Page 1 INTEGRATED SAFEGUARDS DATA SHEET CONCEPT STAGE Report No.: AC670 Date ISDS Prepared/Updated: March 2, 2004 I. BASIC INFORMATION A. Basic Project Data Country: Tajikistan Project ID: P084035 Project Name: FERGHANA VALLEY WATER RESOURCES MANAGEME Task Team Leader: Usaid I. El-Hanbali Estimated Appraisal Date: January 25, 2005 Estimated Board Date: March 15, 2005 Managing Unit: ECSSD Lending Instrument: Specific Investment Loan Sector: Irrigation and drainage (80%);General water, sanitation and flood protection sector (20%) Theme: Water resource management (P);Other rural development (S);Participation and civic engagement (S) Safeguard Policies Specialists in the task team: Loan/Credit amount ($m.): IDA: 5 Other financing amounts by source: ($m) BILATERAL AGENCIES (UNIDENTIFIED) 15 B. Project Objectives [from section 3 of PCN] The project’s main objectives are: (a) to increase productivity of irrigated agriculture and income of about 250,000 people in FV by improving land and water management, and (b) to improve regulation and dam safety of the Kayrakum reservoir contributing to enhanced efficiency of water management at the basin level. The project would also build on the experience learned from the on-going operations in agriculture sector especially the Rural Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project and the Farm Privatization Support Project, and would have a strong link with the planned operations including Community Agriculture and Watershed Management (FY04) and the Farm Privatization 2 (FY05) projects in order to build a comprehensive approach to land and water management and agriculture and rural development. The key performance indicators that would enable measurement of the project impact would be: (a) increased employment and income of farmers in the Ferghana Valley; (b) cropped area and crop yield; and (c) increased irrigation water in summer, reduction in waterlogging and increased environmental flows in Syr Darya. C. Project Description [from section 4 of PCN] The project component, as envisaged at this stage, would focus at improving and rehabilitating the critical and essential irrigation and drainage infrastructures in about 30,000 ha in Tajikistan’s FV, improving water resources management and improved regional cooperation in water resources and increased agriculture productivity. The main components would be as follows: Component 1. Rehabilitation of Irrigation and Drainage Systems, and Groundwater Development (Base cost US$15.0 million) The rehabilitation works would include reconstruction of off-farm and on-farm irrigation and drainage systems over an area of about 30,000 ha mostly located on the left bank of the Page 2 Kayrakum reservoir benefiting about 250,000 people. The investment would also include works to ensure reliable water supplies including groundwater development. Component 2. Community Development and Support (Base cost US$2.5 million) The component would include development of community based WUAs for operation and maintenance (O&M) and water management, and promotion of improved irrigation and agricultural practices. Necessary technical assistance would be provided for development of WUAs, training and equipment. Component 3. Improving the Operation and Safety of Kayrakum Dam (Base Cost US$1.5 million) The operation and safety of Kayrakum’s dam would be improved through re-regulation, minor repair works and improvement in monitoring. Component 4. Agricultural Development Support (Base cost US$0.5 million) The activities would include: training communities and WUA on improved water management, extension and agricultural information services; and demonstration of improved and modern technologies to increase production and improve water use Component 5. Project Management, Technical Assistance and Training (Base cost US$1.5 million) This component would support the Government in implementing the project. It would include: support for the operation of the Project Management Unit (PMU), a modest institutional strengthening program including training and study tours. The project will be implemented by the Ministry of Melioration and Water Resources Management (MM&WRM), while the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) will assist in the regional aspects of the project (Improvement of Operation of Kayrakum Dam). A PMU will be established under the MM&WRM to implement the project with effective community participation in all phases of project implementation process. D. Project location (if known) The project area will be in Tajikistan portion of the Ferghana Valley and would be located on the Southern shore of the Kayrakum reservoir in Kani Badam and Bobojon Gafuro of the northern Soghd Oblast. E. Borrower’s Institutional Capacity for Safeguard Policies [from PCN] The borrower’s institutional capacity for safeguards is weak and needs strengthening. This would be done during project preparation and implementation. However, the borrower has a good knowledge of the safeguards as the Bank has funded several projects there and each addressed the safeguard issues. II. SAFEGUARD POLICIES THAT MIGHT APPLY Applicable? Safeguard Policy If Applicable, How Might It Apply? [x ] Environmental Assessment ( OP / BP 4.01) An Environmental Assessment will be prepared as a part of project preparation. A PHRD Grant has been requested for project preparation which would include preparation of the EA. [ ] Natural Habitats ( OP / BP 4.04) [ ] Pest Management ( OP 4.09 ) Page 3 [TBD ] Involuntary Resettlement ( OP / BP 4.12) Preparatory studies will be carried out to assess whether the project activities (as a result of the establishment of bore-wells and the changing land-use of grazing and agricultural lands) will trigger the involuntary resettlement policy or will involve land acquisition. [ ] Indigenous Peoples ( OD 4.20 ) [ ] Forests ( OP / BP 4.36) [ x] Safety of Dams ( OP / BP 4.37) A dam safety assessment has bee carried out during Phase I of the Aral Sea Program. The issues identified in that assessment will be evaluated and the project would include measures to address those safety issues [x] Cultural Property (draft OP 4.11 - OPN 11.03 ) Although no impacts on cultural property are expected, the possibility of chance finds during construction can not be ruled out. Necessary mechanisms, such as provision on the EMP and civil works contracts will be put in place to deal with this possibility. [ ] Projects in Disputed Areas ( OP / BP / GP 7.60) * [x] Projects on International Waterways ( OP / BP / GP 7.50) The project involves an international river – Syr Darya. However, since the investments expected under the project are strictly rehabilitation of existing schemes, they will not change the volume of extraction of water or volume of discharge. The team will consult with Legal to see whether a waiver to notification is appropriate. Environmental Assessment Category: [ ] A [X] B [ ] C [ ] FI [ ] TBD (to be determined) If TBD, explain determinants of classification and give steps that will be taken to determine that EA category (mandatory): Most of the works will be done on existing irrigation schemes or water management structures. III. SAFEGUARD PREPARATION PLAN A. Target date for the Quality Enhancement Review (QER), at which time the PAD-stage ISDS would be prepared. November 15, 2004. B. For simple projects that will not require a QER, the target date for preparing the PAD-stage ISDS Time frame for launching and completing the safeguard-related studies that may be needed. The specific studies and their timing 1 should be specified in the PAD-stage ISDS .Environmental Assessment to be made available by March 2005. IV. APPROVALS Signed and submitted by: Task Team Leader: Usaid I. El-Hanbali 03/16/2004 Approved by: * By supporting the proposed project, the Bank does not intend to prejudice the final determination of the parties' claims on the disputed areas 1 Reminder: The Bank's Disclosure Policy requires that safeguard-related documents be disclosed before appraisal (i) at the InfoShop and (ii) in-country, at publicly accessible locations and in a form and language that are accessible to potentially af fected persons. Page 4 Regional Safeguards Coordinator: Ronald Hoffer 03/16/2004 Comments Sector Manager: Joseph Goldberg 03/16/2004 Comments