Environmental Impact Assessment of construction of the water storage basins in five pilot districts proposed for ADA funding under the project “Promotion of change and disaster risk reduction solutions in the water and civil protection sectors for enhanced rural resilience”

prepared for UNDP

Chisinau

December 2019

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Table of Contents

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ...... 4 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 5 2 INTRODUCTION ...... 11 3 POLICY, LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK ...... 12 3.1 Policy Framework ...... 12 3.2 National Regulatory Framework ...... 15 3.3 Institutional Framework ...... 18 4 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE ...... 23 4.1 Screening ...... 23 4.2 Environmental Impact Assessment ...... 23 4.3 State Ecological Expertise ...... 24 5 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY ...... 26 5.1 Environmental Impact Assessment Stages ...... 26 5.2 Criteria for the Risk and Impact Assessment ...... 26 5.3 Risk Rating ...... 29 5.4 Mitigation Measures and Residual Impacts ...... 30 5.5 Gaps and Uncertainties during the preparation of current generic EIA ...... 30 6 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT ...... 31 7 GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT PILOT DISTRICTS ...... 34 7.1 Brief overview of pilot districts ...... 34 7.2 Geology ...... 35 7.3 Relief and Landscape ...... 35 7.4 Climate and Weather ...... 36 7.5 Soil ...... 39 7.6 Hydrology and Water Resources ...... 40 7.6.1 district ...... 40 7.6.2 Hancesti district ...... 40 7.6.3 district ...... 41 7.6.4 district ...... 41 7.6.5 ...... 42

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7.7 Natural Protected Areas, Fauna and Flora ...... 42 7.7.1 ...... 42 7.7.2 Hancesti district ...... 43 7.7.3 ...... 44 7.7.4 ...... 45 7.7.5 Cantemir district ...... 45 7.8 Land use ...... 46 7.9 Socio-Economic Background ...... 47 7.9.1 Main socio-economic indices of the country ...... 47 7.9.2 Socio-Economic Background in Pilot District ...... 50 8 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS AND RISKS ...... 53 8.1 General remark ...... 53 8.2 Important Environmental and Socio-Economic Components ...... 53 8.3 Primarily affected IESEC ...... 53 8.4 Project Positive Impacts ...... 53 8.5 Project Negative impacts ...... 55 8.6 Potential Cumulative Impacts ...... 57 8.7 Potential Residual Impacts ...... 58 8.8 Potential Gedner Equality and Social Inclusion Impacts ...... 58 9 IMPACT AND RISK ASSESSMENT ...... 59 10 POSSIBLE CONFLICTS FOR THE 2-FUNCTIONAL USE OF THE WATER STORAGE BASINS ...... 75 11 ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES ...... 76 12 IMPACTS MITIGATION ...... 77 13 BRIEF IMPACT STATEMENT, MITIGATION MEASURES AND MONITORING ...... 83 14 ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE MONITORING ...... 95 15 EIA PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND DISCLOSURE ...... 99 REFERENCES ...... 100 ANNEXES ...... 102 Annex 1. List of persons who prepared the EIA Annex 2. Overview of the Public Consultation Meetings

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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

ACSA National Agency for Rural Development ADA Austrian Development Agency ADC Austrian Development Cooperation CALM Congress of Local Authorities in Moldova CPA Central Public Authority CSDI Cold spell duration EA Environmental Agency EIA Environmental Impact Assessment FD Frost days GIES General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations GMO Genetically Modified Organisms ID Ice days IESEC Important Environmental and Socio-Economic Components IUCN International Union for Conservation of LPA Local Public Authority MARDE Ministry of , Regional Development and Environment MDL Moldovan Lei M&E Monitoring and Evaluation NGO Non-governmental Organization NFFM National Farmers Federation of Moldova RDA Regional Development Agency RMSP Risk Management and Sustainability Plan SDG Sustainable Development Goals SDR South Development Region SEE State Ecological Expertise TN10p Cold nights TN90p Warm nights TX10p Cold days TX90p Warm days UAP Republican Union of Agricultural Producers UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization USAID United States Agency for International Development WB World Bank WUA Water Users Association

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1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

BRIEF PROJECT DESCRIPTION

UNDP Moldova with full support of the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) implements project “Promotion of climate change and disaster risk reduction solution in the water and civil protection sectors for enhanced rural resilience” which aims to increase resilience and adaptive capacities of rural communities to climate change and disasters It supports implementation of climate-smart water management solutions for agriculture, flood management and fire prevention and expansion of community-based rescue/ firefighting teams in rural communities of Moldova with the purpose to reduce the exposure and vulnerability of the rural communities to climate change and disaster risks. The project consists of the two following components: 1) Adaptation intervention in the water sector for agricultural purposes and flood management, and 2) Improvement of the community-level climate and disaster management capacities for risk reduction, prevention and timely response. Under the 1st project component, there shall be constructed water storage basins in 5 pilot districts (Ungheni, Hancesti, Criuleni, Leova and Cantemir) to enhance adaptation to climate change in the water and agricultural sectors by supporting with grants at least 15 farmers, including women. Current Environment Impact Assessment addresses Sub-activity “construction of water storage basins” under the project Activity 1.2. “Pilot water storage infrastructures in 5 districts of the country to enhance adaptation to climate change in the water sector”

OVERVIEW OF PILOT DISTRICTS

The Ungheni district borders the River. On the territory of district, there are 74 localities, including 2 towns - Ungheni and Cornesti. Total surface area of the district is 108262 ha; the share of agricultural lands is about 68%; the share of privatized agricultural lands is 73%. The total district’s population is 117083; the share of urban population is 35%, rural - 65%. On the territory of the district there are 136 water reservoirs with total surface area of 1584 ha. .

District Hancesti borders the Prut River. There are 63 localities in the district, including its administrative center - town Hăncesti. Total surface area is 147198 ha; the share of agricultural lands is around 60%; the share of privatized agricultural lands is 82,5%. Total population of the district is 119224; the share of urban population is around 15%, rural - 85%. On the district’s territory, there are 117 water reservoirs and ponds with a total area of 1300,34 ha.

The Criuleni district borders the Nistru River. There are 43 settlements in the district, including single town – Criuleni. Total surface area of the district is 68795 ha; the share of agricultural lands is 76%; the share of privatized agricultural lands is 83%. Total population of the district is 73502; the share of rural population exceeds 88%, and urban - less than 12%. On the district’s territory, there are 64 ponds with total surface of the water mirror and protection strips of 364 ha.

District Leova borders the Prut River. Number of settlements in the district is 40, including two towns - Leova and . Total surface area of the district is 76460 ha; the share of agricultural lands is 57%; the share of privatized agricultural lands is around 80%. Total number population is 52243; the share of urban population

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is around 30%, rural – around 70%. On the territory of the district, there are 71 water reservoirs with total surface area of 848 ha, including area of water protection strips.

District Cantemir borders the Prut River. There are 51 settlements in the district, including 1 (one) town - Cantemir. Total surface area is 86768 ha, the share of agricultural lands exceeds 74%; the share of privatized agricultural lands is around 80%. Total population of the district is 61568; share of urban population is 9%, rural - 91%. On the territory of the district, there are 66 ponds with a total area of 570 ha.

POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK

International regulatory framework mainly refers to the Framework Convention on Climate Change, ratified by Moldova in 1995; Convention to Combat Desertification, ratified in 1999;, Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters, ratified in 1999, and Convention on Biological Diversity, ratified in 1993. The Donor’s policy documents include the Austrian Development Cooperation Strategy for Moldova for the years 2016-2020, and the ADA’s Environmental, Gender and Social Impact Management policies, principles and standards aimed at enhancement of environmental and social outcomes of programs and projects, and contributing to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

National policy framework mainly refers to the National Action Plan for the Implementation of the Association Agreement Republic of Moldova - for the years 2017–2019 (2016), National Development Strategy “Moldova 2030” (2018), National Strategy on Agriculture and Rural Development for the period 2014-2020 (2014), Climate Change Adaptation Strategy by 2020 (2014), Environmental Strategy for the years 2014-2023 (2014), Program of Activity of the Government of the Republic of Moldova 2016— 2018 (2016) and other programs and strategies.

National regulatory framework embraces the following main laws and regulations: Law On environmental protection (1993 as amended), Water Law (entered into force in 2013), Law On ecological expertise (1996 as amended), Law On environmental impact assessment (2014), Land Code (1991, as amended), Law On state supervision over public health (2009), Law On civil protection (1994), Law On fire safety (1994), Law On the cadaster of immovable property (1998), Law On quality in construction (1996), Model Regulation for the reservoirs/ ponds operation (2016 Regulation on the organization and functioning of the one-stop shop in the field of environmental authorization for the special use of water (2013), Regulation on organization of the occupational safety activities and prevention of risks at work places (2009), etc.

INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK

In the Republic of Moldova there is a number of public authorities at the central and local levels with implications in the water resources management. Their attributions are regulated by the Water Law and other laws governing the organization and activity of these authorities. Central Public Authorities that have relevance to the project are Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment (MARDE) with its sub-ordinated institutions - Environmental Agency, Environmental Protection Inspectorate , Agency “Apele Moldovel”, and Regional Development Agencies (RDAs); General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (GIES) subordinated to the Ministry of Internal Affairs; State Surveillance Service of Public Health under the Ministry of Health, Labour and Social Protection; Cadaster Department under the Agency of Public

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Services; National Archeological Agency under the Ministry of of , Culture and Research and some others. In relation to project, Local Public Authorities are responsible for the overseeing and maintaining of the water basins and hydro-technical constructions in limits of their competence.

Private and Non-governmental Sector. Private sector is regarded as one of the key partners of the project by participating in identification and implementation of adaptation solutions in the water sector. Environment and Gender NGOshave an important role in and awareness raising about environmental and climate change issues. National Agency for Rural Development (ACSA) is a widely recognized provider of information, consultancy and training services for agricultural producers and rural entrepreneurs. Farmers Associations are seen as a feasible network for dissemination of project results and climate change adaptation solutions.

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE

National Environmental Impact Assessment procedure was established by the law on the Environmental Impact Assessment of 2014. The decision on necessity of conducting EIA is made by the Environmental Agency on the basis of evaluation of the submitted Statement on the planned activity/ project. Based on the results of the preliminary assessment, Environmetal Agency makes one of the following decisions: (a) the proposed activity is subject to EIA in a transboundary context; (b) the proposed activity is subject to EIA at the national level; and (c) no EIA is required. Generally, the EIA procedure is applicable to complex and potentially dangerous for environment projects/ planned activities which could result in significant impacts and aims to prevent and mitigate impacts even on the projects’ design stage. List of planned activities that are subject to mandatory EIA is presented in Annex 1 to the law on EIA. List of planned activities for which necessity for conducting of EIA shall be decided by Environmental Agency is presented in Annex 2 to the law on EIA. In case If Environmental Agency decides that for the activities specified in Annex 2, EIA is not required, the project technical documentation is subject to SEE.

Developed EIA is examined by the Environmental Agency, and once its structure and content fully correspond to the established EIA principles and requirements, it issues the environmental permit. The EIA documentation can also serve as the basis for the development of the Environmental Protection chapter of the project/ planned activity design documentation.

In those cases when project/ planned activity is a subject to EIA, it does not pass through the process of the State Ecological Expertise, which is mandatory for the design documentation for objects/ planned activities which are listed in Annex 1 to the law On ecological expertise. The purpose of SEE is to determine whether it complies with environmental protection requirements. In dependence on complexity and potential danger of planned activity, terms of conducting of the state ecological expertise vary from 45 to 90 days. Results of the ecological expertise of the design project documentation are issued in the form of Aviz. In relation to construction of water storage basins in pilot areas, their planned dimensions and hydro-technical features do not comply with those activities for which conducting of EIA as per national procedure is required. Yet, water storage basins project design documentation is a subject to ecological expetse. Thus, current EIA will be used as a basis for preparing of the Environmental Protection chapter to be part of the project design documentation.

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ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS

The challenge to identify and assess impacts in current EIA relates is that precise locations for construction of water storage basins and their design are not determined yet. In current EIA are assessed the most common risks and impacts linked to construction of the water storage basins and their use for small-scaled (on-farm) irrigation and firefighting.

Project Positive Impacts. The UNDP/ ADA projects are environmentally and socially benign. Current project will also provide several significant benefits. The projects will contribute to better resilience to the climate change through improved access to irrigation water. The overall development effect of current project will be also positive. The irrigation will result in higher agricultural production and improvement of rural socio- economic conditions through higher employment rate, better income, including due to the sale of high-valued agricultural production, as well as services, materials, and equipment for construction and irrigation, better fire safety, and finally, to reduction of rural poverty. The project will also contribute to environmental enhancement through the providing of the extension services addressing sustainable on-farm irrigation practices as well as extension of knowledge on irrigation, conservation of water and soil, and drought mitigation, more environmentally friendly ways of increasing production and incomes with less environmental impacts.

Negative impacts identification and assessment. Since no new land development is expected, no project activities are expected to affect the extent of polluted runoff into water courses. It is not expected that construction of the water storage basins on the private land plots will have adverse or beneficial impact on wildlife, habitats, natural protected areas, cultural heritage being small-scaled and spatially limited to land that has already been under cultivation, and thus, there will be no temporary or permanent change of the land destination, involuntary resettlement, land acquisition, etc. Therefore, no significant large-scaled environmental impacts are expected considering relatively small size of the project footprints, non-affecting sensitive areas and natural resources (e.g., running surface water, , etc.), but those generated can be easily mitigated by applying of appropriate management measures. Impacts during the construction phase are short-term, insignificant and easily managed. Potential impacts during the operational phase relate mainly to irrigation. These are direct impacts on soil (salinization, waterlogging, erosion and deterioration of the soil structure), indirect secondary impacts on soil, and surface water (modifications of the soil profile, nitrate and pesticide contamination of soil and water; indirect tertiary impacts on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and effects of the agrochemicals use. Majority aforesaid negative environmental effects are easily predicted and their mitigation might be proposed even at the stage of development of this generic EIA. Significance of identified impacts varies from low to moderate in dependence on the baseline conditions of the particular biophysical environment, compliance with environmental protection requirements and other objective and subjective factors. The validity of all impacts identified under this generic EIA will be checked against baseline conditions at each selected site. Further evaluation of the baseline conditions in the sites selected for construction of water storage basins will demonstrate whether there is a potential for other environmental impacts, and whether additional site- specific impact assessment and mitigation are required. Those impacts that are applicable in the selected sites will be further described in the Risk Management and Sustainability Plans to point on site specific mitigation and compliance monitoring.

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Cumulative Impacts. In relation to potential cumulative impacts, the major environmental concerns are underground water pollution, soil erosion and pollution, and indirect effects that irrigation can cause. Considering small size of the projects, it would be easy to mitigate negative effects that each project separately (i.e., operation of the water storage basin) might have on the environment.

Residual Impacts. Assuming that project footprint is small, volume of water accumulated for irrigation is limited and all mitigation is carried out, there still could be some residual effects manifesting in groundwater contamination, and soil salinization and waterlogging, but they will be minimal and have negligible effect on the environment.

RISKS IDENTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT

Identified risks were divided into 3 groups as follows: 1) Environmental risks on operation (low precipitation rate; torrential rains, and rise of the groundwater table); 2) Operational risks on environment (waterlogging and soil salinization; groundwater contamination, and 3) Managerial risks for the operation (siltation of the water storage basin; water quality unsuitable for irrigation; aesthetic and other pollution, waste handling, soil compaction, etc. in adjacent area; disagree of neighboring farmers/ land owners with the selected location of the water storage basins; change of the soil properties on agricultural land down the slope, e.g., decrease of the baseline soil moisture due to capture of surface runoff; outflow/ flooding down the slope; refusal to comply with technical requirements to maintain functionality of the water storage basin by the farmers’ inheritors; alternative use of water storage basins (e.g., for fish farming and recreation); in the case of fire events, restricted access to the ponds via adjacent private plots or due to fencing of ponds; accidents, especially for children during the self-willed swimming). A better part of the environmental and all social risks is ranged as low to moderate, except exogenous environmental risks linked to drought and low precipitation rate. The rest of risks is small-scaled and easily manageable.

POSSIBLE CONFLICTS FOR THE 2-FUNCTIONAL USE OF THE WATER STORAGE BASINS

The farmers shall clearly understand that firefighting is an ultimate priority for the water storage basin use, and they will need either to have other sources of water to be used for irrigation, or to make contracts with Insurance Company, etc. On the other hand, the farmers could use water for irrigation, and after that the fire could occurred. In such cases, the farmers shall obligatory inform the proximate fire-brigades relying on this water. Mechanisms regarding shared water use shall be clearly prescribed in the Regulation for the water basin operation and/ or in the leasing Contract.

IMPACTS MITIGATION Environmental and social protection actions and measures addressing avoiding and mitigation of potential impacts during the construction and operational phases can be briefly outlined as follows: protection of the offsite areas; onsite soil protection against erosion, prevention of compaction and loss of the fertile layer; excessive noise prevention/ noise reduction; on site soil, water and air protection against contamination by improper hazardous and non-hazardous waste handling and disposal, improper work practices or poorly operating machinery; agricultural ecosystems protection and biodiversity conservation, and once the construction is completed, final cleanup of the work area; topsoil protection against salinization and erosion, and against pollution by fertilizers and pesticide.

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Construction phase. Mitigation of impacts on soil includes topsoil conservation and reuse, minimizing vehicle and heavy equipment passage to and from construction site. Impacts on groundwater (and surface water, where is a case) will be mitigated by regular maintenance and inspection of vehicles and equipment, rapid containment and clean-up of any spills. Waste minimization shall be achieved thought proper waste management and handling, i.e, collecting of garbage in bins, replacement of excavated rock as directed by local authorities in charge, keeping of hazardous waste in specially designated sites , etc. Noise and vibrations are not expected to be major issues some interventions might be a case. Any such interventions shall take place during normal working hours. To mitigate employee dust and noise exposure, the constructor’s manager will identify locations where dust and noise levels are chronically high and will ensure that workers wear adequate protection in these areas. Mitigation of damage to biodiversity will be achieved by lining of work area to the much extent possible. In the case of occasionally found cultural or archaeological sites there will be immediately stopped excavation and informed responsible local authorities. In relation to prevention accidents and injuries, the constructor’s manger will ensure that all the works are carried out in compliance with health and safety rules

Operational Phase. During the operational phase, direct potential impacts from irrigation affect mainly soil and landscape. These are mainly soil erosion, pollution, salinization, waterlogging and possible re-activation of gully/ ravine process. Scale of these impacts may vary from site to site. Generally, irrigation impacts can be reduced when location for the water storage basin construction is chosen correctly with considering of landscape features and geo-morphological characteristics of the area, including on the basis of analysis of alternatives, and where appropriate, water application techniques shall to be coupled with the irrigation scheduling. Indirect (secondary) irrigation impacts are mainly linked to improper application of fertilizers and pesticides that might contribute to pollution of both groundwater and cultivated agricultural products and thus generate indirect tertiary impacts on human health and on fauna and flora (e.g., mortality of big bee families, etc.). So, mitigation of these impacts can be achieved by limiting use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, use of less harmful pesticides, plantation of buffer zones, etc. Mitigation of impacts linked to firefighting mainly refer to avoiding of the heavy machinery movement on the soil to prevent/ minimize soil compaction and soil pollution due to leaks of fuel and lubricants (potential direct impacts), and also not to deteriorate water quality in the constructed basins (potential secondary impact) by proper location for the water abstraction so that not to disturb ecological zone, if any.

ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE MONITORING

Environmental monitoring during the construction and operational phases of the project will provide information about key its key environmental implications, particularly, about environmental impacts and efficiency of applied mitigation measures. This will enable evaluation the success of mitigation as part of project supervision and undertaking corrective actions, when deemed necessary.

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2 INTRODUCTION

At the time being, UNDP Moldova with full support of the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) implements project “Promotion of climate change and disaster risk reduction solution in the water and civil protection sectors for enhanced rural resilience” which aims to increase resilience and adaptive capacities of rural communities to climate change and disasters through improved water storage infrastructures and disasters risk reduction measures.

Current generic EIA was developed to identify and assess the most common anticipated risks, as well as positive and negative impacts generating during the construction and operation of water storage basins to be further used for small-scaled irrigation and firefighting, and suggest options for reduction of risks and mitigation of negative impacts.

Further, once precise location for construction of water storage basins are determined, on the basis of this generic EIA will be developed site specific Risk Management & Sustainability Plans that which will consider local baseline environmental and social conditions, particular potential impacts, including those that can arise from the storage basins’ engineering design, and which will comply with basic principles of the ADA’s Environmental, Gender and Social Impact Management Policies.

Summary of this EIA document and site specific Risk Management & Sustainability Plans will be an integral part of the RfP tender documentation.

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3 POLICY, LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK

3.1 Policy Framework International Regulatory Framework

- The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), ratified in 1995. The project addresses climate change adaptation actions assumed by the Convention by reducing vulnerability of agriculture to climate change and improving food security; - The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (Paris, 1994), ratified in 1999. Given the fact that country’s climate is becoming more arid, the project is promoting actions to remediate the effects of droughts to meet the Convention’s objective; - The Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus, 1998), ratified in 1999; - Convention on Biological Diversity (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), ratified in 1993. While the overall objective of the Convention is conservation of biological diversity and sustainable use of its components, through the constructed water basins the project will sustain key functions of the agro-ecosystems and their diversity. In addition, the water to be available as a result of project interventions shall enable potential diversification of habitats and agro-ecosystems. - Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), ratified in 1998, aims to realise in practice the principle of equality between men and women.

The Donor’s applicable regulatory framework

The Austrian Development Cooperation Strategy for Moldova for the years 2016-2020 specifically linked with the second thematic priority “water, environment and climate change” aiming to contribute for the sustainable development of Moldova also as regards rural and urban regional development”. It will be contributing to the United Nations Partnership Framework and the Country Program Document for 2018- 2022, where UNDP Moldova has committed to support further advancement of the resilient development in line with commitments assumed under the Paris Agreement and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

ADA’s Environmental, Gender and Social Impact Management policies, principles and standards

The policy framework for the ADA’s Environmental, Gender and Social Impact Management is set in the goals and principles of the Austrian Federal Development Cooperation Act (2003), the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC) ministerial policies for cross-cutting issues, and the ADC 3-Year Strategy currently in force. The ADA is committed to contribute to the SDGs and explicitly endorses a policy in favor of the poor, marginalized and vulnerable. The funding should primarily benefit interventions which focus on regions where the poor live and on sectors that the poor are particularly dependent on for sustaining their livelihoods. Social, economic and political empowerment of women and of marginalized and vulnerable population groups is crucial in this respect, thus enabling them to participate in political decision-making processes and reach their full potential to contribute to sustainable development. Interventions funded by the ADA must, above all, be

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in line with national development policies and strategies, as well as with existing local or regional development plans.

The ADA promotes the consideration of a set of basic principles at the design and planning stage of a program or project. These principles are ownership; do no harm; quity, equality and non-discrimination; inclusive participation and equal representation of all stakeholders; accountability and transparency; empowerment, and sustainability.

Environmental and social sustainability, as well as gender equality are fundamental to the achievement of development outcomes and are therefore systematically mainstreamed into ADA programs and projects. It further ensures that environmental, gender and social risks and adverse impacts are avoided, minimized, mitigated and managed. The promotion of environmental, gender and social standards and safeguards must be considered at the earliest stage of program and project design, systematically addressed during implementation and followed-up through monitoring and evaluation.

Standards. Environmental, gender and social standards and safeguards serve as an integrated framework to reach a consistent level of quality of the ADA implemented or funded programs and projects and are aligned to the performance standards of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank and several UN agencies, such as UNDP. These are the following: i) Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Natural Resource Management; ii) Climate Action; iii) Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention Management: iv) Community Health, Safety and Working Conditions; v) Cultural Heritage; vi): Displacement and Resettlement and vii) Indigenous People. It shall be mentioned that last 2 standards (displacement & resettlement and Indigenous people) are not relevant to activities planned under current project.

In therms of gender equality1, the program intervention needs to consider, analyze and address gender based differences in needs, access to material and non-material resources as well as participation in decision making processes at household level and in public life.

Aforesaid standards aim to enhance the environmental and social outcomes of programs and projects and contribute to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); foster and strengthen potentials for gender equality and women’s empowerment; avoid negative impacts on people and the environment, and minimize and mitigate negative impacts where avoidance is not possible; strengthen the ADA and partner capacities to manage environmental, gender and social risks and adverse impacts, and ensure inclusive and effective stakeholder participation, including through a mechanism to respond to grievances of stakeholders affected by the respective program/project.

National Policy Framework

Agreements, Strategies, Policies, Programs

- National Action Plan for the Implementation of the Association Agreement Republic of Moldova - European Union for the years 2017–2019, approved by Government Decision no. 1472 of December 30, 2016, sets out a comprehensive set of priorities in areas within the scope of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement - strengthen procedures necessary to carry out environmental impact

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assessments, ensure access to environmental information and public participation, take steps to further improve integration of environmental considerations into other policy sectors, including regional development and agriculture. - National Development Strategy “Moldova 2030” (2018). One of the purposes of the Strategy is healthy environment. Ensuring the fundamental right to a healthy and safe environment is one of the 10 priorities of the strategy which inter area, refers to quality of irrigation water. In relation to climate change, the Strategy points out that due to the high dependence of the economy and the rural communities on the agricultural sector, the Moldovan population is extremely vulnerable to climate change, and the drought is the climatic phenomenon which results in the deepest economic and social impact. The Strategy also calls to achieve gender equality between men and women and integration of gender aspects into the climate change related policies. - National Strategy on Agriculture and Rural Development for the period 2014-2020 (2014) states that shall be made important steps in supporting irrigation sector according to best international practices. - Climate Change Adaptation Strategy by 2020 and Action Plan for its implementation (2014) The Strategy states that the combined effect of anticipated climate changes to water regime could result in insufficient water for irrigation, and such a risk is high in the central and southern parts of the country. The goal of the Strategy is to ensure that Moldova’s social and economic development is resilient to the impacts of climate change, by establishing a strong enabling environment and clear direction for effective and coherent climate change adaptation process across the all relevant sectors. The objectives of the Strategy are to improve the management and dissemination of disaster and climate risk information, to ensure that climate change adaptation is a national and local priority with a strong institutional basis, to build climate resilience through reducing risk and facilitating adaptation in priority sectors. - Environmental Strategy for the years 2014-2023 (2014) inter alia, stipulates implementation of climate adaptation measures, aimed at promoting agricultural crops that have the potential to succeed in the changed climate conditions (drought, high temperatures), soil treatment, water conservation and reducing soil moisture loss through evaporation. - National Program on Consolidation of the Firefighting Services in Rural Communities (2013) presumes expansion of community-based rescue and firefighting units, and sets as a target a total number of 114 such units to be established by 2020. Such a network shall ensure that the response time in case of fire and other natural and human driven disasters is within the existing standards. While establishing such posts is a responsibility of the local governments. - Regional Development Strategy for the South Development Region for the years 2016-2020 (2016) states that SDR is the most arid region in the country and the dependence of agriculture on climatic conditions is very high. This explains the high importance of the irrigation for the productivity of agriculture and for the economy in general, and mentions that among opportunities for regional development is developing irrigation systems based on accumulation lakes, and collect water to provide irrigation against droughts. - Regional Development Strategy for the Center Development Region for 2016-2020 (2016) provides the strategic framework within which the sustainable improvement towards economic performance, including in agriculture, and quality of life can be achieved.

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- Program of Activity of the Government of the Republic of Moldova for the year 2019 urges on significant increase in subsidies to procurement of small-scale irrigation systems and support for organic farming - Strategy for Water Supply and Sanitation for the years 2014-2028 (2014) addresses protection of water resources against the climate change threats. - Gender Equality Strategy 2016-2020 aims to mainstream gender in a wide range of policy areas including health, education, social services, labor market, women, peace and security, climate change and disaster management, political participation.

3.2 National Regulatory Framework Laws The legal framework related to construction of water storage basins is composed of following laws; - Law On environmental protection (no. 1515-XII of June 16, 1993 as amended) is the legal basis for development of special normative acts and instructions on particular issues of environmental protection (art. 2) aiming, among others at protection of the land, water and air against chemical, physical and biological pollution, and other impacts disturbing ecological equilibrium. - Water Law no. 272 of December 23, 2011 (entered into force in July 2013) and some 20 sub-law regulations superseded Water Code of 1993, created a legal framework for the management, protection and efficient use of surface water and groundwater in line with the EU directives; the law states that abstraction and use of water from various sources for irrigation is considered as special water use and requires water use permit. - Law On ecological expertise (no. 851-XIII of May 29, 1996 as amended) states that any activity is a subject to the state ecological expertise (SEE) if it relates to construction of hydro-technical installations, systems of irrigation and drainage, systems used for the prevention of soil erosion and soil salinization. Documentation submitted for ecological expertise shall contain chapter “Environmental protection” that provides description and assessment of potential direct and indirect impacts of planned activities. SEE is conducted prior to making decision on planned economic activity and is mandatory for project and planning documentation as regards activities that may affect environmental conditions and/or envisage use of natural resources, regardless destination, location, ownership, amount of capital investments, source of funding and method of execution of the construction works. - Law On environmental impact assessment (no. 86 of May 29, 2014) is based on the following principles: (a) preventive action, (b) reliability and completeness of information, (c) transparency and accessibility, (d) participation, (e) precaution, and (f) polluter pays. The purpose of the EIA is to identify impacts effects that objects/ activities may have on the environment and to provide solutions to mitigate any significant effects that could occur as a result of the project implementation. It shall be conducted at an early stage of the project in case of new construction, and upgrading, reconstruction, modernization, production profile changes, conservation or liquidation of existing installations, i.e. prior to implementation of activities. It provides i) list of the project types that are subject to mandatory EIA (Annex 1 to the law), and ii) list of types of the projects that are subject to EIA on the decision of the Environmental Agency. - Land Code (no. 828-XII of December 25, 1991 as amended) establishes relations and rights of land ownership and the basic framework of land use; it prescribes to owners ways of supporting land and 15

resource protective measures; it determines responsibility of owners concerning the support of the landscape. Art. 5 states land protection as a priority over other types of activities. Art. 23 is particularly important because it stipulates cases of termination of land rights including: (11) use of the land in ways that result in soil degradation, chemical and other pollution, deterioration and destruction of ecosystems or their components; (12) management of irrigated lands that results in waterlogging, secondary salinization and soil erosion. Within the obligations of the land owners (art. 29) are: use of land to conform to its intended and planned use, observe conditions of land exploitation, ensure structure of crop rotation to conform to good agricultural practices, apply chemical inputs only to recommended levels and to provide protection and improvement of soil fertility. - Law On fund of natural areas protected by state (no. 1538-XIII, 1998 as amended) stipulates the types of protected areas and their protection regime. The established types of protected areas are the following: Scientific Reserves (having the most strict protection regime); Nature monuments; Nature reserves; Landscape reserves; Resource reserves; Multi-functional management areas, Botanical, Dendrological and Zoological Gardens, Garden architecture monuments and the Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites). The law also establishes protective zones around natural areas of 500-1500 m, wetlands of international importance - 1000-1500 m, botanical and zoological gardens - 100-150 m, secular and rare are protected by 30-50 m width buffers, etc. - Subsoil Code (no. 3 of February 2, 2009) is based on several more relevant principles: a) ensuring the rational, integrated and safe use of mineral resources, including groundwater; b) ensuring the protection of the subsoil and the environment; e) ensuring the equal rights and legitimate interests of all legal entities and individuals in the use of mineral resources, and f) publicity of the subsoil use. - Law On state supervision over public health (no. 10 of February 3, 2009) stipulates that water used for irrigation of agricultural crops must meet existing hygiene standards, and that central and local authorities are required to ensure whether riparian buffers around all water sources were establish to prevent and remove pollution. - Law On local public administration (no. 436 of December 28, 2006) stipulates that local public administration is responsible for compliance with national legislation at local level within their competence and establishes responsibilities of the 1st (locality) and 2nd (district) levels of public administration. - Law On civil protection (no. 271, of November 9, 1994) establishes emergency management functions for the parliament, president, government, public authorities and population as well as for designated national authority - Department for Emergency Situations (DES) - Law On general inspectorate on emergency situations (no. 93 of April 5, 2007) establishes the legal framework, principles of activity, powers, duties, and rights of the Civil Protection and Emergency Situations Service staff, and the conditions necessary to perform the service and activities in its sub- divisions. - Law On water protection strips along rivers and lakes (no. 440-XIII of April 27, 1995) provides the rules for establishing of water protection zones and strips along rivers and lakes, and regime of their use and protection; the law also determines width of protection strips as follows: along small water courses with length of 10-100 km - not less than 20 m, along medium water courses with a length of 100-200 km - not less than 50 m, and along large water courses - not less than 100 m. - Law On fire safety (no. 267 of November 9, 1994) establishes the legal, economic and social base of fire safety in the country and firefighting coordination.

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- Law On the cadaster of immovable property (no. 1543-XIII of February 25, 1998) states that for public recognition of ownership and of other real rights (the right of usufruct, the right of use, the right of residence, servitude, the right of building, mortgage) over immovable property, the immovable property and the real rights over them shall be a subject to registration in the Register of Immovable Property. - Labor Code (no. 154-XV of March 20, 2003 as amended) regulates the totality of individual and collective labor relations, control over the application of norms in this area, labor jurisdiction, as well as other relations directly related to labor. - Law On production and household wastes (no. 1347 of October 9, 1997) regulates management of production and household waste in order to reduce them, recycle and prevent environmental pollution. - Law On quality in construction (no. 721, of February 2, 1996) determines juridical, technical, economic and institutional aspects related to the construction activities and its quality; construction requirements should guarantee resistance and stability, fire, hygiene and environmental safety, law requires to maintain lifetime durability and safety of constructions and allocate responsibility for all parties involved (investors, designers, constructors, experts, owners, construction materials producers and dealers, managers and users), etc. - Law On the protection of the archaeological heritage (no. 218 of September 17, 2010) provides the mandatory coordination of the project technical documentation with the National Agency for protection g historical heritage - Law On ensuring equal opportunities for men and women (no. 5-XVI of 9 February 9, 2006) provides for the policy and institutional framework related to gender equality mainstreaming.

Regulations applicable to the project activities are the following: - Model Regulation for the reservoirs/ ponds operation approved by Government Decision no. 977 of 16 August, 2016 states that documentation on design, construction, repair and operation, including reservoirs/ponds Operating Regulation, is coordinated with the administrative body responsible for water resources management and other authorized bodies in accordance with current legislation; Operating Regulation is the main document, on the basis of which the reservoir/pond’s water must be used in compliance with environmental protection requirements, as well as the maintenance and repair obligations - Instruction On order of organization and conducting of the state ecological expertise (approved by the Ministry of Environment, 2002) stipulates that state ecological expertise (SEE) is applied for any new construction, its modernization and upgrading at the stage when design documentation is prepared, and all relevant studies are made. Technical solutions, described in submitted for SEE technical documentation shall be sufficiently justified in relation to mitigation of impacts on environment. The instruction is accompanied by a series of annexes, which (i) describe in details requirements for project documentation submitted to SEE; (ii) establish requirements for every chapter or volume of project documentation, etc. - Regulation on requirements to the surface water environmental quality, approved by Government Decision no. 890 of 12.11 2013 aims to reduce content of nutrients in freshwater to prevent eutrofication

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- Sanitary rules and regulations. Protection of surface waters against pollution. СанПиН no. 6.6.3.23- 97 approved by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Moldova on July 3, 1997. Annex 1 to above document provides admissible concentrations of pollutants and bacteria in water used for irrigation, including BOD, COD, E. coli, etc. - Regulation on the organization and functioning of the one-stop shop in the field of environmental authorization for the special use of water approved by the Government Decision no. 894 of November 12, 2013 describes procedure and order of submission and examination of applications for issue of environmental permit for special water use, including for irrigation Regulation for water bodies’ management and rational use of water resources in the Republic of Moldova, approved by Government Decision No. 619 of 16.08 1994 aims to improve management of water resources - List of Regulatory Documents in Construction in Force on the Territory of the Republic of Moldova on January 1, 2011, approved by Order of the Minister of Regional Development and Constructions no. 7 of February 11, 2011, contains an exhaustive list of the occupation safety regulations, including in the field of methodological and organizational norms and standards; hydro-technical, road and special constructions, construction elements, construction networks and equipment, construction machinery, equipment and tools, etc. - Regulation on organization of the occupational safety activities and prevention of risks at work places, approved by Government Decision No. 95 of 05.02.2009 aims to ensure occupational safety - GOST 17.5.3.06-85 Nature protection. Lands. Standard removal requirements for the topsoil layer during the earthworks - ВСН 33-2.1.05-90 Hydro-melioration systems and installations. Hydro-geological and geological research - ENiR, pc E 2 - 1 - 45 Mechanical and Manual Earthwork - Hygienic Regulation on protection of water bodies against pollution No 06.6.3.23 of 03.07. 1997 approved by Chief Sanitary Doctor of the Republic of Moldova - Inter-Ministerial Order no. 25 (2004) provides instructions on inspection and recording of the water supply sources for the firefighting needs.

3.3 Institutional Framework In the Republic of Moldova there is a number of public authorities at the central and local levels with implications in the management of water resources. Their attributions are regulated by the Water Law and other laws governing the organization and activity of these authorities.

Central Public Authorities (CPA) that have relevance to the project are:

Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment (MARDE) is responsible for the development of the policy and regulatory framework in the field of environmental protection, including water resources, water supply and sanitation. It is also the key governmental agency in Moldova responsible for development of the climate change policies and programs, sustainable agricultural production and rural development. The Ministry plays a key coordinating role in implementation of the proposed project and will

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make sure that it is closely aligned with national climate change and environmental policies and ongoing and future initiatives pertaining to agriculture, water security, nature protection and community development.

Environmental Agency is an administrative authority subordinated to MARDE responsible for the implementation of the state policy in the areas of activity entrusted to it, and issues environmental permit for the special water use (via One Stop Shop);

Directorate of Environmental Assessment and Ecological Expertise under the Environmental Agency ensures the implementation of the EIA and EE procedures of the planned activities as regards construction of new objects, the extension, reconstruction, modernization, re-profiling, planning of the constructions and/ or of new types of activity related to acquisition or use of natural resources, issues environmental permits, as well as suspends, withdraws or extends their validity;

Environmental Protection Inspectorate subordinated to MARDE ensures enforcement of the environmental policies through the monitoring and control procedures, and involved in issuing of permits for the special water use for irrigation (via One Stop Shop);

Agency “Apele Moldovel” subordinated to MARDE is the principal national water management authority which regulates the crucial surface water related relationships. The Agency has separate departments for water supply infrastructure, monitoring and supervision of centralized irrigation systems, surface water resources management and water cadaster. Among others, the institution has the following attributions: (i) technical exploitation of accumulation lakes , as well as protection dikes; (ii) develops pertaining regulations and through the concrete actions contributes to the maintenance in a technically appropriate manner of the accumulation basins, the antiviral constructions, the water distribution networks, the irrigation and drainage systems; (ii) organizes the financing of the works related to the construction, maintenance and reconstruction of the water management, hydro-ameliorative, and water supply objects. Agency plays a key role in water resource planning according the river basin principals and to put in place climate-smart water structures, such as water storage basins. In addition, the Agency is an authority that requests the act for the coordination of the conditions of special use of water for irrigation (via One Stop Shop);

General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (GIES) subordinated to the Ministry of Internal Affairs is one of the key beneficiary institutions of the project with the overall responsibility for disaster prevention, preparedness, response and relief. GIES has about 2,500 staff including about 640 assigned to the civil protection. These are deployed in 63 GIES sub-units in all districts and 3 - , Chisinau and Balti. The GIES has also 3 specialized units (for search and rescue) in the north, center, and south. GIES has a network of training centers, functioning in Chisinau, Cahul and Balti. The central GIES body consists of several departments, including Civil Protection and Emergency Situations Service dealing with fire frightening and rescue services, and which requests the act for the coordination of the conditions of special use of water for irrigation (via One Stop Shop). In relation to project, along with above, GIES will oversee relevant aspects of its implementation and will be working in close cooperation with the LPAs to support the process of establishment of firefighting brigades and the capacity development activities through its training centers for local rescue and firefighting teams;

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State Surveillance Service of Public Health under the Ministry of Health, Labour and Social Protection is an authority that requests the act for the coordination of the conditions of special use of water for irrigation (via One Stop Shop);

Cadastre Department under the Agency of Public Services is responsible for the Register of reservoirs/ponds, including for the data introducing and keeping in e-cadastre on real estate. The Cadastre is a unique and compulsory system of technical, economical and legal evidences of all real estates throughout the country, through which the identification, registration and representation on land of real estates is realized. The Cadastre and, in particular, the Water Cadastre is part of the National Data Fund and is a systematic inventory and evidence of the real estate in the water domain in terms of the following characteristics: location; technical; economical; legal, and environmental. The Cadastre is supported through the technical standards developed by the Agency for Land Relations and Cadastre (ARFC) and the basic data from the Real Estate Register (RBI), basing on the area, the category of use and the owner of the property. The water cadastre get also along with the execution of hydrological, topographical, photogrammetric, cartographic works, etc., that are necessary in the water framework;

Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), sub-divisions of MARDE established in each of the 3 Development Regions of the country, are responsible for analysing and promoting the socio-economic development in the regions, and developing, coordinating, monitoring and evaluating the implementation of regional development strategies, plans, programs and projects. RDAs is and important project stakeholder overseeing project implementation in the target communities and upscaling pilot activities at the regional level;

Agency for Geology and Mineral Resources is responsible for the state expertise of the geological information and evaluation of mineral reserves, including groundwater reserves; in relation to the project, it is an authority that requests the act for the coordination of the conditions of special use of water for irrigation (via One Stop Shop);

National Archaeological Agency under the Ministry of of Education, Culture and Research is a specialized public institution which implements the state policy in the field of protection and valorisation of the archaeological heritage.

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Social protection has the mandate to coordinate the implementation of gender equality policy accros the Governament. Along with that, each ministry and public authority are required to designate a gender equality focal point and gender equality coordination group with the express goal of mainstreaming the principle of gender equality within the priority sectors of the public authority.

Local Public Authorities (LPA)

In relation to project, Local Public Authorities are responsible for the overseeing and maintaining of the water basins and hydro-technical constructions in limits of their competence, as well as for developing and implementing pertaining actions and measures.

Local Public Administration of the level II (districts) has a limited involvement in the management of aquatic basins, because this area is predominantly a matter of the central and local levels.

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Local Public Administration of the level I (municipalities and villages) are owners of majority of the water basins, located within their administrative boundaries.

Yet, in the frameworks of current project, LPAs of the Cantemir, Criuleni, Hincesti, Ungheni and Leova districts have a significant role being responsible for: (i) mainstreaming of climate change adaptation solutions into local development policies, (ii) establishment and functioning of the community based rescue and freighting units, (iii) monitoring and supervising contract execution and commissioning of completed works.

Private and Non-governmental Sector

Private sector is regarded as one of the key partners of the project by participating in identification, formulation, planning and implementation of adaptation solutions in the water sector. The private sector/agri producers will be expected to partner in terms of putting in place water storage basins through provision of co-financing and land, but also in terms of participation in identification of climate related issues on which will build the climate-sensitive local development plans. Representatives of the private sector will be supporting also establishment of the rescue and firefighting brigades, as some of them already expressed their interest during the local consultation process. During such consultations the private sector highlighted that these could contribute with financial support for retrofitting of the premises allocated for the brigades and to cover some maintenance expenses. The exact amount could not be quantified however, and this expressed commitment will be followed-up with the private sector during the community mobilization efforts.

Environment and Gender NGOs, including NGOs led by women, have an important role in public informing and awareness raising about environmental and climate change issues, participate in stakeholder consultation and training as relevant, and assist in the promotion and awareness raising of project activities.

Congress of Local Authorities in Moldova (CALM) represents the biggest local public association of local communities in Moldova and one of its main objectives is to contribute to promoting successful models and practices in local and regional development, inter-municipal cooperation, provision of public services and good local governance. It serves as a centre of information, assistance, training, expertise and experience exchange and will as such be an important partner for outreach activities.

National Agency for Rural Development (ACSA) mission is to promote sustainable development of rural communities through setting-up and developing of the professional network of information, consultancy and training service providers for agricultural producers and rural entrepreneurs. ACSA is usually offers the following extension services: crop and animal husbandry information and consulting, legal advice, marketing information, farm management issues, and environmetal requirements in agriculture, amongst others. ACSA’s activities extend beyond generic consultations to farmers and include publication of specialized literature, organization of demonstration plots, and maintenance of a market information system.

Farmers Associations, particularly, National Farmers Federation of Moldova (NFFM) and Republican Union of Agricultural Producers (UAP). NFFM consists of 11 regional organizations and more than 700 local farmer associations which cover more than 27,000 farmer enterprises. The federation contributes to enhancing the legal framework related to rural economic development. It develops and implements specific programs related to ecological agriculture, rural tourism, and social and cultural development and facilitates farmer 21

associations in different domains. The UAP represents and promotes the interests of agricultural producers from 14 regional agricultural producers associations. It includes around 1200 economic agents farming 600,000 hectares. With such a representation, UPA is seen as a feasible network for dissemination of project results and climate change adaptation solutions. An important component of UAP's activity is the provision of technical assistance including in business planning, book-keeping, use of advanced agricultural technologies, market studies, access to loans and dispute solving as well as soil testing for the fertilizer application.

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4 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE

4.1 Screening Following to the applied environmental appraisal practice, all projects/planned activities can be conventionally divided into 3 categories:

1st category - projects which will have significant impacts on the environment. They are specified in Annex 1 and Annex 2 to the law on EIA (from Annex 2, these are projects that require a full Environmental Impact Assessment on the decision of the Environmental Agency).

2nd category - projects which will have less significant impact on environment as compared to the 1st category of the projects. These projects are listed in the i) Annex 2 to the law on EIA, yet, decision that full EIA is not needed is made by the Environmental Agency, and ii) Annex 1 to the law On ecological expertise. This category of the projects requires ecological justification of project activities to be presented in the Environmental Protection chapter of the project design documentation, and which have to contain information on potentially affected environment as well as outline main potential environmental impacts and mitigation measures. This Chapter is a subject to further examination under the process of the state ecological expertise to be made prior to the project commencement.

3rd category - the rest of projects which are not listed in Annex 1 and Annex 2 to the law On EIA, and Annex 1 to the law On ecological expertise and which are expected to have minor impacts on environment and therefore, do not need to be passed through the formal procedures either EIA or SEE.

EIA developed for projects listed in Annex 1 and Annex 2 (from the latter, on the decision of EA) to the law On Environmental Impact Assessment) is examined by the Environmental Agency, and once its structure and content fully respond to the EIA established principles and requirements, it issues the environmental permit.

The EIA documentation can also serve as the basis for the development of the Environmental Protection chapter of the project/ planned activity design documentation.

4.2 Environmental Impact Assessment In Moldova, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedure was established by the law on the Environmental Impact Assessment of 2014. the EIA procedure is applicable to complex and potentially dangerous for environment projects/ planned activities which could result in significant impacts and aims to prevent and mitigate impacts even on the projects’ design stage. List of planned activities that are subject to mandatory EIA is presented in Annex 1 to the law on EIA. List of planned activities for which necessity for conducting of EIA shall be decided by Environmental Agency is presented in Annex 2 to the law on EIA. In case, If Environmental Agency decides that for the activities specified in Annex 2, EIA is not required, the project technical documentation is a subject to SEE

The decision on necessity of conducting EIA is made by the Environmental Agency on the basis of evaluation of the Statement on the planned activity submitted by the initiator. The initiator, which is planning to implement activities specified in Annexes 1 or 2 to the law on EIA shall submit a written Statement to the Environmental Agency. Statement shall be submitted after carrying out the feasibility study of the planned 23

activity and shall contain information on the planned activities and at least two alternative decisions regarding the location and type of technologies used, indicating the possible environmental, social and economic impacts. Within 5 days from the date of the Statement submission, Environmental Agency shall publish information on it on its official webpage. On the basis of Statement the Environmental Agency carries out a preliminary assessment which to be made within 10 working days. Based on the results of the preliminary assessment, the Environmental Agency makes one of the following decisions: (a) the proposed activity is subject to an environmental impact assessment in a transboundary context; (b) the proposed activity is subject to an environmental impact assessment at the national level; and (c) no environmental impact assessment is required. Developed EIA is examined by the Environmental Agency, and once its structure and content fully correspond to the established EIA principles and requirements, it issues the environmental permit.

The EIA documentation can also serve as the basis for the development of the Environmental Protection chapter of the project/ planned activity design documentation

4.3 State Ecological Expertise State ecological expertise is the exclusive competence of the Environmental Agency and territorial sub- divisions, which posses the system of state ecological expertise (refer to law On ecological Expertise, art 2, paragraph 1, 2).

The main principles of ecological expertise are: (a) a presumption of the potential environmental hazard of any proposed activity involving the use of natural resources; (b) obligation to conduct ecological expertise prior to making decisions on implementation of activities/ projects that may affect environmental conditions and/or envisage use of natural resources, regardless destination, placement, type of ownership and subordination of these objects, the amount of capital investments, source of funding and method of carrying out the construction works; (c) comprehensive assessment of impacts of the proposed activity; (d) scientific validity, objectivity and legality of the conclusions of the ecological expertise, and (e) transparency, public participation and consideration of public opinion.

In those cases when object or planned activity is a subject to EIA (list of objects/ activities are presented in Annex 1 and Annex 2 (in Annex 2, on the decision of the Environmental Agency) to the law On environmental impact assessment), it does not pass through the process of the state ecological expertise (refer to law On ecological expertise, art. 6, paragraph 3). Yet, design documentation for objects/ planned activities which are listed in Annex 1 to the law On ecological expertise, and which can adversely affect the environment is a subject to the state ecological expertise (SEE) to determine whether it complies with environmental protection requirements. The principal objective of SEE is to check whether all environmental standards/ principles are adhered, environmental concerns are addressed, and the environmental protection measures are proposed. The project design documentation submitted for state ecological expertise is a subject to comprehensive examination addressing full consideration of the environmental, economic and social factors, including technical solutions that shall ensure compliance with environmental requirements taking into account regional characteristics and maintain the stability of natural ecosystems in the context of the expected impact on them throughout the entire period of implementation of the planned activity, including construction and operational phases, and also demolition or liquidation. In dependence on complexity and

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potential danger of planned activity, terms of conducting of the state ecological expertise vary from 45 to 90 days.

Results of the ecological expertise of the design project documentation are issued as Aviz, and are considered as a basis for further approval (in case of positive notification) or refusal (negative notification) of project documentation.

In relation to construction of water storage basins in pilot areas, their planned dimensions and hydro- technical features do not comply with those activities for which conducting of EIA as per national procedure is required. Yet, water storage basins project design documentation is a subject to mandatory ecological expertise (refer to Annex 1 to the law On ecological expertise; category of objects no. 10: Infrastructure/ a) dams and other structures designed to contain or store water for a long time (capacity from 10,000 to 1 million cubic meters), and current EIA will be used as a basis for preparing of the Environmental Protection chapter of this documentation.

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5 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY

5.1 Environmental Impact Assessment Stages Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) being a process of identifying and evaluating potential impacts on biophysical and socio-economic environment in area that may be affected by project as well as identifying of measures addressing avoiding or mitigation of negative impact and enhancement of positive impacts consisted of several stages as follows: screening phase which aims to determine category of the project, and respectively, the EIA extent; scoping phase which aims to recognize major issues, impacts and alternatives to be addressed. It was based both on desk studies of available relevant information and data, expert judgment, as well as on sites’ visit and consultation with local population and authorities; specialists’ study phase aimed at gathering of the baseline data baseline against which the effects of the proposed action and alternatives are to be compared, including an assessment of the effects of proposed mitigation and protection. This is critical information needed to identify and assess environmental and social impacts that might occur as a result of the project implementation. Under this phase there were appointed short-term experts in the field of climatology, sociology, hydrology, soil and agri-economy. Their tasks will be gathering and analyzing of the baseline data as regards defined areas of the project impacts integration and assessment phase/ preparation of the EIA report, describing identified impacts and their assessment, alternatives, actions and measures to prevent and mitigate adverse impacts, etc., including preparation of Environmental Statement.

In addition, preparation of EIA envisages conducting of public consultations, first, to identify main issues of concern and, secondly, to communicate EIA finding and obtain feedback.

5.2 Criteria for the Risk and Impact Assessment

Risk assessment. Criteria used for risk assessment under the current generic EIA are those developed by the World Banks (refer to reference no. 3). Environmental and social risks are determined by a combination of the design and operational characteristics, together with exogenous factors, which: (i) may adversely affect the ability of an operation to achieve and sustain its development objectives; and (ii) define the nature, scale and significance of direct and indirect environmental and social impacts.

Type of risk posed to this project is beyond of current EIA. These might come from existing or possible future environmental and social factors that are exogenous to the project itself, and it is the reasonability of project team to assess the vulnerability of the project and its components to environmental, climate, disaster or social risks.

Another type of risk includes adverse unintended consequences, such as the potential negative environmental impacts of the operation or operational effect on physical, biological and cultural resources, human health and safety. Thus, the assessment of environmental and social risks will take into consideration: (i) the sensitivity and vulnerability of environmental and social assets and values within the project’s area of 26

influence as a result of the operation; and (ii) the potential for adverse environmental and social changes based on the scale, complexity, duration, and magnitude of project activities and operations. Typically, such risks take into account the potential effects on human health and safety; effects on biodiversity; the nature, scale and duration of social effects such as impacts on household or community livelihoods, poverty, equity, gender, physical cultural resources impacts. Risk assessment also considers the potential for cumulative or synergistic effects and the potential for exacerbating social conflict among other concerns.

Impact Assessment. Criterion used for the assessment of impact was “impact significance”. Significance is a function of the magnitude of the impact and the likelihood of the impact occurring. Impact magnitude (sometimes termed severity) is a function of the extent (e.g., on-site, local, regional, and national), duration (e.g., temporary, short-term, long-term, permanent) and intensity (e.g., negligible, low, medium, high, very high) of the impact. The impact significance is rated once an assessment of the magnitude and likelihood was made. Finally, significance of an impact is qualified through degree of confidence which is a function of uncertainty2.

Gender equality impact assessment3. Gender mainstreaming support will focus on four key steps to make sure that gender inequalities relevant to the Project are approached systematically. It is important to note that gender mainstreaming is a process and the steps described bellow will help the Program to embed gender equality perspective in the day to day program management. i. Establishing Gender Relevancy. The first step in the process of gender equality mainstreaming is to determine how gender is relevant to the Program. Working through this first stage will help the Program team to define and understand how significant or relevant gender inequalities in the sector are and how much effort should the Program team put in to gender mainstreaming process. Gender mainstreaming process will be proportional to gender equality gaps this is why measuring gender relevance is so important, because it will indicate how strong gender mainstreaming process should be. ii. Analyzing underlying causes. One of the main assumptions of the mainstreaming approach is that, gender gaps are the results of underlying factors – which should be identified and dealt with. One should look at: (a) the duty bearers their capacity and willingness to address gender inequalities, (b) rights holders – their capacity to mobilize to claim their rights or opportunities and influence decision maker’s priorities, (c) the market place, that is how any of the marked forces (in the broadest sense) are functioning against the interests and benefits of the men and women, girls and boys.

The most effective way to reduce inequalities is to target underlying causes. One way to define and identify the underlying causes is to use the “problem ” analysis. The problem tree that one would use to identify underlying causes is an expanded version of human rights based approach. This approach assumes that inequalities are the result of fault lines that appear between duty bearers and rights holders. We expand this framework with another dimension – the market place – the market forces that shape specific outcomes for the men and women, girls and boys.

2 Degree of confidence under this generic environmental impact assessment was considered as medium as some uncertainties mainly linked to non-acquaintance of precise locations for the construction of water storage basins and their technical design still remained 3 Here in further in the document, gender input was provided by Alexei Buzu 27

iii. Results framework. Given the fact described above, in order to assume a more ambitious gender equality agenda the Program should assume a more proactive and pro preventive approach. The point of identifying underlying causes is to target them in a more coordinated through the Program design. That is why the results framework of the document should be amended to state clearly what will be the objectives and activities that will redress most important underlying causes that contribute to reduce the most relevant gender gaps. iv. Implementation framework. The fourth stage, in the mainstreaming process, relates to anticipating implementation gaps and ricks and making sure that there is an effective implementation framework so that gender mainstreaming inputs in to the Program are implemented as intended, and effective implementation framework will make sure that gender equality perspective is reinforced in the: project action plan, budget and M & E framework.

Significance Rating Matrix4 used for impact assessment is presented in the next table 1.

Table 1. Significance rating matrix Significance Likelihood Unlikely Likely Definite Negligible Negligible Negligible Minor Low Negligible Minor Minor Magnitude Medium Minor Moderate Moderate High Moderate Major Major Very high Major Very high Very high

Rating of the impact significance1 is presented in the next table 2.

Table 2. Rating of the impact significance Impact rating Impact description Major significance Impact of major significance is one where an accepted limit or standard are exceeded, or large magnitude impacts occur to highly valued/sensitive resource/receptors. In case of such impacts, the EIA goal is to get to a position where the project does not have any major residual impacts. Such impacts can damage over a large area affected (e.g. loss of important habitats, loss of biodiversity, loss of large areas of productive land, ultimately resettlement, etc.). Mitigation is not possible and the impact is irreversible High Significance Potential impact of the enterprise could cause irreparable damage to a small area, or potential impact could cause damage to an environmental component over a large area, but the ecosystems can still function. The impact is reversible over a long period of time

Moderate Significance An impact of moderate significance lies within the accepted limits and standards. Potential impact damages cover smaller areas but ecosystems are still functional and the damage is reversible over a long period of time.

4 Environmental Resources Management Solaire Direct Drennan Deir Revision 2 28

Impact rating Impact description The emphasis for moderate impacts is to demonstrate that the impact can be reduced to a level that is as low as reasonably practicable. This does not necessarily mean that “moderate” impacts have to be reduced to “‘minor” ones, but that they are being managed effectively and efficiently

Minor Significance Potential impact of activity can cause damage to an environmental component over a small area but system still very functional and damage is reversible over a short period

Negligible Significance Non measurable impact

5.3 Risk Rating In brief, environmental risk analysis addresses attempt to understand activities that bring risk to human health or environment, and risks rating helps to determine risk management measures required to support the implementation of an operation focusing on the highest risks.

Risk rating of operation on environmental components5 is presented in the next table 3.

Table 3. Risk rating of operation on environmental components Risk rating Risk description High Risk Risks have a large geographic footprint; have strong synergistic or cumulative effects with other initiatives and involve mitigation or management measures which are complex or unproven; they are beyond the direct control of the operation.

The operation is likely to have adverse environmental impacts that are sensitive, diverse, and/or unprecedented.

Substantial Risk These risks will be less diverse or complex and, while they may be more predictable, many such risks are still beyond the direct control of the operation.

The operation may have potential adverse environmental impacts, but these are less severe. Such impacts could be on environmentally or socially sensitive areas, but the operation is less likely to have a large footprint and impacts will be site-specific, less divers and complex and will have less potential for strong synergistic or cumulative impacts.

Moderate Risk These risks are well understood and expected to be limited in impact.

The operation may have some adverse environmental and social impacts. Such impacts would tend to be away from environmentally or socially sensitive areas. The

5 Source: Guidance Note Systematic Operations Risk-Rating Tool (SORT). World Bank. June 25, 2014

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Risk rating Risk description operation may also have some adverse effects on gender, vulnerable groups, poverty, equity

Low Risk There are few or no risks of adverse impacts, the project footprint is small and activities present little or no direct impacts

5.4 Mitigation Measures and Residual Impacts For the activities generating impacts, this EIA identifies the most common suitable and practical mitigation measures to be implemented. The implementation of the mitigations developed under this EIA will be ensured through compliance with the provisions of the Risk Management & Sustainability Plans to be developed further once precise locations for construction of the water storage basins are determined. The Risk Management and Sustainablity Plans (RMSP) will be site specific.

5.5 Gaps and Uncertainties during the preparation of current generic EIA

Gaps in Baseline Information. Current EIA is based on the general knowledge of the country baseline environmental and socio-economic conditions since precise locations for construction of water storage basins are not determined and site-specific baseline data are not obtained. Once the locations are known, the baseline and site-specific mitigation measures (where appropriate) will be outlined in the site-specific Risk Management & Sustainability Plans.

Gaps in Understanding of Impacts. These gaps linked mainly to impacts rating and understanding of cumulative impacts also arise due to absence of information about precise locations for construction of water storage facilities, specific design characteristics of accumulation water basins, modality of their construction and operation. In relation to impact rating, it is envisaged that all the locations will be in areas of low sensitivity (i.e., on the agricultural fields), and for impacts assessment was used the precautionary principle.

In relation to cumulative impacts, it is envisaged that if a few water storage basins will be constructed in one district, they will be situated far from each other to cumulate the same impacts on the same receptors. In relation to effects on the same receptors coming from other sources, these will be identified during the baseline study. Once the locations are known, the impacts will be re-assessed, where appropriate, and these will be also outlined in the site-specific Risk Management & Sustainability Plans.

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6 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT

The project “Promotion of climate change and disaster risk reduction solution in the water and civil protection sectors for enhanced rural resilience” aims to increase resilience and adaptive capacities of rural communities to climate change and disasters through improved water storage infrastructures and disasters risk reduction measures. It supports implementation of climate-smart water management solutions for agriculture, flood management and fire prevention and expansion of community-based rescue/ firefighting teams in rural communities of Moldova with the purpose to reduce the exposure and vulnerability of the rural communities to climate change and disaster risks. The expected impact of the project is the improved resilience of rural communities’ livelihoods in the face of climate change, and its overall outcome is strengthened local policies, capacities and infrastructure which enable climate and disaster resilient development at the community level in 5 districts of Moldova situated in its central part (districts Hancesti, Criuleni, Ungheni) and southern part (districts Leova and Cantemir).

The expected duration of the project is 36 months, from December 2018 to November 2021. The project is funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA). Total cost of the project is 1,314.190 EUR, including 242,190 EUR of the co-financing from communities’/private sector.

The project consists of 2 (two) components:

1. Adaptation intervention in the water sector for agricultural purposes and flood management, and 2. Improvement of the community-level climate and disaster management capacities for risk reduction, prevention and timely response.

The outputs of the project are next:

Output 1. Adaptation interventions in the water sector for agricultural purposes and flood management demonstrated and local climate change related policy frameworks in place in a selected number of districts.

The objective of this output is to create an enabling environment for local resilient livelihoods through improved climate-sensitive planning and climate-smart agriculture approaches at the community level to increase water availability for agricultural livelihoods and protect from floods.

Under this output, 2 major activities shall be implemented:

- Mainstreaming climate change adaptation and disaster risk management priorities into local development planning frameworks with intention to widely involve various stakeholders ranging from private sector to vulnerable groups (out of which 50% will be women) into policy and decision- making over priorities that affect their well-being, and - Construction of water storage infrastructures piloted in 5 districts of the country to enhance adaptation to climate change in the water and agricultural sectors by supporting with grants at least 15 farmers, including women, to put in place climate smart water systems such as, for instance, water storage basins.

Selected pilot districts are Ungheni, Hancesti, Criuleni, Leova and Cantemir, which have been screened through such social and physical suitability criteria as livelihood vulnerability index (identified in the 3rd 31

National Communication to U1NF6CCC), location, land use patterns, hydrology, surface water runoff , depth of ground water table, and soil properties, which were further applied when developing the Feasibility Study whose recommendations aim to increase he resilience and adaptive capacity of smallholder farmers to climate variability and extreme events.

Output 2. Community-level climate and disaster management capacities improved for risk reduction, prevention and timely response. The objective of this output is to enhance local disaster risk reduction capacities in a decentralized manner through establishment of capacitated community-based rescue and firefighting brigades with access to resources for response and recovery needs.

Under this Output, the following 2 major activities shall be implemented:

- Establishing community-based rescue and firefighting brigades in the most vulnerable and risk exposed districts of the country Under this activity, there will be established at 1 (one) fire brigades in each pilot district as follows: district Hancesti – in community Sărata Galbena; district Ungheni - in community Pârâta; district Criuleni - in community Drasliceni; district Leova – in community Sărăteni, and district Cantemir - in community Baimaclia. - Conducting capacity development campaign addressing climate and disaster response of local teams and raising awareness towards building a culture of safer living and that the local population have an enhanced understanding of the response patterns in case of disasters.

Current Environment Impact Assessment addresses Activity 1.2. “Pilot water storage infrastructures in 5 districts of the country to enhance adaptation to climate change in the water sector“ under which the following sub-activities are to be implemented:

- Identification of at least 15 agri-producers. A call for expression of interest for water storage basins is to be announced for local farmers/farm associations covering the selected pilot districts. From the total number of applicants as many as 15 agri-producers (3 in each 5 district) are to be selected (based inclusively on the baseline analysis) to benefit from a support package needed to establish the water storage basins. The support package includes the required expertise and guidance from the UNDP team in terms of technical and legal requirements for construction of the basin, provision of relevant goods, works and services, advice from the project’s irrigation specialist in term of selection of the most efficient and sustainable irrigation technologies, and how this could help the farmer increase the yields. The farmers shall demonstrate that he/she is a legal tenant of the agricultural farm, and that he/she is interested to use the water basins for irrigation purposes (e.g. for perennial crops, or for etc.), ability to co-finance with at least 20% of the total basin construction cost, and to secure from LPAs and communities the approvals for the water basis’ sites, where required. The necessary approvals and permits for special use of water, according to the law On water (2011) will also need to be secured. In the application package, the beneficiary is to be requested to commit himself to use of the most efficient and sustainable irrigation techniques (i.e. drip irrigation, etc.) to ensure proper water saving and avoid pollution, application of best agricultural practices (e.g. mulching, contour tillage, etc.), which enable maintaining of the soil moisture under the pending climate risks. In addition, there shall be attempted that the beneficiaries of the basins enable the additional use of the basins for firefighting.

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- Encouraging participation of women-led farms in the support package, especially through community-mobilization campaigns accompanying this sub-activity, but also through the women’s empowerment trainings events deployed by gender specialist contracted by the project. Selection of winners from the total number of applicants is to be relied on the baseline analysis. - In addition, the potential agri-producers shall be analyzed in terms of their crop profiles, yield levels and the applied agricultural practices as well as their wiliness to switch to the best agricultural practices with the purpose to ensure non-deterioration of land and soil. - Identification of the water storage basin sites. Pre-selection of site locations for the water storage basins is to be done via expression of interests from farmers/farmers’ associations which are interested in the support package as part of the announced Call for Expression of Interest (EOI). In the further submitted filled in support package, the applicants shall demonstrate that the sites respond to a series of critical criteria which focus on the water availability from run-offs (only), i.e., suitable landscape enabling collection of precipitation water, proper soils on which irrigation is feasible, crop rotation pattern for which irrigation is economically feasible, and some other criteria. For this purpose, a baseline analysis shall be carried out at the sites to be proposed by applicants. Baseline analysis shall cover such aspects as the hydrology, topography, soil and land condition, as well as climate risk assessment, and the engineering insights. The sites which respond to these critical criteria will be run through a final selection phase where compliance with environmental, social and gender standards will be ensured. - Capacity building for agri-producers from the pilot communities on adaptation solutions in the agriculture and water sectors and sustainable use of natural resources with the support of the existing extension services. The proposed capacity development is to be focus on the transfer of knowledge and information gathered during establishment of the water storage basins with the purpose to ensure its upscaling and replication, but also for promotion of the climate change adaptation solutions in relation to the water stress and of climate smart agriculture technologies. - Construction of water storage basins. There shall be prepared the bills of quantities for 15 reservoirs and support in contracting of the construction companies, as well as to ensure that the construction works abide by the national legislation. The type and amount of the works, services and goods required for establishment of the basins will be determined by the baseline analysis. . The construction companies would be responsible for, among other things: execution of contract according to each sub-project plan and in agreed time frame; quality and quantity of works, materials and equipment in compliance with national legislation, norms and standards; engineering setup, and putting in operation of any installation or equipment according to sub project design and national norms and standards; training of farmers in operation of any installation or equipment, if any, and participation in final commissioning of completed sub-project.

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7 GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT PILOT DISTRICTS

7.1 Brief overview of pilot districts Ungheni district. On the territory of the district there are 74 localities, including 2 (two) towns - Ungheni and Cornesti. The distance from Chisinau to Ungheni is 104 km. The district borders the Prut River, which is a state border with . Total surface area of the Ungheni district is 108262 ha, from which surface of agricultural lands is 73179 ha, or about 68%. The share of privatized agricultural lands is 73%. According to statistical data of 2018, total population of the district is 117083. The number of urban population is 41130 (or 35%), rural - 75953 (or 65%). Total length of roads on the territory of the district is 374 km, length of national roads - 204 km. The main national road is R1 (Chisinau-Ungheni).

Hancesti district. There are 63 localities in the Hanceşti district, including its administrative centre town Hancesti. The distance from Chisinau to Hancesti is 32 km. The district borders the Prut River, too. Total surface area is 147198 ha, including agricultural lands covering 88934 ha (or around 60%). The share of private agricultural lands is 82,5%. According to statistical data of 2018, total population of the district is 119224. The share of urban population is around 15% (17275 inhabitants), rural - 85% (101950 inhabitants). Total length of roads on the territory of the district is 375 km, length of national roads – 236 km. The main national roads are R3 (Chisinau -Hancesti), R33 (Hăncesti - Leuseni), M1 (Chisinau – -Leuseni- Romania), and R34 (Hancesti - Cahul).

Criuleni district. There are 43 settlements in the Criuleni district, including single town – Criuleni. The distance from Chisinau to Criuleni is 38 km. The district borders the Nistru River. Total surface area of the district is 68795 ha, from which agricultural lands occupy 52160 ha, or 76%. The share of private agricultural lands is 83%. According to statistical data of 2018, total population of the district is 73502. The share of rural population exceeds 88% (64999 inhabitants), and urban – less than 12% (8503 inhabitants in town Criuleni). Total length of roads is 235 km, from which 170 km are attributed to national roads. The road of international importance is M21 (Chisinau - Dubasari-Poltava); the national roads are R4 (Chisinau – Criuleni) and R5 (Chisinau - Vadul lui Voda).

Leova district. The number of settlements in the district is 40, including two towns - Leova and Iargara. The distance from Chisinau to town Leova is 92 km. The district borders the Prut River. Total surface area of the district is76460 ha; the share of agricultural lands is 57% (43784 ha). The share of privatized agricultural lands is around 80%. According to statistical data of 2018, total number of population in the district is 52243; number of urban population is 15402 (or around 30%), and rural - 36841 (or 70%). Total length of roads is 235 km; length of national roads – 161 km. These are roads R34 (Hancest - Cahul) and R47 (Leova – Iargara - Cimislia).

Cantemir district. There are 51 settlements in the Cantemir district, including 1 (one) town - Cantemir. The distance from Chisinau to Cantemir is 114 km. The district borders the Prut River. Total surface area is 86768 ha, including 64578 ha of agricultural lands (more than 74%). The share of privatized agricultural lands is around 80%. According to statistical data of 2018, total population of the district is 61568, including 5755 urban inhabitants, or 9%. Share of rural population is around 91% (55813 inhabitants). Total length of roads is 265 km, including 173 km attributed to national roads. These are roads R34 (Hancesti - Cahul) and R37 (Cantemir-).

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7.2 Geology Ungheni district. The geological structure of the major part of the district’s territory is represented by clay and sands of the lower stratum of the Bessarabian sub-stratum of the Sarmatian tier of the Miocene part of the Neogene Cenozoic system. In the upper part of the watersheds of the Bic, Ichel and Cula Rivers, there are deposits of the upper stratum of the Bessarabian sub-stratum, as well as sands and clays of undifferentiated stratum of the Sarmatian - meotic tier. The highest areas of the watersheds are represented by alluvial deposits of the Cimmerian tier. In the near Prut area, alluvial sediments from the X-XII Prut’s terraces in the form of sand with gravel interlayers can be found in the watersheds of small rivers. Quaternary rocks are alluvial sands and clays of river terraces, eluvial, eluvial-deluvial, and deluvial loams and sandy loams, colluvial sandy-clay sediments.

Hancesti district. In floodplains of the Cogalnic and Sarata Rivers have been uncovered sediments of the Kherson sub-tier of the Sarmatian tier, which are represented by clays with interlayers of sand. The slopes are composed of sediments of the undivided Sarmatian - meotic layer, and on watersheds - alluvial deposits of the Stolnitchensk terrace. To the west, small rivers also open up Bessarabian sediments, and at watersheds - alluvial sediments of X-XV terraces of the Prut River. Quaternary rocks are alluvial sands and clays of river terraces, eluvial, eluvial-deluvial, and deluvial loams and sandy loams, colluvial sandy-clay sediments.

Criuleni district. Floodplains of rivers and lower slopes are represented by clays and sands, and less often - by limestones of the Bessarabian sub-tier of the Sarmatian - miocene section of the Cenozoic Neogene system. The middle part of the slopes is composed of deposits of the Kherson sub-tier of the Sarmatian tierș the upper part of the slopes and low watersheds is composed of sands and clays of the undivided Sarmatian - meotic layers. The highest watersheds are represented by sands, gravel and conglomerates of alluvial sediments of the XIII terrace of the Dniester River, while on the slopes of the Dniester River alluvial sediments of the X-XII terraces are found. Quaternary rocks are represented by alluvial sands and clays of river terraces, eluvial and eluvial-deluvial, and deluvial loams and sandy loams, and colluvial sand-clay sediments.

Leova district. In the floodplain and in the lower and middle parts of the slopes, sediments of the Kherson sub-tier, where sands and clays of the undivided Sarmatian - meotic - layer layers have been discovered. On the watershed of the Sarata and Lapusna Rivers there are X-XIII alluvial terraces of the Prut River. Quaternary rocks are represented by alluvial sands and clays of river terraces, eluvial, eluvial-deluvial, and deluvial loams and sandy loams, and colluvial sand-clay sediments.

Cantemir district. The better part of the territory is represented by sand and clay deposits of the Kherson sub- tier, which contain an undivided stratum of Sarmatian - meotic layers. Watershed of the Prut and Ialpujeli Rivers is composed of sandy clay rocks of the pontic layer, covered with alluvial deposits. Quaternary rocks are represented by alluvial sands and clays of river terraces, eluvial, eluvial-deluvial, and deluvial loams and sandy loams, and colluvial sand-clay sediments.

7.3 Relief and Landscape Ungheni district. The north-eastern part of the district lies on the Central (Codru). The relief rises from the west to east, reaching the maximum marks of 407,4 m on the Prut-Dniester watershed situated in the north-eastern part of the district near village Veverita. The minimum altitude of 25 m is in the 35

north-eastern part of the district at the Prut River's edge to the south-east of the Macaresti village. Soil erosion, gully and ravines often occur.

Hancesti district.The north-eastern part of district is situated on the Central Moldavian Plateau (Codru), while the south-western part - on the Southern Moldova . The relief rises from the west to east, reaching its maximum marks on the watershed between the Prut and Cogâlnic Rivers. The minimum mark of 16.2 m is located in the northern part of the area at the edge of the Prut River southward Poganesti village. The maximum mark of 371,8 m is in the northern part of the district. The soil erosion and landslides phenomena are common.

Criuleni district. The relief of the district is hilly-plain what is slightly more obvious to the west where it is dismembered by valleys and ravines. The relief rises from east to west, reaching the maximum marks on the watershed of the Motța and Ichel Rivers. The minimum mark of 8 m is located in the north-western part of the district, at the edge of the Dniester River near village Delacău. The maximum mark of 267,2 m is in the north-western part of the district. Landslides are common.

Leova district. The north-eastern part of district is slightly elevated and represents a hilly plain. The south- western part is situated in bounds of the Hills. The main relief element in the area is the valley of the Sarata River, from which the marks grow to the west and east. The maximum altitudes are confined to the watershed between Sarata Lapusna Rivers, but the maximum mark of 269,6 m is located near village Tigheci on the watershed between Sarata and Tigheci Rivers on the western spur of the Tigheci Upland. The minimum mark of 12 m is confined to the edge of the Prut River near village Henesenii Noi. The erosion and landslides phenomena are rather common.

Cantemir district. The western part of district borders with Prut River, where the river terraces and a wide floodplain are present. The hilly part of the district is dismembered by tributaries of the Prut River - Tigheci and Larga. Yet, the main relief element is the watershed between the Prut River and Rivers which divides the district into 2 parts. On this watershed attributed to Tigheci Upland is a maximum mark of 301, 8 m near village Larguţa. The minimum mark of 9 m is confined to the Prut River's edge near village Gotesti.

7.4 Climate and Weather6 Over the last 126 years, Moldova has experienced changes in temperature and mean precipitation. The country’s climate has become warmer, with an average increase of temperature by greater than 1,2°C, while the increase in precipitations was only around 55,6 mm.

Ungheni district. During the years 1981-2015, mean maximum winter temperature was + 1,7C, mean minimum winter temperature was - 4,3C with the mean winter temperature of - 1,6C. Within the same period, mean maximum summer temperature was +26,3C, mean minimum summer temperature was + 15,2C with the mean summer temperature of + 20,4C. The multi-annual average annual temperature was +9,7C. Within the years 1981-2015, the annual average precipitation was 617,3 mm; of it, 18% precipitation fell in winter, 24% - in spring, 35% - in summer, and 23% - in autumn. The maximum torrential rain calculated

6 Data on the temperatures, precipitation and weather extreme indices were provided by Ţaranu Lilia in the Climate change profiles for the project pilot districts Ungheni, Hânceşti, Criuleni, Leova, Cantemir prepared for UNDP Moldova, 2019 36

for the rate of 1% probability may reach up to 130-140 mm. The annual average speed is 2-3 m/s. Dominated directions are eastern, north-eastern and south-eastern. The maximum annual average of the western wind speed is 12-13 m/s; south-western - 11-12 m/s and north-western - 10-12 m/s.

Extreme weather indices and their trends within 52 years, from 1961 to 2014, are shown in the next table 4.

Table 4. Extreme weather indices and their trends (1961-2014) Indices Mean values Observed trends Frost days (FD) 106 days -3, 4 days/10 years Ice days (ID) 42 days -2,6 days/ 10 years Summer days (SU)7 68 days +5.9 days/ 10 years Cold spell duration (CSDI)8 4 days -0,1 days/ 10 years Cold nights (TN10p)9 9,1 % -1,2 % / 10 Years Cold days (TX10p)7 9,4 % -1,0 %/ 10 years Warm nights (TN90p)\7 13,3 % + 2,0 %/10 years Warm days (TX90p)7 13,4 % + 2,1 %/ 10 years

Hancesti district. During the years 1981-2015, mean maximum winter temperature was + 1,7C, mean minimum winter temperature was - 3,9C with the mean winter temperature of - 1,3C. Within the same period, mean maximum summer temperature was +27,2C, mean minimum summer temperature was + 16,1C with the mean summer temperature of + 21,2C. The multi-annual average annual temperature was +10,1C. Within the years 1981-2015, the annual average precipitation was 523,6 mm; of it, 18% precipitation fell in winter, 24% - in spring, 34% - in summer, and 24% - in autumn. The maximum torrential rain calculated for the rate of 1% probability may reach up to 130-140 mm. The annual average wind speed is 2-3 m/s. Dominated winds directions are eastern, north-eastern and south-eastern. The maximum annual average of the western wind speed is 12-13 m/s; southwestern - 11-12 m/s, and north-western - 10-12 m/s.

Extreme weather indices and their trends within 52 years, from 1961 to 2014, are shown in the next table 5.

Table 5. Extreme weather indices and their trends (1961-2014) Indices Mean values Observed trends Frost days (FD) 100 days - 4,0 days/10 years Ice days (ID) 40 days -1,7 days/ 10 years Summer days (SU) 82 days +4,6 days/ 10 years Cold spell duration (CSDI) 4 days + 0,2 days/ 10 years Cold nights (TN10p) 9,2 % -1,1 % / 10 Years Cold days (TX10p) 9,5 % -0,8 %/ 10 years Warm nights (TN90p) 13,1 % + 1,9 %/10 years Warm days (TX90p) 12,6 % + 1,6 %/ 10 years

7 The number of days where daily maximum temperature is > 25C 8 CSDI is an annual or seasonal count of days with at least 6 consecutive days when the daily minimum (T) fall below the 10th percentile in the calendar 5-day window for the observed period 9 TN10p/TN90p and TX10p/ TX90p - daily minimum or maximum temperatures below its 10th percentile and above its 90th percentile 37

Criuleni district. During the years 1981-2015, mean maximum winter temperature was + 2,4C, mean minimum winter temperature was - 4,5C with the mean winter temperature of - 1,1C. Within the same period, mean maximum summer temperature was +27,5C, mean minimum summer temperature was + 14,5C with the mean yearly summer temperature of +20,9C. The multi-annual average annual temperature was +10,0C. Within the years 1981-2015, the annual average precipitation was 495,0 mm; of it, 17% precipitation fell in winter, 22% - in spring, 37% - in summer, and 24% - in autumn. Precipitation reaches its maximum in July-August. Torrential rains are rather frequent. Torrential rain calculated for the rate of 1% probability may reach up to 140 mm. The annual average wind speed is 2-3 m/s. Prevailed winds directions are northern and north-eastern.

Extreme weather indices and their trends within 52 years, from 1961 to 2014, are shown in the next table 6.

Table 6. Extreme weather indices and their trends (1961-2014) Indices Mean values Observed trends Frost days (FD) 107 days - 1,1 days/10 years Ice days (ID) 35 days -2,4 days/ 10 years Summer days (SU) 85 days +4,2 days/ 10 years Cold spell duration (CSDI) 3 days + 0,2 days/ 10 years Cold nights (TN10p) 10,2 % -1,1 % / 10 Years Cold days (TX10p) 9,4 % -0,9 %/ 10 years Warm nights (TN90p) 12,0 % + 1,0 %/10 years Warm days (TX90p) 13,2 % + 1,9 %/ 10 years

Leova district. During the years 1981-2015, mean maximum winter temperature was + 1,7C, mean minimum winter temperature was - 3,9C with the mean winter temperature of - 1,3C. Within the same period, mean maximum summer temperature was +27,2C, mean minimum summer temperature was + 16,1C with the mean yearly summer temperature of + 21,2C. The multi-annual average annual temperature was +10,1C. Within the years 1981-2015, the annual average precipitation was 523,6 mm; of it, 18% precipitation fell in winter, 24% - in spring, 34% - in summer, and 24% - in autumn. Torrential rains calculated for the 1% probability may reach up to 130-140 mm. The annual average wind speed is 2-3 m/s. Prevailed wind directions are eastern, north-eastern and south-eastern. The maximum annual average of the western wind speed is 12-13 m/s, south-western - 11-12 m/s, and north-western - 10-12 m/s.

Extreme weather indices and their trends within 52 years, from 1961 to 2014, are shown in the next table 7.

Table 7. Extreme weather indices and their trends (1961-2014) Indices Mean values Observed trends Frost days (FD) 100 days - 4,0 days/10 years Ice days (ID) 40 days -1,7 days/ 10 years Summer days (SU) 82 days +4,6 days/ 10 years Cold spell duration (CSDI) 4 days + 0,2 days/ 10 years Cold nights (TN10p) 9,2 % -1,1 % / 10 Years Cold days (TX10p) 9,5 % -0,8 %/ 10 years Warm nights (TN90p) 13,1 % + 1,9 %/10 years Warm days (TX90p) 12,6 % + 1,6 %/ 10 years

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Cantemir district. During the years 1981-2015, mean maximum winter temperature was + 2,4C, mean minimum winter temperature was - 3,8C with the mean winter temperature of - 1,0C. Within the same period, mean maximum summer temperature was +27,6C, mean minimum summer temperature was + 16,7C with the mean summer temperature of + 21,7C. The multi-annual average annual temperature was +10,5C. Within the years 1981-2015, the annual average precipitation was 488,2 mm; of it, 20% precipitation fell in winter, 23% - in spring, 34% - in summer, and 23% - in autumn. Torrential rain calculated for the 1% probability may reach up to 120-130 mm. Prevailed wind directions are eastern, north-eastern and south- eastern. The maximum annual average of the western wind speed is 12-13m/s, southwestern - 11-12 m/s and north-western - 10-12 m/s.

Extreme weather indices and their trends within 52 years, from 1961 to 2014, are shown in the next table 8.

Table 8. Extreme weather indices and their trends (1961-2014) Indices Mean values Observed trends Frost days (FD) 98 days - 3,0 days/10 years Ice days (ID) 35 days -1,4 days/ 10 years Summer days (SU) 87 days +3,7 days/ 10 years Cold spell duration (CSDI) 3,4 days - 0,4 days/ 10 years Cold nights (TN10p) 9,0 % -1,2 % / 10 Years Cold days (TX10p) 9,5 % -0,6 %/ 10 years Warm nights (TN90p) 13,2 % + 2,0 %/10 years Warm days (TX90p) 12,8 % + 1,4 %/ 10 years

7.5 Soil Ungheni district. Ungheni district lies on the province of the Central Moldavian Plateau (Codru) steppe. Dominated soils are brown and grey forest, cambic chernozem. Eroded soils occupy an area of 32184 ha, or 37,2% of the total surface area of the agricultural landa. Structure of agricultural land by degree of erosion is the following: non-eroded - 15449 ha, or 31% of the total area; poorly eroded - 14116 ha, or 28% of the total area; moderately eroded - 12439 ha, or 25% of the total area, and strongly eroded - 7967 ha, or 16% of the total area.

Hancesti district. Hancesti district lies on the province of the Central Moldavian Plateau (Codru) forest steppe. Dominated soils are grey forest, calcareous and typical chernozioms. There are stratified alluvial soils and weak humid phreatic, salinized and sodic chernozioms can be found in the river valleys. Eroded soils occupy an area of 40997 ha (or 27,8% of the total surface area of the agricultural land). Structure of agricultural land by degree of erosion is next: poorly eroded - 20135 ha, moderately eroded - 3234 ha, and strongly eroded - 7628 ha. The degradation of land is also caused by the formation of ravines, the area of which exceeds 357 ha, and landslides (1082 ha). The largest landslides are in localities Cărpineni, Buţeni, Bălceana, , , Cătăleni, Mereşeni, and Sarata-Galbenă.

Criuleni district. The northern part of Criuleni district lies on the cambic chernozems of the Eastern and Southern Hilly Codru Forests; the eastern and southern parts belong to typical, calcareous and cambic chernozem of the Hungarian forest steppe of the South Bassarabian plain. In the eastern part, there are typical and calcareous chernozems of the Nistru River steppe terraces. Typical and calcareous chernozems

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prevail. The eroded soils in Criuleni district occupy an area of 16842 ha, or 32 % of the total surface area of the agricultural land.

Leova district. The district belongs to the region of typical, calcareous and cambic chernozioms of the Hungarian oak forest steppe of the South-Moldavian plain. Alluvial soils are found in the lower Prut River valley, and the cambic and forest xerophyte chernozioms of the forest steppe are found on the Tigheci Hills, as well. Prevailed soils are grey forest, calcareous and typical chernozems. In the river meadows, stratified alluvial soils and weak humid phreatic, salinized and sodic chernozems are mainly found. Eroded soils occupy an area of 21578 ha/ or 37% of the total surface of the agricultural lands.

Cantemir district. According to geographical classification, the district belongs to the Danube steppe of the typical and calcareous chernozems of the South Bassarabian steppe plain. Seventy five (75) % of soils are typical and calcareous chernozioms. Stratified alluvial soils prevail in the river valley. Eroded soils occupy an area of 27042 ha, or 44% of the total surface area of the agricultural lands.

7.6 Hydrology and Water Resources 7.6.1 Ungheni district Surface water. The better part of the district is situated in the Prut River basin, and the other smaller part - in the Nistru River basin via the Nistru’ s tributaries – the Cula, Ichel, Culişoara and Pojarna Rivers. The main Prut’s tributaries flowing thoughout the district are Gîrla Mică, Gîrla Mare, Şoltoaia, Vladnicul, Delia, Băileşti, Varşavca, Boldureşti şi Brătuleanca Cula.

On the territory of the district there are 136 water reservoirs with total surface area of 1584, 07 ha. Of them, 16 ponds are of public property, 110 pools are owned by LPA and 10 are privately owned. 59 (fifty nine) ponds are used for fishing purposes (of which only 21 hold state titles of special water use), 9 ponds are used for irrigation, and 68 ponds are of general used. As a result of the ponds’ inventory, it was found out that 14 ponds were in emergency conditions, at 25 ponds dams require repairs, and in 65 ponds the bottom drains are missing.

Big water reservoirs are situated near villages (capacity of 1,63 mln m3), Zagorancea (capacity of 1,10 mln m3) and town Ungheni (capacity of 1,79 mln m3). Local water resources assured in the normal precipitation year constitute 45,3 mln m3.

Phreatic waters. Shallow groundwater level varies in the river meadows from 0,5-2,5 m up to 15-50 m on the watershed.

7.6.2 Hancesti district Surface water. The surface water resources of the Hancesti district are represented by 9 rivers such as the Prut, Cogilnic, Lapusniţa, Sărata, Bujoriţa, Nârnova, Gălbeniţa, Călmăţui and Bucium Rivers with a total length of over 236,6 km. Their waters pass through the localities on the length of 77,7 km and out of the settlements - on a length of 158,9 km. The largest aquatic artery is the Prut River with a length of 59.4 km on the territory of the district.

On the district’s territory, there are 117 water reservoirs and ponds with a total area of 1300,34 ha. Among ponds, 50 (fifty) are on-channel, and the rest of 67 - off-channel ones. The largest water reservoir with surface 40

area of 322,2 ha is situated on the Lapusnita River in the outskirts of village . Forty two (42) ponds are of public property, 41 are leased, and 34 are private ones. As per primarily use, the ponds are distributed as follows: 47- for general use, 63 – for fishing, 3 – for irrigation, and 4 - anti-erosion. Share of silted ponds is 49%, those being in satisfactory conditions - 8%, in good conditions – 25%, and dry, with no water - 18%. There is riparian vegetation along only 60 ponds. At 104 (one hundred four) ponds, the hydrotechnical installations (emergency divers) are in satisfactory condition, 10 (ten) ponds do not equipped with divers, and in 3 (three) ponds divers are damaged. In 92 (ninety two) ponds the bottom dischargers are operating, in 14 (fourteen) ponds - missing, and in 11 (eleven) - damaged. The dams at 96 (ninety six) ponds are in satisfactory condition, at 7 (seven) ponds are damaged and at 14 (fourteen) ponds - are missing.

Phreatic waters. Shallow groundwater level varies from 0,5-2,0 m in the river valleys up to 15-40 m on the watershed.

7.6.3 Criuleni district Surface water. The Nistru River is a main water course flowing along the district, followed by 2 (two) Nistru’s tributaries – Răut and Ichel. The total length of these rivers on the territory of the district is 101,6 km (34 km). In addition, there are 11 (eleven) streams with a length of 50,2 km, including 2 (two) crossing localities Slobozia Duşca and Zăicana, with a total length of 7.2 km, which dry up in the summer.

On the district’s territory, there are 64 ponds with total surface of the water mirror and protection strips of 364,24 ha, of which only 50 ponds with surface of 341,54 ha are viable (of them, only 21 ponds are in satisfactory conditions) and 14 ponds with the surface area of 22,07 ha are dry.

Local water resources in Criuleni district estimated for the normal precipitation year constitute 22,8 mln m3.

Phreatic waters. The shallow groundwater level varies from 0,5-2,0 m in the Nistru, Raut and Ichel Rivers floodplains reaching up to 15-20 m on the watersheds.

7.6.4 Leova district Surface water. The Prut River is the main transboundary water course, which flows in bounds of district at a distance of 48,4 km. On the district’s territory also flows such Prut’s tributaries as Lapusnița (8 km), Sirma (17 km), Tigheci (16 km), and Sarata (41 km). On the Sarata River, there are 2 (two) big water reservoirs - with capacity of 2,8 mln m3 and Sarata Noua with capacity of 2,3 mln m3. Altogether, on the territory of the district, there are 71 water reservoirs and ponds of which 66, including above mentioned are on-channel, constructed on the small rivers flowing throughout the district, and 5 – off-channel ones. Total surface area of these artificial water bodies, including area of adjacent water protection strips is 848, 43 ha. Twelve (12) ponds are privately owned and 59 ponds are owned by local public administrations. Forty six (46) ponds are used for fishing and fish farming.

Local water resources estimated for the year with 50% precipitation rate, constitute 13,6 mln m3.

Phreatic waters: The shallow groundwater varies in river valleys from 0,5-2,0 m up to 15-40 m on the watershed.

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7.6.5 Cantemir district Surface water. The main water streams are: Prut river (28 km) and its tributaries: Tigheci (24 km), Larga (33 km), Tolica (11 km) and tributary to the Ialpug river: Salcia Mica (15 km). Local water resources estimated as 17,2 mln m3. There are 1760 shallow wells, 76 borehole wells, out of the total number of drinking sources estimated as 1836. Water quality from shallow drinking wells is insufficient according to dry residue indexes, nitrates, and chlorine. Shallow water quality trends indicate incresing of indexes values last decades. The mineral water springs are located in Gotesti, , and Samalia villages.

On the territory of the district, there are 66 ponds with a total area of 570,29 ha. Of the total number of ponds, 46 are in satisfactory conditions, in 4 ponds there is no water, 5 are completely silted, and 1 is completely covered with vegetation. Fifty two (52) ponds are administered by local public authorities, 12 - by physical and juridical persons on the basis of contracts, and 2 (two) are private. Of the total number of pond, 14 are of fishery designation and 52 - of general one. In addition, 20 of them are off-channel, and the rest of 46 are on-channel, being constructed on the water courses.

Phreatic waters. In the river valley, shallow groundwater table varies from 0,5 – 2,0 m up to 15-25 m on the watershed.

7.7 Natural Protected Areas, Fauna and Flora Introductory note. National fund of protected areas conventionally can be divided into the following groups: - those established according to the IUCN classification. These are such nationally established categories as scientific reserves, national parks, nature monuments, nature reserves, landscape reserves, resource reserves, and areas of multifunctional management; - those not related to the IUCN classification. These are such nationally established categories as dendrological gardens, monuments of landscape architecture and zoological gardens; - those established according to other international regulations. These are such nationally established category as biosphere reserves (UNESCO Program) and also wetlands of international importance (Ramsar Convention).

7.7.1 Ungheni district Fauna. Among , in the district are inhabited (Sus scrofa), wild stag (Cervus dama), roe (Capreolus capreolus), fox (Vulpes vulpes), hare (Lepus europaeus), badger (Meles meles), common marten (Martes martes); among birds - partridge (Perdix), wild duck (Mallard), white stork (Ciconia ciconia), etc.

Flora. The natural vegetation is a forest steppe. The forests and forest plantations occupy an area of 22735 ha (or 21% of the entire district surface area). The greatest oak, beech, ash tree, lime, forests are situated near Radenii Vechi (5525 ha), Pojarna (933 ha), Valea Mare (764 ha), Costuleni (460 ha), Corneşti (287 ha) villages and town (487 ha).

Natural protected areas List of protected areas as per national law categories is presented in the next table 9.

Table 9. List of protected areas in the Ungheni district 42

Category Name, location Area or quantity Scientific reserves „Plaiul Fagului”; Radenii Vechi 5528 ha (actual) village Nature monuments: Levantin terrace from zone, 5 ha • Geological and paleontological sites: at 1,5 km to the south-east of Buciumeni village on the left slope of the Girla Mare river ravine, at the water divide The steep coast near Sinesti 1 ha village; at 2 km to south-west, on the left slope

• Botanical sites: Secular trees English oak, Radeni Villa 4 units English oak, Radeni Villa 2 units English oak, Radeni Villa 1 unit Landscape reserves Valea Mare; to the south of the 373 ha Ungheni town, forest detour Ungheni; Valea Mare Areas of multifunctional management Typical areas of meadow vegetation Meadow tributary of the Cula 4 ha river, village Meadow; flooded meadow of the 57 ha Cula river, Condratesti village Meadow with typical vegetation; 59,5 ha flooded meadow of the Cula river, Hircesti village Meadow with typical vegetation 21,4 ha Meadow with typical vegetation 12,8 ha

7.7.2 Hancesti district Fauna. The inhabited mammals are represented by wild boar (Sus scrofa), wild stag (Cervus dama), roe (Capreolus capreolus), fox (Vulpes vulpes), hare (Lepus europaeus), badger (Meles meles), common marten (Martes martes); among birds, these are partridge (Perdix), wild duck (Mallard), white stork (Ciconia ciconia), etc.

Flora. The natural vegetation is a forest steppe. The forests (and forestry plantations) occupy an area of 38272 ha (or 26% of the entire district surface area). The greatest oak, beech, ash tree, lime, maple forests are situated near Balceana (4820 ha), Stolniceni (4072 ha) and Carpineni (2907 ha) villages.

Natural protected areas

List of protected areas as per national law categories is presented in the next table 10.

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Table 10. List of protected areas in the Hăncaşt district Category Name, location Area or quantity Nature monuments: Spring in village Nemteni 0,5 ha ▪ Geological and paleontological sites

▪ Botanical: Secular tree English oak, Loganesti 1 units Natural reserves: Forests Dancu 131 ha Nemteni 20,9 ha Sarata Galbena 220 ha Dacia 84 ha Sarata-Rezesti 27 ha Poganesti 203 ha Herbs Loganesti 710 ha Sarata Galbena 424 ha Landscape reserves: Hancesti forest Between Lapusna and Mereseni 4449 ha villages

7.7.3 Criuleni district Fauna. The inhabited mammals are represented by deer (Capreolus capreolus), fox (Vulpes-vulpes), hare (Lepus europaeus), badger (Meles meles), weasel (Mustela nivalis), steppe polecat (Mustela eversanni); among birds, there are partridge (Perdix), wild duck (Mallard), rock pigeon (Columba livia), white stork (Ciconia ciconia), etc.

Flora. Natural vegetation, which was reduced nowadays are steppe and forest steppe. Forests and forest plantations in Criuleni district occupy an area of 8255 ha (or 12% of the entire district surface area). The greatest oak, beech, poplar, elm and acacia forests are situated near Cosnita (1200 ha), Pirita (611 ha), Holercani (236 ha) villages, which are predominantly located in the Nistru River valley.

Natural protected areas List of protected areas as per national law categories is presented in the next table 11.

Table 11. List of protected areas in the Criuleni district Category Name, location Area or quantity Natural monuments • Geological and Fossil soils on the Nistru terraces, Malaesti 44 ha paleontological village Surprize cave, 2 km northestward of town 0,4 ha Criulen Outcrop Goian 1 ha • Botanical Secular trees English oak, Galoci 1 unit

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Category Name, location Area or quantity Plop de Canada, on the road Chisinau – , 6 units (actual) near vil. Magdacesti English oak, Stroi-Stînca, 7 units (actual) • Natural reserves Forest Poplar forest, vil. Dubasarii Vechi 0,3 ha “Pogoreloe” 5,6 ha Zoloceni 69 ha Dubăsarii Vechi 93 ha • Hydrological Mineral springs, Onitcani village 1,5 ha • Landscape reserves Parcul din satul Bălăbăneşti 5 ha Parcul din satul Miclesti 2 ha

7.7.4 Leova district Fauna. European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), fox (Vulpes vulpes), hare (Lepus europaeus), badger (Meles meles), common marten (Martes martes) and many species of birds, incIuding partridge (Perdix), wild duck (Mallard), white stork (Ciconia ciconia), etc.

Flora. The natural vegetation is presented by fragments of forest steppe and steppe. The forests and forest plantations occupy an area of 12262 ha (or 16% of the entire district surface area). The greatest oak, beech, ash tree, lime, maple forests are situated near the Hirtop and Tigheci villages.

Natural protected areas

List of protected areas as per national law categories is presented in the next table 12.

Table 12. List of protected areas in the Leova district Category Name, location Area or quantity Nature monuments: Secular tree English oak, Leova 1 units Landscape reserves: Ostianova forest, Hirtop village 211,2 ha Bolgrad lyceum forest, Frumusica village 54 ha Aquatic ecosystem „White swan”, Leova 30 ha Multifunctional use: Flood-plain vegetation Flooding meadow of the Prut river, 50 ha Leova

7.7.5 Cantemir district Fauna. The important representatives of the wild fauna are: boar (Sus scrofa), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), fox (Vulpes-vulpes), hare (Lepus europaeus), badger; among birds, these are partridge (Perdix perdix), wild duck (Mallard), white stork (Ciconia ciconia), grey goose (Anser anser), swan (Cygnus olor), etc.

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Flora. The remaining natural vegetation is steppe and forest steppe. Forests and forest plantations occupy an area of 13886 ha (or 16,0% of the entire district surface area). The greatest oak, maple, acacia, walnut tree, mazzard forests are situated near Baimaclia, Pleseni şi Haragis villages. On the Prut river meadow the sedge and rush grow.

Natural protected areas

List of protected areas as per national law categories is presented in the next table 13.

Table 13. List of protected areas in the Cantemir district Category Name, location Area or quantity Nature monuments: Quarry from 1,0 ha • Geological and paleontological sites

• Botanical, including Forest vegetation sectors Cietu 4,0 ha Secular trees village 1 unit Cietu village 32 unit Natural reserves: ▪ Forests village 13,4 ha Bolgrad lyceum, Frumusica village 54 ha Flooded meadow of the Prut river, 132 ha ▪ Mixed Cantemir town Landscape reserves Flooded meadow near Antonesti 93,6 ha village 307 ha Forest Tigheci 2780 ha (actual)

7.8 Land use Share of agricultural lands in pilot districts varies from 56% (leova) to 76% (Criuleni); of them share of arable lands varies from 49% (leova) to 75% (Ciuleni). Share of territory covered by water is 2% in all districts. The biggest share of forests (26%) is in district Hancesti, while the smallest – in district Criuleni (12%). Other details of the land use in districts are presented below.

Ungheni district. Total surface of the Ungheni district is 108262 ha. Share of agricultural lands is around 65% (of them, share of arable lands is 68%, multiannual plantations ( and vineyards) - 6% and pastures - 23%), forests - 21%, water - 2%, urban area - 8%, roads and industrial areas - 2%.

Hancesti district. Total surface of the Hancesti district is 147198 ha. Share of agricultural lands is 60% (of them, share of arable lands is 41%, multiannual plantations - 13% and pastures - 16%), forests - 26%, water - 2%, urban area - 3%, roads and industrial areas - 3%.

Criuleni district. Total surface of district Criuleni is 68795 ha. Share of agricultural lands is 76% (of them, share of arable lands is 75%, multiannual plantations - 12% and pastures - 10%), forests occupy 12% of the territory, water - 2%, urban area - 5%, roads and industrial areas - 3%. 46

Leova district. Total surface of district Leova is 76640 ha. Share of agricultural lands is 57% (of them, share of arable lands is 49%, multiannual plantations - 13% and pastures - 26%), forests - 16%, territory covered by water - 2%, urban area - 6%, roads and industrial areas - 3%.

Cantemir district. Total surface of district Cantemir is 86786 ha. Share of agricultural lands is 74% (of them, share of arable lands is 69%, multiannual plantations - 13% and pastures - 16%), forests occupy 16% of the territory, water - 2%, urban area - 2%, roads and industrial areas - 3%.

7.9 Socio-Economic Background

The Republic of Moldova has total land surface of 33,846 square kilometers and in 2018, a population number was 2681,7 million (excluding ). 7.9.1 Main socio-economic indices of the country

According to statistical data, the main socio-economic indices of the Republic of Moldova were next: - In 2018, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) amounted to 190,0 billions lei, or 53,6 thousand lei per inhabitant; - In 2018, the turnover index in industry increased by 7,1% compared to the previous year, a growth supported by extractive industry (+5,4) and manufacturing (+7,2%); - The agricultural production volume index in households of all categories (agricultural enterprises, farms and households) in 2018 was 102,5% compared to 2017. The increase of total agricultural production was determined by increase of the production by 3,8; at the same time, animal production decreasing by 1,1%. - According to the national Employment Agency, in July 2015, the number of officially registered unemployed amounted to 21,8 thousand persons, however, the International Labour Office reports about 98 thousand unemployed in the 1st quarter of 2015

Overview of the Moldova’s agriculture

Agriculture is a mainstay of the national economy, contributing approximately 15% of Moldova’s total gross domestic product (GDP) and employing about 30% of the country’s population, half of which are women. During the transition period the share of agriculture in GDP decreased by 2 times. Such a decrease caused reduced employment in the sector: in 2014 the proportion of the population employed in agriculture decreased by approximately 50% as compared to 1996. Currently, around 70% of the population from rural areas depends on agriculture for their livelihoods. Agro-food exports account for roughly 50% of the country’s total exports. Agricultural sector most vulnerable to climate change. Factors such as the degradation of the irrigation infrastructure and advanced soil erosion increased to even greater extent agriculture’s sensitiveness to climate conditions. The agricultural sector has already been strongly affected by droughts in 2003, 2007 and 2012 (the volume of agricultural products decreased by 13,6% in 2003, by 23,1% in 2007 and by 22, 3% in 2012)

Weather related hazards to the Moldova’s agriculture

The extrapolation of the present trends in natural risk factors frequency speaks for the risks of hydrologic and meteorological hazards increasing in the future. Since the 1950s, the number of weather calamities in the world increased by 5,5 times, while natural disasters caused by other than climate factors increased by 2,4. 47

According to the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies of Natural Hazards (Belgium), drought is among the most frequently occurring natural hydrometeorologic hazard (along with floods and strong winds). Heavy rains are also fairly frequent in Moldova. They are often accompanied by squalls and hail, which can seriously damage crops. According to assessment by the UN Development Program, on average, a catastrophic drought in Moldova is likely to directly affect 280,000 people and by time, this number tends to increase. It should be noted that Moldova is already increasingly suffering from conditions brought about by climate change, which is expected to result in “… elevated aridity of Moldova’s territory, especially during periods of crop growth”. There were noted the trend towards higher temperatures and lower humidity, and the potential for climate change to influence the frequency and severity of several key threats, including droughts. According to estimate droughts bring the major damage to agriculture (average annual 21,12 million US$ as compares to hail and heavy rains accompanied by strong winds (average annual 5,9 million US$) and frost (average annual 2,9 million US$).

In the last three decades droughts have been registered more frequent and they become more severe. During 1990 - 2017 period on the territory of the Republic of Moldova have been registered 10 years with droughts (1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2012) that caused crop decrease. Droughts, which previously occurred once in ten years in the north and four times in ten years in the south, currently occur more often thus severely affecting the agriculture/

The forecast for future climate evolution in Eastern shows an increase in climate change, characterized especially by higher temperatures. In this context, the impact of climate change will be more acute and the changes in temperature and precipitation will more intensely affect socio-economic activity. The Republic of Moldova is very vulnerable to climate variability, and more intense climate change could generate constraints to the country’s development.

Irrigation in pilot district Needs of irrigation for agriculture. Despite the highly fertile soils, agricultural productivity and yields are constantly threatened by natural hazards, including severe drought, which multiply already existing processes of land degradation and erosion and volatile market conditions. Water resources for agriculture are limited, irrigation infrastructure is often in bad technical conditions and practically inaccessible for small-scale farmers. Projections on climate change, manifested through increased rainfall variability and overall drop in rainfall, show an increased demand for irrigation water and a decline in available surface water resources. By 2050, if no adaptation measures are undertaken, it is expected that climate change will contribute to reducing crop yields across the country by 10–30% as compared to 2013.

Ungheni district. On the Agency “Apele Moldovei” books, there exists 7 (seven) centralized irrigation systems in district Ungheni. These are , Beresesti, Ungheni, Valea Mare, Balauresti, Blindesti and Grozesti, which cover 21 (twenty one) localities in 3 districts (Ungheni, Nisporeni, Falesti), including 8 localities in district Ungheni. Total length of pipes of the Ungheni irrigation system covering is 479,88 km, of which 51,36 km – mains. The source of water for all irrigation systems is a Prut River. Total command area is 10867,3 ha which is distributed among irrigation systems as follows: Sculeni - 1442,3 ha, Beresti – 1262 ha, Ungheni – 3610 ha, Valea Mare – 903 ha, Balauresti – 1369 ha, Blindesti – 659 ha, Grozesti – 1922 ha. It shall be mentioned that irrigation systems Blindesti and Grozesti were rehabilitated with support of the USA government via Millennium Challenge Corporation in 2014-2015. Of total command area, 6607 ha are in the

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Ungheni district and distributed among localities as follows: Sculeni (234 ha), (689 ha), Todiresti (573 ha), Valea Mare (3380 ha), (230 ha), Costuleni (903 ha), Barboieni (402 ha) and Blindesti (196 ha). In 2018, due to various reasons, including poor conditions of irrigational infrastructure (pump stations, pipes) number of households having access to irrigation water was around 100 of which 85 households – via rehabilitated centralized irrigation system Blindesti.

Hancesti district. On the “Apele Moldovei” books, there exists 4 (four) centralized irrigation system in the district. These are Carpineni de Sus, Ciora, and Automatic/ Leuseni, which cover 8 localities - Carpineni, Ciora, Cotul Morii, Poganesti, , Danco, Calmatui and Automatic (Leuseni). Total area of lands covered by irrigation infrastructure is 4581 ha distributed as follows: Carpineni de Sus - 2004 ha, Ciora - 1105 ha, Cotul Morii - 1202 ha, and Automatic/ Leuseni – 270 ha. Total length of pipes is 186,47 km, of which 45,1 km – mains. Irrigation system Carpineni de Sus (source of water – water reservoir Minjir) covers 4 (four) localities - Cioara (449 ha), Poganesti (609 ha), Carpineni (396 ha) and Voinescu (550 ha). Irrigation system Ciora (source of water – Prut River) also covers 4 (four) localities – Ciora (317 km), Poganesti (222 ha), Danco (255 ha), and Calmatui (311 ha). Irrigation system Cotul Morii (source of water – Prut River) covers 2 localtities – Cotul Morii (496 ha) and Leuseni (706 ha). Irrigation system Automatic/ Leuseni covers 1 locality – Leuseni (270 ha). Yet, in 2018, due to various reasons, including poor conditions of irrigational infrastructure, access to irrigastion water had only 6 households.

Criuleni district. On the „Apele Moldovei” books, there are 4 (four) centralized irrigation systems in district Criuelni. These are WUA Criuleni, Criuleni de Sus, Puhaceni de Sus, and Holecani which cover 7 (seven) localities – Criuleni, Slobozia Dusca, Onitcani, Ohrincea, Dubasarii Vechi, Raculesti and Mascauti. Total area of lands covered by irrigation infrastructure is 4558 ha which is distributed as follows: WUA Criuleni – 677 ha, Criuleni de Sus - 1000 ha, Puhaceni de Sus - 2338 ha, Holecani - 543 ha. It shall be mentioned that irrigation systems WUA Criuleni was rehabilitated with support of the USA government via Millennium Challenge Corporation in 2014. In 2018, due to various reasons, including poor conditions of irrigational infrastructure, access to irrigation water had 21 households, of which 14 are connected to rehabilitated centralized irrigation system WUA Criuleni

Leova district. On the „Apele Moldovei” books, there are 4 (four) centralized irrigation systems – Leova, Roza Moldovei, and Tochile Raduceni, which covers 6 localities - Leova, Filipeni, Hanasanii Noi, , Tochile Raducani and Tomai. Total surface area of irrigatred lands is 2945 ha which is distrubuted as follows: Leova – 1743 ha, Roza Moldovei/ Leova - 347 ha, and Tochile Raducani - 855 ha. For all of them, Prut River is a source of water. Total lengh of pipes is 309,15 km, of which 25,5 km – mains. Irrigation system Leova covers 2 localities – Filipeni (768 ha) and Hanasenii Noi (975 ha). Irrigation system Roza Moldovei covers 2 (two) localities – Leova (302 ha) and Cupcui (45 ha). Irrigation system Tochile Raduceni covers 3 (three) localities – Leova (466 ha), Tochile Raducani (317 ha) and Tomai (72 ha). ha. In 2018, due to various reasons, including poor conditions of irrigational infrastructure, access to irrigastion water had 55 households.

Cantemir district. On the ‚Apele Moldovei” books, there exists 5 (five) centralized irrigation systems in district Cantemir – , Gotesti, 1st polder, 2nd polder and 3rd polder which cover area of 6056 ha, and distibuted as follows: Toceni – 1707 ha, 1st poler- 446 ha, 2nd polder – 1349 ha, 3rd polder – 360 ha, and Gotesti – 2194 ha. These cover next localities: Antonesti (937 ha), Pleseni (366 ha), Cania (622 ha), 446 ha (1st polder), Tiganca (1499 ha, 2nd polder), Gotesti (1517 ha, 3rd polder), and Ciobalaccia (669 ha). Total length

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of pipes - 380,41 km. Currently, not even 1 irrigation system is functioning due to poor technical conditions of irrigational infrastructure, and respectively, legal access to irrigation water had not even 1 household.

7.9.2 Socio-Economic Background in Pilot District Population. The share of rural population in pilot districts varies from 65% (Ungheni) to 91% (Cantemir). The share of males in all districts varies in limits of 48-50%, and respectively, share of female – from 50% to 52%.

Data on population of 2018 disaggregated per districts, rural/ urban and sex are presented in the next table 14.

Table 14. Population in pilot districts disaggregated per districts, rural/ urban and sex Total population, District Rural, % Urban, % Male, % Female, % number Ungheni 117083 65 35 48 52 Hancesti 119225 85 15 49 51 Criuleni 73502 88 12 49 51 Leova 52243 70 30 50 50 Cantemir 61568 91 9 50 50

The highest population density is in district Ungheni -108 pers/ km2, followed by Hancesti – 107 pers/ km2, Criuleni – 81 pers/ km2, Cantemir – 71 pers/ km2 and Leova – 68 pers/ km2.

Average age of the districts’ population (male & female) varies from 37,2 years (Cantemir) to 38,4 years (Ungheni).

Share of inhabitants aging 60 years and older is very similar in all districts, varying from 18 to 19%. Average lifespan is the biggest in Ungheni district – 75,1years, followed by Cantemir (73,7 years), Leova (73,1 years), Criuleni (72,9 years) and Hancești (72,8 years).

The highest infant mortality is in district Leova – 12,8 per 1000 inhabitants, followed by Cantemir – 12,2 per 1000 inhabitants, Hancesti – 11,8 per 1000 inhabitants, Ungheni – 6,2 per 1000 inhabitants and Criuleni – 5,9 per 1000 inhabitants.

Employment, enterprising and income In 2017, number of officially registered unemployed was as follows: Ungheni – 1249, Hancesti – 608, Criuleni – 427, Leova – 194 and Cantemir – 197. At the same time, according statitistic data, employment rate varied from 35 to 40% in Ungheni, Hancesti and Criuleni, and was less than 35% in Leova and Cantemir.

The biggest number of all types of enterprises was registered in Ungheni – 1059, followed by Hancesti – 777, Criuleni - 421, Leova – 205 and Cantemir – 173.

In 2017, average gross salary in the economy sector (industry, agriculture, service, etc.) was as follows: in Criuleni - 4850 MDL, in Ungheni, Hancesti and Cantemir - 4500 MDL, and in Leova - less than 4000 MDL. Average monthly wages in agriculture varied from 3095 to 4662 MDL and was as follows: Criuleni - 4662 MDL, Ungheni and Cantemir - 3407 MDL; Hâncesti - 3394 MDL, and Leova – 3095 MDL.

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Gender equality and Social inclusion considerations There are more men employed in agriculture and at higher positions compared to women. There are more male managers, employees and own account workers compared to women. There are more women working as family workers in agriculture (this being the lowest qualified work in rural agriculture). This form of inequality is relevant to water use in agriculture because is serves as a proxy to understand the extend to which men and women are involved in productive forms of agriculture – that most likely use (and can afford) irrigation. Based on the figure presented below, one can assume that most productive forms of agriculture are concentrated among men.

80 4 58.7 3 2.9 3 53.5 2.7 2.6 60 49.7 46.2 48.8 3 2.3 2.5 43.3 41.8 41.8 42.1 40.9 2.1 2.1 35.9 36.5 38.5 2 1.8 40 33.5 29 2 1.5 1.6 1.6 24.5 23.2 21.5 21.4 22.3 1 17.5 19.1 18.9 15.4 15.1 17.1 20 1 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.1

0 0

2006 2011 2016 2007 2008 2009 2010 2012 2013 2014 2015 2017 2018 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Men - employed Women - employed Men - managers Women- managers

180 50 42.7 35.4 40 31.9 32.6 24.5 30 19.4 19.7 21.3 20.1 17.5 17.5 16.5 15.8 130 20 12.8 12.8 12 12.6 9.1 6.8 7.1 8.3 8.1 8 6.6 7.5 10 6.1

80 0

2013 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Men - own-account worker Men-Contributing family worker Women - own account worker Women-Contributing family worker

Figure 1: Gender segregation in employment of men and women in rural agriculture (Source: National Bureau of Statistics)

Most of the land and equipment in agriculture belongs to men. Moldova does not have updated information with regards to equipment and land ownership. The only available data was collected in 2010-2011 within the agricultural census. Based on the census data one concludes that: (i) there are less plots in agriculture belonging to women than men, (ii) there are fewer formal entities working agriculture belonging to women as compared to men, (iii) the average land area for women is smaller compared to average area belonging to men, (iv) women own less equipment and irrigation systems as compared to men.

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100 86 100 90.6 92.1 64 50 36 50 14 9.4 7.9 0 0 share formal % share informal % Tractors Irigation

Women Men Women Men

Figure 2: Land and equipment ownership in agriculture, 2010 (Source: National Bureau of Statistics)

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8 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS AND RISKS

8.1 General remark The challenge to identify and assess impacts and risks described in this EIA relates to those facts that precise locations for the construction of all water storage basins, as well as their design are not determined yet. Thus, in current EIA are assessed the most common anticipated impacts and risks linked to construction of the water storage basins for their further use for small-scaled (on-farm) irrigation and firefighting.

8.2 Important Environmental and Socio-Economic Components Important environmental and socio-economic components (IESEC) are those which society generally feels are worthy of protection in light of activities linked to agricultural/rural development that is likely to occur. The table 15 below shows identified IESEC disaggregated per nature of component.

Table 15. Important Environmental and Socio-Economic Components (IESECs) Socio-economic Physical Components Biological Components Components

- Soil quality/ fertility, structure, - Biodiversity - Income compaction, erosion - Forest - Poverty - Surface water quality - Wetland - Food Security - Surface water quantity/ - Meadow - Access to water hydrological regime - Biological component of - Health & Safety - Groundwater quality ecosystems/ plant and - Employment - Groundwater table animals species - Community - Gender - Land - Genome (in relation to - Culture - Climate GMO) - Air - Education - Migration - Landscape - Physical component of - Vulnerable people ecosystems/ biotops - Waste handling & - Noise disposal - Markets, etc.

8.3 Primarily affected IESEC As regards planned establishing of water storage basins and their further use for small irrigation and firefighting, the positively and negatively affected IESECs primarily include soil quality, soil erosion, soil structure, groundwater table, landscape, surface water quantity and quality, waste disposal, access to water, safety, employment, and income.

8.4 Project Positive Impacts The UNDP/ ADA projects are environmentally and socially benign. Current project will also provide several significant benefits. Overall, it will contribute to increased safety through reduced fire risks and disasters in 55 villages with total population of around 59,000 people, and where 990 households were identified as

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socially and economically vulnerable. The projects will contribute to better resilience to the climate change through improved access to irrigation water.

The overall development effect of current project will be also positive. The irrigation will result in higher agricultural production and improvement of rural socio-economic conditions through higher employment rate, better income, including due to the sale of high-valued agricultural production, as well as services, materials, and equipment for construction and irrigation, better fire safety, and finally, to reduction of rural poverty. In addition, project intends to broadly involve women (ac. 50%) and vulnerable groups into the policy and decision-making over priorities affecting rural well-being. All this factors may be considered as mechanisms for sustainable improvement of the natural and socio-economic environment.

The project will also contribute to environmental enhancement through the providing of the extension services addressing sustainable on-farm irrigation practices as well as extension of knowledge on irrigation, conservation of water and soil, and drought mitigation, more environmentally friendly ways of increasing production and incomes with less environmental impacts, and sustainable agricultural practices including, soil erosion prevention, intercropping, and effective and sustainable crop rotations, keeping the soil moisture, etc.

Summary of main potential positive impacts of on-farm irrigation activities and level of their significance is presented in the next table 16.

Table 16. Positive impacts of on-farm irrigation Environmental and Impact Significance socio-economic components Environmental direct Surface water quantity - Reduced demand of surface water for irrigation Moderate the purposes/ less surface water abstraction

Soil quality/ structure/erosion - Less soil to be subject to pesticide and fertilizers Moderate contamination/ reduced losses of fertilizers resulting from a decrease of penetration what is

particularly relevant for nitrates as compared to

large-scaled irrigation Moderate - Increase of the soil redox potential and soil oxygen Moderate - Less soil to be subject to salinization, compaction and erosion as compared to large-scaled Low irrigation - Better potential for sink of the soil organic carbon

Biodiversity - Improvement of the soil fauna and flora resulting Moderate in more favorable conditions for the crop to assimilate nutrients, particularly organic fertilizers

Pest management - Reduction in pesticide application inputs, Moderate including manpower and vehicle or tractor fuel

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Environmental and Impact Significance socio-economic components Environmental direct Socio-economic indirect Better agricultural management - Better control over irrigation scheduling/ timing, Moderate duration, frequency

Employment - More job opportunities Moderate Expenses - Less cost of maintenance of the small-scale Moderate irrigation system

Income - Increased income due to sale of irrigated crop Moderate - Higher employment due to additional work places Low when cultivating high-value irrigated crops Low - Improved competitively due to better yield

- Increased income due to procurement of the Moderate water storage basin construction materials and irrigation equipment - Increased income due to providing construction Moderate and operation related supply chain and services/ basin cleaning, materials and waste transportation, catering, etc.

Poverty - Reduced poverty due to higher rate of Low employment and increased income - Better development of rural agri-business & more Low income

Gender & vulnerable people - More gender and vulnerable people equity due to Moderate preferable provision of job

8.5 Project Negative impacts General overview of negative impacts

The project aims, inter alia, to increase access of individual farmers and groups of farmers to irrigation water on existing agricultural lands. Project interventions will be within existing private agricultural lands with constructed water storage facilities and introducing on-farm irrigation infrastructure. Since no new land development is expected, no project activities are expected to affect the extent of polluted runoff into water courses. It is not expected that construction of the water storage basins on the private land plots will have adverse or beneficial impact on wildlife, habitats, natural protected areas, cultural heritage being small-scaled and spatially limited to land that has already been under cultivation, and thus, there will be no temporary or permanent change of the land destination, involuntary resettlement, land acquisition, etc. Therefore, no significant large-scaled environmental impacts are expected considering relatively small size of the project

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footprints, non-affecting sensitive areas and natural resources (e.g., running surface water, forests, etc.), but those generated can be easily mitigated by applying of appropriate management measures.

During the scoping phase of the generic EIA development, there was identified that construction of water storage basin for their further use for small-scaled on-field and greenhouse irrigation, and firefighting could have direct and indirect environmental impacts mainly on the following environmental components and topic areas: soil, water, air, noise, waste, landscape, fauna and flora, health and safety, community and public assets.

On-field irrigation impacts

Small on-field irrigation activities can lead to environmental adverse impacts if they are not properly designed. In such cases negative impacts may have various scale and evidence. Salinization and waterlogging (in case of poor irrigation water quality or high groundwater table in combination with extensive water application to the ground), may result in local desertification phenomenon. Irrigation by contaminated water may provoke degradation of fertile soil, degradation/ salinization of productive lands (common phenomenon in arid areas in lowlands) and consequently, in long-term perspective, result in damage to agriculture: loss of crops, lower agricultural incomes, lower value of agricultural lands, etc.

Additionally, on-farm irrigation may also require the increased application of fertilizers and pesticides to protect high-valued crops and ensure higher yields. This may cause additional pollution of water and soil further resulting in human health problems and damage to ecosystems.

To summarize, the most common environmental impacts generated by on-field small-scaled irrigation are:

1. Direct on soil: o soil salinization due to rise of the groundwater table (in combination with other natural factors); o waterlogging due to excess water application; o soil erosion due to surface runoff from surface and sprinkler irrigation systems; o deterioration of the soil structure from both surface runoff and sprinkler raindrops; 2. Direct on landscape: o re-activation of gully and ravine formation process, where it is the case; 3. Indirect (secondary) on soil, groundwater and surface water: o soil degradation due to modifications of the soil profile causing by improper land grading; o nitrate and pesticide contamination of groundwater and surface water due to excessive use of chemicals in intensive agricultural production and/or over irrigation; 4. Indirect (tertiary) on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and effects of agrochemical use: o degradation of aquatic ecosystems in bodies receiving saline irrigation return flows, where is the case; o ecosystem changes caused by the spread of soil salinity and waterlogging to natural areas affecting the ability of plants to grow, as well as the type of growing plants o growth of pests resistant to pesticides under conditions of intensive pesticide use; o improved conditions for sucking insects (carriers of crop disease) owing to increased vegetable cultivation; o spreading of weeds resistant to herbicides

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Majority of above negative environmental effects are easily predicted and their mitigation might be proposed even at the stage of development of this generic EIA. Yet, baseline studies to be further conducted on the sites selected for construction of water storage basins will demonstrate whether there is a potential for other environmental impacts, and whether additional impact assessment and site-specific mitigation are required.

Greenhouse irrigation impacts

Plants’ growing in greenhouses is normally characterized by inputs of fossil fuels, nutrients, growing media and pesticides. These have implications for both the environment and the occupational safety. Possible impacts on the environment include pollution of air by pesticides, CO2 and combustion by-products, groundwater/surface water and the soil where the greenhouse is built resulting from leaching of pesticides and release of nutrient-enriched wastewater, as well as aesthetic impacts on landscape generated by operational wastes. Yet, leaching of pesticides and release of nutrient-enriched wastewater are the major potential impacts associated with greenhouse operation.

8.6 Potential Cumulative Impacts In relation to potential cumulative impacts, the major environmental concerns are underground water pollution, soil erosion and pollution, and indirect effects that irrigation can cause. Considering small size of the projects, it would be easy to mitigate negative effects that each project separately (i.e., operation of the water storage basin) might have on the environment. For instance, it’s envisaged that private plots of selected farmers where the construction will take place, will be situated at a substantial distance of several tens kilometres from each other. Considering that catchment area of the water storage basin is hardly to exceed 10 square km, simulations implementation of several projects will present little environmental concern, and thus a limited number of water storage basins more or less evenly spread throughout the pilot districts would have a relatively negligible effect. However, if by chance several water storage facilities will be constructed in the same catchment area, the cumulative effect of small (negligible) effects could be significant. In addition, if nearby, there are large areas of other irrigated lands managed improperly, the cumulative effect might be the release of the soil organic carbon, contributing to climate change.

In addition to occurrence of cumulative effect in spatial terms, it can also occur over time. For instance, if irrigation gained within current project would result in small negative impacts, but over time, with an increased production and return to the farmer, he/ she will decide to construct another irrigation basin nearby, and on these new irrigated lands he/she will not comply with mitigation measures, including appropriate crop rotation, this will contribute to loss of the soil fertility, soil erosion, etc. Thus, over time there would be a cumulative effect.

Farmers should not lose project support just because of proposed by them locations for construction are situated close to each other, but if patterns appear to show several supports in one watershed and if there is a risk of significant cumulative effect, the donor’s officers in charge for making decision about funding should warn local environmental inspectorate about necessity to control environmental conditions in the area.

When analysing potential cumulative effects, there shall be taken in consideration all other activities taking place in the same watershed and affecting the same receptors (soil, water, etc.). In fact, it might be some programs providing agricultural credit lines, or deforestation activities contributing to soil erosion, or road construction activities and other general construction that could contribute to soil erosion. Another option 57

for generating of cumulative impact is that many farmers applying pesticides and chemical fertilizers in one small watershed could cumulatively significantly affect both surface water and groundwater quality.

Thus, it is important to place the project and the effects that it does have on the environment within the context of the overall development picture. In order to prevent risk of occurrence of adverse cumulative environmental effects, an overview of activities in progress with a purpose to evaluate their possible contribution to cumulative effects should be regurarly made and reported to relevant environmental authorities, they to act accordingly, where appropriate.

8.7 Potential Residual Impacts Residual impacts are those that remain once all mitigation has taken place. Assuming that project footprint is small, volume of water accumulated for irrigation is limited and all mitigation is carried out, there still could be some residual effects manifesting in groundwater contamination, and soil salinization and waterlogging, but they will be minimal and have negligible effect on the environment. Summary of potential residual effects and their significance are provided in the next table 17.

Table 17. Potential residual impacts Significance Topic area Probable Residual Effects

Irrigation maintenance - Groundwater contamination Low - Soil salinization and waterlogging Low to moderate

8.8 Potential Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Impacts Existing gender inequalities in agriculture increase the risk and the impact of climate hazards for women and most vulnerable groups. Because women own less land, their land use is informal and they have less equipment and access to irrigation systems they are the first to suffer from climate shocks like droughts or floods. Moreover, they will less likely benefit from any major support programs in agriculture given that their activity in agriculture is informal and cannot be easily scaled up or formalized. These potential impacts have to be considered and addressed at all the phases of the project: Calls for proposal (selection of the best applications), during the design, construction and operational phase.

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9 IMPACT AND RISK ASSESSMENT

Impact Assessment

Impact assessment and proposed mitigation are presented in the next table 18.

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Table 18. Potential negative impacts and their assessment during the construction and operational phases Affected environmental and Impact Significance Proposed Mitigation Responsible Timing social components

Construction phase

Soil quality Destruction of soil structure and Low Conservation and reuse of Constructor During the loss of fertile layer during topsoil construction excavations

Compaction of soil during Low Schedule intervention to Constructor During the machinery movement minimize construction vehicle/equipment passage

Loss of the soil organic carbon Low To reduce surface area of Constructor During the the water basin to the least construction extent possible, to avoid soil over-disturbance

Soil/ groundwater Contamination by fuel and Low Spill containment & clean Constructor During the quality lubricant leaks up construction

Contamination by human waste Low Sanitary facilities Constructor During the construction Non-toxic solid waste Contamination of soil and Low Proper waste storage and Constructor During the groundwater disposal construction

Aesthetics/ spoil of terrestrial Low Keep the work site and Constructor During the quality offsite areas clean construction

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Affected environmental and Impact Significance Proposed Mitigation Responsible Timing social components

Air quality Emissions from vehicle/heavy Low Emissions control Constructor During the equipment construction

Dust generation Low Covered haul trucks Constructor During the construction No waste burning Constructor During the construction Noise Acoustic Low Restrict work of noisy Constructor During the machinery to the light day construction hours

Vegetation Land clearance Low - Reduce disturbed area Constructor During the to the least extent construction possible - Trimmings’ recycling Terrestrial Species and habitats disturbance/ Low No intended unjustified Constructor During the biodiversity destruction damage construction

Community/ other Restricted access and/ or damage Low Proper organization of the Constructor/ During the land owners to private plots situated in vicinity construction works farmer construction of the construction site schedule and routes of the temporary access roads, etc

Occupational health Accidents, injuries, etc. Low Compliance with health and Constructor During the and safety safety rules construction

Community safety Accidents, etc. Low - Traffic warning signs Constructor - - Speed regime

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Affected environmental and Impact Significance Proposed Mitigation Responsible Timing social components

Operational phase/ on-field irrigation Landscape - Increased gully and ravine Unknown Avoidance over-irrigation & Farmer Continuous formation on deluvial slopes groundwater level control during the - Revitalization of crumbling operational phase

processes on colluvial slopes

Water quantity Water loss Low Water application norms/ Farmer Continuous irrigation scheduling

Water quality Pollution Low to moderate - Limit use of chemical Farmer Continuous fertilizers and pesticides - Ensure correct storage, handling, use and disposal of agrochemicals, etc.

Increased sediment loads due to Unknown - Minimize intensive Farmer Continuous erosion cultivation of row crops

on slopes and on light- textured soils - Vegetation buffer zones, where appropriate At the beginning of operational phase

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Affected environmental and Impact Significance Proposed Mitigation Responsible Timing social components

Soil quality Salinization and waterlogging Unknown Appropriate design of Farmer At the beginning irrigation system & proper of the operational irrigation scheduling phase and then continuous

Soil compaction Low Minimum use heavy Farmer Continuous machinery & use of environmentally friendly equipment

Soil pollution Moderate Limit use of chemical Farmer Continuous fertilizers and pesticides

Soil erosion Moderate - Soil conservation Farmer Continuous cultivation techniques; - Vegetation buffer zones, where appropriate; - Irrigation application efficiency Fauna and flora Increased mortality (e.g., bees Low Limit use of chemical Farmer Continuous families) fertilizers and pesticides, etc.

Health and safety Nitrite and pesticide residues in Low to moderate Limit use of chemical Farmer Continuous grown agricultural products fertilizers and pesticides

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Affected environmental and Impact Significance Proposed Mitigation Responsible Timing social components

Air transfer of pesticides during Low Avoidance of pesticide Farmer Continuous their application application under the windy conditions

Groundwater pollution by Low Limit use of chemical Farmer Continuous nitrates and pesticides in the fertilizers and pesticides lowland wells used for domestic needs

Operational/ greenhouse irrigation

Water quality Pollution by nitrogen and Medium - Use of slow filters for Farmer Continuous phosphorus compounds reducing losses of nutrients and water - Applying of fertigation

Pollution by pesticides Medium - As much as possible to use Farmer Continuous “close water” systems to reduce pesticide leaching - Apply the minimum effective dose of pesticide with consideration of quality of soil/ hydroponic substrate, and irrigation water as input of other chemicals - Appllying of fertigation

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Affected environmental and Impact Significance Proposed Mitigation Responsible Timing social components

Air pollution Pollution by pesticides Medium -Where applicable, to Farmer Continuous reduce ventilation in greenhouses Emissions of combustion gases Low Use of appropriately Farmer Continuous by-products maintained vehicles

Emissions of light, where Low To use light-emitting diode Farmer Continuous applicable technology

CO2 - emissions Low Where applicable, to Farmer Continuous reduce exhaust ventilation in greenhouses

Landscape Aesthetic Low - Waste reduction and Farmer Continuous avoidance - To re-use plastic film - To consider the use of long-life plastics for the greenhouse covering - To re-use plant residues for on-site composting Health and Pesticide application, chemicals Medium - Train personnel to apply Farmer Continuous Occupational exposure pesticides safety/ - Use of personal protective equipment when preparing solutions of pesticides and applying pesticides and other chemicals 65

Affected environmental and Impact Significance Proposed Mitigation Responsible Timing social components

Operational phase/ firefighting Water quality Destruction of the water basin Low Proper location of the spot Farmer Continuous ecological zone, where for water abstraction (as far applicable, by water pumping as possible from the ecological zone)

Soil quality Compaction due to fire brigade’s Low Construction/ arranging of Local authority At the beginning machines maneuvers and traffic access road with enough of the operational space for the machines phase maneuvering

Soil & groundwater Pollution by fuel and lubricants Low Vehicle maintenance to Local Fire Continuous quality prevent leakage of fuel & Department lubricants

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Risk Assessment

Identified risks were divided into 3 groups as follows:

1. Environmental risks on operation 2. Operational risks on environment, and 3. Managerial risks for the operation

Under the 1st group of risks, there were identified next: drought; low precipitation rate; torrential rains, and rise of the groundwater table.

Under the 2nd group, there were recognized the following risks: waterlogging and soil salinization; groundwater contamination.

Under the 3rd group, next risks were acknowledged: siltation of the water storage basin; water quality unsuitable for irrigation; aesthetic and other pollution, waste handling, soil compaction, etc. in adjacent area; disagree of neighboring farmers/ land owners with the selected location of the water storage basins; change of the soil properties on agricultural land down the slope, e.g., decrease of the baseline soil moisture due to capture of surface runoff; outflow/ flooding down the slope; refusal to comply with technical requirements to maintain functionality of the water storage basin by the farmers’ inheritors; alternative use of water storage basins (e.g., for fish farming and recreation); in the case of fire events, restricted access to the ponds via adjacent private plots or due to fencing of ponds; accidents, especially for children during the self-willed swimming

Identified risks disaggregated per groups and the risk dealing project phases were assessed as shown in the next table 19, where also presented suggested options for the risk management.

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Table 19. Assessment of risks disaggregated per groups and project phases Phase for the risk Type of risk Nature of risk Risk rate10 Reason for rating Option for risk management dealing Environmental on Operational Drought Substantial Obvious trend of None operation higher drought frequency, lower surface runoff, regionally scaled, beyond direct control of operation

Operational Low precipitation rate, Substantial High probability for - Selection of proper starting from probability of consequent years with location in the relief to 70%/ insufficient surface low precipitation rate/ ensure as much as runoff low surface runoff, possible runoff; regionally scaled, - Construction/ arranging beyond direct control of inlets in the relief of operation - Construction/ arranging of trapping channels, flow guiding barriers; - Reducing evaporation from the water surface, e.g., by planting of trees along the basin’s bank

Construction Torrential rainfall Low Frequent torrential Proper technical design of the rainfall, risk is well facility, including dykes, understood and

10 Risk rating, including environmental on opration and managerial on operation, was based on the professional judgment

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Phase for the risk Type of risk Nature of risk Risk rate10 Reason for rating Option for risk management dealing expected to be limited basin itself and outlet in impact, under structure control of operation

Construction Rise of groundwater table Low Risk is well - Selection of location for understood, small- construction with scaled, under control underlying clay layer of operation - Overlaying the existing ground with clay blankets - Use of geo-textile to cover bottom and walls of excavation - Construction of the concrete pond bottom to prevent water leaks, etc.

Operational on Operational Waterlogging & soil Low to Risk is well - Irrigation water of environment salinization moderate understood, small- appropriate quality scaled, under control - Irrigation efficiency of operation

Operational Groundwater Low Risk is well - Proper application of contamination understood, small- fertilizer and pesticides scaled, under control - Avoiding the of operation monoculture practicing, etc.

Operational Gullies in soil down the Low Risk is well - From the outlet slope/ input to the landslide understood, small- structure, to release

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Phase for the risk Type of risk Nature of risk Risk rate10 Reason for rating Option for risk management dealing process, etc. due to release scaled, under control water in a rate similar to of water from the basin of operation the rate of water flow before the basin construction Managerial risks for Construction Loss of accumulated water/ Low Risk is well understood - Covering of the basin operation water seepage into the and under control bottom and walls by geo- ground textile - Covering of the basin bottom by the clay layer Operational Siltation of the water Substantial Risk is predictable, - Arranging the sediment storage basin expected to be limited capture pond section in but hard to be the upper part of the managed basin - Application of against erosion measures on uplands - Regular sediment dredging - Dredged silt/ sediments if not treated accordingly and disposed on other private land, shall be placed as directed by local authorities

Operational Water blooming/ quality of Moderate Risk is well - Regular dredging of extra water is unsuitable for understood, expected sediments irrigation to be limited by - Planting of natural vegetation/ macrophytes proper basin on the banks close to 70

Phase for the risk Type of risk Nature of risk Risk rate10 Reason for rating Option for risk management dealing construction and water edge, where maintenance apptopriate - Water aeration Social Construction Local short-term conflict Low Risk is well Proper management of the linked to acoustic, aesthetic understood, small- construction site, including and other pollution, waste scaled and expected appropriate waste disposal, handling, soil compaction, to be limited availability of sanitary etc. in adjacent area facilities, use of existing access roads

Construction Disagree of neighboring Low Risk is well understood At the meetings with LPAs farmers/ land owners with and expected to be and community members, to the selected location of the limited promote public benefit of the water storage basins basins construction

Operational Local long-term conflict Moderate Risk is well - Application on field of the linked to change of the soil understood, small- water conservation properties on agricultural scaled and expected practices - mulching, land down the slope, e.g., to be limited, contour tillage, avoiding decrease of the baseline soil including through deep ploughing, etc. moisture due to capture of providing of the - Compensation measure: surface runoff extension service free provision of irrigation water in agreed limits

Operational Local long-term conflict Low Frequent torrential - Proper technical design linked to outflow/ flooding rains/ risk is well of the facility/ sufficient down the slope understood, small- height and compacting of scaled and expected dykes; to be limited 71

Phase for the risk Type of risk Nature of risk Risk rate10 Reason for rating Option for risk management dealing - Sufficient space for temporary water storage, outlet structure - to release water in a rate similar to the rate of flow before the watershed was developed Operational Non-compliance with Low Risk is well understood - Insertion of relevant technical requirements to and expected to be clause in the Regulation maintain functionality of the limited on the basin operation & water storage basin by the to add the responsibility farmers’ inheritors provisions in the leasing Contract - Compliance monitoring by relevant local authority

Operational Alternative use of water Moderate Risk is well understood The same as above storage basins (e.g., for fish and expected to be farming and recreation) limited

Operational In the case of fire events, Low Risk is well understood The same as above restricted access to the and expected to be ponds via adjacent private limited plots or due to fencing of ponds

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Phase for the risk Type of risk Nature of risk Risk rate10 Reason for rating Option for risk management dealing Operational Possible accidents, Moderate Risk is well understood - Insertion relevant clause especially for children and expected to be in the Regulation on the during the self-willed limited basin operation & to add swimming the responsibility provisions in the leasing Contract - Fencing of the basin - Installation of warning signs, where deemed necessary

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To summarize, the rate of majority of identified risks are ranged between low to moderate (except those linked to probability) because effective environmental management (including with support of the sound and comprehensive EIA, as well as compliance monitoring and enforcement of regulations) is still questionable. Yet, if enforcement is carried out in an effective manner, the environmental risks associated with activities to be supported under the project will be lower. Risks for which there is no effective legal instrument would vary, depending upon the nature and level of impact, and the cost of mitigation.

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10 POSSIBLE CONFLICTS FOR THE 2-FUNCTIONAL USE OF THE WATER STORAGE BASINS

It might occur so, that during the irrigation period when water accumulated in basins is needed for the agricultural plants watering, nearby either natural or man-induced fires might occur, for whose fighting the same water will be needed. For such cases, the farmers shall clearly understand that firefighting is an ultimate priority, and they will need to have other sources of water to be used for irrigation, or to make Contract with Insurance Company, etc.

On the other hand, it might be so, that farmers already used for irrigation significant volume of accumulated water, and after that the fire could occur. In such cases, when available water is used for irrigation or remained after irrigation amount water of water is insufficient for firefighting, the farmers shall obligatory inform the proximate fire-brigades relying on this water, that basins are empty – just in order to avoid waste of time for fire brigades to reach the basin.

Actually, the farmers should regularly (e.g., on the 2-weeks basis) inform either local authorities in charge or directly fire-brigades about volume of available water (that can be easily estimated with use of simple devices, like bar with divisions for determining the height of the water level), and also communicate in advance about upcoming release of water from basins (e.g., 1-2 weeks prior to the basin cleaning, etc.) in order fire brigades would know whether they can rely on this water in the case of fire event. The fire brigades should register this information into the log-book.

Mechanisms regarding shared water use, communication, and other important basins’ management and operation issues shall be clearly prescribed in the Regulation for the basin operation and/ or in the leasing Contract.

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11 ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES

“No project” Alternative

The radical alternative to the project is the 'no project' alternative. This alternative would have a number of environmental and socio-economic impacts and benefits. “No project” would result in no change of the landscape, no additional irrigation area to be possibly followed by higher application of fertilizers and pesticides, and thus, fewer chemicals penetrating into the soil and groundwater; soil compaction frequency and intensity, and the incidence of soil erosion would remain the same. No possible local conflicts and disputes. Without enlargement of irrigation area, will not be additional contribution to the desertification process through waterlogging and salinization that would not occur. Safety of local people will not increase as will be no additional water sources for firefighting. Agricultural inputs would continue to increasingly decrease or become permanently unsustainable due to drought which is becoming endemic in large parts of the country what may result in lower food security and increased poverty, especially in rural areas.

“With Project” Alternative

This alternative would have a number of socio-economic impacts. The most important impact would be to the social environment where opportunities for socioeconomic improvement in the rural areas from the irrigable agricultural lands would not be lost. Without these improvements there would be also less chance that local people would focus on environmental issues when their main concern would only be one – the basic survival. With current project there is great opportunity to increase safety of rural population and their resilience to climate change, relief rural poverty, providing additional irrigation lands and irrigation infrastructure generally contributing to improvement of the rural socio-economic conditions. If mitigation of potential impacts is addressed properly, these socio-economic benefits can be acquired with very little immediate and residual environmental impact, and the project will provide an overall net benefit.

Other alternatives related to “With Project” Alternative

Other alternatives may refer to various methods of technical design of the water storage basins, including their dimensions and construction materials, as well as various sites for their location. Yet, all these alternatives relate solely to the need to ensure successful implementation of the project. These other alternatives would have little bearing on the environmental and social impacts as they are identified and addressed. If little is accomplished, therefore, the impacts will be reduced and vice-versa. If any effect, these alternatives managerial and operational designs, and locations may just slightly change magnitude of impacts to be mitigated in a clear way.

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12 IMPACTS MITIGATION

Overview of mitigation actions and measures

Environmental and social protection actions and measures addressing avoiding and mitigation of potential impacts during the pre-construction, construction and operational phases can be briefly outlined as follows:

- Pre-construction phase: o Availability of permits and approvals of the concerned authorities; o Informing local authorities and residents about schedule of upcoming construction activities; o Arranging/ constructing of places and facilities for temporary storage of construction wastes, including hazardous ones; o Arranging places for storage and handling of construction material, machinery, and equipment, as well as proper sanitary facilities

- Construction phase includes implementation of measures aimed at: o Protection of the offsite areas o Prevention of air pollution o Onsite soil protection against erosion, compaction and loss of the fertile layer o Excessive noise prevention/ noise reduction o On site soil, water and air protection against contamination by improper hazardous and non- hazardous waste handling and disposal, improper work practices or poorly operating machinery o Agricultural ecosystems protection and biodiversity conservation, and once the construction is completed, o Final cleanup of the work area.

- Mitigation measures during the operational phase mainly address direct and secondary impacts generated by irrigation in view of the topsoil protection against salinization and erosion, and soil protection against pollution by fertilizers and pesticides, and to lesser extent to soil compaction during moving of firefighting heavy machinery.

Mitigation of Adverse Environmental Impacts during the Construction Phase

Environmental protection preventive and mitigation measures have to be taken on both project site and offsite areas.

Environmental Management of the offsite areas

The offsite environmental management during the construction phase is practically the same as on the construction site, especially in relation to land and soil degradation prevention, protection of surface water, groundwater and air, biodiversity conservation, etc. Therefore, mitigation measures to be applied to reduce potential impacts are similar to those to be applied on the construction site.

Thus, the offsite environmental management shall mainly address the following environmental and social issues: soil erosion and compaction, surface and underground water pollution, air pollution, disturbance to 77

terrestrial biodiversity; waste management, public roads and the construction workers’ accommodation facility. Mitigation measures to address above issues in the offsite area are presented in the next table 20.

Table 20. Mitigation measures to avoid and/ or reduce off site environmental and social impacts Environmental N/N and social Potential impacts Mitigation measures components 1 Soil Loss of topsoil/ soil - compaction and - Moving and maneuvering of heavy machinery shall erosion be restricted by existing access roads as much as possible - Compacted agricultural soil shall be loosened 2 Surface water Pollution of water - Sanitary waste water, wash water, waste oil or solid waste generated during the construction will be collected appropriately until final disposal - Temporary disposal of wastes and handling of hazardous materials and substances will be made in specially arranged places and facilities (on impermeable floor surrounded by raised kerbs, in tanks, etc.) 3 Air 3.1 Pollution by dust Dust suppression measures will be applied during transportation of raw sand and other fine-grained materials by the haul tracks covering 3.2 Pollution by All the machinery shall be regularly checked to ensure emissions of proper operation of motors aimed at avoiding of combustion gases excessive exhaust gases emissions by-products 4 Noise/ vibration Acoustic - Noise reduction by stopping the engines when parked - Work of heavy machinery near residential areas will be restricted by light day hours - During operations the engine covers of generators, air compressors and other powered mechanical equipment will be closed 5 Terrestrial 5.1 Disturbance by The work of heavy and noisy machinery and biodiversity noise equipment will be diminished to the extent possible

5.1 Harm to species - Work area will be limited and out of habitats to the and habitats extent possible - Wild animals will be not either intentionally or unintentionally killed - Removal of vegetation, where necessary, will be as less as possible 6 Waste 6.1 Pollution of soil, - The constructors’ manager will ensure appropriate management surface and temporary disposal, removal and final disposal of groundwater construction wastes to avoid offsite impacts to landscape, soil and water pollution - Where required, all waste will transported and disposed on the offsite authorized dump 78

Environmental N/N and social Potential impacts Mitigation measures components - Disposal of the site’s waste will be done only in the permitted waste disposal facility - Excavated soil will be disposal in a place agreed with local authorities

6.2 Aesthetics/ - No debris will be allowed off the construction site Landscape - All generated construction wastes will be timely collected and removed- 7 Natural resources Depletion The constructor will use construction material, only from certified and proven sources 8 Public roads 8.1 Restricted - Machinery traffic and maneuvering will be optimized mobility and access to the least busy hours - Traffic plan will be communicated and agreed with local public authorities, where appropriate, and the public will be informed through both posting of notice/traffic sketch on billboards installed near the mayoralties, 8.2 Threat to - Where any work is to be carried out in or adjacent to security a public road the Contractor consult national and local road authorities and will comply with any requirements and recommendations of the police or other authority regarding traffic safety measures for the road works

8.3 Aesthetics - At the exit from the excavation sites, there shall be provided a place for the vehicle cleaning (e.g., part of access road covered by gravel) prior to entering public roads - No debris or disposal of construction material will be allowed in the offsite areas 9 Construction Pollution of soil and The camp (accommodation facilities for the workers), workers’ water by solid if appropriate, will be provided by the eating area, accommodation wastes, wastewater; area for safe food storage, safe smoking area, washing facility fire; potential threats and sanitary facilities, waste drums, sufficient number to health and safety, and capacity of fire extinguishers, assured by etc. appropriate rest and slipping facilities, etc.

Onsite Mitigation Measures during the Construction Phase

Potential impacts on Air. Impact on air quality is linked to emissions of combustion gases by-products. To minimize them, there shall be used appropriately maintained vehicles.

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Potential Impacts on Soil. Potential short-term local low significant impacts to soil conditions during the construction include perturbation of soil quality and structure, including compaction. These impacts will occur within the construction site during the soil excavation and machinery movement. Their effects will cease at the end of the construction phase. Identified mitigation measures include topsoil conservation and reuse, minimizing vehicle and heavy equipment passage to and from construction site. Persons responsible for environmental compliance of the construction works will ensure that the measures are effectively applied through regular and spot site inspections, and a post-completion site audit.

Potential Impacts on Water. Potential impacts on groundwater (and surface, where appropriate) during construction are short term in nature and of low significance. They mainly include potential contamination by leaks and spills of fuels and lubricants. While leaks and spills are expected to be a minor concern, nevertheless, they will be mitigated by regular maintenance and inspection of vehicles and equipment, rapid containment and clean-up of any spills. Maintenance of vehicles shall be carried out according to manufacturers’ specifications. Persons responsible for environmental compliance of the construction company will ensure that the measures are effectively applied through the regular site inspections.

Waste Management to minimize impacs on soil and water. Construction activities will generate excavated rock, household solid waste and, probably, minor quantities of industrial wastes. These wastes will be managed as follows:

- garbage bins will be made available on the construction areas and sites for disposal of household waste - the workers will be instructed in recognition of waste types and their disposal, - replacement of excavated rock not used for dykes construction shall be coordinated with local authorities in charge, and - hazardous waste, if any, shall be kept in specially designated sites and under special conditions, and finally disposed on the authorized landfills.

Persons in charge for environmental compliance within the construction company will regularly conduct site inspection to ensure proper waste handling and disposal. If correctly implemented, on-site disposal as described above, presents no risks, and does not require specific monitoring.

Noise and Vibrations. While noise and vibrations are not expected to be major issues some interventions might be a case. Any such interventions shall take place during normal working hours. It is the duty of the constructor’s manager to ensure respect of these working hours.

Employee Dust and Noise Exposure. The constructor’s manager will identify locations where dust and noise levels are chronically high and will ensure that workers have adequate protection in these areas, including dust suppression like watering the construction area, where deemed necessary. The workers shall be provided with personal protection devices, and their use shall be assured.

Damage to Terrestrial Biodiversity, Fauna and Flora. Prior to carrying out of construction works, there will be identified fauna and flora that might be adversely affected, and work area will be lined so, to prevent impacts on wild fauna and fauna.

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Occasionally Found Cultural or Archaeological Sites. With high degree of confidence, it might be presumed that no cultural or archeological sites are to be found in areas where water storage basins will be constructed, thus no specific mitigation or routine monitoring for historic or archaeological resources is envisaged. Yet, in the event of occurrence such sites, the constructor’s manager will immediately stop ongoing excavation and inform responsible local authorities and Archeological Agency with the aim to further mobilize a qualified archaeologist to the site.

Health and Safety. The constructor’s manger will ensure that all the works are carried out in compliance with health and safety rules as per regulatory documents on construction in force of the territory of the Republic of Moldova to avoid accidents, incidents, injuries, etc. On the construction site, the first aid kits shall be available, health and safety instructions shall be made on a daily basis, and the workers’ protective equipment shall be in place. The workers shall be instructed about rules of labor safety; shall be also ensured fire prevention measures and fire protection equipment. At the entrance to construction site, speed of construction vehicles shall be restricted to 5-7 km per hour. For the cases of incidents/ accidents, the emergency procedure shall be available and enforced as per national legislation.

Mitigation Measures during the Operational Phase

On-field irrigation. Direct potential impacts from irrigation affect mainly soil and landscape. These are mainly soil erosion, pollution, salinization, waterlogging and possible re-activation of gully/ ravine process. Scale of these impacts may vary from site to site. Generally, irrigation impacts can be reduced when location for the water storage basin construction is chosen correctly with considering of the landscape fuetures and geo- morphological characteristics of the area, including on the basis of analysis of alternatives, and where appropriate, water application techniques are to be coupled with the irrigation scheduling.

Yet, in relation to irrigation impacts, it shall be emphasized the following: o irrigation scheduling techniques cannot be properly implemented nor produce the desirable consequences unless proper water application practices are applied; o application efficiency depends not only on the irrigation system design criteria but also on the volume and timeline of water applications; thus, use even advanced irrigation equipment is not enough to attain high levels of performance; o high application uniformity (difference in water application over the field) results in presence of areas receiving too much or too little water; application uniformity affects both yields and the extent of environmental impacts from irrigation; o irrigation application efficiency (ea), has a lesser effect on the crop yield, yet, low ea due to excessive water application has the potential to create waterlogging and other environmental impacts like salinization, erosion, groundwater contamination, etc.

Indirect (secondary) irrigation impacts are mainly linked to improper application of fertilizers and pesticides that might contribute to pollution of both groundwater and cultivated agricultural products and thus generate tertiary impacts on human health and on fauna and flora (e.g., increased mortality of big bee families). So, mitigation of these impacts can be achieved by limiting use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, use of less harmful pesticides, plantation of buffer zones, etc.

Greenhouse irrigation. Mitigation of greenhouse irrigation impacts mainly relates to avoidance of soil and water pollution by preventing/ minimizing the leaching of pesticides and release of nutrient-enriched wastewater, as well as aesthetic impacts generated by operational wastes. 81

In relation to impacts on health and safety, the mitigation is the same for both on-field and greenhouse irrigation. These are use of personal protective equipment when applying fertilizers and pesticides, instruction of workers, etc.

Firefighting. Mitigation of impacts linked to firefighting mainly refer to avoiding of the heavy machinery movement on the soil to prevent/ minimize soil compaction and soil pollution due to leaks of fuel and lubricants (potential direct impacts), and also not to deteriorate water quality in the constructed basins (potential secondary impact) by proper location for the water abstraction so that not to disturb ecological zone, if any.

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13 BRIEF IMPACT STATEMENT, MITIGATION MEASURES AND MONITORING

Significance of identified risks. A better part of the environmental and all social risks is ranged as low to moderate, except exogenous environmental risks linked to drought and low precipitation rate. The rest of risks is small-scaled and easily manageable.

Overview of impacts and their significance. Impacts during the construction phase are short-term, insignificant and easily managed. Potential impacts during the operational phase relate mainly to on-field and greenhouse irrigation. In relation to on-field irrigation, these are direct impacts on soil (salinization, waterlogging, erosion and deterioration of the soil structure), indirect secondary impacts on soil, groundwater and surface water (modifications of the soil profile, nitrate and pesticide contamination of soil and water; indirect tertiary impacts on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and effects of agrochemical use (degradation of aquatic ecosystems and ecosystem changes), growth of pests resistant to pesticides, spreading of weeds resistant to herbicides, etc, yet, two last mentioned impacts do not have relevance to current small-scaled projects but rather relate to those with a large footprint. Greenhouse irrigation impacts mainly relate to pollution of water and soil by nitrogen and phosporus compounds of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Majority aforesaid negative environmental effects are easily predicted and their mitigation might be proposed even at the stage of development of this generic EIA. Significance of identified impacts varies from low to moderate in dependence on the baseline conditions of the particular biophysical environment, compliance with environmental protection requirements and other objective and subjective factors.

The validity of all impacts identified under this generic EIA will be checked against baseline conditions at each selected site. Further evaluation of the baseline conditions in the sites selected for construction of water storage basins will demonstrate whether there is a potential for other environmental impacts, and whether additional site- specific impact assessment and mitigation are required. Those impacts that are applicable in the selected sites will be further described in the Risk Management and Sustainability Plans to point on site specific mitigation and compliance monitoring.

Residual and cumulative impacts Residual impacts of the project should be either minimal or absent assuming effective project management, small areas affected by project, limited volume of water accumulated for irrigation and full proposed mitigation. To achieve effective management, for each selected location and suggested technical design of the water storage facility, and the Risk Management and Sustainability Plans must be sound and implemented effectively, and the environmental compliance monitoring shall be conducted.

Cumulative impacts are not likely to be an issue as presumably, construction of the water storage basins will be more or less evenly distributed throughout the districts and watersheds. In relation to potential cumulative impacts, the major environmental concerns are underground water pollution, soil erosion and pollution, and indirect effects that irrigation can cause. Considering small size of the projects, it would be easy to mitigate negative effects that each project separately (i.e., operation of the water storage basin).

Impacts mitigation. Detailed description of mitigation measures during the construction and operational phases are presented in next Tables 21 and Table 22, respectively. Yet, baseline studies to be further 83

conducted on the sites selected for construction of water storage basins will demonstrate whether there is a potential for other environmental impacts, and whether additional impact assessment and site-specific mitigation are required.

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Table 21. Measures to mitigate negative impacts during the construction phase Affected environmental Impact Proposed Mitigation and social components Construction phase Air quality Pollution by combustion by-products Use of appropriate vehicles for transportation of construction materials and wastes to minimize emissions Pollution by dust - Watering the construction area - Reduced vehicles speed in construction area Soil quality Destruction of soil structure and loss Conserve excavating topsoil layer by its replacing and use after intervention/ of fertile layer during excavations the topsoil from the all surface of excavation (i.e., the upper soil layer with thickness of about 60 cm) shall be excavated first and stored separately to be used further Compaction of soil during machinery Use available access roads; schedule intervention to minimize movement vehicle/equipment passage, loosening of temporary access road after intervention

Loss of the soil organic carbon To reduce surface area of the water basin to the least extent possible, to avoid soil over-disturbance

Soil/ groundwater quality Contamination by fuel and lubricant - Spill containment; clean up; vehicle maintenance; dedicated maintenance leaks and hazardous waste and areas; materials - Chemicals shall be dispensed ensuring no spillage to the ground or water; - Periodic inspections of dispensing areas to identify leakage and initiate corrective actions; - Chemical waste shall be collected in corrosion resistant and compatible containers; - Collection drums shall be removed to a staging or storage area when contents are within 15 cm of the top; - Take sufficient measures to prevent spillage of hazardous and toxic materials during dispensing

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Affected environmental Impact Proposed Mitigation and social components Construction phase - Segregate hazardous waste from other materials and wastes, protect it from the weather by placing in a safe covered location, and take precautionary measures against accidental spillage - Haul the hazardous waste, and dispose it either in a temporary dedicated site or at the waste disposal facilities of the Chisinau (or Balti) municipalities - Storage, fueling and lubrication of equipment and motor vehicles shall be conducted in a manner that affords maximum protection against spill and evaporation

Contamination by human waste Provision of toilet facilities Non-toxic solid waste Contamination of soil and - Solid wastes shall be placed in containers to be emptied on a regular groundwater schedule; - Handling, storage, and disposal shall be conducted to prevent contamination. Segregation measures shall be employed so that no hazardous or toxic waste will become co-mingled with solid waste - Solid waste shall be transported offsite for disposal - Verify that the selected transporters and disposal facilities have the necessary permits and licenses to operate

Aesthetics/ spoil of terrestrial quality - If not being disposed properly on the own land, excavated soil shall be disposed as directed by local authority in charge - Provision of place for wheel cleaning at the exit from the excavation site - Keep the work and offsite area clean, final cleanup

Air quality Emissions from vehicle/heavy Emission control systems & preventative maintenance equipment

Dust - Covered haul trucks when transporting excavated ground;

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Affected environmental Impact Proposed Mitigation and social components Construction phase - Dust particles, aerosols and gaseous by-products from the constructor activities shall be controlled at all times, including weekends, holidays and hours when work is not in progress. - The constructor shall maintain excavations, stockpiles, haul roads, permanent and temporary access roads, plant sites, spoil areas, and other work areas within or outside the project boundaries free from particulates - Burning of wastes on the work site shall be prohibited

Noise Acoustic When the work area is near community, to restrict work of noisy machinery to the light day hours

Vegetation Land clearance - When removal of wild vegetation is needed, to reduce the disturbed area to the least extent possible - Use trimmings as mulch, for compost, bio-fuel, etc.

Terrestrial biodiversity Species and habitats disturbance/ No intended unjustified damage to wild plants and animals destruction

Community/ other land Restricted access and/ or damage to Proper organization of the construction works schedule and routes of the owners private plots situated in vicinity of temporary access roads (where needed) as agreed with neighboring land the construction site owners, and keep the construction and adjacent area in bounds of land owned by selected farmer

Occupational health and Accidents, injuries, etc. Compliance with health and safety rules and procedures during the construction safety works carrying out, including sanitary-hygienic rules

Community safety Accidents, etc. - To establish traffic warning signs, where appropriate

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Affected environmental Impact Proposed Mitigation and social components Construction phase - In bounds of localities, construction vehicles to respect established speed regime

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Table 22. Mitigation of negative impacts during the operational phase Affected environmental and social components Impact Proposed Mitigation

Operational phase/ on-field irrigation Air quality - Pollution by combustion by- - Use of appropriately maintained vehicles products Landscape - Increased gully and ravine - Avoidance over-irrigation; formation on - Groundwater level control; deluvial slopes; - Irrigation network maintenance and timely repair - Revitalization of crumbling processes on colluvial slopes Water quantity Water loss - Plan to ensure even distribution of water throughout the field; - Application of water saving irrigation techniques; - Use of soil moisture measurement devises; - Careful planning of irrigation season and water application norms/ irrigation scheduling; - Careful design of on-farm irrigation systems

Water quality Pollution - Limit use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides; - Use the least harmful pesticides as approved by the UN agencies; - Ensure correct storage, handling, use and disposal of agrochemicals; - Provision of advisory service; - Implement integrated pest management - Proper timing for application of crop nutrients using meteorological information to avoid, where feasible, application during or close to precipitation events; - Use appropriate technical equipment for spraying manure;

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Affected environmental and social components Impact Proposed Mitigation

Operational phase/ on-field irrigation - Where appropriate, establish buffer zones, strips, or other “no-treatment” areas along water sources, rivers, streams, ponds, lakes, and ditches to act as a filter to catch potential runoff from the land

Increased sediment loads due to - Minimize intensive cultivation of row crops on slopes and on light-textured erosion soils - Ensure suitable sprinkler pressures, where appropriate -

Soil quality Salinization and waterlogging - Ensure sufficient application of leaching fraction during irrigation; - Appropriate design of irrigation system; - Proper irrigation scheduling; - Ensure adequate drainage, where needed

Soil compaction - Use of environmentally friendly equipment - Avoid repeated use of heavy equipment/ machinery

Soil pollution - Limit use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides; - Use of appropriate pesticides that do not have residuals or whose residues do no harm the soil - Recycle crop residues and other organic materials by leaving the materials in the fields, plowing, and / or composting; - Manage expired and unwanted pesticides as hazardous wastes - Apply organic matter, such as manure, to replace chemical fertilizers to the extent practical;

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Affected environmental and social components Impact Proposed Mitigation

Operational phase/ on-field irrigation - Incorporate manure into the soil or apply between growing crops to improve plant utilization of nutrients and thereby reduce nutrient loss, etc.

Soil erosion - Ensure irrigation application efficiency; - Provision of the application efficiency advisory service to farmers - Use crops suited or adapted to the local climate and soil conditions; - Apply contour tillage and application of other soil conservation cultivation techniques; - Vegetation buffer zones for erosion control, where appropriate - Appropriate crop rotation program - In areas with steep slopes, carefully consider planting zones and the direction of planting in relation to land contours to avoid erosion caused by precipitation or irrigation; - Use stone barriers, vegetative cross-slope barriers, terraces, or drainage and diversion canals to prevent wind and water erosion; - Use appropriate machinery to avoid soil compaction caused by excessively heavy equipment; - Use plant cover or intercrops and shelter belts to reduce erosion from wind and heavy rain; - Increase the organic matter content in the soil by applying organic matter such as crop residues, compost, and manure to protect the soil physically from sun, rain, and wind and to feed soil biota; - Consider adding lime to soil maintain stable pH levels

Biodiversity Loss of biodiversity - Where possible, maximize reuse of residue from the - previous crop on the soil surface;

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Affected environmental and social components Impact Proposed Mitigation

Operational phase/ on-field irrigation - Reduce soil preparation to maintain the structure of soil ecosystems; - Utilize field borders to provide wildlife corridors around fields used for annual crop production; - Provide buffer zones on farmland bordering natural or semi-natural habitats; - Ensure protection of the natural enemies of pests by - providing favorable habitats, such as hedges, nesting sites, and original vegetation, to house pest predators; - Promote the use of organic agricultural practices to the extent feasible Fauna and flora Increased mortality of bees’ families - Keeping islands of wild vegetation inside and around the agro-spots as a measure to reduce insecticides’ use - Limit use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides; - Ensure correct storage, handling, use and disposal of agrochemicals; - Implement integrated pest management Occurrence of persistent weeds Monitor weeds growth and establish weeds control

Health and safety

Nitrite and pesticide residues in grown Limit use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides and implement integrated pest agricultural products management Air transfer of pesticides during their Avoidance of pesticide application under the windy conditions application

Groundwater pollution by nitrates and Limit use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides pesticides in the lowland wells used for domestic needs

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Affected environmental Impact Proposed Mitigation and social components Operational phase/ greenhouse irrigation Air pollution Pollution by pesticides -Where applicable, to reduce ventilation in greenhouses as ca. 30-50% of applied pesticides leave the greenhouse via ventilation

Emissions of combustion gases by- Use of appropriately maintained vehicles for transportation of greenhouse products products Emissions of light, where applicable Use of light-emitting diode (LED) technology, if available CO2 - emissions Where applicable, to reduce exhaust ventilation in greenhouse to maintain appropriate level of CO2 Water and soil pollution Pollution by nitrogen and phosphorus - Use of slow filters for reducing losses of nutrients and water compounds occuring because of high - For soil-grown crops and hydroponic grown crops, use the fertigation method input of mineral fertilizers as annual (applying of liquid fertilizers and/ or pesticides, simultaneously with the fertilizer application is 8-10 times as implementation of irrigation), where possible greater than for open - field - For hydroponic-grown crops, where applicable, to re-use drainage water vegetable crops Pollution by pesticides - To use of biosurfactants to control root disease and reduce the need for pesticides - As much as possible to use “close water” systems to reduce pesticide leaching - Apply the minimum effective dose of pesticide with consideration of quality of soil/ hydroponic substrate, and irrigation water as input of other chemicals Landscape Aesthetic impact from growing media, - Waste reduction and avoidance (e.g., reduction in pesticides and mineral packaging, plastic mulches, plastic fertilizers applied decreases the amount of waste containers produced and film, plant residues amount of plastic agrochemical packaging) - - To re-use plastic film - - To consider the use of long-life plastics for the greenhouse covering - - To consider use of biodegradable plastics for mulching, where available - - To re-use plant residues for on-site composting

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Health and occupational Pesticide application, chemicals - Train personnel to apply pesticides safety exposure - Use of personal protective equipment when applying pesticides and other chemicals

Affected environmental and social components Impact Proposed Mitigation

Operational phase/ firefighting Water quality Destruction of the water basin Proper location for water abstraction (as far as possible form the ecological ecological zone, where appropriate zone) Soil quality Compaction Construction of access road with enough space for the machines maneuvering Pollution Vehicle maintenance to prevent leakage of fuel & lubricants

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14 ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE MONITORING

Environmental monitoring during implementation of the project provides information about its key environmental implications, particularly, about environmental impacts and efficiency of applied mitigation measures.

Such information enables the donor to evaluate the success of mitigation as part of project supervision and allows undertaking of corrective actions, when needed. In addition, it helps farmers to implement best agricultural practice with no harm to environment.

Specifically, this monitoring section provides tentative Environmental Compliance Monitoring Plan containing parameters to be measured, measurement method, monitoring locations, timing/ frequency of monitoring, responsible for monitoring, etc.

Tentative Environmental Compliance Monitoring Plan is presented in the next Table 23.

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Table 23. Tentative Environmental Monitoring Plan Why the parameter Project Parameter to Where to How to monitor When to Who shall be Cost Responsibility phase be monitored monitor monitor monitors monitored

Baseline Groundwater Land to be Normal Prior to Authorized Possible risk tbd The Client level irrigated by measuring irrigation entities to for rise of for (CC&DRR Project) water procedure of the activities on conduct the construction accumulated groundwater the field the groundwate of in constructed level geological r table groundwate basins prospectio r monitoring ns. well/ wells & sampling Groundwater Land Normal Prior to Accredited Potential tbd The Client quality on the envisaged for analytical irrigation chemical impact on for chemical (CC&DRR Project) next irrigation from chemical activities on laboratory groundwate analysis the water analysis the field r quality parameters: - -2 -1 storage basin HCO3 , SO4 , Cl , +2 2+ Ca , Mg ,Total Hardness, Na, Conductivity,

NO3, dry residue, pesticides (sum of DDT and HCH), petroleum products

Surface runoff Representativ Express test with Prior to Agro To tbd The Client quality on the e receiving use of analytical construction expert of preliminary (CC&DRR Project) parameters pH, spot of the kit of the water the check conductivity surface runoff storage basin CC&DRR quality of and salinity from drained Project water to be 96

Why the parameter Project Parameter to Where to How to monitor When to Who shall be Cost Responsibility phase be monitored monitor monitor monitors monitored

area/ situated accumulate close to the d in the selected water location of the storage water storage basin basin whether it is suitable for irrigation Soil on the On lands to be Express test with Prior to Agro To check tbd The Client parameters pH, under use of analytical construction expert of quality of (CC&DRR Project) conductivity, irrigation kit of the water the soil whether salinity & storage basin CC&DRR it is suitable mobile Project for irrigation macroelements - K, P, N Construction Noise level Near Equipment type Ad-hoc, when Accredited Acoustic tbd Constructor residential “ШИ 01 В”, or required by national impact on area, where similar the disturbed laboratory community applicable community of the members National Center for Public Health Operational Groundwater Irrigated land Normal Every 2-3 Undergrou To verify tbd for Farmer level and lowland measuring years after nd Water whether groundwate procedure construction Monitorin there is an r sampling g Division impact on of the the State 97

Why the parameter Project Parameter to Where to How to monitor When to Who shall be Cost Responsibility phase be monitored monitor monitor monitors monitored

Enterprise groundwate Moldovan r table Hydro- Geological Expedition Groundwater Irrigated land Normal Every 2-3 Accredited To verify tbd for Farmer quality, measuring years after chemical whether chemical including on the procedure construction laboratory there is an analysis pesticides and impact on nitrate groundwate parameters, r quality and salt content De- commissioni Not applicable. When de-commissioning, the landscaping and re-vegetation, including by agricultural plants, shall be made ng

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15 EIA PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND DISCLOSURE

Public Consultation

Rising of public awareness is part of the wider consultation process. There shall be provided a forum or hearing for consultation and comments by environmental authorities, environmental NGOs and project- affected groups and other stakeholders with the purpose to discuss draft EIA, its findings and recommendations in order to take their views and feedback into consideration before preparation of the EIA final draft to be submitted for further approval.

In line with the national legislation and best practices the public consultations with the villagers in each selected / affected locality were held. The objective of the meetings was to offer the affected/interested persons the possibility to express their views about the proposed intervention and influence the final decision about the planned constructions and anticipated impacts. In particular the views of vulnerable groups, including women, especially female-headed households, and the landless about proposed subprojects where collected to be taken into consideration during the detailed design development.

In a timely manner and in a form and language that is understandable to public being consulted, there was provided relevant materials (process descriptions, maps, etc.) to the consultation participants.

The summary of meetings conducted is attached as Annex 2 to the present document.

Disclosure

For the determined category of the project (B) for which Draft Environmental Impact Assessment report is prepared, it shall be available at a public place accessible to all interested parties, including project-affected groups (e.g., . websites of UNDP Moldova (https://www.md.undp.org/) and MARDE (http://www.madrm.gov.md/).

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REFERENCES

1. ADA’s Environmental, Gender and Social Impact Management policies, principles and standard, https://www.entwicklung.at/fileadmin/user_upload/Dokumente/Publikationen/Handbuecher/Environ mental_and_Social_Impact_Management/EGSIM_Manual_Juni2018.pd 2. Bergstrand, K-J. I. Approaches for Mitigating the Environmental Impact of Greenhouse Horticulture, Doctoral Thesis, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp 2010 3. Environmental and Social Assessment of central irrigation system projects in the Nistru River basin in Moldova. Environmental Management Plan, vol.2, March 2010 4. Environmental Resources Management Solaire Direct Drennan Deir Revision 2, https://fdocuments.us/amp/document/3-approach-and-methodology 5. Draft Environmental Impact Report Revision 2. Proposed 90 MW Drennan Photovoltaic (PV) Power Facility, Eastern Cape. Solaire Direct Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd. September 2014, https://www.erm.com/contentassets/ef51f6123d3d436bb2e3c5207b971595/draft-environmental- impact-report/binder1.pdf 6. Feasibility Study “Improving resilience of rural communities to climate change by augmenting water management with small scale water reservoirs”. UNDP Moldova, 2018 7. Guidance Note Systematic Operations Risk-Rating Tool (SORT). World Bank. June 25, 2014 8. Promotion of climate change and disaster risk reduction solution in the water and civil protection sectors for enhanced rural resilience Project Document. UNDP Moldova, 2018 9. Promotion of climate change and disaster risk reduction solutions in the water and civil protection sectors for enhanced rural resilience Project Document. UNDP Moldova, 2019 10. Territorial Statistics 2018. National Bureau of Statistics, http://www.statistica.gov.md 11. Ţaranu Lilia. Climate change profiles for the pilot districts Ungheni, Hancesti, Criuleni, Leova, Cantemir. Prepared for the UNDP Moldova under the project Promotion of climate change and disaster risk reduction solutions in the water and civil protection sectors for enhanced rural resilience, 2019 (unpublished)

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ANNEXES

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ANNEX 1

List of persons who prepared Environmental Impact Assessment

Dr. Belous Tatiana, environmental expert Mr. Busuioc Corneliu, environmental expert, MSc Dr. Melian Ruslan, environmental expert

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ANNEX 2

Public Consultation and Disclosure of the Document:

Environmental Impact Assessment of construction of the water storage basins in five pilot districts proposed for ADA funding under the project “Promotion of climate change and disaster risk reduction solutions in the water and civil protection sectors for enhanced rural resilience” prepared for UNDP Moldova

Introduction

In September 2019 under the project “Promotion of climate change and disaster risk reduction solutions in the water and civil protection sectors for enhanced rural resilience” the comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study was carried out by the team of the national experts. The document “Environmental Impact Assessment of construction of the water storage basins in five pilot districts” was drafted and consulted under the project preparation team, donors, UNDP management, MADRE and other specialists from relevant authorities.

The document includes 15 chapters and annexes and consists of about 100 pages. Reasons for site-specific public consultations

Following the methodology and approach adopted for the EIA study and EIA public consultation process, the separate meetings was carried out for each of the project site proposed for construction of water storage facility. By this, there a forum or hearing for consultation and comments are provided. The identified stakeholders are: local population, local public authorities, environmental authorities, environmental NGOs, project-affected groups, vulnerable and gender groups and other co-interested groups.

There are few important reasons to conduct public consultations of the level of the local communities and separately for the each project site:

• to familiarize a wide audience at the community level about climate change adaptation project in general • to discuss with interested groups the draft EIA, its findings, conclusions and recommendations in order to take local stakeholder’s views and feedback into consideration • to validate EIA study findings (alternatives, risks, impacts, responsible structures and potential mitigation measures) on the base of the local knowledge and experience. • to identify a local concerns and site specific risks to the natural and socio-economic environment to be documented by the site specific RMSP. 104

Public Consultation

In November 2019 seven public consultation meetings were carried out in 7 localities for 8 project sites (see the table)

Data Locality Beneficiary name Number of Including participants woman men 21.11.2019 Fundul Galbenii Hincesti „GG Prim” SRL 16 9 7 22.11.2019 Magureni Ungheni GȚ „Popa Ilie” 17 9 8 22.11/2019 Magureni Ungheni GȚ ”Ursu Constantin 26.11.2019 Ungheni ”Cand-Vas” SRL 12 3 9 27.11.2019 Antonesti Cantemir „Grabd Depot” SRL 11 1 10 27.11.2019 Bestemac Leovo „Binețe Lux” SRL 11 5 6 28.11.2019 Lapusna Hincesti GȚ „Rotaru Lucia” 7 3 4 29.11.2019 Hincesti „Agro- Vet 16 3 13 Consulting” SRL 90 33 57

The announcement letter, agenda, presentation, list of participants and photos are annexed.

The specific issues, statement, questions that were raised by participants, discussed, explained and concluded during the public consultation meetings are:

• o There is need for cooperation and coordination of project interventions with neighbor farmers. Project beneficiary have to be aware about. o Does the project design will allow to use water sources (out of precipitation run off water) to fill up the water basin? o Are the volume of water after precipitations (rainfall, snowmelt) is enough to secure basin by required amount of water? o What kind of machinery and type of constructions are foreseen to build water accumulation basin? o Is any opportunity for local people to work during construction and basin operation? • Magurele o The project will have a very positive impact to the local community o There are limited work forces in the village, respectively new jobs are important to increase village attractively o The demonstration projects on runoff collection and modern water storage facilities will benefit the village, because village authorities already start to develop the village to be more touristic attractive (eco-tourism, winter sports, etc.) o The natural ecosystems around the location where water basin are planned to be constructed and nearby irrigated fields have to be secured, as it is provide also the agro-systems protection against unwilling insects.

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o The construction of water accumulation ponds will ensure water availability and water security. Later, this can trigger the other development of the sites (storage facilities, access roads, electricity, etc). o All new construction has to be registered properly according to the national legislation and water users have to obtain water use permit. o The local taxes have to be paid by the beneficiaries. o Does any opportunity to include in the project at least two new locations for construction of additional water storage facilities? • Boghenii Noi

o Is it possible to connect existing springs to the water basin as additional watersource for irrigation? o There are no use of fertilizers and pesticides near the location where accumulation pond have to be constructed. The territory is not polluted by other substances. o The construction of the pond will not affect air quality. o How the water evacuation from the basin will be organized? Is any engineering structures to be build for empting of a basin? o It is likely, that construction of new water accumulation basin will trigger other development nearby – storage facilities, deposit, electricity, road, etc. o Fishing and swimming should be prohibited in the water basin. o In may be required construction of interception ditches to collect run off water from the adjacent territories. If it is a case the beneficiary need to solve this issue with the neighbors. • Antonesti o The construction of the pond will allow preserving the environment, since the likelihood of erosion of the soil, the formation of overgrowths, etc. will be reduced. o Is it possible to use a EIA document for other similar projects? o Sustainability of investments will be ensured by the economic activities of the beneficiary. o Revenue of the enterprise will be increased, and therefore this will increase the number of jobs. • Bestemac o Location of the pond will not entail any impact on forests or natural water surface sources. o In general, the project is very favorable for the village. o Water will be delivered to the irrigated field by a large watertank. Today, water has to be transported through the village, and a heavy truck creates noise, vibration. Peoples are complaining. o Is there enough rainwater to be accumulated in the pond? o Is it possible to expand the project? There are still those who wish to build such ponds for collecting rainwater. • Lapusna o The beneficiary has a certificate of "organic farming", so I will not use pesticides on irrigation fields. o Location of the future pond is surrounded by wasteland, grass and bushes grow there. There are no valuable habitats of animals and birds nearby. o The area upstream the pond, from which rainwater will be collected, should be untouched. There is a massive grass grows there. And it will be a good filter and will prevent excessive siltation of the reservoir. 106

o Is there enough rainwater to fill the reservoir? It is necessary to calculate its volume correctly. o There are other economic agents in the village who want to build similar ponds to collect water. Can they be included in the project? • Ciuciuleni o Does the evacuation of water from the reservoir foreseen by the design? This should be provided so that it would be possible to empty the pond before entering new water. o Where water will be discharged if the pond is emptied? o The water situation in the area is complicated. Many ponds are dry. Only dry channels remained. o At the site of the future pond, fertilizers and pesticides were not used before. The territory is unpolluted. o There are no protected natural areas nearby. There is only a forest belt on the slope. o The project for the construction of a pond for the accumulation of rainwater is very positive and welcome. o Improved conditions for growing crops through irrigation will lead to higher incomes, new jobs, and higher taxes in the local budget. o Can the pond be used for drinking of animals (sheep, goats, cows) ?

Annexes: Copy of announcement letter and agenda

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Presentation

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Photos from meetings

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