Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://saruna.mnu.edu.mv/jspui/handle/123456789/4105
Title: Environmental impact assessment for the development of a slipway in M. Mulah
Other Titles: Environmental impact assessment for the development of a mariculture project in M. Mulah
Authors: ReefTAC Maldives
Keywords: Mariculture projects
Slipway development
Dredging
Legislative and regulatory considerations
Climatology
Ground water and seawater quality
Marine environment
Constructional impacts
Operational impacts
Mitigation measures
Environmental monitoring plan
Environmental impact assessments
Issue Date: 2013
Citation: ReefTAC Maldives. (2013). Environmental impact assessment for the development of a slipway in M. Mulah. Male': Maldives
Abstract: This Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report has been prepared in order to meet the requirements of Clause 5 of the Environmental Protection and Preservation Act (No. 4/93) of the Maldives to assess the impacts of the proposed construction of a slipway at M. Mulah. The project is proposed by, Abdulla Sodiq of H. Shady Yard, Director of Shady Wood and Metal Works, Pvt. Ltd. Impacts, mitigation measures and recommendations for the different elements of the project are included. The major construction activities of the proposed project are described under ‘Scope of Work’. The project will include the dredging of a slipway basin, widening and deepening of an existing entrance channel, construction of headlands and retaining walls, slipway rails and related infrastructures including staff accommodation and winch room. Approximately 45,000sqft of area will be used for slipway development, of which 5000sqft will be on land. An area of 40,000sqft on the lagoon will be dredged to achieve the required depth of 3-4m for allowing vessels to be maneuvered onto the cradle and then onto the slipway rail. Two slipway rails of 320ft in length will be constructed at the site. An estimated 220,000cbft of will be dredged to create a slipway basin. Sand taken from this area will be used for road leveling. The existing entrance channel will be widened at narrow points to achieve a width of 35-40ft and the middle 20ft will be deepened to achieve a depth of 3-4m. Sand taken from the channel area will be used to make retaining walls along the channel. The proposed project will be carried out over a period of 7-8 months and all developmental activities will be carried out within the allocated land and marine area leased to the developer by the Island Council. Under the chapter ‘Scope of Work’, the inputs and outputs of the project are outlined. Inputs are provided with information on type of input, its source, and how it is obtained. Outputs are provided with the information on type of output, its source, and method of disposal. The next chapter, ‘Description of the Environment’, describes the general environmental setting and geographic location of M. Mulah. The monthly average values of temperature, rainfall and sunshine are included as well as baseline data collected on a field survey trip to the site, and results are provided in this section. Subsections of this chapter include bathymetry, beach profiles, vegetation, terrestrial fauna, wind speed, wave data, current speed and direction, sediment transportation, temperature, rainfall and humidity. Water samples were collected to achieve an understanding of the natural water quality parameters and to assist in conducting monitoring programs. The marine environment in the area for slipway development was surveyed during site. Fish counts and coral and substrate analyses were carried out. The average live coral cover across all sampled points is 23%. All activities during both construction and operational stages of the proposed slipway development project will be carried out in accordance with existing plans, policies, guidelines, laws and regulations of the Maldives and relevant international conventions to which Maldives is party to. The applicable policies, laws and regulations include the Environment Law, Environment Protection and Preservation Act 1993 (EPPA), Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2012, Strategic Economic Plan, Transport Master Plan, National Environment Action Plan III, National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, Protected Areas and Environmentally Sensitive Areas, Regulation on Sand and Aggregate mining, Regulation on Coral Mining, Regulation on Removal of Trees, International Conventions, Treaties and Protocols. Under the chapter of ‘Potential Impacts on the Natural Environment and Mitigation Measures’ details of potential environmental impacts and relevant mitigation measures for minimizing those are provided. The main environmental impacts of the proposed project will be the damages caused during construction and irreversible modification of the marine environment as a result of excavation of the slipway basin, widening and deepening of the entrance channel and potential impacts from the operation of the slipway. The establishment of the proposed slipway is anticipated to have numerous positive impacts to the socio-cultural environment, including direct and indirect employment opportunities and a boost in the economy of the island as well as the atoll. The chapter on ‘Alternatives’ discusses the possible alternatives to the various components of the proposed project with their key advantages and disadvantages followed by recommendations. This includes the ‘no project option’ and its’ advantages, disadvantages and recommendations. An environmental monitoring and management plan is included, which is necessary to ensure that probable impacts are identified and mitigation measures swiftly implemented It is mandatory to submit a detailed monitoring report to the Environment Protection Agency of the Ministry of Environment and Energy. Consultations and inter-agency coordination was carried out to discuss the components of the project between relevant stakeholders. All consulted stakeholders were supportive of the proposed slipway project. Details of these meetings are provided. This EIA demonstrated that both short and long term impacts are expected to arise from the development of the proposed slipway project at M. Mulah. This includes negative environmental impacts to the marine and terrestrial environment and mainly positive impacts to the socio-cultural environment. After consideration of predicted impacts and identification of appropriate mitigation measures, the consultant concludes that the project is feasible, given all applicable laws and the recommendations of this EIA are adhered to and the monitoring program carried out as outlined. ReefTAC Maldives Pvt. Ltd. acknowledges the work of all participants involved in the collection of data and preparation of this EIA, and wishes to thank the Proponent, Mulah Island Council and the citizens of M. Mulah for their continuous assistance and cooperation throughout the period of this EIA.
URI: http://saruna.mnu.edu.mv/jspui/handle/123456789/4105
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