Page 1 INTEGRATED SAFEGUARDS DATASHEET APPRAISAL STAGE I. Basic Information Date prepared/updated: 12/23/2009 Report No.: AC2678 1. Basic Project Data Country: Sierra Leone Project ID: P094307 Project Name: SL-GEF Biodiversity Conservation Project Task Team Leader: John W. Fraser Stewart GEF Focal Area: Biodiversity Global Supplemental ID: Estimated Appraisal Date: July 27, 2009 Estimated Board Date: January 21, 2010 Managing Unit: AFTEN Lending Instrument: Specific Investment Loan Sector: General agriculture, fishing and forestry sector (100%) Theme: Biodiversity (100%) IBRD Amount (US$m.): 0.00 IDA Amount (US$m.): 2.00 GEF Amount (US$m.): 5.00 PCF Amount (US$m.): 0.00 Other financing amounts by source: BORROWER/RECIPIENT 1.00 Bilateral Agencies (unidentified) 14.46 Foreign Multilateral Institutions (unidentified) 1.34 16.80 Environmental Category: B - Partial Assessment Simplified Processing Simple [X] Repeater [] Is this project processed under OP 8.50 (Emergency Recovery) or OP 8.00 (Rapid Response to Crises and Emergencies) Yes [ ] No [X] 2. Project Objectives The Project Development Objective (PDO)/Global Environmental Objective (GEO) is to assist the GoSL in improving the management of selected priority biodiversity conservation sites (CSs) and enhancing its capacity for replication of best biodiversity conservation practices. The PDO and GEO are the same and directly contribute to Strategic Objective 1 (SO-1) of the GEF Biodiversity Program. Priority Conservation sites will include : (a) Outamba-Kilimi National Park (Savanna Woodland); (b) Loma Mountain Non-hunting Forest Reserve (Mountain Forest, 33,201 ha); and (c) Kangari Hills Non-hunting Forest Reserve (Rainforest, 8,573ha). 3. Project Description The project will have three components: Component 1: Strengthening of the National Framework for Biodiversity Conservation (US$0.8m; of which US$0.7m is GEF, US$0.1m is GoSL). The Project will fund Page 2 services, goods and training (including workshops and study tours) under two sub- components: - 1.1 Policy, Legal and Financial Framework (US$0.5m), which will entail: (i) reviewing and updating forest, wildlife and biodiversity policies and regulations in consultation with stakeholders; and (ii) exploring options for sustainable financing of conservation sites, including payments for environmental services, etc. - 1.2 Institutional Framework (US$0.3m), which will entail: (i) establishing a National Steering Committee (NSC) for project activities; (ii) developing a strategy for replication of best practice, including Forestry Division and other relevant authorities; (iii) introducing multi-year planning and budgeting within Forestry Division; and (iv) developing a Geographic Information System (GIS) database to support conservation site management. Component 2: Conservation Site Planning and Management (US$4.5 million; of which US$3.9m is GEF, US$0.6m is GoSL). The project will provide services to support: planning and management; goods (e.g. vehicles, global positioning system (GPS), radios, etc.); minor infrastructure improvements; training (including workshops and study tours); and some operational costs in order to develop and implement a more effective conservation management at selected priority sites. Best practice will be shared with managers and stakeholders at other priority sites around the country in the context of implementing a national strategy for replication. The component will include three sub- components: - 2.1: Pilot Site Management Planning and Implementation (US$2.9m), which will entail: (i) establishing conservation management teams (CSMTs) at each of the selected sites, and building partnerships among government, non-government organizations, community-based organizations, traditional village leaders and the private sector; (ii) developing site specific conservation management plans (CMPs) that are endorsed by traditional and local authorities; (iii) implementing conservation management plans (include minor infrastructure improvements for staff and visitors such as observation posts, water supply, road access, research facilities, trails and camp sites; boundary demarcation; working with local communities to improve resources management, implementing monitoring systems, exploring financing options; and (iv) building capacity of field staff and key stakeholders to undertake conservation planning, management, and enforcement through joint training programs. - 2.2: Community Mobilization and Outreach and Conservation-linked Development (US$1.5m), which will entail provision of consultant services, goods, and training for: (i) community outreach and awareness through strategic local and national communication programs that will include contributing to schools curricula, preparing information materials, extension by field staff, and developing nature clubs; and (ii) conservation-linked community development through the preparation and implementation of Community Action Plans (CAPs), which will, jointly with local stakeholders, identify priority threats to conservation in each site and explore options for Page 3 addressing them. Activities under the CAPs may include: (a) providing training for developing income-generating activities; (b) supporting potential small-scale entrepreneurs to develop business plans and partnerships in support of conservation- linked investment initiatives; (c) supporting local practices for sustainable land use; (d) strengthening linkages with government programs and service providers (such as Farmer Field Schools); and (e) possible introduction of energy-saving technologies to reduce unsustainable dependency on natural. - 2.3 Mainstreaming Conservation in District Development Planning (US$0.1m), which will entail supporting the Government#s decentralization process by training conservation staff and local officials in working with District Councils and Ward Development Committees to ensure that conservation and sustainable natural resource management is incorporated in district and regional planning for development and service delivery. Component 3: Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation (US$0.7m; of which US$0.4m is GEF, US$0.3m is GoSL). The Project will finance services, goods, minor works, and limited incremental operating costs (office and vehicle supplies and maintenance) to support a Project Management Team (PMT) within the Forestry Division of MAFFS with office facilities and training for planning and management. Activities will include: (i) operation of the National Steering Committee (NSC) and Project Management Team; (ii) developing and supervising annual and quarterly work plans and budgets; (iii) overseeing procurement, financial management and conducting annual audits; and (iv) establishing baselines, and developing planning, monitoring and evaluation systems for the national conservation program. 4. Project Location and salient physical characteristics relevant to the safeguard analysis The project will be implemented in three sites, and activities will be location-specific mainly in the following protected area systems: (i) Loma Mountains Non-Hunting Forest Reserve: The mountain massif in the northeast covers 330 sq km and includes the peak called Bintumani which is the highest mountain in West Africa west of Mount Cameroon. The reserve is characterized by forests and savanna covered mountains which are interspersed by gallery forests along the river banks. Species found here include the leopard, bush cow and primates as well as the rare pygmy hippo in the Bafin and Bagbe rivers. 245 species of birds have been recorded in this reserve, including the rare and endangered rufus fishing owl. (ii) Outamba-Kilimi National Park: The Outamba-Kilimi is the only protected area in Sierra Leone with national park status. It is situated in the northwest corner, along the Guinea border. Outamba is characterized by the mountain with the same name, the three rivers named Kabba, Mongo and Lolo which create corridors of gallery forests, interspersed by swamps and closed forests and savanna woodland. More than 260 species of birds as well as elephants, waterbuck, wart hogs, Aardvark and genets have been observed. The pygmy hippo inhabits the Kabba River. The Kilimi section consists of Page 4 open woodlands and short grass vegetation which attracts more savanna species such as the Kori bustard and baboons. (iii) Kangari Hills Non-Hunting Forest Reserve: The forest reserve at Kangari Hills is home to an important wildlife community, including forest- and savanna-dependent birds, chimpanzees and elephants and it protects the watersheds of many rivers (e.g. Pampana River to the northeast and the Moa River to the southwest), supplying towns and villages in central Sierra Leone. A recent survey identified 115 species of bird, representing 34 families and including three globally threatened species, the white-necked rockfowl, the black-faced rufous warbler and the green-tailed bristlebill. Threatened primate species that occur here include the Western Chimpanzee, red colobus monkey, black-and-white Colobus monkey and the Diana monkey. Other threatened mammals are the leopard, water chevrotain, black duiker, Maxwell duiker, the forest elephant and the forest buffalo. Forest destruction and land degradation have been attributed to slash-and-burn farming, gold mining and logging, especially for building poles. 5. Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialists Mr Edward Felix Dwumfour (AFTEN) Ms Mi Hyun Miriam Bae (LCSSO) 6. Safeguard Policies Triggered Yes No Environmental Assessment (OP/BP 4.01) X Natural Habitats (OP/BP 4.04) X Forests (OP/BP 4.36) X Pest Management (OP 4.09) X Physical Cultural Resources (OP/BP 4.11) X Indigenous Peoples (OP/BP 4.10) X Involuntary Resettlement (OP/BP 4.12) X Safety of Dams (OP/BP 4.37) X Projects on International Waterways (OP/BP 7.50) X Projects in Disputed Areas (OP/BP 7.60) X II. Key Safeguard Policy Issues and Their Management A. Summary of Key Safeguard Issues 1. Describe any safeguard issues and impacts associated with the proposed project. Identify and describe any potential large scale, significant and/or irreversible impacts: Environmental Assessment (OP/BP 4.01). The Project is classified as Category B, as the potential adverse effects are few, and site specific. The Project is expected to have an overall positive environmental impact by conserving biodiversity and improving natural resource use. GoSL prepared an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), which details measures and plans for addressing potential threats, including guidelines for screening projects and identifying mitigation measures when necessary. The ESIA was disclosed in-country, and at the World Bank#s InfoShop on July 1, 2007. Disclosure workshop Page 5 dates were published in three local newspapers: (i) The Democrat (May 7 & 14, 2007); (ii) Standard Times (May 10 & 14, 2007); and (iii) Salone Times (May 9, 2007). Five separate disclosure workshops were held between May 16 and 22, 2007, at different sites including: (i) Fintonia (Outamba Kilimi National Park); (ii) Kabala (Loma Mountains Non-Hunting Forest Reserve) and Tingi Hills Forest Reserve; (iii) Mongeri (Kangari Hill Non-Hunting Forest Reserve); (iv) Kenema (Gola and Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary); and (v) Freetown (Western Area Peninsula Forest Reserve). Records of the workshops carried out (including list of participants) have been included in the ESIA. As described in the ESIA, the Project will carry out small infrastructure rehabilitation or development of basic facilities such as access roads, research and visitor facilities. Additionally, the project will support community level initiatives for improved conservation management effectiveness and build efforts for conservation through enhanced awareness of benefits while catalyzing conservation linked development. Natural Habitats (OP/BP 4.04). Consistent with OP 4.04, the project will help to conserve natural habitats and ensure that specific project activities avoid habitat degradation. Forests (OP/BP 4.36). Consistent with OP 4.36, the project aims to harness the potential of forest ecosystems to: (i) reduce poverty in a sustainable manner; (ii) integrate forest conservation effectively into sustainable development; and (iii) protect vital local and global environmental services and values of forests. Involuntary Resettlement (OP/BP 4.12). The project may entail: (i) limited land acquisition once conservation sites' boundaries are demarcated and for small infrastructure works; (ii) relocation of a small number of human settlements located inside any of the conservation sites as determined during project implementation; and (iii) restriction of access to natural resources in the selected legally designated parks and conservation sites. Overall impacts are yet to be determined as boundaries need to be re- demarcated and the status of villages inside and outside of the conservation sites needs to be identified. Therefore, consistent with OP 4.12, a Process Framework (PF) and a Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) have been prepared, approved and disclosed by GoSL (as described above under Section 4 #Social#). 2. Describe any potential indirect and/or long term impacts due to anticipated future activities in the project area: The Project is expected to generate positive long-term impacts, through improved management of conservation areas, with particular focus on training in new techniques, and inclusion of local communities in decision-making. 3. Describe any project alternatives (if relevant) considered to help avoid or minimize adverse impacts. There are no feasible alternatives to the Project. Page 6 4. Describe measures taken by the borrower to address safeguard policy issues. Provide an assessment of borrower capacity to plan and implement the measures described. An Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) has been carried out, including an Environmental Management Plan. Also, a Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) and a Process Framework (PF) have been prepared for execution during the implementation phase of the Project. The PF establishes the process for how to involve potentially affected communities in planning and implementation of the project while identifying how affected communities will be assisted in restoring their livelihood, as a consequence of lost access to traditional natural resources. The RPF will guide the preparation of a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) during planning and implementation of the project, especially in the likelihood that the human settlements found inside Outamba-Kilimi National Park may relocate. The RAP(s) will be reviewed and approved by the Bank and thereafter disclosed in country and in the Infoshop. A budget allocation for the cost of implementing the RAPs has been created under Component 2. Environmental assessments in Sierra Leone are at present guided by the Environment Protection Agency Act (2008) , which makes the Sierra Leone Environmental Protection Agency (SLEPA) responsible for the effective monitoring of the country's environmental issues as well as ensuring compliance with the environmental impact assessment procedures. It also emphasizes the need to promote socio-economic development within the context of prescribed acceptable environmental standards and safeguards. This Project will be executed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security (MAFFS). The draft ESIA and draft RPF/PF revealed gaps in institutional and technical capacities of counterpart agencies to plan, assess and monitor implementation of environmental and social safeguards and mitigation plans. The Project, therefore, envisages strengthening the Project Management Team (PMT) by providing training for its staff to ensure systematic implementation and monitoring of environmental and social safeguards plans. Training will start quite early in the implementation phase and continue throughout the life of the project. Also, during implementation the PMT will report, within the broad frame of the project M&E, on compliance with the measures agreed with the Bank on the basis of the findings and results of the ESIA and RPF/PF, status of remediation measures, and the findings of monitoring programs. The PMT understands that monitoring information would assist to evaluate success of mitigation measures as part of the overall project supervision, and allow corrective actions to be taken when needed. The M&E of the mitigation plan will be integrated with the project's overall design, budget, implementation, and M&E. The ESMP will become part of the M&E manual of the Project Implementation Manual (PIM) and annual work plans. 5. Identify the key stakeholders and describe the mechanisms for consultation and disclosure on safeguard policies, with an emphasis on potentially affected people. Throughout project design and formulation the Grant Recipient has consulted widely with project-affected groups (i.e. farmers, landowners, traditional authorities, public and Page 7 private sector organizations, research and academia, women and youth, civil society, etc), local communities, and non-governmental organizations, about the project's environmental and social impacts and took their views into account in preparing the ESIA and RPF/PF, and in subsequent Project design. Nonetheless, consultations on how best to effect safeguard mitigation measures on the ground will continue. Relevant project materials were disclosed to project-affected groups, CBOs and NGOs. The PMT disclosed the ESIA and RPF/PF in-country in the print media on May 16, 2007, and subsequently through site-based workshops which took place during May 17-22, 2007. B. Disclosure Requirements Date Environmental Assessment/Audit/Management Plan/Other: Was the document disclosed prior to appraisal? Yes Date of receipt by the Bank 05/14/2007 Date of "in-country" disclosure 05/16/2007 Date of submission to InfoShop 07/01/2007 For category A projects, date of distributing the Executive Summary of the EA to the Executive Directors Resettlement Action Plan/Framework/Policy Process: Was the document disclosed prior to appraisal? Yes Date of receipt by the Bank 05/14/2007 Date of "in-country" disclosure 05/17/2007 Date of submission to InfoShop 07/01/2007 Indigenous Peoples Plan/Planning Framework: Was the document disclosed prior to appraisal? Date of receipt by the Bank Date of "in-country" disclosure Date of submission to InfoShop Pest Management Plan: Was the document disclosed prior to appraisal? Date of receipt by the Bank Date of "in-country" disclosure Date of submission to InfoShop * If the project triggers the Pest Management and/or Physical Cultural Resources, the respective issues are to be addressed and disclosed as part of the Environmental Assessment/Audit/or EMP. If in-country disclosure of any of the above documents is not expected, please explain why: C. Compliance Monitoring Indicators at the Corporate Level (to be filled in when the ISDS is finalized by the project decision meeting) OP/BP/GP 4.01 - Environment Assessment Page 8 Does the project require a stand-alone EA (including EMP) report? Yes If yes, then did the Regional Environment Unit or Sector Manager (SM) review and approve the EA report? Yes Are the cost and the accountabilities for the EMP incorporated in the credit/loan? Yes OP/BP 4.04 - Natural Habitats Would the project result in any significant conversion or degradation of critical natural habitats? No If the project would result in significant conversion or degradation of other (non-critical) natural habitats, does the project include mitigation measures acceptable to the Bank? N/A OP/BP 4.12 - Involuntary Resettlement Has a resettlement plan/abbreviated plan/policy framework/process framework (as appropriate) been prepared? Yes If yes, then did the Regional unit responsible for safeguards or Sector Manager review the plan? Yes OP/BP 4.36 - Forests Has the sector-wide analysis of policy and institutional issues and constraints been carried out? Yes Does the project design include satisfactory measures to overcome these constraints? Yes Does the project finance commercial harvesting, and if so, does it include provisions for certification system? No The World Bank Policy on Disclosure of Information Have relevant safeguard policies documents been sent to the World Bank's Infoshop? Yes Have relevant documents been disclosed in-country in a public place in a form and language that are understandable and accessible to project-affected groups and local NGOs? Yes All Safeguard Policies Have satisfactory calendar, budget and clear institutional responsibilities been prepared for the implementation of measures related to safeguard policies? Yes Have costs related to safeguard policy measures been included in the project cost? Yes Does the Monitoring and Evaluation system of the project include the monitoring of safeguard impacts and measures related to safeguard policies? Yes Have satisfactory implementation arrangements been agreed with the borrower and the same been adequately reflected in the project legal documents? Yes Page 9 D. Approvals Signed and submitted by: Name Date Task Team Leader: Mr John W. Fraser Stewart 12/15/2009 Environmental Specialist: Mr Edward Felix Dwumfour 12/17/2009 Social Development Specialist Ms Mi Hyun Miriam Bae 12/14/2009 Additional Environmental and/or Social Development Specialist(s): Approved by: Sector Manager: Ms Idah Z. Pswarayi-Riddihough Comments: