Urgent Environmental Investment Project

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The Urgent Environmental Investment Project aims to direct action in four areas identified in the Azeri National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP), which are critically important for Azerbaijan's environment and economy, relatively small, and considered urgent. This project has 5 components. Component 1 restores the capacity of Azerbaijan to produce sturgeon fingerlings by building a new hatchery; and creates a sustainable institutional and financial basis for future hatchery operations. Component 2 demonstrates mercury cleanup technologies and procedures by decontaminating one heavily polluted area. It tests pilot-scale sludge treatment; develops and applies a low-technology method for mercury recovery; transports wastes; constructs a safe, new landfill; designs and implements a monitoring program for mercury emissions; and does a follow-up assessment. Component 3 tests cleanup methodologies on a pilot basis and mitigates existing pollution in one onshore oil field of the Abseron peninsula. It finances a series of pilot projects to determine the most cost-effective method for treating oil-contaminated sediments and sludge; cleans up oil residues; and continues operating the implementation unit in the state's oil company. Component 4 strengthens the environmental management system by reviewing its legislative and regulatory framework and building the capacity of the State Committee of Ecology. Component 5 consists of project management.