Environmental impact assessment for the development of aquatic animal quarantine facility at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport

Abstract

The non-technical summary outlines the findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment of the proposed construction of a live aquatic animal quarantine facility at the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport. The proponent of the project is the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture. The proposed project is a part of the institutional strengthening component of the Mariculture Enterprise Development Project (MEDeP) implemented by the Ministry. It involves construction and set up of the live aquatic animal quarantine facility, which is inclusive of a quarantine building and pump station. The seawater for the holding tanks will be sourced through a seawater well located at the lagoon area to the west of project site (back reef area of Hulhule reef), while wastewater discharge will be through pipeline laid from facility to the western reef (pipeline south of facility and run near quay wall of harbor southern side of Hulhule Island Hotel, close to the along-side berthing area for fuel tanker ships). Key impacts, mitigation measures and alternatives Impacts on the environment from various activities of the construction work and during the operation of the facility have been identified through interviews with the project management team, field data collection and surveys. The impacts identified are also described according to their location, extent and characteristics. Impact analysis was done using the Leopold matrix. Impacts due to project were few and minimal, mainly with low effects. Impacts were mainly envisaged on seawater quality and marine environment, as well as vegetation (due to removal of coconut palms). Details of impact analysis are discussed in Section 9 of the report. Detailed mitigation measures are discussed in Section 11 of the report. Given the minimal impacts, mitigation measures due to project are few. However, the formulation of contingency plans in case of equipment breakdown or incidence of other events such as fire and floods should be given a priority. Due to the scope of the project and the means of implementation, an alternative scenario has also been given for the means of wastewater disposal. The „no project‟ alternative is also considered. Although this would mean avoidance of environmental impacts, this option is not feasible due to the necessity of the project, especially if the mariculture sector was to expand. Hence the project, with current designs and methods is considered feasible, and Consultant feels that appropriate mitigation measures have been given in the report.