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

Project screening, review and implementation Process

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6.2Project screening, review and implementation Process

The proposed screening, review and implementation framework has been designed based on the Costa Rican environmental assessment process set in place for new telecommunication projects, and complemented to adhere to World Bank safeguard policies.
Figure 6-1 above, shows the adherence of the in-country appraisal process by SETENA to World Bank requirements. The orange box (to the right) presents the project appraisal process that the implementing agency, SETENA, will use to evaluate subprojects under FONATEL, as follows:

Step 1: Site selection and screening;
Step 2: Appraisal and review process;
Step 3: Approval and disclosure;
Step 4: Implementation; and
Step 5: Monitoring

The green box (to the left) specifies World Bank environmental and social safeguard requirements (operational policies 4.01, 4.04, 4.10 and 4.11) that will be met at each step of the appraisal process. SETENA must ensure that World Bank requirements are incorporated when evaluating subprojects. If deemed necessary, the World Bank will provide technical assistance and training to SETENA’s project staff to fulfill said requirements.

6.3Step 1: Site Selection and Screening

SETENA will receive subproject site selection forms and pre classification documents from proponents. The proposed subproject sites that are rated above the “pass” level, will go through a screening process by SETENA to determine category.
The site selection process is undertaken by the project proponents. They are expected to use the following tools:

Rapid Environmental Valorization
World Bank Environmental Site Sensitivity Compliance Criteria

The sensitivity of proposed sites will be rated by means of a checklist form called VAR (Rapid Environmental Valorization). The VAR was designed by the ICE and contains all WB requirements for site selection process^¹. (see Annex 9 Environmental and Social Assessment Manual for Subprojects funded by FONATEL, for a more detailed description of the VAR form and how project proponents will implement it).

Additionally, project proponents will rate the impacts (low, medium, or high) in terms of the site sensitivity of proposed sites in accordance with the World Bank safeguard criteria for environmental site sensitivities (see Annex 11 World Bank Environmental Site Sensitivity Compliance Criteria). Overall site sensitivity is determined based on the number of low, medium, and high ratings received for each sensitivity issue. Table 6.2 outlines the risk categories (A, B, and C) as defined by the World Bank that are associated with examples of telecommunications subprojects.

Table 6-2 Risk assessment for subproject categories

Type of Activities	High (Category A)	Medium (Category B)	Low (Category C)
Installation of masts and towers
Installation of fixed line cables and connectors
Construction of landing stations
Equipment housing (e.g. shelters, cabinets, auxiliary power units)
Construction of access roads and ROWs on greenfield sites
Maintenance of access roads or other existing linear infrastructure which does not require ROW expansion
Land acquisition
Installation of infrastructure in indigenous peoples’ territories

For subprojects which are deemed high risk, as they may result in significant impacts, SETENA will ensure that the project proponent has re-assessed the location and design of the subproject to ensure that there are no alternatives which may minimize or avoid these potential environmental and social impacts.

Subprojects for which the overall site sensitivity is determined to be “high” does not necessarily indicate that a site is unsuitable. However, this indicates a real risk of resulting in undesirable adverse environmental and social impacts. In these cases, more substantial environmental and/or social planning may be required to adequately avoid, mitigate or manage potential effects. If a subproject is planned to be developed in indigenous territories, the proponent must comply with the guidelines presented in Annex 16 Indigenous Peoples Planning Framework.

6.3.1Evaluation Criteria

SETENA will ensure that the following pass-fail criteria have been considered:

Table 6.3 Pass-fail criteria

Issue	Criteria	Pass / Fail
Proximity to vulnerable populations	Telecommunication subprojects will not be developed within 50 meters of vulnerable populations such as: hospitals; clinics; elderly homes; childcare centers; and schools. Subprojects within 100 meters of these areas should be avoided.
Proximity to protected areas	The installation of subprojects within 50 meters of the boundary of protected areas; wetlands; bird migration corridors; tourism destinations; and indigenous reserves should be avoided. Projects in mountain passes and in areas within about 2 km the coastline should also be avoided, particularly where there is frequent nocturnal cloud cover during February-April (northward migration) or September-October (southward migration). Subprojects are encouraged to be sited in lands already converted (i.e. with access roads or existent telecommunication infrastructure). If there are no feasible alternatives to subproject siting and a protected area is selected; the subproject will include specific and more stringent mitigation measures, consultation and information disclosure to minimize the impacts.
Archaeological sites or areas of physical cultural resources	Archaeological sites or areas of physical cultural resources should be avoided. A site screening will be performed by an expert to assess the possibile presence of physical/ cultural resources. Where the probability exists; specific mitigation measures and salvage procedures will be followed and institutional capacity will be developed if necessary.
Landscape and land use	Landscape impacts should be avoided; sharing of infrastructure is highly encouraged. Scenic vistas, bird watching areas and tourism destinations should also be avoided. Regarding land use, areas already converted from natural habitat are preferred, especially where access roads and existent infrastructure are available. Sites where land value would decrease due the presence of a telecommunications facility should be avoided.
Existent telecommunication and ancillary infrastructure	Sites with existent telecommunications and ancillary infrastructure are encouraged. Sharing of infrastructure as well as the use of existing public buildings/structures is preferred. However, it should be noted that the subprojects to be financed under FONATEL will be primarily in underserved areas (e.g., rural areas and disadvantaged areas) where commercial telecommunication services are less well developed.
Security	Sites with safety issues such as delinquency; drug trafficking; smuggling; theft; etc. will be avoided.
Vulnerability to natural disasters	The site emplacement will preferably avoid areas of steep slope; volcanic risk; geotechnical instability; flooding and proximity to surface water. If no other alternatives are feasible, engineering measures will be taken to prevent and minimize damage to the installations and the surrounding areas.
Indigenous Peoples	Tower or mast will be constructed in indigenous peoples’ territories only if free, prior and informed consultation results in broad community support to the project by the affected indigenous peoples. The project proponent should ensure that the project has social and economic benefits for the affected indigenous peoples that are culturally appropriate.

6.3.2Evaluation of Site Criteria

Subsequent to the evaluation of the site selection form (VAR), SETENA will screen the subprojects to assign a preliminary risk classification (See Figure 6.1):

Subprojects classified as A, B1 or B2 without PR (without land use plan approved by SETENA): the project proponents will be required to complete Form D1, (see Annex 9 Environmental and Social Assessment Manual for Subprojects Funded by FONATEL) and present it before SETENA for appraisal.
Subprojects classified as C or B2 with PR (with land use plan approved by SETENA): the project proponents will be required to complete Form D2 (see Annex 9 Environmental and Social Assessment Manual for Subprojects Funded by FONATEL) and present it before SETENA for appraisal.

When deemed necessary, a field appraisal will be performed by SETENA in conjunction with the project proponent to complement the evaluation.

Additional Information

Annex 6. Rapid Environmental Valorisation (VAR Form)

Annex 9. Manual for FONATEL projects

Annex 9 Appendix 2 and 3. Forms D1 and D2

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