The Offset Design Process
51
BBOP Pilot Project Case Study – Ambatovy Project
Comparative analysis of offset options
A comparative analysis of offset options was conducted during the site selection process (as noted above).
Results are presented in Appendix 6 (in French).
7.3.7 Step 7: Calculate offset gains and select appropriate offset locations and
activities
Finalising offset sites and activities
The habitat hectares gain score for the offset sites has yet to be calculated, as detailed forest structure and
species attribute quantitative data need to be obtained for the Ankerana and other offset sites. This will take
place as soon as the stakeholder consultation process is completed. As the Ankerana site is considered ‘in-
kind’ with the Ambatovy azonal habitats, the same benchmark will be used to calculate gains. A detailed
BASELINE STUDY
of the Ankerana offset will be conducted in 2009 to check the offset site for the presence and
suitability for all the key biodiversity components identified at the impact site and to support the gain score
calculations.
The plan for the Ankerana offset will include a core conservation area, surrounded by a multiple use area to
ensure social integration of the offset and thus its sustainability in the context of local community support.
The principle of pursuing an offset was established in 2004. However, the offset was not fully established
before the Project’s impacts began occurring in May 2007 (the date that mine forest clearance began). The
Project must thus still determine whether the temporal loss is critical or not (i.e. that any biodiversity
component cannot be offset because of impacts in the period before the offset is created). However, the
Project is confident that this is not the case for any of the taxa present; especially for very sensitive species
such as
Mantella aurantiaca
and
Mantella crocea
(whose habitats will not be disturbed for at least 10 years,
when Analamay will be cleared for mining). With respect to lemurs, a short-term and long-term trend
assessment programme (Lemur Viability Assessment Programme) is underway for all priority species (IUCN
CR and EN species). However, even though the temporal loss will not compromise the success of the offset,
the offset design does plan to take it into account. Conventionally, this could be done through application of a
MULTIPLIER
and
TIME DISCOUNTING
(the concept that 1 habitat hectare delivered accruing in 10 years time has
only a fraction of that value at the present time). The Project will explore and define a methodology and apply
it to the next iteration of loss and gain calculations in 2009, taking into consideration that the main impacts will
be spread over a period of approximately 20 years, while the offset could be in place much earlier.
7.3.8 Step 8: Record the offset design and enter the offset implementation process
The Ankerana offset design and other components of the offset have not yet been finalised, thus the
implementation process has not formally begun. The Project will finalise the offset design, using BBOP
guidance, during the course of 2009. A summary of the management plan will be presented in subsequent
case study revisions. However, a brief description of the progress made to date is presented below:
Stakeholder consultations: the Project has pursued stakeholder consultations, ensuring through a
participatory process that the offset can be integrated into national, regional and local plans and that
feedback is taken into account in the offset design and the development of multiple use zones.
Legal protection: the Ankerana forest was under temporary protection status until the end of 2008. The
Project requested that this protection status be prorogated (continued) until the final Ministerial Protection
Decree is finalised and made law (planned for July 2009).
