Pacific Islands Investment Fund

completed

October 18, 1995Environmental Review Summary (ERS)Project Name Western Samoa - Le Ufi Sa Village ResortRegion AsiaSector Hotels and TourismProject No. 004857 1. This project consists of the construction of Le Ufi Sa Village Resort, a 20 room, upscale beachfront hotel, at Maninoa, Western Samoa. The 20 rooms will be arranged in one and two bedroom suites, each with private facilities and a garden. A range of guest amenities including a large free form swimming pool, tennis courts, restaurant bar, meeting/function facilities, guest entertainment, as well as water based and cultural recreation opportunities will also be included. All staff will be local Samoans, and there will be an emphasis on local purchases, both in the construction and operation phase. The project is located on 30 acres of land. La Ufi Sa is totally consistent with Government Policy for tourism, i.e. small scale, high quality, environmentally sympathetic and show casing traditional culture.2. This is a category B project according to QEIF’s environmental review procedure because specific impacts may result which can be avoided or mitigated by adhering to generally recognized performance standards, guidelines or design criteria. The review of this project consisted of appraising technical and environmental information submitted by the project sponsor, and the technical appraisal. The following potential environmental, health and safety impacts of the projects were analyzed:· treatment and discharge of liquid effluent;· disposal of solid waste;· water resources; · protection of coastal resources; and· fire and safety.3. The information provided about how these potential impacts are addressed in the development of the proposed project is summarized in the paragraphs that follow:4. Sewage from the resort will be treated in two septic tanks built to the requirements of the Western Samoa national building code. One plant on the eastern end of the resort will take all domestic waste from the main complex, 10 guest units and three staff units. The second plant will take domestic waste from the other 10 units. Each plant will be designed to serve a maximum of 50 persons and will consist of a primary tank for aerobic treatment and a secondary filter tank. Discharge from the kitchen waste will be through a grease trap before entering the septic tank. Each tank can store accumulating sludge for up to 12 months. Final treated effluent will be disposed of through absorption trenches. The soil in the areas is gritty ash loam and is considered ideal for such purposes. These trenches will be sited so as not to affect potable water sources. No solvents or oils will be used or stored on site.5. Solid waste will be disposed of in accordance with local regulations. Glass waste will be sent for recycling. Combustible solid waste will be transported to a government supervised landfill dump and sludge from the tanks will be transported from site to a government supervised disposal area.6. Water supply will be from the main line servicing the Maninoa area from the Afiamulu Reservoir. Consistency of water quality and supply is high in the area. The company may look to sourcing water from a local borehole in the future.7. The project will not adversly affect coastal resources. The masterplan is considered to be sensitive to the natural features of the site. The proposal is to build up the level of small lava rock outcrop with similar lava boulders. Machinery will not be used in the lagoon and the Jetty Boat Mooring is to be constructed in a sandy area which will not affect live coral. The reef is 150 metres offshore.8. The company’s engineers have confirmed that the provisions for fire and safety satisfy the World Bank requirements. A centralized fire detection system will be installed throughout the buildings and a fire hydrant system will source water from the swimming pool.9. An overhead storage tank will be constructed with secondary containment. and no CFC’s will be used in the cooling s systems. 10. Based on its review of available information regarding potential impacts and proposed mitigation measures, IFC concludes that the proposed project is being designed in accordance with the Government of Samoa and World Bank polices, and environmental, health and safety guidelines. IFC will monitor ongoing compliance during the life of the project, by evaluating monitoring reports submitted annually to IFC by the sponsor and by conducting periodic site reviews during project supervision.