INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION Project Appraisal Document Environment Program (PAD) PROJECT LOCATION: Colombia TITLE: Environment Program ACTIVITY NUMBER: TBD LOP FUNDING: US$ 175,000,000 LIFE OF STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE: FY14 to FY20 IEE DRAFTED BY: Daniel Lopez, USAID/Colombia Recommended Threshold Decision: Categorical Exclusion, Negative Determination with Conditions, Positive Determination Date prepared September 26, 2014 I. Background This Initial Environmental Evaluation (IEE) requests from the Latin America and Caribbean LAC Bureau Environmental Officer (BEO), approval for the new Environment Program (EP) under the PAD for the DO4, approved in August 2014. Through the Mission’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy’s Development Objective (DO) 4, “Environmental Resiliency and Low Emissions Development Strengthened,” USAID/Colombia expects to invest $170 million, during fiscal years 2014-2020 to support the achievement of a sustainable and inclusive peace in Colombia. In addition, these investments will implement the Presidential Initiative for Global Climate Change, conserve critical biodiversity, increase state presence, formalize illegal mining, and recuperate degraded mining sites. II. Project Description While a Government of Colombia (GOC) and Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia –FARC- agreement would open up economic opportunities in rural territories and bring benefits, it would carry added challenges to sustainable natural resource management and response to a changing climate. Possible consequences include irresponsible natural resource management, an unfettered expansion of the agricultural frontier leading to degradation of forests and watersheds, and low capacity at the department level to manage anticipated climate change impacts. GOC commitment to providing and enforcing ecosystem protection and sustainable land use practice would be vital. As security concerns will undoubtedly persist, environmental factors related to climate change, such as weather related displacement, drought, and flooding, could put vulnerable communities further at risk, placing additional stress on pre-existing conditions leading to social and environmental instability. Land use and the management of legal, illegal, and informal mining are intimately connected to a sustainable peace and may be scaled up as rural areas become more secure. Likewise, failure to recognize and mediate environmental conflicts through a rational framework would further exacerbate existing tensions, particularly between marginalized rural populations and the state. Sustainable environmental management is critical to protecting Colombia’s welfare and economic future.
INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION Project Appraisal Document Environment Program (PAD) PROJECT LOCATION: Colombia TITLE: Environment Program ACTIVITY NUMBER: TBD LOP FUNDING: US$ 175,000,000 LIFE OF STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE: FY14 to FY20 IEE DRAFTED BY: Daniel Lopez, USAID/Colombia Recommended Threshold Decision: Categorical Exclusion, Negative Determination with Conditions, Positive Determination Date prepared September 26, 2014 I. Background This Initial Environmental Evaluation (IEE) requests from the Latin America and Caribbean LAC Bureau Environmental Officer (BEO), approval for the new Environment Program (EP) under the PAD for the DO4, approved in August 2014. Through the Mission’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy’s Development Objective (DO) 4, “Environmental Resiliency and Low Emissions Development Strengthened,” USAID/Colombia expects to invest $170 million, during fiscal years 2014-2020 to support the achievement of a sustainable and inclusive peace in Colombia. In addition, these investments will implement the Presidential Initiative for Global Climate Change, conserve critical biodiversity, increase state presence, formalize illegal mining, and recuperate degraded mining sites. II. Project Description While a Government of Colombia (GOC) and Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia –FARC- agreement would open up economic opportunities in rural territories and bring benefits, it would carry added challenges to sustainable natural resource management and response to a changing climate. Possible consequences include irresponsible natural resource management, an unfettered expansion of the agricultural frontier leading to degradation of forests and watersheds, and low capacity at the department level to manage anticipated climate change impacts. GOC commitment to providing and enforcing ecosystem protection and sustainable land use practice would be vital. As security concerns will undoubtedly persist, environmental factors related to climate change, such as weather related displacement, drought, and flooding, could put vulnerable communities further at risk, placing additional stress on pre-existing conditions leading to social and environmental instability. Land use and the management of legal, illegal, and informal mining are intimately connected to a sustainable peace and may be scaled up as rural areas become more secure. Likewise, failure to recognize and mediate environmental conflicts through a rational framework would further exacerbate existing tensions, particularly between marginalized rural populations and the state. Sustainable environmental management is critical to protecting Colombia’s welfare and economic future.
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