment. Fertilizer storage is another potential source of water contamination. If storage is not done in a rainproof facility, the fertilizer could come into contact with water, go into solution with the runoff from the area in which it is stored, and be released to the surrounding land and potentially enter downstream watercourses. This impact can be mitigated via the application of internationally recognized good practices for fertilizer storage. Air emissions from processing facilities may be related to the production process or to equipment that supports the process such as generators and boilers. Air emission from processing (including odors) may come from dryers, smokers, stoves, ovens, and fermentation tanks. Air pollution from generators and boilers come from the exhaust emissions. Milling and mixing may also produce dust, which is another form of air emission. For the small-scale processing facilities that IR3 will support, these emissions will most likely be insignificant. Odor and dust, however, may need to be addressed inside if the facilities are located near dwellings or retail businesses. Solid wastes from agricultural product processing include packaging material and containers that inputs come in, scraps or waste generated during the production process, and damaged or 86 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 87] unmarketable products. For the types of processing that IR3 envisions supporting, the processing wastes are organic, such as rice husks. Impacts from solid waste disposal can be mitigated by adopting “reduce, reuse, recycle” programs and developing and adhering to a waste management and disposal plan. The only solid waste generated by the fertilizer voucher program are the large bags in which the fertilizer is sold, and that waste is generated at the point of use (on farms) rather than at the point of sale (boutiques). Processing facilities can also be a source of noise, generally from the processing equipment, or support equipment, such as generators. Biological Environment All of the wastes identified in the physical environment discussion could, if they are not properly treated and disposed of, end up in the environment and impact flora, fauna and ecosystems. The small quantities of waste that will be generated at the small-scale operations that IR3 anticipates supporting would not have a significant impact on the biological environment. Some small operations, however, may use fuelwood or charcoal as a source of energy. If that fuel comes from mangroves or natural forests, its use would be contributing to the destruction of those resources. Mitigating this impact requires having processors acquire their fuel from sustainable sources or switch to a different fuel. Socio-Economic Environment The socio-economic negative impacts associated with the processing facilities and boutiques that IR3 supports or plans to support are primarily associated with worker health and safety. Odors and noxious fumes can be an issue at processing facilities and boutiques that store fertilizers. These can usually be adequately mitigated by ventilating the buildings. Dust may be generated during milling operations. It can be mitigated by providing adequate ventilation and/or dust masks. Some processes may produce heat or chemicals that can be harmful to workers. For instance, cacao fermenting produces heat and a mild acid, acetic acid (also called vinegar acid), in the fluid that is generated by the fermenting process. The impact of heat can be mitigated with adequate ventilation. Protective equipment (gloves and aprons) can minimize direct contact With the fermenting fluid, thus mitigating the potential health and safety hazard. Finally, pest control can be an issue at agricultural processing facilities. lf pesticides are used to control pests, they could pose health risks to workers as well as consumers of the product produced. This problem can be avoided or minimized by practicing IPM and carefully controlling any pesticide use in the facility. INFRASTRUCTURE All of AVANSE"s infrastructure activities involve conventional large-scale construction, which has common environmental consequences. So this section begins with a presentation of the environmental consequences common to all construction activities. This is followed by a separate section for additional consequences that are specific to each type of infrastructure activity: irrigation, road rehabilitation, ravine stabilization and major drainage. NB: site-specific screening forms for seven (7) large-scale irrigation systems can be found in Annex J. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 87 [page 88] Large-Scale Construction Positive Impacts Socio-Economic Environment During pre-construction and construction there will be job opportunities for skilled and unskilled people. According to locals, there are many trained skilled workers in the area that are currently idle. Women and youth who are skilled or unskilled will also benefit from employment particularly those who live in the project area. Special considerations will be given to hire women. This will lead to many more people having regular monthly income. Existing businesses in the area will benefit from the increase potential of selling their goods to workers such as toiletries, cooked food, groceries, clothing and accessories, medicines and telephone cards. Local people will have the opportunity to open new businesses due to increased demand for goods from workers. Women in particular will have the opportunity to open new businesses that are directly related to the construction work to be taking place in the area. Negative Impacts Physical Environment Earthworks will contribute to a large amount of soil movement around construction sites and establishment of temporary material storage areas. Soils from disturbed surfaces are likely to be washed away during the rainy season and also in dry conditions through wind erosion. If cut and fill sites are not protected, loose soils can equally be washed away and eventually get deposited in rivers. The risk of soil erosion is considered high, particularly during high and intense rainfall, given the proximity of the rivers, the scale of the earthworks and the characteristics of the overburden in the area which is easily erodible. Vehicles and equipment used during construction may impact the soil with oil and fuel spills. Trucks hauling construction materials such as aggregates, sand and gravel and equipment being move to and from a work site may pass through off-road areas and impact soil with oil and fuel spills. In addition, areas where fuels, lubricants and chemicals are stored or where vehicles and equipment are fueled or serviced can be sources of hazardous substance releases to the soil. Improper disposal of concrete wastes resulting from on-site concrete batching or cleaning of ready-mix concrete vehicles can also contaminate soil. If erosion occurs and/or soil is polluted, as discussed above, it is possible that the rivers may be impacted with sediment, leaked/spilled lubricants, fuels and hazardous substances. Other sources of potential water pollution are: + __Washing vehicles or equipment in or nearby the river; e Use of the rivers and canals for the maintenance of the personal hygiene of the population e _Improper disposal of concrete wastes resulting from on-site concrete batching or cleaning of ready-mix concrete vehicles; ° Surface run-off from on-site stockpiled sand and gravel; and e _Inadequate disposal of solid wastes and wastewater generated during construction from workers. Construction activities may require that topsoil is removed. In these cases, the potential exists for the destruction of top soil. 88 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 89] Solid waste will be generated from site vegetation clearance and during construction. The vegetation and other rubbish that will be cleared from the site will lead to the generation of large volumes of waste that require proper disposal. Various other wastes generated during construction will need to be managed and disposed of properly. These will include solid waste from packaging materials, wood and steel crates, cardboard, wrapping materials, boxes, sacks, drums, cans and chemical containers and any other unused materials. Workers will also generate domestic solid waste. Indiscriminate disposal of waste could breed flies, mice and other pests that can cause disease like diarrhea, cholera, malaria, dengue fever, chikungunya when mosquitoes breed in water collected in small containers. Littering also destroys the esthetic of the natural habitat. Plastics, especially plastic bottles are a major problem in Haïti. If plastics are not properly disposed of, they will aggravate the already bad situation. Styrofoam containers, although banned by Haïtian law, are also a major problem in Haïti. Waste could also be carried by runoff into streams where it impedes flow and impacts on water quality. Excavation, loading and emptying of dump trucks will generate dust. Uncovered trucks transporting cut and fill material to or from the site will also propagate dust. Excessive dust is known to cause upper respiratory diseases, aggravate allergies like Asthma and cause eye irritation. Dust also impedes visibility and increases the risk of accidents. Dust settles on foliage and disturbs plant growth. Dust is a nuisance to nearby residents. Emissions from construction vehicles and equipment will cause fumes to be released in the atmosphere which can also be dangerous to workers and the general public. The open burning of garbage will also cause air pollution. The vehicles and machines used in the civil works will produce noise that may be unpleasant to communities who live near the project area, particularly because they are rural areas where noise is not generally a problem. The use of construction equipment will generate noise between 78 — 111dB. The impact of sustained noise on humans includes stress, headaches and in extreme cases, hearing impairment. Noise also affects wildlife as it drives animals away from their natural habitat. Large-scale construction may require the exploitation of borrow pits to supply construction materials. This entails the use of available geological data to locate areas within economically reasonable distances where material whose geotechnical properties meet the specifications of its intended use. It requires establishing the area and depth of exploitation. lt may also involve building short roads to access the materials, although generally borrow pits are located next to existing roads to reduce costs. The principal environmental concerns related to the exploitation of borrow pits are: loss of vegetation, farmlands, dust, health, public safety. When unprotected during usage and if it is not reinstated after use, a borrow pit can become a hazard for children and animals and becomes breeding ground for disease vectors. With inadequate consultation with land owners, borrow pits can become a source of litigation. There is the need for the Contractors to establish a base camp for easy referencing and coordinating of activities pertaining to the realization of the project. It also provides security for equipment, storage for materials to be used for the works, offices and possibly a workers’ camp. This entails: e Land acquisition/Lease AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 89 [page 90] e Clearing e Erection of structures ° _ Provision of Sanitary facilities The establishment of workers camps and other work facility locations in the area may bring a number of negative impacts on the environment and the nearby communities, including: poor siting of facilities, solid waste disposal, taxing potable water supply, community conflicts, etc. Biological Environment The primary ecosystems that may be impacted by AVANSE construction activities are aquatic due to siltation of the rivers from erosion during construction and pollution from leaked/spilled lubricants, fuels and hazardous substances. Socio-Economic Environment During the construction phase, workers in the construction zone will be exposed to work-zone accidents such as, slips, falls and strain from repeated movements. Neglect to follow laid-down procedures for carrying out construction activity could also lead to work related accidents. Workers will also be exposed to increased levels of noise. Inhalation of dust could lead to increased incidence of upper respiratory diseases. Workers at the site will be exposed to several safety hazards, including open trenches, openly stored or moving construction materials, and moving construction equipment. Also, construction sites can be dangerous places for the safety of residents of nearby communities. These residents may not be aware of the hazards and they may simply be interested in observing the equipment and activities. Children are often eager to see construction equipment at work. Such children’s curiosity may lead to safety hazards ranging from minor to major injuries such as bruises and fractures. Workers may be exposed to unsafe water supply. Unless they have access to a safe supply of water for drinking and hygienic uses (bathing) they will be exposed to waterborne diseases. Workers also need to be provided with toilet facilities. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as HIV/AIDS are of concern during the construction phase due to labor mobility. There is concern that the already high prevalence of HIV found in Haïti could be exacerbated through spread of the disease by the construction workers and sex workers attracted to workers’ camps. An increase in untreated HIV/AIDS infected persons leads to the reduction in the pool of available labor If a contractors has a significant number of people living with HIV/AIDS who are untreated and workers infected with STD it may result in the loss of man-hours. High incidence of HIV/AIDS may also result in a high turnover of staff, thus increasing the cost of training. An increase in STDs and diarrheic diseases in the area could also over burden the health facilities and destabilize family life. Friction between workers and community members may be caused by inappropriate or unacceptable behavior of workers in communities along the corridor. Sexual activity of workers With locals may lead to unwanted pregnancies, STDs and Increased incidence in HIV/AIDS. Friction between workers and Contractors may be caused by poor labor relations. Finally, bad relations may exist between members of the community and the Contractors caused by community complaints not been properly addressed by the Contractors. Finally, firms that are hired to design and construct the road may not be aware of their role and responsibilities in the expected management of environmental issues and impact mitigation if these are not included in their contract with AVANSE. 90 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 91] Irrigation Positive Impacts Physical Environment Rehabilitation of irrigation schemes will help to ensure a reliable supply of irrigation water. Some farmers are reliant upon irregular delivery of water through semi-functional systems, with few operating control structures. Other farmers are reliant upon flood water and rain to produce their crops. The timing and quantity of water delivered via flooding and rainfall is unpredictable. Climate change is projected to decrease the unreliability of these sources of water by increasing uncertainty of the onset of rainfall and its regularity. Thus farmers will be facing increasing uncertainty regarding water availability. The irrigation works will include provision for flow measurement in the main and secondary canals. It will also include controls (e.g., gates) in the canal system. These will enable the diversion into the system to be regulated and the water delivered to each secondary canal to be monitored and controlled thus improving overall conveyance effectiveness and water use efficiency. Biological Environment The IR1 pump irrigation projects on dry land on the northern plain will result in intensive use of land brought under irrigation, and potentially reduce the incidence of slash and burn agriculture practiced by some itinerate farmers in the Prosopis (Mesquite) forest. Socio-Economic Environment Experience has shown that the targeted crops by AVANSE will produce yields that could be two to three times higher than rain-fed systems and poorly operating irrigation systems. This is due to the ability to manage water, a critical factor in production. Increased crops production will lead to increased income for the farmers. Although flood water is necessary for rain-fed crops production, too much flooding or flooding coming at the wrong time in the growing cycle can harm or destroy a crop. Some of the irrigation rehabilitation projects will include flood control. Currently many fields in the project area are unleveled and have no or insufficient drains. This has resulted in water logging in some places in the project area, causing reductions in crop yields. The project will build secondary drains and train the farmers in construction of tertiary drains serving their plots. In addition, farmers participating in the project will receive training on field leveling. As farmers practice what they learn in these training sessions, they will improve overall drainage from their plots and reduce or eliminate places in their fields that have poor drainage. This will reduce or eliminate the water logging problems. The IR1 dry land pumped irrigation program will regularize the relationship of itinerate small- holders with legal lease holders of tracts of State land. Currently these smallholders are illegally exploiting land abandoned or neglected by lease holders. IR1 will mediate contracts between smallholders and legal lease holders and provide pumps and technical assistance. This activity should have a positive impact on tenure and on land use. Negative Impacts Irrigation can have significant negative environmental impacts. Many irrigation projects over 100 ha cannot be adequately assessed using only an EMPR, and need to be assessed using Environmental Assessment techniques (including assessing alternatives). Furthermore, they cannot be assessed with insufficient data. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 91 [page 92] Physical Environment The most significant impact of irrigation is its potential impact on downstream water availability. A system that is sustainable is one that withdraws the water needed to meet the irrigation water requirement while leaving enough water in the river or aquifer to supply downstream human and environmental users. If it does not do this, it will have significant impacts. The extremely low flow situations that the rivers in the project area are subject to during the drier seasons make water availability a critical concern. This is not a hypothetical impact in northern Haiti. In the Jassa watershed, Agro-Action Allemande constructed an irrigation system in Haut Maribahoux, which diverted irrigation water away from downstream irrigators, who are now requesting that AVANSE help them divert water from another source to reestablish their irrigation system. In addition, the diversion by Agro-Action Allemande diverted water from two small lakes (Lac Won and Lagon Robino) causing the water levels in the lakes to drop and damaging the lake ecosystems. To assess water availability and downstream impacts, one needs a minimum of three types of data: low flow at the point of diversion, irrigation requirement for the crop and area to be irrigated, and downstream water user requirements (human and environmental). Unfortunately, none of the studies conducted to date on the irrigation systems that AVANSE proposed to support have collected all three types of data. None of the studies have information on downstream water use, not even human use, which is much easier to determine than environmental needs. Only one study, that for Dubré, calculated low flow at the diversion (by taking a field measurement during January 2015) and irrigation requirement. In this case, however, the study determined that the low flow in the river was 150 liters per second (l/s). The study assigned 30 [/s of the flow for the environment (it did not present any information on the human demand downstream), leaving a flow of 120 [/s for irrigation use in the Dubré system. The water demand for the area currently being irrigated (81 ha), however, was determined to be 156.6 l/s. Nonetheless, the study proceeded to propose a design to irrigate the 81 ha plus an additional 58 ha, because that is what the RFP requested. Dubré is a rice irrigation system. SRI is being promoted by AVANSE, and SRI can reduce irrigation requirement from 20 to 50% (Brouwer et al. 1989, IRRI 2013). The irrigation requirement of 156.6 was determined assuming traditional paddy rice irrigation. If one assumes a mid-point between of the reported reduction values for SRI, then the reduction could be 35%, which means the water demand for the 81 ha would be 102 l/s. But this reduction is only realized when the entire irrigated area is under SRI water management techniques. In reality, the adoption of SRI is progressive, so it may take some years to achieve the whole reduction. In this case, a preliminary assessment of water availability would have indicated that at Dubré, no work should be allowed at the diversion that would increase the withdrawal of water and that only rehabilitation of the gates and canals in the system coupled with the introduction of SRI should be allowed. Over time, this would allow for full utilization of the existing 81 ha. Expansion, however, should not move forward at this time, as there is not sufficient water. After adoption of SRI water management by most of the irrigators, some expansion may be possible in the future. Situations such as that at Dubré can only be mitigated if adequate data are collected and assessed before system design is initiated. Water availability for the small pumped irrigation systems proposed on the northern plain should not be a significant problem. The alluvial aquifer is quite productive, and the amounts proposed for pumping are small. However, placement of the wells will have to be made with consideration of their potential impact on water levels in neighboring wells. Some hydrogeological 92 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 93] assessment will be necessary to predict the size of the cone of depression associated with each well. Salinity is often considered a negative impact associated with irrigation; however, increased soil salinity will not be an impact of the Proposed Action. Generally, traditional and SRI paddy rice irrigation does not increase soil salinity, as sufficient water is applied to wash salts below the root zone. The most common practice for addressing soil salinity in irrigated fields is to leach accumulated salts below the root zone by applying excess water. In paddy rice production, excess water is regularly applied as part of the irrigation regime to meet the needs of the plants. So, accumulations of salts in the soil will not be a problem. The use of pesticides and fertilizer do pose a potential negative impact. This impact has already been addressed in the description of impacts for IR1. Biological Environment If downstream water flows are reduced, they may have an impact on the downstream aquatic and riparian ecosystems. The water needs for environmental use is commonly referred to as environmental flow. It is the amount of water that is necessary to maintain the in-stream aquatic ecosystem, support the riparian ecosystem on the banks of the river, and provide the fresh water necessary to the mangroves where the rivers flow into the ocean. Rehabilitation of existing systems that does not increase the withdrawal of water from surface water will not impact environmental flow. However, if the rehabilitation will increase the Wwithdrawal of water, then environmental flow must be accounted for. Adequately assessing environmental flow requires a multi-disciplinary, year-long assessment to be able to determine environmental flow requirements in the various flow regimes for the river. Fertilizer and pesticide use poses potential impacts on aquatic ecosystems. This impact has already been addressed in the description of impacts for IR1. Socio-Economic Environment If water availability is not adequately addressed, then downstream water users can be adversely impacted by irrigation withdrawals. Rehabilitation of existing systems that does not increase the Withdrawal of water from surface water will not impact downstream users; however, if the rehabilitation will increase the withdrawal of water, then downstream user requirements must be accounted for. Vector borne diseases are endemic in Haïti. The disease vectors live near and breed in lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, coastal plains and human settlements. Hydrologic changes, resulting from irrigation development or dam construction, can lead to a significant increase in mosquito breeding sites. Environmental health engineering can modify the irrigation environment so as to reduce or eliminate the vector habitat. The use ofirrigation water for drinking, bathing and clothing washing is common in the project areas. These practices can spread water borne diseases. AVANSE needs to discourage people from using reservoir, canal and drainage water for drinking and washing. This can be done by providing a safe and convenient source of water and by linking irrigation development With health education and sanitation programs. Construction activities can disrupt current farming practices in the project area. Building the required irrigation structures will disrupt the availability of irrigation in the irrigation system area. AVANSE will need to work with the WUAs and the Contractors to time the work so as to minimize such disruptions. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 93 [page 94] Irrigation system rehabilitation often requires that some land currently under cultivation to be converted to system components (canals, drains, roads, dikes, etc.). In smallholder systems, this “land taking” is generally not equitably distributed, because the land that is taken out of production is determined by the topography of the system. Some farmers, therefore, may lose crop land while others are not impacted at all. This inequity must be addressed, or it can cause social conflict. Mitigating this impact requires working with WUAs to develop mechanisms for addressing the issue during the design stage. Several WUA member interviewed by PEA Team members indicated that they had established procedures for dealing with these issues. Community participation is often neglected in irrigation development. Involvement of the community can ensure that the design is compatible with the needs of the community, build local skills and keep management responsibilities in the hands of the community. The role of women in irrigation management and irrigated cropping is often overlooked. Women Who had usage rights to rain fed land may lose those rights when irrigation is developed. Women, especially single parents, may have difficulty in complying with the labor requirements for construction and maintenance; and therefore lose an opportunity to acquire irrigated land. The increased household labor requirement of irrigation may fall disproportionately in women. Anticipating the negative impact of irrigation development on women and a proactive search for opportunities for positive impact can ensure that women receive an equitable share of the benefits from irrigation. The following summary table, based on the additional assessments of proposed irrigation sites conducted in July 2015, provides recommended threshold determinations for the 7 sites being considered by AVANSE. TABLE 14: SUMMARY OF THRESHOLD DETERMINATIONS FOR IRRIGATION SITES Irrigation site Threshold determination Remarks Grison Garde No major problems with the Grison Garde site Dubré Negative with conditions No major problems but owing to insufficient water, full target area not achievable La Suisse Insufficient water, potential source of conflict Chalopin Insufficient water, potential source of conflict Garde Saline Insufficient water, potential source of conflict Robino Insufficient water, potential source of conflict Bas Maribahoux Negative with conditions No major problems if the entire canal is cleaned; potential source of conflict, if not cleaned entirely 94 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 95] Road Rehabilitation Positive Impacts Physical Environment Once a road is rehabilitated, it will have an improved surface and improved drainage and stream crossings. This will result in less runoff and erosion and thus less sedimentation being deposited in rivers. Socio-Economic Environment When roads are improved, farmers will be able to get their produce out to markets for sale during all seasons, and traders will find it easier to get to the area. This will increase the incomes of the farmers. With the improvement of the roads and the increased income of local farmers, businesses will expand and there will be more money in circulation. Markets in the region will become more vibrant because many more people can afford to buy and new businesses will open up to provide goods and services that now people can afford. According to the traffic survey done by AVANSE, large trucks and buses rarely travel on the targeted roads because of their poor condition. In some cases, the only transport available is motorbikes. Sick adults and children and women in labor have to be carried or taken by motor bikes when referred to a larger hospital. The absence of transport, leads to fatalities that can be avoided. Once a road is improved, other forms of transport like buses and taxis will be able to access the communities along the road and get sick people to hospital faster. Children who have to go to school far away from home will also be able to get to school easily because of the availability of transport. Negative Impacts Physical Environment Many of the planned road improvements will require river and stream crossings, and some may cross marshes and swamps. Blocking of streams to build culverts could lead to flooding upstream especially during the rainy season. It could also lead to a shortage of water downstream. These activities may have adverse effects on both surface and groundwater resources if they are not designed carefully. Biological Environment One of the major unavoidable impacts of road rehabilitation will be the effect on terrestrial vegetation in the vicinity of the construction works. The impacts on natural vegetation is associated with the construction of road bed, bridges and other drainage structures, operation of quarry and borrow areas, construction of access to quarry and borrow sites, and construction of the workers’ camp. Prior to construction, the secured right of way must be cleared of vegetation. Borrow pits and access to borrow pits will also have to be cleared. To mitigate these impacts, borrow pits and access roads to borrow pits should be located as to avoid cutting down large diameter trees. Also, the cleared areas, other than the road surface, should be re- vegetated upon completion of construction. There are no significant areas of natural or semi natural forest along the targeted roads, nor critical habitats for endangered species. Only one road is in the newly established PN3B Marine Protected Area (RN-6 to Coicou), but it is in an area already developed. .. Socio-Economic Environment It has been more than a year since AVANSE began planning work on some of the road rehabilitation projects. People in the communities are anxiously waiting for the project to start. However, so much time has passed that they have started to wonder if the project will ever take AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 95 [page 96] place. Hence they have started to lose interest in the project, which threatens the anticipated community support and participation. Roads will remain in use during their rehabilitation. Without adequate road signage for pedestrians and road users (especially bicycle and motor bike riders) there will be an increase in accidents. Currently drivers do not have to contend with traffic, but when work commences on the roads, traffic will increase, so poor road etiquette could increase accidents. Slippery and unstable surfaces especially during the rainy season could also lead to accidents. Deep trenches left unprotected from excavation could also increase accidents (falls) for particularly animals and children. Without adequate knowledge of proper road usage, improved roads conditions could increase accidents. Traffic stoppages and detours slow down traffic and increase travel time. They could impact on accessing health care for the sick in times of emergency. Creation of detours may also impact vegetation. All temporary structures and trees on the Right of Way must be identified and removed by local authorities prior to commencement of road work. This could create displeasure and strong objections to road rehabilitation from some owners living along the road. Ravine Stabilization Other than the general impacts associated with large-scale construction, the impacts of planned ravine stabilization are largely positive. Positive Impacts Physical Environment Ravine stabilization will reduce erosion in the ravines. Sediments will be held by a series of retaining walls built in each ravine. The result will be that less sediment will be discharged in rivers or wetlands. The improvement of the ravine will result in flood reduction in several neighborhood located all along the ravine. Currently after rain events, a ravine will rush run-off water downstream to discharge in a river or in a wetland. The stabilization work in the ravine will slow down run-off water entering the ravine from the hills and from drainage outlets and therefore control flooding episodes. Properties along the river will be protected from flood water by the construction of walls on both sides of the ravine and construction of walls built in gabion soles in the ravine bed. Negative Impacts Socio-Economic Environment Ravine stabilization will require community support. Community participation is often neglected in programs such as these, with the assumption that it is a good thing, so everyone will support it. Involvement of the community in design can ensure that the design is compatible with the needs of the community, build local skills and keep management responsibilities in the hands of the community. Major Drainage No major drainage project has yet been designed, so assessing the impacts beyond those of large-scale construction is purely hypothetical. However, some generic impacts or areas of concern can be identified. 96 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 97] Positive Impacts Socio-Economic Environment The drainage projects will bring water logged agricultural areas back into full production, thereby increasing farmer incomes, with the spinoff effect of increasing community incomes. Negative Impacts Biological Environment Routing of drainage structures will be critical. They are planned for the northern plain. In some instances AVANSE is considering the possibility of drainage directly into the ocean. That could well require passing through or discharging into mangroves. It will be critical that routing alternatives be considered to minimize impacts on ecosystems. FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE On June 17”, DAI received a partial termination notice for AVANSE. The project was instructed to stop implementation related to the maize and bean value chains, as well as most agroforestry (IR2) activities, road rehabilitation and ravine stabilization, market strengthening activities not already negotiated and not linked to post-harvest and processing actions, and all IR4 activities. Consequently, the new focus of the project became three agricultural value chains (cacao, rice and plantain/banana), irrigation, some agroforestry/hillside stabilization (linked to the proposed irrigation sites), and some private sector market strengthening and post-harvest and processing support activities. On August 13", the project received a new, modified Statement of Work which added detail and specifics to the retained activities indicated in the partial termination notice. The PEA team considered the new scaled-down project activities together as the Focused Activity Package Alternative. Under the focused activity package, interventions will be organized under increasing agricultural productivity, improving watershed stability, and strengthening agricultural markets. Activities focused on increasing productivity will focus on three target crops: rice, cacao and plantains/bananas. AVANSE field technicians will work with lead farmers and FFS groups to promote good agricultural practices. For rice, the package will include improved seed, earlier seedling transplanting, wider spacing between seedlings, increased use of compost, and more efficient water use where possible. The main elements of the improved package for cacao comprise pruning of both shade and cacao trees, grafting of superior varieties in old plantations, closer spacing of seedlings during plantation establishment, and use of plantain/banana for shade in new or younger plantations. For plantain/banana, AVANSE will promote the PIF method for improved planting material, trimming of suckers and hot water soaking before planting, enhanced planting densities, elimination of diseased leaves, and drainage ditches for areas prone to flooding. See Table 11 above for more details on good agricultural practices (GAPSs) for the 3 focal crops. (It should also be noted that, in most cases, the GAPs constitute mitigation measures and have been included in the umbrella EMPR for IR 1 activities [see Annex F].) Access to water resources and management of water resources for irrigation will also receive more emphasis under the focused activity package alternative. Two of the target crops will benefit from improved water management on irrigated lands: rice and plantain/banana. Enhanced irrigation and drainage for rice, coupled with promotion of the SRI package, will be implemented in the Ferrier/Bas Maribahoux area (Jassa watershed) as well as the Grison Garde and Dubré areas (Haut du Cap watershed). Irrigated infrastructure actions will consist of cleaning intake areas and canals/ditches and repair of sluice gates, targeting improved delivery AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 97 [page 98] of water and improved evacuation during high rainfall periods to avoid flooding. Plantain/banana irrigation and improved management will target two areas: the Limonade/Quartier Morin zone (principally in the Grande Rivière du Nord watershed but also parts of the adjacent Trou du Nord and Haut du Cap watersheds) and the Bas Limbé zone (Limbé watershed). Water management actions will include cleaning of drainage systems that evacuate water from the mouths of ravines as well as delivery of surface and well water through pumps. The planned, life-of-project area targets for these irrigated land interventions are summarized in the table below. TABLE 15: SUMMARY OF INTERVENTIONS ON IRRIGATED LAND Value Chain/Crop Total Re 2251 Plantain/Banana [0 | 1250 |. 1250 Grand Total D ET Watershed stabilization activities will build on and follow the same principles developed under AVANSE"S original scope of work but will be concentrated in micro-catchments above the main, target irrigation areas in the Jassa and Haut du Cap watersheds. These activities will focus on demonstrating and promoting perennial agroforestry systems in sloped areas. This will consist of planting vetiver grass, pineapples, and fruit and other trees along contour bunds to reduce erosion and runoff. The delivery mechanism will continue to be demonstration blocks and grants to community-based organizations to scale up best watershed stability and agroforestry practices. Market strengthening activities will target post-harvest processing and storage as well as improving linkages among actors along the value chain, especially between producers and buyers and/or exporters. For rice, post-harvest processing will improve support and linkages to enhanced milling operations, principally in the Ferrier area of the Jassa watershed and the Fort Liberté area in the Marion watershed. Cacao interventions will include provision of drying tables and enhanced fermentation. Private sector partnerships will comprise collaboration with a rice trading company (LEA Trading) in the Ferrier area, a cacao fermentation and export company (PISA) in the Acul du Nord area, and a cacao export company (Novella) in the Grande Rivière du Nord area. IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE The overwhelming majority of impacts associated with the focused activity package alternative are positive. Negative impacts can be reduced to insignificant levels by implementing mitigation measures. An emphasis on cacao, rice and plantain/banana will enhance positive socio- economic impacts as these three value chains are the most lucrative and have excellent potential for raising household income. Moreover, two of the value chains — cacao and rice — have shown the highest likelihood for adoption with respect to the improved production package that AVANSE is promoting. More rapid uptake of these packages should reinforce socio- economic benefits linked to increased revenue. Other positive impacts are associated with the good agricultural practices (GAPSs — which also represent mitigation measures when compared to traditional practices) promoted by AVANSE. They include improved soil structure and fertility via use of compost and incorporation of weed residue (as opposed to burning) and integrated pest management practices that will reduce use of pesticides. Similarly, promotion of double cone mechanical weeders in improved rice 98 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 99] production systems will reduce the use of herbicides. Also, rehabilitation and pumping activities associated with irrigation sites will also result in a more reliable source of water for beneficiaries as well as reduced flooding. Under the focused activity package, remaining agroforestry and hillside stabilization activities will be concentrated upstream and adjacent to irrigation rehabilitation work (e.g., Grison Garde). This will allow AVANSE to group resources and positive impacts within a smaller area while demonstrating a comprehensive agricultural production and environmental management model that can subsequently be replicated and scaled up in other areas. Other positive impacts of hillside stabilization activities include reduced erosion, reduced runoff and increased infiltration associated with contour bunds. Mature agroforestry blocks will also have positive biological impacts by creating refugia for threatened fauna (especially birds) and reducing pressure on vestiges of natural forest. Planting of fruit trees and other economically- valuable species will also increase the value of the land and augment household revenue. The PEA team recommends an emphasis on cover crops (e.g., Mucuna) within the focused activity package alternative. This would occur as part of the hillside stabilization activities above irrigation rehabilitation sites and would further reduce erosion and sediment loads within waterways and irrigation canals. Overall, this will allow for more efficient irrigation systems and reduced labor inputs associated with maintenance and cleaning of the systems. Impacts associated with market strengthening activities are largely positive. This includes increased capacity, processing efficiency and profitability for grant recipients. Farmers will also benefit from enhanced access to markets and better prices for their products. The elimination of the maize and bean value chain and production activities also has positive impacts. Overall, this will result in reduced use of agro-chemicals: inorganic fertilizer and some pesticide inputs were part of the maize and bean package being promoted by AVANSE. The risk of losing natural vegetation and beneficial agroforestry blocks through maize and bean expansion is also reduced owing to the elimination of these activities. Finally, the absence of road rehabilitation and ravine stabilization activities eliminates many of the potential environmental issues of the AVANSE project. A significant amount of mitigation work associated with erosion control due to roadbed enlargement and grading is absent in the focused activity package. Similarly, the need for controlling environmental disturbance related to construction of gully plugs and check dams in large ravines has been eliminated. The potential for compensation related to resources lost owing to road rehabilitation is also absent under the focused activity package. Potential negative impacts associated with the focused activity package that can be reduced through mitigation measures include: e _ More intensive use of food production parcels by farmers with limited holdings who are converting the maijority of their land to cacao, e Soil disturbance on steep slopes or conversion of pastureland associated with initial installation of hillside stabilization and agroforestry packages, e Impacts associated with small-scale construction (contamination from chemicals, noise, and erosion), and e _Reduced downstream availability of water. All natural habitat and the biodiversity it harbors within the AVANSE intervention zone is severely threatened. Any activities that employ agro-chemicals or disturb the soil or vegetation AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 99 [page 100] in or adjacent to natural areas or biodiversity hotspots can have adverse environmental impacts. The PEA team therefore recommends specific mitigation measures for AVANSE activities inside and adjacent to the PN3B and KBAs. These measures will limit AVANSE'Ss interventions in these areas and may reduce results and impacts. These activities comprise: e _Jassa watershed — rice adjacent to PN3B (Fig. 16); e__ Marion watershed -— rice in and adjacent to PN3B (Fig. 21) ° Trou du Nord watershed — plantain/banana within the PN3B (Fig. 25); e Grande Rivière du Nord watershed — plantain/banana within and adjacent to the PN3B and plantain/banana within the Citadelle KBA (Fig. 28); ° Haut du Cap watershed — plantain/banana adjacent to the PN3B and Citadelle KBA and Within the Côtes du Nord KBA (Fig. 30); and e _Limbé watershed — plantain/banana within the Côtes du Nord KBA (Fig. 33). (See figures [cited above] in Chapter 6 for spatial details.) Specific mitigation measures will be based on modified GAPSs for plantain/banana and rice. Within and adjacent to PN3B and the KBAs, AVANSE’"Ss agricultural packages will not promote: e Use of inorganic fertilizer, e Use of pesticides, and e Mechanized plowing. As an alternative and a mitigation measure, AVANSE will promote pilot trials of no till practices coupled with cover crops in these areas. (See discussion below in Chapter 6 in the sections on Jassa and Trou du Nord for additional details on AVANSE'Ss impacts and activities with respect to the PN3B.) Please refer to the environmental consequences sections for each watershed and extension zone below in Chapter 6 for a detailed discussion of the impacts associated with the focused activity package alternative. NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE The No-Action Alternative for this PEA is different than for most PEAs, in that it does not assume no-action, but rather, no further action. AVANSE has been implemented for nearly two years, so it has taken many actions. The No-Action Alternative is, therefore, the termination of all future AVANSE activities. To the extent that the beneficiaries in AVANSE'Ss programs have made behavioral changes such that they will continue using the practices promoted by AVANSE, the No-Action Alternative will not be a reversal to the pre-AVANSE condition. It will, in that case, be a continuation of at least some of the AVANSE practices. Determining which practices may be continued and which may not is beyond the scope of this PEA. IMPACTS OF THE NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE Because AVANSE has been under implementation for nearly two years and many of its IR1 and IR2 activities with farmers are well under way as is the voucher program with six boutiques, the impacts of the No-Action Alternative are not just the absence of the impacts of the Original Proposed Action. The current level of positive and negative impacts associated with the FFSs and the agroforestry activities as well as those of the voucher program are also impacts of the No-Action Alternative. As these impacts are by-in-large positive, the No-Action Alternative actually has a net positive impact on the environment, as compared to the pre-AVANSE state. 100 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 101] The future of these impacts, however, is different from the Original Proposed Action and the Focused Activity Package Alternative. To the extent that the changes in behavior associated With AVANSE"S intervention are sustainable, the current impacts should remain over the long- term. They may even grow, via lateral diffusion. However, they will not grow as fast as they would if AVANSE continues to operate through the end of the project period, as there would not be the additional three years of programmed interventions to stimulate adoption of AVANSE- promoted practices. The positive and negative impacts associated with AVANSE's proposed infrastructure projects and its proposed support to post-harvest handling, storage and processing will not be realized. That means that the positive economic benefits of these activities will not occur. Rather, the negative impacts associated with the deteriorated roads and the eroding ravines would continue unabated. It also means that the opportunity for introducing cleaner technology into agricultural product processing will not be acted upon. SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS The previous sub-sections have identified several direct and indirect environmental impacts that were expected from implementation of the Original Proposed Action or its alternatives. With the application of the specific mitigation measures presented in this PEA and its annexes, none of these impacts are anticipated to be significant. However, three impacts do warrant special concern: + Water quantity impact to downstream users and ecosystems associated with irrigation projects that propose increasing surface water withdrawals. + _Potential mangrove destruction associated with major drainage systems on the northern plain. These are the two activities for which this PEA recommends Positive Determination. IRREVERSIBLE OR IRRETRIEVABLE COMMITMENTS OF RESOURCES There were no irreversible or irretrievable commitments of resources associated with the Original Proposed Action or its alternatives. However, the two activities recommended for Positive Determination have the potential to make irreversible or irretrievable commitments of resources and warrant environmental assessment. CUMULATIVE IMPACTS As can be seen in Table 15, AVANSE'"Ss activities are spread across the project's six watersheds and two extension zones, With a large number of activities for IR1 in each watershed and IR2 activities in three watersheds. At the beginning of the analysis for this PEA, the PEA Team believed that the cumulative impact of interest would be the relatively small negative impact of on-farm practices at over 60,000+ farms. This also appears to be the concern identified in the Scoping Statement. The concern was that although the level of impact on each farm was small, its cumulative impact, when looked at in a watershed context, could be significant. As the analysis progressed, however, it became clear that the net environmental consequence on each small farm was positive, not negative. Thus, the cumulative impact analysis of many small AVANSE-promoted practices is a positive impact, not a negative impact. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 101 [page 102] TABLE 16: AVANSE ACTIVITIES BY WATERSHED Trou Grande Port Activity Jassa au | Rire | Haut | Limbé | Dergot Nord u du Cap Borgne, Nord Pilate Number of FFS in IR1 by Focus Crops (February 2015) Cacao 0) 60) 0] 24] 170] 20] #57 Beans [__185, 28) 841 1| 40) 5 Q Maize [_&æ) 0j | | 11] 0) Rice #7] & 0, 0) >) 0 © Total __264] om] #2] s64[ 1905] 225) 1857 IR2 Life of Project Activities (ha) il agrolorestry blocks 0 Total __s706| s735| 9235] 6988] 8864) 041) 0 Life of Project Known Number of Infrastructure Activities EE Irrigation Revine Stebilizaion 0 For example, an analysis of IR2’'s cumulative impacts can be based on the areas in the six watersheds that have benefitted from soil conservation and agroforestry systems as well as reforestation. The original life-of-project targets for these areas are presented in Table 15. The area covered by the interventions represents less than half of each watershed. For example, in AVANSE'Ss smallest watershed, Marion (21,600 ha), the area that will benefit from IR2 interventions is approximately 8,700 ha or 40% of the watershed. In larger watersheds, this percentage decreases, e.g., 28% in Jassa and 14% in Grande Rivière du Nord. However, IR2 interventions have targeted only the hillier and more mountainous areas of each watershed. With the exception of Limbé and Grande Rivière du Nord, these areas also represent less than half of the watersheds. In the watersheds with smaller mountainous areas, coupled with the fact that the vast majority of IR2 impacts are positive, we can posit a significant positive cumulative impact on soil and water resources as well as on land productivity. Even in the more mountainous watersheds, the positive impact will be significant. Going forward, IR2 activities will target unstable hillsides immediately above the irrigation schemes that AVANSE will help rehabilitate in the Jassa, and Haut du Cap watersheds. The concern for cumulative impacts, therefore, shifted to AVANSE"Ss infrastructure activities that had the greatest potential long-term negative impacts: irrigation and major drain construction, and their associated negative consequences on water availability and mangroves, respectively. AVANSE'Ss proposed pumped irrigation activities are reliant upon the groundwater resources in the unconfined alluvial aquifer below the northern plain. That resource is abundant and 102 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 103] productive. AVANSE'"Ss activities will require a small fraction of the safe yield in the aquifer; however, the aquifer is the major source of water for many other users in the region. Four of the major new users in the area where AVANSE is planning to develop pumped irrigation systems are Caracol Industrial Park, the Université Roi Christophe, the residential complex, and the AgriTrans banana plantation. These users, however, will use less than less than 10 percent of the safe yield in the aquifer, so that the cumulative impact of AVANSE'"Ss activities will not be an issue. Several other institutions have or are developing surface water irrigation projects in the AVANSE project area. These include MARNDR and Agro-Action Allemande. MARNDR, for instance, is planning to build two surface water irrigation projects in the Marion watershed, in addition to the two that AVANSE is considering. Agro-Action Allemande has constructed or rehabilitated several surface water irrigation systems in the Jassa and Haut du Cap watersheds. This involvement of other institutions in the development of surface water irrigation projects in the AVANSE project area intensifies the potential impact on surface water availability, and heightens the need for site-specific assessment of water availability for any AVANSE irrigation activity that increases the withdrawal of surface water. Northern Haiti still has extensive expanses of mangrove forests, but they are under pressure owing to demand for fuel wood and charcoal and creeping urban and agricultural development. The major drainage construction activities envisioned by AVANSE (“envisioned” because no concrete preliminary designs have been developed) could destroy linear stretches of mangroves owing to the drainage discharge to the ocean. Although the total area of mangrove destruction may be small, in combination with the cumulative impacts on mangroves from other development activities, the small area of destruction may be significant, and warrant further environmental assessment. MITIGATION MEASURES This section of the PEA presents general mitigation measures. Specific mitigation measures are presented in Annexes F-J. The PEA proposes two general levels of environmental review with associated mitigation measures: 1) in-house environmental review by AVANSE, and 2) site- specific EMPR review as per established LAC procedures. IN-HOUSE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW BY AVANSE Several types of activities covered by this PEA were determined to be of such a nature that their potential environmental impacts could be adequately addressed and mitigated via an umbrella EMPR. These activities are: e Non-infrastructure IR1 activities; e _IR2 watershed stabilization and reforestation activities; + __IR3 processing facility grants for construction of less than 1,000 m° or for equipment installation; e _Voucher program for fertilizer; e Irrigation projects for less than 25 hectares reliant upon wells tapping the unconfined alluvial aquifer in the northern plain; and e Road rehabilitation. Within the umbrella EMPRS, this PEA includes site-specific screening forms (EMPR Table 1) for all of the categories listed above except for IR1 and IR2 activities, as well as mitigation measures and mitigation measure monitoring forms (EMPR Tables 2 and 3). The mitigation AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 103 [page 104] measures were developed using USAID guidelines where available, and other internationally recognized guidelines where no specific USAID guidelines exist. Review and approval of these activities will be done by the AVANSE Environmental Compliance team. The reviews will be maintained in the AVANSE files and their results reported on in AVANSE quarterly and annual reports. The reviews will not require approval or concurrence from the Mission Environmental Officer or the Regional Environmental Advisor. SITE-SPECIFIC EMPR REVIEW AS PER ESTABLISHED LAC PROCEDURES Other activities covered by this PEA were determined to have too many site-specific and design characteristics contributing to their potential environmental impacts to be adequately addressed and mitigated via umbrella EMPRSs. These activities require site-specific EMPRS before implementation. They include: e Ravine stabilization; e Irrigation system rehabilitation that does not increase surface water diversions; e New inputs to be supported by vouchers; and e The following types of activities if they occur within the boundaries of the Marine Protected Area: o Irrigation projects, o Road rehabilitation, and o IR3 production and processing facility grants. Review and approval of these activities will be done through the established LAC EMPR procedures, which require approval by the Mission Environmental Officer and the Regional Environmental Advisor. Even though this PEA does not include umbrella EMPRS for all these activities, it does include a generic list of mitigation measures that may be applicable to these activities depending upon the site specific conditions and design characteristics. The PEA also includes site-specific screening forms for 7 large-scale irrigation systems and the proposed drainage works in Bas Limbé (see Annex J). COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES Table 17 presents a tabular, qualitative relative level of potential impact of the Original Proposed Action and the Focused Activity Package Alternative as compared to the No-Action Alternative as a baseline. As can be seen from the table, the Focused Activity Package Alternative has greater environmental benefits than either the Proposed Action or the No-Action Alternative. TABLE 17: COMPARISON OF THE RELATIVE IMPACT OF EACH ALTERNATIVE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT Soil Erosion 0 Water Quantity 0 Water Quality 0 BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT Natural Vegetation EE 0 104 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 105] ackage Effects on Aquatic Species 0 SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT Increased Income Se 0 increased Access to Markets 0 Historical and Cultural 0 0 Resources Rankings: -2 Strong adverse effect -1 Adverse effect O0 Neutral or no change +1 Positive effect/benefit +2 Strong positive effect/benefit PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE The preferred alternative is the Focused Activity Package Alternative described in more detail above. This alternative is preferred because it has net positive environmental impact With few negative consequences and will allow AVANSE to achieve its purpose. By way of summary, this alternative comprises increased agricultural productivity for 3 focus crops: rice, cacao and plantain/banana. Improved production techniques will be extended to participating farmers through FFS and other mechanisms. By the end of the project, it is expected that improved rice management practices and production technologies will have been adopted on approximately 2,200 ha. Enhanced rice production will occur primarily in the Jassa and Haut du Cap watersheds. Improved plantain/banana production is targeted on about 3,900 hectares. These activities will occur mainly in Grande Rivière du Nord, Haut du Cap and Limbé watersheds. The target for improved cacao production is 7,500 ha. Improved management practices and production technologies will be extended in all of AVANSE's watersheds and extension zones but with significant concentration areas in Marion, Grande Rivière du Nord, Haut du Cap, Borgne, and Port Margot. In addition, these practices and technologies will target farmers in and around Pilate commune adjacent to Borgne and Port Margot. Infrastructure activities in the Focused Activity Package Alternative will emphasize improving access to water and enhanced water management in irrigated areas. This includes cleaning irrigation canals and intakes as well drainage ditches and ravines. Overall, these interventions will ameliorate production on approximately 3,400 ha of land, split between 2,200 ha targeting irrigated rice and 1,250 ha targeting irrigated plantain/banana. Watershed stability activities under this alternative will comprise promotion of revenue-generating agroforestry systems on micro-catchment slopes above the targeted irrigation zones. AVANSE plans a total of 1,500 ha of these interventions focused mainly in the Jassa and Haut du Cap watersheds. Market Strengthening activities will target the three value chains, facilitating market linkages and partnerships as well as post-harvest processing and storage. While these activities will occur throughout the eight watersheds and extension zones, major initiatives will focus on rice processing and marketing in the Jassa and Marion watersheds, and cacao processing and market linkages in Haut du Cap and the two cacao extension zones. Please refer to Chapter 6 below for details and analysis of the Focused Activity Package Alternative in each of AVANSE"Ss eight watersheds and extension zones. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 105 [page 106] 6. WATERSHED AND This chapter presents information on the affected environment within each of AVANSE"Ss six watersheds and two analyzes, as required by 22 CFR 216.6(c)(3), the environmental Vegetation and land use in Jassa watershed consequences of the N focused activity package Ki " : À alternative described in A chapter 5 above. The 2 a, Q environmental and social De À impacts of this alternative ] ne for each of AVANE’"Ss eight Ceres d watersheds and extension AL zones are described. , F e WA TERSHED RochePlate Je EN a neraminthe PHYSICAL HR À a ENVIRONMENT F , À The Jassa watershed is %: PE Cet the second largest of s pl 4 AVANSE"s watersheds, Fi | FES OX ï 2 ÿ Sr - \ covering 427 km’. From a , Ê Line } hydrological perspective, à ! Dee | te. the watershed is well Land cover 1598 TS 7 ; developed and can be NS En) : LA divided into 29 sub- JB acrotoresty 2 PA watersheds (DAI, 20132). | [mr Compared to the other Pasture and Grassland —— AVANSE watersheds and ne EONNNS MEENE — Re extension zones, Jassa P0s2 = v2 M Lacrevox LV ED RE has a low percentage of ÉUSAID hilly and mountainous à TT PR GE 180 Ten Gus areas (see Figure 14). Afanse 106 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 107] TOPOGRAPHY Jassa contains a large coastal plain area — 317 km? — with only 26% of the watershed higher than 75 m. The higher elevation areas are confined to the southern third of the watershed. The relatively flat terrain coupled with numerous streams and rivers favor lowland and irrigated agriculture. GEOLOGY AND SOILS In the Jassa watershed, the colluvial soils of the Maribahoux plain are rich and deep with good agricultural potential. In the lower part of the upland area, the soils tend to be derived from diorite and are characterized as poor (low fertility and organic matter) and sandy while the higher altitude soils, although shallow, are still productive (Neptune et al., 2010). WATER RESOURCES There are many rivers and streams in the Jassa watershed. A unique water body found in the watershed is the Lagon-aux-Boeufs — a brackish lake on the coastal plain of Dauphin, to the east of Fort-Liberté. The lake is fringed with mangroves and xerophytic shrubland set within the otherwise agricultural coastal plain. The lake is further described in the Biological Environment section below. BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT COTES DU NORD, LAGONS DU NORD-EST KBAS The Lagon aux Boeufs east of Dérac in the Jassa watershed is a large, brackish lake of approximately 390 ha that is unusual in that it has well developed mangroves along much of the shoreline (Figure 15) — uncommon for a non-marine ecosystem. lt supports an important population of the West Indian Whistling-duck (Dendrocygna arborea) (IUCN listing: vulnerable). Itis suspected that the Caribbean Coot (Fulica caribaea) and Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) occur (both listed by IUCN as near threatened), but this requires confirmation. Large numbers of migratory ducks and shorebirds use the site which supports a population of Caribbean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) (Sergile, . PEN nm 2008). According to BirdLife D ; International, the bird diversity FAN La E of the Lagon aux Boeufs is far ae TE : higher than any other area on É. the coastal plain of the Nord-Est 2 Department. The American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) d ; is still often observed at Lagon — = aux Boeufs (IUCN listing: = vulnerable). re There are about 400 men that fish the lake throughout the year. The fishers have lobbied local government to implement measures to protect the lake’s mangroves; they feel that the destruction of the mangroves is having a negative impact on the fish population. In an unusual move that may be unique in Haïti, the former mayor of Fort Liberté deputized the fishers to police the mangroves giving them the AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 107 [page 108] authority to arrest anyone founds cutting the trees. It is our understanding that this action is grounded in local government law and as such represents perhaps the first example in Haïti of the devolution of authority to civil society groups to protect natural resources. The significance of this cannot by overestimated. lt may provide an example to many other local authorities and CSOs working across different NRM sectors. PROTECTED AREAS Part of the Three Bays National Park falls within the Jassa watershed. The park contains coastal and marine ecosystems including mangroves, coral reefs, and seagrass beds as well as lagoons, coastal lowlands, and adjacent foothills extending more than 8 km inland in certain areas and totaling over 75 km°. TABLE 18: SUMMARY CHARACTERISTICS FOR JASSA WATERSHED Characteristic Statistic Total area 427 km Population 94,132 Population density 237 people/ km Area < 75 m (elevation 317 km Area 75 — 600 m (elevation 91 km Area > 600 m (elevation) 20 km Area of agriculture 215 km Area of agroforest 72km Area of pasture/grassland 134 km ADDITIONAL NOTES ON VEGETATION The upper Jassa watershed is one of the few zones of the AVANSE target area that has any remaining natural forest cover. Maps based on 1998 LANDSAT imagery show a block of forest around Mont Organisé though data from Global Forest Change show numerous pockets of deforestation between 2000 and 2012. Field visits confirmed that the remaining forest is in small patches on the highest, steepest slopes. Deforestation has been the result of forest clearing for agriculture as well as for charcoal production. In this area, all the land has been claimed by local people and there are informal restrictions on who can access the forested areas for wood or other resources. It is widely assumed that in Haïti commercial charcoal production is a principal driver of deforestation but in northern Haïti, the clearance of woodland and forest is typically associated with opening areas for agriculture (DAI, 2014b). SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS The population in the Jassa watershed is approximately 94,100. The population density was approximately 237 people per km? in 2005 (IHSI, 2005). At 431 people per km?, Ouanaminthe was by far the most densely populated commune in the watershed. LAND TENURE Most (73%) of the farms in the Jassa watershed are between 1 and 3 ha (DAI, 2014b). The watershed has a smaller percentage (12%) of farms less than 1 ha, compared to the other AVANSE watersheds and extension zones (see Table 6 for more information). Jassa follows the same trend found within all of the AVANSE watersheds and extension zones in that 84% of the land is owned while only 16% is either rented or sharecropped (see Table 7 for more information). 108 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 109] LAND USE Agriculture dominates the Jassa watershed, accounting for approximately 50% of the watershed's area. Pastures and grassland make up about 31% of the land while agroforestry comprises 17%. See Table 17 for more information. ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES The main economic activities for people in the Jassa watershed are agriculture and commerce (IHSI, 2005). Owing to its geographic location, much of the commercial transactions occur with the Dominican Republic. This is especially true in Ouanaminthe and Capotile communes. HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES Notable cultural sites in the Jassa watershed include 10 voodoo temples in the Ouanaminthe commune. HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES Ouanaminthe commune has 16 health centers while Fort Liberté commune -— straddling the Jassa and Marion watersheds — benefits from one hospital and three health centers. Over 160 primary and secondary schools can be found in these communes; they also host over 25 vocational and superior or university-level schools. See Table 10 for additional details. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES The lowlands of the Jassa watershed have extensive areas where the soils are suitable for agriculture as well as perennial rivers that provide irrigation water. AVANSE'Ss activities will enable farmers to make better use of these resources by improving rice production through infrastructure improvements, better access to agricultural inputs and associated training as well as facilitating access to markets. The potential environmental and social consequences of these activities include altering the water balance in biologically important wetlands such as the Lagon aux Boeufs and possible contamination of groundwater, rivers, lakes and inshore waters with agro-chemicals and waste from agricultural processing facilities. IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE AVANSE'Ss planned activities in the Jassa watershed will focus principally on improving rice production and marketing. This will include infrastructure improvements in the Bas Maribahoux area. 11.6 km of water supply and drainage canals will be rehabilitated through cleaning. Cleaning of canals will enhance water management and improved drainage from the irrigated perimeters will reduce flooding in the wet season. To enhance performance of the rehabilitated irrigation systems, AVANSE will implement soil and water conservation measures at five sites in the sub-catchments above the systems. TABLE 19: SUMMARY OF FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITIES8 IN JASSA WATERSHED Activity Quantity 5 Summary tables of Focused Activity Package activities include ongoing and planned activities: AVANSE's interventions for the rice, cacao and plantain/banana crops and value chains began under the project’s original scope of work and will continue under the Focused Activity Package Alternative. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 109 [page 110] Activity Quantity n/a 175 850 850 11.6 FIGURE 16: AVANSE ACTIVITIES IN THE JASSA WATERSHED AVANSE had previously AVANSE activities in RES re planned to improve the ES | C1 Key bicciversity area irrigation infrastructure of the É ua. m4 ET Protected area Robino perimeter. Though this À & 2 Type of sites activity has been dropped from Ans : Le : À # (#) _ archoological the revised action plan for the D |, D è a final two years of the project, É PT? Tia Fr here we provide an alpes environmental and social HA ÿ \3 review of the proposed actions ’ 1 fi <a V ER £ to facilitate any future ‘© MTS KI HN à reprogramming of AVANSE BUT ENT TS activities. +. Da Se) ne ÉRA AGRICULTURAL ee ES A À AL T SU PRODUCTIVITY CEE A) 7 INCREASED - IR 1 > Nip NI TR DHEA ACTIVITIES & RQ AR Development projects Æ : Le dE ae e \ \ POSITIVE IMPACTS ie RC | A Physical environment: the RER SEE EF Cd Jassa watershed is drained by Bare rock and soil, dunes and allvium tree à } the Lamatry, Canari and Le Léa nt jo ” Sable rivers that flow into the — — dr À Jassa River which ultimately pasure and Grasiand —_—" drains into the Masacre River D —— before reaching the coast atthe | POS2=Ve EM |# seu Eesnes | ess me nn border between Haïti and the Susan ANS Rated IR? ie BUS Dominican Republic. 74% of AÉANSE ne can a Forme the Jassa watershed lies below =— — 75 m and most of the lower watershed is flat and poorly drained. Cleaning of canals will enhance the flow of water diverted from the Jassa River. Nevertheless, in years with normal rainfall patterns, low flow during the dry season will limit rice production to no more than two crops. AVANSE’"Ss activities will improve the management of water resources for the irrigation of about 700 ha of rice lands in Bas Maribahoux and will enhance the use of agricultural inputs such as fertilizers and reduce the need for using chemical pesticides. AVANSE will implement Farmer Field Schools (FFS) to promote the adoption of SRI. Farmers in other irrigation systems report 110 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 111] using 30% to 50% less water with SRI compared with traditional rice-growing practices. The reduction in water requirement and proposed infrastructure improvements will permit farmers to have a second season of rice and will facilitate expansion of the system without extraction of more water from the Jassa River. Of the 700 ha of rice under improved management, about 320 ha will benefit from improvements to irrigation infrastructure implemented by AVANSE. Biological environment: the improved drainage from the Bas Maribahoux perimeter will not affect the Lagon aux Boeufs since the outflow will be channeled back to the Jassa River, which does not drain into the wetland. It is anticipated that when Bas Maribahoux farmers adopt the SRI package they will use 60% to 80% less fertilizer that is used for traditional rice production. Promotion of organic fertilizer as an alternative to inorganic fertilizer is part of AVANSE’s GAP package for rice as is integrated soil fertility management (see Table 11 above for additional details). The GAP package is also part of the mitigation measures for agricultural productivity activities presented in Annex F. As part of the mitigation measures linked to the PN3B, KBAs and coastal areas, we have included the goal of eliminating the use of inorganic fertilizers in the rice GAPSs and the umbrella EMPR for IR1 (see Annex F). FFS rice farmers in other irrigation systems consistently report using only 10% of the quantity of seed for SRI rice compared with traditional rice production. The Bas Maribahoux farmers use saved seed and seed purchased in the DR for planting. Some of the purchased seed is treated with pesticides, so this potential contaminant will be significantly reduced. The farmers also use herbicides for traditional rice production but farmers elsewhere note that they use less or no pesticide on SRI rice. SRI water management entails a series of light irrigations of 3-5 cm. The soil is allowed to dry between irrigations. Unlike traditional rice, it is not kept inundated with 15 to 20cm of water. Thus, when SRI is adopted there will be essentially no drainage of water containing fertilizer and pesticide residue to the Jassa and Masacre Rivers. Socio-economic environment: AVANSE'Ss activities will provide improved incomes for an estimated 1,300 farming families from increased rice production and another 9,000 from agroforestry activities in the upper watershed. By introducing SRI techniques and improved seed, most farmers can expect to double their production based on AVANSE'Ss experience in neighboring areas such as Croi Cou in the Marion watershed. Other SRI adopters have reported increasing their yields by as much as 200% and, with experience, even greater increases are possible. SRI does require additional labor but farmers have noted that the reduced need for fertilizer and pesticides more than offset the increased cost of labor. Overall, production costs are lower and yields are higher. In the lower watershed, groundwater is brackish and many households rely upon vendors to bring drinking water to their communities. There may be an opportunity for AVANSE to introduce improved water supply as well as better sanitation and hygiene to those communities where the project engages with farmer and water user associations. Such initiatives would be supplemental to AVANSE'"Ss core activities but are potentially valuable targets of opportunity. NEGATIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: there are two intakes on the Jassa River that divert water to irrigated land on both sides of the river. The first intake, located 200 m north of the Route National (Makimara Intake 1 on Figure 17), has a capacity of 100 [/s and drains into the Canari River after irrigating an unknown area of land. The gate on the right has been shut down since 2007 when a second intake (Makimara Intake 2 on Figure 17) was constructed by Agro Action Allemande, 675 m AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 111 [page 112] downstream from the first intake, taking water away from downstream farmers. This intake, with two gates on either side of the river, has a capacity of 100 l/s. These two intakes have the capacity to reduce the flow downstream significantly. Farmers further downstream raised concerns that they are unable to obtain water during the dry season to irrigate their crops because of these upstream diversions. The exact amount of land being irrigated by the diversions is unknown since the supply also depends on the amount of water available in the river. However, the combined capacity would supply water to irrigate 300 hectares of land (1 l/s/ ha). FIGURE 17: LOWER JASSA WATERSHED: BAS MARIBAHOUX IRRIGATED PERIMETER æ = + - æ Legend + Ë + Canal ” #E = 1 8 & intake was F r. 2 (2 lrrigated areas not " : 2 ‘+ Streams fully se k Bas MañnDanoux li igatedpenmeterg : 4 International Border Le de encens % Lamatry River # ù E Ha Ne Le on Jassa River# F xs SS > Makimara-Intake 2 À © DC Makimaralntake 1 CanarRiver AE , PxQ \ Jassa upstreamiflowmeasurement!location à IN £ __ Akm Ù Whenever it is available, water from the Jassa River is diverted further downstream into the Trop Plein Canal to irrigate lands near Ferrier. This canal is used for both irrigation and drainage. The Trop Plein canal drains back into the Jassa River downstream of the system, north of Ferrier. Farmers complain about the lack of water near Bas Maribahoux, which caused the rice crops to fail this year (2015). The farmers in the Bas Maribahoux area previously received funding from the Government of Haïti (Ministère de Paysannerie) to dig an additional water supply canal to draw water from the Masacre River (see Figure 17). The construction has not been completed because the initiative 112 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 113] was not funded. An additional 750 m of canal remains to be excavated. AVANSE will not support this initiative since field assessments indicate that significant engineering works will be required on the Masacre to ensure that there is adequate water in the river channel to supply the canal during the dry season (possibly using pumps). In addition, the Masacre is an international waterway that flows from the Dominican Republic (DR) immediately upstream of the proposed diversion and flows back into the DR immediately downstream of the proposed offtake. A bilateral treaty between the Government of Haïti and the Government of the DR requires a negotiated agreement for any changes in the use of water in the Masacre catchment (Article 10: Tratado de Paz, Amistad Perpetua y Arbitraje — February 20, 1929). En razôn de que rios y otros cursos de agua nacen en el territorio de un Estado y corren por el territorio del otro o sirven de limites entre los dos Estados, ambas Altas Partes Contratantes se comprometen a no hacer ni consentir ninguna obra susceptible de mudar la corriente de aquellas o de alterar el producto de las fuentes de las mismas. "+. A ES : dés nl M. 22 en 2 je êtes à ec a si sl PET. Re e8 0 Or UOTE NC De OT ARE AE M, dt ENT : . HAVE LANTENLOR 1 At \ F WE, 4 TH 67: ru dj x : > ! 4 # 3 Lt u 2 Ed ATP EA AMAIE NE EN r, AB di P FIGURE 18: MECHANIZED HARVESTING OF RICE IN BAS MARIHABOUX The planned AVANSE activities in Bas Maribahoux include facilitating contract plowing and mechanized harvesting using heavy equipment. There is a potential for compacting the lower soil zone and thereby exacerbating drainage problems (see Figure 18). Biological environment: drainage water from the proposed irrigated perimeter at Bas Maribahoux is likely to contain some agro-chemicals and pesticides that may have a detrimental impact on aquatic organisms further downstream. However, we expect that the level of agro- chemicals in the drainage water will be very low due to AVANSE'Ss promotion of SRI techniques and organic fertilizer. The Jassa River flows into the Masacre River and then to the coast but does not drain into either the Lagon aux Boeufs or the Bay of Fort Liberté — both of which are AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 113 [page 114] environmentally sensitive habitats of high importance for biodiversity. The mouth of the Masacre River is at the extreme eastern point of the Trois Baies protected area (PN3B) but in an area that is designated as a buffer zone. We do not anticipate any negative environmental consequences this far downstream from the irrigation perimeters. In general, potential impacts of AVANSE activities on the PN3B (parts of the Jassa, Marion, Trou du Nord, and Grande Rivière du Nord watersheds overlap with the Park) include agrochemicals in irrigation drainage water and other waterways, reduced water availability due to irrigation or pumped groundwater activities, and increased sediment loads in waterways from agricultural production activities. AVANSE has developed a suite of GAPs and mitigation measures to reduce these impacts to insignificant levels. Most of these are described below in the section on the Trou du Nord watershed. In addition, we cite two additional mitigation measures here: watershed stabilization and agroforestry activities in the uplands of the Jassa watershed, and promotion of cacao agroforests (much better at conserving soil and reducing erosion as compared to the alternative of maize/bean production) in the four watersheds that overlap with the PN3B; both of these will reduce sediment loads in waterways that flow through the Park. AVANSE also envisions a number of complementary or supportive activities with respect to the PN3B. These include collaboration with CBOs and NGOSs promoting mangrove restoration and conservation, collaborating with the Ministry of Environment on raising awareness about the Park, and facilitating support for local fisher groups implementing fisheries management measures. At the time of this report, a management plan for the PN3B did not exist so no information on specific Haitian government restrictions within the Park was available. The arrêté that created the Park specified the following general restrictions: > within the buffer zone, resource exploitation is subject to current legal restrictions, and= Within the transition zone, resource exploitation is permitted through prior authorization of the Ministry of the Environment. At the time of this assessment, AVANSE is in contact with the Ministry of Environment to clarify the boundaries of the buffer and transition zones as well as to clarify restrictions within these zones. Once clarified, all AVANSE activities within these zones will abide by any GOH restrictions. AVANSE expects to provide rice seed to famers in the Bas Maribahoux perimeter and other areas where Farmer Field Schools are implemented. Seed will be provided directly to some farmers for training purposes and to others through the SIBA initiative. If rice seed for planting has been treated with pesticides, AVANSE will acquire only seed that has been treated with products that are approved for seed treatment under the 2014 Annual Update of the Mission PERSUAP: Maxim XL (EC) and Thiram 75 (WP). Battalion 0.2 is also approved but it is not considered suitable for treating rice seed. The PERSUAP also recommends Actellic 5E (pirimithos-methyl 57%) for post-harvest treatment of seed to prevent insect damage. Some vendors of rice seed for planting use Actellic to reduce damage to the seed while it is being stored prior to being sold to farmers. We regard Actellic treated rice as suitable for planting. Since treated seed can be harmful to human health and to aquatic organisms, it will be stored, handled and used only under strict compliance with PERSUAP guidelines. Treated rice seed distributed through the SIBA initiative will be stored apart from all other commodities. 114 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 115] Socio-economic environment: AVANSE'S IR 1 activities will not have a detrimental impact on people’s livelihoods. Possible health issues related to agro-chemicals and water quality will be averted by providing training on the safe use of fertilizers and treated rice seed. The Jassa watershed contains several known pre-Colombian archaeological sites of the Taino culture. Other sites are likely to occur in the area but no IR 1 activities will result in new land clearance or excavation of new canals and drainage lines. WATERSHED STABILITY IMPROVED - IR 2 ACTIVITIES POSITIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: in the Jassa watershed, IR 2 activities will be implemented at five sites (see Figure 16), covering about 540 ha, upstream of the planned irrigation improvements in Bas Maribahoux. The AVANSE team has located priority sites using satellite imagery to identify areas with extensive bare ground on hillsides in the upper catchments of rivers and streams that supply irrigated perimeters with water. The interventions will include vegetative measures to control soil erosion — vetiver grass, agroforestry and cover crops — and installing physical structure to capture runoff and reduce erosion — contour bunds and temporary fences. By reducing soil erosion on hillsides, AVANSE will diminish siltation in rivers and irrigation canals, maintain soil cover for productive agriculture and replace bare hillsides with valuable trees and crops that provide nutritious foods and income. Biological environment: enhanced vegetation cover will provide habitat for wildlife included several threatened species — particularly birds and reptiles — that are endemic to Hispaniola. Socio-economic environment: agroforestry activities will provide increased incomes for small- holder farmers from cash crops such as pineapple, plantain and okra while food crops such as maize, beans and peanuts will improve family nutrition. Many of the hillsides where AVANSE will support interventions are relatively unproductive pasture. By implementing farmer field schools that promote agroforestry, AVANSE will help individual farming families gain to access konbit labor to prepare their parcels for new crops — labor that is otherwise in short supply since many young people have moved from the rural areas to find work. NEGATIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: potential negative consequences of agroforestry and erosion control measures include exposing the land surface to runoff before the vegetative cover is established or when annual crops such as peanuts are harvested. AVANSE will limit these risks by intercropping with trees and perennial shrubs and grasses such as vetiver. In addition, AVANSE will promote the use of cover crops such as mucuna (Mucuna pruriens) that not only protect the soil surface from erosion but also contribute organic matter that enhances the water retention capacity of the soil. Biological environment: we do not anticipate any negative consequences though extending agroforestry across the upper watersheds will require broad adoption. In other watersheds where AVANSE has been implementing soil conservation initiatives, early adopters have been supporting their neighbors by providing advice, labor and planting materials. Socio-economic environment: AVANSE's agroforestry activities will require collaboration among farming families to provide labor for initial land preparation and planting. The konbit system remains very active in this part of Haïti, so no major challenges are foreseen. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 115 [page 116] AGRICULTURAL MARKETS STRENGTHENE)D - IR 3 ACTIVITIES POSITIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: the improvements to rice milling operations in the Ferrier Commune will mitigate environmental issues such as poor management of waste water and rice hulls. AVANSE will ensure that grantees such as G&G adopt improved environmental management practices. Cleaner production practices will include an input/output analysis of materials and wastes, a waste management plan, and proper disposal of organic waste via a reduce, reuse and recycle program. Please refer to the Umbrella EMPR for IR3 Grants in Annex H for additional details. Biological environment: currently, rice millers use rodenticides to control pests. improved pest control practices at the rice milling sites will reduce the potential risks to human health and Wildlife. Socio-economic environment: AVANSE’'s activities in the Jassa watershed will include supporting at least one rice milling operation — G&G — with grant funding to improve their operations. In addition, the project will collaborate with LEA Trading to establish an integrated production and marketing scheme for rice production in Bas Maribahoux. These interventions will provide an estimated 1,000 smallholder farmers with access to inputs such as improved seed, fertilizer and equipment as well as better market access through group agreements with service providers and buyers. By supporting the adoption of SRI on about 700 ha of rice lands, AVANSE will reduce the exposure of farmers and farm workers and their families to agro-chemicals — particularly molluskicides and fertilizers, which are used in significantly lower quantities with SRI. NEGATIVE IMPACTS e Physical environment: it is anticipated mechanized equipment may be used for plowing and harvesting, which could result in soil compaction and poor drainage. An EMMP has been added to this PEA, AVANSE will monitor the impact of mechanized farming on soil structure and drainage and, if warranted, will promote the use of animal traction for plowing. This aligns with MARNDR current policies and guidelines. It should be noted that AVANSE is piloting a voucher program for plowing services based on a number of factors including high farmer demand for these services, labor shortages, and the high cost of employing labor. An August 2014 study by AVANSE did an economic analysis on this topic, “Plowing Services for Increased Agricultural Production and Farmer Incomes in North and North East Haïti, DAI 2014g.It compared tractor-based, animal traction-based, motoculteur-based, and simple tool-based plowing services. Tractor-based services, effective only in the plains areas, were the most productive option. They also provided the least expensive services to farmers, the best quality service, and the fastest service. AVANSE will use existing plowing service providers and will ensure that appropriate equipment is used and that operators are trained With respect to suitable plowing times based on moisture conditions, that equipment is adjusted, and that operators pay attention to the depth of the plowing.. We willalso work with beneficiaries so that they incorporate more organic matter (compost, manure, etc.) into their plot so as to improve soil structure and water retention capacity; test no-till and cover crop options in a small portion of the fields to promote climate smart agricultural techniques; cover the plowed soil aroubd bananas with mulch so as to retain moisture, increase organic matter and protect the soil against wind erosion and rill erosion (if the land contains any slopes), and in flood prone areas, we will encourage beneficiaries to dig drainage ditches around the perimeters of their fields. Biological environment: see above under IR 1 activities. 116 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 117] Socio-economic environment: rice processing activities are currently poorly managed with milling operations barely meeting acceptable health and safety standards for workers. AVANSE grantees will be required to upgrade their facilities to comply with international standards. These include requirements for ensuring safe operation of equipment; workers’ exposure to dust, fumes and noise; provision of appropriate sanitation for workers; safe disposal of waste water and solid waste such as rice hulls; and safe storage, handling and use of pesticides (particularly rodenticides). It will be essential for AVANSE to ensure that dust, fumes, waste water and solid waste from the mill do not create any adverse health conditions for people living in the vicinity of rice milling operations. INFRASTRUCTURE POSITIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: AVANSE"s only infrastructure interventions in the Jassa watershed will be the cleaning of canals and drainage ditches in the Bas Maribahoux rice perimeters near Ferrier. Flooding creates major problems in Ferrier when the Jassa River overflows its banks during the rainy season. Farmers complain that the canal is not large enough to evacuate the flood water (see Figure 17). The amount of water needed to supply the irrigation systems along the Jassa is difficult to assess because at present the full size of each system is unknown. Some areas have been converted to pasture in recent years and it is unknown whether they would be considered for irrigation, if system improvements are implemented. Based on the size of the intakes, we can infer that the potential area could be several hundred hectares. Cleaning work has started in the upper part of the Bas Maribahoux canal independent of support from AVANSE. The project plans to clean and enlarge 5.6 km of the Trop Plein canal targeting about 320 ha of the roughly 700 ha of land that are currently under irrigation in the area. The total length of the canal is 11.6 km to the exit back into the Jassa River. The material to be dredged during the cleaning and the enlargement of the canal will primarily be soil and sediment (earth) mixed with some vegetation. The sediment material will be cleaned of debris and used to build the slopes of the canal. This operation will not include the removal of trees or encroach on properties where houses or any other structures are built. As for the disposal of other debris not being used for construction purposes, they will be given to farmers to reinforce the berms separating the rice parcels. (The use of canal dredging and cleaning material has been incorporated into the four irrigation and drainage EMPRS in Annex J.) Biological environment: see above under IR 1. Socio-economic environment: see above under IR 1. NEGATIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: on 10 June, 1977, the flow in the Jassa River was 443 [/s (Source: MARNDR). During the course of this assessment, flow measurements were taken at different locations along the Jassa River on 28 July, 2015. Upstream of the first uptake, the measured flow was 143 l/s (see Figure 17). Flow measured at the first intake was 40.7 I/s and flow measured at the second diversion was 32.9 [/s for a total of 65.8 l/s. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 117 [page 118] The flow of 210 l/s downstream below the junction with Canari River is explained by the presence of a shallow aquifer seeping through the riverbed. At this point, the Jassa has become a draining river. Further downstream the Jassa River is completely dry (Figure 19) with more intakes leading the remaining water into the Trop Plein canal. In summary, the flow in the Jassa River upstream of Intake 1 is insufficient to irrigate the available farmland. Based on the available water upstream and downstream of the diversions, plus the additional seepage from groundwater, only 320 ha land can be irrigated, leaving 30 l/s et BC ee Haba 2» D Se pre ie à RES: À RER LES FREE dl AL RU À fe LEA AIRES TRS Cm ee er TRUE à re En AUX RS FIGURE 19: ns K 2: Éd A SE nn à DRYBREDO NRA NES Co | DRY BED OF LATIN ET DE Le qe On in the river for ecological functions. NB: the 30 [/s figure is drawn from a recent PlanConsult study (PlanConsult, 2015) of a nearby river (the Anba Lanba in the Haut du Cap watershed). PlanConsult cites widely used guidance in France (Souchon and Keith, 2001) that environmental flow should be 1/10th of the total flow. In the case of the Jassa River in the area of the intakes, 30 [/s is above the 1/10th guidance. Table 20 overleaf summarizes the findings. TABLE 20: FLOW MEASUREMENTS AT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS ALONG THE JASSA AND CANARI RIVERS Flow measurement locations Flows (l/s Irrigable lands (ha Intake 1 (one gate on right bank) Intake 2 (two gates 32.9 (65.8 33 (66 Canari River (before junction with Jassa Jassa (downstream below junction with Canari 118 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 119] Other than the proposed works at Bas Maribahoux, AVANSE should not pursue the construction or rehabilitation of any system that will divert more water from the Jassa River unless additional sources of water are identified. Groundwater pumping is a potential option since the Plaine du Nord aquifer has enormous reserves but this is not currently being considered by AVANSE. Another possible option would be water storage systems upstream of the irrigated areas but these would require significant areas of land and the engineering requirements would be substantial. Robino: AVANSE previously planned to rehabilitate 300 ha in Robino through the construction of a new intake on the Jassa River and a network of primary and secondary canals to irrigate lands that were formerly irrigated. Currently, the Robino irrigation system is dysfunctional and the canals are overgrown with vegetation. This system was abandoned seven years ago (2007) when the construction of the Makimara intake by Agro Action Allemande compromised water availability further downstream. There is insufficient base flow in the Jassa River to irrigate more land without causing strains on other users. Therefore, the construction of this system should not be implemented. Bas Maribahoux: the cleaning of the Trop Plein Canal will help carrying flood water back to Jassa River downstream of Bas Maribahoux rice fields. However, it will not bring more water for irrigation (emphasis added). The cleaning of the Trop Plein canal should cover the full length of the supply and drainage system — which is 11.6 km to the downstream outfall into the Jassa River. Cleaning only the upper section of the canal could lead to disastrous flooding downstream and might also lead to conflict among farmers. Moreover, cleaning the Trop Plein canal alone will not provide more water to the Maribahoux system. There is a need for additional sources of water to increase the irrigated area. While flooding is certainly a significant problem that needs to be addressed, the lack of irrigation water remains the major constraint for rice production in the area. Biological environment: see above under IR 1. Socio-economic environment: see above under IR 1. Also, as noted above, the excavation of the partially completed supply canal from the Masacre River to Bas Maribahoux should not be pursued by AVANSE given the need for significant engineering work on the Masacre and the complexity of addressing potential conflicts over water rights on an international waterway. INDIRECT IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE The planned AVANSE activities in the Jassa watershed comprise a package of interventions focused on the rice value chain. In the upper catchment the activities are focused on reducing soil erosion and improving water management through agroforestry. In the Bas Maribahoux area, cleaning of irrigation canals and the drainage network has the potential to improve the management of irrigation water over an area of about 700 ha though water availability in the dry season is sufficient for only about 320 ha. AVANSE will promote the adoption of SRI through training and better access to improved rice seed and other inputs such as fertilizer. SRI will reduce the quantity of water needed for each rice crop, reduce the need for pesticides to control weeds, snails, insects and other pests. These activities will improve the health of the environment — especially downstream where the Jassa River empties into the sea — and reduce human health risks. AVANSE will also broker linkages between farmer groups and private companies that provide services such as plowing, harvesting, milling, access to inputs and markets. The full package AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 119 [page 120] will contribute to improving productivity (yields), quality of the rice and enhance farmers’ access to markets. The initiative in Bas Maribahoux will be a pilot that, if successful in its first year, AVANSE can replicate in other rice growing areas in Jassa and other target watersheds in northern Haïti. CUMULATIVE IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE As per CEQ 40 CFR & 1508.7° a Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) is defined as “ the impact on the environment, which results from the incremental impact of the action when added to other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions regardless of what agency (Federal or non-Federal) or person undertakes such other actions. Cumulative impacts can result from individually minor but collectively significant actions taking place over a period of time.” In practice, the CIA implies identifying, assessing and analyzing the “combined, incremental adverse or beneficial effects of human activity spatially and/ or temporally as accumulated over time from one or more sources.” "° The cumulative environmental impacts of the Focused Activity Package Alternative for AVANSE have been separately identified, and interactively and additively assessed for each of the 6 watersheds and 2 extension zones. The CIA of AVANSE ‘s activities was additionally assessed With respect to the potential cumulative impact of non-AVANSE projects and development initiatives in the watersheds and extension zones so that the overall environmental impacts of all projects were taken into consideration. It should be noted that an EIA exists for only 2 of the 15 projects being developed or planned in AVANSE’"Ss project area, so expert judgment based on the information gathered on the environmental profiles of those activities was used for undertaking the relative environmental impacts of the non-AVANSE projects. In order to capture (1) /nteractivity of Actions; and (2) Additivity of Impacts accurately, the PEA team developed a matrix for the AVANSE activities. The matrix was used to assess the interactivity of multiple AVANSE activities in producing additive environmental impacts (beneficial and detrimental) on the physical and socio-economic environment within each watershed and extension zone. The PEA team generated the matrix as follows. First, potential major environmental impacts (MEls) were grouped into three main categories: (1) Physical Environment impacts (such as soil erosion, effects of agro-chemicals, water quality, and water quantity), (2) impacts on the Biological Environment (such as effects on natural vegetation, aquatic species, and the Three Bays Marine Protected Area), and (3) Socio-Economic Environment impacts (such as effects on income, market access, and historical and cultural resources). The MEls represent the outer level of analysis within the matrixes. The inner level of analysis is the AVANSE activities themselves. A ranking ranging from -3 to +3 with -3 being the most adverse environmental impact and +3 the most beneficial environmental impact was applied to each cell in the matrixes in order to rank the relative level of interactive and additive environmental impacts of combined activities. The PEA team then used its best professional judgment, based on field visits and discussions with stakeholders, to assign a qualitative value to relevant cells in each matrix. Each matrix's interior cell (blue cells) represents the interactive effects of the activities that are linked horizontally on the upper area of the matrixes and vertically on the left side of the matrixes. The cells also represent the additive impacts of the above mentioned 2 activities as ° https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/40/1508.7 Title 40 published on 2014-07-01 10 http://www.usaidgems.org/Workshops/SenegalRegional2014/Session%2011%20- %20Cumulative%201mpact%20Assessment/Senegal%20Bilateral%20Session11 CIA.pdf 120 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 121] directly related to the MEls found horizontally on the lower part of a given matrix and vertically on the right side of the matrix. The sum of all the blue cells of an activity or project in a specific watershed — calculated horizontally and vertically in yellow cells at the end of a given column or row — constitutes the total additive and interactive cumulative environmental impact of that specific activity or project. For any given watershed or extension zone, the total additive and interactive cumulative environmental impact of all activities will be equal to the total of the value of the blue cells. As an example, the possible maximum or minimum value for AVANSE activities in the Trou du Nord Watershed is 432 (if all cells have a value of 3) or -432 (if all cells have a value of -3). Ultimately, the higher the total cumulative environmental impact value of the activities of AVANSE or the projects (case of AVANSE and non-AVANSE CIA) on a specific watershed, the greater the environmental benefits for the physical, biological, and socio-economic environment of the watershed. Conversely, the lower the total value, the greater the adverse environmental impacts on the physical, biological, and socio-economic environment of that specific watershed. The result for the Jassa watershed was a positive cumulative impact. See Table 20! below for details. There are, however, several activity pairings that, when analyzed for additive and interactive impacts, produced an adverse effect. These comprise GAPSs for irrigated rice production when crossed with institutional collaboration to promote GAPSs, support to nurseries and grafting, agroforestry support to cacao production, and facilitate post-harvest handling, storage and processing. Alterations and improvements to these activities as well as mitigation measures that could further reduce the adverse impacts of these activities include: + Enhanced GAPSs for irrigated rice could include heightened promotion of the use of the double cone mechanical weeder in order to eliminate use of herbicides, and heightened promotion of organic fertilizer coupled with an aggressive timeline for eliminating inorganic fertilizer use. ° __Improvements to institutional promotion of GAPSs could include more frequent extension visits to rice producers, use of enhanced extension communication methods and products, and collaborating with MARNDR to scale up communication and use of AVANSE’s GAPSs for the three focal crops throughout the North and Northeast Departments. e _Improved mitigation measures for nurseries and grafting could include heightened promotion of the use of organic fertilizers (as an alternative to inorganic fertilizers) in nurseries, and increased use of IPM techniques in the nurseries as a means of reducing pesticide use. e _Agroforestry support to cacao production could be improved via increased planting of fruit and timber trees (for shade) within cacao plots; an emphasis could be placed on planting native species such as Haiïtian Oak and Mahogany which would have positive effects on biodiversity. e__Improvements to post-harvest handling, storage and processing could include extending the cleaner production practices to be applied at the G&G rice mill to other mills in the watershed. AVANSE will consider incorporating these improvements into the cited activities. The Jassa watershed has been identified as a potential target for several large development projects. These include the following: e __Watershed and natural disaster reduction programs (Oxfam and IDB) 1 The cumulative impact assessment matrixes are also available as excel files which can be sent under separate cover. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 121 [page 122] °e The creation of the Three Bays Protected Area e__ Irrigation development projects (MARNDR and several multilateral donors) e _Sisal production and processing (Sisalco, IDB and MARNDR) e A residential housing scheme near Ouanaminthe (site 16 on Figure 16) The proposed Oxfam watershed management project will target the upper portions of the Jassa and Canari catchments and, if implemented, would contribute positively to reducing sediment loads of the rivers that provide water to the Bas Maribahoux irrigation perimeters. The Three Bays Protected Area project will not have any direct impact on AVANSE activities in Jassa. We do not anticipate that AVANSE'"S interventions will have any negative consequences on ecosystem functions or biodiversity in the main protected area or its buffer zones. Over the past 25 years, several irrigation projects have been proposed in the Jassa watershed With funding provided by multilateral donors including the World Bank, UNDP and FAO. At this time, we are not aware of any new initiatives that are in development. If additional projects are developed along the Jassa, the availability of water for the perimeters in Bas Maribahoux would be seriously compromised — especially in the dry season. These risks are likely to be exacerbated by climate change, which is expected to lead to reduced rainfall in this part of Haïti and increased seasonality that may intensify drought during drier times of year. The Sisalco initiative includes an area of about 1,000 ha near Ferrier that is designated for sisal production. Processing occurs at a facility in the Caracol Industrial Park. At this time, smallholder interest in sisal production is low — mainly because prices are low but also because sisal production is still associated with an era when privileged landowners had large holdings under sisal throughout this part of Haïti. A residential housing development has been proposed near Ouanaminthe by the IDB. Since this is adjacent to the Masacre River, we do not anticipate any cumulative impacts related to AVANSE activities with regard to water supply, power supply or waste management. There are several collaborative opportunities that AVANSE could consider with respect to enhancing positive cumulative impacts linked to other development projects. These include exchanges with the Oxfam project on best watershed stabilization practices in the upper reaches of the Jassa watershed and an analysis of how to scale up these practices to achieve Wwider coverage, and collaboration with PN3B staff on communicating various details on the existence of the Park and permitted activities in order to improve environmental management practices of households living in the buffer and transition zones. AVANSE staff should also closely monitor any plans to implement additional irrigation projects in the watershed. If new projects are being designed, the results and analysis of the present PEA with respect to available surface water should be shared and a dialog on using groundwater as opposed to surface water resources initiated. 122 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 123] TABLE 21: CUMULATIVE IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF AVANSE ACTIVITIES IN JASSA a WATERSHED BASED CUMULATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT $ 1 Ë E Ê Ê : H 3 Ë Hi hi É ER li 2 © fi iii il, ll: £ {rl ia a UNE JEUN stEUn cet 3ël 33/82] SSSR] RÉ SU8] SÉSISSERE SE) 28 [re o° 4 4 2 2 1 4 4 2 2 1 1 1 sou erson | 1 o 2 1 1 1 0 o 1 1 4 o 41 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 1 4 [Chemin 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 1 1 [ren 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 slaslals lala lil: s |: à al: 21 0 2 1 1 1 LJ LJ 1 41 4 LI 1 H Hdsce Watershed ects on & E8 Stabikration above Imgation| «1 o 2 1 1 1 o o 1 4 4 o 4 parte pee Ë EE us 4 Faciitate Post Harvest ste = É e 2 4 2 1 1 1 4 4 1 4 4 1 1 Protected Area il - ë Ë 1 4 2 4 1 1 4 4 1 4 1 1 4 Ë [Martuet | En 1 4 4 1 1 2 4 4 1 1 4 1 4 ; mac comte mac rs Î dE: E dl $ i 3 Strong Adverse Effect 3 36 LE ï $" PE è F Pi — © Neutral or No Change Ÿ s ‘1 +1 somewhat Beneñicaal 2 Positive Effect/benefit pe AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 123 [page 124] MARION WATERSHED PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT At 216 km?, Marion is the smallest of AVANSE'Ss six watersheds (but larger than the two cacao extension zones). Similar to Jassa, most of the watershed is low, flat or gently sloping terrain. The watershed is home to the capital of the Nord-Est Department: Fort Liberté. This city is on a small peninsula that juts into a large lagoon or bay known as Fort Liberté Bay (see Figure 20). The coastal plain dominates Pur EEE w ln m7 . C4 N Marion'’s topography. Hilly or En RE TN À mountainous areas are found 4. LT . in the extreme southern Fi A6 É portion of the watershed. Only ere Rouge - À ces about one quarter of the land d \ Late. is above 600 m. e { à SRE WATER RESOURCES | a | me The main water resources in or é M # Le ; adjacent to the watershed are è HU AUS i the Marion River and Fort ‘ # ‘ Liberté Bay. PE à F ,. BIOLOGICAL : À ENVIRONMENT | ne = KEY BIODIVERSITY AREAS, : éè | PROTECTED AREAS AND ñ \\ Pr VEGETATION fx ee {4 Parts of the Three Bays Le Al ; nr Asa dr! National Park and the 7 ' F7. Ron Northeast Lagoon KBA fall PES MAT PA À— aa Within the Marion watershed. F A le ; ni ns ” 1 There are large expanses of # ! sr Bay which appear to be in SU Mn relatively good condition. RS: — vs Sources There are also some AANSE fragments of natural forests — dominated by pine species — in the higher altitude areas at the extreme southern end of the watershed. 124 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 125] TABLE 22: SUMMARY CHARACTERISTICS FOR MARION WATERSHED Characteristic Statistic Total area 216 km Population 43,061 Population densit: 166 people/ km Area < 75 m (elevation) 159 km Area 75 — 600 m (elevation) 50 km Area > 600 m (elevation 8 km Area of agriculture 97 km Area of agroforestry 78 km Area of pasture/grassland 32 km SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS The population in the Marion watershed is approximately 43,100. The population density was approximately 166 people per km? (IHSI, 2005). Fort Liberté had the most people (approximately 11,800 people) among the 3 communes that overlap with the watershed. LAND TENURE Marion's farm size distribution follows the trends of most of the other watersheds and extension zones with over 60% of the farms falling between 1 and 3 ha. The watershed does have the highest percentage (26%) of farms over 3 ha among AVANSE's watersheds and extension zones. Only a small percentage of the land is rented or sharecropped (13%); the rest of the land is owned. See Tables 6 and 7 for more information. LAND USE À large percentage of Marion's land is used for agriculture or agroforestry: 45 and 36%, respectively. Besides Borgne, Marion also contains the largest area covered by forest — 5 km. See Table 21 for additional details. ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES With respect to economic activities, the population of Marion is mainly engaged in agriculture, animal husbandry and commerce (IHSI, 2005). Activity with livestock is most pronounced in Terrier Rouge commune. HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES Marion watershed contains one historical mountain, four forts (Fort de la Bouque, Fort Dauphin, Fort St. Joseph and Fort Labonet), and 10 voodoo temples. Morne Deux Mamelles (804 m) is considered a cultural resource. HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES Health facilities in the Fort Liberté and Terrier Rouge communes, both of which straddle the Marion watershed, include one hospital and three health centers. These two communes also have over 90 primary and secondary schools and over 10 vocational and university-level establishments. Please refer to Table 10 for additional details. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES The lowlands of the Marion watershed have extensive areas where the soils are suitable for agriculture as well as perennial rivers that provide irrigation water. AVANSE'Ss activities will AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 125 [page 126] enable farmers to make better use of these resources by improving rice production through infrastructure improvements, better access to agricultural inputs and associated training as well as facilitating access to markets. The potential environmental and social consequences of these activities include altering the water balance in biologically important ecosystems such as the Fort Liberté bay — which is part of the Three Bays Protected Area and possible contamination of groundwater, rivers, small lakes and inshore waters with agro-chemicals. IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE AVANSE'Ss activities in the Marion watershed will focus principally on improving rice production through the introduction of SRI and better access to seed and fertilizers. Previously, this included planned infrastructure improvements at two locations — Chalopin and Garde Saline — where reconstructed diversions and rehabilitation of supply canals would increase water availability especially in the dry season. These activities have not been prioritized in the action plan for the final two years of the AVANSE project. Nevertheless, here we provide an environmental and social review of the proposed actions to facilitate any future reprogramming of AVANSE activities. TABLE 23: SUMMARY OF FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITIES IN MARION WATERSHED Activity Quantity Plantain/Banana (ha) n/a Cacao (ha) 800 Rice (ha) 1050 Interventions on irrigable land (ha) 1050 Length of treated irrigation/drainage canals (km) n/a AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY INCREASED - IR 1 ACTIVITIES POSITIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: AVANSE"Ss activities will promote the adoption of SRI to improve the management of water resources for the irrigation of about 500 ha of rice lands — about 470 ha at Chalopin and 30 ha at Garde Saline — and will enhance the use of agricultural inputs such as fertilizers and reduce the need for using pesticides. The watershed is drained by the Marion River that drains into the Fort Liberté Bay. Two other large irrigation systems are found in the watershed: Dumas (237 ha), which is upstream of Chalopin and Croi Cou (162 ha) to the north, downstream of Chalopin (see Figure 22). All of these systems obtain irrigation water from the Marion River. At Dumas, there is no single hard- built intake for the perimeter. In order to dam the river, farmers use branches and other vegetative materials, sand bags, and plastic sheeting. The possible reconstruction of a diversion on the Marion River below the Dumas offtake would improve water supply to the Chalopin perimeter in the dry season. Cleaning of canals would enhance the flow of water diverted from the Marion River. The Chalopin irrigation system in the lower Marion watershed is cultivated with rice (61%), pasture for cattle 17% and the remainder is planted with trees (Societe d'Expertise et d'Ingenierie LGL SA, 2013). The system currently occupies 170 ha. The system is irrigated by a diversion called Janm Pantalon made of rocks and plant materials that is located on the Marion 126 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 127] River. This is also the starting point of the river Malfety, which flows to the left (north) and carries water to the Garde Saline irrigation system. The Marion River continues to the right (north-east) to Croi Cou where it is used to irrigate 160 ha of land. The diversion does not function as intended, letting more water flow toward Croi Cou and has to be rebuilt after heavy rainfall. In years with normal rainfall, low flow during the dry season limits rice production to no more than two crops. The Garde Saline system on the lower end of the Marion Watershed consists of 30 ha of which 36 % is cultivated with rice. Garde Saline perimeter is irrigated with water from the Malfety. According to users, the Malfety River is a channel dug by FONDEY to reduce flooding from the Marion River. It is located 5.12 km north of the Chalopin intake. According to farmers, there are very few lands being irrigated with water from the Malfety River between Chalopin and Garde Saline, except for Romeo. FIGURE 21: LOWER MARION WATERSHED: DUMAS, CHALOPIN, CROI COU AND GARDE SALINE IRRIGATED PERIMETERS à PQ » % È Legend 4 7 FA # 2" g j {| AN pa ’ | + © Flow measurement location À . Ù A # RULES D'MBZ © rrigated perimeter ” \ Garde Salineirggated PETER a : > « +. Ch DOS < Streams Koikoujirrigatediperir f € » Tr oiKOUIr: saS° Le AS à F À 4 : s # Malfetyg “ # ee TT # nr ES Maronrivemr RE …1 LI + c# Chalopin (a perimeter, : LA : Chalopin River g ÿ L ” ; s MariontRiver. “à Janm Pantalon flowmeasurementlocation », = A Marion River + ve 4 Dümäsirrigated.perimeter. Marion Flowmeasurement A À Pied{'or IN L [d 5 km AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 127 [page 128] FIGURE 22: AVANSE ACTIVITIE S IN THE MARION WATERSHED AVANSE activities in the Marion watershed [| = I | +? mn. t fi # AU Rouge L Fr 4 ei + = BA) @: £ y Ê Mo f . - re y Legend sf #\ j C1 Key biodiversity area »7 Mario J £ | Protected area S à £ ype of sites j ; ? (#) archeological r De C £ 5 © cultural . ? wi Œ historic É DE eg Dis / 7e # 7 {4 FT (ee: MoD be A emggAcul Samedi 71; À 11 @e =; jé < CR CCE # CNE 2 6 GLS / CC ; : e / Acul Des Pins Development projects #! ",. e ‘ @ + Ai D |__| Planned , fr . D « z Ÿ EL Existing à de he g Ke Es 3 Land cover 1998 5 CE £ AT pe N Bare rock and soil, dunes and alluvium *_ + 7 L.. “È F7 #4 Pipe Agriculture L hé 7 ON eus: fn ' [ fois À | Agroforestry e ue 2, AS F8 A f: JON Forest 5 DE 1, A = 4 À ’ EM Mangroves AUS 4, 6 vi Fe # x (Qi < ic de ” c Pasture and Grassland FSC me ACL j D MN Lakes, lagoons, wetlands RP DÈRT C AE 4 F Drrer egend tographic information PO82-V6 FCapehalder ÆIR3 grants sites = hensir Dee D el LUCE (OH CS NC 68 QE, SIBA bouti Irrigated land . y Portauiprince| | Permanent : cs Sources Lu 12 Rien 128 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 129] AVANSE has implemented cacao improvement activities in the upper parts of the Marion watershed. These activities will continue through extending the Farmer Field School program that has enhanced cacao production by introducing improved varieties, grafting improved stock onto old trees and linking farmers to buyers. Biological environment: farmers in the Chalopin FFS report that they are using 60% to 80% less fertilizer with SRI than they formerly used for rice production. Farmers typically use saved seed, but periodically renew their stock by purchasing pesticide treated seed of the Jaragua variety in the DR. Because they use only 10% the amount of seed for SRI rice, potential contamination is reduced. Moreover, since SRI requires less water, very little drainage water returns to the river and pollution by fertilizer and pesticide residuals is significantly reduced. improved water management in the Chalopin and Garde Saline perimeters would reduce potential negatives impacts on flows into the Fort Liberté Bay. Moreover, SRI rice production techniques and associated promotion of GAPSs for the rice package should significantly reduce inorganic fertilizer use and the amount of agro-chemicals in drainage water (see Table 11 above and Annex F for more details). This will, in turn, reduce adverse effects on aquatic flora and fauna. As part of the mitigation measures linked to the PN3B, KBAs and coastal areas, we have included the goal of eliminating the use of inorganic fertilizers in the rice GAPSs and the umbrella EMPR for IR1 (see Annex F). Expanding agroforestry systems through the introduction of cacao will have positive impact on soil and water conservation in the upper watershed and will also create improved habitat for Wildlife — including several threatened endemic species of birds and reptiles. Socio-economic environment: AVANSE'Ss activities will provide improved incomes for an estimated 1,600 farming families from increased rice and cacao production. Farmers are convinced of the superiority of SRI over traditional rice and will continue to use the SRI technology even after AVANSE comes to an end. One farmer commented: "All you have to do is see it." Farmers reported more than double the number of tillers (45 to 60 with SRI, 20 to 25 With traditional rice), number of grains, and the superior height of SRI rice plants after only 15 days. Yields of traditional rice were 3 to 5 t/ha and 8 to 12 t/ha with SRI. More labor is needed for harvesting but the increased value of the production more than covered the cost of additional labor. AIl the members of the Ecole Bayaha FFS have adopted SRI and the same is true for 8 other FFS in Chalopin (about 200 farmers). Farmers report that non-FFS participants, family members and neighbors who worked with them in konbit had also adopted SRI. This suggests a much more rapid adoption of the improved practices than was originally thought possible. Cacao production provides farmers with additional income from a diversified agroforestry system that includes other commercial crops as well as food crops that improve household nutrition. NEGATIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: rice farmers in the Marion watershed rely heavily on river water for irrigating their crops. When there is adequate water, they can produce three crops each year and their annual production can be more than double that before the formal irrigation systems were established. However, the lower portion of the watershed has at least five irrigated perimeters (Dumas, Chalopin, Malfety (Romeo), Croi Cou and Garde Saline) and competition for water is intense — especially during the dry season and in times of drought. In 2015, most farmers in Chalopin have yet to harvest any rice because two crops have already failed owing to lack of irrigation water. There is a significant risk that if diversions for upstream perimeters are improved, the water supply for perimeters further downstream will be compromised. Moreover, AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 129 [page 130] there could be negative consequences for environmental flows in the lower reaches of the Marion River. Biological environment: drainage from the proposed irrigation improvements will contain some agro-chemicals and pesticides that may have a detrimental impact on aquatic organisms further downstream. However, we expect that the level of agro-chemicals in the drainage water will be very low due to AVANSE'S promotion of SRI techniques and organic fertilizer. The Marion River flows to the coast at the Bay of Fort Liberté — an environmentally sensitive habitat of high importance for biodiversity. Discharge into the bay occurs mainly during the wet season when high flow volume reduces the concentration of agrochemicals in the river water. AVANSE anticipates providing rice seed to famers in the Marion perimeters where Farmer Field Schools are implemented. Seed will be provided directly to some farmers for training purposes and to others through the SIBA initiative. If any rice seed for planting has been treated with pesticides, AVANSE will acquire only seed that has been treated with products that are approved for seed treatment under the 2014 Annual Update of the Mission PERSUAP: Maxim XL (EC) and Thiram 75 (WP). Battalion 0.2 is also approved but it is not considered suitable for treating rice seed. The PERSUAP also recommends Actellic 5E (pirimithos-methyl 57%) for post-harvest treatment of seed to prevent insect damage. Some vendors of rice seed for planting use Actellic to reduce damage to the seed while it is being stored prior to being sold to farmers. We regard Actellic treated rice as suitable for planting. Since treated seed can be harmful to human health and to aquatic organisms and will be stored, handled and used only under strict compliance with PERSUAP guidelines. Treated rice seed distributed through the SIBA initiative will be stored apart from all other commodities. Agro-chemicals are not used on cacao but farmers use a variety of techniques to control rats and mice that damage the cacao pods. At this time, we are not aware of any use of toxic rodenticides — rather farmers use concoctions made of salt that kill the rodents. AVANSE will ensure that FFS training includes safe ways to control such pests. Socio-economic environment: AVANSE'Ss IR 1 activities will not have a detrimental impact on peoples livelihoods. Possible health issues related to agro-chemicals and water quality will be averted by providing training on the safe use of fertilizers and treated rice seed. Increased cacao production may reduce the area under food crops such as maize, beans and peanuts. |f farmers reduce the area available for annual crop production, they may have to use their other parcels more intensively, with shorter fallow or no fallow, resulting in decreased yields and increased erosion. For the most part, this has not occurred because the agroforestry blocks of the upper watersheds are often on marginal soils that are left in fallow for long periods and are not critical for food production. The Marion watershed contains several known pre-Colombian archaeological sites of the Taino culture. Other sites are likely to occur in the area but no IR 1 activities will result in new land clearance or excavation of new canals and drainage lines. WATERSHED STABILITY IMPROVED - IR 2 ACTIVITIES POSITIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: in the Marion watershed, there are no planned IR 2 activities since significant infrastructure improvements to the irrigated perimeters are not anticipated. If this changes, the AVANSE team will locate priority sites using satellite imagery to identify areas with 130 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 131] extensive bare ground on hillsides in the upper catchments of rivers and streams that supply irrigated perimeters with water. The potential interventions will include vegetative measures to control soil erosion — vetiver grass, agroforestry and cover crops — and installing physical structure to capture runoff and reduce erosion — contour bunds and temporary fences. By reducing soil erosion on hillsides, AVANSE will diminish siltation in rivers and irrigation canals, maintain soil cover for productive agriculture and replace bare hillsides with valuable trees and crops that provide nutritious foods and income. Biological environment: enhanced vegetation cover will provide habitat for wildlife included several threatened species — particularly birds and reptiles — that are endemic to Hispaniola. Socio-economic environment: agroforestry activities will provide increased incomes for small- holder farmers from cash crops such as pineapple, plantain and okra while food crops such as maize, beans and peanuts will improve family nutrition. Many of the hillsides where AVANSE will support interventions are relatively unproductive pasture. By implementing farmer field schools that promote agroforestry, AVANSE will help individual farming families gain to access konbit labor to prepare their parcels for new crops — labor that is otherwise in short supply since many young people have moved from the rural areas to find work. NEGATIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: potential negative consequences of agroforestry and erosion control measures include exposing the land surface to runoff before the vegetative cover is established or when annual crops such as peanuts are harvested. If such interventions are implemented, AVANSE will limit the risks by intercropping with trees and perennial shrubs and grasses such as vetiver. In addition, AVANSE will promote the use of cover crops such as mucuna that not only protect the soil surface from erosion but also contribute organic matter that enhances the water retention capacity of the soil. Biological environment: we do not anticipate any negative consequences if agroforestry interventions are implemented upstream of sites where irrigation infrastructure is improved. Agroforestry activities that have been undertaken by AVANSE in the past may continue to expand without additional project interventions. In several watersheds where AVANSE has been implementing soil conservation initiatives, early adopters have been supporting their neighbors by providing advice, labor and planting materials. Socio-economic environment: AVANSE's agroforestry activities will require collaboration among farming families to provide labor for initial land preparation and planting. The konbit system remains very active in this part of Haïti, so no major issues or challenges are foreseen. AGRICULTURAL MARKETS STRENGTHENED - IR 3 ACTIVITIES POSITIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: the improvements to CLES rice milling operations near Fort Liberté will mitigate environmental issues such as poor management of waste water and rice hulls. AVANSE will ensure that grantees such as CLES adopt improved environmental management practices. Biological environment: currently, rice millers use rodenticides to control pests. Improved pest control practices at the rice milling sites will reduce the potential risks to human health and Wildlife. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 131 [page 132] Socio-economic environment: AVANSE’'s activities in the Marion watershed will include supporting at least one rice milling operation — CLES — with grant funding to improve their operations. In addition, AVANSE is planning to engage with three new boutiques to expand access to agricultural inputs such as fertilizer, rice seed and plowing services. Improving smallholder access to these products and services will have a beneficial impact on rice production. NEGATIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: it is anticipated mechanized equipment may be used for plowing and rice harvesting, which could result in soil compaction and poor drainage. AVANSE will monitor the impact of mechanized farming on soil structure and drainage and, if warranted, will promote the use of animal traction for plowing. This aligns with MARNDR current policies and guidelines. Biological environment: see above under IR 1 activities. Socio-economic environment: rice processing activities are currently poorly managed with milling operations barely meeting acceptable health and safety standards for workers. AVANSE grantees will be required to upgrade their facilities to comply with international standards. These include requirements for ensuring safe operation of equipment; workers’ exposure to dust, fumes and noise; provision of appropriate sanitation for workers; safe disposal of waste water and solid waste such as rice hulls; and safe storage, handling and use of pesticides (particularly rodenticides). If AVANSE expandés its SIBA boutique program to Marion and if the program includes treated rice seed, appropriate mitigation measures will be needed to ensure safe storage, handling and use of the products (see above under Jassa IR1 activities). INFRASTRUCTURE POSITIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: AVANSE'Ss does not anticipate any infrastructure interventions in the Marion watershed. Previously, improvements to irrigation infrastructure were contemplated for the Chalopin and Garde Saline perimeters. The Chalopin intake is located 1.78 km after the Janm Pantalon diversion on the Malfety River (see Figures 22 and 23). According to users, the check dam and the canal system are functional but the dam is too low to raise water high enough to enter the canal networks. Moreover, floods occur during the rainy season. After the diversion, the Malfety River continues its course to the Garde Saline perimeter. The Chalopin intake feeds the Batardeau and Chalopin systems through a 532 m long masonry channel and an earthen canal system. In the dry season, the Marion River does not provide any irrigation water because the water level is too low. According to local farmers, however, the river floods every rainy season. The AVANSE project had planned to rehabilitate the Chalopin perimeter and construct a new intake at the Janm Pantalon diversion site to allow more water to flow into the Malfety River. Additionally, the Chalopin intake was to be raised to allow more water into the canal network in order to irrigate an additional 260 ha of farm land. 132 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 133] FIGURE 23: JANM PANTALON DIVERSION ON THE MARION RIVER WITH MARION ON THE LEFT AND THE CHANNEL TO MALFETY-CHALOPIN ON THE RIGHT (SOURCE: SOCIÈTE D'EXPERTISE ET D’INGENIERIE LGL SA, 2013) RU, CRU DENT (RPNBTE DEAR 7 : Y EE /s FA NL # NEC | ST LATE CR er e TA PTE LA à CT tie 1 dne É % - br af + Vote D À h jé Co 4 sos À F\ Tmndé… - : - # à k k à =. . ET CE = À pa à . % CE © 3 ’ N'IU à ” Ss « v x - 2 TE hé à | É F-ERSRSS a “ _ et > gr 70 0. : The project also planned to implement the construction of intake, irrigation canal and drainage network at Garde Saline. The water needs for all the systems along the Marion River is summarized in the table below. TABLE 24: IRRIGATION WATER NEEDED FOR DIFFERENT PERIMETERS WITHIN THE MARION WATERSHED System Name Current (ha) Extension (ha) Total (ha) Irrigation water needed (l/s) LE PE EE A DE SC PC PS PC CE RE PE ES DE Total water 859 needed Biological environment: see above under IR 1. Socio-economic environment: see above under IR 1. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 133 [page 134] NEGATIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: during this study, flow measurements were conducted at three locations along the Marion River. The table below summarizes the findings (see Figure 22 for sampling locations). The flow measured on 28 July, 2015 upstream of the Dumas intake at Pied d'Or was only 220 l/s. This volume of water can irrigate only 190 ha (assuming 1 l/s/ha is needed to grow rice under SRI) leaving 30 [/s for ecological functions. There is insufficient water to irrigate even Dumas during the dry season. According to some farmers, however, the current water level is very low compared with the dry season under normal years owing to the very low rainfall. TABLE 25: FLOW MEASUREMENTS AT DIFFÉRENT LOCATIONS ALONG THE MARION RIVER Sampling locations Flow (l/s) Marion Upstream Pied D'or Marion Upstream of Janm Pantalon downstream of Dumas 220 intake Marion (below Janm Pantalon) The hydrology of the Marion River is not well known. A study from UNDP reported a low flow of 150-200 l/s at Pied d'Or (Société d'Expertise et d'Ingénierie LGL SA, 2013). No date was provided. Other values were obtained from the archive of the Ministry of Agriculture: a flow rate of 450 l/s from 10 June 1977. There is insufficient water in the Marion River during periods of low flow to irrigate all of the proposed irrigation systems without compromising the water needs of the existing irrigation systems within the Marion watershed even with improved efficiency and the adoption of SRI. Implementing the system at Chalopin would reduce the flow of water to Croi Cou and Garde Saline and could lead to conflict among farmers and other water users. At other times of the year — as indicated by the flow in the river in June (MARNDR source) — more water is available, so slightly more land can be irrigated. The system expansions planned by AVANSE should not be implemented unless other sources of water are identified such as through groundwater pumping. Another alternative would be to create water storage systems upstream of the intakes but there is insufficient land available for such large and potentially complicated engineering works. Chalopin: There is insufficient water in the Marion River during base flow. Implementing this construction would withdraw more water and could create conflict among upstream and downstream users. Therefore, the construction of this system should not be implemented. Garde Saline: The system, located at the lower end of the watershed, depends on the outfall from the irrigation systems in the upper watershed. During base flow, there is insufficient water to reach this area. Therefore, the construction of this system should not be implemented. Biological environment: see above under IR 1. Socio-economic environment: see above under IR 1. INDIRECT IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE The planned AVANSE activities in the Marion watershed comprise a package of interventions focused on improving rice production on the plains and limited cacao expansion in parts of the 134 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 135] upper watershed. AVANSE will promote the adoption of SRI through training and better access to improved rice seed and other inputs such as fertilizer. SRI will reduce the amount of water needed for each rice crop, reduce the need for pesticides to control weeds, snails, insects and other pests. These activities will improve the health of the environment — especially downstream where the Marion River empties into Fort Liberté Bay — and reduce human health risks. Cacao interventions in the upper watershed will increase farmers’ incomes — improving their ability to provide for their families. CUMULATIVE IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE Cumulative impacts of the AVANSE project activities have been assessed using the methodology described above for the Jassa watershed. The overall result of the assessment is a positive cumulative impact as depicted in Table 25 below. Results of the cumulative impact assessment for Marion are almost identical to those for Jassa. Please see the discussion of how to further reduce the adverse impacts of discrete activities in the Jassa section above. The Marion watershed has been identified as a potential target for several large development projects. These include the following: e The creation of the Three Bays Protected Area e__ Irrigation development projects (MARNDR and several multilateral donors) e A residential housing scheme near Fort Liberté (IDB) (site 17 on Figure 21) ° An unregulated solid waste site near Fort Liberté e Small tourism development projects The Three Bays Protected Area project will not have any direct impact on AVANSE activities in Marion. While expansion and rehabilitation of existing irrigated perimeters could have a detrimental impact on the quantity and quality of water flowing into the Fort Liberté Bay, AVANSE's promotion of SRI will have a largely beneficial impact by reducing water needs and the use of agro-chemicals. We do not anticipate that AVANSE"S interventions will have any negative consequences on ecosystem functions or biodiversity in the protected area or its buffer zones. Over the past 25 years, several irrigation projects have been proposed in the Marion watershed With funding provided by FONDEV including Dumas, Chalopin and Croi Cou. MARNDR's Office de Petit Périmetre d'irrigation is in the process of developing a small irrigation system near Bas de Perches that will draw water from the Marion River to irrigate about 15 to 20 ha of land. If implemented, this scheme would further reduce water availability in the perimeters downstream (Dumas, Chalopin, Croi Cou and Garde Saline). Another small scheme is also planned near Acul Samedi where groundwater will be pumped to provide irrigation on about 25 ha of land. At this time, we are not aware of any other new initiatives that are being considered. If more projects are developed along the upper Marion, the availability of water for the existing perimeters will be further compromised — especially in the dry season. The proposed residential housing development near Fort Liberté will be located in the general vicinity of the CLES rice mill. It will be essential for AVANSE to ensure that dust, fumes, waste water and solid waste from the mill do not create any adverse health conditions. In addition, the mill currently taps groundwater for the sanitation facilities and for some processing operations. It will be essential to monitor water quality regularly to ensure that there is no contamination from residential sanitation systems or the unregulated solid waste site that is situated in the same general vicinity. Some solid waste from Ouanaminthe is dumped at this site but local authorities AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 135 [page 136] have stated that in the near future all waste will be processed at the proposed solid waste site at Mouchinette near Limonade. Fort Liberté has several historical sites that have been proposed as sites for promoting tourism. We do not anticipate any cumulative impacts related to AVANSE'Ss activities in the Marion watershed. Similar to Jassa, a collaborative opportunity that AVANSE could consider with respect to enhancing positive cumulative impacts linked to other development projects is working with PN3B staff on communicating various details on the existence of the Park and permitted activities in order to improve environmental management practices of households living in the buffer zone. Conversely, AVANSE staff should closely monitor plans to implement additional irrigation projects in the watershed. The results and analysis of the present PEA with respect to available surface water should be shared and a dialog on using groundwater as opposed to surface water resources initiated. Experience with watershed stabilization actions, that can help With infiltration and groundwater recharge should also be shared with MARNDR and other actors intervening in the irrigation sector. 136 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 137] TABLE 26: CUMULATIVE IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF AVANSE ACTIVITIES IN MARION RE ES IMPROVED STRENGTHENED WATERSHED BASED CUMULATIVE x 5 5 7 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT È a _ 4 ÿ Êe sal. ÿ x 55 nnnsienens HE GE piLi {5 HRRE 4} il, /h:i € th dl 2H PAMRE PU 2ENtNRRE 2U8be il 3318) Fé4bselèal PP s23è] Saal8sielhesse] 221882 | GaPtorcsoproduenon à 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 1 4 nues projects as on & E £ stttion above non 4 o 2 1 1 1 o o 1 4 4 o 4 fAarete spots H 32 syseme| z Ses 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 res bay Ë sl TA : 4 2 1 1 1 4 4 1 4 4 1 1 lProtectes Area S°E 25 3 market d 2 4 2 4 1 1 4 4 1 4 1 1 4 pt Ë subaidies mec $ Market HNTERACTIVE Cumustative IMMPACTS E if £3 Œ 3 Strong Adverse Effect 3 56 j 3 1 Somewnat Adverse ; E FH PRE ERON © Neutral or No Change Ë +1 Somewhat Benefictal +2 Positive Effect/benefit Dre AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 137 [page 138] TROU DU NORD WATERSHED PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT At 424 km”, Trou du Nord is one of AVANSE"Ss larger watersheds. The primary watershed can be divided into eighteen secondary or sub-watersheds (DAI, 2013a). Unique characteristics include large mangrove areas and a fringing coral reef not far off the coast. FIGURE 24: LAND USE AND LAND COVER IN TROU DU NORD EE ns / “ . Ai RIT Lt _ À F Er . . Je 1 2 TT } 51 5 10 ri A Ie Le Stream network # s , Ssinte Suzane Sarabinl Î F i À x LL Free D 4 Fond Bleël v " ES + A BE CAR Sade ani itemation Bare La ané soil, dunes and avr 5 2 F NE km | Agriculture F à 18 7: DEN Agroforestry F . g: AT À Perches Rares DM Forest FAI PAT LUS rte LR rie re | Pasture and Grassiand ‘ 7 à M Lakes, lagoons, wetlands 17 Hd Afanse ÉUsAID TOPOGRAPHY Similar to some of the other AVANSE watersheds, Trou du Nord is dominated by a flat, coastal plain with some hilly and mountainous areas in its southern portions. The vast majority of the land (87%) lies below an elevation of 75 m. Only 5 km” lies over 600 m. WATER RESOURCES The Trou du Nord River is the main water resource within the watershed; Caracol Bay is another key water resource. With respect to specific data on water resources, ENVIRON, a consultant to IDB on the Caracol Industrial Park project, reported field measurements on the Trou du Nord River during both drier seasons in 2011 as being 0.45 m°/s (February) and 0.70 m°/s (July). The also pump tested wells at the Caracol Industrial Park and found that a well 138 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 139] pumping at a sustained yield of 50 to 60 l/s resulted in a 20 m drawdown at the well and a 3 m drawdown at a test well 116 m away (ENVIRON, 2011b). BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT KEY BIODIVERSITY AREAS, PROTECTED AREAS AND VEGETATION A large portion of the recently designated Parc National des Trois Baïes (PN3B) falls within the Trou du Nord watershed and adjacent marine areas. The Park encompasses important mangrove, coral reef and seagrass marine ecosystems. This same area is also part of the Northeast Lagoon KBA. Coral reefs in the area remain relatively healthy despite the mass die-off of two of its primary builders, the IUCN Red Listed Elkhorn Coral and Staghorn Coral (Acropora palmata, and A. cervicornis), both critically endangered. Many colonies of these two species have been observed on the Caracol fringing coral reef (Wiener, 2013) adjacent to Trou du Nord. The large seagrass beds in Caracol Bay appear to be impacted by somewhat heavy sediment loads; however, they remain in good condition. At Caracol, the fishers were aware of the creation of the new PN3B but to date that have had no communications with the authorities concerning any fishing restrictions. The largest mangrove forests in the AVANSE project zone are in the Trou du Nord watershed (5,133 ha) (FoProBiM, 2013). In addition, an endemic fish, the Few-rayed Limia (Limia pauciradiata) was found in the lower Trou du Nord River (Wiener et al. 2013). The only known habitat for this fish is the Grande Rivière du Nord and the Trou du Nord rivers in north-east Haïti (Wiener et al., 2013; Fishbase.org). TABLE 27: SUMMARY CHARACTERISTICS FOR TROU DU NORD WATERSHED Characteristic Statistic Total area 424 km Population 75,863 Population densit: 277 people/km Area < 75 m (elevation) 370 km Area 75 — 600 m (elevation 48 km Area > 600 m (elevation 5 km Area of agriculture 147 km Area of agroforest 83 km Area of pasture/grassland 134 km SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS The population in Trou du Nord is approximately 75,900. Based on information from 2005, the population density was approximately 280 people per km? (IHSI, 2005). At 723 people per km’, Limonade was by far the most densely populated commune that overlaps with the watershed. LAND TENURE Farm size in the Trou du Nord watershed is generally between 1 and 3 ha. Trou du Nord does have one of the larger percentages (24%) of farms greater than 3 ha among the AVANSE watersheds and extension zones. With respect to access to land, over 75% of the land is owned With only a small percentage sharecropped or rented. See Tables 6 and 7 for more information. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 139 [page 140] LAND USE Pasture, grasslands and agricultural areas account for about 67% of the Trou du Nord watershed with 20% being classified as agroforestry. Mangroves occupy about 11% of watershed. See Table 26 for more details. ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES The main economic activities for people in the Trou du Nord watershed are fishing, animal husbandry, agriculture and commerce (IHSI, 2005). Fishing is mainly found in Caracol commune while livestock rearing is found in Sainte Suzanne and Terrier Rouge communes. HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES There are a number of cultural and historical sites in Trou du Nord watershed: + __ Caracol commune harbors the Columbus ship wreckage and 5 voodoo temples, ° Trou du Nord commune has the Coco Clervil cave, the Bassin St Jean and Bassin Tounen, and colonial wells, and ° Terrier Rouge commune has three caves: Grotte de Grand Bassin, Grottes de Nappes, and Grotte de Notre Dame de Lourdes. HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES Caracol commune as well as Limonade and Terrier Rouge (parts of these latter two communes fall within the Trou du Nord watershed) contain 12 health centers. These communes also have over 100 primary and secondary schools as well as 18 vocational schools. See Table 10 for more information. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES The lowlands of the Trou du Nord watershed have extensive areas where the soils are suitable for agriculture as well as perennial rivers that provide irrigation water. Previously, AVANSE's activities in the watershed focused on helping smallholder farmers improve maize and bean production (and integrated cropping system) in the lower and middle watershed and expanding cacao production in the middle and upper watershed. AVANSE is no longer supporting maize and bean production. The project also considered introducing irrigated plantain production near Caracol using pumped groundwater. The potential environmental and social consequences of these activities include reducing groundwater availability for other development activities and possible contamination of groundwater, rivers, lakes and inshore waters with agro-chemicals. IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE AVANSE'Ss planned activities in the Trou du Nord watershed will focus principally on improving cacao production and marketing as well as plantain production near Bord de Mer. Although previously planned interventions in plantain production near Caracol are not currently being considered, we will review the potential environmental and social implications here. 140 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 141] FIGURE 25: AVANSE ACTIVITES IN THE TROU DU NORD WATERSHED ere » 2 E = Location map \ j . : ! 5 ; < ET HN ANNE ASSET Portsati-Pri Lssnait DRAT L— RO TT PS | Nbr 4! La al À ES SES ti Po APE A taahd Hé 7 — LA d ier Roue. SEE >. r # SIBA Boutique A Case AN 16 Pa : # si #. oulion g + k ” L-.. Temporary stream ar # LA e te | 26e F LAN Permanent str fo , + — REVUE [1 watershed # 1 ’ SSeinte Suzane Sarazin $ 7 ds imitant Development projects er & ee CC 5) PRE 17 NE a : !: CF Legend an RIRES k > i ce \ HE, Cry biodiversity area| ani intormation Bare rock and soil, dunes and alluvium TR | Protected area Lrcrpeahaheerhran Agriculture # ce sr 1 ; Es amet Le Agroforestry LL dre 11 prhes Type of sites Deta sources [MN Forest [- ë BREST (3 \ 25) ? LE D % archeological ÉECRSS M: FA pe 7e DT és Res Stream network, Land Use [MR Lakes, lagoons, wetlands 2 med FAIM @ _historie r| Afanse USAID AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 141 [page 142] TABLE 28: SUMMARY OF FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITIES IN TROU DU NORD WATERSHED Activity Quantity Plantain/Banana (ha) 850 Cacao (ha) 400 Rice (ha) n/a Interventions on irrigable land (ha) n/a Length of treated irrigation/drainage canals (km) n/a AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY INCREASED - IR 1 ACTIVITIES POSITIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: improving cacao production in agroforestry systems in the upper watershed will have a beneficial impact by reducing soil erosion in areas that were previously under open-field cropping systems. Expanding and improving plantain production near Caracol would enhance soil and water management providing better drainage in areas that are currently subject to periodic flooding. Biological environment: by promoting agroforestry, AVANSE will expand and enhance habitats for wildlife including several endangered endemic species of birds and reptiles. Since cacao is grown without the use of agro-chemicals, there will be no adverse impact on biodiversity. It should be noted that traditional cacao plots — multi-story systems with a diverse mix of cacao, fruit and shade trees — represent some of the most biodiverse habitats in the AVANSE intervention zone. AVANSE’"Ss efforts to promote, maintain and enhance these plots thus represent a positive biological impact. Socio-economic environment: AVANSE'Ss activities will provide improved incomes for an estimated 100 farming families from increased cacao production. By introducing new varieties and new farming techniques, AVANSE will help farmers increase production and income. Expanding and improving plantain production near Bord de Mer and, potentially, Caracol would increase farmers’ incomes and provide jobs to local residents. NEGATIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: cacao production is not likely to have any negative consequences on the physical environment in the upper watersheds. In contrast, if implemented, plantain production near Caracol will involve improved drainage and groundwater pumping for irrigation. Pumping of groundwater for plantain production is also being considered for the area near Bord de Mer (see Figure 25). At this time, the number and exact location of existing wells and boreholes that will be rehabilitated is not known. An EMPR will be completed once the site specific information is available. It is also likely that some agro-chemicals would be used to control pests such as nematodes and fungal infections. The aquifer of the Plaine du Nord extends from the Dominican Republic in the east to Acul du Nord in the west. It underlies the lower portions of the watersheds of the Jassa, Marion, Trou du Nord, Grand Rivière du Nord and Haut du Cap. The aquifer comprises mainly sand, silt and clay eroded from the crystalline basement and volcanic rocks that form the hills and uplands to the south. The sediments fill a tectonic trough that marks the northern edge of Hispaniola and are about 400 m thick (UNDP, 1991). The water balance comprises potential recharge totaling 142 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 143] about 250 m°/year. Losses include surface drainage of about 140 m°/year; evaporation of 100 million m“/year and subsurface drainage to the sea of about 10 m‘/year (UNDP, 1991; IDB, 2012). Several large development initiatives are planned or are underway in the lower watershed that will depend on groundwater abstraction. These include the Caracol Industrial Park and the associated power station; the University of Limonade; the Nourribio banana plantation operated by AgriTrans; and several residential areas including EKAM. It is estimated that the Industrial Park will eventually employ over 60,000 people and that the local population will increase by at least 300,000 people. While the park itself will use about 2.4 million m°/year of groundwater, the surrounding population will need an estimated 13 million m°/year for domestic use (Briceño, no date). The Nourribio plantation will require about 1 million m°/year during the initial phase of production. In effect, groundwater abstraction rates may eventually approach about 16 million m“/year. At this time, the available hydrogeological information indicate that these rates of abstraction can be sustained but it is not clear if high abstraction rates will result in increased seawater intrusion into parts of the aquifer along the coast — including near Caracol where most of the new investments are located (Marchand, 2012). While pumping of groundwater for growing plantain will not place a large additional demand on groundwater resources, the cumulative impact of all these activities could compromise the viability of some of the investments especially near the coast, if increased seawater intrusion occurs. In the area near Bord du Mer, the zone of potential seawater intrusion lies much closer to the coast, so the risks of salinization are not as great. Nevertheless, if AVANSE does implement groundwater pumping for plantain irrigation in this area, it will be essential to establish a network of test wells to monitor groundwater quality. Additional information is provided below in the section dealing with plantain production in Grande Rivière du Nord. Biological environment: the Trou du Nord River is currently endorheic — it discharges into the Bay of Caracol only during periods of peak flow. For most of the year the river water seeps into the sandy sediments along the coast. In effect, any agrochemicals derived from agricultural activities in the watershed are unlikely to contaminate the waters of the bay, which is part of the Three Bays Protected Area. Overall, AVANSE has developed a number of GAPs and mitigation measures that will reduce any negative impacts from lowland rice and plantain/banana production on coastal zones and the PN3B to insignificant levels. (Very little of AVANSE's cacao program operates in the lowlands but, since the promoted package is wholly organic, there will be no adverse impacts on coastal ecosystems.) These include: °e Promotion of compost and organic fertilizer with the goal of elimination of inorganic fertilizer use in the rice value chain; e Soil mapping and fertility survey and soil testing (will further reduce use of inorganic fertilizer); e Promotion of IPM and organic/biological pest control (which will, among other positive effects, reduce use of fungicides for plantains); e Promotion of double-cone mechanical weeders in improved rice production systems (will reduce the use of herbicides); e__ Promotion of SRI which uses significantly less water; AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 143 [page 144] e Better on-farm water management and improved efficiency of use for all irrigated focus crop technical packages; strengthening of existing WUAs and creation of new WUA's will also contribute to a more equitable distribution and more efficient use of water; ° Pursuit of collaboration on mangrove rehabilitation and conservation efforts; and e__No conversion of mangroves or wetlands nor expansion of agriculture into mangrove areas. (Please see general discussion of positive IR1 and IR2 impacts and environmental consequences in chapter 5 above for more information.) New cacao plantations are established on fallow or abandoned agricultural land (including abandoned coffee plots) or within existing cacao plantations (where the density of cacao trees needs to be increased); no clearing of native vegetation occurs. It should be noted that the only natural upland vegetation remaining in the AVANSE zone is the remnant montane forests in the upper reaches of the Jassa, Marion, and Grande Rivière du Nord watersheds and the far northwestern corner of the Port Margot and northeastern and eastern portions of the Borgne extension zones. AVANSE's cacao program does not operate in the upper reaches of the Jassa and Grande Riviere du Nord watersheds; consequently there is no risk of converting native ecosystems and no adverse impact on biodiversity in these areas. The cacao program does work in the upper reaches of the Marion watershed as well as throughout the Port Margot and Borgne extension zones. AVANSE personnel will strictly apply the directive of retaining natural vegetation, included in the IR 1 GAPs and mitigation measures (see Annex F), in these areas. Socio-economic environment: AVANSE'Ss IR 1 activities will not have a detrimental impact on peoples livelihoods. Possible health issues related to agro-chemicals and water quality will be averted by providing training on the safe use of fertilizers. Treatment of plantain cuttings to control nematodes involves washing of the roots in warm water and will not create any health hazards. The Trou du Nord watershed contains several known pre-Colombian archaeological sites of the Taino culture. Other sites are likely to occur in the area, so any land clearance or improvement for plantain production would require preliminary screening for the presence of archaeological remains. WATERSHED STABILITY IMPROVED - IR 2 ACTIVITIES No IR 2 activities will be implemented in the Trou du Nord watershed. AGRICULTURAL MARKETS STRENGTHENED - IR 3 ACTIVITIES POSITIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: At present, there are no IR 3 post-harvest or processing grants planned for Trou du Nord watershed. Biological environment: by promoting the adoption of Integrated Pest Management through the SIBA initiative, AVANSE will help reduce the use of toxic agro-chemicals — particularly fungicides used on plantains. This will have a beneficial impact on downstream ecosystems including the mangroves and inshore portion of the Caracol Bay, which falls within the Three Bays Protected Area. Socio-economic environment: AVANSE is planning to engage with one new boutique under the SIBA initiative to expand access to agricultural inputs such as fertilizer and plowing services. 144 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 145] Improving smallholder access to these products and services will have a beneficial impact on agricultural production. By promoting the adoption of Integrated Pest Management, AVANSE will reduce the exposure of farmers, farm workers and their families to agro-chemicals — particularly fertilizers and fungicides used on plantains. NEGATIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: it is anticipated mechanized equipment may be used for plowing (mainly for plantains/bananas) and harvesting, which could result in soil compaction and poor drainage. An EMMP has been added to f this PEA, AVANSE will monitor the impact of mechanized farming on soil structure and drainage and, if warranted, will promote the use of animal traction for plowing. This aligns with MARNDR current policies and guidelines It should be noted that AVANSE is piloting a voucher program for plowing services based on a number of factors including high farmer demand for these services, labor shortages, and the high cost of employing labor. An August 2014 study by AVANSE did an economic analysis on this topic, “Plowing Services for Increased Agricultural Production and Farmer Incomes in North and North East Haiïti.lt compared tractor-based, animal traction-based, motoculteur-based, and simple tool-based plowing services. Tractor-based services, effective only in the plains areas, were the most productive option. They also provided the least expensive services to farmers, the best quality service, and the fastest service. AVANSE will use existing plowing service providers and will ensure that appropriate equipment is used and that operators are trained with respect to suitable plowing times based on moisture conditions, that equipment is adjusted, and that operators pay attention to the depth of the plowing.. We will also work with beneficiaries so that they incorporate more organic matter (compost, manure, etc.) into their plot so as to improve soil structure and water retention capacity; test no“till and cover crop options in a small portion of the fields to promote climate smart agricultural techniques; cover the plowed soil aroubd bananas with mulch so as to retain moisture, increase organic matter and protect the soil against wind erosion and rill erosion (if the land contains any slopes), and in flood prone areas, we will encourage beneficiaries to dig drainage ditches around the perimeters of their fields. Biological environment: see above under IR 1 activities. Socio-economic environment: rice processing activities in the AVANSE region are currently poorly managed with milling operations barely meeting acceptable health and safety standards for workers. At this time, AVANSE does not anticipate supporting any rice milling in Trou du Nord but the Caracol Industrial Park would be a potential location for such activities. If AVANSE does support such initiatives, grantees will be required to ensure that their facilities to comply With international standards. These include requirements for ensuring safe operation of equipment; workers’ exposure to dust, fumes and noise; provision of appropriate sanitation for workers; safe disposal of waste water and solid waste such as rice hulls; and safe storage, handling and use of pesticides (particularly rodenticides). It will be essential for AVANSE to ensure that dust, fumes, waste water and solid waste from the mill do not create any adverse health conditions for people living in the vicinity of rice milling operations. INFRASTRUCTURE POSITIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: AVANSE'Ss will not implement any infrastructure activities in the Trou du Nord watershed. It is anticipated mechanized equipment may be used for preparing fields for plantain production — particularly for excavating drainage ditches, which could result in soil AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 145 [page 146] compaction. We do not anticipate any significant negative impacts but AVANSE will monitor plantain fields for evidence of increased waterlogging resulting from soil compaction. Biological environment: see above under IR 1. Socio-economic environment: see above under IR 1. NEGATIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: see above under IR 1. Biological environment: see above under IR 1. Socio-economic environment: see above under IR 1. INDIRECT IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE The planned AVANSE activities in the Trou du Nord watershed comprise a package of interventions focused on improving plantain production in the lower watershed and expanding cacao production in the middle and upper watershed. These activities will improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers by increasing income from commercial plantain and cacao production. Potential indirect impacts include reduced food production by smallholders that convert from maize and bean production to plantains and cacao. Also, AVANSE has noted some cases of school age children engaged in paid labor in cacao nurseries. CUMULATIVE IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE Cumulative impacts of the AVANSE project activities have been assessed using the methodology described under the Jassa watershed above. The overall result of the assessment is a positive cumulative impact as depicted in Table 28 below. Based on our analysis, there are no activities that, when crossed with another AVANSE activity and scored for additive and interactive effects, have a negative cumulative impact. The question then becomes: which activities have the smallest positive effect and could be enhanced to provide a more significant positive impact? Four activities stand out in this regard: GAPSs for irrigated rice and banana production, capacity building for WUAs, and well-fed irrigation systems. Alterations and improvements to these activities as well as mitigation measures that could further enhance the positive impacts of these activities include: e __ Enhanced GAPs for irrigated rice could include heightened promotion of the use of the double cone mechanical weeder in order to eliminate use of herbicides, and heightened promotion of organic fertilizer coupled with an aggressive timeline for eliminating inorganic fertilizer use. e __ Enhanced GAPs for irrigated plantain/banana could target increased use of leguminous cover crops which will have positive effects on soil fertility, soil structure (increased soil organic matter), weed control, and combatting nematode infestations; this could be coupled With heightened promotion of organic fertilizer; both would reduce use of inorganic fertilizer. ° __Improved support to WUAs could comprise additional training sessions and more frequent support and monitoring visits by AVANSE field agents to ensure that water management plans and maintenance activities are respected and to help members surmount any challenges to plan implementation and maintenance on a timely basis. e __Improvements to well-fed irrigation systems for plantain/banana could focus on increasing soil organic matter and the soil's water retention capacity, thus reducing water needs; this could be achieved via an emphasis on cover crops and organic fertilizers. AVANSE will consider how these improvements can be incorporated into the cited activities. 146 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 147] TABLE 29: CUMULATIVE IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF AVANSE ACTIVITIES IN TROU DU NORD re .. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT Fi : 1 £ ES. $ s5 ASSESSMENT MATRIX HE HE {ak li ER: ht il Nord 5] 2:54 REAEIHE il HEE HIT sil 35l 33182) SA RRSSlÈREA] 28138] Slt EARSR SE) 221882 jp eo o 2 1 1 1 LJ LJ 1 1 1 LI 2 sareruon | | artrcxaorrodutn] 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 1 1 [Chemical pe à 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 am | ESSE 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 pre 0 o 2 1 1 1 L] LJ 1 1 1 LI 1 H project as on & HE sysems| 4 sl ET : 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 el S°E 2 à market o d 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 income HA | : 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 Es | Drainage System] us _ _ 3 Strong Adverse Effect 26 i ai { 3" = î : Fi RE an © Neutral or No Change Ë H 5 $ +1 Somewhat Benefictal ÿ +2 Positive Effect/benefit 5 De AVANDOE FRUGRKAMIIATIL EINVIRUNIVIEN TAL ADOCDOIVIEIN TI 141 [page 148] In addition, the Trou du Nord watershed has been identified as a potential target for several large development projects. These include the following identified by the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF, 2015): + __ The Caracol Industrial Park (site 1 on Figure 25) °e The power station associated with the Industrial Park — which also provides electricity to towns such as Trou du Nord, Limonade and Terrier Rouge as well as development projects such as Nourribio (site 1 on Figure 25) e Road development between the Industrial Park and Cap Haïtien e The Nourribio banana plantation (AgriTrans) (site 9 on Figure 25) e The University of Limonade (site 8 on Figure 25) e The EKAM (site 10 on Figure 25) and Terrier Rouge residential housing schemes e Urban development plans for Caracol, Trou du Nord and Terrier Rouge e The Three Bays Protected Area e The solid waste facility at Mouchinette (under development in Grande Rivière du Nord) (site 22 on Figures 25 and 28) e Mining concessions (sites 2, 6, 7 and 21 on Figure 25 and site 12 on Figure 28) The main potential cumulative impacts linked to AVANSE activities are the possible negative consequences of groundwater abstraction for the Industrial Park and power station, the banana plantation and for providing residential water supply not just for the housing schemes but also the other families that will settle in the area — particularly in small towns such as Caracol, Trou du Nord and Terrier Rouge. As is described abunder IR 1, the risk of pumping more groundwater could compromise new activities such as the planned plantain production near Caracol, if there is increased seawater intrusion into the coastal portions of the aquifer. Another potential negative impact is the effect of job creation near Caracol — the Industrial Park alone will have about 65,000 workers — on the availability of labor for cacao production. In northern Haïti, there is already a shortage of labor as young men and women move to urban areas looking for jobs. The impact of the development and investment projects in Trou du Nord will likely lead to further out migration from neighboring rural areas. While cacao production is not highly labor intensive, there is a risk that young children who should be attending school will be enlisted in on-farm activities. AVANSE will mitigate this through focused messaging during FFS training and other events. One active mining exploration concession — the Majescor site between Trou du Nord and Terrier Rouge — and several potential exploration sites are located in the watershed. The Majescor site covers 50 km? and holds potentially exploitable deposits of gold, silver, molybdenum and copper. |f these concessions are developed, there would be potential pollution of river water that is used for agriculture and of groundwater that is used for domestic, industrial and agricultural water supply around Caracol. We have no information on likelihood/timing of mining operations. The main opportunity that AVANSE could explore with respect to reducing cumulative impacts of other development initiatives in the Trou du Nord watershed would be how water conservation techniques for irrigated plantain/banana could be piloted and scaled up at the Nourribio/Agritrans banana plantation. This could include exchanges between AVANSE plantain/banana VC staff and Nourribio/Agritrans agronomic staff. Another activity that could be explored would be a joint initiative to produce cover crop seeds of species such as Mucuna that could have multiple beneficial environmental effects (including water conservation) when planted in association with plantains and bananas. 148 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 149] GRANDE RIVIERE DU NORD WATERSHED PHYSICAL FIGURE 26: LAND USE AND LAND COVER IN GRANDE ENVIRONMENT RIVIERE DU NORD Grande Rivière du Vegetation and land use in Grande Rivière du Nord watershed Nord is the largest : ETECSGES of AVANSE's P” iÿ Bare rock and soi, dunes and alluviu watersheds and F2 = Ne extension zones: : L re be 633 km. It also has A DM narovves hills and mountains LIVRE ù : and a relatively ne Tone small coastal plain % Se zone. Thirty-one fe LÉ Sens é secondary = Le: 2 ou du Nord watersheds have EE Ç AE L a been delineated - [F6 4 COM DAS : within Grand Ë es do nd É Rivière du Nord war Dpt (DAI, 2013a). Sen Das 4 HT oi | gé. PT. FF Mayombe. fees Aqui Samedi TOPOGRAPHY à Cal 4 a LT Most of the K. 7 mn watershed falls #4 | à. 3 24 between 75 and LT + à LE : 600 m in elevation % #4 NAS SA LE pa re (59%) with a JA "4 de RER significant portion 1 à à à | LES above 600 m ‘4 ET # | + (20%). Overall, $ = N slopes in the 522 5 570 | AVANSE upland ee À areas can generally —— TI ER CEE be divided into P082 - V2 D roc netmorx nelle Lion (DIE). Denm VS 64 three categories: {;USAID gentle (5-12%), ae os PS moderate (13-30%), AŸANSE and steep (31- 60%). In the Grande Rivière du Nord watershed, gentle slopes comprise 20% of the area, while moderate and steep slopes cover 51% and 16%, respectively. GEOLOGY AND SOILS In Grande Rivière du Nord, 73% of the watershed is underlain by igneous rocks including basalt, tonalite, diorite and andesite; 19% of the watershed is composed of sedimentary rock derived from alluvial processes and scree, talus or rock slides (Oxfam Québec and CATIE, 2011). According to the soil potential map produced by Oxfam Québec and CATIE (2011), only 20% of the Grande Rivière du Nord watershed is classified as good, very good, or excellent; soils falling AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 149 [page 150] in the poor and limited categories cover 66% of the watershed. In the lower mountain, semi- humid agro-ecological zone, the soils originating from diorite and limestone are heavily eroded, shallow and possess a low water retention capacity. In the piedmont, valley and plain zones, the soils are alluvial or colluvial, usually with a silt-sand or silt-clay texture, and are relatively rich and deep. Louissaint (2014) describes five main soil types for the Grande Rivière du Nord watershed: e __Waterlogged saline soils: these are found in the northern part of the watershed and possess a slightly alkaline pH (7.2); the texture is silt-sand with the sandy component predominating; organic matter levels are low; e Alluvial-colluvial soils: found in the coastal plain area and in the valleys; the pH varies from slightly acidic to neutral; the texture is highly variable and can range from sandy to a predominance of clay; organic matter levels are relatively low; e _Isohumic soils: found in the coastal plain and lowland areas but also in the hilly and mountainous areas under abundant tree cover; pH is slightly acidic; variable texture ranging from silt-sand to a predominance of clay; organic matter levels are high; e _ Rendzina soils: generally found on steep slopes; pH is acidic to neutral; texture is usually sandy to silt-sand; low organic matter levels; highly vulnerable to erosion; and e Eutrophic soils: found in the mountainous zones on a range of slopes; pH acidic to slightly acidic; variable texture but usually silt-sand to sandy; low organic matter content. WATER RESOURCES There is a very well developed and extensive hydrological network within the Grande Rivière du Nord watershed — especially in the upper reaches of the area. Flow data for the Grande Rivière du Nord River is variable. For example, four different publications report four different values for average annual flow: 4.29 m°/s (Ménanteau & Vanney 1997), 5.4 m°/s (Smucker et al. 2007), 7.66 m/s (USACE 1999), and 8.18 m°/s (Evens et al. 2010). This is not completely surprising in that none of the studies identify the actual location of the flow estimate, but Ménanteau & Vanney and Evens et al. cite the same primary data as their source (1922 to 1940), yet their conclusions are on the opposite ends of the values reported. The USACE (1999) study reports a minimum daily flow of 0.02 m°/s (see Table 2 for more information). BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT KEY BIODIVERSITY AREAS, PROTECTED AREAS AND VEGETATION Portions of the Three Bays National Park and the Northeast Lagoon KBA are found in the Grande Rivière du Nord watershed. Parts of the Citadelle/Grottes Dondon KBA are also located in the upper reaches of the watershed (Figure 27 below). This KBA also contains the National History Park of Citadelle/Sans Souci/Ramier (CSSR). Neither is expected to be impacted by any of AVANSE’"s activities. An endemic fish, the Few-rayed Limia (Limia pauciradiata) has been found in Grande Rivière du Nord (Wiener et al. 2013; Fishbase.org). 150 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 151] FIGURE 27: CITADELLE/GROTTES DONDON KBA + “ PIX: LT ps » 7 Fa = cf TTÉRLER CIO 6 SIT PET, / GAL TA GS L'ÉTAT TABLE 30: SUMMARY CHARACTERISTICS FOR GRANDE RIVIERE DU NORD WATERSHED Characteristic Statistic 633 km 253,939 260 people/ km 128 km 374 km 130 km 335 km 224 km 63 km SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS The population in Grande Rivière du Nord is about 253,900. The population density was approximately 260 people per km? in 2005 (IHSI, 2005). Limonade and Sainte Suzanne had the most people (approximately 26,200 and 20,400, respectively) among the 10 communes that overlap with the watershed. LAND TENURE The majority of farms are between 1 and 3 ha though a significant portion in Grande Rivière du Nord are smaller than 1 ha (25%). Most farms are also owned — either inherited or purchased. Only 14% are rented or sharecropped. See Tables 6 and 7 for more information. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 151 [page 152] LAND USE Agroforestry and agriculture are dominant within Grande Rivière du Nord, accounting for 88% of the watershed. Pasture and grassland is relatively small (10%) compared to other AVANSE watersheds and extension zones. ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES With respect to economic activities, the population Grande Rivière du Nord practices agriculture, animal husbandry, fishing and commerce (IHSI, 2005). People engage in livestock activities in Bahon and Sainte Suzanne communes, while fishing is mainly found in Bahon commune. HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES The historical and cultural sites within the Grande Rivière du Nord watershed include: ° Jean-Jacques Dessalines’ residence (Grande Rivière du Nord commune), + _Colonial sites, including Colonial Jail, Autel de la Patrie, and Puerto Real, in addition to 73 Voodoo temples and 9 sacred sites (Limonade commune), and + Fort Biassou and Salnave (Vallières commune). HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES Limonade and Quartier Morin communes, parts of which are in Grande Rivière du Nord watershed, have 16 health centers. They also have a number of primary (73), secondary (16), and vocational (12) schools. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES The lowlands of the Grande Rivière du Nord watershed have extensive areas where the soils are suitable for agriculture as well as perennial rivers that provide irrigation water. Previously, AVANSE'Ss activities in the watershed focused on helping smallholder farmers improve plantain production in the lower watershed, maize and beans in the middle watershed and expanding cacao production in the middle and upper watershed. Agroforestry was previously promoted in the middle and upper watershed to reduce soil erosion and conserve water resources. AVANSE is no longer supporting maize and bean production and agroforestry activities will be curtailed in the watershed since there are no anticipated interventions in irrigated rice farming. The potential environmental and social consequences of the planned activities include the possible contamination of groundwater, rivers, lakes and inshore waters with agro-chemicals from plantain production. IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE AVANSE'Ss planned activities in the Grande Rivière du Nord watershed will focus principally on improving plantain and cacao production and marketing. In both cases, AVANSE will provide farmers with access to genetic material (cacao seedlings/cuttings and plantain root stock to improve productivity. In addition, AVANSE’s Farmer Field Schools will provide training to improve cultivation, harvesting and post-harvest handling of the two crops. 152 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 153] FIGURE 28: AVANSE ACTIVITES IN THE GRANDE RIVIÈRE DU NORD WATERSHED AVANSE activities in the Grande Rivière du Nord watershed Acul KB Er ne / TE M 4 GES dé _i tom. 0 NN ET . ? fs NT QugierMorint > TARN La Suisse j 1 —_—— "22%" 0n TIR e <- 7. , y p: RÉ fimoneëe t- 2 ñ Fo & Bois ee 40 A (a à a£ F3 J'EN Le sa Rouge =) A EVER :: G Ve |! Trou LC sui A 2 f £ do" D € ; ä x ‘avi D7,, FR on g , itadelle AY e Dons £ à ; : 8 / Ve + - Sarazin 8 A 18, - SAT | 6 \ RÉ QRoche Pate: : 4 d'n Re, Legend - ed 1 a # ne mo C2 Key biodiversity area \ A L » VE LE A C2 Protected area =] CT > à < { 7 F D ad SL PRIX AT ET Ed 3 .. PE © , di Éd LB OR 4 : PE rs Development projects |» F ae : as PI k AU #4 Le e : [1 Pianned \ ! AS LE 7 | DAC A 1 4 . C1 existing ETES Ne TT Land cover 1998 £ Ke: Ps un A { Bare rock and soil, dunes and all u ium, ! } Ke Fe Agriculture te. Dee [> a | Agroforestry à Le L Type of sites — eue ag N Œ archeological Pasture and Grassland mt À © cultural M Lakes, lagoons, wetlands Meters @ historic 22-1326 Legend Cartographiginformation PO82 - V6 Local projection UTM Zone 18 North, Datum : WGS 84 Ë er ri SIBA boutique =. sRetained crop site$ | Geographic projection:Lat/Lon (DMS), Datum: WGS 84] ” FE ü LIWatershed : 1:228, © USAID [SN 2Haït D me vus == NE EE Poe dites Meta EU IS ES Port-au-Prince Si — secondary Sources AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 153 [page 154] TABLE 31: SUMMARY OF FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITIES IN GRANDE RIVIERE DU NORD WATERSHED Activity Quantity Plantain/Banana (ha) 1450 Cacao (ha) 900 Rice (ha) n/a Interventions on irrigable land (ha) 1000 Length of treated irrigation/drainage canals (km) n/a AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY INCREASED - IR 1 ACTIVITIES POSITIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: enhancing plantain production in the lower watershed between Limonade and the coast near Bord de Mer will have a positive impact on the landscape by draining areas that are prone to flooding in the rainy season. Previously, farmers drew water from the La Tannerie Dam on the Grande Rivière du Nord to irrigate land near Quartier Morin but the dam was destroyed by floods and there is little irrigation at this time. Near Bord de Mer, the Ministry of Agriculture sank wells to provide farmers with groundwater for irrigation but few pumps are operational at this time. The AVANSE project plans to improve banana and plantain production by providing new pumps or repairing the existing pumps for boreholes near Quartier Morin along the Grande Rivière du Nord downstream of the “Paroi Bridge.” At this time, the exact location of the boreholes has not yet been determined. Groundwater pumping is also being considered in an area near Bord de Mer (including parts of the adjacent Trou du Nord watershed). At this time, the number and exact location of boreholes and pumps that will be rehabilitated has not been determined. An EMPR will be completed once the site-specific information for these two locations is available. AVANSE also plans also to convert 100 ha currently under surface irrigation to drip irrigation for a banana and plantain pilot project that will progressively extend to other farmers. AVANSE will help improve water management practices by establishing a FFS around each pump site. Each FFS will be constituted as a Water User Association (WUA) and will receive all the technical package improvements for banana and plantain production. Around 40-60 FFS will be established (one for each pump) — each covering between 15 and 20 hectares. They will also be supported by the marketing system that AVANSE will implement in the region. Improving cacao production in agroforestry systems in the upper watershed will have a beneficial impact by reducing soil erosion in areas that were previously under open-field cropping systems. Biological environment: by promoting agroforestry, AVANSE will expand and enhance habitats for wildlife including several endangered endemic species of birds and reptiles. Since cacao is grown without the use of agro-chemicals, there will be no adverse impact on biodiversity. (See text on cacao's biological impacts in the Trou du Nord section, above, for additional details.) Socio-economic environment: AVANSE'Ss activities will provide improved incomes for an estimated 900 farming families from increased plantain and cacao production. By introducing new varieties and new farming techniques, AVANSE will help farmers increase production and income. 154 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 155] NEGATIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: cacao production is not likely to have any negative consequences on the physical environment in the upper watersheds. In contrast, plantain production north of Limonade (Quartier Morin) and near Bord de Mer will involve pumping of groundwater — and possibly river water — for irrigation and will require improved drainage to prevent waterlogging. It is also likely that some agro-chemicals would be used to control pests such as nematodes and fungal infections. Groundwater pumping will require about 15 [/s for each of 50 pumps to supply water to about 15 ha under plantains: the total abstraction rate would be about 750 l/s for 750 ha near Quartier Morin and, potentially, another 200 ha near Bord de Mer. The groundwater abstraction potential near Quartier Morin it is about 900 [/s and at Bord de Mer is about 1,600 [/s and. In effect, rehabilitation of 50 wells and pumps will not have a detrimental impact on groundwater reserves. Moreover, the risk of salt water intrusion at these locations is low based on published data (Marchand, 2012: Figure 8, p. 22) though the area near Bord de Mer is close to the zone of potential salt water intrusion. However, the threat of salt water intrusion cannot be assessed With high degree of confidence until the exact location, depth and abstraction rates for the boreholes have been determined. If the boreholes are in close proximity to each other the depression of the water table will be greater and the likelihood of salt water intrusion will increase. AVANSE will complete EMPRS for the proposed pumping sites once the site-specific information is available. In the case of pumping water from the Grande Rivière du Nord, available data suggest that there is adequate base flow to irrigate plantain and banana fields. The lowest flows occur in April and July. On 31 July, 2015, the measured flow rate was 1.78 m°/s or 1780 l/s. This is about 32% of the average for the month of July and equal to the minimum flow in the river that was registered in 1938. Based on this information, withdrawing 275 to 350 l/s would be possible Without creating any disturbance to the river system. In effect, 250 to 300 hectares can be irrigated with water pumped from the river. However, there may be other irrigation systems along the Grand Rivière du Nord of which we are unaware. AVANSE will need to complete a comprehensive assessment of other users downstream of the proposed abstraction point before constructing any new intakes. Biological environment: the Grande Rivière du Nord discharges into the sea to the west of the Bay of Caracol which is part of the Three Bays Protected Area. The coastal zone includes mangrove forests that are an important habitat for fish and other marine organisms and also provide protection from storm surges. Agrochemical use on plantain crops in the lower watershed could contaminate the mangrove ecosystems and inshore waters. AVANSE will not support the use of pesticides on plantain crops and will promote Integrated Pest Management practices to minimize the use of pesticides and ensure that the storage, handling, use and disposal of pesticides and packaging are safe. (See text on cacao's biological impacts in the Trou du Nord section, above, for additional details.) Socio-economic environment: AVANSE'S IR 1 activities will not have a detrimental impact on people’s livelihoods. Possible health issues related to agro-chemicals and water quality will be averted by providing training on the safe use of fertilizers. Treatment of plantain cuttings to control nematodes involves washing of the roots in warm water and will not create any health hazards. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 155 [page 156] WATERSHED STABILITY IMPROVED - IR 2 ACTIVITIES No IR 2 activities will be implemented in the Grand Rivière du Nord watershed. AGRICULTURAL MARKETS STRENGTHENED - IR 3 ACTIVITIES POSITIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: At present, no IR 3 post-harvest or processing grant activities are planned in Grand Rivière du Nord through the AVANSE grant program. Biological environment: see above under IR 1 activities. Socio-economic environment: see above under IR 1 activities. NEGATIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: it is anticipated mechanized equipment may be used for preparing fields for plantain/banana production — particularly for excavating drainage ditches, which could result in soil compaction. We do not anticipate any significant negative impacts. Biological environment: see above under IR 1 activities. Socio-economic environment: see above under IR 1 activities. INFRASTRUCTURE POSITIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: AVANSE's will not implement any infrastructure activities in the Grand Rivière du Nord watershed other than the provision and rehabilitation of pumps for irrigating plantain and bananas. It is anticipated mechanized equipment may be used for preparing fields for plantain production — particularly for excavating drainage ditches, which could result in soil compaction. We do not anticipate any significant negative impacts but AVANSE will monitor plantain fields for evidence of increased waterlogging resulting from soil compaction. Biological environment: see above under IR 1 activities. Socio-economic environment: see above under IR 1 activities. NEGATIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: see above under IR 1 activities. Biological environment: see above under IR 1 activities. Socio-economic environment: see above under IR 1 activities. INDIRECT IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE The planned AVANSE activities in the Grand Rivière du Nord watershed comprise a package of interventions focused on improving plantain production in the lower watershed and cacao production in the middle and upper watershed. These activities will improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers by increasing income from commercial production. Potential indirect impacts include reduced food production by smallholders that convert from maize and bean production to plantain or cacao. Also, AVANSE has noted some cases of school age children engaged in paid labor in cacao nurseries. 156 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 157] CUMULATIVE IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE Cumulative impacts of the AVANSE project activities have been assessed using the methodology described under the Jassa watershed above. For Grande Rivière du Nord, the overall result of the assessment is a positive cumulative impact as depicted in Table 31 below. However, similar to Jassa and Marion, there are several discrete activity pairings that yield adverse impact values. For Grande Rivière du Nord, these revolve around GAPSs for irrigated plantain/banana production. Please see the discussion under Trou du Nord above regarding how these GAPSs can be enhanced to reduce adverse effects and as well as improved to increase positive effects. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 157 [page 158] TABLE 32: CUMULATIVE IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF AVANSE ACTIVITIES IN GRANDE RIVIERE DU NORD = Grande “anomear mener | Zel LS els 9 0, 5e ie La li 1l Riviere re dE DIE Li sal 4° 5 si 5 Éigelésl : HE du Nord 58] 558 AHATIHE ii HÉE HAE HE Sil S4l82] PA ÉRSEBEE) 2888) Salsa 25888 L] 21 2 1 1 1 LJ LI 1 1 41 LI 1 Ésoteruon | 2 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 1 4 boum 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 1 1 au | 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 are arms 1 4 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 L] 2 2 1 1 1 LJ LI 1 1 41 LI 1 H HE o 4 2 1 1 1 o o 1 1 4 o 4 [ARE Specs Ë Îié me { z 1 2 3 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 4 1 1 Énrec bay $ H £ 8 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 41 1 1 Protected Area $ 23 maketoriented| 1 2 2 4 1 1 4 4 4 4 2 2 4 pt È 1 4 4 1 1 2 4 4 1 1 4 1 4 ; 3 Strong Adverse Effect 3 56 È < si à mener mo Cage H 3 È |$ conauson +1 Somewhat Benefictal 2 Positive Eflect/beneit pe 158 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 159] The Grande Rivière du Nord and adjacent Trou du Nord watersheds have seen several major investment projects in recent years and other sites have been identified as potential locations for other large development initiatives. These include the following identified by the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF, 2015): e The Caracol Industrial Park (active site in Trou du Nord) (site 1 on Figure 28) °e The power station associated with the Industrial — which also provides electricity to towns such as Trou du Nord, Limonade and Terrier Rouge as well as development projects such as Nourribio (active site in Trou du Nord) (site 1 on Figure 28) ° Road development between the Industrial Park and Cap Haïtien (under development) e The University of Limonade (active site in Trou du Nord) e Urban development plans for Limonade (under development in Grande Rivière du Nord) e The solid waste facility at Mouchinette (under development in Grande Rivière du Nord) (site 22 on Figure 28) e The Three Bays Protected Area (under development) e __Watershed management and natural disaster reduction program (under development by the IDB in Grande Rivière du Nord) e Mining concessions (under development in Grande Rivière du Nord) (sites 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 on Figure 28) The development initiatives that are proposed or underway in Grande Rivière du Nord and the adjacent Trou du Nord watershed will generally have a beneficial impact on AVANSE's activities. The large increase in population that is anticipated for Limonade, Caracol, Trou du Nord and Terrier Rouge will create new markets for plantain farmers. The improvements to the road from Caracol to the port facilities in Cap Haïtien will improve access to cacao processing facilities and export routes. The solid waste site at Mounchinette near Limonade will handle mainly urban and industrial waste but it will have a beneficial impact on surface water quality — which is currently poor owing to the large amount of plastic waste that finds its way into streams and rivers throughout northern Haïti. A potential negative impact is the effect of job creation near Caracol — the Industrial Park alone will have about 65,000 workers — on the availability of farm labor. In northern Haïti, there is already a shortage of labor as young men and women move to urban areas looking for jobs. The impact of the development and investment projects in Trou du Nord will likely lead to further out migration from neighboring rural areas. While cacao production is not highly labor intensive, there is a risk that young children who should be attending school will be enlisted in on-farm activities. AVANSE will mitigate this through focused messaging during FFS training and other events. The Three Bays Protected Area program has yet to start implementing field activities but we anticipate that there will be opportunities to collaborate on mangrove rehabilitation and conservation activities in areas close to AVANSE'S plantain sites. We will actively seek opportunities to collaboratively monitor water quality in the lower reaches of the Grande Rivière du Nord and immediately offshore from the river mouth to ensure that neither sediment loads nor levels of chemical pollutants increase as a result of AVANSE activities. Overall, the promotion of organic fertilizer and little or no pesticide use in the cacao and plantain GAP packages and mitigations measures will reduce levels of agrochemicals in the river (see Table 11 and Annex F for more information). Due to AVANSE's modified SOW and a lack of irrigation activities in the Grande Rivière du Nord watershed, the project is no longer pursuing watershed stabilization and soil conservation activities in the uplands. However, the IDB anticipates implementing soil conservation activities in the upper reaches of the watershed. These efforts AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 159 [page 160] Will have a beneficial impact on the Grande Rivière du Nord’s sediment loads further downstream. One active exploration concession — the VCS flagship site near Morne Bossa west of Limonade — and several potential exploration sites are located in the Grande Rivière du Nord watershed. The Morne Bossa site covers 50 km? and holds has potentially exploitable deposits of gold, silver and copper. If these concessions are developed, there would be potential pollution of river water that is used for agriculture and of groundwater that is used for domestic water supply. At this time, we have no information on likelihood or timing of any mining operations. The main collaborative opportunities for enhancing positive cumultative impacts of other development projects in the watershed are working with the PN3B staff on communications and working with the IDB on soil conservation. Please see the discussion under Trou du Nord and Jassa, respectively, for a brief description of potential collaboration. 160 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 161] HAUT DU CAP WATERSHED PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT The Haut du Cap watershed contains a large area of low, coastal plain generally suitable for agriculture. There are hilly and mountainous areas in the southern parts of the watershed as well as a small coastal mountain range just west of Cap Haïtien. Fourteen sub-watersheds have been identified within the primary watershed (DAI, 2013a). TOPOGRAPHY Most of the Haut du Cap watershed — 71% — is below 75 m and dominated by relatively flat or gently sloping land. Mountainous or hilly terrain is found in three areas: the southern quarter of the watershed, the western border with Limbé watershed, and the coastal outcropping west of Cap Haïtien. Only 9% of the watershed is above 600 m. The soil potential map DU CAP produced for the Acul Vegetation and land use in Haut-du-Cap watershed du Nord commune — y et part of which falls « Re : Within the Haut du 7 % ir DEN SS 2 a Cap watershed — . (PT A SE | ol depicts a situation h k L , rS 2 un where the majority of : } Ua AE LE the soils are classified Fee e Ne px A D 1 as limited to very #7: (À Peas SA = bee limited (Commune de Qù —— FT fauare moin l’Acul du Nord, 2009). LA ï LgPaine du Nord) 12 RESOURCES ; Bois de Lane Compared to other THE À » Era 1] AVANSE watersheds, ET A LMEA | é Haut du Cap's PO is, CT ET 7 , hydrological network ” a RE Dons te) 3 À is less developed. É # "j LUE 4} ï : À mn | With respect to Lf À Vro LE ÿ - . ÉFS specific data, A: 7 Ra SUN é FAT À 7 35 - PLANCONSULT, an eZ # LD LÉ SE À A AVANSE contractor, ti LA F à 4 4 PR RRS PE, EX recorded a field flow Tr CAR, CP 0 {Land cover 1998 : measurement of 0.15 Sie En see 2 m°/s on 16 January TA ps 2015 on Rivière Anba Te ——" DM roc Lanmè, a tributary of ÿ Re ent the Haut du Cap —— Legend 2" Cartographie information “USAID ne casernes AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 161 [page 162] BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT KEY BIODIVERSITY AREAS, PROTECTED AREAS AND VEGETATION Parts of the northern coast and Citadelle/Grottes Dondon KBAs are located in the Haut du Cap watershed. There are large seagrass beds in the Baie de l’Acul in the western part of the watershed. After Trou du Nord, Haut du Cap also contains the largest mangrove area in the AVANSE intervention zone: 936 ha (FoProBiM, 2013). TABLE 33: SUMMARY CHARACTERISTICS FOR HAUT DU CAP WATERSHED Characteristic Statistic Total area 380 km Population 242,411 Population density 261 people/ km°* Area < 75 m (elevation 269 km Area 75 — 600 m (elevation 78 km Area > 600 m (elevation) 33 km Area of agriculture 204 km Area of agroforest 80 km Area of pasture/grassland 38 km * excluding the commune of Cap Haïtien SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS The population in the Haut du Cap watershed is approximately 242,400. Excluding the commune of Cap Haïtien (with a significant urban population), the population density was approximately 260 people per km? in 2005 (IHSI, 2005). At 353 people per km”, Milot was the most densely populated commune in the watershed. LAND TENURE Haut du Cap watershed has a relatively high percentage of farms less than 1 ha: 38%. Most of the farms (51%) are still between 1 and 3 ha. Regarding access to land, Haut du Cap follows the same pattern as most of the other AVANSE watersheds and extension areas: most of the land is owned with only 13% sharecropped or rented. See Tables 6 and 7 for more information. LAND USE As with most of the AVANSE watersheds and extension zones, agriculture leads with 54% of the land being used for this purpose. Pasture and grassland is low compared to other areas within the AVANSE target zone and only covers 10% of the Haut du Cap watershed. Mangroves occupy 2% of the land in the watershed. ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES The main economic activities for people in the Haut du Cap watershed are commerce, agriculture, fishing and some livestock rearing (IHSI, 2005). Fishing is most pronounced in the Cap Haïtien and Milot communes. Animal husbandry is most common in Acul du Nord commune. There is also a significant amount of commerce that occurs between the communes found in the watershed. 162 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 163] HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES The principal historical and cultural sites in the Haut du Cap watershed are the Citadelle and Sans Souci Palace, both in Milot commune and part of a National History Park. Other important sites include: e _Vertières on the outskirts of Cap Haïtien, e the grave of former president Pierrot in Acul du Nord commune, and e 12 voodoo temples and 2 sacred sites in Quartier Morin commune. HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES The commune of Quartier Morin — part of which lies in Haut du Cap watershed — has 7 health centers. There are also 28 primary and secondary schools and one vocational school in the commune. Other rural areas in Haut du Cap watershed are similarly equipped while the urban center of Cap Haïtien has numerous health facilities and schools (including University-level facilities). ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES The lowlands of the Haut du Cap watershed have extensive areas where the soils are suitable for agriculture as well as perennial rivers that provide irrigation water. Previously, AVANSE's activities in the watershed focused on helping smallholder farmers improve maize and beans, rice and plantain production in the middle of the watershed and expanding cacao production in the middle and upper watershed. Agroforestry was previously promoted in the middle and upper watershed to reduce soil erosion and conserve water resources. AVANSE is no longer supporting maize and bean production and agroforestry activities will focus on areas immediately upstream from areas where AVANSE is planning to support irrigated rice farming: Grison Garde and Dubré. The La Suisse irrigation system — which lies immediately to the west of the Dubré perimeter — was previously considered a possible AVANSE site. The potential environmental and social consequences of the planned activities include possible contamination of groundwater, rivers and inshore waters with agro-chemicals used for rice/plantain production. IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE AVANSE'Ss planned activities in the Haut du Cap watershed will focus principally on improving rice, plantain and cacao production and marketing. AVANSE will provide farmers with access to genetic material (rice seed, cacao seedlings/cutting and plantain root stock to improve productivity. In addition, AVANSE's Farmer Field Schools will provide training to improve cultivation, harvesting and post-harvest handling of the three crops. Plantain and banana production will be supported in the area near Quartier Morin immediately adjacent to the Grande Rivière du Nord. We will not present a detailed description of these activities here since they are already described above in the section on Grande Rivière du Nord. TABLE 34: SUMMARY OF FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITIES IN HAUT DU CAP WATERSHED Activity Quantity Plantain/Banana (ha 1050 Cacao (ha) 900 Rice (ha) 360 Interventions on irrigable land (ha 360 Length of treated irrigation/drainage canals (km) 8.14 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 163 [page 164] AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY INCREASED - IR 1 ACTIVITIES POSITIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: improving rice production in the Grison Garde and Dubré irrigated perimeters — and, potentially, La Suisse — will improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and will have a beneficial impact on the environment by drainage from irrigated perimeters. By promoting SRI, AVANSE will help farmers reduce their water needs and their use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. FIGURE 30: LOWER HAUT DU CAP WATERSHED: DUBRE, LA SUISSE AND GRISON GARDE IRRIGATED PERIMETERS Dubre and La Suisse irrigated perimeters: "' de ê Drainage canalRavine rod ÉAE À © Flowmeasurement location Re, ”” . L7_ Irrigated perimeter Haut dolcePr ve 0 A {rigation intake. : ++ Streams ! 4 Cnison Gardeigatediperimeler à l Google earth a Hison Garde Ravine ‘ { À NE Arr _. Grison Garde Intakel 7. N IRastetewmensarementtocaion à Sn 164 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 165] FIGURE 31: AVANSE ACTIVITIES IN THE HAUT DU CAP WATERSHED AVANSE activities in the Haut-du-Cap watershed - ; D = | D co # (4 A Ts Plaine du Nord PS ÿ de Éée gi" #P Ù “ Er , #7 ie j [ce pa LÉ 4 * Bois de Lance 2 d'Épebé AU de HE | © br RC PS Ne FT NE PI. If NAS EE VRRT à” TS 2 'É6 44 | D» ere Grotte DondonK8A=" - Development projects ” £ |, AMêmé Bey kBA # LE r $ sd 4 4 PF) À G\ ’ 7 __|Planned ë E 1 TS A à Fr sl = | > * LT erising > ST lets. # : ; Land cover 1998 PS LE ji" k A D … £ Bare rock and soil, dunes and alluviu Type of sites — mnt @) archeological I ere © cultural C1 Protected area Pasture and Grassland @ historic [1 Key biodiversity area D Lakes, lagoons, wetlands gend 11120" tographic information ES = Potential boutique == . uction date: November 06, LS 4 CO rrigeted land " Armes S'5 [sources AfANSE Erin ce AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 165 [page 166] The Grison Garde irrigation system covers about 220 ha and is irrigated with water from the Rivière Mornet that drains into the Rivière Gallois and then into the Rivière Haut du Cap (see Figure 31). Currently, rice is the predominant culture in Grison but farmers also grow beans, corn, cabbage, hot pepper, and plantain at smaller scale. There are no known irrigation systems downstream of Grison Garde. The system is currently in very poor condition. The check dam is too low to elevate water into the main intake canal during the low flow season and the canal networks are dysfunctional and filed with sediment owing to lack of maintenance, repair and deforestation in the upper watershed. The system has become completely inefficient, losing water owing to infiltration through the walls and bottom of the main, primary and secondary canals. Additionally, there is no proper drainage system with all the water draining into adjacent fields, ravines, or back into the river. Fields are therefore flooded during heavy rainfall. AVANSE plans to implement the rehabilitation and extension of the Grison Garde system with an additional 148 ha that will increase the area of the irrigated system to 368 ha. The whole system will be devoted to rice production. À number of activities have been proposed to make the system functional by maintaining irrigation water across all channels to ensure accessibility of the whole perimeter including extension areas. The Dubré irrigation system is located 5.3 km north-east of the Grison Garde irrigation system and enjoys the same climate as Grison Garde. Its hydrology is different. It is irrigated with water from the Anba Lanmè River, a tributary of the Haut du Cap andis joined to its north by Rivière Mamane before draining into the Haut du Cap River to the north (see Figure 31). The system currenily irrigates 78 ha. A portion of river flow is diverted by means of a check dam comprising a weir and two lateral canals on each bank with a capacity of 60 l/s each. The system is in very poor condition with unlined primary and secondary canals. Farmers complain of poor drainage during heavy rainfall in November and in May. No other irrigation systems are found downstream of the Dubré extension system. The AVANSE project plans to rehabilitate the existing system by fixing the primary and secondary irrigation canals and cleaning the drainage canal. Moreover, the project plans to extend the system by adding 62 ha — giving a total area of 140 hectares for the production of rice. The planned extension will include the construction of an intake upstream of the existing one as well as canal network. The irrigation demand for the extended irrigation system, based on the analysis of Grison Garde, is 140 I/s (with 1 l/s/ha) provided that the efficiency is above 90% when the system is fully functional and provided that SRI is adopted by all the farmers. With an estimated 50% reduction in water needs using SRI, the total demand would be 280 l/s. The Dubré farmers currently grow rice one or two seasons each year and would like to grow rice year-round but cannot do so for lack of water. Adoption of SRI — which requires less water — and system rehabilitation would enable the Dubré farmers to add another season of rice production. SRI rice would be more remunerative than growing off-season cabbage, turnips, beans, carrots and maize and would dramatically increase farmers’ income. The La Suisse irrigation system is located on the lower Haut du Cap watershed west of the Dubré irrigation system. The current system covers 137 ha and is mainly under rice but also sugar cane, corn, beans and other crops. Water used for irrigation comes from River Mananet, a tributary of the Anba Lanmè River via an existing intake and canals on both sides of the intake With a capacity of 60 l/s each (see Figure 31). 166 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 167] La Suisse is an area with serious drainage problems. In the rainy season, particularly in November, the area is flooded leading to serious crop losses. This situation occurs annually particularly in November during peak rainfall. The AVANSE project previously planned to rehabilitate the La Suisse irrigation scheme through canal construction and improved drainage. The goal of the rehabilitation was to increase the potential exploitable agricultural area at the zone; to obtain better agricultural yields for crops grown; to intensify rice crops, beans and vegetable growing; and to decrease the fallow period that generally corresponds to the rainy season. The system was planned to be extended by adding 83 ha to attain a total area of 220 ha. The rehabilitation and new extension would require a water supply of 220 l/s based on increased conveyance efficiency and the use of less water through broad adoption of SRI. Improving cacao production in agroforestry systems in the upper watershed will have a beneficial impact by reducing soil erosion in areas that were previously under open-field cropping systems. Biological environment: by promoting agroforestry, AVANSE will expand and enhance habitats for wildlife including several endangered endemic species of birds and reptiles. Since cacao is grown without the use of agro-chemicals, there will be no adverse impact on biodiversity. (See text on cacao's biological impacts in the Trou du Nord section, above, for additional details.) SRI rice production techniques and associated promotion of GAPSs for the rice package should significantly reduce inorganic fertilizer use and the amount of agro-chemicals in drainage water (see Table 11 above and Annex F for more details). This will, in turn, reduce adverse effects on aquatic flora and fauna. As part of the mitigation measures linked to the PN3B, KBAs and coastal areas, we have included the goal of eliminating the use of inorganic fertilizers in the rice GAPs and the umbrella EMPR for IR1 (see Annex F). Socio-economic environment: AVANSE'Ss activities will provide improved incomes for an estimated 10,500 farming families from increased rice, plantain and cacao production and agroforestry activities. By introducing new varieties and new farming techniques, AVANSE will help farmers increase production and income. Although about 25% more labor is required for growing rice using SRI compared with traditional rice (especially for planting), farmers report that the added cost is more than made up for by the reduced cost of inputs and increased yields. At Grison Garde, farmers noted that yields were 80% to 100% more than the yields under traditional cropping systems. Universal adoption of SRI appears to occur much more rapidly than was originally thought possible. Most farmers report that all members of their FFS have adopted SRI rice technology — about 300 farmers at Grison Garde. Several farmers also reported “lateral diffusion” of SRI to family members, friends and neighbors with whom they work in konbit. Based on a small sample of farmers, we can assume that for every FFS members that adopts SRI, at least two other non- FFS farmers are also adopters. NEGATIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: rice production relies heavily on water from rivers draining the hills and uplands to the south. The main issue raised by extending the irrigation systems to produce additional rice is the availability and the supply of water to meet the needs for the entire irrigation system. The availability must take into account agricultural need as well as ecological needs downstream of the system both in terms of the quality and quantity of water. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 167 [page 168] A detailed discussion of the potential to improve irrigated agriculture at the three sites in the Haut du Cap watershed is presented below in the section below on Infrastructure. Cacao production is not likely to have any negative consequences on the physical environment in the upper watersheds. In contrast, plantain production near Grison Garde will require improved drainage to prevent waterlogging. It is also likely that some agro-chemicals would be used to control pests such as nematodes and fungal infections. Biological environment: the rivers of the Haut du Cap watershed discharge into the sea near Cap Haïtien and the Bay d’Acul near Acul du Nord — both areas lie outside of the Three Bays Protected Area. The shores of the Bay d'Acul include mangrove forests that are an important habitat for fish and other marine organisms and also provide protection from storm surges. Agrochemical use on rice and plantain crops in the middle watershed could contaminate the mangrove ecosystems and inshore waters. AVANSE will not support the use of pesticides on rice or plantain crops and will promote Integrated Pest Management practices to minimize the use of pesticides and ensure that the storage, handling, use and disposal of pesticides and packaging are safe. Drainage from the proposed irrigated improvements will contain some agro- chemicals and pesticides which will have a detrimental impact on aquatic organisms further downstream. However, we expect agro-chemical levels to be low based on AVANSE'S promotion of organic fertilizer as part of its rice GAPSs and mitigation measures. AVANSE expects to provide rice seed to famers in the Haut du Cap perimeters of Grison Garde and Dubré where Farmer Field Schools are implemented. Seed will be provided directly to some farmers for training purposes and to others through the SIBA initiative. If any rice seed for planting has been treated with pesticides, AVANSE will acquire only seed that has been treated With products that are approved for seed treatment under the 2014 Annual Update of the Mission PERSUAP: Maxim XL (EC) and Thiram 75 (WP). Battalion 0.2 is also approved but it is not considered suitable for treating rice seed. The PERSUAP also recommends Actellic 5E (pirimithos-methyl 57%) for post-harvest treatment of seed to prevent insect damage. Some vendors of rice seed for planting use Actellic to reduce damage to the seed while it is being stored prior to being sold to farmers. We regard Actellic treated rice as suitable for planting. Since treated seed can be harmful to human health and to aquatic organisms and will be stored, handled and used only under strict compliance with PERSUAP guidelines. Treated rice seed distributed through the SIBA initiative will be stored apart from all other commodities. The SIBA initiative will also provide rice farmers with access to plowing services. It is anticipated that the use of mechanized equipment could result in soil compaction and poor drainage. AVANSE will monitor the impact of mechanized farming on soil structure and drainage and, if warranted, will promote the use of animal traction for plowing. This aligns with MARNDR current policies and guidelines. Agro-chemicals are not used on cacao but farmers use a variety of techniques to control rats and mice that damage the cacao pods. At this time, we are not aware of any use of toxic rodenticides — rather farmers use concoctions made of salt that kill the rodents. AVANSE will ensure that FFS training includes safe ways to control such pests. (See text on cacao's biological impacts in the Trou du Nord section, above, for additional details.) Socio-economic environment: AVANSE'Ss IR 1 activities will not have a detrimental impact on people’s livelihoods. Possible health issues related to agro-chemicals and water quality will be averted by providing training on the safe use of fertilizers. Treatment of plantain cuttings to 168 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 169] control nematodes involves washing of the roots in warm water and will not create any health hazards. WATERSHED STABILITY IMPROVED - IR 2 ACTIVITIES POSITIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: IR 2 activities in Haut du Cap will focus on two zones upstream from the Grison Garde perimeter and two above Dubré. All four of these areas are in the upper portions of the catchments that provide irrigation water to the perimeters. The total area is 960 ha — 540 ha above Grison Garde and 420 ha above Dubré and La Suisse. AVANSE has used satellite imagery and ground-truthing to identify hillsides that have sparse natural vegetation cover and are prone to soil erosion when heavy rainfall creates surface runoff. Project interventions will include vegetative measures to control soil erosion — vetiver grass, agroforestry and cover crops — and installing physical structure to capture runoff and reduce erosion — contour bunds and temporary fences. By reducing soil erosion on hillsides, AVANSE will diminish siltation in rivers and irrigation canals, maintain soil cover for productive agriculture and replace bare hillsides with valuable trees and crops that provide nutritious foods and income. Above the Grison Garde irrigated perimeter, participating farmers have already significantly reduced erosion on steep slopes on four existing agroforestry blocks using mechanical and vegetative soil and water conservation practices. One of the existing blocks extends along about 500 m of hillside with about a 30% slope parallel to and immediately above the main Grison Garde irrigation canal. The site was chosen to protect the canal from sedimentation caused by runoff from agricultural parcels on the adjacent hillside. The block now appears to be complete With contiguous agroforestry parcels covering the whole hillside from top to bottom. Farmers report being very pleased with the results and note that they will maintain the infrastructure and continue to apply the practices without additional incentives from AVANSE. There is already evidence of “lateral diffusion” — farmer-to-farmer transference of technology — as some people that did not participate in the AVANSE FFS initiative have taken up the practices. Biological environment: enhanced vegetation cover will provide habitat for wildlife included several threatened species — particularly birds and reptiles — that are endemic to Hispaniola. The IR 2 agroforestry blocks above Dubré are adjacent to the Citadelle/Grottes Dondon KBA that still have some forest cover and will serve as a buffer to help preserve the wooded area. Socio-economic environment: agroforestry activities will provide increased incomes for smallholder farmers from cash crops such as pineapple, plantain and okra while food crops such as maize, beans and peanuts will improve family nutrition. Many of the hillsides where AVANSE will support interventions are relatively unproductive pasture. By implementing farmer field schools that promote agroforestry, AVANSE will help individual farming families gain to access konbit labor to prepare their parcels for new crops — labor that is otherwise in short supply since many young people have moved from the rural areas to find work. NEGATIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: potential negative consequences of agroforestry and erosion control measures include exposing the land surface to runoff before the vegetative cover is established or when annual crops such as peanuts are harvested. AVANSE will limit these risks by intercropping with trees and perennial shrubs and grasses such as vetiver. In addition, AVANSE Will promote the use of cover crops such as mucuna (Mucuna pruriens) that not only protect the AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 169 [page 170] soil surface from erosion but also contribute organic matter that enhances the water retention capacity of the soil. Biological environment: we do not anticipate any negative consequences if agroforestry interventions are implemented upstream of sites where irrigation infrastructure is improved. Agroforestry activities that have been undertaken by AVANSE in the past may continue to expand without additional project interventions. In several watersheds where AVANSE has been implementing soil conservation initiatives, early adopters have been supporting their neighbors by providing advice, labor and planting materials. Socio-economic environment: AVANSE's agroforestry activities will require collaboration among farming families to provide labor for initial land preparation and planting. The konbit system remains very active in this part of Haïti, so no major issues or challenges are foreseen. By adopting agroforestry systems, some farmers may reduce the total area available for food crop production. To compensate, they may have to use their other parcels more intensively or adopt shorter fallow periods that could eventually result in decreased yields and increased soil erosion. AGRICULTURAL MARKETS STRENGTHENED - IR 3 ACTIVITIES POSITIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: one IR 3 activity will be implemented in Haut du Cap through the AVANSE grant program — the PISA cacao processing initiative. The PISA cacao fermentation facility will improve current processing capacity and enhance the quality of cacao destined for export. By centralizing fermentation activities, the facility will reduce the potential negative impact of small fermentation facilities that do not take adequate precautions to avoid pollution that can be caused by poor wastewater management. Biological environment: the centralized cacao fermentation and processing facility will help reduce environmental pollution that can occur at small, less well-managed facilities. Socio-economic environment: the PISA facility will enable smallholder cacao farmers and farmers’ cooperatives gain better access to local buyers. Since fermentation requires that the cacao beans are processed soon after harvesting, the cooperatives and buyers will improve collection and transport of the cacao beans to the PISA facility. NEGATIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: the cacao fermentation process produces liquid waste that must be managed to avert pollution especially of streams and rivers. The owner/implementer of this short-listed grant is Produits des Iles S.A. (PISA). This is a private enterprise owned by REBO S.A. and focused on coffee export and cacao fermentation and export. The present project consists in increasing the cacao fermentation capacity of PISA by building a new 50m? fermentation warehouse and purchasing wooden fermentation crates. AVANSE plans to assist With investments in wooden fermentation crates. This equipment is valued at USD $58,000 (approximately). Key environmental mitigation actions: °__Proper management of water use, including standing water and runoff. °e __ Temporary drainage, erosion control and sediment retention measures (for rainy season construction/rehabilitation) 170 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 171] Biological environment: liquid waste from the fermentation process could have negative consequences, if it released into streams and rivers. Socio-economic environment: we do not anticipate any negative consequences of the PISA grant but the grantee will be required to adopt appropriate safeguards to mitigate any potential issues. These include: e Safety and health instruction for construction/rehabilitation workers and provision of personal protective equipment. e _Proper ventilation of facility to reduce exposure of workers to exhaust, dust and heat. INFRASTRUCTURE POSITIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: AVANSE'Ss will implement infrastructure improvement activities in Haut du Cap watershed in the Grison Garde and Dubré irrigated perimeters and possibly, in the La Suisse perimeter. The activities will include improving water supply to the irrigated perimeters by repairing diversions from the rivers and by cleaning supply canals and drainage systems. 6.26 km of supply canals will be cleaned at Grison Garde and 1.88 km at Dubré. Biological environment: with the SRI technique less fertilizer and less pesticide are typically needed. Therefore, the water that eventually flows back into the river downstream of the irrigation perimeter will be less polluted thus reducing any negative impact on the downstream ecosystem. Socio-economic environment: see above under IR 1. NEGATIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: FAO proposes an approximate method of determining the irrigation water need of an entire irrigation area assuming a constant average irrigation need for the entire season. Typical value for rice is 1.5 liters per second per hectare. This is equivalent to a daily water requirement of 13 mm to compensate for water lost through evapotranspiration. Moreover, this figure also compensates for the continuous percolation losses, to saturate the root zone and prepare the wet soil, called puddling, and to keep the field submerged. Other values are suggested in ONU/DCTD, 1991 to determine the irrigation need for rice varying between 0.8 and 1.1 per second per hectare. These values exclude loss by infiltration due to increased conveyance efficiency and application efficiency with the rehabilitation of the conveyance system and the adaptation of SRI. Under AVANSE, selected farmers have received Farmer Field School training on the application of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI — Système de Riziculture Intensive). It is a climate- smart and agro-ecologically sound methodology to increase the productivity of irrigated rice by changing the management of plants, soil, water and nutrients. Using the SRI methodology, yields are increased by 20 to 50% or more, while reducing inputs: irrigation water by 30-50%, chemical fertilizer by 20-100%, and reduced need for pesticides. With the application of SRI, a conservative value of 1 l/s/ha is suggested as the irrigation need for rice within the irrigation systems targeted by AVANSE, assuming that all farmers will adopt the system toward the end of the project. The water needs for irrigating 368 ha at Grison Garde are 368 l/s. The major constraint that prevents better use of the perimeter and its eventual extension to 368 ha is the average flow in AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 171 [page 172] the main channel — which is limited 250 l/s. With this limited capacity of the canal, only 250 hectares can be irrigated - leaving 118 ha under stress. TABLE 35: IRRIGATION WATER NEEDS AT THE DIFFÉRENT IRRIGATION SYSTEMS IN THE HAUT DU CAP WATERSHED Locations Current Extension Projected Water Water irrigated (ha) total (ha) | needs per needs area (ha) hectare total Uslha Us Grison 220 148 368 1 368 Garde There are no hydrometric data on the temporal variation in the water level or flow for the Rivière Mornet. During this study, the measured flow rate (on 16 July 2015) upstream of the intake (GGSS1) was 313 l/s. This flow rate was measured with the USGS Type AA current flow meter. The measured flow rate at the intake or head canal (GGSS2) was 133 l/s, which represents only 42.5% of the flow in the river. Owing to the elevation of the intake, water cannot enter the canal so it cannot function at full capacity. At its full capacity of 250 [/s, the uptake would be 80% of the flow in the river leaving 62 l/s during periods of low flow for the ecological functions. Grison Garde: the rehabilitation of the irrigation system at Grison Garde shows no significant potential impact on the hydrology. The Mornet River has sufficient water to sustain this irrigation system. The system will not withdraw more water from the river beyond the original capacity of its intake canal (emphasis added). Additionally, its environmental impact will be minimal with the application of SRI for rice production. The Grison Garde system will not actually be able to irrigate all 368 ha as intended. 118 hectares will not be irrigated year round despite increasing the efficiency of the system and the application of SRI. In order to irrigate more land, the intake size would have to be increased to allow the transport of more water into the perimeter. Dubré: the hydrology of the Dubré system is not well known. PlanConsult conducted a study for the rehabilitation and extension of the Dubré system and took flow measurement upstream of the proposed extension intake site on 16 January, 2015 and found a value of 150 l/s. This value was used in the design of the new extension intake. AVANSE took flow measurements at three locations on 15 July, 2015: current intake canal; downstream of intake; and upstream of the proposed extension intake (see Figure 31). The flow at the extension intake was lower (96 l/s) than that reported for January owing to low rainfall in July — which is the typical low flow period in the adjacent Limbé and Grande Rivière du Nord watersheds. It should be noted, however, that the low flows measured in July, 2015 may not be average base flows but rather “minimum flows” given that rainfall has been considerably less than usual in the dry seasons of 2014 and 2015. In effect, a value between 150 l/s and 96 [/s (about 123 1/s) would be a more appropriate average base flow for the Anba Lanmè River. The following values were obtained. 172 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 173] TABLE 36: FLOW MEASUREMENT AT THE DUBRÉ IRRIGATION SYSTEM Extension Existing intake Downstream intake canal 16 January, 150 |/s PlanConsult 2015 In summary, the flow in the Anba Lanmè River is insufficient to irrigate 140 ha year round even With the rehabilitation of the existing system, the construction of the new systems with lined canals operating at high conveyance efficiency, and increased efficiency with the application of SRI. 47 ha will be left without irrigation assuming 30 l/s should be left in the river to ensure normal ecological functions. Even with the reduced irrigable area, the system should be designed to withdraw less water during the base flow season and more during wet months. There will be minimal environmental impact with the application of SRI. PlanConsult recommends “tours d’eau” to irrigate the entire system dividing it into several different zones andirrigating by turn. This approach will not meet 100% of the crops’ water needs. Other sources of water such as groundwater would need to be identified. La Suisse: currently, there is insufficient water in the Mamanet River to irrigate the extended system at La Suisse year round even with rehabilitation works and the adoption of SRI. Flow measurements taken on July 29 at the intake were only 50.5 [/s, which is enough toirrigate only 40 ha at high efficiency during low flow periods (with 10 [/s left in the river for ecological functions). There may be enough water to irrigate one or two crops during the wetter times of the year but not three. The system should be designed to withdraw less water during the base flow season and more during wet months. The system should not be built if other sources of water cannot be identified. Biological environment: no negative impact is expected downstream of the Grison Garde system. This system is not expected to withdraw more water from the Mornet River than was originally planned. With the application of SRI and the rehabilitation of the canal networks, very little water containing residual fertilizers and pesticide will return to the river via surface runoff through the drain. Socio-economic environment: see above under IR 1. INDIRECT IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE The planned AVANSE activities in the Haut du Cap watershed comprise a package of interventions focused on improving rice and plantain production in the lower and middle watershed and cacao production in the middle and upper watershed. In the upper watershed, AVANSE will support agroforestry activities to reduce soil erosion that can compromise the performance of irrigation systems further downstream. All these activities will improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers by increasing income from commercial production. Potential indirect impacts include reduced food production by smallholders that convert from maize and bean production to plantain or cacao. Also, AVANSE has noted some cases of school age children engaged in paid labor in cacao nurseries. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 173 [page 174] CUMULATIVE IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE Cumulative impacts of the AVANSE project activities have been assessed using the methodology described under the Jassa watershed above. The overall result of the assessment is a positive cumulative impact as depicted in Table 36 below. As with Jassa, Marion, and Grande Riviere du Nord, some discrete activity pairings produced adverse cumulative effects. These mainly centered on GAPSs for irrigated rice and plantain production as well as small-scale irrigation projects. See discussion under Jassa and Trou du Nord above regarding how AVANSE could alter its program and implement additional mitigation measures to further reduce the adverse impacts. 174 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 175] TABLE 37: CUMULATIVE IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF AVANSE ACTIVITIES IN HAUT DU CAP Ce Te WATERSHED BASED CUMULATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT 5 > F1 E È F H ki Ë Ë Haut du ASSESSMENT MATRIX El IE {313 5 #S| & 1! dE 1%,.i:t £ HE HE Cap LS HURENREE HN BHRHEUREHl 24] #4 Ssl 33132] +234858l885à SA3è| SSSR 2° Production 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 21 1 1 Effects of Users Ass. Capacity Build [Vegetation —<© teen | 8 " 4 2 1 1 1 4 2 2 4 4 à 2 aus speces H 3% 2 $ Ë oriented] 2 4 2 1 1 1 4 4 1 1 2 1 1 Hs È mmcmacmmammmes | À | 1 { HE HIEE 3 Strong Adverse Effect E 56 = 3 ëx Es 2< à aime ets É H ; HE DE ason ee £ ? Fi 5 le +1 Somewhat Benefictal £ +2 Positive Effect/benefit 1 a snerom mn AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 175 [page 176] The Haut du Cap watershed and adjacent Grande Rivière du Nord watershed have seen several major investment projects in recent years and other sites have been identified as potential locations for new development initiatives. These include the following identified by the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF, 2015): ° The upgrading and expansion of port facilities at Cap Haïtien (under development) (sites 18 and 19 on Figure 30) + Road development between the Industrial Park and Cap Haïtien (under development) ° _Residential housing near Quartier Morin (proposed) (site 20 on Figure 30) °e Tourism development at the Citadelle and Sans Souci sites and along the coast (Labadie) e Mining concessions (proposed) (sites 3, 4, 5, 13, 14 and 15 on Figure 30) The development initiatives that are proposed or underway in Haut du Cap will generally have a beneficial impact on AVANSE'Ss activities. The improvements to the road from Caracol to the port facilities in Cap Haïtien will improve access to cacao processing facilities and export routes. A potential negative impact is the effect of job creation near Caracol — the Industrial Park alone will have about 65,000 workers — on the availability of farm labor. In northern Haïti, there is already a shortage of labor as young men and women move to urban areas looking for jobs. The impact of the development and investment projects in Haut du Cap will likely lead to further out migration from neighboring rural areas. Rice farming is labor intensive, as is land preparation for plantain production, so shortage of labor may require better access to mechanized land preparation and rice harvesting. While cacao production is not highly labor intensive, there is a risk that young children who should be attending school will be enlisted in on-farm activities. AVANSE will mitigate this through focused messaging during FFS training and other events. Tourism developments near Milot (the Citadelle and Sans Souci) and along the coast near Labadie are not close to any proposed AVANSE activities. We do not anticipate any negative cumulative impacts. There is one active mining concession — the VCS flagship site near Morne Bossa west of Limonade in the Grande Rivière du Nord (site 15 on Figure 28) — and several potential exploration sites in adjacent parts of the Haut du Cap watershed north of Milot. The Morne Bossa site covers 50 km? and holds has potentially exploitable deposits of gold, silver and copper. |f these concessions are developed, there would be potential pollution of river water that is used for rice farming in Dubré and of groundwater that is used for domestic water supply. At this time, we have no information on likelihood or timing of any mining operations. A potential collaborative opportunity that could enhance positive cumulative impacts with other development projects and could be pursued would be coastal management in the Labadie area. AVANSE could facilitate exchanges between Labadie managers and PN3B staff with respect to best practices for coastal zone management. 176 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 177] LIMBE WATERSHED PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT Limbé is one of the most mountainous of AVANSE’s watersheds and extension zones and contains a relatively small area of lowlands. Eighteen sub-watersheds have been delineated (DAI, 2013a). TOPOGRAPHY Limbé possesses the highest percentage of land above 600 m (36%) among AVANSE's watersheds and is Dopen The steep £ Vegetation and land use in Limbe watershed £ majority of the flat : 7 a : or genitly sloping # "s ( land is found near , ; . y ; the coast in Bas es: bg Limbé commune. A5 af: HETA EE à: < GEOLOGY AND 5 LI TL . SOILS he ne “4 The soil potential rs 154 APRES Pt Mae al x maps produced for te y à se Haut mé iN the Limbé FA te “D. ru à À watershed and part fs 7 RÉ A of the Haut du Cap à # I watershed classify { ; a f the majority of the mi ce se j | soils as limited to ‘S NL PP ( ! very limited (Pierre, ” + À Abe 2008; Commune pus de l’Acul du Nord, dE “ dy 2009). £ É ME WATER A RESOURCES M sat ones an >. F2 With respect to the = tte À quantity of rivers D Forest or amense and streams, manne à 240 0 240 Limbé’s Lakes, lagoons, wetiands RE hydrological a Re Us RE DE TEE network falls in the es Cane, | middle of the range usa» PR, |: sans is 2RTS of AVANSE's anse watersheds. —— Regarding specific information, flow data reported in 1999 show a mean daily output of 4.29 m°/s for the Limbé River. However, low season or minimum daily averages are much less than this: 0.3 m°/s (USACE, 1999). AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 177 [page 178] BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT KEY BIODIVERSITY AREAS, PROTECTED AREAS AND VEGETATION The northern coast and Morne Bailly KBAs both overlap with parts of the Limbé watershed. In addition, a 2008 USAID/DAI study (Timyan 2008) named three sites in the Limbé watershed as important biological conservation sites: the mangroves near Bas Limbé, the vestige rainforest at Sou Bès, and the island of Islet Bas Limbé (Ilet Karamel). These sites host significant populations of native and endemic species, many of which are threatened, including the Horned iguana (Cyclura cornuta) and the Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta). There are also notable seagrass beds at the mouth of the Limbé River; however, they seem to be more affected by sediment loads compared to other seagrass areas adjacent to AVANSE's watersheds and extension zones. TABLE 38: SUMMARY CHARACTERISTICS FOR LIMBE WATERSHED Characteristic Statistic Total area 316 km Population 215,144 Population densit: 363 people/ km Area < 75 m (elevation) 117 km Area 75 — 600 m (elevation) 84 km Area > 600 m (elevation 113 km Area of agriculture 181 km Area of agroforestry 127 km Area of pasture/grassland 4 km SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS At about 215,100 people, Limbé has one of the largest populations among the AVANSE watersheds and extension zones. The population density was approximately 360 people per km? in 2005 (IHSI, 2005). Limbé had the most people (approximately 68,100 people) among the 4 communes that overlap with the watershed. LAND TENURE Limbé has the highest percentage (51%) of farms smaller than 1 ha and the lowest portion of farms greater than 3 ha (9%) among AVANSE's watersheds and extension zones. Access to land follows the general pattern within the project's intervention zone with most of the land being owned and only 15% rented or sharecropped. See Tables 6 and 7 for more information. LAND USE Over 95% of Limbé’s land is used for agriculture or agroforestry. Limbé has the lowest percentage of pasture and grassland among AVANSE's 6 watersheds. ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES With respect to economic activities, the population of the Limbé watershed practices agriculture, commerce and animal husbandry (IHSI, 2005). Commercial activities occur with neighboring communes as well as with the Dominican Republic. HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES Limbé commune has 2 hospitals, 4 health clinics and 2 dispensaries while the commune of Bas Limbé has 1 hospital and 2 clinics (IHSI, 2005). These establishments employ about 225 178 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 179] people. À number of educational facilities can also be found in these two communes: over 90 primary schools, 18 secondary schools and 16 vocational or professional schools. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES The lowlands of the Limbé watershed have extensive areas where the soils are suitable for agriculture as well as perennial rivers that provide irrigation water. Previously, AVANSE's activities in the watershed focused on helping smallholder farmers improve plantain production in the lower watershed, and expanding cacao production in the middle and upper watershed. Agroforestry was previously promoted in the middle and upper watershed to reduce soil erosion and conserve water resources. AVANSE is no longer supporting maize and bean production and agroforestry activities will be curtailed in the watershed since there are no anticipated interventions in irrigated rice farming. The potential environmental and social consequences of the planned activities include the possible contamination of groundwater, rivers, lakes and inshore waters with agro-chemicals from plantain production. IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE AVANSE'Ss planned activities in the Limbé watershed will focus principally on improving plantain and cacao production and marketing. In both cases, AVANSE will provide farmers with access to genetic material (cacao seedlings/cuttings and plantain root stock to improve productivity). In addition, AVANSE’s Farmer Field Schools will provide training to improve cultivation, harvesting and post-harvest handling of the two crops. TABLE 39: SUMMARY OF FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITIES IN LIMBE WATERSHED Activity Quantity Plantain/Banana (ha) 550 Cacao (ha) 325 Rice (ha) n/a Interventions on irrigable land (ha) 250 Length of treated irrigation/drainage canals (km) 7.7 AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY INCREASED - IR 1 ACTIVITIES POSITIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: enhancing plantain production in the lower watershed between Bas Limbé and the coast will have a positive impact on the landscape by draining areas that are prone to flooding in the rainy season. The watershed is drained by the Limbé River which flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The river receives water from multiple tributaries including the Camp Coq River, Rivière Blanche, and Rivière Suffrière as well as a number of ravines. The average flow of the Limbé at Pont Christophe is 4.85 m°/s based on historical data. The minimum flow could be as low as 0.30 m/s. During this assessment, a flow of 1.10 m°/s was measured on 31 July, 2015. MARNDR reported a flow rate of 0.436 m°/s on 3 March, 1977 and 9 June, 1977. Values of 4.35 m°/s were reported by UNDP (1991). Minimum flow usually occurs during March and July (2 .3 m°/s) while maximum flow is observed in November (32 m‘/s). The largest flow recorded was in November, 1927: 233 m°/s. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 179 [page 180] There is no existing irrigation infrastructure in the lower watershed. Plantain production is rain fed though the Limbé River regularly overflows its banks in the rainy season, inundating the banana parcels. In the lower part of the watershed near the coast the plantain fields are often under water for long periods during the rainy season. When this happens intercropped papaya and beans are lost. Plantain plants also become stunted and have weak root systems, so they must be supported with tutors but still fall over from the weight of the fruit. The Bas Limbe FFS plantain farmers have suffered from both flooding and drought since inception of the program in May 2014. FFS participants have hand dug drainage canals between the plantain rows, planting on the raised bed between the canals. The canals serve as a reservoir of water that the plants can draw on between flood “irrigations”. This costly, labor intensive practice has helped. Some farmers rent pumps to drain their fields but because there are no large canals to drain the water back to the river (or out to the sea), they often drain water from their field to a neighbor's. Two major ravines also discharge onto the Limbé floodplain: Ravine Corail Titoir and Ravine Rivot, which have estimate drainage areas of 7.7 km? and 4.0 km? respectively (see Figure 34). Farmers complain that the lack of proper drainage causes their farmland and homes to be flooded. AVANSE will implement the cleaning of two existing drainage canals to allow for more water coming from the ravines to be transported directly into the ocean without adversely affecting the mangrove ecosystems that lie between the farmland and the coast. Under this initiative, 4.5 km of the Corail Titoir drainage canal will be cleaned and 3.2 km of the Rivot drainage canal. In addition, the Corail Titoir canal will be extended so that excess water reaches the sea. The overall goal is to expedite the evacuation of water and reduce flooding in 285 ha of plantain fields located between the left bank of the Limbé River and the ravines. It should be noted that cleaning of the Ravine Rivot will also have significant socio-economic benefits as it will reduce the risk of flooding to homes and other structures in the town of Bas Limbé. A site- specific EMPR for this initiative can be found in Annex J. Improving cacao production in agroforestry systems in the upper watershed will have a beneficial impact by reducing soil erosion in areas that were previously under open-field cropping systems. Biological environment: by promoting cacao in agroforestry systems, AVANSE will expand and enhance habitats for Wildlife including several endangered endemic species of birds and reptiles. Since cacao is grown without the use of agro-chemicals, there will be no adverse impact on biodiversity. (See text on cacao's biological impacts in the Trou du Nord section, above, for additional details.) The Bas Limbé FFS plantain farmers have been supplied with clean disease free plantain suckers of the local variety preferred in the market for the first season of the two year banana FFS. They have learned how to clean and “shave” banana suckers before planting to eliminate burrowing nematodes which can cause losses of 30 to 60%. They do not use nematicides. Socio-economic environment: AVANSE'Ss activities will provide improved incomes for an estimated 900 farming families from increased plantain and cacao production. By introducing new varieties and new farming techniques, AVANSE will help farmers increase production and income. 180 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 181] FIGURE 33: AVANSE ACTIVITES IN THE LIMBÉ WATERSHED AVANSE activities in the Limbé watershed Legend QBTrE Ge Mer Portiargot | | Key biodiversity area | | | Protected area T3 i ny " LL | tee a Type of sites ÉAA À_$ à à . 46 té F (Æ archeological 2 Ÿ imbé ) (©) cultural d 3 a ! 7 y À À © historic _ _ a < ges re} #} 4 / [ PL A #, 7 # } FF re { f ARTS À Æ 4 Vaudreuil EE: h | 2e p D UONÉ ils pan ere ae 7 VAP pe” ° 4 La hu du N°5 | s . LÀ , 4 À dy Plaing du Nord SPA | d d à md sde DITS 7 ï CampiCoqr. , 2 à e TA F CS d Ve À AGrison FAT di Ro T4 MER F: DS É Robillgrd Plaisance KBA KZ 2 $ Ka # Fr. # > W14 vs : st L- 5) KR #74 : y \ [PAK,, é Land cover 1998 \i “200 bn. NN 7 he, 1 Bare rock and soil, dunes and alluvium ex ue . d Agriculture ’ | Agroforestry CA y 2 4) DU Forest Ÿ %, v MN Mangroves AT Dp'ermelade Pasture and Grassland / 240 0 2400 IN Lakes, lagoons, wetlands | ——— | _Jirrigated land Moters 2" 29 57") egend Cartographic information re Cap-Haïtie: z Geographic projection: Lat/Lon (DMS), Datum: WGS 84, RE IR3 grants sites © C La: usAD QUE # me ue e. ae Product dite ever 06,2015 # SE tee crane crop sites [} Watersheg | Sources ÿ SEL - Land Use 1998 from CNIGS AVANSE © Banana © CNIGS 2000 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 181 [page 182] Plantain farmers report that they are already applying the practices that they have learned in the Farmer Field Schools. Moreover, AVANSE field technicians have noted that other farmers who have not participated in the plantain Field School are also adopting the improved practices. The new practices are expensive in terms of labor costs and inputs but the returns on investment are high. Participating farmers will have to manage their finances carefully in order to have the necessary funds to re-invest planting materials and inputs in the future. T FIGURE 34: LOWER LIMBÉ WATERSHED: DRAINAGE INFRASTRUCTURE IN BAS LIMBE a. St u Legend re d * / rrigated perimeters LENS + Ravinedrainage canal = ‘+ Streams n. D © flowmeasurement location Bas Limbe Bananaimgated/penmeler imbe;River Te Simbe flowmeasurement location PPT LE En RS 24 dà 1] NEGATIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: cacao production is not likely to have any negative consequences on the physical environment in the upper watersheds. In contrast, plantain production north around Bas Limbé will require improved drainage to prevent flooding and waterlogging. It is also likely that some agro-chemicals would be used to control pests such as nematodes and fungal infections. 182 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 183] Biological environment: the Limbé River discharges into the sea to the west of the Bay d’Acul which is an area of important mangrove ecosystems and biodiversity. The coastal zone of the Limbé watershed includes mangrove forests that are an important habitat for fish and other marine organisms and also provide protection from storm surges. There are wetlands that provide important habitats for migratory birds and a small but significant fishery that supplements the income of the local fishers when the marine fishery is closed owing to bad weather. Agrochemicals use on plantain crops in the lower watershed could contaminate the mangrove ecosystems and inshore waters. AVANSE will not support the use of pesticides on plantain crops and will promote Integrated Pest Management practices to minimize the use of pesticides and ensure that the storage, handling, use and disposal of pesticides and packaging are safe. (See text on cacao's biological impacts in the Trou du Nord section, above, for additional details.) Socio-economic environment: AVANSE'S IR 1 activities will not have a detrimental impact on people’s livelihoods. In some parts of the watershed, farmers have replaced rice cultivation with plantain fields mainly because of severe bird predation on the rice crop (mainly by exotic Weaver species — the African Village Weaver, Ploceus cucullatus — known locally as the Madan Sara because of its “demand” for rice). This transition may have a detrimental impact on household food supply though both rice and plantains are consumed as staples. Some farmers expressed concern that the anticipated increase in production might outstrip demand in the Limbé market. They are looking to AVANSE to provide marketing support. Possible health issues related to agro-chemicals and water quality will be averted by providing training on the safe use of fertilizers. Treatment of plantain cuttings to control nematodes involves washing of the roots in warm water and will not create any health hazards. WATERSHED STABILITY IMPROVED - IR 2 ACTIVITIES No IR 2 activities will be implemented in the Limbé watershed. AGRICULTURAL MARKETS STRENGTHENED - IR 3 ACTIVITIES POSITIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: IR 3 activities in the Limbé watershed will focus principally on marketing of cacao and plantains. We do not anticipate any significant impact on the physical environment other than those identified under IR 1. Biological environment: the conversion to cacao will improve and expand habitats for endemic species and will reduce the use of agrochemicals that are used on many other crops. The conversion from rice to plantain will also reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Socio-economic environment: increased production and commercialization of cacao and plantains will improve livelihoods of smallholder farmers. NEGATIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: it is anticipated mechanized equipment may be used for preparing fields for plantain production — particularly for excavating drainage ditches, which could result in soil compaction. We do not anticipate any significant negative impacts but AVANSE will monitor plantain fields for evidence of increased waterlogging resulting from soil compaction. Biological environment: see above under IR 1 activities. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 183 [page 184] Socio-economic environment: see above under IR 1 activities. INFRASTRUCTURE POSITIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: AVANSE will not implement any infrastructure activities in the Limbé watershed other than improving drainage from the two ravines and associated canals that discharge onto the floodplain in the proposed plantain growing areas (see Figure 34). These areas are usually flooded by overbank discharge from the Limbé River as well as by the two tributary ravines during the rainy season. The river meanders across the valley floor as evidenced by former channels on the floodplain. AVANSE does not plan on implementing any activities to protect the plantain fields from flooding by the river. Peak flow from the ravines can be estimated using the equation: Q (m°/s) = 0.0028CratlA where Crat: rational runoff coefficient; |: rainfall intensity (mm/h) for a 10 year return period; A: drainage area (ha). Assuming a hypothetical 10-year 2-hour rain of intensity 44 mm/h (PlanConsult, 2015), and a runoff coefficient of 0.52 (based on the topography, land use and intensity), the required peak flow can be estimated for the Corail Titoir and Rivot drains at 12.6 m°/s and 24 m°/s respectively. This provides a rough estimate of the drain capacity that is needed to evacuate water from the ravines to the sea. Biological environment: improving the drainage below the two ravines is unlikely to have any significant impact on the hydrological flows in the adjacent mangrove areas. Socio-economic environment: improving drainage below the two ravines will reduce the risk of flooding of the plantain fields and thereby reduce potential crop losses. NEGATIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: the cleaning of Corail Titoir and Rivot ravines and drainage canals will help alleviate the flooding caused by discharge from the ravines originating in the hills overlooking the plantain fields. However, flooding from the river will remain a problem since no engineering interventions are currently anticipated. Biological environment: see above. Socio-economic environment: the planned AVANSE investment in improving drainage from the ravines requires close monitoring since its beneficial impact on controlling flooding remains uncertain. INDIRECT IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE The planned AVANSE activities in the Limbé watershed comprise a package of interventions focused on improving plantain production in the lower watershed and cacao production in the middle and upper watershed. These activities will improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers by increasing income from commercial production. Potential indirect impacts include reduced food production by smallholders that convert from rice production to plantain or from maize and bean production to cacao. Also, AVANSE has noted some cases of school age children engaged in paid labor in cacao nurseries in this watershed. 184 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 185] CUMULATIVE IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE Cumulative impacts of the AVANSE project activities have been assessed using the methodology described under the Jassa watershed above. As with the other watersheds, the overall result of the assessment for Limbé is a positive cumulative impact as depicted in Table 39 below. As with Trou du Nord, results of the discrete, paired activities is largely positive. The only exception are the activities associated with irrigated banana production. See discussion under Trou du Nord above regarding how AVANSE could alter its program and implement additional mitigation measures to further reduce the adverse impacts as well as improve and increase positive cumulative environmental impacts. There are no known major development initiatives or investments planned for the Limbé watershed. The proposed improvements and expansion of the port facilities at Cap Haïtien should have a beneficial impact on cacao exports. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 185 [page 186] TABLE 40: CUMULATIVE IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF AVANSE ACTIVITIES IN LIMBE = VIRONMENTAL IMPACT £ 4 È E Ë 5 Hi H 3 Ë Î 5 — = : ls 1 3 ASSESSMENT MATRIX dE IE EsL Li ile 2! HHITRPIRRE iËl 3421 RHÉTIHE 1èliisil Sisderiiite HE S5l 3182] F8 RSS/ÈRES] 8% SÈ8È] SSlSÉs PERS 25[88s | cartor caso product] 2 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 1 4 [Epenieat [terre 2 2 1 1 1 o eo 1 1 1 LA 1 H = cs où & TEE 4 2 . 1 = o o . 1 4 ° 21 namicteces| À HE svæems 4 CL re PT : : : — un lÈ sl ES : 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Protected Area = RIRE : : ‘ : ‘ ‘ : : ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ : = |: subsidies mechanés È LS $ FRANKING : = INTERACTIVE Cumestative IAPACTS E Æ x £3 Æ 3 Strong Adverse Effect 3 2s HI s 3 2 Adverse Effect 5 } Es 1 Somewhat Adverse H 5 Ë H concLusION © Neutral or No Change Ë # +1 Somewhat Benefictal # +2 Positive Effect/benefit = Frans 186 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 187] PORT MARGOT EXTENSION AREA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT At 110 km?, Port Margot is the smallest of AVANSE's watersheds and extension zones. It is generally hillier and more mountainous than the majority of the project's intervention zones and has a relatively small area that can be classified as coastal plain or lowlands. In addition to the cacao interventions in the Port Margot extension zone, AVANSE implements improved cacao production and marketing activities in adjacent areas to the south around Pilate. We will address these additional cacao production activities here. FIGURE 35: LAND USE AND LAND COVER IN PORT MARGOT ur — F À ; oral de Mer Por Margot. + PE 21 ge \C eat mar ” , F4 f x 3 50/8 Es Limbé nee A LISE ; pe : ——— Permanent Land cover 1998 ec M [rente one Bare rock and soil, dunes and alluviui A Pu ge ync este Agriculture ‘vf F DIN Agroforestry ge es D Fores Bi. he rene D] angores Ye Saba 23 CARRE EE VE Pasture and Grassland 2 L ” £ IBM Lakes, lagoons, wetlands rl En Afanse USAID TOPOGRAPHY Most of the extension area is hilly to mountainous with gentle to steep slopes. There is some flatter land around the Margot River in northern half of the extension zone. WATER RESOURCES The Margot River is the main water resource in the extension zone. It has three main tributaries (see Figure 35 above). AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 187 [page 188] BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT KEY BIODIVERSITY AREAS, PROTECTED AREAS AND VEGETATION Part of the northern coast KBA falls within the Port Margot extension area. In addition, the far northwestern corner of Port Margot is one of the few areas within the AVANSE intervention zone that has some remaining natural forest cover. TABLE 41: SUMMARY CHARACTERISTICS FOR PORT MARGOT EXTENSION ZONE Characteristic Statistic Total area 110 km Population 81,038 Population densit: 315 people/ km Area of agriculture 23 km Area of agroforestry 79 km Area of pasture/grassland 3 km SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS The population in the Port Margot extension area is approximately 81,000. The population density was approximately 315 people per km? in 2005 (IHSI, 2005). LAND TENURE Port Margot follows the trend of most of AVANSE's watersheds and extension zones with respect to farm size. The majority (47%) are between 1 and 3 ha, although there is a relatively high percentage (39%) of farms less than 1 ha. Access to land also follows the general trends With 11% rented or sharecropped and the vast majority owned. See Tables 6 and 7 for more information. LAND USE Port Margot has a very high percentage of agroforestry — 72% — compared to AVANSE's six watersheds. Agriculture and pasture and grassland are also comparatively low at 21 and 3%, respectively. ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES The main economic activities for people in the Port Margot extension area are animal husbandry, agriculture and commerce (IHSI, 2005). HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES There are 53 primary schools, 7 secondary schools and 4 professional or vocational schools in Port Margot commune (IHSI, 2005). Regarding, health facilities, the commune has 8 clinics and health centers and 4 dispensaries. 188 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 189] FIGURE 36: AVANSE ACTIVITES IN THE PORT MARGOT CACAO EXTENSION ZONE [ AVANSE activities in the Port-Margot extension zone LA. ; À ———_ J “ La Re? Bord de Mer Port Margot Ê Location map ; À Ÿ L Le | D à : TCap-Haitie F4 Tr, * & : IPort-at>P} TL } "a 3 z r E, © à 77 | For PAR Re HUKBA | 04 = | En 1 Le s ES ‘ EPA MA - { F Watershede map Ft. HP 2 + Cr | Û 2 J 4 r , S AZ pt LT 7 fes À LA ATEN : Be )e E FE =, AE T Lai * es # ! d Bas Limbé ERP } 4 Re ” va Legend LE * 5 Co TT Te - LS ge Le À i F: Farmer store #! PA À ” [* » ÿ - ——— arterial street LE ir L ”] ) 4 F — secondary # j "y / s F —— primary os / à s 2 © Ba | | Key biodiversity area Née 32 ÿ / { Ê _…. |___] Protected area CAO = S x IR . ; || © Rie œ à à pre n"" " % Retained crop site 4 A 7 r° | | Watershed = 5 Nf4 # HautLimbé e . < 2 ea 5 4\ Cartographic information Land cover 1998 a | DE ET . d | Locs promcton TM Zeme 18 Norme Bare rock dd soil, dunes and alluvium | é no SY CU à A Url PR aan Agriculture - 5 1-0 150 pv: 4 Lessucrs dr november où 2019 à D ta sources EM ocexry Plaisance KBA SE di Kf # - { rue GIS team = || Forest # À br $ % 4 La 15 3 n © AVANSE 2013 Pasture and Grâssland je A 2 #° É DM Lakes, lagoong. wetlands lé & AL EL mr. f ; Aanse & USAID AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 189 [page 190] ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES AVANSE activities in the Port Margot cacao extension zone will be confined to improving cacao production and marketing. We do not anticipate any negative environmental or social consequences though expansion of cacao into natural forests is a potential issue as is conversion from food crops to commercial cacao if alternative sources of food are not available to farming households. IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE AVANSE'Ss planned activities in Port Margot will focus principally on improving cacao production and marketing. By increasing the quality and quantity of cacao production through the introduction of new varieties of cacao, new propagation techniques such as grafting, expanding the area under cacao cultivation, and linking producers to lucrative markets, AVANSE will increase smallholder income and improve livelihoods. AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY INCREASED - IR 1 ACTIVITIES POSITIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: improving cacao production in agroforestry systems in the upper watershed will have a beneficial impact by reducing soil erosion in areas that were previously under open-field cropping systems. Biological environment: by promoting cacao within an agroforestry system, AVANSE will expand and enhance habitats for wildlife including several endangered endemic species of birds and reptiles. Since cacao is grown without the use of agro-chemicals, there will be no adverse impact on biodiversity. (See text on cacao's biological impacts in the Trou du Nord section, above, for additional details.) Socio-economic environment: AVANSE'Ss activities provided improved incomes for an estimated 1,200 farming families in Port Margot and 600 families in Pilate and from increased cacao production over the period 2013 to 2015. These activities will be continued and expanded under the focused activity package alternative. By introducing new varieties and new farming techniques, AVANSE will help farmers increase production and income. NEGATIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: cacao production is not likely to have any negative consequences on the physical environment in the watershed. The agroforestry systems include tree crops and ground cover that will reduce soil erosion and enhance the physical properties and nutrient status of the soil. Biological environment: we do not anticipate any negative consequences. In many areas of northern Haïti, the main cacao pests are rodents — mainly rats and mice. Farmers do not typically use rodenticides but rather make a product out of salt that kills the rodents when they eat it. The product is not toxic to people. AVANSE will not support the use of toxic chemical products to control pests. (See text on cacao’s biological impacts in the Trou du Nord section, above, for additional details.) Socio-economic environment: AVANSE'S IR 1 activities will not have a detrimental impact on people’s livelihoods. Instances of children working in cacao nurseries have been reported in Bas Limbé. AVANSE will use Farmer Field Schools to communicate to parents and others the 190 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 191] importance of discouraging the employment of children and encouraging their children to attend school rather than working. WATERSHED STABILITY IMPROVED - IR 2 ACTIVITIES No IR 2 activities will be implemented in the Port Margot extension zone or adjacent Pilate area. AGRICULTURAL MARKETS STRENGTHENED - IR 3 ACTIVITIES POSITIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: since cacao production is part of an agroforestry system, we anticipate that conversion to cacao and expansion of the area under cultivation will have a beneficial impact on controlling soil erosion and conserving water. Biological environment: provided the expansion of the area under cacao does not result in conversion of natural forest areas, we anticipate that cacao agroforestry will benefit endemic species and improve the areas biodiversity. Socio-economic environment: IR 3 activities in Port Margot will focus on linking cacao farmers to buyers and markets. This will have a beneficial impact on smallholder livelihoods. NEGATIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: see above under IR 1 activities. Biological environment: see above under IR 1 activities. Socio-economic environment: see above under IR 1 activities. INFRASTRUCTURE AVANSE's will not implement any infrastructure activities in the Port Margot extension zone or the adjacent Pilate area. INDIRECT IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE The planned AVANSE activities in the Port Margot extension zone comprise a package of interventions focused on improving cacao production in the middle and upper watershed. These activities will improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers by increasing income from commercial cacao production. Potential indirect impacts include reduced food production by smallholders that convert from maize and bean production to cacao. Also, AVANSE has noted some cases of school age children engaged in paid labor in tree nurseries. CUMULATIVE IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE No significant development projects or investments have been identified in the Port Margot extension zone. With respect to AVANSE, cumulative impacts of the project activities have been assessed using the methodology described under the Jassa watershed above. The overall result of the assessment is a positive cumulative impact as depicted in Table 41 below. As with Trou du Nord, results of the discrete, paired activities are all positive. See discussion under Trou du Nord above regarding how AVANSE could alter its program and implement additional mitigation measures to further improve and increase positive cumulative environmental impacts. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 191 [page 192] TABLE 42: CUMULATIVE IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF AVANSE ACTIVITIES IN PORT MARGOT WATERSHED BASED CUMULATIVE mere Cr 5 see | | = Port SOPRONENTALEEACT 5 E 2 = LE > È £Ë Es. # z LÉ ASSESSMENT MATRIX El ls ER FENRE dE il i:t ARÈE Margot 21 se8 Hiteiiie SE tot) ét Eiigi SUtbs 3il 34/88] SSERSSIÈRES) Fè s83e]) ASS Pése 28: | ere o 2 1 1 LA o eo 1 1 1 LA © Effects of nnnmnnant picuieral | SaPiorcæso Production] 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 1 1 [Chemicns pr o 2 1 1 LA o eo 1 1 1 LA o H projects| 3È systems 4 Cacso productio Three Bay F1 processing| SÈÉ Hi . ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ = |: Dern Ste, Resources RS ; - — neue || Ï E HIEE 3 Strong Adverse Effect 3 2s HI 2x : 3" © Neutral or No Change A # +1 Somewhat Benetieal Ë +2 Positive Ettect/benetit 5 Perennnes 192 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 193] BORGNE EXTENSION AREA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT Borgne extension area is similar to port margot and limbé watershed in that much of the terrain is hilly or mountainous and very little is flat or gently sloping. The hydrological network is less developed than the other avanse watersheds and extension areas, with no large river flowing through the zone. With the exception of port margot, borgne is the smallest of avanse’s watersheds and extension zones. FIGURE 37: LAND USE AND LAND COVER IN BORGNE Br. 2 | sé pe Er > SP? netw ë F ga e* a area cl F | |— secondary 7 — primary 74 de LT Land cover 1998 Ua ao) Bare rock and soil, dunes and alluvium "+ Li à # + ET] Agriculture À FM À D Agroforestry $ ji £ Dci PR ure and Grass] ‘sl TOPOGRAPHY Similar to Port Margot, Borgne extension zone is dominated by hilly and mountainous terrain with gentle to steeply sloping land. There is very little flat land or lowlands. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 193 [page 194] WATER RESOURCES The Esther Bamboo River is the main water resource in the extension zone. There are a number of other smaller water courses in the extension zone (see Figure 37 above). BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT KEY BIODIVERSITY AREAS, PROTECTED AREAS AND VEGETATION Part of the northern coast KBA is found within Borgne extension area. There is also a significant area of remnant natural forest cover in the northeasstern corner and eastern portions of the zone. TABLE 43: SUMMARY CHARACTERISTICS FOR BORGNE EXTENSION ZONE Characteristic Statistic Total area 118 km Population 83,867 Population densit: 197 people/ km Area of agriculture 10 km Area of agroforest 96 km Area of pasture/grassland 1 km SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS The population in the Borgne extension area is approximately 83,900. The population density was about 200 people per km? in 2005 (IHSI, 2005). Borgne had the most people of the 2 communes that overlap with the extension area. LAND TENURE The land tenure context in Borgne mirrors that of the Port Margot extension area. The majority of farms (47%) are between 1 and 3 ha, although there is a relatively high percentage (39%) of farms less than 1 ha. Access to land follows the general trends with 11% rented or sharecropped and the vast majority owned. See Tables 6 and 7 for more information. LAND USE Similar to Port Margot, Borgne has a very high percentage of land under agroforestry: 81%. Borgne also has the highest percentage of land classified as forest (8%) among AVANSE's watersheds and extension zones. Agriculture and pasture and grassland are relatively small: 8 and <1%, respectively. ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES With respect to economic activities, the people in the Borgne extension area are engaged in fishing, agriculture and commerce (IHSI, 2005). Of the two communes that overlap with the extension area, fishing is more pronounced in Borgne commune. HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES There is one historical/cultural site in the Borgne extension zone: Margot cave. 194 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 195] HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES Borgne commune has 1 dispensary and 3 health centers (IHSI, 2005). With respect to educational facilities, the commune possesses 77 primary schools, 9 secondary schools, and 9 vocational or professional schools. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES AVANSE activities in the Borgne cacao extension zone will be confined to improving cacao production and marketing. We do not anticipate any negative environmental or social consequences though expansion of cacao into natural forests is a potential issue as is conversion from food crops to commercial cacao if alternative sources of food are not available to farming households. IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE AVANSE'Ss planned activities in Borgne will focus principally on improving cacao production and marketing. By increasing the quality and quantity of cacao production through the introduction of new varieties of cacao, new propagation techniques such as grafting, expanding the area under cacao cultivation, and linking producers to lucrative markets, AVANSE will increase smallholder income and improve livelihoods. AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY INCREASED - IR 1 ACTIVITIES POSITIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: improving cacao production in agroforestry systems in the upper watershed will have a beneficial impact by reducing soil erosion in areas that were previously under open-field cropping systems. Biological environment: by promoting cacao within an agroforestry system, AVANSE will expand and enhance habitats for wildlife including several endangered endemic species of birds and reptiles. Since cacao is grown without the use of agro-chemicals, there will be no adverse impact on biodiversity. (See text on cacao's biological impacts in the Trou du Nord section, above, for additional details.) Socio-economic environment: AVANSE'Ss activities provided improved incomes for an estimated 1,200 farming families from increased cacao production over the period 2013 to 2015. These activities will be continued and expanded under the focused activity package alternative. By introducing new varieties and new farming techniques, AVANSE will help farmers increase production and income. NEGATIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: cacao production is not likely to have any negative consequences on the physical environment in the watershed. The agroforestry systems include tree crops and ground cover that will reduce soil erosion and enhance the physical properties and nutrient status of the soil. Biological environment: we do not anticipate any negative consequences. In many areas of northern Haïti, the main cacao pests are rodents — mainly rats and mice. Farmers do not typically use rodenticides but rather make a product out of salt that kills the rodents when they AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 195 [page 196] eat it. The product is not toxic to people. AVANSE will not support the use of toxic chemical products to control pests. (See text on cacao’s biological impacts in the Trou du Nord section, above, for additional details.) Socio-economic environment: AVANSE'S IR 1 activities will not have a detrimental impact on peoples livelihoods. Instances of children working in cacao nurseries have been reported in Bas Limbé. AVANSE will use Farmer Field Schools to communicate to parents and others the importance of discouraging the employment of children and encouraging their children to attend school rather than working. 196 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 197] FIGURE 38: AVANSE ACTIVITES IN THE BORGNE CACAO EXTENSION ZONE <= F TL RE eZ >) CapeHait ) IPortsau-Pr ; = ; Watersheds ma à = 4 Sat 4 + gend k ere E ten ® Banana f) Re + @ coco : ef D @ Rie | | — secondary D |— veus ; —— Temporaire «. ——— Permanent n 1 2 Retained crop si LT Protected area ag x 1% tes | |[] wetersnes CL] Key biodiversity area Va SP chisgueé Y LE.” Land cover 1998 : son mr res vu Bare rock and soil, dunes and alluviurh | | Th — ” ee Agriculture # 9 [E #4 Æ Lun agroforestry x g er ee BE =: Ai : ER M movie RSA A [crane Pasture and Grassland k pi er ,| DM Lakes, lagoons, wetiands . 2] danse E ySAD AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 197 [page 198] WATERSHED STABILITY IMPROVED - IR 2 ACTIVITIES No IR 2 activities will be implemented in the Borgne extension zone. AGRICULTURAL MARKETS STRENGTHENED - IR 3 ACTIVITIES POSITIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: since cacao production is part of an agroforestry system, we anticipate that conversion to cacao and expansion of the area under cultivation will have a beneficial impact on controlling soil erosion and conserving water. Biological environment: provided the expansion of the area under cacao does not result in conversion of natural forest areas, we anticipate that cacao agroforestry will benefit endemic species and improve the areas biodiversity. Socio-economic environment: IR 3 activities in Borgne will focus on linking cacao farmers to buyers and markets. This will have a beneficial impact on smallholder livelihoods. NEGATIVE IMPACTS Physical environment: see above under IR 1 activities. Biological environment: see above under IR 1 activities. Socio-economic environment: see above under IR 1 activities. INFRASTRUCTURE AVANSE's will not implement any infrastructure activities in the Borgne extension zone. INDIRECT IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE The planned AVANSE activities in the Borgne extension zone comprise a package of interventions focused on improving cacao production in the middle and upper watershed. These activities will improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers by increasing income from commercial cacao production. Potential indirect impacts include reduced food production by smallholders that convert from maize and bean production to cacao. Also, AVANSE has noted some cases of school age children engaged in paid labor in tree nurseries. CUMULATIVE IMPACTS OF THE FOCUSED ACTIVITY PACKAGE ALTERNATIVE No significant development projects or investments have been identified in the Borgne extension zone. With respect to AVANSE, cumulative impacts of the project activities have been assessed using the methodology described under the Jassa watershed above. The overall result of the assessment is a positive cumulative impact as depicted in Table 43 below. As with Trou du Nord, results of the discrete, paired activities are all positive. See discussion under Trou du Nord above regarding how AVANSE could alter its program and implement additional mitigation measures to further improve and increase positive cumulative environmental impacts. 198 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 199] TABLE 44: CUMULATIVE IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF AVANSE ACTIVITIES IN BORGNE "à TE! lat 9 Ni édie [sr |ithi Borgne ‘ASSESSMENT MATRIX î; EP qhéel FE s 2 5 58 ÉHRIPEHPIERE il 24182 HAMPESEEN dNLE1aS) SRANIRNRAEE aie 35l 33[88| ÉS ARSSIÈE 23 SAGE] bsslaseélesese] 2ÈS8E [ cartorcxso route 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 1 1 [Chemie pre) o 2 1 1 L] L] LI 1 1 1 LI o H pere cs on £ € Em | | 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 [Protected Area SÉÉ Promote the use of vouc! ns : S°E 2 à market o dj 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 income È subsidies mect £ tr | $ IRANKING : 1 E] na comte és dE: i E HIEE 3 Strong Adverse Effect $6 È F1 5 2 2 Adverse Effect 5 È 2 } 3 1 Somewhat Adverse F1 5 Ê H ns © Neutral or No Change Ë 8 1 somewhat Beneficai Ë +2 Positive Effect/benefit 5 pre AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 199 [page 200] 7. THRESHOLD As required by the amended IEE for AVANSE (LAC-IEE-14-17), this section of the PEA provides recommended threshold decisions for all AVANSE program activities (USAID 2014a, pp. 42-43). These recommendations are based on the analysis of Environmental Consequences presented in the preceding sections of the PEA. CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION The amended IEE identified the following categories of Categorical Exclusions: “(i) Education, technical assistance, or training programs except to the extent such programs include activities directly affecting the environment (such as construction of facilities, etc.) (v) Document and information transfers; (x Support for intermediate credit institutions when the objective is to assist in the capitalization of the institution or part thereof and when such support does not involve reservation of the right to review and approve individual loans made by the institution. (xiv) Studies, projects, or programs intended to develop the capability of recipient countries to engage in development planning, except to the extent designed to result in activities directly affecting the environment (such as construction of facilities). Capacity building of programs for Water User Associations (WUA). Activities focusing on detailed physical/agricultural inventory of selected sub-watersheds.” (USAID 2014a, pp. 41 and 42) The following AVANSE activities fall into these categories and therefore are recommended for categorical exclusion: e _Intermediate Result 1: Agricultural Productivity Increased': o Institutional Collaboration o Capacitation and Creation of Water Users Associations e _Intermediate Result 2: Watershed Stability Improved: o Protection of Critical Coastal Zones (Planning and Governance support) o Environmental Education o Health Insurance for Collaborating IR2 Farmers e _Intermediate Result 3: Agricultural Markets Strengthened: o Provide Value Chain and Agro-Enterprise Analysis o Improve Business Skills Training and Performance o Improve Private Sector-Small Producer Linkages and Partnerships 200 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 201] o Facilitate Market Linkages o Increase Access to Financial Products o Improve Market Information Systems e All activities of Intermediate Result 4: Capacity Building Support to Implementing Partners. e Information, Analysis, and Environmental Compliance Unit o All activities except Weather Stations NEGATIVE DETERMINATION The following activities were assessed in this PEA and were found to have no potential for substantial adverse environmental effects and required no further environmental review; therefore they are recommended for Negative Determination. e _Intermediate Result 2: Watershed Stability Improved o Procurement of Materials for Civil Protection Authorities e Information, Analysis, and Environmental Compliance Unit o Weather Stations NEGATIVE DETERMINATION WITH CONDITIONS The following activities were assessed in this PEA and were found to have minimal to medium adverse environmental impacts, but the impacts can be mitigated; therefore they are recommended for Negative Determination with conditions. e __Intermediate Result 1: Agricultural Productivity Increased o Promoting Good Agricultural Practices through Farmer Field Schools o Nursery and Grafting Support o Establish small-scale irrigation projects e _Intermediate Result 2: Watershed Stability Improved o Promoting Hillside Stabilization through Agroforestry o Sub-Watershed Management and Governance o Reforestation and Land Reclamation o Nursery and Grafting Support o Development of Pigeon Pea Value Chain o Protection of Critical Coastal Zones (Mangrove Planting) o Community Cisterns for Home Gardens o Pilot Small-Scale Greenhouses e __Intermediate Result 3: Agricultural Markets Strengthened o Facilitate Improved Post-Harvest Handling, Storage and Processing o Promote the Use of Vouchers as a Market-Oriented Subsidy Mechanism ° Infrastructure o Irrigation Projects not requiring increased surface water withdrawals (see site- specific EMPRSs and screening forms for the Dubré, Grison Garde, La Suisse and Ferrier/Bas Marihaboux irrigation systems in Annex J) AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 201 [page 202] POSITIVE DETERMINATION Two types of infrastructure activities were assessed in this PEA and were found to have potentially substantial or significant adverse environmental effects that could not be mitigated With generic mitigation measures. These activities require further analysis and assessment of alternatives before a conclusion can be formed on the significance of their impacts. They are recommended for Positive Determination: e Irrigation projects requiring increased surface water withdrawals (see detailed assessments in the watershed chapter [chapter 6] as well as site-specific screening forms for the Robino, Chalopin, Garde Saline and La Suisse irrigation systems in Annex J) ° Major drainage construction that does not involve rehabilitation of existing drainage systems At this time, we recommend that AVANSE does not proceed with any such initiatives. 202 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 203] 8. ENVIRONMENTAL AVANSE is a large and complex program, requiring numerous mitigation measures to address the potential impacts of all of its activities. The PEA proposes three general levels of environmental review with associated mitigation measures: 1. No site-specific environmental review, but application of mitigation measures in applicable umbrella EMPRSs. 2. Site-specific in-house environmental review by AVANSE to determine if the location of the activity is environmentally acceptable and if the mitigation measures in the applicable umbrella EMPRS are sufficient. If the site is inappropriate, the activity will be withdrawn from consideration. If the mitigation measures in the applicable umbrella EMPR are insufficient to address the potential impacts, then the activity will fall into the third level of review (i.e., require a site-specific EMPR). 3. Site-specific EMPRS as per established USAID/LAC procedures. Categories 1 and 2 will apply only in those cases where an approved umbrella EMPR exists. Category 1 will apply only to the following two types of activities: °__Non-infrastructure IR1 activities; and + __IR2 watershed stabilization activities. The category 2 reviews will be conducted by the Environmental Compliance Team in coordination with the relevant IR Team. These reviews will be based on the USAID/LAC EMPR format, but will not require review or approval from USAID. The reviews will be kept in the AVANSE files and reported upon to USAID in the AVANSE quarterly reports. The activities recommended for category 2 review are: + __IR3 processing facility grants for construction of less than 1,000 m° or for equipment installation e __Voucher program for fertilizer and other inputs and services (one-time, umbrella EMPR for each new input) e__ Irrigation projects for less than 25 hectares reliant upon wells tapping the unconfined alluvial aquifer in the northern plain The umbrella EMPRS for activities in Categories 1 and 2 are included in this PEA as annexes. The mitigation measures and monitoring requirements for these activities are included in the umbrella EMPRSs. In addition, site-specific EMPRS for Grison Garde, Dubré and Bas Maribahoux irrigation systems and the Bas Limbé drainage site, as well as screening forms are included for some activities in categories 2 and 3 (see Annexes H-J). See the following Annexes for more information: Annex F: Umbrella EMPR for IR1 Non-Infrastructure Activities AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 203 [page 204] Annex G: Umbrella EMPR for IR2 Activities Annex H: Umbrella EMPR for IR3 Grants (for construction of less than 1,000 m? or for equipment installation) Annex l: Umbrella EMPR for IR3 Voucher Program for Fertilizer The activities that will require site-specific EMPRS as per established USAID/LAC procedures are: ° __Irrigation system rehabilitation that does not increase surface water diversions °__AnyIR3 processing facility grants for construction greater than 1,000 m? °< The following types of activities if they occur within the boundaries of the Three Bays Marine Protected Area: o Irrigation projects o Road rehabilitation o IR3 production and processing facility grants Site-specific screening forms for 7 irrigation systems can be found in Annex J. 204 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 205] ANNEX A: LIST OF PREPARERS L 1 Lane Krahl, Team Leader Lane Krahl is an international environmental consultant, who for over 35 years has been providing leadership, technical expertise and training in natural resource and environmental management. During that time he has worked on projects in 31 countries in Central America, South America, Africa, Asia, Europe and the United States. Mr. Krahl has experience in environmental impact assessment, natural resource management, water quality management, groundwater rights allocations, groundwater quality protection, environmental regulation development, solid waste management, hazardous waste management, and industrial pollution prevention and control. He has been involved in the preparation of environmental assessments for ten USAID projects as per 22-CFR-216. He holds a bachelor’ s degree in forest management from Northern Arizona University and a master’s degree in public policy with an emphasis in environmental policy from Harvard University. Tom Erdmann, Natural Resource Management Expert Thomas K. Erdmann is an Agroforester, Community-Based Natural Resource Management and Forestry expert. He has worked overseas on environmental, conservation and agricultural projects and assignments in developing countries for most of the past 30 years. Countries of long-term experience include Guinea, Madagascar, Mali, Nigeria and Rwanda. From 1992 to 1996, Mr. Erdmann led the agroforestry component of USAID'’s Natural Resource Management Project in the Fouta Djallon highlands of Guinea. He worked for WWF from 1997 to 2004, first on a community forestry project in Madagascar and later as a member of WWF's Global Forest Program team. Before returning to DAl’s home office in 2009, Mr. Erdmann managed conservation and development activities in the Ankeniheny-Zahamena landscape of Madagascar as part of USAID'’s Ecoregional Initiatives Program. Mr. Erdmann also served as COP on the USAID-funded Capitalizing Knowledge, Connecting Communities (CK2C) project from 2010 to 2013. He is currently a member of DAl's global Environment and Climate Change practice within the Technical Services unit. Mr. Erdmann holds a B.A. degree from the College of William and Mary and an MS. from the University of Florida. Pierre Rudolphe Leger, Engineer Pierre Rudolphe Leger is a civil, sanitary, and environmental engineer who has worked in more than 50 countries in development projects. He earned his bachelor degree at City College of New York and his graduate and post graduate degrees at New York University and Delft Technical University in the Netherlands. He has held many posts including, President, Vice- President, and Senior Consultant in many firms in the US. As a civil engineer he has worked on many civil engineering projects in the US and abroad. He also worked as a consultant in many environmental projects including the preparation of Programmatic Environmental Assessments, Environmental Assessments, and the preparation of Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plans for the United States Agency for International Development, the InterAmerican Development Bank, the African Development, and the Government of Puerto Rico where he managed an environmental permitting section. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 205 [page 206] Yves-Francois Pierre, Sociologist, PhD Yves-Francois Pierre over 30 years of experience designing and executing complex social, economic, agricultural and market research and surveys including land tenure, farming systems, farming communities, local governance, environment and commerce in rural and urban Haïti. He has provided these services for USAID, IDB, UN and other donor clients. Dr. Pierre has In depth knowledge and experience with M&E, and strong writing, communication, presentation and training skills. He is a problem solver and innovative thinker with strong analytical, team- leadership, planning and computer skills. He is experienced with information and analysis in Haiït's Northern Corridor and is at ease working and reporting in French, Creole and English. Jean Marc Racine, Senior Environmental Officer, AVANSE Jean Marc Racine is an environmental management and community planning professional with over 15 years of experience providing technical coordination and results-base project management services to inter-governmental and international organizations for countries of the Americas. He has experience in agricultural development and land tenure, social housing development, municipal wastes management, integrated coastal zone management, disaster risks reduction, climate change mitigation and adaptation, sustainable energy production, sound management of chemicals, integrated water resources management, environmental monitoring and evaluation, and environmental compliance requirements associated with USAID's 22-CFR- 216. He has been involved in environmental assessment and M&E activities associated with housing and critical infrastructures interventions aimed at achieving resiliency against natural hazards. He holds an engineering degree in agricultural and environmental sciences with a focus in environmental management from Université Quisqueya, and a MS degree in Environmental Community Land Use Planning and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) from Syracuse University. lra Richards, Agronomist Ira Richards is an agricultural development consultant with 30 plus years of experience in Latin and Central America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Trans Caucasus, and Central and South East Asia. He has worked for the USAID, FAO, IFAD, IDB and International NGO's for project design and evaluation, and project implementation, specializing in soil and water conservation, irrigation, and sustainable smallholder agriculture. He was involved in the preparation of an environmental assessment and of a PERSUAP for USAID. He has a B.Sc. and a M.Sc. degrees in Agronomy from New Mexico State University. Jean Wiener, Biodiversity Expert Jean Wiener has worked on environmental issues in general, and on coastal and marine issues in Haïti in particular for over 23 years. In 1992 Mr. Wiener founded Haiïtis first coastal and marine environmental non-profit the Fondation pour la Protection de la Biodiversité Marine (FoProBiM) and retains his position at the head of the organization. As the director of FoProBiM he specializes in coastal and marine sciences, community development, and environmental management and has executed a wide range of projects including resource assessments, association building, environmental rehabilitation, community needs evaluations, as well as pure scientific research for institutions as diverse as the Ministry of Environment of Haïti, the UN (UNEP, UNDP, UNESCO, UNOPS), USAID, IDB, NOAA, and the OAS to name but a few. He 206 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 207] is also the national focal point in Haïti for the International Coral Reefs Initiative (ICRI), the Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Network (WIDECAST), the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN), NatureCaribe, and several International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) specialist groups. He has won environmental awards from Condé Nast, the Whitley Fund for Nature (2), and the Erick Eckman Award, one of Haïti's first ever environmental awards presented by the Ministry of Environment and the President. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut, USA. Jean Louis Charles Jolicoeur, Hydrologist, PhD Jean Louis Charles Jolicoeur is a Hydrologist who has worked in Kenya, Afghanistan and in development projects for over 18 years. He earned his Bachelor’ s degree at the Ecole Nationale de Géologie Appliquée in Haïti. He obtained a post graduate diploma and a Master of Science degree at the Regional Meteorological Training Center in Israel and the International Institute for Aerospace Survey and Earth Science currently known as the Faculty of Geo- Information Science and Earth Observation of the University of Twente in the Netherlands. He obtained his PhD in Hydrology from the State University of New York at Binghamton. He was a post-doctoral associate at Florida International University conducting research on water-rock interactions associated with seawater intrusion into coastal carbonate aquifers. He has held many posts including, Water Resource Advisor and Water Team Leader in Afghanistan for the United States Agency for International Development, Consultant for the Caribbean Society for Water and Environment, and Lecturer at Broward College teaching Earth and Environmental Sciences. Andrew Watson, Environmental Expert Dr. Watson is a senior DAI staff member, has 30 years of experience in natural resource management (NRM), climate change adaptation, environmental policy and capacity building and, environmental impact assessment, and the use of remote sensing technology for environmental mapping. From 1999 to 2003, Dr. Watson was based in Malawi, where he managed USAID's Community Partnerships for Sustainable Resource Management (COMPASS) activity. COMPASS supported community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) in the forestry, fisheries, and wildlife sectors. The activity included facilitating policy reform and advocacy, building capacity through training and information services, improving coordination among CBNRM implementing agencies, and providing small grants to CBNRM practitioners. From 2010 to 2013, he managed USAID’'s Morocco Economic Competitiveness program — helping improve smallholder farmers’ access to improve irrigation technologies and, thereby, enabling them to conserve water resources and reduce their vulnerability to climate change. The program also improved farmers’ access to markets, strengthened regional business climate and helped women and youth find better jobs. Dr. Watson has also led two global initiatives: USAID's Prosperity, Livelihoods and Conserving Ecosystems (PLACE and REPLACE) and USAID's knowledge management initiative for NRM—Capitalizing Knowledge, Connecting Communities (CK2C)—which included management of the FRAME website connecting NRM practitioners worldwide. Dr Watson holds a D. Phil. in Geomorphology and a Masters of Arts in Geography. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 207 [page 208] ANNEX B: BIBLIOGRAPHY L 1 AFCAP. 2013. Low Volume Road Resurfacing, À Guide to Good Practice, June 2013 Agetech. 2015. Etude sur le systèm d'irrigation de la Suisse. For AVANSE, February 2015. 83pp. Ahmed, W., T. Gardner, and S. Toze. 2011. Microbiological Quality of Roof-Harvested Rainwater and Health Risks: À Review. J. Environ. Qual. 40:19. American Institute of Architects (AIA). 2012. Cumulative Impact Assessment for Regional Development in the Cap-Haïtien to Ouanaminthe Urban Corridor. Final Draft, AIA Legacy for Inter-American Development Bank and USAID/OTI, August 12, 2012. 154pp. AYEH & AYEH Consulting Engineers and Environmental Scientists, Environmental & Social Assessment for the Rural Road Project in South Sudan, Bannister, M. and Y. Gossin. 2007. Interventions in Watersheds. In Environmental Vulnerability in Haïti, Findings and Recommendations (USAID/Haiïti), April 2007 Bayard, B. 2014. Agricultural production in AVANSE intervention zones: À baseline survey. AVANSE, for USAID/Haiïti, October 2014. 72 pp. Briceño, H. no date. 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Toward the Development of Haiït”s System of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), An Ecosystem Services Assessment for the Creation of Haitis System of MPAs rev.1, OAS, Mexico and Monaco. pp. 35. World Bank. 2011. Vulnerability, risk reduction, and adaptation to climate change: Haïti. World Bank Group, Washington, DC, USA. 12 pp. Zuvekas, C. 1978. Agricultural Development in Haiti. An assessment of Sector Problems, Policies, and Prospects Under Conditions of Severe Soil Erosion. USAID/HAITI, May 1978. pp16-17 214 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 215] ANNEX C: SITES VISITED L 1 The following table presents sites visited during the first iteration of the PEA (February and March 2015). Subsequent field visits were conducted by PEA team members during July 2015 but are not included in this table. Who was FESSnE (LE Pere Gi NERSEMEE ete What was visited Who did you see on-site | Other and other team Visit Site members) Tom Erdmann, Jolitrou, Grande 2 soil conservation/ . owner of 2nd plot was à : Feb.6 Lis Esteval Pluvieuse Lonège Ogisma Rivière du Nord agroforestry plots absent Ira Richards Grison Garde Yves-François Feb 16 ! Rice FFS Group of farmers : Haut du Cap Pierre Marie Claude Previl, Ira Richards Cayite, Haute du Cineas Clovis, Lonège Ogisma Feb. 16 Cap Banana FFS #3 Renold Ome Ira Richards Ome Leone, Lonè : Feb. 17 Fage, Bas Limbé Banana FFS Fage Altidor Price-Mars onège Ogisma lra Richards Feb. 17 Blain, Bas Limbé | Banana FFS Blain Joseph Charies Lonège Ogisma Yranier Philistin, lra Richards Beaujoint, Grison Felix Matthias, A : Feb. 18 Garde, Haut du Rice FFS Sa Change Placide Jean, Lonège Ogisma an . Cap Philistin Franclin Pierre Leger, Lane Krahl, Ira Grison Garde Irrigation Richards, Yves- Feb. 18 Haut du Cap s g WUA members D: ystem François Pierre, Tom Erdmann AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 215 [page 216] Who was FESSnE (LE Pere Gi NERSEMEE ete What was visited Who did you see on-site | Other and other team Visit Site members) Pierre Leger, Lane Krahl, lra Road Association Richards, Yves- Feb. 18 Haut du Cap Grison Garde Road : D: President François Pierre, Tom Erdmann Pierre Leger, Lane Krahl, Tom | Feb. 18 Haut du Cap La Suisse Irrigation System AVANSE Engineers Erdmann Yves-François Irrigation canal and Rice Association des Irrigants Pierre, PEA Feb. 18 Haut du Cap Fields, Watershed de Grison Garde (about 5 Team Stabilization project members Edouard lvonie, . : Pierre Mei, Vincent lra Richards Feb. 19 tlaut Madelaine, IR2 FFS in formation Jackson Saint-Fleurs, Pierre Leger Marion : Jean Claude Flomil Pierre Leger, Ira Feb. 19 Marion Haut Madeleine Road Farmers Richards Pierre Leger, lra | Eh 49 Trou du Nord Juchereau Road AVANSE Engineers Richards Pierre Leger, lra | Eh 49 Marion Coicou Road AVANSE Engineers Richards 3 soil conservation/agroforestry Tom Erdmann, Feb.19 Les Perches, plots; 1 demonstration small Aldoph Gezner owner of Tst and Srd plots Jules Wilson Marion : : were absent treated ravine (treated with gully plugs Tom Erdmann, Acul Samedi, 1 soil : Feb.19 : : owner was absent Jules Wilson Marion conservation/agroforestry plot lra Richards Yves Pierre (group of A : Feb. 23 Breda, Haut du Cap | Banana, FFS Breda farmers) Lonège Ogisma Ira Richards Feb. 23 Balen, Haut du Cap | Banana Pierre Saint-Pierre Lonège Ogisma 216 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 217] Who was FESSnE (LE Pere Gi NERSEMEE ete What was visited Who did you see on-site | Other and other team Visit Site members) Ira Richards, Michelet Amboise Francisco Vixamar, Banana Field Dubré, Haut du Cap | Rice (members of WUA) Leo Jean, Feb. 23 LR A . Tech Irrigation system Dubré Yves Etienne Lonège Ogisma Lane Krahl, Jean- Feb. 23 Trou du Nord Banana Chip Maker Papita Pam, Edmond Osmy Cher Janite, owner Lane Krahl, Jean- Feb. 23 Trou du Nord Artisanal Chocolate Producer Choko Pam, Charles Osmy Cher Edwin, owner Lane Krahl, Jean- Feb. 23 Trou du Nord Cacao Fermenter/ PISA, Aline Etlecher, R&D Osmy Chery Exporter Dept. Ira Richards Lonège Ogisma Lazarre Youvenex, Cacao Supervisor; Nicolas Wilson, Rodney Pierre, : Beaubouen Ylangilles, Cacao StHilaire Supervisor; Feb. 24 Caré, Haut du Cap Cacao FFS Care ‘ FL : . Laurent Antoine,; Laurent Ketline Benjamin k Vi Eugene, ; IXamar, Frisner Selmour. Cacao Field L Tech; Martial Marie- Therese, Cacao Field Tech Pierre Leger Feb. 24 La Garènne to Latasse Road | AVANSE Engineers Pierre Leger Feb. 24 Chalopin Irrigation System AVANSE Agronomist - Feb. 24 . Lu . Pierre Leger Robino Irrigation System WUA President Pierre Leger, lra | ep 24 Trou du Nord Glaudine Pumping fields AVANSE Engineers Richards AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 217 [page 218] Who was FESSnE (LE Pere Gi NERSEMEE ete What was visited Who did you see on-site | Other and other team Visit Site members) Ira Richards Modes Emmanuel : Le Chat, Caracol, 7 Lonege Ogisma Trou du Nord Beans & Maize FFS Le Chat | Nelson Jocelin Leosthene Nelson Jose Joseph Nelson Antoine Beans & Maize Feb. 25 Field Tech Romy Francois Le Chat, Caracol, Beans & Maize FFS Koujol, Pierre Claudin Beans & Maize Trou du Nord Rosnel Jousa Field Tech Pierre DuSainvil Pierre Leger, Lane Krahl, lra Richards, Jean Feb. 25 Haut du Cap Breda Ravine AVANSE Engineers Wiener, Tom Erdmann Hléléne Quartier morin Kiremidjian, Lane | Feb. 26 É Jaden lakay (distributor) Doudy Pierre Haut du Cap Krahl Héléne : : : Kiremidjian, Lane | Feb. 26 Vieux Bourg, Trou | Scisyon Agrikol (distributor) | V2SmMine Pierre (not du Nord present) Krahl Héléne Kiremidjian, Lane | Feb. 26 Ferrier, Jassa Bel jaden (distributor) Durosier Gérôme Krahl Bonne localisation; patente disponible; Héléne aménagement EC Kiremidjian, Lane | Feb. 26 Ferrier, Jassa Tout Sezon Agrikol Francique Kendy important a faire de la (distributor) boutique pour respecter Krahl - les bonnes pratiques EC recommandées par AVANSE 218 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 219] Who was FESSnE (LE Pere Gi NERSEMEE ete What was visited Who did you see on-site | Other and other team Visit Site members) Kiremidjian, Lane | Feb. 26 J . Jaden lakay (distributor) Doudy Pierre Krahl assa Bon candidat; patente Héléne disponible; effort Kiremidjian, Lane | Feb. 26 Malfety, Marion Kay ti plantè (distributor) Pierre Jean Mary d'aménagement fait Krahl depuis les dernières visites; Localisation non adaptée; Héléne Erilien Multi service ne peut pas être affilié au Kiremidjian, Lane | Feb. 26 Fort-liberté, Marion Lu Bolivar Erilien SIBAT avec ce local (est Krahl (distributor) située sur le toit d'une maison d’un particulier); Lonege Ogisma Marion Out on Lagoon in boat — Papito Bohama in lake (Tiliapia Jean Wiener Feb. 26 Jassa Lagon au Boeufs (Lago Bé) mossambica), shrimp also; Water salinity test = 5 PSU aribahoux Unidentified turtle in lake + Bohama/Tilapia nwa Jean Wiener Feb. 26 Jassa Lac Won Reno and 8+ (Tilapia mossambica); Water level in lake is going down AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 219 [page 220] Who was FESSnE (LE Pere Gi NERSEMEE ete What was visited Who did you see on-site | Other and other team Visit Site members) Water deviation upstream Anwo Maribaroux by AgroAction Alemand Starting in 2005 has led to decreased water in the lake (lake level down approximately 2 m from Henri Claude Noel normal according to Jean Wiener Feb. 26 Jassa Lac Gabrielle - Near Robino B L Noels)...it has caused lack ernard Noel : of water in lower Maribaroux while flooding other lands in upper Maribaroux and Maki Mara; Unidentified turtle in lake; Tilapia mossambica also found in lake Ira Richards Tovar Michel ue | Louis Alidor Rudolph. C Feb. 27 au Borgne Cacao FFS Espoir de vivre Osias Charles, udolph, Cacao Supervisor Charles E. LiPhete, Charles Cuito, Ira Richards Jean Mari, Bernard Tony Marcelli Le Toussaint, Tovar Michel Bois d’eau, Port FFS, OPBP (Organisation Emmanuel Pierre, Rudolph, Cacao Feb. 27 Margot des Paysans de Bois d'eau Jean Joydanis pn g Port-Margot) y d Supervisor Jean Charles Prelord, Daniel Dorsainvil, Joseph Damus, Pierre Francoeur 220 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 221] Who was FESSnE (LE Pere Gi NERSEMEE ete What was visited Who did you see on-site | Other and other team Visit Site members) Ira Richards Jean Bully Prophete, AVANSE Durohaut, Charles RoseMarie Enqueteur Mar. 2 Limonade, Grande Banana, FFS Durohaut Thimothee Anoze Otilien Dade, Rivière du Nord Ivan Prophet Banana Field Tech Ira Richards Jean Bully Prophete, Victor Poline, Enqueteur Mar. 3 Malfety, Ft. Liberte, | Rice FFS Coucou 1, Wilner Joseph, Jean Noel ° Marion Rice FFS Chalopin Adras Eugine, Jocelyn; Rice Field tech; Ira Richards : Julnis Robert, Jean Bully Mar.5 Acul du Nord, FFS Feb 2 Saintus Alberte, Prophete, Limbé Enqueteur interview with members of DS: : PO that had applied for Tom Erdmann, Savane Longue, Danvil Déjasma, Gilbert grant to expand IR2 soil : Mar. 5 Julio, Saintélus St. Juste, : Jules Wilson Jassa conservation and Charles Jean-Claude agroforestry demonstrations Merius Richard, Charles interview with members of Tom Erdmann, Gens de Nantes, Rilma, Charles Mulion, : Mar. 5 : : sub-watershed Jules Wilson Jassa Shilogene Delibert, : : management body Louisanne Polimus visit to nursery of master Tom Erdmann, Mar. 5 Gens de Nantes, grafter (did not record his Jules Wilson Jassa name AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 221 [page 222] Who was FESSnE (LE Pere Gi NERSEMEE ete What was visited Who did you see on-site | Other and other team Visit Site members) Tom Erdmann, Gens de Nantes, 3 soil conservation and : : owners/farmers at 1st and : Mar. 5 : Milouse Pierre Jules Wilson Jassa agroforestry demonstrations 3rd plots were absent Ira Richards Jean Bully Prophete, Enqueteur Philippe Gonel Beans & Maize Mar. 6 Caracol, Trou du Beans & Corn FFS Group la Jean Joseph, Field Tech ° Nord Foumi Group of farmers Bonhomme Marie Velia Beans & Maize Field Tech Ira Richards Jean Bully Prophete, : : Enqueteur Roche Plate, Trou ue Ismajean Albense Pierre Patrick Joseoh Mar. 6 du Nord Cacao, FFS Fraternité Thetandieu, OSEPp Group of farmers Cacao Field Tech, 3 contiguous soil : : x Tom Erdmann, Mar. 6 Camp Coq, Limbé conservation and agroforestry Patrique Pierre, Therèse Rolande Pierre : Pierre, Selondieu Pierre demonstrations interview with members of Tom Erdmann, | ar Camp Coq, Limbé Elnaud Bafaille, Luc Pierre | SOLCAMA (Sub- Rolande Pierre watershed management bod Tom Erdmann, Le : Jorel St. Hilaire, Gesner Rolande Pierre Camp Coq, Limbé nurseries of master graîfters St. Hilaire, Ronel Cadet Tom Erdmann outskirts of Cap Le Mar. 6 Haiïtien, Haut du commercial nursery Luc Sylvestre Rolande Pierre Cap 222 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 223] Who was FESSnE (LE Pere Gi NERSEMEE ete What was visited Who did you see on-site | Other and other team Visit Site members) Ira Richards Dorilas Nixon, Beans & Maize Bois du Lance, : Field Tech: Mar. 9 Grande Rivière du | PanS and Maize, FFS Men |A Gilles dit Amos Nan Men Jacque Bony, Nord Beans &Maize Field Tech; Ira Richards Jean Bully Prophete, Enqueteur Dorilas Nixon, Pichon, Bois du : Jean Claude Altinador, Beans & Maize Mar. 9 Lance, Grande peans & Maize, FFS Fol Kole Joseph Maliece Field Tech; Rivière du Nordf Group of farmers Jacque Bony, Beans &Maize Field Tech; 3 soil conservation and Tom Erdmann, Grison Garde, Haut agroforestry demonstrations; Bastien Auriole, Jacques : Mar. 9 small ravine stabilization : 1st owner/farmer absent Rolande Pierre du Cap s : Ducette Fite demonstration treated with gully plugs in area interview with members of Devenique Elie Tiréus PO (APABAM) that had Tom Erdmann, Grison Garde area, : q Le L applied for grant to expand . Mar. 9 Elie Walex Tiréus, : . Rolande Pierre Haut du Cap ei soil conservation and Jacques Donat Lifaie agroforestry demonstrations Daniel Florival, Jean Jose, interview with members of Tom Erdmann, Acul du Nord, Haut Lainé Schoubert Nicolas, L Mar. 9 : à sub-watershed Rolande Pierre du Cap Delius Denoyé, Dagobert management body Fernande Tom Erdmann, Mar. 9 Plaine du Nord, commercial nurser! Jernet Stanio Rolande Pierre ‘ Haut du Cap y AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 223 [page 224] Who was FESSnE (LE Pere Gi NERSEMEE ete What was visited Who did you see on-site | Other and other team Visit Site members) Yves-François A Association des Irrigants Pierre, Vilbert Mar. 9 Dubré, Haut du Cap Irrigation canal de Dubré (about 12 Félix members) Yves-François Grison Garde, Haut Association des Irrigants Pierre, Vilbert Mar. 9 du Cap de Grison Garde (about 8 Félix members Ste. Suzanne, . . . interview with members of Tom Erdmann, Mar. 10 Grande Rivière du David Laurin, Roseline : sub-watershed Jules Wilson Guerrier, Jacques Antoine Nord management body Tom Erdmann Ste. Suzanne, 3 soil conservation and Roseline Guerrier, Simon : ’ Mar. 10 Grande Rivière du : Yvon Pierre, Daniel Jean- Jules Wilson agroforestry demonstrations : Nord Baptiste Ste. Suzanne, s . Tom Erdmann, Mar. 10 Grande Rivière du site proposed for reforestation Daulman Pierrogene Jules Wilson Nord with Communal Deputy Tom Erdmann outskirts of Cap : ’ Mar. 11 Haiïtien, Haut du commercial nursery Carl-Heinz Loriston Jules Wilson Cao outskirts of Cap : Tom Erdmann, Mar. 11 Haïtien, Haut du (CTEAD) proposed for small owner/manager of site was Jules Wilson Cao greenhouse absent pes Fran goss Association des Irrigants LE D: Mar. 11 Haut du Cap Irrigation Canal de Dubré (about 12 Félix, Pierre : members) Léger Yves-François Gens de Nantes À Konbit of 15 working on an | Agronomist, a committee : g Mar. 13 . area where stabilization of 5 responsible for Pierre Jassa : MAR actions have taken place stabilization of watershed Pierre Leger, Yves-François Mar. 17 Haut du Cap Dubré irrigation System WUA members Pierre 224 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 225] ANNEX D: THREATENED = THREATENED ANIMALS AND PLANTS OF CÔTES DU NORD KBA. CR = CRITICALLY ENDANGERED, EN = ENDANGERED, VU = VULNERABLE ACCORDING TO THE IUCN RED LIST (CEASS À SPECIES | Status | | Hypsiboas heïlprini Noble, 1823] vu [Osteopilus pulchrilineatus Cope, 1869 | EN | | Osteopilus vastus Cope, 1871 | En | | Aratinga chloroptera Souancé, 1856] vu | Corvus leucognaphalus Daudin, 1800 À vu | cedrela odorata | vu | L'ainnamomum triplinerve (Ruiz & Pay) Koxem. | w | [ Guaiacum officinale LÀ EN | Guaiacum sanctur | En | L'Huertea eubensis Grseb— | w | | Magnolia domingensis Ur." | EN | | Magnolia emarginata Urb. & Ekm._"""""""" | En | Lsenna domingensis(Sprene HS. rain & same | _w | | Caretta caretta L., 1758 | EN | Cchelonia mydas 1758 | N | | Cyclura cornuta Bonnaterre, 1788 | vu | | Epilobocera haytensis Rathbun, 1893 |" vu | [Balises vetula L, 1758 À vu | Epinephelus striatus Block, 1792 | En | | Hippocampus erectus Perry, 1810 | vu | ['Hyporthodus flavolimbatus Poey, 1865 À vu | ['Hyporthodus nigritus Holbrook, 1855 | | | Lachnolaïmus maximus Walbaurn, 1792] vu [Lutjanus analis Cuvier, 1828 | vu | Lutjanus cyanopterus Cuvier, 1828 | vu | | Mycteroperca interstitialis Poey, 1885] vu Thunnus obesus Lowe, 1839 À vu SAR | Asurus oxyrinchus Rafinesque, 1810 | vu | | Agaricia lamarcki Edwards & Haime, 1851 | vu | [ Dendrogyra cylindrus Enrenberg, 1834] vu [ Dichocoenia stokesi Edwards & Haime, 1848 | vu | CMentastraes anus comp | W | Mycetophyllia ferox Well, 1873] vu | Oculina varicosa Leseuer, 1821 | vu | including L. dominicensis, L meloanogaster, L melanotata, L. nigrofasciata and L. tridens. These have not been assessed by IUCN. The purple copepod, Mastigodiaptomus purpureus Marsh, 1907, VU, is found in freshwater systems of Haïti, but the extent of its range remains uncertain. Eleutherodactylus limbensis, the Haïtian Streamside Frog, has not been assessed by IUCN, but is endemic to this area of North Haiti. * Comprised of 3 species: Montastraea annularis, M. faveolata and M. franksi. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 225 [page 226] THREATENED ANIMALS AND PLANTS OF LAGONS DU NORD-EST KBA. CR = CRITICALLY ENDANGERED, EN = ENDANGERED, VU = VULNERABLE ACCORDING TO THE IUCN RED LIST. CSS À species "| status | | Dendrocygna arborea L., 1758 | vu | L Guaiacum officinale EN ['Guaiacum sancturn 1. | EN | L'Epilobocera haytensis Rathbun, 1883 | vu | | Caretta caretta L., 1758 EN | Chelonia mydas L., 1758 | EN | LCrocodylus acutus Cuvier, 1807" vu [ Dermochelys coriacea Vandell, 1761 | © | L'Eretmochelys imbricata L., 1766 | © | | Balistes vetula L., 1758 | vu L'Epinephelus striatus Block, 1792 En | L'Hippocampus erectus Perry, 1810" | vu | L'Hyporthodus flavolimbatus Poey, 1865 | vu | L'Hyporthodus nigritus Holbrook, 1855 | © | L_Lachnolaimus maximus Walbaum, 1792 | vu | L'Lutjanus analis Cuvier, 1828 vu | L'Lutjanus cyanopterus Cuvier, 1828" | vu | L'Mycteroperca interstitialis Poey, 1885 "|" vu | [Thunnus obesus Lowe, 1839 vu SHARK | ssurus oxyrinchus Rafinesque, 1810 | vu L'Acropora cervicornis Lamarck, 1816" |" © | L'Acropora palmata Lamarck, 1816 | © | L'Agaricia lamarcki Edwards & Haime, 1851 | vu | [ Dendrogyra cylindrus Ehrenberg, 1834 °°" |" vu | | Dichocoenia stokesii Edwards & Haïme, 1848 |" vu | L'Montastraea annularis complex" "vu | L'Mycetophyllia ferox Well, 1973 | vu | ['Oculina varicosa Leseuer, 1821 | vu | Endemic Species: Several live-bearing fish species of the Limia genus are Hispaniola island endemics that occur in fresh and brackish water bodies including L. dominicensis, L. meloanogaster, L. melanotata, L. nigrofasciata and L. tridens. These have not been assessed by IUCN. The purple copepod, species: Montastraea annularis, M. faveolata and M. franksi. THREATENED ANIMALS AND PLANTS OF PLAISANCE KBA. CR = CRITICALLY ENDANGERED, EN = ENDANGERED, VU = VULNERABLE ACCORDING TO THE IUCN RED LIST ss species "| starus | ['Eleutherodactylus sommeri Schwertz, 1977 | EN 'Hypsiboas heilprini Noble, 1923 | vu | ['osteopilus pulchrilineatus Cope, 1869 "| En | L'Osteopilus vastus Cope, 1871 | EN | L'Aratinga chloroptera Souancé, 1856 "|" vu 7 Lcorvus leucognaphalus Daudin, 1800 °°" | vu | [_ Cedrela odorata 1. | vu L'cinnamomun triplinerve (Ruiz 8 Pav.) Kosterm. "|" vu | [Magnolia domingensis Urb. "| EN | L'Epilobocera haytensis Rathbun, 1893 °° | vu remains uncertain. Eleutherodactylus limbensis, the Haïtian Streamside Frog, has not been assessed by IUCN, but is endemic to this area of North Haïti. 226 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 227] THREATENED ANIMALS AND PLANTS OF MORNE BAILLY KBA. CR = CRITICALLY ENDANGERED, EN = ENDANGERED, VU = VULNERABLE ACCORDING TO THE IUCN RED LIST. ASS À seces "| #starus | | Eleutherodactylus sommeri Schwartz, 1977 À EN ['Hypsiboas heilprini Noble, 1923 À vu [osteopilus pulchrilineatus Cope, 1869 °°" |" EN | ['Osteopilus vastus Cope, 1871 À EN L'Aratinga chloroptera Souancé, 1856 À vu Lcorvus leucognaphalus Daudin, 1800 À vu | Cinnamomum triplinerve (Ruiz & Pav.) Kosterm. |" vu | l'Epilobocera haytensis Rathbun, 1893 À vu Endemic Species: The purple copepod, Mastigodiaptomus purpureus Marsh, 1907, VU, is found in freshwater systems of Haiti, but the extent of its range THREATENED ANIMALS AND PLANTS OF CITADELLE — GROTTES DONDON KBA. CR = CRITICALLY ENDANGERED, EN = ENDANGERED, VU = VULNERABLE ACCORDING TO THE IUCN RED LIST. s SPecIEs | status | ['Eleutherodactylus poolei Cochran, 1938 | cr ['Eleutherodactylus sommeri Schwartz, 1977 °° | En ['Hypsiboas heilprini Noble, 1923 À vu | [Osteopilus puichrilineatus Cope, 1869 °° | En [Osteopilus vastus Cope, 1871 | En [Amazona ventralis Müller, 1776 À vu [Aratinga chloroptera Souancé, 1856" "vu | | Corvus leucognaphalus Daudin, 1800" À vu [ Cedrela odorata L. | vu 7 | Cinnamomum triplinerve (Ruiz & Pav.) Kosterm. 7" vu [ Guaiacum officinale LÀ EN [ Suaiacum sancturn LT EN | Epilobocera haytensis Rathbun, 1893 À vu ['celestus warreni Schwartz, 1970 | © fresh water bodies of the area including L. dominicensis, L. meloanogaster, L. melanotata, L. nigrofasciata and L. tridens. Neither the local endemic nor the island endemics have been assessed by IUCN. The purple copepod, Mastigodiaptomus purpureus Marsh, 1907, VU, is found in freshwater systems of Haïti, but the extent of its range remains uncertain. Eleutherodactylus limbensis, the Haïtian Streamside Frog, has not been assessed by IUCN, but is endemic to this area of North Haïti. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 227 [page 228] ANNEX E: CONSULTATION L 1 Introduction and context On March 4", AVANSE and the PEA team organized a consultation workshop to present the PEA process and obtain feedback on perceived environmental impacts and the activities of other organizations in the AVANSE project zone. A total of 42 participants from 36 organizations attended the workshop (for details, see the list of participants at the end of this Annex). After presentations on the AVANSE project (overview and results to date) by Bertrand Laurent, AVANSE COP, and on the PEA process by Jean-Marc Racine, AVANSE Environmental Compliance Officer, the participants divided into four groups to consider the following questions: e _Identify the potential environmental impacts (of AVANSE activities) that the PEA must consider, and e __Identify current activities in the AVANSE project zone that should be considered in the PEA's evaluation of cumulative impacts. Results of group work After approximately 45 minutes of discussion, each group presented the results of their deliberations in plenary. The results are presented below. Group 1: Potential impacts Agriculture (impact in parentheses): + __ Water (availability), soil (erosion — negative; conservation — positive), biodiversity (agro- biodiversity — positive or negative), climate (CO; and water by trees, methane from animal husbandry — both can be positive or negative) Irrigation (impact in parentheses): e__ Water (management), climate (water management) Chemical inputs (impact in parentheses): e Water (quality), soil (quality), biodiversity (reduction or elimination of species), climate (increased greenhouse gases) Road rehabilitation (impact in parentheses): e Water (drainage), soil (conservation), biodiversity (habitat), noise (increase) Current activities e__Irrigation (Action Agro Allemande, PPTA [rice]) 228 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 229] + __Beekeeping (SAE [Ministry of Commerce]) ° Training of coffee cooperatives, Northeast Dept. (IRATAM, AFDI) e _Agroecology (Agrisud, Limbé watershed) e Protection and management of the marine environment, including research and education, North and Northeast Depts. (Reef Check and FoProBiM) e __ Mangrove protection (FoProBiM, Village Planète) e Organic fertilizer (SOIL) e Green Charcoal (Carbon Roots) e Cacao (AVSF) ° Animal husbandry and nutrition (Veterimed) ° Fish farming (FAO) Group 2: Potential impacts Increased agricultural production: + Change in water availability ° Risk of deforestation e Lower prices e Food security e Reduced rural exodus e__ Environmental contamination (risk for humans) Tenure security: e Tenure conflicts Training for entrepreneurs: ° _Reduced unemployment e _Strengthened organizational capacity °e __Technological knowledge transfer Soil conservation: e Added value to land + Reduced flooding risk ° _ Reduced erosion Current activities e Marine and coastal protection, including mangroves, marine species, coral reefs (FoProBiM) e _Coastal zone protection (Village Planète) e _ Seismic prevention plan, including soil mapping, evaluation of buildings (PNUD) °__ Support for organic cacao production (AVSF/LMR) e Soil conservation (Agro Action Allemande) °__Tenure security, land tenure conflict management (INARA) °__ Groundnut cultivation, farmer training (MEDS and Food for Kids) AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 229 [page 230] ° Training for agricultural entrepreneurs (CTEAD) e__ Promotion of touristic sites (Guahaba Museum) Group 3: Potential impacts ° Activities with potential negative impacts (impact in parentheses) o irrigation (drainage, soil salinization, increased pollution, community conflict) o Roads (increased deforestation, rill erosion, pollution, road security, decreased biodiversity) o Nurseries (use of plastic bags, pollution, lack of provenance and seed quality monitoring, use of pesticides) e Activities with potential positive impacts (impact in parentheses) o Irrigation (increased productivity, production spaced out over time, increased revenue) o Roads (market access, reduced losses, improved economy, transport of food/food products) o Nurseries (increased vegetative cover, seedlings available, increased revenue, promotion of entrepreneurial culture, contact with producers) Key actors/initiatives in AVANSE project zone e Agrisud International e Gran No Pi Djamm/American Red Cross e Roi Henri Christophe University e Veterimed e PNUD e Oxfam e MARNDR/DDAN-DDANE e Mayor's Offices/TPTC e MDE e FAO Group 4: Potential impacts Agricultural production: e Activities with potential negative impacts (impact in parentheses) o Use of chemical fertilizer (Contamination of the water table from chemical products, salinization of soils over the long term, contamination of water resources from runoff coming from fertilized surfaces) o Use of pesticides (Contamination of the water table from chemical products, contamination of water resources from runoff from treated surfaces) o Mechanical soil preparation and maintenance (soil compaction, release of greenhouse gases into atmosphere (CO:, CO, etc.)) ° Activities with potential positive impacts (impacts in parentheses) 230 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 231] o Use of compost (Reduction of dependence on chemical fertilizers and their negative environmental effects) Agroforestry: e Activities with potential negative impacts (impact in parentheses) o Transformation facilities/activities, e.g., cassava transformation (poor solid waste management that could cause environmental pollution) e Activities with potential positive impacts (impact in parentheses) o Planting fruit trees (increased plant cover, increased farmer revenue, reduction of erosion, soil protection) o Planting forestry trees (increased plant cover, increased farmer revenue, reduction of erosion, soil protection) o Yam cultivation (increased plant cover, increased farmer revenue, reduction of erosion, soil protection) Infrastructure: e Activities with potential positive impacts (impact in parentheses) o Rehabilitation of irrigation systems (improved use and availability of water resources) o Ravine treatment/stabilization (reduced erosion) o Road rehabilitation (transport facilitated) Current activities ° _Activities/initiatives that are underway and impacts (impacts in parentheses) o Construction and operations of Caracol industrial park (significant use of water table/groundwater, significant solid and liquid waste production [including dangerous wastes]) o AgriTrans banana plantation, Trou du Nord (increased vegetative cover, creation of a micro-climate) o Mangrove rehabilitation by Village Planète along coast of North and Northeast Departments (increased vegetative cover, increased marine products, increased agricultural production behind/inland from mangroves, protection of coastal housing, reduced risk of climate change, considerable reduction of marine intrusion, decreased migration of coastal bird species to other regions) List of participants 1. Nelta Jean-Louis, American Red Cross 2. Diene Diouf, American Red Cross 3. Sibille Buehlmann, Haïti Hospital Appeal 4. Dolcé Obei, Village Planète 5. Denis Vincent, WFP 6. Maria Noisin, URHC 7. Ulysse Gerard, Mayor's Office, Cap Haïitien 8. Erika Pierre-Louis, Reef Check AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 231 [page 232] 9. Wesley Toussaint, Resilience, Nord-NE 10. Alteon Yvon, Mayor, Cap Haitien 11. Snarly Colas, Veterimed 12. Frantz Estimable, Coord./Reg. 13. Rixamar Yvon, Fondation Vincent 14. Cherenfanz Wisner, Techn. MDENE 15. Myrtha Louisant, P.M. CRH 16. Sainvil Fritz, Mayor, Limbé 17. Widlin Florvil, FoProBiM 18. Jean Harald Lindor, CTEAD 19. Nadine Modestin, PIC/SONAPI 20. Fritz Prophete, Mayor, Milot 21. Regis H. Claude, OPAM 22. Juto Louis-Charles, SONAPI 23. Stéphanie Pierre, Ayiti Nexus 24. Kasia Szewcayk, Chamber of Commerce 25. Manasse Eliphete, Mayor's Office, Caracol 26. Charles Winshell, Agricultural Technician 27. Marion Duffieux, AFDI 28. Louis Juste Charles, Agrisud 29. Béothie Raphael, RFIC, INARA 30. Nicolas Salaon, Agrisud 31. Auguste Erice, DPANE 32. Edouard Noisin, URHC 33. Gina Fleurantin, BID 34. Charlito Louissaint, PNUD 35. Gregor Hodgson, Reef Check 36. Adele Bernard, MFK Haiti 37. Max Joseph Mesedor, DDARE 38. Donatien Djimps, PTTA/MARNDR 39. Hugues Mac-Henri Eyma, Agritech 40. Destiné Techlet, Church Pastor 41. Francko Riku Jean, Ministry of the Environment 42. Joseph Ruth Courtois, CCIPNE 232 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 233] ANNEX F: UMBRELLA EMPR = FOR IR1 NON- INFRASTRUCTURE ACTIVITIES Note: The narrative for this EMPR is embedded in the AVANSE Programmatic Environmental Assessment. Activities Included ° Agricultural production technical assistance: o SRI rice production techniques as previously implemented in USAID projects, or elsewhere; o Cacao farmer field schools on previous USAID projects; o Agricultural extension activities of NGOSs, local educational institutions and private input supply houses; o Use of remote cell-phone agricultural advice. e Integrated Pest Management (IPM). + _Pesticide procurement, use, or recommendation on use in any project crop or coffee. °< _Fertilizer use: use, procurement or recommendation of fertilizer use. + Seed production: o Nurseries/multiplication centers for rice, bananas/plantains, and cacao on less than 10 ha; o Implementing partner seed multiplication; o Tissue culture facility for bananas; o Vegetative reproduction of cacao & fruit trees outside of tissue culture facility; o Rapid multiplication techniques for selected banana varieties. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 233 [page 234] Table 1. Environmental Screening Form Name of IR1 Agricultural Activities (not including Activity: _ Infrastructure conrn Type of Technical assistance, supply of inputs and training Activity: associated with demonstration plots G answered yes to Contractor/ Col. À. is it a--? Grantee: DAI Date: March 30, 2015 Yes IEE/ETD Medium- #: _LAC-IEE-14-17 Risk 1 Will the project involve construction and/or Pme LL check dam, walls, etc.)? | 7 | pormememeonrertin trade etais | | X | | repair/reconstruction/rerouting of roads or trails? 3 | Willthe project involve the use, involve plans to use or training in the use of any chemical compounds such as pesticides” x x (including neem), herbicides, paint, varnish, lead-based products, etc.? [_4_[ Involve the construction or repair of irrigation systems? 1] "1" x" |" |" D "HESSSESES agricultural practices/production including animal husbandry? [_6 _[ Involve the construction or repair of fish pond? 1] À" x | | | |_7 | Involve the disposal of used engine où?" À X Will the project involve implementation of timber management, extraction of forest products, clearing of forest cover, and/or X conversion of forest land? IE ES near the project site, including protected areas, wetlands, critical X X Wildlife habitat or nesting areas? |? | soidet décharge polar) | | x | |] solids (i.e. discharge pollutants) |" | égimorngsutses orge | | x | | | neighboring surface or ground water? |_12_| Will the activity create objectionable odors? À À X | | |_13_| Will the activity violate air standard?" "Xl | BR PE (cacao) |_15_| Will the activity contribute to erosion? À X | |_16 | Is the activity incompatible with existing land use in the vicinity? ||" X |" |" ME ER ES businesses? MT en ER RES ES historic features? | | nascspes. or frafaune dounreom tom ne agyater | | | | X | landscapes, or flora/fauna downstream from the activity site? 7° er inam agrandie | | x | water in any water body? M ESS ME actions with mangroves and coral reefs? | 22 | Will the activity expose people or property to flooding? 1] "|" x |" 1" RE ES ground water otherwise available for public water supplies? 234 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 235] | em) cac | B Col. À. is it a--? Risk 24 | Willthe project activities create conditions encouraging an increase of waterborne diseases or populations of disease X carrying vectors? a maintenance plan been submitted? 7° | mots para was | | x | | motorists or persons with disabilities? | 27 | Willthe activity increase existing noise levels? À" À" X | | naar hazard mage | | x | | and other biohazard medical waste? 7 | Demi pomme nee | | x | wa [na | planning permission(s)? infrastructure improvements)? CGENDER” 1 7 | none ne pra eee | x | | | x) unequally in the projects activities? RE EE ES women? RE PS ET ES project? Re environmental review is required (Categorical Exclusion). No EMPR required. (b) The project has potential for minimal to medium adverse environmental effects, but mitigable environmental effects. Measures to mitigate environmental effects will be incorporated (Negative X Determination with Conditions). EMPR Required. (c) The project has potentially substantial or significant adverse environmental effects, but requires more analysis to form a conclusion. An Environmental Assessment will be prepared (Positive Determination). No EMPR required. A IE design or location or the development of new alternatives is required (Deferral). (e) The project has substantial and unmitigable adverse environmental effects. Mitigation is insufficient to eliminate these effects and alternatives are not feasible. The project is not recommended for funding. Construction projects need to be reviewed for scale, planned use, building code needs and maintenance. New construction having a footprint larger than 1000 sq. meters or 10,000 sq. ft. is considered large scale and high risk. Some small construction projects, such as building an entrance sign to a park, may require simple mitigations whereas larger buildings will require more extensive review and monitoring. 2? New construction of roads and trails are considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the planned construction, i.e. a Positive Determination. Any reroutes of a road or trail longer than 100 meters is considered a high risk. Reroutes within a protected area, nearby a water source/wetlands, and/or archeological site are considered a high risk. 3 The purchase of packaged store pesticides are included. The planned involvement of pesticides will trigger the need to develop a Supplemental Initial Environmental Examination that meets USAID pesticide procedures (Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan or “PERSUAP”) for the project. “ Any activities that involve harvesting trees or converting forests is considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the activity (.e. Positive Determination). 5 A positive response to gender questions require follow up only when there are other positive responses on questions 1 — 30, and an EMPRis developed. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 235 [page 236] Table 2. Identification of Mitigation Plan # of the Ques- tion Activity or Component Description of Impact Mitigation Measures from Table 1 3,5, Agriculture production Project recommends agricultural | 1. Write and distribute good agricultural practices (GAP) for each principal AVANSE crop (rice, 9,14, | technical assistance technology with attendant risk bananas/plantains, and cacao) in two versions: technical sheet for staff, implementing partners 19,21 resulting in contamination of (IPs), and extension agents; and farmer sheet for distribution to producers. waterways, degradation of soil 2. Incorporate into GAP and technical assistance: quality, and erosion from a. appropriate land use: agricultural land. b. agronomy practices; c. compliance with Rural Code land use restrictions; d. least-risk practices for each technology compatible with farmers short and long-term interests including land preparation (no till where appropriate); pest control (no pesticides or reduced reliance on pesticides, employing IPM whenever possible; compliance with Mission-wide PERSUAP and approved amendments) and production; and e. soil and water conservation measures (retaining natural vegetation, tree cover, planting trees, agro-forestry, and other conservation farming measures). 3 Pest control including Project staff or IP uses or 1. All pesticide use shall be in the context of IPM. pesticide procurement, use | procures pesticides not covered | 2. Use and procurement of pesticides and technical assistance and training in the use of pesticides or recommendation. by PERSUAP with resulting shall comply with the Mission-wide PERSUAP and approved amendments. environmental contamination. 3. Pesticides Procurement Clearance Document provided in this EMPR shall be used prior to any procurement of pesticide with project funds. 3 Fertilizer procurement, use Project recommendés fertilizer use | 1. Write and distribute GAP for Fertilizer Use in technical and extension forms to train farmers, or recommendation. with attendant risk and nutrient implementing partners, and participating vendors covering: level increase in local water a. types of fertilizers, dosage levels, timing of applications and application techniques, courses. b. decision to use or not use fertilizers for different types of farmer and crop (cost, benefit, risk), c. nutrient demands of principal crops, advantages of soils testing, and avoiding over-fertilizing, d. known highest risk practices, e. alternatives to synthetic fertilizers (organic manure, residues, household waste, crop rotation, use of legume cover crops or intercrops, choice of low-demand crops), f. complementary practices (soil cultivation, conservation tillage where appropriate, crop rotation, water harvesting, agroforestry, composting), g. Integrated Fertility Management practices to reduce need for synthetic fertilizers (with a goal of elimination of synthetic fertilizers in the rice value chain), h. how to read and use labels, i. proper handling, mixing, application, storage and disposal according to labels or GAP, j. prevention of fertilizer runoff and eutrophication of waterways, and k. no re-use of fertilizer containers and proper disposal of containers. 2. Incorporate information from the GAP for Fertilizer Use into technical assistance and training. 3. Conduct soil fertility survey and testing to ensure need for fertilizer use. 236 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 237] # of the Ques- tion Activity or Component Description of Impact Mitigation Measures from Table 1 3,5, Seeds production and Project recommends agricultural | 1. Write and distribute GAP for Nurseries and Seed Multiplication in two versions: technical sheet for 9,14, | farmer multiplication technology with attendant risk, staff, IPs, and extension agents; and participant sheet for participating farmers and vendors. 19,21 More. misuse of erzers and 2. Cover storage and use of agrochemicals in GAP. de 8s, Ncorrect se ecion o 3. At AVANSE-supported nurseries and seed multiplication, any pesticide procurement, use or ° recommendation shall be done in accordance with the mitigation measures for the “Pest control including pesticide procurement, use or recommendation” activity of this EMPR. 4. Training shall be provided in proper fertilizer use/application at AVANSE-supported nurseries and seed multiplication, in accordance with the mitigation measures for the “Fertilizer procurement, use or recommendation” activity of this EMPR. 5. No genetically modified organisms (GMOs) shall be procured, used, or recommended unless separately approved by USAID. 6. Each seed multiplier and nursery operator receiving financial assistance from AVANSE shall sign agreement to produce using GAP and complying with mitigation measures stated in the sub- contract or grant agreement. 7. Each seed multiplier shall agree to maintain records of distribution of all seed produced with project assistance. 31 Technical assistance and Project disproportionately favors 1. AVANSE shall recruit women in project activities, by targeting 20-25% women's participation in supply of inputs and training | men. Women involved unequally focus crop FFSs and WUÜAs and will ensure that 40% of the investment in undeveloped dry lands associated with in project’s activities. benefits women. demonstration plots AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 237 [page 238] Table 3. Environmental Monitoring and Evaluation Tracking Table Description of Mitigation | _ Part for | Indicators of _ Costof Recommended Measure (same as in ne implementation CU Dates | Problems | Mitigation | Adjustments Table 2) mitigation | effectiveness of measures and| Monitored |Encountered|Effectiveness measures indicators monitoring 1 [Write and distribute GAP Implementation |GAPs produced Survey of As GAPSs and (GAPS OS SE AS PS Agriculture for each principal |IR1 Team and distributed. Technical staff |revisions/ produced by 12 || | JAVANSE crop (rice, bananas/ un F and farmers’ refinements are JAVANSE staffl3 À | | | plantains, cacao) in two [Monitoring Technical Stan knowledge of |produced, Crop 4 versions: technical sheet for EC Team possession of |GAPS. thereafter bi- |specialists, staff, IPs, extension agents and GAPSs. annually. only minimal farmer sheet for distribution to cost for producers. printed GAP sheets. 2 |incorporate into GAP, technical Implementation [GAPs applied: [Survey of Bi-annually No cost, OS RS ES assistance and training items a. ||R1 Team Farmers’ adoption rates normal OS RS PS PS through e. ue incomes by farmers, obligation of {3 À À | | Monitoring increased, no environmental salaried staff [4 EC Team detrimental impact, and effects to farm family environment or lincomes health of rural residents. 3 [AI pesticide use is in the context Implementation [PM in pesticide [Review of Monthly during No cost, CS RS SE of IPM. IR1 Team use GAP, Pesticide GAP; {crop cycle normal CS CS ES Ho applied in Field survey of obligation of Monitoring practice; level oflpesticide use salaried staff CS 4 |Use and procurement or Implementation [Level of Review of FFS [Monthly during [No cost, CS RS pesticides and technical IR1 Team compliance with |pesticide crop cycle normal 5 assistance and training in the on PERSUAPS; training obligation of CS RS RS use of pesticides shall comply [Monitoring number of curriculum; field salaried staff CS RS with the Mission-wide PERSUAPIEC Team incidents of non-inspections 5 [Pesticides Procurement Implementation |Pesticide Examination of |Bi annually No cost, OS A PS Clearance Document provided in|R4 Team procurement |procurement normal 2 | | | this EMPR shall be used prior to un clearance records. obligation of. 13 À | | | any procurement of pesticide [Monitoring document used salaried staff [4 Write and distribute GAP for Implementation |Fertilizer Use Examination of [When GAP is No cost, 1 Fertilizer Use in technical and ||R1 Team GAPSs compliant Fertilizer Use |produced; normal extension forms to train farmers, un with mitigations, (GAP, review of |whenever obligation of Monitoring 238 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 239] Responsible Monitoring Methods Estimated | Results | Description of Mitigation Party for Indicators of Gost of Recommended : imp ti i j impl ti . Measure (same as in | 5 monitoring | | P-mentation l'mitigation | Dates | Problems | Mitigation | Adjustments Table 2) mitigation | effectiveness of measures and| Monitored |Encountered|Effectiveness measures indicators monitoring implementing partners, and EC Team including IPM _FFS curriculum frevisions are salaried staff [2 participating vendors covering practices, made items a. through k. written and distributed in two versions, for 3 Farmers, and for venders and technicians; ri Level of compliance. 7_Incorporate information from the |Implementation |Training Visit FFS At beginning of [No cost, 1 GAP for Fertilizer Use into IR1 Team material training training normal technical assistance and Monitori includes sessions, sessions, at obligation of 5 training. Monitoring information from inspection of monthly salaried staff PL LL | EC Team Fertilizer use ltraining intervals GAP; incidents materials, through first 3 of non- fertilizer use crop cycle. compliance GAP sheet for G distribution to farmers Conduct soil fertility survey and [Implementation [Soil Fertility Soil Fertility At completion of|No additional |1 testing to ensure need for lAuburn U Maps produced; Survey. soil survey, cost for fertilizer use. Monitori level of Survey, 2 Monitoring completion. activity I Write and distribute GAP for Implementation [GAPSs produced [Survey of As GAPS, No cost, OS PS PS Nurseries and Seeds IR1 Team in two versions ltargeted parties’ lrevisions/ normal 2 | | | Multiplication in two versions: for Monitori and distributed; knowledge of |refinements are lobligation of 13 1 À | Use in technical and in extension OnItorng Nurseries, seed |GAPs. produced, salaried staff |4 version to train farmers, EC Team multipliers in thereafter bi- implementing partners, and possession of annually. participating vendors. GAPSs. 10 [Cover storage and use of Implementation [Coverage of Inspection of [As GAP, No cost, OS PS PS agrochemicals in GAP. IR1 Team PERSUAP nurseries and lrevisions/ normal 2 | | | agrochemicals_|seed obligation off 1 1 + AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 239 [page 240] Responsible Monitoring Methods Estimated | Results | Description of Mitigation Party for Indicators of Gost of Recommended : implementing | implementation implementing NT à SÉRIE as in and monitoring p PR mitigation M Dates 4 gproblems ciMitigation Adjustments able 2) mitigation dectanes ci measures and onitore ncountere! ectiveness measures indicators monitoring Monitoring storage and use multiplication Irefinements are |salaried staff |4 EC Team norms in GAP; GAP produced, bi- Presence in annually GAP thereafter. 11 [At AVANSE-supported nurseries Implementation [Level of Inspection of |Bi-annually No cost, OS RS ES and seed multiplication, any IR1 Team compliance with Inurseries; normal OS ES PS ficid t snoa PERSUAP: [inspection of bligation off Fecommendation shall be done [Monitoring number of nur TSery owners Galaried taff n in accordance with the mitigation[EC Team incidents of non-records. measures for the “Pest control compliance including pesticide procurement, use or recommendation” activity of this EMPR. 12 [Training shall be provided in Implementation [Level of Inspection of [Bi-annually No cost, OS SE AS PS proper fertilizer use/application |R4 Team compliance with Inurseries and of normal OS RS PS PS at AVANSE-supported nurseries by [Fortier user ouners obligation of 81 and seed multiplication, in Factsheet: records. salaried staff |4 accordance with the mitigation EC Team émber of measures for the “Fertilizer incidents of non- procurement, use or Compliance recommendation” activity of this EMPR. 13 [No genetically modified Implementation [Non-use of Inspection of |Bi-annually No cost, OS RS ES brganisms (CMOS) shall be IRt Team [SMOS procurement nomma 2 recommended unless separately [Monitoring interview field salaried staff [4 approved by USAID. EC Team tech staff. 14 [Each seed multiplier and nurserymplementation [GAP applied in [Field survey of [Follow through No cost, operator receiving financial IR1 Team seed crop production |crop cycle once normal assistance from AVANSE shall Monitori production; practices, a month obligation of Bd sign agreement to produce using Monitoring number of interview seed salaried staff mitigation measures stated in compliance the sub-contract or grant 4 agreement. 15 [Each seed multiplier shall agree [Implementation [Records of seed Examination of [Bi annually No cost, CS A SE to maintain records of IR1 Team sales and records normal distribution of all seed produced Monitori distribution; obligation of CS A with project assistance. Monitoring level of non- salaried staff 5 ES 240 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 241] Responsible Monitoring Methods Estimated | Results | Description of Mitigation Party for Indicators of Gost of Recommended : imp ti ï ï impl ti . Measure (same as in | 5 monitoring | | P-mentation l'mitigation | Dates | Problems | Mitigation | Adjustments Table 2) mitigation | effectiveness of measures and| Monitored |Encountered|Effectiveness measures indicators monitoring 16 JAVANSE shall recruit women in [Implementation [Number of Inspect lists of [Monthly during |No cost, 1 project activities, by targeting IR1 Team women FFS and WUA period of normal 20-25% women's participation in Monitori participants/ participants, organization; bi- obligation of |; focus crop FFSs and WUAs and Monitoring beneficiaries; |beneficiaries of lannually salaried staff PR will ensure that 40% of the EC Team Level of change |PUMP irrigation |thereafter. 5 investment in undeveloped dry in participation systems, survey lands benefits women. demonstrated lof farmers in JAVANSE 4 programs AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 241 [page 242] Pesticide Procurement Clearance Form (To be filled out by technical staff with procurement staff) For what crop is the pesticide being procured? P is it? IS there a completed IPM plan for the crop or system C1 Yes (If yes, where is it?) for which the pesticide is being used or procured? CI No (If no, stop.) What pesticide, active ingredient and concentration are proposed? Where and when will the pesticide be used (be specific)? Are the crop, pesticide and use covered in the list of [Yes recommended pesticides in the approved PERSUAP [No (If no, stop.) or approved amendments? Explain the Project use of the pesticide (research, demonstration, seed multiplication, voucher, etc.): IS the quantity being purchased appropriate for the [] Yes area to be treated? [I] No (If no, explain.) Will safety equipment such as personal protective [] Yes equipment be on site prior to use? [No (If no, stop.) [] Yes (If yes, by whom or how?) Will safe application training be done prior to use? [No (If no, stop.) [] Yes Is there provision for an activity log covering the use | [_] Not applicable (not under control of AVANSE of the pesticide? or IPs) [No (If no, stop.) Explain: How will training, safe use and issues be monitored? Who will review the activity log? Pr TS Pepe A Pre ns PR A Project Environmental Officer or COP and date _ Procurement manager: information provided and procurement may proceed 242 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 243] ANNEX G: UMBRELLA EMPR L 1 Note: The narrative for this EMPR is embedded in the AVANSE Programmatic Environmental Assessment. Activities Included + __Agroforestry demonstration blocks + __Sub-watershed management and governance ° __Reforestation and land reclamation °__ Nursery support ° _Grafting support AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 243 [page 244] Table 1. Environmental Screening Form Name of Activity: _IR2 Watershed Stabilization Gomn | Cotmn ColC Type of Technical assistance, supply of inputs and training Activity: associated with demonstration plots re answered yes to Contractor/ Col. À. is it a--? Grantee: DAI Date: March 30, 2015 Yes IEE/ETD Medium- #: _LAC-IEE-14-17 Risk M SE ES reconstruction/rehabilitation of any type of structure (building, X X check dam, walls, etc.)? | 7 | rormemnemeonrertin frac ervaisr | | X | | | repair/reconstruction/rerouting of roads or trails? 3 | Willthe project involve the use, involve plans to use or training in the use of any chemical compounds such as pesticides” x x (including neem), herbicides, paint, varnish, lead-based products, etc.? [_4_[ Involve the construction of repair of irrigation systems? 1] "1?" x)" |" BR PRESSSENES agricultural practices/production including animal husbandry? [_6 _[ Involve the construction or repair of fish pond? 1] À" x) | |_7 _[ Involve the disposal of used engine où? À X 1 Will the project involve implementation of timber management”, extraction of forest products, clearing of forest cover, and/or X conversion of forest land? IEEE near the project site, including protected areas, wetlands, critical X Wildlife habitat or nesting areas? | idee décharge polar) ee | | x | | solids (i.e. discharge pollutants) |" | Ségimorngsutses organe | | x | | neighboring surface or ground water? |_12_| Will the activity create objectionable odors? À À X | | |_13_| Will the activity violate air standard? X | |_14 | Will the activity occur on steep slopes (Greater than 15%)? 7] X | "|" | X 7 |_15_| Will the activity contribute to erosion? "Xl | X 7 |_16_| Is the activity incompatible with existing land use in the vicinity? |)" X |" |" | D EEE businesses? Mr ET ES historic features? | | énescspes. or frafaune dounreom tom no aghyater | * | | | X | landscapes, or flora/fauna downstream from the activity site? 7° er em nregge eme | x |) water in any water body? 7°] Min mangue an creer) x | | | x) with mangroves and coral reefs? |_22 | Will the activity expose people or property to flooding? 1)" |" X "|" |" 77 T'érouné water tervise ave or pic wir epplos? | | X | | | ground water otherwise available for public water supplies? 244 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 245] | em) cac | B Col. À. is it a--? Risk 24 | Willthe project activities create conditions encouraging an increase of waterborne diseases or populations of disease X carrying vectors? a maintenance plan been submitted? 7° | mots para was | | x | | motorists or persons with disabilities? | 27 | Willthe activity increase existing noise levels? À" À" X | | naar hazard mage | | x | | and other biohazard medical waste? 7 | Demi pomme nee | | x | wa [na | planning permission(s)? 7 asreare memes 68 | | x | wa | | infrastructure improvements)? RE RS CGENDER” BR ES RTE ES unequally in the projects activities? RE EE ES women? RE PS ET ES project? QE environmental review is required (Categorical Exclusion). No EMPR required. (b) The project has potential for minimal to medium adverse environmental effects, but mitigable environmental effects. Measures to mitigate environmental effects will be incorporated (Negative X Determination with Conditions). EMPR Required. (c) The project has potentially substantial or significant adverse environmental effects, but requires more analysis to form a conclusion. An Environmental Assessment will be prepared (Positive Determination). No EMPR required. | esgnoriocaon rt delopment one atemaives à requred atome). | design or location or the development of new alternatives is required (Deferral). (e) The project has substantial and unmitigable adverse environmental effects. Mitigation is insufficient to eliminate these effects and alternatives are not feasible. The project is not recommended for funding. Construction projects need to be reviewed for scale, planned use, building code needs and maintenance. New construction having a footprint larger than 1000 sq. meters or 10,000 sq. ft. is considered large scale and high risk. Some small construction projects, such as building an entrance sign to a park, may require simple mitigations whereas larger buildings will require more extensive review and monitoring. ? New construction of roads and trails are considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the planned construction, i.e. a Positive Determination. Any reroutes of a road or trail longer than 100 meters is considered a high risk. Reroutes within a protected area, nearby a water source/wetlands, and/or archeological site are considered a high risk. $The purchase of packaged store pesticides are included. The planned involvement of pesticides will trigger the need to develop a Supplemental Initial Environmental Examination that meets USAID pesticide procedures (Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan or “PERSUAP”) for the project. 4 Any activities that involve harvesting trees or converting forests is considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the activity (i.e. Positive Determination). 5 A positive response to gender questions require follow up only when there are other positive responses on questions 1 — 30, and an EMPR is developed. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 245 [page 246] Table 2. Identification of Mitigation Plan #ofthe Ques- tion | Activity or Component Description of Impact Mitigation Measures from Table 1 5, 14, Agroforestry Contour structures and 1. Continue to promote and implement integrated soil conservation package 15,19, | demonstration blocks associated agroforestry plots 2. Ensure vetiver is planted along every other contour bund (alternating) on steepest slopes (> 30%) 21 Expansion of soil may pose erosion risk if not plots j technical t. conservation and ECNnIce UV correc : | 3. Minimum tillage and minimum soil disturbance when installing agroforestry plots on steepest agroforestry systems increased erosion if converting slopes (> 30%) or when planting trees in reforestation efforts pasture/fallow to agroforestry 4. Avoid : f plot df t lots with 2 f fall inina t demonstration or with excessive . voie conversion o piois used for pasture or plots wi or more years of fallow remaining to soil disturbance when installing agroioresiry aemonsirations agroforestry demonstrations, 5. Keep soil covered, especially on steepest slopes (> 30%) when installing agroforestry plots or especially on steepest slopes (> planting trees for reforestation, using crop residue, weeds, or other biodegradable mulch 30%), or when reforesting a 6. Plant agroforestry tree seedlings directly into old fallow plots degraded area. Increased sediment load in water resources due to increased erosion. Reduction of land available to 1. Avoid installing agroforestry plots with farmers who only own one agricultural field or ensure that grow food crops such farmers either have an additional income source or a strategy to continue producing full sun food crops on agroforestry plot 2. When expanding soil conservation and agroforestry systems, ensure that adequate land remains for food crop production 5, 14, Sub-watershed Watershed plans misidentify 1. Training in land use planning, environmentally- and socially-sound zoning, and environmentally- 15,19, | management and proper land use/inappropriate sound small projects (identified from SWMPs) 21 governance zoning and/or increase pressure | 2. Supervision and technical oversight of sub-watershed management plan development and on vestige natural ecosystems or implementation t f ts. malure agro Oresis 3. Supervision and technical oversight regarding identification and implementation of small projects Improperly conceived and (derived from SWMPSs) impl ted Il projects might Imp'emen e sma projec s mg 4. Goals, actions, training of SWMBs must recognize environmental conditions, risks, biodiversity hot cause erosion, reduction of t f ts (if flict rt d land t : vestige natural forests or mature spo s, mangrones pres s (if any), conflict, common property resources and land tenure issues agroforests,or creation of land at may be alectea by zoning use conflict. 5, 14, Reforestation Species planted are mismatched | 1. Develop, promote and implement a technically sound package for reforestation (similar to good 15, 19, to site conditions. agricultural practices or GAPSs under IR1) 21 Tree ownership may not concord |2. Ensure species planted are suitable to site conditions; hardy species (e.g., Acacia auriculiformis) with land ownership. must be planted on heavily degraded sites 3. Clear ownership of trees established in design phase of each reforestation site 5, 14, Development of Pigeon Increased erosion due to 1. Intercrop Pigeon Pea or avoid harvesting pure stands simultaneously 15,19, | Pea value chain harvesting methods of pure 21 Pigeon Pea stands. 246 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 247] #ofthe Ques- tion | Activity or Component Description of Impact Mitigation Measures from Table 1 3,5, Nursery support; small- Improper use/application of 1. Write and distribute good agricultural practice (GAP) for nurseries and greenhouses in two 19 scale greenhouses pesticides; use of non-approved versions: technical sheet for staff, IPs, and extension agents; and participant sheet for pesticides; improper participating farmers and vendors. use/application of fertilizers. 2. Cover storage and use of agrochemicals in GAP. 3. At AVANSE-supported nurseries and small-scale greenhouses, any pesticide procurement, use or recommendation shall be done in accordance with the mitigation measures for the “Pest control including pesticide procurement, use or recommendation” activity of the IR1 Agrigultural Activities (non-infrastructure) EMPR. 4. Training shall be provided in proper fertilizer use/application at AVANSE-supported nurseries and small-scale greenhouses, in accordance with the mitigation measures for the “Fertilizer procurement, use or recommendation” activity of the IR1 Agrigultural Activities (non-infrastructure) EMPR. 5. No genetically modified organisms (GMOs) shall be procured, used, or recommended unless separately approved by USAID. 6. Each nursery and greenhouse operator recieiving financial assistance from AVANSE shall sign agreement to produce using GAP and complying with mitigation measures stated in the sub- contract or grant agreement. 5 Grafting Diseases introduced into grafted 1. Train grafters on proper cleaning and sterilization of grafting tools (knives, pruning shears, etc.) trees and seedlings AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 247 [page 248] Table 3. Environmental Monitoring and Evaluation Tracking Table Responsible Monitoring Methods Estimated | Results ost o Description of Mitigation Party for Indicators of i i E e implementing | implementation implementing De Recommended Measure (same as in and monitorin mitigation Dates Problems Mitigation | Adjustments g and measures ñ 5 1 Table 2) mitigation | effectiveness of en Monitored |Encountered|Effectiveness measures indicators monitoring 1 Continue to promote and Implementation H of training Inspection of IR2 Bi-annual No cost, RS RS RS implement integrated soil IR2 Team sessions with lrecords: normal OS PS PS conservation package em Jocal Field inspections obligation of 8 À? | [Monitoring communities or |\5f demo station salaried staff EC Team farmers based _ bots on integrated package: # of complete demonstration plots established 2 |Ensure vetiver is planted along [Implementation # of vetiver Inspection of IR2 Quarterly $5,000 (Cost À | À | every other contour bund IR2 Team culms planted; _ lrecords; field of additional 2 À | À | (alternating) on steepest slopes Monitori survival rate of linspections vetiver CS ES PS (> 30%) plots [Monitoring vetiver culms; # culms); No EC Team of breaches capital costs observed in foreseen vetiver hedgerows 3 [Minimum tillage and minimum [Implementation of rills and [Field inspections (Quarterly No cost, RS AS soil disturbance when installing_|IR2 Team gullies observed normal OS PS PS agroforestry plots on steepest Monitori in agroforestry obligation of 88 À | À | slopes (> 30%) or when planting [Monitoring plots or salaried staff trees in reforestation efforts EC Team reforestation sites? 4 [Avoid conversion of plots used |Implementation # of incidents of Inspection of IR2 [Bi-annually No cost, CS PS PS for pasture or plots with 2 or IR2 Team conversion of |records normal OS PS PS more years of fallow remaining Monitori pasture or fallow obligation of 88 À | À | to agroforestry demonstrations [Monitoring land '* salaried staff EC Team *2 This is both an implementation and effectiveness indicator. 8 This is both an implementation and effectiveness indicator. 248 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 249] Description of Mitigation Party for Indicators of L . E e implementing | implementation implementing De Recommended Measure (same as in and monitorin mitigation Dates Problems Mitigation | Adjustments g and measures ï ï 1 Table 2) mitigation | effectiveness of en Monitored |Encountered|Effectiveness measures indicators monitoring 5 [Keep soil covered, especially on [Implementation [# of Field inspection |Bi-annually No cost, RS RS RS steepest slopes (> 30%) when |R2 Team [observations of A SE ES PS installing agroforestry plots or Monitori bare soil; # of obligation of 88 À | À | planting trees for reforestation, [Monitoring observations of salaried staff Using crop residue, weeds, or [EC Team crop residue, other biodegradable mulch lweeds or mulch covering soil Plant agroforestry tree seedlings Implementation # of seedlings [Field inspection |Bi-annually No cost, RS PS directly into old fallow plots |R2 Team lPanted into EE A RE A Monitoring low plots: obligation of 3 | | | ECT H of incidents of salaried staff sam cleared fallow 7 JAvoid installing agroforestry Implementation # of agricultural |Inspection of IR2 Bi-annually No cost, CS plots with farmers who only own |IR2 Team plots of | records; surveys normal OS PS RS EE one agricultural field or ensure Monitori participating of beneficiaries obligation of Hhat such farmers either have an [Monitoring farmers; salaried staff CS PS SE additional income source or a EC Team LH of incidents of strategy to continue producing farmers with full sun food crops on single field (and agroforestry plot no supplementall income or strategy) When expanding soil Implementation [Area of land Inspection of IR2 Bi-annually No cost, conservation and agroforestry |IR2 Team available for records and geo- normal systems, ensure that adequate Monitori food crop spatial data obligation of CS land remains for food crop [Monitoring production salaried staff expansion Training in land use planning, _ [Implementation # of trainees; # [Inspection of IR2 Bi-annually 65,000 (Cost environmentally- and socially- |IR2 Team of | records; of training sound zoning, and Monitori environmentally-inspection of materials); CS environmentally-sound small [Monitoring sound small small project no other projects (identified from EC Team project proposals (to be capital costs D SWMPSs) proposals scored on foreseen % This is both an implementation and an effectiveness indicator. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 249 [page 250] Responsible Estimated | Results 7] Description of Mitigation Party.for Indicators of : ; Measure (same a in implementing | implementation litigation > Dat Probl Mitigati Recommended Table 2) PP gntionr and measures Monitored Encountered Effectiveness Adilstments monitoring RE PS SP 10 [Supervision and technical Implementation [# of supervisory Inspection of IR2 Bi-annual No cost, CS A oversight of sub-watershed IR2 Team lassessments of records; normal management plan development Le plans during inspection of obligation of CS and implementation [Monitoring development; # |plans (to be salaried staff environmentally-lenvironmental sound plans soundness) developed 11 [Supervision and technical Implementation [# of supervisory Inspection of IR2 Bi-annual No cost, oversight regarding identification ||R2 Team lassessments of |records; normal and implementation of small Le plans during inspection of obligation of CS EE projects (derived from SWMPs) [Monitoring small project small project salaried staff of scored on environmentally-lenvironmental sound small soundness) project proposals developed 12 |Goals, actions, training of Implementation [# of Inspection of Bi-annual 65,000 SWMBs must recognize IR2 Team environmental |training module (costs of environmental conditions, risks, nn land social content; training CS EE biodiversity hot spots, [Monitoring issues included linspection of materials); mangroves, forests (if any), EC Team in training SWMPs (to be no other D conflict, common property modules; # of |scored on capital costs resources and land tenure environmentally-lenvironmental foreseen issues that may be affected by sound SWMPSs |soundness) zoning developed 13 Develop, promote and Implementation [# of training Inspection of IR2 Bi-annual No cost, CS RS SE implement a technically sound ||R2 Team sessions with records; field normal CS ES S ES package for reforestation (similar! Le local inspections of obligation of to good agricultural practices or [Monitoring communities or |species survival salaried staff ER GAPSs under IR1) EC Team farmers based on reforestation package; % of seedling survival in reforestation plots 250 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 251] Responsible Estimated | Results ibti iti ñ Party for i b : Bessipien Gi MIHELER implementing pion PHEnRE RL Recommended Measure (same as in rar onnonte p nr mitigation Dates Problems Mitigation | Adjustments Table 2 itigati ï measures | Monitored |Encountered|Effectiveness monitoring 14 |Ensure species planted are Implementation [# of species-site Inspection of IR2 Bi-annual No cost, CS A suitable to site conditions; hardy |IR2 Team evaluations; # oflrecords,; field normal species (e.g., Acacia Le inappropriate linspections of obligation of CS auriculiformis) must be planted [Monitoring species planted |planted species salaried staff on heavily degraded sites EC Team on heavily (list of species D degraded sites appropriate for different sites to be developed) 15 |Clear ownership of trees Implementation FH of Inspection of IR2 [Bi-annual No cost, established in design phase of ||R2 Team reforestation records; normal each reforestation site Le site designs withibeneficiary obligation of CS [Monitoring tree tenure Surveys salaried staff incidents of tree 16 |Intercrop Pigeon Pea or avoid [Implementation [# of Inspection of IR2 Bi-annual No cost, harvesting pure stands IR2 Team intercropped records; normal simultaneously Le and pure stands |beneficiary obligation of CS EE [Monitoring of Pigeon Pea; |surveys salaried staff EC Team M ofinident o D ES simultaneous harvesting of pure stands 17 [Write and distribute good Implementation (GAPs produced Survey of JAs GAP, No cost, CS PS PS agricultural practice (GAP) for |IR2 Team in two versions |targeted parties’ lrevisions/ normal OS PS PS nurseries and greenhouses in ue and distributed; knowledge of refinements are lobligation of 13 À | | two versions: technical sheet for [Monitoring nursery and GAP produced, salaried staff staff, IPS, and extension agents; [EC Team greenhouse thereafter bi- and participant sheet for operators in annually. participating farmers and possession of vendors. GAP. 18 (Cover storage and use of Implementation (Coverage of Inspection of JAs GAPS, No cost, RS RS SE agrochemicals in GAP. IR2 Team PERSUAP nurseries and lrevisions/ normal OS PS PS no agrochemicals |greenhouses | obligation of 88 À | À | Monitoring storage and use (GAP red De > salaried staff Presence in thereafter. GAP AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 251 [page 252] Responsible Estimated | Results 7] Description of Mitigation Party.for Indicators of : ; Measure (same a in implementing | implementation litigation > Dat Probl Mitigati Recommended Table 2) PP gntionr and measures Monitored Encountered Effectiveness Adilstments monitoring 19 JAt AVANSE-supported nurseries [Implementation [Level of General Quarterly 65,000 (Cost À À | | and small-scale greenhouses, |1R2 Team compliance with l'inspection; of materials 2 À | À | any pesticide procurement, use un PERSUAP; inspection of to be used inf | | À | or recommendation shall be [Monitoring of incidents of MUrSery owner training done in accordance with the EC Team hon-compliance land greenhouse (including mitigation measures for the With PERSUAP loperator records personal “Pest control including pesticide protection procurement, use or equipment)); recommendation” activity of the No other IR1 Agrigultural Activities (non- capital costs infrastructure) EMPR. foreseen 20 [Training shall be provided in Implementation [Level of General Bi-annually 65,000 (Cost À À | | proper fertilizer use/application ||R2 Team compliance with inspection: of materials 2 À À | | at AVANSE-supported nurseries un procedures inspection of to be used inf À | À | and small-scale greenhouses, in [Monitoring learned during nursery owner training); No accordance with the mitigation [EC Team fraining'° and greenhouse other capital measures for the “Fertilizer operator records costs procurement, use or foreseen recommendation” activity of the IR1 Agrigultural Activities (non- infrastructure) EMPR. 21 [No genetically modified Implementation [Non-use of Inspection of Bi-annually No cost, ES PS PS organisms (GMOSs) shall be IR2 Team GMO's procurement normal OS PS AS procured, used, or Le records, interview! obligation of 3 À À | | recommended unless separately [Monitoring field tech staff. salaried staff 22 [Each nursery and greenhouse Implementation (GAP applied at Field survey of [Bi-annualy No cost, CS PS PS operator receiving financial IR2 Team nurseries and nursery and normal OS PS PS assistance from AVANSE shall un greenhouses; |lgreenhouse obligation of 88 À | À | sign agreement to produce using/Monitoring Number of practices salaried staff GAP and complying with EC Team incidents of non- mitigation measures stated in Compliance the sub-contract or grant agreement. % This is both an implementation and an effectiveness indicator. 252 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 253] Responsible Monitoring Methods Estimated | Results ost o Description of Mitigation Party for Indicators of L . M E e implementing | implementation implementing De Recommended easure (same as in and monitoring and mitigation Dates Problems Mitigation | Adjustments Table 2) mitigation | effectiveness of ETS Monitored |Encountered|Effectiveness an measures indicators monitoring 23 [Train grafters on proper cleaning|Implementation [Training Review of When materials [No cost, RS RS RS and sterilization of grafting tools |IR2 Team materials material and spot|are developed normal OS PS PS (knives, pruning shears, etc.) un developed and |isits attraining |periodic spot obligation of 88 À | À | pererna delivered Observation of _lchecks p salaried staff sam Grafters grafters applying techniques AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 253 [page 254] ANNEX H: UMBRELLA EMPR L 1 Notes: The narrative for this EMPR is embedded in the AVANSE Programmatic Environmental Assessment. The EMPR begins with 13 site-specific screening forms (Table 1) which were completed by the PEA team in collaboration with AVANSE staff. Please see the comments box at the end of each form for specific details on each site. These forms correspond to sites that are already planned or known. It is possible that additional sites will be identified after the approval of the present PEA. Any and all additional sites will be subjected to the same screening process, which will identify the required mitigation measures. Activities Included + __ Small-scale construction of less than 1,000 m° for processing or storage. ° Existing structure rehabilitation for processing or storage. ° Processing equipment procurement and installation within structures (e.g., rice milling equipment, cacao fermenting and sorting equipment, artisanal chocolate milling equipment, equipment for washing and packing bananas, and packaging labelling equipment). ° Equipment and material (e.g., seed, fertilizer, and pesticides) for nurseries and grafting operations that support IR1 and IR2 activities (as presented above in the IR1 and IR2 descriptions). e Equipment for agro-production service providers. e _On-site (preliminary) processing equipment for producers (e.g., cacao drying tables for cacao farmers). 254 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 255] Table 1. Environmental Screening Form Name of AFCJBC Cacao & Fruit Processing, Grande Activity: Rivière du Nord, Grande Rivière du Nord Watershed (IR3 Grants for construction of <1,000 corn conrmn Col C m? and/or installation of equipment Type of Small-scale construction and equipment Activity: installation for agricultural product handling, storage and processing If answered yes to Contractor/ Col. À. is it a--? Grantee: DAI = Yes Date: _ April 20, 2015 IEE/ETD Medium- #: _LAC-IEE-14-17 Risk 1 Will the project involve construction and/or | | | reconstruction/rehabilitation of any type of structure (building, X check dam, walls, etc.)? : : i 7 | poremnemeionertin trade etais X | | repair/reconstruction/rerouting of roads or trails? 3 | Willthe project involve the use, involve plans to use or training in the use of any chemical compounds such as pesticides” x (including neem), herbicides, paint, varnish, lead-based products, etc.? [_4_[ Involve the construction of repair of irrigation systems? "5"; X "|" Re | agricultural practices/production including animal husbandry? i i i [_6 _[ Involve the construction or repair of fish pond? X | Will the project involve implementation of timber management”, | | | extraction of forest products, clearing of forest cover, and/or X conversion of forest land? i i i RÉ IE I ES near the project site, including protected areas, wetlands, critical | X | | X Wildlife habitat or nesting areas? | | | | | oide te décharge polar) | x | x | ie . X X solids (i.e. discharge pollutants) |" | régimorngsutses organe | x | | x | neighboring surface or ground water? i i i |_12_| Will the activity create objectionable odors? X | |_13_| Will the activity violate air standard? X | |_14 | Will the activity occur on steep slopes (Greater than 15%)? X | |_15_| Will the activity contribute to érosion? X À [_16 | Is the activity incompatible with existing land use in the vicinity? ? "5" X 1 |" | D RE SEE businesses? i i i re historic_ features? l | | landscapes, or flora/fauna downstream from the activity site? PE sn SET D ES water in any water body? with mangroves and coral reefs? |_22 | Will the activity expose people or property to flooding? """""")""""""""" X )" | | 77 'érouné water iervse ave or pale ir eupplog? XL | | ground water otherwise available for public water supplies? AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 255 [page 256] corn conmn Col C É É : If answered yes to Yes No Col. À. is it a 24 | Will the project activities create conditions encouraging an | | | increase of waterborne diseases or populations of disease Î Î X Î carrying vectors? Î Î i a maintenance plan been submitted? i i : 7° | mot para vi ae x | motorists or persons with disabilities? i i : 7 nca oaza magenta x | | and other biohazard medical waste? i i i planning permission(s)? H H H infrastructure improvements)? H H H RE RS A PE | negat ne prog ae x | unequally in the project’s activities? i i : RE PE TE PS EE women? Î Î Î RE A TE PS EE project? Î Î Î QE environmental review is required (Categorical Exclusion). No EMPR required. (b) The project has potential for minimal to medium adverse environmental effects, but mitigable environmental effects. Measures to mitigate environmental effects will be incorporated (Negative X Determination with Conditions). EMPR Required. (c) The project has potentially substantial or significant adverse environmental effects, but requires more analysis to form a conclusion. An Environmental Assessment will be prepared (Positive Determination). No EMPR required. | esgnoriocaion rt devlpment one atemaives à requred atome). | design or location or the development of new alternatives is required (Deferral). (e) The project has substantial and unmitigable adverse environmental effects. Mitigation is insufficient to eliminate these effects and alternatives are not feasible. The project is not recommended for funding. Construction projects need to be reviewed for scale, planned use, building code needs and maintenance. New construction having a footprint larger than 1000 sq. meters or 10,000 sq. ft. is considered large scale and high risk. Some small construction projects, such as building an entrance sign to a park, may require simple mitigations whereas larger buildings will require more extensive review and monitoring. ? New construction of roads and trails are considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the planned construction, i.e. a Positive Determination. Any reroutes of a road or trail longer than 100 meters is considered a high risk. Reroutes within a protected area, nearby a water source/wetlands, and/or archeological site are considered a high risk. $The purchase of packaged store pesticides are included. The planned involvement of pesticides will trigger the need to develop a Supplemental Initial Environmental Examination that meets USAID pesticide procedures (Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan or “PERSUAP”) for the project. 4 Any activities that involve harvesting trees or converting forests is considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the activity (i.e. Positive Determination). 5 A positive response to gender questions require follow up only when there are other positive responses on questions 1 — 30, and an EMPR is developed. 256 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 257] Comments: The activity consists of processing cacao beans into raw chocolate bars, cacao liquor and processing fruits into jams and jellies. The enterprise is an association of women cacao producers (50 members) named “Association Femmes Coopérative Jean-Baptiste Chavanne” (AFCJBC). The activity will take place in an existing building of less than 100 m2. AVANSE intends to subsidize some of the equipment required for this project (i.e., cacao roaster, cacao grinder, cooking materials and accessories for fruit processing, and a 10 kw generator). This equipment is valued at USD $67,000 (approximately). The approximate footprint of the equipment (at ground level) is 8 m°. Key environmental mitigation actions: e Proper siting of generator to reduce noise and exposure of workers to exhaust. + Proper ventilation of facility to reduce effects of dust and heat. + Proper disposal of organic waste via a reduce, reuse and recycle program. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 257 [page 258] Table 1. Environmental Screening Form Name of Agrotech Cacao & Peanut Processing, Perches, Activity: Marion Watershed (IR3 Grants for construction of | Column | Column Col C <1,000 m? and/or installation of equipment) A B 9 Type of Small-scale construction and equipment Activity: installation for agricultural product handling, storage and processing If answered yes to Contractor/ Col. À. is it a--? Grantee: DAI Y Date: April 20, 2015 es IEE/ETD Medium- #: _LAC-IEE-14-17 Risk 1 Will the project involve construction and/or | | | reconstruction/rehabilitation of any type of structure (building, X check dam, walls, etc.)? i i i 7 | poremnemeionertin trade etais X | | repair/reconstruction/rerouting of roads or trails? 3 | Willthe project involve the use, involve plans to use or training in the use of any chemical compounds such as pesticides” x (including neem), herbicides, paint, varnish, lead-based products, etc.? [_4_[ Involve the construction of repair of irrigation systems? "5"; X "|" BR POSESESEE agricultural practices/production including animal husbandry? i i i |_6 | Involve the construction or repair of fish ponds? Xl Will the project involve implementation of timber management”, | | | extraction of forest products, clearing of forest cover, and/or | | X | conversion of forest land? | | | RE EE near the project site, including protected areas, wetlands, critical | | X | Wildlife habitat or nesting areas? | | | | | oide te décharge polar) | x | x | ie . X X solids (i.e. discharge pollutants) |" | Ségimorngsutses orge arr | | x | | neighboring surface or ground water? i i i |_12_| Will the activity create objectionable odors? X | |_13_| Will the activity violate air standard? X | |_14 | Will the activity occur on steep slopes (Greater than 15%)? X | |_15_| Will the activity contribute to érosion? X À [_16 | Is the activity incompatible with existing land use in the vicinity? 5" 5" X 1 |" | M RE RENE businesses? i i i re historic features? i i i D landscapes, or flora/fauna downstream from the activity site? PE SET ES ES water in any water body? 7°] Mn mangue an cor eg x with mangroves and coral reefs? |_22 | Will the activity expose people or property to flooding? """""")""""""""" X )" | | 77 T'érouné water tervse ave or palier eupplog? XL | ground water otherwise available for public water supplies? 258 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 259] corn conmn Col C É É : If answered yes to Yes No Col. À. is it a 24 | Will the project activities create conditions encouraging an | | | increase of waterborne diseases or populations of disease Î Î X Î carrying vectors? Î Î i a maintenance plan been submitted? i i : 7° | mot para vi ae x | motorists or persons with disabilities? i i : 7 nca oaza magenta x | | and other biohazard medical waste? i i i planning permission(s)? H H H infrastructure improvements)? H H H RE RS A PE | negat ne prog ae x | unequally in the project’s activities? i i : RE PE TE PS EE women? Î Î Î RE A TE PS EE project? | i ! QE environmental review is required (Categorical Exclusion). No EMPR required. (b) The project has potential for minimal to medium adverse environmental effects, but mitigable environmental effects. Measures to mitigate environmental effects will be incorporated (Negative X Determination with Conditions). EMPR Required. (c) The project has potentially substantial or significant adverse environmental effects, but requires more analysis to form a conclusion. An Environmental Assessment will be prepared (Positive Determination). No EMPR required. | esgnoriocaion rt devlpment one atemaives à requred atome). | design or location or the development of new alternatives is required (Deferral). (e) The project has substantial and unmitigable adverse environmental effects. Mitigation is insufficient to eliminate these effects and alternatives are not feasible. The project is not recommended for funding. Construction projects need to be reviewed for scale, planned use, building code needs and maintenance. New construction having a footprint larger than 1000 sq. meters or 10,000 sq. ft. is considered large scale and high risk. Some small construction projects, such as building an entrance sign to a park, may require simple mitigations whereas larger buildings will require more extensive review and monitoring. ? New construction of roads and trails are considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the planned construction, i.e. a Positive Determination. Any reroutes of a road or trail longer than 100 meters is considered a high risk. Reroutes within a protected area, nearby a water source/wetlands, and/or archeological site are considered a high risk. $The purchase of packaged store pesticides are included. The planned involvement of pesticides will trigger the need to develop a Supplemental Initial Environmental Examination that meets USAID pesticide procedures (Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan or “PERSUAP”) for the project. 4 Any activities that involve harvesting trees or converting forests is considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the activity (i.e. Positive Determination). 5 A positive response to gender questions require follow up only when there are other positive responses on questions 1 — 30, and an EMPR is developed. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 259 [page 260] Comments: The owner/implementer of this short-listed grant is Agrotech. Agrotech is a private enterprise owned by Pascal Desorme and is involved in the processing of peanut and cacao as well as banana, maize and honey. The project consists of increasing the production capacity of the company with the purchase of new equipment. AVANSE plans to assist with investments in the following equipment: cacao grinder, cacao roaster, cacao oil extractor, cacao sorter, peanut grinder, generator and other production accessories. This equipment is valued at USD $46,000 (approximately). The approximate footprint of the equipment (at ground level) is 10 m°. Key environmental mitigation actions: e Proper siting of generator to reduce noise and exposure of workers to exhaust. + Proper ventilation of facility to reduce effects of dust and heat. + Proper disposal of organic waste via a reduce, reuse and recycle program. 260 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 261] Table 1. Environmental Screening Form Name of Delasol Cacao Processing, Plaisance, Borgne Activity: Cacao Extension Area (IR3 Grants for construction | Column | Column of <1,000 m° and/or installation of equipment A B Col Type of Small-scale construction and equipment Activity: installation for agricultural product handling, storage and processing If answered yes to Contractor/ Col. À. is it a--? Grantee: DAI Y Date: _April 20, 2015 es IEE/ETD Medium- #: LAC-IEE-14-17 Risk 1 Will the project involve construction and/or | | | reconstruction/rehabilitation of any type of structure (building, X X check dam, walls, etc.)? : : i OR SES repair/reconstruction/rerouting of roads or trails? i i i 3 | Willthe project involve the use, involve plans to use or training in the use of any chemical compounds such as pesticides x x (including neem), herbicides, paint, varnish, lead-based products, etc.? |_4 | Involve the construction of repair of imigation systems? X | | * | és prctessreduein nctn enimermspanamr | * | | | agricultural practices/production including animal husbandry? i i i |_6 | Involve the construction or repair of fish ponds? X | Will the project involve implementation of timber management”, | | extraction of forest products, clearing of forest cover, and/or | | X | conversion of forest land? | | | Are there any potentially sensitive terrestrial or aquatic areas | | | near the project site, including protected areas, wetlands, critical | X X Wildlife habitat or nesting areas? i i i | | oide te décharge pole) | x | x | ie . X X solids (i.e. discharge pollutants) |" | régiborngsutsos orge arr | x | x | . : X X neighboring surface or ground water? |_12_| Will the activity create objectionable odors? 1 X | |_13_| Will the activity violate air standard? X | |_14 | Will the activity occur on steep slopes (Greater than 15%)? X | |_16 | Is the activity incompatible with existing land use in the vicinity? ) X | M ae EE ES businesses? i i i M RER EE historic_ features? i i i landscapes, or flora/fauna downstream from the activity site? | | | M EEE water in any water body? with mangroves and coral reefs? |_22 | Will the activity expose people or property to flooding? """""""""""""""" X "| | 77 l'érouné water iervse ave or pale eupplog? XL | ground water otherwise available for public water supplies? AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 261 [page 262] corn conmn Col C É É : If answered yes to Yes No Col. À. is it a 24 | Will the project activities create conditions encouraging an | | | increase of waterborne diseases or populations of disease Î Î X Î carrying vectors? Î Î i a maintenance plan been submitted? i i : 7° | mot para vi ae x | motorists or persons with disabilities? i i : 7 nca oaza magenta x | | and other biohazard medical waste? i i i planning permission(s)? H H H infrastructure improvements)? H H H RE RS A PE | negat ne prog ae x | unequally in the project’s activities? i i : RE PE TE PS EE women? Î Î Î RE A TE PS EE project? | i ! QE environmental review is required (Categorical Exclusion). No EMPR required. (b) The project has potential for minimal to medium adverse environmental effects, but mitigable environmental effects. Measures to mitigate environmental effects will be incorporated (Negative X Determination with Conditions). EMPR Required. (c) The project has potentially substantial or significant adverse environmental effects, but requires more analysis to form a conclusion. An Environmental Assessment will be prepared (Positive Determination). No EMPR required. | esgnoriocaion rt devlpment one atemaives à requred atome). | design or location or the development of new alternatives is required (Deferral). (e) The project has substantial and unmitigable adverse environmental effects. Mitigation is insufficient to eliminate these effects and alternatives are not feasible. The project is not recommended for funding. Construction projects need to be reviewed for scale, planned use, building code needs and maintenance. New construction having a footprint larger than 1000 sq. meters or 10,000 sq. ft. is considered large scale and high risk. Some small construction projects, such as building an entrance sign to a park, may require simple mitigations whereas larger buildings will require more extensive review and monitoring. ? New construction of roads and trails are considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the planned construction, i.e. a Positive Determination. Any reroutes of a road or trail longer than 100 meters is considered a high risk. Reroutes within a protected area, nearby a water source/wetlands, and/or archeological site are considered a high risk. $The purchase of packaged store pesticides are included. The planned involvement of pesticides will trigger the need to develop a Supplemental Initial Environmental Examination that meets USAID pesticide procedures (Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan or “PERSUAP”) for the project. 4 Any activities that involve harvesting trees or converting forests is considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the activity (i.e. Positive Determination). 5 A positive response to gender questions require follow up only when there are other positive responses on questions 1 — 30, and an EMPR is developed. 262 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 263] Comments: The owner/implementer of this short-listed grant is Delasol. Delasol is a private enterprise owned by Stephanie Reynolds and Thelisma Gracia and focused on cacao processing for chocolate production. The purpose of the present project is to increase production capacity and quality by purchasing new equipment and production infrastructure improvements for processing cacao into chocolate. AVANSE plans to assist with investments in the following equipment: cacao roaster, cacao press, cacao bean cracker, air conditioner, and generator. This equipment is valued at USD $50,000 (approximately). The approximate footprint of the equipment (at ground level) is 15 m?. Some production infrastructure improvements are also planned. Key environmental mitigation actions: + Proper management of water use, including standing water and runoff. + _Temporary drainage, erosion control and sediment retention measures (for rainy season construction/rehabilitation) e Safety and health instruction for construction/rehabilitation workers and provision of personal protective equipment. e Proper disposal of organic waste via a reduce, reuse and recycle program. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 263 [page 264] Table 1. Environmental Screening Form Name of Erilien MS Ploughing & Irrigation Services, Fort Activity: Liberté, Marion Watershed (IR3 Grants for construction of <1,000 m? and/or installation of corn conrmn Col C equipment Type of Small-scale construction and equipment Activity: installation for agricultural product handling, storage and processing If answered yes to Contractor/ Col. À. is it a--? Grantee: DAI Y Date: _ April 20, 2015 ss IEE/ETD Medium- #: _LAC-IEE-14-17 Risk 1 Will the project involve construction and/or | | | reconstruction/rehabilitation of any type of structure (building, X check dam, walls, etc.)? : : i 7 | poremnemeonrertin trade ervaisr __ X | | repair/reconstruction/rerouting of roads or trails? 3 | Willthe project involve the use, involve plans to use or training in the use of any chemical compounds such as pesticides” x (including neem), herbicides, paint, varnish, lead-based products, etc.? [_4_[ Involve the construction of repair of irrigation systems? "5"; X "|" BR POSE SESEE agricultural practices/production including animal husbandry? i i i [_6 _[ Involve the construction or repair of fish pond? X | Will the project involve implementation of timber management”, | | | extraction of forest products, clearing of forest cover, and/or X conversion of forest land? i i i RÉ IE ES near the project site, including protected areas, wetlands, critical | X | | X Wildlife habitat or nesting areas? | | | | | oide tie décharge polar) | x | x | ie . X X solids (i.e. discharge pollutants) |" | régimorngsutses orgue arr | x | | x | neighboring surface or ground water? i i i |_12_| Will the activity create objectionable odors? X | |_13_| Will the activity violate air standard? X | |_14 | Will the activity occur on steep slopes (Greater than 15%)? X | |_15_| Will the activity contribute to érosion? X À [_16 | Is the activity incompatible with existing land use in the vicinity? ? "5" X 1 |" | D RE SEE businesses? i i i re historic_ features? l | | landscapes, or flora/fauna downstream from the activity site? PE se ETES ETES : X X water in any water body? with mangroves and coral reefs? |_22 | Will the activity expose people or property to flooding? """""")""""""""" X )" | | 77 T'érouné water tervse ave or palier eupplog? XL | ground water otherwise available for public water supplies? 264 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 265] corn conmn Col C É É : If answered yes to Yes No Col. À. is it a 24 | Will the project activities create conditions encouraging an | | | increase of waterborne diseases or populations of disease Î Î X Î carrying vectors? Î Î i a maintenance plan been submitted? i i : 7° | mot para vi ae x | motorists or persons with disabilities? i i : nca oaza magenta | x | | and other biohazard medical waste? i i i planning permission(s)? H H H infrastructure improvements)? H H H RE RS A PE | negat ne prog ae x | unequally in the project’s activities? i i : EE A TE PS EE women? Î Î Î RE A ETES PS ES project? | i ! QE environmental review is required (Categorical Exclusion). No EMPR required. (b) The project has potential for minimal to medium adverse environmental effects, but mitigable environmental effects. Measures to mitigate environmental effects will be incorporated (Negative X Determination with Conditions). EMPR Required. (c) The project has potentially substantial or significant adverse environmental effects, but requires more analysis to form a conclusion. An Environmental Assessment will be prepared (Positive Determination). No EMPR required. | esgnoriocaion rte deilpment one atemaives à requred atome). | design or location or the development of new alternatives is required (Deferral). (e) The project has substantial and unmitigable adverse environmental effects. Mitigation is insufficient to eliminate these effects and alternatives are not feasible. The project is not recommended for funding. Construction projects need to be reviewed for scale, planned use, building code needs and maintenance. New construction having a footprint larger than 1000 sq. meters or 10,000 sq. ft. is considered large scale and high risk. Some small construction projects, such as building an entrance sign to a park, may require simple mitigations whereas larger buildings will require more extensive review and monitoring. ? New construction of roads and trails are considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the planned construction, i.e. a Positive Determination. Any reroutes of a road or trail longer than 100 meters is considered a high risk. Reroutes within a protected area, nearby a water source/wetlands, and/or archeological site are considered a high risk. $The purchase of packaged store pesticides are included. The planned involvement of pesticides will trigger the need to develop a Supplemental Initial Environmental Examination that meets USAID pesticide procedures (Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan or “PERSUAP”) for the project. 4 Any activities that involve harvesting trees or converting forests is considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the activity (i.e. Positive Determination). 5 A positive response to gender questions require follow up only when there are other positive responses on questions 1 — 30, and an EMPR is developed. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 265 [page 266] Comments: The owner/implementer of this short-listed grant is Erilien Multiservices. This is a private enterprise owned by Bolivar Erilien and focusing on sales of seeds, fertilizer and ploughing services. The current project consists of acquiring equipment to offer ploughing and irrigation services. AVANSE plans to assist with investments in the following equipment: motorized water pumps, motorized cultivators, and a tractor. This equipment is valued at USD $50,000 (approximately). The approximate footprint of the equipment (at ground level) is 22 m°. Key environmental mitigation actions: e _ Proper management of water use, including standing water and runoff. + Proper management of noise levels and exhaust associated with use of motorized equipment. 266 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 267] Table 1. Environmental Screening Form Name of G&G Rice Milling, Ferrier, Jassa Watershed (IR3 Activity: Grants for construction of <1,000 m? and/or Column | Column Colc installation of equipment A B 9 Type of Small-scale construction and equipment Activity: installation for agricultural product handling, storage and processing If answered yes to Contractor/ Col. À. is it a--? Grantee: DAI Y Date: _April 20, 2015 es IEE/ETD Medium- #: LAC-IEE-14-17 Risk 1 Will the project involve construction and/or | | | reconstruction/rehabilitation of any type of structure (building, X X check dam, walls, etc.)? : : i OR SES repair/reconstruction/rerouting of roads or trails? i i i 3 | Willthe project involve the use, involve plans to use or training in the use of any chemical compounds such as pesticides x x (including neem), herbicides, paint, varnish, lead-based products, etc.? |_4 | Involve the construction of repair of imigation systems? X | | * | és prctessreduein nctn enimermspanamr | * | | | agricultural practices/production including animal husbandry? i i i |_6 | Involve the construction or repair of fish ponds? X | Will the project involve implementation of timber management”, | | extraction of forest products, clearing of forest cover, and/or | | X | conversion of forest land? | | | Are there any potentially sensitive terrestrial or aquatic areas | | | near the project site, including protected areas, wetlands, critical | X X Wildlife habitat or nesting areas? i i i | | oide te décharge pole) | x | x | ie . X X solids (i.e. discharge pollutants) |" | régiborngsutsos orge arr | x | x | . : X X neighboring surface or ground water? |_12_| Will the activity create objectionable odors? 1 X | |_13_| Will the activity violate air standard? X | |_14 | Will the activity occur on steep slopes (Greater than 15%)? X | |_16 | Is the activity incompatible with existing land use in the vicinity? ) X | M ae EE ES businesses? i i i M RER EE historic_ features? i i i landscapes, or flora/fauna downstream from the activity site? | | | M EEE water in any water body? with mangroves and coral reefs? |_22 | Will the activity expose people or property to flooding? """""""""""""""" X "| | 77 l'érouné water iervse ave or pale eupplog? XL | ground water otherwise available for public water supplies? AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 267 [page 268] corn conmn Col C É É : If answered yes to Yes No Col. À. is it a 24 | Will the project activities create conditions encouraging an | | | increase of waterborne diseases or populations of disease Î Î X Î carrying vectors? Î Î i a maintenance plan been submitted? i i : 7° | mot para vi ae x | motorists or persons with disabilities? i i : 7 nca oaza magenta x | | and other biohazard medical waste? i i i planning permission(s)? H H H infrastructure improvements)? H H H RE RS A PE | negat ne prog ae x | unequally in the project’s activities? i i : RE PE TE PS EE women? Î Î Î RE A TE PS EE project? | i ! QE environmental review is required (Categorical Exclusion). No EMPR required. (b) The project has potential for minimal to medium adverse environmental effects, but mitigable environmental effects. Measures to mitigate environmental effects will be incorporated (Negative X Determination with Conditions). EMPR Required. (c) The project has potentially substantial or significant adverse environmental effects, but requires more analysis to form a conclusion. An Environmental Assessment will be prepared (Positive Determination). No EMPR required. | esgnoriocaion rt devlpment one atemaives à requred atome). | design or location or the development of new alternatives is required (Deferral). (e) The project has substantial and unmitigable adverse environmental effects. Mitigation is insufficient to eliminate these effects and alternatives are not feasible. The project is not recommended for funding. Construction projects need to be reviewed for scale, planned use, building code needs and maintenance. New construction having a footprint larger than 1000 sq. meters or 10,000 sq. ft. is considered large scale and high risk. Some small construction projects, such as building an entrance sign to a park, may require simple mitigations whereas larger buildings will require more extensive review and monitoring. ? New construction of roads and trails are considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the planned construction, i.e. a Positive Determination. Any reroutes of a road or trail longer than 100 meters is considered a high risk. Reroutes within a protected area, nearby a water source/wetlands, and/or archeological site are considered a high risk. $The purchase of packaged store pesticides are included. The planned involvement of pesticides will trigger the need to develop a Supplemental Initial Environmental Examination that meets USAID pesticide procedures (Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan or “PERSUAP”) for the project. 4 Any activities that involve harvesting trees or converting forests is considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the activity (i.e. Positive Determination). 5 A positive response to gender questions require follow up only when there are other positive responses on questions 1 — 30, and an EMPR is developed. 268 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 269] Comments: The owner/implementer of this short-listed grant is G&G Agroentreprise. This is a private enterprise owned by Gerald Nelson and focused on rice processing. The current project consists of increasing the processing capacity of an existing rice mill by purchasing new equipment and some infrastructure improvements to the building. AVANSE plans to assist with investments in the following equipment: rice mill, rice sorter, rice grader, rice polisher, silos, and generator. This equipment is valued at USD $186,000 (approximately). The approximate footprint of the equipment (at ground level) is 20 m°. Warehouse improvements are also planned. Key environmental mitigation actions: + Proper management of water use, including standing water and runoff. e _Temporary drainage, erosion control and sediment retention measures (for rainy season construction/rehabilitation) e Safety and health instruction for construction/rehabilitation workers and provision of personal protective equipment. e Proper siting of generator and ventilation of facility to reduce noise and exposure of workers to exhaust, dust and heat. e Proper disposal of organic waste via a reduce, reuse and recycle program. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 269 [page 270] Table 1. Environmental Screening Form Name of GRADES Ploughing Equipment Manufacturing, Activity: Quartier Morin, Haut du Cap Watershed (IR3 Grants for construction of <1,000 m? and/or corn conrmn Col C installation of equipment Type of Small-scale construction and equipment Activity: installation for agricultural product handling, storage and processing If answered yes to Contractor/ Col. À. is it a--? Grantee: DAI = Yes Date: _ April 20, 2015 IEE/ETD Medium- #: _LAC-IEE-14-17 Risk 1 Will the project involve construction and/or | | | reconstruction/rehabilitation of any type of structure (building, X X check dam, walls, etc.)? : : i 7 | poremnemeionertin trade etais X | | repair/reconstruction/rerouting of roads or trails? 3 | Willthe project involve the use, involve plans to use or training in the use of any chemical compounds such as pesticides” x x (including neem), herbicides, paint, varnish, lead-based products, etc.? [_4_[ Involve the construction of repair of irrigation systems? "5"; X "|" Re | agricultural practices/production including animal husbandry? i i i [_6 _[ Involve the construction or repair of fish pond? X | Will the project involve implementation of timber management”, | | | extraction of forest products, clearing of forest cover, and/or X conversion of forest land? i i i RÉ IE I ES near the project site, including protected areas, wetlands, critical | X | | X Wildlife habitat or nesting areas? | | | | | oide te décharge polar) | x | x | ie . X X solids (i.e. discharge pollutants) |" | régimorngsutses organe | x | | x | neighboring surface or ground water? i i i |_12_| Will the activity create objectionable odors? X | |_13_| Will the activity violate air standard? X | |_14 | Will the activity occur on steep slopes (Greater than 15%)? X | [_16 | Is the activity incompatible with existing land use in the vicinity? ? "5" X 1 |" | D RE SEE businesses? i i i re historic_ features? l | | landscapes, or flora/fauna downstream from the activity site? PE sn SET D ES water in any water body? with mangroves and coral reefs? |_22 | Will the activity expose people or property to flooding? """""")""""""""" X )" | | 77 'érouné water iervse ave or pale ir eupplog? XL | | ground water otherwise available for public water supplies? 270 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 271] corn conmn Col C É É : If answered yes to Yes No Col. À. is it a 24 | Will the project activities create conditions encouraging an | | | increase of waterborne diseases or populations of disease Î Î X Î carrying vectors? Î Î i a maintenance plan been submitted? i i : 7° | mot para vi ae x | motorists or persons with disabilities? i i : 7 nca oaza magenta x | | and other biohazard medical waste? i i i planning permission(s)? H H H infrastructure improvements)? H H H RE RS A PE | negat ne prog ae x | unequally in the project’s activities? i i : RE PE TE PS EE women? Î Î Î RE A TE PS EE project? | i ! QE environmental review is required (Categorical Exclusion). No EMPR required. (b) The project has potential for minimal to medium adverse environmental effects, but mitigable environmental effects. Measures to mitigate environmental effects will be incorporated (Negative X Determination with Conditions). EMPR Required. (c) The project has potentially substantial or significant adverse environmental effects, but requires more analysis to form a conclusion. An Environmental Assessment will be prepared (Positive Determination). No EMPR required. | esgnoriocaion rt devlpment one atemaives à requred atome). | design or location or the development of new alternatives is required (Deferral). (e) The project has substantial and unmitigable adverse environmental effects. Mitigation is insufficient to eliminate these effects and alternatives are not feasible. The project is not recommended for funding. Construction projects need to be reviewed for scale, planned use, building code needs and maintenance. New construction having a footprint larger than 1000 sq. meters or 10,000 sq. ft. is considered large scale and high risk. Some small construction projects, such as building an entrance sign to a park, may require simple mitigations whereas larger buildings will require more extensive review and monitoring. ? New construction of roads and trails are considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the planned construction, i.e. a Positive Determination. Any reroutes of a road or trail longer than 100 meters is considered a high risk. Reroutes within a protected area, nearby a water source/wetlands, and/or archeological site are considered a high risk. $The purchase of packaged store pesticides are included. The planned involvement of pesticides will trigger the need to develop a Supplemental Initial Environmental Examination that meets USAID pesticide procedures (Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan or “PERSUAP”) for the project. 4 Any activities that involve harvesting trees or converting forests is considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the activity (i.e. Positive Determination). 5 A positive response to gender questions require follow up only when there are other positive responses on questions 1 — 30, and an EMPR is developed. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 271 [page 272] Comments: The owner/implementer of this short-listed grant is Groupe de Recherche et d’Action pour le Développement Economique et Social (GRADES). The organization is an association directed by Jude Regis and focusing on small agricultural machinery production. The current project consists of purchasing additional machinery for the fabrication of small animal traction ploughing equipment. AVANSE plans to assist with investments in the following equipment: metal work machinery. This equipment is valued at USD $100,000 (approximately). The approximate footprint of the equipment (at ground level) is 10 m°. Extension of the warehouse is also planned. Key environmental mitigation actions: + Proper management of water use, including standing water and runoff. + _Temporary drainage, erosion control and sediment retention measures (for rainy season construction/rehabilitation) e Safety and health instruction for construction/rehabilitation workers and provision of personal protective equipment. e Proper ventilation of facility to reduce exposure of workers to exhaust, dust and heat. 272 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 273] Table 1. Environmental Screening Form Name of OFASO Banana Flour Production, Cap Haitien, Activity: Haut du Cap Watershed (IR3 Grants for construction of <1,000 m° and/or installation of corn conrmn Col C equipment Type of Small-scale construction and equipment Activity: installation for agricultural product handling, storage and processing If answered yes to Contractor/ Col. À. is it a--? Grantee: DAI = Yes Date: _ April 20, 2015 IEE/ETD Medium- #: _LAC-IEE-14-17 Risk 1 Will the project involve construction and/or | | | reconstruction/rehabilitation of any type of structure (building, X X check dam, walls, etc.)? : : i 7 | poremnemeionertin trade etais X | | repair/reconstruction/rerouting of roads or trails? 3 | Willthe project involve the use, involve plans to use or training in the use of any chemical compounds such as pesticides” x x (including neem), herbicides, paint, varnish, lead-based products, etc.? [_4_[ Involve the construction of repair of irrigation systems? "5"; X "|" Re | agricultural practices/production including animal husbandry? i i i [_6 _[ Involve the construction or repair of fish pond? X | Will the project involve implementation of timber management”, | | | extraction of forest products, clearing of forest cover, and/or X conversion of forest land? i i i RÉ IE ES near the project site, including protected areas, wetlands, critical | X | | X Wildlife habitat or nesting areas? | | | |? | Soide te décharge pote) x | | solids (i.e. discharge pollutants) |" | régimorngsutses organe | x | | x) neighboring surface or ground water? i i i |_12_| Will the activity create objectionable odors? X | |_13_| Will the activity violate air standard? X | |_14 | Will the activity occur on steep slopes (Greater than 15%)? X | [_16 | Is the activity incompatible with existing land use in the vicinity? ? "5" X 1 |" | D RE SEE businesses? i i i re historic_ features? l | | landscapes, or flora/fauna downstream from the activity site? PE se SET DS ES water in any water body? with mangroves and coral reefs? |_22 | Will the activity expose people or property to flooding? """""")""""""""" X )" | | 77 T'érouné water tervse ave or palier eupplog? XL | ground water otherwise available for public water supplies? AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 273 [page 274] corn conmn Col C É É : If answered yes to Yes No Col. À. is it a 24 | Will the project activities create conditions encouraging an | | | increase of waterborne diseases or populations of disease Î Î X Î carrying vectors? Î Î i a maintenance plan been submitted? i i : 7° | mot para vi ae x | motorists or persons with disabilities? i i : 7 nca oaza magenta x | | and other biohazard medical waste? i i i planning permission(s)? H H H infrastructure improvements)? H H H RE RS A PE | negat ne prog ae x | unequally in the project’s activities? i i : RE PE TE PS EE women? Î Î Î RE A TE PS EE project? | i ! QE environmental review is required (Categorical Exclusion). No EMPR required. (b) The project has potential for minimal to medium adverse environmental effects, but mitigable environmental effects. Measures to mitigate environmental effects will be incorporated (Negative X Determination with Conditions). EMPR Required. (c) The project has potentially substantial or significant adverse environmental effects, but requires more analysis to form a conclusion. An Environmental Assessment will be prepared (Positive Determination). No EMPR required. | esgnoriocaion rt devlpment one atemaives à requred atome). | design or location or the development of new alternatives is required (Deferral). (e) The project has substantial and unmitigable adverse environmental effects. Mitigation is insufficient to eliminate these effects and alternatives are not feasible. The project is not recommended for funding. Construction projects need to be reviewed for scale, planned use, building code needs and maintenance. New construction having a footprint larger than 1000 sq. meters or 10,000 sq. ft. is considered large scale and high risk. Some small construction projects, such as building an entrance sign to a park, may require simple mitigations whereas larger buildings will require more extensive review and monitoring. ? New construction of roads and trails are considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the planned construction, i.e. a Positive Determination. Any reroutes of a road or trail longer than 100 meters is considered a high risk. Reroutes within a protected area, nearby a water source/wetlands, and/or archeological site are considered a high risk. $The purchase of packaged store pesticides are included. The planned involvement of pesticides will trigger the need to develop a Supplemental Initial Environmental Examination that meets USAID pesticide procedures (Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan or “PERSUAP”) for the project. 4 Any activities that involve harvesting trees or converting forests is considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the activity (i.e. Positive Determination). 5 A positive response to gender questions require follow up only when there are other positive responses on questions 1 — 30, and an EMPR is developed. 274 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 275] Comments: The owner/implementer of this short-listed grant is a women's organization (association) called OFASO. The association is focused on cassava processing and marketing of beans. The goal of the present project is to increase production capacity for production of banana flour and chips. AVANSE plans to assist with investments in the following equipment: small banana processing equipment, mill, and generator. This equipment is valued at USD $70,000 (approximately). The approximate footprint of the equipment (at ground level) is 14 m?. Warehouse construction for banana storage is also planned. Key environmental mitigation actions: + Proper management of water use, including standing water and runoff. e _Temporary drainage, erosion control and sediment retention measures (for rainy season construction/rehabilitation) e Safety and health instruction for construction/rehabilitation workers and provision of personal protective equipment. e Proper ventilation of facility to reduce exposure of workers to exhaust, dust and heat. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 275 [page 276] Table 1. Environmental Screening Form Name of PISA Cacao Fermentation, Acul du Nord, Haut du Activity: Cap Watershed (IR3 Grants for construction of Column | Column Col C <1,000 m? and/or installation of equipment) A B 9 Type of Small-scale construction and equipment Activity: installation for agricultural product handling, storage and processing If answered yes to Contractor/ Col. À. is it a--? Grantee: DAI Y Date: April 20, 2015 es IEE/ETD Medium- #: _LAC-IEE-14-17 Risk 1 Will the project involve construction and/or | | | reconstruction/rehabilitation of any type of structure (building, X X check dam, walls, etc.)? i i i 7 | poremnemeonrertin trade etais X | | repair/reconstruction/rerouting of roads or trails? 3 | Willthe project involve the use, involve plans to use or training in the use of any chemical compounds such as pesticides” x x (including neem), herbicides, paint, varnish, lead-based products, etc.? [_4_[ Involve the construction of repair of irrigation systems? "5"; X "|" ae | | agricultural practices/production including animal husbandry? i i i |_6 | Involve the construction or repair of fish ponds? X 1 |_7 _| Involve the disposal of used engine où? X | Will the project involve implementation of timber management”, | | | extraction of forest products, clearing of forest cover, and/or | | X | conversion of forest land? | | | RE EE near the project site, including protected areas, wetlands, critical | | X | wildlife habitat or nesting areas? | | | | | oide te décharge polar) | x | x | ie . X X solids (i.e. discharge pollutants) |" | Ségimorngsutses orge arr | | x | | neighboring surface or ground water? i i i |_12_| Will the activity create objectionable odors? X | |_13_| Will the activity violate air standard? X | |_14 | Will the activity occur on steep slopes (Greater than 15%)? X | [_16 | Is the activity incompatible with existing land use in the vicinity? ? "5" X 1 |" | M RE RENE businesses? i i i re historic features? i i i D landscapes, or flora/fauna downstream from the activity site? PE se SET DS ES water in any water body? 7°] Mn mangue an cr gr x with mangroves and coral reefs? |_22 | Will the activity expose people or property to flooding? """""")""""""""" X )" | | 77 T'érouné water tervse ave or palier eupplog? XL | ground water otherwise available for public water supplies? 276 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 277] corn conmn Col C É É : If answered yes to Yes No Col. À. is it a 24 | Will the project activities create conditions encouraging an | | | increase of waterborne diseases or populations of disease Î Î X Î carrying vectors? Î Î i a maintenance plan been submitted? i i : 7° | mot para vi ae x | motorists or persons with disabilities? i i : 7 nca oaza magenta x | | and other biohazard medical waste? i i i planning permission(s)? H H H infrastructure improvements)? H H H RE RS A PE | negat ne prog ae x | unequally in the project’s activities? i i : RE PE TE PS EE women? Î Î Î RE A TE PS EE project? | i ! QE environmental review is required (Categorical Exclusion). No EMPR required. (b) The project has potential for minimal to medium adverse environmental effects, but mitigable environmental effects. Measures to mitigate environmental effects will be incorporated (Negative X Determination with Conditions). EMPR Required. (c) The project has potentially substantial or significant adverse environmental effects, but requires more analysis to form a conclusion. An Environmental Assessment will be prepared (Positive Determination). No EMPR required. | esgnoriocaion rt devlpment one atemaives à requred atome). | design or location or the development of new alternatives is required (Deferral). (e) The project has substantial and unmitigable adverse environmental effects. Mitigation is insufficient to eliminate these effects and alternatives are not feasible. The project is not recommended for funding. Construction projects need to be reviewed for scale, planned use, building code needs and maintenance. New construction having a footprint larger than 1000 sq. meters or 10,000 sq. ft. is considered large scale and high risk. Some small construction projects, such as building an entrance sign to a park, may require simple mitigations whereas larger buildings will require more extensive review and monitoring. ? New construction of roads and trails are considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the planned construction, i.e. a Positive Determination. Any reroutes of a road or trail longer than 100 meters is considered a high risk. Reroutes within a protected area, nearby a water source/wetlands, and/or archeological site are considered a high risk. $The purchase of packaged store pesticides are included. The planned involvement of pesticides will trigger the need to develop a Supplemental Initial Environmental Examination that meets USAID pesticide procedures (Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan or “PERSUAP”) for the project. 4 Any activities that involve harvesting trees or converting forests is considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the activity (i.e. Positive Determination). 5 A positive response to gender questions require follow up only when there are other positive responses on questions 1 — 30, and an EMPR is developed. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 277 [page 278] Comments: The owner/implementer of this short-listed grant is Produits des Iles S.A. (PISA). This is a private enterprise owned by REBO S.A. and focused on coffee export and cacao fermentation and export. The present project consists in increasing the cacao fermentation capacity of PISA by building a new 50m° fermentation warehouse and purchasing wooden fermentation crates. AVANSE plans to assist with investments in the following equipment: wooden fermentation crates. This equipment is valued at USD $58,000 (approximately). Key environmental mitigation actions: + Proper management of water use, including standing water and runoff. e _Temporary drainage, erosion control and sediment retention measures (for rainy season construction/rehabilitation) e Safety and health instruction for construction/rehabilitation workers and provision of personal protective equipment. e Proper ventilation of facility to reduce exposure of workers to exhaust, dust and heat. 278 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 279] Table 1. Environmental Screening Form Name of RAFAVAL Cacao Processing, Limonade, Grande Activity: Rivière du Nord Watershed (IR3 Grants for construction of <1,000 m? and/or installation of corn conrmn Col C equipment Type of Small-scale construction and equipment Activity: installation for agricultural product handling, storage and processing If answered yes to Contractor/ Col. À. is it a--? Grantee: DAI Y Date: _ April 20, 2015 ss IEE/ETD Medium- #: _LAC-IEE-14-17 Risk 1 Will the project involve construction and/or | | | reconstruction/rehabilitation of any type of structure (building, X check dam, walls, etc.)? : : i 7 | poremnemeionertin trade etais X | | repair/reconstruction/rerouting of roads or trails? 3 | Willthe project involve the use, involve plans to use or training in the use of any chemical compounds such as pesticides” x (including neem), herbicides, paint, varnish, lead-based products, etc.? [_4_[ Involve the construction of repair of irrigation systems? "5"; X "|" D "SES agricultural practices/production including animal husbandry? i i i [_6 _[ Involve the construction or repair of fish pond? X | Will the project involve implementation of timber management”, | | | extraction of forest products, clearing of forest cover, and/or X conversion of forest land? i i i RE near the project site, including protected areas, wetlands, critical | | X | Wildlife habitat or nesting areas? | | | |? | Soide te décharge pote) x | | solids (i.e. discharge pollutants) |" | Ségimorngsutses orge arr | | x | | neighboring surface or ground water? i i i |_12_| Will the activity create objectionable odors? X | |_13_| Will the activity violate air standard? X | |_14 | Will the activity occur on steep slopes (Greater than 15%)? X | |_15_| Will the activity contribute to érosion? X À [_16 | Is the activity incompatible with existing land use in the vicinity? 5" 5" X 1 |" | M ARE businesses? i i i re historic_ features? l | | | | énestspe. or frafaune ounereom om he agyater | * | landscapes, or flora/fauna downstream from the activity site? PE SET ES ES water in any water body? 7°] Mn mangue an cor eg x with mangroves and coral reefs? |_22 | Will the activity expose people or property to flooding? """""")""""""""" X )" | | 77 T'érouné water tervse ave or palier eupplog? XL | ground water otherwise available for public water supplies? AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 279 [page 280] corn conmn Col C É É : If answered yes to Yes No Col. À. is it a 24 | Will the project activities create conditions encouraging an | | | increase of waterborne diseases or populations of disease Î Î X Î carrying vectors? Î Î i a maintenance plan been submitted? i i : 7° | mot para vi ae x | motorists or persons with disabilities? i i : 7 nca oaza magenta x | | and other biohazard medical waste? i i i planning permission(s)? H H H infrastructure improvements)? H H H RE RS A PE | negat ne prog ae x | unequally in the project’s activities? i i : RE PE TE PS EE women? Î Î Î RE A TE PS EE project? | i ! QE environmental review is required (Categorical Exclusion). No EMPR required. (b) The project has potential for minimal to medium adverse environmental effects, but mitigable environmental effects. Measures to mitigate environmental effects will be incorporated (Negative X Determination with Conditions). EMPR Required. (c) The project has potentially substantial or significant adverse environmental effects, but requires more analysis to form a conclusion. An Environmental Assessment will be prepared (Positive Determination). No EMPR required. | esgnoriocaion rt devlpment one atemaives à requred atome). | design or location or the development of new alternatives is required (Deferral). (e) The project has substantial and unmitigable adverse environmental effects. Mitigation is insufficient to eliminate these effects and alternatives are not feasible. The project is not recommended for funding. Construction projects need to be reviewed for scale, planned use, building code needs and maintenance. New construction having a footprint larger than 1000 sq. meters or 10,000 sq. ft. is considered large scale and high risk. Some small construction projects, such as building an entrance sign to a park, may require simple mitigations whereas larger buildings will require more extensive review and monitoring. ? New construction of roads and trails are considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the planned construction, i.e. a Positive Determination. Any reroutes of a road or trail longer than 100 meters is considered a high risk. Reroutes within a protected area, nearby a water source/wetlands, and/or archeological site are considered a high risk. $The purchase of packaged store pesticides are included. The planned involvement of pesticides will trigger the need to develop a Supplemental Initial Environmental Examination that meets USAID pesticide procedures (Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan or “PERSUAP”) for the project. 4 Any activities that involve harvesting trees or converting forests is considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the activity (i.e. Positive Determination). 5 A positive response to gender questions require follow up only when there are other positive responses on questions 1 — 30, and an EMPR is developed. 280 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 281] Comments: The owner/implementer of this short-listed grant is a women's organization (association) named Rasambleman Fanm Vayan Limonad (RAFAVAL). The association has approximately 300 members and is focused on processing cacao into raw chocolate, as well as fruit processing for jams and jellies. The current project consists of increasing the processing capacity and quality of their cacao products. AVANSE plans to assist with investments in the following equipment: cacao roaster, cacao huller, cacao grinder, cacao powder machine, and cacao powder packaging. This equipment is valued at USD $100,000 (approximately). The approximate footprint of the equipment (at ground level) is 15 m°. Key environmental mitigation actions: e Proper disposal of organic waste via a reduce, reuse and recycle program. e Proper ventilation of facility to reduce exposure of workers to exhaust, dust and heat. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 281 [page 282] Table 1. Environmental Screening Form Name of SANDIDI Cacao Processing, Cap Haitien, Haut du Activity: Cap Watershed (IR3 Grants for construction of Column | Column Col C <1,000 m? and/or installation of equipment) A B 9 Type of Small-scale construction and equipment Activity: installation for agricultural product handling, storage and processing If answered yes to Contractor/ Col. À. is it a--? Grantee: DAI Y Date: April 20, 2015 es IEE/ETD Medium- #: _LAC-IEE-14-17 Risk 1 Will the project involve construction and/or | | | reconstruction/rehabilitation of any type of structure (building, X X check dam, walls, etc.)? i i i 7 | poremnemeonrertin trade etais X | | repair/reconstruction/rerouting of roads or trails? 3 | Willthe project involve the use, involve plans to use or training in the use of any chemical compounds such as pesticides” x x (including neem), herbicides, paint, varnish, lead-based products, etc.? [_4_[ Involve the construction of repair of irrigation systems? "5"; X "|" ae | | agricultural practices/production including animal husbandry? i i i |_6 | Involve the construction or repair of fish ponds? Xl Will the project involve implementation of timber management”, | | | extraction of forest products, clearing of forest cover, and/or | | X | conversion of forest land? | | | RÉ IE ES near the project site, including protected areas, wetlands, critical | X | | X Wildlife habitat or nesting areas? | | | | | oide tie décharge polar) | x | x | ie . X X solids (i.e. discharge pollutants) |" | régimorngsutses orgue arr | x | | x | neighboring surface or ground water? i i i |_12_| Will the activity create objectionable odors? X | |_13_| Will the activity violate air standard? X | |_14 | Will the activity occur on steep slopes (Greater than 15%)? X | [_16 | Is the activity incompatible with existing land use in the vicinity? ? "5" X 1 |" | M RE RENE businesses? i i i re ae historic features? i i i landscapes, or flora/fauna downstream from the activity site? PE sn SET D ES water in any water body? with mangroves and coral reefs? |_22 | Will the activity expose people or property to flooding? """""")""""""""" X )" | | 77 T'érouné water tervse ave or palier eupplog? XL | ground water otherwise available for public water supplies? 282 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 283] corn conmn Col C É É : If answered yes to Yes No Col. À. is it a 24 | Will the project activities create conditions encouraging an | | | increase of waterborne diseases or populations of disease Î Î X Î carrying vectors? Î Î i a maintenance plan been submitted? i i : 7° | mot para vi ae x | motorists or persons with disabilities? i i : nca oaza magenta | x | | and other biohazard medical waste? i i i planning permission(s)? H H H infrastructure improvements)? H H H RE RS A PE | negat ne prog ae x | unequally in the project’s activities? i i : EE A TE PS EE women? Î Î Î RE A ETES PS ES project? | i ! QE environmental review is required (Categorical Exclusion). No EMPR required. (b) The project has potential for minimal to medium adverse environmental effects, but mitigable environmental effects. Measures to mitigate environmental effects will be incorporated (Negative X Determination with Conditions). EMPR Required. (c) The project has potentially substantial or significant adverse environmental effects, but requires more analysis to form a conclusion. An Environmental Assessment will be prepared (Positive Determination). No EMPR required. | esgnoriocaion rte deilpment one atemaives à requred atome). | design or location or the development of new alternatives is required (Deferral). (e) The project has substantial and unmitigable adverse environmental effects. Mitigation is insufficient to eliminate these effects and alternatives are not feasible. The project is not recommended for funding. Construction projects need to be reviewed for scale, planned use, building code needs and maintenance. New construction having a footprint larger than 1000 sq. meters or 10,000 sq. ft. is considered large scale and high risk. Some small construction projects, such as building an entrance sign to a park, may require simple mitigations whereas larger buildings will require more extensive review and monitoring. ? New construction of roads and trails are considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the planned construction, i.e. a Positive Determination. Any reroutes of a road or trail longer than 100 meters is considered a high risk. Reroutes within a protected area, nearby a water source/wetlands, and/or archeological site are considered a high risk. $The purchase of packaged store pesticides are included. The planned involvement of pesticides will trigger the need to develop a Supplemental Initial Environmental Examination that meets USAID pesticide procedures (Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan or “PERSUAP”) for the project. 4 Any activities that involve harvesting trees or converting forests is considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the activity (i.e. Positive Determination). 5 A positive response to gender questions require follow up only when there are other positive responses on questions 1 — 30, and an EMPR is developed. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 283 [page 284] Comments: The owner/implementer of this short-listed grant is a private enterprise named Sandidi. The enterprise is owned by Sandra Prosper and focuses on processing cacao into raw chocolate. The objective of the present project is to increase the processing capacity and quality of cacao products. AVANSE plans to assist with investments in the following equipment: cacao roaster, cacao huller, cacao grinder, cacao powder machine, cacao powder packaging, and cacao oil extractor. This equipment is valued at USD $64,000 (approximately). The approximate footprint of the equipment (at ground level) is 15 m°. Warehouse repair is also planned. Key environmental mitigation actions: + Proper management of water use, including standing water and runoff. e _Temporary drainage, erosion control and sediment retention measures (for rainy season construction/rehabilitation) e Safety and health instruction for construction/rehabilitation workers and provision of personal protective equipment. e Proper ventilation of facility to reduce exposure of workers to exhaust, dust and heat. 284 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 285] Table 1. Environmental Screening Form Name of Bonnefil/Banamiel Banana Export, Limonade, Activity: Grande Rivière du Nord Watershed (IR3 Grants Column | Column Col C under Collaboration Agreement) A B Type of Small-scale construction (<1,000 m°) and Activity: equipment installation for agricultural product handling, storage and processing If answered yes to Contractor/ Col. À. is it a--? Grantee: DAI Y Date: April 20, 2015 es IEE/ETD Medium- #: _LAC-IEE-14-17 Risk 1 Will the project involve construction and/or | | | reconstruction/rehabilitation of any type of structure (building, X X check dam, walls, etc.)? i i i 7 | poremnemeonrertin trade etais X | | repair/reconstruction/rerouting of roads or trails? 3 | Willthe project involve the use, involve plans to use or training in the use of any chemical compounds such as pesticides” x x (including neem), herbicides, paint, varnish, lead-based products, etc.? agricultural practices/production including animal husbandry? i i i |_6 | Involve the construction or repair of fish ponds? Xl Will the project involve implementation of timber management”, | | | extraction of forest products, clearing of forest cover, and/or | | X | conversion of forest land? | | | RÉ IE ES near the project site, including protected areas, wetlands, critical | X | | X Wildlife habitat or nesting areas? | | | | | oide tie décharge polar) | x | x | ie . X X solids (i.e. discharge pollutants) |" | régimorngsutses orgue arr | x | | x | neighboring surface or ground water? i i i |_12_| Will the activity create objectionable odors? X | |_13_| Will the activity violate air standard? X | |_14 | Will the activity occur on steep slopes (Greater than 15%)? X | [_16 | Is the activity incompatible with existing land use in the vicinity? ? "5" X 1 |" | M RE RENE businesses? i i i re ae historic features? i i i landscapes, or flora/fauna downstream from the activity site? PE sn SET D ES water in any water body? with mangroves and coral reefs? |_22 | Will the activity expose people or property to flooding? """""")""""""""" X )" | | 77 T'érouné water iervse ave or palier eupplog? D | X | : : . : X X ground water otherwise available for public water supplies? AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 285 [page 286] corn conmn Col C É É : If answered yes to Yes No Col. À. is it a 24 | Will the project activities create conditions encouraging an | | | increase of waterborne diseases or populations of disease Î Î X Î carrying vectors? Î Î i a maintenance plan been submitted? i i : 7° | mot para vi ae x | motorists or persons with disabilities? i i : nca oaza magenta | x | | and other biohazard medical waste? i i i planning permission(s)? H H H infrastructure improvements)? H H H RE RS A PE | negat ne prog ae x | unequally in the project’s activities? i i : EE A TE PS EE women? Î Î Î RE A ETES PS ES project? | i ! QE environmental review is required (Categorical Exclusion). No EMPR required. (b) The project has potential for minimal to medium adverse environmental effects, but mitigable environmental effects. Measures to mitigate environmental effects will be incorporated (Negative X Determination with Conditions). EMPR Required. (c) The project has potentially substantial or significant adverse environmental effects, but requires more analysis to form a conclusion. An Environmental Assessment will be prepared (Positive Determination). No EMPR required. | esgnoriocaion rte deilpment one atemaives à requred atome). | design or location or the development of new alternatives is required (Deferral). (e) The project has substantial and unmitigable adverse environmental effects. Mitigation is insufficient to eliminate these effects and alternatives are not feasible. The project is not recommended for funding. Construction projects need to be reviewed for scale, planned use, building code needs and maintenance. New construction having a footprint larger than 1000 sq. meters or 10,000 sq. ft. is considered large scale and high risk. Some small construction projects, such as building an entrance sign to a park, may require simple mitigations whereas larger buildings will require more extensive review and monitoring. ? New construction of roads and trails are considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the planned construction, i.e. a Positive Determination. Any reroutes of a road or trail longer than 100 meters is considered a high risk. Reroutes within a protected area, nearby a water source/wetlands, and/or archeological site are considered a high risk. $The purchase of packaged store pesticides are included. The planned involvement of pesticides will trigger the need to develop a Supplemental Initial Environmental Examination that meets USAID pesticide procedures (Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan or “PERSUAP”) for the project. 4 Any activities that involve harvesting trees or converting forests is considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the activity (i.e. Positive Determination). 5 A positive response to gender questions require follow up only when there are other positive responses on questions 1 — 30, and an EMPR is developed. 286 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 287] Comments: The owner/implementer of this grant under a Collaboration Agreement is a private investor, Reynold Bonnefil, in collaboration with a Dominican banana export firm. The partners are focused on banana production and export. The goal of the present project is to set up a 50 ha, proof-of-concept, farm in the Limonade area for the production, packaging and export of Haiïtian fairtrade bananas. AVANSE plans to assist with investments in irrigation, technical assistance, and construction of a packing plant (shed, warehouse and water basins). The investments are valued at USD $1.4 M (approximately). Key environmental mitigation actions: + Proper management of water use, including standing water, wastewater and runoff. e _Temporary drainage, erosion control and sediment retention measures (for rainy season construction/rehabilitation) e Safety and health instruction for construction/rehabilitation workers and provision of personal protective equipment. + Proper ventilation of facility to reduce exposure of workers to exhaust, dust and heat. NB: Production aspects of this project are covered under the U-EMPR for IR 1 activities. See Annex G of the PEA. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 287 [page 288] Table 1. Environmental Screening Form Name of FECCANO Cacao Fermentation, Petit Bouc and Activity: Port Margot, Borgne & Port Margot cacao extension zones (IR3 Grants under Collaboration corn conrmn Col C Agreement Type of Small-scale construction (< 1000m°) and Activity: equipment installation for agricultural product handling, storage and processing If answered yes to Contractor/ Col. À. is it a--? Grantee: DAI = Yes Date: _ April 20, 2015 IEE/ETD Medium- #: _LAC-IEE-14-17 Risk 1 Will the project involve construction and/or | | | reconstruction/rehabilitation of any type of structure (building, X X check dam, walls, etc.)? : : i 7 | poremnemeionertin trade etais X | | repair/reconstruction/rerouting of roads or trails? 3 | Willthe project involve the use, involve plans to use or training in the use of any chemical compounds such as pesticides” x x (including neem), herbicides, paint, varnish, lead-based products, etc.? [_4_[ Involve the construction of repair of irrigation systems? "5"; X "|" Re | agricultural practices/production including animal husbandry? i i i [_6 _[ Involve the construction or repair of fish pond? X | |_7 | Involve the disposal of used engine où? X 1 Will the project involve implementation of timber management”, | | | extraction of forest products, clearing of forest cover, and/or X conversion of forest land? i i i RÉ IE I ES near the project site, including protected areas, wetlands, critical | X | | X Wildlife habitat or nesting areas? | | | | | oide te décharge polar) | x | x | ie . X X solids (i.e. discharge pollutants) |" | régimorngsutses organe | x | | x | neighboring surface or ground water? i i i |_12_| Will the activity create objectionable odors? X | |_13_| Will the activity violate air standard? X | |_14 | Will the activity occur on steep slopes (Greater than 15%)? X | [_16 | Is the activity incompatible with existing land use in the vicinity? ? "5" X 1 |" | D RE SEE businesses? i i i re historic_ features? l | | landscapes, or flora/fauna downstream from the activity site? PE sn SET D ES water in any water body? with mangroves and coral reefs? |_22 | Will the activity expose people or property to flooding? """""")""""""""" X )" | | 77 'érouné water iervse ave or pale ir eupplog? XL | | ground water otherwise available for public water supplies? 288 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 289] corn conmn Col C É É : If answered yes to Yes No Col. À. is it a 24 | Will the project activities create conditions encouraging an | | | increase of waterborne diseases or populations of disease Î Î X Î carrying vectors? Î Î i a maintenance plan been submitted? i i : 7° | mot para vi ae x | motorists or persons with disabilities? i i : 7 nca oaza magenta x | | and other biohazard medical waste? i i i planning permission(s)? H H H infrastructure improvements)? H H H RE RS A PE | negat ne prog ae x | unequally in the project’s activities? i i : RE PE TE PS EE women? Î Î Î RE A TE PS EE project? | i ! QE environmental review is required (Categorical Exclusion). No EMPR required. (b) The project has potential for minimal to medium adverse environmental effects, but mitigable environmental effects. Measures to mitigate environmental effects will be incorporated (Negative X Determination with Conditions). EMPR Required. (c) The project has potentially substantial or significant adverse environmental effects, but requires more analysis to form a conclusion. An Environmental Assessment will be prepared (Positive Determination). No EMPR required. | esgnoriocaion rt devlpment one atemaives à requred atome). | design or location or the development of new alternatives is required (Deferral). (e) The project has substantial and unmitigable adverse environmental effects. Mitigation is insufficient to eliminate these effects and alternatives are not feasible. The project is not recommended for funding. Construction projects need to be reviewed for scale, planned use, building code needs and maintenance. New construction having a footprint larger than 1000 sq. meters or 10,000 sq. ft. is considered large scale and high risk. Some small construction projects, such as building an entrance sign to a park, may require simple mitigations whereas larger buildings will require more extensive review and monitoring. ? New construction of roads and trails are considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the planned construction, i.e. a Positive Determination. Any reroutes of a road or trail longer than 100 meters is considered a high risk. Reroutes within a protected area, nearby a water source/wetlands, and/or archeological site are considered a high risk. $The purchase of packaged store pesticides are included. The planned involvement of pesticides will trigger the need to develop a Supplemental Initial Environmental Examination that meets USAID pesticide procedures (Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan or “PERSUAP”) for the project. 4 Any activities that involve harvesting trees or converting forests is considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the activity (i.e. Positive Determination). 5 A positive response to gender questions require follow up only when there are other positive responses on questions 1 — 30, and an EMPR is developed. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 289 [page 290] Comments: The owner/implementer of this grant under Collaboration Agreement is the Federation des Coopératives Cacaoyeres du Nord (FECCANO). The members of the Federation comprise six cooperatives; they are focused on cacao fermentation and export. The present project consists of building 2 cacao fermentation centers (at Petit Bouc in the Borgne extension zone, and at Port Margot in the Port Margot extension zone). These centers, approximately 100 min size each, will target new member associations in order to increase production capacity. AVANSE also plans to assist with investments in the following equipment: wooden fermentation crates. Key environmental mitigation actions: + Proper management of water use, including standing water, wastewater and runoff. e _Temporary drainage, erosion control and sediment retention measures (for rainy season construction/rehabilitation) e Safety and health instruction for construction/rehabilitation workers and provision of personal protective equipment. e Proper ventilation of facility to reduce exposure of workers to exhaust, dust and heat. 290 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 291] Table 1. Environmental Screening Form Name of Novella Cacao Fermentation, Grande Rivière du Activity: Nord, Grande Rivière du Nord Watershed (IR3 Column | Column Colc Grants under Collaboration Agreement) A B Type of Small-scale construction (<1,000 m°) and Activity: equipment installation for agricultural product handling, storage and processing If answered yes to Contractor/ Col. À. is it a--? Grantee: DAI Y Date: April 20, 2015 es IEE/ETD Medium- #: _LAC-IEE-14-17 Risk 1 Will the project involve construction and/or | | | reconstruction/rehabilitation of any type of structure (building, X X check dam, walls, etc.)? i i i 7 | poremnemeionertin trade etais X | | repair/reconstruction/rerouting of roads or trails? 3 | Willthe project involve the use, involve plans to use or training in the use of any chemical compounds such as pesticides” x x (including neem), herbicides, paint, varnish, lead-based products, etc.? [_4_[ Involve the construction of repair of irrigation systems? "5"; X "|" BR POSESESEE agricultural practices/production including animal husbandry? i i i |_6 | Involve the construction or repair of fish ponds? X 1 |_7 _| Involve the disposal of used engine où? X | Will the project involve implementation of timber management”, | | | extraction of forest products, clearing of forest cover, and/or | | X | conversion of forest land? | | | RÉ IE I ES near the project site, including protected areas, wetlands, critical | X | | X Wildlife habitat or nesting areas? | | | | | oide te décharge polar) | x | x | ie . X X solids (i.e. discharge pollutants) |" | régimorngsutses organe | x | | x | neighboring surface or ground water? i i i |_12_| Will the activity create objectionable odors? X | |_13_| Will the activity violate air standard? X | |_14 | Will the activity occur on steep slopes (Greater than 15%)? X | [_16 | Is the activity incompatible with existing land use in the vicinity? ? "5" X 1 |" | M RE RENE businesses? i i i re ae historic features? i i i landscapes, or flora/fauna downstream from the activity site? PE sn SET D ES water in any water body? with mangroves and coral reefs? |_22 | Will the activity expose people or property to flooding? """""")""""""""" X )" | | 77 'érouné water iervse ave or pale ir eupplog? XL | | ground water otherwise available for public water supplies? AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 291 [page 292] corn conmn Col C É É : If answered yes to Yes No Col. À. is it a 24 | Will the project activities create conditions encouraging an | | | increase of waterborne diseases or populations of disease Î Î X Î carrying vectors? Î Î i a maintenance plan been submitted? i i : 7° | mot para vi ae x | motorists or persons with disabilities? i i : 7 nca oaza magenta x | | and other biohazard medical waste? i i i planning permission(s)? H H H infrastructure improvements)? H H H RE RS A PE | negat ne prog ae x | unequally in the project’s activities? i i : RE PE TE PS EE women? Î Î Î RE A TE PS EE project? | i ! QE environmental review is required (Categorical Exclusion). No EMPR required. (b) The project has potential for minimal to medium adverse environmental effects, but mitigable environmental effects. Measures to mitigate environmental effects will be incorporated (Negative X Determination with Conditions). EMPR Required. (c) The project has potentially substantial or significant adverse environmental effects, but requires more analysis to form a conclusion. An Environmental Assessment will be prepared (Positive Determination). No EMPR required. | esgnoriocaion rt devlpment one atemaives à requred atome). | design or location or the development of new alternatives is required (Deferral). (e) The project has substantial and unmitigable adverse environmental effects. Mitigation is insufficient to eliminate these effects and alternatives are not feasible. The project is not recommended for funding. Construction projects need to be reviewed for scale, planned use, building code needs and maintenance. New construction having a footprint larger than 1000 sq. meters or 10,000 sq. ft. is considered large scale and high risk. Some small construction projects, such as building an entrance sign to a park, may require simple mitigations whereas larger buildings will require more extensive review and monitoring. ? New construction of roads and trails are considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the planned construction, i.e. a Positive Determination. Any reroutes of a road or trail longer than 100 meters is considered a high risk. Reroutes within a protected area, nearby a water source/wetlands, and/or archeological site are considered a high risk. $The purchase of packaged store pesticides are included. The planned involvement of pesticides will trigger the need to develop a Supplemental Initial Environmental Examination that meets USAID pesticide procedures (Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan or “PERSUAP”) for the project. 4 Any activities that involve harvesting trees or converting forests is considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the activity (i.e. Positive Determination). 5 A positive response to gender questions require follow up only when there are other positive responses on questions 1 — 30, and an EMPR is developed. 292 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 293] Comments: The owner/implementer of this grant under a Collaboration Agreement is Novella. This is a private enterprise owned by Daniel and Nonce Zephyr that focuses on cacao and bitter orange peel export. The purpose of the present activity is to rehabilitate an old coffee mill in Grande Rivière du Nord into a cacao fermentation center. AVANSE plans to assist with investments in the following equipment: wooden fermentation crates. This equipment is valued at USD $40,000 (approximately). The approximate footprint of the crates (at ground level) is 40 m?. Warehouse repairs are also planned. Key environmental mitigation actions: + Proper management of water use, including standing water, wastewater and runoff. e _Temporary drainage, erosion control and sediment retention measures (for rainy season construction/rehabilitation) e Safety and health instruction for construction/rehabilitation workers and provision of personal protective equipment. e Proper ventilation of facility to reduce exposure of workers to exhaust, dust and heat. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 293 [page 294] The following tables (2 and 3) are based upon construction mitigation measures and requirements for input/output analysis of materials and wastes and use of cleaner production concepts. Mitigation Measures for Small-Scale Construction e __ Prohibit construction on sites that are not already used or designated for commercial buildings. 294 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 295] Table 2. Identification of Mitigation Plan #ofthe Ques- tion | Activity or Component Description of Impact Mitigation Measures from Table 1 1,3,7, | Initial environmental If site-specific characteristics of a | 1. AVANSE'Ss IR3 and the Environmental Compliance Teams shall work together to conduct an 9, 10, review of proposed IR3 particular grant are not internal environmental review for each proposed IR3 grant to determine which of the impacts 11,12, | grants considered, identification of marked as “Yes” in Column A in Table 1 are relevant for the specific grant based upon its location 15, 16, relevant mitigation measures will and activities. The internal review shall also determine which of the mitigation measures in this 18, 19, not be possible. This could lead table are relevant for the specific grant. 21,27 to unanticipated and unmitigated_ | 2. Ifthe internal environmental review identifies potential impacts to important habitats or environmental impacts. ecosystems or cultural or historical sites that will not be mitigated by the mitigation measures in this table, AVANSE shall prepare a site-specific EMPR for the proposed grant for review and approval by USAID. 3. The results of the internal environmental review shall be documented in AVANSE'"Ss files and reported in AVANSE'Ss quarterly progress reports. 4. AVANSE shall incorporate the relevant mitigation measures (as identified in the internal review) in the sub-contract or grant agreement. 10 Input/output analysis of If sources and types of pollution 1. AVANSE's Environmental Compliance Team shall work with the grant recipient to conduct an materials and wastes and discharges are not identified and input/output analysis of materials and wastes including a flow diagram showing material inputs use of cleaner production addressed, unanticipated and and waste and product outputs. concepts unmitigated environmental 2. À waste management plan shall be developed and implemented for each waste output identified impacts " air, water and land in the input/output and approved by AVANSE. may resurt. 3. Ifthe AVANSE grant will purchase equipment, consideration shall be given to purchasing equipment that reduces, recycles, or reuses potential wastes. 1,3,7, | Small-scale construction Localized disturbances 1. AVANSE shall incorporate the following mitigation measures in the sub-contract or grant 9, 10, activities (less than 1,000 associated with construction that agreement. u 15, | m) het pr stered drainage, 2. Mark construction site boundary and control access. Mitigation measures based Contam mation of soil and water 3. Establish, announce to nearby residents, and adhere to construction timetables that minimize on USAID small-scale f : : disruption to the normal activities in the construction area and the surrounding community. construction guidelines, rom construction materials . . . . . . USAID 2014c (paints, solvents, etc.). 4. Concentrate noisiest types of work into as short a period as possible and during least disruptive times of the day. 5. Take measures to keep dust to a minimum. 6. Manage water use and runoff at the construction site so that no on-site standing water persists more than 4 days. 7. Develop and implement appropriate sanitation, occupational health and worker safety measures during construction, including the following: a. Provide all workers with a safety and health induction that explains safe work practices and the proper use of personal protective equipment. b. Provide all workers with appropriate personal protective equipment. ‘6 USAID. 2014c. Sector Environmental Guidelines: Small-Scale Construction. 44pp. http://www.usaidgems.org/Sectors/construction.htm AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 295 [page 296] #ofthe Ques- tion | Activity or Component Description of Impact Mitigation Measures from Table 1 c. Develop and implement an internal system for (1) regular self-inspection of site against occupational health and worker safety standards and (2) tracking violations and accidents. d. Prohibit or restricted smoking to designated smoking area well away from flammable materials. e. Provide a first aid kit on-site, as well as someone familiar with its use and trained in basic first aid. f._ Provide workers with drinking water and sanitary facilities, including a hand-wash station. 8. Avoid subsidence and building stabilization problems through proper foundation excavation, fill placement and borrow pit management. a. Maintain spoils at least 1 meter back from the edge of any excavation. b. Shore up or slope back the wall of any excavation 1.75 meters or deeper and provide a means of exit (ladder, stair, ramp) at least every 10 meters. c. Use well graded material for fill, avoid pockets of segregated materials in fill, and insure that fillis compacted to recognized standards. d. Backfill and/or restore borrow areas before abandonment unless alternative uses for those sites are planned. 9. If construction will occur during the rainy season, install temporary drainage, erosion control and sediment retention measures and cover stockpiled construction materials. 10. Segregate waste which can be salvaged, re-used or recycled. 11.Provide on-site containers for solid waste and dispose of solid waste in a manner approved by local authorities. 12.Place solvents, lubricants, oils, and other hazardous liquids over a lined area with appropriate secondary containment (e.g., bermed perimeter) to contain spillage. 13.Handle, store, use and process branded materials in accordance with manufacturer's instructions and recommendations. 14.Avoid the use of materials containing asbestos. 15.Use lead-free paint, primers, varnishes, stains, sealants and glazing and water-based paints wherever practical. 16.Return drainage patterns disturbed during construction to their original (or better) condition. 296 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 297] Table 3. Environmental Monitoring and Evaluation Tracking Table Responsible Monitoring Methods Estimated | Results | Description of Mitigation Party for Indicators of CE Recommended : implementin: il il implementin us ù Measure (same as in and monitoring DEEE mitigation Dates Problems | _Mitigation | Adjustments Table 2) mitigation Etloctiveness ef measures and| Monitored |Encountered|Effectiveness measures indicators monitoring 1 JAVANSE'S IR3 and the Implementation Report on Review of grant |At time of grant [No cost, OS ES PS Environmental Compliance |R3 Team & EC Internal proposal proposal nomma 2 | | | Teams shall work together to Team environmental site visit obligation of 8 | | | conduct an internal Monitori review R tt salaried staff |4 environmental review for each |#Onitoring po proposed IR3 grant Grant Team epproved and 2 lifthe internal environmental [Implementation Site-specific [Review of grant [At time of grant [No cost, OS PS PS review identifies potential EC Team EMPR proposal. proposal normal OS ES PS impacts to important habitats or | ur Site visit obligation of 8 | | | ecosystems or cultural or [Monitoring Literat salaried staff |4 historical sites that will not be |Grant Team lerature mitigated by the mitigation review measures in this table, AVANSE] Report shall prepare a site-specific approved and EMPR for the proposed grant filed for review and approval by USAID. 3 [The results of the internal Implementation |Inclusion in Report Quarterly No cost, CS ES SE environmental review shall be |EC Team quarterly reports|approved and normal OS SE PS documented in AVANSE'Ss files Monitori filed obligation of and reported in AVANSES [Monorina Results reported salaried staff PB) parer progress repors. "NE Ter CE A 4 JAVANSE shall incorporate the [Implementation [Language Contract/grant |Sub-contract or [No cost, CS RS relevant mitigation measures ||R3 Team and lincluded in sub- |review grant normal 5 (as identified in the internal Grant Team contract or grant development lobligation of CS RS RS grant agreement. [Monitoring 5 [AVANSE's Environmental Implementation Flow diagram [Review of grant |[Sub-contract or [No cost, OS ES PS Compliance Team shall work |Sub-conractor Showing lendintemal lgrant NE with the grant recipient to or grant input/output environmental _ |development obligation of 18 À À | | conduct an input/output analysis recipient & EC analysis review report salaried staff [4 of materials and wastes Team Site visit including a flow diagram Monitori showing material inputs and [Monitoring waste and product outputs. Grant Team AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 297 [page 298] Description of Mitigation | . Party for | Indicators of . Costof Recommended Measure (same as in ne implementation CU Dates | Problems | Mitigation | Adjustments Table 2) mitigation Etloctireness of measures and| Monitored |Encountered|Effectiveness measures indicators monitoring JA waste management plan shall Implementation \Waste Review of plans Sub-contract or No cost, SE SP be developed and implemented |sut.conractor [Management |site visit grant normal OS PE PE PS for each waste output identified |or grant plans prepared development … Jobligation of 13 À |. in the input/output and approved recipient land approved JAnnually salaried staff |4 by AVANSE. Monitoring Waste : managemen EC Team plans implemented 7 _[Ifthe AVANSE grant will Implementation Documentation [Document Procurement Could be SE S purchase equipment, Sub-conractor [of decision for |review development ladditional OS PS PS consideration shall be givento |; grant the purchase of capital costs, 3 À | | | purchasing equipment that [a dpient & IRS (equipment but can on potential wastes. los determined [Monitoring on a site-by- [1 EC Team D JAVANSE shall incorporate the |Implementation Language Document JAt time of No cost, OS ES PS following mitigation measures in ||R3 Team included in sub- |review agreement normal OS PS PS the sub-contract or grant un contract or granit] development obligation of 13 À À | | EC Team Mark construction site boundary Implementation [As indicated in [Site inspection Weekly, during [No cost, OS ES PS and control access. Sub-conractor lthe Monitoring [using the construction normal OS ES PS Bron Logior Monitoring Log obligation of. {1 fecpient Commercial or Commercial salared sta À 1 Gonstucion imetabes inat [EC Team providedin his Ce D D minimize disruption to the EMPR 4 normal activities in the construction area and the surrounding community. 11 |Concentrate noisiest types of EE A MOrk ina 28 Short à period 25 Ce pe possible and during least es Ésrupive mes off day es a 12 |Take measures to keep dust to SP à minimum. Ce es es EE A ES PE 298 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 299] Description of Mitigation | . Party for | Indicators of . Costof Recommended Measure (same as in ne implementation CU Dates | Problems | Mitigation | Adjustments Table 2) mitigation Etloctireness of measures and| Monitored |Encountered|Effectiveness measures indicators monitoring 13 [Manage water use and runoff at SP PE more than 4 days. CE 14 [Develop and implement Implementation Measures Review and Before No cost, OS PS PS appropriate sanitation, Sub-conractor [developed approval of construction normal OS SE SP occupational health and worker lor grant proposed begins obligation of 13 À À | safety measures during recipient measures salaried staff [4 construction includin: ite i j components a through f. Monitoring Measures Site nepection Weekly, during EC Team implemented Lsing ne construction Monitoring Log for Commercial Construction Activities 15 lAvoid subsidence and building [Implementation [As indicated in [Site inspection [Weekly, during [No cost, OS ES PS stabilization problems through |sub-conractor lthe Monitoring |using the construction normal OS ES PS proper foundation excavation, |or grant Log for Monitoring Log obligation of. 18 À | | | fill placement and borrow pit recipient Commercial for Commercial salaried staff |4 management as per items a Le Construction Construction through d. [Monitoring Activities Activities 16 |F construction will oceur during [FC Team provided in this SP the rainy season, instal EMPR RS control and sediment retention 4 measures and cover stockpiled construction materials. 17 |Segregate waste which can be ES PE A EE A ES PE 18 |Provide on-site containers for SP solid waste and dispose of solid RS PE waste in a manner approved by SE PE local authors. CE 19 [Place solvents, lubricants, oils, EE A And other hazardous iquids RS appropriate secondary 4 containment (e.g., bermed perimeter) to contain spillage. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 299 [page 300] Responsible Monitoring Methods Estimated | Results "| Description of Mitigation Party for Indicators of CE Recommended : implementin, i ji implementin, sn nai R Measure (same as in and monitoring implementation mitigation + Dates Problems | _Mitigation | Adjustments Table 2) mitigation Etloctireness of measures and Monitored |[Encountered|Effectiveness measures indicators monitoring 20 [Handie, store, use and process A branded materials in RE PE instructions and 4 recommendations. 21 Avoid the use of materials EP containing asbestos. EP SP S 22 |Use lead-free paint, primers, EP PE varnishes, stains, sealants and RE A Clazing and valer-based paints CE 23 [Return drainage patterns Implementation Drainage Final site Conclusion of [No cost, OS ES PS disturbed during construction to |sub-conractor [Pattern returned inspection construction normal OS ES PS their original (or better) or grant to original obligation off condition. recipient condition salaried staff [4 Monitoring EC Team 300 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 301] Monitoring Log for Small-Scale Commercial Construction Activities Implementing Partner: Contract Number: Type of Activity: Mitigation Measure | Date |Yes| No. If No, Action Taken boundaries marked and that minimize disruption to the construction area and the established, announced to nearby residents, and adhered to? concentrated into as short a least disruptive times of the keep dust to a minimum? managed at the construction water persists more than 4 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 301 [page 302] Mitigation Measure | Date |ves|No| If No, Action Taken regular self-inspection of site and worker safety standards with appropriate personal the proposed sanitation, restricted to designated flammable materials? someone familiar with its use drinking water and sanitary 302 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 303] Mitigation Measure | Date |ves|No| If No, Action Taken 1 meter back from the edge of excavation 1.75 meters or back and provided a means graded and placed to avoid materials in fill, and compacted temporary drainage, erosion measures installed to avoid ways and adjacent properties stockpiled construction salvaged, re-used or recycled waste provided? AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 303 [page 304] | Miigation measure | Date |ves] no) 7 HNoactontaken taken to an appropriate, area? and other hazardous liquids appropriate secondary handled, stored, used and manufacturer's instructions containing material being varnishes, stains, sealants and and are water-based paints 304 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 305] ANNEX Il: UMBRELLA EMPR L 1 Notes: The narrative for this EMPR is embedded in the AVANSE Programmatic Environmental Assessment. The EMPR begins with 6 site-specific screening forms (Table 1) which were completed by the PEA team in collaboration with AVANSE staff. Please see the comments box at the end of each form for specific details on each site. These forms correspond to sites that are already planned or known. It is possible that additional sites (boutiques) will be identified after the approval of the present PEA. Any and all additional sites will be subjected to the same screening process, which will identify the required mitigation measures. These are followed by an EMMP for tractor services, Activities Included + __ Storage and retail sales of fertilizers e__ Interior modifications of existing buildings for safe storage of fertilizers + Support for the provision of tractor services for rice and banana farmers AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 305 [page 306] Table 1. Environmental Screening Form Name of Bel Jaden, Ferrier, Jassa Watershed (Voucher Activity: _ Program for Fertilizers con Col C Type of Financial subsidy for fertilizer inputs through Activity: Vouchers with participating boutiques mi answered yes to Contractor/ Col. À. is it a--? Grantee: DAI Date: 20 April 2015 Yes IEE/ETD Medium- #: _LAC-IEE-14-17 Risk 1 Will the project involve construction and/or X PE ee check dam, walls, etc.)? only) | 7 | rorememeonrertin frac etais | | * | | | repair/reconstruction/rerouting of roads or trails? 3 | Willthe project involve the use, involve plans to use or training in x the use of any chemical compounds such as pesticides” (fertilizer x (including neem), herbicides, paint, varnish, lead-based only) products, etc.? [_4_[ Involve the construction or repair of irrigation systems? 1)" 1] "x ) "|" BR PARSESESEE agricultural practices/production including animal husbandry? [_6 _[ Involve the construction or repair of fish pond?) À" X À | | |_7 | Involve the disposal of used engine où? À XL 7 Will the project involve implementation of timber management, extraction of forest products, clearing of forest cover, and/or X conversion of forest land? IE SES near the project site, including protected areas, wetlands, critical X X Wildlife habitat or nesting areas? | idee décharge polar) | x | | | x solids (i.e. discharge pollutants) |" | Ségimorngsutses orge | x | | | x] neighboring surface or ground water? |_12_| Will the activity create objectionable odors? 7 X ll | X 7 |_13_| Will the activity violate air standard? À X | |_14 | Will the activity occur on steep slopes (Greater than 15%)? ||" X | | |_15_| Will the activity contribute to erosion? "À X | |_16_| Is the activity incompatible with existing land use in the vicinity? | "|" X |" |" D RES businesses? BR ER EE historic features? | | énascspes. or frafaune doureom tom ho agyater | * | | | X | landscapes, or flora/fauna downstream from the activity site? PE RS ET D ES water in any water body? 7° | tons wir mangrves and ares? | | * | | | actions with mangroves and coral reefs? |_22 | Will the activity expose people or property to flooding? 1] "| "x "|" |" 77 T'érouné water tervise ave or pic wir epplog? LL X | | | ground water otherwise available for public water supplies? 306 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 307] Rem) cac | B Col. À. is it a--? Risk 24 | Willthe project activities create conditions encouraging an increase of waterborne diseases or populations of disease X carrying vectors? a maintenance plan been submitted? RE ES motorists or persons with disabilities? | 27 | Willthe activity increase existing noise levels? |" X |" |" | X 7 naar ohaza magenta ee | | x | | and other biohazard medical waste? 7 | Den pomme eee | | x | wa na | planning permission(s)? 7 asie memes 68 | x] | wa | | infrastructure improvements)? CGENDER” 1 BR RE RE ES unequally in the projects activities? RE ET PS EE women? RE A EE ES project? D is required (Categorical Exclusion). No EMPR required. (b) The project has potential for minimal to medium adverse environmental effects, but mitigable environmental effects. Measures to mitigate environmental effects will be incorporated (Negative Determination with X Conditions). EMPR Required. (c) The project has potentially substantial or significant adverse environmental effects, but requires more analysis to form a conclusion. An Environmental Assessment will be prepared (Positive Determination). No EMPR required. nn nee || location or the development of new alternatives is required (Deferral). DR eliminate these effects and alternatives are not feasible. The project is not recommended for funding. Construction projects need to be reviewed for scale, planned use, building code needs and maintenance. New construction having a footprint larger than 1000 sq. meters or 10,000 sq. ft. is considered large scale and high risk. Some small construction projects, such as building an entrance sign to a park, may require simple mitigations whereas larger buildings will require more extensive review and monitoring. 2 New construction of roads and trails are considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the planned construction, i.e. a Positive Determination. Any reroutes of a road or trail longer than 100 meters is considered a high risk. Reroutes within a protected area, nearby a water source/wetlands, and/or archeological site are considered a high risk. 3 The purchase of packaged store pesticides are included. The planned involvement of pesticides will trigger the need to develop a Supplemental Initial Environmental Examination that meets USAID pesticide procedures (Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan or “PERSUAP”) for the project. “ Any activities that involve harvesting trees or converting forests is considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the activity (i.e. Positive Determination). 5 À positive response to gender questions require follow up only when there are other positive responses on questions 1 — 30, and an EMPRis developed. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 307 [page 308] Comments: Bel Jaden is a firm specialized in the sales of fertilizers, pesticides and agricultural equipment. This firm is own by Mr. Gerome Durosier and is situated in Ferrier. lts storage capacity is 19 m? for fertilizers. Key environmental mitigation actions: + Be located away from public drinking water sources. + Be well ventilated to ensure the quality of the fertilizers. ° _Fertilizer bags shall be stored in a manner such that they do not come into contact with the floor, walls (at least a 25 cm space) or ceiling. The stacks should be raised off the floor on pallets. + There shall be half a meter between stacks (pallets) and a one meter corridor between rows of pallets to provide access to all stacks. + The floor shall be swept regularly, and any spilled fertilizer should be applied to agricultural land using good agricultural practices. 308 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 309] Table 1. Environmental Screening Form Name of COMAG, S.A., Ouanaminthe, Jassa Watershed Activity: _(Voucher Program for Fertilizers con Col C Type of Financial subsidy for fertilizer inputs through Activity: Vouchers with participating boutiques mi answered yes to Contractor/ Col. À. is it a--? Grantee: DAI Date: 20 April 2015 Yes IEE/ETD Medium- #: _LAC-IEE-14-17 Risk 1 Will the project involve construction and/or X PS ee check dam, walls, etc.)? only) | 7 | roremnemeonrertin troc ervaisr | | * | | | repair/reconstruction/rerouting of roads or trails? 3 | Willthe project involve the use, involve plans to use or training in x the use of any chemical compounds such as pesticides” (fertilizer x (including neem), herbicides, paint, varnish, lead-based only) products, etc.? [_4_[ Involve the construction or repair of irrigation systems? 1)" 1] "x )""""""" |" BR PARSESESEE agricultural practices/production including animal husbandry? [_6 _[ Involve the construction or repair of fish pond?) À" X À | | |_7 | Involve the disposal of used engine où? À XL 7 Will the project involve implementation of timber management, extraction of forest products, clearing of forest cover, and/or X conversion of forest land? IE SES near the project site, including protected areas, wetlands, critical X X Wildlife habitat or nesting areas? | idee décharge polar) | x | | | x solids (i.e. discharge pollutants) |" | Ségimorngsutses organe | x | | | x] neighboring surface or ground water? |_12_| Will the activity create objectionable odors? 7 X ll | X 7 |_13_| Will the activity violate air standard? X | |_14 | Will the activity occur on steep slopes (Greater than 15%)? ||" X | | |_15_| Will the activity contribute to erosion? À X |_16_| Is the activity incompatible with existing land use in the vicinity? | "|" X |" |" D RES businesses? BR ER EE historic features? | | énascspes. or frafaune doureom tom ho agyater | * | | | X | landscapes, or flora/fauna downstream from the activity site? PE RS ET D ES water in any water body? 7° | tons wir mengrves and ares? | | * | | | actions with mangroves and coral reefs? |_22 | Will the activity expose people or property to flooding? 1] "| "x "|" |" 77 T'érouné water tervise ave or pic wir epplog? LL X | | | ground water otherwise available for public water supplies? AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 309 [page 310] | em) cac | B Col. À. is it a--? Risk 24 | Willthe project activities create conditions encouraging an increase of waterborne diseases or populations of disease X carrying vectors? a maintenance plan been submitted? 7° | motors para vga | | x | | motorists or persons with disabilities? | 27 | Willthe activity increase existing noise levels? "|" X |" |" | x | naar hazard mage | | x | | and other biohazard medical waste? 7 | Demi pomme nee | | x | wa [na | planning permission(s)? 7 asreare memes 68 | x] | wa | | infrastructure improvements)? CGENDER” 1 BR ES RTE ES unequally in the projects activities? RE EE ES women? RE PS ET ES project? Re n environmental review is required (Categorical Exclusion). No EMPR required. (b) The project has potential for minimal to medium adverse environmental effects, but mitigable environmental effects. Measures to mitigate environmental effects will be incorporated (Negative X Determination with Conditions). EMPR Required. (c) The project has potentially substantial or significant adverse environmental effects, but requires more analysis to form a conclusion. An Environmental Assessment will be prepared (Positive Determination). No EMPR required. A IE design or location or the development of new alternatives is required (Deferral). (e) The project has substantial and unmitigable adverse environmental effects. Mitigation is insufficient to eliminate these effects and alternatives are not feasible. The project is not recommended for funding. Construction projects need to be reviewed for scale, planned use, building code needs and maintenance. New construction having a footprint larger than 1000 sq. meters or 10,000 sq. ft. is considered large scale and high risk. Some small construction projects, such as building an entrance sign to a park, may require simple mitigations whereas larger buildings will require more extensive review and monitoring. 2? New construction of roads and trails are considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the planned construction, i.e. a Positive Determination. Any reroutes of a road or trail longer than 100 meters is considered a high risk. Reroutes within a protected area, nearby a water source/wetlands, and/or archeological site are considered a high risk. 3 The purchase of packaged store pesticides are included. The planned involvement of pesticides will trigger the need to develop a Supplemental Initial Environmental Examination that meets USAID pesticide procedures (Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan or “PERSUAP”) for the project. “ Any activities that involve harvesting trees or converting forests is considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the activity (.e. Positive Determination). 5 A positive response to gender questions require follow up only when there are other positive responses on questions 1 — 30, and an EMPRis developed. 310 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 311] Comments: COMAG, SA is a specialized firm in the import and distribution of fertilizers, pesticides and agricultural equipment. This firm’s headquarter is in Port au Prince; in 2014, they opened a distribution outlet in Ouanaminthe. This firm is own by Mr. Rose Luce Desir and Jean Michel Cherubin and has a storage capacity of 39 m° for fertilizers. Key environmental mitigation actions: + Be well ventilated to ensure the quality of the fertilizers. ° _Fertilizer bags shall be stored in a manner such that they do not come into contact with the floor, walls (at least a 25 cm space) or ceiling. The stacks should be raised off the floor on pallets. °e There shall be half a meter between stacks (pallets) and a one meter corridor between rows of pallets to provide access to all stacks. ° _Fertilizer bags shall be stacked in a criss-cross way (for stability) and the stacks shall be no more than 10 bags high. The tops of all bags should lie towards the center of the stack (not exposed to the outside of the stack), in order to protect the seams. Bags of ammonium nitrate should be stacked with an empty space in the middle to serve as a chimney for off-gassing. + The floor shall be swept regularly, and any spilled fertilizer should be applied to agricultural land using good agricultural practices. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 311 [page 312] A ENGRAIS PESTICIDES! (( à SA= = RE nes IE il a CE 7 ELA & = Ni Al = | Il in £ 1C4E 71 [ 0) (I ral | Es Fa Bar TS us — 312 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 313] Table 1. Environmental Screening Form Name of Dieu Le Sait Boutique,Grison Garde, Haut du Cap Activity: _Watershed (Voucher Program for Fertilizers con Col C Type of Financial subsidy for fertilizer inputs through Activity: Vouchers with participating boutiques Paco ts Contractor/ Col. À is ta? Grantee: DAI Date: 20 April 2015 Yes IEE/ETD Medium- #: _LAC-IEE-14-17 Risk 1 Will the project involve construction and/or X PS ee check dam, walls, etc.)? only) | 7 | roremnemeonrertin troc ervaisr | | * | | | repair/reconstruction/rerouting of roads or trails? 3 | Willthe project involve the use, involve plans to use or training in x the use of any chemical compounds such as pesticides” LL : Le : . (fertilizer X (including neem), herbicides, paint, varnish, lead-based only) products, etc.? [_4_[ Involve the construction or repair of irrigation systems? 1)" 1] "x )""""""" |" BR PARSESESEE agricultural practices/production including animal husbandry? [_6 _[ Involve the construction or repair of fish pond?) À" X À | | |_7 | Involve the disposal of used engine où? À XL 7 Will the project involve implementation of timber management, extraction of forest products, clearing of forest cover, and/or X conversion of forest land? IE SES near the project site, including protected areas, wetlands, critical X X Wildlife habitat or nesting areas? | idee décharge polar) | x | | | x ie . X X solids (i.e. discharge pollutants) |" | Ségimorngsutses organe | x | | | x] neighboring surface or ground water? |_12_| Will the activity create objectionable odors? 7 X ll | X 7 |_13_| Will the activity violate air standard? X | |_14 | Will the activity occur on steep slopes (Greater than 15%)? ||" X | | |_15_| Will the activity contribute to erosion? À X |_16_| Is the activity incompatible with existing land use in the vicinity? | "|" X |" |" D RES businesses? BR ER EE historic features? | | énascspes. or frafaune doureom tom ho agyater | * | | | X | landscapes, or flora/fauna downstream from the activity site? PE RS ET D ES water in any water body? 7° | tons wir mengrves and ares? | | * | | | actions with mangroves and coral reefs? |_22 | Will the activity expose people or property to flooding? 1] "| "x "|" |" 77 T'érouné water tervise ave or pic wir epplog? LL X | | | ground water otherwise available for public water supplies? AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 313 [page 314] Rem) cac | B Col. À. is it a--? Risk 24 | Willthe project activities create conditions encouraging an increase of waterborne diseases or populations of disease X carrying vectors? a maintenance plan been submitted? RE ES motorists or persons with disabilities? | 27 | Willthe activity increase existing noise levels? |" X |" |" | X 7 naar ohaza magenta ee | | x | | and other biohazard medical waste? 7 | Den pomme eee | | x | wa na | planning permission(s)? 7 | asreare memes 68 | x] wa | | infrastructure improvements)? CGENDER” 1 BR RE RE ES unequally in the projects activities? Er PE ET PS EE women? RE A EE project? Re n environmental review is required (Categorical Exclusion). No EMPR required. (b) The project has potential for minimal to medium adverse environmental effects, but mitigable environmental effects. Measures to mitigate environmental effects will be incorporated (Negative X Determination with Conditions). EMPR Required. (c) The project has potentially substantial or significant adverse environmental effects, but requires more analysis to form a conclusion. An Environmental Assessment will be prepared (Positive Determination). No EMPR required. A IE design or location or the development of new alternatives is required (Deferral). (e) The project has substantial and unmitigable adverse environmental effects. Mitigation is insufficient to eliminate these effects and alternatives are not feasible. The project is not recommended for funding. Construction projects need to be reviewed for scale, planned use, building code needs and maintenance. New construction having a footprint larger than 1000 sq. meters or 10,000 sq. ft. is considered large scale and high risk. Some small construction projects, such as building an entrance sign to a park, may require simple mitigations whereas larger buildings will require more extensive review and monitoring. 2? New construction of roads and trails are considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the planned construction, i.e. a Positive Determination. Any reroutes of a road or trail longer than 100 meters is considered a high risk. Reroutes within a protected area, nearby a water source/wetlands, and/or archeological site are considered a high risk. 3 The purchase of packaged store pesticides are included. The planned involvement of pesticides will trigger the need to develop a Supplemental Initial Environmental Examination that meets USAID pesticide procedures (Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan or “PERSUAP”) for the project. “ Any activities that involve harvesting trees or converting forests is considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the activity (.e. Positive Determination). 5 A positive response to gender questions require follow up only when there are other positive responses on questions 1 — 30, and an EMPRis developed. 314 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 315] Comments: Dieu Le Sait Boutique is a firm specialized in the sale of fertilizers and occasionally of pesticides. This firm is owned by Mr. Telcide Lamour and is situated in Grison-Garde. Its storage capacity is of 15.5 m° for fertilizers. Key environmental mitigation actions: ° Be located away from public drinking water sources. ° Be well ventilated to ensure the quality of the fertilizers. e Have a hand-washing station. e Fertilizer bags shall be stored in a manner such that they do not come into contact with the floor, walls (at least a 25 cm space) or ceiling. The stacks should be raised off the floor on pallets. ° There shall be half a meter between stacks (pallets) and a one meter corridor between rows of pallets to provide access to all stacks. °e The floor shall be swept regularly, and any spilled fertilizer should be applied to agricultural land using good agricultural practices. EE # + 4 * ua ret | 4 172 TRES ail Re F1 ñ ne” HE M # = RS + < * _ # AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 315 [page 316] F : 2 : fi CDS ie VA se à Es 316 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 317] Table 1. Environmental Screening Form Name of Jaden Lakay, Bas Limbé, Limbé Watershed Activity: _(Voucher Program for Fertilizers con Col C Type of Financial subsidy for fertilizer inputs through Activity: Vouchers with participating boutiques Rance te Contractor/ Col. À is ta? Grantee: DAI Date: 20 April 2015 Yes IEE/ETD Medium- #: _LAC-IEE-14-17 Risk 1 Will the project involve construction and/or X PE ee check dam, walls, etc.)? only) | 7 | rorememeonrertin frac etais | | * | | | repair/reconstruction/rerouting of roads or trails? 3 | Willthe project involve the use, involve plans to use or training in x the use of any chemical compounds such as pesticides” LL : Le : . (fertilizer X (including neem), herbicides, paint, varnish, lead-based only) products, etc.? [_4_[ Involve the construction or repair of irrigation systems? 1)" 1] "x ) "|" BR PARSESESEE agricultural practices/production including animal husbandry? [_6 _[ Involve the construction or repair of fish pond?) À" X À | | |_7 | Involve the disposal of used engine où? À XL 7 l'en" | [el extraction of forest products, clearing of forest cover, and/or X conversion of forest land? IE SES near the project site, including protected areas, wetlands, critical X X Wildlife habitat or nesting areas? | idee décharge polar) | x | | | x ec . X X solids (i.e. discharge pollutants) |" | Ségimorngsutses orge | x | | | x] neighboring surface or ground water? |_12_| Will the activity create objectionable odors? 7 X ll | X 7 |_13_| Will the activity violate air standard? À X | |_14 | Will the activity occur on steep slopes (Greater than 15%)? ||" X | | |_15_| Will the activity contribute to erosion? "À X | |_16_| Is the activity incompatible with existing land use in the vicinity? | "|" X |" |" D RES businesses? BR ER EE historic features? | | énascspes. or frafaune doureom tom ho agyater | * | | | X | landscapes, or flora/fauna downstream from the activity site? PE RS ET D ES water in any water body? 7° | tons wir mangrves and ares? | | * | | | actions with mangroves and coral reefs? |_22 | Will the activity expose people or property to flooding? 1] "| "x "|" |" 77 T'érouné water tervise ave or pic wir epplog? LL X | | | ground water otherwise available for public water supplies? AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 317 [page 318] | em) cac | B Col. À. is it a--? Risk 24 | Willthe project activities create conditions encouraging an increase of waterborne diseases or populations of disease X carrying vectors? a maintenance plan been submitted? 7° | motors para vga | | x | | motorists or persons with disabilities? | 27 | Willthe activity increase existing noise levels? "|" X |" |" | x | naar hazard mage | | x | | and other biohazard medical waste? 7 | Demi pomme nee | | x | wa [na | planning permission(s)? 7 asie memes 68 | x] wa | | infrastructure improvements)? CGENDER” 1 BR ES RTE ES unequally in the projects activities? RE EE ES women? RE PS ET ES project? Re environmental review is required (Categorical Exclusion). No EMPR required. (b) The project has potential for minimal to medium adverse environmental effects, but mitigable environmental effects. Measures to mitigate environmental effects will be incorporated (Negative X Determination with Conditions). EMPR Required. (c) The project has potentially substantial or significant adverse environmental effects, but requires more analysis to form a conclusion. An Environmental Assessment will be prepared (Positive Determination). No EMPR required. A IE design or location or the development of new alternatives is required (Deferral). (e) The project has substantial and unmitigable adverse environmental effects. Mitigation is insufficient to eliminate these effects and alternatives are not feasible. The project is not recommended for funding. Construction projects need to be reviewed for scale, planned use, building code needs and maintenance. New construction having a footprint larger than 1000 sq. meters or 10,000 sq. ft. is considered large scale and high risk. Some small construction projects, such as building an entrance sign to a park, may require simple mitigations whereas larger buildings will require more extensive review and monitoring. 2? New construction of roads and trails are considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the planned construction, i.e. a Positive Determination. Any reroutes of a road or trail longer than 100 meters is considered a high risk. Reroutes within a protected area, nearby a water source/wetlands, and/or archeological site are considered a high risk. 3 The purchase of packaged store pesticides are included. The planned involvement of pesticides will trigger the need to develop a Supplemental Initial Environmental Examination that meets USAID pesticide procedures (Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan or “PERSUAP”) for the project. “ Any activities that involve harvesting trees or converting forests is considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the activity (.e. Positive Determination). 5 A positive response to gender questions require follow up only when there are other positive responses on questions 1 — 30, and an EMPRis developed. 318 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 319] Comments: Jaden Lakay is a firm specialized in the sales of fertilizers, pesticides and agricultural equipment. Started in 2001, this firm is owned by Mr. Pierre Doudi. In 2014, the firm opened a new input store in Bas Limbe with a storage capacity of 32 m°? for fertilizers. Key environmental mitigation actions: °< Be well ventilated to ensure the quality of the fertilizers. e Have a hand-washing station. e Fertilizer bags shall be stored in a manner such that they do not come into contact with the floor, walls (at least a 25 cm space) or ceiling. The stacks should be raised off the floor on pallets. ° There shall be half a meter between stacks (pallets) and a one meter corridor between rows of pallets to provide access to all stacks. + The floor shall be swept regularly, and any spilled fertilizer should be applied to agricultural land using good agricultural practices. 1» NI TONI VSSS | Fr: à GT TE s +4 sil J > J SU AE 7 À Le : AUS ETU = là ON : es ( À ; ET À #5 LA = 7 > r à = Gr È y à > . j . D» À A RSS AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 319 [page 320] Table 1. Environmental Screening Form Name of Jaden Lakay, Ouanaminthe, Jassa Watershed Activity: _(Voucher Program for Fertilizers con Col C Type of Financial subsidy for fertilizer inputs through Activity: Vouchers with participating boutiques mi answered yes to Contractor/ Col. À. is it a--? Grantee: DAI Date: 20 April 2015 Yes IEE/ETD Medium- #: _LAC-IEE-14-17 Risk 1 Will the project involve construction and/or X PS e LE check dam, walls, etc.)? only) | 7 | rorememeonrertin frac etais | | * | | | repair/reconstruction/rerouting of roads or trails? 3 | Willthe project involve the use, involve plans to use or training in x the use of any chemical compounds such as pesticides” (fertilizer x (including neem), herbicides, paint, varnish, lead-based only) products, etc.? [_4_[ Involve the construction or repair of irrigation systems? 1)" 1] "x ) "|" Re | agricultural practices/production including animal husbandry? [_6 _[ Involve the construction or repair of fish pond?) À" X À | | |_7 | Involve the disposal of used engine où? À XL 7 Will the project involve implementation of timber management, extraction of forest products, clearing of forest cover, and/or X conversion of forest land? IE ES near the project site, including protected areas, wetlands, critical X X Wildlife habitat or nesting areas? | idee décharge polar) | x | | | x] solids (i.e. discharge pollutants) |" | égimorngsutses organe | x | | | x] neighboring surface or ground water? |_12_| Will the activity create objectionable odors? 7 X ll | X 7 |_13_| Will the activity violate air standard? X | |_14 | Will the activity occur on steep slopes (Greater than 15%)? ||" X | | |_15_| Will the activity contribute to erosion? À X |_16_| Is the activity incompatible with existing land use in the vicinity? | "|" X |" |" D RES businesses? BR ER EE historic features? | | énascspes. or frafaune doureom tom ho agyater | * | | | X | landscapes, or flora/fauna downstream from the activity site? PE RS ET D ES water in any water body? 7° | tons wir mengrves and ares? | | * | | | actions with mangroves and coral reefs? |_22 | Will the activity expose people or property to flooding? 1] "| "x "|" |" 77 T'érouné water tervise ave or pic wir epplog? LL X | | | ground water otherwise available for public water supplies? 320 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 321] | em) cac | B Col. À. is it a--? Risk 24 | Willthe project activities create conditions encouraging an increase of waterborne diseases or populations of disease X carrying vectors? a maintenance plan been submitted? 7° | motors para vga | | x | | motorists or persons with disabilities? | 27 | Willthe activity increase existing noise levels? "|" X |" |" | x | naar hazard mage | | x | | and other biohazard medical waste? 7 | Demi pomme nee | | x | wa [na | planning permission(s)? 7 asreare memes 68 | x] | wa | | infrastructure improvements)? CGENDER” 1 BR ES RTE ES unequally in the projects activities? RE EE ES women? RE PS ET ES project? Re n environmental review is required (Categorical Exclusion). No EMPR required. (b) The project has potential for minimal to medium adverse environmental effects, but mitigable environmental effects. Measures to mitigate environmental effects will be incorporated (Negative X Determination with Conditions). EMPR Required. (c) The project has potentially substantial or significant adverse environmental effects, but requires more analysis to form a conclusion. An Environmental Assessment will be prepared (Positive Determination). No EMPR required. A IE design or location or the development of new alternatives is required (Deferral). (e) The project has substantial and unmitigable adverse environmental effects. Mitigation is insufficient to eliminate these effects and alternatives are not feasible. The project is not recommended for funding. Construction projects need to be reviewed for scale, planned use, building code needs and maintenance. New construction having a footprint larger than 1000 sq. meters or 10,000 sq. ft. is considered large scale and high risk. Some small construction projects, such as building an entrance sign to a park, may require simple mitigations whereas larger buildings will require more extensive review and monitoring. 2? New construction of roads and trails are considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the planned construction, i.e. a Positive Determination. Any reroutes of a road or trail longer than 100 meters is considered a high risk. Reroutes within a protected area, nearby a water source/wetlands, and/or archeological site are considered a high risk. 3 The purchase of packaged store pesticides are included. The planned involvement of pesticides will trigger the need to develop a Supplemental Initial Environmental Examination that meets USAID pesticide procedures (Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan or “PERSUAP”) for the project. “ Any activities that involve harvesting trees or converting forests is considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the activity (.e. Positive Determination). 5 A positive response to gender questions require follow up only when there are other positive responses on questions 1 — 30, and an EMPRis developed. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 321 [page 322] Comments: Jaden Lakay is a firm specialized in the sales of fertilizers, pesticides and agricultural equipment. Started in 2001, this firm is owned by Mr. Pierre Doudi. The firm’s headquarters are situated in Ouanaminthe and it has now opened two branches in Bas Limbé and Quartier Morin. Jaden Lakay/Ouanaminthe has a storage capacity of 41 m° for fertilizers. Key environmental mitigation actions: ° Be well ventilated to ensure the quality of the fertilizers. e Fertilizer bags shall be stored in a manner such that they do not come into contact with the floor, walls (at least a 25 cm space) or ceiling. The stacks should be raised off the floor on pallets. ° There shall be half a meter between stacks (pallets) and a one meter corridor between rows of pallets to provide access to all stacks. °e The floor shall be swept regularly, and any spilled fertilizer should be applied to agricultural land using good agricultural practices. l F | * \ 322 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 323] muet FRE + nec LE es En ” OT -æ P Er ee * % : . PT 4 ; : ere Re 23 _ _ _ ee sation jaù 5. “2 | 1h07 + _. Ta, | M É nes! , A EE | se # 1 _— a | panne PRE Te SR SSSS & DRE ER oc | AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 323 [page 324] Table 1. Environmental Screening Form Name of Jaden Lakay, Quartier Morin, Haut du Cap Activity: _Watershed (Voucher Program for Fertilizers con Col C Type of Financial subsidy for fertilizer inputs through Activity: Vouchers with participating boutiques Rance te Contractor/ Col. À is ta? Grantee: DAI Date: 20 April 2015 Yes IEE/ETD Medium- #: _LAC-IEE-14-17 Risk 1 Will the project involve construction and/or X PS ee check dam, walls, etc.)? only) | 7 | rorememeonrertin frac etais | | * | | | repair/reconstruction/rerouting of roads or trails? 3 | Willthe project involve the use, involve plans to use or training in x the use of any chemical compounds such as pesticides” fertili x (including neem), herbicides, paint, varnish, lead-based (fertilizer products, etc.? only) [_4_[ Involve the construction or repair of irrigation systems? 1)" 1] "x ) "|" BR PARSESESEE agricultural practices/production including animal husbandry? [_6 _[ Involve the construction or repair of fish pond?) À" X À | | |_7 | Involve the disposal of used engine où? À XL 7 Will the project involve implementation of timber management, extraction of forest products, clearing of forest cover, and/or X conversion of forest land? IE SES near the project site, including protected areas, wetlands, critical X X Wildlife habitat or nesting areas? | idee décharge polar) | x | | | x solids (i.e. discharge pollutants) |" | Ségimorngsutses orge | x | | | x] neighboring surface or ground water? |_12_| Will the activity create objectionable odors? 7 X ll | X 7 |_13_| Will the activity violate air standard? À X | |_14 | Will the activity occur on steep slopes (Greater than 15%)? ||" X | | |_15_| Will the activity contribute to erosion? "À X | |_16_| Is the activity incompatible with existing land use in the vicinity? | "|" X |" |" D RES businesses? BR ER EE historic features? | | énascspes. or frafaune doureom tom ho agyater | * | | | X | landscapes, or flora/fauna downstream from the activity site? PE RS ET D ES water in any water body? 7° | tons wir mangrves and ares? | | * | | | actions with mangroves and coral reefs? |_22 | Will the activity expose people or property to flooding? 1] "| "x "|" |" 77 T'érouné water tervise ave or pic wir epplog? LL X | | | ground water otherwise available for public water supplies? 324 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 325] | em) cac | B Col. À. is it a--? Risk 24 | Willthe project activities create conditions encouraging an increase of waterborne diseases or populations of disease X carrying vectors? a maintenance plan been submitted? 7° | motors para vga | | x | | motorists or persons with disabilities? | 27 | Willthe activity increase existing noise levels? "|" X |" |" | x | naar hazard mage | | x | | and other biohazard medical waste? 7 | Demi pomme nee | | x | wa [na | planning permission(s)? 7 asie memes 68 | x] wa | | infrastructure improvements)? CGENDER” 1 BR ES RTE ES unequally in the projects activities? RE EE ES women? RE PS ET ES project? Re environmental review is required (Categorical Exclusion). No EMPR required. (b) The project has potential for minimal to medium adverse environmental effects, but mitigable environmental effects. Measures to mitigate environmental effects will be incorporated (Negative X Determination with Conditions). EMPR Required. (c) The project has potentially substantial or significant adverse environmental effects, but requires more analysis to form a conclusion. An Environmental Assessment will be prepared (Positive Determination). No EMPR required. A IE design or location or the development of new alternatives is required (Deferral). (e) The project has substantial and unmitigable adverse environmental effects. Mitigation is insufficient to eliminate these effects and alternatives are not feasible. The project is not recommended for funding. Construction projects need to be reviewed for scale, planned use, building code needs and maintenance. New construction having a footprint larger than 1000 sq. meters or 10,000 sq. ft. is considered large scale and high risk. Some small construction projects, such as building an entrance sign to a park, may require simple mitigations whereas larger buildings will require more extensive review and monitoring. 2? New construction of roads and trails are considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the planned construction, i.e. a Positive Determination. Any reroutes of a road or trail longer than 100 meters is considered a high risk. Reroutes within a protected area, nearby a water source/wetlands, and/or archeological site are considered a high risk. 3 The purchase of packaged store pesticides are included. The planned involvement of pesticides will trigger the need to develop a Supplemental Initial Environmental Examination that meets USAID pesticide procedures (Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan or “PERSUAP”) for the project. “ Any activities that involve harvesting trees or converting forests is considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the activity (.e. Positive Determination). 5 A positive response to gender questions require follow up only when there are other positive responses on questions 1 — 30, and an EMPRis developed. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 325 [page 326] Comments: Jaden Lakay is a firm specialized in the sales of fertilizers, pesticides and agricultural equipment. Started in 2001, this firm is owned by Mr. Pierre Doudi. In 2014, the firm opened a new input store in Quartier Morin with a storage capacity of 6 m° for fertilizers. Key environmental mitigation actions: ° Be well ventilated to ensure the quality of the fertilizers. e Have a hand-washing station. e Fertilizer bags shall be stored in a manner such that they do not come into contact with the floor, walls (at least a 25 cm space) or ceiling. The stacks should be raised off the floor on pallets. °e The floor shall be swept regularly, and any spilled fertilizer should be applied to agricultural land using good agricultural practices. EE ME x ZE 4 ii ENGRAIS - SEMENCES - PESTICIDES - PRODUITS VETERINAIRES - ALIMENTS POUR BETAIL = = - » PT 326 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 327] NE. Stade AA au ON ÉESRRES 7 DT | Futs mi ma | FE 1 li: - Lu "POUR | AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 327 [page 328] Table 2. Identification of Mitigation Plan (Based on FAO fertilizer guidelines, FAO 1985"? and IFA/FAO 2002"? # of the Ques- AVE qe tion Activity or Description of Mitigation Measures from) Component Impact Table 1 1, Selection of Improper selection of | 1. AVANSE's SIBA Team and the Environmental Compliance 3, boutiques to boutiques to Team shall work together to conduct an internal environmental 9, participate in the | participate in the review of all boutiques seeking to be included in the voucher 10, program program could lead program to ensure that they meet the following location/building 11, to emissions to the condition requirements: 12, environment from a. located away from public drinking water sources, 19 storage of fertilizers b. be in good general condition, at the boutique. c. have a roof that does not leak, d. have non-flammable walls and roof covering, e. have a cement floor that is sealed to the walls, f. be well-ventilated (e.g., have doors and windows that can be opened for ventilation), g. have windows and doors that can be closed and locked, and h. have a hand-washing station. The results of the internal environmental review shall be documented in AVANSE'"Ss files and reported in AVANSE's quarterly progress reports. 2. Include the mitigation measures in the sub-contract or grant agreement. 3, Control of Improper ventilation 1. Doors and windows should be open when it is warm and dry 10, ventilation, can cause a buildup outside and closed when it rains and during the evening when 12 humidity and of fumes (some of the humidity is highest; however, they should also be managed direct sunlight which can be in such a way as to prevent long periods of direct sunlight on explosive) and the stored fertilizer. unpleasant odors. 2. Smoking shall not be permitted in the fertilizer storage area. Improper control of humidity and sunlight can cause product deterioration. 3, Storage Improper storage of 1. All fertilizer products shall be stored and distributed in original, 9, practices fertilizer can lead to sealed packaging. Do not break open original packaging to 11, product deterioration repackage the contents for sale. 19 and spills and 2. Fertilizer bags shall be handied carefully. Do not move bags associated releases with hooks. Bags should always be carried, not dragged along to the environment. the floor. Bags should be let down to the ground gently, not dropped. 3. Fertilizer bags shall be stored in a manner such that they do not come into contact with the floor, walls (at least a 25 cm space) or ceiling. The stacks should be raised off the floor on pallets. 4. Each stack of fertilizer bags shall contain only one type of fertilizer. 5. There shall be half a meter between stacks (pallets) and a one meter corridor between rows of pallets of one meter to provide ‘7 Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). 1985. Manual on Fertilizer Distribution. FAO Fertilizer and Plant Nutrition Bulletin #8, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Rome, Italy. 126pp. ‘8 International Fertilizer Industry Association (IFA) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). 2002. Fertilizer Retailing Guide. First publication by FAO, Rome, 1990, revised version published by IFA and FAO, Paris, April 2002. 47pp. 328 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 329] # of the Ques- AVE qe tion Activity or Description of Mitigation Measures from) Component Impact Table 1 an access to all stacks. 6. Fertilizer bags shall be stacked in a criss-cross way (for stability) and the stacks shall be no more than 10 bags high. The tops of all bags should lie towards the center of the stack (not exposed to the outside of the stack), in order to protect the seams. Bags of ammonium nitrate should be stacked with an empty space in the middle to serve as a chimney for off- gassing. 7. The floor shall be swept regularly, and any spilled fertilizer should be applied to agricultural land using good agricultural practices. 8. The boutique shall maintain an inventory record so it knows the types and amounts of fertilizer in storage. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 329 [page 330] Table 3. Environmental Monitoring and Evaluation Tracking Table Descriptio Estimated|__ Results "| Responsible n of Party for |Indicators ofl ACosiof| Recommen Mitigation | implementin implementat FRERE D ded Measure | gand | ionand tation | D2tes | Problems | Mitigation | à iiistment itori) : mitigation | Monitor |[Encounter| Effectiven (same as | Monitoring |effectivenes HGUTES d d s fn mitigation | s of Ar e e ess Table 2 measures | indicators monitoring| 1IAVANSE's |[Implementat Compliance|Site visitAt time of [No cost, ES RS AS SIBA Team lion [with applicatio normal 2 À | | | andthe _ |SIBA Team Paragraphs n obligation | 1 | Environment |g EC Team | through h. Annually of salaried al Monitori thereafter Staff Compliance Monitoring Team shall |EC Team work together to conduct an internal environment al review of all boutiques Iseeking to be included in the voucher program to ensure that they meet the location/build ing condition requirements] specified in paragraphs a through h. 2]nclude the |ImplementatLanguage [DocumelSub- No cost, [| mitigation lion included in Int contract normal -___——————_] measures in |SIBA Team |[SUb- review lor grant lobligation the sub- and Grant contract or developm lof salaried CS RS RS EE contract or [Team grant lent staff grant no Are SIA Fear Cp SIBA Team 3 Doors and [ImplementatArea Site visitlBi- No cost, [1 À | | | windows lion ventilated JAnnually, normal 2 4 | should be when during obligation 13 1 | | | 330 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 331] Descriptio Estimated|_ Results "| n of Responsible Cost of us nas . Party for |Indicators of| Berri Recommen Mitigation | implementin implementat IP ee ded L ng Dates |Problems | Mitigation . LLEReure gard Ines mitigation | Monitor |Encounter| Effectiven |Adiustment (same as | Monitoring |effectivenes measures s in mitigation | s of Ar ed ed ess Table 2) measures | indicators monitoring| open when it Boutique visited cultivatin lof salaried is warm and manager season [staff dry outside |Monitoring land closed when it rains EC Team land during the evening when the humidity is highest: however, they should also be managed in such a way las to prevent long periods of direct sunlight on the stored ffertilizer. 4 [Smoking ImplementatNo smoking Site visitlBi- No cost, l shall not be lion signs JAnnually, normal di permitted in Boutique No during obligation the fertilizer Imanager levidence of cultivatin lof salaried SR PS PS ES storage mon smoking season (staff Drea. Monitoring EC Team 5 |A fertilizer [ImplementatINo Site visitBi- No cost, CS RS products ion evidences JAnnually, normal shallbe Boutique | during lobigation 2 |) | stored and repackagin cultivatin lof salaried | distributed in menager g season (staff [| sci Monitoring original, Isealed EC Team packaging. Do not break open original packaging to repackage the contents for sale. Fertilizer [ImplementatObserved [Site visitlBi- No cost, [1 À | | | bags shall lion handling of JAnnually, normal 2 4 | be handied during obligation 13 1 | | | AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 331 [page 332] Descriptio Estimated|_ Results "| Responsible n of Party for |Indicators ofl ACosdof| Recommen Mitigation | implementin implementat FRERE ee ded L ng Dates |Problems | Mitigation . Measure g and ion and mitigation | Monitor |E ter! Effecti Adjustment (same as | monitoring |effectivenes DOSRTT onitor |[Encounter| Effectiven = in mitigation | s of Ar ed ed ess Table 2) measures | indicators monitoring| carefully. DolBoutique bags cultivatin lof salaried not move manager No season [staff bags with [Monitoring levidence of hooks. Bags EC Team lag should handling always be damage carried, not dragged along the floor. Bags should be let down to the ground gently, not Idropped. 7 [Fertilizer [ImplementatBags stored{Site visitlBi- No cost, [1 À | | | bags shall lion on pallets Annually, normal 2 1 À | be stored in |Boutique nd no during lobligation 51 1 | a manner manager contact with cultivatin lof salaried such that no floor or season (staff they do not Monitoring ceiling come into [EC Team contact with the floor, walls (at least a 25 [cm space) or ceiling. The stacks should be raised off the floor on pallets. Each stack |ImplementatNo Site visitlBi- No cost, [1 À | | | of fertilizer lion evidence of Annually, normal 2 À | À bags shall Boutique Mixed bags during obligation 13 1 [| | | contain only manager |0n pallets cultivatin lof salaried one type of ne season (staff ffertilizer. Monitoring EC Team There shall |[Implementat Proper Site visitlBi- No cost, fi | be half a ion spacing JAnnually, normal between manager cultivatin lof salaried Istacks ue season |staff 3 332 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 333] Descriptio Estimated|_ Results "| n of Responsible Cost of us nas . Party for |Indicators of| Berri Recommen Mitigation | implementin implementat IP ee ded Measure g and L d .ng Dates |Problems | Mitigation Adiust t itori) lon an mitigation | Monitor Encounter| Effectiven | %JUS'Mmen (same as | Monitoring |effectivenes measures s in mitigation sof Ar ed ed ess Table 2) measures | indicators monitoring| la one meter [EC Team corridor between rows of pallets of jone meter to provide an access to all stacks. 1[Fertilizer |Implementat Evidence of[Site visitlBi- No cost, [1 | | | 0 bags shall … lon proper Annual, Inormal 2 | | | be stacked Boutique stacking during obligation 131 | | | in a criss- manager cultivatin lof salaried cross way ne season staff (for stability) Monitoring land the EC Team stacks shall be no more than 10 bags high. The tops of all bags should lie towards the center of the stack (not exposed to the outside of the stack), in order to protect the seams. Bags of jammonium nitrate should be stacked with jan empty space in the middle to serve as a chimney for off-gassing. 1ÎThe floor |mplementatObserved {Site visitlBi- No cost, [1 À | | | 1 {shall be ion cleanliness JAnnually, normal 2 4 | swept during” lobligation 1 1 | AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 333 [page 334] Descriptio . Monitoring Methods Estimated | Results | n of Responsible Cost of us nas Party for |Indicators of Berri Recommen Mitigation | implementin implementat IP ee ded L ng Dates | Problems | Mitigation . Measure g and ion and Frequency| mitigation | Monitor |E ter! Effecti Adjustment (same as | monitoring |effectivenes q y sc re onitor |[Encounter| Effectiven = in mitigation sof Ar ed ed ess Table 2) measures | indicators monitoring regularly, Boutique cultivatin lof salaried land any manager season [staff spilled Monitoring ffertilizer EC T, should be cam applied to agricultural land using good agricultural practices. 1 ÎThe boutiquelImplementat|Inspection (Site visitlBi- No cost, [1 À | | | 2 hall ion of records Annually, normal 2 maintain an Boutique during lobligation 81 |! inventory manager cultivatin lof salaried record so it Monitori season (staff knows the [Monitoring types and [EC Team jamounts of fertilizer in storage. IL NARRATIVE Plowing services EMMP Context. AVANSE has four technical teams focused on rice, bananas, cocoa and NRM. LOP goals are to improve productivity in a sustainable manner for 20,000 households. One of AVANSE'Ss activities is agricultural extension, where they work with farmers groups to demonstrate and extend improved techniques, another is the distribution of subsidized inputs. The subsidy is applied through a voucher system, with the intent of progressively reducing the subsidy over time, to help ensure sustainability and stimulate the local market to supply improved inputs. This Système d’Incitation via les Bons d’Achat (SIBA) works with local suppliers of goods and services, farmers purchase vouchers at local financial institutions and redeem them at the supplier. Each intervention has a different subsidy rate, once redeemed, the project pays the balance of the costs through the financial institution. Because of the importance of good and timely land preparation, AVANSE is adding plowing services to the voucher system. AVANSE is running a pilot for improving the success of its banana planting campaign during November 2015, with plans to expand to rice in 2016. AVANSE made an economic analysis of this activity; (Plowing services for Increased and 334 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 335] Improved agricultural Production in North and North-East Haïti”; DAI, James WEBER, September 2014); which showed more than 80% of the Northern zone farmers were interested in tractor services and in a comparison of hand labor, animal traction, motor cultivators and tractors found that tractor-based services, effective only in the plains areas, are the most productive option. They also provide the least expensive services to farmers, the best quality service, and the fastest service. A number of firms willing to participate in a voucher program have been identified and because of a shortage of manual labor to prepare land and the cost of this activity, it became clear that land preparation was one impediment to expanding the area of improved bananas cultivated, one of AVANSE"Ss objectives. 1) Baseline information /existing conditions AVANSE plans to increase the demand for tractor services by providing a subsidy and by identifying local firms interested in expanding their businesses. Currently there is a limited supply of services, particularly in the areas away from the DR border, By reducing the risk and thus expanding the demand for tractor services, SIBA encourages investment in equipment and the supply of tractor services will expand over time. While animal traction for levelling is used in certain zones and is cheaper, it is neither as quick or as effective as mechanical plowing. Nor are sufficient animals in good condition available across the northern corridor. The net revenue from mechanical traction exceeds animal plowing. Working with a selected number of local firms, with equipment inspected and found to be good condition. AVANSE will run a small trial in November 2015 for a sample of banana producers participating in the larger banana improvement program. Table 1 shows the location and the number of hectares in the larger program. Table 1 — Estimated demand for plowing services in the banana zones (Autumn 2015) Fonkoze Limbé Camp Louise, Limbe, Bas Limbe Fonkoze Trou du Nord Trou du Nord 69.57 Fonkoze Ouanaminthe, CPD . Ferrier/Fort Liberte Haut et Bas Maribaroux 407.54 : Plaine du Nord, Grison Garde, Acul du : Bois de Lance, Limonade et Bord de CPF Limonade Mer, Quartier Morin 452.05 Kès Popilè Leve Kanpe| AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 335 [page 336] LS Five firms, with nine tractors and associated equipment are available in these zones. Table 2 above shows the details and their capacity per day Note: GRADES and Pensee Verte both rent tractors at the Direction Departementale Agricole (DDA); so three of these machines are the same. GRADES 3 ha/day DDA Vertières Maribahoux Entreprise Agricole 1 3 ha/day Ferrier Ferme Production la Renaissance 1 3 ha/day Terrier rouge Plaine du nord Limonade Pensée Verte 2 3 ha/day Grison Garde 2) Description of Activities The tractor services supported by AVANSE through the SIBA voucher mechanism are as follows: motorized tillage to a maximum of 30 cm depth followed by harrowing on a «of a hectare, the latter including: (i) the breaking of clods after plowing; (ii) the preparation of the seed bed; (iii) the admixture of the tilled soil and organic materials. A memorandum of understanding has been signed between the various plowing service companies and AVANSE, that specifies the roles and responsibilities of each party. The company agrees to respect Good Agricultural Practices as defined by the Avanse. Training will be provided as necessary by AVANSE. Also their tractors and equipment have been inspected. The good environmental practices (GAP) have been defined as follows by the Department of Environmental Compliance of AVANSE: Plan of Operations and maintenance of the equipment The Contractor will develop a maintenance plan for the tractors including the management of waste oil and maintenance of equipment in order to avoid contamination of the soil and alluvial aquifers 336 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 337] and made available; this operation plan will be used to establish the plan for monitoring and evaluation; Contractor Affiliate must not create new roads to access the fields; it is also recommended to avoid moving with the machinery during the hours of darkness in order to reduce the risk of accidents/injury. Noise nuisances It is recommended that the tillage does not proceed during the night because of noise pollution that can be caused, especially where the fields are close to houses; Climate change Mechanical plowing should not be done on slopes greater than < 3% ; Plowing should be done ideally under optimum conditions of soil moisture. Waterlogged soils should not be plowed to avoid compaction and conversely dry soils avoided to reduce soil erosion by wind; Personnel risks The contractor will select a suitable transit area in order to safely park the equipment when it remains in amy one area for several days; When plowing close to households, the contractor will put in place warning measures and any security necessary to ensure that the plowing activity is done in such a way as to avoid any accidents to workers and passersby. The contractor will define the measures to be taken to ensure the safety of workers during the operations. If the equipment stays more than a day at any site, precautions shall be taken to collect rubbish, keep the area clean, avoid pollution etc ; The contractor will train their operators on these measures. Gender Considerations Female banana producers are estimated at approx. 28%, 620 women out of 2,145 producers in the autumn banana campaign 2015. AVANSE also encourages contractors to include women in the provision of services. Climate Change Integration AVANSE will work with beneficiaries so that they incorporate more organic matter (compost, manure, etc.) into their plot so as to improve soil structure and water retention capacity. AVANSE will work with beneficiaries to test no-till and cover crop options in a small portion of their fields to promote climate smart agricultural techniques... AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 337 [page 338] AVANSE will work with beneficiaries to cover the plowed soil with mulch so as to retain moisture, increase organic matter and protect the soil against wind erosion and rill erosion (if the land contains any slopes). In areas prone to floods and waterlogging, if feasible, AVANSE will encourage beneficiaries to dig drainage ditches around the perimeters of their fields and use animal or hand labor for land preperation. I-A. Environmental Screening Form (Table 1) Name of Activity : AVANSE Vouchers for tractor services to banana and rice farmers. : : : : A B Type of Activity:__ Financial subsidy for tractor services through € vouchers with participating firms |. If answered yes to Col. A. Contractor/Grantee: DAI AVANSE BÈE* Yes Date: November 5, 2015 High Medium IEE/ETD#___ LAC-IEE-14-17 REX Risk INFRASTRUCTURE 1 Will the project involve construction? and/or reconstruction/rehabilitation of any type of infrastructure? For new construction, if less than 1000 m2 = X medium risk, if greater than 1000 m2 = high risk | | | 2 Will the project involve work on roads? If new construction/rerouting= high risk, if repair/reconstruction (widening, improving drainage, resurfacing of X existing roads or trails = medium risk 3 Will the project construction cost more than US $500,000? If YES, then a cost benefit analysis and approval of a USAID Engineer are required as mitigation NA measures in Table 2. 4 Is an operations and maintenance plan required? (for all type of x x infrastructure, road rehabilitation, or water and sanitation action = Yes) Will the activity increase existing noise levels? Does the activity, require local planning permission(s) (i.e., infrastructure NA improvements)? | | | 7 Does the activity require adherence to national building code or other x national regulatory standard? | | | BIOPHYSICAL Will the project involve the use, plans to use, or training in the use of x pesticides” (including bio pesticides like neem)? Will the project involve changes or impacts in the uses of water (such as x irrigation, storage, potable water, water harvesting) 10 | Willthe project impact surface water (rivers, lakes, wetlands and ponds) or x ground water? 11 | Willthe activity involve training and/or implementation of agricultural practices/production including animal husbandry? 338 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 339] 12 | Willthe project involve aquaculture systems? X | 13 | Willthe project involve the use or disposal of hazardous materials (used engine oil, paint, varnish, lead-based products, or other hazardous or special X X management waste)? | | 14 | Willthe project involve implementation of timber management”,extraction of x forest products, clearing of forest cover, and/or conversion of forest land ? 15 | Are there any potentially sensitive terrestrial or aquatic areas near the project site, including protected areas, wetlands, critical wildlife habitat (including X nesting areas), and threatened or endangered species? 16 | Willthe activities proposed generate airborne particulates (dust), greenhouse gas emissions, liquids, or solids (i.e. discharge pollutants) or potentially violate X X local air standards? | | | Will the activity create objectionable odors? X | Will the activity occur on steep slopes (greater than 15%)? X | Will the activity contribute to erosion? X Will the activity change existing land use in the vicinity? X | 21 Is the proposed activity incompatible with land type (i.e., annual crops on | | | steep slopes, infrastructure on poorly drained soils)? i i i 23 | Willthe activity have potential impacts to inhabitants, natural landscapes, or x flora/fauna downstream from the activity site? | | | 24 | Willthe activity have a direct or indirect impact, or include actions with x mangroves, coral reefs and other marine/coastal ecosystems? | | | GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE 25 | Are project activities or outcomes vulnerable to changes in the weather or climate such as changes in precipitation patterns, increased temperatures or X X sea level rise? | | | 26 | Does the project’s activities exacerbate climate change vulnerabilities (ï.e., x drought, flooding, decrease water supply)? l | | SOCIO ECONOMIC Will the activity contribute to displacement of people, housing or businesses? X | 28 | Willthe activity affect unique cultural, indigenous peoples and/or historic x features? | | | Will the activity expose people or property to flooding? ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH 30 | Willthe project activities create conditions encouraging an increase of x waterborne diseases or populations of disease carrying vectors? | | | 31 | Willthe activity generate hazards or barriers for pedestrians, motorists or x persons with disabilities? | | | 32 | Willthe project involve the use, storage, handling or disposal of syringes, x gauzes, gloves and other biohazard medical waste? | | | Will the activity expose workers to occupational hazards? X Does the project activity inhibit the equal involvement of men and women? X | Do the project results disproportionately benefit/impact men and women? X OTHER Does the project/Activity involve a sub-grant component? X l AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 339 [page 340] (a) The project has no potential for substantial adverse environmental effects. No further environmental review is required (Categorical Exclusion). No further action required. (b) The project has potential for minimal to medium adverse environmental effects, but environmental effects can be mitigated. Measures to mitigate environmental effects will be incorporated (Negative X Determination with Conditions). EMMP Required. {c) The project has potentially substantial or significant adverse environmental effects, therefore, an EA is required before activity implementation (Positive Determination). NOTE: if any question is marked as High Risk, an EA is required and Tables 2 and 3 of the EMMP do not need to be completed. (d) The project has potentially substantial adverse environmental effects, and revisions to the project design or location or the development of new alternatives is required (Deferral). (e) The project has substantial and adverse environmental effects that cannot be mitigated. Mitigation is insufficient to eliminate these effects and alternatives are not feasible. The project is not recommended for funding. 1 Construction projects need to be reviewed for scale, planned use, building code needs and maintenance. New construction having a footprint larger than 1000 meters? or 10,000 feet? is considered large scale and high risk. Some small construction projects, such as building an entrance sign to a park, may require simple mitigation measures whereas larger buildings will require more extensive review and monitoring. 2 New construction of roads and trails are considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the planned construction, i.e. a Positive Determination. Any reroutes of a road or trail longer than 100 meters is considered a high risk. Reroutes within a protected area, nearby a water source/wetlands, and/or archaeological site are considered a high risk. 3The purchase of packaged store pesticides are included. The planned involvement of pesticides will trigger the need to develop a Supplemental Initial Environmental Examination that meets USAID pesticide procedures (Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan or “PERSUAP”) for the project. 4 Any activities that involve harvesting trees or converting forests is considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the activity (i.e. Positive Determination). Sa positive response to gender questions require follow up only when there are other positive responses on questions 1 — 30, and an EMMP is developed. S Ifthe Project/Activity includes a sub-grant component, each sub-grantee shall be required to prepare an EMMP prior to implementation of the sub-grant. 340 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 341] II-B. Identification of Mitigation Plan (Table 2) Enter the Question/Row # of the potential negative impacts with check marks in Column A (Table 1) and complete table below for mitigation measures to reduce or eliminate the issue. In the Sub-Activity or Component Column, list the main actions to be implemented. Under each action, list the tasks (Steps) that are needed to implement this action. Name of Activity: Tractor services for banana and rice farmers in the northern plains Type of Activity: Financial subsidy for tractor services through vouchers with participating firms Contractor/Grantee: DAI AVANSE Date: November 5, 2015 IEE/ETD # LAC-IEE-14- 17 # of ire k Action or component with the Description of Mitigation Measures questi a a a on different tasks required to implement Impact from the action. Table 1 35 Component | — Selection of the Plowing Firms a- Pre-selection / Selection Lack of transparency in Ensure that procurement process the selection process integrates transparent and could negatively impact | verifiable selection mechanisms the project for the selection of the tractor beneficiaries’ support plowing firms; to the activity. b- Contracting The overwhelming Language and incentives aimed at presence of male increasing female access to workers, male plowing | plowing benefits — e.g. female firms owners and male truck drivers; female farmers farmers/ beneficiaries beneficiaries; female plowing will exacerbate the firms owners- will be integrated disparities in the access | into the contract services as and to benefits by male when possible. over females. 4,5, 13, 16,19, Component II — Plowing Activity 21, 25, 33 a- Training of plowing firm owners, workers | Lack of Provide tailored (adapted to and beneficiaries understanding of the | education level and culturally potential sensitive) training in AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 341 [page 342] environmental environmental compliance consequences associated to plowing activities associated with the to plowing firms owners, plowing activity workers and plowing might hinder the beneficiaries as framed into firms compliance their plowing activity’s ability Operation Plan b- Plowing Operations : Trucks Maintenance | The plowing tractors | Establish and maintain a Schedule if not properly Maintenance Schedule for the maintained and tractors ( oil change, safety serviced (oil change) | brakes) which should be might end up leaking | synchronized with the plowing oil capable of Activity Operation Plan contaminating the (descriptive and detailed soil and the water timeline of the plowing activity table ; successive tasks - what, where, how, how much, etc...). Plowing Operations : Health & Sanitary Extended period - Establish sanitary / public over 18 hours - of health guidelines for the plowing of large area | plowing firms/ workers to requiring the follow — ref : waste collection, establishment of sanitary facilities (mobile temporary staging toilets) during plowing area for tractors, sessions in general and tractor drivers especially extended ones (over workers and service 12 hours to + days) so as to providers avoid the emergence of (spontaneous food unsanitary conditions in the sellers) could beneficiaries lands following negatively impact the | those plowing sessions; area by accumulation of domestic wastes, improper sanitation — hence creating breeding ground for human health diseases. Plowing Operations : Site Safety Plowing tractors Safety guidelines calling for while moving over the establishment - whenever the land could attract | applicable - of a buffer zone by standers esp.- delimiting an area between curious children, the area being plowed and hence potentially other neighboring areas — result in injuries to during plowing session - will both workers and by | be established as a precaution standers. so as to keep all persons/individuals not involved in the activity away from the machines. Plowing Operations : Wind Erosion Control In period of extended | Undertake the plowing session drought, the plowing | preferably following a drizzle of land may result in | or light rain so as to facilitate 342 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 343] fragmented soil the maintenance of and leading to erosion of | cohesion of the soil particles - soil’s fine particles in | and /or should irrigation windy weather capabilities exist, pre-irrigate conditions and with very low volume of water creating dusty so as to reinstate the soil condition for particles cohesion prior to neighboring houses. plowing, hence reducing wind erosion in windy and drought conditions. Plowing Operations : Workers Occupational & | Tractor drivers and Occupational and Safety Safety accompanying guidelines and training should workers (helpers) will | be established/held for the be exposed to health | plowing firms workers in the and safety risks while | manipulation and daily manipulating and maintenance of the plowing caring for the engines and the wearing of plowing machines appropriate gears whenever with the risks of applicable (ear protection, getting injured. nose filter for windy conditions — bright reflector shirt for workers delimitating the buffer area -along with flags, boots, and hard hat. Plowing Operations : Soil Erosion & Water Plowing in Plowing of banana soils while Saturated Soil Control waterlogged ground, | very wet, especially soil under flooded plains (or water saturated or conditions areas with high flood | (flooding) should not be done. risks conditions Plowing of rice soils should be linked to global done in a way to avoid climate variability) possible compaction, and poorly drained / | adjustment of the plow, use of and water saturated | cage wheels, plowing depth, soils (clay conditions | duration, speed, gearing etc. In hence low to zero severely waterlogged soils infiltration animal traction or hand labor capabilities) could should be used. lead to soil erosion, soil saturation and damage to soil. Plowing Operations : Soil Compaction Control | Sporadic and Opt where possible, for disparate land contiguous parcels for parcels increase the mechanical plowing activity so risk of soil as to reduce the risk of compaction due to increasing soil compaction and an increase in reduction in the aeration of tractors passing over | agricultural lands. In areas the fields (as prone to floods and opposed to waterlogging, if feasible contiguous parcels). AVANSE will encourage Compaction from beneficiaries to dig drainage tractor tires leading ditches around the perimeters AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 343 [page 344] to a loss in the soils of their fields. capacity to maintain the soil’s ecosystems that support agriculture production (porosity, micro-bio organisms, ease of root expansion etc..) Plowing Operations : Maintenance of Soil Plowing at the wrong | AVANSE will work with Structure time can reduce soil beneficiaries so that they moisture holding incorporate more organic capacity and cause matter (compost, manure, the soil structure to etc.) into their plot so as to deteriorate. improve soil structure and water retention capacity. Plowing Operations : Climate smart practices Plowing exposes the | AVANSE will work with soil surface to wind beneficiaries to test no“till and and water erosion. cover crop options in a small Plowing also has a portion of their fields to number of different promote climate smart impacts on agricultural techniques. greenhouse gases. Plowing Operations : Increase in soil organic A number of farming | AVANSE will work with matter and reduction in mineral fertilizer use. practices contribute beneficiaries to understand to low soil organic the importance of soil organic matter, including the | matter, encouraging them to removal of crop cover the plowed soil with residues from the mulch so as to retain moisture, field, increase organic matter and excessive tillage, lack | protect the soil against wind of mulching, and lack | erosion and rill erosion (ifthe of manuring. land contains any slopes). This Insecure land in turn will reduce the need ownership may be a for inorganic fertilizers. constraint, as building of soil organic matter is a long-term process requiring serious investment over time. SE * provide overview of measures used from the USAID Sector Environmental Guidelines or other pertinent guidelines, details on exact monitoring plan are illustrated in Table 3, Environmental Monitoring and Evaluation Tracking Table. 344 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 345] I-C. Environmental Monitoring and Evaluation Tracking Table (Table 3). Type of Project: Project Name: Subsidized tractor services Implementing Partner: Project Size: Nearby Communities: Monitoring Period: ter Recomme ar ror implementi ques ng and Monitoring Methods Estimated Adjusime monitoring Cost of nts Description of mitigation implementi Mitigation measures ng Measure (same Implement mitigation as in Table 2) . son measures Problem Mitigati indicators and d LEE monitoring s on en cy Encount | Effective effectivene ss of ered ness indicators procurement ation selecti | normal transparent Procureme salaried and verifiable ntteam staff selection LL : Monitorin mechanisms ——— for the 8 selection of EC Team the tractor plowing firms; 2 | Language and | Implement | Measure | Review of | During | No cost, ER DS incentives ation ment of contracts, | each normal aimedat | gant [female |vouher | compa | cbigaton [2 |) female access Procureme p p 8 salaried i lon. staff to plowing ntteam Di benefits — e.g. Monitori Isgagre femaletractor | VOniormM | gate drivers; 8 statistics female EC Team collected farmers SIBA by sex. beneficiaries; female plowing firms owners- will AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 345 [page 346] into the contract services as and when possible. 3 | Provide Implement | Training Review When No cost, tailored ation materials | of materi | normal (adapted to SIBA, IR1 develope | material | als are | obligation . d'and and spot | develo | of education Team delivered | visits at | ped salaried level and Monitorin training Periodi | Staff culturally £ Observat | c spot sensitive) EC Team ions checks training in M&E environment | team al compliance associated to plowing activities to plowing firms owners, workers and plowing beneficiaries as framed into their plowing activity’s Operation Plan Establish and | Implement | General Review of | Atstart | No cost, maintain a ation guidelines | operation | of normal Maintenance | Contracto developed | al plans campai | obligation Schedule for | rSIBA, IR1 en a È with contractor the tractors Team spot and (oil change, Monitorin checks | Salaried safety £ staff checks, SIBA, brakes) M&E which should | team be synchronized with the plowing Activity Operation Plan (descriptive and detailed timeline of the plowing activity 346 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 347] successive tasks - what, where, how, how much, etc); 5 | Establish Implement | General Review of | Atstart | Cost,oblig sanitary / ation guidelines | field of ation of public health | Contracto developed | activities | campai | Contractor guidelines r En for the Monitorin spot plowing £ checks firms/ SIBA, workers to M&E follow-ref: | team waste collection, sanitary facilities (mobile toilets) during plowing sessions in general and especially extended ones (over 12 hours to + days) so as to avoid the emergence of unsanitary conditions in the beneficiaries lands following those plowing sessions; Safety Implement Serena Rene” of N start | No, or ideli ation guidelines ie 0 so Piero Contracto developed | activities | campai minimal the r SIBA, IR1 En cost establishmen | Team ot t-whenever | Monitorin checks applicable - £ of a buffer SIBA, zone M&E delimiting an | team area between the AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 347 [page 348] area being plowed and other neighboring areas — during plowing session - will be established asa precaution so as to keep all persons/indi viduals not involved in the activity away from the machines, 7 | Undertake Implement | General Review of | Periodi No, or ji ation guidelines | field c spot 5 che powing Contracto developed | activities checks minimal preferably r GAP cost following a Monitorin drizzle or £ light rain so IR Team, as to SIBA, facilitate the | M&E maintenance | team of and cohesion of the soil particles - and /or should irrigation capabilities exist, pre- irrigate with very low volume of water so as to reinstate the soil particles cohesion prior to plowing, hence reducing 348 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 349] wind erosion in windy and drought conditions; Occupational | Implement | General Review of | Atstart | Normal and Safety ation guidelines | field of obligation guidelines Contracto | developed | activities | campai à ed and training r En Sat should be Monitorin VOnITorm spot established/ | g checks held forthe | k Team, plowing SIBA, firms M&E workers in team the manipulation and daily maintenance ofthe plowing engines and the wearing of appropriate gears whenever applicable (ear protection, nose filter for windy conditions — bright reflector shirt for workers delimitating the buffer area —-along with flags, boots, and hard hat; Plowing of Implement | General Review of | Principl | Additional banana soils | ation guidelines | field esat costs while very Contracto | developed | activities | start of obligation GAP campai | Of wet, r gn contractor especially Monitorin with , paid for soil under £ periodi via water IR Team, c spot contract saturated or | Mgr checks for . conditions team during Services AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 349 [page 350] (flooding) campai should not gn be done. Plowing of rice soils should be donein a way to avoid possible compaction, adjustment of the plow, use of cage wheels, plowing depth, duration, speed, gearing etc. In severely waterlogged soils animal traction or hand labor should be used. 1 | Opt where Implement | General Review of | Principl | Additional 0 | possible, for | ation guidelines | field es at costs | contiguous Contracto | developed | activities | start of obligation parcels for r GAP campai | Of farmers mechanical Monitorin En plowing £ periodi activity so as | ir Team, c spot to reduce M&E checks the risk of team during increasing campai soil gn compaction and reduction in the aeration of agricultural lands. In areas prone to floods and waterlogging , if feasible AVANSE will encourage beneficiaries to dig 350 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 351] drainage ditches around the perimeters of their fields. 1 | AVANSE will Technical | General Review of | Principl | Additional 1 | work with teams guidelines | field esat training beneficiaries developed | activities start of costs . so that they GAP era oPhgefon incorporate training salaried more organic during staff, and matter and farmers, (compost, periodi nan manure, etc.) c spot ee or into their checks | Contract plot so as to during | for improve soil campai | services structure gn and water retention capacity. 1 | AVANSE will Implement | General Review of | Principl | Additional 2 | work with ation guidelines | field esat training beneficiaries | Contracto developed | activities start of costs : to test notill | r GAP campai | Obligation gen, plus | Of and cover Monitorin training | Salaried crop options |g during staff, and in a small IR Team, and farmers, portion of M&E periodi their fields to | team c spot promote checks climate during smart campai agricultural gn techniques. 1 | AVANSE will Implement | General Review of | Principl | Additional 3 | work with ation guidelines | field es at demonstr beneficiaries | Contracto developed | activities start of ation and to r GAP campai | training gn, plus costs understand Monitorin training | Obligation the 8 during of . importance IR Team, and salaried of soil M&E periodi sat and organic team cspot armers, matter, checks encouraging during them to campai cover the gn plowed soil With mulch AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 351 [page 352] so as to retain moisture, increase organic matter and protect the soil against wind erosion and rill erosion (if the land contains any slopes). This in turn will reduce the need for inorganic fertilizers. ANNEX J: SITE-SPECIFIC L_ 1 L 1 Notes: The narrative for this Annex is embedded in the AVANSE Programmatic Environmental Assessment. With respect to the irrigation projects, this Annex begins with 3 site-specific EMPRSs, followed by 4 site-specific screening forms (Table 1) which were completed by the PEA team in collaboration with AVANSE staff. Please see the comments box at the end of each form for specific details on each site. Three of these sites (Dubré, Ferrier/Bas Marihaboux and Grison Garde) require no additional surface water withdrawals and received a negative with conditions threshold determination. The other 4 sites (La Suisse, Chalopin, Garde Saline and Robino) require additional surface water withdrawals and/or do not have sufficient water resources and received a positive threshold determination. The site-specific EMPR for the Bas Limbé drainage site is also included at the end of this Annex. Activities Included 352 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 353] e Irrigation system rehabilitation and construction. e Drainage system rehabilitation. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 353 [page 354] Table 1. Environmental Screening Form Name of Dubre Irrigation Sytem, Haut du Cap Watershed Activity: irrigati t 18 iri dditi | surf: t € ivity:_ (irrigation system not requiring additional surface water Fit Wwithdrawals) Col. À. is it a--? Type of Activity:__ Infrastructure High Risk Medium- Contractor/Grantee: DAI Yes Risk Date:_05 August 2015 IEE/ETD # LAC-IEE-14-17 IMPACT ON NATURAL RESOURCES & COMMUNITIES 1 Will the project involve construction’ and/or | Xi X reconstruction/rehabilitation of any type of structure (building, | Î | check dam, walls, etc)? | ; 2 | Willthe project involve new construction? and/or L OX repair/reconstruction/rerouting of roads or trails? | l | 3 Will the project involve the use, involve plans to use or training in : X the use of any chemical compounds such as pesticides” É (including neem), herbicides, paint, varnish, lead-based products, É etc? É Involve the construction or repair of irrigation systems? X : 5. | Willthe activity involve training and/or implementation of L OX agricultural practices/production including animal husbandry? | l | [6 | Involve the construction or repair of fish ponds? : X [| Involve the disposal of used engine oil? OO X | | Will the project involve implementation of timber management” Li X extraction of forest products, clearing of forest cover, and/or | Î | conversion of forest land ? | l | Are there any potentially sensitive terrestrial or aquatic areas near X É X the project site, including protected areas,wetlands, critical wildlife | Î | habitat or nesting areas.? | l | 10 | Will the activities proposed generate airborne gases, liquids, or | X X solids (i.e. discharge pollutants) | l | 11 | Willthe waste generated during or after the project impact on | Xi X neighboring surface or ground water? | l | Will the activity create objectionable odors? | i X [| Will the activity violate air standard? | i X [| Will the activity occur on steep slopes (Greater than 15%)? : X [| Will the activity contribute to erosion? OO X | | Is the activity incompatible with existing land use inthe vicinity? | i X [| 17 | Willthe activity contribute to displacement of people (housing) or : X businesses? É 18 | Will the activity affect unique geologic,physical, cultural, and/or L OX historic features? | l | 19 | Will the activity have potential impacts to inhabitants, natural X : X landscapes, or flora/fauna downstream from the activity site? É 20 | Willthe activity contribute to change in the amount of surface Li X water in any waterbody? | l | 21 | Willthe activity have a direct or indirect impact, or include actions : X With mangroves and coral reefs? É Will the activity expose people or property to flooding? | i X [| 354 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 355] pres | [1 ground water otherwise available for public water supplies? É increase of waterborne diseases or populations of disease i carrying vectors? l i | D ol RE DE a maintenance plan been submitted? É RS motorists or persons with disabilities? | l | Fseeneegpeeese [RT and other biohazard medical waste? | Î | planning permission(s)? É infrastructure improvements)? | l | GENDER À 1° quai ep ac OX | unequally in the projects activities? | l | pseenmnennenennn women? i QE project? : [34 | Does ie projectAGINAy involve à sub-grant component 2 (a) The project has no potential for substantial adverse environmental effects. No further environmental review is required (Categorical Exclusion). No EMPR required. (b) The project has potential for minimal to medium adverse environmental effects, but X mitigable environmental effects. Measures to mitigate environmental effects will be incorporated (Negative Determination with Conditions). EMPR Required. (c) The project has potentially substantial or significant adverse environmental effects, but requires more analysis to form a conclusion. An Environmental Assessment will be prepared (Positive Determination). No EMPR required. (d) The project has potentially substantial adverse environmental effects, and revisions to the project design or location or the development of new alternatives is required (Deferral). (e) The project has substantial and unmitigable adverse environmental effects. Mitigation is insufficient to eliminate these effects and alternatives are not feasible. The project is not recommended for funding. À Construction projects need to be reviewed for scale, planned use, building code needs and maintenance. New construction having a footprint larger than 1000 sq meters or 10,000 sq. ft. is considered large scale and high risk. Some small construction projects, such as building an entrance sign to a park, may require simple mitigations whereas larger buildings will require more AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 355 [page 356] extensive review and monitoring. 2 New construction of roads and trails are considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the planned construction, i.e. a Positive Determination. Any reroutes of a road or trail longer than 100 meters is considered a high risk. Reroutes within a protected area, nearby a water source/wetlands, and/or archeological site are considered a high risk. $ The purchase of packaged store pesticides are included. The planned involvement of pesticides will trigger the need to develop a Supplemental Initial Environmental Examination that meets USAID pesticide procedures (Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan or “PERSUAP”) for the project. “ Any activities that involve harvesting trees or converting forests is considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the activity (i.e. Positive Determination). $ A positive response to gender questions require follow up only when there are other positive responses on questions 1 — 30, and an EMPRis developed. $ Ifthe Project/Activity includes a sub-grant component, each sub-grantee shall be required to prepare an EMPR prior to implementation of the sub-grant. 356 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 357] Table 2: Identification of Mitigation Plan #ofthe | Action or component with the different tasks Description of Mitigation Measures question | required to implement the action. Impact from Table 1 1 Rehabilitation of intake system (design, location, Use of unreliable Stream flow monitoring operation, maintenance) stream flow data , . leading to excessive Development of system's operation . and management (O&M) intake Poor design due to lack of data leading to overuse and/or loss of water 4 Construction or repair of irrigation network Earthworks will Bring awareness to project engineers contribute to a large for the design, construction and amount of soil supervision of work related to soil movement causing movement and erosion erosion and sedimentation Non-maintenance of Strengthen the capacity of WUAs so Le ; that they become operational and irrigation canals will . oo e lead to recurring sustainable and able to maintain the operational and irrigation system on an ongoing basis productivity problems Material cleaned or Use earthen, soil-based sediment dredged from canals | material, once cleaned of debris, to not disposed of or build the slopes of the canal; give used properly debris to farmers to reinforce the berms separating the rice parcels AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 357 [page 358] #ofthe | Action or component with the different tasks Description of Mitigation Measures question | required to implement the action. Impact from Table 1 7 Disposal of used engine oil Oil and fuel spills from | Promote the limitation of heavy trucks or their machinery and equipment during the improper disposal construction phase Sensitive terrestrial or aquatic areas near the Siltation and other Reduce use of chemicals and project site pollutants will enter monitoring of water quality the water body and may harm aquatic fauna and flora 10 Generation of airborne gases, liquids, or solids Harmful exhaust Promote the limitation of vehicles and smoke, fumes, and machines during construction phase; dust from construction | reduce use of airborne chemicals in surrounding communities 11 Waste generation and surface and groundwater Improper disposal of Establishment of comprehensive solid waste during waste management program construction causing monitored by AVANSE contamination and pollution 15 Contribution to erosion Earthworks Bring awareness to project engineers contribution to large for the design, construction and amount of soil supervision of work related to soil movement leading to | movement and soil erosion erosion, sedimentation 358 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 359] #ofthe | Action or component with the different tasks Description of Mitigation Measures question | required to implement the action. Impact from Table 1 19 Impacts to inhabitants, natural landscape Establishment of Provision of sanitary facilities, clearing, worker camps and construction of structures, proper land other work facilities acquisition causing pollution, erosion, social unrest Exploitation of borrow Request AVANSE"S approval prior to . . exploitation of borrow pits pits causing loss of vegetation, farmland, dust, health & public safety problems, Wildlife decline 24 Increase of waterborne diseases Use ofirrigation water | Discourage people from using for drinking, bathing, reservoir or canal water and washing of Mn . Encourage local authorities to provide clothes (laundry) 7, . leading to pollution, safe drinking water to population sickness 27 Increasing existing noise levels Noise becomes Promote the limitation of heavy unbearable nuisance | machinery and equipment during the to workers; vehicles construction phase and machines will produce noise unpleasant to communities * provide overview of measures used from the USAID LAC Environmental Guidelines or other pertinent guidelines, details on exact monitoring plan are illustrated in Table 3, Environmental Monitoring and Evaluation Tracking Table. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 359 [page 360] Table 3. Environmental Monitoring and Evaluation Tracking Table Monitoring Methods Estimated RC Recommende ou Responsible Description party f Cost of d PS . al or " | of Mitigation | yo Indicators of implementin Adjustments Measure implementing |nplement-ation g mitigation| Dates | Problems | Mitigation (same as in ENTER) and measures | Monitore | Encountere | Effectivenes Table 2) LEE effectiveness of er d d s measures indicators monitoring 1 Stream flow Implementatio | Establish Hydrometeorologic | Weekly No cost, | | and weather n: hydro- al stations are in normal monitoring meteorologic | operations obligation 2 AVANSE . al stations of staff 3 Development | Technical Regular flow : salaries of system's Team Develop measurement O&M Monitori system's OBM plan! onitoring: OëM plan is operational AVANSE Technical Team 2 | Bring Implementatio | Design Review of During No cost, A awareness to | n: includes documentation design normal project mitigation (docu-ments | obligation : AVANSE Site visits ; engineers for measures reviewed) of staff 3 : Technical Staff : the design, salaries : Request for At time of construction Monitoring: and authorization requests filed and supervision of AVANSE lec an d Weekly/ i approve! work Technical PP! periodic Team : No excessive destruction of 360 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 361] Monitoring Methods Estimated | Feu | Recommende ou Responsible Description Re Cost of d al or " of Mitigation| ÿ . Indicators of implementin Adjustments Measure LEE implement-ation g mitigation Dates Problems | Mitigation (same as in enaimonÉonne and measures | Monitore | Encountere | Effectivenes Table 2) LEE effectiveness of er d d s measures indicators monitoring D PE A EE PE PE RS 3 | Strengthen Implementaion | Canals Site visits Quarterly No cost, 1 the capacity : cleaned on a normal of WUAs so AVANSE ri regular basis obligation that they ce or schedule of staff 2 team : become salaries operational Monitoring: 3 and sustainable AVANSE and able to Technical maintain the Team irrigation system on an ongoing basis 4 Use earthen, Implementatio | Sediment Site visits Quarterly No cost, SR soil-based n: used to build normal sediment canal slopes; obligation : AVANSE rice : team : : cleaned of to reinforce salaries debris, to Monitoring: berms build the slopes of the AVANSE canal; give Technical debris to Team AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 361 [page 362] Monitoring Methods Estimated | Feu | Recommende ou Responsible Description Re Cost of d al or " of Mitigation| ÿ . Indicators of implementin Adjustments Measure LEE implement-ation g mitigation Dates Problems | Mitigation (same as in ENTER) and measures | Monitore | Encountere | Effectivenes Table 2) LEE effectiveness of er d d s measures indicators monitoring farmers to reinforce the berms separating the rice parcels 5 | Promotethe Implementatio | No spill is Site visits Periodic No cost, nd limitation of n: recorded normal Le 2 heavy obligation : Subcontractor | Fuels and machinery of staff 3 lubricants are : and Monitoring: salaries : stored equipment during the AVANSE construction Technical phase to Team reduce fuel spills Reduce use Implementatio | Separate car | Site visits regular No cost, A of chemicals n: wash normal Lo Subcontractor . o spill is . water quality | Monitoring: and testing salaries recorded AVANSE Water tested 362 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 363] Monitoring Methods Estimated | Feu | Recommende ou Responsible Description Re Cost of d al or " of Mitigation| ÿ . Indicators of implementin Adjustments Measure LEE implement-ation g mitigation Dates Problems | Mitigation (same as in ENTER) and measures | Monitore | Encountere | Effectivenes Table 2) LEE effectiveness of er d d s measures indicators monitoring Technical below Team threshold levels 7 | Promotethe Implementatio | Dust Document periodic No cost, limitation of n: generation complaint book normal vehicles and and kept by liaison obligation . Subcontractor Le . machines emissions officer of staff during Monitoring: from salaries : | Site visits construction machines phase; AVANSE and vehicles reduce use of | Technical are minimal airborne Team : No chemicals Complaints from workers and the community AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 363 [page 364] Monitoring Methods Estimated | Feu | Recommende ou Responsible Description Re Cost of d al or " of Mitigation| ÿ . Indicators of implementin Adjustments Measure LEE implement-ation g mitigation Dates Problems | Mitigation (same as in ENTER) and measures | Monitore | Encountere | Effectivenes Table 2) GTR effectiveness of er d d s measures indicators monitoring Establishment | Implementatio | Waste and Document plan Subcontract | No cost, of n: hazardous approval or mobili- normal comprehensiv substances zation obligation Subcontractor e waste manage- of staff weekly : management | Monitoring: ment plan salaries program has been monitored by AVANSE approved AVANSE Technical andis Team operational No spill is recorded Solid wastes are properly L le Bring Implementatio | Erosion Erosion During No cost, awareness to | n: controls are management plan | design normal project in place approval (docu-ment obligation . Subcontractor . engineers for review) of staff 364 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 365] Monitoring Methods Estimated Recommende ou Responsible Description Re Cost of d al or " of Mitigation| ÿ . Indicators of implementin Adjustments Measure LEE implement-ation g mitigation Dates Problems | Mitigation (same as in ENTER) and measures | Monitore | Encountere | Effectivenes Table 2) LEE effectiveness of er d d s measures indicators monitoring the design, Monitoring: periodic salaries construction AVANSE and ei Technical supervision of ï work related sam to soil movement and soil erosion 1 Provision of Implementatio | Toilet and Review of training Subcon- No cost, O0 | sanitary n: hand- materiel tractor normal facilities, washing mobiliza-tion | obligation . Subcontractor ue Spot attendance clearing, facilities as presen- of staff construction Monitoring: available and ted salaries of structures, properly Dail proper land AVANSE supplied any . acquisition Technical supervi-sion Team AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 365 [page 366] Monitoring Methods Estimated | Feu | Recommende ou Responsible Description Re Cost of d al or " of Mitigation| ÿ . Indicators of implementin Adjustments Measure LEE implement-ation g mitigation Dates Problems | Mitigation (same as in ENTER) and measures | Monitore | Encountere | Effectivenes Table 2) GTR effectiveness of er d d s measures indicators monitoring 1 Request Implementatio | Borrow pits Site visits Borrow pit No cost, 1 AVANSE's n: are being closure normal ; Final closure LE approval prior Subcontract properly . R obligation to exploitation Lpgoniraclor managed Mspecton of staff of borrow pits. | Monitoring: according to salaries approved AVANSE plans Technical Team Proper closure and contouring of borrow pits 1 Discourage Implementatio | Meeting with | Other drinking Before the No cost, 2 | people from n: local water sources are | startofthe normal using authorities identified or project obligation . Subcontractor : reservoir or provided to the of staff Awareness . : canal water Monitoring: . population salaries campaign . Encourage AVANSE about the Less people are periodic 366 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 367] Monitoring Methods Estimated | Feu | Recommende ou Responsible Description Re Cost of d al or " of Mitigation| ÿ . Indicators of implementin Adjustments Measure LEE implement-ation g mitigation Dates Problems | Mitigation (same as in ENTER) and measures | Monitore | Encountere | Effectivenes Table 2) LEE effectiveness of er d d s measures indicators monitoring local Technical quality ofthe | using reservoir or authorities to | Team canal and canal water provide safe reservoir nS Site visits drinking water water _ CL 1 Promote the Implementatio | Noise level is | Document Periodic No cost, 3 | limitation of n: kept below complaint book normal heavy Sub 50 dB during | kept by liaison obligation machinery ubcontractor the day officer of staff and itoring: salaries . Monitoring: No Site visits equipment laint during the AVANSE omp'am $ construction Technical np phase Team noise Dy workers and community AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 367 [page 368] Comment:_The Dubré perimeter is located in the Haut du Cap watershed. At present, about 82 hectares are irrigated. AVANSE proposes to irrigate another 58 hectares and bring the total irrigated area to about 140 hectares. Currently, water from the river Anba Lanmè is used to irrigate the 82 ha perimeter. The low flow of the river has been estimated at 150 liters per second (Ips). In order to protect the environment only 120 Ips will be used for irrigation purpose leaving 30 lps to flow downstream. The principal crops that are grown in the area are: rice, banana, beans, and manioc. The problems that have been identified with the system are as follows: + Multiplicity of outlets on banks along the river due to the poor placement of the dam around the perimeter; + No maintenance and no decision-making body, despite the absence of coarse sediment; e Very poor Water management on the perimeter (lack of distribution and control gates); °e The primary canals are built in earth and vey porous; + There are deposits of sediment throughout the system; ° Obstruction of the natural outlet impeding the natural drainage of salt; + Excessive use of fertilizer for crops; + Absence of adequate drainage to drain salts which will cause long-term groundwater salinization; + The canals are too low to be able to easily irrigate the plots; e Conflicts among water users during the low-flow period; e Silting of the river bed; + Overflow of the river and saturation of the dam by flood water during high flow periods; and + The system is not connected to a formal drainage system. The proposed actions to address these problems are the following : + _Atthe level of the inlet, a masonry retaining wall is to be built to consolidate the river bank; the bottom of the riverbed will be stabilized downstream of the inlet with gabion soles; dredge the river to a length of 3 meters, a width of 5 meters and a depth of 0.8 meters upstream of the inlet to reduce sediment; repair the 3 existing gate valves and grill. + _Atthe level of the canals, raise the canals, fix the canal walls, repair canal counter slopes, retrofit canals, and repair the gate valves on the system. e _Atthe drainage level, retrofit some drains and improve the drainage system outlet. ° Atthe level of the road network, improve access by rehabilitating 1.5 km of the path located along the Montalibord river. + _Inthe expansion area, build a water inlet and build the canal system to cover the expansion area. Given this context and the planned work, the environmental impacts that have to be considered are: 1. Soil Erosion: Earthworks will contribute to a large amount of soil movement as the canals, the drains, the flood barriers, temporary material storage areas and agricultural plots are being worked on. Soils from disturbed surfaces are likely to be washed away during the rainy season and also in dry conditions through wind erosion. If cut and fill sites are not protected, loose soils will equally be washed away into the canals and later into the rivers. The risk of soil erosion is considered high, particularly during high and intense rainfall, given the proximity of the rivers, the scale of the earthworks and the characteristics of the overburden in the area which is easily erodible. 2. Soil Pollution: lt is anticipated that the sub-contractor will bring vehicles and equipment to be used during construction. These may impact the soil with oil and fuel spills. Trucks hauling construction materials such as aggregates, sand and gravel and equipment being move to and from a work site may pass through agricultural fields and impact agricultural soil with oil and fuel spills. In addition, areas where the contractor will store fuels, lubricants and chemicals are stored or where vehicles and equipment are fueled or serviced will be sources of hazardous substance releases to the soil. Improper disposal of concrete wastes 368 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 369] resulting from on-site concrete batching or cleaning of ready-mix concrete vehicles can also contaminate soil. 3. Erosion and ecosystem damage at construction material borrow pits: There are a few places were aggregates are mined in the vicinity of the project area. However, it is anticipated that the sub-contractor may have to use borrow pits in the riverbed or in any suitable site in the project area. The selection of suitable borrow sites must be approved by AVANSE as improper sand extraction can cause erosion, sedimentation of water bodies such as rivers, and destabilization of river beds and banks. 4. Degradation of rehabilitated structures during heavy rain or flooding events: The rehabilitation of this irrigation system is susceptible to damage by heavy rains or flooding if proper drainage is not installed and the drainage system is not well maintained. 5. Loss of Top Soil: Construction of irrigation and drainage structures will require fill material which will generally be taken from canal and drain excavations or off-site locations. During the construction of secondary and tertiary canals, however, some fill material may be taken from adjacent fields, particularly if the field is in need of land leveling. In these cases, the potential exists for the destruction of top soil. 6. Water Contamination: lf erosion occurs and/or soil is polluted, as discussed above, it is possible that the rivers may be impacted with sediment, leaked/spilled lubricants, fuels and hazardous substances. Other sources of potential water pollution are: + __Washing construction vehicles or equipment in or nearby the river; + Use of the rivers and canals for the maintenance of the personal hygiene of the population; + Improper disposal of concrete wastes resulting from on-site concrete batching or cleaning of ready- mix concrete vehicles; + Surface run-off from on-site stockpiled sand and gravel; and + _Inadequate disposal of solid wastes and wastewater generated during construction from workers. 7. Waste Generation: Solid waste will be generated from site vegetation clearance during construction. The vegetation and other rubbish that will be cleared from the site will lead to the generation of large volumes of waste that require proper disposal. Various wastes generated during construction will need to be managed and disposed of properly. These will include solid waste from packaging materials, wood and steel crates, cardboard, wrapping materials, boxes, sacks, drums, cans and chemical containers and any other unused materials. Workers will also generate domestic solid waste. À comprehensive waste management program Will have to be established by the sub-contractor and monitored by AVANSE. 8. Dust and Air Pollution: The vehicles and machines used in the construction of civil works will produce exhaust smoke, fumes and dust that may be unpleasant to the surrounding communities. 9. Noise Pollution: The vehicles and machines used in the civil works will produce noise that may be unpleasant to communities who live near the project area. 10. Exploitation of Borrow Pits: The principal environmental concerns related to the exploitation of borrow pits are: loss of vegetation, farmlands, dust, health, public safety. When unprotected during usage and if it is not reinstated after use it would become a hazard for children and animals and becomes breeding ground for disease vectors and with inadequate consultation with land owners, borrow pits can become a source of litigation. Construction in reserves can affect the wildlife population since it would entail exploitation of material in that jurisdiction. Prior to the development of any borrow pits, the sub-contractor will seek the approval of AVANSE. 11. Establishment and use of other worksites: There is the need for the sub-contractors to establish a base camp for easy referencing and coordinating of activities pertaining to the realization of the project. lt also provides security for their equipment, storage for materials to be used for the works, and includes siting of offices and/or residences. This entails: + Land acquisition/Lease, +__ Clearing, AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 369 [page 370] ° Erection of structures, and + Provision of sanitary facilities. The establishment of worker camps and other work facility locations in the area may bring a number of negative impacts on the environment that include poor siting of facilities, solid waste disposal, taxing potable water supply, etc. 12. Community — Worker — Sub-contractor relations: Friction may be caused by inappropriate or unacceptable behavior of workers in communities along the corridor. Sexual activity of workers with locals may lead to unwanted pregnancies, STIs and Increased incidence in HIV/AIDS. Friction between workers and sub-contractors may be caused by labor relations that exist between the sub-contractors and the workers. Finally, bad relations may exist between members of the community and the sub-contractors caused by community complaints not been properly addressed by the sub-contractors. 13. Hydrology and hydrologic monitoring: The lack of hydrologic data is a problem that may contribute to poor irrigation design. When hydrologic data is lacking, engineers attempt to correlate site hydrology with data from the nearest available catchment, with a considerable loss in precision. Hydrologic data is also required in monitoring and mitigation. An example is the impact of the irrigation construction and use on stream flow and depth of the water table. The project will have to be designed with the understanding that data development will be part of the system's O&M. 14. Irrigation engineering: Irrigation engineering includes the design, construction, operation and maintenance of an irrigation system. Traditionally, small irrigation systems are designed based on the hydrology and geomorphology of an area. The lack of appropriate information combined with modern engineering solutions developed for larger systems, could lead to problems when applied to the redesign of traditional systems. 15. Effect on Fauna and Flora: Where the project is located, the only animals that could be impacted by its activities are fish and amphibians. As the system drains to the nearby rivers, siltation and other pollutants will enter these water bodies and may harm these creatures. These rivers will ultimately reach the coastal area downstream and add to the pollution burden on these coastal waters. 16. Displacement of Economic Activities: Construction activities can disrupt current farming practices in the project area. Building the main canal and flood control structures will disrupt the flood flows into the area, on which the farmers rely for their crops. 17. Water Rights: Water rights is a crucial issue that will need to be addressed before the system is rehabilitated. It can be a major source of conflict among beneficiaries of the system. 18. Conflict resolution: Conflict often arises between upstream users, who begin to use or increase their use of water, and downstream users, who may have prior appropriation rights to the water. Any change in the availability or use of irrigation water requires consultation to ensure equitable sharing and avoid conflict. 19. Community participation in irrigation rehabilitation design, operation and maintenance: Unless the local associations in the project area are made part of this project, there could be major issues with the people of the community in order to ensure that the design is compatible with the needs of the community. The community, through an effective farmer's association will have to take responsibility for the management, operation and maintenance of the system. 20. Women's participation: Women in the project area are already very involved in all aspects of farming in the area. They must play a major role in the association that will be formed to manage the project. 21. Vector borne diseases (malaria, chikungunya, dengue): Vector borne disease are endemic in Haiti and are present in the Haut du Cap watershed. The disease vectors live nearby and breed in lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, coastal plains and human settlements. Hydrologic changes, resulting from irrigation development or dam construction, can lead to a significant increase in mosquito breeding sites. Environmental health engineering can modify the irrigation environment so as to reduce or eliminate the vector habitat. 22. Water borne diseases (diarrhea, typhoid, dysentery, etc.): The use of irrigation water for drinking, bathing, and clothes washing is very current in the targeted project areas. Water borne diseases can be prevented by discouraging people from using reservoir, canal and drainage water for drinking and washing. 370 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 371] This can be done by encouraging the local and national authorities to provide a safe and convenient source of water and by linking irrigation development with health education and sanitation programs. 23. Safety Hazards: Workers at the site will be exposed to several safety hazards, including open trenches, openly stored or moving construction materials, and moving construction equipment. Also, construction sites can be dangerous places for the safety of residents of nearby communities. These residents may not be aware of the hazards and they may simply be interested in observing the equipment and activities. Children are often eager to see construction equipment at work. Such children'’s curiosity may lead to safety hazards ranging from minor to major injuries such as bruises and fractures. 24. HIV/AIDs, sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Workers’ camps may be a source of social unrest and environmental problems such as transmission and spread of diseases (e.g. or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)) to the resident community by the project personnel and vice versa. 25. Change of Community Lifestyle: The construction of the irrigation scheme will have an impact on the day-to-day lives of the people living in the area. An influx of workers to the area will bring increased economic activity, with and associated positive impact. But the workers may also bring with them behaviors which disrupt the community and puts them and the community at increased risk for conflicts. Mitigation measures specified in the PEA (see table following this environmental screening form) will therefore be applied to mitigate the potential impacts listed above. Overall, the following strategies will be implemented to mitigate the potential impacts described above: + Ensure that the rehabilitation of this irrigation system adheres to national and international technical design standards. + Bring awareness of these potential issues and their impact to the engineers and construction contractors who will be responsible for the design, construction and supervision of the project. + Promote the limitation of heavy equipment and machinery during the construction phase of the project. + _ Establish maintenance committees to oversee the rehabilitation of the system and to ensure that proper maintenance is provided as well as the proper behaviour of farmers during and after the rehabilitation of the system. + Monitor the rehabilitation activities of the projects during and after completion, and make adjustments to the mitigation plan when unforeseen impacts arise or when mitigation measures are insufficient to reduce impacts. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 371 [page 372] Table 1. Environmental Screening Form Name of Ferrier (Bas Maribahoux) Irrigation system, Jassa Watershed Activity: Drai 1e iri dditional surf: atersl 1e ctivity:__ (Drainage not requiring additional surface Terres water withdrawals) Col. À. is it a--? Type of Activity: __ Infrastructure / Canal Cleaning High Risk Medium- = Risk Contractor/Grantee: DAI Yes Date:_05 August 2015 IÉE/ETD # LAC-IEE-14-17 IMPACT ON NATURAL RESOURCES & COMMUNITIES 1 Will the project involve construction’ and/or Li X reconstruction/rehabilitation of any type of structure (building, | Î | check dam, walls, etc)? | l | 2 Will the project involve new construction? and/or Li X repair/reconstruction/rerouting of roads or trails? | l | 3 Will the project involve the use, involve plans to use or training in : X the use of any chemical compounds such as pesticides” É (including neem), herbicides, paint, varnish, lead-based products, É etc? É Involve the construction or repair of irrigation systems? OX | l 5. | Willthe activity involve training and/or implementation of L OX agricultural practices/production including animal husbandry? | l | [6 | Involve the construction or repair of fish ponds? : X [| Involve the disposal of used engine oil? OO X | | Will the project involve implementation of timber management” Li X extraction of forest products, clearing of forest cover, and/or | Î | conversion of forest land ? | l | Are there any potentially sensitive terrestrial or aquatic areas near X É X the project site, including protected areas,wetlands, critical wildlife | Î | habitat or nesting areas.? | l | 10 | Will the activities proposed generate airborne gases, liquids, or X X solids (i.e. discharge pollutants) | l l 11 | Willthe waste generated during or after the project impact on X : X neighboring surface or ground water? É Will the activity create objectionable odors? | i X [| Will the activity violate air standard? | i X [| Will the activity occur on steep slopes (Greater than 15%)? : X [| Will the activity contribute to erosion? OO X | | Is the activity incompatible with existing land use inthe vicinity? | i X [| 17 | Willthe activity contribute to displacement of people (housing) or : X businesses? É 18 | Will the activity affect unique geologic,physical, cultural, and/or L OX historic features? | l | 19 | Will the activity have potential impacts to inhabitants, natural X : X landscapes, or flora/fauna downstream from the activity site? É 20 | Willthe activity contribute to change in the amount of surface Li X water in any waterbody? | l | 21 | Willthe activity have a direct or indirect impact, or include actions | L OX With mangroves and coral reefs? | l | 372 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 373] [22] Wilihe acivity expose people or property to flooding? | * | | GA RSS ground water otherwise available for public water supplies? i Î i RÉ EE increase of waterborne diseases or populations of disease | Î | carrying vectors? | l | (7 | smaninance panteen amer XL | a maintenance plan been submitted? | l | D ONE motorists or persons with disabilities’? É Fesses LE and other biohazard medical waste? É planning permission(s)? | ; infrastructure improvements)? | l | RE PS D BR EE unequally in the project’s activities? É ME een RE BR EE EE women? | l | De PE ER EE EE project? | l | [ 34_T Does the project/Activiy involve a sub-grant component? "15 [| (a) The project has no potential for substantial adverse environmental effects. No further environmental review is required (Categorical Exclusion). No EMPR required. (b) The project has potential for minimal to medium adverse environmental effects, but X mitigable environmental effects. Measures to mitigate environmental effects will be incorporated (Negative Determination with Conditions). EMPR Required. (c) The project has potentially substantial or significant adverse environmental effects, but requires more analysis to form a conclusion. An Environmental Assessment will be prepared (Positive Determination). No EMPR required. (d) The project has potentially substantial adverse environmental effects, and revisions to the project design or location or the development of new alternatives is required (Deferral). (e) The project has substantial and unmitigable adverse environmental effects. Mitigation is insufficient to eliminate these effects and alternatives are not feasible. The project is not recommended for funding. À Construction projects need to be reviewed for scale, planned use, building code needs and maintenance. New construction having a footprint larger than 1000 sq meters or 10,000 sq. ft. is considered large scale and high risk. Some small construction projects, such as building an entrance sign to a park, may require simple mitigations whereas larger buildings will require more AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 373 [page 374] extensive review and monitoring. 2 New construction of roads and trails are considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the planned construction, i.e. a Positive Determination. Any reroutes of a road or trail longer than 100 meters is considered a high risk. Reroutes within a protected area, nearby a water source/wetlands, and/or archeological site are considered a high risk. $ The purchase of packaged store pesticides are included. The planned involvement of pesticides will trigger the need to develop a Supplemental Initial Environmental Examination that meets USAID pesticide procedures (Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan or “PERSUAP”) for the project. “ Any activities that involve harvesting trees or converting forests is considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the activity (i.e. Positive Determination). $ A positive response to gender questions require follow up only when there are other positive responses on questions 1 — 30, and an EMPRis developed. $ Ifthe Project/Activity includes a sub-grant component, each sub-grantee shall be required to prepare an EMPR prior to implementation of the sub-grant. 374 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 375] Table 2: Identification of Mitigation Plan #ofthe question : . : Lu PT from Action or component with the different tasks Description of Mitigation Measures Table 1 required to implement the action. Impact 4 Construction or repair of irrigation network Earthworks will Bring awareness to project engineers contribute to a large | for the design, construction and amount of soil supervision of work related to soil movement causing movement and erosion erosion and sedimentation Non-maintenance of Strengthen the capacity of WUAs so Le ge . that they become operational and irrigation canals will . oo e lead to recurring sustainable and able to maintain the operational and irrigation system on an ongoing basis productivity problems Use earthen, soil-based sediment Material cleaned or | material, once cleaned of debris, to dredged from canals | build the slopes of the canal; give not disposed of or debris to farmers to reinforce the used properly berms separating the rice parcels 7 Disposal of used engine oil Oil and fuel spills Promote the limitation of heavy from trucks or their machinery and equipment during the improper disposal construction phase Sensitive terrestrial or aquatic areas near the project | Siltation and other Reduce use of chemicals and monitor site pollutants will enter | water quality the water body and may harm aquatic fauna and flora AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 375 [page 376] #ofthe question : . : r PT from Action or component with the different tasks Description of Mitigation Measures Table 1 required to implement the action. Impact 10 Generation of airborne gases, liquids, or solids Harmful exhaust Promote the limitation of vehicles and smoke, fumes, and machines during construction phase; dust from reduce use of airborne chemicals construction in surrounding communities 11 Waste generation and surface and groundwater Improper disposal of | Establishment of comprehensive solid waste during waste management program construction causing | monitored by AVANSE contamination and pollution 15 Contribution to erosion Earthworks Bring awareness to project engineers contribute to large for the design, construction and amount of soil supervision of work related to soil movement leading to | movement and erosion erosion, sedimentation 19 Impacts to inhabitants, natural landscape Establishment of Provision of sanitary facilities, clearing, worker camps and construction of structures, proper land other work facilities acquisition causing pollution, erosion, social unrest Request AVANSE'Ss approval prior to Exploitation of exploitation of borrow pits. borrow pits causing loss of vegetation, 376 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 377] #ofthe question . ; . Lu Le ne from Action or component with the different tasks Description of Mitigation Measures Table 1 required to implement the action. Impact farmland, dust, health and public safety problems, Wildlife decline 27 Increasing in existing noise levels Noise becomes Promote the limitation of heavy unbearable nuisance | machinery and equipment during the to workers; vehicles | construction phase and machines will produce noise unpleasant to communities * provide overview of measures used from the USAID LAC Environmental Guidelines or other pertinent guidelines, details on exact monitoring plan are illustrated in Table 3, Environmental Monitoring and Evaluation Tracking Table. Table 3. Environmental Monitoring and Evaluation Tracking Table Monitoring Methods Estimated JU Reuts Recommend R ible Part Cost of ed Description of APE RE Indi f 950 : Mitigation for implementing | Indicators oi implementing Adjustments g and monitoring implement- mitigation Dates Problems Mitigati Measure (same as : R Mgation ù mitigation ation and Frequency | measures | Monitore | Encountere . in Table 2) k Effectiveness measures effectiveness and d d of indicators monitoring 1 Strengthen the Implementaion: | Canals Site visits Quarterly | No cost, RL capacity of WUAS AVANSE ri cleaned normal AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 377 [page 378] Monitoring Methods Estimated Fu | Recommend n Responsible Part Cost of ed Description of u ÿ Indi f : Mitigation for implementing | Indicators oi implementing Adjustments g and monitoring implement- mitigation Dates Problems CHE Measure (same as : Moni E itigation ù mitigation ation and Frequency | neasures onitore | Encountere . in Table 2) k Effectiveness HEURES effectiveness er d d of indicators monitoring sustainable and able Monitori basis or salaries to maintain the ontonng: schedule 4 irrigation system on | AVANSE an ongoing basis Technical Team 2 Use earthen, soil- Implementation: | Sediment Site visits Quarterly | No cost, Sn based sediment used to normal . AVANSE rice . Le 2 material, once build canal obligation build the slopes of Monitoring: debris salaries the canal; give uses to 4 debris to farmers to | AVANSE reinforce reinforce the berms | Technical Team | berms separating the rice parcels 3 Promote the Implementation: | No spill is Site visits Periodic | No cost, | | limitation of heavy recorded normal . Subcontractor LE 2 machinery and obligation : : Fuels and equipment during Monitoring: of staff 3 : lubricants : the construction d salaries phase to reduce fuel AVANSE are store 4 spills Technical Team 378 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 379] Monitoring Methods Estimated Fu | Recommend nr Responsible Part Cost of ed Description of à ÿ Indi f : Mitigation for implementing | Indicators oi implementing Adjustments M g and monitoring | implement- mitigation Dates Problems Mitigation easure (same as mitigation ation and Frequency | measures | Monitore | Encountere . in Table 2) k Effectiveness HEURES effectiveness er d d of indicators monitoring monitor water facilities obligation . Monitoring: Water 3 quality of staff No spill is sampling : AVANSE . salaries 4 recorded and testing Technical Team Water tested below threshold levels 5 Promote the Implementation: | Dust Document periodic No cost, limitation of vehicles Subcontract generation | complaint normal and machines LpconIracIor and book kept obligation during construction Monitoring: emissions by liaison of staff phase; reduce use from officer salaries of airborne AVANSE machines . chemicals Technical Team | nd Site visits vehicles are minimal No complaints from workers AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 379 [page 380] Monitoring Methods Estimated Fu | Recommend n Responsible Part Cost of ed Description of u ÿ Indi f : Mitigation for implementing | Indicators oi implementing Adjustments g and monitoring implement- mitigation Dates Problems CHE Measure (same as : Moni E itigation ù mitigation ation and Frequency | neasures onitore | Encountere . in Table 2) k Effectiveness HEURES effectiveness er d d of indicators monitoring and the community Establishment of Implementation: | Waste and | Document Subcon- No cost, comprehensive hazardous | plan tractor normal Subcontractor mn LE waste management substance | approval mobiliza- | obligation program monitored Monitoring: s manage- tion of salaries by AVANSE ment plan k staff AVANSE has been weekly Technical Team approved andis operational No spill is recorded Solid wastes are properly handled 7 Bring awareness to Implementation: | Erosion Erosion plan | During No cost, project engineers for controls approval design normal . Subcontractor : Le the design, are in (docu- obligation construction and Monitoring: place ment of stff supervision of work review) salaries related to soil AVANSE 380 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 381] Monitoring Methods Estimated Fu | Recommend n Responsible Part Cost of ed Description of u ÿ Indi f : Mitigation for implementing | Indicators oi implementing Adjustments M g and monitoring | implement- mitigation Dates Problems Mitigation easure (same as mitigation ation and Frequency | measures | Monitore | Encountere . in Table 2) k Effectiveness HEURES effectiveness er d d of indicators monitoring movement and Technical Team periodic erosion Provision of sanitary | Implementation: | Toilet and Review of Subcon- | No cost, facilities, clearing, handwash- | training tractor normal . Subcontractor ; . mn LE construction of ing materiel mobiliza- | obligation structures, proper Monitoring: facilities Spot tion as of staff land acquisition available n d presen- salaries AVANSE and attendance |: Technical Team properly Dai supplied any . supervi- sion Request AVANSE's | Implementation: | Borrow pits | Site visits Borrow No cost, approval prior to are being pit normal Lot Subcontractor Final LE exploitation of properly closure obligation ; closure borrow pits. Monitoring: managed of staff : inspection : according salaries AVANSE to Technical Team approved plans Proper closure and contouring AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 381 [page 382] Description of Responsible Party indicat : Cost of | ed Mitigation for implementing " LES O implementing Adjustments and monitoring | iMmplement- mitigation Dates Problems Perd Measure (same as mitigation ation and Frequency | measures | Monitore | Encountere Mitigation in Table 2) effectiveness d d Effectiveness measures and of indicators monitoring of borrow pits 10 Promote the Implementation: | Noise level | Document Periodic No cost, limitation of heavy is kept complaint normal machinery and Subcontractor below 50 book kept obligation equipment during Monitoring: dB during by liaison of staff the construction the day officer salaries phase AVANSE Technical Team | No Site visits complaints on excessive noise by workers and community 382 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 383] Table 1. Environmental Screening Form Name of Grison -Garde Irrigation Sytem, Haut du Cap Watershed Activity: irrigati t 18 iri dditi | surf: t c ivity:_ (irrigation system not requiring additional surface water Reste Wwithdrawals) A.is it a--? Type of Activity:__ Infrastructure High Risk Medium- Contractor/Grantee: DAI Ven Risk Date:_05 August 2015 IÉE/ETD # LAC-IEE-14-17 IMPACT ON NATURAL RESOURCES & COMMUNITIES 1 Will the project involve construction’ and/or reconstruction/rehabilitation É X É É X of any type of structure (building, check dam, walls, etc)? l l l 2 Will the project involve new construction? and/or É il Xi repair/reconstruction/rerouting of roads or trails? l l l 3 Will the project involve the use, involve plans to use ortraininginthe : il Xi use of any chemical compounds such as pesticides” (including neem), | Î Î herbicides, paint, varnish, lead-based products, etc? l l l Involve the construction of repair of irrigation systems? i X | | 5. Will the activity involve training and/or implementation of agricultural : i Xi practices/production including animal husbandry? É É É [6 | Involve the construction or repair of fish ponds? | Î X | [| Involve the disposal of used engine oil? i X | | Will the project involve implementation of timber management” : i Xi extraction of forest products, clearing of forest cover, and/or conversion : É É of forest land ? É É É Are there any potentially sensitive terrestrial or aquatic areas near the : X : : X project site, including protected areas,wetlands, critical wildlife habitat : É É or nesting areas.? : 5 10 Will the activities proposed generate airborne gases, liquids, or solids É X É É X (i.e. discharge pollutants) l l l 11 | Willthe waste generated during or after the project impact on il Xi É X neighboring surface or ground water? l l l Will the activity create objectionable odors? : i Xi [| Will the activity violate air standard? : i Xi [| Will the activity occur on steep slopes (Greater than 15%)? | li X | [| AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 383 [page 384] Will the activity contribute to erosion? i Xi : Is the activity incompatible with existing land use in the vicinity? i Li X | [| 17 | Willthe activity contribute to displacement of people (housing) or É il Xi businesses? l l l 18 | Will the activity affect unique geologic,physical, cultural, and/or historic | il Xi features? l l l 19 | Willthe activity have potential impacts to inhabitants, natural il Xi É X landscapes, or flora/fauna downstream from the activity site? l l l 20 | Willthe activity contribute to change in the amount of surface waterin ! il Xi any waterbody? l l l 21 | Willthe activity have a direct or indirect impact, or include actions with: i Xi mangroves and coral reefs? É É É Will the activity expose people or property to flooding? i Li X | [| 23 | Willthe activity contribute substantial reduction in the amount of ground } il Xi water otherwise available for public water supplies? Î Î Î ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH 24 Will the project activities create conditions encouraging an increase of : X : : X waterborne diseases or populations of disease carrying vectors? É É É 25 | For road rehabilitation as well as water and sanitation grants, has a É É X É maintenance plan been submitted? l l l 26 Will the activity generate hazards or barriers for pedestrians, motorists : : X : or persons with disabilities? É É É Will the activity increase existing noise levels? i X | | 28 Will the project involve the disposal of syringes, gauzes, gloves and : : X : other biohazard medical waste? É É É LOCAL PLANNING PERMITS 29 Does the activity e.g. infrastructure improvements, require local É É X É N/A N/A planning permission(s)? l l l 30 | Does the activity meet the national building code (e.g. infrastructure : X : : NA N/A improvements)? É É É 31 Do men and women benefit disproportionately or are involved unequally É É X É in the project’s activities? l l i 32 | Does the project activity inhibit the equal involvement of men and É il Xi women? i | | Are there factors that prevent women's participation in the project? i i X i [| OTHER Does the project/Activity involve a sub-grant component?® : : : [| 384 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 385] RECOMMENDED ACTION {Check Appropriate Action): (Check) (a) The project has no potential for substantial adverse environmental effects. No further environmental review is required (Categorical Exclusion). No EMPR required. (b) The project has potential for minimal to medium adverse environmental effects, but mitigable environmental effects. X Measures to mitigate environmental effects will be incorporated (Negative Determination with Conditions). EMPR Required. (c) The project has potentially substantial or significant adverse environmental effects, but requires more analysis to form a conclusion. An Environmental Assessment will be prepared (Positive Determination). No EMPR required. (d) The project has potentially substantial adverse environmental effects, and revisions to the project design or location or the development of new alternatives is required (Deferral). (e) The project has substantial and unmitigable adverse environmental effects. Mitigation is insufficient to eliminate these effects and alternatives are not feasible. The project is not recommended for funding. ? Construction projects need to be reviewed for scale, planned use, building code needs and maintenance. New construction having a footprint larger than 1000 sq meters or 10,000 sq. ft. is considered large scale and high risk. Some small construction projects, such as building an entrance sign to a park, may require simple mitigations whereas larger buildings will require more extensive review and monitoring. 2 New construction of roads and trails are considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the planned construction, i.e. a Positive Determination. Any reroutes of a road or trail longer than 100 meters is considered a high risk. Reroutes within a protected area, nearby a water source/wetlands, and/or archeological site are considered a high risk. 3 The purchase of packaged store pesticides are included. The planned involvement of pesticides will trigger the need to develop a Supplemental Initial Environmental Examination that meets USAID pesticide procedures (Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan or “PERSUAP”) for the project. “ Any activities that involve harvesting trees or converting forests is considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the activity (i.e. Positive Determination). 5 A positive response to gender questions require follow up only when there are other positive responses on questions 1 — 30, and an EMPR is developed. SIfthe Project/Activity includes a sub-grant component, each sub-grantee shall be required to prepare an EMPR prior to implementation of the sub-grant. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 385 [page 386] Table 2: Identification of Mitigation Plan #ofthe | Action or component with the different tasks Description of Mitigation Measures question | required to implement the action. Impact from Table 1 1 Rehabilitation of Grison Garde intake system Use of unreliable Stream flow monitoring design, location, operation, maintenance stream flow data ( g p ) . . Development of system’s O&M leading to excessive intake Poor design due to lack of data leading to overuse and/or loss of water 4 Construction or repair of irrigation network Earthworks will Bring awareness to project engineers contribute to a large | for the design, construction and amount of soil supervision of work movement causing erosion and sedimentation Non-maintenance of | Strengthen the capacity of WUAs so irrigation canals will | that they become operational and lead to recurring sustainable and able to maintain the operational and irrigation system on an ongoing basis productivity problems Material cleaned or Use earthen, soil-based sediment dredged from canals material, once cleaned of debris, to not disposed of or build the slopes of the canal; give used properly debris to farmers to reinforce the 386 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 387] #ofthe | Action or component with the different tasks Description of Mitigation Measures question | required to implement the action. Impact from Table 1 PS SE 7 Disposal of used engine oil Oil and fuel spills Promote the limitation of heavy from trucks or their machinery and equipment during the improper disposal construction phase Sensitive terrestrial or aquatic areas near the project | Siltation and other Reduce use of chemicals and site pollutants will enter monitoring of water quality the water body and may harm aquatic fauna and flora 10 Generation of airborne gases, liquids, or solids Harmful exhaust Promote the limitation of vehicles and smoke, fumes, and machines during construction phase, dust from reduce use of airborne chemicals construction in surrounding communities 11 Waste generation and surface and groundwater Improper disposal of | Establishment of comprehensive solid waste during waste management program construction causing | monitored by AVANSE contamination and pollution 15 Contribution to erosion Earthworks Bring awareness to project engineers contribution to large | for the design, construction and amount of soil supervision of work movement leading to erosion, AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 387 [page 388] #ofthe | Action or component with the different tasks Description of Mitigation Measures question | required to implement the action. Impact from Table 1 PS CS EE 19 Impacts to inhabitants, natural landscape Establishment of Provision of sanitary facilities, clearing, workers camps and | construction of structures, proper land other work facilities acquisition causing pollution, erosion, social unrest Request AVANSE'Ss approval prior to Exploitation of exploitation of borrow pits. borrow pits causing loss of vegetation, farmland, dust, health & public safety problems, Wildlife decline 24 Increase of waterborne diseases Use of irrigation Discourage people from using water for drinking, reservoir or canal water bathing, and clothes M . . : Encourage local authorities to provide washing leading to 7. . . : safe drinking water to population pollution, sickness 27 Increasing existing noise levels Noise becomes Promote the limitation of heavy unbearable nuisance | machinery and equipment during the to workers; vehicles | construction phase and machines will produce noise unpleasant to 388 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 389] #ofthe | Action or component with the different tasks Description of Mitigation Measures question | required to implement the action. Impact from Table 1 D à AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 389 [page 390] Table 3. Environmental Monitoring and Evaluation Tracking Table Monitoring Methods Estimated | Fret Recommende ou Responsible Description party Cost of d PP . al or n | of Mitigation | Dieu Indicators of implementin Adjustments implementing . en Measure … implement- g mitigation Dates Problems | Mitigation (same as in EME, ation and measures |Monitore | Encountere |Effectivenes Table 2) CHERE effectiveness of er d d s measures indicators monitoring 1 Stream flow Implementatio | Establish Hydrometeorologic | Weekly No cost, | and weather n: hydro- al stations are in normal monitoring meteorologic | operation obligation 2 AVANSE . al stations of staff 3 Development | Technical Regular flow : salaries of system's Team Develop measurement operation and Monitori system's OBM plan is i maintenance onitoring: OëM pen is in operation (O&M) AVANSE Technical Team 2 | Bring Implementatio | Design Document review During design | No cost, awareness to | n: AVANSE includes process documents normal project Technical mitigation review obligation 2 | : Review of engineers for | Staff measures of staff 3 : documentation At time of : the design, salaries : Monitoring: Request for requests construction Site visits authorization and AVANSE . Weekly/period Le filed and supervision of | Technical ic approved work Team No excessive destruction of vegetation 390 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 391] Monitoring Methods Estimated | Fret Recommende ou Responsible Description ue Cost of d a or n of Mitigation | . ÿ k Indicators of implementin Adjustments Measure TBIEMENE implement- g mitigation Dates Problems | Mitigation (same as in EI MERME ation and measures |Monitore | Encountere |Effectivenes Table 2) CHERE effectiveness of er d d s measures indicators monitoring 3 | Strengthen Implementaio | Canals Site visits Quarterly No cost, RL | the capacity n: cleaned on normal team : become schedule salaries operational Monitoring: and sustainable AVANSE and able to Technical maintain the Team irrigation system on an ongoing basis 4 | Use earthen, Implementatio | Sediment Site visits Quarterly No cost, | soil-based n: used to build normal sediment canal slopes; obligation : AVANSE rice : team : : once cleaned to reinforce salaries of debris, to Monitoring: berms build the slopes of the AVANSE canal; give Technical debris to Team farmers to reinforce the AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 391 [page 392] Monitoring Methods Estimated | Fret Recommende ou Responsible Description ue Cost of d a or n of Mitigation | . ÿ k Indicators of implementin Adjustments implementing . en Measure … implement- g mitigation Dates Problems | Mitigation (same as in EME, ation and measures |Monitore | Encountere |Effectivenes Table 2) CHERE effectiveness of er d d s measures indicators monitoring berms separating the rice parcels 5 | Promotethe Implementatio | No spill is Site visits Periodic No cost, | limitation of n: recorded normal Le 2 heavy obligation : Subcontractor | Fuels and machinery of staff 3 lubricants : and Monitoring: salaries : are stored equipment during the AVANSE construction Technical phase to Team reduce fuel spills Reduce use Implementatio | Separate car | Site visits regular No cost, of chemicals n: wash normal Lo Subcontractor . o spill is . water quality | Monitoring: and testing salaries recorded AVANSE Water tested Technical ï below sem threshold 392 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 393] Monitoring Methods Estimated | Fret Recommende ou Responsible Description ue Cost of d a or n of Mitigation | . ÿ k Indicators of implementin Adjustments implementing . en Measure implement- g mitigation Dates Problems | Mitigation (same as in EME, ation and measures |Monitore | Encountere |Effectivenes Table 2) CHERE effectiveness of er d d s measures indicators monitoring CS PS PS SE ES 7 | Promotethe Implementatio | Dust Document periodic No cost, 1 limitation of n: generation complaint book normal vehicles and and kept by liaison obligation . Subcontractor Le . machines emissions officer of staff durin itoring: from salaries g | Monitoring: | Site visits 2 construction machines phase; AVANSE and vehicles reduce use of | Technical are minimal airborne Team N chemicals ° 3 Complaints from workers and the community Establishmen | Implementatio | Waste and Document plan Subcontractor | No cost, 1 tof n: hazardous approval mobiliza-tion normal comprehensi substance obligation Subcontractor weekly ve waste manage- of staff AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 393 [page 394] Monitoring Methods Estimated | Fret Recommende ou Responsible Description ue Cost of d a or n of Mitigation | . ÿ k Indicators of implementin Adjustments implementing . en Measure implement- g mitigation Dates Problems | Mitigation (same as in EME, ation and measures |Monitore | Encountere |Effectivenes Table 2) CHERE effectiveness of er d d s measures indicators monitoring management | Monitoring: ment plan salaries 2 program has been . AVANSE monitored by Technical approved AVANSE SCNNICE and is Team : operational 3 No spill is recorded Solid wastes are properly L LEE Bring Implementatio | Erosion Erosion plan During design: | No cost, 1 awareness to | n: controls are approval docu-ment normal roject in place review obligation P K Subcontractor p 9 2 engineers for of staff . periodic : the design, Monitoring: salaries construction 3 and AVANSE supervision of Technical work Team 394 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 395] Monitoring Methods Estimated | Fret Recommende ou Responsible Description ue Cost of d a or n of Mitigation | . ÿ k Indicators of implementin Adjustments implementing . en Measure implement- g mitigation Dates Problems | Mitigation (same as in EME, ation and measures |Monitore | Encountere |Effectivenes Table 2) CHERE effectiveness of er d d s measures indicators monitoring 1 Provision of Implementatio | Toilet and Review of training | Subcontractor | No cost, 1 O0 | sanitary n: hand- materiel mobiliza-tion normal facilities, washing as presen-ted | obligation . Subcontractor de Spot attendance clearing, facilities of staff 2 : . Daily supervi- : construction Monitoring: available and salaries sion of structures, properly proper land AVANSE supplied 3 acquisition Technical Team 1 Request Implementatio | Borrow pits Site visits Borrow pit No cost, 1 1 AVANSE's n: are being closure normal ; Final closure LE approval prior properly obligation Lo Subcontractor inspection to exploitation managed of staff of borrow pits | Monitoring: according to salaries 2 approved AVANSE plans Technical Team Proper 3 closure and contouring of AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 395 [page 396] Monitoring Methods Estimated | Fret Recommende ou Responsible Description ue Cost of d a or n of Mitigation | . ÿ k Indicators of implementin Adjustments implementing . en Measure … implement- g mitigation Dates Problems | Mitigation (same as in EME, ation and measures |Monitore | Encountere |Effectivenes Table 2) CHERE effectiveness of er d d s measures indicators monitoring 1 Discourage Implementatio | Meeting with | Other drinking Before the No cost, 1 2 | people from n: local water sources are | start of the normal using authorities identified or project obligation : Subcontractor ; reservoir or provided to the of staff Awareness : : 2 canal water Monitoring: . population salaries campaign periodic Encourage AVANSE about the Less people are local Technical quality ofthe | using reservoir or 3 authorities to | Team canal and canal water provide safe reservoir Li Site visits drinking water water to population 1 Promote the Implementatio | Noise level is | Document Periodic No cost, 1 3 | limitation of n: kept below complaint book normal heavy 50 dB during | kept by liaison obligation : Subcontractor . machinery the day officer of staff 2 and itoring: salaries . Monitoring: No Site visits equipment laint during the AVANSE COMP'ants 396 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 397] Monitoring Methods Estimated | Fret Recommende ou Responsible Description ue Cost of d a or n of Mitigation | . ÿ k Indicators of implementin Adjustments implementing . en Measure implement- g mitigation Dates Problems | Mitigation (same as in EME, ation and measures |Monitore | Encountere |Effectivenes Table 2) HÉEEN effectiveness of er d d s measures indicators monitoring construction Technical on excessive 3 phase Team noise by workers and L Ch AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 397 [page 398] Comments: The total irrigated area covers 220 ha of land yet an extension of 130 ha is possible, which would increase the irrigated area to 350 ha. Environmental concerns related to the Grison-Garde Irrigation System can be summarized as follows: + Soil erosion upstream of the dam resulting in sedimentation of the dam. + Heavy sediment (rocks) deposits in the dam. ° Agricultural practice of weeding around the primary channel causing sediment deposits in the channel after each storm. + The obstruction of the natural outlet constraining drainage of salts. + Excessive fertilizer use causing salinization. + _Salinization of groundwater system due to the lack of an adequate drainage system to eliminate salts. + Proximity of the irrigation channels to the roads. + Outbreak of social conflict when water levels are low. + __Displacement of the riverbed. + Erosion of the right side of the dam (risks caving in) by water in heavy rain and flood periods. ° Planting of crops in drainage channels connected with the primary channel. To overcome these problems, the following mitigation actions will be undertaken: + Define a management plan with the IR2 specialists to protect the upstream area of the dam permanently and reduce river sedimentation to a minimum. + __Rehabilitate drainage systems to allow the evacuation of excess water in cases of heavy rainfall. + __Identify an appropriate natural outlet for the system. + Assist farmers in establishing quantities of chemical fertilizers to be used (reduced amount for rice) to prevent salinization. + Build retaining walls or gabion structures to the right of the dam to prevent erosion underway (and associated risk of caving in) and migration of the riverbed. + __Consolidate the irrigation channels already built alongside the roads to prevent the overflow of water onto the roads. + Establish a protected area for each drainage channel (free of agriculture) to facilitate the infiltration and evacuation of water during periods of flooding. Given the above work proposed for the Grison Garde Irrigation System, the key environmental impact factors that will have to be addressed are the following: 1. Soil erosion: Earthworks will contribute to a large amount of soil movement as the canals, the drains, the flood barriers, temporary material storage areas, and agricultural plots are being worked on. Soil from disturbed surfaces is likely to be washed away during the rainy season and also in dry conditions through wind erosion. If cut and fill sites are not protected, loose soil will also be washed away into the canals and in turn, the rivers. The risk of soil erosion is considered high, particularly during high and intense rainfall, given the proximity of the rivers, the scale of the earthworks, and the characteristics of the overburden in the area which is easily erodible. 2. Soil pollution: It is anticipated that the contractor will bring vehicles and equipment to the worksite. Oil and fuel spills from this equipment could impact the soil. Trucks hauling construction materials such as aggregates, sand and gravel and equipment being moved to and from a work site may pass through agricultural fields and also impact agricultural soil through oil and fuel spills. In addition, areas where the contractor will store fuels, lubricants, and chemicals or where vehicles and equipment are fueled or serviced, represent a source of hazardous substances being released into the soil. Improper disposal of concrete wastes resulting from on- site concrete batching or cleaning of ready-mix concrete vehicles can also contaminate soil. 3. Erosion and ecosystem damage at construction material borrow pits: There are a few 398 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 399] places were aggregates are mined in the vicinity of the project area. However, it is anticipated that the sub-contractor may have to use borrow pits in the riverbed or in any suitable site in the project area. The selection of suitable borrow sites must be approved by AVANSE as improper sand extraction can cause erosion, sedimentation of water bodies such as rivers, and destabilization of river beds and banks. 4. Degradation of rehabilitated structures during heavy rain or flooding events: The rehabilitation of this irrigation system is susceptible to damage by heavy rains or flooding if an adequate drainage system is not installed and maintained. 5. Waste generation: Solid waste will be generated from site vegetation clearance during construction. The vegetation and other rubbish that will be cleared from the site will lead to the generation of waste that require proper disposal. Various wastes generated during construction will need to be managed and disposed of properly. These will include solid waste from packaging materials, wood and steel crates, cardboard, wrapping materials, boxes, sacks, drums, cans and chemical containers, and any other unused materials. Workers will also generate domestic solid waste. À comprehensive waste management program will have to be established by the sub- contractor and monitored by AVANSE. 6. Dust and air pollution: The vehicles and machines used in the construction of civil works will produce exhaust smoke, fumes, and dust that may be harmful to the surrounding communities. 7. Noise pollution: The vehicles and machines used in the civil works will produce noise that may be unpleasant to communities who live near the project area. 8. Exploitation of borrow pits: The principal environmental concerns related to the exploitation of borrow pits are: loss of vegetation, farmlands, dust, health, public safety. When unprotected during usage and if it is not reinstated after use it would become a hazard for children and animals and a breeding ground for disease vectors. Without adequately consulting with land owners, borrow pits can also become a source of litigation. Construction in reserves can affect the wildlife population since it would entail exploitation of material in that jurisdiction. Prior to the development of any borrow pits, the sub-contractor will seek the approval of AVANSE. 9. Establishment and use of other worksites: There is the need for sub-contractors to establish a construction camp in order to facilitate activities pertaining to the realization of the project. It also provides security for their equipment, and storage for materials to be used for the works. This will entail the following: + Land acquisition/Lease, + Clearing, + Construction of structures, and + _ Provision of sanitary facilities The establishment of workers camps and other work facility locations in the area may bring a number of negative impacts on the environment that include poor siting of facilities, solid waste disposal, taxing potable water supply, etc. 10. Community — worker — contractors relations: Friction may be caused by inappropriate or unacceptable behavior of workers in communities along the corridor. Sexual activity of workers With locals may lead to unwanted pregnancies, STIs and Increased incidence in HIV/AIDS. Friction between workers and sub-contractors may be caused by labor relations that exist between the sub-contractors and the workers. Finally, complaints coming from the community left unaddressed may also provoke bad relations between members of the community and the sub-contractors. 11. Hydrology and hydrologic monitoring: The lack of hydrological data is a problem that may contribute to poor irrigation design. When hydrologic data is lacking, engineers attempt to correlate site hydrology with data from the nearest available catchment, resulting in a considerable loss of precision. Hydrological data is also required in monitoring and mitigation. An AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 399 [page 400] example is the impact of the irrigation construction and use on stream flow and depth of the water table. The project will have to be designed with the understanding that data development will be part of the system's O&M. 12. Irrigation engineering: Irrigation engineering includes the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of an irrigation system. Traditionally, small irrigation systems are designed based on the hydrology and geomorphology of an area. The lack of appropriate information combined with modern engineering solutions developed for larger systems, could lead to problems when applied to the redesign of traditional systems. 13. Effect on fauna and flora: Considering the project location, the animals that could be impacted by project activities are fish and amphibians. As the system drains to nearby rivers, siltation and other pollutants will enter these water bodies and may harm these creatures. These rivers will ultimately reach the coastal area downstream and add to the pollution burden on these coastal waters. 14. Displacement of economic activities: Construction activities can disrupt current farming practices in the project area. Building the main canal and flood control structures will disrupt the flows into the area, on which the farmers rely for their crops. 15. Water rights: Water rights is a crucial issue that will need to be addressed before the system is rehabilitated. It can be a major source of conflict among beneficiaries of the system. 16. Conflict resolution: Conflict often arises between upstream users, who begin to use or increase their use of water, and downstream users, who may have prior appropriation rights to the water. Any change in the availability or use of irrigation water requires consultation between both upstream and downstream users to ensure equitable sharing and avoid conflict. 17. Community participation in irrigation rehabilitation design, operation and maintenance: Unless the local associations in the project area are made part of this project, there could be major tension with community in terms of ensuring that the design is compatible with their needs. The community, through an effective farmers’ association will have to take responsibility for the management, operation and maintenance of the system. 18. Women's participation: Women in the project area are already very involved in all aspects of farming in the area. They must play a major role in the association that will be formed to manage the project. 19. Water borne diseases (diarrhea, typhoid, dysentery, etc.): The use of irrigation water for drinking, bathing, and clothes washing is a common practice in the targeted project areas. Water borne diseases can be prevented by discouraging people from using reservoir, canal, and drainage water for drinking and bathing. This can be done by encouraging the local and national authorities to provide a safe and convenient source of water and by linking irrigation development With health education and sanitation programs. 20. Safety hazards: Workers at the site will be exposed to several safety hazards, including open trenches, openly stored or moving construction materials, and moving construction equipment. Also, construction sites can be dangerous places for residents of nearby communities. These residents may not be aware of the hazards and may be interested in observing the activities. Specifically, children are often eager to see construction equipment at work. Such curiosity may lead to accidents ranging from minor to major injuries such as bruises and fractures. 21. HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Workers’ camps may be a source of social unrest and environmental problems including the transmission and spread of diseases (e.g. or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)) to the resident community by the project personnel and vice versa. 400 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 401] Mitigation measures specified in the PEA (see table following this environmental screening form) Will therefore be applied to mitigate the potential impacts listed above. The following strategies will be implemented to mitigate the potential impacts described above: e Ensure that the rehabilitation of this irrigation system adheres to national and international technical design standards; e Bring awareness of these potential issues and their impact to the engineers and construction contractors who will be responsible for the design, construction and supervision of the project; e _Promote the limitation of heavy equipment and machinery during the construction phase of the project. + Establish maintenance committees to oversee the rehabilitation of the system and to ensure that proper maintenance is provided as well as the proper behaviour of farmers during and after the rehabilitation of the system; + Monitor the rehabilitation activities of the projects during and after completion, and make adjustments to the mitigation plan when unforeseen impacts arise or when mitigation measures are insufficient to reduce impacts. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 401 [page 402] Table 1. Environmental Screening Form Name of La Suisse Irrigation System Rehabilitation, Haut du Activity: Cap Watershed (irrigation system not requiring Column Col C additional surface water withdrawals A Type of ACtiVitY: Infrastructure/Rehabilitation If answered yes to Contractor/ Col. À is it a--? Grantee: _DAI Date: 20 April 2015 Yes IEE/ETD Medium- #: _LAC-IEE-14-17 Risk IMPACT ON NATURAL RESOURCES & COMMUNITIES Will the project involve construction and/or 1 reconstruction/rehabilitation of any type of structure (building, X X check dam, walls, etc.)? 2 Will the project involve new construction” and/or x repair/reconstruction/rerouting roads or trails? Will the project involve the use, involve plans to use or training in 3 the use of any chemical compounds such as pesticides x (including neem), herbicides, paint, varnish, lead-based products, etc.? Involve the construction of repair of irrigation systems? DOX | | | x | Will the activity involve training and/or implementation of agricultural practices/production including animal husbandry? 6 | Involve the construction or repair of fish ponds? RS EE Will the project involve implementation of timber management” extraction of forest products, clearing of forest cover, and/or X conversion of forest land? Are there any potentially sensitive terrestrial or aquatic areas near the project site, including protected areas, wetlands, critical X X Wildlife habitat or nesting areas? Will the activities proposed generate airborne gases, liquids, or 10 ie . X X solids (i.e. discharge pollutants) Will the waste generated during or after the project impact on 11 . : X X neighboring surface or ground water? Will the activity create objectionable odors? D | x | | Will the activity violate air standard? D | x | | Will the activity occur on steep slopes (Greater than 15%)? D | OX | | Will the activity contribute to erosion? DOxX | | | x | Is the activity incompatible with existing land use in the vicinity? D | x | | 17 Will the activity contribute to displacement of people (housing) or x businesses? Will the activity affect unique geologic, physical, cultural, and/or 18 : : x historic features? 19 Will the activity have potential impacts to inhabitants, natural x x landscapes, or flora/fauna downstream from the activity site? Will the activity contribute to change in the amount of surface 20 : x x water in any water body? Will the activity have a direct or indirect impact, or include 21 : à X actions with mangroves and coral reefs? Will the activity expose people or property to flooding? D | x | | Will the activity contribute substantial reduction in the amount of 23 à : : ; X ground water otherwise available for public water supplies? 402 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 403] . Column B If answered yes to Col. A. . Yes is it a--? Medium- ER Will the project activities create conditions 24 | encouraging an increase of waterborne diseases or X X populations of disease carrying vectors? 25 | rai as mamans pan been suomi? | | X | | grants, has a maintenance plan been submitted? On EEE pedestrians, motorists or persons with disabilities? 27 Wine act increase entsing oiselewes? | X | | | * | 29 | Gaves goes and cer botara mage | | X | | gauzes, gloves and other biohazard medical waste? DE CES require local planning permission(s)? 50 asie mprouemanngr 69 | x] Ju] ma | infrastructure improvements)? EE ES ES involved unequally in the project's activities? D EEE of men and women? EEE PE PE TS ES ES 33 : X the project? 19 anvonmanai rotor require (Caigoñca xguon) No EMPR requis — | environmental review is required (Categorical Exclusion). No EMPR required. (b) The project has potential for minimal to medium adverse environmental effects, but mitigable environmental effects. Measures to mitigate environmental effects will be incorporated (Negative Determination with Conditions). EMPR Required. (c) The project has potentially substantial or significant adverse environmental effects, but requires more analysis to form a conclusion. An Environmental Assessment will be prepared (Positive x Determination). No EMPR required. DR 1" design or location or the development of new alternatives is required (Deferral). (e) The project has substantial and immitigable adverse environmental effects. Mitigation is insufficient to eliminate these effects and alternatives are not feasible. The project is not recommended for funding. Construction projects need to be reviewed for scale, planned use, building code needs and maintenance. New construction having a footprint larger than 1000 sq. meters or 10,000 sq. ft. is considered large scale and high risk. Some small construction projects, such as building an entrance sign to a park, may require simple mitigations whereas larger buildings will require more extensive review and monitoring. 2? New construction of roads and trails are considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the planned construction, i.e. a Positive Determination. Any reroutes of a road or trail longer than 100 meters is considered a high risk. Reroutes within a protected area, nearby a water source/wetlands, and/or archeological site are considered a high risk. $ The purchase of packaged store pesticides are included. The planned involvement of p esticides will trigger the need to develop a Supplemental Initial Environmental Examination that meets USAID pesticide procedures (Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan or “PERSUAP”) for the project. “ Any activities that involve harvesting trees or converting forests is considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the activity (i.e. Positive Determination). 5 A positive response to gender questions require follow up only when there are other positive responses on questions 1 — 30, and an EMPR is developed. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 403 [page 404] 404 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 405] Comments: La Suisse farming area is estimated at 137 ha. Of this, about 63 hectares are currently irrigated. The system takes water from the Marianné River (from two sides of the river). Water enters the system through the water inlets. Then water is transported to the fields by a system of canals whose total length is about 7,246 meters of which about 68% is in masonry and 32% in earth. The land is relatively flat with a slope of less than 2%. The system is controlled by a number of gate valves of which 2 are placed in the inlet structures, 2 on the primary canals allowing water to flow through the system, 6 gate valves supplying the secondary canals, and a series of gate valves on secondary canals supplying water to the tertiary canals. Secondary canals extended by tertiary earth canals use artisanal means, such as branches, as gates. The drainage system is inexistent due to the poor preparation of the irrigated fields. The total length of the system is about 2081 meters. About 86% of the drained water from the perimeter exits to the Marianné River and the remaining 14% of the perimeter drains into the Parque River. In general the drains are in very bad shape and must be rehabilitated. The system is currently managed by l’'AILS which has 34 active members. Of these, 13 are women. There are many conflicts among the farmers which are primarily due to access to available water. The infrastructure problems of the current irrigation system are the following: ° The damis sited too low to supply upstream farming land with water. + The gate valves are porous. e Counter slopes on secondary masonry canals which do not allow water to reach the end plots. + Earth canals are not properly maintained. They are losing water through infiltration. Their capacity is reduced due to heavy siltage and vegetation growth on their banks. + Some canals are still not completely built and therefore discharge water into open fields. + There are no drains in the irrigated parcels. + There are no dykes to protect parcels which are easily flooded during high water periods. To address these problems, the following actions have been proposed: e Complete theirrigation canals. e Rehabilitate masonry canals including the installation of new gate valves. e Developthe drainage system. e Retrofit the riverbed to facilitate the flow of water. e Build dykes to protect parcels against high water flows. e _Rehabilitate water intake. e Build the system'’s extension. Given the above work to be done on the “La Suisse” irrigation system, the key environmental impact factors that will have to be addressed are the following: 1. Soil Erosion: Earthworks will contribute to a large amount of soil movement as the canals, the drains, the flood barriers, temporary material storage areas and agricultural plots are being worked on. Soils from disturbed surfaces are likely to be washed away during the rainy season and also in dry conditions through wind erosion. If cut and fill sites are not protected, loose soils will equally be washed away into the canals and later into the rivers. The risk of soil erosion is considered high, particularly during high and intense rainfall, given the proximity of the rivers, the scale of the earthworks and the characteristics of the overburden in the area which is easily erodible. 2. Soil Pollution: lt is anticipated that the sub-contractor will bring vehicles and equipment to be AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 405 [page 406] used during construction. These may impact the soil with oil and fuel spills. Trucks hauling construction materials such as aggregates, sand and gravel and equipment being moved to and from a work site may pass through agricultural fields and impact agricultural soil with oil and fuel spills. In addition, areas where the sub-contractor will store fuels, lubricants and chemicals are stored or where vehicles and equipment are fueled or serviced will be sources of hazardous substance releases to the soil. Improper disposal of concrete wastes resulting from on-site concrete batching or cleaning of ready-mix concrete vehicles can also contaminate soil. 3. Erosion and ecosystem damage at construction material borrow pits: There are a few places were aggregates are mined in the vicinity of the project area. However, it is anticipated that the sub-contractor may have to use borrow pits in the riverbed or in any suitable site in the project area. The selection of suitable borrow sites must be approved by AVANSE as improper sand extraction can cause erosion, sedimentation of water bodies such as rivers, and destabilization of river beds and banks. 4. Degradation of rehabilitated structures during heavy rain or flooding events: The rehabilitation of this irrigation system is susceptible to damage by heavy rains or flooding if proper drainage is not installed and the drainage system is not well maintained. 5. Loss of Top Soil: Construction of irrigation and drainage structures for La Suisse will require fill material which will generally be taken from canal and drain excavations or off-site locations. During the construction of secondary and tertiary canals, however, some fill material may be taken from adjacent fields, particularly if the field is in need of land leveling. In these cases, the potential exists for the destruction of top soil. 6. Water Contamination: lf erosion occurs and/or soil is polluted, as discussed above, it is possible that the rivers may be impacted with sediment, leaked/spilled lubricants, fuels and hazardous substances. Other sources of potential water pollution are: e _Washing construction vehicles or equipment in or nearby the river; + Use of the rivers and canals for the maintenance of the personal hygiene of the population; ° _Improper disposal of concrete wastes resulting from on-site concrete batching or cleaning of ready-mix concrete vehicles; + Surface run-off from on-site stockpiled sand and gravel; and + _Inadequate disposal of solid wastes and wastewater generated during construction from workers. 7. Waste Generation: Solid waste will be generated from site vegetation clearance during construction. The vegetation and other rubbish that will be cleared from the site will lead to the generation of large volumes of waste that require proper disposal. Various wastes generated during construction will need to be managed and disposed of properly. These will include solid waste from packaging materials, wood and steel crates, cardboard, wrapping materials, boxes, sacks, drums, cans and chemical containers and any other unused materials. Workers will also generate domestic solid waste. À comprehensive waste management program Will have to be established by the sub-contractor and monitored by AVANSE 8. Dust and Air Pollution: The vehicles and machines used in the construction of civil works will produce exhaust smoke, fumes and dust that may be unpleasant to the surrounding communities. 9. Noise Pollution: The vehicles and machines used in the civil works will produce noise that 406 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 407] may be unpleasant to communities who live near the project area. 10. Exploitation of Borrow Pits: The principal environmental concerns related to the exploitation of borrow pits are: loss of vegetation, farmlands, dust, health, and public safety. When unprotected during usage and if it is not reinstated after use it would become a hazard for children and animals and becomes breeding ground for disease vectors and with inadequate consultation with land owners, borrow pits can become a source of litigation. Construction in reserves can affect the wildlife population since it would entail exploitation of material in that jurisdiction. Prior to the development of any borrow pits, the sub-contractor will seek the approval of AVANSE. 11 Establishment and use of other worksites: There is the need for the sub-contractors to establish a base camp for easy referencing and coordinating of activities pertaining to the realization of the project. It also provides security for equipment, storage for materials to be used for the works, and includes siting of offices and/or residences This entails: e Land acquisition/Lease; e Clearing; e Erection of structures; and e Provision of sanitary facilities. The establishment of workers camps and other work facility locations in the area may bring a number of negative impacts on the environment that include poor siting of facilities, solid waste disposal, taxing potable water supply, etc. 12. Community — Worker — Contractors relations: Friction may be caused by inappropriate or unacceptable behavior of workers in communities along the corridor. Sexual activity of workers with locals may lead to unwanted pregnancies, STIs and increased incidence in HIV/AIDS. Friction between workers and sub-contractors may be caused by labor relations that exist between the sub-contractors and the workers. Finally, bad relations may exist between members of the community and the sub-contractors caused by community complaints not been properly addressed by the sub-contractors. 13. Hydrology and hydrologic monitoring: The lack of hydrologic data is a problem that may contribute to poor irrigation design. When hydrologic data is lacking, engineers attempt to correlate site hydrology with data from the nearest available catchment, with a considerable loss in precision. Hydrologic data is also required in monitoring and mitigation. An example is the impact of the irrigation construction and use on stream flow and depth of the water table. The project will have to be designed with the understanding that data development will be part of the system's O&M. 14. Irrigation engineering: Irrigation engineering includes the design, construction, operation and maintenance of an irrigation system. Traditionally, small irrigation systems are designed With according to the hydrology and geomorphology of an area. The lack of appropriate information combined with modern engineering solutions developed for larger systems, could lead to problems when applied to the redesign of traditional systems. 15. Effect on Fauna and Flora: Where the project is located, the only animals that could be impacted by its activities are fish and amphibians. As the system drains to the nearby rivers, siltation and other pollutants will enter these water bodies and may harm these creatures. These rivers will ultimately reach the coastal area downstream and add to the pollution burden on these coastal waters. 16. Displacement of Economic Activities: Construction activities can disrupt current farming practices in the project area. Building the main canal and flood control structures will disrupt the flood flows into the area, on which the farmers rely for their crops. 17. Water Rights: Water rights is a crucial issue that will need to be addressed before the system is rehabilitated. It is a major source of conflict among beneficiaries of the system. 18. Conflict resolution: Conflict often arises between upstream users, who begin to use or AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 407 [page 408] increase their use of water, and downstream users, who may have prior appropriation rights to the water. Any change in the availability or use of irrigation water requires consultation to ensure equitable sharing and avoid conflict. 19. Community participation in irrigation rehabilitation design, operation and maintenance: Unless the local associations in the project area are made part of this project, there could be major issues with the people of the community in order to ensure that the design is compatible with the needs of the community. The community, through an effective farmer's association will have to take responsibility for the management, operation and maintenance of the system. 20. Women's participation: Women in the project area are already very involved in all aspects of farming in the area. They must play a major role in the association that will be formed to manage the project. 21. Vector borne diseases (malaria, chikungunya, dengue): Vector borne disease are endemic in Haiti and are present in the Haut du Cap watershed where La Suisse is located. The disease vectors live nearby and breed in lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, coastal plains and human settlements. Hydrologic changes, resulting from irrigation development or dam construction, can lead to a significant increase in mosquito breeding sites. Environmental health engineering can modify the irrigation environment so as to reduce or eliminate the vector habitat. 22. Water borne diseases (diarrhea, typhoid, dysentery, etc.): The use ofirrigation water for drinking, bathing, and clothes washing is very current in the targeted project areas. Water borne diseases can be prevented by discouraging people from using reservoir, canal and drainage water for drinking and washing. This can be done by encouraging the local and national authorities to provide a safe and convenient source of water and by linking irrigation development with health education and sanitation programs. 23. Safety Hazards: Workers at the site will be exposed to several safety hazards, including open trenches, openly stored or moving construction materials, and moving construction equipment. Also, construction sites can be dangerous places for the safety of residents of nearby communities. These residents may not be aware of the hazards and they may simply be interested in observing the equipment and activities. Children are often eager to see construction equipment at work. Such children'’s curiosity may lead to safety hazards ranging from minor to major injuries such as bruises and fractures. 24. HIV/AIDs, sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Workers’ camps may be a source of social unrest and environmental problems such as transmission and spread of diseases (e.g. or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)) to the resident community by the project personnel and vice versa. 25. Change of Community Lifestyle: The construction of the irrigation scheme will have an impact on the day-to-day lives of the people living in the area. An influx of workers to the area Will bring increased economic activity, with an associated positive impact. But the workers may also bring with them behaviors which disrupt the community and puts them and the community at increased risk for conflicts. Mitigation measures specified in the PEA (see table following this environmental screening form) will therefore be applied to mitigate the potential impacts listed above. In addition, the following strategies will be implemented to mitigate the potential impacts described above: + Ensure that the rehabilitation of this irrigation system adheres to national and international technical design standards. 408 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 409] + Bring awareness of these potential issues and their impact to the engineers and construction sub-contractors who will be responsible for the design, construction and supervision of the project. + Promote the limitation of heavy equipment and machinery during the construction phase of the project. + Establish maintenance committees to oversee the rehabilitation of the system and to ensure that proper maintenance is provided as well as the proper behavior of farmers during and after the rehabilitation of the system. + Monitor the rehabilitation activities of the projects during and after completion, and make adjustments to the mitigation plan when unforeseen impacts arise or when mitigation measures are insufficient to reduce impacts. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 409 [page 410] Table 1. Environmental Screening Form Name of Activity: _Robino irrigation System, Jassa Watershed Col C Type of ACtiVitY: Infrastructure development If answered yes to Contractor/ Col. À is it a--? Grantee: _DAI Date: April 21, 2015 Yes IEE/ETD Medium- #: LAC-IEE-14-17 Risk IMPACT ON NATURAL RESOURCES & COMMUNITIES Will the project involve construction and/or 1 reconstruction/rehabilitation of any type of structure (building, X X check dam, walls, etc.)? Will the project involve new construction” and/or 2 ; : ; : X repair/reconstruction/rerouting roads or trails? Will the project involve the use, involve plans to use or training in 3 the use of any chemical compounds such as pesticides” x (including neem), herbicides, paint, varnish, lead-based products, etc.? Involve the construction of repair of irrigation systems? DOxX | | x | Will the activity involve training and/or implementation of agricultural practices/production including animal husbandry? le | Involve the construction or repair of fish ponds? BE SE Will the project involve implementation of timber management” extraction of forest products, clearing of forest cover, and/or X conversion of forest land? Are there any potentially sensitive terrestrial or aquatic areas near the project site, including protected areas, wetlands, critical X X Wildlife habitat or nesting areas? Will the activities proposed generate airborne gases, liquids, or 10 ec : X X solids (i.e. discharge pollutants Will the waste generated during or after the project impact on 11 . : X X neighboring surface or ground water? Will the activity create objectionable odors? ho | OX | | Will the activity violate air standard? BE SE Will the activity occur on steep slopes (Greater than 15%)? RS RS DE Will the activity contribute to erosion? DOx | | | x | Is the activity incompatible with existing land use in the vicinity? | x | | 17 Will the activity contribute to displacement of people (housing) or x businesses? Will the activity affect unique geologic, physical, cultural, and/or 18 : : X historic features? 19 Will the activity have potential impacts to inhabitants, natural x x landscapes, or flora/fauna downstream from the activity site? Will the activity contribute to change in the amount of surface 20 : X water in any water body? Will the activity have a direct or indirect impact, or include actions 21 : X With mangroves and coral reefs? Will the activity expose people or property to flooding? BE SE Will the activity contribute substantial reduction in the amount of 23 : : : : X ground water otherwise available for public water supplies? 410 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 411] AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 411 [page 412] If answered yes to Col. A. . Yes is it a--? Medium- ER Will the project activities create conditions 24 | encouraging an increase of waterborne diseases or X X populations of disease carrying vectors? 25 | ra has emanionane pan beam adm | | X | | grants, has a maintenance plan been submitted? ane ae | | pedestrians, motorists or persons with disabilities? 27 | Wine sci crease entsing noiselewes? | X | | | * | EE ES ES gauzes, gloves and other biohazard medical waste? DE ES require local planning permission(s)? 20 astuce mpronemenngr 9 | x] Jul nm | infrastructure improvements)? EE involved unequally in the project's activities? D EEE of men and women? EEE PE PET ES 33 ; X the project? 19 anvonmanai rotor require (Caigoñca xguon) No EMPR requis — | environmental review is required (Categorical Exclusion). No EMPR required. (b) The project has potential for minimal to medium adverse environmental effects, but mitigable environmental effects. Measures to mitigate environmental effects will be incorporated (Negative Determination with Conditions). EMPR Required. (c) The project has potentially substantial or significant adverse environmental effects, but requires more analysis to form a conclusion. An Environmental Assessment will be prepared (Positive X Determination). No EMPR required. D 1 design or location or the development of new alternatives is required (Deferral). (e) The project has substantial and unmitigable adverse environmental effects. Mitigation is insufficient to eliminate these effects and alternatives are not feasible. The project is not recommended for funding. Construction projects need to be reviewed for scale, planned use, building code needs and maintenance. New construction having a footprint larger than 1000 sq. meters or 10,000 sq. ft. is considered large scale and high risk. Some small construction projects, such as building an entrance sign to a park, may require simple mitigations whereas larger buildings will require more extensive review and monitoring. 2? New construction of roads and trails are considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the planned construction, i.e. a Positive Determination. Any reroutes of a road or trail longer than 100 meters is considered a high risk. Reroutes within a protected area, nearby a water source/wetlands, and/or archeological site are considered a high risk. $ The purchase of packaged store pesticides are included. The planned involvement of pesticides will trigger the need to develop a Supplemental Initial Environmental Examination that meets USAID pesticide procedures (Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan or “PERSUAP”) for the project. “ Any activities that involve harvesting trees or converting forests is considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the activity (i.e. Positive Determination). 5 A positive response to gender questions require follow up only when there are other positive responses on questions 1 — 30, and an EMPR is developed. 412 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 413] AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 413 [page 414] Comments: The Robino irrigation system is part of the Maribahoux plain. It is located in upper Mahibaroux which is in the Jassa watershed. AVASE proposes to rehabilitate 300 hectares of the existing 4,655 hectares that have been deprived of irrigation water since 2007. The system was once irrigated from the Jassa River from a system of earth canals. However, with the shutting of the inlet that provided water to the area, the irrigation system, made of earth canals, became obsolete and fell to ruins. Currently, farmers rely solely on rainwater to irrigate their crops in the targeted irrigation area. The rehabilitation of the 300 hectares will include the following works: e _Improve the inlet on the Jassa River where the Makimara dam is located in order to have access to enough water. ° Build a primary canal of approximately 5 km from the inlet that will convey water to secondary canals located in the targeted perimeter. e Build 5,500 meters of secondary and tertiary canals to distribute water to the plots. + Build gates to control the distribution of irrigation water. + Rehabilitate the existing access road from RN-6 to the targeted perimeter. ° Build a drainage system for the perimeter. + _Strengthen the existing water user association to manage, operate and maintain the system. Given the above situation, the environmental concerns are the following: 1. Preliminary Study for the Robino System: Although a preliminary study was done for this project by AVANSE, the study did not provide any information on river flow and no environmental survey of the project was made. Hence no information on the capacity of the Jassa river has been determined and no environmental issues have been identified. Therefore it is imperative that the quantity of available water be determined, taking into consideration what is used now, as well as downstream needs. It is also imperative that the drainage situation be determined given the fact that the river flows into a Protected Prea. 2. Hydraulic Information development: Given the fact that there is no flow data available to determine the impact that the withdrawal of more water from the Jassa River would have on the availability of enough water to support irrigation of the proposed system, particularly during low flow periods and for downstream users, it is recommended that a hydraulic data collection system for the river be established. 3. Soil Erosion: Earthworks will contribute to a large amount of soil movement as the canals, the drains, the flood barriers, temporary material storage areas and agricultural plots are being worked on. Soils from disturbed surfaces are likely to be washed away during the rainy season and also in dry conditions through wind erosion. If cut and fill sites are not protected, loose soils Will equally be washed away into the canals and later into the rivers. The risk of soil erosion is considered high, particularly during high and intense rainfall, given the proximity of the rivers, the scale of the earthworks and the characteristics of the overburden in the area which is easily erodible. 4. Soil Pollution: It is anticipated that the sub-contractor could bring vehicles and equipment to be used during construction. These may impact the soil with oil and fuel spills. Trucks hauling construction materials such as aggregates, sand and gravel and equipment being moved to and from a work site may pass through agricultural fields and impact agricultural soil with oil and fuel spills. In addition, areas where the contractor will store fuels, lubricants and chemicals, or where vehicles and equipment are fueled or serviced, will be sources of hazardous substance released to the soil. Improper disposal of concrete wastes resulting from on-site concrete batching or cleaning of ready-mix concrete vehicles can also contaminate soil. 5. Erosion and ecosystem damage at construction material borrow pits: There are a few 414 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 415] places were aggregates are mined in the vicinity of the project area. However, it is anticipated that the sub-contractor may have to use borrow pits in the riverbed or in any suitable site in the project area. The selection of suitable borrow sites must be approved by AVANSE as improper sand extraction can cause erosion, sedimentation of water bodies such as rivers, and destabilization of river beds and banks. 6. Degradation of rehabilitated structures during heavy rain or flooding events: The rehabilitation of this irrigation system is susceptible to damage by heavy rains or flooding if proper drainage is not installed and the drainage system is not well maintained. 7. Loss of Top Soil: Construction of irrigation and drainage structures will require fill material which will generally be taken from canal and drain excavations or off-site locations. During the construction of secondary and tertiary canals, however, some fill material may be taken from adjacent fields, particularly if the field is in need of land leveling. In these cases, the potential exists for the destruction of top soil. 8. Water Contamination: lf erosion occurs and/or soil is polluted, as discussed above, it is possible that the rivers may be impacted with sediment, leaked/spilled lubricants, fuels and hazardous substances. Other sources of potential water pollution are: e _Washing construction vehicles or equipment in or nearby the river; + Use of the rivers and canals for the maintenance of the personal hygiene of the population; °e _Improper disposal of concrete wastes resulting from on-site concrete batching or cleaning of ready-mix concrete vehicles; + Surface run-off from on-site stockpiled sand and gravel; and + _Inadequate disposal of solid wastes and wastewater generated during construction from workers. 9. Waste Generation: Solid waste will be generated from site vegetation clearance during construction. The vegetation and other rubbish that will be cleared from the site will lead to the generation of large volumes of waste that require proper disposal. Various wastes generated during construction will need to be managed and disposed of properly. À comprehensive waste management program Will have to be established by the sub-contractor and monitored by AVANSE. 10. Dust and Air Pollution: The vehicles and machines used in the construction of civil works will produce exhaust smoke, fumes and dust that may be unpleasant to the surrounding communities. 11. Noise Pollution: The vehicles and machines used in the civil works will produce noise that may be unpleasant to communities who live near the project area. 12. Exploitation of Borrow Pits: The principal environmental concerns related to the exploitation of borrow pits are: loss of vegetation, farmlands, dust, health, public safety. When unprotected during usage and if it is not reinstated after use it would become a hazard for children and animals and becomes breeding ground for disease vectors and with inadequate consultation with land owners, borrow pits can become a source of litigation. Construction in reserves can affect the wildlife population since it would entail exploitation of material in that jurisdiction. Prior to the development of any borrow pits, the sub-contractor will seek the approval of AVANSE. 13 Establishment and use of other worksites: There is the need for the sub-contractors to establish a base camp for easy referencing and coordinating of activities pertaining to the realization of the project. It also provides security for their equipment, storage for materials to be used for the works, and includes siting of offices and/or residences This entails: e Land acquisition/Lease, e Clearing, AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 415 [page 416] e Erection of structures, and e Provision of sanitary facilities. The establishment of workers camps and other work facility locations in the area may bring a number of negative impacts to the environment that include poor siting of facilities, solid waste disposal, taxing potable water supply, etc. 14. Community — Worker — Contractors relations: Friction may be caused by inappropriate or unacceptable behavior of workers in communities along the corridor. Sexual activity of workers With locals may lead to unwanted pregnancies, STIs and Increased incidence in HIV/AIDS. Friction between workers and sub-contractors may be caused by labor relations that exist between the sub-contractors and the workers. Finally, bad relations may exist between members of the community and the sub-contractors caused by community complaints not been properly addressed by the sub-contractors. 15. Effect on Fauna and Flora: Where the project is located, the only animals that could be impacted by its activities are fish and amphibians. As the system drains to the nearby rivers, siltation and other pollutants will enter these water bodies and may harm these creatures. These rivers will ultimately reach the coastal area downstream and add to the pollution burden on the coastal waters in an area that is comprises a recently-declared Protected Area. 16. Displacement of Economic Activities: Construction activities can disrupt current farming practices in the project area. Building the main canal and flood control structures will disrupt the flows into the area, on which the farmers rely for their crops. 17. Water Rights: Water rights is a crucial issue that will need to be addressed before the system is rehabilitated. It is a major source of conflict among beneficiaries of the system. 18. Conflict resolution: Conflict regarding water use already exists among farmers in the Maribahoux plain. Any change in the availability or use of irrigation water requires consultation to ensure equitable sharing and avoid conflict. The Water User Association must have the capability to resolve conflicts regarding water usage. 19. Community participation in irrigation rehabilitation design, operation and maintenance: Unless the local associations in the project area are made part of this project, there could be major issues with the people of the community in order to ensure that the design is compatible With the needs of the community. The community, through an effective farmer’s association will have to take responsibility for the management, operation and maintenance of the system. 20. Women's participation: Women in the project area are already very involved in all aspects of farming in the area. They must play a major role in the association that will be formed to manage the project. 21. Vector borne diseases (malaria, chikungunya, dengue): Vector borne disease are endemic in Haïti and are present in the northeast of Haiti where the Robino perimeter is located. The disease vectors live nearby and breed in lakes, pondés, rivers, streams, coastal plains and human settlements. Hydrologic changes, resulting from irrigation development or dam construction, can lead to a significant increase in mosquito breeding sites. Environmental health engineering can modify the irrigation environment so as to reduce or eliminate the vector habitat. 22. Water borne diseases (diarrhea, typhoid, dysentery, etc.): The use ofirrigation water for drinking, bathing, clothes washing is very current in the targeted project areas. Water borne diseases can be prevented by discouraging people from using reservoir, canal and drainage water for drinking and washing. This can be done by encouraging the local and national authorities to provide a safe and convenient source of water and by linking irrigation development With health education and sanitation programs. 23. Safety Hazards: Workers at the site will be exposed to several safety hazards, including open trenches, openly stored or moving construction materials, and moving construction equipment. Also, construction sites can be dangerous places for the safety of residents of nearby communities. These residents may not be aware of the hazards and they may simply be 416 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 417] interested in observing the equipment and activities. Children are often eager to see construction equipment at work. Such children's curiosity may lead to safety hazards ranging from minor to major injuries such as bruises and fractures. 24. HIV/AIDs, sexually transmitted infections (STis): Workers’ camps may be a source of social unrest and environmental problems such as transmission and spread of diseases (e.g. or sexually transmitted diseases (STIs)) to the resident community by the project personnel and vice versa. 25. Change of Community Lifestyle: The construction of the irrigation scheme will have an impact on the day-to-day lives of the people living in the area. An influx of workers to the area will bring increased economic activity, with and associated positive impact. But the workers may also bring With them behaviors which disrupt the community and puts them and the community at increased risk for conflicts. Mitigation measures specified in an environmental assessment will therefore be applied to mitigate those impacts listed above. Overall, the following strategies will be implemented to mitigate the potential impacts described above: °+ Establish a program to record hydraulic data on the Jassa River over the life of the project. Information from the program should be shared with the MARNDR in order to have continuity beyond the project life. + Conduct a more detailed environmental survey of the system and its surroundings. + Ensure that the rehabilitation of this irrigation system adheres to national and international technical design standards. + Bring awareness of these potential issues and their impact to the engineers and construction sub- contractors who will be responsible for the design, construction and supervision of the project. + Promote the limitation of heavy equipment and machinery during the construction phase of the project. + Establish maintenance committees to oversee the rehabilitation of the system and to ensure that proper maintenance is provided as well as the proper behavior of farmers during and after the rehabilitation of the system. + Monitor the rehabilitation activities of the projects during and after completion, and make adjustments to the mitigation plan when unforeseen impacts arise or when mitigation measures are insufficient to reduce impacts. e _ Provide access to the Makimara dam area on the Jassa River. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 417 [page 418] Table 1. Environmental Screening Form Name of Activity: _Chalopin Irrigation System — Marion Watershed Col C Type of ACtiVitY: Infrastructure development If answered yes to Contractor/ Col. À is it a--? Grantee: DAI Date: April 21, 2015 Yes IEE/ETD Medium- #: _LAC-IEE-14-17 Risk IMPACT ON NATURAL RESOURCES & COMMUNITIES Will the project involve construction and/or 1 reconstruction/rehabilitation of any type of structure (building, X X check dam, walls, etc.)? Will the project involve new construction” and/or 2 : : ; : X repair/reconstruction/rerouting roads or trails? Will the project involve the use, involve plans to use or training in 3 the use of any chemical compounds such as pesticides x (including neem), herbicides, paint, varnish, lead-based products, etc.? Involve the construction of repair of irrigation systems? DOxX | | x | Will the activity involve training and/or implementation of agricultural practices/production including animal husbandry? le | Involve the construction or repair of fish ponds? BE SE Will the project involve implementation of timber management” extraction of forest products, clearing of forest cover, and/or X conversion of forest land? Are there any potentially sensitive terrestrial or aquatic areas near the project site, including protected areas, wetlands, critical X X Wildlife habitat or nesting areas? Will the activities proposed generate airborne gases, liquids, or 10 ef : X X solids (i.e. discharge pollutants) Will the waste generated during or after the project impact on 11 . : X X neighboring surface or ground water? Will the activity create objectionable odors? BE SE Will the activity violate air standard? | x | | Will the activity occur on steep slopes (Greater than 15%)? ho | OX | | Will the activity contribute to erosion? DOx | | | x | Is the activity incompatible with existing land use in the vicinity? RS RS DE 17 Will the activity contribute to displacement of people (housing) or x businesses? Will the activity affect unique geologic, physical, cultural, and/or 18 cn X historic features? 19 Will the activity have potential impacts to inhabitants, natural x x landscapes, or flora/fauna downstream from the activity site? Will the activity contribute to change in the amount of surface 20 : X water in any water body? Will the activity have a direct or indirect impact, or include actions 21 : X With mangroves and coral reefs? Will the activity expose people or property to flooding? | x | | Will the activity contribute substantial reduction in the amount of 23 : : : : X ground water otherwise available for public water supplies? 418 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 419] If answered yes to Col. A. . Yes is it a--? Medium- ER Will the project activities create conditions 24 | encouraging an increase of waterborne diseases or X X populations of disease carrying vectors? 25 | ra has emanionane pan beam adm | | X | | grants, has a maintenance plan been submitted? ane ae | | pedestrians, motorists or persons with disabilities? 27 | Wine sci crease entsing noiselewes? | X | | | * | EE ES ES gauzes, gloves and other biohazard medical waste? DE ES require local planning permission(s)? 20 astuce mpronemenngr 9 | x] Jul nm | infrastructure improvements)? EE involved unequally in the project's activities? D EEE of men and women? EEE PE PET ES 33 ; X the project? 19 anvonmanai rotor require (Caigoñca xguon) No EMPR requis — | environmental review is required (Categorical Exclusion). No EMPR required. (b) The project has potential for minimal to medium adverse environmental effects, but mitigable environmental effects. Measures to mitigate environmental effects will be incorporated (Negative Determination with Conditions). EMPR Required. (c) The project has potentially substantial or significant adverse environmental effects, but requires more analysis to form a conclusion. An Environmental Assessment will be prepared (Positive X Determination). No EMPR required. D 1 design or location or the development of new alternatives is required (Deferral). (e) The project has substantial and unmitigable adverse environmental effects. Mitigation is insufficient to eliminate these effects and alternatives are not feasible. The project is not recommended for funding. Construction projects need to be reviewed for scale, planned use, building code needs and maintenance. New construction having a footprint larger than 1000 sq. meters or 10,000 sq. ft. is considered large scale and high risk. Some small construction projects, such as building an entrance sign to a park, may require simple mitigations whereas larger buildings will require more extensive review and monitoring. 2? New construction of roads and trails are considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the planned construction, i.e. a Positive Determination. Any reroutes of a road or trail longer than 100 meters is considered a high risk. Reroutes within a protected area, nearby a water source/wetlands, and/or archeological site are considered a high risk. $ The purchase of packaged store pesticides are included. The planned involvement of pesticides will trigger the need to develop a Supplemental Initial Environmental Examination that meets USAID pesticide procedures (Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan or “PERSUAP”) for the project. “ Any activities that involve harvesting trees or converting forests is considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the activity (i.e. Positive Determination). 5 A positive response to gender questions require follow up only when there are other positive responses on questions 1 — 30, and an EMPR is developed. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 419 [page 420] 420 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 421] Comments: The Chalopin irrigation perimeter is located in the Marion watershed. The perimeter's current irrigable area is about 170 hectares. However, according to a study made by LGL SA that was commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Rural Development (MARNDR), the total irrigable area is 430 hectares. The Marion river splits in two branches at a point called Jambes Pantalon which is right below the Dumas perimeter which gets its water from the river. The right branch of the Marion river proceeds to irrigate the Coicou perimeter, while the left branch of the river proceeds to irrigate the Chalopin and the Garde Saline perimeter. Water is withdrawn from the river at an inlet placed at the level of the Chalopin perimeter. Then water is distributed from the main canal to secondary canals With a total length of 350 meters that are in masonry. The topography of the land is relatively flat with slopes of less than 1%. The Chalopin system drains in a big canal over a length of 2 km. The total length of this drainage canal is unknown. The system is not currently managed by a water users association. There are many conflicts among the Chalopin farmers and the ones in the Dumas perimeter (located upstream of Chalopin) due to access to available water. Most of the times the water users inside the system have conflicts regarding having their fair share of water to irrigate their land as water use is not regulated. The infrastructure problems of the current irrigation system are the following: + In order to expand the perimeter from 170 hectares to the proposed 430 hectares, more water should be deviated to the left branch of the river to feed both the Chalopin and Garde perimeters. + Not enough water enters through the Chalopin inlet to irrigate the existing and expanded perimeters. + Theinletis very old and easily destroyed by the flooded river. + The secondary canals are too low as they do not allow water to enter the irrigated plots. + __ Inefficiency of the drainage system to remove salts due to excessive use of fertilizers. There are no drains in the irrigated parcels. + The gate valves are porous. + Earth canals are not properly maintained. They are losing water through infiltration. Their capacity is reduced due to heavy siltage and vegetation growth on their banks. + Presence ofirrigation channels beside the roads. + Social conflict during low water periods. + Some canals are still not completely built and therefore water discharges into open fields. + There are no dykes to protect parcels which are easily flooded during high water periods. To address these problems, the following actions have been proposed: + Increase the level of water at the juncture of the Marion River to allow more water to flow to the left branch of the river. + _Rehabilitate the inlet structure entering the Chalopin perimeter. + Rehabilitate the masonry canals including the installation of new gates. + __ Rehabilitate drains to allow the evacuation of excess water in case of rain. + Redefine the natural outlet for the system. * Assist farmers in defining quantities of chemical fertilizers to be used (less fertilizers for rice) to prevent salinization. + _Consolidate the irrigation channels already built alongside the roads to prevent water overflow on the roads. + Complete the irrigation canals. + _Rehabilitate masonry canals including the installation of new gate valves. + __ Retrofit the riverbed to facilitate the flow of water. * Build dykes to protect parcels against high water flows. * Build the system's extension. Given the above work proposed for the Chalopin irrigation system, the key environmental impact factors that will have to be addressed are the following: AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 421 [page 422] 1. Preliminary Study for the Chalopin System: Although a preliminary study was done for this project by the firm LGL, SA, commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture, natural Resources, and Rural Development (MARNDR), the study did not provide any information on river flow and no environmental assessment of the project. Hence no information on the capacity of the Marion river was given. 2. Hydraulic Information development: Given the fact that there is no flow data available to determine the impact that the withdrawal of more water from the Marion river would have on the availability of enough water to support irrigation of the system, particularly during low flow periods and downstream users, it is recommended that a program to gather hydraulic data for the river upstream of Jambs Pantalon and for the two branches be implemented to gather ample data for consideration of future expansion of the irrigated perimeters of Chalopin and other perimeters below Jambs Pantalon. 3. Soil Erosion: Earthworks will contribute to a large amount of soil movement as the canals, the drains, the flood barriers, temporary material storage areas and agricultural plots are being worked on. Soils from disturbed surfaces are likely to be washed away during the rainy season and also in dry conditions through wind erosion. If cut and fill sites are not protected, loose soils will equally be washed away into the canals and later into the rivers. The risk of soil erosion is considered high, particularly during high and intense rainfall, given the proximity of the rivers, the scale of the earthworks and the characteristics of the overburden in the area which is easily erodible. 4. Soil Pollution: It is anticipated that the sub-contractor could bring vehicles and equipment to be used during construction. These may impact the soil with oil and fuel spills. Trucks hauling construction materials such as aggregates, sand and gravel and equipment being moved to and from a work site may pass through agricultural fields and impact agricultural soil with oil and fuel spills. In addition, areas where the sub-contractor will store fuels, lubricants and chemicals are stored or where vehicles and equipment are fueled or serviced will be sources of hazardous substance releases to the soil. Improper disposal of concrete wastes resulting from on-site concrete batching or cleaning of ready-mix concrete vehicles can also contaminate soil. 5. Erosion and ecosystem damage at construction material borrow pits: There are a few places were aggregates are mined in the vicinity of the project area. However, it is anticipated that the contractor may have to use borrow pits in the riverbed or in any suitable site in the project area. The selection of suitable borrow sites must be approved by AVANSE as improper sand extraction can cause erosion, sedimentation of water bodies such as rivers, and destabilization of river beds and banks. 6. Degradation of rehabilitated structures during heavy rain or flooding events: The rehabilitation of this irrigation system is susceptible to damage by heavy rains or flooding if proper drainage is not installed and the drainage system is well maintained. 7. Loss of Top Soil: Construction of irrigation and drainage structures will require fill material which will generally be taken from canal and drain excavations or off-site locations. During the construction of secondary and tertiary canals, however, some fill material may be taken from adjacent fields, particularly if the field is in need of land leveling. In these cases, the potential exists for the destruction of top soil. 8. Water Contamination: lf erosion occurs and/or soil is polluted, as discussed above, it is possible that the rivers may be impacted with sediment, leaked/spilled lubricants, fuels and hazardous substances. Other sources of potential water pollution are: e _Washing construction vehicles or equipment in or nearby the river; 422 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 423] + Use of the rivers and canals for the maintenance of the personal hygiene of the population °e _Improper disposal of concrete wastes resulting from on-site concrete batching or cleaning of ready-mix concrete vehicles; + Surface run-off from on-site stockpiled sand and gravel; and + _Inadequate disposal of solid wastes and wastewater generated during construction from workers. 9. Waste Generation: Solid waste will be generated from site vegetation clearance during construction. The vegetation and other rubbish that will be cleared from the site will lead to the generation of large volumes of waste that require proper disposal. Various wastes generated during construction will need to be managed and disposed of properly. À comprehensive waste management program Will have to be established by the sub-contractor and monitored by AVANSE. 10. Dust and Air Pollution: The vehicles and machines used in the construction of civil works will produce exhaust smoke, fumes and dust that may be unpleasant to the surrounding communities. 11. Noise Pollution: The vehicles and machines used in the civil works will produce noise that may be unpleasant to communities who live near the project area. 12. Exploitation of Borrow Pits: The principal environmental concerns related to the exploitation of borrow pits are: loss of vegetation, farmlands, dust, health, public safety. When unprotected during usage and if it is not reinstated after use it would become a hazard for children and animals and becomes breeding ground for disease vectors and with inadequate consultation with land owners, borrow pits can become a source of litigation. Construction in reserves can affect the wildlife population since it would entail exploitation of material in that jurisdiction. Prior to the development of any borrow pits, the sub-contractor will seek the approval of AVANSE. 13 Establishment and use of other worksites: There is the need for the sub-contractor to establish a base camp for easy referencing and coordinating of activities pertaining to the realization of the project. It also provides security for his equipment, storage for materials to be used for the works and siting of offices and or residences This entails: e Land acquisition/Lease e Clearing e Erection of structures e Provision of Sanitary facilities The establishment of worker camps and other work facility locations in the area may bring a number of negative impacts on the environment that include poor siting of facilities, solid waste disposal, taxing potable water supply, etc. 14. Community — Worker — Contractors relations: Friction may be caused by inappropriate or unacceptable behavior of workers in communities in the area. Sexual activity of workers with locals may lead to unwanted pregnancies, STDs and Increased incidence in HIV/AIDS. Friction between workers and sub-contractors may be caused by labor relations that exist between the sub-contractors and the workers. Finally, bad relations may exist between members of the community and the cub-contractors caused by community complaints not been properly addressed by the sub-contractors. 15. Effect on Fauna and Flora: Where the project is located, the only animals that could be impacted by its activities are fish and amphibians. As the system drains to the nearby rivers, siltation and other pollutants will enter these water bodies and may harm these creatures. These rivers will ultimately reach the coastal area downstream and add to the pollution burden on the coastal waters in an area that has been declared as a protected zone. 16. Displacement of Economic Activities: Construction activities can disrupt current farming practices in the project area. Building the main canal and flood control structures will disrupt the AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 423 [page 424] flows into the area, on which the farmers rely for their crops. 17. Water Rights: Water rights is a crucial issue that will need to be addressed before the system is rehabilitated. It is a major source of conflict among farmers currently using the existing system. 18. Conflict resolution: Conflict arising between upstream users, who begin to use or increase their use of water, and downstream users, who may have prior appropriation rights to the water, will need to be addressed through the local water users association with the support of local authorities. Any change in the availability or use of irrigation water requires consultation to ensure equitable sharing and avoid conflict. 19. Community participation in irrigation rehabilitation design, operation and maintenance: Unless the local associations in the project area are made part of this project, there could be major issues with the people of the community in order to ensure that the design is compatible With the needs of the community. The community, through an effective farmer’s association will have to take responsibility for the management, operation and maintenance of the system. 20. Women's participation: Women in the project area are already very involved in all aspects of farming in the area. They must play a major role in the association that will be formed to manage the project. 21. Vector borne diseases (malaria, chikungunya, dengue): Vector borne disease are endemic in Haïti and are present in the northeast of Haïti where the Chalopin perimeter is located. The disease vectors live nearby and breed in lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, coastal plains and human settlements. Hydrologic changes, resulting from irrigation development or dam construction, can lead to a significant increase in mosquito breeding sites. Environmental health engineering can modify the irrigation environment so as to reduce or eliminate the vector habitat. 22. Water borne diseases (diarrhea, typhoid, dysentery, etc.): The use ofirrigation water for drinking, bathing, and clothes washing is very current in the targeted project areas. Water borne diseases can be prevented by discouraging people from using reservoir, canal and drainage water for drinking and washing. This can be done by encouraging the local and national authorities to provide a safe and convenient source of water and by linking irrigation development With health education and sanitation programs. 23. Safety Hazards: Workers at the site will be exposed to several safety hazards, including open trenches, openly stored or moving construction materials, and moving construction equipment. Also, construction sites can be dangerous places for the safety of residents of nearby communities. These residents may not be aware of the hazards and they may simply be interested in observing the equipment and activities. Children are often eager to see construction equipment at work. Such children's curiosity may lead to safety hazards ranging from minor to major injuries such as bruises and fractures. 24. HIV/AIDs, sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Workers’ camps may be a source of social unrest and environmental problems such as transmission and spread of diseases (e.g. or sexually transmitted diseases (STIs)) to the resident community by the project personnel and vice versa. 25. Change of Community Lifestyle: The construction of the irrigation scheme will have an impact on the day-to-day lives of the people living in the area. An influx of workers to the area will bring increased economic activity, with an associated positive impact. But the workers may also bring With them behaviors which disrupt the community and puts them and the community at increased risk for conflicts. Mitigation measures specified in an environmental assessment will therefore be applied to mitigate those impacts listed above. Overall, the following strategies will be implemented to mitigate the potential impacts described above: 424 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 425] e Establish a program to record hydraulic data on both rivers over a sufficiently long period. e Conduct a more detailed environmental survey of the system and its surroundings. + Ensure that the rehabilitation of this irrigation system adheres to national and international technical design standards. + Bring awareness of these potential issues and their impact to the engineers and construction sub- contractors who will be responsible for the design, construction and supervision of the project. + Promote the limitation of heavy equipment and machinery during the construction phase of the project. + Establish maintenance committees to oversee the rehabilitation of the system and to ensure that proper maintenance is provided as well as the proper behavior of farmers during and after the rehabilitation of the system. + Monitor the rehabilitation activities of the project during and after completion, and make adjustments to the mitigation plan when unforeseen impacts arise or when mitigation measures are insufficient to reduce impacts. e Provide access to the intersection at Jambs Pantalon. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 425 [page 426] Table 1. Environmental Screening Form Name of Garde Saline Irrigation System Rehabilitation, Activity: Marion Watershed (irrigation system requiring Column Col C additional surface water withdrawals A Type of ACtiVitY: Infrastructure/Rehabilitation If answered yes to Contractor/ Col. À is it a--? Grantee: _DAI Date: April 20, 2015 Yes IEE/ETD Medium- #: _LAC-IEE-14-17 Risk IMPACT ON NATURAL RESOURCES & COMMUNITIES Will the project involve construction and/or 1 reconstruction/rehabilitation of any type of structure (building, X X check dam, walls, etc.)? Will the project involve new construction” and/or 2 : : : : X repair/reconstruction/rerouting roads or trails? Will the project involve the use, involve plans to use or training in 3 the use of any chemical compounds such as pesticides x (including neem), herbicides, paint, varnish, lead-based products, etc.? Involve the construction of repair of irrigation systems? DOxX | | x | Will the activity involve training and/or implementation of agricultural practices/production including animal husbandry? 6 | Involve the construction or repair of fish ponds? RS EE Will the project involve implementation of timber management” extraction of forest products, clearing of forest cover, and/or X conversion of forest land? Are there any potentially sensitive terrestrial or aquatic areas near the project site, including protected areas, wetlands, critical X X Wildlife habitat or nesting areas? Will the activities proposed generate airborne gases, liquids, or 10 ie . X X solids (i.e. discharge pollutants) Will the waste generated during or after the project impact on 11 . : X X neighboring surface or ground water? Will the activity create objectionable odors? D | x | | Will the activity violate air standard? D | x | | Will the activity occur on steep slopes (Greater than 15%)? D | OX | | Will the activity contribute to erosion? DOxX | | | x | Is the activity incompatible with existing land use in the vicinity? D | x | | 17 Will the activity contribute to displacement of people (housing) or x businesses? Will the activity affect unique geologic, physical, cultural, and/or 18 : : x historic features? 19 Will the activity have potential impacts to inhabitants, natural x x landscapes, or flora/fauna downstream from the activity site? Will the activity contribute to change in the amount of surface 20 ; X water in any water body? Will the activity have a direct or indirect impact, or include 21 : à X actions with mangroves and coral reefs? Will the activity expose people or property to flooding? D | x | | Will the activity contribute substantial reduction in the amount of 23 à : : : X ground water otherwise available for public water supplies? 426 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 427] . Column B If answered yes to Col. A. . Yes is it a--? Medium- ER Will the project activities create conditions 24 | encouraging an increase of waterborne diseases or X X populations of disease carrying vectors? 25 | rai as mamans pan been suomi? | | X | | grants, has a maintenance plan been submitted? On EEE pedestrians, motorists or persons with disabilities? 27 Wine act increase entsing oiselewes? | X | | | * | 29 | Gaves goes and cer botara mage | | X | | gauzes, gloves and other biohazard medical waste? DE CES require local planning permission(s)? 50 asie mprouemanngr 69 | x] Ju] ma | infrastructure improvements)? EE ES ES involved unequally in the project's activities? D EEE of men and women? EEE PE PE TS ES ES 33 : X the project? 19 anvonmanai rotor require (Caigoñca xguon) No EMPR requis — | environmental review is required (Categorical Exclusion). No EMPR required. (b) The project has potential for minimal to medium adverse environmental effects, but mitigable environmental effects. Measures to mitigate environmental effects will be incorporated (Negative Determination with Conditions). EMPR Required. (c) The project has potentially substantial or significant adverse environmental effects, but requires more analysis to form a conclusion. An Environmental Assessment will be prepared (Positive X Determination). No EMPR required. DR 1" design or location or the development of new alternatives is required (Deferral). (e) The project has substantial and immitigable adverse environmental effects. Mitigation is insufficient to eliminate these effects and alternatives are not feasible. The project is not recommended for funding. Construction projects need to be reviewed for scale, planned use, building code needs and maintenance. New construction having a footprint larger than 1000 sq. meters or 10,000 sq. ft. is considered large scale and high risk. Some small construction projects, such as building an entrance sign to a park, may require simple mitigations whereas larger buildings will require more extensive review and monitoring. 2? New construction of roads and trails are considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the planned construction, i.e. a Positive Determination. Any reroutes of a road or trail longer than 100 meters is considered a high risk. Reroutes within a protected area, nearby a water source/wetlands, and/or archeological site are considered a high risk. $ The purchase of packaged store pesticides are included. The planned involvement of p esticides will trigger the need to develop a Supplemental Initial Environmental Examination that meets USAID pesticide procedures (Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan or “PERSUAP”) for the project. “ Any activities that involve harvesting trees or converting forests is considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the activity (i.e. Positive Determination). 5 A positive response to gender questions require follow up only when there are other positive responses on questions 1 — 30, and an EMPR is developed. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 427 [page 428] Comments: The Garde Saline perimeter is located south of the Chalopin perimeter. It is an existing perimeter which is irrigated by the Malfety River. The irrigable perimeter has an area of 41 hectares. The existing intake structure has been found to be in good condition, but will need light rehabilitation work which includes: 1) Cleaning upstream of the intake to a length of 150 meters, and 2) Replacing the gate valves. A second intake is planned. It is located 570 meters from the existing intake. It is a natural intake and requires no new intake structures. Finally, a third intake is planned downstream of the second intake at the end of the Malfety River where an intake structure exists but needs to be rehabilitated. The irrigation of a second perimeter known as “Romeo” that has an area of 28 hectares is also being considered. In addition, two alternatives are being considered for this extension from the Garde Saline Perimeter. They are: ° Alternative one: Build six new intakes on the Malfety River that would that would need to be built to irrigate that perimeter. Repair works on the river bank will also be needed to improve water flow to the intakes in order to limit river overflow which should be minimized due to upstream works. ° Alternative two: Build about 500 meters of secondary canals that would include some equipment. The irrigation water would come from the Chalopin irrigation system. Drainage structures as well as access paths (for pedestrians and vehicles) would also need to be built. A technical and cost study for adding the Romeo perimeter and selecting one of the two alternatives toirrigate it will need to be done. Given the above, proposed work to be done on the “Garde Saline” irrigation system, and potential extension to the Romeo perimeter, the key environmental impact factors that will have to be addressed are the following: 1. Preliminary Study for the Garde Saline and the Romeo Extension: Although a preliminary study was done for this project by the firm LGL, SA, commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture, natural Resources, and Rural Development (MARNDR), the study did not provide any information on river flow and no environmental assessment of the project. Hence no information on the capacity of the Malfety and Marion rivers were given. Therefore the lack of appropriate information combined with modern engineering solutions developed for larger systems, could lead to problems when applied to the redesign of these two small irrigation systems. 2. Hydraulic Information development: Given the fact that there is no flow data available to determine the impact that the withdrawal of more water from the Malfety or Marion rivers would have on the availability of enough water to support irrigation of the systems, particularly during low flow periods and for downstream users, it is recommended that a study on the flow of these two rivers be done over a minimum period of one year. 3. Soil Erosion: Earthworks will contribute to a large amount of soil movement as the canals, the drains, the flood barriers, temporary material storage areas and agricultural plots are being worked on. Soils from disturbed surfaces are likely to be washed away during the rainy season and also in dry conditions through wind erosion. If cut and fill sites are not protected, loose soils will equally be washed away into the canals and later into the rivers. The risk of soil erosion is considered high, particularly during high and intense rainfall, given the proximity of the rivers, the scale of the earthworks and the characteristics of the overburden in the area which is easily erodible. 4. Soil Pollution: It is anticipated that the Contractor could bring vehicles and equipment to be used during construction. These may impact the soil with oil and fuel spills. Trucks hauling construction materials such as aggregates, sand and gravel and equipment being move to and from a work site may pass through agricultural fields and impact agricultural soil with oil and fuel spills. In addition, areas where the contractor will store fuels, lubricants and 428 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 429] chemicals, or where vehicles and equipment are fueled or serviced, will be sources of hazardous substance released to the soil. Improper disposal of concrete wastes resulting from on-site concrete batching or cleaning of ready-mix concrete vehicles can also contaminate soil. 5. Erosion and ecosystem damage at construction material borrow pits: There are a few places were aggregates are mined in the vicinity of the project area. However, it is anticipated that the contractor may have to use borrow pits in the riverbed or in any suitable site in the project area. The selection of suitable borrow sites must be approved by AVANSE as improper sand extraction can cause erosion, sedimentation of water bodies such as rivers, and destabilization of river beds and banks. 6. Degradation of rehabilitated structures during heavy rain or flooding events: The rehabilitation of this irrigation system is susceptible to damage by heavy rains or flooding if proper drainage is not installed and the drainage system is not well maintained. 7. Loss of Top Soil: Construction of irrigation and drainage structures will require fill material which will generally be taken from canal and drain excavations or off-site locations. During the construction of secondary and tertiary canals, however, some fill material may be taken from adjacent fields, particularly if the field is in need of land leveling. In these cases, the potential exists for the destruction of top soil. 8. Water Contamination: lf erosion occurs and/or soil is polluted, as discussed above, it is possible that the rivers may be impacted with sediment, leaked/spilled lubricants, fuels and hazardous substances. Other sources of potential water pollution are: e _Washing construction vehicles or equipment in or nearby the river; + Use of the rivers and canals for the maintenance of the personal hygiene of the population; ° _Improper disposal of concrete wastes resulting from on-site concrete batching or cleaning of ready-mix concrete vehicles; + Surface run-off from on-site stockpiled sand and gravel; and + _Inadequate disposal of solid wastes and wastewater generated during construction from workers. 9. Waste Generation: Solid waste will be generated from site vegetation clearance during construction. The vegetation and other rubbish that will be cleared from the site will lead to the generation of large volumes of waste that require proper disposal. Various wastes generated during construction will need to be managed and disposed of properly. A comprehensive waste management program will have to be established by the sub-contractor and monitored by AVANSE 10. Dust and Air Pollution: The vehicles and machines used in the construction of civil works will produce exhaust smoke, fumes and dust that may be unpleasant to the surrounding communities. 11. Noise Pollution: The vehicles and machines used in the civil works will produce noise that may be unpleasant to communities who live near the project area. 12. Exploitation of Borrow Pits: The principal environmental concerns related to the exploitation of borrow pits are: loss of vegetation, farmlands, dust, health, public safety. When unprotected during usage and if it is not reinstated after use it would become a hazard for children and animals and becomes breeding ground for disease vectors and with inadequate consultation with land owners, borrow pits can become a source of litigation. Construction in reserves can affect the wildlife population since it would entail exploitation of material in that jurisdiction. Prior to the development of any borrow pits, the sub-contractor will seek the AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 429 [page 430] approval of AVANSE. 13. Establishment and use of other worksites: There is the need for the sub-contractors to establish a base camp for easy referencing and coordinating of activities pertaining to the realization of the project. It also provides security for their equipment, storage for materials to be used for the works, and includes siting of offices and/or residences This entails: e Land acquisition/Lease, e Clearing, e Erection of structures, and e Provision of sanitary facilities The establishment of workers camps and other work facility locations in the area may bring a number of negative impacts on the environment that include poor siting of facilities, solid waste disposal, taxing potable water supply, etc. 14. Community — Worker — Contractors relations: Friction may be caused by inappropriate or unacceptable behavior of workers in communities along the corridor. Sexual activity of workers with locals may lead to unwanted pregnancies, STIs and Increased incidence in HIV/AIDS. Friction between workers and sub-contractors may be caused by labor relations that exist between the sub-contractors and the workers. Finally, bad relations may exist between members of the community and the sub-contractors caused by community complaints not been properly addressed by the sub-contractors. 15. Effect on Fauna and Flora: Where the project is located, the only animals that could be impacted by its activities are fish and amphibians. As the system drains to the nearby rivers, siltation and other pollutants will enter these water bodies and may harm these creatures. These rivers will ultimately reach the coastal area downstream and add to the pollution burden on the coastal waters in an area that has recently been declared a Protected Area. 16. Displacement of Economic Activities: Construction activities can disrupt current farming practices in the project area. Building the main canal and flood control structures will disrupt the flows into the area, on which the farmers rely for their crops. 17. Water Rights: Water rights is a crucial issue that will need to be addressed before the system is rehabilitated. It is a major source of conflict among beneficiaries of the system. 18. Conflict resolution: Conflict often arises between upstream users, who begin to use or increase their use of water, and downstream users, who may have prior appropriation rights to the water. Any change in the availability or use of irrigation water requires consultation to ensure equitable sharing and avoid conflict. 19. Community participation in irrigation rehabilitation design, operation and maintenance: Unless the local associations in the project area are made part of this project, there could be major issues with the people of the community in order to ensure that the design is compatible with the needs of the community. The community, through an effective farmer's association will have to take responsibility for the management, operation and maintenance of the system. 20. Women's participation: Women in the project area are already very involved in all aspects of farming in the area. They must play a major role in the association that will be formed to manage the project. 21. Vector borne diseases (malaria, chikungunya, dengue): Vector borne disease are endemic in Haiti and are present in the northeast of Haiti where the Garde Saline perimeter is located. The disease vectors live near and breed in lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, coastal plains and human settlements. Hydrologic changes, resulting from irrigation development or dam construction, can lead to a significant increase in mosquito breeding sites. Environmental health engineering can modify the irrigation environment so as to reduce or eliminate the vector habitat. 430 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 431] 22. Water borne diseases (diarrhea, typhoid, dysentery, etc.): The use ofirrigation water for drinking, bathing, and clothes washing is very current in the targeted project areas. Water borne diseases can be prevented by discouraging people from using reservoir, canal and drainage water for drinking and washing. This can be done by encouraging the local and national authorities to provide a safe and convenient source of water and by linking irrigation development with health education and sanitation programs. 23. Safety Hazards: Workers at the site will be exposed to several safety hazards, including open trenches, openly stored or moving construction materials, and moving construction equipment. Also, construction sites can be dangerous places for the safety of residents of nearby communities. These residents may not be aware of the hazards and they may simply be interested in observing the equipment and activities. Children are often eager to see construction equipment at work. Such children'’s curiosity may lead to safety hazards ranging from minor to major injuries such as bruises and fractures. 24. HIV/AIDs, sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Workers’ camps may be a source of social unrest and environmental problems such as transmission and spread of diseases (e.g. or sexually transmitted diseases (STIs)) to the resident community by the project personnel and vice versa. 25. Change of Community Lifestyle: The construction of the irrigation scheme will have an impact on the day-to-day lives of the people living in the area. An influx of workers to the area Will bring increased economic activity, with and associated positive impact. But the workers may also bring with them behaviors which disrupt the community and puts them and the community at increased risk for conflicts. Mitigation measures specified in an environmental assessment will therefore be applied to mitigate those impacts listed above. Overall, the following strategies will be implemented to mitigate the potential impacts described above: e Establish a program to record river hydraulics over time. e _Conduct a more detailed environmental survey of the system and its surroundings. e Ensure that the rehabilitation of this irrigation system adheres to national and international technical design standards. ° Bring awareness of these potential issues and their impact to the engineers and construction sub-contractors who will be responsible for the design, construction and supervision of the project. e _Promote the limitation of heavy equipment and machinery during the construction phase of the project. e Establish maintenance committees to oversee the rehabilitation of the system and to ensure that proper maintenance is provided as well as the proper behavior of farmers during and after the rehabilitation of the system. + Monitor the rehabilitation activities of the projects during and after completion, and make adjustments to the mitigation plan when unforeseen impacts arise or when mitigation measures are insufficient to reduce impacts. e Provide access to the intersection between the Marion and Malfety rivers. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 431 [page 432] NB: The above site-specific EMPRS and screening forms are supplemented with the mitigation measures that will be the responsibility of the construction subcontractor and that will be included in the construction subcontract at the end of the table. The construction subcontractor's contractual responsibilities will include required environmental mitigation measures and these are to be incorporated in “Appendix D - Technical Specifications” of the DAI construction subcontract. The site-specific EMPRSs and screening forms are also supplemented with the following table for any additional irrigation system rehabilitation and construction work. Generic Mitigation Measures for Future Irrigation System Rehabilitation and Construction Work Suasilsy en Description of Impact Mitigation Measures component Identification of | During irrigation systems identification | 1.1 AVANSE's Engineering Team and the Environmental Compliance Team shall work together to specific irrigation | for rehabilitation environmental issues conduct an internal environmental review of all new proposed irrigation systems rehabilitation and systems for may not be considered or may not be ancillary activities to: rehabilitation and | given equal weight to other issues. ° ensure that the location of each activity is such that it will not significantly impact important conducting It may just be assumed that there is habitats or ecosystems or cultural or historical sites; preliminary enough water for the proposed + ensure that there is sufficient water to meet the irrigation requirement without adversely analysis. irrigation. impacting downstream water users; and 5 determine if the proposed irrigation scheme rehabilitation is in line with the applicable Important habitat or ecosystems ° . : : sensitive to disturbances may be Participatory Watershed Management Plan (if one exists). located within project site boundaries | 1.2 The internal environmental review shall also determine if the mitigation measures and monitoring or may be affected by the proposed activities in this generic EMPR are sufficient to mitigate potential environmental impacts for the rehabilitation. specific site conditions of the proposed irrigation system rehabilitation activity. The mitigation measures and 1.3 The results of the internal environmental review shall be documented in AVANSE's files and monitoring activities in this generic reported in AVANSE'Ss quarterly progress reports. EMPR may not be adequate to 1.4 Ifthe internal environmental review identifies: address all of the issues posed by the < significant impacts to important habitats or ecosystems or cultural or historical sites, rehabilitation of a specific irrigation «_that there is not enough water, and/or scheme. that it cannot comply with the Participatory Watershed Management Plan. AVANSE shall abandon the proposal. 1.5 If the internal environmental review determines that the generic mitigation measures and monitoring activities in this EMPR are not sufficient to mitigate potential environmental impacts for the specific site conditions of the proposed irrigation system's rehabilitation activity, AVANSE shall prepare an EMPR for the scheme addressing the issues of concern for review and approval by USAID. 1.6 Once anirrigation scheme is identified and approved for rehabilitation, notify members and government authorities. 432 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 433] Sub-activity or EN PPT component Description of Impact Mitigation Measures Conduct project | During PIA and design activities, 2.1 Terms of reference provided by AVANSE need to describe the role and responsibilities of identification engineers may not be aware of their Designers and Subcontractors in both design and construction of the irrigation system. activities, role and responsibilities in the 2.2 A requirement for compliance with all relevant Government of Haïti and local legislation shall be prepare : expected management si : 4 incorporated into subcontracts. Process and hire mitigation if Mess are nn morded in 2.3 AVANSE shall ensure that construction subcontracts include the provision that 30% of laborers are engineering firm |their subcontract with AVANSE. women or consultant to 2.4 Costs for environmental management shall be included as a specific line item in the Bill of design the Quantities. activity 2.5 AVANSE shall hold a special meeting for the engineering firm or consultant specifically on environmental mitigation and monitoring requirements prior to starting their work shall be organized. Review and Designs that fail to incorporate 3.1 AVANCE's Environmental Compliance Team shall review the design to ensure that it complies with approval of environmental concerns could result in the applicable mitigation measures and that the mitigation measures and monitoring activities are design adverse environmental impacts. sufficient to address the address the environmental impacts. 3.2 If the review determines that the generic mitigation measures and monitoring activities in this EMPR are not sufficient to mitigate potential environmental impacts for the specific site conditions of the proposed irrigation system rehabilitation activity, AVANSE shall prepare an EMPR for the irrigation system addressing the issues of concern for review and approval by USAID. Recruit The construction firm may not be 4.1 AVANSE shall include the mitigation measures and applicable monitoring activities prescribed in construction firm |aware of its role and responsibilities in this EMPR in the subcontract for services. managing environmental issues during | 4,2 AVANSE shall hold a special meeting for the construction firm specifically on their role and the implementation of the project responsibilities and environmental monitoring prior to starting their work shall be organized. Community People in the community may be 5.1 As soon as the construction subcontract is signed, AVANSE shall meet with the community to Involvement anxiously waiting for the project to provide them with adequate information about progress of work. The meeting shall include start and will need to be informed Commune officials as well as key community members. about upcoming activities. 5.2 AVANSE shall keep up the information flow throughout the construction period by keeping the immediate project area communities informed about progress of work. 5.3 AVANSE shall ensure that women and women's organizations are included in community meetings on infrastructure improvements, infrastructure maintenance committees and focus groups on safety AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 433 [page 434] component Construction firm | Subcontractor may lease properties 6.1 Include construction mitigation measures as outlined “Attachment to subcontract APPENDIX D: mobilization for installing its offices, workers camp, Technical Specifications” in the construction subcontract. and other facilities that are in dispute. Subcontractor personnel may cause disputes with community members. Location from which construction company obtains construction material may not be environmentally sound or sourced sustainably, and obtaining these materials may result in ecological, hydrological, aesthetic, and land use impacts. Layout of The area for laying out the irrigation |7.1 AVANSE shall work with local authorities and the local organization responsible for managing the irrigation canal or | facilities and distribution systems may irrigation system (such as the Farmers Association if one exists) to address all encroachment pumped water create dispute among farmers issues systems and drains network Rehabilitation of | Impassable paths along the main 8.1 The paths along the main canals and pump stations need to be rehabilitated to provide access to the paths to canals will not allow for building and key components of the irrigation system. The paths should be resurfaced and widened to at least 4 irrigation maintenance the various components meters. system's of the irrigation system components Vegetative Cover | Loss of vegetative cover and borrow |9.1 Include construction mitigation measures as outlined “Attachment to subcontract APPENDIX D: Protection site clearance can result in inadvertent Technical Specifications” in the construction subcontract. damage to vegetation during construction. Dust Generation | Generation of dusts and exhaust 10.1 Include construction mitigation measures as outlined “Attachment to subcontract APPENDIX D: emissions due to construction Technical Specifications” in the construction subcontract. activities can be a nuisance and a health problem to workers and members of the community Noise Pollution Increase in noise level can become an | 11.1 Include construction mitigation measures as outlined “Attachment to subcontract APPENDIX D: unbearable nuisance to workers and Technical Specifications” in the construction subcontract. members of the community 434 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 435] Sub-activity or EN PPT Soil erosion Soils from disturbed surfaces are likely | 12.1 Include construction mitigation measures as outlined “Attachment to subcontract APPENDIX D: to be washed away during the rainy Technical Specifications” in the construction subcontract. season and also in dry conditions through wind erosion. If cut and fill sites are not protected, loose soils can equally be washed away into the canals and later into the rivers. The risk of soil erosion is considered high, particularly during high and intense rainfall, given the proximity of the rivers, the scale of the earthworks and the characteristics of the overburden in the area which is easily erodible. Health and Irrigation System’s work may cause 13.1 Include construction mitigation measures as outlined “Attachment to subcontract APPENDIX D: Safety diseases that could affect both Technical Specifications” in the construction subcontract. workers and community members Increase Workers in a new community will be 14.1 Include construction mitigation measures as outlined “Attachment to subcontract APPENDIX D: Incidence of exposed to diseases such as Technical Specifications” in the construction subcontract. HIV/AIDS, water | HIV/AIDS; other STDs such as borne diseases | gonorrhea and syphilis; waterborne and vector borne | diseases such as cholera, typhoid diseases fever and diarrhea, and vector borne diseases such as malaria, chikungunya, and dengue Waste production | Waste produced in work areas, 15.1 Include construction mitigation measures as outlined “Attachment to subcontract APPENDIX D: and Management | worker's camps, offices, and other Technical Specifications” in the construction subcontract. facilities can arbor insects and rodents that can be vectors of diseases. Hazardous waste can also be a cause of intoxication to workers. If not properly handled, waste can also degrade landscape and aesthetics. Worksite Injury to workers will occur on work 16.1 Include construction mitigation measures as outlined “Attachment to subcontract APPENDIX D: accidents site if proper preventive measures are Technical Specifications” in the construction subcontract. prevention not taken Soil pollution Vehicles and the dispensing and 17.1 Include construction mitigation measures as outlined “Attachment to subcontract APPENDIX D: storage of fuel can spill and pollute the Technical Specifications” in the construction subcontract. soil AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 435 [page 436] Suasilsy en Description of Impact Mitigation Measures component Water resources | If not properly protected, water 18.1 Include construction mitigation measures as outlined “Attachment to subcontract APPENDIX D: protection resources will be contaminated by Technical Specifications” in the construction subcontract. workers actions Exploitation of Poor management of borrow pits will | 19.1 Include construction mitigation measures as outlined “Attachment to subcontract APPENDIX D: Borrow Pits cause such problems as accidents, Technical Specifications” in the construction subcontract. soil erosion, and dispute with landowners Establishment The procurement of property by the 20.1 Include construction mitigation measures as outlined “Attachment to subcontract APPENDIX D: and use of other | Subcontractor in the project area may Technical Specifications” in the construction subcontract. worksites cause conflict between the Subcontractor and property owners. Camps must be properly located in order not to become a pollution producing area Community — Workers conduct in the community 21.1 Include construction mitigation measures as outlined “Attachment to subcontract APPENDIX D: Worker — may cause serious resentment of the Technical Specifications” in the construction subcontract. Subcontractor new comers. relations The Subcontractor, if not applying labor laws may result in dispute and strike which will delay work 436 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 437] component Subcontractor If the system's management team is 22.1 Include construction mitigation measures as outlined “Attachment to subcontract APPENDIX D: demobilization not trained to operate, maintain, and Technical Specifications” in the construction subcontract. manage the system, it may not be a sustainable system If construction camps and other ancillary features are not dismantled or if other provisions are not made for them, they will degrade over time, and could impact water quality, degrade soils, and create a public hazard. Leaks or spills that are not cleaned up can continue to contaminate the environment. If hydrology and grade are not restored, flooding, pounding, and destruction of vegetation and other aquatic and terrestrial resources could result. If vegetation is not restored, and soil is left bare, erosion and landslides could result. Develop and implement a training activity on irrigation system maintenance for the members of the community who will be responsible for maintaining the irrigation system AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 437 [page 438] Attachment to Construction Subcontract APPENDIX D: TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Minimum Environmental Construction Requirements for AVANSE Irrigation Projects 1.0 Subcontractor Mobilization 1.1The Subcontractor should make sure that none of the properties that he wants to lease are in dispute. 6.2 The Subcontractor should train personnel brought from out of the area on community relations. 6.3 The Subcontractor shall ensure that all material is sourced in an environmentally sound and sustainable manner. 6.4 The Subcontractor shall contact Bureau for Mines and Energy to ensure that Subcontractor selected sources of materials is approved by the Bureau. 2.0 Clearing and Cutting of Vegetation 2.1 Excessive destruction of trees and other vegetation shall be avoided. During the design phase the Designer shall determine which trees can be removed. + Do not cut mangroves. - Do not cut trees in sensitive and/or high quality habitat. 2.2 The Designer shall count all trees of commercial value to be removed during construction and include them in the Bill of Quantities. 2.3 Consideration shall be given to the location of mature trees during site selection for borrow sites and route selection for access irrigation systems to those sites 2.4 Vegetation clearing shall be limited to the limits of canals and pipelines RoW and ancillary facilities as stipulated in the design reports. 2.5 The Subcontractor shall put in writing a request for authorization to carry out clearing. The authorization shall indicate the width and the exact location where clearance will take place. The Supervising Engineer shall issue a site instruction that shall show the dimension and extent of clearing. 2.6 Wood from trees that are cut down shall be given to communities for their use or used in the construction camp. 2.7 Borrowing, stockpiling, spoil disposal and construction camps shall be prohibited within the boundaries of existing productive farmland, wetlands and forests. 2.8 The Subcontractor shall be responsible for any damage or destruction of vegetation outside the limits of the RoW and ancillary facilities. 2.9 The Subcontractor shall be responsible for the conduct of its workforce in relation to environmental protection matters and to specifically prohibit unnecessary felling of trees. 3.0 Dust and Exhaust Emissions 3.1 Haul trucks shall be covered. 3.2 Speed limit in the work zone of 20 km/hr shall be enforced. 3.3 Construction machinery shall be well maintained to minimize excessive gaseous emissions. À program of servicing all equipment and vehicles to ensure optimum performance and control of emissions of noxious gases shall be rigorously followed to minimize pollution levels. 438 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 439] 3.4 Measures shall be taken to avoid exposing volatile chemicals to the air. 4.0 Construction Noise 4.1The Subcontractor shall use the quietest available equipment where possible. 4.2 All vehicles and equipment used during construction shall be well maintained in accordance with manufacturers’ specifications and manuals. 4.3 All internal combustion engine equipment shall be equipped with intake and exhaust mufflers that are in good condition and appropriate for the equipment. 4.4 Work shall be restricted to 6.00-18.00hrs to avoid increasing unnecessarily the background noise levels in the night when people need to sleep. 4.5 Noisy equipment shall be sited away from noise sensitive areas and positioned behind stockpiles or other barriers to provide acoustic screening. 4.6 During induction, workers shall be trained to avoid and minimize unnecessary noise caused by leaving engines and equipment running when not in use and revving of engines. 5.0 Health & Safety 5.1 Prior to the start of construction, the Subcontractor shall submit to AVANSE its health and safety plan (HASP) for approval. The HASP shall include: °_Identify and provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) that offers adequate protection to the workers including eye protection, dust masks, hard hats, gloves, high visibility jackets, hearing protection equipment, proper clothing, safety boots, safe ladders, etc. °_Properly maintain PPE, including cleaning when dirty and replacement when damaged or worn out. *<_Ensure that proper use of PPE is part of the recurrent training programs for employees and laborers. + _Implement a policy to terminate employees who fail to wear PPE after receiving a warning for the first infraction. < _Restrict and control access to the construction site. Security of the site at all times is the responsibility of the Subcontractor «+ _Provide sufficient onsite drinking water, portable toilets with hand washing facilities, wash and change facilities for all crafts. No open disposal of sanitary waste should be allowed onsite *_ Institute a monitoring program to detect and correct unsafe conditions + Develop a first aid team to manage emergency treatment needs to workers. The Subcontractor should keep a list of neighboring health facilities to use in case of emergencies requiring treatment 5.2 The Subcontractor shall select staff to be trained by officers from Heath directories within the Ministry of Health in first aid procedures. The first aid team shall be in charge of educating workers on first aid procedures. A well-stocked first aid kit shall be provided on site. The location of first aid kit and names and contacts of first aiders shall be provided on site. 5.3 There shall always be a project standby vehicle to rush injured persons to the nearest health facility. 5.4 Reversing alarm shall be fitted on all moving vehicles to avoid accidents. 5.5 Subcontractors shall apply ‘safety first’ rule to govern all activities and operations within the work camp and along the route and areas within his jurisdiction. 5.6 The Subcontractor shall make every reasonable effort to minimize irrigation system safety hazards and inconvenience area users, resulting from the passage of his, or his subcontractors' haulage vehicles, and shall impose and enforce compliance with speed limits. 6.0 Disease Transmission AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 439 [page 440] 6.1 The Subcontractor shall incorporate STI/HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention into the training programmed for all construction workers, and extend the awareness and prevention program to the nearby local communities. 6.2 Condoms shall be made available for workers and inhabitants and their use promoted. 6.3 The Subcontractor shall also incorporate waterborne and vectorborne diseases awareness and prevention into the training programmed for all construction workers. 6.5 The Subcontractor shall provide safe drinking water and promote good hygienic practices as well as providing protective gears for mosquitoes such as nets in camp and/or repellent. 7.0 Storm Water and Erosion Protection 7.1 Land clearance shall be limited to the minimum needed for the irrigation, drainage, flood control, and road infrastructure. 7.2 Avoid executing excavation works under aggressive weather conditions. 7.3 Erect temporary erosion control barriers around work sites during site preparation and construction to direct runoff away from the site in a manner that will minimize erosion. 7.4 Stabilize and compact the soils in canals and on embankments after completion of each stage of works. 7.5 Place clear markers indicating the limits of the construction trenches and stockpiling area of excavated materials to restrict equipment and personnel movement, thus limiting the physical disturbance to land and soils in adjacent areas. 7.6 Every effort shall be made to secure borrow materials from existing, government approved sites. 7.7 Develop new sites, if necessary, in agreement with local authorities the land owners or AVANSE approval. New sites should be developed on non-agricultural or unproductive land. 7.8 Close borrow pits that are no longer in use by backfilled with approved materials and/or landscaping, or turning them into water storage points for livestock. 7.9 In all cases, grade the edges of the pits to ensure safe access for children and livestock. 8.0 Waste Management 8.1 The Subcontractor shall prepare a Waste and Hazardous Substances Management Plan to be approved by AVANSE before commencing work. The plan shall include: °_ Provision of garbage bins for the separate disposal of domestic and hazardous waste. °+ Segregation of waste materials so that only materials which cannot be reclaimed or recycled will be directed to a disposal site. + _Worker training in waste segregation. ° Designation of a Commune-and/or AVANSE-approved site or method for disposal of domestic and hazardous wastes and construction debris. + Such wastes shall be properly disposed of in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendation or standard best practice and shall not be burned or indiscriminately dumped. °+_Procedures for storage and handling of hazardous substances (e.g. batteries, chemicals, fuel) and wastes. © Prohibit storing or handling fuels within 50 meters of waterways. o Store and handle bulk fuels and lubricants within containment facilities (e.g. bounded areas, leak proof trays, etc.) designed to prevent the release of spilled substances to the soil and keep the containment areas drained of rainwater. o Install drip pans at petroleum product dispensing points. o Collect and recycle used oil and lubricants. o Handle, store, use and process branded materials in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations. 440 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 441] « Designs and siting requirements for on-site maintenance, refueling and cleaning of vehicles and equipment. + _ Provision of oil spill response kits, including containment and recovery equipment, in the work area to remove and dispose of spills. + _Worker training in the use of oil spill response kits. Provisions to remove contaminated soil and treat it or dispose of it in a manner appropriate to the type of contamination present (refer to Attachment Ed). ° Designation of concrete batching areas with proper isolation from the soil surface, if needed. ° Cleaning of concrete ready-mix vehicles on-site in special prepared place where the concrete wastes are contained and disposed of at a municipality- or AVANSE-approved site. Provision of sanitary facilities (toilets and urinals located beyond 120 30 meters away from any stream, drainage channel or waterway. lt shall also not be located in a low lying or marshy area lest ground water or surface water is polluted. 9.0 Road Safety and Construction Signage 9.1 Appropriate warning signs which are reflective shall be provided at stipulated intervals. 9.2 Construction site shall be barricaded whenever it is occurring in a public area. 9.3 Restriction of speed limits to 20 km/hr shall be enforced by flagmen on either side of diversion or detour. 9.4 On-lookers shall be kept away from construction activities 10.0 Soil Pollution 10.1 Use vehicles and equipment which are in good condition and properly service and check them to make sure that they do not leak lubricants and fuels. 10.2 Use drip pans to contain all hydrocarbon leakages on construction equipment. 10.3 Machine refueling shall be carried out only at designated areas. 10.4 Selection vehicle routes wherever possible to avoid passing through agricultural fields. 10.5 Store and handle fuels and lubricants within containment facilities (e.g. bounded areas, leak proof trays, etc.) designed to prevent the release of spilled substances to the soil. These facilities should be maintained and kept drained of rainwater. 11.0 Water Resources Protection 11.1 The Subcontractor shall use erosion control measures during construction such as geotextile, jersey barriers, hay bales, silt screens (or other appropriate and obtainable material). 11.2 The erosion control barriers shall be placed prior to starting construction and shall not be removed until construction is complete and vegetation is re- established. 11.3 The Subcontractor shall secure prior approval from the Supervising Engineer for the location of construction staging and lay down areas. 11.4 The Subcontractor shall prohibit washing of vehicles and equipment in or adjacent to any water sources. 11.5 The Subcontractor is responsible for cleaning up any pollution caused by his activities and the payment of full compensation to those affected. 11.6 The Subcontractor’s work program approach and methodology shall be approved by the Supervising Engineer. 11.7 The work program shall ensure that implementation will not cause flooding, reduce flow downstream or increase sedimentation unnecessarily. Dry season construction may be preferred especially if the particular river dries up then. 11.8 Subcontractor shall ensure that debris removed during cleaning the area upstream from inlet area shall be disposed according to specification AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 441 [page 442] 11.9 Inlet construction design shall be sized to accommodate expected flows under climate change conditions and designed to contain the expected flow 19.10 The Subcontractor shall complete stream bed and bank stabilization before returning flow to the water body channel. 11.11 Wherever possible, the Subcontractor shall avoid having machinery and equipment enter water channels. Where machines enter the watercourse, clean timber or textile mats shall be utilized to avoid excessive siltation and streambed scouring. 11.12 Drains shall be constructed to direct storm water and run-off off the irrigation system and into the natural drainage system. Siltation traps shall be installed to trap silt and sediment and reduce contamination of water bodies. 11.13 When heavy contamination of water by sediment or silt occurs, the Subcontractor shall quickly remedy the situation by removing the source of sediment or silt from near the water body. 12.0 Borrow Pits 12.1The Subcontractor is required to prepare detailed Site Environmental Plans (SEPSs) for approval by the Supervising Engineer, prior to commencement of any site development, and to execute all work at the sites in accordance with the plans. The SEPSs shall address all matters relevant to environmental protection and the minimization of impacts. Information provided in the SEPs shall include, but not be limited to the following: * a site plan showing the location and proposed extent of the quarry, and borrow sites, * details of all landholdings, vegetation and land use, + measures which shall be taken to minimize erosion caused by access irrigation system construction and drainage system operation, * any other measures which shall be taken to minimize environmental impacts, including orientation of working faces to reduce visual impact, and + measures to be taken to make the quarry site safe on completion of exploitation, and to rehabilitate any agricultural land which has been affected by access irrigation system construction and operation. 12.2 The Subcontractor shall not enter the land until compensation to owners or legal occupants is effected and the approval of the Supervising Engineer has been given. 12.3 The location and size of quarries, borrow pits, spoil and stockpile areas shall be subject to the approval of the Supervising Engineer. 12.4 Store the topsoil for site rehabilitation. 12.5 Borrow material shall be excavated within the limits of depth and area shown on the borrow pit plans, and in a manner that shall not prejudice the use of the material for the intended purpose. 12.6 Borrow pits shall be continuously protected against the ingress of surface water, and the Subcontractor shall construct such temporary banks as may be required for diverting surface water and, in so far as is possible, his operations shall be planned in such a way that the borrow pit shall be self-draining, provided that silt traps are installed. 12.7 Borrow areas shall be kept dry and ensure that borrow material is sufficiently dry when required for use. 12.8 Stockpiling areas and maximum heights of stockpiles shall be indicated or approved by the Supervising Engineer. 12.9 For this purpose the borrow area shall be shaped to even contours without any slopes being steeper than 1:6 (15%), The overburden and/or topsoil shall be pushed back, spread evenly to the prescribed thickness and landscaped over the area of the quarry, borrow pit, access irrigation system, spoil or stockpile area. After spreading, the topsoil shall be protected by seeding or re-vegetation. 13.0 Establishment and Use of Other Work Sites 13.1 Subcontractor shall enter into negotiations with owners of land and acquire the land legally. 13.2 Avoid lands on which disputes already exist. 442 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 443] 13.3 Location, design and management of construction camps shall be approved by AVANSE and shall: *< Have sufficient drainage and erosion control to direct runoff off of the site without causing excessive sedimentation of nearby water courses. «+ _Provide for solid waste management as per the Waste and Hazardous Substances Management Plan. *_Provide water for personal hygiene and drinking. ° _Provide latrines. e Limit fuel wood collection to dead and down wood. 13.4 Prohibit use of nearby water bodies or wetlands for washing or waste disposal. 14.0 Community Liaison 14.1 À community liaison officer shall be hired by the Subcontractor. 14.2 AIl communication with the neighbors (community) shall be undertaken by the Community liaison officer with assistance from the proper Commune officials where necessary. 14.3 The Project Management shall ensure high level of professionalism by responding to all community enquiries and contacts in a polite and civil manner. 14.4 The Subcontractor shall establish a Complaints Register to receive, log, track and monitor response to complaints within specified timeframes. 14.5 The Subcontractor shall maintain an onsite register for complaints made directly to Liaison Officer. 14.6 The Community Liaison shall be responsible for notifying all complaints to the Project Manager. 14.7 Each complaint shall be documented, responded to an action taken shall be recorded. 14.8 The Subcontractor shall ensure that fair labor practices are used in accordance with labor laws of Haïti 15.0 Demobilization 15.1 All the Subcontractor's sites and facilities shall be formally decommissioned to an approved condition. 15.2 The Subcontractor shall prepare and implement a Decommissioning Plan for the approval of the Supervising Engineer. Activities in the Plan shall include: ° removal and disposal of all waste, + demolition and removal of unwanted structures, + _ removal and disposal of any soil which has been contaminated by the spillage of diesel, or any other polluting material, *_restore hydrology and grade to pre-construction condition (or improved drainage), * re-vegetation with naturally occurring vegetation, if possible with vegetation retained from on-site; and/or with erosion control vegetation (vetiver, bamboo, elephant grass), and * any other necessary to restore the site, as far as possible, to its initial state. 15.3 Prior to subcontract completion, the Supervising Engineer shall check that all decommissioning requirements have been met. 15.4 A provision shall be included in the engineering subcontract to allow for AVANSE inspection prior to finalizing payment. AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 443 [page 444] Table 3. Environmental Monitoring and Evaluation Tracking Table Description | ReSPonsible Estimated | Results "| of Mitigation Party for Cost of implementing Indicators of implementing nes Recommended ne and monitoring implementation and mitigation Mess, d probleme d patgaton. Adjustments Table 2) mitigation effectiveness of indicators measures and measures monitoring 1111-16 |Implementation | Report on internal Review of Attime of grant |No cost, RS PS RS Engineering & |environmental review |grant proposal | proposal normal ES PS PS EC Teams Site visit obligation of 3) no salaried staff | 4 Monitoring Report Grant Team approved and filed 21/21-25 |Implementation Language included Tender Tender No cost, RS RS ES Engineering & |'ender documents document document [nomal [2 | Procurement | Special meeting held review development obligation of 18 | | | Teams salaried staff | 4 Monitoring EC Team 3/3.1-3.2 |Implementation | Design includes Design review | During design No cost, RS RS ES Design mitigation measures process documents normal PE PS RS Suboontractor review obligation of 8111 Monitori (Preliminary salaried staff |4 Monioring through final) EC Team 41-42 |Implementation | Language included Construction | Construction No cost, RS RS AS Engineering & | Construction subcontract | subcontract |subcontract normal PS RS RS Procurement _ | Special meeting held review development obligation of 18 1 | | | Teams salaried staff | 4 Monitoring EC Team 5151-53 |Implementation | Meetings held Review of Start of project | No cost, RS RS ES Engineering reports Periodically normal 2 Team Attendance at | throughout obligation of ES PS SE EE Monitoring sample of construction salaried staff | 4 EC Team meetings 6.1 Implementation | Meetings with local Review of Start of project | No cost, RS Engineering lAuihoriies reports a ms obligation of [81 444 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 445] Description | ReSPonsible Estimated | Results 7] crie Party for Cost of of Mitigation| . è 1 1 Measure mblementnc : Indicators of pement Dates Problems Mitigation Recommended (same as in and monitoring implementation and mitigation Menitoreu Encerntered ER eti sneSe Adjustments Table 2) mitigation effectiveness of indicators measures and measures monitoring Team Notifications from local salaried staff | 4 Monitoring authorities EC Team 7171 Implementation | Meetings with Farmers | Review of Start of Project | No cost, RS RS RS AvaNsE [Association Reports I ES ee Technical obligation of 181 Team salaried staff | 4 Monitoring EC Team 8.1 Implementation | Access paths function | Site visits Start of Project | No cost, RS RS ES Engineering | aPPropriately Periodically normal 2 Team throughout obligation of 131 | | Monitorin construction salaried staff | 4 EC Team 9.1 Implementation | Design includes Document During design No cost, RS RS ES Design mitigation measures review process | documents normal PE PS Subcontractor | Requests for Review of review obligation of ES ES PS PE & Construction |authorization filed and | documentation | At time of salaried staff | 4 Subcontractor |approved requests Monitoring No excessive Site visits Weekly (Sup. Supervising destruction of vegetation Engineer) Engineer & EC Periodic (EC Team Team) 10[10.1 Implementation | Dust generation and Document Weekly (Sup. No cost, RS RS AS Construction | emissions from complaint book | Engineer) normal PS RS RS Subcontractor | Machines and vehicles |keptby liaison | perodic (EC obligation of 18 1 | | | on are minimal officer Team) salaried staff | 4 Monitoring . LR. s Le No complaints from Site visits Enbincer BEC workers and the SMS community 111111 Implementation | Noise level is kept below | Document Weekly (Sup. No cost, RS RS AS Construction | 50 dB during the day complaint book | Engineer) normal PS RS RS kept by liaison obligation of 182 tt 1 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 445 [page 446] Description | ReSPonsible Estimated crie Party for Cost of of Mitigation| . è 1 1 Measure mblementnc : Indicators of pement Dates Problems Mitigation Recommended (same as in and monitoring implementation and mitigation Menitoreu Encerntered ER eti sneSe Adjustments Table 2) mitigation effectiveness of indicators measures and measures monitoring Subcontractor |No complaints on officer Periodic (EC salaried staff | 4 Monitoring excessive noise by Site visits Team) Supervising workers and community Engineer & EC Team 121121 Implementation | Site environmental plan | Review and subcontractor No cost, RS RS ES Construction |(SEP) is submitted and | approval of mobilization normal PS RS RS Subcontractor | approved SEP obligation of [3 LL | Monitoring Borrow pits are Daily (Sup. Salaried staif |4 Engineering approved “es AVANBE Site visits Engineer) Team, e1ore ceve opmen Periodically (EC Supervising Borrow pits are being Team) Engineer & EC properly managed Team according to approved plans Proper closure and Borrow pit contouring of borrow pits Final closure closure inspection 13113.1 Implementation | HASP is prepared, Review and Subcontractor [No cost, RS SE SRE Construction |approved and approval of |moblization normal [21 | | Subcontractor | implemented HASP obligation of 51 | | Monitoring Speed limits and Site visits Daily (Sup. salaried staff | 4 Supervising singe are posted in Engineer) Engineer & EC | '2e9c ares Periodically (EC Team First aid boxes on site Team) and full List of health facilities and telephone numbers posted in field office 446 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 447] Description | ReSPonsible Estimated escription P RAS arty for Cost of of Mitigation| . è 1 1 Measure mblementnc : Indicators of pement Dates Problems Mitigation Recommended (same as in and monitoring implementation and mitigation Menitoreu Encerntered ER eti sneSe Adjustments Table 2) mitigation effectiveness of indicators measures and measures monitoring 141141 Implementation | Training delivered Review of Subcontractor | No cost, RS PS RS Construction training mobilzation [normal [21 | | Subcontractor material As presented obligation of ES PS SE EE no Spot salaried staff | 4 Monitoring Toilet and handwashing um Je: ‘ attendance at . Supervising facilities available and Li Daily (Sup. : : training events : Engineer & EC | properly supplied Site visit Engineer) Team Lo Periodically (EC Team) 15[15.1 Implementation | Waste and hazardous | Document plan | Subcontractor | No cost, RS RS ES Subcontractor | Management plan has | Site visits Weekly (Sup. obligation of ES PS SE EE no been approved and is Engineer) salaried staff | 4 Monitoring : gl operational Le Supervising No spill is recorded Periodic (EG Engineer & EC à Team) Team Solid wastes are properly handled 16116.1 Implementation | Traffic plan approved | Approval of Subcontract No cost, RS RS ES Construction [and implemented plan mobilzation [normal [2 LL | Subcontractor | Appropriate signage in Weekly (Sup. ane ES ES PS PE Monitoring place Site visit Engineer) saranec Staft |4 Supervising Construction site Periodic (EC Engineer & EC barricaded Team) Team Road hazards minimized 171171 Implementation | Vehicles are in operated | Site visits Subcontractor | No cost, RS RS ES Construction |and maintained in good mobilization normal PS RS RS obligation of [3 1 1 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 447 [page 448] Description | ReSPonsible Estimated escription P RAS arty for Cost of of Mitigation| . è 1 1 Measure implementing Indicators of implementing Dat Probl Mitigati Recommended (same as in and monitoring implementation and mitigation an Tee nl ECS Adjustments Table 2) mitigation effectiveness of indicators measures and measures monitoring Subcontractor |condition Weekly (Sup. salaried staff | 4 Monitoring Fuels and lubricants are Engineer) Engineering stored Periodic (EC Team, Team) Supervising Engineer & EC Team 18|18.1 Implementation | Erosion controls are in | Document plan | Subcontractor | No cost, RS SE SRE Construction | Place approval |mobiization [nomma [2 | | Subcontractor | Separate vehicle Site visits Weekly (Sup. obligation of ES PS SE EE Monitoring washing area exists Engineer) salaried staff | 4 Engineering Periodic (EC Team, Team) Supervising Engineer & EC Team 19119.1 Implementation | Site environmental plan | Review and subcontractor No cost, RS RS ES Construction |(SEP) is submitted and | approval of mobilization normal PS RS RS Subcontractor | approved SEP obligation of [3 LL | Monitoring Borrow pits are Daily (Sup. Salaried staif |4 Engineering approved by AVANSE | Site visits Engineer) before development Le Team, É . Periodically (EC Supervising Borrow pits are being Team) Engineer & EC properly managed Team according to approved plans Proper closure and Final closure | Borrow pit contouring of borrow pits | inspection closure 448 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 449] Description [Response Estimated RAS Party for Cost of CiMitigaton implementing Indicators of implementing itigati Recommended poncarin and monitoring implementation and mitigation Mess, d probleme d patgaton. Adjustments Table 2) mitigation effectiveness of indicators measures and measures monitoring 20 20.1 Implementation | Land use by Document land | Subcontractor | No cost, RS PS RS Subcontractor | Camp(s) and other uses |subcontracts obligation of [3 1 | | | no are legal and not in : salaried staff | 4 Monitoring dispute | Daily (Sup. Engineering Construction workers Review and Engineer) Team, camps location, design approval of Periodically (EC Supervising and management are | ocation. Team) Engineer & EC | d by AVANSE design, and Team pprovea by management Mitigation measures are |of camps being implemented Site visits 211211 Implementation | The community liaison | Document Subcontractor | No cost, RS RS ES Construction | officer is hired and is hiring of liaison | mobilization normal PS RS RS Scbeontaclor functional officer obligation of [311 Monitoring A complaint register is in Weekly (Sup. salaried staff | 4 Supervising De bone Rated Verification of | Engineer) Engineer & EC |° ‘ complaints Periodic (EC Team Strikes/strife by workers register Team) and/or community are Document not registered strikes and/or strife at worksites 22122. Implementation | Decommissioning plan | Document Plan | Prior to No cost, RS RS ES Construction lis reviewed and approval decommissioning | normal PS RS RS Subcontractor |aPProved Final At walk through | Cbligation of ES PS SE EE Monitoring Decommissioning is inspection before salaried staff | 4 | : implemented according decommissioning Engineering to plan is completed Team, Supervising Engineer & EC Team AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 449 [page 450] I-A. Environmental Screening Form (Table 1) Name: Bas Limbé Irrigation system (Corail-Titoir and Rivot Ravines), Limbé Watershed Activity: Drainage not requiring additional surface If answered yes to water withdrawals Col. À. is it a--? Type of Activity: Infrastructure / Canal Cleaning High Risk Medium- Contractor/Grantee: DAI Yes Risk Date: 01 September 2015 IÉE/ETD #: LAC-IÉE-14-17 IMPACT ON NATURAL RESOURCES & COMMUNITIES 1 Will the project involve construction! and/or L OX reconstruction/rehabilitation of any type of structure (building, | Î | check dam, walls, etc)? | ; 2 | Willthe project involve new construction? and/or L OX repair/reconstruction/rerouting of roads or trails? | l | 3 Will the project involve the use, involve plans to use or training in : X the use of any chemical compounds such as pesticides” É (including neem), herbicides, paint, varnish, lead-based products, É etc? É Involve the construction of repair of irrigation systems? : X [| 5. | Willthe activity involve training and/or implementation of L OX agricultural practices/production including animal husbandry? | l | [6 | Involve the construction or repair of fish ponds? | i X [| Involve the disposal of used engine oil? X : Will the project involve implementation of timber management” L OX extraction of forest products, clearing of forest cover, and/or | Î | conversion of forest land ? | l | Are there any potentially sensitive terrestrial or aquatic areas near X É X the project site, including protected areas, wetlands, critical | Î | Wildlife habitat or nesting areas.? | l | 10 | Will the activities proposed generate airborne gases, liquids, or X : X solids (i.e. discharge pollutants) É 11 | Willthe waste generated during or after the project impact on | Xi X neighboring surface or ground water? | l | Will the activity create objectionable odors? : X [| Will the activity violate air standard? | i X [| Will the activity occur on steep slopes (Greater than 15%)? l OX [| Will the activity contribute to erosion? X : Is the activity incompatible with existing land use inthe vicinity? | OX [| 17 | Will the activity contribute to displacement of people (housing) or Li X businesses? | l | 18 | Will the activity affect unique geologic,physical, cultural, and/or L OX historic features? | l | 19 | Willthe activity have potential impacts to inhabitants, natural | Xi X landscapes, or flora/fauna downstream from the activity site? | l | 20 | Willthe activity contribute to change in the amount of surface L OX water in any waterbody? | l | 21 | Willthe activity have a direct or indirect impact, or include actions : X With mangroves and coral reefs? É 450 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 451] [22] Wilihe acivity expose people or property to flooding? | * | | GA RSS ground water otherwise available for public water supplies? i Î i RÉ EE increase of waterborne diseases or populations of disease | Î | carrying vectors? | l | (7 | smaninance panteen amer XL | a maintenance plan been submitted? | l | D ONE motorists or persons with disabilities’? É Femmes eee LE and other biohazard medical waste? É planning permission(s)? | ; infrastructure improvements)? | l | RE PS D BR EE unequally in the project’s activities? É ME een RE BR EE EE women? | l | De PE ER EE EE project? | l | [ 34_T Does the project/Activiy involve a sub-grant component? "15 [| (a) The project has no potential for substantial adverse environmental effects. No further environmental review is required (Categorical Exclusion). No EMPR required. (b) The project has potential for minimal to medium adverse environmental effects, but X mitigable environmental effects. Measures to mitigate environmental effects will be incorporated (Negative Determination with Conditions). EMPR Required. (c) The project has potentially substantial or significant adverse environmental effects, but requires more analysis to form a conclusion. An Environmental Assessment will be prepared (Positive Determination). No EMPR required. (d) The project has potentially substantial adverse environmental effects, and revisions to the project design or location or the development of new alternatives is required (Deferral). (e) The project has substantial and unmitigable adverse environmental effects. Mitigation is insufficient to eliminate these effects and alternatives are not feasible. The project is not recommended for funding. À Construction projects need to be reviewed for scale, planned use, building code needs and maintenance. New construction having a footprint larger than 1000 sq meters or 10,000 sq. ft. is considered large scale and high risk. Some small construction projects, such as building an entrance sign to a park, may require simple mitigations whereas larger buildings will require more AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 451 [page 452] extensive review and monitoring. 2 New construction of roads and trails are considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the planned construction, i.e. a Positive Determination. Any reroutes of a road or trail longer than 100 meters is considered a high risk. Reroutes within a protected area, nearby a water source/wetlands, and/or archeological site are considered a high risk. $ The purchase of packaged store pesticides are included. The planned involvement of pesticides will trigger the need to develop a Supplemental Initial Environmental Examination that meets USAID pesticide procedures (Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan or “PERSUAP”) for the project. “ Any activities that involve harvesting trees or converting forests is considered high risk and will require a full environmental assessment of the activity (i.e. Positive Determination). $ A positive response to gender questions require follow up only when there are other positive responses on questions 1 — 30, and an EMPRis developed. $ Ifthe Project/Activity includes a sub-grant component, each sub-grantee shall be required to prepare an EMPR prior to implementation of the sub-grant. 452 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 453] II-B. Identification of Mitigation Plan (Table 2) #ofthe | Action or component with the different tasks Description of Mitigation Measures question | required to implement the action. Impact from Table 1 7 Disposal of used engine oil Oil and fuel spills Promote the limitation of heavy from trucks or their machinery and equipment during the improper disposal construction phase leading to pollution, contamination Sensitive terrestrial or aquatic areas near the project | Siltation and other Reduce use of chemicals and site pollutants will enter monitoring of water quality the water body and may harm aquatic flora and fauna 10 Generation of airborne gases, liquids, or solids Harmful exhaust Promote the limitation of vehicles and smoke, fumes, and machines during construction phase, dust from reduce use of airborne chemicals construction in surrounding communities 11 Waste generation and surface and groundwater Improper disposal of | Establishment of comprehensive solid waste during waste management program construction leading | monitored by AVANSE to contamination, pollution AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 453 [page 454] #ofthe | Action or component with the different tasks Description of Mitigation Measures question | required to implement the action. Impact from Table 1 15 Contribution to erosion Earthworks Bring awareness to project engineers contribute to large for the design, construction and amount of soil supervision movement leading to erosion, sedimentation Non-maintenance of | Strengthen the capacity of WUAs or drainage canals Will | similar management committees so lead to recurring that they become operational and productivity sustainable and able to maintain the problems drainage system on an ongoing basis Material cleaned or | Use earthen, soil-based sediment dredged from canals | material, once cleaned of debris, to not disposed of or build the slopes of the canal; give used properly debris to farmers to reinforce the berms separating the plantain parcels 19 Impacts to inhabitants, natural landscape Establishment of Provision of sanitary facilities, clearing, workers camps and | construction of structures, proper land other work facilities; | acquisition. Exploitation of borrow pits causin p . g Request AVANSE'Ss approval prior to loss of vegetation, loitati f b " farmlands, dust, exploitation of borrow pits. 454 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 455] #ofthe | Action or component with the different tasks Description of Mitigation Measures question | required to implement the action. Impact from Table 1 health & public safety problems, Wildlife decline 27 Increasing existing noise levels Increase in noise Promote the limitation of heavy level can become an | machinery and equipment during the unbearable nuisance | construction phase to workers; Vehicles and machines will produce noise unpleasant to communities II-C. Environmental Monitoring and Evaluation Tracking Table (Table 3). Cost of nded Responsible Party for : Description of . k implementin Adjustme Mitigation Measure TTIEENÈME and Indicators of implement- g mitigation Dates |Problems | Mitigation nts (same as in Table 2) monitoring mitigation | ation and effectiveness Frequency | measures | Monitore |Encounter | Effectivene measures of indicators and d ed ss monitoring heavy machinery and (normal : . Subcontractor Fuels and lubricants 2 equipment during the staff 2 | AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 455 [page 456] Monitoring Methods Estimated | Fa Recomme Cost of nded Responsible Party for : Description of . k implementin Adjustme Mitigation Measure imblementngEnd Indicators of implement- g mitigation Dates |Problems | Mitigation nts (same as in Table 2) monitoring mitigation | tion and effectiveness Frequency | measures | Monitore |Encounter | Effectivene measures of indicators al d ed ss monitoring construction phase to Monitoring: are stored salaries) sd | reduce fuel spills AVANSE Technical 4 Team 2 Reduce use of chemicals Implementation: Separate car wash Site visits Regular No cost and monitoring of water facilities; (normal . Subcontractor 2 quality staff No spill is recorded; . AVANSE Technical Water tested below sampling scnnica threshold levels and testing 4 Team 3 Promote the limitation of Implementation: Dust generation and Document Periodic No cost vehicles and machines Subcontract emissions from complaint (normal during construction phase, upcontraclor machines and book kept by staff reduce use of airborne Monitoring: vehicles are minimal; | liaison salaries) chemicals . officer AVANSE Technical | No Complaints from Team workers and the community Site visits Establishment of Implementation: Waste and hazardous | Document At No cost comprehensive waste substance manage- plan Subcon- | (normal Subcontractor management program ment plan has been approval tractor staff monitored by AVANSE Monitoring: approved and is mobiliza- | salaries) 456 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 457] Monitoring Methods Estimated | Fa Recomme Cost of nded Responsible Party for : Description of . k implementin Adjustme Mitigation Measure imblementngEnd Indicators of implement- g mitigation Dates |Problems | Mitigation nts (same as in Table 2) monitoring mitigation | tion and effectiveness Frequency | measures | Monitore |Encounter | Effectivene measures of indicators al d ed ss monitoring AVANSE Technical operational; tion, then Team No spill is recorded; weekly Solid wastes are properly handled 5 Bring awareness to Implementation: Erosion controls are Erosion plan | Docu- No cost project engineers for the in place approval ment (normal . : Subcontractor : design, construction and review staff supervision Monitoring: during salaries) design, AVANSE Technical then Team periodic Strengthen the capacity of | Implementaion: Canals cleaned on a | Site visits Quarterly | No cost, WUAs or similar regular basis or normal . AVANSE rice team LE management committtees schedule obligation so that they become Monitoring: of staff operational and salaries sustainable and able to AVANSE Technical maintain the drainage Team system on an ongoing basis 7 Use earthen, soil-based Implementation: Sediment used to Site visits Quarterly | No cost, sediment material, once build canal slopes; normal AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 457 [page 458] Monitoring Methods Estimated | Fa Recomme Cost of nded Responsible Party for : Description of . k implementin Adjustme Mitigation Measure imblementngEnd Indicators of implement- g mitigation Dates |Problems | Mitigation nts (same as in Table 2) monitoring mitigation | tion and effectiveness Frequency | measures | Monitore |Encounter | Effectivene measures of indicators al d ed ss monitoring cleaned of debris, to build | AVANSE rice team debris used to obligation the slopes of the canal; reinforce berms of staff : . Monitoring: : give debris to farmers to salaries reinforce the berms AVANSE Technical separating the plantain Team parcels Provision of sanitary Implementation: Toilet and Review of Subcontr | No cost facilities, clearing, handwashing facilities | training actor (normal . Subcontractor : : 0e construction of structures, available and properly | materiel mobilizati | staff proper land acquisition Monitoring: supplied s on as salaries) pot presente AVANSE Technical attendance d Team Daily supervisi on Request AVANSE's Implementation: Borrow pits are being | Site visits Borrow No cost approval prior to properly managed pit (normal ou . Subcontractor : exploitation of borrow pits according to closure staff Monitoring: approved plans; Final closure salaries) inspection AVANSE Technical | Proper closure and Team contouring of borrow pits 458 AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT [page 459] Monitoring Methods Estimated | Fa Recomme Cost of nded Responsible Party for : Description of . k implementin Adjustme Mitigation Measure imblementngEnd Indicators of implement- g mitigation Dates |Problems | Mitigation nts (same as in Table 2) monitoring mitigation | tion and effectiveness Frequency | measures | Monitore |Encounter | Effectivene measures of indicators al d ed ss monitoring 10 | Promote the limitation of Implementation: Noise level is kept Document Periodic No cost heavy machinery and below 50 dB during complaint (normal : . Subcontractor equipment during the the day: book kept by staff construction phase itoring: liaison salaries p Monitoring: No complaints of . ) . k officer AVANSE Technical _ | excessive noise by Team workers and community Site visits AVANSE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 459