RSPO NOTIFICATION OF PROPOSED NEW PLANTING

This notification shall be on the RSPO website for 30 days as required by the RSPO procedures for new plantings (http://www.rspo.org/?q=page/53). It has also been posted on local on-site notice boards.

Date of notification:

Tick whichever is appropriate √ This is a completely new development and stakeholders may submit comments.

This is part of an ongoing planting and is meant for notification only.

COMPANY: Golden Veroleum () Inc.

SUBSIDIARY (If any): RSPO Membership No .: 1-0102-11-000-00 Ordinary member Approved 29/08/2011,

Location of proposed new planting: Garraway and Grand Cess Wedabo Districts, Grand Kru County, Republic of Liberia (See location map) Figure 1. Location map of New Planting Area within Garraway and Grand Cess Wedabo, reference to the Republic of Liberia Figure 2: Location Map: Project Area in Garraway and Grand Cess Wedabo Districts Figure 3: & Agriculture Land Use area map of New Planting Block 1.0 SUMMARY FROM SEIA ASSESSMENTS

GOLDRN VEROLEUM (LIBERIA) entered into a concession agreement in 2010 with the Government of Liberia for the development of oil palm plantation in five (5) counties in Liberia: Grand Kru, Sinoe, Maryland Rivercess and Grand Kru. The signed and ratified Concession covers five counties in Southeastern Liberia with a total of approximately 500,000 acres (220,000 hectares). The concession agreement provides for the Government and GVL to implement a social and community development program, which include employee housing, education and medical care. Additionally, a Liberian smallholder program is to develop 100,000 acres (40,000 hectares) of oil palm in support of local Liberia oil palm farming initiatives in the fourth year of the company’s operation. In addition, the project provides that in 15 years’ time, the project will generate 35,000 jobs in these 5 counties with Grand Kru (one of the counties having 35,000 jobs). The project covers a total area of interest of 97,000 hectares. The concession also provides for GVL to construct about 16 mills and 2 seaports within 15 years. The concession agreement from which this project derives has a period of 65 years with an option for renewal.

An Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) was mandated through the agreement to be undertaking by the company in fulfillment of the terms and agreement of the concession. Accordingly, annex 1 section 6 of The Act Adopting the Environmental Protection and Management Law of the Republic of Liberia, approved November 26, 2002 calls for such project to be subjected to an environmental impact assessment. In compliance to the act, Golden VerOleum (Liberia) Inc, in Jul 2011 commissioned the ESIA study of 97,000 hectares of land from which the company was expected to cultivate its actual planting areas as provided and agreed by the local communities. The new planting area of 37.981 hectare was inclusive of this study area. As a result of the evaluation of the report by stakeholders including governmental and local and international non governmental organization both within the agriculture and environmental sectors; validation and presentation of the report within the project communities and the subsequent approval of the content of the report by communities, a two-year environmental permit: EPA/EC/ESIA/001-1111 was then granted to the company on November 23, 2011 by the EPA. The permit serves as an official and legal endorsement from the Government of Liberia that the area studied satisfies all environmental requirements in line with the Government of Liberia and that land cultivation can begin in line with the company own policy. Assessment within the new planting of 37, 891 hectares found out that there issue of concession overlapping with other concession was not found as the local communities are willing to give land free of any local dispute whether insignificant and localized.

In regards to GVL international compliance with the Round Table for Sustainable Oil Palm that calls for the fulfillment of its New Planting Procedure (NPP) by all its member, the company on July 2013 commissioned an independent HCV assessment of the 37,985 ha proposed new planting area. The assessment of the area was meant to identify, demarcate and map areas of high conservation value. These processes were achieved by means of site assessment, consultation with local communities and stakeholders and random transect walk within the proposed new planting area. The activities involved in the assessment centered on the evaluations of project communities, forest areas, surface waters, sacred areas etc. The assessment enlisted the support and participation of the representatives of local communities and GVL teams. Effort from this study was essential in building upon reports from previous High Conservation Value assessment conducted during the ESIA study in 2011. Prior to the assessment local communities were informed and sensitize on the importance of the study, its contribution toward protecting their livelihood forest areas, waters and sacred sites as well as identifying and demarcating important forest environments. The HCV assessment was conducted through the use of satellite imagery and GIS analysis. The study also included field surveys to identify, demarcate and involved participatory mapping of sacred sites, old towns, community cemetery and environmental sensitive areas in reference to high

Communities were also informed and sensitized about the entire NPP process, HCV assessment and the process steps and activities of the high level flow chart of the RSPO Procedure for New Planting. This was done through focus group discussion, broad and local level stakeholders meetings and community town hall consultations.

All of these were achieved through working along with representatives from GVL and the local communities. Town representatives were selected to work with the team in identifying and demarcating HCV 1-6. Other processes leading to the HCV assessment include the analysis of satellite imagery and data generated through the use of GIS, field surveys to identify and demarcate sacred sites, community cemetery, and environmental sensitive areas, The process involved the support of all the communities and GVL representatives.

1.1 Project Area and Location

The proposed project area is part of the 97,000 hectares permitted area, which lies within Thren Statutory District, Garraway and Grandcess-Wedabo Districts. The land area within Garraway district spread through six major towns of Genoyah, Nyanbo, Piddy, Nemiah (Wilsonville and Andrewville), Weteken and Garraway Beach. These towns fall under a single umbrella of towns called the Jaboh people. The rest of the land area falls in Grand Cess Wadabo District within the towns of Gbarken, Weteken and Gbanken (Wadebo) B.

The area is encompassed with six vegetation types which include agricultural areas mixed with patches of scattered forest (predominantly young fellow bushes), agriculture degraded forest, closed dense forest, littoral ecosystem, open dense forest and area already cultivated by the local for agriculture

Most of the streams and creek are surrounded by long stretch of secondary and intermediate serving as riparian management zones for most of the surface water. The remaining vegetation of the areas are made of savanna land, inland wetlands and mangrove swamps along the coast.. There are few steep slopes where the vegetation found are considered ecologically sensitive to flora and fauna species. Climbers and vines are scattered throughout the area, especially in the intermediate forests belts. The project area is well drained with a network of braided streams and rivers running across the area. The Dewea River, the Thren River, Norr River, Po River, the Lo Creek, the Joda River, Gen, Killay, Kullor, Doeh, Kulor, Jloh, Nippy, Hene Creek Deyea Creek and Wettiken are few of the major surface water bodies in the area. 1.2 Need The Southeastern part of Liberia where the project is based is considered poverty stricken recorded in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) prepared for Liberia. The information on the country poverty index, shows a poverty head count of more than 67.2-76.7% for this region, which includes Grand Kru County. The poor road condition and lack of major infrastructural development, couple with the large migration of most of its citizens for better living condition has made the county Grand Kru the poorest in the region, despite its large land size and resource potential.

The low population and high poverty rate in the area is largely due to the lack of infrastructure and investment, which is compelling the youthful population that are not attracted to farming and mining to migrate to other areas of the country. Moreover, until lately the county has been largely isolated from the rest of the country, due to the lack of roads and with many of the major bridges damaged. The inaccessibility of the county remains one of the major challenges to the country’s agriculture productivity. This has left many of the population in the area without food. The County Development Agenda notes that more than 70% of households are said to be food insecure or vulnerable to food insecurity.

In light of the above condition of the county, it is clear that this project fits within the framework of the Poverty of Liberia Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) prepared in 2007. The PRS is a home –grown strategy for overcoming poverty in the country through a sustainable development program of socio-economic growth. In support of the PRS, the project has potential to create jobs, provide basic social services, add value to Liberia’s oil palm sector and generate sufficient revenues from taxes to support GOL post war development agenda. The Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) prepared for by the Liberian Government in 2007 points out that the South-Eastern region, which includes Grand Kru County is one of the highly ranked regions on the nations poverty index; recording a poverty head count of between 67.2-76.7% poverty ranking.

Figure 4: Poverty Head Count GVL has indicated its determination to ensuring that its oil palm development activities are environmentally friendly, and in accordance with the principles and criteria of the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (“RSPO”). This commitment is based on the following reasons:

 Degraded areas and savanna dominate the proposed project area. There is also commitment on the part of the company to isolate or avoid original or primary forest, diversity areas, traditional forests etc.  A perennial tree crop like oil palm provides permanent crop cover to reduce soil erosion especially where terracing and natural ground cover are used.  The minimum use of pesticide which could potentially pollute surface water body due to the fact that the plant is not seriously affected by pests or diseases  Existing and future technology utilizes many plant parts and products, which results in minimal waste generation, which is then managed to mitigate potential environmental impacts.  The crop cycle of 25 years makes it an effective crop in ‘greening’ of the environment.  Sensitive natural forests that are remnant in the area, along with community sacred and reserved forest will be retained during the operation project

1.3 Project Activities

Activities of the project include: Land preparation (i.e. under brushing, felling, bucking, stacking and windrowing); Secondary vegetation with slopes of 0 – 20° will be cleared. In accordance with the Concession Agreement, timber, including some small sized timber or timber of uncommon commercial species may be used for infrastructural development such as bridges, buildings, etc. In addition to the land clearing activities, the following will also be executed.

1) Under brushing 2) Felling 3) Loping, Stacking and Windrowing 4) Infrastructural development (i.e. roads – access road, main road, harvesting road and collection/in field road; drains, bridges and culverts);

At the same time as land is being cleared the construction of infrastructure will begin. As per Liberian laws GVL is also allowed to harvest timber from within its permitted area for its infrastructure development program without the need to acquire timber-harvesting certificate. The concession grants GVL the right to harvest timber within the degraded agriculture land for the project use.

The main infrastructure required for development includes  Roads (access road, main road, harvesting road and collection road)  Bridges  Culverts and drains.

Other activities for the project will include: • Field establishment (i.e. lining, terracing, encourage natural ground cover establishment, holing and field planting); • Maintenance (i.e. pruning, weed control, pest and diseases control, fertilizer application); • Harvesting; and • Rehabilitation to forest and abandonment.

This component of the project is vital from a socio-economic perspective considering the need for road in the project area.

Roads will be constructed to serve the entire field in the plantation. The estate roads will be graveled for all weather use. This can be progressively done as planting is being completed. The width is 6 to 12 meters, with a gravel depth of 20 cm.

Oil palm nursery development (i.e. site selection and operation of double stage nursery);

In the process to commence planting in sections of the approved 97,000 hectares, a nursery site of 100ha has already been given over to the management of GVL by the Jarbo People which comprised of the towns of Garraway Beach, Weteken, Tuaken, Wilsonville, Andrewville, Genoyah, Nyanbo and Piddy all of Garraway District. A formal declaration by the people has already been documented to the company. This nursery site found part of the NPP documentation for the 39,875-hectare incorporated within 97,000ha area permitted by the Environmental Protection Agency for the oil palm project. Clearing of land has not commenced within any area of Garraway and at such no compensation is currently being done.

Net area of GVL Block cultivation of Activity Left out of Planting 2013 2014 2015 TOTAL Area (Ha) palm oil (ha) (forecast) Gross Area: HCV/riparia 1,200 Ha Concession Land 37,985 n zone/old 1000 2500 3000 6,500 area Preparation hectares town Road .. Ha Planting 1000 2500 3000 6,500 Out grower Land Nursery 100 Ha area Preparation Others .. Ha Planting

Land TOTAL 1000 2500 3000 6,500 Preparation

Planting 1000 2500 3000 6,500

These systematic clearing is one of management strategies to remedy the impact on destroying and trapping wildlife, and better preparation of land area. Within three years, approximately 15% (approximately 2300 Ha) of the planned planting area will be structured for the communities' benefit under the out grower program as per the Concession Agreement. The exact areas will be decided upon further consultations and agreement with the respective communities

1.4 Project Alternative

The land use in the project area is predominantly subsistence agriculture heavily relying on slash and burn mechanism in clearing the farm. Additional a number of alluvial mining is occurring in many different part of the county. In the absence of developing he project into an oil palm plantation, the utilization of the area will still involve shifting cultivation which has not proven to be sustainable and has not been able to guarantee food security for the small population of Grand Kru. The land use pattern has not been able to positively transform the poverty stricken condition of the inhabitants. In the absence of the oil palm plantation project, the livelihood of the people will remain unchanged with limited or no aces to basic social services and poor quality of life. Unless there were some other huge interventions from the government or private sector, which is not foreseeable in the immediate future, the lifestyle of the people will remain unchanged. Hence, the no action alternative was assessed and considered in the process of field investigation.

1.5 The Existing Environment

Environmental baseline studies of the Project Area was undertaken by a seven (7) man multidisciplinary team of Evaluators and Field Assistants from GREENCONS), relying to some extent on traditional knowledge within the area. The purpose of this initiative was to gather information in respect to the baseline condition of the area even before the project commences. In March 2013 an eleven personnel GreenCons team conducted an additional field investigation to comprehensively assess the social-economic condition of the towns and villages and to identify all HCV areas within the project areas. All towns and villages within the project areas were involved in the process. Towns and villages appointed their representatives to form part of the study by identifying areas to be set-aside for traditional purposes or uses, etc.

1.5.1 Atmospheric Environment

All indications based on desk based research and information gather from elders in the project area reveals that most of the areas under study in Grand Kru County were previously covered with an evergreen rain forest Rainfall data in the project area recorded in the 60’s puts the rainfall at between 120-140 inches annually. The rainy season extends from April through October, with ±90% of the rainfall occurring between mid-April and mid-October. However, due to recent climate variations, the seasonal patterns seem to be diverting from the status quo. The study was conducted in the month of June, which traditionally should be a rainy period, but very little rain events were observed during the period. The maximum amount of rain recorded during the period of the survey was around 33mm. The area receives a large amount of rain. The humidity is low during the day and increasing slightly as the temperature cools at night. A relative humidity of 70% to 98% was recorded during the study. March and February are reported to be the driest period of the year, relative air humidity decreases to as low as 65%. Total wind speed is greatest in the rainy season and lowest in the dry season. The climate of the area can be described as tropical, experiencing warm dry seasons and cold wet seasons. 1.5.2 Aquatic Environment

Several major creeks, streams, wetlands and rivers flow in and out of the project area. These surface water bodies include the Vanieh Creek, Dailey Creeks, Clardedideh Stream, the Reed Wetland, Geedo Creek, Trehn River, Phea Creek, Kablo Stream, Pluway Creek and Nehtu Stream among. Most of the communities within the project area depend on these aquatic environments for none forest timber product, like the mangrove sticks for fire wood to cook their food as well as dry their fishes and meat. Many of the creeks around the towns are use for drinking, washing, and other domestic purposes. The forest surrounding these water bodies protects them from serious risk to erosion and sediment entering into the water. As a result of this, while some of the water bodies may have high turbidity mainly due to alluvial gold mining in some area, some of the pH of these water bodies is relative in the range of the World Health Organization Water Standard. Several fresh water fish species were seen during the assessment and a number of them reported by the communities. Among the fish seen were Electric catfish, Nurse tetra, Catfish, Grass-eater, African brown snapper, Snakehead and the Red belly tilapia The Nil crocodile was reported by the communities to be found within the wetland.

1.5.3 Geology

In terms of geology, the area is located within the Eburnean Age province. A major tectonic feature within rocks of the Eburnean Age province is the Dube shear zone. It is 2 to 3km wide and has been delineated on the basis of outcrops, topography and magnetic data

1.5.4 Floral Environment

Prolonged anthropogenic activities over the years; the continuous process of slash and burn are two major processes which characterized the project flora vegetation. Six vegetation types which include agricultural areas mixed with patches of scattered forest (predominantly young fellow bushes), agriculture degraded forest, closed dense forest, littoral ecosystem, open dense forest and area already cultivated by the local for agriculture purpose made up the characterization of the vegetation within the project area. There is a close dense forest located west of Genoyah in Garraway District and near the Grand Cess Wadabo District boundary with Garraway District. The area was identified as important landscape area with considerable capacity to maintain its ecological natural processes in a longer term. This forest is an area containing representative populations of natural species that continue to exist with species diameter ranging from 80cm to 300cm in diameter breast height, and due to its location and characterization, it may be wholly or relatively unaffected by recent anthropogenic activities.These different vegetation types have evolved over many years as a result of prolonged anthropogenic activities. The flora vegetation is however dominated by young bushes within the proposed new planting project areas of GVL. Pressure on the forest by the locals, alluvial mining and shifting cultivation has resulted in the decrease of many of the timber species. In addition to the many large tree species like the pit sawing operation for commercial and domestic usages, and uncontrolled bush fire activities had resulted in reduction of the Flora species; nevertheless; the flora vegetation has several occurrences of Diospyros sanzaminka,Lovoa trichilioides, Piptadeniastrum africanum., Erythrophleum ivorense, Uapaca guineensis,Canarrium schweinfurthii,Daniella thuirfera Antiaris Africana,Heritiera utilis, Parinari excelsa. The dominance species increases with age is the Lophira alata (Ekki). In addition to these large timber species, several None Timber Species like the Phragmite Austiali, Raphia palm, Harungaria spp, Elies guineesis, the Calamus spp, Cola affelii, Raphia vinifera, and the Dioscorea spp, were discovered within these vegetation. These NTFPs are dominances within the Wetland areas and young bushes. Two of the predominate NTFP found are Harungaria spp, found mostly in young bush and the presence of Elies guineesis found mostly among old palm bushes. A number of medicine plants like the Pycnanthus anggolesis , Lophira alata, Piptadeniastrum africanum,, Afzelia spp, Canarium schweinfurthii and the Amphimas pterocarpoides, etc were found to be locally used for treating toothached, leprosy treatment, itches, gonorrhea and dysentery among other sicknesses and disease.

1.5.5 Fauna Environment

Assessment within the different vegetation and consultation and interaction with local hunters show the low presence of many large species within the project area. There were several indirect signs of these large mammals such as dung, track and dry skull (hung by hunter). Significant attentions were placed on the Liberian Pigmy hippo due to its biodiversity status as the only type in Africa and as such faces serious threat to its existence and the need to conserve it. Additionally, attention was also place on the presence or signs and nests of chimpanzee within the project area and along these various transects as a result of its migratory nature and the increasing threat places upon it. No signs of these two protected species were discovered within the project area, neither were they reported by the villages. The dominance Fauna species found in these areas includes the Hylochoerus meinertzhageni (Giant Forest Hog), while the least Fauna species found in these areas include the Colobus spp (Red colobus), Python, and Protoxerus stangeri (Forest Giant ). In addition those fauna species reported by the local hunters to be killed or seen include the red Columbus monkey, porcupine, Tree pangolin, Forest hogs, Duikers, Guinea pigs, and the . Several species of birds were discovered within the project site. The Little Swift was predominantly seen in most during most of survey within the area as a result of the presence of many rice farms. Other bird species found within the project area include Swamp palm bulbul, Lattam’s forest francolin,Palm-nut vulture, African palm swift,, Lattam’s forest francolin, White breasted guineafowl, Red-eye dove, Bycanistesfistulator, Red-chested cuckoo, White-crested hombill, Merops gularis, African cuckoo, Senegal caucal and the Little swift, among othes. Two major snakes were also discovered within the project area. The Green Mamba and the Black Mamba.

Aquatic species such as the Nil Crocodile and several fish species were seen and reported within the project area. Most of the fish species were reported to be from the Thren and Dewea Rivers, with the rest being from the major streams and creeks. Some of the fish seen and reported by include the Electric catfish, Nurse tetra, Catfish, Grass-eater, African brown snapper, Snake- head and the Red belly tilapia , African brown snapper , Liberian swamp eel , African butter catfish among others.

Identification of these fauna species was based on attentions given to the tracks, signs and symptoms of fauna during the transect, blood, traps set by hunters, fauna seen dead or alive during the transect and observational walks. These fauna species were identified and notice in the dense secondary forest. Open dense secondary forest, young bush, wetland, degraded agriculture forest and savanna.

1.5.6 Soil Environment

The littoral vegetation stretches across the new planting blocks dominating the southern portions of the blocks towards the Atlantic Ocean. The areas compose mainly of thick low-lying grasses neatly covering the sandy soil. Predominately, the flora species found within the vegetation are palm trees and short stunted hardwood trees. Observation through the assessment is clear that the soil is poor when it comes to cultivation of palm within this area as indicative of the stretches of poorly grown palm trees within the vegetation. Meanwhile soil found in other areas of the project is reddish brown.

The soil type found within the project is composed of ferralsols and regosols. Ferralsols are the classical deeply weathered red or yellow soils of the humid tropics. They are dominated by low activity clays (LAC), mainly kaolinite and sesquioxides. Regosols are characterized by shallow, medium- to fine-textured, unconsolidated parent material that may be of alluvial origin and by the lack of a significant soil horizon (layer) formation because of dry climatic conditions. Coastal sands occur within the narrow coastal belt and also in several small patches further inland.

1.5.7 Land Use

The land in the project area is mostly customary and administered by tribal means. In accordance to their practices, a family who has farmed in a particular area for a period of years will eventually claim ownership in that regards. Land ownership is also done on the basis of quarter claim and also on statutory or by purchase. The usage of the land for agriculture purpose dominates the land usage within the area.

The practice of slash and burn agriculture and shifting cultivation from one area of the forest to another is predominantly the most land use activities exercise by the communities. The fellow period for these activities is between 5-10 years.

The communities use the land for hunting, resourcing local materials for building, sourcing medicinal crops, wood for cooking, timber harvesting and other purposes that may seem essential to them. The forest is also use as a traditional and sacred place in which these communities connect with their ancestors. Rice is mostly grown as a stable food for sustenance along with cassava. Rubber, sugar cane and other cash crops are grown for commercial purposes. The type of vegetation covering most of the project is regarded as suitable for commercial land use practices, which is in reference to the land use suitable map produced by the Forestry Development Authority.

1.5.8 Socio-Economic Environment The social and economic environment of communities within the project area is poor. Living standard of the communities is challenges as employment rate is not only high, but the absence of company within the area has challenged the way of life of these communities. In the absence of such employment, there are others who are employed with the Government of Liberia. Citizens, who do not found part of any of these two entities, are either involve in farming, alluvial gold mining, hunting and petty trading. In the absence of farming, most of the citizens do nothing. The presence of GVL plantation in this area will change the way of lives of the people and bring development within these areas and more than 90% of houses are built of mud and roof thatch

The forest and the none-timber forest product are the two major resources used by the communities as means of livelihood. The forest is used for farming and some of the produce is sold on the local market. The high poverty and lack of income by the local communities has increased their reliance on the forest for all of their building and roofing materials. Petty trading is another social economic activities being practiced. The absence of major social functions and services is a huge challenge for all of the communities. Hunting and fishing account for another economic activities used by individual member of the communities as source of income generating activities, Very small portions of the population of the communities depend on alluvial gold mining as another means of income generation mechanism; however, it is the young people who dominate this activity. As a result of this, a number of these young people have abandoned farming and turn their attention on mining.

1.6 Environmental & Social Assessment, Mitigation and Monitoring

The procedures that have been used to identify potential impacts included standard identification tools as well as discussions with stakeholders, community leaders, community residents as well as other experts. All the activities have been analyzed for potential and such potential impacts were assessed according to a set of assessment criteria and a significance value was assigned. The No Action Alternative was assigned in consideration to the project Potential impacts were identified and their level of significance was assessed. Mitigation measures were proposed for all the identified potential impacts. People, organizations/ institutions and other stakeholders of the project, including interested parties have been identified at local and national level. 2.0 SUMMARY FROM HCV ASSESSMENT (S):

As a result of the rigorous processes during the HCV assessment of the 37, 985 hectare, and following careful investigation and analysis, the assessment findings approved within the area four HCVs: HCV 2, HCV 4, HCV 5 and HCV 6. Prior to the assessment local communities were informed and sensitize on the importance of the study, its contribution toward protecting their livelihood forest areas, waters and sacred sites as well as identifying and demarcating important forest environments. Communities were also informed and sensitized about the entire NPP process, HCV assessment and the process steps and activities of the high level flow chart of the RSPO Procedure for New Planting. This was done through focus group discussion, broad and local level stakeholders meetings and community town hall consultations.

As a result of the level of understanding of the HCV identification process and the importance attributed to it identification, demarcation and mapping, representatives of the various towns were desirous to take the lead in identifying their different places of interest during the assessment. The HCV identification include:

HCV 1: SIGNIFICANT CONCENTRATIONS OF BIODIVERSITY VALUES. Forest areas containing globally, regionally or nationally significant concentrations of biodiversity values (e.g. endemism, endangered species). There are four sub-categories within the toolkit, which set to assess the presence of such forest areas, and each are treated separately below.

Reference to study area There are no areas within or in close proximity to the proposed new planting block with characteristics of HCV 1. In order to reference forest areas containing globally, regionally or nationally significant concentrations of biodiversity values GIS mapping took into consideration distance of the only known proposed protected area and a protected area in proximity to the planting blocks. The two known areas which could be considered in this regard were the Grand Kru-River Gee Proposed Protected Area found in the northwest location of the new planting blocks with a distance of 19km away from the project area and the Sapo National Park also located in the northwest position of the planting block covering a distance of 70.19 km No forested vegetation within the new planting blocks was discovered neither was there seen habitats that support significant concentration of migratory birds of global significance that do not exist with the existing forest areas. Characteristics of these findings it can be concluded that HCV 1.1 to HCV 1.4 is not found within the project area.

HCV 2: LARGE LANDSCAPE LEVEL FORESTS: Forest areas containing globally, regionally or nationally significant large landscape level forests, contained within, or containing the management unit, where viable populations of most if not all naturally occurring species exist in natural patterns of distribution and abundance. Reference to study area During the HCV assessment it was discovered that particular attributes of HCV 2.3 does exist within part of the proposed new planting area. Based on the investigation of the team accompany by town representatives during the various transect walks HCV 2.3 was revealed.

The closed dense forest located west of Genoyah in Garraway District and near the Grand Cess Wadabo District boundary with Garraway District was identified to fall within this HCV. The area was identified as important landscape area with considerable capacity to maintain its ecological natural processes in a longer term. This forest is an area containing representative populations of natural species that continue to exist with species diameter ranging from 80cm to 300cm in diameter breast height. The ages of this forest is between 50 years and above, and has the diameter ranging from 80cm-500cm. Some flora species identified in this area were several occurrences of Diospyros sanzaminka,Lovoa trichilioides, Piptadeniastrum africanum., Erythrophleum ivorense, Uapaca guineensis,Canarrium schweinfurthii,Daniella thuirfera Antiaris Africana,Heritiera utilis, Parinari excelsa. The dominance species increases with age is the Lophira alata (Ekki).

Fauna species found in this Old secondary forest were identifies through direct and indirect sign. One Red Columbus Monkey was noticed in one of the lower branches about 10m away from the transect point. A Jentink’s Duiker and Yellow-back Duiker were spotted by a hunter during the assessment of one of the 50m blocks of the transect walk. A number of squirrels were notice climbing and coming down thick veins of trees. Some of the indirect signs notices during the transect include dung, food remain, tract, foot print of Forest Hog (Hylochoerus menertyhagani and Bush tail Porcupine (Atherurus africanus).

Soil type found in this area is reddish brown, while the ground cover is 30% and canopy cover is 70% in average. The area covers a total of 200 hectares.

HCV 3: FOREST AREAS THAT ARE IN OR CONTAIN RARE, THREATENED OR ENDANGERED ECOSYSTEMS

Reference to study area The investigation concludes that there are no ecosystems considered as rare or threatened. This conclusion was based on the investigation of the team on site, consultation with the Forestry Development Authority and information pertaining to rare, threatened or endangered ecosystems within the project area other, it can be concluded that such ecosystems do not exist within the study area. See forest cover map of the area. An assessment and investigation of the forest cover map of the area and field surveys show the dominance of different type of forested land but none however were considered to have any rare ecosystem likely to be under threatened. There are few forest areas located along the rivers and streams, and those located on slopes in different parts of the proposed area. These ecosystems are not rare although likely to be under threat. The Team can however not currently consider them to be HCV 3. HCV 4: FOREST AREAS THAT PROVIDE BASIC SERVICES OF NATURE IN CRITICAL SITUATIONS (E.G. WATERSHED PROTECTION AND EROSION CONTROL)

Reference to study area Young forest vegetation stretches along side with other major creeks, streams, wetlands and rivers within Genoyah. These surface water bodies include the Vanieh Creek, Dailey Creeks, Clardedideh Stream, the Reed Wetland, Geedo Creek, Trehn River, Phea Creek, Kablo Stream, Pluway Creek and Nehtu Stream among others. Most of these creeks and rivers have served as major obstacles to increase spread of flooding into farmland, village pathways and sometimes bridges and roads. The continuous shading of the waters by the spreading canopies of this vegetation, have kept most of the water bodies ever flowing even during the dry season (Mid October to Mid April. The creeping vegetation around and along these waterways has been critical in erosional control, terrain stability, landslides, avalanches and downstream sedimentation. Predominately, tree species found along the vegetation of these water bodies include the Abura species, Raphia spp, Upaca guinensis, and Xylopia spp among other. The dependence on these streams and creeks by a number of towns within the project area is indicative of the presence of HCV 4, especially as it relate to HCV 4.1 and HCV 4.2

TOWN/VILLAGE USING USAGE/PURPOSE GPS COORDINATE RIVER/STREAM/WETLAND X Y GENOYAH: YANIEH CREEK WASHING ONLY 619649 506408 GENOYAH (YENEGLOKEN): COOKING, WASHING, AND 619128 506451 CLARDEDIDEH STREAM BATHING GENOYAH: YARPLEH WASHING 618462 506821 STREAM GENOYAH:REEDS CONSTRUCTION MATRIALS, 616858 506796 WETLAND(NTFP) FENCING 616935 506750 GENOYAH: GEEDO CREEK WASHING AND DRINKING 617653 506676 GENOYAH: TREHN RIVER FISHING 616833 506813 GENOYAH: PHEA CREEK DRINKING, COOKING AND WASHING 616112 507264 GENOYAH: (YARKEN) BATHING, COOKING KABLO STREAM 618821 507022 YEATEKEN: PLUWAY CREEK DRINKING, COOKING, AND WASHING 618767 507650 GENOYAH: NEHTU STREAM BATHING, COOKING AND WASHING 619247 507243 WILSONVILLE, PENNUKEN WASHING ONLY AND GELATEKEN: DAILEY CREEK 626911 498628 WILSONVILLE, PENNUKEN WASHING ONLY AND GELATEKEN: GBANYON CREEK 626536 497691 WILSONVILLE, PENNUKEN DRINKING AND COOKING AND GELATEKEN: CORNER STREAM 626403 498512 GARRAWAY BEACH: SOURCE FOR CRAB AND MANGROVE WETLAND KISS EAT 619433 500259

619376 499935 619407 500119

GARRAWAY BEACH: DRINKING , COOKING AND NHECHEH CREEK WASHING 618872 498721 ANDREW VILLE (NEMIAN): DRINKING, COOKING AND NHETEWAY CREEK WASHING 625681 494888 ANDREWVILLE(NEMIAH) : DRINKING, COOKING AND GBOVANIE CREEK WASHING 626711 494688 WETEKEN: BETTY CREEK WASHING, COOKING AND DRINKING 623151 502062 WETEKEN: BEHN CREEK WASHING, COOKING AND DRINKING 622584 504086 WETEKEN: TRONEN CREEK WASHING, COOKING AND DRINKING 625667 505117 JLATUAN WASHING ONLY 596440 513155 JLATUAN WASHING ONLY 596669 513051 JLATUAN WASHING ONLY 595183 512948 JLATUAN WASHING ONLY 594336 512386 GBANKEN DRINKING, COOKING AND WASHING 598141 512287 GBANKEN DRINKING, COOKING AND WASHING 598488 512910 GBANKEN DRINKING, COOKING AND WASHING 597538 512128 GBANKEN DRINKING, COOKING AND WASHING 597659 511253

HCV 5: FOREST AREAS FUNDAMENTAL TO MEETING BASIC NEEDS OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES. Reference to study area A number of forest vegetation were assessed and found out to be major areas where communities obtain essential fuel, food, fodder, medicines, or building materials from the forest, without readily available alternatives. Almost all the houses found in the different towns and villages, with the exceptions of few using zinc as roofing material, the rest of the material of the house is taken from the forest. Long distances and very bad road conditions couple with high pricing of modern building materials have almost left communities without alternative for acceptable source of meat and building materials. Some of the forest identified during the HCV assessment around towns and village include those listed below:

Piddy forest,: P1: 617173/501963 P2: 617343/501980 P3: 617197/502222 150m in width and contain the following

Timber species Usage NTFP Usage Medicinal Usage Plant Parkia bicolor Construction, Raphia palm Thatch and wine Alchornea Cough furniture Pycnathus africanus Veneer, plywood Phragnitos Construction, Parkia bicolor Back pain fence Triplochiton Veneer, plywood Cola ntida Edible Ariseama Snake bite scleroxylon Bitter root triphyllum Upaoaca guinesis Contruction, Elaise guinesis Wine, oil, Pycnanthus Toothache furniture cabbage Ceiba pentandra Veneer plywood Xylopia spp Round pole for construction Erythrophleum spp Furniture Newtonia aurevillei Contruction material

P1 626039 498664 P2 626131 498565 P3 626050 498840

Piddy mangrove swamp The areas is mainly used for fishing purpose, and the mangrove wood is also used as fuel for cooking and drying fish

P1: 614750/ 508097 Genoyah forested area P2: 500m nw of p1 P3; 500m sw of p1 Construction Raphia palm Thatch and wine Ariseama Snake bite Danielle thurifera material triphyllum Rail Dioscorea spp. Edible Alchornea Cough Cynometra ananta Entandrophragma Construction Divers spp. Chewing Pycnanthus spp. material africanum Tooth ache Honnoa klaineana Construction Calamus spp. Construction Garcinia Impotency material material Bussea occidentals Furniture Elaise guinesis Wine, oil and cabbage Chrysophyllum spp. Construction material Uapaca guinesis Furniture Nyanbo forest area P1: 618726 504597 P2: 618827 504330 P3: 618888 504515

Pentadesma Construction Phragnitos Fencing and Ariseama Snake bite butyracea material construction triphyllum Piptadeniastrum Construction Dioscorea spp Edible Saururus Stomach afrixanum material carnus pain Pycnanthus Plywood Raphia palm Wine, thatch Carnarium Gonorrhea africanus and other infection Uapaca guinesis Calamus spp. Construction Pycnanthus Tooth ache Construction and africanus furniture Parinari excels Xylopia spp. Round pole for Massularia Malaria and Construction construction fever material Canarium Elaise guinesis Country oil and schweinfurthii Furniture wine Daniella spp Alisma Use to cover Construction cassava when material being cooked Ceiba pentandra Contruction material Hallea cilliata Furniture and construction material Anthonotha fragrans Furniture and decoration

The flora vegetation also contain a number of Non Timber Forest Product (NTFP) within the propose project areas. These NTFPs are dominances within the Wetland areas and young bushes. Two of the predominate NTFP found are Harungaria spp, found mostly in young bush and the presence of Elies guineasis found among old palm bushes.

No NTFP Usage 1 Phragmite austiali Construction 2 Raphia palm Thatch & wine/ construction 3 Harungaria spp Construction 4 Elies guineesis Oil palm/edible 5 Calamus spp Rattan/ construction 6 Cola affelii Bitter root/ edible 7 Raphia vinifera Broom 8 Dioscorea spp Bush yam/edible

Medicinal plants use by local in both Garraway and Grand Cess District Grand Kru County. These flora species are dominances within the propose project area intense of shrub and diameter level

No Medicinal plants Locally use 1 Pycnanthus anggolesis Treating toothache 2 Lophira alata Treating leprosy 3 Piptadeniastrum africanum Treating toothache 4 Amphimas pterocarpoides Dysentry 5 Bussea occidentalis Sleeping sickness 6 Afzelia spp Treating craw-craw 7 Canarium schweinfurthii Treating gonorrhea 8 Amphimas pterocarpoides Treating dysentery 9 Treat abortion 10 Alchornea Treating cough 11 Ariseama tryphyllum Treating snake bite 12 Reduce blood flow during accidental cut & to disinfect Manniphiton spp wounds 13 Massularia spp Fever/malaria

In fact, it was found out that almost all the sicknesses experienced by communities are treatable by some kind of leaves, roots or back of trees.

Other communities assessed relay on the young bushes for building and roofing materials; notwithstanding, majority of the communities relaying on riparian area along rivers, creeks and streams. These communities derive a large part its protein from hunting and fishing in forests where there is no alternative and acceptable source of meat, fish and local building materials. While most of the other towns and villages may be surrounded by some forested vegetation, assessment through most of the farming areas and consultations with communities during meeting shows that communities relay heavily on young bushes in order to avoid the rigorous works required clearing large trees and thick undergrowth. In light of these findings every community have decided to offer portion of their land to GVL while the rest of the land remain for farming. Town and village representatives along with GVL representatives will do survey to these two areas within each community to clearly demarcate the land areas.

HCV 6: FOREST AREAS OF CRITICAL VALUE TO TRADITIONAL CULTURE Reference to study area An assessment and investigation to determine HCV 6 within the project area were done in the entire project community covering nine (9) towns and villages. The assessment took into consideration sacred sites and shrines and cemeteries. Old town abandoned by towns and villages were also considered in the study. Most of the towns that have old town still have ancestral connections with these places. The grave sites of their fore fathers are buried on these grounds. Old farms, fruit trees and other crops are still present on these sits and depended on by communities. HCV assessment within these nine towns identified nine (9) shrines/sacred sites in Garraway and Grand Cess Wadebo Districts. Several cemeteries numbering twenty-six (26) were also identified and a total of nine (9) old town within the new planting area were also assessed. 3.0 SUMMARY OF PLAN

3.1 Management and Mitigation Plans (SEIA & HCV)

The management of GVL has committed herself to the full implementation of the HCV plan as indicated in the identification of all HCV within the entire new planting block and the management procedure to be followed in the management plan of the SEIA. The company has also committed her workers to full will awareness of these HCVs and the objectives of setting these places aside.

Effective monitoring mechanism, which is enhanced by training in HCV management, will be established for the environmental department of the company. The training and essence of these HCVs needs will be directly communicated to other managers and supervisors of the plantation who are mostly and directly working in the field. Training will also be done in the implementation of the plan within the ESIA.

The participatory identification and delineation of HCVs by community representatives is a significant benchmark for HCV management in the study area. This concept provides an understanding that the HCVs are not the property of GVL but rather valuable assets of the community, especially wherein communities had a vital stake in identifying and marking these HCVs and having the different HCVs named after the communities where they are located. In the wake of such understanding of ownership of the HCVs it is much more practical to enlist community participation in the management and monitoring of the HCVs. The management and mitigation plans for the HCV and SEIA is considered below:

3.2 Monitoring, Evaluation and Responses

Periodic monitoring will have internal and external components. • Clearly, internal monitoring by the HCV Unit is important for timely management responses. • A separate agency within the company should evaluate progress annually before the arrival of any independent auditors. • The company should set up accessible information system hat shows key monitoring parameters such as natural forest cover and HCV boundaries. o The emphasis on monitoring should be outcome-based, rather than an administrative exercise of checking on reporting and documentary procedures. • Monitoring should be able to track the indicators of success and similarly capture failure.

Monitoring Indicators

• Identified the number of known cultural, sacred sites and graves identified, demarcated and marked • Documented evidence of local participation in HCV management by allowing their input and recording attendance on each HCV assessment. • Internal and Independent HCV Monitoring and Audit reports should be considered and evidence showing that boundaries of HCVs are known and respected by all. • Always document complaints regarding HCV abuse and or management and actions taken to correct them, including responsible party assigned. • Protocols for management responses need to be developed. o Annually, a lessons-learned exercise should be conducted. Lessons means, what we thought we knew but experience proved otherwise. • Lessons-learned processes involve a) Identification, b) Learning and c) Remembering.

It is expected that at the end of the various monitoring cycles, a quarterly and annually report will be submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency who intend will be able to submit copies to other line ministries such as Agriculture, Water and Sewer, labor, Forestry Development Authority, etc.

3.3 Management and mitigation plan for threats to HCV areas & Management plans to enhance or maintain conservation values of identified HCV areas.

1. HCV 2

Significant landscape forests with viable species Forest areas containing globally, regionally, or nationally significant large landscape level forests, contained within, or containing the management unit, where viable population of most if not all naturally occurring species exist in natural patterns or distribution and abundance. This HCV is present in reference to HCV 2.3, which deals specifically with important landscape area with considerable capacity to maintain its ecological natural processes in a longer term, the HCV exist within the new planting area. Management objective

The Management of GVL should make sure that every dense forested region within her project area should be devoid of land preparation in order to promote the continuous existence of the different type of species leading to the increase in density of forest area and forest growth. The desire to promote the diversity of fauna and flora species within such forest should also be considered. Surface water flow should be unhindered and free from pollution and interruption due to effective mechanism put in place to avoid cultivating such vegetation.

Threat The presence of road toward the area will increase access to forest area mainly by hunters and soon the sanity of the area will be abused. The exploitation of forest product especially non-forest timber by communities is also a threat of consideration. The exploitation of forest products by the local communities will basically increase as a result of the access road leading toward the area.

Management Plan The establishment of buffer stripes toward that section of the forested vegetation bordering the plantation by GVL Management Plan should be enhanced. Since such forest is buffering the plantation, management should ensure that the importance of conserving this vegetation is made known to the communities including concerned stakeholders like the Forestry Development Authority, local and international NGOs most especially those with environmental related background. These actions will highlight the responsible nature of the company and her desire to promote sustainable oil palm production. 2. HCV4.1 and HCV 4.2

Forests critical to water catchments: Forests play an important role in preventing flooding, controlling stream flow regulation and water quality. Where a forest area constitutes a large proportion of a catchment may be able to play a critical role in maintaining these functions. The greater the risk of flooding or drought or the greater the importance of water usage, the more likely it is that the forest is critical to maintaining these services and more likely that the forest is an HCVF.

Management objective To ensure perpetual flow of clean water through the forest and for the host communities on gradual level plains and those downstream and to mitigate the constant flooding of road and farms by the conservation of the different type of vegetation found within this forest, i.e. wetlands, swamps, mangroves, etc. setting aside and maintaining appropriate buffer zones for all major rivers and streams in the new planting area and to ensure that the oil palm plantation operation does not threaten water resources and the access to it.

Threats

The presence of operation within areas of these HCVs can be challenging and the operation can pose a number of threats to the sustainability of the sanity of the area: 1. The movement of heavy machinery field operators enthusiastic of clearing planting plots; 2. When there is no set weather condition for clearing and active clearing is consider during heavy rain; 3. The stock piling of road dust/mud along adjacent major rivers. Such activities can enhance runoff of large sedimentation in the closest streams or rivers leading to increasing turbidity and poor water quality. The cumulative impact could affect could affect the aquatic lives within these surface water bodies, downstream user; 4. The rampant clearing and removal of riparian vegetation by the locals. These actions can automatically lead to surface water exposure to the sun and affecting the temperature of the existing water body. This could have cumulative effect on the survivability of those aquatic species, which will have to thrive under this new condition. Management Plan The below large streams and river buffer is recommended for the first step in managing the area set aside prior to engaging the management mechanisms.

Recommended preservation of riparian reserve for plantation

Stream/River Width: Min. Width

>40m : 50m 20m – 40m : 40m 20m – 40m : 20m 10m-20m : 10m < 5m : 5m <3m : - 3. High Conservation Value 5 (meeting basic needs of local communities)

Forest areas fundamental to meeting basic needs of local communities. Management objective

The objective of management under this HCV is to ensure mutual co-existence between the company and the host communities by ensuring that the basic dependence needs of the communities from which income based and domestic need derived, such as mangrove swam, water bodies, swamp and community forest are supported, guarantee and not destroy in any way by their operations.

Threats to this HCV will include:

. Encroachment on farmlands by land clearing operator; . Clearing of host communities farmland . Access road in swamp thereby destroying the none-forest timber product of the community

Management Plan

1. Map out all host communities farmland in coordination with the local community representatives 2. Schedule meetings along with the local communities for the purpose of explaining the mapping process and the essence of the HCV identification and facilitate the establishment of a company community HCV team 3. Survey and demarcate along with host communities and other stakeholders all designated and mapped farmland ensuring their full participation in the process, thereby avoiding confusion and misunderstanding in the future; 4. Record all meetings, attendance, minutes and approval documentation commencing and ending the process; 5. Quickly find alternative to creeks use by the community for major domestic needs like drinking and cooking when it become imperative and unavoidable to use the surface water for plantation operations. 6. Ensure proper mechanism for the management of water provided to the community by setting along with the community a water sanitation committee. 7. Ensure periodic monitoring of water level and quality 8. While some of the creeks used by communities may be distance away from it, always have a noticeable HCV board identifying the actual usages of the water body; 9. Empower the HCV team to always do periodic monitoring of all HCV sites and document challenges. 10. NEVER get tire engaging the community in understanding their concerns about these HCV as constant engagement and communication is most likely to erase false perceptions and flag out silence trouble. 4. High Conservation Value 6

Forest Areas of Critical Value to Traditional Culture As well as being essential for subsistence and survival, forests can be critical to societies and communities for their cultural identity. This value is designed to protect the traditional culture of local communities where the forest is critical to their identity, thereby helping to maintain the cultural integrity of the community. Management objective

To give full consideration of the way of life of the host communities by ensuring that their beliefs and practices are encouraged and respected without any interference, disturbance, or disruption as a result of plantation development. Threats to this HCV will include:

. Lack of inventory of area prior to clearing activities; . Unidentified cemeteries or sacred area during clearing activities . Accidental removal of riparian area during and clearing activities; . Poor information dissemination of HCV areas to between the environmental unit responsible to identify and mark out HCV and the land clearing personnel responsible to clear land for the plantation. Management Plan

In order to fully satisfy the objective of management in the adherence of this HCV, the following needs to be initiated . All clearing blocks need to be mapped out and surveyed; . The immediate host communities need to be aware of the clearing activities in order to identify any sacred area or unmarked graves that might be in the area to be cleared; . Notice board showing any HCV must be made visible and explain to the local community. . Signs representing each category of sites within the HCV must be represented by symbols and explain to the local communities to facilitate clear understanding by the entire local communities especially since most of the community members are illiterate. . The company needs to ensure that clear explanations concerning HCV is made to the host communities in order to guarantee their full participation and involvement in the demarcation process; . Identification of any identified area related to this HCV needs to be demarcated along with the host community concerned and signs posted around the given area; . Photo and other records relating to the lack of any identified area or the presence of identified areas needs to be taken and recorded; . Any negotiations entered into between the host communities and the company over the removal and subsequent relocation of any area relating to this HCV needs to be documented and recorded with photos and attendance of all present including other stakeholders; . Monitoring of all sites demarcated needs to be periodically carried out by the company and the host communities’ representative in order to ensure appreciation of the site.

3.4 Management regulations

GVL management will ensure that the all her senior staff including unskilled workers is committed to the following: . The culture and rights of the local communities as well as their assets are respected and maintained; . Participatory mapping of the considered area with communities having interests and access; . The immediate host communities need to be fully aware of the proposed development area in order to identify any sacred area or unmarked graves that might be in the area to be cleared; . The company needs to ensure that clear explanations concerning HCV is made to the host communities in order to guarantee their full participation and involvement in the demarcation process; . Identification of any area related to this HCV to be demarcated and signs posted naming the owning community; . Photo and other records relating to the lack of any identified area or the presence of identified areas needs to be taken and recorded; . Any proposals to relocate traditional significant areas should be approached very cautiously and preferably avoided. Any negotiations entered into between the host communities and the company over the removal and subsequent relocation of any area relating to this HCV to be documented and recorded with photos and attendance of all present including other stakeholders; . Advisory to the operational surveyors and operators to recognize and avoid potential sites not identified by community members in advance; . Monitoring of all sites demarcated to be periodically carried out by the company and the host communities’ representative in order to ensure appreciation of the site. The success of these initiatives is heavily reliant on training and awareness to provide the knowledge and skills required by GVL personnel and local people. The allocation of funding in this direction is also critical to the enhancement and maintenance of the conservation values of HCVs.

Figure 4: HCV 2 .3: Forest Area with Distinct Landscape Figure 5: HCV 4: 4.1and 4.2 Figure 6: HCV 5: Map of Wetland Figure 7: HCV 6: Map of Sacred Site Figure 8: HCV 6: Map of Cemetery Figure 9: HCV 6: Map of Old Town The following will be done to enhance monitoring and management of HCV: 1. The area destine firstly for the HCV will have to be clearly established by the agreement of the community and the Company, mapped, documented and respected by all parties. 2. Management plans include protection and maintenance of buffer zones; erosion control practices for all areas with slopes especially near any surface water will be implemented with the periodic involvement of the local community. . Regular meeting with local communities on the management of a designated HCV will need to establish and their participation in the management of the HCV encouraged based on information sharing and awareness. 3. All the specified HCVs will be mapped out; visible signs are to be posted around the HCV and maps provided to land preparation team prior to clearing of any block. 4. Land clearing activities need to be monitored and accounted for periodically. The team is to adhere to the map provided and avoid any impact to “NO GO” area. 5. Penalties need to be established for violators abusing the sanity of designated “NO GO” areas. 6. Heavy equipment crossing through major river tributaries need to be avoided by placing coverts to all points of crossing, in the event where it seems almost impossible within the immediate time period, minimum crossing should then only be allowed with cleared documentation on the time of the crossing, the number of crossing and measure to avoid and remedy the situation in the shortest possible time. This action has to be communicated with the local communities, especially with those towns using the water for other domestic usages. , 7. There should be quarterly surface water testing of the major rivers within the concession are to be done and records of all testing kept to show any change in water quality due to the presence of fertilizer or other palm waste during the different phase of the plantation operation. 8. Monitoring of the existing HCV needs to be periodically done with the involvement of representatives of host communities, other stakeholders and the environmental team of the company. Monitoring should include measuring fluctuation activity of water level during rainy season and dry season as baseline in rivers, which has the important function as the catchment areas. Monitoring should also consider the measurement of river and creek width during the heavy rain and the peak of the dry weather to modify riparian management zone in reference to earlier ones taken. 3.5 Management and Mitigation Plans (ESIA)

3.5.1 Mitigation Plans for Negative Environmental Effects

The management and operation of the plantation should consider the mitigation for the below environmental conditions, which are outlined in the HCV & ESIA Planning & Management Report: A. Soil erosion . Soil damage & nutrient loss . Soil instability . Soil Contamination from hydrocarbons . Deterioration of water quality . Disturbance to aquatic life Increase in sediment loads . Hydrological Management . Degradation of aquatic life by spills . Chemical containers and bags management

A1: Wildlife and aquatic ecology

• Human impact on wildlife populations • Floral ecology A2: Biomass management A3: Fertilizer Application and Pests and Diseases Management A4: Forest fire management

3.5.2 Management plans to enhance positive Environmental Effects

A. Soil erosion

. Improve soil fertility to a level that ensures optimal and sustained yield and reduce the occurrence of bare earth and protect against the impact of rain and over-spraying. In oil palm 75% of each hectare needs to be covered with either cover crop of native species. The presence of a documented road maintenance program would be required to show that this important aspect has been considered, and road construction should appear on the Aspect and Impact registers as a significant risk.

. Maintaining, and where necessary, restoring riparian areas in order to minimize erosion of stream. Actions which would serve to increase biodiversity include the planting of leguminous cover crops, retention of palm wastes, promotion of natural predators for pest and disease control, integrated pest management (IPM), minimal use of pesticides, conservation of riparian strips, etc.

. Preserve all forested areas for fauna habitat and if undertaken by GVL management the area for the development of High Carbon Stock (HCS). A1: Establishment of a no hunting policy and implementation plan.

3.5.3 Mitigation Plans to minimize for negative socio-economic impact

B: socio-economic conditions

. Complete resettlement action plan (RAP) in case of displacement of people and communities . Compensation procedure for loss of land and crops and identification, demarcation, improvement and management of sacred sites, . Management of riparian zone to control siltation and runoff to surface water use for domestic purposes . Control of noise and dust within and surrounding project area . Priority to employment of local residents possessing requested skills . Management of risks to human health at the camps within the project . Management of company security within project area and with community . Management on decommissioning of abandon camp if necessary

3.5.4 Management plans to enhance for positive socio-economic conditions

. Compensation plan in case of displacement of communities . Assistance to community development projects . Road signs and safety . Employment and employee welfare program . Enhance and promote better community drinking water source . Security relationship with local communities 4.0 VERIFICATION STATEMENT:

GVL opted for desktop audit against relevant documents, two (2) BSI auditors conducted desk review and discussion with GVL management to verify and review the relevant New Planting Procedure documents from 1st – 2nd October 2013 with no field verification. Subsequently, GVL prepared and submitted the correction of documents through email for verification purposes until completed by BSI on 9th October 2013. The desktop review was carried out by BSI lead auditor Haeruddin accompanied with Pratama Agung Sedayu as team member.

Audit team conclude that the social and environmental assessment were comprehensive, detailed and professionally carried out. The management plan has incorporated the findings from Social and Environmental Impact Assessment conducted by government-approved consultants as well as the High Conservation Value assessment findings by qualified consultants, approved by RSPO namely E. Abraham T. Tumbey Jr. and Solomon P. Wright. Golden Veroleum (Liberia) Inc) has adhered to the RSPO New Planting Procedures and has documented the assessment and plans according to RSPO templates issued in May, 2010. The summary report of planning and management of Golden Veroleum (Liberia) Inc includes plan for the peer review of High Conservation Value assessment report by an RSPO-approved HCV team leader.

It is the opinion of BSI audit team through desk review that Golden Veroleum (Liberia) Inc has complied with the RSPO New Planting Procedures comes into effect 1st January 2010 and confirmed that the documented assessment reports and plans are comprehensive and in compliance to RSPO New Planting Procedures.

Signed on behalf of BSI Group, Signed on behalf of Golden Veroleum (Liberia) Inc.,

Haeruddin Matt Karinen Lead Auditor Director