International Development and Programs (Development Work) - International Development and Programs (Development Work)

22 CFR 216, Environmental Procedures, describes the environmental procedures that USAID must follow on all its programs, projects, and activities. ADS 204, Environmental Procedures, requires USAID to ensure that the requirements of 22 CFR 216 are included in project design and implementation. Specifically, ADS 204.2.c, Primary Responsibilities, states that assistance objective teams, activity managers, and technical representatives are responsible for ensuring full compliance with 22 CFR 216.

An environmental review begins with an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) of the reasonably foreseeable effects of a proposed action on the environment. Environmental conditions listed may include protection of air, surface soils/waters, and groundwater from wastewater contamination. They may also include the development of an environmental screening and review process to identify and mitigate adverse environmental impacts, and a requirement for strategic objective teams to actively monitor ongoing activities for compliance with approved IEE recommendations and to ensure adequate monitoring and reporting by a USAID contractor.

As required by the IEE, a USAID implementer’s annual and progress reports must contain a brief update on mitigation and monitoring measures being implemented, results of environmental monitoring, and mitigation and monitoring procedures.

General Recommendations

• Develop and implement a plan with steps to ensure that implementers meet reporting requirements listed in Initial Environmental Examinations and any other environmental documentation.
• Develop procedures on environmental compliance that outlines roles, responsibilities, and expectations.
• Require that technical officers receive environmental compliance training.

SOURCE: AUDIT REPORT NO. 6-279-11-005-P February 28, 2011

The recommendations are derived from audit reports of the Office of the Inspector General. The source refers to the audit report, which is available on this site as part of the Audit Database Project: an educational tool for compliance with USAID regulations.  Please see the disclaimer of this site before using recommendations.