| Abstract: | 1. This Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report is prepared to fulfill the regulatory requirements under the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act of Maldives prior to the proposed harbor restoration at B. Goidhoo in Baa Atoll. 2. B. Goidhoo harbor restoration project is part of the Construction of Harbors for Tsunami Victims Project. This restoration project involves repair of harbors at 9 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.
3. Project proponent of the proposed harbor restoration project is Ministry of Housing 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. 4. The proposed development project involves renovation and restoration of B. Goidhoo harbor. During the December 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, B. Goidhoo harbor facility received extensive damages. These include damage to harbor protection walls, side walls and quay walls. Under the proposed project, new quay wall (concrete sheet piles, L section) and breakwaters (armor rocks) will be constructed. Existing harbor basin will be expanded from 73m x 50m to 150m x 80m. The existing section of harbor basin will also undergo maintenance dredging to -3MSL. 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. 5. Goidhoo atoll (N4° 49′ – N 4° 53′; E 72° 50′-73° 00′) is a geographically separate atoll approximately 13 km south of main Baa atoll (N5° 00′ – N 5° 22′; E 72° 48′-73° 12′). Goidhoo atoll is categorized as an oceanic faro covering an area of 112 km2. Only a single natural reef opening exist providing the entrance into the atoll lagoon is located on the southern side. An artificially created harbour access channel is located on the northern side of the atoll. The length and width of Goidhoo atoll is approximately 18 and 8km respectively. The existing harbor facility is located at the northern side of the island with an access channel located northern side of harbor. The project boundaries are the harbor front area, either side breakwaters, eastern side existing harbor to distance of 75m (expansion area). Two options are put forward as the dredged material removed disposal areas; option 1 at the north western side of the island where severe erosion is observed and option 2, at the two muddy areas (marshy areas) eastern side of fringing mangrove habitat (proposed by island community during stakeholder meeting at the island) . Dredged material will be used during construction works and only surplus disposed. 6. Existing harbor basin will be expanded from 73m x 50m to 150m x 80m. The length of entrance channel is approximately 415m, while width is 30m. The harbor basin and entrance channel will have a depth of -3MSL after completion of the restoration works. 7. The harbor will have a total length of 145.3m of breakwater on the northern side of the
harbor. The breakwater will be constructed of armor stones and remains of existing breakwater as core. The harbor basin will be open at eastern and western side, while the existing access channel to boat hauling area will also be deepened to -3MSL.
8. Dredge material removed from the harbor basin (maintenance dredging and expansion works) and entrance will be initially stockpiled near harbor area since part of the material will be required during construction works. Part of the sediment will be used for back filling the area in between the existing quay wall and new quay wall and for filling the geo textile bags of breakwaters and side quays. Approximately 2,500m3 will be used for back filling and leveling the harbor front area, western side quay area and front of harbor. Approximately 43,500m3 of dredge material will be removed from the harbor basin (maintenance and expansion component) and entrance channel. 9. Approximately 1,000m3 will be used as core material for type 2 breakwaters, while approximately 2,500m3 will be used of filling the area between the existing quay wall and proposed quay wall. The remaining 37,500m3 will be disposed at the areas where severe erosion is observed, north western side or the marshy areas (as proposed by the island community and Island Office). 10. 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. 11. Two sites were survey as part of marine environment assessment, site R1 is located at the western side of manmade entrance (entrance to harbor) while site R2 is located at the sea grass bed north of boat hauling area. 12. The reef survey site R1 is located at the western side of entrance channel. The area is dominated by consolidated rock foundation, with massive to encrusting forms of live coral dominating the reef area. These life forms of coral are normally found in typical high energy areas such as the survey area. Dominant live coral observed at the area is Porites and Goniastrea. Live coral cover at site R1 was 25%. 13. The survey site R2, is located at the northern side of the boat hauling area at the sea grass meadow. The area was dominated by single species Thallasia hemprichii, sea grass cover is estimated to be over 90%. Very few live coral was observed at the area, these include Porites cylindrica a species often found at this type of habitat and Psammacora sp. Few small rock heads were also observed at the area, these rock heads were observed colonized with encrusting and massive life forms of coral (mostly small colonies). 14. 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, whereas the entrance channel mouth area is needed to be deepened. The sediment plume is envisaged to be directed towards eastern side inter atoll waters. 15. During the reef surveys two Hawksbill turtles were observed at site R1, due to vast sea grass meadows near the island many turtles are sited at the lagoon (according to the boat operator hired for reef survey). During the shoreline mapping works of the island, dozens of dead
carcasses of turtles were observed at the shoreline area near the western tip area of the island. Among the carcasses 3 hawksbill turtle heads and 8 green turtle heads and shells were recorded. The boat operator informed that some of the people at Goidhoo use long lines to catch green turtles at the western side sea grass bed where many green turtles are sited. According to the boat operator turtle meat is also available at the island. 16. Since the project is a restoration project but also includes harbor expansion works, additional impacts to the environment is thought to be limited, impacts envisaged will be limited to dredging works. The harbor basin will be expanded eastwards approximately 75m. The directly impacted area during the construction phase from dredging and disposal of surplus dredged material is less than 1% of the total reef area of the reef system hosting B. Goidhoo.
17. 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 additional impacts on shoreline, it is important to monitor shoreline changes. 18. The main issue raised by island community during the meeting held at B. Goidhoo was the issue of harbor expansion, entrance channel widening and disposal of dredged material at the marsh areas (two marsh areas at eastern side of the island). 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 socioeconomic benefits foreseen to the community from a functional harbor. |
