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AGRICULTURAL AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT AND WATER MANAGEMENT AND

SAFEGUARDSSAFEGUARDS

Implications for ImplementationImplications for Implementation““The Mexico ExperienceThe Mexico Experience””IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE

MODERNIZATION PROJECT MODERNIZATION PROJECT (PMIR)(PMIR)

Michael Carroll, Task Manager, LCSER, Water Week 2004

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PMIR - OVERVIEWØ Objective:

To assist GOM in the adoption of a new model to improve the competitiveness of irrigated agriculture and the efficiency of irrigation water use [Irrigation Districts and Units, (ID, IU)] through:

• Demand driven Integrated Irrigation Investment Plans (IIIPs) through:

• modernization of existing irrigation infrastructure • increased productivity of irrigated agriculture and

diversification into high-value crops • consolidation of the transfer of irrigation infrastructure to water

users • institutional strengthening of water users’ organizations• consolidating the current cost recovery system for both operating

and capital costs • establishment of a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation

system

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PMIR – OVERVIEW (Cont..1)Ø Beneficiaries:

• Water User Associations (WUAs), small and communal farmers at a module level

• District Organizations (SRLs)• Project potential target population: 1.1 Million irrigation

farmers in both (ID: 530.000 - IU: 590.000 producers)• Direct assistance to ~ 110.000 farmers• Equal access to project benefits by small and large farmers

Ø Institutional and implementation arrangements:Comision Nacional del Agua (CNA) and Secretaria de Agricultura, Ganaderia, Desarrollo Rural, Pesca y Alimentacion (SAGARPA)

Ø Total costs: US$ 528.03 M• Borrower: US$ 225.0 M• IBRD: US$ 303.03 M

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PMIR – OVERVIEW (Cont…2)Ø Project components:1. Modernization and rehabilitation of irrigation

infrastructure in IDs, and IUs through IIIPs.2. Diversification and intensification of irrigated

agricultural production (technical and financial assistance)

3. Training and institutional development4. Project management (project coordination and

M&E system)

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PROJECT PREPARATION

Ø Environmental specialist on team; consultation of Task Team with Bank’s social and environmental specialists

Ø Sectoral Environmental Assessment (SEA) Vs Environmental Assessments (EAs)

Ø Social AssessmentØ PHRD: US$ 560,000 (SEA + four IIIPs)

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PROJECT PREPARATION (Cont..2) PUBLIC CONSULTATION

Ø Preparation of SEA included public consultation events with stakeholders: WUAs, representatives of public and private sector institutions, (academia, environmental agencies, NGOs)

Ø CNA existing procedures include an active consultation process with all users and concerned parties

Ø Consultation process led to incorporate additional environmental indicators (efficiency, health and sustainability, water quality, toxicological statistics)

Ø SEA recommended mechanisms for public consultation in design and review of irrigation subprojects-specific

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ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE IN MEXICO

Ø Inter-sectoral conflicts over scarce water suppliesØ Threats to freshwater wetlands and their endangered

biodiversityØ Nutrient pollution of groundwater and surface water

suppliesØ Health and environmental risks from pesticides

contaminationØ Overexploited aquifers

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PMIR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

Ø PMIR Environmental classification: BØ Overall: positive in net terms (reducing

aggregate water abstraction)Ø Attention to mitigate specific adverse

environmental impacts of subprojects (and to enhance positive ones)

Ø Project finances rehabilitation not expansion into new areas

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ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS

Ø Two levels: SEA and EAs1. SEA: Key environmental management issues for

the irrigation and drainage sector:• Main irrigation related environmental issues

and mitigation strategies• Major regional hotspots of water use

conflicts (rivers, wetlands)

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ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS (Cont.. 2)

• Environmental Management Plan (EMP):• Pest Management Plan• Environmental procedures for civil

works• Environmental guidelines for the

operation of irrigation systems• Project eligibility criteria and procedures

for environmental review of subprojects• Standards TORs for subproject’s specific

EAs

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OVERLAPPING MAPS: IRRIGATION DISTRICTS – NATURAL PROTECTED AREAS – CRITICAL AREAS

SYMBOLS

IRRIGATION DISTRICTS

NATURAL PROTECTED AREAS

CRITICAL AREAS

N° 087 ROSARIO MEZQUITE (MICHOACÁN Y JALISCO)

N° 011 ALTO RÍO LERMA

N° 085 LA BEGOÑA

N° 020 MORELIA (MICHOACÁN)

GOGORRON (S.L.P.)

SIERRA GORDA LOS MARMOLES

SIERRA GORDA

SANTUARIO DE LA MARIPOSA MONARCA

GUANAJUATO

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OVERLAPPING MAPS: IRRIGATION DISTRICTS – NATURAL PROTECTED AREAS – CRITICAL AREAS

N° 014 RÍO COLORADO (SON. Y B.C.)

N° 037 RÍOS ALTAR, PITIQUITO Y CABORCA

N° 051 COSTA HERMOSILLO

N° 084 GUAYMAS

N° 018 COLONIAS YAQUIS

N° 038 RÍO MAYO

EL PINACATE Y GRAN DESIERTO DE ALTAR

ALTO GOLFO DE CALIFORNIA Y DELTA DEL RÍO COLORADO

ISLAS DEL GOLFO DE CALIFORNIA

CAJÓN DEL DIABLO

MAVAVI

BAVISPE

SIERRA DE LOS AJOS / BAVISPE

HUACHINERA

TUTUACA

SIERRA DE ALAMOS-RÍO CUCHUJAQUI

PITIQUITO HERMOSILLO

BENJAMIN HILL

YECORA

TOMOCHIC-BASSASEACHIC

ALAMOSSYMBOLS

IRRIGATION DISTRICTS

NATURAL PROTECTED AREAS

CRITICAL AREAS

SONORA

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ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS (Cont.. 3)

2. Environmental Assessment for specific subproject during project implementation at ID, IU, or subproject module level.

• EA part of the process for subproject formulation and approval

• Subproject EA will:a. Assess specific potential environmental

impactsb. Describe mitigation or enhancement

measures

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ADRESSING ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Ø Consultation with ESSD-QAT and good interaction between ESSD-QAT and Task Team facilitated cost-effective and timely implementation of safeguards

Ø SEA addressed QAT recommendationsØ Currently SEA in Infoshop and availableØ Field office involvementØ Local environmental consultant (SEA)Ø Active client participation in SEAØ Operational Manual: approved at negotiations

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SAFEGUARDS MANAGEMENT IN PMIRSAFEGUARD POTENTIALLY

TRIGGERED BYFINDINGS FROM SEA

ACTION IN EA/SAFEGUARD MONITORING

Natural Habitats policy(OP 4.04)

Local increased water abstraction or changed drainage flows (wetlands, natural habitats)

Identified main geographical areas of Mexico (wetlands), i.e. RioLerma Basin

EA will: screen for possible impacts or other natural habitats; incorporate mitigation measures within subproject design

Pest management(OP 4.09)

Intensification of irrigated agriculture; pesticide application equipment might be procured

Included Pest Management Plan

The project would not finance purchase of pesticides. TOR of IIIPs would provide for training and TA in pest management (sub-projects – changes in crops or cultivation methods)

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SAFEGUARDS MANAGEMENT (Cont ..2)SAFEGUARD POTENTIALLY

TRIGGERED BYFINDINGS FROM SEA

ACTION IN EA/SAFEGUARD MONITORING

Dam safety (OP. 4.37)

Safety of existing dams under existing or planned conditions

Recommended documentation of dam safety

Subprojects which use water from existing dams would include evidence of updated inspection of the safety of those dams (information available from CNA)

Cultural Property (OPN. 11.03)

Excavation of earth for rehabilitating or improving irrigation works might uncover items “archeological,paleontological”

Included guidelines for chance find procedures

All civil works bidding documents, contracts and work orders would follow standard environmental rules for contractors (including chance find procedures for cultural property)

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SAFEGUARDS MANAGEMENT (Cont ..3)

SAFEGUARD POTENTIALLYTRIGGERED BY

FINDINGS FROM SEA

ACTION IN EA/SAFEGUARD MONITORING

International waterways (OP. 7.50)

If project affects the use of water from the Rio Grande along the US border

Presented a diagnosis of the Mexican International and National Water Law. International Boundary and Water Comission (IBWC)

Through existent commitments the US government has been notified by CNA (according to OP/BP 7.50)

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INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY (QAT RECOMMENDATION)

Ø Implementation agency will designate an environmental expert for the review of subprojects

Ø The SEA included a environmental training proposal for relevant CNA, SAGARPA staffs, and WUAs representatives, technical assistance providers, etc.

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CONCLUSIONS

Ø The project ensured adequate resources for the assessment of safeguard policies (PHRD, early)

Ø Task Team developed an effective communication and understanding of the Bank safeguards

Ø Good interaction between ESSD-QAT, Task Team and client facilitated cost-effective and timely analysis of safeguards implications

Ø Demand driven approach with comprehensive project operational manual can significantly reduce the institutional risk of supporting investments in irrigation