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Environmental Impact Assessment Project UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAM Department of the Environment
PROJECT DOCUMENT
Contents:
B. Project justification
C. Description of the project
D. Inputs E. Risks F. Prior obligations and prerequisites G. Project reviews, reporting and evaluation H. Legal context
Iran is facing serious environmental problems such as air and water pollution, soil Erosion and loss of biodiversity. The root of these problems lies on population growth, Rapid urbanization, and expanded industrialization, unwise use of agricultural lands, Rangelands and forests. Appropriate land use and management practices are the key factors in this contest. The Islamic Republic of Iran is one of the few countries that have the principle of Environmental protection built into its Constitution. Article 50 of the Constitution of The Islamic Republic of Iran states: ” Environmental Conservation in the Islamic Republic of Iran is public Duty. Therefore; any economic or other activities which cause Environmental pollution or other irreversible damage to the environment are forbidden. “
Following legislations have
recently approved:
Regarding the environment, the importance of resources and an emphasis on sustainable developments have been reflected in the policies of the Government. They have been matters of emphasis in speeches by The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Environmental considerations have also been represented in the First and Second Development Plan of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Islamic Republic of Iran participated in the Earth Summit and is a signatory to most of its agreements and conventions. Policy makers in Iran have expressed a strong commitment it the principles of sustainable development. The Rio Declaration recognizes the right of countries to exploit their own resources pursuant to their own environmental and developmental policies. Following the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development; the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran in collaboration with the World Bank and UNIX’s financial support in the framework of capacity 2 1; embarked in early 1993 on the elaboration of a National strategy for the environment and sustainable Development (NSESD). Twenty groups composed of over 100 prominent national experts from the public and private sector as well as academia carried out in- depth studies on environment and sustainable development and prepared a set of 20 reports for each one of the sectors. Regarding the reports findings; recommendations and courses of actions; generally retained by the roundtable and endorsed by the world Bank group of experts; there was general agreement on the gravity of the deteriorating conditions in spite of the country’s commitment to the Environment protection and sustainable development and on the need to proceed with the implementation of the strategic plan of action proposed and to give priority to the enhancement of the country’s national capabilities in terms of the institutional arrangements and the human resources provided for environmental management and sustainable development . An EIA pattern is formulated by Azad University under a project of D.0.E. (1995). In this document, a rough out line of EIA procedure in Iran is proposed. It also includes procedures for Screening & monitoring in EIA. This project document is prepared by the United Nations Development Program to serve as a framework for building the institutional capacity and strengthening .capabilities for implementing Environmental Impact Assessment in the Islamic Republic of Iran and in concordance with NSESD of Iran.
A. 2. PRIOR AND ONGOING ASSISTANCE Chapter 37 of the Agenda 21; states that: “Building endogenous capacity to implement Agenda 21 will require the efforts of the countries themselves in partnership with relevant United Nations organizations”. Consistent with the principles of Agenda 21; and in support of the national development objectives of the Islamic Republic of Iran; Country Cooperation Framework between I. R. Iran and UNDP (1997- 1999) environmentally oriented. It aims at strengthening national capacity to plan, develop and manage policies and actions for environmental protection and sustainable development. A comprehensive study to design an environmental strategy is ongoing as part of UNDP’s assistance to the government of Iran.
The activities of the government pertaining to the environment are coordinated through the department of Environment (DOE). Furthermore, an environmental bureau will be established at the Plan and Budget Organization (PBO) for an effective coordination of activities for environmental impact assessment at the national level for all new development projects. P. B. O. will serve as the national coordinator for this project.
Sustainable development is defended by the World Commission on Environment .and Development as Development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable development offers the promise that: · Economic activities can be harmonized with environmental protection; · Technologies can be found and implemented that will ensure economic growth, and do not harm the environment ;and · That pressing environmental problems can be solved without social and political disruption. The idea is that any development worth the name should promote social justice, while respecting nature and seeking economic efficiency. To achieve a sustainable development ,the integration of environment and development objective are essential, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is an important mechanism in ensuring that development projects can be implemented while the dynamism of physical and human ecosystems are maintained. EIA is a process for the systematic evaluation of a proposal, its objectives, alternatives, effects on the environment and the management of their effects. Environment should be taken in its broadest definition to cover all surroundings natural, social, and cultural and the interactions among those. EIA integrates environment and development consideration in a decision making process to confirm that all foreseeable effects of a development project on the environment are fully examined and taken into account while making a rational decision. EIA encourages decision makers to take account of the possible effects of development investments on environmental quality, resources productivity, and human conditions. In Iran Environmental High Council has recently approved a regulation requiring major development projects are subject to EIA. This regulation is now mandatory and has been incorporated into the second development plan of Iran. It emphasizes on the importance of the EIA as a mechanism for developing a cooperative approach to the management of the environment. It is, therefore, essential to bring EIA and its importance in maintaining the integrity of environment and sustainability of development to the forefront of strategic planning. It can be achieved through a clear EIA process and public participation in the planning process. It must however, be acknowledged that the capacity to perform EIA in Iran at present is very limited. This document is designed to strengthen the concepts, understanding, procedures, processes, training programs, and regulation regarding EIA, as well as decision making processes and public participation in Iran.
B.
2. PROPOSED SOLUTION AND END OF PROJECT SITUATION It is expected that by the end of this project the following issues will be in place in Iran on a national level.
Training, database development and networking projects therefore are a necessity for the continuing support of the WDP for this project.
An active, appropriate and participatory EIA procedure would greatly be of benefit to the general environment, industries and communities. The ultimate beneficiary of this project, therefore, will be the public and their environment. This project targets strengthening institutional capacity and professional skills for the implementation of EIA in Iran. The immediate beneficiaries of the project, therefore, will be:
B. 4. REASONS FOR
ASSISTANCE FROM UNDP
UNDP has extensive experience concerning environment related issues with access to qualified consultants and experts, UNDP field office in Tehran has in place the logistic facilities to implement and monitor the range of activities implied in this project.
EIA is an evolving process. It is an instrument aiming to ensuring that environmental, economic, social and cultural considerations and values of a society are built into the planning process for sustainable development and a healthy environment. The most important reference to EIA is principle 17 of the Rio Declaration which states: “Environmental Impact Assessment, as a national instrument, shall be undertaken for proposed activities that are likely to have significant adverse impact on the environment and are subject to decision of a competent national authority.” Some principles for EIA can be identified for this purpose:
EIA should:
The main objective of this project is to strengthen institutional capabilities, individual and group expertise, on- going training facilities and provide an adequate_ information system for EIA in Iran. The following table shows the objectives and its confluent outputs and activities.
The specific objectives of the project
are:
The expected outputs of this project are listed as follow:
i. EIA principles, procedures and experiences in other countries; ii. Procedure and methodology of EIA in Iran; iii. Public participation, awareness and education of EIA in Iran; iv. Legal requirements of EIA in Iran.
The main objective of this project, as reflected in its title and objectives, is to strengthen the capacity of the country to be able to implement EIA effectively and efficiently as a major step towards achieving sustainable development. In order to achieve this goal, proposed activities may be divided into the following categories:
It is also important that in every and any theoretical discussion and in any and every proposed action or procedure, these underpinning principles be observed:
I. The integrity, values and heritage of
Iranian people.
II. The land
of Iran, the environment.
III.
Interconnections of cultural, social, economic, political, historical
and geographical situation in Iran; past, present, and future.
IV.
Sustainable development, its principles as introduced by the Earth summit
and described by globally accepted definitions.
V. Concerns for National, Regional and Global
priorities. The following activities are proposed:
C. 3.1. PREPARATION
OF DIRECTIVES AND GUIDELINES It is proposed that the preparation of the following documents be offered for consultancy to institutions or individuals qualified, in environmental issues and familiar with the environmental issues in Iran. They should be in both the English and Persian Language in order to make them accessible for all professionals, administrators and academics as well as general public. The guidelines, reports and strategies to be developed by consultancy are:
i. EIA: Principles, Procedures
and Experiences of Other Countries This would cover the aim, objectives, strategies, action plans, administration, making decisions, and costing of EIA in some selected countries with justification for their relevance to Iran. The analysis of EIA in five countries should be sufficient for the propose of possible adoption of EIA implementation in Iran. The countries to be considered for review in this report could include: Australia, Canada, the European Community, India and Indonesia. The report has a complementary section on good practices in EIA for sustainable development and taking into account the special needs of developing countries. This can include case studies in the region.
This guideline would propose a comprehensive framework for EIA in Iran, considering that an EIA pattern is formulated by consultants under D.O.E.’s program. EIA procedure in Iran should be pertinent to the socioeconomic, political climate and institutional set up of the country and identification of baseline data required for EIA. EIA procedure should be suited to national condition which subsequently can be expresses in law (if necessary). In this procedure, ecological, socioeconomic and physical assessments are integrated. It should, cover various and stages of EIA considering ecological, social & human aspects, process of screening of the projects; cost- benefit analysis; implementation; monitoring; review; and decision making of EIA in Iran. This guideline should include a pattern for EIA reports. The guideline should cover the following issues in an integrated framework:
It should be considered that public participation activities have medium-term impacts and also takes longer time. It depends upon incentives, formal and informal education and training and results in behavioral change. The project should reveal:
This part of the study should include a comprehensive coverage of ah aspects of public participation such as the level and quality of public participation, the process of notifying the community , groups and individuals about the project; the mechanism of their involvement in the preparation of EIA; providing submissions and input to the EIA, public hearings to discuss the significant impacts , participation in decision making, feedback to the public, public representation and the evaluation of post-project assessment. To achieve a successful public participation in decision making and implementation of EIA it is necessary to study the public awareness activities (which have medium-term impacts) in both formal (governmental) and informal (NGOs) sectors. Parts of the study, on public awareness about EIA in Iran should gives precise recommendations and cover at least the eight following questions:
Measures and recommendations on education and training (which have long- term impacts) must be made with in the Framework of Iran’s education system. This part should also include program for restructure and stream line courses at agricultural and engineering universities, at medical colleges, and in master’s programs to include, relevant subjects of EIA. This project should also plan and establish a Training Course on EIA, in “Training Center & College of Environment” affiliated to DOE. Educational and training materials should also get prepared for this course.
iv. EIA: Legal Requirements This report should suggest the range of Legal requirements of EIA in Iran. It should propose the ways to transform EIA into law, or a regulation under the existing umbrella law, and also giving practical recommendations on how to apply and enforce EIA practices to development propos& at different levels of application and facilitating implementation of EIA in Iran.
C. 3.2. ESTABLISHMENT
OF INFORMATION. DOCUMENTATION CENTER AND DATABANK The establishment of an EIA Information and Documentation Center. It is essential for this project’s success that public, decision makers and professionals have access to the latest information and documentation on different aspects of EIA. It is therefore proposed to establish an Information Center as the clearing house of major books, reports, journals, computerized databases, and videos; and to keep an updated list of persons, events, conferences, meetings and any development in this field world wide. The preparation of a list of this information and documentation should be undertaken by a well- qualified expert who is familiar with EIA at a global level and needs of the professionals in Iran. Data Bank should be complementary to monitoring system, proposed in the Guidelines. The budget proposed here will be used as a seeding grant for the establishment and initial activities. UNESCO’s Environmental Education Division, UNDP and UNEP should be requested to contribute under their special Programs.
C. 3.3. SHORT
COURSES/ WORKSHOPS ON EIA IN IRAN Two short-courses/workshops should be conducted to serve as introductory training for professionals engaged in implementing the EIA procedure from governmental offices of different sectors, NGOs and consultants. This should be linked to EIA Education and Training center in “Training Center & College of Environment” affiliated to DOE. The budget proposed here will be used as a seeding grant. They will be carried out jointly with other agencies such as UNESCO’s Environmental Education Division, Canadian International Development Agency, Development Assistance Committee of OECD, Environment and Economics Unit of UNEP and UNDP. This program should at least cover the following issues:
C. 3.4. EIA SOFTWARE
AND TRAINING Available soft wares for EIA (pertinent to major Sectors of development in Iran) should be purchased in consultation ‘with UNDP, UNEP and UNESCO. There should be arrangement for training of the specialists to work with this software in Iran.
C. 3.5. ORGANIZATION
OF A SEMINAR To activate the EIA and to bring the practitioners and theoreticians together, an international seminar on EIA in Tehran is proposed it should be organized jointly by UNDP, UNEP, UNESCO, International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA), and D.O.E. The objective of the seminar is exchange of experiences in EIA theories and applications. Participation is by invitation to the people who have been working on EIA, to the EIA institutions from the countries with successful EIA procedures such as Canada, Australia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and South Korea and Universities and academics with special training programs on EIA.
C. 4. INSTITUTIONAL
ARRANGEMENTS The project will be nationally executed and implemented jointly by the planning and Budget Organization and the Department of the Environment. Major decisions in respect of timing and quality of reports, the recruitment of consultants, TORs for studies will be taken by National Project Director. D.O.E in full consultation with P.B.O. will appoint the National Project Director. NPD will be responsible for the timely delivery of the inputs foreseen in the project document for obtaining financial allocation from the government and in general for the achievements of project objectives. To provide advise to NPD and also to ensure an intergovernmental coordination a Coordination Committee will be established with membership from PBO, EIA bureau of DOE, NGOs community and academia with UNDP representative as co-opted member. The Coordinating Committee whose exact membership and function will be determined later will provide general guidance and policy advice to the UNDP. Plan and Budget Organization will appoint head of the Coordinating Committee. Coordinating Committee will be held at D.O.E. This group would oversee the project, facilitate its activities within the Government, and review progress. Its purpose is to ensure that the project achieves its full scope and is appropriately implemented. Major decisions in respect of timing and’ quality of the reports, the recruitment of consultants, TORs for the studies will be taken in agreement by all the members of a Coordinating Committee consists of the cited working group and coordinator of the project.
Inputs to this project should include: Expertise of highly qualified individuals or institutes to carry out consultancies and prepare reports. Books, Reports, Videos, and CD- Databases for the creation and strengthening of the proposed Information Center. Academic expertise for training and workshops.
Government (DOE & PBO) inputs include the following:
DOE contribute staff time and resources for the approval of the legal requirements through the high council of The Environment. PB0 will also facilitate the inclusion, in DOE’s regular budget for the current year, of the cost of the National Roundtable, short courses and seminar, including hospitality costs for all participants.
The well - planned coordination and execution of the project with very careful: selection of highly qualified and deeply experienced consultants will ensure the highest level of success. There risk of failure, with much care in relevant preparation, is minimal.
F. PRIOR OBLIGATIONS AND
PREREQUISITES The main obligation is the agreement between UNDP, DOE and PBO to implement the project.
G. PROJECT REVIEWS,
REPORTING AND EVALUATION The project should be reviewed and evaluated by a Project Review Committee (proposed under Section C. 4) This Committee would consist of representatives of DOE, PBO, UNDP, an academic and an adviser. Members of the Review committee should be selected based on their merit rather than official position. The contract with consultants should ensure review of submissions within a month and arbitration of an independent person within a month.
As the Islamic Republic of Iran is not one of the signatories of the Standard Assistance Agreement (SBAA), this project document shall be the instrument envisaged in the Supplemental Provision to the project Document, attached hereto as ANNEX 1. The following types of revisions may be made to this project document with the signature of the UNDP Resident Representative only, provided the UNDP Resident Representative is assured that the other signatories of the project document have no objections to the proposed changes:
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