Addendum to the environmental impact assessment for the harbour development at Kelaa, Haa Alifu Atoll, Maldives

Abstract

This report is an addendum to the EIA for the harbour development project at HA. Kela carried out in 2015 based on the change of the scope of the project. This addendum to EIA has been undertaken by Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd. at the request of Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure for the change of scope to the harbour expansion and redevelopment project at HA. Kela. Refer to the EIA for the harbour development project at HA. Kela (2015) for the details of the harbour development project at HA. Kela. Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure awarded the harbour development contract to Capital Investment and Finance Limited. Capital Investment and Finance Limited recommended Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure to expand the harbour to east than to west as this would reduce the breakwater development cost of the project. Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure in consultation with Kelaa Island Council and Kelaa Island Community agreed to expand the harbour expansion to east of the exiting harbour. The main change to scope of the project is to expand harbour to east of the existing harbour. Additionally, it is proposed to extend the breakwater by 15 m on north eastern side as protection measure to protect the area which would be reclaimed as part of the project. The new harbour expansion would allow to reuse the existing quay wall blocks which is located on north eastern side of the harbour. EPA has granted an approval to carry out the required dredging and reclamation associated with the harbour development at the island with the revised harbour design. Environmental impacts due to the changes to scope of the harbour development project at Kelaa have been assessed. The impacts on the island due to the extending the harbour to east and extending the length of breakwater to north east would not be significant as those identified in the EIA for the harbour development in HA. Kelaa (2015). The impact of excavation would be that of sedimentation. This impact is considered to be minor and short-term. Excavation would have irreversible impacts. Reclaiming the adjacent area north east of harbour would improve the condition of beach on this side of the island. Moving the harbour extension from west to east would help to keep the huge beach on western side of the island keeping the identity of the island. The changes brought to the scope of the project conform to prevalent environmental legislation. Mitigation measures for these anticipated impacts have been identified and outlined, including sedimentation and stagnation control methods. These mitigation measures need to be followed in order to minimize environmental damage. The project scope has been changed considering the needs and requirements of the community by consulting members of the Island Council and Island Community. The EIA Addendum also allowed to explore alternatives for the changes brought to the project and identified key mitigation strategies. Alternative locations and alternative designs have been investigated for the harbour development. However, the present project design seems to be an acceptable the island council and island community.