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Program Data Sheet 263-019 USAID MISSION: Egypt PROGRAM TITLE: Environment and Natural Resources Management (Pillar: Economic Growth, Agriculture, and Trade) STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE AND NUMBER: Improved Management of the Environment and Natural Resources in Targeted Sectors, 263-019 STATUS: Continuing PLANNED FY 2002 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $48,480,000 ESF UNOBLIGATED PRIOR YEAR FUNDS AND FUNDING SOURCE: $40,780,000 ESF PROPOSED FY 2003 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $11,000,000 ESF INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 2000      ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2009 Summary: Under USAID’s program in environment and natural resources, the following components receive technical assistance, training and cash transfer support for policy reform— solid waste management; air quality management; Red Sea coastal resources management and biodiversity conservation; water resources management; energy efficiency; and environmental management systems, environmental awareness, and education. Inputs, Outputs, and Activities: FY 2002 Program: In FY 2002 USAID will provide technical assistance to support a number of high-priority policy and institutional reforms including improving air quality, conservation and sustainable use of the Red Sea land and marine resources, promotion of economic instruments for improved environmental management, solid and hazardous waste-materials management, decentralization of environmental management responsibilities, inspection and voluntary compliance, strategic environmental planning, environmental disaster preparedness, energy efficiency, and promotion of domestic natural gas use. An interim disbursement of cash transfer resources to reward progress on achievement of the above-mentioned policy reforms is expected at the end of FY 2002. In addition, the Cairo Air Improvement Project is fully obligated and will continue to provide technical assistance in support of air quality management activities until the project completion date of December 31, 2002. Planned FY 2003 Program: USAID will continue to provide training, technical assistance and cash transfer funding in support of policy reforms in the many areas mentioned above, including air quality improvement, land and marine resource conservation, and waste management. A final disbursement of current cash transfer resources is expected by the end FY 2003. SUBMISSION OF THIS PROGRAM DATA SHEET CONSTITUTES FORMAL RENOTIFICATION OF USAID’S INTENT TO OBLIGATE FY 2002 RESOURCES FOR THE ACTIVITIES DESCRIBED ABOVE. Performance and Results: As a result of USAID-provided training and technical assistance, the Government of Egypt achieved 85% of the policy and institutional reforms agreed to during the first tranche of the Egyptian Environmental Policy Program. This resulted in total cash transfer disbursement of $37.60 million under tranche I. Along the Red Sea coast, USAID provides support to the Tourist Development Authority to establish a zoning policy and strengthen administration of the environmental impact assessment process, as well as promoting environmental best practices among tourism facilities. In 2003, at least 65% of these facilities should receive approval through the environmental impact assessment process before initiating construction, compared to 50% in 2002. The Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency's Red Sea marine park is now staffed with a total of 32 park rangers, an increase of 10 rangers since 2000. A total of 50 qualified rangers are expected to be on board by 2003. The first governorate privatization of a municipal solid-waste management system occurred in Alexandria upon issuance of a multimillion-dollar contract. Service delivery began in October 2001. Solid-waste management privatization assistance is also being provided to the Governorates of Cairo (southern zone) and Qaluybia. These privatizations will be completed when contracts are issued in spring 2002. Up to five additional Governorates are expected to privatize their solid-waste management systems over the next year. USAID also provided assistance to the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency to finalize and publish a national strategy for managing municipal solid waste. Egypt’s Energy Efficiency Council, with USAID assistance, developed a National Energy Efficiency Strategy Framework. The framework was approved this year and provides a strategy to meet the energy requirements for future economic development. The framework includes recommendations for policy reforms and market transformation initiatives to increase the efficiency of energy use, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote a private-sector energy efficiency service industry. The number of private companies providing energy efficiency services grew from nine to 15 this year and is expected to reach 21 in 2003. Due to USAID’s efforts in support of relocation and technological upgrading of one of Egypt’s largest lead smelters, the nearly 800,000 residents of Cairo’s Shoubra El Kheima industrial district, one of the world’s worst polluted urban areas, are benefiting from improved air quality, including a 30% decrease in airborne lead concentrations over the past two years. USAID technical assistance for air quality management supports handing over the Cairo Air Improvement Project-financed Greater Cairo ambient air-quality monitoring network to the GOE. Environmental benefits of using compressed natural gas (CNG) for public transportation are being demonstrated through the incorporation of 50 CNG buses into municipal fleets. Furthermore, the GOE continues to promote greater CNG use by collaborating with the private sector on converting passenger vehicles to CNG and by increasing the number of CNG fueling stations. The estimated CNG consumption for 2001 is expected to reach 33,114 gallons of gasoline equivalent, a 15% increase over consumption in 2000. USAID activities to abate lead pollution resulted in the relocation of lead smelters from a densely populated urban area to a new industrial zone outside Cairo. The new smelters are using state of the art pollution-control technology, thus lowering public health impacts. USAID supports GOE efforts to improve efficiency in the use of water resources. A policy promoting the reuse of agricultural drainage water for agriculture was completed and approved by the concerned ministry. The mismatch of water deliveries and demand was reduced in five pilot districts. Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: USAID implements environmental and natural resource activities through prime contracts with the International Resources Group; PA Consulting; Nexant; the Academy for Educational Development; Abt Associates; Chemonics International; and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. US Financing in Thousands of Dollars 263-019 Improved management of the environment and natural resources in targeted sectors ESF Through September 30, 2000 Obligations 131,254 Expenditures 47,278 Unliquidated 84,256 Fiscal Year 2001 Obligations 0 Expenditures 28,102 Through September 30, 2001 Obligations 131,254 Expenditures 75,380 Unliquidated 55,874 Prior Year Unobligated Funds Obligations 40,780 Planned Fiscal Year 2002 NOA Obligations 48,480 Total Planned Fiscal Year 2002 Obligations 89,260 Proposed Fiscal Year 2003 NOA Obligations 11,000 Future Obligations 43,647 Est. Total Cost 275,161   :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  What's New : FOIA Requests : Privacy Policy : Email This Page : Plug-ins : FAQs : Help Desk : Contact Us : Site Map Last Updated on: May 29, 2002