Environmental impact assessment for the proposed harbor maintenance project in Bilehefahi, Shaviyani 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 harbour maintenance project in Bilehffahi, Shaviyani Atoll. The proponent of this project is Ministry of Housing & Infrastructure. The main rationale for the project is to improve the access facilities of Bilehffahi Island to facilitate improvement in the social and economic condition of the island. The island has a harbour and a reef entrance, but the reef entrance has become shallow overtime and has become dangerous for navigation due to the narrow width. This project mainly involves widening the reef entrance, relocating a section on the breakwater and disposing the dredge waste in designated locations near the harbour. 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, Dredging and Reclamation regulation and Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 2012. The island coastal environment has been modified due to the presence of the existing harbour and reef entrance. The coral cover is in moderately healthy condition. The dominant benthic substrate of the footprint is mainly sand and rubble. 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, potential impacts on ground water 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 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, dredge waste disposal sites and alternative channel layout. The “No Project” option has also been explored and this option is not deemed preferable, given the current condition of the channel. The use of excavator on a barge for the deeper areas and the sand beds for the shallow areas are the preferred option for alternative dredging method, since it is the most common, practical and cost-effective method. An alternative layout for the project is proposed based on public consultation results. This project has strong support from the island community and the Island Council. Monitoring plan is designed to assess any changes to the coral reef environment of the island, coastal changes and depth variations of channel 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.