Attachment J.13 Initial Environmental Examination (IEE).pdf

USAID|ZAMBIA FEED THE FUTURE AND WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE (WASH) PORTFOLIO

INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION

PROJECT/ACTIVITY DATA

Project/Activity Name: Feed the Future and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

(WASH) portfolios

Geographic Location(s) (Country/Region): Zambia / Southern Africa

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

Implementation Start/End Date (FY or M/D/Y): 2020 - 2026

If Amended, specify New End Date:

Solicitation/Contract/Award Number: Multiple

Implementing Partner(s): Multiple

Bureau Tracking ID: Zambia FtF & WASH IEE https://ecd.usaid.gov/document.php?doc_id=52572

Tracking ID of Related RCE/IEE (if any):

Tracking ID of Other, Related Analyses: Zambia Mission-Wide PERSUAP https://ecd.usaid.gov/repository/pdf/51808.pdf

Economic Development (EDEV) Portfolio (611-DO2-2):

https://ecd.usaid.gov/repository/pdf/44571.pdf

Agriculture SME Development Credit Authority (Ag DCA) Loan Portfolio Guarantee -- ZANACO DCA Agreement:

https://ecd.usaid.gov/repository/pdf/45151.pdf

ORGANIZATIONAL/ADMINISTRATIVE DATA

Implementing Operating Unit(s):

(e.g. Mission or Bureau or Office)

USAID/Zambia

Other Affected Operating Unit(s):

Lead BEO Bureau: AFR BEO

Funding Account(s) (if available): Multiple

Original Funding Amount: $180 million

If Amended, specify funding amount:

If Amended, specify new funding total:

Prepared by: Mlotha Damaseke – Agriculture Specialist

Mundia Matongo - WASH Advisor

Date Prepared: January 2020

USAID

FROM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE

https://ecd.usaid.gov/document.php?doc_id=52572 https://ecd.usaid.gov/repository/pdf/51808.pdf https://ecd.usaid.gov/repository/pdf/44571.pdf https://ecd.usaid.gov/repository/pdf/45151.pdf

ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE REVIEW DATA

Analysis Type: Environmental Examination Deferral Environmental Determination(s): Categorical Exclusion(s)

Negative

Positive

Deferred (per 22 CFR 216.3(a)(7)(iv) IEE Expiration Date (if applicable):

Additional Analyses/Reporting Required: PERSUAP, EMMPs, WQAP reports and EPB report

Climate Risks Identified (#): Low ___7___ Moderate ___9___ High ___1___ Climate Risks Addressed (#): Low ___1___ Moderate ___9___ High ___1___

~ 1 □

THRESHOLD DETERMINATION AND SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

PROJECT/ACTIVITY SUMMARY

The purpose of this Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) in accordance with 22 CFR 216, is to provide an initial review of the reasonably foreseeable effects on the environment, as well as to provide threshold determinations of environmental impacts and conditions for risk mitigation for activities under USAID/Zambia Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS). The Portfolio will however have an increased focus on private sector engagement and building partnerships for improved natural resource management in support of Zambia’s Journey to Self-Reliance.

ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATIONS

Upon approval of this document, the determinations become affirmed, per Agency regulations (22CFR216).

Drawn from tables in Section 4 of this IEE, the following table summarizes the recommended environmental determinations applicable to the specific projects and the 6 intervention categories identified in section 1.3.

TABLE 1: ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATIONS

Projects/Activities Categorical Exclusion Citation (if applicable)

Negative Determination

Positive Determination1

Deferral 2

Enterprise Development Growth Enhanced

Enhancing Natural Resources, Agri-business, Land and Environment Partnerships

216.2(c)(2)(iii)

Feed the Future Zambia Policy Strengthening Project

216.2(c)(2)(iii)

Zambia Trade Facilitation Support Program

216.2(c)(2)(xiv)

Mawa WASH – Health and Nutrition Status Improved

DCA Zanaco DCA Madison

SUN TA

SUN LE 216.2(c)(2)(iii) New WASH Activity

1 Positive Determinations require preparation of a Scoping Statement and Environmental Assessment.

2 Deferrals must be cleared through an Amendment to this IEE prior to implementation of any deferred activities.

CLIMATE RISK MANAGEMENT

The purpose of this Climate Risk Management screening is to identify climate related risks associated with ongoing and planned activities and interventions under USAID/Zambia CDCS Document. The project is very sensitive to climate vulnerabilities as it involves some aspects of agricultural production and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services delivery. Both agricultural productivity and WASH services delivery are sensitive to changes in rainfall and temperature and contribute to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Among the measures to address climate change risks are inclusion in design, design and workplans of measures to address climate change, studies to further understand climate change and its impacts. Further, climate smart crop and livestock production, irrigation, climate information and early warning systems and insurance. Other measures are raising awareness on the risks associated with groundwater depletion and pollution, and integrated water resources management.

All construction activities that require an engineer or design firm, or a Mission engineer, will go through a process of climate risk management screening that is approved by the corresponding construction or design firm, or Mission engineer.

BEO SPECIFIED CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL

1. Reporting Conditions:

As is becoming standard throughout the region, the AFR BEO requests that the activity managers/AORs/CORs provide access to the Regional Environmental Advisor (REA) and to the AFR BEO Team to review (not approve) the Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plans/Reports (EMMPs/EMMRs) that will be written to implement the findings of this IEE. These should be uploaded into the appropriate sub-folder(s) of this Google Drive folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1q7HGMzgopJ-MuKxkQEJ4GSPp9R7Qzv-5?usp=sharing.

This will facilitate access by all parties who need these documents, including the Mission Environmental Officer and the AOR/COR. This will allow the REA and the BEO Team to spot-check and review these documents to confirm that the mitigations seem appropriate and are cognizant of the specific design of the activities.

The negative determinations recommended in this IEE are contingent on full implementation of specified conditions and a set of general monitoring and implementation requirements specified in this “BEO Conditions” section as well as Section 5 of the IEE. Some specific conditions to highlight include:

• New activities and those revised to incorporate a change in scope or nature will require an IEE amendment to identify and address potential environmental impacts. This condition is mentioned again in Section 7 of this IEE.

• As there are WASH activities covered under this IEE, the AFR BEO requires that a water quality assurance plan (WQAP) is prepared according to the WQAP Template (https://www.usaid.gov/environmental-procedures/environmental-compliance-esdm-program-cycle/special-compliance-topics/water):

o Complete a WQAP for WASH-related activities under this IEE, and request and receive AFR BEO review and approval of WQAP.

o Clearly link the WQAP to this IEE o The review results should be written and on record in the Signing Statement of the WQAP.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1q7HGMzgopJ-MuKxkQEJ4GSPp9R7Qzv-5?usp=sharing https://www.usaid.gov/environmental-procedures/environmental-compliance-esdm-program-cycle/special-compliance-topics/water https://www.usaid.gov/environmental-procedures/environmental-compliance-esdm-program-cycle/special-compliance-topics/water

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.

In accordance with 22 CFR 216 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.

3/5/2020

USAID APPROVAL OF INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION

PROJECT: Feed the Future and WASH

Bureau Tracking ID: --...--+-+------

Approval: f o-1 Sheryl Stuml:> as, bia Director

Concurrence: ~ULJ- Brian Hirsch, USAID/Africa Bureau Environmental Officer

Clearance:

Date

Adam Norikane, USAID/Zambia Economic Development Office Date

Clearance :

Clearance:

Clearance :

Clearance:

Clearance:

Clearance:

Director

/Zambia Supervisory Program Officer

M6hib Ahmed, USAID/Zambia Supervisory Contracting Officer

4!_ Thomas CTubaugh, USAID/Zambia Deputy Director

Jeanette Normand, USAID/Southern Africa Regional Environmental Advisor

Colin Quinn, USAID/Africa Bureau Climate Integration Lead

BUREAU/MISSION/PROJECT

USAID 216 IEE TEMPLATE VERSION 1, DECEMBER 2017

tz/20/:Mi?

Date

Date

INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION

Contents

THRESHOLD DETERMINATION AND SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

PROJECT/ACTIVITY SUMMARY 3

ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATIONS

CLIMATE RISK MANAGEMENT 4

IMPLEMENTATION 5

USAID APPROVAL OF INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION

1.0 PROJECT/ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION

1.1 PURPOSE OF THE IEE 8

1.2 PROJECT/ACTIVITY OVERVIEW 8

1.3 PROJECT/ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION 8

2.0 BASELINE ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

2.1 LOCATIONS AFFECTED AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT (ENVIRONMENT, PHYSICAL,

CLIMATE, SOCIAL, THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES) 14

2.2 APPLICABLE AND APPROPRIATE PARTNER COUNTRY AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL

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

REGULATIONS 15

3.0 ANALYSIS OF POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL RISK

4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATIONS

4.1 RECOMMENDED ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATIONS

4.2 CLIMATE RISK MANAGEMENT

5.0 CONDITIONS AND MITIGATION MEASURES

5.1 CONDITIONS

5.2 AGENCY CONDITIONS

5.3 MITIGATION MEASURES

6.0 LIMITATIONS OF THIS INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION

7.0 REVISIONS

ATTACHMENTS:

1.0 PROJECT/ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION

1.1 PURPOSE OF THE 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 also documents the results of the project/activity level Climate Risk Management process in accordance with USAID policy (specifically, ADS 201mal).

The purpose of this IEE is to cover existing and new activities, and to provide geographic coverage for the activities. This IEE only covers Feed the Future (FTF) and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) activities and from the date it is approved up to November 2026.

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/ACTIVITY OVERVIEW

FTF and WASH contribute to Development Objective (DO)2 and DO3, respectively, of the Country Development Cooperation Strategy by furthering the Intermediate Result (IR)2.1 focusing on reducing policy barriers to rural investment and trade; and IR2.2 increasing rural enterprise investment capacity to advance Zambia’s self-reliance. In addition, it supports IR3.1 Utilization of quality health, water and sanitation services and prevention practices increased and IR3.2 Health, water and sanitation systems’ effectiveness, capacity and sustainability strengthened.

Resources for the project come primarily from FTF and WASH. FTF seeks to promote inclusive and sustainable agricultural–led economic growth, strengthened resilience among people and systems, and a well-nourished population especially among women and children. WASH seeks to increase the availability and sustainable management of safe water and sanitation for the underserved and most vulnerable.

The purpose of this IEE is to provide the necessary environmental review and documentation to permit the implementation of Feed the Future and WASH activities.

1.3 PROJECT/ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION

Activities that have been covered under this IEE include: Enterprise Development Growth Enhanced;

Enhancing Natural Resources, Agri-businesses, Land and Environment Partnerships (ENABLE); Feed the Future Zambia Policy Strengthening Activity; Zambia Trade Facilitation Support Program; Mawa WASH

– Health and Nutrition Status Improved; DCA ZANACO; DCA Madison; Scaling Up Nutrition Technical Assistance; Scaling Up Nutrition Learning and Evaluation activities, and; a planned WASH activity.

TABLE 2: DEFINED OR ILLUSTRATIVE PROJECTS/ACTIVITIES AND SUB-ACTIVITIES

Activity 1 — Enterprise Development Growth Enhanced (EDGE) The Enterprise Development Growth Enhanced (EDGE) Activity contributes to USAID/Zambia FTF goals of sustainably reducing global hunger, malnutrition, and poverty through inclusive and sustainable agricultural-led economic growth, strengthened resilience among people and systems and a well-nourished population, especially among women and children.

The EDGE activity will promote rural enterprise particularly facilitating access to finance, providing training to improve business management skills and facilitating access to markets for selected value chains. The implementation of these activities is expected to contribute to rural poverty reduction. The project will focus on Eastern Province and peri-urban Lusaka which has been FTF’s zone of influence in the past. This activity will build and expand FTF’s successful models including the facilitation of access to financing for agribusinesses, agricultural producers and agricultural cooperatives.

Activity 2 — Enhancing Natural Resources, Agri-Businesses, Land and Environment Partnerships (ENABLE)

The purpose of USAID’s Enhancing Natural Resources, Agri-Businesses, Land and Environment Partnerships (ENABLE) Activity is to contribute to improved architecture for policy formulation and implementation in order to increase private sector investments in agriculture and tourism. The activity will focus on creating an enabling environment for private sector investment by introducing reforms to legal frameworks and regulations that impinge upon investment decisions including commercial codes, labor market concerns, land ownership and use and taxation measures specific to livestock, crops and aquaculture.

Activity 3 — Feed the Future Zambia Policy Strengthening Project

The Feed the Future Zambia Policy Strengthening Project tackles rural poverty and hunger through sound research, policy analysis, outreach, and capacity building. The project builds on the prior work of USAID’s Food Security Research Project through the Zambia Indaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute (IAPRI), a Zambia-based think tank dedicated to agricultural policy research and advocacy.

The activity enables IAPRI to contribute evidence-based recommendations that facilitate the growth of the agricultural sector and contribute to sustainable environmental management.

Activity 4 - Zambia Trade Facilitation Support Program The scope of this activity is to enhance the Zambian Government’s efforts to implement the World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement (WTO-TFA).

The objective of this project is to improve Zambia’s trade facilitation and border management procedures, which will expedite the movement, release and clearance of goods by aligning its trade procedures with selected measures of the WTO TFA. It will also improve transparency by supporting the strengthening of entry points for trade related information, as well as strengthening Private Public Dialogue mechanisms to support private sector consultation and dialogue with trade-related agencies. It is expected that the time taken to import goods will be reduced as a result of a more streamlined processing environment, enhanced risk management and post clearance audit procedures. The interventions of this activity are in the form of technical assistance provided through trainings to the trade related agencies of the Government of Zambia and private sector organizations and are not expected to have environmental impact.

Activity 5 – Mawa WASH – Health and Nutrition Status Improved

Mawa WASH is an activity to sustain the improvements in health and nutrition status of the people in Mawa villages in Chipata and Lundazi districts by improving access to good and safe drinking water, hygiene and sanitation. The project is an extension of the initial five (5) years Feed-the-Future agricultural, nutrition, economic strengthening and gender integration project. With this modification, CRS and sub-recipient Caritas Chipata will construct new water points, rehabilitate and repair broken down boreholes, promote positive sanitation and hygiene practices through the CLTS approach and protect the watershed and environment in Lundazi and Chipata districts in the Eastern Province of Zambia.

Mawa WASH Mawa project aims to sustain the improvements in health and nutrition status of the people in targeted villages in Chipata and Lundazi districts by improving access to good and safe drinking water, hygiene and sanitation.

Activity 6 – DCA ZANACO Agricultural development is often limited by access to credit. This activity is used to develop a Development Credit Authority (DCA) guarantee with a Zambian financial institution to promote sustainable access to capital for agricultural sector activities by buying down the risk of the financial institution through a guarantee. It is likely that this guarantee will work in conjunction with the Zambian agricultural commodity exchange (ZAMACE) to deepen the market capital for traders buying crops from smallholder farmers, thus strengthening the commodity exchange itself, as well as the agricultural value chain as a whole.

The Development Credit Authority (DCA) loan guarantee financing with Zambia National Commercial Bank Plc. (“ZANACO”) to support loans to the agriculture sector, including the construction of agricultural warehouses by agribusinesses or third-party players.

Activity 7 – DCA Madison

Agricultural development is often limited by access to credit. This activity is used to develop a new Development Credit Authority (DCA) guarantee with a Zambian financial institution to promote sustainable access to capital for the agricultural and energy sectors. Supports Zambian farmers and small businesses purchase and utilize renewable energy technologies such as biodigesters, solar pumping and irrigation kits and solar home systems. The guarantee provided to the financial institution buys down their risk for onward lending to individuals and businesses for both agricultural production and renewable energy sources. It is likely that this guarantee will work in conjunction with the Zambian agricultural commodity exchange (ZAMACE) to deepen the market capital for traders buying crops from smallholder farmers, thus strengthening the commodity exchange itself, as well as the agricultural value chain as a whole.

Activity 8 - Scaling Up Nutrition Technical Assistance The Scaling Up Nutrition Technical Assistance (SUN TA) is part of a cross-ministry and multi-donor program to reduce stunting in Zambia through implementation of the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) 1,000 Most Critical Days Program. The first phase, referred to as SUN 1.0 was funded by several donor organizations and significant lessons were learned regarding coordination and implementation. In order to achieve the stated success of this activity, USAID has identified two main objectives that address stunting:

1. Adequate Quantity and Quality of Dietary Intake among Target Groups; and,

2. Adequate Health Conditions for Biological Utilization of Nutrients.

Activity 9 - Scaling Up Nutrition Learning and Evaluation SUN LE provides survey, research, evaluation, and dissemination services to the GRZ Scaling Up Nutrition program and the USAID/Zambia Scaling Up Nutrition – Technical Assistance (SUN TA) activity. SUN LE is tasked with producing high quality data for SUN 2.0 program decision making, especially around key indicators and around program implementation at district and sub district level in the 30 priority districts. Toward this end, SUN LE will carry out 3 surveys over the life of the project – a baseline survey in Year 1 (2019), a midline survey in Year 3 (2021), and an end line survey – to track key SUN indicators, with a focus on tracking changes in the prevalence of stunting in children under 2 years of age.

Activity 10 – New WASH activity The goal of this proposed activity is to achieve transformational change in WASH service delivery and governance in Zambia leading to improved and sustainable access to improved WASH services for economic development and health.

Key interventions will include water supply activities (borehole and/or shallow well drilling and rehabilitation) have the potential to affect the environment. Potential adverse impacts from water supply activities include: depletion of water resources (surface and groundwater), chemical degradation of the quality of potable water sources (surface and groundwater contamination), creation of stagnant (standing) water, degradation of terrestrial and aquatic environments, and human health risks from a water source that becomes biologically or chemically contaminated.

For the purposes of this environmental review, the FTF and WASH IEE is organized in the following intervention categories. Each intervention category has distinct interventions described below which will be implemented via the projects described above.

• Agricultural Production

Illustrative actions include:

● Emphasizing and promoting climate-smart agricultural practices for water use and integrated soil fertility management.

● Piloting and demonstration plots

● Promoting crop diversification through pilot and demonstration plots

● Introducing drought tolerant crop varieties

● Promote climate smart water use and soil fertility management – may include green manure, cover crops, chemical or organic fertilizer application.

• Agribusiness enterprises support/development

Illustrative actions include:

● Supporting the development or operation of post-harvest activities

● Supporting small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) involved in processing and agribusinesses,

● Investing in efforts to diversify smallholders’ livelihoods including off-farm and nonfarm enterprises including (i) beekeeping; and (ii) agribusiness commodity production; and

● Providing technical assistance and/or specialized training, and cost share or otherwise buy down risk for product development, for ii) upgrading existing facilities and processes.

• Livestock activities and aquaculture

Illustrative actions include:

● Support for livestock, poultry, dairy, and butcheries and abattoirs are possible as outputs of support to SMEs, policy development, and livelihood diversification.

● Development of aquaculture actions under livelihood diversification, NRM, nutrition and off-farm economic development.

• Policy formulation and review

Illustrative actions include:

● Reforms to legal frameworks and regulations that impinge upon investment decisions including commercial codes, labor market concerns, land ownership and use and taxation measures specific to livestock, crops and aquaculture

● Sound research, policy analysis, outreach, and capacity building

• Small-scale construction/rehabilitation and operation

Illustrative actions include:

● Infrastructure construction and rehabilitation may be included in the small-scale interventions for latrines, water provision, postharvest storage structures, warehouses, and irrigation schemes etc

● Construction of wells, boreholes and water supply systems including communicating, training, and capacity building on the planning, design and siting of boreholes, as part of health and nutrition efforts;

Will this project/activity involve construction3 as defined by ADS 201 and 303? Yes No

3 Construction, as defined by ADS 201 and 303, includes: construction, alteration, or repair (including dredging and excavation) of buildings, structures, or other real property and includes, without limitation, improvements, renovation, alteration and refurbishment. The term includes, without limitation, roads, power plants, buildings, bridges, water treatment facilities, and vertical structures. In the box below, describe any construction planned for this project/activity. Refer to ADS 201maw for required Construction Risk Management procedures.

If yes, describe in the space below:

● Construction of agricultural warehouses by agribusinesses or third-party players supported through financing supported by the DCAs with ZANACO and Madison Financial Services.

● Construction of latrines, domestic water provision wells, boreholes and water supply systems.

● Construction of postharvest storage structures, warehouses, and irrigation schemes etc o All construction activities that require an engineer or design firm, or a Mission engineer, will go through a process of climate risk management screening that is approved by the corresponding construction or design firm, or Mission engineer.

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1865/201maw.pdf

2.0 BASELINE ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

2.1 LOCATIONS AFFECTED AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT (ENVIRONMENT,

PHYSICAL, CLIMATE, SOCIAL, THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES)

Zambia is endowed with a rich diversity of ecosystems, including vast areas of wetlands, albeit amidst numerous and intense threats to their sustainability. The ecosystems are home to a wide variety of flora and fauna that provide an important source of protein for many Zambians. Some of the species are known to be endemic to Zambia alone; for instance, the Black Lechwe, that thrives in swampy areas.

The country has diverse landscape formations ranging from valleys, rivers, lakes, swamps and plateaus to escarpments and mountains. The scenic and aesthetic values these areas present offer an attraction and appreciation to Zambians and visitors alike. This varied landscape has also given rise to a wide diversity of habitats.

Deforestation as a result of agriculture expansion, mining and urban expansion. To facilitate the expansion of mining and farming blocks the government has de-gazetted a further 280,000 ha of forest reserves from the country’s forest network.

Forest Degradation – The drivers of forest degradation in Zambia include, shifting cultivation, uncontrolled bushfires, charcoal production, and commercial timber extraction. Zambia has lost much of its primary forest cover, largely due to shifting cultivation. Shifting cultivation is a major cause of forest degradation in the northern parts of Zambia. The northern parts of the country account for the highest tree species diversity as well as the highest species density of miombo genera. Uncontrolled bushfires also contribute to forest degradation in Zambia. Most wildfires that damage forests and woodlands in Zambia are caused by human activity. Timing and frequency of fires determine the effect of fire on the ecosystem. Severe fires, caused by late dry season burning, are destructive to forests. It is estimated that 80 percent of Zambia’s largest National Park, the Kafue burns annually. Thus, deforestation and forest degradation are major threats to plant biodiversity in northern Zambia. In the east, central and southern Zambia, conversion of forest land to permanent crop agriculture is the main driver of forest cover loss.

A number of important timber trees species are locally threatened due to overexploitation that has caused mature tree individuals to become rare. Currently 17 species of trees are reserved under the Forest Law and can therefore only be cut under license although in practice this is difficult to enforce.

Data on deforestation rates are poor. The current annual deforestation rate is 250,000 to 300,000 ha/year (UN-REDD Program Zambia, 2010). This is lower than previous estimates of 445,000 ha/year (Campbell et al 2007) or 850,000 ha/year (FAO 2005). Previous estimates had placed Zambia as the fourth highest country globally, behind Brazil, Indonesia, and Sudan, for percentage rate of area deforested. Zambia’s high rate of deforestation negatively impacts upon wildlife diversity through the destruction of necessary habitat. The loss of Zambia’s wildlife habitats stems from land-use changes, deforestation, and overall land degradation.

Water resources management - Zambia generates an estimated 100 Km3 per year of surface water and an estimated annual renewable groundwater potential of 49.6 Km3 per year (DWA/JICA, 1995). In view of changing climate and high dependence on hydropower generation, however, Zambia has experienced water stress. There is therefore a need to develop and manage water resources to meet present and future demands for various uses such as irrigation, domestic water supply and hydropower generation.

Currently there is inadequate data to make an accurate assessment of the ground and surface water availability. Most people in Zambia, especially those living in rural and peri-urban areas still do not have access to improved water supply and sanitation facilities. This has contributed to outbreaks of water related diseases.

2.2 APPLICABLE AND APPROPRIATE PARTNER COUNTRY AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS

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

Zambia has a number of national legislative instruments that cover environmental, health, and safety laws and regulations, as well as those pertaining to land tenure, relevant to the proposed and ongoing activities under the Economic Development Office of USAID Zambia. This section endeavors to outline the applicable permit requirements, policies, and regulations, including whether partner country Environmental Impact Assessment requirements apply. A list of some host country relevant regulations, laws and conventions include:

The Zambian Constitution

The Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) No. 2 of 2016, Part 19 sections 253 to 257 address issues of Land, Environment and Natural resources. Section 253 states that land shall be held, used and managed in accordance with the following principles:

● Transparent, effective and efficient administration of land;

It further provides for equitable access to river frontages, islands, lakeshores and ecologically and culturally sensitive areas by prohibiting these areas from being leased, fenced or sold; and to be maintained and used for conservation and preservation activities.

The Zambian constitution recognizes that Natural resources have an environmental, economic, social and cultural value and benefits accruing from the exploitation and utilization of the environment and natural resources shall be shared equitably amongst the people of Zambia, and endeavors to eliminate unfair trade practices in the production, processing, distribution and marketing of natural resources.

It further mandates the State to protect genetic resources, biological diversity and enhance the intellectual property in, and indigenous knowledge, biodiversity and genetic resources of local communities. It also directs the state to establish and implement mechanisms that address climate change, in the utilization of natural resources and management of the environment.

History of the Environmental Regulatory Framework in Zambia

The Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) adopted the National Conservation Strategy (NCS) in 1985. This was due to the need for balancing environmental requirements, economic activities and social needs. The NCS was upgraded to the National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP) in 1992 with the aim of fostering sustainable economic and environmental development. The NCS facilitated development of the Environmental Protection and Pollution Control Act (EPPCA) in 1990 which also facilitated formulation of the Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ) in 1992. The EPPCA was repealed in 2011, paving the way for the enactment of the Environmental Management Act No. 12 of April 2011.

The Environmental Management Act, No. 12 of 2011

The Environmental Management Act provides for integrated environmental management and the protection and conservation of the environment and the sustainable management and use of natural resources. It also provides for the preparation of the state of the Environment report, Environmental strategies and other plans for environmental management and sustainable development for the prevention and control of pollution and environmental degradation. Applicable Regulations under the Environmental Management Act No. 12 of 2011 include;

● Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, SI No. 28 of 1997 – These Regulations provides the main framework under which EIAs are conducted, submitted to ZEMA and considered for either approval or rejection.

● Statutory Instrument No.112 of 2013–Environmental Management (Licensing) Regulations - These Regulations provide standards and guidelines for mitigating air, wastewater, hazardous waste, pesticides and toxic substances and ozone depleting substances.

The Water Resources Management Act of 2011

The Water Resources Management Act of 2011 among other requirements provides for the:

1. The establishment of a Water Resources Management Authority that controls and manages water resources directly or through Catchment Councils and catchment management plans, and otherwise has responsibility for the management, development, conservation, protection and preservation of the water resources and ecosystems;

2. Equitable, reasonable and sustainable utilization of the water resource;

3. Constitution, functions and composition of catchment councils, sub-catchment councils and water user associations; and

4. For international and regional cooperation in, and equitable and sustainable utilization of shared water resources.

The Forest Act No. 4 of 2015

The Forest Act No. 4 of 2015 concerns the management and conservation of forest resources and, to some extent, the protection of biological diversity and generally the environment. The Act replaces and repeals the Forest Acts of 1973 and 1999 (which was not actualized). It provides for the establishment and declaration of National Forests, Local Forests, joint forest management areas, botanical reserves, private forests and community forests; provide for the participation of local communities, local authorities, traditional institutions, non- governmental organizations and other stakeholders in sustainable forest management; provide for the conservation and use of forests and trees for the sustainable management of forests ecosystems and biological diversity; establish the Forest Development Fund. The Forest Act of 2015 made provisions for community involvement in forest management through S.I No. 11 of 2018.

● Forests (Community Forest Management) Regulations, 2018 (S.I. No. 11 of 2018) - These Regulations concern management of forest areas by local communities. They specify that Community forest management may be applied in (a) open areas; (b) local Forests; and (c) Game Management Areas.

The Zambia Wildlife Act No. 14 of 2015

The Zambia Wildlife Act No. 14 of 2015 provides for the establishment of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW). DNPW is mandated under the Wildlife Act to manage and conserve Zambia’s wildlife, which covers 31 percent of the country’s land mass.; Specifically the Act provides for the establishment of the Wildlife Management Licensing Committee; provide for the establishment, control and management of National Parks, bird and wildlife sanctuaries and for the conservation and enhancement of wildlife ecosystems, biological diversity and objects of aesthetic, prehistoric, historical, geological, archaeological and scientific interest in National Parks; provide for the promotion of opportunities for the equitable and sustainable use of the special qualities of public wildlife estates;

provide for the establishment, control and co-management of Community Partnership Parks for the conservation and restoration of ecological structures for non-consumptive forms of recreation and environmental education.

The National Heritage Conservation Commission Act CAP 173 of 1989

The National Heritage Conservation Commission Act CAP 173 of 1989 stipulates preservation and protection of ancient cultural and natural heritage resources and objects of aesthetic, historical and archaeological value. In this Act, “Ancient Heritage is defined as being among other things, any structure, settlement previously inhabited, landmark, burial place or any other item designated by the commission which is known or believed to have been erected, constructed or used before 1st January 1924. The Act also provides for the formation of the National Heritage and Conservation Commission which is the responsible institution.

The Water Supply and Sanitation Act No. 28 of 1997

The Water Supply and Sanitation Act provides for the regulation and standards applied in the provision of public water and sanitation services. It also provides for permitting of water supply and sanitation service provision through the National Water and Sanitation Council (NWASCO) to service providers.

This Act establishes NWASCO and defines its functions; to provide for the establishment, by local authorities, of water supply and sanitation utilities; to provide for the efficient and sustainable supply of water and sanitation services under the regulation of NWASCO under the Ministry of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection. Latest regulation issued by NWASCO is for onsite sanitation provision. The National Water Supply, Sanitation and Solid Waste Management policy is still under development. All water supply and sanitation planning is aligned to the sustainable development goals and Zambia’s vision 2030.

The Fisheries Act, No. 22 of 2011

The Fisheries Act promotes the sustainable development of fisheries and a precautionary approach in fisheries management, conservation, utilization and development; establish fisheries management areas and fisheries management committees; provide for the regulation of commercial fishing and aquaculture;

establish the Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Fund; repeal and replace the Fisheries Act, 1974;

and provide for matters connected with, or incidental to the foregoing. The implementing institution for this Act is the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock. The Act regulates all fishing activities in Zambia undertaken in any kind of aquatic ecosystem. This includes lakes, rivers and streams. It also regulates activities that may interfere with fisheries.

Lands Act Cap 184 of 1995

The Lands Act controls all matters pertaining to the management/use of land and land tenure systems.

The Act provides for the recognition of customary tenure as a form of landholding in the country. It provides that; “…every piece of land in a customary area which immediately before the commencement of the Lands Act was vested in or held by any person under customary tenure [Reserves and Trust land] shall continue to be so held and recognized and any provision of the Lands Act or any other law shall not be so construed as to infringe any customary right enjoyed by that person before the commencement of the Lands Act.” The Act further provides that; “the rights and privileges of any person to hold land under customary tenure shall be recognized and any such holding under the customary law applicable to the area in which a person has settled or intends to settle shall not be construed as an infringement of any provision of this Act or any other law except for a right or obligation which may arise under any other law.”

Other relevant pieces of legislation include; the National Heritage Conservation Commission Act CAP 173 of 1989; Noxious Weeds Act, Cap 231 of 1994; Plant, Pests and Diseases Act Cap 233; Bio-Safety Act No. 10 of 2007; Urban and Regional Planning Act No. 3 of 2015 and the Local Government Act, No. 13 of 2010.

The Noxious Weeds Act, Cap 231 of 1994

The Noxious Weeds act gives provisions for the regulation of weeds declared noxious in an area or agricultural lands.

The Plant, Pests and Diseases Act Cap 233

The plant, pests and diseases act cap 233 has provisions for eradication and prevention of spread of pests, control of importation of growing media, injurious organisms, invertebrates and plants, cured tobacco and miscellaneous.

Plant Variety and Seeds Act No. 21 of 1995

The plant, pests and diseases act gives provisions on administration, registration of seed importation and cleaning, seed certification, inspection of seeds, prescribed seeds, import and export of seed, offences related to seeds and miscellaneous issues regarding seeds.

Agriculture (Fertilizers and Feed) Act 13 of 1994

The act provides for the regulation and control of the manufacture, processing, importation and sale of agricultural fertilizers and farm feed. It also provides for minimum standards of effectiveness and purity of such fertilizers and feed.

Bio-Safety Act No. 10 of 2007

The Biosafety Act of 2007 regulates the research, development, application, import, export, transit, contained use, release or placing on the market of any genetically modified organism whether intended for use as a pharmaceutical, food, feed or processing, or a product of a genetically modified organism;

ensure that any activity involving the use of any genetically modified organism or a product of a genetically modified organism prevents any socio-economic impact or harm to human and animal health, or any damage to the environment, and provide for matters connected with or incidental to the foregoing.

The Urban and Regional Planning Act No. 3 of 2015

This Act provides for development, planning and administration principles, standards and requirements for urban and regional planning processes and systems; provide for a framework for administering and managing urban and regional planning for the Republic; provide for a planning framework, guidelines, systems and processes for urban and regional planning for the Republic; establish a democratic, accountable, transparent, participatory and inclusive process for urban and regional planning that allows for involvement of communities, the private sector, interest groups and other stakeholders in the planning, implementation and operation of human settlement development; ensure functional efficiency and socio-economic integration by providing for integration of activities, uses and facilities; establish procedures for integrated urban and regional planning in a devolved system of governance so as to ensure multi-sector cooperation, coordination and involvement of different levels of ministries, provincial administration, local authorities, traditional leaders and other stakeholders in urban and regional planning; ensure sustainable urban and rural development by promoting environmental, social and economic sustainability in development initiatives and controls at all levels of urban and regional planning; ensure uniformity of law and policy with respect to urban and regional planning; repeal the Town and Country Planning Act, 1962, and the Housing (Statutory and Improvement Areas) Act, 1975;

and provide for matters connected with, or incidental to, the foregoing.

Local Government Act, No. 13 of 2010

In its Preamble it declares that it seeks to provide for the establishment of Councils or Districts, the functions of local authorities and the local government system. Some of these functions relate to pollution control and the protection of the environment in general. Enacted and implemented in 2010, the Act provides for the establishment of Councils or Districts, the functions of local authorities and the local government system. Some of these functions relate to pollution control and the protection of the environment in general.

The Public Health Act of 1996

The Act empowers a Council to prevent unhealthy activities at the project site. It provides for the prevention of disease and provision of drainage, latrine and disposal of sewerage and treatment systems.

International Conventions

At the international level, Zambia is a party to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and several other biodiversity-related international conventions including the Ramsar Convention, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), Convention on Migratory Species and the African – Eurasian Water-bird Agreement, and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Zambia is also a member of the Lusaka Task Force Agreement, an intergovernmental organization that facilitates cooperation among its seven member-nations to investigate the illegal wild fauna and flora trade.

3.0 ANALYSIS OF POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL RISK

This section summarizes potential adverse environmental and social impacts of the activities identified in section 1.3 of this IEE. The information supports analysis sufficient to identify the appropriate mitigation measures and monitoring indicators necessary to avoid or sufficiently reduce impacts of the project activities.

1. Agricultural production activities Loss of biodiversity: Agricultural activities, including the promotion of home gardens, may lead to the expansion or creation of additional agricultural lands, potentially through the clearing of forests or brush. Clearing of pristine or fully-grown forest can result in increased erosion, loss of biodiversity, decreased rainwater infiltration into aquifers, and increased soil temperatures. Where agricultural lands are expanded, vegetative strips may be destroyed or eliminated. Vegetative strips offer significant ecosystem benefits to farm systems especially in reducing wind erosion, serving as barriers to pests, capturing overspray of pesticides, and creating buffers to capture fertilizer, pesticides, and irrigated water runoff near receiving surface water systems. Further, the use of some herbicides and pesticides could reduce vegetation, pollinators, terrestrial and aquatic life forms.

Soil erosion: Unsustainable practices—such as poorly managed open-furrow agriculture, poor crop cultivation techniques and crop location, deforestation, or the draining of wetlands can all cause soil erosion. As the soil erodes, less rainfall is absorbed, and the excess runs off. This runoff removes the fertile topsoil necessary for crop production and can have serious off-site consequences, including gully formation, landslides, siltation and sedimentation of water bodies, downstream flooding, and damage to productive infrastructure. In Zambia, wind erosion is also a significant issue in many areas.

Reduction in soil fertility: Soil fertility is dependent on three major nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium), various trace elements, and organic matter content. A productive soil contains sufficient quantities of each of these elements, which are slowly removed by repeated cropping without adding fertilizers; leaching due to rainfall; short fallow periods; and burning of crop residues. The subsequent decline in soil fertility often occurs in conjunction with soil erosion, with each problem exacerbating the other.

Siltation of water bodies: Eroded topsoil is carried by runoff into water bodies. Once in the slower-moving water, the soil settles, altering the terrain, water depth and water clarity, which can harm fish and bottom-dwelling aquatic life. Siltation can intensify downstream flooding by reducing channel capacity and can fill the upstream areas behind a dam. Siltation in wetlands and coastal areas can reduce productivity and marine populations. Large-scale siltation impairs shipping and river transport, flood control, the efficiency of dams, fisheries and aquaculture, urban sewage treatment, and drinking water supplies.

Reduction in water quality: Incorrect application of agrochemicals, fertilizers or manures can migrate from a farmer’s field to local water sources, causing environmental harm and adversely affecting human health. Nutrients from fertilizers can also cause nutrient loading in local water bodies, resulting in degraded water quality and reduced biodiversity. Moreover, reductions in water quality can impact other uses of water, including sources for drinking water, sanitation, fishing, aquaculture, recreation and tourism, and irrigation at other farms.

Depletion of water resources: Excess extraction of water for irrigation from shallow or deep wells, or from river diversion can reduce the quantity and quality of surface or groundwater, with adverse impacts on ecosystems, downstream users, and other users of the aquifer.

Pilot studies and demonstration plots: Certain pilot studies may have limited environmental impact due to the controlled scale and monitoring of the activity. However, demonstration sites, or pilots for the broad dissemination of new practices, can have far-reaching, cumulative impacts. If the potential impact of the pilot study is not carefully identified and measures are not taken to transfer the skills to mitigate impact in translation projects, there can be increased environmental damage. Additionally, the inappropriate siting of pilot studies or demonstration projects can lead to significant adverse impacts.

Siting near streams or water bodies increases substantially the risk of contaminating surface water resources with agrochemicals. While unlikely to be significant at small scale, these impacts can scale up as the physical size of these facilities increase.

Greenhouse gas emissions: Fertilizer mismanagement can also contribute to greenhouse gas emissions as soil microbes in areas of application produce nitrous oxide. Manure used as fertilizer also releases gases continuously into the environment; however, in under fertilized areas, fertilizer may contribute little to emissions.

2. Agribusiness and Enterprises…