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Samoa, like other Least Developed Countries (LDCs) inherits high vulnerability to natural disasters and to external economic and trade developments for which it has no control. These natural disasters include tropical cyclones, prolonged periods of drought, extreme flooding, pests and sudden outbreak of diseases, storm surges and sea level rise. Climate change and sea level rise are serious concerns given that 70% of Samoa’s population and infrastructure are located on low-lying coastal areas. Samoa’s economy largely depends on its natural resources, which must rely on favorable climatic conditions for growth and sustenance.

Samoa is a small island country in the southwest Pacific, comprised of four main inhabited islands and six smaller, uninhabited islands. Samoa has a total land area of roughly 2,900 km2. The capital, Apia, is in the northern part of Upolu. Samoaís main islands are characterised by a rugged and mountainous topography. Samoa is of volcanic origin, mainly from the Samoa-Uvea hotspot, and the movement of continental plates over a thin, hot spot in the crust. On Upolu, the central mountain range runs along the length of the island with some peaks rising more than 1,000 metres above sea level with the highest peak being Mt Fito at a height of 1,100 metres. Savaiíi contains a central core of volcanic peaks reaching the highest point, Mt Silisili, at 1,858 metres.

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 District of Gagaifomauga II is located on the northern side of the island of Savaii west of the tourist precinct of Manase. The district is characterized by rocky coastal shores and estuaries as well as steep coastal cliffs susceptible to erosion and landslip. The inland area is steep and mountainous, covered by plantations and forest and a small number of village houses. The villages of Gagaifomauga II include, Paia, Samauga, Lefagaoali’i, Matavai Safune, Faletagaloa Safune and Fatuvalu. All villages except Paia and part of Lefagaoali’i are located on the coast. Paia is a small village approximately 1.5 km inland, while three quarters of Lefagaoali’i is located inland away from the coast. The coastal villages are all susceptible to coastal hazards.

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 village community expressed their support and agreed that village by-laws are necessary for Tafitoala. As expressed this will assist the village council of chiefs in managing resources and set up formal penalties for those who may/will breach the village laws. Following the initial planning workshop the MNRE (WRD) prepared a community consultation with the entire community, to undertake a situational analysis as well as gauge views of the village on what rules were necessary for the continuing sustainability of the resource. It was expected that the community consultation will provide all the baseline information of what problems were and how the village groups foresee by-laws as a means of protecting the resource from these problems.

The District Coastal Infrastructure Management (CIM) Plan for Faasaleleaga I District has been prepared as part of the Government of Samoa?s Infrastructure Asset Management Programme (IAMP). The CIM Plan is one of the primary means of implementing the CIM Strategy, which was formally approved by the Government of Samoa in February, 2001, as providing the Strategic direction for the management of infrastructure (both public and private) within the coastal area. The Strategy has as its central vision “Resilience – Coastal Infrastructure and Communities Resilient to Natural Hazards”. The CIM Plan takes this vision and provides the practical tools with which the communities and the government, in partnership, can implement the Strategy.