INTEGRATED SAFEGUARDS DATA SHEET
CONCEPT STAGE
Report No.: AC650


Public Disclosure Authorized
Date ISDS Prepared/Updated: March 24, 2004

I. BASIC INFORMATION

A. Basic Project Data

Country: South Eastern Europe and
Project ID: P084608
Balkans
Project Name: Integrated Ecosystem
Task Team Leader: Rita Klees
Management of Neretva and Trebisjnica
River Basins
GEF Focal Area: International Waters
Global Supplemental ID: GE-P084608
Public Disclosure Authorized
Estimated Appraisal Date: December 6,
Estimated Board Date: July 21, 2005
2004
Managing Unit: ECSSD
Lending Instrument: Specific Investment
Loan
Sector: General water, sanitation and flood Theme: Water resource management
protection sector (100%)
(P);Biodiversity (S)
Safeguard Policies Specialists in the task team: Rita Klees
Loan/Credit amount ($m.):
Other financing amounts by source:
($m)
Co-financing TBD
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY
8
Borrower/recipient 5
Public Disclosure Authorized


B. Project Objectives [from section 3 of PCN]

The objective of the project is to improve the effectiveness of intuitions for the regulation,
control and management of water rights and water use within the NTRB. The project is
consistent with GEF Operational Program on Integrated Land and Water Multiple Focal Area
Operation Program, under the International Waterways Operational Strategy (OP#9) as it will: (i)
provide a comprehensive framework to manage natural systems across sectors and political or
administrative boundaries within the context of sustainable development; (ii) utilize inter-
sectoral and participatory approaches to transboundary water resource management and
implementation on an ecosystem scale; and (iii) facilitate prioritization and strategic sequencing
of needed policy reforms, investments, and other interventions. The project objective and
Public Disclosure Authorized
activities are fully consistent with the European Union (EU) Water Framework Directive The
project will have substantial benefits with a direct impact on the 300,000 people living in the
project region.

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C. Project Description [from section 4 of PCN]

The strategy to meet the project objective is to: (i) introduce an integrated water resource
management approach, on a transboundary river basin level, which ensures the maintenance of
critical water dependent ecosystems; (ii) support biodiversity conservation within key water
dependent ecosystems; and (iii) contribute to economic growth in the project region. The project
is to be implemented over five years and its components are currently envisioned as:

Component 1: Transboundary water resource management on the Neretva and Trebisjnica
River Basins (US$3.0 million). This component would finance the development of
mechanisms for transboundary river basin management and biodiversity conservation;
transboundary management tools including an environmental flows assessment and basin-
wide measurement, monitoring, modeling and database management for water resource
management; preparation of a NTRB management which addresses basinwide objectives;
and training and capacity building.

Component 2: Ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation ($2.5 million). This
component would focus on the protection of key and sensitive ecosystems and biodiversity
within the NTRB. It would finance an inventory of the biodiversity resources of the project
region identifying key habitats, species and ecosystems for protection and/or restoration;
define ecological objectives; and improve facilities and services of existing protected areas in
the project region.

Component 3: Community based resource conservation (US$1.5). This component would
support demonstration projects which show how communities living in vulnerable land/water
environments (e.g. salinized plains) can benefit from improved opportunities that arise when
water resources and ecosystems are managed more effectively. It would also support a
transboundary public forum of water and land users; and environmental NGO activities..
Component 4. Project Management(US$1.0 million) This component would support the
operations of a Project Implementation Unit in each country. In BiH the project preparation
implementing agencies are the Federal Ministry of Physical Planning and Environment of the
Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) and Ministry of Urbanism, Civil Works,
Housing/Communal Affairs and Environment of the Republika Srpska (RS). The PIU will
be in Mostar in an existing PIU for a WB project. In Croatia the project preparation
implementing agency is Croatia Waters, under the Ministry of Agriculture, Foresty and
Water Management. In both countries the PIU will coordinate project implementation by the
different agencies which would be involved, e.g. water, environment, agriculture, energy.

D. Project location (if known)

The project region includes, by definition, the basins of the Neretva and Trebisjnica rivers which
comprise the Adriatic watershed of Bosnia Herzegovina and the lower course and delta of the
Neretva River in Croatia. The total area is approximately 10,000 km2. The Neretva River (220

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km) is an international waterway shared by Bosnia Herzegovina (BiH) and Croatia. Within BiH
it has additional transboundary characteristics as it is shared by two entities - the Federation of
Bosnia Herzegovina (FBiH) and the Rebuplika of Srpska (RS) ­ each with its own government
and body of law. The Trebisjnica River (99 km) and its basin are located entirely in the RS but
are hydraulically linked to the Neretva River. (Annex 1: Map). The project will improve
protection of natural habitats and aquatic ecosystems in the river basin.

E. Borrower's Institutional Capacity for Safeguard Policies [from PCN]

The institutional capacity of the Borrower is adequate for project implementation. Where
needed, training will be provided to the implementing agencies. BiH has received grant
financing from the World Bank 2003-2005 for EIA capacity building which is linked directly to
implementation of the proposed project. Croatia's EIA system is consistent with that of the WB
and the EU. Implementing agencies in both countries have successfully implemented WB and
GEF projects.



II. SAFEGUARD POLICIES THAT MIGHT APPLY

Safeguard Policy
Applicable? If Applicable, How Might It Apply?
[ X]
Environmental Assessment (OP/BP 4.01)
No major adverse environmental impacts are expected under the project. The
impact of the project would be positive as proposed activities would help improve
the quality and quantity of water resources; ensure environmental flows that
maintain water-dependent ecosystems; and improve biodiversity conservation in
the project region. The project is receiving assistance from the World
Bank/Netherlands Water Partnership Program in preparation and implementation
from the environmental flows window. The environmental issues that may
require attention would be related to Component 2 (Ecosystem management and
biodiversity conservation) and Component 3 (Community based resource
conservation). Component 2 would include small civil works for rehabilitation of
existing structures, e.g. visitor center; and improved protected area management,
e.g. trails, information kiosks. Component 3 would finance demonstration
projects to be determined during preparation. EIAs and environmental
management plans would be required for each demonstration project. The small
grants program under this component would be administered according to an
operations manual which would include guidelines for environmental analysis and
monitoring of small grants.



[ ]
Natural Habitats (OP/BP 4.04)


[ ]
Pest Management (OP 4.09)

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[ ]
Involuntary Resettlement (OP/BP 4.12)


[ ]
Indigenous Peoples (OD 4.20)


[ ]
Forests (OP/BP 4.36)


[ ]
Safety of Dams (OP/BP 4.37)


[X ]
Cultural Property (draft OP 4.11 - OPN 11.03)
The project might finance restoration works in cultural or historical monuments in
the Neretva delta (Croatia). Croatia's "Cultural Property" regulations, which
have been reviewed under previous WB projects and found satisfactory (Croatia
Municipal Infrastructure Project), would apply.


[ ]
Projects in Disputed Areas (OP/BP/GP 7.60)*


[X ]
Projects on International Waterways (OP/BP/GP 7.50)

The Neretva and Trebisjnica River Basins are transboundary with BiH and
Croatia. The two riparian countries are considered "notified" already as they
are both part of the project.




Environmental Assessment Category:
[ ] A [X] B [ ] C [ ] FI [ ] TBD (to be determined)


III. SAFEGUARD PREPARATION PLAN

A. Target date for the Quality Enhancement Review (QER), at which time the PAD-stage ISDS
would be prepared. September 2004

B. For simple projects that will not require a QER, the target date for preparing the PAD-stage
ISDS

C. Time frame for launching and completing the safeguard-related studies that may be needed.
The specific studies and their timing1 should be specified in the PAD-stage ISDS.

Draft EIA and EMP: November 2004
Final EIA and EMP: January 2005

* By supporting the proposed project, the Bank does not intend to prejudice the final determination of the parties' claims on the
disputed areas
1 Reminder: The Bank's Disclosure Policy requires that safeguard-related documents be disclosed before appraisal (i) at the
InfoShop and (ii) in-country, at publicly accessible locations and in a form and language that are accessible to potentially affected
persons.

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IV. APPROVALS

Signed and submitted by:


Task Team Leader:
Rita Klees
Date
Approved by:


Regional Safeguards Coordinator:
Ron Hoffer
Date
Comments
Sector Manager:
Marjory Anne Bromhead
Date
Comments

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