INTEGRATED SAFEGUARDS DATA SHEET
CONCEPT STAGE
Report No.: AC957
Date ISDS Prepared/Updated: August 4, 2004
I. BASIC INFORMATION
A. Basic Project Data
Country: Serbia and Montenegro
Project Name: WATER RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT PROJECT
Estimated Appraisal Date: December 22,
2004
Managing Unit: ECSSD
Project ID: P087964
Task Team Leader: Usaid I. El-Hanbali
Estimated Board Date: March 29, 2005
Lending Instrument: Specific Investment
Loan
Sector: Irrigation and drainage (100%)
Theme: Water resource management
(P);Rural services and infrastructure
(P);Infrastructure services for private sector
development (S)
Safeguard Policies Specialists in the task team: TBD
Loan/Credit amount ($m.):
IDA: 25
Other financing amounts by source: Borrower
5 ($m)
B. Project Objectives
In order to address the issues of water resources management in Serbia, the project’s main
objectives are: (a) to reduce the risk of damage to land, crops, property and infrastructure from
flooding; (b) to increase agricultural productivity through support to high priority rehabilitation
of drainage and irrigation infrastructure; and (c) to improve water resources management and
strengthen the associated water resource management institutions and policies.
The above objectives are in accordance with the recommendations of current policy studies, as
agreed by MAFWM, notably those of the Policy Advisory Unit under the EU funded European
Agency for Reconstruction (EAR). Key performance indicators would be: (a) areas protected
against flooding and waterlogging, and number of farmers benefiting; (b) increase in crop
production resulting from (a); (c) the results of studies of irrigation requirements and
constraints, and the development of a strategy and program for irrigation rehabilitation and
development; (d) the formulation of a strategy and program for development in the areas of flood
control, drainage, and irrigation; (e) the development of environmental reclamation and
protection mitigation plans; and (f) finalizing the draft legislation on aspects of the agricultural
water sector, especially regarding WUAs.
C. Project Description
The project size is about US$ 30 million consisting of a $25 million credit and a $5 million
borrower contribution. The project has a five year implementation period. The land benefiting
from improved drainage is about 350,000 ha, with 200,000 inhabitants benefiting from
improved flood protection. The returns to the economy, from increased agricultural productivity,
increased incomes and associated fiscal benefits, and reduced losses from flooding, would be
substantial. The main components would include:
Component 1. Rehabilitation and Improvement of Water Resources Infrastructure.
The rehabilitation and improvement works would include: (a) restitution of the flood control
defenses and the upgrading of the flood forecasting facilities; (b) restitution of the drainage
facilities; and (c) a construction of pilot minor irrigation systems.
Component 2. Technical Assistance
This component would include: (a) a study for requirements and constraints for future irrigation
sub-sector development, and the initiation of measures to remove these constraints, including a
feasibility study of priority areas and for a pilot minor irrigation system; (b) institutional reform,
capacity building, and improved water sector management; (c) upgrading of the flood forecasting
and warning system; and (d) training.
Component 3. Equipment and Vehicles
This would include provision of equipment for flood forecasting and warning system, O&M and
office equipment and vehicles.
D. Project location
Although the project has a country-wide coverage, all of the drainage and flood control works
(about 80% of the planned investments) will be concentrated in the northern Vojvodina region,
and the remaining for pilot irrigation management will be concentrated in the southern region.
E. Borrower’s Institutional Capacity for Safeguard Policies
The implementing agency, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management and its
subordinate Departments and Directorates are supported by long established technical institutes
and the universities. These agencies at present suffer from diminished professional staff due to
migration, and equipment and facilities also require modernization and rehabilitation. Also,
there is a need to reorganize the sector and introduce a more participatory and integrated
approach to water management.
In spite of these shortcomings, there is still a viable professional specialist cadre in Serbia to
sustain the reorganisation and reinstatement of agriculture given stability and funding provision.
However, these institutions need to be familiarized and trained on the Bank ‘s Safeguard
Policies.
II. SAFEGUARD POLICIES THAT MIGHT APPLY
Applicable?
[YES ]
[ TBD]
[NO ]
[ NO]
[NO]
Involuntary Resettlement (OP/BP 4.12)
There is such a low probability for the irrigation activities to trigger this OP, that
it is unlikely the project will present land acquisition or resettlement issues. There
are plentiful choices for pilot areas; they will be selected to avoid land
acquisition.
Indigenous Peoples (OD 4.20)
[NO ]
Forests (OP/BP 4.36)
[ YES]
Safety of Dams (OP/BP 4.37)
During project preparation, dam safety analyses will be focused specifically in
catchment areas where investments are planned (e.g. 80% of the financing in the
northern part of the country, and part of the remaining funding in any smaller
pilot areas in the South.) At this time we do not expect to finance flood protection
and drainage sub-projects in such a widespread nature as to require analysis of all
dams in the country; only in focused areas.
Cultural Property (draft OP 4.11 - OPN 11.03)
Cultural property OP will be covered as part of the EA. The project is not
expected to finance construction activities in cultural or historical sites.
Procedures to deal with chance finds will be spelled out in the EMP.
[NO]
[ NO]
*
Safeguard Policy
If Applicable, How Might It Apply?
Environmental Assessment (OP/BP 4.01)
During project preparation environmental and social assessments will be prepared
and submitted to the Bank. The EA will look at all environmental issues related to
this project specially the soil and water pollution in areas of intervention. A link
will be established with a proposed GEF-funded Danube River Enterprise
Pollution Protection Project. It is expected that the Environmental Management
Plan (EMP) will include two parts: a specific one focusing on the northern region
where most of the investment for flood and drainage rehabilitation works will be
located; and a generic one for pilot irrigation sub-projects, which will be located
in the southern part of the country and will be selected on the basis of the demand
of farmers.
Natural Habitats (OP/BP 4.04)
Natural habitats will be covered as part of the EA – EMP (specific part)
Pest Management (OP 4.09)
Projects in Disputed Areas (OP/BP/GP 7.60)*
By supporting the proposed project, the Bank does not intend to prejudice the final determination of the parties' claims on the
disputed areas
[ YES]
Projects on International Waterways (OP/BP/GP 7.50)
The project is on international waterways. However, since the investments
expected under the project are mostly rehabilitation and improvement of existing
flood control and drainage schemes, they will not change the volume of
extraction/discharge of water or quality of water. 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):
III. SAFEGUARD PREPARATION PLAN
A. Target date for the Quality Enhancement Review (QER), at which time the PAD-stage ISDS
would be prepared. November 2004.
IV. APPROVALS
Signed and submitted by:
Task Team Leader:
Approved by:
Regional Safeguards Coordinator:
Comments
Sector Manager:
Comments
Usaid I. El-Hanbali
08/03/2004
Ronald Hoffer
07/27/ 2004
Joseph Goldbeg
08/03/2004