E2896 v1 REPUBLIC OF RWANDA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND ANIMAL RESOURCES (MINAGRI) RURAL SECTOR SUPPORT PROJECT (RSSP 3) rssp_pscu@rssp.gov.rw ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK FOR RSSP 3 FINAL REPORT March 2012 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY As the preparation of the third phase of the Rwanda Rural Sector Support is under way, the World Bank OP 4.01 requires the government of Rwanda to prepare an Environment and Social Management Framework (ESMF), which establishes mechanisms to determine and assess future potential Environmental and social impacts of the planned investments/activities proposed under RSSP. The subproject investments that the RSSP 3 will finance, will require the consideration of environmental and social issues. Therefore, in compliance with the Rwanda Environmental Management Authority (REMA) and the World Bank’s Safeguards Policies, the Government of Rwanda represented by the Ministry of Agricultural and Animal Resources, has prepared this Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF). This is an instrument through which the potential subprojects’ environmental and social impacts are identified, assessed, evaluated and have appropriate mitigation, management and monitoring measures, designed and incorporated within the subprojects themselves. This ESMF is complemented by three other safeguards instruments. Firstly, Environmental Assessments (EAs) including Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) which will be prepared for each marshland irrigation scheme to be developed in RSSP 3. Secondly, a Pest Management Plan (PMP) is prepared to ensure that RSSP 3-supported investments in strengthening agricultural productivity pay adequate attention to the need to promote integrated pest management, and to ensure that pesticides are used appropriately. And finally, a Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) is prepared to provide standards and procedures for compensation for any land acquisition, loss of assets, or restriction of access to resources that may take place as a result of RSSP 3 investments. Small scale rural infrastructures that RSSP 3 is likely to finance will be demand-driven investments in infrastructure such as rural markets, drying floors, processing facilities, storage facilities, access road upgrades, bridges, and culverts. The specific design and location of these infrastructures will be determined during project implementation, and this ESMF gives guidance on how RSSP 3 will manage their associated environmental and social issues. The objectives of this ESMF are: 1. To establish clear procedures and methodologies for environmental and social planning, review, approval and implementation of subprojects to be financed under RSSP 3; ii 2. To prescribe project arrangements for the preparation and implementation of subprojects in order to adequately address World Bank safeguard issues; 3. To assess the potential environmental and social impacts of envisaged subprojects; 4. To propose mitigation measures which will effectively address identified negative impacts and to outline this in a simple Environmental Management Plan (EMP); 5. To specify appropriate roles and responsibilities, and outline the necessary reporting procedures, for managing and monitoring environmental and social concerns related to subprojects; 6. To define a public consultation and disclosure process; 7. To determine the training, capacity building and technical assistance needed to successfully implement the provisions of the ESMF; and 8. To establish the project funding required implementing the ESMF requirements. The proposed project is rated Category B under the World Bank Operational Policy on Environmental Assessment (OP4.01), requiring a partial Environmental Assessment (EA). The positive environmental impacts include catchments rehabilitation and management, flood control, water resources conservation, birdlife habitat conservation, improvement of previously waterlogged areas, environmental protection, food security, poverty alleviation, increased rural income, improved access to water for domestic purposes, improved nutrition, appreciation of the value of land, employment opportunities for community members, provision of fuel wood and the empowerment of farmers. Among the potential adverse impacts, which may result from the proposed project activities, the ESMF considers the following: water quality and quantity degradation (both surface and ground water), soil erosion and quality deterioration, loss of biodiversity, ecological imbalances, ecosystems damage, surface water sedimentation, damage to aquatic habitats, changes in soil salinity, sanitation and waste management problems, introduction of invasive flora species, loss of high value plant species especially those with medicinal value like like Vernonia amygdalina, Strychnos usambarensis,etc., borrow pit impacts, downstream flooding and potential water use restrictions, displacement of local inhabitants, damage to property, water use conflicts, land ownership conflicts, damage of aesthetics of the area/land, food insecurity attributed to by displacement of subsistence farming, dam safety related impacts, camp construction related impacts, traffic congestion, spread of water borne diseases, spread of HIV/AIDS, dust impacts, noise impacts, etc. iii These impacts are considered to be localized to the specific project areas, medium to minimum and minor in scale and in terms of magnitude and should be easily mitigated through the preparation of adequate EIAs/EMPs and Resettlement Action Plans (RAP) whenever required. Effective implementation of the ESMF will require that adequate capacity enhancement within institutions and other stakeholders are undertaken. There will be training for RSSP staff, local authorities, cooperatives, NGOs, Community Based Organizations (CBO), etc. The training will cover implementation of the ESMF including project screening, impact identification and analysis, Environmental Assessment procedures and requirements (EA and EMP), design and implementation of mitigation measures at sub project level, monitoring and review of environmental performance and reporting. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY....................................................................................................................ii TABLE OF CONTENTS ...................................................................................................................... v LIST OF TABLES .............................................................................................................................. ix LIST OF ANNEXES............................................................................................................................ x ACRONYMS AND ABREVIATIONS ................................................................................................... xi 1. INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................2 1.1 Context ............................................................................................................................................ 2 1.2 Project Description.......................................................................................................................... 2 1.2.1 Objective of RSSP 3 .................................................................................................................. 2 1.2.2 Project Components ................................................................................................................ 3 2 METHODOLOGY ........................................................................................................................ 11 2.1 Literature review ........................................................................................................................... 11 2.2 Field Visits ..................................................................................................................................... 11 2.3 Interactive Discussions .................................................................................................................. 11 2.4 Preparation of ESMF ..................................................................................................................... 12 3. BASELINE DATA ........................................................................................................................ 13 3.1 Location and size ........................................................................................................................... 13 3.2 Physical environment .................................................................................................................... 13 3.2.1 Climate ................................................................................................................................... 13 3.2.2 Relief ...................................................................................................................................... 14 3.2.3 Catchment and Hydrology ..................................................................................................... 14 3.2.4 Wetlands ................................................................................................................................ 16 3.2.5 Soils and land uses ................................................................................................................. 17 3.3 Biological Environment ................................................................................................................. 18 v 3.3.1 Protected areas ...................................................................................................................... 19 3.3.2 Biodiversity of wetlands ......................................................................................................... 20 3.3.3 Biodiversity in agricultural systems ....................................................................................... 21 3.4Socio-Economic Environment ........................................................................................................ 23 3.4.1 Population and Demographic Characteristics........................................................................ 23 3.4.2 Human settlements................................................................................................................ 23 3.4.3 Energy and transport ............................................................................................................. 24 3.4.4 Industry and Mining ............................................................................................................... 25 3.4.5 Agriculture.............................................................................................................................. 25 3.4.6 Animal husbandry .................................................................................................................. 26 4. ADMINISTRATIVE, POLICY AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK ...................................................... 27 4.1 National Environmental and Social Management Requirements................................................. 27 4.1.1 Legal, Regulatory and Policy Framework ................................................................................... 27 4.1.1.1 Constitution of 2003 ........................................................................................................... 27 4.1.1.2 Law on Environment Protection and Management............................................................ 27 4.1.1.3 Law on the Use and Management of Land in Rwanda ....................................................... 28 4.1.2 Policy Framework....................................................................................................................... 29 4.1.2.1 Vision 2020 .......................................................................................................................... 29 4.1.2.2 Rwanda Environmental Policy ............................................................................................ 30 4.1.2.3 Health Sector Policy ............................................................................................................ 32 4.1.2.4 Agriculture Policy ................................................................................................................ 33 4.1.2.5 Land Policy .......................................................................................................................... 33 4.1.2.6 Marshlands Development Master Plan .............................................................................. 33 4.1.2.7 Water and Sanitation Policy................................................................................................ 34 4.1.2.8 National Water Resources Management Policy ................................................................. 34 vi 4.1.2.9 National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan .................................................................. 35 4.1.2.10 National Poverty Reduction Strategy................................................................................ 35 4.1.3 Relevant Institutions .................................................................................................................. 36 4.1.3.1 Ministry of Natural Resources ............................................................................................ 36 4.1.3.2 Rwanda Environment Management Authority ................................................................... 36 4.1.3.3 Rwanda Development Board .............................................................................................. 37 4.2 World Bank Environmental and Social Safeguards Policies .......................................................... 37 4.2.1 Environmental Assessment (OP/BP 4.01) .............................................................................. 38 4.2.2 Natural Habitats (OP/BP 4.04) ............................................................................................... 40 4.2.3 Pest Management (OP /BP 4.09) ........................................................................................... 41 4.2.4 Involuntary Resettlement (OP/BP 4.12) ................................................................................ 42 4.2.5 Physical Cultural Resources (OP/BP 4.11) .............................................................................. 43 4.2.6 Projects on International Waterways (OP/BP 7.50) .............................................................. 44 4.2.7 Safety of Dams (OP/BP 4.37) ................................................................................................. 45 4.2.8 World Bank Policy on Access to Information ......................................................................... 46 4.2.9 World Bank Group Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines ....................................... 46 5. POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIAL IMPACTS..................................................................... 47 5.1 Positive Impacts ............................................................................................................................ 47 5.2 Critical Project Activities and Anticipated Adverse Impacts ......................................................... 47 5.3 Socio-cultural and Economic Impacts ........................................................................................... 48 5.4 Health Impacts .............................................................................................................................. 49 5.5 Localized Impacts .......................................................................................................................... 49 5.6 Cumulative Impacts....................................................................................................................... 49 5.7 Strategic Impacts........................................................................................................................... 49 5.8 Ecological Impacts and Land Degradation .................................................................................... 50 vii 5.9 Potential Sources of Pollution ....................................................................................................... 50 5.10 Pest Management ....................................................................................................................... 50 6. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PROCESS FOR RSSP3 ......................................... 52 6.1 Marshlands and Hillsides Rehabilitation and Development ................................................... 52 6.2 Community Subprojects ................................................................................................................ 53 6.3 Compliance with ESMP Implementation for Larger Projects........................................................ 55 6.4 Annual Reports.............................................................................................................................. 55 6.5 Public consultation and participatory process .............................................................................. 56 6.6 Description of Roles ...................................................................................................................... 57 7. MONITORING PLAN OF THE ESMF ............................................................................................. 59 7.1 Monitoring of Environmental and Social Indicators ..................................................................... 59 7.2 Evaluation of Results ..................................................................................................................... 60 7.3 Monitoring of ESMF Implementation ........................................................................................... 61 7.4 Monitoring Roles and Responsibilities.......................................................................................... 64 8. CAPACITY BUILDING, TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE – RSSP 3 ...................................... 67 8.1 Human Resource Capacity Requirements..................................................................................... 67 8.2 Technical Capacity Enhancement ................................................................................................. 68 8.3 Recommendations for Capacity Building ...................................................................................... 76 9. ESMF IMPLEMENTATION BUDGET ............................................................................................. 79 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................. 81 ANNEXES ..................................................................................................................................... 82 viii LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Monitoring indicators for RSSP 3 .................................................................................. 62 Table 2: Training influencing success of ESMF............................................................................ 69 Table 3: Training directly linked to implementation ESMF ......................................................... 69 Table 4: Agenda for Introduction and Training on ESMF ............................................................ 72 Table 5: Training Program on ESMF ............................................................................................ 73 ix LIST OF ANNEXES Annex 1: Suggested Format for EA Studies ............................................................................. 82 Annex 2: Suggested Format for a Simple EMP........................................................................ 85 Annex 3: Project Report Form................................................................................................. 86 Annex 4: Annual Report Form for the District Level or RSSP Environmental Officer ............. 91 Annex 5: Indicators to measure the ESMF process, mitigation plans and performance ........ 96 Annex 6: Screening checklist ................................................................................................... 97 Annex 7: Annual Report Form for the District Level ............................................................. 100 x ACRONYMS AND ABREVIATIONS ACTS African Centre for Technological Studies AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome APL Adaptable Program Loan BP Bank Procedure CBD Convention on Biological Diversity CBO Community Based Organization CMS Convention on Migratory Species DEO District Environment Officer DEC District Environment Committee EA Environmental Assessment EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EMP Environmental Management Plan EO Environment Officer ESIA Environment and Social Impact Assessment ESMF Environmental and Social Management Framework ESMP Environment and Social Management Plan EWASA Energy, Water and Sanitation Authority GoR Government of Rwanda IDA International Development Association IMCE Integrated Management of Critical Ecosystem IPM Integrated Pest Management ISAE Institut Supérieur d’Agriculture et d’Elevage ISAR Institut des Sciences Agronomiques du Rwanda KWAMP Kirehe Watershed Management Project MINAGRI Ministry of Agriculture and Animal resources MINALOC Ministry of Local Administration MINICOM Ministry of Commerce and Industry MININFRA Ministry of Infrastructures MINIRENA Ministry of Natural Resources MINISANTE Ministry of Health LWH Land Husbandry, Water Harvesting and Hillside Irrigation Project xi NBI Nile Basin Initiative NGO Non Governmental Organisation PMP Pest Management Plan PRSP Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper PSCU Project Support and Coordination Unit PSF Private Sector Federation RADA Rwanda Agriculture Development Authority RCA Rwanda Cooperative Agency RAB Rwanda Agriculture Board RDB Rwanda Development Board RAP Resettlement Action Plan RBS Rwanda Bureau of Standards REMA Rwanda Environment Management Authority RHSP Rwanda Health Sector Plan RNRA Rwanda Natural Resources Authority RPF Resettlement Policy Framework RSSP Rural Sector Support Project SPATR Strategic Plan for Agricultural Transformation in Rwanda SPIU Single Project Implementation Unit WUA Water Users Association xii 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Context The Government of Rwanda (GoR) is pursuing a comprehensive Poverty Reduction Programme. In support of this Programme, the GoR has received a grant from the International Development Association (IDA) towards the implementation of the Third Rural Sector Support Project (RSSP3) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI). The RSSP3 aims at (i) increasing the agricultural productivity of marshlands and hillsides in the sub-watersheds targeted for development in an environmentally sustainable manner; and (ii) strengthening the sustainable participation of women and men beneficiaries in market-based value chains. The subproject investments that the RSSP 3 will finance will require consideration of environmental and social issues. Activities to be financed that could give rise to environmental risks and concerns have not been confirmed during project preparation and the exact location of the investments has not been finalized. Therefore, in compliance with the Rwanda Environmental Management Authority (REMA) and the World Bank’s Safeguards Policies, the GoR represented by the MINAGRI, has prepared this Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF). This instrument will guide the project to identify, assess and evaluate environmental and social impacts on subproject level, and develop appropriate mitigation and monitoring measures, incorporated into the design of the subprojects. The ESMF is complemented by three other safeguards instruments. Firstly, Environmental Assessments (EAs) including Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) which will be prepared for each marshland irrigation scheme to be developed in RSSP 3. Secondly, a Pest Management Plan (PMP) is prepared to ensure that RSSP 3-supported investments in strengthening agricultural productivity pay adequate attention to the need to promote integrated pest management, and to ensure that pesticides are used appropriately. And finally, a Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) is prepared to provide standards and procedures for compensation for any land acquisition, loss of assets, or restriction of access to resources that may take place as a result of RSSP 3 investments. The objectives of the present ESMF are:  To establish clear procedures and methodologies for environmental and social planning, review, approval and implementation of subprojects to be financed under RSSP 3;  To prescribe project arrangements for the preparation and implementation of subprojects in order to adequately address World Bank safeguard issues;  To assess the potential environmental and social impacts of envisaged subprojects;  To propose mitigation measures which will effectively address identified negative impacts, and to outline a simple Environmental Management Plan (EMP);  To specify appropriate roles and responsibilities, and outline the necessary reporting procedures, for managing and monitoring environmental and social concerns related to subprojects;  To define a public consultation and disclosure process; 2  To determine the training, capacity building and technical assistance needed to successfully implement the provisions of the ESMF; and  To establish the project funding required to implement the ESMF requirements. In general, RSSP 3 investments that have associated environmental and social concerns include: � Marshlands and hillsides rehabilitation and development: Potential sites for some of these activities have not yet been identified. Once identified, an Environmental Assessment (EA) with Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) for each scheme will be prepared. Thus, the ESMF refers to the EIA and EMPs when addressing their environmental management requirements. Similarly, a Pest Management Plan (PMP) and a Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) are used to address, respectively, concerns for pesticide use and resettlement activities associated with these activities. � Small scale rural infrastructures Small scale rural infrastructures that RSSP 3 is likely to finance will be demand-driven investments in infrastructure such as rural markets, drying floors, processing facilities, storage facilities, access road upgrades, bridges and culverts. The specific design and location of these infrastructures will be determined during project implementation, and the ESMF focuses on how RSSP 3 will manage their associated environmental and social concerns. 1.2 Project Description This chapter describes the RSSP 3 objectives, proposed components activities and outcomes expected during the duration of the project. 1.2.1 Objective of RSSP 3 In line with the overall objective and programmatic phasing of the RSSP Adaptable Program Loan (APL), the Project Development Objectives (PDOs) for RSSP 3 are to: (1) Increase the agricultural productivity of organized farmers in the marshlands and hillsides of sub-watersheds targeted for development in an environmentally sustainable manner; and; (2) Strengthen the participation of women and men beneficiaries in market-based value chains. 2 1.2.2 Project Components The RSSP3 will have three components: two technical components and one implementation support component. Component 1: Infrastructure for Marshland, Hillside and Commodity Chain Development Building on the successful approaches, processes and experience of RSSP 1 and 2, the objective of Component 1 will be (i) to expand irrigated area of cultivated marshlands through rehabilitation and development, (ii) promote sustainable land management practices on associated hillsides and (iii) improve economic infrastructure in support of commodity chain development. Three subcomponents will be supported under Component 1: Subcomponent 1.1: Marshland rehabilitation and development The sub-component will finance rehabilitation and development of selected schemes in marshlands totaling 6,000 ha with high potential for commercialized agricultural production. It will finance preliminary, detailed feasibility and participatory design studies (some of which have already been completed or are on-going), construction and construction supervision. Investments will be demand-driven and a clear selection framework will be applied. Criteria include (i) readiness for investment; (ii) stakeholder interest; (iii) proximity to market; (iv) environmental and social sustainability; and (v) favorable economic rate of return. In addition to the successful water harvesting model of previous phases, the Project will promote lower- cost irrigation technologies in lowland areas where the shallow aquifer is appropriate for low- cost groundwater technologies. The Project will finance rapid groundwater assessments to identify the potential for groundwater exploitation in marshlands potentially to be covered under the Project. Where studies demonstrate significant potential for groundwater exploitation, the Project will finance “public good� elements of viable supply chain development for affordable irrigation technologies, including product development, training of local mechanical workshops in the manufacturing, repair and maintenance of affordable irrigation technologies, and development of mass marketing approaches. The project will recruit a consultant for the implementation of this activity. 3 Subcomponent 1.2: Sustainable land management on associated hillsides This sub-component will build on the progression seen from simply ‘hillside protection’ in RSSP 1 to the development of economically interesting sustainable land management (SLM) on hillsides that emerged near the end of RSSP 2. Drawing from and adapting the successful approaches of the Land, Husbandry, Water Harvesting and Hillside irrigation Project (LWH), RSSP 3 will finance investments in improving productivity on 17,000 ha of those hillsides directly associated with marshland irrigation schemes developed by the Project. Lessons learnt from RSSP1 and 2, as well as from LWH, in terms of best SLM hillside practices will be adopted in order to ensure that RSSP 3 hillside activities provide economic incentives for SLM by promoting an integrated hillside approach to better productivity and marketing for hillside communities. Activities supported by the Project will include :(a) promotion of sustainable land management on hillsides immediately adjacent to the irrigation investments, using the 3:1 area ratio used in RSSP 2; (b) promotion of cost-effective soil moisture retaining technologies on these hillsides for agricultural production, using the 3:1 ratio adopted in RSSP2; and (c) support for better marketing of hillside agricultural output (Component 2). By increasing agricultural productivity on hillsides, the Project would provide incentives to farmers to invest in sustainable land management practices and reduce land degradation. In view of the positive potential impacts on hillside agricultural productivity, dissemination of the technologies is expected to be farmer-led. Activities for promotion of rainwater harvesting technologies and sustainable land management practices will include (i) Grass strip planting, contour bunding and improved radical terracing, as appropriate for slope category and soil depth; (ii) Pasture improvement through trees and grass planting; (iii) Dam and canal buffer zone protection; and (iv) Afforestation of critical hillside ecosystems unsuitable for intensive agriculture and animal production. Other technologies such as construction of cut-off-drains and waterways, liming and organic materials (compost, manure, green manuring, etc.) application will be introduced; while crop rotation, double cropping, contour cultivation and mulching will be encouraged. The improved radical terraces and soil bunds will be stabilized using grass (such as nappier, legume, etc.) and agro-forestry trees, including fruit trees. The specific composition of the support financed under this sub-component will depend on specific conditions of the site (soil, climate, slope, farmer interest, etc) and will be determined during implementation. Under LWH, interventions on hillsides included mostly radical terracing and chemical fertilizers. 4 The agronomic performance is noticeable on the terraces cultivated, but the costs of such works remain very high (>USD7,000 /ha). According to the above, and to ensure sustainability of both the infrastructures and the associated gains from irrigation, the Project will develop and propose an affordable approach to RSSP 3 hillsides that still meets the Project objectives of making soil erosion protection on adjacent hillsides an economically interesting activity for hillside farmers. Subcomponent 1.3: Infrastructure for value chain development This sub-component will support construction of economic infrastructure for developed marshlands and hillsides to support the integration of organized farmers in value chains and/or their diversification. Rural investment for economic infrastructure concerns all infrastructure that supports the economic activities handled by cooperatives or small farmer groups. Investment in infrastructure in this Component would follow a Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach and be directly linked to business plans developed by cooperatives with support from sub-component 2.3. Such investments would require contributions from the participating farmer organization (either in-kind or through linkages with rural finance providers). While these investments will cover all marshlands developed under RSSP 3, as well as Muvumba 8 (developed at the end of RSSP 2), selection criteria has been developed to help prioritize the hillside cooperatives that can best benefit from similar investments (see Annex 2). Selection criteria will include (i) the compliance with local development priorities in conformity with the project development objectives; and (ii) women and men and districts who show their interest either in kind or cash to contribute to the infrastructure construction; and (iii) economic viability. As this sub-component will be implemented through a CDD approach, the full set of specific criteria will be fully elaborated in the Project Implementation Manual. The level of contribution to the financing of the investments will be modulated according to its commercial nature. The positive list of eligible investments will comprise for both marshland and hillsides sites: collection centres, storage facilities, input facilities (seeds, organic and inorganic fertilizers), processing (agricultural products) and other value-adding activities); agribusiness centres 5 including half-bulk markets1, drying areas, storage facilities (e.g. paddy, fertilizers). Feeder roads which appear to be critical for linking production basins to markets, will be funded through the upcoming World Bank Rural Roads Operation as well as projects supported by other partners. Finally, the project could support supra-cooperative initiatives for greater value chain integration. Detailed community-level implementation arrangements, including social mobilization and accountability procedures will also be highlighted in the PIM. The full list of possible demand-driven investments eligible for support, as well as a list of investments that would not be legible for project financing, the eligibility criteria, thresholds for funding support and cost sharing arrangements, and sanctioning procedures will be described in detail in the CDD operating manuals contained in the Project’s Implementation Manual (PIM). Finally, this sub component will be explicitly linked with business planning capacity in Component 2, reinforcing the synergies across the sub-components. Component 2: Strengthening Capacity for Marshland and Hillside Commodity Chain Development The objective of Component 2 is to support the firm integration of men and women in targeted marshland and hillside areas into markets by intensifying production, promoting diversification into agricultural value addition or upstream markets, and expanding access to markets. The Project will focus on strengthening commodity chains for main food staples, including rice, potatoes, and maize, but it will remain responsive to broader proposals where tangible marketing opportunities exist. The project approach will strengthen farmer communities to promote an inclusive development for all including the very poor, the landed and the land less by mainstreaming best practice community driven development (CDD) principles across all project target areas (see Technical Annex for further details). Component 2 will include three sub-components: 1 Half bulk market is part of an ABC and is defined as demarcated secured area designed in such a way to facilitate cost saving wholesale transactions of the main agricultural commodities produced in the surrounding areas, and managed by an autonomous body involving market stakeholders and district authorities through a public private partnership. 6 Sub-component 2.1: Strengthening farmer organizations and cooperative This sub-component will support group formation where necessary (e.g. hillsides), and will strengthen WUAs and cooperatives to improve their governance and management capacity to deliver quality services to their members. Activities include: (i) For farmers groups and cooperatives: (a) mobilization and group formation (particularly on the hillsides); (b) governance and management training including book keeping and accounting for farmers’ organizations and cooperatives implemented in partnership with Local Service Providers (LSPs); the focus of capacity development will depend on the level of maturity of the farmer organizations and cooperatives. For mature cooperatives, value- chain development through business planning would be emphasized (see Sub-component 2.3) while for new cooperatives basic governance and new production technology would be promoted. Small group formation will form an integral part of the approach where appropriate, but particularly on hillsides and with women and men in Project areas involved in non-farm activities. As the project progresses and groups and cooperatives gain experience, they would increasingly qualify for capacity support in more complex value chain integration (see sub-component 2.3). (ii) For WUAs, specific support and training in collaboration with RSSP3 engineers and district authorities to include WUA support and activities in the District development plans, (a) emergence, registration, governance of the WUAs, (b) water management and appropriate bye laws including enforcement procedures; (c) infrastructure maintenance plans based on the recommended principles: Type of Annual provisions in percentage Periodicity of Infrastructure of the price as stated on BoQ maintenance works Dam 1% 5 years: reparations… Main canal 3 years for reshaping 3% 1 year for weed-cutting Secondary and Twice a year for tertiary canals 3% reshaping and weed- cutting Roads 3% 3 years: relining (iii) Establishment, collection and management of water services fees: WUAs will reach all users regardless of their cooperative membership status with a 95% minimum rate of fees recovery. WUAs will be trained to develop an efficient collection system that may be inspired by lessons learnt (e.g.: open bidding for fees collectors with a performance contract remunerated through a limited commission, recovery through cooperatives); (e) to enhance and permanently monitor the progress of WUAs and with their support, a WUA “technical coordinator� could be posted in the associations by RSSP3 during 1-2 years to ensure that each WUA fully endorses all its responsibilities and enforce its established by-laws. 7 At the end of the period, such technical coordinator may be recruited as a WUA permanent member of staff if the WUA can cover the salary without affecting the irrigation scheme maintenance capacities of the WUA. In smaller size marshland, the technical coordinator trains and mentors a WUA manager with a lower profile who will run the WUAs activities under the supervision of the steering committee. The WUA technical assistant is understood as a permanent on-site person coordinating all tasks and responsibilities to be carried out by WUAs as listed above. This person is accountable to the WUAs steering committees and to the Project coordinator for the duration of the assignment. Sub-component 2.2: Improving production technologies RSSP3 will support activities to improve production and productivity in the marshlands and hillsides adjacent to marshlands. In line with Government policy for extension and in collaboration with Rwanda Agricultural Board (RAB), the Project will support the up-scaling of the Farmers Field Schools (FFS). The FFS approach builds capacity and empowers farmers to use improved and economically viable practices for sustainable soil, water and pest management with a view of increasing the agricultural productivity and profitability. RSSP3 will continue supporting cooperatives to become certified seed producers. Project activities in this sub- component would include: (i) Training-of-trainers for the up-scaling of FFS in marshlands and hillsides for sustainable intensification; (ii) up-scaling of the FFS in the marshlands and in the hillsides developed both by RSSP2 and RSSP3; (iii) support to interested cooperatives to become certified seed producers in cooperation with RAB, linking to any ongoing seed projects; (iv) LWH extension approaches to support intensification of rainfed hillside production with a particular emphasis on the dissemination of fruit trees with the establishment of fruit tree nurseries and adapted fruit trees management techniques (grafting, pruning, root pruning, fertilization); and (vi) support to innovations for productivity. Sub-component 2.3: Capacity building for value chain development Capacity building for value chain development will be directly linked to the various levels of organized groups discussed above as each of these are meant to play a role in the value chain— starting with the individual producer. As a lesson learnt from RSSP2, it is crucial to allow individual farmers to better plan and develop their farming activities through a thorough understanding of the business. Participatory value chain approaches will be used in addition to the successfully applied methodology of lead farmers. 8 The subcomponent aims at supporting the development of market oriented farming at three levels of intervention: the producer level, the cooperative level, the agribusiness centre level including half bulk markets. (i) For the first level, two core modules will be delivered: (a) development of farm budgets/business planning to lead farmers; (b) small enterprise management to lead farmers; as well as (c) study tours to well established cooperatives. (ii) At the second level, activities will be implemented to support business oriented cooperatives through (a) the training of the Marketing Committees (cooperative leaders) on marketing of output for onward communication to farmers, (b) support to the management through a participation to the recruitment and hiring of a professional manager and (c) a permanent mentoring programme for both cooperative staff and cooperatives leaders. This programme will include training on business plans including cooperative investment plan that links directly to investments discussed in sub component 1.3. Beyond this core training, a mentoring program provided by professionally trained service providers in agribusiness and value chain development on retainer basis will focus on cooperatives leaders and marketing committees for at least the first three years of the program. The hillsides cooperatives benefitting from collective infrastructure under sub-component 1.3 will receive similar support. Building on the success stories from RSSP 2, under RSSP3 cooperatives which accessed matching grant funding from financial service providers through the Government’s (World Bank financed) Rural Investment Facility (RIF) for activities in their business plans, will be supported to seek financing for innovations through RIF. This includes clear articulation of quality innovation investment proposals and full information for risk assessment by the financial institution. At the third level of Agribusiness Centres, three RSSP3 areas of intervention will be selected based on the following criteria: (a) the expected volume of commodity transactions (e.g. rice, maize, potatoes, and bananas) and (b) availability of a supra-structure of matured cooperatives that provide specific services to their cooperatives members. For the selected areas, the project will support development initiative dialogue with cooperatives and the District authorities to launch an Agribusiness centre (ABC) whose infrastructure will be partly financed as stated in sub-component 1.3. The ABC will comprise facilities to increase trade of agricultural commodities in half bulk – safe storage, lorry access, handling facilities, weighing bridge - and a more equitable share of added value – price information system, auction market services, negotiated local tax payment- amongst the value chain stakeholders. 9 In the case of rice, cooperatives and their unions, registered traders, government approved millers will be included. Such initiative would rely initially on funding from the project to be complemented by other private source of financing through public private partnerships. Study tours comprising all main stakeholders (union leaders, private traders, district officials) will be organized to places (within and outside the country) where rural half bulk markets managed by PPP associating farmers’ organization and district authorities have been developed. Component 3: Project Support and Coordination In keeping with the commitment of Development Partners (DPs) in the agricultural sector of Rwanda, the experienced and competent implementation team of RSSP 2 will be merged with the LWH implementation team to form one implementation unit embedded in the Ministry’s structure. The implementation capacity of LWH recently received a thorough assessment as part of the preparation for an LWH scale up under the Global Agricultural Food Security Program (GAFSP) in 2010 and again in 2011. A similar assessment took place during the preparation of RSSP 3 and the proposed combined implementation team was found to ensure sufficient implementation capacity for the two activities. The proposed merger entails economies of scale and this will ensure cost-effective management of projects, in line with MINAGRI’s strategy to create a single PIU for each program under PSTA. The bank fully endorses this as a mechanism under which RSSP 3 will be implemented. The objective of this component is to ensure: (i) efficient execution of administrative, financial management, and procurement functions; (ii) coordination of Project activities among the various stakeholders; (iii) timely implementation and monitoring of environmental and land-use management frameworks mandated by World Bank safeguards policies; and (iv) establishment and operation of an effective monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system. 10 2 METHODOLOGY The present study is an update of RSSP 2 ESMF report and was conducted by the Project Environmental Officer using the following approach and methodology. 2.1 Literature review Review on the existing baseline information and literature material was undertaken to gain a further and deeper understanding of the project. Among the documents that were reviewed included:  RSSP 2 ESMF and LWH ESMF Reports  RSSP 2 World Bank Project Concept Note and Integrated Safeguards Data Sheet  Project Appraisal Documents I and II  RSSP 3 Project Concept Note  Government documents (studies)  MINAGRI documents The Environment Officer (EO) of the project also undertook detailed review and analysis of the current national relevant legislations, policies and guidelines including the World Bank Safeguards Policies, international conventions related to this project and other relevant documents. 2.2 Field Visits The EO carried out visits to three (3) potential project sites (Rwinkwavu, Karangazi - Rwangingo and Gacaca marshlands) in order to be familiar with the issues on the ground and appreciate the possible environmental issues of concern. 2.3 Interactive Discussions Various discussions were held with the RSSP technical staff at the national level and provincial levels as well as other relevant staff of the key implementing partners of the RSSP 3 including among others REMA, RDB, IMCE and MINAGRI projects (PAIGELAC, KWAMP- PAPSTA). 11 2.4 Preparation of ESMF The preparation of ESMF for RSSP 3 involved  Collection of baseline data on the environmental conditions of the project area;  Identification of positive and negative environmental and social impacts;  Identification of environmental and social mitigation measures;  Preparation of screening procedures to be used while screening subproject activities;  And formulation of environmental and social monitoring plans. 12 3. BASELINE DATA This section describes the overall baseline condition of Rwanda in terms of biophysical environment, the socio-economic and cultural attributes. 3.1 Location and size Rwanda is a small, mountainous and landlocked country covering 26,338 Km 2 of which the total land area is 24, 948 Km2 (94.7 %) and 1,390 Km2 (5.3 %) is water. It is located in Central Africa and bordered by Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The country is described as the “Land of a Thousand hills’’ because of its numerous highly dissected hills, often with flat peaks and convex slopes, separated by relatively narrow valleys covered with alluvium materials, with the lowest altitude of 950 m at Rusizi River and the highest altitude of 4,507 m at Mount Kalisimbi. The average altitude is 1,250 m above sea level. 3.2 Physical environment 3.2.1 Climate Rwanda enjoys a tropical temperate climate due to its high altitude. The average annual temperature ranges between 16°C and 22°C, without significant variations. Rainfall is abundant although it has some irregularities. Winds are generally around 1-3 m/s. In the high regions of the Congo - Nile ridge, the average temperatures ranges between 15 and 17°C and the rainfall is abundant. The volcanic region has much lower temperatures that can go below 0°C in some places. In areas with intermediary altitude, average temperatures vary between 19 and 21°C and the average rainfall is around 1000 mm/year. Rainfall is less irregular, and sometimes causes periods of drought, especially in the Eastern Rwanda. In the lowlands (East and Southeast), temperatures are higher and at times can go beyond 30°C in February and July- August. Rainfall is less abundant in that region (700 to 970 mm/year). Weather in Rwanda is determined by the rainfall patterns. Thus, the climate of the country is characterized by an alternation of four seasons of which two are wet and the other two are dry. However, rainfall is generally well distributed throughout the year, despite some irregularities. Eastern and South-Eastern regions (Eastern Province and Mayaga in Southern Province) are more affected by prolonged droughts while the Northern and Western regions experience abundant rainfall that may cause catastrophic landslides and flooding. 13 The quantity of total annual rainfall varies between 800 mm in the Northeast of Rwanda (Eastern Umutara) and 1600 mm in the natural forest of Nyungwe (Wisumo) and in the highlands of the Northwest. A decrease in rainfall is generally observed from West to East. 3.2.2 Relief The Rwandan relief is hilly and mountainous with an altitude varying between 900 m and 4,507 m. The components of that relief are:  Congo-Nil Ridge over laying Lake Kivu with an altitude between 2500 m and 3000 m. It is dominated in the Northwest by the volcanic ranges consisting of five volcanic massifs of which the highest is Karisimbi with 4507 m.  The central plateau presents a relief of hills with an altitude ranging between 1500 m and 2000 m.  The lowlands of the East are dominated by a depression characterized by hills with more or less round top and 1000 to 1500 m in altitude. The lowlands of the South-West in Bugarama plain with an altitude of 900 m are part of the tectonic depression of the African Rift Valley. 3.2.3 Catchment and Hydrology Rwanda has abundant water resources estimated at 417,000 ha, including 101 lakes covering almost 128,000 hectares, water courses (7,260 ha) with 6,400 km of rivers and 860 marshlands spanning an estimated 278,000 hectares. Surface water The sources of surface water of Rwanda include water courses and runoff. Rwanda has a dense hydrographical network of ± 2 km/km² (length of the superficial flow network by km² of surface). The country is divided into two hydrographical basins with a separating line called Congo-Nile Ridge, moving from the North to the South and approximately perpendicular to the volcanic chain, making natural obstacles exchange between the catchments basins of the Northern Kivu and the Southwest of Uganda and those of Rwanda. In the West of that line there is the Congolese basin (33 % of the surface of the national territory) that drains 10 % of water resources of the country. It comprises rivers of Sebeya, Koko, Rusizi, Rubyiro, as affluents of Lake Kivu (102,800 ha on the Rwandan side, 473 m of maximum depth), Ruhwa and many other small streams. 14 In the East of the Congo Nile Ridge there is the Nile basin which covers 67 % of the National territory and drains 90 % of Rwandan waters by two main rivers namely Nyabarongo and Akagera. The latter is the main affluent of Lake Victoria with an average outflow of 256 m3/s at Rusumo station and thus considered as the source of Nile. The Nile basin in Rwanda comprises of many small lakes (e.g. Bulera, Ruhondo, Cyohoha South, Mugesera, Muhazi, Rwampanga, Mihindi, Mirayi and others). Those lakes are not very deep (5 to 7 m), except Lake Bulera and Ruhondo, which are 50 to 90 m deep respectively. Most rivers originate from the slopes of the Congo-Nile ridge. The two main rivers, namely Nyabarongo and Akanyaru, together with their numerous tributaries, form, downstream from Lake Rweru, the river Akagera which drains the most part of Rwanda’s waters towards the Nile, forming the border with Burundi in the South and Tanzania in the East. Nyabarongo and Akagera rivers are closely associated with vast marshes and numerous shallow lakes found along these rivers. The ecology of these ecosystems is very dynamic and complex. Marshland vegetation and the size of the lakes change continuously with the rainfall and the flow rate of the rivers. Underground water The Rwandan underground water is dominated by the water of wetlands covering some 278,000 ha. The catchment/watershed of these wetlands are the many hills that catch rainwater and drain slowly to the lower areas where the marshlands modify the movement of water in the channel network by lowering the peak flow and volume of flood discharges. Groundwater in most of these marshlands areas is found at a depth of 8 m. The marshlands provide recharge of the ground water through percolation during water retention time in the area. The outflow of the underground renewable water resource is estimated at 66 m³/s. Out of this, the 22,000 known sources contribute an output of 9m³/s. In general, little information is available on underground resources. The total area of marshlands of Rwanda is estimated at about 278,000 ha which are partially exploited depending on their degree of flooding. 15 Lakes Rwanda has some 28 lakes of significant size and 73 lakes of small size. Six largest are located entirely within the national territory: Ruhondo, Burera, Muhazi, Mugesera, Ihema and Rwanyakizinga. Three others, Rweru, Cyohoha and Kivu, are shared with neighboring countries. The largest and most spectacular is Lake Kivu. It lies at 1,460 m above sea level and is 90 km long (North-South) and 49 km wide (East-West). From an average depth of 220 m, it plunges to a maximum depth of 475 m. Lake Kivu has a rough, jagged coast and contains numerous islands of which Idjwi is the largest. Lake Kivu lies on the border with Congo in Western Rwanda at the foot of the volcanoes. Although there is a species of small edible fish in the lake, it is poor in fauna, but rich in volcanic substances. Great volumes of dissolved methane gases exist in its deep waters, which have begun to be developed as an energy source. Lake Kivu drains to the south into Lake Tanganyika by the swiftly descending Rusizi River. Quality of water In Rwanda, the quality of water is generally good with a pH ranging between 6 and 7.5. Surface water often carries a lot of soil sediments and, in mining and volcanic regions, the water can contain traces of arsenic, lead, mercury, fluoride, iodide and other toxic metalloids and heavy metals, leading to water resources degradation. The physico-chemical pollution of water is not frequent due to the low level of industrialization and use of agricultural chemical inputs. The microbiological pollution is often observed and it comes from various domestic wastes and debris carried by rain water. The pollution of watercourses and lakes by the water hyacinth and other invasive species is a very recent and alarming phenomenon in Rwanda.2 3.2.4 Wetlands Wetlands cover a total area of 278,000 ha or about 10.6 % of the national territory. They include a variety of ecosystems, ranging from large, permanently flooded swampy peat-lands to smaller, seasonally flooded wetlands with a more mineral soil. An MoU was signed establishing a partnership between RSSP 2/MINAGRI and National University of Rwanda (NUR) for Water Quality Assessment from the marshlands developed by RSSP 2 in a bid to implement the mitigation measures proposed in the sub-projects Environmental Management Plans (EMPs). This partnership may be extended for RSSP 3 sub-projects. 16 The wetlands are composed of marshes, lakes, rivers and streams representing around 10.6 % of the national territory. In the highlands of the Northwest, there are lakes Bulera and Ruhondo as well as the marshland of Rugezi. In the Central and the East of the country, wide marshes are those of Nyabarongo, Akanyaru and Akagera rivers. Many lakes connect with rivers and most of them are located in the Akagera National Park. The main swamps are Akanyaru (30,000 ha) on the border with Burundi, Mugesera-Rweru in the Southeast, Akagera swamp along the Tanzania border in the East, Nyabarongo (10,000 ha) and the Rugezi wetlands (5,000 ha) in the North. The wetlands serve as troughs for sediment particles and play an important role in the national water balance by acting as a buffer, thus reducing the maximal flow rates during the rainy season and maintaining a relatively high flow rate during the dry season. Currently, an estimated 94,000 ha have been brought under agriculture, the large majority of this being spontaneous agriculture with maize, sweet potatoes and beans. In addition, the wetlands are used for a variety of traditional activities including the collection of leaves to make handicrafts, extensive grazing and making of bricks. Wetlands also provide a spawning habitat for fish, and are of great significance for biodiversity conservation. They play a role of alleviating the erosive force of water and thus facilitate the deposit of sediments in suspension that could block watercourses downstream. Given the importance that the Government of Rwanda attaches to wetlands, in 2003, Rwanda ratified the RAMSAR Convention (or convention on wetlands) and has already registered on the RAMSAR list the site of Rugezi and identified other potential sites that will be registered in the future, like the complex of Mugesera-Rweru, Kamiranzovu marshes and the wet zones of the Akagera National Park. In addition, an action plan for the implementation of the RAMSAR Convention was developed in June 2004. 3.2.5 Soils and land uses Pedology The Rwandan pedology is characterized by six types of soils namely:  Soils derived from schistose, sandstones and quartzite formations (50%);  Soils derived from granite and gneissic formations (20%);  Soils derived from basic intrusive rocks (10%);  Soils derived from recent volcanic materials (10 %); 17  Soils derived from old volcanic materials (4 %);  Alluvial and colluvial soils (6 %). Rwanda’s soils contain many of the metal compounds found in laterite soils, but are generally lighter, more fertile, more workable, and less problematic to farmers than true laterite soils. There are two sub zones, with vastly different soils. To the northwest and the lower portions of the larger river valleys are very fertile volcanic soils covering approximately 10 % of the country. Elsewhere, the largely metamorphic bedrock has produced generally poor quality with fertility varying and depending on extent of erosion and leaching. Land uses About 30 % of Rwanda’s land is suitable for agricultural farming, and another 30% for grazing. Except where the land is seriously eroded or leached by heavy farming, the soils have good humus content and fertility. Intensive food crop production, often on steep slopes, has led to serious soil erosion. Pastureland has also been overgrazed in many areas. Population pressure on the richer lands is sufficiently intense that soil damage, which is due to leaching, erosion, and intensive farming without adequate fertilizer, is an increasingly serious problem. The resulting depletion of nutrients from the soils has caused crop production to stagnate or decline, with a significant adverse impact on Rwanda’s food security situation. The exploitation of land employs 88 % of the active population. The number of agricultural households is about 1.4 million with an average surface area of 0.60 ha. Land resources are thus limited, resulting in the overexploitation and inappropriate use of lands with potentially disastrous consequences on land resources and on environment in general. 3.3 Biological Environment Rwanda contains a wide variety of different habitats and species, due to its varied geomorphology and its diverse climatic conditions. It is covered with diverse ecosystems that include mountains, ombrophile forests, gallery forests, savannahs, wet and aquatic zones, wood and agro ecosystems. All these ecosystems have rich flora and fauna. 18 3.3.1 Protected areas The fauna and the flora can be better preserved and protected through the establishment of protected areas like national parks and forest reserves to which the best management is applied. However, through time and due to human activities, these conservation areas have been reduced considerably. Rwanda possesses three national parks (Nyungwe, Akagera and Volcanoes national Parks) and forest reserves (Gishwati, Mukura, forest gallery). Rwanda’s remaining natural forests (Nyungwe National Park, the Gishwati Forest, the Mukura Forest and Volcano National Park) etc.) are highland forests with a high degree of biological diversity and rare animal species, such as mountain gorillas, Ruwenzori colobus monkeys and golden chimpanzees. It is estimated that about 2,150 plant species are found in Rwanda, of which 700 species have medicinal value. Rwanda as a whole is known for its rich variety of flora is accompanied by an equal variety of fauna, including several species of birds and primates. The country has more than 275 species of birds, 24 of which are endemic to Albert Rift. Towards the east of the country lies the Akagera National Park, the forests galleries and wooded savannahs. Population pressures have already drastically reduced the land area of natural forests of Rwanda from about 30 % to presently fewer than 10 % in less than a century for agricultural, pastoral and settlement purposes. The production of export crops (pyrethrum plantations around Volcanoes National Park, tea plantation around Nyungwe), food crops in Gishwati, etc. contributed to loss of natural forests. The deforestation of Rwanda’s remaining forests is also a result of high fuel wood consumption. Heavily populated and cultivated areas adjacent to the natural forest have caused significant loss of genetic diversity within Rwanda’s natural forest. In general, for a period of about 40 years, the surface area of the natural forests of Rwanda underwent a decrease of about 65 % between 1960 and 2002. The search for arable lands, extensive farming, illegal felling of forests for firewood, production of charcoal and poles for construction in urban areas, as well as improper land use have drastically contributed to the reduction of the surface area of forests. This led to biodiversity loss. 19 The dense high altitude forests of Volcanoes National Park is home to about half (320) of the world’s remaining population (650) of Mountain Gorillas. Mountain gorillas consume large amounts of vegetation from more than 70 different plant species and spend about 30% of each day foraging for food. They consume roots, leaves, stems of herbs, vines from trees, shrub-sized plants, wild celery, gallium, vines, berries, barks and bamboo shoots. In the Nyungwe National Park serves as habitat for 12 species of primates, among which there are the black and white Colobus monkeys that wonder around in huge troupes, some are as many as 300 agile individuals. There are also known to be 275 species of birds in the Nyungwe. In the Akagera National Park, there is the largest variety of wildlife species that include buffaloes, zebras, antelopes, warthogs, baboons, Giraffes, elephants, hippopotamus and crocodiles. The main threats remaining for these species are the destruction of their habitats and poaching. 3.3.2 Biodiversity of wetlands The ecosystems of the Rwandan wetlands inhabits a rich biological diversity of animal and vegetation (more than 104 plant species have been identified), except for Lake Kivu, Bulera and Ruhondo, due to their liminological characteristics. The Lake Kivu contains very poor aquatic flora and the density of the phytoplankton is relatively low due to the lack of mixture of layers (the nutrients are found at the bottom of the lake). Aquatic fauna in the lake is also poor due to its physical isolation. In the Akagera National Park , the flora is dominated by the Cyperus, Phragmithes, Phinix. An invasive species the Water Hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes) is present and has recently started spreading, thus posing a threat to biological diversity of the lakes. Some lakes like Cyambwe, Rwampanga and Rweru are particularly rich in hippopotamuses and crocodiles. Flora of many other lakes, such as Nasho, the lakes of Gisaka and Bugesera, is mainly dominated by papyrus with Cyperus papyrus mixed with Miscandium violaceum and Nymphea nouchallii. All these lakes are associated with gallery forests onshore or on small islands. 20 In contrast, the aquatic flora and fauna of the Northern lakes (Bulera and Ruhondo), are poor due to the physico-chemical situation unfavourable to their development and the isolation of these two lakes. The concentration of the plankton is less important in Lake Bulera than in Ruhondo due to its high depth which limits light penetration, thus reducing plankton growth in Bulera lake. This lake is about 90 m deep while Ruhondo lake does not exceed 50 m of depth. Lake Muhazi is landlocked, isolated, and located at 40 km from Kigali city. Its ichthyologic fauna is very limited. Three endemic species and other nine introduced species are found within the lake. The lake is very rich in phytoplankton. The macroflora of the marshes is mostly composed of wide spaces of papyrus with some zones of Miscanthidium. The low layer is covered with Cyclosorus stratus. 3.3.3 Biodiversity in agricultural systems a) Croplands The natural ecosystems that covered the country before the colonial period have been modified by the demographic pressure on more than 85 % of the national territory. Human settlement, diversified agropastoral practices, consumption of forest products, bush fires and urbanization has caused the disappearance of natural ecosystem. Those changes caused secondary formations consisting essentially of graminaceous plants, numerous seasonal or perennial species alternating with crops. Agricultural land presently covers around 55.8 % of the total surface area of the country and is continuously cultivated. The time between two growing seasons is the only period of respite. These areas have various crops that play an essential role in the national economy. These crops are usually grouped in two categories: subsistence and cash crops. Some of the food crops include sorghum, beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), eleusine (Eleusine corocana), Colocases (Colocasia antignorum), maize (Zea mays), rice (Oryza sativa), wheat (Triticum sp), barley (Hordeum vulgare), peas (Pisum sativum), soja bean (Soja hispada), peanut (Arachis hypogea), sweet potato (Ipomea durcis), potato, cassava (Manihot esculanta) and banana (Musa spp). The importance of each crop varies according to regions. Some crops, like bananas, potatoes, different varieties of wheat, sorghums and beans are subject to high commercial trade. Potatoes, beans, cassava and bananas are present everywhere for the daily diet of the people. 21 The cash crops are very few and limited to coffee, tea and pyrethrum. b) Pastoral zones In Rwanda, the essential part of animal husbandry is comprised of one family ownership with a small number of animals per household. As agriculture occupies the biggest portion of land, the cows graze in paddocks, on road sides, and in some parts of marginal lands. This obliges farmers to adopt the zero grazing or semi-permanent farming and grow fodder crops such as Tripsacum laxum, Setaria spp, Desmodeum spp, Pennisetum purpureum, Mucuna pruriensis, Cajanus cajan, Calliandra calothyrsis, Leucaena diverifolia, Sesbania sesban, etc. However, one can notice the development of ranching in Umutara and Gishwati. Other pastoral land is very limited across the country. These areas are prone to bush fires, trampling and sometimes overgrazing. The latter is the main cause of reduction of the biological diversity as it exterminates the threatened species along with pyrophile species with small bromatological value, such as Eragrostis spp, Sporobalus spp and Digitaria spp. c) Forestry and tree cultivation Tree planting in Rwanda was limited to some plants around households such as Ficus thoningii, Euphorbia tirucalli, Erythrina abyssinica, Vernonia amygdalena, Dracaena afromontana, etc., but cultivation of woody perennials for timber, energy uses or other services was not customary. The first forest plantations were created in 1920 and 1948 and only consisted of Eucalyptus. Later on other tree species were introduced. These included Pinus spp, Callistris spp, Grevillea robusta, Cedrella spp, Cupressus spp. The Arboretum of Ruhande (ISAR Station) has 206 species among which 146 feuillus, 56 resinous and a species of bamboo. Those species proved to be dangerous for the biological patrimony because they drain and further acidify soils that already are acidic, which in turn causes reduction or even extermination of the undergrowth. Thus planting those species eventually leads to erosion. The tree-covered surface area was estimated at 256,300 hectares in 1998. Despite efforts of diversifying tree species, it was estimated that 99 % of planted trees consisted of Eucalyptus spp. A replacement of those trees by agroforestry species, such as Grevillea, Cedrella, Maesopsis, Calliandra, Leucena proves to be of urgent need, including developing agroforestry in agricultural zones. 22 3.4Socio-Economic Environment 3.4.1 Population and Demographic Characteristics Rwanda is classified among the poorest and densely populated countries of the world. In August 2002, Rwanda counted 8,128,553 inhabitants with a surface area of 26,338 km2, i.e. a physical density of 321 inhabitants/km2. The 2010 estimates place Rwanda's population at 11,055,976 and density at 408 inhabitants/km2. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per inhabitant in 2011 is estimated to 1,284 $ US compared with 1,100 $ US in 2010. Historically, from 2000 until 2010, Rwanda's average quarterly GDP Growth was 8.48 % reaching an historical high of 13.80 % in June of 2008 and a record low of 2.20 % in December of 2003. The Rwandan economy is based mostly on subsistence farming. An estimated 80 % of the population occupied in agriculture. Agriculture comprised an estimated 42.1 % of GDP in 2010 while industrial sector contributed 14.3 % of GDP in 2010. The service sector rebounded in 2010, becoming the country's largest sector by economic output and contributing 43.6 % of the country's GDP. Key contributors include banking and finance, wholesale and retail trade, hotels and restaurants, transport, storage, communication, insurance, real estate, business services and public administration including education and health. 3.4.2 Human settlements The Rwandan settlement pattern has historically been scattered. It has for long been characterized by the traditional use of land associated with the ancestral lifestyle, which is not sustainable, given the present environmental and economic challenges. It is in that perspective that the present policy of the Government of Rwanda regarding settlement encourages clustered habitat, which has become commonly known as «Umudugudu». In urban areas, GoR has not yet completed developing city master plans. Only several cities, including Kigali, have such plans. Urban centres have been developing spontaneously without taking environmental aspects into consideration. Sanitary facilities are insufficient and sometimes inadequate in city centres. 23 However, government policy measures to improve sanitation have recently been put in place and investments to improve this domain have increased. 3.4.3 Energy and transport In Rwanda, the biomass serves as the main source of energy as it covers 94% of national needs, against only 5% for the contribution of petrol products and 1% for electric power. Woody fuels and biomass wastes are the sources of energy used in households, industries and handicrafts. However, the country has alternative sources of energy, which have not been developed, such as peat, methane gas of Lake Kivu representing 57 billion m3, solar energy and biogas. Combined with anthropic factors (agriculture, drainage of marshes, deforestation and overexploitation of river basins), the hydrous deficit is considered to be the main factor of vulnerability of the hydropower sector. It is evident that the pluviometric deficit leads to the reduction of offer in water resource and, consequently, in hydroelectricity. That was the case for the power plants of Ntaruka and Mukungwa on lakes Bulera and Ruhondo, two main interior sources of electric energy of Rwanda. Moreover, the hydropower-related infrastructure is still weak with present production not exceeding 27 MW, while the demand is estimated to be more than 40MW. Diesel-powered plants are producing electricity at Jabana and Gatsata, and the mobilization of funds and investors is underway for other hydro-electric projects including:  28 MW on Nyabarongo River in Bulinga;  60 MW (three countries) on Akagera at Rusumo;  Rusizi II, Mukungwa III, Rukarara and various other micro hydropower plants. The transport sector is generally dominated by road transport that includes 14,000 Km of roads and tracks. In air transportation, the country has two international airports (Kigali and Kamembe) and aerodromes (Huye, Rubavu and Musanze) used for internal air transport. Water transport is used mainly on Lake Kivu for connecting districts of the Western Province. As of 2011, the country has no railways, although funding has been secured for a feasibility study into extending the Tanzanian Central Line into Rwanda. 24 3.4.4 Industry and Mining Rwanda's mining industry is an important contributor to the national economy, generating US$93 million in 2008. The underground resources contain deposits of minerals (e.g. tin, wolfram, Colombo tantalite and gold). In addition, there are large number of quarries producing clay, sand, building stones, limestone, peat, etc. Rehabilitation of old and abandoned quarries is one of the problems of the mining sector as this has never been a focus for the industry. The exploitation of mines and quarries is often a source of water pollution due to contamination linked to the absence of waste water purification, modern practices of exploitation and soil erosion. The industrial sector of Rwanda is relatively new with 78 % of enterprises created between 1964 and 1987. In 2010, the contribution of the industry sector to the GDP was 14.3 % of which the major part was from the agro-industry and the rest from small and medium enterprises which produce consumption goods in replacement of importation by using simple technologies. Products manufactured include cement, agricultural products, small-scale beverages, soap, furniture, shoes, plastic goods, textiles and cigarettes. One of the growing problems is related to the location of industrial units as some of them are installed near residence houses, others in valleys (wetlands). These industrial units are sources of pollution due to their wastes including noise pollution. 3.4.5 Agriculture Agriculture is the most important sector of the Rwandan economy with a contribution of 42.1% to the GDP (12 % for livestock) and contributes 71% of export revenue. Coffee and tea are the main export crops, with about 62 million US$ of export revenue in 2005, of which 38 million US$ were from coffee and 24 million US$ from tea. The agriculture production system is based on small family subsistence farms whose production is consumed by the owners at more than 80 %. The systems of crops are complex, based on the product diversification and the association of crops. Seven main crops, namely banana, bean, sweet potato, cassava, sorghum and potatoes, of which the first five are present in 90% of production units and constitute the common basis for all the regions of Rwanda. 25 The little use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, the low level of equipment and the very limited use of research based technologies result in small yields which are also very vulnerable to climatic changes. Research and popularization are expected to contribute to growth by the promotion of modern inputs and new technologies. The agricultural intensification at the projects level was often realized without taking into account environmental drawbacks accrued from excessive inputs like mineral fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. 3.4.6 Animal husbandry In addition to agricultural activities, most farmers in Rwanda raise livestock. The national average milk production is 1litre / cow/ day for 180 days of lactation (MINAGRI, 2001). The pastures consist mainly of family fallows and marginal lands considered as inappropriate to agriculture, such as the undergrowth. The demographic pressure progressively leads to the semi-intensification and intensification of fodder resources used to feed animals. MINAGRI (2006) showed that the number of cows nationally increased by 60 % between 2000 and 2005. The number of goats increased by 67 %, sheeps by 195 %, pigs by 93 %, poultry by 44 % and rabbits by 67 %. The limited subsisting pastoral areas are used inefficiently, because farmers do not master the rotative management of pastures, resulting in overgrazing and overexploitation caused by trampling, degradation and reduction of vegetation cover. The permanent stabulation, the semi-stabulation and extensive farming constitute the three main types of animal husbandry. It should be noted that there is a program managed by MINAGRI called «One Cow per Every Poor Family in Rwanda (Girinka Program)» that will cover all the districts of the country in order to contribute to poverty reduction and food security. 26 4. ADMINISTRATIVE, POLICY AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK This section of the ESMF outlines and reviews the existing legislations, policies and institutions and identifies requirements as well as gaps and conflicts of the relevant legal and institutional arrangements that would hinder or guide the development of the project in line with the national and international laws applicable to RSSP III. Rwanda being a signatory to various international conventions and laws, it is important that national projects are in line with these laws and as such some of the relevant international conventions are reviewed in this chapter. 4.1 National Environmental and Social Management Requirements This part describes the institutional, legal and policy framework for environmental and social requirements in Rwanda, the relevant World Bank safeguard operational policies applicable to the project as well as the international laws and conventions that bear relevance to the implementation of this project. 4.1.1 Legal, Regulatory and Policy Framework 4.1.1.1 Constitution of 2003 As the supreme law of the country, the constitution of the Republic of Rwanda stipulates that the state shall protect important natural resources including land, water, wetlands, minerals, oil, fauna and flora on behalf of the people of Rwanda. This constitution entrusts the Government with the duty of ensuring that Rwandese enjoy a clean and healthy environment. Article 49 states that every citizen is entitled to a healthy and satisfying environment. Every person has the duty to protect, safeguard and promote the environment. The state shall protect the environment. The law determines the modalities for protecting, safeguarding and promoting the environment. 4.1.1.2 Law on Environment Protection and Management The most relevant legislation for this study is the Organic Law on Environmental Protection, Conservation and Management. The legislation sets out the general legal framework for Environment protection and management in Rwanda. 27 The law centers on avoiding and reducing disastrous consequences on Environment. The Ministry of Natural Resources, the ministry responsible for the Environment, puts in place the organic law regarding environment conservation. Initially until very recently, REMA was responsible for the approval of EIA reports; a responsibility that has now been transferred to Rwanda Development Board (RDB) where there is a department for EIA headed by a Director and responsible for review and approval of all EIA reports. 4.1.1.3 Law on the Use and Management of Land in Rwanda The law on the land use and management determines how land should be used in Rwanda. It also institutes the principles that are respected on land legal rights accepted on any land in the country as well as all other appendages whether natural or artificial. The Chapter II of the law categorizes land according to its uses. Article 12 of the law gives the state ownership over land which makes up the public domain including lakes and rivers as listed by an order of the Minister having water in his or her attributions, shores of lakes and rivers up to the length determined land occupied by springs and wells determined in accordance with an order of the Minister having water in land reserved for Environmental conservation composed of natural forests, national parks, reserved swamps, public gardens and touristic sites among others. Article 29 gives the state control over swamps. The state is the only authority over their use. The law calls for inventory of the all swamps and their boundaries, the structure of the swamps, their use, how they can be organized. According to article 29 of the Land Organic Law, swampy land belongs to the state and no person can use. In order for the swampy land to be efficiently managed and exploited, a Ministerial order by the Minister having Environment in his or her attributions shall determine a list of swamps and their boundaries. The law further requires that such a list shall clearly indicate the structure of the swamps, their use, how they can be organized so that they can be beneficial to Rwandan nationals on a sustainable basis. The ministerial order must also certify the modalities of how swamp land shall be managed, organized and exploited. RSSP 3 will follow the recommendation stipulated in articles of this law. 28 4.1.2 Policy Framework 4.1.2.1 Vision 2020 The environment protection and management rank among the main pillars of vision 2020. By 2020, the Government intends to have built a nation where pressure on natural resources mainly lands, water, biodiversity will have reasonably been decreased and the pollution process and environmental degradation reversed. The management and protection of these resources and environment are more rational and strictly under control in order to preserve and conserve for the future generations a basic heritage which is likely to ensure sustainable development. Therefore, with regard to natural resources and environment protection and management, the Government of the Republic of Rwanda has set on a mission of decreasing the percentage of households involved in direct exploitation of primary agriculture from 90 % to 50 %; setting up efficient and updated regulations which are appropriate for sustainable protection and management of natural resources and environment; decreasing within the national energy assessment rates of diseases related to environmental degradation and firewood from 60 % and 94 % to 50 % respectively. To achieve these objectives, Rwanda will ensure that (1) the environment issue is integrated into all education, sensitization, and development policies and programmes as well as in all decision-making processes, (2) the promotion of grassroots’ communities participation with more involvement of women and the youth in environment protection and management; (3) that the precaution principle is set up to alleviate negative effects of socio-economic activities to our environment; (4) a diversification of energy sources that will be made available to the population to decrease pressure on biomass; (5) that the “polluter-pays� principle as well as preventive and penal measures are set up to safeguard the environment; (6) that a study on environmental impact be conducted for any development project and programme; (7) the planning of industrial sites establishment and control of their effects on environment and the population; (8) the promotion of more environment friendly transport, stocking and industrial products and waste elimination technologies; (9) regulations relating to mine exploitation and mine discharge treatment are applied; (10) rehabilitation of former quarry sites; (11) that the Bureau of Standards for local and imported products is strengthened; (12) a statistic database on natural resources and environment and a quick alert system to mitigate anticipate natural disasters are set up and that a scheme for victims of a natural calamity is created; (13) that 29 Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) is set up and supported, (14) the cooperation with other countries and international institutions in the area of environment protection and management. Public institutions should sensitize and urge the private sector, civil society, donors and grassroots’ communities to efficiently contribute to natural resources management and environment protection. The implementation of laws and regulations, adoption and dissemination of environment friendly technologies will constitute a big priority for both central and local Governments. Finally, regional and international cooperation will be promoted and strengthened to efficiently contribute to environment protection and management. Public institutions in charge of environment protection and management will be strengthened and the role of the private sector and civil society will be clearly defined and enhanced for a more coordinated and harmonized environmental action. 4.1.2.2 Rwanda Environmental Policy The overall objective of the Environmental Policy is the improvement of man’s wellbeing, the judicious utilization of natural resources and the protection and rational management of ecosystems for a sustainable and fair development. The policy seeks to achieve this through improved health and quality of life for every citizen and promotion of sustainable socio- economic development through a rational management and utilization of resources and Environment, integrating Environmental aspects into all the development policies, planning and in all activities carried out at the national, provincial and local level, with the full participation of the population, conservation, preserve and restoration of ecosystems and maintenance of ecological and systems functions. With reference to the National Policy on Environment (NPE) in Rwanda, as of November 2003, to ensure a sustainable environment protection and management, the following principles mention among others that: 1. It is every person’s right to live in a safe and stable environment, but on the other hand, they must keep it salubrious, 30 2. The national economic growth must be based on rational use of resources and take into account environmental dimensions, 3. Active and effective participation of the whole population for environment protection and management, 4. A special emphasis must be laid on environmental education and sensitization programme at all levels with more involvement of women and the youth, 5. Environmental impact is to be analysed while conducting studies of development projects. In addition, some political options and strategic actions have been envisaged. With regard to population and land development, the NPE proposes the elaboration or updating of master plans and special planning in urban areas. As regards natural resources management (lands and water), the NPE proposes among others:  Ensure the preservation and protection of soils against any form of degradation,  Ensure that a prior study of environmental impact which underlines costs and benefits from slopes and underlying ecosystems protection is conducted for any development projects  Encourage programmes of rainwater collection, stocking and use. Regarding wetlands management, forests and other reserves and biodiversity, the NPE proposes among others:  Set up protection measures for slopes to avoid degradation of swamps,  Promote the rehabilitation of ecosystems under degradation and restoring endangered species; As regards environmental education, information and research, the NPE proposes among others to reinforce the human and institutional capacity building with regard to environment and to sensitize the population to protect environment. With regard to health and sanitation, the NPE proposes among others:  Set up a system of waste collection, transport, disposal and elimination,  Establish norms of zone protection between dumps, human buildings and water sources, 31  Set up an appropriate canal and evacuation system for waste waters and rainwater in towns and resettlement sites “Umudugudu�. Concerning the environment decentralized management, the Central Government will be concerned with conservation and protection policies while tourism and environmental management will be transferred to government decentralized services at the District and Kigali City levels. At this level, the implementation capacity of this environmental policy is very low. The strategy and the national action plan on biodiversity were approved in June 2000, and objectives and priorities for sustainable biodiversity conservation and management were defined. Biodiversity includes slopes and wetlands but also the government strategy on protected areas. According to strategies in the area of environment, environmental concerns rank as follows: (i) Political and legal frameworks relating to environment unknown by the population and/or decentralised entities; (ii) low level of awareness among people with regard to environment; (iii) inadequate exploitation of forests; (iv) erosion; (v) exploiting quarry sites without restoring exploited parts; (vi) insufficient knowledge on environment status; (vii) weakness of decentralised structures in environment management; (viii) absence of appropriate environment-friendly technologies. In general, the national environmental policy is in direct relation with other policies in the area, especially policy on agriculture, land, water and sanitation, forests, energy, industry, gender, etc. 4.1.2.3 Health Sector Policy One of the objectives of Rwanda Heath Sector Policy is to improve the quality of life and demand for services in the control of disease. The policy identifies the most common illnesses in Rwanda and puts priority to addressing these diseases. Irrigation projects have a role to play in malaria incidences. 32 The policy in these subproject areas should emphasize on Environmental control of the disease vector especially in marshland areas. 4.1.2.4 Agriculture Policy The main objective of Rwanda agricultural policy is to intensify and the transform subsistence agriculture into a market oriented agriculture. This requires the modern inputs, notably improved seeds and fertilizers. The policy puts emphasis on marshland development for increased food production because the land on hills is degraded by erosion and not sufficient. The policy promotes small scale irrigation infrastructure development in the country’s selected marshlands while preventing Environmental degradation. To achieve sustainable agricultural development, the policy emphasizes the need to adopt Integrated Pest Management practices. RSSP has conducted the study on IPM to guide on the best use of pesticides under Phase 1 and 2 and is preparing the Pest Management Plans for the Phase 3. 4.1.2.5 Land Policy The Rwanda land policy calls for rational use and sound management of national land resources and be based on master plans. The policy also provides development of land use plans based on suitability of the areas/lands thus distinguishing the different categories of land and their purpose. The policy promotes irrigating areas that are more or less flat and semi-arid to support agricultural production while discouraging overgrazing and pasture burning. On the use and management of hillsides and marshlands, the policy stipulates that marshlands meant for agriculture should be cultivated after adequate planning and Environmental Impact Assessment. 4.1.2.6 Marshlands Development Master Plan Rwanda has formulated a master plan for marshlands development which among other things provides for the protection of water catchments and soil conservation based on hydrology, pedology, environmental, agro economic and sociological studies. It will target to develop 40,000 ha of marshlands by 2020. 33 RSSP is using these criteria to identify areas for subprojects. The criteria combine those established by the marshland master plan and those developed by RSSP. According to the strategy, before any development of marshland, feasibility studies and Environmental impact Assessment are an obligatory requirement. The plan also calls for development of a marshland to go hand in hand with the management of the hillsides associated with them. The master plan recognizes the role of Environmental assessment in planning for economic development especially in the agricultural sector. 4.1.2.7 Water and Sanitation Policy The sectoral policy on water and sanitation is based on vision 2020, millennium development goals and poverty reduction strategy. The policy provides for decentralization in line with the national decentralization policy, institutional aspects, integrated watershed management, monitoring and assessment and participatory approach to water and sanitation among other sectoral reforms in Rwanda. The policy identifies the sub-sector constraints and proposes measures to achieve policy objectives of improving the living conditions of the population through optimal use of water resources and access of all to water and sanitation services. One of the programs of this policy is on water supply and sanitation program in rural area In order to achieve the millennium goals and the 2020 Vision, the Government of Rwanda launched 15 years water and sanitation program in rural area. This program aims to improve the population rate with access to water, presently at 44 %, and increase the sanitation rate, presently at 8 %, to 66 % in 2010, to 80 % in 2015 and 100 % in 2020. 4.1.2.8 National Water Resources Management Policy The water policy aims at fair and sustainable access to water, improvement of the management of water resources, etc. through reforestation on hillsides and water catchments areas. This policy would seem in conflict with other sector policies including agriculture and marshland development. 34 The policy also needs to adopt a holistic approach to the management of water resources and integrate other polices related to it including the forest, wetlands, agriculture and land. This policy is relevant to RSSP 3 subprojects as some of the project activities will be undertaken in areas with water resources and one of the key project input is water which is governed by the policy. 4.1.2.9 National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan This strategy defines the objectives and priorities for the conservation and sustainable management of biodiversity. The plan includes hillsides and wetlands and protected areas as some of the areas that need to be conservation. The strategy focuses on five major areas i.e. improved conservation of protected areas and wetlands; sustainable use of biodiversity in natural ecosystems and agro-ecosystems; rational use of biotechnology; development and strengthening of policy, institutional, legal and human resources frameworks; and equitable sharing of benefits derived from the use of biological resources. The Action Plan consists of urgent and priority actions which are attainable in a period of five years. The strategy focuses on five major aims: improved conservation of protected areas and wetlands; sustainable use of biodiversity in natural ecosystems and agro-ecosystems; rational use of biotechnology; development and strengthening of policy, institutional, legal and human resources frameworks; and equitable sharing of benefits derived from the use of biological resources. The Action Plan consists of urgent and priority actions which are attainable in a period of five years. However the plan is not based on the actual status quality of wetlands which is one of the most important ecosystems in Rwanda. There is need to undertake inventory of wetlands in the country which will allow planning of these ecosystems. 4.1.2.10 National Poverty Reduction Strategy The National Poverty Reduction Strategy identifies the transformation of the subsistence agriculture, into a modernized agriculture, which is market oriented as one of the priority sectors. Other priority areas include human development which covers the actions of improving living conditions of the poor, economic infrastructure, governance, development of the private sector and the institutional reinforcement. 35 4.1.3 Relevant Institutions 4.1.3.1 Ministry of Natural Resources The Ministry of Natural Resources (MINIRENA) is government lead ministry for environmental management in Rwanda. The mission statement of (MINIRENA) consists of insuring a rational management of lands, taking care of the conservation and protection of the environment in view of a sustainable human development. The Ministry was established to provide services to the population of Rwanda, the public and private sector, and to the different development partners. It is responsible for the formulation of policies and laws aimed at the protection and rational use of environment. 4.1.3.2 Rwanda Environment Management Authority With regards to the management of the bio-physical environment throughout Rwanda, the overall responsibility now lies with the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA). In November 2005, the Government of Rwanda approved the law establishing the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA). The functions of REMA are:  To implement Government environmental policy and decisions of the Board of Directors.  To advise the Government on legislative and other measures for the management of the environment or the implementation of relevant international conventions, treaties and agreements in the field of environment, as the case may deem necessary.  To take stock and conduct comprehensive environmental audits and investigations, to prepare and publish biannual reports on the state of natural resources in Rwanda.  To undertake research, investigations, surveys and such other relevant studies in the field of environment and disseminate the findings.  To ensure monitoring and evaluation of development programs in order to control observance of proper safeguards in the planning and execution of all development projects, including those already in existence, that have or are likely to have significant impact on the environment.  To participate in the set up of procedures and safeguards for the prevention of accidents and phenomena which may cause environmental degradation and propose 36 remedial measures where accidents and those phenomena occur.  To render advice and technical support, where possible, to entities engaged in natural resource management and environmental protection.  To provide awards and grants aimed at facilitating research and capacity-building in matters of environmental protection.  To publish and disseminate manuals, codes or guidelines relating to environmental management and prevention or abatement of environmental degradation. 4.1.3.3 Rwanda Development Board This is a one stop institution bringing together several government bodies in Rwanda focused at promoting investment in Rwanda. RDB has created a department of EIA responsible for reviewing all projects EIA before approval a duty that was previously undertaken by REMA. Rwanda also adheres to several international agreements, treaties and conventions, though management legal tools are not yet well developed. Among other conventions ratified by the Republic of Rwanda, the most important ones which have influenced or influence the national policy with regard to environment are: i) Convention on Biological Diversity of June 10th, 1992 ratified on March 18th, 1995. ii) United Nations Convention on Desertification Control of June 17th, 1991 and ratified on October 22nd, 1998. iii) RAMSAR Convention on February 2nd, 1971 on wetlands 4.2 World Bank Environmental and Social Safeguards Policies This ESMF has been designed so that all activities financed by RSSP III will comply with the relevant laws in Rwanda and the Environmental and Social Safeguard Policies of the World Bank. The World Bank Safeguard Policies are:  Environmental Assessment (OP/BP4.01)  Natural Habitats (OP/BP 4.04)  Forests (OP/BP 4.36)  Pest Management (OP /BP4.09)  Physical Cultural Resources (OP/BP 4.11)  Indigenous Peoples (OP/BP 4.10) 37  Involuntary Resettlement (OP/BP 4.12)  Safety of Dams (OP/BP 4.37)  Projects on International Waters (OP/BP 7.50)  Projects in Disputed Areas (OP/BP 7.60)  World Bank Policy on Access to Information  World Bank Group Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines In preparing this ESMF, a consideration of the type of future activities /investments planned vis- à-vis the baseline data presented in Chapter 3 and the requirements of the Bank Safeguard policies, has led to the determination that only the following Bank policies are triggered:  Environmental Assessment (OP/BP4.01)  Involuntary Resettlement (OP/BP 4.12)  Pest Management (OP/BP 4.09)  Natural Habitats (OP/BP 4.04)  Projects on International Waterways (OP/BP 7.50)  Physical Cultural Resources (OP/BP 4.11)  Safety of Dams (OP/BP 4.37)  World Bank Policy on Access to Information  World Bank Group Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines This notwithstanding, since the exact location of all investments was not known at the time of preparation of the RSSP3, other Bank policies may apply and not all policies selected above may apply simultaneously. Therefore, a complete description of the Bank safeguards and their triggers for applicability can be found on the World Bank’s official web site www.worldbank.org and summarized in this chapter, to be used as part of the Environmental and Social Management process presented in Chapter 6 of this ESMF. 4.2.1 Environmental Assessment (OP/BP 4.01) This policy requires Environmental Assessment (EA) of projects proposed for Bank financing to help ensure that they are environmentally sound and sustainable, and thus to improve decision making. The EA is a process whose breadth, depth, and type of analysis depend on the nature, scale, and potential environmental impact of the proposed investments under the RSSP 3. 38 The EA process takes into account the natural environment (air, water, and land); human health and safety; social aspects (involuntary resettlement, indigenous peoples, and cultural property) and transboundary and global environmental aspects. As part of the ESMF process, proposed subprojects under the RSSP 3 are to be designed at the local level to ensure that they are screened for potential impacts and that they comply with the requirements set out under World Bank safeguard policies. The World Bank system assigns a project to one of three project categories, as defined below: Category “A� Projects An EIA is always required for projects that are in this category. Impacts are expected to be adverse, sensitive, irreversible and diverse with attributes such as pollutant discharges large enough to cause degradation of air, water, or soil; large scale physical disturbance of the site or surroundings; extraction, consumption or conversion of substantial amounts of forests and other natural resources; measurable modification of hydrological cycles; use of hazardous materials in more than incidental quantities; and involuntary displacement of people and other significant social disturbances. Category “B� Projects Category B projects have impacts that are ‘less significant, not as sensitive, numerous, major or diverse. Few, if any, impacts are irreversible, and remedial measures can be more easily designed. Typical projects include rehabilitation, maintenance, or upgrades, rather than new construction. Although a full EIA is not always required, some environmental analysis is necessary. Category “C� Projects Category C projects result in negligible or minimal direct disturbance of the physical Environment. Typical projects include education, family planning, health, and human resource development. No EIA or other analysis is required. The RSSP 3 has been screened and assigned an EA Category B. This category of projects is defined as follows: ‘’Category B projects are likely to have potential adverse environmental impacts on human populations or environmentally important areas – including wetlands, forests, grasslands, and other natural habitats – and are less adverse than those of category A 39 projects’’. These impacts are site specific, few if any of them are irreversible, and in most cases mitigation measures can be designed more readily than for category A projects. The EA process for category B projects examines the potential negative and positive environmental impacts and recommends any measures needed to prevent, minimize, mitigate, or compensate for adverse impacts and improve environmental performance. Therefore, this ESMF sets out to establish the EIA process to be undertaken for implementation of project activities in the proposed RSSP 3 when they are being identified and implemented. This process requires that RSSP 3 and its implementing partners screen their activities to identify their potential adverse impacts and thereby determine the corresponding mitigation measures to incorporate into their planned activities. EAs/EMPs will be prepared for all RSSP 3 sub-projects. 4.2.2 Natural Habitats (OP/BP 4.04) The conservation of natural habitats, like other measures that protect and enhance the environment, is essential for long term sustainable development. The Bank therefore supports the protection, maintenance, and rehabilitation of natural habitats. Natural habitats are land and water areas where (i) the ecosystems biological communities are formed largely by native plant and animal species, and (ii) human activity has not essentially modified the areas primary ecological functions. All natural habitats have important biological, social, economic, and existence value. Important habitats may occur in tropical humid, dry, and cloud forest; temperate and boreal forest; Mediterranean type shrub lands; natural arid and semiarid lands, mangrove swamps, coastal marshes, and other wetlands; estuaries, sea grass beds, coral reefs, freshwater lakes and rivers; alpine and sub alpine Environments, including herb fields, grasslands, and paramos; and tropical and temperate grasslands. Therefore, the natural habitats policy may be triggered in certain cases because the investments proposed under this project may have potential adverse impacts on Rwanda’s many marshlands, water sources, rivers, and forests. 40 The natural ecosystems of the rivers, wetlands and forests are known to support varying degrees of natural complexities of flora and fauna. Therefore, this policy requires that any activities funded under the RSSP 3 that adversely impacts these ecosystems are successfully mitigated so that the balance of the ecosystems are enhanced or maintained. This would require RSSP 3 to design appropriate conservation and mitigation measures to remove or reduce adverse impacts on these ecosystems or their functions, keeping such impacts within socially defined limits of acceptable change. Specific measures may depend on the ecological characteristics of the affected ecosystem. Such measures must include provision for monitoring and evaluation to provide feedback on conservation outcomes and to provide guidance for developing or refining appropriate corrective actions. 4.2.3 Pest Management (OP /BP 4.09) This policy aims at assisting borrowers to manage pests that affect either agriculture or public health. The Bank supports a strategy that promotes the use of biological or environmental control methods and reduces reliance on synthetic chemical pesticides. Rural development and health sector projects have to avoid using harmful pesticides. A preferred solution is to use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques and encourage their use in the whole of the sectors concerned. In appraising a project that will involve pest management, the Bank assesses the capacity of the country’s regulatory framework and institutions to promote and support safe, effective, and Environmentally sound pest management. As necessary, the Bank and the borrower incorporate in the project components to strengthen such capacity. The Bank uses various means to assess pest management in the country and support integrated pest management (IPM) and the safe use of agricultural pesticides: economic and sector work, sectoral or project specific environmental assessments, participatory IPM assessments, and investment projects and components aimed specifically at supporting the adoption and use of IPM. For World Bank funded agriculture projects, pest populations are normally controlled through IPM approaches, such as biological control, cultural practices, and the development and use of crop varieties that are resistant or tolerant to the pest. The Bank may finance the purchase of pesticides when their use is justified under an IPM approach. 41 The policy supports use of environmental methods for public health projects in controlling pests. Where environmental methods alone are not effective, the Bank may finance the use of pesticides for control of disease vectors. The policy calls for assessment of the nature and degree of associated risks, taking into account the proposed use and the intended users for procurement of any pesticide in Bank financed projects. The IPM study and trainings have been carried out in RSSP I and II and the Pest Management Plan (PMP) has been prepared for RSSP II and is underway for RSSP 3. The policy requires that any pesticides it finances be manufactured, packaged, labeled, handled, stored, disposed of, and applied according to standards acceptable to the Bank. The Bank does not finance formulated products that fall in WHO classes IA and IB, or formulations of products in Class II7, if the country lacks restrictions on their distribution and use; are likely to be used by, or be accessible to, lay personnel, farmers, or others without training, equipment, and facilities to handle, store, and apply these products properly. 4.2.4 Involuntary Resettlement (OP/BP 4.12) The objective of this policy to avoid where feasible, or minimize, exploring all viable alternative project designs, to avoid resettlement. This policy is triggered in situations involving involuntary taking of land and involuntary restrictions of access to legally designated parks and protected areas. The policy aims to avoid involuntary resettlement to the extent feasible, or to minimize and mitigate its adverse social and economic impacts. This policy covers direct economic and social impacts that both result from Bank assisted investment projects, and are caused by (a) the involuntary taking of land resulting in (i) relocation or loss of shelter; (ii) loss of assets or access to assets, or (iii) loss of income sources or means of livelihood, whether or not the affected persons must move to another location; or (b) the involuntary restriction of access to legally designated parks and protected areas resulting in adverse impacts on the livelihoods of the displaced persons. For project activities that impact people and livelihoods in this way, RSSP 2 will have to comply with the requirements of the disclosed RPF and RAPs to comply with this policy. 42 A separate Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) that establishes standards and procedures for the preparation of Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs) will be prepared. The RAPs will be prepared by RSSP and its implementing partners. This policy would be triggered when a project activity, in the cases mentioned above, for example, causes the involuntary taking of land and other assets resulting in: Relocation or loss of shelter, Loss of assets or temporary or permanent access to assets Loss of income sources or means of livelihood, whether or not the affected persons must move to another location, Loss of land, 4.2.5 Physical Cultural Resources (OP/BP 4.11) This policy addresses physical cultural resources, which are defined as movable or immovable objects, sites, structures, groups of structures, and natural features and landscapes that have archaeological, paleontological, historical, architectural, religious, aesthetic, or other cultural significance. Physical cultural resources may be located in urban or rural settings, and may be above or below ground, or under water. Their cultural interest may be at the local, provincial or national level, or within the international community. As this policy is triggered for RSSP3, chance finds procedures should be incorporated into the EMPs and civil works contracts. The following wording is proposed: If the Contractor discovers archeological sites, historical sites, remains and objects, including graveyards and/or individual graves during excavation or construction, the Contractor shall: - Stop the construction activities in the area of the chance find; - Delineate the discovered site or area; - Secure the site to prevent any damage or loss of removable objects. In cases of removable antiquities or sensitive remains, a night guard shall be arranged until the responsible local authorities or the administration of the Institute of National Museums of Rwanda (INMR) take over; - Notify the supervisory Project Environmental Officer and Project Engineer who in turn will notify the responsible local authorities and the [Culture Department of Province] immediately (within 24 hours or less); 43 Responsible local authorities and Institute of National Museums of Rwanda (INMR) would then be in charge of protecting and preserving the site before deciding on subsequent appropriate procedures. This would require a preliminary evaluation of the findings to be performed by the archaeologists of the [National Culture Administration]. The significance and importance of the findings should be assessed according to the various criteria relevant to cultural heritage, namely the aesthetic, historic, scientific or research, social and economic values. Decisions on how to handle the finding shall be taken by the responsible authorities and the [Culture Department of Province]. This could include changes in the layout (such as when finding irremovable remains of cultural or archeological importance) conservation, preservation, restoration and salvage. Implementation for the authority decision concerning the management of the finding shall be communicated in writing by relevant local authorities. Construction work may resume only after permission is given from the responsible local authorities or INMR administration concerning safeguard of the heritage. 4.2.6 Projects on International Waterways (OP/BP 7.50) This policy applies to the following types of international waterways: (i) any river, canal, lake, or similar body of water that forms a boundary between or any river or body of surface water that flows through, two or more states, whether bank members or not; (ii) any tributary or other body of surface water that is a component of any waterway described in (i) above and; (iii) any bay, gulf, strait or channel bounded by two or more states or, if within one state, recognized as a necessary channel of communication between the open sea and other states and any river flowing into such waters. This policy applies to the following types of projects: (i) hydroelectric, irrigation, flood control, navigation, drainage, water and sewerage, industrial and similar projects that involve the use or potential pollution of international waterways as described in paragraphe 1 above, and 44 (ii) detailed design and engineering studies of projects under paragraph 2 (i) above, including those to be carried out by the Bank as executing agency or in any other capacity. The Project ascertains whether riparian agreements are in place, and ensures that riparian states are informed of and do not object to project interventions. Such notification has been issued to the concerned riparian states. 4.2.7 Safety of Dams (OP/BP 4.37) Following the Bank policy for dam’s safety, RSSP 3 will follow the Small Dam Safety Guidelines for Rwanda, adopted in November 2009. The document on small dam safety guidelines for Rwanda has been disclosed in Bank InfoShop - these guidelines are based on the September 2005 guidelines originally developed for small dams in Uganda, with support from the World Bank. The Project's adherence to the World Bank’s Operational Policy OP/BP 4.37 means that the Government of Rwanda (GoR) shall: (a) furnish to the Bank for review, prior to the issuance of a request for proposals relating to a contract for the provision of technical services relating to the investigation, design, or construction or the commencement of operations of a dam, terms of reference satisfactory to the Bank for such contract, and appoint for the provision of such services professionals with qualifications and experience satisfactory to the Bank; (b) furnish to the Bank for review, no later than 15 days after the completion or receipt of each such report, all reports relating to dam safety prepared by the GoR, any independent specialists assessing a dam under construction or targeted under the Project, or professionals appointed by the GoR to design, construct, fill, and start up a dam; and (c) furnish to the Bank for review, as soon as available, all information relevant to dam safety, including cost estimates, construction schedules, procurement procedures, technical assistance arrangements, environmental and social assessments, along with the dam proposal, technical aspects, inspection reports, and any actions plans relating to dam safety prepared by the GoR. The GoR shall furnish to the Bank for review, no later than three (3) months prior to the Project’s Closing Date, operational procedures with respect to dams constructed or targeted under the Project, including retention of written instructions for flood operations and emergency preparedness at such dams at all times, incorporation of necessary modifications to technical criteria for the evaluation of dam safety further to the advent of new technology or information, and application of such revised criteria to such dams and other dams under the Government’s jurisdiction as necessary. 45 4.2.8 World Bank Policy on Access to Information The World Bank Policy on Access to Information sets out the policy of the World Bank on public access to information in its possession. This Policy supersedes the World Bank Policy on Disclosure of Information, and took effect on July 1, 2010. This Policy is based on five principles: � Maximizing access to information. � Setting out a clear list of expectations � Safeguarding the deliberative process � Providing clear procedures for making information available � Recognizing requester’s right to an appeals process. In disclosing information related to member countries / borrowers in the case of documents prepared or commissioned by a member country / borrower the Bank takes the approach that the Country / Borrower provides such documents to the Bank with the understanding that the Bank will make them available to the public. 4.2.9 World Bank Group Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines The World Bank Group Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines (known as the "EHS’’ Guidelines are technical reference documents with general and industry-specific examples of Good International Industry Practice (GIIP), as defined in the IFC's Performance Standard 3 on Pollution Prevention and Abatement. The General EHS Guidelines contain information on cross- cutting environmental, health, and safety issues potentially applicable to all industry sectors. It is designed and should be used together with the relevant industry sector guideline(s), in this instance the Guidelines on Occupational Health and Safety. All contracts should include a clause requiring the provision of Protective Personal Equipment to all workers. 46 5. POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIAL IMPACTS 5.1 Positive Impacts a) Catchment Rehabilitation and Management c) Flood Control d) Water Resources Conservation e) Birdlife Habitat conservation g) Improvement of previously waterlogged areas h) Environmental Protection i) Food Security j) Poverty Alleviation k) Raise Rural Income l) Improved access to water for domestic purposes m) Improved nutrition n) Appreciation of the value of land o) Employment creation for community members p) Provision of fuel wood q) Empowerment of farmers Highlighted in summary below are the potential adverse impacts that could occur when the RSSP subprojects are implemented. An EMP has been prepared and details the potential adverse impacts for each of the proposed activities. 5.2 Critical Project Activities and Anticipated Adverse Impacts The critical project activities that could potentially lead to adverse impacts mentioned below include; (i) The excavation works for the construction of dam and reservoir area will involve excavating the proposed sites for construction of the dam wall to block the water and create a reservoir; (ii) The retention of water in the reservoir area for irrigation will be undertaken once the wall is completed in order to store the water in the reservoir area for irrigation; (iii) Clearing of the proposed project sites for construction activities will be undertake and will involve clearing and cutting down of crops, vegetation and structures that could be in the dam or reservoir areas; 47 (iv) Introduction or application of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides to boost overall productivity in the irrigation areas; (v) Establishment of construction camps for the dam construction activities. The Potential Adverse Impacts include the following: a) Water quality and quantity degradation (both surface and ground water) b) Soil erosion and quality deterioration c) Loss of biodiversity d) Ecological imbalances e) Ecosystems damage f) Surface water sedimentation g) Damage to aquatic habitats h) Soil salinity i) Sanitation and waste management problems j) Pathogen breeding ground k) Introduction of invasive flora species l) Loss of high value trees especially those with medicinal value m) Borrow pit impacts n) Downstream flooding and water use denial 5.3 Socio-cultural and Economic Impacts These include: a) Displacement of local inhabitants b) Damage to property c) Water use conflicts d) Land ownership conflicts e) Damage of aesthetics of the area/land f) Food insecurity attributed to by displacement of subsistence farming g) Dam safety related impacts h) Camp construction related impacts i) Traffic congestion 48 5.4 Health Impacts These include: a) Spread of water borne diseases b) Spread of HIV/AIDS c) Dust impacts d) Noise impacts 5.5 Localized Impacts Most of the developments or subprojects planned under the RSSP 3 will vary from medium to small in scale. Consequently the significance of the direct negative environmental and social impacts is likely to be moderately significant except where they accumulate in single watersheds. 5.6 Cumulative Impacts Many of the subprojects may result in cumulative impacts on natural resources. Cumulative impacts are those that may result from individually small-scale activities with minimal impacts but which over time can combine to have a significant impact. Cumulative impacts can also be defined as impacts that potentially develop from the combined impacts of more than one subproject. Examples include: Increased use of chemical fertilizer which may have downstream impacts; and Attraction of immigrant populations to communities that have improved production systems and social infrastructure. Reduced water to downstream users due to the dams Increased sedimentation of the natural water bodies and valley The stakeholders will be provided with an opportunity to learn how to avoid or mitigate localized impacts from initial subprojects so that measures can be integrated in subsequent activities. 5.7 Strategic Impacts The main objective of RSSP 3 is to promote diversification of economic activities in rural areas as a way of increasing and stabilizing rural incomes in an environmentally sustainable manner. This will be achieved by assisting rural households to expand and intensify sustainable crop production systems and to increase their participation in agricultural markets. 49 5.8 Ecological Impacts and Land Degradation A number of the proposed activities in the subprojects can lead to both localized and cumulative impacts on biodiversity, wetlands, soils and water quality. Land degradation may arise due to subprojects that involve intensification of agriculture. The environmental and social screening tools in Chapter 8 will be used to identify and mitigate the potential impacts as they relate to certain types of community investments. 5.9 Potential Sources of Pollution The use of agro-chemicals such as inorganic fertilizers and pesticides, and organic manure can lead to pollution, especially due to surface runoff into adjacent water courses, including infiltration into groundwater. This will be carefully monitored through annual reporting tools described in Chapter 8. Training will be provided to communities in proper handling and application of these materials as part of local capacity building component. 5.10 Pest Management Successful Integrated Pest Management/Integrated Crop Management (IPM) is based on sound farmer knowledge of the on-going agro-ecological processes of the farming environment. Such farmers are, therefore, technically empowered to make informed decisions on the most appropriate management strategies to apply a specific period of crop development and production cycle. Furthermore, integrated crop/pest management is a farmer-centred management approach that addresses issues beyond pest management. It offers the entry point to improvement of the entire agricultural production system. It can be successfully adopted in the presence of a national Integrated Pest Management (IPM) policy framework and institutional support. In all instances where high input-dependent crop/pest practices are adopted, pesticide misuse is known to be common and can result in the following impacts: Destruction of crop pollinators leading to poor crop yields; Elimination of the natural enemies of crop pests and consequent loss of natural pest control that keeps the populations of crop pests very low; 50 Development of pest resistance to pesticides, encouraging further increases in the use of chemical pesticides; Contamination of the soil and water bodies; Toxicity to fish and birds; Proliferation of aquatic weeds; Pesticide poisoning of farmers and deleterious effects on human health; Unacceptable levels of pesticide residues in harvested produce and in the food chain; and Loss of biodiversity in the environment, particularly of the aquatic non-target species. Considerable attention must, therefore, be paid to the environmental consequences of current pest management practices in Rwanda. 51 6. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PROCESS FOR RSSP3 This section of the ESMF describes the process for ensuring that environmental and social concerns are adequately addressed through the institutional arrangements and procedures used by the project for managing the identification, preparation, approval and implementation of subprojects. It sets out the reporting systems and responsibilities of the institutions in implementing the ESMF including the details to be addressed by the ESMF and the specific steps to be undertaken to ensure adherence to the ESMF. Based on the project implementation approach adopted by the project, the project and subproject preparation and reporting will be through the RSSP 3 PSCU as the focal point for environmental approvals. Due to the multiple implementation approach to be adopted for project execution, different project preparation and application methods will be used depending on the project component. 6.1 Marshlands and Hillsides Rehabilitation and Development The screening and review process for subproject identification presented below will help determine which World Bank safeguard policies are triggered for each subproject, what similar requirements REMA and RDB may have, and what measures will need to be taken to address the potential adverse impacts. Subprojects and activities that fall under Component 1.1 and 1.2 will each need to be reviewed for potential environmental and social impacts. Environmental Impact Assessments/Environmental Management Plans (EIA/ EMPs) will be prepared for all subprojects anticipated by RSSP 3. These preliminary EMPs provide substantial guidance on how each subproject should be planned, designed and implemented to avoid or minimize adverse environmental impacts. As subproject planning is finalized, RSSP 3 will undertake additional environmental studies as needed to ensure that it avoids creating significant adverse impacts, and that the EMPs are updated to accurately document how subproject implementation will incorporate adequate impact mitigation, monitoring and management measures. 52 Similarly, the PSCU will ensure that subproject plans incorporate any measures required under the RSSP 3 Pest Management Plan (PMP) and Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF). The RSSP 3 PSCU will be responsible for completing the screening checklist (Annex 6) and ensuring that the final EIA and RAP reports are approved by RDB before subprojects receive final approval by World Bank for implementation. 6.2 Community Subprojects In the case of community driven subprojects under Components 2, RSSP 3 PSCU will encourage cooperatives to carry out the screening task themselves, possibly by the more literate members of the community. The same screening checklist will be used for projects that are proposed by other implementing parties. Communities will identify the subprojects with the assistance of the RSSP 3. The proposed subprojects will subsequently be checked against the screening checklist. It will be encouraged that communities carry out this task themselves. The checklist is a simple yes/no form culminating in whether a specific advice to the community on environmental mitigation is required. The screening forms will be reviewed quarterly. There will be numerous community subprojects financed by the RSSP 3 that will each need to be reviewed for potential environmental and social impacts, while there is only one District Environmental Officer per District. Therefore, a system that is streamlined is required, and as far as is feasible, communities must be responsible for completion of this screening process. As part of the identification of subprojects, the screening checklist (Annex 6) will be completed by the relevant community group, provincial staff or District Environmental Officer. As needed, the PSCU Environmental Officer will facilitate this work. Based on this application, the subproject proposal will be reviewed and selection for the next stage of evaluation undertaken. At this selection stage, a first level of environmental screening takes place on the basis of the screening checklist completed by the proponent. In the eventuality that a subproject cannot be approved by RDB on the basis of a Project Report, the proponent will be advised to undertake a simple environmental assessment and prepare an EMP. 53 Figure 1 illustrates the Flow chart for Advice and Reporting on Smaller Scale Projects: 54 6.3 Compliance with ESMP Implementation for Larger Projects Monitoring of the compliance of subproject implementation with the mitigation measures set out in its EMP and/or RAP will be required. This is particularly important for some of the irrigation subprojects, as their environmental and social impacts, if not mitigated, could be highly significant. The EO and DEO will have responsibility for carrying out this monitoring by regularly visiting the subprojects, and pursuing the following corrective measures as required. (i) If a violation of the EMP or RAP is detected during a site visit, the project proponent will be notified of the violation, and the means of rectification, verbally. The EO and DEO will discuss with the proponent a realistic deadline for rectifying the violation. It will be the proponent’s duty to convey these discussions to any other parties involved, for example the construction contractor. (ii) If a violation is reported to the EO and DEO by some other entity, they will conduct a site visit and, similarly, issue the verbal warning and deadline. (iii) The verbal warning will be confirmed in writing to the proponent within five working days. (iv) The EO and DEO will return to the site on the deadline, and if the violation is still occurring, he will notify the contractor / operator in writing of the continuing violation, informing them of the disciplinary action to be taken. The PSCU EO will inform REMA in writing of the situation. (v) If after two months the violation has not been rectified, REMA will instigate disciplinary procedures. 6.4 Annual Reports Forms proposed for completion on an annual basis are set out in Annex 7 below. These will comply with Rwanda EIA regulations and will provide: (i) A means of communication between Districts and PSCU team at national level (i.e. through the PSCU Environmental Officer), and between the PSCU and the relevant government departments; 55 (ii) A paper trail of experience and issues running from year to year throughout the project; (iii) Practical information from which the Environmental Officer can assess strategic effectiveness of the proposed plans in achieving project objectives; and (iv) Practical information from which the Environmental Officer in the PSCU and the consultant used to carry out the annual performance audit can draw upon. The District level annual report will be completed with input in the appropriate sections by the District Environment Officer. The objective of the report is to feedback on activities and observations from subprojects implemented over the review period in the district. The form will be submitted to the District Authority and the PSCU. This national level annual report is to be completed by the PSCU principally by the Environmental Officer. The objective of the report is to consolidate and summarize the feedback from the districts, and assess the overall progress of the RSSP 3 projects against objectives. 6.5 Public consultation and participatory process The objective of the public consultations with stakeholders is to gather information on their Concerns, perceptions and fears of the livelihood changes to be brought about as aresult or consequence of RSSP 3. Public consultations will be organized as a way to collect first-hand accounts of benefits and grievances from interested/and affected parties by RSSP project. They will involve organized group discussions with purposively selected individuals/stakeholders (between 6 and 10) to gain information on their concerns, perceptions, reactions and experiences of livelihood changes brought as a result/consequence of RSSP project. Group discussions will provide multiple views within a group context and will be particularly useful in exploring the level of consensus on a given felt impact. 56 6.6 Description of Roles The roles for implementing this ESMF will be: Community Based Representatives (i) The Community Based Representatives (Cooperative leaders and group leaders) will be the key liaisons with the communities to support and facilitate them in targeting and identifying community driven projects that meet the objectives of the RSSP3 subprojects; (ii) Sensitization and capacity building will be a key part of their role in interacting with the communities, in particular to ensure that they are equipped to make informed and representative choices for the benefit of the whole community; (iii) The Cooperatives will communicate regularly with the District Officers and the PSCU Environmental officer in order to facilitate two-way flow of feedback, information and advice. District Environmental Officers (i) District Environment Officers will be responsible for ensuring that the Environmental screening and review system set out in this chapter is integrated into the subproject cycle, and is used; (ii) Sensitization of Cooperatives to Environmental issues will be a significant part of ensuring this, as will partnerships with government (such as the DEO, DO, DFO) and non-governmental officers ; (iii) The District Environmental Officer may need to draw on the technical advice of their governmental colleagues in other departments, or indeed upon traditional technical knowledge etc; (iv) Backstopping technical advice will also be available from the Environmental Officer in the RSSP 3 PSCU; (v) Each District Environmental Officer will compile with the District Development Officer, a brief annual report for subprojects, for delivery to the Project Officers in PSCU. 57 District Officers Supporting the DEO The District Agronomist and District Forest Officer will also be required to provide support to the DEO as necessary to ensure effective execution of RSSP 3 activities. PSCU Environmental Officer (i) The PSCU Environmental Officer will provide guidance to the District Officers and the Cooperatives and provide the key link between districts and REMA. (ii) An annual environment and social performance audit will be prepared for the PSCU, REMA and the World Bank. 58 7. MONITORING PLAN OF THE ESMF The objective of monitoring is twofold: (1) To alert project authorities by providing timely information about the success or otherwise of the environmental management process outlined in this ESMF in such a manner that changes can be made as required to ensure continuous improvement to RSSP 2 environmental management; and (2) To make a final evaluation in order to determine whether the mitigation measures incorporated in the technical designs and the EMP have been successful in such a way that the pre-project environmental and social condition has been restored, improved upon or is worst than before and to determine what further mitigation measures may be required. This section sets out requirements for the monitoring of the environmental and social impacts of the RSSP 3 subprojects. Monitoring of environmental and social indicators will be mainstreamed into the overall monitoring and evaluation system for the project. In addition, monitoring of the implementation of this ESMF will be carried out by REMA and the key implementing institutions of RSSP 3. 7.1 Monitoring of Environmental and Social Indicators Two opportunities will be taken to build a simple system for the monitoring and evaluation of environmental and social impacts: 1) The Environmental Officer should consider the environmental and social criteria that require measurement (i.e. groundwater levels, levels of income etc); a list of initial proposals is given below; 2) Using this list of criteria, a set of indicators can be integrated into the screening forms used in the project approval process in each district. This will ensure flexibility at the subproject design stage, integration of monitoring considerations throughout the subproject cycle, as well as a participatory approach to environmental and social monitoring. Initial proposals The key issues to be considered in the RSSP 3 subprojects include monitoring of water quality, agricultural production, income generation, health and population influx. 59 The goals of monitoring are to measure the success rate of the project, determine whether interventions have resulted in dealing with negative impacts, whether further interventions are needed or monitoring is to be extended in some areas. Monitoring indicators will be very much dependent on specific project contexts. Monitoring and surveillance of subprojects will take place on a “spot check� basis at it would be impossible to monitor all the subprojects to be financed under the project. The spot checks consist of controlling the establishment of mitigation measures. It is not recommended to collect large amounts of data, but rather to base monitoring on observations by project technicians and stakeholders to determine the trends in indicators. Monitoring of Participation Process The following are indicators for monitoring of the participation process involved in the project activities. Number and percentage of affected households consulted during the planning stage: Level of decision making of affected people; Level of understanding of project impacts and mitigation; Effectiveness of local authorities to make decisions; Frequency and quality of public meetings; Degree of involvement of women or disadvantaged groups in discussions. 7.2 Evaluation of Results The evaluation of results of environmental and social mitigation can be carried out by comparing baseline data collected in the planning phases with targets and post-project situations. A number of indicators would be used in order to determine the status of affected people and their environment (land being used compared to before, how many clean water sources than before, etc). In order to assess whether these goals are met, the RSSP Environmental Specialist with technical support of the Advisor will indicate in the EMP, parameters to be monitored, institute monitoring milestones and provide resources necessary to carry out the monitoring activities. The indicators for evaluating the ESMF process, mitigation plans and performance are presented in Annex 5. 60 7.3 Monitoring of ESMF Implementation In addition to the Project Reports and EMPs required by the World Bank and under the Organic Law on Environment, an Annual Audit on ESMF implementation will be prepared by the PSCU, and delivered to REMA and the World Bank. In addition, each subproject that has been subject to an EMP (or RAP) will also be required to produce an annual audit report, for delivery to REMA. 61 Table 1: Monitoring indicators for RSSP 3 Project Activities Negative Impacts Indicators Methods of Responsibility Frequency Monitoring Promoting use and Ground and surface Water and soil quality Soil and water RSSP, REMA Annually access the required water pollution by Sampling and inputs (chemicals and chemicals analyses high quality seed) Development/ - Soil degradation; - Soil quality - Soil sampling and RSSP Annually Rehabilitation of the analysis irrigation works in the - Change in flow - Water quantity (flow - Stream gauging RSSP/RNRA Annually area regimes attributing to rate per second) flooding or dryness or rivers - Erosion & - Sediment load, on - Sediment RSSP/-RAB Annually sedimentation of the site rills/gullies analysis system - Nutrient load (N, P, - Water quality K, etc.) - water sampling RSSP/MINIRENA, Seasonally degradation - Change in ecosystem & analyses -Ecosystem damage composition - Site observation RSSP, REMA Seasonally - Water borne disease - Water borne diseases prevalence -MINISANTE MINISANTE, RSSP Seasonally records 62 - Inefficient use of the - Change in scarce water/ land exploitation levels of - Yield MINAGRI resources water/land measurements Safety Hazard Safety of livestock and Reported cases of Review and RSSP Regularly humans incidences and evaluation of accidents incidents and accidents Seepages and leakages Register reported or observed Instrumentation on the dam equipment including; acceleograph, Color, turbidity and theodolite change in seepage Direct observation chemical content of seepage water Improvement of value - Sediment load, - Sediment RSSP, REMA/RDB Annually addition of sampling and & MININFRA infrastructures activities - Soil erosion analysis (markets, rural roads, - Determination of etc) - Loss of vegetation -Deforestation, vegetation cover -Degradation of water -Water quality, quality Change in landscape - Sample analysis - Destruction of scenic - Visual observation beauty - Field reports 63 7.4 Monitoring Roles and Responsibilities A) Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) REMA will play the leading oversight role of monitoring the activities of this project. The REMA will carry out this role by ensuring that the environmental management plans (EMPs) contained in the cleared design package is being implemented as specified therein. REMA will monitor the reports on a regular basis, perhaps quarterly. They will rely on a bottom up feedback system from the ground by going through the monitoring reports and making regular site visits to inspect and verify for themselves the nature and extent of the impacts and the success or lack off, of the mitigation measures. B) Project support and coordination Unit (PSCU) The RSSP 3 Monitoring and Evaluation Officer will be primarily responsible for ensuring compliance to the monitoring framework. Jointly with the Environmental Officer, they will undertake review of the monitoring reports emanating from the implementing agencies and will then upon approval submit these monitoring reports to REMA and the World Bank. The RSSP 3 PSCU will also provide overall coordination in monitoring including training coordinating of training in collection and analysis of monitoring data for data collectors. Critical role of the RSSP 3 PSCU will include data analysis, as well as maintenance of management information systems and all baseline data. Lately other than preparation of periodic reports, the PSCU will implement all the necessary modifications in the monitoring framework. C) RSSP 3 Implementing Partner Institutions All the RSSP 3 implementing institutions identified under this project, will monitor the specific components of the RSSP 3 project that they are targeted to execute. They include MINIRENA and its Agencies (REMA and RNRA), MINISANTE, MINALOC, MINICOM and its Agencies (RCA), MININFRA and PSF. The Ministry of Natural Resources (MINIRENA) and its Agencies will support the project in water quality and ecosystem monitoring while the Ministry of health (MINISANTE) will be responsible for campaigning and fighting against water born diseases and monitoring their prevalence. The Ministry of Infrastructure (MININFRA) will assist in improving infrastructures (roads, market, etc). 64 The Ministry of local administration (MINALOC) will assist in mobilizing local communities in the project intervention areas for the adoption and maintenance of RSSP activities. With regard to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MINICOM) and its agencies, especially Rwanda Cooperative Agency (RCA) will play a role in the formation, organization and capacity building of Cooperatives assisted by RSSP. The Private Sector Federation (PSF) will be involved in providing services, supplying agricultural inputs and transformation of agricultural produces. All implementing partners will be required to prepare periodic monitoring reports for submission to the RSSP 3 PSCU and specifically to the Environment Officer and the M&E Officer. D) Local Communities Local communities will be useful agents in collection of data that will be vital in monitoring and as such they will play a role in the monitoring framework. Local communities in the project intervention areas will receive training and capacity building skills in data collection to be done by the implementing agencies so as to equip them with the ability to collect data. E) Specific Community Groups Water Users Association (WUA) In each project site, there will be one Water Users Association (WUA) which will oversee the water usage. This will have its by-laws and legal registration. Its membership will comprise of farmers who will be utilizing irrigation water in their farms i.e. those within the command area. The Water Users Association will have a coordination committee that will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the irrigation infrastructures. In the initial project implementation stages, the operation and management will be jointly conducted by the project staff and the farmers (who will comprise of the coordination committee of the WUA) but eventually when the project exits, the farmers’ coordination committee members will manage the water use. One of the areas to be addressed through the WUA coordination committee is how to manage the siltation of the reservoir and the irrigation canals, which would otherwise reduce the water reaching the entire command area thus affecting the yields. This will be done by having irrigation user fee per season depending on the area of land owned by an individual. 65 The WUA coordination committee will be responsible for collection of these funds for its operation and de-silt the canals and the water reservoir when need arises. They should have a strict procedure for collecting user fees with set deadlines. Since the WUA will have its by-laws, they should include penalties for defaulters. However, the nature of the irrigation system may not provide a means of blocking supply of water to the individual defaulters; hence the penalty could include withdrawal of plots in the next season and rented out to willing farmers. It is the responsibility of the WUA coordination committee to ensure that the farmers are fully aware of the bye-laws and that they are strongly enforced. 66 8. CAPACITY BUILDING, TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE – RSSP 3 Effective implementation of this ESMF will require technical capacity in the human resource base of implementing institutions as well as logistical facilitation. Implementers need to understand inherent social and environmental issues and values and be able to clearly identify indicators of these. Even with existence of policies and laws such as the Organic Law on Environment Protection, evidence on the ground still indicates that there is significant shortcoming in the abilities of local and district level stakeholders to correctly monitor, mitigate and manage environmental performance of development projects. This is critical as the bulk of RSSP 3 projects are to be implemented at the community level. While undertaking this study, a capacity need assessment was inbuilt to identify strengthening needs on social and environmental evaluation, screening, mitigation and monitoring. Capacity enhancement was consolidated into two key areas; human and institutional resources capacity. These are discussed in detail below. 8.1 Human Resource Capacity Requirements Human capacity requirements for stakeholders of the ESMF are of two types i.e. low technical capacity and inadequate staffing. While adequacy in staffing requirements varied between different stakeholders, there was very limited presence of directly trained and dedicated staff for environmental management purposes within these institutions. In some institutions, staff have been retained for core activities leaving little, if any, human resources to directly oversee environmental management activities. As a result, this portfolio which, in many cases, is given little attention is handled by staff members not adequately conversant with it. Therefore, sufficient knowledge on environmental management principles, project screening, impact mitigation, monitoring and follow up action was limited within most institutions. In some other cases, environment personnel are present but level of training and technical capacity on environmental principles and tools of management is not sufficient. Training and awareness creation will be undertaken at different levels of implementation. These levels will entail the local authorities, private sector, NGOs, and grassroots stakeholders. The exercise will be customized according to each level’s needs to ensure adequacy in implementation of the ESMF. 67 8.2 Technical Capacity Enhancement Awareness creation, training and sensitization will be required for personnel of the following institutions. 1. Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), 2. RSSP Environmental and Social Specialists, 3. Local Government Authorities, 4. District Environment, Agriculture and Sector Agriculture Officers, 5. RSSP Staff (mainly -District Coordinator, Watershed officer, Agronomist, Engineer and Monitoring & Evaluation officer), 6. Local Engineering Contractors who will be contracted or sub contracted to undertake the construction works, 7. Cooperatives and Associations, 8. NGOs, 9. CBOs and Cooperatives members. The Training will concern: Integrated wetland management; Integrated pest management (IPM) and organic agricultural practices Relevant environmental policies; Relevant social laws and policies (e.g. those related to poverty alleviation, etc.) Soil and water management strategies Cooperative organization and management; The ESMF. In order to reduce costs, minimize duplication of efforts and integrate existing technical expertise, officers with relevant knowledge and experience in particular fields will be used to train the others. As an example, the District Environment, Cooperative Agronomists and Sector Agriculture and Forest Officers will be trained and used to train farmers from their respective zones on the above training topics. 68 Table 2: Training influencing success of ESMF Training Aspect Target group Integrated Wetland Management Cooperatives, District and Sector Officers, RSSP Provincial Staff Extension staff Integrated Pest Management and Cooperatives, District and Sector Officers, RSSP Organic Agricultural Practices Provincial Staff Extension staff Relevant Environment policies and RSSP Provincial staff, Government agency World Bank Safeguard Policy and representatives including district level officials, NGOs, guidelines CBOs, Extension staff, Cooperative members. Relevant social laws and policies RSSP Provincial staff, Government agency e.g. those related to poverty representatives including district level officials, Local alleviation such ERS Government, Private Sector, NGOs, CBOs, Extension staff, and community members. Soil and Water management Cooperatives, District and Sector Officers, RSSP strategies District Staff, Extension staff Cooperative organization and Cooperative members management Table 3: Training directly linked to implementation ESMF PSCU and Local NGO Community Central Authorities and Government CBO Agencies Role of ESMF in RSSP 3 S S S S Identification of Indicators and T TS TS TS data collection Identification of Environmental T T T T and social Impacts Determination of negative and T T T S positive projects and sub projects 69 Development of mitigation T T T T measures and Environmental Management Plan including Institutional Responsibility Framework and Budget. EIA procedures, Environmental T S S S Management policies & guidelines, WB safeguards, implementation and enforcement Use and application of ESMF T T T T tools (Screening checklists, EIA, EA) Review of ESMF tools, T T T S implementation and enforcement Reporting, monitoring and S T T S follow up of ESMF Note: S= Sensitization, T= Training, TS =Training strengthened * Training of community members at the grassroots level will be undertaken by Extension officers on site. The training and capacity building exercises will take into consideration during their development, the integration and fulfillment of the requirements of World Bank social and environmental policies and guidelines, as well as those of the Organic Law on Environmental Protection (including relevant policies, regulations and guidelines). Where institutional capacity in terms of availability of human resource is inadequate, the project will engrain support for this through hiring of qualified staff to provide necessary expertise. Inadequacy in institutional infrastructure, facility resources and equipment will be addressed through an initial need assessment or the identified implementing institutions and a gap analysis generated. 70 The project will develop a priority list and thereafter provide financial support to purchase necessary equipment and facility strengthening items. The priority list will ensure that key necessities to successful implementation of the ESMF are addressed in order of their strategic importance. Training directly linked to the implementation of the ESMF should be undertaken first and subsequently followed with regular interval training on aspects influencing success of ESMF. The training program/agenda below provides a sample training outline and course content. The training programmes have been clustered into appropriate groups to facilitate for various target groups. The target groups for training, awareness and sensitization will be as follows. 1. RSSP staff 2. DEOs, Sector Agriculture and Forest Officers 3. NGO & CBO Project Team Leaders 4. Community Implementing Units e.g. Self Help Groups, women’s groups, youth groups, etc. 5. Community Implementing Units coordinating teams 6. Contractors managers and personnel 7. Private Sector Environmental Compliance personnel 71 Table 4: Agenda for Introduction and Training on ESMF Target Group Course content Duration Frequency Sustainable Land Management District •Integrated Wetland 2day workshop Once per year Environment, Management Extension staff •Integrated Pest Management and Organic Agricultural Practices •Soil and Water conservation strategies •Development of microcatchment strategies; Community Engagement PSCU, Extension •Community Engagement and 1day workshop Continuous staff, Mobilization throughout •Stakeholder engagement, program consultation and partnerships Policy and Regulatory Frameworks for ESMF •Relevant Environmental policies PSCU, Central and World Bank Safeguard Policy Government and guidelines For the 1st Representatives, 1 day workshop year of the NGOs, Private •Relevant social laws and project Sector policies e.g. those related to poverty alleviation such ERS 72 Table 5: Training Program on ESMF Target group Course Content Duration Frequency National Level The training will entail 1day workshop Once in early (PSCU) introduction and understanding project the role of ESMF in RSSP 3 as a implementation decision making tool. It will in stage addition expose them to concepts of impact identification, mitigation and Environmental Management Plans. Significant emphasis will be placed on understanding Environmental Management policies & guidelines, WB safeguards, implementation and enforcement The group will also be trained on use and application of ESMF tools (Screening checklists, EIA, EA) 73 District level This training component will 2 day workshop Once year with 2 (District focus on understanding the refresher Environment ESMF and its use. Detail will workshops after 6 Officers) consist on methods of months identifying indicators and data and one year. collection The program will also focus on identification and analysis of Environmental and social impacts as well as determination of negative and positive projects and sub projects Other components will entail development of mitigation measures and Environmental Management Plans including Institutional Responsibility Framework and Budget. Thorough review of Country EIA procedures, Environmental Management policies & guidelines and WB safeguards as well as their implementation and enforcement will be carried out. The group will also be trained on use and application of ESMF tools (Screening checklists, EIA, EA), their review, implementation and enforcement. 74 Participants will be trained on Environmental reporting, monitoring and follow up of ESMF 1day workshop Members will be introduced to the principles of ESMF and its Continuous necessity and application in the exercises overall program as well as their undertaken by subprojects. extension Community officers and The programme will also entail Level grassroots ‘hands on’ training in level undertaking Environmental operating screening, use of micro project agencies and screening checklists institutions. and development of mitigation measures This calendar can be flexible according to the project action plan 75 Community members at the grassroots level undertaking micro projects will be trained on a continuous basis by the higher cadre institution personnel working at this level. These personnel will include government officials and extension workers, NGOs, trained district staff. Additional training will be undertaken by representatives who have attended the project training sessions. 8.3 Recommendations for Capacity Building The significant handicaps in capacity encountered during this study are as follows: (i) For success of the ESMF, there is need to establish a clear method of reporting and consolidating information pertaining to environmental performance and management of the project. This report proposes use of Provincial RSSP, District Environment offices and Cooperative Agronomists as central points of consolidating and disseminating such information so that it is synchronized both within the project and within the country database. (ii) Many of the institutions operating within the region and project in particular do not have personnel with expertise in environmental management. The training programmes highlighted prior should be able to enhance such capacity. However, it is important to support capacity in the large entities (public and private) with significant ecological footprints in establishment and staffing of environmental portfolios so as to ensure sufficient technical capacity for environmental management at significantly potential point sources of impacts. (iii) Different institutions in Rwanda (EWASA, National University of Rwanda, ISAR, ISAE and RBS) have facilities to undertake water quality monitoring. Therefore, a partnership with one of those institutions should be established; (iv) The RSSP 3 project will need to support institutions with financial resource to aid operations as well as equipment to undertake critical monitoring tasks. 76 The estimated capacity building budget is presented in Table 6. Table 6: Estimated Capacity Building Budget Component subcomponent Activity Budget ($ US) Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Total Implementation Community Community Mobilization, 10,000 10,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 35,000 of ESMF mobilization and Sensitization workshops sensitization of for community groups ESMF District level Detailed training on use 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 50,000 Training (District implementation and Local Authorities management of ESMF and Officers associated tools (SEA, EIA, EA, Screening checklists) National Level Training on fundamentals 10,000 10,000 (PSCU) of ESMF, application and use Subtotal 1 95,000 Technical capacity Sustainable land Capacity building in 5,000 5,000 5,000 15,000 building for RSSP management and sustainable land 3 IPM management for district level officials 77 Policy and Trainings and workshops 10,000 10,000 Regulatory Frameworks for ESMF to be undertaken for PSCU, Local Gov. representatives, NGOs, Private Sector Community Training workshops once a 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 25,000 engagement in RSSP year for RSSP Extension staff, Local NGOs, private sector, District Officers, Cooperative technicians Subtotal 2 50,000 TOTAL 145,000 NB: This estimated budget can be changed according to the RSSP decision and priorities. 78 9. ESMF IMPLEMENTATION BUDGET The breakdown of estimated costs for capacity building to support implementing the ESMF is provided in Table 7. The estimated total cost for ESMF implementation is indicated in Table 7 below. Table 7: ESMF Monitoring Budget for RSSP 3 Component Activities Costs Notes Broad Activities (US$) Hillside Environmental About 14 EIA studies for the construction Protection & Dam Impact of dams, irrigation Environmental construction Assessment infrastructures at a cost of 50,000 $ US Safeguards and Irrigation per study for projects including dams (10 projects) and 30,000 $ 620,000 Infrastructure US for projects without dams (4 projects). It is envisaged that development consultant will work with RSSP environmental officer to undertake those 14 EIAs. Environmental 10 environmental audits at a monitoring cost of US$ 20,000 per audit 200,000 will be undertaken throughout the project life 79 Component Activities Costs Notes Broad Activities (US$) Sustainable Training in IPM, Project Reports Table 6 Land Development of Management IPM Strategy, and Integrated Soil and water 95,000 Pest management Management strategies Total 915,000 80 REFERENCES Bikwemu, G., 2006. Environmental Review of Rural Sector Support Project. MINAGRI, Republic of Rwanda. FAO, 2001. Smallholder Irrigation Technology: Prospects for SubSaharan Africa International Programme For Technology And Research in Irrigation and Drainage Knowledge Synthesis Report No. 3 Food and Agriculture Organization of The United Nations Rome. FAO, Rwanda country paper. The agricultural characterization and the classification of wetlands of Eastern and Southern Africa, in Wetland Characterization and Classification for Sustainable Agricultural. GoR, 2002. The Government of Rwanda: Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper. National Poverty Reduction Programme: Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning. GoR, 2002. Third Census of Population and Housing of Rwanda, Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, National Census Service. GoR, 2003. National Strategy and Action Plan for the Conservation of Biodiversity in Rwanda. Ministry of Environment, Forestry, Water and Mines. GoR, 2004. National Land Policy. Ministry of Lands, Environment, Forests, Water and Mines. GoR, 2004. Strategic Plan for Agricultural Transformation in Rwanda, Ministry Of Agriculture and Animal Resources. GoR, 2005. Rwanda Health Sector Policy. Ministry Health. GoR, 2007. Rwanda Agricultural Survey. National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda, Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and Unit of Planning, Policy and Capacity Building Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources. Green and Clean Solutions Limited. 2009. ESMF for LWH project World Bank, 1998. Guidelines for Monitoring and Evaluation for Biodiversity Projects. Environment Department, the World Bank 1818 H Street, N.W, Washington, D.C. World Bank, 2001. Rural Sector Support Project: Project Appraisal Document. World Bank Africa Regional Office. World Bank, 1999. Manual of Environmental Assessment: Policies, Procedures and Questions Sectoral World Bank, 2005. ESMF for World Bank Projects with Multiple Small scale subprojects. Africa. 81 ANNEXES Annex 1: Suggested Format for EA Studies The Environmental impact assessment study report will incorporate, but not be limited to, the following information: The following format is suggested for the EIA: Executive summary This concisely discusses significant findings and recommended actions. Introduction : a. Background to the project b. Objectives of the study c. Methodology Policy, legal, and administrative framework This part discusses the policy, legal, and administrative framework within which the EA is carried out. This should include both national and international legislations. Baseline data This section assesses the dimensions of the study area and describes relevant physical, biological, and socioeconomic conditions, including any changes anticipated before the project commences. It also takes into account current and proposed development activities within the project area but not directly connected to the project. Data should be relevant to decisions about project location, design, operation, or mitigatory measures. The section indicates the accuracy, reliability, and sources of the data. Project description. This part concisely describes the proposed project activities and its geographic, ecological, social, and temporal context, including any offsite investments that may be required (e.g., dedicated pipelines, access roads, power plants, water supply, housing, and raw material and product storage facilities). It indicates the need for any resettlement plan with a map showing the project site and the project's area of influence. It provides detailed information on the following: 1. Location of the study area and description of the current use of the location, project objectives and size; 2. Detailed description of the project, extent in time and space; 82 3. Description of activities related to all implementation stages from the inception, staffing and employment related to different stages of the project; 4. Description of all activities and farming techniques to be used during all farming seasons of the year; 5. Description of all activities which will follow from the execution of the project (construction of road, ware house etc); 6. Description of prevention and security measures, water and energy supply, wastes treatment and evacuation. Analysis of alternatives This section systematically compares feasible alternatives to the proposed project site, technology, design, and operation--including the "without project" situation--in terms of their potential environmental impacts; the feasibility of mitigating these impacts; their capital and recurrent costs; their suitability under local conditions; and their institutional, training, and monitoring requirements. For each of the alternatives, quantifies the environmental impacts to the extent possible, and attaches economic values where feasible. It states the basis for selecting the particular project design proposed and justifies recommended emission levels and approaches to pollution prevention and abatement. Environmental impacts This part predicts and assesses the project's likely positive and negative impacts, in quantitative terms to the extent possible. It explores opportunities for environmental enhancement, identifies and estimates the extent and quality of available data, key data gaps, and uncertainties associated with predictions, and specifies topics that do not require further attention. Environmental Management Plan (EMP): This section includes two components: mitigation plan and monitoring plan. The EMP should be presented in the form of a table. (i) Mitigation plan:  Significant adverse impacts of the subproject;  Detailed description of mitigation and compensation measures proposed,  Implementation schedule;  Responsibility of people and institution involved  Estimate of the costs required 83 (ii) Monitoring plan:  Monitoring activities  Significant adverse impacts of the subproject;  Parameters to be measured  Method used to measure the parameter  Frequency of measurements  Responsibility of people and institution involved  Estimate of the costs required Conclusions and Recommendations of the author/Consultant or Developer The report should also include all information necessary to the project review such as lists of data sources, project background reports and studies, and any other relevant information to which the developer/consultant’s attention should be directed. It should provide also detailed designs/plans of construction, the water canalization and waste water treatment systems, etc. References These are written materials both published and unpublished used in the study preparation. Appendices  List of EIA report preparers –individuals and organizations  Record of interagency and consultation meetings, including consultations for obtaining the informed views of the affected people and local non governmental organizations (NGOs). The record specifies any means other than consultations (eg. Surveys) that were used to obtain the views of the affected groups and local NGOs.  Tables, maps presenting the relevant data referred to or summarized in the main text 84 Annex 2: Suggested Format for a Simple EMP The ESMF emphasizes that an Environmental management plan (EMP) should fit the needs of a subproject and be easy to use. The basic elements of an EMP are: (i) A description of the subproject activity; (ii) A description of potential Environmental impacts; (iii) A description of planned mitigation measures; (iv) An indication of institutional/individual responsibility for implementing mitigation measures (including enforcement and coordination); (v) A program for monitoring the Environmental effects of the subproject both positive and negative (including supervision); (vi) A time frame or schedule; and (vii) A cost estimate and source of funds. Responsibility Monitoring Potential Proposed (including Requirements Time Environmental Subproject Mitigation enforcement and (including Frame or Cost adverse impacts Activity Measures coordination) supervision) Schedule Estimate [type [type here] [type here] [type here] [type here] [type here] [type here] here] [type [type here] [type here] [type here] [type here] [type here] [type here] here] [type [type here] [type here] [type here] [type here] [type here] [type here] here] The above matrix should be filled out for each subproject that will have the need for a separate EMP (the screening process using the screening checklist should determine this). 85 Annex 3: Project Report Form RSSP 3 Select relevant project Subproject name [type here] Estimated cost (US $) [type here] What are the project objectives and Activities [type here] Reason for field appraisal, based on Issues in screening checklist [type here] [type here] Approximate size of the project in land area [type here] Approximately size of the project in terms [type here] of affected individuals How was the site of the subproject [type here] chosen? Does the project comply with the most [type here] Relevant planning document, for example The district Development Plan or the Microcatchment Plan? Will the Project: Yes No Adversely affect natural habitats nearby, including forests, rivers or wetlands? If “Yes�, give details: [type here] 86 Is the project sited within a strict protected area, national park, nature reserve, natural/historical monument or area of cultural heritage? If ‘Yes,’ give details: *type here+ Require large volumes of construction materials e.g. grave, stones, water, timber, firewood)? If ‘Yes’, give details: *type here+ Use water during construction, which will reduce the local availability of ground water and surface water? If ‘Yes’, give details: [type here] Lead to soil degradation, soil erosion or soil salinity in the area? If ‘Yes’ give details: *type here+ Create waste that could adversely affect local soils, vegetation, rivers and streams or groundwater? If ‘Yes’, give details: [type here] Create pools of water that provide breeding grounds for diseases vectors (for example malaria or bilharzias)? If ‘Yes’, give details: *type here+ Involve significant excavations, demolition, movement of earth, flooding, or other Environmental changes? If ‘Yes’, give details: *type here+ Affect historically important or culturally important site 87 nearby? If ‘Yes’, give details: *type here+ Require land for its development, and therefore displace individuals, families or businesses from land that is currently occupied, or restrict people’s access to crops, pasture, fisheries, forests or cultural resources, If ‘Yes’, give details: *type here] whether on a permanent or temporary basis? If ‘Yes’, give details: *type here+ Result in human health or safety risks during construction or later? If ‘Yes’, give details: *type here+ Involve inward migration of people from outside the area for employment or other purposes? If ‘Yes’, give details: *type here+ Result in conflict or disputes among communities? If ‘Yes’, give details: *type here+ Affect indigenous people, or be located in an area occupied by indigenous people? If ‘Yes’, *type here+ Involve the construction of a dam or weir, depend on water supplied from an existing dam? If ‘Yes’, give details: *type here+ Result in a significant change/loss in 88 livelihood of individuals? If ‘Yes’, give details: *type here+ Adversely affect the livelihoods and /or the rights of women? If ‘Yes’, give details: *type here+ MITIGATION MEASURES If you have answered Yes to any of the above, please propose adequate mitigation measures. [type here] ALTERNATIVES Is it possible to achieve the objectives above in a different way, with fewer Environmental and social impacts? If yes, describe these alternatives, and state why they have been rejected. [type here] OTHER OBSERVATIONS Please describe any other observations, especially any related to the reason for the field appraisal. type here CONCLUSION Approval: There are no Environmental or social risks Community to be given responsibility to mitigate Environmental and social risks, based on screening checklist and proposed mitigation measures described in this field appraisal form 89 Cooperatives to provide detailed guidance on mitigation of risks to the community based on screening checklist and proposed mitigation measures described in this field appraisal form Independent preparation of a Detailed Plan is required: � ESMP � RAP � PMP If a RAP is required, will the project displace or restrict access for less than 200 individuals, or if over 200, are losses for all individuals less than 10% of their assets? If Yes, prepare an abbreviated RAP : If No, prepare a full RAP : Full details of resettlement requirements are provided in the accompanying Resettlement Policy Framework. � Reject Review form completed by [type here names of all contributors to the appraisal] Name: [type here] Position/ community: [type here] Date: [type here] 90 Annex 4: Annual Report Form for the District Level or RSSP Environmental Officer RSSP 3 project: Select relevant project District/ RSSP: [type here] Reporting year: [type here] Date of report: [type here] PROJECT SUMMARY Please enter numbers of subprojects in the following table: Approved this MET Application Community provided Field ESMF RAP PMP included a carried out advice on Appraisal year screening mitigation mitigation CATEGORY B Farm forestry or agro forestry ,small scale woodlots and tree nurseries Small scale irrigation scheme Aquaculture Participatory forest management or reforestation Rehabilitation of wetlands River bank stabilization 91 Terracing of farmland Agricultural interventions Support to income generating initiative Other Total Please describe the key Environmental and social issues that have been identified from screening of community microprojects [type here] Were there any unforeseen Environmental and / or social problems associated with any Subproject? MANAGEMENT ISSUES Have you or your predecessor been involved in the targeting or identification of subprojects? □ Yes □ No If `Yes`, please describe: [type here] Have communities been involved in the targeting or identification of subprojects? □ Yes □ No If `Yes`, please describe: [type here] Please explain any participatory issues that have impacted ability of communities to identify subprojects : [type here] 92 Please describe the activity of the following actors on Environmental and social issues in your District this year Activity Government line agencies working with RSSP 3 [type here] on Environmental and/ or social issues NGOs in partnership with RSSP 3 to examine [type here] Environmental and/or social issues DSG [type here] DEC [type here] Summarise any gaps /non –compliance in Environmental and /or social activities: STRATEGIC IMPACT Is the project contributing to improved watershed sustainability in this district? � Yes, is contributing to an overall improvement � No, it is worsening watershed degradation / it is having a negative impact on the Environment � Too early to say Please explain: [Type here] Is the project contributing to increased welfare in this district? � Yes, it’s contributing to an overall improvement � No, it is reducing income generating opportunities / having a negative impact on 93 socio development � Too early to say Please explain [type here] Has there been any analysis of cumulative Environmental impacts in your district? If `yes` please describe. If No,` tick here □ Activity, review or study Summary of key conclusions Was the work successful? Eg. Were its recommendations carried out? If not, why? [type here] [type here] [type here] Have there been any other Environmental or social analyses that have been carried out in the district? Examples of Activity, review Summary of key conclusions Levels of success in achieving or studies objectives. If not successful, why not? [type here] [type here] [type here] Has there been any analysis of catchment management plans in your district? If `Yes, please describe. If No` tick here □ Activity ,review or study Summary of key conclusions Was the work successful? Eg. Were its recommendations carried out? If not, why? 94 [type here] [type here] [type here] POLICY AND INSTITUTIONAL Please describe the activity of the projects in addressing policy constraints that affect Environmental and social sustainability. Are there any policy issues that limit Environmental and /or social sustainability that require addressing at a national level? Policy issue Reforms required [type here] [Type here] TRAINING Please list the training you have received List Two key areas of training you need in under RSSP 3 projects or otherwise order to carry out your role in managing Environmental and social issues in the RSSP 3 projects [type here] 1) [type here] 2) [type here] Completed by: [type here the names of all those who have contributed to completion of the form e.g. DEO and DDO] Position: [type here position of all contributors to the report] Date: [type here] 95 Annex 5: Indicators to measure the ESMF process, mitigation plans and performance The following are some pertinent parameters and verifiable indicators/questions for the evaluation of ESMF process, mitigation plans and performance results: (1) Has the Environment and social consultants trained a specialists at the local level? (2) Have the EMPs and Final Designs been cleared by the RDB and the World Bank? (3) Do Civil Works Contracts include sufficient fiduciary obligations to facilitate implementation of EMP? (4) At what rate are the civil works been monitored by RSSP and by the REMA? (5) How many violations of the contractors/transporters have been recorded and at what rate are they occurring. (6) How many recorded grievance cases have been settled within one year? 96 Annex 6: Screening checklist RSSP 3 Project: Select relevant project Subproject name : [type here] Location : [type here] Estimated cost ($ US) : [type here] TYPE OF PROJECT OR ACTIVITY Farm forestry or agroforestry, smallscale woodlots and tree nurseries Smallscale irrigation scheme Smallscale water storage facility Spring capping or rural water supply scheme Smallscale dam (less than 15 m in height) Checkdam Participatory forest management or reforestation Riverbank stabilization Terracing of farmland Agricultural interventions Please give more details: [type here] Support to Income generating initiatives Please give more details:[type here] Other Please give more details: [type here] Please describe how the project complies with the most relevant [type here] planning document, for example the District Development Plan or the Microcatchment Plan Will the Project: Yes No Adversely affect natural habitats nearby, including forests, rivers or wetlands? Require large volumes of construction materials (e.g. gravel, stone, water, timber, firewood)? Use water during or after construction, which will reduce the local 97 availability of groundwater and surface water Lead to soil degradation, soil erosion & salinity in the area? Create waste that could adversely affect local soils, vegetation, rivers and streams or groundwater Create pools of water that provide breeding grounds for disease vectors (for example malaria or bilharzias)? Involve significant excavations, demolition, movement of earth, flooding, or other environmental changes? Affect historicallyimportant or culturallyimportant site nearby? Require land for its development, and therefore displace individuals, families of business from land that is currently occupied, or restrict people’s access to crops, pasture, fisheries, forests or cultural resources, whether on a permanent or temporary basis? Result in human health or safety risks during construction or later? Involve inward migration of people from outside the area for employment or other purposes? Result in conflict or disputes among communities? Affect indigenous people, or be located in an area occupied by indigenous people? Involve the construction of a dam or weir, depend on water supplied from an existing dam? Result in a significant change/loss in livelihood of individuals? Adversely affect the livelihoods and /or the rights of women? If you have answered Yes to any of the [type here] above, please describe the measures that the project will take to avoid or mitigate Environmental and social impacts What measures will the project take to [type here] Ensure that it is technically and financially sustainable? 98 CONCLUSION Which course of action do you recommend? There are no Environmental or social risks Community to be given full responsibility to mitigate Environmental risks Cooperatives to provide detailed guidance on mitigation of risks to the community Specific advice is required from District Officer in the following area (s): Type here If a RAP is required, will the project displace or restrict access for less than 200 individuals, or if over 200, are losses for all individuals less than 10 % of their assets? If yes, prepare an abbreviation RAP If No, prepare a full RAP Full details of resettlement requirements are provided in the accompanying resettlement policy Framework. Completed by: [type here] Name: [type here] Position/ Community: [type here] Date: [type here] 99 Annex 7: Annual Report Form for the District Level RSSP II project: Select relevant project District: [type here] Reporting year: [type here] Date of report: [type here] PROJECT SUMMARY Please enter numbers of subprojects in the following table: Approved this MET Application Community provided Field ESMP RAP PMP included a carried out advice on Appraisal year screening mitigation mitigation Farm forestry or agro forestry ,small scale woodlots and tree nurseries Small scale irrigation scheme Construction of hotels and restaurants Spring capping or rural water supply scheme Aquaculture Participatory forest management or 100 reforestation Rehabilitation of wetlands River bank stabilization Terracing of farmland Agricultural interventions Support to income generating initiative Other Total Please describe the key Environmental and social issues that have been identified from screening of community microprojects [type here] Were there any unforeseen Environmental and / or social problems associated with any Subproject? MANAGEMENT ISSUES Have you or your predecessor been involved in the targeting or identification of subprojects? □ Yes □ No If `Yes`, please describe: [type here] 101 Have communities been involved in the targeting or identification of subprojects? □ Yes □ No If `Yes`, please describe : [type here] Please explain any participatory issues that have impacted ability of communities to identify subprojects : [type here] Please describe the activity of the following actors on Environmental and social issues in your District this year Activity Government line agencies working with RSSP 3 [type here] on Environmental and/ or social issues NGOs in partnership with RSSP 3 to examine [type here] Environmental and/or social issues DSG [type here] DEC [type here] Summarise any gaps /non –compliance in Environmental and /or social activities: STRATEGIC IMPACT Is the project contributing to improved watershed sustainability in this district? � Yes, is contributing to an overall improvement � No, it is worsening watershed degradation / it’s having a negative impact on the Environment � Too early to say Please explain: [Type here] 102 Is the project contributing to increased welfare in this district? � Yes, it’s contributing to an overall improvement � No, its reducing income generating opportunities / having a negative impact on socio development � Too early to say Please explain [type here] Has there been any analysis of cumulative Environmental impacts in your district? If `yes` please describe. If No` tick here □ Activity ,review or study Summary of key conclusions Was the work successful? Eg. Were its recommendations carried out? If not, why? [type here] [type here] [type here] Have there been any other Environmental or social analyses that have been carried out in the district? Examples of Activity ,review Summary of key conclusions Levels of success in achieving or studies objectives. If not successful, why not? [type here] [type here] [type here] Has there been any analysis of catchment management plans in your district? If `Yes, please describe. If No` tick here □ Activity ,review or study Summary of key conclusions Was the work successful? Eg. 103 Were its recommendations carried out? If not, why? [type here] [type here] [type here] POLICY AND INSTITUTIONAL Please describe the activity of the projects in addressing policy constraints that affect Environmental and social sustainability. Are there any policy issues that limit Environmental and /or social sustainability that require addressing at a national level? Policy issue Reforms required [type here] [Type here] TRAINING Please list the training you have received List Two key areas of training you need in under RSSP 3 projects or otherwise order to carry out your role in managing Environmental and social issues in the RSSP 3 projects [type here] 3) [type here] 4) [type here] Completed by: [type here the names of all those who have contributed to completion of the form e.g. DEO] Position: [type here position of all contributors to the report] Date: [type here] 104 105