Environmental guidelines for small-scale activities in Africa : environmentally sound design for planning and implementing humanitarian and development activities

This report provides the recipients of USAID grants, particularly PVOs and NGOs, with environmental guidelines for the design, implementation, and monitoring of, primarily, small-scale, development activities. The report covers 18 diverse but interrelated sectors, including agriculture, agroforestry, livestock, ecotourism, energy, water supply and sanitation, resettlement, and integrated conservation and development, and newer sectors, such as food aid, humanitarian relief, and the environment. For each sector, key questions and suggested actions are included to help resource planners during discussions of strategies for alternative activity design and mitigation. Also addressed are the principles and practices of environmental assessment, including a synoptic overview of pertinent USAID environmental procedures and strategies and regulatory documents. Because in many of the sectors, the benefits of pesticide use could be offset by potentially harmful effects on the environment, the Appendix provides guidelines for safe pesticide use and integrated pest management. An Environmental Screening and Reporting Form (ESF) is introduced which will allow streamlined review of proposed activities, greatly reducing the need for review and approval of grant activities at the Washington level. Includes references. (Author abstract, modified)