Environmental impact assessment : for the reclamation and expansion at Velana International Airport, Hulhulhé, Kaafu Atoll

Abstract

This report discusses the findings of an addendum that had been carried out for the environmental impact study (EIA) which was carried out by Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd. at the request of Maldives Airports Company Limited in July 2014. This EIA Addendum 6 report covers for changes that had been made to the reclamation and coastal protection component of the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA) expansion project, presently renamed as Velana International Airport. The changes to the project includes the following. 1. Closing the existing entrance channel and reclamation of 99,030 square metres. The new project with the changes would undertake reclamation to create additional land for the airport expansion project at Hulhulhe. As part of this work, the existing channel to access the Hulhulhe on south western side would be closed. This new land would be used for development of a parking facility in time for opening of the bridge. The material for reclamation would be borrowed from the stockpiled material at the island and the excavation of the new entrance channel. The reclamation will constitute one land mass and additional four (4) separate islets on the existing breakwater on the west side. 2. Creation of a new entrance channel A new entrance channel would be made on north of the area where the above reclamation would be carried out. The entrance channel would be 25 m wide. 3. Coastal protection of the reclaimed area Coastal protection would be provided to the above reclaimed land and the entrance channel. Rock boulders would be used to protect the entrance channel and revetment of the reclaimed land. Sheet piles would be used to protect the northern section of the reclaimed area. 4. Development of new cargo terminal and harbour for the cargo terminal. To enhance the operation of the international cargo operations, a new cargo terminal is being planned. The cargo terminal would be development on a land area of 11,800 sqm. As part of the project, the existing harbour on north western side of Hulhulhe would be improved. A new rock boulder breakwater would be constructed on the western side, new quay wall would be built on north and eastern side. The harbour basin would also be dredged to increase the total area to 16,600 square metres. Environmental impacts of these additions were assessed and most of the environmental impacts from the changes would be from dredging and reclamation component. Dredging and reclamation constitute sedimentation and it is a threat to the marine environment. The ongoing development in Hulhule island, has already caused a lot of environmental damage to the coral reef and the stresses on the reef continue to threaten the recovery process. Maldives Victory, a famous shipwreck on the south-west side of Hulhule has already been impacted by various development projects and further sedimentation of the reef is only going to increase the stresses on these significant resources. The main negative environmental impact from changes to the project would be sedimentation and destruction of the lagoon bottom. Sedimentation caused by reclamation will cause death of corals in the direct impact zone and partial death of corals in other areas. Construction of breakwaters, sheet piling and quay walls are also equally important factors that would impact the reef. Construction of these structures would destroy the reef on the direct construction footprint area.Mitigation measures for the negative impacts from the changes to dredging and reclamation component have been identified and outlined in the report. Sedimentation control methodshave been specifically focused as mitigation measure to minimise the impact of sedimentation on the marine environment. Use of bund walls in the fill areas is an option to mitigate impacts of sedimentation on the marine environment, but in this project, it is unlikely to be practical due to the nature of the project site. The proposed mitigation measures could be followed in order to minimize environmental damage. It is inevitable that there would be negative environmental impacts of this project. However, balancing these negative impacts and the socioeconomic benefits gained is something that is very difficult. As a result, a monitoring component has been suggested which takes in to consideration, important elements that require monitoring, most importantly a mechanism and means to measure and value the social benefit of the project. This monitoring component shall be adhered and will allow the assessment of long term changes, despite the potential negative impacts. It is not seen that any significant environmental impacts would be caused due to the changes that had been brought to the reclamation component other than those outlined in the Environmental Impact Assessment for the Proposed Expansion and Reclamation at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (2014). The project involves inevitable negative environmental impacts to the natural environment of the island. Nevertheless, this project will benefit significant social and economic benefit to the people of the Maldives