| Abstract: | The purpose of this document is to fulfil the requirements to get necessary environmental
clearance from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement the proposed
Thunbafushi Island Extension Project in Thunbafushi Island, Kaafu Atoll. The proponent of this
project is Mr. Mohamed Moosa, Ma. Champa Villa, Male’ Maldives. Thunbafushi Reef and the
Thunbafushi Island has been leased by the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture (MoFA) to the
proponent in 2009, and extended again in 2006, to undertake agriculture and fisheries related
developments on the island. The original Thunbafushi Island, which lies on the NE corner of the
Thunbafushi Reef System, has been reclaimed.
At present, the proponent is planning to expand the fisheries, agriculture and animal husbandry
related activities on the island. New developments being planned include the construction of a
fish processing facility, an aquaculture farm, a large farm area and the installation of necessary
infrastructure such as the power and desalination facilities to handle the new developments. The
current land area is insufficient to undertake these developments and require expansion. Thus,
the main rationale for the proposed reclamation project is to undertake expansion of the fisheries
and agriculture related works as specified in the contract between the Government and the
Proponent. The proposed works, as agreed principally between the two parties cannot be
undertaken without the necessary additional land.
The aim of this project is to undertake the expansion of industrial activities planned by the
proponent as per the agreement with the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture.
The original project broadly involves the reclamation of a 11 Ha extension of existing
Thunbafushi Island on the western end of the reef system and the development of industrial
activities on them. The project requires dredging about 300,000 cbm of sand from the
Thunbafushi lagoon using a cutter-suction dredger. The project is divided in to three phases. The
first phase will undertake dredging, reclamation, shore protection, reef entrance dredging and
harbour development works. The second phase will establish the key infrastructure on the island
including the utilities, staff facilities, farming facilities and fish processing facilities. The third
phase will involve operations activities including aquaculture, hydrophonics, farming and
forestry. The details of the fish processing facilities and activities were not finalised at the time
of this EIA and therefore is not included as part of this EIA.
Upon detailed evaluation of the reef and lagoon environment and the potential alternatives, it has
been recommended to revise the project specifications. Bathymetry analyses and sediment
availability studies revealed that the currently proposed borrow sites are too deep and does not
have enough sand to be dredged using a cutter-suction dredger. Hence the changes
recommended to the project as alternatives include new sites and alternative borrow areas from the shallow reef areas, expansion and deepening the harbour, widening and deepening of the reef
entrance, reducing the planned island elevation to +1.3 m MSL and reducing the island size to
10.5 Ha. The sand requirement has been reduced to 240,000 cbm. All these changes have been
brought to address the limitation of sand in the reef system and to reduce the overall dredging
and reclamation footprint. The proponent is in agreement to make these changes.
All project designs 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, Decentralization Act,
Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 2012, Waste Management Regulation, Regulation
on Cutting Down and Uprooting Trees, Dredging and Reclamation Regulation, and Dewatering
Regulation. Preliminary approvals have been granted for the concept by MoFA. Further
approvals are required before construction and operations. Dredging and Reclamation Approval
has also been granted by EPA for the original dredging and reclamation plan. However,
following the changes to the master plan as recommended by this report, the new master plan
will need to be approved by EPA’s Coastal Section. In addition, there are a number of permits to
be obtained for the operation of utilities, import of chemicals and operation of the aquaculture
facility.
The proposed site is in pristine condition apart from a small islet created during reef entrance
clearing. The reef system is in moderately good condition. The deep lagoon contains some good
live coral colonies. The project site is not in proximity to any sensitive environment. The
proposed reclamation footprint does not contain any live coral colonies but the proposed borrow
area in the deep lagoon contains some live patches within its foot print. At present, the only
island within the Thunbafushi Lagoon is Thunbafushi Island on the NE corner of the reef. It is
located about 2 km away from the proposed site. Wave conditions on the proposed site are
expected to moderate to low considering its limited exposure to swell waves. The strongest
waves are expected to be felt on the western end of the island which is a small stretch of
shoreline compared to the overall island perimeter.
Significant impacts are expected to arise mainly during the construction phase of the project.
These impacts include significant loss marine biodiversity due dredging and reclamation due to
associated direct removal, turbidity and sedimentation; potential impacts on terrestrial vegetation
of source islands; contamination of marine and ground water and soil due to accidental
spillage/leakage of construction materials and waste; increased turbidity and sedimentation of
the water column due to coastal activities; changes to coastal hydrodynamics and risks to the
health of construction workers.
Major potential impacts from the operational phase include pollution of air, water and soil due to
emissions from island operations such as power generation, water production and sewage/ wastewater disposal. Agricultural activities are likely to impact the ground water, soil and
marine water quality. The overuse of agrochemicals, which is highly likely due to the reclaimed
island, is likely to have moderate high impacts on the terrestrial environment. The project has
significant positive socio-economic benefits, including increased direct and indirect job
opportunities, food security and reduction in food imports.
Key mitigation measures for the construction stage include minimising the impacts of dredging
and reclamation by constructing sand bunds around all dredging and reclamation site and
retaining the bunds until the sediments have settled down. Given the artificial nature of the
island, the entire shoreline will be protected by a revetment. The impact footprint of the project
has been minimised by reducing the borrow are size and deepening the key facilities such as the
harbour and the reef entrance. The outfall locations have been carefully located to allow proper
mixing and minimise impacts of marine life and human health. Operation stage mitigation
measures have been proposed to minimise the overuse of agrochemicals and its impacts on the
environment. Contamination of ground water and soil is a key concern and appropriate measures
have been recommended in this report to minimise these impacts.
Alternatives options were evaluated for the activities that are identified to have significant
impacts on or from the project. The most important of these is the recommendation to abandon
the proposed borrow areas and use the alternative borrow areas suggested in this report. Changes
have been proposed to the project specifications including island size, harbour size and reef
entrance width to counter the limitation in available sand. Alternative have been evaluated for
the island location, reef entrance location, shore protection design, shore protection material,
dredging and reclamation technology and sedimentation control measures.
Consultations were carried out with MEE, Meeru Island Resort, Helengeli Island Resort and
Atoll Council. No serious concerns regarding the proposed new development was raised.
The Environmental Management Plan (EMP) 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.
Monitoring plan is designed to assess any changes to the physical environment as well as
operational aspects of the resort. The total cost of mitigation and monitoring are estimated
between US$5,000 per year.
The main conclusion of this report is to move forward with the proposed development after with
the proposed alternatives and the suggested mitigation measures. |
