Enviornment impact assessment for the proposed harbor development project in Noomara island, Shavaiyani Atoll

Abstract

Executive Summary This Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is an evaluation of the potential environmental impacts of the proposed harbour extension project in Noomara Island, Shaviyani Atoll. The proponent of this project is Ministry of Housing and Environment and the project contractor is MT Højgaard, Denmark. The EIA consultant is CDE Consulting. Introduction and Key Features of the Project Project Background  Noomaraa Island is considered one of the most difficult islands to access in Maldives due to the lack of a reef flat; it‟s location on the eastern rim; and the presence of year round wave activity around the island. In the SW monsoon, for most part of the year, the northern side is inaccessible. During the NE monsoon the southern side receives more wave activity and hence is not easily accessible. Hence, the island uses alternative sides of the island depending on the season. This island in many ways resemble the access difficulties faced in the northern islands in Maldives like Fokaidhoo, Feevah, and Nolhivaramu Island and to some extended the Fuvahmulah Island.  Due to the absence of a safe harbour the island has not been able to develop its fishing industry. The island is mainly agricultural but they have also had problems exporting the produce to Male‟ or other islands due to connectivity. This is again linked to poor accessibility to the island. Moreover, there is significant safety risk involved in accessing the island during peak periods of SW and NE monsoon. This aspect becomes critical when emergency evacuations are required due to the absence of good health facilities.  There has been an attempt to create an access channel on the NE side of the island during the 1990s. However, the locals report that this site presently experiences strong off shore current activity and due the absence of breakwaters, it is difficult to access for most part of the NE monsoon.  For these reasons the Government has been considering building access facilities or a harbour on the island since 2004. After years in the Government harbour projects pipeline funding for the Noomaraa harbour was approved in 2011.

Project Objectives  Providing safe access to the island  Developing a safe harbour for the commercial and passenger vessels.  Facilitate the expansion of the economic sectors, particularly the agricultural industry, fishing industry and transport sector. EIA for the proposed harbour project in Noomaraa Island, Shaviyani Atoll

Project Scope The main components of the project are:  Dredging harbour and reef entrance  Land reclamation or backfilling  Construction of harbour protection and sea wall infrastructure

Project Scope and work methodology a) Harbour basin dredging and shore protection

This component mainly involves dredging a 5,200 sq m harbour basin and reef entrance at a depth of 3.0 m MSL and construction of associated coastal protection measures. The harbour will be protected using armour rock breakwaters. The shoreline of reclaimed areas will be protected by a revetment. A quay wall will be developed along the existing shoreline. The work methodology involves the use of excavators mounted on barge and sand beds to excavate the basin and cranes mounted on sand beds to place the armour rocks. Construction of the quay wall will be undertaken in Thilafushi Island and armour rocks will be imported from India. b) Land reclamation or backfilling

This component mainly involves disposing the dredge waste by reclaiming an area next to harbour up to 3,800 m2 to an elevation of 1.4 m MSL using the dredge waste. The remaining dredge waste will be placed in pile on a designated site on the island to be used by the locals in the future. Project Schedule and Life Span Mobilisation for the project will begin after the EIA is approved. It is anticipated that the completion of the whole project will take approximately 8-10 months. Conformance to Laws and Regulations of Maldives and International Conventions The key laws and regulations of the Maldives to which the proposal is applicable are:  Environmental Protection Act,  Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 2007,  Fisheries Act of the Maldives  Tourism Act and Regulations