FINAL REPORT E493
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forests, Public Disclosure Authorized Romania
Forestry Development Program: Environmental Assessmentfor Project Preparation
October 2001 Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized
Environmental Resources Management 8 Cavendish Square, London WlM OER Telephone 020 7465 7200 Facsimile 020 7465 7272
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FINAL REPORT
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forests
Forestry Development Program: Environmental Assessmentfor Project Preparaton
October 2001
Reference 7866
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LIST OF ACRONYMS
AAC Annual Allowable Cut APPR Association of Private Forest Owners DoF Department of Forests DSPL Directorate for Strategy, Policy and Legislation, Dept. of Forests EA Environmental Assessment (equivalent to EIA) EIA Environmental Impact Assessment (equivalent to EA) EMP Environmental Management Plan EU European Union ERM Environmental Resources Management (consultancy) FAO Food and Agriculture Organization FDP World Bank Forestry Development Program for Romania Fl Forestry Inspectorate FMIMS Forest Management Information and Monitoring System FMP Forest Management Plan(s) FORTECH FORTECH - FDP project preparation consultancy FSC Forest Stewardship Council GDF General Directorate of Forests GEF Global Environment Facility GIS Geographic InformnationSystem GM General Manager GOR Goverrunent of Romania HRD Human Resource Development IC Institutional Change I+C Indicators and Critera for Sustainable Forest Management ICAS Forest Management and Research Institute (Institutul de Cercetari si Amenajari Silvice) INL Wood Institute (Institutu National al Leminuliu) IT Information Technology MAFF Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forests MIS Management Information System Mol Ministry for Industry MWEP Ministry of Waters and Environmental Protection MWFEP Ministry of Waters, Forests and Environmental Protection (now the MWEP) NFA National Forest Administration NFPS National Forest Policy and Strategy (process) PM Project Management Group Ltd. (consultancy) SAPARD Special Accession Programme for Rural Development SFM Sustainable Forest Management TOR Terms of Reference WB World Bank
1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1.1 IrTRODUCTIONAND BACKGROUND
This report,commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture, Foodand Forests(MAFF) in Romania,presents an EnvironmentalAssessment (EA) of the World Bank- financed Forest DevelopmentProjectfor the country. It has been preparedby Environmental ResourcesManagement (ERM) with valuablecontributionsfrom Intergroup Engineeringof Romania.
Romania'sforests are internationallyimportant in terms of their biologicaldiversity and constitute an extremely valuable resourcefor the country being amongst the most productiveforests in Europe.To maintain this important asset, Romania has developedworld class technicalcompetence in forest mnnagement;howvever, the transition from a centrally planned to afree marketeconomy presents substantial risks which must be well managedin order to avoid potential irreversiblelosses.
The Government of Romania (GoR) has requestedthe assistanceof the World Bank in preparingand financing a national Forestry DevelopmentProject (FDP) to be implementedby MAFF over a six-year period.The project's objectiveis "to maintain and improveenvironmentally sustainablemanagement of state and privateforests so as to increasethe contribution to the nationaland rural economiesthat is derived from Romanianforest resources"(Romanian FDP ProjecfAppraisal Document, World Bank 2001).
The projecthas been developedprimarily to manage and mitigate potential risks and enhancebeneficial effects relatedto reintigorating the forestny sector in Romania. One of the jeyareas of potential risk identifiedearly in the projectdevelopment processwas the Governmentof Romania's ongoingprogram of restitution of state land to former owners. Under this program,wvhich has yet to befully implemented,a significant portion of the state managedforest lands will be returned to theformer owners. Early experiencewithforest land restitution in Romania has illustrated the potentialfor unsustainableexploitation offorest resourcesand resultant environmental damage.Hence, a key aspectof the FDP is to strengthen public and private sector capacityto manageand mitigate potential adverseimpacts and to enhancepositive effectsassociated wvith both private and public sectorexploitation of forest resources.The programis also anticipatedto attract a considerabledegree of public interest in theforest sector in Romania.Hence, the World Bank screening procedureshave classifiedthis projectas an environmental CategoryA project.
1.2 SCOPEOF EA
As a CategoryA project, the Terms of Reference(TOR) for this EA study requireda comprehensiveevaluation of the impacts and environmental costs associatedwith the project. This EA assessedthe environmentalimplications of the activities proposed under the FDP and providedrecommendations to minimize any potential negative effectsand to optimize positiveoutcomes.
This was achievedthrough thefollowing tasks:
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND FORESTS 1 1. Examinationof the status, trends and institutional capacityforforest managementin Romania together with the key issues andfindings of the National ForestPolicy and Strategy (NFPS); 2. Closeinteraction with MAFF and consultants preparing the overalZprogram; 3. Assessment of the environmental impactsof the proposedFDP activities and proposalof mitigation measureswhich can be incorporatedinto the design of the FDP; 4. Public disclosureand consultationwith relevantstakeholders; and 5. Preparationof a draft andfinal EA report including an Environmental Management Plan (EMP).
1.3 METHODOLOGY
To meet the objectivesof the study ERM staff visited Ronania in May and June 2001 and undertook thefollowing activities:
* Scopingof the EA, which included extensive liaison with MAFF, FORTECH (the consultants preparing the FDP) and the government agenciesresponsible for forest road design (Institutul National al Lemnuliu - INL) andforest managementplanning and operations(NFA) of severalroads to be included in the FDP; • Developmentof an environmental screeningsystem forforest roads,which was applied to the 91 forest roads to be constructedor rehabilitatedunder the FDP; • Selectionof two forest roadsin conjunction with INL, for which project-specific EAs werecarried out by Romanian EA team members;and - Consolidationand analysisof data to prepare the draft EA document, involving further extensive consultation with key stakeholdersand the FDP social assessment and public awarenessconsultants.
1.4 SUMMARY OFFINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Basedon the reviews carriedout during EA preparation,it is clear that the FDP will have largelypositive and beneficialimpacts. Thereare however,aspects of the project that could have negative and environmentaland socialconsequences if the mitigation measuresincorporated in the projectare not properly implemented. The main component of concernwould be ForestRoading which involves new construction and rehabilitationofforest roads. The projectincorporates measures for sustainable managementof this component,the chiefbeing the developmentofforest roadsBest PracticeManual for the design, construction and maintenanceofforest roadsas well as the a supervisory role in the projectimplementation unit. In addition, the possibilityexists that the reinvigorationof the timber industry could result in incidencesof poorly managedharvests with resultant adverseenvironmental consequencesif the institutional capacitymeasures and public private partnership building exercisesare not successfullyimplemented. This risk will likely be greatest in the caseof newly restitutedforest lands.
This sectiondraws together thefindings of the EA and provides a summary of the institutional and policy enabling recommendations,and recommendationsfor the environmental managementof the FDP'sforest roading component.
ENvIRoNMENTrAL REsouRcEs MANAGEMENT MINISTRY OF AGECULTURE, FOODAND FORESTS 2 1.41 Involvement of the Public and the Private BusinessSector
Publicinvolvement and supportof the FDPis criticalfor the successof the project. Consultationswere carried out withforest sector stakeholders and publicand private businessinterests during conception and preparation of the FDP,as illustratedin the Tablebelow. The consultations suggest there is somedegree of publicfrustration regardingthe fiuture restitution of existingForest Fund lands. The majorissue of concernis the possibilitythat somemature tracts may beharvested by NFA underthe existingmanagement plan schedules prior to restitution,resulting in a potentialloss of revenuesto thefuture owner.This is partiallydue to a slowprogress on restitution,which has beena majorpolitical issue since 1989 and one fraught with complexitiesand slowedto someextent by the changein electedgovernments and relatedchanges in institutionsand policies.However, the developntent of the National ForestPolicy and Strategy (NFPS) involved extensive public participation which was instrumental in defining thefinal outconteof the NFPS and the FDP. The NFPS was preparedover the over a ten month periodcommencing March 2000 through a participatoryprocess that included the involvement of over 300 representativesof differentforestry sector stakeholdergroups. Hence, a substantial effort was made to identify and incorporatethe concernsof stakeholdersthrough a participatoryprocess.
Furthermore,a majorcomponent of the FDP involves an extensive public awareness program designedto promotebetter public understanding of the projectand its goals and to addressassociated issues such as how the restitution offorest lands will take place and how sustainableforest managementwill be implemented. Successful implementationof this public awarenesscampaign is crucialfor the resolutionof any lingering public apprehensions.
See Table 1, Schedule of Public Consultation and Disclosure Meetings, beginning on page six.
1.4.2 Institutional Recommendations
The boxesbelow summarise institutional recommendationsfor the FDP. Box 1 highlights specificmeasures which can be incorporatedinto the FDP itself, and Box 2 provides recommendationswhich, if implementedby the Government of Romania, have the potential to significantlymaximise the anticipatedbenefits of the FDP by creating a positive institutional enablingenvironment.
Box I Institutional Recommendations within the FDP
1. Capacitybuilding (formal and on-the-jobtraining, awarenessraising, etc.) should be implemented within the context of FDP support to the ForestInspectorate.
2. Access to cleanerproduction and environmentallysustainable technology/practice advice and contactsshould be availablevia the BusinessAdvisory Service (BAS). The FDP shouldraise the awarenessof BAS staff in this respect,and provideguidance and support as appropriate.
3. The FDP shouldfacilitateongoing and wide reachingawareness raising and training to NFA staff in forest roadengineering best practice,and sustainableforestmanagement best practicemore generally. The study tourfor NFA staffplanned as part of the developmentof the Best Practiceguidelines will
ENVIRONMENTALREsoURCES MANAGEMENT MINrSTRY OFAGRuCULTURE, FOOD AND FORESTS 3 be a valuable starting point. However, the NFA should be encouragedto identify mechanisms to facilitate ongoing and extended awarenessraistng.
4. INL staff should receive training,perhaps as part of the planned study tour under the FDP, to help them address environmentaland social issues, and to support their uptake of theforest roadsBest PracticeManual which will be preparedunder the FDP.
5. The ForestInspectorate, in its advisory role, shouldbe encouragedto provide awarenessraising and training to privateforest management companystaff inforest roadengineering best practice,and sustainableforest managementbest practicemore generally.
6. As staff withininstitutions such as the ForestResearch and Management Institute (ICAS) build their capacityin EIA, FDP shouldsupport their effortsby offering opportunitiesfor ICAS staff to participatein environmental awarenessraising and trainingactivities. As afirst step, the strategic review of the NFA should examine the opportunitiesforICAS staff to parhtcipate.
Box 2 Recommendationsfor the institutional and policy enabling environment
1. Measures should be implemented to support the Departmentof Forests(specifically, in the DirectoratefforStrategy, Policy and Legislation- DSPL) to carry out its strategic responsibilityfor integrationof environmentaland socialissues into theforestry sector.
2. The ForestInspectorate should take lead responsibilityforregulating and monitoring environmental performancein theforestry sector,especiallyforest roads, extraction andforest management plans.
3. Staffing levels in the ForestInspectorate should not befurther reduced.nte Government has made a commitment to increasestaffing levels to minimum requirementsas restitution proceeds,and the World Bank shouldmonitor progresson this commitment.
4. Forforest roadsand FMPs, the Inspectorateshould developenvironmental compliancemonitoring and simplifiedenvironmental audit training capacity. This could be either in-house or through call- down contractswith suitably qualifiedinstitutions.
5. Environmentalscreening should be part of the FMP review/approvalprocess, with proceduresput in place to attach auditableenvironmental 'conditions' to the approvalof FMPs where these are necessaryand appropriate.
6. Clearresponsibilityfor the environment shouldbe designated to one or more individualswithin the NFA, with responsibilityfor. collatinginformation on NFA's environmental performanceand reportingit to management,internal environmental training and awareness-raisin&and co- ordinating technicalassistance (expertiseexternal to NFA as appropriate)to review and address issues arisingfrom performanceagainst environmental standardsset down in the FMP environmental conditions and other screening & guidelines.
7. The Associationof Private ForestOwners (APPR) awarenessraising and training shouldinclude coverageof environmental and social issues. This would be targetedat APPR membersand potential members.Emphasis should begiven to the importanceof public participation,and consultation techniqueswhich willfacilitate involvement of a broadrange of stakeholdersin sustainableforest management.This will complementthe work being done under the FDP's public awareness component.
8. The regulatoryframeworkforthe privateforest managementcompanies should explicitly requirethat operatingstandards takefull account of all applicableenvironmental legislation,regulations and other guidance (such as theforest roadBest PracticeManual).
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MlINSTRY OFAGRICULTURE,FooD AND FORESTS 4 1.4.3 The Forest Roading Component of the FDP
In tems of investment, forest roadingis the majorelement of the ForestSector Developmentcomponent of the FDP as well as the largest investment of the program (69% of the FDP total). Forestroading is also the componentof the FDP with the highest potentialfor direct impacts, namelyfrom the construction, maintenanceand usage (e.g. logging traffic) of the roads.
Hence, an assessment of theforest roadingcomponent was carriedout as requestedby MAFF to complementFORTECH's 'Initial Report on EnvironmentalAspects of Forest Roads Component'prepared during the FDP development.The key findings and recommendationsof this output are summarisedbelow in boxes 3 and 4 respectively.
Box 3 Findings on the EA Process for FDP Forest Roading
1. Though the FDP is still under design and thereforesubject to change, the ForestRoad Componentat the time of EA preparationconsisted of roadworks totalling 596.6 km in length. Of this, 87% are existing roadsto be rehabilitatedand 13% new roads. The new roadsare entirely extensions of existing roads(i.e., spur extensions).
2. The roadsare locatedin state land, the ForestFund, which is divided into two major management categories:Production Forests, dedicated primarilyfor timber production,and ProtectionForests, forests which are managedfor timber productionas well as other landscapeand bioditersityvalues.
3. The rehabilitationand limitedextension offorest roadsproposed under the FDP shouldhave a significant positive impact through better siting, design, hydrologicalmanagement and maintenance and reduced skidding distances.Forest roads in Romaniaare planned, designedand permittedin the context of a managementsystem based on a long tradition of excellent silvicultural practices.This is implemented through 10-yearforestmanagement plans, which incorporatewatershed and biodiversityprotection functions and other environmentalaspects. However, thereare likely locationsand situations in protectionforestswhere differencesof opinion in terms ofpreservation of biodiversityor other environmentalfiunctionsversusforestry production could arise.Measures to further avoid,reduce and managepotential adverse impacts developedin the EA are summarisedin Box 4.
Basedon thefindings above,a number of recommendationshave been providedto mitigate the potential impactsofforest roadingand reduce the environmental costs associatedzvith this FDP component.
Box 4 Recommendations for Environmental Management FDP Forest Roading
1. EAs are recommendedfor all newforest roadprojects due the greaterpotentialfor impacts associated with new roadconstruction and the needfforanalysis of baselineconditions, review of siting and design decisions,and developmentof mitigation measuresto be incorporatedin the engineering design. Road rehabilitationprojects are likely to havefewer impacts since the roadfootprintalready exists.
2. The recommendedEA processfor the FDP ForestRoading Sub-Componentis basedon a screening system developedby Intergroup Engineering and ERM. This was adaptedfrom a preliminary screening system developedby FORTECH and the INL. The screen consists of two main categories, Environment and Social, seven elements and 22 sub-elements. The sub-elementsare intended to reflect adequacyof design/managementmeasures incorporated in the roadproject design. The EA screeningsystem was applied to 62 rehabilitationroad projects under considerationforinclusion in the FDP. Of these,onlyfour roadsinvolved no issues (6%), 49 (79%) involved some issues but
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 5 wouldn't requireEA, and 9 (15%) would requirean EA. This is a potentialsubstantial EA burden, both in terms of cost and tihm. However, this burden should be mitigated by twofactors:
* The EAsforforest roadsshould be veryfocused, streamlirnedand reduced in scoperelative to World Bank OP 4.01 guidelines, uith the main purpose being to objectivelyreview the proposedroad project design in light of the specificfieldconditions and the potentialsignificant environmental and socialimpacts. The EA should largely be based on two detailedfield reconnaissancevisits to the site or corridorof the road:one without and one with the road design engineer. Specificproblem areas should be identifiedin thepfeld and studied. The main output of the EA should be recommendationsto avoid, minimise and mitigatepotential impacts, during bothconstruction and operation. The EAs need not present informationon legal and regulatoryframeworkor alternativesanalysis (other than recommendeddesign alternatives).
* All FDP roadprojects will undergo a re-design incorporatingthe guidelines,specifications and standardswhich will be induded in theforest roading Best PracticeManual to be developedby an internationalconsultant during Year1 of FDP implementation. This redesign should reduce the number and significanceof the potentialimpacts, likely resultingin a smaller number of roadprojects requiring EAs.
4. In the context of the FDP, the key responsibilityforimplementation of the ForestRoad EA process should be with the Road Specialistwithin the FDP ProjectCoordination Team (PCT). The TORfor this individual being prepared:we recommendthat they specify a good understandingofforest roads, forest roadbest practicedesign and operation,and a backgroundin environmental assessmentand mitigation.
5. The ForestInspectorate is the best positionedgovernment agency to carry on the environmental managementfunctionforforest roads when the FDP is completed,but to do so, it is necessarythat the propercapacity be developedwithin the ForestInspectorate during the FDP. Therefore,it is recommendedthat the FTshould identify a staff member,with similar qualificationsto the Road Specialist,and assign this individual on afull or part time basisto work closelywith the Road Specialist. This individual's responsibilitiesshouldfoUow those identifiedfor the Road Specialistand include commissioningand managing the EAs which are carriedout as well as the review and implementationof the EA recommendationsand constructton supervision. The intent of this liaison and sharedresponsibilities during the six-year implementationof the FDP is that the necessary capacitywould be developedand that these responsibilitiesbe transferredto the ForestInspectorate after the FDP has ended.
Table 1 Schedule of Public Consultation and Disclosure Meetings
Date Location Event Participants (dd/nunyy) 02/10/2000 Piatra Neamt Public consultation NFA Piatra Neamt branch, on draft terms of Tg Neamt, Varatec and Tazlau Forest reference for the Districts EA Environmental Protection Agency - Piatra Neamt Vanatori Neamt Piatra Neamt, Harpu, Damuc, Ceahlau and Tarcau Local Councils Companies: Forestar tarcau, SC Euroforest, Agricultural Directorate Neamt NGO: ANTREC Piatra Neamt Forest High School Piatra Neamt Media: Tele M-PRO TV - Piatra Neamt, Tele 7 ABC - Piatra Neamt, Monitorul - Piatra Neamt
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISrRY OFAGRICULTURE, FOODAND FORESTS 6 Date Location Event Participants (ddWmn,yy) 04/10/2000 Arad Public consultation NFA - Arad branch on draft terms of Lipova, Halmagiu, Lugoj, Barzava, Ana reference for the Lugojana Forest Districts EA Esparo Forest SA Arad NGO: APSR Arad University of Oradea Media: Monitorul - Arad 06/10/2000 Bucharest Public consultation Ministry of Waters, Forests and on draft terms of Environment reference for the Ministry of Industries and Trade EA National Authority for Tourism National Forest Administration Forest Research and Management Institute National wood Institute Romanian Foresters Association ASFOR Private Forest Owners Association APPR Romanian Academy University of Brasov Association of Romanian Pulp and Paper Producers ROMPAP NGOs: Pro Natura, TER Media: Mediafax, Adevarul, Jurnalul National, ProTV, BBC 12/03/01 Bucharest & FORTECH, Dames Informal consultations with NFA, PCT, sample road & Moore and INL, Ministry of Environment, Project Ministry of Agriculture Food and Forests, Management ICAS, undertake initial Flora and Fauna International Environmental Analysis 04/01 Zarnesti, FORTECH social Undertook informal consultations with Poiana consultant local communities, Marului local forest owners and local government 09/05/01 Bucharest & ERM & Intergroup Extensive Liaison with Fortech, NFA, sample road Engineering PCT, INL, sites scoping mission Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture Food and Forests, ICAS 05/01 Valea Mare- Intergroup Informal consultations with affected local Crizbav Engineering SRL, communities, Two sample EAs mayoralties and local government. of roading 3-10/05/01- Bucharest Informal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forests 10/06/01 consultation National Forest Administration - Brasov during EA branch preparation Forest Research and Management Institute Center for Social studies - Bucharest FORTECH
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FoREsrs Date Location Event Participants (d4(=MIYY) 27/07/01 Poiana Brasov National Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forests consultation on Ministry of Industries and Resources Draft Sectoral EA Ministry of Public Finance National Forest Administration - Brasov branch Association of Private Forest Owners (APPPR) Association of Romanian Foresters (ASFOR) Forest Research and Management Institute Universities of Brasov and Oradea Intergroup Engineering SA Bucharest Center for Social studies - Bucharest FIMAN GEFPCT 27/07/01 Poiana Brasov First Public A cross section of stakeholders who consultation attended concerming a publicly advertised a draft EA Modernization disclosure meeting and Rehabilitation (see Annex 1D for list of participants) of Romanian Forestry Roads 22/09/01 Brasov Second Public A cross section of stakeholders who consultation attended concerming a publicly advertised a draft EA Modernization disclosure meeting and Rehabilitation (see Annex ID for list of participants) of Romanian Forestry Roads
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOFAAGjCULrURE,FOOD AND FoRESTS 8 Part 1
CONTENTS
1 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE FOREST DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM,ROMANIA I
1.1 INTRODUCTION 1 1.2 PROJECTBACKGROUND 1 1.3 SCOPEOF THiSASSESSMENT 2 1.4 STUDYAPPROACHAND METHODOLOGY 3 1.5 CONTENTS OF THISREPORT 4
2 OVERVIEW OF THE PROPOSED SECTOR PROGRAM 7
2.1 INTRODUCTION 7 2.2 PROJECTBACKGROUND 7 2.3 THE FORESTSECTOR PROGRAM 8 2.4 PLANNED OUTPUTS OFTHE FDP 9 2.5 INSTITUTIONALAND IMPLEMENTATIONARRANGEMENTS: 10
3 PROJECT ALTERNATIVES 17
3.1 INTRODUCTION 17 3.2 PROJECT IDENTIFICATION PROCESS 17 3.3 WITHOUT PROJECTSCENARIO. 17 3.4 OTHER PROGRAM ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED 18
4 BASELINE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS 21
4.1 INTRODUCTION 21 4.2 THE FOREST SECTOR 21 4.3 ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT 29 4.4 SOCIAL AND Socio-ECONOMIC CONTEXT 32
5 CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATIONMEASURES35
5.1 INTRODUCTION 35 5.2 IMPACTS OFAND POTENTIALRISKS TO SUCCESSFULIMPLEMENTATION OF THE FDP 35 5.3 SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 35 5.4 PUBLIC CONSULTATION 41
6 INSTITUTIONAL AND POLICY FRAMEWORK 45
6.1 INTRODUCTION 45 6.2 POLICY AND LEGISLATION 45 6.3 FORESTRY SECTOR ORGANIZATIONAL FRAMEWORK 50
7 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING PLAN 59 7.1 INTRODUCTION 59 7.2 ADDMONAL RECOMMENDATIONS 67
Annex 1A ProtectionForests: Functional Categoriesand Permissible Felling Systems Annex lB Main Protected Virgin Forests in Romnania Annex 1 C Impacts of FDP Components Annex ID Public Consultationand 1 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTOF THEFOREST DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, ROMANIA
1.1 INTRODUCTION
This report, commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture Food and Forests, Government of Romania, presents an Environmental Assessment (EA) of the World Bank-financed Forest Development Program in Romania. It has been prepared by Environmental Resources Management (ERM) with valuable contributions from Intergroup Engineering of Romania.
1.2 PROJECTBACKGROUND
Romania's forests are internationally important in terms of their biological diversity. They also constitute an extremely valuable resource for the country being amongst the most productive forests in Europe in terms of their potential for sustainable harvest of timber and non-timber products. To maintain this valuable asset, Romania has developed world class technical competence in forest management however, the transition from a centrally planned to a free market economy has substantial risks which must be well managed to avoid irreversible losses.
The Government of Romania (GoR) has requested the assistance of the World Bank to prepare and finance a Forestry Development Program (FDP) in the country. The project's objective is "to maintain and improve environmentally sustainable management of state and private forests so as to increase the contribution to the national and rural economies that is derived from Romanian forest resources" (Romanian FDP Project Appraisal Document, World Bank 2001).
Broadly, this will be achieved by establishing effective institutional arrangements and capacity, investing in the state forest sector (including forest roads and IT systems), establishing business development and advisory services and building public awareness for sustainable management of forest resources. The main aims of the FDP are therefore institutional strengthening and capacity building.
The program is to be implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forests (MAFF) over a six-year period. The activities under the program are described in more detail in Section 2 of this report.
1.2.1 Needfor Environmental Assessment
The project has been developed primarily to manage and mitigate potential risks and enhance beneficial effects related to reinvigorating the forestry sector in Romania. One of the key areas of potential risk identified early in the project development process was the Government of Romania's ongoing program of restitution of state land to former owners. Under this program,
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF ACRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 1 which has yet to be fully implemented, a significant portion of the state managed forest lands will be returned to the former owners. Early experience with forest land restitution in Romnaniahas illustrated the potential for unsustainable exploitation of forest resources and resultant environmental damage. Hence, a key aspect of the FDP is to strengthen public and private sector capacity to manage and mitigate potential adverse impacts and to enhance positive effects associated with both private and public sector exploitation of forest resources. The program is also anticipated to attract a considerable degree of public interest in the forest sector in Romania. Hence, the World Bank screening procedures have classified this project as an environmental Category A project.
Since 1999, Bank policy has stipulated that Category A projects should undergo independent environmental assessment (EA), (OP 4.01 Environmental Assessment, 1999) and associated public consultation and disclosure.
1.3 SCOPE OF THISASSESSMENT
This Environmental Assessment study aims to assess the environmental implications of the activities proposed under the FDP. In doing so, the study aims to provide recommendations to minimize any potential negative effects and to optimiize any positive outcomes.
Given the sectoral and strategic nature of the FDP, a "Sectoral Environmental Assessment" (SEA) has been considered relevant.
In addition to the SEA, MAFF have requested that a process for environmental assessment of the forest road component of the FDP be prepared as a key environmental management output of the FDP EA. The process developed by ERM and Intergroup Engineering is described in Part II of this document.
1.3.1 Limitations of the Scope
The Scope of this Environmental Assessment is limited to the strategic impacts of the FDP on the environment and socio-economic interface. The assessment considers both the potential positive and negative impacts of the program, in broad terms, highlighting impacts which will need to be considered in more depth at the individual investment level.
It should be noted that the assessment is based on a description of the FDP which is still under preparation. It is anticipated that the results of this Sectoral Assessment will be fed into this ongoing preparation process.
A major influence on the management of the forest sector in Romania in the coming years will be the proposed restitution of State owned-lands to their pre-1948 owners. At present, 94% of Romania's 6.37 million hectares of forests
(1)Environmental assessment (EA) is the term used by the Bankfor environmentalimpact assessment(EIA). For practical purposes, the terms are synonymous.
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF ACRICULTURE, FOOD AND FORESTS 2 are in State ownership, but there has been strong political pressure to return a significant proportion of this to its original owners (2), Application of Law No. 1/2000 will result in restitution of approximately 3 million ha of forests. Previous experience in Romania (1989/90) and elsewhere suggests that if restitution of forest land takes place without adequate legal and institutional management and enforcement mechanisms, the result could be the immediate harvesting of the timber resulting in loss of forest cover, irreversible environmental degradation and significant long term economic losses for Romania (3).
The FDP has been conceived within the overall framework of restitution but aims to address aspects of management pertinent to the forest sector as a whole. It does not specifically set out to address the potential impacts of restitution although successful implementation of the program will significantly benefit the restitution process.
While this EA does take into account the potential impacts of the program on the restitution process, the impacts of restitution itself are beyond the scope of this study. We strongly recommend however that the potential for environmental and social impacts of restitution are considered prior to the implementation of Law 1/2000.
1.4 STUDYAPPROACH AND METHODOLOGY
The Terms of Reference for this study describe five key tasks to be undertaken during completion of this SEA. In summary, these were as follows:
1. Examination of the status, trends and institutional capacity for forest management in Romania together with the key issues and findings of the National Forest Policy and Strategy (NFPS);
2. Close interaction with the MAFF and the consultants preparing the overall program design;
3. Assessment of the environmental impacts of the proposed FDP activities and proposal of mitigation measures which can be incorporated into the design of the FDP;
4. Public disclosure and consultation with stakeholders at national and local levels; and
5. Preparation of a draft and final EA report including an Environmental Management Plan.
As per World Bank Policy on EA (OP 4.01) the Executive Summary made available in Romanian to the public and distributed at the public consultation
(2) Project Appraisal Document (Draft) for Forestry Development Program - Loan No RO-P067367,World Bank, 2001 (3) Following restitution of 350,000 ha of fDrest lands in Romania in 1991/2, apprDximately one third of the area was clearfelled within three years and the remainder harvested at unsustainable rates (Draft Project Appraisal Document, World Bank, 2001).
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 3 and disclosure meetings (see Annex ID for details including dates, locations, listing of attendees, questions and responses).
To meet the objectives of the study, ERM and local consultant Intergroup Engineering have carried out the following activities:
* ERM carried out a scoping mission 2-9 May which included extensive liaison with FORTECH, the consultants preparing the FDP; liaison with the Institutul National al Lemnuliu (INL) including field visits with the government agencies responsible for forest road design (INL) and forest management planning and operations (NFA) of several roads to be included in the FDP;
* Development of a forest road screening system which was applied to the 91 forest roads to be included in the FDP;
* Selection of two roads in conjunction with INL for which project specific EAs were carried out by Intergroup; and
* A second ERM mission to Romania from 31 May to 10 June to prepare the draft EA document and consult with MAFF and other relevant ministries, FORTECH, Intergroup Engineering, and other consultants involved in the preparation of the FDP including the social assessment and public awareness consultants.
1.5 CONTENTS OF THIS REPORT
This report presents the findings of the tasks outlines in Section 1.3 above. The proceeding sections of this SEA report, are broken down into the following components:
* Section 2 - describes the FDP, providing, in outline, the types of activities included within the FDP;
* Section 3 - presents an Analysis of Alternatives to the FDP which were considered during the Project Concept stage;
* Section 4 - presents a review of Baseline EnvironrnentalConditions in the forestry sector in Romania;
* Section 5 - identifies and discusses the CriticalEnvironmental Impacts within the forestry sector and with particular relevance to the activities of the FDP. Mitigation Measures for each negative impact are also suggested together with anticipated responsibilities and rough cost and time requirements;
* Section 6 - presents the Institutional Context for forest sector management and development in Romania. The institutional structures, responsibilities and capacities for effective management and enforcement within all
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANACEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 4 institutions and agencies involved or affected by activities in the FDP are examined and a series of recommendations made.
* Section 7 - This final section presents an EnvironmentalMonitoring and Management Plan (EMP) which details the measures which need to be undertaken to enhance the success of the FDP and prevent realization of any potential negative impacts of the FDP and its associated activities. The Plan presents key responsibilities, requirements, timing and indicative costs for each measure. The section concludes with a summary of additional recommendations which have been made during the report.
Additional information and supporting information is presented in Annexes to this Report. This SEA is then complimented by a second component (Part II) which examines in more detail the environmental impacts of the Forest Road sub-component of the FDP and recommends an EA Process for Forest Roads. This is complimented by presentation of EAs of two of the FDP forest road projects undertaken by Romanian consultants InterGroup Engineering.
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 5
2 OVERVIEW OF THE PROPOSED SECTOR PROGRAM
2.1 INTRODUCTION
The following section presents an overview of the proposed World Bank FDP. The program is described in terms of its relevance to potential environmental benefits and impacts. It should be noted that the program is still under preparation and therefore subject to change.
The Section concludes with presentation of the alternatives programs considered during preparation of the FDP, giving reasons why the Bank has not pursued these further.
2.2 PROJECTBACKGROUND
Romania is undergoing transition from a command to a free-market economy. In the forest sector this will involve, inter alia, the return of nearly half of the forest estate to private ownership ('restitution'), and structural changes in the forest administration and whole forest-to-market chain. The process is attended by potential significant risks of unsustainable management of forest resources.
The FDP was prepared by FORTECH (UK) and Project Management (Ireland) on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forests (MAFF). The FDP, a five-year program, based on concerns and concepts summarized in a 1999 World Bank Working Paper4 , and subsequently developed into a Project Concept Document (Dec. 1999). The resulting Draft Project Appraisal Document (PAD) for the FDP (World Bank, Spring 2001), identified the main issues facing the forest sector in the transition to a free market economy as being:
* lack of a comprehensive national forest sector policy and strategy for the sector to provide the overall direction and climate for increased investment and reform; * restitution of forest lands in the absence of adequate supervisory and monitoring capacity; * low productivity in private wood processing industries which use outdated technology and have in the main been unable to finance much needed capital investment; * poor physical infrastructure supporting a valuable forest resource, resulting in high harvesting and transport costs; and * low efficiency of the NFA and lack of motivation to improve performance and contribution to the State by way of dividend / rent for use of the forest resource (5) .
(4)ECSSD Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Development Working Paper No. 18 Romania Forestry Sector: Status, Valuesand Needfor Reform, by John Fraser Stewart. (5) Draft Project Appraisal Document for the Forestry Development Program, Loan No. RO-P067367, World Bank, Spring 2001.
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 7 Table2.1 summarizes how the FDP fits into this contextual framework.
Table 2.1 Sector Issues to be addressed by the FDP
Issue Role of FDP NationalForest Sector NFPSseen as pre-requisiteto program implementation.During Policy and Strategy FDP preparation,the World Bankwill assist through provisionof trust funds to financetechnical assistance for the developmentof the NFPS.
Restitutionof Forest Lands FDP will establish institutionalcapacity to supervise, monitorand regulate sustainablemanagement of forest resources,in particular, that element restituted to private ownership.This will be achieved through the establishmentof: * countrywidenetwork of forest inspectorateoffices; * nationalforest informationand monitoring system; * extensionand advisory servicestargeted at new private owners aimed at promotingsustainable managementof forests; In addition, the program will provide training for the inspectorate and raise public awarenessof sustainablemanagement of forest resources.
Low productivity in private Linkage to IFC and other financing lines to provide much-needed wood processingindustries sectorallinkages and co-ordinationfor forest sector chain (i.e. growing- logging - transport - processing) e.g. by establishinga forest sector business developmentadvisory service.
Accessto Forest Resource FDP will directlysupport this issue by first demonstrating(and implementing)best practicein road design and construction methods for forest roads and second by directly supporting the rehabilitationand constructionof these roads.
Evolvingrole of NFA Basedon the NFPS,the FDP will assist the NFA to reviewand confirm:(a) its mandate, strategic choicesand role, (b) reforms necessaryto improve operational and business efficiency,and (c) the dividend payableto the state for the use of the resource under its stewardship.The implementationof the reforms themselves will not be directly supported by the program.
2.3 THE FORESTSECTOR PROGRAM
In line with the program objectives, the program will assist the MAFF and the NFA to:
(a) establish effective regulation, supervision and monitoring of forest activities by strengthening the institutional capacity, developing information systems;
(b) aid forest sector development by establishing a business development and advisory service, improving the efficiency and profitability of the NFA, supporting the development of the private forest owners associations and improving forest infrastructure; and
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FoREsTs 8 (c) build public awareness and support for sustainable management of forest resources.
The project includes the following four components:
1. Building Institutional Capacity of MAFF to Support Sustainable Forest Management; 2. Forest Sector Development; 3. Public Awareness; and 4. Project Management and Co-ordination.
An overview of the program is presented in Figure 2.1 below. The sub- activities within each component are then elaborated further in Figures2.2-2.4 respectively. Additional detail on each component can be found in the Draft Project Appraisal Document (6).
The Forest Roading sub-component of Component 2 of the FDP is described in more detail in Part II of this EA.
2.4 PLANNED OUTPUTS OF THEFDP
The FDP has been developed in order to bring significant economic and environmental benefits to stakeholders involved or affected by the forest sector. The program outputs should also bring substantial institutional and social benefits. These benefits are summarized in Table2.2.
(6) Draft Project AppraLsal Document for the Forestry Development Program, Loan No. RO-P067367. World Bank. Spring
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT M[NSTRYOF AGRICULTURE,FOOD ANDFORESTS 9 Table 2.2 Anticipated Benefits of the FDP
Benefit Area Specific Benefits Environmental * Control of loss and degradation of newly restituted forests (and thus biodiversity) over the baseline; * Decrease in damages to vulnerable watersheds associated with unsustainable harvesting; * Introduction of international best practice techniques in siting, design, envirornental impact assessment and cost benefit analysis for wood extraction and transportation systems. Economic * Improvements in the abilitv of private land owners to reap long-term benefits from the sustainable management of their newly restituted forest lands; * Overcoming barriers to private sector development and productivity in the forest and wood processing sector; * Maintaining Romania's eco-tourism potential through the effective management and conservation of forest resources; * Increased tax and/or rent revenues to Government from sustainable use of the forest resource (increased stumpage value, value-added processing and tourism); Increased foreign exchange revenues from the promotion of value-added and export-orientated wood products. Social * Increased employment in communities near developing timber and tourism industries; a Decrease in damages to agricultural lands or residential dwellings that are vulnerable to flooding and land slides after clearfelling on mountain slopes. Institutional * Improvement in the regulatory, supervisory and advisory capacity of the MAFF; * Clarification of roles, improved efficiency with respect to the responsibilities of the different institutions involved in forest resource management, utilization and protection.
Source: Draft Project Appraisal Documentfor the FDP, !Vorld Bank, Spring 2001.
2.5 INSTITUTIONAL AND IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS:
2.5.1 Institutional Arrangements for Implementation
Preparation of the FDP is being undertaken by a Program Preparation Team (PPT)composed of staff assigned from MAFF,NFA and consultants. This is being coordinated and supervised by MAFF.Detailed institutional arrangements for implementationwill be developed during project preparation, however, it is currently envisaged that members of the PPT will subsequently participate in the Project Coordination Team (PCT)which will oversee implementation of program activities,thereby providing continuity.
Figure2.5 presents an overview of the institutional arrangements for program management and implementation.
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 10 Figure 2.1 Overview of tle Forest Devielopmtenit Project
Rontainaia restry Development Progeam
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~p ro2anelnt [ e2tPm
Com pon ent S5,74 million * $16,73 million * $1,21 million * $0,67 million * V alue I
Supervisory Roading Public Awareness Project Management Regulatory Forest Owners Camipaign for Component Advisorv Association Sustainable Tendering Elements Forest Management Forest Strategic Development Co-ordination M anagement N FA Inform ation Project Activities Supervisory System ~~~~BusinessDevelopmient
S____y ___s ____t___e____m__ Service
Key Actors! MAFF NFA NFA PFO MAFF M R ecipien ts ICAS Private Sector Public World Bank D ccision Makers
Objective: To increase the contributionl to [lie national economy from the sustainable managem ent of Romanian forest resources
Total Budget: $24-35 million Implementation Period: 5 Years (a) 2001-2006 or (b) 2002 - 2007
Financing: World Bank Loan Approvals: Ministry of Finance & World Bank (* Figures are estiniates Source: Developedfor Program presentationial purposes by FORTECH Ltd, Spring 2001.
ENVIRONNIENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURF,Fcx)D AND FORPSTS 11 Figure 2.2 Component 1: Institutional Supportfor Sustainable Forest Management
Compoentt.1: SupervinoryRegulatory md Advisory$3.19 million
Pol,y S,rt{g
Inspectioon
Drecto te ][>{
o etForests Note1: Tiini~ ~~ifiHumanReevource Fi5bhing _- Development _ _ Deeome
Training _ Techfnical
t 7 - W ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Induction
PrivateM gemtnd Moni S Management~ ~ ~ ~ ~~t PublicAwrarenm Handunting Sotaff ~~ Dnu~et nvelpentor,Lo,Evrnet _Conoporent{]
Component12 orest Monagerp ent andIpnformation poitoring Sysem milliR onC L S n
. _ ~~~~~Notel1Tedinical specification tobe detided on duringprqect preparalion N oteE2 Ind udesMMNanagementPlansT I nventory,ILega, fnvironmentetc Po PdiyStrategy Note32MonitoringGIS capability Fore Management Inoato
rategic RPanning\ Hunting Fishing\
Forests Monitoring ForestManagemnentInformation k I ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~AndMonitoring System PrivAeRorest. ) Managernent
Source: Developedfor program presentational purposes bnyFORTECH Ltd, Sprnug 2001.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGENIENT MINISTRYrOF AGRICULTURE, FOOD ANDFORESTS 12 Figure 2.3 Component 2: Forest Sector Development
Componmt2.1: FaW SedorDevlopmet- Roating S16 nillion
0 f Ranmctin:51E8kms(t 54/cffiFes) ------
NewRodft802kms(15 o25ubadsoet I I~~~ TeshnicaniCaDeruioDa;gn :4 NoNFAA
[EnvirFnmentalimpaM e
ComponentForestOwners 2.2: Private $048million~Iplemetatio
Note2:Linkagewith PublicAwareness 2
Notel: PDPespedallyroadingsubecttoindependent EAasesnent Ndte4 Emnomicjustificaion NSoe2Te hnicD deogn for yepro prespontiiNFA plityrofs Note5: Construdctonme 2hds Ndte3:Tenderig-World Bank Procedures
Component 2.2:Private ForestOwners S0,48million
N ote l: Selffinancing by year 5 Ofc
N ote2: LLikaggewithPPublicwAwarenes Pr bications aio
NVoReN3:LinkageSwith MANFFelements
N ote 4: EU SAPA RD funding[3Best PracticeGuideliAtivitie 0 3
National A ssociation A m nsrto r Of Privare Fofest Ow ners IL ees
Publications
Souirce:Deveclopedfor program presentationial puerposesbly FORTECH Ltd, Spring 2001.
ENv'IRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND FORESTS 13 Figure 2.3 Component 2: Forest Sector Development (continued)
Component2.3:SbategicDevelopmentofNFA S0.6 million
Note1: Budget not fixed -looking for ideashow FDP can support deyelopment of NFA
Project Conmept trategic Develop ment S Iervieio$5tmllo
ForestMaagement Information AndMonitoring Systen
susiness Dees3pment l Training r
TaskForce ...... Nonc bratenic
2 ResnavePridng s St9udyJ
Component 2.4: Business Developrnent Service $$0,50 million
M arket I nform ati on
- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ .ccess to Fin ance Forest \I n vestm ent Sector Nees Development iuO Joint V entures
Product Promotion
N ote 1: Self financing by Year 5 Maktn N ote 2: Funding on a sliding scale Source:Developedfor progranmpresentational purposes by FORTECH Ltd, Spring 2001.
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 14 Figure2.4 Component 3: Public Awareness
Component 3: PublicAwareness $1.21 m illion
ProjectPreparation
PreparePu blic A w arenessStrategy
Plan for 5 Years Proj.ect De.i
CostedActivities
Target Audiences MAFF Main Issues N F NFA Co-ordination - Industry M edi a NGOs M onitoring Impact
N ote 1: Romanianconsultants to preparestrategy Note 2: Strong linkage with MA FF Note 3: Need for co-ordination acrossforestry sector
Source: Developedfor program presentational purposes by FOR TECH Ltd, Spring 2001.
ENVIRONNMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 15 Figure 2.5 Institutional Arrangementsfor FDP Management and Implementation
* g; Responsiblefor: providing project oversight and assistance in resolving issues associated ~withproject umplementation
Responsiblefor. Establishing and managing I l~~~~~~~~~~~thePMT
Prcect Management Team (PMT) |Responsiblefor: Overall management of project Iimplementation
[MAFF Forest Directorates .Responsiblefor: Project implementation at Regional NFA Offices 1 and NFA e NNational and County levels respectively
NATIONAL LEVEL COUNTY LEVEL
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 16 3 PROJECT ALTERNATIVES
3.1 INTRODUCTION
The following section examines the alternatives to the FDP which were considered by the World Bank and the reasons why they were rejected for support. The information is largely derived from the Bank's Draft Project Appraisal Document (Spring 2001).
3.2 PROJECT IDENTIFICATIONPROCESS
Given the changes proposed in the structure of the forest sector as a result of the transition from a centrally planned to a free market economy, a number of options for the program were considered by the Bank. According to a Bank document released in 1999, the MWFEP has consistently requested the Bank's assistance in supporting the reform process by supporting sector-wide reform and increasing the sustainable contribution of Romanian forests to the national economy.
The concept of the FDP was designed through an inclusive participatory process in Romania. During the preparation of the Forest Sector Note, representatives of all of the major stakeholders in the forestry sector participated in a series of facilitated workshops. This process built consensus among stakeholders and identified the main issues facing the sector, their underlying causes, the desired changes and finally the necessary interventions to achieve the objectives identified.
A vision statement, strategy and rationale for reform of the forestry sector was then developed by senior policy and technical experts within the former MAFF and representatives of the major stakeholders through a number of participatory workshops. The proposed program addresses the main issues identified in this participatory process.
3.3 WITHOUT PROJECT SCENARIO.
Despite of the Romanian Government's commitment to sustainable forest management, unsustainable exploitation of forests, similar to that which occurred after the last phase of restitution in 1991 is anticipated without the establishment of an effective supervisory and regulatory capacity in advance of planned restitution. The Romanian Government is unable to commit sufficient budget to establish a functioning forest inspection and existing Government and NGO groups concerned with private forests would remain weak, ineffective, uncoordinated, and isolated.
Box 3.1 summarizes the impacts of the 1991 resititution which, it is feared, could be repeated if insufficient safeguards are in place. This scenario is completely unacceptable and as a result, the FDP was developed to support the restitution process.
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 17 Box 3.1 Impacts of the 1991 restitution offorest lands
Romanian rural communities are generally poor. Consequently, the receipt of title to one hectare of forest land stocked with high volume, high quality timber, represents large windfall. For most recipients of forest land, short-term economic concerns, such as the cost of basic living essentials (food, heating, health and education) together with short-term fears concerning the possibility that the State might reclaim land or impose restrictions on its use, prevailed over longer term national goals such as watershed or biodiversity protection. As such, when land title was transferred from the NFA to individuals as part of the 1990-92 restitution program, trees were harvested extremely rapidly as individuals sought to cash-in on the windfall.
In the Damuc Valley, Neamt County for example, less than 3% of the restituted forest land remained intact. Forests were seriously over-harvested with significant negative environmental impacts. The Damuc river became heavily loaded with silt resulting from erosion of the denuded slopes, and further polluted with sawdust and machine oils as a result of the practice of using the river bed as a site for milling much of the timber.
In economic terms, the restitution program provided short-term cash injection into communities in the Damuc Valley. A thriving saw-milling industry developed and local people were able to sell many of their saw logs for processing. With no Government controls to enable the level of timber harvested from private lands to be managed, together with access to this easy market and the lifting of export restrictions on wood further exposed restituted forests to rapid exploitation.
While in the short-term this could be viewed as a positive economic impact, in the longer term, an opportunity for sustained income generation has been lost. From a Total Economic Valuation perspective, the program had a significant negative impact on the value of the nation's asset. For example, reduced game populations represent an economic as well as an environmental and socio-economic loss, whilst the likely future landslides from deforested areas could seriously impact downstream communities. During one week of rainstorms in June 1998 for example, deforestation in upper watersheds caused serious landslides and downstream flooding that resulted in loss of 4,000 km of forest roads throughout Romania.
Perhaps a more disturbing aspect of the changes in the Dumac Valley is the impression of anarchy. NFA staff provide accounts of threats as well as acts of physical violence against them as they have sought to prevent illegal forest clearance. New forest owners care little about the forest code and do not understand how their actions on private lands is any business of the State. Source:ECSSD Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Development Working Paper No. 18 RomaniaForestry Sector: Status, Valuesand Need for Reform, by John Fraser Stewart.
3.4 OTHER PROGRAM ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
3.4.1 Strengthen the Status Quo Scenario
Program identification considered the strengthening of the status quo. This was rejected because: (a) it would put at risk the sustainable management of over 2 million ha of restituted forests leading to over exploitation, loss of habitat, oversupply of timber with reduction in price, high quality assortments going to low value use and significant damage to the environment including possibly protected areas; (b) reinforce dependency on illegally harvested timber and ruin any chance for Romanian timber to be certified and gain access to high value export markets; (c) do nothing to address the policy and sector reform issues identified.
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 18 3.4.2 Development of Forest Road Network
Program identification considered three alternatives: (a) no roading; (b) major roading element based on FAO recommendation of upgrading of 1,000 km of existing road and the construction of 1,500 km of new roads; and (c) pilot roading element aimed at identifying best practice and improving efficiency in construction. These alternatives were further explored and analyzed during project preparation.
3.4.3 Investment Financefor Wood Industries
The inability of small and medium sized wood harvesting and processing firms to raise loans for capital investment was identified as a significant blockage to future development in the participatory process. A number of rural credit schemes are planned to start in early 2002, that in theory could provide access to finance for forest industries. Once again, the program preparation team are awaiting the outcome of further economic analysis to be undertaken before deciding whether to include or reject a specific financing element within the program.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTR-1 OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND FORESTS 19 Blank Page
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 20 4 BASELINE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
4.1 INTRODUCTION
The following section presents the environmental and socio-economic context of relevance to the forest sector and in particular, of relevance to the activities of the FDP. The institutional context is presented in Section 6.
Information has been derived from the following sources:
* Draft Project Appraisal Document, World Bank, Spring 2001; * ECSSD Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Development Working Paper No. 18, John Fraser Stewert (World Bank), October 1999; * Romania Forest Development Project, "Harvesting and Transport", Fortech (UK) Ltd., Spring 2001; * Romania Forest Development Project "Initial Report on Environmental Aspects of the ForestRoad Component",Fortech (UK) Ltd., Spring 2001.
4.2 THEFOREST SECTOR
4.2.1 Introduction
Romania's forests, which cover over a quarter of the country, are internationally important in that they include some of the last and largest tracts of natural and virgin old growth forests still remaining in Europe. They also constitute an extremely valuable natural resource for the country.
The following section describes some key attributes of the resource and the production sector. Particularly pertinent aspects of the sector of relevance to the FDP and this study are:
* Romania's forests are amongst the most productive in Europe in terms of their potential for sustainable harvest of timber and non-timber products;
* silviculture techniques and practice in more than 75% of Romania's production forests are based on natural regeneration of native species;
* as a result, Romania's forests support a huge diversity of plant and animal species including top predators which are extinct or rare in other parts of their former range.
The forest sector is however constrained by a number of issues and could also pose a threat to the environment if management and institutional structures are not in place or effectively enforced. The most important aspects of these constraints and threats are:
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND FORESTS 21 * the prevalence of existing harvesting and extraction practices are in part due to old fashioned equipment and the low density of the road network. As a result, forest management is not economically efficient and has also resulted in some environmental damage e.g. long distance skidding of logs which increases damage to forest floor and contributes to soil erosion and river siltation);
* a potential conflict exists between profit interests of private loggers (who are awarded concessions by NFA on a competitive bidding basis) and the incremental costs of sensitive harvest practices. The latter is supposed to be managed under the system, as the loggers are not allowed to move on to the next harvest tract until the NFA has given clearance based on review of the first harvested tract; however there is a risk that failure of this management process would lead to unsustainable harvesting;
* the competitive tender process used to award forest harvest concessions is not, in theory, conducive to the adoption of best environmental practice because of the incremental costs involved. The process (together with the difficulties of securing investment finance) also discourages the upgrade of harvesting equipment (e.g. investments into sky-cables and smaller, more sustainable skidding vehicles);
* the siting and design of forest roads does not take account of environmental sensitivities (e.g. the vast majority of roads are built in valley bottoms with no or a limited buffer zone between valley bottom streams and roads. Logs are skid significant distances down slope leading to soil erosion and siltation of water courses); and
* poor maintenance of existing forest roads, the erosion of which contributes to downstream siltation, which in the longer term, could result in as many, if not more significant impacts on the environment.
4.2.2 Forest Resources
Romania has an estimated 6.4 million hectares of forest covering approximately 27% of its land area. Approximately 30% of forests are conifers, including spruce and fir. The remaining 70% are broad leafed and mixed forests containing high value hard woods including beech and oak. An overview of Romanian forests is given in Table4.1.
Approximately two thirds of Romania's forests occur in the Carpathian mountains. More than half of all forests have been effectively and conservatively managed for non-wood production objectives, including watershed management, conservation of seed stands, game management and research (see Section 4.2.3).
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE,FCOD AND FORESTS 22 Table 4.1 Overview of Romanian Forests
Description Value Total Forest Area 6.37 million ha Forest ownership Gune 1998) • State owned forests 94% * Private forests 6% Forest Types * Coniferous (especially spruce) 30% * Beech 30% * Oaks 19% . Others 21% National forest stock 1,350 million M3 Annual growth 5.6 m 3/ha-year Annual allowable cut approx. 14 million m 3/year Geographical distribution of forests: . Mountains 60% * Hills 30% . Plains 10% Functional distribution * Protection forests (not protected areas) 44% * Production forests 56%
4.2.3 Forest Managernent
Forests in Romania can be divided into 'Production Forests' and 'Protection Forests'. Together these are known as the 'Forest Fund'. Production Forests make up 47% of the forested area of Romania and are managed solely for production purposes (7).
Protection forests are sub-divided into sub-groups depending on location, site conditions and management or use and are managed for specific functions. Their full title, in Romanian, implies 'forests managed primarily for protection' - but not exclusively. At present, Protection Forests have been classified into five Sub-Groups by function as follows:
1. Water Protection; 2. Site and Soil Protection; 3. Protection against Climatic and Industrial Threats; 4. Recreation; and 5. Scientific Interest and Protection of the Forest Genetic Fund.
Each sub-group is then divided into Functional Categories such as for example, "Forestson slopesadjacent to lakes/reservoirs"(Category 1.1b), "Forests at high altitudes with difficult regenerationconditions" (Category 1.30. The Sub- groups and Functional Categories are described in more detail in Annex I-A.
Timber harvesting is permitted in virtually all the functional categories of Protection Forests, except Group 5: "Scientific reserves, nature reserves and
(7) loan Abrudan, PPT, 1998.
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 23 core areas of national parks". The felling systems permissible under each sub- group and each functional category are also described in Annex I-A.
'Conservation felling' (for sanitation and/or safety) is permitted in areas prone to erosion and landslides, whilst "selection or group selection systems" are permitted in other categories of land sensitive to erosion.
All forests in the 'Forest Fund' are managed under a Forest Management Plan. The majority of these plans are prepared on a compartment basis by ICAS (8) on behalf of the owner (i.e. the NFA), approved by the Directorate of Forests (now in MAFF), and revised every 10 years.
Restituted forests will inherit their previous management plan when transferred to the private sector. Private forests of less than 10 ha require a simplified management plan. Details of this have not been elaborated yet.
Currently ICAS is preparing management plans for private forest owners with funding from MAFF. However, to date only 3000 ha (out of 300,000 ha) have had management plans prepared.
4.2.4 Forest Production
Under communism, Romania invested heavily in forest management and produced some of Europe's best silvicultural technical specialists. Silvicultural practices are based on natural regeneration of native species such as oak, beech and other native deciduous and coniferous tree species in more than 75% of Romania's production forests. Continuous forest cover forms the basis of extraction systems.
Rotation periods between stand harvesting is typically 60 and 80+ years (the lesser period being for coniferous species). Mature trees are then felled either through individual selection (managed thinning) or by group felling. Clear- felling is uncommon and is limited by law to a maximum of 3 hectares.
Harvesting method
The prevailing harvesting method is the longwood system. Trees are felled by chainsaw and then extracted to roadside either as entire stems or long lengths, depending on tree size. Due to difficult terrain and poor roading infrastructure, pre-bunching in advance of extraction is a frequent occurrence. Pre-bunching may be required more than once depending on terrain and accessibility and is undertaken by either horse, ox, tractor plus winch or manually (in very steep terrain) or a mixture of these.
Extraction method
Skidding is the principal extraction method and is typically by four-wheel drive (4WD), split frame skidders of Romanian manufacture. Extraction distances reflect the limited roading infrastructure and can be in excess of 1
(8) Until recently ICAS had a monopoly on plan preparation, but this is no longer the case.
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 24 km. The skidders are old and require high maintenance with a high level of down time. There has been a minimum of new investment in skidders over the past ten years. Cable systemns,typically fixed skyline units, are being used less and less due to high costs. Extraction is typically downhill due to tradition of aligning roads along valley floors.
Transportationmethods
Road transport is characterized by trucks of Romanian manufacture, typically with 14 tonne capacity. Road transport of logs direct to the sawmill accounts for circa 80%, with rail being used more frequently for the transport of pulpwood.
Roading Infrastructure
The roading infrastructure has an impact on harvesting methods, technologies and practices and on the environment. The position at the end of year 2000 was:
* 32,468 km forest roads; * 65 km forest railroads; * 1,453 km roads other sectors e.g. mining and hydroelectric; and * 7,625 km public roads in the forests, on which wood collection is allowed.
The total forest road network provides a roading density of 6.1 m/ha, 4.7m/ha being forest roads. This is well below other European countries with broadly similar topography (Austria 36 m/ha, Switzerland 40 m/ha, France 26m/ha, Germany 45 m/ha).
The network is unevenly distributed with the mountainous regions having the lowest density. As a result of heavy rains in the last 3-4 years, accessibility has deteriorated further with some 7,000 km of forest roads having become inoperative, especially in the mountainous region. The effective road density has thus decreased to circa 5.3 m/ha. The National Forest Administration (NFA) which is responsible for forest roads, considers that only 65% of the Romanian forests or 4.2 million hectares are accessible at the technical and economic efficiency level.
In 2000, the EU funded upgrading of some forest roads which provided access to villages under the Social Development Fund (SDF) program. Romania's National Rural Development Plan, approved by the EU, includes the provision of SAPARD funding for forest roads. Even with investment, the roading density will still be significantly less than the minimum level recommended by the FAO and the Forest Research and Management Institute (ICAS) (9).
(9) Forestry Sector Review, FAO/ WoTld BankCo-operative Program, 1993.
ENVIRONMENTALRESOU.RCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE,FOoD AND FORESTS 25 Harvest Planning, Management and Operation
Harvesting is undertaken by MAFF licensed companies and the sector is dominated by a large number of small-scale operators. The State still is the major shareholder in these but there are an increasing proportion of private shareholders. At the beginning of 2001, there were approximately 600-700 logging companies.
Harvest planning is based on 10-year forest management plans. Harvesting contracts are competitively tendered by the NFA. For tender sales, each lot has a harvesting plan which specifies the equipment to be used, the extraction routes and other relevant site and operational parameters. NFA Silvic District staff, on a monthly basis, undertake monitoring against plan although, sites are visited weekly by the Range forester.
Forest management and production has traditionally been concentrated within the winter months when the ground is frozen. This trend is however changing to year-round management and would be expected to change further as a result of increased forest production.
Harvest volumes
The annual allowable cut (AAC) is based on forest management plans and is approved annually by the Directorate of Forests (DoF) within the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forests (MAFF). The AAC for 2001 is 17.0 million m3 and the actual volume harvested over the past number of years has averaged 3 approximately 14 million m .
The National Forest Administration (NFA) currently sells circa 10.5 million m3 by tender and can harvest for its own use 1.0 million m3 (10)with circa 3 million m3 allocated for firewood. This position will change with the implementation of the planned restitution of forests to former private owners.
Health, Safety and Training
Although there are defined safety standards and regulations for harvesting, in practice they are more or less ignored. Safety equipment for chainsaw workers is not wom, workers adopt unsafe stance in relation to extraction and machines lack adequate safety features. The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (MLSP) has a county-based inspectorate with a specific unit dealing with wood industry, including harvesting, whose role is to enforce safety regulations. Unsafe practices do still prevail however (11).
There is no national or regional training facility for private machine operators or operatives. The NFA has an in-service training unit but this concentrates on technical and management personnel. Chainsaw operators must undergo a
3 (10) Under the Forest Code 1996 the NFA can harvest for its own use up to 1 million in . In 2000, the NFA harvested 0.8 3 million m and for 2001 this figure was significantly reduced to 0.3 mnillion mi. (11) Site visits by FDP Project Preparation Team Spring 2001.
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 26 training course before being allowed to work in harvesting. There is no such requirement for skidder or cable operatives.
Existing Environmental Impacts
The poor roading infrastructure, and its associated long average extraction distance, results in frequently used skid trails causing excessively deep rutting. This predisposes the site to erosion, seepage to and sedimentation of water courses. Natural watercourses are used on occasion as extraction trails.
The newly established Forestry Inspectorate (FI) is responsible for ensuring that harvesting activity does not harm forest vegetation, provoke soil erosion or cause other environmental damage. In practice however, the FI is under resourced and unable to fulfill this role. There is no requirement for harvesting or transport machines to carry anti-pollution kits to contain fuel and lubricant spillage and prevent seepage to watercourses. Little regard is shown at landings for the prevention of soil / road erosion and seepage to watercourses, although landings and roadsides are cleaned after harvesting is complete.
The standards for harvesting damage to natural regeneration and standing trees are adhered to in practice and enforced.
4.2.5 Trends in resource use
The forestry sector is a significant contributor to the Romanian economy. A total of over 1.62 million m3 of timber was processed in 1998 in the wood processing (excluding furniture) sector (12). In 2000 the export value of wood and wood products was estimated as US$1 billion, equivalent to 11% of all exports. The non-pecuniary values of forests are considerably larger. A recent study (Economic Value and Reform of the Forestry Sector, Romania, January 1999) indicated that the annual value of all products and services provided by Romania's forest, including environmental services but excluding value added from forest industries is of the order of US$3.1 billion (13).
Recent years have however seen a decline in wood production and processing. For example, processing (excluding furniture) decreased by over 13% between 1993 and 1998(14).Thistrend is largely due to constraints on the forest production and processing industry resulting from the ability of the private sector to invest in improved wood processing technology. This is further compounded by constraints in marketing resulting from a combination of a lack of information, banking laws that restrict access to credit, competition with state enterprises and inefficiencies in the system of wood auctioning that lead to lack of security of supply of raw materials.
(12) Rornanian Statstical Yearbook 1999, Conrusia Nationala pentru Statistica, 1999. (13) Fortech UK Ltd., Romania Forestry Deveopment Prograrn, Project Preparation: "Harvesting and Transport", Spring 2001. (14) Romanian Statistical Yearbook 1999, Comisia Nationala pentru Statistica. 1999.
ENviRONMENTAL REsoURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND FORESTS 27 Although the annual allowable harvest of wood from Romanian forests in 1999 was 15.5 million m3 for example, wood harvests have reduced from more 3 3 than 14.8 million m in 1996 to around 13.7 million m in 1999(15).Figure 4.1 presents this trend and the composition of the harvest by timber type.
Figure 41 Annual Timber Harvesting in Romania, 199441999('000 min)
16000 14000 12000- +AAC 1X000- + Tote Harvestir - -.- - Conifer 8000 X Beech
6000 _ O-Oak
__ ___ -0---~~~~~~~-Stronig 8 roadlewes 4* I Soft Broadlewes 2000 0 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1J99 Year
A similar trend towards reduced production was witnessed in fumiture production which saw a decrease in production of 36% between 1997 and 1998 (compared to a 17% decrease for all industries). Half of all furniture producers recorded zero profit or losses in 1998 (16), This is despite Romania being amongst the top four largest furniture exporters in Europe and amongst the top 10 world wide during the 1980s.
4.2.6 Forest Certification
The Romanian president has recently announced that his nation's forests will begin the process of forest certification through the Forest Stewardship Council's program (17). A trial parcel of 32,000 ha is expected to undergo assessment for compliance with the FSC's Principles and Criteria for Forest Management enabling Romania to market its responsible forest management practices to the world market through a recognized standard.
4.2.7 Illegal Harvesting
The World Bank reports that there is a growing "black economy" in forest products based on illegally harvested wood (18) Currently, there is no
(15) Figures provided by FORTECH Ltd, 2001. (16) ECSSD Envirornmentalty and Socially Sustainable Development Working Paper No. 18 RomamnaForestry Sector: Status, Values and Need for Reform, by John Fraser Stewart, October 1999. (17) Press Release of FSC Secretariat May 19,2001. (18) ECSSD EnvironmentaDlyand Socialy Sustainable Development Working Paper No. 18 Romania Forestry Sector: Status, Values and Need for Reform, by John Fraser Stewart, October 1999.
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MlNT OFAGRICULTURE, FOOD AND FORFs capacity to regulate this black economy in the forest sector to reduce illegal felling, to ensure payment of fair prices for this State resource, or to comply with environmental protection requirements. There is a potential for these threats to increase following land restitution if appropriate policy and institutional reforms have not been enforced.
Unofficial estimates of the scale of illegally harvested wood vary from 5-20% of the legal harvest (19). The NFA has unofficially estimated that some 150,000 m3 of Romanian timber illegally enters the market each year. The assumption is that this derives from privately owned productive forests of which there was approximately 320,000 ha in 2000 (20).
4.2.8 Forest Land Ownership
Prior to 1948, the State owned only 28% of forest land. Of the remainder, 23% was owned by almost half a million private individuals and 49% by more than 9,000 different categories of institution, including local municipalities, the church and public entities etc. In 1948, most lands including forests, were nationalized (21).
Since the fall of commnunismhowever, Law 1/2000 commits the government to commercializing or privatizing the operations of the NFA and restituting forest lands to former owneTS.It is expected that this will increase pressure on the forests. As described in Section 3.3 and Box 3.1, restitution of forest lands between 1990-1992 resulted in considerable environmental damage and a substantial reduction forest area.
4.3 ENVIRONMENTALCONTEXT
4.3.1 Flora and Fauna
The territory of Romania is a meeting point between numerous biogeographic regions. The high level of geographic diversity in Romania and the consequence of this location as a biological meeting point has produced a floral diversity that includes 3,500 species and a faunal diversity estimated to be more than 30,000 species. Many species that once thrived in many parts of Europe are now only found in Romania or found in Romania in large quantities (22).
Forestbiodiversity
Since almost half of all forests in Romania (13% of the whole country), have been managed for watershed conservation rather than production, Romania
(19) ECSSD Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Development Working Paper No. 18 RonmaniaForestry Sector: Status, Values and Need for Reform, by John Fraser Stewart, October 1999. (20) Forest Development Project, Draft Social eport, Marian Preda (on behalf of the World Bank), May 2001. (21) ECSSD Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Development Working Paper No. 18 Romania Forestry Sector: Status, Values and Need for Reform, by John Fraser Stewart, October 1999. (22) Roranian National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, 1996.
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGFICULTLRE, FOOD AND FORtSTS 29 has the largest areas of undisturbed and virgin forests in Europe (23).As a result of silvicultural practices based on natural regeneration, Romanian forests remain host to the full range of European forest biodiversity, including top predators that are either extinct or rare in other parts of their former range. Approximately 60% of all European brown bears and 40% of wolves and lynx occur in Romania. The presence of ten, of Europe's twelve species of snaller mustelid carnivores (including polecats and martins), and all ten of Europe's woodpecker species.
Although rich in biological resources, Romania's biological resources are comiing under increasing pressure from human activities. Among these, the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (1996) highlights the following as key threats to Romania's natural environment:
* "overgrazing of alpine and forest meadows; * plowing under of contour bunds; * clear cutting of private forest bunds; * increasing pressure to exploit more forests in inaccessible areas on state land; and * increasing tourism in highly sensitive mountain ecosystems".
Biodiversihymanagement and conservation
Romania has shown an active governmental and non-governmental commitment to protect and enhance Romania's biodiversity. Some 4.8% of the country's land area has been designated into 492 protected areas including 12 National Parks, 3 biosphere reserves, one World Heritage Site and one Ramsar site. The majority of these sites (375 in total) are small (un,ler 100 ha each) and only the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, has a formal conservation mnanagement plan. There is at present no coordinated national strategy for the conservation of key habitats (24).
The National Biodiversity Strategy lists 20 protected virgin forest areas, two of which is are National Parks and one, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (Rezetat National Park). These areas are presented in Annex I-B. Protected forest areas are managed by the NFA.
At present the geographical identification of key areas for conservation in Romania is the subject of three major initiatives (25):
1. CORINE Important Biotopes:CORINE (Coordination of Information on the Environment) was established in 1985 by the European Council of Ministers. The CORINE Information System is a database of important biotopes (habitat types) held on an ARC/Info GIS by the European Topic Centre on Nature Conservation (ETCNC) in Paris. This includes information from Romania.
(23) Romanian National Biodiversitv Strategy and Action Plan, 1996. (24) Romanian National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, 1996. (25) Rormania Forest Development Project "Initial Reporton EnvironmentalAspects ofthe Forest Road Component", Fortech (UK) Ltd., Spring 2001.
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 30 2. NATURA 2000: Romania is responding (in preparation for accession) to the EC Habitats and Birds Directives (EEC/92/43 on the Conservationof Natural Habitats and of Wild Faunaand Flora,and EEC/ 79/409 on the Conservationof Wild Birds).These Directives require member states to identify and establish a network of Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) for habitats, and Special Protected Areas (SPA) for birds. Together, these protected areas will form part of the internationally-recognized and 'strictly protected' NATURA 2000 system. In Romania the site selection process is underway. A preliminary identification based on Important Bird Areas (IBA) may be available: sixty IBAs in Romania have been identified by the Romanian Ornithological Society.
3. EcologicalNetvork of Romania:To help establish the Pan-European Ecological Network (PEEN) for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) (an essential part of the Pan-EuropeanBiological and LandscapeDiversity Strategy), the European Centre for Nature Conservation is preparing an indicative map of 'ecological networks' in most of eastern Europe including Romania. Map products may be available in May 2001, at a scale of 1:2.5 million.
The importance of the various categories of Protection and Production Forests for biodiversity conservation, and their status vis-a-vis the existing and future systems of protected areas, has not been ascertained. It is likely to be highly site-specific, and is an important issue with respect to the planning and management of forest activities.
4.3.2 Geology and Soils
Soil erosion is a major problem in Romania affecting water bodies and agricultural land. Erosion is considerable on abut 3.5 million ha of agricultural land and in some counties (particularly Vrancea and Buzau along the south eastern slopes of the Carpathians). Total soil loss is estimated at about 126 million metric tons per year, corresponding to an average of 5.3 tons/ha/year (26),
Water, through sheet and gully erosion, is the main erosive process. Natural water erosion, caused by soft rocks with often unfavorable sedimentation patterns, contrasted relief with steep slopes and torrential rains has been amplified by forest clearance and unsustainable agricultural practices.
The most detrimental effect of erosion in Romania is siltation of reservoirs and rivers, dramatically reducing their capacity (in the Arges catchment south west of Brasov for example, up to 84% of dams are affected by siltation) (27), Other impacts of erosion include increased flooding, landslides, changes to fluvial position and damage to infrastructure.
(26) Romania Forestry Sector Review, Food and Agricultural Organisation, January 1993. (27) Romaria Forestry Sector Review, Food and Agricultural Organisation, January 1993.
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND FORESTS 31 Certain regions of Romania are especially vulnerable to landsliding and extreme erosion due to geologic conditions. This potential is well recognized in the counties of Buzau, Cluj, Prahova and Vrancea where the tilted, marine clay (marl) sedimentary bedrock is highly prone to slope failure during road construction and when forest cover is removed.
At the forest level, downslope skidding practices, sometimes over distances in excess of 1km, can cause significant localized erosion into valley-bottom streams and culverts.
Erosion is mainly controlled by reforestation and rehabilitation of degraded lands. The FAO's Forestry Sector Review published in 1993 reported that since 1976, 50,000 ha of forest land had been reforested to control erosion. The EU's SAPARD program is financing investment in afforestation on approximately 2 million ha of under-productive and degraded agricultural land.
4.4 SOCIALAND Socio-EcONOMIC CONTEXT
In 1998, the wood production and processing sector (excluding furniture) employed approximately 1.5% of total national employment. However, employment in forest industries has decreased significantly since the 1980s when Romania was among the top four largest furniture exporters in Europe. In the furniture sector, urnon sources report that in 1998 alone, a decline in business caused the loss of 60,000jobs and NFA laid off 2,000 employees between November 1998 and January 1999 (28),
Key employment statistics are presented in Table4.2.
Table 4.2 Employment in Forestry and Wood Processing in Romania
Description Unit 1993 1995 1998 Total employed in all sectors thou. Persons 10,062 9,493 8,813 Of which employed in: Silviculture, forestry and hunting thou. Persons 77 78 53 % of total employed 0.8 0.8 0.6 Wood processing (excl. fumiture) thou. Persons 80 77 81 % of total employed 0.8 0.8 0.8 Total employed in wood sector thou. Persons 165 155 134 % of total employed 1.6 1.6 1.5 Source: Romanian Statistical Yearbook1999.
Romania's forests however also support a considerable informal sector benefiting from the collection, use and sale of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs). These include the collection and sale of honey, berries and mushrooms, hunting and recreation and tourism. Local people are also able to collect brush and branches for heating and cooking.
(28) ECSSD Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Development Working Paper No. 18 Romania Forestry Sector: Status, Values and Need for Reform, bv John Fraser Stewart, October 1999.
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND FORESTS 32 Forest infrastructure, and in particular forest roads, also provide a vital resource for rural communities and forest production industries. Forest roads often pass through villages or link to village and national roads providing a vital artery of transport and communications to the wider area. Forest roads provide direct access to markets, services and administrative systems for rural families otherwise isolated.
ENVIRONMIENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 33
5 CRiTICAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES
5.1 INTRODUCrION
The FDP is premised on supporting and strengthening the institutional, regulatory and sectoral functions which will facilitate the change from public to private forest ownership whilst maintaining sustainable forest practices.
This portion of the EA report considers the risks to successful implementation and management of the FDP and any potential negative impacts which will need to be taken into account during program preparation. It aims to present recommendations for enhancement and mitigation which will strengthen the effectiveness of the FDP. These recommendations are then carried forward into an Environmental Management Plan in Section 7.
This impact assessment is further supported by an analysis of the institutional context within which the FDP is operating (Section 6) and a more detailed assessment of the road sub-component in Part II of this report.
5.2 IMPACTS OF AND POTENTIAL RISKS TO SUCCESSFULIMPLEMENTATION OF THE FDP
The anticipated impacts, both positive and negative, of FDP components in Environmental, Social, Econornic and Institutional terms, are summarized in Table5.1. This carries forward the anticipated benefits of the FDP presented in the program's Draft Project Appraisal Document which were summarized in Table 2.2.
The areas of the program which could result in negative environmental, social, economic or institutional impacts are then discussed in more detail. Appropriate mitigation measures are suggested, which should be integrated into the program during preparation and implementation.
More detailed discussion of the potential impacts of each program sub- component, together with suggested enhancement and mitigation measures, are presented in Annex I-C.
5.3 SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Table5.1 and Annex I-C clearly show that the FDP will have largely beneficial impacts. There are however some key components which could have negative consequences on the environment and socio-economic structures of rural communities, most notably the construction and rehabilitation of Forest Roads and to a much lesser extent, support to the development of wood processing industries.
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOFAGRICULTURE, FOOD AND FORESTS 35 5.3.1 Impacts of Road Rehabilitation and Construction
Key Issues
Almost 70% of FDP funds will be directed towards the forest road component, and its potential impacts on the environment therefore have added significance for the FDP. As a result, MAFF has requested more detailed environmental assessment of the road component and the preparation of screening and environmental assessment guidelines to be applied to this component. These are presented in Part II of this Sectoral EA which is then further supported by presentation of two case study EAs of Forest Roads which have been selected for support under the FDP.
Mitigation Measures
To minimize the potential environmental impacts of the road sub-component, a number of management measures have been recommnended in Part II of this report. These are sunmmarized in the box below.
Recommendations (for Forest Road component of FDP) 1. application of a Best Practice Manual for the siting, design and construction of all FDPs roads. This will be developed during Year 1 of the FDP; 2. all new roads developed under the FDP will require an individual EA as described in Part II, Section 1.3.3; 3. all rehabilitated roads are to be screened for their potential environmental effects as described in Part II, Section 1.3.3 of this report and; where significant negative effects are anticipated, these roads will undergo EA; 4. a second cumulative impact screen is also recommended; this would involve mapping the planned FDP road projects at a county level to determine when more than one project will occur in a river basin (catchment), and then managing the projects to minimize cumulative impacts (see Part II, Section 1.3.3);and 5. it is recommended that the Forest Road Specialist of the PCT and a counterpart(s) to be identified within the Forestry Inspectorate be responsible for ensuring that the recommendations of the EAs are fully implemented. 6. the Forestry Road Specialist and the designated Fl counterpart(s) will need to take particular account of any potential cumulative impacts of the road component (as noted above). Whilst one road may not have significant environrmental impacts, taken together, several new and/or rehabilitated roads in a region could add significant pressures to fragile ecosystems, existing public road systems and transit villages and towns. The cumulative footprint of several projects could therefore be far greater than the aggregate of impacts from a single road project.
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 36 Table 5.1 Summary of Potential Impacts of the FDP
Component 1. Institutional Support for 2. Forest Sector Development 3. Public 4. Management & Sustainable Forest Management Awareness Co-ordination Impact Area 1.1: Supervisory, 1.2: Forest 2.1:Road 2.2 Support to 2.3: Strategic 2.4: Business Regulatory and Management Rehabilitation & Forest Owners Development of Development Advisory Information Construction Associations NFA Service System Environment Biodiversity N/A N/A N/A
Erosion N/A O N/A m N/A Water Quality N/A O N/A N/A Air Pollution N/A N/A 0 N/A N/A N/A Enviromnental N/A * N/A Management Social Employment N/A N/A Access to resources N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Economic Sustainable revenue N/A Economic diversification N/A N/A N/A N/A Institutional StrengtheningCapacity * N/A Empowerment N/A N/A
Key:
OE M High/Medium/Low POSITIVEimpact * @0 High/Medium/Low NEGATIVEimpact N/A = Not Applicable
ENviRoNMENTALPEOUaCuS MANAGEMENT MINwSTRYoF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FoRErl roadsin a delineatedarea are and lai veahother to copare andcontrast the -iaepabityof alt More sophistcated techiuques such as computer-addeoographical Infomaon Systemsare useful tools in preparingmaps of cumulative impacts.
It should be noted that only a very smallproportion of the roads component will involve new build. In addition, the roads chosen for financingunder the FDPhave already been screened to exclude those which were thought to have the potential for significantenvironmental damage.
The impacts and mitigation measures,together with the recommended screening and EA system for roads, are described in more detail in Part II of this report.
5.3.2 Impacts of Business Development Service
Key Issues
The BusinessDevelopment Component of the FDP aims to promote the establishmentand diversificationof SMEswhich can add value to forest products. It is thereby encouragingsmall-scale industrial development.
If industrial development is encouragedwithout adequate safeguardsfor the environment and people's health and safety,negative environmentaland social impacts could be observed.These potentiallyinclude:
* increasedpollution of air and water and associatedhealth impacts; • risks of soil and groundwater contaminationfrom inappropriate use and/or storage of toxic materials; * increased water abstractionand associatedconflicts with other water users; * increased trafficwith associatednoise, air pollution and accidents; * inadequate measures to protect employee'ssafety at work; * inappropriate waste disposal;and * land use conflictsbetween other users.
Whilstthe individual impact of one new wood processingindustry on the environment may be relatively small,its impacts could be more significant cumulatively (over a wider area such as along a water course or within a restricted valley)and/or over time (e.g.if persistent contaminationoccurs).
Mitigation measures
These impacts could be avoided and/or considerablyreduced through measures incorporated into the preparation and execution of this component. Our recommendationsare summarized in the box as follows:
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 38 Recommendations (for Business Development Component of FDP) 1. guidance and advice regarding legal obligations and opportunities for the use of modern, clean and efficient technologies and processes should be provided by the Forest Sector Business Information Center (ForSBIC); . advice and support for the uptake of clean technologies and processes should form the basis of all activities within this component; 3. advice for the development and implementation of an auditable environmental management system (perhaps using EMAS or ISO 14001 as a basis) should form the basis of all activities within this component; 4. the PCT or suitably qualified expert should review any environmental assessments undertaken for a business and ensure that all mitigation and safeguard measures are undertaken by the appropriate authority (e.g. as a contract commitment by the beneficiary if appropriate); 5. project monitoring includes an examination of any potential environmental impacts.
Local planning requirements will play an important role in determining the environmental and social acceptability of business development. Where a project does have the potential to impact negatively on the environment however, the PCT must ensure that regulatory institutions have the capacity to monitor environmental impacts and enforce any necessary regulations where non-compliance is observed.
5.3.3 Social Impacts
Income and Employment
The sustainable management of Romania's forests has a significant social dimension. Development of the sector is expected to result in creation of employment opportunities. The Road component will generate local employment opportunities but in the long-term, the land restitution process will provide new opportunities and responsibilities for private individuals, household groups and community organizations. The ability of the private sector to maximize the economic and employment opportunities afforded by the restitution process is however constrained by a number of factors, specifically:
* the ability to obtain financial loans for capital investments (e.g. for machinery or to develop forest processing industries). The private sector currently lacks the collateral to secure loans making investment in the sector very difficult. It is however hoped that on restitution, restituted lands will become acceptable collateral against loans; and
* knowledge and expertise in sustainable forest management, processing and other secondary industries and business mnanagement to maximize sustainable income from sector activities.
The FDP has been designed to directly address the lack of knowledge and expertise (constraint 2) through its support to forest owners associations (Sub- component 2.2), its Business Development Service (Sub-component 2.4), the
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURcEs MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESI5 39 public awareness campaign (Component 4) and the extension services of the Forest Inspectorate (component 1). In terms of financial capital, other donor programs such as the EU's SAPARD program, will assist in providing financial capital to support private entrepreneurs develop forest sector industries. The concem still remains however that SAPARD support is reliant upon obtaining 25% match funding from other sources. The Business Development Service sub-component of the FDP also benefits from including support to assist investors secure match funding and SAPARD assistance.
Conversely however, reorganization of the NFA as part of forest sector reforms may result in downsizing and loss of employment. Excess staff will however most likely be transferred to the new forest management inspectorate and to private sector employment.
Access to resources
A potential impact of restitution is that existing informal rights of local people to enter the forest areas and collect resources such as firewood and NTFPs may be relinquished if private owners restrict traditional access. Consultation and public awareness raising during the restitution process will be an important factor in reducing conflicts over land and access rights.
Additional socialissues
A study on the social impacts of activities in the forest sector has been commnissionedby the PPT the draft of which was available for review in this EA. The report has been written based on field visits to forest areas and consultation with forest stakeholders and users and considers the imnpacts which planned activities in the forest sector as a whole may have on the social fabric of forest communities. As a result, the key issues of concern relate directly to the restitution process as follows:
• differences in land values between areas under protection (e.g. protected forest) and adjacent production forests and unfair distribution of values on restitution.
* delay in forest restitution process meaning rightful owners are unable to benefit from their resource compounded by the belief that as restitution approaches, the NFA could maximize their gains by extracting as much timber as possible before hand-over.
* at present, the ability of private individuals and companies to obtain investment capital is still severely restricted. There is a belief that on restitution, restituted land could be used as collateral for industrial investment (in forest product and agricultural processing for example). The report recommended that structures need to be developed to enable private owners to obtain sufficient investment capital. The ForSBIC of the FDP addresses this by supporting private owners in finding and accessing appropriate loan options including EU SAPARD funds;
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINLSrRYOFAGRICULTURE, FOOD AND FORESIS 40 * local people currently feel alienated from the decision-making process regarding restitution and management of forest lands. This has resulted in a feeling of distrust towards the authorities and diminishing confidence that restitution will be undertaken in a fair and collaborative manner.
The solution of these additional social issues lies largely within the remit of the Govermunent of Romania and beyond the scope of the FDP. The FDP has however been designed with these issues in mind.
5.4 PUBLICCONSULTATION
The FDP conception and preparation process has so far involved five distinct stages of public consultation. The purpose, date, participants and key outcomes of these activities are summarized in Table5.2.
Table 5.2 Key Resultsfrom Public Consultation
Purpose Date Participants Key outcomes 1. Preparation and 1998/99 * GoR and various * importance of capacity discussion of World ministries and building for all key Bank Program authorities public and private sector concept organizations * importance of forest road network * concerns over sustainability of forests after restitution 2. Preparation of NFPS 2000 * key forestry sector * agreement on forest stakeholders policy, strategic e government ministry objectives and actions representatives ggeneral public 3. Preparation of ToR * Government * importance of forest for Sectoral EA ministries roads * key forest sector * agreement on focus of EA stakeholders 4. Informal consultation April * local communities * complete distrust of as part of Social Study 2001 * business groups authorities in dealing during FDP * local authorities with restitution fairly preparation . lack of any effective communication between authorities and local people * no information about when restitution will happen and what land people will get * no involvement of local people in decision- making * very difficult to obtain private finance without collateral
ENVIRONMENTALREsOURcES MANAGEMENr MINISrRYOF AGRICuLTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 41 Purpose Date Participants Key outcomes 5. Development of Ongoing * Government agencies * On-going Public Awareness involved in FDP Strategy and Program * other organizations to be incorporated associated with forest into FDP preparation sector * Private Forest Owners Association * Association of Foresters (Forest Industry) * NGOs * NFA
In addition, the FDP project preparation team have conducted 2 formal presentations, the project description has been published in the national forestry review and numerous informal consultations have been undertaken with all interested stakeholders.
As a result of these formal consultation activities and following informal consultation with forest sector stakeholders and authorities during preparation of the FDP and the EA, the following key conclusions which can be drawn:
* forest sector stakeholders and the public perceive considerable benefits from the FDP particularly with regard to ensuring restitution is undertaken fairly and that long-term economic gains will be possible;
* the public are currently excluded from key decision-making processes (in particular over restitution) and are becoming increasingly hostile to public authorities at regional and national level. This presents a threat to sustainable forest management in Romania and requires the forest authorities to actively raise their profile amongst the public and private forest industries through implementing a policy of openness, engagement and awareness raising. To the extent possible, the FDP is contributing to this through its awareness raising program, however the Government of Romania, and its forest authorities, must themselves address the lack of public involvement in decision-making processes.
* there are substantial benefits to be gained from raising the awareness of the public on the importance and long-term value of forest resources in Romania.
* During project preparation and implementation public consultation needs to: * ensure that existing public uses of the forest are taken into account and accommodated to the extent possible in the development of FMPs and that these uses are also taken into account in strategic forest planning; and * ensure that the construction/rehabilitation and use of forest roads will not lead to conflicts with communities affected by the roads.
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCEs MANAGEMENT MINLsTRYOF AGRICULTURE,FooD AND FoREsTs 42 It is also clear from the consultation undertaken that the public awareness campaign planned as a component of the FDP, will have a significant role in promoting better public understanding of the project and its goals and on addressing issues such as how the restitution of forest lands will take place and how sustainable forest management will be implemented.
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEmENT MlNISrRYOF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTs 43
6 INSTITUTIONAL AND POLICY FRAMEWORK
6.1 INTRODUCTION
The Romanian forestry sector is undergoing very significant change at the time of preparation of this report (preparatory to the FDP, and for other reasons contingent upon the change of government in early 2001). This section draws upon available sources of information, substantiated by consultations with key individuals in MAFF and elsewhere, to review and summarize the current framework, and further developments as currently anticipated. Specific aspects of policies, legislation and institutional arrangements which are relevant to implementation of the FDP are described in later sections of this document.
6.2 POLICYAND LEGISLATION
6.2.1 Forestry Sector
The current forestry policy environment in Romania has evolved from a number of important elements over the last ten years:
* 1992/93 - GoR, with assistance from FAO and the World Bank, undertook a review of the forest sector that identified key areas for reform; * 1995 - the Government developed a Forestry Strategy that identified key actions to guide forest sector reform, but it did not address the issue of restitution of forest lands or elaborate an integrated approach to sector development; * 1996 - promulgation of the Forest Code (Law 26/24 April 1996) outlining general provisions for the protection and long term management of the national 'Forestry Fund' (divided into Production and Protection Forests: see Section 2.4.2); * 1999 - Forest Sector Review working paper published by the World Bank (29) this identified and described the status, values and reforms required in the Romanian forestry sector. It outlined GoR's vision for the forestry sector, and a three phase strategy - immediate, short term and medium term - which would be developed as the FDP; * 2000 - National Forestry Policy and Strategy (NFPS): see below; * 2001 - FDP preparation (see Section 2 for detailed a description).
National Forest Sector Policy and Strategy
The National Forest Sector Policy and Strategy (NFPS) was developed during 2000, supported by the World Bank. The NFPS, sets the policy framework within which the FDP is expected to be implemented; having been endorsed at Ministerial leveL was submitted to the Government of Romania in
(29)Fraser Stewart, 1999. World Bank ECCSD Working Paper No. 18.
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MlNrSTRYOF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND FOREMS 45 December 2000 for formal and final adoption. It is not yet clear whether formal adoption of the NFPS will be an FDP loan condition.
The guiding principles in development of the NFPS were:
* To build on progress (ie elements including the Romanian Government Development Strategy, the Forest Code, the Silvicultural Strategy, the Comprehensive Development Framework for Romania, and progress on EU Accession and EU SAPARD); * Sustainability - to a) develop a national forest policy and strategy that would support sustainable forest management and b) identify and draft key policies, and schedules for their adoption or implementation, that need to be addressed prior to and during implementation of the FDP; * Partnership- to ensure that the many players in forestry and related sectors were involved in NFPS development through effective participation and consensus decision-making; *Participation - amongst key stakeholders to ensure ownership of the NFPS amongst those who were involved in preparing it, and through broader public participation to provide credibility and transparency; * Inter-sectoral- to avoid the forest sector being treated in isolation; * National policy commitment - during NFPS development and the subsequent implementation phase.
The key elements of the NFPS are summarized in Figure 6.1.
Figure 6.1 Summary of the National Forestry Policy and Strategyfor Romania
OverallGoal Thedeovlp nt of th fonetry t.ctor toInc.wt.It. 1 contributidn tothe ie. provn ent in the qudlity of INI., b.nedon th tsot.inabl...ena.mnt. th. f.r.A t urc. J
Sllviclt-l a& Mtan n.gmtnt T.n.pentP MLegngU rketing Rtreh*nd Eduelion Toenwsre fore5 management Thebetler utiliza5on of wood Themamket deelopment of forest 0eyelop.selof entifi-esncrrch Sector -o,ding tothe pnindpleaof toonou throughthe neo-os, in pati.ule' high rId eduoOionfor the euwainblnie Policyq w5anntblem.agrte.nt of integrdon of thelogging ard wdded-vJueprodoucts to mgrnwagnnenlof torutrtheeconomi naiurar-e"or, ttalkinginfo woodproceroing acti,itfies tlhievethe wsaiantble developmentof the forestry neotor ,coountthediven5ty in within thefrtework of developmentof the retor endimpro-ente in the quality of forestt ivdownership slanrableforesl nenagennen theenvironmenl asatnal,on. tregionsnd global Iseon
Strategic ForI tenidrorition Effiny les MMeakdin infratruct-re . Forestresearch & eucation Obedivt :IntegrityFoetveeraed of fonIme&tor the e fnd Emi.ronrntel" p-ticee AdeMMket deveopmentW.Etoo Cree deveopernnt and Foreatecow1 en & biodi,eunty In-an' Addedvoue tenwon r'cic Actions Aooersibilityofforetefund 'SFM *Proterted miew 'GtMoend fish reworne 'Noninben torlers products public awareness
Strategic Thedeo*opneetofninfitiont ti Enoo-rgenmentofthe aetiEon of Objeitives ftameworkto imnplementin acohereml Thedeveopmentofthe tgidtne privatelones ownerr trnr,ponf and Govwnmantal andwnstanane tanthion the devdopment trameworkton the t-ordry ewtor prooeewingconmpae in protettiaonl etVel S aegytor the forerry tctor or paronaongani oi.nn
Source: Romania - Support for Development of the National Forestry Policy and Strategy. Final Report, December 2000, prepared by Project Management Group, Ireland.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCEs MANAGEMENT MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FcOxD AND FORESTS 46 6.2.2 Environment
Development of environmental policy in Romania is driven primarily by the requirements of pre-Accession. Framing of new legislation, or modification of existing laws and regulations, to transpose requirements environmental Directives both logically and completely into law is a challenging task in which the Romanian government is receiving support from the EU Phare programune, western European bilateral donors and others.
The Romanian Environmental Protection Strategy was published in 1996(30).It reviewed the state of Romania's environment and established priorities and defined actions to address those priorities in the context of Romania's national targets for transition to a market economy and pre-Accession. The majority of the measures proposed to meet the short and medium term targets in the Strategy relate to building capacity, strengthening policy and regulation, meeting obligations under various international conventions and programmes, and addressing specific environmental management/pollution issues (eg waste management and wastewater treatment). There are, however, several measures which are more directly relevant to the DoF and to the FDP:
* Protection against natural disasters (including: development of forest belts and other drought alleviation and soil erosion measures; flood prevention; and landslide control); * Increasing the role of forests in environmental rehabilitation and protection (including: enlargement of the forest fund; silvicultural management; sustainable exploitation of the timber value of the forest its maximum regenerative capacity). This measure specifically refers to the need to develop the network of forest roads; * Rehabilitation of areas designated for hunting, and its maintenance 'within the normal limits'; • Preservation of biological diversity (through extension of reserves and parks).
Current environmental permitting procedures were established following promulgation of Environmental Protection Law 137/1995. Specifications for the conduct of public consultation within the environmental permitting process are laid out in the EIA procedures. Further revisions to Law 137/1995 are required to bring Romania into line with the EC Directives on EIA (85/337/EEC and 97/11/EEC); this could take the form of a new law, or an amendment to the existing law(31). The existing annex to Law 137/1995 listing activities requiring EIA does not fully correspond to the Directives, nor does it explicitly require EIA for new forest roads, although a range of forestry activities more generally are covered(32).
(30) Ministryof Waters, Forests and EnvironmentProtection, 1996: Environment Protection Strategy. (31) InternalERM document on status of transpositionof environmental legislation in Rornania, (32) Disease and pest control; protecthon of wild and sameanimals; clear-cutting of forests and other forest vegetation categories; exploitation, transport,processing, trade of forest products; seasonal grazing on forestry reserve lands.
ENvIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULT1RE,FOOD AND FORESIS 47 The local offices of MWEP at county level (ie EPAs) issue permits which contain conditions covering environmental (including water) quality. Neither the Environmental Protection Law nor the Water Law (see below) are very sophisticated in addressing the potential impacts of forestry activities or restitution of forest lands; in this regard both laws are concerned primarily with the effects of urban and industrial pollution.
A more detailed description of the permitting process for forest roads is provided in Part II of this report.
Forest management and exploitation activities can cause significant environmental impacts on watershed values (see Section 3.3 for a description and analysis of the impacts which the FDP could cause). Responsibility for water management rests with the MWEP, as defined in the Water Law (Law 107/1996) (33).Article 31 of the Water Law relates to forests and the subsequent regulations (Order 277/1997) stipulate that forest management plans should cover, inter alia:'the expected effects of forest management plan implementation on soil stability and on conservation of aquatic ecosystems'.
Restitution of ForestLands
Under Land Law 1 / 2000 the GoR has committed to return a second tranche of currently state-owned land to its original owners. Claims have been submitted for just over 3 million hectares of forest land currently owned by the state and managed by the NFA (see Table6.1). When the restitution process triggered by Law 1/2000 is complete the number of private forest owners will approximately double from the 300,000 under previous restitution to around 600,000. Private owners include individuals and a variety of institutions, eg municipalities and churches.
Table 6.1 Status of restitution offorest land under Law 1.2000 (as of April 2001)
Category Area ('000 ha) Total forest land available for restitution 4,306 Total claims 3,052 Claims admitted by local commissions 1,147 Already restituted 178 Source: MAFF - letter to Ministry of Justice dated 30 April 2001
The first restitution in 1991/92 restored 337,452 hectares of forest land to its former owners. The environmental impacts of the restitution were not monitored, but it has been suggested that many owners viewed the standing timber on restituted lands as a potential cash windfall. In some areas serious environmental damage ensued as the new owners cashed in by felling the timber (and in some cases clear-cutting), which drastically reduced forest cover and the long-term value of the forest fund (see Box 3.1).
Fraser Stewart (1999) identified a number of policy and institutional reforms, and actions, required for restitution to be carried through in a sustainable manner:
ENVIRONMENTAL REsoURCES MANAGEMENT MINISrRY OF AGRICULTURE. FOOD AND FORESIS 48 * establishing the policy framework and administrative procedures for restitution and management to ensure that the process is ecologically sustainable, socially just, economically efficient and administratively feasible; * creating an extension system for new owners of forest land, to advise and assist them in establishing appropriate systems for forest management; and * implementing a medium-term program of restitution in selected counties.
The institutional implications of forest restitution for the DoF and NFA are being addressed within the FDP, which will support building of capacity to supervise, monitor and regulate the sustainable management of the forest resource. A range of activities within FDP components are specifically targeted at building private sector capacity for sustainable forest management.
6.2.3 Cross-sectoral policies
Biodiversity
Romania has a unique and high level of biodiversity and of pristine ecosystems, ranging from the montane systems of the high Carpathians through the expensive grassland plains to the Danube Delta and Black Sea coast. There are twelve National Parks in Romania, and 800 or so protected areas. The current position, however, is that the bulk of the protected areas are protected in name only: most are small, have been declared provisionally by local authorities under Law 137/1995, but they were not selected within a co- ordinated process at national level to identify and conserve important habitats, and do not have management plans (34) . The most secure protected areas of forest outside national parks, therefore, are likely to be those within the forest fund which have management plans and will have been well- managed over an extended period of time by the NFA and its predecessor ROMSILVA (although clearly the actual biodiversity value of individual areas will vary enormously).
A number of government institutions have responsibilities relating to biodiversity and the management of protected areas, but institutional arrangements are not clearly defined (35):the largest part of the management responsibility lies with MWEP, but particularly at county level the EPAs mainly focus on urban and industrial environmental issues. Local authorities are responsible for land use planning, but there is no specific reference to biodiversity/conservation values in planning policies and procedures. The legislative and institutional framework for protected areas is currently under revision.
(33) Water Law 107/1996: English translatiDn from MWEP. (34) FORTECH, Dames & Moore, & Project Management (2001): Initia Reporton ErnironmentalAspects of ForestRoads Comonent. Internal FDP Project Preparation Team Document (35) Roranian Natonal BiodiversityConservation Strategyand Action Plan, 1996
ENVIRONMENTALREsouRcEs MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FoREsTS 49 The 1996 National Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan has a focus on in situ conservation and supports implementation of Article 8 of the Convention on Biological Diversity by strengthening support for protected areas and sustainable use in adjacent buffer zones. The FDP will support priority actions identified in the Strategy through for example:
* conserving some of the last, largest natural and pristine old growth forest ecosystems in Europe; * developing international and trans-boundary co-operation in the Carpathian mountains; and * providing support for three important areas that are linked by forest corridors with other reserves in eastern Europe.
FDP will also coordinate with the GEF-funded Biodiversity Conservation Management Project which began in 2000. This is developing three protected areas as demonstration projects for best practice in protected area management; much of the area under the GEF project is forested.
Agenda 21
As reported in the Draft Project Appraisal Document for the FDP (36), at a strategic level the FDP will be consistent with the principles of Agenda 21. It wiu:
* promote conservation, management and sustainable use of important ecosystems and species (and by providing support to activities that are consistent with and which assist other international conventions, such as Bonn and Bem); * involve local communities and build partnerships at local, national and regional levels (building capacity, particularly at the local level, and fostering inter-sectoral cooperation); and * promote cost effective measures to conserve biodiversity.
6.3 FoRESTRY SECTOR ORGANIZATIONAL FRAMEWORK
Institutional arrangements have altered significantly during the first few months of 2001, first with the removal of the forestry remit from the former MWFEP (now MWEP) to MAFF, and the subsequent reorganisation of the DoF from four General Directorates. This section, therefore, provides a summary of the current status of the institutions relevant to management of the forestry sector, based on published and unpublished documents (n), and discussions with officials from MAFF, the National Forestry Association, FDP PPT team members and others. Institutional responsibilities relevant to sustainable management of Romania's forest resources are shown in Table 6.2.
(36)Draft Project Appraisal Document for the Forestry Development Program, Loan No. RO-P067367. World Bank, Spring 2001 (37)FORTECIL Danes & Moore, & Project Management (2001): Prrliminary Institutional Needs Assessment. Internal FDP Project Preparation Team Document
ENvIRONMENTAL RESouRcEs MANAGEMENT MIN1STRYOF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FOREsIs 50 Table 6.2 Institutional responsibilities of key Romanian institutions relevant to environmental managementof theforest sector
Institution Areas of responsibility relevant to environment Directorate of Forests (DoF). MAFF Dir. for Strategy, Policy & 1. Co-ordinate development/ implementation of Legislation national sustainable forest management strategy 2. Elaborate/promote technical norms re. Forestry, and collaboration with other Directorates/Ministries 3. Co-ordinate forest protection survey system, and realise forest protection program 4. Co-ordinate activities relating to protected areas 5. National co-ordination of ecological reconstruction activities (afforestation of degraded agricultural lands) 6. Propose studies/programs for ecological reconstruction & protected areas 7. Co-ordinate with Directorate of Private Forest Management to elaborate studies, prognosis, programs for sustainable management of forests
* Dir. Silvic Regime Inspection - Game Management 1. Approve methodology/rules to estimate game numbers, determine optimum population size & calculate annual harvesting quotas
- Control of Silvic Regime 1. Analyse and verify FMP implementation; (Inspectorate) 2. Monitor/control harvesting to prevent environmental damage 3. Monitor/control road construction & maintenance 4. Identify/follow up on illegal activities 5. Organise/co-ordinate Regional Inspectorates with respect to forest & hunting regime
- Forest Fund, Management Unclear at time of report preparation Planning & Accessibility - Private Forest Management 1. Undertake public awareness in relation to forestry, especially private owners 2. Afforestation/amelioration activities 3. Develop national criteria/indicators for sustainable forest management 4. Co-ordinate with Directorate of Strategy, Policy & Legislation to elaborate studies, prognosis, programs for sustainable management of forests
National Forest Administration (NFA) 1. Implement national forest strategy under its (formerly known as RomSilva) stewardship to ensure protection, conservation, long term development of state forest assets 2. Forest management of private & community owned forest, on agreed basis 3. Administer/manage protected areas, including national parks 4. Manage hunting and fishing territories 5. Ensure that state forests contribute to improvement of the environment
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCEs MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRIcULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 51 Institution Areas of responsibility relevant to environment Forest Research and Management 1. Forest management planning (FMP) services Institute (ICAS) 2. Investment planning capability/services, including EIA, ecological reconstruction, flood control, road planning 3. Research: including forest protection & monitoring, biodiversity, ecology, GIS, FMP, watershed management, wildlife conservation, conservation, sustainable development
Association of Private Forest Owners 1. Promotion of awareness of forest ownership (APPR) 2. Support at local level for all aspects of forest management 3. Sustainable use of forest resources
Ministry of Water and Environment 1. Transposition of environmental legislation Protection (MWEP) 2. Review/permitting of EIAs for forestry activities 3. Water management 4. Responsibility for national Environmental and Biodiversity Strategies National Wood Institute (INLj 1. Forest road feasibility studies Source: ERM consultations with key players; FORTECH, Dames & Moore, and Project Management (2001): PreliminaryInstitutional Needs Assessment. Internal FDP Project Preparation Team Document.
It should be noted, however, that further changes to institutional structures, linkages and responsibilities are entirely possible.
The remainder of the section provides a brief overview of each institution, with recommendations to strengthen institutions, build capacity and improve co-ordination. Specific institutional strengthening measures to support environmental management within the FDP are described as part of the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) in Section 7.1
6.3.1 Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forests (MAFF)
Directorateof Forests
Primary responsibility for sustainable management and exploitation of the forest fund rests with the Directorate of Forests (DoF) in MAFF. As a result of the recent changes this is now arranged in two General Directorates, as shown in Figure 6.2, which essentially divide the responsibilities between strategy and policy on the one hand and operational and regulatory issues on the other (although there remain some minor functional inconsistencies resulting from the restructuring).
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISrRY OF AGFRCULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 52 Figure 6.2 The organisation of the State Forest Inspectorate
M inisterfor MA FF
SecretaryofState for Fo0res.triy
Drectorate Directorate Silvic Regime) Strategy,Policy and Inspection Legislaticn
Cntroof Svic ForestFund Strategy.Pal icy Sdiestan ame Rime gmt Panningrireors And Legiation Ecologica anemen necora cce
Recommendation (responsibility of Government of Romania): measures should be implemented to support the Departmnent of Forests (specifically, in the Directorate for Strategy, Policy and Legislation - DSPL) to carry out its strategic responsibility for integration of enviromnental and social issues into the forest sector. These may include the following: * an environmental focal point should be appointed in DSPL; * enviromnental training needs for the focal point and other DoF staff should be assessed withiin the human resources development training program proposed under the FDP (see below); * an environmental section should be included in DoF's standard reporting format(s);
- linkages and information flows to other key institutions in environment should be established and formalised. These will include other parts of MAFF such as the SAPARD unit and MWEP (environmental inspectorate, local EPAs, and those responsible for strengthening environmental legislation as part of the pre-accession process); = environmental data should be included as a matter of course in the formal and informal information flows between DoF and other public and private sector institutions in the forestry sector, including those described below.
State ForestInspectorate
The organisation of the State Forest Inspectorate is shown in Figure 6.2. The Inspectorate is a young and under-resourced institution. It has a critical function, particularly as restitution returns large tracts of forest land to private owners who are unlikely to have the tradition, training or resources to manage them as the NFA had previously. The Inspectorate is subject to budget constraints and has neither the staff nor equipment to fulfil its remit. After the transfer of forest responsibilities from MWEP to MAFF, GoR has tabled a proposal that the staffing of the Inspectorate should be cut significantly (38),which would further prejudice its capacity to carry out its duties and reduce its effectiveness in supporting and regulating sustainable management of Romania's forest fund.
(38) Current staffing is 495 persons out of an authonsed staffing of 795.In line with the pohcy to reduce public service staffing, GoR proposals would reduce Forest Inspectoratestaff to 300 persons in total.
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGPICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESIS 53 The role and functions of the Forest Inspectorate, which include monitoring conformance with FMPs, mean that it is best placed to take lead responsibility for regulating and monitoring environmental performance of forestry activities, both within the forest fund and in the restituted forest areas.
Recommendations: 1. The Forest Inspectorate should take lead responsibility within the Government of Romania for regulating and monitoring enviromnental performance in the forestry sector, especially in relation to forest roads, extraction activities and forest management plans. 2. Staffing levels in the Forest Inspectorate should not be further reduced. The Government has made a commitment to increase staffing levels to the minimum requirements as restitution proceeds and the World Bank should monitor progress on this commitment. 3. Capacity building (formal and on-the-job training, awareness raising, etc) should be implemented within the context of FDP support to the Inspectorate. 4. For forest roads and Forest Management Plans (FMPs), the Inspectorate should develop environmental compliance monitoring and simplified environmental audit training capacity. This could be either in-house or through call-down contracts with suitably qualified institutions. 5. Environmental screening should be part of the FMP review/approval process, with procedures put in place to attach auditable environmental 'conditions' to the approval of FMPs where these are necessary and appropriate.
Forest Sector BusinessAdvisory Service
It has been recognized during FDP preparation that there is currently a lack of co-ordination and intra-sectoral linkage between various parts of the forest industry chain (growing - logging - transport - primary and secondary processing). To address this it is proposed to set up a Forestry Sector Business Information Center (ForSBIC).
Recommendation: access to cleaner production and environmentally sustainable technology/practice advice and contacts should be available via the ForSBIC. The FDP should raise the awareness of ForSBIC staff in this respect, and provide guidance and support as appropriate.
SAPARD
Responsibility for the EU SAPARD program resides in MAFF. SAPARD is anticipated to fund an extensive forest roading program which will complement that under the FDP; the two progranmmes will also support complementary activities in relation to forest owners associations (see Section 6.3.3). The environmental obligations for SAPARD activities are consistent with the EIA Directives; it is the responsibility of the beneficiary to ensure compliance with SAPARD and national environmental requirements.
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINuSrRYOF AGRIcuLTURE, FooD ANDFORESS 54 Recommendation (responsibility of Government of Romania): the roles and responsibilities of the environmental function in DoF (see above) should make explicit reference to the need to ensure effective communication and co- ordination with the SAPARD unit in MAFF.
6.3.2 National Forest Administration
The NFA is wholly state-owned, but operates as a financially autonomous organisation reporting to State Secretary for Forestry arranged as a headquarters, 36 County branches and 380 'Silvic Districts'. The branches have a supervisory and monitoring function with the districts operating as profit centres. It is responsible for sustainable management of state-owned forest lands (ie management/ silviculture of the forest fund), and also for a range of non-timber forest products and provision of public services. The NFA's remit also includes managing national parks and other protected areas, and under the restitution arrangements, the NFA can also enter into agreement with private owners to manage their forests on a contract basis. However, the NFA does not currently operate in a free market environment or on a fully commercial basis, although it is coming under increasing political pressure to shed staff and to be genuinely profitable. This pressure will increase when restitution reduces the forest area it manages by almost half, and could result in environmental impacts, such as those resulting from reduced management effort in protected areas which do not have a tangible return for NFA.
Figure 6.3 National Forest Administration
Board of Directors
ForestMgazirie EditorialBoard Fot Research & Managemraenthngtitute
ManagenyrntComnmitteejSceaitLea,RnSf
ForestDiector TecnicalDiector | Pwoductior Huning EconomnicDirector l& Fishing Director|
Forei. _Forestb Regeao ForestStock & Piuduchon Finsee- Accounting LoggingControl & EconomnicAnalysis
_ _Ozetrnnt-Developn ' ForestManagerent Hut & Trout Planning, Protected Famning HumianResources, Areas & Silvo-toudism Organization& InformationTechnolo Proganinsns Marketin & Business Strategic Services Relahiorshiips J A non
s d ~~ForestProtecton & Guardingt
i36 BrhOffices |
| 380 Forest Distncts
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND FORESTS 55 Within areas managed by the NFA (both the forest fund and privately- owned), it will be responsible for contracting and/or carrying out activities related to all aspects of forest management. This includes activities related to forest roads, ie:
• the detailed programmning of forest road construction/rehabilitation (within individual FMPs as approved by the DoF); * commissioning feasibility studies for construction/ rehabilitation; * appointing contractors to rehabilitate or construct forest roads; * maintenance.
Recommendations: 1. The strategic development study of the NFA should consider the designation of clear responsibility for the environment to one or more individuals within the NFA, who would be responsible for: collating information on NFA's environmental performance and reporting it to management, internal environmental training and awareness-raising, and co-ordinating technical assistance (expertise external to NFA as appropriate) to review and address issues arising from performance against environmental standards set down in the FMP environmental conditions and other screening & guidelines. 2. TIhestrategic development study should consider the provision of training to NFA staff in forest road engineering best practice, and sustainable forest management best practice more generally.
The ForestResearch and Management Institute (ICAS)
ICAS reports to the general manager of the NFA (and administratively to the DoF), and provides 'in-house' services to NFA by preparing FMPs and providing other technical support which assists the NFA to carry out its remnit. The services it offers are being expanded and will soon include capability for road planning and preparation of forest road EIAs.
Recommendation: As institutions such as ICAS staff build their capacity in EIA, the FDP should support their efforts by offering opportunities for ICAS staff to participate in environmental awareness raising and training activities. As a first step, the strategic review of the NFA should examine the opportunities for ICAS staff to participate.
6.3.3 Otherforestry organisations
Associationof Private Forest Owners (APPR)
The APPR represents the interests of forest owners, and promotes awareness of forest management issues and responsibilities. FDP will support its development at national level which in turn will try to access SAPARD funding to assist the establishment of regional associations. APPR's remit
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 56 includes providing support for all aspects of forest management, and promoting sustainable use of forest resources.
Recommendation: APPR awareness raising and training should include coverage of environmental and social issues. Emphasis should be given to the importance of public participation, and consultation techniques which will facilitate involvement of a broad range of stakeholders in sustainable forest management.
The National Institute of Wood (INL)
INL is an independent institute, primarily providing support for the wood processing sector on a consultancy basis. However, it is also the centre of expertise for engineering design of forest roads, and currently prepares forest road feasibility studies for NFA.
Recommendation (for.FDP): INL staff should receive training, perhaps as part of the planned study tour under the FDP, to help them address environmental and social issues, and to support their uptake of the forest roads Best Practice Manual which will be prepared under the FDP.
Privateforest managementcompanies
The FDP will provide advice to encourage the development of a number of private sector forest management entities. It is anticipated that these forest management entities will offer services to private forest owners, and so will compete with NFA in this marketplace. As NFA will undoubtedly have to shed staff when large portions of the current forest fund are restituted, it is generally supposed that the new companies will be populated by NFA staff. The regulatory and commercial environment within which the new companies will operate is not yet clear, but market pressures could lead to environmentally damaging 'short-cuts' if management effort is concentrated on exploitation at the expense of sustainable management.
Recommendations: 1. The Forest Inspectorate, in its advisory role, and the FDP Public Awareness component should provide awareness raising to private management company staff in forest road engineering best practice, and sustainable forest management best practice more generally (for the FDP); 2. The regulatory framework for the private operating companies should explicitly require that operating standards take full account of all applicable environmental legislataon, regulations and oter guidance (such as the forest road Best Practice Manual (responsibilityof Governmentof Romania).
ENVIRONMENTALREsouRcEs MANAGEMENr M;NISTRYOF AGRUcuLTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 57
7 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENTAND MONITORING PLAN
7.1 INTRODUCTION
The FDP has been prepared to maximise the sustainable benefits of forest exploitation in Romania. However, as described specifically in Sections 5 and 6 of this SEA, there are a number of key issues which will affect the long term sustainability of the FDP and activities within the forest sector as a whole.
This section presents the actions which we recommend should be implemented, firstly within the wider institutional arena of forest sector management and exploitation, and secondly, in terms of the preparation, implementation and management of the FDP.
The section is therefore divided into two, namely:
* institutional actions presented in Table7.1; and * project specific actions presented in Table7.2.
Part II of this report then presents more detailed description on recommended actions to avoid and reduce impacts of the Forest Road sub-component of the FDP.
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURcES MANAGEMENr MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE,FooD AND FORESTS 59 Table 7.1 Recommended Institutional Actions to Improve the Effectiveness of the FDP in environmental terms
Institution Barriers/Challenges to Effect Recommended Actions [1] Responsibility Timing Cost FDP Component [31 effective implementation of 121 the FDP and MAFF * Lack of policy and * Delayed implementation of the 1. Adoption and GoR Before N/A N/A (Directorate of strategic framework for NFPS (drafted in 2000) means that Implementation of the commencement Forests) the forest sector the policy context required for NFPS of FDP effective implementation of the FDP and successful restructuring of the forest sector not yet in place
Lack of awareness in DoF * DoF not fully qualified or 2. Environmental DoF; During FDP M 1.1,1.2,3 of environmental and equipped to promote sustainable mainstreaming FDP support implementation sustainable development forest management 3. Study tours As above issues and responses
Forest * GoR proposal to reduce to * Inspectorate's capability to carry 4. Proposals to reduce GoR/ Before N/A N/A Inspectorate 300 staff out remit seriously undermined numbers dropped; full Inspectorate commencement Under the existing situation staffing authorised and and during FDP there is already a commitment staff recruited to staff the inspectorate adequately, although staff have been reduced until restitution proceeds Resistance of private forest * Conflict between Inspectors and 5. Consultation/ Fl, supported During FDP M 1.1 & 3 owners (and NFA) to forest managers and users will Engagement by FDP implementation regulatory role of divert Inspectorate resources from 6. Raise profile of Fl As above Inspectorate their primary function of 7. Raise awareness of As above regulating and promoting sustainable forest sustainable forest management management benefits 8. Incorporate As above environment into technical standards and norms
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 60 Institution Barriers/Challenges to Effect Recommended Actions [11 Responsibility Timing Cost FDP Component 13] effective implementation of [21 the FDP and National * Restructuring of NFA as * Downsizing and job losses; 9. Change management NFA, supported Before and M 2.3 Forest restitution progresses * Adoption of new management 10. Environmental by FDP during FDP Administratio goals and techniques; mainstreaming As above implementation n (NFA) * Adoption of new sustainable management principles; 11. Study tours As above * Reduced revenues and increased pressure to return a profit (thereby increasing pressure for unsustainable forest management and diversion of resources from management of 'unproductive' protected areas).
* Resentment of private * Potential for serious conflict during 12. Transparent, equitable GoR Before and N/A N/A sector and forest owners the Restitution process as owners restitution program during FDP towards NFA fear that the NFA will diminish implementation their entitled resources prior to restitution
Association of * Low institutional capacity * Sustainable forest management 13. Awareness raising; APPR (support During FDP L 2.2, 3 Private Forest of national association; principles and practices not being establish channels for from FDP) implementation Owners regional associations not promoted effectively via the main APPR to access (APPR) yet set up 'trade association' environmental expertise
Key: [1] Recommended Actions: Refer to Section 7.2.2 for more detailed description. [2] Costs: This refers to the relative cost of implementing the action where it is considered relevant for FDP support. Costs are presented as H (High), M (Medium) or L (Low) [3] FDP Component: Where it is considered relevant for the FDP to support this action, the most suitable component of the FDP has been recommend for inclusion of the action. The Component numbers refer to the following: Component 1: Institutional Support for Sustainable Forest Management Component 1.1: Establishmentof ForestInspectorate Component 1.2: ForestManagement and InformationMonitoring System Component 2: Forest Sector Development
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 61 Component 2.1: Road Rehabilitation and Construction Component 2.2: Private Forest Owners Component 2.3: Strategic Development of the NFA Component 2.4: Business Development Service Component 3: Public Awareness Component 4: Project Management
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRY Or AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 62 Table 7.2 Environmental Management Planfor FDP Sub-components
FDPComponent Impact +ve/-ve Action Component Responsibility Time Cost* Receptor impact relevant to /Recipient Action 1. INSTInT6ONAL SUPPORT FOR SUSTAINABLEFOREST MANAGEMENT 1.1 Supervisory, Environment + 1. Trainingand awarenessraising in the followingis required: 1.1 DoF & FI ongoing M Regulatoryand /Institutional * environmental impactsof forest activitiesand how they can be avoided/mitigated Advisory * toolsand methods for sustainable forest management& planning (includingGIS) * methods and tools for public consultation,mediation and marketing * the NFPS Environment 2. Utilizationof Fl power to: 1.1 DoF & FI Y1/2 L /lnstitutional * prosecute against illegal harvesting; * enforce FMPson restituted land Environment 3. Ensure sufficientfinancing and support mechanismsto enablethe Fl to have a visible presence 1.1 DoF & Fl Y1/2 M /Institutional in forest areas to regulateforest activities Environment 4. Awarenessraising and extensionon: (see also Component3) 1.1 & 3 DoF,Fl, NFA ongoing H * role of forest authorities in managing and enforcingsustainable forest practices; & PCT * promotion of environmentallysustainable managementpractices; * environmentalimpacts of forest exploitation; * importance of sustainable managementof forests; long-terminternational importance of Romania's forests; * tax and revenue system for private forest exploitation Environment + 5. Training and capacitybuilding in: 1.2 & 1.1 DoF & FI ongoing L / Institutional * the identificationand avoidance/mitigation of cumulative environmentalimpacts * monitoring environmentalimpacts (includingdata collectionand analysis as appropriate) * use and applicationof GISfor environmental management planning Social + 6. Developand foster a collaborativerelationship between Fl and local communities/private 1.1 & 3 DoF & Fl ongoing L businessesto ensure local co-operationin preventing illegal harvesting Social + 7. Consultand engage with local communities/private forest owners to secure buy-in and mutual 1.1 & 3 DoF& FL ongoing L understanding of the role of the FI, the need for sustainablemanagement and the needs of local forest users
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF ACRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 63 FDP Component Impact +ve/-ve Action Component Responsibility Time Cost* Receptor impact relevant to /Recipient Action Economic + 8. Establish (through consultation) a clear and transparent tax and revenue pricing and collection 1.1 DoF & Fl Y1/2 L system for forest resources. Include incentives to promote sustainable harvesting and investment into modem and less environmentally damaging harvesting and transport equipment 1.2 Forest Environment/ + 9. Strategic planning for forest management should: 1.2 & 1.1 DoF & Fl ongoing M/H Management Institutional * co-ordinate and be consistent with regional economic and development planning Information and undertaken at the Local/District/Judet levels Monitoring . be made accessible to private forest owners and the public and facilitate their comments System * be enforced through the DoF/FI In addition, regional development planning should consider forestry management and its N/A GoR ongoing N/A associated secondary industries: * at a watershed/catchment levels; * the cumulative effects thereof; and * by utilizing GIS to assist in the identification and monitoring of cumulative effects. Environment + 10. Monitoring: 1.2 & 3 DoF & Fl and ongoing M / Institutional * should ideally include the collection and analysis of data on environmental impacts of other forest activities such as: diversity of forest flora and fauna, forest cover, recreation, Government erosion, sedimentation, transport movements and industrial pollution from wood agencies processing (air, water, soil and noise). It is likely that some of this data will be collected by other Government Bodies and departments however the DoF and Fl should have regular access to relevant data such as these. Where new primary data collection is required, it may be necessary to contract this out to an appropriate research organization. * results should be analyzed and mechanisms should be established within the appropriate authorities (DoF/FI or NFA) to respond to any negative environmental impacts identified; * results should be reported and made accessible to the public. 2. FOREST SECTOR DEVELOPMENT 2.1: Rehabilitation Environment + 11. Training and Capacity Building in: 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, DoF, Fl & NFA ongoing 1L and Construction / Institutional * best practice in road siting, design, construction and maintenance 2.2 & 2.3 of Forest Roads * environmental impacts of roads (including cumulative impacts), environmental (SEE PART 11 of screening and assessment this Report) . use of Best Practice Manual Environment + 12. Implement screening and EA procedures (see Part H of this report) 2.1 & 1.1 DoF, Fl & NFA ongoing L
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE,FooD AND FORESTS 64 FDP Component Impact +ve/-ve Action Component Responsibility Time Cost* Receptor impact relevant to /Recipient Action Environment - 13. Public awareness raising on the importance of preserving and sustainably managing Romania's 3 DoF, Fl, NFA ongoing L forests and preventing illegal harvesting/activities & PCT Environment - 14. Ensure Management Plans take account of potential transport conflicts with local people 1.2 DoF, Fl & NFA ongoing L Environment - 15. Include transport plans (e.g. specified routes, vehicle movements, maintenance requirements) 1.1 DoF, Fl & NFA ongoing L and guidance on preventing environmental and social impacts of road infrastructure and transport in FMPs to prevent negative impacts on local/village roads Environment - 16. Ensure that contractors involved in wood extraction follow contractual conditions for 1.1 DoF, Fl & NFA ongoing L transportation & extraction of forest products Environment/ - 17. Consult with local people to identify any concerns regarding forest roads (as part of EA) 2.1 Fl ongoing L Social Economic + 18. Promote establishment of secondary and processing industries (See Component 2.4) 2.4 DoF ongoing M Institutional + 19. Implement a procedure to formalize use of the Best Practice Manual and ensure its 2.1 DoF, Fl & NFA ongoing L implementation 2.2 Support to Environment + 20. Provide advice, support and incentives to APPR for FSC certification 2.2 DoF, NFA & ongoing L Association of PCT Private Forest Owners' Environment 21. Training programs and materials on: 2.2 PFOAs, DoF ongoing L (APPR) / Institutional * Sustainable forest management (techniques, practices, management planning etc.) / Economic * environmental impacts of forest management and exploitation * operational role of Fl * purpose of FMPs * business management Environment + 22. Develop guidelines, tools and methods for sustainable forestry and make available to APPR DoF ongoing L Social' - 23. APPR and FMPs should take accot of the interests of local forest users through consultation to 1.1 & 2.2 DoF/FI & ongoing L try to avoid conflicts NFA 2.3: Strategic Environment + 24. Training and capacity building of NFA staff on: 2.3 NFA ongoing L Development of / Institutional a environmentally sustainable forest management (including impacts/ mitigation) the NFA * business management * the NFPS * public consultation and engagement Environment - 25. Implement the NFPS and guidelines to promote sustainable forest management 2.3 GoR, NFA Before L / Institutional FDP start Social - 26. Raise profile of NFA through wider publicity, policy of openness and public awareness 2.3 & 3 NFA ongoing L
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISRY OF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 65 FDP Component Impact +ve/-ve Action Component Responsibility Time Cost' Receptor impact relevant to /Recipient Action Institutional - 27. Support institutional change within the NFA to ensure efficient and sustainable management 2.3 NFA/PCT ongoing H and planning of forest resources 2.4: Business Environment + 28. Promote, support and provide advice on: 2.4 DoF, PCI ongoing M Development / Economic * use of clean technologies, processes and techniques; Service * upgrade of old, inefficient and polluting equipment and processes; * development and implementation of environmental management systems (EMS); * investment finance and business management. Environment/ + 29. Training and capacity building on: 2.4 DoF, NFA ongoing L Economic * clean technologies and processes, environmental pollution, waste minimization, EMS * business management and development. Economic - 30. Develop and build links with other investment sources (e.g. EU SAPARD) 2.4 DoF, PCT ongoing L
3. PUBLICAWARENESS Public Awareness Environment + 31. Raise awareness on: DoF Ongoing M Campaign for / Social / * importance and purpose for sustainable forest management; Sustainable Forest Economic / * methods, tools and techniques for sustainable forestry management; Management & Institutional * roles and responsibilities of forest authorities, the public and private business; Associated Project * policies (especially restitution), FMPs and timetables for action Activities * advice and assistance available as part of the FDP, from forest authorities, other programs; * opportunities for private business development, securing investment finance and help and advice available. Social - 32. Ensure sound understanding of needs, desires, expectations and capabilities of public about PCI, DoF FDP l. sustainable forestry and their expectation of the forest as a resource in developing the public prep. awareness program Social - 33. Use tools and techniques appropriate to socio-cultural structures and circumstances PA contractor ongoing L Institutional - 34. Ensure early involvement and engagement of forest authorities with the public 1.1, 2.3 & 4 DoF/FI, NFA, Yi L PCI
4. PROT MANAGEMENT Environment - 35. Regularly review the effectiveness of the FDP in terms of environmental impacts and benefits 4 PCI ongoing L and revise activities accordingly Institutional - 36. Promote leadership and ownership of FDP by forest authorities to maximize long-term 4 PCT, DoF, ongoing L sustainability NFA
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MiNISTRYOF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 66 7.2 ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS
Additional recommendations outside the scope of the FDP, have been highlighted throughout this EA and particularly in Section 6. These refer to institutional aspects which are beyond the scope of the FDP but are critical to ensure long-term, effective and sustainable management of Romania's forest sector.
Annex IA
Protection Forests: Functional Categories and Permissible Felling Systems
IA1 PROTECTION FORESTS - FUNCTIONAL CATEGORIES AND PERMISSIBLE FELLING SYSTEMS
Source: loan Abrudan, PPT lA1.1 FUNCTIONAL GROUP 1: "PROTECTION FORESTS"
Note: Silvicultural systems/felling: TI No felling TII Conservation felling (sanitation and/or safety) TIII Selection or group selection system felling TIV Selection or group selection system felling and restricted shelterwood system felling
1A1.2 FUNCTIONAL SUBGROUP 1.1: FOREST WTFHWATER PROTECTION FUNCTION
Functional Categories
1.1.a) - forests in well and water source protection areas, mapped based on relevant studies and approved by the Ministry of Silviculture (TII); 1.l.b) - forests on slopes adjacent to lakes/reservoirs (TIll); 1.1.c) - forests on slopes in mountain and hilly regions up to 15 - 30 km distance from the lakes/reservoirs and in their collection watershed (TIV); 1.1.d) - forests along Danube river banks and Danube Delta and along the interior rivers (TIV); 1.1.e) - forests in the vicinity of river floors (TIll); 1.1.f) - forests in the area between the river floor and river bank area (TIV); 1.1.g) - forests in watersheds with active torrents (TIIl); 1.1.h) - forests for protection of water sources (wells) for trout farms and on the slopes surrounding trout farms (minimum 100 ha); 1.1.i) - dwarf pine in the vicinity of alpine meadows (TII). lA1.2.2 Functional Subgroup 1.2:FOREST WITHSITE AND SOIL PROTECTION FUNCTION
Functional Categories
1.2.a) forests on stony slopes, debris with slopes steeper than 400,flisch [colluvium?] with slopes steeper than 35o,sandy soils with slopes steeper than 300,and any steep slope with high erosion (T ?) 1.2.b) forests (entire compartments) adjacent to public roads and railways in broken terrain (TII); 1.2.c) forests surrounding alpine meadows, in strips 100 - 300 m wide (width according to the site conditions and structure of stands) (TIH); 1.2.d) forests surrounding industrial and hydrotechnical structures at a minimum radius of 50 m and at a maximum radius depending on the erosion/landslide conditions (TlI);
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURALFOOD AND FORESTRY A-2 1.2.e) forest plantation on degraded/eroded lands (TII); 1.2.f)forests in areas where avalanches are originating or run-off (TII); 1.2.g) forests on moving sands (TIII); 1.2.h) forests in landsliding areas (TIl); 1.2.i) forests in swamp areas (TII); 1.2.j) forests around open mines in strips 100-300 m wide (width according to the site conditions and structure of stands) (TII); 1.2.k) forests in karst areas (TIV); 1.2.1) forests on land with erosion/sliding vulnerability, with slopes lower than those mentioned at 1.2.a (TIV).
1A1.2.3 Functional Subgroup 1.3: FOREST WITH PROTECTION FUNCTION AGAINST CLIMATIC AND INDUSTRIAL THREAT FACTORS
FunctionalCategories:
1.3.a) steppe forests, forests situated at the limit between steppe - silvo-steppe, except riverine forests (Till); 1.3.b) forests near Black Sea and seaside lakes, at a radius of 15 km (TIl); 1.3.c) oak forests under conservation in plain areas (TIl); 1.3.d) forests from the surrounding compartments of reservoirs and fish lakes (TII); 1.3.e) alignments and hedges protecting agricultural lands, commrunication ways, industrial objectives and localities (TII); 1.3.f) forests at high altitudes with difficult regeneration conditions (TII); 1. 3.g) scattered forests in the plain region with an area smaller than 100 ha (TILL); 1.3.h) forests in areas with high air pollution, identified by studies approved by the Ministry of Silviculture (TII); 1.3.i) forests in areas with low air pollution, identified by studies approved by the Ministry of Silviculture (Tll); 1.3.j) forests surrounding ash, sterile and waste heaps at a radius of 2 km according to the threats to the environment (TIl); 1.3.k) forest edges (limits) situated in plain regions, in strips up to 20 m wide (TIl). lA1.2.4 Functional Subgroup 1.4: FOREST WITH RECREATION FUNCTION
FunctionalCategories:
1.4.a) park forests and other high recreation value forests, as established by the Ministry of Silviculture (TII); 1.4.b) peri-urban forests, of size established based on criteria of number of inhabitants (as set by the Ministry of Silviculture) (Tlll); 1.4.c) forests with very high functional value surrounding resorts or hospitals, approved by the Ministry of Silviculture (TII); 1.4.d) forests with medium and high functional value surrounding resorts or hospitals, approved by the Ministry of Silviculture (TIII); 1.4.e) forests of landscape value around cultural sites (established by law) at a radius of up to lkm, according to the importance of the site (TII); 1.4.f) forest strips around hotels, motels, camping sites etc., at a radius of up
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURALFOOD AND FORESTRY A-3 to 1 km and an area of up to 50 ha, according to the importance of the place (THI); 1.4.g) forests around co-operatives and agricultural farm centres, at a radius of up to 1 km and an area of up to 50 ha (TIl); 1.4.h) forests situated at a distance up to 2 km from villages in the plain region, and of an area up to 50 ha (THI); 1.4.i) entire compartments along the conmmunication ways of high tourism interest (TII); 1.4.j) forests managed for game conservation or intensive management (TIV); 1.4.k) forests protecting special locations, approved by the Ministry of Silviculture (TIL);
1A1.2.5 Functional Subgroup 1.5: FOREST OF SCIENTIFIC INTEREST AND FOR THE PROTECTION OF FOREST GENETIC FUND
FuinctionalCategories:
1.5.a) core areas of the national parks established by law (TI); 1.5.b) natural parks, aiming to preserve the natural landscape (TIll); 1.5.c) nature reserves (TI); 1.5.d) scientific reserves (TI); 1.5.e) landscape reserves established by law (TI); 1.5.f) natural monuments (TI); 1.5.g) forests where scientific research /experimental permanent plots are located (TII); 1.5.h) seed reserves (THI); 1.5.i) forests designated for the protection of fauna species (capercaillie, bear, chamois), established by the Ministry of Silviculture (TIl); 1.5.j) old-growth forests of high value and forests of very rare species, delineated by the Ministry of Agriculture (TII); 1.5.k) dendrological parks and arboreta (TII)
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURAL FOOD AND FORESTRY A-4
AmnexIB
Main Protected Virgin Forests in Romania
1B1 MAIN PROTECTED VIRGIN FORESTS IN ROMANLA
1B1.1 INTRODUCTION
The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for Romania (1996) lists 20 protected forests presented in the Table below.
No. Name of Forest Surface area Type of forest (ha) 1 Piatra Craiului* 1932 + 1459 Spruce forest, mixed beech and coniferous
2 Runca-Grosi 932 Quercussessiliflora forests
3 Vorona 150 Mixed forest of Quercus sessiliflora,beech and lime
4 Tudora 120 Mixed forest of Quercus sessiliflora,beech and lime
5 Bucegi 1634 + 3748 Larch, spruce forests; mixed beech and fir forests
6 Izoarele Nerei 6261 Beech forests
7 Domogled 2743 Black pine (Pinus nigra var. bannatica) forest; Beech forest on limestone
8 Dognecea Forest 316 Mixed forests of Q. sessiliflora,Q. cerris, Q.frainetto, lime and beech
9 Rachiteanu Forest 1200 Montane beech forest
10 Humosu 73 Hill beech forest
11 Slatioara 854 Mixed forest of beech, fir and spruce
12 Giumalau 314 Spruce forests
13 Letea 2825 Oak, ash and poplar forest on maritime sands
14 Caraorman 2250 Oak, ash and poplar forest on maritime sands
15 Latorita 7 Larch forests
16 Retezat*+ 13,000 Spruce forest; Mixed beech, fir and spruce forest; Beech forest; Pine forest
17 Calimani - Mixed forest of spruce and Pinus cembra;spruce forests
18 Polita cu Crini 370 Mixed spruce, larch, spruce, beech forest; Larch and spruce forests
19 Cozia - Beech forests; mixed beech- coniferous forest; Q. sessilifloraforest
20 Vidalm - Larch forests * National Park + UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURAL,FOOD AND FORESTS B-1
Annex IC
Impacts of FDP Components
Table AI-C Impacts and Suggested EnhancemnentorMitigationi anzdManagemnent Actionsfor FDP Comtiponents
Component Impact Potential Impacts +ve Magnitude Mitigation/Enhancement/Management Receptor /-ve of Impact 1: INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT FOR SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT 1.1 Supervisory, Environment/ * Promote environmentally sustainable management + H * training and capacity building Regulatory and Institutional of public and private forests * extension and awareness raising of public (comp. 3) Advisory * operational guidelines for environmental management Environment . Control loss of biodiversity in newly restituted + H * power to regulate and enforce FMPs on restituted land forests * promotion of environmentally sustainable management practices (extension) * public awareness raising (comp. 3) * policing forest activities in the field Environment/ * Decrease damage to vulnerable watersheds, + M . power to regulate and enforce FMPs on restituted land Economic infrastructure and agricultural land associated with * promotion of environmentally sustainable management practices (extension) unsustainable harvesting and erosion a public awareness raising (comp. 3) * policing forest activities in the field Environment * Control of illegal harvesting + M . public awareness raising (comp. 3) * visible presence of Fls in forest areas * collaborative relationship of Fl with local communities/private business Social . Hostility to Fl from local communities/forest users - L * consultation & engagement with local communities/forest users to secure buy-in and mutual understanding of needs. Economic . Increased revenue and tax from maximizing + M . clear and transparent tax and revenue collection system Romania's sustainable forest production potential * incentives to promote investment into modern and less environmentally damaging harvesting and transport equipment * public awareness raising on tax system Economic * Preserving and enhancing Romania's eco-tourism + M * public awareness on long-term international economic importance of and biodiversity potential Romania's forests
...... I...... --...... 1.2 Forest Environmcnt . Avoidance of cumulative environmental impacts of + H * strategic focus of management planning at watershed/ catchment level Management & InsLitutional forest production activities (e.g. erosion, * strategic planning to take account of cumulative environmental impacts Information and biodiversity loss, sedimentation, transportation, * use of GIS to facilitate improved strategic planning Monitoring industrial pollution from process industries) * training and capacity building on identification and avoidance of cumulative System environmental impacts * maximize access to, and enforcement of, strategic management plans
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANACEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS C-2 Component Impact Potential Impacts +ve Magnitude Mitigation/Enhancement/Management Receptor /-ve of Impact Environment * Establishment of effective monitoring systems for + H * training and capacity building on environmental impacts of forest operations & Institutional forest management and planning * collection and tracking of data on environmental impacts of forest activities (species diversity, forest cover, recreation, erosion, sedimentation, transport volumes and industrial pollution from wood processing (air, water, soil and noise)). * establish mechanisms to respond to identification of negative impacts * maximize access to and report monitoring results
2. FOREST SECTOR DEVELOPMENT :A 2.1: Environment/ . Introduction of best practice in road siting, design, + H * training and capacity building (comp. 1.1) Rehabilitation Institutional construction and maintenance * implement procedure to formalize use of Best Practice Manual and Construction * implement screening and EA procedures (see Part II) of Forest Roads Environment * Reduce environmental impacts of existing + IHI * implement Best Practice Manual production practices (e.g. associated with the need * implement screening and EA procedures (see Part 1I) to skid logs long distances) Environment * Increased illegal harvesting of wood and NTFPs - M . empower Forest Inspectorates to patrol forests and prosecute (comp. 1.1) resulting from increased access * public awareness raising (comp. 3) Environment * Increased pressure on forest biodiversity resulting - M . develop & implement a hunting license and quota system (component 1.1) from increased access & tourism (e.g. hunting) * charge for hunting rights (comp. 1.1) Environment a Induced development along access roads - L . implement screening and EA procedures (see Part HI) * enforcement of local planning controls (outside remit of FDP) Environment * Sedimentation of streams (resulting in changes in - L * assessment of cumulative impacts of forest roads (comp. 1.2) streamflow and water temperature and thereby * implement Best Practice Manual for construction and maintenance fish populations) . implement screening and EA procedures (see Part 11) Environment * Disturbance of wildlife through logging and - L * assessment of cumulative impacts of forest roads (comp. 1.2) transport activiLies * promotion of environmentally sustainable management practices (comp. 1.1, 3) * implement Best Practice Manual * implement screening and EA procedures (see Part 11) Environment * Increased erosion resulting from poor siting and - H . assessment of cumulative impacts of forest roads (comp. 1.2) construction of forest roads * implement Best Practice Manual * implement screening and EA procedures (see Part [l) * avoidance of unstable slopes, buffer zones, impact assessments, permitting, construction practices. * establish criteria for logging on slopes and near water to reduce erosion
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE,FOOl AND FORESTS Component Impact Potential Impacts +ve Magnitude Mitigation/EnhancemenyManagement Receptor /-ve of Impact Environment a Increased soil compaction, puddling and erosion - L * policing implementation of FMPs (comp.].1) from road activities and forest harvesting (leading * promotion of environmentally sustainable management practices (comp. 1.1, to siltation of water courses) 3) * implement Best Practice Manual Environment a Increased noise, disturbance and accidents from - M . assessmenit of cumulative impacts of forest roads (comp. 1.2) forestry traffic on village roads/public roads * strategic management plans to take account of potential transport conflicts (comp. 1.2) * FMPs to include transport plans to prevent impacts on local roads (comp. 1.1) * contractual conditions for harvesting transport contractors (comp. 1.1) * consultation with affected people to identify any concerns (comp. 3) Economic * Increased accessibility to forests and markets for + H * awareness raising of marketing opportunities (comp. 3) forest products (including NTFPs) (contributing to * develop links with other extension services (e.g. SAPARD) (comp. 2.4) increased employment and revenue potential) * evaluate local use of forest products to accommodate continued use and determine feasibility of developing local industries based on these goods (comp. 2.4)
...... I...... 2.2 Support to Environment * Promote environmentally sustainable exploitation + H . advice and support on FSC certification private Forest / Economic of forest (with resultant long-term economic * training facilities and programs on sustainable forest management Owners' returns) * policing forest activities in the field (by Fls - comp. 1.1) Association * operational role of Fl clearly communicated to PFOAs * provide guidelines on tools, methods and benefits of sustainable forest * raise awareness (comp. 3) Social * Restrictions on access to forest land for excluded - L * training and awareness raising communities * consultation with local forest users * FMP's to take account of local forest uses Economic * Increased opportunities for local employment and + H * training and awareness raising local income generation . advice on investment options (comp. 2.4) Economic * Induced private development for wood processing +/- H * business advice and support (comp. 2.4) industries Institutional/ * Empowerment of local people through ownership + M * training facilities and programs on sustainable forest management Economic/ of forest resource * policing forest activities in the field (by Fls - comp. 1.1) Social * business advice and support (comp. 2.4)
...... -...... 2.3: Strategic Environment/ * More effective management and administration of + H * training of NFA staff on environmentally sustainable forest management Development of Institutional sustainable forestry * dedicated Environment function within NFA the NFA . structural change to organization
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESrS C4 Component Impact Potential Impacts +ve Magnitude Mitigatior/Enhancement/Management Receptor /-ve of Impact Economic * Reduced revenue potential from forest production - 11 a training and capacity building in sustainable forest management resulting from restitution (leading to potential * change management disincentives to manage forests sustainably) * implementation of NFPS * implementation of guidelines to promote sustainable forest management Economic * Promote sustainable management of private sector + H . training and capacity building forest businesses * business development advice and support services (component 2.4)
: usiness Environment * Increase in pollution (air, soil, water) resultingn * promote use of clean technology processes and techniques Development from unsustainable production processes and lack . support upgrade of old, inefficient and polluting equipment Service of controls on waste effluents from wood process * training on clean technology processes, environmental pollution, waste industries minimization, environmental management systems etc. * encourage development and uptake of environmental management systems Economic . Inability of private sector to access sufficient - H * advice and support on investment finance and business management investTnent capital to finance business development * develop links with other investment sources (e.g. SAPARD) Economic . Economic and employment benefits of establishing + H * advice and support on investment finance and business management value-added indutstries * develop links with other investment sources (e.g. SAPARD)
3. PUBLIC AWARENESS Public Awareness Environment . Increased understanding and implementation of + H * sound understanding of needs, desires, expectations and capabilities of public Campaign for sustainable forest management about sustainable forestry and their expectation of the forest as a resource Sustainable * use of tools and techniques appropriate to socio-cultural structures Forest Social/ * Increased acceptance of local people to government + 11 . early engagement of DoF, Fls and NFA with public/ private sector Management & Institutional departments * publicity of policies (esp. restitution), plans and timetables for action Associated * easy access to forest management and information Project Activities * raise profile (including roles and responsibilities) of forest authorities
4. PROJECT MANAGEMENT Environment/ . Incidence of negative environmental impacts as a - H * monitoring role to ensure maximum implementation of sustainable forest Social/ result of lack of understanding and/or practices by forest authorities Economic/ commitment to environmental sustainability * support environmental training and capacity building of forest authorities Institutional * support change management of forest authorities * promote leadership and ownership of FDP by forest authorities to maximize long-term sustainability * develop corrective action procedures if negative impacts of FDP identified
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURcEs MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS Annex 1D
Public Consultation and Disclosure of the EA
CONTENTS
Executive Summary of Public Consultation and Disclosure of the FDP EA Results
Annex 1 - List of attendees at 27 July PCDP meeting in Brasov
Annex 2 - PCDP questionnaire distributed to participants and mailed to various stakeholders
Annex 3 - List of participants at 22 September PCDP meeting in Brasov
Annex 4 - Additional questionnaire
Summary of findings from the completed questionnaires
ENVIRCUNMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IDl EXECUTIVESUMMARY REGARDING PUBLIC CONSULTATION CONCERNING MODERNIZATION AND REHABILITATION OF ROMANIAN FORESTRYROADS
There have been considered for public consultations the counties of Prahova and Brasov for which pilot studies have been established. Public consultations have been extended to other counties considered important from the point of view of the modernization and of the rehabilitation of forestry roads.
Following the environmental assessment of the project preparation in the two areas previously mentioned, the main conclusions are:
The public attitude is positive, at present.
By the project implementation the local population will have benefits due to the investment effects. The project is taken up by the population segment opportunities. This population is traditionally related, especially to the forestry sector. This sector influences economically and socially the respective zone. The achievements of this investment will invigorate the economic activity in the zone, especially in the forestry sector.
The mayoralties in the zone (Campina, Valea Doftanei, Brebu, Bertea, Halciu) are keen to implement the proposed project.
People in the zone should be told/ explained about the importance of the roads for the economy in the zone. Besides, other advantages are to be expected (e.g. forest access continuity, recreation, etc.). It seems this measure is necessary.
Three public consultations have taken place: two in Brasov county and one through correspondence.
1. First public consultation:
Date: July, 27, 2001- Place: Alpin Hotel, Poiana Brasov Participants: see Annex I.
During the debates there have been discussed also the questions mentioned in the attached questionnaire (Annex II).
2. Second public consultation has been advertised in Adevarul newspaper of September 21, 2001.
Date: September 22, 2001 Place: Brasov Participants: see Annex III
3. Third public consultation has taken place through correspondence and phone and the questions asked are herein attached. (see Annex IV)
Conclusions of the debates:
The great majority of the public agrees with the construction and rehabilitation of forestry roads because of the general interest of the community concerning the economical activities from the forest, which are encouraged by an appropriate infrastructure. There have been some negative opinions concerning the forestry roads built as a continuation of the communal roads. These roads determine the traffic inside the locality and this fact shows that there is a need for roads consolidation in order to protect the houses. Many people constantly repeated during the consultations that the diggings in abrupt earthworks have destructive effect. It is wished that in time the quantity of diggings deposited under the road in the riverbed to be reduced. Costs of the companies operating in forest area are significantly decreasing directly related with the distance to the nearest road. This is a general mentioned argument in the interviews made with the stakeholders who consider that financing roads infrastructure is one of the most important targets of their strategies. Mayors of local administration support the rehabilitation of the forest roads and building of new ones. Their arguments are coming from the pressure of their community, which is interested in creation of new jobs and improving of communication with neighbor villages. Some cases show that forest roads are of a regional importance ensuring the communication between two basins counties or across a mountain barrier. The methods and technologies used in building roads in energetic forms of relief as open burst outs are considered very aggressive by the public and forest administrators. Building companies are supposed to use more friendly solutions, which do not harm flora, rivers and fauna. NGO's active in the field of biodiversity and habitats protection are concerned about the alteration of the environment and balance of population of protected species like big carnivores and herbivores. The accession of big isolated basins must be regulated by legislative initiative, which will control and limit the permits for building new infrastructure in the mentioned areas. Annex ID Seminar 26-28 July, Alpin I lotel, Poiana Brasov List of participants, July, 27, 2001
Nr. Crt. Name of participant Function Institution Phone Fax E-mail 1 Florea Trifoi Director MAAP-UIP 93293113 [email protected] 2 loan Abrudan MAAP-UIP 93533512 [email protected] 3 Viorel Marinescu Director MAAP-Dept.of Forests 3111793 MIR - General Division of 4 Viorica Rabocea Consumer Goods 6503872 6503428 93898790 5 Mihai lonescu APPR 068411420 6 Antoaneta Bugheanu APPR 92479421 7 Dejica Petru APPR 92349791 MFP-Division of Foreign 8 Monica Secareanu Public Finances 3374963 3374963 [email protected]. 69211467 9 Cornel Han ASFOR 092972696 69211457 10 Danut Chira ICAS 68419936 [email protected] 11 Olimpia Dumitru RNP Romsilva 68415770 12 Blaj Tbofil RNP Romsilva- DS Brasov 095345802 13 Constantin Rasnoveanu INL 31556/208 2331514 030216147 14 Marian Dragoi University of Suceava /130 [email protected] 15 Mihai leremia Director Forestry Division of Brasov 16 Dan Ardeleanu CSC 94647595 [email protected] 17 Dana Manu Project Mana FIMAN 18 Petre Pau Senior Exper FIMAN-PR & Comunication Strategy 19 Valeria Micu Expert PR and Comunication 20 Gheorghe Florian Borlea Timber CommitteeEEC/Ut 94699722 [email protected] 094362458I1 21 Ovidiu Ionescu I_CAS 24068458 22 Vasile Lupu Director Teh INTERGROUP ENGINEER 91261112 2239090 [email protected] Z 23 Doru Irimie Expert MAAP-Dept.of Forests 3140198 3153776 irimie [email protected] ANNEX 2 Address: 294 Splaiul Independentei INTIERGROUPU r Bucharest6, Romania ENGINEERINGSRL Tel/ Fax: +40(1) -> 2219573,2219574, 2239090
QUESTIONNAIRE regardingthe environmentalimpact of investments in forestryroads
Doyou consider, from the point of viewof non-govemmental organizations, thatthe transparency of the stateinstitutions is satisfactory when we refer at the way in which the decisions regarding forestry policies are made?
Areyou aware about the costs that you will have to bearas future owners or forests administrators in orderto be able to observe the legislation which regulates the forestry regime, to ensurethe perpetuation ofthe forestafter cutting of trees, for bio-diversity protection?
Doyou agree, as administrators, to include inthe future investments inthe transport infrastructure forthe forestryfund, additional costs generated bymore environmental friendly technical solutions?
Doyou consider as useful the annual continuing ofsome public awareness campaigns? Doyou intend to participate?
Doyou consider as opportune the hardening ofenvironmental protection regulations inthe forestry field? Address: 294 Splaiul Independentei INTMERGROUP r Bucharest6, Romania ENGINEERINGSRL Tel/Fax: +40(1) -> 2219573,2219574, 2239090
Howdo you see the role of the Strategies, Policy and Legislation Division' employees, taking into accountthe fact that they will work within a divisionwhich integrates ecological and social aspects in theforestry field?
Howdo youappreciate the fact that within the Forestry Development Program the personnel of private companieswill be trained in forestryroads engineering or in thefield of thesustainable forestry management?
Whichone will be the mechanism according towhich the Territorial Inspection of Forestryand Hunting Regimewill have to accomplishthe management of the environment forforestry roads? AnnexIlIl PublicConsultation, Brasov Listof Participants,September,22,2001
Nr. Crt. Name of participant Institution Department |Phone Fax Mobile E-mail
1 Bondici Petru Forestry Division- _ 224649 224599
2 Bondici Elena Forestry Division- _ 224649 224599 3 Rasnoveanu Constantin Institutul National al 2331556/208 2331514 officelint ro MIR - General Division of 4 Viorica Rabocea Consumer Goods 6503872 6503428 068/32622 5 Dejica Petru APPR 6 068/320836 6 Prahoveanu loan APPR 068/236908 7 Ionescu Mihai APPR 068/411420 068/411420 93898790 APP "Stejarul" Topoloveni- 8 Ungureanu Doina Arges 048/666259 048/666469 95149890
9 Antoaneta Bugheanu APPR _ 092473421 10 Cornel Han ASFOR 69211467 69211457 92972696 11 Viorel Marinescu MAAP 93667297 National Park of "Piatra 12 Hanganu Horatiu Craiului" 93330476 horatiuh(a)cnet.ro 13 Cojocaru Ovidiu Forestry Division Brasov _ 095/967733
14 Florea Trifoi MAAP PMU 93293113 [email protected] 15 Secareanu Monica Ministry of Public Finances Division of Foreign Put 3374963 3374963 94836502 msecareanu(imail.mfinante.ro NAIANA [email protected] 16 Naiana Zestran Ministry of Public Finances Division of Foreign Pul 3374963 3374963 92423690 ante.gv.ro 17 Blaj Teofil Forestry Division Brasov MAAP-RNP Bucharest 168/415770 068/475678 95345802 APPR (ING NEDERLANDEN) Brasov 18 Feroiu lancu Agency 068/236436 19 loan Vasile Abrudan Brasov University Forestry Faculty 168 41 86 00 68475405 93533512 abnudan!unitbv.ro 20 Silviu Novac Intergroup Engineering 2219573 2239090 92310710 silviu.novacaintergrouyro ANuEX4
ANNEX IV QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Do you believe that the modernization of the forestry roads from your county is an important problem of the county?
2. Is there important for the Brebu population that the forestry road which connects it to Paltinoasa to be modernized and consolidated?
3. Do you believe that the construction of those forestry roads affected the fauna and flora in the area?
4.What percentage from the existent forestry roads may undergone modernization? Variants: -under 30% -between 30 and 60% -over 60% SUMMARYOF FINDINGS FOR THE QUESTIONNAIRE regardingthe environmentalimpact of investments in foresttyroads
1. Doyou consider, from the point of viewof non-governmentalorganizations, thatthe transparencyofthe state institutions issatisfactory when we refer at the way in which the decisions regarding forestrypolicies are made?
-100%from the interviewed had a negative reply referring tothe low level of transparency ofthe decisionsmade in the field of forestry policies.
2. Areyou aware about the costs that you will have to bearas future owners or forests administratorsinorder to be able to observe the legislation which regulates the forestry regime, to ensurethe continuityofthe forest after cutting of trees, for bio-diversity protection?
-80%of thesubjects had a positivereply with the mention that the state has the obligation to subsidizea lot of investments inthe forests'management forensuring the accomplishment ofthe functionsof national interest; -20%of the subjects had a negativereply.
3. Doyou agree, as administrators, toinclude inthe future investments inthe transport infrastructureforthe forestry fund, additional costs generated bymore environmental friendly technical solutions?
-40%replied "Yes" but the level of expenses has to be known by areas: plain, hill, mountain -30%of the subjects replied:"Yes". -30%replied that the state has to support private owners
4. Doyou consider as useful the annual continuing ofsome public awareness campaigns? Doyou intendto participate?
-40%replied "Yes, provided that the programme is promoted intime" -30%of the subjects replied:"Yes and I willtake part". -30%replied that first the owners with forestry destination have to bemade aware.
5. Doyou consider as opportune the hardening ofenvironmental protection regulations inthe forestryfield?
-50%of the subjects replied: "Yes". -30%replied:" Hardening ofthe laws may not have the expected effect (if we reffer to increasing thecontraventions ) it could lead to fraudand corruption. -20%of the subjects replied: "It is not the case, the laws are already hard".
6. Howdo you see the role of theStrategies, Policy and Legislation Division' employees, taking into accountthe fact that they will work within a divisionwhich integrates ecological and social aspects inthe forestry field? -20%replied: " Theirrole is to be impartial,to contributeat the raisingof publicawareness and to demandthe observing of restrictivenorms". -20%replied that they haveonly consultative role; -20%replied that theirrole might be to coordinateand to implementmeasures with technical characterthrough Territorial Inspections of Forestryand Hunting Regime; -20%replied that theymight have a constructiverole if theytake into accountat the elaboration of the normsthe opinionof the publicinvolved. -20%of the subjectsreplied: "I do notknow theirrole";
7. Howdo you appreciatethe fact that within the Forestry Development Program the personnelof privatecompanies will be trainedin forestryroads engineering or in thefield of the sustainableforestry management?
-70%of the subjectsappreciated the measure as a veryadequate one becausethe personnelof privatecompanies has to knowthe effects on mediumand long term on theenvironment generatedby theway of placingof theforestry roads and they proposed to givepriority of the personnelfrom the private companies which own a greatforest area. -20%of the subjectsappreciated positive; -5%replied that :"lt is no use to trainother people because there is enoughqualified personnel; -5%did not replied;
8. Whichone will be the mechanismaccording to whichthe TerritorialInspection of Forestryand HuntingRegime (ITRSC) will haveto accomplishthe managementof the environmentfor forestryroads?
- 25% repliedthat the mechanismis as follows:the ITRSC-swill notify and elaboratethe executionprojects for forestryroads, they will checkthe technicalaspects of the projectsand theywill undertakesteps if the initialprovisions are notobserved; -25%replied that themechanism will be oneof control; -10%replied that ITRSCwill be involvedin the notificationof roadprojects -10% explicitedthe mechanismin two steps: budgetsubventions and leasing towardsthe exploitationfirms; -25%replied that themechanism is throughthe accomplishmentof the impactstudies; -5% of the subjectsdid not replied. Part 2
CONTENTS
I ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTPROCESS FOR FORESTROADING I
1.1 INTRODUCTION 1 1.2 BACKGROUND 2 1.3 EA PROCESS FOR FDP FORESTROADS 7
Annex IIA Initial Report on EnvironmentalAspects of ForestRoads Component, Romanian ForestDevelopment Project Annex IIB ScreeningResults Tablefor 61 Roads Screenedduring FDP EA Annex IIC Two EAs of ForestRoad ProjectsPrepared by Intergroup Engineering
1 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PROCESS FOR FOREST ROADING
1.1 INTRODUCTION
In terms of investment, Forest Roading is the major element of the Forest Sector Development component of the FDP as well as the largest investment of the FDP overall. Forest Roading is planned to comprise an investment of approximately $17 million or 69% of the overall FDP ($25.6 million) (see Box 2.1 (1)). Forest Roading is also the element of the FDP with the highest potential for direct impacts (e.g., construction, maintenance and usage (logging traffic)). An independent environmental study of the Forest Roading sub-component of the FDP in the Romanian context was carried out by FORTECH (Initial Report on Environmental Aspects of Forest Roads Component,Romanian Forest DevelopmentProject, March 2001). This report highlighted a number of issues regarding the Forest Roading Sub- Component which resulted in alterations to the structure and schedule of the FDP. In addition, the report recommended the development of an environmental screening procedure for managing the potential environmental impacts of the Forest Roading Sub-Component. (For more in depth back ground detail on forest road issues and the situation in Romania the reader should refer to the above referenced report which is attached as Annex II-A).
For the above reasons, MAFF have requested that a process for environmental assessment of the forest road component of the FDP be prepared as a key environmental management output of the FDP EA. The process developed by ERM and Intergroup is described in Section 1.3 following a summary of background information
Box 1.1 Forest DevielopmnentProject
Component 1 - Developmient of public sector capacity to support sustainableforest management ($5.74 million) * establishing a forest inspectorate * establishing a forest information and monitoring system
Comnponetit2 - Sector development. Reform of the Nationial Forest Administration (NFA) ($16.73 million) * establishing a private forest owners association * establishing a business development and advisory service within MAFF * physical infrastructure, specifically environmentally-sound forest roads
Component 3 - Public awareness ($1.21 miIiion)
Comttponent4 - Project management and monitoring ($0.67 million)
(1) The FDP was under preparation at the time that this EA was produced, hence much of the details regarding costs and percentages may be subject to change.
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 1 1.2 BACKGROUND
1.2.1 Needfor Forest Roads
When compared to western European standards, Romania has a low density of forest roads. The average density in Romania is approximately 6m/ha versus 36, 40, and 45m/ha for Austria, Switzerland and Germany respectively (these three countries also have forests in predominantly mountainous terrain). In addition, the forest road network in Romania is unevenly distributed with the mountainous regions having the lowest density. As a result of heavy rains in the last 3-4 years, accessibility has deteriorated further with some 7,000 km of forest roads having become inoperative, especially in the mountainous region. The effective road density has thus decreased to circa 5.3 in/ha. The National Forest Administration (NFA), which is responsible for forest roads, considers that only 65% of the Romanian Forest Fund (2) or 4.2 million hectares are accessible at the technical and economic efficiency level.
Low road density results in longer skidding trails (average skidding trail length in Romania being 1.2 km versus 0.4 km in most western countries). Skidding trails are significant source of impact during logging operations as the friction of the sliding logs scrapes aside the forest litter and the action of skidder tires and/or horse hooves damage surface roots and mire and/or compact the soil, creating the potential for erosion, especially on slopes. Skidding trail impacts are minimized by reducing trail length and use frequency. In modern forestry practice, this is best achieved by increasing the density of the forest road network under the concept that permanent, properly sited and designed, well maintained forest roads will cause fewer impacts than a network of heavily used skidding trails. Optimal forest road density also reduces harvest and extraction costs thereby improving the economics of forest operations. However, forest roads can also cause significant negative environmental impacts as well as social impacts when poorly sited, designed, and maintained.
Romania had approximately 32,468 km of forest roads at the end of year 2000. However, NFA's target, established in the early 1990s, is to have 60,000 km of forest roads. Hence, the continued development of forest roads is planned beyond those that are to be financed by the FDP. A robust environmental management program for avoiding, minimizing and mitigating the potential impacts of forest roads is essential for the sustainable development of Romania's forest sector.
1.2.2 Forest Roads Administrative Framework
The National Forest Administration (NFA) is the decision making and management body for forest roads. The NFA is organized at national, branch (3) and district office levels. There are 36 branch offices and 380 district offices.
(2) The state forests (see Part!, Sections 1.4.2 and 1.4.3) (3) There were formerly 42 branch offices (one for each county or judet); however these were recently consohdated into 36 branch offices to on the basis of the extent and distribution of Forest Fund lands.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND FoREsTs 2 The identification of need for new roads and/ or rehabilitation works is made at the district level on the basis of each district's 10-year management plan. The current approval process for forest road works is illustrated in Box 1.2.
Box 1.2 Current approval processforforest roads
1.Forest District and/or Branchof NFA prepare short Pre-Feasibility study. Consultants (e.g., INL) 2.NFA's central investment office screens Pre-Feasibility studies and selectssome to go forward. 3. NFA(Bucharest) prepares Terms of Reference for theFeasibility Study and TechnicalReport. 4. Tenderingfor studies('auction'). 5.Preparation of Feasibility Study by the successfulconsultant (e.g. INL), in prescribedformat. 6. Circulationof FeasibilityStudy to concernedagencies for approval,including local authorities, localEnvironmental Protection Dept., and WaterDept. 7.Final approval for theexpenditure of publicfunds by Ministryof Finance. 8.Consultant (same as at (5))prepares Technical Report (i.e. tender documents) and 'Execution Details(i.e. construction drawings and specifications). 9.Submission to localcouncil for construction permit. 10.Tendering for construction. 11.Construction by thesuccessful contractor, supervised by: (a)Specialist unit of concerned Forest Branch (forest roads officer) (b)Ministry of PublicWorks engineer(s)
INL in the above table refers to the National Wood Institute (Institutul National al Lemnuliu). INL is a formerly public agency which now operates as an autonomous public/ private company, and which has the domninant share of the road design market in Romania, including forest roads. INL has its headquarters in Brasov and has branch offices throughout the country. It works closely with the NFA branch and district offices in the design and permitting process for the majority of forest road projects, new as well as road rehabilitation projects.
There are two other institutions with evolving oversight responsibilities for forest roads (see Part I, Section 2.3.1 for more detailed discussion):
* The State Forest Inspectorate; and * The Forest Research and Management Institute.
The State Forest Inspectorate (FI) is an oversight body, the role and functions of which include monitoring conformance with the forest management plans (FMPs) and responsibility for regulating and monitoring environmental performance of forestry activities. One of the recommendations of this EA of the FDP is that the Forest Inspectorate should take lead responsibility within the Government of Romania for regulating and monitoring environmental performance in the forestry sector, especially in relation to forest roads, extraction activities and forest management plans (see Part I, Section2.3.1).
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULITURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 3 The Forest Research and Management Institute (ICAS) reports to the general manager of the NFA, and provides 'in-house' services to NFA including preparation of forest management plans (FMPs) and providing other technical support which assists the NFA to carry out its remit. The services it offers are being expanded and will soon include capability to prepare EIAs for forest roads. Although effectively operating under the NFA, ICAS is a financially independent entity subsisting on revenues generated; administratively, it reports to DoF.
1.2.3 The Forest Road Sub-Component
Objectives
The Forest Road Sub-Component of the Forest Sector Development Component of the FDP as described in the Project Concept Document (PCD) (World Bank 1999) was to provide:
'... the physical infrastructure necessanyforeconomic and environmentally sound access to wood harvesting through construction offorest roads, to the required density and in accordancewith best environmental practice,in existing productionforest andfacilitating competitive bidding and pricing offorest roadconstruction..'
The PCD Review Meeting (23 Dec. '99) qualified the PCD by emphasizing the importance of the forest conservation and sustainable management focus of the project, including:
'.. .emphasizing thatforest road construction,and planningfor increaseddensity of the forest road network, zwillonly takeplace in existing areasof productionforest With the objectiveof reducingthe negative environmental impacts, as well as the economiccosts of harvesting operations'.
Also of relevance to the roads sub-component, the review meeting highlighted the importance of capacity building in all key public and private sector organizations.
Project Description
Despite the stated goal of increasing forest road density, the major portion of the investment in forest roads will be devoted to rehabilitation of existing roads. This decision was driven by the degraded state of the existing forest roads resulting from inadequate funding for maintenance over the last 10 years and several serious storm events which resulted in flooding and road washout during the last several years.
Though the FDP is still under design and therefore subject to change, the Forest Road Component at the time of EA preparation consisted of road works totaling 596.6 km in length. Of this, 87% are existing roads to be rehabilitated and 13% new roads. The new roads are entirely extensions of existing roads (i.e., spur extensions). A summary of the Forest Road Sub-Component is presented in the Table1.1 below. A detailed listing of the forest roads is presented in the screening lists Annex II-B.
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 4 Table 1.1 Forest Road Sub-Component Summary
Road Type Number Total Size Range Amount financed Amount financed Length (km) (km) by WB loan by NFA (US$ x 103) (US$ x 103) Rehabilitation 66 516.4 1.0 -19.7 12,688 4,765.6 New 25 80.2 0.7 - 6.3 4,358 1,674.4 Total 91 596.6 17,046 6,440
GeneralEnvironmental and SocialAspects of ForestRoads in Romania
Generally speaking, the primary environmental and social issues related to the construction of forest roads would include:
* Land take; * Habitat loss/fragmentation (associated with the footprint of the road); * Alteration of drainage/natural hydrologic regime; * Stream erosion; * Soil erosion and downstream sedimentation; e Slope instability and landslides; and i Resultant secondary impacts (e.g., increased access to formerly remote areas, increased resource extraction and resultant impacts to biodiversity and physical environment, economic impacts such as employment - both temporary (road construction impacts) and permanent (ongoing maintenance and resource extraction impacts)).
However, the potential magnitude of these issues is reduced in the Romanian forest roads context for the following reasons:
TheI roads are located in state land (the Forest Fund, see Part I, Section 4.2.3 for a description);
* The rehabilitation and limited extension of forest roads proposed under the FDP should have a significant positive impact through better siting, design, hydrological management, and maintenance and reduced skidding distances. Forest roads are planned, designed and permitted in the context of a management system based on a long tradition of excellent silvicultural practices implemented through 10-year forest management plans, and which incorporate watershed and biodiversity protection functions and other environmental aspects (see Part I, Sections 1.4.2, 1.4.3 and Section 1.2.2, Backgroundabove). However, there are likely locations and situations in protection forests where differences of opinion in terms of preservation of biodiversity or other environmental functions versus forestry production may could arise;
* The Romanian GEF Biodiversity Project is integrated with the NFA forest program; and
* The silvicultural and management programs integrate traditional forest harvest practices of the local communities including wood for fencing and building
ENVIRONMENTALREsOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 5 repair, fire wood (4), and non-timber forest products (NTFPs, e.g., medicinal plants, mushrooms, nuts, honey). In addition, in the Carpathians, the forest roads are also used by the villagers as routes for accessing mountain pastures during summer. As a result, the forest roads are of great value to the local populace and, based on the public consultation work carried out at multiple stages during the preparation of the FDP, have broad public support.
In addition to the above, there are three major factors regarding the forest roads included in the FDP which serve to further reduce the potential for significant environmental and social impacts:
* The INL pre-screened the prospective roads to exclude those with more complex or significant potential environmental issues;
* In total length terms (km), 87% of the road projects to be included in the FDP are rehabilitation works for existing roads; and
* The new roads (13% of the total) are extensions of existing roads as opposed to new roads into previously remote areas (and these areas are Forest Fund lands which have been under management, not isolated, undisturbed forests).
However, there are aspects of FDP forest roads sub-component which are significant in terms of potential environmental impacts. These issues were identified and explored in a FDP preparation study carried out by FORTECH (5). Forest road impacts and issues were considered from an operational perspective under five phases:
. Planning * Design; * Construction; * Use and maintenance; and * Closure (decommissioning) (6),
As a result of this study, the design and implementation schedule for the Forest Road Sub-Component of the FDP was modified (see table below). All the road works will be re-designed according to standards and specifications to be developed in a Best PracticeManualfor ForestRoad Design Engineering,Construction and Maintenance (the BP Manual). The BP Manual will therefore comprise one of the main mitigation measures for the minimization of potential impacts of the road works in the FDP. The EA process for the FDP forest roads, described in the next section, will comprise the other main mitigation/ environmental management measure.
(4) Non-comrnercial wood from thinning and sanitary clearingis either made available to local villagers or ,in many instances, the villagers actually carry out the thinning and collection in coordination with NFA district offices. (5) For a detailed discussion see Annex Il-A, Initial Reporton EnvironmentalAspects of ForestRoads Component,Ronanian Forest Development Program,March 2001. (6) Forest roads are considered essentially permanent infrastructure in Romania, therefore de-cormuissioning does not take place.
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF ACRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 6 Table 1.2 Schedulefor implementation of FDP Forest Road Sub-Component (from FORTECH, May 2001)
Year Activities 1 * No road works will be implemented in Year 1. * The BP Manual will be developed through an international tender/ commission; the BP Manual will be specific to the environmental setting and institutional aspects of the forestry sector in Romania. * In the latter half of Year 1, some subset of the rehabilitation road projects will be re- designed incorporating the recommendations and specifications of the BP Manual. 2 * Continued re-design of rehabilitation and new roads according to the BP Manual. * Construction tendering and implementation for roads re-designed in Year 1. 3 * Continued re-design of rehabilitation and new roads according to the BP Manual. * Construction tendering and implementation for roads re-designed in Year 2. 4 * Completion of re-design of rehabilitation and new roads according to the BP Manual. * Construction tendering and implementation for roads re-designed in Year 3. 5 * Construction tendering and implementation of remaining re-designed roads.
1.3 EA PROCESS FOR FDP FORESTROADS
This section describes the EA process developed for use during the implementation of the Forest Roads Sub-Component of the FDP. This section is organized as follows:
* Section 1.3.1, presents the Issues Screening Systemfor FDP ForestRoad RehabilitationProjects which is the tool for determining which of the rehabilitation road projects require additional environmental assessment (as described below, it is recommended that all new road projects should be the subject of an EA);
* Section 1.3.2, Trial Screening Procedurewhich describes both the pilot procedure employed during the preparation of this EA report as a test and demonstration of the recommended process; and the procedure to be employed during FDP implementation as well as post FDP;
* Section 1.3.3, RecommendedForest Road Screening Procedurefor the FDP which describes the application of the screening system and EA assessment during irnplementation of the FDP forest roads sub-component;
a Section 1.3.4, SuggestedImplementing Agents During FDP which presents our recommendations for administration and implementation of the forest road EA process; and
* Section 1.3.5 Sample EA Reportsof Tio ForestRoad RehlabilitationProjects which reviews the findings of two EAs carried out by Intergroup Engineering of forest road rehabilitation projects.
1.3.1 Issues Screening Systeinfor FDP Forest Road Rehabilitation Projects
First, EAs are recommended for all new forest road projects due the greater potential for impacts associated with new road construction and the need for
ENVIRONMENTALREsOURcES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 7 analysis of baseline conditions, review of siting and design decisions, and development of mitigation measures to be incorporated in the engineering design. Road rehabilitation projects are likely to have fewer impacts since the road footprint already exists.
The recommended environmental assessment process for the FDP Forest Roading Sub-Component is based on a screening system developed by Intergroup Engineering and ERM. This was adapted from a prelimninary screening system developed by FORTECH and the INL. The screen consists of two main categories, Environment and Social, seven elements and 22 sub-elements (see Table1.3). The sub-elements are intended to reflect adequacy of design/management measures incorporated in the road project design. The screening process rates the likely resolution of each potential issue according to the following rating categories:
* (+) potential environmental and social issues very well resolved; * (x) potential environmental and social issues partially resolved; * (-) potential environmental and social issues not resolved; and * (NA) not applicable.
The rating for each sub-element should consider two factors:
* The significance of the sub-element as a design problem on the basis of the physical, biotic, and social setting for the road project; and * how well does the road design resolve the problem (on the basis of the feasibility study).
EN,VIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 8 Table 1.3 Environmental and social issues screenfor FDP forest road rehabilitation projects
Category Element Sub-Element Explanation ENVIRONMENT Slope Stability and Unstable Geology Unstable marine, sedimentary clays Erosion (marl) with high landslide potential (Landscape in counties of Buzau, Cluj, Prahova Degradation) and Vrancea; roads in this geologic material often require geotechnical solutions. Slope > 600 Very steep slopes requiring blasting and associated design, construction, and maintenance measures. Erosion and flooding High versus low potential and corresponding management measures Access to degraded Road allows access to areas areas for rehabilitation damaged from landslides, avalanche, or other events in need of rehabilitation through revegetation, etc. Stream bank erosion Siting of road away from stream prevention banks and/or proper bank armoring measures employed. Nature Habitat fragmentation Road potentially functions as barrier Conservation to wildlife New access to protected Road creates new access to protected areas/ special preserves areas Proper environmental Road is sited and designed to avoid planning/ siting of road or minimize physical and biological impacts Aquatic Resources Access to existing Road allows access to hydraulic hydraulic control structures such as irrigation collector structures channels, small impoundments, etc. Water quality Road incorporates measures to minimize impacts on water quality (e.g., stream buffers, sediment traps) Air Quality Minimizes air emissions Road is designed to allow more by optimizing transport efficient travel (e.g., sufficient width efficiencies or vehicle passing points, grade and surface pernit efficient speed of travel). SOCIAL Recreation Landscape and aesthetic Clearance of trees, earthworks, qualities blasting and other disturbances to vistas Fishing and hunting, Negative effects due to disturbance and water quality impacts Relocation or Construction and Road bed re-location or widening, other land take maintenance of roads staging areas for vehicles, impacts equipment, and materials, road (temporary and blockages permanent) Residences Road bed re-location or widening, staging areas for vehicles, equipment, and materials, road blockages
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESrS 9 Category Element Sub-Element Explanation Businesses Road bed re-location or widening, staging areas for vehicles, equipment, and materials, road blockages Alterations of existing Riparian zones are used for many conditions in riparian purposes; road works have potential zones to interfere with usage given riparian location. Local Community Affected Traffic, noise, nuisance and other direct and indirect impacts associated with road construction and future forestry operations on the road; also the positive impacts of improved access to NTFPs*and wood. Consulted Re the project and above impacts Approval of local Re the project and above impacts community Forest access continuity Will the road construction result in a hiatus in usage by the local communities preventing access to NTFBs and wood supplies?
Notes: NTFPs are non-timber forest products such as mushrooms, honey, nuts, and medicinal or other plants.
1.3.2 Trial Procedure Carried out under the FDP EA
Using the environmental and social issue screen described above, Intergroup Engineering carried out a screening of 62 forest road rehabilitation projects (7)(see Annex I1-B for the full results table). Intergroup relied on sub-element responses supplied by NFA's district offices but which were collected and compiled by INL staff in Brasov. This was done for expediency during the preparation of this EA; however, given that the NFA district offices have identified the need for the road projects in each case, and therefore have a vested interest in their approval, there is the possibility that the responses are biased (i.e., a tendency to discount or underestimate potential environmental and social issues which may arise from a road project and/or overestimate the adequacy of the project design to manage and mitigate the impacts). During project implementation it is recomunended that a more neutral and objective body carry out the screening process to avoid bias (see Section 2.3.4). Recommendations for implementing the recommended forest road EA screening process during the FDP are described below (see Section 2.3.3).
Preliminary ScreeningResults
Preliminary screening results are examined in two ways:
* By (x) or (-) sub-element score frequency across the 62 FDP road rehabilitation projects subjected to the screen; and
(7) The FDP was under development during the preparation of the FDP EA, and the list of roads to be included in the FDP has been revised since the screening exercise was carried out. There are still 91 roads in the FDP, but the mix has changed to 66 rehabilitation road projects and 25 new roads as reported in Secthon2.2.3 above.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND FosEsTs 10 * A summary of the scores by the roads.
The sub-element scoring frequency is presented in the Table1.4a below. As noted above, these results are based on the opinions of NFA district staff collected through telephone interviews; there was no independent examination of feasibility studies nor field verification.
The most common failings, in terms of adequacy of the design of the road projects to resolve the issues, are in the areas of water quality impacts, slopes greater than 60%, impacts on landscape and aesthetics, relocation and other negative effects on businesses, and erosion of stream banks.
Given the mountainous terrain and the location of the majority of the roads in narrow, valley floors adjacent to streams, the water quality impacts are to be expected when re-constructing gravel roads. But, given variations in terrain, slope, soils and other constraints, potential water quality impacts are likely to greater for some roads than others. The potential impacts on businesses refer to the temporary closure of the roads which is required for the rehabilitation works in a number of the projects. In some cases this will impact harvesting of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) and in others it will affect general commerce when the forest road is used for travel between villages.
Table 1.4a Results of preliminary application of screening system to FDPforest road rehabilitation projects - mnostfrequent sub-element issues ranked by relative frequency Number of partially Number of not Cumulative Sub-element Issue resolved (frequency resolved (frequency Frequency (as based on 62 roads in based on 62 roads) applicable) sample) Water Quality 34 (52%) Slope > 60° 11 (17%) 18 (27%) 29% Open space and 17 (26%) visual quality Relocation and other 15 (23%) negative effects - construction Erosion of stream 9 (14%) banks Difficult Geology 7 (11%) Relocation and other 7 (11%) negative effects - business Altering riparian 5 (8%) zones Conservation of 4 (6%) major undeveloped areas Erosion and flooding 3 (5%) Local community 3 (5%) affected Local community 1 (2%) consulted Local community 1 (2%) approval
ENVIRONMENTALREsOURCES MANAGENMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 11 The scoring results of the individual road projects are presented in the far right column of the spreadsheet in Annex II-B and summarized in Table1.4b below. One of the most significant results of the analysis presented in the table is that there were only 4 roads (6%) without issues.
Table 1.4b Results of preliminary application of screening system to FDPforest road rehabilitation projects - summary of road ratings in terms of partially resolved (x), unresolved potential issues (-) and combinations of the two Scoring Outcomes Number of Roads in each grouping listed by road number (x), (-), or combination roads (see Annex 1I-Cfor detailed results and names receiving score and locations of roads) lx 11 4, 8, 9,12,14, 21,48, 53,54, 55 and 77 2x 15 3,7, 13,17,18,29, 32, 45, 52, 61, 71,73,79,81 and 90 3x 8 33, 41, 43, 44, 70, 80, 86, and 91 4x 6 28,40, 42, 68, 69 and 78 1- 3 23, 56 and 57 lx and 1- 5 46, 50, 51, 72, and 88 2x and 1- 4 15,16, 47, and 74 3x and l- 3 30,39, and 87 4x and l- 1 27 5x and 1- 2 26 and 31 Total 58 (94%)
Using the Screen Results to Define EA Requirements
The main purpose of the screening system is to differentiate the various road projects on the basis of potential environmental and social issues, and to then select those roads which should be the subject of an EA. The aim of the EA would be to thoroughly evaluate the potential issues and to make recommendations for alternative designs and/or mitigation measures which would avoid, minimize and/or mitigate impacts. In extreme cases the EA might recommend against the project.
The following selection system is suggested for deterrnining which roads should have an EA performed prior to project construction.
* Score of 4 or more (x)s; * Score of 2 or more (-)s; or * A combined score of 4 or more of the two (e.g., 3x and 1-, 4x and 1-, 5x and 1-, and 2x and 2-).
If this procedure were applied to the roads screened in the trial exercise, there would be a requirement for nine (9) EAs for the rehabilitation road projects. This would be in addition to the EAs required for the 30 new roads or a total of 39 EAs for 91 roads (43%).
EA Structure and Focus
This is potentially a substantial EA burden, both in terms of cost and time. However, this burden should be mitigated by two factors:
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOFAGRICULTURE, FOOD AND FORESTS 12 * The EAs for forest roads should be very focused, streamlined and reduced in scope relative to World Bank OP 4.01 guidelines, with the main purpose being to objectively review the proposed road project design in light of the specific field conditions and the potential significant environmental and social impacts. The EA should largely be based on two detailed field reconnaissance visits to the site or corridor of the road: one without and one with the road design engineer. Specific problem areas should be identified in the field and studied. The main output of the EA should be recommendations to avoid, minimnizeand mitigate potential impacts, during both construction and operation. The EAs need not present information on legal and regulatory framework or alternatives analysis (other than recommended design altematives). The suggested contents for the EA is:
* Road project location and description (including maps and design drawings); * The likely key impacts or issues with accompanying description of the underlying environmental and socio-economic conditions which are the basis for the potential impacts; * Recommendations to avoid, minimize and or mitigate impacts.
* All FDP road projects will undergo a re-design incorporating the guidelines, specifications and standards which will be included in the forest roading Best Practice Manual to be developed by an international consultant during Year 1 of FDP implementation. This redesign should reduce the number and significance of the potential impacts, likely resulting in a smaller number of road projects requiring EAs.
1.3.3 Recommended Forest Road ScreenintgProcedurefor FDP
As noted above, all the roads to be included in the FDP will undergo a redesign incorporating the guidelines, standards and specification of the Best Practice Manual to be developed in Year 1. This should reduce the number of potential impacts and therefore the EA requirement.
The recommended procedure for the FDP is similar to the trial procedure described above:
* All new roads should be the subject of an EA, as described previously, carried out by a qualified independent, local consultant;
* After the Best Practice Manual re-design, all rehabilitation road projects should be screened. The screening process should involve review of the revised road project design (i.e., Feasibility Study and consultation with the local NFA district office and the design engineers (e.g., the INL). It is recormnended that those with the responsibilitv for carrying out the screening process visit some subset of the road projects in the field to gain a better understanding the actual field conditions and magnitude of the likely potential impacts.
* The road projects should be scored as described previously and then the rating system applied to determine which road projects require an EA.
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FORESTS 13 * Rehabilitation road projects passing the screen would not require an EA.
Cumulative Impacts Screen
An additional cumulative impact screening process is recommended for incorporation in the FDP process to identify instances when two or more road projects occur in a single river basin or catchment of 1,000 ha or smaller. This analysis should be carried out early in Year 1 by mapping the roads county by county at a sufficient scale to identify these situations. Special attention should be devoted to such cases to minimize cumulative impacts. Options for management would include phasing the implementation of the road projects to avoid simultaneous construction impacts, or, where this is difficult or undesirable for economic or other reasons, requiring EAs for these road projects regardless of the individual scores resulting from the screening process.
1.3.4 Suggested Implementing Agents
In the context of the FDP, the key responsibility for implementation of the Forest Road EA process should be with the Road Specialist within the FDP Project Management Team (PMT). The terms of reference for this individual are in the preparation process. This individual should have a good understanding of forest roads, forest road best practice design and operation, and a background in environmental assessment and mitigation. The Road Specialist should also have at least partial responsibility for commissioning and managing the EAs which are carried out as well as the review and implementation of the EA recommendations. The Road Specialist should also participate in the tendering for and supervision of the road construction projects to ensure that:
1. the design and construction management specifications of the Best Practice Manual are requirements of the construction contract and that these standards and requirements are clear to the winning bidder; and 2. the standards are understood by the agencies charged with supervising the construction and enforcing that requirements are met (forest roads specialist from the Branch office and local Ministry of Public Works officer, see Box 1.2, step 11).
The Forestry Inspectorate is the best positioned government agency to carry on the environmental management function for forest roads when the FDP is completed, but to do so, it is necessary that the proper capacity be developed within the Fl during the FDP. Therefore, it is recommended that the FI should identify a staff member, with similar qualifications to the Road Specialist, and assign this individual on a full or part time basis to work closely with the Road Specialist. This individual's responsibilities should follow those identified for the Road Specialist and include commissioning and managing the EAs which are carried out as well as the review and implementation of the EA recommendations and construction supervision. The intent of this liaison and shared responsibilities during the five- year implementation of the FDP is that the necessary capacity would be developed and that these responsibilities be transferred to the Forestry Inspectorate post the FDP.
ENVIRONMENTALRESOURCES MANAGEMENT MINISTRYOF AGRICULTURE,FOOD AND FOREsTs 14 1.3.5 Sample EA Reports of Two Forest Road Rehabilitation Projects
In order to test the screen and as well as provide example EAs of FDP forest roads for future reference, two EAs of FDP forest road rehabilitation projects were carried out as part of the overall EA of the FDP by local consultant Intergroup Engineering. The subject roads were Valea Mare Crizbav in Forest District Sacele, Bihor County (FDP Road #29) and Paltinoasa in Forest District Campina, Prahova County FDP Road #70). These two roads were chosen to illustrate the possible end points of the forest roads in terms of issues. The Valea Mare Crizbav project is a relatively straightforward rehabilitation project which involves no significant issues (screening system score = 2x).
Paltinoasa is located in the area of difficult geology (marl) where a high water table and landsliding potential require more complex road design and construction methods (screening system score 4x).
These two EAs were prepared in accordance with EU standards and represent a more substantial effort than that suggested in this report. However due to the time constraints for preparation of this FDP EA, the two EAs were initiated prior to the development of the recommended forest road EA process. These reports clearly demonstrate that the capacity to produce more than adequate EAs of forest road projects exists in the private sector in Romania.
The two EAs are presented in Annex Il-C.
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Annex II-A
Initial Report on Environmental Aspects of Forest Roads Component, Romanian Forest Development Project
FORTECH, March 2001
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INITIAL REPORT ON ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF FOREST ROADS COMPONENT
ROMANIA
FORESTRY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
PROJECT PREPARATION
FORESTRY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM - LOAN NO. RO-P067367
INTERNAL DOCUMENT
FORTECH, Dames & Moore (UK) AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT (IRELAND)
March 2001
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Table of Contents
Abbreviations...... iii
Summary...... v
I IntroductionI 1.1 Background ...... 1 1.2 Independent Environmental Assessment ...... 2
2 ForestRoads Component ofFP .. 3 2.1 Concept .3 2.2 Forest Roads Component of Project Preparation Study .3 2.3 NFA Proposal .4
3 Policy,Legal and Administrative Context ...... 5 3.1 Forests .. 5 3.1.1 Law and Institutional Framework. 5 3.1.2 ForestPolicy .5 3.1.3 ForestRoads .6 3.2 Current Approval Process for Forest Roads . . 6 3.3 Environmental Assessment .. 6 3.3.1 Domestic Legislationand Procedures .6 3.3.2 InternationalIssues .8 3.3.3 Impact Assessment of Projectsin Forests .8 3.4 Biodiversity and Protected Areas .. 9 3.5 Water . . 9
4 EnvironmentalSetting.. 11 4.1 Forests .11 4.2 Biodiversity and Protected Areas .12 4.3 Watershed Values .13
5 ForestRoads in Romania:Impacts and Issues . . . 14 5.1 Introduction .. 14 5.2 Planning .. 14 5.2.1 Technical. 14 5.2.2 Procedural. 16 5.3 Design .. 17 5.3.1 Technical.17 5.3.2 Procedural.18
Annex Il-A text.doc i __j FORTECH -. A DAMES& MOOR COMPANY S 5.4 Construction ...... 18 5.4.1 Technical...... 18 5.4.2 Procedural...... 20 5.5 Use and Maintenance ...... 21 5.5.1 Technical...... 21 5.5.2 Procedural...... 21 5.6 Closure ...... 21
6 Conclusionsand Recommendations ...... 23 6.1 Issues for Consideration by the EA ...... 23 6.1.1 Procedural...... 23 6.1.2 Content...... 23 6.1.3 Specifics...... 24 6.2 Steps for Developing EA Procedures for Forest Roads ...... 25 6.3 Forest Roads Sub-Component of FDP ...... 26
References.28
APPENDIXA: ForestRoads Proposed by NFA (Provisional List) .29
APPENDIXB: Contacts .32
APPENDIXC: Protection Forests- Functional Categories and Permissible...... FellingSystems .33
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ABBREVIATIONS
APPR Association of Private Forest Owners BMP Best Management Practice CEE Central and Eastern Europe CORINE Coordination of Information on the Environment DoF Directorate of Forests of MAFF EA Environmnental Assessment EC European Comnmnission ECNC European Centre for Nature Conservation EEC European Economic Community EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EPA Environmental Protection Agency (county-level) ETCNC European Topic Centre on Nature Conservation EU European Union FAO UN Food and Agriculture Organization FDP World Bank Forestry Development Program for Romania FFI Fauna and Flora International GDF General Directorate of Forests GEF Global Environment Facility GIS Geographic Information System GoR Government of Romania IBA Important Bird Area ICAS Forest Management and Research Institute (Institutul de Cercetarisi Amenajari Silvice) INL National Wood Institute (Institutul National al Lemnului) IUCN The World Conservation Union MAFF Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forests MIS Management Information System MoIT Ministry for Industry and Technology MoT Ministry of Transport MWEP Ministry of Waters and Environmental Protection MWFEP Ministry of Waters, Forests and Environmental Protection (until Dec. 2000) NFA National Forest Admniistration NFPS National Forest Policy and Strategy 2001-2010 NGO Non Governmental Organization OP Operational Policy (World Bank) PAD Project Appraisal Document PCD Project Concept Document PEEN Pan-European Ecological Network PIP Project Implementation Plan PIU Project Implementation Unit PM Project Management Group Ltd. PPT Project Preparation Team for the FDP SA Social Assessment SAC Special Area for Conservation SAPARD Special Accession Programme for Rural Development
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SEA Strategic Environmental Assessment (of which Sectoral EA is one type) SFM Sustainable Forest Management SPA Special Protected Area SPC Special Protected Area TOR Terms of Reference UK United Kingdom UNECE United Nations Economic Commission for Europe WB World Bank
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SUMMARY
As part of project preparation, the Project Preparation Team (PPT) included a two-week input by an environmental specialist. The focus of the specialist's assignment was the forest roads sub-component. 1. In relation to the independent Environmental Assessment: Recommendation: FDP partners should clarify the purpose and approach to the EA to ensure that Bank requirements for independence are met, whilst at the same time meeting the practical requirements of programme design. Recommendation: Ensure that the EA team carries out a brief 'scoping' exercise to confirm the focus of the work and better define the tasks, activities and required deliverables. Recommendation: The EA should: provide a general assessment of the kinds of impacts associated with the different types of road investment planned under the FDP; screen the available road proposals to identify (a) those which are not environmentally risky and could go ahead without further environmental consideration, and (b) those which might have potentially significant environmental issues that would need to be addressed by a sub- project EA, in accordance with Bank safeguard policies. Recommendation: The EA should identify the procedures necessary to ensure that the potentially environmentally-risky FDP sub-projects receive appropriate environmental analysis, to meet Bank, domestic and (possibly) EC requirements. Recommendation: The EA should consider: the potential cumulative environmental effects of the various forest road programmes at different geographical and time scales (see also Biodiversity below); the need for consistent and/or improved environmental consideration/ approvals of the parallel SAPARD forest roads; the steps needed to develop and implement appropriate environmental safeguards with respect to forest roads in the longer term. Recommendation: The EA should liaise with the Social Assessment being undertaken by the project preparation team. 2. In relation to the development of EA Procedures for the FDP roads component: Consider the following steps: Step 1. The PPT or EA team to: clarify whether and how forest access is considered during the development of Forest Management Plans
Annex 11-Atext.doc v ____& FORTECH ______A DAMBS & MOOIE PAMPANy___ clarify to what extent environmental values are considered and incorporated into forest road plans and designs at the Pre-Feasibility and Feasibility Study stages review and identify past impacts of forest roads on 'sensitive receptors', concentrating watershed values and on biodiversity, but not forgetting other direct and indirect effects Step 2. For the first tranche of FDP roads: screen the existing NFA list in the light of Bank safeguard policies, especially OP 4.04 on natural habitats, and bearing in mind the Bank's Biodiversiti Toolkit. Step 3. For the remaining FDP roads (and according to the nature and purpose of the roads sub-component): review with MWEP, MAFF, NFA, INL and ICAS (at least) how to deal with any issues arising from Steps (1) and (2) above, and specifically how to incorporate any necessary changes in administrative and technical procedures. depending on the outcome of this review, establish this as an FDP activity, ideally to be completed within Year 1. Step 4. In parallel with Step (3): consider the merits of development of Codes of Practice/Guidelines/ Best Management Practices; these could be incorporated into the second tranche of FDP roads (planning, design and construction specifications), in advance of their becoming formal requirements under domestic legislation. Step 5. In response to Step (1) and with a view to the longer-term forest roads requirement: consider the need for improvements to the overall forest road planning and implementation process. establish this as an objective and task within the FDP, for completion by, say, Year 4.
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3. In relation to the forest roads sub-component of the FDP: It is recommended that the forest roads sub-component of the FDP should: * Concentrate on a smaller number of larger projects in 'sensitive areas' (ref. also to bidding procedures/ manageable contracts) * Spread the projects geographically to allow easier access on national basis * Treat each project as a case study looking at the whole road project cycle, starting with access planning as part of an integrated forest harvesting and extraction exercise * Develop 'best management practices' for protection of key environmental values during forest operations * Include changes to contracting procedures and documentation as a programme output * Include training for contractors and operators * 'Sell' these ideas, initially by regional study tours for decision-makers to, e.g., Austria and Switzerland
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1 INTRODUCTION This report is essentially a working paper to assist in the design of the Forestry Development Program for both the Project Preparation Team (PPT) and the independent EA consultants. It is not intended for wider distribution in this present format. The report is based on the initial work and findings of an environmental consultant. Field trips were made to the Brasov / Sibiu region.
1.1 Background Romania is undergoing transition from a command to a free-market economy. In the forest sector this will involve, inter alia, the return of a significant proportion of the forest estate to private ownership ('restitution'), and structural changes in the forest administration and whole forest-to-market chain. The process is attended by potential significant risks of unsustainable management. To assist in this transition, Fortech/Dames & Moore (UK) and Project Management (Ireland) have been awarded a contract by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forests (MAFF) to undertake preparation of a World Bank-sponsored Forestry Development Program (FDP). The FDP, a five-year programme, will be based on concerns and concepts summarised in a 1999 World Bank Working Paper', and subsequently developed into a Project ConceptDocument (Dec. 1999). The FDP will have a value of approximately US$25 million, and four components (Box 1). Box 1 Forest Development Program Component 1. Development of public sector capacity to support sustainable forest management:
- establishing a forest inspectorate
- establishing a forest information and monitoring system Component 2. Sector development: - reform of the National Forest Administration (NFA) - establishing a private forest owners association - establishing a business development and advisory service within MAFF - physical infrastructure, specifically environmentally-sound forest roads Component 3. Public awareness
ECSSDEnvironmentally and Socially Sustainable Development Working Paper No. 18 Romania Forestry Sector: Status, Values and Need for Reform, by John FraserStewart.
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Component 4. Project management and monitoring
Source: FDP PCD The principal written outputs of the project preparation contract will be a Project Implementation Plan (PIP) and draft Project Appraisal Document (PAD) in accordance with Bank guidelines.
1.2 IndependentEnvironmental Assessment Both the potential beneficial effects of the FDP, and the risks if it fails to be effective, are high. Consequently, Bank screening has resulted in a Category A environmental classification. Since 1999, Bank policy has stipulated that Category A projects should undergo independent environmental assessment (EA)2 (OP 4.01 Environmental Assessment, 1999). This new procedure, although commendable from the point of view of ensuring the objectivity of impact assessment, creates logistical challenges: * Firstly, the project preparation team may be starved of the environmental inputs necessary for optimal design, since these have been diverted to the independent EA. * Secondly, should the EA team review a completed proposal, or comment on ideas still under preparation? If the former, this extends the time required for overall project preparation, and raises the issue of how the EA recommendations can subsequently be incorporated into the project. If the latter, can the EA team retain the objectivity and credibility needed whilst still working closely with the design team?
2 Environmentalassessment (EA) is the term used by the Bank for environmental impact assessment (EIA). For practical purposes, the terms are synonymous.
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2 FORESTROADS COMPONENT OFFDP
2.1 Concept The forest roads sub-component of the FDP is under development. Because of the physical works involved, this item will absorb a large proportion of the total funds available within the FDP. The Project Concept Document (PCD) estimates were US $ 15.4 million out of US $ 24.35million (63%). Romania has a low density of forest roads (approx. 6m/ha). The concept in the PCD was for the Program to provide: '... the physical infrastnrcture necessanjfor economicand environmentally sound access to zvood harvesting through construction offorest roads, to the required densihy and in accordancezvith best environmental practice,in existing productionforest and facilitating competitive bidding and pricing offorest road construction.' The PCD Review Meeting (23 Dec. '99) qualified the PCD by emphasising the importance of the forest conservation and sustainable management focus of the project, including: 'emphasising that forest road construction, and planning for increased densithyof the forest road network, Will only take place in existing areas of productionforest with the objective of reducing the negativeenvironmental impacts, as well as the economiccosts of harvesting operations'. Also of relevance to the roads sub-component, the Review Meeting highlighted the importance of capacity-building in all key public and private sector organisations.
2.2 ForestRoads Componentof ProjectPreparation Study According to the TOR, the road-related deliverables of this project preparation study are: (1) A technical analysis of current timber extraction and transportation systems, including forest road infrastructure. (2) A strategy for developing the forest road network in an environmentally sound manner. (3) An outline of best practice for the design and construction of forest roads. (4) A preliminary assessment of the environmental impacts of the FDP, with particular focus on the proposed road construction component. (5) Procedures for EIA of forest road construction. (6) An economic assessment of the costs and benefits 'with' and 'without' the pilot roads component.
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2.3 NFAProposal As noted in the Inception Report, the National Forest Administration (NFA) is proposing that 86 % of the funds available for roads should be road rehabilitation with the balance spent on new road construction. This change in emphasis is due to widespread damage to existing forest mains and primaries (main access roads) from lack of maintenance, over-use, flooding and erosion. The NFA's central investment office have prepared a provisional list of works costing just under Lei 500 billion (approx. $ 18 million), to illustrate a possible FDP road component (Annex A). However there will be a significant component paid by the Romanian authorities. The total length of roads involved in the provisional NFA proposal is: * Rehabilitation 407.7 km in 17 Counties * New construction 68.3 km in 10 Counties Many of these proposals have been through the full forest road design and approval process (see Chapter 4), and are awaiting funding. Recommendations concerning the FDP roads sub-component are given in Chapter 6.
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3 POLICY,LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE CONTEXT
3.1 Forests 3.1.1 Law and Institutional Framework General provisions for management of the national 'Forest Fund' (all legally-declared forests) are given in the Forest Code (Law 26/24 of April 1996). For the basic legislative framework on biodiversity and forests in Romania, see www-.envir.ee/programmid/ pharecd/ soes/ romania/html/biodiversity (this includes international conventions). 3.1.2 ForestPolicy The existingforest strategy dates from 1995,and was developed following the 1992/93 Forestry Sector Review. Romania is in the process of developing a new forest policy, the National Forestny Policy and Strategy 2001-2010 (NFPS). Most of the work was carried out during 2000with assistance from the World Bank. Although endorsed by the Ministry of Waters, Forests and Environmental Protection and Ministry for Industry and Technologyunder the previous government, at present the draft NFPS is in abeyance, pending review by the incoming government and the re-organised Ministries. The principal policy statement within the draft NFPS concerning Logging, Transport and Wood Processingis: 'Polico: The better utilization of 7voodresources through the integration of logging and wood processingactivities wvithinthe concept of sustainablemanagement of the natural resource.' In addition to enhanced research and training, NFPS 'Strategic Actions' of particular relevance to forest roads include: A. Silviculture/Management A1.4 Harmonization of the forest administrationsystem with European practice. A2.5 Modernization of the forest managementplanning system. A5.1 Upgrading and consolidationof existingforest roads. A5.2 Increase the density of the forest road network. A5.3 Development of the accessnetwork within forest compartments. A8.2 Inclusion of aspects relating to biodiversityand the management of protected areas in forest management plans. B. Logging,Transport and WoodProcessing B3.1 Increase the accessibility of forests, by designing an internal skidding/collection network, oriented towards reducing the average
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skidding/collection distance and use of environmentally-friendly methods and technologies. B3.2 Development of an integrated skidding/collection system in order to protect the forest.
3.1.3 Forest Roads Forest roads are major engineering structures and can absorb a high proportion of all investments in forest management. Until 1991 forest roads in Romania were built and maintained by timber harvesting companies using central government funds. In 1992 the roads were transferred to Romsilva, and subsequently to the NFA. Funds for construction of new roads during the '90s were scarce. Forest roads on land managed and maintained by the NFA on behalf of the state. Funds for road maintenance are obtained by a levying a charge on wood removed by logging companies following the tender/auction process. The relevant Ministerial Order is 2205/1997. The fee is a flat rate of approx. $1/m3. This fee is retained by the NFA and used locally. Forest roads on restituted forest land continue to belong to the state. If new roads are built on private forest land, they will (presumably) belong to the person who pays for them.
3.2 CurrentApproval Process for Forest Roads At present, the approval process for new forest roads on NFA forest land is understood to be as shown overleaf (Figure 1). The Feasibility Study (step 5 in the Figure) is detailed and follows a prescribed methodology and report layout. However, it does not explicitly address the full range of values and concepts typically considered in an environmental impact assessment exercise.
3.3 EnvironmentalAssessment 3.3.1 Domestic Legislation and Procedures Environmental impact assessment (EIA) was formally introduced by the Environmental Protection Law No. 137/1995 (and subsequent amendments). This established the principles and framework (procedures, participants and their responsibilities, and an inclusion list of activities for which EIA is mandatory). Detailed guidance on EIA methodology, procedures, report content etc. is contained in Ministerial Order No. 125/1996 Permitting Procedurefor Economic and Social Activities Having an EnvironmentalImpact. EIAs can only be carried out by authorised EIA practitioners. Procedures for certifying EIA and environmental audit specialists are given in Ministerial Order 278/1996.
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Significantly, the persons or organisation carrying out an EIA of a proposed development must be legally independent of the developer. For state-level projects, the authority to issue an environmental agreement rests with MWEP. Regional and local projects are dealt with by MWEP's county-level Environmental Protection Agencies (EPAs).
Figure 1: Approval Process for Forest Roads
1.Forest District and/or Branch of NFA prepares short Pre-Feasibility study. Consultants (e.g. INL) may be involved.
2.NFA's central investment office screens Pre-Feasibility studies and selects some to go forward.
3.NFA (Bucharest) prepares Terms of Reference forthe Feasibility Study and Technical Report.
4.Tendering forstudies ('auction').
5.Preparation ofFeasibility Study by the successful consultant (e.g. INL), in prescribed format.
6.Circulation of Feasibility Study to concerned agencies for approval,including local authorities, local Environmental ProtectionDept., and Water Dept.
7.Final approval forthe expenditure ofpublic funds by Ministry ofFinance.
B. Consultant(same as at (5))prepares Technical Report (i.e. tender documents) and 'Execution Details (i.e. 1 constructiondrawings and specifications). l
9.Submission tolocal council for construction permit.
10.Tendering forconstruction.
11.ConstrucUon bythe successful contractor, supervised by: (a)Specialist unit of concemed Forest Branch (forest roads officer) (b)Ministry ofPublic Works engineer(s) Source: PPT interpretation of information from key informants
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3.3.2 International Issues Europe:The driving force for the new environmental policy and legislation has been the Association Agreement signed with the European Union. Consequently, in the interests of harmonisation, the basis for the EIA regulations in Romania is EC Directive 85/337/EEC on Environmental Impact Assessment. Presumably, Romania has, or will, update the regulations and procedures from time to time in line with developing EU policy, specifically the new EIA Directive 97/11/EEC, and the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive (as and when this is issued). Public participation:In 1998 Romania signed the UNECE Convention on the Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus Convention). 3.3.3 Impact Assessment of Projects in Forests Forest roads are not listed in Appendix 2 of the Environmental Protection Law, and therefore do not require a formal EIA. Roads in'protected areas' are listed, and therefore do require EIA. In order to undertake an EIA, a company or agency must first obtain a licence from the Ministry of Waters and Environmental Protection. Currently ICAS (MAFF's Forest Management and Research Institute), has the only licence to undertake EIAs on forest land. Typical activities requiring EIA in forests are mining and oil exploration. As yet, ICAS has not carried out any impact studies on proposed forest roads; roads are very much the domain of INL (the National Wood Institute), which is almost always the successful bidder for contracts for new forest road feasibility and design studies. Feasibility Studies for new forest road construction do not include a formal environmental assessment. The INL also has authority to undertake EIAs but not specifically in forests. It appears that there is a potential for either conflict or cooperation between INL and ICAS with respect to the future incorporation of additional environmental issues in the forest road design and approval process. Constraints to the development of EA in Romania, as seen by ICAS, include: * lack of previous experience; * large cadre of senior staff requiring re-training, attitudinal change and awareness- building; . limited domestic capacity for postgraduate training in environmental impact assessment; * lack of private sector capacity.
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3.4 Biodiversityand Protected Areas As a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), in the mid-90s Romania developed a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (1996), with four principal biodiversity conservation priorities: (1) development of the legal framework and capacity building; (2) organisation of the national systems of protected areas; (3) in-situ and ex-situ conservation of threatened, economically-valuable species; (4) conservation outside formal protected areas through changes in land-use, land management, habitat restoration etc. Within these overall strategic priorities, priority actions include: 'Elaboration of a model adnministration(in 3-4 forest districts zvith representative bioclimatic zones and layers) for tlze sustainable management of forests consistent with the principles and actions requiredunder the CBD.' Romania is now in the process of updating its protected area legislation and institutions, and establishing a formal network of protected areas. Specific protected area legislation has been drafted, but has not been circulated widely for comment. A sunmmary of Romania's biodiversity, threats, legal and institutional framework, and the national biodiversity strategy can be found at www. grida.no / enrin/ biodiv/ national/ romania/. Romania takes part in many regional conservation initiatives, as part of 'The Environment for Europe' process. The GoR is receiving assistance from the GEF through a Biodiversity Conservation Management Project. This is now in its early stages of implementation. Fauna & Flora International (FFI) is providing technical assistance to the project, which is establishing and placing under management three different types of demonstration protected area, largely forested.
3.5 Water Water is managed under the Water Law (No. 107/1996). Article 31 of this law deals with forests. Paragraph (4) of Article 31 requires forests to be managed so as not to contribute to floods and soil erosion (Box 2). Developments (but not, normally, forest roads) which may affect water are subject to a permitting system. Permits are issued by local offices of MWEP, and may contain conditions relating to water quality. These conditions are, typically, water quality standards which should not be exceeded, rather than methods of construction or operation intended to prevent pollution. The Water Law does not appear to consider sediment and other natural materials to be 'waste', i.e. a polluting substance within the meaning of the Act. Regulations under the Water Law were issued in 1997 (Ministerial Order No. 277/1997). This Order specifies the documentation required to obtain a permit under
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the act. In response to Article 31 of the Law, Article 32 of the Order deals specifically with forest management plans. Forest management plan documents are required to cover, inter alia: '(d) the expected effects offorest managementplan implementation on soil stabilihyand on conservationof aquatic ecosystems.' Box 2 Water Law No. 107/1996 Article 31 (1) The forests having special protection functions, from the reception of the reservoirs, those in basins of high torrential degree and prone to erosion, in major river beds, in the dam-bank areas, as well as the forest belts located along undammed rivers belong to the group of forests with special protection functions and are managed as such, through [though?] intensive treatments, the clear-cuttings or short-time regenerating treatments being forbidden. (2) The water protection forests, the soil protection ones located on cliffs, detritus areas, on eroded soil, on lands of slopes higher than 35o, and other such forests are managed under special protection regime. (3) Within the areas mentioned in paragraphs (1) and (2) works of soil erosion control and torrent annihilation shall be performed, and special rules of maintaining such works shall be applied. (4) The forests in the mountain and hill areas must be managed in such a way so as not to contribute to the development of floods and soil erosion.
Source: English translation supplied by Water Management General Directorate, Ministry of Waters and Environmental Protection, 9/3/2001
As yet the PPT has not identified any Romanian 'Best Management Practices' related to construction in or near watercourses.
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4 ENVIRONMENTALSETTING
4.1 Forests The area and type of forest in Romania is described in numerous publications and is not repeated here. Of significance for the FDP roads component is the division between 'Production Forests' and 'Protection Forests'. Together these are known as the 'Forest Fund'. The present classification of Protection Forests by function is given at Annex C. This annex also lists the felling systems permissible under each functional category. The functions of the five Sub-Groups of the overall group 'Protection Forests' are: 1. Water Protection 2. Site and Soil Protection 3. Protection against Climatic and Industrial Threats 4. Recreation 5. Scientific Interest and Protection of the Forest Genetic Fund Timber harvesting is permitted in virtually all the functional categories of all five sub- groups of Protection Forests, except scientific reserves, nature reserves and core areas of national parks (Annex C). 'Conservation felling' (for sanitation and/or safety) is permitted in areas prone to erosion and landslides, and commercial production under selection or group selection systems in other categories of land sensitive to erosion. Thus many Protection Forests are not 'protected forests' in the sense of being protected from logging. Their full title, in Romanian, implies 'forests managed primarily for protection' - but not exclusively. Timber production in these forests is both maximised and controlled by the use of the detailed classification system listed in Annex C. The implications of this for the roads component of the FDP are discussed further in Chapter 6. All forests in the 'Forest Fund' are managed under a Forest Management Plan. The majority of these plans are prepared on a compartment basis by ICAS3 on behalf of the owner (i.e. the NFA), approved by the Directorate of Forests (now in MAFF), and revised every 10 years. Restituted forests inherit their previous management plan when transferred to the private sector. Private forests of less than 10 ha require a simplified management plan. Details of this have not been elaborated yet. Currently ICAS is preparing management plans for private forest owners with funding from MAFF. However, to date only 3000 ha (out of 300,000 ha) have had management plans prepared.
3 Until recentlyICAS had a monopoly on plan preparation, but this is no longer the case.
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4.2 Biodiversityand Protected Areas Romania has a large number of protected areas (more than 800: pers comm Cristiana Pasca). Many of these have been declared provisionally by local authorities under the 1995 framework Environmental Protection Law. It is understood that the vast majority are small, have no formal management plan ('paper parks'), and do not form part of a coordinated national strategy for conservation of key habitats. At present, protected areas on forest land are managed by the NFA. The main protected 'virgin forests' in Romania are listed in Table 2 of the National BiodiversihyStrategy and Action Plan (1996). At present the geographical identification of key areas for conservation in Romania is the subject of three major initiatives (pers comm Zbigniew Karpowicz of FFI): (i) CORINE Important Biotopes:CORINE (Coordination of Information on the Environment) was established in 1985 by the European Council of Ministers. The CORINE Information System is a database of important biotopes (habitat types) held on an ARC/Info GIS by the European Topic Centre on Nature Conservation (ETCNC) in Paris. This includes information from Romania. Note: There is a 'Phare Topic Link on Nature Conservation' (PTL/NC) comprising a consortium of experts from Slovakia, Estonia, Romania and Germany assisting the European Environment Agency (EEA) with work related to the Pan-EuropeanBiological and LandscapeDiversihy Strategy for the Phare partner countries (www.mnhn.fr/ctn/ptlncuk.html). (ii) NATURA 2000: Romania is responding (in preparation for accession) to the EC Habitats and Birds Directives (EEC/92/43 on the Conservationof Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora,and EEC/79/409 on the Conservationof Wild Birds). These Directives require member states to identify and establish a network of Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) for habitats, and Special Protected Areas (SPA) for birds. Together, these protected areas will form part of the internationally-recognised and 'strictly protected' NATURA 2000 system. In Romania the site selection process is underway. A preliminary identification based on Important Bird Areas (IBA) may be available: sixty IBAs in Romania have been identified by the Romanian Ornithological Society (contact via Cristiana Passca). (iii) EcologicalNetwvork of Romania:To help establish the Pan-European Ecological Network (PEEN) for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) (an essential part of the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy), the European Centre for Nature Conservation (ECNC: www.ecnc.nl) is preparing an indicative map of 'ecological networks' in most of eastern Europe including Romania. Map products may be available in May 2001, at a scale of 1:2.5 million. The importance of the various categories of Protection and Production Forests for biodiversity conservation, and their status vis-a-vis the existing and future systems of
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protected areas, has not been ascertained. It is likely to be highly site-specific, and is an important issue with respect to the construction of new forest roads.
4.3 WatershedValues Worldwide, forest roads are associated with high levels of direct and indirect impacts on 'watershed values' (see global literature, e.g. Spinelli & Marchi 1996). These include direct impacts on riparian habitats and slopes by the physical presence of the road, direct impacts on streams at crossings, road-induced erosion and sedimentation (failure of cut slope and fill prism, sediment from the running surface, washouts due to blocked culverts), downstream effects on water quality, aquatic habitats and infrastructure (e.g. reservoirs), and the indirect effects resulting from improved access - logging, legal and illegal hunting and recreational use, increased risk of fire, etc.
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5 FORESTROADS IN ROMANIA:IMPACTS AND ISSUES
5.1 Introduction The five phases of forest roading operations are: . Planning * Design * Construction * Use and maintenance * Closure These five phases are considered below, separating out technical issues from procedural ones. The discussion is based on a very limited exposure to Romanian conditions, and should be reconfirmed or revised before wider circulation. Note that the NFA considers that some of the most important problems affecting existing forest roads are: * Planning and design: flood damage; landslides * Use and maintenance: low maintenance inputs; use by heavy vehicles
5.2 Planning 5.2.1 Technical Forest road planning procedures normally include consideration of need, density, location, and impacts. 0 Need for Roads The need for roads is dependent on the management prescription for an area. Since some form of felling is permitted in almost every category of Protection Forest, under this management approach road access will eventually be required to almost every forest compartment in Romania, for timber extraction (provided it is economically viable and timber production is an objective of management). For example, one reason given by the NFA for reconstructing and extending the flood-damaged road in the Pojorta Valley (Voila Forest District, Brasov Forest Branch) is the need for salvage and sanitation logging of trees at high elevation, damaged and felled by avalanches. Planning the road network should be an integral part of the forest management planning process. It is not known whether the current management planning process includes full consideration of access, or whether it is assumed that, should the economics be right, roads will eventually be built to fulfil the silvicultural management prescriptions for even the remotest compartments. Field inspection indicated that if the full range of forest values (biodiversity, erosion hazards, aesthetics etc.) and full cost and impacts of road construction
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and maintenance were considered, some areas of Protection Forest might merit re-classificationto a lower priority for timber extraction and therefore for access. * Roadsand Harvesting Technology The road network must reflect the harvesting technology (and vice versa). Romania has well-established practices for wood extraction, based on ground skidding by horse and tractor and on skylines. A common feature is that most extraction is downhill from the point of felling to roads, which are almost always in valley-bottoms.This technologyhas a high impact on riparian values4 due to direct destruction of valley-bottomhabitat for roads, sediment production from skid trails, and sediment inputs to streams from slope erosion. Lower-impact harvesting and extraction techniques exist, ranging from the very cheap and simple to a higher level of investment and technology.These may be relevant to Romanianconditions, under some circumstances There is, however, no question concerning the need to increase the average road density in Romania's production forests. Extensive guidance on Codes of Practice for forest harvesting and extraction can be found in FAO (1996a,1996b). * Locationof Roads The precise location of roads in the landscape is a critical factor affecting their environmental impacts and construction and maintenance costs. The PPT has been informed that, at present, forest road locationsare decided on the basis of: - the cheapest route topographic maps at 1:5,000or 1:10,000(available for the whole of Romania) - field inspection The field trip indicated that (a) the majority of main and primary forest roads are constructed in valley bottoms, rather than in mid-slope locations, and (b) that some primary and secondary roads have been built across steep, marginally stable slopes. Since most valleys are V-shaped, this (a) results in high liability to flood damage, and very high impacts on both watercourses and riparian values, since there are no riparian buffer strips; and (b) results in high earthworks volumes, problematic drainage, high risks of damage to the roadbench from prism and cutslope failure, and high sediment production. According to Asmarandei & Cazan (1996),in Romania roads on slopes steeper than 60% have been banned since 1980,as have roads involving more than 15,000 m3 of earthworks. The authors state that this has resulted in lack of access to some forest stands. However, field inspection indicates that roads continue to be planned and built across steeper slopes.
4 Riparianvalues: the environrmentalvalue of aquaticand riverbankhabitats, particularly for fisheries and wildlifebut alsofor recreationand aesthetics.
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It appears that detailed access planning does not fully consider some important features normally highlighted in 'sustainable forest management', specifically (i) areas of high biodiversity values, especially along rivers and stream ('riparian values and habitats'), and (ii) areas prone to erosion. Although large-scale topographic maps are used, there is no use of aerial photos for alignment planning, (presumably no geomorphological analysis and mapping), and no prior identification of fine-scale sensitive areas (habitats, slopes). Excellent guidance on the planning and design of roads in mountain environments, directly applicable to forest roads, is given in TRL Overseas Road Note 16 Principlesof LozvCost Road Engineeringin Mountainous Regions (TRL 1997). 5.2.2 Procedural
a Needfor Roads The forest management planning process needs to consider harvesting methods, access, and non-timber values. Explicit inclusion of these costs and benefits in compartment-level planning may result in changes in prescriptions and need for access due to recognition of the full costs of road construction and use, and the potential loss of non-timber benefits. The Feasibility Study (Chapter 3) includes an economic evaluation of construction costs versus value of timber to be accessed. This is straightforward, but avoids incorporation of wider issues and the costs of 'externalities'. * Approvals The Feasibility Study (Chapter 3) does not appear to include detailed consideration of either non-timber values or the full range of impacts associated with forest road construction and operation. There are no 'best practice guidelines' or 'best management practices' (BMPs) to guide the road location planning process (e.g. mandatory riparian buffer strips, avoidance of sensitive slopes). If planning practices are modified, the question of institutional responsibilities for approvals arises: who should approve the alignment - the NFA, the DoF, the Forest Inspectorate, or perhaps the county EPA? How can their skills and independence be assured? Further questions arise in relation to forest roads in the private sector. Should there be public subsidies (Austrian practice is that public subsidies are dependent on proof of an optimised development project based on evaluation of different extraction methods (Sedlak 1996))? How can layouts be optirnised (cooperation between small landowners to improve road layouts and minimise impacts is compulsory.)?The issue of forest roads on private land requires consideration.
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5.3 Design 5.3.1 Technical Cross-sectionsand earthIworks Given a good alignment, the key to minimising impacts and costs is to balance cut and fill, in cross-section and/or longitudinally. If the slope being crossed is less than 65%, it is usually possible to build part of the road on the fill prism. This greatly reduces earthworks volumes, but requires careful attention to detail during construction to ensure adequate compactionand support of the fill. On steeper slopes (if they have to be crossed), constructionnormally has to be in full bench. This implies removal of spoil along the completed section of road to either a fill section or to a safe disposal site. Cutslope angles are determined on the basis of the maximum slope that will stand up in the long term, given the material being excavated. The roads inspected during the field trip varied greatly in their design, depending on the terrain and purpose. Cutslopes were generally tidily finished, and standing up well. The clearest departure from the NFA specificationswas in the general lack of provision for roadside drainage at the base of the cutslope. Drainage Design norms (NFA 1999) specify that all forest roads in Romania should be 'crowned', i.e. they should have a cross-fall both ways from the centre. This implies that all roads should have some provision for drainage at the base of the cutslope. The field trip indicated that there are serious problems on many forest roads relating to lack of provision for drainage (normally an open drain with culverts at appropriate intervals). One cheap and effective method of spilling water across forest roads is the 'rolling dip' (see illustration in Garland 1983). These structures permit traffic to continue at reasonable speed, are not subject to blockageby debris, and are not in use on the roads inspected. e Structures The design of drainage structures - culverts and bridges - is well-establishedin Romania. Standard culverts are box-section,with reinforced concrete slab decks on masonry abutments. This design is simple and not prone to blocking by debris. The designs are based on regional hydrological norms and standard runoff parameters (culverts are understood to be designed for 1 in 20 year flows). It is not known when these were established, or whether they may require updating in the light of the last decade of hydrological readings and the possibilityof more extreme weather events in future resulting from global climate change. There was little visible use of retaining or slope stabilisation structures on the field trip. Examples of the application of standard designs (retaining walls, log cribs, etc.) are given in the standard specifications (NFA 1999). It is suggested
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that more widespread application of bioengineering techniques could provide cost-effective solutions to existing cutslope, fill prism and riverbank stability and erosion problems. 5.3.2 Procedural a Specifications Forest road specifications are given in the NFA's 1999 Normativ DepartamentalPD 67/80: Privind ProjectareaDrumuril ForestierePentru CirculatiaAutovehiculelor. This book has the force of law under Ministerial Order No. 560 of 21.06.1999. Table 1 on p. 14 of the book presents the geometric elements of the three forest road types: I Main, II Primary ('principal'), and III Secondary. In addition to geometric design, the book gives details of drainage structures, retaining walls, and items such as signs and safety precautions when clearing slides. What appears to be missing from the specifications (subject to translation) is detailed guidance on the use of geometric design in steep terrain. Depending on the slope and substrate, the location of the centre line in relation to the pre- existing slope is crucial, both to reduce earthworks volumes and to ensure the stability and safety of the final formation. Also missing (subject to translation) is the concept of longitudinally-balance cut and fill, which implies both haulage to safe disposal sites and the use of appropriate equipment (excavator and dump truck). Internationally, guidance on forest road design is available from many jurisdictions, including, e.g., BC Forest Service (1995).
5.4 Construction 5.4.1 Technical
c Clearinglimits The field trip did not raise any issues in relation to clearing limits. It was apparent that every effort is made to limit clearing widths to the minimum necessary for the physical works. * Earthworks The field trip indicated that there is considerable opportunity to improve earthworks practices, the benefits being reduced site damage, reduced earthworks volumes, and improved stability and safety of the roadbench. Of particular concem was a new forest road being constructed to access the Valley Rea, in Sibiu Forest Branch. The road has been aligned across very steep terrain (>80%), and was being constructed by a combination of dozer and excavator. Site damage was significant, largely due to mismatched equipment and lack of operator training (see photographs of field visit, c/o PPT Team Leader).
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Some attempt had been made to end-haul spoil from the site, but unsuccessfully due to the use of inappropriate equipment - a dozer with a front-bucket (tracked loader). The roadbench had been widened considerably to permit turning by the loader and turning by the truck for side-loading, with a great increase in earthworks volumes and site damage. Although an excavator was in use, it was not being used for loading the truck, and the operator had no specific training in road construction. A large volume of excavated material had been lost deliberately or accidentally downslope, resulting in significant localised damage and loss of growing areas, sediment inputs to watercourses downstream, loss of rock which could have been used for surfacing, a very unstable fill prism showing signs of failure, high costs for site stabilisation, and high future maintenance costs. When questioned, the staff on site appeared to be unaware of the full economic and environmental consequences of this operation, or of any other way to proceed. * RBlasting Blasting was not observed. There appears to be scope for use of hydraulic rock- breakers mounted on excavators to minimise site damage and hazards to construction crews. * Revegetation Normally, newly-constructed surfaces are left to revegetate naturally (cut and fill slopes). Rainfall intensity in Romania appears to be high enough to result in significant erosion from unprotected earth surfaces. It is recomrnmendedthat the use of hydroseeding be investigated to determnine its relevance to Romanian conditions. * Equipment In Romania to date virtually all roads have been constructed by dozers. On steep sites, the pushing action invariably results in loss of material downslope ('sidecasting'), and often excessive cut and cutslope destabilisation. To avoid these problems, many forest jurisdictions have been moving towards mandatory use of excavators on steeper slopes. For example, in Austria the use of excavators on slopes exceeding 40% is compulsory, as is the end-hauling of surplus cut material on all slopes exceeding 70% (Sedlak 1996). The successful use of excavators is totally dependent on the training and professional understanding of the operator. Lack of training, knowledge and experience results in essentially no improvement over dozer construction. An excellent case study of the relative merits and performance of dozers and excavators for forest road construction can be found in FAO (1999). Other equipment changes recommended on the basis of the field trip are (a) hydraulic rock breakers, and (b) dump trucks. * Health and safety
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Both the road construction and timber extraction operations inspected during the field trip were notable for the lack of use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by workers. Except for two pairs of gloves, no workers were seen to be wearing or using the basics - safety footwear, gloves, and hard hats. 5.4.2 Procedural * Blasting It is understood that there are some blasting guidelines, which emphasise the use of pre-split and other controlled blasting techniques. It is suggested that the use of blasting could be minimised if there was a move towards use of hydraulic rock-breaking equipment (hydraulic hammers mounted on excavators). * Best managementpractices To minimise environmental impacts and promote greater care, many forest jurisdictions have developed 'best management practices' (BMPs), Codes of Practice, and guidelines for forest operations. Typical subjects covered include road planning and design, earthworks, river crossings, spoil disposal. These specify methods to be used, rather than the standards to be obtained as a result of the methods. • Contracts The existing road construction contracts (prepared by the road design consultant; see Figure 1) specify outputs rather than methods. It appears that there is scope for including descriptions of construction methods in road construction contracts (e.g. mandatory 'best practice' guidelines). Contracts should also include specific penalties for infringement of methods. * Equipment Improved methods implies use of different equipment, i.e. excavators and dump- trucks rather than bulldozers. It will take a considerable effort to create a competent and effective road construction contracting industry, since this requires re-investment in both equipment and human resources. For example, use of excavators for road construction implies a significantly higher degree of training and expertise on the part of the operator, and therefore higher status and salary. * Supervision Improved methods will not be implemented unless there is strict enforcement. One element of this is adequate understanding on the part of the supervisor, which implies training. * Safttjy Contracts should include clauses relating to safe working practices and use of personal protective equipment. These should be enforced.
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5.5 Useand Maintenance 5.5.1 Technical The field trip indicated that the NFA faces considerable challenges relating to both routine and periodic maintenance, specifically: - blocked side drains and culverts - absence of side drains (completelyfilled by sediment) - soft road surfaces - no recent regravelling - concaveroad surfacesencouraging erosion - runoff from blocked or absent drains causing or exacerbating failures of the road prism Some roads now require full rehabilitation - periodic maintenance will not be sufficient. The PPT has been informed that some damage is due to the use of oversize trucks by logging companies (30 t). Basic techniquesfor the maintenance of roads on private woodlots are available in, e.g. Adams (1983). 5.5.2 Procedural Maintenance norms are given in an NFA publication under Ministerial Order 560/1999. The principal questions arising in relation to maintenance are: how to ensure that the NFA has an adequate maintenance budget; and how to ensure that roads on private forests receive adequate maintenance.
5.6 Closure e Road deactivation Roads which are not required for forest operations or other traffic for an extended period still require maintenance. Without maintenance the road will deteriorate, and may be lost entirely if culverts block and the roadbench is washed out. These continuing maintenance costs and/or attendant risks of loss of the road and environmental damage can be minimised or avoid by road closure or 'deactivation'. Deactivationconsiders the need for the road, the duration of closure if it is not needed (e.g. 10 years between thinnings), and the most practical physical means of avoiding continuing maintenancecosts and risks of environmental damage.
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Typically, roads not required for a few years will receive simple treatments such as water bars5, and roads not required for five or more years may have the culverts removed and other treatments to ensure unimpeded, maintenance-free drainage. These treatments lower recurrent costs, and ensure that road access can be re- created at low cost when it is needed again (e.g. by grading out the water bars). In some cases roads which are inappropriately sited and environmentally risky may be partly or completely restored, by removal of culverts and partial refilling of the road bench by using material pulled up from the road prism. This reclaims some or all of the growing area and allows the site to heal itself. It is not known how relevant these concepts are to Romanian conditions. Their wide acceptance elsewhere on economic and environmental grounds (e.g. the Pacific north-west of North America), suggest that their application should be formally investigated.
Ridgesacross the toad to prevent water flowing down and eroding the runing surface.
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6 CONCLUSIONSAND RECOMMENDATIONS
6.1 Issuesfor Considerationby the EA 6.1.1 Procedural It is clear that the FDP qualifies for a Sectoral Environmental Assessment. This is one of two types of strategic environmental assessment (SEA) formally recognised by Bank documentation, the other being RegionalEnvironmental Assessment. Guidance on Sectoral EAs is given in the Bank's EA Sourcebook Update No. 4 Sectoral Environmental Assessment (1993). This recognises three broad operational contexts for sectoral environmental assessments. The first involves national or sectoral progranmmes with specific sub-investments, each of which may qualify for EA. The second is where the SEA is prepared to complement the planning process, and proceeds in parallel with any necessary project-specific EA work. It will be important to clarify whether the independent EA is to contribute directly to the FDP design, or whether it is to review a finished product. The intention of the new Bank policy (OP 4.01) appears to be the latter, but this raises significant logistical difficulties in terms of timing. Recommendation: FDP partners shotuldclarifj the purposeand approachto the EA to ensure that Bank requirements for independence are met, whilst at the same time meeting the practicalrequirements of programmedesign. The TOR for the EA have been widely reviewed in-country. Nevertheless, the draft TOR are not as detailed, in terrns of specification of tasks and outputs, as recommended in Bank literature. Recommendation: Tle EA team slhouldcarry out a brief 'scoping' exerciseto fitrther fbcus their work and define the tasks, activities and requireddeliverables. 6.1.2 Content According to Bank guidelines, Sectoral Environmental Assessments should focus on: * policy and institutions * cumulative effects * alternative investments and strategies * public consultation These subjects, except for cumulative effects, will necessarily be studied by the PPT. It will be important to avoid duplication of effort with the EA team. The EA will identify (or confirm) mitigation and management measures for significant impacts. These measures are likely to include actions related to policies and institutions; actions related to the physical sub-components of the FDP; and capacity building.
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In particular, the EA should (a) recommend an appropriate course of action to deal with FDP sub-projects where these could involve significant impacts, and (b) identify how the FDP could improve the national situation with respect to similar projects (i.e. forest roads) built by others. 6.1.3 Specifics 0 Roads Component Some of the NFA priority roads are unlikely to raise significant environmental issues, and construction could proceed very quickly on the basis of existing NFA documentation. Recommendation: The EA should: provide a general assessment of the kinds of impacts associatedwith the different types of road investment planned under the FDP; screen the availableroad proposals to identify (a) those wvhichare not environmentally risky and could go ahead wvithout further environnental consideration,and (b) thtosewvhich might have potentially significant environmental issues that would need to be addressedby a sub-projectEA, in accordancewith Bank safeguardpolicies. The remaining roads in the FDP may be in sensitive areas (see discussion below). To deal with this issue: Recommendation: The EA should identify the proceduresnecessany to ensure that the potentially environmentally-riskiyFDP sub-projects receive appropriate environmental analysis, to meet Bank, domesticand (possibly)EC requirements. The FDP roads component will be relatively small - perhaps 100 km of new roads. Over the same five-year period the SAPARD programme may have funds available for 500-1000 km of road, some in forest lands. In the longer term, the doubling of forest road density required will involve a long-term programme of construction of lOOOsof km of new forest roads. The EA is mandated to consider cumulative effects. Under these circumstances: Recommendation: The EA should consider: the potential cumulative environmental effects of future forest road programmesat differentgeographical and time scales (seealso BiodiversitybeloW);
the need for consistent and/or improved environmental consideration/approvalsof the parallelSAPARD forest roads; the steps needed to develop and implement appropriate environmental safeguardswith respect toforest roadsin the longer term. * Biodiversity Some of the roads in the NFA provisional list may fall within the Bank's policy on Natural Habitats (OP 4.04). In addition, the wider programme of road-building
Annex Il-A text.doc 24 <-r __ FORTECH _ A DAMES&MOOW COPW
needed to (at least) double the density of forest roads may have significant implications for natural habitats, wildlife, and biodiversity in general. * Watersheds Some of the roads in the NFA provisional list will have direct impacts on 'watershed values' (e.g. the Pojorta Valley, where the proposal involves road re-construction and extension along a river bed and eventually into the sub-alpine). Historically, roads have been routed along valley bottoms rather than at mid-slope locations. New roads may be required to access stands on steep terrain. • SocialImpacts and Assessment The EA TOR do not mention social issues. Given the social importance of Romania's forests, it is considered unlikely that a Category A EA would be acceptable without adequate treatment of relevant social issues, including 'winners and losers', risks, poverty alleviation, and consultation/participation. Recommendation: The EA should liaise with the SocialAssessment being undertaken by the projectpreparation team.
6.2 Stepsfor Developing EA Procedures for Forest Roads At present there is no legal requirement for formal EIAs of forest roads in Romania, except where they affect 'protected areas' as designated under relevant legislation. It is clear that both meeting Bank safeguard policies and harmonisation with EC regulations will necessitate adjustments to current roading practice in Romania. On this basis, the following steps/ tasks may be considered: Step 1. The PPT or EA team to: clarify whether and how forest access is considered during the development of Forest Management Plans clarify to what extent environmental values are considered and incorporated into forest road plans and designs at the Pre-Feasibility and Feasibility Study stages Step 2. For the first tranche of FDP roads: screen the existing NFA list in the light of Bank safeguard policies, especially OP 4.04 on natural habitats, and bearing in mind the Bank's Biodiversity Toolkit Step 3. For the remaining FDP roads (and according to the nature and purpose of the roads sub-component): review with MWEP, MAFF, NFA, INL and ICAS (at least) how to deal with any issues arising from Steps (1) and (2) above, and specifically how to incorporate any necessary changes in administrative and technical procedures depending on the outcome of this review, establish this as an FDP activity, ideally to be completed within Year 1
Annex ll-A text.doc 25 __ FORTECH ___ A0 2;DAMES & MOM AA__
Step 4. In parallel with Step (3):
- consider the merits of development of Codes of Practice/Guidelines/Best Management Practices; these could be incorporated into the second tranche of FDP roads (planning, design and construction specifications), in advance of their becoming formal requirements under domestic legislation. Step 5. In response to Step (1) and with a view to the longer-term forest roads requirement:
- consider the need for improvements to the overall forest road planning and implementation process
- establish this as an objective and task within the FDP, for completion by, say, Year 4.
6.3 ForestRoads Sub-Component of FDP The forest roads sub-component of the FDP concerns a very small absolute length of roads (68 km on first assessment: Appendix A). The future need for forest roads in Romania is very large (thousands of km). Under these circumstances, the best use of loan funds is likely to be to assist change, rather than purely as a one-off physical investment. In addition: - road-related environmental issues are systemic: they concern the whole road cycle from planning through to closure, not simply construction; - the major environmental issues arise in steeper areas, which are more likely to be Protection Forests; - it is easy to specify the results required; the challenge is to improve the methods used to achieve those results; - any changes or improvements must be developed by the users to ensure ownership and buy-in. On this basis, it is recommended that the forest roads sub-component of the FDP should: * Concentrate on a smaller number of larger projects in 'sensitive areas' (ref. also to bidding procedures/manageable contracts) * Spread the projects geographically to allow easier access on national basis * Treat each project as a case study looking at the whole road project cycle, starting with access planning as part of an integrated forest harvesting and extraction exercise * Develop 'best management practices' for protection of key environmental values during forest operations * Include changes to contracting procedures and documentation as a programme output
Annex II-A text.doc 26 FORTECH &A & D DAMES MOOECKM ANA
* Include training for contractorsand operators * 'Sell' these ideas, initially by regional study tours for decision-makersto, e.g., Austria and Switzerland
Anmex Il-A text.doc 27 __jFORTECH____ ,AMES&A' D.a MOR AA
REFERENCES
Adams, P.W. 1983. Maintaining Woodland Roads. Extension Circular 1139, Oregon State University, Corvallis. Asmarandei, M. & I. Cazan. 1996. Building and Maintenance of Forest Roads - Technologies and Equipment. 291-300 in: FAO 1998. British Columbia Forest Service. 1995. ForestRoad EngineeringGuidebook. BC Forest Service & BC Environment, Victoria, Canada. Boghean, P. & A. Pavel. 1996. Interconnection of Forest Roads Network, Harvesting and Wood Transport. 352-357 in: FAO 1998. FAO. 1993. Assessing ForestnyProject Impacts: Issues and Strategies. Forestry Paper 114. FAO, Rome. FAO. 1996a. Forest Codesof Practice:Contributing to Environmentally Sound Forest Operations. Forestry Paper 133. FAO, Rome. FAO. 1996b. FAO Model Codeof Forest Harvesting Practice.FAO, Rome. FAO. 1998. Proceedings of the Seminar on Environmentally Sound Forest Roads and Wood Transport, Sinaia, Romania, 17-22 June 1996. FAO, Rome. FAO. 1999. Environmentally Sound Road Constnrction in Mountainous Terrain. Forest Harvesting Case Study 10. FAO, Rome. Garland, J.J. 1983. Designing Woodland Roads. Extension Circular 1137, Oregon State University, Corvallis. NFA. 1999. Normativ DepartamentalPD 67/80: Privind ProjectareaDnumuril ForestierePentru CirculaLiaAutovehiculelor. National Forest Administration, Bucharest. Oregon State University Extension Service. 1983. The Woodland Workbook. Oregon State University, Corvallis. Sedlak, O.K. 1996. Forest Road Construction Policies in Austria. 240-251 in: FAO 1998. TRL. 1997. Principlesof Low CostRoad Engineeringin Mountainous Regions. Overseas Road Note 16. Transport Research Laboratory, Crowthorne, UK. Spinelli, R. & E. Marchi. 1996. A Literature Review of the Environmental Impacts of Forest Road Construction. 261-275 in: FAO 1998. World Bank. 2000. BiodiversityToolkit. World Bank, Washington DC.
Annex 11-A text.doc 28 __&FORTECH_ A DAMES& MO
APPENDIXA: FORESTROADS PROPOSED BY NFA (PROVISIONAL LIST)
COUNTY Location Length(Km) Silvic District New Repair
I ALBA 1 ParaulCalului ValeaAriesului 2.0 2 Rosioara Albalulia 2.3 3 ValeaRuzii Albalulia S.5 4 ValeaGalatiului ValeaAmpoiului 7.0 TOTAL 4.3 15.5 11 ARAD 5 ValeaCioltului Buteni 3.6 6 Fioccu ramificatii ValeaMare 3.6 7 Valaie Lipova 4.3 8 Latesti Barzava 1.3 9 Valealuga Ham agui 3.8 TOTAL 7.2 9.4 II ARGES 10 Bunea Rucar 1.7 11 Fiasu Oianele Campulung 2.0 12 Brateasca Curteade Arges 3.0 13 Zigoneni Curteade Arges 6.0 14 Dobroneagu Musetesti 10.5 15 Cumpenita Suici 4.6 16 ValeaSatutlui Suici 6.3 TOTAL 3.7 30.4 IV BACAU 17 Ouraceasa 3.0 18 Rotaru-Slanic Tg.Ocna 2.7 19 Limbar prelungrie Bacau 2.3 20 Ghedeon Moinesti 1.9 21 Covata Moinesti 4.3 22 Casoasa Frasinis Moinesti 4.0 23 Larga Tg.Ocna 3.3 lffffO3000000000 TOTAL 2.3 19.2
Annex 11-Atext. doc A-29 __ FORTECH
__ , ^,.,DAMESA_ & MOOR ODM,Wy__
COUNTY Location Length(Kin) Sivi_cDistrict _ New Repair V BIHOR 24 Ciripa Stanade Vale Remeti 5.0 25 Suboceasa Remeti 3.8 26 ValeaDraganului Remeti 8.0 TOTAL 8.8 8.0 VI BRASOV 27 Pojorata Voila 1.7 28 Cremena cremenuta Teliu 3.3 29 ValeaMare Crisbav Sacele 2.3 TOTAL 0.0 7.3 Vil BUZAU 30 BascaMare et.ll Nehoiu 7.0 31 BascaMare et.li Gura Teghi 23.0 TOTAL 0.0 30.0 VIII CARASSEVERIN 32 AxialBarzava 12.1 33 Mehadica 19.4 34 ValeaLunga 4.8 35 Zlatnai-Potoc Poiana Marului 5.0 TOTAL 9.8 31.5 IX CLUJ 36 Dudaie Somesul Rece 3.3 37 Caprita Somes ul Rece 1.3 TOTAL 4.6 0.0 X COVASNA 38 DarnaulMic Comandau 2.4 TOTAL 0.0 2.4 Xl DAMBOVITA 39 Priboiu 2.4 40 Buturoaia 5.6 41 Ruda Seaca 11.8 42 NegoaiaVale Mare Voinesti 8.3 43 Anioasa Voinesti 11.5 TOTAL 0.0 39.6 Xii GORJ 44 Motrucu Apa 12.8 45 Oltet 19.7 46 Gilort Polovragi 18.0 TOTAL 0.0 50.5 Xil HUNEDOARA 47 Murgus 3.4 48 Tomnatec Brad 5.6 49 Dobra Dobra 15.0 50 Anies StrambuCeata Gradistea 9.6 TOTAL 5.6 28.0 XIV MARAMURES 51 Waser 25.0 52 Repedea-Tomnatec 10.0 53 Prisaca Roasa Baia Mare 5.1 54 Paulicprelungire Poieni 3.8 55 Socolauprelungire etapa 1 Poieni =8,9 11.6 OlffffM3000000000 TOTAL 8.9 46.6
Annex II-A text.doc A-30 ___& FORTECH ______A DAMESA MOOtE
COUNTY Location Length(Krn) Silvic District Location New Repair XV MEHEDINTI 56 ParaulLung Baia de Arama 4.0 57 Scurfu Baia de Arama 3.4 58 Maneasa Baia de Arama 1.3 59 ValeaMare Tarnita 7.8 60 LutitaMare Dr. Tr. Severin=0,5 5.7 TOTAL 0.0 22.2 XVI MURES 61 FancelLapusna FancelGurghiu 5.0 TOTAL 0.0 5.0 XVII NEAMT 62 Cirestului Rom an 4.5 63 Plostina Varatec 2.8 64 CuleasaBrusturi Tg. Neamt 1.3 65 ParaulGardului prelungrie Varatec 1.7 66 Cuejdel obarsie Garcina 2.8 67 Pod BouletulMare Varatec TOTAL 13.1 0.0 XVIIIPRAHOVA 68 Vulpea 3.2 69 VI.Rea 5.4 70 Paltinoasa Campina 7.8 71 Limbasel Azuga 17.9 TOTAL 0.0 34.3 XVIIISIBIU 72 Izv.Florii 2.3 73 MancuSulita Dragan ValeaSadului 7.2 74 SadurelPorcu ValeaSadului 18.3 TOTAL 0.0 2 7.8
701ffffO3000000000 TOTAL 6 8.3 40 7.7
Annex l1-Atext.doc A-31 ___& FORTECH
,____ A DAMES & MOOW _ _
APPENDIXB: CONTACTS
Birds Romanian Ornithological Society (SOR) email sorcWcodec.ro Environmental Assessment in Forest Areas Dr Nicolae Geambasu, ICAS, Bucharest 233-1512 Erosion (provided by Prof. Mitoiu) Mircea Sevastel (SAPARD) 335-8158 Prof. Stefan Vasile 667-5187 Fauna and Flora International Cristiana Pasca, FFI National Coordinator mob 093-186016 email [email protected] Nigel Coulson, Institutional Specialist, GEF Biodiversity Conservation Management Project +44-1223-57100 email [email protected] Dr. Zbigniew Karpowicz, Director of Eurasia Programmes +44-1223-579485 email [email protected] National Wood Institute (Institutul National al Lemnului: INL) dipl. eng. loan Cazan, Project Manager, Forest Roads Programnme 068-0414861 (Brasov) MAFF dipl. ing. Florea Trifoi, Director, FDP PMU and GEF PMU mob: 093-293-113 MWEP - Water Management General Directorate Mihai Costache Valerica Grigoras, Counsellor Forestry NGO Progesul Silvic
Annex Il-A text.doc A-32 ___ FORTECH
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APPENDIXC: PROTECTIONFORESTS -FUNCTIONAL CATEGORIES AND PERMISSIBLE FELLING SYSTEMS
[Source: loan Abrudan, PPT]
'FUNCTIONALGROUP 1: PROTECTIONFORESTS'
Note: Silviculturalsystems/felling: Ti Nofelling
TIl Conservationfelling (sanitation and/or safety)
Tlll Selectionor groupselection system felling
TIV Selectionor groupselection system felling and restricted shelterwood system felling
FunctionalSubgroup 1.1 FORESTWITH WATER PROTECTION FUNCTION FunctionalCategories:
1.1.a)- forestsin welland water source protection areas, mapped based on relevantstudies and approved by the Ministryof Silviculture(Tll);
1.1.b) - forestson slopesadjacent to lakes/reservoirs(Tlll);
1.1.c) -forestson slopes in mountainand hilly regions up to 15- 30 km distancefrom the lakes/reservoirsand in theircollection watershed (TIV);
1.1.d) - forestsalong Danube river banks and Danube Delta and along the interiorrivers (TIV);
1.1.e)- forestsin the vicinityof riverfloors (Till);
1.1.f) - forestsin the areabetween the river floor and river bank area (TIV);
1.1.g)- forestsin watershedswith active torrents (Tlll);
1.1.h) - forestsfor protectionof watersources (wells) for troutfarms and on the slopessurrounding trout farms (minimum100 ha);
1.1.i) -dwarf pinein the vicinityof alpinemeadows (Tll).
Annex Il-A text.doc A-33 ____ FORTECH ______A 3AMES __ APO&
FunctionalSubgroup 1.2 FORESTWITH SITE AND SOIL PROTECTION FUNCTION
FunctionalCategories:
1.2.a)- forestson stony slopes, debris with slopes steeper than 400, flisch [colluvium?]with slopes steeper than 350,sandy soils with slopes steeper than 300, and any steep slope with high erosion (T ?)
1.2.b) - forests(entire compartments) adjacent to publicroads and railways in brokenterrain (Tll);
1.2.c) - forestssurrounding alpine meadows, in strips100 - 300m wide(width according to the siteconditions and structureof stands)(Tll);
1.2.d) - forestssurrounding industrial and hydrotechnical structures at a minimumradius of 50m andat a maximumradius depending on theerosion/landslide conditions (Tll);
1.2.e) - forestplantation on degraded/erodedlands (Tll);
1 2.f) -forestsin areaswhere avalanches are originating or run-off(TIl);
1.2.g)- forestson movingsands (Till);
1.2.h) - forestsin landslidingareas (Tll);
1.2.i) - forestsin swampareas (Tll);
1.2.j) - forestsaround open mines in strips100-300 m wide(width according to thesite conditions and structure of stands)(Tll);
11.2.k)- forests in karstareas (TIV);
1.2.1)- forestson landwith erosionisliding vulnerability, with slopes lower than those mentioned at 1.2.a (TIV).
FunctionalSubgroup 1.3 FORESTWITH PROTECTION FUNCTION AGAINST CLIMATIC AND INDUSTRIAL THREAT FACTORS
FunctionalCategories.
1.3.a) - steppeforests, forests situated at the limit betweensteppe - silvo-steppe,except riverine forests (Till);
1.3.b) - forestsnear Black Sea and seasidelakes, at a radiusof 15km (Tll);
1.3.c) - oakforests under conservation in plainareas (Tll);
1.3.d)- forestsfrom the surroundingcompartments of reservoirsand fish lakes (Tll);
1.3.e)- alignmentsand hedges protecting agricultural lands, communication ways, industrial objectives and localities(TlI);
1 .3.f)- forestsat highaltitudes with difficult regeneration conditions (Tll);
1.3.g) - scatteredforests in the plainregion with an areasmaller than 100ha (Tlll);
1.3.h)- forestsin areaswith high air pollution,identified by studiesapproved by the Ministryof Silviculture(Til);
1 3.i) -forestsin areaswith low air pollution,identified by studiesapproved by the Ministryof Silviculture(Tlll);
1.3.j)- forestssurrounding ash, sterile and waste heaps at a radiusof 2 km accordingto the threatsto the environment(Til);
Annex 11-Atext.doc A-34 &rFORTECH .- A DAMES& MOO cA____
1.3.k)- forest edges (limits) situated inplain regions, instrips up to 20 m wide (Tli).
FunctionalSubgroup 1.4 FORESTWITH RECREATION FUNCTION FunctionalCategories: 1.4.a) - parkforests and other high recreation value forests, as established by theMinistry of Silviculture (TlI); 1.4.b) - peri-urbanforests, of size established based on criteria of numberof inhabitants (as set by the Ministry of Silviculture)(Till); 1.4.c) - forestswith very high functional value surrounding resorts or hospitals,approved by the Ministry of Silviculture(Tli); 1.4.d)- forestswith medium and high functional value surrounding resorts or hospitals,approved by the Ministry of Silviculture(Till); 1.4.e)- forestsof landscapevalue around cultural sites (established by law)at a radiusof up to 1km,according to theimportance of the site (Til); 1.4.f3 -forest strips around hotels, motels, camping sites etc., at a radiusof upto I kmand an area of upto 50ha, accordingtothe importance of the place (Tll); 1.4.g)- forests around co-operatives and agricultural farm centres, at a radiusof up to 1 kmand an area of upto 50ha (Tll); 1.4.h)-forests situated at a distanceup to 2 kmfrom villages in theplain region, and of anarea up to 50 ha (Til); 1.4.i)- entirecompartments along the communication ways of hightourism interest (Tll); 1.4.j)- forestsmanaged for game conservabon or intensive management (TIV); 1.4.k)- forests protecting special locations, approved by the Ministry of Silviculture(Tll);
FunctionalSubgroup 1.5 FORESTOF SCIENTIFIC INTERESTAND FOR THE PROTECTION OFFOREST GENETIC FUND FunctionalCategoiies: 1.5.a)-core areas of the national parks established by law(TI); 1.5.b)- natural parks, aiming to preserve the natural landscape (Tlll); 1.5.c)- naturereserves (TI); 1.5.d)- scientific reserves (Tl);
Annex H1-Atext.doc A-35 ___ FORTECH ,__A DAMES& MOOE COAPANY__
1.5.e)- landscapereserves established by law(TI); 1.5.f)- naturalmonuments (Tl); 1.5.g)-forests where scientific research /experimental permanent plots are located (Tll); i.5.h)- seedreserves (Tll); 1.5.i)- forestsdesignated for the protection of faunaspecies (capercaillie, bear, chamois), established by the Ministryof Silviculture (TIl); 1.5.j) - old-growthforests of highvalue and forests of very rare species, delineated by the Ministry of Agriculture (Tll); 1.5.k)- dendrological parks and arboreta (Tli)
Annex11-A text.doc A-36 Annex II-B
Screening Results Table for 61 Roads Screened during FDP EA
An.n.. 11Scrfning Sytem R.e Rs for 61 Forest R.habilitation Roads Screned donng Propration of the FDP EA
E N V I R 0 N M E N T S o C I A L
SlopeStbiitan Aquatic Oi and Reoaio and Other Local Etosion(LandSeveranoe) NatureConsarvutron Res-oures Air Quality MMaintenance R creatio negatr.effects Comunity(LC) No ForestRoad Location ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ofForeg N. F-t Rod L-tl…IOTAL
S
I I 2
-~~~~~~~~~~ a - 0 I I''EiL. -a- .-
15 Bence*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1 1 2L3 3 4 |5 16 7 8 85 10° 11 12 13 C4 15 16 117 18 I9 120 21 22 23 24 25 26272 29 1 ParaulCatlului - _ = _ _ _ _ _ = ______7_ 2 Rosionra+ ______3 VaeaRuzii + NA. + 0 NAO + NA o + * +c 0 .84o NANAO+ + _c+ NA, c+ 20 4 VAReADaaiu v NA . NA.+ NA v + NAo x + _ + * 0.72. + NA. c x NA-cvc to
6 Dabeca _* V8alab 167 .Va6a Ca . NAy + NA9cv 7l NA A c+ .1 NAONA .1x 1+ .1t 5 y1NA 427010 620x NANANA1 NA 0.2 + NAONA-c22 + 20 NANA- + 27+v 28 2x1-2 6 Labestl _ NA-c NAy_ NA _ + NAo x _ C A f08 + 0 NAy_ NA .+ NAc _ _c + 1
It V^alegaei5 + NA + NAy| NA cv+ NAox + t 0 NA 11t9. _ c NAy+ + K v NA- v +C 1v
12 erateasca + NAy+ NAy NA cc+ NA x _ + NA 1.36+ NA NAc + c+ NA.+ + _ 1x 13 Zigonenl + NA-+ NAyt NA cv NAy x +0 0 NA 1.520x NA NA c NA y. NAy + + 20 14 Oobrnonagu _ NA _ _ _ _ _ NA x _ _ c 587-+ + NA _ NAy + v NA. _ _+ 1x
16 Cub Satulu t + NA t NA t 0 NA x t_ 0 + _ 41.27 K NA NA t NA + t NA t +- + 1- 20 IV BACA_ V0 Sun +OR 17 Osraceasa + NA-c NAy+ NA-c N AO ct 0 _ 6.64. r c NA x NA. 0 NAy + ++ 2x 18 Rdatar-Sianic _v _ NAOx -_ N AOx 0 _ c 2.440> NA NAc_ NA-c-c NA- _ _ 2x 19 Limber(rat unira +C 20 VGh4 R00 I NA t + t NA + N x + t _ 40.84 NA NA + + + NA -+ + O 21 Covata o NA c+ Ao NA + + x c + 6.72 + + NANAC . NA + + + 1x 22 C soaaFAast + + I+ NA c + NA x + + N- .259 . NA NA o + + NA + 0 23 Lai;OR _ _ . _ _ NA _ + NA _ _ _ NA 3.97 + NA NA _ + _ NA _ _ _ 1-
24 Cir Sn da Va ___ _
26 Val" Ongiulul . _ NA _ NA _ o NA x _ _ _ 292 75 NA NA x NA - NA _ 0 1- 5x
VI BRASOV + 27 Pojorta + x, NA - INA~ + NA + J+ ,+ + + 1.88. NA NA,x NA + ..1 INA. * * 1- 4. 28 Cramwea Cre.uta * NA. INA' + NA .- . NA + + +, 7.85, NA NA.I NA + + INA + + 4x 28 VaeaMam Culzba, + + +- NAx. NA + , * , + ,+ , 4.75* NA NA + + + + + 2.- VII BUZAUI 20 BascoMomSI et - + + + INA + , + , + I+ + * 21.689 + N , . x , + 2 -2,! 1 2 3 4 58 6 7 8 9 10-1-1 12 113 14 15 16 17 18 1892021 2212324 25 2627 31 BascoMi..at II x - + + . NA + + * , , ,. + * 4423+ + NA +x + + .+ + . 1- 0 VIII CARAS SEVERINI 22 lAial B9rzvp + x + NA + NA I + + ( * I+ + + 4.868+ ,+ NA A ,,,+ + .,,+ . 2x 33 Mehadic. + , + NA + NA + I+ + ( + * + 19.45, + NA.+ + *+ + I I+ 3, 34 Pod P..e a + NA. + + NA + NA.+ * + + NA 2.6 NA NA NA . NA I ++ + . + 4 0 36 Valsa Lung 38 ZiatnagPt-. + IX CLUJ 37 Dud4!1 38 Capnta X COVAsNA 39 IDamaul Mic XX + ,,I NA + + + + + + .2.32,I NA NA NA + .. NA.+ + + 1- 5, xi 0AMBOVITA 40 Pr,b.u + NA.+ NA, x NA. + NA,x + . , 2.34 NA NA. NA 1 I NAI. + + 14. 41 Bnium.aia + NA. NA. + NA .. 1 + , I , + + 2.33, NA NA , + + 1 + I + + 13, 42 RudaSBasco + NA. NA_+ NA * + + + , + , 2.1 + NA . + + + + *+ + 14 43 Nog.sa,Val,a Mame 4 NA. + , INA 4 + + + + I + 1.91 x, NA NA + + + I+ NA.I + + 3, 44 Aninoasa +-* N NAA ,4. + NA.x + + + + 4.88 _ N.A +.. 1+ NA.I + + 3x xi] GORJI 45 M.tncuApa + - I + NA I+ + + * I -+ * + * 13.73+ + NA., + + + + + + + 2. 48 'OIlS + + + NA + + + ++ + + + 13.81+ ++ NA+ .f+ I * + * , .1 47 G11.ort + + NA + , + + x + + + 18.0+ + NA.+ + + + * + + + 1- 2, XIII HUINEDOARA 48 Murgus + . + NA NA I + NA. *- + +- + 2.4 + NA + + + + + * 4 . 48 Tomnata, + 50 D.6w + + - NA + + , + , . + + + 25.3 + + NA....,.. + 1-1 51 Anica StmambuC.ata + + NLANA + + + NA, . + + + 6.2 + + NA+ .' + + + + + -11 XIV MARAMURES 52 Waser + _x + + NA + + + + , + + + + 99.98. +_ NA A + . ,+ . 2. 53 Barculul + I+ I+ INA ,+ + + I I , , I+ + 51.42+ + NA + * +I . . . 1 54 PutA.,,.. + - + I+ NA + + + NA + + + + . 112.59+ + NA.+ NA + NA + + + 1
65 Plraul Ga rln +It
e8 FanmReapusn . , + NA + . + + + + . .24 +- NA. + . NA + + + 4, 70i PaNEAsaT26 X , . N - + 4 ,A , , + + + . 3 71 Llntasal , A 4 + * , , + . . + 314 . * N . + + 2
73 Pa. GarduSultapraung + , NNA * 4 * * NA . * + . 35. N, + ,, 2
74 SadraPar, + + I+ NNA + + NA + * + + 10961 + . N + , NA x NA I + 4x-2 75 Val". CRes. + IA I 2 . + N x NA I x
77 PMIaad t. + + INA, NA + + NA + * + . 2.08 +. N NA,+ + x + + + * + 3. 78 EMm. + + + INA+ NA + NA. + * + . 31.55 NANA,I + x , + . + 2. XXI TMSiiI 728 Ham.,zou +* NA. N A., + N A NA + + + NA 2.68 . N NA + + NA., , * + . -2. 80 CMrio,uSuk ± +gn NAN* , NA+, N A+ + + + NA 6.88. NANA. - + I+ + I+ II + 3+ 81 Sadu,.1 - + A + NA ., NA++ + NA i.8i+ NANA, N A. + N + .. 1 2, XXI VSUCEAVI 82 Cabuzl Maw
88 H_amm + + + NA,+ NA .. NA,+ + + + NA 12.365I NA NA, + N + x NA. . 3,
10(11 VRANCEAI II I I I XI V.al.Neagra I |- + | |A |+ NA '| ___ x |167 NA NA + + + + 1 + 1- 3 XXIV Motnau x + + x NA + + NA + + 6.34 + + NA + + + + ++ 1-1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 89 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 1S 19 20 21 22 23 24 252276 89 Rapa Fetil _ xxv HARGHITA ++ ------s0 Pod Pintc +* + NA NA NA + + NA NA _ + + 10.5 + NA NA x + + x + + + + 91 Barasau + + + NA + x + + NA x + + + + 92 + NA NA x + + + + * + + TOTAL drn 0r =CREDIT .U.ET
Noti-e bout classification o marks marks + Environmental 16s.e. VERY WELL slved by the Project Program X Emvironment.1issues SOLVED BUT NOT VERY WELL by the Project Program - Environ-mental1..- NOT oIved by tha Projedt Program NA Nd Applicable
Anex H-C
Two EAs of Forest Road Projects Prepared by Intergroup Engineering
INTERGROUP ENGINEERING SRL
R O M A N I A
FORESTRY DEVELOPM,NT PROG
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE REHABILITATION OF THE FOREST ROAD VALEA MARE - CRIZBAV (BRA$OV COUNTY) and ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE REHABILITATION OF THE FOREST ROAD PALTINOASA (BRA$OV COUNTY)
May 2001
ForestryDevelopment Program
INTERGROUPENGINEERING SRL
ROMANIA
FORESTRYDEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
ENVIRONMENTALASSESSMENT FOR PROJECTPREPARATION
Valea Mare-Crizbav(Brasov County)
DATE: May 2001
EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest RoadValea Mare-Crizbav Page 1
Forestry DevelopmentProgram
Tableof Contents
1 Introduction...... 4 1.1 Concept of Forest Roads Sub-componentof FDP ...... 4 1.2 The ProposedProject ...... 4 2 A Summary of the Current Situation with Respect to the Forest Road Management(Policy, Legal and AdministrativeContext) ...... 5 3 ExistingConditions: Key EnvironmentalParameters ...... 9 3.1 AdministrativeIssues, Population and SurfaceArea ...... 9 3.2 Elementsof Morphologyand Topography ...... 10 3.3 Elementsof Geology...... 10 3.4 Seismic Potential in the Zone...... 10 3.5 Types of Soil and its Utilisation...... 11 3.6 Water Resources...... 11 3.7 Climate...... 11 3.8 Flora and Fauna...... 11 4 ProposedProject W orks ...... 12 5 Scopeof Work for the EnvironmentalAssessment ...... 15 5.1 Background to the Environmental Assessment of the "Rehabilitation of Forest Road Valea Mare -CrizbaV...... 15 5.2 Scopeof the EA ...... 16 5.3 RegulatoryFramework and ApplicableGuidelines .16 5.3.1 Council Directive 85/337/EEC27 June 1985 on assessmentsof certain public and private projects on the environment,and the Amending Directive CD 97/11/EC3 March 1997.16 5.3.2 Romanian EnvironmentalAssessment Regulations .17 6 Identificationof Possible Impacts 18 6.1 ImpactsDuring the ConstructionPeriod (Short Term Impact) 18 6.2 Impacts Duringthe OperationalPeriod (Long Term Impact).20 7 Proposed Measures to Prevent, Reduce or Mitigate the Negative Effects of the Project Implementation ...... 22 7.1 Public Participation ...... 22 7.2 ProposedMeasures ...... 22 7.2.1 Water Quality Protection...... 22 7.2.2 Health and Safety Risks...... 23 7.2.3 Education ...... 24 8 Enforcementand Co-ordinationProcedures . . .25 9 Abbreviations . . . 27 10 References...... 27
List of Tables
Table 1.1- ScreeningSystem for the ExistingRoads to be Rehabilitated...... 4 Table 6.1 - Summaryof Key ConstructionPeriod Impacts...... 19 Table 6.2 - Summaryof Key OperationalPeriod Impacts...... 21 Table 7-1- The Measures Proposedfor the Reductionof the Project Impacton the Environment...... 24
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List of Figures
Figure 1 - Annual Average TemperatureDistribution Figure 2 - Relief in the Road Zone Figure 3 - Rehabilitationof Valea Mare Road:General Layout Figure 4 - Typical Cross Sectionsof the Designed Road
List of Photos
Photo no. 1 - General view of the road Valea Mare - Crizbav. No significantworks are needed for some adjustments and maintenance of the hydraulic structures along this road. Photo no. 2 - A small bridge on the road Valea Mare - Crizbav.Some materialsare carried forming natural barrages(see photo 3), causing sedimentation in this zone. In this way scouring is avoided. Photo no. 3 - Natural barrage formed by the material carried by the river Valea Mare. This barrage is located near by the bridge (downstream)shown in Photo 2. Photo no. 4 - Intersectionof the road Valea Mare with the road Valea Tiganilor(hm 0+00). Photo no. 5 - At hm 0+04 - the bridge abutmenthas to be restored. Photo no. 6 - Bridge abutmentdeteriorated (hm 1+34). Photo no. 7 - Zone of the road on the bridge shown in Photo 6 where the span was deterioratedby the flow storm. Photo no. 8 - General view of Valea Mare (km 0+00 to hm 0+25). Photo no. 9 - General view of Valea Tiganilor road. The slopes are stable in the road zone. Photo no. 10 - Tyrolese Water Intake on the river Valea Mare, downstreamthe forest road to be rehabilitated. Photo no. 11 - WTP for drinking water supply of Crizbav and Feldioara.The plant is located downstream the intersection of Valea Mare and Valea Tiganilor. Photo no. 12 - Someone needed ballast for construction and excavated the existing road superstructure.
EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest Road Valea Mare-Crizbav Page3 Forestry DevelopmentProgram
I Introduction
1.1 Concept of Forest Roads Sub-component of FDP
The forest roads sub-componentof the FDP is under development.Because of the physical works involved, this item will absorb a large proportionof the total funds available within the FDP. The Project Concept Document (PCD) estimates were US $ 15.4 million out of US $ 24.35 million (63%).
Romania has a low density of forest roads (approx. 6m/ha). The concept in the PCD was for the Programto provide:
'... the physical infrastructurenecessary for economic and environmentallysound access to wood harvesting through construction of forest roads, to the required density and in accordance with best environmentalpractice, in existing production forest and facilitatingcompetitive bidding and pricing of forestroad construction.'
The PCD Review Meeting (23 Dec. '99) qualified the PCD by emphasisingthe importance of the forest conservation and sustainable managementfocus of the project, including:
'emphasisingthat forest road construction,and planning for increased density of the forest road network, will only take place in existing areas of productionforest with the objective of reducing the negative environmentalimpacts, as well as the economiccosts of harvestingoperations'.
Also of relevanceto the roads sub-component,the Review Meeting highlightedthe importanceof capacity-buildingin all key public and privatesector organisations.
1.2 The ProposedProject
The project proposedhas been chosen after applying the screeningsystem based on the environmentalimpact assessment.This grit system is presented in Table 1. 1.
All the project titles mentioned in the Table 1.1 have been nominated after a careful selection in such a way that the projects listed would not have any problemsas far as environmentalprotection needs are concerned.
The project proposed is related to the rehabilitation of the existing forest road Valea Mare in combinationwith Valea Tiganilorroad.
The project is consideredto be representativedue to the positive answers put into evidencein Table 1.1.
EnvironmentalAssessment for the ForestRoad Valea Mare-Crizbav Page 4
Table 1.1t.SCREENING SYSTEM FOR THE EXISTINGROADS TO BE REHABILITATED
E N V I R 0 N M E N T SO0C IA L
SInpStbiiity -d Ermini NA_cn .vation qufi Ai,4dkQ and R m Rnl-atiiandothnr LanI Commaity (LandSananana) Resoaon Mintmanan ng8gativo cfad (LC)
SI~~~~~~~~~~~~
I Pkfil1.i I a1 I
R.Vtn inlii + 7 V.I. Rii + NA + + * NA + + NA a + ± NA 4 a NA NA + NA I- * NA + + + I ato4ti pw + NA + NA + NA 1-+ NA x + + NA+ 1.98 + + NAT ± NA I + NA + + + II ARAD 16 Bana + 7 Wroai.n + NA- NA NA + + NA x + + + NA 062 + NA NA 4 4A + + NA + + + 13 Zti + INA 4 NA + NA + I * NA a ± ± + NA 55 a NA NA + NA 4 + NA + +
+ 9 Valea latla + A NA + NA + + NA- a + * ±A 4.27 a NA NA + NA 4 NA + +
17 Bainnas + NA NA- + NA + + NA a 4 + NA+ 136 ± NAN A NA 4 NA + + 4 13 Zlai-Siti + NA4 NA a NA + + NA a o + 4 x NA NA + NA + + NA 4 + + 14 Dok-4 g + NA 4 +NA + NA x + * 4 + 45A7 4 NA NA± ± NA 4 + -+ SI CaVfflta + NA 4 NA -4 4 NA 4 + + + 4 - 11.6 4 NA NAa + ± NA 4 4 4 + + ± 22 CaaaaaSFuain ± 4 NA +NA 4 + NA ± + 4 + 4,27 . NA NA a NA 4 + NA + 4 23 DLao 4 NA + NA 4 NA- 4 NA 4 4 + 4 4 3664 NAI NA + A 4 + -NA
26 RotaDru- linic + - a NA 4 NA 4 a NA a I 4 4 + 2,4A7 a NA NA + NA 4 4 NA 4 + 8 27 Gaasta 4 NA NA 4 NA + NA 4 4 + 4 56' a NA NA a NA + + NA 4 4 4 21 COaan. Cnna.+ NA a N 4 NA 4 a NA 4 4 634 N+ A NA a NA 4 4 NA 4 + 4 29 ValaaMaraCniabav 4~~~ + ~~+~ NA 4 NA N4A 4 -4 4 249 NA NA 4 4 ± NA + -+ VI BIS R
27 BojanMrni a - - NA +4 + x + ± 4 4 NA 4[l, NA 4 4 4Na
-39 DaaaMm a a + ± A + 4 + 4 + 292 a N NNA AI+xNA + *
432 Ax Bfib v.a + NA + NA a NA + + N H+ + + ~ + NA NA 1+ NA + + NA + 42 Rabdalaa + NA + NA + NA + + + I L 4~ _ + + 2194 . +, NA I + + + + + --
44 dAaiaaa ga + NA + - +- NA + 4 NA + ± + + NA 26$ NANA+NA + NA +4 + X35 VGORJLo
46 Otto M + 4 NA + + -- + a - ± 4- + [2+ NA +- ± + 4 + +
49 a=, + a 4- A + N+NA * + i- + * -, 243 + NA NA-4 NA+ + + 1- *
40 Dabo,, ± 4 NA + + +- NA± a~. -4 231A ± + NA- 4 + NA + - 41 AaalrmbCao4 NA NA NA NA + + N a + 4 4 + 3 4 NA NA x I 4 + +- 4 + +
12 RW. S. 4- NA -~ + NA 4N t + 4 a + 4 4 4 _27 4- + NA x + 4 + t 4- + 4- 43 N.g.i. ai~ Mu + I N + ± N 4NA ±+ + + ± 1.4 4 NA NA 4 * + NA + +4- 14 PAitarnn + - + - NA + ± 4 NA x + 4 4 + 42.14 4 4 NA + NA +-- NA ± 4-
45 $aelot alaaAp. + a -+ + NA +~ + 4- NA 4 * 4 4 137 + 4 NA 4- * 4 4 I4 4- ± +
46 ParalLa +- NA -NA +- 4 . 4- * 4 4 NA L3.8 + NA 4 + 4 4 NA + + ± 47 VailaMar + - 4 NA + 4 4 + 4 4+ + NA 23 4 NA + ± 4 - 4- 4 *
48 LutitaMa 4 4 NA NA +4 4 NA 4-+ 4 NA 1 + 4 NA I 4 a 4 - 4- ± ± 49 Olana 4-I 60 Dbala. 4 3 + + Xi71 MARAMRE 62 FaacW aa, a 4 NA +_ - 4 4 a * 4 4- 4 -9 + I NA + +I 4 4 -4 4 4 4 53BXuVII+ + N + + + + 142 + + N 1 624 lal~ + A A + + ++41.5 A + N I+ + N 63 S..at.. prik tI+ + + N + + + N + +-+ + 246+ +
66 CdnelOb, 4 670 aBaal0,a Maa
61 Vat4 a 4- 4 NA 4 4 NA a + 4- 4 a 2.09 4 4 NA- NA a a N 4 4- + 69n VFalok.a 4 4 4 A 4 4 -- 4 a 4 4 2 a 4 N 4 A 4 -- 4 76 ipaltiaoa a - 4 N - 4 4 - 4 4 6 A 4 4 a 4
_XX SUCAHVA
77 Mlcana 4 + NA 4N NA 4 4 NA 4 4 4 4 209 4 NA NA 4 NA x 4 NA 4 4 4 79 V.I.l R4 4 4 NA 4N NA 4 NA 4 + 4 6.21 4 NA NA- 1 + L_ x NA 4- 4 +
9$ Mataaa. a 4 4 NAa A 4 4 NA + 4 4 a 64 4 NA 4 + 4 4 4 4 4 4 71I lhAST A + ++ + + 34 + + N
S 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 It 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 19 Ral~dfi +I IOD HIARGErrA P.d PintAw _ _ NA NA NA + _ NA NA _ + _ _ s NA NA _ _ _ _ 91 BMW + -_ + NA x + + NA x _ _ _ 9.2 _ NA NA x _+ _+ _ + TOTALdincare CREDIT BUGET
Notice about classification of marks + Environmental issues VERY WELL solved by the Project Program X Environmental issues SOLVED BUr NOT VERY WELL by the Project Program - Environmental issues NOT solved by the Project Program NA Not Applicable
Forestry DevelopmentProgram
2 A Summaryof the CurrentSituation with Respectto the Forest Road Management(Policy, Legal and AdministrativeContext)
Forests
Law and InstitutionalFramework
General provisions for management of the national 'Forest Fund' (all legally- declaredforests) are given in the Forest Code (Law 26/24 of April 1996).
For the basic legislative framework on biodiversity and forests in Romania, see www.envir. ee/proprammid/pharecd/soes/romania/html/biodiversity (this includes internationalconventions).
Forest Policy
The existing forest strategy dates from 1995, and was developed following the 1992/93 Forestry Sector Review. Romania is in the process of developinga new forest policy, the NationalForestry Policy and Strategy 2001-2010(NFPS). Most of the work was carried out during2000 with assistancefrom the World Bank.
Although endorsed by the Ministry of Waters, Forests and Environmental Protection and Ministry for Industry and Technology under the previous government, at present the draft NFPS is in abeyance, pending review by the incominggovernment and the re-organisedMinistries.
The principal policy statement within the draft NFPS concerning Logging, Transport and Wood Processingis:
'Policy: The better utilisationof wood resources through the integrationof logging and wood processing activities within the concept of sustainablemanagement of the natural resource.'
In addition to enhanced research and training, NFPS 'Strategic Actions' of particularrelevance to forest roads include:
A. Silviculture/Management A1.4 Harmonisationof the forest administrationsystem with Europeanpractice. A2.5 Modernisationof the forest managementplanning system. A5. 1 Upgradingand consolidationof existingforest roads. A5.2 Increasethe density of the forest road network. A5.3 Developmentof the access networkwithin forest compartments. A8.2 Inclusion of aspects relating to biodiversity and the management of protectedareas in forest managementplans.
B. Logging,Transport and Wood Processing B3.1 Increase the accessibility of forests, by designing an internal skidding/collection network, oriented towards reducing the average skidding/collectiondistance and use of environmentally-friendlymethods and technologies.
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B3.2 Developmentof an integratedskidding/collection system in order to protect the forest.
Forest Roads
Forest roads are major engineering structuresand can absorb a high proportionof all investmentsin forest management.
Until 1991 forest roads in Romaniawere built and maintainedby timber harvesting companiesusing central governmentfunds. In 1992 the roads were transferredto ROMSILVA, and subsequently to the NFA. Funds for construction of new roads during the '90s were scarce.
Forest roads on land are managed and maintained by the NFA on behalf of the state. Funds for road maintenance are obtained by a levying a charge on wood removed by logging companiesfollowing the tender/auctionprocess. The relevant Ministerial Order is 2205/1997.The fee is a flat rate of approx. $1/m3. This fee is retained by the NFA and used locally.
Forest roads on restituted forest land continue to belong to the state. If new roads are built on private forest land, they will (presumably)belong to the person who pays for them.
EnvironmentalAssessment
DomesticLegislation and Procedures
Environmental impact assessment (EIA) was formally introduced by the EnvironmentalProtection Law No. 137/1995(and subsequentamendments). This establishes the principles and framework (procedures, participants and their responsibilities,and an inclusion list of activitiesfor which EIA is mandatory).
Detailed guidance on EIA methodology, procedures, report content etc. is contained in Ministerial Order No. 125/1996 Permitting Procedure for Economic and Social ActivitiesHaving an EnvironmentalImpact.
ElAs can only be carried out by authorised EIA practitioners. Procedures for certifying EIA and environmental audit specialists are given in Ministerial Order 278/1996. Significantly, the persons or organisation carrying out an EIA of a proposeddevelopment must be legally independentof the developer.
For state-level projects, the authority to issue an environmentalagreement rests with MWEP. Regional and local projects consents is given by environmentallocal authorities,namely EPIs.
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InternationalIssues
Europe: The drivingforce for the new environmentalpolicy and legislationhas beenthe AssociationAgreement signed with the EuropeanUnion. Consequently, in the interestsof harmonisation,the basisfor the EIA regulationsin Romaniais EC Directive85/337/EEC on EnvironmentalImpact Assessment.
Presumably,Romania has, or will, updatethe regulationsand proceduresfrom time to time in line with developingEU policy,specifically the new EIA Directive 97/11/EEC, and the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive (as and when this is issued).
Public participation: In 1998 Romania signed the UNECE Convention on the Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus Convention).
Impact Assessment of Projects in Forests
Forest roads are not listed in Appendix 2 of the Environmental Protection Law, and therefore do not require a formal EIA.
Roads in 'protected areas' are listed, and therefore do require EIA.
In order to undertake an EIA, a company or agency must first obtain a licence from the Ministry of Waters and Environmental Protection. Currently ICAS (MAFF's Forest Management and Research Institute), has the only licence to undertake ElAs on forest land. Typical activities requiring EIA in forests are mining and oil exploration.
As yet, ICAS has not carried out any impact studies on proposed forest roads; roads are very much the domain of INL (the National Wood Institute), which is almost always the successful bidder for contracts for new forest road feasibility and design studies. Feasibility Studies for new forest road construction do not include a formal environmental assessment. The INL also has authority to undertake ElAs but not specifically in forests.
It appears that there is a potential for either conflict or cooperation between INL and ICAS with respect to the future incorporation of additional environmental issues in the forest road design and approval process.
Constraints to the development of EA in Romania, as seen by ICAS, include: * lack of previous experience;
* large cadre of senior staff requiring re-training, attitudinal change and awareness-building; * limited domestic capacity for postgraduate training in environmental impact assessment; * lack of private sector capacity.
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Biodiversityand ProtectedAreas
As a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), in the mid-90s Romania developed a National BiodiversityStrategy and Action Plan (1996), with four principal biodiversityconservation priorities: (1) developmentof the legal frameworkand capacitybuilding; (2) organisationof the nationalsystems of protectedareas; (3) in-situ and ex-situ conservation of threatened, economically-valuable species; (4) conservation outside formal protected areas through changes in land-use, land management,habitat restorationetc. Within these overall strategic priorities, priority actions include:
'Elaboration of a model administration (in 3-4 forest districts with representative bioclimaticzones and layers) for the sustainablemanagement of forests consistent with the principles and actions requiredunder the CBD.' Romania is now in the process of updating its protected area legislation and institutions, and establishing a formal network of protected areas. Specific protectedarea legislation has been drafted, but has not been circulatedwidely for comment.
A summary of Romania's biodiversity, threats, legal and institutionalframework, and the national biodiversity strategy can be found at www.prida. no/enrin/biodiv/national/romania/.
Romania takes part in many regional conservation initiatives, as part of 'The Environmentfor Europe' process.
The GoR is receiving assistance from the GEF through a Biodiversity ConservationManagement Project. This is now in its early stages of implementation.Fauna & Flora International(FFI) is providing technical assistance to the project, which is establishingand placing under managementthree different types of demonstrationprotected area, largelyforested.
Water
Water is managed under the WaterLaw (No. 107/1996).Article 31 of this law deals with forests. Paragraph(4) of Article 31 requires forests to be managedso as not to contributeto floods and soil erosion (Box).
Developments(but not, normally, forest roads)which may affect water are subject to a permifting system. Permits are issued by local offices of MWEP, and may contain conditions relating to water quality. These conditions are, typically, water quality standards which should not be exceeded, rather than methods of constructionor operationintended to preventpollution.
EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest Road Valea Mare-Crizbav Page 8 ForestryDevelopment Program
The Water Law does not appear to considersediment and other natural materials to be 'waste', i.e. a pollutingsubstance within the meaningof the Act.
Regulations under the Water Law were issued in 1997 (Ministerial Order No. 277/1997). This Order specifies the documentation required to obtain a permit under the act. In response to Article 31 of the Law, Article 32 of the Order deals specifically with forest managementplans. Forest managementplan documents are requiredto cover, inter alia:
'(d) the expectedeffects of forest managementplan implementationon soil stabilityand on conservationof aquaticecosystems.'
Box Water Law No. 107/1996 Article 31 (1) The forests having special protectionfunctions, from the receptionof the reservoirs, those in basins of high torrential degree and prone to erosion, in major river beds, in the dam-bank areas, as well as the forest belts located along undammedrivers belong to the group of forests with special protection functions and are managedas such, through intensive treatments,the clear- cuttings or short-timeregenerating treatments being forbidden.
(2) The water protection forests, the soil protection ones located on cliffs, detritus areas, on eroded soil, on lands of slopes higher than 350,and other such forests are managedunder special protectionregime.
(3) Within the areas mentionedin paragraphs(1) and (2) works of soil erosion control and torrent annihilation shall be performed, and special rules of maintainingsuch works shall be applied.
(4) The forests in the mountain and hill areas must be managed in such a way so as not to contributeto the developmentof floods and soil erosion.
Source: English translationsupplied by Water ManagementGeneral Directorate,Ministry of Waters and EnvironmentalProtection, 9/3/2001
3 ExistingConditions: Key EnvironmentalParameters
3.1 AdministrativeIssues, Populationand SurfaceArea
The road Valea Mare-Crizbavis located in the North-Westernpart of the town of Brasov which is the capital of Brasov County.The county covers a surfacearea of 5,351 sq.km (2.2 percent of the whole territory of Romania). There are about 484,000 inhabitants living in the county, which means a population density of about 90.5 inh. per sq.km, [2].
EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest RoadValea Mare-Crizbav Page 9 Forestry DevelopmentProgram
The county is situated in the central part of Romania,on the middle course of the river Olt at the intersectionzone of some old commercial ways, connectingthree importantregions of Romania,namely Muntenia,Moldova and Transilvania.
The road Valea Mare-Crizbavbelongs to the silviculture unit Codlea. That is this unit responsible for operation and maintenance of the forest in this zone. Administrativelythe road is located in the territory of Halciu parish, in the Brasov County.
3.2 Elements of Morphology and Topography
All project actions, and their sphere of influence, are situated in the county of Brasov at the intersectionof parallelof 460and the meridian250.
The County of Brasov is crossed by the middle course of river Olt. The county is located in the central part of Romania and is superpose on two morph-structures: Carpathian Mountainsand TransilvanianPlateau. About 40 percent of the territory of the county are covered by mountainswith altitudes higher than 750 m and 60 percent of the whole area of the county are covered by TransilvanianPlateau and Brasov Depression.The local differencethroughout the county is 2000 m and due to this difference in levels, there are two distinct floors characterisedby typical climate, flora and fauna.
3.3 Elementsof Geology
The road Valea Mare-Crizbavand Valea Tiganilor is situated in the South-Eastern part of Persani Mountains (see map in the Figure 2). These mountains belong to the Eastern CarpathianMountains.
From the geological point of view the road is located in sedimentaryformations, belonging to Cretacic strata. The basal conglomerate is partially degraded and covered by adobe material. Generallythe adobe material;has a thicknessof 0.5 to 2.0 m above the conglomerates.
No unstable slopes have been observedalong with the road under discussion.
3.4 SeismicPotential in the Zone
According to standard P100/1992 "Codes for Anti-Seismic Projection of Buildings and Constructions" the Crizbav zone is registered in zone "B" which is characterisedthrough: * Ks- seismicity (acceleration)coefficient =0.25 * T, - wedge period = 1.0 second
The seismic degree is of 8 (eight).
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3.5 Types of Soil and its Utilisation
There are a variety of soil types distributionsthroughout the county. There are alluvial soils, brown soils and argillaceoussoils. In Fagarasdepression there are acid brown soils. The main problems of soil use in the zone are related to water courses regulation, prevention and fighting against soil erosion, especially of slopes, [4].
3.6 Water Resources
The zone in discussion belongs to the river Olt tributary area. At the entrance to the county the surface area of the basin is 4,105 sq.km and after leaving the county the tributary area amountsto 9,974 sq.km, [4].
The average river density in the county is 0.9 km/sq.kmhigher than the average value in the country, that is 0.5 km/sq.km.The average annualflows are different from year to year. Comparingwith the average multi-annualflow the average flow is 2.47 times bigger than the average multi-annual flow (1995) and 0.34 times lowers (1963), in Valea Mare River, [4].
3.7 Climate
The territory of Brasov County is 75 percent- the central and the Northern part with a moderate - continental type and 25 percent exposed to mountainous climatewith the western winds.
For the mountainous sector it is characteristic to meet cool summers, with high precipitation value and cold winter. The solar radiation is 117.5 kcal/sq.cm.yearin depressionzones and 100 kcal/sq.cm.yearat the high level - mountainouszones.
Air temperaturevalues are 7.5 0C at Bod, 7.6 °C at Brasov, 8.2 °C at Fagaras- lower in the lower level part of the county and 4.9 °C at Predeal and negative on the top of the mountains. The annual average temperature distribution in the county is shown in Figure 1.
Precipitationvalues are increasing with the altitude. The average values are 610 mm at Bod, 747.2 mm at Brasov, 945 mm at Predeal.
The yearly average frequenciesof wind directionsare 18.7%for NW, 19.3%for W, 17.3% for SW, 13.4%for E. The wind velocities(annual average values) are lower in the depression zones, namely lower than 3 m/s and higher in the mountain zones, namely 4 or even more than 10 m/s.
3.8 Flora and Fauna
Flora and fauna are defined by means of the altitude.The zone of deciduoustrees is located in the North-Westernpart of the county and consists of oak forests
EnvironmentalAssessment for the ForestRoad Valea Mare-Crizbav Page 11
Figure 1. Annual average temperature distribution
zzAnnualaverage11-12°C
._X } Annualaverage 8-11° C
Annual average< 8°C
Figure 2. Relief in the Road Zone
U K. R A I N E ,
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Pasae South1r CarpAlha L VolcanicMounltains lati1 \itt3 FoldedMountnn \ 8<
ForestryDevelopment Program
(Luercus robur), evergreen oak (Quercus petraea) and hombeam (Carpinus betulus). The forest consisting of beech and hornbeam cover almost the whole area of PersanioMountains.
The forest that is about 190 thousand hectares covers about 35 percent of the county.
Fauna in this region is representedmostly by mammals with much attraction for hunting, e.g. dears, bears, lynx, squirrel, wild boar, wolf, hares, capercaillies, hazelhen, etc. The aquatic fauna is represented by trout, umber in the upper coursesof rivers and barbel (Barbus barbus) in the middle coursesof the rivers.
4 ProposedProject Works
The road has a total length of 9.3 km and has been put into operationin 1957.
The road has been stronglydamaged with the storm flow occurred in 1984 (13-15 May). That is why the calamitatedzones of the road createdenvironmental, social and economicalproblems. Environmental deleterious effects have been observed.
The proposedworks consist of: a) Valea Mare Rehabilitationof 1.33 km of the road from the issuing point of the Tiganilor River into Valea Mare River to the issuing point of Racochiasul Mic into Valea Mare river.
The level of the road (axis) at hm 0+0.00 is 700.00 and at hm 13+35, 748.50. A typical cross sectionof the designed road is shown in Figure 4. b) Valea Tiganilor Rehabilitationof 1.1 km of the road placed along with Tiganilor River.
The level of the road (axis) at hm 0+0.00 is 700.00 and at hm 11+17.00,749.50. A typical cross section of the designed road is shown in Figure4.
Rehabilitationof 9.3 km of the road Valea Mare-Crizbavis not included in the project proposed, but some works for water course regulation,hydraulic structures and other minor adjustmentsof the existing road are necessary.
In the Photographyno.1 a part of this road is shown, and the Photographyno.2 and no.3 show a bridge and a portion of the river Valea Mare where the carried material is deposited blocking the water floe and creating opportunities of sand sedimentation.Anyhow, in this way scouringof the bridge abutmentis avoided.
The general layout of the Valea Mare road to be rehabilitated is presented in Figure 3.
EnvironmentalAssessment for the ForestRoad Valea Mare-Crizbav Page 12
Rctbav' 4jf.l 0. S. M A I E R U _
jS .>/.~~~~~~~~~- -~ : C 'r iD>xCzban FELOIOARA<'
4P.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Stc\r-- '~ ; .,4 A' '~- N Satu Nou HALCHiU. BOD
LA. t", ,2-,,,'y,' scale 1:25000
0 --T~~ oi
LEGEND
1-uj4=at Trees from which main products are harvested
r |Trees over S0 years old from which secondary products are harvested
| - Trees less than 80 years old from which secondary products are harvested
| |Existing Forest Road
= Damaged Forest Road (to be tedesigned) Figure 3. Rehabi4tation of Valea Mare - Cirizbav Road: General Layout scale 1: 2000
L'L-A ,c , g'S;. t:, J
alongsthisroad-
r nede fo som adutmet an maneac of th hyrali struture
_~~aln this roa&
4~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
4 4 Photo no. 2. A small bridge on the road Valea Mare - Crizbav. Some materials are carried forming natural barrages (see photo 3), causing sedimentation in this zone. In this way scounng is avoided. Photo no. 3. Natural barrage formed by the material carried by the river Valea Mare. This barrage is located near by the bridge (downstream) shown in Photo 2. Forestry DevelopmentProgram In all documents hm "0" represents the intersectionpoint of the rivers Valea Mare and Valea Tiganilor. This intersection (hm 0+0.00) can be seen in Photography no.4. VALEA MARE The following aspects of the existing road and the rehabilitationworks provided are presentedbelow. * On the first part of the road from hm "0" to hm 3+00 the damages are not so important; they consist of erosion of deficiencies and scouring of hydraulic structures; * From hm 3,00 to hm 11+30 the road has been almost completely destroyedby the flow storm; * 0 the last part of the road- 2 - m length - the damagesare not so important. The following works are to be accomplished: * On the first part of the road-fromhm 0 to hm 2+50 the existing platform is to be kept as it is, providing only the recovering and consolidating of the eroded embankment; - Between hm 0+06 - 0+30 and hm 0+92 - 1+16 the embankment will be completedby using stone materialtransported by means of tractor; * Between hm 0+04 - 0+12 an abutmentwall will be constructedfor the bridge situated at the intersection of the Tiganilor River and Valea Mare river (see Photography no. 5); - The bridge from hm 1+34, having a length of 4 m has not been movedfrom its initial position due to the flow storm, but the bridge abutments are to be restored (see Photos 6 and 7). However these works have to be considered with higher priority due to the fact that with the heavy transport the existing damages might be augmented.Besides, the river bed will be stabilised in the zone of this bridge by providinga concreteslab embeddedin the bottom of the river; * Between hm 3+00 ands hm 11+30, where the road has received the most important impact from the flood, a new platform has been provided; this new platform is 2 m above the river water level. The deforestationis to be at minimumwith the road rehabilitationworks. Abutment walls have been provided at the base of the road embankmentwhere erosion might occur. Materials used are to be provided from local resources mostly (e.g. pebles, stones). Where is the danger of scouring concrete blocks will be put on the mattressof foundation. * Not importanterosion has been met upstreamhm 11+30.Here the platformwill be raised and enlarged towardthe descent; * At hm 12+88.10the existing road is crossed by the river RacochiesulMic. Here the bridge made by means of two tubes of 0.80 m in diameter was not proved EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest RoadValea Mare-Crizbav Page 13 Forestry DevelopmentProgram to be satisfactory.The road in this zone was broken by the heavy water flow. A new bridge, L=4 m with an angle of 600C on the river directionof flow; * At hm 13+31 the rehabilitatedroad and the existing road will be connected; * A drainage material of 30 cm thicknesswill be providedas road superstructure where the road is founded on soil. Where the road is built on the massive stone, the superstructure will be made by broken stones of 0.1m thickness (Figure4). The total amountof earthworks(slots, riverbedcorrection, etc ) is 7,800 cu.m. The abutmentwalls and the other defendingworks amountto about 1,000cu.m. The drainage material used as superstructurein the zones where the road will be built on soil amountsto 750 cu.m, and the broken stones used as superstructurein the zones where the roadwill be built on the massivestone amountsto 340 cu.m. The construction materials have been providedto be conveyedfrom the following sources. * From the water sides of Valea Mare river; the average road transport distance is 10 km, v From the stone deposit along the road under rehabilitation;the average road transport distance is 1 km, The surface area that is to be deforested is about 4,800 sq.m A general view of the existingValea Mare road is shown in Photographyno. 8. VALEA TIGANILOR The following works are to be accomplished. • where the road has received the most important impact from the flood, a new platform has been provided; this new platform is 2 m above the river water level. * providingthe recoveringand consolidatingof the eroded embankmentbetween bollard 60 and 58; The embankmentwill be completed by using stone material transported by meansof tractor; * Reconstructionof the bridge situated at the intersection of the Tiganilor River and Valea Mare River at hm 0+12 00, as it is mentionedabove; * Reconstructionof the bridge situated at hm 10+62.60on the Valea Tiganilor. The deforestationis to be at minimumwith the road rehabilitationworks. Abutment walls have been provided at the base of the road embankmentwhere erosion might occur Materials used are to be provided from local resources mostly (e g. pebles, stones). Where is the danger of scouring concrete blocks will be put on the mattressof foundation. EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest RoadValea Mare-Crizbav Page 14 Photo no. 4. Intersection of the road Valea Mare with the road Valea Tiganilor (hm 0+00) Photo no. 5. At hm 0+04 - the bridge abutment has to be restored. Photo no. 6. Bridge abutment deteriorated (hm 1+34). Photo no. 7. Zone of the road on the bridge shown in Photo 6 where the span was deteriorated by the flow storm. r- '' a Photo no. 8. General view of Valea Mare (hm 0+00 to hm 0+25). Forestry DevelopmentProgram * A drainage material of 30 cm thickness will be provided as road superstructure where the road is founded on soil. Where the road is built on the massive stone, broken stones of 0.1m thickness(Figure 4) will make the superstructure. The total amount of earthworks (slots, riverbedcorrection, etc.) is 6,683 cu.m. The abutmentwalls and the other defendingworks amountto about752 cu.m. The drainage material used as superstructurein the zones where the road will be built on soil amountsto 812 cu.m, and the broken stones used as superstructurein the zones where the road will be built on the massivestone amountsto 219 cu.m. The constructionmaterials have been providedto be conveyedfrom the following sources: * From the water sides of Valea Mare river; the average road transportdistance is 10 km; * From the stone deposit along the road under rehabilitation;the average road transport distance is 1 km; The surface area that is to be deforestedis about 4,860 sq.m. A generalview of the existing Valea Tiganilorroad is shown in Photographyno. 9. 5 Scopeof Work for the EnvironmentalAssessment 5.1 Backgroundto the EnvironmentalAssessment of the "Rehabilitationof Forest Road Valea Mare-Crizbav" Romania is undergoingtransition from a command to a free-market economy. In the forest sector this will involve, inter alia, the return of a significant proportionof the forest estate to private ownership ("restitution"),and structural changesin the forest administrationand whole forest-to-marketchain. The process is attendedby potential significantrisks of unsustainablemanagement. At present, a World Bank-sponsored Forestry Development Program (FDP) is under preparation.The FDP have four components: Component 1 - Development of public sector capacity to support sustainable forest management: * Establishinga forest inspectorate * Establishinga forest informationand monitoringsystem Component2 - Sector development: * Reform of the national ForestAdministration (NFA) * Establishinga privateforest owners association * Establishinga businessdevelopment and advisory servicewithin MAFF * Physical infrastructure,specifically environmentally-sound forest roads Component3 - Public awareness EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest Road Valea Mare-Crizbav Page 15 Photo no. 9. General view of Valea Tiganilor road. The slopes are stable in the road zone. Forestry DevelopmentProgram Component4 - Project managementand monitoring The principal outputs of the project preparation contract will be a Project ImplementationPlan and draft Project Appraisal Document in accordancewith Bank guidelines. 5.2 Scopeof the EA The EA follows the EEC Council Directives (CD) 85/33/EEC27 June 1985, on Assessment of the Effects of Certain Public and private Projects on the Environment and 9711171ECof 3 March 1997, Amending Directive 851331EEC, and local standards given by the Ministryof Waters and EnvironmentalProtection of Romania. The EA is subject to approval according to both Romania regulations (MO 125/1995) and EEC standards.Towards this end, a Romanianversion of the EA was preparedparallel to the Englishone. The informationprovided by the Consultantsincludes: • A descriptionof existing conditions * An outline of the main alternatives studied and an indication of the main reasons for this choice,taking into accountthe environmentaleffects; and * A preliminarydescription of the proposedProject comprising information on the site, design and size * As requested, comparison between EC and Romanian environmental legislationas a special chapter of the EA. * A descriptionof the measuresenvisaged to avoid, reduce and, where possible, remedy significantadverse environmentaleffects; * A non-technicalsummary of this information. 5.3 RegulatoryFramework and Applicable Guidelines 5.3.1 Council Directive 85/337/EEC 27 June 1985 on assessments of certain public and private projects on the environment,and the Amending Directive CD 97111/EC 3 March 1997 Council Directive 85/337/EEC27 June 1985 "On Assessmentsof Certain Public and Private Projects on the Environment"introduces a systemfor the assessment of the environmentaleffects of those public and private projects,which are likely to have significant effects on the environment.It was amended by CD 97/11/EC 3 March 1997 and stipulates that Member States should adopt all measures necessary to ensure that, before consent is given, projects likely to have significanteffects on the environmentby virtue of their nature, size, or locationare made subject to an environmentalimpact assessmentwith regard to their effects. The environmentalimpact assessmentwill identify, describe, and assess for each individual case and in accordancewith the Articles 4 to 11 of the CD, the direct and indirect effects of a project on the followingfactors: * Human beings, fauna and flora EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest Road Valea Mare-Crizbav Page 16 Forestry DevelopmentProgram * Soil, water, air, climateand the landscape * The inter-actionbetween the factors mentionedabove * Material assets and cultural heritage Accordingto this EC Directive,environmental impact assessmentsshould include: * A description of the physical characteristicof the whole project and the land- use requirementsduring the constructionand operationalphase * A descriptionof the main characteristicsof the processes,for instance,nature and quality of the materials used * An estimate, by type and quantity, of expected residues and emissions(water, air and soil pollution, noise and vibration, light, heat, radiation, etc.) resulting from the operationof the proposedproject * An outline of the main alternative studied by the developerand an indicationof the main reasons for his choice,taking into accountthe environmentaleffects * Descriptionof the aspects of the environmentlikely to be significantlyaffected by the proposed project, including, in particular, population,fauna, flora, soil, water, air, climatic factors, material assets, including the architectural and archaeological heritage, landscape and the inter-relationship between the above factors * Description of the likely significant effects of the proposed project on the environment resulting from the existence of the project, the use of natural resources, the emission of pollutants, the creation of nuisances and the elimination of waste; and the description by the developer of the forecasting methodsused to assessthe effects on the environment - Descriptionof the measure envisaged to prevent, reduce and where possible offset any significantadverse effects on the environment - A non-technical summary of the information provided under the above headings * An indication of any difficulties (technical deficiencies or lack of know-how) encounteredby the developerin compilingthe requiredinformation This description should cover the direct effects and any indirect, secondary, cumulative, short, medium,and long-term,permanent and temporary, positive and negative effects of the project. 5.3.2 RomanianEnvironmental Assessment Regulations Romanian legislation is relatively new, dating from 1995. Legislation containing guidance on environmental protection and management relative to this Project includes: * Law No.137, 29 December1995 on environmentalprotection * Law 107, 25 September 1996 on water * Order 125, 19 March 1996 outlining regulatory procedures for social and economic activitieswith potential impact on the environment * Order 185 on environmentalauditing Order 125, 19 March 1996 outlining regulatoryprocedures for social and economic activities with potential impact on the environment, provides guidance to the environmental screening of proposed Projects, the preparation of a preliminary environmental impact assessment,the contents and methodologyof EAs, as well EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest RoadValea Mare-Crizbav Page 17 ForestryDevelopment Program as permittingand approvalprocedures. It alsocontains provision for actionsto be taken to comply with stipulations contained in the EnvironmentalAgreement or Consent. EA mustcontain: * Projectdescription with data on the raw materialsto be used and the waste productsthat will result * A site planshowing access * The relationshipof the proposedproject to localdevelopment plans * Detailedland use surveyanalysis * Baseline data on geology,soils, water resources,climate, air, aquatic an terrestrialecology, vegetation * Culturalresources and demography * Potentialpositive and negativeimpacts, including polluting emissions, noise and vibrations,on all environmentalmedia, water, air, soil as well as human settlements * Risks * The regulatoryframework * Mitigationmeasures * Recommendations The EA is submitted to the relevant authorities for review and approval. Five flowcharts describing review procedures are attached to the law. This law is comparableto CouncilDirective 85/337/EEC. 6 Identificationof PossibleImpacts 6.1 Impacts During the Construction Period (Short Term Impact) Forest roads are major engineeringstructures and can absorb a high portion of all investmentsin forest management. This is to generate the major impact on the environment,during constructionperiod of time. The following constructionworks will generateenvironmental impacts: * Works preparation * Earthworks * Site stabilisation * River embankmentregulation * Culverts * Bridges * Abutmentwalls * Transportationof materials * Blasting for stone or knob removal Construction works related to the activities listed above will be required to be carried out accordingto internationaland Romanianstandards, providing safe and adequatetemporary paths for workers. Permissionto carry out constructionworks EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest RoadValea Mare-Crizbav Page 18 Forestry DevelopmentProgram from the local Council will be obtained. Care will be taken to prevent loss of soil, stones, or other release of material or waste to local water bodies. The most important potential impact during the constructionworks is on the water intake and water treatment plant for drinking water supply system of Crizbav, Feldioara and the factory "Reconstructia".This drinking water supply system is located downstreamthe placement of the works related to the project proposed. That is why special measures must be taken in order to avoid the contaminationof Valea Mare river having the importantfunction of serving, as water resource, the drinkingwater supply of Crizbav and Feldioaralocalities. .The works will generate noise and dust during the construction period of time. Construction works will include earthworks, excavation, fillings, compaction, levelling of the areas, casting of concrete. The negative effects will be only in this area, and temporary. The overall constructionperiod of the proposed Project is estimatedto be one-two years. However, most potentially sensitive receptors will only be affected in a localised sense for the period of time when work on the water embankment regulation,for example, occurs in the immediatevicinity. A summary of preliminary assessmentof potential constructionphase impacts on environment resulting from the proposed actions, as these are currently understood is presented in Table 6.1. Here the impact is mainly directed to the potential accidents on the existing drinking water supply system, downstreamthe river intake, water treatment plant (sand filtration and disinfectingby chlorination), main pipe and a small water distribution network. Water flow within the water supply systemworks by gravity. No pumpingstation is neededfor the water supply of the respective localities. The water intake is placed on the riverbed (so called "Tyrolese Water Intake"). It can be seen in Photography no.10. The VWTP(horizontal plain sedimentation basins and the house of filters) on the roadsideis shown in Photographyno. 11. Another effect expected is related to the fact that the hunting will be temporarily disturbed in the area of constructiondue the noise, vibration and dust emissions. Table 6.1 - Summaryof Key ConstructionPeriod Impacts Effects ImpactLevel POSITIVE Constructionsfor Forest Road Rehabilitation Social and economic effeOctsdue to employment M opportunities in constructionworks Institutional effects due to implementationof the H locally based EA review process and public information program NEGATIVE EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest Road Valea Mare-Crizbav Page 19 L.hi Ai Photo no. 10. TyroleseWater Intake on the fiver Valea Mare, downstream the forest road to be rehabilitated. - wr4 >>#;- X -4 - A Photo no. 11. WTP for drinking water supply of Crizbav and Feldioara. The plant is located downstream the intersection of Valea Mare and Valea Tiganilor Forestry DevelopmentProgram Risks of contamination of raw water abstracted H from Valea Mare river, downstream. Noise impacts on fauna (decrement of hunting M activities)Aquatic fauna will be disturbed. Decrement of water quality downstream due to M untreated wastewater discharged from the work preparationfacilities Decrement of water quality downstream due to H the handling of excavated material, soil loss to adjacent body and sedimentationfillings, levelling of the areas and other activities for earthworks, slope stabilisation,river embankmentregulations, culverts, bridges, abutment walls, transportation and work preparation Dust emission and construction waste disposal M will affect the air, water and soil quality Visual impact M Traffic disruption H Haul road damage H Disposalof waste dredge material M Interruptionof service H Blocked access to adjacent properties H Security, health and safety of workers M H - High M - Moderate L - Low As it can be seen the temporary impacts from construction activities are deemed of major importanceso, special measuresare to be taken. 6.2 Impacts During the Operational Period (Long Term Impact) Environmentalimpacts will be generatedfrom the following operationalactivities: * Transportationof harvestedwood * Maintenanceconsisting of: * Regravellingof road surfaces * Works for erosion alleviationor elimination * Works for avoiding the blockageof drains and culverts * Supervisingand repairmenof bridges abutments * Supervisingand maintaining piers usedfor traffic orientation * Monitoring A summary of the operationalphase impacts due to the proposed project actions is presentedin Table 6.2. EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest RoadValea Mare-Crizbav Page 20 ForestryDevelopment Program Table 6.2 - Summaryof Key Operational PeriodImpacts Effects Impactlevel POSITIVE Constructionsfor Forest Road Rehabilitation Prevention of future erosion and downstream H flooding Access to degraded areas for rehabilitation M Preventionof further erosion of stream banks H Access to watershed protectionworks M Forest access continuity H Improvementsto local roads L Social effects due to increasedsite security L Reduction of emissions by optimising speed and L by reducingthe number of start/stop cycles Safety driving and reducing the risks of H accidents.Increased site security Economicaccess to fallen trees L Open space and visual quality M Social economic effects due to tourism M developmentand other inducedactivities More comfortable access to the zoological area M and hunting interest (tourismpromotion) Institutional impacts due to improving the ability H of local stakeholders to collaborate on environmentalissues Increasingthe quantityof wood transportedto the H place where is to be turned to good NEGATIVE Soil or water contaminationby oil handling H Separation("fencing" effect) M Solid wastes H Noise emission in various sensitive areas where H the wildlife is disturbed Dust emission by increasingthe vehicles speed H Gases emission (NMVOC, HC, lead) by M increasing the total traffic and lorries Risk on water supply system downstream M Risk of accidents M H - High M - Moderate L - Low It goes without saying that positive effects are predominant while judging the project of rehabilitationof the forest road Valea Mare-Crizbav. EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest Road Valea Mare-Crizbav Page 21 Forestry DevelopmentProgram The main positive effects of the project are related to the land severance that is the road rehabilitationworks will contribute to the preventionof future erosion and further erosion of stream banks. Increasingthe traffic and lorries due to the better conditionsof the road will have, as consequences,a positive effect, consistingof the productionincrement, on one hand, and noise, dust, NMVOC, HC, lead emission increment-asnegative effect. Anyhow the negative effects should be regarded in the context of the existing activitieswith the same type of emissionsbut at the not significantlower level. Risk of contaminationof water supply system downstreamwill be increaseddue to the traffic increment (tourism and forest harvesting area to be promoted). It must be remindedthat this risk is higher during the constructionperiod of time. Although separation ("fencing") effect exists due to the existing road, by implementing the project proposed this effect will be more definite due to the raised level of the road platform, new culverts and hydraulicstructures that are to be maintained. It is estimated that the needed surface area for the future developmentsis available. The land is in the ownership of the titleholder, namely NFA. The rehabilitation of the forest road Valea Mare-Crizbavwill improve the overall environment and the operation conditions on the forest area in the respective zone. Occupationalhealth and safety of the workerswill be improvedespecially through the provisionof the new rehabilitatedroad infrastructure,new hydraulic structures and the new safe equipment. The rehabilitationof the existing forest road Valea Mare-Crizbav is evaluated as neutral against the historicaland cultural heritage. 7 Proposed Measures to Prevent, Reduce or Mitigate the NegativeEffects of the Project Implementation 7.1 Public Participation At present the public attitude is positive. The mayoralty of Halciu and the other local authoritiesare keen to implementthe proposedproject. 7.2 ProposedMeasures 7.2.1 Water Quality Protection To protect water quality special measures must be taken during the construction and operationalphases. EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest Road Valea Mare-Crizbav Page 22 ForestryDevelopment Program The following main measures have been provided: * Interdiction the discharge of the wastewater upstream the water intake for water supply system(Crizbav, Feldioaraand the brick Factory "Reconstructia"). The wastewater is recommendedto be discharged in a cesspool, downstream the water intake for drinking water supply of Crizbav, Feldioara and "Reconstructia"users. Periodically,the wastewater accumulatedin a cesspool is to be extracted, transported and discharged in the nearest WVMTP(e.g. Feldioara). 7.2.2 Health and Safety Risks * The reduction of health and safety risks for staff currently working in the system. This important goal should be addressedthrough a training program aimed at developing and implementing improved standard operating and maintenancemanuals. There are needs to be focused, includingthe provision and use of personal protectiveequipment and other things, many as simple as requiring the presence and use of seatbelts in company vehicles. Time does not permit treating this in any further detail, but it was observed to be an important issue to be addressed in the future. A company-wideenvironmental management system would naturally contain comprehensive guidance on operationalhealth and safety issues. * For safety driving 97 indication piers will be provided, and 20 indicator tables will be installed. • Appropriate equipment-dozerswith front-buckets (tracked loader) should be used. Special measures shall be taken in order to avoid site damages and operatorswith specifictraining in road constructionwill be chosen for working. * Blasting is to be avoided. Hydraulic rock-breakers mounted on excavators to minimise site damage and hazards to construction crews are recommendedto be used. Dumptrucks rather than bulldozersshall be used. * New constructedsurfaces is to be revegetatedusing hydroseeding. * Personnel will use adequate protective equipment (gloves, safety foot wear, hard hats). * Usually the drainage structures-culverts and bridges- is well established: standard culverts are box-section, with reinforced concrete slab decks on masonryabutments; this design is simple and not prone to blocking by debris. * An environmentalmanagement plan is to be set up. * To the degree possible, the implementationof the environmentalmanagement plan should be fully integrated into the internal set of environmental managementactivities to be conducted in the future by operational company. The preliminary environmental management plan is divided into three parts: antecedent conditions, construction phase issues, operational phase issues. The constructionand operational phase impact section have been written as if the antecedentsare in place. * The earthworks will not be started before the road territory had been deforested and cleaned. The rest of woods shall be removed in order to avoid the accidents. EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest Road Valea Mare-Crizbav Page 23 _. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~4 U-~~~ t-;.... Photo no. 12. Someone needed ballast for construction and excavated the existing road superstructure. Forestry DevelopmentProgram * In special cases the constructor will ask the designer to solve the problems appeared on site. In special cases, in dangeroussituations, the constructorwill stop all activities, drawingback the workers and the equipment. 7.2.3 Education People in the zone should be told/explainedabout the importanceof the roads for the economy in the zone. Besides, other advantages are to be expected (e.g. forest access continuity,recreation, etc.). It seemsthis measure is necessary. In the Photography12 could be seen a part of the road superstructureexcavated by someonewho needed some ballast for construction. The measures to be taken for reducing the environmental impact of the rehabilitationof the forest road Valea Mare-Crizbavare presentedin Table 7.1. Table 7-1- The Measures Proposedfor the Reduction of the Project Impact on the Environment ProjectImpact and ProposedMitigation or Supporting RequiredPreparation PositiveEffects Actions Improvementof the Issues mandatefor Environmental On the Job operation company ProtectionDepartment to be responsibleon Training/Technical capabilitiesto perform behalf of the operationalcompany Assistancewith finalising environmental the environmental managementactivities managementplan Improvementof the Form an environmentalmanagement plan Seminarsor workshops ability of local StakeholdersCommittee and have regular on the environmental stakeholdersto meetings managementplan collaborateon environmental management . Improvementof the Submitthe environmentalimpact Handoverand intermittent ability to implementa assessmentstudy to receivethe consent support from local EPI locally based EA from the local environmentalauthority _ review processand Develop Public InformationProgram Preparationof approach public information to Public Involvement program CONSTRUCTIONPHASE IMPACTS Employment Utilise local labour resources Notify contractorsof this opportunities requirement Noise Restrict working hours, requiremufflers on - equipment Dust Controlledexcavation; cover haul trucks Contractspecification carrying fill material Damage to vegetation Surveysite and provide protectionto trees Contract specification and importantvegetation; limit construction disturbancewhere possible Pollution from -Providingcesspool for wastewater Contract specification; discharge of untreated discharged Preparingof a specific wastewater -Periodicallyextraction of the cesspool methodfor handling and content disposing of wastewaterif EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest Road Valea Mare-Crizbav Page 24 Forestry DevelopmentProgram -Interdictionto dischargeany wastewater needed on the project into the river basis Excavatedmateral As much as possible reuse on site, dispose Contract specification handling and soil loss of excess property controlledexcavation to adjacentwater body, and sedimentation Blocked accessto Providetemporary access Contract specification adjacent functions Harvesting disruption Provide temporaryaccess during the not Contract specification working Visual impacts Complete constructionin as short a time as Contract specification possible; keep constructionsite as tidy as possible Security, health and Provide traffic managementplan and Contract specification safety of workers signagewhere needed; requirefencing and watchmen; warningsigns; use correct proceduresand personal protective equipment Pollutionto water Prohibit dischargeor disposal of any Contract specification bodies constructionmateral into water Pollutionto rvers Bathing Water QualityMonitorng and Co-ordinatewith key ReportingProgram stakeholders;develop Memorandumof Agreement as neededfor a co-ordinatedpublic l______infornation program OPERATIONALPHASE IMPACTS Impactsto surface Minimisepoints through design;take Co-ordinatewith water from the correctiveaction responsiblefactors (EPI) transportation activities Noise impact from Continuousmonitoring Routine monitofing transportationmeans Visual impacts Choosecolours and matenalsthat Conductsvisual impact harmonisewith surroundings;use planting analysesfor new and landscapingto screen; keep buildings construction in good repair and tidy condition Safety dnving and Maintainthe indicatorpiers for safety Routine monitorng reducingthe rsk of driving Contract specification accidents Maintainingand guardingthe works by daily Inspections.Co-operation inspections with the forest rangers. I Education measures 8 Enforcementand Co-ordinationProcedures There are many instances where the operational company cannot achieve the proposedenvironmental objectives alone. This will involve a co-ordinated effort between relevant authorities: e.g. MWEP (EPI), the respective operational company, the National Company "Romanian Waters" (Apele Romane),Local Council. EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest RoadValea Mare-Crizbav Page25 Forestry DevelopmentProgram Who will do what; who reports to whom; what is the mechanismfor taking correctiveaction will have to be part of a larger institutionalanalysis effort in reparationfor developingnecessary monitoring and its protocols. As generalconclusion concerning the environmentalimpact of the futureforest road, after its rehabilitation,it can be stated that the project meets the requirementsand solutionsadopted on Europeanand Internationallevel. EnvironmentalAssessment for the ForestRoad Valea Mare-Crizbav Page26 ForestryDevelopment Program 9 Abbreviations ATF Auto Tren Forestier( ForestRoad Train) EA Environmental Assessment (EA is the term used by the Bank for EnvironmentalImpact Assessment) EMP EnvironmentalManagement Plan EPI EnvironmentalProtection Inspectorate FDP ForestDevelopment Program GEF Global EnvironmentFacility HC Hydrocarbons hm hectometre(1 hm=1 00m) ICAS Forest Managementand Research Institute (Institutul de Cercetari si AmenajariSilvice) INL NationalWood Institute (InstitutulNational al Lemnului) MAFF Ministry of Agriculture,Forest and Food MWEP Ministry of Water and EnvironmentalProtection NFA NationalForest Administration NFPS NationalForestry Policy and Strategy NMVOC Non MethaneVolatile OrganicCompounds OS Ocolul Silvic (ForestryMaintenance and OperationDistrict) UP Unitatede parchet WTP Water TreatmentPlant WWTP WastewaterTreatment Plant 10 References [1] National Commission for Statistics-"RomanianStatistical Yearbook 1998", Bucharest2000 [2] CUCU,V., M.STEFAN,"Romania, Ghid-Atlasal MonumentelorIstorice, Editura Stiintifica,Bucuresti, 1974 [3] UJVARI,I.,"Geografia apelor Romaniei",Editura stiintifica, Bucuresti, 1972 [4] POSEA, GR.et al., "EnciclopediaGeografica a Romaniei",Editura stiintifica si enciclopedica,Bucuresti, 1982 EnvironmentalAssessment for the ForestRoad Valea Mare-Crizbav Page27 Figure 4. Typical Cross Sections of the Designed Road a) Foundation on soil zones 1~0.301, 0.60 35 0.3751_ 275 0.3751 material S b) Foundation on stone zones .rN -~~~~ 0.90 0.375 2.75 0.375 Crushed Stones Forestry DevelopmentProgram INTERGROUPENGINEERING SRL ROMANIA FORESTRYDEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ENVIRONMENTALASSESSMENT FOR PROJECTPREPARATION Paltinoasa(Prahova County) DATE:May 2001 EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest Road Paltinoasa Page 1 Forestry DevelopmentProgram Table of Contents 1 Introduction...... 4 1.1 Concept of Forest Roads Sub-componentof FDP...... 4 1.2 The ProposedProject ...... 4 2 A Summary of the Current Situation with Respect to the Forest Road Management(Policy, Legal and AdministrativeContext) ...... 5 3 Existing Conditions:Key EnvironmentalParameters ...... 9 3.1 AdministrativeIssues, Populationand SurfaceArea ...... 9 3.2 Elementsof Morphologyand Topography...... 10 3.3 Elementsof Geology...... 10 3.4 Seismic Potential in the Zone...... 11 3.5 Types of Soil and its Utilisation...... 11 3.6 Water Resources...... 11 3.7 Climate...... 12 3.8 Flora and Fauna...... 12 4 ProposedProject Works ...... 13 5 Scope of Work for the EnvironmentalAssessment ...... 16 5.1 Background to the Environmental Assessment of the "Rehabilitation of Forest Road Paltinoasa"...... 16 5.2 Scope of the EA ...... 17 5.3 RegulatoryFramework and Applicable Guidelines...... 17 5.3.1 Council Directive85/337/EEC 27 June 1985 on assessmentsof certain public and private projects on the environment, and the Amending Directive CD 97/11/EC 3 March 1997 ...... 17 5.3.2 Romanian EnvironmentalAssessment Regulations ...... 18 6 Identificationof Possible Impacts...... 19 6.1 ImpactsDuring the ConstructionPeriod (Short Term Impact) 19 6.2 ImpactsDuring the OperationalPeriod (Long Term Impact).22 7 Proposed Measures to Prevent, Reduce or Mitigate the Negative Effects of the Project Implementation ...... 25 7.1 Public Participation ...... 25 7.2 ProposedMeasures ...... 25 7.2.1 Water Quality Protection...... 25 7.2.2 Health and Safety Risks...... 26 7.2.3 Education ...... 27 8 Enforcementand Co-ordinationProcedures . . .29 9 Abbreviations 30 10 References...... 30 List of Tables Table 1.1- ScreeningSystem for the ExistingRoads to be Rehabilitated...... 4 Table 6.1 - Summaryof Key ConstructionPeriod Impacts...... 21 Table 6.2 - Summaryof Key OperationalPeriod Impacts...... 22 Table 7-1- The Measures Proposedfor the Reductionof the Project Impacton the Environment...... 27 EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest Road Paltinoasa Page 2 Forestry DevelopmentProgram List of Figures Figure 1 - Geology in Prahova County Figure2 - Relief in the Zone of PrahovaCounty Figure 3 - PaltinoasaForest Road Layout Figure4 - Typical Cross Sectionsof the DesignedRoad List of Photos Photo no. 1 - Connection point of Paltinoasa forest road to the county road to Doftana (hm 0+0.00). Photo no. 2 - The road zone rebuilt in the last year, when the torrent (rain storm flow) destroyed the structure. This zone of the road is used by the people from Bertea and Pietriceaualocalities to go to the urban area. The road subjected to the project goes to the left (where the car is stopped). Photo no. 3 - The same zone as shown in Photo2 but here is shown how narrow is the road at the curve. Practicallya normal lorry could not pass this zone. Photo no. 4 - A bridge recently rebuilt after it had been destroyed last year. It is the last point accessibleusing a light vehicle. Under the actual bridge the former destroyedbridge can be seen. Photo no. 5 - A destroyed culvert. During the heavy rain period the torrent flows on the road flushing what has been remained.The road is accessible only by foot in the dry weather. In the left corner at the bottom of photo it can be observed how the road is sunk due to the water storm. Photo no. 6- Photo 5 in detail. Photo no. 7 - A zone of the road ready to breakdownrequiring breastworks.The road is narrow in this zone and it cannot use. Photo no. 8 - The road is broken by the storm flow. The existing breastwork is flushed by the torrent and the road is not accessible,even by foot. Photo no. 9 - The road is sunk. No way to go ahead. Only in the dry weather by foot. Photo no. 10 - The state of the road at about 5 km distance from hm 0+0.00. The road is sunk. Down more than a hundred metre below the river Paltinoasais bumpy. Even the trees were removed by the storm flow of the torrent scouringeffect. EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest Road Paltinoasa Page3 Forestry DevelopmentProgram I Introduction 1.1 Concept of Forest Roads Sub-componentof FDP The forest roads sub-componentof the FDP is under development.Because of the physical works involved, this item will absorb a large proportion of the total funds available within the FDP. The Project Concept Document (PCD) estimates were US $ 15.4 million out of US $ 24.35 million (63%). Romania has a low density of forest roads (approx. 6m/ha). The concept in the PCD was for the Programto provide: '... the physical infrastructurenecessary for economic and environmentallysound access to wood harvesting through construction of forest roads, to the required density and in accordance with best environmentalpractice, in existing production forest and facilitatingcompetitive bidding and pricing of forest road construction.' The PCD Review Meeting (23 Dec. '99) qualified the PCD by emphasisingthe importance of the forest conservationand sustainable managementfocus of the project, including: 'emphasising that forest road construction,and planning for increased density of the forest road network, will only take place in existing areas of productionforest with the objective of reducing the negative environmentalimpacts, as well as the economiccosts of harvestingoperations'. Also of relevanceto the roads sub-component,the Review Meeting highlightedthe importanceof capacity-buildingin all key public and private sector organisations. 1.2 The ProposedProject The project proposed has been chosen after applying the screeningsystem based on the environmentalimpact assessment.This grit system is presented in Table 1. 1. All the project titles mentioned in the Table 1.1 have been nominated after a careful selection in such a way that the projects listed would not have any problems as far as environmentalprotection needs are concerned. The project proposed is related to the rehabilitation of the existing forest road Paltinoasa. The project is consideredto be representativedue to the positive and less positive answers put into evidencein Table 1.1. EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest Road Paltinoasa Page 4 Table 1.1. SCREENING SYSTEM FOR THE EXISTING ROADS TO BE REHABILITATED E N V I R 0 N M E N Tr S C I AL g9 Operation S p Stoility e Ersd i Nature Con serva.ton o Air QOaty d Recretion R eloc t d O tber L- a C. 7nny (Land Severanc) Re.o.-e.. Mintesoo nega-v effeos~ (LC) 3 of Foret No. ForeatRoadLooto. - . 9'pd9 TOTAL 1 2 -3 _-S89 -6 -7. -8 9 -Vlb 0 _ Zn394.98 I 9 7+ 8 19 Z 7 _ 2 4 2 6 2 8, N 14 ALRA~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~Vale 9 +t A + N 0aauu A + +0 ' x + on - ~+ 9+ N 0 x + S PArSe Caloi + 2 oRL*a + 3 V.i.eRuii + NA + + NA + + NA x + + + A 154 x NA NA t N+ x + NA + + + 4 Valea 11~~~~~~~~~Galapeni Olnd ++ NA_ _.+ NA_8it =+ NA= + + NA x + +t + _ 072_ _x _+ NA_ _+ _± N + + IS ARAD 2 Va.Ia Ciohnlol + 6 Doboon ± 7 Valtie + NA + + - NA + + NA x + NA 0.02 x NA NA t NA + + NA + + 8 otalui + NA + NA x N + NA 0 + +T NA t 0 . + NA NA + NA + + 9 valtal t NA + A + NA + + NA + + + NA + NA ±t + NA + + + ~III ARGOR So B-non TV BAOSON II 15 BUCle4bDvaanit + xNA _ NA _ x NA x _ _ _ _ 1162 . x NA NA x NA _ _ 22 Caea rasin+ + + +-_ NA + NA + + + + A 259 + NA NA x , + t NA - + + 162 .I SrrlnaC =taiT N A NA + NA _ x NA + T+ _ + 7 27 x NA NA x NA + + N + +T 23 Btat I + _+ NA ± _ NA * _ . + + 15 _ NA NA + NA - NA , + + 281 CeeeeearaeI NA o NA X NA + NA + + + + 6715 o NA NA o N + NA + - 29 Vana. -aeCieav + +- NA + NA±o + + + * + + 47 + NA NA x- + NA0 26 Va leaD rI elol na + NA + NA + NA + + + + 4 N+ NA x NA + NA + + 30 LsaMag ettt - + + NA - + NA 0 + + + 39 + +A NA n+ ± NA + - 20 Paooe + - NA + NA _ NA _ + + + _ T_6 T NA_NA o _ NA + _ 2 3 4 S 6 7 8 9 16 _1 12 13 14 15 t6 17 28 19 20 31 22 23 24 25 26 27 31 BasMicael x _ _ x NA _ + _ _ _ __ I I NA x + I_ x _- - _ vII CABA~SEVERIN +N 32 Axi1B6rav V x NA _ NA + _ _ _ _ T _- 4 8 + NA ______33 Moh6di4 x NA + NA + + + x + +19 + 45 NA + + + I + + + 34 Palr4aLrgs + NA _ I _ NA + _ NA _ NA 2.6 NA NA NA NA _ _ + T 35 Val. L.sgl + 36 Ziotasi ?otoo IX CLUJ+ 37 Dudie += X COVASNA 39 Dotaul Mi. _ x x_ NA T _ 2 32 x NA NA _ NA _ NA _ _ 3D DA-MBOVAA 40 Probou + NA + NA x NA + t NA x x 234 x NA NA + NA + + NA + + + 41 BiuSuroaja + NA + NA + NA + + + x + + + 2,33 x NA NA x + + + + + 42 Rugola e + NA + NA N NAA NA t t + x 2.73 x A NA x_ + + + + + + 43 N-U jalo Me c NA + x+ NA + + + + + 31 191 x IANA + + + + NA + + + 44 AninOams + x + NA + T + NA x + + + a NA + + + + NA + + + xii GORJ 45 Motouni a + x + NAN + + N + + + _ 1373 + NA + + + I + + + + 46 0o u _+ + + NA + t _+ + + ++ 13.61 + + NA + N I +NA + 47 Giloot + - + -. NA + + -+ + 3.6 A - + + ± XIII HUINEI1OAIAI 41 Mars + x + NA NA + + NA + I + + NA 2 + + NA + + T + + + + 49 Tooosato 30 DoOr. + - + - NA + + + x + + + + 25.3 + + NA + + ,- +, + ,- -. + 51 ALi arlosb C _ + NA NA + _ NA x + + 62 + NA + + 3- _ _N + __ XIV MARAMURE 52 WSas- x 3-I +I NA +F + + ± +* *+ .666 + NA + -, + + - + 53 Bar Iaul t x + NA + - + + + + _ + T 3342 + + NA + + ± + +- T 54 PoVAs * I + _ NA I -+ NA _ + + + X 1 x+ NA _ NA x NA + 35 SIofiau mla !I + + + NA + + tNA X + + + 64.4 + - NA + + + + I - + xv MEHEDI I II 56 PMul Sita + x - NA NA _ _ +_ NA+ + * + NA 31.6 + + NA , + I + NA + + + 57 V.aIl.Me _ _ _ NA _ _ + _ _ NA+ 2 + x NA * _2- + + + - - H 7S Lta M.. +( + NA NA + NA + NA + + NA 1' + + NA + + x + + x + 59 0lare _A 60 Balass,e 3 XVI MURlE 61 FacelLpum . _ + + + NA + + +- + NA 4 NA NA x N + + + + + XVII NEM 62 ci lui + I- 63 MPoadia +_- 64 Cul-as Bsa8oi 3- 65 Psaul G~ardluhip6l65 3- 66 C qde O a§i 3- 67 Pod Boaldud Mar 3- -XVII PRAHOVA 68 vulp. +~~a + NA t + -r NA . 3- + * a 3.6 3 NA * NA x NA - +- 3- 79 V.I. R. 3- 3- 3 N + NA + + + NA .+ - + NA +-N NA + NA x A - 3-I 17 Valta Ne x _ + + N NA _ _ + + 16. + NA NA x + x + + + + + 7II ota x _ + + I NA + + N + 3 a 34 * NA , + 3 3 - + + 1 2 3 j4 5 6 7 8 9 19 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 S8 19 20 21 |22 23 24 25 2627 89 aFi XXV HARGSIUTA _se t od0Pi,ee |+_j+ NA |NA NAL + I NA NA | t_ NA|NAIXI- + X I _ + _ 9t IT - T n NA x o NA INAX I _X + TOTALdix -r CREDIT Noticeabout classificationof marks + Environmentalissues VERYWELL solved by the Project Program X Enviromnentalissues SOLVEDBUT NOr VERYWELL by theProject Program - Environinentalissues NOT solvedby the Project Program NA Not Applicable Forestr DevelopmentProgram 2 A Summary of the Current Situation with Respect to the Forest Road Management (Policy, Legal and Administrative Context) Forests Lawand InstitutionalFramework Generalprovisions for managementof the national 'Forest Fund' (all legally- declaredforests) are givenin the ForestCode (Law 26/24 of April1996). For the basic legislativeframework on biodiversityand forestsin Romania,see www.envir. ee/proQrammid/pharecd/soes/romania/html/biodiversity (this includes internationalconventions). ForestPolicy The existingforest strategydates from 1995, and was developedfollowing the 1992/93Forestry Sector Review. Romania is in the processof developinga new forestpolicy, the NationalForestry Policy and Strategy2001-2010 (NFPS). Most of thework was carried out during2000 with assistancefrom theWorld Bank. Although endorsed by the Ministry of Waters, Forests and Environmental Protection and Ministry for Industry and Technology under the previous government,at presentthe draft NFPS is in obeyance,pending review by the incominggovernment and the re-organisedMinistries. The principal policy statementwithin the draft NFPS concerning Logging, Transportand Wood Processing is: 'Policy:The better utilisation of woodresources through the integrationof logging and woodprocessing activities within the conceptof sustainablemanagement of thenatural resource.' In addition to enhancedresearch and training, NFPS 'Strategic Actions' of particularrelevance to forestroads include: A. SilviculturelManagement A1.4 Harmonisationof the forestadministration system with European practice. A2.5 Modernisationof the forestmanagement planning system. A5.1 Upgradingand consolidationof existingforest roads. A5.2 Increasethe density of the forestroad network. A5.3 Developmentof the accessnetwork within forest compartments. A8.2 Inclusion of aspects relating to biodiversityand the managementof protectedareas in forestmanagement plans. B. Logging,Transport and Wood Processing 83.1 Increase the accessibility of forests, by designing an internal skidding/collectionnetwork, oriented towards reducing the average skidding/collectiondistance and use of environmentally-friendlymethods andtechnologies. EnvironmentalAssessment for the ForestRoad Paltinoasa Page5 Forestry DevelopmentProgram B3.2 Developmentof an integrated skidding/collectionsystem in order to protect the forest. Forest Roads Forest roads are major engineeringstructures and can absorb a high proportionof all investmentsin forest management. Until 1991 forest roads in Romaniawere built and maintainedby timber harvesting companiesusing central governmentfunds. In 1992 the roads were transferredto ROMSILVA,and subsequently to the NFA. Funds for construction of new roads during the '90s were scarce. Forest roads on land are managed and maintained by the NFA on behalf of the state. Funds for road maintenance are obtained by a levying a charge on wood removed by logging companiesfollowing the tender/auctionprocess. The relevant Ministerial Order is 220511997.The fee is a flat rate of approx. $1/m3. This fee is retained by the NFA and used locally. Forest roads on restitutedforest land continue to belong to the state. If new roads are built on private forest land, they will (presumably)belong to the person who pays for them. EnvironmentalAssessment DomesticLeqislation and Procedures Environmental impact assessment (EIA) was formally introduced by the EnvironmentalProtection Law No. 137/1995(and subsequentamendments). This establishes the principles and framework (procedures, participants and their responsibilities,and an inclusion list of activitiesfor which EIA is mandatory). Detailed guidance on EIA methodology, procedures, report content etc. is contained in Ministerial Order No. 125/1996 Permitting Procedure for Economic and Social ActivitiesHaving an EnvironmentalImpact. ElAs can only be carried out by authorised EIA practitioners. Procedures for certifying EIA and environmental audit specialists are given in Ministerial Order 278/1996. Significantly, the persons or organisation carrying out an EIA of a proposed developmentmust be legally independentof the developer. For state-level projects, the authority to issue an environmentalagreement rests with MWEP. Regional and local projects consents is given by environmentallocal authorities,namely EPIs. EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest Road Paltincasa Page 6 Forestry DevelopmentProgram InternationalIssues Europe:The drivingforce for the new environmentalpolicy and legislationhas been the AssociationAgreement signed with the EuropeanUnion. Consequently, in the interestsof harmonisation,the basisfor the EIA regulationsin Romaniais EC Directive8513371EEC on EnvironmentalImpact Assessment. Presumably, Romania has, or will, update the regulations and proceduresfrom time to time in line with developing EU policy, specificallythe new EIA Directive 97/11/EEC, and the Strategic EnvironmentalAssessment Directive (as and when this is issued). Public participation: In 1998 Romania signed the UNECE Convention on the Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Makingand Access to Justice in EnvironmentalMatters (Aarhus Convention). Impact Assessmentof Projectsin Forests Forest roads are not listed in Appendix2 of the EnvironmentalProtection Law, and therefore do not require a formal EIA. Roads in 'protectedareas' are listed, and thereforedo require EIA. In order to undertakean EIA, a company or agency must first obtain a licencefrom the Ministry of Waters and Environmental Protection. Currently ICAS (MAFF's Forest Managementand Research Institute), has the only licence to undertake ElAs on forest land. Typical activities requiring EIA in forests are mining and oil exploration. As yet, ICAS has not carried out any impact studies on proposed forest roads; roads are very much the domain of INL (the National Wood Institute),which is almost always the successful bidder for contracts for new forest road feasibility and design studies. Feasibility Studies for new forest road construction do not include a formal environmental assessment. The INL also has authority to undertakeElAs but not specificallyin forests. It appears that there is a potential for either conflict or cooperation between INL and ICAS with respect to the future incorporation of additional environmental issues in the forest road design and approvalprocess. Constraintsto the developmentof EA in Romania,as seen by ICAS,include: * lack of previousexperience; * large cadre of senior staff requiring re-training, attitudinal change and awareness-building; * limited domestic capacity for postgraduate training in environmental impact assessment; * lack of private sector capacity. EnvironmentalAssessment for the ForestRoad Paltinoasa Page7 ForestryDevelopment Program Biodiversityand ProtectedAreas As a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), in the mid-90s Romaniadeveloped a National BiodiversityStrategy and Action Plan (1996), with four principal biodiversityconservation priorities: (1) developmentof the legal frameworkand capacity building; (2) organisationof the nationalsystems of protectedareas; (3) in-situ and ex-situ conservation of threatened, economically-valuable species; (4) conservation outside formal protected areas through changes in land-use, land management,habitat restoration etc. Within these overall strategicpriorities, priority actions include: 'Elaboration of a model administration (in 3-4 forest districts with representative bioclimaticzones and layers) for the sustainablemanagement of forests consistent with the principles and actions requiredunder the CBD.' Romania is now in the process of updating its protected area legislation and institutions, and establishing a formal network of protected areas. Specific protectedarea legislationhas been drafted, but has not been circulatedwidely for comment. A summary of Romania's biodiversity,threats, legal and institutionalframework, and the national biodiversity strategy can be found at www.grida.no/enrin/biodiv/nationallromania/. Romania takes part in many regional conservation initiatives, as part of 'The Environmentfor Europe' process. The GoR is receiving assistance from the GEF through a Biodiversity Conservation Management Project. This is now in its early stages of implementation.Fauna & Flora International(FFI) is providing technical assistance to the project, which is establishingand placing under managementthree different types of demonstrationprotected area, largely forested. Water Water is managed under the Water Law (No. 107/1996). Article 31 of this law deals with forests. Paragraph (4) of Article 31 requires forests to be managed so as not to contribute to floods and soil erosion (Box). Developments(but not, normally,forest roads)which may affect water are subject to a permitting system. Permits are issued by local offices of MWEP, and may contain conditions relating to water quality. These conditions are, typically, water quality standards which should not be exceeded, rather than methods of constructionor operationintended to preventpollution. EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest Road Paltincasa Page 8 Forestry DevelopmentProgram The Water Law does not appear to considersediment and other natural materials to be 'waste', i.e. a polluting substancewithin the meaningof the Act. Regulations under the Water Law were issued in 1997 (Ministerial Order No. 27711997).This Order specifies the documentationrequired to obtain a permit under the act. In response to Article 31 of the Law, Article 32 of the Order deals specifically with forest managementplans. Forest managementplan documents are requiredto cover, inter alia: '(d) the expected effects of forest management plan implementationon soil stabilityand on conservationof aquatic ecosystems.' Box Water Law No. 107/1996 Article 31 (1) The forests having special protectionfunctions, from the reception of the reservoirs,those in basins of high torrential degree and prone to erosion, in major river beds, in the dam-bankareas, as well as the forest belts located along undammedrivers belong to the group of forests with special protection functions and are managedas such, through intensive treatments,the clear- cuttings or short-timeregenerating treatments being forbidden. (2) The water protection forests, the soil protection ones located on cliffs, detritus areas, on eroded soil, on lands of slopes higher than 350, and other such forests are managedunder special protectionregime. (3) Within the areas mentionedin paragraphs(1) and (2) works of soil erosion control and torrent annihilation shall be performed, and special rules of maintainingsuch works shall be applied. (4) The forests in the mountain and hill areas must be managed in such a way so as not to contributeto the developmentof floods and soil erosion. Source: Englishtranslation supplied by Water ManagementGeneral Directorate,Ministry of Waters and EnvironmentalProtection, 9/3/2001 3 ExistingConditions: Key EnvironmentalParameters 3.1 AdministrativeIssues, Populationand SurfaceArea The placementof the forest road Paltinoasabelongs to the parish Valea Doftanei, in Prahova County. The legal person responsiblefor the operation and maintenanceof the respective forest zone - UP IX - is OS Campinasubordinated to Silvicultural Directoratefrom Ploiesti. The forestry stock is the ownershipof the titleholder, namely Silvicultural Directorate Ploiesti. EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest Road Paltinoasa Page 9 Forestry DevelopmentProgram The total surface area covered by the forest road Paltinoasais 1 ha, of which 0.5 ha for definitelyuse and the other 0.5 ha for temporaryuse. The number of inhabitantsliving in the analysedzone (upstreamand downstream the road) is of 7,000, [5]. 3.2 Elements of Morphology and Topography All project actions, and their sphere of influence, are situated in the county of Prahova at the intersectionof parallel of 450 (North latitude) and the meridian260 Eastern longitude. The county of Prahova is located in the South-East part of Romania on the Prahova tributary area. The surface of this county is 4,694 sq.km (about 2% of the whole territory of Romania). The territory of Prahova county has three steps of relief which are met from North to South, on about 2,200 m level differences;these are mountains,hills and plains, [2]. The relief map of the county, where localitiesin the zone are put into evidence, is presented in Figure2. The mountains (Carpathian Mountains) are placed in the Northern part of the county and are about 26% from the total surface area of the county. On the territory of the Prahova County there are Ciucas and Garbova Mountains and several massifs (e.g. Bucegi Massif with altitudeshigher than 2000 m). The hill zone is about 37% from the total surface of the county and is represented by sub-Carpathians(external and internal). The plain zone is about (37%) and is representedby Ploiesti Plain. The local unevenness of the ground throughoutthe county is 2200 m and due to this difference in levels, there are distinct floors characterisedby typical climate, flora and fauna. 3.3 Elements of Geology The road Paltinoasais situated in the Grohotis Mountains (see Figure 1). These mountainsbelong to the Curving CarpathianMountains. From the geological point of view the road is located in sedimentaryformations, belongingto lower Cretacic strata and mostly covered by adobe (Sinaia Strata). The main geophysicalcharacteristics of the zone are, [5]: EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest Road Paltinoasa Page 10 Figure 1. Geologyin Prahova County LEGEND N 3 sands, sandstones, marl sandstones, marl and argillaceous slates limcstones, marl sandstones, slates and clay with salt blocks and gypsum Oligocene: arenaceous rocks with slaty sandwich and sandstone conglomerates Cretacic strata limestone (Sinaia strata) i Jurassic limestone Figure 2. Relief in the Zone of Prahova County scale I 500000 \ 3Vf. hab9 a re / 1 ij ,j ®era$u ero 0 20ll0i 300bu I 10 o 100 200 300 500 1000I0 ~1300 ~1600 27000 2400 pest 2400mn Forestry DevelopmentProgram * Conventionalpressure: 750 daN/sq.cm * Maximumlevel of groundwater: 1.5m 3.4 Seismic Potential in the Zone According to standard P100/1992 "Codes for Anti-Seismic Projection of Buildings and Constructions" the Paltinoasa zone is registered in zone "B" which is characterisedthrough: * - seismicity (acceleration)coefficient =0.25 * T - wedge period = 1.0 second The seismic degree is of 8 (eight). 3.5 Types of Soil and its Utilisation There are a variety of soil types distributionsthroughout the county. There are alluvial soils, brown soils and argillaceoussoils. In the zone in discussionthere are brown, acid brown and podzolite argillaceous-illuvialbrown soils. The main problems of soil use in the zone are related to water courses regulation, preventionand fighting against soil erosion, especially of slopes, [4]. 3.6 Water Resources The zone in discussionbelongs to the river Prahovatributary area. Prahova River springs from "Pasul Predealului" in Brasov county at 1032 m altitude and flows through the county of Prahova after 6 km. It is 165 km long and after leaving the county the tributary area amounts to 3,046 sq.km. On the county territory, the average gradient of the river is 6.2%o,[4]. The most importanttributary is Doftanariver which springs from Grohotis Mountain at 1450 m altitude. It is 47 km long and it has 408 sq. km of basin surface. On the county territory,the average gradient of the river is 24.6%o. The river Paltinoasadischarges its water in Doftanariver. The average river density in the county is 0.4 km/sq.km lower than the average value in the country, that is 0.5 km/sq.km,[3]. The biggest reservoir of the county is Paltinu on the Doftana Valley. It has a volume of 5.6 million cu.m and a surface of 196 ha. EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest Road Paltinoasa Page 11 Forestry DevelopmentProgram 3.7 Climate The territory of Prahova County is 80 percent with a continental type (the RomanianPlain and sub-Carpathianszones) and 20 percentexposed to moderate - continentalclimate (mountainouszones). For the mountainous sector it is characteristicto meet cool summers, with high precipitation value and cold winter. The solar radiation is 125 kcal/sq.cm.yearin plain zones and 110 kcal/sq.cm.yearat the high level - mountainouszones. The annual mean temperatures place the county between isothermof 10.0 °C in the plain zone, 9.3 °C at Campinaand 0 °C at top mountains. The mean temperatureof the: - warmest month of the year (July) is +19.6 °C at Campina - coldest monthof the year (January)is -1.9 °C at Campina The minimum temperature value registeredat Campinawas -26.6 °C on the 24th of February1942. The maximum temperature value registered at Campina was +37.8 °C registered on the 7 th of September 1946. The annual number of frozen days exceeds 101 in plain zone, 115 in hill zone and 154 on the highest points of the mountains. Precipitationvalues are increasing with the altitude. The average values are 776 mm at Campina,805.9 mm at Doftana,808 mm at Sinaia. The yearly average frequenciesof wind directionsare 15.2% for NW, 9.9% for N. The wind velocities (annual average values) are 2.4-3.1 m/s at Campina and 0.5- 4.6 m/s at Sinaia. 3.8 Flora and Fauna Flora and fauna are defined by meansof the altitude.The zone of deciduoustrees lies from sub-Carpathianmountains to Carpathianmountains zone The forest contains mainly beech (Fagus silvatica) which has favourable climate and soil conditionsfor growing. There are meadows inserted in the forest area where flora is rich in species like Asperu/a odorata, Anemone nemerosa, Anemone ranunculoides,Corydalis cava, Geraniumropertianum, Galeobdolon luteum, etc. Fauna has a large diversity in the zone. The most attractive for hunting are mammals representedby dears, bears, lynx, wild boar, wolf, hares, hazelhen,etc. EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest Road Paltinoasa Page 12 Forestry DevelopmentProgram The forestry operation personnel use to organise special places in the forest where food for bears, dears and other animals is conveyed, especially in the autumn and winter seasons. 4 ProposedProject Works The forest road Paltinoasa is connected to the county road Campina-Valea Doftanei in the zone of the viaduct Paltinoasa.After this connection,going up, the road is located on the left side of the river Paltinoasa till the Elvis Valley going another 1 km on the left side of Elvis Valley (see the map in Figure 3). Hm 0+0.00 is at the intersection of the road Campina-ValeaDoftanei with the forest road Paltinoasa(Photography 1). The end point is located at hm 78+50.00. The forest road Paltinoasa was put into operation in 1967. In 1974, due to the flood, the following effects occurred: * Platformtearing; * Road abutmentdestroyed; * Scouringand bridgestearing; * Slope stability affected (on some portions); * Land slides; * Colmatageof bridges; * Superstructuredegradation; clogging of culverts. There are zones on the road where the geometrical elements (platform widths, reduced radius curves) do not correspondto its function and other zones without any abutment works for assuring safety conditions against flood storm. Besides some bridges are not provided with stepped energy destroying spillway, and plates. This caused improperwater flow during heavy rain when water flooded the road destroyingthe road superstructure. A short description of the existing state of the forest Paltinoasa is given by exemplificationin the series of the photographyshown in the following pages. In some zones it is necessary to provide bridges in order to avoid the superstructure degradation. Some over-crossings on the main valley do not correspondto the necessaryrequirements regarding their dimensions. In this context,the following technicalsolutions have been proposed: * Breastworksof slopes with gabions * Earthworks(including ruts reconstruction) * Replacing the not correspondingexisting bridges with new ones which are to be dimensioned according to the indications of the National Company "RomanianWaters" * Abutment walls * Gabions EnvironmentalAssessment for the ForestRoad Paltinoasa Page 13 ;3~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ <' -ez-~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~¾ PCSFi Figure 3. Paltinoasa Forest Road Layout road to Photo no. 1 - Connection point of Paltinoasa forest road to the county Doftana (hm 0+0.00). Photo no. 2 - The road zone rebuilt in the last year, when the torrent (rain storm flow) destroyedthe structure. This zone of the road is used by the people from Bertea and Pietriceaualocalities to go to the urban area. The road subjectedto the project goes to the left (wherethe car is stopped). Photo no. 3 - The same zone as shown in Photo 2 but here is shown how narrow is the road at the curve. Practicallya normal lorry could not pass this zone. Photo no. 4 - A bridge recentlyrebuilt after it had been destroyedlast year. It is the last point accessibleusing a light vehicle. Under the actualbridge the former destroyedbridge can be seen. Photo no. 5 - A destroyed culvert During the heavy rain period the torrent flows on the road flushing what has been remained.The road is accessible only by foot in the dry weather. In the left corner at the bottom of photo it can be observedhow the road is sunk due to the water storm. ~~~~~~~~~~Poono. 6 - P oo5i eal Photo no. 7 - A zone of the road ready to breakdown requiring breastworks. The road is narrow in this zone and it cannot use. Photo no. 8 - The road is broken by the storm flow. The existingbreastwork is flushed by the torrent and the road is not accessible,even by foot. Photo no. 9 - The road is sunk. No way to go ahead. Only in the dry weather by foot. Photo no. 10 - The state of the road at about 5 km distance from hm 0+0.00. The road is sunk. Down more than a hundred metre below the river Paltinoasa is bumpy. Even the trees were removed by the storm flow of the torrent scouring effect. Forestry DevelopmentProgram * New bridges Additional works are necessaryfor the regulationof torrents crossing the road. All the valleys located along the river are put into evidencein the map of Figure 3. The main geometricalelements for the designedforest road are: * Road length:7,850 km. The road is to be rehabilitatedon the whole length being seriously deteriorated. * Design speed of vehicles: 15 km/h; * The road width: - For declivity lower than 9% / The platformwidth: 4.00 m; V The wheeling part: 2.75 m; - For declivity between9% and 12%: v The platformwidth: 4.00 m; V The passable:3.00 m; * The minimumradius at curves: 15.0 m; * The maximumdeclivity with loaded vehicles:7.00%; * The maximumdeclivity with unloadedvehicles: 12.00%; The work preparation consists of: locating of road axis and the geometrical elements of the future road, defining the abutment walls, the axis of bridges, cleaning the placement of leaves, branches, deforesting of road reservation, removal of knobs and stones which are not well stabilised on the slopes, constructionof steps. Deforestationconsists of removal of forestryvegetation-trees and shrubs from the future road reservationforming a corridor necessary for the road construction in safety conditionsand for protectionagainst fire. Earthworkswill be achieved by respecting the technical norms-C182-82,namely 10 percent-manually and 90 percent-mechanically,by using bulldozers and excavators. Excavationof earth is to be made by using bulldozers. In the zones, where necessary,the exceeding soil or where soil slopes are high, the excavator is to be used. The transport in the embankmenton the profile, for the length compensationand in the storage place will be done-upto 50 m distance-withbulldozers, up to 1 km - with a tractor providedwith the trailer and over 1 km distance using tip lorry. Compactionwill be achieved mechanicallywith compaction roller on large zones and by hand in narrow zones-at the ending parts of bridges. Rut diggings will be made mechanically,with the road grader, or by hand at the ending parts of bridges. For the zones where cut and fill could not be compensated,the deficit is covered from the borrow pit. A typical cross sections of the designedroad is shown in Figure 4. EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest Road Paltinoasa Page 14 Figure 4. Typical Cross Sections of the Designed Road a) Foundation on soil zones i 3-50 0.30 0.675 0.375 2.75 0.375 -i -4 4- 4.0 0r10ed stones surface Overhangingstep 10cmtkins matehal for incsasing hetearingb capacity \15 cm thickness I rsed stone surface 1cm thickness ti ~~~~- ~b) Foundation on stone zones A t ~0.90 _ 0D375 't2.75 o.375,. t >5l| _o~~*.D%Verges of pebbles 0N r r~~~~ Crushedstonessufc t0 cm thicknff Forestry DevelopmentProgram The project provides the earthworks in stones to be achieved by blasting. It must be pointed out that blasting is to be applied for tearing but not for throwing out. After blasting and broad iron wedging the bulldozerwill transportthe material on a distance less than 50 m and the tractor on a distance longer than 50m. The refillingsare to be mechanicallycompacted, and the ruts are to be constructedby means of blasting and compressed air pickhammer. The earthworks in soil amountsto 23,000 cu.m and in stone-3,550cu.m. In the wet zones along the forest road, where the bearing capacity is reduced, drainage material is used in order to increasethe supporting capacity.The ballast will be conveyed by the ECSH Prahova located at 15 km distance.The volume of ballast to be used in the earthworksis 1,620cu.m. The abutmentand consolidationworks for slope in the backfill protection and the road platform protection against erosion are provided with constructionelements that could uptake the local scouringeffects. Abutmentwalls made by boulders in embankmentsand cuttings are provided.The abutmentwalls will totalling a volume of 810 cu.m, [5]. Gabions used for the embankmentsare boxes placed on fascines bed of 30 cm thickness having a free end of 50 cm toward the riverbed. The total volume of gabions is 680 cu.m. The slope revetmentis to make with galvanisedwire net and a filling with raw boulders and concrete.The total volume of this type of works is 70 cu.m, [5]. The culverts are to be paved with river boulders placed in the zones with a low slope. The volume of these works amountsof 115 cu.m, [5]. The road transport system is to be made using the local materials.The works will consist of crushed stone surface with ballast-540 cu.m and with broken stone- 6480 cu.m, [5]. The works will be achievedmechanically by using the road grader for spreading and levelling, the auto-water reservoirs and the compactionrollers. The road transport system adopted on 600 m - length is with crushed stone surface and a single layer of ballast with 15 cm - thickness. The remaining length -7,850 m will be constructedwith a crushed stone surface and a single layer of 10 cm thickness consisting of poligranularpebble-0/70 mm. For the first type of road transport system the ballast volume of 540 cu.m is needed and for the second type of the road system-6480 cu.m of crushed stones/pebbleis needed,[5]. The art works will consist of 45 culverts made by tubes of 1 m-diameter,totalling a length of 360 m and 5 slab culverts with a total opening of 12 m. The culverts comprise three parts: foundation, the tube-1 m in diameter-madeby prestressed centrifugedconcrete and the connectionto the earthworksis made by tympanums and water inlets the upstreamtympanum are provided with flaring wall wings for assuring a good inlet and the downstreamtympanum are nor reamed up as the others. The erosion of the bottom,between the wall wings is avoidedby providing standard trench fill revetment. EnvironmentalAssessment for the ForestRoad Paltinoasa Page 15 ForestryDevelopment Program Where importantdislevelment exists the connectionwith the natural ground will be made by underpinningwith raw stones under the foundation layer. The slab culverts are hydraulically dimensioned with the foundation made by simple concrete and the elevation consists of bridge abutment made by boulders with cement mortar. The bridge deck will be a prefab slab made by reinforced concrete.The deck is to be checked with the forest road train ATF 25 tonnes. The bridge elementswill be mounted by meansof cranes. The technical solutions and the constructiontechnologies comprise measures for the environmentprotection. The ballast for the road system will be transported from Bobolina gravel pit on a distance of 35 km. The ballast for mortar and concrete preparation for breastworks,art works and other works will be transportedfrom ECSH Prahova gravel pit on a distance of 15 km. From the same gravel pit the crushed stones and boulders will be also transportedon the same distance. The concrete and mortar are to be preparedand transportedon 5 km distance. The prefab and the other industrial materials will be transported by means of railway to Campina town and afterwards by means of road vehicles on 25 km distance. 5 Scope of Work for the EnvironmentalAssessment 5.1 Backgroundto the EnvironmentalAssessment of the "Rehabilitationof Forest Road Paltinoasa" Romania is undergoingtransition from a command to a free-market economy.In the forest sector this will involve, inter alia, the return of a significant proportionof the forest estate to private ownership ("restitution"),and structural changes in the forest administrationand whole forest-to-marketchain. The process is attended by potential significantrisks of unsustainablemanagement. At present, a World Bank-sponsoredForestry Development Program (FDP) is under preparation.The FDP have four components: Component I - Development of public sector capacity to support sustainable forest management: * Establishinga forest inspectorate * Establishinga forest informationand monitoringsystem Component2 - Sector development: * Reform of the national Forest Administration(NFA) * Establishinga privateforest owners association * Establishinga businessdevelopment and advisory servicewithin MAFF EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest Road Paltinoasa Page 16 ForestryDevelopment Program * Physical infrastructure,specifically environmentally-sound forest roads Component3 - Public awareness Component4 - Project managementand monitoring The principal outputs of the project preparation contract will be a Project ImplementationPlan and draft Project Appraisal Document in accordance with Bank guidelines. 5.2 Scope of the EA The EA follows the EEC Council Directives (CD) 85133/EEC27 June 1985, on Assessment of the Effects of Certain Public and private Projects on the Environment and 97/117/EC of 3 March 1997, Amending Directive 85/33/EEC, and local standards given by the Ministry of Waters and EnvironmentalProtection of Romania. The EA is subject to approval according to both Romania regulations (MO 125/1995)and EEC standards.Towards this end, a Romanian version of the EA was preparedparallel to the Englishone. The informationprovided by the Consultantsincludes: • A descriptionof existing conditions * An outline of the main alternatives studied and an indication of the main reasons for this choice,taking into accountthe environmentaleffects, and * A preliminarydescription of the proposedProject comprisinginformation on the site, design and size * As requested, comparison between EC and Romanian environmental legislationas a special chapterof the EA. * A descriptionof the measuresenvisaged to avoid, reduce and, where possible, remedysignificant adverse environmentaleffects; * A non-technicalsummary of this information. 5.3 RegulatoryFramework and ApplicableGuidelines 5.3.1 Council Directive 85/337/EEC 27 June 1985 on assessmentsof certain public and privateprojects on the environment,and the AmendingDirective CD 97/11/EC 3 March 1997 Council Directive 8513371EEC27 June 1985 "On Assessmentsof Certain Public and Private Projects on the Environment"introduces a systemfor the assessment of the environmentaleffects of those public and private projects,which are likely to have significant effects on the environment.It was amended by CD 97/11/EC 3 March 1997 and stipulates that Member States should adopt all measures necessary to ensure that, before consent is given, projects likely to have significanteffects on the environmentby virtue of their nature, size, or locationare made subject to an environmentalimpact assessment with regard to their effects. EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest Road Paltinoasa Page 17 Forestry DevelopmentProgram The environmentalimpact assessmentwill identify, describe, and assess for each individual case and in accordancewith the Articles 4 to 11 of the CD, the direct and indirect effects of a projecton the following factors: * Hunan beings,fauna and flora * Soil, water, air, climateand the landscape * The inter-actionbetween the factors mentionedabove * Material assets and cultural heritage According to this EC Directive,environmental impact assessmentsshould include: * A description of the physical characteristic of the whole project and the land- use requirementsduring the constructionand operational phase * A descriptionof the main characteristicsof the processes,for instance,nature and quality of the materialsused * An estimate, by type and quantity, of expected residues and emissions (water, air and soil pollution, noise and vibration, light, heat, radiation, etc.) resulting from the operationof the proposedproject * An outline of the main alternativestudied by the developerand an indication of the main reasons for his choice,taking into accountthe environmentaleffects * Descriptionof the aspects of the environmentlikely to be significantlyaffected by the proposed project, including, in particular, population, fauna, flora, soil, water, air, climatic factors, material assets, including the architectural and archaeological heritage, landscape and the inter-relationship between the above factors . Description of the likely significant effects of the proposed project on the environment resulting from the existence of the project, the use of natural resources, the emission of pollutants, the creation of nuisances and the elimination of waste; and the description by the developer of the forecasting methodsused to assess the effects on the environment * Descriptionof the measure envisaged to prevent, reduce and where possible offset any significantadverse effects on the environment * A non-technical summary of the information provided under the above headings * An indication of any difficulties (technical deficiencies or lack of know-how) encounteredby the developerin compilingthe required information This description should cover the direct effects and any indirect, secondary, cumulative,short, medium,and long-term,permanent and temporary,positive and negative effects of the project. 5.3.2 Romanian EnvironmentalAssessment Regulations Romanian legislation is relatively new, dating from 1995. Legislation containing guidance on environmental protection and management relative to this Project includes: * Law No.137,29 December1995 on environmentalprotection * Law 107, 25 September1996 on water * Order 125, 19 March 1996 outlining regulatory procedures for social and economicactivities with potential impact on the environment EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest Road Paltinoasa Page 18 Forestry DevelopmentProgram * Order 185 on environmentalauditing Order 125, 19 March 1996 outlining regulatoryprocedures for social and economic activities with potential impact on the environment, provides guidance to the environmental screening of proposed Projects, the preparation of a preliminary environmentalimpact assessment,the contents and methodologyof EAs, as well as permitting and approval procedures. It also contains provisionfor actionsto be taken to comply with stipulations contained in the EnvironmentalAgreement or Consent. EA must contain: * Project description with data on the raw materials to be used and the waste productsthat will result * A site plan showingaccess * The relationshipof the proposedproject to local developmentplans * Detailedland use survey analysis * Baseline data on geology, soils, water resources, climate, air, aquatic an terrestrial ecology,vegetation * Cultural resourcesand demography * Potential positive and negative impacts, including polluting emissions, noise and vibrations, on all environmentalmedia, water, air, soil as well as human settlements * Risks * The regulatoryframework * Mitigation measures * Recommendations The EA is submitted to the relevant authorities for review and approval. Five flowcharts describing review procedures are attached to the law. This law is comparableto CouncilDirective 85/337/EEC 6 Identificationof PossibleImpacts 6.1 Impacts During the Construction Period (Short Term Impact) Forest roads are major engineering structuresand can absorb a high portion of all investments in forest management. The major impact on the environment is expectedto be felt during the constructionperiod of time. The following constructionworks will generate environmentalimpacts: * Works preparation * Earthworks * Site stabilisation * River embankmentregulation * Culverts * Bridges * Abutmentwalls EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest Road Paltinoasa Page 19 Forestry DevelopmentProgram * Transportationof materials * Blastingfor stone or knob removal * Depositing of fuels or construction materials and current maintenance of mechanicalequipment * Deforestation Construction works related to the activities listed above will be required to be carried out accordingto internationaland Romanianstandards, providing safe and adequate temporarypaths for workers. Permissionto carry out constructionworks from the local Council will be obtained. Care will be taken to prevent loss of soil, stones, or other release of materialor waste to local water bodies. The works will generate noise and dust during the construction period of time. Construction works will include earthworks, excavation, fillings, compaction, levelling of the areas, casting of concrete.The negative effects will be only in this area, and temporary. The overall constructionperiod of the proposedProject is estimatedto be one-two years. However, most potentially sensitive receptors will only be affected in a localised sense for the period of time when work on the water embankment regulation,for example, occurs in the immediatevicinity. The impact is mainly directed to the potential accidents during the construction period of time. That is why special work protectionmeasures shall be taken. It must be pointed out that during the constructionperiod of time the only way the people from localities Bertea and Pietriceaua(Brebu parish) could go to and from DoftanaValley and Campinawill be disturbed,or even interrupted.This will create more complicated situations. That is why special measures to assure the people safety passage should be taken. The populationpossible to be affected during the road construction is 1,500 inhabitants in the village Pietriceaua, plus 3,500 inhabitantsliving in the parish Bertea. Although there is quite a long distance (25 km) from Paltinoasa river to Doftana River and then to Paltinu impoundmentreservoir, one cannot help telling that there is no danger to pollute the water lake. In addition to energy production,the lake Paltinu has also the function of water supply of Ploiesti - the capital of the county (population: 253623, [1]). That is why the interdiction of handling hazardous materials should be stated. A summary of preliminary assessmentof potential constructionphase impactson environment resulting from the proposed actions, as these are currently understoodis presentedin Table 6.1. EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest Road Paltinoasa Page 20 Forestry DevelopmentProgram Table 6.1 - Summaryof Key ConstructionPeriod Impacts Effects Impact Level POSITIVE ___ Social and economic effects due to employment M opportunities in construction works Institutional effects due to implementation of the locally H based EA review process and public information program NEGATIVE Risks of accidents H Blocked access to and from the localities Bertea and H Pietriceaua(about 5,000 inhabitants) Decrementof water quality downstreamdue to the handling H of excavated material, soil loss and crushed stones to adjacent body and fillings, levelling and other earthworks, slope stabilisation, culverts, bridges, abutment walls, transportation and work preparation; discharged from the workers Risk of pollution accidents with consequenceson the water L supply systemof Ploiesti town Noise impacts on fauna (influencinghunting activities) H Dust emission and construction waste disposal will affect M the air, water and soil quality Visual impact M Traffic disruption H High cost of the necessaryworks for road erection H H - High M - Moderate L - Low As it is shown in the respective table, there will be employment opportunitiesin construction works. It is estimated that with the construction works a number of 102 personswill be employed,[5]. As negative effects it should be pointed out that the risk of accidents during the construction works is one of the major impacts of the road to be rehabilitated. Another negative effect is the disturbance, or in some cases interruptionof the way of access to Valea Doftaneior Campinaof the populationliving in Berteaand Pietriceaualocalities, where about 5,000 people will be affected. Of course, the existing fauna in the zone will be disturbed influencingin a negative way hunting. Due to the dust spread within the respective area the visual impact should be markedas negative. Although there is a low probability to have an accident in the working area affecting Paltinu impoundmentreservoir it is necessary to prevent an eventually pollution accident upstream. EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest Road Paltinoasa Page 21 Forestry DevelopmentProgram It is importantto mention the high value of the investment,namely, about 5 million USD, of which 73.5 percentrepresents the erection works. As it can be seen the temporary impacts from construction activities are deemed of major importanceso, special measures are to be taken. 6.2 Impacts During the OperationalPeriod (Long TermImpact) Environmental negative effects will be generated from the following operational activities: * Transportationof harvestedwood * Transportation of persons and goods from and to the localities Bertea and Pietriceauafrom an to the downstreamzones Campinaand other localities * Maintenanceof the road surface: * Regravellingof road surfaces * Breastworksfor erosion avoidanceor alleviation * Maintainingworks for cleaning ruts and culvertsto avoid colmatage * Supervisingand repairmenof bridges abutments * Monitoring A summary of the operational phase impactsof the project actions is presentedin Table 6.2. Table 6.2 - Summaryof Key OperationalPeriod Impacts Effects Impact level POSITIVE More safety driving and reducing the risks of accidents. H Increasedsite security Makes possible access to the forest area for exploitation and H maintenanceof forest. The quantityof wood transportedto the place where is turned to good is increased Social and economicaleffects due to tourism developmentand H other inducedactivities Social and economical effects by creating employment M opportunitiesin the forestry sector Possible access for interventionsin the cases of fire or natural M accidents Access to degraded areas for rehabilitation M Preventionof future and further erosion of stream banks H Economicaccess to fallen trees L Institutional impacts due to improving the ability of local H stakeholdersto collaborateon environmentalissues NEGATIVE Soil or water contaminationby fuel and oil handling H Solid wastes H EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest Road Paltinoasa Page 22 ForestryDevelopment Program Noise emission in various sensitive areas where the wildlife is H disturbed Dust emission H Gases emission (NMVOC, HC, lead) by increasing the total M traffic and lorries Risk of accidents M Risk on water supply system, downstream L H - High M - Moderate L - Low Positive effects are very important and in spite of the fact that the works for rehabilitationare quite expensivesome clear advantageappear to be evident. It goes without saying that the rehabilitatedforest road will make possible the reopening of an important forestry area for exploitation, maintaining and development of forest health in the respective zone. Forest access continuity will be assured under the increased safety conditions and decreased risks of accidents. Since 1974 the forest road has not been used for the transportof woos, persons or other goods. By reopening the transport activity on Paltinoasa forest road the wood mass- produced will be increased with 6,500 thousand cu.m per year. Besides, other social and economicaleffects will be obtained: * Tourism developmentin the zone; * Material of construction; * Employmentopportunities; * Developmentof transport of persons and goods At least 27 persons will be employed after the project implementationas it follows [51: * Silviculture:5 persons * Forest operation:20 persons * Road maintenanceand repairmen:2 persons * Other domains (mediumand small companies,etc.) In the zone of the proposed project the population is mainly involved in the following productionactivities: 80 percent- in silviculturesector 20 percent- in industry,agriculture, tourism By putting in operation Paltinoasa forest road it will be possible to make interventionsin case of fire or in the case of natural accidents on a forest area of 1,360ha. The negative effects consist mainly in soil, water and air pollution by the transportationactivity. EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest Road Paltinoasa Page 23 Forestry DevelopmentProgram Most of the impact levels are high, namely the impacts created by fuel and oil handling, solid wastes coming from wood transport and harvestingand especially from soil disruption on slopes and the road system and noise, dust and gases emissions. Flora and fauna will receive the main impact. Although the safety conditionsof traffic will be improved, the risks of accidents still exist. Besides, special measures should be taken in order to assure the safety conditions of raw water quality abstracted from Paltinu Lake for water supply of Ploiesti. It goes without saying that positive effects are predominant while judging the project of rehabilitationof the forest road Paltinoasa. Although separation ("fencing") effect exists due to the existing road, by implementing the project proposed this effect would be alleviated. From the information received from the local forester, during the winter season the personnel from the forest administration use to convey with food in special organised places the animals living in the zone. By rehabilitatingthe forest road this activity will be enhanced. The rehabilitation of the forest road Paltinoasa will improve the overall environment and the operation conditions on the forest area in the respective zone. Occupationalhealth and safety of the workers will be improved,especially through the provision of the new rehabilitatedroad infrastructure,new hydraulicstructures and the new safe equipment. The rehabilitation of the existing forest road Paltinoasa is evaluated as neutral against the historicaland cultural heritage. If the forest road Paltinoasawill not be rehabilitatedthe following negative effects are mentioned: * The forestry stock structure will continueto be disturbed; * The wood volume extracted annuallywill be diminishedwith 6,500 cu.m; * 11400 cu.m of existing trees that could be extracted will be depreciatedif the trees are not extractedin the proper time; * The raw material for the industrialmanufacturing will be reduced. EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest Road Paltinoasa Page24 Forestry DevelopmentProgram 7 Proposed Measures to Prevent, Reduce or Mitigate the NegativeEffects of the ProjectImplementation 7.1 Public Participation The public attitude is positive,at present. By the project implementationthe local population will have benefits due to the investment effects. The project is taken up by the population segment opportunities. This population is traditionally related, especially to the forestry sector. This sector influenceseconomically and socially the respectivezone. The achievementsof this investmentwill revigoratethe economicactivity in the zone, especially in the forestry sector. The mayoraltiesin the zone (Campina,Valea Doftanei, Brebu, Bertea)are keen to implementthe proposedproject. 7.2 Proposed Measures 7.2.1 Water Quality Protection To protect water quality special measures must be taken during the construction and operationalphases. The following main measureshave been provided: - Interdictionthe dischargehazardous waste on the territory of the road zone or in another part of the county, accordingto the existing legislation; - The domesticwastewater is recommendedto be dischargedin a cesspool,and periodicallyextracted and transportedto the nearestWWTP (e.g. Campina); - Fuel, oil and construction materials storage in special placement. Special places are to be designedfor the current maintenanceof mechanicequipment. The common feature of these special places is to provide the necessary facilities for avoiding spreading the combustible materials and wastes, by random; * The materials provided or resulted from earthworks or river embankments regulationwill be placed outside the river bed; * The materials resulted from deforestationor from cleaning the waterbedswill be stored in such a way that they would not be carried out by the storm water flows; * The operation personnelwill clean the water courses flowing in the zone of the road picking up the waste resultingfrom the forest operationactivities; * Daily inspection will be made on site during the constructionand operational phase for detecting accidents if they appear. In case that the pollution accidentswould be observed, the downstreamwater users must be alarmed in time as short as possible; * The inspection must be also by observing the slopes along the road. In the event that some phenomenaare observed (land sliding, boulders on the road, etc.) the responsibleauthorities must be alarmedas fast as possible. EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest Road Paltinoasa Page 25 Forestry DevelopmentProgram 7.2.2 Health and SafetyRisks * The reductionof health and safety risks for staff currentlyworking in the system should be addressed through a training program aimed at developing and implementing improved standard operating and maintenance manuals. There are needs to be focused, includingthe provision and use of personalprotective equipmentand other things, many as simple as requiring the presence and use of seatbelts in company vehicles. Time does not permit treating this in any further detail, but it was observed to be an important issue to be addressedin the future. A company-wide environmental management system would naturally contain comprehensive guidance on operational health and safety issues. * Piers for traffic orientationwill be providedon the road shoulder(15-25 cm from the brink of the road). * Bollardsmarking km and hm will be also provided. * A light concretefence will be constructedalong the road on the external side of the road. * Indicatorsfor traffic orientationand regulationwill be providedas it follows: - For warningabout the dangerousplaces; - For interdiction; - For showingthe obligatorydirection; - For orientationand for other issues. e Appropriate equipment-dozerswith front-buckets (tracked loader) should be used. Special measures shall be taken in order to avoid site damages and operatorswith specifictraining in road constructionwill be chosenfor working. e Blasting is to be avoided. Hydraulic rock-breakers mounted on excavatorsto minimise site damage and hazards to construction crews are recommendedto be used. Dump trucks rather than bulldozersshall be used. * New constructedsurfaces is to be revegetatedusing hydroseeding. * Personnel will use adequate protective equipment (gloves, safety foot wear, hard hats). * Usually the drainage structures-culverts and bridges- is well established: standard culverts are box-section, with reinforced concrete slab decks on masonryabutments; this design is simple and not prone to blockingby debris. * An environmentalmanagement plan is to be set up. * To the degree possible, the implementationof the environmentalmanagement plan should be fully integrated into the internal set of environmental managementactivities to be conducted in the future by operationalcompany. The preliminary environmental managementplan is divided into three parts: antecedent conditions, construction phase issues, operational phase issues. The constructionand operationalphase impact section have been written as if the antecedentsare in place. * The earthworks will not be started before the road territory had been deforested and cleaned.The rest of woods shall be removed in order to avoid the accidents. EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest Road Paltinoasa Page 26 Forestry DevelopmentProgram * It is recommendableto stop the construction works during the periods of snowing when the road reservation, verges and the adjacent area is covered by snow. * In special cases the constructor will ask the designer to solve the problems appeared on site. In special cases, in dangeroussituations, the constructorwill stop all activities, drawingback the workers and the equipment. 7.2.3 Education People in the zone should be told/explainedabout the importanceof the roadsfor the economy in the zone. Besides, other advantages are to be expected (e.g. forest access continuity,recreation, etc.). It seems this measure is necessary. The measuresproposed to be taken for reducingthe environmentalimpact of the rehabilitationof the forest road Paltinoasaare presentedin Table 7.1, below. Table 7-1- The MeasuresProposed for the Reductionof the Project Impact on the Environment ProjectImpact and ProposedMitigation or SupportingActions Required PositiveEffects Preparation Improvement of the Issues mandate for Environmental Protection On the Job operation company Department to be responsible on behalf of the Training/Technica capabilities to perform operationalcompany I Assistance with environmental finalising the managementactivities environmental managementplan Improvementof the Form an environmental management plan Seminars or ability of local Stakeholders Committee and have regular workshopson the stakeholders to meetings environmental collaborate on managementplan environmental management Improvementof the Submitthe environmentalimpact assessment study Handover and abilityto implementa to receivethe consentfrom the localenvironmental intermittent locally based EA authority supportfrom local review process and EPI public information DevelopPublic Information Program Preparation of program approach to Public Involvement CONSTRUCTIONPHASE IMPACTS Employment Utiliselocal labour resources Notify contractors opportunities of this requirement Security, health and * Dailyinspection on site safetyof workers * Alarmingthe potentialoffenders about the danger * Set up a comprehensiveguidance on operational healthand safety issues * Trained workers in road constructionwill be chosen EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest Road Paltinoasa Page 27 Forestry DevelopmentProgram * Blasting is to be avoided as much as possible. If not, throwing up materials blasting must not be used. Hydraulic rock breakers mounted on excavatorsto minimisesite damage and hazards to construction crews are recommended to be used * Dump trucks ratherthan bulldozersshall be used * Personnelwill use adequate protective equipment (gloves,safety footwear, hard hat) * The earthworkswill not be started before the road territory had been deforested and cleaned. The rest of woods shall be removed in order to avoid the accidents. * It is recommendable to stop the construction works during the periods of snowing when the road reservation,verges and the adjacent area is covered by snow. * In special cases the constructor will ask the designer to solve the problems appearedon site. In special cases, in dangerous situations, the constructor will stop all activities, drawing back the workers and the equipment. Noise Restrict working hours, require mufflers on equipment Dust Controlled excavation;cover haul trucks carrying fill Contract ______material specification Blocked accessto and Temporarypassage Potential affected from the localities publicwaming Bertea and Pietriceanu (about 5,000 inhabitants) Water pollution from * Providingcesspool for wastewaterdischarged Contract untreatedwastewater * Periodicallyextraction of the cesspoolcontent specification; * Interdiction to discharge any wastewater into the Preparing of a river specific method for handling and disposing of wastewater if needed on the project basis Pollution to water Prohibit discharge or disposal of any construction Contract bodies by construction material into water or in major streambed specification material or by wrong fuel and oil handling and storage Risk of pollution * Inspectionof sites Warning plates accidents with * Interdictionof handlingof hazardousmaterials support from local consequences on the EPI water supply system of Ploiestitown Visual impacts Complete construction in as short a time as Contract possible; keep constructionsite as tidy as possible specification Operationalphase impacts Risk of road transport Maintainingthe following accessories: Routine accidents * Piers for traffic orientation monitoring * Bollards Contract * Road fencing specification * Traffic indicators (for warning, interdiction,etc.) Health and safety * Inspection must be observing the slopes along Guidance on Environmental Assessment for the Forest Road Paltinoasa Page 28 ForestryDevelopment Program rsks for staff currently the road operationalhealth working in the road a Useof protectiveequipment andsafety system . Otheradequate operations for workprotection Soil and water . Continuousmonitoring Contract contaminationby fuel . Interdictionof fuel or lubrcantsdischarges on soil specification and lubricants or intowater handling Impacts to soil and * Minimisepoints through design Co-ordinate with water from the . Takecorrective actions responsible transportation . Cleaningthe water coursesin the zone, picking factors (EPI, activities up the waste resultingfrom the forest operation WaterAuthority) activities . Safetystorage of materals Noise impact from Continuousmonitoring Routine transportationmeans monitonng Dust . Continuousmonitoring Routine a Wetting the road surface in the dry weather monitonng period Visualimpacts . Choose colours and matenalsthat harmonise Conducts visual with surroundings impact analyses * useplanting for new a keep buildingsin goodrepair and tidy condition constructions Traffic disruption by . Regravellingroad surfaces Routine damages due to . Breastworksinspection and repairs monitorng floodedroad . Cleaning the colmatage (ruts, culverts, abutments) Risk of pollution a Inspectionof the roadzone Routine accidents with the . Interdictionof transport or use of hazardous monitorng effectson the WTPfor substances water supply of Ploiesti 8 Enforcement and Co-ordination Procedures There are many instances where the operational company cannot achieve the proposedenvironmental objectives alone. This will involve a co-ordinated effort between relevant authorities: e.g. MWEP (EPI), the respective operational company, the National Company "Romanian Waters" (Apele Romane), Local Council. Taking into account the results of EA of Paltinoasa forest rehabilitation the following conclusionsare stated: * The positive effects of the respective investmentare prevalentwhile comparing with the negativeeffects; * As far as the environmentalissues are concerned,the project is in accordance with the up to date requirementat the Internationallevel. EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest Road Paltinoasa Page29 Forestry DevelopmentProgram 9 Abbreviations ATF Auto Tren Forestier( Forest Road Train) EA Environmental Assessment (EA is the term used by the Bank for EnvironmentalImpact Assessment) EMP EnvironmentalManagement Plan EPI EnvironmentalProtection Inspectorate FDP Forest DevelopmentProgram GEF Global EnvironmentFacility HC Hydrocarbons hm hectometre(1 hm=l 00m) ICAS Forest Managementand Research Institute (Institutul de Cercetari si Amenajari Silvice) INL NationalWood Institute (Institutul Nationalal Lemnului) MAFF Ministry of Agriculture,Forest and Food MWEP Ministry of Water and EnvironmentalProtection NFA National ForestAdministration NFPS National ForestryPolicy and Strategy NMVOC Non MethaneVolatile Organic Compounds OS Ocolul Silvic (ForestryMaintenance and Operation District) UP Unitate de parchet WTP Water Treatment Plant WWTP WastewaterTreatment Plant 10 References [1] National Commission for Statistics-"RomanianStatistical Yearbook 1998", Bucharest2000 [2] CUCU,V., M.STEFAN,"Romania, Ghid-Atlasal MonumentelorIstorice, Editura Stiintifica, Bucuresti,1974 [3] UJVARI,I.,"Geografia apelor Romaniei",Editura stiintifica, Bucuresti, 1972 [4] POSEA, GR.et al., "EnciclopediaGeografica a Romaniei",Editura stiintifica si enciclopedica,Bucuresti, 1982 [5] INSTITUTULNATIONAL AL LEMNULUI(NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF WOOD), "Studiu de Fezabilitate Refacere drum forestier calamitat Paltinoasa", December, 2000 EnvironmentalAssessment for the Forest Road Paltinoasa Page 30