E-1 655

SOLOMON ISLANDS RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Public Disclosure Authorized DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT/ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized

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Prepared under the leadership of the Ministry of Development Planning and Aid Coordination Public Disclosure Authorized

CoP LAY Figure 1: LOCATION MAP OF SOLOMON ISLANDS

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SOURCE: Google Earth. Corn: Produced by Andrew Prakash; Ministry of Development Planning and Aid Coordination ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This document has been a collaborative effort with considerable support from the environmental NGOs, SIG government officers, Donor agencies and project staff, fellow team members, particularly, Alice, Marion and Louisa, and the people of the Solomon Islands.

Special thanks to my counterpart A. Prakash and all the people at the Ministry of Development Planning and Aid Coordination (MDPAC) and to Moses Biliki, former Director ECD and Joe Korokou, current Director, ECD.

Tom Diwai Vigus June 2007

Cover photos: Gardening amongst the stones, East Rennell Preparing "gnali nuts" for cooking. ACRONYMS

ACRONYMS/abbreviations used

Area Administrative unit of varying size, determined by language group, geographic location, access etc. This may correlate with ward boundaries in some locations. ABS Access Benefit Sharing AMNH American Museum of Natural History ANU Australian National University APACE Appropriate Technology for Community and Environment AusAID Australian Agency for International Development BD Biological Diversity BPOA Barbados Programme of Action BSSE Bismarck Solomon Seas Ecoregion CBD Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation CBD Convention on Biological Diversity CBO Community Based Organisations CCA Community Conservation Agreement CCOSI Conservation Council of Solomon Islands CCU Central Coordination Unit CI Conservation International CITES Convention on Illegal Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna COLP Code of Logging Practice Community A group of villages which associate together periodically for common purposes such as support to health, education, church activities. COP Conference of the Parties CROP Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific CSO Community Service Organization CSP Community Sector Programme DAL Department of Agriculture and Livestock DFEC Department of Forestry, Environment and Conservation DFMR Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources DNPAC Department of National Planning and Aid Coordination DSE Development Services Exchange EAC Environment Advisory Committee ECANSI Environmental Concerns Action Network of Solomon Islands ECD Environment and Conservation Division EIA Environmental Impact Assessment ESAP Environmental and Social Awareness Program ESMF Environmental and Social Management Framework EU European Union FAO Food and Agriculture Organisation FD Forestry Division FRTUA Forest Resources and Timber Utilisation Act FSC Forest Stewardship Certification FSPI Foundation for Peoples of the South Pacific GCCG Grand Coalition for Change Government GCRMN Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network GEF Global Environment Facility GMO Genetically Modified Organism HRD Human Resource Development ICZM Integrated Coastal Zone Management IUCN International Union for the Conservation of Nature (World Nature Conservation Union) JICA Japan International Cooperation Agency KGA Kastom Gaden Association LLCTC Lauru Land Conference of Tribal Community LMO Living Modified Organism MAL Ministry of Agriculture MCCF Makira Community Conservation Foundation MDG Millennium Development Goal MDPAC Ministry of Development Planning and Aid Coordination MEA Multilateral Environmental Agreement MNR Ministry of Natural Resources MOU Memorandum of Understanding MPA Marine Protected Area NAP National Action Plan NAPA National Adaptation Plan of Action NBSAP National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan NCSA National Capacity Self Assessment NEMS National Environmental Management Strategy NERRDP National Economic Recovery, Reform and Development Plan 2003-2006 NGO Non-Governmental Organization NIS National Implementation Strategy NRDF Natural Resources Development Foundation NRM Natural Resource Management NRRC Natural Resources and Rights Coalition NSDS National Sustainable Development Strategy PAG Provincial Advisory Group PGA Provincial Government Act PG Provincial Government PMU Provincial Management Unit PPBC Provincial Prioritisation and Budget Committee RAMSI Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands RDP Rural Development Project RMO Resource Management Ordinance ROC Republic of China RVRMIDP Roviana and Vonavona Resource Management and Development Program SBD Solomon Islands Dollar SD Sustainable Development SI Solomon Islands SIAQS Solomon Islands Agriculture and Quarantine Service SIBC Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation SICHE Solomon Islands College of Higher Education SIDS Small Island Developing States SIDT Solomon Islands Development Trust SIG Solomon Islands Govemment SILMMA Solomon Islands Locally Managed Marine Area network SIS Small Island States SISDAC Solomon Islands Sustainable Development Advisory Council SOLFRIS Solomon Islands Forests Inventory System SOPAC South Pacific Applied Geosciences Commission SPBCP South Pacific Biodiversity Conservation Project SPC Secretariat of the Pacific Communities SPREP South Pacific Regional Environment Programme TCF Tiola Conservation Foundation TDA Tetepare Descendants' Association TK Traditional knowledge TNC The Nature Conservancy UNCBD United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity UNCCD United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification UNFCCC United Nations Framework on Climate Change Convention UNDP United Nations Development Program UNESCO United Nations Education, Science and Cultural Organisation UPNG University of Papua New Guinea UQ University of Queensland USP University of the South Pacific VDC Village Development Committee Village A number of Households physically located in close proximity, identified locally as a village. May range from 10 hh. to 300 hh. WHC World Heritage Convention WVSI World Vision - Solomon Islands WWF World Wide Fund for Nature - Solomon Islands TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONTENTS PAGE NUMBER

Chapter 1: Introduction 1

Chapter 2: Project Description 12

Chapter 3: Solomon Islands Legislation, Institutional Capacity, International Agreements, Policies 17

Chapter 4: Solomon Islands Environment and Conservation initiatives 24

Chapter 5: Potential Environmental Impacts both Positive and Negative of Project Activities 32

Chapter 6: Environmental and Social Management Framework 45

Chapter 7: Project Implementation and Monitoring Requirements 68

Chapter 8: Main References 72

Appendix I Prescribed developments under the SI Environment Act 1998 73

Appendix 2 Data Bases Available on Gazetteer 2003 74

Appendix 3A ESMF Checklists Examples 75

Appendix 3B EIA checklist for the AusAID funded Community Sector Program 78

Appendix 4 Distance Learning Centres Project 82

Appendix 5 Examples of Subprojects and Mitigation Measures 85

Appendix 6 Example of EMP Requirements - AusAID Community Sector Programme 90 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This draft Environmental Assessment/Environmental and Social Management Framework (EA/ESMF) has been prepared to guide the implementation of the Solomon Islands Rural Development Program (RDP). The EA/ESMF has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Solomon Islands Government and donor agencies (AusAID, EC and World Bank) funding the project.

The development objective of the proposed RDP is to raise the living standards of rural households by establishing improved mechanisms for the delivery of priority economic and social infrastructure and services by the public and the private sector. This would contribute to improved level and security of rural livelihoods. This will be achieved through (a) increased, cost-effective and sustained provision of local services and basic infrastructure determined through participatory planning, (b) increased capacity of agriculture institutions to provide demand-driven farmn services at local level, and, (c) support for rural business development.

The RDP has been prepared as the first phase of a long-term program to support the Solomon Islands' national rural development goals. The overall program purpose is to achieve improved, secure and sustainable livelihoods for all rural households.

The RDP includes four components: (i) local infrastructure and service delivery; (ii) improved agricultural services; (iii) rural business development; and (iv) program management. The RDP would initially start in four provinces of the Solomon Islands: Choiseul, Malaita, Temotu and Western provinces. The program would progressively expand to the other 5 provinces from program year 3 based on agreed benchmarks. Choiseul and Temotu are small provinces (with a population of approximately 20,000 each) remote from the capital city, Honiara; while Malaita is the most populated province of the Solomon Islands (population approximately 120,000) and centrally located, and Western province has a population of approximately 60,000. In larger provinces, the project would initially start in a region before being scaled-up. The 4 initial provinces cover the broad range of conditions in the Solomon Islands.

The RDP will be implemented under the following legislative requirements: (a) SI Environment Act 1998; (b) SI Wildlife Protection and Management Act 1998; (c) AusAID's environmental guidelines and policies (these are in the process of being updated, to handle minor changes in the Australian administrative guidelines to the Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act since 2003), and AusAID's own draft environment strategy; (d) European Commission environment mainstreaming guidelines and policies; and (e) World Bank operational polices. In addition, all RDP activities and processes will build upon existing arrangements for example with the myriad of NGOs, individual capabilities and donors that are active in the environmental protection and enhancement of the Solomon Islands.

This EA/ESMF work is based on: (a) detailed literature reviews; (b) extensive country wide consultations on the draft Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy (ARDS) in Honiara and the provinces, undertaken from July to September 2006 and involving all stakeholders, including national and provincial govemments, people living in the rural areas, NGOs and the private sector; (c) field inspections in the provinces of Makira/Ulawa, Central, Rennell & Bellona, Guadalcanal, Malaita, Western, Choiseul and Temotu (including a field inspection of a logging operation); (d) further discussions with stakeholders in Honiara - March 5 to 30, 2007; and (e) an assessment of institutional capacity, particularly that of the Environment and Conservation Division (ECD) of the Ministry of Forestry, Environment and Conservation and the NGO community.

The Solomon Islands is rich in terms of ecosystems and biodiversity, many species are endemic and many fauna and flora are endangered. The environment of the Solomon Islands is threatened by:

* extreme weather events (Natural Disasters) such as cyclones, earthquakes, landslides, floods, droughts and Tsunamis; * these extreme weather conditions are likely to increase in frequency and severity under the influence of climate change, along with pressure for people to move to higher ground to grow food and cash crops; . unsustainable logging practices, leading to habitat destruction and potential for increased soil erosion, landslides and flooding; * high rate of population growth and young median age, underemployment leading to pressure to develop income from cash crops, hence further habitat destruction; and . very small area of important natural habitat protected (0.28% of the land area).

There have been many detailed country studies of the environment of the Solomon Islands, the most recent and comprehensive being:

Organisation Report Date WWF A Forest Strategy for the Solomon Islands 2005 Asian Development Bank Solomon Islands 2005 Country Environmental Analysis The Nature Conservancy Solomon Islands Marine Assessment 2006 UNDP Global Environment United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity 2006 Facility Thematic Assessment. National Capacity Self-Assessment Stocktake Report 2006 EU-WWF Bismarck Solomon Seas Ecoregion, SI Fisheries, Marine 2006 and Coastal Legislation and Policy Gap Analysis

These reports contain details of the natural environment of the Solomon Islands and have a common theme which can be expressed by quoting from the UNCBD report executive summary which states:

The biodiversity of the Pacific region is recognised as being globally significant. The Solomon Islands was recently included into the famous "Coral Triangle ", the area of ocean considered to have the highest marine biodiversity in the world. This includes the waters of the Philippines, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. The Solomon Islands Rainforest Ecoregion is recognised as "one of the world 's great Centres of Plant Diversity" (Wein, Chatterton, 2005).

However, biodiversity in Solomon Islands is under threatfrom invasive species, loss of major land and marine habitats, over exploitation of natural resources and destructive harvesting techniques, climate changefrom sea level rise and morefrequent destructive climatic events. The root causes, simplyput, stemfrom human activity - increasingpopulation, increasingconsumption, changing economic circumstances and the needfor cash, the drivefor a more technological world, even globalisation.

The majority of investments under RDP will be small in scale and will involve the rehabilitation or upgrading of existing small-scale infrastructure. Construction of new facilities is also expected to be small in scope. The average size of subprojects is expected to be in the range of US$ 2,000 to 15,000 (SBD 15,000 to 120,000). The potential impact of any subproject will depend on the nature, location and specific characteristics of the investment. In most cases, adverse environmental impacts are expected to be temporary and limited to the construction phase. They could include temporary disturbance of drains or streams, noise and dust during construction, small- scale vegetation loss, and pollution from inappropriate construction materials waste disposal. The subproject screening process (Described in the ESMF, chapter 6) and the use of standard construction practices and mitigation measures will ensure adequate mitigation of those risks. Civil works contracts will include standard clauses to ensure the mitigation of any potentially negative impact.

Community consultation is also an integral part of the selection and appraisal of activities during RDP implementation. Project beneficiaries will participate though public consultation meetings and discussions of local development priorities, representation in ward development committees and provincial development councils, and representation in the Subproject Implementation Committees (SICs). Feedback mechanisms and community monitoring of project implementation have also been included under RDP. No subproject will be selected that does not flow from this planning process. This includes the social and environmental information, training and screening process described in detail in the ESMF. Facilitators will also be trained on the project's environmental and social guidelines. Since environmental and social criteria will be fully integrated throughout the planning, selection and appraisal process, stakeholder participation and information disclosure will be assured at every stage of program implementation. In the case that a specific subproject would require a stand alone EA, this would be posted in public places at province and ward level, and the ward development council will be responsible to ensure that the EA report is formally on the agenda of decision meetings for project selection.

The ESMF described in detail under chapter 6 and guiding RDP implementation has been designed to achieve sound environmental practice and ecologically sustainable outcomes. The ESMF provides the mechanism to allow project implementation by screening out sub project proposals that are unacceptable on the basis of environmental or social criteria. The aim of the ESMF is that all processes can be adjusted based on implementation experience. The Program Implementation Manual (PIM) of RDP will integrate the ESMF to assure its implementation. A "Negative List" outlines which activities cannot be funded:

* Sub-projects that involve the significant conversion or degradation of critical natural habitats; * Activities that could lead to invasion or spread of weeds and feral animals or the use of toxic chemicals (as prescribed under the SI Environment Act 1998); * Religious activities, though RDP will be working closely with church groups; * Political activities; * Illegal Activities; and * Activities involving Involuntary Resettlement.

The EA/ESMF contains the following;

Chapter 1; describes how the proposed Solomon Islands Rural Development Program has evolved and donors have come together under Govemment leadership to prepare a program to improve the livelihoods of the rural population which was severely affected during the past decade. The legal requirements and policies of the donor agencies are also discussed in some detail.

Chapter 2; contains a brief description of the proposed program and its components, which has been developed by SIG with the cooperation of AusAID, the EC and the World Bank.

Chapter 3; contains a summary of the relevant Solomon Islands legislation, institutional capacity, international agreements and policies.

Chapter 4; describes the Solomon Islands environment conservation initiatives that have been developed over the years, by SIG and provincial governments, international and local NGOs, and NSAs and are continuing with the increased awareness of the Solomon Islands people about the way in which their environment affects their daily lives.

Chapter 5; describes the Solomon Islands environment, the richness of the country's biodiversity and recommends ways in which the implementation of the RDP needs to consider these aspects.

Chapter 6; provides a framework for environmental and social screening of individual sub projects to ensure that any activity which is funded under RDP does not have a deleterious effect on the environment (including social aspects), and that the participatory process is inclusive. Chapter 7; contains directions on how the implementation of RDP will require monitoring, evaluation and revision to ensure that the processes outlined in chapter 6 are followed and revised appropriately over the period of the program.

Main references are provided in chapter 8 and the appendices are provided as further guidelines for implementation of RDP.

Although the regulatory authority on the environment, the ECD, is admittedly weak because of funding restrictions, the Director expressed a keenness and willingness to work alongside RDP. A senior Environment Officer with ECD will be seconded to RDP on a part time basis to oversee the ESMF and monitoring arrangements, supported by funds for field visits, equipment and local and intemationally qualified short term consultant expertise. CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

Following the ethnic tensions that beset the Solomon Islands from 1999 to 2003, in 2005, the Government of the Solomon Islands (SIG) requested support from the World Bank, the European Union (EU) and AusAID assistance for the preparation of a rural development program to increase the participation of rural people in sustainable economic development activities in order to increase the level and security of the livelihoods of the rural population.

In March 2006 an Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy preparation launch workshop, chaired by the Ministry of Development Planning and Aid Coordination and the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, was held in Honiara with participation from all the nine provinces.

In April 2006, a discussion paper entitled "Solomon Islands - Towards an Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy (ARDS) was prepared and widely circulated amongst all stakeholders for comment.

1.2 The Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy "ARDS"

Four Key strategic directions were identified in the ARDS discussion paper, these were;

* Improving local governance and service delivery, and responding to the demand for greater participation and for the provision of much needed basic services in rural areas: a Solomon Island rural sector in which there is good local governance and local communities are involved in key development and resource allocation decisions; where the public sector re-focuses on key functions and the provision of an environment conducive to private sector development; where rural households have access to basic social and economic services;

* Fostering the development of the agriculture sector, on which the majority of Solomon Islander depend for their livelihoods. An agriculture sector that can respond to the demand for greater farm incomes: farm productivity and farm incomes increase; households are better able to mitigate and manage risks; farming develops in different regions of the country according to the differing potential of areas.

. Improving economic and financial infrastructure and services, in order to meet the needs of the farm and non-farm rural economy, and so as to facilitate adequate development of labor-absorbingactivities in other sectors through full- and part- time off-farm emplovment opportunities;

. Improving natural resource management as a condition for sustainable growth.

Page 1 of 96 1.3 Further Consultations

Further consultations on the ARDS discussion paper were carried out in Honiara, in July 2006 and with/in all nine provinces, from July to September 2006.

The purpose of these additional consultations was to;

* confirm whether the most important issues of concern are being addressedthrough the preparationof the ARDS, or whether key issues have been overlooked;

* seek the views of the different stakeholders on the options proposed in the Discussion Paperand possible alternatives;

* identify areas of consensus on those issues, and areas where there is no consensus and where further work will be required; and

* discuss the priorities of the different provinces and how the ARDS could best be translatedinto programs tailoredto their specific needs. Following on from these discussions, and further discussions with all stakeholders based on the feedback received from the provincial consultations, the draft ARDS was modified under the leadership of the Ministry of Development Planning and Aid Coordination (MDPAC), and terms of reference for the implementation of some of the key recommendations of the strategy through the Solomon Islands Rural Development Program (RDP) were prepared.

1.4 Purpose of the Environmental Assessment/Environment and Social Management Framework

The purpose of the Environmental Assessment (EA)/Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF)1 is to guide the implementation of the Solomon Islands Rural Development Program (RDP). Further to ensure that the project has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Solomon Islands Government and donor agencies (AusAID, EC, and World Bank).

1.5 Solomon Islands Environmental Legislation

The Solomon Islands legislation regarding environmental protection is covered by the Environment Act 1998 and Wildlife Protection and Management Act 1998, both these acts were formally gazetted on September 01, 2003.

' The EA/ESMF is aimed at guiding the implementation of the RDP and is thus a "life" document that will undergo continuous revision and updating as the Project is implemented and as activities to be funded are identified.

Page 2 of 96 Under the Environment Act, Section 18, (ii) any developer is required to provide to the Director of the Department of Environment and Conservation a " public environmental report or environmental impact statement, as the case may require, in accordance with this Part2."

1.6 Applicable Donor Legislation and Policies

The RDP is co-funded3 by the World Bank, AusAID and the European Union, each of these donors have their own legislative requirements and policies, and although these are complimentary, this section briefly discussions each donor's requirements.

1.6.1 The World Bank

The World Bank requires an environmental assessment of projects proposed for Bank financing to help ensure that they are environmentally sound and sustainable, and thus to improve decision making. RDP has been classified as a Category B project under the World Bank's safeguard policies, Operational Policy (OP)/Bank Procedure (BP) 4.01 Environmental Assessment (EA). This is the umbrella policy for the Bank's environmental safeguard policies.

This categorization is based on the scope of the Project and that potential adverse environmental impacts on human populations or environmentally important areas including wetlands, forests, grasslands, and other natural habitats are site-specific; few if any of them are irreversible; and in most cases mitigation measures can be designed.

The EA needs to consider natural and social aspects in an integrated way and take into account the variations in project and country conditions; the findings of country environmental studies; national environmental action plans; the country's overall policy framework, national legislation and institutional capabilities; and obligations of the country pertaining to project activities under relevant international environmental treaties and agreements 4 (refer section 3 of this report).

The RDP has been designed to have minimal environmental impacts and in fact provide environmental and social awareness aimed at having a positive net impact on the environment and social welfare of the people of the Solomon Islands. Project activities under component 1 will involve the rehabilitation, upgrading and maintenance of small rural infrastructure, such as feeder roads, local markets or storage/collection points, or small water supply infrastructure. Individual sub-projects (e.g. rehabilitation or upgrading of village or district level infrastructure) are expected to be small and limited in environmental impact.

2 Environment Act 1998 3Due to the co-financing arrangement under RDP all legislative requirements and policies from the three donors apply equally to all project activities. 4RDP will not have a negative effect on any of these international treaties.

Page 3 of 96 Agricultural advisory services under component 3 are expected to focus on sustainable resource management practices (e.g. mitigating soil degradation) which are not expected to have adverse environmental impact. The risks are expected to be technically and institutionally manageable. Potential Risks will be identified and addressed through this Environmental Assessment/Environment and Social Management Framework and screening procedures for project activities are given chapter 6 and these will be included in the Program Implementation Manual.

Sub projects eligible for financing under component 3 will have to comply with national environmental legislation and a negative list of ineligible activities will be used, including those that have a negative environmental and social impact.

For larger projects identified as the RDP is implemented, individual ELAs and Environmental Management Plans will be prepared as required under the Solomon Islands Environment Act 1998 (see chapter 6 for further discussion on this)

Other World Bank Safeguard Policies

Indigenous Peoples (OP/BP 4.10) A separate report, the Social Assessment (SA) has been prepared for the proposed RDP. Over 90 percent of the population of the Solomon Islands is Melanesian, and the main language is Melanesian Pidgin. Most people outside the urban centers live in a subsistence-based economy with strong attachments to the land and a family-based social structure. Their vulnerability is not based on their belonging to an ethnic group but in differences in ability to access project benefits, due mainly to living in remote locations. The vast majority of the population is indigenous, as defined in the policy. As the major beneficiaries of the RDP will be rural Solomon Islanders living on their ancestral lands, the Project Appraisal Document (PAD) will constitute the Indigenous People's Plan for RDP, in line with OP/BP 4.10, Indigenous Peoples.

Involuntary Resettlement (OP/BP 4.12) With respect to Involuntary Resettlement the project will not fund any subprojects that require involuntary land acquisition and/or resettlement. Should any customary land be required it will be a requirement that the land is provided voluntarily for community purposes. The Program Implementation Manual will specify the procedures to be used to ensure that such provision is indeed voluntary and does not negatively impact the ability of any community member to pursue their livelihood.

Pest Management (OB/BP 4.09) This policy is not triggered. RDP will cooperate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and the Kastom Gaden Association NGO in encouraging farmers to use integrated pest management techniques and will not finance the use of chemicals for insect pest control. The use of natural products such as derris, sprays made from chilies, which grow abundantly in the Solomon Islands and mulching techniques will be supported under RDP.

Page 4 of 96 Forests (OP/BP 4.36) The Bank's forest policy aims to reduce deforestation, enhance the environmental contribution of forested areas, promote afforestation, reduce poverty and encourage economic development. During provincial consultations, but particularly in Malaita and Makira provinces, it was noted that where copra is dried using firewood, the wood is collected from native forests and logging operations. There is no evidence of firewood plantings 5 being established and there was some evidence of mangrove forests being cut of firewood.

RDP will, as part of its environmental awareness activities (see Chapter 6), encourage communities to consider establishing dedicated fuel wood plantations in order to provide for future demand for firewood for copra drying and also alleviate forest destruction by harvesters of firewood. There are several native (e.g. Casuarinaspp.) and naturalized species (Acacia spp.) suitable for firewood lots.

There are hundreds of small sawmills, including chainsaw mills located throughout the Solomon Islands and it is common for communities to provide sawn timber as co- contribution towards building costs of community goods. Where such co-contribution is given by communities, the communities will be assisted to reforest using native species.

Natural Habitats (OP/PB 4.04) Critical natural habitats are discussed (see Chapter 5 ) and screening mechanisms have been created to ensure that impacts on protected areas, known natural habitats, or established or proposed critical natural habitats are identified and avoided or mitigated. Chapter 6 of this report details the screening process for selection of subprojects to be funded under RDP. The Solomon Islands Logging Code of Practice has been used as a basis for excluding areas of natural resource values, based on the intrinsic value of geomormopholigal, fauna and or flora values of an area, to be considered in conjunction with the local community.

1.6.2 AusAID6

Australia's overseas aid programme is governed by "The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth), (EPBC) which is Australia's principal national legislation pertaining to the protection of the environment.

The EPBC Act requires AusAID to consider advice from the Minister for the Environment and Heritage (or his or her delegate) before entering 'into a contract, agreement or arrangement for the implementation of a project that has, will have or is likely to have a significant impact on the environment anywhere in the world' (EPBC Act 1999, section 160, chapter 4, part 11, division 4, subdivision A).

5FMP, Michelle Lam pers comm.. and many other informants. 6 Source: The "Environment Management Guide for Australia's Aid Program, 2003, currently being revised.

Page 5 of 96 Objectives of the EPBC Act

* To protect the environment * To promote ecologically sustainable development * To promote the conservation of biodiversity * To cooperatively implement Australia's international environmental responsibilities * To properly assess and address activities likely to have significant impacts on the environment

Principles of ecologically sustainable development (section 3A of the EPBC Act)

* Decision-making processes should effectively integrate both long-term and short- term economic, environmental, social and equity considerations. * If there are threats of serious or irreversible environmental damage, the lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to prevent environmental degradation (the 'precautionary principle'). * The present generation should ensure that the health, diversity and productivity of the environment are maintained or enhanced for the benefit of future generations (the principle of 'intergenerational equity'). * The conservation of biological diversity and ecological integrity should be a fundamental consideration in decision-making. * Improved valuation, pricing and incentive mechanisms for the protection and sustainable use of biological and physical resources should be promoted.

The EPBC Act defines the environment as:

* ecosystems and their constituent parts, including people and communities * natural and physical resources * the qualities and characteristics of locations, places and areas, and * the social, economic and cultural aspects of a thing mentioned in a, b or c. and Environmental impacts are defined as:

* A direct impact is a change (physical, chemical or biological) to the environment because of the activity (e.g. building a road, constructing an irrigation canal, establishing a waste-water system, protecting natural resources, or introducing a plant or animal species). * An indirect impact is where there is an expectation that the changes in policy or behaviour flowing from the activity will affect the environment in the future or 'downstream' (e.g. designing a road system, funding land titling, providing environmental education, or strengthening an institution in the natural resource sector). * A positive impact is a beneficial environmental outcome, such as increased biodiversity, or better health as a result of a cleaned water supply.

Page 6 of 96 A negative impact is an adverse environmental outcome, such as a contaminated water table from sewage systems, erosion from poorly planned infrastructure activities, or decimation of existing vegetation through the introduction of livestock. Such outcomes can sometimes be irreversible and have a chain of impact on poverty such as poor health or a reduction in livelihood potential.

The "Environment Management Guide for Australia's Aid Program, 2003,

This requires that a five step Environment Management System be prepared for its aid programs. The steps are:

> EMS step I Understanding policy and legal setting > EMS step 2 Environmental assessment and management planning

' EMS step 3 Implementation > EMS step 4 Monitoring and evaluation > EMS step 5 Executive review

For a project such as the RDP, flexible activities where not all sub activities are identified or parts of the activities remain undefined until implementation, the principles and processes of environmental assessment and management planning remain the same, but are carried out in the design stages of sub activities. In order to satisfy this requirement, Chapter 7 specifies criteria for the development of a program-level EMS to be developed in the initial phase of implementation of the RDP.

The Draft Environment Strategy for Australian Aid

In June 2007, AusAID released a "Draft Strategy for Australian Aid" for public comment. This strategy signals a significant increase in Australia's environment-related support in the Asia-Pacific region. Its goal being to:

"Sustain econonmic growth and reduce poverty in the Asia-Pacific region by improving the management of natural resources, increasing community resilience and better conserving naturalheritage"

The 2006 white paper on Australian aid outlined three main themes for Australian environment-related support in the Asian-Pacific region, these are:

* Climate change * Water * Environment govemance.

Page 7 of 96 Together, these themes provide scope for Australia to continue to support traditional areas of action (such as water supply and sanitation) but also to increase assistance for emerging priorities - for example, adapting to climate change and reducing emissions.

The strategy notes that although the Pacific islands are not major emitters of greenhouse gases, they are extremely vulnerable to the long-term impacts of rising temperatures, rising sea levels and intensifying cyclones and storm surges (see Table? Page?).

Environmental govemance objectives under the strategy are:

* To strengthen institutional capacities for environmental management, and * To improve enabling mechanisms for environmental management.

Objectives relating to Water are:

* To improve access to safe water and sanitation, and * To strengthen integrated water resources management

These strategies and objectives will be carefully considered when implementing the RDP.

1.6.3 The European Community

Article 177 of the Treaty Establishing the European Community, it was declared that community policy in the sphere of development cooperation shall foster:

* The sustainable economic and social development of the developing countries, * The smooth and gradual integration of the developing countries into the world economy; and * The campaign against poverty in developing countries

The primary and overarching objective of EU development cooperation is the eradication of poverty in the context of sustainable development, including pursuit of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The eight MIDGs are to: eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; achieve universal primary education; promote gender equality and empower women; reduce the mortality rate of children; improve maternal health; combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; ensure environmental sustainability and develop a global partnership for development.

1.5.3.1 Other Relevant Policies

The EU supports the broad participation of all stakeholders in countries' development and encourages all parts of society to take part. Civil society, including economic and social partners such as trade unions, employers' organisations and the private sector, NGOs and other non-state actors of partner countries in particular play a vital role as promoters of democracy, social justice and human rights. The EU will enhance its support for building

Page 8 of 96 capacity of non-state actors in order to strengthen their voice in the development process and to advance political, social and economic dialogue.

Gender equality and women's rights is a fundamental human right and a question of social justice, as well as being instrumental in achieving all the MDGs and in implementing the Beijing platform for Action, the Cairo Programme of Action and Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. Therefore the EU will include a strong gender component in all its policies and practices in its relations with developing countries.

With regard to climate change, the Community will focus its efforts on the implementation of the EU Action Plan on Climate Change in the context of development cooperation, in close collaboration with the Member States. Adaptation to the negative effects of climate change will be central in the Community's support to LDCs and small island development states. It will also seek to promote the sustainable management of chemicals and waste, particu- larly by taking into account their links with health issues.

Agriculture and rural development are crucial for poverty reduction and growth. To re-launch investment in these areas, the Community will support country-led, participatory, decentralised and environmentally sustainable territorial development, aimed at involving beneficiaries in the identification of investments and the management of resources in order to support the emergence of local development clusters, while respecting the capacity of eco- systems.

The EU is committed to promote better donor coordination and complementarities by working towards joint multiannual programming, based on partner countries' poverty reduction or equivalent strategies and country's own budget processes, common implementation mechanisms including shared analysis, joint donor wide missions, and the use of co-financing arrangements.

1.5.3.2 EU Integration Handbook December 2006

The EC has recently released the "Integration handbook" which outlines the policy of mainstreaming environment into its aid programme.

In the EC, mainstreaming is "the process of systematically integrating a selected value/ idea/theme into all domains of the EC development co-operation to promote specific (transposing ideas, influencing policies) as well as general development outcomes.

The handbook states that:

Under the project aid delivery approach, it is important that:

Page 9 of 96 * the problem analysis and the strategy analysis in the logical framework approach take into account the linkages between the social and economic conditions and the environment; * the formulation of the project takes into account the environmental conditions affecting project performance such as efficiency and sustainability; * the project is designed in such a way that it will use available opportunities to enhance the positive impacts and ensure that it will not result in significant negative impacts on the environment when implemented; * implementation include good environmental practices (which can be identified by an Environmental Performance Review); * monitoring checks that the project's specific objectives are not being achieved at the expense of the environment; * the evaluation of the projects also addresses linkages with the environment as part of the evaluation criteria.

In conclusion, all donor aid policies have been taken into consideration in the preparation of this EA/ESMF.

Page 10 of 96 Selected Photos from Provincial Consultations

L - -"

I X - - -S>

Photo I Empty copra shed at Star Harbour Mak ra Photo 4 Array of fruits and nuts, Lata, Temotu. Inocarpus Province spp (inset), Terminalia catappa, Spondias s

-4,-

Photo 5 Rennell Island has large underground sources of Photo 2 Pineapples from Malaita on sale in Honiara ptbewer7 Market. ptbewtr

Photo 3 Bio fuel - cheaper than diesol and pig feed a Photo 6 Firewood is commonly on sale, these bundles are useful by product, Guadalcanal Province, at Gizo market, Western Province.

7There would need to be careful assessment for potential sustainable use of such water sources.

Page I1 of 96 CHAPTER 2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

2.1 Program Goal

The Rural Development Program (RDP) has been prepared as the first phase of a long- term program to support the Solomon Islands' national rural development goals. The long-term program would be divided into two phases, the build-up of which would be determined by the performance of program components and the pace of capacity building. The overall program purpose is to achieve improved, secure and sustainable livelihoods for all rural households.

2.2 Project Development Objective

The development objective of the proposed RDP is to raise the living standards of rural households by establishing improved mechanisms for the delivery of priority economic and social infrastructure and services by the public and the private sector. This would be achieved through (a) increased, cost-effective and sustained provision of local services and basic infrastructure determined through participatory planning, (b) increased capacity of agriculture institutions to provide demand-driven farm services at local level, and, (c) support for rural business development.

Detailed program objectives are to:

* Increase capacity of SIG at central and provincial level to provide public goods in rural areas i.e. services and infrastructure, in partnership with private and non- governmental service providers, and on the basis of participatory planning processes; * Improve village and rural community access to, and allocation of, economic resources through community driven development for rural services and infrastructure; * Strengthen provincial institutional framework to support agricultural development; * Increase capacity of both public and private service providers in rural areas; * Facilitate market development and job creation by agricultural/rural entrepreneurs, communities and households.

2.3 Project Components

2.3.1 Component 1: Local infrastructure and service delivery

The specific objective of this component will be to increase access to infrastructure and services in rural areas through participatory planning, budgeting and implementation mechanisms at community and provincial level.

Page 12 of 96 The component will provide (i) annual allocations for community development grants identified through a participatory planning process in each province and (ii) capacity- building to key stakeholders, including provincial governments, the private sector, NGOs and rural communities. The mechanisms for the implementation of those activities have been designed with a focus on responsiveness and accountability of provincial governments and cost-effectiveness. Sustainability of the proposed mechanisms for local delivery of service and infrastructure has also been considered.

Community Development Grants. The annual allocations will fund the provision of public infrastructure and services through a number of subprojects each year. Examples of subprojects could include small economic infrastructure (such as feeder roads, jetties, market places or storage infrastructure, spot improvement on roads), upgrades and rehabilitation of health and education infrastructure, water and sanitation, social facilities, communication facilities, and training supporting expansion of livelihood opportunities. A negative list will specify the type of activities that may not be funded (e.g. private goods, salaries and allowances of elected representatives or civil servants). The subprojects would also be appraised against technical, environmental and social criteria. Subprojects would be implemented by community Subproject Implementation Committees (SIC) with technical support by the provincial government depending on their size and complexity.

Capacity building. Capacity building activities would support key stakeholders to plan, budget, implement, and monitor and evaluate provincial development grants and subprojects. Key stakeholders include provincial govemment staff and line ministry staff at the provincial level, facilitators, ward councilors and other community representatives at the ward level, SIC members, and contractors and service providers. Capacity building activities would include information sessions and a communication campaign, training, incremental operating costs and equipment of the provincial administration, peer learning, exchange visits and study tours.

The annual investment cycle would include:

* An information and communication campaign, and community mobilization at village level by community facilitators; * Identification and prioritization of subproject proposals by communities, through transparent and inclusive processes at ward level through a representative Ward development committee and open community meetings to discuss vision and priorities; * Planning and budgeting at provincial level (or sub-provincial level for the larger provinces) by a Development Council composed of community representatives nominated at ward level, in addition to the Ward councilors; * Technical design of subprojects through the provision of technical assistance to the recipient communities; * Appraisal of subproject design by line agencies with responsibility for the relevant sector, against criteria including environmental and social impact, arrangements for maintenance and sustainability and community contribution;

Page 13 of 96 * Implementation of the subprojects by the SICs composed of selected community members; and, * Monitoring and evaluation by the communities themselves and externally by the provincial administration.

2.3.2 Component 2: Improved agricultural services

The specific objective of this component will be to improve access of smallholder households to quality agricultural services to support rural income growth. The strategy is to build long-term capacity of service providers including MAL, NGOs, churches, RTCs and the private sector, and to establish a mechanism for sustainable financing that matches demand for these services with performance-based supply, based on the following principles:

* Restoring a minimum level of core functionality to provincial agricultural services, supported by complementary resources of MAL at national level; * Promoting demand-led, participatory extension approaches that focus on direct benefits for smallholder households; * Promoting partnerships that utilize existing and new capacities of public, private, NGO and community institutions, networks and individuals; and, * Linking to national and international sources of agricultural expertise and innovation.

The component will provide (i) annual agricultural service allocations to provincial governments to finance service agreements (contracts and MOUs) with providers to deliver agriculture and related services to smallholders; and (ii) capacity building of: (a) MAL at the national level to facilitate and supervise provincial service delivery; (b) provincial service providers; and (c) rural households.

Activities to be financed would reflect identified priorities of communities and provinces that are expected to selectively include elements of: (i) subsistence food crop production; (ii) fresh food production and marketing; (iii) production and marketing of existing cash crops (e.g. coconut products, cocoa, spices); (iv) diversification of cash crops where a market has been identified; and (v) livestock production (pigs and poultry)8.

Cross-cutting elements that would receive priority at national level would include: (i) selectively scaling-up participatory extension methodology that have been piloted in the Solomon Islands9; (ii) associated on-farm applied research into problems identified by farmers through the extension process; (iii) upgrading animal health services including through strengthening the para-vet program; (iv) establishing an agriculture information and communication competency within MAL's Planning Division, with the capacity to connect the needs identified in the provinces with available expertise and technologies at national, regional or international level; and (v) upgrading the quarantine services to

8 The priorities identified by the Solomon Islands Smallholder Agriculture Study. 9 E.g. under SPC's regional Development of Sustainable Agriculture Project, ongoing AusAID programs (TSAP, CSP) and NGOs (e.g. KGA).

Page 14 of 96 facilitate imports of improved genetic materials and safeguard local agriculture from the introduction of new pests and diseases.

Agriculture service allocations. The annual agriculture service allocation will finance the development and delivery of those agricultural services at the provincial level that are included in an annual work program. The annual work program would be determined through participatory identification of rural households' priorities matched with identification of service delivery capacity of providers. The draft program would reflect inputs and scrutiny by MAL, civil society and the private sector. The program would then be finalized and budgeted by the provincial administration showing sources and uses of funds and passed to the Provincial Assembly for endorsement. Upon approval, implementation partnerships would be negotiated to implement activities under the program, supported by appropriate contractual or other agreements (such as MOUs), involving MAL and other eligible service providers. Implementation performance would be supervised by the province and assessed by the communities through their representatives at the Ward development committees.

Capacity building. Capacity building will be managed by MAL as part of its national human resources development program. Conditions of service would be improved to attract, rotate and replace staff. Offices would be rehabilitated in strategic locations and boats, motor-cycles, and other vehicles would be funded by the project to enable the service to operate. Funds would be available to prepare and implement staff training and development programs. Funding would also be available for MAL at national level to supervise the performance of agricultural service providers. Non government providers would be eligible for inclusion in training programs and, where appropriate, for implementation of the training. Technical assistance, national and international, would be provided in key areas for skill transfer.

2.3.3 Component 3: Rural business development

The specific objective of this component is to facilitate rural enterprise development through provision of an equity financing facility and associated training and technical assistance. SIG is committed to increasing outreach of financial services in rural areas. This component would contribute to the broader initiatives promoted by Government to expand access to finance and to stimulate private sector investment in rural areas. A US$2 million "Supplemental Equity Facility" (SEF) aiming at alleviating a shortage of project equity for investment projects of SMEs involved in rural business will be established under this component. A grant of US$ 2,000 to 50,000 would be offered to such SMEs in conjunction with a loan approval from a participating commercial bank. Equal amounts of owner's equity and supplemental equity from the SEF would be linked to a bank loan covering at least 60 percent of project costs. The resulting financial plan for the investment project would typically be 20 percent owner's equity, 20 percent supplemental equity and 60 percent bank loan. Selection and approval of the supplemental equity grants would be done by the commercial banks, in accordance with pre-set criteria covering the points above. The PCU and CBSI will jointly carry out six-

Page 15 of 96 monthly reviews of the performance of the SEF, giving an opportunity for scheme adjustments to be made.

Technical Assistance will be available in the formn of training for the Small Business Education Centre, the SME Council, other similar institutions and participating commercial banks, as well as business plan preparation for larger SMEs eligible for the SEF.

2.3.4 Component 4: Program management

This component would support the management of RDP implementation at central and provincial level. This would include the preparation and consolidation of annual work plans and budgets, supervision of all project activities, the preparation of progress reports, financial management and procurement functions, communication activities, and monitoring and evaluation.

Overall project coordination responsibility would be with the Permanent Secretary (PS) of MDPAC (Program Coordinator) guided by a Steering Committee of relevant Permanent Secretaries (Finance and Treasury; Agriculture and Livestock; Infrastructure Development; Provincial Govemment and Rural Development; Development Planning and Aid Coordination) and Provincial Secretaries. The Program Coordinator would be assisted by a full time national Program Manager responsible for the daily coordination of project activities, a senior finance specialist, a senior procurement specialist, a communication specialist, a coordinator for component 1, a coordinator for component 2, and a senior Planning/M&E officer. These would be national specialists and either government or contracted staff.

The Program Manager (reporting to the PS Planning) would coordinate implementation of RDP activities managed by the provincial administrations and by MAL (as regards component 2). The Program Manager would also be directly responsible for component 3 and for coordination with MOFT, with support from the finance officer. The coordinator for component 1 would be responsible for coordination with MPGRD and MID. Intemational TA would also be contracted to provide advisory services to the project management team. .

Project management at the provincial level would be the responsibility of the Provincial Secretary assisted by a Provincial Team Leader. specialists in finance and engineering and MAL's Chief Field Officer (CFO). These would all be national positions. Provincial teams would be established as necessary and regional grouping of some provinces assisted by one team would be made as the program expands to new provinces. The provincial administration would be responsible for contracting with service providers, through MOUs with government agencies and through contracts with NSAs including the private sector. Technical support would be the responsibility of line agency staff at provincial level (e.g. Environmental Health; Works; Agriculture; Home Affairs; Education).

Page 16 of96 CHAPTER 3 SOLOMON ISLANDS LEGISLATION, INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY, INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS; POLICIES

3.1 NATIONAL LEGISLATION

3.1.1 Environment Act 1998

Whilst legally establishing the Environment and Conservation division with defined functions, the Act focuses on development control through an established EIA process, and the control of pollution. The Act also establishes an Environmental Advisory Committee whose function is to advise the Division on environment and conservation matters referred to it by the Director or the Minister. It also requires that a State of the country's Environment report be produced every three years to be submitted for parliamentary debate.

In considering the controls in development activities and for purposes of pursuing sustainable development, the Act incorporates four basic sustainable development principles: the precautionary principle; fairness to future generations; conservation of biological diversity and ecological integrity; and improved valuation and pricing of environmental resources.

A provision of the Environment Act 1998, section 4. (1) states that "In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Act and the provisions of any other Act the provisions of this Act shall, to the extent of any inconsistency prevail. This appears to give the Act considerable power but as with any legislation it is also dependent on the provision of adequate finances to the department and officers that are tasked with its implementation. The Act is administered under the Ministry of Forestry, Environment and Conservation (MFEC) by the Environment and Conservation Division, (ECD).

The regulations to the Act are yet to be completed and there is little evidence of enforcement, partly due to the very low capacity within the ECD (see below). One of the major shortcomings in the Act is the absence of details dealing with biodiversity conservation and especially on protected areas development.

Despite these current weaknesses, the Act potentially remains one of the key pieces of legislation that can effectively address environmental and development issues. The Director of ECD is currently seeking funding to focus efforts on development of effective regulations that will cover current weaknesses or significant gaps.

3.1.2 Wildlife Management and Protection Act 1998

The Wildlife Management and Protection Act 1998 provides for the protection, conservation and management of wildlife in Solomon Islands by regulating the export and import of certain animals and plants. It also enables Solomon Islands to comply with the obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES). One of the features of the act is that it also provides the

Page 17 of 96 opportunity for the development of species management plans which can include the protection of a species habitat.

The required regulations of the Act are yet to be developed and therefore the act is yet to be effectively implemented. Otherwise, capacity issues within the ECD add understandable difficulties in terms of its implementation. Whilst the acts' main aim is to enable Solomon Islands comply with CITES, the country is yet to become a party to the convention.

3.2 The Environment and Conservation Division

The Environment and Conservation Division, under the Ministry of Forestry, Environment and Conservation is responsible for administering these two major legislations.

Since its inception as the Environment and Conservation Division (ECD) the division has suffered from lack of staffing and operational funding and has been unable to fulfill its role in any significant manner; this has led to a situation of low morale and to a general lack of adherence by developers to the provisions of the two Acts (see comments on Multilateral Environment Agreements (MEAs).

DEC is currently in the process of recruiting officers to fill all positions as identified in the organization chart below.

Ministry of Forestry, Environment and Conservation

Environment and Conservation Division

0 Permnanent Secretary

Director

Deputy Director

Principal Environment Officer Two Principal Conservation Officers

Four Senior Environment Officers Senior Conservation Officer

Environment Officer Conservation officer

Nb Two Assistant Wildlife Officers are based at the Arnarvon Islands Marine Conservation Area.

Page 18 of 96 The staff ceiling for ECD has been recently increased to include an additional five positions that will be recruited in the near future. Once recruited, Environment Officers will be stationed in the provinces of Isabel, Malaita and Western.

RDP will provide support to EDC and DAL (the Environmental Assessment Officer once recruited) in the form of airfares and allowances to enable environment and conservation officers to monitor project activities and also to have a key role in development of the environment awareness programs of RDP.

3.3 Other Relevant Legislation

3.3.1 The Forestry Bill 2004

The Forestry Bill 2004 is a draft bill that has been the result of more than two decades of efforts to put in place a new law to replace the outdated and now commonly unpopular Forest and Timber Utilisation Act 1969 and all its confused amendments which is considered by many as the main source'o of all the problems currently experienced in the forestry industry. The Forestry Bill 2004 provides for the conservation of forests and the improved management of forest resources, control of timber harvesting, encouragement and facilitation of sustainable forestry activities, establishment of plantations, and, domestic processing of timber. The most relevant UNCCD requirements of the bill, inter alia, are the requirement for the establishment of national forests and forest reserves.

There have been several attempts by the Forestry Commissioner' 1/s to get the Bill passed through the legislative assembly and the enactment of the Bill was a common demand at provincial consultations.

3.3.2 Lands and Titles Act 1970

The Land and Titles Act 1970 is one of the older Acts that is still one of the most important pieces of legislation in Solomon Islands. It covers the management of land, especially crown land, but is also applicable in certain circumstances in non crown land. The Act has been reviewed and a draft bill is being circulated for consultation.

3.3.3 Town and Country Planning Act 1979

The Town and Country Planning Act 1979 applies only to urban areas. This covers Honiara, the capital city and the provincial towns. The Act operates on the basis of specific planning functions which have been devolved to the Honiara and Provincial Town and Country Planning Boards (TCPB). The TCPBs have been given power under the Act to plan as well as manage urban and rural planning. They are also responsible for controlling the development of acquired lands.

10 Moses Biliki, pers com. " Gordon Konairamo, pers com.

Page 19 of 96 3.3.4 Fisheries Act 1998

The Fisheries Act 1998 provides the legal framework for fisheries management and development in Solomon Islands. Its main objective is to ensure the long term conservation and the sustainable utilization of the fishery resources of Solomon Islands for the benefit of Solomon Islanders. The Act is one of the new legislations that were developed in the late nineties and integrates sustainable development principles. The required regulations have been drafted and are undergoing vetting but are still to be finalized.

Some of the requirements of the Act include the opportunity to develop Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Coastal Management Plans. The Act however faces major implementation constraints which are not only administrative but also legal.

3.4 PROVINCIAL LEGISLATION

Under the Provincial Govemment Act 1997, provinces have been given the power through devolution orders, to formulate relevant legislation covering environment and conservation. Many provinces have enacted their own legislation covering some of the relevant environmental issues such as in protected areas development. Some of the provincial ordinances enacted by the respective provinces are given below:

Table 3.1 Relevant Provincial Ordinances

Province Ordinance Choiseul Choiseul Province Resources Management Ordinance 1997 Malaita Malaita Province Wildlife Management and Licensing Ordinance 1995 Temotu Temotu Province Environmental Protection Ordinance 1994 Guadalcanal Guadalcanal Province Wildlife Management Areas Ordinance 1990 Western Province Western province Resources Management Ordinance 1994, Western Province Coastal and Lagoon Shipping Ordinance 1991 Isabel Isabel Province Conservation Areas Ordinance 1993, Isabel Province Wildlife Sanctuary Ordinance 1995

The provincial legislations have been effective in that they have allowed concrete action to be taken at the community level especially on site where there are gaps and weaknesses in the national legislation in certain areas such as in the development of conservation or protected areas. Implementation and management of the provincial ordinances share the same problems as the national legislation. One notable fact about the provincial legislation is that most of them have been drafted by volunteer legal advisors from outside the country and the current absence of such assistance is slowing community actions as they have come back to depend on the government lawyers from the Attorney General Chambers in Honiara.

Page 20 of 96 3.5 INTERNATIONAL LEGISLATION/AGREEMENTS

The Solomon Islands is a party to many Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) that commit the country to numerous obligations for safeguarding the environment and the sustainable utilization of the resources therein. Some of the major MEAs which are signed and ratified or acceded to by Solomon Islands are referred to below.

3.5.1 Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

The Solomon Islands has received assistance from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for a number "enabling activities' under this convention. One of those activities'2 is the current national capacity self assessment programme which is evaluating the capacity of the country to implement the convention at the national level. The end product of the programme will be an action plan on capacity development. One of the main requirements of the convention is the development of a national biodiversity strategy and action plan (NBSAP) which Solomon Islands is yet to produce. Solomon Islands is also a party to the Biosafety protocol, which is the protocol of the Convention to date. One of the main activities being implemented under the protocol is the development of a national Biosafety framework which is still to be finalized. DEC is the focal agency responsible for the convention.

3.5.2 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC)

Solomon Islands is a party to the UNFCC and its Kyoto Protocol. A number of enabling activities have been completed under the convention. These included the first round of national communications and the development of a draft national implementation plan. The second round of national communications is being implemented. The country also has approved funding for the development of a national adaptation plan of action. Another adaptation programme will be implemented as part of a regional programme and will be based on a selected pilot site. The focal agency responsible for climate change is the Meteorological Service.

3.5.3 United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)

Solomon Islands has completed two national reports under the requirements of this convention. It is yet to produce a national plan of action which is a major prerequisite for implementing the convention. This will hopefully be done as part of the implementation of a Sustainable Land Management programme which is yet to be finalized due to co- financing issues. Whilst the DFEC is the focal point for the convention, the Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL) remains the technical agency responsible for substantive technical matters of the convention.

3.5.4 The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

12 National Capacity Self-Assessment Stocktake Report, Convention on Biological Diversity, Jan McDonald and Michelle Lam, July 2006

Page 21 of 96 The Solomon Islands has carried out some inventories of persistent organic pollutants prior to the adoption of the convention, as part of a region wide assessment programme. An enabling activity programme which will produce a national implementation plan is yet to be finalized. The focal point for the convention is the Department of Environment and Conservation.

3.5.5 The World Heritage Convention

The Solomon Islands nominated East Rennell as a World Heritage site under this convention. The nomination was accepted by the World Heritage Committee and the first world heritage site in the insular Pacific came into being.

During the provincial ARDS discussions on Rennell, 25th August to the 1st of September, 2006, many participants expressed disappointment in the lack of benefits that had so far resulted in the World Heritage listing of East Rennell. The Morova Lagoon nomination for World Heritage listing was cancelled after the surrounding forests were heavily logged and oil palm plantations established.

3.5.6 Convention on International Trade on Endangered Species (CITES)

Solomon Islands is not yet a party to CITES but adheres to its provisions and requirements due to the coverage of the convention on intemational trade. The domestic legislation required to effect the convention at the national level is the Wild Life Protection and Management Act 1998. The lack of regulations to this act is still a constraint to the implementation of the act.

Instruments of accession to this convention are being prepared by the Department of Foreign Affairs after cabinet endorsement in 2006. It is anticipated that the Solomon Islands will be formally accepted as a party to CITES on 24th June 200713

3.5.7 Convention on Wetlands (RAMSAR)

Solomon Islands is not a party to the Ramsar Convention but has previously made preparations for acceding to the convention when the ethnic conflict broke out making it difficult to access the potential site for nomination as Ramsar site which would have enabled national accession to the convention. A major regional work on wetlands had also identified numerous wetlands sites in the country, many of which are also included in the discussions on protected areas.

Whilst Solomon Islands has committed itself into fulfilling its obligations under these numerous MEAs, the implementation status at the national level has not been satisfactory due to a number of issues relating to resources, institutional capacity and good governance. The number of MEAs signed and ratified or acceded to by Solomon Islands is overwhelming. The cost of implementing the requirements of even one major convention is prohibitive for a least developed country such as Solomon Islands.

13Director ECD, Joe Horokou, pers comm..

Page 22 of 96 3.6 NATIONAL POLICIES

For many years, the Solomon Islands has been without a comprehensive policy framework that would effectively address the many environmental issues of today. Some policies currently exist but are out date or are deficient and done in a piece meal approach, and may be disjointed and even conflicting. The most appropriate of all the current policies is the national environment and management strategy.

3.6.1 National Environmental Management Strategy (NEMS)

The Solomon Islands National Environment Management Strategy (NEMS) which was produced in 1992, funded by the ADB through technical support from South Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP). It is already out of date but remains a useful strategy for environmental management in the country in the absence of any successive strategy in the environment sector. NEMS focuses on the following five broad strategies;

* Adopt an integrated approach to environmental policy and planning, * Submit proposed policies , development programmes and projects to environment impact assessment, * Introduce a comprehensive framework of national and provincial environmental law, together with the means for its enforcement in a communally acceptable manner, * Review adequacy of institutional mechanisms and administrative controls and strengthen them as necessary, and • Institute resource pricing in the national accounts and other economic policy for achieving sustainability.

The strategy contains a wish list of too many activities whose funding sources were never identified when the strategy was drawn up, and hence suffered implementation problems due to neglect and lack of support from donors and key players in environment and conservation. However, most of the priority activities identified in the strategy have been implemented. Many NGOs and civil societies have also implemented the relevant programs of the NEMS. Successive governments have promised to revise the NEMS but nothing has materialized. The current GCCG government has again included in it policy to review it.

3.6.2 UNFCC National Implementation Strategy 2004

The National Implementation Strategy of the UNFCCC, which was formulated an enabling activity of the convention, is still one of the most relevant policy documents in terms of climate change issues. This document is still in draft form but provides a wider coverage of issues that are relevant to climate change as it relates to the environment. The document will need to be revised and updated in the light of new initiatives under the UNFCC such as the Second National Communications, National Adaptation Programme of Action, and Pacific Adaptation for Climate Change programme.

Page 23 of 96 CHAPTER 4 SOLOMON ISLANDS ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION INITIATIVES

4.1 Introduction and Regional Context

Solomon Islands is an independent island archipelago situated east of Papua New Guinea and northeast of Australia in the north west corner of the South Pacific. The island archipelago stretches over an 860 km distance in a northwest southeast direction. To the east Solomon Islands shares a border with Vanuatu. To the west is the island of Bougainville which is a semi-autonomous province of Papua New Guinea. The Solomon Islands is ethnically Melanesian, though there are strong pockets of Polynesian, in the outlying outer islands e.g. Rennell Bellona Province and settlements of Micronesians, e.g. Wagena in the Choiseul Province.

l

r, )

Map 2 Bismarck Solomon Seas Ecoregion Map courtesy WWF.

The WWF Solomon Islands Forestry Strategy states:

'The Bismorck and Solomon Seas boast the highest diversity of saltwater fish and coral species in the world. Reef fish diversity and abundance is increasingly being seen as connected to the health of forested streams.

The marine areas of the Solomon Is lands are part of the Bismarck Solomon Seas Ecoregion (BSSE), one of the richest marine areas of the world. A Rapid Ecological Assessment conducted by TNVC in 2004, indicated that Solomon Islands has the second highest diversity of coral species in the world after Raja Ampat in Indonesia. Over 494 coral species were found with several new species discovered. The BSSE also has high levels of fish biodiversity with 1019 different species noted in this same survey.

Page 24 of 96 The Solomon Islands has a total land area of 28,450 sq km, but its exclusive economic zone covers some 1.3 million sq km, hence the importance of the marine environment. The island group consists of a double chain of six major islands and more than 990 smaller islands, atolls and cays. The six major islands as well as other larger islands are mostly rugged and mountainous and were naturally covered with tropical moist rainforests, large areas of which having been logged or proposed for logging.

Throughout the South Pacific, selective logging has been used by successive governments and communities as a means to provide infrastructure to rural areas, particularly roads and bridges in the name of rural "development." Typically this type of "development" is both environmentally and sociologically damaging; bridges in are constructed of logs and collapse once the logger moves on. Peripheral damage to the residual stand caused by felling and extracting complete log lengths is excessive and environmental damage is exacerbated by re-entry logging (logging an area before it has had time to recover from the previous logging operation).

There are dire predictions for the Solomon Islands economy if the current rate of logging continues, with recent estimates14 that natural forests wood flows would start to decline in 2010 and be exhausted by 2015, at the current rate of logging which is 1 million cubic metres per year. In the first quarter of 2007 log export figures of 373,000 cubic metres have been recorded which indicates a potential for 1.6 million cubic metres harvest for 2007 thus bringing forward the date by which all Solomon islands natural forests will have been logged and generating an income gap for the government as currently 65/70% of foreign exchange earnings comes from log exports.

There are even proposals to commence logging in the Rennell Island which is entirely a "Karst" landscape and there very susceptible to environmental damage and degradation should such proposals succeed.

The smallest islands range from coralline atolls to bare sandy islets. The major islands are mostly of volcanic origin. The islands form part of the Pacific 'Ring of Fire', seismic activity including earthquakes is common occurrences and there are active volcanoes.

As the islands are within the equatorial region, the climate is typically tropical with relatively high and uniform temperature all year round. There is high humidity and abundant rainfall of 3500-5000mm per annum. Most of the country normally experiences dry conditions from May to around October when the southeast trade winds blow. The northwest wind trade blows from November to April and is associated with high rainfall, strong winds and cyclones.

4.2 The Terrestrial Environment

Most of Solomon is covered by tropical moist forest. Recent estimates established that 85 % of the country is naturally covered by forests. The vegetation basically comprises grassland, swamps, lowland rain forest, montane forest and secondary vegetation. In

14 AusAID funded Forest Management Project

Page 25 of 96 terms of its richness, Hansell and Wall recorded a total of 3,210 vascular plants and estimated that a total of 4,500 species could be there if unrecorded species are included. Solomon Islands flora is closely related to that of Malesia. It however has less families, genera and species. The current information indicates that there is low endemism compared to the country's fauna.

Forests are an integral part of the daily lives of rural Solomon Islanders. It provides them with most of the necessities of life and plays a significant part in their cultural identity. As one villager' 5 stated "It is one life-blood of us all, we live in it, use it and are part of it in ways that are fundamental to the sustenance of human survival".

Before the arrival of early colonizers, the forests were in tact as Solomon Islanders lived a subsistence lifestyle through traditionally governed independent communities. The advent of early modernization through the arrival of European traders, merchants, Christian missions and early colonizers introduced substantial changes. Early developments saw the conversion of large areas of coastal forests to coconut plantations. More forests clearance or deforestation occurred when early plantations diversified into cocoa plantations.

Hansell and Wall (1976) and Wall et al (1979) mapped the land systems in Solomon Islands. These efforts, which mapped a total of twenty-seven soil groups, found that the soils in Solomon Islands are generally good in structure, well drained and are usually deep. In terms of essential elements, they are quite rich in nitrogen, phosphorus and organic carbon but are relative poor in potassium and magnesium. The most fertile and therefore, most important of all the soil groups is the recent alluvial found only on North Guadalcanal most of which has now been planted with oil palm. The same work by Hansell and Wall also identified other agricultural opportunity areas through out the country.

The native avifauna (birds), are the most studied group of all faunal groups in the Solomon Islands. It is the most diverse and has the highest level of endemism of all avifauna of all the Pacific Oceanic Islands with approximately 173 residential terrestrial species and 50 other species of sea birds, shore birds and occasional visitors. Almost half the birds are endemic at the species level. According to Birdlife International, Solomon Islands is the largest Endemic Bird Area in the world (Satterfield et al 1998). This still excludes Rennell and Bellona, and Temotu which have separate endemic bird species.

Reptiles are probably the next much studied group of fauna. Their total comes to 61 (excluding sea snakes, turtles and crocodiles). There is greater diversity of reptiles in the Solomon Islands than elsewhere in the Pacific Islands. This may not be the case for endemic species though, which may be higher in New Caledonia. Three of the reptile genera in the country are endemic as well as 25 other species. At least five species are thought to be endangered or extinct.

15 M. Biliki pers com.

Page 26 of 96 Terrestrial mammals of Solomon Islands are regarded as one of the World's richest in terms of bats and rats. There are over 52 species, 50 percent of which are endemic' 16. There are seventeen native frogs, which indicate the greatest diversity of frogs of any Pacific Island group. The frogs include three endemic genera. Terrestrial invertebrate information are not adequate except for the butterflies which is believed to number about 130 species Thirty five of these are endemic whilst 54 are shared with Papua New Guinea.

4.3 The Marine Environment

The Solomon Islands marine and coastal ecosystem is part of the worlds' largest marine center of diversity - the Western Pacific. The Solomon Islands coastal zone contains some of the most biologically diverse ecosystems in the world with its estuaries, beaches, mangroves, coral reefs, sea grasses, algal beds and many small island ecosystems supporting a wealth of marine resources. These systems however are relatively unknown. Coral reefs in the Solomon Islands are mainly narrow, fringing and intermittently distributed all around the islands. Their collective biomass is, however, large because of the coastline length of the nearly thousand islands. Long barrier reefs and expansive intertidal reef flats are uncommon though. Ontong Java, a northern outlier, is the only large atoll. The largest coral reef systems are found in the following areas:

* Around the Shortland Islands closer to Bougainville * Inside barrier reefs along the north eastern shore of Choiseul * Either side of the Manning Strait between Choiseul and Isabel Islands and extending along the southwestern shore of Santa Isabel * New Georgia southern shore covering Gizo and Vonavona lagoon areas . Encircling the island of Vangunu in south eastern New Georgia along the northeastern coast * Lau and Langalanga lagoons in Malaita * Marua sound in east Guadalcanal (Sulu et al)

Even though the status of the Solomon Islands' coral reefs and its biota remains relatively unknown, current lists of known fishes number around 2000. The most recent major work on the marine environment was a marine assessment carried out in 2004, led by some of the renowned scientist in the field from TNC and with support from various organizations including the Government of Solomon Islands, WWF, World Fish Centre, provinces and many communities through out the country.

The marine assessment states, "the Solomon islands is an area of high conservation value where marine diversity is exceptionally high, marine habitats are in good condition, and current threats are low. The diversity of marine life, condition of marine habitats, and the attractiveness of rainforest-dominatedislands combine to create coastal settings seldom seen in today's over-populated and over-exploited world. However there is some concern

16 World Vision representatives at Lata, Temotu islands expressed concern at the amount of damage being to done to food gardens by plagues of rats and bats, which have serious food security implications.

Page 27 of 96 regarding increasing threats to marine habitats, particularlyfrom fishing and poor land use practices".

The marine survey found that the Solomon Islands has one of the highest diversities of corals in the world with a recording of 494 species in the survey, 485 of which are known and nine still unknown to the experts and may be new species. They stated that this extraordinarily high diversity of coral species is the second highest in the world, second only to the Raja Ampat Islands of eastern Indonesia. The assessment also reported records of 1019 fish species. Marine invertebrate knowledge focuses on the few important commercial or fisheries species and remains largely unknown.

4.4 Protected Areas

Much of the Solomon Islands is not under any formal legal protection and most of the country is under customary ownership. With the current unprecedented level of logging activity which has seen the production of round logs reaching one million cubic metres per annum in the last few years, hopes of formally protecting the many unique forested areas of the country is fast disappearing. During consultations many individuals clearly stated that if they could earn more cash from their agricultural crops they would not need the royalties from logging operations 17. The common problems of resources scarcity (human resources and funding), low capacity levels and institutional weaknesses are reasons given for the lack of establishment of protected areas.

Efforts regarding establishment of protected areas are ongoing with the assistance of donors and international and national NGOs. Current efforts in protected areas development in Solomon Islands are not so much based on what types of protected areas to be developed but are emphasized more on community based, the community managed conservation area approach.

The following areas are existing protected areas:

4.4.1 Arnarvon Islands Marine Conservation Area

This area was initially established as the Arnarvon Island Turtle Sanctuary under an Isabel Province ordinance but was subsequently abandoned following the burning down of the islands facilities by original landowners. It was re-established as the Arnarvon Islands Marine Conservation Area under an improved Isabel provincial ordinance and a new management plan. The re-establishment of the conservation area was the result of an excellent partnership between the government, The Nature Conservancy and the communities of Posarae and Wagena in Choiseul province, and Kia in Isabel province.

4.4.2 Queen Elizabeth Park

This area is just south of Honiara and is commonly known as Mount Austin. It was declared a national park under the National Parks Act in 1954. The park has not been

17 ARDS consultations on Makira, for example.

Page 28 of 96 under any proper management and has been totally degraded by local people who claim ownership of the area, and other settlers from nearby settlements on the outskirts of Honiara. One informant stated that much of the firewood, largely Pometia pinnata (local name "aqua") sold at the Honiara market is taken from this reserve

4.4.3 Kolombangara Ecological site

A strip of forest which runs up to the summit of Kolombangara was reserved as an ecological site but has since been selectively logged. It current ecological status is undetermined.

4.4.4 Bird sanctuaries - (Tugali, Dalakalau, Dalakalonga, Oema and Oema atoll)

Under a piece of colonial legislation known as the Wild Birds Protection Act, a number of small islands were declared bird sanctuaries. Most of these are in the Florida Islands and Western province. Most of these have also been degraded by poachers and are considered defunct' 18

4.4.5 East Rennell World Heritage site

The Solomon Islands have the honor of hosting the first World Heritage site in the insular Pacific through East Rennell which was accepted as a World Heritage site. The effort now should be focusing on sorting the management issues relating to the site as there is pressure to log adjacent primary rainforests despite the obvious low commercial volumes 19 and environmental sensitivity of the landscape.

4.4.6 Komarindi Catchment's Conservation area

The Komarindi catchment is an important catchment area for the proposed Lunga hydropower development to serve Honiara. The area is a large area north west of Honiara and is currently under some long term lease arrangements between the government and the land trustees of the area.

4.4.7 Makira Highlands Conservation Area

Situated in the central Bauro highlands of Makira, this is a large area developed by CI and the Makira Conservation Foundation for conservation. The programme has also ventured into ngali nut (Canariutn spp) oil production as an alternative livelihood programme for the local people.

4.5 Proposed Protected Areas

Since the mid seventies, there have been a number of reports focusing on potential protected areas. Many of these reports have identified areas suitable for protection and

18J. Horokou pers comm.. 19Personal observation from hours of walking on the Island.

Page 29 of 96 have made recommendations for the identified areas to be protected and conserved. The most comprehensive to date is the Maruia Society report produced in 1991 which reiterated many of the sites identified by the earlier reports.

The following table gives the major areas/sites proposed for protection by many of the reports indicated to above. Many other proposed smaller areas are not included below.

Province Name of proposed site 1 Choiseul province Mount Maetambe, South Choiseul, Mt Talaevondo 2 Western province Marovo lagoon, Kolombangara Is, Tetepare Island, Rendova, White eye reserves, FauroIslands, Njari Island 3 Isabel Province North Western Isabel, Mt Kubonitu, Casuarina swamp- Ortega Channel 4 Guadalcanal Lauvi lagoon, Itina-Popomanseu, Lungga River, Mount Gallego, Marau sound 5 Central province Russell Islands 6 Renbel province East Rennell 7 Makira-Ulawa Central Makira -Bauro Highlands, Western wetlands, province Three sisters 8 Malaita province CentralMalaita Highlands, Are Are Maramasike 9 Temotu province Kauri reserve, Tinakula Islands

A number of NGOs and civil society groups are currently active in developing a new concept of locally managed marine areas through out the country. Many communities have been receptive to this approach and are establishing small pockets of protected marine areas.

4.6 Key Environmental NGOs and Their Areas Of Activities

A number of environmental Non Govemment Organisations have played key roles in advocating and promoting the environmental agenda in Solomon Islands. Whilst most of them are international NGOs, national NGOs have also contributed significantly to the same environmental cause. The work of the NGOs has supported the work of the government and fills the gap where there are no government interventions. The NGOs are mostly working at the grassroots and community level and have made greater inroads at the community level than the government. The following NGOs are currently active in Solomon Islands.

4.6.1 WWF - The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Solomon Islands

The WWF has been active in the Solomon Islands since the eighties and has been focusing most of its work in the Western province. In the nineties, WWF implemented an integrated community development and conservation programme promoting the development of marine protected areas and alternative livelihoods. They have assisted

Page 30 of 96 local communities to develop local protected areas. They have also played the lead role in the current efforts at Tetepare Island which is the largest uninhabited island in the South Pacific. Their current effort focuses on the Bismarck Solomon Seas Ecoregion programme which is basically a marine oriented programme. Recently, it developed a forest conservation programme which has received funding from the EU Stabex facility and is being processed for implementation. With a well developed international network, the WWF has been able to secure resources for its programmes.

4.6.2 The Nature Conservancy (TNC)

TNC is the NGO that has taken on the key role of re-establishing the Arnarvon Islands Marine Conservation Area (AMCA) in partnership with the government and the local communities of Choiseul and Isabel provinces. The AMCA to date is the most successful conservation area project in the country and is being used as a model to promote the establishment of other conservation areas. TNC's work is basically on the marine environment and currently focuses on Choiseul and Isabel provinces. The organization also targets capacity building for traditional community leaders to strengthen management and decision making in the community in relation to its programmes. TNC's programme in Solomon Islands is based in Honiara.

4.6.3 Conservation International (CI)

CI is the only international NGO that currently focuses on the terrestrial environment. Its main project in the country is the Central Makira Conservation area which is a large area in the Bauro highlands of Makira. Cl's work in Makira has also focused on alternative livelihoods especially on the production of Ngali nut oil for export. Cl's work in Makira has been done through a local partnership with the Makira Conservation Foundation. CI has recently established an office in Honiara.

4.6.4 Others

Other NGOs which are still active in environment and conservation issues are Greenpeace, Foundation of the Peoples of the South Pacific International (FSPI), Solomon Islands Development Trust (SIDT), Environment and Conservation Action Network of Solomon Islands (ECANSI) and many others which are based in the provinces. World Vision's office in Temotu has three officers, including a senior facilitator and a specialist in income generation.

Page 31 of 96 CHAPTER 5 POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS BOTH POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE, OF PROJECT ACTIVITIES

5.1 Introduction

A recurrent theme of the provincial consultations were the simple keywords, "identify "what we had, identify what went wrong, let's get back on track"

Participants in discussions were continually stating that "if we had better access to markets and better prices, or more cost effective mechanisms to get our produce to market, we could eam more income and reduce our dependency on the small amount of cash that we receive from logging".

RDP has been designed with participatory mechanisms to identify key means to improve the livelihoods of the rural population and the project activities should not have a lasting deleterious effect on the environment of the Solomon Islands and should in fact be capable of improving the capacity of the rural population to improve their environmental management.

To this end, the project will employ consultants to develop environmental and social awareness programs prior to commencing any activities under components 1 and 2. These simple awareness programs (see section 6 for more details) will be developed with relevant existing authorities, principally, the ministries of Forests, Environment and Conservation, Home Affairs, Agriculture and Livestock and Infrastructure and Development.

5.2 Current Activities Resulting in Negative Environmental Impacts

5.2.1 Logging

Although there is a Code of Logging Practice for the Solomon Islands, loggers typically ignore the rules and there is insufficient monitoring. On Temotu, a field inspection revealed that the peripheral damage caused during the selective logging in the catchment of the water source for Lata was excessive, (see photo 7 and Map 2) Villagers stated that the effect of run off from the log pond, which is located adjacent to the high water mark and had no bunds surrounding the fuel tanks was depleting the fish stocks of Graciosa bay.

Page 32 of 96 * * =- ; -- 41~N-

Photo 7 Recently Logged over forest near Lata, Santa Cruz, showing extensive peripheral damage to the stand. The small inset shows the Licensee illustrating a regenerating native species, Pometia spp (locally known as "aqua").

The licensee has constructed a nursery to grow African mahogany to replant in the logged over areas. This has the potential to spread through the forest as it seeds easily and grows well in the shade.

The NERRDP Implementation Report (2005) reported on Solomon Islands' progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGS). It found that with regard to Goal 7 To ensure environmental sustainability, Target 9 Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programmes and reverse the loss of environmental resources, sustainable development principles are gradually being considered in policies and programmes in Solomon Islands, but natural forest harvesting continues at an unsustainable rate and the loss of biodiversity is continuing.

5.2.2 Population Structure and Growth

The population of the Solomon Islands has a high number of younger people and a relatively high growth rate. This produces pressure on land and accelerates environmental degradation. SIG has population policies to address these issues and RDP will be mindful of SIG policies.

Page 33 of 96 The predominance of a young, largely unemployed population, see age and sex population distribution for Malaita20 presents challenges for RDP implementation and for the strategies for rural innovations and awareness programs.

Population Estimate of Provinces 2005 to 2006

160000-ll-

120000EChoiseul

10000O Isabel

Number of Population by Central ,oo 000 Rennel : Guadalcanal 60000- M Malaita E3Makira 40000 Temotu * Honiara__ 20000- E

------

75 Malaita --- -| - Men Women

6 0 ------

I - ' 4 5 ------

r - - - - -

------

15 ------

0 ----

20 15 10 5 0 5 10 15 20 Percentage SOURCE: Population Census 1999, Department Population and Statistics; Graphs created by A. Prakash, Ministry of Development Planning and Aid Coordination.

20This chart is typical for all provinces.

Page 34 of 96 5.3 Potential Positive and Negative Effects of Project Activities

RDP has been designed to have positive environmental and social outcomes; there may be temporary negative effects as the "community goods" nature of the subprojects will probably include such activities as road and building upgrades. These potential negative effects are discussed below and addressed in the screening process in Chapter 6. of this document.

The Improved Agricultural Services (Cpt2) and Rural business development (Cpt3) components are more complex and likely to be larger grants where the potential for both positive and negative environmental and social impacts will need to be assessed and due process under the Environment Act 1998, for the preparation of a PER or EIA followed. The ESMF contains details of this process.

5.3.1 Brief description of potential environmental and social impacts of the Project.

In order to predict impacts is necessary to describe the current environment of the Solomon island Islands, which in addition to the environmental damage outlined in 5.2.1, is subject to natural weather occurrences and the growing influence of climate change.

Table 1, briefly describes the landforms of the provinces, along with the lists of endangered species and the recorded occurrences of natural disasters, such as cyclones, floods and droughts over the period 1950-2000. It is generally considered that the frequency and severity of such events will (or already have) increase with the effect of global warming.

Although RDP will have little opportunity to effect climate change, sub project activities will be designed to have a carbon neutral or carbon reducing effect - such as conversion of copra to Biofuel and using the Biofuel in RDP transport systems.

This is further discussed in Table 3 below. Table 2 should be read in conjunction with Table 1 as it describes the vegetation types of the Solomon Islands.

Page 35 of 96 2 Province and Brief Description of Landforms 1 Main Species of Conservation Recorded Natural Disasters, Interest2 2/concern 1950-200023 Central Province Central Province consists of the Florida, Savo and Russell Islands, all of volcanic Megapodius eremita, especially from feral cats. The main disaster in the history of origin, and feature steep, rugged terrain. Soil on Savo is derived from volcanic ash Central Province was the Savo and is fertile. Savo is known for thermal springs and megapod birds, which bury their Volcano eruptions that killed eggs in the warm volcanic soil for incubation. hundreds of people between 1845- The natural vegetation is generally tropical rain forest, but much of this has been 1850. logged, leaving only small remnant "intact" patches interspersed with regrowth. The Recorded natural disasters include: Slash and bum method of gardening and short fallow periods has changed the C7,DI,E6,FI,LI and T2 vegetation in much of the Florida group and Savo. In many areas, grasslands have spread inland. Choiseul Province Choiseul is a long narrow island located in the northern most part of the Solomons, Insects: Graphium meeki (butterfly) endemic, Rare Until the recent (April 2007) geographical features include tropical rainforests on rugged terrain, deep gorges, Graphium mendana (butterfly) Rare Reptiles- Tsunami, Choiseul has been rivers, and its coastal region and shoreline are covered with long narrow beaches with Amphibians: 7 species of frogs, I possibly endemic relatively less affected by natural shallow reefs. Solomonelaps par (Elapidae) endemic Birds: disasters compared to other Coastal settlements are predominant with low population density. Microgoura meeki (Solomon Islands Ground Pigeon) provinces. Recorded natural disaster The total land area of Choiseul is 3,294 square kilometres. extinct 1904 (Nesasio solomonensis (Fearful Owl) include: endemic, Rare C4,DI.E4 and T5

21 From DPGCD Provincial reports 2001, based on Hansell, J.R.F and Wall, J.D. (eds) 1974 The British Solomon Islands ProtectorateLandResource Study 18. Land Resources Division, Ministry of Overseas Development, Surry, England.

22 UN System-Wide Earthwatch Web Site - Island Directory. 2323 Sources: Natural Disasters Database Vol 1-4 - D.A Radford, R.J. Blong, N.R. Flood, Namu Report, Meteorology Services and Seismology Section, the report covers the period from 1950-2000. C-Cyclone, D-Drought, E-Earthquake, F-Flood. L-Landslide, T-Tsunami, V-Volcanic eruption. Bold text indicates highest frequency, numbers illustrate number of events recorded from 1950-2000.

Page 36 of 96 Guadalcanal Province Guadalcanal is the largest island and occupies a central position in the country. It is Reptiles-Amphibians: 6 species of frogs 12 species of Guadalcanal is rated "High" in terms 160 km long and 45 km wide at the center. The island is of a northwest to southeast geckos including: Cyrtodactylus biordinis (Gekkonidae) of its vulnerability to cyclones, trend with a mountainous spine parallel and close to the southern coast. The interior endemic, Lepidodactylus shebae (Gekkonidae) endemic, coastal and river flooding, Tsunami, has sheer and ragged peaks including Mt Makarakombura (2,447m) and Mt known from I specimen 17 species of skinks including: earthquakes, and landslides. It is Popomanaseu (2,330m), the nation's tallest peaks. Tribolonotus schmidti (Scincidae) endemic rated as "Medium" in terms of Northwestern volcanic area (540km2) including Savo Island consists of old, Sphenomorphus bignelli (Scincidae) endemic vulnerability to volcanic eruption dormant volcanic cones up to 1,000m height. Southern mountain area (2,240km2) Loveridgelaps elapoides, endemic, very rare, and "Low" in terms of drought stretches from Makina in the east to Tangarare in the west. The summit rises to Solomonelaps par (Elapidae) endemic Crocodylus vulnerability. almost 2,500m.The Central Hills (1,440km2) north of the southern mountains porosus (Estuarine or Saltwater Crocodile), particularly Recorded Natural disasters have occupy an area of about 20km wide stretching from Kaoka in the east to the western in Laura Lagoon, Endangered Birds: Cichlomis included coast of Tangarare.Northern foothills (620km2) range froml to 6 km in width whitneyi (Thicket Warbler) Rare, Collocalia orientalis C14,D2,E36.F8, and T3 including Honiara and Mount Austin and form a low fringe of the central hills. (Guadalcanal Swiftlet) endemic, Rare; Meliphaga Northern plains (450km2). the only alluvial plains of this size in the country, inexpectata (Guadalcanal Honeyeater) endemic, extends from Lungga River in the west to nearly Kaoka Bay in the east. montane and hill forest, Rare; Nesoclopeus woodfordi (Woodford's or Solomon Islands Rail) endemic, Rare.

Isabel Province Isabel is dominated by Santa Isabel, the longest island in the Solomons. Other islands Insects: Graphium meeki (butterfly) group endemic, The island lies on a cyclonic region in the province include San Jorge Island and many lesser islands in the western part Rare (RDB) Reptiles-amphibians: 9 species of frogs and is a seismically active area, with the Amarvon groups and the Ramos to the east. Loveridgelaps elapoides, group endemic, very rare,) placing it at risk to natural disasters The soil on Isabel is of volcanic origin and lacks the extensive raised coral terrace Solomonelaps par (Elapidae) endemic; Birds: Nesasio such as earthquakes and cyclones. margins often found in other parts of the country. The island consists mainly of steep solomonensis (Fearful Owl) endemic, Rare; Recorded natural disasters include: sided mountain ranges dissected by river valleys, which often contain alluvial flood Nesoclopeus woodfordi (Woodford's or Solomon C3,DI,E6, Fl and T2 plains. Where mountains do not extend to the sea, mangrove or fresh water swamps Islands Rail) endemic, Rare. are common. Makira/Ulawa Province Birds: Edithomis (Pareudiastes) silvestris (San Cristobal Makira/Ulawa province comprises seven islands. San Cristobel is the main island and Mountain Rail) endemic, central mountains and valleys Makira is one of the most disaster is commonly known as Makira. Ulawa is located approximately 65 kilometres from of Naghasi Ridge, Gallicolumba salamonis (San prone provinces in the country. It is Makira and further north are the "Three Sisters Islands", Ugi, Pio, Santa Ana and Cristobal Ground Dove) endemic to San Cristobal located on the hub of the active Santa Catalina). The province has a total land area of 3,230 square kilometres. The group, Rare; Ptilinopus eugeniae (White-headed Fruit cyclone path between the eastem interior of the main island of Makira is rugged and have steep ridges that vary from Dove) San Cristobal and Uki Ni Masat, Rare Vitia and southern regions exposing it to 400 to 1,000 metres in height. The ridges are surrounded by rolling hills, terraces and parens (Shade Warbler) endemic, Rare; Zoothera cyclones that form in these regions. plateaus on the coast. There are several rivers of varying lengths and those that flow margaretae (San Cristobal Ground Thrush) endemic, Recorded natural disasters include: north having greater length. The central area of Ulawa island has dissected hills Rare; Monarcha vidua (San Cristobal Monarch) C15, Dl,E56,F2,T4 surrounded by terraces and coral reef platforms. The other smaller islands have low endemic, San Crisobal and Uki Ni Masa, Rare; hills with height not more than 160 meters and coral reef platforms. Rhipidura tenebrosa (Dusky Fantail) endemic, Rare; Dicaeum tristrami (San Cristobal Flowerpecker) endemic, Rare; Meliarchus sclateri (San Cristobal Honeyeater) endemic, Rare; Aplonis dichroa (San

Page 37 of 96 Cristobal Starling) endemic, forest edges, Rare Malaita Province The Malaita Province consists of the main islands of Malaita and Maramasike Reptiles-Amphibians: 8 species of frogs endemic fresh The province is highly vulnerable to together with the outlying island of Ndai and two atolls of Sikaiana and Ontong Java. water turtle Loveridgelaps elapoides, endemic, very rare, cyclones, river flooding, tsunamis Malaita is 190km long with a width ranging from 10 km at its narrowest to 30km at Solomonelaps par (Elapidae) endemic; Birds: Rhipidura and landslides, medium its widest part. It has a mountainous interior flanked by hills and narrow coastal malaitae (Malaita Rufous Fantail) endemic, montane vulnerability to earthquakes and terraces interspersed with swamps and valleys. forest, Rare. Zosterops stressmanni (Malaita White-eye) drought and low vulnerability to The total land area of the island is more than 4,200 square km. Sikaiana, sometimes endemic, lowland/hill forest, Rare Myzomela malaitae volcanic eruption. called Steward Island, lies about 180km north east of Malaita and is made up of four (Malaita Honeyeater) endemic, lowland/hill forest, Rare. Recent natural disasters include: low-lying atolls which are flat and created by an extinct volcano. Ontong Java, also C12, E7, F I, and T4 known as Lord Howe Island, lies 350km northwest of Malaita. Ontong Java atoll has two large settlements, Luaniua and Pelau and a few smaller ones. There are more than 100 small raised coral islands in the shoe-shaped lagoon. The small long and narrow low-lying islands are made of raised coral debris. The total land area of Ontong Java is 12 square km within the 1400 square km lagoon. There is little fertile soil on these atolls. Rennell - Bellona Province Rennell/Bellona Province is Rennell and Bellona, being raised atolls, differ in configuration from most of the Reptiles-Amphibians: 17 species including 4 sea snakes subjected to severe cyclonic activity islands of the country. The coastal profile of these coral islands is one of high cliffs Laticauda crockeri (sea snake in lake) endemic, Rare; but the report cited below suggests covered with thick vegetation. Birds 43 (36) species, including 5 endemic species and there is under-reporting of drought. The northern coast of Rennell has straight limestone cliffs with some sections as high 10 endemic subspecies: Clytorhynchus hamlini (Rennell This could be due to the isolation of as 120 meters, while the southem coast undulates to Lughu Bay, making the area Shrikebill) endemic, Rare; Rhipidura rennelliana province or because 50% of the ideal for anchorage. Access to the inland basin from the sea is easier from the (Rennell Fantail) endemic, Rare; Zosterops rennelliana population lives and works in other southem coast. (Rennell Island White-eye) endemic; Woodfordia provinces, sending cash and food In Rennell, the coastline at the westem basin is steep with heights ranging from 150- superciliosa (Woodford's White-eye) endemic, Rare; home to relatives. 200 meters. From its raised and rocky rim, the general land surface descends Aplonis insularis (Rennell Starling) endemic: Mammals Nb: during the provincial "ARDS" gradually to just above sea level at the basin centre where small swamps occur, as the 10 species of bats Rattus exulans subspecies Marine life: consultations in 2006, the non- surface drainage system has not developed. The land surface is irregular due to the 118 molluscs 79 fish arrival of shipping for some months presence of innumerable low limestone hillocks separating small, flat-bottom basins. emptied all trade stores and people Bellona, the smaller of the two islands resembles the shape of a canoe, with the low- were walking for hours to obtain dry lying interior area likened to the hull. The coastline is blanketed by forested cliff. The coconuts from the coastal areas for coastline of Bellona Island is a high cliff with summits of 50-70 meters. The central food. portion, formerly a lagoon, is concave with some areas being lower than 10 meters Recorded natural disasters include: above sea level. C12, Dl Temotu Province: Temotu Province is made up of 3 main islands, namely Santa Cruz (Nendo), Plants: Agathis macrophylla (kauri) endemic: Nendo, Temotu has recorded the highest Vanikoro and Utupua, and a number of smaller islands, which include the Reef Vanikolo, Espiritu Santo Reptiles-Amphibians: Emoia number of severe natural disasters of Islands, Duff Islands (Taumako), Tinakula (active volcano), Tikopia, Anuta and rufilabialis (Scincidae) endemic Birds: Zosterops any province in the Solomon Fatutaka. The Reef Islands include the main island of Lomlom, Fenualoa and its sanctaecrucis (Santa Cruz White-eye) endemic; Islands, with the severe drought in adjacent islands and the outlying atolls of Matema, Nukapu, Nupani, Pileni and Woodfordia lacertosa (Sanford's White-eye) Endemic; 1952/3 causing 17 deaths on the Nifiloli. These group of islands are widely scattered some 350 km east of the main Mayromis schistaceus (Small Salty Flycatcher) endemic island of Tikopia.

Page 38 of 96 Solomon Islands chain and located approximately between latitudes 9045' S - 12"30'S Other recent natural disasters and longitudes 165°57'E- 170°E. While there are unique differences between the include: islands in terms of their topography, most are of volcanic origin and have steep and C22, D2, E12, T6,V4 rugged topography. The major exception is the Reef Islands with its outer islands, which is a group of low coral terraces, sand cays and reefs, and the raised reef terraces of westem Santa Cruz. Western Province Westem Province is deemed to be Westem province is an archipelago of islands stretching from Alu, at the southern tip Reptiles-Amphibians: Sphenomorphus bignelli highly vulnerable to coastal of the Province's "sister island" Bougainville, to its southemmost point, the (Scincidae) endemic Loveridgelaps elapoides, endemic, flooding, tsunamis, earthquakes, uninhabited volcanic crater emerging from the sea as Mborokua, just north of the very rare, Solomonelaps par (Elapidae) endemic; Birds: landslides and volcanic eruption. Russell Islands of the Central Province. New Georgia is the largest island of the Zosterops luteirostris luteirostris (Ghizo White-eye) The most recent (in April 2007) was Province. Other sizeable islands include Vangunu, Kolombangara, Vella Lavella and endemic Endangered). Monarcha browni particularly damaging with much Ranongga. (Kolombangara Monarch) group endemic Phylloscopus destruction and death caused by the The Province is known for its scenic beauty, which includes one of the world's amoenus (Kolombangara Warbler) endemic Zosterops associated Tsunami. A summary of largest coral reef lagoons, Marovo Lagoon. Just outside this lagoon, to the southwest, murphyi (Kolombangara Mountain White-eye) endemic, recent natural disasters is as follows: is a famous "sometimes" island- Kavachi, the tip of an active submarine volcano that montane forest, Rare; Zosterops splendida (Ranongga C5, Dl, E67, T4 emerges from the sea for a few days at a time before eroding away. White-eye) endemic sp. (or ssp.)Tribolonotus ponceleti (Scincidae) endemic

NB only 0.28% of the land area of the Solomon Islands is under any form of protected area status.

Page 39 of 96 Table 2 Vegetation Zones

Zone Zone Components Major Species Location Coastal strand Tall forest dominated Rhizophora sp.& Brugueria sp. Isabel, New vegetation by Rhizophora sp.& dominated Impomea, Spinifex, Georgia, Malaita, (Mangroves) Brugueria sp. Canavalia, Thuarea, Cyperus, Makira, eastem Scaevola, Hibiscus, Pandanus, Guadalcanal Tournefortia, Cerbera, Calophyllum, Barringtonia, Terminalia and Casuarina Low forest dominated Rhizophora apiculata dominated Isabel, New by Rhizophora Impoea, Spinifex, Canavalia, Georgia, Malaita, apiculata Thuarea, Cyperus, Scaevola, Makira, eastem Hibiscus, Pandanus, Guadalcanal Toumefortia, Cerbera, Calophyllum, Barrington i a, Terminalia and Casuarina Freshwater Campnosperma Campnosperma breviopetiolata Widespread on swamp/Riverine forest brevipetiolata Inocarpus fagiferus, Eugenia most islands, New dominated tierneyana, Barringtonia spp., Georgia Calophyllum vexans, Pterocarpus indicus Closed canopy Terminalia brasii, Inocarpus Widespread on Terminalia brassii fagiferus, Eugenia most Islands, New dominated Georgia Fresh water swamp- Metroxylon salomonense Widespread on sago most Islands, New Georgia Low open canopied - Eugenia tierneyana, Inocarpus Widespread on Pandanus fagiferus, Eritrean orientalis and most Islands, New Pandanus spp Georgia Mixed Swamp Forest Inocarpus fagiferus, Widespread on Syzygium tierneyana, Intsia most Islands, New bijuga, Barrington racemosa, Georgia Calophyllum vexans, Pterocarpus indicus, Campnosperma brevipetiolata, Terminalia brassii Lowland Forest Lowland beach forest Ipomoea pescaprae, Canavalia Widespread rosea, Vimamarina, Wollastonia biflora, Barringtonia asiatica, Calophyllum inophyllum, Cerbera manghas, Heritiera littoralis, Intsia bijuga, Terminalia catappa, Casuarina equisetifolia

Lowland forest - Calophyllum kajewski, Widespread mixed species Calophyllum vitiense, Eleocarpus sphaericus, Endospermum medullosum, Gmelina mollucana, Maranthes corymbosa, Parinari solomonensis, Pometia pinnata, Dillenia solomonensis,

Page 40 of 96 Schizomeria serrata,Terminalia calamansanai Campnosperma Campnosperma Widespread dominated lowland breviopetoliatum forest Hill Forest Pometia pinnata, Calophyllum Lower slopes of kajewski, Endospermum Mt. Maetambe medullosum, Gmelina (Choiseul) mollucana, Canarium spp., Parinari salomonensis, Vitex cofassus Low diversity forests Ultramafic soils, Casuarina South tip of papuana, Dillenia crenata, Choiseul and Gulubia hombronii, Isabel, San Jorge Xanthostemon, Myrtella beccarri, Pandanus lamprocephalus Montane Upper montane Syzygium (Eugenia) sp, Kolombangara, Metrosideros sp., Ardisia sp., Popomanaseu, Ficus, Rhododendron, (Guadalcanal) Dacrydium spp, Podocarpus pilgeri Seasonal dry forest and grasslands Pometia pinnata, Vitex cofassus, Northern Kleinhovia hospita, Themata sp., Guadalcanal, Imperata cylindrica Pterocarpus Florida Islands indicus, Antiasis toxicaria, Ficus spp. and Sterculia spp.

Vegetation Types (adapted from Mueller and Dubois, 1998) Solomon Islands has over 25 threatened tree species, including ebony, rosewood, rattan and some palms. Ebony (Diospyros insularis) is listed as critically endangered. The status of many other forest plants is still unknown. 24

24 From WWF SI Forest Strategy.

Page 41 of 96 Table 3 Examples of Opportunities and environmental Risks under RDP by Province Province Examp le of Opportunities and Risks Under RDP Component Opportunity/Risk Mitigation Central 2. Improved Opportunities for improved Cooperate with NGOs such (relevant to all agricultural services. food production for sale to the as Kastom gaden in the use provinces but also Honiara market. Risks of of non chemical methods of in particular increasing the use of control. Rennell/Bellona for insecticides for control of leaf Ensure best practice is used the taro blight and eating insects. where insecticides are the market gardens routinely used (e.g. in the outskirts of Orthene) and withholding Honiara. periods for such chemical use are adhered to. Choiseul 2. Improved That agriculture production Promote improved (relevant to all Agricultural will expand into sensitive production of existing copra and cocoa Services areas and logged over forests crops that have been producing which would otherwise neglected during and after provinces where regenerate. the ethnic tensions, through there are logging rehabilitation of e.g. cocoa operations) and copra. Awareness programs to include the values of maintaining forest cover for example in water catchments.

Guadalcanal 2. Improved Opportunities for improved Cooperate with NGOs such agricultural services. food production for the as Kastom gaden in the use Honiara market. Risks of of non chemical methods of increasing the use of control. insecticides for control of leaf eating insects. Isabel 3. Rural Business Opportunities exist for Ensure that design features (and all provinces matching grants to businesses include best practice where there is for Biofuel production, with provisions for copra production) additional benefits including environmental management animal feed products. Risks and safe disposal of waste involved with waste products, during the management, contamination construction phase and of area surrounding such during the operational production units. phase. Makira/Ulawa 2. Improved Opportunities exist for the re- Ensure that appropriate Agricultural services establishment of marketing EMPs are enshrined in and 1, Local nodes linked by upgraded contracts for all sub infrastructure and short lengths of roads and projects before funding is service delivery installation of small granted. jetties/wharfs. Risks of pollution of water during construction and operational phase of roads and wharfs. Malaita 2. Improved Increase in production of pigs Introduce waste water Agricultural services and chickens could generate control measures such as serious waste problems unless holding ponds and there is considerable anaerobic digesters

Page 42 of 96 improvement in animal between the piggeries and husbandry. Opportunities any water course. exist for household use of by products from anaerobic waste digesters, gas for lighting. 3. Rural Business. Opportunities exist for Ensure that design features processing of pineapples include best practice which are currently provisions for transported to Honiara at great environmental management expense. and safe disposal of waste products, during the construction phase of processing facilities and during the operational phase. Rennell Bellona 2. Improved Opportunities exist for Proceed with caution. Agricultural services introduction of new crops Introduce permaculture such as vanilla, spices. techniques. Lessons need to be leamed Ensure correct species of from the experience in PNG vanilla is planted. where malpractices have caused the market for vanilla beans to fall to non existence in many provinces. Temotu 3. Rural Business. Opportunities exist for Ensure any such enterprises processing and marketing of include planting of the the especially large nuts such relevant species for food as Canarium spp (ngali) and security as well as cash Inocarpus spp., Spondias spp, income production. a common fruit (e.g. in Ensure best practice is used chutney), and Artocarpus in design, construction and (breadfruit) which are grown operation of processing in abundance. There is risk of plants. over harvesting for sale, thus causing food shortages in times of drought. Western Components 1. and Although all provinces are The Information and 2. vulnerable to climate change, communication campaign the Westem Province is will cover all aspects of particularly vulnerable to rises environmental and social in sea levels as it has a relevance, and include the thriving tourism industry values of maintaining forest based mainly on the sea cover for example in water (diving) and the adjacent catchments. beaches.

Vulnerability from climate Research into new varieties change also includes increase of food crops and crops salination of the low altitude resistant to salination garden areas and the potential should be carried out. for gardening activities to be shifted to higher altitudes and Establish permaculture into logged over areas thus techniques. causing further habitat destruction and loss of species.

Page 43 of 96 All 1. Local Even small projects can Informnation and infrastructure and disturb cultural sites such as communication campaign service delivery. archeological sites and WWlI will cover all aspects of relics if not planned properly environmental and social relevance. Sub project screening procedures as outlined in the ESMF will ensure compliance. Before implementation of sub projects an EMP will be attached to all contracts. All 2. Improved Provision of vehicles such as Where possible, all RDP agricultural services boats and outboard motors funded vehicles and could increase the outboard motors will be consumption of fossil fuels compatible with the future and thereby increase use of Biofuel, particular greenhouse gas emissions Biofuel derived from coconut oil, once this becomes available in all provinces.

Page 44 of 96 CHAPTER 6 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK

6.1 Introduction

The Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) has been designed to achieve sound environmental practice and ecologically sustainable outcomes. The ESMF provides the mechanism to allow program implementation by screening out sub project proposals that are unacceptable on the basis of environmental or social criteria. By a simple process of elimination, the first step in the screening process is to identify subproject activities ineligible for funding. All processes described in the ESMF can be adjusted based on implementation experience and will also be described in detail in the RDP Program Implementation Manual. The ESMF will be a living document and will be reviewed and updated periodically as needed. The following types of subprojects25 cannot be financed under RDP and constitute a "Negative List":

• Sub-projects that involve the significant conversion or degradation of critical natural habitats; * Activities that could lead to invasion or spread of weeds and feral animals or the use of toxic chemicals (as prescribed under the SI Environment Act 1998); * Religious activities, though RDP will be working closely with church groups; * Political activities; * Illegal Activities; and • Activities involving Involuntary Resettlement.

6.2 Purpose of The Environment and Social Management Framework

The purpose of the ESMF is to ensure that RDP activities have no significant or unmanaged negative environmental or socio-economic effects, and to enhance the benefits where environmental and community socio-economic improvement is an RDP objective. The ESMF provides a structure, establishes processes that should be followed, and identifies responsibilities and resources that must be allocated. The implementation and application of the guidelines described in the ESMF will be monitored and reviewed by ECD and by the donors in the routine joint supervision missions.

The ESMF is used for:

1. identifying and assessing at the community level the environmental and social effects of community development proposals; 2. identifying and developing at the community level measures by which any potentially adverse or damaging environmental and social effects can be avoided or mitigated at the local level using local resources to an acceptable and safe level;

25 Subproject are planned to be in the range of US$2,000 to 15,000.

Page 45 of 96 3. conducting a review of these environmental and social assessments as part of the project appraisal process, prior to proposals being approved for funding through the Grant Funds. This will determine how effective and feasible the measures might be at the local level for avoiding or reducing any potential negative environmental and social impacts of sub projects. If necessary, the grant proposal form will be sent back to the relevant community for upgrading prior to approval; and 4. the ESMF process will also be used as an initial appraisal of larger projects that will be undertaken under project components.

6.3 Legal Framework

RDP is funded by various donor agencies and carried out under the national government of the Solomon Islands; therefore there are a number of relevant laws and policies to guide project activities

These are as follows:

* SI Environment Act 1998. SI Wildlife Protection and Management Act 1998. * AusAID's environmental guidelines. (these are in the process of being updated, to handle minor changes in the Australian administrative guidelines to the Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act since 2003, and AusAID's own environment strategy. * European Union environment guidelines. * World Bank operational polices.

6.3.1 Solomon Islands Code of Logging Practice

Many rural areas of the Solomon Islands are being logged under the Solomon Islands Code of Logging Practice (SILCOP), which was revised in 2002 and has the:

"Vision - To manage and use ourforest resources in a manner that meets with the needs and aspirationsof our people, both now and into the future2 6 ."

The provisions of the Key Standard 1, of SI LCOP will form the basis of a further exclusion of project activities under RDP i.e. areas excluded from logging (except for the reference to altitude above 400 metres) and buffer zones, in line with WB Operational Safeguard Policies, Environmental Assessment (OP/BP 4.01) and Natural Habitats OP/BP 4.04).

The following is an extract from the Code of Logging Practice:

Key Standard Number 1 - Protected and Exclusion areas There are two types of areas where logging may not occur. They are:

26 The Honorable David Holisi, Mister for Forests and Gideon Bouru, Commissioner for Forests, 2002.

Page 46 of 96 1) Protected areas Areas that must be identified at the planning phase and removed from the area licensed under a logging license. They are areas:- o Declared as Conservation Areas under legislation. o That have ecological or scientific importance including outer reef and lagoon islands, swamps, wetlands and mangroves which are vital to the protection of important marine resources. a That exceed 400m above sea level unless approved for logging by the Commissioner of Forests. o That landowners do not wish to log for any reason. 2) Excluded areas Areas within a concession that are excluded from logging. They must be marked prior to logging commencing. There are 5 types of excluded area. These are shown in the table below.

Types of excluded areas and minimum buffers

Type of Excluded Minimum Buffer Comments Area Cultural areas Tambu areas - 30m The local community must Garden areas - 30m be given the chance to decide on these buffer Villages - 200m or as decided by the widths. If different from the community minimum identified then the FD must be notified in writing and may check that the decision is agreed to by all parties. Ocean/Lakes/Lagoons 100m except for a log pond which may Buffer starts from high be 50m water mark Landslip areas The area of the slip and the area where the soil ends up Streams/Rivers (Flows Class 1 (Bed more than 10m wide) - Buffer starts from edge of for more than 6 50m each side vegetation. months of the year) Class 2 (Bed less than 1Om wide) - 25m each side Gully (Flows for less 1Om each side than 6 months of the Buffer starts from edge of year) vegetation.

Buffer Zones

Page 47 of 96 NB It is important that the Environmental and Social Awareness Programs developed under RDP clearly explain the usefulness of maintaining buffer zones in their natural vegetative state to ensure water quality and also to discourage people from gardening or building latrines in stream buffer zones. Where buffer zones have been degraded by such activities villagers should be encouraged to revegetate using appropriate native species.

6.4 Approach and Methodology

The RDP Program Management Unit (PMU) within the provincial administration will employ facilitators to support the ward-level groupings to identify priorities and rank the community development activities. This service may be able to be sub-contracted in some provinces. These facilitators will use a participatory action planning process which will result in identified priorities. It will be necessary at some stage in the selection of development activities that are to be funded to ensure that the activities which will be funded do not pose a risk of significant adverse environmental impact(s), adverse social effects or a threat to the natural resources and conservation values of the area.

The framework and mechanisms for identifying the potential negative environmental and social effects, and how these could be avoided or reduced, should not require significant technical input. This input should be able to be delivered by trained facilitators with the ability to request specialist environmental and engineering support, in particular, if required.

The process of identifying potential adverse environmental and social effects, and strategies to avoid or reduce them, will be inclusive so that all members of the community participate fully in identifying problems and developing solutions. Checklists of community development activities which could pose a risk of environmental or social impact or threat to a natural resource or conservation values will be prepared to expedite the evaluation of selected development activities (see appendix 3A and 3B for examples).

Subproject Identification and Appraisal

In the first stage, local facilitators trained under the RDP by a range of service providers would facilitate ward groups to identify, prioritize, and rank community development activities, through a transparent and participatory process. The Subproject Proposals will be developed which specify the project design, beneficiaries, budget, financial management processes including designated signatories, environmental and social safeguards.

Annual subproject cycle

1. Information and communication campaign. Information about the level of funding, rules and procedures of the participatory planning and budgeting exercise, and calendar of events would be communicated each year to the communities in the participating provinces. Community facilitators, as well as local church and NGO networks, would

Page 48 of 96 serve as relays of information to villages. Other channels would include simple and cost- effective radio programs, as determined by the communication strategy.

2. Prioritization at ward level. Villages would then get together in a series of larger community meetings at ward level. They would reelect or reconfirm each year the Ward Development Committee (WDC) members. They would also debate development priorities and would list priority subproject proposals to be forwarded the provincial administration by the facilitators.

3. Subproject eligibility. There would be no specific menu for subprojects to be funded under the component. A negative list (see section 6.1) will ensure that specific activities are ruled out from the beginning. Possible subprojects include small economic infrastructure, common resources, training for economic livelihood opportunities, health and education infrastructure and equipment, water/sanitation, social facilities, communications, etc.

4. Planning and budgeting atprovincial/sub-provincial level. A Development Council at provincial (or sub-provincial depending on the province) would gather every year to debate the subproject proposals presented by the wards. Each ward would select two representatives to attend the Development Council as voting members (the Ward councilor and a representative of the opposite sex). The Development Council would be an open meeting, where all interested individuals and civil society organization would be invited to attend as observers. It would coincide with the annual provincial assembly budgeting session, around March each year. The Development council would select the subprojects that would receive funding against the annual development grant allocation. The Provincial Assembly would endorse the resulting plan and budget. Funds would then be released by the central government to the provincial level on a quarterly basis.

5. Subproject technical design and appraisal. A Subproject Implementation Committee (SIC) would be set up for each subproject and would be composed of the ward councilor and representatives of the beneficiary community. Members of the Sub- project SIC can seek advice and work closely with the Provincial RDP Team Leader and the ECD designated RDP Environmental Officer. Each SIC would be able to use a percentage of the subproject grant to hire any necessary technical assistance to prepare the subproject technical specifications (i.e. technical design, budget, schedule of payments, community contribution, environmental and social screening, and a costed O&M plan). This would be reviewed by the provincial administration against a set of pre-defined appraisal criteria including, compliance with environmental and social safeguards. A final endorsement would be signed by the Provincial Secretary.

In the Appraisal Stage in the case sub-projects up to a certain value (to be determined), the community project proposal will be submitted to the PMU for appraisal and approval, social and environmental safeguards checks and technical design checks prior to release of the sub-project funds.

Page 49 of 96 In the case of larger sub-project Community Project Proposals (CPPs) will be developed which specify the project design, beneficiaries, budget, financial management processes including designated signatories, environmental and social safeguards. Appraisals will be made by the provincial govemment and line ministries assisted by the PMU. The Environmental and Social Checklist will be reviewed at this point and necessary information and design modifications identified.

In the Implementation Phase, Financial Agreements will be established with the Sub- project Implementation Committee (SIC) established to manage the sub project. This group will be required to report to the provincial govemment and to the community, including on environmental or social issues. The Sub-Project Completion Report will require an environmental and social compliance check by the provincial government before project completion and sign-off.

6. Contractual arrangements. Necessary mitigation measures for sub-projects will be included in contracts entered to finance sub-projects. This would take place in the event that the works are carried out by communities themselves and also when they are done by a contractor, regardless of the size of the activity.

7. Data filing and responsibility. Copies of all files relating to sub projects, including initial screenings and where relevant the Environmental and Social Management Risk Matrices will be stored at the provincial PMUs (where they exist), ECD and the central PCU (Project Coordination Unit), located in the MDPAC head office in Honiara. The senior Planning and M&E officer in the PCU will be responsible for maintaining those files and making them accessible for review.

6.5 Public Participation Programs

6.5.1 Public Notification

The central and provincial level stakeholders will be inducted into project concepts and processes. The PG will directly notify the provincial stakeholders. The villages/communities will be directly informed of project approval via the Ward Development Committees (WDCs). WDCs will be required to inform the village, and the church leaders, schools and health sector workers. RDP will require the village to maintain a notice board or develop other methods of communication as deemed appropriate. Copies of the CPP will be posted on the notice board, as will be a summary of the project budget and fund disbursement.

Where there is local radio coverage, regular announcements will inform the public of the forthcoming program, project approval, and project capacity development programmes. Lines of communication for grievance or general purpose will be clearly identified (with contact details) and published from the earliest stage of project social preparation. Interested groups or individuals will be able to contact facilitators, PMU staff or PCU staff.

Page 50 of 96 As more Distance Learning Centres are established under the EU funded Education Sector Investment and Reform Program (ESIRP) progresses27, RDP will investigate cooperation with the program for public announcements and environmental awareness programs (see below and also Appendix 4).

6.6 Community Implementation

Local facilitators from each area will be identified and trained by the project or service providers to facilitate the on-going participatory planning process amongst village groups. A key component of this training will be the preparation and delivery of Environmental and Social Awareness Programs (ESAP) that will form an integral part of the facilitation process.

It is important that these ESAPs are participatory and inclusive, and are individually tailored to the situation and circumstances of each area or ward. This will require active participation by the local facilitators, under the supervision of the PMU, in the development of their ESAPs during the facilitator training and in association with the RDP Environment Officer and Communication Officer (these two people are based in Honiara but will have adequate travel funds for provincial visits).

The RDP training material will provide an ESAP framework which can then be modified into a location specific ESAP, drawing on the local knowledge and experience of the motivators and their communities with technical input and a wider perspective being provided by specialist training providers.

One of the training providers must possess an environmental background and be drawn from a local environment / conservation NGO. At least one of the training providers must possess a social impact assessment background and preferably be drawn from a local NGO active in community development and local governance programs and have participatory planning skills and experience.

Although there are many national NGOs active in the areas of community development and local governance such as World Vision, Oxfam, Solomon Islands Development Trust, Church of Melanesia, it is important that the social impact assessment/mapping aspects of the ESAP are able to draw on local knowledge and understanding within the team of facilitators. So if it is necessary to use social impact assessment trainers from outside the area, the team must contain adequate local representation as well.

6.7. Environmental and Social Awareness Training

The overall training programme will be developed by the Program Manager in collaboration with the Project Environment Officer and in close association with the Department of Environment and Conservation (ECD) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, particularly the MAL Environment Assessment Officer (once recruited).

27 See Appendix 4

Page 51 of 96 Other national government ministries such as the of Provincial Government and Constituency Development, Health and Medical Services (with particular regard to HIV/AIDS awareness), and Education and Human Resources, will be invited (on advice from the RDP Steering Committee) to form the RDP Training Needs Steering Subcommittee to ensure that all training materials are appropriate and in line with SIG policies.

The RDP Program manager will assess program needs, participant capacity, and locate providers to be sub-contracted to develop modules or modify existing modules and materials. It is expected that this process will draw heavily on the expertise of NGOs and local specialists. It will be important that the training providers tailor their ESAP training to suit the delivery of the ESAP within a community participatory framework and context.

The aim of this is to ensure that the ESAP enables the village level groups to identify resources, and take ownership of their local environmental and social issues and concerns. This will ensure that the proposal identification and selection process is community based and will be present as an ongoing and sustainable capacity post project.

The framework for the ESAP will include, but is not limited by:

(A) General Awareness:

* Discussion of the meanings of the terms: "physical environment" and "social environment".

* Values of natural habitats and stream buffer zones in water quality regulation.

* Identification and mapping of environmental and social components of the physical and social environments.

* Production of sketch maps of local area showing main components of physical environment (e.g., pristine forests, wetlands, rivers, cash crops, subsistence gardens, reefs, etc) and social environment (e.g., land use and land tenure, organizational structure and decision-making processes.).

* Assessment of the importance and value of different environmental and social components and relationships for sustaining natural life and promoting social well-being.

* Identification of (a) existing social structures which the village/community wants to use as a frame work for participatory decision-making and any capacity strengthening or modification required. Should the village/community decide that (b) the most effective structure needs to be established alongside existing structures; the facilitator will assist them to design the best means by which to

Page 52 of 96 integrate the traditional and church influencers into a "championing" or "advisory" role.

* Identification and design of remedial measures to reduce existing impacts and enhance environmental quality / value, including identifying the resources required to implement these remedial measures.

* Potential affect of climate change on the local environment and livelihoods

(B) Capacity Training for Provincial Governments and Ward Development Committees

To improve the success of the community development component of the RDP attention will be given to capacity building of Provincial Governments (PG) and Ward Development Committees (WDCs). The training will include but not be limited by the following:

* Training programmes for central and provincial government representatives on project concepts and processes, roles and responsibilities, participatory planning. . Training on the need for inclusion of women, the poor and other vulnerable groups in all awareness, planning and decision making processes. * Awareness programmes for village members and (more detailed training) for WDCs, on health, social and environmental issues. * Developing the management and organizational capacity of SIC specific training needs to co-ordinate and manage community projects. * Training village and WDC, PG representatives in community needs assessment and participatory approaches to community development. . Inventories and sketch mapping, participatory action planning, village development plan preparation, proposal preparation, financial management, environmental and social monitoring, improving the capacity to plan, prioritise and implement development activities. * Training village, WDC and PG representatives in project monitoring and evaluation techniques (social and environmental). * Fostering community trust in and respect for the PG system by fostering increased links between PG and line ministry staff.

6.8 Community Identification of Environmental and Social Issues

6.8.1 Community Inventories of Resources, Values and Risks

At an early stage in the identification and prioritization of village/community development activities by village-level groups, the trained facilitator(s) would facilitate the village groups to prepare:

1. Inventory of all local natural resources. A lands systems approach could be adopted where key elements are identified such as pristine forests, logged over

Page 53 of 96 forest (within past 20 years); sago swamp land; aquatic resources; hunting/fishing areas; food garden areas; cash crop plantings, etc.:; 2. An "environmental map" of the local area; 3. Inventory of the various social groupings within the community/village - e.g. customary landowning groups, ethnic groupings, women, youth, as well as community and village church and civil society groups, such as women's groups, sports groups, youth groups, and ethnic associations. 4. A map of the decision-making/power relationships will be created using PRA techniques 5. Assessment/list of potential social risks or tensions that could emerge as a result of any proposed community projects and identification of those most at risk if development were to go ahead. 6. Inventory of Natural Resource Values - conservation values, environmental values, subsistence values (potable water, hunting and gathering - food timber medicines, traditional decoration), economic values (informal sector, local cash markets for fish, forest products, wildlife; and the formal sector e.g. fisheries); heritage and cultural values. 7. Identification and Inventory of Risks to Environmental Resources, Social Relationships and Values, and Natural Resource Values, which will be based on their own deliberations, supported as necessary by the Community Environmental and Social Framework Handbook.

This Inventory of Environmental and Social Risks will provide a tool for the participatory ward action planning process which will underpin the prioritisation at ward level which is the basis for assessing each of the community's specific development proposals that have been identified during the Initial Appraisal (see below) as having a potential environmental or social risk. The environmental and social effects and potential risks of each of these proposals to the community and local natural resources and values will be jointly assessed by representatives of the WDC. These representatives will also assess the effects and potential risks of each proposal on the social structures, relationships and values within the local area.

6.8.2 Mapping Tools

RDP will provide mapping assistance for all communities through use of the 2003 Gazetteer prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands28. Although this Geographic Information System (GIS) is somewhat dated and has variable coverage (not unlike Google Earth) it can provide valuable and easily accessible data bases (see appendix 2) for planning purposes. RDP will acquire the updated version, which will have data post 2003, as soon as it becomes available. An example of a simple map is given in the figure below which was manipulated without a GIS, but for best results a GIS program such as MapInfo or Manifold is required.

28 AusAID funded SIISLAP

Page 54 of 96 Map 3 Simple Map developed from Gazetteer 2003 and MGI Photo suite, and referenced to the meeting in wards 8 and 9 in Temotu Province and the logging inspection.

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e o f tUDIOCiESAN oO ; p Ide ;-M - . . . . ,.jMBLOLO 0

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- ' . , M O LR l4S . - . / x ,'E~N

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6.9 Appraisalsussec, ofresources; Sub-Projects

The purpose of this Environmental and Social Management Framework is to provide a mechanism that will expedite development for the participating communities in a manner that ensures4.10,Inienu thatO thePepls) developments , Fors exmpe proceed baein an environmentallyncmmnt andetig,ippasta socially sustainable manner.ther aIt deirisNUISI recommended ao gcomnt the proposalsm;embr that arefo approveduprdn for developmentof~tt exitn coiuntmust? pose nostrutue, threat orsuc risk to:as ommnt ai pots vilg col, make plcs-.te tao

* community and household social relations or household livelihoods; * subsistence resources; * conservation values or cultural values; and * the environment on which these resources and values depend.

Project approvals will be restricted to proposals that do not require the use of customary land for new purposes under project funding (World Bank Safeguard Policy OP/BP 4.10, Indigenous Peoples). For example, based on community meetings, it appears that there is a desire among community members for upgrading of existing community structures, such as community aid posts, village schools, market places, rather than for establishing new health, education or market structures. However, if there is good justification for approval of a project which requires the use of customary land (e.g., building a new village school or aid post in a remote part of the project area that lacks basic health or education services), it will be a requirement that the land is voluntarily set aside for community purposes, (in accordance with World Bank Safeguard Policy OP/HP 4.12 Involuntary Resettlement) No projects that require the resettlement of

Page 55 of 96 indigenous people or migrant populations living in villages or urban and rural informal settlements, will be approved under RDP.

It is further recommended that projects will not, directly or indirectly; undermine traditional village leadership or village decision making processes, existing land tenure principles or the functioning of existing village/church or community groups. As discussed in the Social Impact Assessment Report of Pollard, Fakaia and Ferguson, (2007, p9) "the social organization of villages".

The Initial Ward -level Screening set out below provides a simple and quick method for identifying whether a development proposal poses a risk to:

* the natural environment, its resource values (including its subsistence resource values) and / or conservation values * the socio-economic environment, and the social structure, relationships and social values it sustains.

This Initial Screening requires six (6) simple questions to be answered by each subproject proposal, as identified in the WDC report:

Table 4 Initial Questions:

1. Does the location of the proposed If the answer is No, proceed project pose a risk to the environment to step 4, in table 5, or refer to or to the community? For example, question 2 does the proposed project pose a risk to: people's livelihoods or community social stability? Particular attention should be given to the various groups in the community, e.g. men, women, youth, elderly, clan groups, etc. 2. What will the project use or take Similarly, if the answer is from the environment and does this negative, proceed to step 4 in pose an environmental risk29? table 5 3. What will the project release or allow Similarly, if the answer is to escape into the environment and negative, proceed to step 4 in does this pose an environmental risk? table 5 4. Will the project rely on This may require outline in community/village members detail. contributing time and labour to the project? If so, consideration must be given to potential time and labour conflicts that may impact negatively

29 For example timber used as contribution by communities may be sourced from local forests.

Page 56 of 96 on household subsistence and other economic activities. 5. Does the project require the taking of Refer to WB Policies and customary land or the resettlement of Frameworks, as outlined in people for project purposes? this and the Social Assessment for RDP 6. What social/clan groups will benefit Ensure total encompassment. from the project? Need to ensure that the project benefits are not captured by dominant or powerful community or social groups.

This simple screening procedure may eliminate the need for further steps outlined below.

Table 5: Initial Environmental and Social Screening Guidelines.

STEP 1: INITIAL SCREENING FOR PROJECT LOCATION

Question: If answer is Yes: If answer is No.

Will any part of the proposed project Proceed to, "Initial Proceed to Initial or any of its associated activities be Screening for Use of Screening for Releases situated in a location where project Environment" (Step 2) to Environment materials, wastes (including litter), (Step 3) project equipment, project personnel or any domestic animals associated with the project could enter or disturb a sensitive environment?

Explanation: Sensitive environments include: * Streams, rivers or other water sources (e.g. natural springs) that are used for water supply; * Wetlands, lakes and ponds; * Shorelines, coastal lagoons and mangroves; * Coral reefs and sea-grass meadows; * Undisturbed natural forest (forest that has not been cut for fuel or timber or had tracks cut through it, other than footpaths); * Protected areas such as Conservation Areas, Wildlife Management Areas and National Parks; * Sites or natural features of archaeological, historical, traditional or cultural value or importance; * Areas of recognized conservation habitat value (including aquatic and marine habitats); * Areas containing WWII relics.

Page 57 of 96 STEP 2: INITIAL SCREENING FOR USE OF THE ENVIRONMENT

Question: If answer is Yes: If answer is No. Will the project use, remove, damage Proceed to 2b, below Proceed to Initial or significantly disturb any materials, Screening for Releases plants animals or other resources from to Environment the natural environment? (Step 3).

Explanation: This includes: * Taking of water from streams, rivers or other natural water-bodies; * Damming or diverting streams or rivers; * Removing or using natural vegetation (e.g. harvesting of natural fruits and / or seeds, scrub clearance, timber cutting); Removing and using river stone, gravels or sands for construction purposes

Question (2b): If answer is Yes: If answer is No. Could the methods and amount of Detailed Environmental Proceed to Initial Screening is required, or Screening for Releases materials / resources used, removed, proposal should be to Environment modified and resubmitted. (Step 3) damaged or disturbed adversely affect

to a significant degree:

* Water flows downstream (particularly where there is downstream domestic users); * Water quality downstream (particularly where there is downstream domestic users); * Natural vegetation of the area in terms of protection of the soil, the number of plant species, the range of habitats in the area; * Wildlife (including aquatic and marine species) in terms of the number of species and the size of the species populations in the area; * Stability (and flood protection capacity) of riverbanks and shorelines.

STEP 3: INITIAL SCREENING FOR POTENTIAL RELEASES TO THE ENVIRONMENT

Question (3a): If answer is Yes: If answer is No.

Page 58 of 96 Will the project generate any solid or Proceed to 3b, below. Proceed to Step 4. liquid wastes (including storm-water and wash-water), litter or noticeable amounts of dust, smoke, gases, odours or noise that could be released or escape into the environment?

Question (3b): If answer is Yes: If answer is No. Does the project proposal describe Proceed to Question 3c, Detailed simple, effective and sustainable below. Environmental measures to contain treat and safely Screening is required, dispose of these wastes, with no risk of or proposal should be damage to or contamination of: modified and * watercourses and other water- resubmitted. bodies; * water-table and groundwater; * vegetation; * soils; * subsistence resources, including gardens and traditional hunting / harvesting areas; * and with no risk of damage or disturbance to: people, property and domestic animals; * sites or artefacts of historical, traditional or cultural value. Question (3c): If answer is Yes: If answer is No. Has the proponent community the Proceed to Question 3d, Detailed technical skills and resources below. Environmental to be able to implement these measures Screening is required, in an effective and sustainable or proposal should be manner? modified and resubmitted Question (3d): If answer is Yes: If answer is No. Have realistic costs for implementing Proceed to Step 4 Detailed these measures been included in the Environmental project budget and request for funds? Screening is required, or proposal should be modified and resubmitted

STEP 4: ENVIRONMENTAL INITIAL SCREENING APPROVAL

Page 59 of 96 If the answers to Steps 1, 2 and 3 have led to step 4, it is highly unlikely that the sub-project

poses a risk to the environment or the subsistence resources of an area, and the proposed sub-

project can be granted its environmental approval at this stage, subject to any exclusions listed

in the RDP PIM. Results of the screening process will be recorded and filed with the

Provincial RDP Team Leader and the ECD RDP Environmental Officer, based in Honiara.

Table 6: Screening Ouestions in Relation to Land Ownership Issues

Question If the answer is Yes. If the answer is NO. Question 1: Proceed to Question 2, Proceed to 4.0, below. Does the subproject concept involve below. construction or any activity that will involve the permanent use of land? (For example, road widening or school constructon, as opposed to a training programme)

Question 2: Proceed to Question 3, Proceed to 4.0, below. Will the subproject involve the need to below use or acquire land that was not already being used for this purpose? (For example, building a new school that would require land, as opposed to repairing an existing one, already on school land)

Question 3.0: What sort of land will the subproject be built on? Choose one answer.

3.1 Only on land that is public land and If answer is 3.1, proceed to 4.0, below. is not used for residence or farming. 3.2 Some private land will be used. All If answer is 3.2, the Ward Development Committee the land users have agreed to give their should prepare a report to show that the land land as a contribution to the project. owner(s) have agreed to contribute their land for the No land user will have to give more project. This report will be submitted with the than 5% of his farmland for the project. detailed project proposal. No private buildings or places of business will be moved or destroyed.

Page 60 of 96 4. The project proponents can declare that the subproject will not pose any potential negative social impact in relation to land ownership. Therefore the subproject is approved for implementation.

6.10 Further Screening of proposals

Members of the Sub-project SIC, in conjunction with the Provincial RDP Team Leader, and upon advice from the ECD designated RDP Environmental Officer, will determine whether sub-projects require a more detailed screening process after addressing the issues outlined in tables 5 and 6 above.

6.11 Detailed Screening for Proposals with a Perceived Environmental or Social Risk

This more detailed screening and assessment of environmental risks described in the following paragraphs is only relevant where the initial screening has identified a perceived risk of environmental or social impact, or other deleterious effect.

An inventory of environmental and social effects and risks will be drawn up for each proposal. This matrix will be overseen by the RDP Provincial Team leader with advice from the provincial ECD officer, where present, the Provincial Environmental Officer where present (e.g. Malaita Province), local facilitators, the WDC and the local and internationally qualified Environment Consultants.

The RDP Provincial Team Leader will use this advice to determine how each of these risks can be avoided or mitigated to an acceptable level, and what resources and tasks will be required to achieve this. Thus for each proposed development activity an Environmental and Social Risk Matrix will be prepared:

Table 7: Environmental and Social Risk Matrix

Proposed Development Activity: Proponent: Natural Resource Resource Environmental Avoidance Mitigation Resources Needed / Value Effect or Potential Measures Tasks to be carried out Risk Low Med Hig h

Social Structures / Social Social Effects or Avoidance Mitigation Resources Needed /

Page 61 of 96 Social Relationships Values Potential Social Measures Tasks to be carried out Risks Low Med Hi-g

A record of these deliberations and the Environmental and Social Risk Matrix will be filed both at the Provincial RDP Office and with the ECD designated RDP Environment Officer in Honiara and provided to each WDC for their review and acceptance, or otherwise, of the changes made to the proposed development activity to avoid or mitigate the environmental and social effects and / or potential risks that have been identified.

In cases where the changes are accepted and endorsed by the WDC, and cases where no environmental effects or social risks have been identified, the proposal can proceed through the prioritization and ranking process.

Following community-level prioritization and ranking, the proposed subproject is submitted to the Provincial Development Council for funding, this submission must include copies of the environmental and social risks assessment deliberations and the Environmental and Social Risk Matrix.

In cases where the Proponent disputes the environmental effects, social risks or the avoidance or mitigation measures proposed, they may resubmit a revised proposal with evidence that these effects and / or risks are unfounded, or with alternative avoidance or mitigation measures.

Where a revised proposal is accepted by the WDC and village groups' representatives for a second assessment, and where this is satisfactory, the revised proposal can proceed through the appraisal and acceptance process.

If following prioritization and ranking, the revised proposal is submitted to the Provincial Development Council for funding, this submission must include copies of the original and second round of environmental and social risk assessment deliberations and the Environmental and Social Risk Matrix.

In cases where the changes are not accepted by the WDC, and the WDC is unwilling to revise the proposal, the proposal will not proceed to prioritization and ranking.

Any proposal which has a significant environmental or social risk which cannot be avoided or mitigated will not be submitted for funding.

Page 62 of 96 6.12 Rural Water Supplies and Sanitation Subprojects

It is anticipated that there will be many requests for small grants from communities for provision of a reliable Village water supply.

Rural Water supply comes under the jurisdiction of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS) department of the Ministry of Health, Environmental Health Division. RWSS has qualified engineers and is the responsible agency for ensuring that the water provided is safe to drink

RDP will follow the procedures designed by the RWSS as outlined below:

Step One: Pre-assessment:

Community prepares proposal through the participatory approach: Meetings are held with the community to ensure that there is general agreement that a village water supply is need.

NB in some cases rainwater tanks may be the best alternative particularly if there is no adequate source of water close to a village.

Questions to be answered:

Is there a suitable source of water close to the village? Are there any issues relating to land where the source is located or along which the water will be piped.

Step 2 Survey:

If there are no land issues and there is an adequate water source, a survey is carried out to determine the suitability of the source and the access route for the pipes, whether gravity feed would be sufficient or will a pump be required.

Step 3 Community Acceptance of their own Responsibilities:

* Land required is given freely for community use. * There must be no disputes. * Water to be used by everyone. * Villagers to provide labour free of charge. * Communities provide local or bush materials as required. * Communities agree to look after the construction group.

Step 4 Design:

The water supply is designed and costed, RWSS then requests funding.

Page 63 of 96 NB There are three sets of meetings between Survey/Design and Construction to ensure that Step 3 is clearly understood.

RWSS typically requires the community to provide approximately 25% of the construction costs which is put into a maintenance fund. Managed by a "Water Supply Committee".

Water Quality is checked by RWSS by taking samples to the national laboratory in Honiara to ensure that the quality is sound. Normally there should be no logging or agricultural activity in the water catchments.

Step 5 Construction and Commission;

Once the design has been approved by RWSS, and funding obtained, construction can commence. Once the water supply has been completed the community takes over the routine maintenance responsibilities.

Example: Rural Water Supplies Project (source: Julian Abrams, April 2007)

Two villages use a natural spring located on a hillside for their water supply. Village A (10 households) is located uphill near the spring and villagers collect water from a simple dam constructed from rocks directly below the spring. Village B (15 households) is located down slope and about lkm from the direct line of the stream. Villagers have to walk along a narrow, muddy path to reach the stream. The quality of the water they receive is affected both by disturbance due to the extraction of water by Village A villagers, and by run-off from human activities and from animals in Village A.

The Provincial RWSS officers survey the site and propose the scheme shown in the sketch below. The spring will be improved with a hygienic spring box with a tap and a run-off apron provided for use by Village A villagers. A PVC mains pipe will carry water to Village B where it will be distributed to three standpipes, each provided with run-off aprons and soak away drains, located at suitable points in the village.

Page 64 of 96 Spring box catchment with Village A collection point and tX 10 families run-off apron ;

3sandpipess withA Village B run-off aprons 15 families/

- Track ,<

Stream

The cost of the installations will be SBD 125,000 including cost of technical services from RWSS and the cost of a water use, hygiene and sanitation campaign.

Before the project Village A households make about 10 trips to the spring per household per day, collecting about 150 litres of water in total. However, Village B households use much less water due to the effort needed to collect it: about 5 person-trips to the stream per household per day, representing about 80 litres of water.

Before the project, diarrhea causes about 10 child sickness days and about 5 adult sickness days per household per year in Village A (which is able to obtain clean water) and about 20 child sickness days and 8 adult sickness days per household per year in Village B. It is expected that sickness rates in Village A will fall by about 20% due mainly to the hygiene campaign, while rates in Village B will fall to the same level as Village A due to the combination of plentiful, clean water and the hygiene campaign.

6.13 Ministry of Infrastructure and Development (MID)

MID has set designs for all types of common building construction such as classrooms, small wharves, teachers' houses and markets. These are available in the architectural division of the ministry in Honiara and will be used by RDP.

Page 65 of 96 Of particular concern is the protection against termite attack for buildings and the recommendation form the MID are that:

* All buildings should have concrete footings. * Hardwoods such as Vitex cofossus (Vasa) should be used (being naturally termite resistant). * Occupants should continually check for presence of termite trails and destroy by hand - thus the design needs to allow for visual inspection of all posts. * A smearing of axle grease around the top of the posts be maintained along with a painting of sump oil around the base of each post.

6.14 Applications under component 2 and 3

Some activities that will be undertaken by RDP will include, for example under components:

Component 2 Improved Agricultural Services:

This component will finance on-farm research, participatory extension, production and marketing information, animal health, plant protection and quarantine services. Activities under research include planting of field trials to test crop varieties under different ecological conditions, development of sustainable farming systems using legumes and other low-input systems common in the Solomon Islands. The extension activities would include dissemination of research results, promotion of improved practices to maintain soil fertility, and assessment of problems and opportunities to improve incomes and food security from agriculture and livestock enterprises. Extension would promote correct use of chemicals and fertilizers, soil and water conservation, and other aspects of land care. Activities under marketing and production information would disseminate information on costs and prices of agricultural inputs and products, location of changes in demand and supply of commodities, diversification opportunities, and would also distribute information in environmental impacts of agricultural and related activities. Similarly, animal health and production activities would be limited to delivering services and would not finance establishment of piggeries, abattoirs, poultry batteries, or other direct production. These services would also promote minimum impact models. Plant protection and quarantine services would also focus on preventing arrival and spread of invasive species. and Component 3 Rural Business Development

All proposals under this component will need to comply with the requirements of the SI Environmental Act, 1998) - particularly

"Contents of public environmental report"

Any public environmental report in respect of proposed and existing prescribed development shall:

Page 66 of 96 (a) describe the prescribed development in summary form, including its objectives and any reasonable alternatives to it; (b) describe any aspects of the prescribed development having or likely to have a substantial or important impact on the environment; (c) describe the environment likely to be affected by the prescribed development and any reasonable alternatives to it; (d) indicate the potential or actual impact of the prescribed development on the environment and of any reasonable alternatives to the prescribed development, including any enhancement of the environment; (e) outline the reasons for choice of the prescribed development; (f) describe and assess the effectiveness of any safeguards or standards intended to be adopted or applied for the protection of the environment; (g) state any intended investigations or studies of the possible impact on the environment before the prescribed development is implemented; (h) state any intended monitoring and reporting of the impact of the prescribed development; and (i) address any further matters that the Director may specify."

It will be the responsibility of the ECD designated RDP Environmental Officer to ensure compliance with the Environment Act 1998. It is likely that these procedures and reporting requirements, i. e. the enabling legislation for the Act will come into effect during RDP Implementation phase.

Page 67 of 96 CHAPTER 7 PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING REQUIREMENTS

7.1 Introduction

The ministry responsible for administering the Solomon Islands Environment act 1998 is the Ministry for Forests, Environment and Conservation. The Environment and Conservation Division (ECD) has little capacity to administer the Act and in fact the Act lacks the necessary regulations to be properly administered. This has resulted in prescribed activities under the Act being undertaken without the necessary environmental appraisal, whether this should have been a full EIA or a smaller Project Environment Report.

Recruitment is underway and there will soon be a total staff ceiling of 15 officers, but recurrent funding for travel for example is a limiting factor that will be accommodated for RDP monitoring budget. In addition to the environmental officers working for the MFEC, the Department of Agriculture and Livestock is in the process of recruiting an "Environmental Assessment Officer". This presents an opportunity for collaboration on implementation and monitoring of RDP activities with ECD and MAL, bearing in mind that the RDP will be established under the Ministry of Development Planning and Aid and Coordination.

Negotiations have been held with the ECD for a senior officer to be seconded on a part- time basis to be responsible for the environmental monitoring of the RDP. It is anticipated that the officer will devote approximately 25 to 33% of his or her time to RDP in the first year of implementation and work closely with locally and internationally engaged experts to further develop the Environment Management System for the project, which will include developing individual Environment Management Plans for each category of sub project as outlined below. The officer will also be responsible for the preparation of regular environmental reports and provide these to the PMU managers, within the provinces and the RDP Project Manager.

7.2 Environmental Management System

An Environmental Management System (EMS) is a framework for action that is independent of specific activities that are being undertaken. An EMS is used to achieve sound environmental practice and ecologically sustainable outcomes. Its purpose is to ensure activities have no significant or unmanaged negative environmental effects, and to enhance the benefits where environmental improvement is an activity objective. The EMS provides a structure, establishes processes that should be followed, and identifies responsibilities and resources that must be allocated. A program EMS needs to cover the range of actions that may be proposed.

The objectives of the EMS for RDP are:

Page 68 of 96 * to ensure a proactive approach to environmental management for all RDP activities; * to identify possible tasks, procedures and responsibilities to be considered in the development of suitable Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) for all program activities.

RDP is a community driven project and as such, the scope of activities to be funded has not been established, at this stage of project design. This EA/ESMF is considered as the first two stages of the five step EMS as described in Chapter 1. As soon as the project commences, the international and local Environment experts will be engaged to further develop the EMS. Guidance on individual Environment Management Plans will be developed for each category of sub project activity.

7.2.1 Sub-Project Specific Environment Management Plans

The principles that should be followed in developing EMPs are:

* EMPs will be prepared to meet circumstances as identified. * The form and size of each EMP will be appropriate to suit the needs of the activity. * The objective in identifying management actions in an EMP should be a 'common sense' approach, avoiding sophisticated technology, or technology with ongoing maintenance costs. * Where possible the EMP will be integrated into basic activity documentation. * Where technical or engineering interventions are necessary (mainly only for road works or other major infrastructure), the measures specified in the EMP will draw upon acceptable standard 'good-engineering' practices.

An EMP to cover any maintenance/construction activities will address both actions occurring during construction, and those following completion of the construction period. For roads, actions in the EMP which are the responsibility of a construction contractor will be included in the specifications in the tender documentation for the contract. Once this contract is awarded, they will become part of the contract documentation, and the contractor will be bound to implement them. An example of the requirements for preparing an sub-project EMP for a road construction project for the AusAID funded CSP can be found in Appendix 6.

7.3 Arrangements, Funding and Duty Statements for the Environment Consultants

The RDP Program manager in MDPAC will have overall responsibility for the application and implementation of the EA/ESMF. S(he) will be assisted in this task by a number of consultants. The consultants will be recruited on the following basis:

Page 69 of 96 * International Expert/s four person months for the duration of the project. * Local Expert/s four months per year for the duration for the project.

These experts will be recruited on an "as required basis"; however, the RDP Project Manager will ensure that the initial engagement occurs as soon as possible after the commencement of the RDP. Experts who can guarantee availability for at least two consecutive years, on a flexible basis will be given preference provided they comply with the experience and qualifications described below.

Principal responsibilities: In close liaison with the Environment and Conservation Division of MFEC and in particular the designated RDP ECD officer described above;

* further develop the EMS, EMP and Monitoring and Evaluation requirements of the environmental and social aspects of RDP, in conjunction with the RDP Communications Consultant, the RDP M&E Consultant and the RDP Project Manager. * advise on application of the Environmental and Social Management Framework for RDP. * as sub projects are identified review and suggest revisions where appropriate on the screening process outlined in the ESMF. * in close collaboration with MFEC and MAL decide the content of Environmental Impact Assessment/Project Environment Report/EMP requirements for sub projects. * provide overall RDP environmental project monitoring.

Other key duties:

* In close collaboration with MFEC and MAL in the preparation of the environment content of the Environmental and Social Awareness Programs as discussed in Chapter 6. * Assist the RDP Program Manager with preparation of the ESAPs. * Assist with the training of facilitators on environmental awareness.

Qualifications and Experience, local expert/s:

* Minimum BSc in a Natural Resources Field such as Environmental Science. * Minimum five years work experience since graduation. * Ability to produce maps from Geographic Information Systems, such as MapInfo. * Other computer literacy, desktop publishing skills. * Media skills would be an advantage. * Willingness to travel extensive to all provinces of the Solomon Islands.

Qualifications and Experience, international Expert/s30

30 These may be Solomon Islands nationals or citizens.

Page 70 of 96 * Minimum BSc in a Natural Resources Field such as Environmental Science. Consultants with a higher degree and sociological or anthropological knowledge/experience will be preferred. * Minimum ten years experience in a development context, particularly in the Pacific Islands. * Knowledge of Geographic Information Systems. * Other computer literacy, desktop publishing skills. * Media skills would be an advantage. * Willingness to travel extensive to all provinces of the Solomon Islands. * Ability to communicate with people at all levels of society. * Knowledge of Solomon Islands Tok pisin or other similar Melanesian Tok pisin (e.g. PNG or Vanuatu).

7.1 External and Cooperative Monitoring of the Project:

Funding will be allocated for travel and allowances for ECD officers (and the DAL Environment Assessment Officer if and once recruited) to undertake field visits to project to ensure that any environmental awareness activities undertaken under RDP reflect the policies of the SIG.

An independent audit will be carried out on an annual basis using locally recruited NGO/s on an open tender basis.

Implementation of the EA/ESMF will be reviewed at least once a year through the regular joint donor supervision missions. Annual joint reviews of RDP conducted with Government will include the participation of environmental and social safeguards specialists.

Page 71 of 96 CHAPTER 8 MAIN REFERENCES

AusAID 2003 Environmental Management Guidefor Australia 's Aid Program. AusAID, Canberra. AusAID 2004 Solomon Islands Sustainable Rural Livelihoods and Broad Based Growth Strategy. Draft Report, Canberra. AusAID 2005 Solomon Islands Smallholder Agriculture Study. Five volumes, MG Allen et al. Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service, 1991. A ProtectedForests System for the Solomon Islands. Canberra, ACT, Australia. Green,A., P.Lokani, W.Atu, P. Ramohia, P.Thomas and J.Almany (eds) 2006. Solomon Islands Marine Assessment: Technical report of survey conducted May 13 to June 17, 2004. TNC Pacific Island Countries Report No.1/06 Hansell, J.R.F and Wall, J.R.D.(1976). Land Resources of the Solomon Islands. Volume 1: Introduction and Reccomendations. Land Resources Division, Ministry of Overseas Development, Surrey, England. Healy, J. 2006. Bismarck Solomon Seas Ecoregion - Solomon Islands Fisheries, Marine and Coastal Legislation and Policy Gap Analysis. WWF Solomon Islands, Honiara, Solomon Islands Leary, T. 1991. Solomon Islands: State of the Environment Report. A report prepared for the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, Apia, Samoa Macdonald, J Prof (2006), Marine Resource Management and Conservation in Solomon Islands: Roles, Responsibilities and Opportunities. Griffith Law School, Griffith University, Queensland Australia (International Waters Programme Report) SI Environment and Conservation Division, 1996. Solomon Islands environmental impact guidelinesfor Plannersand Developers. Ministry of Forests, Environment and Conservation. Solomon Islands Government, 2002. The Revised Solomon Islands Code of Logging Practice. Honiara, Solomon Islands Solomon Islands Government, 2006. National Report to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (Third Report), Honiara, Solomon Islands SPREP (1992) Solomon Islands National Environment and Management Strategy. Environment and Conservation Division, Ministry of Natural Resources, Honiara, and South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, Apia, Western Samoa. Sulu, R., Hay,C., Ramohia, P., Lam, M. (undated), The Status of Solomon Island's Coral Reefs. Institute of Marine Resources, USP and Fisheries Division, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Honiara, Solomon Islands UJNDP-GEF, 2006. United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity- Thematic Assessment, National Capacity Self Assessment project - Solomon Islands WWF SI, 2005: A Forest Strategy for Solomon Islands 2006 - 2011, Final Report from WWF SI Forests Strategy Planning Workshop, Honiara, Solomon Islands

Page 72 of 96 APPENDIX 1 Prescribed Developments under the SI Environment Act 1998, Second Schedule (Section 16)

1. FOOD INDUSTRIES including 7. TOURISM INDUSTRY including

(a) fruit processing, bottling and canning (a) hotels (b) brewing, malting and distillery works (b) golf courses (c) abattoirs (c) recreational parks (d) other food processing requiring (d) tourism resorts or estates packaging

2. IRON AND STEEL INDUSTRIES 8. AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY including

NON-METALLIC INDUSTRIES (a) livestock development including (b) agricultural development schemes (c) irrigation and water supply schemes (a) lime production (b) brick and tile manufacture (c) extraction of minerals and mining 9. PUBLIC WORKS SECTOR including (d) extraction of aggregates stones or shingles (a) landfills (e) radio-active related industries (b) infrastructure developments (c) major waste disposal plants (f) manufacture of cement (d) soil erosion and siltation control (e) hydropower schemes 4. LEATHER, PAPER, TEXTILE AND (f) reservoir development WOOD INDUSTRIES including (g) airport developments (h) waste management, drainage and (a) leather tanning and processing disposal systems (b) textile industry with dying facilities (i) dredging (c) carpet industry with chemical dying (j) watershed management (d) manufacture of paper, pulp and other (k) ports and harbours wood products

5. FISHING AND MARINE PRODUCT INDUSTRY including logging operation, 10. OTHER saw milling, all forms of timber processing and treatment (a) industrial estates (b) housing development schemes 6. CHEMICAL INDUSTRY including (c) settlement and resettlement schemes

(a) pesticide production and use (d) petroleum product storage and (b) pharmaceutical production processing works. (c) fertiliser manufacture and use

(d) oil refineries

Page 73 of 96 APPENDIX 2 Data Bases Available on Gazetteer 2003

File Name Description All Si Health Fac lncGPS 030306.TAB Updated Health Facilities (points) bathymetry. TAB Si bathymetry layer (polygons) S199 constituency regions.TAB Constituency Regions (polygons) S199 wards-poly-100805.TAB Ward Regions (polygons) SI coast.TAB SI Coastline (polygons) si-elevation-thematic.TAB Thematically coloured 200m contoured landmass elevation Si GAZ Rivers.TAB Si major rivers (lines) si international boarder lTAB Si international Border (polygon) Sl_Major Roads.TAB Major Roads from 1:50k mapping 1970s (lines) SI Urban Gazetteer.TAB Points of interest in Urban Centres (points) SI Vill5OkText.TAB Village text layer best viewed at 1:50k scale SI Vill8OkText.TAB Village text layer best viewed at 1:80k scale tbl Gazetteer2003WGS842.TAB All Si Gazetteer points with symbols (points) tbl GazetteerMl.TAB All Si Gazetteer features points, lines, polygons tbl SIGAZ Airports_GPS.TAB GPS Si Airstrips (points) tbl-SIGAZ-census99.TAB Census 1999 village points coded by size (refer to Access database) tbl SIGAZ Health.TAB Old Health Facilities (points) tbl SIGAZ Province.TAB Si Provincial boundaries (polygons) tbl SIGAZ Schools.TAB Old Education facilities (points) tbl SIGAZ Schools UpdateO5.TAB Updated Education facilities (points) tbl-SIGAZ-Settlements.TAB All SI Settlements from all sources (refer to tbl SIGAZ Source Codes.txt) (points) tbl SIGAZ TrigControl.TAB All SI trig stations (points) tbl SIGAZ Type Codes.TAB Type code library tbl SIGAZ Village AIlTAB All Villages (points) Topo2OkText.TAB Topographic text layer best viewed at 1:20k scale Topo5OkText.TAB Topographic text layer best viewed at 1:50k scale Si Gazetteer2003.WOR Maplnfo workspace for all data Si Gazetteer2003 V1.mdb MS Access Gazetteer 2003 Database tbl SIGAZ Source Codes.txt List of source codes tbl SIGAZ Type-Codes.txt List of type codes

Page 74 of 96 APPENDIX 3A ESMF Checklists Examples3 1

Roads and Footpaths -Checklistl IumndskrteJm 1 I 1J1nJknn Soil erosion or flooding concems (e.g., due to highly erodable soils or steep gradients) Number of stream crossings or disturbances Wet season excavation - Creation of quarry sites or borrow pits Significant vegetation removal Wildlife habitats or populations disturbed Environmentally sensitive areas disturbed Cultural or religious sites disturbed -_-- New settlement pressures created Other (specify):

Roads and Footpaths litigation measures Soil erosion/floodin Drainage control measures to be included within construction plans Number of stream Minimize water crossings in road location and alignment crossing/disturbance Wet season excavation Schedule construction for the dry season Quarry sites/borrow pits Re-contour and rehabilitate sites/pits and avoid collection of standing water Vegetation removal Minimize temporary or permanent removal of natural vegetation Wildlife habitats or Identify and avoid effects on habitats and migration routes of key species populations disturbed Environmentally sensitive Identify and avoid forest, riparian and wetland habitats with particular areas disturbed biodiversity Land Acquisition Avoid occupied land. Prepare procedures to ensure equitable resolution. Private assets displaced Avoid occupied land. Prepare procedures to ensure equitable resolution. Informal land uses displaced Avoid interference with informal land users, and take measures to or access restricted provide access to alternative lands or resources Cultural or religious Identify and avoid cultural or religious sites. If disturbance sites disturbed unavoidable, agreement on mitigating measures must first be reached with stake holders (e.g. Community, mosque, church). If excavation encounters archaeological artifacts, halt construction and notify relevant authorities. New settlement Ensure road development is coordinated with local land use plans and pressures created discuss with the community Other (specify):

31 From an Ethiopia Project

Page 75 of 96 Drinking Water Projects IJmnlacts None l. o le HPh 1Inkno New access (road) construction Existing water sources supply/yield depletion - Existing water users disrupted Downstream water users disrupted Increased numbers of water users due to improvements Increased social tensions/conflict over wate Sensitive ecosystems downstream disrupted Local incapacity/inexperience to manage facilities Other (specify):

Drinking, Water Projects Ne%% access troadl construction Ensure drainage contils on ne%k ro3ds and relhabilihute Leiiiporxo access following subproject implementation Existing water sources Assess water supply and existing demands, and manage sustainability supply/yield depletion Existing water users disrupted Identify and avoid negative impacts on existing water users in the system design Downstream water users Identify and avoid effects of diversion or extraction on downstream users disrupted in the system design Increased numbers of water Assess water supply and existing demands, and manage sustainability users due to improvements Increased social Establish a water users committee in the community to produce tensions/conflict over water equitable rules for water allocation Sensitive ecosystems Identify and avoid effects of diversion or dams on downstream ecosystems downstream disrupted Land Acquisition Avoid occupied land. Prepare procedures to ensure equitable resolution. Private assets displaced Avoid occupied land. Prepare procedures to ensure equitable resolution. Informal land uses displaced Avoid interference with informal land users, and take measures to or access restricted provide access to alternative lands or resources Local incapacity/inexperience Establish a local committee, where appropriate, and/or local bylaws and to manage facilities provide appropriate controls

Infrastructure such as School and Health ie Imnaclts sqiiicNnnp 1-n lHed Hiph .1kn New access (road) construction Alteration of existing drainage conditions Vegetation removal Wet season soil disturbance Construction materials impact on adjacent - Quarries and borrow pits created Cultural or religious sites disturbed Water supply development effects in available Effect of sanitation development on existing disposal Effects of medical waste on existing disposa] In-migration/settlement induced by facilities Local incapacity/inexperience to manage facilities Other (specify):

Page 76 of 96 School and Health Projects Alteraton of e\isnng Drainjge control nleasures to be included %%iihinconstruction plans drainage conditions Vegetation removal Minimize temporary or permanent removal of natural vegetation Wet season soil disturbance Schedule construction for the dry season Construction materials impact Avoid taking construction materials in an unmanaged manner on adjacent forests/lands Quarries and borrow pits created Re-contour and rehabilitate sites/pits and avoid collection of standin Water supply development effects Identify and avoid negative impacts on existing water users in the in available supply system design Sanitation development effects Ensure the necessary facilities and capacity for upgraded facilities, on existing disposal fields consistent with health department design standards Medical waste increase effects Prepare a waste management plan for major facility upgrades; ensure on existing disposal system sufficient facilities and capacity for medical waste Land Acquisition Avoid occupied land. Prepare procedures to ensure equitable resolution. Private assets displaced Avoid occupied land. Prepare procedures to ensure equitable resolution. Cultural or religious sites Identify and avoid cultural or religious sites. If disturbance unavoidable, disturbed agreement on mitigating measures must first be reached with stake holders concerned (e.g.. Community, mosque, church). If excavation encounters archaeological artifacts, halt construction and notify relevant authorities. Informal land uses displaced Avoid interference with informal land users, and take measures to or access restricted provide access to alternative lands or resources In-migration/settlement induced Control unplanned settlement near the facilities by facilities development Local incapacity/inexperience Establish/strengthen local committees, where appropriate, through to manage facilities the community and provide appropriate procedures and training to maintain the facilities Other (specify):

Page 77 of 96 APPENDIX 3B EIA checklist for the AusAID funded Community Sector Program

Consider each question in relation to the program. The answers should be taken into account when undertaking the environmental assessment and in providing additional planning information. The checklist questions are presented under environmental theme headings. If the answer to any question is affirmative, the environmental assessment and EMP must take account of the issue.

Impacts on landscapes or soils * Is the local vegetation mainly forest, swamp vegetation or garden land? * Will vegetation cover be changed by the immediate or 'downstream' effects of the activity? * Can construction areas be located away from sensitive ecosystems and on flat or very gently sloping land? * Are there areas of limestone karst? Or are there areas of wetlands? If so, has special consideration been given to their management? * Will the activity remove any vegetation? Or will it leave any surface bare? If so, what impact will the clearance have? How will the possibility of sediment entering streams be prevented? * Will the activity affect wetlands or swamps directly or through 'downstream' effects? * Will the activity affect slope or soil stability or involve heavy machinery? * Will the activity develop or operate quarries or borrow pits? * Will the activity alter the present landscape by, for example, removing rock or soil, dumping spoil or removing timber? * Will the activity create a need to protect the environment or repair environmental damage (especially after the activity ceases)? If so, has the cost of this work been built into the activity? * Is the environment naturally unstable (prone to erosion, in an area of known earthquake or landslip activity, severe storms, floods or droughts)? * What plans are there to protect the activity against natural hazards? Will the presence of the activity cause increased environmental damage should hazardous natural events occur? If so, what environmental protection measures will be implemented?

Impacts on coastal landscapes, ocean forms, processes, and ocean life * Will the project affect beaches, coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, wetlands or swamps (immediately, or through its 'downstream' effects)? Will mangrove regeneration/replanting be necessary?

Page 78 of 96 * Will the project affect seabird, wading bird or migratory bird nesting or grouping areas (these habitats are protected by international treaties the government has signed)? * Will the project involve discharge of organic or waste products to the coastal zone, or to coastal streams? * Are there seasonal patterns of sand movement in the area? How does the design ensure that project activities will not restrict that movement, and cause coastal erosion? * Does the project involve the use of coastal wells or water pumps? If so is there an agreed plan to protect the water source from over-use and salt intrusion? * Will proposed structures be within 50m of the shoreline? Has potential sea level rise or more storm waves been taken into account, in planning the project location? * Are all construction activities to be located inland of coastal wetlands, beaches or dunes? * Will the project require the use of pesticides or fertilisers? Will petrol or oil or other hazardous chemicals be used? If so how will they be prevented from entering the sand or the coastal zone? * Will the project involve the extraction of materials or other disturbance of the near-shore area? * Will the project affect marine species including fisheries resources or habitats?

Impacts on water resources * Will the activity add to demands on local water supplies or other local resources? Or will it restrict people's access to natural resources? What plans are there to provide additional resources to meet increased needs? * Will the activity affect downstream users of resources, especially water? If so, how will these resources be protected? * Will water pond at the activity site? What steps will be taken to provide disease vector (especially mosquito) control?

Impacts from pollutants, chemicals and toxic substances * Will the activity generate waste products (including increased sewage or solid wastes)? Will waste products be disposed of locally? How will sewage be treated? How will solid waste be treated? How will rock or soil waste or chemically contaminated soil be treated? • Does the activity have site-specific erosion and sediment control plans for each sector of the site? * Will the activity or its waste disposal affect the quality of local streams or the groundwater? What steps are being planned to minimise sedimentation in streams or contamination of groundwater?

Page 79 of 96 * Will toxic chemicals (including herbicides, tar, oils, paints and other industrial chemicals) be used or disposed of in the area? * Will hazardous substances (including large quantities of fuels) be used or stored in the area? What plans are there to contain these substances? How will fuel, oil or other hazardous chemicals be delivered, transferred and stored to prevent any leakage into the soil, streams, limestone karst areas or the coastal zone? * Will heavy machinery create dust or noise problems, or reduce safety for pedestrians? What plans are there to minimise these impacts or separate heavy machinery from residential areas? * How will batching areas (for concrete or bitumen) and other construction sites be contained while in use and cleaned and rehabilitated after use? * Is there a contingency (emergency) plan to deal with spills of hazardous chemicals (including oil products) in the area? * Are fire fighting materials and spill clean-up chemicals (water, sand, detergents, acid and alkali) available for use at the site? * Will any used machinery be brought to the site from other regions or from another country? If so, what steps will be taken to avoid the entry of noxious organisms? How will it be cleaned? How will the washing water be disposed of? Impacts on plants and/or animals * Are there important species, habitats or ecosystems in the area to be affected? Or is the area ecologically sensitive or fragile? * Is the local vegetation mainly lowland forest, montane forest or mangrove forest? * Are there important species, habitats or ecosystems in the area to be affected (immediately or 'off site')? Or is the area ecologically sensitive or fragile? * Are any unmodified forested areas locally important hunting or restricted access areas? * Will the activity remove any vegetation? Or will it leave any surface bare? If so, what impact will the clearance have? How will sediment be prevented from burying vegetation, entering streams or reaching the shoreline? * Can construction areas be placed to avoid disturbing local habitats? * Will the activity alter the forest landscape by, for example, removing rock or soil, dumping spoil or removing timber?

Impacts on people and communities * Will a large land area (or a high proportion of one community's land) be affected? * Is the local population living a basically traditional lifestyle? If so, how will the activity affect resources (drinking and washing water, marine or land food, fuel, medicines, building materials, shells, coral, lime) that local people take from the natural environment? * Will future opportunities to use natural resources be lost? If so, what compensation will be offered?

Page 80 of 96 * Will the activity require land or water use leases or changes in tenure? * Will the activity require any residents to be resettled? * Will the activity result in construction workers or other people moving into or having access to the area? How many people will be involved? Is this a large increase on the normal population of the area? How will this affect local resource availability? * Will the activity create jobs locally? If so, will some be for women and some be for local youth? * Will the activity provide safe reliable transport to and from the workplace, and a safe working environment? * Can some program outputs be targeted to meet the needs of special groups in the community (women, youth, elderly or infirmed people)? * Are safety measures in place to protect the workforce? Is the necessary safety clothing/equipment available to all workers? Have they been trained in its use?

Impacts on heritage * Is the area culturally or archaeologically sensitive? For example, is it behind a beach or headland, on a low ridge, near a creek or waterhole, on a ridge or saddle in hilly country or along a traditional walking route? Are rock shelters or caves present? Is the area named in stories? Or is it a burial area? (Note: If the area is culturally or archaeologically sensitive, a survey may need to be carried out to locate such sites.) * Will the activity affect traditional cultural (men's or women's) or archaeological sites? If so, what steps will be taken to protect or salvage information from the sites?

Page 81 of 96 APPENDIX 4 DISTANCE LEARNING CENTRES PROJECT

- - ;- Distance learning centres , 'with broadband under - ,,-'. "I >"""' construction during 2006/7 New Skies NSS-5 *A~ l~New C5 Skies NSS www.srhoolnet.net.sb Satellite ~Gug..DmCHs

t* ftArnon Ato. CHS MALA rTA

iekabdaka CHS

Ama St Stephn's Caisge Paow. ( GUADALCAFL ;tMAKIPA/ULAWA ,- i \\ . <§lKati CHS,Sanla Cru A IEMOTU

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9 distance learning centres

L; 19 RI tdthL

Hub, Internet backbone, Adelaide

Verbal text about the Program (tape provided by Pfnet'sDavidLeeming and typed and translatedby A.Prakash, DNPAC):

"Long ago it took several weeks for Farmer Ellison to send! deliver messages for his brother. Ellison is from Ulawa, one of the many 850 islands that make up Solomon Islands in the South Pacific. Ellison's brother lives in New Zealand, which is thousands of Kilometers awayfrom Solomon Islands. Bata this time this fala problem hemi change noa. Hemi because of wanfala new development project hemi startfo helpem Ellison fo tok withim brata blo hem every dei and only wastim small seleni. However this problem has been solved. Thanks to ground breaking development project, Ellison is now able to communicate with his brother simultaneously and quickly with his brother without wasting or paying large amount of cash. Ulawa Island is one of the nine places in the Solomon Islands where Pipol Fastem Network!PFnet operatefrom

Page 82 of 96 Pipol Fastem Network! PFnet is a network of email stations that connect the isolated archipelago. The station are usually established at Provincialschools, clinics and other accessible and secure public facilities. Email Operators assist customers for sending and receiving messages at very reasonable cost. Each remote individual email stations are connected on schedule; several times a day to the Hub station in Honiara, the capital of Solomon Islands. Incoming or outgoing emails are transferredbetween remote stations, the hub in Honiara and the internet. Since February2001, has run a very successful internet cafe in Honiara. People use PF Net for connecting their friends, families, business partners and for educational purposes. Now PFNet is looking forward to expand and grow as indicatedby the GeneralManager of PFNet, Mr. Randell Biliki. The rural email stations use a simple, robust and well proven technology; consisting of a short wave radio, a basic computer and solar energy. This technology was deemed appropriateconsidering the scattered and the remote nature of many of the islands in Solomon Islands .The system has been working very well indeed. Supported by UNDP, PFNet has found a balance between technology and the need to people. The Solomon Islands has just come through a difficult period of serious ethnic unrest. PF Net is helping to bring people close to each other and is a practical example of bridging the digital divide. United Nations World Summit on Information Society sponsored by International Telecommunication Union that will take place in Switzerland in next December will look into the information revolution and its impacts on the internationalcommunity. PFNet proves that information technology can also benefit low income ruralpopulation; even in some of the most remote parts of the world.

And in Solomon Islands Tok Pisin

Las time hemi save tekem wiks fo tekem Farmer Ellison Waiorou fo sendem message fo brother blo hem long New Zealand. Ellison hemi stay long Ulawa, wanfala olketa 850 islands blo Solomon Aelans lo South Pacific. Bata this time this fala problem hemi change noa. Hemi because of wanfala new development project hemi start fo helpem Ellison fo tok withim brata blo hem every dei and only wastim small seleni. Ulawa Aelan hemi one fala long nine fala places where Pipol Fastem Network/ PFnet hem operate long. PFnet hemi one kind of network of email stesins wea hemi connectim olgeta rural areas of Solomon Aelans wea e last time, hemi barava isolated tumas fo communicate wetem. Olketa save makem PF net stesin long good places osem provincial clinics, schools or ota narafala public places wear hemi accessible and safe fo ota ordinary people fo usim.

Page 83 of 96 Ota email operators long each email station save helpem olta customers for sendem and receivem messages. By sendem and receivem email through email, ota customers only spendim lele bet selini no ma. Every remote email station hemi connect lonog right time osem hemi suppose for. Hemi connect long any tim lon day withim main station blo PF net where hemi base long Honiara, capitol blo umi Solomon Islands. Ota emails where pipol sendem and receivem hem transfer between olgata remote stations lo provinces and main centre long Honiara. Since February long 2001, PFnet hemi makem wan fala successful internet cafe long Honiara. Any kind type of pipol na usim PFnet for sendem message go lo olketa friends, families, business partners and fo doem school woka. This time PF net like fo expandem and growem services blo hem. Hemi no what General Manager blo PFnet Randell Biliki hemi explainem. Olketa rural email station usim brava simple, quicktime and improve technology. Ota usim short wave radio, basic computer and power from sun (Solar Power) Olketa expert findem that this fala technology hemi brava fitim rural areas and environment blo Solomon Islands because of remoteness and isolation blo many island groups blo iumi. This fala system and technology hemi brava worka gud. Withim support blo UNDP "PFnet hemi acheivem nao balance between technology and development and olketa need blo rural people," hemi nao what blo stock one fala information technologist blo UNDP tellem, Solomon Islands hemi just finish from 2 years of ethnic tension. PFnet hemi try fo helpem people fo kam together and hemi wan fala gud example fo buildem up community one fala summit known as "Long United Nations World summit in the information society union sponsored by international telecommunication long Switzerland in December by e hereim and lookim topic lo information revolution and impact blo hem long olketa narafala countries. PFnet hemi provem that information technology hemi save benefitim and helpem low income rural population lo barava remote and isolated places lo world

Page 84 of 96 APPENDIX 5 EXAMPLES OF SUBPROJECTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES

Page 85 of 96 Possible Projects and Potential socio-economic Mitigation Measures Expected Socio- and environmental impacts economic Benefits * Increased disturbance to * All transportation subprojects under RDP will be small in scale Transportation natural environments due to and environmental impacts are expected to be correspondingly Infrastructure easier access; small and localized. The immediate. benefits of Damage caused by * In most cases common sense measures will be sufficient to investments in rural construction works, reduce impacts to acceptable levels transportation especially excavation and infrastructure are expected haulage of aggregate . . The most serious concem is for the impact on water courses to consist of reduced materials; which are likely to be used as water supplies by communities financial and non-financial * temporary pollution (noise downstream of any crossing point. In this situation it will be costs of travel and and dust) due to construction necessary to use extreme care to avoid damage to water quality transport. Given that much works; during the construction phase (e.g. careful diversion of the water travel and transport in the * Dust problems caused by flow away from any works at stream bed level). So far as Solomon Islands is by sea traffic on earth or gravel possible drainage structures should not result in realignment or in small craft there may be roads; constriction of the channel, as this will lead to scour and high an additional benefit in * Erosion of slopes and sediment loads in the downstream flow. reduced injuries and loss of associated degradation of goods in transport through water courses due to accidents. communities, construction works or to and improved access to poorly designed cross- private sector and state drainage structures. services including health, education, agriculture extension, policing, retail and financial services etc.

Page 86 of 96 Health Facilities; * Disturbance caused by * . The most serious concern is for the impact on water courses The immediate benefits of construction works; which are likely to be used as water supplies by communities construction or repair of * Damage caused by downstream of any crossing point. In this situation it will be health facilities are extraction of timber necessary to use extreme care to avoid damage to water quality expected to be improved and aggregate materials during the construction phase (e.g. careful diversion of the water needed for the flow away from any works at stream bed level). So far as construction; possible drainage structures should not result in realignment or * Potential environmental constriction of the channel, as this will lead to scour and high contamination from sediment loads in the downstream flow. sanitation facilities (poorly designed waste disposal); . Improper disposal of medical waste.

Page 87 of 96 * Disturbance caused by Rural Water Supplies and construction works; Sanitation: * Contamination of the water All these concerns should be adequately addressed by appropriate source (which may be used project design features. EHD have general guidelines for protection of Rural water supplies by other communities water sources which should be adopted as part of the appraisal criteria facilities will provide two downstream) due to for RDP. types of benefit. First, there construction works or poor will be a reduced cost design of intakes; (almost entirely in time) of * Contamination of the water obtaining water for all supply due to other activities domestic purposes. (logging, agriculture, Second, in the cases that construction) nearby; the investment results in * Contamination of the water improved quality of supply due to poorly drinking water, there will constructed and protected be a benefit in reduced supply pipes; incidence of water- * Environmental transmitted diseases. contamination due to poor disposal of wastewater Increased use of sanitation around water points; should result in reduced . Environmental disease transmission. contamination due to poor design of latrine pits and soak ways or septic tanks.

Potential environmental impacts of Education Facilities education facility subprojects The benefits of investments include: All these concerns should be adequately addressed by appropriate in education infrastructure * Disturbance caused by project design features. will be improved quality of construction works;

Page 88 of 96 education due to an * Damage caused by improved learning extraction of timber environment, and increased and aggregate materials school attendance due to needed for the easier access or more construction; attractive facilities. * Potential environmental The education system is contamination from managed by the Ministry sanitation facilities of Health through (poorly designed waste provincially based staff disposal). Rural Training Centres, will be considered. There could also be a range of smaller

Page 89 of 96 APPENDIX 6 EXAMPLE OF EMP REQUIREMENTS - AUSAID COMMUNITY SECTOR PROGRAMME.

The following table - which is modified from the PNG Environmental Guidelines for Roads and Bridges (1997) - lists major issues to be considered for environmental management planning for any proposed road construction or maintenance activities. Where any of the impacts listed in the 'issue' column apply, an EMP based on the 'suggested measures' but defined to be site-specific, is to be included in the work-plan, or where relevant, the contract scope of services.

Issue - Objective Suggested measures to achieve the objective

Writing an EMP To develop a Complete an EIA report. plan to reduce I adverse Focus on concerns identified. impacts of the program Keep solutions simple, acceptable to men and women in the community, and cost effective.

Update the plan on the basis of the results of monitoring. . - ...... - .... -~~~~~~~~~~~~~--.-..- -- - ...... ------...... - Reducing To minimise Reduce the time surfaces remain bare. erosion the amount of sediment lost Keep vegetation cleanng to a minimum. from the site i jAvoid disturbance on steep slopes.

Keep vehicles on defined tracks.

Construct necessary temporary/permanent control structures. (See below for design advice)

(Re)vegetate where necessary after construction activity finishes.

Controlling dust To ensure Spray water on exposed surfaces during dry periods. there is no health risk or Install wind breaks or fences around cement-batching plants. inconvenience due to dust Wet quarry loads or road-fill loads being carried in open trucks. production

Controlling To ensure I Use modern and well-maintained equipment (with mufflers where noise nuisance from appropriate). noise isi minimised Use noise screens or mounds near residential areas.

Carry out noisy construction activities during normal working hours.

I Advise local people when there will be blasting or unusual, unavoidable noise.

Page 90 of 96 Issue i Objective Suggested measures to achieve the objective

Controlling iTo minimise install control structures at the outset of construction. These may need to sediment the impact of include silt traps along flow. stormwater coIntaining (Re)vegetate or prepare for natural revegetation all disturbed areas not to sediment on be paved (e.g. batters) after final land shaping. streams and coasts Phase ground disturbance so that it is limited to areas of a workable size. Schedule construction so that large areas of soil are not laid bare during wet seasons.

Place construction sites on flat ground.

Contain construction areas by using a bund or trench, or isolate the areas from other surface runoff, and clean and rehabilitate them when construction is complete.

IIf the road is on loose or unstable rock, gently slope the batters, provide steps or horizontal benches for high batters, and vegetate where necessary.

Avoid discharging water onto unstable slopes or old landslips.

Managing water To minmseIHave prior agreement for accessing/abstracting water and controlling the impact of strwtr contaminated Divert (temporarily) runoff from non-construction areas around the runoff water construction areas to keep natural flow separate from construction runoff.

Pass stormwater runoff from construction areas through a gross pollutant trap (to filter plastics, cans, etc) and over a vegetated surface to remove petroleum-based organic pollutants before discharging it into culverts or drainage systems.

Design drains and culverts to remove all runoff water without scour. If necessary, step drains on steep slopes using rock slabs or gravel in gabion baskets.

Store oil and bituminous products at a contained location away from drainage lines and in an appropriate manner.

Page 91 of 96 Managing To minimise Hold discussions about dumping with local landowners stockpiles, spoil dust and heaps and sediment Ensure site plans include all drainage provisions suggested for construction batters ! runoff from sites. these features Choose the stockpile or spoil heap location to avoid blocking surface runoff or drainage lines. If the site is not a Ridgecrest or flat plain, level and contain the base.

Cover the spoil heap or stockpile containing fine sediments if it is to remain bare for long in a high rainfall area in order to prevent erosion and sediment runoff.

Subject spoil heaps and stockpiles to stability calculations to safeguard i against major slippage.

Discuss with local landowners or community groups whether they can or want to use spoil locally. If they do, ensure that a clear level site is prepared on which the spoil can be dumped.

Where possible, use spoil to backfill quarry areas or waste disposal pits before they are vegetated.

For batter vegetation, see decommissioning

Issue Objective Suggested measures to achieve the objective

Managing waste To avoid Contain all stores waste within construction sites. ! contamination from solid During site clean-up, burn all spilled fuel oils. wastes and sewage Crush, burn and bury all inorganic solid waste, including paper used in I bitumen spraying, in an approved disposal area.

Remove all disabled machinery from the project area.

Use above-water table pit latrines or composting toilets at residential construction sites. (See advice below).

Compost or use as animal food all green or organic waste.

Page 92 of 96 ...... ------Protecting i To minimise Identify natural areas, especially environmentally sensitive or ecologically sensitive natural negative fragile areas. areas impacts on sensitive Locate optional construction sites/activities away from sensitive areas. ecosystems I or the natural Ensure construction personnel are aware of locations of sensitive areas environment and keep out of them.

If the proposed construction must encroach onto or pass close to sensitive areas, construct temporary fences or permanent bunds or trenches to confine machines and activities.

Use geotextiles or matting to minimise mechanical/ construction activities in wetlands.

Accounting for To minimise Advise the local men and women of the project plans in advance of social or social construction, and where possible involve them in planning. community disturbance concerns and maximise Avoid disturbances near living areas when possible. (induding community gender issues) benefits from Identify culturally sensitive areas and avoid disturbing them. the program Control runoff and manage sediments near garden areas.

Arrange for local people to be employed and trained as part of the program.

Include women's and other community groups in program activities.

Negotiate with the community about disposal areas and stockpiles.

Accounting for To ensure Ensure all occupational health and safety requirements are in place on social or maximum construction sites and in work camps. community safety of concerns construction Establish a program hazard reduction plan. (including personnel and I gender issues) i local residents Install cautionary signs in hazardous areas.

I (continued) Establish footpaths and vehicle pull-off bays along roads, through villages and near markets, schools and other community facilities.

Page 93 of 96 Issue Objective Suggested measures to achieve the objective

Quarry To minimise For solid rock quarries identify management long-term impacts of The proposed plan of extraction quarrying and gravel The methods which will be used for containment (of sediment-loaded extraction runoff and contaminants) at the site

Safety measures which will be employed to avoid any loss of load from trucks

Methods which will be employed to reduce dust emission from the loads

Number and timing of truck trips to and from the quarry site

Safety methods which will be put in place to reduce potential road accidents in village or urban areas

Safety measures which will be employed to ensure stability of exposed faces or overburden stockpiles

Plans to rehabilitate or revegetate the site after use, to reduce visual impacts and sediment runoff

Limestone quarries present additional potential problems associated with karst drainage, and the likely presence of human burials (ossuaries in caves or crevices) and cave-bats. Quarry plans in such areas should also set out:

The steps which will be taken to avoid contamination of underground drainage systems

The steps which will be taken to protect, or to facilitate the recovery and re-burial of human cave-burials. (Note: This should involve cooperation with local villagers and with the National Museum's impact archaeologist)

Any areas which will be set aside for bat conservation

Additionally, for river or floodplain gravel quarries the quany management plans should address:

The areas to be quarried and the removal sequence

The channel and bank stability in the area to be quarried

Methods which will be established to protect the channel banks, to avoid causing discontinuities in the bed, and to minimise erosion impacts upstream, and sediment loading problems downstream of the quarry site

Page 94 of 96 Issue Objective Suggested measures to achieve the objective

Methods for containing oil leaks or spillages to prevent pollutants reaching the river

Managing 1 To minimise Dispose of sewage into hygienic pit latrines or into a septic tank construction the impact of system. In low-lying areas, to ensure that no sewerage pollution of the sites sewage and local groundwater occurs, elevate the latrine areas and construct them waste on and drain septic effluent into a mound of sandy sediment that may disposal, and I need to be built up for this purpose. to ensure the I maintenance Dispose of solid waste in a 'sanitary landfill' area, ensuring (if no well- of managed town facility is available) the process involves three stages: environmental burning non-recyclable wastes in a well-aerated incinerator that health should be installed at the construction camp site, crushing all unburned residues, and burying the crushed residues in a pit dug to avoid contamination of the water table and covered regularly with a veneer of sediment.

De- To minimise I Rake or loosen all compacted ground surfaces, or re-shape baters commissioning ongoing i and road margins. | work site impacts after construction is Establish a site revegetation plan, engaging where possible local completed women's groups to provide materials and implement revegetation. The revegetation plan should include: name(s) of contact landowner/community group summary discussions and decisions on what will be planted a list of stock to be provided, by whom, agreed price an agreement for planting and tending.

Guide to protection structures - standard works designs The SIG nationally through the Ministry/Department of Infrastructure and Works (M/DID) and at Provincial Works Department (PWD) levels have incorporated many environmental management procedures into standard engineering designs. Many structures are normally included in road designs to control water flows, erosion, and sediment movement. These include: o Culverts, pipes or drains to carry water under a road, and into an outlet drain, o Headwalls at the tops of culverts to funnel runoff into the drainage conduit and prevent scouring (erosion) around the culvert mouth, o Table drains or lined drains along roads to remove water from the pavement surface, o Side drains or V-shaped cuts directed away from the roadway to disperse runoff water into the surrounding (vegetated) landscape, o Retaining walls constructed to hold back loose sediments, commonly from landslips. o Gabion baskets, wire baskets filled with cobbles and gravels may be used to build retaining walls or steps in steep culverts or drains.

Page 95 of 96 DID and PWD manuals contain construction or maintenance advice which is in effect environmental management advice, and provide design information. Standard structures should be used to control erosion and sediment discharge, and standard engineering designs should be used for:

* Side drains * Culvert design . Cut slope * Catch drains . Culvert headwalls/bedding . Cross fall * Table drains . Earthworks benching . Gully pits/junction boxes * Masonry-lined drains * Retention structures * Flume outlets/ dissipaters * Scour protection . Crib walling . Clearing, stripping of topsoil * Earthworks * Drainage . River training/bank protection

and other standard structures/processes including:

* Site containment bund: a low mound, high enough to trap surface runoff, surrounding the construction or storage site, and drained through a single filtered outlet.

* Site containment trench: a dug trench which is sufficiently wide and deep to contain all surface runoff from the site, surrounding the construction or storage site, and drained through a single filtered outlet.

• Silt trap, sediment basin or dam: a pit dug along a drain or watercourse, or a dam placed across a drain or watercourse which will slow and retain the flowing water for a sufficient time to allow sediment to settle. Sand grains are deposited rapidly and silt traps in sandy areas may be small. Finer silt and clay particles are deposited very slowly. In clayey areas, and areas of high rainfall silt traps must be large enough to retain water for at least 24 hours. To be effective silt traps must be cleaned out regularly.

* Filter/gross sediment trap: a mesh or grid near the outlet drain from a quarry or construction site, to trap items of waste such as plastic bags, cans, bottles, paper. Such traps should be cleaned regularly and the waste disposed of appropriately.

* Pit latrine or pit toilet: a toilet comprising a seat or squat area constructed over a hole or trench dug into the ground. Such latrine pits must not reach the local groundwater level, and in poorly drained areas they may need to be dug into mounds constructed for this purpose. Sand, soil or ash may be thrown into the pit to reduce bad smells. The toilet structure should be covered by a lid to prevent flies infesting the latrine.

* Composting toilet: a waterless toilet constructed above the ground with a seat or squat area above a composting pile. Leaves, paper or other bulking agents encourage the composting of sewage, with no unpleasant smell. The compost can later be used as garden fertiliser. The toilet structure should be covered by a lid to prevent flies infesting the composting pile.

* Spill contingency plan: At each project site a plan should be developed to deal with accidental spillage of hazardous substances. This would involve an activity plan (generally involving plans for containment of the spill), as well as the provision of a long hose and water pump, detergent, brooms, brushes and shovels, fire extinguishers and fire retardants, a supply of sand, and dry acid and dry alkali to act as neutralisers.

Page 96 of 96