DCN: 2018-GEO-004

US Agency for International Development (USAID)

USAID/Georgia

Initial Environmental Examination (IEE)

Program/Project/Activity Data

Activity/Project Name: / Equipment Procurements to Combat Stink Bug
Assistance Objective: / DO 2 - Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth
Program Area: / IR 2.2 - Increase Competitiveness and Employment Generation in Targeted Sectors
Country(ies) and/or Operating Unit: / Georgia
Originating Office: / Office of Economic Growth / Date: 12/13/17
PAD Level IEE: Yes No
Supplemental IEE: Yes NoRCE/IEE Amendment: Yes No / DCN of Original RCE/IEE:
DCN of Amendment(s):
If Yes, Purpose of Amendment (AMD):
DCN(s) of All Related EA/IEE/RCE/ER(s):
Implementation Start/End: / LOP: FY18
Funding Amount: / LOP Amount: $3,500,000
Contract/Award Number (if known):
Recommended Environmental Determination:
Categorical Exclusion: / Positive Determination:
Negative Determination: / Deferral:
Additional Elements:
Conditions: / Local Procurement:
Government to Government: / Donor Co-Funded:
Sustainability Analysis (included): / Climate Change Vulnerability Analysis (included):
  1. Background and Project Description
  2. Purpose and Scope of IEE

The purpose of this activity is to provide essential equipment to the National Food Agency (NFA) of the Ministry of Agriculture of Georgia to help mitigate the infestation of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) in Georgia.

1.2.Project Overview

Providing essential equipment to the National Food Agency (NFA) to help mitigate the infestation of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) in Georgia is following a previous iteration of support provided to NFA through USAID's REAP activity aimed at helping the NFA take leadership in drafting an action plan for eradication of the pest, this activity will help the NFA to implement the plan by providing a portion of the necessary equipment such as trucks, technical equipment, and protective gear needed for an integrated pest management approach to mitigating this outbreak.

1.3.Project Description

The project will purchase high quality equipment for the NFA to increase their responsiveness to the BMSB outbreak.

1.3.1.Component 1 – Equipment Procurements to Combat Stink Bug

The goal of this activity is to provide additional equipment for the pest management of the BMSB, including, but not limited to, vehicles, electronics, and technical and protective equipment. The equipment will be provided to National Food Agency (NFA) of the Ministry of Agriculture of Georgia. The NFA has full technical capacity to operate and maintain this equipment. The potential environmental, safety and health impacts of the equipment are addressed in the current NSA procedures. The new equipment will be added to the NFA inventory and operated and maintained based on the manufacture’s recommendations.

  1. Baseline Environmental Information
  2. Locations Affected and Environmental Context

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) biology and behavior pose specific and challenging factors influencing farmer’s ability to manage effectively this pest. BMSB is a polyphagous pest species feeding on close to 300 host plant species. Adult and juvenile stages BMSB can cause injuries to most commercially grown fruit, vegetables and field crops. The invading population of BMSB can be established on outside wild host plants and continuously migrate into the protected crop area throughout the season. Adult stink bugs can fly long distances (migratory pest stage), while the juvenile stages (nymphs) move much smaller distances (resident pest stage). Once established, nymphs will continue to feed up to six weeks continuously injuring infested crop. BMSB overwinter only in adult stage, mostly inside man-made structures such as buildings, barns and any kind of large storage items such as boxes, pallets, etc. BMSB adults also overwinter inside dead trees or under protection in woods and other unprotected habitats. Stink bug feeding on plants (causes injury to host plants) starts in early spring (usually May/June) and continues until late fall. A single nymph can cause damage to multiple fruits during the 4-6 weeks of nymphal development and continuous feeding. Each insertion of stylet mouth part into plant associated with feeding causes additional injuries to plants; direct feeding on hazelnuts can result in blank nuts (early season), shriveling of the kernels (mid-season) and/or corking (maturing nuts) during late season feeding. During the season BMSB adults move toward commercial orchards, woods, and other crops representing potential food sources, however the main route of spreading BMSB into new locations are human activities associated with trade and commercial traffic. The first signs of new infestations are usually observed in areas of high human traffic, towns and cities with intensive trade activities.

2.2.Description of Applicable Environmental and Natural Resource Legal Requirements Policies, Laws, and Regulations

Georgia has a significant number of laws, President’s orders and Government acts on environmental protection. Some examples include:

•The Law on Environmental Protection (1999 and updated)

•Law on Environmental Impact Permit (1991 and updated)

•Law on Ecological Expertise (2007)

•Law on Protected Areas

•Forestry code (currently being updated)

•Water law (under the development)

•Red Book

The Law on Ecological Expertise of 2007 remains the framework for environmental impact assessments (EIAs) that apply to new projects that may have adverse impacts on the environment. EIAs are part of the state ecological expertise (SEE) authority. Citizens and public organizations have access to EIAs and can express their views according to Aarhus and Espo conventions.

In addition to Georgian law, United States Government (USG) environmental policy compliance is required for all new activities.

2.1Sustainability Analysis

Sustainability is a fundamental concern for the Project, which aims to contribute to sustainable, inclusive economic growth in Georgia. USAID/Caucasus will incorporate sustainability concerns into the designs of all subsequent activities to ensure that USAID’s investment in the Project continues to benefit Georgian society following its conclusion. Overall, the Project will build capacity in both the public and private sector to strengthen agricultural value chains, which will continue to provide both improved incomes and employment after the end of the Project.

Identified stakeholders and beneficiaries of the Project have demonstrated demand for the types of activities, which will be carried out under the new activities. Interventions will be carried out in such a way that maximizes local ownership of the activities, such as using existing service providers to conduct trainings.

The Project will develop expertise as part of each planned activity.

Recommendations to ensure sustainability of the Project include the following:

•As part of any capacity building activity with the GOG undertaken as part of the Project, the implementing partner should be required to work with the relevant GOG entity to develop financial and staff development plans in order to ensure that project results will be sustainable past the Project’s end date.

•Access to finance is a limiting factor in the ability of farms and SMEs to adopt many new technologies. When possible, the Project should work with financial service providers to address issues that have historically limited their ability to provide credit to the agriculture sector through interventions such as crop insurance or land registration.

•Provide technically sound recommendations that take into consideration the potential effects of climate change, such as the utilization of water-saving drip irrigation systems or crop rotations.

•Where possible within the scope of activities, implementing partners should work with the GOG to address regulatory constraints to agricultural development.

2.3.Climate Change Vulnerability Analysis

This analysis sought to identify whether and how the Project will affect, or be affected by, medium and longer-term climate change impacts, and how the Project’s design should be adjusted in consideration of climate change vulnerabilities.

In Georgia, the projected increase in temperature and decrease in precipitation, along with the projected increase in the frequency and intensity of natural disasters, will impact the agriculture sector by causing erosion, desertification, and a general degradation of agricultural land; reducing the availability of water; and causing severe damage to crops from high winds, floods, droughts, and other severe weather.

These implications are significant because agriculture is arguably the most economically important sector in Georgia. The data being collected to manage the BMSB outbreak will address climate conditions that may be impacting the BMSB Lifecyle.

  1. Analysis of Potential Environmental Impact

3.1.Climate Risk Screening

This section serves to evaluate the potential climate risks of the described activities. In accordance with the Mandatory Reference for ADS Chapter 201 on Climate Risk Management for USAID Projects and Activities, USAID conducts climate risk management (CRM) screening for all new strategies, projects, and activities. See Annex A: Climate Risk Management Summary Table for more information.

Georgia / Equipment Procurements to Combat Stink Bug1

EE.BEU Standard Form: IEE.v3

DCN: 2018-GEO-004

3.2.Component 1: Equipment Procurements to Combat Stink Bug

Defined/Illustrative Activities / Potential Impacts / Potential Climate Risk / Climate Risk Rating / Opportunities for Climate Resiliency
1.1 Equipment Procurements to Combat Stink Bug / Inadequate operational procedures can lead to impacts to air, land, water and human health / The areas of intervention will likely get warmer between now and 2050 and will stay warmer for longer. For example, the temperatures expected in summer will be reached in the springtime and will not dissipate until later in the autumn or even winter. Furthermore there is expected to be an average of 4 to 18 less freezing days in winter (depending on the specific municipality) -- This increased warm period allows for a longer breeding period of the stink bug and may therefore require increased interventions in trapping and eradication by the Ministry of Agriculture and local farmers in the future. The tasks will help monitor these climate risks. / Low / Understanding the climate is likely changing in a way that suits the needs of the stink bug, the Ministry of Agriculture has the capacity to track and monitor the stink bug population and then address the likelihood of population rise before it happens.
  1. Recommended Environmental Actions
  2. Recommended Mitigation Measures

Component 1 – Title Equipment Procurements to Combat Stink Bug

Defined/Illustrative Activities / Potential Impacts / Mitigation Measures / Recommended Threshold Determination
1.1 Equipment Procurements to Combat Stink Bug / Inadequate operational procedures can lead to impacts to air, land, water and human health / The equipment will be provided to National Food Agency (NFA) of the Ministry of Agriculture of Georgia. The NFA has full capacity to operate and maintain this equipment. The equipment purchased will specify the appropriate technically requirements for each piece of equipment. The equipment will be added to the NFA equipment inventory and operated and maintained as specified in the procedures. This includes routine record keeping. The NFA has fully developed processes and procedures and is experienced using this equipment. / Negative w/
conditions

Georgia / Equipment Procurements to Combat Stink Bug1

EE.BEU Standard Form: IEE.v3

DCN: 2018-GEO-004

4.2.Recommended Environmental Determination:

Negative Determination with Conditions:

Under §216.3(a)(2)(iii), a negative determination with conditions is recommended for activities [1.1]. Specific terms and conditions are presented below in Section 4.3.

4.3.Terms and Conditions: The equipment will be provided to National Food Agency (NFA) of the Ministry of Agriculture of Georgia. The NFA has full capacity to work with this equipment. Potential impact what generally has providing equipment is inadequate operational procedures can lead to impacts to air, land, water and human health. However, the NFA has fully competence with it. Based on this, no additional mitigation measures are needed

4.3.1.Changes in activities shall necessitate amending the IEE or issuing a Memo to the File (depending on extent and potential impact of the changes).

4.4.USAID Monitoring and Reporting

4.4.1.The AOR/COR, with the support of the MEO, is responsible for monitoring compliance of activities by means of desktop reviews and site visits.

4.4.2.If at any time the project is found to be out of compliance with the IEE, the AOR/COR or MEO shall immediately notify the BEO.

4.4.3.A summary report of Mission’s compliance relative to this IEE shall be sent to the BEO on an annual basis, normally in connection with preparation of the Mission’s annual environmental compliance report required under ADS 203.3.8.5 and 204.3.3.

4.4.4.The BEO or his/her designated representative may conduct site visits or request additional information for compliance monitoring purposes to ensure compliance with this IEE, as necessary.

4.5.Implementing Partner (IP) Monitoring and reporting

4.5.1.IPs shall report on environmental compliance requirements as part of their routine project reporting to USAID.

  1. Mandatory Inclusion of Requirements in Solicitations, Awards, Budgets and Workplans
  2. Appropriate environmental compliance language, including limitations defined in Section 6, shall be incorporated into solicitations and awards for this activity and projects budgets shall provide for adequate funding and human resources to comply with requirements of this IEE.
  3. Solicitations shall include Statements of Work with task(s) for meeting environmental compliance requirements and appropriate evaluation criteria.
  4. Environmental mitigation and monitoring requirements, when available, shall also be included in solicitations and awards.
  5. The IP shall incorporate conditions set forth in this IEE into their annual work plans.
  6. The IP shall ensure annual work plans do not prescribe activities that are defined as limitations, as defined in Section 6.
  7. The USAID Mission will include an indicator for environmental compliance as part of the project’s performance monitoring plan. [If an IEE has a threshold determination of negative determination with conditions, then a possible indictor is if the IP did the ERC/EMMP.]
  1. Limitations of the IEE: This IEE does not cover activities (and therefore should changes in scope implicate any of the issues/activities listed below, a BEO-approved amendment shall be required), that:
  2. Normally have a significant effect on the environment under §216.2(d)(1) [See
  3. Support project preparation, project feasibility studies, engineering design for activities listed in §216.2(d)(1);
  4. Affect endangered species;
  5. Result in wetland or biodiversity degradation or loss;
  6. Support extractive industries (e.g. mining and quarrying);
  7. Promote timber harvesting;
  8. Provide support for regulatory permitting;
  9. Result in privatization of industrial or infrastructure facilities;
  10. Lead to new construction of buildings or other structures;
  11. Assist the procurement (including payment in kind, donations, guarantees of credit) or use (including handling, transport, fuel for transport, storage, mixing, loading, application, cleanup of spray equipment, and disposal) of pesticides or activities involving procurement, transport, use, storage, or disposal of toxic materials and /or pesticides (cover all insecticides, fungicides, rodenticides, etc. covered under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act); and
  12. Procure or use genetically modified organisms.
  1. Revisions
  2. Under §216.3(a)(9), if new information becomes available that indicates that activities covered by the IEE might be considered major and their effect significant, or if additional activities are proposed that might be considered major and their adverse effect significant, this environmental threshold decision will be reviewed and, if necessary, revised by the Mission with concurrence by the BEO. It is the responsibility of the USAID COR/AOR to keep the MEO and BEO informed of any new information or changes in the activity that might require revision of this IEE.
  1. Recommended Environmental Threshold Decision Clearances:


Approval: / ______
Douglas H. Ball, Mission Director / ______
Date
Clearance: / ______
GochaLobzhanidze, Mission Environmental Officer / ______
Date
Clearance: / ______
Shamenna Gall, AOR/COR / ______
Date

Concurrence: / ______
Mark Kamiya
E&E Bureau Environmental Officer / _12/27/2017______
Date

Distribution:

IEE File

MEO (to also provide a copy to AOR/COR)

Attachments: Annex A Climate Risk Screening and Management Tool for Activity/Project/Strategy Design

Georgia / Equipment Procurements to Combat Stink Bug1

EE.BEU Standard Form: IEE.v3

DCN: 2018-GEO-004

Climate Risk Screening and Management Tool for Activity Design

ACTIVITY CRM TOOL OUTPUT MATRIX: CLIMATE RISKS, OPPORTUNITIES, AND ACTIONS

* = A required element, according to the Mandatory Reference

1.1: Defined or Anticipated Tasks or Interventions* / 1.2: Time-frame / 1.3: Geo-graphy / 2: Climate Risks* / 3: Adaptive Capacity / 4: Climate Risk Rating* [Enter rating for each risk: High, Moderate, or Low] / 5: Opportunities* / 6.1: Climate Risk Management Options / 6.2: How Climate Risks Are Addressed in the Activity* / 7: Next Steps for Activity Implementation / 8: Accepted Climate Risks*
purchase of equipment for trapping, monitoring, etc. / 1year / Rural areas in the North Western and central-western municipalities of Georgia. This includes mostly a coastal region and a low lying inland valley / In recent years (between 1986-2010) climate changes in the form of temperature rise, precipitation changes have been nominal in the effected regions. Depending on the municipality, these factors have reached a maximum of 0.4C rise in temperature and 4.6% change in precipitation (note: no information available on storm surge).
In the long term evaporation and precipitation averaged over the entire region is not expected to change dramatically (between 0-1% change); however, the timing of precipitation and evaporation are expected to shift to a later season (“Spring rains” will move to summer). This shift will likely mean that the Stink Bug’s hatching season is less likely to be interrupted by the heavy spring rains and the climate will be more favorable to Stink Bug procreation. Furthermore, the geographic areas of intervention will likely get slightly warmer between now and 2050, but more significantly, will stay warmer for longer. For example, the temperatures expected in summer will be reached in the springtime and will not dissipate until later in the autumn or even winter. Furthermore there is expected to be an average of 4 to 18 less freezing days in winter (depending on the specific municipality). This increased warm period allows for a longer breeding period of the stink bug, and a decreased freezing period means less opportunity for stink bugs to be naturally killed off due to the cold temperatures. This effect may therefore require increased interventions in trapping and eradication by the Ministry of Agriculture and local farmers in the future. The tasks will help monitor these climate risks. / Existing capacity to trap, monitor, and eradicate this pest in the infested regions is low, however, the Ministry of Agriculture has high human resources and financial capacity to take on the task. They need the technical expertise and will then be able to handle future monitoring, trapping, and eradication efforts on their own. / Low / Understanding the climate is likely changing in a way that suits the needs of the stink bug, USAID has the opportunity to build into its training plan the adaptive capacity within the Ministry of Agriculture to track and monitor the stink bug population and then address the likelihood of population rise before it happens. / Support the farm service centers in the regions to disseminate information related to the ongoing adaptive management of the stink bug population; include climate projections in the stink bug monitoring and trapping trainings for the Ministry of Agriculture so that expectations are met when the stink bug populations rise year on year. / The Activity works with the Ministry of Agriculture. The Ministry will be constantly monitoring the changes to pest populations in the face of elongated warm periods in the effected regions. / incorporate climate change vulnerability findings and projections into the outreach and training information / None

Georgia / Equipment Procurements to Combat Stink Bug1