Advanced Science and Partnerships for Integrated Resource Development (ASPIRED)
WORK PLAN for YEAR 3
September 2017
This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. It was prepared by Mendez England & Associates.
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ADVANCED SCIENCE AND PARTNERSHIPS FOR INTEGRATED RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
WORK PLAN FOR YEAR 3
Approved– October 3, 2017
September 2017
Contract No. AID-OAA-I-14-00070/AID-111-TO-15-00001
Prepared for: Prepared by: United States Agency for International Mendez England and Associates (ME&A) Development 4300 Montgomery Ave. Armenia Mission Suite 103 1 American Avenue Bethesda, MD 20814 Yerevan 0082, Armenia Tel: +1 301 652 4334 Fax: +1 301.652.3733 www.mendezengland.com
Armenian Branch of ME&A 105/1 Teryan St., Suite 204, Yerevan 0009 Republic of Armenia Tel. +374 10 514 315 Fax: +374 10 514 317 Email: [email protected]
DISCLAIMER This report is made possible by the support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the sole responsibility of the Mendez England & Associates and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE 5 1. SUMMARY OF YEAR 2 RESULTS 7 2.1 CHALLENGES 11 2. YEAR 3 WORK PLAN 14 3.1 WATER RESOURCE DATA 14 3.1.1 SWCIS Strengthening 14 3.1.2 Applying Remote Sensing Technologies for Data Analysis 15 3.1.3 Enhancing the Decision-Support Tools for the Ararat Valley: DSS and Groundwater Model 15 3.1.4 Extending the National Reference Groundwater Monitoring Network in the Ararat Valley 17 3.1.5 Introducing an Automated Online System for Groundwater Use Monitoring 17 3.2 LOW COST AND WATER EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGY 18 3.2.1 Project Design and Procurement of Materials and Services 18 3.2.1.1 Quality Control 19 3.2.2 Aquaculture Technology Transfer Center 19 3.2.3 Water Reuse for Irrigation Project in Sayat-Nova Village 19 3.2.5 USAID Participatory Utilization and Resource Efficiency of Water Activity (PURE) 21 3.3 WATER REGULATION AND ENFORCEMENT 21 3.4 WATER RESOURCE STAKEHOLDER COORDINATION 22 3.5 COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH 24 4. OPERATIONS PLAN &IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE 26 4.1 DELIVERABLES 36 5. MONITORING AND EVALUATION PLAN 37 5.1 PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT PLAN 43 6.ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE 52
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LIST OF ACRONYMS
AAB Ararat Artesian Basin ASPIRED Advanced Science and Partnerships for Integrated Resource Development ATTC Aquaculture Technology Transfer Center AVC Armenian Volunteer Corps BMO Basin Management Organization CEW Clean Energy and Water CoP Chief of Party COR Contracting Officer’s Representative CORINE Coordination of Information on the Environment Coca-Cola HBC Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company CSR Corporate Social Responsibility DO Development objective DSS Decision Support System EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EC European Commission EIMC Environmental Impact Monitoring Center EMIC Environmental Monitoring and Information Center EMMP Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan ERGIS Environmental Research and GIS ESS Environmental Scoping Statement EU European Union FAO Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations FAR Federal Acquisition Regulation GIS Geographic Information System GOA Government of Armenia HMC Hydrogeological Monitoring Center ICARE International Center for Agribusiness Research and Education IEE Initial Environmental Examination IR Intermediate Result ITF Interagency Task Force The Lab US Global Development Lab ME&A Mendez England and Associates MoA Ministry of Agriculture MOU Memorandum of Understanding MNP Ministry of Nature Protection MoENR Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources NGO Non-Governmental Organization PEER Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research PMP Performance Management Plan QA/QC Quality Assurance and Quality Control SCADA Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition PSRC Public Services Regulatory Commission
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PURE Participatory Utilization and Resource Efficiency of Water Activity RFA Request for Approval SCWS State Committee on Water Systems SNCO State Non-Commercial Organization SOW Scope of Work STIP Science, Technology, Innovation and Partnerships SWCIS State Water Cadaster Information System TO Task Order WRMA Water Resources Management Agency WUA Water User Association WUP Water Use Permit UNDP-GEF The United Nations Development Programme Global Environment Facility USAID United States Agency for International Development USATF United States-Armenia Task Force USGS United States Geological Survey
PREFACE
On September 28, 2015, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) awarded a Cost- Plus-Fixed Fee completion type contract to Mendez England and Associates (ME&A) to implement the Advanced Science and Partnerships for Integrated Resource Development (ASPIRED) Project. The purpose of the project is to support sustainable water resource management and sustainable practices of the water users at the core of the water-energy nexus through the use of science, technology, innovation and partnerships approaches.
On September 15, 2016, USAID modified the ASPIRED Project Scope of Work (SoW). The ASPIRED contract was extended by 18 months from September 28, 2015 through September 27, 2020, and the budget was increased by $1,999,581.00 to a total of $4,991,630.00. The scope of the ASPIRED activities is broadened and some of the activities are complementary to the USAID Participatory Utilization and Resource Efficiency (PURE) Project. The Year 3 Work Plan also includes a part of activities designed in modification.
The objective of the project supports the USAID/Armenia Mission Goal, “A More Engaged Prosperous, and Well Governed Armenian Society”, and directly contributes to the following objectives of USAID Country Development Strategy 2013-2017:
Development Objective (DO) 1: More Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth; Sub-IR (Intermediate result) 1.1.3 More Strategic Management of Energy and Water Resources.
With a goal of reducing the rate of groundwater extraction in the Ararat Valley to sustainable levels, the ASPIRED Project will meet or exceed the following key performance indicators:
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• 23 stakeholders to be engaged in data collection activities; • 8 groundwater extraction reduction and EE/RE technologies to be piloted; • 2 technology for closure of illegal or non-operational wells to be demonstrated; • At least 5 small scale projects, leading to increased and sustained community water access, identified by the USAID PURE Project; • 100% (of total) wells to be mapped in the Ararat Valley; • 24% (of total) coverage of groundwater extraction points monitoring to be achieved; • 80% (of total) of datasets to be made publicly accessible.
The Year 3 Work Plan builds upon the experiences gained during the first two years of the ASPIRED Project, namely:
The need to increase resources under all 4 task areas; Provision of in-country human resources for the tasks at hand; Maximizing impact per dollar spent by using more effective tools for the job, i.e. limiting the use of international experts and maximizing the use of local and regional experts; Adjusting the project management strategy and structure to achieve the planned results, accommodating USAID’s Science, Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (STIP) Initiative, while seeking to improve both cost-effectiveness and long term sustainable impact in Armenia; Providing visibility of the project results through wide stakeholder outreach and coverage. Attracting more partners in all task areas of the Project.
This document is the result of a careful review and analysis of the key parameters guiding and/or affecting the ASPIRED Project. It includes the USAID Task Order (TO) and guidance from USAID, requirements in the Statement of Work proposed by USAID for cost extension, as well as actual on-the-ground experience in the successful implementation of the Project’s activities during the second year. The ASPIRED team assessed the project progress for Year 2 and made corresponding corrections where needed in the Year 3 Work Plan, including indicators in the Performance Management Plan (PMP). When assessing Year 2 progress, the ASPIRED team reviewed and analyzed many factors including achievements, challenges, lessons learned and changes in background conditions that have occurred during the implementation of Year 2 activities and are out of the Project manageable area. Finally, the ASPIRED team updated the Year 3 Work Plan to make the optimum deployment of the resources to successfully achieve all the project objectives for the period of October 1, 2017-September 30, 2018.
The Year 3 Work Plan contains an overview of the program strategy, implementation strategy, and project components for Year 3, highlighting specific changes and/or new developments in the ASPIRED Project for the Year 3 contract period. The document also includes updated operations plans combined with the project schedule of activities in the Gantt chart, organized based on the ASPIRED Project’s four components.
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The project activities described below are based on the four components of the Scope of Work (SOW) of the TO:
a. Water Resource Data b. Low-Cost and Water Efficiency Technology c. Water Regulation and Enforcement d. Water Resource Stakeholder Coordination
Additionally, the Year 3 Work Plan includes the Monitoring and Evaluation Plan and Performance Management Plan (PMP). Project indicators in the PMP are linked to specific activities planned for the project components and its sub-activities.
The ASPIRED Project emphasizes an integrated and collaborative approach that builds upon project experiences to-date. High priority is given to building the capacity of Armenian institutions, both governmental and non-governmental, on the national, regional and local levels to enhance their performance in water resources management and policy development in a more consistent manner.
In the first month of Year 3 ASPIRED team will continue its partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in developing the hydrogeologic framework for the Ararat Valley. When needed the ASPIRED Project will also be in touch with the U.S. Global Development Lab (The Lab) and its GeoCenter to develop scientific tools for groundwater management and capacity building and to explore possible opportunities for utilizing existing USAID Lab instruments. The ASPIRED team will also continue its collaboration with the Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company (Coca-Cola HBC) under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the USAID/Armenia and Coca-Cola HBC, effective since July 20, 2016. The ASPIRED team will also explore opportunities to collaborate with other local and international donor organizations, as well as with private entities.
1. SUMMARY OF YEAR 2 RESULTS
This Chapter addresses key outcomes of the ASPIRED Project throughout Year 2 and identifies where progress has been made in realizing the project objectives. Throughout Year 2 implementation, ME&A effectively and efficiently overcame challenges and addressed issues within the Project through the help of excellent team work, a clear understanding of the technical scope, approaches and directions of the Project and USAID requirements, and effective collaboration with the project partners.
Below is the brief overview of Year 2 activities implemented by the ASPIRED Project under different components:
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The ASPIRED Project completed the comprehensive field inventory of the groundwater wells, natural springs and fish farms in the Ararat Valley. The inventory provides critical data on the operational and non-operational, legally and illegally used wells. The Project presented the inventory results to all stakeholders and submitted the report to the GOA, National Assembly, and the Office of the RA President. The inventory data serves as a baseline for the GOA to develop stricter policies and program with short- and long-term measures for improving groundwater management efficiencies in the Ararat Valley.1 The ASPIRED Project successfully collaborated with the USGS South Dakota team to develop the hydrogeologic framework of the Ararat Valley, using historical and field inventory datasets compiled by the ASPIRED team. USGS conducted a webinar on detailed presentation of the hydrogeologic framework for the ASPIRED team and representatives of the Environmental Monitoring and Information (EMIC) state non-commercial organization and Water Resources Management Agency (WRMA) of the Ministry of Nature Protection (MNP). The hydrogeologic framework, which describes the hydrogeologic conditions and current state of groundwater resources, is a foundation for developing a numeric groundwater model for the aquifers of the Ararat Valley.
The ASPIRED team initiated an analysis of high-resolution satellite imagery for the Ararat Valley shared by USAID’s Global Development Lab GeoCenter and EU’s Space Agency. The analysis will provide data for generating the precipitation/run-off curves to obtain more accurate values of the natural, surface and deep flows in the Ararat Valley.
The ASPIRED Project developed a digital hydrogeological map for the Ararat Valley, which includes GIS layers on boundaries of the Ararat Valley and Ararat Artesian Basin (AAB), tectonic structure, geological formations, aeration zone, drainage network of the Ararat Valley, directions and volumes of groundwater inflow/outflow into/from the valley, and other data. The Project will share the map with the stakeholders and utilize it for groundwater modeling purposes.
The ASPIRED team initiated the upgrading process for the State Water Cadastre Information System (SWCIS). This process includes improving the existing system and constructing a new SWCIS Data Warehouse to maintain the datasets defined by a new GOA resolution on operation and maintenance of the State Water Cadastre2.
The ASPIRED team started developing decision support tools for the Ararat Valley by customizing the Decision Support System (DSS) (developed within the framework of the USAID/Armenia Clean Energy and Water (CEW) Program) for the Ararat Valley catchment area. The Project is simplifying the tool
1 On May 6, 2017, the Government of Armenia (GOA) approved Program of Measures for the Effective Groundwater Management in the Ararat Valley. 2 On February 2, 2017, the GOA approved the Procedure for Operation and Maintenance of State Water Resources Cadaster.
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for the users, allowing calculation of various parameters either using default values (simplified version) or using advanced settings.
During Year 2, the ASPIRED Project implemented a pilot project on rehabilitation of the irrigation system and reuse of outlet water from a neighboring fish-farm for irrigation of the community owned lands. The pilot project was a result of ASPIRED’s collaboration with Coca-Cola HBC under the MOU between USAID/Armenia and Coca-Cola HBC, signed on July 20, 2016. The ASPIRED team also cooperated with the United Nations Development Programme Global Environment Facility (UNDP- GEF) to implement the irrigation rehabilitation project. As result of this cooperation, the community has: 1) avoided operating the groundwater well for irrigation, thus contributing to annual water saving of approximately 1.1 million cubic meters; and 2) 40ha of community owned land-plots have equal access to irrigation water. The irrigation system will ultimately help to improve the economic well- being of the community through more affordable irrigation services for farmers.
During Year 2, the ASPIRED team began planning the Aquaculture Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) Project. Under this pilot project, the ASPIRED team would pilot at least 6 types of water and energy saving technologies at a small-sized fish farm. ASPIRED completed the preparation of the project concept and the engineering design with minor delays. The main delays were related to the following factors:
1) The Project team had to reconsider the initial selection of a fish-farm in Hovtashat, Khayts Ishkhan LLC, for implementation of the ATTC Project because the planned shift of property did not take place. A new site was selected only after two months, since most fish-farms refused to take the risk of testing new technologies; and
2) The new partner under the ATTC Project, Armavir Farmer LLC, applied for a new water use permit. Although the Water Resource Management Agency (WRMA) declined Armavir Farmer LLC’s request, the ASPIRED team developed a technical solution to this problem involving the supply of the farm from a surface source for which the Armavir Farmer already had an operational water use permit.
As a result of the above circumstances, the ASPIRED team rescheduled the start of the ATTC Project for Year 3.
In August 2017, the ASPIRED Project completed a pilot project on the permanent sealing of an artesian well in Sipanik village. ASPIRED selected the pilot project site based on the written request of the community and advice from the WRMA and EMIC (former HMC). The ASPIRED team will submit to USAID and MNP a technical document describing detailed stages of the well closure process with all
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complications and solutions provided by the subcontractor, EMIC and the ASPIRED team.
The ASPIRED Project, with the assistance of an international consultant, prepared a comprehensive study on achieving sustainable groundwater use in the Ararat Valley, with an emphasis on the role of the fisheries. The study provides a comprehensive analysis of the groundwater use in the Ararat Valley, including an economic analysis of the aquaculture sector, the level of water abstraction by fisheries and its negative implications in terms of water availability in the region. The study presents survey results from the affected communities and Water User Associations (WUAs) of the Ararat and Armavir regions – which are suffering from irrigation and drinking water shortage – and data from the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant on the water needs. The study provides policy and administrative recommendations for bringing the groundwater consumption to sustainable levels, including specifically designed structure of the fee for groundwater use that will incentivize. In January 2017, USAID submitted the document to the Government of Armenia (GOA).
The ASPIRED Project supported the GOA in improving policies and regulations for sustainable management of Armenia’s water resources. Specifically, ASPIRED was involved in the Interagency Task Force (ITF) established by the Prime-Minister’s assignment in January-February 2017. In May 2017, the Armenian Prime-Minister Karen Karapetyan approved the Program of Measures for Efficient Management of the Groundwater Resources of Ararat Valley. Developed with the expertise and data support from the ASPIRED Project, the Program of Measures envisages an array of regulatory, legislative, institutional and technical measures for a more rational use of groundwater in the Ararat Valley for different purposes such as fish farming, irrigation, drinking, and drainage system.
The ASPIRED team reviewed and provided comments on the WRMA’s Draft Government Decision on Amending the Ararat Basin Management Plan with the Ararat Valley Groundwater Management Plan. The draft is currently under review by the GOA.
During Year 2, the ASPIRED Project established a series of partnerships through the collaboration with Coca-Cola HBC as part of the MOU signed between USAID and Coca-Cola HBC in July 2016. Coca- Cola HBC and ASPIRED agreed on the joint promotion of planned activities to be carried out under the MOU and worked out an outreach plan which included community visits, collection of photo/video materials, human impact stories, etc. Efforts were made on both sides to visualize the private-public partnership initiative.
Collaboration with the UNDP-GEF Small Grants Program and Environmental Research and GIS (ERGIS) NGO to facilitate implementation of the water reuse project for irrigation in Hayanist village.
With the purpose of establishing and continuing the partnerships, the ASPIRED Project conducted
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working meetings with other stakeholders and partners, namely ICARE, EU Water Initiatives Plus, Participatory Utilization and Resource Efficiency of Water Activities (PURE), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Agrarian University, Armenian Volunteer Corps, Birthright Armenia, research institutions, and local communities.
The ASPIRED Project collaborated with Armenian Volunteer Corps (AVC) and Birthright Armenia. Three volunteers from the mentioned organizations supported the project through a desk review of the possible aquaculture technologies, the technical design of the ATTC Project and a literature review on crayfish farming methods in an aquaponics system. ASPIRED used the materials produced by the volunteers to design and prepare the concept for the ATTC Project.
The ASPIRED Project organized the following outreach events during Year 2: o Official opening of the irrigation improvement project in Hayanist village on May 22, 2017 with participation of the U.S Ambassador, USAID Mission Director, representatives of partner organizations, the GOA and regional administration. o Events for the final inventory report, high-level policy meeting for the presentation of an optimal recourse fee study, etc.
The ASPIRED Project maintained and updated the project website with a photo gallery and designed new pages featuring Pilot Projects and the USAID-Coca-Cola HBC MOU. The ASPIRED team also updated the website with announcements of all project-related procurement.
The ASPIRED Project updated the PMP to ensure its consistency with USAID’s Master List of Indicators
2.1 CHALLENGES During Year 2, the ASPIRED Project faced some challenges that have been taken into consideration when preparing the Year 3 Work Plan. Overall, the challenges below did not result in major difficulties towards project implementation, as the Project team was able to resolve these issues in a timely manner. Some of these challenges are of technical nature, while others were out of the Project managerial control and referred mostly to the policy changes and institutional restructuring within the GOA and MNP specifically. Therefore, the ASPIRED team postponed several Year 2 activities for implementation during Year 3.
During Year 2, the ASPIRED team planned to install an automated online groundwater use monitoring system on 20 groundwater abstraction points of the selected large fisheries, aimed at improved compliance of the large water users with the water user permit (WUP) conditions. This was planned to be implemented jointly with Coca-Cola HBC, within the framework of the MOU between the USAID, Coca-Cola HBC and the Ministry of Nature Protection (MNP). However, implementation of these
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activities was delayed, due to issues associated with GOA plans to shift USAID assistance towards small fisheries. According to the GOA plans, the online monitoring system must be installed in the large farms using 150 liters/second and more by August 31, 2017 and in the medium size fisheries, using from 100 to 150 liters/second by December 31, 2017 at the expense of fisheries. USAID will assist the small fisheries demonstrating groundwater use below 100 liters per second. USAID and the ASPIRED team strongly support the installation of the monitoring systems in the large fisheries, which are using the major share of the groundwater.
Based on an agreement between MNP and USAID in April 2017, USAID and the ASPIRED Project will observe the progress and results of installation and operation of the monitoring system by the large and medium-size by fisheries and GOA by September 2017. Once this phase is completed, USAID and ASPIRED will initiate the process for procuring and installing the online monitoring system on 20 groundwater abstraction points in the selected fisheries, pending the GOA request and further guidance from USAID.
In February 2017, the GOA adopted a new resolution elaborated by the WRMA that outlines the organization, maintenance and operation of the State Water Cadaster. The ASPIRED team provided a set of comments and recommendation to the WRMA for improving the draft resolution. The major part of the comments was not considered in the final version, including several provisions on mechanisms of dissemination of the information through the SWCIS. In March 2017, ASPIRED and the WRMA reached a verbal agreement to amend the Government resolution after developing and testing the SWCIS.
Efforts should be made to ensure the ASPIRED Project’s long-term sustainability. The ASPIRED team submitted to MNP a written request for its nomination of representatives of various divisions of the WRMA into a formal technical working group that would allow more consistent and formalized collaboration between the ASPIRED Project and WRMA staff. The ASPIRED Project intended to assess the capacities of the nominees for designing and delivering training programs on data organization and management, data analyses, using on-the-job training approach.
MNP’s response to the request letter is pending, most likely due to the political and structural changes taking place within the MNP. At the time of preparing the Year 3 Work Plan, the restructuring of the MNP’s monitoring and information agencies was complete, resulting in the establishment of a new Environmental Monitoring and Information Center (EMIC) state non-commercial organization. Restructuring of the state environmental inspectorate is still ongoing. Reorganization of other structural divisions and Agencies within the MNP (including WRMA and Biodiversity Management) is expected to be done by the end of the 2017 calendar year. A new approach on implementing the integrated environmental permitting principles based on ecosystems approach lies in the basis of the
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structural changes. These reforms cause slight delays in delivering the training programs for the key stakeholder agencies as programmed in the Year 2 Work Plan.
The ASPIRED Project will follow up with the MNP on final reforms, as well as on the nominated representatives from the MNP for formalizing the collaboration between the ASPIRED Project and the MNP on data management. Once representatives are nominated, the ASPIRED team plans to design and deliver training programs on Geographic Information Systems (GIS), database management and sharing via the SWCIS, calibration and use of the Decision Support Tools, including the DSS and groundwater modeling, etc.
A serious challenge was the identification and selection of a private partner (fish-farmer) for the implementation of the ATTC Project. Over recent years, the Armenian fish farming sector, particularly medium and small farms, has been facing economic difficulties. Since the introduction of new technologies and methods is associated with significant investments, fish farmers were reluctant to commit to projects which required additional financing on their part, especially for the new technologies. Many fish farmers expressed their preference to invest towards locally tested technologies that demonstrate a proven success record.
Although the inventory of artesian wells in Ararat Valley revealed quite a large number of non- operational self-emitting wells, it appeared that there are no abandoned wells as stated in the SOW. All wells, including non-operational ones, are under either private or community ownership, and consequently their sealing might be problematic. Based on findings from the ASPIRED team, the potential of reducing the water flow from groundwater aquifers could be much higher if ASPIRED considers optimizing existing “operational” irrigation wells.
List of deliverables completed by the ASPIRED Project:
o 2 pilot projects: . Rehabilitation of the community irrigation system by reuse of the water from the neighboring fishery in Hayanist; and . Permanent sealing of the groundwater well in Sipanik. o Final Report on Inventory of Groundwater Wells, Natural Springs and Fish Farms in the Ararat Valley (submitted to USAID) o Report “Achieving Sustainable Groundwater Use in the Ararat Valley: Role of the Fisheries Sector” (submitted to USAID) o Progress report on improving water resource data for the Ararat Valley (submitted to USAID)
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2. YEAR 3 WORK PLAN
3.1 WATER RESOURCE DATA
During Year 3, when needed, the ASPIRED Project will continue cooperating with the key stakeholder organizations – including USAID Global Development Lab and its GeoCenter on, establishing a comprehensive and reliable data system, as well as analytical tools for an informed decision-making process on water resources in the Ararat Valley. The Project team will continue its collaboration with USGS in developing of the hydrogeological framework for the Ararat Valley through October 2017, when the USGS’s Cooperative agreement with USAID ends. The ASPIRED team will implement the following activities during Year 3:
Strengthening of the SWCIS Applying remote sensing technologies for data analysis Enhancing the decision support tools for the Ararat Valley Extending the national reference groundwater monitoring network in the Ararat Valley Introducing an automated online system for groundwater use monitoring
To ensure the sustainability of the ASPIRED Project, the team will continue its efforts with the new structural divisions of the MNP, Ministry of Emergency Situations (ArmStateHydromet Service), and other state agencies on formalizing the working groups to work with the ASPIRED Project during various stages of database development and technical analytical tools application for data generation for the Ararat Valley. Once the restructuring is completed and new charters with functions, main responsibilities and staffing plans are approved, the ASPIRED team will assess capacities and needs of the nominated representatives on the data management and analysis and design training modules. These training modules will include GIS courses for the beginners and advanced users, database creation and management, generating reports, using DSS and groundwater model for generating datasets for formulating data-driven policies and measures for protection of the water resources. In addition to conducting these training modules, the ASPIRED team will continue its work with high-level policy makers on generating a demand for application of the various tools within their agencies.
3.1.1 SWCIS Strengthening During Year 2, the ASPIRED team consulted with the WRMA on identifying technical needs to further enhance the SWCIS. The mutually agreed Scope of Work (SOW) for the improvement of the SWCIS was in line with the provisions of a new Government resolution on organization, maintenance and operation of the State Water Resources Cadastre, which was adopted in February 2017. In March 2017, the ASPIRED team started the improvement process of the SWCIS, including the construction of a new Data Warehouse. The ASPIRED team will continue implementing this activity throughout Year 3.
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During Year 3, the technical enhancements of the SWCIS Data Warehouse will include improvement of the surface water quality component, as well as construction of a number of new tabular components on: (a) groundwater resources quantitative and qualitative monitoring; (b) daily monitoring of water level in Lake Sevan; (c) monitoring of the water level in the main reservoirs; (d) monitoring of water intake by the hydropower plants; (e) annual water balance in the main river basins; and (f) annual water supply and demand balance in the main river basins of Armenia.
During Year 3, the ASPIRED team will provide training modules to the selected technical staff from the WRMA and its BMOs, EMIC and ArmStateHydromet Service. These modules will cover database management, GIS application and data sharing via the SWCIS. Participants are expected to utilize the skills and capacities obtained during this training program during their day-to-day activities on maintenance of the enhanced tabular and geo-spatial components of the SWCIS as well as calibrating the decisions support tools for separate river basins of Armenia.
3.1.2 Applying Remote Sensing Technologies for Data Analysis During Year 2, the ASPIRED Project conducted the first two of the three phases of the land cover/use classification in the Ararat Valley. First, the project team performed the unsupervised classification using high resolution multi-spectral satellite imagery for the Ararat Valley based on the European Union CORINE (coordination of information on the environment) methodology. Then, the ASPIRED team conducted a 2- month field survey (groundtruthing) to clarify the land cover classes for the unclear or unknown sites.
During Year 3, the ASPIRED Project team will conduct supervised classification of the Ararat Valley land cover/use based on the results of the groundtruthing survey. Based on the results of supervised classification, the ASPIRED team will use the final classification of the land cover / use for the Ararat Valley in generation of the precipitation/run-off curves, which will then be used to obtain more accurate values of the natural, surface and deep flows in the Ararat Valley. Those parameters will serve as major inputs in calculation of water balance for the Ararat Valley.
Additionally, the ASPIRED Project will design and publish big-scale land cover classification maps of the Ararat Valley and provide those maps along with a single geodatabase to the WRMA and EMIC of the MNP, and other interested stakeholders, namely the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) and regional administrations.
3.1.3 Enhancing the Decision-Support Tools for the Ararat Valley: DSS and Groundwater Model During Year 3, the ASPIRED Project’s technical team will continue enhancing decisions support tools for water resources of the Ararat Valley by (a) customizing the DSS (developed within the framework of the USAID CEWP) for the Ararat Valley catchment area; and (b) building groundwater model of the Ararat Valley.
As a part of DSS customization, ASPIRED will finalize reprogramming of the Hydrological Model, which will facilitate its further calibration for the river basins of Ararat Valley catchment area, namely the Akhuryan,
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Metsamor, Hrazdan (including Qasakh), Vedi and Azat river basins. The reprogramming process will also include the generation of the precipitation-runoff curves for the Ararat Valley, based on the outcomes of land cover/use classification in the Ararat Valley.
The ASPIRED team will use the geo-spatial datasets accumulated in Year 2 in the geodatabase for the Ararat Valley, as well as tabular datasets provided by the stakeholder agencies, as input data during the calibration of the DSS. This exercise will allow calculating the water balances in each of the mentioned basins for the year 2016. ASPIRED will make sure to involve the nominated technical representatives of the WRMA, EMIC and academia in the calibration process as part of the on-the-job training to build and enhance their capacities in DSS utilization.
In parallel with the calibration process, the ASPIRED Project team will continue reprogramming other components of the DSS, including the surface water and groundwater quality assessment component under the Hydrological Model, and Historical trends and Projections components under the Climate Change model. Once the ASPIRED team tests and debugs the mentioned components, the project team will also calibrate the models by using data from the above-mentioned 5 river basins of the Ararat Valley catchment area.
The ASPIRED team intends to select the Qasakh River as a pilot area for checking and verifying the results generated by the Hydrological Model of the DSS. In Year 3, the ASPIRED team will conduct measurements of the actual water flow at the major intake points during various seasons. The Project will conduct first measurements during the summer period, consequently followed by measurements in fall, winter and spring. The Project will compare the results of the field measurements with values generated during the DSS calibration for the Qasakh River basin.
To enhance the decision-support tools for the Ararat Valley, the ASPIRED Project is also building the groundwater model of the area. During Year 2, the ASPIRED Project team continued its cooperation with the USGS in development of the hydrogeologic framework of the Ararat Valley. The hydrogeologic framework provides the areal extent, thickness, depth, water levels, recharge and discharge rates of the artesian aquifers of the groundwater basin based on the existing geologic maps, remote sensing imagery and groundwater wells field inventory conducted by the ASPIRED team. The ASPIRED team intends to use the hydrogeologic framework of the Ararat Valley for developing a groundwater model of the Ararat Valley.
During Year 3, the ASPIRED team will work with a selected trainer on the design and content of a customized training program for the Project team and selected technical staff from the WRMA, EMIC, and academia on the ArcGroundwater (ArcGW) tools and MODFLOW package, using the hydrogeologic framework developed in cooperation with USGS. The Project team and selected technical staff from WRMA, EMIC and Yerevan State University, Agribusiness Teaching Center, American University of Armenia and others are expected to participate in the course, starting December 2017. The purpose of the training is to enhance participants’ practical skills in refining the 3-D model of the aquifers developed by the USGS, creating numerical groundwater model for the aquifers of the Ararat Valley.
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During the remainder of Year 3, the ASPIRED project team will work on enhancing hydrogeologic framework of the Ararat Valley into a numerical groundwater model so that in addition to visualizing the 3D model of the aquifers, the model also (a) determines recharge rates in the groundwater basin; (b) simulates the actual water volume in each aquifer; and (c) simulates groundwater dynamics in the Ararat Valley.
The customized DSS and the Groundwater Model of the Ararat Valley will be used by government agencies, the MNP and its subdivisions, and academic institutions as standalone units as the decision support tools in for data-driver decision-making process.
3.1.4 Extending the National Reference Groundwater Monitoring Network in the Ararat Valley During the last quarter of Year 2, the MNP created a new structural unit that integrates the environmental monitoring and information services. The newly structured EMIC SNCO unites the hydrogeological monitoring, environmental impact monitoring and information services, which are the key stakeholders.
The hydrogeological monitoring service of the EMIC implements the groundwater monitoring in the Ararat Valley via its national reference monitoring network of 52 groundwater wells and 3 natural springs. The EMIC measures groundwater temperature, level and discharge on a monthly basis. As for the quality of groundwater in the reference monitoring network, the service collects the groundwater samples, which are analyzed in the Environmental Impact Monitoring service of the SNCO.
Based on the courtesy and planning meetings with the EMIC during Year 2 on ASPIRED’s potential assistance to the center, the ASPIRED team will work with the EMIC to develop a document that outlines a cooperation framework and joint action plan for extending the national reference monitoring network. The document will stipulate the roles of ASPIRED and EMIC.
During Year 3, the Project team will work closely with the hydrogeological monitoring service to identify and develop up to 11 wells to the operational level. ASPIRED plans selecting these wells from a pool of approximately 400 groundwater monitoring wells that have existed since the Soviet era. The ASPIRED team will use recommendations from the USAID report with Guidelines for monitoring and assessment of groundwater resources in Armenia, prepared by PA Government Services in July 2007 in the selection process, as well as follow the recommendations (if any) provided by the USGS on the design of a comprehensive groundwater monitoring network in the Ararat Valley with a purpose of providing for a representative coverage of critical hydrogeological structures and aquifers of the Ararat Valley.
After selection is finalized, the Project will conduct the procurement process for rehabilitation of the monitoring wells, including materials and services.
3.1.5 Introducing an Automated Online System for Groundwater Use Monitoring In October, the ASPIRED team will collaborate with the MNP in finalizing the bidding documents for an open tender for procurement and installation of the automated online system for the groundwater use monitoring in
ASPIRED - Work Plan Year 3 Approved – October 3 2017 17
the selected large fisheries, as agreed with the MNP in August-September, 2017. A list of the fish farms will be provided by the MNP.
The ASPIRED in collaboration with Coca-Cola HBC , will assist the MNP with providing hardware and software, equipment for a newly established entity within the Ministry, which will be receiving and analyzing the monitoring data on groundwater abstraction.
3.2 LOW COST AND WATER EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGY
Under this project component, ASPIRED develops, pilots, and evaluates technologies for implementation in the Ararat Valley. The purpose of these technologies is to ensure efficient use of the water and energy resources by the fish farms and communities. Throughout Year 3, the ASPIRED Project will continue assisting the communities and local businesses in applying appropriate technologies for more efficient use of groundwater resources in Ararat Valley.
The ASPIRED Project aims to ensure efficient use of water and energy resources by implementing pilot projects though the introduction of the innovative and affordable technologies. Pilot projects are intended to demonstrate how the best international practices can be used to achieve the above objective in an affordable and cost-effective manner.
Implementation of the pilot projects will include the following major steps: Identification of the projects/technologies for piloting, their feasibility analysis, and negotiations with the beneficiaries and/or partners on their level of effort and/or matching cost-share terms; Signing of commitment letters/agreements by the parties to assure that all the parties reached a common agreement on the technical aspects of the project; Development of Pilot Project documents , including a project concept and environmental review documentation with the Environmental Monitoring & Mitigation Plan (EMMP); Official submission of a Request for Approval (RFA ) package for the pilot project to USAID for approval; Actual project implementation, involving procurement process, design, installation work, monitoring of the implementation by contractors and adherence to their commitments Signing of the act of acceptance upon completion of the work as well as record of compliance with activity-specific EMMP.
3.2.1 Project Design and Procurement of Materials and Services Once ASPIRED receives USAID approval for the Pilot Projects RFA package, including the concept and environmental review documentation, the ASPIRED team will initiate the procurement and subcontractor selection process in accordance with US Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).
ASPIRED - Work Plan Year 3 Approved – October 3 2017 18
The ASPIRED Project continuously emphasizes the development of high quality, detailed designs which incorporate the use of carefully selected construction materials appropriate to each project. The ASPIRED team will lead the design development work, using professional technical design companies to be identified through a competitive bidding process.
The ASPIRED Project will contract out design, supply of equipment and materials, and installation work to properly licensed and qualified companies via competitive bidding in accordance with USAID procedures. Public procurement of the supply of goods and services will be carried out for all anticipated projects. Selection of the companies will be based on their experience, proven quality, skill and financial ability to implement the work.
3.2.1.1 Quality Control The ASPIRED team (where necessary – involved additional short-term specialists) will ensure the quality control of the materials and services purchased by the Project, including the quality of workmanship and adherence to the environmental and safety requirements of USAID and Armenian legislation. Additionally, the beneficiary community or private entity ensures the quality control and coordination of the donor and community input as the key partner under the pilot project and the holder of the construction permit, when required.
3.2.2 Aquaculture Technology Transfer Center Based on the conclusion of the aquaculture expert on the water tests taken from the surface water sources at Armavir Farmer’s premises, the ASPIRED team will revise the Project Concept and prepare the tender documentation for the selection of the subcontractor. Due to the small scale of the Project and the variety of different technologies to be piloted under the ATTC, ASPIRED plans to select one subcontractor for the construction and installation work under the pilot project, following USAID procurement procedures.
Once the construction phase is completed, the ASPIRED team will start the population of fish and crayfish ponds and cultivation of plants in the aquaponics greenhouses. It is expected that the systems will reach the level of full output within 3-4 months after the inception of the operations phase. This activity will not require significant investments from ASPIRED, but may require some expert input (both local and international) if any problems occur during the implementation process.
3.2.3 Water Reuse for Irrigation Project in Sayat-Nova Village Since June 2017, the ASPIRED team has discussed with the community administration of Sayat-Nova village the details of the pilot project and the anticipated input/cost-share of the community, as well as secured the concurrence of the fish farm owner to participate in the pilot project. The ASPIRED Project’s engineering team conducted several site visits to calculate estimates for the preparation of the project concept. The Sayat-Nova
ASPIRED - Work Plan Year 3 Approved – October 3 2017 19
municipality has already ordered the technical design of the irrigation system, which, based on observations from the ASPIRED engineering team, may need certain modifications.
The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and expertise is likely to be the most time-consuming activity in the project preparation phase. Based on the modifications recommended by the ASPIRED team, the Sayat- Nova community will carry out the preparation phase of the pilot project.
The main activities under the pilot project will include a) construction of the water intake and the pumping station; b) procurement and installation of the pumping equipment; c) procurement and mounting of the pipes, valves and fittings; and d) digging and backfilling of the trenches. Since activities are contingent upon weather conditions, the ASPIRED team may need to suspend construction work for one or two months in winter and resume construction work once weather conditions improve. Based on past experiences under the ASPIRED Project, this pilot project may experience some delays in completing implementation activities under the responsibility of the community (e.g. trench work).
Based on the ASPIRED Project’s past experiences with the Hayanist Project, the ASPIRED team will carry out a series of post-project implementation trainings for Sayat-Nova community farmers who benefited from the irrigation project. The training will address health and environmental problems caused by the use of pesticides and herbicides, as well as recommend practical alternatives to the use of dangerous chemicals in agriculture based on best international practices. The ASPIRED team will prepare the training materials based on the USAID/ Armenia Agricultural Sector Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safe Use Action Plan (PERSUAP)3 , and requirements of Armenian legislation.
The irrigation system is expected to be operational during the 2018 irrigation season, with the first results of the project being visible in June 2018. During this time period, the ASPIRED team, in cooperation with external specialists (if necessary), will collect data on the performance of the irrigation system, the quality and quantity of crops, and the level of satisfaction of the beneficiaries. The ASPIRED team and external experts will summarize the results of the assessment in a brief memo.
3.2.4 Optimization of a Community-Owned Irrigation Well
As mentioned above, the optimization of operational irrigation wells can produce better results in terms of water saving per unit of investment than the projects on sealing of illegal and/or non-operational wells. During Year 2, the Project team identified a number of poorly managed self-emitting irrigation wells in Hovtashat, Sipanik and neighboring communities. The necessary condition to optimize such wells is the existence of a valid water use permit and a strong commitment of the community to properly operate the irrigation system in the future. If the above conditions are met by the community, the ASPIRED team will prepare and submit for USAID approval the respective Project Concept. At the same time the Project will explore the potential of
3 USAID Armenia Agriculture Sector Activities PERSUAP. Enterprise Development and Market Competitiveness Project, 2014. http://gemini.info.usaid.gov/repository/pdf/42146.pdf
ASPIRED - Work Plan Year 3 Approved – October 3 2017 20
implementing these activities in other communities using field inventory findings and observations. The ASPIRED team will be consulting with MNP in identification of the wells for optimization/sealing.
The main activities under this pilot project will include a) construction of a service road and preparation of the site (where necessary); b) repair of the well casing (where necessary); and c) manufacturing and mounting of a manifold with smaller diameter butterfly valves and connection pipes equipped with flanges. Since all the activities except for manifold manufacturing and mounting are sensitive to weather conditions, the ASPIRED team may need to suspend the construction work for one or two months in winter and resume the work later, when the weather conditions improve.
The ASPIRED team will work with the MNP on selection of the wells or a group of the wells for conducting this activity, based on the above described conditions.
Based on past experiences under the ASPIRED Project, this pilot project may experience some delays in completing implementation activities under the responsibility of the site community (e.g. construction of a temporary service road, site preparation and construction of earthen irrigation ditches, etc.).
3.2.5 USAID Participatory Utilization and Resource Efficiency of Water Activity (PURE) According to the amended Task Order of the ASPIRED Project, the Project will cooperate closely with USAID’s new PURE Project to identify pilot infrastructure projects and prepare initial designs and estimates for improving the level of water efficiency and the quality of water-supply services in the rural communities of Ararat and Armavir regions. Based on the results of cooperation with the PURE Project, the ASPIRED Project will prepare and submit to USAID for approval the concepts on respective project proposals presented by the PURE Project. During Year 3, the ASPIRED Project team plans to implement at least two projects (including the preparation of engineering designs, where necessary) identified jointly with PURE Project.
3.2.6 Preparation of Project Concepts for the GOA
Upon the request of the MNP ASPIRED will prepare project concepts for a larger scale replication of technologies and methods piloted or developed by or with participation of the ASPIRED in the Ararat Valley. This will give the GoA a practical scope for application or replication of water and energy efficient technologies.
Depending on the scale of identified project opportunities, ASPIRED will prepare 5-7 such concepts and present them to the MNP along with draft cost estimates and schematic drawings.
3.3 WATER REGULATION AND ENFORCEMENT
The ASPIRED Project will support the GOA’s policy and regulatory reforms for improving integrated water resource development in the Ararat Valley. Per GOA’s request, the ASPIRED Project will provide technical
ASPIRED - Work Plan Year 3 Approved – October 3 2017 21
assistance to interagency task forces or other working groups established to work on the water sector legislation.
During Year 3, the ASPIRED will cooperate with the USAID PURE Project on legal and regulatory initiatives targeted at participatory management of groundwater resources in the Ararat Valley, particularly: a) the ASPIRED team will continue its cooperation with the PURE Project on identification of regulatory gaps regarding WUP monitoring and compliance, as well as initiate discussions with the stakeholder agencies (WRMA, BMOs, SEI, EMIC) to identify ways of improving the regulatory mechanisms for WUP monitoring and compliance; b)the ASPIRED team will participate in working meetings of the task force to be established by PURE Project at the national level. The purpose of the task force is to develop a strategy for policy regulatory improvements and a road map based on the findings of PURE’s legal analyses report.
During Year 2, the MNP drafted the decision on establishing the methods of estimating water and water supply-demand balances of the Republic of Armenia by river basins, which is pending adoption by the GOA. The adoption of this decision will require amendments in relevant government acts and regulations. The ASPIRED team will follow up on this process to assist the GOA with the legislative amendments, pending GOA’s request.
3.4 WATER RESOURCE STAKEHOLDER COORDINATION
ASPIRED will continue fostering effective collaboration with the key stakeholders through data, technology and legal/regulatory task areas, as well as through the identification of new potential partnerships. Experiences gained by the Project show that collaboration, when it works well, creates buy-in, facilitates problem-solving and leads to new partnerships and ideas.
The following sectors are viewed as potential stakeholders: GOA – Increased government support and ownership is an objective of building sustained relations with the GOA, including the Ministries of Nature Protection, Agriculture, Territorial Administration and Development, and the President’s office which was widely involved in the discussions on fishery sector and water use fees. The MNP continues being the key partner for the ASPIRED Project under the data and regulatory components. Donors and donor-funded projects in the Ararat Valley – ASPIRED was successful in collaborating with Satagro (the World Bank sub-contractor), EU Water Initiative +, UNDP/GEF Small Grants Program and other local and international organizations. Private fish farms – for the implementation of demonstration projects (water reuse, ATTC) and installation of online groundwater use monitoring systems
ASPIRED - Work Plan Year 3 Approved – October 3 2017 22
Communities of AAB – beneficiaries of water reuse/water infrastructure rehabilitation/well decommissioning projects Agencies and projects within the USAID umbrella - USGS, PURE, and Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER). Local NGOs.
Because of the major restructuring of the MNP, some of the key stakeholders within the MNP structure – HMC, EIMC - were merged under the Environmental Monitoring and Information Center SNCO under the leadership of former Deputy Minister of Nature Protection, Mr. Simon Papyan. Restructuring is also expected within the Water Resources Management Agency (WRMA). These structural changes will likely affect the ASPIRED-MNP interactions, particularly the work planning of the data and legal components of the project (e.g. cadaster enhancement task; DSS), as well as planning and implementation of the capacity building activities.
During Year 3, the ASPIRED team will collaborate with the Urban Foundation via its PURE Project. Based on previous discussions, ASPIRED and PURE agreed to coordinate the following activities:
Improvement of the legal and regulatory framework of the water sector Implementation of water supply projects Community awareness/public education activities
To streamline efforts in a more consistent direction, ASPIRED and PURE planned their joint activities for 2018 based on the work plans of both projects.
During Year 3, the ASPIRED team will direct efforts towards identifying new partners and/or collaborative initiatives for the project. The focus will be on different sectors (private and public) that may potentially contribute to the ASPIRED activities in different formats, including by bringing technical expertise, co-funding of projects; collaboration with potential partners on the data availability and transparency enhancement; bringing various technical and technological solutions and innovations; and leveraging resources of large companies under CSR activities.
During Year 3, the ASPIRED team will also continue to seek partnerships for pilot project implementation. Starting from the grass-roots level, stakeholder engagement is an essential component of pilot projects. Relevant stakeholders under these pilot projects include both existing and potential partners from the public and private sectors, such as Armavir Farmer LLC for the implementation of the ATTC Project, local communities for potential water reuse and irrigation projects (e.g. Sayat-Nova, Hovtashat communities), well conservation, community water infrastructure projects identified by PURE. The ASPIRED team works with the communities on the grass-roots level to make sure that all community members have a shared understanding of a pilot project’s costs and benefits when considering commitment to project implementation.
ASPIRED - Work Plan Year 3 Approved – October 3 2017 23
During Year 2, ASPIRED was successful in leveraging 34% of cost share from partners Coca-Cola HBC, UNDP- GEF Small Grants Program and the community for the implementation of the water reuse project in Hayanist village. Building from the experiences throughout Year 2 and based on the planned demonstration projects, ASPIRED will increase its target for the leveraged resources to 40%.
During Year 3, ASPIRED will continue its collaboration with the Armenian Volunteer Corps (AVC) and Birthright volunteers who provide technical support to the Project. During Year 2, the AVC volunteers worked on the design of the ATTC, the best practice review on aquaculture technologies, while the Birthright volunteer with the relevant expertise of the aquaculture sector prepared a report on the crayfish production which can be provided to the fish farmers producing crayfish.
During Year 1 of the Project, the ASPIRED team completed the stakeholder mapping to identify potential stakeholders with activities in the Ararat Valley. The project team cross-linked stakeholders based on their activity/focus area. To keep up with the changing environment and emergence of new players in the sector, ASPIRED will revisit and update the stakeholders’ database accordingly.
3.5 COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH
Under the Communications and Outreach Component, the ASPIRED team develops, coordinates and disseminates information about the ASPIRED Project and its work to external audiences (stakeholder groups, project partners, beneficiaries, larger public, etc.) and internal audiences (USAID, ME&A headquarters). During the last two years, the ASPIRED team has developed and expanded outreach efforts to increase public understanding of the ASPIRED Project and its activities within Armenia’s water sector, with emphasis on USAID technical assistance in the region. Outreach activities broadly include: Supporting various project-related activities under task areas Cooperating with the project partners (PURE, communities, other stakeholders) for ensuring outreach and proper branding of projects Joint activities with PURE, including community visits, public awareness building activities, organization of community events Collecting/archiving photo/video materials of the project activities, particularly the demonstration projects Organizing various project events Developing press kit materials (fact sheets, success stories, bulletins, etc.) and other types of information to feature project accomplishments, their impact on the improving the groundwater resource management and conservation in the Ararat Valley, the positive impact on the communities. Contributing information to USAID newsletters and ME&A headquarters’ website Updating the project web page and Facebook page; Promoting a positive media image of the project
ASPIRED - Work Plan Year 3 Approved – October 3 2017 24
ASPIRED will continue utilizing the following available channels of information dissemination:
M&E Inc. and the Project’s social network and web page Local media (print, broadcast and electronic) USAID as an outreach vehicles with broader coverage Web sites of partners and stakeholders
ASPIRED will follow USAID’s branding and marking requirements when preparing project documents and outreach materials. ASPIRED will ensure that the role of USAID in this technical assistance project is properly acknowledged and visualized. In cases where Armenian language predominates above English, the ASPIRED Project will use the appropriate translation into Armenian in branding the Project. Programmatic areas or activities which will prominently display USAID’s identity and will promote the fact that funding was received “from the American People” will include but not be limited to outreach events, workshops, public information campaigns, trainings and other activities that offer the possibility for high public visibility. ASPIRED will upload all approved materials (project reports and analysis) to the Development Experience Clearinghouse.
ASPIRED - Work Plan Year 3 Approved – October 3 2017 25
4. OPERATIONS PLAN &IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE The following table outlines the timetable for the ASPIRED Project by components.
WATER RESOURCE DATA
No Activity/Sub-Activity Jul Work Products
Jan
Jun
Sep
Oct Feb
Dec Apr
Mar Aug
Nov May
1 Strengthening the SWCIS
1.1. Improvement of the Water quality component of Improved SWCIS the SWCIS 1.2 Development of new components of the SWCIS, Improved capacities of the SWCIS including: beneficiaries - Groundwater resources - Lake Sevan 6 new components of the SWCIS will be - Reservoirs programmed. - Hydropower plants - Water balance - Water supply and demand balance 1.3 Conducting training programs for the WRMA Classroom and on-the-job training and BMOs, EMIC, on data management, GIS, materials/manuals and/or handouts to be SWCIS maintenance, etc. provided to participants 2 Applying remote sensing technologies for data analysis
2.1 Conducting supervised classification of the Ararat Land cover/use CORINE Level 2 classes Valley land cover/use for the Ararat Valley 2.2 Developing precipitation/runoff curve for the Ararat Valley Big-scale land cover classification maps 2.3 Preparing the Ararat Valley land cover for the Ararat Valley with a single classification maps for the stakeholders geodatabase 2.4 Presenting and providing a single geodatabase on the Ararat Valley land cover/use classification to the main stakeholders
ASPIRED - Work Plan Year 3 Approved – October 3 2017 26
WATER RESOURCE DATA
No Activity/Sub-Activity Jul Work Products
Jan
Jun
Sep
Oct Feb
Dec Apr
Mar Aug
Nov May
3 Enhancing the Decisions Support Tools
3.1 Customized DSS for the Ararat Valley Catchment Area
3.1.1 Finalizing the reprogramming of the Improved Hydrological and Climate Hydrological Model of the DSS Change models of the DSS calibrated for 3.1.2 Calibrating the Hydrological Model of the DSS the Ararat Valley catchment area. for the Akhuryan, Metsamor (Sevjur), Hrazdan, Vedi and Azat river basins 3.1.3 Conducting field measurements in the pilot Qasakh River basin 3.1.4 Reprogramming of the precipitation-runoff curve for the Ararat Valley in the Hydrological model 3.1.5 Calculating water balance of the Ararat Valley Calculated values of natural flow and based on the precipitation-runoff curve hydrological balance of the Ararat Valley 3.1.6 Reprogramming of the DSS components, including: - Water quality assessment (surface and groundwater resources) - Historical trends component of the Climate Change model - Projections component of the Climate Change model 3.1.7 Calibrating the Water Quality Assessment component and Climate Change model of the DSS for the Akhuryan, Metsamor (Sevjur), Hrazdan, Vedi and Azat river basins 3.1.8 Regular on-the-job training for the nominated Improved capacities of the selected technical personnel of the WRMA, EMIC and stakeholders in calibrating and use of academia on the DSS the DSS
ASPIRED - Work Plan Year 3 Approved – October 3 2017 27
WATER RESOURCE DATA
No Activity/Sub-Activity Jul Work Products
Jan
Jun
Sep
Oct Feb
Dec Apr
Mar Aug
Nov May
3.2 Groundwater Model
3.2.1 Working with the selected trainer on design and ASPIRED team and selected stakeholders content of a customized training program for the are trained in the GW modeling tools Project team and selected stakeholders on Project report on the training ArcGW tools, including MODFLOW, using proceedings and materials Hydrogeological framework developed by the USGS 3.2.2 Training for the Project team and selected stakeholders on groundwater modeling tools 3.2.3 Finalizing the 3-dimensional model of the Ararat 3-dimensional structure of the Ararat Valley aquifers Valley aquifers model
3.2.4 Designing preliminary numerical groundwater Pilot 3-D numeric model of the Ararat model for the Ararat Valley Valley aquifers 4 Extending the national reference groundwater monitoring network in the Ararat Valley
4.1 Series of the meetings with the MNP and EMIC A cooperation framework with the EMIC to plan Project assistance in extending the MNP on extending the national national reference groundwater monitoring reference groundwater monitoring network and defining the cooperation framework network with the MNP 4.2 Preparing a cooperation framework and joint action plan with the EMIC on extending the national reference groundwater monitoring network 4.3 Finalizing selection of the groundwater A list of selected groundwater wells for monitoring wells as a part of extended rehabilitation. monitoring network 4.4 Procurement of materials and services for rehabilitation of monitoring wells
ASPIRED - Work Plan Year 3 Approved – October 3 2017 28
WATER RESOURCE DATA
No Activity/Sub-Activity Jul Work Products
Jan
Jun
Sep
Oct Feb
Dec Apr
Mar Aug
Nov May
4.5 Rehabilitation of the groundwater monitoring wells In collaboration with the EMIC, up to 11 wells will be identified and developed to the operational level.
5 Introduction of an automated online system for groundwater use monitoring
5.1 Finalizing bidding document, with a list of Automated groundwater use monitoring selected fish farms for installation of an systems will be installed and tested on 20 automated online system for groundwater use water abstraction points monitoring 5.2 Bidding process for selecting a local company on procurement and installation of flow meters and data loggers for automated groundwater use monitoring system 5.3 Installation and testing of groundwater flow meters and data loggers for automated groundwater use monitoring system
ASPIRED - Work Plan Year 3 Approved – October 3 2017 29
LOW-COST AND WATER EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGIES
No Activity/Sub-activity Jul Work Products
Jan
Jun
Sep
Oct Feb
Dec Apr
Mar Aug
Nov May
1 Aquaculture technologies transfer center (ATTC) 1.1 Construction phase
Project completion act is signed and the ATTC site is made operational where at least two groundwater extraction 1.2 Population and operation of the facilities reduction and two EE/RE technologies
will be piloted. 1.3 Environmental compliance monitoring and Environmental training provided to the post-project water quality testing subcontractor
2 Sayat-Nova Water reuse for Irrigation: 2.1 Finalization of the project design and conducting Technical design and EA resolution environmental assessment
2.2 Preparation and approval of project concept Approved project concept and (including testing of outlet water)4 Environmental documents. 2.3 Preparation of tender documents and selection of Subcontract(s) signed with successful contractors bidders. 2.4 Construction (including technical supervision Project completion act signed and new and acceptance of goods/services) irrigation system is made operational 2.5 Environmental compliance monitoring and Environmental training provided to the post-project testing of water and crops community and subcontractors
4 Some part of the concept preparation and design activities may be completed by the Community and the ASPIRED team in August-September 2017. In this phase commitment letters will be signed with all the partners under the Project.
ASPIRED - Work Plan Year 3 Approved – October 3 2017 30
LOW-COST AND WATER EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGIES
No Activity/Sub-activity Jul Work Products
Jan
Jun
Sep
Oct Feb
Dec Apr
Mar Aug
Nov May
2.6 Pesticide awareness and BAP training for the Training materials/handouts on best farmers agricultural practices, use of fertilizers, and PERSUAP provided to the farmers.
Spreadsheet for irrigation water service management designed and provided to the community.
2.7 Assessment of system performance and project Memo on the system performance. results
3 Optimization of a community-owned irrigation well
3.1 Preparation and approval of at least one project Approved project concept and concept and environmental documentation Environmental documents
3.2 Preparation of tender documents and selection of Subcontract(s) signed with successful
contractors bidders. 3.3 Construction (including technical supervision Project completion act signed. and acceptance of goods/services) More efficient use of the groundwater resources is achieved through the optimization of the irrigation well.
3.4 Environmental compliance monitoring Environmental training provided to the
community and subcontractors.
ASPIRED - Work Plan Year 3 Approved – October 3 2017 31
LOW-COST AND WATER EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGIES
No Activity/Sub-activity Jul Work Products
Jan
Jun
Sep
Oct Feb
Dec Apr
Mar Aug
Nov May
4 USAID PURE Projects
4.1 Cooperation with PURE for identification of
project opportunities 4.2 Preparation and submission of project concepts Project concepts and Environmental to the USAID, including environmental review documents. documentation 4.3 Implementation of at least two projects Project completion acts signed. Water systems are made operational in selected communities 4.4 Environmental compliance monitoring Environmental training provided to the
communities and subcontractors.
ASPIRED - Work Plan Year 3 Approved – October 3 2017 32
REGULATION AND ENFORCEMENT
No Activity/Sub-Activity Work Products
Jan
Feb
Oct
Apr
Dec
July
Nov Mar Aug
Sept
May June
1 Regulatory support towards achieving sustainable groundwater use in the Ararat Valley
1.1 Per GOA’s request, technical assistance to the water sector legal and regulatory initiatives5 Package(s) with recommendations submitted to the GOA
1.2 Cooperation with USAID/PURE Project Presentations made during the Task Participation in Task force meetings. to force meetings. Inputs and identify regulatory gaps regarding comments suggestions in the Policy participatory management of groundwater Regulatory Improvement Strategy resources in the Ararat Valley and a road map. 1.3 Participation in working meetings with of Task force to develop strategy for policy regulatory improvements and a road map based on the findings of PURE’s legal analyses report.
5 Implementation timeline will be adjusted with the schedule, based on the GOA’s request.
ASPIRED - Work Plan Year 3 Approved – October 3 2017 33
COORDINATION ACROSS STAKEHOLDERS COMMUNICATIONS PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT
No Activity/Sub-activity Jul Work Products
Jan
Jun
Sep
Oct Feb
Dec Apr
Mar Aug
Nov May
1. Water Resource Stakeholder Coordination
1.1 Identification of new partnerships and Joint projects, activities collaboration initiatives
1.2 Working meetings with the project partners and stakeholders Updated stakeholders matrix 1.3 Revisiting the database/matrix of stakeholders and updates (if necessary) Implementation of joint activities with PURE Joint projects 1.4 Project (infrastructure projects, legal, outreach components)
2. Communications and Outreach
Project outreach events (planned projects are Success stories, project fact sheets, press 2.1 ATTC, PURE water projects, projects in the releases concept design stage (Sayat-Nova, Hovtashat), other activities)
2.2 Website and FB pages kept updated; Update ASPIRED Website and FB pages
ASPIRED - Work Plan Year 3 Approved – October 3 2017 34
COORDINATION ACROSS STAKEHOLDERS COMMUNICATIONS PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT
No Activity/Sub-activity Jul Work Products
Jan
Jun
Sep
Oct Feb
Dec Apr
Mar Aug
Nov May
Brochure; success stories, press releases, 2.3 Outreach materials (program brochure, fact sheets, fact sheets; media articles; videos; photos press releases, success stories)
3 Project Performance Management
3.1 Updating the PIRS, Quality Assurance checklists PIRS, Quality Assurance checklist (updates on indicators if any) Updated PMP on a quarterly basis Progress reports (monthly, quarterly and 3.2 Monitoring of the PMP implementation annual) 3.3 Updating the project PMP, master list
Collection/submission of supporting documents/information/data from/by the task 3.4 teams (training/event sign-up sheets, concept papers, project records, photos, videos and other data)
ASPIRED - Work Plan Year 3 Approved – October 3 2017 35
4.1 DELIVERABLES
Deliverable name Estimated Delivery Date Project report on the customized training for the ASPIRED team and stakeholders March 2018 on groundwater modeling Map on the land cover/use classification of the Ararat Valley with its geodatabase July 2018 Report on methodology and calculated values of natural flow and hydrological September 2018 balance of the Ararat Valley Report on digital hydrogeological map of the Ararat Valley, 3-dimensional August 2018 structure of the Ararat Valley aquifers and pilot 3-dimensional numeric model of the Ararat Valley aquifers 8 technologies piloted (5+3) (Groundwater extraction reduction including well September 2018 sealing and EE/RE technologies ) Draft package of recommendations submitted to the Government of Armenia September
ASPIRED - Work Plan Year 3 Approved – October 3 2017 36
5. MONITORING AND EVALUATION PLAN
The Monitoring & Evaluation Plan, along with the PMP and QA/QA plan, comprises a single monitoring and evaluation system of the project. The objectives of the proposed monitoring system are to:
Institute quality assurance and programmatic adjustments for stronger positive impact; Guide the progress of project activities and their output; Ensure that desired changes and impact are achieved; Provide information on appropriateness, effectiveness and relevance approaches; Inform future similar development intervention by extracting lessons learned.
The M&E system provides a framework for tracking the means to an end, i.e. a roadmap of the steps needed for the ASPIRED Project and the USAID/Armenia Mission to monitor and evaluate the processes and outcomes of a program vis-à-vis its objectives.
Goals and Objectives
The ASPIRED Project Supports the USAID/Armenia Mission Goal, A More Engaged, Prosperous, and Well Governed Armenian Society Development Objective 1: More Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth Sub-IR 1.1.3, More Strategic Management of Energy and Water Resources
ASPIRED Program goal: Reduce groundwater extraction in the Ararat Valley to sustainable levels. ASPIRED Program objective: To support sustainable water resource management and sustainable practices of water users at the core of the water-energy nexus introduced through the use of science, technology, innovation and partnerships approaches.
ASPIRED - Work Plan Year 3 Approved – October 3 2017 37
ASPIRED - Work Plan Year 3 Approved – October 3 2017 38
ASPIRED PMP
Part of the Year 3 Work Plan, the PMP identifies critical milestones and target indicators to be reached by the ASPIRED team for implementation of the program objectives. The PMP is defined for the entire life of the project, with indicators for each programmatic year. It includes both USAID and ASPIRED- defined indicators.
The main references used in preparing the project PMP were:
The ASPIRED Task Order and modification, No.AID-OAA-I-14-00070/AID-111-TO-15-00001; The project proposal submitted by M&E to USAID in response to the solicitation for ASPIRED Project.
The PMP is a spreadsheet containing the indicators used by the ASPIRED Project to measure its success and progress in each project component. Throughout Year 3, the ASPIRED Project will be monitored using 26 USAID and program-defined indicators6.
These indicators serve to document the progress toward meeting the following four Intermediate Results (IRs) which align with the four components of the project:
IR 1: Establish a comprehensive, user-friendly, open data system that is accessible to all stakeholders IR 2: Introduce locally appropriate, cost effective technologies to improve water resource management IR 3: Introduce new policies and regulations to improve integrated water resource management IR 4: Ensure communication and coordination with stakeholders to avoid duplication of efforts
The PMP is a living document which may be revisited and updated on an ongoing basis to reflect the changes and shifting priorities of the ASPIRED Project over time. In November 2016, the ASPIRED team, with concurrence of USAID, amended the wording of several existing indicators of the PMP in the new edition and to include two new relevant indicators from USAID’s Master List of Indicators to ensure their compatibility in reporting. The ASPIRED team added Indicator 4.1.2 (Number of partnerships made by ASPIRED with other organizations), based on the recommendation from the Project COR during draft work plan discussions. The changes are presented in the table below:
Indicator Amended/new indicator ref #
2.2.5 Number of people receiving improved service quality from an existing basic or safely managed drinking water service as a result of USG assistance
3.1.2 Number of people educated on tools, approaches, and/or methods for water security, integrated water resource management, and/or water source protection as a result of USG assistance
6 Indicator 1.1.2 will not be reported, as its targets were met during Year 2.
39 4.1.2 Number of partnerships made by ASPIRED with other organizations
EG.5.2-2 Number of private sector firms that have improved management practices or technologies as a result of USG assistance
STIR-10 Number of innovations supported through USG assistance
Data Collection and Reporting
The ASPIRED Project staff will collect data for indicators in all four categories of intermediate results. The Project Management Specialist will coordinate the process of data collection and analysis in collaboration with the team leaders. Effective internal communication between the teams and awareness of the PMP targets and specific data collection instruments for each task area are indispensable to the process of effective monitoring and evaluation of the project. The value of the data accuracy will be emphasized and effectively communicated to the staff followed by the training on data collection if needed.
ASPIRED will report the PMP data on a quarterly and annual basis. Targets are calculated cumulatively for each quarter and year. The explanations for the reported data are provided in the comments column. In addition to program reporting, ASPIRED will also provide data for the annual PPR indicators and portfolio reviews as requested by the donor.
Data collection will incorporate the following methods:
Regular site visits to the pilot project sites, verification of the consistency between the estimated and actual performance of the projects Periodic reviews of the PMP to check the adherence of activities to the approved schedule, drawbacks, to identify delays and inconsistencies between the planned and actual indicators ASPIRED will collect and store all data in the project master list. The Project can use the data during regular program reporting, as well as for quickly retrieving various data on different program-specific indicators. The information on the pilot projects, capacity building programs, completed workshops and training is immediately inputted into the master list. The database will also facilitate the data comparisons and analysis across different parameters (e.g. gender and institutional/sectoral disaggregation) and time spans. Although the data will be reported on a quarterly and annual basis, the project cycle management assumes collection of information on a routine basis. In addition to collecting quantitative data, the team will make efforts towards accurate qualitative data collection (e.g. impact of capacity building programs, training). This is particularly important for measuring the impact of capacity building programs and the changes in the knowledge and skills level of beneficiaries.
As it has been mentioned above, each of the four IRs specified in the PMP correspond to a specific component of the ASPIRED Project.
40 IR1/Component 1 – Data: For this result, the indicators track the progress achieved by the team with the groundwater resource data availability, accessibility, inventory of wells in the Ararat Valley as well as capacity building of the stakeholders in various technical areas. The ASPIRED team met the targets for Indicator 1.1.2 “Percent of Wells Mapped in the Ararat Valley” as a result of the inventory of the groundwater wells, natural springs and fish farms of the Ararat Valley, completed in 2016.
IR /Component 2 – Technology: The indicators are aimed at measuring the annual groundwater and energy savings resulting from the application of technologies in the fisheries. The ASPIRED team will revisit and verify the data after completion of the pilot projects and their operation. The GHG emissions metric tons will be calculated based on the data on megawatt hour energy savings using the existing formula - annual savings in MWh*0.470. The project will use the methodology worked out by the UNDP GEF Project “preparation of the third National Communication on Climate Change” under the MNP published in 2014. According to their methodology, CO2 emissions in tons is calculated by the value of 0.444*MWh.
In applicable cases, the ASPIRED team will measure the impact on the communities in the Ararat Valley, by estimating the percent of the population living in the targeted areas against the total size of the Armenian population. In this case, the ASPIRED team will disaggregate data by gender and location also.
ASPIRED will use the following methods of data collection and monitoring: utilizing standardized checklists during monitoring visits, random visits, and EMMPs approved by USAID. The ASPIRED team will monitor the environmental and safety conditions by means of a standard checklist. Together with the staff engineers, the Project Environmental Specialist and M&E Specialist will visit the pilot sites for monitoring purposes.
IR3/Component 3 – Legal: The indicators measure the results related to the improvement of the legal environment in the water resource management area, particularly the ones related to water permitting monitoring and enforcement and water fees. As this involves substantial training, capacity building and advocacy efforts, the data will be collected on the number of consultations and workshops organized, the level of participation and the number of people attending the training. Data will be also disaggregated by gender in applicable cases. The source of information will be training records and project reports.
IR 4/Component 4 – Stakeholder Coordination: The indicators measure the success in achieving the targets for the component, i.e. availability of resources, points of influence in the AAB and the establishment of partnerships for the joint implementation of activities and pilots. The data source will be meeting notes, reports and co-funding memos.
Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC)
The Quality Assurance and Quality Control Plan (QA/QC Plan) is another critical element of the performance management system. The plan refers to organizing, planning and implementing QA/QC procedures that ensure the quality in the data collection process on activities and outputs produced by the project team. In this process, the ASPIRED team will be guided by the performance monitoring approaches and requirements outlined in the Chapter 203.3.2 Performance Monitoring of the ADS Chapter 203 Assessing and Learning.
41 As part of its quality assurance/quality control process, the following principles will be employed:
Ensure compliance of the reported data with USAID’s five data quality standards of validity, integrity, precision, reliability and timeliness. Conduct periodic data quality assessments to ensure reliability and consistency of both qualitative and quantitative data collected and reported by the Program and verifying performance of the program. Making sure the team is consistent and accurate as it comes to the collection and submission of data and supporting evidences (data sources) on the PMP indicators.
As part of the QA and QC process, the ASPIRED team fills in and submits to USAID the Performance Indicator Reference Sheet (PIRS) for each indicator in the PMP on an annual basis.
42 5.1 PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT PLAN The PMP for the ASPIRED Project presents three indicators set in the USAID/Armenia Country Strategy which serve to the DO 1 and Sub-IR 1.1.3.
Development Objective 1: More Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth Sub-IR 1.1.3, More Strategic Management of Energy and Water Resources
ASPIRED Project goal: Groundwater extraction in the Ararat Valley reduced to sustainable levels
ASPIRED Project objective: Sustainable water resource management and sustainable practices of water users at the core of the water-energy nexus introduced through the use of science, technology, innovation and partnerships approaches.
Targets7
Y 2 Data source Indicator Y 1 Y 3 Y4 Y5 Notes: Descriptions/Comments/Assumptions (actual) Collection method - -
IR 1: Establish a comprehensive, user-friendly, open data system that is accessible to all stakeholders
Sub-IR 1.1: Ararat Valley Geocoded, real-time, publically accessible data system that incorporates water resource, groundwater, and hydrological datasets from multiple stakeholders built and shared with the GOA Indicators Written communication 80% of all datasets available on Ararat Valley will with the stakeholders Percent (of total) of datasets for the be made public which is actually 100% of all the 1.1.1 - 20 40 60 80 and/or Ararat Valley publicly accessible data which can be made publicly available in inventory report, Project compliance with the RA legislation. reports Percent (of total) wells mapped in Field trip reports, satellite 1.1.2 70 100 - - - Completed in Year 2. the Ararat Valley. imagery, program reports
7 The targets are presented on a cumulative basis.
43 Due to restructuring of the MNP and unification of the HMC, EIMC into a single Environmental Official information Monitoring and Information Center (EMIC), the Number of stakeholders engaged in received from different 1.1.3 7 98 14 19 23 reported figure for Year 2 decreased from 10 to 9. data collection activities agencies of the GOA. The reported indicators for Years 3 through 5 Program reports. include fish farms where online monitoring systems are to be installed. Sub-IR 1.2: An online tool for hydrogeological modelling and decision-support for the Ararat Valley that incorporates hydrologic, economic, energy, social equity and environmental data generated Indicators
Decision Support System GIS based decision support tools for ASPIRED will produce decision support tools for 1.2.1 - - 1 2 - with the User Manual (if the Ararat Valley developed the Ararat Valley during Year 3. available)
Sub-IR 1.3: A publicly accessible system that maximizes the use of open source technology and produces reports based on high-quality, real-time monitoring data created Indicators
ASPIRED will implement this activity per the GOA’s request to proceed with installation of Program reports and/or the automated systems for the groundwater Number of fisheries with automatic information from the sub- 9 1.3.1 - 0 5 10 15 use monitoring . These targets refer to the data system installed contractor, photos if systems to be installed by the ASPIRED available Project. Coca Cola HBC will equip the central management unit in the MNP, where data received from the systems will be stored.
Sub-IR 1.4: Plan for decentralized, sustainable data collection methods to monitor groundwater resources and strengthened implementation capacities of partners developed in partnership with the GOA and local stakeholders
8 MNP with its subdivisions, PEER grantee, Institute of Water Problems, USGS, EU Water Initiatives Project, MOA, Metsamor power plant which are/were involved in the data collection process. 9 Implementation of the Project activities on announcing an open tender for procurement & installation of the automated online groundwater use monitoring system in the selected large fisheries was planned initially for February 2017. The delay was due to the GOA intention to shift USAID’s assistance towards small fisheries. USAID and the ASPIRED team opt for the installation of the monitoring systems in the large fisheries, which are using the major share of the groundwater. Therefore, USAID and the ASPIRED Project will observe the progress and results of installation and operation of the monitoring system by the large and medium-size fisheries and/GOA by September 2017, before initiating the process for procuring and installing the online monitoring system on 20 groundwater abstraction points in the selected small-size fisheries (with groundwater use below 100 liters per second).
44 Indicators This indicator refers to the percentage of the groundwater extraction wells monitored with the use of the online automated system installed by the ASPIRED Project versus the total number of Percent (of total) coverage of 336 operational groundwater wells available in 1.4.1 groundwater extraction points - 0 8 12 24 Program reports the fisheries10. The attainment of the targets is monitored contingent upon Indicator 1.3.1 and is contingent upon the installation of the online groundwater monitoring systems in the fisheries of the Ararat Valley (per request of the GOA). IR 2: Introduce locally appropriate, cost effective technologies to improve water resource management
Sub-IR 2.1: Technologies developed, piloted, and evaluated at different sized fish farms with the objective of improving water resources management Indicators Technologies introduced at fish farms or other water use points that lead to the reduction of the groundwater extraction by users. This indicator Approved project proposals also provides information on annual water saved Number of groundwater extraction and/or project design in cubic meters. The Year 2 data refers to the 2.1.1 reduction technologies piloted and - 2 5 7 7 papers; program water reuse project in Hayanist and well evaluated implementation reports, decommissioning project in Sipanik village. evaluation reports During Year 3, ASPIRED will complete the ATTC Project (where several groundwater extraction reduction technologies will be applied) and other pilot initiatives as per its work plan. The target is contingent upon Indicators 2.1.1, 2.4.1 and 2.2.5. The targets are cumulative and Thousands of cubic meters of water 1,520 2.1.2 - 9,000 11,000 11,200 Pilot project information include recurrent water savings provided by saved annually in Ararat Valley 11 completed projects. Year 3 data includes existing info on Hayanist and Sipanik (1.1 mln and 2.5
10 During the latest inventory of the groundwater wells, natural springs and fish farms of the Ararat Valley, conducted by the ASPIRED Project in 2016, 2807 wells were inventoried in the Ararat Valley in total, of which 1795 were found to be operational. Out of 1795 functioning wells, 336 are reportedly located in the fisheries of Ararat and Armavir marzes. 11 Data on water savings from Hayanist (1.1mln) and Sipanik (420,000).
45 mln) and projections of planned projects
Sub-IR 2.2: Technologies with the objective of increasing energy efficiency and/or renewable energy generation of water users developed, piloted, and evaluated Indicators Approved project proposals This indicator refers to water-use related EE/RE Number of energy efficiency and/or and/or project design technologies to be piloted during the project. 2.2.1 renewable energy technologies piloted - 0 3 4 4 papers; program During Year 3, the ASPIRED team plans to install and evaluated implementation reports, at least three types of RE technologies in the evaluation reports ATTC: photovoltaic, solar pumping and biogas. This indicator refers to the kilowatt-hour energy savings to be generated due to more efficient use Megawatt hour of energy saved 2.2.2 - 2412 125 168 202 Pilot project information of energy. Recurrent savings generated by annually completed projects are counted in the subsequent years. The information refers to the clean energy generation capacity resulting from the introduction of renewable energy technologies to Clean energy generated annually, Concept papers, minimize extraction of groundwater. Recurrent 2.2.3 - 0 63 63 97 MWh monitoring checklists savings generated by completed projects are counted in the subsequent years. Year 3 indicators refer to biogas facility and photovoltaic panels installed for ATTC. GHG emissions reduction-related data will be calculated in metric tons/year based on the kilowatt hour of savings resulting from application of energy saving technologies by the Gains in the reduction of GHG 2.2.4 - 11.413 40.8 59.9 75 Pilot project data factor of 0.444 t CO2 per megawatt-hour of emissions as a result of USG assistance energy. This indicator is contingent upon the results of Indicator 2.2.2. The amount of energy savings resulting from the use of biogas is not counted in the GHG emissions calculation.
12 Data from the Hayanist project. 13 Data was generated by Hayanist project.
46 Recurrent GHG emission reductions generated by completed projects are counted in the subsequent years.
Qualitative improvement of the water resource resulting from the infrastructure projects implemented by the ASPIRED Project in Number of people receiving improved collaboration with PURE-Water Project in the service quality from an existing basic Pilot project data, statistics communities of Ararat Valley. In relevant cases, 2.2.5 - 735 5700 9000 11000 or safely managed water service as a on communities pre and post-implementation water tests will be result of USG assistance taken to detect the qualitative changes in water. The term “water users” refers to households, local farmers and others benefitting from these improvements. A more efficient use of water resulting from the Number of water users experiencing pilot projects implemented under the ASPIRED 2.2.6 improved efficiency of water resource - 314 8 12 12 Pilot project data Project. Examples of such projects may be use reduced water abstraction by fish farms due to the new technologies installed. Sub-IR 2.3: Based on the pilot process and available research, recommendations developed for successful water and energy technologies for policy-makers and stakeholders shared Indicators ASPIRED will pilot at least six technologies, with their evaluation and recommendations to be Number of successful technologies Final evaluation report provided in the last year of the project. The 2.3.1 recommended and shared with - 2 5 6 7 with the data results for the first year refer to the water reuse stakeholders and policy-makers project in Hayanist and well decommissioning project in Sipanik. Sub-IR 2.4: Technology or method to permanently close illegal and/or abandoned wells, developed, piloted, and evaluated Indicators
14 The results refer to Sipanik and Hayanist projects. Based on the results of Hayanist project, (a) the community avoided drilling of an additional well for irrigation needs; (b) the fishery became a more efficient water user by providing water to the community instead of dumping to the drainage water and gaining a possibility to use the existing pump for the recirculation of water, thus reducing its water abstraction from the groundwater well.
47 Number of technologies to permanently ASPIRED plans to pilot at least two well 2.4.1 - 1 3 - - Project reports, photos close illegal or abandoned wells piloted optimization/sealing project in Year 3. IR 3: Introduce new policies and regulations to improve integrated water resource management.
Sub-IR 3.1: Trainings to build groundwater monitoring capabilities, capacity strengthening, and knowledge of how to use equipment; and follow-up assessments to test knowledge on groundwater monitoring and analysis of the BMOs and relevant water management agency officials to improve enforcement. Indicators This indicator refers to the trainings on enhanced up-to-date SWCIS and MIS for the Ararat Valley Number of trainings for building Signup sheets, meeting and on enhanced transparent water use 3.1.1 capacity of MNP in groundwater 1 2 3 4 5 notes, program reports permitting, control and oversight systems, monitoring decision support tools and/or online systems for groundwater use monitoring.
The indicators refer to the trainings on enhanced Number of people educated on tools, up-to-date SWCIS and MIS for the Ararat Valley, approaches, and/or methods for water enhanced transparent water use permitting, security, integrated water resource 1115 2616 Training registration 3.1.2 15 15 15 control and oversight systems, best practices of management, water source protection sheets; Project Master list efficient water use, irrigation practices and water and sustainable water use as a result of resource management. The indicator will be USG assistance disaggregated by gender.
Sub-IR 3.2: Rigorous, evidence-based analysis of optimal water fee levels completed, shared with engaged stakeholders and recommendations provided to the GOA Indicators
Number of workshops and Signup sheets, meeting 3.2.1 consultations with stakeholders to 4 9 - - - notes, program reports; Completed. discuss water fee levels Master list
Sub-IR 3.3: Water permitting monitoring and enforcement measures assessed and publicly available and recommendations, including development of regulations, provided
15 3 women; 8 men 16 (6 women, 20 men
48 to the GOA Indicators Package of recommendations to address The targets set in the PMP refer to the package of water permitting monitoring and Submission letter to the 3.3.1 - - 1 - - recommendations, drafted by ASPIRED and enforcement measures provided to the government submitted to the GOA. GOA IR 4: Ensure communication and coordination with stakeholders to avoid duplication of efforts
Sub-IR 4.1: Systems-mapping to gain and apply knowledge of points of influence, incentives, and resources of stakeholders in water and the water-energy nexus completed and shared Indicators The system mapping report and the matrix was Number of international and local prepared and submitted to USAID in Year 1. 4.1.1 organizations participating in the 17 2317 24 25 26 Meeting notes During the subsequent years, the ASPIRED team system mapping activities will update the matrix on an as-needed basis. This indicator refers to partnerships, Minutes of meetings, collaboration with other public and private sector Number of partnerships made by partnership agreements organizations, donor projects for the 4.1.2 618 10 11 12 ASPIRED with other organizations signed, collaborative implementation of joint projects and/or other projects. initiatives contributing to the accomplishment of ASPIRED objectives. Sub-IR 4.2: A transformative partnerships model to respond to needs for research, pilots, analysis and other coordinated efforts that is demand-driven, flexible, and has a plan for financial sustainability created Indicators This indicator refers to the in-kind and financial Percent of total funding leveraged from Letters from the partners contribution to be made by implementing 4.2.1 stakeholders for water resources - 3419 40 40 40 regarding provided partners against the share provided by the management activities. contribution. ASPIRED Project. This cost share indicator is not
17 Newly identified stakeholders, points of influence in water and water-energy nexus for the ASPIRED Project per Y3 results: Coca-Cola HBC, the President’s office (widely involved in the discussion of the groundwater issues of the Ararat Valley); Metsamor Power Plant (provision of data for the Fee Report); and Sat-Agro (satellite imagery for the Valley), EU Water Initiatives Plus (collaboration with the ASPIRED Project on SWCIS enhancement), Urban Foundation (through PURE-Water Project). 18 This figure refers to ASPIRED’s partnerships with the Hayanist community, Samvel Lablajyan LLC, UNDP/GEF SGP, ERGIS NGO, CCHBCA, and Satagro. 19 The reported figure is taken from the actual cost-share of partners (Coca-Cola HBC, ERGIS and Hayanist community) in the implementation of the irrigation rehabilitation project in Hayanist.
49 cumulative. 5. Cross cutting indicators The geographical target area is the AAB, which has the territory of 13,075 hectares, and the population of 58,373 people (28,392 men; 30,345 Percent of population living in targeted women). Hayanist population is 2,046 people (48 5.1 areas with improved water - 4.2 19 25 30 Program reports % men, 52 % women). The result for Year 2 is management due to the implementation of pilot projects in Sipanik and Hayanist villages. The targets for subsequent years include anticipated projects under ASPIRED, including PURE water projects. This indicator relates to policy, analysis and other activities targeted towards improvement of water Number of key implementation steps data-related activities, including training and Program reports, pilot 5.2 taken to improve water management in 1 4 6 8 10 pilot projects. projects Ararat Valley In Year 1, the ASPIRED team completed the inventory of the groundwater wells and springs in Ararat Valley. This indicator refers to (a) the number of fisheries with online monitoring systems installed and (b) fisheries which have adopted innovative water or energy efficiency (including renewable) Number of private sector firms that Pilot projects, other project technologies. In both cases, it will ultimately lead have improved management practices documentation, automated to improved management practices and more 5.3 or technologies as a result of USG - 1 7 10 11 control systems’ efficient resource use by the private sector assistance reports/information entities with the USG assistance. This attainment
of this target is contingent upon the installation of the automated systems for the groundwater use monitoring in fish farms by the request of the GOA. Innovative technologies, management/monitoring Pilot projects, project tools or practices introduced by the ASPIRED Number of innovations supported 5.4 2 4 5 5 documentation, progress team in fish farms, at water use points and/or through USG assistance reports communities of Ararat Valley which contribute to the reduction of the groundwater use.
50 The following definitions and concepts apply within this indicators framework, namely:
Training/workshops are ASPIRED approaches to sharing technical information with large audience. Stakeholders refer to the representatives of the MNP with its relevant agencies such as WRMA, BMOs, Hydrogeological Monitoring Center, EIMC, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Emergency Situations, NGOs, science institutions, fish farms which will at some or the other level be impacted by the project. Consultations refer to meetings with individual stakeholders to provide technical advice or expertise on a specific issue. Automatic data system – An automated control system to be installed at the fisheries for monitoring groundwater extraction. System mapping activities – study of the resources, donor projects and activities, funding options available in the AAB for preparation of the matrix of resources. Groundwater extraction reduction technologies refer to technologies introduced at fish farms or other water use points that lead to the reduction of the groundwater extraction by users. Percent of population living in targeted areas – will be measured by estimating the population of the communities/areas impacted by the project activities (e.g. re-use of groundwater from fisheries for irrigation needs) against the total size of the population living in the AAB area. The term water users refer to fish farmers, households, farmers and others benefitting from these improvements. Key implementation steps refer to the total number of steps undertaken by the project within its four components toward attainment of project results. The terms energy saved and water saved refer to calculations associated with each installed technology or practice. Cubic meters of water saved annually refer to the data from the use of the groundwater reduction technologies. Energy efficiency/renewable energy technologies will provide data on kilowatt hours of energy saved annually and annual reduction of GHG emissions.
51 6.ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE During Year 2, the ASPIRED Project continued ensuring the environmental compliance of its activities with USAID environmental procedures as defined under Part 2016 of the Code of Federal Regulations, terms and conditions specified in the Initial Environmental Examination (DCN: 2015-ARM-010) prepared by USAID/Armenia, and the requirements of the national environmental legislation (RA Law on Environmental Impact Assessment and Examination from 2014 and other legal acts).
Since the Project activities on improved data collection, maintenance and analysis, groundwater modeling, monitoring and capacity strengthening of water management agencies, enhancing capacity of the community members on best agricultural practices, recommendations on improved monitoring and enforcement of water use permit conditions, stakeholders’ mapping and establishment of transformative partnerships for implementing project activities are anticipated to have no adverse impact, they fall under Categorical Exclusions per Regulation 216, 2(c)(2)(i)
The ASPIRED Project activities concerning low cost and water/energy efficient technologies with the objective of improving water management and increasing energy efficiency and clean energy generation in the Ararat Basin fall under Negative Determination with Conditions per Reg. 216.3(a)(2)(iii), as they potentially have adverse environmental and health/safety effects during implementation phase. The ASPIRED Project will ensure environmental performance of the pilot activities per requirements of Reg. 216, terms and conditions specified in the IEE (4.1) and (4.3). The ASPIRED Project also will consider Requirements of the national environmental legislation (RA Law on Environmental Impact Assessment and Examination from 2014 and other legal acts), as well as health standards.
During Year 3, the Project Environmental Specialist will assist USAID in preparing amendments to the USAID/Armenia Agricultural Sector PERSUAP. Updated lists of the pesticides registered for import and use, as well as banned for use in Armenia will be incorporated in the PERSUAP. The amended document will be submitted to USAID in November 2017.
The Environmental Specialist will continue working with the Engineering team on the following activities:
Environmental screening of the project opportunities identified by the engineering team on water and energy efficient technologies, based on documentation prepared by the engineering team, site visits, etc. Recommendations will be provided to the ASPIRED team on avoiding and/or effectively mitigating the likely environmental, health and safety hazards for considering in the next phases of developing project opportunities into projects.
Preparation of environmental documentation for each pilot project concept. This will include: o The Environmental Review Checklist (ERC) for identifying potential environmental impacts of project activities and processes based on review of documentation prepared by the engineering team, site visit, etc. If there is an expressed need for conducing environmental impact assessment following USAID and/or Armenian legal requirements based on initial environmental review of the concept, the ASPIRED team will prepare a respective assessment for the final design.
52 o A project-specific EMMP, which will be an inseparable part of all pilot project related contracts. o A Certification of No Adverse or Significant Effects on the Environment.
Environmental compliance monitoring of project activities, including post-project water and/or crops quality monitoring. Results of the quality tests will be widely distributed among the beneficiaries and stakeholders at the local and national levels.
Implementation of environmental training program(s) for the Subcontractors and other implementing partners at earlier stage of projects initiation.
Prepare a Record of compliance with the activity-specific EMMP for the complete pilot projects.
A schedule of implementation of the environmental compliance activities is linked with schedule of respective activities for implementation of pilot water and energy efficient technologies in the Ararat Valley.
The ASPIRED Environmental Specialist will regularly be reporting on compliance assurance of the Project as a part of the ASPIRED Project regular reporting to USAID, including quarterly reports.
If any of the conditions stipulated in the IEE changes, the Environmental Specialist will provide a written communication to the MEO.
53