ATTACHMENT 16_ DRC_CARPE_IEE_102318-New.pdf

AFRICA BUREAU/DRC MISSION/ CENTRAL AFRICA REGIONAL PROGRAM FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IEE 2018-2023 i

TEMPLATE VERSION 2, APRIL 2018

INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION

Project/Activity Data Project/Activity Name: Central Africa Regional Program for the Environment

(CARPE)

Geographic Location(s) (Country/Region):

USAID/CARPE, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), East Africa, KEA. The six CARPE countries are: Cameroon, Central African Republic (CAR), DRC, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of Congo (ROC). All in Congo River Basin in Central Africa.

Amendment (Yes/No), if Yes indicate # (1, 2...):

No

Implementation Start/End Date (FY or M/D/Y):

30 September 2018 – 30 September 2023

If Amended, specify New End Date:

Solicitation/Contract/Award Number: 605-0010.00 Implementing Partner(s): Multiple Bureau Tracking ID (AFR): DRC CARPE IEE 2018-2023 https://ecd.usaid.gov/document.php?doc_id=51615 Tracking ID of Related RCE/IEE (if any):

Superseded IEEs & amendments, parent URL:

https://ecd.usaid.gov/repository/pdf/38627.pdf

• DRC_CARPEIII_IEE Extension (PDF) https://ecd.usaid.gov/repository/pdf/50181.pdf

Tracking ID of Other, Related Analyses:

EMMPs under CARPE Phase III’s Central Africa Forest Ecosystems Conservation (CAFEC) project (https://ecd.usaid.gov/repository/pdf/51277.pdf and https://ecd.usaid.gov/repository/pdf/51314.pdf); and Environmental Monitoring and Policy Support (EMAP) project (https://ecd.usaid.gov/repository/pdf/51313.pdf).

Organizational/Administrative Data

Implementing Operating Unit(s):

(e.g. Mission or Bureau or Office)

USAID/DRC

Other Affected Operating Unit(s):

Lead BEO Bureau: AFR Funding Account(s) (if available): DA Original Funding Amount: NA If Amended, specify funding amount: NA If Amended, specify new funding total: NA Prepared by: Byron Kominek, Angana Roy, Patrick Hall, & Arianne

Neigh, The Cadmus Group LLC (via GEMS II project) Date Prepared/Date Submitted for BEO concurrence

20 September 2018/ 23 October 2018 https://ecd.usaid.gov/document.php?doc_id=51615 https://ecd.usaid.gov/repository/pdf/38627.pdf javascript:%20f_open_document(50181);

https://ecd.usaid.gov/repository/pdf/50181.pdf https://ecd.usaid.gov/repository/pdf/50181.pdf https://ecd.usaid.gov/repository/pdf/51277.pdf https://ecd.usaid.gov/repository/pdf/51314.pdf https://ecd.usaid.gov/repository/pdf/51313.pdf

AFRICA BUREAU/DRC MISSION/ CENTRAL AFRICA REGIONAL PROGRAM FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IEE 2018-2023 ii

ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE REVIEW DATA

Analysis Type:

☒ Environmental Examination

☒ Deferral

Environmental Determination(s): ☒ Categorical Exclusion(s) ☒ Negative w/ Conditions

☐ Positive ☒ Deferred (per 22CFR216.3(a)(7)(iv)

IEE Expiration Date (if different from implementation end date):

September 30, 2023

Additional Analyses/Reporting Required: • EMMPs by Implementing Partners

• Environmental Review Reports (ERR) http://www.usaidgems.org/subsidiary.htm.

• IEE Amendments for Deferred activities

• Climate Risk Management: specific risks and opportunities to address those risks are found in Section 4.2 and included in Annex 1.

Climate Risks Identified (#): Low __19__ Moderate __14__ High __6__ Climate Risks Addressed (#): Low __0___ Moderate __14__ High __6__

THRESHOLD DETERMINATION AND SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

PROJECT/ACTIVITY SUMMARY

The overarching objective of USAID Central Africa Regional Program for the Environment (USAID/CARPE) programming in the Congo Basin is to maintain the ecological integrity of the humid forest ecosystem and accelerate Central Africa’s transition to climate-resilient, low-emissions development through sustainable management of forest biodiversity.

USAID’s sustainable landscapes program combines three components: (1) on-the-ground, large-scale tropical forest landscape conservation interventions; (2) strengthened legal, policy, and regulatory frameworks for forest conservation at regional, national, and local levels; and (3) the development and utilization of forest monitoring systems to provide comprehensive information for policy decision-making. All three are key elements for creating sustainable systems for improving forest conservation and mitigating climate change. Within the Congo Basin, CARPE operates in nine critical biodiversity and priority landscapes (as defined in Section 2.1).

USAID/CARPE currently implements two interdependent programs: Central Africa Forest Ecosystems Conservation (CAFEC) and Environmental Monitoring and Policy Support (EMAPS). CAFEC focuses on sustainable management and conservation in the CARPE landscapes. EMAPS focuses on improving environmental policies and regulations while building local capacity to support conservation of forests and biodiversity.

PURPOSE AND SCOPE

This IEE replaces and supersedes the current, but expiring CARPE IEE prepared in 2012. The 2012 IEE was amended in mid-2017, extending its coverage by one year to mid-2018 then the 2018 IEE was amended for an additional three months extending the coverage till October 25th, 2018. The CARPE RDCS will expire in 2020. This IEE will cover the remainder of CARPE III and will also cover a potential CARPE IV until 2023. This IEE also documents the results of the http://www.usaidgems.org/subsidiary.htm https://ecd.usaid.gov/repository/pdf/38627.pdf https://ecd.usaid.gov/repository/pdf/50181.pdf

AFRICA BUREAU/DRC MISSION/ CENTRAL AFRICA REGIONAL PROGRAM FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IEE 2018-2023 iii project/activity level Climate Risk Management process in accordance with USAID policy (specifically, ADS 201mal), the mandatory references on “Climate Change in USAID Strategies” and “Climate Risk Management for USAID Projects and Activities.”

ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATIONS

Upon approval of this document, the determinations become affirmed, per Agency regulations

(22CFR216).

Drawn from tables in Section 4 of the IEE, the following table summarizes the recommended environmental determinations by CARPE intervention category. Table 4.1 in the body of the doc ument identifies the environmental determinations applicable to the specific intervention activities within the categories.

TABLE 1: ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATIONS BY CARPE INTERVENTION CATEGORY

Intervention Category Categorical

Exclusion Citation (if applicable)

Negative Determination

Positive Determi nation

Deferral 1,2

1. Small business and enterprise development to improve rural livelihoods and food security (Table 4.1) (sub-categories A- H)

216.2(c)(2)(i)

X w/ Conditions

X (medium-large animal husbandry & slaughterhouses)

2. Energy production, distribution, marketing, and training to reduce biomass consumption (Table 4.2) (sub-categories A-F)

X (charcoal production & alternative fuels from fossil fuels or biofuels)

3. Research, analysis, studies and planning that does not dictate or directly inform decisions on land use practices, natural resource management, or conservation efforts (Table 4.3) (sub-categories A-D)

,(iii), (v),(xiv)

4. Research, analysis, studies and planning (desk- or field-based) designed to guide, frame or otherwise direct land use practices that have a large-scale impact on forest management and use, including protected areas and more intensively managed areas (i.e., subsistence, 1 Deferrals must be cleared through an Amendment to this IEE prior to implementation of any deferred activities. USAID/IPs may utilize the Environmental Screening Tool to assess impacts of deferred activities.

2 Activities specified with the parentheses are those within the Intervention Category in which a deferral of a threshold determination may be used.

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1876/201mat.pdf

AFRICA BUREAU/DRC MISSION/ CENTRAL AFRICA REGIONAL PROGRAM FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IEE 2018-2023 iv

Intervention Category Categorical Exclusion Citation (if applicable)

Negative Determination

Positive Determi nation

Deferral 1,2 outgrower, and commercial agriculture) (Table 4.4) (sub-categories A-J)

5. Training and capacity building to conserve tropical forests and biodiversity (Table 4.5) (Sub-categories A-M)

X (if community population is deemed too small as determined through collaboration between the U.S.

Forest Service and the relevant host country government officials to manage a protected area of 11,000 km2)

6. Policy and legal initiatives for enhanced natural resource management (Table 4.6) (Sub-categories A-J)

7. Development and promotion of technical resources, tools or best practice guidance to advance conservation of tropical forests and biodiversity (Table 4.7) (Sub-categories A-B)

216.2(c)(2)(ii i),(v)

8. Construction and infrastructure development efforts (Table 4.8)

X (in National Parks and

Monuments construction or rehabilitation greater than 1,000m2 in total area)

9. Studies on disease cross-transmission between humans and fauna (Table 4.9) (Sub-category A)

10. Grant-making facility to advance the conservation of tropical forests and biodiversity (Table 4.10)

X w/

Conditions

11. Veterinary research, screening, and health care provision (Table 4.11) (Sub-category A)

AFRICA BUREAU/DRC MISSION/ CENTRAL AFRICA REGIONAL PROGRAM FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IEE 2018-2023 v

Intervention Category Categorical Exclusion Citation (if applicable)

Negative Determination

Positive Determi nation

Deferral 1,2

12. Collection and export of live specimens (Table 4.12) (Sub-categories A-B)

X w/ Conditions

X (For other activities related to plant export or specimen collections other than those specified herein)

CLIMATE RISK MANAGEMENT

USAID has been supporting CARPE since 1995. Because the RCDS for CARPE II was completed in 2012, no climate risk management screening has been completed at the strategy, project, or activity level.

Per ADS Chapter 201, climate change in USAID projects and activities3 implemented as of October 1, 2016 should be screened to provide a concise basis for reference of climate risk management opportunities as activities evolve. Part A, “Assessing Climate Risks”, of the CRM screening matrix was completed in accordance with the prescribed guidance ADS201mal.4 Part B, “Addressing Climate Risks”, includes suggestions for consideration by the Mission when the activity design is developed. Further screening on proposals, once the request is issued, will be drafted and the CRM, particularly Part B, will be revised.

The purpose of this CRM screening is to identify climate related risks associated with ongoing and planned CARPE actions across its zones. The CARPE design is very sensitive to climate vulnerabilities as it is an environment, biodiversity, and conservation activity whose target outcomes bolster adaptation to climate change and inherently reduce GHG emissions.

BEO SPECIFIED CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL

No additional specified conditions apart from the General Conditions stipulated below, and the Conditions associated with the Negative Determinations identified above in Table 1, to which the BEO added “with Conditions” according to which Intervention Category was involved.

Hyperlinks have been added to all the Categories for ease of reference and use.

GENERAL IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING CONDITIONS

In addition to the specific conditions enumerated in Section 4, the negative determinations recommended in this IEE are contingent on full implementation of a set of general monitoring and implementation requirements specified in Section 5 of the IEE.

3 Climate Risk Management for USAID Projects and Activities. A Mandatory Reference for ADS Chapter

201. Available at: https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/200/201mal 4 CRM Tool. Available at: https://www.climatelinks.org/sites/default/files/2017-05- 24%20USAID%20CRM%20Activity%20tool%20%2B%20Annex.pdf

AFRICA BUREAU/DRC MISSION/ CENTRAL AFRICA REGIONAL PROGRAM FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IEE 2018-2023 vi

5.1 The Agreement/Contracting Officer’s Representative (A/COR) will ensure appropriate environmental compliance language, including standard limitations defined in this IEE, be incorporated into solicitations and awards for these activities. These requirements will ensure:

a. Implementing partners (IPs) develop, obtain approval for, and fully implement Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plans (EMMPs), environmental mitigation and monitoring reports (EMMRs), as appropriate to the projects/activities.

b. IPs integrates EMMPs in work plans and ensure adequate budget to fully comply with requirements including EMMP implementation and monitoring.

c. IPs report on monitoring actions and take corrective measures when issues are identified.

d. Solicitations include Statements of Work with task(s) for meeting environmental compliance requirements and appropriate evaluation criteria.

e. Ensure integration of compliance responsibilities in prime and sub-grants agreements and contracts.

f. IPs use the Environmental Review Form to screen sub-grant applications and to aid in development of EMMPs as well as document baseline conditions and screen for activity specific impacts to ensure environmental, health, and safety safeguards are adequately programmed.

g. Ensure sub-grantees and sub-contractors have capacity to fully carry out environmental compliance requirements.

5.2 The A/COR will review the IEE against annual work plans to ensure all planned actions remain covered by the IEE and if new actions are identified which fall outside the scope of this IEE, an Amendment will be provided to the BEO for concurrence.

5.3 The A/COR, with the support of the Mission Environmental Officer (MEO), is responsible for monitoring compliance of actions by means of desktop reviews and site visits.

5.4 The A/COR is responsible for preparing appropriate environmental compliance documentation for new or modified project/activity components.

5.5 The A/COR and/or MEO will provide briefings for the IP on environmental compliance responsibilities.

5.6 The A/COR will obtain BEO clearance for any deferrals prior to implementation of deferred actions.

5.7 The A/COR will ensure that Negative Determination with Conditions and Positive Determination threshold decisions are followed by appropriate environmental analyses and development and implementation of mitigation and monitoring measures.

5.8 If at any time the project is found to be out of compliance with this IEE, the A/COR, MEO, and/or REA shall immediately notify the BEO.

5.9 The BEO or designated representative may conduct site visits or request additional information for compliance monitoring purposes to ensure compliance with this IEE, as necessary.

5.10 All EMMPs shall be reviewed and approved by A/COR, MEO, and Regional Environmental Advisor (REA).

AFRICA BUREAU/DRC MISSION/ CENTRAL AFRICA REGIONAL PROGRAM FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IEE 2018-2023 vii

5.11 The A/COR will ensure that an EMMP will be prepared and submitted by the IP, and that an Environmental Assessment is conducted and report prepared, for approval by USAID prior to implementation of activities receiving a Negative Determination with Conditions and Positive Determination respectively.

5.12 Changes in activities and their associated EMMPs require amending the IEE.

5.13 The A/COR shall keep and maintain environmental compliance documents in the official project file.

5.14 Nothing in this document substitutes for or supersedes IP’s or sub-awardee’s/-grantee’s/-contractor's responsibility for compliance with all applicable partner country laws and regulations. They must comply with partner country environmental regulations unless otherwise directed in writing by USAID. However, in the case of a conflict between partner country and USAID regulations, the latter shall govern.

5.15 The IP will prepare a closeout plan consistent with contract documentation for A/COR review and approval that outlines responsibilities for end-of-project operation, for example, clean-up and disposal of veterinary supplies, construction, solid wastes, and/or transition of other operational responsibilities. Where identified as needed, the closeout/transition operation will provide training to support continuity of environmental responsibilities. The A/COR will ensure the IP sign and submits a Record of Compliance with the EMMP certifying that the organization met all applicable EMMP conditions.

General Restrictions: For purposes of compliance with USAID procedures, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) or Living Modified Organisms (LMOs) are defined as “living organisms modified by genetic engineering techniques” and include, e.g., plants, microorganisms, live animal vaccines (if used outside a contained area and not approved in the US), animals, and insects. This IEE does not authorize support for laboratory or field-based research involving GMOs/LMOs, nor does it authorize support for multiplication, confined field testing, open release, or commercialization of GMOs/LMOs. Support for laboratory research involving GMOs/LMOs in contained facilities would require an approved amendment to this IEE.

Support for field testing or open release of GMOs/LMOs would require successful review under USAID’s Biosafety Procedures followed by an approved IEE amendment.

Pesticides: All activities that fall outside of the category of “controlled experimentation exclusively for the purpose of research and field evaluation” and entail the procurement or use, or both, of pesticides are not covered by this IEE. Any additional procurement, use, or recommended use of pesticides requires a Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan (PERSUAP), conducted in accordance with USAID Pesticide Procedures (22 CFR 216.3(b)). Prior to any procurement or use of pesticide, a PERSUAP (if not available) or SUAP should be submitted and approved by USAID.

IMPLEMENTATION

In accordance with 22CFR216 and Agency policy, the conditions and requirements of this document become mandatory upon approval. This includes the relevant limitations, conditions and requirements in this document as stated in Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the IEE and any BEO Specified Conditions of Approval.

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INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION

PROJECT/ACTIVITY NAME: USAID Central Africa Regional Program for the Environment (CARPE) project

Bureau Tracking ID: ______________________

CONTENTS

PROJECT/ACTIVITY DATA ........................................................................................................ I ORGANIZATIONAL/ADMINISTRATIVE DATA ........................................................................... I ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE REVIEW DATA .................................................................. II THRESHOLD DETERMINATION AND SUMMARY OF FINDINGS ........................................... II

PROJECT/ACTIVITY SUMMARY ........................................................................................................... II PURPOSE AND SCOPE ......................................................................................................................... II

ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATIONS ....................................................................................III CLIMATE RISK MANAGEMENT ............................................................................................................. V BEO SPECIFIED CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL ................................................................................... V GENERAL IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING CONDITIONS ...................................................... V IMPLEMENTATION ............................................................................................................................... VII

USAID APPROVAL OF INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION ..................................... VIII

1.0 PROJECT/ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION

1.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF IEE

1.2 PROJECT OVERVIEW

1.3 PROJECT DESCRIPTION / INTERVENTION CATEGORIES

2.0 BASELINE ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

2.1 LOCATIONS AFFECTED AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT (ENVIRONMENT, PHYSICAL,

CLIMATE, SOCIAL)

2.1.2 LOCATIONS AFFECTED

2.1.3 CLIMATE & CLIMATE CHANGE

2.1.4 AGRICULTURE

2.1.5 BUSHMEAT AND HUNTING

2.1.6 COMBATING WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING

2.1.7 STATUS OF NATURAL RESOURCES

2.1.8 POPULATION HEALTH AND EDUCATION

2.2 APPLICABLE AND APPROPRIATE PARTNER COUNTRY AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL

STANDARDS (E.G., WHO), ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL LAWS, POLICIES, AND

REGULATIONS

3.0 ANALYSIS OF POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL RISK

3.1 INTERVENTION CATEGORY #1: SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT TO

IMPROVE RURAL LIVELIHOODS AND FOOD SECURITY

AFRICA BUREAU/DRC MISSION/ CENTRAL AFRICA REGIONAL PROGRAM FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IEE 2018-2023 xi

3.1.1 DESCRIPTION OF ENTAILED ACTIVITIES AND POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS

3.2 INTERVENTION CATEGORY #2: ENERGY PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION, MARKETING, AND

TRAINING TO REDUCE BIOMASS CONSUMPTION

3.2.1 DESCRIPTION OF ENTAILED ACTIVITIES AND POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS

3.3 ...... INTERVENTION CATEGORY #3: RESEARCH, ANALYSIS, STUDIES AND PLANNING THAT

DOES NOT DICTATE OR DIRECTLY INFORM DECISIONS ON LAND USE PRACTICES, NATURAL

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, OR CONSERVATION EFFORTS

3.3.1 DESCRIPTION OF ENTAILED ACTIVITIES AND POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS

3.4 INTERVENTION CATEGORY #4: RESEARCH, ANALYSIS, STUDIES, AND PLANNING (DESK-

OR FIELD-BASED) DESIGNED TO GUIDE, FRAME OR OTHERWISE DIRECT LAND USE

PRACTICES THAT HAVE A LARGE-SCALE IMPACT ON FOREST MANAGEMENT AND USE,

INCLUDING PROTECTED AREAS AND MORE INTENSIVELY MANAGED AREAS (I.E.,

SUBSISTENCE, OUTGROWER AND COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE)

3.4.1 DESCRIPTION OF ENTAILED ACTIVITIES AND POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS

3.5 INTERVENTION CATEGORY #5: TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING TO CONSERVE

TROPICAL FORESTS AND BIODIVERSITY

3.5.1 DESCRIPTION OF ENTAILED ACTIVITIES AND POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS

3.6 INTERVENTION CATEGORY #6: POLICY AND LEGAL INITIATIVES FOR ENHANCED

NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

3.6.1 DESCRIPTION OF ENTAILED ACTIVITIES AND POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS

3.7 INTERVENTION CATEGORY #7: DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION OF TECHNICAL

RESOURCES, TOOLS, OR BEST PRACTICE GUIDANCE TO ADVANCE CONSERVATION OF

TROPICAL FORESTS AND BIODIVERSITY

3.7.1 DESCRIPTION OF ENTAILED ACTIVITIES AND POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS

3.8 INTERVENTION CATEGORY #8: CONSTRUCTION AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

EFFORTS

3.8.1 DESCRIPTION OF ENTAILED ACTIVITIES AND POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS

3.9 INTERVENTION CATEGORY #9: STUDIES ON DISEASE CROSS-TRANSMISSION BETWEEN

HUMANS AND FAUNA

3.9.1 DESCRIPTION OF ENTAILED ACTIVITIES AND POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS

3.10 INTERVENTION CATEGORY #10: GRANT-MAKING FACILITY TO ADVANCE THE

CONSERVATION OF TROPICAL FORESTS AND BIODIVERSITY

3.10.1 DESCRIPTION OF ENTAILED ACTIVITIES AND POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS

3.11 ...... INTERVENTION CATEGORY #11: VETERINARY RESEARCH, SCREENING, AND HEALTH

CARE PROVISION

3.11.1 DESCRIPTION OF ENTAILED ACTIVITIES AND POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS

3.12 INTERVENTION CATEGORY #12: COLLECTION AND EXPORT OF LIVE SPECIMENS

3.12.1 DESCRIPTION OF ENTAILED ACTIVITIES AND POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS

4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATIONS

4.1 RECOMMENDED ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATIONS

4.2 CLIMATE RISK MANAGEMENT

4.2.1 SUMMARY OF CLIMATE RISK SCREENING PROCESS

4.2.2 SUMMARY OF CLIMATE RISKS AND GHG CONTRIBUTIONS

4.2.3 RECOMMENDATIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO ADDRESS RISKS

5.0 CONDITIONS AND MITIGATION MEASURES

AFRICA BUREAU/DRC MISSION/ CENTRAL AFRICA REGIONAL PROGRAM FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IEE 2018-2023 xii

5.1 CONDITIONS

5.2 AGENCY CONDITIONS

5.3 MITIGATION MEASURES

6.0 PROCEDURES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE 22 CFR 216 PROCESS

7.0 LIMITATIONS OF THIS INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION

8.0 REVISIONS

ANNEXES:

AFRICA BUREAU/DRC MISSION/ CENTRAL AFRICA REGIONAL PROGRAM FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IEE 2018-2023 1

USAID 216 IEE TEMPLATE VERSION 2, APRIL 2018

1.0 PROJECT/ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION

1.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF IEE

The purpose of this document, in accordance with Title 22, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 216 (22CFR216), is to provide a preliminary review of the reasonably foreseeable effects on the environment of the USAID intervention described herein and recommend determinations and, as appropriate, conditions for these activities. Upon approval, these determinations become affirmed per 22CFR216 and specified conditions become mandatory obligations of implementation.

This IEE replaces and supersedes the current, but expiring, Central Africa Regional Program for the Environment (CARPE) IEE prepared in 2012. The 2012 IEE was amended in mid-2017, extending its coverage by one year to mid-2018. The 2018 IEE was amended for an additional three months extending the coverage till October 25th, 2018 (CARPE III IEE Am2). CARPE RDCS will expire in 2020. This IEE will cover the remainder of CARPE III and will cover a potential CARPE IV until 2023. This IEE also documents the results of the project/activity level Climate Risk Management process in accordance with USAID policy (specifically, ADS 201mal).

This IEE is a critical element of USAID’s mandatory environmental review and compliance process meant to achieve environmentally sound activity design and implementation. Potential environmental impacts should be addressed through formal environmental mitigation and monitoring plans (EMMPs) and/or Environmental Assessments (EAs), if needed.

1.2 PROJECT OVERVIEW

CARPE is a regional initiative that has functioned continuously since 1995. Its purpose is to coordinate work on identifying and establishing the conditions and practices required to reduce deforestation, forest degradation, and loss of biological diversity in Central Africa in a manner which addresses local, national, regional, and international concerns. In 2003, USAID launched the second phase of CARPE (CARPE II) under a strategic plan for the period of 2003-2011 and then greatly expanded CARPE to provide significant new financial and technical resources to the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) to conserve the planet’s second largest tropical rainforest and its threatened biodiversity.

The current Regional Development Cooperation Strategy (RDCS) for the period 2012 to 2020 was approved in June 2011 to support the third phase of CARPE (CARPE III). The RDCS marked a renewed United States government commitment to the conservation of Central Africa’s tropical forest and biodiversity and the international efforts to fight global climate change through maintaining the carbon stocks of the world’s second largest tropical forest. Its overall goal is to accelerate Central Africa’s transition to climate-resilient, low emissions development through sustainable management of bio-diverse forests. The development objective (DO) of CARPE is to maintain the ecological integrity of the humid forest ecosystem of the Congo Basin.

This DO directly responds to the opportunities created by the President’s Global Climate Change Initiative Sustainable Landscape pillar. Promoting sustainable landscape management will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from avoided deforestation and reduced forest degradation and further sequester carbon from the atmosphere (REDD+). International donors, including the United States, are committed through the UNFCCC process to support Central African countries to participate in REDD+ programs. The USAID/CARPE program signifies https://ecd.usaid.gov/repository/pdf/38627.pdf https://ecd.usaid.gov/repository/pdf/38627.pdf https://ecd.usaid.gov/repository/pdf/38627.pdf https://ecd.usaid.gov/repository/pdf/50181.pdf https://ecd.usaid.gov/repository/pdf/51097.pdf

AFRICA BUREAU/DRC MISSION/ CENTRAL AFRICA REGIONAL PROGRAM FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IEE 2018-2023 2 strong support to this international process. The DO also takes advantage of the achievements of past CARPE investments in building regional, national and local capacity in land use planning, sustainable natural resource management, forest monitoring systems, the growth of capable local civil society and communities involved in conservation of natural resources, the improvement of the policy and regulatory environment, and the increasing political stability and security in the region.

1.3 PROJECT DESCRIPTION / INTERVENTION CATEGORIES

For purposes of this environmental review and compliance document, this IEE organizes activities/interventions constituting the USAID/CARPE portfolio into the following twelve categories. Each intervention category has within it distinct activities that are described below.

Intervention Categories

1. Small business and enterprise development to improve rural livelihoods and food security.

2. Energy production, distribution, marketing, and training to reduce biomass consumption.

3. Research, analysis, studies, and planning that does not dictate or directly inform decisions on land use practices, natural resource management, or conservation efforts.

4. Research, analysis, studies, and planning (desk- or field-based) designed to guide, frame or otherwise direct land use practices that have a large-scale impact on forest management and use, including protected areas and more intensively managed areas (i.e., subsistence, outgrower and commercial agriculture).

5. Training and capacity building to conserve tropical forests and biodiversity.

6. Policy and legal initiatives for enhanced natural resource management.

7. Development and promotion of technical resources, tools, or best practice guidance to advance conservation of tropical forests and biodiversity.

8. Construction and infrastructure development efforts.

9. Studies on disease cross-transmission between humans and fauna.

10. Grant-making facility to advance the conservation of tropical forests and biodiversity.

11. Veterinary research, screening, and health care provision

12. Collection and export of live specimens

Detailed Activities per Intervention Category

1. Small business and enterprise development to improve rural livelihoods and food security.

A. Support registration and incorporation of community business ventures;

B. Assist with participatory business planning: strategic, operational, and investment structures; and, C. Facilitate establishment of market linkages;

D. Improve access to finance, including:

i. Establishing a Conservation Enterprise Fund;

ii. Loans; and, AFRICA BUREAU/DRC MISSION/ CENTRAL AFRICA REGIONAL PROGRAM FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IEE 2018-2023 3

iii. Training (e.g., administration, financial management).

E. Develop commercial agricultural enterprises, including:

i. Agro-forestry (does not include work in existing forests);

ii. Fruit/nut tree cultivation;

iii. Processing (for example, oil palm, cocoa, coffee, copra, and meat); and,

iv. Intensification/rehabilitation.

F. Promote animal husbandry;

G. Promote aquaculture/fish farming/beekeeping; and, H. Develop community-level natural resource-based enterprises, including implementation of pilot and/or incentive schemes, with priority on:

i. Conservation enterprise and sustainable agriculture, such as: smallholder agriculture participation in cooperative marketing efforts, commercial plantation rehabilitation, bioprospecting, medicinal research, non-timber forest product (NTFP) development;

ii. Small-scale crop production; and,

iii. Ecotourism activities e.g., Sangha Tri-National landscape (TNS).

2. Energy production, distribution, marketing, and training to reduce biomass consumption.

A. Design and implement mini-grid and solar power generation facilities;

B. Enable electrical connections for individual households;

C. Identify and promote alternatives to charcoal;

D. Produce and distribute improved cook stoves;

E. Support expansion of market for natural gas; and, F. Provide training in sustainable energy production and use.

3. Research, analysis, studies, and planning that does not dictate or directly inform decisions on land use practices, natural resource management, or conservation efforts.

A. Conduct or complete desk-based feasibility studies, including for:

i. Pilot ecotourism activities or programs; and,

ii. Enterprise development (entailing identification of enterprise sites).

B. Collect and analyze remote sensing data on forest cover change and other stresses/threats to sound forest management practice (e.g., alerts on fire occurrence/distribution).

C. Collect, analyze, and distribute data not involving collection of live samples; and, D. Research the creation/implementation of alternative financing options or mechanisms to fund protected areas;

i. Design and propose to ICCN an endowment fund for community conservation support;

ii. Support development of national and regional trust funds to sustain protected area management;

iii. Implement long-term funding tools such as recreational fees for national parks and protected areas;

iv. Determine feasibility of conservation payments as incentive for community landscape-level conservation; and,

v. Pursue new models for carbon sequestration payments.

AFRICA BUREAU/DRC MISSION/ CENTRAL AFRICA REGIONAL PROGRAM FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IEE 2018-2023 4

4. Research, analysis, studies, and planning (desk- or field-based) designed to guide, frame or otherwise direct land use practices that have a large-scale impact on forest management and use, including protected areas and more intensively managed areas (i.e., subsistence, outgrower, and commercial agriculture).

A. Conduct rapid market surveys for viable natural resource-based enterprises;

B. Assess alternatives for conservation enterprise and sustainable agriculture, including community needs;

C. Research, inventory, and conduct meetings to inform the development of integrated land use plans;

D. Implement land use management plans for community lands, community forest reserves, logging and mining concessions, professional hunting zones, and protected areas;

E. Develop landscape-level management plans and capacity building for successful implementation by responsible ministries and all relevant stakeholders;

F. Map, zone, demarcate, register, and/or gazette various land uses (e.g., community reserves);

G. Develop and implement a management plan for protected areas (e.g., national parks, community forest reserves, conservation zones, etc.) and surrounding landscapes;

H. Develop and implement constitution/laws and management plans for community conservation areas;

I. Support Local NGOs to develop management plans and appropriate zoning; and, J. Promote development and endorsement of protected area management plans.

5. Training and capacity building to conserve tropical forests and biodiversity.

A. Promote trans-boundary cooperation on conservation patrols and enforcement;

B. Train and build capacity of local communities and community-based organizations

(CBOs) to manage their natural resources (e.g., local fisheries);

C. Build capacity for institutions charged with protected area management;

D. Train and build capacity for improved environmental monitoring (entailing provision of monitoring equipment to eco-guards);

E. Raise awareness/conduct education campaigns on wildlife code enforcement;

F. Train and build capacity of magistrates on wildlife code and prosecution of wildlife crimes;

G. Build capacity of civil society to serve as watchdog ensuring that wildlife criminals are prosecuted, sentenced, and imprisoned for the duration of the sentence;

H. Train judiciary on policy reform to sustain REDD+;

I. Develop environmental education curriculum and programs;

J. Train and build capacity for GHG measurement, reporting, and validation;

K. Promote measures to reduce erosion, including introduction of Vetiver technology, establishment of tree nurseries, and tree alley cropping;

L. Mobilize communities, elect, and train management committees for the community forest reserves; and, M. Support community-based natural reserve as a viable management option for the 11,000 square km swamp forest area at the confluence of the Ubangi and Congo rivers.

AFRICA BUREAU/DRC MISSION/ CENTRAL AFRICA REGIONAL PROGRAM FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IEE 2018-2023 5

6. Policy and legal initiatives for enhanced natural resource management.

A. Support development of relevant policy and legal framework to enhance community capacities in natural resource management, governance, and benefit sharing;

B. Promote development of policy and legal framework to define status and management of buffer areas;

C. Conduct workshops and consultative processes aimed at legislative and policy reform and transboundary landscape management;

D. Promote natural resource policy harmonization;

E. Support a process for codifying and disseminating customary land tenure laws;

F. Support strengthening of community-based rights on fishing grounds;

G. Support official recognition of traditional agricultural and hunting grounds;

H. Promote development of appropriate legal and policy framework to enhance CBNRM initiatives;

I. Review and analyze legislative and policy frameworks governing management of natural resources; and, J. Support establishment of implementing regulations at provincial level for charcoal production, sale, and use.

7. Development and promotion of technical resources, tools or best practice guidance to advance conservation of tropical forests and biodiversity.

A. Develop and publish and/or disseminate best practice guidance/guidelines for improved natural resource management (e.g., protected area, logging concession, and community reserve management); and, B. Produce documents and reports and provide technical assistance to promote community forests for carbon storage and energy efficiency use.

8. Construction and infrastructure development efforts.

A. Construct small- and medium-sized structures and/or facilities, potentially including:

i. Headquarters in parks and protected areas;

ii. Satellite camps for park guards and researchers;

iii. Housing, office space, workshops, and store-rooms for eco-guards;

iv. Eco-lodges for ecotourism development;

v. Education centers close to national parks;

vi. Community conservation centers; and

vii. GIS data centers; and, B. Refurbish and rehabilitate housing, patrol posts, and research centers.

9. Studies on disease cross-transmission between humans and fauna.

A. Research and document occurrences, causes, types, and frequencies of cross-transmission diseases between humans and fauna.

10. Grant-making facility to advance the conservation of tropical forests and biodiversity.

A. Review and award grants to applicants who propose implementation activities that will help achieve or otherwise support CARPE program objectives; and, AFRICA BUREAU/DRC MISSION/ CENTRAL AFRICA REGIONAL PROGRAM FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IEE 2018-2023 6

B. Implement small NGO grant projects to develop strategic platforms, advocacy messages and natural resource-based enterprises.

11. Veterinary research, screening, and health care provision.

A. Biomedical research and veterinary care of domesticated livestock or endangered fauna, including generation of medical waste.

12. Collection and export of live specimens.

A. Undertake regular expeditions to collect geo-referenced specimens; and, B. Export plant specimens collected in this region to international and regional herbaria.

AFRICA BUREAU/DRC MISSION/ CENTRAL AFRICA REGIONAL PROGRAM FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IEE 2018-2023 1

2.0 BASELINE ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

2.1 LOCATIONS AFFECTED AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT (ENVIRONMENT, PHYSICAL,

CLIMATE, SOCIAL)

2.1.2 LOCATIONS AFFECTED

The six CARPE countries consist of Cameroon, Central African Republic (CAR), the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of Congo (ROC). All of these countries are located in the Congo River Basin in Central Africa and have a combined population of more than 121 million people, though only the DRC has a USAID mission presence. The DRC is the largest of all six countries and the 12th largest country in the world by landmass. The DRC contains the Congo River, the second largest river in the world, and Lake Tanganyika, one of the largest fresh water lakes in the world. Central Africa is marked by a tremendous amount of biodiversity. In particular, the Congo River and the forests of the Congo Basin contain a large number of unique plant and animal species. The forests, wetlands, peat lands, mangroves, and coastal areas are rich sites of biodiversity and hold some of the world’s most critically endangered species, including Western lowland gorillas and forest elephants. The tropical forests generate most of their own rainfall and the dense trees and peat lands within the Congo River Basin are key carbon sinks. The ecosystems in Central Africa are critical not only for the climate of the region but for global climate regulation and biodiversity.

TABLE 2. POPULATION BY COUNTRY5

Country Population Cameroon 24,994,885

CAR 5,625,118

DRC 83,301,151

Equatorial Guinea 778,358 Gabon 1,772,255

ROC 4,954,674

Total 121,426,441

TABLE 3. FOREST AREA BY COUNTRY6

Country Area (km2) Percentage Cameroon 200,370 11%

CAR 58,330 3%

DRC 1,071,810 60%

Equatorial Guinea 21,630 1% Gabon 224,160 13%

ROC 209,320 12%

Total 1,785,620 100%

5 CIA Factbook, accessed 2018 6 Mallon, D.P, et al., 2015. An IUCN situation analysis of terrestrial and freshwater fauna in West and Central Africa. Occasional Paper of the IUCN Species Survival Commission No. 54. Supplemental Material

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2.1.3 CLIMATE & CLIMATE CHANGE

Several climate analyses from USAID are available for the CARPE project area and for the separate countries included in the zone of influence.7,8,9 Due to the complexity of geographies and the significant amount of literature available, this section provides a snapshot of climate change as it manifests in observed trends and general predictions for the CARPE area. Section

4.2 provides further climate risk management considerations for CARPE.

The observed climate across the CARPE zone varies slightly from north to south. Temperatures in the southern areas are somewhat cooler than those in the northern areas. Additionally, ecological landscapes, in alignment with the elevation and rainy season frequency, length, and intensity, change across the target zone. For example, central DRC has tropical forests with more rainfall and two rainy seasons. CAR is primarily savanna with higher temperatures, whereas, ROC and southern DRC are transitional between savanna and tropical forest (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Observed climate and climatic zones in the CARPE landscapes.

The CARPE zones have shown trends indicative of climate change. Increased annual temperatures, increased warm temperature extremes, and increased variability are common across the zone (Figure 2). Climate projections vary, attributable to the lack of adequate data across the region; however, there is general agreement that: (1) annual temperatures will

7 Climate Risks in the Central Africa Regional Program for the Environment (CARPE) and Congo Basin.

USAID 2018. Available at: https://www.climatelinks.org/resources/climate-risks-central-africa-regional-program-environment-carpe-and-congo-basin 8 Climate Risks in Food for Peace Geographies: DRC. USAID 2017. Available at:

https://www.climatelinks.org/resources/climate-change-risk-profile-climate-risk-screening-food-security-democratic-republic-congo 9 DRC Climate Vulnerability Profile. USAID, 2013. Available at:

https://www.climatelinks.org/resources/democratic-republic-congo-climate-vulnerability-profile https://www.climatelinks.org/resources/climate-risks-central-africa-regional-program-environment-carpe-and-congo-basin https://www.climatelinks.org/resources/climate-risks-central-africa-regional-program-environment-carpe-and-congo-basin https://www.climatelinks.org/resources/climate-change-risk-profile-climate-risk-screening-food-security-democratic-republic-congo https://www.climatelinks.org/resources/climate-change-risk-profile-climate-risk-screening-food-security-democratic-republic-congo https://www.climatelinks.org/resources/democratic-republic-congo-climate-vulnerability-profile

AFRICA BUREAU/DRC MISSION/ CENTRAL AFRICA REGIONAL PROGRAM FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IEE 2018-2023 3 increase; (2) heat wave frequency will increase; and, (3) the frequency of intense rainfall events will increase.

Figure 2. Climate change trends and projections for the carpe zones

A greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions factsheet has been developed for East Africa as a whole, inclusive of CARPE countries.10 Additionally, the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) have been developed for the DRC and Congo.11,12 Generally, developing nations have far lower GHG emissions than developed countries. Among the CARPE target countries, DRC and CAR have the highest total emissions. While the CAR has about a fourth the total GHG emissions as the DRC, which has the highest total emissions in the region, the CAR’s per capita emission rate is over four times as much as the DRC and more than double the world average.

13 Most GHG emissions in the CARPE zone are attributable to land use change (primarily in forests) and agriculture. The DRC can attribute its GHG emissions namely to land use change, mostly for infrastructure development. CARPE actions will, for the most part, contribute to reduction in GHG emissions through conservation of forests, support of REDD+, promotion of clean energy, and land management planning.

2.1.4 AGRICULTURE

Agriculture contributes significantly to the economies and livelihoods of the six CARPE countries. Communities rely heavily on subsistence farming although agricultural production varies from country-to-country. In Cameroon and DRC, for example, agricultural activities make up more than 20 percent of GDP, while, in CAR, it makes up more than 40 percent. Agricultural products include bananas, cassava, livestock (e.g., cattle), coffee, cocoa, palm oil, timber, and

10 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Factsheet: East Africa. USAID, 2015. Available at:

https://www.climatelinks.org/resources/greenhouse-gas-emissions-factsheet-east-africa 11 Intended Nationally Determined Contribution- Congo. 2015. Available at:

http://www4.unfccc.int/Submissions/INDC/Published%20Documents/Congo/1/INDC_Congo_RAPPORT.p df 12 Intended Nationally Determined Contribution- DRC. 2015. Available at:

http://www4.unfccc.int/Submissions/INDC/Published%20Documents/Democratic%20Republic%20of%20t he%20Congo/1/CPDN%20-%20Rép%20Dém%20du%20Congo.pdf 13 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Factsheet: East Africa. USAID, 2015. Available at:

https://www.climatelinks.org/resources/greenhouse-gas-emissions-factsheet-east-africa https://www.climatelinks.org/resources/greenhouse-gas-emissions-factsheet-east-africa http://www4.unfccc.int/Submissions/INDC/Published%20Documents/Congo/1/INDC_Congo_RAPPORT.pdf http://www4.unfccc.int/Submissions/INDC/Published%20Documents/Congo/1/INDC_Congo_RAPPORT.pdf http://www4.unfccc.int/Submissions/INDC/Published%20Documents/Democratic%20Republic%20of%20the%20Congo/1/CPDN%20-%20R%C3%A9p%20D%C3%A9m%20du%20Congo.pdf http://www4.unfccc.int/Submissions/INDC/Published%20Documents/Democratic%20Republic%20of%20the%20Congo/1/CPDN%20-%20R%C3%A9p%20D%C3%A9m%20du%20Congo.pdf https://www.climatelinks.org/resources/greenhouse-gas-emissions-factsheet-east-africa

AFRICA BUREAU/DRC MISSION/ CENTRAL AFRICA REGIONAL PROGRAM FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IEE 2018-2023 4 other wood products.14 In DRC, nearly 70 percent of the employed population is involved in agriculture, though most of that agricultural activity is subsistence farming. Only an estimated 10 million hectares of DRC’s 80 million hectares of arable land are under cultivation.15 Barriers to agricultural development include weak governance and armed conflict.16 Similar barriers exist in the surrounding CARPE countries. For example, in CAR, one out of every four people is considered an internally displaced person or refugee and on-going conflicts have hindered agricultural production and development.17 Even for countries without active conflict, such as Cameroon, the conflicts in neighboring countries such as CAR have a ripple effect and have resulted in growing food insecurity despite increased production in certain agricultural sectors, such as cereals.18

In addition to the sociocultural and public health effects of agriculture and disruptions to agricultural production, the agricultural practices used throughout Central Africa affect the surrounding environment. The main cause of deforestation in Central Africa is agriculture. The Congo Basin ranks among the areas with the highest “agricultural cultivation potential for the major world crops (including maize, oil palm, soybean, and sugar cane) in the world”.19 Slash-and-burn agriculture, which is recognized as a key driver of deforestation in dense forest areas, remains dominant in the Congo Basin region.20,21 However, a shift to permanent cropping, in which plants last for many seasons, has been observed in recent years. Agricultural expansion is also correlated with development of new settlements and intensified other threats such as bushmeat hunting and harvesting for woodfuel and charcoal.22,23

2.1.5 BUSHMEAT AND HUNTING

Hunting in Central Africa is largely attributed to the need for protein. Bushmeat serves as the primary source of animal protein for the majority of Congo Basin families, especially in rural and forest areas of Central Africa where fish and livestock are not feasible alternatives.24 However, the growing demand for bushmeat by urban customers has resulted in defaunation in areas surrounding urban centers. In the Congo Basin, average per capita bushmeat consumption is

14 CIA Factbook, accessed 2018 15 USAID. Agriculture and Food Security. February 2018. https://www.usaid.gov/democratic-republic-congo/agriculture-and-food-security 16 USAID. Country Development Cooperation Strategy Democratic Republic of The Congo. 2014.

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1860/democratic_republic_of_congo_cdcs_2014- 2019.pdf 17 USAID. 2018. Food Assistance Fact Sheet - Central African Republic.

HTTPS://WWW.USAID.GOV/CENTRAL-AFRICAN-REPUBLIC/FOOD-ASSISTANCE

18 FAO. 2918. Cameroon: Humanitarian Response Plan 2017-2020.

http://www.fao.org/3/i8523en/I8523EN.pdf 19 Mallon, D.P, et al., 2015. An IUCN situation analysis of terrestrial and freshwater fauna in West and Central Africa. Occasional Paper of the IUCN Species Survival Commission No. 54. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. Page 63.

20 Flynn, J., Louppe, D., Hiol Hiol, F. & Mayaux, P. (2014). The Forests of the Congo Basin: State of the Forest 2013.