E525 January 2002
Croatia Karst Ecosystem Conservation Project
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN
Public Disclosure Authorized Back2round: Croatia enjoys unusually rich biodiversity of global significance due to its geography, between the Mediterranean and Central-European continental climatic regions, and its geology, which is predominantly karst. The term "karst" originated in Croatia and is applied to a specific landscape and morphology characterized by the presence of limestone or other soluble rocks, where drainage has been largely diverted into subterranean routes. The globally prominent Croatian karst ecosystems host 3,500 species of flora (283 endemic), 12 species of amphibians, 36 species of reptiles, 200 species of resident birds, 79 species of mammals, and 64 species of freshwater fish, (11 endemic). Subterranean karst habitats support an ever increasing list of newly discovered endemic trogloditic (eyeless and adapted for an entirely subterranean existence) species and families. These include one new species, genus and family of leech Croatobranchus mestrovi. Croatia's subterranean biodiversity also includes the world's only known cave
Public Disclosure Authorized sponge, the only known cave calm, and the only known cave polychaete worm. Croatia is famous for its karst freshwater ecosystems which include travertine/tuffa-building communities of micro-organisms. The resulting travertine barriers, some estimated to be over 40,000 years old, have led to the spectacular lakes and waterfalls now protected within two national parks - Plitvice and Krka. . The global significance of Croatia's karst ecosystem is internationally recognized. Plitvice Lakes National Park is on the UNESCO's World List of Natural and Cultural Heritage. The Velebit Mountain Range is part of the UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Program, and has been identified by the World Wildlife Fund's Forest Hotspot Initiative as one of the ten most important forest areas in the Mediterranean region.
These subterranean and terrestrial karst ecosystems are fragile, interconnected, and Public Disclosure Authorized dependent upon the maintenance of a delicate balance between relief, hydrology, climate and vegetation. This balance is currently tenuous. The Croatia Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan (BSAP), completed in 1999, identified the following threats to karst ecosystems: habitat changes and fragmentation; water and air pollution; extensive exploitation of natural resources; and introduction of foreign species. Obstacles faced by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Physical Planning (MEPP) in addressing these threats include limited capacity for conservation management; inadequate integration of biodiversity conservation into physical plans and sectoral strategies; and lack of environmental awareness regarding karst ecosystems and limited public participation in the decision making process.
Although most of Croatia is karst, the Karst Ecosystem Conservation (KEC) Project will focus on the 9500 square kilometers in the Croatian Highlands as this area has the highest Public Disclosure Authorized level of biodiversity and is often neglected as resources tend to be directed towards the coast. About 8.2 % of Croatia's area is under some form of protection which is a high percentage relative to the rest of Europe. About 40% of the KEC project region is under protected area status and includes four national parks and one nature park from North to South being: Risnjak National Park, Plitvice National Park, and the Velebit
FIj~ . Nature Park, which includes in its territories North Velebit Nature Park and Paklonica National Park. The KEC project region is primanrly rural; over 50% is forested, and 65% has few or no inhabitants. The project area includes two main municipalities, Gospic and Ogulin, and five small towns and has a total population of approximately 60,000. The main economic activities in the region are forestry, animal husbandry and tourism. Agricultural and industrial activities are minimal. In the few areas with tourism, it is the primary economic activity of the immediate area. The project region provides resources to the coastal towns, and there are future plans to establish a triangle of highways, inside the project area, connecting major Croatian cities.
The KEC Project area has experienced profound demographic changes over the past several decades. In Lika-Senj county, which includes Plitvice National Park, Velebit Nature Park, North Velebit National Park, and comprises more than 80% of the KEC region, there has been an extreme and steady depopulation in recent years due primarily to the war and lack of economic opportunities. Population density in Lika-Senj is extremely low at 15 person/square kilometer. The population that remains is very old, and relies largely on pensions for support. The other of the two major counties in the project, Gorski-Kotar District of Primorsko-Goranka county, in which Risnjak National Park is located, has experienced the same depopulation for similar reasons although less hard-hit by war impacts. While there is a very rich cultural heritage in Croatia, virtually all of its manifestations in the KEC project region, e.g. heritage buildings, traditional foods and beverages, wood arts and crafts, wool, textiles and clothing production are disappearing.
The economic situation in the KEC project region is significantly depressed, even for Croatia. Unemployment is estimated at over 40%. To use one of the KEC project counties as an example, in Lika-Senj, in the 1980s almost everyone had a paying job in forestry, tourism, or government. To supplement their income in one of the state- organized industries, many practiced traditional agriculture on their family farms. The thriving Plitvice Lakes National Park that was attracting 750,000 visitors in the late 1980s was an all-important source of direct employment. It also provided large guaranteed markets for all the agricultural products people could produce. Tourism tended towards "mass" tourism rather than "nature based" tourism, despite the fact that the Plitvice tourist attractions, like much of Croatia's tourism, rely upon the integrity of its natural resource base. In the 1990s, there was a major decline of all Lika-Senj's productive sectors, loss of jobs, and out-migration of young people. The war started and was largely fought in the Plitvice National Park area. Even with reconstruction, the area remains depressed and has suffered from the national slump in tourism and other sector activities.
There are some signs of economic recovery. In 2000 a total of 6.6million people visited Croatia, and the Plitvice Lakes National Park received about 480,000 visitors. With this recovery and the hopes of accelerated economic development, comes the increased threats to biodiversity. The main conservation issue facing Croatia is the challenge of balancing economic development of an impoverished region with conservation of globally significant biodiversity. The KEC project aims to preempt the potential threats to biodiversity conservation related to tourism and other economic development activities in the region.
2 Project Region and Demonstration Sites: The focus of the project region is the Croatian Highlands, which is one of the four major landscape units in the country and includes the mountain corridor of the Dinarids between Slovenia and Bosnia Herzegovina. The project region encompasses three counties, Primorje-Gorski Kotar, Lika-Senj, and Zadar. The project area is primarily rural with the exception of the coastal area of Paklonica National Park. Over 50% of the project region is forested, and 65% has few or no inhabitants. The project area includes several municipalities, Gospic and Ogulin, and five small towns and has a total population of approximately 60,000. The main economic activities in the region are forestry, animal husbandry and tourism. Agricultural and industrial activities are minimal. In the few areas with tourism, it is the primary economic activity of the immediate area. The project region provides resources to the coastal towns for example it includes the watershed for the southern Dalmatian coast. There are future plans to establish a triangle of highways, inside the project area, connecting major Croatian cities.
Approximately 40% of the project region is designated as protected area. This includes three long established national parks (Paklonica, Plitvice and Risnak), one new national park (Velebit), and one nature park. Paklonica and Velebit National Parks are located within the much larger Velebit Nature Park. Provisional selection of protected area sites to be targeted under the project was based on agreed criteria, including: (i) biodiversity of international value, (ii) presence of direct threats to biodiversity; (iii) representation of the site and replicability of interventions in other karst areas; (iv) importance for overall environmental stability; (v) importance for economic development; and (vi) expected sustainability of intervention effects. Sites selected include Paklonica, Plitvice, Risnak, and Velabit National Park, and more broadly Velabit Nature Park, in which Velabit National Park is located and which accounts for almost half of all protected areas in Croatia.
Project Obiective: The project development objective is to protect the biodiversity of karst ecosystems in a way that is participatory, community-based, economically viable, and integrated with the country's socioeconomic goals. The project will strengthen institutional and technical capacity for biodiversity conservation; integrate biodiversity conservation into management plans and sectoral strategies; improve management of protected areas; promote entrepreneurial and tourism activities to support rural revitalization and biodiversity conservation; and increase civil participation in decision making processes.
Proiect Components
The three project components and their sub-components are given below. The only component with potential negative environmental impacts is "Component Two: Establish community based mechanisms for biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource use in the project region." Sub-components and activities under Component Two which could have negative environmental impacts are in italics and described in more detail later in this plan.
3 Component 1: Build national capacity to conserve biodiversity and support natural resource management. (GEF US$1.09 million; GOC US$0.69 million)
(i) Strengthening of laws and regulatory framework ($0.02m). The project will finance a review and/or revision of biodiversity-related regulations and sectoral strategies to incorporate biodiversity conservation concerns. The project will finance training in the use of the guidelines to staff from relevant government agencies, including the Ministry of Forestry and Agriculture, Ministry of Tourism, Croatia Forests (HS), Croatia Waters (HV); physical planners; and protected area staff; as well as NGOs and citizens.
(ii) Strengthening national capacity to ensure biodiversity conservation ($0.33m). The project will finance preparation of protected area management and planning guidelines which include biodiversity concerns; guidelines for community and NGO participation in protected area management; a protected area system market analysis, promotion and marketing plan; a protected area financing strategy; and a pilot project on biodiversity information dissemination. The project will develop and conduct a national ranger training program.
(iii) Expansion of species and taxa under legal protection ($0.18m). Project preparation studies found that there are two areas in the project region which could be eligible for protected area status; Ogulin and the Kupa Valley. The project will finance feasibility studies for these areas including an analysis of biodiversity in Ogulin and water management issues related to biodiversity conservation; equipment for underwater biodiversity monitoring; and revision of the list of taxa under legal protection in these two areas.
(iv) Biodiversity inventory, mapping and monitoring ($1.06m). The project will finance consultant services and equipment for inventory and mapping of the biodiversity priority areas (identified by the BSAP and Comprehensive Biodiversity Survey); a specific inventory of the biodiversity of caves in the project region and necessary equipment for such; a study of cave hydrology in the project region; conduct a monitoring program for large carnivores in the project region. The project will finance the development of a GIS for the project region, the database, and training for staff in its use.
(v) Increasing public awareness and support for biodiversitv with active role of NGOs ($0.19m). The project will finance development of a public awareness strategy; development of a WEB site and TV spots on biodiversity conservation; a guide to karst biodiversity; annual workshops/festivals on biodiversity conservation; and preparation of a traveling exhibition on biodiversity and the KEC Project.
Component 2: Establish community-based mechanisms for biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource use in the karst region (GEF US$3.06 million; GOC US$2.09 million; USG US$0.15 million)
4 The project will support measures to preserve the globally significant biodiversity in the Karst region through community level activities and capacity building for protected area management. Activities to meet this objective fall into three sub-components:
(i) Promotion of sustainable nature based tourism in karst region (US$0.21m). The project will finance development of a local level tourism strategy which includes determnination of the nature-based tourism potential in the region and economic opportunities in tourism; a visitor management plan for protected area; and preparation andfield works on the European-6 (E-6) hiking trail through the project region (E-6 is a branch of a larger network of hiking trails which spans Europe).
(ii) Increased local public awareness and support for biodiversity conservation with active role of NGOS (US$0.1 lm). The project will finance preparation of national park promotion materials for park visitors, local population, and schools; preparation of field guides for the project region; and fund a small grants program for NGO sponsored activities related to public awareness.
(iii) Improving protected area management and services for biodiversity conservation (US$4.1 2m). The project will finance activities which are common to all the protected areas, and activities specific to the individual park's needs and aspirations. In each of the five protected areas in the project region, the project will finance rehabilitationof existing visitor structures,visitorroads, information kiosks, and researchfacilities (where they already exist); a "people and parks" program, each to be designed specific to the protected area and intended to ensure direct, community involvement in the decision making process; field works, e.g. trails, signs; data acquisition, processing and interpretation equipment, e.g. computers, GIS software; field equipment, e.g. field telephone, binocular, staff uniforms, safety equipment; essentials for monitoring programs; and staff development in skills such as interpretation, education, monitoring, research. The project will finance distinct investments/activities in each of the five protected areas, as follows:
* Plitvice NP (US$0.52m): The project will finance preparation of a park management plan; laboratory equipment for the research facility; and mowing equipment. * Paklenica NP (US$0.39m): The project will finance the "Recovery of the Eurasian Vulture (Gyps fulvus) Project" by providing equipment, education material, and monitoring equipment. * Risnjak NP (US$0.44m): The project will finance rescue equipment, horses and equipment; a traveling exhibit; camp site facilities. * North Velabit NP US$1.69m): The project will finance preparation of a park management plan. * Velebit Nature Park (US$1.08m): The project will finance preparation of a park management plan; field vehicles; rehabilitation of existing and construction of new mountain shelters and camp sites; and fire control equipment.
5 (iv) Conservation and Rural Revitalization Grants Program (CRRG) ($0.70) The goal of this sub-component is to demonstrate of linkages between rural development and biodiversity conservation. The main activity under this sub-component is the financing of CRRG program (US$0.5 m) for communities within and adjacent to the project protected areas. The CRRG Grants program will support projects that further the KEC project development objective. The beneficiaries would include community based organizations, NGOs, private entrepreneurs, and local residents. The grants will be available on a local level to farmers, artisans, entrepreneurs, businesses, NGOs, etc. to fund activities which support linkages between sustainable use of natural resources, economic development (particularly nature based tourism) and biodiversity conservation. The grants will support local communities to develop small businesses, such as tourism services, crafts, food services; support demonstration projects such as traditional agricultural activities, forestry and water resource related projects. This sub-component will also finance a local cattle breeds protection program; and rehabilitationof the Gacka river springsfacility which is a cultural heritage and biodiversity conservation site.
(v) Regional cooperation program for karst ecosystem conservation (US$0.17m). Under this sub-component partnerships with Croatia's neighbors, particularly Slovenia (Risnjak and Kupa River Project), will be financed to encourage and support trans-boundary solutions to biodiversity conservation. The project will finance the inventory and monitoring of the biodiversity of springs, groundwater, caves, meadows, forests and cliffs of the border region between Croatia and Slovenia in the Risnjak National Park region. It will finance the preparation of the Risnjak National Park Management plan in coordination with Slovenia. The project will finance a tourism marketing plan for the Croatia/Slovenia border region; promotional materials; international workshops; and participation of protected area staff in karst workshops. The project will finance study tours to European countries including France; and participation in international and regional workshops, training and conferences.
Component 3: Project Management and Monitoring (GEF US$ 0.91 million; GOC US$0.41 million)
The MEPP will have overall responsibility for implementation of the five year project. A national level project implementation unit (PIU) will be established in the MEPP Division of General Environmental Policy. The PIU will build on the existence of the KEC project preparation implementation unit. The PIU will be responsible for all procurement, disbursement and financial management aspects of the project as well as oversee the work of consultants, organize seminars and training. The PIU will be responsible for coordinating with other donors in the implementation of components which will be supported through parallel and co-financing. It will also be responsible for all reporting requirements to the Bank and the Government. It will be staffed by a project director, procurement and disbursement specialist, financial specialist and an assistant, funded under the project.
The project would also finance a local PIU office in Gospic, the county seat of Lika Senj. The local PIU office, provided by the government, will be in the county department office building which houses local offices for all sectors and for physical planning. This will facilitate local level inter-sectoral coordination and planning.
6 The PIU would be assisted by an inter-agency Project Steering Committee established during project preparation. The Steering Committee consists of representatives from relevant Ministries and institutions, including Ministry of Environmental Protection and Physical Planning, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, State Department for Water, and the directors of the protected areas covered by the project. The Steering Committee would be responsible for providing project oversight advice, inter-ministerial coordination, and assistance in resolving issues associated with project implementation. The Minister for Environmental Protection and Physical Planning will be chairman for this committee.
Local advisory groups from each of the three main project regions (Plitvice, Paklenica, and the Velebit), selected by, and comprised of, representatives of key stakeholder groups, will also assist the PIU. Table 1 shows the structure of the PIU.
7 Table 1: Structure of the PIU
I MEPP
Program Director
NAT'L PIU | Local PIU (Gospic')| Coordinator X Procurement , Finance Coordin ator | Assistant Assistant Env Spec 3 Env Specialist m Env Spec i -v Env Specialist
Project Design Rationale: The KEC project components were developed based on the results of six background studies conducted under project preparation: Social Assessment, Comprehensive Biodiversity Survey, Physical Plans Review, Land Use Review, Public Awareness Study, and National Parks Assessment. The project has been designed to address the threats and constraints to biodiversity conservation. The project design was based on follows a rationale which considers the problems, underlying causes, and desired changes in the status of biodiversity conservation. The Project Design Rationale is found in Table 2:
8 Environmental Impacts of the project.
Of the three components, only Component 2 includes activities which may have negative environmental impact. Project activities which could have negative environmental impacts are related to: (i) small civil works to improve protected area facilities and management; and (ii) a small grants program (ceiling of $25,000@) to fund activities which demonstrate linkages between sustainable natural resource use, tourism and biodiversity conservation.
Civil Works:
Works to be financed by the grant are: building or rehabilitation of recreational and interpretive trails; rehabilitation of existing structures for visitor centers, visitor roads in parks, information & education, and management offices and research; rehabilitation of the building at a local tourism attraction for cultural heritage; rehabilitation and construction of camp sites, and travelers' way stations. The potential negative environmental impacts associated with rehabilitation of infrastructure are construction related. Construction may contribute to air and water pollution from wastes through increased traffic and visitor use. During rehabilitation, vegetation may be removed, exposing the soil to rain, wind and other disturbances. Use of heavy machinery and storage of materials may compact the soil making it less permeable. Rehabilitation activities may result in increased noise and dirt during the construction phase. The effects of construction works on the environment, biodiversity or public health will not be significant. Environmental impacts are only foreseen during the period of the initial phase and will be localized. The project will ensure that adequate mitigation measures are incorporated within the contract agreements so that all anticipated environmental impacts will be avoided as much as possible or minimized where unavoidable.
CRRG programfor rural revitalization.
Under the CRRG Program, small grants will be awarded to farmers, entrepreneurs, NGOs, etc., on a competitive basis, for projects which will increase economic activity in the project area whilst ensuring biodiversity conservation and environmental protection. Small grants could include activities such as conservation of mountain meadows, organic farming, handicrafts production, wood processing. Some of the proposed small grant funded activities could have negative impacts on the environmnent.
Tourism
Although the project is designed specifically to preempt negative environmental impacts which could accompany the predicted increase in tourism in the project region, in so far as promotion of nature based tourism is included in the project, there could be negative environmental impacts indirectly related to the KEC project. Potential consequences of increased visitor use include trampling and subsequent loss of ground vegetation, shrubs, tree seedlings, and erosion. Increased use of camping and trail facilities could result in loss of vegetation cover, loss of tree regeneration, loss of species and alteration of composition of vegetation, and soil changes including loss of organic matter, compaction
9 and erosion. There may be increased demands placed on water supplies and sewage disposal facilities, increased road traffic and other additional effects including crowding, littering, and threats to water quality, human health, wildlife and cultural resources .
Miti2ation:
Civil Works The project will ensure that infrastructure rehabilitation, visitor development and management activities will not adversely impact upon the natural, historical and cultural sites in the project area. Mitigation measures will constitute an integral part of the contracts binding the contractors to carry out the environmental obligations during rehabilitation and refurbishment works. Standard bidding documents will have environmental precautionary clauses which would incorporate the following;
* Preservation of the natural landscape as much as possible, by conducting operations in a manner that will prevent any unnecessary destruction of the natural surroundings, * Proper siting including laying out proper drainage and designating a place for placing waste; introducing systems for work such as storage and waste collection; and ensuring that everyone on site follows these systems, * Prevention of accidental spillage of contaminants, debris, or other pollutants, especially into streams or underground water resources, * Minimization of air and water pollution by sprinkling or other methods.
Specific mitigation details for dust, noise, solid and liquid wastes, sanitation and impacts on nature are included in table 3.
Siting of the new works, e.g. trails, camping sites, will avoid ecologically sensitive, difficult or unsafe areas. The location of marked trails at project sites (national and nature parks) will be chosen so as to limit future environmental impacts from visitors. These will not be located inside the core protected areas. Their design, construction and managcment will be in accordance with World Bank environmental guidelines and with the Croatian EIA process, based on the "Decree on Environmental Impact Assessment, 1997."
Trails will be designed to take full advantage of its natural surroundings and to take into consideration the amount of resource damage caused by trail use. The following factors will be assessed in siting of all project activities.
* Location of ecologically sensitive areas, wildlife and plants, * Soil characteristics, slope, topography, drainage and susceptibility to erosion, * Access planning, and traffic management, * Type of use (hiking, backpacking, trail biking etc.), * Safety of visitors, * Access requirements for fire management, * Visitor needs and expectations, * Ongoing cost of maintenance.
10 Adequate signing and mapping will be provided to keep trail users from wandering off the trail and creating new ones. Regular checking and monitoring of trail condition will be undertaken by park staff to ensure timely repair and maintenance work. The ecotourism management plan for the park/area will ensure that long term planning will take into consideration rubbish disposal, campsite facilities such as drinking water, toilets etc. Sensitive landscapes and resources including bird and animal nesting sites or colonies, rare plants, stream corridors and archeological sites will be protected through controlled/restricted access, rehabilitation and education.
CRRGI grants program: The small grants program for rural revitalization will involve small grant awards (ceiling to be determined during appraisal) to farmers, artisans, entrepreneurs, NGOs, on a competitive basis, for projects that increase economic activity in the project area whilst ensuring biodiversity conservation. Small grants could include conservation measures for mountain meadows, handicrafts production, cottage industries, food and lodging services, sustainable agriculture demonstration practices, etc. There will be several aspects of mitigation measures within the program operations. It will be required that submitted proposals include a section on environmental impacts which identifies positive and negative impacts. Selection criteria for proposals favor projects which are environmentally sound with minimal potential for negative impacts. Proposed projects which have a demonstrable positive environmental impact will receive additional attention. It is expected that the projects proposed will largely be very small works related to rehabilitation of facilities for tourist services and attractions; support to cottage industries and handicrafts; and demonstrations biodiversity conservation measures. Categories of projects which are not eligible, e.g. road construction, will be included in the operations manual.
Tourism: The project is specifically designed to balance the volume and type of tourist activity with the sensitivities and carry capacities of the protected areas. Success depends upon informned site selection, sound design and operating guidelines. The project activities include incorporation of biodiversity conservation issues into physical land use and protected area management plans. The project will finance a nature-based tourism assessment and strategy which will include consideration ob biodiversity conservation; identification of potential environmental impacts; alternatives and mitigation measures
Environmental education. An important aspect of promoting environmental protection and mitigating negative impacts involves increasing public awareness and appreciation of Karst ecosystems, their vulnerability and the issues that affect resource management. To this end, education and awareness programs will be established within the parks and will include
(a) Information. To provide an overview of details of park facilities, activities, and regulations (b) Interpretation. To explain and enrich visitors appreciation of the natural systems and processes and natural and cultural features, and (c) Education. To educate the visitors through materials designed to facilitate learning, while focusing on target groups (e.g. visitors with particular interests, school groups, community groups)
Monitoring of conditions
Monitoring and evaluation will be part of the project implementation process to determine significant changes in the landscape, natural resources or use patterns due to the development of park and visitor facilities. This will be initiated under the umbrella of the overall park monitoring programs and will involve initial data collection on a specified set of parameters to establish the baseline condition; monitoring the changes and trends in the indicators over time and; evaluating the significance of changes and trends observed.
Each park will develop monitoring parameters specific to the park in the first year of project implementation. These may include but are not limited to water quality, forest and vegetation condition, consumption/harvest of forest products, biodiversity assessment, impacted campsite monitoring, and trail condition monitoring. The last two will be focused on trails that contain historic or natural features, and campsites that receive moderate to high use by visitors. Campsite assessments will be made during peak visitor season, to determine visitor use trends and patterns, and the results of these assessments will be used to make management decisions. Trail condition surveys will be conducted in conjunction with routine trail maintenance and rehabilitation trips. The parks will also monitor visitor perception and use and their impacts. Specific biological indicators to be included in the monitoring program will be defined in year one of the project and following rehabilitation or restoration work, trails conditions will be monitored on a monthly basis. Details of monitoring are specified in table 2.
12 Table3. General potential Environmental Impacts and mitigation measures
Acthit) Potential Nlitigating Mleasure Costs Institutional Comments impacts/ Issues Responsibility
Rehabilitation of Increase in dust The following measures will be included as a requirement and contrac Will be specified administrative, and noise listed in the bidding document tor in the bidding research and visitor Dust from the transporting and handling of construction works will document centers, and be minimized by water and other means such as enclosure of Interpretative construction sites. To reduce noise, construction will be restricted facilities during certain hours Contamination All debris, construction and wood waste will be stored within the from work site. Wood waste will be stored separately and arranged to be Construction recycled instead of disposing it. Open burning and illegal dumping waste, e.g. trails will not be permitted. Proper sites for earth /clay and sand disposal will be determined and prior approval from relevant authority for disposal will be obtained. Stock piling construction debris on site will be avoided and waste will be disposed of on an regular basis at the authorized government dumping ground.. Debris chutes will be provided to transfer debris efficiently from higher floors to the ground floor to prevent dust nuisance. Increased health The contractor's will be located so as to preserve the natural risks environment (such as trees and other vegetation) to the maximum from unsanitary extent possible. conditions
13 Activity Potential Nlitigating Nleasure Costs Institutional Comments impacts/ Issues The folloiwing measures will be included as a requirement and Responsibility listed in the bidding document Trails, public Impacts on fauna New campsites selection will be based on a set of criteria that facilities such as and flora, includes but is not restricted to location, visitor use, site toilets, check characteristics such as habitat type/cultural significance, slope and points, signposts expansion potential. and picnic tables soil erosion and New trail design will consider soil characteristics, slope, changes in water topography, drainage and susceptibility to erosion, access planning, runoff and traffic management, type of use (hiking, backpacking, trail biking etc.), safety of visitors, access requirements for fire management, visitor needs and expectations, location of ecologically sensitive areas, wildlife and plants and ongoing cost of maintenance. Degradation of Suitable sites will also be identified for the installation of site conditions signboards that indicate trail names, landmarks and points of by crowding, interest, educational information, warnings, distances, public littering and facilities etc. Garbage receptacles will be placed in strategic points destruction of (e.g. campsite, stop-over/rest areas, jump-off and arrival points) trails Visitor education about park rules and regulations on garbage control Disturbance of Place control measures like bars and fences in sensitive areas Wildlife Put up signs to remind visitors of wildlife sensitivity.
Damage to Set-up boardwalks and handrails to prevent people from veering off limestone the established lane. formation Discourage touching of limestone formation.
Need to include a table for impacts of the 3 demonstration projects, the springs project, and the small grants program.
14 Table 4: Monitoring plan
Phase Whal parameter Where How is theparameter to be When Why is the Responsibility is to be is the monitoredl t,pe of monitoring Is the parameter to be parameter to be monitored? parameter to equipment? monitored-frequeniy of monitored? he monitored measurement ? Construction Fust At all Site supervision and inspection Weekly visits to the field site To reduce the Ministry of phase Noise construction by staff as well as feedback air/water pollution Environment staff Solid wastes sites from local residents hazards to people as Soil compaction, well as preserve the Park staff is it is a water runoff natural environment park facility
During Trail conditions National park Using trail condition surveys Monthly park patrolling To minimize Park staff project in parks to be (descriptions) by park staff disturbance to the implementati determined natural environment on and steer visitors away from sensitive areas During Campsite At all Using checklists to assess daily Ongoing as part of park guards To ensure that Park staff project condition such as campsites in campsite conditions, including duties existing facilities are implementati litter and waste selected garbage accumulated and toilet used correctly and on disposal, national parks facilities. maintained properly sanitation, to reduce risks of pollution During Number of At designated Visitor register books Ongoing as part of park guards To assess trends in Park staff project visitors, their national parks maintained at entry points in duties visitor use implementati impacts and to be the park/ fees collected. For effective on perceptions determined management Observation of visitors use of purposes parks resources
15 Phase Whatparameter Where How is the parameter to be When Why is the Responsibility is to be is the monitored/type of monitoring Is the parameter to be parameter to be monitored? parameter to equipment? monitored-frequenct of monitored? be monitored measuremenr ? During Water quality At selected Measuring biological As part of tourism impact To monitor water Park staff project monitoring creeks and contaminants monitoring program pollution implementati streams in (such as Biological Oxygen on national parks Demand, coliform bacteria), physical contaminants (such as silt content )and chemical contamination During Historical sites Historical sites Observations of visitor patterns Weekly visit to the sites or To protect the Park staff project monitoring within selected and use of historical sites, ongoing as part of park guards historical sites implementati national parks duties on
During Forest and At selected Using indicator species, Biannual surveys of Ensure conservation Park staff project vegetation national parks percentage of forest and ground biodiversity status or as part of of natural implementati condition cover, density etc. management plan biodiversity in the on implementation national parks
16 Institutional arrangements
The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Physical Planning will have overall responsibility for project implementation. The PIU arrangements have been previously described in the Project Implementation Plan (PIP). Required monitoring programs will be established to identify and measure specific parameter and monitoring patterns and changes in the different components of the natural systems that represent the Karst ecosystem. Thus any impacts from project activities can be monitored.
Within each park, staff will be responsible for establishing a baseline for data and a regular monitoring program and data collection. The grant will finance equipment and goods, as needed, to conduct a thorough monitoring program. Data collected from monitoring will be analyzed and used by park management for decision making or to target and shape mitigation efforts where necessary. It could also be used for informing and educating staff, the public and local communities.
The national parks will also be required to submit annual monitoring reports to the PIU for evaluation. The outputs of the monitoring programs will be used by the Ministry of Environment to develop and implement management policies, strategies and actions that permnit the recreational use of parks without compromising their ecological and aesthetic integrity.
For the rehabilitation works regular inspection of the sites will be conducted by the park management to oversee and monitor the compliance of environmental procedures and requirements during construction. In case of violations of the guidelines, the contractor will be held fully responsible and furthermore required to carrying out remedial action in the area.
Table 5: Data collection, analysis and submission for monitoring for protected Areas (specific species to be monitored will be determined during appraisal)
Type of data Collection Analysis Preparation Submission of Frequency Final authority of reports reot Indicator Park field Park staff Park staff MEPP - Nature Quarterly MEPP species, staff, Protection Water quality, researchers, Division Campsite data Visitor data Forest cover PIU Trail condition
Public Consultation Process
The project aims to promote greater public awareness of the role of people's participation and people's organizations in conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. A variety of techniques was utilized during preparation for public consultation including site visits to protected areas, communities; public meetings and a series of national level workshops to give an overview of the project and its activities. A brochure describing the project was prepared, distributed widely in the project region, and served as a basis
17 for seven local level discussions regarding the draft design. A social and rural assessment was conducted with field work occurring from June 26 - August, 15, 2000.
A goal of the KEC project is to allow people living within the vicinity of the protected areas to contribute to the sustainability of the protected area in terms of its natural resources base, its potential for tourism, as well as to derive economic benefits from the sustainable use of natural resources.
Future consultation. In order to successfully balance the recreational use of the park with its conservation, park managers and Ministry of Environment staff project implementation team will continue to provide support to the local communities and be engaged in close consultation with the public and interest groups at the local, district level and national level. These meetings will be focused on ensuring that people most affected by the project, and affecting the implementation of the project activities are made aware of the mitigation measures to be implemented. Local level project advisory boards will be formed in each protected area region under the project whose duties will include review of the small grants projects which will occur in their region as well as the impacts of the demonstration projects. This will ensure local level review of the environmental impacts of any proposed project activities.
18 Table 1: Rationale for project design
Problems Causes Desired Changes in the Status Associated KEC Project Components/sub- of Biodiversity components/activities Conservation (Solutions) 1. Insufficient 1. Strengthening national capacity to capacity to conserve biodiversity and support conserve sustainable resource use biodiversity in karst region across the country 1.1 Weak legal, 1.I Harmonization of 1.1 Legal and regulatory regulatory, and biodiversity related framework review and institutional basis regulation with BC subsequent revisions to for karst BC objectives. Incorporation incorporate of BC concerns in non-BC biodiversity sector regulations and conservation and legislation sustainable use of natural resources (Law on Nature Conservation and other sectoral laws). Review of and amendments to the biodiversity-related regulation, intersectoral harmonisation and development of co-ordinating mechanisms and decision-making decentralisation.
1.2 No capacity to 1.2 Improved BC in physical, 1.2 Strengthen the national capacity to ensure BC in land PA planning and ensure biodiversity conservation use and PA management planning
1 .2.a. No central 1.2.a. Improved information 1 .2.a. Pilot project on biodiversity repository for BC dissemination information dissemination - web site on information to biodiversity guide planning process & decision making
1.2.b. No capacity to 1.2.bGuidelines for 1.2.b Biodiversity conservation and soil incorporate BC incorporation of BC protection guidelines and training for land- into planning concerns used. use and sectoral planning processes
1.2.c. Inadequate 1.2.c Local level involvement 1.2.c. Preparation of guidelines for local and involvement of in PA and BC decision NGO participation in protected area locals and NGOs making management planning 19 Problems Causes Desired Chanmes in the Status Associated KEC Project Components/sub- of Biodiversity components/activities Conservation (Solutions) in PA management
1.2.d. No strategy for 1.2.d. Decision making guided 1.2.d. PA system market analysis, promotion PA management by analysis and strategic and marketing plan related to BC planning
1.2.e. Weak PA 1.2.e. PA managers have 1.2.e Development and implementation of management training and resources PA ranger training programmes capacity adequate to do their job
1.3 Discrepancy 1.3New PAs established as 1.3. Expansion of species and taxa under between PAs and appropriate based on M&E legal protection protected species of region 1.3.a. Assessment of Ogulin PA establishment 1.3.b. Assessment of the Kupa Valley PA establishment 1.3.c. Revision of list of taxa under protection by law 1 .3.d. Designate the network of highly significant biodiversity hot spots 1.3.e. Analysis of Ogulin biodiversity and water management issues 1.3.f. Equipment for underwater monitoring in Ogulin
1.4. Insufficient 1.4 Improved M&E of 1.4 Biodiversity inventory, mapping and scientific data to biodiversity in karst monitoring identify current ecosystems 1.4.a. Inventory and mapping of the status or trends in biodiversity components for priority areas* biodiversity (flora and fauna, karst biotopes, genetic diversity of target species, land cover mapping according to CORINE nomenclature)
1.4.b. Monitoring of the biodiversity components for project region (populations of target threatened species, selected karst biotopes)
1.4.c. Conduct monitoring programs for large carnivores in migration corridors
1.4.d. Inventory of the caves and related hydrogeological data
1.4.e. Development of karst ecosystem biodiversity GIS and data base and train staff
1.4.f. purchase GIS equipment 1.5 Lack of public 1.5 Strong public support of 1.5 Increased public awareness and awareness and BC. Increased ______.._____J______V support_for_biodiversity_conservation 20 Problems Causes Desired Chan2es in the Status Associated KEC Project Components/sub- of Biodiversitv components/activities Conservation (Solutions) support for BC understanding of karst with active role of NGOs ecology 1.5.a. Development of a public awareness strategy
1.5.b. Development and funding of WEB site and series of TV spots
1.5.c. Development and funding of a WEB site and a serial of TV-spots on the importance and values of karst biodiversity
1.5.d. Annual workshops/festivals on biodiversity in local county centers
1 .5.e. Preparation of travelling exhibition on biodiversity and KEC project
2. Insufficient 2. No perceived 2. KEC proposed initiatives to 2. Establish community-based measures for benefits for locals support economic mechanisms for biodiversity conservation BC in karstic from BC. Lack of development in project region and sustainable resource use in the karst region of most participatory, local & develop linkages between region global level approaches to sustainable natural resource significance- BC. No involvement use, tourism and BC Dinarids of local communities in PA management. Economically depressed region.
2.1 Tourism industry 2.1 Develop tourism potential 2.1 Increase nature based tourism in collapsed after the of KEC region in a sustainable 2.1jIncregion war. Potential and manner ensuring benefits project region approaches for nature reach the local commnunities 2. L.a. Conduct tourism and local business tourism unknown . and biodiversity is conserved tourism development strategy No existing 2. Lb. Develop local tourism capacity cooperation between tourism industry and 2.1 .c. Preparatory and field works on BC mountaineering path in Gorski Kotar
2.2 Lack of 2.2 Local residents and NGOs 2.2 Increased local public awareness and knowledge on local advocate and promote BC support for BC with awaroless nd level of karst biodiversity values 2.2.a. Prepare park promotional materials/brochures for park visitors and local populations 2.2.b. Prepare biodiversity field guides for project region 2.2.c. NGOs implement educational public awareness and educational activities (small grant program)
2.3 Weak PA and have infrastructure, 2.3 Improve Protected Area management
21 Problems Causes Desired Changes in the Status Associated KEC Project Components/sub- of Biodiversitv components/activities Conservation (Solutions) services for BC. equipment, skills, & Insufficient capacity community involvement and materials for necessary for effective local staff to manage management. 2.3ca. NP PlihiceLakes Planning & Pas. Weak M&E of . .s. BC. Local people not * Each PA in the KEC Management System involved in PA region has a management 2.3.a.i.. Develop staff skills management plan in place and enforced 2.3.a.i. (i) training in interpretation and that includes BC concems education
* Staff have skills, 2.3.a.i. (ii) Develop and implement "People equipment to do their and Park's community participation program jobs. 2.3.a.i (iii) training in biodiversity
Local communities. are monitoring best practices involved in decision 2.3.a.i. (iv) research exchange programs making for PA & BC 2.3.a.ii. Establish planning and managements
* Trained PA staff and systems necessary materials for 2.3.a. ii.(i) development park management educational, promotional, plan and interpretative 2.3.a.ii (ii) establish biodiversity research activities. and monitoring facility (equipment & M&E
* M&E programs for program) biodiversity in place in 2.3.a.ii.(iii) conduct research & monitoring all PAs. program 2.3.a.ii (iv). Establish biodiversity information systems (hardware and GIS software, GIS training) 2.3.b NP Paklonica - Improved interpretation facilities and skills development 2.3.b.i Improved interpretation and education facilities - rehabilitate visitor center 2.3.b.ii. Provide equipment 2.3.b.iii. Develop staff skills (same as Plitvice) 2.3.b.iv Recovery of Eurasian Vulture program- equipment 2.3.c NP Risnjak - Improved interpretation and Monitoring facilities and skills development 2.3.c.i Improve visitor center interpretation and education facilities - equipment 2.3.c.ii Improve biodiversity management 2.3.c. ii (i)field equipment 2.3.c.ii (ii) establish biodiversity information & monitoring facility - equipment & training 22 Problems Causes Desired Changes in the Status Associated KEC Project Components/sub- of Biodiversity components/activities Conservation (Solutions) 2.3.c.iii Develop staff skills (same as NP Plitvice) 2.3.c.iv Improve protected area management - equipment for visitor center, field facilities, monitoring, etc. 2.3.d NP Northern Velebit - Planning and Management system 2.3.d.i Establish administrative structure 2.3.d.i (i) refurbish building for visitor center 2.3.d.i (ii) build field works, trails, signs, etc. 2.3.d.i (iii) provide vehicles 2.3.d I (iv) visitor center & field equipment 2.3.d.i (v) office technical equipment 2.3.d. ii Develop staff skills (same as Plitvice) 2.3.d.iii Establish planning and management systems 2.3.d. iii (i) prepare park management plan 2.3.d. iii (ii) establish biodiversity M&E system 2.3.d. iv Improve protected area management- provide field equipment 2.3.e PN Velebit Planning & Management 2.3.e.i Establish management structure 2.3.e.i (i) rehabilitate visitors center 2.3.e.i (ii) construct field works 2.3.e I (iii) purchase vehicle 2.3.e.i (iv) provide visitor center & field equipment 2.3.e I (v) provide office technology 2.3.e.ii Develop staff skills (same as Plitvice) 2.3.e iii Establish planning & Management systems 2.3.e.iii (i) develop park management plan 2.3.e.iii (ii) establish biodiversity information center - equipment, GIS 2.3.e.iv Improve protected area management equipment, mountain shelters, camp sites, fire control equipment
23 Problems Causes Desired Changes in the Status Associated KEC Proiect Components/sub- of Biodiversity components/activities Conservation (Solutions)
2.4. Lack of 2.4 KEC project initiatives to knowledge/ofknowlede/of & supportupport economicconomi 2.4rrldvlpet&R Demonstration of linkages between opportunities/for development in the KEC rural development & BC sustainable resource project region and develop use & BC activities. linkages between sustainable 2.4.a. Rural 1 revitalisation small grants No perceived resource use, nature based program (conservation of mountain linkages between tourism and BC. meadows, organic farming, handicrafts economic benefits for production, wood processing, etc.) stakeholders and * Demonstrate to local 2.4.b. Implementation of Gacka river conservation population economnic springs area protection and revitalization of priorities.Loss of benefits of BC and cultural heritage (mills) natural & cultural sustainable NR use 2.4.c.Project for protection of local cattle heritage. breeds * Gacka River Springs cultural heritage site restored to operation.
* Local cattle breeds preserved
2.5 Minimal trans- 2.5 New mechanisms for 2.5 Regional Cooperation Programme for boundary trans-boundary programming; Karst Ecosystem Conservation cooperation. Little and regional & intemational (exchange of information, tourism regional or cooperation for BC in karst promotion and partnerships with other international level regions karst regions) planning, 2.5.a. Inventory & monitoring of biodiversity management or between Croatia & Slovenia exchange of ideas 2.5.b. Implement trans-boundary management plan for PA shared by Croatia & Slovenia 2.5.c. joint slovenia/croatia tourism marketing plan 2.5.d. promotional materials for Croatian/Slovenia park system 2.5.e. international workshops 2.5.f. attend regional karst BC conferences 2.5.g. Partnership program 3. 0 Project Management
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