Environmental and Social Management Framework for the Costa Rica Telecommunications Sector Modernization Project

Action Plan for the Implementation of the Reference Framework

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Action Plan for the Implementation of the Reference Framework

An action plan has been designed as guidance for MINAET to implement the reference framework for all subprojects presented for FONATEL financing in Costa Rica. This action plan will be streamlined and adjusted to comply with applicable new regulations that the Government of Costa Rica plans to promulgate for the telecommunication industry regarding environmental aspects and issues.
The action plan presents the main elements for implementation, including: tasks; organizations responsible for execution; time frame; and estimated level of effort. It describes the process by which the PIA (i.e. MINAET) through its designated environmental agency (SETENA) performs the screening, review, appraisal, implementation and monitoring process of the environmental and social issues.
In addition, three urgent measures have been identified for the implementation of the project, and are described in the report:

Guidelines for the development of regulations for environmental protection measures, preservation of natural habitats; and physical cultural resources in telecommunication infrastructure projects;
Guidelines for the development of regulations for sharing of telecommunication infrastructure; and
Development of an Environmental and Social Assessment Manual for FONATEL Projects.

The Environmental and Social Assessment Manual for FONATEL Projects is intended for project proponents interested in developing subprojects to be financed by FONATEL, foreseen in the telecommunications law, and administered by SUTEL.

The Manual will assist project proponents in screening proposed subproject sites for potential environmental and social impacts in accordance with criteria defined by Costa Rican and World Bank standards prior to submitting proposals to the PIA for funding.
For subprojects that have been approved by the PIA, the Manual also provides guidelines for developing appropriate mitigation measures and developing necessary monitoring protocols during subproject implementation.
It is highly recommended that training and capacity building be provided to both MINAET and SETENA personnel, preferably a joint training. Capacity Building should include increasing the number of staff and conducting training of new and existing staff; in addition, the exact differential and complementary responsibilities of MINAET and SETENA should be one focus of the training.

1Introduction

This document provides an Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) for the proposed Telecommunications Sector Modernization Project in Costa Rica, which is being financed by the World Bank. The Ministry of Environment, Energy and Telecommunications (MINAET) is the agency responsible for implementing the project including the provisions of this ESMF.
This report is to be used by the Telecommunications Sector Modernization Project in Costa Rica in order to ensure that all environmental and social safeguards are adequately addressed and that the relevant capacity and training needs are established in order for the recommended measures to be implemented effectively.

1.1Objective and Scope of the ESMF

The main purpose of the ESMF is to:

Establish clear procedures and methodologies for the environmental and social assessment, review, approval and implementation of investments to be financed under the project;
Specify appropriate roles and responsibilities, and outline the necessary reporting procedures, for managing and monitoring environmental and social concerns related to project investments;
Determine the training, capacity building and technical assistance needed to successfully implement the provisions of the ESMF; and
Provide practical information resources for implementing the ESMF.

1.2Contents of the ESMF

The ESMF has been developed to include:

A project description, its components and implementation arrangements, with a focus on the environmental and social sensitivities and on how the sub projects will be designed, approved and implemented.
An understanding of the legislative, regulatory and institutional framework that the Project will operate within, including an analysis of new laws, regulations and agencies, with a focus on requirements that will apply to the planning, approval and implementation of the ESMF for the telecommunication sector.
A general environmental and social baseline of Costa Rica, in order to identify and evaluate potential impact that may arise from the project.
Identification of potential environmental, socioeconomic and health and safety impacts derived from the subprojects to be financed under the Telecommunications Sector Modernization project; including measures to mitigate and manage such impacts.
A reference framework designed to address the environmental and social screening, appraisal and review process for telecommunication subprojects to be financed. It is in effect a management system to identify and effectively mitigate potential future impacts of telecommunication subprojects which the project is likely to finance.
An action plan for the implementation of the reference framework including: training and capacity building program for the institutions responsible for implementing the ESMF; budget for implementing the ESMF; guidelines for enhancing regulations applicable to the project; and a Manual to assist project proponents in screening proposed subproject sites for potential environmental and social impacts in accordance with criteria defined in the ESMF prior to submitting proposals to the PIA for funding.

1.3Applicable guidelines

The project proponent and PIA will comply with the following guidelines:

The World Bank Safeguard Policies (OP 4.01Environmental Assessment; OP 4.04 Natural Habitats; OP 4.10 Indigenous Peoples; OP 4.36 Forests; OP 4.11 Physical Cultural Resources);
IFC’s EHS Guidelines for Telecommunications, dated April 30 2007 (see Annex 1);
IFC’s General Environmental, Occupational, Health and Safety Guidelines; and
EBRD’s Sub-sectoral Environmental Guidelines for Telecommunications (see Annex 2).

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