| 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 remaining works of the
proposed channel dredging project in Meedhoo, Addu Atoll. A part of the channel has already
been dredged with the assistance of Herathera Island Resort in the past. These works were
approved after an EIA but the works were ceased due to shortage of equipment. The City
Council require to restart the works but the EIA has since expired. This application is to
facilitiate a reissue of the decision note for the EIA.The proponent of this project is Addu City
Council.
The main rationale for the project is to reduce the travel distance to the ocean side for fishermen
and hence decrease the transport cost of a number of vessels. At present, the boats have to travel
a long distance before they could reach the fishing areas outside the eastern edge of the atoll. It
is expected that there will be substantial savings in fuel and associated reduction in import
demand for fuel. The channel is also expected to improve the subsistence fishing activities
through the decrease in travel cost. This project will contribute to reduce emissions from vessels
Maldives. The proposed channel is also expected to serve the dual purpose of providing access
to Herathera Resort and the Proposed Resort in Ismalehera.
The site already has about a 21 m x 790 m channel dredged. The originally planned channel was
25 m x 820 m. The proposed project mainly involves maintenance dredging of the existing
channel, widening the channel upto a maximum of 35 m and dredging the a channel to a depth of
– 3.0 to -3.5 m MSL. It also involves dredge waste disposal through land reclamation of an area
of 14,000 m2 and construction of permanent bunds covering an area of 5,000 to 8,000 m2 to
prevent erosion.
All proposed project activities are 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 and Environmental
Impact Assessment Regulation 2012.
Significant impacts of this project during construction phase of the project are the potential
impact of sedimentation and turbidity on the marine water quality and consequent impact on
marine life, direct loss of marine life within the project footprint including; damage to coral reef,
lagoon benthos and fish population and potential loss of seagrass. The strength of the reef rim is
also concern where the removal process will have strong vibratory pressures around the area.
Other changes include changes to coastal process and potential erosion, potential marine water
contamination from accidental oil spill, potential ground water contamination from stockpiling
of dredge material for land reclamation, local air pollution from increased emission, potential
increase in flood risk and the health and safety risks to construction workers. All these impacts
are expected to be minimized with proper mitigation measures recommended in the report.
The potential beneficial impacts during the construction phase of the proposed development are
mainly socio-economic impacts. These include: employment opportunities during construction
works, business opportunity for local suppliers, opportunity for local contract workers and the
opportunity for locals to rent out property, equipments, machinery, vehicles and vessels. The
potential beneficial impacts during the operational phase of the proposed development include:
reduced distance of travel between Fuvahmulah and, Meedhoo and Hulhudhoo, reduced fuel
costs and usage by fishermen, thereby increasing the productivity and profitability of fishing
industry, reduced fuel usage, thereby reducing imports and green house gas emissions and
availability of extra land area which can be used by islanders to host a variety of community
events.
The main mitigation measures include carrying out construction activities during low tide hours
and calm weather, construction of bunds 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 alternative dredge waste disposal methods for reef
entranc, dredging Alternatives, alternative reef entrance design, alternative location of the
channel The “No Project” option has also been explored.
The monitoring plan is designed to assess any changes to the coral reef environment of the
island, coastal changes and 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 involve substantial impacts on the marine
environment and hydrodynamics hence expected to be long-term and cannot be avoided.
However, the impacts predicted for the construction and operation stage can be minimized with
the proposed mitigation measures, alternatives and design principles proposed in this document.
Operational stage impacts will require adherence to the environmental management plans provided in this document to minimize the effects on the marine environment. |
