Environmental impact assessment for the Hulhumalé second phase reclamation & development of a harbour quay wall at Hulhumalé

Abstract

This report discusses the findings of a social and environmental impact study (EIA) undertaken by Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd. at the request of Housing Development Coorperation (HDC). This EIA report covers two projects; reclamation and coastal protection of Hulhumalé phase 2 and development of a harbour quay wall at Hulhumalé. The reclamation and coastal protection of Hulhumalé phase 2 is the first step to develop Hulhumalé 2 in accordance with the Hulhumalé development master plan. This project would reclaim 244 hectres of land at Hulhumalé lagoon and undertake coastal protection. The two million cubic meters of the fill materials for the reclamation would be borrowed using Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger from borrow sites identified by EPA. The harbour quay wall project at Hulhumalé would be implemented on southern side by developing a 100 m quay wall. A harbour basin would be dredged to -3 m at MSL and the excavated material would be used as a back fill of the quay wall which will be constructed using concrete L blocks. Hulhumale development project was initiated by the government to address the issue ofchronic congestion in Malé. The phase 1 of the project commenced in October 1997 and the reclamation was completed in 2001. Under phase 1 of the project 188 ha was reclaimed that would serve an estimated target population of 60,000. With the completion of existing housing infrastructure, the land available for residential development is very limited. Hence HDC is proposing to undertake the Hulhumalé second phase reclamation to facilitate the development project needs be undertaken to meet the residential demand. The harbour quay wall project is to facilitate a safe mooring area at Hulhumale for the vessels to load and unload cargo. Environmental and socioeconomic impacts of both components of the project were assessed. The reclamation of the shallow lagoon, reef flat, creation of an entrance channel would have irreversible impacts on the Hulhumalé reef. The impacts of the project result mainly from dredging and reclamation work. The impact of both activities would be of sedimentation. This impact is considered to be minor and short-term. During dredging and reclamation activity, impact of sedimentation on inhabited islands, resorts and diving sites are a concern that needs to address. The reclamation and coastal protection of Hulhumaé phase 2 and harbour quay wall project would have socio-economic benefits to the greater Malé region. The socio-economic benefit outweigh the negative impacts of the project on the physical environment of the Hulhumalé especially allowing more land to further expand the urban centre development of Hulhumalé. Mitigation measures for these anticipated impacts have been identified and outlined in detail, including sedimentation and stagnation control methods and measures for minimizing negative effects of generation of waste. These mitigation measures will have to be followed in order to minimize environmental damage. The details of the project have been established based on the Hulhumalé master plan. Alternative locations and alternative designs have been investigated for the different components of the project. However, the present project design seems to be feasible option in terms of costs, durability and safety. An environmental management plan with environmental monitoring has been developed including the most important elements that require regular checks. This monitoring component need to adhered to and would allow to assess the changes due to the reclamation of additional land at Hulhumalé lagoon. Although the project involves inevitable negative environmental impacts, such impacts are predicted to be not severe as to not undertake the project in accordance with the master plan. The project is justifiable in light of the socio-economic conditions and anticipated benefits resulting from the project, which seem to outweigh the negative environmental impacts.