Environmental Flow Specialist

The Environmental flow (e-flow) Specialist will work with the Offsetting Specialist who lead the 
biodiversity offsetting plan (BOP) work and as required draw on work undertaken in the development of 
the biodiversity management and monitoring plan (BMMP) developed by four consultants: Terrestrial 
Ecologist, Avifauna/Bat Specialist, Invertebrate Specialist, and Aquatic Ecologist. The teams of 
consultants will work with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) and Electric Power 
Corporation (EPC) in preparing and implementing a BMMP and BOP, and implementation of the recommended e-
flow which will increase flows – to 0.3 m3/s from the Samasoni weir and 0.03-0.06 m3/s (varying 
seasonally) from the existing Alaoa headpond and also add in requirements for pulse events – and 
implement baseflow and high flow releases to maintain, and possibly improve, aquatic biodiversity in the 
Vaisigano River catchment through: (i) a permanent baseflow release from Samasoni weir on the middle 
branch and from Alaoa headpond offtake, and (ii) triggers for monthly ‘pulses’ higher flow releases.

A.	Biodiversity Management and Monitoring Plan (BMMP)

The BMMP will be an ‘auditable’ management and monitoring plan that is integrated into the Project’s 
overall environmental management system and clearly defines parties responsible for action, monitoring 
and/or verification requirements of an action, and an implementation schedule or frequency for an 
action. In summary, a BMMP provides practical guidance on: (i) the application of the mitigation 
hierarchy in relation to direct and indirect impacts associated with the project, and (ii) the 
indicators and processes for monitoring implementation of biodiversity management activities. 
The Terrestrial Ecologist will be the ‘team lead’ for the BMMP deliverable and will take overall 
responsibility for organizing the work program for the BMMP (with inputs from the team members) and 
bring together the outputs of the other three team members.  A table of contents for the BMMP will be 
agreed with ADB, the Terrestrial Ecologist will coordinate inputs from the team and liaise with ADB.  
The work program and draft table of contents will be submitted for review 3 weeks after mobilization.

The BMMP will include: 
•	An overview of the priority biodiversity features identified for the Project; 
•	A clear statement of the Project’s objectives for each priority biodiversity feature; 
•	A description of avoidance, minimization and restoration measures for direct and indirect impacts on 
priority biodiversity associated with project operations, with timings and responsibility for 
implementation.  This will involve working closely with respective divisions within MNRE to develop: 
o	An avifauna and bat management and monitoring plan;
o	An outline methodology and TOR for an experienced expert to undertake surveys, prior to commencement 
of clearing and/or construction activities to ensure Mao and Manumea breeding is not occurring in the 
area;
o	An outline approach/methodology of a forest clearance and restoration plan, to be further developed by 
the contractor;
o	An on-site replanting plan (including nursery establishment) which needs to commence ahead of 
clearance and construction activities as some trees take up to five-years (or longer) to fruit; and
o	Outline for a long-term invasive species and pest control plan that will be fully developed as part of 
the BOP;
•	To feed into the BOP, a preliminary identification and description of residual impacts and offset 
measures or additional conservation actions required to achieve no net loss; and 
•	The Project’s approach for monitoring and evaluating both implementation itself and the outcomes of 
its implementation, and a resourced and costed plan for monitoring and evaluation.

B.	Biodiversity Offsets Plan (BOP)

The BOP will seek to achieve no net loss of biodiversity as a result of the Project, and preferably a 
net gain of biodiversity with respect to species composition, habitat structure, ecosystem function and 
people’s use and cultural values associated with biodiversity.  Based on information in the draft EIA 
and BMMP, the BOP will identify strategies and measures for: (i) averted-loss – conservation projects 
that conserve threatened biodiversity values, which may include creating new protected areas or 
supporting existing but threatened protected areas; and (ii) restoration – conservation projects that 
restore biodiversity values, and in some cases enhance or create new habitat.

The BMMP team will coordinate with the Offsetting Specialist who will be the ‘team lead’ for the BOP 
deliverable and will take overall responsibility for organizing the work program for the BOP (with 
inputs from the other team member) and bringing together the outputs of the BMMP team members.  A table 
of contents for the BOP will be agreed with ADB.  The work program and draft table of contents will be 
submitted for review 3 weeks after mobilization.

The BOP will include:
•	An overview of the biodiversity offsets required for the Project; 
•	A clear statement of the Project’s objectives for each biodiversity offset; 
•	A description of restoration and/or conservation measures for specific sites and identification of the 
mechanisms and goals, with timings and responsibility for implementation.  This will involve working 
closely with respective divisions within MNRE to develop: 
o	A restoration buffer and catchment restoration plan (ensuring restoration and pest control occurs in 2-
3 valley sites which are considered refugia sites for Manumea), including a long-term livelihood plan 
for the (affected?) communities;
o	A threatened species habitat protection and enhancement plan;
o	A long-term invasive species and pest control and monitoring plan;
o	A relocation feasibility study for Mao; and
o	An environmental flow policy and environmental flow guidelines based, as required, on surveys of the 
rivers in the catchments on Upolu in addition to the information available in Project documentation;
o	An e-flow restoration plan for the Vaisigano River branches not affected by the Alaoa Dam, including 
the design of a fish migration diversion structure at the confluence of the eastern and western branches 
of the Vaisigano river;
o	A capacity building plan for Government officers, executing agency, local communities and other 
stakeholders; and
o	An offsetting financing plan to ensure the long-term sustainability of the measures.
•	The Project’s approach for monitoring and evaluating both implementation itself and the outcomes of 
its implementation, and a resourced and costed plan for monitoring and evaluation.

The E-flow Specialist will contribute to the overall development of the BMMP and BOP as described above. 
In particular, s/he will develop:
1.	An overview of the environmental flows required for the Project; 
2.	A clear statement of the Project’s objectives for the environmental flow; 
3.	A description of e-flow restoration and/or conservation measures for specific sites and 
identification of the mechanisms and goals, with timings and responsibility for implementation. This 
will involve drawing together the information and recommendations made in the BMMP and working closely 
with respective divisions within MNRE to develop: 
o	An environmental flow policy and environmental flow guidelines based, as required, on surveys of the 
rivers in the catchments on Upolu in addition to the information available in Project documentation and 
additional surveys undertaken by the Aquatic Ecologist;
o	An e-flow restoration plan for the Vaisigano River branches not affected by the Alaoa Dam, including 
the design of a fish migration diversion structure at the confluence of the eastern and western branches 
of the Vaisigano river;
o	A capacity building plan for Government officers, executing agency, local communities and other 
stakeholders; and
o	Providing inputs to an offsetting financing plan (prepared by the Offsetting Specialist) to ensure the 
long-term sustainability of the measures.
4.	The Project’s approach for monitoring and evaluating both implementation itself and the outcomes of 
its implementation, and a resourced and costed plan for monitoring and evaluation.