Wetlands Restoration and Conservation Activity Sample Clauses

Wetlands Restoration and Conservation Activity. The wetlands restoration and conservation activity will help Lesotho address widespread overgrazing and degradation of alpine wetlands, which are prevalent throughout the highlands of Lesotho and are an important ecological and economic resource that naturally regulates flow in the Senqu/Orange River Basin and provides livestock pasture, medicinal plants, thatch, and other rural livelihood benefits. Using MCC Funding, a pilot-scale project will be implemented to design and apply restoration measures and examine alternative land management prescriptions at three target study areas, including wetlands at Khalong-la-Lithunya (Oxbow area), Kotisephola (Sani Pass area), and Letśeng-la-Letsie (an internationally protected Ramsar site near Quithing). In conjunction with the pilot studies, a broad-based assessment of Lesotho’s wetlands will be undertaken to characterize the environmental, social, and economic implications of current management practices and to identify potential economic opportunities beyond herding. Based on the results of the pilot studies and environmental and socio-economic assessment, a strategic action plan will be developed that outlines requirements for establishing a national watershed management and wetlands conservation program, focusing on specific measures to restore degraded wetlands, protect water resources, improve and maintain the productivity of highland pastures, and promote expanded economic development through community-based resource management and conservation programs. Specifically, MCC Funding will support the following tasks:

Wetlands Restoration and Conservation Activity. The wetlands restoration and conservation activity will be implemented by the Department of Water Affairs (“DWA”). Compact funds will be allocated to staffing a dedicated project implementation unit (the “DWA PIU”) that will work on behalf of, and report to, the head of the wetlands management unit within the DWA. The DWA PIU will be responsible for managing procurements, coordinating work activities, and assuring the work meets the cost, schedule and technical objectives of the project. The DWA PIU will work closely with DWA district project officers to execute project activities at each of the three target wetland sites and will assist the DWA, as necessary, with inter-agency coordination, stakeholder engagement, and performance monitoring and reporting. International consultants working with local partners will be procured to carry out the wetlands restoration and SEA activities. The National Wetlands Committee (“NWC”), which consists of representatives from various Government agencies, will play an advisory role in the implementation of the wetlands restoration and conservation activity.