Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://saruna.mnu.edu.mv/jspui/handle/123456789/3083
Title: EIA report for restoration of Ga Dhevadhoo harbour under construction of harbours for tsunami victims project
Authors: Ministry of Housing, Transport and environment
Keywords: Project setting
Construction methods
Public consultation
Existing environment
Beach environment
Social environment
Environmental impacts
Construction impacts
Impact on vegetation
Coastal structures
Issue Date: 1-Aug-2010
Citation: Ministry of Housing, Transport and environment. (2010). EIA report for restoration of Ga Dhevadhoo harbour under construction of harbours for tsunami victims project. Male': Maldives
Abstract: This Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report is to fulfill the regulatory requirements under the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act of Maldives prior to the proposed harbor restoration at Ga Dhevadhoo in Ga Atoll. Ga Dhevadhoo harbor restoration project is part of the Construction of Harbors for Tsunami Victims Project. This restoration project involves repair of harbors at 10 islands. The project is funded by a joint loan taken from Islamic Development Bank (IDB), the Saudi Government and Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) by the government of Maldives. The design consultancy was awarded to Alhabshi Consultants Office, a Kuwaiti Company in association with Riyan Pvt Ltd (a Maldivian company). The Agreement for consultancy was signed on 6th November 2008 between the Government of Maldives and Alhabshi Consultant. Project proponent of the proposed harbor restoration project is Ministry of Housing, Transport and Environment. The project was bided as a design and consultancy project. The main design consulting company Alhabhsi Consultants is assigned to carry out the design works, preparing tender documents, carrying out EIAs and construction phase supervision consultant. The proposed development project involves renovation and restoration of Ga Dhevadhoo harbor. Under the proposed project, new quay wall (concrete sheet piles, L section) and breakwaters (armor rocks) will be constructed at the existing foot prints. The harbor basin will also undergo maintenance dredging to -3MSL (where necessary). Since the proposed project is only a restoration project, basin size will not be increased. The concept plan is formulated in light of the new third generation harbor concept which is focused at functionality of the harbor. In this regard harbor usage components such as passenger embarking/disembarking, loading unloading area, fish landing, water and fuel recharging and mooring area will be demarcated. Ga Dhevadhoo is located at Ga atoll, 400km from Male’. It is just about 28km from Kaadedhoo Airport. Nearest inhabited island is Ga Nilandhoo (24km at eastern side) and GDh Thinadhoo (26km at the western side of Dhevadhoo). In terms of geographic coordinates, it is located at 00° 33' 26" N and 73° 14' 32" E. Nearest islands are Hagadhoo approximately 4.5km south west and Funamudua approximately 5km west of Dhevadhoo. The existing harbor facility is located at the western side of the island, while access to the harbor is via an entrance channel south western side of harbor. The project boundaries are the harbor front area, either side breakwaters, eastern side seawall and entrance area). Under the proposed project maintenance dredging will be done at the basin and entrance area where necessary and this activity will generate sediment plumes west wards. Dredged material removed during the maintenance dredging works will be reused for construction. The existing harbor footprint will not be changed due to the proposed project, breakwaters and quay wall will be constructed at existing foot print area (apart from small section of breakwater at the southern side of the harbor for protection of entrance channel). Therefore the existing design of the harbor will remain as it is. The length of the harbor after completion of renovation works will be 149.2m and width 95m. The length of entrance channel is approximately 63m, while width is 40m. The harbor will have a total length of 190m of breakwater at the western side. The breakwater will be constructed of armor stones and remains of existing breakwater as core The side quay will have a total length of 190m of type 2 design quay wall, while the main quay will have a length of 149.2m. Approximately 1500m3 of dredged material will be generated by the maintenance dredging works. This sand will be reused during construction stage, thereby avoiding the need for disposal. Existing environment was examined to identify significant environmental components that would be affected and to establish a baseline condition of the site. Available and relevant literature on environmental impacts associated with similar projects was evaluated to identify possible impacts. Oceanographic data and information on local hydrodynamics were qualitatively assessed to determine the current pattern around the island which was based on monsoonal wind patterns, wind generated waves, tidal flushing, geographic setting, the topography of the lagoon and shape of the shoreline. The reef flat area in front of harbor was dominated by tabulate life forms of Acropora and massive life forms of Porites. Large table corals and branching coral colonies were abundant at the area. Numerous small table coral colonies were observed behind the reef flat area dominating the rocky back reef towards the lagoon. The reef slope area was dominated by large table corals and branching forms of acropora. Live coral cover at the reef flat area is approximately 45%, from which 30% is estimated to be Acroporids. Large porties bommies were mainly observed just off the crust area at the reef slope. Other live coral generas observed are Pocillopora, Pavona, Echinopora, Goniastrea, Psammacora and Favites. It is important to note that the most significant impact associated with the project would be impact on the marine environment from sedimentation. Dredging and excavation often carry a heavy load of sediments increasing sediment load in the water column causing discoloration due to suspended sediments of the impact area for a prolonged period. Since the project is a restoration project, the extent of sediment plum will be limited at the harbor basin area. Since the proposed project is restoration project, environmental impacts associated with the proposed project are considered minor. The significant environmental components that are likely to be affected are the coral community at harbor front area. Mitigation measures are provided in the report for impacts that were categorized minor to moderate. Impact mitigation measures and monitoring is carried out to compare predicted and actual impacts occurring from project activities to determine the efficiency of the mitigation measures. It has to be noted that environmental monitoring has not been done since the completion of harbor, and extent of changes to habitat, live coral cover and shoreline is not known. Even though the project is not envisaged to cause impacts to shoreline (since construction will be done at existing footprint), it is important to monitor shoreline changes. One of the main issues highlighted by most of the participants of the meeting held at Dhevadhoo as part of stakeholder consultation was the issue of repeated surveys and no action. The community strongly feels that the restoration project would only ease the accessibility issue but will not resolve the issue of accommodating all the vessels used by the community especially the fishing fleet. The participants of the meeting stated that the harbor facility is in need for expansion (800x300ft). The participants stated that due to location of Dhevadhoo many trade vessels and Safaris use Dhevadhoo harbor as a transit point, therefore the harbor is always crowded. Also during fishing season the harbor is used by fishing vessels from other atoll as well. Due to this reason the community feels very strongly that the harbor needs to be expanded. Since resorts are opening near the island, additional usage of harbor is envisaged therefore burden on harbor will increase. Overall the IDC and harbor committee was in favor of the project and very little issues apart from extension of harbor were raised during the stakeholder meeting With due consideration to main environmental components identified and the magnitude of impacts on these components from the proposed developments, the consultant concludes that the project components and designs are feasible and appropriate mitigation measures are given to correct and minimize unfavorable environmental consequences. Furthermore, the public and community consultation responses were in favor of the project due to the socio-economic benefits foreseen to the community from a functional harbor.
URI: http://saruna.mnu.edu.mv/jspui/handle/123456789/3083
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