Managing Environmental Impacts

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process of evaluating development proposals to determine their likely and potential impacts. Every activity can affect its site and surrounds positively or adversely, and impacts may be:

• Ecological (affecting ecosystems and/or flora and fauna biodiversity);
• Hydrological (affecting overland flow and/or river systems);
• Geotechnical (affecting slope profile or stability and/or coastal processes); or even
• Social (affecting an area's demographics and/ or its hours of operation, traffic or noise);
• Cultural (affecting historical, traditional or ethnic sites or practices).

An EIA takes into consideration, for a proposal:

• The nature and scope of activities in the proposed development;
• The values of the natural and social environment, systems and processes on and surrounding the proposal site;
• The nature, scope and likely extent or significance of any environmental or resource management impacts;
• Whether there are measures that would prevent or mitigate any adverse impacts;
• Any public concern relating to the activity.

An EIA results in an EIA Report, identifying whether the proposed development is appropriate on the proposed site. It may also recommend alterations to the proposal to minimise negative impacts. EIA is used as a tool to consider the effects of proposed developments.

For more information please visit Department of Environment website: www.environment.gov.fj