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Technical report

The Government of Samoa under its Environmental Policy Framework established rules and procedures to be followed under IAMP Phase 2 with regard to environmental assessment, monitoring and mitigation of potential negative impacts. For projects with no, or low but acceptable environmental impacts, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) may issue a waiver to the proponent from the further requirements of the draft EIA Regulations. In issuing a waiver, the CEO MNRE will rely on the advice of the Assistant CEO, PUMA. Such works are to be covered by Codes of Environmental Practice (COEP) provisions.

The Government of Samoa under its Environmental Policy Framework established rules and procedures to be followed under IAMP Phase 2 with regard to environmental assessment, monitoring and mitigation of potential negative impacts. For projects with no, or low but acceptable environmental impacts, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) may issue a waiver to the proponent from the further requirements of the draft EIA Regulations. In issuing a waiver, the CEO MNRE will rely on the advice of the Assistant CEO, PUMA. Such works are to be covered by Codes of Environmental Practice (COEP) provisions.

The Government of Samoa under its Environmental Policy Framework established rules and procedures to be followed under IAMP Phase 2 with regard to environmental assessment, monitoring and mitigation of potential negative impacts. For projects with no, or low but acceptable environmental impacts, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) may issue a waiver to the proponent from the further requirements of the draft EIA Regulations. In issuing a waiver, the CEO MNRE will rely on the advice of the Assistant CEO, PUMA. Such works are to be covered by Codes of Environmental Practice (COEP) provisions.

Water is life; it is a resource, a need that is vital for everyone. Samoa’s water resources is at its crucial state. Its management has always been fragmented amongst the key stakeholders including local communities over the past years, however, recently the government through the Water Resources Division has tried to bring together the key players to identify ways for the sustainable management of water resources in Samoa. The increasing social and economic developments have led to the detrimental threat towards this valuable and limited resource. The Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change Project (PACC) in partnership with the WRD funded the first initial workshop as an initiative in the formulation of village by laws for the village of Tafitoala. This collaboration aims to raise the awareness of the community in village by-law, its implications towards water resources management and also its essential significance as part of measures towards climate change. It also strengthens the importance of community involvement in watershed management which provides environmental services not only for their livelihoods but also increasing climate change resilience.

Farmers cultivate steep hillside plantations of taro and bananas. Fishing communities pull tuna and marlin from the blue depths of the Pacific Ocean. Households tend mile after mile of neatly trimmed roadside gardens. Samoa’s beautiful natural environment also offers a striking setting for a rich and complex culture. Communities headed by traditional leaders, the matai, meet regularly in fale, the open-sided houses, to reach communal decisions. And on Sundays the roads are flooded with families dressed in dazzling white clothes flocking to hundreds of churches.