J.1 LAC-IEE-22-49 ETD (HA - Livestock Market Systems Resilience) - Deferral of Environmental Review.pdf

DEFERRAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW

Project/Activity Data Project/Activity Name: Livestock Market Systems Resilience Geographic Location(s) (Country/Region): North, Northeast, Plateau Central and South

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

Estimated September 2022-2027

Amendment (Yes/No); if Yes indicate # (i.e.

1, 2…)

N/A

If Amendment, specify New End Date: N/A Solicitation/Contract/Award Number(s): TBD Implementing Partner(s): TBD Bureau Tracking ID: LAC-IEE-22-49 Tracking ID of Related RCE/IEE (if any): N/A Tracking ID of Other, Related Analyses: N/A

Organizational/Administrative Data Implementing Operating Unit(s):

(e.g. Mission or Bureau or Office)

LAC Haiti Mission

Other Affected Operating Unit(s):

Lead BEO Bureau: LAC

Funding Account(s) (if available):

Original Funding Amount: estimated $23,000,000 Prepared by: Sang Lee Date Prepared: January 3, 2022

Environmental Compliance Review Data Analysis Type: Deferral Environmental Determination(s): Deferred per 22 CFR 216.3(a)(1) or (7) Expiration Date of Deferral: November 30, 2022 Additional Analyses/Reporting Required: Yes Climate Risks Identified (#): TBD Climate Risks Addressed (#): TBD

DEFERRAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW DESCRIPTION

PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE DEFERRAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW

USAID environmental procedures require environmental review of potential impacts of USAID programs, projects, and activities. The environmental review can be deferred under two situations:

1) When USAID does not have sufficient information for meaningful environmental analysis, and therefore a Threshold Decision cannot be reached at the time the Project Appraisal Document/Activity Approval Memo or similar approval document is prepared; and,

2) When USAID is not able to identify projects/activities or aspects of projects/activities prior to the authorization of financing.

This document, in accordance with §216.3(a)(1) or §216.3(a)(7), provides the required information necessary to issue a deferral of the required environmental review, including why the environmental review cannot be completed and the timing for completion of the review.

Further it stipulates the requirements that must be implemented. Once this deferral is approved, the conditions and requirements of this document become mandatory.

PROGRAM/PROJECT/ACTIVITY OVERVIEW

The goal of the Haiti Resilient Livestock Market System Activity is to increase the resilience of households and communities in the Northern and Southern Resilience Focus Zones through the improvement of livestock market systems. This goal is supported by three primary, intertwined objectives:

1. Improve household productivity of the livestock sector in the Resilience Focus Zones

2. Increase the accessibility of inputs and services in the livestock market systems

3. Improve marketing and private sector engagement in the sector

The Activity will employ market system approaches that focus on the following three sub-sectors:

1) cattle for dairy and meat,

2) poultry for meat and eggs, and

3) small ruminants (goats and sheep).

The Activity will focus on the top three livestock species raised by smallholder farmers in Haiti, and it is expected that many of the market system strengthening approaches will benefit multiple sub-sectors concurrently.

The purpose of the USAID/Haiti Livestock Market Systems Resilience Activity is to diversify incomes and increase the resilience of households and communities in two Resilience Focus Zones through the improvement of the livestock market system. The Livestock Market Systems

Resilience Activity will utilize inclusive, market-based approaches to sustainably intensify livestock production, strengthen animal health and advisory services, increase access to input and output markets, improve processing and marketing operations, while catalyzing private sector engagement and access to finance to drive the scale-up of these interventions. Activities will be centered in two Resilience Focus Zones (RFZ); one is located in the southern region (South Department) and the other in parts of the north (North, Northeast and Plateau Central Departments). Employing an inclusive market systems approach, interventions will improve the resilience of cattle (dairy and beef), poultry (eggs and meat), and small ruminants which will increase the resilience of households, communities, and livestock systems to the multivariate shocks that Haiti faces. These include climate change and extreme weather events, the ongoing secondary effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and potential emergence of other diseases, conflict and violence, and weak governance and systems.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DEFERRAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW

This activity focuses on improving the livestock market systems, thus, the specific activities will not be decided until the authorization of the financing stage. Specific activities could include a variety of interventions from engaging the private sector to increase the availability of inputs, improving the productivity of the livestock sector through the production and sale of forage, and providing veterinary services. The IEE will be deferred until immediately prior to the authorization of financing, when the specific activities have been identified and the potential environmental impacts can be appropriately assessed.

JUSTIFICATION FOR WHY THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW CAN NOT BE COMPLETED

In accordance with §216.3(a)(1)(i), the explanation indicating why an IEE cannot be completed at this time is provided below:

1. The definition of the type of activities and implementation sites are not yet defined for this project, therefore, it is not possible to establish an adequate environmental threshold determination. In particular, while the funds for these projects are being obligated at this time into the bilateral agreement, the details are still in design, and additional work is required to identify the specific activities and analyze their potential environmental impacts prior to sub-obligation;

2. At this point, it is not clear if the project will be developing on-the-ground or construction activities which might result in potential environmental impacts. Considering the full extent of activities is critical for developing a comprehensive IEE and determining if additional assessment would be required before initiating the project.

TIMING AND APPROACH FOR COMPLETION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW

The Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) is planned to be completed on or around September 30,2022 or at least 30 days prior to the award of the activity. The completion of this IEE will result from developing the following steps:

a) Review and complete the Program Description for Livestock Market Systems Resilience Activity under the Food and Economic Security activities. ;

b) Discuss with the MEO about next steps;

c) Determination of the expected environmental impacts and climate risks associated with the project;

IRREVERSIBLE COMMITMENT OF FUNDS

The environmental review will be deferred until immediately prior to award. USAID will not irreversibly commit funds until the environmental review is completed.

CLIMATE RISK MANAGEMENT

At this time there is insufficient information to adequately undertake the Climate Risk Management (CRM) screening. The CRM will be completed and incorporated into the IEE, EA, or other relevant document.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS DEFERRAL

1. The responsible Operating Unit will ensure the required environmental review (IEE or EA) is completed in the timeframe designated herein.

2. If the required environmental review cannot be completed in the designated timeframe, an amendment will be prepared and approved with justification and with a revised timeframe.

3. The responsible Operating Unit will ensure that appropriate language to carry out the requirements of this deferral is incorporated into relevant award documents, including requirements relating to development of the IEE or EA. Relevant award language shall ensure that implementation plans will be modified in accordance with the environmental review.

4. The responsible Operating Unit will (i) ensure an irreversible commitment of resources will be avoided until the environmental review is completed, and (ii) ensure appropriate environmental reviews are completed for incremental funding actions as subprojects/sub activities or aspects of projects/activities are identified.

5. The CRM will be completed and incorporated into the IEE and/or EA.

6. The responsible Operating Unit will clear this deferral with the cognizant BEO as part of the

IEE or EA as required by this document. Deferrals may be cleared for aspects of projects/activities, such as clearing one task order under an IDIQ, while the deferral remains in place for further task orders.

BEO SPECIFIED CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL

Based on discussions with the MEO, it is agreed that safety measures shall be taken to prevent transmission of COVID-19 during project implementation. Specifically, the implementing partner (IP) will ensure that the following requirements are met:

Ensure compliance with applicable partner country requirements and technical guidelines to prevent COVID-19 transmission over the course of the activities. This includes ensuring staff safety, safety of community members, and adequate management of waste. As appropriate, train staff and beneficiaries on social distancing, personal protective equipment (PPE) use, and disinfection. IP may follow WHO and/or CDC guidance as appropriate implementation.

IMPLEMENTATION

In accordance with 22 CFR 216 and Agency policy, the conditions and requirements of this document become mandatory upon approval.

USAID APPROVAL OF DEFERRAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW

PROJECT/ACTIVITY NAME: Livestock Market Systems Resilience

Bureau Tracking ID: LAC-IEE-22-49

Approval:

Chris Cushing, Mission Director Date

Clearance: CLEAR 1/3/2022 Sang Lee, Activity Manager

Clearance: Clear 1/3/2022 Abdel Abellard, Mission Environmental Officer and Climate Integration Lead

Date

Clearance: Clear 1-19-2022 Regina Soto, Acting Regional Environmental Advisor Date

Clearance: Clear 1-31-2022 Christine Djondo, Deputy Mission Director Date

Concurrence:

Bethzaida Colon, Bureau Environmental Officer Date

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