EV301 ASSIGNMENT 1 INSTRUCTIONS TO STUDENTS

EIA TERMS OF REFERENCE

[worth 15% of final grade]

Part 1 Define the Terms of Reference (2 marks)

In 300-400 words, explain what a Terms of Reference is, what stages of the EIA process it is
developed and used in, and who is responsible for creating it. Remember to paraphrase, and
use your own words – no plagiarism. If referring to the readings or other texts make sure to use
proper in-text citations and include a reference list at the end of your assignment.

Part 2 Review a Terms of Reference (5 marks)

Look at the TOR Template given in the SPREP 2016 guidelines (pp 42-46). This is an example of a
very comprehensive TOR that covers everything it should – i.e. these are all the instructions to
the proponent as to what is required from them when preparing an EIA report. Remember, this
is a generic template, which means it is not specific to any particular country or type of project,
and it doesn’t refer to any specific requirements under any country’s EIA legislation. It is an
“ideal” version of what a TOR should look like.

Look at an example of an actual TOR that was prepared for the EIA for Mango Bay Resort, in Fiji.

In 300-600 words, review this TOR, making sure to address the following points:

 Is there anything missing from this TOR, compared to the SPREP template? If so –
explain what is missing, or what has not been adequately explained.
 Is there anything in the TOR which the SPREP template hasn’t included?
Part 3 Comparative Analysis of EIA Processes in TWO Pacific Countries (8 marks)
For this portion of the assignment, you will compare some aspects of Fiji’s EIA Processe to those
of another Pacific Country (it is recommended that regional students select their home
country).

Use the legislation provided in the folder on Moodle, as well as your lecture notes and your
own independent reading, to find the relevant information and fill it into this table.

Make sure to include in brackets which part of the legislation (Act/Regulation, section number),
you have derived the answer from eg [EMA s14(a)]

Question FIJI OTHER COUNTRY

a. Name and position of the EIA
Administration, and the government
department responsible for EIA.
b. List the names of the pieces of Legislation
that regulate EIA in this country.
c. Which activities will require an EIA and
which ones will NOT?
d. Does the legislation allow for different
kinds/levels of EIA? If so what are these?
e. Once the project proposal has been
submitted by the proponent, within how
many days should the TOR be finalized?
f. Is any kind of public participation required
during the scoping stage and preparation of
the TOR? If so – what kind of public
participation?
g. Who reviews the EIA report?
h. How long does the EIA report review
process take?