Environment impact assessment for the proposed access improvement & beach replenishment project in Madoogali Island Resort, Alif Alif Atoll

Abstract

The purpose of this document is to fulfil the requirements to get necessary environmental clearance from the Environmental Protection Agency to carry out the proposed access improvement and beach replenishment project in Madoogali, Alif Alif Atoll. The proponent of this project is Blue Lagoon Investments Pvt Ltd. The main rational for the project is to improve the access facilities of Madoogali Island and to replenish the beach to provide a better product for the visiting guests. The existing harbour has been constructed at the early stages of the resort development and requires extensive dredging as outlined in this report to provide safe access to the island and safe anchoring of boats and vessels used for guest transfer and transportation. The project involves maintenance dredging of 35m × 65m area to a depth of -2.5.0 m MSL, and replenishment of the 330m length of beach on the south western side of the island. All project activities will be in conformance to the laws and regulations of the Maldives, and relevant international conventions that Maldives is party to. The key laws and regulations applicable to this project are: Environmental Protection and Preservation Act, Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 2012 and the Tourism Act. The existing harbour basin and entrance channel had no visible live corals and highly turbid. Coralline rubble and muddy sand is found at the harbour area. Significant impacts of this project during construction phase of the project are the potential impact of sedimentation on the marine water quality and consequent impact on marine life, direct loss of marine life within the project footprint and the health and safety risks to construction workers. All these impacts can be minimized with proper mitigation measures recommended in the report The main mitigation measures include carrying out construction activities during low tide hours and calm weather, deployment of silt screen or construction of bunds where appropriate to reduce sediment dispersal and avoid adverse sedimentation impacts and proper supervision of all activities by qualified personnel. The work schedule and duration will also be planned to avoid disruptive weather conditions and complete construction activities in the shortest time possible. The alternatives evaluated for the project are dredging methods as the project if for maintenance dredging of the existing harbour. The “No Project” option has also been explored and this option is not deemed preferable, given the current condition of the harbour and beach. The use of excavator on a temporary sand bed is the preferred option for alternative dredging method, since it is the most common, practical and cost-effective method. Monitoring plan is designed to assess any changes to the coral reef environment of the island, coastal changes and depth variations of harbour area as well the marine water quality as these are the key areas that will be impacted from this project. The management plan for this project is designed to produce a framework for anticipated impacts, including practicable and achievable performance requirements and systems for monitoring, reporting and implementing corrective actions. In addition provide evidence of compliance to legislation, policies, guidelines and requirements of relevant authorities. In conclusion, this project has been designed in conformance to the relevant laws and regulations of Maldives. The most significant impacts are expected to be short-term impacts on the marine water quality, coral reef and lagoon bottom habitats. However, mitigation measures have been proposed to adequately minimise these significant impacts.