| Abstract: | This report discusses the findings of an Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed
dredging of the existing entrance channel and mooring area at the Service Jetty on the
southwest lagoon of Vakarufalhi, South Ari Atoll. The project is proposed by Vakarufalhi
Island Resort operated by Mount Lavinia Hotel Group. Vakarufalhi is one of the renowned
resorts in the Maldives with luxury beach and water villas, spa, restaurants and bars.
The project is targeted at improving access by dredging or maintenance dredging of the
existing access channel and mooring area at the service jetty (Jetty B), which is used for
supplies and other access needs apart from tourist movements. The dredging of the channel
and mooring area is proposed to be undertaken using excavator and truck or mini loader used
for moving sand ashore. The volume of the dredged sand is estimated to be about 8500m3 and
is proposed to be disposed to the beach after sieving the sand and leftover rubble will be
disposed appropriately, either on identified location on land or dumped offshore.
Environmental impacts were assessed for both the construction and operation phase of the
project. Most of the impacts of the project have been identified as positive resulting mainly
from improved access and mooring, improved services, direct and indirect employment
opportunities, increase in related business ventures, and so on. The main negative
environmental impact of the project is identified to be the possible movement of sediment
towards the reef. The movement and settlement of fine sediments are expected to occur
mainly on the reef flat, which is predominantly dead. The sedimentation on the reef slope and
edge is expected to be low and sediment settlement almost negligible due to good flushing
and currents in the area. Therefore, the environmental impacts of the project are considered to
be of minor significance and short-term. The project is undertaken due to the socio-economic
benefits that entail including easy access at all tides creating improved guest transfers and
services. The impact matrices done for the project indicates a net positive impact, however,
the magnitude of the net positive impact is small possibly due to the small size of the project.
Important mitigation measures that have been identified include the following:
1. Proper setting out of the dredge area to ensure that only the areas where dredging is
required will be dredged and coral damage is minimized.
2. Upon setting out, all live coral in the dredge area (borrow areas) shall be moved to
safety and transplanted in the nearest safe location prior to dredging. The safe location
shall be determined based on the prevailing current direction.
3. Sieve the dredge material before using the material for beach nourishment, so that
beach is free from rubble.
4. Excavator movement shall be minimized, therefore, truck or mini loader shall be used
for moving the sand from the borrow area to land. Truck movement between the island
and the dredge area shall be by using a temporary low bed that is at or slightly below
low tide level. Therefore, the moving the dredge material to land would take place
during low to medium tide for the safety of the operation. This is considered sufficient
based on experience from similar projects. This bed shall be removed at the end of the
construction phase.
5. General mitigation measures such as appropriate supervision during the civil works
and staff awareness on environmental protection shall be in place. Supervision and
environmental guidance shall focus on ensuring that fuelling of excavator and other
machinery is undertaken with caution.
During the construction phase, it is also vital to undertake daily in-situ monitoring of total
suspended solids and turbidity to ensure that water quality criteria are met and sedimentation
on the reef does not occur. In addition, monitoring of low tide line, high tide line, water
quality and drogues shall be undertaken for a minimum of 2 years. It is recommended to
incorporate these into an island-wide monitoring programme, which is not within the scope of
this EIA report.
In conclusion, it appears justified from a technical and environmental point of view, to carry
out the proposed project to dredge the existing entrance channel and proposed mooring area
on the southwest of Vakarufalhi resort. |
