Attachment J.9_IEE.pdf

ME 21-01

Lebanon/LWP Amendment 2 1

INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION (IEE)

Lebanon Water Project (LWP)

- Amendment 2 -

PROGRAM/ACTIVITY DATA:

Country Code-SO: 268-001

Foreign Assistance Objective: Local development Office

Country or Region: Lebanon

Activity Name: Lebanon Water Project

Funding Begin: September 2015 Funding End: September 2026 LOP Amount: $217,000,000

Sub-Activity Amount:

IEE Prepared by: Rami Wehbeh, Program Development Specialist Date: 10/12/2020

IEE Amendment (Y/N): If “Yes,” Number @ Date of Original IEE: Y - ME 15-21 dated 2/05/2015;

amendment 1 ME 19-21 dated 03/14/2019.

Environmental Media and/or Human Health Potentially Impacted (check all that apply):

air _✔_ water_✔_ land_✔_ biodiversity __ human health _✔_ other _____ none _____

Environmental Action(s) Recommended: (Check all that apply)

Categorical Exclusion: ☒ Deferral: ☐

Positive Determination: ☐ Negative Determination with Conditions: ☒ Exemption: ☐

This is an amendment to the IEE (ME 15-21) and IEE Amendment 1 (ME 19-21) in order to extend the period of performance from March 2021 to September 2026, and increase the LWP

Total Estimated Cost (TEC) from $100 million to $217 million for the purpose of adding a new activity under LWP: the “Waste Sanitation and Conservation (WSC)” activity. Changes are highlighted in YELLOW. Otherwise, all other terms remain the same as the original IEE.

BACKGROUND

USAID/Lebanon launched the Lebanon Water Project (LWP) in October 2015 for a period of five years until September 2020, extended later in April 2019 until March 2021.

USAID plans to add the new WSC activity under LWP, extend it further until September

2026, and increase its current TEC with $117 million to a new TEC of $217 million.

The project assists Government of Lebanon entities improve overall public water services, focusing on delivery, responsible usage, and long-term sustainability. Within this objective, the project enhances the management and infrastructure capacity of national public water entities and subnational local government. WSC will continue assisting the water utilities within the overall LWP context, following the same components of the original LWP, while further emphasizing sanitation and energy/water conservation. The purpose of WSC is to “Enhance the conservation and protection of

Lebanon's water resources” through achieving the following three WSC objectives: (1)

Capacity of wastewater and sanitation management expanded; (2) Efficiency of public

Lebanon/LWP Amendment 2 2 water utilities to manage water resources increased; and, (3) Citizens’ water stewardship enhanced.

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

LWP activities are grouped under the following three components:

Component I: Improved Water Services Delivery

A. Enhance the water management capacity and service delivery of public water entities

The program will build the capacity of the five public water utilities – the four Regional

Water Establishments and the Litani River Authority (LRA) – which are mandated by law to provide water, wastewater, and irrigation management services in Lebanon. The program will strengthen the managerial and operational functions of the water utilities by training their staff and developing innovative management procedures and systems, including the enhancement of their customer outreach and awareness capabilities.

Additionally, the program will work with one or more of the five water utilities to specifically help them cope with the added burden on their water resources due to the large Syrian refugees’ presence in Lebanon.

1. Technical assistance shall focus on the following areas:

o Asset management, operation, and maintenance o Business and strategic planning o Customer service o Corporate management (financial, human resources, and business) o Billing and collection o Integrated water resources management o Procurement of new technologies, IT systems and related equipment o Outreach and awareness o Emergency preparedness (drought, climate change, unforeseen sudden additional demand, such as the current Syrian refugee influx)

Infrastructure projects will be small to medium scale with moderate capital and human resource requirements. Although infrastructure challenges stretch across the entire water production, delivery, and discharge cycle, USAID has found that large scale water and wastewater infrastructure, such as dams and large treatment facilities, are not yet sustainable over the long-term in Lebanon due primarily to the shortage of operation and maintenance (O&M) resources. Therefore, the program will upgrade selected small- to medium-sized infrastructure that complements the program’s objective of increasing the management capacity of the public water utilities.

2. Small- to medium-scale infrastructure interventions shall focus on the following areas:

o Potable water and irrigation distribution networks o Potable water treatment facilities, pumping stations and/or wells o Potable water source, zone, and customer metering o Low-cost wastewater treatment systems (wetlands) and other new/appropriate technologies that are available

Lebanon/LWP Amendment 2 3 o Municipal/village level water infrastructure upgrades (wells, irrigation canals, etc.)

o Interventions that improve regional water establishments’ (RWEs) efficiency and reduce their operation and maintenance costs (e.g., the use of solar power generation).

B. Improve sub-national water management capacity

The program will also improve capacity at the sub-national level through support to municipalities to play a stronger complementary role in water management. The program will assist municipalities build their capacity (and improve their infrastructure, as needed) where the potential exists to complement the role of water utilities in managing potable water, wastewater, and irrigation. Also, the program will address opportunities to support affected municipalities in addressing the water challenges resulting from the Syrian influx.

Also, the program will support the Litani Roadmap through providing technical assistance to the newly formed Litani Roadmap Committee to enhance their leadership role in roadmap implementation.

Illustrative program interventions in support of increased water management capacity at the sub-national level include:

1. Provide technical assistance to the LRA, selected municipalities, and the Litani

Roadmap Committee in the following areas:

o Integrated water resources management o Water resources protection and conservation o Wastewater management o Outreach and awareness

2. Support implementation of the Litani Roadmap (in addition to the above indicated support to the Litani Roadmap Committee) mainly through:

o Identification of and technical assistance to active stakeholders and polluters in the Litani Basin o Organization of collaborative workshops/activities for discussion and awareness-raising regarding protection of natural resources in the

Litani Basin

3. Demonstration technology upgrades for the LRA and selected municipalities/communities in the following areas:

o Water monitoring o Rainwater harvesting o Low-cost wastewater treatment systems (wetlands) o Efficient irrigation systems (drip irrigation)

Component II: Public Outreach and Civic Advocacy

The program will strengthen the role of civil society to effectively contribute and participate in democratic water governance, applying the necessary pressure on decision

Lebanon/LWP Amendment 2 4 makers to carry out essential reforms in the water and wastewater sector. The program will increase water users’ awareness and sense of ownership, to enhance their water use behaviors, increase awareness of their responsibilities vis-à-vis water service providers, and promote their roles and responsibilities with regard to protection of the environment.

Development of water user associations, specifically at the community and farmer levels, will be explored and, if deemed feasible, promoted as an integral part of good water governance.

Illustrative program interventions in support of public outreach and civic advocacy include:

➢ Identifying and mobilizing communities, municipalities, NGOs, industry, universities, and other stakeholders, in order to:

o Increase water users’ awareness and sense of ownership to enhance their water use behaviors o Support creation of water user associations, especially farmers associations o Promote collaborative involvement between MoEW/RWEs/LRA and communities o Water conservation campaigns in schools and universities o Supporting local environmental NGOs to improve their capacity to advocate for improved water resource management.

o Supporting media campaigns that address the issue of water scarcity and the need to value water as a public good and a resource that has to be priced accordingly.

o Developing country capacity to implement state-of-the-art social and behavior change communication programs.

o Training journalists about water conservation.

Component III: Private sector engagement and water sector financing

The program will explore the potential for public private partnerships, where active private entities are identified as willing to promote proper water governance. USAID’s public-private partnerships, including Global Development Alliances (GDAs), leverage market-based solutions to advance broader development objectives. When successful, the resulting alliances are both sustainable and have greater impact.

Illustrative program interventions in support of increased citizen activism to improve water sector governance include:

o Promote local/individual water conservation methodologies and improve access to finance these methodologies o Explore opportunities for public-private partnerships (e.g. Global

Development Alliances) o Develop innovative water conservation technologies

Lebanon/LWP Amendment 2 5 o Collaborate with the Development Finance Corporation to develop guarantee opportunities that support funds investing in “green” technologies or support for municipal bonds for investments in the water sector.

o Create partnerships with the private sector based on a leasing guarantee model that will assist with technology adaptation and dissemination in

Lebanon.

Table 1: Proposed program activities and recommended threshold decisions No Activities Effect on

Natural or

Physical

Environment

Determination and Reg. 216 actions required

I All project actions and activities that don’t have an effect on the natural or physical environment:

For activities that focus on providing technical assistance to the five water utilities and Municipalities as outlined above under Component I A1 & I

B1-2; All activities under

Components II & III.

No effect

Categorical Exclusion, no actions required, per 22 CFR 216.2 (c) (2) (iii) as “analysis, studies, academic or research workshops and meetings”, 22 CFR 216.2 (c) (2) (v)

“document and information transfers” and 22

CFR 216.2 (c) (2) (i) as “education, technical assistance, or training programs”.

II All activities that may have an effect on the environment if proper mitigation measures are not followed:

- For equipment procurement related to technical assistance provided under

Components Component I A1 such as services, commodities, new technologies, materials, computers and electronics that normally don’t have a significant effect on the environment.

- For small-scale infrastructure activities and procurement/installation of related equipment under

Component I A 2 & B 3 that shall not have a significant effect on the environment, if proper mitigation and monitoring measures are adopted and maintained.

Potential for a significant adverse effect of one or more activities

Negative Determination with Conditions

An Environmental Review and Assessment

Checklist (ERAC – Annex 3) will be prepared to identify environmental effects for each activity to be approved by COR and

MEO. Based on the findings of the ERAC, the implementing partner(s) has two options:

1) if potential environmental and social impacts are identified, then the implementer(s) will prepare an

Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring

Plan (EMMP– Annex 3) to be approved by

COR and MEO;

2) If potentially significant environmental and social impacts are identified by the

ERAC, then: a) a Scoping session with public consultation shall take place; b) a

Scoping Statement shall be prepared with an

SOW for an Environmental Assessment (EA) and submitted for approval by ME BEO; c) the EA with be prepared with public consultation and submitted to the ME BEO for approval.

a) Recommended Action: Categorical Exclusion (approximately 25 percent of funding).

Pursuant to 22 CFR 216.2(c)(3), the originator of the activities has determined that program activities focusing on technical assistance and training, and other similar types of environmentally neutral actions as described above under Component I A1 & I B1-2; and

Lebanon/LWP Amendment 2 6

Components II & III, consist of types of interventions entirely within the categories listed in paragraph (c) (2), “Categorical Exclusions,” of Section 216.2, “Applicability of

Procedures,” of Title 22 CFR Part 216, “AID Environmental Procedures,” and therefore are categorically excluded from any further environmental review requirements. The originator of the proposed action has further determined that the proposed activities are fully within the following classes of actions:

● Education, technical assistance, or training programs except to the extent such programs include activities directly affecting the environment (such as construction of facilities, etc.). [22 CFR 216.2(c)(2)(i)];

● Analyses, studies, academic or research workshops and meetings. [22 CFR

216.2(c)(2)(iii)];

● Document and information transfers. [22 CFR 216.2(c)(2)(v)];

● Studies, projects or programs intended to develop the capability of recipient countries to engage in development planning, except to the extent designed to result in activities directly affecting the environment (such as construction of facilities, etc.). [22 CFR 216.2(c) (2) (xiv)].

b) Recommended Action: Negative Determination with Conditions (NDC approximately 15 percent of all funding) for equipment and services related to the technical assistance provided to water utilities under Component I A1, when following normal good practices, engineering methods, and standard instructions will help to avoid potential environmental problems. This includes procurement of equipment and machinery, technologies, materials, computers and other electric and electronic equipment and services. The implementer(s) should provide evidence that equipment and materials procured with USAID assistance are used and disposed of in a safe way and that the recipient is following all applicable national and international environmental laws.

The implementing partner(s) will prepare an Environmental Review and Assessment

Checklist (ERAC) to identify environmental effects followed by an EMMP that identifies the mitigation measures to be adopted and maintained. The ERAC and EMMP shall be approved by COR and MEO with a copy sent to the REA/BEO.

c) Recommended Action: Negative Determination with Conditions (NDC, approximately 60 percent of all funding) for activities under Component I A2 and I B3 that have a potential for an adverse impact on the natural or physical environment. The originator of the action has determined that pursuant to 22 CFR 216.2(d) (2), activities such as small infrastructure improvements and related equipment procurement/ installation, small-scale construction and rehabilitation of facilities, small-scale rehabilitation of irrigation systems, set-up of demonstration plots, small rain water harvesting activities, small- scale drainage canals, and other related activities may have the potential for significant adverse environmental impacts. The implementing partner(s) will prepare an Environmental Review and Assessment Checklist (ERAC) to identify environmental effects for each site. The ERAC shall be approved by COR and MEO with a copy sent to the REA and BEO. Based on the findings of the ERAC and the degree of significance of potential environmental and social impacts, the implementing partner(s) has two options: 1) if potential environmental and social impacts are identified, then the implementer(s), will prepare an EMMP to be approved by COR and MEO; 2) if potentially significant environmental and social impacts are identified by the ERAC, then the implementer(s): a) shall conduct a Scoping session with public consultation; b) a

Scoping Statement shall be prepared with an SOW for an Environmental Assessment

Lebanon/LWP Amendment 2 7

(EA) and submitted for approval by ME BEO; c) the EA with be prepared with public consultation and submitted to the ME BEO for approval.

CLIMATE RISK MANAGEMENT (CRM)

A The climate risk assessment conducted by the Mission in December 2019 revealed that the expected decrease in precipitation, change in rainfall patterns, and increase in evapotranspiration will lead to earlier drought occurrence (15-30 days sooner than normal), which will exacerbate the already dire water shortage as a result of urbanization and population growth. Changes in weather patterns will reduce the total volume of water by 6-8 percent, shrink the snow cover by 40 percent and prolong the periods of drought.

With the temperature rising by 1°C, a 6-8 percent reduction in the total volume of water resources will occur.

In addition, climate change will trigger a reduction of 40 to 70 percent of the snow cover, cause a shift of snowfall elevation from 1,500m to 1,900m, and lead to a shortening of snow residence time from 110 days to 45 days. This will impact rivers and groundwater recharge, thus decreasing water availability throughout the summer. The main adaptation measures suggested for Lebanon’s water sector include:

o Improve water-use efficiency in households, industry, and agriculture;

o Investigate the feasibility of alternative sources of water supply; and o Implement water demand side management strategies to reduce water consumption in households, industry, and agriculture.

LWP’s interventions include all of the above suggested recommendations that fall within the core objectives of LWP’s protection and optimization of Lebanon’s water resources, as elaborated in Annex 2 - Climate Risk Screening.

IMPLEMENTER PROCEDURES

In addition to the ERAC and EMMP (Annex 3), the Implementer(s) will employ the following processes for all relevant activities:

● Each activity should be conducted in a manner consistent with good design and implementation practices described in USAID Sector Environmental Guidelines , https://www.usaid.gov/environmental-procedures/sectoral-environmental-social-best-practices/sector-environmental-guidelines-resources#co

● The Implementing Partner(s) will include environment compliance considerations into all aspects of the program implementation and will promote and train local counterparts on environmental requirements and standards across all of the program’s activities. Such proposed activities will be included into annual work plans, and results will be reported in annual reports.

● Lebanon’s environmental, Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and other relevant laws and regulations, standards, norms and best practices for environmental protection and management will be followed in implementing the activities. Implementer will ensure compliance by its staff, subcontractors, and sub-grantees with USAID regulations, policies, procedures, and acceptable best practice as well as compliance with applicable international environmental obligations of Lebanon.

https://www.usaid.gov/environmental-procedures/sectoral-environmental-social-best-practices/sector-environmental-guidelines-resources#co https://www.usaid.gov/environmental-procedures/sectoral-environmental-social-best-practices/sector-environmental-guidelines-resources#co

Lebanon/LWP Amendment 2 8

● The Implementer(s) shall also ensure that the best environmental management practices for construction, excavation, dust control, and noise control are adopted; that any solid wastes generated from activities are collected and transferred to appropriate waste management facilities; and that any wastewater generated from activities is properly disposed in community sewage networks and leading to available sewage treatment plants.

● Provision of new water sources or rehabilitation of existing water sources will be tested to ensure it is safe for human consumption. Test results will be provided to the

COR and MEO and maintained in the COR records.

● Environmental conditions in this IEE will be incorporated into the award performance criteria for all partners and implementers, including subcontractors and grantees.

RESOURCE ALLOCATION, TRAINING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS:

The award with each Implementer will include a requirement to follow all recommendations of this IEE. The Implementer will be responsible for training his staff, grantees, subcontractors, and counterparts on the contract’s environmental requirements and for ensuring their compliance with these requirements.

The Implementer(s) will have the following documentation and reporting requirements associated with the environmental compliance:

● Progress reports will have a brief section on the status of activities related to environmental compliance and results of environmental monitoring, and any major modifications/revisions to the project environmental impact.

● Final report will have a section that will summarize the program’s activities related to environmental compliance and will describe results, including information on any positive or negative environmental effects of program activities.

LIMITATIONS OF THE IEE

This assistance does not cover activities involving:

1. Assistance, procurement or use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) will require preparation of biosafety assessment review in accordance with ADS 201.3.12.2(b) in an amendment to the IEE approved by Asia BEO.

2. DFC or GDA programs.

3. Procurement or use of Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) (i.e. piping, roofing, etc), Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB) or other toxic/hazardous materials prohibited by US

EPA as provided at: http://www.epa.gov/asbestos and/or under international environmental agreements and conventions, e.g. Stockholm Convention on Persistent

Organic Pollutants as provided at: http://chm.pops.int

4. Provision of equipment and training on the safe and sound use of agro-chemicals or pesticides, and the purchase of any agro-chemicals or pesticides.

REVISIONS

Pursuant to 22 CFR216.3 (a) (9), if new information becomes available which indicates that activities to be funded by the Program might be “major” and the Program’s effect

“significant,” the threshold decisions for those activities listed above with Negative

Determination will be reviewed and revised by the originator of the project and submitted http://www.epa.gov/asbestos http://chm.pops.int/

Lebanon/LWP Amendment 2 9 to the Bureau Environmental Officer for approval and, if appropriate, an environmental assessment will be prepared.

APPROVAL OF RECOMMENDED ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION – LEBANON

WATER PROJECT (LWP)

CLEARANCE:

Local Development Office Director 10 Oct 2020

Claude Zullo Date

Mission Environmental Officer Oct 10, 2020

Sana Saliba Date

Regional Environmental Advisor/ME (Cleared by email) 21-Oct 2020

Christopher Frey Date

Program Office Oct 23, 2020

Patrick Goodwin Date

APPROVAL:

Mission Director Oct 23, 2020

Mary Eileen Devitt Date

CONCURRENCE:

Jeffrey Ploetz Oct 23, 2020

ME Bureau Environmental Officer Date (approved with edits)

IEE Lebanon Water Project (ME 21-01)

DISTRIBUTION:

Mission Environmental Officer – IEE File

COR File

Environmental Compliance Database

Lebanon/LWP Amendment 2 10

ANNEX 1

The Following Agency guidelines should be considered in relation to the interventions to be implemented under LWP. These guidelines are part of a wider Agency Sector Environmental

Guidelines and resources available on the following link:

https://www.usaid.gov/environmental-procedures/sectoral-environmental-social-best-practices/sector-environmental-guidelines-resources#co

- Construction guideline: https://www.usaid.gov/environmental-procedures/sectoral-environmental-social-best-practices/seg-construction/pdf

- Energy guideline: https://www.usaid.gov/environmental-procedures/sectoral-environmental-social-best-practices/seg-energy/pdf

- Water supply and sanitation: https://www.usaid.gov/environmental-procedures/sectoral-environmental-social-best-practices/seg-water-supply/pdf https://www.usaid.gov/environmental-procedures/sectoral-environmental-social-best-practices/sector-environmental-guidelines-resources#co https://www.usaid.gov/environmental-procedures/sectoral-environmental-social-best-practices/sector-environmental-guidelines-resources#co https://www.usaid.gov/environmental-procedures/sectoral-environmental-social-best-practices/seg-construction/pdf https://www.usaid.gov/environmental-procedures/sectoral-environmental-social-best-practices/seg-construction/pdf https://www.usaid.gov/environmental-procedures/sectoral-environmental-social-best-practices/seg-energy/pdf https://www.usaid.gov/environmental-procedures/sectoral-environmental-social-best-practices/seg-energy/pdf https://www.usaid.gov/environmental-procedures/sectoral-environmental-social-best-practices/seg-water-supply/pdf https://www.usaid.gov/environmental-procedures/sectoral-environmental-social-best-practices/seg-water-supply/pdf

Lebanon/LWP Amendment 2 11

ANNEX 2: CLIMATE RISK ANALYSIS MATRIX FOR LWP

Defined or

Anticipated Project

Elements

Time-frame

Geo-graphy Climate Risks Adaptive Capacity Risk Rating Opportunities Next Steps for Activity

Design

- Improve water/wastewater delivery

- Improve water stewardship through public outreach and civic engagement

- Enhance Private

Sector engagement

2020 -

National Increased temperatures:

Lebanon is expected to witness an increase in mean annual temperatures by 1 to 2 degrees

Celsius by 2050. This will cause increased frequency of heat waves, decrease in number of frost days with more significant increases in the mountainous inland areas, and increased evaporation of surface water sources. It is anticipated that fruit tree yields may decrease up to 50 percent.

Decreased water availability and drought: Lebanon will witness increasingly hot and dry summers. It is expected that by

2050, precipitation levels will decrease by 10 to 20 percent and the snow cover will be reduced

40 to 70 percent which will cause a reduction in the river flows and an increased strain on limited groundwater sources, limiting freshwater supply. This will also shorten the ski season due to earlier snowmelt and shifting of skiing regions to higher elevations. In addition, drought will cause upward migration of mountain fruit production to higher elevations and will decrease crop quality.

Production costs, especially for businesses in the agricultural sector, will increase.

The provision of water and electricity in Lebanon is centralized at the national level.

However, these services are not reliable. The Lebanese have developed adaptation measures to address the shortages in basic services by resorting to alternative sources for access to water and energy through private service providers. Yet these alternatives are expensive and not affordable to all especially remote vulnerable communities hosting Syrian refugees.

Additionally, the Government of

Lebanon has developed relatively good capacity in climate change awareness, as well as mitigation, monitoring and adaptation through development of systems for preparedness against drought and natural disasters such as the

Early Warning System (EWS) developed by the Lebanon

Agriculture Research Institute, and the Disaster Risk

Management (DRM) system developed by the National

Research Institute in addition to mapping information available at universities. This information is made available to the public but still needs additional enhancements and updates coupled with ground action.

Medium:

Climate change will not have an impact on the services and products provided under

LWP.

Climate change however, may have a medium impact on the overall water sectoir that LWP is supporting and eventually on the sustainability of the assistance provided by LWP, as follows:

- Decreased water availability and drought will further exacerbate the scarcity of water supplied to the citizens, and accordingly reduce their trust in the

Regional Water

Establishments (RWEs) that deliver this service. Citizens might stop paying their bills and resort to individual initiatives that will worsen the climate risk impacts, hence reducing the financial sustainability of the RWEs that LWP is supporting.

- Water management and agricultural facilities to be funded by LWP might render useless in case drought and temperature rise is not accounted for in their design.

LWP’s essence of assistance is to promote national awareness about the risks of climate change in

Lebanon and to promote counter measures that can be taken at the national, individual, community, and private sector level to mitigate these risks. LWP will explore, fund, and promote water reuse and interventions that reduce water usage.

USAID will ensure that facilities designed by LWP take into account the aforementioned risks, and these designs are IPs are independently reviewed and verified by

USAID/Lebanon’s independent

Architecture and Engineering

(A&E) firm for taking into consideration climate risks, notably coastal flooding and drought.

The Mission will include in the WSC SOO and contract, the requirements for addressing climate risk factors.

Lebanon/LWP Amendment 2 12

Sea level rise: Lebanon’s coastal resources are vulnerable to rising sea levels, expected to reach 22 to 45 cm by 2050 and increase sea source temperatures. The coastal zone is where the majority of the country’s population and economic activity is concentrated. Sea level rise will damage coastal tourism infrastructure, particularly beach side resorts and key historical touristic hotspots. In addition, agricultural plains, although diminishing in size due to urbanization, will be vulnerable to coastal flooding and inundation as well as salinization of soil forcing expansion of coastal plantations to higher elevations and causing additional production costs.

- Some facilities that may be constructed under LWP in coastal areas may have the risk of coastal flooding.

ANNEX 3 ERAC/EMMP TEMPLATE

CHECKLIST FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES: Enter Yes (Y), No (N) or Maybe (M) for each

1. Earth Resources

A. grading, trenching, or excavation >1.0 hectare N

B. geologic hazards (faults, landslides, liquefaction, un-engineered fill, etc.) N

C. contaminated soils or groundwater on the site N

D. offsite overburden/waste disposal or borrow pits required >1.0 ton N

E. loss of high-quality farmlands >10 hectares N

2. Agricultural and Agrochemical

A. impacts of inputs such as seeds and fertilizers N

B. impact of production process on human health and environment N

C. other adverse impacts N

3. Industries

A. impacts of run-off and run-on water N

B. impact of farming such as intensification or extensification N

C. impact of other factors N

4. Air Quality

A. substantial increase in onsite air pollutant emissions (construction/operation) N

B. violation of applicable air pollutant emissions or ambient concentration standards N

C. substantial increase in vehicle traffic during construction or operation N

D. demolition or blasting for construction N

E. substantial increase in odor during construction or operation N

F. substantial alteration of microclimate N

5. Water Resources and Quality

A. river, stream, or lake onsite or within 30 meters of construction N

B. withdrawals from or discharges to surface or groundwater N

C. excavation or placing of fill, removing gravel from, a river, stream, or lake N

D. onsite storage of liquid fuels or hazardous materials in bulk quantities N

6. Cultural Resources

A. prehistoric, historic, or paleontological resources within 30 meters of construction N

B. site/facility with unique cultural or ethnic values N

7. Biological Resources

A. vegetation removal or construction in wetlands or riparian areas > 1.0 hectare N

B. use of pesticides/rodenticides, insecticides, or herbicides > 1.0 hectare N

C. construction in or adjacent to a designated wildlife refuge N

8. Planning and Land Use

A. potential conflict with adjacent land uses N

B. non-compliance with existing codes, plans, permits, or design factors N

C. construction in national park or designated recreational area N

D. create substantially annoying source of light or glare N

E. relocation of >10 individuals for +6 months N

F. interrupt necessary utility or municipal service > 10 individuals for +6 months N

G. substantial loss of inefficient use of mineral or non-renewable resources N

H. increase existing noise levels >5 decibels for +3 months N

9. Traffic, Transportation and Circulation

A. increase vehicle trips >20% or cause substantial congestion N

B. design features cause or contribute to safety hazards N

C. inadequate access or emergency access for anticipated volume of people or traffic N

10. Hazards

A. substantially increase risk of fire, explosion, or hazardous chemical release N

B. bulk quantities of hazardous materials or fuels stored on site +3 months N

C. create or substantially contribute to human health hazard N

11. Other Issues (to be used for categories not captured under1 through 10 above)

A. substantial adverse impact N

B. adverse impact N

C. minimal impact N

Construction phase

Issue (from checklist above)

Mitigation Measures (with responsible party)

Monitoring

Means/ Indicator

Frequency Responsible Party

Air Quality

Operation phase

Issue (from checklist above)

Mitigation Measures (with responsible party)

Monitoring

Means/ Indicator

Frequency Responsible Party

Earth resources