E525January 2002

Croatia Karst Ecosystem Conservation Project

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

Back2round: Croatia enjoys unusually rich biodiversity of global significance due to itsgeography, between the Mediterranean and Central-European continental climaticregions, and its geology, which is predominantly karst. The term "karst" originated inCroatia and is applied to a specific landscape and morphology characterized by thepresence of limestone or other soluble rocks, where drainage has been largely divertedinto subterranean routes. The globally prominent Croatian karst ecosystems host 3,500species of flora (283 endemic), 12 species of amphibians, 36 species of reptiles, 200species of resident birds, 79 species of mammals, and 64 species of freshwater fish, (11endemic). Subterranean karst habitats support an ever increasing list of newly discoveredendemic trogloditic (eyeless and adapted for an entirely subterranean existence) speciesand families. These include one new species, genus and family of leech Croatobranchusmestrovi. Croatia's subterranean biodiversity also includes the world's only known cavesponge, the only known cave calm, and the only known cave polychaete worm. Croatiais famous for its karst freshwater ecosystems which include travertine/tuffa-buildingcommunities of micro-organisms. The resulting travertine barriers, some estimated to beover 40,000 years old, have led to the spectacular lakes and waterfalls now protectedwithin two national parks - Plitvice and Krka. . The global significance of Croatia'skarst ecosystem is internationally recognized. Plitvice Lakes National Park is on theUNESCO's World List of Natural and Cultural Heritage. The Velebit Mountain Range ispart of the UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Program, and has been identified by theWorld Wildlife Fund's Forest Hotspot Initiative as one of the ten most important forestareas in the Mediterranean region.

These subterranean and terrestrial karst ecosystems are fragile, interconnected, anddependent upon the maintenance of a delicate balance between relief, hydrology, climateand vegetation. This balance is currently tenuous. The Croatia Biodiversity StrategicAction Plan (BSAP), completed in 1999, identified the following threats to karstecosystems: habitat changes and fragmentation; water and air pollution; extensiveexploitation of natural resources; and introduction of foreign species. Obstacles faced bythe Ministry of Environmental Protection and Physical Planning (MEPP) in addressingthese threats include limited capacity for conservation management; inadequateintegration of biodiversity conservation into physical plans and sectoral strategies; andlack of environmental awareness regarding karst ecosystems and limited publicparticipation in the decision making process.

Although most of Croatia is karst, the Karst Ecosystem Conservation (KEC) Project willfocus on the 9500 square kilometers in the Croatian Highlands as this area has the highestlevel of biodiversity and is often neglected as resources tend to be directed towards thecoast. About 8.2 % of Croatia's area is under some form of protection which is a highpercentage relative to the rest of Europe. About 40% of the KEC project region isunder protected area status and includes four national parks and one nature park fromNorth to South being: Risnjak National Park, Plitvice National Park, and the Velebit

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Nature Park, which includes in its territories North Velebit Nature Park and PaklonicaNational Park. The KEC project region is primanrly rural; over 50% is forested, and 65%has few or no inhabitants. The project area includes two main municipalities, Gospic andOgulin, and five small towns and has a total population of approximately 60,000. Themain economic activities in the region are forestry, animal husbandry and tourism.Agricultural and industrial activities are minimal. In the few areas with tourism, it is theprimary economic activity of the immediate area. The project region provides resourcesto the coastal towns, and there are future plans to establish a triangle of highways, insidethe project area, connecting major Croatian cities.

The KEC Project area has experienced profound demographic changes over the pastseveral decades. In Lika-Senj county, which includes Plitvice National Park, VelebitNature Park, North Velebit National Park, and comprises more than 80% of the KECregion, there has been an extreme and steady depopulation in recent years due primarilyto the war and lack of economic opportunities. Population density in Lika-Senj isextremely low at 15 person/square kilometer. The population that remains is very old,and relies largely on pensions for support. The other of the two major counties in theproject, Gorski-Kotar District of Primorsko-Goranka county, in which Risnjak NationalPark is located, has experienced the same depopulation for similar reasons although lesshard-hit by war impacts. While there is a very rich cultural heritage in Croatia, virtuallyall of its manifestations in the KEC project region, e.g. heritage buildings, traditionalfoods and beverages, wood arts and crafts, wool, textiles and clothing production aredisappearing.

The economic situation in the KEC project region is significantly depressed, even forCroatia. Unemployment is estimated at over 40%. To use one of the KEC projectcounties as an example, in Lika-Senj, in the 1980s almost everyone had a paying job inforestry, tourism, or government. To supplement their income in one of the state-organized industries, many practiced traditional agriculture on their family farms. Thethriving Plitvice Lakes National Park that was attracting 750,000 visitors in the late 1980swas an all-important source of direct employment. It also provided large guaranteedmarkets for all the agricultural products people could produce. Tourism tended towards"mass" tourism rather than "nature based" tourism, despite the fact that the Plitvicetourist attractions, like much of Croatia's tourism, rely upon the integrity of its naturalresource base. In the 1990s, there was a major decline of all Lika-Senj's productivesectors, loss of jobs, and out-migration of young people. The war started and waslargely fought in the Plitvice National Park area. Even with reconstruction, the arearemains depressed and has suffered from the national slump in tourism and other sectoractivities.

There are some signs of economic recovery. In 2000 a total of 6.6million people visitedCroatia, and the Plitvice Lakes National Park received about 480,000 visitors. With thisrecovery and the hopes of accelerated economic development, comes the increasedthreats to biodiversity. The main conservation issue facing Croatia is the challenge ofbalancing economic development of an impoverished region with conservation ofglobally significant biodiversity. The KEC project aims to preempt the potential threatsto biodiversity conservation related to tourism and other economic development activitiesin the region.

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Project Region and Demonstration Sites: The focus of the project region is theCroatian Highlands, which is one of the four major landscape units in the country andincludes the mountain corridor of the Dinarids between Slovenia and BosniaHerzegovina. The project region encompasses three counties, Primorje-Gorski Kotar,Lika-Senj, and Zadar. The project area is primarily rural with the exception of thecoastal area of Paklonica National Park. Over 50% of the project region is forested, and65% has few or no inhabitants. The project area includes several municipalities, Gospicand Ogulin, and five small towns and has a total population of approximately 60,000.The main economic activities in the region are forestry, animal husbandry and tourism.Agricultural and industrial activities are minimal. In the few areas with tourism, it is theprimary economic activity of the immediate area. The project region provides resourcesto the coastal towns for example it includes the watershed for the southern Dalmatiancoast. There are future plans to establish a triangle of highways, inside the project area,connecting major Croatian cities.

Approximately 40% of the project region is designated as protected area. This includesthree long established national parks (Paklonica, Plitvice and Risnak), one new nationalpark (Velebit), and one nature park. Paklonica and Velebit National Parks are locatedwithin the much larger Velebit Nature Park. Provisional selection of protected area sitesto be targeted under the project was based on agreed criteria, including: (i) biodiversityof international value, (ii) presence of direct threats to biodiversity; (iii) representation ofthe site and replicability of interventions in other karst areas; (iv) importance for overallenvironmental stability; (v) importance for economic development; and (vi) expectedsustainability of intervention effects. Sites selected include Paklonica, Plitvice, Risnak,and Velabit National Park, and more broadly Velabit Nature Park, in which VelabitNational Park is located and which accounts for almost half of all protected areas inCroatia.

Project Obiective: The project development objective is to protect the biodiversity ofkarst ecosystems in a way that is participatory, community-based, economically viable,and integrated with the country's socioeconomic goals. The project will strengtheninstitutional and technical capacity for biodiversity conservation; integrate biodiversityconservation into management plans and sectoral strategies; improve management ofprotected areas; promote entrepreneurial and tourism activities to support ruralrevitalization and biodiversity conservation; and increase civil participation in decisionmaking processes.

Proiect Components

The three project components and their sub-components are given below. The onlycomponent with potential negative environmental impacts is "Component Two: Establishcommunity based mechanisms for biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource usein the project region." Sub-components and activities under Component Two whichcould have negative environmental impacts are in italics and described in more detaillater in this plan.

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Component 1: Build national capacity to conserve biodiversity and support naturalresource management. (GEF US$1.09 million; GOC US$0.69 million)

(i) Strengthening of laws and regulatory framework ($0.02m). The project will finance areview and/or revision of biodiversity-related regulations and sectoral strategies toincorporate biodiversity conservation concerns. The project will finance training in theuse of the guidelines to staff from relevant government agencies, including the Ministryof Forestry and Agriculture, Ministry of Tourism, Croatia Forests (HS), Croatia Waters(HV); physical planners; and protected area staff; as well as NGOs and citizens.

(ii) Strengthening national capacity to ensure biodiversity conservation ($0.33m). Theproject will finance preparation of protected area management and planning guidelineswhich include biodiversity concerns; guidelines for community and NGO participationin protected area management; a protected area system market analysis, promotion andmarketing plan; a protected area financing strategy; and a pilot project on biodiversityinformation dissemination. The project will develop and conduct a national rangertraining program.

(iii) Expansion of species and taxa under legal protection ($0.18m). Project preparationstudies found that there are two areas in the project region which could be eligible forprotected area status; Ogulin and the Kupa Valley. The project will finance feasibilitystudies for these areas including an analysis of biodiversity in Ogulin and watermanagement issues related to biodiversity conservation; equipment for underwaterbiodiversity monitoring; and revision of the list of taxa under legal protection in thesetwo areas.

(iv) Biodiversity inventory, mapping and monitoring ($1.06m). The project will financeconsultant services and equipment for inventory and mapping of the biodiversity priorityareas (identified by the BSAP and Comprehensive Biodiversity Survey); a specificinventory of the biodiversity of caves in the project region and necessary equipment forsuch; a study of cave hydrology in the project region; conduct a monitoring program forlarge carnivores in the project region. The project will finance the development of a GISfor the project region, the database, and training for staff in its use.

(v) Increasing public awareness and support for biodiversitv with active role ofNGOs ($0.19m). The project will finance development of a public awarenessstrategy; development of a WEB site and TV spots on biodiversity conservation;a guide to karst biodiversity; annual workshops/festivals on biodiversityconservation; and preparation of a traveling exhibition on biodiversity and theKEC Project.

Component 2: Establish community-based mechanisms for biodiversityconservation and sustainable resource use in the karst region (GEF US$3.06 million;GOC US$2.09 million; USG US$0.15 million)

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The project will support measures to preserve the globally significant biodiversity in theKarst region through community level activities and capacity building for protected areamanagement. Activities to meet this objective fall into three sub-components:

(i) Promotion of sustainable nature based tourism in karst region (US$0.21m). Theproject will finance development of a local level tourism strategy which includesdetermnination of the nature-based tourism potential in the region and economicopportunities in tourism; a visitor management plan for protected area; and preparationandfield works on the European-6 (E-6) hiking trail through the project region (E-6 is abranch of a larger network of hiking trails which spans Europe).

(ii) Increased local public awareness and support for biodiversity conservation withactive role of NGOS (US$0.1 lm). The project will finance preparation of national parkpromotion materials for park visitors, local population, and schools; preparation of fieldguides for the project region; and fund a small grants program for NGO sponsoredactivities related to public awareness.

(iii) Improving protected area management and services for biodiversity conservation(US$4.1 2m). The project will finance activities which are common to all the protectedareas, and activities specific to the individual park's needs and aspirations. In each of thefive protected areas in the project region, the project will finance rehabilitation ofexisting visitor structures,visitor roads, information kiosks, and research facilities (wherethey already exist); a "people and parks" program, each to be designed specific to theprotected area and intended to ensure direct, community involvement in the decisionmaking process; field works, e.g. trails, signs; data acquisition, processing andinterpretation equipment, e.g. computers, GIS software; field equipment, e.g. fieldtelephone, binocular, staff uniforms, safety equipment; essentials for monitoringprograms; and staff development in skills such as interpretation, education, monitoring,research. The project will finance distinct investments/activities in each of the fiveprotected areas, as follows:

* Plitvice NP (US$0.52m): The project will finance preparation of a parkmanagement plan; laboratory equipment for the research facility; and mowingequipment.

* Paklenica NP (US$0.39m): The project will finance the "Recovery of theEurasian Vulture (Gyps fulvus) Project" by providing equipment, educationmaterial, and monitoring equipment.

* Risnjak NP (US$0.44m): The project will finance rescue equipment, horsesand equipment; a traveling exhibit; camp site facilities.

* North Velabit NP US$1.69m): The project will finance preparation of a parkmanagement plan.

* Velebit Nature Park (US$1.08m): The project will finance preparation of apark management plan; field vehicles; rehabilitation of existing andconstruction of new mountain shelters and camp sites; and fire controlequipment.

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(iv) Conservation and Rural Revitalization Grants Program (CRRG) ($0.70) The goal ofthis sub-component is to demonstrate of linkages between rural development andbiodiversity conservation. The main activity under this sub-component is the financing ofCRRG program (US$0.5 m) for communities within and adjacent to the project protectedareas. The CRRG Grants program will support projects that further the KEC projectdevelopment objective. The beneficiaries would include community based organizations,NGOs, private entrepreneurs, and local residents. The grants will be available on a locallevel to farmers, artisans, entrepreneurs, businesses, NGOs, etc. to fund activities whichsupport linkages between sustainable use of natural resources, economic development(particularly nature based tourism) and biodiversity conservation. The grants will supportlocal communities to develop small businesses, such as tourism services, crafts, foodservices; support demonstration projects such as traditional agricultural activities, forestryand water resource related projects. This sub-component will also finance a local cattlebreeds protection program; and rehabilitation of the Gacka river springs facility which isa cultural heritage and biodiversity conservation site.

(v) Regional cooperation program for karst ecosystem conservation (US$0.17m). Underthis sub-component partnerships with Croatia's neighbors, particularly Slovenia (Risnjakand Kupa River Project), will be financed to encourage and support trans-boundarysolutions to biodiversity conservation. The project will finance the inventory andmonitoring of the biodiversity of springs, groundwater, caves, meadows, forests and cliffsof the border region between Croatia and Slovenia in the Risnjak National Park region. Itwill finance the preparation of the Risnjak National Park Management plan incoordination with Slovenia. The project will finance a tourism marketing plan for theCroatia/Slovenia border region; promotional materials; international workshops; andparticipation of protected area staff in karst workshops. The project will finance studytours to European countries including France; and participation in international andregional workshops, training and conferences.

Component 3: Project Management and Monitoring (GEF US$ 0.91 million; GOCUS$0.41 million)

The MEPP will have overall responsibility for implementation of the five year project. Anational level project implementation unit (PIU) will be established in the MEPPDivision of General Environmental Policy. The PIU will build on the existence of theKEC project preparation implementation unit. The PIU will be responsible for allprocurement, disbursement and financial management aspects of the project as well asoversee the work of consultants, organize seminars and training. The PIU will beresponsible for coordinating with other donors in the implementation of componentswhich will be supported through parallel and co-financing. It will also be responsible forall reporting requirements to the Bank and the Government. It will be staffed by a projectdirector, procurement and disbursement specialist, financial specialist and an assistant,funded under the project.

The project would also finance a local PIU office in Gospic, the county seat of Lika Senj.The local PIU office, provided by the government, will be in the county departmentoffice building which houses local offices for all sectors and for physical planning. Thiswill facilitate local level inter-sectoral coordination and planning.

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The PIU would be assisted by an inter-agency Project Steering Committee establishedduring project preparation. The Steering Committee consists of representatives fromrelevant Ministries and institutions, including Ministry of Environmental Protection andPhysical Planning, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, State Department for Water, andthe directors of the protected areas covered by the project. The Steering Committeewould be responsible for providing project oversight advice, inter-ministerialcoordination, and assistance in resolving issues associated with project implementation.The Minister for Environmental Protection and Physical Planning will be chairman forthis committee.

Local advisory groups from each of the three main project regions (Plitvice, Paklenica,and the Velebit), selected by, and comprised of, representatives of key stakeholdergroups, will also assist the PIU. Table 1 shows the structure of the PIU.

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Table 1: Structure of the PIU

I MEPP

Program Director

NAT'L PIU | Local PIU (Gospic')|Coordinator

X Procurement, Finance Coordin ator |

Assistant AssistantEnv Spec 3 Env Specialist mEnv Spec i -v Env Specialist

Project Design Rationale: The KEC project components were developed based on theresults of six background studies conducted under project preparation: SocialAssessment, Comprehensive Biodiversity Survey, Physical Plans Review, Land UseReview, Public Awareness Study, and National Parks Assessment. The project hasbeen designed to address the threats and constraints to biodiversity conservation. Theproject design was based on follows a rationale which considers the problems,underlying causes, and desired changes in the status of biodiversity conservation. TheProject Design Rationale is found in Table 2:

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Environmental Impacts of the project.

Of the three components, only Component 2 includes activities which may have negativeenvironmental impact. Project activities which could have negative environmentalimpacts are related to: (i) small civil works to improve protected area facilities andmanagement; and (ii) a small grants program (ceiling of $25,000@) to fund activitieswhich demonstrate linkages between sustainable natural resource use, tourism andbiodiversity conservation.

Civil Works:

Works to be financed by the grant are: building or rehabilitation of recreational andinterpretive trails; rehabilitation of existing structures for visitor centers, visitor roads inparks, information & education, and management offices and research; rehabilitation ofthe building at a local tourism attraction for cultural heritage; rehabilitation andconstruction of camp sites, and travelers' way stations. The potential negativeenvironmental impacts associated with rehabilitation of infrastructure are constructionrelated. Construction may contribute to air and water pollution from wastes throughincreased traffic and visitor use. During rehabilitation, vegetation may be removed,exposing the soil to rain, wind and other disturbances. Use of heavy machinery andstorage of materials may compact the soil making it less permeable. Rehabilitationactivities may result in increased noise and dirt during the construction phase. Theeffects of construction works on the environment, biodiversity or public health will not besignificant. Environmental impacts are only foreseen during the period of the initialphase and will be localized. The project will ensure that adequate mitigation measures areincorporated within the contract agreements so that all anticipated environmental impactswill be avoided as much as possible or minimized where unavoidable.

CRRG program for rural revitalization.

Under the CRRG Program, small grants will be awarded to farmers, entrepreneurs,NGOs, etc., on a competitive basis, for projects which will increase economic activity inthe project area whilst ensuring biodiversity conservation and environmental protection.Small grants could include activities such as conservation of mountain meadows, organicfarming, handicrafts production, wood processing. Some of the proposed small grantfunded activities could have negative impacts on the environmnent.

Tourism

Although the project is designed specifically to preempt negative environmental impactswhich could accompany the predicted increase in tourism in the project region, in so faras promotion of nature based tourism is included in the project, there could be negativeenvironmental impacts indirectly related to the KEC project. Potential consequences ofincreased visitor use include trampling and subsequent loss of ground vegetation, shrubs,tree seedlings, and erosion. Increased use of camping and trail facilities could result inloss of vegetation cover, loss of tree regeneration, loss of species and alteration ofcomposition of vegetation, and soil changes including loss of organic matter, compaction

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and erosion. There may be increased demands placed on water supplies and sewagedisposal facilities, increased road traffic and other additional effects including crowding,littering, and threats to water quality, human health, wildlife and cultural resources .

Miti2ation:

Civil Works The project will ensure that infrastructure rehabilitation, visitor developmentand management activities will not adversely impact upon the natural, historical andcultural sites in the project area. Mitigation measures will constitute an integral part ofthe contracts binding the contractors to carry out the environmental obligations duringrehabilitation and refurbishment works. Standard bidding documents will haveenvironmental precautionary clauses which would incorporate the following;

* Preservation of the natural landscape as much as possible, by conductingoperations in a manner that will prevent any unnecessary destruction of thenatural surroundings,

* Proper siting including laying out proper drainage and designating a place forplacing waste; introducing systems for work such as storage and waste collection;and ensuring that everyone on site follows these systems,

* Prevention of accidental spillage of contaminants, debris, or other pollutants,especially into streams or underground water resources,

* Minimization of air and water pollution by sprinkling or other methods.

Specific mitigation details for dust, noise, solid and liquid wastes, sanitation and impactson nature are included in table 3.

Siting of the new works, e.g. trails, camping sites, will avoid ecologically sensitive,difficult or unsafe areas. The location of marked trails at project sites (national andnature parks) will be chosen so as to limit future environmental impacts from visitors.These will not be located inside the core protected areas. Their design, construction andmanagcment will be in accordance with World Bank environmental guidelines and withthe Croatian EIA process, based on the "Decree on Environmental Impact Assessment,1997."

Trails will be designed to take full advantage of its natural surroundings and to take intoconsideration the amount of resource damage caused by trail use. The following factorswill be assessed in siting of all project activities.

* Location of ecologically sensitive areas, wildlife and plants,* Soil characteristics, slope, topography, drainage and susceptibility to erosion,* Access planning, and traffic management,* Type of use (hiking, backpacking, trail biking etc.),* Safety of visitors,* Access requirements for fire management,* Visitor needs and expectations,* Ongoing cost of maintenance.

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Adequate signing and mapping will be provided to keep trail users from wandering offthe trail and creating new ones. Regular checking and monitoring of trail condition willbe undertaken by park staff to ensure timely repair and maintenance work. Theecotourism management plan for the park/area will ensure that long term planning willtake into consideration rubbish disposal, campsite facilities such as drinking water, toiletsetc. Sensitive landscapes and resources including bird and animal nesting sites orcolonies, rare plants, stream corridors and archeological sites will be protected throughcontrolled/restricted access, rehabilitation and education.

CRRGI grants program: The small grants program for rural revitalization will involvesmall grant awards (ceiling to be determined during appraisal) to farmers, artisans,entrepreneurs, NGOs, on a competitive basis, for projects that increase economic activityin the project area whilst ensuring biodiversity conservation. Small grants could includeconservation measures for mountain meadows, handicrafts production, cottageindustries, food and lodging services, sustainable agriculture demonstration practices, etc.There will be several aspects of mitigation measures within the program operations. Itwill be required that submitted proposals include a section on environmental impactswhich identifies positive and negative impacts. Selection criteria for proposals favorprojects which are environmentally sound with minimal potential for negative impacts.Proposed projects which have a demonstrable positive environmental impact will receiveadditional attention. It is expected that the projects proposed will largely be very smallworks related to rehabilitation of facilities for tourist services and attractions; support tocottage industries and handicrafts; and demonstrations biodiversity conservationmeasures. Categories of projects which are not eligible, e.g. road construction, will beincluded in the operations manual.

Tourism: The project is specifically designed to balance the volume and type of touristactivity with the sensitivities and carry capacities of the protected areas. Successdepends upon informned site selection, sound design and operating guidelines. Theproject activities include incorporation of biodiversity conservation issues into physicalland use and protected area management plans. The project will finance a nature-basedtourism assessment and strategy which will include consideration ob biodiversityconservation; identification of potential environmental impacts; alternatives andmitigation measures

Environmental education. An important aspect of promoting environmental protectionand mitigating negative impacts involves increasing public awareness and appreciation ofKarst ecosystems, their vulnerability and the issues that affect resource management. Tothis end, education and awareness programs will be established within the parks and willinclude

(a) Information. To provide an overview of details of park facilities, activities, andregulations

(b) Interpretation. To explain and enrich visitors appreciation of the natural systems andprocesses and natural and cultural features, and

(c) Education. To educate the visitors through materials designed to facilitate learning,while focusing on target groups (e.g. visitors with particular interests, school groups,community groups)

Monitoring of conditions

Monitoring and evaluation will be part of the project implementation process todetermine significant changes in the landscape, natural resources or use patterns due tothe development of park and visitor facilities. This will be initiated under the umbrella ofthe overall park monitoring programs and will involve initial data collection on aspecified set of parameters to establish the baseline condition; monitoring the changesand trends in the indicators over time and; evaluating the significance of changes andtrends observed.

Each park will develop monitoring parameters specific to the park in the first year ofproject implementation. These may include but are not limited to water quality, forest andvegetation condition, consumption/harvest of forest products, biodiversity assessment,impacted campsite monitoring, and trail condition monitoring. The last two will befocused on trails that contain historic or natural features, and campsites that receivemoderate to high use by visitors. Campsite assessments will be made during peak visitorseason, to determine visitor use trends and patterns, and the results of these assessmentswill be used to make management decisions. Trail condition surveys will be conducted inconjunction with routine trail maintenance and rehabilitation trips. The parks will alsomonitor visitor perception and use and their impacts. Specific biological indicators to beincluded in the monitoring program will be defined in year one of the project andfollowing rehabilitation or restoration work, trails conditions will be monitored on amonthly basis. Details of monitoring are specified in table 2.

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Table3. General potential Environmental Impacts and mitigation measures

Acthit) Potential Nlitigating Mleasure Costs Institutional Commentsimpacts/ Issues Responsibility

Rehabilitation of Increase in dust The following measures will be included as a requirement and contrac Will be specifiedadministrative, and noise listed in the bidding document tor in the biddingresearch and visitor Dust from the transporting and handling of construction works will documentcenters, and be minimized by water and other means such as enclosure ofInterpretative construction sites. To reduce noise, construction will be restrictedfacilities during certain hours

Contamination All debris, construction and wood waste will be stored within thefrom work site. Wood waste will be stored separately and arranged to beConstruction recycled instead of disposing it. Open burning and illegal dumpingwaste, e.g. trails will not be permitted. Proper sites for earth /clay and sand disposal

will be determined and prior approval from relevant authority fordisposal will be obtained. Stock piling construction debris on sitewill be avoided and waste will be disposed of on an regular basis atthe authorized government dumping ground.. Debris chutes will beprovided to transfer debris efficiently from higher floors to theground floor to prevent dust nuisance.

Increased health The contractor's will be located so as to preserve the naturalrisks environment (such as trees and other vegetation) to the maximumfrom unsanitary extent possible.conditions

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Activity Potential Nlitigating Nleasure Costs Institutional Commentsimpacts/ Issues The folloiwing measures will be included as a requirement and Responsibility

listed in the bidding documentTrails, public Impacts on fauna New campsites selection will be based on a set of criteria thatfacilities such as and flora, includes but is not restricted to location, visitor use, sitetoilets, check characteristics such as habitat type/cultural significance, slope andpoints, signposts expansion potential.and picnic tables

soil erosion and New trail design will consider soil characteristics, slope,changes in water topography, drainage and susceptibility to erosion, access planning,runoff and traffic management, type of use (hiking, backpacking, trail

biking etc.), safety of visitors, access requirements for firemanagement, visitor needs and expectations, location ofecologically sensitive areas, wildlife and plants and ongoing cost ofmaintenance.

Degradation of Suitable sites will also be identified for the installation ofsite conditions signboards that indicate trail names, landmarks and points ofby crowding, interest, educational information, warnings, distances, publiclittering and facilities etc. Garbage receptacles will be placed in strategic pointsdestruction of (e.g. campsite, stop-over/rest areas, jump-off and arrival points)trails

Visitor education about park rules and regulations on garbagecontrol

Disturbance of Place control measures like bars and fences in sensitive areasWildlife Put up signs to remind visitors of wildlife sensitivity.

Damage to Set-up boardwalks and handrails to prevent people from veering offlimestone the established lane.formation Discourage touching of limestone formation.

Need to include a table for impacts of the 3 demonstration projects, the springs project, and the small grants program.

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Table 4: Monitoring plan

Phase Whal parameter Where How is theparameter to be When Why is the Responsibilityis to be is the monitoredl t,pe of monitoring Is the parameter to be parameter to bemonitored? parameter to equipment? monitored-frequeniy of monitored?

he monitored measurement ?Construction Fust At all Site supervision and inspection Weekly visits to the field site To reduce the Ministry ofphase Noise construction by staff as well as feedback air/water pollution Environment staff

Solid wastes sites from local residents hazards to people asSoil compaction, well as preserve the Park staff is it is awater runoff natural environment park facility

During Trail conditions National park Using trail condition surveys Monthly park patrolling To minimize Park staffproject in parks to be (descriptions) by park staff disturbance to theimplementati determined natural environmenton and steer visitors

away from sensitiveareas

During Campsite At all Using checklists to assess daily Ongoing as part of park guards To ensure that Park staffproject condition such as campsites in campsite conditions, including duties existing facilities areimplementati litter and waste selected garbage accumulated and toilet used correctly andon disposal, national parks facilities. maintained properly

sanitation, to reduce risks ofpollution

During Number of At designated Visitor register books Ongoing as part of park guards To assess trends in Park staffproject visitors, their national parks maintained at entry points in duties visitor useimplementati impacts and to be the park/ fees collected. For effectiveon perceptions determined management

Observation of visitors use of purposesparks resources

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Phase Whatparameter Where How is the parameter to be When Why is the Responsibilityis to be is the monitored/type of monitoring Is the parameter to be parameter to bemonitored? parameter to equipment? monitored-frequenct of monitored?

be monitored measuremenr ?During Water quality At selected Measuring biological As part of tourism impact To monitor water Park staffproject monitoring creeks and contaminants monitoring program pollutionimplementati streams in (such as Biological Oxygenon national parks Demand, coliform bacteria),

physical contaminants (such assilt content )and chemicalcontamination

During Historical sites Historical sites Observations of visitor patterns Weekly visit to the sites or To protect the Park staffproject monitoring within selected and use of historical sites, ongoing as part of park guards historical sitesimplementati national parks dutieson

During Forest and At selected Using indicator species, Biannual surveys of Ensure conservation Park staffproject vegetation national parks percentage of forest and ground biodiversity status or as part of of naturalimplementati condition cover, density etc. management plan biodiversity in theon implementation national parks

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Institutional arrangements

The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Physical Planning will have overallresponsibility for project implementation. The PIU arrangements have been previouslydescribed in the Project Implementation Plan (PIP). Required monitoring programs willbe established to identify and measure specific parameter and monitoring patterns andchanges in the different components of the natural systems that represent the Karstecosystem. Thus any impacts from project activities can be monitored.

Within each park, staff will be responsible for establishing a baseline for data and aregular monitoring program and data collection. The grant will finance equipment andgoods, as needed, to conduct a thorough monitoring program. Data collected frommonitoring will be analyzed and used by park management for decision making or totarget and shape mitigation efforts where necessary. It could also be used for informingand educating staff, the public and local communities.

The national parks will also be required to submit annual monitoring reports to the PIUfor evaluation. The outputs of the monitoring programs will be used by the Ministry ofEnvironment to develop and implement management policies, strategies and actions thatpermnit the recreational use of parks without compromising their ecological and aestheticintegrity.

For the rehabilitation works regular inspection of the sites will be conducted by the parkmanagement to oversee and monitor the compliance of environmental procedures andrequirements during construction. In case of violations of the guidelines, the contractorwill be held fully responsible and furthermore required to carrying out remedial action inthe area.

Table 5: Data collection, analysis and submission for monitoring for protectedAreas (specific species to be monitored will be determined during appraisal)

Type of data Collection Analysis Preparation Submission of Frequency Final authorityof reports reot

Indicator Park field Park staff Park staff MEPP - Nature Quarterly MEPPspecies, staff, ProtectionWater quality, researchers, DivisionCampsite dataVisitor dataForest cover PIUTrail condition

Public Consultation Process

The project aims to promote greater public awareness of the role of people's participationand people's organizations in conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. Avariety of techniques was utilized during preparation for public consultation includingsite visits to protected areas, communities; public meetings and a series of national levelworkshops to give an overview of the project and its activities. A brochure describingthe project was prepared, distributed widely in the project region, and served as a basis

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for seven local level discussions regarding the draft design. A social and ruralassessment was conducted with field work occurring from June 26 - August, 15, 2000.

A goal of the KEC project is to allow people living within the vicinity of the protectedareas to contribute to the sustainability of the protected area in terms of its naturalresources base, its potential for tourism, as well as to derive economic benefits from thesustainable use of natural resources.

Future consultation. In order to successfully balance the recreational use of the parkwith its conservation, park managers and Ministry of Environment staff projectimplementation team will continue to provide support to the local communities and beengaged in close consultation with the public and interest groups at the local, districtlevel and national level. These meetings will be focused on ensuring that people mostaffected by the project, and affecting the implementation of the project activities aremade aware of the mitigation measures to be implemented. Local level project advisoryboards will be formed in each protected area region under the project whose duties willinclude review of the small grants projects which will occur in their region as well as theimpacts of the demonstration projects. This will ensure local level review of theenvironmental impacts of any proposed project activities.

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Table 1:Rationale for project design

Problems Causes Desired Changes in the Status Associated KEC Project Components/sub-of Biodiversity components/activitiesConservation (Solutions)

1. Insufficient 1. Strengthening national capacity tocapacity to conserve biodiversity and supportconserve sustainable resource usebiodiversity inkarst regionacross thecountry

1.1 Weak legal, 1. I Harmonization of 1.1 Legal and regulatoryregulatory, and biodiversity related framework review andinstitutional basis regulation with BC subsequent revisions tofor karst BC objectives. Incorporation incorporate

of BC concerns in non-BC biodiversitysector regulations and conservation andlegislation sustainable use of

natural resources (Lawon NatureConservation and othersectoral laws).

Review of and amendments to thebiodiversity-related regulation,intersectoral harmonisation anddevelopment of co-ordinatingmechanisms and decision-makingdecentralisation.

1.2 No capacity to 1.2 Improved BC in physical, 1.2 Strengthen the national capacity toensure BC in land PA planning and ensure biodiversity conservationuse and PA managementplanning

1 .2.a. No central 1 .2.a. Improved information 1 .2.a. Pilot project on biodiversityrepository for BC dissemination information dissemination - web site oninformation to biodiversityguide planningprocess & decisionmaking

1.2.b. No capacity to 1.2.bGuidelines for 1.2.b Biodiversity conservation and soilincorporate BC incorporation of BC protection guidelines and training for land-into planning concerns used. use and sectoral planningprocesses

1.2.c. Inadequate 1.2.c Local level involvement 1.2.c. Preparation of guidelines for local andinvolvement of in PA and BC decision NGO participation in protected arealocals and NGOs making management planning

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Problems Causes Desired Chanmes in the Status Associated KEC Project Components/sub-of Biodiversity components/activitiesConservation (Solutions)

in PA management

1.2.d. No strategy for 1.2.d. Decision making guided 1.2.d. PA system market analysis, promotionPA management by analysis and strategic and marketing planrelated to BC planning

1.2.e. Weak PA 1.2.e. PA managers have 1.2.e Development and implementation ofmanagement training and resources PA ranger training programmescapacity adequate to do their job

1.3 Discrepancy 1.3New PAs established as 1.3. Expansion of species and taxa underbetween PAs and appropriate based on M&E legal protectionprotected species of region 1 .3.a. Assessment of Ogulin PA

establishment1.3.b. Assessment of the Kupa Valley PA

establishment1.3.c. Revision of list of taxa under

protection by law1 .3.d. Designate the network of highly

significant biodiversity hot spots1.3.e. Analysis of Ogulin biodiversity and

water management issues1.3.f. Equipment for underwater monitoring

in Ogulin

1.4. Insufficient 1.4 Improved M&E of 1.4 Biodiversity inventory, mapping andscientific data to biodiversity in karst monitoringidentify current ecosystems 1 .4.a. Inventory and mapping of thestatus or trends in biodiversity components for priority areas*biodiversity (flora and fauna, karst biotopes, genetic

diversity of target species, land covermapping according to CORINEnomenclature)

1 .4.b. Monitoring of the biodiversitycomponents for project region (populationsof target threatened species, selected karstbiotopes)

1.4.c. Conduct monitoring programs forlarge carnivores in migration corridors

1.4.d. Inventory of the caves and relatedhydrogeological data

1.4.e. Development of karst ecosystembiodiversity GIS and data base and train staff

1.4.f. purchase GIS equipment1.5 Lack of public 1.5 Strong public support of 1.5 Increased public awareness and

awareness and BC. Increased______.._____J________________V support_for_biodiversity_conservation

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Problems Causes Desired Chan2es in the Status Associated KEC Project Components/sub-of Biodiversitv components/activitiesConservation (Solutions)

support for BC understanding of karst with active role of NGOsecology 1.5.a. Development of a public awareness

strategy

1 .5.b. Development and funding of WEBsite and series of TV spots

1.5.c. Development and funding of a WEBsite and a serial of TV-spots on theimportance and values of karst biodiversity

1.5.d. Annual workshops/festivals onbiodiversity in local county centers

1 .5.e. Preparation of travelling exhibition onbiodiversity and KEC project

2. Insufficient 2. No perceived 2. KEC proposed initiatives to 2. Establish community-basedmeasures for benefits for locals support economic mechanisms for biodiversity conservationBC in karstic from BC. Lack of development in project region and sustainable resource use in the karstregion of most participatory, local & develop linkages between regionglobal level approaches to sustainable natural resourcesignificance- BC. No involvement use, tourism and BCDinarids of local communities

in PA management.Economicallydepressed region.

2.1 Tourism industry 2.1 Develop tourism potential 2.1 Increase nature based tourism incollapsed after the of KEC region in a sustainable 2.1jIncregionwar. Potential and manner ensuring benefits project regionapproaches for nature reach the local commnunities 2. L.a. Conduct tourism and local businesstourism unknown . and biodiversity is conserved tourism development strategyNo existing 2. Lb. Develop local tourism capacitycooperation betweentourism industry and 2.1 .c. Preparatory and field works onBC mountaineering path in Gorski Kotar

2.2 Lack of 2.2 Local residents and NGOs 2.2 Increased local public awareness andknowledge on local advocate and promote BC support for BC with awaroless ndlevel of karstbiodiversity values 2.2.a. Prepare park promotional

materials/brochures for park visitors andlocal populations

2.2.b. Prepare biodiversity field guides forproject region

2.2.c. NGOs implement educational publicawareness and educational activities (smallgrant program)

2.3 Weak PA and have infrastructure, 2.3 Improve Protected Area management

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Problems Causes Desired Changes in the Status Associated KEC Project Components/sub-of Biodiversitv components/activitiesConservation (Solutions)

services for BC. equipment, skills, &Insufficient capacity community involvementand materials for necessary for effectivelocal staff to manage management. 2.3ca. NP Plihice Lakes Planning &Pas. Weak M&E of . .s.BC. Local people not * Each PA in the KEC Management Systeminvolved in PA region has a management 2.3.a.i.. Develop staff skillsmanagement plan in place and enforced 2.3.a.i. (i) training in interpretation and

that includes BC concems education

* Staff have skills, 2.3.a.i. (ii) Develop and implement "Peopleequipment to do their and Park's community participation programjobs. 2.3.a.i (iii) training in biodiversity

.Local communities are monitoring best practicesinvolved in decision 2.3.a.i. (iv) research exchange programs

making for PA & BC 2.3.a.ii. Establish planning and managements

* Trained PA staff and systemsnecessary materials for 2.3.a. ii.(i) development park managementeducational, promotional, planand interpretative 2.3.a.ii (ii) establish biodiversity researchactivities. and monitoring facility (equipment & M&E

* M&E programs for program)biodiversity in place in 2.3.a.ii.(iii) conduct research & monitoringall PAs. program

2.3.a.ii (iv). Establish biodiversityinformation systems (hardware and GISsoftware, GIS training)

2.3.b NP Paklonica - Improvedinterpretation facilities and skillsdevelopment

2.3.b.i Improved interpretation and educationfacilities - rehabilitate visitor center

2.3.b.ii. Provide equipment

2.3.b.iii. Develop staff skills (same asPlitvice)

2.3.b.iv Recovery of Eurasian Vultureprogram- equipment

2.3.c NP Risnjak - Improved interpretationand Monitoring facilities and skillsdevelopment

2.3.c.i Improve visitor center interpretationand education facilities - equipment

2.3.c.ii Improve biodiversity management

2.3.c. ii (i)field equipment

2.3.c.ii (ii) establish biodiversity information& monitoring facility - equipment & training

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Problems Causes Desired Changes in the Status Associated KEC Project Components/sub-of Biodiversity components/activitiesConservation (Solutions)

2.3.c.iii Develop staff skills (same as NPPlitvice)

2.3.c.iv Improve protected area management- equipment for visitor center, field facilities,monitoring, etc.

2.3.d NP Northern Velebit - Planning andManagement system

2.3.d.i Establish administrative structure

2.3.d.i (i) refurbish building for visitor center

2.3.d.i (ii) build field works, trails, signs, etc.

2.3.d.i (iii) provide vehicles

2.3.d I (iv) visitor center & field equipment

2.3.d.i (v) office technical equipment

2.3.d. ii Develop staff skills (same asPlitvice)

2.3.d.iii Establish planning and managementsystems

2.3.d. iii (i) prepare park management plan

2.3.d. iii (ii) establish biodiversity M&Esystem

2.3.d. iv Improve protected areamanagement- provide field equipment

2.3.e PN Velebit Planning & Management

2.3.e.i Establish management structure

2.3.e.i (i) rehabilitate visitors center

2.3.e.i (ii) construct field works

2.3.e I (iii) purchase vehicle

2.3.e.i (iv) provide visitor center & fieldequipment

2.3.e I (v) provide office technology

2.3.e.ii Develop staff skills (same as Plitvice)

2.3.e iii Establish planning & Managementsystems

2.3.e.iii (i) develop park management plan

2.3.e.iii (ii) establish biodiversityinformation center - equipment, GIS

2.3.e.iv Improve protected area management

equipment, mountain shelters, camp sites,fire control equipment

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Problems Causes Desired Changes in the Status Associated KEC Proiect Components/sub-of Biodiversity components/activitiesConservation (Solutions)

2.4. Lack of 2.4 KEC project initiatives toknowlede/of & upport conomi 2.4 Demonstration of linkages betweenknowledge/of & support economic rrldvlpet&R

opportunities/for development in the KEC rural development & BCsustainable resource project region and developuse & BC activities. linkages between sustainable 2.4.a. Rural 1 revitalisation small grantsNo perceived resource use, nature based program (conservation of mountainlinkages between tourism and BC. meadows, organic farming, handicraftseconomic benefits for production, wood processing, etc.)stakeholders and * Demonstrate to local 2.4.b. Implementation of Gacka riverconservation population economnic springs area protection and revitalization ofpriorities.Loss of benefits of BC and cultural heritage (mills)natural & cultural sustainable NR use 2.4.c.Project for protection of local cattleheritage. breeds

* Gacka River Springscultural heritage siterestored to operation.

* Local cattle breedspreserved

2.5 Minimal trans- 2.5 New mechanisms for 2.5 Regional Cooperation Programme forboundary trans-boundary programming; Karst Ecosystem Conservationcooperation. Little and regional & intemational (exchange of information, tourismregional or cooperation for BC in karst promotion and partnerships with otherinternational level regions karst regions)planning, 2.5.a. Inventory & monitoring of biodiversitymanagement or between Croatia & Sloveniaexchange of ideas 2.5.b. Implement trans-boundary

management plan for PA shared by Croatia& Slovenia2.5.c. joint slovenia/croatia tourismmarketing plan2.5.d. promotional materials forCroatian/Slovenia park system2.5.e. international workshops2.5.f. attend regional karst BC conferences

2.5.g. Partnership program

3. 0 Project Management

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