INTEGRATED SAFEGUARDS DATASHEET
APPRAISAL STAGE
I. Basic Information
Date prepared/updated: 05/06/2008
Report No.: AC2792
Public Disclosure Authorized
1. Basic Project Data
Country: South Eastern Europe and
Project ID: P084605
Balkans
Project Name: ALBANIA/MONTENEGRO LAKE SKHODER INTEGRATED
ECOSYSTEM MANAGE
Task Team Leader: Karin Shepardson
GEF Focal Area: International waters
Global Supplemental ID:
Estimated Appraisal Date: March 12, 2008
Estimated Board Date: May 27, 2008
Managing Unit: ECSSD
Lending Instrument: Specific Investment
Loan
Sector: General agriculture, fishing and forestry sector (100%)
Theme: Biodiversity (P);Environmental policies and institutions (S);Water resource
Public Disclosure Authorized
management (S)
IBRD Amount (US$m.):
0.00
IDA Amount (US$m.):
0.00
GEF Amount (US$m.):
4.55
PCF Amount (US$m.):
0.00
Other financing amounts by source:
BORROWER/RECIPIENT
0.74
Local Sources of Borrowing Country
8.57
Bilateral
Agencies
(unidentified)
5.90
15.21
Environmental Category: B - Partial Assessment
Public Disclosure Authorized
Simplified Processing
Simple []
Repeater []
Is this project processed under OP 8.50 (Emergency Recovery)
Yes [ ]
No [X]
or OP 8.00 (Rapid Response to Crises and Emergencies)
2. Project Objectives
The Project Development Objective is to help establish and strengthen institutional
mechanisms for transboundary cooperation through joint efforts to improve sustainable
management of Lake Skadar-Shkoder.
3. Project Description
The project will achieve its objectives through three main components: (i) Capacity
Building for Improved Understanding and Joint Management of the Lake; (ii) Promoting
Sustainable Use of the Lake; and (iii) Catalyzing Pollution Reduction Investments. Some
Public Disclosure Authorized
project-financed activities will be carried out in both countries and some in each country
but all activities will have lake-wide benefits.
Component 1: Capacity Building for Improved Understanding and Joint Management
of the Lake (Total: US$3.43 million; GEF: US$1.80 million)
20.
This component builds capacity to establish and strengthen institutional
cooperation to operationalize the Bilateral Lake Management Committee. Technical
working groups will be established to support SAP activities including: develop a lake-
wide management plan; raise public awareness and conduct public education programs;
and coordinate tourism planning and marketing. The component will also support
incremental activities with a transboundary dimension beyond ongoing national-level
water and ecological monitoring and research on the lake including: (a) create a
predictive hydrological model of the lake basin; (b) research and monitor to better
understand impacts of changes in inflowing water quantity and quality; and (c) harmonize
monitoring on both sides of the lake through a publicly accessible joint database. Under
this component the project will engage with GEF International Waters Learning
Exchange and Resource Network IW:LEARN, which includes project promotional
materials, participation in international workshops, and data exchange. A key output of
this component will be improved information and coordination for transboundary
decision-making.
Component 2: Promoting Sustainable Use of the Lake (Total: US$4.79 million; GEF
US$1.06 million).
21.
This component will promote adoption of sustainable approaches to economic
development of the lake (and its natural resources) by focusing on tourism and fisheries
where there is high potential for economically significant sustainable use. It will support
environmentally and socially sustainable tourism by improving nature- and culture-based
facilities and attractions; raising public awareness; and providing technical assistance to
local residents considering tourism-based businesses. It will support sustainable fisheries
management by helping to develop lake-wide stock assessment and fisheries management
plans and by integrating plan results and recommendations into national plans,
regulations, and programs. In response to this assessment, the project will provide
incentives for fishermen to cease illegal fishing methods and help strengthen government
regulatory and enforcement capacity for fisheries management.
Component 3: Catalyze Pollution Reduction Investments (Total: US$11.51 million;
GEF: US$1.69 million).
22.
This component will support selected investments to stimulate pollution reduction
activities: educate and encourage people to replicate demonstration projects of village-
level wastewater treatment and buffer vegetation restoration; and provide TA to catalyze
remediation of the lake's largest-scale industrial pollution "hotspot." A demonstration
pilot project for wastewater treatment, based onconstructed wetlands, is proposed for the
village of Vranjina in Montenegro, in locations visible along the lake and the main road
to facilitate education and promote replication. Technical assistance will be provided to
the Government of Montenegro to prepare for a large-scale remediation investment. The
government has budgeted an initial â,¬5.0 million to invest at the site, however the full
costcan be determined only upon completing an inventory, feasibility study, and site
remediation design. Project TA funds will support an inventory and characterization of
on-site waste and feasibility study/preliminary design of options study for remediation,
recycling, and/or disposal. The TA would include an international adviser to assist
regulatory authorities' work on the KAP site, and some financial support for an EIA on
recommended actions from the feasibility study. Restoration of lakeshore buffer
vegetation to protect against siltation and chemical run-off will be demonstrated in
Albania. This includes: (a) Restore prioritized lakeside groves (willows and other native
trees) in erosion-prone areas; (b) Implement stream bank erosion control at one site
through combined re-vegetation, gabions, and other small infrastructure; and (c) Support
community-driven vegetation and restoration sites (prioritizing buffer vegetation for fish
nursery areas
4. Project Location and salient physical characteristics relevant to the safeguard
analysis
Lake Skadar-Shkoder, the largest lake on the Balkan peninsula (surface area averages
475 km2), is located on the border between Montenegro and Albania, south of the
Dinaric Alps. The proposed project area consists of the lake and immediately
surrounding areas. In Montenegro the entire project area falls within the Lake Skadar
National park, and in Albania within the Lake Shkoder Managed Nature Reserve. Water
quality of the lake is currently good, due in part to economic decline and industrial
collapse during the 1990s helped to reduce pollution inputs to the lake. However,
renewed economic growth in the area threatens to recreate earlier pollution problems
unless proactive management measures are taken. The lake is an important refuge and
stopover for migratory birds and has a rich fish fauna, but the area's globally significant
biodiversity is threatened by over-exploitation (fishing, hunting, tree cutting).
5. Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialists
Ms Karin Shepardson (ECSSD)
Ms Paula F. Lytle (ECSSD)
Ms Natasa Vetma (ECSSD)
6. Safeguard Policies Triggered
Yes No
Environmental Assessment (OP/BP 4.01)
X
Natural Habitats (OP/BP 4.04)
X
Forests (OP/BP 4.36)
X
Pest Management (OP 4.09)
X
Physical Cultural Resources (OP/BP 4.11)
X
Indigenous Peoples (OP/BP 4.10)
X
Involuntary Resettlement (OP/BP 4.12)
X
Safety of Dams (OP/BP 4.37)
X
Projects on International Waterways (OP/BP 7.50)
X
Projects in Disputed Areas (OP/BP 7.60)
X
II. Key Safeguard Policy Issues and Their Management
A. Summary of Key Safeguard Issues
1. Describe any safeguard issues and impacts associated with the proposed project.
Identify and describe any potential large scale, significant and/or irreversible impacts:
No large scale, significant or irreversible environmental impacts are expected. Primary
impacts would be construction relating to investments in small scale wastewater
improvements, upgrades to cultural monuments, and construction of park small works
such as waterfowl monitoring stations, eco-camping facilities and transboundary hiking
trails. A small scale wastewater investment along the lake will improve water quality by
reducing sewage inputs. Cultural heritage sites will be rehabilitated in coordination with
the Ministries of Culture. There is a potential for negative impact on livelihoods
associated with improving management of the fisheries and by reducing levels of illegal
(and possibly legal) fishing and increasing areas off-limits to fishing and other uses. A
process framework has been prepared to address this. The process framework does not
address resettlement associated with possible demolitions by ongoing government
programs in accordance with their law. Planning supported under this project only
addresses natural resources management planning at a regional level which does not
trigger O.P. 4.12. The project will finance TA and feasibility studies for a contaminated
land site and and EIA for this which will require close environment supervision. The
project hires a technical adviser to help strengthen government's capacity to work at this
site.
2. Describe any potential indirect and/or long term impacts due to anticipated future
activities in the project area:
No indirect or long term negative environmental impacts from project investments are
expected.
3. Describe any project alternatives (if relevant) considered to help avoid or minimize
adverse impacts.
N/A
4. Describe measures taken by the borrower to address safeguard policy issues. Provide
an assessment of borrower capacity to plan and implement the measures described.
Resource Access Restriction Process Frameworks have been prepared by both countries
to reduce and mitigate any potential negative socio-economic impacts, and a framework
EIA was prepared to ensure that appropriate EIA is carried out for any on-ground
investments. The project includes some basic support (training and equipment) to park
rangers in both country on improving environmental enforcement since this has been
recognized as a weak area on capacity.
5. Identify the key stakeholders and describe the mechanisms for consultation and
disclosure on safeguard policies, with an emphasis on potentially affected people.
Key stakeholders are communities living within the project area and local authorities.
More broadly,the international community (given the global significance of the Lake),
including locally represented NGOs such as the Regional Environment Center and
Euronatur. All preparation activities including preparation of the Transboundary
Diagnostic Analysis and Strategic Action Plan have been undertaken with wide
consultation and resulting documents being made available on the ground and through
websites. Public consultations on the EIA were held in both countries and minutes of the
meetings are available.
B. Disclosure Requirements Date
Environmental Assessment/Audit/Management Plan/Other:
Was the document disclosed prior to appraisal? Yes
Date of receipt by the Bank
03/15/2007
Date of "in-country" disclosure
04/05/2007
Date of submission to InfoShop
09/11/2007
For category A projects, date of distributing the Executive
Summary of the EA to the Executive Directors
Resettlement Action Plan/Framework/Policy Process:
Was the document disclosed prior to appraisal? Yes
Date of receipt by the Bank
03/15/2007
Date of "in-country" disclosure
04/05/2007
Date of submission to InfoShop
09/11/2007
Indigenous Peoples Plan/Planning Framework:
Was the document disclosed prior to appraisal?
Date of receipt by the Bank
Date of "in-country" disclosure
Date of submission to InfoShop
Pest Management Plan:
Was the document disclosed prior to appraisal?
Date of receipt by the Bank
Date of "in-country" disclosure
Date of submission to InfoShop
* If the project triggers the Pest Management and/or Physical Cultural Resources,
the respective issues are to be addressed and disclosed as part of the Environmental
Assessment/Audit/or EMP.
If in-country disclosure of any of the above documents is not expected, please
explain why:
C. Compliance Monitoring Indicators at the Corporate Level (to be filled in when the
ISDS is finalized by the project decision meeting)
OP/BP/GP 4.01 - Environment Assessment
Does the project require a stand-alone EA (including EMP) report?
Yes
If yes, then did the Regional Environment Unit or Sector Manager (SM)
Yes
review and approve the EA report?
Are the cost and the accountabilities for the EMP incorporated in the
Yes
credit/loan?
OP/BP 4.04 - Natural Habitats
Would the project result in any significant conversion or degradation of
No
critical natural habitats?
If the project would result in significant conversion or degradation of other
N/A
(non-critical) natural habitats, does the project include mitigation measures
acceptable to the Bank?
OP/BP 4.11 - Physical Cultural Resources
Does the EA include adequate measures related to cultural property?
Yes
Does the credit/loan incorporate mechanisms to mitigate the potential
Yes
adverse impacts on cultural property?
OP/BP 4.12 - Involuntary Resettlement
Has a resettlement plan/abbreviated plan/policy framework/process
Yes
framework (as appropriate) been prepared?
If yes, then did the Regional unit responsible for safeguards or Sector
Yes
Manager review the plan?
OP 7.50 - Projects on International Waterways
Have the other riparians been notified of the project?
Yes
If the project falls under one of the exceptions to the notification
N/A
requirement, has this been cleared with the Legal Department, and the memo
to the RVP prepared and sent?
Has the RVP approved such an exception?
N/A
The World Bank Policy on Disclosure of Information
Have relevant safeguard policies documents been sent to the World Bank's
Yes
Infoshop?
Have relevant documents been disclosed in-country in a public place in a
Yes
form and language that are understandable and accessible to project-affected
groups and local NGOs?
All Safeguard Policies
Have satisfactory calendar, budget and clear institutional responsibilities
Yes
been prepared for the implementation of measures related to safeguard
policies?
Have costs related to safeguard policy measures been included in the project
Yes
cost?
Does the Monitoring and Evaluation system of the project include the
Yes
monitoring of safeguard impacts and measures related to safeguard policies?
Have satisfactory implementation arrangements been agreed with the
Yes
borrower and the same been adequately reflected in the project legal
documents?
D. Approvals
Signed and submitted by:
Name
Date
Task Team Leader:
Ms Karin Shepardson
03/04/2008
Environmental Specialist:
Ms Natasa Vetma
03/09/2008
Social Development Specialist
Ms Paula F. Lytle
03/06/2008
Additional Environmental and/or
Ms Karin Shepardson
03/04/2008
Social Development Specialist(s):
Approved by:
Sector Manager:
Ms Emilia Battaglini
03/12/2008
Comments: Ms. Battaglini is acting sector manager.