Many of the checklist questions can be answered with yes,
Tool 1 EIA screening checklist no, or not applicable (N.A.), however, some may require
a short descriptive answer. There is a degree of overlap
The screening checklist tool is designed to assist EIA
between some of the questions; this is to ensure important
officers with determining if an EIA is required, based on
issues are adequately considered.
the characteristics of a proposed development project,
its planned location and potential environmental impacts. For the purpose of the checklist a ‘significant impact’
Completion of a checklist supports structured, robust EIA is defined as an impact that is important, notable, or of
decision-making and good record-keeping. The checklist consequence for natural/biophysical, social or economic
can also be referred to during later stages of the EIA aspects of the environment. When determining if a project
process to help inform further actions and decision-making, is likely to have a significant impact, the following factors
e.g. it can provide a foundation for project scoping and should be considered: the sensitivity, value, and quality of
development of ToR. the environment which is to be impacted; and the intensity,
duration, magnitude, geographic location and extent of the
Answers to checklist questions will be primarily based
impacts.
on information supplied by the project proponent in their
development proposal. Sometimes it may be necessary Upon completion of the screening checklist an EIA officer
to seek additional information in order to complete the should be able to reach an informed decision and deliver
checklist. Alternatively, the proponent could be asked a recommendation to the EIA administrator about whether
to work through the checklist as a form of preliminary a full EIA is required. In situations where there are many
environmental assessment, sometimes referred to as potential impacts; where management of impacts is likely
a Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment or a to be difficult or is unclear; or where there are unknown
Preliminary Environmental Assessment Report. and uncertain impacts; the proponent should be asked to
undertake a full EIA.
The EIA process promotes sound development planning and management
to protect community values and livelihoods. Photo: Stuart Young
36 STRENGTHENING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
EIA SCREENING CHECKLIST
Section 1 – Project details
Project reference no.
Project name
Project proponent (developer)
Proponent’s email address
Proponent’s phone number
Project location (including coordinates, if available)
Type and purpose of project (brief description)
Section 2 – Size and scale of the proposed project
Questions to be considered Yes/no/ Is this likely to result in a Does the potential
N.A./ significant impact – yes/no? impact need to be
brief Negative or positive? further investigated?
description Long-term, short-term Will it require
or irreversible? management?
2.1 What area of land and/or sea will be developed?
(indicate size of area, in m 2 or km2)
2.2 Will a large amount of energy, water or other natural resources
be required for project construction and operation?
2.3 Will a large workforce be needed? Is a local and/or external workforce to
be employed?
2.4 What is the expected timeframe for the project? (including construction,
operation, closure and decommissioning – if appropriate)
Section 3 – Character of the proposed project
Questions to be considered Yes/no/ Is this likely to result in a Does the potential
N.A./ significant impact – yes/no? impact need to be
brief Negative or positive? further investigated?
description Long-term, short-term Will it require
or irreversible? management?
3.1 What type of construction or operational activities will be undertaken by
the project?
3.2 Are the project activities novel (new) or have they been undertaken before
within the country, or in the Pacific region?
Section 4 – Project location
Questions to be considered Yes/no/ Is this likely to result in a Does the potential
N.A./ significant impact – yes/no? impact need to be
brief Negative or positive? further investigated?
description Long-term, short-term Will it require
or irreversible? management?
4.1 Is the project to be located within or adjacent to a vulnerable area (e.g.
low-lying coastal area, waterways, floodplain, wetland, steep sloping land)?
4.2 Is the project to be located adjacent to a sensitive site or facility (e.g.
historical or archaeological site, conservation reserve, school, hospital/
medical facility)?
4.3 Is the project likely to impact on existing land or sea uses/activities?
4.4 Is the proposed site suitable for the project (e.g. appropriate set-back
from the coast, streams or rivers; no steep or eroding slopes)?
STRENGTHENING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT 37
4.5 Is the proposed project site customary land? Are all customary land/
resource owners aware of the project proposal? Have they been consulted/
meaningfully engaged?
4.6 Are there special land zoning considerations that need to be taken into
account (e.g. will the project be within a conservation reserve, rural, urban or
industrial area)?
Section 5 – Environmental impacts
Aspect of the Questions to be considered. Yes/no/ Is this likely to result in Does the potential
environment Is the proposed project likely to result in... N.A./ a significant impact – impact need to be further
brief yes/no? Negative or investigated? Will it
description positive? Long-term, require management?
short-term or irreversible?
5.1 5.1.1 Destruction, covering or modification of any unique
Topography, geological or landscape feature?
geology and
soils 5.1.2 Soil contamination or disturbance of previously
contaminated soils?
5.1.3 Disturbance of soils that are fragile, or susceptible to
erosion or compaction?
5.1.4 Creation of steep slopes or other unstable land
conditions?
5.1.5 Changes in the channel of a stream, a floodplain, or
the bed of the ocean or lagoon?
5.2 Water 5.2.1 Extraction or use of ground, surface or tank water
resources, leading to reduction in the volume and quality of
water available for the public water supply?
5.2.2 Pollution of ground, surface, coastal or sea water,
via direct or indirect discharges or seepages; or through
interception of an aquifer by drilling, cuts or excavations?
5.2.3 Changes in currents, or the course or direction of
marine or fresh water movement?
5.2.4 Changes in runoff, drainage patterns or absorption rates?
5.2.5 Coastal, stream or river flooding?
5.3 Air 5.3.1 Release of dust?
5.3.2 Release of hazardous, toxic or noxious air pollutants/
emissions?
5.3.3 A significant increase or decrease in local or regional
greenhouse gas emissions?
5.4 Noise 5.4.1 A significant increase in existing (baseline) noise
levels that will adversely affect people or animals?
5.5 Plant life 5.5.1 Damage to or clearing of vegetation communities (e.g.
upland forest or mangrove communities)?
5.5.2 Damage to or destruction of important plant
communities (e.g. seagrass beds; plants with medicinal,
cultural or commercial value; unique, threatened or
endangered plant species)?
5.5.3 A reduction in agricultural crop production?
5.5.4 The farming or production of an exotic plant species?
5.5.5 The spread or introduction of an invasive plant
species?
38 STRENGTHENING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Aspect of the Questions to be considered. Yes/no/ Is this likely to result in Does the potential
environment Is the proposed project likely to result in... N.A./ a significant impact – impact need to be further
brief yes/no? Negative or investigated? Will it
description positive? Long-term, require management?
short-term or irreversible?
5.6 Animal 5.6.1 Damage to or destruction of coral reef areas?
life
5.6.2 Reductions in the numbers of unique, rare or
endangered animal species?
5.6.3 Reductions in animal populations harvested regularly
for human consumption (e.g. fisheries)?
5.6.4 Damage to or destruction of habitat for animal
communities on land, in rivers or in the ocean?
5.6.5 Barriers to the migration or movement of animals?
5.6.6 The farming or production of an exotic animal
species?
5.6.7 The spread or introduction of an invasive animal
species?
5.7 Natural 5.7.1 The extraction, harvest or consumption of natural
resources resources (e.g. timber, minerals, water)?
5.7.2 A noticeable increase in the rate of use of any natural
resource?
5.7.3 Substantial depletion of non-renewable resources?
5.8 Human 5.8.1 Encroachment into existing settlement areas or
communities customary lands?
5.8.2 Influx of an external workforce or in-migration to the
project area?
5.8.3 Demand for additional housing to accommodate an
external workforce?
5.8.4 Increased traffic or increased use of roads and the
existing transport system; and an increase in associated
health risks (dust, noise)?
5.8.5 Increased demand for and disruption to social
services and infrastructure (e.g. water and energy
supply, communications, sewage and waste disposal, fire
protection, police, schools, medical care)?
5.8.6 A reduction in visual amenity?
5.8.7 Infringement on customs or customary rights?
5.8.8 Social change or impacts on traditional governance
structures, resulting in community dislocation or loss of
community cohesion?
5.8.9 Restrictions in access to customary areas or
restrictions in resource use in customary areas?
5.8.10 Changes in access to or the quality of recreational
opportunities (e.g. sites used for nature-based tourism)?
STRENGTHENING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT 39
Aspect of the Questions to be considered. Yes/no/ Is this likely to result in Does the potential
environment Is the proposed project likely to result in... N.A./ a significant impact – impact need to be further
brief yes/no? Negative or investigated? Will it
description positive? Long-term, require management?
short-term or irreversible?
5.9 Local 5.9.1 Local economic displacement or loss of livelihoods
and national (including subsistence and informal economic activities)?
economy
5.9.2 Creation of jobs/livelihood opportunities for locals?
5.9.3 Influx of the cash economy in areas where there was
previously a subsistence-based economy?
5.9.4 Training or educational opportunities for locals?
5.9.5 Increased tax revenue for the national government?
Royalties or benefits for sub-national levels of government?
5.9.6 Industry development opportunities?
5.9.7 Benefits for directly affected people and communities
(which may include direct economic benefits, community
development programmes etc.)?
5.9.8 Benefits for the broader community (e.g. upgrading of
social services or infrastructure)?
Section 6 – Environmental hazards (including hazards that are natural, human-induced or technological in nature)
Questions to be considered. Yes/no/ Is this likely to result in a Does the potential impact
Will the proposed project be subject to, or affected by... N.A./ significant impact on the on the project need to
brief project – yes/no? Negative be further investigated?
description or positive? Long-term, Will it require
short-term or irreversible? management?
6.1 Increased risk of an explosion or release of toxic pollution related to the
use, handling, storage or production of hazardous substances?
6.2 Increased health and safety hazards or risks for people (e.g. from the use
of machinery/equipment or the presence of hazardous substances)?
6.3 Increased vulnerability of people or property to water-related hazards (e.g.
flooding, tidal waves)?
6.4 Increased vulnerability of people or property to geological hazards (e.g.
landslides, ground failure, earthquakes)?
Section 7 – Environmental change
Questions to be considered. Yes/no/ Is this likely to result in a Does the potential impact
Will the proposed project be subject to, or affected by... N.A./ significant impact on the on the project need to
brief project – yes/no? Negative be further investigated?
description or positive? Long-term, Will it require
short-term or irreversible? management?
7.1 Loss of land from shoreline change or coastal erosion, especially
associated with extreme weather events?
7.2 Sea-level rise?
7.3 Flooding from high tides, large swells, extreme rainfall or storm-related
events?
7.4 Other impacts related to climate change or climate variability?
40 STRENGTHENING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Section 8 – Uncertainty surrounding potential impacts and risks
Questions to be considered Yes/no/N.A./brief description Is further investigation required?
8.1 Are the potential project impacts and risks easily identified and well-
understood?
8.2 Are cumulative impacts in the project’s area of influence well understood
and have they been properly analysed?
Section 9 – Broader policy and planning context
Questions to be considered Yes/no/N.A./brief description Is further investigation required?
9.1 Are there particular goals, targets or obligations under government
policies, plans or legislation that are relevant to this project?
9.2 Is the project relevant to any MEA commitments or obligations? (e.g.
CBD, CMS, CITES, Ramsar, Stockholm Convention, MARPOL, UNCLOS,
UNCCD, UNFCCC)
9.3 Are there any areas within or around the proposed project site that are
protected under international, national or local laws?
Recommendation:
EIA required
EIA not required. No conditions recommended for the development approval
EIA not required. It is recommended the following conditions be attached to the development approval:
Reasons for recommendation:
Name(s) and job title(s) of screening officer(s):
Ministry/department:
Signature(s):
Date:
STRENGTHENING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT 41
