The National Environment Service Cook Islands (NES) has received a project proposal from the Cook Islands Ports Authority (CIPA) for planned dredging works within Avarua Harbor.

As required under the Environment Act and the National Environment Regulations, NES carried out an initial assessment to determine the level of environmental oversight needed. Given the scale of the activity and the potential for notable effects on the surrounding marine and community environment, the proposal has been classified as a Tier 3 project, NES said.