The document discusses project screening, which is an assessment process used to evaluate project applications and determine their suitability for further consideration. It involves a preliminary examination of projects to assess whether more extensive evaluation is warranted. Specialists use screening criteria to qualify projects as suitable or not suitable. One tool used is a screening matrix that scores and compares projects against criteria to identify the least promising ones. Screening also determines whether an environmental impact assessment is required based on project size, expenditures, or site-specific factors. The output is often an initial environmental examination that classifies a project's likely environmental sensitivity and need for further assessment.

2. Project Screening
By
Mr. Allah Dad Khan
A Lecture To students
Visiting Professor the
University of Agriculture
Peshawar

3.  Project Screening is an assessment of project
applications to select those which are not
suitable for further consideration. Project
screening includes completing a preliminary
examination of the project opportunity (project
application) to obtain an idea of whether the
more time-consuming and costly effort for
further business case development is
reasonable. Project screening embraces the
preliminary indications for decision-making on
pursuing the project opportunities, so the next
stage after screening is the project selection
where the most advisable projects are chosen.

4.  Specialists, conducting this procedure, utilize
special project screening criteria which allow them
to qualify applicant projects as suitable (matching
these criteria) or not-suitable (they are screened
out). One of the instruments used during the
project screening process is a special table (so
called project screening matrix) that lists applicant
projects against the categories of screening criteria
– every project is evaluated in terms of suitability
(a scoring number or qualitative wording should be
given to every aspect and by every project) and
then they can be compared with each other to find
out which applicant projects are least interesting of
all.

5.  Screening is the process of deciding on whether an EIA is required.
This may be determined by size (eg greater than a predetermined
surface area of irrigated land that would be affected, more than a
certain percentage or flow to be diverted or more than a certain capital
expenditure). Alternatively it may be based on site-specific
information. For example, the repair of a recently destroyed diversion
structure is unlikely to require an EIA whilst a major new headwork
structure may. Guidelines for whether or not an EIA is required will be
country specific depending on the laws or norms in operation.
Legislation often specifies the criteria for screening and full EIA. All
major donors screen projects presented for financing to decide whether
an EIA is required.
 The output from the screening process is often a document called
an Initial Environmental Examination or Evaluation (IEE). The
main conclusion will be a classification of the project according to its
likely environmental sensitivity. This will determine whether an EIA is
needed and if so to what detail.

6.  Screening is a mechanism for identifying
projects requiring EIA The importance of
Screening are as follows: • first step of EIA
process process • saves money • Saves time
• immediately immediately identifies
identifies the major environmental
environmental impacts impacts that are
likely; and • establishes a conception that an
EIA study needs to be conducted

8.  The outcome of the screening, that is the consensus
reached, would ordinarily be stated in the initial project
plan (in the case of UNDP/FAO, a paragraph under
"Special Considerations" in the Project Document). The
statement would be to the effect that either:

9.  (a) the project proposed has no likely harmful impact
(for example a survey of NRM resources or a small
experimental plantation), and no further environmental
action is required (other than routine environmental
precaution during execution of the project, such as
avoiding undue disturbance of wildlife in the course of
inventorying NRM resources);

10.  b) certain environmental aspects of the project
(including mitigative methods) are poorly known or
unknown, and a more systematic assessment is needed
by means of a Preliminary Assessment of Impact

11.  (c) the project has one or several specific impacts, but
these impacts can be prevented or mitigated by moans
of a revision of the project design, or by means of an
environmental monitoring programme phased over the
implementation of the project

12.  (d) the project is in such an environmentally sensitive
area, has an inevitable massive impact, or fails to
maximize benefits that a detailed, formal assessment of
impact is required , detailed assessment is designed
primarily to consider alternative sites or development
methods, and to weigh more accurately socio-economic
benefits against environmental losses.