Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized

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1 Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Report No: I <--Please check for duplicates! Integrated Safeguards Data Sheet (Initial) Date ISDS Prepared/Updated: 01/08/2002 Section I - Basic Information Report No A. Basic Project Data Country: UZBEKISTAN Project ID: P Project: KARSHI PUMPING CASCADE REHABILITATION PHASE-I PROJECT Task Team Leader: Masood Ahmad Appraisal Date: January 15, 2002 IBRD Amount ($m): Bank Approval: May 30, 2002 IDA Amount ($m): Managing Unit: ECSSD Sector: AI - Irrigation & Drainage Lending Instrument: Specific Investment Loan (SIL) Status: Lending I.A.2. Project Objectives: The main development objective of this rehabilitation project of emergency nature is to increase the reliability, efficiency and sustainability of the pumped water supply from the Amu Darya to the Karshi irrigation command area (400,000 ha) in the Kashkadarya Oblast on which the livelihood, employment, and incomes of more than 2 million people depend, thereby, to avoid a potential social catastrophe in case of complete or partial breakdown of the Karshi Pumping Cascade (KPC). This objective would be achieved through: (a) rehabilitation of, and improvements in the efficiency of the most critical components of the KPC and its overall management; and (b) initiating the development of water management institutions in the Karshi irrigation command area for improving operation and maintenance (O&M) and water management, and for promoting sustainable irrigated agriculture through participatory irrigation management. The project would constitute the first phase of a long-term program for the rehabilitation of the KPC and irrigation and drainage (I&D) system in the Karshi command area. I.A.3. Project Description: The Karshi Pumping Cascade Rehabilitation Phase-I project (KPCRP-I) would constitute the first phase of a longer-term program for the rehabilitation of the KPC, establishment of viable water management organizations including Water Users' Associations (WUAs) to operate the main I&D infrastructure, and the rehabilitation of the I&D systems within the former sovkhozes and kolkhozes (FSKs). The subsequent phase would cover the expansion of WUAs and rehabilitation of I&D, institutional reforms to improve management at the upper tiers of the system, and possibly rehabilitation of additional pumping units. The project includes the following main components: Component A: Rehabilitation of the Pumping Stations (cost US$91 million). For the individual pump units three alternative rehabilitation options are proposed: (a) unit with new pump and new motor; (b) unit with new motor but rehabilitated pump (Rehabilitation Type A or RT-A). This option is very close to the installation of a new pumping unit but with a change in the type of pump: from axial flow to mixed flow. Depending on the financing available and actual costs, it is expected that out of the 36 pump units in PS1-6, the project would provide at least two new pump units and rehabilitate 20 units. In PS1, two pump units (each

2 consisting of motor and pump) would be replaced by new mixed flow pumps and lower speed motors; the pump impellors would have adjustable pitch to have better control over varying discharges approaching the PS1. Two units in PS1 would be rehabilitated under option RT-A. In PS2, PS3 and PS4 two units in each station would undergo RT-A and two units in each station RT-B. In PS5 and PS6 two units would undergo RT-A and one unit RT-B. In PS7 pumps and motors are newer, but about half pump units require rehabilitation to bring the reliability of this station up to the same level as for PS5-6. In addition to rehabilitation of the pumping units all switchboards and circuit breakers would be replaced by new switch boards and a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system would be installed. All discharge pipelines (of PS1-PS7) would be covered with protective coating both inside and outside for providing protection against corrosion/erosion. The Talimarjan workshop would be refurbished/modernized and spare parts for electrical and mechanical equipment in the KPC provided. Relatively minor repairs to the buildings for the pumping stations would be undertaken. Cranes and lifting equipment would be refurbished, and new equipment to be provided includes new trash racks; siphon breakers and filters for cleaning the water supplied to the bearings for cooling. Component B: Sediment Control/Management, and Hydraulic Improvements (Cost US$36 M). The configuration of the river intake would be widened and improved and a gated regulator would be constructed at the river intake to reduce the amounts of sediment entering into the KMC, particularly during the summer months. The reach from the river intake to this regulator would be widened and deepened in order to create a desilting basin for the coarser materials entering this channel. A short distance downstream of the new regulator a second desilting basin would be created at a suitable location. Downstream of this desilting basin and up to PS1, dredging would be carried out to restore the canal profile. A number of existing dredgers would be rehabilitated and ancillary equipment provided. The damaged canal lining between PS1 and PS2 would be repaired by restoring collapsed embankments, cleaning pieces of broken lining and replacement of broken lining with suitable material. The rehabilitation works at Talimarjan reservoir would consist of repairing the concrete sections originally installed for the embankment protection, the installation of piezometers, repairing the seals of the outlet gates, and repairs to the dam's drainage system. Assistance would be provided for carrying out periodic reservoir sedimentation surveys. The first phase of an environmental enhancement plan for Talimarjan would also be implemented, i.e. a bio-physical revetment to stabilize water erosion patterns on the north-west shore of the reservoir. Component C: Irrigation and Drainage Systems Improvements in the Karshi Command Area (Cost US$6.6 million). This component would support the following activities: (i) development of about fourteen Water Users Associations (WUAs), two in each rayon (Karshi command consists of seven raions); each WUA in average covering an irrigated area of 2,000 ha that is about 28,000 ha in total; (ii) rehabilitation of key I&D infrastructure within the jurisdiction of these WUAs; and -2-

3 (iii) technical assistance for the preparation of detailed designs and tender documents for the rehabilitation works and construction supervision, and equipment for precision land leveling. The WUAs would be formed in areas consisting of private farms. The WUAs are likely to be two-tiered organizations consisting of (a) Water Users Groups (WUGs) at the tertiary canal units, ranging in size from 200 ha to 500 ha; and (b) WUAs, comprised of several WUGs and covering a hydrological unit (on average about 2,000 ha) on a secondary canal system. The cost of the rehabilitation works would be limited to US$200 per ha. Component D: Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Institutional Development (cost US$6 million). This sub-component would enable the Government to implement the project. The project would support the operation of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) and would specifically finance an international consulting firm to (i) assist with the procurement of goods and services for Components A and B and take responsibility for contract management, including supervision of construction, installation of equipment and commissioning of this equipment after installation; (ii) assist the PIU with the preparation of interim O&M plans for the project implementation period; (iii) assist the PIU with the design, bidding and contract management for the works under Component C and the establishment of WUAs in the 14 pilot areas (cost of these services is included in Component C); (iv) assist with monitoring and evaluation (M&E); and (v) establish an Environmental Management Unit (EMU) within the PIU to implement Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for the project. Institutional Development. The objective of this sub-component is to enhance performance capacity of: (a) the PIU in project preparation and implementation; (b) the three organizations involved in the operation of the KPC and the I&D infrastructure in the Karshi command area: (i) the Dostlik Construction Department of Hydromechanisation, which is responsible for the dredging operations; (ii) the Operating Directorate of the KPC (ODKPC) which is responsible for the operation of the KPC, including the pumping stations, intake, the main canal until a point downstream of Talimarjan; Talimarjan reservoir; and Talimarjan workshop for repairs and maintenance of the cascade; and (iii) the Kashkadarya Oblast Irrigation Department (Oblselvodkhoz/KOID) which, together with its raion (district) level organizations, is responsible for the O&M of the irrigation distribution system within the Karshi command area up to the boundaries of the FSKs; and (c) preparation of the follow-up project. I.A.4. Project Location: (Geographic location, information about the key environmental and social characteristics of the area and population likely to be affected, and proximity to any protected areas, or sites or critical natural habitats, or any other culturally or socially sensitive areas.) The Karshi project area is located in western part of the Kashkadarya Oblast of Uzbekistan and lies between latitudes 38o 00 and 39o 34' North and longitudes 64o 23' and 67o 41' East. The area is situated on a plateau on the right bank of Amu Darya. The KPC lifts water from the Amu Darya in Turkmenistan to essentially irrigate some 400,000 ha of the Karshi Steppe in the Kashkadarya oblast. The area is inhabited by more than 2 million people who largely depend on this source of water for their - 3-

4 livelihood. The project area slopes gently to the west, from an elevation of 400 meters above mean sea level to 350 meters. The area has distinct continental climate, with hot dry summers, with maximum temperatures of well over 40o C and cold dry winters, with minimum temperatures below -250 C. Rainfall is mainly in winter and spring. The mean annual rainfall is 240 mm, while evaporation is more than 1,700 mm, making irrigation essential for any cropping. There are no protected areas, or sites or critical natural habitats, or any culturally or socially sensitive areas within or close to the project area. The area around Talimarjan reservoir has developed into an environmentally valuable area and ecologically important site. The Talimarjan reservoir was developed as part of the KPC to store the water pumped by the cascade and release it for irrigation use when needed. B. Check Environmental Classification: B (Partial Assessment) Comments: The project is classified a Category B project in accordance with the World Bank Operational Policies (OP 4.01) as, in general, rehabilitation works of existing infrastructure are considered to generate limited negative environmental impacts. This has indeed been confirmed by the environmental assessment. C. Safeguard Policies Triggered Policy Applicability Environmental Assessment (OP/BP/GP 4.01) Yes Forestry (OP/GP 4.36) No Natural Habitats (OP/BP 4.04) No Safety of Dams (OP/BP 4.37) No Pest Management (OP 4.09) No Involuntary Resettlement (OP/BP 4.12) No Indigenous Peoples (OD 4.20) No Cultural Property (OP 4.11) Yes Projects in Disputed Territories (OP/BP/GP 7.60)* Yes Projects in International Waterways (OP/BP/GP 7.50) No *By supporting the proposed project, the Bank does not intend to prejudice the final determination of the parties' claims on the disputed areas Section II - Key Safeguard Issues and Their Management D. Summary of Key Safeguard Issues. Please fill in all relevant questions. If information is not available, describe steps to be taken to obtain necessary data. II.D.1a. Describe any safeguard issues and impacts associated with the proposed project. Identify and describe any potential large scale, significant and/or irreversible impacts. No major safeguard issues under the project are expected. Environmental Assessment. The project is essential for to ensure the reliable supply of water to about 400,000 ha of agricultural land and for the livelihood of more than 2 million people. Environmental impacts of the Phase I project are considered limited and generally positive. The EA confirms that the project has indeed no significant negative environmental impacts, except for certain environmental hazards quite normal during construction, which will be mitigated under the proposed environmental management plan (EMP). The two main issues concern: n Disposal of dredged material: the quantities are reduced as a result of - 4 -

5 the project; in addition operation of the disposal basins will be improved and the disposal plan requires disposal areas to be covered with sandy-loam and planted with vegetation to prevent wind erosion; storage space is sufficient for 30 years of operation; n The environmental hazards during rehabilitation/construction works in case these are not properly managed by the contractors and/or not properly supervised. Proper implementation and monitoring of these measure are included in EPM and would be implemented by the EMU in PIU and independent international team of consultants. Dam Safety. Talimarjan reservoir is an off-stream storage reservoir with two embankments. Its main embankment is 9,745 m long and has a maximum height of 35 m; the second embankment is 1,000 m long and has a maximum height of 36 m. A start has been made under the GEF-funded Water and Environmental Project with the safety assessment of two dams in each of the five Aral Sea Basin countries. As the reservoir is off-stream and has no catchment area, it would not be affected by failure of any other dam in the Amu Darya basin and, therefore, it has received a low priority for inclusion in this dam safety review program. Accordingly, no formal dam safety review has therefore been carried out for the Talimarjan embankments. International consultants' have nevertheless carried out a field inspection of the Talimarjan embankments and a review of available reports. The Bank Dams Specialist has confirmed that there are no dam safety issues involved in Talimarjan reservoir. Some problems, unrelated to the safety of the dam, were identified and the necessary remedial works would be implemented under the project (these are included in Component B). International Waters. The project is situated on the Amu Darya, which is an international waterway. The project would not change the quantity or quality of the water in the river basin because it is strictly a rehabilitation intervention. On request of the Government of Uzbekistan, the Bank notified the riparian states, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan about the project by letter of January 9, No response has been received from these Governments. There are no issues related to the international waterways. For the Amu Darya, the present arrangements are that Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are to equally share the Amu Darya flows measured at Kerki (just below Tajikistan). The share of Karshi project is 5 Bcm and the annual diversions have averaged 4.7 Bcm over the last 10 years. The Talimarjan reservoir located in the project area has a storage capacity of about 1.5 Bcm. The water pumped by KPC during the non-vegetation period or when the water requirements are low is stored in the reservoir and used to meet the requirements during the peak period. Therefore, fluctuations in the river flows have relatively little affect on water deliveries to the project area. Under the project limited rehabilitation of the pumping cascade would be carried out which would not result in increase in pumping capacity of KPC or in extraction of flows from Amu Darya. A related issue is the location of part of Uzbekistan's water infrastructure in Turkmenistan, including the intake and the major part of the KPC that would be rehabilitated under the proposed project. To - 5 -

6 operate the water intake and 6 of the 7 pumping stations on Turkmen territory, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan maintain an agreement that covers Turkmenistan lands under the Karshi cascade, Amu-Bukhara systems and Tuyamayun reservoir. Based on this agreement Uzbekistan is to operate the cascade in return for: (a) a yearly payment of about US$12 million for leasing a narrow strip of land on which the cascade has been built (amount also includes lease for lands for Amu-Bukhara and Tumayun reservoir); and (b) diversion of about 10t of the pumped water for the irrigation of some 25,000 ha of irrigated lands on Turkmen territory, free of cost to Turkmenistan. The easy passage of personnel and equipment (especially of consultants and contractors) during project implementation is a concern, however, to date no major impediment has been observed to Uzbekistan operating and maintaining the canal, the pump stations, and dredging operations at the intake. II.D.lb. Describe any potential cumulative impacts due to application of more than one safeguard policy or due to multiple project component. No cumulative impact is expected. II.D.lc Describe any potential long term impacts due to anticipated future activities in the project area. The long-term impacts are included: (i) full implementation of institutional and agricultural policy reforms and full recovery of the cost of water from beneficiaries, some anticipate that in future (15-20 years) agriculture on some highly salinized plots in the project may no longer be viable and that such plots may have to be abandoned; (ii) It is expected that the project will increase efficiency of water use in the proposed area, and therefore will reduce overall water need; and (iii) the institutional reforms can be expected to result in staff reductions in the existing organizations and the associated social impacts which would need to be mitigated. These issues are common to countries in transition to a market economy and institutional reform programs, and methods to deal with such issues are known. However, these events would not take place during the proposed project period, they are beyond the scope of the project, and would be dealt with when and if they arise under an appropriate framework possibly during preparation and implementation of the future phases of the Karshi rehabilitation program. II.D.2. In light of 1, describe the proposed treatment of alternatives (if required) The rehabilitation of the KPC is the only viable alternative and is the most suitable one economically, socially and environmentally. Without the project, a full or partial breakdown of KPC would have catastrophic social, and economic consequences and create a flux of environmental refugees. II.D.3. Describe arrangement for the borrower to address safeguard issues As the institutional supervision capacity of the local environmental agencies are limited, the project will; (i) establish EMU within the PIU, which with the help of an independent team of international consultants - 6 -

7 implement the EMP.; (ii) provide training to the local agencies to enhance institutional capacity and (iii) implement the EMP that addresses all issues and will mitigate potential environmental impact of the construction phase as well as the overall operations. II.D.4. Identify the key stakeholders and describe the mechanisms for consultation and disclosure on safeguard policies, with an emphasis on potentially affected people. The key stakeholders are the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, Operations Directorate for KPC, Kashkadarya Oblast Irrigation Department (Obselvodkhoz), District Level Irrigation Organizations (Raionvodkhoz), Collector Drainage Network Directorate, Dostlik Construction Department (DCD) water management organizations within the Former State and Communal Farms (FSKs), water users' associations, farmers and other water users. Extensive public consultation were carried out during the Social Assessment process under which two stakeholder workshops were held to share the results of the SA and discuss other project/program issues relating directly to the project's long-term goals, including: readiness of the population for the introduction of charges for water and mechanisms of payments for water; the possibility and relevancy of establishing Water User Associations (WUA); the functions, goals, and possible operational risks of WUA; and public participation in project implementation. The first stakeholder seminar was held in Karshi on October 19, 2001 and second in Tashkent on October 23, In addition, in July 2001, scoping sessions on the environmental aspects, with participation of all major stakeholders, were organized in Tashkent and Karshi by the EA consultants. Upon completion of the draft final EA Report, workshops were held in Tashkent, Karshi, Talimarjan and Dustlik on December 19 and to discuss the main findings and recommendations contained in the report. The Government, through its MAWR and PIU would maintain an open and continuous channel of communication with the WUAs, farmers, water users and other stakeholders. The WUAs formed under the project would provide a good link for communications with the major stakeholders. The WUAs representatives would also participate in the Oblast Steering Committee meetings for reviewing the overall project implementation and institutional program. E. Safeguards Classification. Category is determined by the highest impact in any policy. Or on basis of cumulative impacts from multiple safeguards. Whenever an individual safeguard policy is triggered the provisions of that policy apply. I S1. - Significant, cumulative and/or irreversible impacts; or significant technical and institutional risks in management of one or more safeguard areas [XI S2. - One or more safeguard policies are triggered, but effects are limited in their impact and are technically and institutionally manageable I S3. - No safeguard issues I SF. - Financial intermediary projects, social development funds, community driven development or similar projects which require a safeguard framework or programmatic approach to address safeguard issues. F. Disclosure Requirements Environmental Assessment/Analysis/Management - 7 -

8 Plan: Expected Actual Date of receipt by the Bank 1/19/ /17/2001 Date of "in-country" disclosure 1/22/2002 Date of submission to InfoShop 1/22/2002 Date of distributing the Exec. Summary of the EA to the ED (For category A projects) 1/31/2002 Resettlement Action Plan/Framework: Expected Actual Date of receipt by the Bank Date of "in-country" disclosure Date of submission to InfoShop Indigenous Peoples Development Plan/Framework: Expected Actual Date of receipt by the Bank Date of "in-country" disclosure Date of submission to InfoShop Pest Management Plan: Expected Actual Date of receipt by the Bank Date of "in-country" disclosure Date of submission to InfoShop Dam Safety Management Plan: Expected Actual Date of receipt by the Bank Date of "in-country" disclosure Date of submission to InfoShop If in-country disclosure of any of the above documents is not expected, please explain why. Signed and submitted by Name Date Task Team Leader: Masood Ahmad Project Safeguards Specialists 1: Project Safeguards Specialists 2: Project Safeguards Specialists 3: Approved by: Name Date Regional Safeguards Coordinator: Stan Peabody 01/22/2002 Sector Manager/Director: Joseph Goldberg 01/16/2002 For a list of World Bank news releases on projects and reports, click here - 8 -