-                                                E1302
Volume 1
WETLANDS                     B D AW
INTERNATIONAL
Natural Wetland Study
Draft Combined Task 2 & 3 Report
Wetlands International -China
EDAW
Submitted to:
Ningbo Water and Environment Project
Management Office
March, 2006



TABLE OF CONTENT
1.  INTRODUCTION .............................................................5
2.  PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN .............................................................. 7
3.  PROPOSED ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH CENTRE ................  ..................... 22
4.  INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS .............................................................  27
5.  FINANCE ............................................................. 30
ANNEX 1. CONCEPTUAL DESIGN FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND
RESEARCH CENTRE.33
ANNEX 2 LIST OF PURCHASING EQUIPMENT .34
ANNEX 3: FRAMEWORK TOR FOR GEF CONSULTANT CONTRACT: CENTRE
MANAGEMENT CONTRACT.35
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Summary
This final report, prepared by Wetlands International-China in partnership with
EDAW and in collaboration with Ningbo Water and Environment Project - Project
Management Office (NWEP-PMO), examines the current conservation value of and
assesses the potential conservation opportunities for wetlands on the southern coast of
Hangzhou Bay, focusing on the western part of the designated study area, described as
Section A. In particular this report delivers outputs for Task 2 and 3 described in the
TOR.
The dramatic expansion of the human population has led to strong demand for more
space and the study area, which formerly consisted of extensive mudflats and coastal
wetlands, has been consistently reclaimed for over a thousand years. This land
reclamation continues today and has been hugely successful in terms of providing
highly productive land for agriculture, good environment for building human shelter,
and excellent conditions for industry. However, this reclamation has come at a cost: it
has caused the shrinking or disappearance of tidal mudflats and some of the inter-tidal
zone, resulting in the extensive loss of coastal marine habitats and species that live in
them. Some of these species are highly desirable products for human consumption
(e.g. clams, crabs, near-shore fishes). The reclamation has also reduced the buffer
zone between the land and the ocean, an area of marshes that acts as a biological filter.
Because this filter is not functioning effectively, nutrients from farmland and
pollutants from industry, notably nitrates and phosphates, are being released directly
into the ocean, and the resulting eutrophication has been a severe problem in
Hangzhou Bay, causing outbreaks of toxic phytoplankton (red tide) and, especially
since 2000, catastrophic losses to fisheries as well as degradation of the environment
in the surrounding region.
The predominant vegetation of Section A is composed of emergent plants and scrub
vegetation; agriculture consists mainly of cash crops such as cotton. However, in parts
of the marine area, especially Lot A3, there is extensive crab and shrimp aquaculture
and, judging by the number of people working on the mud flats, there are considerable
natural marine resources in the inter-tidal zones, which are providing important
livelihoods. However, the extent and economic value of these resources have not been
quantified systematically.
Similarly, there are no authentic records of other fauna, and recent ornithological
surveys indicate that the area is not currently of great importance for birds, which is
unexpected as the location is on the key Asia Pacific migratory flyway. The area is
nonetheless designated as being of National Importance. There are anecdotal reports,
from as recently as 20 years ago, of large numbers of migratory waterbirds, including
some rare species, and highly productive inshore and tidal fisheries.
The study proposes the management plan as a conservation area stated in the TOR.
The study identifies core zones within the designated area that are critical for
biodiversity or that would become significant if suitably landscaped and managed. Lot
A5 is considered the most critical area for passage shorebirds, and Lot Al the key
area for habitat recreation that would greatly increase the overall wildlife carrying
capacity of the whole area.
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As this zoning agreed, Lot Al would also provide an exceptional opportunity for
environmental education and educational recreation and could be a focal point for
scientific research for the region. This comes at a time when China is keen to realize
such opportunities in terms of a better popular understanding of sustainable
development and of the importance of wetlands in particular.
The study proposes that an environmental education and research centre be
constructed, located in the southeast corner of Lot Al. The consultants' extensive
experience of the establishment of wetland centre deems these to be exceptionally
appropriate locations. The report includes indicative designs for both the centre and
the landscape of the proposed 'conservation areas', which makes up 90% of Lot Al,
although the actual visitor numbers, which to some extent dictate the way the facilities
would be designed, remain speculative. Very careful attention is given in the
proposals to the interactions between wildlife and human visitors in terms of
minimizing disturbance and optimizing the 'visitor experience'. The centre would
target school parties but is also likely to have a high uptake of tourists who seek out
recreational opportunities after crossing the Hangzhou Bridge.  Because of the
centre's unique location, the potential numbers of visitors may not yet have been fully
appreciated.
The study recognizes that the extent of outdoor interests for visitors will vary with the
seasons, and therefore the centre should be a visitor attraction in its own right, and of
interest at all times of year. An ecologically friendly building is proposed, which
will serve as a much-needed demonstration model for 'green' urban and industrial
development, in line with Cixi City Government's development policies.
Cixi City Government has nominated the Construction Bureau to be the implementing
agency for the Environmental education and research centre, and this study recognizes
the positive significance of the multi-sectoral approach being taken to the planning,
implementation and long-term management of this project. It is also pointed out that
combining landscape design and land and water management for wildlife with public
access requires experience and specialized skill sets, and that is imperative that key
persons implementing these proposals and future staff of the Centre receive training
as soon as possible.
An indicative budget for the implementation of the proposals proposed in this study
suggests that that costs will be in the region of RMB 71,742,615 (USD8,967,826) and
that counterpart costs will also be required. Cixi City Government has adequate
financial resources to cover some counterpart costs, but it would like to emphasize
that GEF considers the project to be a joint effort between the Cixi City Government
and Ningbo Municipal Government and would expect some symbolic financial
support for the project.
The study emphasizes that the construction of a centre and a research facility are not
viable in the terms conceived unless the proposed conservation zoning and the wider
land-use planning for the entire study area regarded and implemented as a single,
integrated plan.
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1. INTRODUCTION
China's economic advances in the last two decades have contributed markedly to the
well-being of its people, but in many instances, the cost of growth has been at the cost
of environmental degradation. The environmental services provided by wetlands,
which include coastal wetlands, river basins and natural and artificial lakes are critical
to water supply and pollution control. Wetlands provide a multitude of livelihood
goods, whether through natural harvests, aquaculture or irrigated farmlands. Human
well being relies on wetlands. Agriculture, industrialization and urbanization on
reclaimed wetland areas has come at the cost of a loss of the natural functions of
wetlands. Pollution entering wetland systems from land-based activities are of great
concern to China's development planning authorities. Central government has made,
considerable progress towards the implementation of its international and internal
commitment to move towards sustainable development partly in response to the Rio
Declaration and Agenda 21. Managing wetlands sustainably is not a constraint on
economic growth if the true economic value of environmental services provided by
wetlands is taken into account.
The GEF Ningbo project preparation grant, Natural Wetland Study component, aims
to help conserve and create new natural habitats along the Cixi coastline. The
designated wetland area will preserve or enhance existing natural habitats for benthos,
vegetation, and migratory and indigenous waterfowls. The study led by Wetlands
International-China is a demonstration project which will assist local government
make environmentally sound land reclamation decisions while conserving wetland
areas with ecological significance. The Project Leading Group, composed of heads of
municipal leaders of Ningbo and Cixi relevant authorities together with the Ningbo
Water and Environment Project - Project Management Office (NWEP-PMO) under
the Ningbo Municipal Development and Reform Commission (hereafter referred as
the 'PMO') are the agencies assigned to implement the components under the
preparation grant funds. A stated commitment of the Project Leading Group and PMO
to pay full attention to the environmental aspects of its economic development as is
evident in their willingness to establish green controls on development and to set aside
a conservation site that in part balances economic development with environmental
preservation. The PMO along with the Ningbo and Cixi authorities have chosen to
incorporate the principles of sustainable development in its future planning in the
realization that this is the only way of ensuring that economic growth continues.
Wetlands International in partnership with EDAW is currently carrying out a Wetland
Study along the Cixi coastal zone since August 15, 2005. Based on limited survey
carried out mid September and early October 2005 and collected information from
various stakeholders a baseline study (Task 1) was submitted on October 31, 2005.
Based on this first study, task 2 and task 3 have also been carried out. This final report
combines Task 2 phase II and Task 3. It includes management plan of the
environmental education and research centre and the associated natural wetlands and a
conceptual design of the proposed environmental education and research centre. Task
2 and 3 are closely inter-linked, and both relate closely to the way the site can be
utilized to maximize the potential for environmental education, research and
recreational enjoyment in a setting that greatly enhances the wildlife value of this part
of the Cixi coast. Though this report focuses on the area defined as the District 'A',
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the present and future uses of Districts B and C have also been taken into account.
The benefits of both the conservation zoning and controlled visitor access proposed in
this report are intended to have a much wider influence on coastal land use policies
and practices.
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2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN
1. Objectives of the Proposed Project
The establishment of the proposed wetlands conservation area should achieve the following
four main objectives.
A. Restore, enhance and protect estuarine and freshwater habitats for native birds,
plants and benthic communities.
B. Establish a center for promoting public education and scientific research
especially on mudflats, coastal and freshwater wetlands, and Hangzhou Bay's estuarine
ecosystem.
C. Offer eco-tourism opportunities, infusing the local economy with a sustainable
economic engine, especially capturing new opportunities associated with the Hangzhou Bay
Bridge.
D. Control water pollution, including nutrients from agriculture and pollutants from
industries by restoring marshes, which naturally assimilate and transform non-point source
pollutants.
2. The Preferred Alternative
The preferred alternative, presented in detail below, has been refined from the original version
of Option 1 and incorporates suggestions and comments from various stakeholders and
international wetland specialists, including Wetlands International, the World Bank mission, Dr.
Alex Horne and Mike Ounsted.
LANDUSE ALTERNATIVE: OPTION 1
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2.1 Definition of the Study Areas
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The Study Area is the area outlined in green in Exhibit 1: Regional Location. It consists of Lots
Al to A5, as well as the existing fish pond and reservoir west of Lot A4. The seaside boundary
has been revised so that it follows the more rounded edge of the mudflats in accordance to
suggestions by Cixi government. The Study Area is roughly 45 sq km in size.
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The actual GEF Wetland Project Area, shown in Exhibit 2: Study Area, is the designated
conservation area. It consists of Lot Al: the Freshwater Wetland Zone, Lot A3: the Saltwater
Tidal Zone, and Lot A5: the Island Preserve.
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Finally, Lots A2 and A4 are designated as Buffer Areas for the above GEF Wetland Project
Area. Refer to Exhibit 3: Development Context for an overview of existing and proposed
development immediately surrounding the Project Area.
2.2 Regional Circulation
The major regional thoroughfare, the planned Hangzhou Bay Bridge, runs along the eastern
border of Lot A2. (See Exhibit 4: Regional Circulation) The bridge is scheduled to open to traffic
in 2009. The closest approved highway exit is approximately 2 km south of Lot A2, and will be
linked to the Wetland Project Area via an access road.
In light of the suggestion by Cixi government, an additional local road is proposed. This road
will run south of the existing eco-farm along the southern edge of Lot A4 to link the access road
(mentioned above) with areas west of the Project Area. This will reduce local traffic that will
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pass by the main wetland areas. There will also be one branch road from this additional road, to
link with the existing dock site.
An existing dock on the western end of the Study Area can potentially serve as a landing for
people arriving by sea. It can also serve as a launch site for patrol and visitor boats.
2.3 Program for the Freshwater Wetland Zone (LotAI)
The Freshwater Wetland Zone (see Exhibit 5: Preferred Alternative Plan) contains four major
program components: the education and research centers, the wetlands systems, the forest
and upland buffers, and site circulation systems. The following is a detailed description of each.
Exhibit 5: Preferred Alternative Plan
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2.3.1 The Education and Reseearch Centers
There are two primary hubs of human activities in the Freshwater Wetland Zone: the Visitor
and Education Center, and the Field Lab and Research Center. These facilities are central
components for realizing Objectives B and C. The Field Lab and Research Center is optional,
and may be included in future to achieve long term research goals.
The Visitor and Education Center is located in the south-east corner of Lot Al. This allows
for:
*   Good solar orientation for views across the wetlands towards Hangzhou Bay;
*   Buffer between the more active recreation program and ecologically sensitive areas,
and
i1ca r parking areas in the south-eastern corner of the site, minimizing distance to the
main entrance.
To the north of the Education Center a Constructed Wetland for wastewater treatment (10.7
ha) is proposed to polish pretreated wastewater from the Education Center. The treated water
from this constructed wetland will be discharged directly into the large canal east of Lot Al. The
Ctonihim,ied litk 2 A& 3 I&porr -\&reiul W'el/e/md Suit/Y A'1Irfch 2006       10



interpretive trail will pass through this area to allow visitors to learn about this process and
encourage greater appreciation for the value of wetlands as "nature's kidneys".
To the west of the Education Center a large area is nominated for aquaculture
demonstration ponds where visitors can observe and participate in traditional sustainable
aquaculture farming practices. This area will allow the public to see first hand how both
ecologically and economically productive the wetlands can be.
The optional Field Lab and Research Center is located in the western part of Lot Al, in
order to provide easy access to the most ecologically sensitive parts of the Freshwater
Wetlands Zone (north-west area) and outer conservation areas at Lots A3 and A5. The
Research Center will consist of a building containing field lab and supporting facilities. There will
also be several research ponds near the Research Center for field experiment purposes.
Access to the Research Center will be limited to researchers, school groups and eco-tourists
interested in learning about the site in greater detail.
2.3.2 Wetlands Systems
The wetlands systems is the key component of the Freshwater Wetland Zone. Four different
wetland systems are planned on site: Treatment Wetlands, Wildlife Wetlands, Mudflat
Wetlands, and Seasonal Wetlands.
2.3.2.1 Treatment Wetlands
The 12.4 hectare Treatment Wetlands are located along the southern boundary of the
Freshwater Wetlands Zone. The wetlands, consisting of a system of three treatment cells (2a,
2b, 2c) separated by weirs, receive and treat water pumped from the canal west of Lot Al. The
Treatment Wetlands will be designed specifically for treatment of BOD, COD, ammonia (NH3),
nitrates (NO3-), total phosphates, and total suspended solids, and contain minimal open water
to maximize treatment capacity. The treated water will be discharged into the Wildlife Wetlands
near the Education Center. As these wetlands are designed specifically for the purpose of water
treatment, they are not as ecologically sensitive as the Wildlife Wetlands. An interpretive trail
from the visitor center is planned through the area. The Treatment Wetlands system should not
be confused with the Constructed Wetland north of the Education Center, which exclusively
treats wastewater from the Education Center. However, these two treatment wetlands, along
with the natural purifying capacity of the Wildlife and Mudflat Wetlands, help to collectively
realize project Objective D, to control water pollution.
2.3.2.2 Wildlife Wetlands
The Wildlife Wetlands (75.7 ha), consisting of a system of four large wetland cells, occupy
the core section of the Freshwater Wetlands Zone. The Wildlife Wetlands receive water pumped
in from the surrounding canals, and at the end of the fourth wetland cell (3d), the water is
discharged into the Mudflat Wetlands. The Wildlife Wetlands are designed specifically to attract
species which utilize freshwater marsh habitats. Surrounding each of the four cells are
anti-predator and bypass trenches. (Please see cross section details provided by Dr. Horne.)
There are areas of open water within the Wildlife Wetlands, and bird loafing strips are designed
to provide shelter and nesting habitat for waterfowls and shorebirds. Several small areas of
higher grounds are planted with riparian shrubs, further increasing the diversity of habitats.
It should be noted that the size of the lakes in the original version of Option 1, being a collective
concern shared by stakeholders and specialists, have been vastly reduced. Dr. Horne, an
ecological engineer and wetlands specialist, pointed out that it would be infeasible to supply
(i.e. pump) enough water to fill the central pond as was originally designed. Furthermore,
wetland habitats that can be created along the shores of a big pond are much smaller
compared to wetlands that can be created along the shores of several smaller ponds. Finally, he
saw difficulties in regulating water levels in the original plan. The Cixi government also voiced
concern over the excessive pond size in the original plan, advising further reductions to the
11



amount of water in the ponds. The final design as presented above has been refined
accordingly, and a system of ponds and lakes in the original design is now modified to include
larger marsh areas where open water is only a minor element.
Wildlife habitats are ecologically sensitive areas, and visitor access would be restricted in the
Wildlife Wetlands except for guided tours. There will, however, be sections especially on the
periphery where boardwalks cross the wetland cells, allowing visitors the opportunity to fully
immerse in the wetland environment. Visitors on pedestrian trails can also view birds through
bird blinds placed at strategic locations throughout the trail systems, or climb one of the six
observation towers built in the periphery of the Wildlife Wetlands for an elevated view of the
wetland habitats.
2.3.2.3 Mudflat Wetlands
Water from the Wildlife Wetlands will eventually discharge into the two Mudflat Wetlands
located in the northern section of the Freshwater Wetlands Zone. The Mudflat Wetlands consist
of two mudflats with similar design, where each contains a ring of open water surrounding
mudflats that gradually slope upward to relatively higher grounds emergent marsh in the
center. The water level in the Mudflat Wetlands will fluctuate according to wildlife management
needs- for example draw down can coincide with high tide or storm events to expose sufficient
mudflat grounds for shorebirds to rest when coastal mudflats outside the Freshwater Wetlands
Zone are flooded. As the water level is drawn down, new sections of the mudflat are exposed,
providing fresh feeding and resting grounds for shorebirds.
The water from the Mudflat Wetlands will be discharged into the canals to the north of Lot Al.
More detailed information on the water levels of the surrounding canals is necessary to
determine whether the water will be discharged by pumping or by gravity flow.
For more detailed information concerning the proposed hydrology in the site, refer to section 4:
Hydrologic Changes.
2.3.2.4 Seasonal Wetlands
The Seasonal Wetlands are man-made depressions that are naturally flooded by rainwater
and groundwater. They are not connected to the managed water flow path system that links
the Treatment, Wildlife and Mudflat Wetlands. However, overflow from the Seasonal Wetlands
during large storm events will drain into the Treatment, Wildlife and Mudflat Wetlands
mentioned above. There are ten Seasonal Wetlands that are scattered throughout the
Freshwater Wetlands Zone; besides increasing the diversity of habitats, ecosystem productivity
is actually higher in seasonal wetlands than in permanently flooded wetlands because in
waterlogged environments decomposition is hampered. Higher productivity translates into
more biomass for the ecosystem and the ability to support higher concentrations of wildlife.
The Seasonal Wetlands will be planted with facultative wetland species.
2.3.3 Forest and Upland Buffers
The strip of upland areas surrounding the eastern, southern and western boundaries (below
the Research Center) of the site is designated as an ecological and aesthetic buffer between the
sensitive conservation areas and the active agriculture and aquaculture uses of the land
(including an eco-farm) to the south and east of the Project Area. These strips will be planted
with trees, essentially creating a forest buffer.
In the original plan for Option 1, extensive areas of forest buffer were provided around the
south, west and eastern boundaries of Lot Al. However, as Dr. Horne commented, trees form
an ideal habitat for birds which prey on the target wading bird population. Indeed, trees are
unnatural in shoreline habitats in most parts of the world, which is a major reason why the
shore birds flock to these areas.
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Nevertheless, for this particular site, small trees and shrubs will serve as an effective buffer to
more intense land uses. Therefore, the forest buffer around the eastern, and southern
boundaries is retained, though narrowed in the final plan.
The interpretive trails will occasionally pass through the upland buffer areas.
2.3.4 Site Circulation System
The site circulation system in the Freshwater Wetlands Zone has been carefully designed to
minimize disruption by unnecessary traffic, especially through sensitive ecological areas.
There is one main entrance into the Freshwater Wetlands Zone, located at the southeastern
corner. Since most of the vehicular traffic will head towards the Education Center, a
southeastern entrance will result in the shortest drive and consequently the smallest impact to
the conservation area by minimizing distance most vehicles have to travel. There are two
carparks proposed for the Education Center. One is the regular carpark while the other serves
as the overflow. Impact is minimized by their location on the conservation area's periphery and
inclusion in the forest and upland buffers.
A service road in the Freshwater Wetlands Zone branches near the entrance to access the
Research Center, as well as to the Saltwater Tidal Zone (Lot A3). The road follows the periphery
near the border, which minimizes impact to the core wetlands. There are no other vehicular
roads in the Freshwater Wetlands Zone; consequently, there will only be a total of 3.3 km of
paved vehicular road in the Freshwater Wetlands Zone.
A system of pedestrian trails is designed for use by visitors and researchers. The 5.1 km-long
trail system links the Education Center with the Research Center, passing through the
education and demonstration aquaculture ponds, the demonstration Constructed Wetlands, the
forest buffer, and Seasonal and Wildlife Wetlands. Bird blinds and view points for bird
observation are proposed at opportune vantage points. The trail system will consist of
boardwalks and porous paved trails. The entire trail system is accessible to handicapped
visitors. To avoid undue disturbances, trails will not extend into the core wetlands conservation
area.
2.4 Program for the Saltwater Tidal Zone (Lot A3)
Across the canal west of the Freshwater Wetlands Zone, the Saltwater Tidal Zone at Lot A3 (see
Exhibit 5: Preferred Alternative Plan) consist of mudflats, existing and restored saltwater
marsh, fishing and aquaculture production exhibitions, and boardwalks for visitor access.
2.4.1 Mudflats and Saltwater Marshes
The Saltwater Marsh, roughly 134 hectares in size, will provide valuable natural habitats for
birds and other native species in the area. A portion of these marshes particularly towards the
south end of Lot A3 will be restored from aquaculture ponds by removing blockages to the tidal
channels that allowed the aquaculture ponds to form. The salt marsh gives way to extensive
coastal mudflats to the north of Lot A3. Within the Saltwater Tidal Zone, visitors will be
restricted to the Docent Center and Ranger Station at the eastern edge of the Zone and
the boardwalk, which allows visitors to walk through the salt marsh habitats to a Viewing
Deck overlooking the mudflats.
While some stakeholders expressed concern that restoring tidal channels would be infeasible
due to high sediment loads, the presence of functional channels on a large part of the existing
site implies that restored channels are a feasible goal. There are many examples of restored
salt march habitats where functional tidal channels have been successfully restored. Sediment
transport modeling will be required to determine the correct size of any restored channels.
2.4.2 Fishing and Aquaculture Production Exhibitions
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An important principle of eco-tourism is building environmental and cultural awareness and
respect for the locality.1 While the majority of the existing aquaculture ponds are removed in
the Saltwater Tidal Zone, some aquaculture ponds- those in the southeastern corner- are
preserved as cultural exhibits introducing visitors to the traditional fishing and aquaculture
techniques in the region. Preserving the area's cultural resources would only complement the
Project Area as a destination for wildlife observation, increase diversity to visitor experience in
the area, and educate visitors how natural and human processes interact and affect each other.
The total area of the cultural exhibition district will be 3.7 hectares.
2.4.3 Dock
There is an existing dock roughly 2.5 km west of the Saltwater Tidal Zone. While not technically
within the Study Area, this dock could be used as a point of departure for patrol, research or
guided tour boat trips to the surrounding area. However, due to the sensitivity of the area, boat
trip numbers should be limited to avoid undue disturbances to the marine habitats.
2.4.4 Site Circulation
The entrance to the Saltwater Tidal Zone is along its eastern border between the Freshwater
Wetlands Zone and the Saltwater Tidal Zone. An existing paved road leads to a small carpark
that services the Docent and Ranger Station. Access to the dock can be provided by a separate
road originating from the proposed new road south of Lot A4.
2,5 The Island Preserve (Lot A5)
Lot A5, an island 2 km off the coast from Lot A3, is to be designated as an Island Preserve
off-limits to visitors, uninhabited and untouched except for restoration projects (see Exhibit 5:
Preferred Alternative Plan).
The habitats on the island will include aquaculture pond remnants, providing attractive habitats
for ducks, cormorants, and egrets; restored bulrush marshes, which can attract parrotbills; and
mudflats, which will attract gulls and snipes. Some coastal engineering work will be necessary
to prevent erosion on the western coast of the island.
2.6 Site Boundaries
It is noticed fencing the mudflat along the sea dyke and bouys in the open water areas are
proposed in November Aide memoire to control people from harvesting and expect to protect
wetlands resources along the coastline. It is suggested to work really hard on a voluntary
practice code backed up by local laws that restrict access. This needs to be combined with a
continual awareness campaign and suitably trained rangers. It is a crucial that the
environmental education and research centre play an important role in improvement public
awareness especially the decision makers while strengthening law or regulations reinforcement
to control the exploitation of natural resources. There should be a programme of local
engagement with local people and in particular jobs created by the centre should be given to
local people. Such jobs might range from demonstrating local fishing methods to serving in the
restaurant etc. This project needs to demonstrate job creation. A 3-meter high fence will be
constructed along the southern boundaries of the Freshwater Wetlands Zone and the Saltwater
Tidal Zone, in order to keep trespassers and predators out of the sensitive ecological areas.
This fence will be adequately disguised by perimeter trees so it will not become an aesthetic
intrusion to the visitor's natural experience. There will also be also ranger stations to be located
near the visitor center in the Saltwater Tidal Zone and key access to Al to help with managing
and patrolling the conservation areas and regular patrolling especially in the migratory
waterbirds season is encouraged around the site. The coastal and sea boundaries of the
conservation zone will be marked with buoys and patrolled by a ranger boat. Or setting up
artificial barriers such as moats or ditches is helpful. The long objective of wise use of natural
resources and biodiversity conservation will be achieved.
l International Ecotourism Society, <www.ecotourism.or >, accessed 15 Feb 2006.
0tmjuliwd'/ sk 2 & 3 M,1wrt - 'V\'tIi/(ll 11 l tlIdI. St1i(dv .i1ucli 2006    14



3. Land Use Modifications
3.1 LotAl
The natural landform of lot Al has been significantly modified. A sea dyke runs along the coast,
and marshes on the landward side have been largely drained and canal channels dredged.
There are also abandoned aquaculture ponds and scattered freshwater marsh communities
currently provide moderate quality habitat. Mudflats exist on the seaward side of the sea dyke,
where locals engage in intensive harvesting operations of shallow water marine organisms.
Unfortunately, these mudflats are disappearing at an alarming rate due to wave induced
erosion.
To fulfill the objective on restoring and protecting the natural estuarine habitat, Lot Al is to be
restored into a Freshwater Wetlands Zone. Significant land form modification is required. The
entire site will need to be regraded to recreate a series of marshes, open water and mudflats
along with accommodating the proposed education and research centers. Mudflat harvesting
activities and aquaculture production will be banned or severely restricted to ensure that the
estuarine environment is able to regenerate into a healthy ecosystem that will attract local and
migratory birds. Erosion control measures should be taken immediately to prevent the further
loss of mudflat habitat. A qualified coastal engineer should be consulted to design appropriate
methodology.
3.2 LotA2
Similar to Lot Al, the natural landform of Lot A2 has also been significantly modified, with
marshes largely drained and navigation channels dredged. Existing land use on land inward
from the dyke is mostly agricultural; the main crop is cotton. Locals engage in intensive
harvesting operations of shallow water marine organisms on the mudflats seaward of the sea
dyke.
Lot A2 has been designated as a buffer area to protect the core conservation area from
incompatible uses. The general guideline is that only open space, low intensity uses and low
density developments are suitable in the buffer area. Furthermore, within the buffer area itself,
relatively higher intensity uses should be kept as far away as possible from the border to the
core conservation area. Recommended land uses include agriculture, low density residences
and urban parks. Land uses that are clearly not suitable include industrial, and high density
commercial and residential developments.
Resettlement of residents is not necessary in the buffer areas.
3.3 LotA3
Originally a natural salt marsh, aquaculture ponds have been created in Lot A3 by truncating
and blocking natural tidal channels. Water in the aquaculture ponds is generally brackish or
fresh. The aquaculture ponds within Lot A3 are still actively used. Locals have also built shacks
in the area as simple residences and field shelters. Mudflats along the shores of Hangzhou Bay
are used for harvesting shallow water marine organisms.
Lot A3 has been designated as the Saltwater Tidal Zone where the natural salt marshes and
mudflats should be restored but where some existing aquaculture activities would be preserved
for education purposes. To achieve this, some earthworks will be necessary. The intense
exploitation of shallow marine organisms within the natural mudflats will be eliminated. Except
for about 15% of the aquaculture ponds which would be selected and preserved for exhibition
purposes, others will be removed. This may involve involuntary resettlement of local farmers,
which should be carried out in accordance with GEF policies on involuntary resettlement. The
walls and berms that truncated the natural tidal channels will be breached to allow salt water
into the core of the A3 area to facilitate regeneration of salt marsh and mudflat areas. Some
revegetation in this area may be necessary.
3.4 LotA4
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The habitat value of Lot A4 has largely been degraded by cultivation activities. Again the area
has been drained and dredged to create canals. Currently, the primary land use is agriculture
and forestry; Lot A4 contains primary farmlands, an eco-farm, and a municipal nursery for
salt-resistant plants. There are also some local residences on site.
Like Lot A2, Lot A4 has also been designated as a buffer area. Again, the general guideline is
that only open space, low intensity uses and low density developments are suitable in the
buffer area, and within the buffer area itself, relatively higher intensity uses should be kept as
far away as possible from the border to the core conservation area. Recommended land uses
include agriculture, low density residences and urban parks. Land uses that are clearly not
suitable include industrial, high density commercial and residential developments.
Resettlement of residents is not necessary in the buffer areas.
3.5 LotAS
Lot A5 is an island offshore of Lot A3. It is the least disturbed lot in Section A, naturally
consisting of salt marsh communities and intertidal mudflat habitats. Currently, the principle
land use on the island is aquaculture. The locals have created numerous aquaculture ponds on
the island, and built shacks as simple residences. Locals also harvest shallow marine organisms
in the mudflats.
Lot A5 is recognized as an important feeding and roosting area for migratory shorebirds, and is
consequently designated as an Island Preserve where access should be limited and aquaculture
operations prohibited. Therefore, most (but not all) aquaculture ponds will be removed and
restored into salt marshes through regrading and planting. Fish stock could still be kept in the
remaining aquaculture ponds, which would become open fresh and brackish water habitats and
forage grounds for ducks and egrets. Bulrush should be planted around the remnant ponds on
the western edge of the islands on grounds that are over 2.5 m in elevation. Bulrush marshes
would help attract a diversity of birds, especially parrotbills. Shacks on the island will be
removed and the heavy exploitation for shallow water marine organisms will be eliminated. This
may involve involuntary resettlement of local farmers. In general, the regeneration of the
island's vegetation cover would naturally occur from the natural growth of the bulrush
community and the existing vegetation on the island. Finally, erosional control in the form of
bank stabilization and wave energy reduction will occur at the western end of the island where
erosion was observed during a site visit.
4. Hydrologic Functional Changes
Creating the Freshwater Wetlands Zone, the Saltwater Tidal Zone, and the Island Preserve will
involve a variety of hydrologic changes to Lots Al, A3 and A5.
4.1 Freshwater Wetlands Zone
The Freshwater Wetlands Zone requires the greatest hydrologic changes. The Zone's
functioning depends on creating an artificially managed water flow path on site. The Zone is fed
by water from the surrounding canals using a pump system. The pumping station at the
southwest of the site draws the canal water and discharges the water, untreated, into the
forebay pond.
From the forebay ponds, the water can follow one of two paths. A portion of the water is
released directly to the wildlife wetlands. The bed slope of the Wildlife Wetlands should be
between 0 and 0.00075, equivalent to a 75 cm drop per linear kilometer of wetland. The
vertical drop from one cell to the next at the weir will be about 15 cm to allow for accurate flow
measurements. Water flows through the wetlands by gravity, without the need for mechanical
assistance. The flow rate through the Wildlife Wetlands is estimated to be 45,000m3/day. This
would provide an approximate residence time of ten days.
A portion of the water will be released to the treatment wetlands, where the water will flow
through three treatment cells, each also separated by weirs and with similar slopes as the
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wildlife wetland cells above. The water treated by the treatment wetlands will be discharged
into the third wildlife cell, where the two water flow paths will rejoin. The flow rate through the
treatment wetlands is estimated to be 7,000 m3/day. This would provide an approximate
residence time of ten days.
Water from the fourth wildlife wetland cell (3d) will flow into one of the two mudflat wetlands.
There is an approximately 1 m vertical drop between the wildlife wetland cell and the mudflat
wetlands. This drop is a natural feature of the existing site.
Unlike the treatment and wildlife wetland cells, where the water levels in the cells remain
essentially stable throughout the year, the water levels of the mudflat wetlands will be carefully
managed for flooding or draw down as appropriate for the target wildlife species. The gradual
draw-down of the water levels will expose the mudflats surrounding the ponds, where
waterfowls can easily forage for benthic organisms.
Whether the water from the Freshwater Wetlands Zone will be discharged by gravity flow or by
mechanical pumping is undetermined. More details on site topography and canal water levels is
required. The flow rate of the pump system has also not yet been determined, and will need
further attention in the detailed design phase.
4.2 Saltwater Wetlands Zone
The main hydrologic change to the saltwater wetlands zone is the removal of the small berms
that block the natural tidal channels that created the aquaculture ponds. Once eliminated,
seawater will once again be able to reach deep into the saltwater wetland zone, aiding the
regeneration of the saltwater marsh.
4.3 Island Preserve
There is little hydrologic changes to Lot A5 besides the removal of a majority of existing
aquaculture ponds and reversion of those to saltwater marshes.
5. Wildlife Target Species and Proposed Restoration Actions
The major habitats to be found in the restored GEF Project Area are salt marsh, freshwater
marsh, mudflats and open water. The wildlife target species are those which utilize these
habitats within the Hangzhou Bay area.
The primary target species for the GEF Project Area are migratory and resident
shorebirds waterfowis which utilize the marshes and the mudflats. Of highest
conservation values are water birds and wading birds of the Charadriidae, Scolopacidae and
Anatidae orders. According to the Task 1 report, 45 species of birds have been observed in the
two surveys conducted in March and September 2005, including near threatened and rare
species listed in the national register. However, this diversity is much less than expected,
especially when compared to what has been observed on similar habitats on Chongming Island,
at the mouth of Yangtze River. Furthermore, the numbers of bird sightings have substantially
decreased over the years. An example is the Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo), which used to
be common in the area, but is now rarely sighted. Therefore, it may be unrealistic to
expect substantial increases in the number of bird species observed in the first two
years after the GEF Project Area is restored; However, birds species and the population
will be increased with the habitats improvement and management plan to be taken. rather, a
more appropriate goal would be to halt the decline and stabilize the number and
variety of birds that frequent the area. While attracting endangered, rare and vulnerable
species such as the blackfaced spoonbill (Plata/ea minor) and the Tundra swan (Cygnus
columbianus) is desirable, the likelihood that a stable population will become established in the
area within the near future may be low and not in proportion to the effort required to achieve
such results.
The target species list based on the 2005 site surveys, and should include:
Anatidae (found in open water)
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Spot-billed duck (Anas poecilorhyncha)
Falcated teal (Anas falcate)
Common teal (Anas crecca)
Charadriidae (found on mudflats, and prefers the edge of tidewater)
Snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus)
Little ringed plover (Charadrius dub/us)
Mongolian plover (Charadriusmongolus)
Scolopacidae (found on mudflats, and prefers the edge of tidewater)
Black-tailed godwit (Limosa limosa)
Eurasian curlew (Numenius arquata)
Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)
Terek sandpiper ( Tringa cinerea)
Spotted redshank ( Tringa erythropus)
Common greenshank (Tringa nebularia)
Green sandpiper (Tringa ochropus)
Marsh sandpiper ( Tringa stagnatilis)
Redshank ( Tringa tetanus)
Red-neck stint (Calidris ruflcollis)
Dunlin ( Calidris alpine)
Phalacrocoracidae (found on mudflats and sometimes roost on trees, but forages where fish is
plentiful)
Great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)
Muscicapidae (found in reed communities)
Reed parrotbill (Paradoxornisheude)
Maintenance of healthy populations of benthic organisms is also important as they are the
primary food source of the primary target species.
In order to help attract the wildlife target species above, several restoration actions have been
proposed.
Mudflat creation using the pond draw-down mechanism
Proven to be successful in other projects, for example in Newport Bay, California, the control
and occasional draw-down of the pond water level is effective in creating habitat and
foraging grounds for wading shorebirds. If managed properly, the lowering of water
levels in the ponds to expose mudflats can coincide with migration periods as well as high tides
or storm events to provide a haven during those times. Plovers and sandpipers (of the
Charadriidae and Scolopacidae orders, respectively) especially benefit from this restoration
method. Mudflat creation is important as mudflats along the shore of the Study Area are now
eroding due to the strong impacts of waves and storms following the construction of the
seawall. Creating mudflats in the wetlands conservation area partially mitigates for this loss.
Restoring salt marshes
Salt marsh, important habitats for many species of shorebirds, will be restored in Lots A3 and
A5. Some small-scale coastal engineering works outside of sea dike will be necessary to prevent
erosion of existing salt marsh, and facilitate sedimentation. Fishery activity will be prohibited in
at least the migratory seasons. Nets, toils and traps will be strictly prohibited to avoid
accidentally injuring or killing of birds.
Restoring freshwater marshes
The wetland conservation area in Lot Al involves an extensive restoration of existing farms and
shrublands into an intricate system of freshwater marshes. The restoration process has been
discussed in great detail in Sections 2, 3 and 4. Various wetland types will be valuable habitats
18



for the wildlife target species. Bulrush communities should be planted, as they are the major
habitat and foraging grounds for the reed parrotbill. A diversity of wetland vegetation is
important to increase the diversity of birdlife attracted to the area.
Other facilities that would help attract target species
Bird houses- provide interim nesting places for birds before the vegetation in the site matures,
to be strategically placed throughout the project area.
Loafing strips- these are gravel strips constructed in open water in the Wildlife Wetlands in the
Freshwater Wetlands Zone, which provide isolated places for birds.
Osprey platforms- tall posts with 1 m2 platforms may attract this large raptor species that preys
on fish.
Whilst food resources in the key 'public' areas are important if there are numbers of birds. The
protected areas will not be able to produce enough food especially in the winter months. It
should be appreciated that the waterbirds are likely to feed outside of the area but will be
attracted for shelter, 'loafing' and roosting or breeding in the summer. Drinking freshwater is
also important.
The main source of food generation in the protected areas will be produced by controlling the
water levels-letting them dry out and then flooding them.
A lot can be done by planting food plants, though again, in winter these will disappear quickly.
A measure of artificial feeding is also an option but needs to be considered very carefully.
Monitoring plan
Annual monitoring plan will be conducted to gauge the process of habitat development. For a
more detailed discussion of the monitoring plan, please refer to Section 7, Management and
Monitoring Objectives and Methods Appropriate to the Proposed Project.
6. Information and Planning Needs
Site Hydrology
Precise hydrologic data still needed include typical seasonal and yearly water surface elevations
of the surrounding canals, site topography, and groundwater table elevations. This information
is necessary to determine the difference between the surface elevations of the Mudflat
Wetlands at the end of the water flow path in the Freshwater Wetlands Zone, and the canal
water outside the site. This will in turn decide whether the water from the Freshwater Wetlands
Zone can be discharged using gravity flow, or whether a pump will be needed. This information
will also be important in establishing the timing of the hold and release of water in the
conservation area. Water table elevation data will be required to determine the depth of the
depressions needed to create the seasonal wetlands.
Tidal Flow Information
Tidal flow information is required for the restoration of Lot A3's salt marshes. This will
determine the precise grading of the existing site necessary for flooding the core of the A3 area
to facilitate regeneration of salt marsh and mudflat areas. As previously mentioned, a sediment
transport model may be required to successfully restore the salt marsh area.
Mudfiat and Island Erosion Control
Erosion of the existing mudflat outside of Lots Al and A2 and along the western edge of A5 is a
grave concern. While some concepts for erosion control have been suggested through
communications, a detailed erosion control plan should be undertaken immediately by a
qualified coastal or ecological engineer.
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Detailed Local Bird Sighting Surveys and Blrd Migration Pathways
Information is also needed on bird migration pathways and local bird sighting surveys for
individual species. This information will be invaluable for refining the target species list, and on
improving the restoration methods to help attract target species.
Program Details for Infrastructure in the Wetlands Conservation Area
The precise program elements for the visitor center are undetermined. The specific types of
attractions that will be featured will depend on the targeted visitor groups, and the number of
visitors expected.
List of Existing Species and Specles to be Planted in the Restoration
A comprehensive and carefully selected list of plant species is necessary for successful
restoration in all of the restoration areas, whether the goal is to recreate saltwater and
freshwater marshes, riparian or upland habitats. The list should include a survey of existing
plant species as well as species to be planted.
Stakeholder Responsibilities
Finally, it remains unclear which stakeholders have the responsibility to fund and operate the
project area. Clear responsibility will be crucial to the successful realization of the project's
objectives and the long term running of the conservation area.
7. Management and Monitoring Objectives and Methods
7.1 Management Objectives
Naturally, the overall management objective would be to ensure that the project objectives
introduced in the beginning are successfully met.
Specifically, the two fundamental management objectives for the proposed project should be:
* to maximize wildlife value, and
*   to maximize visitor experience
The challenge, as always, lies in finding a balance between the two.
To maximize wildlife value, an important pre-requisite is to control human activities in the
conservation areas through implementing appropriate policies. An example is prohibiting
fishing and aquaculture activities in the conservation areas for the first few years in order to
allow for the ecosystem to recover, and when the ecosystem is healthy, fishing could be
allowed by permit. Another principle to maximize wildlife value is to ensure that the habitats
remain of high quality, for example through policies requiring frequent inspection of hydrologic
equipments, including weirs and pumps.
To maximize visitor experience, it is important to offer comprehensive and well-maintained
supporting facilities to facilitate all activities, especially bird watching. This includes bird blinds,
observation towers, and boardwalks leading to good vantage points. Visitor experience and
appreciation of the conservation areas can also be enhanced by guided tours and advanced
announcements to members of upcoming events, including the predicted or observed arrivals
of migratory birds.
Staffing Recommendations
The following are some recommendations on staffing.
For patrolling duties: 3 rangers
For staffing the visitor center and offering guided tours: 8 guides
For inspection and maintenance works around the conservation areas: 10 maintenance
workers.
For data collection and analysis: 2 research staffs
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7.Z2 Monitoring Objectives
In order to gauge the success of the project and to regularly refine the approaches to improve
the wetland operations, monitoring objectives must be set. The following are proposed
monitoring objectives of the project:
Water Quality
Water quality monitoring is important to ensure that a healthy environment is maintained for
the wildlife and visitors, to gauge the water treatment performance of the treatment wetlands
and the Wetlands Zone as a whole.
Water should be tested for COD, BOD, ammonia, nitrate, total phosphate and total suspended
solids. Samples should be taken from the inlet where water is to be pumped into the
Freshwater Wetlands Zone, the outlet where water is discharged into the canal, at the inlet and
outlet of the Treatment Wetlands System, as well as the inlet and outlet of the Wastewater
Treatment Wetlands. Water should also be tested for heavy metals and organics once a year; if
unacceptable concentrations are found, a comprehensive toxicity test should be administered.
In addition to the water tests above, simplified tests for coliform and water clarity should be
administered at spot locations.
Bird Population Diversity/ Density/ Health
Annual monitoring plan will be conducted to gauge the process of habitat development. The
plan will include bird counting, benthos survey, and landscape analysis. Habitat preferences of
different birds are expected and will be useful to work within the Study Area and other coastal
restoration projects of Hangzhou Bay.
Vegetation Health
Monitoring for vegetation health throughout the project area, especially during the first two
years, is important for the success of the project. As the vegetation establishes, problem areas
where the vegetation has not established, can be identified and replanted as necessary.
Hydrology
Monitoring for hydrologic conditions immediately after a restoration effort is important to gauge
the effects that the particular restoration project has on the area's water flows, water table
levels, erosion and sedimentation patterns. This monitoring is most important for the first few
years, and would provide valuable knowledge for the management of the conservation and
restored areas.
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3. PROPOSED ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH
CENTRE
The establishment of conservation zoning in the study area would not only be a conservation
asset but, if carefully designed and integrated into the site, the construction a environmental
education and research centre that provides for public recreation and facilitates environmental
education and scientific research would make a significant contribution to an understanding of
the importance of the Cixi wetland ecosystem.  Such a centre could be a flagship to
demonstrate the principles of sustainable development, which is an overriding objective of the
planning authorities.
Opportunities
The proposed environmental education and research centre can provide many opportunities for
environmental education for school groups and the general public, such as:
P Close viewing local wildlife and natural communities
P Guided nature tours
P Field trips for school children
es Learning about ecology, wildlife, the interactions of nature with human beings, and
sustainable development through interpretative displays and learning by seeing and doing
P Classes in a natural environment, such as an outdoor amphitheater
P   Research on restoration ecology and succession ecology at the site, and green industries in
the region
> Community involvement (e.g., school groups, neighbors) to help with the restoration of
the site, through plantings and maintenance of the plantings
P Docent volunteer program to lead tours or staff environmental education and research
centre
Research could be undertaken in the short and long-term on, for example:
P Restoration ecology and ecological succession at the site
P The assimilative capacity of wetlands for nitrate removal
P Avian disease
P   Behavior and ecological impacts of the non- indigenous plant species such as Spartina
alterniflora
P Migratory bird movement tracking and banding
Constraints
The major constraint to providing opportunities for public access is that increased disturbance
would be counterproductive to increasing the attractiveness of the area to wild birds.
In addition, the recommendations of this report are made cognizant of the fact that since late
2003 there have been outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) (subtype H5N11),
which are historically unprecedented in their geographical scope and virulence, and that there
could be (though this is not proven) a transfer of the disease between wild migratory birds and
domestic poultry.
The proposals for the Cixi Centre follow the most up to date international recommendations on
control of APAI inter ala Resolution IX.23 of the 9th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to
the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) made in November 2005, in which the
Chinese delegation played a leading role. The report further notes China's immediate and
detailed response to the possible spread of HPAI and the importance it places on monitoring
migratory birds.
For both the above reasons, the landscaping and management of the conservation area is
designed so that there is no contact between wild and domestic birds (and humans) with the
intent that wild birds will be attracted to the conservation area rather than distributed into
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adjacent agriculture areas, where contact with domestic poultry might be possible. Landscape
techniques, screening, ditching and banking, can make a clear separation between visitors and
wild birds that do not diminish the 'visitor experience'.
The proposed research facilities in the conservation.area will provide the Government with an
important monitoring and research facility at a time when it is most needed.
3.1. PROPOSED LOCATION OF THE CENTRE
3.1.1. THE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCA TION AND RESEARCH CENTRE
Lot Al provides an exceptionally good opportunity for an environmental education and research
centre linked to a wild life conservation area, if it is positioned in the southeastern corner of the
site (the proposed location). This location is optimal for minimizing visitor impacts while
providing opportunities to learn about the natural environment.
Lot Al forms an integral part of the proposed broader conservation Area A (see plan in Task 2).
In ecological terms it is associated with the adjacent marine areas and Lot 3, and could be
linked by a 'green corridor' to the proposed core conservation zone A5. The wetland landscape
of Al needs to be skillfully modified and a hydrological management regime put in place so as
to optimize its attractiveness to wildlife and maximize its carrying capacity for wildlife, in a
natural setting, undisturbed by visitors to the centre. This provides the opportunity to
demonstrate wetland, and wetland habitat creation within reclaimed land. This demonstration
could be replicated in other reclaimed shorelands in China.
At present, Al is mainly composed of river canal, fish pond and agricultural land (crops eg.
cotton resistant to salt). This area belongs to wetlands nature reserve with a total area of 413.3
ha. The natural vegetation includes reed and willow communities (Phragmites communis,
Tamarix chinensis) with typical features of wetlands. Shorebirds and waterbirds are dominant
and the scrub vegetation is also important for resident and migratory passerines and raptors.
There is currently no heavy human activity in the 300 ha of Al. There are some fish and shrimp
ponds, which would be relocated but the majority of this area should be landscaped and
managed as the conservation area. About 33 ha of Al should be used for the environmental
education and research centre.
The canal buffer zone between Al and A2 and the 'natural' buffer provided by the forestry
research nursery to the south are fortuitous. Vehicular access and general disturbance that
would be created at the site by visitors and maintenance work could be contained away from
key areas designated for wildlife (A5, A3, and portions of Al) by locating site access, the
entrance, car park, toilets, picnic area and noisier recreation areas in the proposed location.
There is an existing roadway that provides vehicular access to this location.
An essential consideration in locating facilities for public viewing is to be able to view the
landscape from a southeast to northwest orientation. In this way, visitors have the clearest
viewing of the area and birds (in particular) are not so easily disturbed because they are looking
into the sun.
3.1.2. RESEARCH STA TION
It is proposed that a research station or field laboratory should be separated from the main
environmental education and research centre. This would provide scientists with closer access
to the marine areas and enable discreet research activities (such as bird banding) out of public
gaze. An excellent location for the field laboratory is on the northwest side of Lot Al to provide
access to the mudflats and separate research and recreation activities. When appropriate,
accompanied school groups could walk from the environmental education and research centre
to the laboratory making use of the existing sea dyke without disturbing the main wetland
conservation areas.
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One further benefit of separating the field laboratory from the public Environmental education
and research centre is that it could be constructed and utilised very quickly. A research base is
an essential component of the Cixi wetland management plan and immediate Government
plans such as research on avian health.
3.2. CONCEPT AND INDICATIVE DESIGN OF CENTRE
3.21. INTRODUCTION
The primary purpose of the proposed environmental education and research centre is as a
centre of excellence for increasing and sharing knowledge of wetlands in China and especially
in relation to Cixi's coastal wetlands. High attention has been given on wetlands conservation
by the government in China especially in Zhejiang Province, where the first wetland park pilot
was established in Hangzhou, and which has been approval by the State Forestry
Administration in February 2005. And more parks are planned to be developed nationwide.
However, the pressing need is to improve the awareness of the public and decision makers
about the need for sustainable wetland conservation and management. With this priority
agenda, now is the right time to establish an environmental education centre along the Cixi
coastal wetlands to demonstrate a good development environment not only at the local level
but also at the national and regional level. The newly started construction of the Hangzhou Bay
Bridge is seen by Cixi as a new opportunity to integrate Cixi into the Yangtze River Delta region
and will strengthen Cixi's economic development. Cixi City government has taken this chance to
improve the city's environment, living and competitiveness. The city has set its objective to
become an"environmentally and nature friendly city". It is expected more tourists and
'eco-tourists' from Shanghai, including organized school visits and international tourists will be
attracted when the bridge is ready. The local government hopes this bridge construction will
catalyze the local economic development especially the tourism.
3.2.2. THE OBJECTIVES OF THE CENTRE
The Centre will help create awareness of the historical, present and future importance and
functions of Hangzhou natural coastal system and Cixi wetlands in particular and will encourage
industry in Cixi (and elsewhere) to adopt the principles of sustainable development.
The Centre will demonstrate the importance of the wetland habitat for the environmental
services it provides especially the provision of natural resource foods, which is of great interest
to Chinese people as well as the intrinsic significance of wetland biodiversity.
The centre will also demonstrate how reclaimed land can provide multi-functional uses that,
when well designed and managed, provide both for wildlife and sustainable development.
3.2.3. VISITOR PROFILE
The statistics from the local tourism bureau showed about 25,500 visited some historic sites or
development zones of Cixi from 1-7 October, but 3,000 people on 1st October only in 2005. It is
possible that as many as 250,000 visitors a year may visit the centre especially when
Hanghzhou Bay Bridge is completed. During long public holidays it is anticipated that up to
4,000 people could visit the centre. The tour to Hangzhou Bay Bridge is a new tourism site
opened to public and will attract many more people. It is important to note that March, April,
July, August, October and November over half of visitors are expected.
Increasingly tourists will travel by private car though marketing to the centre should encourage
access by coach. The potential visitor numbers that will visit the site once the new bridge is
opened is hard to predict, and a study is required. Similarly, the industrial and urban
development of the Cixi-Ningbo complex suggests a very high potential for visitors. It is
provisionally estimated that a car park with a capacity of 200 cars and 10 coaches should be
provided with substantial parking-overflow areas. Both the car and coach parks will be carefully
landscaped to minimize their visual impact, and the overflow area will be grassed and
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landscaped so that it can be used as a recreational area for visitors during the majority of the
year.
The centre will target school groups. The provision of services for the general public could be
described as 'educational recreation' rather than purely recreational. However, children's play
areas and 'educational' toys should also feature.  The centre wants to encourage the
ill-informed public but must provide a knowledge base for learning.
Distribution of visitors across the year is also taken into account; there need to be attractions at
all times of year. In the summer vacation more students from primary, high schools should be
targeted for summer camps. Winter will provide better bird viewing, but is generally a less
attractive time of year for outdoor visits. More people from urban areas will be attracted in the
public holidays (1-7 May and 1-7 October).At any time, groups of students might stay for short
term-field courses.
3.3.INDICATIVE DESIGN OF THE CENTRE AND ITS SURROUNDS
In recent years, wetland centres have been establishes at many key wetlands sites around the
world including Hong Kong. The Centre at Cixi should be designed with its own unique identity,
adopting the basic principles of wildlife-visitor interaction learned at other sites but establishing
its own character. This might include traditional design or traditional design incorporated in a
modern style. Or the use of traditional materials, like bamboo but using bamboo as a
contemporary building material with an eye to the future of sustainably produced construction
materials. The centre itself will be a model of ecological integrity; a 'green' building that will
serve as an example to industry in Cixi (Annex 1).
3.3.1.BUILDINGSASA PARTOF THELANDSCAPE
The challenge is to mix innovation with a more simplistic conservation landscape. The building
has to provide good viewing facilities, without disturbing wild birds or interrupting flight lines,
but it also must also accommodate shops and food halls, educational facilities cloakrooms and
toilets as well as enabling access to able bodied and disabled people alike.  Service
maintenance is also a primary consideration.
Yet the landscape too can serve both a human and wild life purpose. Waste water treatment
in reed beds would be one example. Buildings act as sound and site screens.
Based on guesstimates of predicted visitor numbers, the proposed landscaped area will occupy
some 10,000m2, which is the area currently designated as wetlands nature reserve and
approximates to the area covered by the existing ponds, agricultural land. Thus areas
designated will continue to be dedicated to conservation.
The design philosophy of the Al site has been to consider it as an environmental and ecological
whole. All features will radiate out from the existing, essential feature of the site, the open
water space varying the depth of water level.
The aim is to provide a series of exceptional wetland and other habitats, suitable for a wide
variety of wildlife, but especially wildfowl.
Between these will be walkways, board walks, birds watching houses etc, which will take
visitors through managed wetland habitats and give views over areas of wild habitat, which will
remain undisturbed from human intrusion.
3.3.2. THE BUILDING
The Centre can be divided into parts: service zone and main building. It is planned to have two
storied building. The main building will be 5000 m2 and rest space for service zone. The service
zone could be separated off from the main public. Shop and retail catch people on the way out
and can be acceded without people coming into centre itself. It is ideal to put the main visitor
toilets near the car parking for when those people arrive and last thing before depart, apart
25



from disturbance. In the service zone, parking area (200 cars and 10 coaches) together with
toilets nearby in one side and on the side there will be a restaurant (set beside the pond to have
a better view), shops and retails beside it.
The main building will include lobby, displays, information desk, shopping area, projection room,
offices, storage room and toilets on the first floor.
On second floor, there will be lecture hall with 100 seats, electronic library, view gallery for
birds or coast, tea house or coffee, labs, offices and small-sized meeting room and so on.
Key educational Kit:
In the environmental and education centre, the following information will be shown to the
public. The key category will be broken into the following in the different zones:
P Basic knowledge of the wetlands, including the functions of wetlands, values etc.
P Brief introduction of biodiversity in Hanghzhou Bay
P Cixi coastal mudflat and reclamation history
P waterbirds recorded in the coastline
P Fish species
P Cixi bethons
P Cixi flora
P Allien species invasion
P WB-GEF project background
P 'green' building an example in Cixi
> List the sponsorships for the establishment of the centre if any.
3.3.3. THE LANDSCAPE
At this stage, the landscape is not detailed. Nearly 300 ha (c 90%) of Al it is proposed to be
seen as an openspace water area though in fact it will comprise smaller interlinked and
controllable water bodies in which water levels can fluctuate. Different bird species require
different water depths and this requirement is often very precise. Management of an artificial
hydrological regime (flooding and draining) is both a science and an art and requires proven
management skills. Even the physical and ecological requirements of a high water roost for
shore birds (as proposed in Al), may vary from species to species.
Other features on site might include a wooded area, which creates an excellent buffer zone,
and provides audio screening to minimize disturbance and visual screening to provide closer
access to view water bodies. Many waterbirds, for example, herons, storks, egrets, ibis (some
of the biggest and most spectacular water birds) roost and nest in trees. Many raptors also nest
in trees and perch in trees. Raptors are often the most spectacular and visible birds in wetlands.
An osprey catching a fish and even nesting at the site would be a good visitor draw and
conservation learning tool. Well placed trees on the site are very important. It is proposed to
plant trees to the east and south of the site, where they will not interrupt flyways but would
provide shelter from wind, which can be a great attraction to birds in exposed coastal sites.
The inter-tidal marsh areas of A3 and A5 also need to be included in these considerations as the
foraging areas are balanced by roosting and loafing areas. A3 and A5 plots are also important
since they will act as a nucleus for repopulating the mudflats and marshes outside the new
seawall. The availability of shellfish and other marine organisms would provide food for birds
and help the tidal mudflat ecosystem recover from the damage caused by the current
over-harvesting. In addition these areas together with the water pumped through the 300 ha
wetland in Al will have the added value of removing much of the pollution in the inland drains
and, to a lesser extent, replace the tidal wetlands that are now behind the new sea wall. This
water reaches the inshore Hangzhou Bay via the sea gates.
26



Some remodeling of A3 and the island of A5 may improve the wildlife carrying capacity, though
the implementation of a management plan may be more critical.
In the areas immediately surrounding the environmental education and research centre it
would be appropriate to include a pedestrian only precinct to the environmental education and
research centre, which would provide the main walkway for visitors from the car parks and
passes through artificial ponds and perhaps some sculptures. Visitors also spend a lot of visit
time in or in the vicinity of their parked car, so the car parks must be included to meet the
overall design criteria and not be regarded as a separate entity.
Some land near the education facilities should be developed as demonstration aquaculture and
organic farm plots. This would be of great interest to children and adults alike.
Recommendations on the demonstration of the clean energy.
On 16, January 2006, Cixi PMO and Wetlands International-China held a meeting and
exchanged ideas regarding the current work progress before the World Bank pre-review
mission. In order to demonstrate 'Green' concept by the Cixi Environmental Education and
Research Centre, it is suggested to establish a multifunctional power tower using local potential
wind energy except for the solar energy. The proposed multifunctional tower will play the
following functions or roles: 1) provide clean power to the centre; 2) control and prevent from
the forest fire; 3) provide visitors with birdwatching especially those shorebirds habitat along
the mudflat by the lift; 4) last but the most important function is for patrolling, which makes
contribution to the management of Cixi coast the and control the over harvesting along the
mudflat. The proposed multifunctional tower will be installed in Al.
It is also discussed to set up a biogas pond to provide electricity in the centre to demonstrate
the clean development mechanism in a different way.
3.3.4.MANAGEMENTPLANNINGAND SKILLS TRAINING
The wetland landscape is dynamic and a conservation management plan for the whole area and
specifically for Al needs to be prepared alongside the landscape design. Water regimes need
to be worked out in advance, as do planting and maintenance procedures.  Landscape
planning for wildlife requires a skill sets than those learned by most employees in urban or
commercial landscape sectors and training of senior managers should start as soon as this
development receives the go ahead.
4. INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
Cixi Government has established a Project Leading Group for the project under the direction of
Mayor Hong and Vice Mayor Hu. The Project Leading Group includes representatives from
various Cixi City agencies. In addition to this Group, Cixi City government has also established
an Technical Expert Group The World Bank mission in November 2005 suggested the group of
technical experts be expanded to include relevant Ningbo Municipal Government agencies,
including the Forestry Bureau (responsible for wetlands), Environmental Protection Bureau
(responsible for water quality), Water Resources Bureau (responsible for reclamation),
Agriculture Bureau (responsible for fishing, crab-farming, shell fish collection etc.), Land
Resources Bureau (responsible for land uses), and Planning Bureau (responsible for land-use
planning).
Cixi City Government has nominated the Construction Bureau to be the implementing agency
for the Centre. The Construction Bureau has good expertise in project management and
construction. This would be an unprecedented demonstration of inter-sectoral sustainable
development in which construction interests positively demonstrate their concern for the
natural environment and environmentally friendly technologies. However, the Bureau
understandably does not have the necessary ecological expertise necessary to manage an
Environmental Education and Research Centre which should be taken into consideration.
27



A management fund for a consortium of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and
universities to participate in the detailed design and management of the environmental
education and research centre would be essential. A consortium could bring the energy and
expertise of the academic and NGO communities, and perhaps bring additional funding and
lower overall costs. Some innovative approaches such as voluntary work and state and private
enterprise involvement (including sponsorship) are also possible in the construction and
running of the centre.
The future management of the wetland conservation area should be well thought of in
advance. It is very important that future manager(s) of the centre and its wetland habitats
receive specialist training as soon as the project is approved. These managers should also have
a role in the design, landscaping and construction of the centre. On-the-job training can also be
undertaken combining the theoretic learning and study tours to some domestic and overseas
education or environmental education and research centre.
In order to strengthen the natural wetlands conservation of the Cixi coast and management of
the Environmental Education and Research Centre, three initial options for the wetlands
management mechanism have been proposed at the pre-review meeting of the World Bank
mission from 23-26 of January 2006. The three options include: Option 1. To designate an
institutional agency responsible for daily management of the natural wetlands and the
environmental education centre; Option 2: Management is conducted by the local government;
Option 3: to organize an independent consortium of non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
and universities to manage the natural wetlands and the centre under the support of the Cixi
government. An analysis of the advantages and disadvantages among the options will be made
in the following aspects such as the nature of the institution, funding, welfare, public
participation and working efficiency etc.
Optionl. An independent enterprise/institution will be designated to be responsible for the
natural wetlands and the daily operation of the centre. Obviously, the centre will be managed
according to the market as their focused is based on the profit. The management will be flexible
but random. The operational cost of the centre can be guaranteed in the early 4 years under
the financial support by the Global Environment Facility. However, follow-up funding will
probably not be secured. The staff welfare will not be guaranteed and the working staff
especially senior technicians or managers will not be kept long-term. Therefore, the scientific
researchers and environmental programmes will not work in a sustainable manner. The
sustainable mudflat management and activities in the public environmental awareness arena
can not continue without sufficient technical support and public participation. This model of the
management will be hard to implement at the current stage.
Option 2. Local governmental agency will directly manage the centre and wetlands areas
designated. Under the leadership of the Cixi government, a public institution will be established
with fixed staffing and be responsible for the daily work of the centre and the natural wetlands
management. The some fixed staffing will be registered in the government agency. The
follow-up operational cost will be available. The staff wages and their welfare will be confirmed.
However, it should be noted that this management model is lacking in technical support from
the universities, institutes and wide participation from local communities. The information
source is also very limited with this option. Their working effectiveness and efficiency may be
low due to the governmental complicated procedures and associated red tape.
Option 3. An independent consortium of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and
universities will be organized to manage the natural wetlands and the centre under the support
of the Cixi government.
28



The consortium will jointly manage the coastal wetlands and the education centre working with
related universities, NGOs and societies. The consortium will support wide public participation,
and technical input from related professional backgrounds. They will have clear tasks, support
each other and utilise their professional knowledge. The centre will strictly enforce the
Long-term Mudflat Management Plan of Cixi Coast. The Consortium will fully use their
potentials for fund raising. The key staff will registered and have a fixed salary, and other
technical inputs will be encouraged from societies, universities and voluntary work in particular.
The consortium will obtain a lot of information with public participation and technical support
and social impact will be significant due to efficient and flexible work. The consortium will
provide more opportunities to attract universities, institutes and NGOs to undertake public
awareness campaigns by media or seminars and workshops.
Therefore it is proposed that a multi-stakeholder committee consisting of governmental
sectors, professional bodies and environmental NGOs be set up to give guidance and decision
making capacities for the management of the centre and natural wetlands. The consortium will
be in charge of the daily work. It is suggested six divisions will be established: Environmental
Education, Public Liaison, Office, Finance and Research. The detailed responsibilities and tasks
are outlined as below:
Environmental Education: Responsible for the development of the annual workplan for the
environmental education programme and implementation of the wetland management plan.
Design and update the public materials in the centre. Organize the training, workshops and
develop the public materials and training module, guide summer camping and field practice for
the primary schools, junior and senior schools and university. Provide guidance for the
co-mangement of the local communities. Responsible for the education about environmental
laws, regulations and policies.
Public Liaison: Responsible for the development and implementation of foreign affairs
working regulations; Support other divisions to organize key reception activities. Establish a
close linkage with international organizations and civil societies. Make arrangements for
attending domestic and overseas workshops and programme exposure to the public.
Office: Responsible for administrative affairs and logistics including administration, filing and
personnel resources, volunteers recruiting, on-job training and continued education.
Finance: Responsible for financial management and equipment procurement. One of key tasks
is to raise funds from different sources, seeking for donation or sponsorship from social bodies,
enterprises;
Resource management and Research: Responsible for the development and
implementation of the management plan and research programme. Contribution to the
introduction, extension and exchange of the latest scientific research outcomes. Conduct
regular surveys on the wildlife and mudflats, monitoring and databases will be made. Working
together with fishery, forestry, environment and water resource sectors for the ecological
conservation and especially the monitoring of avian flu and migratory waterbirds along the Cixi
coastal area; Organize scientific study tours, bird watching and scientific knowledge extensions.
Give guidance to local communities for wise use of wetlands resources.
29



Institutional Diagram (Option 3)
Cixi Government
(Construction  Bureau-leading  and
coordinating agency)
Cixi Wetlands Management Committee
(Consisting of the Construction, Planning Finance,
Forestry, Agriculture, Water resource, Environment,
Tourism, Ocean, T wnships, tIGOs and universities
|(peration Director)l
,LCixi Wqtlands Maiilagement Co\nsortium 4
| Offce || Finance  | | Public Liaison    Environmental       Resources
Education            management    &
l  ll   l l           |   | Education    l     ~~~~~Researches
5. FINANCE
5.lCost estimate
The maximum GEF grant is most likely to be close to US$ 5 million. Cixi City Government has
adequate financial resources to cover all counterpart costs. Preliminary capital and operational
cost estimate are shown in the tables below.
Table 1 Cost estimates of the Cixi Environmental Education and Research Centre
No.              Items              Size    Number      Unit       Total
______~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.........           Price
1       Centre civil construction   m       10,000      1,500   15,000,0000
2       Indoor decoration           m       10,000      500     5,000,000
3       Office equipment            18,000
4       Facilities for the Centre(see  4,135, 947
lists)
5       Exhibit boards, showcase,   300,000
public materials
6       Furniture for the Centre    300,000
7       Books, reference books,     500,000
software, media
8       Apparatus, facilities for lab  250,000
Total                       RMB 25,503,947    USD 3,187,993
30



Auxiliary facilities for Al
Items         Width   Length (im)    Total area  Unit price/   Total
(m2)        (m2)
Access Rd (5m wide)   5       500          2,500            120    300,000
Pedestrian Path(Gravel  1     3,000        3,000            185    555,000
and Boardwalk)
Parking area          3       5            1,500            100    150,000
Items           No     Area (m2)     Total area  Unit price/   Total
(m2)        (m2)
Bird observation      5        20           100            1,500    150,000
Restaurant            1                     150            1,5000   225,000
Watch tower           1                                             300,000
Total                RMB 4,245,000                           USD530,625
Table 2 Cost Estimate of Ecological Restoration and Engineering (Cixi Wetlands Development
Option 1)
Items                     No    Total    Area Size Ha    Unit   Price Total
l (sqm)        I          RMBp/sqm
Permanent   Water   body  9      860,890     86       12           10,330,680
(earth moving + pumps and
piping)
Ephemeral Water Areas     1      706,960     71        8           5,655, 680
Treatment Wetland Beds    1      130,292     13        35           4,560,220
Islands  (earth  moving, 18      163,710     16        30           4,911,300
shaping and planting)
Planting  (around   main  1      500,000     50        5           2,500,000
visitor area
Comprehensive 10%             2,795,788
Total                     RMB 30,753,668      USD 3,844,209
Table 3 Operational costs for the Cixi Environmental Education & Research Centre
No. Items                       Numbers        Unit price     Total
1    Staff salary               12             4,000          576,000/year
2    Public awareness activities                              300,000/year
3    Communication cost                                       30,000/year
4    Public facilities maintenance                            500,000/year
5    Equipment maintenance                                    50,000/year
6    Other  overheads  (training,                             400,000/year
travel, workshops, study tours)
7    Office stationary and supplies                           30,000/year
8    Water and power                                          300,000/year
9    Part-time staff            15             1,800          324,000/year
10   Centre logistic management                               300,000/year
Total                      RMB 2,810,000x4years= 11,240,000  USD1,405,000
31



5.2. Financing plan
GEF considers the project to be a joint effort between the Cixi City Government and Ningbo
Municipal Government and expects some measures of symbolic financial support for the
project. The Centre is important for both Cixi City and Ningbo Municipal Government, and both
parties would benefit from a strong partnership and the recognition that would accrue from a
successful project. This project has to be listed into the 2006 fiscal year of Cixi government and
the Ningbo Municipal Government provide partial funding on a grant basis to Cixi for costs
related to the Environmental Centre facilities. Therefore some counterpart funds will be
available to guarantee the success of the project.
It is very important to provide a demonstration platform for environmental friendly technologies
and best practice so as to establish a link between the centre and Cixi business interests.
Therefore more enterprises are encouraged to sponsor the environmental education and
research centre. It is also important to pay special attention and provide support for a
conservation zone and management plans, for wildlife, livelihoods and coastal protection.
It is also crucial to attract academic institutions or universities to conduct scientific researches
or field surveys. The centre would provide some locations and some simple equipment in the
field laboratory for their researches which better attract some scientific funds and upgrade Cixi
recognition at national and regional level.
32



Annex 1. Conceptual Design for the Environmental Education and
Research Centre
WM'-                     __          .~~~~~~~~~~~~~LiL
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Comid k Rp t-Natual e  :r      --  3
~~~~~~~~~~~~~  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<t
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Annex 2. List of Purchasing Equipment
Item           Brand        Type                    No.    Unit price  Total
Computer       Dell         GX620                   20     10,799    215,980
Server         Dell         1850                    1      18,888    18,888
Projector     EPSON         7800-3500               1      40,500    40,500
Digital Video  SONY          HVR-A1P                1      125,000   125,000
Digital camera  Nikon       D200                    1      15,500    15,500
Scanner        Cannon       9950F                   1      4,980     9,960
Copy machine   Cannon       NP3300                  1      20,000    20,000
Printer       HP            LaserJet 1020           1      1,799     1,799
Printer       HP            5550                    1      46,000    46,000
(color)
Fax machine    Panasonic    KX-FC973CN              1      22,300
Telescope      Nikon                                6      12,000    72,000
Car           Toyota        ACR30L-MFSEK            1      200,000   200,000
Previa (STD) 2005
Bus ( 13seats Toyota        TRH224L-LEMNK           1      420,000   420,000
)                   ~~~~~~~HIACE 2.7 AT
Hovercraft     Home-made    Order-made              1      80,000    480,000
Pump           Home-made                            1      20,000    20,000
Control gate   Home-made                            1      100,000   100,000
Elevator       Home-made                            1      200,000   200,000
Wind power     UK           Proven                  1      153,000   153,000
6000w
Solar Panel    Home-made    200WP                   250m   8,000     2,000,000
2      /m2
RMB4,135,947 (USD) 516,993
Note: 1.Hovercraft will be order-made at the price of each seat. It costs 80,000 per seat.
Electric devices will be equipped based on the client requirement. Price can be negotiated.
34



Annex 3. Framework TOR for GEF Consultant Contract: Centre
Management Contract
Framework TOR for GEF Consultant Contracts: Center Management Contract
Consultant Terms of Reference
GEF Ningbo-Cixi Wetland Project
Management Framework of the Environmental Center
March, 2006
1. Background
East Asia's rapid economic growth has been accompanied by significant environmental
degradation. Land-based pollution and its impact on the region's rivers, lakes and other
wetlands is one of the most severe environmental problems resulting in severe degradation of
coastal wetlands, estuaries and marine ecosystems. To help littoral states address this problem,
the GEF and World Bank have agreed to establish a Pollution Reduction Investment Fund for
the Large Marine Ecosystems of East Asia (the Fund), the objective of which is to scale-up
investment in land-based pollution reduction the region's coastal areas and major river basins.
The Fund will finance activities related to World Bank pollution reduction investment projects
that are in innovative and can be replicated in other areas.
As the first project financed by the Fund, the GEF Ningbo-Cixi Wetland Project is associated
with the Cixi City component of the World Bank-financed Ningbo Water and Environment
Project (NWEP), which started in early 2005. The NWEP Cixi component includes: i) two
wastewater treatment plants, one located in the north of Cixi (100,000 m3/day) and one in the
east (50,000 m3/d); ii) associated collection system mains and link sewers (230 km of pipe and
58 pump stations). The GEF project will fund two components: i) constructed wetlands
associated with the two WWTPs in Cixi; ii) natural wetland component, including development
of an environmental education and research center in a large internationally recognized
International Migratory Bird Wetland (IMBW) of about 25 km2 to the east and north of the New
Bridge landfall in Cixi.
Cixi City, located north of Ningbo Municipality on the shore of Hangzhou Bay, has a population
of around one million people and one of the most dynamic county level economies in the
country in terms of capacity and competitiveness. The newly started construction of
Cixi-Shanghai Bridge across the Hangzhou Bay is seen by Cixi as a new opportunity to integrate
Cixi into Shanghai and Yangtze Delta Region and therefore will further strengthen Cixi's
economy. Millions of visitors are expected to visit or stop by at Cixi and Ningbo through the new
Bridge to southeast coastal area of China. Cixi City Government has taken opportunity for
further improving the city's environment, livability and competitiveness. In the meantime, Cixi
new city area on both sides of the Bridge along the Bay is being planned, nature conservation
for wetlands in Hangzhou Bay area is being initiated, and control of water pollution is expected
through the implementation of the newly approved NWEP. The city has set its objective to
become an "environmentally and ecologically friendly" city, and sees this as the approach to its
sustainable development.
For the preparation and implementation of this GEF project, the Cixi Government has
established a Leading Group and an Expert Group in 2005. The Leading Group is headed by
Mayor Hong Jiaxiang and Vice Major Hu Liming and consists of directors of twelve bureaus. The
Expert Group is headed by Prof. Chen Jiakuang from Fudan University, and consists of two
other outside experts and experts from seven Cixi bureaus (additional experts from Ningbo
Bureaus). The Cixi Government has nominated the Cixi Construction Bureau as the Lead
(io,,1vibi'1tskI i(I \   R2p&rS  - ;Vatiirull WctUlani NSndY A1iarhel 2006  35



Agency responsible for the implementation of the GEF project. As the constructed wetland
and natural wetland components are closely related and have complementary activities, the
Cixi Government has decided that the design of the Environmental Center, the enhancement of
natural and constructed wetlands will be completed by one engineering consultancy contract.
To give full play of the educational purpose of the Environmental Center and the ecological
values of the enhanced wetlands, the Cixi Construction Bureau has decided to contract a
consultant-consortium (the Consortium) to advise on the detailed design, construction and
implementation of the Education and Research Center and its associated IMBW, and to
development long-term ecological and operational Management Plans for the entire site. The
Consortium will also work with all parties during the construction period and be responsible for
managing the Education and Research Center and IMBW in the initial years that it is hoped the
site may be opened to the public and for scientific research in late 2008. It is expected that
the Consortium will comprise non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and universities or
possibly international advisors with experience in this field... This TOR specifies qualifications
and tasks to be undertaken under this contract.
2 Objectives
The GEF Project expects that the Consortium bring the energy and expertise of the academic
and NGO communities to the design and operations of the Environmental Center (Cixi Wetland
Center (CWC))and its associated natural wetland. It is also expected that the Consortium
leverage additional funding and lower overall costs for the operation of the CWC. In particular,
the Consortium is expected to achieve the following objectives in four years.
To provide ecological and technical advice for the detailed landscape and architectural design of
the CWC that will ensure that the CWC realizes its full potential for pollution reduction of inland
and coastal waters of the Cixi coastal wetlands, maximizes the opportunities for wetland
conservation, research, and environmental education, and demonstrates the value of the CWC
at an international level;
To identify and implement appropriate management practices that help the natural wetland
evolve to a high quality habitat for international migratory birds (or, an international migratory
bird wetland, IMBW) and for continuous repopulation of over-exploited coastal resources;
To develop a business plan and appropriate financing mechanisms for the sustainable
operations of the CWC in the long-term; and
To establish operational mamagement systems and mechanisms to monitor the CWC in the
longer term.
3. Proposed Use of the Natural Wetlands
The Cixi City Government has decided to develop an environmental education and research
center on the periphery of a restored wetland that it hopes will become of international
importance. The designated wetland will cover east and north of the New Bridge landfall in
Cixi (see District A on the map for details of the project area). The area is mostly shallow water,
mudflats and tidal channels and encompasses the above high tide plots Al, A3, and A5. Plots
Al, A3 and A5 will form an integrated landward whole for the IMBW with flight paths for birds
flying to and from the sites at high and low tides. It has been agreed that the intertidal marsh
areas of A3 and the island of A5, which are currently used for agriculture and small scale
fisheries and crab farming should be landscaped so as to improve their ecological integrity;
the zones would be regarded to give natural slopes and permit tidal ebb and flow. The few
crab and fish farms there would be re-located. A boundary fence along the entire lower seawall
from of the reserve (together with an awareness campaign) will control human access to the
marshes and mudflats to fish or collect clams and crabs.
('onihim,,1 u.Osk 2 SK 3 Rei)ort - Naturul 11'ctlaltei Studtyl' NA  -'1  9  36



A C,
i~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
F'-  a
r                -  1 :. -. Dlstrlct~#  14
~~~~~~~~~~~Parcel
..    .                                        y ,.
a-i~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~,
Map. Project Area indicating Details of Section A of Cixi Coastal Areas
In Al plot, the Cixi City Government has decided to designate - 300 ha ("90%) which will be
freshwater with controlled fluctuating levels, wildlife lagoons and ponds. These would be
suitably planted with trees to provide shelter and nesting areas as well as screening people
from the waterbirds. Any tree planting would also comply with government regulations for
coastal protection. Any farming actifities would be tightly controlled and detailed with in the
Management Plan. Of prime importance in the landscape design is the way that screening
with embankments, planting and water barriers will separate the wild areas from the visiting
public so that the wildlife can be easily seen without disturbance. Control of any disturbance is
a key factor in attracting and holding birds in the IMBW. . A series of floating buoys have been
suggested to be placed in the shallow offshore area to restrict boat access to only those visiting
the site for ecological purposes. Access to the International Migratory Bird Wetland should be
limited to bird watchers who could use Al seawalls or the canals in group tours using buses and
tour boats. The remaining 10% of Al (- 33 ha) will be used for the the Environmental Center
focusing on bird watching, general and recreational education of the public (including exhibits
of sustainable ecosystems), wetland research, and other activities. An important focus of the
centre could be to emphasise the importance of wetlands as sources of food, medicines and
livelihoods for local people. An ecologically seafood restaurant could play the dual role of
informing the public as well as earning revenue.
A3 and A5 will act as a nucleus for repopulating the mudflats and marshes outside the new
seawall. The availability of shellfish and other marine organisms would provide food for birds
and help the tidal mudflat ecosystem recover from the damage currently resulting from
over-harvesting. (This is of increased concern as the Bridge opens up this area for greater
public access.  In addition these areas together with the water pumped through the 300 ha
wetland in Al will incidentally remove considerable water pollution and to some extent replace
the tidal wetlands that are now behind the new sea wall. This water reaches the inshore
Hangzhou Bay via the sea gates.  Overall the entire IMBW will reduce the ecological risks to
the inshore coast of Hangzhou Bay that inevitably occurred when the new sea wall enclosed 
90% of the existing tidal marshes in the Cixi coastal region. Suitably engineered, the area
could also process the inevitable pollution resulting from the new highway and its associated
development.
C'oibim-lnut lIAk .' &k 3 Rc)ori - Va'tlwal hctlhiweillYl St 1yiu,ch 2006   37



4. Scope of Work
The Consortium is expected to perform the following four tasks.
Task 1: Participation in Ecological Design of the Environmental Center and its
Associated Wetland
The detailed ecological design for the Environmental Center and enhancement of the natural
wetlands associated with the Environmental Center will be carried out by an Ecological
Engineering Consultant during the implementation of this GEF project. The Consortium shall
participate in the detailed ecological design processes of all three activities. The following
services should be provided:
>   Advise on enhancement of the natural wetlands associated with the Environmental Center:
>e  Advise on modifying the land use around the education center
P Advise on designing and reconstruction of the wetland (e.g. the routes for water flow,
demonstration of polluted water treatment, etc)
Advise on the hydrological regime to create a freshwater or saline wetland, and the
creation of diverse habitats that will enable water and other birds to feed, roost and breed
7   Advise on improving local vegetation to attract wild animals, including migratory birds in
different seasons
- Advise on development bird watching infrastructure (bird watching hut, tower)
> Advise on constructing the paths and roads and screening within wetlands area, to enable
visitors to experience the wetlands closely without causing disturbance
P   Support for the ecological design of education center, to achieve the three expected
functions: environmental education, wetlands research, bird watching as well as visitor
facilities for example a retail shop, restaurant, and toilets
7 Recommend an appropriate location and size for the education center
- Recommend appropriate facilitates (for education, office running, etc) for the center
P Contribute professional knowledge and skills to design the center
> Determine specific zoning of the building with their own functions
P Layout of access arrangements, ticketing, carpark, picknick areas etc.
Task 2: Development of Management Plan
The Consortium shall prepare an overall wetland management plan for the CWC. This will
consist of 5 linked plans:
(1). The ecological status of the Cixi wetlands and guidelines for its sustainable management
and an overview pointing to concerns that require particular attention.
(2). A Management Plan for the Cixi Wetland Centre. The major management tool for the CWC
restored wetlands providing a current biodiversity statement (for use as a monitoring tool) and
description of land and water management on an annual basis, specific requirements for
specific habits. It would include descriptions as to how people are managed around the site.
(3). The Cixi Coastal research plan. Identifying research needs in relation to pollution
management, migatory birds, and wetland restoration.
The management plan shall clarify the objectives of site management, identify factors that
affect (or may affect) the key features of the natural wetland, propose actions required to
achieve the management objectives, estimate the cost of the action required, and specify
monitoring requirements. During the management planning process, the Consortium should
consult a broad range of stakeholders so that a mechanism for conflict resolution can be
formulated and commitments from all stakeholders can be established.
As the natural wetland associated with the Environmental Center is closely linked with the rest
of wetland areas east to the New Bridge, it is suggested that the Consortium study the current
and planned uses of these wetlands. Based on broad stakeholder consultation, the Consortium
38



shall prepare an overall Cixi Coastal Environmental Management Plan for the sustainable uses
of these wetlands.
Specification
The proposed natural wetlands and the environmental education and research centre has the
following roles:
P Demonstrate the baseline of ecosystem of Cixi mudflat
P Maintain biological diversity
P Provide natural laboratory for scientific research
P Functions as the classroom for public education
P A site for people's recreation
P Conserve water resources and reduce the pollution along the East China coastline
P Demonstrate the sustainable use of natural resources
P Promote the international cooperation and exchange
The management plan is a special document and is used for guiding and manipulating
protection, management and wise use of the natural resources. The management plan is to
help the managers to effectively make use of the existing resources and address the main
problems of the natural wetlands. The management plan can also help the higher authorities or
external donors to learn the priority areas of the natural wetlands in Cixi.
General Introduction of management plan
The management plan is consisted of four parts: 1) Description of the natural wetlands site. It
is to provide an objective basis for the follow up actions to be taken around the natural
wetlands site. It will include natural condition, biological resources, protection target, culture,
and history, social and economic aspects, management structure and operation; 2) Analysis
and review. Based on the current situation of the wetlands site, comparing with the overall
objectives, to justify the importance of the natural wetlands; to find out the problems or
difficulties existing to address; to prioritize the problems and solve in the coming years. 3)
Measures and actions. In order to realize the management objectives and decide the
appropriate actions, illustrating each action's goal, approaches, budget and time; 4) Action plan
and budget. The actions need to be prioritized. It is the basis for making the timetable for all
the actions to be taken during the implementation. The whole budget of the management plan
is prepared in light of the each action.
Methodology
The development of the management plan needs a series of methodologies. The procedures
and approaches will include the following items: 1) Establishment of organization, selection of
key managers and identifying responsibilities; 2) Collection of the baseline information by
surveys or second hand; 3) Analysis and review and prioritizing the problems; 4) Discussion
approaches to solve the problems; 5) Propose countermeasures and programme to eliminate
the factors and restrictions; 6) Development of the management plan;7) Circulate the
management plan to the stakeholders for their comments; 8) Revision the plan based on the
feedback from different stakeholders.
Implementation of the management plan
The management plan once has been approval by the Board or steering committee concerned.
It is entry into force. The annual workplan including the detailed activities, budget, monitoring
will be produced and a coordination mechanism established among the different stakeholders.
The management plan will be modified or improved based on the implementation. After the
management plan is implemented for some time. Evaluation will be made on the effectiveness
and efficiency of the implementation.
The research centre is an essential and needs to be started up as soon as possible. Cixi
especially Hangzhou Bay really needs this coastal wetlands research centre. It is also the basis
for the decision making.
39



Visitors management
Apart from strengthening the resource and environmental protection as well as scientific
researches, the center should aim to be self supporting in the future. Ecotourism and field trips
will be main programme to improve people's awareness for environment. The Center should
attempt to educate the visitors in two ways: near site for casual visitors and longer term for the
mainly bird watchers who have traveled specifically for the site. The needs of the casual
visitor are primarily educational and outdoor experience. A set of teaching dioramas or similar
in the center and small ponds and wetlands with easy boardwalk access over the water and
marshes is a good idea. For the serious bird watchers trips by car, bus or boat along a path
close to A2 or the sea wall and drainage canals to a series of bird blinds overlooking the Al
fluctuating freshwater wetlands or the tidal wetland of A 3 and A5 could be considered. For the
bird watchers the focus should be on the migratory birds.
The consortium defines tourism season, targets and routes in light of their local situation and
develop measures to guide the tourism activities and undertake some appropriate management
of those visitors who enter into the natural wetlands and centre. The main components of the
visitors management include:
P Professional visit
> Non-professional visits
P   Training of guides
P Designating of tourist routes
,   Erection of road marks and interpretative boards
P Special arrangements for children and handicapped
P Production and provision of public materials; and
P   Treatment and removal of trash
Thus the use of items for sale such as T-shirts and the location of a restaurant of some kind
should be considered.
This item should be coordinated with the nearby development of the area A2 with the Bridge
Company. It is important to have easy access to the visitor center so again coordination with
the Bridge Company to have a special off-ramp from the bridge to A2 and the Visitor Center is
essential.
The format of the management plan, as recommended in these guidelines, should comprise
five main sections, reflecting the main steps in the management planning process: i)
Preamble/policy; ii) Description; iii) Evaluation; iv) Objectives; and v) Action Plan. Note that the
steps of this process are repeated several times through the plan - they are applied to
ecological character, socio-economic interests, cultural values, and any other features of
interest. In general, it is good practice to begin with ecological character, but there is no implied
hierarchy. The recommended structure and content of each of these sections is further
described below and illustrated in Figure 1.
40



IPreamble/ Policy]A     - -- - -- - - -- - - -
4~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1
''~ ~ ~ ~~~~~ De1sJription
R        ~~~EC OLOG IC ALCHAR AC TER  SOCIOECONOMIC   CULTURAL         OTHER FEATURES
3. Objectuwsl
rationale
F.ur1Rcomede         trctreanCntn of acio npan            an
'J~~~~~~~~~~~~. Pr__j          eols
4.2 Work p,ogl .mme
4.3 Annal review 
4.4  Major reviewor s,Jit 
Figure 1. Recommended Structure and Content of a Management Plan
Task 3: Development of a Sustainable Financing Mechanism
The sustainable operation of the Environmental Center and its associated natural wetlands is
dependent on sustainable financing available to the Center. In addition to using the
Environmental Center and its associated IMBW to attract visitors and thus to generate revenues,
the Consortium should also explore other financial sources for support. Possible sources include
but not limited to: i) donation from domestic and international private business; ii) grant from
national and local governments and other public institutions; iii) grant from domestic and
international foundations; iv) grant from international organizations; and v) individual donation.
Moreover, the Consortium should explore other cost saving options such as using of volunteers.
The Consortium is encouraged to explore innovative fundraising and operational strategies. It is
expected that the Consortium develop a sustainable financing mechanism after three or four
years' operation.
Other options will be considered:
(1) Cooperate with some universities and institutes on scientific researches on the paid-service
by providing site or apparatus; Or share the data and research results with them.
(2) Attract school students and provide biological class;
(3) Produce green aquatic products such as rare sea food with high additional values and get
some revenues;
(4) Name some enterprises for the centre to increase income; Or enterprises donate their
products at the beginning of the construction of the centre. Their names of donors will
highlighted in the centre to attract more sponsorship.
(5) Sales for some souvenirs from wetlands (reed/bulrush nettings, local gifts), postcards,
stamps to get more funds;
(6) Possibly establishment of foundations based on experiences or lessons learned from the
first two years implementation supported by GEF and foundations will give consideration of
funds operation in a commercial manner;
C'mnhim,ij1 itsk 2 & 3 Repo,rt - NA'tulWrl 1,tladl Stud' M.'iVrch 2006        41



E      -
It is very important for the consortium to develop the business plan before the centre is opened.
The business plan will show how it moves towards financial sustainability.
Task 4: Operations of the Center for Four Years
Recognizing that China has very limited experience in managing environmental centers and
natural wetlands of this sort, the GEF project has decided to fully fund the operation of the
Environmental Center and its associated natural wetland for four years. And staff needs to be
trained before the site is open to the public.In these four years, the Consortium will manage the
operations of the Center and the natural wetlands, and its basic operational costs will be
covered by the GEF grant. The environmental performance of the Consortium will be measured
by key monitoring index, such as number of visitors, number of migratory birds in migrating
season etc. The economic performance of the Consortium will be measured by actual operating
costs of the Consortium, revenues generated from environmental education and bird watching,
and funds raised by the Consortium.
The Centre will help create awareness of the historical, present and future importance and
functions of Hangzhou natural coastal system and Cixi wetlands in particular and will
encourage industry in Cixi (and elsewhere) to adopt the principles of sustainable development.
The Centre will demonstrate the importance of the wetland habitat for the environmental
services it provides especially the provision of natural resource foods, which is of great interest
to Chinese people as well as the intrinsic significance of wetland biodiversity.
The centre will also demonstrate how reclaimed land can provide multi-functional uses that,
when well designed and managed, provide both for wildlife and sustainable development.
All tasks to be accomplished are to encourage people to visit the coastline and appreciate its
wide range of flora and fauna. These tasks encourage research and other educational activities.
The Consortium is involved with study bird migration etc.
(1). Identify position arrangement, include the Environmental Centre Board , Director of
Operations, Advisory Board, other positions for operation of the center.
(2). Develop a business plan (to be approved by the board) for the operation of center once the
center is opened. The operation plan will show how, once the center is opened, it moves
towards financial sustainability and independence from GEF in the first two years of operation.
There should not be an emphasis on fundraising (in the donor sense) but on business planning
and business sponsorship.
(3). Develop and carry out a series of programs focusing on public awareness and education
A series of open days featuring guest speakers prominent in their field.
General interpretation, displays and regular lectures.
Educational opportunities for schools and students. An education resource kit for schools is
available on request. Through a variety of programs, include the "muddy feet" students can
obtain a deeper understanding of ecological concepts and natural interrelationships.
A series of field courses, outdoor exhibits and a "field class room" run every year.
A regular newsletter, website and publications are published for general public, especially for
the board members.
(4). The Consortium actively promotes field research into the natural coastal wetland
ecosystem including monitoring, bird banding and surveillance of avian bird flu etc.
(5). Develop a fundraising plan and operate a series of fundraising programs such as rental
facilities and selling goods. The center offer indoor and outdoor settings, meeting rooms with
presentation equipment, electronic library, books and picnic areas--each with a view of the
surrounding areas and birdwatching. Food and drink service can be arranged through the
center.
42



(6).Enhance community involvement in the center management, and provide volunteer
opportunities because volunteers are valuable personnel of the center partnership; they
provide their skills and energy to the reforestation effort, clean-up projects, school programs,
maintenance of public facilities, trail construction, office work, and wildlife monitoring.
During the operations, the Consortium should adjust its management plan based on the
monitoring of the enhanced wetland and the operation situation of the Environmental Center.
Figure 2 shows an adaptable management cycle.
This adaptable approach enables the Consortium to I) learn through experience; ii) take
account of, and respond to, changing factors that affect the features; iii) continually develop or
refine management processes; and iv) demonstrate that management is appropriate and
effective.
AbAPTABLE MANAGEMENT
/    >       ~~~Obj ectives
Review management                         Implemen rriana*ement
4  L
Monitor condiffon of
-feaitures
Figure 2: Adaptable Management Cycle
5. Consortium Staffing and Qualifications
The Consortium shall have members from universities, research institutes, environmental NGOs
and individual experts on wetland conservation, environmental education and bird watching.
For members of universities and research institutes, they should have a proven record of
successfully managing the following types of projects: i) wetland research projects; ii) natural
conservation projects; and iii) environmental education. Experience working on issues related
to Hangzhou Bay is preferred. For members of environmental NGOs, they should have a proven
record of successfully organizing or participating in the following types of activities: i) wetland
research projects; ii) natural conservation projects; and iii) bird watching; iv) fundraising; v)
environmental education. For individual experts, they should have a combination of experience
in above mentioned projects or activities.
Director of Operation: The Director of Operation should have at least ten years of demonstrated
experience managing ecological research and natural conservation projects, and have
experience working on issues related to Hangzhou Bay. An advanced degree in environmental
management or science is required. International experience related to wetland conservation,
from study visits, research or study abroad, etc. and working knowledge of English is preferred.
( oninejitl X .1  k 2 & 3 R/xl) r - iVot,rtl nti Wl l uh,,d Nruv A1,-h 20)6  43



Wetland Ecologist: The wetland ecologist should have at least eight years of practical
experience in wetland research and conservation. An advanced degree in environmental
sciences or ecology is required.
Environmental/Urban Planner: The planner should have at least eight years practical
experience in environmental management and/or urban planning. An advanced degree in
environmental management or urban planning is required. The planner is qualified to oversea
the ecological design of the building. These positions can be short term and relate to the
design phase.
Environmental Education Specialist: The specialist should have at least eight years experience
in developing educational materials and exhibits related to environmental management, and in
particular wetlands, outdoor exhibits and a 'field class room' need to be incorporated. The
specialist needs to be in post in the design phase. The experience can be obtained through
teaching ecology or environmental science classes at the university level, and preparation of
exhibits for museums, visitor centers, etc. An advanced degree in ecology, environmental
science, or education is required.
Habitat manger needs to be appointed as an administrative support to the Director of
Opeartion. She/he should be in position from the start and oversea the design, development
and implementation of the landscape-which may need modification as it goes along the more
data is gather from the site.
Development Specialist: The development specialist should have at least eight years
experience in fundraising for conservation projects. Previous fundraising experience in
international NGOs will be preferred.
Hydraulic engineer/pollution controller needs to be there in the design phase. But this is not a
full time position.
Volunteers: Volunteers recruited by the Consortium should have basic understanding of
wetland conservation, bird watching and environmental education. These volunteers should be
capable of guiding touring groups and perform simple tasks of the daily operations at the
Environmental Center and its natural wetlands.
6. Reporting and Schedule
The assignment is expected to start in August 2006. The reports should be in Chinese and
English and ten copies should be provided to the PMO, as well as the electronic version. The
schedule is as follows:
Inception Report: September 1, 2006
Task 1: Progress report, December 2006
Task 2: Management Plan: March 1 2007
Task 3: Report on Sustainable Financing Mechanism, September 2010
Task 4: Semi-Annual Management Report, end of June and December for 2007, 2008, 2009
and 2010
7. Local Services and Facilities to be provided by Clientand Consultant
The NWEP PMO and the Cixi Construction Bureau should provide necessary information to the
Consortium so that the Consortium can participate actively in the detailed design of the
Environmental Center and its natural wetland. The Consortium will also be invited to participate
in stakeholder workshops and meetings related to the design and management of the
Environmental Center and the enhanced natural wetland, and development of Section B and
plot A2 and A4 of Section A. After the completion of the Environmental Center and its enhanced
natural wetland, the Cixi Construction Bureau should transfer the management of all facilities
44



on site to the Consortium. The Cixi Construction Bureau and the NWEP PMO will also provide
necessary assistance at the request of the Consortium.
8. Indicative Inputs and Contract Arrangements
45