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Activity Data Sheet PROGRAM:  Jamaica TITLE AND NUMBER:  Improved Quality of Key Natural Resources in Selected Areas That Are Both Environmentally and Economically Significant (Ridge to Reef Program), 532-002 PLANNED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND ACCOUNT:  $3,096,000 (DA) PROPOSED FY 2002 OBLIGATION AND ACCOUNT:  $3,096,000 (DA) STATUS: Continuing INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1999    ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2004 Summary: Most of Jamaica's population and economic activity are concentrated within the island's coastal zone areas-areas which encompass the fragile natural resource base on which the island's most important foreign exchange earner, tourism, depends. Overexploitation of coastal resources, including the conversion of forests to other uses -- typically for housing or commercial construction, agriculture, or firewood collection -- and improper disposal of waste from tourism-related activities, urban development, and industrial activities have had a serious negative impact on the island's coastal ecosystems. Soil and agricultural chemical run-off generated in the mountainous interior further aggravates the situation. With more than 50% of that terrain having slopes greater than 20 degrees, its surface is extremely vulnerable to erosion. The proliferation of unplanned human settlements in the hills above key tourism centers is another significant source of pollution and environmental threat. Land degradation and pollution in the hills is quickly manifested in Jamaica's coastal resources, particularly as damage to the coral reefs caused by siltation and nutrient load. This link between activities in upland watersheds and their impact on the quality of Jamaica's prized coastal waters is the basis of USAID's "Ridge to Reef" environmental management program. The program's purpose is to reverse the trend of environmental degradation by promoting environmentally sound practices and policies that will result in the sustainable management of the natural resource base on which Jamaica's economy depends. Key beneficiaries include the 300,000 Jamaicans who live in the towns and watersheds near the targeted tourism areas where USAID will provide assistance, including the 28,000 people whose livelihoods depend directly on tourism in these areas. The conservation of Jamaica's bio-diversity and economically valuable resources will ensure benefits for these Jamaicans and others far into the future. An estimated 112,000 Jamaicans will benefit from improved wastewater management. Key Results: The objective will be achieved through increased adoption of environmentally sound practices, increased adoption of policies for improved environmental management, and improved effectiveness of wastewater management. Progress is mapped against key indicators including coastal water quality, number of policies initiated and adopted, and number of target organizations which adopt sound practices. Over the past year, targets were met or exceeded. Performance and Prospects:   This objective continues to fully meet expectations. Under the Coastal Water Improvement Program (CWIP), supervision and funding is provided for water quality monitoring. Data show that water quality remains acceptable by US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and local Government of Jamaica (GOJ) standards. Water quality in both Negril and Ocho Rios is acceptable. Results are interpreted and disseminated back to communities to facilitate increased awareness and understanding and a more favorable response to initiatives that promote adoption of sound environmental practices. Where samples have been found to be below acceptable quality, it is often attributed to contamination from agricultural run-off and nutrient-rich effluent from sewage and informal settlements in the watershed and along the rivers. Under the Ridge to Reef program, activities in turn focus on these problems through interventions for improved agricultural practices and watershed management, education, and enforcement. The activities of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and smaller community based organizations (CBOs) in Negril and Ocho Rios represent CWIP's extension to small rural communities. NGOs such as the Negril Area Environmental Protection Trust (NEPT) (which has functioned as an umbrella organization for small CBOs) and the Friends of the Sea (FOTS) are among some of the strategic partners that have been working at the local level. Environmental initiatives implemented by these organizations span a range of activities including solid waste management, environmental education, public awareness, water quality monitoring, composting and recycling. Under the Environmental Audits for Sustainable Tourism (EAST) activity, adoption of environmental management systems in the tourism and manufacturing sectors is promoted. The increased number of organizations demonstrating tangible benefits reflects success in promoting adoption of sound environmental practices in communities. These organizations have not only implemented these activities, but have evolved with respect to management capability, many of them having moved upwards on the USAID organizational ranking system and increased their ability to access other donor funds. For this review period, 15 organizations, four more than targeted, demonstrated tangible benefits through implementation of various activities at the community level. Progress has been made in assisting the GOJ in policy formulation on four key policies. The policy for National Environmental Management Systems (EMS) addresses economic incentives for promoting sustainable and environmentally sound private sector investments. The National Policy on Ocean and Coastal Zone Management Policy will rationalize GOJ and civil society roles and functions, and address economic strategies for sustainable resources management. The Sewage Connection Policy, approved by Parliament, provides an operationally useful regulatory framework for consumer connections to wastewater systems. The National Water Policy, also enacted, contains wastewater tariff increases and promotes implementation of public-private partnerships in water and wastewater services. The training of wastewater personnel at both policy and operational levels greatly enhances the capacity of the National Water Commission (NWC) to manage wastewater operations, and contributes to the improvement of water quality. The wastewater operator certification program has standardized the management of operations, collaborative efforts, and training at the community level with advisory groups. Collaboration with several agencies on training initiatives contributed to a wider range and number of personnel trained, and the 2001 target increased from 150 to 170. FY 2001 DA funds will be used to increase adoption of environmentally sound practices ($1,548,000), to increase adoption of policies for improved environmental management ($929,000), and to improve effectiveness of wastewater management ($619,000). FY 2002 DA funds will continue to be used to increase adoption of environmentally sound practices ($1,596,000), to increase adoption of policies for improved environmental management ($700,000), and to improve effectiveness of wastewater management ($800,000). Possible Adjustments to Plans:  Recommendations from a recent evaluation are being considered in developing more focused indicators, designing future program activities, integrating gender issues, and adding more emphasis on wastewater management. Other Donor Programs:  USAID is collaborating closely with other donors under the auspices of two United Nations Development Program environmental working groups. USAID is working closely with the Canadian International Development Agency in the development of policy for improved environmental management practices by government and the private sector. The Inter-American Development Bank and the European Union (EU) are also supporting watershed management programs, and the EU and Germany support policy reforms in wastewater management. Japan also provides assistance to the Montego Bay Marine Park. Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies:  U.S. grantees/contractors include The Nature Conservancy, Associates in Rural Development, and Cargill and Associates. Local grantees include the GOJ's National Environmental Planning Agency (formerly Natural Resources Conservation Authority) and several local NGOs, such as the Negril Environmental Protection Trust, Jamaica Conservation Development Trust, the Negril Chamber of Commerce, and Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory. Other local agencies include the Jamaica Hotel Tourist Association, Jamaica Manufacturers Association, and Rural Agricultural Development Authority. Jamaica 532-002 Performance Measures: Indicator FY97 (Actual) FY98 (Actual) FY99 (Actual) FY00 (Actual) FY00 (Plan) FY01 (Plan) FY02 (Plan) Indicator 1: Number of key policies in place NA 1 2 4 4 5 7 Indicator 2: Number of target organizations demonstrating tangible benefits to beneficiaries in the field NA 7 10 15 11 14 16 Indicator 3: Water Quality in Negril: Faecal Coliform (FC); Phosphorus (P); Nitrogen (N) NA (FC) NA (P) NA (N) 62% (FC) NA (P) NA (N) 69% (FC) 41% (P) 39% (N) 68% (FC) 39% (P) 42% (N) 70% (FC) 42% (P) 40% (N) 75% (FC) 44% (P) 44% (N) 75% (FC) 44% (P) 45% (N) Indicator 4: Water Quality in Ocho Rios: Faecal Coliform (FC); Phosphorus (P); Nitrogen (N) NA (FC) NA (P) NA (N) NA (FC) NA (P) NA (N) NA (FC) NA (P) NA (N) 42% (FC) 64.5% (P) 39% (N) 40% (FC) ------ (P) ------ (N) 44% (FC) 66% (P) 49% (N) 45% (FC) 66% (P) 51% (N) Indicator Information: Indicator Level (S)or(IR) Unit of Measure Source Indicator Description Indicator 1: IR Number (cumulative) GOJ agencies Policies that force consumers and/or polluters to pay; and policies that offer an economic benefit to polluters or consumers for adoption of improved practices. The number in the table represents the cumulative target for each successive year. Indicator 2: IR Number per year Contractor Reports Number of target organizations demonstrating tangible benefits, which would include trees planted, mooring buoys in place and other environmental programs implemented in the field Indicator 3: IR Percent of samples within acceptable limits National Water Commission, contractor reports. Percent of samples within acceptable limits for faecal coliform (FC), phosphorus (P), and nitrogen (N) in Negril for water quality for both human health and coral reef ecosystem maintenance. The U.S. EPA standard for faecal coliform has been adopted for these analyses; the standard is set at 200MPN/100ml (most probable number per 100 milliliters). There is no universally agreed standard for phosphorus or nitrogen as related to ambient water quality. Jamaica is currently developing such standards and until it is available, a concern level of 1.0uM/L is used for both phosphorus and nitrogen. These levels seem to have a bearing on coral reef health. Indicator 4: IR Percent of samples within acceptable limits National Water Commission, contractor reports. Percent of samples within acceptable limits for faecal coliform (FC), phosphorus (P), and nitrogen (N) in Ocho Rios as determined for water quality for both human health and coral reef ecosystem maintenance. See above for description of acceptable limits. U.S. Financing (In thousands of dollars)   Obligations   Expenditures   Unliquidated   Through September 30, 1999    18,421 DA 16,301 DA 2,120 DA 240 CSD 230 CSD 10 CSD 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA Fiscal Year 2000 3,450 DA 2,330 DA     0 CSD 9 CSD     0 ESF 0 ESF     0 SEED 0 SEED     0 FSA 0 FSA     0 DFA 0 DFA     Through September 30, 2000 21,871 DA 18,631 DA 3,240 DA 240 CSD 239 CSD 1 CSD 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA Prior Year Unobligated Funds* 0 DA         0 CSD         0 ESF         0 SEED         0 FSA         0 DFA         Planned Fiscal Year 2001 NOA 3,096 DA         0 CSD         0 ESF         0 SEED         0 FSA         0 DFA         Total Planned Fiscal Year 2001 3,096 DA         0 CSD         0 ESF         0 SEED         0 FSA         0 DFA               Future Obligations   Est. Total Cost   Proposed Fiscal Year 2002 NOA 3,096 DA 9,643 DA 37,706 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 240 CSD 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA

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