Strategic Environmental Assessment for the National Adaptation Strategy Mary M. Matthews, Ph.D. Glenroy Ennis SEA Consultants for European Delegation

Overview SEA Objectives SEA Parameters and Direction Policy & Institutional Framework Baseline Alternatives - Sectors Environmental Concerns for Alternatives Agriculture Residential Industrial Recommendations for improving conditions and reducing costs Discussion

Strategic Environmental Assessment Objectives To identify concerns, priorities and roles of key stakeholders pertaining to the specific planning, programme and policy making process To identify negative environmental impacts and positive environmental effects of the divestment from Caroni (1975) Ltd. To make recommendations within the current institutional context towards more sustainable and beneficial environmental efforts.

SEA Parameters Caroni (1975) Ltd. Affected areas and issues Assessment within context of what is already being done Agriculture - Mega Farms & 2 Acre Plots Residential - EMBD Housing Estates Industrial - E-Teck and NEC Plans Methodology Used

Policy & Institutional Framework Vision 2020 Development Strategy Environmental Policy and Institutional Frameworks Agricultural Policy and Institutional Frameworks Residential Policies and Plans Energy and Industrial Policies and Strategies Wide Range Planning Mechanisms (WASA, Town & Country, International Etc.)

Baseline Caroni (1975) Ltd. Properties Prior to 2004

Baseline Environmental Issues ISSUESBASELINE CONDITIONS Water  Rain fed crops (predominantly)  River withdrawal ponds  Water generated from sugar processing  WASA potable water – Small for residential Soil  Acidic, heavy urea fertilizers  Poor soil structure  Minimal erosions  Agro chemical application Air Quality  Fly ash in sugar mills (scrubber)  Aerial spraying  Burning and particulate matter Climate Change  CO 2 sequestration in sugarcane  Burning release CO Bio Diversity  Mono culture  Aerial Spraying/pesticide use resulting in:  Loss of fauna – birds and fish, mammals and reptiles  Loss of beneficial insects  Food web disruptions

Baseline Social Issues ISSUESBaseline Conditions Human Health  Frequent medical check ups for workers  Affordable health facilities available Social Inclusiveness  Direct and indirect employment  Provide social amenities  Social infrastructural development  More cohesive communities “company towns” Cultural Heritage Landscape  Preserve little cultural heritage  Deterioration of sugar estate  Deterioration of sports club Economics  Employment driven economy employees  Dependence on subsidies  Access to economic security  Good apprenticeship programme Material Assets  Ongoing infrastructure network  Ongoing maintenance programme  Generated power and water

Caroni Land AllocationAcres 13 Mega Farms2,263 2 Acre Plots20,319 Caroni Non-cane Agriculture11,109 Agricultural Squatters4,222 Existing Tenants11, EMBD Residential Estates4,053 NEC Industrial Estate3,500 6 E-Teck Industrial Estates578 Unassigned Lands16,703 Total76,608

Agricultural Impacts - Env. CONCERNSENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT - Agriculture Water- Increase demand for water resources - Increase pressure on aquifer - Silting of waterways due to erosion - Susceptible to flooding events Soil- Short term crop lowers soil fertility - Frequent tillage and erosion - Loss of useful soil organisms Air Quality+ Improved due to a lack of burning of cane - Potential problems with excessive agro chemical uses Climate Change- Loss of sugarcane as a carbon sink + Improvement of other carbon sequestering crops Bio Diversity+ Improved biodiversity health without aerial spraying of pesticide/herbicide + Increase in beneficial insects

Agricultural Impacts - SocioEcon CONCERNSSOCIOECONOMIC IMPACTS - Agriculture Human Health- Exposure to harmful chemicals + Increase in access to affordable foods Social Inclusiveness+ Strengthening farming communities + Improved inclusion of segments of society into agriculture - schools, labor, etc. Cultural Heritage Landscape + Maintaining cultural linkages to agriculture Economics+ Guaranteed market for farm produce + Increase rural income & employment + Strengthened agricultural enterprises Material Assets- Demands on existing infrastructure - Potential demand on water infrastructure + Possible use of grey water/ drainage water

Residential Impacts - Env. CONCERNSENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS - Residential Water- Increase flooding and silting of waterways - Increase water consumption - Potential sewerage overflows during storms Soil- Erosion (wind and rain) - Lack of recharge/flooding due paving - Contamination runoff from automobiles etc Air Quality- Increased dust during clearing and construction - Particulate matter - Fumes from building, painting, operation Climate Change- Increased energy consumption, air conditioning etc - Loss of carbon sinks Bio Diversity- Loss of habitats - Loss of indigenous flora and fauna

Residential Impacts - SocioEcon CONCERNSSOCIO ECONOMIC IMPACT - Residential Human Health- Exposure to harmful chemicals + Improved living conditions Social Inclusiveness- Neighborhood “adjustments period” + Improved social networking Cultural Heritage Landscape + Stronger community - Loss of “natural” landscapes - Potential vacant lot syndromes, dumping Economics+ Construction sector employment + Increase in personal capital investment + Strengthened agricultural enterprises Material Assets+ Improved infrastructure development - Increase demand on existing infrastructural systems (road, water, electricity)

Industrial Impacts - Env CONCERNSENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT - Industrial Water- Increase flooding due to paving - Contaminated surface & ground water - Increase demand on water resources - Increased effluent discharges Soil- Soil contamination due to spills, - Soil Erosion in construction - Decline in soil quality, increase silting due to construction Air Quality- Increased emissions - Increase particulate matter during construction Climate Change- Loss of carbon sinks - Increase use of energy and Carbon Emissions Bio Diversity- Loss of habitats and sensitive species - Potential impacts on sensitive coastal estuaries

Industrial Impacts - SocioEcon CONCERNSENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT - Industrial Human Health- Exposure to harmful chemicals - Noise pollution Social Inclusiveness+ Increased workforce opportunities Cultural Heritage Landscape - Potential damage to coastal landscapes Economics+ Improved employment opportunities + Growth of GDP and downstream industry + Strengthened industrial enterprises Material Assets- Increase demands of existing infrastructure - roads, water, power - New infrastructure developments required

Recommendations for Mitigation & Enhancement Macro Level Integrated Water Resource Management Plan with all impacting and affected sectors Climate Change Adaptation Strategy with realistic and realizable objectives Socio-economic Assessment, focusing on Labor Availability and Capacity Needs Assessment specific for each sector

Recommendations for Mitigation - Agricultural Sustainable Agriculture and Environment Education Programme at all levels Concerted soil remediation and water retention management scheme Interagency/ multi-stakeholder capacity building efforts for low impact, high yield sustainable agriculture

Recommendations for Mitigation & Enhancement - Residential Increase mixed use, high occupancy dwellings with enhanced green spaces surroundings Incorporation of social infrastructure with development plans and responsibilities for development assigned Institutionalize access to Green Fund for local/individual kitchen, community gardens, and park developments

Recommendations for Mitigation & Enhancement - Industrial Enhanced use of Best Available Technologies, including citing of industry for all new industries Develop mixed use facilities with significant green buffer zones to all water ways Consult with local stakeholders to enhance the social support for projects early on and incorporate their suggestions into project design (social infrastructure)

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