Turkey - Anatolia Watershed Rehabilitation Project : environmental assessment (Vol. 1 of 2) : Regional environmental assessment and environmental management framework

TURKEY ANATOLIA WATERSHED REHABI Ll'I'A''lON PROJECT REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND ENVI'RONMI1ENTAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK A Draft Report Prepared by SEMIA ALPAN (National Consultanit) aiid KEITH OPENSHAW (International Consultanit) 27 January 2003 FL COn l1  Contents. Executive Summary ..............................................................2 Acronyms ..............................................................4 A. Introduction .5 B. Project Desciption .5 C. Institutional and Policy Issues .7 D. Baseline In foimationI 8s E. Lessons fr-om Previous Ongoing Projects & Stuises .34 F. Environmiiental Screenic .43 G. Project Environmiental Impacts ............................................................. 56 H. Assessment of Altematives ............................................................. 57 I. Monitoring and Evaluationi Plan ............................................................. 58 J. Environmental Management Plan ............................................................. 77 K. Public Consultationls ............................................................. 93 Annexes ........................................................................... 100 Annex 1. Terms of Reference for the Regional Environmiienital Managemnenit Plan .. 101 Annex 2. Environmenital Screening of Proposed Interventions for AWRP, including the GEF Component, and their likely Environumental Impacts . ............................ 104 Annex 3. Legal Framework .............................................................. 120 Annex 4. Selected Micro-catchments in the AWRP .................................. 125 Annex 5. AWRP-project performance monitoring component . ......................... 145 Annex 6. Field Trip Minutes, Sema Alpan, (National Consultant). July 2002 .............. 149 Annex 7: Environmental Management Plan AWRP .................................. 154 Annex 8. Public Consultations and Disclosures on Environmental Aspects of the AWRP .............................................................. 171 References ............................................................. 175  REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE AWRP. Executive Summary. A regional environmental assessment (REA) was undertaken for the Anatolia Watershed Rehabilitationi Project, wlhose aim is to assess tile milicIo anid milacIo enIviionimleIntal Impacts of tile varlioLs componlents of tile proposed project. The project wx'ill cover 60 micr-o-catclhnilcilts of five principal xvaterslhecis ill tllirteenl provinlces of tile Anatolil area in ceintral Turktey. Tlhe total area of tllese milcro-catclhmiiellts is about 535,000 h1a, buLt project intervenitionis will be confined to approximately 154,000 ha. The principal ri\vers of tlhese five waterslheds are the Seyhani, Ceyharn and Goksu flowving illtO tile Mediterraneani and the Kizilirmak aild Yesilirmlak flowving iito the Black Sea. Various interventionis will be under-taklen il tile forestry, rangelarld aild agricultural sectors, \vitlh tlhe aiimi of rever-sin-g cilviroilmlelital degradationt, by signiFicanitly redcucing erosioI, ililprovinig biodiversity aqid carboii seqUestratioIl aild illtrOdUCilCi or exparic hig elrvirollnlentally friendly farnling practices. InI additionl, as part of tIle project, tllere is a Global Environlmenital Facility (GEF) grarit to improve the xwater quality of tlhe two watersheds flowing into the Black Sea. Its ultimate aim is to reduce excessive eutropilicationi in streams, rivers, ponds, lakes and wetlands that flow to the Black Sea. This will be done throughl improved manure management on farms aind in agro-industries and by demonstrating the appropriate and timely use of fertilizers, especially organic fertilizers, on farms together with improved arable and pastoral practices. The GEF sub- component is confined to four provinces, three of which are part of the main project. However, the lessons learnt from this sub-component will have wider applications throughout the project area and beyond. A brief project description is given followed by an examination of institutional and policy issues. Five different government agencies of four ministries are directly involved in the project at the central and provincial levels and other government bodies such as the State Hydraulic Works and the State Institute of Statistics, as well as local authorities and NGOs have an interest in it. The policy issues covering the project deal with managing the land in a sustainable manner and protecting the biodiversity and waters for future generations. There is a legal framework for forestry and rangelands, but none directly for agriculture or water. However, some agricultural activities and most agro-industries are covered under the environmental act and are subject to initial environmental evaluations or environmental impact assessments. As part of the REA, six micro-catchments were visited and baseline information was gathered about existing conditions and proposed interventions. All of these areas suffer from considerable environmental degradation and the present land use on much of the area is unsustainable, resulting in diminishing returns to the people living there. As part of the project preparation, these and other micro-catchments were visited and preliminary discussions were held with the villagers concerning the level and types of interventions required to reverse this degradation and to improve the standard of living standard. Plans 2  were then drawn up by the villagers, with the help of the various government agencies, to meet the dual goals of improved economic benefits and environmental sustainability. From the baseline information, the environmental problems of these six micro- catchments were examined, together with the solutions as proposed by the villagers. Tlle positive and negative enviro-nmenital effects of the various intervenitionis were examinled. Overall, thie environmental benefits vastly ouLtweigh the drawvbacks, and these latter can be alleviated witlh suitable prescriptions. The problemiis in thc six micro-catclhmiicnits are a microcosnm of the waterslheds as a whole and therefore, these MCs were used as a proxy when undertaking this REA. This proposed project is a follow-up to the East Anatolia Watershed Rehabilitation Project (EAWRP). Thus, several lessons and pointers were learnt from the EAWRP as to the likely environmental impact on1 this proposed project. The overall benefits, both enviroiinmenital and economic, were very positive, but thle scale of the environmenital impacts wvas not monitor-ed unlder thie EAWRP, hence one reasoni for this REA. In order to gauge the impact of the project an environmental screening of all the proposed components and activities was undertaken. In particular, this looked at activities that could have negative and positive impacts. The overall components will result in positive environmental benefits, but some activities may have negative impacts unless precautions are taken to mitigate possible negative influences. A screening matrix was compiled of the important activities and this matrix examined the possible environmental effects of the individual activities and proposed prescriptions to mitigate possible negative effects. The matrix also listed the positive environmental effects of rehabilitation activities in forests and rangelands and through the promotion of appropriate farming practices. As mentioned previously, while experience dictates that the AWRP will have an overwhelming environmental benefit, the scale of this benefit has to be monitored and evaluated. Hence, a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plan was drawn up as part of an overall M&E programme for the project. This M&E plan devised a strategy to quantify the environmental benefits such as decreased erosion, increased biodiversity and carbon sequestration and improved water quality. Baseline survey and resurvey tables have been compiled for the forestry, rangeland, agricultural and miscellaneous sectors as well as the GEF sub-component. It is proposed to undertake sample surveys of these four sectors in twelve of the 60 watersheds. In addition, surveys will be carried out in the four provinces where the GEF sub-component is taking place. Following these M&E proposals, an environmental management plan (EMP) was compiled, listing the likely environmental impacts and proposing appropriate mitigation measures including monitoring requirements. An action plan was drawn up to enact the EMP. A plan for baseline and resurveys was drawn up and costed together with requirements for training and equipment. The overall cost of assessing the environmental benefits of the project is estimated to be US$ 3.14 to 4.38 million. The benefits from carbon sequestration alone, if traded could be about US$ 4 million after five years and about US$ 13 million after fifteen years. 3  Acronyms AGM General Directorate for Reafforestation and Erosion Control (of MoF) AWRP Anatolian Watershed Rehabilitation Project CCA Chemical control agents (herbicides, insecticides and pesticides) CGS Competitive Grants System Process CKOK Geni. Directorate of Environmnental Pollutioll Preventioni & Conltrol (MoE) DS1 State l-l ydrl auli c Wo\oks EAWRP Easternl Anatol ian Watershed Rehlabilitation Proj ect EIA Environmenltal Impact Assessment EMP Environmenital Managemiienit Plan EU EuL-opean Unioni FAO The Food and Agricultulral Organization of the UN GDNP General Directorate of National Parks, Game and Wildlife (of MoF) GDRS General Directorate of Rul-al Services GEF Global Envir-onmiiienit Facility GIS Geograplic In for-miationi System GMZ Gene Managemenit Zone GPS Global Positioning System ICR Implementation Completion Report (WB document) IEE Initial Enviroinmenital Examination IPM Integrated Pest Management KKGM General Directorate for Protection and Control (of MARA) KPI(s) Key Perfornance Indicator(s) M&E Monitoring and Evaluation MARA Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs MC(s) Micro Catchment(s) MoE Ministry of Environment MoF Ministry of Forestry NGO(s) Non-governmental Organization(s) OVI(s) Objectively Verifiable Indicator(s) PCD Project Concept Document (WB document) PMG Project Management Group PPU Project Preparation Unit REA Regional Environmental Assessment SIS State Institute of Statistics SSAG Special Studies Advisory Group TOR Terms of Reference TUGEM General Directorate for Production and Development (of MARA) WB World Bank 4  Anatolia Watershed Rehabilitation Project: Regional Environmental Assessment. A. Introduction. MuchI of TuLr-key has highlly degradecd ecosystemiis, duc to niatulal and anlitlropogeniic influeLnces, such as cultivation patternis, livestock grazing, ancl deforestationi. These degraded areas cause major- envirounmenital damage and affect the livelihood of the rural population. The Anatolia region in central Turkey is one of the vor-st affected (an poorest) areas in Turkey, thus it has been selected as an area to demonlstrate that ecosystems can be relhabilitated and made sustainable witlh the active participation of the local communities. The project area wvitlhin the Anatolia region lhas 13 provinces and stretches from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea. It covers about 19 million ha1, 24% of Turkey's areas witlh a 1997 populationi of about 11.6 millioni, 40% of whlichi are in ruiral areas. It has five prinlcipal watersheds, namiiely the Seyhan, Ceylhan and Goksu flowing into the Mediterranean and the Kizilirmak and Yesilirmak flowinlg into the Black Sea. B. Project Description. The Anatolia Watershed Rehabilitation Project (AWRP) aims at arresting environmental (and economic) degradation in 60 micro-catchments (MC) of its five watersheds and implement community selected priority interventions to rehabilitate the MCs. The estimated area of the selected MCs is about 535,000 ha out of which 154,000 ha will be the physical implementation area. The AWRP is a follow-up to the recently completed Eastern Anatolia Watershed Rehabilitation Project (EAWRP). The interventions would be chosen from a menu of activities. Selection will be made after MC Development Plans have been prepared by the implementing agencies, in close collaboration with the communities. The implementing agencies are the General Directorate of Forestry (AGM), the General Directorate of Rural Services (GDRS), and the General Directorate of Production and Development (TUGEM) for the MCs. In addition the GEF component is under the control of the General Directorate of Protection and Control (KKGM) in the Ministry of Agriculture (MARA), and the Ministry of Environment (MoE). Project activities will be financed with a World Bank loan, a Global Environmental Facility (GEF) grant and counterpart funds from the Turkish Government. The GEF funds would be used for activities that reduce nutrient loads into water and soil on the watersheds that flow into the Black Sea. This will be done by promoting the use of organic fertilizers on farns, demonstrating environmental friendly farming practices and increasing the monitoring and enforcement implementation capacities of the relevant institutions. The positive experiences from these activities will be promoted in other areas of the project and elsewhere throughout the country and beyond. ' The area of the 13 provinces in the AWRP is 18.8 million ha. However, the watershed boundaries do not necessarily correspond to the provincial areas. 5  The AWRP will include two main components that are of relevance for a Regional Environmental Assessment (REA). 1. Rehabilitation of Degraded Natural Resources. This component would protect degraded areas from further degradation, erosion and nutrient pollution. It would: (i) promote provenI locally adopted vegetative techinologies and meclhaniical structures to coniserve water, reduce soil erosion, anid alleviate fuel/foddcle slhortages; (ii) promiiote appropriate use of marginial agricultural land, (iii) promiiote env\il-onmiiienitally-fliendcily agr-icultur-al practices, (iv) reduce l.and unlder- Fallow by in1troduciLng foocd andc foCderel- legumnes into the crop rotation; and (v) promiiote maniure managemiienit and agro- industry pollutioni control. All these activities slhould have positive benefits on1 the enviroinmenlt, but the scale of the beniefits is as yet unknown, lhenlce the impor-tanice of monitorinig the intervenitionis and evaluatillg the outcoml-es. 2. Incolne Raising Activities. This component would raise rural income througl activities such as small-scale irrigation, farmn ponds, agricLIltur,al productioll Onl terraces, productioll of niclle crops, graftling of \vild fr-uit species, forage prodLuctioii, and bee-keeping. This componient will provide immecliate benefits to beneficiaries, and complemenits Componenit 1, whiclh mainily provides global benefits. Some parts of these intervenitions may result in adverse environmiiienital impacts. Thus, these will be highlighted and mitigation measures will be proposed to counter such impacts. In addition, the project will have the following tlhree components. 3. Strengthening Policy and Regulatory Capacity towards meeting European Union (EU) Environmental Standards. This will reinforce the activities of the above components by ensuring that environmentally friendly interventions are promoted. 4. Awareness Raising, Capacity Building and Replication Strategy. This component will include environmental awareness and the best practices will be promoted throughout the country. 5. Project Management and Support Services. As part of the AWRP, a Regional Environmental Assessment has been undertaken. The REA is a tool to help with and influence the proposed investment strategies and programs. Its primary objective is to present an overview of the major environmental conditions, baseline data, issues and trends in the 13 provinces of the five watersheds in which the project will be working 2. Also, it has provided an analytical framework and comprehensive guidelines to better address environmental concerns through mitigation of adverse environmental impacts in the design, implementation, and monitoring of the menu of possible project interventions mentioned previously: this will be done through an Environmental Screening process. Finally, an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) has been prepared. 2 The 13 Provinces are Adana, Amasya, Corum, Icel [Mercin], Kahramanmaras, Karaman, Kayseri, Konya, Nigde, Osmaniye, Samsun, Sivas, and Tokat. Amasya, Corum and Tokat have both Watershed and GEF initiatives. Samsun only has GEF initiatives. 6  The REA gives a description of the project provinces, as well as the institutional and legislation framework that are linked to the environment. It identifies the major environmental issues in the project provinces, such as water pollution, erosion, and quality of water. It then provides a description of the environmental risks associated with the various project activities, and proposes mitigatin1g measures. It draws on experiences and lessons fromii the East Anatolia Watershed Rehabilitationi Project (EAWRP). Necessary procedures and mechalnismiis for mitigationi, as well as institUtional arranigecrents and accounltability arc described in the E.IP. The cu.1mulativc imipact of proposed project activities is also assessed. All these activities have been or are to be discussed in stakelholder consultation meetings prior to the final draft of the REA. The Termns of Reference for the nationial and international consultanits are given in Anlnex 1. C. lnstitutional and Policy Issues. Instittitionial Issues. The Institutional issues wvill be first described and tlhen policy issues wvill be high-lighted. The govern-ment agencies and other bodies involved in the project are as follows. Ministry of Forestry. The Ministry of Forestry (MoF) is responsible for conservation, development, planning, management and utilization of forest resources. The Ministry targets the conservation and further extension of forested land and responds to the needs of people in terms of forest products as well as recreation. The central organization of the Ministry consists of 3 main service units organized as general directorates (the General Directorate of Afforestation and Erosion Control (AGM), General Directorate of Forest Village Relations (ORKOY) and General Directorate of National Parks and Wild Life (MPG), one affiliated organization (General Directorate of Forestry [OGM]). AGM manages areas designated for reforestation, erosion control and range improvement. MPG is responsible for natural parks, nature reserves, national parks, nature monuments and recreation forest areas. ORKOY is responsible for providing some support to forest communities living within or adjacent to forest areas. OGM manages almost all forest land resources in Turkey, undertaking forest protection works (against fire, illegal cuttings, encroachment, insects and diseases, etc), silvicultural works for forest regeneration and improvement, road construction and maintenance, cadastral surveys, management planning, production and marketing of wood and other forest products. As to the peripheral organization of the ministry, it encompasses 9 regional directorates and 52 conservancies attached to these directorates, 143 local chief engineering and 543 engineering offices, 11 research directorates directly attached to the Ministry and 8 laboratories for soil analysis. 7  Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. The mandate of the ministry (according to the Government Decree no. 441 in Force of Law) is to ensure the development of rural settlements in line with overall development plans and programs, construct infrast-uctuel- facilities so as to enhlanice crop farming and animlial 1uLIsbandr-y and to deliver public services in agricultural, economic and social fielcls. The ministr-y performs its relaedC duties lilh-oughl its peripIheICIl organizatioIn. TIh peripheral organization of the minlistry consisls of resecarcl institutes, pro\;V1lcial and district directorates, farm-ls and supervisioll ulnits. The minlistry also lhas its agricultural consultillg centl-es in some foreign counltries. The maini service ullits OF the millistry consist of variious general directorates. Eaclh of these Unlits has distinct and specific responsibilities: * General Directorate of Agricultural Productioni and Developmenit (TUGEM). * Gener-al Directorate of Preservation and Contr-ol (KKGM). * General Directorate ofOrganization and Supp)ort (TEDGEN4I). * General Directorate of Agricultural Researclh (TAGEM). * Foreign Relations and European Union Coordination Department (DIATK). * General Directorate of Agrarian Refonr. * General Directorate of Soil Products Office (TMO). * General Directorate of Agricultural Enterprises (TIGEM). * General Directorate of Ataturk Forestry Ranch (AOC). The following are the KITs (State Economic Enterprises) not directly attached but related to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs: Turkish Sugar Plants Inc. (TSFAS). General Directorate of Enterprises of Tobacco, Tobacco Products, Salt and Alcoholic Beverages (TEKEL). General Directorate of Tea Enterprises (CAYKUR). Fertilizer Industry of Turkey. The "Board for Restructuring and Support in Agriculture" was established in order to coordinate the work carried out by the public institutions. Ministry of Environment. Within the framework of the Legislation on the Environment that lays down principles in relation to the protection and improvement of the environment and its transfer to future generations, the tasks of this ministry include the determination of principles of conservation and utilization in both rural and urban environments; drafting of environmental plans on the basis of development and regional plans so as to ensure the rational utilization of natural resources and make economic decisions compatible with ecological considerations in the context of balanced and sustainable resource utilization and to monitor the implementation of such plans whether developed by the ministry itself or commissioned to other agencies. 8  The Ministry of Environment is engaged in various activities including coordination and information flow in the context of international conventions to which Turkey is a Party including the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, Convention for the Prevention of Desertification, CITES Convention, Bern Convention, Convention on Long Range and Trans-boundary Pollution. The Ministry of Environmiienlt has thl-ee maini scrvice ullits organized as Genel-al Directorates, namiiely Gener-al Directorate of Enivironlmenital Protectioni, General Directorate of Pollution1 Prevention and Control, General Dircctorate of EIA and Planning. Further organs of the ministry include S1 provincial directorates. General Directorate of Rural Services. The General Directorate of Rural Services took its present organizational structure in 19S4 Upon the enactmiienit of Laxv no. 3202. It is an anniex budget legal entity attaclhed to the Office of the PM. Its basic objective is to eliminlate reduLndalncies in services extended to rural areas and to produce more comprelhensive and efficient services. The peripheral organization of the General Directorate consists of Regional Directorates existing in 22 centrally located provinces and 80 Provincial Directorates (a directorate in each administrative province). The General Directorate also has 11 Research Institutes, 5 Machinery-Equipment Directorates, 3 Project Directorates and 2 Training Directorates. The General Directorate of Village Services tries to extend various services to rural areas and settlements including the construction, maintenance and repair of village roads and bridges; village drinking water supply works; construction of various facilities and premises in villages; rural sanitation; facilities relating to the use of surface and groundwater resources and small irrigation ponds. General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSI). The General Directorate of DSI, is not a partner of the project. But it has some major roles in water resources management and it is one of the major beneficiaries of the project. One of the positive impacts of the project is lengthening the lifetime of the dams constructed by DSI in the relevant basins through reduced erosion. Its basic mandate is, in the context of water resources development, to manage surface and groundwater resources of the country, take measures to prevent any damage that may be caused by water and utilize these resources so as to be beneficial to overall development efforts and public welfare. The peripheral organization of the DSI consists of 26 Regional Directorates, branch directorates instituted according to the needs of respective Regional Directorates and Chief Engineering Offices attached to these branch directorates. Major tasks of the DSI include the following: to construct irrigation systems and protective facilities against floods; drain swamps; introduce drainage measures to 9  problematic areas; establish hydraulic power plants; carry out duties assigned under the Law no. 167 to provide drinking, use and industrial water to large cities; rehabilitate rivers and enhance water products in reservoirs; develop projects in relation to various tasks undertaken; examine, approve and supervise drinking water supply and sanitation projects of urbani settlemenits and to cooperate witlh related organiizatiolns and agencies to contr-ol pollutionl inI SU1rface and grouLndwIvater reserves. Village Admhinistrations. According to the 1997 General Census of Population there are 36,699 village settlemenits. The Law No. 442 (dated 1924) on Village Settlemiienlts foresees that villages should be self-sufficienit with respect to some comlllullal works and organizations. The Lawv divides village wor-ks in two parts as compulsory and voluIntary. Compulsor-y \works are those related to health, public wvorks, sanitationi, agriculture and education. Volulntar-y works, on1 the otlier hand, cover the conistr-uctioni or establislhmiienit of suchi commirrunial Facilities as launldries, bathls, miar-ket places and village forests. The existence of many villages on1 high, inclined and rough ter-aill as dispersed ullits independent of each other is one factor hinldering their development. In fact, 71 percent of all villages in TuL-key are located on slopes and hillsides. Almost all villages in Turkey remain out of the scope of sewage networks. Transportation and access are both insufficient in qualitative and quantitative terms. The majority of villages still have no drinking water supply networks. Electricity and communication services need modernizing since frequent interruption pose many problems. The target at present is to ensure that each dwelling unit has its telephone connection. There are also some problems regarding the access to national TV channels. The physical growth of settlement units takes place in an unplanned manner. Constructions are made through traditional methods without any plan and consequently earthquakes still constitute a serious threat. Inadequate consideration of geographical characteristics while determining the administrative units to which individual villages are attached lead to many problems including lack of any connection between a village settlement and its administrative district. There are also problems in the fields of education and health. The problems of forest villages, which constitute about 25 percent (8,977) of all villages, are yet to be solved. Another leading problem is the absence of production-marketing organizations. Irrigation .Unions. The General Directorate of DSI establishes its overall principles and policies in regard to operation and maintenance and delivers its services either directly through its own implementing units or delegates these functions to real and legal entities according to the provisions of the relevant legislation. Under the legislation on the transfer of irrigation facilities to their beneficiaries, the main rule is that it is not the proprietorship, but the operation and maintenance of such facilities 10  that is transferred. Since 1993, organizations formed by beneficiaries and local governments have come to the fore as another way of irrigation management. Small irrigation networks up to the coverage of 2,000 hectares had been gradually transferred to their users. The DSI encouraged participatory approaches by establising T-irigationi Grouips with limited responsibilities in operation anid mainitenaince. As a result of this policy line, irrigation on about 62,000 lhcctarcs of landi \vas tranisferred to various other organizations. Starting fi-om 1993, thc "Acceleratecl Tranisfer Progr-amii" lhas becn effectively implemented in pilot areas selected by the DSl. Transferees by 2000 include, 214 legal village entities, 135 municipalities, 304 UlliOlls and 42 irrigationi cooperatives. The transferee charges a specified annual fee for its irrigation services. This annual fee is determined on the basis of unit land either with respect to specific crops or number of times irrigation occurs regardless of cl-op or by some otlher method. These irrigation organiizatioiis mnay hlave other sources of revenue as wcll includilng subscriptionl fees collected oncc, bantk accoLunts, penalties and doniations. Cooperatives. Mutual assistance, solidarity and cooperation are the underlying principles of a cooperative. Having these in mind, it is observed that the cooperative approach is a part and parcel of the daily life of Turkish people. In fact, the people of Turkey have the rather unique feature of cooperating and joining hands in difficult circumstances without any external pressure. For centuries, Turkish people had displayed internal support and solidarity through various ways including helping others (imece- voluntary joint work for common good) failing in their work for various reasons, keeping common shepherds for their animals or taking over work in rotation, constructing various facilities together, etc. Present cooperatives in Turkey have their roots in these historical tendencies. What follows is a brief account of cooperatives, which may be relevant to the present project and presently active in Turkey. Cooperatives relevant to the project. 1) Agricultural Development Cooperatives. Agricultural development cooperatives are multi-purpose organizations active in various areas. The basic reason for this multi- purpose character of cooperatives is the dominance of a poly-culture in agriculture. In other words, farmers make their living by engaging in different activities. Consequently, inputs needs of the farmer extend over a rather wide range and also the processing or marketing of farm products require different activities. 2) Irrigation Cooperatives. Irrigation cooperatives are organizations established under the Law no. 1163 on Cooperatives. These cooperatives are established to operate small- scale irrigation facilities constructed by the state or to sustain and cover operating expenses of other facilities constructed by farmers themselves. Irrigation cooperatives may, therefore, play an important role in ensuring the rational operation of facilities 11  constructed at large costs. They can be regarded as "service cooperatives" since they try to sustain irrigation services. 3) Agricuiltuiral Credit Cooperatives. Agricultural credit cooperatives presently procure all kinds of agricultural inlpUts and extend themii to tlheir memiibers. In tllis respect, cooperatives regulate the marrket and save farm-ners fioim hlaving to pay extrieimelv 11igl pr-ices flor agricultural linpUts. In cases WhMlere agLricultural credit cooperlatives faill to supply suchI inputs as fertilizers, clhemicals, seecis, agricultulal equipmiient, etc. farm-lers hiave no other choice but procuring them from markets at highier costs. Wheln fuLids of cooperatives are limited, menmbers cannot benefit properly fi-om credit facilities. All these problemas cause a falls in total agricultural oultput. 4) Agr icultural Marketing Cooperatives. Agricultural Marketing Cooperatives and Unions conduct two purclhases as 'routine' and 'SUppOrt.' In normial purchiases, unillons or independent cooperatives determinle and declare the price they will pay for differenit qualities of specific crops. Tlese 'nloor prices' are set before harvesting etc. by consiclerinig domestic and interniationial marklets ancl stocks in lhand. Crops purclhased by cooperatives and uIInioIns are processed and theni sold in clomestic or international markets; if any profit accrues it is distributed to members. Support purclhases, on the othel hand, are based on Article 27 of the Law no. 3186, which states that the Counlcil of Ministers (CoM) or any specific ministry designated by the Council may authorize cooperatives and unions to purchase agricultural products on behalf of the State. Each year the CoM sets and announces floor prices for specific crops and assigns a specific union or unions (except independent cooperatives) the task of purchasing specific crops. The financing of this operation rests with the Agriculture Bank. The law enacted on Agricultural Sales Cooperatives and Unions (ASU) was published in the Official Gazette No. 24081 of 16 June 2000. In order to carry out their activities in an efficient and sustainable manner, the law provides a structure that is both autonomous and financially independent. The Restructuring Board is carrying out studies and making recommendations for cooperatives and unions with a view to restructuring them and ensuring a sustainable structure that will allow these institutions to carry on their activities in line with the principles of economic efficiency and productivity. Operation credits required by cooperatives and unions are provided from the general budget and from the Support and Price Stabilization Fund upon the recommendation of the Restructuring Board. A transition period of four years is foreseen to privatise the ASU. Chambers of Agriculture. Chambers of Agriculture are the professional organizations of farmers. These organizations having public legal entity are based upon the Law no. 6964 passed in 1957. The objectives of the chambers of agriculture include the following: provision of professional services; assisting in the development of the sector of agriculture in all respects and in the implementation of state plans and programs in the field of agriculture; facilitation of professional activities; conservation of professional ethics, solidarity and discipline in the sector of agriculture and improvement of relationships between farmers and the rest of the people as well as farmers themselves. 12  Farmers' Unions and Associations. These are professional unions fonned by farmers with a specific enterprise size to defend and promote their interests. "Village promotioni and upgrading associations" is another category of instituItion existing in almost all villages, thoLugh1 uinde- clifferenit namiles, to respondcl to social and infi-astructUre needs of indivildual villagcs. Beside the institutionis depicted above, the State Institute of Statistics (SIS) is responsible for collecting, processing and disseminating the agricultuLral data. The Turkish Standards Institute sets the standards for sampling, measuring techniqLues, and product quality includinig agricultural activities and goods. Policies. The fuLndamiienltals of Turk-kislh aglricultural policy is determ-inied according to coimmitments stemming from the World Trade Organizationi- Agreemellt on Agriculture, developments in the EU common agricultural policy (CAP) durinig the pre-accessioni period, and finally, developments in international trade. Turkey's VIlitlh. Five-year Development Plan adopted in the year 2000 in the Grand Assembly, comprises agricultural policies to be implemented between 2001-2005. The relevant policies are listed below: * Forests will be operated, preserved and developed within the eco-system approach, in line with the principles of continuity, multi-purpose use, participation, specialization, biodiversity, protection of water and wild life, and improvement of social stabilization, by taking into account the inhabitant conditions, interdependency between sectors, productivity and carrying capacity, forest health and landscaping, eco-tourism, productivity, pollution and factors such as fire, insects, landslides, snow, avalanche, flood, frost and drought. * Regarding areas covered by the forestry regime, with the aim of ensuring site safety, securing effective protection, considering public interest and for the efficiency of investments, land cadastre-limitation activities will be carried out extensively by taking into consideration the protection of the uriity of the forest areas, with priority given to the potential rejuvenation and forestation areas. * Nature Protection Zones, National Parks and similar Protected Zones will be developed and made widespread, with a view to protecting bio-diversity, water and wild life, cultural and esthetical assets, to creating research opportunities concerning the benefits of the forests not yet discovered, to preventing land erosion, landslides and avalanches, and to developing eco-tourism. * Forest, rangeland and water management plans will be reorganized in line with sustainable forestry principles, by considering the needs of the society, various functions of the eco-system, inhabitant inventories including wood and non-wood products and services, management objectives, the areas under protection and wild life and plant species under the threat of extinction. Rejuvenation activities will be carried out without delay, in line with silviculture plans based on natural tree species. * Concerning the construction of buildings, plants, roads, mines, electrical overhead conveyors and similar activities carried out by various institutions, and wood 13  production activities in forest areas, the protection of the land, flora and fauna and care for water quality will be the basic principles and the necessary arrangements will be introduced by improving standards. * With the aim of improving the status of forest farmers, social and agricultural forestry activities that cover oak, acacia, pine trees and similar beneficial species, and the p1roCluCtioll of medical, aromiiatic and decorative planits xv,ill ble stimullated an(ld cnerg,y forests wvill be made widespr-eadl. Thle activities of real and legal entities towards the establishment of private forests wvill be supported. * Forestry research unlits and studies will be designed witlh an awareness of the need to integrate witlh the world aind in a manniier of includin(g issues suclh as land use, biodiversity, envir-onumienital funlctionis, social forestry, poilutioll, greenhlouse effect, acid rain, water and wild life Linder the tlhreat of extinctioni, productioni capacity and car-iage,capacity of the area and of producinig value added and otlher economllic data. Based on thle unliqueLness of the subject, cooperation will be establislhed betwveen researchers, implementinig staff, NGOs and forest farmers. o For the rational use of Tulkey's inlandcl water, thiei- ecological and linillological features will be determinied, and fislh farming activities villi be initiatecd to produLIce species with high economic value that are in lharmiiony with the environmenlt. * The basic target is to establish an organized, hiiglhly competitive and sustainable agricultural sector, which considers the dimensions of economic, social, environmental and international development as a whole. * A Land Use Plan will be prepared by carrying out detailed land studies and preparing maps, by enforcing a Law on the use and protection of the land, by completing land cadastre activities and preparing a land database. * Forests will be managed, operated and preserved within the context of economic, social, environmental and ergonomic criteria, in line with society's requirements for forestry products and services, and within the principles of sustainable forestry, biological diversity, protection of wild life and multilateral use. * In order to prevent disasters such as deforestation, desert-formation, land erosion, flood, landslide and avalanches in Turkey, activities such as forestation, erosion control, meadow improvement and social forestry will be developed and forestation efforts of real and legal entities will be supported. * Priority will be given to alternative combat methods, particularly to the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) methods and biological control methods. * Minimizing the negative environmental impacts of agricultural production will be one of the policy priorities. In addition to the measures that will be taken in this respect, for application of fertilizers, pesticides and irrigation will focus on being natural and environment friendly. Input subsidies for fertilizers and pesticides will gradually be decreased and phased out. In compliance with EU legislation, production of organic (ecological) products that respect plant, animal and human health will be encouraged. * Farmers Register System, Title Deed- Cadastre System, Geographical Information System and Farm Accounting Data Network will be developed. Agricultural Informnation System using the agricultural database will also be set up. Cadastre work in the forestland will also be completed. * The planning and management of participatory projects on all issues, levels and stages related to the agricultural sector will be taken as benchmark. 14  Farming. By the end of 2001, the Government removed fertilizer supports. Direct Income Support for Farmers in 2000, was enforced on 1 March 2000 as a new means of agricultural support with the aim of decreasing the burden of the agricultural sector on the budgetary outlays within the framewoork of the policies of "Restructuring and Support in Agriculture". Thl-oughl this policy, I 1.8 miillioni lha land and 2,189,000 farmers havc becn reg,istered. Accorcding to tlle Communiqu6 for thc Dircct Incomlie SLIPPOrt foI Fan1mers issuecl on 3 I JUly 2002, the limitationi for dlilect supports has bcen incrcased fromz 200 da holdings to 500 da lholdings. Tlherefore, it is expected that the database for the registrations xviii be extended until I October 2002. TuL-key is a signature to the Rotterdam Convenition coverinig the use of chenical control agents (CCM). In compliance with the National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP) of Turkey, the pesticide supports were differentiated according to tlhe toxicity of active gradients of the pesticides with the isstued commulnliques, in order to phasc OuLt the uise of pesticides, which are hazardous for the envionent and huLmnan beinigs.3 The aqua products law (No. 1380 of 1995) gives a list of pesticide concenitrationis allowed in inlanid water bodies. This list is given in Annex 3. There is a guideline on1 products for plhyto- sanitation published by the MARA Gener-al Directorate of Protection and Control (Plant Protection Products 2002, MARA, TISIT, Tstanbul, 2002). Also, there is legislation regulating the certification of pesticides and limitations to their use. These are: * Directive On The Method And Principles Of Registration Of Pesticides And Similar Agents Used For Plant Protection. * Regulation on Labelling of Pesticides. * Instruction on Prospectus for Pesticides. * Instruction for the Toxicological Classification of Pesticides. * Directive on Whole and retail Sales of Agrochemicals. * Directive on Control of Agrochemicals. * Pricing of the Imported or Locally Formulated Products. Legal Framework for Anatolia Watershed Rehabilitation Project. There is neither framework law on agriculture nor on water in Turkey. However, there are framework laws on forestry and environment. The basic legislation on agriculture, forestry and agricultural sector activities in Turkey are listed in Annex 3. 3 The use of following pesticides is banned in Turkey: 2,4,5-T, Aldrin, Binapacryl, Captafol, Chlordane, Chlordimeform, Chlorobenzilate, DDT, Dieldrin, Dinoseb and its salts, HCH (mixed isomers), Heptachlor, Hexachlorobenzane, Lindane, Pentachlorophenol, Hg (Mercury) compounds, Endrin, Leptephos, As (Arsenic) compounds, Fluorodifen, Chlorpropylate, Daminozide (Alar 85), Taxophane, Zineb, Azinphos ethyl, Dibromochlorpropan (DBCP), Methylarsenic (MSMA). From the list of pesticides, which are subject to PIC (Prior Informed Consent) according to the international legislation only some preparatives, which are in compliance with the PIC limitations of the following CCA are not banned, and the rest are either banned or not licensed at all: Monocrotophos, Methamidophos, Phosphamidon, Methyl parathion, Parathion. See also Annex 3. 15  Law No 4342 on Rangelands was put into effect in 1998. The objective of the Law is to regulate designation, land use decisions, usage, conservation, renting, sustainability, management, and allocations to the village and municipal entities of the meadows, range, table, pasture and grasslands, which belong to the public. Law No. 4572 on "Agricultural Sales Cooperatives ancd Unions" (ASC&U) has also beenl enifor-cecl. TlhloLughl this lakW, the prov\isions on-i ASC&-U have bcenl regullaLted, a1 lega.ll frameework has beeni establislhed for tIe restructUrillg process, anid the efficient anid sustainable autonomy and financial independenice of the institutions have been ensuled. The currenit legal fi-ameivwork for forestry issues is the Forestr-y Law. The other laws and regtulationis relevant to the preserit project are listed in Annlex 3. Ther-e are also somle related laws like Law on Land Cadastre, Huntin(g Law, Tourismii Encouragemelnt Lawv, and Law for Protection of Cultural and Natural Assets. Legal Framew^ork for the GEF Componient. The fi-amaework Envir-onmiiienit Act (1982) is thie basis for environmienital legislation. Tlhere are some other environmllental and agricultural legislation relatecd to thle nutlienits andc pollution from agricultural activities. The objective of the Water Pollutioll Control Regulationi (1988) is to mainitaini the quality of surface and under-gr-ound water resouL-ces according to tlheir allocated uses, to ensure best use of water resources, to set the technical and legislative rules for the control of water quality in order to prevent pollutioll in compliance with the economic and social development goals of the country. The provisions related to nutrient pollution control in the Regulation are given in Annex 3. Industrial enterprises are allowed to discharge wastewater to the local sewerage system and to the deep sea, although firms may be required to pre-treat effluent prior to discharge into wastewater treatment plants. Discharge of hazardous substance to water is prohibited. The permitting procedure has been regulated since 1989 after the issuance of the Water Pollution Control Regulation. Principles for discharging effluent to ground and surface waters, and for treating wastewater, are also contained in the regulation. Effluent standards have been set for different types of industries and for the substances that may be discharged, along with basic principles to be followed. Discharge limits of pollutants listed for agro-industries do not include the nutrients. Discharge permits are subject to three-year renewable authorization. They may be refused or withdrawn in order to prevent any adverse environmental impact (e.g. direct discharge in areas, which have been highly polluted). Although the discharge standards are specified for each industrial sub-sector, they are fixed regardless of the receiving body. This means that the limits for pollutant parameters for a specific industrial discharge are the same whether it is discharged into a lake or the Black Sea. For the protection of water for drinking and other purposes, the general principles and protection provisions are given in the Water Pollution Control Regulation (See Annex 3). Effluent discharges must be monitored by the enterprises themselves according to the Water Pollution Control Regulation. The frequency of monitoring is stated in the "discharge permission " which is granted by the Administration for all direct discharges of household and/or industrial wastewaters into water receptor media on the condition of 16  compliance with the principles of the Regulation. According to the Regulation on Water Pollution Control, "the relevant units of MARA shall specify in detail the method of calculating the required amounts of fertilizers and shall conduct inspections regarding their overuse." Nevertheless, the Ministry has rarely practised this yet. The Solid Wastes Contr-ol RCgulationi (1991) reg-ulates collectioni, ti-aispoil-tationi, dlisposal, comrpostinig, inciinerationi, minimllizationi, recycling anid reuse of all kinds of h1ouselhold wastes, \vastes from industrial plants othcr- tlhan lhazardlous \vastes, wastes fromn commercial activities and constructioni debris, as well as rehabilitation of existing disposal sites. The Regulation also consists of an article regarding composting of organic wastes for fields and an article on using treatment plant sludge for agricultural activities. Tolerable limits for nutrients in the receiving water bodics and hazardous substances, whiclh are bannied to be disposed into the productioll zones of aqua products in inlalld water-s and seas are addressed in the Regulation on AqUa-products (1973) (Anniex 3). The recenitly ameneided Environmiental Impact Assessmenlt (EIA) Regulationi (2002) lists the agro-industl-ies and agricultural activities, which are subject to an ETA or an Initial Environmenital Examination (TEE) (see Annlex 3). The Soil Pollution Control Regulation was enacted by end 2001. It aims to regulate all activities, which cause soil pollution and delineate the technical, administrative principles as well as criminal sanctions related to discharging, throwing, leaking of hazardous substances and wastes into soil, use of sludge from industrial and sewage treatment plants and compost on soil. Limits of the heavy metals, sodium, chlorine ion, pesticides, PCBs and some aromatic hydrocarbons in the soil are listed in the Annexes of the regulation. Beside the above-mentioned environmental legislation, there is some agricultural legislation, which is related to nutrient and pesticide use: Inspection of Chemical Fertilizers, Permit Regulation for Pesticides Production, Storage and Sale. The Regulation on Principles of Organic Agriculture and Implementation, endorsed in July 2002, aims at protecting plant, animal and human health by restoring the ecosystem balance. It covers the principles regarding production, processing, packaging, labelling, storing, transportation and marketing of all vegetative, animal and aquatic products. The new sugar legislation adopted by the Turkish Parliament on 4th April. 2001 introduced new arrangements including quotas. In sugar beet cultivation, indirect subsidies mostly in the form of advances to farmers amount to 38%. Turkey's annual sugar harvest produces a surplus of 1 to 1.5 million tonnes, but the chances for exports are rather limited. In Turkey production costs are around US$ 650-700 per tonne while the international price is around US$ 200/t. Thus, the Treasury suffers an annual loss of about US$ 600 million. Beet production is only possible through subsidies and purchase without quotas. Sugar beet is a salt resistant crop thus, cultivation is rational in such regions as Central Anatolia where the soil is mostly saline. However, considering the surplus, sugar beet should not be grown in such fertile areas as Tokat, Carsamba, Bafra, Susurluk and Bursa where alternative crops such as vegetables and fruits can be grown. 17  D. Baseline Information. According to 1997 census total population in the 13 provinces of AWRP is about 11.6 million of wvhichi 60% of the populationi lives in districts and villages (BI Table 1). B1 Tablc I. 1997 Urban and Ru ral Poptilation inl the Project Provinces. Province |Urban Rural Total Urban % Rural % Adana l 1,272,892 409,591 1,682,483 75.6 24.4 Amasya 18 2,978 163,913 346,191 52.8 47.2 Co rmLI 289,629 2S8,558 578,187 50.1 49.9 Icel 955,563 552,669 1,508,232 63.3 36.7 Karaman 131,556 92,747 224,303 58.7 4 1.3 Kayseri 681,791 292,244 974,035 70.0 30.0 Koonya 1,140,016 791,757 1,931,773 59.0 41.0 K. Maras 551,853 456,254 1,008,107 54.7 45.3 Nigde 119,297 196,628 315,925 37.8 62.2 Osmaniiye 298,360 140,012 438,372 68.0 32.0 Samsun 590,399 563,364 1,153,763 51.2 48.8 Sivas 395,461 302,558 698,019 56.7 43.3 Tokat 335,060 360,802 695,862 48.2 51.8 Total 6,944,855 4,610,397 11,555,252 60.0 40.0 Source. SIS, 2000 Agricultural Statistics. Climate. Climatic features in the project area are variable because the area displays different characteristics from Samsun in the Black Sea Region to Adana and Icel provinces in the Mediterranean. In the heart of this zone, dry climatic features prevail, whereas in the coastal areas the climate is mild with increased precipitation. In the AWRP provinces, annual precipitation varies between 325 and 828 mm, with the number of days with precipitation ranging from 75-120, based on many years of data. Snow prevails in the Central Anatolian provinces particularly in spring, and winter but occasionally in autumn. The mean relative humidity is around 60 % with the lowest in Nigde province at 58 %. The highest humidity is in Samsun province with 75 %, closely followed by Icel with 74%. The average temperature in the project area oscillates round 10