Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07SANTODOMINGO964
2007-04-24 11:11:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Santo Domingo
Cable title:  

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: ENVIRONMENT TRADE CAPACITY

Tags:  EAID ELAB EPA ETRD SENV DR 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0010
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHDG #0964/01 1141111
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 241111Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY SANTO DOMINGO
TO RHEHAAA/WHITEHOUSE WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8044
INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 000964 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR OES/ENV RACHEL KASTENBERG, BOB WING; WHA/EPSC JUN
BANDO; DEPT PASS USAID/LAC/RSD JOHN GARRISON; DEPT PASS
USTR MARA BURR; WHITE HOUSE FOR USTR MARA BURR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ELAB EPA ETRD SENV DR
SUBJECT: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: ENVIRONMENT TRADE CAPACITY
PROJECTS FOR FY2007 CAFTA-DR FUNDS

REF: 07 STATE 037718

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 000964

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR OES/ENV RACHEL KASTENBERG, BOB WING; WHA/EPSC JUN
BANDO; DEPT PASS USAID/LAC/RSD JOHN GARRISON; DEPT PASS
USTR MARA BURR; WHITE HOUSE FOR USTR MARA BURR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ELAB EPA ETRD SENV DR
SUBJECT: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: ENVIRONMENT TRADE CAPACITY
PROJECTS FOR FY2007 CAFTA-DR FUNDS

REF: 07 STATE 037718


1. Summary: Per reftel this cable contains Embassy's
proposals for regional and bilateral trade-related
environment projects to be funded with FY2007 trade capacity
funds under the CAFTA-DR free trade agreement. These
proposals are in line with the CAFTA-DR Environmental
Cooperation Agreement (ECA) and reflect the priorities of the
Dominican government in keeping with the various consultative
meetings among CAFTA-DR country representatives, State/OES,
and USAID throughout the year. For regional and bilateral
programs the breakdown in requested funding is as follows:

Institutional Strengthening for Effective Implementation and
Enforcement of Environmental Laws: $1,500,000
Biodiversity and Conservation: $450,000
Market-Based Conservation: $800,000
Improved Private Sector Environmental Performance: $700,000

Total: $3,450,000

The labor proposals will be submitted in a separate cable.
End Summary.

--------------
Background
--------------


2. The economy of the Dominican Republic relies heavily on
its natural resources in the areas of tourism, agriculture,
and mining. Tourism, one of the country's leading economic
sectors, generates almost 15 percent of GDP. The agriculture
sector generates 11 percent of GDP and the mining sector
generates a little over 1.4 percent. The country's economic
well-being, present and future, is directly and intimately
related to the rational and sustainable use of its rich
natural resource base.


3. Over the past decade the U.S. Embassy, primarily through
USAID, has been an active supporter of Dominican efforts to
promote environmental protection and sustainable natural
resource use as a means for achieving broad-based economic
growth. Following the creation of the Secretariat (Ministry)
of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARENA) in 2000,
USAID launched a program to help develop the environmental
policy framework. Through this investment, the Embassy has

worked closely with the Dominican government to design a
number of policy instruments (e.g., draft sector laws for
Bio-diversity and Coastal-Marine Resources, Environmental
Norms for Ground Water, Forestry Resources, the Disposal of
Toxic Substances, and an Implementing Regulation for
Environmental Enforcement). These will support the intent of
Chapter 17 of CAFTA-DR.


4. In accordance with the CAFTA-DR Environment Cooperation
Agreement (ECA),the U.S. Embassy and SEMARENA have developed
various proposals for regional and bilateral trade-related
environment projects to be funded with FY2007 trade capacity
funds under CAFTA-DR. These proposals will target various
levels of the Dominican community (e.g., national
secretariats (ministries),local (municipal) government

SIPDIS
environment units (UGAMs),public sector entities,
non-government organizations (NGOs),community based
organizations (CBOs),private industry, and the university
community. The intent is to create synergies and maximize
the impact of USG assistance for the Dominican Republic's
participation in CAFTA-DR and adherence to the ECA and
Chapter 17 of CAFTA-DR.


5. As mentioned in other reporting, mobilizing financing for
energy efficiency and renewable energy projects supports the
priorities identified in the NSC-led Western Hemisphere
Energy Near-Term Action Plan by improving energy production,
diversifying fuels, and improving energy efficiency. More
broadly, this effort can be a key example during the
2005-2007 Energy Cycle of the UN Commission on Sustainable
Development, underscoring the USG's commitment to delivering
results and to mobilizing private sector financing for
delivery of modern energy services.


PROPOSALS FOR TRADE-RELATED ENVIRONMENT PROJECTS IN THE
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I. Institutional Strengthening for Effective Implementation

and Enforcement of Environmental Laws
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Specific Objective: Economic Growth

Area: Environment

Element: Natural Resources and Biodiversity

Sub-elements: Natural Resource Policy and Governance and
Sustainable Natural Resource Management and Production

Funding Level: $1.5 million

Description and expected outcomes:

Most of the projects and activities in this section will
build on the programs initiated under the USAID bilateral
program. The sector laws (Biodiversity and Coastal-Marine
Resources) are components of a concerted effort to formulate
a comprehensive environmental policy regime. The twenty-year
vision statements that correspond to the sector laws are key
parts of the policy. The process of developing the vision
statements serves to identify the goals to be attained in the
future and to diagnose the problems. When disseminated, they
will help rally civil society and promote legislative support
to pass the necessary environmental laws and regulations.
This legislation will serve as an instrument to achieve the
desired goals.

Specific Projects and Activities:


A. Improve and harmonize laws, regulations, rules and
environmental procedures ($250,000)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - -


1. Provide technical assistance and training to the
environmental prosecutor's staff and the judiciary on
enforcement and conflict resolution. (Multi-year funding;
USAID bilateral program)


2. Provide technical assistance in the evaluation, design
and development of environmental regulations for solid waste
management and energy sector operations. (Multi-year funding;
USAID bilateral program)


3. Provide technical assistance in promoting the adoption of
the Biodiversity Sector Law and the Coastal-Marine Resources
Sector Law and its twenty-year vision on the environment.
USAID has provided SEMARENA assistance in the form of
consultations, conferences, seminars, and public outreach to
promote the adoption of the two laws and its twenty-year
vision. In the expectation that the Minister of Environment
signs and forwards these draft bills to the presidency and
the bills are then passed into law in FY2007, USAID will
provide technical assistance to develop the implementing
regulations for the Biodiversity Sector Law and the
Coastal-Marine Resources Sector Law, as well as training to
implement these regulations. (Multi-year funding; USAID
bilateral program)


4. Draft a twenty-year vision statement to develop a draft
Forestry Sector Law within three years. (Multi-year funding;
USAID bilateral program)


5. Provide assistance and training to at least 10 Municipal
Environmental Management Units (UGAMs) in conducting
environmental assessments and developing municipal
environmental ordinances in each of the 10 UGAMs. USAID has
already assisted 11 UGAMS and helped develop 23 ordinances
among these UGAMS. Using FY2006 funds, USAID is currently
expanding technical assistance to an additional five UGAMS.
The technical assistance includes developing and implementing
environmental ordinances in three UGAMs. (Multi-year
funding; USAID bilateral program)


6. Develop the Internal Operations Regulation for SEMARENA.
(Open to regional or other USG bilateral assistance)


B. Improve environmental compliance and law enforcement
($350,000)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


1. Provide technical assistance to design and implement a
one-stop environmental permit process within SEMARENA, which

is a high priority under the CAFTA-DR Environment Chapter.
(Open to regional or other USG bilateral assistance)


2. Provide environmental enforcement training and technical
assistance to 100 government technicians for more effective
environmental enforcement practices within SEMARENA. To date
USAID has trained 50 technicians and plans to train an
additional 50 this fiscal year utilizing FY2006 funds.
(Multi-year funding; USAID bilateral program)


3. Provide environmental inspection training for SEMARENA
technicians and the environmental police (60 slots). Using
FY2006 funds, USAID will have trained 100 technicians and
environmental policemen. (Multi-year funding; USAID bilateral
program)


4. Train SEMARENA technicians to implement water sector
regulations upon approval of the regulation that will
establish the implementation structure and procedures for
effective application of ground-water regulation. In 2007,
USAID plans to host a seminar for SEMARENA officials in order
to promote the approval of the ground-water regulation.
(USAID bilateral program)


5. Provide environmental enforcement and basic inspection
training to UGAMs and municipal public institutions. Provide
assistance to facilitate UGAM-to-UGAM exchanges to promote
the exchange of information and best practices in the
implementation of Municipal Environmental Ordinances.
(Multi-year funding; USAID bilateral program)


C. Promote environmental compliance and auditing ($100,000
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


1. Support the development of a lead environmental auditor
program within SEMARENA and provide training to at least 20
lead environmental auditors, assuming SEMARENA hires 20 lead
environmental auditors in 2007 in accordance with their human
resource plan. (USAID bilateral program)


2. Promote the adoption of voluntary agreements by the
private sector to improve environmental compliance.
(Multi-year funding; USAID bilateral program)


D. Strengthen environmental impact assessment review and the
evaluation process for environmental permit decisions
($50,000)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - -


1. Create a legal instrument that regulates the public
sector's response time for permit applications. (Open to
regional or other USG bilateral assistance)


2. Provide technical assistance to develop Strategic
Environmental Assessments starting with tourism, energy, and
mining. (Multi-year funding; USAID bilateral program)


3. Provide technical assistance for SEMARENA to develop
criteria to evaluate external Environmental Impact Assessment
(EIA) consultants. (Multi-year funding; USAID bilateral
program)


4. Train private sector consultants on the elaboration of
EIAs. (Multi-year funding; USAID bilateral program)


E. Strengthen the capacity to safely handle/manage hazardous
materials ($50,000)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - -


1. Train health sector technicians on the management of
hazardous wastes. (Multi-year funding; Open to regional or
other USG bilateral assistance)


2. Provide technical assistance to SEMARENA and the Health
Ministry in conducting risk analyses and developing plans to
track, manage, and properly dispose of waste, toxic chemicals
and hazardous substances throughout the Dominican Republic.
(Multi-year funding; Open to regional or other USG bilateral
assistance)


F. Strengthen the Pollution Release and Transfer Registry
(PRTR) ($50,000)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-


1. Establish procedures for the identification and
registration of chemical substances in a PRTR in the
Dominican Republic. (Open to regional or other USG bilateral
assistance; the Central American Commission on Environment
and Development (CCAD) and the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) plan to develop these procedures utilizing
FY2007 funds)


G. Improve environmental information gathering, managing, and
dissemination to assist the decision-makers and inform the
public ($300,000)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


1. Pending SEMARENA's decision on where to house their
National Environment Management System and on access to
dedicated computers and software, USAID will train SEMARENA
decision-makers and technicians on how to input environmental
data, monitor and maintain accurate data, and how to make
that data available to the policy makers and the press.
(Multi-year funding; USAID bilateral program)


2. Support the provision and use of field environmental
monitoring, inspection and evaluation equipment and
instruments, and provide training to SEMARENA technicians on
procedures and protocols for effective environmental
enforcement and to measure environmental quality and
environmental damage according to EPA standards. (Multi-year
funding; Open to regional or other USG bilateral assistance)

a. Provide equipment for effective environmental
monitoring of air quality (mobile and fixed atmospheric
emissions) and water quality.
b. Provide water portable laboratory equipment and
training on water sampling and laboratory use.


3. Develop a water quality baseline for the Dominican
Republic and assist the implementation process. (Multi-year
funding; Open to regional or other USG bilateral assistance)


H. Strengthen urban air quality management ($50,000)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


1. Develop a strategy for air quality management in the
Dominican Republic. (Multi-year funding; Open to regional or
other USG bilateral assistance)


I. Support CAFTA-DR public complaint units at the national
level and non-governmental organization participation
capacity and outreach ($150,000)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


1. Develop SEMARENA's internal procedures for citizen
participation, which includes providing technical assistance
and training to SEMARENA's trade and environment unit and the
means for effective implementation of its mandate.
(Multi-year funding; USAID Bilateral Program)

a. Strengthen the process for receiving, managing and
investigating environmental complaints in all sectors.
Initiate development of complaint reception systems of all
sectors.


2. Continue mass media environmental awareness campaign with
emphasis on the Environment Chapter of CAFTA-DR and
procedures to receive inputs from civil society on trade and
environmental issues. (Multi-year funding; USAID Bilateral
Program)


3. Provide training to civil society on the public
submissions process and other opportunities for public
participation in environmental matters. (Multi-year funding;
USAID Bilateral Program)


4. Establish a communications program to enhance interaction
between civil society and SEMARENA's trade and environment
unit. (Multi-year funding; USAID Bilateral Program)


5. Strengthen SEMARENA's web site to include information on
public submissions. (Multi-year funding; USAID Bilateral
Program)


J. Strengthen university environmental programs and
partnerships and environmental law clinics in the region.
($150,000)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


1. Develop environmental law and policy training programs at
the university level in the Dominican Republic that highlight
effective application of Chapter 17 of CAFTA-DR. (Multi-year
funding; USAID Bilateral Program)


2. Initiate a university partnership program to enhance
government-private sector-civil society cooperation for
environmental protection. Using FY2005 funds, USAID sent 12
attorneys from SEMARENA and the environmental prosecutors
office to Tulane University for a two-week course on the
development of environmental policy and enforcement. These
attorneys are using the skills they've learned to develop
policy and enforcement measures with SEMARENA. (Multi-year
funding; USAID Bilateral Program)


K. Pipelline/mortgage data: USAID/DR received $1,035,000
from FY-2006 CAFTA-DR funds in December 2006. The Mission
immediately applied these funds to complete technical work on
the two 20-year vision statements, two sector laws and other
projects/activities listed above. The FY2007 requested funds
will serve to expand on a number of projects that are already
in progress as well as initiate many new projects. It is the
Embassy's goal to ensure that these projects and activities
will help the Dominican Republic comply with the ECA and
improve the environment for the Dominican people as trade
grows under the CAFTA-DR free trade agreement.


L. Linkage to ECA/CAFTA-DR/enhanced trade: The projects and
activities listed under &institutional strengthening for
effective implementation and enforcement of environmental
laws8 are directly linked to the ECA work-plan, section 1.1
(strengthen environmental law compliance and enforcement
systems) and its subsets and articles 17.1, 17.2, and 17.3 of
CAFTA-DR.


M. Local buy-in: USAID staff worked closely with SEMARENA
officials to include the Secretary (Minister) of Environment
and municipal leaders in developing each of the stated
projects and activities. SEMARENA and municipal leaders are
excited about these projects and are anxious to implement
them.


N. Public diplomacy/outreach: The Embassy has already
developed a robust public diplomacy/outreach program that
covers USAID activities in support of CAFTA-DR trade-related
environment programs at the national and local levels. The
Embassy will continue to expand this program to maximize
coverage of these FY2007 bilateral and regional projects
using a range of media to include print, video, and Internet.
The Mission also plans to engage local media and to
encourage this important sector to report on these CAFTA-DR
related projects through the Mission's public affairs section.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
II. Biodiversity and Conservation
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Specific Objective: Economic Growth

Area: Environment

Element: Natural Resources and Biodiversity

Sub element: Biodiversity Policy and Governance

Funding Level: $450,000

Description and outcomes:

Beginning in FY2006, the USAID bilateral program developed
four strategy documents: a sustainable finance approach, a
co-management blueprint, an analysis of the National
Protected Area System's (SINAP) legal foundation, and an
analysis of the system's institutional structure. With prior
year funding, USAID trained 150 park and forest rangers. The
bilateral program also launched an initiative to work with
community groups to develop and implement micro-watershed
management plans, which protect farmlands that export organic
agricultural commodities under CAFTA-DR. FY2005/06 funding
has also been used in continuing the Environmental Investment
Protection Fund (FIPA),which was started by USAID in FY2004
and is now a very successful program to promote financially
sustainable environmental protection and natural resource
management investments. The FY2007 proposals will expand on
these past and present gains and add in other critical
program areas.

Specific Activities:


A. Improve protection and conservation of fauna and flora
(including CITES) ($375,000)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - -


1. Provide technical assistance to implement the National
Protected Area System (SINAP) and concentrate on the
expansion of co-management of parks and protected areas. The
implementation of the SINAP is critical to protect Dominican
bio-diversity and natural resources, and to promote
eco-tourism. USAID has developed seven areas to provide
technical assistance, but plans to focus on one area each
year due to SEMARENA's human resources constraints.
(Multi-year funding; USAID Bilateral Program)


2. Increase training for enforcement of Multilateral
Environmental Agreements (MEAs),especially the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES),within
SEMARENA. USAID plans to provide a training seminar on
enforcement mechanisms of MEAs in 2007 with FY2006 funds.
(Multi-year funding; Open to regional or other USG bilateral
assistance)


3. Increase capability of municipalities to implement and
regulate natural resource conservation/ management and
sustainable development practices at the local level.
(Multi-year funding; USAID Bilateral Program)


4. Train park rangers and land owners within protected areas
and buffer zones on natural resource conservation practices.
Although USAID has trained more than 150 park and forest
rangers and 25 park managers since 2002, a change in
administration resulted in many lay-offs for these rangers in

2005. The new administration hired new park and forest
rangers who need training. USAID is working with SEMARENA to
implement regulations that protect these jobs from
administration changes. (Multi-year funding; USAID Bilateral
Program)


5. Fund four new environmental investment protection fund
(FIPA) projects to promote conservation of endangered
species. (Multi-year funding; USAID Bilateral Program)


6. In addition to enhancing existing micro-watershed
protection programs with four local groups, USAID will assist
in the development and implementation of at least five new
community watershed committees. The committees are expected
to develop one micro-watershed management plan each.
Protecting these watersheds is paramount to protecting the
farmlands that grow organic agricultural commodities that are
exported under CAFTA-DR. (Multi-year funding; USAID Bilateral
Program)


B. Promote small scale fishery management while reducing
incidental sea turtle capture ($50,000)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - -


1. Provide technical assistance to reduce incidental sea
turtle capture and mortality. The Dominican government needs
assistance with enforcement mechanisms of MEAs, specifically
CITES. Although CCAD plans to provide CITES guides and
posters to SEMARENA, additional assistance is needed.
(Multi-year funding; Open to regional assistance or other USG
bilateral assistance)


C. Identify sources of invasive aquatic species related to
trade and develop measures for reducing this threat ($25,000)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


1. Train SEMARENA technicians to carry out invasive species
risk assessments. (Multi-year funding; Open to regional
assistance or other USG bilateral assistance)


D. Pipeline/mortgage data. USAID used $75,000 of FY2006
CAFTA-DR funds in the area of improving protection and
conservation of fauna and flora. Funding requested for
FY2007 will build on the progress of these programs and
develop new programs (e.g., reduce sea turtle capture).


E. Linkage to ECA/CAFTA-DR/enhanced trade: The projects and
activities listed under &biodiversity and conservation8 are
directly linked to article 17.12 and Annex 17.9 of CAFTA-DR,
and sections 1.3 and 2.2 of the ECA work-plan. Enhanced
trade is also linked to the protection of the watersheds,

because it allows farmers to grow organic agricultural
commodities and export these goods under CAFTA-DR.


F. Local buy-in: USAID staff worked closely with SEMARENA
officials to include the Secretary (Minister) of Environment
and municipal leaders in developing each of the stated
projects and activities. SEMARENA and municipal leaders are
excited about these projects and are anxious to implement
them.


G. Public diplomacy/outreach strategies: As noted above, the
Embassy has already developed a robust public
diplomacy/outreach program that covers USAID activities in
support of CAFTA-DR trade-related environment programs at the
national and local levels. The Embassy will continue to
expand this program to maximize coverage of these FY2007
bilateral and regional projects, using a range of media to
include print, video, and Internet. The Embassy will also
endeavor to promote MEAs, especially CITES, within the
country and work together with SEMARENA to inform tourists of
CITES obligations.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
III. Market-based Conservation
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Specific Objective: Economic Growth

Area: Environment

Element: Natural Resources and Biodiversity

Sub element: Sustainable Natural Resource Management and
Production

Funding level: $800,000

Description and Outcomes:

USAID has applied a combination of policies (the biosphere
strategic plan and enforcement regulation) and programs (FIPA
organic farming, micro-watershed planning and implementation)
to promote market-based conservation. FY2007 funding will
continue to promote these successful ongoing activities, such
as FIPA, as well as other complementary initiatives (e.g., a
policy instrument to promote clean technology in the tourism
sector and an accreditation mechanism for clean production).
The fusion of the &ongoing8 with the &new8 will
significantly increase Dominican trade under CAFTA-DR while
simultaneously underlining Dominican compliance with Chapter
17 requirements and the ECA.

Specific Activities:


A. Develop sustainable tourism and alternative income
sources. ($400,000)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-


1. Develop a policy instrument to facilitate the application
of clean technology in the tourism sector. USAID is
currently working with the hotel associations and the
Secretariat of Tourism for buy-in. (USAID Bilateral Program)

SIPDIS


2. Fund three (3) sustainable tourism FIPA Projects.
Currently, USAID is working with 6 FIPA projects in
sustainable tourism and has had great success. FIPA projects
focus on promoting a positive impact on the environment while
being financially self-sustaining. (Multi-year funding;
USAID Bilateral Program)


B. Develop sustainable agricultural and forest products for
better natural resource management ($400,000)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - -


1. Initiate process of creating a Dominican organic farming
accreditation strategy. (Multi-year funding; USAID Bilateral
Program)


2. Develop an economic policy instrument to promote organic
agriculture. (USAID Bilateral Program)


3. Fund three (3) sustainable organic agriculture FIPA
Projects. (Multi-year funding; USAID Bilateral Program)


C. Pipeline/mortgage data: USAID applied a significant

proportion of FY2006 funds to finance a set of FIPA projects
dealing with organic agricultural production and ecotourism.
All of these investments are market-based. The majority of
the FY2007 funds will be applied to support similar
initiatives. A portion of the resources will go to the
development of a policy instrument to facilitate the
long-term success of FIPA activities and similar investments.


D. Linkage to ECA/CAFTA-DR/enhanced trade: The listed
projects and activities in this section of &market-based
conservation8 are directly linked to article 17.4 and Annex
17.9 of CAFTA-DR, and sections 2.2 and 2.3 of the ECA
work-plan. Development of sustainable organic agricultural
projects is directly related to enhanced trade.


E. Local buy-in. In addition to receiving local buy-in from
SEMARENA officials to include the SEMARENA and municipal
leaders, the Mission is engaging the hotel association and
the Secretariat (Ministry) of Tourism to involve them in the
process in order to strengthen local buy-in.


F. Public diplomacy/outreach strategies: As listed above,
the Embassy has already developed a robust public
diplomacy/outreach program that covers USAID activities in
support of CAFTA-DR trade-related environment programs at the
national and local levels. The Embassy will continue to
expand this program to maximize coverage of these FY2007
bilateral and regional projects, using a range of media to
include print, video, and Iinternet. The Embassy also plans
to engage local media and encourage this important sector to
report on these CAFTA-DR related projects through the
Mission's public affairs section.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
IV. Improved Private Sector Environmental Performance
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Specific Objective: Economic Growth

Area: Environment

Element: Clean Productive Environment

Sub element: Clean production

Funding Level: $700,000

Description and Outcomes:

To date, the Mission has financed 30 FIPA projects, which are
implemented by non-governmental organizations. The bilateral
program has assured private sector active participation in
the design of environmental policy instruments. The USAID
program has also trained the private sector in watershed
management, sustainable tourism, and protected area
management. The Embassy has also launched an important
initiative at both the policy and program levels to address
the critical environmental impacts of swine production
practices.

The current bilateral program has conducted a series of
seminars with the private sector on the benefits of clean
production. The FY-2007 proposals include policy and
project-level programs that will broaden the progress
achieved in incorporating the private sector into processes
that promote sustainable economic growth and environmental
protection.

Specific Activities:


A. Promote the competitiveness and compliance of industries
employing clean production practices ($300,000)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - -


1. Provide technical assistance to private investors to
promote environmental awareness, action and application of
clean production/technology. USAID has engaged the private
sector with positive results and plans to build on these
successes with FY2007 funds. (Multi-year funding; USAID
Bilateral Program)


2. Provide technical assistance to enhance ongoing clean
production partnership between SEMARENA and swine industry in
Licey al Medio, Salcedo and other swine-producing areas in
the Dominican Republic. USAID is currently promoting
bio-digesters technology with the swine and coffee

industries. (Multi-year funding; USAID Bilateral Program)


B. Mobilize financing for clean production and clean energy
initiatives and support for these practices ($400,000)
- - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - -


1. Support public information programs on cleaner production
methods and technologies. (Multi-year funding; open to
regional or other USG bilateral assistance)


2. Fund five (5) FIPA projects on renewable energy. USAID
has already helped fund one windmill project and two solar
energy projects. One solar energy project dries fruit for
the domestic and export markets and the other project dries
sawed lumber from legal lumber yards for the domestic market.
(Multi-year funding; USAID Bilateral Program)


C. Pipeline/mortgage data: FY2006 CAFTA-DR funds were used
to provide technical assistance to private investors to
promote environmental awareness, action and application of
clean production/technology, promote bio-digesters technology
with the swine and coffee industries, and fund several FIPA
projects. FY-2007 resources will continue the process of
supporting private sector participation in
environmentally-sustainable economic investments.


D. Linkage to ECA/CAFTA-DR/enhanced trade: The listed
projects and activities under &improved private sector
environmental performance8 are directly linked to article
17.4 and Annex 17.9 of CAFTA-DR, and sections 2.1 and its
subsets and 3.1 of the ECA work-plan. Each of the proposals
enhances trade while preserving the environment.


E. Local buy-in: In addition to receiving local buy-in from
SEMARENA officials to include the Secretary (Minister) of
Environment and members of the private sector, the Embassy
plans to engage private sector associations that represent
both domestic and international industries in order to
strengthen local buy-in and effect change.


F. Public diplomacy/outreach strategies: As listed above,
the Embassyn has already developed a robust public
diplomacy/outreach program that covers USAID activities in
support of CAFTA-DR trade-related environment programs at the
national and local levels. The Embassy will continue to
expand this program to maximize coverage of these FY2007
bilateral and regional projects using a range of media to
include print, video, and Internet. The Embassy also plans
to engage local media and encourage this important sector to
report on these CAFTA-DR related projects through the
Mission's public affairs section.

HERTELL