LAC-IEE-22-07 ETD (HA - Haiti Resilient Environment).pdf

DEFERRAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW

Project/Activity Data Project/Activity Name: Haiti Resilient Environment Geographic Location(s) (Country/Region): North Implementation Start/End Date (FY or M/D/Y):

FY 2022

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-22-07 Tracking ID of Related RCE/IEE (if any): LAC-IEE-17-27 Tracking ID of Other, Related Analyses:

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: 25,000,000 USD Prepared by: Abdel Abellard Date Prepared: Sep 30, 2021

Environmental Compliance Review Data Analysis Type: Deferral Environmental Determination(s): Deferred per 22 CFR 216.3(a)(1) Expiration Date of Deferral: May 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

USAID/Haiti’s new Resilient Environment Activity (HREA) will use community-centered approaches to protect and restore ecosystem functions and services, including water availability, in critical watersheds or sub-watersheds over a 5-year period. This new activity seeks to hone in on the area or areas of most critical restoration needs and potential in northern Haiti in terms of landscape management, reforestation, erosion and runoff control, livelihood strengthening, climate risk management, and resilience of vulnerable communities. Efforts may include, but are not limited to: community forestry management; income diversification incentives to encourage natural regeneration; livestock management; small-scale restoration/conservation infrastructure, such as retaining walls; direct tree planting; payments for ecosystem services and/or cash-for-work schemes; and alternative livelihoods to mitigate the drivers of deforestation and landscape degradation. This activity will use a variety of landscape management, livelihood building, and community engagement approaches to accomplish landscape restoration goals, improve water conservation and community resilience to natural and economic stresses in the target areas.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DEFERRAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW

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

The purpose of the HREA is to increase community resilience in the Northern Resilience Focus Zone by protecting and restoring ecosystem services, using a community-led watershed and landscape management approach. This goal is supported by three primary intertwined objectives:

1. Promote income generating activities linked to sustainable landscape management

2. Conserve and restore critical sub-watersheds

3. Support community-led natural resources management

Specific interventions to achieve the above objectives will be determined by the specific site’s level of degradation, opportunities for restoration and conservation, and community priorities.

While the broader watersheds have been selected, the types of activities and specific implementation sites are not yet defined for this project. Therefore, at this time, it is not possible to establish an adequate environmental threshold determination. In particular, while FY 21 funds are currently unavailable for obligation at this time into the bilateral agreement, it is expected that the funds will be available o/a December 2021. The specific interventions are still in design, and additional work is required to identify the specific activities and analyze their potential environmental impacts prior to sub-obligation.

Given the lessons learned from the current Reforestation Project, the following are illustrative interventions under the HREA (this is not a comprehensive list):

1. Agroforestry, reforestation, and improved woodlot management;

2. Soil conservation through both live barriers and soil retention structures;

3. Diversification of livelihoods through the production or transformation of agricultural;

products that have market demand; and

4. Improving community governance through the implementation of sub-watershed plans.

JUSTIFICATION FOR WHY THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW CAN NOT BE COMPLETED

HREA will support watershed and landscape restoration and conservation activities, including, but not limited to reforestation, soil conservation, and agroforestry in multiple watersheds or sub-watersheds. However, the interventions will depend on a variety of factors, including level of degradation, soil type, slope, etc. and will need to be site specific. Thus, the initial environmental review cannot be completed until the specific sites are selected, and the interventions demonstrating the most promise have been identified.

TIMING AND APPROACH FOR COMPLETION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW

USAID/Haiti will develop a full listing of illustrative activities under the Economic Growth and Agriculture Development (EGAD) program. The IEE will be finalized prior to award and will assign the appropriate threshold determination. It is anticipated that the IEE will be developed and finalized on or about May 2022, approximately three months prior to final award.

The completion of the IEE will result from developing the following steps:

1. Define the type of specific technical interventions after stakeholder consultations, , design, and input on the draft Scope of Work (SOW) through a co-creation process.

2. Review and complete the SOW and release the Request for Proposals;

3. Discuss next steps with the MEO and REA;

4. Analyze the expected environmental impacts and climate risks associated with these activities and draft the IEE.

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 Reforestation design team, in consultation with the Mission Climate Integration Lead (CIL), will consider the potential effects of climate risks/stressors on the sustainability of the project (changing precipitation patterns, rising temperature, floods, droughts, fires, landslides, etc.), in addition to the impact of any project activities on the climate (increased greenhouse gas emissions, land use changes, etc.). The CRM will be completed and incorporated into the project IEE.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS DEFERRAL

1. The Haiti Mission will ensure the required IEE 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 Haiti Mission 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. Relevant award language shall ensure that implementation plans will be modified in accordance with the environmental review.

4. The Haiti Mission 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.

6. The Haiti Mission will clear this deferral with the cognizant BEO as part of the IEE as required by this document. Deferrals may be cleared for aspects of projects/activities.

BEO SPECIFIED CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL

No conditions have been specified by the BEO.

IMPLEMENTATION

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 and requirements in this document.

USAID APPROVAL OF DEFERRAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW

PROJECT/ACTIVITY NAME: Haiti Resilient Environment

Bureau Tracking ID: LAC-IEE-22-07

Approval:

Clearance:

Clearance:

Clearance:

Clearance:

Clearance:

Concurrence:

DISTRIBUTION:

CM Cushing Digitally signed by CM Cushing Date: 2021.10.15 12:33:46-04'00'

Christopher Cushing, Mission Director

I clear

Kenold Moreau, Activity Manager

I clear

Abdel Abellard, Mission Environmental Officer/Climate Integration Lead

I clear Regina Soto, Acting Regional Environmental Advisor

I clear

Scott Phillips, Acting Resident Legal Officer

Clear Edel Perez-Campos, Acting Deputy Mission Director

Bethzaida Colon, Bureau Environmental Officer

Date

10/01/2021 Date

09/30/2021

Date

10-1-2021 Date

10/7/2021 Date

10/8/2021 Date

Date

USAID APPROVAL OF DEFERRAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW