Environmental impact assessment for the proposed harbour rehabilitation at Holhudhoo, Noonu Atoll

Abstract

This report addresses the environmental concerns of the proposed harbour rehabilitation in Holhudhoo, Noonu Atoll. The primary objective of the project is to provide safe and adequate access to the island. As such the project encompasses maintenance dredging of existing entrance channel and basin, replacement of existing quaywall and breakwater and improvement of existing vessel beaching area. The harbour is located on the northern end of the island. This location is appropriate in terms of beach dynamics since beach material hardly moves to this location. It may be possible that only part of the beach on the northwest side moves towards the harbour. As a result the northwest shoreline has been severely eroded and it is the primary location identified for placing the dredge material. It has also been suggested by the members of the community to expand the harbour as far as possible when the existing breakwater with rubble and cement bags is replaced with rock boulders. Since this is possible without much of an additional cost, it is also proposed by the Consultants as the preferred alternative. The proposed concept involves the maintenance dredging of the existing harbour basin and provision of new quay wall and breakwater. However, the concept has not been discussed with the community so far. Therefore, community views that have been incorporated in this EIA report needs to be given consideration in finalising the design. Since, the community has been anxiously waiting for the project for quite some time, it is recommended to allow the proposed project to proceed while further modifications can be finalized in consultation with the relevant stakeholders during the construction phase. The overall environmental impacts of the project have been assessed using appropriate matrices and the results indicated that the proposed project has net positive impact. Given that the project has several socio-economic benefits although there would be some negative environmental impacts, it is recommended to allow the project to proceed as proposed.